Entries Tagged 'Caribbean' ↓

ECONOMY CLASS FARES

Travel from Boston to:
Reykjavik from $499*
Glasgow from $569*
Manchester from $549*
Copenhagen from $669*
Oslo from from $609*
Stockholm from $669*
Valid for outbound travel Aug. 18, 2009 – Sep. 12, 2009, except Glasgow valid Sep. 2 – 12, 2009.   Slightly higher fares available Jul. 12, 2009 – Aug, 17, 2009.

Travel from New York-JFK to:
Glasgow from $549*
Valid for outbound travel Aug. 26, 2009 – Sep. 09, 2009.  Higher fares available to other destinations Jul. 15, 2009 – Aug,  25, 2009. 

Fares are valid for new purchases only, are determined by departure date, and are based on round-trip purchase per person.

SUNBELIEVABLE ICELAND GETAWAY

With almost 24 hours of daylight and a mild climate, Iceland’s summer provides more than enough time to seek out an adventure or two… or three!
Packages from $889* pp dbl

ENTER TO WIN A TRIP OF EPIC PROPORTIONS!

Write your own Saga in Iceland, Denmark and Norway!  Your journey starts with a flight to Iceland from Seattle and includes hotel stays, a cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo, a Stopover in Iceland on your return… and more! 

Please visit contest website for official terms and conditions.

Visit www.icelandair.us/seattle to enter!

INCREASED SERVICE TO MANCHESTER & GLASGOW

Icelandair is pleased to announce the addition of regular scheduled service from Keflavik International Airport to Manchester, England, and Glasgow, Scotland. 
Service will begin on September 25, 2009, and will offer flights to Glasgow and Manchester on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 31, 2010. Morning flights will depart Keflavik International and connect through Manchester en route to Glasgow, returning to Keflavik in the early afternoon in time for connections to North America.

ICELAND IS HOT

The following article is based out of Minnesota, but we just want you to know that Iceland is hot for a long weekend getaway… from anywhere!

INFORMATION

10% discount when you
buy at Sagashop.net

Experience Icelandair

*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$210, per person, including the Sept. 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per U.S. enplanement.  Please click here to read about our excess baggage policy.

Soleá, the latest venture from noted Miami-based restaurant group KNR Food Concepts, opens today in the highly-anticipated W South Beach.  Soleá’s inspired menu of fresh Mediterranean flavors and casual ambiance is the perfect mix of W style and South Beach’s social attitude.  The menu is influenced by a variety of cuisines that touch the Mediterranean Sea with a focus on Spanish and Greek flavors.  Local Miami talents Executive Chef Michael Gilligan and Chef de Cuisine Arturo Artiles have collaborated on the menus. 

“Following our local and national success with Quattro and Sosta on Lincoln Road, KNR is excited to bring our unique European style of cuisine and service to the beach," said Partner Karim Masri of KNR Food Concepts.  “W South Beach will raise the bar for hospitality in Miami Beach; we are extremely proud and honored to be involved in such a fantastic project.”

“Chef Artiles and I are both excited by the simple preparations and clean but bold flavors of the Mediterranean," said Gilligan.  “Soleá’s small plates are meant for sharing – ideal to taste a variety of dishes and linger over a convivial meal with friends.” 

Signature hot and cold appetizers and salads include crispy salt-cod Croquettes served with garlic-saffron aioli; traditional Greek Salad of cucumber, tomatoes, feta, red onions and Kalamata olives; warm Foie Gras & Goat Cheese Empanadas with house-made cilantro potato chips and salsa verde; and Garlic Shrimp á la Plancha with spicy fume and garlic chips.  Crudo selections like Lobster with tomato, roasted peppers and lemon zest is the perfect counterpoint to crisp warm flatbreads with toppings like Olives, Piquillo Peppers, Rosemary and Goat Cheese or Chorizo, Mushrooms and Fried Egg from the restaurant’s brick oven.

In addition to a small selection of pastas and a signature Paella for Two, Soleá serves the best local seafood and Mediterranean fresh fish flown in daily.  Whole fish are prepared simply with sea salt, olive oil, garlic and lemon, and cooked a la plancha.  The chefs also use the dining room’s handsome brick oven to cook meat and poultry such as the Brick Oven Roasted Veal Chop and Roasted Colorado Rack of Lamb.  Sauces and vegetable sides are available to accompany any dish or share with the table.

