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Gansevoort Park Ave, NYC
Manhattan's Most Comprehensive Urban Resort. The first urban resort of its kind to hit Manhattan, Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC is New York's newest and most comprehensive hotel destination. This Gotham City hotspot offers a tri-level rooftop with bars and lounges, the city's first indoor/outdoor rooftop pool, complimentary transportation in a 2011 Porsche Panamera 4S, a Lacoste retail store, exhale Spa, Cutler Salon; views of the Empire State Building; and Asellina, an Italian trattoria, all under one roof. ( www.gansevoortpark.com; Emily@njfpr.com)
Grand Hyatt New York, NYC
Rocker chefs hit Grand Hyatt. New York Central, the new restaurant in Grand Hyatt New York, brought in two heavy hitters to command the kitchen. The tough, tattooed executive chef, Christian Ragano, comes from almost a decade at Chicago's famed NoMi to inject some excitement and refinement to the contemporary restaurant. Chef Ragano means business and he snagged his head pastry chef, Katzie Hamilton from The Breslin in NYC. Not only did Hamilton open the critically acclaimed Breslin, but she spent four years at Wolfgang Puck's Spago. Since the restaurant's recent opening, this dynamic duo has proven successful in luring discriminating gourmands away from the city's immortal non-hotel dining establishments and into New York Central's engagingly energized 220-seat mezzanine dining room. ( www.grandhyattnewyork.com; Matthew@nfpr.com)
The Elysian, Chicago
Fashion disasters averted at The Elysian. Nightmare scenario: you're visiting Chicago and have just finished dressing for an important night out in the Windy City when you accidentally spill wine all over your best clothes. No time for dry cleaning, no time to shop for suitable replacement attire. At The Elysian, Chicago's premier luxury hotel, guests in a bind can now purchase an official Emergency Style Kit containing a select ensemble of high-fashion apparel from some of the best-loved designer brands, including (for women) Donna Karan, Jimmy Choo, Wolford, and Lanvin, and (for men) Zegna, Hermes, David Yurman and Gucci. Meanwhile, renowned stylist Eric Himel maintains appointment availability to privately advise guests about putting kit elements to best effect, or to discuss other fashion concerns. ( www.elysianhotels.com; Courtney@njfpr.com)
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Out of the bag. The average traveler who likes to exercise while away typically brings along enough fitness gear to fill almost half an airline carry-on bag. Travelers can now stay at any Westin Hotels & Resorts property and leave the space-eating gear at home! A recently formed partnership with New Balance allows Westin to lend its guests complimentary fitness wear, including tank tops, pants, accessories, and shoes with disposable inserts. ( www.westinnewbalance.com; Courtney@njfpr.com)
St. Petersburg - Clearwater, FL
Not Your Grandmother's Florida. Known for its pristine beaches and 361 days of sun a year, St. Petersburg-Clearwater is also fast becoming the cultural center of Florida. The new $36 million, 66,450 square-foot Dali Museum opened 1/11/11 and boasts the largest Dali collection outside of Spain. Another notable addition to the area is The Dale Chihuly collection at the Morean Arts Center, a stunning permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly's exquisite glass art installations. ( www.visitstpeteclearwater.com; Courtney@njfpr.com).
JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ
Drinking up knowledge. The secret of creating a truly lip-smacking Bloody Mary isn't to be found in the vodka or the tomato juice. It's in the freshness of the basil. That's just one of many insights to be shared with participants in a cocktail-making mini-course offered free to guests staying at Scottsdale's JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. As part of the instruction, enrollees guided by a resident horticulturist will tour the resort's organic herb gardens and learn about desert botanicals, then will pick their own herbs for use in cocktails they'll later prepare under the tutelage of a Camelback Inn mixology star. ( www.camelbackinn.com; Nicole@njfpr.com)
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos
Jet (Blue) to Turks + Caicos. Already blue skies become jetBlue in February thanks to new direct flights to the island group's largest city. jetBlue airlines will provide direct service to Providenciales from New York, Boston, Dallas and Atlanta in addition to existing flights from Delta, US Air and American airlines. Book now and escape to the turquoise waters and white sand of Gansevoort Turks + Caicos on Grace Bay and take advantage of jetBlue's low introductory rates. More direct flights means more time at the Gansevoort for spa treatments and classes at exhale, or bites and beverages at Bagatelle Bistrot. ( www.gansevoorttc.com; Amanda@njfpr.com)
Gansevoort Meatpacking, NYC
