FRHI Regional Coverage Report, Americas January 2016

Region – Americas Public Relations Monthly Report January 2016

FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS - REGIONAL MONTHLY REPORT

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

// V. 91

TRAVEL UNITES

WHERE TO GO

2016

THE WORLD

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

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A hotel marketer s new best friend SUSAN KRASHINSKY MARKETING REPORTER

LAKE LOUISE ALTA

Marcus the room Part is ofworking a solicitous team working to create an impression of accommodating luxury he greets guests in the plush lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Lake

Louise A ripple passes through the teeming crowd of winter holi daymakers One by one their heads turn sometimes mid con versation the way the atmos phere can change in a room when a celebrity passes through it Marcus is handsome with a sol emn and kindly mien Guests fawn over his deep brown eyes his soft coat and his floppy ears A yellow Labrador retriever Marcus is one of roughly a dozen canine ambassadors working through out the Fairmont Hotels

Resorts

Inc chain in Canada the United

States and Kenya Since the pro gram began as an experiment in Vancouver in 2001 the ranks of four legged employees have been growing steadily Fairmont is not alone among luxury hospitality companies employing pets to give their premises a more homey feel The historic Algonquin Hotel in Man hattan has had cats for about 90 years dating back to a stray who wandered in off the street in what may be the greatest rags to riches story of the feline world We have people who have heard about the cat and come

over just to see her said Alice de Almeida chief cat officer at the hotel

More recently Kimpton Hotel Restaurant Group Inc has brought dogs into some of its lob bies each of whom is known as director of pet relations Hotels Page 7

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FROM PAGE 1

Hotels Lobby pets can be a valuable form of marketing are taken of the animals every day It s free publicity when visi canine ambassadors a Bernese tors post pictures to Instagram Mountain dog named Belle and or Facebook Bachelor a Saint Bernard The Animals in general are great proliferation of animal life in for marketing said Hayat lobbies speaks to the changing R Ghif a spokeswoman for Le nature of luxury hospitality For Bristol in Paris where two Bir man cats Fa Raon and Kleo years hotels communicated their status through excessive patre reign over the lobby Le formality and white glove treat Bristol does barely any paid ment But increasingly consum advertising focusing instead on ers seem to prefer less stilted marketing through social media

The Ritz Carlton Hotel Co

resort in Colorado has two

There are certainly places where a more formal experience is appropriate Return on kibble investment

Having a lobby pet isn t cheap Some hotels cover vet bills as well as costs for additional

training or grooming But the investment can pay off We do believe it drives repeat visits said Mike Taylor a cor service e mail and its website Photos of porate spokesman for Fairmont They want quality but they the cats appear in those digital By next year Mr Taylor predicts don t want it delivered in a channels They are a fit with Le as many as six more hotels in stuffy formal way said Pam the chain could have dogs Bristol s brand They are beau Gilbert director of sales and At the Algonquin guests can tiful cats from a good breed book a Friends of Matilda marketing at the latest Fairmont they are white and pristine so to bring in dogs in Scottsdale package that includes a wel they fit well with the decor Ariz They want an experience come letter from the cat a Fairmont works with local that allows them to relax guide dog associations to adopt plush doll that looks like her There is a reason that the In

ternet is dominated by cat vid eos and fluffy puppies The

the dogs

which have received

and a book of cat health and

beauty tips It is one of the hotel s most popular packages

hundreds of hours of training The cat s worth a million dol but were judged unsuitable for guide work lars said Nicholas Sciammarel Hunter a three year old yellow la manager of marketing and also help hotels to cultivate cus tomers affection And animals lab and new recruit is still on e commerce at the Algonquin Hotel probation in Vancouver are popular fodder for social At first true to his breed he media where photos shared by At Fairmont each dog has its friends are more compelling own e mail address where peo would follow guests into the than traditional paid advertis ple often request reserved walk elevators He is learning the ing Lobby pets can be a valu times or just write to say hello rules able form of marketing It used to be back in the day In those cases owners such as Ms Wild reply in the voice of that there were cookie cutter The Instagram effect hotel luxury experiences Those their dogs It s amazing to see somebody days are gone said Steven Holt If I had 25 cents for every pic looking sort of harried and you a spokesman for Ritz Carlton ture that was taken with Beau and owner of Bachelor a yellow know they ve been through I d be retired said Debbie Wild lab who used to be the lobby security checks and baggage a concierge at the Fairmont dog at the Ritz s Bachelor Gulch problems and everything else Hotel Vancouver and owner of The moment they see the dogs resort in Colorado He is skepti the yellow lab who works in the cal however about dogs fitting they reach out and you see lobby five days a week It s the stress just come right off in at other luxury hotel loca been a great marketing tool them said Ms Gilbert in Ari tions It made sense in Colo Hotels say dozens of pictures zona rado because it s dog country irresistible emotional connec tion that animals create can

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At luxury hotels, pets provide soothing experience – and a marketing opportunity

Published Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 5:30PM EST Last updated Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 5:46PM EST Marcus is working the room.

Part of a solicitous team working to create an impression of accommodating luxury, he greets guests in the plush lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A ripple passes through the teeming crowd of winter holiday makers. One by one their heads turn, sometimes mid-conversation, the way the atmosphere can change in a room when a celebrity passes through it.

Marcus is handsome, with a solemn and kindly mien. Guests fawn over his deep brown eyes, his soft coat and his floppy ears. A yellow labrador retriever, Marcus is one of roughly a dozen “canine ambassadors” working throughout the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. chain, in Canada, the United States and Kenya. Since the program began as an experiment in Vancouver in 2001, the ranks of fourlegged employees have been growing steadily.

Fairmont is not alone among luxury hospitality companies employing pets to give their premises a more homey feel. The historic Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan has had cats for about 90 years, dating back to a stray who wandered in off the street, in what may be the greatest rags-to-riches story of the feline world.

(One early cat was named Rusty, but the actor John Barrymore disliked the name so much, the hotel staff changed it to Hamlet, to honour the character Mr. Barrymore was playing while he stayed there.

Seven cats have been Hamlets. The last three, all female, have been called Matilda.)

“We have people who have heard about the cat and come over just to see her,” said Alice de Almeida, chief cat officer at the hotel.

More recently, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc. has brought dogs into some of its lobbies, each of whom is known as “director of pet relations.” The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. resort in Colorado has two “canine ambassadors,” a Bernese Mountain dog named Belle, and Bachelor, a Saint Bernard.

The proliferation of animal life in lobbies speaks to the changing nature of luxury hospitality. For years, hotels communicated their status through excessive formality and white-glove treatment. But increasingly, consumers seem to prefer less stilted service.

“They want quality, but they don’t want it delivered in a stuffy, formal way,” said Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing at the latest Fairmont to bring in dogs, in Scottsdale, Ariz. “They want an experience that allows them to relax.… The ability to genuinely connect with the customer has always been part of what true luxury was.”

Marcus serves as Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s ‘canine ambassador.’ (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Handout)

There is a reason that the Internet is dominated by cat videos and fluffy puppies. The irresistible emotional connection that animals create can also help hotels to cultivate customers’ affection. And animals are popular fodder for social media, where photos shared by friends are more compelling than traditional paid advertising. Lobby pets can be a valuable form of marketing.

The Instagram effect “If I had 25 cents for every picture that was taken with Beau, I’d be retired,” said Debbie Wild, a concierge at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and owner of the yellow lab who works in the lobby five days a week. “It’s been a great marketing tool. When the Olympics were here, there were pictures of them all over social media. There’s huge attention.”

Guests have told Ms. Wild that they choose to stay because of the dogs. When Joe Biden was in town, he would not come through the lobby without patting a dog. The hotel includes information about the dogs in promotional packets for conference attendees.

Hotels say dozens of pictures are taken of the animals every day. It’s free publicity when visitors post pictures to Instagram or Facebook.

“Animals, in general, are great for marketing,” said Hayat R’Ghif, a spokeswoman for Le Bristol in Paris, where two Birman cats – Fa-Raon and Kléopatre – reign over the lobby. Le Bristol does barely any paid advertising, focusing instead on marketing through social media, e-mail and its website. Photos of the cats appear in those digital channels. They are a fit with Le Bristol’s brand. “They are beautiful cats, from a good breed, they are white and pristine so they fit well with the décor.” One guest was so taken with them, she adopted a cat from the same breeder.

Good manners and Gucci collars Animals may be more welcome in high-end places, but they still must meet a certain standard.

At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona, the dogs’ teeth and fur are brushed every day. At the Fairmont in Vancouver, the yellow lab Beau has a Gucci collar, and Mavis – who retired last summer after a 12-year career but still makes special appearances – wears Louis Vuitton.

Most hotels say allergies are not a problem, since the lobbies are regularly cleaned, and the animals usually don’t bother people who move away from them.

For some, no amount of preening or cleaning will make a dog a welcome sight. On occasion if someone is fearful, staff keep the animals on a leash or behind a desk when that guest is in the lobby.

At the Algonquin Hotel in New York, guests can book a “Friends of Matilda” package that includes a welcome letter from the cat, a plush doll that looks like her, and a book of cat health and beauty tips. It is one of the hotel’s most popular packages.

Fairmont works with local guide dog associations to adopt the dogs – which have received hundreds of hours of training, but were judged unsuitable for guide work. (Often they were too friendly, or unable to learn a crucial skill such as being willing to lead on a walk. Others had hip problems that made them unsuited to pound the pavement as a guide all day.)

Hunter, a three-year-old yellow lab and new recruit, is still on “probation” in Vancouver. At first, true to his breed, he would follow guests into the elevators or into the Dior shop. He is learning the rules.

“It used to be, back in the day, that there were cookie-cutter hotel luxury experiences. Those days are gone,” said Steven Holt, a spokesman for Ritz-Carlton and owner of Bachelor, a yellow lab who used to be the lobby dog at the Ritz’s Bachelor Gulch resort in Colorado. (Another Bachelor has now taken over.) He is skeptical, however, about dogs fitting in at other luxury hotel locations. “It made sense in Colorado, because it’s dog country. … There are certainly places where a more formal experience is appropriate.”

Home life While cats are usually content to stay put, the dogs mostly have owners with whom they go home at night. Many require the time off after a day of affection, socializing and walks.

This setup means that personnel changes sometimes affect the canine world as well: Smudge the yellow lab recently moved from the Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton, when her owner, general manager Garrett Turta, made the move. At some Kimpton hotels, lobby dogs left when their owners also moved to other jobs. At other locations, such as the Hotel Palomar San Diego, the employee-owners bring in their dogs whenever they like.

That can be a big morale booster for the dog owners, who don’t have to leave their pets at home all day, as well as the other staff – those who like dogs, anyway. “It’s a huge stress release for staff,” said Ms. Gilbert at the Fairmont in Arizona.

Gibbs (right) and Bixby, a Labrador and a golden retriever, are the newest addition to Fairmont’s collection of “canine ambassadors" at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona.

Return on kibble investment Having a lobby pet isn’t cheap. Some hotels cover vet bills, as well as costs for additional training or

grooming. But the investment can pay off.

“We do believe it drives repeat visits,” said Mike Taylor, a corporate spokesman for Fairmont. The head office does not install “ambassadors” – it usually begins with staff at the hotel who push for it. More and more are doing so. By next year, Mr. Taylor predicts as many as six more hotels in the chain could have dogs.

Beau, a yellow lab, works in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver five days a week.

In Arizona, the Fairmont saw its J.D. Power rating rise 11 points in the past year, and Ms. Gilbert believes the dogs contributed to that.

At the Algonquin, guests can book a “Friends of Matilda” package that includes a welcome letter from the cat, a plush doll that looks like her, and a book of cat health and beauty tips. It is one of the hotel’s most popular packages. She has nearly 10,000 Facebook friends, and more than 1,000 Instagram followers.

“The cat’s worth a million dollars,” said Nicholas Sciammarella, manager of marketing and e-commerce at the Algonquin Hotel.

A children’s book has even been written about the cat; there are also books about the resident black lab, Catie Copley, at the Fairmont in Boston. Another book is in the works, about Bixby and Gibbs in Arizona,

which the hotel plans to sell on site. It is also planning a special section in the hotel shop with dog merchandise, such as plush versions of the pets, and T-shirts with their pictures.

At the Le Bristol in Paris, Birman cat Fa-Raon and his partner Kléopatre welcome guests, especially children, from their favourite perch at the concierge desk. The pair wear jewelled collars designed by Goyard.

The emotional link it creates with customers goes above and beyond the usual touches hotels use to appeal to customers. Nobody has ever been moved to write a children’s book about a particularly lovely room service spread.

At Fairmont, each dog has its own e-mail address, where people often request reserved walk times, or just write to say hello. In those cases, owners such as Ms. Wild reply in the voice of their dogs.

“It’s amazing to see somebody looking sort of harried, and you know they’ve been through security checks and baggage problems and everything else. The moment they see the dogs … they reach out and you see the stress just come right off them,” said Ms. Gilbert, in Arizona. “We even have guests get right down on the floor with them.”

Follow Susan Krashinsky on Twitter: @susinsky

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/finedining/24-restaurant-openings-were-most-excited-forin-2016/ss-AAgr67P#image=3

http://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-trb-aaa-five-diamond-hotel-ratings-20160118-story.html

Fairmont Hotel Takes Modern Approach to Classic Cocktails

by Brad Japhe January 29, 2016

The Right Word There's a reason why the classics become classics. They're timeless, and they're damn good. In the realm of cocktails, familiar names like Martini, Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, Manhattan, immediately come to mind. If you're going to tinker with drinks like these, you best be careful, lest you unleash an uproar. Recently, the Fairmont hotel took on the precarious task with the introduction of its "Classics, Perfected" menu. Eight simple standards, tweaked ever-so-slightly, to reflect a modern approach. Here are the standouts worth heading up the hill for.

If you've never been to the Polynesian-themed Tonga Room in the lower terrace level of the Fairmont, you're missing out on a serious segment of local cocktail lore. It's cheesy, touristy, kitschy, and undeniably awesome. It's also a setting destined for Mai Tais and tropical Punch bowls. Although you can find the new drinks down here,

they're better suited to the elegant lobby bar, Laurel Court, just upstairs. Settle in between the large marble pillars, and have the barkeep fire up a Right Word, a floral variation on the venerable Final Word. With Bombay Sapphire Gin as its base, the ensemble of Lillet Blanc and St. Germain liqueur sculpts juniper berry into a calming symphony of herbaceousness. Bright, and slightly acidic, it takes on a greater degree of accessibility than its anise-laden progenitor.

The Perfect Martinez Invented in San Francisco, the Martinez is a play on the Martini, introducing maraschino cherry liqueur into the fold, for an added layer of sweetness. At the Laurel Court, they've opted to replace cherry with orange liqueur — Cointreau, to be precise.

Poking through the saccharine cloud is a dry gin from The Botanist, along with multiple types of vermouth. Its a balanced, if somewhat light-handed approach. To plumb bolder depths of flavor, seek out the VSOP Boulevardier, uniting Remy Martin Cognac with the time-tested combination of whiskey, Campari, and fortified red wine. Bitterness, herbal tones, oak, and grape must, are the main actors competing for attention here. Served in a rocks glass with a lemon garnish, the elegant sipper is unnervingly drinkable given its exclusively alcoholic list of ingredients.

VSOP Boulevardier An Old Fashioned, as its very name implies, is an ode to a bygone era. It's bedrock.

Permanence, personified in a glass. It's...Got rum in it?! It does at the Fairmont. What was once a straightforward synthesis of American whiskey, sugar, and Angostura, has been reimagined with Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum to unexpectedly wondrous results. It's certainly not your father's Old Fashioned, but the oak-heavy notes of Woodford Reserve bourbon, alongside a vanilla-rich rum — itself aged in bourbon barrels — resonate harmoniously. A lengthy, spice-filled finish solidifies the drinks alluring complexity. It's expectedly blasphemous to some, but purists be damned. This is a tasty tipple, one worthy of repeated encounters.

Slated as a permanent shift to the menu, the updated drinks debuted in December.

Timeless cocktails in a peerless setting should, theoretically, be priceless. Back in reality, all eight of the entries will set you back $16. You've got to pay to play in Nob Hill.

http://m.sfweekly.com/foodie/2016/01/29/fairmont-hotel-takes-modern-approach-to-classic-cocktails

THE HOTEL MOGEL BY LARRY MOGELONSKY LARRY MOGELONSKY, FOUNDER, LMA COMMUNICATIONS INC., TORONTO

It’s January so let’s talk weddings Weddings are often viewed as an orphan kid of our industry, and special attention to this stream is only given at a narrow set of dedicated properties. Lest I remind you, however, that weddings are "recession proof" whereby every bride wants her day to be as immaculate as possible. But it takes time and commitment to develop a successful weddings program, and to this end there’s no better place to look for inspiration then a 5-star, 5-diamond hotel with a stellar reputation in this arena.

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a majestic, sprawling property tucked away in the foothills north of San Diego. When I first visited the resort, I instantly noticed how important weddings were as a major source of revenue. And so I reached out to the director of catering and conference services, Charles Stuart, to elucidate some key details as to what makes their wedding program special. As always, there’s learning for all.

Charles Stuart

Give us an idea as to the size of your wedding facilities.

All told, we have 25,000 square feet of usable outdoor space and 20,000 square feet of indoor banquet space. The marquis space is our Elizabeth Ballroom which is 9,700 square feet with 20-foot ceilings and a built-in recessed stage, able to accommodate up to 550 people. Padded, gold-framed air walls can divide this space into three separate ballrooms if needed.

Our Manchester Salon and Terrace has 2,250 indoor and 1,925 outdoor square feet, with 13-foot ceilings height and accommodating up to 120 people. Meanwhile, our Capella Room is 3,070 square feet and accommodates up to 160 people with a recessed dais. The unique feature of this space is its dual purpose; it can be used for the reception dinner and dances as well as the inside venue for wedding ceremonies. The dĂŠcor is that of a traditional chapel with high wood ceilings, inlaid marble walls and floors, stained glass windows and removable ornate wooden pews.

Our outdoor spaces include the Aria Lawn at 8,160 square feet, which overlooks the golf course and canyon with a unique Mediterranean-themed pavilion. The area is used for the outdoor ceremonies and can double as a space for pre-dinner receptions as well as the dinner venue itself. Next comes our North and South Reflection Lawns and Gazebo which are located around the reflection pool and fountains.

These offer another outdoor venue for the smaller ceremonies up to 120 people as well as for predinner receptions.

What’s the typical wedding like?

The wedding business accounts for a significant proportion of the local catering business and the weddings range in size from 120 to 550 guests. When quoting an approximate amount, one should budget for between $300 to $375 per person plus service charge and tax. This would cover the food and

beverage requirements; décor, entertainment and guest room needs would be in addition to this figure.

Great skill is needed in balancing and managing the two families’ needs and who is paying for what, along with the bride and groom’s plans. Our job is to calm and reassure; that everything is under total control and the day is going to be a picture perfect day.

How many room nights does the average wedding yield?

The number of weddings varies each year (and whether it is a destination wedding, for instance), based on available space but they have averaged between 40 and 45 – our peak year was 48. We have seen events where as few as 10% of the guests will stay all the way through to an almost-total buyout of the hotel over the whole weekend, when there are multiple events that are planned in association with the wedding, such as rehearsal dinners prior and farewell brunches the following day.

What changes have you experienced in the weddings over the past years?

The booking window has shortened to between six and nine months. Leads are now coming in from all types of vendors these days – in particular photographers, indicating that brides are securing their photographer before other vendors or even the venue. Interestingly, wedding planners are no longer the main source of vendor referrals for weddings.

People are getting away from the old traditions and are customizing their weddings to exactly what they want. With the influx of social media sites such as Pinterest, more brides are becoming their own planners; they have greater access to all the ideas that are trending, and are often looking to incorporate these into their special day. Our specialty is in knowing which concepts will work and which will not when recreating a small snapshot of an idea for a large event.

SoCal has quite a few five-star, five-diamond wedding venues. How do you differentiate your product from a marketing standpoint?

Our venue is unique in every sense of the word. Still relatively a new hotel (eight years as of October 2015), the old-world design and décor of the property, landscape and manicured grounds, and the intimate internal ambiance all create a world away from other Californian properties. Many guests liken

us to being at a family estate in the Mediterranean; couple this with the unbeatable weather of San Diego and you have a venue like no other.

We focus our efforts on relationship building with other top industry professionals. Much time is spent networking with high-end planners and vendors to build this personalized relationship where understanding and trust is key. In addition to these one-on-ones, we host a memorable FAM trip for these professionals each year where they will be our guests for a couple of days and experience firsthand our level of service and quality of food and beverage. It’s fun; it’s a blast; we all let our hair down, and they experience what’s trendsetting and what sets us apart from the other venues. All this leads to word-of-mouth recommendations from some of the top planners in the country and Europe targeting the marketing at guests who are looking for an exceptional venue with the best service.

Can you convert wedding customers to leisure or other segments?

Yes, we have found that many guests who have stayed with us over a weekend and attended a wedding will return for a special getaway, be it for their own engagement dinner and subsequent wedding or a special occasion such as an anniversary weekend. The brides and grooms tend to be the most frequent returning guests, celebrating their anniversaries each year with a night or weekend stay. Often we will recreate part of their dinner menu or a tier from their original cake for them. One of the main reasons for this is due to the great amenities we offer including golf, spa, tennis, world-class dining and offsite activities. With all these options, we can offer a different celebration for each year and for every visit.

1/29/2016 - See more at: http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/Blogs/Details/63614#sthash.jkXx9b3e.dpuf

A toboggan ride heads toward the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Quebec City has long drawn admirers to its historic district — the famed ramparts, quaint cobblestone lanes and handsome stone houses. Get swept up in this squint-and-you’re-inEurope charm, however, and you risk missing out on the Canadian city’s most compelling attractions. Over thelast few years, a gradual revival has spread from one outlying neighborhood to the next, ushering in a wave of new boutiques, bars, bistros and more.

But can hip and historic coexist? Quebec’s capital, now alive with cultural and culinary enticements for all demographics, says, mais oui!

Rétro Bordello, a quirky boutique. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Friday 1.MEMORAB L E SOUVENIRS, 3 P.M.

The most exciting district to explore right now is revitalized St.-Roch (san-ROCK), a onceseedy neighborhood northwest of the historic center where a bunch of cool secondhand and design shops have bloomed. The souvenir hunt starts at Si Les Objets Pouvaient Parler, a curios shop filled with vintage finds and conversation starters ranging from old typewriters to Polaroid cameras. Next browse nearby Rétro Bordello, a narrow boutiquethat recently stocked zany mushroom lamps and hockey pennants for the former hometown Nordiques team. Then visit Bois & Cuir, a sleek year-old home-furnishings store selling unconventional pieces like metal trunk desks and birdcage chandeliers.

2.SAVORING SAUVEUR, 6:30 P.M.

The gentrification of St.-Roch has begun spreading westward into the St.-Sauveur neighborhood, where a two-block stretch is now home to some of the city’s most interesting dining establishments. Begin at Kraken Cru, a raw seafood bar that opened in

June with nautical décor and a seashell-studded counter. The best order here is a dozen oysters chosen from the chalkboard menu’s lengthy list of fresh, mostly Canadian bivalves (25 Canadian dollars, or $18.35 at 1.35 Canadian dollars to the United Statesdollar). Then proceed up the block for a proper dinner at Patente et Machin, a convivial bistro with a few tables and an inventive menu, which recently included a spectacular croquette de chèvre, a ball of meltingly tender goat meat drizzled with syrup on a bed of tomato sauce (11 dollars).

3.ROCH THE NIGHT, 10:30 P.M.

No DeLorean is needed to transport you back to the ’80s if you head back to St.-Roch and into the Macfly Bar Arcade. This two-room bar, which actually opened in 2014, has an electrifying orange color scheme, craft beers and vintage arcade games that are all free to play. Order a bottle of citrusy Saison Du Tracteur from the outstanding Québécois brewery Le Trou Du Diable to sip between games of Ms. Pac-Man and Double Dragon. Later, sidle up to the bar at the nearby Brasserie Artisanale La Korrigane for an only-in-Quebec nightcap: a pint of the microbrewery’s Croquemitaine, a seasonal beer made with maple syrup.

Poutine is the thing at Chez Gaston. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Saturday 4.POUTINE PARTY, 2 A.M.

A late-night debate with a Quebecer about the best poutine is akin to arguing about cheese steaks with a Philly native, so bite your tongue and trythe faithful rendition prepared at Chez Gaston. This St.-Roch hole in the wall is no-frills, but the piping-hot poutine is spot on: crisp fries with crunch and curds with squeak, all doused in gravy (5.65 dollars). For more comfort with your comfort food, try the city’s first location of the small Canadian franchise Poutineville, which opened in an airy, brick-walled space last summer. Here all ingredients are customizable, but the house specialty (10 dollars) substitutes crushed potato chunks for fries and adds a pile of braised beef to Canada’s so-called “national dish.”

5.OUTSIDE WAL L ART, 11 A.M.

The wonderfully preserved Basse-Ville (Lower Town), between the fortifications and the waterfront, dates back over 400 years and is not where you’d expect to find daring artwork. But for the last two years, the Exmuro Arts Publics organization has enlivened this historic area during warmer months with outdoor art installations. This temporary “Quartier Création” has previously featured neon-hued, tactile works and playful sculptures like three giant pigeons inspecting a huge Campbell’s Soup can by CookeSasseville, the moniker of two stars of the local art scene. If your visit doesn’t coincide with another series of installations, instead stroll these quaint streets until you encounter the area’s two massive trompe l’oeil murals — Fresque des Québécois and Fresque du PetitChamplain — whose depictions of prominent Quebecers and life in the Cap-Blanc harbor district double as local history lessons.

6.ST.-J EAN SNACK , 1 P.M.

On bustling Rue St.-Jean, a delicious, light lunch can be cobbled together along the street’s less-trafficked western end. Begin at Le Paingrüel, a tiny artisanal boulangerie where the

fresh-baked goods — buttery croissants (1.85 dollars), spiral orange-flavored pastries (2.60) — are among the tastiest in the city. Then head northeast two blocks to Cantook Micro-Torréfaction, a micro-roastery and third-wave coffee shop. The gorgeously designed interior has a vaguely Pacific-Northwestern atmosphere (dark wood ceiling, decorative antlers) in which to savor a single-origin espresso.

7.L IMOIL OU L OOT, 3 P.M.

The northern working-class neighborhood of Limoilou, with its tree-lined blocks of threestory, multiunit houses fronted by curving staircases, is nowhere near the typical tourist trail. But it’s worth the trek across the St.-Charles River to explore 3e Avenue, one of Limoilou’s main arteries. Start at Article 721, a funky boutique stocked with an eclectic mix of jewelry, clothing and design objects, many from Québécois artisans and designers, like adorable onesies with kangaroolike pouches from Electrik Kidz and T-shirts emblazoned with colorful pockets from Poches & Fils. Continue to the kitchenware shop La Folle Fourchette, if only to admire the handmade ash-wood pepper mills from Pierre Chayer Artisan. Then dip in to Le Lièvre & La Tortue, a serene teahouse that opened in September, to join hip patrons alternating MacBook clicks and sips.

8.NEW OL D WORL D, 8 P.M.

Quebec’s Old World culinary ties are being spun today into creative new directions. For a dinner that riffs on the tastes of southern Italy, head to the two-year-old Nina Pizza Napolitaine, a stylishly minimalist pizzeria that pulls chewy, perfectly blistered pies from its black-and-white wood-fired oven. Don’t miss the salsiccia e pistacchio pizza (17.50 dollars), featuring a creamy pistachio base topped with fine rabbit sausage, hazelnuts, Parmesan and mozzarella. Or savor the flavors of France at nearby Le Renard et La Chouette, a cheery, unfussy buvette that opened in 2014. Expect groups of friends laughing over glasses of Beaujolais and Gallic-inflected small plates like torchon de foie gras adorned with diced ginger and sea buckthorn berries (16 dollars).

Le Projet Spécialité Microbrasseries. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

9.RUE OF STRANGE B REW, 11 P.M.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better street for surveying the province’s craft ciders and beers than Rue St.-Jean. For apple-based tipples, visit Le Projet Spécialité Microbrasseries, a bustling bar with an elegant interior. Try the Citron Sunrise from Les Vergers de la Colline — an appealingly tart, lemony cider — or the winelike rosé “ice cider” from La Face Cachée de la Pomme. There are also about 20 area craft beers on tap, but serious beer connoisseurs should instead ascend the foreboding stairs toward the metalheavy soundtrack reverberating from Bateau de Nuit. This dimly lit bar, which occasionally hosts improv comedy nights, has 10 rotating taps from Quebec’s best microbreweries, like Les Trois Mousquetaires and Le Castor. For more soothing tunes, follow the street into historic Vieux-Québec,where an alleyway leads to Bar Les Yeux Bleus, a cavelike bar with (gentler) live music.

36 Hours in Quebec City Explore street view, find things to do in Quebec City and sign in to your Google account to save your map.

Sunday 10.SHOUTS AND MURMURS, 11 A.M.

Start the day with a scream while whizzing down the toboggan slide, 200 feet high and 800 feet long, that runs along Terrasse Dufferin toward the magnificent castlelike Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel (3 dollars). Then follow the charming cobblestone lanes of Vieux-Québec to the peaceful Monastère des Augustines, a former monastery dating from the 17th century that served as one of the first hospitals in Canada.

Reopened recently as a wellness hotel and spa, the building also has an on-site museum that is a contemplative space arrayed with curious artifacts from the sisters’ healing efforts (10 dollars).

11.FAL L S AND CL IMB S, 2 P.M.

Thirsty for the outdoors? Ride bus 800 to the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, about seven miles from downtown, to explore the park’s majestic 272-foot-high waterfalls — taller than Niagara’s. Organized climbs up the cliff face adjacent to the falls and a new zip line that shoots nearly a thousand feet across the cascades were introduced last summer.

Thoseadrenaline-pumping adventures are limited to warmer months, but the waterfalls are breathtaking in every season. For proof, cross the suspension bridge spanning the falls

to the north side, which is also the best vantage point for sweeping vistas of Île d’Orléans and beautiful Quebec City beyond.

Lodging Outside the historic center, Hôtel Le Vincent (295, rue St.-Vallier Est; hotellevincent.com; from 149 Canadian dollars) is a 10-room hideaway with comfortable rooms featuring bare brick walls, generous breakfasts and a convenient location for exploring St.-Roch and beyond. The historic Vieux-Québec, a Unesco World Heritage site, has several hotels in old structures with modern amenities. Beyond the famed 611-room Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1, rue des Carrières; fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec; from 139 dollars) in Haute-Ville, two options in Basse-Ville with elegant, stylish interiors are the 28-room Hôtel Le Priori (15, rue du Sault au Matelot; hotellepriori.com; from 139 dollars) and the 60-room Le Germain Hôtel Quebec (126, rue St.-Pierre;legermainhotels.com/en/quebec; from 199 dollars). http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/13/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-in-quebeccity.html?WT.mc_id=SmartBriefs-Newsletter&WT.mc_ev=click&_r=0

1/22/2016

Stay: Fairmont San Francisco Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package - What to Do in San Francisco During Super Bowl Week | Departures

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January 20, 2016

What To Do In San Francisco During Super Bowl Week

By Brittany Shoot

7 of 10 AUTOPLAY

Stay: Fair m ont San Fr ancisco Million Dollar Fantasy B ig Gam e 50 Package The iconic concrete monolith on tony Nob Hill has played host to scores of world leaders, including the 1945 assembly that resulted in the formation of the United Nations.

Add one more elite guest to the list: you, if you book the opulent Million Matthew Millman / Courtesy Fairmont San Francisco Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package in the Fairmont’s three-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot luxury Penthouse Suite. Invite 22 of your nearest and dearest to enjoy the pigskin play-by-play from the Levi’s Stadium Gold Suite on game day.

The lavish package even includes a philanthropic gesture: a $150,000 donation to the 50 Fund, which benefits low-income youth in the Bay Area. $750,000 for four nights; February 4–8; 950 Mason St.; 415772-5489; fairmont.com.

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2/1/2016

The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

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When you think of tropical paradise,

he Quest to Find piña coladas or mai tais with dainty umbrellas, enjoyed exclusively on a he Perfect Local towel in the sand overlooking the ocktail in Maui waves, naturally come to mind.

uary 9, 2016

The problem is that I’m not one to just lie in the sand, and I’m not a fan of sugary cocktails.

After I took Virgin America’s inaugural flight on its new San

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Francisco-to-Maui route, I went on a search for beach and mai tai alternatives. It didn’t take long to discover that there’s a lengthy menu of beverages indigenous to Maui.

I set out to sample all the spirits You’ll Lose Your Mind Over the made in Maui. Along the way I wasCadbury Creme Egg Pop-Up Cafe met with a few surprises, like the

Yahoo Travel

nonalcoholic elixirs noni and kombucha, and a few interesting characters just filled with true Maui pride.

My liquid diet began the moment the Virgin America flight took off and we https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

were served POG mimosas, a Privacy | Terms | About our Ads | Suggestions

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Love New Jif Bars. signature cocktail created especially Sponsored

for the route — a mix of Maui’s popular POG (passion fruit, orange and guava fruit juices) and champagne.

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The tart, sweet and effervescence transported me straight into vacation mode. (Photo: Jen Birn) When I walked into my room at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, I wasThe Most Amazing Ireland Road greeted by printed instructions and Trip in Pictures portioned ingredients to make theYahoo Travel hotel’s Flight 39 cocktail, created in honor of Virgin America’s move to Maui.

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

What a welcome. (Photo: Jen Birn) While unwinding from a day of travel with the concoction — made from 1 oz. Ocean vodka (made in Maui), 1 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. pineapple 14 Beaches That Will Leave You juice, a lime wedge, and a Speechless maraschino cherry — I crafted a drinking itinerary that included a

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vineyard, a brewery, a farm, a distillery and more.

Co co n u t Ca bo o se You’ll need to properly hydrate before embarking on an islandwide spirits crawl. Stumbling upon this

11 Foods Germans Miss When slice of heaven in a truck was one of They’re in the U.S. the happiest accidents of our trip. Spoon University Coconut Caboose is a food truck just off the road (there’s only one main road) in Lahaina right next to one of the scenic overlooks.

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Coconut juice is the perfect hydration vehicle. (Photo: Jen Birn) They sell coconuts that fell or were cut from the tree that morning andWorld’s Best Beach Hotels for Families stick a straw in it so you can drink the all-natural coconut water. When

Yahoo Travel

you’ve finished it, they take a machete and chop the coconut in half so you can eat all the nutritious jellylike meat inside. We also indulged in the coconut cream ice cream, a small delight made from two mashed-up coconuts and cream. Navy Seal Flashlight Should Be Banned From Public?

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The only way to get to Maui Wine is via Highway 37 through Upcountry.

It’s a magnificent drive to a magical place, a vineyard and a winery a mile apart with majestic views in between.

The winery, now called Ulupalakua

Ranch, has a rich history, and at its center is a building coined King’s 15 Stunning Photos of Bali to Hel You Survive the Winter Cottage, since it was once a mountain retreat for King Kalākaua, the last Yahoo Travel reigning king of Hawaii!

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Top French-Swiss chef found dea in apparent suicide: police

After taking in a view like this, you may never go to Napa again.

(Photo: Jen Birn) The Things About Travel That The newest addition to the property Makes Moms Crazy is a private tasting room in what was Yahoo Travel once a jail when the property functioned as a plantation in the 1800s. Maui Wine’s director of sales and marketing, Joe Hegele, gave us a spirited tasting of a selection of Maui Wines with a well-versed explanation before each glass.

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Given Maui’s climate, it’s curious so many varieties of grapes, from syrah SolarCity.com

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to chenin-viognier, would flourish here, but trial, error and experimentation have yielded results exceeding expectations. These varieties are in addition to Maui Wine’s sparkling rosé, Lokelani, which delights the senses in every way, and the sparkling pineapple 21 Odd Food and Drink Laws wine they’ve become famous for Around the World producing and exporting to the https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

mainland.

R ela ted: Th e S ecr et Ch eeseM a k in g In du str y in B elize Maui Gold pineapples are crushed on site to produce thousands of gallons of juice for the wines each month. In 10 U.S. Islands Where You Can addition to being used in their ownBeat the Winter Blues Yahoo Travel pineapple wines, the juice is shared

with Maui Brewing Company for their Mana Wheat Ale and the Haliimaile Distillery for their Pau Maui vodka.

Whether you’re an oenophile or simply want to explore the hidden

gems of the region, the Maui Wine Delta Flight Attendants Get in Fis tour is an unforgettable destination Fight, Plane Lands that will remain permanently seared Laura Begley Bloom in your brain. And Joe’s hospitality is infectious and invigorating.

H a liim a ile Distiller y If we started to get sleepy in the backseat of the car after sampling so many sensational wines, we were

Retire Abroad: Top Countries to given an instant jolt of energy by just Retire to in 2015 meeting Haliimaile’s master distiller, Forbes.com Sponsored

Mark Nigbur. Mark looks like a cross between Rod Stewart and Sammy

Hagar turned permanent surfer dude, though he swears his shock of blond https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

locks is inspired by Richard Branson.

He’s responsible for the creative

spirits made here, and his passionKristen Bell and Dax Shepard Lip and enthusiasm made me fancy him a Sync Best Vacation Video Ever delightful mad scientist. He loves Yahoo Travel creating extraordinary blends and prides himself on using Maui-made ingredients.

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This is exactly who you want to meet on your spirits tour. (Photo: Jen Birn)

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We had the privilege of a personal tour of the facility where we were inundated with alcohol-making stats and facts.

Haliimaile Distillery is best known for its Pau vodka, made from a blend New MA Solar Incentives? of Maui pineapples and Maui water. https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

USSolarResource They also make a Pau oaked vodka,

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aged in oak barrels like a whiskey, and a Pau vodka infused with cognac!

The distillery is also home to Sammy Hagar’s Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum. Originally created just for Sammy’s restaurants, the rum is a

collaboration between Sammy andWe Fed College Students Expired Mark. To create it, Maui-grown Food and Here’s What Happened sugarcane is run through a customSpoon University still Mark created that caramelizes the sugar, giving the rum a crème brûlée essence with a hint of vanilla.

According to Mark, Sammy regularly visits the facility, where barrels of his rum collect fan signatures as they age.

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It doesn’t get more local than this.

(Photo: Jen Birn) https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Another star at Haliimaile is the Paniolo whiskeys. They take straight bourbon from Kentucky, but then mix it with their own signature

pineapple distillate to make it Maui’s The Story Behind Your Last Nam own. It comes in three unique Will Surprise You flavors: brown sugar (which tastesAncestry Sponsored like drinking spiked French toast!), chocolate coconut, and coffee.

R ela ted: 9 S ecr et a n d Aw eso m e S u r fin g S p o ts Last but not least, Haliimaile makes a line of flavored vodkas called Maui Moon that includes the island’s favorite POG flavor, chocolate

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macadamia nut, and hibiscus.

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M a m a ’s Fish H o u se We couldn’t miss a chance to stop by Maui’s famous Mama’s Fish House restaurant, where the food is so fresh the daily menu has the name of the fisherman who made the catch — that morning!

7 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Get Pregnant While we took a break from imbibing in cocktails, the liquid pairing withRefinery 29 on Yahoo our fish was a complementary cup of coconut butternut squash soup that was so flavorful it danced in your mouth. https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Ocea n Or ga n ic V o dk a Ocean vodka is readily recognizable Planes, Cars, Hotels — How to by its spherical bottle. It’s shipped to Book Everything Cheaper and 36 states on the mainland, but the magic happens at Hawaii Sea Spirits Yahoo Travel Organic Farm and Distillery, a

family-owned operation where we walked through fields of sugarcane, the main ingredient in the organic vodka.

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Unlikely goat and tiger friendship It’s hard to miss a bottle of Ocean.tragically ends in fight When it’s empty, you definitely want Mashable to put a message in it. (Photo: Jen Birn) M a u i K o m bu ch a Kombucha is my biggest weakness, and after sampling the three kinds of kombucha that are made here each https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

day, I may be ruined from bottle Airline Pilots on Their Most Bone Chilling Near Misses brews. In addition to the daily handcrafted kombucha, Maui

Yahoo Travel

Kombucha has an assortment of healthy, natural Maui-sourced elixirs like noni. Noni grows on trees in Maui and is said to be a miracle herbal remedy for everything from immunity to digestion to a cough or a

headache. I could hardly get past the The 4 Worst Machines in the Gym pungent smell and nearly gagged at a small sip of the “magic herbal

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remedy,” but somehow my travel companion drank it down without as much as a flinch. If you can stomach it, they say, it’s good for you.

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The local noni is more difficult to get https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

down than wheatgrass, but they say it is even better for you. (Photo: Jen Birn) K o a t th e Fa ir m o n t K ea La n i Ko boasts inventive “garden to glass” How Losing Weight Changes in cocktails made with herbs and spices Your 20s, 30s, and 40s grown in an organic garden on theWomen's Health on Yahoo property! I sampled the Honey Basil Fresh with gin, hand-pressed basil, clover honey syrup, and fresh lime juice and loved it despite my general dislike for gin. Next up I sampled the Home Grown, vodka mixed with lavender from Maui, strawberry pepper jam-infused syrup, and

A Meal to Remember — Cooking lemonade, which packed quite theat Home With a Local in Peru Yahoo Travel unexpected punch — in a good way.

M a u i B r ew er y Our last day in Maui, we indulged in a buffet breakfast at the Fairmont for some sustenance before taking a short Uber ride to Maui Brewery. I’m personally not much of a beer drinker, but I quickly learned you don’t need to be to find a craft beer here that you’ll love.

R ela ted: W h y W a ik ik i B ea ch in H a w a ii Is th e P er fect P la ce to Lea r n to S u r f https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Garrett Marrero owns the facility, and during our tour he promised us that his beer “isn’t just yellow fizzy stuff to wash down pizza and pretzels.”

Until we got here, we had no idea craft brewing was even a thing in Hawaii. (Photo: Jen Birn) During a flight tasting, we began with their most popular export and local brew, the Bikini Blonde. A goldcolored lager, it was light and easy to drink. We soon entered more adventurous territory with the Mana Wheat made with Maui Gold pineapples (juiced at Maui Wine!). It was refreshing, and the hint of pineapple dances on the palette. https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-quest-to-find-the-perfect-local-cocktail-in-020109147.html

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The Quest to Find the Perfect Local Cocktail in Maui

Another favorite was Doppelshot Doublebock, a beer made from Maui coffee, which Garrett said is 10 times as expensive to use as a generic coffee but worth it. One can of the java beer has the equivalent of more than half a cup of coffee!

As our multiday drinking tour came to an end, I left with a new appreciation for all of Maui’s natural wonders and truly felt the spirit of Maui through its indigenous spirits.

Mahalo.

Let Y a h o o Tr a vel in spir e yo u ever y da y. H a n g o u t w ith u s o n Fa cebo o k , Tw itter , In sta gr a m , a n d P in ter est. #drink

#eat

#culture

#beaches

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14/15

10 4 6 9 8 3 2 7 5 1 10BEST: Trusted Travel & Lifestyle Advice

Best bets for romance in Montreal and a bit beyond

By Sherel Purcell Montréal Local Expert

SAVE TO MY LISTS

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Rekindle your love life with a trip to a romantic hotel in Montreal. Couples benefit from romantic amenities and special rates at romantic hotels such as the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. Montreal offers some of the most romantic hotels in Quebec including Auberge Boneparte. Take the time to enjoy each others' company and pamper your loved one with a relaxing stay at a romantic getaway hotel.

Sherel Purcell: Montréal Local Expert TRAVEL TIP

Take the train from NYC and Toronto then rent the city bikes found at stations all over the city.

Read more about Sherel Purcell here.

The suggestions here range from charming and romantic Bed and Breakfasts to full scale, full service hotels - many in romantic locations like Old Montreal. Several of these accommodations offer romantic dining too and /or cozy romantic bars that are perfect for two. We've even listed a romantic lodge 90 minutes outside the city snuggled up against a mountain that provides four seasons of a Locate

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relaxing and romantic getaway. Whichever of these unique accommodations you choose you can't go wrong when planning the perfect getaway just for the two of you.

Gite Le Terra Nostra Bed and Breakfast Montreal The Gite Le Terra Nostra is located near Angrignon park in neighborhood of Verdun. This small and exclusive B and B has won several awards for its beautiful decor and impeccable service. Each of the three rooms has been designed around a specific continent. Stay in the Asia, Africa or Europe room and enjoy wooden floors, sunlit windows and private bathrooms with heated marble floors.

Amenities include in-room refrigerators, therapeutic massage, hot drinks and gourmet gift baskets. This upscale bed-and-breakfast is in a 1927 home and a 3minute walk from the banks of the Saint-Laurence River.

Complimentary breakfast is served in the dining room.

There's a living room and den with a modern bohemian ambiance. There's a feng shui garden and bikes to borrow.

Free parking is available.

InterContinental Montreal Located directly across from the Palais des Congres and all of Vieux-Montreal's restaurants and nightspots this artsy, sophisticated hotel offers rooms with personality and flair. Decorated with photographs and prints by local artists, the spacious and well-lit rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown or Old Montreal.

Bathrooms are sinfully luxurious with marble tubs and showers. Playful touches like the leather and suede bed fixtures and faux fur panels along the escalators add to the overall style of this award-winning hotel. There's also the cheeky Sarah B absinthe bar (named after the divine Sarah Bernhardt) where the "green fairy" elixir is served

Petite Auberge Les Bons Matins Montreal This is one of the city's most popular Bed and Breakfasts and for good reason. Tucked away in an early 1920s house, its renowned for its gorgeous decor and homey atmosphere. The main sitting areas are furnished with leather couches, gorgeous artworks and homey touches.The colorful rooms are filled with plants, cushions and more artworks. Deluxe suites have fireplaces and whirlpool baths. The rooms have decadently comfortable beds complete with luxury linens. There are complimentary cocktails, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and biscuits available at any time. It's also within walking distance of all the downtown attractions, including all the best shopping areas and romantic restaurants.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel Montreal is conveniently located above the main Via Rail train station or Gare Central for those who enjoy the romance of train travel.The hotel is also connected to the Underground City paths that pass through several shopping complexes. The downtown west location is a 20-minute stroll to Old Montreal or a quick bike ride on one of the new, complimentary BMX bicycles reserved for guest use. The indoor swimming pool is a welcome relief after a day exploring nearby sites such as Chinatown, Place des Arts and The Museum of Contemporary Art. This bustling hotel lobby is particularly busy in summer months but the staff are quick to respond to personal requests and the rooms are quiet and comfortable.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-most-romantic-islands/15?iid=sr-link2

2/10/2016

Whats Trending In Food For

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W hat's Trending I n Food For 2016

Chefs See Local Sourcing, Healthier P ortions Gaining M om entum .

Friday, January 29, 2016 Steve Pike

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bookmark this

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

The only thing more fun than eating food at some of the country's top hotel and resort restaurants, is chefs, as well as food and beverage managers, speculating on food trends in 2016.

What cooking styles are in? What's out? What will be some of the more popular proteins and veggies this year that will drive business to hotel/resort restaurants?

The answers are as varied as the chefs' backgrounds and menus, but one thing is certain: 2016 will be another great culinary year for restaurants and another delicious one for hotel/resort guests.

"I think that the use of raw fish in dishes (ceviche, poke, escabeche) will continue to have a strong presence,'' said Chef Atticus Garant, executive sous chef at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Hotel.

Being in Chicago, Garant, of course, also likes his beef. New cuts of meat and under-utilized items, especially beef such as Denver-cut, Teres Majors, Spinalis Steaks, will be popular, Garant said, as well as artisan butchery and charcuterie and locally sourced produce.

"I believe we will see (chefs) continue to serve the best and most local of foods," Garant said. "Finding and serving ingredients in their prime, and not muddling the flavors with aromatics - allowing the items to speak for themselves."

Chef Francesco Gerardo Rosciano at Gustino Italian Grill at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, agrees.

"A general sense of culinary adventure among our guests is opening the door in terms of both supply and demand for relatively new or less frequently utilized cuts of meat, such as the teres major, or shoulder tender," Rosciano said. "Also, natural food that's been grown with minimal pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics, and that hasn't had much added to it after harvest. Artisanal craftsmanship, food with a compelling story, sustainability and, of course, local sourcing, are top trends for this year." http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

Frederic Delaire, executive chef at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, also sees charcuterie as gaining popularity.

"Curing meats in house, making your own sausage," Delaire said. "I'm not sure proteins will be trending, as far as steaks. I see more Vegan demand in the market - fresh seasonal vegetable dishes requested by the guests."

What's out, in Delaire's opinion?

"Heavy dishes are fading, big portions and high calorie food as well," Delaire said. "Guests are more interested in sharing multiple dishes versus eating big heavy portions."

Delaire said guests are looking for fun, casual places where they can interact with the service and the chefs.

"It is not only about the food but the entire restaurant experience," Delaire said. "Craft beer and cocktails are a big part of this. Communal table restaurants are also becoming very popular, set in smaller places with ambiance, where food can be shared versus the traditional three- to four-course menus."

