Virgin Group Announces Plans to Open Virgin Hotels in North America

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With over 25 years of experience in travel, the world-renowned Virgin Group officially announced its plans for its new 4-star Virgin Hotels. The plan is to develop up to 25 hotels in 7 years and launch the first one within 12 to 28 months. Virgin Group will work as a third party manager, partner with ownership, or acquire properties directly. Virgin Group has created a property venture with Alberto Beeck and hospitality and real estate investor Diego Lowenstein. The venture is planned to acquire up to $500M in properties in the next 3 years.

The Virgin Hotels are planned to be available in gateway cities in North America and are targeting cities such as New York, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, and more. The hotels will feature 150 to 400 guestrooms.

Potential property owners and developers are encouraged to reach out to the Virgin Group: properties@virginhotels.com.

Sir Richard Branson’s new chain of hotels is likely to be one of the W Hotel’s first major competitors in North America.

Learn more by visiting www.virginhotels.com.

Ultimate Luxury Hotel For Baseball Fans: Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel

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The Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel is the world’s only 4 diamond hotel situated in a major league sports and entertainment location. The hotel is adjacent to the Metro Toronto Convention Center and CN Tower.

The hotel features 348 stylish guest rooms of which seventy rooms offer unique views of Rogers Center stadium where the Toronto Blue Jays play baseball. The field can be viewed from the comfort of the luxury guest rooms. Other rooms offer views of the beautiful Toronto City.

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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Adds Loyalty Program

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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has been serving guests for years. The history of Ritz-Carlton Hotel began with The Ritz-Carlton, Boston and still today the standards of service, dining, and amenities of Boston landmark serve as a benchmark for all Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide. The Ritz-Carlton Boston developed luxury hospitality in their hotels with private bath in each guest room, gourmet cuisine, smaller lobbies for personal guest experience, fresh flowers throughout public areas, and gave formal and professional appearance to the staff. The luxury hotel company has been honored twice with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has introduced a luxury guest stay program, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards. The program is based on strong customer feedback. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program will provide not only complimentary stays and airline flights but members will have opportunities to earn and redeem their points towards some extraordinary experiences such as tours in China, Turkey and Egypt, special events and shopping experience with fashion experts, fashion presentations, and even redeem points towards wedding gowns. Members of the program will have an opportunity for four-day photography workshops with National Geographic’s famous photographers. Other ways to redeem points is towards luxury cruise lines including Crystal Cruises and Silversea.

Will you be joining?

Luxury in the Desert at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort

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Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is located in Abu Dhabi on the Liwa Desert. The beautiful luxury resort symbolizes Emirati culture and hospitality. Qasr Al Sarab offers many different types of rooms, suites and villas, all filled with comfort and luxury.

All room including Deluxe, Deluxe Balcony and Deluxe Terrace rooms offer stunning views of the desert and have great amenities including king sized beds, oversized bathtubs, and rain showers. There are one, two and three bedroom villas offered at the luxury hotel that are beautifully decorated with floor-to-ceiling wood framed doors, daybeds, and huge bathrooms. Each villa has a private entrance and a personal butler. All villas come with private pool, sun deck, rain showers, oversized bathtubs, private butler service and complimentary WiFi.

Spa at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort includes sand baths that exfoliate and refresh the skin, heated marble hammam with Jacuzzi, shower and fountains to soothe ones being from inside out. Thai-themed flotation and Vichy rooms are also offered by the Spa at Qasr Al Sarab.

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Thomson Airways Reveals a New Way to Fly

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Thomson Airways has shared its vision for the 787’s interior configuration. Thomson will get its first 787 in early 2012. It has the second highest capacity seating 288 passengers in a two-class configuration with a Premium Economy cabin with seven side-by-side seating and will have room for 47 passengers, and a two rare nine-abreast zone that will be accommodating 150 and 91 passengers. In-flight entertainment for 787 will feature Panasonic IFE; Thomson will be the first to offer broadband connectivity for both cabins. Other features found in the aircraft are wider aisles, more legroom, aromatherapy and juice bar.

The new aircraft is focusing on the comfort and well-being of it’s passengers. The lower altitude cabin pressure, which is 6,000 ft rather than standard 8,000 ft. will assure less headaches, sickness and fatigue. The usage of advanced materials in the aircraft will lead to higher cabin humidity that will reduce dryness and dehydration.

Top Things to Do While on The Big Island of Hawaii

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While you aren’t lying by the pool and enjoying the resorts and all they have to offer, The Big Island has a lot to keep you occupied. Below are the top things to do while on The Big Island:

Helicopter Tour – Helicopter tours allow for the most spectacular views on the island. This will likely be the most memorable experience for you while in Hawaii.

Hilton Waikoloa Village – This resort is an experience not to be missed. There is something for everybody at The Big Island’s largest hotel.

Kona Brewing Company Tour & Restaurant – Complimentary brewery tours at 10:30 and 3:00pm seven days a week. When finished eat lunch or dinner at the 2,000-square-foot outdoor lanai, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and tiki torches.

Snorkeling – Most luxury hotels offer complimentary snorkeling gear – be sure to take advantage of this.

Sunset Cruise – Sunset cruises can be a great way to experience the coastline, and if you get lucky you can even see dolphins in the ocean.