‘Mile High' activities just as fun on the ground. Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel in downtown Manhattan introduces its arousing “Naughty But Nice” package. Included with the luxury accommodations are chilled bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne, fresh strawberries and yummy chocolate body frosting. Also provided is a “Mile High” kit containing a playfully sizzling assortment of pleasures. Then, as an added measure to keep passions ablaze all night long, a copy of The Kama Sutra: Book of Erotic Games is left at bedside (as are chocolate truffles at turndown). Afterward, couples can cool off with a complimentary beverage served poolside, and enjoy a continental breakfast at the hotel's Tanuki Tavern restaurant. ( www.hotelgansevoort.com; Tanya@njfpr.com)
The Jane, NYC
Rock bottom rates at trendy micro-hotel in West Village. In case you've ever wondered how upscale rail travelers in real life were able to slumber like babies and awake refreshed in such close quarters, you'll get your answer when you spend the night at The Jane Hotel in New York City's West Village. Geared to guests with more dash than cash, this edgy, 159-room micro-hotel has newly cut its already low rates on all cabins including the Captain's Cabins coming in at 250 square feet and the Standard and Bunk Cabins, both measuring 50 square feet in size, which is roughly the same amount of space found aboard the most opulent of vintage trains like the fabled Orient Express. Despite the compactness, designers managed to outfit each cabin with a pleasing array of essential amenities, including a 23-inch LCD television with DVD player, an iPod dock, and more. Rooms starting at $79. ( www.thejanenyc.com; Matthew@njfpr.com)
Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Where eagles dare. Spring Creek Ranch of Jackson Hole, Wyo., now offers its guests a way to get climber-strong and -sharp after just seven days of pulsating fun in the snow-capped Teton Mountains. The elite resort in partnership with three world-renowned Jackson Hole outdoor companies has put together what it calls a “High Altitude and Adrenaline” package. First, participants scale those imposing Tetons. Next, they receive intensive instruction and practice in the sport of extreme snow skiing. Much more follows to test and refine their mettle. Resort officials say that guests who sign up and complete the adventure depart with their mountaineering and back-country survival skills exponentially enhanced. ( www.springcreekranch.com; Matthew@njfpr.com)
Liberty Hotel, Boston, MA
Up on the Catwalk. Boston's Liberty Hotel, built in 1851 as the famed Charles Street Jail, keeps guests under lock and key; drawing them back with free events every night of the week. Instead of being thrown in cells, today's guests are running to the hotel's Catwalk, the amply named new bar hovering above the hotel's lobby on one of the original catwalks that encircle the properties rotunda. It's a perfect spot to do time while awaiting the Thursday start of a hotel-hosted fashion show called “Fashionably Late.” ( www.libertyhotel.com; Matthew@njfpr.com)
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Made in China. A major beneficiary of the booming economy in China is tourism. Sheraton, Starwood Hotels & Resorts' largest brand, continues to dominate the hotel industry in China, and is investing $5 billion to build 29 additional Sheratons to join the 35 existing properties. China is Starwood's second largest hotel market, after the U.S. ( www.sheraton.com; Amanda@njfpr.com)
Pod Hotel, NYC
Let your fingers do the walking. Guests checking in to the high-tech Pod Hotel can now stroll up to the lobby's three-dimensional virtual map of Manhattan, touch its interactive screen to pull up a neighborhood-by-neighborhood bird's-eye view of restaurants, shops and shows, then keep touching to drill down for up-to-the-minute details about whatever most intrigues. The system's info base is updated continually through a partnership with social mapping service Mapcidy, which gathers data from an editorial team of bloggers totally plugged into doings around the city. The ultra-hip Pod Hotel caters to stylish spendthrift travelers; Reuters newswire's blogger community voted it one of the planet's Top Ten tech hotels. ( www.thepodhotel.com; Nicole@njfpr.com)
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino
In the mood. The only thing better than curling up with a good romance novel is having your sweetheart cuddled next to you with an equally good romance novel of his or her own. That's the heart of the idea behind a new lovers' package called “Rekindle with Amour,” available now through April 30, exclusively at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. Takers receive a complimentary Kindle e-book to download published works ranging from the steamy to the sublime; they also receive one bottle of chilled champagne, an assortment of chocolate-covered strawberries, a 50-minute couples massage, one dinner for two, and more. ( aruba.hyatt.com; Jaclyn@njfpr.com)
Cooperstown, NY
Sugar and spice. See how they make that heavenly Otsego County maple syrup every Sunday in March at The Farmers' Museum located in Cooperstown, New York. “Sugaring Off Sundays” will demonstrate the time-honored art and science of transforming sap harvested from local maple trees into sugary delights. Of course, learning is no fun without sampling, so an out-of-this-world pancake breakfast will be served. After having your fill, swing on over to the nearby Baseball Hall of Fame to reminisce about player greats who really knew how to give ‘em the ol' pepper over the plate. ( www.cooperstowngetaway.org; Jaclyn@njfpr.com)
The Bowery Hotel, NYC
