Travel Agent - April 28, 2008 - (Page 38)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 the Masters and proved such a success that it continues to this day. This year’s Pageant takes its title and theme from Shakespeare’s line, “All the World’s a Stage.” The show will offer 90 minutes of faithful art recreations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original paintings. The Pageant of the Masters will be performed at Laguna Beach in an outdoor amphitheater nightly from July 9 through August 30. Tickets for “All the World’s a Stage” are priced from $20 to $100. For further information, call 800-487-3378 or visit www.lagunafestivalofarts.com. Laguna Beach Resorts One of the charms of the Surf & Sand Resort (www.surfandsandresort.com) is its amazing proximity to the ocean—so close that some people prefer rooms on the lower floors, just so they can hear the sound of the waves at night. The resort sits 20 feet from the waters of the Pacific, and all 165 rooms have views of the ocean from private balconies. Dining at night in the property’s Splashes Restaurant is a uniquely atmospheric experience. Although the restaurant is hip and stylish, there’s also a nostalgic feeling to the setting—it’s easy to imagine Robert Mitchum and Susan Hayward in a film noir from the 1950s, dining at one of the window tables. The Aquaterra Spa has a full menu of treatments. Couples who want to explore their own creativity can try the Artistic Ritual. They’ll begin with a white French clay-mud wrap and then are given a palette of colored mud to paint each other—green seaweed, red clay and black Dead Sea chamomile. This is followed by a 20minute bath for two and ends with a 50-minute, side-by-side Aquaterra Signature Massage. Spa reservations can be made by contacting Debra Klingensmith, the spa director, at 949-376-2772 or dklingensmith@jcresorts.com. In conjunction with the Pageant of the Masters, Surf & Sand Resort is offering the twonight “Art of Relaxation” package. The package is priced from $1,200 and includes deluxe accommodations for two nights in an oceanview room with private balcony, two tickets to a night at the Pageant of the Masters, transportation to and from the resort and a special “Chef’s Palette Pleasure” two-course meal that includes two appetizers and a combination of three selected entrées. The package is available from 38 | TravelAgent April 28, 2008 July 9-August 30, Sundays through Thursdays only. To book the package, call 888-869-9299. The 165-room Surf & Sand Resort is owned by JC Resorts and is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. The VIP contact for the resort is Jodi Vogt, transient sales coordinator (jvogt@jcresorts.com, 858-675-8533). The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (www. ritzcarlton.com) has a commanding position atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This provides 30 percent of the hotel’s rooms with views of the ocean, including 13 Ocean View Suites. The four-story, 396-room property is adjacent to an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., making it a good choice for duffers. The hotel also has a two-story fitness center with panoramic ocean views and a spa with 11 treatment rooms. For advance reservations, contact Pamela Bower, spa manager, at 949-240-2000, ext. 5749, or pamela.bower@ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Club on the fourth floor offers guests an elevated level of service and amenities. Club guests receive complimentary local transportation, full use of spa facilities and preferred appointment times, enrollment for children in the Ritz Kids program, pressing of up to two items per day, preferred seating in Restaurant 162’ and a continental breakfast daily. A concierge staff is available to assist with details and The Club Lounge provides light meals and drinks throughout the day. Because of its “hotel within a hotel” ambiance, The Ritz-Carlton Club is popular with honeymooners. The Club’s Oceanfront Rooms are the most sought after. These are even numbers 4004 through 4020. Travel agents can reach out to Laura Orfield, director of sales, leisure and business travel (949-489-5838, laura.orfield@ ritzcarlton.com). Last year the resort opened ENO, a 36-seat wine-, cheese- and chocolate-tasting room that offers flights of wines, as well as wines by the glass. ENO has more than 500 wines, 50 cheeses and a selection of chocolates from around the world. The resort offers an overnight “Reconnect” package that, along with room accommodations and special amenities, includes a 90-minute private session with ENO Sommelier Holly Smith, a flight of five wines with a personalized cheese and chocolate pairing by the chef and a gourmet wine amenity. Guests can also sign up for surfing lessons at the Hawaiian Surfing Experience. Lessons start at $150 per person for a 90-minute private session. The location for the lessons is based on the experience of the surfer and range from the beach in Dana Point (not for beginners) to San Clemente. Reservations for daily lessons can be arranged through the resort’s concierge and require 24-hour advance notice. Call 949-2402000, ext. 5360. The 30-acre Montage Laguna Beach (www.montagelagunabeach.com) is on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific. The 250room, craftsman-style resort features beachfront accommodations, and every room has an ocean view. If your clients want to be near the ocean, book them into the property’s Bungalow Suites, which feature fireplaces, walk-in closets and 1½ baths. The Bungalow Suites are a good bet for guests on extended stays. Guest rooms located on the north side of the hotel have the best view of Santa Catalina Island and the sunset, while Surf View Suites have the best view of the waves crashing against the shore. The resort has 30 connecting rooms; rooms located near the pool and on the ground floor are convenient for families. Agents with special requests can feel free to contact the hotel’s managing director, James Bermingham at 949-715-6000. The travel agent liaison is Hanae Kalland, leisure sales coordinator (949-715-6138, hkalland@montagehotels.com). The 20,000-square-foot spa has 20 treatment rooms and one suite. The most popular treatment is “Surrender,” which begins with a brief consultation to discuss lifestyle and guest needs. The therapist then recommends the ideal treatment A balcony at Surf & Sand Resort http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.com http://www.surfandsandresort.com http://www.montagelagunabeach.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - April 28, 2008

Travel Agent - April 28, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Africa: Where to Stay in the Gateway to Southern Africa South Pacific/Australia: Luxury Lodges in Queensland and Tasmania Pacific/Asia: Shanghai, China’s Cosmopolitan Powerhouse, Sees New Hotel and Cruise Development Canada: Downtown Calgary is Easy to Get Around and Filled with Historic and Cultural Attractions California: Laguna Beach Blends Culture with Coastal Beauty Florida: Golf, History, Food and Fun Defined Our Stay at the Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine Las Vegas: Vegas Hotels Gamble on the Allure of Men’s Grooming Pacific Northwest: Washington Inns Emphasize Local Charm Mexico: Tulum Comes Into its Own as a Luxury Destination Europe: Cruising the Mosel and Rhine Rivers with Amadeus Waterways Rudi Schreiner, President of Amadeus Waterways, Talks about River Cruises Caribbean: Travel Agent Reports From the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange The Slot Spot: Gaming at the Casino Dominicus Cruise: Suppliers and Businesses Use Ships as Springboards to Satisfy Enthusiasts’ Hobbies and Passions Key Legal Decisions Will Affect the Future of Alaska’s Cruise Industry Cover Story: Exclusive Beach Destinations Hotels: The Girlfriend Getaway is an Exploding Market Agent Profile: Sabine Harris’ Personal Touch Provides a Memorable Experience Virtual Tourism: New Websites Give a New View of Tourist Destinations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Anguilla’s Cap Juluca Sold Aloha Airlines is Grounded Exorbitant Hotel Rates Make Alternatives More Appealing Koepf takes Helm at NACTA, Plans to Expand Membership In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - April 28, 2008

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