Beauty & The Feast Kitchen at the Atlantic Beach Hotel & Spa in Fort Lauderdale is a good example of that communal table trend. Beauty & The Feast serves a variety of small plates, entrees, and family-style feast plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"You're definitely going to have more chef-inspired comfort food," said Steven Dapuzzo, from Society 8, which manages the food and beverage program at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa. "We're a comfort food restaurant inside a four-star, boutique hotel. What you're seeing is the spirit of the independent restaurant coming into the larger hotels."

Jason Shapiro, Chef de Partie at Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, said the biggest trend for 2016 is, well, a secret.

"The ësecret menu' has been captivating dinners more and more recently," Shapiro said. "I believe it will continue to develop to secret preset menus - or even full secret dining hours with craft pairings - and themes.

"Heirloom varieties, I think, will have a resurgence. Building off of the self-sustainable farm-to-fork movement we are still working with. It's becoming more and more apparent that different varieties of produce will become available simply because of the many different ëfarms' around the world."

Shapiro said he believes "outdated" things will be making a comeback, but be presented in some different ways.

"Deconstructions, miniaturized, or homages just to name a few," Shapiro said. "I don't think we will be seeing a lot of molecular gastronomy forward meals or dishes, but smaller ëtouches' of the craft being used to heighten a fresh take on an old classic. This would be not only inviting - because you've already experienced it in the past - but be something new for future foodies to enjoy. The best thing about this could also be the story of where/when the original dish comes from and how it is brought back to life by some fearless chefs."

Aaron Boyd, executive chef/food and beverage director at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge in Colorado said seasonal cooking will remain a hot trend. http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

"The pasture to plate concept continues to dominate the food screen here in Breckenridge and many restaurateurs will be changing their menus four times a year to keep up with the competition," Boyd said.

"Back to basics will also dominate the food scene. Peasant dishes with elevated flavors will be finding their way onto many menus at cutting-edge restaurants."

An emerging cooking trend among chefs is the "sous videî technique, which is French for "under vacuum.î "The idea is cooking in a sealed airtight plastic bag in a water bath for long periods of time under lower temperatures," Boyd said. "The technique is aimed at perfectly even cooking throughout the entire food item ñ pretty cool."

Venoy Rogers III, executive chef at Essensia Restaurant & Spa at The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, also likes the sous vide trend. "It's starting to gain popularity even in home kitchens," said Rogers, who also is a big believer in restaurants that use locally-grown beef. "The U.S. is starting to produce more and more quality beef all over the country," Rogers said. "It's fairly easy to source local beef wherever you are at."

Overall, Rogers said, he believes healthy food is going to be a top trend.

"More and more chefs are leaning out their menus, and diners are seeking healthier and fresher options," Rogers said. "I would personally like to see more breakfast items available all day. That being said, I also think that brunch will continue to be popular. So many restaurants are known for their brunches.

"Today you can find any type of food or cuisine just about anywhere. I feel like what is getting guests into seats is providing a unique and memorable experience through food, ambience and service."

What guests w on't desir e in 2016?

"Very large portions of food, and good cuts of meat covered with a heavy sauce," Rosciano said. "My premise is the luxury of simplicity. The simpler a dish, the better it will look and taste."

"One thing that has started to fizzle out a bit is sliders," Rogers said. "I remember a few years ago when sliders were all the rage. Now I think chefs are realizing that they are just tiny sandwiches. The old way of putting more and more on a plate is something that I think the industry is moving away from as well. We are starting to prioritize quality over quantity."

Nathan Wakefield, executive chef and food and beverage director at the Embassy Suites by Hilton DC Convention Center, believes Mediterranean and Greek flavors and techniques will continue to gain popularity.

"Fast casual and quick service chains like "Cava" continue to expand introducing guests to bold new flavors and spice blends that they were previously unaware of," Wakefield said. "Additionally, most of these spices and techniques carry excellent health benefits and create lighter and healthier options that guests are seeking."

On the bar side, Wakefield said, craft cocktail programs will be essential for success this year.

"As guests continue to see creativity from chefs' in our dining venues, they will expect the same creativity and quality to carry over to the Bar offerings," Wakefield said. "Fresh ingredients, quality glassware, creativity in menus and proper Ice will give our guests the upgraded cocktail experience that they will expect for the prices that they will be paying." http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

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Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early 1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Pike further pioneered this genre at the PGA of America and Time Warner as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than ... more

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1/6/2016

What Smart Hotels Are Doing to Create Successful Restaurants Now – Skift

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What Smart Hotels Are Doing to Create Successful Restaurants Now Andrew Sheivachman, Skift - Jan 06, 2016 6:08 am

The Pei Modern restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Four Seasons

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What Smart Hotels Are Doing to Create Successful Restaurants Now – Skift

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Hoteliers know that both travelers and locals alike are tired of stuffy dining rooms and interminable multicourse meals. They’re bringing in a wider swath of customers through experimentation and partnerships with skilled restauranteurs.

— Andrew Sheivachman

Hotel restaurants are notorious for being overpriced and underwhelming, often disappointing travelers looking for either a social atmosphere or touch of comfort while on the road.

To better appeal to the needs of today’s travelers and diners, some upscale hotel brands have changed their approach when planning the dining component of their properties. http://skift.com/2016/01/06/what-smart-hotels-are-doing-to-create-successful-restaurants-now/

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The Hotel In-Room Tablet Isn’t Dead, It May Even Be Evolving 1 day ago They’re looking to match the right restaurant concept with the right guest, instead of following a traditional template of saddling a hotel with whatever restaurant a corporate revenue manager thinks will drive the most spending.

“Rather than creating a unique concept for the restaurant specifically, hotel restaurants often end up as a last-minute addition to the larger enterprise,” said Alex Taylor, senior vice president of restaurants and bars at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. “For hotel restaurants to be fresh and well received, they need to be concepted and treated as a unique business entity separate but compatible with the hotel.”

Hoteliers aren’t equipped to design a restaurant with the nuance and attention to detail that dedicated restauranteurs are. And with today’s connected consumer, who can find out a restaurant’s limitations online in a matter of seconds, a mediocre dining or drinking experience at a hotel can be easily avoided.

“We made this strategic shift, about five to 10 years ago ,where we only work with specialty restaurant designers, rather than having the hotel designer do the restaurant,” said Guy Rigby, Four Seasons’ vice president of food and beverage in the Americas. “The restaurant now has a different character than the hotel. In the old days the restaurant was an extension of the lobby.”

Rigby said Four Seasons recently shifted a breakfast space at the company’s Scottsdale, Arizona resort into a bar/restaurant called Proof, despite another successful bar already on-property. The reasoning?

“Wealthy people want to have an approachable experience, as well as more formal choices,” said Rigby. “How many times [during a vacation] do you want to think about going out and spending $120 a head on food and wine?”

Lower prices also make the public and social areas of the hotel, like the lobby, more of a versatile meeting space and destination for locals. As food tourism takes off, brands that experiment in the space will be better-equipped to excel as time goes on.

“In many of our hotels and resorts where we have two or more outlets, one is simply going to be a bar with food,” said Rigby. “It’s relevant to the way people eat http://skift.com/2016/01/06/what-smart-hotels-are-doing-to-create-successful-restaurants-now/

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What Smart Hotels Are Doing to Create Successful Restaurants Now – Skift

and drink these days. We’re appealing now to millennials and Generation X, but the baby boomers also want to hang out with younger people.”

Interested in more stories like these? Sign up for the Skift Daily Newsletter, you will be lot smarter about the future of travel, we guarantee it!

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At the Four Season Resort Hualalai in Hawaii, a revamp of a restaurant from a pricy fine dining outlet to an approachable California Italian concept named Beach http://skift.com/2016/01/06/what-smart-hotels-are-doing-to-create-successful-restaurants-now/

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What Smart Hotels Are Doing to Create Successful Restaurants Now – Skift

Tree Bar & Lounge has seen guests dine three or four times during their stay, instead of just once. The restaurant space is performing better than before, with lower prices and more diners per night.

Upscale brands are leading the charge because they can take more risks on a property-by-property basis, instead of hewing to a plan created by corporate leadership.

“One of the biggest challenges as a management company is that we need to convince owners to invest in talented restaurant and bar professionals, so they can give those professionals the power and room to operate and create, and ultimately practice their craft,” said Taylor. “You can’t be a top hotel with a mediocre restaurant – the modern guest is very savvy and will hold it against you.”

Fine dining will always have a place at upscale properties, but hotel guests expect variety– especially if they’re spending multiple nights at a hotel.

“No one likes fine dining more than we do; however, the fine dining scene, white tablecloth scene the old stuffiness of it, is stale and going to the wayside,” said Luke Mathot, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International’s corporate director of food and beverage for the Americas. “Hotel lobbies and bars are coming back in vogue like when they were back in the day.”

Fairmont, for instance, shifted the 1888 Chop House at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel from a classic fine dining steakhouse a few years ago to a more casual experience, and instantly saw more demand from guests and locals.

“You got perfect service [in the classic sense], but the restaurant was becoming empty, closing two or three days a week during the off-season,” said Malhot.

“Now we’ve got something open seven days a week, with no white tablecloths and there are fun people there. It’s more about hospitaity than service, having a good time rather than a perfect time.”

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CLASSICS, WITH A TWIST 2 Hot New Happenings on the Hotel Front WHAT’S HOT

By Olia Golovkina

T

he hotel scene is ever-evolving and always changing—what remains constant is the level of quality you can expect from certain travel favorites. It’s seems the great ones, though, are getting even better, and travelers have a lot to look forward to.

“This is much bigger than a menu,” said Jane Mackie, Vice President of the Fairmont Brand,

Here’s a look at what’s new and exciting at two of our favorites.

the holiday season. And it really is.

Shaken, Not Stirred: Fairmont’s Redesigned Cocktail Menu regarding Classics. Perfected., the curated cocktail menu that was rolled out globally over

This is the first time that Fairmont has brought its top bartenders from around the world

family

together to create cocktails, redesigning both ingredients and execution. The Fairmont Tastemakers include Grant Sceney from Fairmont Pacific Rim, Nader Chabaane from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Erik Lorincz from the Savoy, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, and Tom Hogan from Fairmont Singapore. The menu offers three sections: classics for those who favor tested combinations, revived classics for the more adventurous, and “neats” for those more spirits-inclined. Cocktails will be served in Schott Zweisel crystal glassware, and spirits involved in the program include Remy Martin VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac, Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, Bombay Sapphire, Casamigos Tequila, Louis XIII,

FEATURE

and more.

The new menu is an exciting leap into a new standard of excellence. More importantly, however, it gives people at Fairmont hotels a chance to congregate, to discuss groundbreaking ideas, and to arrive at historic resolutions. As Mackie went on to say, “It is about shaping and sharing Fairmont cocktail culture with our neighbors and visiting guests in over 20 countries.”

Classics. Perfected. may be simple in name but it certainly isn’t simple in vision.

Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

fairmont.com

The Knickerbocker Hotel Suites, Where New York Glamour Comes Alive Today, a visit to the Knickerbocker Hotel—the only five-star hotel on the edge of Times Square—is a jump through time, to the era of billionaire John D. Rockefeller, innovation, luxury, and, of course, glamour. That’s because the hotel has opened doors to four unique new suites—four tributes to the legends of the hotel’s past—and it invites guests to stay for drinks.

The Caruso Suite overlooks Times Square from its top-floor level and replicates the spacious stage of world-famous tenor Enrico Caruso, who called the Knickerbocker home. Guests staying here can enjoy a welcome martini when they arrive, daily breakfast for two, plus a complimentary pressing of two garments. The Martini Suite is a nod to the 1912 Knickerbocker bartender Martini di Arma who, serving frequent guest John D. Rockefeller, is rumored to have invented the cocktail. It’s finished in cosmopolitan style, with leather-clad walls and lacquered minibar. And walk down to the hotel’s signature restaurant for two complimentary martinis prepared by a pro, per tradition.

The Cohan Suite is named after “the man who owned Broadway,” theater celebrity and Knickerbocker resident George M. Cohan, whose personality shines through the bright and embellished décor of the room. Lastly, the Parrish Suite captures the vision of artist Maxfield Parrish, who painted a specially-commissioned mural for the Knickerbocker, and who has been honored with his own commissioned mural.

As Jeff David, managing director at the Knickerbocker rightly said, “The fusion of Manhattan’s glamorous past and future is what the new Knickerbocker is all about.”

The sophisticated new suites, designed by renowned firm Gabellini Sheppard, certainly

exemplify that.

theknickerbocker.com

46 • Resident January 2016

The Martini Suite, Courtesy of the Knickerbocker Hotel

2/1/2016

Healthy Hotels with Cool Fitness Partnerships | Shape Magazine

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Gone are the days of sad hotel gyms stocked with circa-1986 treadmills. Now, hospitality chains make sure one of the top amenities (besides plush robes and fragrant shampoo) is an awesome exercise option Kaitlin Menza | Jan 29, 2016

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You'll get a sneak peek of this partnership when you hit the fitness center at a Fairfield Inn & Suites location and spot nutrition tips and training videos from Life Time Fitness in the facilities. But that access doesn't end when you check out: Customers are then given a free, seven-day trial at any Life Time Fitness location to use any time in the future. (Psst... Check out The 8 Best Hotels for

Healthy Travel.)

Westin + New Balance

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Packing sneakers into your suitcase can be a depressing endeavor: They take up a lot of room, and you know you're unlikely to actually use them. Westin knows that too, which is why they'll lend you New

Balance gear (clothes and sneakers) during your stay. Just pay $5 and they'll have your sizes waiting for you in your room. Just be sure to return them at the front desk when you leave.

SHAPE Magazine just $5.99 per FULL YEAR!

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts + Reebok

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Loyalty club members can deck themselves out in Reebok apparel and running shoes, which are delivered straight to your room. It's a free rental; you just need to return them when you check out.

Many Fairmont locations go the extra mile (so to speak) and provide running maps, so you can enjoy the scenery in your temporary city while getting in a good run.

Kimpton Hotels + PUBLIC Bikes

http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/fit-getaways/healthy-hotels-cool-fitness-partnerships

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Markets Overview

World Markets

Market News

McClatchy-Tribune 01/25/2016 3:56 PM ET

text size: T | T

BRIEF: Sneak peek: What will Austin's skyline look like by 2018? [Austin American-Statesman] Jan. 25--In case the slew of construction cranes hasn't tipped you off, Austin's skyline is in for a major transformation over the next few years.

A new graphic from Cushman & Wakefield/Oxford Commercial shows what downtown will look like by late 2018, when several high-profile projects are set to be complete.

At 685 feet, the Independent will replace the 683-foot Austonian as the city's tallest building. Both the Independent and the Austonian are condo towers.

The Fairmont, Austin's third convention hotel, will become the city's third-tallest building when it opens, coming in at 595 feet tall.

Much of the new construction is in the southwest corner of downtown Austin, where new towers are going up at the former Seaholm power plant and Green Water Treatment Plant sites.

Projects include Austin's new central library, as well as the Northshore apartment tower and 500 W. Second St., where Google has signed a lease for 200,000 square feet of office space.

In that same area, a high-rise is set to replace the Austin Music Hall, with demolition work beginning in the next few weeks.

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Additional content provided by Acquire Media

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos | National Post

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So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos L A UREN L A R OSE , T HE C A NA DIA N P RESS | January 19, 2016 | Last Updated: Jan 19 6:56 PM ET More from The Canadian Press

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

HO - Flytographer/The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good old-fashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

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So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos | National Post

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Married couple Ruth and Stephen are seen outside Fairmont Le Cheteau Frontenac in Quebec HO - Flytographer/The Canadian Press City in this undated photo. The couple travelled to the famed hotel to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary and enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document their experience.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session — which includes 30 high-resolution images — or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

HO - Flytographer/The Canadian Press

Her most popular package is the hour-long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper. http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/so-long-selfie-sticks-travellers-hiring-photographers-to-take-vacation-photos

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So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos | National Post

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”‘ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographer-for-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Nathan Walker is seen with his wife Brandi, daughter Willow and son Jett in HO - Wild Whim Design & Photography/The Canadian Press Ventura, Calif. in February, 2015. The Edmonton-based Walker and his family decided to enlist the services of Wild Whim Design & Photography to capture professional images of them while they were on vacation in California.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.”

Related http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/so-long-selfie-sticks-travellers-hiring-photographers-to-take-vacation-photos

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2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS 01.18.2016 |

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good old­fashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them. http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

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2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography (http://www.wildwhim.com/) , whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography (http://www.nathanwalker.ca/) , who also works full­time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30­minute photo session — which includes 30 high­resolution images — or US$500 for an hour­long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography (http://mountainboundphotography.com/) based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour­long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”‘ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

2/5

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian­based startup Flytographer (http://www.flytographer.com/) , which already offered its photographer­for­hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high­quality images that can become family heirlooms over time.

Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice­president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (http://tiac.travel/) , said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list­type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35­plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves.

There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.” http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

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Travellers hiring photographers to take vacation photos LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 10:00 AM MST

Travellers hiring photographers to take vacation photos IMAGE 1 OF 8

3 sec.

TORONTO -- Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good oldfashioned photos not captured on a smartphone -- and they're willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

Related Content How to take better vacation photos Celebrities' own top travel photos of 2015 He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

"I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill," said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session -- which includes 30 high-resolution images -- or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

"You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage -- but photos are a lasting thing."

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour-long "Lovin' Life" tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

"People will say things like: 'We wouldn't typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip ... so we're splurging,'" said Whalen.

"A lot of people will say 'I want to get this printed on a canvas,' or 'We want something for our living room.' People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed."

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographerfor-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident -- their photographer.

"A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It's just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city."

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

"Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You're buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories," he said from Ottawa.

"There's the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There's also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography ... there's a value to that."

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

BY LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS

JANUARY 20, 2016

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good old-fashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session — which includes 30 high-resolution images — or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour-long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”‘ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=11661748&sponsor=

1/2

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographer-for-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.”

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The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

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Travellers hiring photographers to take vacation photos

1 / 9 Nathan Walker is seen with his wife Brandi, daughter Willow and son Jett in Ventura, Calif. in February, 2015. The Edmonton-based Walker and his family decided to enlist the services of Wild Whim Design & Photography to capture professional images of them while they were on vacation in California.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO- Wild Whim Design & Photography

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VIDEOS LATEST NEWS LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS

Tuesday loses its title Jan 14, 2016 , Last Updated: 12:40 PM ET as the best day to score a flight deal: report (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Trends/2016/01/12/22592313Follow @canoetravel relaxnews.html) Asian travellers most

Asian travellers most TORONTO -- Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are addicted to their still yearning to come home with good old-fashioned photos not captured on smartphones, a smartphone -- and they're willing to pay for them.

Europeans the least: survey (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Trends/2016/01/14/22593018Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, relaxnews.html) Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while

vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

The smart suitcase that Related Content will follow its owner How to take better vacation photos for hands-free travel (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Tips/2013/07/17/20980881.html) (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Trends/2016/01/13/22592643Celebrities' own top travel photos of 2015 relaxnews.html)

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are to

Spend Christmas Together (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/Galleries/Activities/CelebrityTravel/2015/12/17/22584501.html) He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

Ben Affl eck an d Jen n i fer Garn er are...

"I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill," said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Kate Beckinsale Leaves Awards with ...

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session -- which includes 30 high-resolution images -- or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

One hot ride at Banff’s Sunshine Vi...

"You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage -- but photos are a lasting thing."

Lady Gaga Gets Upstaged At American...

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour-long "Lovin' Life" tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

"People will say things like: 'We wouldn't typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip ... so we're splurging,'" said Whalen.

"A lot of people will say 'I want to get this printed on a canvas,' or 'We want something for our living room.' People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed."

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographer-for-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident -- their photographer.

"A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It's just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city."

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Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35plus crowd.

"Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You're buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories," he said from Ottawa.

"There's the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There's also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography ... there's a value to that."

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2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS 01.18.2016 |

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good old­fashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

1/5

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography (http://www.wildwhim.com/) , whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography (http://www.nathanwalker.ca/) , who also works full­time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30­minute photo session — which includes 30 high­resolution images — or US$500 for an hour­long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography (http://mountainboundphotography.com/) based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour­long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”‘ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

2/5

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian­based startup Flytographer (http://www.flytographer.com/) , which already offered its photographer­for­hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high­quality images that can become family heirlooms over time.

Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice­president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (http://tiac.travel/) , said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list­type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35­plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves.

There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.” http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

3/5

Travellers hiring photographers to take vacation photos LAUREN LA ROSE, THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 12:00 PM EST

Travellers hiring photographers to take vacation photos IMAGE 1 OF 8

3 sec.

TORONTO -- Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good oldfashioned photos not captured on a smartphone -- and they're willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

Related Content How to take better vacation photos Celebrities' own top travel photos of 2015 He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

"I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill," said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session -- which includes 30 high-resolution images -- or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

"You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage -- but photos are a lasting thing."

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour-long "Lovin' Life" tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

"People will say things like: 'We wouldn't typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip ... so we're splurging,'" said Whalen.

"A lot of people will say 'I want to get this printed on a canvas,' or 'We want something for our living room.' People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed."

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographerfor-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident -- their photographer.

"A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It's just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city."

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

"Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You're buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories," he said from Ottawa.

"There's the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There's also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography ... there's a value to that."

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So long, selfie sticks. Hello, private holiday photographer - Travelweek

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So long, selfie sticks. Hello, private holiday photographer - Travelweek

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Thursday, January 14, 2016 By: Lauren La Rose

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good oldfashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session — which includes 30 high-resolution images — or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the http://www.travelweek.ca/news/long-selfie-sticks-hello-private-holiday-photographer/

2/8

2/3/2016

So long, selfie sticks. Hello, private holiday photographer - Travelweek

Canadian Rockies.

More news: Carnival waives initial deposits on group sailings, enhances free cruise berth program

Her most popular package is the hour-long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”’ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographerfor-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

More news: Trend Watch: PDX latest airport to debut a movie theatre

http://www.travelweek.ca/news/long-selfie-sticks-hello-private-holiday-photographer/

3/8

2/3/2016

So long, selfie sticks. Hello, private holiday photographer - Travelweek

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.”

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2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

HOME | TRAVEL | TOP STORIES | STORY So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos Wednesday, January 20, 2016

By Lauren La Rose, The Canadian Press

The Mast family takes a casual walk around downtown Vancouver in this undated photo. The family enlisted the services of local vacation photography service Flytographer to document the experience.

TORONTO — Even with the popularity of selfie sticks, some travellers are still yearning to come home with good old-fashioned photos not captured on a smartphone — and they’re willing to pay for them.

Despite his own credentials as a wedding and portrait photographer, Nathan Walker decided to enlist the services of a local professional while vacationing in California with his wife Brandi, son Jett and daughter Willow.

He settled on Kelly Paulson of Wild Whim Design & Photography, whose work he discovered on Instagram.

“I definitely had a style in mind that I was looking for and she fit the bill,” said the Edmonton resident behind Nathan Walker Photography, who also works full-time as a graphic designer.

Wild Whim bills US$350 for a 30-minute photo session — which includes 30 high-resolution images — or US$500 for an hour-long session with one or two locations and at least 75 edited images.

Walker said he could think of no better souvenir than some family portraits, and opted to scale back on other trip extras to pay for the photos.

“You buy a souvenir and it breaks or it gets thrown in the garbage — but photos are a lasting thing.”

Jen Whalen of Mountain Bound Photography based in Banff, Alta., has had vacationers from the U.S. and U.K. seeking her out to capture idyllic portraits against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Her most popular package is the hour-long “Lovin’ Life” tour and photo shoot for $300, but she offers additional options for those seeking longer excursions to locales like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Jasper.

“People will say things like: ‘We wouldn’t typically hire a photographer for our vacations, but this is our once in a lifetime trip … so we’re splurging,”‘ said Whalen.

“A lot of people will say ‘I want to get this printed on a canvas,’ or ‘We want something for our living room.’ People certainly still do want to print them out or have them framed.”

Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have the option of incorporating a photo shoot during their stay at several http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/travel/top-stories/long+selfie+sticks+travellers+hiring+professional+photographers/11661748/story.html

1/2

2/9/2016

So long, selfie sticks: Travellers are hiring professional photographers to take vacation photos

properties in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

Photo sessions can be purchased in blocks of time from 30 to 90 minutes ranging from US$225 to US$450, said Alexandra Blume of FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury hotel operator partnered with Canadian-based startup Flytographer, which already offered its photographer-for-hire service to vacationers in 171 locations around the world.

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith said most customers are looking for high-quality images that can become family heirlooms over time. Beyond the photos themselves, there is the added benefit of gaining the local perspective of a resident — their photographer.

“A lot of our customers feel like that part is equally as important as the photos themselves. It’s just that authentic connection with a really cool local who is doing this because they genuinely love to meet people from all around the world and host them around their city.”

Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said he sees the vacation photo service as a bucket list-type of activity that would be particularly relevant to the 35-plus crowd.

“Travel is not a tangible good that one buys. You’re buying experiences and you want to try and capture those memories,” he said from Ottawa.

“There’s the memories that one wants to keep for themselves. There’s also the promotion of the experience, the bragging rights that you have. And if you can capture it not only for your own souvenir but to post some compelling photography … there’s a value to that.”

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Adventure lovers take flight amidst the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains with an exhilarating aerial sightseeing package from Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. Lift off from Mountain Village at sunset in a helicopter fully stocked with delicious snacks and refreshments to marvel at the awe-inspiring peaks which soar some 14,000 feet into the heavens. Led by a local http://www.everythingzoomer.com/fairmont-hotels-resorts-launches-new-f-scapes-2/

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airmont Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the continuation of the F-scapes collection of extraordinarily unique travel experiences. Created especially to make the most of the winter season at some of North America’s most iconic and luxurious properties, these once-in-a-lifetime packages continue to offer travelers exclusive insider access to the distinctive locales in which Fairmont is located.

Below, Fairmont introduces a selection of the new F-scapes packages, available now through April 30th, 2016.

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FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS LAUNCHES NEW F-SCAPES - Everything Zoomer The Royal Secrets of Longevity 14,000 feet into the heavens. Led by a local mountaineering guide, guests will land in untouched alpine meadows and explore secret spots where only the most elite—and the most daring—have ever ventured. Touch down in a luxurious slope-side suite and relax after an exceptional Holidays and Heart Attacks escapade in the skies. Fairmont President’s Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $3,900/4 nights for up to four people.

HAUTE ART Take vacationing to a fine art with this inspiring package from Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim. First, take in the creative sights of the city’s landmark Vancouver Art Gallery, with a one-of-a kind guided tour of this stately heritage building and its featured exhibits—all before the gallery even opens to the public. Then, experience the fascinating art of sushi-making with a delectable customized Omakase sushi dinner at The RawBar. Finally, discover the hotel’s unique art and architecture with a self-guided podcast tour throughout the exquisite property. Fairmont President’s Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $889/night for two people.

TASTE OF TRADITION Fairmont Southampton offers a bewitchingly Bermudian experience to satisfy guests’ culinary curiosities. Enjoy the tastes of the island with a classic Gosling’s Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail and Bermuda Rum Cake upon arrival. Spend the next morning on a private tour of the hotel kitchens and herb gardens, followed by an exclusive cooking class with the chef. That evening, guests can channel their inner mixologists with a Gosling’s Rum tasting, learning the history of this traditional spirit as well as how to create several signature cocktails. Savor an exquisite meal at the historic Waterlot Inn restaurant, a AAA 4-diamond ranked steakhouse that has been thrilling Bermuda’s taste buds for over 350 years. Fairmont President’s Club members also enjoy a daily $50 hotel credit. From $981/3-nights for two people.

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RELAXATION & RESTORATION Discover the depths of diversity that the magnificent Riviera Maya has to offer with this exceptional ecoculinary experience from Fairmont Mayakoba. Join Alonso Ortiz, the Ecology Manager, a senior member of Oceanus A.C., or an expert from the Coral Reef Restoration Team on a fascinating adventure of discovery with a private snorkeling tour of the resort’s coral nursery. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how precious Acropora Palmata coral is grown and harvested to be transplanted into the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world. After marveling at the glittering tropical marine life, indulge in unlimited dining and drinks at the newly renovated restaurants, featuring delicious menus curated by acclaimed chef Richard Sandoval. Fairmont President’s Club members also enjoy a nightly $50 hotel credit. From $476/night for two people.

For a full list of the F-scapes packages offered within Fairmont’s distinctive portfolio of luxury properties, please visit Fscapes.com.

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Winter Escapes from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts January 11, 2016 -

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Created especially to make the most of the winter season at some of North America’s most iconic and luxurious properties, these once-in-a-lifetime packages continue to offer travelers exclusive insider access to the distinctive locales in which Fairmont is located.

Below, Fairmont introduces a selection of the new Fscapes.com packages, available now through April 30th, 2016.

RELAXATION & RESTORATION Discover the depths of diversity that the magnificent Riviera Maya has to offer with this exceptional eco-culinary experience from Fairmont Mayakoba. Join Alonso Ortiz, the Ecology Manager, a senior member of Oceanus A.C., or an expert from the Coral Reef Restoration Team on a fascinating adventure of discovery with a private snorkeling tour of the resort’s coral nursery. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how precious Acropora Palmata coral is grown and harvested to be transplanted into the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world.

After marveling at the glittering tropical marine life, indulge in unlimited dining and drinks at the newly renovated restaurants, featuring delicious menus curated by acclaimed chef Richard Sandoval. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a nightly $50 hotel credit. From $476/night for two people.

PEAK PERFORMANCE Adventure lovers take flight amidst the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains with an exhilarating aerial sightseeing package from Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. Lift off from Mountain Village at sunset in a helicopter fully stocked with delicious snacks and refreshments to marvel at the awe-inspiring peaks which soar some 14,000 feet into the heavens. Led by a local mountaineering guide, guests will land in untouched alpine meadows and explore secret spots where only the most elite—and the most daring —have ever ventured. Touch down in a luxurious slope-side suite and relax after an exceptional escapade in the skies. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $3,900/4 nights for up to four people.

HAUTE ART Take vacationing to a fine art with this inspiring package from Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim. First, take in the creative sights of the city’s landmark Vancouver Art Gallery, with a one-of-a kind guided tour of this stately heritage building and its featured exhibits—all before the gallery even opens to the public. Then, experience the fascinating art of sushi-making with a delectable customized Omakase sushi dinner at The RawBar. Finally, discover the hotel’s unique art and architecture with a self-guided podcast tour throughout the exquisite property.

Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $889/night for two people.

TASTE OF TRADITION Fairmont Southampton offers a bewitchingly Bermudian experience to satisfy guests’ culinary curiosities. Enjoy the tastes of the island with a classic Gosling’s Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail and Bermuda Rum Cake upon arrival.

Spend the next morning on a private tour of the hotel kitchens and herb gardens, followed by an exclusive

http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/winter-escapes-from-fairmont-hotels-resorts-24992.php

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Winter Escapes from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

cooking class with the chef. That evening, guests can channel their inner mixologists with a Gosling’s Rum tasting, learning the history of this traditional spirit as well as how to create several signature cocktails. Savor an exquisite meal at the historic Waterlot Inn restaurant, a AAA 4-diamond ranked steakhouse that has been thrilling Bermuda’s taste buds for over 350 years. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $50 hotel credit. From $981/3-nights for two people.

WINTER WONDER Embrace the scintillating beauty of a true Canadian winter in the Prairies, with this refreshing experience from Fairmont Winnipeg. Accompanied by a local guide, guests will begin the day with an exhilarating skate along the Forks River Trail, the world’s longest naturally frozen skating trail. Then, warm up in style while relaxing in the outdoor thermal pools at Thermëa Spa. Upon returning to the hotel, the certified tea sommelier will lead guests through an exclusive tea tasting, demonstrating the magic of blending wonderful winter flavors such as spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate. Guests will leave with incredible memories as well as two boxes of Fairmont tea. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $50 hotel credit. From $369/night for two people.

POP TROPICAL The world-renowned Fairmont San Francisco immerses guests in a pop-culture paradise with a fabulously fun night on the town. The curtain rises on the hilarious pop extravaganza that is Beach Blanket Babylon, America’s longest-running musical revue. A favorite for locals and tourists alike, this spectacular show is continually changing to keep up with current celebrities and events. After the performance, enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the famed Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, where guests will savor delectable Pacific Rim Asian cuisine amidst tropical tiki décor. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $529/night for two people.

BREAK THE ICE Fall hook, line, and sinker for this quintessentially Canadian adventure, created exclusively for guests of Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Escorted by seasoned local fishing guides, venture through Whistler's sparkling landscape of snow-capped slopes, frosty evergreens, clear mountain streams and pristine ice-covered lakes.

Cast a line in search of freshwater rainbow trout, Kokanee, pike and more, followed by a gourmet open-air lunch.

Bring the catch of the day back to the Chateau where it will be expertly prepared by the hotel chefs. Retire to The Grill Room and savor the rewards of the day’s expedition, perfectly paired with delectable sides and a divine dessert to finish. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $100 hotel credit. From $1,575/2-night package for two people.

STARGAZING Star light, star bright, imagine all the stars to be seen at night, with this marvelous, magical experience from Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Nestled within Alberta’s magnificent Jasper National Park, this iconic resort offers a one-of-a-kind visit to one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves. Join the experts at the Jasper Planetarium as they lead guests on an unforgettable journey through the lakes, peaks and glaciers of the Canadian Rockies at night, as well as a sparkling nocturnal flight across the pristine skies above. Explore planets and moons, shimmering stars and glittering galaxies, all from the comfort of the Planetarium’s intimate, state-of-the-art domed theatre. Then, drift off to the sweetest of dreams in a Premiere Deluxe Room. Fairmont President's Club members also enjoy a daily $50 hotel credit. From $918/2-night package for two people.

For a full list of the F-scapes packages offered within Fairmont’s distinctive portfolio of luxury properties, please visit Fscapes.com.

http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/winter-escapes-from-fairmont-hotels-resorts-24992.php

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10 Expert Solutions for Winter Skin Woes

d%20snow.%20Here%20are%2010%20quick%20tricks%20spa%20professionals%20suggest%20to%20keep%20skin%20looking%20and%20feeling%20its%20best.)

January 25, 2016 Jennifer Nied (/author/jennifer-nied), American Spa Categories: Skincare (/spa-blog/cat/skincare), From the Field (/spa-blog/cat/from-the-field)

We received more than our fair share of winter over the weekend as a massive blizzard pummeled the East Coast. Luckily most of New York City is cleared, and it’s back to business as usual. Still, skin does need some extra TLC even when the snow melts. Here are 10 quick tricks spa professionals suggest to keep skin looking and feeling its best all winter long.

1. Sun and Wind Burn “Use chamomile tea to ease the discomfort of burned skin. The tannins offer anti-inflammatory properties that relieve and calm the sense of burn.”—César Sánchez, spa manager, Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose

2. Dry Scalp “Massage your scalp to enhance circulation and help produce natural oils for a healthy, happy scalp and silky soft hair.”—Gabie Holloway, director of SoSPA at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

3. Increased Skin Sensitivity “Avoid taking hot showers and overusing scrub brushes while showering in the winter months.”—Daniela Braswell, lead esthetician at Spa al Mare at The Reach in Key West (FL)

4. Chapped Lips “Apply a lip hydrator with healthy, skin-loving ingredients early and often to prevent cracking and soreness.”—Meagan Bowers and Kelly Scott, lead estheticians at Well & Being at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

5. Dull, Lifeless Skin “Apply replenishing oil before moisturizing during a nighttime skin regime – these two products work together to restore and maintain skin’s moisture.”—Monica Coutinho, spa manager at Spa del Rey at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

6. Sallow Complexion “For a healthy winter glow, scrub your body in circular movements, then apply coco oil to promote the removal of dead cells and brighten a dull complexion.”—Nicole Courrau, spa manager at Sibö Rainforest, Spa & Retreat – Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort

7. Dry Skin “An easy, natural way to keep skin from drying out is to drink plenty of water daily, and be consistent with moisturizer.”—Lindsey Neeley, assistant spa director at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando Spa

8. Red Nose & Cheeks “Products with oats, aloe and essential oils soothe the skin, while antioxidant-rich seed oils and probiotics support the body’s immune response to inflammation.”—Barbara Close, founder of Naturopathica Chelsea, Healing Arts Center & Spa (New York City)

9. Tired and Aged Appearance “Layer up! After washing your face, apply a serum to refresh, followed by a rich cream to hydrate and revitalize overnight.” – Alina Cimpoeru, lead esthetician at Guerlain Spa in the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York

10. Cracked Hands “Treat hands to an aromatherapy-oil infused paraffin bath, such as lavender, to soothe cracked skin.”—Sheila Bracewell, director of spa & fitness at Hilton Orlando’s Eforea Spa

Tags: Marriott (/spa-blog/tag/marriott), sofitel (/spa-blog/tag/sofitel), spa al mare (/spa-blog/tag/spa-al-mare), well & being (/spa-blog/tag/well-being), Fairmont (/spa-blog/tag/fairmont), ritz-carlton (/spa-blog/tag/ritz-carlton-1), sibo rainforest (/spa-blog/tag/sibo-rainforest), Naturopathica (/spablog/tag/naturopathica)

Jennifer Nied (/author/jennifer-nied), American Spa

2/10/2016

Yoga for Travelers | Travel + Leisure

Travel Yoga: 14 Tips for Doing Yoga On-The-Go

by Melanie Lieberman

January 20, 2016

Getty Images

Add a little flexibility to your travel routine.

Relaxation is paramount for a successful trip—even if said trip is jetting off to a busy city on business. But between wedging yourself into cramped coach class, sitting for hours on a train, and the stress that comes with airport security or exploring a new destination, travel can wreak havoc on your peace of mind—not to mention your body. That's where yoga can help.

“Traveling takes a toll on your mind and body,” says Jamie Kent, the founder of Yoga Download—an online yoga studio committed to helping people practice yoga anywhere, at any time, in the world. “We don’t always eat well on the road, we keep weird hours, it’s hard on the immune system, and it can be mentally taxing. Yoga can be a great way to restore balance.” http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/yoga-for-travelers

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Yoga Download has advanced and rigorous classes, by even taking a few mindful minutes to breathe deeply can be helpful. “Finding this centering moment everyday will not only calm us down on a business trip, but it will enhance our experiences on vacations: allowing us to recharge and create meaningful memories.”

Savitri Talahatu, the Wellness Director at Bali's Spa Village Resort Tembok and a yoga teacher with more than 30 years of experience expresses a very similar belief. “Travelers practicing yoga and meditation are able to feel at home everywhere they go. When they are relaxed, they will be able to experience the moment more fully.”

To find your inner yogi, relax those cramped muscles, and feel refreshed during any leg of your journey, try one of these expert tricks and trips:

Bring the Right Gear “I am a light packer,” says Sky Meltzer, the CEO of Manduka yoga accessories, “and always make sure I grab my Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Mat.” This grippy mat weighs in at about two pounds and folds into a neat square, about the size of an iPad.

Designate “Yoga Time” Make an “important reservation for your own health and happiness,” suggests Kent. Whether it’s for 20 or 120 minutes, whether you’re on a beach or confined to a hotel room, find the class on Yoga Download that’s right for your time and set-up.

Find Balance Even in the most cramped quarters (we’re looking at you, middle seat) you can still cross your knees, grab onto the opposite armrest, and twist. Breathe deeply, allowing yourself to turn deeper into the pose. And don’t forget to repeat on the other side. A seated spinal twist, or ardha matsyendrasana, will help stretch your spine.

Take a Stroll Talahatu recommends a series of movements while on a plane to relax, stretch, and improve blood flow. In addition to shoulder raises, hugging your knees to your chest, and stretching your arms over your head— fingers laced and palms up—don’t forget to get up often and go for a walk. “It’s not a yoga pose,” Talahatu says, “but your circulation will be better.”

Create Intention “Give yourself 10 minutes a day,” recommends Meltzer. “Sit with your eyes closed, focus on your breath, and create an intention for the day.” This will not only help you relax, but it will also help you set goals and plans for the day ahead and your trip at large.

Join the Local Community No matter where in the world you are, chances are, there’s a yoga studio nearby. Using apps like ClassPass, a monthly membership program designed to connect active travelers with fitness classes in cities across the globe, you can seek out some zen and connect with local yogis. http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/yoga-for-travelers

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Yoga for Travelers | Travel + Leisure

Look Beyond the Studio “It’s fun to practice in new places,” says Kent. “See the local park, [check out] the hotel gym, or do yoga in an area unique to the community.” Because Yoga Download classes can be played on your mobile phone, you can get down dog just about anywhere.

Improvise Props “You [can] use a saraong-type scarf as your yoga mat, or a bath towel in your hotel room,” Talahatu suggests.

“Rolled up towels are good for block replacements.” When you’re practicing in unusual or unknown places, you’ll want to get creative.

Change Your Perspective “My go-to-pose is a handstand because it’s an invigorating inversion—it provides a natural energy boost,” says Meltzer. “It’s not only my favorite, but it can be done anywhere.” Or, almost anywhere. We don’t recommend trying this one in the aisle of the cabin when the pilot has turned on the seatbelt sign.

Try the Hotel Classes Plenty of hotels have jumped on the fit wagon and are offering fitness classes (including yoga, of course) to guests. At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, for example, you can try aerial yoga, using silk hammocks instead of mats.

Calm Your Nerves “I prefer poses that are grounding (seated and supine) or inward driven (forward bends),” says Talahatu. “Being on the road, although it’s exciting, can be taxing to the nervous system.”

Keep it Clean If you’re going to utilize airport terminal benches to help with your asanas make sure to clean up with hand sanitizer after. For borrowed mats—or the hotel room floor—pack a yoga towel. They’re lightweight, and much more pleasant to put your face on.

Be Mindful Incorporate other tenants of yoga throughout your trip. Be conscious about drinking and eating as well as possible (try packing your own food for the flight and skipping sugary cocktails at the hotel bar) and keep an eye on your posture. Make sure you’re not slouching in any of your photos.

Try a Yoga Retreat Many hotels and resorts now host specialized yoga retreats. “People claim they’ve literally changed their lives,” says Talahatu. “A facilitator will hold you accountable,” she says, “and all of your needs (yoga, meditation, meditation, and meals) have been taken care of—so you’ll be able to focus on your practice, be in the moment, relax, and release.” At the Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali, a three-night yoga and wellness retreat includes http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/yoga-for-travelers

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Yoga for Travelers | Travel + Leisure

daily Kundalini yoga, meditation, and wellness workshops, three spa treatments, and activities including a fitness circuit, creativity walk, and yoga swing.

Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/yoga-for-travelers

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TRAVEL / California & the West

Deal: It's Seattle Museum Month! Stay at a downtown hotel and get half-off tickets

The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum in Seattle, featuring the fantastic works of Dale Chihuly, is one of the museums offering half-off tickets to hotel guests in February. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

By Mary Fo rgio n e JANUARY 25, 2016, 8:00 AM

H

eading to Seattle next month? Travelers who stay in select downtown hotels receive half off on entry to 38 museums in February. And what more ideal places to go to duck out of the winter rains?

D e al: To receive the 50% museum discounts, you must stay at one of 59 hotels -- basic or fancy. I like this deal because there are plenty of hotels to choose from at all prices, and including some downtown for those who want a car-free getaway.

Some participating hotels: the Edgewater and Fairmont Olympic on the luxe side and Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown and Travelodge Seattle Center on the more basic side. Kimptons, W, Westin, Sheraton also are on the list.

Museums include the Museum of Glass in Tacoma (usually $15 for adults) as well as the spectacular Chihuly Garden and Glass near the Space Needle (usually $22 for adults).

Or you can see shows such as the Hello Kitty retrospective at the Seattle Museum and "Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture" at the Bellevue Arts Museum.

W he n: Discounts are good Feb. 1-29.

H o w it w o r ks : Guests who stay at one of the participating hotels will receive a Seattle Museum Month pass to use for half-off discounts. Up to four people in a room qualify for the pass.

Info : Seattle Museum Month ALS O W ildflo w e r s alr e ady po pping at D e ath Valle y in w hat m ay b e e pic El Niño s e as o n Go t an aw e s o m e natio nal par k m e m o r y? S har e it w ith us No w JLo has he r o w n Las Ve gas s ho w , 'Je nnife r Lo pe z: All I H av e ' Tr ipAdv is o r tr av e le r s cho s e this Indian palace as b e s t ho te l in the w o r ld Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times

This article is related to: Jennifer Lopez

2/1/2016

Fairmont Hotels Launches New Global Cocktail Program -

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Fairmont Hotels Launches New Global Cocktail Program

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Fairmont Hotels Launches New Global Cocktail Program -

Photo: © Bigapplestock | Dreamstime.com

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is rolling out a new global cocktail menu crafted through a collaboration among the company’s own top mixologists. The new program, called Classics. Perfected. aims to be accessible while also helping patrons push their own boundaries and branch out into new flavors and combinations when it comes to cocktails.

“When people “meet for a drink” at one of our hotels — from The American Bar at The Savoy to The Plaza in New York — they expect the crispest gin and tonic and a truly perfect Manhattan. With this new menu that is precisely what they will get — along with quality ice and bartender’s advice when appropriate,” said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “The Classics. Perfected. menu was curated by our top bartenders who were charged with helping us to discover and perfect the best old and new classics. This is much bigger than a new menu. It is about shaping and sharing Fairmont cocktail culture with our neighbors and visiting guests in over 20 countries.”

The idea is also to elevate the typically unheralded hotel bar into the top echelon of bar programs around the world. The Fairmont underwent a two-year process to arrive at the menu, which was created in collaboration with bartenders Grant Sceney from Fairmont Pacific Rim; Nader Chabaane from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac; Erik Lorincz from The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel; and Tom Hogan from Fairmont Singapore.

The cocktails will all be served in stunning Schott Zwiesel crystal, and are available now in the Americas. Look for the program to roll out worldwide by the new year.

http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/fairmont-hotels-launches-new-global-cocktail-program/

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2/10/2016

Are There Health Benefits to Psychic Readings? - DuJourDuJour

GETTING PSYCHED Health and wellness spas around the globe are offering sessions with intuitive counselors and tarot card readers. So what if it's bunk?

by Abby Ellin | December 28, 2015 12:50 pm

Did I really need to see the psychic?

The question gnawed at me as I sat down with Susan King[1], the visiting “intuitive counselor” at the COMO Shambhala[2] wellness retreat in Bali. I was decompressing for a few days, and the other guests convinced me to drop the $350 dollars on a reading.

“She’ll blow your mind,” said Marshall Vernet, a 50-something American photographer who initially seemed as skeptical as me. “She told me all this stuff no one else could possibly know.”

Here’s the thing. There probably are people who have an inside line to otherworldly planes. But I’ve had my tarot cards read and my palm analyzed; I’ve been assured—promised, in fact—that my future would brim with work and money and travel and love…only to discover that, alas, the psychic must have been confusing me with someone else. Carmella, a chain-smoking Yonkers sage predicted that I would move away from New York with a man in uniform, and that I would be very happy. As it happened, I did live, briefly, in Washington, D.C. with a Navy doc who dressed in military garb. What Carmella failed to mention was that the good doctor would eventually go to jail for prescription drug fraud. (I did, however, become very happy after I dumped him.)

We’ve all heard stories about hapless individuals who’ve made poor choices, consciously or unconsciously, or given more credibility to certain circumstances and events simply because “the psychic said so.” And, even more dangerous, those who’ve shelled out thousands of dollars to be decursed, only to discover that—surprise!—the hex was really a hoax.

Yet, like in Bali, there’s a market for otherworldly offerings in places that are supposedly devoted to tried-and-true cures, and not hocus-pocus. To wit: Miraval[3], in Tucson, offers psychic programming with Maggie Garbarini, who is descended from Spanish gypsies, and Tina NaughtonPowers, a former news anchor-turned-medium who now “reports for the other side.” Red Mountain Resort[4] in St. George, Utah, has an on-site Shaman Spirit Guide. You can have your Tarot Cards read at Lake Austin Spa Resort[5], Mii Amo[6], the Fairmont Sonoma Mission[7], the Omni http://dujour.com/beauty/health-spa-psychic-readings-health-benefits/print/

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2/10/2016

Are There Health Benefits to Psychic Readings? - DuJourDuJour

Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia[8] and the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa[9], which also offers astrology and numerology.

If that’s not enough insight, why not have your “soul read” at the spa Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? Travel to India, and you can have your chart done at several luxury Taj Hotel Resorts and Palaces [10]by the the in-house astrologers and palmists.

What gives?

“People are searching for meaning,” says Mia Kyricos, the Chief Brand Officer at Spa Finder, Inc. “Some people get that in the four walls of a church, and some people are a little more alternative-minded and seek answers in different ways.” And since ”mindfulness” and “spirituality” have become such popular terms (even if their meaning has been somewhat diluted), it’s no wonder that spas would jump on it. Spas are nothing if not smart marketers.

Still, the audience is there. Canyon Ranch[11], for example, in Tucson and Lenox, Massachusetts, has had a metaphysical program for over 20 years.

