Apr 14, 2008
Balsams Resort
The Balsams Resort in New Hampshire will undergo a comprehensive
restoration under the leadership of general manager Uwe Roggenthien. The
project is designed to retain the resort's historic charm while
positioning it for future growth by upgrading accommodations and
creating more flexible function space for meetings and weddings. The
first phase of the restoration encompassed 16,200 square feet of space
and was completed in December 2007. JCJ Architecture was selected to
lead the project, which saw the complete restoration and interior
redesign of all common areas, social rooms and 7,200 square feet of
meeting space -- including the Grand Ballroom and historic Ballot Room.
The next phase of the project calls for the construction of a model
guestroom later this year followed by the restoration of 110 guestrooms
in the hotel's Hampshire House wing. The Balsams has chosen TMS
Architects and LDL Architectural Design to oversee this phase of the
restoration. Call 866-380-6798 or visit www.thebalsams.com Apr 11, 2008
Disneyland Resorts
Clients have another year to take advantage of the biggest party in
the history of Disneyland Resort Paris. The gala 15th anniversary
celebration that launched in April 2007 has been extended to run through
March 2009. The extended celebration will continue to premiere new
entertainment and exciting new attractions. Travel agents can now offer
clients even greater value by suggesting a meal plan. Several dining
packages offer options throughout the resort: at Disney hotels, at the
Disney Parks or at the Disney Village. The new premium half-board is
valid in all resort table service or buffet restaurants including
premium restaurants, Disney Character experiences and shows. Vouchers
can be used for lunch or dinner. Also, the TGV French rail service
network has expanded service to Disneyland Resort Paris with direct
links from Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich in Germany; and
Basel and Zurich in Switzerland. This expansion makes Marne-la-Vallee
the largest platform of TGV hub connections in France, providing 30
minute service from Reims, one hour from Nancy or Metz and two hours, 15
minutes from Strasbourg. The new service will bring added convenience to
meeting attendees traveling from these cities and throughout Eastern
Europe. And, the first full-service spa at the Disneyland Paris Resort
opened in May at the Disneyland Hotel. The new Celestia Spa offers a
full range of treatments, including massage therapies, facials,
manicures, pedicures and body wraps. For more information, visit
www.disneytravelagents.com Apr 11, 2008
Disneyland Resorts
Disneyland Resort Paris is celebrating its 15th anniversary with
new and soon-to-premiere additions and enhancements that have special
significance for travel agents. A new level of service and luxury is in
store when the Empire State Club opens at Disney's Hotel New York
on June 1. Club accommodations include upgraded rooms and suites.
Clients staying in Club rooms enjoy special amenities, including a
private lounge offering breakfast each morning and refreshments
throughout the day. Empire Club Guests also receive expedited and
personalized check-in, and have access to a dedicated concierge team
that can help them make the most of their visit. The park's Magical
Summertime, to take place July 5 to Aug. 31, 2008, will include
Disney's Fantillusion Parade at the Disneyland Park, where guests
will discover Disney heroes and evil villains. As a grand finale
everyday, fireworks will make a summer visit even more magical. Apr 11,
2008
Disneyland Resorts
Other activities include a recycling game, face painting, cookie
decorations, a ladybug release and an organic foods display. The
observance of Earth Day at Walt Disney World is an important component
of Disney's Environmentality. Twelve Walt Disney World Resorts have
received the "Green Lodging" certification from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection. Each location has been
recognized for "green" practices that reduce waste and
conserve natural resources. The remaining Disney Resorts are on target
to be certified in 2008. Other Disney conservation initiatives include:
energy conservation, Disney Harvest Food Program, Floral Elements,
Educational Programs, and Recycling. Visit www.disneytravelagents.com
Apr 11, 2008
Disneyland Resorts
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror made its debut at the park's
Walt Disney Studios in January and the new attraction, Stitch Live!,
will premier in April 2008, allowing guests to interact and joke with
Stitch. Located in the Walt Disney Studios, the new attraction blends
real-time graphics and new animation capability to create a private
