Destinations
Early-, mid-May openings for Rockies courses
The seven Alberta golf courses in Banff, Jasper, Canmore and Kananaskis Country - all branded under the destination name Canadian Rockies Golf - will open for the 2012 season in early to mid May. The seven courses are Canmore Golf & Curling Club (Canmore); The Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff); The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Jasper, celebrating its 90th season); Stewart Creek Golf Club (Canmore); Kananaskis Country Golf Course (Kananaskis); and Silvertip Resort (Canmore). Packages that combine play on any of the seven courses, accommodations and adventure are now available starting at $174...
Two Ritz Carlton luxury villas for vacation rentals
Maui visitors now have the opportunity to rent two ultra-luxury villas at the exclusive Ritz Carlton Club & Residences, Kapalua Bay. Opened in 2009 on West Maui's Kapalua Beach, the property has 84 villa residences featuring Ritz-Carlton amenities and services. Short-term rentals are very limited, but Tropical Villa Vacations now offers two of these luxury villas: the Ocean Dreams Villa 2203 and the recently added Sea Mist Villa 2403. Tropical Villa Vacations specializes in luxury vacation villas, including beachfront homes, villas, and estates....
Maui Beach Hotel joins Aqua Hotels group
The Maui Beach Hotel is now being managed by Aqua Hotels & Resorts, effective April 1. Maui Beach Hotel is located on Kahului Bay at 170 Kaahumanu Avenue and is the only hotel owned by Elleair Hawaii Inc., which also owns the Elleair Maui Golf Club, in Kihei....
Four Points by Sheraton to debut in Kelowna
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced plans to introduce its rapidly expanding Four Points brand to Kelowna, BC. Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport will open in the spring of 2013, just minutes from baggage claim. Owned by Argus Properties Ltd. and managed by Pacrim Hospitality Services, the newly constructed hotel will be the first Four Points hotel in Kelowna and the brand's fifth in British Columbia. The hotel will feature 120 rooms, meeting facilities, an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness...
New bear viewing kayak tour near Juneau
Above and Beyond Alaska was recently awarded a 10-year permit by the U.S. Forest Service to operate guided day trips to the Pack Creek area of Admiralty Island, which has one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. The adventure begins in Juneau and combines flightseeing, sea kayaking and bear viewing. The full-day tour starts with a 25-minute scenic floatplane flight to Windfall Island. From there, guided groups of two to 10 people sea kayak to either Windfall Harbour or Pack Creek Brown Bear Sanctuary, offering a choice of two different viewing experiences. The tours are...
Backyard luau at Aston Maui Lu
On the menu for a stay at the Aston Maui Lu is a real Polynesian Village Luau. No driving is necessary -- guests simply cross the lawn for their private party. On Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting at 5 p.m., talented entertainers teach conch shell blowing, ukulele playing, hula and carving, followed by a feast of roasted kalua pork and mahi mahi, plus mac and cheese, hot dogs and Maui chips for the kids. The evening highlight is a show that features hula, Tahitian dance and music, with a fire knife dance finale....
Beachwalk anniversary prompts May celebrations
Waikiki Beach Walk is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a month-long jubilee. Visitors are invited to take part in "No Jive We're Five"festivities during May. Waikiki is offering fun, interactive promotions, including daily "5 at 5"deals, with selected restaurants and retailers offering products and or services featuring the number 5; social media contests; an eclectic entertainment line-up; a radio promotion and more. Waikiki Beach Walk merchants are rewarding patrons with deals revolving around the number five, such as Ruth's Chris Steak House -- guests can enter to win dinner for...
Plenty cooking in Vegas with Gordon Ramsay
Internationally renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay has announced that Gordon Ramsay Steak, his first restaurant in Las Vegas, will open May 11 at Paris Las Vegas. Gordon Ramsay Steak will offer guests a fresh, high-energy modern steakhouse environment that playfully transports guests from Paris to London. Gordon Ramsay Steak will seat 200 guests throughout the two-storey dining room, chef's table, private dining rooms, bar and lounge. The lounge will have its own food menu and classically inspired cocktails. The wine list for both the dining room and lounge will contain more than 325 labels....