Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 20)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 linens over pillowtop mattresses. The extralarge bathrooms are designed with marble and porcelain, and feature rain showers and toiletries by Key West Aloe, a beloved local company. The hotel’s largest rooms are the King Salons (in buildings 1 and 2), each with two balconies with Gulf of Mexico views. Reserve a Keys Essential Massage treatment at the Hyatt’s new Jala Spa, showcasing the Payot Paris all-natural product line. The 90-minute experience is based on Thai massage and incorporates semi-precious gemstone extracts. Or choose the Jala Blue treatment, a full-body exfoliation and facial, and the hotel will make a contribution to the Reef Relief Organization (www.reefrelief. org). Insiders tell us Erin McKenna is the most popular masseuse. Alfresco massages are available Guest rooms at Beachside Resort & Conference Center have marble floors in the poolside cabanas. The spa director, Paulette Scarpine (pscarpine@hyatt.com, 305-809-4020), is happy to assist with reservations. Key West’s newest lodging addition is Beachside Resort & Conference Center Dining and Shopping in Key West Restaurants: Most of Key West’s best restaurants are located away from tourist-packed Duval Street. The award-winning Café Marquesa (305-2921919, www.marquesa.com), housed in the island’s finest small hotel—also named the Marquesa—specializes in contemporary American cuisine. Signature dishes include the grilled shrimp martini with habañero chili melon sorbet and the macadamia-encrusted yellowtail snapper. Café Solé (305294-0230, www.cafesole.com) is headed by chef John Correa, who learned his magic in Provence and Bordeaux. The hog snapper smothered in a red pepper hollandaise sauce is an absolute must. Tucked inside charming Bahama Village, Santiago’s Bodega (305296-7691, www.santiagosbodega.com) offers delicious tapas dishes in a laid-back environment. For the island’s best brunch, head to Blue Heaven (305-296-8666, www.blueheavenkw.com), a locals’ hangout where enormous blueberry pancakes and lobster benedict are served in a backyard with crowing Gypsy roosters at your feet. Retail: Key West contains almost as many T-shirt shops as bars, but your clients can also find plenty of original shops and cool boutiques. Famous for its window displays, the tropical de partment store Fast Buck Freddie’s (www.fastbuckfreddies.com) is a Key West institution. Stroll down Greene Street to check out The Gallery on Greene (www. galleryongreene.com) and Key West Aloe (www.keywestaloe.com), then Kermit’s Key Lime Shop (www.keylimeshop.com) for a slice of key lime pie, the official dessert of Florida. The island is known for its Cuban coffee, so be sure to pick up a bag of Baby’s Coffee (www.babyscoffee.com). The company is located at mile marker 15 on U.S. 1, but you can buy the signature Havana Roast at Fausto’s Food Palace (www.faustos.com) on Fleming Street. Besame Mucho (www.besamemucho.net) is a pleasant boutique; as its motto says, “Shop here once and life will be a joy forever.” The fragrant interior is full of fine jewelry, exquisite Provencal soaps, Kiehl’s products and beautiful gifts. Steps from the historic seaport, Blue (www.blueislandstore. com) features sophisticated women’s fashions. (www.beachsidekeywest.com), situated next to the Key West Golf Club on the eastern edge of the island. Travel Agent went behind the scenes to check out the hotel before its grand opening this spring. A rooftop helicopter landing pad is evidence of its caliber of luxury. The 222-room property was developed by Spottswood Companies, a family-owned real estate business with a legacy in Key West dating back to the 1880s. Designed by award-winning architect Thomas E. Pope, the gulf-facing resort features a private beach and waterfront pool with Jacuzzi. A 20slip marina will open sometime this year. Deluxe touches in the generously sized guest rooms include marble flooring, LCD flat-screen TVs with impressive sound systems, L ’Occitane bath products and Frette linens. One-, two- and three-bedroom suites contain kitchens, dining areas and Jacuzzi tubs. The best rooms to book are the Gulfview suites in buildings 1 and 5 (rooms 131-137 or 531-536). The lead concierge, Key West native Toni Tarracino (beachsideconcierge@spottswood.com, 305-296-8100, ext. 7102), established a reputation for superb service through her work for her father, “Captain Tony,” at his charter boat business and Duval Street Saloon. She’s handled all sorts of “over-the-top” requests, from customized marriage proposals to charter flights above the Everglades. Don’t miss a meal at Tavern N Town, the resort’s two adjoining restaurants by celebrity chef Norman Van Aken. Tapas-style dishes are served at Tavern (which opened in October), while Town (slated to debut later this year) promises a dazzling five-course tasting menu that rotates daily. Take a stool at the bar to gape at the gorgeous theater-style kitchen. I CONNECTING YOU For information on events in the “Conch Republic,” visit www.travelagentcentral.com/keywest 20 | TravelAgent March 3, 2008 http://www.beachsidekeywest.com http://www.reefrelief.org http://www.reefrelief.org http://www.marquesa.com http://www.cafesole.com http://www.santiagosbodega.com http://www.blueheavenkw.com http://www.fastbuckfreddies.com http://www.galleryongreene.com http://www.galleryongreene.com http://www.keywestaloe.com http://www.keylimeshop.com http://www.babyscoffee.com http://www.faustos.com http://www.besamemucho.net http://www.blueislandstore.com http://www.blueislandstore.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/keywest

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

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