Diamond from the rough. Revitalized neighborhoods sometimes far surpass the grace and charm they originally possessed before their precipitous decline. Case in point: New York City's Bowery. Located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Bowery started in the mid-1600s as a center of culture and refinement, then slid from respectability a couple of centuries later and eventually ended up as a rough-and-tumble slum. It was reborn in the 1990s and now is the bejeweled home of exclusive boutiques, glamour-powered nightclubs, and incomparable restaurants – for instance, Gemma, where rustic Italian fare prepared with “unlabored panache” (as the New York Times puts it) by top chef Chris D'Amico is served daily. Gemma is located in The Bowery Hotel, an inn so classically appointed (take a gander at its ornate artisan fireplace to start with) that a stay there is almost like stepping back in time for a taste of life in the historic neighborhood during its initial heyday. ( www.boweryhotel.com; Jenna@njfpr.com)
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa / The Water Club, Atlantic City, NJ
Elegant fine-dining on a budget. Consumers thinking twice about how they spend on entertainment these days need only think once when they drop in Sunday through Friday at the celebrity-chef restaurants on the grounds of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Just launched: easy-on-the-pocketbook menus at Wolfgang Puck's American Grille, Michael Schulson's Japanese-style pub Izakaya, and Michael Mina's Seablue. Three-course meals on the special menus offered by each are locked in at $39. Later in the year, when outdoor temperatures rise, patrons can also enjoy music, signature cocktails, gourmet frozen treats from fresh fruit purees, and a fashionable crowd at The Water Club's outdoor pools. But for now, The Water Club is the place to be for an after-dinner time of cozying in front of the crackling fireplace while sipping a cup of spiked hot chocolate. ( www.theborgata.com; Jacyln@njfpr.com)
La Concha, Puerto Rico
Suite you off your feet. Now open at the La Concha resort in Puerto Rico is a dazzling $100-million all-suite guest tower near the water's edge along San Juan's glorious Condado Beach. Each marvelously sleek and stylish suite features a full balcony, pullout couch and high-tech amenities. Added recently as well are “spa suites” which include an outdoor terrace hot tub. La Concha earns Four Diamonds from the AAA ratings book, and is considered a nightlife destination among the island's in-crowd. The resort even has its own sound, available on the new “Candela by La Concha” CD (a seductive collection of remixed popular local music). ( www.laconcharesort.com; Tanya@njfpr.com)
Isla Verde Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
Beep! Beep! Anytime check-in now offered at ocean front oasis. The unsurpassed Isla Verde Beach Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico is now proud to offer an anytime check-in policy. Here's how it works: Early birds are invited to change into more suitable attire in a supplied private dressing room, then place their bags in the care of staff before heading out to indulge in carefree, leisurely exploration of the extensive beachfront oasis property and possibly partake in some of the complimentary programming offered, such as cooking classes. Once their room is ready, they'll be immediately alerted by means of a beeping personal pager given to them at the front desk when first they arrived. ( www.sjcourtyard.com; Tanya@njfpr.com)
Condado Vanderbilt, Puerto Rico
Revamped historic hotel to open in fall. Two stately, 11-story guestroom towers are currently being built adjacent the historic Condado Vanderbilt in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The new towers and a major restoration of the original hotel are scheduled for a fall debut. Owners expect the reopened Condado Vanderbilt to set standards for style, sophistication and service exceeding even those in effect when the hotel – designed by New York Grand Central Station architect Whitney Warren – originally opened in 1919. For example, each suite will have assigned to it a butler and there will be an onsite full-service spa (a first in the Condado family of hotels). ( www.condadovanderbilthotel.com; Aschinder@njfpr.com)
Hotel El Convento, Puerto Rico
Lock in those wedding plans now. Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is an enduringly popular destination wedding location because of its rich, vibrant history and exquisite architectural beauty. Many couples prefer forming their unions in the hotel's extraordinary Salon Campeche, originally a chapel during the storied age of Spanish colonies when the hotel was a Carmelite convent. The salon – largest of six on the property – accommodates up to 250 guests. ( www.elconvento.com; Amanda@njfpr.com)
The DoubleTree Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Swinging in the rain. The DoubleTree Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico currently offers its guests a choice of inspiring eco-adventures and exotic terrain. One is a half-day excursion up into the El Yunque Rainforest, which entails hiking, kayaking and a heart-pounding swing across a gorge by means of an impossibly long aerial zipline. The other is a full-day hiking tour of the San Salvador Rainforest nestled in the emerald green Caguas Mountains – however, in this adventure, there are three monster ziplines to traverse plus a chance to rappel 80 feet down into a softly mist-shrouded waterfall canyon. ( www.sanjuandoubletree.com; Amanda@njfpr.com)
