Travel Agent - September 3, 2007 - (Page 20)

Cover Story Continued from page 18 ization,” says Richard Baker, U.S. corporate general manager at Mandarin Oriental. “We align ourselves with strategic equity partners who understand the essence of our Asian heritage and who are willing to hire world-class architects as well as cutting-edge designers.” In 2007, Mandarin Oriental will add Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China to its portfolio; Barcelona, Boston and Beijing will follow in 2008. The real boom, however, will take place in 2009 when the brand opens in Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Costa Rica. activities, multi-bedroom suites, state-of-the-art pools (or indoor water parks in cooler destinations) and character breakfasts. The first property to debut in San Diego in 2010; 20 new resorts are expected to open worldwide by 2020. The chain also Cotton Bay Villas will open in the Bahamas in 2008 teamed up with Ian Schrager to create has become many different travelers,” a global boutique lifestyle hotel brand adding that one might choose a certain that will target gateway cities throughhotel for a business meeting, another for a out North and South America, Europe family vacation and a third for a romantic and Asia featuring 150 to 200 rooms. getaway with a significant other. “Part of Renowned architects and designers will the industry’s introduction of new brands create individual, environmentally-responis responding to travelers’ expectations sible properties reflective of the culture and more specialized needs.” and location. Marriott hopes to have five Earlier this year, Marriott (www.mar deals signed by the end of 2007 and 100 riott.com) announced a partnership with hotels in the works within 10 years. As for Nickelodeon for a new brand, Nickelodeon international development, the company Resorts by Marriott. The upscale destinawill triple its portfolio in India by 2010, tion resorts will have Nickelodeon-themed adding 21 properties across six brands. Meeting Specialized Needs With increased travel from the Gen-Xers and Millennials (the 29-and-under age group), PwC’s Hanson points out that hotel companies are responding to changing preferences and tastes with more casual concepts, inclusiveness, use of technology and environmental awareness. “In the past, travelers had uniform travel patterns,” he says, “but today, every traveler New Hotels of Note The Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan’s hip and trendy Meatpacking District is opening a sister property—The Gansevoort South, Miami (www. gansevoortsouth.com)—later this year that will also feature the brand’s signature “rooftop playground.” The property’s oceanview swimming pool will be set on a 24,000-square-foot teak rooftop deck lined with palm trees, and there will be a beach club with round tented beds. If being seen isn’t your client’s scene, privacy awaits at Cotton Bay Villas (www.discovercottonbay.com), a new resort community opening on the Out Island of Eleuthera in early 2008. As the first Starwood Luxury Collection property in the Bahamas, Cotton Bay is drawing its inspiration from the exclusive Cotton Bay Club, which was next to the development and frequented by Sammy Davis Jr., Sidney Poitier and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Guests can relax in their private villas overlooking the ocean, complete with a full kitchen, veranda and Jacuzzi, or escape to resort’s two privately-owned islands. One of the highlights at the new Ritz-Carlton, Dallas (www.ritzcarl ton.com) is Fearing’s Restaurant, a creation of celebrity chef Dean Fearing, who will most likely be spotted wearing a pair of his custom cowboy boots. Advise clients to order menu favorites such as the barbecue shrimp taco with mango-pickled red onion salad and smoky citrus vinaigrette or the prime cut rib eye with twice-baked potatoes and crisp asparagus. They can continue to indulge themselves with one of six Prada beauty treatments at the spa, which are only avail- able at the 12 Ritz-Carlton Spas in the U.S. If your clients are drawn in by the spa experience, you can also book them a room at Schloss Velden (www.schlossveldencapella.com), the first property to open as part of Capella Hotels and Resorts (a new brand created by Horst Schulze, the former president and COO of Ritz-Carlton). The historic Austrian chateau boasts a 30,000-square-foot lakefront spa and wellness center with 14 treatment rooms, a spa café, a grotto-style ice room with falling snow and an indoor, interactive golf simulator. Outdoor adventurers will have their share of activities, from bungee jumping, and skydiving to mountain biking and horseback riding. For another European lakeside retreat, head to Switzerland, where Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (www.fairmont.com) opened Fairmont Le Montreux Palace on Lake Geneva. Encourage clients to explore the area, which was a favorite of Lord Byron, Vladimir Nabokov and Freddie Mercury. Organize a train ride to a vineyard, chocolate factory or the medieval town of Gruyeres (yes, it’s famous for its cheese). Arrange to paraglide, bike, hike, go canyoning or visit Chillon castle (the inspiration for Byron’s The Prisoner of Chillon). At the end of the day, book the Elixir of Youth treatment at the Willow Stream Spa. History buffs can also book a stay at the new Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano, Egypt (www.fourseasons.com). As the brand’s fourth property in Egypt, Four Seasons has made it even easier to explore the country, allowing travelers to combine a stay in Alexandria with the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. 20 TravelAgent September 3, 2007 http://www.marriott.com http://www.marriott.com http://www.schlossveldencapella.com http://www.gansevoortsouth.com http://www.gansevoortsouth.com http://www.discovercottonbay.com http://www.fairmont.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.fourseasons.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

Contents News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hotel Brand Expansion Africa: Egypt’s Newest Destination Hawaii: Hawaii Update Pacific/Asia: Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square Europe: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Caribbean & Bahamas: Marriott Expands Its Caribbean Portfolio El San Juan Hotel & Casino Upgrades San Juan’s New Doubletree by Hilton Mexico: Hotels Offer Post-Hurricane Deals Ski: The Inn at Lost Creek Agent Profile Meet Mame King Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace Luxury Travel Expo Update People & Places Special Supplement: Las Vegas Sales Guide

Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.