Desserts by Pastry Chef Antonio Bachour are not to be missed.  Offerings like Frozen Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse with banana beignets, roasted banana sorbet and gianduja sauce; Traditional Spanish Flan with cava “gelee” and strawberries and cream capture; and Pistachio Semifreddo with amaretto cake, citrus salad and extra virgin olive oil ice cream capture the flavors of the Mediterranean.  Cool Coconut Panna Cotta with guava soup, caramelized pineapple and coconut sorbet incorporates local tropical flavors, and a tangy Goat Cheese Cheesecake is accompanied by seasonal summer fruits like roasted peaches, cherry compote and white peach sorbet.

The modern yet relaxed design by Anna Busta of Studio B Design integrates the restaurant with the W Living Room (W’s twist on the traditional hotel lobby) and Grove, a whimsical outdoor space landscaped by Paula Hayes.  The 180-seat restaurant features indoor and al fresco seating in a warm color palette of cream, black and brown.  Walnut floors, two extravagant wine walls, and glowing glass light fixtures create an intimate dining atmosphere, enhanced by inviting chocolate brown leather seating. The restaurant also features a semi-private dining area for 12 and communal tables crafted from single slabs of fallen maple trees perfect for sharing, socializing and large groups. Shaded patio seating is adjacent to Grove. 

KNR Food Concepts is also involved in the development and operation of food and beverage for the W Living Room and WET pool service at W South Beach as well as the property’s nightlife destination Wall. The menu in the Living Room and at WET will include light bites featuring the flavors of Soleá as well as a number of inventive and refreshing hand-crafted cocktails.

Soleá is located in the W South Beach (2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139).  For reservations, please call 305-938-3111.  Soleá serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and is open from 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Wednesday – Sunday, and 6:30 AM – 12 AM Thursday – Saturday. 

About KNR Food Concepts
KNR Restaurant Group is owned by Karim Masri, Nicola Siervo and Rony Seikaly, and comprised of Quattro Gastronomia Italiana (2006), Sosta Pizzeria (2009) and Soleá  at the W Hotel South Beach (2009) in Miami. Upcoming projects include Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, scheduled to open at The Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium in New York City in late 2009.

About W South Beach
W South Beach and The Residences at W South Beach opened their doors July 2009.  This 408-unit condo hotel features magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean from every room and unique amenities such as Wall ultra-lounge, Living Room and Grove make W South Beach the crown jewel of Miami’s cultural renaissance. With Bliss Spa and an impressive list of restaurant partners including celebrity-magnet Mr. Chow and Soleá, W South Beach solidifies its spot as the choice destination hotel for both W’s jet set guests and Miami’s most fashionable locals. With secluded water sanctuaries and full-service, poolside bungalows, the expansive property offers a  contemporary and vibrant lifestyle experience set against the stunning shores of South Florida’s most fashionable beach.  The property teamed with some of the most innovative designers and artists including Anna Busta of Studio B Design, conceptual landscape designer Paula Hayes, legendary photographer Danny Clinch and architectural firms Costas Kondylis and NBWW & Associates.  For more information, please visit www.whotels.com/southbeach.

About W Hotels Worldwide®
W Hotels is an innovative contemporary lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 30 properties in the most vibrant destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of “Wow.” Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design and passions around fashion, music, entertainment, design, architecture, pop culture, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual expressions of modern living, reflected in the brand’s sensibility to a holistic lifestyle experience with cutting-edge design, contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas.  With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will more than double its footprint by 2011. In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Boston, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Downtown New York, Santiago, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Milan, Paris and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Marrakech, Amman, and Dubai. W has plans to open W Retreats in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques Island and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W Hotels’ first ski retreat.  For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

WATER’S EDGE RESORT & SPA, CONNECTICUT’S ONLY PRIVATE BEACH RESORT, ANNOUNCES COMEDY NIGHT PACKAGE

–Comedians Vincent McElhone, Perry Gardner and Rick Roberts will headline The Comedy Dinner Show Saturday, July 18, 2009 –

In the tradition of the late entertainment impresario, Bill Hahn, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa continues its comedy night events with performances by three comedic geniuses on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Headlining the performances are Vincent McElhone, Perry Gardner and Rick Roberts. Water’s Edge Resort & Spa will offer an all-inclusive package of standard accommodations for two, dinner buffet and entrance to the comedy show at a rate of $229.00 per couple. For guests desiring to attend only the show, tickets are $17.50 per person, and $32.00 per person for dinner buffet and comedy show.