Maritime Hotel, NYC
Going up with the ship. The unsinkable Maritime Hotel on Ninth Avenue in New York City's West Chelsea district has been the subject of much talk over the years for behaving both nautically and nice, but now is sailing straight for a tidal wave of fresh buzz thanks to the doings of the chef helming its onboard restaurant, Matsuri. Tadashi Ono has authored a bold new cookbook, The Japanese Grill, wherein the Tokyo-born master-chef reveals tricks galore for marrying open-flame brazing with an array of Asian ingredients to produce tantalizing Japanese dishes as well as more familiar American fare and succulent fusions of the two. The Maritime Hotel is so named because it occupies a seafarer union's former landmark headquarters building architecturally themed to connote a ship, inside and out. ( www.themaritimehotel.com; Matthew@njfpr.com)
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Desert Springs, CA
Un'boolievably regenerative experience. There's something about a gently warmed length of exotic bamboo placed in the tender, caring hands of a skilled massage therapist that causes muscle stiffness to melt away like nothing else. At the Spa Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Calif., the newest treatment offered is called the Bamboo Fusion Massage – 90 minutes of heaven on earth, and it's exclusive to this establishment. The Bamboo Fusion Massage is designed to reduce tension, improve skin suppleness, relieve muscle and tendon tightness, stimulate blood and lymph flow, relax the mind, and create an overall sense of well-being. The Spa Desert Springs – located on the grounds of the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort & Spa – is now the largest spa in Southern California. ( www.desertspringsresort.com; Nicole@njfpr.com)
Apple Core Hotel Group, NYC
The more things change, the more they stay the same. A soon-to-be-completed multimillion-dollar renovation of the new york manhattan hotel – known simply as nyma – will give the popular Midtown hotel a brighter look (and not just in the larger, better illuminated lobby and mezzanine). One thing that will remain exactly the same is nyma's commitment to providing the most amenities of any comparable hotel in the city (with the sole exception of four Manhattan establishments that, together with nyma, comprise the Apple Core Hotels group). The list of offerings at nyma includes: complimentary daily breakfast, complimentary business and fitness centers, free WiFi Internet access in all rooms and public spaces, free nationwide and toll-free calling, in-room video games, movies-on-demand, and iPhone docking station. ( www.applecorehotels.com; Amanda@njfpr.com)
Duane Street Hotel, NYC
Perfectly thyme'ed new arrival. Recently added at the Duane Street Hotel in the heart of New York City's Tribeca district is the 45-seat Mehtaphor restaurant, helmed by chef Jehangir Mehta, whose simple mantra of “indulge” inspires the innovative redefinitions of Urban-Asian cuisine for which he is famed. Jehangir – a Food Network “Iron Chef” competitor whose dishes have won favorable notice from Vogue and New Yorker magazines – serves up exotic, spicy fare such as Poprock Oysters from his glass-fronted establishment. The establishment is accented by warm golden print fabric on banquettes, and features novel dining areas, dessert bar, cocktail bar, and a wooden communal table (fully wired for laptops and internet access). ( www.duanestreethotel.com; Courtney@njfpr.com)
The Jane Hotel primes for summer with brand new bikes! Just in time for spring and its much-hyped Ballroom reopening, The Jane Hotel is now offering complimentary black Urban beach cruisers to all guests. Patrons can hop on a bike, peddle on over to the West Side Highway, and if they close their eyes and feel the breeze on their faces it's almost, almost like being on the strand in Malibu. ( www.thejanenyc.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com)
Meetings never tasted so good! Known for its history of innovation and dedication to preserving wellness on the road, Westin Hotels & Resorts will be the first hotel brand to launch SuperFoods Meeting Breaks. Available at all 169 properties worldwide, Westin's SuperFoods Meeting Breaks will offer health-enhancing menu items rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that are known to improve well-being and longevity. The new SuperFoods Meeting Break offerings will be an easy a guide that empowers guests to make smart choices for themselves and feel better. ( www.westin.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com)
Bed, Breakfast and Marc Jacobs...who could ask for anything more? This summer, enjoy an overnight stay then indulge a little longer with breakfast in bed. Or, confirm a suite and dine on a private outdoor terrace while admiring the Chicago skyline with the Elysian's “Bed, Breakfast and Marc Jacobs” package. Remember the trip with a complimentary Marc Jacobs' beach tote bag and limited edition customized Chicago branded U.S. flag beach towel, available only at Marc Jacobs' stores (Elysian is home to Chicago's only Marc Jacobs boutique). www.elysianhotels.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com).
