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Fire dancers, Enchanted Kingdom, The Philippines. (Photo by Pam Ramos)

Embassy Suites pushes into Alaska with Anchorage hotel

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Embassy Suites Hotels has announced the brand’s debut in Alaska with the opening of the Embassy Suites Anchorage. Located in midtown Anchorage, the 169-suite hotel is also the upscale brand’s first property developed and owned by Colorado-based Stonebridge Companies. It joins the company’s other Hilton Family hotels in Anchorage: the Hilton Garden Inn – Anchorage, Homewood Suites by Hilton – Anchorage and the Hampton Inn Anchorage.

The newly built hotel exhibits the brand’s domestic growth plans and continued integration into untapped U.S. markets. Located just two miles from Ted Stevens International Airport and downtown Anchorage, the Embassy Suites Anchorage is positioned to be the most luxurious, all-suite hotel in the state of Alaska.

“We are thrilled to bring the Embassy Suites brand and upscale all-suite concept to Alaska, offering our unique value proposition to an emerging U.S. market,” said Jim Holthouser, senior vice president, brand management, Embassy Suites Hotels. “Expansion into new markets like Anchorage is imperative to our continued growth and success, as well as our goal of 300 hotels built, under construction or in the pipeline by 2010. It is also essential to the brand’s growth to broaden our developer base, which we are accomplishing by working with Stonebridge Companies.”

Located in the epicenter of Anchorage, the hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. In addition to core amenities consistent with all Embassy Suites Hotels -- complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, nightly Manager’s Reception, open-air atrium and spacious two-room suites -- the hotel offers special touches to showcase the local flavor of Anchorage.

The sense of arrival created in the atrium is achieved with a variety of stone work that evokes true Alaskan nature. The hotel’s check-in pods create a warm and personal Alaska welcome; guests are also greeted in the atrium by the hotel’s signature water feature, featuring three brushed steel whale’s tails, as well as other one-of-a-kind Alaskan-influenced objects.

In keeping with the Alaskan theme throughout, the hotel’s restaurant, Pi Kitchen + Bar, offers traditional Alaskan cuisine with a twist. Menu items such as Hawaiian Sliders made with Kalua pork, Crab Mac & Cheese, Russian Perok and Ponzu Lemongrass Scallop & Shrimp Brochette offer diners a taste of Alaska with influences from around the world.

The Embassy Suites Anchorage is just one block from the British Petroleum offices, and within walking distance of a variety of restaurants and shopping options. The property features spacious, one- or two-room suites as well as whirlpool suites – all offering a separate living area with a sofa bed and desk, private bedroom and bath, two televisions, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, refrigerator, microwave oven, and coffeemaker. In addition, the Embassy Suites Anchorage boasts amenities including a full-service restaurant, bar and lounge, business center, meeting space with onsite catering, indoor pool, whirlpool and Precor® fitness center and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport within a three-mile radius.

“We are excited to open the first Embassy Suites property in Alaska. With such a strong value proposition, and excellent performance and quality standards, Embassy Suites is a winner for both the developer and the consumer,” said Stonebridge Companies President and CEO Navin C. Dimond. “The Embassy Suites Anchorage is the fourth hotel Stonebridge Companies has developed in Anchorage and demonstrates our commitment to be in the community for the long term.”

The Embassy Suites Anchorage is located at 600 E. Benson Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska. To make reservations, travelers can visit www.embassysuites.com, call 1-800-EMBASSY or call the hotel directly at 907.332.7000.

 

 

 

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Historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, on a splendid fall day.

Spirit launches Bogata service

MIRAMAR — Starting July 24, low cost carrier Spirit Airlines is offering daily non-stop service from its Fort Lauderdale home to Bogota, Colombia. In addition, Spirit also offers connections from its network of 16 other U.S. cities to Bogota.

Travel bargains abound as economy slows, AAA says  

ORLANDO — Despite a down economy and rising fuel prices, millions of Americans plan to travel this summer. Many will find a growing number of travel bargains for dream destinations.

The Travel Industry Association reports that Americans are expected to take more than 327 million leisure trips during June, July and August of 2008. This represents only a slight decline over last summer, down between 1 and 1.5 percent. That decline, however slight, has created bargains to destinations worldwide for the summer.

 According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, the average rate for a AAA Three Diamond hotel room in July 2008 is $136 in  Honolulu/Waikiki, $259 in Maui, $256 in New York City, $160 in Washington, D.C., $138 in Las Vegas, and $193 in San Francisco. Travel packages offer additional opportunities to save. Combining airfare and hotel stay in one package can provide significant savings as noted by some of the examples below. In some cases extras such as transportation from the airport or some meals will be included as well.

Additional opportunities for savings include traveling during off-peak times, taking advantage of discounts and booking early. Also consider using a travel agency. A qualified travel agent, such as your AAA travel professional, works directly with travel providers and may be able to provide additional savings or special values to you.

The following are examples of packages currently available from AAA.