Corporate Spa Director Angie Day acknowledges the seeming disconnect between the popular program and the spa’s more science-based offerings. “The Ranch philosophy fosters healthy balance and the power of possibility,” she says. “It extends beyond the physical to the metaphysical. It’s a safe place here; people explore themselves and really stretch to find new ways to grow.”

A treatment room at COMO Shambhala in Bali I wasn’t interested in growing so much as hearing how splendid my life would turn out. And after enough people corroborated how amazing King was, I acquiesced.

King, who has been featured in Oprah magazine and travels around the world doing readings ($400 per hour; $195 for a half hour), was nothing if not comforting. With her long flowing skirt and English accent, she reminded me of Mary Poppins…if Mary received messages from Beyond.

All she knew was my first name (actually she called me “Amy,” but I let it go). Some of her information was pretty spot on: She knew that I wrote for a living, that my family had come from Eastern Europe and that some of them had died in concentration camps. Spooky. She knew I had two siblings, and that my brother and I are close. I showed her a photo of the guy I was seeing, and she asked if his middle name was Michael. It was.

“I have a habit of middle names, don’t ask me why,” she said, adding that she had a good feeling about him.

Other than that, though, everything was future tense—and as of press time, none of it has come to pass. Granted, it had only been two months, so there’s time. I certainly hope things work out as she imagined. According to King, one day I’ll live on the west coast (a longtime fantasy of mine).

I’ll write another book (a goal), I’ll continue to travel (probable), and money won’t be an issue (finally). She also saw me spending my summer at a lake upstate, which I’d discussed doing with the man whose middle name is Michael. Unfortunately, she failed to mention that our relationship would disssolve not long after I returned from Bali.

I’ve since had a few conversations with Vernet, who was still awed by King’s predictions, as was his partner, Milagros Branca. Both plan to see her again. I sent two New York friends her way, and they were equally impressed by her accuracy. So, maybe I’ll just have to be patient. Maybe she’ll be right.

Either way, it’s best to take the whole thing with a vatful of salt. As Mary Bemis, the founder of the Insider’s Guide to Spas, put it, “The intuitive who helps you see the world in a new way and the hidden marketer who preys on your fears and sells you solace or simply inflates your ego are two different things entirely. Buyer beware.”

Written by Abby Ellin Endnotes: 1. Susan King: http://www.susankingintuitive.com 2. COMO Shambhala: http://www.comoshambhala.com 3. Miraval: http://www.miravalresorts.com 4. Red Mountain Resort: http://www.redmountainresort.com/ 5. Lake Austin Spa Resort: http://www.lakeaustin.com 6. Mii Amo: http://www.miiamo.com 7. Fairmont Sonoma Mission: http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma http://dujour.com/beauty/health-spa-psychic-readings-health-benefits/print/

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15. Willow Stream Spa, Vancouver The outdoor deck of this day spa on the fifth floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim has an infrared sauna and meditation pods overlooking the harbor.

Inside, soothing blue-gray tones and slate accents are the backdrop to authentically Canadian treatments. Some incorporate maple butter, while others are intended to undo the effects of completing the Grouse Grind, a nearby hike known as “nature’s Stairmaster.”

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-01-14/the-best-spas-in-the-world-readers-choice-awards2015/6

11 Great Hotel Spas Across Canada With sweat lodge ceremonies, traditional Chinese medicine and cold socks to boot, Canadian hotel spas are going beyond backrubs to heal the 21st-century traveller.

Jan 26, 2016 · By Andrew Braithwaite | Illustrations by Bodil Jane

Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremony On the relaxation patio of Skwachàys lodge A thick-set man named Old Hands, wearing only jeans and a pair of glasses, asks me, “How many rocks do you think you can handle?” I tell him to bring on the pain. The willow tent frame is overlaid with thick blankets. Inside it’s pitch black, and we sit cross-legged on the dirt floor. Old Hands’ assistant enters bearing lava rocks heated in a kiln to 520ºC, cradling them carefully between two deer antlers.

“Grandmothers and grandfathers coming in,” he says, referring to elder spirits residing inside the stones.

He ladles water over four rocks stacked in a central pit, filling the tent with steam. I can’t decipher the words sung by Old Hands, a native of California’s Western Shoshone tribe, but the drum beat drills itself into my soul. We take turns speaking about our challenges of everyday life – it feels surprisingly freeing to bare my soul to two strangers. And we sweat. After four rounds, we emerge for good into the sunlight.

I feel lighter, cleansed. “Sometimes life is like wearing a heavy backpack,” says Old Hands. “We don’t realize how much weight we’re carrying until we take it off.”

Skwachàys Lodge, Vancouver With a 12-metre totem pole jutting out from the roof above its Victorian facade, this aboriginal-run property features original installations by local First Nations artists in each of its 18 suites.

29/31 West Pender St., 604-687-3589, skwachays.com

Van Active Body At Willow Stream Spa Normally, when I need to shake off a flight to Vancouver, I take a jog around Stanley Park. Today, with a light drizzle falling, I head up to the fifth-floor, 790-square-metre spa looking to get my pistons firing again with a treatment designed to boost my get-up-and-go. I begin face down with an exfoliation, the aromas of geranium, ylang-ylang and pine, a reminder of the nearby forests. Then I’m whisked away to shower off and sweat it out in a glass-walled steam room. After a second shower – cold, to shock the system – I’m back on the massage table for a final detoxifying rubdown with a concoction of organic juniper, fennel and lavender. Scrub, shower, steam, massage – it’s like a Grouse Grind for the soul.

Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver The sleek Coal Harbour tower with views over Burrard Inlet is anchored by a lobby bar filled with well-

dressed business travellers taking in sets by emerging musicians.

1038 Canada Pl., 604-695-5300, fairmont.com/pacific-rim-vancouver

Flotation Therapy At Madrona del Mar Spa “I floated regularly for a year, and my lucid dreaming was ridiculous,” says Carol, as we descend to the saltwater flotation tank, housed in this 418-square-metre beachside retreat. Weightless floating is supposed to induce a sleeplike state of relaxation and relieve everything from stress and insomnia to arthritis and sports injuries. Count me in on the first two complaints. Alone inside a candle lit room, I slide my body into the slate tile pool and drift, limbs spread like those of a seastar. I’m suspended in a supersaline solution, dosed with one kilogram of Epsom salt for every two litres of water. I let my body go, and my mind follows. Carol flicks the lights on and off to signal that my session is ending – the closest I’ve come to a push notification in hours.

Galiano Inn & Spa, Galiano Island, B.C. Wood-burning fireplaces in each of the 20 rooms and suites at this Gulf Island property make for cozy spots to enjoy glowing pink sunsets reflecting off the snow-capped peak of Mount Baker.

134 Madrona Dr., 250-539-3388, galianoinn.com

Peaks of Slimness At the Spa at the Hazelton After a restaurant-reviewing spree, I’ve come seeking a treatment designed to break down cellulite and make me (at least appear) more toned. “There’s not a lot of meat on you, is there?” says my treatment provider in a thick Estonian accent as she applies a Valmont slimming serum D. Solution Booster, containing caffeine and forskolin, an extract from a medicinal plant commonly used in India, Africa and South America. It delivers a pleasant icy-hot tingle to my skin as she pinches, twists and rolls my thighs and underarms in a croissant movement to break down the fatty cell walls. As she works the flesh atop my shoulders, she confesses that the spa doesn’t get many men requesting this treatment. What, don’t men lunch in Yorkville? Around my midsection, she manages to gain a bit better traction. Goodbye love handles; hello pre-flight jelly doughnut.

The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto This design-focused property on the cobbled uptown streets of Yorkville is a film industry favourite replete with a mohair-walled private screening room.

118 Yorkville Ave., 416-963-6300, thehazeltonhotel.com

Indigenous Hot Stone Massage At Riverstone Spa I’m here to experience a treatment that was created in recognition of the First Nations community’s rich history in the region, and it’s intended to rebalance my energy and harmonize my body, mind and spirit.

We begin with setting a personal intention – mine is to stop judging my aging body’s physical limitations too harshly – while my therapist Lisa, who has no idea that today is my birthday, lights a sweetgrass candle (the symbol of happiness, kindness and strength). Using a ceremonial eagle feather, Lisa “smudges” herself, then me and finally the treatment room and stones, as smoke from smouldering sage, cedar, wiike and sweetgrass clears any unwanted energy from our surroundings. Asked to choose from a line up of tiny chakra crystals, I find three that speak to me. “That little turquoise one signifies the throat chakra,” she says of my favourite selection. It seems a little New Agey at first, but I soon start to sense positivity overflowing my internal riverbanks. Lisa massages my legs with heated basalt stones, and I can feel their warmth penetrating my muscles, right down to the bone. She places two of the stones in my palms, and I hold them while she works her fingers into my scalp. By the end, I’m feeling solid as a rock.

Inn at the Forks, Winnipeg Set where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, the 117-room boutique hotel serves up farm-to-table cuisine at Smith restaurant and is a short walk to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

75 Forks Market Rd., 204-942-6555, innforks.com

Hammam and Gommage At Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie “This is the best cure for a red-eye, ever,” says my wife, Sarah, who’s wrapped in a sarong after having flown all night from San Francisco to join me. Besides our scrubber Tina, there’s nobody else in this sprawling mosaic-tiled hammam, a traditional Middle Eastern wet steam sauna (known in centuries past as “the silent doctor”), where condensation drips from a curved ceiling. Sarah and I retreat to a glassenclosed section while a gurgling basin releases hot, moist air infused with eucalyptus, and sweat out our collective toxins. Tina comes for Sarah’s gommage treatment first, and when my wife returns, she looks like the most contented odalisque in the empire. When it’s my turn to go lie on the big slab of Jerusalem gold marble, Tina roughs up my dead skin with Moroccan black soap, a vitamin E-rich vegetable paste made from crushed olives, oil, salt and potash. Then she rinses the sloughed molecules of the former me away. We cap the afternoon by lounging over sweet tea, baklava and grapes – a particularly Turkish form of delight.

Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto This glass temple of luxury has 202 rooms (among the most spacious in the country) and is home to the Asian-inspired cuisine of Bosk.

1188 University Ave., 647-788-8888, shangri-la.com/toronto/shangrila

Wet Sock Circulation

At Spa at Claramount This heritage property, a stone’s throw from Picton Harbour, is a fitting place to get my feet wet. Brandy begins with a foot and calf massage with peppermint scrub. “It loosens up the circulatory system,” she says, pulling a pair of rolled-up baseball-size spheres from a bucket of ice and unrolling them to reveal white cotton compression socks. “These guys are going to constrict it.” The idea is to stimulate the immune system and help to detoxify the blood by increasing circulation, pushing the body into fighting mode as it warms up those frigid tootsies. Given how many wineries I’ve been visiting – the arduous obligations of a certified sommelier – I’m a prime candidate. My entire body braces as she applies the freezing socks. A second layer adds more pressure and insulation. For the next 15 minutes, it’s just me, a pair of cold feet and Brandy’s fingers performing a glorious scalp massage. When the socks come off, I’m ready to run a marathon – barefoot.

Claramount Inn, Picton, Ontario This antique-filled, restored Georgian-colonial mansion in the heart of Prince Edward County makes a perfect base for exploring nearby Sandbanks Provincial Park and surrounding vineyards.

97 Bridge St., 613-476-2709, claramountinn.com

Traditional Chinese Medicine At the Spa I’m not sure what to expect from my first-ever Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment, and neither is my

therapist, Inbal. That’s sort of the idea: I answer Inbal’s questions, confessing to some asthma and skinrelated issues, and she decides that some acupuncture will get my body’s energy, or qi, flowing to the trouble spots. (What other afflictions should I declare next time in order to experience the Tibetan chimes?) “The skin is our third lung,” she says. “Everything is a part of everything.” I barely feel the stainless steel needles as they’re inserted – seven in total, including one in the middle of my forehead. I begin to feel reactivated, a new energy flowing through me, along internal pathways that I will from now on be referring to as my meridians. “The needles message your qi to start doing work,” Inbal explains once she’s removed them. I’m starting to see her point.

Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto Rising 55 storeys above the intersection of Bay and Yorkville, the flagship of the Canadian hotel group boasts Yabu Pushelberg-designed interiors and Café Boulud on the second floor.

60 Yorkville Ave., 416-964-0411, fourseasons.com/toronto

Lomi-atsu Massage At Scandinave Spa vieux-Montréal It’s only 125 steps over Old Montreal cobblestones from the door of the Saint-Sulpice to its partner Scandinave Spa, and I consider wearing my robe. Inside, with its understated Scandinavian esthetic and cocoon-dark lighting, a number of young couples are whispering conspiratorially, presumably about playing hooky for a midday soak. I’m led by Lise-Bebianne past churning water baths to a quiet room.

Lomi-atsu massage combines the wavy, rhythmic forearm work of Hawaii’s lomilomi technique with the pressure point focus of Japanese shiatsu, intended to facilitate detoxification of the abdominal internal organs. It’s a journey around the world – Honolulu, Tokyo, Stockholm and back to Montreal – but I’m feeling the opposite of jet-lagged. “We worked on your energy,” she says, “so for the rest of today, just be...” I wait for her to complete the thought – be what? – but that’s the gist of it. Just be.

Hôtel le Saint-Sulpice, Montréal All of the 108 rooms at this Old Montreal boutique hotel are spacious suites, and its French restaurant, Sinclair, features a glass-walled dining room and a garden terrace.

414, Rue Saint-Sulpice, 514-288-1000, lesaintsulpice.com

Maple Body Scrub At Spa du Manoir The room smells comfortingly Canadian with its strong aroma of maple syrup. I find myself dreaming of sugar shacks as Mélanie buffs me up with a L’Herbier maple-based scrub from Mont-Saint-Grégoire, its star ingredient rich with minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Next she mixes up a concoction that looks like pancake batter and feels about the same and applies it to my skin. I drift off for a catnap, and when I awake 20 minutes later, the clay body wrap has hardened, and I only regain my mobility after a quick shower. A sweet- smelling body lotion leaves me with the softest skin imaginable – and strangely hungry for French toast.

Hôtel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City Opposite the first permanent hospital in North America, the 156-room property features a saltwater pool and Nordic-inspired cuisine at Chez Boulay Bistro Boréal.

44, Côte du Palais, 418-692-1030, manoir-victoria.com

Signature Salt Glow At Spa at Ninety4 Directly up the hill from where the restored Bluenose II schooner bobs in Lunenburg Harbour, I sit soaking in a warm oasis tub made fragrant with olive oil bubble bath. LEDs phase through colours beneath the water – some sort of signal light, telling me to chill out? I know what else will help me relax: a glass of wine! (All spas without liquor licenses, please walk yourself off the nearest plank.) Sufficiently softened, I lay my hull down on a table where Lacey goes after my skin’s various knobs and barnacles with a mix of massage oil and deionized salt, buffing away the rough edges. Afterward I feel as shiny and new as the Bluenose II must have felt when she was relaunched in 2012. Shipshape.

Lunenburg Arms Hotel & Spa, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Settled atop a hillside in the historic South Shore port town, this blue clapboard house is run with warm Maritime cheer and is just a block’s walk to Montague Street’s shops.

94 Pelham St., 902-640-4040, eden.travel/lunenburg

The 10 Best Hotels in Canada 2016

By Silpa Nanan Whether you're jetting off to cosmopolitan Toronto, sightseeing in Old Montreal or stealing away to the secluded wilderness of Vancouver Island, you'll find Canada has no shortage of stellar hotels to aid your exploration. To help narrow down your lodging search, U.S. News used a comprehensive methodology that factors in star ratings, industry accolades, expert endorsements and visitor reviews.

Overall, U.S. News evaluated 210 Canadian hotels. Here are the 10 properties that wowed hotel connoisseurs and travelers alike thanks to their unique amenities and top-notch service.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Hotel Le St-James 10. Hotel Le St-James A fixture on the top 10 list for four consecutive years, the Hotel Le St-James wins favor with visitors (it's a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award winner and appears on the Condé Nast Readers' Choice list) and travel publications thanks to its one-of-a-kind setting. Occupying the former Merchants' Bank building in Old Montreal, the hotel effortlessly blends its grand heritage with contemporary comforts.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto 9. Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto One of only two Shangri-La hotels in Canada, this Toronto outpost (a AAA Five Diamond recipient) boasts some of the largest guest rooms in the country. When lodgers aren't admiring their digs, they can sample the fusion of Asian and Canadian cuisine at the acclaimed on-site restaurant, Bosk.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Fairmont Pacific Rim

8. Fairmont Pacific Rim The Fairmont Pacific Rim's location is pretty tough to beat — and it's also a major point of praise for recent visitors whose votes helped the hotel earn top marks on the Condé Nast Readers' Choice list and the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards. Situated on the Coal Harbour waterfront, across the street from the city's cruise ship terminal, the property affords amazing views from its rooms and rooftop. © Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine 7. Auberge Saint-Antoine Both history buffs and luxury lovers will likely enjoy a stay at the Auberge Saint-Antoine. Amid the hotel's modern accoutrements, guests will find hundreds of artifacts dating back to the 1600s that were unearthed during an archeological dig before the hotel's construction.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of The Wickaninnish Inn 6. The Wickaninnish Inn Sitting pretty on Vancouver Island's west coast, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides, this Relais & Châteaux property is certainly a sight to see. Ocean and beach views come standard in each of the inn's 75 rooms, as do gas fireplaces and soaking tubs, making it easy to see why the Wickaninnish earns praise from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and AAA.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto 5. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Moving up five spots from its No. 10 ranking in 2015, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto continues to wow guests and critics — this is the property's fourth consecutive year appearing in the top 10 on the Best Hotels in Canada ranking. Among its superlatives, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto boasts some of the largest guest rooms in the city, more than 400 pieces of original Canadian art and a cheese cave in its on-site Italian restaurant, TOCA.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel Georgia 4. Rosewood Hotel Georgia Considered a legend among Vancouver's hospitality sphere, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia once played host to the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby. Though the property underwent a full renovation in 2011 when it joined the Rosewood brand, remnants of the hotel's glamorous past still peek through in its luxurious accommodations, Roaring '20s-themed bar and attentive staff members, who travelers say treat everyone like Hollywood royalty. © Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto 3. Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto Dethroned by the Four Season Hotel Toronto, this Trump outpost once reigned supreme as the top hotel in Toronto. Though it may no longer hold that title, the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto continues to rack up accolades, including the prestigious AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards. And with rooms that range from 550 to 4,000 square feet and a committed staff to match, it's easy to see why this 65-foot tower remains near the top of the Toronto hospitality food chain.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Toronto 2. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Climbing up the ranks from its No. 6 spot in 2015, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is a force to be reckoned with. Not only did it earn a spot on the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards list, but it also received AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards. Maybe it's the skyline views on display from each room's floor-to-ceiling windows, or maybe it's the tasty cuisine at Michelin-starred chef and owner Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud.

© Provided by The Huffington Post Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, Montreal 1. Ritz-Carlton, Montreal The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal is the Best Hotel in Canada for the third consecutive year. Not only does this Ritz-Carlton earn top honors with guests (it's a Condé Nast Readers' Choice and TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award recipient), but it also receives recognition from AAA and Forbes. Sitting in downtown Montreal, the property boasts impeccably styled guest rooms, not to mention a French restaurant from celebrity chef Daniel Boulud.

Ann Rivall is a Travel Editor at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter, circle her on Google+ or email her at arivall@usnews.com.

1/26/2016

Sneak peek: What will Austin’s skyline look like by 2018? | www.statesman.com CARS

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In case the slew of construction cranes hasn’t tipped you off, Austin’s skyline is in for a major transformation over the next few years.

A new graphic from Cushman & Wakefield/Oxford Commercial shows what downtown will look like by late 2018, when several high-profile projects are set to be complete.

At 685 feet, the Independent will replace the 683-foot Austonian as the city’s tallest building. Both the Independent and the Austonian are condo towers.

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feet tall.

Much of the new construction is in the southwest corner of downtown Austin,

A new graphic from Cushman & Wakefield/Oxford Commercial shows what downtown Austin will look like by late 2018.

where new towers are going up at the former Seaholm power plant and Green Water Treatment Plant sites.

Projects include Austin’s new central library, as well as the Northshore apartment tower and 500 W. Second St., where Google has signed a lease for 200,000 square feet of office space.

In that same area, a high-rise is set to replace the Austin Music Hall, with demolition work beginning in the next few weeks.

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23 Insanely Haunted Places That'll Literally Scare The Shit Out Of You

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23 Insanely Haunted Places That’ll Literally Scare The Shit Out Of You From abandoned asylums to underground chambers. posted on Jan. 30, 2016, at 11:18 a.m.

Anna Kopsky BuzzFeed Staff

We asked the BuzzFeed Community for the most haunted places they’ve ever heard of. Here are the seriously spooky results.

1. Poveglia Island — Venice, Italy

Via travelchannel.com

http://www.buzzfeed.com/annakopsky/insanely-unsettling-haunted-places-you-can-actually-visit?utm_term=.mwj0Xx6G5#.yj49qQ0OX

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23 Insanely Haunted Places That'll Literally Scare The Shit Out Of You

—Fyeahrandaj

14. Banff Springs Hotel — Alberta, Canada

Via fairmont.com

The tale: A bellman who died here in 1975 had threatened that he’d haunt the place, and he apparently wasn’t lying. Guests have also reported seeing a woman called “the doomed bride” dancing in one of the main ballrooms.

Can I visit? Yes! You can stay overnight at the hotel, though they don’t advertise the hauntings as an attraction.

—Debbie Ann, Facebook

15. Gimghoul’s Castle — Chapel Hill, North Carolina Via instagram.com

Via instagram.com

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

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1/11/2016 @ 8:30AM 3,495 views

Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations

One of the best tourism destinations on earth, South Africa is also a bargain – last month its currency hit the lowest rate against the dollar in the country’s history.

In recent years, American travelers have been taking it on the chin in much of the world when it comes to exchange rates. Not anymore. The dollar is back, in a big way, and 2016 offers the promise of some great deals. But a few are greater than the others, and whether you are on a tight budget or want to stretch to luxuries that might have been previously beyond reach, two particular destinations jump out: Canada and South Africa.

There are plenty of countries that are cheap, but the differences are that both Canada and South Africa have first rate, first world, travel infrastructures, with top shelf luxury hotels and restaurants and all the organization required to make even the most complex trips work smoothly. In addition, both fully offer the advantages of pricing in their own currency, unlike many top resorts of the Caribbean and Central America, which use dollars despite the low cost of living in their underlying economies. http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

For example, Nicaragua is a generally cheap place, but I recently spoke with a traveler returning from a top luxury beach resort there who lamented that everything was in dollars and just as expensive as Hawaii. That is decidedly not the case in Canada and South Africa.

Canada offers the ease of convenience, nearness and in many cases, the same types of vacation opportunities we have available at home at fraction of the price. South Africa has the more unique attraction of its wildlife safaris, and of all the places in Africa you can go on safari, it represents the nexus of the best value and highest quality tourism experience, as well as many extras beyond wildlife – wonderful wine country, excellent food, great golf, beach resorts, natural wonders and one of the world’s most vibrant tourism cities, Cape Town.

Combining the old and new, Europe and North America, Montreal is a fantastic travel destination. But so are many spots in Canada, where the exchange rate against the dollar just hit a 12 year low.

The Canadian dollar lost 17% of its value in 2015, its second worst yearly performance against the dollar ever, tumbling below 72 cents for first time since 2004, more than a decade ago. As of this writing, the Loonie had not recovered and was hovering at the bargain rate of 71 cents.

The Rand is doing even worse – in December it hit an all time low against the dollar, and in just one two day stretch last month lost 7% of its value. It currently remains near the lowest rate in the nation’s history.

Of immediate relevance to travelers is ski season in Canada, whose northwestern region receives some of the deepest snowfalls on the continent.

In general, the major ski resorts and their associated hotels rival the top destinations in the American West, but are substantially cheaper in every respect, from lodging to skiing to après cocktails. Giant Whistler Blackcomb in British http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

Columbia, a recent Winter Olympics venue, is the largest ski resort in North America, and often rated the continent’s number one ski resort. In Alberta there are three major resorts close together around gorgeous Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest and its “Yellowstone.”

Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay share a single lift ticket, which includes unlimited interchangeable skiing – and free daily shuttles to all the resorts. A flexible ticket good for 5 of 7 days costs USD $289 – before any of the recurring special discounts offered. This is less than half the rate at most large Western U.S. ski resorts – not even the most expensive ones. The region also has several standout hotels such as the famous Fairmont Banff Springs, “The Castle In the Rockies,” the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Post Hotel, a famously luxurious European-style lodge that is a member of Relais & Châteaux and known for gourmet fare and deep wine list. Three day packages at the Post that includes lodging, breakfast and lift tickets good at all three resorts run just USD $526 per person for the entire stay. You would be hard pressed to get a single night at a slopeside hotel of equivalent quality at any major Western ski resort for this price, without any meals or tickets.

The bottom line is roughly a third of what you would likely spend for two at a comparable domestic ski hotel.

Canada’s appeals go far beyond skiing. There are great golf destinations across the nation, the wonderful cities of Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto, and rugged coastal beauty of Nova Scotia, Newfound and Prince Edward Island, even the wildlife viewing in Churchill, Manitoba, “The Polar Bear Capital of the World.” It’s a huge country, bigger than the U.S., and it is all on sale.

The savings are even more dramatic in South Africa. I traveled there twice in the past few months and was continually shocked by the value. The best restaurants of Cape Town rival those of any major U.S. city, yet cost about a third. It is one of the world’s premier golf destinations, with hundreds of courses, yet at the poshest resorts, you are very hard pressed to spend a hundred bucks on greens fees. After a round of golf on the Links at Fancourt, I visited the clubhouse bar with some fellow players. This is the number one course in all of Africa and a resort that bears favorable comparison with http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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places like Doral or La Quinta. We had two Johnnie Walker Black scotches and a draft beer and the bill was seven dollars. At a similar domestic resort, it could easily be four times as much. This type of reverse sticker shock is a frequent everyday occurrence, from meals to taxis to spa treatments.

Cape Town is routinely rated one of the world’s best tourism cities, and its V&A Waterfront is the single most popular attraction. Excellent restaurants here cost about a third of what they would in the U.S.

Some of the elite, most expensive and luxurious safari lodges do sell to the U.S. market in dollars and remain expensive, but many excellent camps are bargains. Jock Safari Lodge is one of the few private concessions within Kruger National Park itself, unlike many that border the park. As a result, only guests of Jock have access to the camp’s private acreage, but Jock guests have full access to the park itself. It’s the kind of place where all lodging is in individual villas with plunge pools and private showers, has quality guides, and rates include two daily game drives with rangers, three meals plus high tea and game drive snacks/cocktails daily, guided nature walks, and all taxes and park fees. The price? $377 per night for a full-blown safari vacation in one of the world’s premier destinations. This bargain includes everything except non-game drive alcohol, and despite having a monopoly and captive audience, even that is dirt cheap – a beer from the mini bar is less than $1.25. As if all this wasn’t enough, South African Airlways has been offering incredible deals on non-stops from the U.S. (they fly from both JFK and DC) with round trip fares under $800 – less than most fares for my trip to Vegas last week.

With both currencies at record or recent record lows, and both countries offering a wealth of tourist attractions for every taste, it’s a better http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

time then ever to visit Canada and South Africa, regardless of your budget.

Safe travels!

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I ncreasing N um ber Of Hotels And R esorts Offer Unique Am enities For Thrill-Seek ing Guests Monday, January 25, 2016

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

It's easy for resorts and their guests to take the easy road when it comes to amenities. Beach umbrellas, wave runners, and golf courses are each fun and help drive business to their respective properties, but a growing number of travelers these days don't like playing it safe. Living on the edge is becoming the new normal, and resorts and hotels are responding in kind with a plethora of exotic and exciting adventures for thrill-seeking guests.

For example, Casa Velas, a boutique resort and ocean club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offers its guests a skydiving package, while The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North in Arizona has a "Cowboy for a Day" experience on a working cattle ranch.

Among The Sebastian Vail's winter packages is one that includes ice climbing, and guests can take surfing lessons at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's fabled North Shore. Tequila tasting is on the menu at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa; while in Italy, guests of Il Salviatino Resort can ride the Harley Davidson experience through the roads of Tuscany.

"It has certainly helped create awareness about our hotel and its unique offerings, all of which are customized per the guest's interests, especially travelers coming to Italy as a ëbucket list trip' who want to make the most of their travels and really feel "immersed" in the destination," said Silvia Manganaro, director of Sales and marketing for Il Salviatino.

From riding waves with Rocky Cannon and his surfing dogs to helicopter tours of Oahu, "Each experience helps grow our customer base and resort potential," said Brad Doell, director of sales and marketing at Turtle Bay Resort.

"Our guests are always looking for breathtaking opportunities which can only be experienced on the North Shore. Guests of the resort are looking for story making activities and opportunities to share with family and friends," Doell said.

One of the more unusual opportunities is in Panama City, Panama, where guests of The Westin Playa Bonita can tour the city with former gang members, many of whom have been involved with gangs since grade school.

As part of the city's gentrification efforts, a fundraising organization that created the "Fortaleza Tours" provide young locals with a forum to share their personal stories, earn money to support their families and ensure that the once-dangerous area remains a zona de paz (peaceful place).

In San Diego, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers guests a two-hour cave kayaking experience through the nearby La Jolla Sea Caves and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The tour is led by well-trained guides and is open even to first-time kayakers for a chance to see seals, sea lions and sometimes dolphins in the Pacific.

For those who prefer snow to the ocean, the Fairmont Banff Springs concierge recommends heli-skiing in the Purcell Mountains and Backcountry. Guests can choose between the powder skiing adventure with Purcell HeliSkiing Ltd., or share in the unending glaciers and perfectly spaced tree runs with RK Heli-Ski. With 65,000 acres of nature surrounding the Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, guests can do the Land Rover Driving Experience that includes driving lessons, as well as off-road obstacles, such as steep ascents, descents, side-tilts, log crossings, creek crossings, rock crawls, and boulders.

Just a few miles from Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, Kenauk Nature is great for nature lovers. It is also one of the very few habitats in Quebec where guests can observe a rare species of black bear with a unique genetic condition. They might the chance to spot a rare “cinnamon” or “blond” black bear. “We find that guests are looking for authentic experiences that are connected to the area," said Natalie Beauchamp, director of sales and marketing at Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello.

Back to the south in Cancun guests at the sister properties CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa can snorkel with whale sharks from May to September. Though they measure up to 40 feet long and weigh in at 15 tons, whale sharks feed exclusively on plankton and are totally harmless to humans.

“For many guests, the opportunity to swim with these animals means the vacation of a lifetime, while others are in paradise just enjoying our pool and beach," said Christopher Calabrese, vice president and general manager for the properties. "As a destination, we offer one of the seven wonders of the world - the Chichen Itza pyramid - so we do see guests seeking those memorable, 'bucket list' moments.”

Such “bucket list" amenities, Calabrese said, often lead to longer stays as guests don't want to miss any opportunities.

“Travelers from North America, for example, stay with us for 4.5 days on average, while Europeans will stay for 10 days so those guests with more time on their hands can pack in more adventures and activities," Calabrese said.

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2/9/2016

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

JAN 18, 2016 FESTIVALS & EVENTS, PASSPORT, TOP DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL TIPS

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees - Joy Pecknold, Passport blog editor

Within the four walls of a cinema, films transport moviegoers to far off places, both past and present, real or imagined. To take it a step further, use this year’s Academy Awards’ nominees for Best Picture as a travel guide, experiencing the locations—characters in their own right—firsthand. But skip the stress of being say, the real frontiersman Hugh Glass depicted in The Revenant, and live cushier, like Leonardo DiCaprio on holiday (Victoria’s Secret models not included).

The Big Short Surprisingly, a chunk of the Adam McKay-directed film about a group of insiders who saw the 2008 American economic collapse coming (and profited from it) was shot in New Orleans. Producer Brad Pitt, who owns a home there, probably had something to do with that. But the true story is centered around Wall Street, naturally, so that’s the place to be. In the banker stripe suit heartland, Andaz Wall Street gives the financially curious a front row room, and a stylish, cozy one at that.

Bridge of Spies Another retelling of a real event, directed by Stephen Spielberg, the “bridge” in the title refers to the Glienicke Bridge between Postdam and Berlin where the Soviet Union and U.S. conducted a prisoner exchange in 1962. Dubbed “the capital of espionage” during the Cold War, the city has many landmarks and tours to retrace its spy stories. Built in the early 1900s and secluded in an upper class neighborhood, Schlosshotel im Grunewald provides a sophisticated James Bond type of atmosphere for modern day, aspiring agents.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

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Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Brooklyn Set in the 1950s, Brooklyn is the tale of a young Irish immigrant, played by Saoirse Ronan, torn between two loves in the U.S. and Ireland. With New York City covered off by The Big Short, Ireland gets the spotlight. In County Waterford, not too far from the character’s hometown of Enniscorthy, The Cliff House Hotel is a romantic setting for would-be Atlantic-crossed lovers. On the rocks overlooking Ardmore Bay, guests are in far more danger of falling in love with the place than any suitor.

Mad Max: Fury Road The George Miller flick takes place in a future wasteland, but the Namib Desert was cast as the present day stand-in. Many steps up from living on the run in a tank trunk, Little Kulala is an oasis better than Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa could have dreamed of, with a cool pool and stargazing platform. There’s adventure too, just not quite so harrowing, with wild game drives or hot air balloon safaris as options for experiencing the desert in style.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

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Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

The Martian As the name of this Ridley Scott film suggests, an astronaut, played by Matt Damon, mistakenly gets left on Mars. The earthly location that depicted the desolate planet was UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Rum in Jordan. Only an hour from there is the coastal city of Aqaba, a place Damon’s character would have loved to stumble upon. In the very least, NASA ought to gift him a week’s stay at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea where he can lay on the beach, swim and enjoy 24-hour butler service.

The Revenant The cast and crew, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio it seems, had a really hard time making this film. We get it, Leo lives most of his life on yachts with models wherever it’s warm, so Canada and Southern Argentina where The Revenant filmed feels like being marooned in East Antarctica to him. But within the wilds of those locations, there are top-notch comforts to be found. In Alberta, the Fairmont Banff Springs has a series of therapeutic pools to ease the stresses of frontier reenacting.

In Argentina, Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa there are more pools, of heated glacier water, and big comfy beds from which to gaze at the wilderness but not be in it.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

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Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Room Based on the award-winning book of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of a woman and her son who are held captive in a small room for many years, and finally freed. The Irish-Canadian movie was shot in Toronto, Canada and not far from many of the filming locations is The Ritz Carlton Toronto, which, in stark contrast to the tale, has many roomy suites to choose from with big, beautiful views to the wide world outside. Gaze out at the sparkling CN Tower at night and count your lucky stars this isn’t your true story.

Spotlight About true stories, the Academy sure loved them this year, as Spotlight is yet another. This one is based on The Boston Globe “Spotlight” investigative reporting team that brought to light the Catholic church’s staggering child sex abuse crimes in Massachusetts. Much of the movie was filmed in Toronto, but regardless Boston is the star. The Boston Globe will be moving its offices back downtown in next year, and one bastion of quality deserves another, making the Fairmont Copley Plaza the place to stay when exploring the historic city.

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2/4/2016

Whats Trending In Food For

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W hat's Trending I n Food For 2016

Chefs See Local Sourcing, Healthier P ortions Gaining M om entum .

Friday, January 29, 2016 Steve Pike

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The only thing more fun than eating food at some of the country's top hotel and resort restaurants, is chefs, as well as food and beverage managers, speculating on food trends in 2016.

What cooking styles are in? What's out? What will be some of the more popular proteins and veggies this year that will drive business to hotel/resort restaurants?

The answers are as varied as the chefs' backgrounds and menus, but one thing is certain: 2016 will be another great culinary year for restaurants and another delicious one for hotel/resort guests.

"I think that the use of raw fish in dishes (ceviche, poke, escabeche) will continue to have a strong presence,'' said Chef Atticus Garant, executive sous chef at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Hotel.

Being in Chicago, Garant, of course, also likes his beef. New cuts of meat and under-utilized items, especially beef such as Denver-cut, Teres Majors, Spinalis Steaks, will be popular, Garant said, as well as artisan butchery and charcuterie and locally sourced produce.

"I believe we will see (chefs) continue to serve the best and most local of foods," Garant said. "Finding and serving ingredients in their prime, and not muddling the flavors with aromatics - allowing the items to speak for themselves."

Chef Francesco Gerardo Rosciano at Gustino Italian Grill at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, agrees.

"A general sense of culinary adventure among our guests is opening the door in terms of both supply and demand for relatively new or less frequently utilized cuts of meat, such as the teres major, or shoulder tender," Rosciano said. "Also, natural food that's been grown with minimal pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics, and that hasn't had much added to it after harvest. Artisanal craftsmanship, food with a compelling story, sustainability and, of course, local sourcing, are top trends for this year." http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

Frederic Delaire, executive chef at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, also sees charcuterie as gaining popularity.

"Curing meats in house, making your own sausage," Delaire said. "I'm not sure proteins will be trending, as far as steaks. I see more Vegan demand in the market - fresh seasonal vegetable dishes requested by the guests."

What's out, in Delaire's opinion?

"Heavy dishes are fading, big portions and high calorie food as well," Delaire said. "Guests are more interested in sharing multiple dishes versus eating big heavy portions."

Delaire said guests are looking for fun, casual places where they can interact with the service and the chefs.

"It is not only about the food but the entire restaurant experience," Delaire said. "Craft beer and cocktails are a big part of this. Communal table restaurants are also becoming very popular, set in smaller places with ambiance, where food can be shared versus the traditional three- to four-course menus."

Beauty & The Feast Kitchen at the Atlantic Beach Hotel & Spa in Fort Lauderdale is a good example of that communal table trend. Beauty & The Feast serves a variety of small plates, entrees, and family-style feast plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"You're definitely going to have more chef-inspired comfort food," said Steven Dapuzzo, from Society 8, which manages the food and beverage program at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa. "We're a comfort food restaurant inside a four-star, boutique hotel. What you're seeing is the spirit of the independent restaurant coming into the larger hotels."

Jason Shapiro, Chef de Partie at Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, said the biggest trend for 2016 is, well, a secret.

"The ësecret menu' has been captivating dinners more and more recently," Shapiro said. "I believe it will continue to develop to secret preset menus - or even full secret dining hours with craft pairings - and themes.

"Heirloom varieties, I think, will have a resurgence. Building off of the self-sustainable farm-to-fork movement we are still working with. It's becoming more and more apparent that different varieties of produce will become available simply because of the many different ëfarms' around the world."

Shapiro said he believes "outdated" things will be making a comeback, but be presented in some different ways.

"Deconstructions, miniaturized, or homages just to name a few," Shapiro said. "I don't think we will be seeing a lot of molecular gastronomy forward meals or dishes, but smaller ëtouches' of the craft being used to heighten a fresh take on an old classic. This would be not only inviting - because you've already experienced it in the past - but be something new for future foodies to enjoy. The best thing about this could also be the story of where/when the original dish comes from and how it is brought back to life by some fearless chefs."

Aaron Boyd, executive chef/food and beverage director at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge in Colorado said seasonal cooking will remain a hot trend. http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

"The pasture to plate concept continues to dominate the food screen here in Breckenridge and many restaurateurs will be changing their menus four times a year to keep up with the competition," Boyd said.

"Back to basics will also dominate the food scene. Peasant dishes with elevated flavors will be finding their way onto many menus at cutting-edge restaurants."

An emerging cooking trend among chefs is the "sous videî technique, which is French for "under vacuum.î "The idea is cooking in a sealed airtight plastic bag in a water bath for long periods of time under lower temperatures," Boyd said. "The technique is aimed at perfectly even cooking throughout the entire food item ñ pretty cool."

Venoy Rogers III, executive chef at Essensia Restaurant & Spa at The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, also likes the sous vide trend. "It's starting to gain popularity even in home kitchens," said Rogers, who also is a big believer in restaurants that use locally-grown beef. "The U.S. is starting to produce more and more quality beef all over the country," Rogers said. "It's fairly easy to source local beef wherever you are at."

Overall, Rogers said, he believes healthy food is going to be a top trend.

"More and more chefs are leaning out their menus, and diners are seeking healthier and fresher options," Rogers said. "I would personally like to see more breakfast items available all day. That being said, I also think that brunch will continue to be popular. So many restaurants are known for their brunches.

"Today you can find any type of food or cuisine just about anywhere. I feel like what is getting guests into seats is providing a unique and memorable experience through food, ambience and service."

What guests w on't desir e in 2016?

"Very large portions of food, and good cuts of meat covered with a heavy sauce," Rosciano said. "My premise is the luxury of simplicity. The simpler a dish, the better it will look and taste."

"One thing that has started to fizzle out a bit is sliders," Rogers said. "I remember a few years ago when sliders were all the rage. Now I think chefs are realizing that they are just tiny sandwiches. The old way of putting more and more on a plate is something that I think the industry is moving away from as well. We are starting to prioritize quality over quantity."

Nathan Wakefield, executive chef and food and beverage director at the Embassy Suites by Hilton DC Convention Center, believes Mediterranean and Greek flavors and techniques will continue to gain popularity.

"Fast casual and quick service chains like "Cava" continue to expand introducing guests to bold new flavors and spice blends that they were previously unaware of," Wakefield said. "Additionally, most of these spices and techniques carry excellent health benefits and create lighter and healthier options that guests are seeking."

On the bar side, Wakefield said, craft cocktail programs will be essential for success this year.

"As guests continue to see creativity from chefs' in our dining venues, they will expect the same creativity and quality to carry over to the Bar offerings," Wakefield said. "Fresh ingredients, quality glassware, creativity in menus and proper Ice will give our guests the upgraded cocktail experience that they will expect for the prices that they will be paying." http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38432

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Whats Trending In Food For

F&B Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early 1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Pike further pioneered this genre at the PGA of America and Time Warner as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than ... more

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Ten Plus Things to Do for Valentine's Day

By Chicago Splash Magazine Staff Writer

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Email this Article · Printer Friendly Page The most romantic day of the year is quickly approaching. Here are thirteen great ideas. Keep reading to find that special idea for a Valentine’s Day celebrations with your loved one. Whether you’re looking to dine at the nation’s most romantic restaurant, attend a spectacular Valentine’s Day performance, or enjoy a onenight-stay at one of Chicago’s most luxurious hotels, find a sweet treat or more, read on.

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Indulge: Celebrate 9 Days of Valentine’s Day at Geja’s Café Just named one of the 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in the WORLD by The Culture Trip, Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, is planning the most romantic Valentine’s Day celebration in its 50 year history. For nine days, from Sunday, February 7th through Monday, February 15th, the renowned “Restaurant of Romance” will be elegantly decorated and feature sparkling champagne, Celebration of Marriage Night, live flamenco and classical guitarists, photo keepsakes, and delicious sizzling hot fondue cuisine. For information on the Valentine’s Day celebration, please call 773.281.9101, or visit Geja’s online.

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Wednesday February 10th 9:00 AM | MOMS & BABIES BOND IN FITNESS PROGRAM AT THE SHOPS AT DOS LAGOS 7:00 PM | FIT4MOM BRINGS RESULTBASED PROGRAM, BODY BACK, TO THE SHOPS AT DOS LAGOS TO KEEP WOMEN HEALTHY

Thursday February 11th 5:30 PM | THE SHOPS AT DOS LAGOS BRINGS “DOS LAGOS IN MOTION” FITNESS WALK TO THE COMMUNITY EVERY THURSDAY 9:00 PM | COMEDY PALACE

Friday February 12th Geja's- The Most Romantic Restaurant

Delight in Chocolate and Decadent Treats at Chef Alain Roby’s All Chocolate Kitchen You can never go wrong with chocolate on Valentine’s Day! Chef Alain Roby’s mouthwatering EROS Truffle Line makes for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. Based off the popularity of Chef's life-size chocolate, 948pound, God of Love “Eros” sculpture, the EROS Truffle line is a collection of five savory flavors designed with elegance and created with passion. In addition to being tasty, beautiful and unique, the Eros Truffle Line is a healthy alternative to commercial products, as Chef Roby uses only the finest Grand Cru chocolate, which is 80% pure chocolate. Because of Roby’s beautiful, unique, and healthy recipe, his chocolate is a crowd pleaser, satisfying much more than just the looks and tastes of all chocolate and even non-chocolate lovers.

It’s not easy to pick the right sweets, but when it comes to Chef Roby, he never fails to perfect even the smallest, but richest holiday treats. Cost for each truffle $2, or $9 for a gift-wrapped box of 4. For more information, visit All Chocolate Kitchen

12:07 AM | Helpful Honda to Spread Valentine's Day Love with Complimentary Roses 3:00 PM | SANTA MONICA PLACE CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY WITH A FESTIVE LUNAR NEW

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Chocolate-Eros- Greek God of Love

Turn a Valentine Into a Stud Muffin at Vanille Chicago’s wildly-popular Vanille offers the ultimate gift for the stud in someone’s life with their “Stud Muffin Naming Contest,” this ​Valentine’s Day. Contestants submit the name of their stud, whether it be boyfriend, husband, or man’s best friend, and describe what kind of cake, icing, filling and macaroon embody that person and submit via email to [email protected] through Friday, February 5, 2016. The winning submission will be sold in all Vanille stores throughout the month of February. For more information, visit Vanille.

Vanille

Make Valli Produce Evanston the One-Stop Valentine’s Day Shop An international market to rival any in the Chicagoland area, Valli Produce Evanston, 1910 Dempster Street, has everything needed for the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day. From international chocolates and fresh baked goods, to more than 250 produce selections, fresh meat and fish departments, an extensive wine and craft beer selection and more for a low-key Valentine’s Day dinner, Valli Produce Evanston has everything needed to make Valentine’s Day special.

Enjoy a Low-key Date Night at The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria Spend Valentine’s Day at Lincoln Park’s newest dining destination, slick, contemporary restaurant The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria, 1419 W. Fullerton. Featuring a 16 ft. overhead garage door that opens up the front of the space, the restaurant has an airy and inviting feel, imparting a sense of casual comfort and ease right away, perfect for a relaxed Valentine’s Day dinner. Upholstered booth seating and exposed brick walls give the space a dynamic feeling. The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria presents a unique list of specialty 12 inch personal pizzas pies meant to dazzle even the most seasoned Chicago pizza aficionado, as well as salads, sandwiches and appetizers using fresh, flavorful ingredients. Guests may enjoy red pizzas, white pizzas, or even build their own. For more information, visit thewarehousechicago or call 773.661.6454.

Entertain: Laugh Out Loud with The Cupid Players Fingers crossed for a frisky, fun, exciting Valentine’s Day? -- get with Cupid Has a Heart On… in Bed! Let The Cupid Players serenade you and your date with hilarious new numbers fresh from The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival as well as Cupid classics, and enjoy a complimentary champagne toast and a V-Day goodie bag. On Saturday, February 13, choose the 8 p.m. show for the two-act mainstage experience featuring the full singing, dancing ensemble; or come for the 10:30 p.m. late-night show where you’ll be treated to a one-act of the cast’s most loved, risqué (and always sex-positive) numbers. You’ll have a pants-dropping good time with your significant other, gal-pals, bro-mance, BFF, co-worker crush, or that special hook-up-yet-to-be when you share in the laughs and heart shaped crap we’ve got in store. Let Cupid give you all a heart on this Valentine’s Day! ($30/per person or $50/per couple for the 8pm show; $15/per person for the 10:30pm show).

For tickets, please visit stage773

Stage 773

Rejoice with Your Loved One at The Marriott Theatre The perfect Valentine’s gift for a date night out on the town, SISTER ACT kicks off The Marriott Theatre’s 2016 Season as the first mainstage production of the year. Treat your loved one to a pair of tickets to the heavenly Broadway musical comedy, which features a sparkling score by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Glenn Slater. Based on the hit Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name, SISTER ACT is the feel-amazing musical comedy that will have audiences

of jumping to their feet in praise. For tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200.Visit sisteract .

Let Marc Salem Read Your date’s Mind with “ Mind Over Chicago” Want to know what your date is really thinking? The world’s foremost mentalist, Marc Salem, brings his mastermind skills to Chicago with Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago, opening Valentine’s Day weekend at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2540 N Lincoln Ave. Through this interactive 90 minute show, Marc takes audiences on a thrilling journey into the human mind, using his mystifying techniques and quick wit “break the lock” on the minds of randomly selected audience members. He has had the pleasure of outwitting such wellknown celebrities as Sting, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Donald Trump, Arthur Miller, Paul Newman, Prince Andrew, Judi Dench, Ronald Reagan, Michael Strahan, Bruce Willis, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Vice President Joe Biden, New York Mayors Koch, Giuliani & Bloomberg, Chicago’s own Oprah Winfrey, and many more. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Apollo Theater Chicago or call 773.935.6100

Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago

Give the Gift of Music this Valentine’s Day The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for any music lover, tickets to Apollo Chorus of Chicago’s reprise of Mendelssohn’s Elijah on Saturday, March 12th leaves something to look forward to after the romantic day.

Performed in collaboration with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, the University of Chicago’s majestic Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., sets a romantic tone for the evening with Chicago’s oldest musical organization. Tickets and more information at ApolloChorus.