Kona Joe's Coffee Tour – Visit Kona’s premium coffeemaker and learn about how the coffee is produced.

Eat Pineapple – You will never eat Pineapple better than what’s grown on The Big Island of Hawaii, so eat as much as you can!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Lava Flow – This is on the Hilo side of the Island, so if you are coming from Kona you will want to plan for a few hour drive. Seeing the Lava Flow is suggested to best be viewed at night.

Pololu Lookout Point – A popular lookout point with gorgeous sweeping views of the north coast.

Visit Downtown Kona – There are several great shops, and restaurants, a favorite is Huggo’s.

Golfing – This list wouldn’t be complete without golfing. There are several breathtaking golf courses on The Big Island. Take a look depending on where you are staying for the closest courses.

The Big Island Hawaii: The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

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Our last hotel spotlight is on The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. The Mauna Lani is situated on the Kohala Coast on acres of gorgeous Hawaiian land. The hotel can best be described as classic luxury. It has maintained its clean look and feel over time; not over done or understated, The Mani Lani boasts its tropical elegance through its open-air hotel architecture, lush gardens, and sandy beaches on the property’s oceanfront.

The experience at The Mani Lani extends from the cushioned lounge chairs poolside to the turndown service guests receive each night. Every guest room has a lanai, and the hotel is constructed so that each room captures as much ocean view available. The interior of the hotel is highlighted by plants and ponds, which are inhabited by baby sea turtles and fish.

If you’re one that prefers more seclusion from other hotel guests, the bungalows are only a short walk away. Each bungalow has its own private beachfront and driveway access, providing a truly exclusive experience. With 4,000 square feet of living space in each bungalow, more than a few people can stay comfortably in them.

A lot of the activities at The Mauna Lani are free of charge and the kids program focuses on exploration of the natural grounds. With so many sea creatures and ancient petroglyphs close by, the family will never run out of things to see and do. For those that want to relax, there is a spa that features a Vichy shower and natural lava sauna and also a fitness center.

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The Big Island Hawaii: Four Seasons Hualalai

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Our next stop on The Big Island is as ‘LUX’ as it can get. The Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu on the North Kona Coast was recently voted the #1 hotel in all of Hawaii by Travel & Leisure Magazine.

The 243-room resort went through a recent renovation and now upholds a standard as one of the nicest hotels in the world. All guest rooms are extremely spacious, with 32 of them bungalows. The Four Seasons Hualalai does not have a central tower so the resort is no higher than 2 stories in height throughout the grounds, allowing the natural elements to be the main feature. As a guest you have the opportunity to enjoy 5 unique pools, plus a snorkeling pond, 4 restaurants, and a spa that’s quality is unmatched on the Island. If you’re looking to golf, the resort features a Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole, 7,100-yard golf course.

Complimentary services for guests include scuba lessons, valet parking, and twice-daily maid service. Kids will have just as much fun as adults at the Four Seasons Hualalai; they can enjoy the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, featuring a dedicated kids room with video games, TV, toys, and more. The resort draws celebrities and other well-known guests, so don’t be surprised if you end up bumping shoulders with some of Hollywood’s best.

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The Big Island Hawaii: Kona Village Resort

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Our next LUX Destination spotlight is Kona Village. Kona Village is located in, well…Kona, on The Big Island. This 82-acre resort encompasses everything the beautiful Kohala Coast has to offer – palm trees swaying, glistening lagoons, piled lava rocks, black sand beaches, and the ocean. Focused on traditional Polynesian culture, the resort is made up of 82 oceanfront hales, or bungalows, that come free of phones, TVs, radios, or internet, forcing the overworked traveler to really relax into the aloha spirit.

Upon arrival at Kona Village, expect to be greeted with a traditional Hawaiian lei of orchid flowers. After check-in, one is swept away by a golf cart to one’s hale. Each hale is cooled by the breeze of the tradewinds blowing through its slatted doors from the sea; only ceiling fans are used for extra circulation, and there’s not even a lock on the door. As unconventional as it may sound, there’s something very quaint in having to write messages to your resort staff on a clipboard outside your door or placing a coconut on your front porch as a sign of do not disturb.

Appropriately named, Kona Village was once a fishing village. To preserve and respect the land that was once frequented by the King and other royalty, the resort is set up to resemble a Polynesian village. The hales are elevated by stilts to protect from high tide and the roofs are thatched; some hales even come with a private hot tub on the deck – not authentic, but a luxurious necessity.

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The Big Island Hawaii: Hilton Waikoloa Village

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Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii with 1,240 guest rooms and suites and a wide array of activities and amenities. The Hilton is located on the Kohala Coast of The Big Island of Hawaii, just 20 minutes north of Kona International Airport.

What makes this hotel more unique than any other on the island are its on-property transportation systems. (Yes, that's right – there are multiple transportation systems within the property…it's that big!) Right upon entry into the resort you will find an option for either a sleek air-conditioned tram or a leisurely canal boat ride. Of course you can walk to your room as well, but if you are further away a tram is always fastest.

One attraction that sets this resort apart from others is their Dolphin Quest, an opportunity to swim with dolphins. A marine mammal expert guides the experience with these intelligent creatures, with encounters of 30 minutes to over 5 hours. Packages to swim with dolphins start at just over $200. This can be a memorable adventure, even if you’re not a guest at the resort.

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