event that's side-splitting fun and technologically dazzling. In
June 2007, Crush's Coaster will open at Walt Disney Studios. The
first coaster-based attraction inspired by the Disney-Pixar film
"Finding Nemo," guests climb aboard a turtle shell for and
plunge into the world of Nemo and his turtle friend Crush. Sophisticated
show lighting, sound effects and imaging technology creating a whimsical
whirl through the East Australian current. Part of the expanding Toon
Studio's lively studio backlot that playfully pays tribute to the
art of animation. Additionally, Cars Race Rally will open in June at
Walt Disney Studios. The first Disney Park attraction based on the
Disney-Pixar film "Cars," guests climb aboard for a spinning
ride on the famous Route 66, created with dimensional movie sets. At
each corner of the track, famous faces from the film are waiting to
cheer on drivers. Apr 11, 2008
Fairmont Hotels
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus are partnering to unveil
two "Lexus Hybrid Living Suites" geared for eco-conscious
visitors, with the first to launch at The Fairmont San Francisco,
followed by The Fairmont Washington, D.C. in conjunction with Earth Day
2008. Guests can sleep, eat and drink sustainably in these suites, with
every aspect of the room planned for the eco-minded traveler,
incorporating ideas and products from Lexus Hybrid Living partners. Apr
8, 2008
Hilton Hotels
The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has completed its
renovation of the existing two-story, 6,000-square-foot spa. Under the
direction of Alan Navarette, Spa Oasis now features a 7,000-square-foot
facility that includes 13 treatment rooms and two VIP couples suites
with bathtubs for two. A new salon offers manicures, pedicures, hair
treatments and a shaving station. Before or after treatment, spa guests
can relax in one of two lounge areas, each with access to the outdoor
balconies. Visit www.hiltonloscabos.com Apr 11, 2008
Hilton Hotels
The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has completed its
renovation of the existing two-story, 6,000-square-foot spa. Under the
direction of Alan Navarette, Spa Oasis now features a 7,000-square-foot
facility that includes 13 treatment rooms and two VIP couples suites
with bathtubs for two. A new salon offers manicures, pedicures, hair
treatments and a shaving station. Before or after treatment, spa guests
can relax in one of two lounge areas, each with access to the outdoor
balconies. Visit www.hiltonloscabos.com Apr 11, 2008
Hyatt Hotels
The Hyatt Regency Trinidad hosted a formal Grand Opening gala on
April 4, making it the first full-service hotel to open in the dual
island nation of Trinidad & Tobago in 46 years. The 428-room Hyatt
is situated in the Port of Spain International Waterfront Development.
While the hotel welcomed its first guests on Jan. 29, the Grand Opening
marked a celebratory occasion to announce its upscale accommodations,
dining, Spa Esencia and business services to the world. Attending
dignitaries included Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Patrick
Manning as well as President George Maxwell Richards, Jamaican Prime
Minister Bruce Golding, Caricom Secretary General Dr Edwin Carrington,
Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hugh Ingram, U.S. Ambassador Roy Austin
and the heads of Government and of State of Antigua and Barbuda,
Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis,
St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Call 800-233-1234 or visit
www.trinidad.hyatt.com Apr 11, 2008
Marriott Hotels
The Hanover Marriott in Whippany, N.J., completed a $4 million
ballroom and meeting space renovation. The renovation, which took
approximately eight weeks to complete, involved the total overhaul of
the hotel's function space to create the most recently renovated
ballroom and meeting space in the area. The ballroom renovation
encompassed new wall vinyl, carpeting, chandeliers, and lighting.
Bathrooms on the first floor were also renovated. The overall decor and
style of the ballroom is modern yet comfortable and includes new
furnishings through the foyer. Additionally, the renovation involved the
creation of coves outside the third floor meeting rooms to enable more
convenient areas to display coffee breaks increasing the amount of space
in the corridors. The Hanover Marriott offers a total of 19 meeting
rooms and 18,850 square feet of meeting space. The newly renovated
ballroom features 10,750 square feet of space with a total seating
capacity of 1,000 people. For more information, visit www.marriott.com
Apr 11, 2008
Marriott Hotels
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