Who says nothing comes free behind bars? Boston's Liberty Hotel, built in 1851 as the famed Charles Street Jail, keeps guests under lock and key; drawing them back with free events every night of the week. After indulging in The Liberty Bar's Sleek Cocktails (all under 150 calories) with a four-legged friend at Yappy Hour, break a sweat with Megan Bradshaw, The Liberty's running concierge, who will take guests on complimentary guided runs along Esplanade, overlooking the Charles River. ( www.libertyhotel.com; matthew@njfpr.com).
Rooftop pools are no longer the only way to escape Gotham's summer heat. Outdoor showers are the most recent amenity to take Manhattan by storm. New Yorkers and visitors alike will be relishing beginning of summer by rinsing off in the great outdoors. The Bowery Hotel's seven terrace suites echo the opulent warmth found in the rest of the two year-old property and up the ante with private outdoor showers. ( www.boweryhotel.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com)
Rock, Roll and ReMIXX! Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is revamping famed nightclub MIXX, set to debut in late June. MIXX will feature a more intimate design and resident DJs. Once remixed the club will be open on Sunday nights, perfect for extended summer weekend parties. A-list entertainment will invade Borgata's event center and nightlife this summer, with performances by Kings of Leon (June 5), Jerry Seinfeld (July 10), Counting Crows (July 31) and Rihanna (August 14). ( www.theborgata.com; jaclyn@njfpr.com)
Poolside Paradise! The Water Club at Borgata, Atlantic City's most chic property, will be the new Sunday night hotspot starting June 26. The Pools at Borgata debut this summer, inviting guests and visitors to a vibrant scene to sip, savor, and socialize along the hotel's two infinity-edge outdoor pools. The Pools transport guests to a tropical locale, complete with plush beach chairs, palm trees, resident DJs, light bites by Geoffrey Zakarian, and signature cocktails. The Water Club also offers guests complimentary shuttle service and access to a stunning private beach, complete with Borgata beach chairs and associates. ( www.thewaterclubatborgata.com; tanya@njfpr.com)
New hotel making a splash in NYC! Gansevoort Hotel Group will again redefine a neighborhood with Gansevoort Park, its sophisticated fourth property opening on Park Avenue and 29th Street in New York City this summer. The 19-story stone, glass and steel building will incorporate similar design aspects to Hotel Gansevoort, including a must-see rooftop pool with a tri-level bar. With 249 rooms averaging 463 sq ft. and 44 suites, the full-service hotel will offer the one-of-a-kind experience of uptown chic and downtown cool. exhale spa will offer signature mind body classes, and the ground floor will house an Italian restaurant by The One Group. ( www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com; emily@njfpr.com)
 This summer, Hotel Gansevoort introduces a refreshed 24-hour lobby designed by ICRAVE. Hotel Gansevoort, credited with reinvigorating the Meatpacking District six years ago, again breathes fresh life into the neighborhood with a new day and night lobby concept. Carte Blanche Café & Bar builds upon the renowned cachet of the Gansevoort lifestyle, transforming the corner at Ninth Avenue and 13th into an elegant yet inviting social hub with a relaxed vibe and chic feel. Thoughtful details transform the lobby area into a sensual environment for a cozy romantic evening, a convivial game of pool among friends or casual dining. ( www.hotelgansevoort.com; tanya@njfpr.com)
Lights, camera, action! This spring, Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, one of the chicest resorts on Providenciales' famed Grace Bay Beach launched a weekly Wednesday Movie Night at Bagatelle Beach Club where guests and locals alike can lounge by the pool and watch classic flicks on a 16 ft. outdoor screen. The property was recently named to Travel + Leisure's “It List” and with its partner, exhale spa, was named one of the Top 10 Relaxation Spa/Hotel in the World by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice awards. ( www.gansevoorttc.com; jennifer@njfpr.com).
 Some showers in the city come with all the bells and whistles, but the showers in The Maritime hotel's terrace suites are no frills – they don't even come with walls or a ceiling. These infamous showers are outside, on the terrace of the 12th floor suites. What they lack in privacy, they more than make up for in views. The large porthole windows are just far enough away to keep modest guests at ease, but large enough to enjoy some gorgeous Hudson River views. ( www.themaritimehotel.com; www.matsurinyc.com; emily@njfpr.com).