Apollo Chorus

Stay: STAY N PLAY at Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave Located in the heart of the Theater District, one of Chicago’s newest hotels, Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave, is offering complimentary Giggle Water, their signature 1920’s cocktail for guests headed to Chicago Theatre Week. Sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings in Chicago and treat your date to one of the 100 productions available throughout the week. Located in the historic Chicago Motor Club Building, Chicago’s newest Hampton Inn features a grand, three-story Art Deco lobby, a 67-seat 1920’s-style cocktail bar, and intricate architectural details throughout the property, 68 E. Wacker.

Proof of ticket and reservation required. For more information or to make a reservation, visit Hampton Inn Chicago or call 312.419.9014.

The Hampton Inn

Enjoy an Overnight Romantic Stay at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park’s mySpa My Suite- Couple’s Experience gives couples the chance to enjoy a day retreat with side-by-side massages performed in the indulgent Couple’s Suite complete with candlelight and Champagne. Couples can enhance the experience by adding a soak prior to the massage in the room’s jet-soaking infinity tub. If that’s not enough, make a night of it by booking Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park’s Romantic Escape Package. Guests can enjoy a cocktail at THE BAR or stroll around nearby Millennium Park, then return to their guestroom for The Chocolate Bar. This decadent experience includes everything from cookies and pastries to hot chocolate and popcorn prepared by the culinary team.

Rates for the Romantic Escape Package start at $209 plus tax.

The Fairmont Hotel

Relax: Give the Gift of Relaxation and Get a Bonus at Massage Envy From Monday, February 1st through Monday, February 15th, Massage Envy if offering an extra incentive with gift card purchase. Guests who purchase $100 in gift cards will receive a free, 5-piece Whish gift set of body products (valued at $26). All 44 Chicagoland Massage Envy locations will also offer four beautifully packaged body product sets including: o Whish Pomegranate Valentine Trio: A Massage Envy exclusive set featuring Bath & Body Gel, Shave Cream and Body Butter. ($20) o Do Not Disturb Beauty and Her Bath Kit: A Massage Envy exclusive featuring a terry cloth bath pillow, Blooming Bubble Bath, 100% soy “Skin Safe” Blooming Candle and Blooming Body Lotion. ($32) o Thymes Goldleaf Gardenia Set: A Massage Envy exclusive set featuring Hand Creme and Petite Eau de Parfum. ($38) Spongellé Heart on a String: A heart-shaped body wash infused buffer, plus polish. ($15) Visit Massageenvy for more information or to find a local clinic.

Take Her Breath Away with an EZ Breathe Ventilation System for Valentine’s Day It’s the gift no one realizes they need, but loves once they get! The EZ Breathe Ventilation System makes for the perfect, unexpected Valentine’s Day gift to protect both home and family from poor air quality, mold, moisture and other excess toxins lurking in the air. EZ Breathe is a maintenance free unit with a powerful ventilation system that helps to live a healthier home life with less allergies, snoring and coughing. For more information, visit EZ Breathe.

Enjoy a Stress-free Valentine’s Day Thanks to Fresh Tech Maids Relax this Valentine’s Day and let Fresh Tech Maids take care of the cleaning for you. Chicagoland’s leader in healthier, safer home cleaning services has revolutionized the home cleaning and renewal process without the use of chemicals and toxins. Wells Ye, President of Fresh Tech Maids, understands the importance of non-toxic family cleaning services with no chemicals or fumes to pollute the interior air of a home, but also understands the trust and responsibility given to his company, a key element of his business that he takes very seriously. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a night out with your date this Valentine’s Day. For more information, visit Fresh Tech Maids or call 847.392.0888.

Photos: Courtesy of the Heron Agency unless otherwise specified

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

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(/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=7285788) The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls. (Fairmont Hotels)

After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

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"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com (http://InsidersGuideToSpas.com), who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are just four possibilities.

In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. (/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp? contentItemRelationshipId=7285787) The Sticks and Stones massage treatment is a specialty at the Four Seasons Palo Alto. (Four Seasons Palo Alto)

After softening up your muscles with her deft hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan singing bowls of different sizes, made of bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core energy centers up and down your spine. She

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strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you might

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The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately

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in each ear. Some research claims that

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and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The

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somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco

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neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or

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steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the

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president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool

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and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

For the real deal, take the venik platza treatment: Place your clothing-optional body face

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down on a bench, where a well-trained staff member thwacks you with a fistful of warm oak and birch leaves. If that's not masochistic enough, segue on to the Hammam scrub and massage, tapping a Moroccan and Turkish tradition and topped off with Moroccan oils.

Return to the Himalayan mountaintops at the Four Seasons Palo Alto, where spa visitors can receive a full-body massage performed with naturally therapeutic Himalayan salt stones said to detoxify the body, relieve chronic pain and reduce stress. Or opt for a massage with sculpted basalt stones and handmade massagers made of birchwood. Pino, a German company, developed the treatment it calls Thermalance. The Four Seasons calls it Sticks and Stones. The warm flowing movements of the stone stamps are supposed to support the purification of tissue, relieving tension and stimulating metabolism.

Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an enzyme mask made of the humble pumpkin, an appropriate treatment for the selfproclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. The spa's signature treatment uses a nourishing pumpkin enzyme masque from a natural plant-based line high in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Prefer to stay with the international theme? They also offer a geisha facial ritual called Tatcha, which uses crushed pearls and extracts of green tea, Okinawa red algae

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and rice bran, all rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. The pearls -- for which Japan is, of course, famous -- soften and smooth the skin, adding luminosity. The treatment is enhanced with centuries-old Japanese acupressure techniques using a gold leaf massager to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for a natural face-lift effect.

And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

If You Go MOST POPULAR (/POPULAR)

Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com (http://banyasf.com)Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley (http://www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley) Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley (http://www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley) Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260.

1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay).

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1/28/2016

California's Claremont Club & Spa Appoints Nicole Hankton as Marketing Manager Login

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California's Claremont Club & Spa Appoints Nicole Hankton as Marketing Manager A Fairmont Hotel BERKELEY, CA - January 5, 2016 - Leonard Czarnecki, General Manager Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Hankton to the position of Marketing Manager.

A Bay Area native with a 14-year career in marketing with brands including Levi Strauss & Co., Gap, Inc., Whole Foods Market and most recently Marriott, Nicole brings impressive experience to the position.

Len Czarnecki shares, "It is with great pleasure that I welcome Ms. Hankton to the new Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel. Her years of experience in public relations and marketing communications, her passion for new technologies and recognized marketing successes are great contributions. I am confident that Nicole will further elevate the Northern California icon."

Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, knitting, watching basketball and old episodes of The Sopranos. She's also a fan of great discussions on current events and trends.

Built in 1915, and ideally nestled at the base of the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, overlooking scenic San Francisco Bay, the Claremont offers 276 handsomely restored guestrooms and suites. Following a multi-million dollar capital investment project, which updated the hotel's facilities and enhanced the grand hotel's castle-like architecture, the hotel is poised to continue its rich legacy into the next millennia.

The hotel marks its 100th anniversary as it joins seven other Fairmont Hotels serving discerning guests in the Golden State. Sister hotels include Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Fairmont Newport Beach, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square and Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations, providing travelers with memorable travel experiences, thoughtful and attentive service and luxury hotels that are truly unforgettable. Each Fairmont property reflects the locale's energy, culture and history through locally-inspired cuisine, spirited bars and lounges and distinctive design and décor. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, the Fairmont collection boasts some of the most iconic hotels in the world including The Plaza in New York, London's The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com.

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California’s Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel Appoints Nicole Hankton as Marketing Manager January 4, 2016 10:32am Share

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BERKELEY, CA - January, 2016 - Leonard Czarnecki, General Manager Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Hankton to the position of Marketing Manager.

A Bay Area native with a 14-year career in marketing with brands including Levi Strauss & Co., Gap, Inc., Whole Foods Market and most recently Marriott, Nicole brings impressive experience to the position.

Len Czarnecki shares, "It is with great pleasure that I welcome Ms. Hankton to the new Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel. Her years of experience in public relations and marketing communications, her passion for new technologies and recognized marketing successes are great contributions. I am confident that Nicole will further elevate the Northern California icon."

Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, knitting, watching basketball and old episodes of The Sopranos. She's also a fan of great discussions on current events and trends.

Built in 1915, and ideally nestled at the base of the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, overlooking scenic San Francisco Bay, the Claremont offers 276 handsomely restored guestrooms and suites. Following a multi-million dollar capital investment project, which updated the hotel's facilities and enhanced the grand hotel's castle-like architecture, the hotel is poised to continue its rich legacy into the next millennia.

The hotel marks its 100th anniversary as it joins seven other Fairmont Hotels serving discerning guests in the Golden State. Sister hotels include Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Fairmont Newport Beach, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square and Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego.

Tags: claremont club & spa, a fairmont hotel (/latest_news/tag/claremont+club+&+spa,+a+fairmont+hotel/), nicole hankton (/latest_news/tag/nicole+hankton/)

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations, providing travelers with (http://www.fairmont.com/)memorable travel experiences, thoughtful and attentive service and luxury hotels that are truly unforgettable. Each Fairmont property reflects the locale's energy, culture and history through locallyinspired cuisine, spirited bars and lounges and distinctive design and décor. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, the Fairmont collection boasts some of the most iconic hotels in the world including The Plaza in New York, London's The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com (http://www.fairmont.com).

Contact: Michelle Heston michelle.heston@fairmont.com (mailto:michelle.heston@fairmont.com) / 707/939/2477

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The HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, & Revenue Optimization Named (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/thehsmai-top-25-extraordinary-minds-in-hospitality-sales-marketing-revenue) January 21, 2016

Commune Hotels & Resorts and Destination Hotels Merge to Create the Leading Operator of Independent and Lifestyle Hotels and Resorts (http://www.hotelonline.com/press_releases/release/commune-hotels-resorts-and-destination-hotels-merge-to-create-the-leading) January 25, 2016

Current Top 25 » (http://www.hotel-online.com/latest_news/top) http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/californias-claremont-club-spa-a-fairmont-hotel-appoints-nicole-hankton-as

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24 Restaurant Openings We're Most Excited for in 2016

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Restaurants come and go, but the opening of an exciting new restaurant can be a huge deal not just for the people involved, but for the entire city they're in. In 2016, these restaurant openings just might be the biggest ones of all.

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Click Here to see The 24 Restaurant Openings We're Most Excited for in 2016 Every year, thousands of new restaurants open across the United States. The vast majority of these are opened by chefs and restaurateurs who aren't familiar faces on restaurant blogs and Food Network, and while some will go on to become http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-daily-meal/24-restaurant-openings-we_b_8933348.html?utm_hp_ref=taste&ir=Taste

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24 Restaurant Openings We're Most Excited for in 2016

neighborhood standbys and develop legions of fans over the course of years, many won't be so lucky.

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The restaurants on our list, however, are starting from an envious position. Even though they haven't opened yet, people are talking about them with their friends and reading about them in blogs and newspapers. In most cases, the chefs and restaurateurs already have one or more successful restaurants under their belt and have made their mark on the industry. Folks are excited for these restaurants to open because the chefs and owners are already known quantities, and they have a heck of a track record.

Click Here to see The 24 Restaurant Openings We're Most Excited for in 2016 Slideshow

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So read on to learn which restaurant openings are the most-anticipated across the country. Not only will you sound like an expert when discussing the scene with your friends, you'll also have the opportunity to be one of the first who are "in the know" when these restaurants finally do open.

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Photo Credit: Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel / Facebook Chef Dominique Crenn, who runs one of the country's most unique restaurants with her upscale Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, will be opening a casual brasserie in the recently-renovated Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner; will be focused on locally-sourced ingredients, seafood, and vegetable dishes; and many dishes will be designed for sharing,

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

By Perry Garfinkel

For the Mercury New s

POSTED: 12/31/2015 10:00:00 AM PST |

UPDATED: 25 DAYS AGO

0 COMMENTS

...

(/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=7285788) The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls. (Fairmont Hotels)

After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com (http://InsidersGuideToSpas.com), who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are just four possibilities.

In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. (/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp? contentItemRelationshipId=7285787)

After softening up your muscles with her deft

The Sticks and Stones massage treatment is a specialty at the Four Seasons Palo Alto. (Four Seasons Palo Alto)

singing bowls of different sizes, made of

hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core

Rory Beca Grommet Silk Top

Tibi Cropped Top

Sea Snowflake Lace Top

alice + olivia Deep V Neck Bodysuit

energy centers up and down your spine. She strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you might trace the rim of a wine glass to make it sing.

Advertisement

The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately in each ear. Some research claims that binaural beats can alter the brain's dominant brain wave frequency, creating alpha and delta states (alpha associated with relaxation and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The experience leaves you very present, but somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

For the real deal, take the venik platza treatment: Place your clothing-optional body face down on a bench, where a well-trained staff member thwacks you with a fistful of warm oak and birch leaves. If that's not masochistic enough, segue on to the Hammam scrub and massage, tapping a Moroccan and Turkish tradition and topped off with Moroccan oils.

Return to the Himalayan mountaintops at the Four Seasons Palo Alto, where spa visitors can receive a full-body massage performed with naturally therapeutic Himalayan salt stones said to detoxify the body, relieve chronic pain and reduce stress. Or opt for a massage with sculpted basalt stones and handmade massagers made of birchwood. Pino, a German company, developed the treatment it calls Thermalance. The Four Seasons calls it Sticks and Stones. The warm flowing movements of the stone stamps are supposed to support the purification of tissue, relieving tension and stimulating metabolism.

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Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an enzyme mask made of the humble pumpkin, an appropriate treatment for the selfproclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. The spa's signature treatment uses a nourishing pumpkin enzyme masque from a natural plant-based line high in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Prefer to stay with the international theme? They also offer a geisha facial ritual called Tatcha, which uses crushed pearls and extracts of green tea, Okinawa red algae

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and rice bran, all rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. The pearls -- for which Japan is, of course, famous -- soften and smooth the skin, adding luminosity. The treatment is enhanced with centuries-old Japanese acupressure techniques using a gold leaf massager to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for a natural face-lift effect.

And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

If You Go Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com (http://banyasf.com)Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley (http://www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley) Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley (http://www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley) Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260.

1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay).

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

Lifestyle → Health

4 New Year 's spa tr eatments, fr om Tibetan singing bowls to bir ch leaf swatting 1/2

‹

›

The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls.

By Perry Garfinkel For the Mercury News Posted: 12/31/15, 10:01 AM PST | Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago 0 Comments After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com, who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are just four possibilities.

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In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. After softening up your muscles with her deft hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan singing bowls of different sizes, made of bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core energy centers up and down your spine. She strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you http://www.montereyherald.com/health/20151231/4-new-years-spa-treatments-from-tibetan-singing-bowls-to-birch-leaf-swatting

3/8

1/26/2016

4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

might trace the rim of a wine glass to make it sing.

The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately in each ear. Some research claims that binaural beats can alter the brain's dominant brain wave frequency, creating alpha and delta states (alpha associated with relaxation and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The experience leaves you very present, but somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -- which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -- is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

For the real deal, take the venik platza treatment: Place your clothing-optional body face down on a bench, where a well-trained staff member thwacks you with a fistful of warm oak and birch leaves. If that's not masochistic enough, segue on to the Hammam scrub and massage, tapping a Moroccan and Turkish tradition and topped off with Moroccan oils.

Return to the Himalayan mountaintops at the Four Seasons Palo Alto, where spa visitors can receive a full-body massage performed with naturally therapeutic Himalayan salt stones said to detoxify the body, relieve chronic pain and reduce stress. Or opt for a massage with sculpted basalt stones and handmade massagers made of birchwood. Pino, a German company, developed the treatment it calls Thermalance. The Four Seasons calls it Sticks and Stones. The warm flowing movements of the stone stamps are supposed to support the purification of tissue, relieving tension and stimulating metabolism.

Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an enzyme mask made of the humble pumpkin, an appropriate treatment for the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. The spa's signature treatment uses a nourishing pumpkin enzyme masque from a natural plant-based line high in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Prefer to stay with the international theme? They also offer a geisha facial ritual called Tatcha, which uses crushed pearls and extracts of green tea, Okinawa red algae and rice bran, all rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The pearls -- for which Japan is, of course, famous -- soften and smooth the skin, adding luminosity. The treatment is enhanced with centuries-old Japanese acupressure techniques using a gold leaf massager to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for a natural face-lift effect.

And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

If You Go Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260. 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay. Galler ies Photo Gallery FROM AROUND THE WEB selected for you by a sponsor

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

By Perry Garfinkel

For the Mercury New s

POSTED: 12/31/2015 10:00:00 AM PST |

UPDATED: 25 DAYS AGO

0 COMMENTS

...

Healthy Summer Juice Recipes Martha Stewart

(/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=7285788) The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls. (Fairmont Hotels)

After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

MORE VIDEOS:

"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com (http://InsidersGuideToSpas.com), who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are just four possibilities.

In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. (/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp? contentItemRelationshipId=7285787)

After softening up your muscles with her deft

The Sticks and Stones massage treatment is a specialty at the Four Seasons Palo Alto. (Four Seasons Palo Alto)

singing bowls of different sizes, made of

hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core

energy centers up and down your spine. She strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you might trace the rim of a wine glass to make it sing.

Advertisement

Receive the PM Report Subscribe to our daily newsletter and receive our latest news

Your e-mail address Subscribe The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately in each ear. Some research claims that binaural beats can alter the brain's dominant brain wave frequency, creating alpha and delta states (alpha associated with relaxation and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The experience leaves you very present, but somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

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Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an

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And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

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If You Go Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com (http://banyasf.com)Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley (http://www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley) Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley (http://www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley) Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260.

1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay).

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The Most Anticipated San Francisco Restaurant Openings, Winter 2016 - Eater SF

The Most Anticipated San Francisco Restaurant Openings, Winter 2016 What's going to be hot and fresh from January through March.

by Ellen Fort, January 12, 2016

S

an Francisco is on a roll, and there are no signs of a slow down. Here are 12 new restaurants that plan to open by the end of March, if all goes according to plan (though based on the fact that many of the restaurants listed intended to open in 2015, we know that it doesn't). Lots of second

acts from accomplished chefs like Johnathan Waxman and Dominique Crenn, as well as newcomers like Sung Anh of Mosu.

Alfred's Steakhouse

Location: 659 Merchant St

Key Players: Charlie Parker, Daniel Patterson

The Situation: Recently purchased by Daniel Patterson Group, Alfred's is plotting a grand

reopening in February. Now under the direction of chef Charlie Parker (Haven), the restaurant aims to keep the 87-year-old restaurant largely the same, albeit with some renovations and upgrades, and closer look at the skillful veggie preparation that all DPG restaurants maintain.

Image credit: Patricia Chang

Projected Opening: February

http://sf.eater.com/2016/1/12/10753628/san-francisco-new-restaurants-openings-winter-2016

1/10

1/14/2016

The Most Anticipated San Francisco Restaurant Openings, Winter 2016 - Eater SF

Antoinette

Location: 51 Tunnel Road, Berkeley

Major Players: Dominique Crenn

The Situation: Dominique Crenn's first foray across the Bay will be a classic brasserie in the

newly renovated Claremont Club and Spa. The project, dubbed Antoinette in an homage to the strong women (and a certain queen) of France, is Crenn's vision, though it will be technically operated by the hotel. Expect an elegant and welcoming space where guests can dine on oysters and sip Champagne with an unbeatable look at San Francisco across the water. There'll be lots of classic brasserie fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner; dishes like a cote du boeuf and whole roasted fish will be designed to share.

Projected Opening: February

Brezza Emporio and Pizzeria

Location: 900 N. Point Street, Fisherman's Wharf

http://sf.eater.com/2016/1/12/10753628/san-francisco-new-restaurants-openings-winter-2016

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4 New Year 's spa tr eatments, fr om Tibetan singing bowls to bir ch leaf swatting 1/2

‹

›

The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls.

By Perry Garfinkel For the Mercury News Posted: 12/31/15, 10:01 AM PST | Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago 0 Comments After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com, who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are http://www.thereporter.com/health/20151231/4-new-years-spa-treatments-from-tibetan-singing-bowls-to-birch-leaf-swatting

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

just four possibilities.

Advertisement In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. After softening up your muscles with her deft hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan singing bowls of different sizes, made of bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core energy centers up and down your spine. She strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you might trace the rim of a wine glass to make it sing.

The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately in each ear. Some research claims that binaural beats can alter the brain's dominant brain wave frequency, creating alpha and delta states (alpha associated with relaxation and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The experience leaves you very present, but somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -- which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -- is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

For the real deal, take the venik platza treatment: Place your clothing-optional body face down on a bench, where a well-trained staff member thwacks you with a fistful of warm oak and birch leaves. If that's not masochistic enough, segue on to the Hammam scrub and massage, tapping a Moroccan and Turkish tradition and topped off with Moroccan oils.

Return to the Himalayan mountaintops at the Four Seasons Palo Alto, where spa visitors can receive a full-body massage performed with naturally therapeutic Himalayan salt stones said to detoxify the body, relieve chronic pain and reduce stress. Or opt for a massage with sculpted basalt stones and handmade massagers made of birchwood. Pino, a German company, developed the treatment it calls Thermalance. The Four Seasons calls it Sticks and Stones. The warm flowing movements of the stone stamps are supposed to support the purification of tissue, relieving tension and stimulating metabolism.

Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an enzyme mask made of the humble pumpkin, an appropriate treatment for the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. The spa's signature treatment uses a nourishing pumpkin enzyme masque from a natural plant-based line high in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Prefer to stay with the international theme? They also offer a geisha facial ritual called Tatcha, which uses crushed pearls and extracts of green tea, Okinawa red algae and rice bran, all rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The pearls -- for which Japan is, of course, famous -- soften and smooth the skin, adding luminosity. The treatment is enhanced with centuries-old Japanese acupressure techniques using a gold leaf massager to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for a natural face-lift effect.

And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

If You Go Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260. 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay. Galler ies Photo Gallery FROM AROUND THE WEB selected for you by a sponsor

http://www.thereporter.com/health/20151231/4-new-years-spa-treatments-from-tibetan-singing-bowls-to-birch-leaf-swatting

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4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

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The Claremont Club & Spa offers a variety of massages and spa treatments, including a Tibetan sound treatment that uses resonating bronze bowls.

By Perry Garfinkel For the Mercury News Posted: 12/31/15, 10:01 AM PST | Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago 0 Comments After five solid weeks of holiday celebrations, we all need a holiday. We've been crushed in malls, stressed with schedules and saturated with gatherings -- and it's just possible that we may have overeaten, over-imbibed and over-everythinged.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is home to a wide variety of ways to assuage that stress.

"Spas traditionally see an uptick in bookings right after the holidays, simply because they are such effective quick fixes for stress," says Mary Bemis, editor-in-chief of InsidersGuideToSpas.com, who has tracked spa trends for some 30 years. In a phone interview, she continued: "And I can think of no place better than the greater San Francisco area to be transported to some other place, in both senses of the phrase, for such a curative retreat. In fact, I am visiting one in Napa, as we speak, at Meadowood."

From the esoteric to the down-to-earth, Bay Area spas offer treatments from around the world -- and we're not just talking Swedish massage. Here are just four possibilities.

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/health/20151231/4-new-years-spa-treatments-from-tibetan-singing-bowls-to-birch-leaf-swatting

2/7

1/26/2016

4 New Year's spa treatments, from Tibetan singing bowls to birch leaf swatting

Advertisement In Berkeley, where Fairmont Hotels just took over (and renamed) the Claremont Club & Spa, the resort offers a Tibetan Sound Massage. After softening up your muscles with her deft hands, a practitioner places five Tibetan singing bowls of different sizes, made of bronze in the 17th and 18th centuries, on core energy centers up and down your spine. She strikes the bowls with soft mallets, then slides the mallet around the edge the way you might trace the rim of a wine glass to make it sing.

The result is binaural beats, distinctive audio sensations that occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies play separately in each ear. Some research claims that binaural beats can alter the brain's dominant brain wave frequency, creating alpha and delta states (alpha associated with relaxation and calmness, delta with deep sleep). The experience leaves you very present, but somewhere else.

You'll discover a slice of Russia tucked into the most unlikely of San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview-Hunters Point. Archimedes Banya (banya is Russian for sauna or steam bath), as authentic as homemade borscht, is a labor of love for Mikhail Brodsky, the president and rector of Oakland's Lincoln University. The centerpiece of the complex -- which includes a more traditional sauna, two Jacuzzis, a steam room, cooling-down pool and cold plunge, as well as a cafe with Russian delicacies and a breathtaking rooftop view -- is the two-level sauna room, 16 feet high, with a 14-foot-high stove.

For the real deal, take the venik platza treatment: Place your clothing-optional body face down on a bench, where a well-trained staff member thwacks you with a fistful of warm oak and birch leaves. If that's not masochistic enough, segue on to the Hammam scrub and massage, tapping a Moroccan and Turkish tradition and topped off with Moroccan oils.

Return to the Himalayan mountaintops at the Four Seasons Palo Alto, where spa visitors can receive a full-body massage performed with naturally therapeutic Himalayan salt stones said to detoxify the body, relieve chronic pain and reduce stress. Or opt for a massage with sculpted basalt stones and handmade massagers made of birchwood. Pino, a German company, developed the treatment it calls Thermalance. The Four Seasons calls it Sticks and Stones. The warm flowing movements of the stone stamps are supposed to support the purification of tissue, relieving tension and stimulating metabolism.

Prefer gourds instead of stones? At the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, facials are done with an enzyme mask made of the humble pumpkin, an appropriate treatment for the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. The spa's signature treatment uses a nourishing pumpkin enzyme masque from a natural plant-based line high in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Prefer to stay with the international theme? They also offer a geisha facial ritual called Tatcha, which uses crushed pearls and extracts of green tea, Okinawa red algae and rice bran, all rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The pearls -- for which Japan is, of course, famous -- soften and smooth the skin, adding luminosity. The treatment is enhanced with centuries-old Japanese acupressure techniques using a gold leaf massager to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for a natural face-lift effect.

And if that doesn't help you recover from the harried holidays, there's always the warm ginger souffle wrap at the Hotel Healdsburg. It may not be international, but it sounds awfully tasty for a spa treatment.

If You Go Archimedes Banya: Venik platza is $30. 748 Innes Ave., San Francisco; banyasf.com Claremont Club & Spa: A Tibetan sound treatment is $225. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley Four Seasons Palo Alto: The Sticks and Stones is $250. 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: A Tatcha facial is $185-$200, pumpkin facials are $245-$260. 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay. Galler ies Photo Gallery FROM AROUND THE WEB selected for you by a sponsor

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/health/20151231/4-new-years-spa-treatments-from-tibetan-singing-bowls-to-birch-leaf-swatting

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2/1/2016

Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations

One of the best tourism destinations on earth, South Africa is also a bargain – last month its currency hit the lowest rate against the dollar in the country’s history.

In recent years, American travelers have been taking it on the chin in much of the world when it comes to exchange rates. Not anymore. The dollar is back, in a big way, and 2016 offers the promise of some great deals. But a few are greater than the others, and whether you are on a tight budget or want to stretch to luxuries that might have been previously beyond reach, two particular destinations jump out: Canada and South Africa.

There are plenty of countries that are cheap, but the differences are that both Canada and South Africa have first rate, first world, travel infrastructures, with top shelf luxury hotels and restaurants and all the organization required to make even the most complex trips work smoothly. In addition, both fully offer the advantages of pricing in their own currency, unlike many top resorts of the Caribbean and Central America, which use dollars despite the low cost of living in their underlying economies. http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

For example, Nicaragua is a generally cheap place, but I recently spoke with a traveler returning from a top luxury beach resort there who lamented that everything was in dollars and just as expensive as Hawaii. That is decidedly not the case in Canada and South Africa.

Canada offers the ease of convenience, nearness and in many cases, the same types of vacation opportunities we have available at home at fraction of the price. South Africa has the more unique attraction of its wildlife safaris, and of all the places in Africa you can go on safari, it represents the nexus of the best value and highest quality tourism experience, as well as many extras beyond wildlife – wonderful wine country, excellent food, great golf, beach resorts, natural wonders and one of the world’s most vibrant tourism cities, Cape Town.

Combining the old and new, Europe and North America, Montreal is a fantastic travel destination. But so are many spots in Canada, where the exchange rate against the dollar just hit a 12 year low.

The Canadian dollar lost 17% of its value in 2015, its second worst yearly performance against the dollar ever, tumbling below 72 cents for first time since 2004, more than a decade ago. As of this writing, the Loonie had not recovered and was hovering at the bargain rate of 71 cents.

The Rand is doing even worse – in December it hit an all time low against the dollar, and in just one two day stretch last month lost 7% of its value. It currently remains near the lowest rate in the nation’s history.

Of immediate relevance to travelers is ski season in Canada, whose northwestern region receives some of the deepest snowfalls on the continent.

In general, the major ski resorts and their associated hotels rival the top destinations in the American West, but are substantially cheaper in every respect, from lodging to skiing to après cocktails. Giant Whistler Blackcomb in British http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

Columbia, a recent Winter Olympics venue, is the largest ski resort in North America, and often rated the continent’s number one ski resort. In Alberta there are three major resorts close together around gorgeous Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest and its “Yellowstone.”

Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay share a single lift ticket, which includes unlimited interchangeable skiing – and free daily shuttles to all the resorts. A flexible ticket good for 5 of 7 days costs USD $289 – before any of the recurring special discounts offered. This is less than half the rate at most large Western U.S. ski resorts – not even the most expensive ones. The region also has several standout hotels such as the famous Fairmont Banff Springs, “The Castle In the Rockies,” the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Post Hotel, a famously luxurious European-style lodge that is a member of Relais & Châteaux and known for gourmet fare and deep wine list. Three day packages at the Post that includes lodging, breakfast and lift tickets good at all three resorts run just USD $526 per person for the entire stay. You would be hard pressed to get a single night at a slopeside hotel of equivalent quality at any major Western ski resort for this price, without any meals or tickets.

The bottom line is roughly a third of what you would likely spend for two at a comparable domestic ski hotel.

Canada’s appeals go far beyond skiing. There are great golf destinations across the nation, the wonderful cities of Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto, and rugged coastal beauty of Nova Scotia, Newfound and Prince Edward Island, even the wildlife viewing in Churchill, Manitoba, “The Polar Bear Capital of the World.” It’s a huge country, bigger than the U.S., and it is all on sale.

The savings are even more dramatic in South Africa. I traveled there twice in the past few months and was continually shocked by the value. The best restaurants of Cape Town rival those of any major U.S. city, yet cost about a third. It is one of the world’s premier golf destinations, with hundreds of courses, yet at the poshest resorts, you are very hard pressed to spend a hundred bucks on greens fees. After a round of golf on the Links at Fancourt, I visited the clubhouse bar with some fellow players. This is the number one course in all of Africa and a resort that bears favorable comparison with http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

places like Doral or La Quinta. We had two Johnnie Walker Black scotches and a draft beer and the bill was seven dollars. At a similar domestic resort, it could easily be four times as much. This type of reverse sticker shock is a frequent everyday occurrence, from meals to taxis to spa treatments.

Cape Town is routinely rated one of the world’s best tourism cities, and its V&A Waterfront is the single most popular attraction. Excellent restaurants here cost about a third of what they would in the U.S.

Some of the elite, most expensive and luxurious safari lodges do sell to the U.S. market in dollars and remain expensive, but many excellent camps are bargains. Jock Safari Lodge is one of the few private concessions within Kruger National Park itself, unlike many that border the park. As a result, only guests of Jock have access to the camp’s private acreage, but Jock guests have full access to the park itself. It’s the kind of place where all lodging is in individual villas with plunge pools and private showers, has quality guides, and rates include two daily game drives with rangers, three meals plus high tea and game drive snacks/cocktails daily, guided nature walks, and all taxes and park fees. The price? $377 per night for a full-blown safari vacation in one of the world’s premier destinations. This bargain includes everything except non-game drive alcohol, and despite having a monopoly and captive audience, even that is dirt cheap – a beer from the mini bar is less than $1.25. As if all this wasn’t enough, South African Airlways has been offering incredible deals on non-stops from the U.S. (they fly from both JFK and DC) with round trip fares under $800 – less than most fares for my trip to Vegas last week.

With both currencies at record or recent record lows, and both countries offering a wealth of tourist attractions for every taste, it’s a better http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/01/11/best-value-travel-destinations-of-2016-even-for-luxury-vacations/print/

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Best Value Travel Destinations of 2016 - Even For Luxury Vacations - Forbes

time then ever to visit Canada and South Africa, regardless of your budget.

Safe travels!

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

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 01/19/2016 01:22 pm ET | Updated Jan 19, 2016 Joy Pecknold Fashion and travel writer, Passport blog editor for Kiwi Collection

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Within the four walls of a cinema, films transport moviegoers to far off places, both past and present, real or imagined. To take it a step further, use this year's Academy Awards' nominees for Best Picture as a travel guide, experiencing the locations -- characters in their own right -- firsthand. But skip the stress of being

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say, the real frontiersman Hugh Glass depicted in The Revenant, and live cushier, like Leonardo DiCaprio on holiday (Victoria's Secret models not included).

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The Big Short Surprisingly, a chunk of the Adam McKay-directed film about a group of insiders who saw the 2008 American economic collapse coming (and profited from it) was http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-pecknold/trips-inspired-by-2016-os_b_9019358.html

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

shot in New Orleans. Producer Brad Pitt, who owns a home there, probably had something to do with that. But the true story is centered around Wall Street,

1. How President Obama Disappointed Liberals During His Tenure

naturally, so that's the place to be. In the banker stripe suit heartland, Andaz Wall Street gives the financially curious a front row room, and a stylish, cozy one at that.

6 days ago live.huffingtonpost.com The Huffington Post HuffingtonPost.com (AOL) economy 2. Want To Learn Everything About The Puppy Bowl? Watch This

Bridge of Spies Another retelling of a real event, directed by Stephen Spielberg, the "bridge" in the title refers to the Glienicke Bridge between Postdam and Berlin where the Soviet Union and U.S. conducted a prisoner exchange in 1962. Dubbed "the capital of

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espionage" during the Cold War, the city has many landmarks and tours to retrace its spy stories. Built in the early 1900s and secluded in an upper class neighborhood, Schlosshotel im Grunewald provides a sophisticated James Bond type of atmosphere for modern day, aspiring agents.

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Brooklyn Set in the 1950s, Brooklyn is the tale of a young Irish immigrant, played by Saoirse Ronan, torn between two loves in the U.S. and Ireland. With New York City covered off by The Big Short, Ireland gets the spotlight. In County Waterford, not too far from the character's hometown of Enniscorthy, The Cliff House Hotel is a romantic setting for would-be Atlantic-crossed lovers. On the rocks overlooking Ardmore Bay, guests are in far more danger of falling in love with the place than any suitor.

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43 minutes ago huffingtonpost.com The Huffington Post Huffington Post International Krithika Varagur Krithika Varagur asian voices 7. So THAT'S Why You Need A Humidifier

Mad Max: Fury Road The George Miller flick takes place in a future wasteland, but the Namib Desert was cast as the present day stand-in. Many steps up from living on the run in a tank trunk, Little Kulala is an oasis better than Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa could have dreamed of, with a cool pool and stargazing platform. There's adventure

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too, just not quite so harrowing, with wild game drives or hot air balloon safaris as options for experiencing the desert in style.

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The Martian As the name of this Ridley Scott film suggests, an astronaut, played by Matt Damon, mistakenly gets left on Mars. The earthly location that depicted the desolate planet was UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Rum in Jordan. Only an hour from there is the coastal city of Aqaba, a place Damon's character would have loved to stumble upon. In the very least, NASA ought to gift him a week's stay at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea where he can lay on the beach, swim and enjoy 24-hour butler service.

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

The Revenant The cast and crew, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio it seems, had a really hard time making this film. We get it, Leo lives most of his life on yachts with models wherever it's warm, so Canada and Southern Argentina where The Revenant filmed feels like being marooned in East Antarctica to him. But within the wilds of those locations, there are top-notch comforts to be found. In Alberta, the Fairmont Banff Springs has a series of therapeutic pools to ease the stresses of frontier reenacting.

In Argentina, Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa there are more pools, of heated glacier water, and big comfy beds from which to gaze at the wilderness but not be in it.

Room Based on the award-winning book of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of a woman and her son who are held captive in a small room for many years, and finally freed. The Irish-Canadian movie was shot in Toronto, Canada and not far from many of the filming locations is The Ritz Carlton Toronto, which, in stark contrast to the tale, has many roomy suites to choose from with big, beautiful views to the wide world outside. Gaze out at the sparkling CN Tower at night and count your lucky stars this isn't your true story.

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Spotlight About true stories, the Academy sure loved them this year, as Spotlight is yet another. This one is based on The Boston Globe "Spotlight" investigative reporting team that brought to light the Catholic church's staggering child sex abuse crimes in Massachusetts. Much of the movie was filmed in Toronto, but regardless Boston is the star. The Boston Globe will be moving its offices back downtown in next year, and one bastion of quality deserves another, making the Fairmont Copley Plaza the place to stay when exploring the historic city.

Follow Joy Pecknold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joypecknold MORE: The Oscars , New York City , Toronto, Germany , Brooklyn, Boston, Berlin, Ireland, Jordan, Namibia, Best Picture, The Big Short , The Martian, Oscars 2016, Mad Max Fury Road, Room , The Revenant , Kiwi Collection, Spotlight , Joy Pecknold, Bridge Of Spies , Alberta, Travel

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The best Canadian ski resorts for you -

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Some of the world’s best skiing and snowboarding is just north of the border in Canada, and this winter season is especially attractive for visitors from the US, thanks to a 30% advantage on the exchange rate. Try one of these recommendations for the best winter resort for you by category.

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The best Canadian ski resorts for you -

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel

Best for lodging – It doesn’t get much better than the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada--AB/Lake_Louise.hd1426/), perched at the narrow edge of the teardrop-shaped glacier-fed mountain lake. There’s ice skating, snowshoeing and horse-drawn carriage rides on the frozen lake. The Lake Louise Ski Resort, within Banff National Park, is just down the road, with shuttle service (http://www.skibig3.com/ski-shuttle/) every 30 minutes. Shuttles are free with a SkiBig3 lift card, which includes lift access at Ski Sunshine and Mt. Norquay. If you are an above-average skier or snowboarder, feel like a champion when you take a run or several on the Men’s World Cup Downhill or Women’s World Cup Downhill trails.

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The best Canadian ski resorts for you -

Le Massif

Best for views – The runs at Le Massif de Charlevois (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada--QC/Charlevoix.hd37954/) end so close to the St. Lawrence River that it feels as though you will ski or snowboard right into the water. It’s a picture-postcard view all the way, especially on one of the wide-open, groomed trails. The resort’s main lodge is at the top of the mountain, for panoramic views and excellent food cooked to order. Stay in Baie St. Paul, the resort town where a couple of street performers went on to become the founders of Cirque du Soleil. Or, take the daily shuttle from Quebec City.

Related: Don’t leave Quebec City without getting these 5 essential shots. (http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2015/09/5-essential-photos-you-cant-leave-quebec-citywithout/) Best for families – Mt. Tremblant (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada-QC/Mont_Tremblant.hd1956/) has two special destinations for families. The Tam-Tam Zone is a kids-only area, for ages 3-12. Sculptures of animals are designed to teach kids about the environment, while they learn to ski and ride through the gladed trails.

There’s also a Burton Riglet Park with mini obstacles and features for riders to age 6.

The South Side (Versant Sud) of the resort offers both sunnier and quieter slopes for families skiing together. Avoid the two-hour drive from Montreal by flying Air Canada or Porter Airlines directly to the Mt. Tremblan (http://www.tremblant.ca)t airport, a former military base.

http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2016/01/the-best-canadian-ski-resorts-for-you/

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The best Canadian ski resorts for you -

Kicking Horse

Best for snowboarders – Kicking Horse (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada-BC/Golden.hd1460/), about three hours northwest of Calgary, is becoming known as the freeride capital (http://www.kickinghorseresort.com) of Canada. The trail map doesn’t matter when there are several dozen powder-filled chutes and upper bowls that are nirvana for freeriding. Just remember to share the stashes with skiers on their all-mountain and powder skis. Stay in Golden, just 15 minutes away.

Ice Hotel | Photo: Quebec Region

Best for food lovers – Quebec City (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada-QC/Quebec_City.hd1965/) isn’t a ski resort, but there are three within an hour’s drive: Mte. Sant Anne, Stoneham and Le Massif. Stay in town to take advantage of historic restaurants like Aux Anciens Canadiens (http://www.auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca/en/index.htm), for its signature Quebec meat pie, or head for the Ice Hotel (http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/), constructed of

http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2016/01/the-best-canadian-ski-resorts-for-you/

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The best Canadian ski resorts for you -

pie, or head for the Ice Hotel (http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/), constructed of ice, for an après ski drink out of a glass-shaped block of ice. The truly adventurous can sleep there, too.

Related: Want to give it a try? These are the best ski resorts for beginners. (http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2015/10/worlds-best-ski-resorts-for-beginners/)

Whistler Village

Best resort village – It should be no surprise that Canada’s largest winter resort also has the largest base area village, more like a small city. Whistler-Blackcomb (http://www.orbitz.com/hotels/Canada--BC/Whistler.hd1531/) offers more than 200 marked runs, 16 bowls, three glaciers and an uncounted number of restaurants and après ski destinations. The resort celebrates its 50th anniversary this season with the introduction of WB+, an app-like feature which tracks your vertical and speed.

Mike Weigele heli-skiing http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2016/01/the-best-canadian-ski-resorts-for-you/

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9 Romantic Valentine's Day Staycations Around Boston

By Lindsey Paradis | January 27, 2016 | Lifestyle Cue the rose petals and heart-shaped chocolates—Boston's most luxurious hotels are offering up romance-ready packages primed for Valentine's Day. Here's where to book a staycation to impress your sweetheart.

The A Month of Romance Package at The Mandarin Oriental

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The Mandarin Oriental sets the mood this Valentine’s Day with a rose petal turn-down service, accompanied by a chilled bottle of champagne and a rich chocolate dessert crafted by pastry chef Robert Differ. In the morning, enjoy breakfast for two either in-room or at Bar Boulud, and take your time as the hotel offers complimentary late checkout. Available February 1-29. Mandarin Oriental, 776 Boylston St., 617-535-8888

The Lover’s Rock Package at Verb Hotel If your S.O. is a baseball buff there’s no better place to stay than the Verb Hotel, located only a stone's throw away from Fenway Park. Prepare to be pampered the moment you arrive with valet parking and premium Cava and chocolates delivered upon check-in. A special VIP dinner reservation will be made for you at Hojoko, the Verb’s Japanese-style tavern.

Available February 12-14. Verb Hotel, 1271 Boylston St., 617-566-4500

The Status Change Package at Hotel Marlowe

A special night for that special someone, the Status Change pulls out all the stops. Hotel Marlowe welcomes you with a bottle of bubbly and a complimentary spread. Feast on a locally-inspired dinner for two (a $100 credit) at the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly renovated Bambara Kitchen & Bar, then unwind for the night with a relaxation basket from Organic Bath Co. Take a break from the frenetic pace of the city with breakfast in bed and late check-out at 3 p.m. Available February 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;23. Hotel Marlowe, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, 617-868-8000

The Skate Away for Romance Package at Boston Harbor Hotel Your romantic experience at the Boston Harbor Hotel includes ice-skating on the Rotunda Rink, two signature or sparkling cocktails, and one Bar Seafood Tasting Plate for Two at the Rowes Wharf Bar. Come morning, tuck into a full breakfast for two at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille. Available until February 21. Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, 617-439-7000

The Add to Favorites Package at Onyx Hotel

Spend a sensual night with your S.O. at the Onyx Hotel courtesy of the Add to Favorites package, which includes a $40 credit for booze and food at the hotel’s restaurant and an in-room movie credit. Missed out on that couples massage at the spa? No worries, massage oils from Organic Bath Co. are part of the package. Before you head out, enjoy breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant with a $50 credit. Available February 4–23. Onyx Hotel, 155 Portland St., 617-557-9955

The Be Mine? Package at Fifteen Beacon Hotel Fifteen Beacon’s Be Mine? package is all about classic romance: indulge in a rose petal turn-down, a bottle of champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries. You and your sweetheart can enjoy breakfast in bed the next morning, as well as late checkout. Available February 1-28. Fifteen Beacon Hotel, 15 Beacon St., 617-670-1500

The Swipe Right Package at Nine Zero

This Tinder-inspired package starts off with cocktails for two at the Highball Lounge. For a quick, and separate getaway, the Swipe Right special includes coffee to go and two $10 transportation credits. Available Wednesday-Saturday, February 4– 23. Nine Zero Hotel, 90 Tremont St., 617-772-5800

The Lost in Love and Valentine’s Day Suiteheart Packages at Fairmont Copley Plaza The Lost in Love package promises a romance-filled stay with a curated list of must-do couple's activities in Boston. Other accommodations include chilled champagne, red velvet cupcakes, and late checkout. If Lost in Love isn’t your style, try the Fairmont’s Valentine’s Day Suiteheart offering. The package includes a stay in either a junior or one-bedroom suite and 15 percent off its flexible rate of the day. You and your significant other can relax with chilled champagne and a rose petal turn-down. Lost in Love is available year round; Valentine’s Day Suiteheart is available February 11-16. Fairmont Copley Plaza, 13 St. James Ave., 617-267-5300

The My Suite Valentine Package at Four Seasons Hotel Boston Spend the night in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites with a complimentary rose petal turn-down service. A romantic dinner is a must, so the Four Seasons offers a $100 dining credit for in-room service or a meal at the hotel’s Bristol Lounge.

Available February 12-15. Four Seasons Hotel Boston, 200 Boylston St., 617-338-4400 Tags: HOLIDAYS VALENTINE'S DAY HOTELS STAYCATION WHERE TO GO _FEATURE Categories: LIFESTYLE

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

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 01/19/2016 01:22 pm ET | Updated Jan 19, 2016 Joy Pecknold Fashion and travel writer, Passport blog editor for Kiwi Collection

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Within the four walls of a cinema, films transport moviegoers to far off places, both past and present, real or imagined. To take it a step further, use this year's Academy Awards' nominees for Best Picture as a travel guide, experiencing the locations -- characters in their own right -- firsthand. But skip the stress of being

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say, the real frontiersman Hugh Glass depicted in The Revenant, and live cushier, like Leonardo DiCaprio on holiday (Victoria's Secret models not included).

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The Big Short Surprisingly, a chunk of the Adam McKay-directed film about a group of insiders who saw the 2008 American economic collapse coming (and profited from it) was http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-pecknold/trips-inspired-by-2016-os_b_9019358.html

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

shot in New Orleans. Producer Brad Pitt, who owns a home there, probably had something to do with that. But the true story is centered around Wall Street,

1. How President Obama Disappointed Liberals During His Tenure

naturally, so that's the place to be. In the banker stripe suit heartland, Andaz Wall Street gives the financially curious a front row room, and a stylish, cozy one at that.

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Bridge of Spies Another retelling of a real event, directed by Stephen Spielberg, the "bridge" in the title refers to the Glienicke Bridge between Postdam and Berlin where the Soviet Union and U.S. conducted a prisoner exchange in 1962. Dubbed "the capital of

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espionage" during the Cold War, the city has many landmarks and tours to retrace its spy stories. Built in the early 1900s and secluded in an upper class neighborhood, Schlosshotel im Grunewald provides a sophisticated James Bond type of atmosphere for modern day, aspiring agents.

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Brooklyn Set in the 1950s, Brooklyn is the tale of a young Irish immigrant, played by Saoirse Ronan, torn between two loves in the U.S. and Ireland. With New York City covered off by The Big Short, Ireland gets the spotlight. In County Waterford, not too far from the character's hometown of Enniscorthy, The Cliff House Hotel is a romantic setting for would-be Atlantic-crossed lovers. On the rocks overlooking Ardmore Bay, guests are in far more danger of falling in love with the place than any suitor.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-pecknold/trips-inspired-by-2016-os_b_9019358.html

a week ago live.huffingtonpost.com The Huffington Post HuffingtonPost.com (AOL) actor 6. Four Asian Students Pulled Off The Best Yearbook Prank

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

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Mad Max: Fury Road The George Miller flick takes place in a future wasteland, but the Namib Desert was cast as the present day stand-in. Many steps up from living on the run in a tank trunk, Little Kulala is an oasis better than Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa could have dreamed of, with a cool pool and stargazing platform. There's adventure

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too, just not quite so harrowing, with wild game drives or hot air balloon safaris as options for experiencing the desert in style.

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The Martian As the name of this Ridley Scott film suggests, an astronaut, played by Matt Damon, mistakenly gets left on Mars. The earthly location that depicted the desolate planet was UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Rum in Jordan. Only an hour from there is the coastal city of Aqaba, a place Damon's character would have loved to stumble upon. In the very least, NASA ought to gift him a week's stay at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea where he can lay on the beach, swim and enjoy 24-hour butler service.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-pecknold/trips-inspired-by-2016-os_b_9019358.html

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

The Revenant The cast and crew, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio it seems, had a really hard time making this film. We get it, Leo lives most of his life on yachts with models wherever it's warm, so Canada and Southern Argentina where The Revenant filmed feels like being marooned in East Antarctica to him. But within the wilds of those locations, there are top-notch comforts to be found. In Alberta, the Fairmont Banff Springs has a series of therapeutic pools to ease the stresses of frontier reenacting.

