We blogged about SMINTair’s plans to become the first international airline for smokers when the news first appeared last summer, but we hadn’t heard much about it since. I ran across Roger Collis’ Frequent Traveler: Lighting up in luxury may soon be latest in niche flying column recently as I was sifting back through the anals of my RSS feeds that I hadn’t gotten to. Seems SMINTair, the brainchild of a German investment banker, is still in the works - though won’t take to the skies until December at best. Still, it is interesting to hear that the airline is on its way to becoming a reality. Collis reports that - when it does eventually begin its initial Dusseldorf International to Japan’s Central International route - it will offer only business and first class seats, a cocktail bar service oysters and champagne and gourmet meals. And of course, a full house of smokers.

Why, yes. Atlanta. Jim Henson’s family announced yesterday that it will donate his entire collection to Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts. A new wing named for the creator of The Muppets and The Muppet Show is scheduled to open at the center in 2012. When completed, the Jim Henson wing will house as many as 700 pieces of Muppet memorabilia, puppets and ephemera - as well as objects from Fraggle Rock and Jim Henson films.

A special exhibit called Jim Henson: A Man and His Frog is currently on display at the center.

Henson Family Chooses Center for Definitive Collection

Free high-speed Internet access has been available in the the following Marriott brands’ guestrooms for several years, but the hotel group today announced that these brands are now offering free wi-fi connectivity in lobbies and public spaces at their U.S. and Canada locations:

Courtyard

Residence Inn

Fairfield Inn

TownePlace Suites

SpringHill Suites

What’s Hot? Free WiFi and Marriott’s Got It

The Washington Post’s Gary Lee has a good blog post up on Caribbean travel during the hurricane season (which is predicted to be worse this year than last….):

The Hurricane Season: Too Risky for Caribbean Travel?

In a nutshell, Lee’s answer to the question is no, but you can guard against vacation disappointment by following the basic guidelines/tips in his post.

No wonder Virgin America has prompted a fare war among low-cost carriers. I could fly roundtrip in first class from San Francisco to New York’s JFK for about $800. And in the main cabin, the same route would run me only $278. That’s with an in-seat entertainment system, mood lighting, anytime food service and leather seats….Of course, I’ll have to make my decision by Aug. 8 - that’s the last day to score these fares, according to the fine print on Virgin America’s web site…

Yes friends, when next you belly up to to the airport Starbucks to purchase a caffeine-infused drip or barista beverage, you’ll be paying an average of 9 cents more for it. As of July 31, 2007, the company will hike prices to meet rising costs in energy, fuel and dairy products. I’m betting that weary travelers will grudgingly accept the price hike - after all, gotta keep those synapses firing.

Starbucks Prices Rising Next Week

On Sept. 29, 2007, you might want to finally check out that museum exhibit you’ve been meaning to see. The fall Saturday has been designated as Museum Day 2007 , an annual event supported by Smithsonian Magazine. On that day, participating museums around the country will be offering visitors free admission with completed Museum Day Admission Cards.

To appeal to the growing number of families staying in its UK hotels, Travelodge announced that it will remove adult movies from its TV programming menus. Instead, the hotel will pump millions into outfitting its rooms with flat-screen digital televisions with 18 free family-friendly channels.

Porn Films Banned In Hotel Chain’s Rooms

By January 2008, 18 of Royal Caribbean’s 21 ships will go smoke-free in all staterooms. Additionally, at least one lounge on these ships will offer a completely smoke-free environment. The remaining three ships (Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas) will follow suit by next summer. Under the current policy, smoking is prohibited in guest hallways and corridors, entertainment venues and most of the enclosed interior spaces on the ships. The new rules beef the policy up a bit, but without completely banning smoking across the board.

Interesting bedding at the Hilton San Diego Resort. Kinda like a party. Not very Monday-ish. But then, maybe it will get your mind off today and thinking about the weekend ahead.