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa’s storied past was established by entertainment impresario Bill Hahn and headlined such luminaries as: Woody Allen, Barbara Streisand and Art Carney to name a few. The tradition has continued under the direction of owner/operator Michael Dattilo with live entertainment in the resort’s main dining room with spectacular views of the Long Island Sound.

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa Comedy Night – $229 per couple

Accommodations – standard guestroom (one night for two)
Dinner buffet for two
Two tickets to comedy show
Complimentary access to resort amenities – pools and sandy beach

The resort and spa rests at the bank of the Long Island Sound in the quaint town of Westbrook, Connecticut, just two hours from New York City. Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is comprised of 170 guestrooms and suites, three restaurants including the award-winning Restaurant at Water’s Edge, 12 spacious meeting and function rooms, outdoor garden terraces, full-service spa with ten treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pool and onsite retail shopping outlets: Salon Massimo, Southern Exposure, Azul, Medical Ethics, Michele A Bridal Boutique.

* * * *

For information or to make reservations contact Water’s Edge Resort & Spa at 1-800-222-5901, 860-399-5901 or visit us at http://www.watersedgeresortandspa.com. Offer based upon availability, exclusive of tax and service charges and subject to change.

* * * *

Built in 1946 by entertainment impresario, Bill Hahn, Water’s Edge Resort is located in Westbrook, Connecticut just two hours from New York and Boston, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is Connecticut’s only waterfront private beach resort. It is owned by entrepreneur and local resident Michael Dattillo, who purchased the resort in 1981 painstakingly restoring it to its original stately New England structure and expanding the property to 170 guestrooms, suites, two-bedroom lofts, one-bedroom garden villas and summer cottages. Sixty-eight of the resort’s garden villas and summer cottages are members of the RCI vacation property exchange with the resort designated as a Silver Crown Resort by the global leader in vacation properties. Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is set on 25-acres of manicured lawns that front a private white sand beach, features three restaurants including one award-winning restaurant, lounges, full-service spa with ten treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, twelve meeting and social function rooms, onsite full service audio-visual, onsite meeting planners, wireless high-speed Internet service, walking distance to high-end outlets and a host of complimentary water sports. The resort and spa is open year round. Visit the website at www.watersedgeresortandspa.com.

A Journey of Upward Discovery at The Upper House in Hong Kong

A sense of arrival awaits guests at The Upper House, Swire Hotels’ new small intimate hotel in Hong Kong. Rising above Pacific Place in Admiralty, the hotel’s Asian influenced and timeless design reveals an understated calmness throughout the hotel above the bustling city.

Andre Fu of AFSO, hailed by Vogue UK as “Design Wunderkind” and Conde Nast Traveler US as an “Asian Design Sensation,” is behind the design of The Upper House. Andre’s previous notable projects include Piacere Italian Restaurant and Nadaman Japanese Restaurant for Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo, Cassia Chinese Restaurant at Singapore’s Capella Resort, Agnes b. La Loggia Flagship Store in Hong Kong, JIA Shanghai’s eclectic lobby as well as the private residence of international actress Michelle Yeoh.

Natural materials, original sculpture installations and seamlessly proportioned spaces are integrated to create a sophisticated and modern Asian-influenced residence. “With an intention to create a small intimate hotel reminiscent of a private residence, I have purposely conjured a sense of tranquility throughout the design and ambience of the hotel,” says Andre Fu.

Dean Winter, general manager of The Upper House, adds: “Our hotel was created to provide a retreat removed from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. We’ve certainly achieved that by appointing Andre Fu as the designer for The Upper House.”