In Argentina, Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa there are more pools, of heated glacier water, and big comfy beds from which to gaze at the wilderness but not be in it.

Room Based on the award-winning book of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of a woman and her son who are held captive in a small room for many years, and finally freed. The Irish-Canadian movie was shot in Toronto, Canada and not far from many of the filming locations is The Ritz Carlton Toronto, which, in stark contrast to the tale, has many roomy suites to choose from with big, beautiful views to the wide world outside. Gaze out at the sparkling CN Tower at night and count your lucky stars this isn't your true story.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-pecknold/trips-inspired-by-2016-os_b_9019358.html

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Trips Inspired by 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Spotlight About true stories, the Academy sure loved them this year, as Spotlight is yet another. This one is based on The Boston Globe "Spotlight" investigative reporting team that brought to light the Catholic church's staggering child sex abuse crimes in Massachusetts. Much of the movie was filmed in Toronto, but regardless Boston is the star. The Boston Globe will be moving its offices back downtown in next year, and one bastion of quality deserves another, making the Fairmont Copley Plaza the place to stay when exploring the historic city.

Follow Joy Pecknold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joypecknold MORE: The Oscars , New York City , Toronto, Germany , Brooklyn, Boston, Berlin, Ireland, Jordan, Namibia, Best Picture, The Big Short , The Martian, Oscars 2016, Mad Max Fury Road, Room , The Revenant , Kiwi Collection, Spotlight , Joy Pecknold, Bridge Of Spies , Alberta, Travel

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Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

JAN 18, 2016 FESTIVALS & EVENTS, PASSPORT, TOP DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL TIPS

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees - Joy Pecknold, Passport blog editor

Within the four walls of a cinema, films transport moviegoers to far off places, both past and present, real or imagined. To take it a step further, use this year’s Academy Awards’ nominees for Best Picture as a travel guide, experiencing the locations—characters in their own right—firsthand. But skip the stress of being say, the real frontiersman Hugh Glass depicted in The Revenant, and live cushier, like Leonardo DiCaprio on holiday (Victoria’s Secret models not included).

The Big Short Surprisingly, a chunk of the Adam McKay-directed film about a group of insiders who saw the 2008 American economic collapse coming (and profited from it) was shot in New Orleans. Producer Brad Pitt, who owns a home there, probably had something to do with that. But the true story is centered around Wall Street, naturally, so that’s the place to be. In the banker stripe suit heartland, Andaz Wall Street gives the financially curious a front row room, and a stylish, cozy one at that.

Bridge of Spies Another retelling of a real event, directed by Stephen Spielberg, the “bridge” in the title refers to the Glienicke Bridge between Postdam and Berlin where the Soviet Union and U.S. conducted a prisoner exchange in 1962. Dubbed “the capital of espionage” during the Cold War, the city has many landmarks and tours to retrace its spy stories. Built in the early 1900s and secluded in an upper class neighborhood, Schlosshotel im Grunewald provides a sophisticated James Bond type of atmosphere for modern day, aspiring agents.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

1/4

2/9/2016

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Brooklyn Set in the 1950s, Brooklyn is the tale of a young Irish immigrant, played by Saoirse Ronan, torn between two loves in the U.S. and Ireland. With New York City covered off by The Big Short, Ireland gets the spotlight. In County Waterford, not too far from the character’s hometown of Enniscorthy, The Cliff House Hotel is a romantic setting for would-be Atlantic-crossed lovers. On the rocks overlooking Ardmore Bay, guests are in far more danger of falling in love with the place than any suitor.

Mad Max: Fury Road The George Miller flick takes place in a future wasteland, but the Namib Desert was cast as the present day stand-in. Many steps up from living on the run in a tank trunk, Little Kulala is an oasis better than Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa could have dreamed of, with a cool pool and stargazing platform. There’s adventure too, just not quite so harrowing, with wild game drives or hot air balloon safaris as options for experiencing the desert in style.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

2/4

2/9/2016

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

The Martian As the name of this Ridley Scott film suggests, an astronaut, played by Matt Damon, mistakenly gets left on Mars. The earthly location that depicted the desolate planet was UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Rum in Jordan. Only an hour from there is the coastal city of Aqaba, a place Damon’s character would have loved to stumble upon. In the very least, NASA ought to gift him a week’s stay at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea where he can lay on the beach, swim and enjoy 24-hour butler service.

The Revenant The cast and crew, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio it seems, had a really hard time making this film. We get it, Leo lives most of his life on yachts with models wherever it’s warm, so Canada and Southern Argentina where The Revenant filmed feels like being marooned in East Antarctica to him. But within the wilds of those locations, there are top-notch comforts to be found. In Alberta, the Fairmont Banff Springs has a series of therapeutic pools to ease the stresses of frontier reenacting.

In Argentina, Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa there are more pools, of heated glacier water, and big comfy beds from which to gaze at the wilderness but not be in it.

https://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/stays-inspired-by-2016-oscars-best-picture-nominees/32989

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2/9/2016

Stays Inspired by: 2016 Oscars Best Picture Nominees

Room Based on the award-winning book of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of a woman and her son who are held captive in a small room for many years, and finally freed. The Irish-Canadian movie was shot in Toronto, Canada and not far from many of the filming locations is The Ritz Carlton Toronto, which, in stark contrast to the tale, has many roomy suites to choose from with big, beautiful views to the wide world outside. Gaze out at the sparkling CN Tower at night and count your lucky stars this isn’t your true story.

Spotlight About true stories, the Academy sure loved them this year, as Spotlight is yet another. This one is based on The Boston Globe “Spotlight” investigative reporting team that brought to light the Catholic church’s staggering child sex abuse crimes in Massachusetts. Much of the movie was filmed in Toronto, but regardless Boston is the star. The Boston Globe will be moving its offices back downtown in next year, and one bastion of quality deserves another, making the Fairmont Copley Plaza the place to stay when exploring the historic city.

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Academy Awards , Academy Awards 2016, Alberta Hotels , Argentina Hotels , Berlin Hotels , Boston Hotels , Bridge of Spies , Ireland Hotels , Jordan Hotels , Mad Max Fury Road, Namib Desert, Namibia, New York City hotels , Oscars 2016, Stays Inspired by , The Big Short, The Revenant, Wall Street

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Book it Now: Valentine's Day Packages | Luxury Travel Advisor SEARCH

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Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, in Santa Monica, CA, is introducing two new packages for couples on Valentine’s Day. The Sky High Romance package includes a private rooftop dinner on one of Santa Monica’s tallest buildings, the Ocean Tower. The meal will be prepared by FIG Restaurant, and will be complete with views of the Pacific Coast. The package continues with a helicopter ride for two above Los Angeles.

Accommodations in an Ocean Tower Suite, Champagne and caviar upon arrival will also be provided.

http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/romance-travel/book-it-now-valentines-day-packages-16406

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Book it Now: Valentine's Day Packages | Luxury Travel Advisor

Guests can also book the Suite Bungal-oh! Package at Fairmont Miramar. The couple will relax in one of the bi-level bungalow suites, which boasts a private patio with a view of the ocean. An in-room couples massage sets the tone for a romantic night, which continues with an aphrodisiac-inspired menu, created by FIG Restaurant. To top of the stay, romantic goodies along with Champagne and caviar will be included.

Sugartooth Tours, based in New York City, is offering local and visitors alike the opportunity to experience New York City in a new way on Valentine’s Day with the Sweeter than Sugar Valentine’s Dessert Tour. The tour takes couples through the neighborhood of Chelsea and inside Chelsea Market. Guests will try a range of sweet desserts, including cupcakes and macaroons. The tour finishes in the West Village, where guests have the option to add a wine or beer pairing with their final dessert. The tours are available on February 6, 13 and 14 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.sugartoothtours.com.

Couples in the Boston area will want to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Fairmont Copley Plaza. Located along the Back Bay, Fairmont offers a romantic setting along with two packages. The Lost in Love Package is perfect for couples that are seeking flexibility.

Guests will be welcomed with chilled Champagne and red velvet cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. Then guests will chose from a variety of romantic experiences in Boston that the concierge team has curated in advance. Note: This offer also includes a late checkout. The Suiteheart Package is similar in that guests can choose activities to indulge in. However this offer includes a stay in either a Junior Suite or One-Bedroom Suite. There will also be chilled Champagne upon arrival, rose petal turndown and 15 percent off a one-night stay, 20 percent off a two-night stay or 25 percent off a threenight stay. These packages begin February 11.

International Packages:

http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/romance-travel/book-it-now-valentines-day-packages-16406

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Whistler, BC

Going above and beyond at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Article & Photography by Johanna Read, TravelEater.net

The best hotels are ones that go above and beyond, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is one of the very best -- the largest true ski-in, ski-out hotel in North America, in the continent’s number one ranked ski resort.

What does going above and beyond really mean? How about being able to ski right up to the base of the hotel and trade your skis for a hot chocolate with the ski valet. How about exploring the mountains with a Whistler Experience Guide, a longtime local who takes ability-based groups of skiers and snowboarders to Whistler-Blackcomb’s best terrain and freshest snow.

There are lots of summer activities too. Enjoy the outdoors with the hotel’s on-site 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed course, or go mountain biking, hiking or adventuring with The Adventure Group. In all seasons, zipline with Superfly Ziplines or ride a bobsleigh down the Olympic course at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Back at the hotel, you’ll really appreciate Fairmont’s

http://canadianworldtraveller.com/Destinations_&_Articles_S&P_Whistler_Winter_2015-1... 2/1/2016

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extras.

The Fairmont has the largest pool deck in Whistler with an indoor/outdoor pool perfect for enjoying the mountain views, three outdoor whirlpools and one indoor, and an outdoor 60-foot lap pool equipped with underwater music to motivate you to swim extra lengths. Indoors there’s a sauna and a steam room fragranced with eucalyptus, and a spa which includes two handcrafted cedar steam cabinets.

Dining options Whistler has only two restaurants with AAA/CAA’s Four Diamond Rating -- Araxi in the main village, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Grill Room. Grill Room guests are treated to Canadian pasture-raised premium Angus beef, organic produce from nearby Pemberton farms, and pairings with the finest wines from British Columbia and the world. Servers will even sabre a bottle of Champagne before your eyes if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

In the wintertime, Fairmont guests enjoy alpine fondues at The Chalet, followed by an evening sleigh ride from Blackcomb Sleigh RIdes. The Wildflower is the place for incredible breakfasts and extravagant brunches, as well as daily dinners of seasonal Pacific Northwest cuisine. If you want to hit the slopes early, Portobello Market & Fresh Bakery has deliciousness to grab and go as well as made-to-order breakfasts, lunches and dinners. After a day spent outdoors, head to the Mallard Lounge for creative and traditional cocktails and single-sourced chocolate tastings (matched with wines, ports or whiskeys) at the Chocolate Bar. In every Fairmont restaurant and in your guest room, you can relax with signature Fairmont teas, including Canadian Maple Maple, which tastes as if it is infused with maple syrup, though without any calories.

Speaking of guest rooms, Chateau Whistler’s rooms go above and beyond the norm. Each has a window seat to admire the mountain views and windows that open to the fresh air. You’ll sleep in your choice of luxurious queen or king bed with 300-thread count 100% combed cotton Italian sheets. You’re all set electronically with wifi, an iHome system, flat screen TV, and “On Command” movies. Bathrooms have a full range of deluxe toiletries by Le Labo with a signature scent made just for Fairmont. Suites and specialty rooms go even further with fireplaces, sitting rooms, multiple bathrooms and bedrooms.

To go even further above and beyond, stay on the Fairmont Gold Floor -- what’s known as the hotel within a hotel. The rooms and suites are upgraded to perfection (though it is hard to imagine how a regular Fairmont room could be improved!). Guests have access to the Fairmont Gold Concierge who provides superb service and caters to your individual needs and preferences.

Gold Floor guests are in for an even bigger treat -- the Fairmont Gold Lounge. Open all day and evening, the Gold Lounge offers a surprisingly bountiful breakfast, all-day snacks and drinks, an honour bar, evening canapés, and an addictive collection of sweets.

Fairmont knows how to make special events truly special. Easter 2016 will feature not only a “requisite, and seriously extravagant” brunch on Easter Sunday, but an enchanted Easter garden to take photos with fairies and the Easter Bunny himself. Kids will love the massive Easter egg hunt, playrooms dedicated to their age group, craft workshops, egg tosses and a family Easter bunny hop dance.

Fairmont CAREs

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The Fairmont Chateau Whistler provides its guests with an incredibly luxurious and relaxing experience. But they go even further by also caring for their community.

Fairmont established the Fairmont CAREs program -- Community Assistance and Responsibility to the Environment -- to initiate and support a broad range of programs catered to the particular needs of the communities which are home to their hotels.

In Whistler, this takes several forms. Atop the Chateau Whistler, in the roof garden, are more hotels within a hotel. These ones are “hotels” for honeybees and solitary pollinator bees.

The honeybees have been invited to stay on the roof since 2013, and the solitary pollinator bees now have their own hotel too. These tiny bees pollinate a significant amount of the food produced across Canada and over 80% of flowering plants. Their habitats are at risk. Not only has Fairmont created a safe nesting site for the bees, they’ve provided simple instructions to Whistler’s residents to build their own bee hotels to provide a wider range of space for local bees to rest their wings and lay eggs for the next generation.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is doing more to protect Whistler’s natural and cultural environment.

The land around Whistler Village was first occupied by the Coast Salish First Nations, centuries before the first European settlers arrived. Because of the richness of wildlife and other resources, Whistler was a key stop on the trading routes between the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations. The award-winning Squamish Lil-wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) preserves the cultural identities and histories of these two indigenous nations, and shares them with Whistler’s residents and guests.

In the summer of 2015, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the SLCC opened the Salish Stroll, a pathway to ethnobotanical trails maintained and interpreted by SLCC’s Aboriginal Ambassadors.

The Salish Stroll takes guests through the forest and allows them to immerse themselves in the arts, culture and heritage of Whistler’s First Nations.

Want more art and culture? Walk from the Chateau Whistler to the Audain Art Museum, opening in early 2016, with one of the world’s best collections of First Nations masks and the works of Canadian artists like Emily Carr, Jack Shadbolt, E.J. Hughes and Gordon Smith.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s commitment to sustainability takes many forms. They are currently working with AWARE (the Association of Whistler Area Residents for Environment) on a compost and recycling diversion project that includes standardized bin organization and signage, as well as staff training practices that all Whistler hotels can use as a benchmark.

When will you next be taken above and beyond by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? www.fairmont.com/whistler Johanna Read is a Vancouver-based freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel and food. Follow Johanna on: Instagram @TravelEaterJohanna Twitter @TravelEater. www.TravelEater.net

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2/1/2016

6 Unforgettable Ways To Celebrate Whistler’s 50th Anniversary - Forbes Travel Guide Blog

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6 Unforgettable Ways To Celebrate Whistler’s 50th Anniversary

2016

25 JAN

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By Correspondent Carolyn B. Heller (/author/carolynheller) / in Events (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/category/events),Outdoors (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/category/outdoors) / tags Audain Art Museum (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/tag/audain-art-museum), Fairmont Chateau Whistler (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/tag/fairmont-chateau-whistler), Hawksworth Restaurant (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/tag/hawksworthrestaurant), Whistler (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/tag/whistler), Whistler Museum (http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/tag/whistler-museum)

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(http://www.forbestravelguide.com/whistler-canada) Wondrous Whistler Photo Courtesy of Mike Crane Tourism Whistler

Whistler-Blackcomb (http://www.forbestravelguide.com/whistler-canada), North America’s largest winter sports resort, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016 with special events throughout the season. In addition to all the expected fun on the slopes, the Canadian town’s first art museum is slated to open this year while new restaurants and food events aim to keep you well fed.

Fab 50 at Whistler-Blackcomb Get psyched for your mountain visit with the 30-minute film, 50 Years Of Going Beyond (http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/50), available online, which details the resort community’s long history. Once you arrive in the village, stop into the Whistler Museum (http://www.whistlermuseum.org), open by donation, to learn more about the resort’s origins and the sometimes-eccentric entrepreneurs who transformed a small summer fishing resort into today’s winter ski mecca.

From ice-fishing to chocolate-tasting The luxe Fairmont Chateau Whistler (http://www.forbestravelguide.com/whistler-canada/hotels/fairmont-chateau-whistler) is offering new adventures this winter, whether you’re looking for a distinctively Canadian outdoor experience or a cozyby-the-fire sweet sampling. Partnering with a local fishing outfitter, Pemberton Fish Finders, the resort has packaged a day of ice-fishing that includes instruction from a professional guide, a gourmet picnic lunch and dinner back at the hotel’s Grill Room, where the chefs will prepare your fresh catch. If you prefer your adventures warmer and sweeter, settle into a fireside seat at the hotel’s Mallard Lounge, where you can sample single-origin organic chocolate, such as a candied orange dark chocolate bar, paired with whiskey, wine or port.

Mountaintop events for food and wine lovers Acclaimed Vancouver chef David Hawksworth, of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hawksworth Restaurant

Ice Fishing Fun, Photo Courtesy of Pemberton Fish

(http://www.forbestravelguide.com/vancouver-canada/restaurants/hawksworth-restaurant), is preparing a series of

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gourmet lunches this winter at Steeps Grill & Wine Bar (http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-village/dining/steeps-grilland-wine-bar) in the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. To sample Hawksworth’s creations (think Thai coconut curry with winter squash or roast carrot and avocado salad with crème fraîche), book ahead for prix-fixe dining events

(http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-village/dining/steeps-grill-and-wine-bar/hawksworth-lunch) on February 8 and March 26.

Steeps is also the venue for a series of winemaker après-ski events (http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/on-mountain-dining/winemakers-apres), featuring vino from Italy’s Ruffino (http://www.ruffino.com) (February 24), the Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery (http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com) (March 10) and Canada’s first aboriginal-owned winery, Okanagan-based Nk’Mip Cellars (http://www.nkmipcellars.com) (March 31).

Let’s do lunch At 6,102 feet over on the Blackcomb side, the popular lunchtime destination Rendezvous Lodge has been completely renovated this season. Even better, its upscale Christine’s Restaurant (http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-village/dining/christines-restaurant) lured chef Steve Ramey from Hawksworth Restaurant to revamp the menu with dishes that are worth taking off your skis for, from Keralan sablefish curry or hand-rolled cavatelli with albacore tuna and bottarga to a Wagyu beef burger topped with peameal bacon.

Après-ski, Spanish style Whistler’s most anticipated new eatery this season is Bar Oso (http://www.baroso.ca), a Spanish-inspired tapas lounge from the same team that runs highly regarded Araxi (http://www.araxi.com/). Tuck into this smart newcomer après-ski for a glass of wine from Spain or BC, paired with snacks like a prawn and quail egg skewer, housemade charcuterie or wild scallop crudo with capers, olives and oranges. Just one more delicious reason to celebrate in Whistler this winter.

A new art museum Whistler scored a coup when Vancouver-based home builder, art collector and philanthropist Michael Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa, opted to endow Canada’s newest not-for-profit art institution in the heart of the resort community.

Highlights from the holdings of the new Audain Art Museum (http://audainartmuseum.com/), which is opening this March, include one of the world’s most extensive collections of First Nations masks, paintings by Emily Carr and works by many Canadian contemporary artists, including Robert Davidson and Jeff Wall.

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Who says you have to ski?

Who says you have to ski?

Whistler is a winter playland even for the most slope-averse traveller

BY JANE MUNDY, SPECIAL TO THE SUNDAY PROVINCE

JANUARY 11, 2016

A porte cochere at Nika Lake Lodge. Anna Beaudry Photographic Design Photograph by: Anna Beaudry Photographic Design

Yoga pants, swimsuit, cocktail dress — check. I’m packed and ready for a weekend in Whistler. What about skis, poles and parkas? Don’t need ’em.

Skiing just isn’t my thing, thanks to my first experience with a boyfriend who seemed to forget I was there and went schussing down the hill, leaving me to fend for myself. It took hours to make it down the hill, mostly on my butt, and I vowed “never again.”

But that hasn’t stopped me from returning to Whistler. I’ve learned the resort town has lots to offer non-skiers. We’re spoiled for choice.

We checked into Nita Lake Lodge just in time for a session at Loka Yoga, which is in the building. If you can swing it, take a class with Tina James, the owner. Her unique style is infused with humour and play, and is truly exhilarating. What better way to begin a few days of indulgence?

After a hearty snack at Fix, we booked massage treatments at the lodge’s spa, which also offers naturopathic services. I opted for the “kundalini” treatment that includes a foot scrub and facial. No wonder Nita Lake Lodge was named one of 2015’s Top 10 organic spas — the only one in Canada http://www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html?id=11644619&sponsor=

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Who says you have to ski?

named — by Organic Spa Magazine.

We swanned upstairs to our well-appointed suite, complete with gas fireplace and balcony overlooking the lake. One thing I love about resorts is you don’t need the car. Nita Lake Lodge’s complimentary shuttle delivers you to the village and will pick you up within minutes (or the trail is a pleasant one-hour stroll).

It was tempting not to leave the building, but Bar Oso, newly opened by the Araxi team, beckoned.

Bar Oso lives up to the high standards of Araxi. Go early because the word is already out — by 7 p.m. the place was packed, mostly by locals, ordering Spanish-style small plates. The house-made charcuterie is exceptional, and you must try the lamb albondigas, a recipe handed down to chef Jorge Santos from his grandmother. And the chick pea purée? I need that recipe.

Back to the lodge’s Aura Restaurant for dinner. We followed the freshest oysters with venison chops and sour cherry jus and sturgeon with elk chorizo. Chef Dean split our entrees, and both dishes paired with wines by the glass. We chose well.

We planned on snowshoeing around Nita Lake (the lodge offers complimentary snowshoe loans) but opted for more indulgence at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

It’s so exhilarating to breathe mountain air and view the slopes while wallowing in the outdoor hot tubs. There’s so much to do without actually leaving the building. With morning yoga classes, afternoon art crawl and shopping at Mountain Galleries (downstairs from the lobby), who has time to ski?

Speaking of art, almost across the street is the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, built with cedar and glass. Definitely worth a visit. The Audain Art Museum is slated to open in early 2016. More than 200 significant art works, from 19th century First Nations masks to modern works by Jeff Wall, will be housed in a 56,000-square-foot tree house.

The yoga pants came in handy on the drive home — we needed the elasticized waist after an epic brunch at the Fairmont. And don’t forget to stop at Fix for a loaf of bread. Whistler has it all!

The writer was a guest of Tourism Whistler. No one from Tourism Whistler reviewed or approved this article before publication. © Copyright (c) The Province

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2/3/2016

Fairmont Dallas Promotes Dan McGowan : TravelAge West

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Fairmont Dallas Promotes Dan McGowan January 14, 2016 Fairmont Dallas appoints McGowan as general manager By: Michelle Juergen

Fairmont Dallas has appointed Dan McGowan as general manager. McGowan, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, joined Fairmont Chateau Whistler in 1992, where he held various positions, including director of operations. McGowan was promoted to hotel manager at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and was later promoted to general manager of Fairmont Vancouver Airport before taking on the role of general manager at Fairmont Palliser in Calgary.

McGowan // © 2016 FRHI Hotels & Resorts

Copyright © 2016 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

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Bye-bye Bengal: Victoria, B.C. landmark soon serves its last martini Steve Mertl Daily Brew January 26, 2016

[photo: Ryan Harvey/Flickr] No trip to Victoria is complete without a visit to the fabled Empress Hotel, either for afternoon tea or a superlative martini at the Bengal Lounge.

But if you want to experience the latter, time is running out. The Empress’s latest owners have embarked on a major renovation of the century-old hotel that apparently does not include preserving the Bengal.

Prominent Vancouver developers Nat and Flora Bosa What to Read Next bought the Empress, managed by the Fairmont chain, in 2014. Their company has embarked on a $30-million updating of the waterfront landmark, designed for Canadian Pacific Railway by Francis Rattenbury, also responsible for the B.C. legislature building across the street.

“The design and renovation will be consistent with that of a luxury hotel, while highlighting our turn-of-thecentury architectural elements,” Bosa Development says on its website.

The Bengal, apparently a casualty of plans to revamp all the hotel’s dining areas, is expected to close April 30, a hotel spokesperson told the Vancouver Sun.

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The spot’s name is a reference to hotel’s namesake, Queen Victoria, Empress of India. It’s certainly a time warp, redolent of a colonial club in the heyday of the British Raj with tufted leather couches and comfy armchairs, lots of dark wood paneling, an old tiger skin

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on the wall and large windows to survey the nearby harbour.

Visitors can enjoy a nice curry, maybe some seafood mulligatawny, or simply sip one of the superb dry martinis, as this correspondent has done to decompress after a hectic day covering a budget at the neighbouring B.C. legislature.

ALSO READ: Victoria’s Bengal Lounge to close, petition aims to stop renovations

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Visitors might think the Bengal has been there forever but it dates from 1954, when as the Coronet it became the first licensed cocktail lounge in Victoria, according to the Sun. It was renamed the Bengal during a makeover in the late 1960s.

Some not happy to see the Bengal close But many who see the Bengal as a Victoria institution are not letting it fade quietly into history.

Victoria resident Suzanne Johnston launched a petition on Change.org that so far has garnered more than

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6,000 signatures.

“The Empress has always been the heart of our city,” Johnston writes. “It is known worldwide for its beauty, splendor, and old world charm. Tourists come from all over so they can step back in time. Please sign the petition and help save the Bengal Lounge!”

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Petition created to save Victoria's Bengal Lounge Th u , Ja n 1 4 : A ca mp a ig n h a s b e e n la u n ch e d to sa ve Victo r ia 's h isto r ic Be n g a l L o u n g e in th e Emp r e ss Ho

“My favourite space in #Victoria is closing,” Amanda Burrows tweeted, urging followers to sign Johnston’s petition.

PHOTOS: Saskatoon steps up, Former Victoria resident David J. Chmiel, who now lives sets record for world’s largest snowball fight in England, remembers his dad taking him to the Bengal for his first legal drink.

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“My late father was a firm believer that a well-made cocktail, conviviality, civility and intelligent conversation were all hallmarks of adulthood, and so it was to the Bengal Lounge that he took me for a drink on my 19th birthday,” he wrote in a letter to the Victoria Times Colonist.

went all “Downton Abbey” on the prospect of never

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being able to return to the Bengal for one more cocktail.

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While Chmiel said he’s not opposed to progress, he

“I am … certain that other past or current residents of Victoria will, like me, bid it adieu while quietly vowing never to let their shadow darken the threshold of whatever pastiche, cookie-cutter hotel bar takes its august place,” he wrote. “I’ll live with my memories.”

Nat Bosa is unapologetic. In an interview with CTV

News, the developer said he’s well aware his company Miracle Baby Born With Her Brain Growing Through The now owns a piece of Victoria’s heritage. But the hotel Back Of Her Head was overdue for a sympathetic makeover and he urged its fans to wait and see when the results are when

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revealed beginning in late May. Not everyone is mourning the Bengal’s passing. In a commentary in the Times Colonist, two University of Victoria researchers who are experts in colonialism argued closing it is overdue.

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

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FROM CALGARY TO LAKE LOUISE: SLEEPING WITH THE FAIRMONT HOTELS AND RESORTS January 5, 2016

I'm Emily, a Canadian girl on a quest to explore the earth while trying to save it at the same time. Airplanes and Avocados is a travel and health blog, giving readers a unique insight into sustainable and healthy travel, while providing resources for young people and students to inspire their next adventure.

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Over New Years my family and I embarked on a journey to Canada’s most breath-taking landmarks; the Rocky Mountains.

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

Our trip began in Calgary, and after landing three hours later than planned due to flight delays, we were happy

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to finally check into the Fairmont Palliser. The Palliser is conveniently located downtown, putting us in close proximity to many major sites including the Calgary Tower, the TELUS Spark, and the Scotiabank Saddledome.

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Greeted by the fireplace channel and chocolate truffles, the Fairmont sure knows how to welcome their guests.

The highlight of this particular Fairmont for me was the in room dining menu. After a quick morning gym

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session, I was able to come back to my room and order a vegan tofu scramble and fresh pressed green juice; a delicious post-workout meal in the comfort of my giant hotel room bed.

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The location of the hotel was perfect; it placed us within minutes of several ma and pa diners for brunch the next day and we got back from the Saddledome after watching a Flames game in under ten minutes.

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Although our stay at the Fairmont Palliser was limited to a short two nights, they were a lovely two nights, with the Fairmont continuing to exceed expectations in every area of customer service.

Next up on our itinerary we made the breath-taking drive towards Banff. After stopping to enjoy the gorgeous Vermillion lakes and stroll through the town of Banff, we headed over to Canada’s Castle in the Rockies for lunch at the Bow Valley Grill of Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Greeted by the most outstanding waiter I’ve ever encountered, Barrie was able to provide us with a ton of information about the area and make us some kick ass mimosas! Our meals were exceptional, but I’m really bad at the whole taking Instagram-worthy photos off food, because I’m too eager to eat! So you’re just going to have to take my word for it.

After having the chance to explore the property, I was a little disappointed we hadn’t made arrangements to

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spend a few nights here. I mean check out this view!

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You can bet I will be making another excuse to head out to the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort as soon as possible to indulge in the incredible hot springs and maybe even play a round on its championship golf course.

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Finally, later that night we reached our final destination: the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Stepping into the lobby of the hotel I felt as if I was Charlie from the Santa Clause stepping into the North Pole for the first time.

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From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

You could feel the magic in the air the second you stepped through the golden revolving doors. Everywhere you turned there were eager children dashing past their parents juggling hot chocolate, or families smiling together

Beauty

in front of the lobby Christmas tree, and couples squeezing hands tight to warm up. The cheer was spread

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throughout the property like a holiday virus.

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Once again we were greeted by welcome treats, but what I wasn’t expecting was to be greeted by this view.

Photos will never do beautiful Lake Louise justice, but waking up to this everyday certainly turned me into a morning person real quick.

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From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

The highlight of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was the extensive amount of carefully planned holiday activities that would put the cherry on top of any winter vacation. Whether you prefer to enjoy a magical sleigh ride around the lake or snow shoe your way across it, there is something for everyone. The hotel rents all the equipment to their guests including skates and sticks, which we took advantage of to play Canada’s game on the most scenic rink I’ve ever seen.

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From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

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From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

The hotel also offered a variety of indoor family activities for those who needed a break from the cold, including storytelling and movie nights. On top of the many activities on the property, guests can also rent ski and snowboard gear to take up to the Lake Louise ski resort, or arrange a day trip out to the famous Johnston Canyon.

With all the extra holiday activities being offered the property was lively and packed with people, as most of the hotel amenities are opened to outside visitors not staying in the hotel. (Note that guests still receive priority for dining reservations and activities.) I noticed the service was a lot slower than my previous experiences with Fairmont hotels and resorts, most likely due to the high volume of people and being understaffed through the holidays.

Nonetheless, being able to ring in 2016 under a clear sky full of stars and faint Northern Light action was a truly unforgettable experience. And the complimentary hot chocolates weren’t a bad touch either.

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With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,â&#x20AC;? said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;sOuter Shores

Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of

the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information.

http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Trends/2016/01/13/22592757.html

With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.edmontonsun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

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Any suggestions for a luxe Canadian Valentine’s Day getaway?

John Lee Special to The Globe and Mail Published Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 12:33PM EST Last updated Friday, Feb. 05, 2016 3:58PM EST

If that Valentine’s card you made last year from twigs and dried pasta didn’t go down too well, it may be time to prove your love with a swish sleepover. Luckily, Canada is crammed like a fancy chocolate box with sweet choices – the kind of swoon-worthy resorts perfect for popping the big question (don’t forget the ring).

And don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a swanky sleepover should only happen when Hallmark Cards tells you. Many resorts offer pampering couples’ packages year-round and you may find better prices and more welcoming weather at other times. Read on for inspiration and plot accordingly.

On the wave-licked west coast of B.C.’s Vancouver Island, the indulgent and ever-welcoming Wickaninnish Inn [http: //wickinn.com/] near Tofino offers two-night B&B specials for two, from $692.50. If all goes well, you can rebook for the Elopement Package at a later date – cake, photos and wedding witnesses included.

On the island’s east side, top-notch spa treatments can be added to the Rediscover Romance overnight package at Tigh-Na-Mara [http: //tigh-na-mara.com/], from $365 a couple. Deeper seclusion required? Aim for April’s season opening at tranquil Poet’s Cove [http: //poetscove.com/] on Pender Island, where elopement packages are also available.

For a memorable alternative on mainland B.C.’s rustic Sunshine Coast, snuggle up in a luxe, cliff-side tent suite at the intimate Rockwater Secret Cove Resort [http: //rockwatersecretcoveresort.com/]. Two-night Valentine’s packages (from $979) include massage, dining and in-room wine with choc-dipped strawberries.

B.C. is a hotbed of additional temptations – the Okanagan’s Sparkling Hill Resort [http: //sparklinghill.com/] and the magical Echo Valley Ranch & Spa [http: //evranch.com/] both lure retreat-seeking couples – but heads are also turned by the drop-dead-gorgeous Albertan Rockies.

Among Fairmont’s old-school Canadian resorts, Jasper Park Lodge [http: //fairmont.com/jasper] delights those who love cozying up before roaring fires in mood-lit cabins. From $599 a person, the two-night Romance Package includes breakfast in bed, sumptuous dinner, spa treatments and lakeside strolls perfect for furtive PDAs (Public Displays of Affection). Alternatively, the Romance Package at Canmore’s popular Solara Resort & Spa [http: //solararesort.ca/] starts at $294 a couple a night – with the added bonus of great skiing nearby.

The rest of the Prairies isn’t a passion-free zone either. In Saskatchewan, February is Elk Ridge Resort [http: //elkridgeresort.com/]’s Month of Romance, with couples’ overnight packages from $499, including spa and dining credits. Over in Manitoba, leapfrog the Valentine’s wooing and go straight to the two-night Honeymoon Package (from $495) at Elkhorn Resort [http: //elkhornresort.mb.ca/] near Riding Mountain National Park – an idyllic sunset-watching spot if you still need a place to go down on one knee.

True romantics, though, may view La Belle Province as the perfect spot to assert their ardour. The Laurentians’ outdoorsy-focused Fiddler Lake Resort [http: //fiddlerlakeresort.com/] serves sauna-equipped log cabins where you’ll want to get snowed in. Need some flirtatious Quebec alternatives? Try lakeside Quintessence Resort Hotel [http: //hotelquintessence.com/] or the grand Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu [http: //fairmont.com/richelieu-charlevoix].

Craving an Ontario escape instead? On the edge of Algonquin Park, adults-only Couples Resort [http: //couplesresort.ca/] adds activities such as snowshoeing and horseback riding to its spa and dining options – see website for packages and late-breaking deals. For a deluxe alternative, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House [http: //niagarasfinest.com/properties/harbourhouse] is a lovely retreat where local wine exploring is always on the menu.

Over in the Maritimes, Nova Scotia’s super-friendly Oceanstone Seaside Resort [http: //oceanstoneresort.com/] serves several Valentine’s Packages, including a chef preparing dinner in your cottage (for an extra $125 per person). But if three’s a crowd, try PEI’s gable-roofed charmer, Dalvay By The Sea [http: //dalvaybythesea.com/] instead. With an April season opening, its cycling package entices couples with energy to spare. And with no in-room TV’s, you’ll also be forced to talk to each other – you have been warned.

OUR READERS W RITE If you are in Toronto you can’t get more swank than Langdon Hall. Less than an hour away, it has a luxurious spa, silverware, beautiful rooms with cozy wood fireplaces, soft linens and great food and wine. Not cheap, but well worth it. There will be romance! Peter Keleghan Not a resort, but those ‘tree bubbles’ in Qualicum, B.C., [freespiritspheres.com] seem awesome for couples. @seanminogue You cannot do much better than the spectacular Fairmount Le Chateau Montebello in Montebello, Quebec. A unique log structure oozing with ambience, especially in winter, sitting around the massive fireplace in the main lobby. You can go cross country skiing, dog sledding, curling or stay indoors and go swimming, to the spa or play indoor tennis. And the food is fantastic. R. Ludlow Oceanstone [oceanstoneresort.com] in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia – but I don’t want to give away the secret. @jennlmtaylor If money is a problem, do not go in over your head. Instead, choose a lower-priced hotel but in a location with romantic character (e.g. Quebec City). Then, exceed her expectations with a ‘surprise’ bottle of champagne at a bistro or a trip to the spa. John Grimley My suggestion would be a spa retreat at Sparkling Hills resort in the Okanagan. It is the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation. The spa complex alone would be worth the trip. Dine by a sparkling crystal fireplace and retire to a room and view that would inspire romance in the ice queen. A few days at Sparkling Hills is like a quick escape to Europe without the overseas flight. Karen Leahy Tofino has many fancy resorts and Long Beach to boot. Try looking up the Long Beach Lodge as well as others on the Internet. The Wikkinninnish Inn is

With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel

experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

2/9/2016

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Promotes Karen Wilson : TravelAge West

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Promotes Karen Wilson January 17, 2016 Wilson appointed regional director of sales and marketing for Canada’s Western Mountain region By: Michelle Juergen

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has appointed Karen Wilson as regional director of sales and marketing for Canada’s Western Mountain region.

Wilson, who has more than 20 years of hospitality experience, most recently served as director of sales and marketing for Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta.

Wilson // © 2016 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Copyright © 2016 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

> http://www.travelagewest.com/News/Travel-People-/Fairmont-Hotels---Resorts-Promotes-Karen-Wilson/#.Vrov7PkrKVM

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With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first.

Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995.

See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information.

4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details.

5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

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FR HI Hotels & R esorts I ntroduces N eqta Hotels – A N ew Lifestyle Hotel Brand For Today’s Chinese Traveler Thursday, January 21, 2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (诺阁雅 Nuo Ge Ya), a new

brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of FRHI Hotels & Resorts the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Hotels & Resorts Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing.

“With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.”

Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening.

Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand.

Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions.

“It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor.

“Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38393

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2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments. With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest,” added Soh. ### * Operated by FRHI and guided by the leading hotel management company’s world-renowned approach to service and standards, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI’s collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands.

About FRHI Hotels & Resor ts FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management company that operates more than 130 hotels and branded residential offerings globally under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company’s distinctive portfolio of luxury and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and stylish city center hotels. Some notable hotels include Fairmont Dubai, Raffles Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Fairmont San Francisco and London’s The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including exciting projects in China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company also manages Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information visit frhi.com.

About J iangsu G olden Land Established in 1994 with headquarters in Nanjing, Jiangsu Golden Land is a prominent real estate developer in Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. The company’s landmark commercial complexes of office buildings, five-star hotels, serviced apartments and shopping malls include the KIC International Center in Nanjing and the super high-rise KIC International Suzhou currently under construction. The group also owns Fairmont Nanjing, one of FRHI’s four Fairmont hotels in a China portfolio that also includes Fairmont Beijing, the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. For more information visit jddjt.com.

Properties Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

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2/11/2016

You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

Fido Fridays At PayScale HQ (Seattle, WA) • Photo Courtesy PayScale

Generational conflict in the workplace (Millennial employees vs. Gen X, Boomer employees vs. Gen X, and so forth) has become a growth industry lately for consultants, speakers, and authors. But I’m doubtful that this industry’s central premise–the idea that everyone in a generation acts essentially like everyone else in that generation, and that it’s possible, therefore, to “generationally manage” your workforce–is the most useful way to think about your workforce.

Here’s an alternative view of your workforce: Although there are, on average, differences between generations, they are dwarfed by the sharper distinctions you’ll find between individual human beings.

And individual human beings, rather than generations, are what make up a workforce. Doug Carr of FRHI speaks eloquently to this point: For an organization to go out and say ‘millennials are this way’ or ‘Gen Xs are like this’ is too broadbrushed. Across all three of our brands, we stick to the approach of ‘Select the best,’ based on the characteristics we feel are best for the position. We don’t muddy the waters by saying “when you’re hiring a millennial, look for X,” because, whether you’re 22 years old or you’re 50 years old, if it’s in you to give heartfelt service, we want you working here. Psychologically, all such high performers, http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

according to the methodology we use in collaboration with Gallup, are going to have very similar profiling characteristics.

In regard to millennial employees in particular: I’m going to disappoint some readers by refusing to join in with the very vocal chorus that’s been ranting about “kids these days,” kids who, so the silly talk goes, “expect medals for just showing up.” Not only am I not interested in piling on, I don’t think “kids these days” are deserving of any such pile-on. Millennial employees represent the best-educated (the most schooling, the highest SAT scores, computer coding and other advanced skills learned as early as middle school) and most thoughtfully-raised (more about that below) cohort in history. And, regardless of whether you agree with this assessment of millennial employees, you’d best get used to them being around; it’s predicted that by 2025 three quarters of workers globally will be millennials.

Having said this, it’s true that different generations tend to bring different expectations to the workplace, and that there’s value in understanding these expectations and fulfilling them to the best of your ability as an employer. As far as millennials in particular are concerned, here are four of these employee expectations, with suggestions for how to address them.

1. They want to share responsibility–so find ways to let them. Millennials, in many cases, have grown up under a style of parenting that supported individual empowerment, where the kids were almost always included in family decision-making. Now, as they enter the early stages of their careers, millennial employees are often getting a bad rap for coming into the workforce with an immediate sense of entitlement. While that’s a gross overgeneralization, it’s fair to say that millennials are looking for a feeling that they’re more than a cog in a massive machine. So as an employer, “try to create opportunities that give Millennials the chance to take responsibility and find success on a micro level before they move on to larger roles,” says Jay Coldren of EDITION. For example, continues Coldren, “Make one small team of employees responsible for handling the ordering and stocking and determination of par levels [the quantity an item needs to fall to to trigger a reorder] of the office supplies. In a restaurant, a small team can be made responsible for ordering the wines, while others are deputized to handle the stocking and ordering of the serviceware, and so forth. Offering up such areas of micro-responsibility will keep your new workers engaged outside of the normal scope of their day.”

Millennials also may expect a timetable for career advancement that comes off as unrealistic to their managers; as one company leader said off the record to me, “Great people are coming into our industry who are highly educated and who all want to be directors of everything immediately.” The most successful response to this is a simple one: compromise. Make it clear that advancement isn’t possible on the millennial’s idealized schedule, but that if they make a commitment to their current position and department that may seem long to them (yet is shorter than the previous norm in your company), they will be rewarded with additional opportunities for growth on a timetable that they can depend on.

2. Support their desire for work/life balance. Millennials have often shared with me their unwillingness to sacrifice their off-work time or to make other lifestyle compromises in return for financial http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

compensation. It’s been argued that millennials’ inclination in this regard relates to them having watched their boomer parents delay happiness in return for career advancement, a worldview they’re not willing to buy into for themselves. Regardless of the reason for this attitude, it needs to be taken into consideration by employers today.

Shelley Meszoly, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Fairmont Southampton (Bermuda): “My younger staff will work their rear ends off for me when they’re here, but they’re also all about having their nights and weekends entirely free and clear.”

There’s no silver bullet solution here that I’m aware of. Humane scheduling is a challenging question that has been stumping even mighty Starbucks, which, after The New York Times shined a light on the issue, has committed companywide to coming up with more compassionate scheduling approaches. A start is to accept that the millennial desire for work-life balance is admirable and that any scheduling solutions you make in this regard will also benefit your overall workforce; the desire to have time for a life outside of work is not exclusive to any one generation.

3. Let them work for an ethical organization–by being one. Just like millennial customers, millennial employees (and potential employees) are concerned with organizational ethics and social responsibility.

The extent to which you can satisfy these concerns will determine a significant part of your success in recruiting and retaining your pick of employees.

Doug Carr: [In recruiting], we work very closely with schools such as Cornell. The students who’ve been coming out of university for several years now are very focused on the social responsibility profile of any organization they’re considering working for. They want to know your company’s stance on the environment, on community involvement and social responsibility, whether your company wins awards for its eco-tourism or green lodging. All of this plays a large role in whether or not they’re interested in coming to work for you.

4. Yes, they want feedback. So give it to them. Many millennials have received adult feedback throughout their earlier years; they’ve often had close involvement from parents in their education and close support and encouragement from teachers and mentors at school. The contrast can be jarring when they arrive at their first professional position and suddenly have nobody who’s interested in telling them how they’re doing. One recently-hired millennial told me “this was the first time in my life that nobody cared about the quality of my work–or if they actually did care, I couldn’t tell. The quality of my work could be great, or just o.k.; the response I received was the same either way.”

The solution here is obvious, and is an organizational win regardless of generation: provide more input.

Not just via formal, periodic performance reviews, but through informal responses daily, or weekly. Your employees will appreciate this, and you’ll get more out of them to boot. http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

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FR HI Hotels & R esorts I ntroduces N eqta Hotels – A N ew Lifestyle Hotel Brand For Today’s Chinese Traveler Thursday, January 21, 2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (诺阁雅 Nuo Ge Ya), a new

brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of FRHI Hotels & Resorts the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Hotels & Resorts Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing.

“With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.”

Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening.

Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand.

Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions.

“It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor.

“Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38393

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FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments. With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest,” added Soh. ### * Operated by FRHI and guided by the leading hotel management company’s world-renowned approach to service and standards, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI’s collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands.

About FRHI Hotels & Resor ts FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management company that operates more than 130 hotels and branded residential offerings globally under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company’s distinctive portfolio of luxury and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and stylish city center hotels. Some notable hotels include Fairmont Dubai, Raffles Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Fairmont San Francisco and London’s The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including exciting projects in China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company also manages Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information visit frhi.com.

About J iangsu G olden Land Established in 1994 with headquarters in Nanjing, Jiangsu Golden Land is a prominent real estate developer in Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. The company’s landmark commercial complexes of office buildings, five-star hotels, serviced apartments and shopping malls include the KIC International Center in Nanjing and the super high-rise KIC International Suzhou currently under construction. The group also owns Fairmont Nanjing, one of FRHI’s four Fairmont hotels in a China portfolio that also includes Fairmont Beijing, the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. For more information visit jddjt.com.

Properties Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38393

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2/10/2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts & Jiangsu Golden Land Group Launch Neqta Hotels January 21, 2016 9:58am Share

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE--(Jan. 21, 2016) - FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China's Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels, a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai's Xuhui District, close to the city's World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing.

"With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China," said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI's senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. "Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly

http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/frhi-hotels-resorts-jiangsu-golden-land-group-launch-neqta-hotels

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2/10/2016

Hotel Online

attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic."

Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening.

Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet.

Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions.

"It's the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product," said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor.

"Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land's predominantly mixed-use developments. With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest," added Soh.

* Operated by FRHI and guided by the leading hotel management company's world-renowned approach to service and standards, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI's collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands.

Tags: frhi hotels & resorts (/latest_news/tag/frhi+hotels+&+resorts/), jiangsu golden land group (/latest_news/tag/jiangsu+golden+land+group/), neqta hotels (/latest_news/tag/neqta+hotels/)

About FRHI Hotels & Resorts FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management company that operates more than 130 (http://www.frhi.com/)hotels and branded residential offerings globally under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company's distinctive portfolio of luxury and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and stylish city center hotels. Some notable hotels include Fairmont Dubai, Raffles Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Fairmont San Francisco and London's The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including exciting projects in China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company also manages Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information visit frhi.com (http://www.frhi.com/).

Contact: Mike Taylor mike.taylor@frhi.com (mailto:mike.taylor@frhi.com) / 416-874-2457

About Jiangsu Golden Land Established in 1994 with headquarters in Nanjing, Jiangsu Golden Land is a prominent real estate developer in Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. The company's landmark commercial complexes of office buildings, five-star hotels, serviced apartments and shopping malls include the KIC International Center in Nanjing and the super high-rise KIC International Suzhou currently under construction. The group also owns Fairmont Nanjing, one of FRHI's four Fairmont hotels in a China portfolio that also includes Fairmont Beijing, the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. For more information visit jddjt.com (http://www.jddjt.com/). (mailto:)

Related News AccorHotels to Acquire Three Iconic Hotel Brands - Fairmont, Raffles, Swissôtel (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/accorhotels-to-acquirethree-iconic-hotel-brands-fairmont-raffles-swissotel) Dennis Clark Appointed General Manager of the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/dennis-clark-appointedgm-fairmont-mayakoba) Swissotel Hotels & Resorts to Break Ground on New 300-room Hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/swissotel-hotelsresorts-to-break-ground-on-new-300-room-hotel-in-guayaquil) FRHI Hotels & Resorts Unveiled as Challenge Provider to the Upcoming Young Hoteliers Summit 2014 (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/frhihotels-resorts-unveiled-as-challenge-provider-to-the-upcoming-young-ho) Swissotel Hotels & Resorts to Manage New Build 400-room Swissotel Hangzhou, Expected to Open 2018 (http://www.hotelonline.com/press_releases/release/swissotel-hotels-resorts-to-manage-new-build-400-room-swissotel-hangzhou-ex) Development Begins in China on the 300-room Fairmont Hangzhou Slated to Open in 2017 (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/developmentbegins-in-china-on-the-300-room-fairmont-hangzhou-slated-to-ope)

http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/frhi-hotels-resorts-jiangsu-golden-land-group-launch-neqta-hotels

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1/22/2016

HOTELSMag.com

NEWS

FRHI, Chinese partner launch Millennial brand

By Jeff Weinstein on 1/21/2016

FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, on Thursday announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (Nuo Ge Ya), a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located across China. Operated by FRHI and guided by the hotel management company, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI’s collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands.

