Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page 48)

DESTINATIONS The Westin Aruba’s Lobby Bar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46 hotel faces the newly built Riu Hotel). For your most demanding clients, request any of the three Presidential Suites. All are oceanfront suites and are located on floors six, 16 and 18. The sixth-floor suite has a full kitchen. Each suite has a view of the ocean from the bed, and the bathrooms are large, with double sinks, Roman bathtubs and separate showers. The next-largest suite is a one-bedroom Oceanview Suite. This room features a parlor with a balcony that is connected to a bedroom with a king-size bed and a large bathroom, similar to the one in the Presidential Suites. Twenty-three one-bedroom suites and 80 junior suites are available, which are a good value at The Spa at the Westin Aruba less than the price of a full suite; either is ideal for families. An impressive 192 of the resort’s rooms connect to one another. All rooms except the Presidential Suites can be booked over the GDS, and the resort is pet-friendly. David Wahba, director of sales and marketing (david.wahba@westin.com), notes that the week of Christmas is especially busy, and recommends booking about nine months in advance if it is your client’s desire to have a Caribbean Christmas. He says that many people prefer to book their next vacation before they leave, ensuring their spot for the following year. Contact Guest Services Manager Vanessa Rasmussen (297-526-4419; vanessa.rasmussen@westin.com) with any special requests for your clients, or General Manager Matt Balcik (297-586-4466, ext. 2411; matt.balcik@westin. com) with any questions. At the hotel, travelers have a choice of 10 on-site restaurants and lounges. The new Bon Bini Café features an appetizing and filling breakfast buffet, with fresh fruit, breads, cereals and made-to-order omelets. Poolside hangouts include the casual Tambu Bar and The Terrace Restaurant, great for fruity tropical drinks and light lunches. Caffe Baci brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, and features delicious food along with an extensive wine list. The resort’s signature dining venue, Blossoms, is the only eatery on the island that serves well-appointed Japanese and Chinese cuisine. This restaurant features an array of brightly colored tropical fish swimming within two large aquariums, which are visible from the 24-seat sushi bar, any of the six Teppanyaki tables or the 12-seat VIP dining area. Pago Pago CONTINUED ON PAGE 50 48 | TravelAgent May 12, 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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