Entry through a Bedonia stone doorway façade by Thomas Heatherwick evokes the image of a curtain being opened to welcome guests to a private residence. A subtly-lit driveway then leads to a dramatic 13 feet high textured nickel front door, enveloped by floor-to-ceiling glass walls that appear to sit on top of pools of water.

Inside the entrance, a circular bamboo enclosure called the Lantern, marks the beginning of the upward journey along a dimly-lit escalator with walls lined with bespoke lamps leading guests into Level 6, flooded with natural daylight. Located at Level 6 is The Lawn, a lush grassed area for relaxing with cocktails and bean bags for lounging under the sun.

Each of the hotel’s 117 spacious guest rooms is designed to provide a sense of understated luxury. The contemporary monochromatic design features natural timber, shoji glass, limestone and lacquered paper panels. All rooms including 21 suites and 2 penthouses are presented in two color schemes: Bamboo, with solid ash flooring, bamboo timber and lilac upholstery, and Celadon, featuring green tea upholstery, limed oak flooring and creme oak timber.

The room layouts offer abundant space, including 300 square feet bathrooms with walk-in rain showers, dressing areas and free-standing bathtubs with breathtaking panoramic harbor or island views. Lined with Italian Perlato Svevo natural limestone floors and Beige Turkish Terre d’Oriente limestone walls, the bathrooms are simple and uncluttered.

The highlight of the “upward journey” is Level 49, which showcases the architecturally intriguing Sky Bridge. Infused with a skylight above a 131 feet high atrium, the Sky Bridge leads to the Sky Lounge and signature restaurant & bar, Café Gray Deluxe.

With a centerpiece fireplace and intimate sofa seating in soft hues of green tea and mineral blue, the warm and inviting Lounge serves drinks and cocktails throughout the day.

Café Gray Deluxe, a 21st century grand café overlooking Victoria Harbor, marks the return of celebrated Chef Gray Kunz to Hong Kong. The vibrant restaurant is highlighted by a 46 feet long open kitchen and equally long bar, serving “everyday dishes” with an accent on local organic produce and relaxed service.

The main dining room seating approximately 100 offers spectacular panoramic views. Semi-private dining areas are designed with full view of the open kitchen stations. A private room for 12 is available for exclusive harbor view dining. The bar and lounge, seating 88, is contemporary and vibrant.

Displayed around the entire hotel are fascinating contemporary artworks and sculptures in sandstone, ceramics, marble and bronze, perfectly complementing Andre Fu’s over-riding concept of serenity.

Opening in October 2009, The Upper House, sister hotel of the award winning The Opposite House, is the second hotel to be opened by new hotel group, Swire Hotels. The Upper House was named to symbolize an “upward journey” to a retreat above the bustling city.

Swire Hotels
Swire Hotels has been created to manage intriguing urban hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom, providing a luxury experience for travelers who seek individuality, style and personalized service.

The Opposite House, Beijing, opened in 2008 and will be followed by the opening of a 117-room small intimate hotel, The Upper House, in Pacific Place, Hong Kong, in the autumn of 2009 and in the future a 90-room hotel at TaiKoo Hui in Guangzhou. Swire Hotels will open a 345-room lifestyle business hotel called EAST in Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong, in 2010.

In the United Kingdom, Swire Hotels is developing a collection of stylish boutique hotels in interesting English towns and cities to be launched in 2010.

About Pacific Place

One of the largest commercial and retail centers, Pacific Place is spread over 5,000,000 square feet of prime real estate in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district with direct access to Admiralty MTR station. Since its inception in 1989, the four-level mall has become home to over 130 shops and boutiques and two major department stores, collectively offering a dazzling array of contemporary fashion and internationally renowned and luxurious brand names.

This comprehensive shopping destination is also the location of three five-star hotels, a conference centre, three Grade-A office towers and a luxury serviced apartment. Under the leadership of Swire Properties, Pacific Place remains Hong Kong’s premier shopping destination.

About Pacific Place Design Improvement Project

The Pacific Place Design Improvement Project is part of the on-going regeneration of Pacific Place to meet the ever-changing needs of shoppers. The project – led by famed English architect Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio and themed “A New Frame of Mind” – involves a fluid approach to interior, exterior and architectural refinement of Pacific Place to a new era of style and luxury.