The inaugural hotel to fly the Neqta flag opened Thursday in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing.

“With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.”

Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture and a Singapore native, will be tasked with brand growth and development. He brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor. “It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” Soh said.

“Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments,” Soh added.

“With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/64040

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1/22/2016

HOTELSMag.com

Exterior rendering of a Neqta property in China

feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest.â&#x20AC;?

Neqta guest room rendering

Neqta Hotels will feature open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs, incorporating dining http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/64040

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HOTELSMag.com

concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a cocktail bar and lounge in the evening.

Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free Wi-Fi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions.

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thank you, il learnd about, but millenium?

FRID AY, JA NU AR Y 22, 2 01 6 | PHILIP P M A A S

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2/1/2016

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

http://nyti.ms/1RGYAWf B USINESS DA Y

|

I TI NERARI ES

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries

By M AR THA C . W HITE

JAN. 11, 2016

Joshua Reeves, the co-founder and chief executive at the payroll and benefits management start-up Gusto, rented a house for a week in 2013 with his roughly 10 colleagues for what he called a “workation.”

One part reward for the long hours they worked, one part brainstorming marathon, the retreat allowed the group to cook together, hike and plan the fledgling company’s next steps.

“The two main goals we had were to bring the team together, take a step back and have a chance for community time and connection,” Mr. Reeves said.

“Physically going somewhere else can actually be a great catalyst for introspection.”

Although Gusto now has 300 employees in San Francisco and Denver, retreats are still part of the company culture. Recently, its human resources department took a four-day trip to Los Angeles that included a trip to Disneyland to observe and gather ideas for how to scale up their operations.

Staff members from both of the company’s offices attended.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

“We really love the time we’ve spent on retreats,” Mr. Reeves said.

Today, companies not generally given to embracing start-up corporate culture are finding retreats to be an effective way to accomplish seemingly conflicting goals: Getting people to relax and to work harder. And hotels have been eager to accommodate companies’ increased willingness to reward hard work with off-site getaways.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve been seeing a really encouraging uptick,” said Alison Taylor, senior vice president of global sales at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which has had an approximately 12 percent increase, yearover-year, in reward and incentive travel, including retreats.

And by all accounts, that business is growing — especially among younger workers. “We definitely have seen the reinvestment of corporations back into those,” said David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Travel Company and Experient. “We saw, in particular, from 2014 to 2015, a significant spike,” he said. Last year, he said, his company had roughly 30 percent more corporate incentive programs.

“I think we typically see it as synonymous with a growing economy,” said Andrew Flack, vice president for global marketing at Hilton Worldwide, where requests for corporate retreat bookings have increased by a double-digit percentage. “Also, companies in particular are looking for how to sustain growth, and that’s a lot of what they talk about.”

The trend dovetails with a push in human resources management to reward more while paying less. “I’m seeing more off-sites that fall under the category of culture-building and team-building,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at the recruiting firm Robert Half.

Although Labor Department data show wages slowly creeping up, many companies see an advantage to giving employees bonuses or other rewards because this lets them avoid adding a fixed amount to their bottom line, as pay

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

raises would.

Still, even as companies try to hold the line on pay, the labor market has tightened sufficiently, especially in some high-tech and professional services fields, that companies recognize the need to keep employees happy as well as hardworking.

“I think the most important thing that corporate America has found is that they need their employees to perform,” said Christine Lawson, senior vice president of sales and catering at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “They understand that engagement is absolutely essential to their productivity.”

Ms. Lawson said more than half of her brand’s corporate business, which is up roughly 10 percent year-over-year, consisted of retreats.

As retreats grow in popularity, traditional incentive programs are incorporating more retreatlike elements even as they expand beyond perks for top sales executives or dealers.

“Incentives are being opened up,” Ms. Taylor said. “The incentive business has morphed now to be about community.” Hotel companies welcome the broader scope of the programs because that means more business for them.

Another change is the incorporation of brainstorming or high-level strategy sessions among the recreation and bonding activities. “We’re seeing either a half-day or a full-day working session,” said Mark Sergot, senior vice president for global sales at FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

Like many other aspects of both corporate culture and business travel, the growth of retreats and the evolution of incentives are being driven by Generation Y, people like Mr. Reeves of Gusto: young and with the mentality of a Silicon Valley start-up.

“They really like to feel like they’re part of something, and that’s why we’re seeing the increase,” Mr. McDonald said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

“Millennials expect that,” Ms. Taylor said. “They want to have that interaction with the C-level executives, and incentives are a very nice way to do that, to make them feel included.”

Ms. Lawson of Kimpton said the brand, which is based in San Francisco, has a long history of catering to the high-tech industry’s casual, quirky meeting style.

“Tech has always come into our hotels in jeans and T-shirts and wanted their room to have beanbags and couches,” she said. Only recently, she said, have other industries started following suit — forgoing the suits and boardroom presentations for more intense but more intimate sessions of brainstorming or strategizing.

“Generally, we don’t see boardroom-type retreats anymore,” Mr. Sergot said.

While this might be new territory for groups in buttoned-up fields like insurance, professional and financial services, even start-ups can take time to get the hang of the laid-back retreat. At Gusto’s first retreat in 2013, Mr. Reeves recalled bringing in the components of workstations: desks, tables, PC monitors. They went unused.

“As it turned out, everybody spent the whole week on the couches with their legs up,” he said.

A version of this article appears in print on January 12, 2016, on page B4 of the New York edition with the headline: In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries.

© 2016 The New York Times Company

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Just Announced: AAA Five-Diamond Hotels This Monday, AAA (and CAA) released their Five-Diamond awards for hotels and restaurants. (AAA dispenses diamonds, Forbes stars.) Here's a closer look at some of AAA's 118 top honorees in the US. Next week: Five Diamond hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.

Karen Tina Harrison Luxury Travel Expert

Rancho Valencia: SoCal Stunner Rancho Valencia, in the fragrant hills above San Diego, is a perfect getaway: beautiful, delicious, social, and active. Rancho Valencia possesses Five Stars from Forbes as well and is a member of Relais & Chateaux. Writer Nikki Neu answers the question: how deluxe can a boutique hotel get?

(Pic: the property's spa.)

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Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Cali's Best Resort?

Fairmont Grand Del Mar is considered the top resort in the Golden State. (My travel-editor cronies think so.) Its restaurant, spa, golf, grounds: all spectacular. And, says writer Max Jacobson, the place looks like a Moroccan king's palace. I wil add: a king who thinks pink.

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Can We Top These in 2016?

So long ago -- in 2015 -- Luxury Travel reported on these spectacular hotels and resorts (and a best-of-the-best wellness retreat). Here's a look back at these ultra-fivestar properties, and a wish for as upscale a new year.

Karen Tina Harrison Luxury Travel Expert

Enchantment Resort in Magical Sedona, Arizona Enchantment Resort is stunningly set in a redrocks "box canyon" that's more than just looks. The canyon sits atop an energy vortex, Sedona's famed (and actual) phenomenon. People experience lifealtering dreams an visions are a regular occurrence.

But writer Lois Friedland says that Enchantment's scenery and spa are heavenly on their own.

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Inn of the Five Graces, Stunner in Santa Fe, New Mexico The Inn of the Five Graces promises an equally stunning Southwestern getaway. Upscale Santa Fe, New Mexico is chockablock with fine hotels, but Inn of the Five Graces is the ultimate place to stay.

My story will show you what (besides amazing mosaic bathrooms) makes this Relais & Chateaux inn one of America's best-regarded hotels.

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Fairmont Grand Del Mar, California's Most-Honored Resort This elegant estate resort near San Diego, a nod to South Florida's fantasy hotels of the early 2oth century, reminds many visitors of 1,001 Arabian Nights.

Its sheer beauty aside, Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers guests the Michelin-lauded Addison restaurant, a fantastic spa, luscious pools, and onproperty golf, tennis, horseback trails, and more.

No wonder the property possesses the rare Forbes Five Stars and AAA Five Diamonds, plus more bestin-show awards than any other California resort.

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Golden Door in SoCal, World's Most Exclusive Wellness Oasis Golden Door, in the wooded hills outside San Diego, is considered the top wellness getaway in the United States and, say many, the world.

The level of one-on-one attention here is phenomenal: you have your own schedule manager, fitness coach, swim coach, yoga master, masseur, facialist, and kitchen consultant. I spent a week here, indulged in delicious, healthy chow, and still lost five pounds.

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Eau Palm Beach, South Florida's Elegantly Playful Resort If you think of Palm Beach in South Florida as the nest of frosty Social Register snowbirds from Park Avenue and Greenwich, Connecticut, you are partially right. Society types still winter in Palm Beach. But the young-at-spirit set have taken to Eau Palm Beach Resort. If the ladies are wearing

pearls, they're bikini straps.

Sophisticated Eau Palm Beach is the model of a modern luxury resort. Its rooms were redone by Jonathan Adler, its spa features an adult playground with private nooks and overwater swings. The club level lounge flaunts playful monkey-laden wallpaper and the kids' and teens' clubs are "fleek." (A stylish 14-year-old supplied the word.)

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Ladera Resort: Romance on Luscious St. Lucia in the Caribbean Ladera is the only Caribbean luxury resort ever rated #1 in the World on CondĂŠ Nast Traveler's "Best of the Best" list. And its Dasheene restaurant is one of the most acclaimed dining spots in the entire Caribbean.

More to love: Ladera pioneered the "open fourth wall" tropical resort concept. Al the better, says writer Eric Weiss, to marvel at Ladera's view of the turquoise Caribbean and lush green volcanic peaks of the Pitons.l READ NOW

Auberge St. Antoine in Quebec City: Canada's #1 Boutique Hotel Quebec City does not lack for luxury hotels. Yet Auberge Saint-Antoine runs away with the awards. This is Travel + Leisure's choice of #1 City Hotel in Canada. Simply put, this stylish yet authentic-feeling boutique hotel hosts an unforgettable stay in Quebec City. And one of your best-ever meals north of the border too.

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Gleneagles: Scottish Palace with Iconic Golf & Single Malts Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland is a true resort legend for many good reasons, including fabled golf. Writer Joseph Reaney says: "this 'palace in the glens' provides a complete escape for luxury travelers seeking relaxation, recreation, and Scottish charm...oh, and exquisite single-malt Scotch too."

READ NOW

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Fairmont Grand Del Mar Jacqueline Maddison Travel & Lifestyle January 27, 2016

One of the top ten must-have experiences as a Los Angeleno is to take the Amtrak south to San Diego because the last memorable hour is by the blue Pacific with hopeful sightings of gray whales breaching and pods of frolicking bottlenose dolphins. When you travel to San Diego itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a unique and refreshing experience. The air is sweeter and the sun just seems to shine at the perfect temperature.

Disembark at the Solana Beach train depot and with advance reservations, a chauffeured car will whisk you to the Grand Del Mar, newly acquired for the Fairmont luxury hotel collection. This

sun-drenched palace is nestled within the native white sage of Los Penasquitos Canyon Nature Reserve.

Addison Mizner, a famous architect, whose style of Mediterranean resorts during the 1920s, inspired Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s design. Amidst the surrounding rolling hills, championship fairways and greens, it’s easy to imagine the elusive bobcat padding through. Tom Fazio probably never considered that his design would be used as a wildlife corridor in the glowing sunset.

GDM has been awarded the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star Resort: Hotel, Spa and Addison (fine dining), AAA Five Diamond Award: Hotel And Addison, #1 Luxury Hotel in California: TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice and Travel + Leisure World’s Best Resorts.

Fairmont properties are in 19 countries and its flagship landmarks include The Plaza in New York and The Savoy in London. Since 1907, Fairmont has been made famous by visitations from British royalty such as Queen Elizabeth in 1969; the staged Bed-In for Peace by John Lennon and Yoko Ono; Claude Monet’s muse of London at the Savoy; and many of the hotels served as movie locations.

“Papa” Doug Manchester, former publisher of the UT San Diego newspaper, still retains a minor role in GDM. He originally developed and built the luxury resort seven years ago, sparing no expense. A true luxury travel destination that allows you to step into a whole new world when you enter the property.

At Amaya’s epicurean exchange, along with the 29 pages of European and California varietals on Amaya’s detailed libations list, sommelier, charming Ryan Winnegar shared GDM tidbits such as, “An Italian family of artisans, one of only three left in the world, hand-carved our

fireplace from a single piece of marble. Marble is used in archways, flooring and walls along with real gold leaf on some of the more intricate wrought iron.”

Things To Keep In Mind •

Pups under 25 lbs or less are welcome

•

Four heated pools: an adults-only relaxation sanctuary, including one for children with a wading area and another with an outdoor pool bar

•

Spa treatments range from multi-tiered to wraps to facial therapies

•

Nail & hair salon, Gentlemen’s Spa and salon services, Children’s services, Bride to be services

•

Fitness & Movement Studio: Zumba, Pi-Yo Strength

•

Self-guided scenic trails

•

Horseback Riding through the Reserve

•

Tennis courts

•

Weather permitting, shuttle and full beach accessories offered for GDM guests at the pristine Del Mar Beach (comparable to Malibu)

•

Attraction tickets: San Diego Zoo, Legoland

Unlike the wine list, the single page-dining menu had select gourmet offerings. I chose the deboned, fresh Grilled Idaho Trout served with my preference of head and tail in tact, topped with succulent Lump Crab, crisp Haricot Vert and sublime Brown Butter. ”This dish was culled from a 150-year-old recipe,” said Amaya’s manager, Chris Sadelack. “It is still being served in a very exclusive bistro called Le Comptoir in Paris.”

One word: delicieux.

The next morning, I felt spellbound by my golden slumbers. Like the storybook Princess and the Pea, I am sensitive to loud noise and inferior beds so GDM is my official thumbs up for quiet and profound rest. Apparently, there are other enchanted guests seeking the Fairmont Stearns & Foster bed and the 100% Egyptian cotton, 300 thread count, sateen linens because they are available for purchase online.

Ten minutes late, I arrived in a somnolent state to the elegant 22,000 square feet spa for my Signature Touch Therapy. Therapist Sarah Zimmerman was the perfect blend of small talk, no talk, and commanding hands of strength. As she banished the dragons of tension with essential oils, I sleptâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yet again.

Afterward, subdued with bliss, I savored guilt-free bite-sized, boneless fried chicken on handcrafted mini waffles at the Clubhouse Grille before reluctantly departing.

Heading northbound reminded me that a staycation of fresh air and opulent deep rest is sometime just what you need.

By Jeanne Ferris Fairmont Grand Del Mar 5300 Grand Del Mar Court San Diego, CA 92130 T: 858.314.2000 Fairmont.com/San Diego

https://www.beverlyhillsmagazine.com/travel-lifestyle/fairmont-grand-del-mar/

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I ncreasing N um ber Of Hotels And R esorts Offer Unique Am enities For Thrill-Seek ing Guests Monday, January 25, 2016

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

It's easy for resorts and their guests to take the easy road when it comes to amenities. Beach umbrellas, wave runners, and golf courses are each fun and help drive business to their respective properties, but a growing number of travelers these days don't like playing it safe. Living on the edge is becoming the new normal, and resorts and hotels are responding in kind with a plethora of exotic and exciting adventures for thrill-seeking guests.

For example, Casa Velas, a boutique resort and ocean club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offers its guests a skydiving package, while The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North in Arizona has a "Cowboy for a Day" experience on a working cattle ranch.

Among The Sebastian Vail's winter packages is one that includes ice climbing, and guests can take surfing lessons at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's fabled North Shore. Tequila tasting is on the menu at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa; while in Italy, guests of Il Salviatino Resort can ride the Harley Davidson experience through the roads of Tuscany.

"It has certainly helped create awareness about our hotel and its unique offerings, all of which are customized per the guest's interests, especially travelers coming to Italy as a ëbucket list trip' who want to make the most of their travels and really feel "immersed" in the destination," said Silvia Manganaro, director of Sales and marketing for Il Salviatino.

From riding waves with Rocky Cannon and his surfing dogs to helicopter tours of Oahu, "Each experience helps grow our customer base and resort potential," said Brad Doell, director of sales and marketing at Turtle Bay Resort.

"Our guests are always looking for breathtaking opportunities which can only be experienced on the North Shore. Guests of the resort are looking for story making activities and opportunities to share with family and friends," Doell said.

One of the more unusual opportunities is in Panama City, Panama, where guests of The Westin Playa Bonita can tour the city with former gang members, many of whom have been involved with gangs since grade school.

As part of the city's gentrification efforts, a fundraising organization that created the "Fortaleza Tours" provide young locals with a forum to share their personal stories, earn money to support their families and ensure that the once-dangerous area remains a zona de paz (peaceful place).

In San Diego, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers guests a two-hour cave kayaking experience through the nearby La Jolla Sea Caves and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The tour is led by well-trained guides and is open even to first-time kayakers for a chance to see seals, sea lions and sometimes dolphins in the Pacific.

For those who prefer snow to the ocean, the Fairmont Banff Springs concierge recommends heli-skiing in the Purcell Mountains and Backcountry. Guests can choose between the powder skiing adventure with Purcell HeliSkiing Ltd., or share in the unending glaciers and perfectly spaced tree runs with RK Heli-Ski. With 65,000 acres of nature surrounding the Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, guests can do the Land Rover Driving Experience that includes driving lessons, as well as off-road obstacles, such as steep ascents, descents, side-tilts, log crossings, creek crossings, rock crawls, and boulders.

Just a few miles from Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, Kenauk Nature is great for nature lovers. It is also one of the very few habitats in Quebec where guests can observe a rare species of black bear with a unique genetic condition. They might the chance to spot a rare “cinnamon” or “blond” black bear. “We find that guests are looking for authentic experiences that are connected to the area," said Natalie Beauchamp, director of sales and marketing at Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello.

Back to the south in Cancun guests at the sister properties CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa can snorkel with whale sharks from May to September. Though they measure up to 40 feet long and weigh in at 15 tons, whale sharks feed exclusively on plankton and are totally harmless to humans.

“For many guests, the opportunity to swim with these animals means the vacation of a lifetime, while others are in paradise just enjoying our pool and beach," said Christopher Calabrese, vice president and general manager for the properties. "As a destination, we offer one of the seven wonders of the world - the Chichen Itza pyramid - so we do see guests seeking those memorable, 'bucket list' moments.”

Such “bucket list" amenities, Calabrese said, often lead to longer stays as guests don't want to miss any opportunities.

“Travelers from North America, for example, stay with us for 4.5 days on average, while Europeans will stay for 10 days so those guests with more time on their hands can pack in more adventures and activities," Calabrese said.

Properties Perspectives Strategy

http://petergreenberg.com/2016/01/27/radio-guest-list-fairmont-grand-del-mar-california-january-302016/

1/26/2016

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to Wrap Renovations in June | Luxury Travel Advisor SEARCH

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Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has announced that it will complete its $100 million renovation project this June. Over the course of the two-year process, the 400-room property has added 43 new suites designed by Botelho Wood Architects, three new restaurants, an exhale flagship spa, gym and boutique fitness studio, a private beach club, and a 60-berth marina.

For meetings and events, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club offers more than 22,000 square feet of newly restored indoor and outdoor event space. Custom-tailored programs meet the needs of busy groups and offer opportunities to positively impact the community such as Eco-Meet, an exclusive green conference planning option that lessens the environmental impact of a meeting through reduced resource consumption.

Three new culinary venues include Bermuda’s first and only celebrity-helmed restaurant, Marcus’. The 3,000-square-foot venue is led by internationally-acclaimed Chef Marcus Samuelsson, the force behind the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Red Rooster Harlem in New York City. The focal point of the open-air restaurant, created by New York interior design firm Parts and Labor, is a colorful subway-tiled 30-seat bar lined with teal high-backed stools, surrounded by mid-century wood tables, leather banquettes and a private dining alcove decorated with Warhol portraits of Mick Jagger. A menu created by Samuelsson celebrates the island’s vibrant flavors, freshlycaught fish, and locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, with signature dishes such as Cheddar Baked Bermuda Onion, Fish Chowder Croquettes and Trout Roe Tacos.

The new 1609 Bar & Restaurant, a harbor-side cocktail bar and grill situated on the hotel’s new marina, is a 2,500-square-foot open-air space with waterfront views from every vantage point. It has a marine-inspired interior with clean, simple lines and a natural sandy palette of teak and Spanish cedar. Named after the year the survivors of the Sea Venture shipwreck arrived in Bermuda as the island’s first settlers, the open-air dining structure offers a laid-back social atmosphere and a menu that includes charcuterie and flatbread pizza, as well as classic Bermudian cocktails such as the Rum http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/bermuda/hamilton-princess-beach-club-wrap-renovations-june-16436?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm…

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1/26/2016

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to Wrap Renovations in June | Luxury Travel Advisor

Swizzle and Dark & Stormy.

Crown & Anchor is an informal dining option with historic maritime paintings and hardwood tables. It serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.

The new marina, which is the only full-service marina in Bermuda, houses up to 60 berths, ranging in size to accommodate vessels, pleasure craft, tournament fishing boats, as well as super yachts. A water sports facility outfits guests to tour the island on jet ski tours, pontoon rentals, Boston whaler boat rentals, kayaks, Hobie cats, paddle boards, private boat charters and snorkeling tours.

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has teamed up with lifestyle and wellbeing brand exhale to create a new 5,400-square foot spa and fitness center overlooking Hamilton’s harbor. Opening in June, exhale Bermuda will include nine therapy rooms, four manicure stations and two pedicure thrones with an adjoining Zen lounge and wellbeing boutique. A Mind Body Gym and fitness studio will offer Barre, Yoga and Cardio classes. The spa experience extends outside into a new spa pool and poolside yoga pavilion, while an adjacent 2,150-square-foot fitness center spans two stories with state-of-the-art equipment by Technogym. Five cabanas will be featured at the beach club.

The newly renovated negative-edge infinity pool overlooks the harbor on the western shore of the resort. Sun loungers shaded by two towering palm trees are perched on island-like pavilions that float just above the pool’s water, with decks made of Syrian limestone and azure blue-glazed tiles. The Princess Beach Club, which opened during the summer of 2015, is a short ride from the hotel by private jitney where it is located on the South Shore along a sheltered turquoise swimming cove that meets a crescentshaped stretch of soft white-sand shoreline.

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The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, January 20, 2016

nn

More bang for your travel buck NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network

With the loonie recently dropping below 70 cents U.S., many Canadians are foregoing sun vacations and hunkering down until winter ends or the exchange rate improves — whichever comes first.

Flying and favourite Canadian pastimes such as crossborder shopping are on the decline as the price of U.S. vacations, flights and goods end up costing us more than 30% extra with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Vacation in Canada.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’s Outer Shores Expeditions, said in a statement.

“The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1

Cruise ... on Canada’s west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions has cruise packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands

joel lemay/sun file photo

Only in Canada: Outer Shores Expedition sails in remote waters off the shore of British Columbia. Montreal’s Lumiere Festival, top, is one of many events in included in that city’s new Passeport MTL Culture pass.

National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for sixday, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995 per person. See outershores.ca for details.

2

Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the RitzCarlton, Toronto has a new

package for men in its Gentlemen’s Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: Waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa’s popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5-hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager.

A couple’s massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who

wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering.

See ritzcarlton.com/toronto.

3

See stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta’s Jasper National Park is one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for

an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium’s state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people.

See fairmont.com/jasper.

4

Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place again this year. New is the Passe-

port MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit.

See tourisme-montreal.org.

5

Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the edge of the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s new F-scapes winter package. A guide will lead guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at Thermea Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea-tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends such as spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg.

Myrtle Beach: U.S. for less NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network The limping loonie has meant trouble for U.S. destinations that rely on Canadian visitors.

The Canadian Press recently reported that tourism to the States was down 9% in 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Myrtle Beach is one of those destinations that relies on Canadian tourism dollars to inject millions into the local economy. So many of us visit the South Carolina destination

each year, it hosts an annual Canadian-American Days Festival with special events just for visitors from north of the border.

In light of the weak loonie, the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a new promotion to attract Canadian travellers and help them save.

With the Dollar for Dollar Deals promo, select Myrtle Beach hotels are offering savings of up to 60%, while select restaurants and attractions are offering up to 30% off. Travellers must

show Canadian ID to get the discounts, which are available through April 30.

“We have been welcoming Canadians to the Myrtle Beach area for decades and hope this promotional solution will help overcome any financial hurdles caused by the exchange rate,” Susan Phillips, marketing director for the Myrtle Beach Area CVB, said in a statement.

The 55th-annual CanadianAmerican Days Festival (March 12-20) will take place during the deal window.

See visitmyrtlebeach.com for full details.

Myrtle Beach has a new Dollars for Dollars Deals promotion for Canadian travellers.

1/14/2016

Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program | Examiner.com

LEISURE / SPA & BEAUTY / SPAS

Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program January 13, 2016 12:22 PM MST

Outdoor massages at Fairmont Kea Lani's Willow Stream Spa Richard Pietschmann

Maui’s heavenly Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani now keeps guests stimulated with its new Inspire Your Energy, a curated fitness and wellness program designed to motivate movement.

Led by the resort’s Energy Ambassador, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer Ty Roberts, the program enforces the wellness concept with a series of daily fitness classes that complement the hotel’s serene setting. Classes include yoga, Mind Body Barre, Boot Camp, Meditation Breathing, Aqua Fitness and more. Personal training sessions with Ty and a team of professional instructors are also available to provide customized experiences as are seasonal well-being excursions including Floating Yoga. For a http://www.examiner.com/article/maui-s-moroccan-style-fairmont-kea-lani-launches-energetic-wellness-program

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Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program | Examiner.com

complete wellness retreat, complemented by award-winning wellness inspired food and beverage offerings, guests can also re-balance their energy with restorative treatments at the Willow Stream Spa. “Fairmont Kea Lani has long attracted travelers looking to recharge and enjoy the inspiration and energy of Wailea, Maui,” states Ty Roberts, Energy Ambassador at Fairmont Kea Lani.

“Through our new Inspire Your Energy program, we are able to provide an integrated approach to wellness by inspiring the body, mind and soul. Inspiration is highly personalized and comes through challenge (Boot Camp), overall fitness (personal training), mindfulness (Yoga and Meditation), as well as through calming, restorative experiences (Willow Stream Spa). Our goal is to connect our guests to their passions, distinct mana (power or energy) of the islands and unique culture of Hawai‘i.”

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Kea Lani is a sanctuary for pampering and wellness spread out on 9,000 square-feet of luxurious space. Treatments are simply heavenly and use locallyinspired techniques and products to accomplish pure relaxation and other goals. Signature services include the Nalu (Wave) Suite, with a state-of-the art wave massage table, the Wailele (Waterfall) Suite offering Vichy Shower treatments with infrared technology, full sensory experience showers inspired by Maui rain, steam and sauna, and a soothing pālolo (mud) bar.

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Kea Lani effortlessly blends sophistication with tradition and science with nature.

The stunning stark, white Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani is the only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort on the island located on idyllic Polo Beach among 22 acres of seaside land.

Last year the hotel underwent a $70 facelift that included a $7 million investment in the Willow Stream Spa and $5 million worth of renovations to its signature restaurant Kō. For reservations or more information, call 866-540-4456..

The chilly weather in Los Angeles, and other parts of the US, makes a trip to Maui sound like just what the doctored ordered especially combined with Kea Lani's new wellness program-which is an ideal way to jump start that New Year's resolve to get fit.

SUGGESTED LINKS  Fairmont Kea Lani's Ko restaurant reaps top restaurant award  Fairmont Kea Lani long-time chef Tylun Pang wins well-deserved award  Fairmont Kea Lani brings a taste of Napa to Maui with Chateau Montelena dinner

Patti Pietschmann

http://www.examiner.com/article/maui-s-moroccan-style-fairmont-kea-lani-launches-energetic-wellness-program

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Published on The Daily Meal (http://www.thedailymeal.com) Home > Travel > Trip Tips > Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac.

Alexis Steinman

Á Québec or au Québec? The French pronouns delineate between city and province, but both share the same name. My grammar reference is intentional, for Quebec is Canada’s only province whose official language is French. More than words, Quebec’s French influences are everywhere, from cuisine to culture. Yet, there is also an easygoing, casual charm that is clearly Canadian. Quebec is French, not France, as I discovered during my recent visit.

A fervent Francophile, I’ve spent ample time in France. A teenage exchange in Biarritz spawned junior year and numerous adult trips to Paris. I’ve also often traveled to Montreal, where my father was born. With my French and family roots, I was delighted to finally explore the heart of Quebec City. I also ventured north to the agricultural Eden of Charlevoix. Naturally, there was food involved.

I touched down in Quebec City the first weekend of November. The former capital of New France — the North American territories first colonized by the French in the sixteenth century — remains true to its French roots. In this “Paris of the North,” French is spoken in the streets and written on shop signs; more than 95 percent of the population are native speakers. Old Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site within the city’s ancient walls, is as picturesque as a Provençal village, with winding, cobblestone streets lined with lovely seventeenth- and eighteenth-century buildings.

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late nineteenth century, this luxury Fairmont hotel [1] is an architectural stunner with turrets, towers, and a copper roof. This magical castle is not to be missed, whether strolling the esplanade along the St. Lawrence River or sipping champagne at the 1608 Bar. Better yet, stay the night, as I was lucky to do. More than mere lodging, the hotel is awash in history that enriches the sumptuous experience. In 1943, the Frontenac hosted the Quebec Conference, where Churchill and Roosevelt met to strategize for World War II. Like France, Quebec City is infatuated with food. Less formal than the French—Canada has no Michelin stars—Quebec cuisine is rustic and hearty to combat the long winters. Classic dishes include tourtiére (meat pie), cretons (rillette-like pork spread), and poutine (cheese curd & gravy fries). Maple comes in all shapes and sizes; don’t miss maple pie or maple butter-lined ice cream cones. Many menus have sharing plates, like Le Renard et La Chouette’s [2] duck cassoulet, illustrating the Québécois’ affection for communal eating. Stuffed? Quebec City’s famous staircases allow for post-meal workouts while exploring the town.

To taste Quebec cuisine close to its source, a trip to Charlevoix is a must. An hour and a halfhour drive north of Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence River, Charlevoix is home to more than 40 farmers and is dubbed the Flavour Trail [3] . Nibble pork pâté at Les Viandes Biologiques [4] , sample goat cheese at the Chèvrerie de Charlevoix, and sip white ale at the Microbrasserie Charlevoix [5] .

You can amass quite a picnic from the dozens of delicious foodstuffs. Luckily, the Charlevoix brims with outdoor beauty like the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviére-Malbaie [6] . Named a UNESCO World Biosphere in 1989, Charlevoix is nestled between sea and mountains, which in the winter, provides stellar skiing, both cross-country and downhill.

I got to taste Charlevoix terroir at the Grand Gala des Chefs [7] , an annual, epicurean weekend hosted by the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu [8] . Each November, the hotel invites prominent chefs and local purveyors to cook up culinary workshops and bountiful meals. The other guests and I were able to interact with both chefs and farmers, making for an atmosphere that was both refined and rustic.

Visiting Quebec City and the Charlevoix make a fine pairing for savoring both the urban and rural side of Quebec. Though the city is a year-round destination — Canadians aren’t afraid of negative temperatures — I enjoyed the calm of my early-November trip, which occurred between the busier times of fall foliage and winter snow. Regardless of season, I’ll be sure to return to this place so close to my linguistic and ancestral heart. Like the slogan on Quebec’s license plates — “Je me souviens” (translation: “I remember”) — I shall not forget.

Source URL: http://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/tasting-french-canadian-charms-quebec-city-and-charlevoix Links [1] http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/?cmpid=google_lcf_search-branded-us_branded-e-

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Menu

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP : / / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE.CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

We weren’t exactly in Europe, but it sure felt like it. The cobblestone streets, history and artchitecture reminded us of the moments it felt like to be walking in Europe yet we were still in North America. Every corner of Quebec City had something to see, hear, taste and absorb. Thank goodness it was cold outside because the hearty foods we consumed kept us warm every walking moment of the day.

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

We were in the land of of poutine: french fries topped with gravy and cheese. Oh geez, we couldn’t stop thinking about our next bite. But the charm of this city goes way beyond classic poutine and has evolved to an incredible food community of dedicated artisans and Chefs bringing to life their local produce and food traditions. {Video} Join us on our journey and culinary discoveries with Fairmont (http://45.gs/ymch) through Quebec City:

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Hello from the amazing view of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://45.gs/ymch) !

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Nestled along the St. Lawrence River in the Eastern Canadian provence of Quebec, Quebec City is historic, gorgeous and brimming with food customs. It was such a treat to be partnering with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts on this amazing journey to taste, sip and document all our moments in images and film. Fairmont has an impressive list of locations all over the world, including historic icons and world‑ class resorts. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Fairomont on our very first and epic food culture journey in Quebec City at Le Chateau Frontenac (http://45.gs/ymch).

Our 15th floor suite had incredible views of Old Quebec City & St. Lawrence River

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Peaceful mornings catching up with the world

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Our hotel suite doubled as our office for the week.

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Great coffee was always ready in the Fairmont Gold Lounge and they have hand roast small batch coffee from the top 3% beans in the world. Here’s more about their one‑of‑a‑kind artisanal coffee partnership (http://45.gs/9dw4).

It’s impressive. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Upon arriving to Quebec City we came during an early winter heat spell. Instead of their usual blanketing of snow, the temperatures were soaring in the daytime to the low 40’s F. Even without the iconic snow adorning the landscape, our destination was gorgeous. Particularly in Vieux‑Québec (Old Quebec) where http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

the warm, cozy beds and charismatic staff of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac helped make our travels unforgettable. They helped connect us to the very best of Quebec City destinations and collaborated with us on a truly memorable travel itinerary.

It’s hard not to love a place when you haven’t even left your hotel yet and are already inundated with great food and cocktails. From the stylish and fun Le Sam Bistro, to the swank Bar 1608, and crowning off with the sophisticated Champlain restaurant, the meals and cocktails are stunning. Even the morning buffets were great as we sat with our cappuccinos and planned out our adventures.

Le Chateau Frontenac had mind‑blowing food and cocktails. Wow.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Talented mixologist Jean‑Felix led us on this mixology workshop (http://45.gs/fgvy). A drinking class? Oui. And he hand carves round ice cubes from a block of ice. Witnessing this was incredible. You can see it too here on this hand‑ carved ice video (https://www.facebook.com/78892690210/videos/vb.78892690210/10153708308875211/? type=2&theater) we made. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

This carbonated negroni cocktail was a work of art. Watch video here on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/78892690210/videos/10153737163280211/).

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/Fairmont‑Le‑Chateau‑Frotenac‑Bar‑1608‑Cocktails‑1.jpg)

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/Fairmont‑Le‑Chateau‑Frotenac‑Bar‑1608‑Cocktails‑4.jpg) How can you not love a place that takes the time to hand chip ice cubes to make a perfect cocktail? And where you can find dishes ranging from perfectly prepared Arctic Char to Poutine with Pulled Pork to Grilled Wagyu Sirloin. They even have their own honey from the bee hives they keep on their roof. The http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

attention to details and embracement of the local cuisine and culture within their restaurants made it hard to leave the hotel. Fairmont is dedicated to showing the best in local cuisine and maintaining connections to local producers and purveyors.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Assistant Chef Alexi Jegou of Champlain restaurant took us shopping for ingredients at the Quebec farmers market and we cooked together in the restaurant kitchen. He taught us how to make incredible French dishes inspired by his family heritage.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Fairmont has their own bee hives on the roof!

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Lunch at La Planque with Chef Kevin

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

But being travelers, our souls pined to explore outside the magnificent walls of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. With the help of their attentive and thoughtful staff, we set out to explore the city and its wonderful offerings. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

When you’re in the city of Poutine, it’s hard not to indulge in this decadent dish. For those of you who are new to poutine, you’ll definitely have to treat yourself and splurge in this simple dish: french fries topped with gravy and Quebec “squeaky” cheese. There are many variations of poutine, including some topped with some very innovating toppings. We were most inspired from Bistro Le Sam Bar’s pulled pork poutine and though we didn’t have all the ingredients, there’s 4 basic ingredients that still make it great.

Here’s a poutine video inspired from this trip: The 5 Steps to a great pulled pork poutine:

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Discovering the city’s jewels, artisan Chefs and food purveyors was wonderful and we barely touched upon what the city had to offer. It would take multiple trips to see it all, but the the memorable finds we experienced while exploring Quebec City are here for you when you visit, eat and drink.

Champlain Restaurant (http://45.gs/rhh5) – Our dinner here was one of the best we’ve ever had and the service: welcoming and impeccable. Their local Quebec cheese and charcuterie collection is phenomenal.

Bistro Le Sam (http://45.gs/l5im) – The pulled pork poutine was inspiring!

Bar 1608 (http://45.gs/rx9r) – Their hand‑crafted cocktails are like works of art and taste amazing.

Le Clocher Penché (http://45.gs/eimj) – Outstanding seafood dishes and their parsnip soup is to die for.

Restaurant Legende (http://45.gs/2nxy) – Their fantastic menu is focused on purely local ingredients and that’s not easy to do in Winter!

La Planque (http://45.gs/kc5o) – The apple pie dessert is to die for. Order two.

Buffet de l’antiquaire (http://45.gs/ttak)– A classic destination for locals filled with classic Candian eats. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

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Carbonated Negroni and More Cocktails to Celebrate a Great Year

by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP :/ / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE. CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/carbonated‑negroni‑cocktail‑1.jpg) Gosh, time flies. Another year has passed in a blink and many thoughts wizz through our heads. The people, friends, clients, laughs, tears and so many more moments helped define our year as …. amazing. It isn’t just the

everyday work that anchors this year as truly memorable, but the new friendships forged and old relationships that we hold close.

As we reminisce on precious moments, we can’t deny that you all have had an incredible impact on our lives.

We’ve always said that our blog is a hobby and takes up about 15% of our time. The rest is working with clients on numerous projects that we enjoy tremendously. But it’s this happy blog place that we look forward to coming back to when we can. http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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to coming back to when we can.

Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

Sometimes we’ll go a while without updating or sharing a new recipe. That’s when we realize how much we miss the creativity and the conversations we have with you all, our dear readers. So to thank you all, we’ll be toasting and drinking to you for another awesome year passing and new journeys ahead. We’re really looking forward to what the new year brings with stories, recipes and daily tidbits of life.

Hope you all have a safe and fabulous New Year’s. To help be a part of your celebrations, here’s some of our favorite cocktails (http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/beverages‑cocktails‑recipes/) that we’ll be mixing up to ring in the new year:

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/New‑Years‑Cocktail‑Recipes‑1.jpg) We’ve shared quite a collection of both alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks for friends for the years. Here’s the complete list of cocktails and beverages (http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/beverages‑cocktails‑recipes/) for all types of folks to enjoy. There’s something for everyone here.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/new‑years‑cocktail‑recipes‑1.jpg) We made a Video: The most amazing Negroni Cocktail we had at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49):

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One of our favorite cocktail moments of 2015 was a few weeks ago in Quebec City at 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar (http://34.gs/bhkl) in Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49). This isn’t your everyday carbonated Bianco Negroni cocktail. Watch how dehydrated grapefruit adorns the outside glass and carbonation is added to give this drink the perfect amount of effervescence. The last brush of grapefruit zest essence makes this the best Negroni we’ve ever tasted. Thanks Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49) and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (http://34.gs/3zmc) for partnering with us and for sharing your recipe! This is just a sneak peak. Well have more stories and cocktail recipes from our trip to come in 2016.

Happy New Year All! ‑todd and diane

Carbonated Bianco Negroni Cocktail YIELD: 1 COCKTAIL TOTAL TIME: 10 MIN This is a carbonated grapefruit negroni. Make sure to finish the cocktail with the fresh grapefruit zest. It will perfume the hand and glass with the oils of the grapefruit as the cocktail is enjoyed.

Recipe provided by the Bar 1608 at the Fairmont Chateau Le Frontenac, Quebec City.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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I ncreasing N um ber Of Hotels And R esorts Offer Unique Am enities For Thrill-Seek ing Guests Monday, January 25, 2016

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

It's easy for resorts and their guests to take the easy road when it comes to amenities. Beach umbrellas, wave runners, and golf courses are each fun and help drive business to their respective properties, but a growing number of travelers these days don't like playing it safe. Living on the edge is becoming the new normal, and resorts and hotels are responding in kind with a plethora of exotic and exciting adventures for thrill-seeking guests.

For example, Casa Velas, a boutique resort and ocean club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offers its guests a skydiving package, while The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North in Arizona has a "Cowboy for a Day" experience on a working cattle ranch.

Among The Sebastian Vail's winter packages is one that includes ice climbing, and guests can take surfing lessons at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's fabled North Shore. Tequila tasting is on the menu at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa; while in Italy, guests of Il Salviatino Resort can ride the Harley Davidson experience through the roads of Tuscany.

"It has certainly helped create awareness about our hotel and its unique offerings, all of which are customized per the guest's interests, especially travelers coming to Italy as a ëbucket list trip' who want to make the most of their travels and really feel "immersed" in the destination," said Silvia Manganaro, director of Sales and marketing for Il Salviatino.

From riding waves with Rocky Cannon and his surfing dogs to helicopter tours of Oahu, "Each experience helps grow our customer base and resort potential," said Brad Doell, director of sales and marketing at Turtle Bay Resort.

"Our guests are always looking for breathtaking opportunities which can only be experienced on the North Shore. Guests of the resort are looking for story making activities and opportunities to share with family and friends," Doell said.

One of the more unusual opportunities is in Panama City, Panama, where guests of The Westin Playa Bonita can tour the city with former gang members, many of whom have been involved with gangs since grade school.

As part of the city's gentrification efforts, a fundraising organization that created the "Fortaleza Tours" provide young locals with a forum to share their personal stories, earn money to support their families and ensure that the once-dangerous area remains a zona de paz (peaceful place).

In San Diego, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers guests a two-hour cave kayaking experience through the nearby La Jolla Sea Caves and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The tour is led by well-trained guides and is open even to first-time kayakers for a chance to see seals, sea lions and sometimes dolphins in the Pacific.

For those who prefer snow to the ocean, the Fairmont Banff Springs concierge recommends heli-skiing in the Purcell Mountains and Backcountry. Guests can choose between the powder skiing adventure with Purcell HeliSkiing Ltd., or share in the unending glaciers and perfectly spaced tree runs with RK Heli-Ski. With 65,000 acres of nature surrounding the Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, guests can do the Land Rover Driving Experience that includes driving lessons, as well as off-road obstacles, such as steep ascents, descents, side-tilts, log crossings, creek crossings, rock crawls, and boulders.

Just a few miles from Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello, Kenauk Nature is great for nature lovers. It is also one of the very few habitats in Quebec where guests can observe a rare species of black bear with a unique genetic condition. They might the chance to spot a rare “cinnamon” or “blond” black bear. “We find that guests are looking for authentic experiences that are connected to the area," said Natalie Beauchamp, director of sales and marketing at Fairmont Le Ch‚teau Montebello.

Back to the south in Cancun guests at the sister properties CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa can snorkel with whale sharks from May to September. Though they measure up to 40 feet long and weigh in at 15 tons, whale sharks feed exclusively on plankton and are totally harmless to humans.

“For many guests, the opportunity to swim with these animals means the vacation of a lifetime, while others are in paradise just enjoying our pool and beach," said Christopher Calabrese, vice president and general manager for the properties. "As a destination, we offer one of the seven wonders of the world - the Chichen Itza pyramid - so we do see guests seeking those memorable, 'bucket list' moments.”

Such “bucket list" amenities, Calabrese said, often lead to longer stays as guests don't want to miss any opportunities.

“Travelers from North America, for example, stay with us for 4.5 days on average, while Europeans will stay for 10 days so those guests with more time on their hands can pack in more adventures and activities," Calabrese said.

Properties Perspectives Strategy

Published on The Daily Meal (http://www.thedailymeal.com) Home > Travel > Trip Tips > Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac.

Alexis Steinman

Á Québec or au Québec? The French pronouns delineate between city and province, but both share the same name. My grammar reference is intentional, for Quebec is Canada’s only province whose official language is French. More than words, Quebec’s French influences are everywhere, from cuisine to culture. Yet, there is also an easygoing, casual charm that is clearly Canadian. Quebec is French, not France, as I discovered during my recent visit.

A fervent Francophile, I’ve spent ample time in France. A teenage exchange in Biarritz spawned junior year and numerous adult trips to Paris. I’ve also often traveled to Montreal, where my father was born. With my French and family roots, I was delighted to finally explore the heart of Quebec City. I also ventured north to the agricultural Eden of Charlevoix. Naturally, there was food involved.

I touched down in Quebec City the first weekend of November. The former capital of New France — the North American territories first colonized by the French in the sixteenth century — remains true to its French roots. In this “Paris of the North,” French is spoken in the streets and written on shop signs; more than 95 percent of the population are native speakers. Old Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site within the city’s ancient walls, is as picturesque as a Provençal village, with winding, cobblestone streets lined with lovely seventeenth- and eighteenth-century buildings.

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late nineteenth century, this luxury Fairmont hotel [1] is an architectural stunner with turrets, towers, and a copper roof. This magical castle is not to be missed, whether strolling the esplanade along the St. Lawrence River or sipping champagne at the 1608 Bar. Better yet, stay the night, as I was lucky to do. More than mere lodging, the hotel is awash in history that enriches the sumptuous experience. In 1943, the Frontenac hosted the Quebec Conference, where Churchill and Roosevelt met to strategize for World War II. Like France, Quebec City is infatuated with food. Less formal than the French—Canada has no Michelin stars—Quebec cuisine is rustic and hearty to combat the long winters. Classic dishes include tourtiére (meat pie), cretons (rillette-like pork spread), and poutine (cheese curd & gravy fries). Maple comes in all shapes and sizes; don’t miss maple pie or maple butter-lined ice cream cones. Many menus have sharing plates, like Le Renard et La Chouette’s [2] duck cassoulet, illustrating the Québécois’ affection for communal eating. Stuffed? Quebec City’s famous staircases allow for post-meal workouts while exploring the town.

To taste Quebec cuisine close to its source, a trip to Charlevoix is a must. An hour and a halfhour drive north of Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence River, Charlevoix is home to more than 40 farmers and is dubbed the Flavour Trail [3] . Nibble pork pâté at Les Viandes Biologiques [4] , sample goat cheese at the Chèvrerie de Charlevoix, and sip white ale at the Microbrasserie Charlevoix [5] .

You can amass quite a picnic from the dozens of delicious foodstuffs. Luckily, the Charlevoix brims with outdoor beauty like the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviére-Malbaie [6] . Named a UNESCO World Biosphere in 1989, Charlevoix is nestled between sea and mountains, which in the winter, provides stellar skiing, both cross-country and downhill.

I got to taste Charlevoix terroir at the Grand Gala des Chefs [7] , an annual, epicurean weekend hosted by the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu [8] . Each November, the hotel invites prominent chefs and local purveyors to cook up culinary workshops and bountiful meals. The other guests and I were able to interact with both chefs and farmers, making for an atmosphere that was both refined and rustic.

Visiting Quebec City and the Charlevoix make a fine pairing for savoring both the urban and rural side of Quebec. Though the city is a year-round destination — Canadians aren’t afraid of negative temperatures — I enjoyed the calm of my early-November trip, which occurred between the busier times of fall foliage and winter snow. Regardless of season, I’ll be sure to return to this place so close to my linguistic and ancestral heart. Like the slogan on Quebec’s license plates — “Je me souviens” (translation: “I remember”) — I shall not forget.

Source URL: http://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/tasting-french-canadian-charms-quebec-city-and-charlevoix Links [1] http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/?cmpid=google_lcf_search-branded-us_branded-e-

2/4/2016

Winnipeg doorman hangs his hat after almost half a century of service | CTV Winnipeg News

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Winnipeg doorman hangs his hat after almost half a century of service

The hotel’s lobby ambassador Jim Woo will retire at the end of February.

Katherine Dow, CTV Winnipeg Published Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:39PM CST

A beloved fixture of the Winnipeg Fairmont is hanging up his hat after 45 years. The hotel’s lobby ambassador Jim Woo will retire at the end of February.

“I almost cried but then again, it’s just that the time has come and I have to do it. It was a tough decision,” Woo said.

A Chinese immigrant, Woo started working at what is now the Fairmont Winnipeg back when it was the Winnipeg Inn. He was hired to help get the business ready to open. That included hauling furniture up flights of stairs and ironing bedding.

“I told my friend, I’ll be here for six months, maybe a year, two years at most. And here I am. I’m still here after 45 years. Unbelievable,” Woo said.