Superfoods aren't just for eating! The 38,000-square-foot Spa Desert Springs (located at the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California) has introduced a Superfood Facial - perfect for those looking to invigorate their skin with the same foods that energize their bodies. This 60-minute raw/organic facial is a seven-step treatment designed to feed, nourish and supercharge the skin. The facial utilizes antioxidant and nutrient-rich ingredients including blueberry and almond; and incorporates aromatic/soothing elements such as sea cucumber gelle, cucumber juice toner, and Crème de la Rose. ( www.desertspringsresort.com; nicole@njfpr.com)
Celebs migrate out of Manhattan! The Allegria Hotel is an oceanfront luxury resort located in the iconic beach community of Long Beach, Long Island–less than 30 miles from Manhattan. A new celebrity hot-spot, recent high profile guests include pop-icon Justin Bieber, Jordin Sparks and Chazz Palminteri! One of the best surfing spots on the East Coast, the Allegria offers complimentary board storage. Surfboard rental and lessons are available upon request. (www.allegriahotel.com; nicole@njfpr.com)
Grand Hyatt New York is changing the face of hotel room service and dining with the launch of Market, its new instant-gratification food and beverage venue. Situated in the hotel's lobby, Market will bring the best of New York's tastes and treats to the Grand Central neighborhood including Roasting Plant, Tisserie, Chickalicious and Macaron Café NYC. In addition to these popular brands, Market will offer locally-sourced essentials for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including hot meals, sandwiches, beer and wine. A fun play on local classics like the “NY Yankee” Pot Roast will also be part of the Market's gourmet cuisine. ( www.grandhyattnewyork.com; jennifer@nfpr.com)
Watch stars under the stars! Enjoy classic alfresco movies on Monday nights at HBO's Bryant Park Summer Film Festival with Apple Core Hotels' “Picnic in the Park” package. Available June 21 through August 23, the package includes accommodations with a Monday night stay and a picnic spread including gourmet cookies, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit––perfect for watching the stars under the stars. Rates start at $165/night. ( www.applecorehotels.com; nicole@njfpr.com)
Baseball, shmaseball—Cooperstown, NY offers something for everyone! A convenient getaway distance from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other Northeastern and mid-Atlantic cities, Cooperstown continues to offer visitors a slice of Americana at its finest year-round. One of the country's premier seasonal resorts, The Otesaga Resort Hotel welcomes a new century with renovations to its most beloved social spaces. Travelers venturing in and around the charming village can experience Fenimore Art Museums' groundbreaking “John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Praise of Women” exhibit May 29 – December 31; Wild Times: A New York Animal Road Trip exhibition at Farmers' Museum April 1 – October 31; the annual Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend featuring the induction of Andre Dawson on July 25; and Glimmerglass Opera's impressive 2010 Festival Season. (www.cooperstowngetaway.org; Jaclyn@njfpr.com)
Spring Creek Ranch, it's where the wild things are! Nestled high atop a butte in Jackson Hole, Spring Creek Ranch is a premier mountain resort featuring first class lodges, hotel rooms and residences complete with breathtaking views. This spring, the 1000-acre retreat will debut the “Call of the Wild” treatment which combines the rejuvenating properties of massage with the healing natural resources of the Rocky Mountains. Guests will precede their treatment with a regional hike, snowshoe or wildlife safari to find and pick seasonal fresh herbs and will then enjoy a soothing Swedish or deep tissue massage using oils infused with the same local herbs, accompanied by the subtle sounds of nature and a cup of locally produced tea. ( www.springcreekranch.com; matthew@njfpr.com)
Stargazing doesn't mean reading Us Weekly! Mummy Mountain is the perfect backdrop to the 125-acre Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona where a Stargazing Guide navigates guests through the many constellations visible in the night sky. Stargazers will enjoy s'mores and other campfire snacks while taking in the star-studded views. The Spa at Camelback Inn offers a variety of “tapas treatments”––perfect for first-time spa guests wanting to sample a few different offerings, or spa-goers who simply want a quick pick-me-up. Speedy services include a 30-minute Desert Rain Loofah Treatment, Herbal Wrap, and Refresher Facial. ( www.camelbackinn.com; nicole@njfpr.com)
Future's so bright, gotta wear shades! It is safe to say that the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area enjoys more sunshine than Honolulu - the Guinness Book of World Records credits St. Petersburg with the longest run of consecutive sunny days -- 768 days. There's more than just catching rays - St. Petersburg-Clearwater is also home to the most comprehensive Salvador Dali collection, and in January, 2011 St. Pete Clearwater will welcome the new $25 million Dali museum. ( www.visitstpeteclearwater.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com)
Authentic Island Chic at Hyatt Regency Aruba where your island escape transforms from expected to distinctly remark-able. This spring experience endless activities and 20% off with the “Spring in the Waves” offer. Enjoy luxurious pamper-ing and exquisite service from the first “bon bini.” Relax on the white sands of Palm Beach, delight in the tropical temperature, indulge at the casino, and revive at the serene Stillwater Spa while dancing to the Aruban beat. ( www.aruba.hyatt.com; jaclyn@nfpr.com)
Sheraton has just completed a three-year, $6 billion dollar global overhaul and as part of this revitalization effort, 32 “off brand” hotels have been removed in order to improve its quality and consistency, and reflect a significantly enhanced guest experience. As Sheraton removes “off brand” hotels it is increasing its world-wide footprint through a strategic expansion that will add approxi-mately 50 new hotels and more than 20,000 rooms to its global portfolio over the next three years. ( www.sheraton.com; emily@njfpr.com)
Sex and the what?! The budget-friendly Pod Hotel has embraced the Sex and the City backlash and created a “Don't Get Carried Away” anti-SATC package––perfect for visitors who are sick of Samantha's misgivings about menopause and Carrie's cliché catas-trophes (and balk at all the overpriced hotel packages on the mar-ket). The package, priced at $139/night and available May 27-June 11, includes one night in a bunk bed room, two cupcakes from But-tercup Bake Shop (anti-Magnolia Bakery), a “Brooklyn” cocktail at East Side Social Club, and a knock-off designer handbag from Ca-nal Street. ( www.thepodhotel.com; nicole@njfpr.com)
 A decade ago, Westin Hotels & Resorts took the industry by storm with the launch of The Heavenly Bed. This summer, Westin celebrates the 10th anniversary of the iconic invention with five months of festivities, consumer and guerrilla events, high-profile sales on Heavenly Bed items, and a new sleep study to assess the state of guests’ rest and well-being ( www.westin.com; gina@njfpr.com / gabrielle@njfpr.com).
