Travel Agent - September 3, 2007 - (Page 34)

Destinations Caribbean & Bahamas salon, which is also open to kids, offers manicures, pedicures, haircuts and hair treatments using the new Kerastase Hair Treatment Line. SPA Edouard de Paris uses the Yonka Paris product line, which is exclusive to El San Juan Hotel & Resort. Agents can book treatments for clients in advance when they secure rooms. Visit oux redesigned the deck and poolside areas, creating a décor that blends bedroom, gaming and bar elements in the nautilusshaped open-air lounge. The pool area has 24 canopied, double-sided daybeds along the shoreline, three private cabanas, hammocks, swings, a swim-up bar and stylish outside showers, overstuffed chaise lounges and cocoon chairs. El San Juan has seven other excellent on-site restaurants, including The Bistro, a casual French-style café. The steaks at The Palm, the northern Italian cuisine at La Piccola Fontana and the sushi at Yamato are all popular with locals. There are secluded rooms at The Palm and La Piccola Fontana for a private chef’s table or wine tasting. The Agave Ranch, a country-western-style bar and grill featuring casual dining and a tequila sommelier, is on the hotel’s rooftop and has the best views of the sunset (Antoine Walker, Derek Jeter, Dennis Rodman, Lorraine Bracco, Jason Fabini, Jerome Bettis and Oscar De La Hoya have all been spotted there). Agents can make reservations for clients at the time of booking rooms. As for off-site fine dining, recommend one of the tasting menus at Chef Wilo Benet’s Pikayo (787-721-6194), which serves gourmet international and local cuisine and is in the Art Museum of Puerto Rico (787-977-6277). The on-property Galeria Shopping Mall is home to Godiva Chocolatier, as well as Hellenis Jewelers and Rheinhold Jewelry, which can design custom jewelry and watches for clients. The hotel is also close to the Condado area, which is lined with high-end stores. For kids, recommend the Grand Plaza Las Américas shopping mall, about 15 minutes from the hotel. Another kidfriendly attraction is the Children’s Museum (787-722-3791) in Old San Juan. The concierge can arrange transfers. Gerry Farrulla (787-791-1000) is the hotel’s wedding planner extraordinaire. For VIPs, agents can contact John Paul Oliver, El San Juan’s general manager and managing director, at 787-791-1000, ext. 1051 or joliver@luxuryresorts.com. The property’s travel agent liaison is Lisa M. Gelabert-Rivera (787-791-1000, ext. 1057). Continued from page 32 (featuring their own private Jacuzzis) and the property’s 127 connecting rooms are most suitable for groups and large families traveling together. The Royal Suite and the Monarch Suite both have two bedrooms, a private terrace and a living area, and the Royal Suite also has a kitchen; these are the two best suites. The newlywed couple A few of the 24 canopied, double-sided daybeds next to the pool, along the shoreline Christopher Knight (a.k.a. Peter Brady from The Brady Bunch) and Adrianne Curry (from America’s Top Model) became engaged soon after staying in the Royal Suite. All units can be booked over the GDS. Tip: For holiday periods, book one year out, especially for the Ocean Front Lanais. The property is pet-friendly, offering couture pet beds. The property’s Edouard de Paris Day Spa & Salon has five treatment rooms, plus one couple’s treatment room. Outdoor massages are available in poolside cabanas. The spa’s most popular treatments are the Four Hand Massage, the Deep-Tissue Massage and Le Grand Classique Facial. New to the treatment menu is the Plaisir des Sens Facial, which uses gemstones to align chakras and balance energy. If your clients are looking for a male aesthetician, request Laurent Saleres; for a female therapist and aesthetician, Marisol Soto; for a male therapist, Carlos Rosa; and for a yogaon-the-beach instructor, Melba Soto. The www.edouardparis.com for more information, or contact Spa Director Lydia Chevere at 787-253-1300 or 787-7911000, ext. 1175. The attentive concierge department can arrange helicopter service around the island, custom couture fittings with top local designers and private museum tours with art historians at famed local museums, including Museo de Puerto Rico. The head concierges are Tanya Sanchez (tsanchez@luxuryresorts.com) and Carla Negron (cnegron@luxuryre sorts.com); get in touch with either by calling 787-791-1000, ext. 4. New Encanto Beach Club & Grill The 130-seat La Veranda restaurant, which overlooks the pool, gardens and beach, was recently renamed the Encanto Beach Club & Grill after an extensive renovation that was conceived and created by club designer Stephane Dupoux, whose portfolio includes the Buddha Bar in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan. Dup- 34 TravelAgent September 3, 2007 http://www.edouardparis.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

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