Woo‘s been the man opening doors, hailing cabs and carrying luggage from when the Winnipeg Inn transformed into the Westin Winnipeg to its current Fairmont ownership. He’s served the biggest stars to come through Winnipeg, from Justin Bieber to the Queen.

“The way I look at it, I treat everybody the same anyway. If they’re nice to you, they’ll be just as welcome as anybody else,” he said.

That endearing attitude has made Woo a beloved fixture at the Fairmont. Since news of his retirement, management has been flooded with emails wishing Woo well, and sharing memories of the Fairmont’s recognizable gatekeeper.

“Jim is one of a kind,” explained the Fairmont’s general manager Drew Fisher. “Jim is an ambassador to this hotel, and he means so much to our team. He means so much to our guests, and we’re definitely going to be sad to see him go.”

Woo said he’s retiring to spend more time with his family and to travel. But when Woo punches out for the last time, it won’t be goodbye, only see you soon.

“I’m going to come back to the hotel every so often. From time to time, I’ll be here.”

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The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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More bang for your travel buck NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network

With the loonie recently dropping below 70 cents U.S., many Canadians are foregoing sun vacations and hunkering down until winter ends or the exchange rate improves — whichever comes first.

Flying and favourite Canadian pastimes such as crossborder shopping are on the decline as the price of U.S. vacations, flights and goods end up costing us more than 30% extra with the current value of the dollar.

One solution? Vacation in Canada.

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’s Outer Shores Expeditions, said in a statement.

“The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.”

Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

1

Cruise ... on Canada’s west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions has cruise packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands

joel lemay/sun file photo

Only in Canada: Outer Shores Expedition sails in remote waters off the shore of British Columbia. Montreal’s Lumiere Festival, top, is one of many events in included in that city’s new Passeport MTL Culture pass.

National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for sixday, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995 per person. See outershores.ca for details.

2

Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the RitzCarlton, Toronto has a new

package for men in its Gentlemen’s Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: Waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa’s popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5-hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager.

A couple’s massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who

wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering.

See ritzcarlton.com/toronto.

3

See stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta’s Jasper National Park is one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for

an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium’s state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people.

See fairmont.com/jasper.

4

Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place again this year. New is the Passe-

port MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit.

See tourisme-montreal.org.

5

Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the edge of the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s new F-scapes winter package. A guide will lead guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at Thermea Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea-tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends such as spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg.

Myrtle Beach: U.S. for less NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network The limping loonie has meant trouble for U.S. destinations that rely on Canadian visitors.

The Canadian Press recently reported that tourism to the States was down 9% in 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Myrtle Beach is one of those destinations that relies on Canadian tourism dollars to inject millions into the local economy. So many of us visit the South Carolina destination

each year, it hosts an annual Canadian-American Days Festival with special events just for visitors from north of the border.

In light of the weak loonie, the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a new promotion to attract Canadian travellers and help them save.

With the Dollar for Dollar Deals promo, select Myrtle Beach hotels are offering savings of up to 60%, while select restaurants and attractions are offering up to 30% off. Travellers must

show Canadian ID to get the discounts, which are available through April 30.

“We have been welcoming Canadians to the Myrtle Beach area for decades and hope this promotional solution will help overcome any financial hurdles caused by the exchange rate,” Susan Phillips, marketing director for the Myrtle Beach Area CVB, said in a statement.

The 55th-annual CanadianAmerican Days Festival (March 12-20) will take place during the deal window.

See visitmyrtlebeach.com for full details.

Myrtle Beach has a new Dollars for Dollars Deals promotion for Canadian travellers.

2/9/2016

Book it Now: Valentine's Day Packages | Luxury Travel Advisor SEARCH

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Domestic Packages:

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, in Santa Monica, CA, is introducing two new packages for couples on Valentine’s Day. The Sky High Romance package includes a private rooftop dinner on one of Santa Monica’s tallest buildings, the Ocean Tower. The meal will be prepared by FIG Restaurant, and will be complete with views of the Pacific Coast. The package continues with a helicopter ride for two above Los Angeles.

Accommodations in an Ocean Tower Suite, Champagne and caviar upon arrival will also be provided.

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2/9/2016

Book it Now: Valentine's Day Packages | Luxury Travel Advisor

Guests can also book the Suite Bungal-oh! Package at Fairmont Miramar. The couple will relax in one of the bi-level bungalow suites, which boasts a private patio with a view of the ocean. An in-room couples massage sets the tone for a romantic night, which continues with an aphrodisiac-inspired menu, created by FIG Restaurant. To top of the stay, romantic goodies along with Champagne and caviar will be included.

Sugartooth Tours, based in New York City, is offering local and visitors alike the opportunity to experience New York City in a new way on Valentine’s Day with the Sweeter than Sugar Valentine’s Dessert Tour. The tour takes couples through the neighborhood of Chelsea and inside Chelsea Market. Guests will try a range of sweet desserts, including cupcakes and macaroons. The tour finishes in the West Village, where guests have the option to add a wine or beer pairing with their final dessert. The tours are available on February 6, 13 and 14 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.sugartoothtours.com.

Couples in the Boston area will want to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Fairmont Copley Plaza. Located along the Back Bay, Fairmont offers a romantic setting along with two packages. The Lost in Love Package is perfect for couples that are seeking flexibility.

Guests will be welcomed with chilled Champagne and red velvet cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. Then guests will chose from a variety of romantic experiences in Boston that the concierge team has curated in advance. Note: This offer also includes a late checkout. The Suiteheart Package is similar in that guests can choose activities to indulge in. However this offer includes a stay in either a Junior Suite or One-Bedroom Suite. There will also be chilled Champagne upon arrival, rose petal turndown and 15 percent off a one-night stay, 20 percent off a two-night stay or 25 percent off a threenight stay. These packages begin February 11.

International Packages:

http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/romance-travel/book-it-now-valentines-day-packages-16406

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

TIGER TURNS 40

Seven Tiger Stats That Will Blow Your Mind

PLANET GOLF

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya Golf options are plentiful—if you'll just leave your resort

By Peter Finch

Think a short iron is all you'll need for El Camaleón's 155-yard 15th hole? If the wind is coming off the water, think again.

'M

y wife and I love it here," says Frank, a retired auto-parts salesman from Texas as he prepares to tee it up at Playa Mujeres, a Greg Norman course at the Secrets resort just north of Cancun. "She likes to camp out at the pool and read her books, and I play golf. We never leave the premises."

This is probably what a lot of tourists do in the Cancun area, and that's understandable. Many of the resorts here, like Secrets, are "all-inclusive," which discourages off-campus forays because all meals and drinks are part of the room price. But that's a shame, because in addition to the many amusing and historical touristy things you can do in the region, it's also home to 15 golf courses. Why confine yourself to just one? http://www.golfdigest.com/story/planet-golf-the-best-of-the-best-in-riviera-maya

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

Cancun sits in the Southeast corner of Mexico on the Yucatán Peninsula, a little more than four hours by plane from New York or 2½ hours from Dallas. The area is known as the Riviera Maya, and it stretches about 75 miles from the high-rise bustle of Cancun down to the far quieter village of Tulum, famous for its Mayan ruins (below). Nearly all the golf courses are right along the main highway, Route 307, running between the two towns.

Photo by Getty Images

The most famous course is El Camaleón Mayakoba, a Greg Norman design that hosts the PGA Tour's OHL Classic in November. It's everything you would expect from a top resort course—immaculate conditions, memorable 18 holes, solicitous service—and the price tag that comes with it. A round here is $199 if you're a guest at one of Mayakoba's three hotels and $299 if you're a visitor.

In truth, nearby Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club might be as enjoyable as El Camaleón. What this fun P.B. Dye course lacks in gulf views it makes up for with huge undulations—in its fairways and its greens—and tons of visual variety. It's definitely worth buying a yardage book here because the course holds many mysteries for first-timers. The green fee is $89 for resort guests and $199 for visitors. Note: Don't mistake this one for the similarly named Iberostar Cancun Golf Club, which is a muny-type course in the busy downtown "hotel zone."

The area's southernmost course, at Tulum's Bahia Principe resort, is also excellent. Known as Riviera Maya Golf Club, it's a splashy Robert Trent Jones Jr. design with a lot of water, dramatic stone-lined fairways, and greens of smooth paspalum, a saltwater-tolerant grass. The fee is $115 for resort guests, $230 for visitors.

You'll probably pay less at the area's other courses, especially those without an official resort affiliation. The high-season rack rate at Nick Price-designed El Tinto, the first of two planned courses at the Cancun Golf Club near the airport, is $180. But one thirtysomething group that played it in the afternoon last fall paid $55 each. They'd come over from a nearby hotel whose concierge had a line on discounted tee times. For an extra $20, they got round-trip transportation.

Mayakoba is a popular spot for golfers to use as base camp. It has three hotels, The Fairmont, Rosewood and Banyan Tree, and sits almost halfway between Cancun and Tulum. Plus it's a quick drive from Playa del Carmen, a fun little beach town with shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Parking is easy and cheap there, and its walking-only Fifth Avenue is a lively strip that's great for after-dinner drinks and people-watching.

Apart from lounging on the beach or by the pool, the most popular local activities are touring the Mayan ruins and snorkeling the many coral reefs. The natural limestone sinkholes, known as cenotes (say-NO-tays), are big with the snorkeling and scuba crowd, and beginners are definitely welcome.

If you have a few hours to spare, take the 45-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel. There's a modest golf course there, if you're so http://www.golfdigest.com/story/planet-golf-the-best-of-the-best-in-riviera-maya

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

inclined. But this trip—roughly $10.50 each way—is more about the journey. The views are world-class, and if you're lucky, when you return to Playa del Carmen the upper deck of your boat will feature a super-energetic band rocking out to '50s and '60s classics. No need to request "La Bamba"—they'll get to it.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BEST SCENERY No. 15 at El Camaleón is 155 yards and runs alongside the Caribbean, offering stunning views of the beach and Cozumel. The 16th at Playa Mujeres, a short par 4 that plays into the wind, nearly touches the surf at its green.

BEST CHALLENGE The aptly named Hard Rock Golf Club will wear you out. It features narrow fairways, sharp doglegs and small greens. Oh, yeah, and there are six lakes. Note: Until recently this was known as Playacar Golf Club.

BEST COURSE (BEGINNERS) Grand Coral Riviera Maya Golf Club has only one forced carry from the forward tees, so it's easy to keep it in play. The rest of the tees aren't so forgiving.

Designed by Nick Price, it's home to a stop on the Mexico Golf Tour.

BEST CENOTE The sixth hole at Riviera Maya is a narrow par 4 guarded by a yawning 27-foot crater that's about twice the size of the green. It's a popular spot for mosquitos, so don't linger.

BEST EMERGENCY 18 Vidanta is a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-3 course. Formerly known as El Manglar, it'll take you three hours at most. Eight holes feature some form of water hazard, and No. 18 is an island green.

BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE GOLF Stay at Moon Palace Cancun, home to three Jack Nicklaus nines, and you get a resort credit of $1,500 or more. You can spend it on golf, the spa, off-site tours, etc. Forego the credit, and you get unlimited golf for cart fees only ($38 for your first round, $19 for others).

BEST FOR GETAWAYS El Tinto, Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts and Puerto Cancun Golf Club are high-quality courses within a short drive of the airport, making them ideal for a preflight round.

BEST WARNING Stapled to the scorecard at Cozumel Country Club: "WARNING. There are CROCODILES found in ALL water features... CROCODILES can launch themselves twice their body length out of the water." —Peter Finch

HOW'S THE WEATHER? If sunny and warm is what you seek, Mexico's three biggest golf destinations will not disappoint. In short, it's never too cold to play. Los Cabos is the warmest and driest, but its desert-ish climate can mean temperature extremes from 100 in the summer to highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s in January. It doesn't get as hot at the Riviera Maya or Puerto Vallarta, but the tradeoff is more humidity and rain in the summer months. Expect a rain shower or two on more than half the summer days. It rains in Los Cabos, too, but we're talking about four inches for an entire summer month and virtually nothing the rest of the year. — Ron Kaspriske

MORE ON THE BEST GOLF IN MEXICO Puerto Vallarta: Ten courses and tequila Los Cabos: Golf South of the Border has come a long way

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2/3/2016

Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico | Travel + Leisure

Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico

by Kate Donnelly / FWx

January 14, 2016

Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

This article originally appeared on FWx. Whether you are in need of the ultimate escape or just a quick break on a tight budget, you don’t need to travel far from home. We have rounded up the best luxury hotels throughout the U.S., Central America and Mexico that will fit any. Spend a ton or keep it reasonable. You are guaranteed to come back feeling totally relaxed and rejuvenated from these travel hot spots.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/luxury-budget-us-central-america-mexico

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Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico | Travel + Leisure

Splurge: Mayakoba There’s no shortage of accommodations at Mayakoba (meaning “village of water”), an ecological paradise along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, connected by a network of canals with three luxe hotel brands, spas and first-class restaurants. The jet set settles at Rosewood for the quiet, refined, mod villas on freshwater lagoons. The Asianflared Banyan Tree caters to couples, vacationing cronies and family-friendly Fairmont provides ample water and outdoor activities.

Budget: Thompson Hotel Expect playful, clean midcentury design at the new downtown 92-room boutique Thompson Playa Del Carmen.

Sign up for beach day or visit the sprawling roof deck with underwater living rooms and submerged loungers while sipping a margarita. Later, stretch out for some yoga at the freshly christened Beach House with its share of cabanas, pools and sparkling Caribbean views.

Related: 12 Secrets of New York's Central Park

Nicaragua

Courtesy of Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Splurge: Jicaro Island Ecolodge A quick boat transfer from the colonial town of Granada whisks you to the eco-savvy Jicaro Island for a relaxing, sustainable, upscale paradise. This all-inclusive lodge is peppered with verdant trees, tropical foliage and set on http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/luxury-budget-us-central-america-mexico

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2/1/2016

Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

Menu

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/)

Grilled Avocado Salad with Corn Pico de Gallo & Chimichurri Dressing

by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP :/ / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE.CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/grilled‑avocado‑salad‑1.jpg)

Hello Friends. Greetings from Mexico along the gorgeous Riviera Maya coastline. The ocean is so blue, it’s like living in a postcard. This week has been tremendous, filled with lovely weather and we’re sending lots of warm sunshine to all of you in the cold, blizzard areas of the US. We definitely think of you when we see all the snow you’re getting! Wish you could join us along with so many other East‑Coasters who are escaping the cold. To help you warm up a bit, we’re popping in to share a recipe we’ve been in inspired by this week. http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilled-avocado-salad-corn-pico-de-gallo/

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2/1/2016

Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

We’ve been here for the week working with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (http://9nl.me/9n09) on some new video stories, recipes and photos to share with you all. Fairmont Mayakoba (http://9nl.me/i4ok) is where we’ve been photographing and filming. We’ve devoured so many incredible local dishes but there’s one simple salad….oh geeez…. it’s so good, we’ve been obsessed. Have you ever eaten something, go to bed thinking about it, then wake up with the experience still in your head?

00:49

This grilled avocado salad with corn pico de gallo is out‑of‑this‑world amazing, filled with crisp lettuce, smoky avocado and bright pico de gallo, all topped with a fresh chimichurri dressing. It’s like the worlds perfect salad all in one bite with Mexican flavors we all adore. We couldn’t wait to share it with you all and really, wanted to share it NOW, like impatient eaters who haven’t eaten for days. The lovely folks at Fairmont were so accommodating all our creative ideas and allowed us to film their recipe being made. They also passed on the recipe for you all to enjoy.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilled-avocado-salad-corn-pico-de-gallo/

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2/1/2016

Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/grilled‑avocado‑salad‑2.jpg) Salads don’t have to be boring and this grilled avocado salad is probably one of the best vegetarian salads we’ve ever had. Now that we (and you) have the recipe, we can all duplicate it at home to enjoy, especially now that it’s coming into avocado season. It’s perfect for any season, for a crowd or anyone who loves to eat a ton of avocado in their salad.

Hope you enjoy the video and recipe. We’ll be back soon to share more adventures from this part of the world.

Have a great week! ‑diane and todd

We’re in partnership and collaborating with Fairmont (http://9nl.me/9n09) on some awesome travel stories. All opinions are our own. Hope you enjoy them and more to come!

Grilled Avocado Salad with Corn Pico De Gallo YIELD: SERVES 3‑4 TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES This vegetarian salad is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. If youʹre an avocado lover, youʹll love this salad to death. The chimichurri sauce can be optional. It adds great additional flavor, but the salad is still delicious without it. Here is a nice chimichurri recipe options here (http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chimichurri‑sauce‑2).

Avocado salad and corn pico de gallo recipes compliments of Fairmont Mayakoba (http://9nl.me/i4ok). Watch the recipe video on our post.

The corn pico de gallo and chimichurri will make more than needed for the salad. Both keep well for a few days in the fridge use for other recipes.

ingredients:

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilled-avocado-salad-corn-pico-de-gallo/

print recipe (http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilledavocado-saladcorn-pico-degallo/print/) 3/16

2/1/2016

Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

ingredients: for the grilled avocado salad assembly:

2 large Avocados, halved and seeds removed. Do not remove skin. olive or cooking oil, for brushing sea salt, to taste 3/4 ‑ 1 cup (180‑240ml) corn pico de gallo ‑ see recipe below 3 cups (710m) chopped fresh lettuce chimichurri sauce (http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chimichurri‑sauce‑2), optional about 2 Tablespoons (30ml) chili oil, optional directions: 1. Make the corn pico de gallo and optional chimichurri sauce. Heat grill on high heat. Slice avocados in half and remove pit. Brush each half of avocado with oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place avocado cut‑ side down on grill. Cook for about 2 minutes or until avocado is charred. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Place about 1/4 cup of corn pico de gallo on plate. Top with a handful of lettuce, place 1 or 2 avocado halves o top of lettuce. (optional) top with chimichurri sauce and drizzle of chili oil. Add additional salt to taste. Repeat with remaining avocado halves. for the corn pico de gallo: 1 1/2 cups (9oz or 250g) corn kernels, cooked or charred 2 large tomatoes, minced 1/4 cup (60ml) red onion, minced 1 Tablespoon (15ml) chopped cilantro 1 small jalapeño chile, minced (or to taste) about 1 teaspoon (10ml) lime juice (or to taste) pinch of sea salt, to taste 1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Stir together then refrigerate until ready to use.

RECIPE SOURCE: WHITEONRICECOUPLE.COM. (HTTP://WHITEONRICECOUPLE.COM)

hello! all images & content are copyright protected. please do not use our images without prior permission. if you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or simply link back to this post for the recipe. thank you. recipe note for salt: all recipes containing salt are based on kosher or sea salt amounts, not table salt. if using table salt, reduce the amount used to taste.

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Bloomberg Businessweek {Main} Monday 18, January 2016 74,75

COPYRIGHT: This cutting is reproduced by Gorkana under licence from the NLA, CLA or other copyright owner. No further copying (including the printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction or forwarding is permitted except under license from the NLA, www.nla.co.uk (for newspapers) CLA, www.cla.co.uk (for books and magazines) or other copyright body.

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2/3/2016

Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path Crowds on the slopes? Ski Hawaii or Morocco instead.

Maridel Reyes Reprints January 14, 2016 — 2:01 PM EST

Forget Park City. Hit the slopes this winter at these six emerging ski destinations.

Lyngen, Norway

Inside the Arctic Circle on Norway’s Lyngen fjord, skiers and splitboarders can hike up mountains and ski down to the beach. (Snowboarders, alas are not allowed.) The peaks rise directly from the fjord, and you’re pretty much guaranteed first tracks on untouched powder.

Apr ès-ski: Refuel with afternoon tea, soup, cakes, and waffles at Lyngen Lodge, then alternate between the sauna and outdoor hot tub like a seasoned Scandinavian.

Wher e to stay: Book a six-day, seven-night Summit to Sea package at the lodge. From November to March, depending on weather conditions, you might see the Northern Lights from your room. $4,345 per person, meals and transfers included; lyngenlodge.com

Mauna Kea, Hawaii http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Photographer: Getty Images/Perspectives

This is for serious skiers only. There are no resorts, lifts, or ski patrol, and at 13,796 feet, the courses are extreme. Hire a driver from Mauna Kea Ski Corp., or rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to haul yourself to the summit and ski down the “pineapple powder,” with its particular crumbly texture.

Apr ès-ski: The altitude, dry air, and isolated location make the area ideal for stargazing. The Maunakea Visitor Information Station hosts free nightly viewing sessions from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wher e to stay: Indulge in a traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage at the Fairmont Orchid. Take a beachside stroll in the afternoon, when sea turtles come onshore to bask in the sun. From $321 per night; fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii

Yongpyong, South Korea

Photographer: Shin Woong-Jae for Bloomberg Businessweek

The biggest ski and snowboard resort in Korea, Yongpyong will host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Nestled in http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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the Baekdu-Daegan Mountains a two-hour drive east of Seoul, the resort offers a glimpse of the Sea of Japan on a clear day.

Apr ès-ski: Carnivores should check out Hanwoo Town, a Korean barbecue restaurant, to sample the country’s specialty: tender, fat-marbled beef from cattle raised on beer-enriched feed three times a day.

Wher e to stay: Yongpyong’s Dragon Valley Hotel is just steps from the slope. Request an odd-numbered room in the renovated wing to face the mountains. From $270 per night; yongpyong.co.kr

Oukaïmeden, Morocco

Photographer: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

See the dunes of the Sahara shimmering in the distance from the Moroccan ski resort of Oukaïmeden, 45 miles south of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains. The resort has all the amenities you’d expect—rentals, ski school, and restaurants—at dramatically lower prices than in the U.S. or Europe. Trails aren’t wellmarked, so hire a guide.

Apr ès-ski: Sun yourself on the terrace and order French fare and cocktails at the fireside bar at Hotel Le Courchevel, which overlooks Mt. Jebel Attar.

Wher e to stay: Oukaïmeden’s hotels are fine, but those in Marrakech, only an hour away by car, are much nicer. The new all-suite Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is spread across 50 acres of gardens and olive groves only 10 minutes from the markets of the medina. From $707 per night; mandarinoriental.com/marrakech

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Photographer: John Elk/Getty Images

This 242,188-square-foot indoor ski area is located inside the massive Mall of the Emirates. A 25-story “mountain” has five slopes, including a freestyle area for snowboarders and sledders and the world’s first indoor black diamond run.

Apr ès-ski: Visit the penguin habitat, where, once a week, two lucky adult guests can swim with the creatures for 10 to 15 minutes for $35 each.

Wher e to stay: An over-the-top ski trip in the desert calls for a stay at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the opulent, all-suite hotel famed for its fleet of Rolls-Royces, full-size Hermès bath amenities, and celebrity guests. From $2,103 per night; jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab

Brasov, Romania

Photographer: Getty Images

The town’s resort is called Poiana Soarelui, meaning “sunny glade,” and you’ll see a lot of them as you http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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whoosh around through the sunlit conifer forests of the Carpathian Mountains. French, German, Italian, and Swiss families have been coming for years to this budget ski destination, a three-hour drive from Bucharest.

The runs are well-groomed; plus, the resort has two 262-foot ski jumps and a skating rink.

Apr ès-ski: You’re in Transylvania, so plan a visit to nearby Bran Castle, which inspired Dracula’s haunt in Bram Stoker’s classic novel.

Wher e to stay: Ana Hotel Sport & Spa at the foot of the slopes is a sleek, Alpine-style property backed by forests with mountain views—and a four-minute walk to the chairlift. From $160; anahotels.ro/sporthotel/default-en.html If your winter season is alr eady a bust, you can ski next summer in Lesotho, Afr ica’s “Mountain Kingdom,” and New Zealand, wher e you can car ve tur ns on an active volcano.

Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.

• Ski • Winter • Travel • Etc

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Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

AXS ENTERTAINMENT / RECREATION / RECREATIONAL SPORTS

Big island golf and exploration options abound!

January 7, 2016 9:39 PM MST

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The Orchid sports its' own lagoon and beach within easy walking distance of every room.

Fairmont Orchid

The attraction of the Big Island of Hawaii is the diversity of travel and recreational opportunities on essentially the largest mountain in the world. If you measure from the sea floor to the top of Mauna Kea, it will reach 33,500 ft. (10,200 m), taller than Mt. Everest.

Your choice in going to this spectacular island is to stay primarily at one resort and bask in that special glow and culture, or become the road warrior and make the car rental company try to figure out how you put on all those miles in just ten days.

When you land, you see sand, rock, vegetation, two primary volcanic mountains and http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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everything in between. This is the kind of place you need to spend ten days, especially if you want to stay at one resort, and gallivant to all the interesting sites and wonders. The things to do can be recreation, nature, dining, and culture. The exact mix is all up to you, and to a certain degree, your travel trail determines which items are in proximity to one another. Proximity a relative term here.

Cameron Brooks

For example, if you want just to circumvent the island by car, count on 8-11 hours. Step one; download map, print, start putting notes in the spots so you can plan excursions. Plan those trips carefully, and bundle two or three stops/attractions in one excursion. The ideal mix is a beach day, excursion day, and golf day with beach, repeat.

Part of the plan at making the Big Island an encompassing trip is to find the right resort/hotel for your blend. Moreover, there is no shortage of options here as there are mega resorts where you can stay on the property for the entire time and others that offer a springboard to the activities, but a tranquil refueling and rest oasis.

The largest resort on the Island, comprising 65 acres, is the Hilton Waikoloa. This area is known as the Kohala coast and has earned a reputation for excellent beaches, water activities, and cooling breezes. Decked with an Asian/Oriental theme, the property is so large it has its boats and trains to get around. Pools abound, and while it is big, you can go there even as a single or couple, and feel some privacy if you carve out your little enclave on the beach or at the pool. Because of the size, it is likely a large corporate group will be there in some fashion, but you are likely not to notice.

An extremely friendly place for kids and families, with their dolphin experience and extensive children’s programs. The secluded spa is in the lower level of one of the main buildings, adjacent to fitness facilities, so while one sweats off the poi, the other can have wrinkles fade with a Hawaiian touch. The Kamuela Provision Company, their signature bar and restaurant offer to dine right up to the ocean with a large variety of steak and seafood options. The sunset view from this one spot is worth the trek to the Big Island.

Off property, but just a short hop away is the Lava Lava Beach Club on A-bay. Open air dining and bar, and nifty island fish dishes and entertainment most nights. A wide assortment of drinks, great Pu pus and island fish creations abound. If in doubt, get the LLBC’s Macadamia Nut Fresh Catch with Waimea strawberry-habanero salsa, grilled heirloom tomato, herb jasmine rice. You think it is bar food, but far above any restaurant on the mainland. http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Convenient to the Hilton is the Waikoloa Kings & Beach Courses. The Kings’ course travels through ancient trails in the black lava. Akin to playing golf on the moon with ample vegetation on each hole makes this visually stunning. The Beach Course is colorful with its vast swaths of emerald-green fairways boldly marked by that nasty black lava. Gardens of tropical flowers and bordered by numerous lakes and the Pacific Ocean.

A little bit further north, the Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows is a classic style Hawaiian hotel.

About 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport, this resort spans 30 oceanfront acres and three miles of magnificent shoreline. The resort includes Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Lani Spa and the Francis H. I’i Brown Golf Courses.

Each room is adorned with dark wood accents, art, and most importantly, a lanai that faces outward. What is great about this property is the size – not too big, not too small. If you want to get lost in a corner, you can. Want to hang 10 with new friends at the bar, an option as well.

Everything is close, the pool, the restaurants, the beach and the kids club. Flip flop walkable for sure.

The spa features a “Lava Watsu”, a form of bodywork in the water where the participant is passive, and the therapist gently moves them through warm water. The graceful and flowing movements are a combination of massage and meditation, which relaxes the body and takes the mind to another place.

Dining ranges from the Bay Terrace to the signature oceanfront Canoe House where you get Hawaiian plantation-style cuisine with an ocean view. Activities include water sports, catamaran sails, scuba, snorkeling, fitness and cultural activities. If golf is in the plans, the Mauna Lani North & South Courses offer everything you could want and used to be home to the Senior Skins. Lava rock, perfect conditions, ocean views and a sense of golf aaa hh hh on every hole.

On the same property area, the Fairmont Orchid is a luxury oasis. The best option is the Gold Floor. You have your own personal assistant, a special breakfast each morning and snacks in the p.m. Imagine a hotel within a hotel. The Fairmont Orchid aims to turn moments into memories by anticipating guest needs. The Vulcan mind meld meets hospitality.

No second ukulele dining here, you have ample options. The top of the chart is Brown’s Beach House, an AAA Four Diamond award-winning oceanfront restaurant serving Hawaii Islandinspired fresh seafood and produce. If you have to get a sushi fix, then it is Norio’s Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. A little more casual and right next to the pool and ocean is the Hale Kai Restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Pools circle the area like secret coves, so each pool feels a little secluded. The Spa Without Walls features secluded and lush outdoor treatment areas with water features. Go local with http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Hui Holokai Beach Ambassadors providing daily Hawaiian cultural activities and water sports including outrigger canoe rides, net throwing, stargazing, historic hikes, and Hawaiian lore.

Tommy Bahama is most known for their clothing, but their restaurant in the Mauna Lani shops is button down good food. The floor above the clothing shop features windows everywhere, an intimate bar and outside dining where sunsets fade into the trees and ocean. The food?

Signature cocktails include the cucumber smash, with interesting food twists such as cauliflower & chive mashed potatoes, sashimi tacos and the enduring pleaser, coconut shrimp.

Under the Bodhi Tree is the place to go in the Mauna Lani shops if you want to go vegetarian.

You can eat something delicious and feel good about it. Started by Chef Stephen Rouelle, a former chef at the Orchid, this is his personal journey about food and health. A veggie Ruben or a homemade veggie burger will leave you satisfied. It will not moo or oink, but it is tasty nonetheless!

Merriman's is the restaurant that at least in Hawaii defined farm to table. Peter Merriman's vision over 25 years ago is still going strong in his place up the hill in Waimea. As one of the rainiest spots on earth, Waimea grows an amazing array of produce that makes its’ way to your plate. Creative salads, fish and beef entrees that have been going strong for over two decades.

About 15 minutes from Waimea, are the Mauna Kea and Hapuna golf courses. These courses are connected to the Mauna Kea and Hapuna Prince hotels but do offer non-guest rates.

The Hapuna Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course nestled in the dramatic natural contours of the land from the shoreline to 700 feet above sea level. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay envisioned a links-style course offering spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific Ocean, and it delivers.

The most spectacular course on the Big Island is the Mauna Kea Golf Course. Made famous by hole #3, a 267-yard par 3 over the water into a cliff side mist and breeze, Mauna Kea offers stunning golf beauty with every hole and direction change. Think you are the big kahuna?

Well, how about a slope of 144 and a 76.6 rating? Beauty meets ultimate challenge on this golf course.

As you go over the saddle in the Volcano, or around the Island, you will come to Hilo on the east side, home of Moon & Turtle. Now here is Asian cuisine worth driving for! Moreover, make a reservation. The menu for lunch or dinner sports five appetizer choices combined with five entrée choices. Fewer choices mean they can hone in excellence in both preparation and presentation. http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Sig Zane is a Hawaiian shirt company like no other. Some the resorts use his designs as he weaves culture into modern wear-ability. Each shirt is a story of some part of Hawaiian life for that particular area of the island.

While on the Hilo side, get to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. It has been called a museum of living plants. The Garden's 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera, are found in this one-of-a-kind garden. As you walk the 40-acre valley, you discover it is really one big greenhouse that has incredible soil and little wind. You experience a tropical rainforest complete with waterfalls, streams and ocean views.

Learn how the weather and atmosphere are measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory/NOAA. Yes, it is a drive up a harrowing road, and tours have to be arranged, but if you want to go where they measure climate change from all over the world, this is the place. They monitor everything including methane, CO2, carbon monoxide and ozone.

Volcano National Park, 45 minutes south of Hilo is where you get hot to trot, at least from the lava. You can see the actual caldera, and get close enough to get a whiff of creation before your eyes. The park is huge, over 330,000 acres and the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Hike, see petroglyphs and take a tour on your own, or with one of the park rangers.

Just a short drive from the national park is the Volcano Winery. This is not the only winery on the Big Island, but it is unique. Their diverse productions include the Volcano Red and the Macadamia Nut Honey wines. Yeah, it is not Sonoma, but it does have a volcano, and that soil has some unique properties that make these wines very different.

As you circle back around through Kona, Ultimate Burger has the focus on food, good food.

Everything on the menu is local with the exception of the potatoes. Besides the interesting burger combinations, they make their black bean patty for their burgers. Add grilled pineapple and jalapenos for some zest, with a wash down of house made lemonade. It is fresh, tasty and great for lunch on the go to your next attraction.

The Fishhopper is the place in Kona if you want a large variety of seafood cooked to perfection with a view of the ocean at sunset. Moreover, don’t think it is just for lunch or dinner, they do breakfast with seafood options. The incredible happy hour with the three punch mai tai is the starting point combined with their award winning Ahi Poke pu pu. Entrées are creatively tasty as exemplified by the local Monchong and creamy risotto. Desert is above expectations, and it gets its’ menu with creations made in-house such as the sweet potato haupia pie.

Another park with a historical and cultural connection is Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Historical Park. Pu’uhonua means “place of refuge.” This is the area where Hawaiians that broke a kapu or law went to avoid punishment, as well as defeated warriors during times of battle. Their bad is now your good as the park features archeological sites including temple platforms and royal fishponds to the “Hale o Keawe”, a Hawaiian temple that has been restored. One of the few parks where you can learn about Hawaiian customs and history, then go snorkeling. The prime water entrance is only 175 feet from the park entrance!

For golf clubs, a smart way to get them there is Ship Sticks. They will pick them up; have them delivered to your accommodations before you arrive, guaranteed. It is a long flight and accounting for golf clubs into your transportation after a six or seven-hour flight is not that much fun.

Canopy Airport Parking provides the best valet service out of DIA. Pull up, drive in, and the environmentally friendly facility comes to life with a bustling staff that tends to the luggage and whisks you to your plane of choice. When you return, the car is waiting and warm for the trip home. Moreover, with their free day/anniversary offer, another reason to use this great service.

Neil Wolkodoff

Denver Golf Examiner

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style January 14, 2016 - By Neil Wolkodoff

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For most people getting to Hawaii takes a good deal of travel time, so the Ooh and Aah factor of where you stay and what you do have to match the travel time.

The Big Island has resort options that blend the allure of the islands with lavish appointments and island charm.

It is the kind of destination where focusing on a particular area yields the best travel experience. The Kohala coast, north of Kona, offers a bevy of resorts that combine beach, dining, stunning golf and relaxation in one of the most idyllic settings.

Plan on staying 10 days, especially if you want to stay at one resort, and then gallivant to cultural sites and wonders that span recreation, nature, and dining. The exact mix is best combining activities that are close in driving distance.

If you need to blend your stay plus give the children oodles of energy burning activities, then the Hilton Waikoloa Village might be the place. The entire property, all 65 acres is splashed with an Asian/Oriental theme. Pools abound, and while it’s big, whether you go in a small or large group, you can find your own little kingdom on the beach or at the pool.

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style

The Hilton Waikoloa is an extremely friendly place for kids and families, with their dolphin experience and extensive children’s programs. The tranquil spa is in the lower level of one of the main buildings, adjacent to fitness facilities so sweat can pour while the skin gets radiant. The Kamuela Provision Company, their signature bar and restaurant offer dining with a prime ocean view at sunset with a large variety of steak and seafood options. The resort might seem a little Disneyesque at first, but the wisdom of the activity and geography is there when the children sleep all through the night. The two Waikoloa courses, the Kings, and Beach, are adjacent to the Hilton; so good golf is really close.

A little northward on the Kohala Coast, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows exemplifies the classic, Hawaiian resort. Each room enters through a garden foyer, has Koa wood accents and art, and has an outward facing lanai. The operative concept here is an understated luxury with a feeling of not being overcrowded at any venue at the resort. It’s buzz at the right level.

Take it up a notch with the Ocean Bungalows that feature seclusion with easy access to the hotel lobby. A gated driveway ensures privacy and private access to the beach. Each bungalow sports 4,000 square feet of relaxation space, with two master bedrooms, three baths, a private swimming pool, whirlpool spa, full kitchen and an opulent lanai. The CanoeHouse restaurant is a place you can dine multiple times because of the menu variance. The Francis I’l Brown North & South golf courses on the property are stunning, the former site of the Senior Skins Game.

The pool circles like a cove just in front of the Terrace restaurant, and then it is just a few feet to the beach and covered chairs. In paradise, you don’t have to walk far to get from one part of heaven to another.

In the same coastal area, the Fairmont Orchid, a former Ritz-Carlton, has a little different feel similar to a grand plantation estate. An understated entrance expands into a stunning view of the ocean and pools just inside the door.

While the Orchid has two sides to the rooms, each is easy walking distance to the pools, beach, and restaurants. The luxury option here is the Gold Floor, 32 rooms with a personal concierge. The lounge area for this option has their own deluxe breakfast with an ocean view on the private lanais. High tea in the afternoon and attention to your requests make this the best choice.

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Just a short hop north is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, originally commissioned by Laurence Rockefeller in 1965 to compliment the noted Kauna’oa Bay & beach. This resort is a little smaller with 252 various rooms, but the plus is excellent golf or ocean views with classic ambiance.

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The newly renovated Copper Bar respects tradition while adding new twists in a setting with magnificent ocean views. The beachside Hau Tree restaurant features a weekly clambake that might bring back Elvis, it’s that good. And, the former Kauna’oa Bar & Grill is now the Kauna’oa Ballroom, so the Mauna Kea can now accommodate meetings and indoor events.

And, don’t forget the golf here as two varying course styles please any golf pallet. The Hapuna course rises from the ocean to over 700 feet elevation, with just about every hole having natural topography twists and overlooks of the ocean. The Mauna Kea course is a little lower and lush, with the signature par 3, 267-yard over water, up a cliff, into a mist to get it on the green.

Culinary diversions are relatively close, and it’s nice to get somewhere different during the stay. The Lava Lava Beach Club on A-bay features an open-air dining and bar, a weekend Bloody Mary brunch, excellent island fish dishes and entertainment most nights. Combine shopping and dining at Tommy Bahama with a shirt, a cucumber smash cocktail and coconut shrimp.

Go vegetarian with Under The Bodhi Tree, started by a former chef at the Fairmont. If you want to go where farm to table began in Hawaii, head up to Waimea and Merriman’s. For over 20 years, they have been growing their own produce, and it goes right to the table with authentic Hawaiian dishes.

If something natural is in the activity plans, then go towards Kona and the NELHA Grand Tour at the Natural Energy Lab where they turn sea water into energy. For the adventurous, consider a trip up to the Mauna Loa Observatory/NOAA weather and climate station. Climate change is measured and coordinated from this site so your scientific curiosity can get stoked from one of the scheduled tours.

Neil Wolkodoff, PhD, is a Sport Scientist in Denver, Colorado who has worked with golfers over the last 15 years. During off times, he travels to interesting golf destinations to see how golf, culture, adventure and local geography mix in different locales. He authored for Colorado Avid Golfer, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Examiner and Everett Potter.

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The Butler Can Do It

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The Butler Can Do I t

P ersonalized Service Can Help Give Lux ury P roperties A Com petitive Advantage.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Steve Pike

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You’ve heard the old movie mystery phrase, “The butler did it.” Well here’s a twist on it that fits a growing number of luxury hotels and resorts: “Let the butler do it.”

Butler service is one of a hotel’s most personal and unique amenities. A good butler, male or female, attract highend business and leisure travelers and help seal the deal for repeat business.

A good butler, said Adam Knight, resort manager at the Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CA, “is someone with developed skills in terms of anticipatory service, connecting with others, articulate, reading body language and showing passion for what they do.

“A butler must be ready to serve guests by providing the highest level of personalization, while taking care of each guest's requests. We aim to exceed expectations by providing anticipatory service. Exceeding guest expectations and creating memorable experiences for our guests creates loyalty and generates repeat business,” he said.

In other words, a good butler is more than just a glorified go-fer. He or she is a guest’s liaison with the hotel – a problem solver, schedule maker and confidant.

“Usually butlers are high performers from different departments, who are experts when it comes to service.

Also, butlers are usually found in other luxury properties,” Knight said.

At the St. Regis Aspen, the butler is the first contact for guests as the hotel’s butler service extends to the Aspen/Pitkin Sardy Field Airport where a butler greets an arriving guest or guests and provides complimentary concierge and shuttle service.

St. Regis hotels and Sandals resorts each are well known for their butler services, but other properties also offer the butler experience, including The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour in north Miami, The Lodge at Sea Island in http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

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The Butler Can Do It

Georgia and New York’s famed Plaza Hotel, managed by Fairmont.

Sandals Resorts uses butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, who among other services, escort guests to dinner and serve guests daily lunches at the beach and pool.

At The Plaza, a butler is available to draw a bath based on a guest’s preferences – and uses complimentary bath salts, pearls and lotions.

Need somebody to tie your tie? That’s a specialty of the butlers at The Lodge at Sea Island, the 40-room mansion-style hotel that overlooks the resort’s famed Seaside golf course and St. Simons Sound. The Lodge has employed most of the same 10 butlers since it opened more than 10 years ago.

“They fit the ambience of The Lodge and are very good for (attracting) returning guests,” said Parra Vaughan, chief marketing officer for the Sea Island Company. “Is it a ‘core’ driving factor for people choosing the Lodge?

No, but once guests become aware of them, it becomes a tipping factor.”

Meanwhile, at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, “(Butlers) help us create the experience that’s worth the money our guests’ pay to stay here,’’ said Winfred van Workum, hotel manager of the 124-guestroom oceanfront property that began its butler service this past fall. “We’re an expensive hotel, so it’s slightly more reactive.

When we charge those prices, we have to be at that level. We want to make sure we have excellent service and that our butler experience be a difference maker. We want to really grow our rate and add value to that from a service level.”

“I also think that because we have such a small boutique hotel, two rooms per floor, we really have an opportunity to create much more of a residential feel with the butler experience. And because we are a smaller hotel, there is an efficiency model in there for us. We are combining quite a lot of functions, such as housekeeping, guest services and even dining functions.”

He added, “The butlers are cross trained in many different areas. They spend time in housekeeping, in room service and with our guest relations team doing pre-arrival. And they spend time with the concierge team. So they’re very well cross-trained and able to perform all of those functions.’’

The most important thing, van Workum said, is the “technical” butler training, such as packing and unpacking for guests.“We’ve actually hired a butler expert to do our training,” he said. “For us, we’re looking for people with the right attitudes. We’ve had great success in finding candidates from the European hotel schools. That’s created a win-win for the graduates and for us.”

And great personalized experiences for guests.

Strategy Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early

http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

2/3

2/2/2016

The Butler Can Do It

1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Pike further pioneered this genre at the PGA of America and Time Warner as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than ... more

http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

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The Butler Can Do It

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The Butler Can Do I t

P ersonalized Service Can Help Give Lux ury P roperties A Com petitive Advantage.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Steve Pike

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bookmark this

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

You’ve heard the old movie mystery phrase, “The butler did it.” Well here’s a twist on it that fits a growing number of luxury hotels and resorts: “Let the butler do it.”

Butler service is one of a hotel’s most personal and unique amenities. A good butler, male or female, attract highend business and leisure travelers and help seal the deal for repeat business.

A good butler, said Adam Knight, resort manager at the Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CA, “is someone with developed skills in terms of anticipatory service, connecting with others, articulate, reading body language and showing passion for what they do.

“A butler must be ready to serve guests by providing the highest level of personalization, while taking care of each guest's requests. We aim to exceed expectations by providing anticipatory service. Exceeding guest expectations and creating memorable experiences for our guests creates loyalty and generates repeat business,” he said.

In other words, a good butler is more than just a glorified go-fer. He or she is a guest’s liaison with the hotel – a problem solver, schedule maker and confidant.

“Usually butlers are high performers from different departments, who are experts when it comes to service.

Also, butlers are usually found in other luxury properties,” Knight said.

At the St. Regis Aspen, the butler is the first contact for guests as the hotel’s butler service extends to the Aspen/Pitkin Sardy Field Airport where a butler greets an arriving guest or guests and provides complimentary concierge and shuttle service.

St. Regis hotels and Sandals resorts each are well known for their butler services, but other properties also offer the butler experience, including The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour in north Miami, The Lodge at Sea Island in http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

1/3

2/2/2016

The Butler Can Do It

Georgia and New York’s famed Plaza Hotel, managed by Fairmont.

Sandals Resorts uses butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, who among other services, escort guests to dinner and serve guests daily lunches at the beach and pool.

At The Plaza, a butler is available to draw a bath based on a guest’s preferences – and uses complimentary bath salts, pearls and lotions.

Need somebody to tie your tie? That’s a specialty of the butlers at The Lodge at Sea Island, the 40-room mansion-style hotel that overlooks the resort’s famed Seaside golf course and St. Simons Sound. The Lodge has employed most of the same 10 butlers since it opened more than 10 years ago.

“They fit the ambience of The Lodge and are very good for (attracting) returning guests,” said Parra Vaughan, chief marketing officer for the Sea Island Company. “Is it a ‘core’ driving factor for people choosing the Lodge?

No, but once guests become aware of them, it becomes a tipping factor.”

Meanwhile, at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, “(Butlers) help us create the experience that’s worth the money our guests’ pay to stay here,’’ said Winfred van Workum, hotel manager of the 124-guestroom oceanfront property that began its butler service this past fall. “We’re an expensive hotel, so it’s slightly more reactive.

When we charge those prices, we have to be at that level. We want to make sure we have excellent service and that our butler experience be a difference maker. We want to really grow our rate and add value to that from a service level.”

“I also think that because we have such a small boutique hotel, two rooms per floor, we really have an opportunity to create much more of a residential feel with the butler experience. And because we are a smaller hotel, there is an efficiency model in there for us. We are combining quite a lot of functions, such as housekeeping, guest services and even dining functions.”

He added, “The butlers are cross trained in many different areas. They spend time in housekeeping, in room service and with our guest relations team doing pre-arrival. And they spend time with the concierge team. So they’re very well cross-trained and able to perform all of those functions.’’

The most important thing, van Workum said, is the “technical” butler training, such as packing and unpacking for guests.“We’ve actually hired a butler expert to do our training,” he said. “For us, we’re looking for people with the right attitudes. We’ve had great success in finding candidates from the European hotel schools. That’s created a win-win for the graduates and for us.”

And great personalized experiences for guests.

Strategy Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

2/3

2/2/2016

The Butler Can Do It

1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Pike further pioneered this genre at the PGA of America and Time Warner as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than ... more

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

3/3

2/1/2016

From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads | Toronto Star

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From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads A hockey rink isn’t the only treasure Toronto roofs hold.

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The rooftop of 120 Adelaide Street West has had a hockey rink constructed on it. Molson is involved, but not much more is known.

Omar Khadr's sister Zaynab detained in Turkey

By: Sarah-Joyce Battersby Staff Reporter, Published on Thu Jan 07 2016

If Molson Coors can build a hockey rink on the roof of an Adelaide St. W. office building, what other surprises tower over Toronto? Here’s a look at some gems found high above the ground.

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120-year-old woman celebrates birthday in style

How a Great Lakes standoff drove a wedge between Lester B. Pearson and JFK

Cities house more than 50 per cent of Canadian indigenous people, but the rooftop sweat lodge at Yonge and College Sts. stands alone. “Can’t say I’ve heard of one anywhere else in the world,” says Kelly Hashemi of Native Child and Family Services.

The lodge, atop the service’s 30 College St. building, hosts traditional ceremonies almost every week, including some open to the general public. It’s vital for indigenous people who seldom leave the concrete jungle to connect with the land, Hashemi said.

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Top News Crown's case in Jian Ghomeshi trial uses three similar stories NEW LIVE: Jian Ghomeshi arrives at downtown courthouse Omar Khadr's sister Zaynab detained in Turkey Updated Murder trial in death of Tim Bosma set to begin in Hamilton Murder victim Patriarca was picked up on Rizzuto wiretaps: police source Historic Mississauga mansion could be renamed after cement company

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From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads | Toronto Star 2 dead, 3 injured in downtown Toronto shooting 120-year-old woman celebrates birthday in style

S HO P P E RS O NA L I ZE D G I FTS WI TH FRE E MO NO G RA MMI NG + G I FT WRA P › ANDREW FRANCIS WALLACE

The rooftop sweat lodge at Yonge and College Sts hosts traditional ceremonies almost every week.

B ee h o tel The Fairmont Royal York may have hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but the buzz is all about the 14th floor. 100 Front St. W. houses hundreds of thousands of bees at a time in hives and temporary nesting spots. Since 2008, honeybee hives have generated an average of 450 pounds of honey a year. And the hotel diversified its hospitality offerings in 2014, opening a “bee hotel” to house weary pollinator bees seeking a rest during long voyages.

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100 Front St. W. houses hundreds of thousands of bees at a time.