Hawaii: Visit Maui for five nights including hotel and airfare from Los Angeles for only $529*; San Francisco, $529*; Chicago, $795*; Denver, $739*; Seattle, $625*; and New York, $799*. Visit Kauai for five nights for only $685* including hotel and airfare from Los Angeles, from San Francisco, $665*; Chicago, $869*; Denver, $815*; Seattle, $759*; and New York, $975*. Prices are per person, based on quad occupancy (two adults and two children under the age of 13) for select dates available August through December. Book by July 13.

Girlfriends and the City Getaway: This package includes a 2-night hotel stay in New York City, a tour of sites from Sex and the City and all state and local taxes. Hotel prices start at $259 per person, based on double occupancy. Contact your AAA Travel professional for air-inclusive pricing.

San Francisco Adventure: Package includes a 2-night hotel stay, San Francisco CityPass Sightseeing booklet and all state and local taxes. Prices start at $209 per person, based on double occupancy, excluding airfare.

Our Nation's Capital: Package includes 4-night hotel stay in
Washington, D.C. Prices start at $329 per person, based on double occupancy, excluding airfare.

Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com or speak with your AAA Travel professional for details and more information on these packages and other travel opportunities worldwide. Don't forget AAA members receive exclusive Member Benefits when booking through AAA Travel.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.AAA.com

Certain restrictions may apply. Taxes, gratuities, transfers, airfare and excursions are additional unless otherwise indicated. Rates shown include Hawaii ticket tax and round-trip fuel surcharge on United Airlines, but do not include Transportation Taxes of $15.40, Passenger Facility Charges of $3 - $18, a per segment tax of $3.50, or September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement (up to a maximum of $5.00 per one-way or $10.00 per round-trip).

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Red Rock Canyon ...

As part of any trip to Vegas, we definitely recommend making the short drive out to Red Rock Canyon, which sits about 12 miles northwest of the Strip.

The scenery is unbelievable and an antidote to the over-the-top commercialism of the city itself. You can easily spend the day there and have plenty time to get back to your hotel for a dinner and a show. Photo by Deleon.

Carnival Cruise Lines to launch weekly summer sales promotion

MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Lines will launch a new sales promotion — "Endless Summer Celebration" — offering different weekly specials on "Fun Ship" cruises booked during the month of July.

The new promotion offers sales on a wide range of three- to 12-day "Fun Ship" cruises to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe in 2008-09, with a different promotion featured each
week.

Upcoming offers for the "Endless Summer Celebration" sales event include shipboard credits; stateroom upgrades; special rates for third and fourth guests in a stateroom; holiday offers and regional savings; and discounts on a variety of fall, winter and spring departures.

"Summer is the perfect time to start planning that special family
get-together for the holidays, an unforgettable weekend getaway in the fall or that much-needed break from midwinter doldrums," said Lynn C. Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services. "Carnival's 'Endless Summer Celebration' is a unique way to extend the summer while providing an excellent incentive for consumers to book their fall and winter getaways now, with attractive discounts and special offers available on a wide range of 'Fun Ship' departures."

The promotion is capacity controlled and not combinable with any other discount offer. Applies to new individual bookings only. Certain other restrictions apply.

For additional information and reservations on the "Fun Ship" vacation experience, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

 

 

Travelers fight high air fares using the Internet

Airlines use powerful computers to see just how much they can squeeze passengers for air fare. Now passengers are fighting back, finding bargains on the Internet. The New York Times.

Stressed while traveling?

You might find a massage service at the airport. Or even on board some airlines. Los Angeles Times.

 

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Mount Fuji (Photo by Deleon).

Totem near Ketchikan, Alaska.

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MSC Cruises opens reservations for Orchestra

FORT LAUDERDALE — MSC Cruises has announced a special one-of-a-kind cruise that will provide a unique opportunity for cruise aficionados to be among the first to sail on MSC Orchestra in North American waters — and enjoy an extended New Year's celebration at the same time.

The line has opened reservations for a two-night Caribbean inaugural cruise on MSC Orchestra departing from Fort Lauderdale Jan. 2, 2009, to launch the ship's first season sailing Caribbean itineraries. The ship will spend one day in Nassau and return to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Cruise-only rates for the two-night inaugural sailing begin at $199 per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional, as is a fuel surcharge for the first two people occupying a stateroom.

With the line's "Kids Sail Free" offer (ages 17 and under sail free
when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults), the entire family can enjoy a winter weekend getaway on one of the cruise world's newest and most beautiful ships.

MSC Orchestra, which debuted in 2007, is the largest of the line's
ships to sail in North American waters. Onboard, guests will find the
perfect combination of grace and style, with:

• Five restaurants, including the only dedicated Chinese restaurant at sea;
• Ten lounges (two of which are open air), including a disco;
• A 21-foot by 12-foot outdoor LED movie screen;
• An expansive 16,146 square-foot Body and Mind Spa.;

After the special inaugural sailing, MSC Orchestra will sail alternating 7-night roundtrip itineraries through April 25, 2009:

— Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two days at sea.

— Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, and two days at sea.

A highlight of both itineraries is a call at Cayo Levantado, the line's
private paradise experience.

A special 7-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25, 2009. This itinerary includes three days in King's Wharf, Bermuda and a day in Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two sea days.

For more information about MSC Orchestra, visit/www.-theorchestraiscomingtotown.com or a local travel professional.

 

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