 Now open for its 100th season, The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York is offering series of packages to commemorate the landmark hotel’s singular place in Cooperstown lore ( www.Otesaga.com; Kyle@njfpr.com /
nicole@njfpr.com).
The Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York debuts America’s Rome: Artists in the Eternal City, 1800-1900, on display May 23 – December 31. The first major exhibition on Americans’ depictions of 19th century Rome, it showcases approximately 80 paintings by noted Hudson River School painters such as Thomas Cole, Sanford Robinson Gifford, and Jasper F. Cropsy ( www.FenimoreArtMuseum.org; Kyle@njfpr.com / nicole@njfpr.com).
The Jane in Manhattan’s West Village has new life as an edgy, $99-per-night
micro hotel for young travelers. The hotel’s historic ballroom will re-emerge this summer as an idiosyncratic lobby lounge/bar painstakingly renovated with antiques and art from across the world. True to the bohemia-meets-Miss- Haversham vibe, the space will provide a cozy, authentic atmosphere to hang out in ( www.thejanenyc.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com / Tanya@njfpr.com).
 A quirky landmark transformed, The Maritime Hotel is a modernist oasis in NYC with an outdoor café, La Bottega; Matsuri for high-end Japanese food; Cabanas; and Hiro Ballroom. The 121-room hotel with a nautical theme borders West Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, home to art galleries, nightclubs, restaurants, and retail shops. ( www.themaritimehotel.com; Leigh@njfpr.com / Nancy@njfpr.com).
 Boston’s Liberty Hotel, a transformed 18th-century prison, is the ideal destination for a quick summer getaway. Located steps from many of the city’s iconic sites and the 17-mile Charles River Esplanade, the property offers
complimentary use of bikes, Frisbees, and beach balls. The Liberty’s concierge can also arrange customized bike tours or sailing/kayaking rentals, and create specialized picnic lunches for a day at the Esplanade ( www.libertyhotel.com; Kristen@njfpr.com / Melanie@njfpr.com).
 This July, the East Coast’s only Las Vegas-style destination, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa unveils another new dining experience, Fornelletto, helmed by notable Chef Stephen Kalt and Hell’s Kitchen Season 5 winner, Danny
Veltri. Summer performances at Borgata include: Kathy Griffin, Depeche Mode, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Stone Temple Pilots, and Mary J. Blige. Borgata’s new nightlife “Cocktailing” offering gives club goers VIP entrance, private table service and up to five cocktails at MIXX for $50 throughout the summer. Complimentary weekend shuttle service takes Borgata and The Water Club guests to A.C.’s Brigantine Beach ( www.theborgata.com; Kyle@njfpr.com / Tanya@njfpr.com).
Atlantic City’s first cosmopolitan-lifestyle hotel, The Water Club at Borgata unveils its latest expansion - 5,000 sq. ft. of new pool deck space and an outdoor bar giving sun worshipers more room to dip, sip and tan. Poolside treats from Chef Geoffrey Zakarian include: an organic crudite platter, truffled french fries, mediterranean platter, and a dragon blossom cocktail. ( www.thewaterclubhotel.com; Kyle@njfpr.com /
Tanya@njfpr.com).