Fo rd Mo del T track Built for the Ford Motor Company of Canada in 1914, the roof of 672 Dupont St. was once a place to burn rubber in Model Ts. Each floor of the building, from the first-floor showroom to the fifth-level paint shop, was designed specifically for housing, assembling and showcasing the cars. Two freight elevators delivered them to the reinforced roof for testing. The building still stands, but the elevators are bricked up, so no cars have been racing around the roof of late.

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 01.18.2016 |

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco (http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/) is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi­starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.visitfishermanswharf.com/) .

And with the Super Bowl (http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/50) heading to nearby Santa Clara (http://www.santaclara.org/) , the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cutting­edge http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid­century Americans developed a taste for mass­ produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first­person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting.

Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours) . Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (http://21st­ amendment.com/the­restaurant/) (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc.

— along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare

(http://www.sottomaresf.com/Sotto_Mare_Seafood_Restaurant/Home.html) (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (http://www.tadichgrill.com/) (240

California St.) also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual (https://www.ritualroasters.com/) , a pioneer in the craft caffeine http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/) , which began across the bay in Oakland (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/webster­ street) , has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/ferry­building) . And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe (http://thebuenavista.com/index1.html) in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.fishermanswharf.org) . For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (http://thanhlongsf.com/) (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy?

Get it shelled, battered and deep­fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (http://rnglounge.com/) (631 Kearny St.).

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid (http://offthegridsf.com/) , a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition.

For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (http://www.waterbarsf.com/) (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar (https://hogislandoysters.com/) in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Boudin Bakery (https://www.boudinbakery.com/) , established in 1849 — according to bakery history the original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (https://www.boudinbakery.com/Bakers_Hall/Wharf) (160 Jefferson St).

It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (http://www.tartinebakery.com/) (600 Guerrero St.).

TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square (http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/) or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus

(http://www.neimanmarcus.com/en­ ca/stores/san%20francisco/ca/san%20francisco) is a fun spot to enjoy

the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge (http://www.samovartea.com/) at Yerba Buena Gardens (http://yerbabuenagardens.com/) (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room (http://www.tongaroom.com/) is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove (http://smugglerscovesf.com/trapdoor/) , which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant (http://greensrestaurant.com/) is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

high­end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets (http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php) held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (https://www.eatsa.com/) (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall­mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order’s ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa­vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

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Comments We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information. (http://domain.com/news/story.html?id=7195492) http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 06:00 AM MST

San Francisco IMAGE 1 OF 10

3 sec.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf.

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown.

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment.

Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OY STERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery.

TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24.

TIK I If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums.

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking Get your gourmet game on

BY MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JANUARY 19, 2016

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf.

And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=

1/4

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours. Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s.

They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. — along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (240 California St.) also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (631 Kearny St.).

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 — according to bakery history the http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=

2/4

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (160 Jefferson St). It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero St.).

TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove, which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order’s ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

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1 / 10 In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, bartender Paul Nolan holds up Irish Coffee drinks at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. The drink has been made at the popular bar since 1952 and up to 2,000 are served a day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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Lunar New Year: Explore the wide San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multistreets and narrow starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail alleys of San eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman's Wharf.

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And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won't be disappointed. If Park City, Utah isn't you're lucky enough to be among them -- whether you're looking to dine on only for the Hollywood one of the city's iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine -elite here's a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/USA/2016/01/08/22591133.html) where to find them.

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B EER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family.

The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours). Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant, which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOP P IN O This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

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(http://www.canoe.com/Travel/Galleries/Activities/SunSand/2016/01/2 COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block.

For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District.

Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf.

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf (http://www.fishermanswharf.org). For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown.

STREET SCEN E For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid (http://offthegridsf.com/), a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment.

Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OY STERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge.

Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOU RDOU G H The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery.

TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24.

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If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums.

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VEG ETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands.

You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets (http://ferrybuildingmarketplace.com) held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order's ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking Michelle Locke, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Saturday, January 16, 2016 6:00:00 MST AM

Image: 1 of 10

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, bartender Paul Nolan makes Irish Coffee drinks at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. The drink has been made at the popular bar since 1952 and up to 2,000 are served a day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman's Wharf.

And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won't be disappointed. If you're lucky enough to be among them -- whether you're looking to dine on one of the city's iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine -- here's a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived

with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required.

Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant, which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs.

Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf.

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown.

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush.

Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery.

TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea.

Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums.

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order's ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

2/9/2016

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Published: 16 January 2016 06:43 PM Updated: 16 January 2016 07:11 PM

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamor of Fisherman’s Wharf.

And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara on Feb. 7, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/travel/us/20160116-top-10-picks-for-super-bowl-visitors.ece

1/7

2/9/2016

Top 10 picks for Super Bowl visitors | Dallas Morning News

9. Tiki: If you like tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.).

Another option is Smuggler’s Cove, which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

10. Vegetarian: Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php.

For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (121 Spear St.).

You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/travel/us/20160116-top-10-picks-for-super-bowl-visitors.ece

6/7

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Tr avels w ith Jou r ney: The Fair m ont Hotel San Fr ancisco Has A Sw w et Spot The Spr eckels Su ite Posted: 01/05/2016 12:29 pm EST

Updated: 01/05/2016 12:59 pm EST

By James and Nancy Chuda founders of LuxEcoLiving and Healthy Child Healthy World

Journey left his heart in San Francisco and was thrilled to be invited back to the one and only Fairmont Hotel. This time our boy wonder got to stay in the Tower Suite named after the Spreckels family. What a treat!

5 P aw s and Co unting!

Travels with Journey The Fairmont Hotel San Franciso

A double bow wow for the hospitality, treats, and magnificent views. And speaking of views the Fairmont happens to have the all time best views. It's the most fabulous location on Nob Hill and its history thrives throughout the magnificent architecture and interiors.

Recently sold, the Fairmont San Francisco now joins the ranks of many other prestigious hotel properties that have been purchased by outsiders. Here's the news.

The owners of the Fairmont San Francisco have sold the landmark Nob Hill hotel, the latest in a series of high-priced hotel transactions in the city.

As rumored in October, a Seoul, South Korea-based financial services concern, Mirae Global Investments, has purchased the hotel for $450 million. The sellers are Woodridge Capital Partners LLC, and Oaktree Capital Management, which jointly purchased the hotel in 2012 for $200 million and put in $20 million worth of renovations.

At $450 million, the

price per room is $760,000 for the 592-room Fairmont.

Experts say the high sale prices are due to a hot business travel and tourism market that is driving occupancy and room rates up. San Francisco welcomed 18 million visitors who spent $10.7 billion in the city in 2014, up 13.7 percent over 2013.

Talk about super amenities the Fairmont has them all. Large walk in closets, showers with inlaid marble tiles and giant shower rain water shower heads. Fluffy white robes and room service within minutes.

A Footnote about Adolph Spreckels Ado lph Be r nar d S pr e cke ls (January 5, 1857 - June 28, 1924) was a California businessman who ran Spreckels Sugar Company and who donated the California Palace of the Legion of Honor art museum to the city of San Francisco in 1924. His wife Alma was called the "great grandmother of San Francisco"

Adolph Spreckels If your looking for a great staycation with your furry friend. And you feel like hob nobbing around this great city... you don't want to miss a fabulous dining experience at one of the most famous Chinese restaurants... the Far Eastern just a few blocks down hill from the Fairmont.

Be wise and wear comfortable walking shoes because the trek down and up most of the city streets surrounding the hotel offer the same magical views on trolley but its much more fun on foot.

A couple of Journey's buddies were dying to go along for the ride. Sorry boys. Get your parents to book the Fairmont and YOU TAKE THEM FOR THE RIDE and stay in one of the best hotels in the world.

Editor's Notes: There is no limit to the size of your dog. Ask for a room in the Tower Suite and tell them Travels with Journey sent you.

The Fairmont San Francisco is located at 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, 94108 Tel- 415-772-5000 Fo llo w LuxEco Liv ing o n Tw itte r : w w w .tw itte r .co m /LuxEco Liv ing MORE: Distilled Perspective LuxEcoLiving.Com Travels With Journey San Francisco Pets

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2/10/2016

Super Bowl 2016: 15 ‘Must Visit’ San Francisco classic restaurants - Inside Scoop SF

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INSIDE SCOOP SF GUIDES TOP 100

Super Bowl 2016: 15 ‘Must Visit’ San Francisco classic restaurants

By Sarah Fri tsche on January 22, 2016 at 10:18 AM

0

Brant Ward / The Chronicle

IMAGE 12 OF 15 | SUPER BOWL 2016: SF CLASSICS The Tonga Room, located in the Fairmont Hotel, is a classic tiki bar and restaurant that features a large lagoon that includes a thatch-roof barge with a live band and even tropical storm special effects.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2016/01/22/super-bowl-2016-15-must-visit-san-francisco-classic-restaurants/#photo-731476

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2/10/2016

Super Bowl 2016: 15 ‘Must Visit’ San Francisco classic restaurants - Inside Scoop SF

RELATED LINKS Super Bowl 2016: Thirteen essential San Francisco places to eat on the cheap

In the days leading up to S u p e r B o w l 50 (Sunday, February 7), tens of thousands of visitors will descend upon our fair city.

While these visiting football fans may be focused on the game and and myriad of preBowl festivities, one thing they’ll certainly have to do at some point is eat. This being San Francisco, they’re in luck. If there’s one thing we San Franciscans know how to do — and do well — it’s eat good food.

To that end, here’s our guide of 15 ‘m u st visit’ cla ssic S a n Fr a n cisco r e sta u r a n ts for our out-of-town guests. This is not, by any means, a complete list of all of the city’s classics (we didn’t include bars), so please share your favorites in the comments. *** S w a n Oyste r D e p o t: This tiny Polk Street oyster and seafood bar has been around for over 100 years and has been run by the Sancimino family since 1946. There are no reservations here, so to grab a seat at the counter, expect to wait in line. (Cash only.) s fs w a n o y s ter d ep o t.co m To n ga R o o m : This seventy-year-old palace of tiki kitsch has an incredibly devoted following. It’s easy to see why. Besides the high-octane, parasol-decorated cocktails, the novelty restaurant/bar boasts a large tropical lagoon — complete with a live band that performs while floating around on a thatch-covered barge and tropical rainstorm special effects — making it one of the best shows in town. to n g a r o o m .co m To m m y’s Jo yn t: The nearly 70-year-old hofbrau may have been sold to new owners last year, but happily the Van Ness Street landmark remains true to its roots, with hearty portions of roasted meats sliced to order, loads of memorabilia decorating the walls and plenty of old school attitude. (Cash only.) to m m y s jo y n t.co m

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2016/01/22/super-bowl-2016-15-must-visit-san-francisco-classic-restaurants/#photo-731476

2/14

1/26/2016

Million $ Package - Mister HaganMister Hagan

FOR THE GLOBAL MAN

Million $ Package

Spare one million dollars? then fly into San Francisco and enjoy the Super Bowl like a rock star.

Twenty-two Big Game 50 tickets in a catered Gold Suite, a visit and photo opportunity with a nationally celebrated football alum, entree to celeb-packed Big Game 50 parties and four nights of luxurious accommodations in the world-famous Penthouse Suite are a few of the extraordinary experiences that embody Fairmont San Francisco’s Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package.

http://www.misterhagan.com/million-dollar-package/

1/5

1/26/2016

Million $ Package - Mister HaganMister Hagan

“We’re excited to offer this robust football fantasy package. The package also includes a charitable component of $150,000, which will be donated in the buyer’s name to the buyer’s charity of choice,” explains Thomas Klein, regional vice president and general manager of Fairmont San Francisco.

http://www.misterhagan.com/million-dollar-package/

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1/26/2016

Million $ Package - Mister HaganMister Hagan

Fairmont San Francisco’s Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package includes: ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PENTHOUSE SUITE Four-night-stay (check-in February 4, 2016 and check-out February 8, 2016) for up to six people in the three-bedroom Penthouse Suite of Fairmont San Francisco. The legendary suite offers 6,000-square-feet of luxury – including three bedrooms, a terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco and the bay, a formal dining room and kitchen, a billiard room, a two-story library with a secret passageway as well as a lavish living room perfect for entertaining. JFK and Prince Charles slept here.

Open bar and pantry stocked with the guests’ favorite snacks throughout the stay.

Welcome amenity of six monogrammed robes.

BIG GAME 50 HIGHLIGHTS GAME DAY A Gold Suite accommodating 22 people at Big Game 50 on February 7, 2016. Premium food & beverage offerings will be served in the suite.

A celebrated national football alum will visit the suite during the game.

Luxury transportation to and from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara with a pop-up tailgate party onboard.

A Fairmont chef and bartender will keep the party rolling and the Highway Patrol will smooth the way for http://www.misterhagan.com/million-dollar-package/

3/5

1/26/2016

Million $ Package - Mister HaganMister Hagan

a memorable ride to Big Game 50.

The 22 guests will be invited to the Official Big Game 50 Pre-Game Party on February 7, 2016.

Access to the Big Game 50 Club.

The 22 guests will each receive a commemorative Big Game 50 bag of merchandise.

Each guest will receive a $100 gift certificate for Big Game 50 merchandise.

EXCLUSIVE BIG GAME 50 PARTIES Six tickets to the Big Game 50 Golden Gala on Thursday, February 4, 2016.

Six tickets to an exclusive celebrity-packed VIP Party on Friday, February 5, 2016.

$120,000 GOES TO CHARITY A $120,000 donation will be made to the charity of choice and in the name of the person who purchases Fairmont San Francisco’s Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package.

To purchase the Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package, please contact Colleen O’Neill at 415-772-5489.

Fairmont San Francisco is located atop Nob Hill at 950 Mason Street. The hotel offers 592 luxuriously renovated guest rooms and suites, three distinctive restaurants, 55,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, a health club and easy access to the city’s most popular attractions.

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4/5

http://www.newsday.com/10-foods-you-must-try-in-san-francisco-during-the-super-bowl-1.11318221

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 01.18.2016 |

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco (http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/) is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi­starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.visitfishermanswharf.com/) .

And with the Super Bowl (http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/50) heading to nearby Santa Clara (http://www.santaclara.org/) , the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cutting­edge http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

1/6

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid­century Americans developed a taste for mass­ produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first­person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting.

Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours) . Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (http://21st­ amendment.com/the­restaurant/) (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc.

— along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare

(http://www.sottomaresf.com/Sotto_Mare_Seafood_Restaurant/Home.html) (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (http://www.tadichgrill.com/) (240

California St.) also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual (https://www.ritualroasters.com/) , a pioneer in the craft caffeine http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

2/6

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/) , which began across the bay in Oakland (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/webster­ street) , has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/ferry­building) . And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe (http://thebuenavista.com/index1.html) in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.fishermanswharf.org) . For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (http://thanhlongsf.com/) (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy?

Get it shelled, battered and deep­fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (http://rnglounge.com/) (631 Kearny St.).

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid (http://offthegridsf.com/) , a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition.

For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (http://www.waterbarsf.com/) (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar (https://hogislandoysters.com/) in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

3/6

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Boudin Bakery (https://www.boudinbakery.com/) , established in 1849 — according to bakery history the original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (https://www.boudinbakery.com/Bakers_Hall/Wharf) (160 Jefferson St).

It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (http://www.tartinebakery.com/) (600 Guerrero St.).

TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square (http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/) or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus

(http://www.neimanmarcus.com/en­ ca/stores/san%20francisco/ca/san%20francisco) is a fun spot to enjoy

the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge (http://www.samovartea.com/) at Yerba Buena Gardens (http://yerbabuenagardens.com/) (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room (http://www.tongaroom.com/) is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove (http://smugglerscovesf.com/trapdoor/) , which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant (http://greensrestaurant.com/) is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

4/6

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_29374891/10-foods-you-must-try-san-francisco-during

1/27/2016

The Fairmont San Francisco has been a Nob Hill staple since 1907... Photo-9307235.124117 - SFGate

Fairmont San Francisco's $1M penthouse package for the Super Bowl January 26, 2016 3:55 PM

IMAGE 1 OF 12 The Fairmont San Francisco has been a Nob Hill staple since 1907 and is featured in iconic films such as Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo."

ADVERTISEMENT

http://www.sfgate.com/news/slideshow/Fairmont-San-Francisco-penthouse-package-for-the-124117/photo-9307235.php

1/1

LIFE TRAVEL

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking Michelle Locke, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Saturday, January 16, 2016 8:00:00 EST AM

Image: 1 of 10

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, bartender Paul Nolan makes Irish Coffee drinks at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. The drink has been made at the popular bar since 1952 and up to 2,000 are served a day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman's Wharf.

And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won't be disappointed. If you're lucky enough to be among them -- whether you're looking to dine on one of the city's iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine -- here's a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived

with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required.

Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant, which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs.

Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf.

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown.

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush.

Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery.

TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea.

Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums.

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order's ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking Get your gourmet game on

BY MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JANUARY 19, 2016

escapes.ca

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf.

And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=escapes.ca

1/4

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours. Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s.

They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. — along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (240 California St.) also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (631 Kearny St.).

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 — according to bakery history the original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=escapes.ca

2/4

2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (160 Jefferson St). It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero St.).

TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove, which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order’s ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

Previous

http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=escapes.ca

Next

3/4

http://www.thereporter.com/business/20160112/10-foods-you-must-try-in-san-francisco-during-thesuper-bowl

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 08:00 AM EST

San Francisco IMAGE 1 OF 10

3 sec.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf.

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown.

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment.

Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OY STERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery.

TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24.

TIK I If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums.

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers

1/29/2016

This Super Bowl 50 Hotel Package Will Cost You $1 Million | TravelPulse

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Last updated: 03:51 PM ET, Thu January 28 2016

This Super Bowl 50 Hotel Package Will Cost You $1 Million HOTEL & RESORT | PATRICK CLARKE | JANUARY 28, 2016

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Photo courtesy of Thinkstock If you've got $1 million of disposable income lying around, then the Fairmont in San Francisco has a Super Bowl package just for you.

In addition to 22 tickets to Super Bowl 50 and Gold Suite access at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara,

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the package includes four nights at a 6,000 square foot three-bedroom penthouse suite that can accommodate up to six people.

Penthouse amenities include a billiard room, a two-story library and terrace

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boasting an eye-popping view of downtown and the bay.

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Plus, for the duration of their stay, guests can eat and drink whatever they want whenever they want it because there's an open bar in the penthouse suite and hotel staff will stock the kitchen with whatever guests request, according to SFGate.com.

Game day is when the package really shows its value. All 22 people will have access to the Big 50 Club ahead of kickoff and each will receive a $100 gift certificate to the NFL Shop.

Guests will not only watch the game like a VIP, but get there like one as well.

The package includes luxury transportation to Levi's Stadium with a personal chef and bartender on hand to help meet your food and beverage needs.

And traffic won't be an issue since guests' limo or bus will receive a police escort to the stadium.

"We wanted to provide a framework with very specific tickets and offerings so that guests knew that those were in place, but then we really wanted to offer them the option to build out their dream Super Bowl weekend — that's really what this is meant to be," Michelle Gilman Jasen, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts' regional director of sales and marketing for the West Coast, told SFGate.com.

But given the price tag, Jasen points out the package can also be an investment.

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What's more, the package includes a $150,000 donation to the Super Bowl's 50 Fund charity.

As of Tuesday, the package was still available despite several inquiries.

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For those working with a much smaller budget, the Fairmont in San Jose is

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offering a $150,000 Super Bowl 50 package for eight that includes tickets to the Big Game and accommodations for three nights.

Super Bowl-bound travelers staying the night in the Bay Area can expect to spend a few hundred dollars a night for a three-star hotel this coming week, while a more luxurious hotel is likely to run closer to $1,000 per night. http://www.travelpulse.com/news/hotels-and-resorts/this-super-bowl-50-hotel-package-will-cost-you-1-million.html

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1/22/2016

Stay: Fairmont San Jose’s Ultimate Super Bowl Package - What to Do in San Francisco During Super Bowl Week | Departures

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January 20, 2016

What To Do In San Francisco During Super Bowl Week

By Brittany Shoot

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Stay: Fair m ont San Jose’s Ultim ate Su per B ow l Package Stay in style—and just minutes from Levi’s Stadium—when you book The Fairmont San Jose’s Ultimate Super Bowl 50 Package.

Courtesy Fairmont San Jose The 5,530-square-foot Presidential Luxury Suite comes with a case of Dom Pérignon, a private butler, and catered breakfast each morning of your three-night stay. Lest you’re so ensconced you forget to leave the property, the package includes eight tickets to the game and two chauffeured Cadillac Escalades to whisk you there and back. $150,000 for three nights; 170 S. Market St.; 408-998-3909; fairmont.com.

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2/10/2016

Peter Greenberg Worldwide— San Jose, California—January 23, 2016

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2/10/2016

Peter Greenberg Worldwide— San Jose, California—January 23, 2016

This week, the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show broadcasts from the third largest city in California and a destination worth putting on your radar: San Jose, California. Joining Peter Greenberg will be Tim Ritchie, President of the Tech Museum, one of the great innovation centers in the city and a great environment for education and scientific exploration for both children and adults. Mayor Sam Liccardo talks about San Jose being the tenth largest city in the United States and how it is preparing for Super Bowl 50. Mark Purdy, sports columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, gives insider tips on how to get tickets to the big game, as well as cut-rate deals on Super Bowl merchandise (no matter who is playing in the game). Ken Middlebrook, Collections Manager at History San Jose, talks about the state’s former capital and how San Jose both prospered from— and barely survived—the gold rush. Also weighing in is Patrick Smith, author of Cockpit Confidential, discussing the approaching two-year anniversary of the disappearance of MH370 and why there is still a lack of reliable flight tracking in some areas of the world.

Last but not least, local hero and former NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett dissects the changes in professional football over the last 30 years. He also talks about the necessity for the new Levi’s Stadium and how this may be a game changer for the city. There’s all of that and more as the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show broadcasts from the Fairmont San Jose in San Jose, California.

Have a travel question? Ask Peter. Call 888-88-PETER (888-88-383), email him at peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet your questions to @PeterSGreenberg (include #AskPeter).

Check out this week’s guest list, listen to the latest all-local podcast, and stream the full show below.

For the most up-to-date information on travel in a 40-minute podcast, check out Travel Today with Peter Greenberg available on iTunes and Stitcher. New podcasts available everyweek! Click on the button to hear the latest.

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2/10/2016

Super Valley: Eat Like a Billionaire | SanJose.com

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Super Valley: Eat Like a Billionaire

BY CARL FOISY ON JAN 27, 2016

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Deals are cut over breakfast at Buck’s in Woodside. The Rosewood Hotel’s Michelin-

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starred Madera restaurant and the Village Pub in Woodside are two other favorite VC haunts. Palo Alto’s Fuki Sushi and Palo Alto Sol, a burrito and margarita cantina, catered Mark Zuckerberg’s wedding, and the Facebook founder has been photographed at

Top 10 Coolest San Jose Summer Camps

Walia Ethiopian restaurant in San Jose. Steve Jobs was fond of Calafia in Palo Alto, where a photo of him hangs over his table and where he was once paparazzied having coffee with billionaire Eric Schmidt. The restaurant is owned by Google’s original chef, Charlie Ayers. Jobs was also known to scarf sushi at Jin Sho at 454 S. California Ave. in Palo Alto and was fond of frozen yogurt at Fraiche Yogurt at 644 Emerson St., since relocated to 200 Hamilton Ave. Jobs recruited execs and dined with billionaire VC John Doerr at Il Fornaio in Palo Alto. Elon Musk dined with Ashlee Vance at Alexander’s The Sea. The family friendly farm-tofork restaurant in Los Altos, Bumble, is owned by the billionaire Anne Wojcicki. David Kinch’s legendary Manresa restaurant just won its third Michelin star and he opened the New Orleans cafe Bywater in Los Gatos just this month.

Celebrities and presidents dine at The Grill on the Alley at the Fairmont Hotel, and next door, on the 17th Floor, the exclusive Silicon Valley Capital Club allows private club members and their guests to enjoy a commanding view of Silicon Valley. Of course if you want to drink the same coffee as they drink on the Facebook and Google campuses, there are Philz Coffee locations in San Jose, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.

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1/25/2016

How to Blow $1 Million at the Super Bowl | Travel + Leisure

How to Blow a Million Bucks at the Super Bowl

by Lila Battis

January 22, 2016

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Including—but certainly not limited to—28 custom designed footballs, celebrity cabanas, private jets, and man servants.

Come Super Bowl time, the Bay Area is a playground for the wealthy and wealthy-adjacent. But when it comes to budgeting, the billionaires of the world can have just as tough a time as us hundredaires. With a whole host of luxury packages and VIP deals to choose from, what’s a humble tech mogul/hedgefunder/corn baron of the Upper Midwest to do? We crunched the numbers to find the best ways to spend your Super Bowl weekend without going a penny over your modest $1,000,000 budget. Read on—or pass along to your personal media consumption surrogate—then have your assistant start the booking.

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1/25/2016

How to Blow $1 Million at the Super Bowl | Travel + Leisure

Vivid VIP Package Price Tag: $550,000 As a high roller, it’s vital you haul an entourage with you all weekend to give you an aura of importance. This package covers flights to the Bay Area on a private jet, lower level tickets to the game, three nights of lodging, limo transportation, an on-site concierge, and access to miscellaneous parties throughout the weekend for you and 19 of your closest friends. For some people this would be enough to guarantee a great weekend. Those people are stingy misanthropes. Choosing only 19 friends and frenemies upon whom to bestow your wealth and generosity would be impossible. So you’ll need an alternative housing option for the weekend…

Remaining Budget: $450,000

Fairmont San Jose Ultimate Super Bowl 50 Package Price Tag: $150,000 Put up eight more pals for three nights in the Fairmont San Jose’s Presidential Luxury Suite. For a mere $150k, they’ll get Super Bowl tickets, an in-suite private butler, two chauffeured Escalades, a top-shelf in-suite bar, 12 bottles of Dom, and a host of other amenities—spa treatments, wine touring, magnums of wine, and 5k worth of Apple products. Oh, and free breakfast, because even the Rockefellers among us don’t want to suffer the indignity of a $39 breakfast buffet.

Remaining Budget: $300,000

Dinner for 28 at Saison Price Tag: $23,800 Head to San Francisco’s spendiest restaurant for Friday night dinner, where the meal, pairings, tax, and tip will run you about $850 a head. The joint has three Michelin stars, so at the very least you can smother that hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach with some delicious haute cuisine creations.

Remaining Budget: $276,200

ManServants Price Tag: $4,635 for three ManServants, four hours/day for three days Look, Super Bowl weekend is a visual cornucopia for those who enjoy scoping out beautiful women. From the shot girls to the cheerleaders to the hairless women in bandage dresses, there’s no shortage of eye candy for the straight males and lesbian ladies in attendance. Those who prefer a bit of rippling man bod, though, are outta luck until the tight football pants get broken out on game day (and even then...meh?). But a good host looks out for the needs of every guest, hence: The ManServant. For $125 an hour, a beautiful man with the name, attire, and backstory of your choice will serve as butler, bartender, and personal assistant. Let “Thad,” the hunky unemployed surfer from Oxnard, mix mojitos and dole out neck massages while “Enjolras,” the Bordeaux-born student revolutionary, sings battle hymns and “Chris Pine” stands in the corner looking contemplative.

Remaining Budget: $271,565 http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/luxury-super-bowl-things-to-do

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2/1/2016

Where to Stay in San Jose Ahead of Super Bowl 50 | TravelPulse

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Where to Stay in San Jose Ahead of Super Bowl 50 HOTEL & RESORT | PATRICK CLARKE | JANUARY 29, 2016

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Super Bowl 50 is fast approaching and as kickoff nears time is running out for football fans to secure their hotel room for the weekend.

While the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will battle inside Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, many ticketholders will fly into Mineta San Jose International Airport and spend time in downtown San Jose, California, both of which are located just minutes from the stadium.

Therefore, travelers shouldn't overlook the Silicon Valley destination.

For those planning a San Jose stay, here are three hotels guaranteed to

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Although it pales in comparison to the lavish $1 million package being offered

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by the nearby Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont San Jose's Ultimate Fan package provides the ideal Super Bowl experience for a group of friends with money to spend.

The $150,000 package includes eight tickets to Super Bowl 50, three nights at the hotel's four-bedroom Presidential Suite (view from suite pictured above),

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luxury transportation to the Big Game and a $5,000 Apple dream gift package, among other perks.

The Fairmont San Jose is also rolling out a series of other (less expensive) Super Bowl-related special offers.

San Jose Marriott

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Both PGA Tour pros and amateurs love TPC Scottsdale | Golf Advisor

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TPC Scottsdale and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offer great Arizona golf courses, food and resort fun Share this article: 

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Both PGA Tour pros and amateurs love TPC Scottsdale | Golf Advisor

Stay and play: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort offers an assortment of golf packages that let guests play both the Stadium Course and the Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15735-tpc-scottsdale-the-champions-course/), as well as nearby Talon Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15740-talon-at-grayhawk-golf-club/) and Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15741-raptor-at-grayhawk-golfclub/).

The AAA Five-Diamond resort has awesome Spanish Colonial architecture, open plazas with fountains, locally inspired art and decor, and a blend of comfort and style that captures the Southwest. Don't miss Hacienda Plaza with its Well & Being Spa. Resort dining includes La Hacienda, Bourbon Steak and Ironwood American Kitchen.

Dining in the golf clubhouse is can't-miss as well, with Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar by Richard Sandoval overlooking the 18th green.

After lunch at Toro, why not schedule some instruction? TOURAcademy TPC Scottsdale offers programs built for both the low-handicapper and the new golfer who is just learning. It also offers the latest video and computer software for analyzing your golf game.

Jan 08, 2016

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Related Links  Scottsdale vs. Tucson: Which Arizona golf destination is right for you? (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/scottsdale-or-tucson-golf-15035.htm)  TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course: Tweaked and a little tougher, but still fun (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/tpc-scottsdale-stadium-course-arizona-15088.htm)  After golf, go spa hopping in the Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona area (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/top-spas-phoenix-scottsdale-arizona-14221.htm)  Great Scott! Seven days of golf in Scottsdale (http://www.golfarizona.com/departments/features/scottsdale-7-day-golf-trip-itinerary-13704.htm) http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/tpc-scottsdale-fairmont-scottsdale-princess-arizona-15629.htm

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Travel Yoga: 14 Tips for Doing Yoga On-The-Go - Health News and Views - Health.com

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Travel Yoga: 14 Tips for Doing Yoga On-The-Go

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January 29, 2016 | By Melanie Lieberman, Travel + Leisure

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Relaxation is paramount for a successful trip—even if said trip is jetting off to a busy city on business. But

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between wedging yourself into cramped coach class, sitting for hours on a train, and the stress that comes with airport security or exploring a new destination, travel can wreak havoc on your peace of mind—not to mention your body. That’s where yoga can help.

“Traveling takes a toll on your mind and body,” says Jamie Kent, the founder of Yoga Download—an online yoga studio committed to helping people practice yoga anywhere, at any time, in the world. “We don’t always eat well on the road, we keep weird hours, it’s hard on the immune system, and it can be mentally taxing. Yoga can be a great way to restore balance.”

Yoga Download has advanced and rigorous classes, by even taking a few mindful minutes to breathe deeply can be helpful. “Finding this centering moment everyday will not only calm us down on a business trip, but it will enhance our experiences on vacations: allowing us to recharge and create meaningful memories.”

Savitri Talahatu, the Wellness Director at Bali’s Spa Village Resort Tembok and a yoga teacher with more than 30 years of experience expresses a very similar belief. “Travelers practicing yoga and meditation are able to feel

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at home everywhere they go. When they are relaxed, they will be able to experience the moment more fully.”

To find your inner yogi, relax those cramped muscles, and feel refreshed during any leg of your journey, try one of these expert tricks and trips:

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Bring the Right Gear “I am a light packer,” says Sky Meltzer, the CEO of Manduka yoga accessories, “and always make sure I grab my Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Mat.” This grippy mat weighs in at about two pounds and folds into a neat square, about the size of an iPad.

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Designate “ Yoga Time” Make an “important reservation for your own health and happiness,” suggests Kent. Whether it’s for 20 or 120 minutes, whether you’re on a beach or confined to a hotel room, find the class on Yoga Download that’s right for your time and set-up.

Find Balance Even in the most cramped quarters (we’re looking at you, middle seat) you can still cross your knees, grab onto the opposite armrest, and twist. Breathe deeply, allowing yourself to turn deeper into the pose. And don’t forget to repeat on the other side. A seated spinal twist, or ardha matsyendrasana, will help stretch your spine.

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Take a Stroll Talahatu recommends a series of movements while on a plane to relax, stretch, and improve blood flow. In

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addition to shoulder raises, hugging your knees to your chest, and stretching your arms over your head—fingers laced and palms up—don’t forget to get up often and go for a walk. “It’s not a yoga pose,” Talahatu says, “but your circulation will be better.”

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Create Intention “Give yourself 10 minutes a day,” recommends Meltzer. “Sit with your eyes closed, focus on your breath, and create an intention for the day.” This will not only help you relax, but it will also help you set goals and plans for the day ahead and your trip at large.

Join the Local Community No matter where in the world you are, chances are, there’s a yoga studio nearby. Using apps like ClassPass, a monthly membership program designed to connect active travelers with fitness classes in cities across the globe, you can seek out some zen and connect with local yogis.

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Look Beyond the Studio “It’s fun to practice in new places,” says Kent. “See the local park, [check out] the hotel gym, or do yoga in an area unique to the community.” Because Yoga Download classes can be played on your mobile phone, you can get down dog just about anywhere.

Improvise Props “You [can] use a saraong-type scarf as your yoga mat, or a bath towel in your hotel room,” Talahatu suggests.

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“Rolled up towels are good for block replacements.” When you’re practicing in unusual or unknown places, you’ll want to get creative.

Change Your Perspective “My go-to-pose is a handstand because it’s an invigorating inversion—it provides a natural energy boost,” says Meltzer. “It’s not only my favorite, but it can be done anywhere.” Or, almost anywhere. We don’t recommend trying this one in the aisle of the cabin when the pilot has turned on the seatbelt sign.

Try the Hotel Classes Plenty of hotels have jumped on the fit wagon and are offering fitness classes (including yoga, of course) to guests. At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, for example, you can try aerial yoga, using silk hammocks instead

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of mats.

Calm Your Nerves “I prefer poses that are grounding (seated and supine) or inward driven (forward bends),” says Talahatu. “Being on the road, although it’s exciting, can be taxing to the nervous system.”

Keep it Clean If you’re going to utilize airport terminal benches to help with your asanas make sure to clean up with hand sanitizer after. For borrowed mats—or the hotel room floor—pack a yoga towel. They’re lightweight, and much more pleasant to put your face on.

RELATED: 11 Vacation Ideas from the Best Movies of the Year

Be Mindful Incorporate other tenants of yoga throughout your trip. Be conscious about drinking and eating as well as possible (try packing your own food for the flight and skipping sugary cocktails at the hotel bar) and keep an eye on your posture. Make sure you’re not slouching in any of your photos.

Try a Yoga Retreat Many hotels and resorts now host specialized yoga retreats. “People claim they’ve literally changed their lives,” says Talahatu. “A facilitator will hold you accountable,” she says, “and all of your needs (yoga, meditation, meditation, and meals) have been taken care of—so you’ll be able to focus on your practice, be in the moment, relax, and release.” At the Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali, a three-night yoga and wellness retreat includes

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2/1/2016

Top 5 Fitness Meetings Options for 2016 - Prevue Meetings

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By Jessie Fetterling - January 8, 2016

Aerial yoga at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

As groups continue to incorporate fitness into meetings, hotels are creating several innovative ways for attendees to keep their heart rates up. These five activities will help set the bar for fitness meetings in 2016 and beyond.

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Top 5 Fitness Meetings Options for 2016 - Prevue Meetings

1. Station ary Bikes: At the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, the hotel’s meeting rooms feature stationary bikes for attendees to exercise while participating in a meeting. The property can also help organize standing meetings upon request.

2. H u la H oopin g: Any attendee can unleash their inner child during one of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ HoopFit classes. The high-energy group hula hoop dance class is offered during daytime meeting breakouts or at night with light-up LED hoops.

3. A erial Y oga: At the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, aerial yoga takes the yoga trend to new heights. Meeting attendees move through various yoga poses while suspended in a giant fabric hammock 3 feet in the air.

4. Tou r de Fran ce Spin n in g: Attendees race each other in the Tour de France spinning class offered at Sandos Cancun. The goal is for teams to try and accumulate the highest mileage in the allotted time period.

5. Gen eral Man ager Boot Camp Class: More and more hotel staff members are becoming personally involved in their hotel’s fitness offerings. When Hilton West Palm Beach opens in February 2016, the property’s general manager will lead group fitness boot camp classes for meeting groups upon request.

Jessie Fetterling Jessie Fetterling is a writer and editor in the San Francisco Bay Area, with past experiences at four different media companies covering a wide range of topics from the travel and hospitality industries to sustainable living.

Special areas of interest include writing about travel, food and music.Favorite Destination: Cinque Terre, ItalyBucket List: Brazil, Thailand and the Czech Republic

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      5 Naughty & Nice 2016 Food & Beverage Trends

By Jessie Fetterling - January 24, 2016

Hilton Orlando’s Breakfast Banana Split

Meeting attendees are shaking up last year’s healthy food & beverage trends with new demand for a mix of naughty and nice options. Here are five creations that hotels across the U.S. can provide groups looking for innovative F&B alternatives.

Make-Your-Own Mason Jar Salad:

At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, attendees can meet at the Well & Being Spa to compete in the Mason Jar Challenge. Nutritionists will offer guidance and share healthy tricks as attendees try to make the most colorful, nutrient-packed Mason jar salad.

Edible Herb Wall: An indoor herb wall and vegetable garden at both Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek allow attendees to pick produce to make their own healthy, seasonal meals.

Banana Splits for Breakfast: At Hilton Orlando, meeting attendees can create their own version of the classic banana split dessert by combining jams, fruit and granola with three scoops of fresh Greek yogurt for an innovative breakfast.

Adult Lunch Box: The Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids and The Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown offer meeting attendees their own version of the lunch box, filled with apples, oranges, bananas, healthy sandwiches options, fiber-filled snacks and antioxidantenriched beverages.

Westin Fresh by the Juicery: The Juicery at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa offers attendees fresh-pressed juices to help start their day with nutritious options such as carrot, turmeric, cucumber and cilantro orange juices or almond butter, banana and date smoothies.

Jessie Fetterling

2/9/2016

Business Casual: Finding Time For Art and Golf in Scottsdale | TravelPulse

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Business Casual: Finding Time For Art and Golf in Scottsdale BUSINESS TRAVEL | GABE ZALDIVAR | JANUARY 15, 2016

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are flying into Phoenix on business you are staying in the beautiful and sophisticated city of Scottsdale.

And that is where we are headed for our latest Business Casual articles— previous cities include London, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Now we know you are in the area to field meetings and lunch with clients, but there is undoubtedly a moment for you to steal for yourself.

Here are some suggestions if you are in the area and have an hour or more

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2/9/2016

Business Casual: Finding Time For Art and Golf in Scottsdale | TravelPulse

to really savor all that Scottsdale has to offer.

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We are presuming that you are in Scottsdale, perhaps at one of two wellregarded resorts: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa or the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Phoenix Business Journal last year noted each as in the upper echelon of places to hold business meetings in the nation.

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The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

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Whether staying here or not, you can still enjoy all the comes with a round of golf here, which just might be a ride on a golfboard If you so choose.

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If you are into spa treatments and myriad food options then you will be well taken care of with a stay at this resort.

But perhaps your conference is just a tad further. That’s just fine, because Scottsdale boasts a lot more. Although, we should probably mention its crown jewel that you may be dying to play.

TPC Scotttsdale:

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2/1/2016

World Par 3 Championship in Bermuda | Canadian Golf Traveller

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World Par 3 Championship in Bermuda JANUARY 31, 2016 BY CANADIAN GOLF TRAVELLER

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Bermuda landmark the Fairmont Southampton is the tournament’s host. (Image: Fairmont)

With a little help from the PGA of Canada, the annual Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at Bermuda’s Fairmont Southampton has quickly become golf’s premier short-game tourney.

Time to start honing your short game for Bermuda’s annual Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, March 11 to 13, 2016.

Played at the Fairmont Southhampton’s Turtle Hill Golf Club, a hilly, meticulously maintained 2,962-yard layout ranked among the world’s top par-three courses, the tourney has grown in popularity and prestige with each outing since its launch in 2010.

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Past winners include Canadian professionals Ian Doig (2012) and Nick Taylor (2011). But the two-day, 36-hole tourney is open to young and old, men and women, professionals and amateurs. Anyone who carries an official handicap is eligible to compete in an event with a total purse of $75,000 (all figures in U.S. dollars).

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For the third year in a row, the PGA of Canada will assist with tournament operations and promotion, lending the event a decidedly Canadian flavour. The top five players from the PGA of Canada rankings are offered automatic exemptions to the tournament.

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About 190 participants from more than 20 countries are expected. This year’s field includes fourhttp://canadiangolftraveller.com/world-par-3-championship-in-bermuda/

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World Par 3 Championship in Bermuda | Canadian Golf Traveller

time PGA Tour winner Chip Beck, while Golf Channel personality Charlie Rymer will return as the tournament’s host. The entry fee is $300 for professionals; $250 for amateurs. A pro-am will be held Sunday, March 13.

The Fairmont Southampton, the tourney’s host hotel, is a towering pink Bermudian landmark perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Special tournament room rates start at $149 per night (double occupancy).

Golfers who want to extend their visit won’t lack for places to play. Indeed, Bermuda is home to more courses per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. Read more about the island’s courses in our feature story, Bermuda’s Fairways to Heaven.

For more information about the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, email Adam LeBrun at the PGA of Canada: adam@pgaofcanada.com; or Paul Adams, Director of Golf for Turtle Hill Golf Club: paul.adams@fairmont.com.

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O Canada! Fairmont Pacific Rim brings Balvenie 50 to Vancouver, BC January 26, 2016 7:24 PM MST

Balvenie 50 Scotch Whisky Balvenie Distillery

Be still my heart. Fairmont Pacific Rim - one of Vancouver, B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top hotels - is the proud owner of the Balvenie 50, a great single malt 50-year-old rare Scotch whisky.

Balvenie 50-year-old single malt Scotch whiskey is regarded as one of the most prestigious luxury spirits in the world, and Fairmont Pacific Rim has the only bottle made available in Canada. A perfect one ounce pour, offered at $2,600 CAD or approximately $1,830) will be available exclusively in the hotel's Lobby Lounge beginning Feb. 12.

Guests will be able to sip on an exceptional Scotch whiskey in their own handcrafted and specially numbered “collector's edition’’ Baccarat crystal glass. The wee dram will allow those to experience a unique taste of history - literally.

For the uninitiated, Balvenie 50 has a rich and deep with an abundance of elegant oak, notes of sweet raisins and a subtle ginger spiciness. The Scotch also is lush with dark fruits, a spicy outburst of ground ginger and cinnamon, and a lingering fruity sweetness.

"We often host a sophisticated clientele in The Lobby Lounge who enjoy the finer experiences in life. This scotch is in itself a part of history and highlights years of elegant craftsmanship. It's very rare that an opportunity like this comes along, and it represents our ongoing commitment to being the best lounge in the city and offering a unique experience for our guests," said Grant Sceney, head bartender at Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Steve Pike

National Resort & Spa Examiner

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2/1/2016

The 10 Best Hotels in Canada 2016

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(Silpa Nanan) Whether you're jetting off to cosmopolitan Toronto, sightseeing in Old Montreal or stealing away to the secluded wilderness of Vancouver Island, you'll find Canada has no shortage of stellar hotels to aid your exploration. To help narrow down your

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lodging search, U.S. News used a comprehensive methodology that factors in star ratings, industry accolades, expert endorsements and visitor reviews. Overall, U.S. News evaluated 210 Canadian hotels. Here are the 10 properties that wowed hotel connoisseurs and travelers alike thanks to their unique amenities and top-notch

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See: The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2016

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The 10 Best Hotels in Canada 2016

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(Courtesy of Fairmont Pacific Rim) 8. Fairmont Pacific Rim The Fairmont Pacific Rim's location is pretty tough to beat - and it's also a major point of praise for recent visitors whose votes helped the hotel earn top marks on the Condé Nast Readers' Choice list and the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards.

Situated on the Coal Harbour waterfront, across the street from the city's cruise ship terminal, the property affords amazing views from its rooms and rooftop.

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(Courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine) 7. Auberge Saint-Antoine Both history buffs and luxury lovers will likely enjoy a stay at the Auberge SaintAntoine. Amid the hotel's modern accoutrements, guests will find hundreds of artifacts dating back to the 1600s that were unearthed during an archeological dig before the hotel's construction. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/us-news-travel/the-10-best-hotels-in-can_b_9119652.html

3/8

Fairmont Hotel makes for a great trip to D.C.

By Eddie Applefeld · January 5, 2016 · 0 Comments ·

I’ll admit one of the great pleasures I get in life is staying at a nice hotel. Over the years, I can say I have been fortunate to have stayed in quite a few.

Recently I added a new one to my list: the Fairmont Hotel, located at 24th & M Street, NW, Washington. The area is known as the West End and the hotel is only three blocks from Georgetown.

Currently, the hotel is undergoing a major renovation, as all the rooms and many of the common areas are being redone.

To my eye it looked just fine, but I’m told when done it will be even better.

The lobby at the Fairmont Hotel.

The renovations don’t pose any problems. Actually, if I wasn’t told they were going, on I wouldn’t know.

Upon entering, you walk directly into the lobby and you can sit in a chair, order a drink, read or just people watch. It’s great for whatever you do.

Off the lobby is their dining room, Juniper, which serves all three meals.

I had the blueberry pancakes for breakfast and a delicious salmon for lunch.

I met Marich Tysz, the sous chef, whose goal is to make the restaurant a D.C. dining destination.

Once finished, you might ask for a room on the Concierge level, or as they call it, Fairmont Gold, and on the ninth floor.

The rates on that level will be higher, but the average rate is around $299 a night and are lower with a package, such as the “Eat, Park and Go.” Hotel amenities include a pool, fitness center, business center, valet parking, a concierge on duty, 24-hour room service and The New York Times delivered to your room. And for those of you who just love their pets, the Fairmont is pet friendly.

By the way, the concierge can be very helpful, assisting you with theater or sport tickets, restaurant suggestions, directions, attractions and general information about the area. They have been asked all kinds of questions, so don’t be shy.

The hotel even offers a signature drink – the Beetina, which is named after the colony of bees living on the roof. I tried it and it was excellent. But one was enough for me.

From our area, Washington is so close and there is so much do to it makes sense to treat yourself to a getaway at the Fairmont.

As I mentioned, Georgetown is just three blocks away and you can spend hours checking out the retail shops.

I know I had a delightful time at the Fairmont. It was one of those trips where you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to leave. The Fairmont can be reached at 202-429-2400 or by visiting fairmont.com - See more at: http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/fairmont-hotel-makes-for-a-great-trip-to-dc/2016/01/05#sthash.qMByeUe7.dpuf

2/10/2016

A Glamorous, Formal Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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2/10/2016

A Glamorous, Formal Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Lauren Forman (27 and works in catering sales) and Jonathan Rubenstein (34 and a recruiting manager) planned a glamorous, formal event at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. for their early summer wedding. With the help of the planners at Creative Parties the pair transformed the ballrooms of the Fairmont into a romantic, modern backdrop for their elegant affair. Never a fan of pink or purple hues, Lauren knew right from the get-go that the color palette had to feature blue. The bride-to-be chose deep shades of the color to create a formal feel, with ivory, white and silver adding an element of sophistication and polish.

The day started with a ceremony in the venue’s Colonnade Room, which the couple were immediately drawn to because of its unique circular shape. The pair kept the decor simple, adding a classic white aisle runner, clusters of floating candles at the head and end of the aisle, as well as a traditional chuppah, with a base handcrafted

by Lauren’s grandfather and a canopy sewn by her stepmother using parts of Lauren’s mother’s wedding dress.

After exchanging vows, the newlyweds whisked their guests off to the Grand Ballroom for the reception. “The Fairmont has special meaning to our family,” says Lauren, “both my brother and I had our Bar and Bat Mitzvahs there, so having my wedding there really made things come full circle.” Bunches of fresh white blooms in varying arrangements, silver candelabras with flickering white tapers and metallic chargers enlivened dark navy linens, while a mix of long, round and square tables added an element of texture to the room. Cool purple and blue uplighting brought the drama and details like a monogrammed dance floor, a fun photo booth, custom cake topper and a live band put a personal twist on the day. A tip for the taking from Lauren: “You aren't going to make everyone happy. While it's nice to take into consideration other people's opinions, ultimately its your wedding, so the two of you need to be happy.”

https://www.theknot.com/real-weddings/a-glamorous-formal-wedding-at-the-fairmont-hotel-in-washington-dc-album?page=1

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2/10/2016

A Glamorous, Formal Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.

https://www.theknot.com/real-weddings/a-glamorous-formal-wedding-at-the-fairmont-hotel-in-washington-dc-album?page=1

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