 New York City’s Pod Hotel introduces five Townhouse Suites for $199 each, which can comfortably accommodate four guests with queen platform beds, twin daybeds with trundles, spacious living areas, and private bathrooms
with full-size tubs and rain showers. Colorful murals and funky furniture such as bean bags and hanging globe chairs add to the fun ( www.thepodhotel.com; Melanie@njfpr.com / njfpr@aol.com).
 Manhattan’s Hotel Gansevoort celebrates summer with a variety of new offerings, like a prix-fixe weekend brunch served on the roof. Exhale mind body spa will open its fourth New York location at the hotel, offering signature Core Fusion classes and a “beauty bar” for express treatments.
Starting June 15th, guests can “Hit the Highline” with a package celebrating the opening of this elevated public park. And, in a tech-savvy take on borrowing a book, Hotel Gansevoort offers free use of Reader Digital Books by Sony for perfect poolside reading ( www.hotelgansevoort.com; Kristen@njfpr.com / Tanya@njfpr.com).
 Whether you’re planning a family vacation, girls’ spa weekend, or guy’s getaway, Miami’s Gansevoort South Hotel, Spa and Residences’ has a summer package to match. Representing savings of up to 40%, each package allows travelers to experience an individualized getaway to South Beach’s newest luxury resort and includes a discount card for 20% off David Barton Gym and 10% off all retail partners.
Plunge, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge also debuts two weekly pool parties this summer, Fashionably Wednesdays, sponsored by Roberto Cavalli, and Sunday movie nights, with feature films, cabanas, popcorn, cotton candy, and soft pretzels, which joins the hotel’s existing Thursday night Capone dance party. ( www.gansevoortsouth.com; Kristen@njfpr.com / HMichelle@njfpr.com).
Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort, just opened on beautiful Grace Bay Beach. Hugging reef-protected ocean waters, the resort offers a variety of water sports, ocean views from every room, Exhale mind body spa, Bagatelle Bistrot, and luxury residences ( www.gansevoorttc.com; Kristen@njfpr.com / leigh@njfpr.com).
Palm Desert, California's plan to cut energy consumption by 30 percent over five
years is the most ambitious and unique such program in California. “Set to Save” provides education, cash incentives, and low-interest loans to residents and businesses installing solar panels, efficient appliances and pool pumps, awnings, and more. A fringe benefit of Palm Desert’s eco-friendly ways has been new jobs: the city’s list of solar-panel contractors has grown from three to 22 within the last year ( www.palm-desert.org; gina@njfpr.com / nicole@njfpr.com).
Element Hotels is Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ newest brand, and the first to mandate each property pursue LEED certification. The first Element opened in July 2008 in Lexington, Mass., and just received LEED Gold Certification. Element Summerlin, Nevada opened in December 2008, and Houston in March 2009; more than 20 Element Hotels will open in the United States and Canada by 2010, including locations in Maryland, Denver, and Chicago ( www.elementhotels.com;
Kristen@njfpr.com / gabrielle@njfpr.com).
The Bowery Hotel’s 11 terrace suites echo the opulent warmth found in the rest of the two-year-old property—and up the ante with private outdoor showers. Guests can also indulge in new minibar items, including a Dr. Hauschka Daily
Body Care Kit, small and large umbrellas, and Farmers Golden Sleep remedy ( www.boweryhotel.com; gabrielle@njfpr.com / Tanya@njfpr.com).
 This October, Saint Lucia will welcome new direct service from New York’s JFK via three weekly JetBlue flights. The island’s first private casino will open in November; and new hotels continue to open, including Calabash Cove and Jalousie Enclave. The Ministry of Tourism is focused on elevating opportunities for small, local fishing villages to also participate in the island’s tourism boom. ( www.stlucia.org; hmichelle@njfpr.com / melanie@njfpr.com).
Canoe Bay, the only Relais & Chateaux resort in the Midwest, expands its literary offerings for those who prefer to relax with exciting murder mysteries instead of expensive massages or cocktails. The lakeside resort boasts a library of more than 3,000 current and classic hardcover titles alongside overstuffed chairs and a massive stone fireplace ( www.canoebay.com; Kristen@njfpr.com / Leigh@njfpr.com).
Apple Core Hotels’ value-packed summer offerings include a Sicilian-style gelato tour in New York City’s West Village, a “City Safari” at the Central Park Zoo, and a bike tour of Central Park. All five properties are located within
walking distance to must-see New York City attractions such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and Macy’s ( www.applecorehotels.com; kyle@njfpr.com / nicole@njfpr.com).
 The award-winning golf facilities at Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa
just got even more impressive: TaylorMade Performance Labs recently unveiled its
fifth U.S. location on the Southern California property. The facility captures 360- degree animated swing readings, helping visitors through digital readouts that
analyze everything from all-angle swing plane to club impact
( www.desertspringsresort.com; Gina@njfpr.com / nicole@njfpr.com).
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