Archive for August, 2007
You are currently browsing the TravelPost.com Insider weblog archives for August, 2007.
August 31, 2007
- Strange Hotel Guest Requests
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Cold iceberg lettuce cups for a sore breast-feeding mom? Replacement parts for a visiting guest’s AK47? An impromptu hot air balloon ride? Someone to teach a pop star guest how to use her new Apple iPhone?
Find out which of these requests were granted and which were politely declined by the concierges at the five-star hotels featured in the Forbes Traveler story linked below:
posted in Hotels, Destinations, Celebrity Travel. permalink
- Hospes Villa Paulita on Spain’s Puigcerda Lake
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Once a family-owned second home on Spain’s Puigcerda Lake, the Hospes Villa Paulita is the latest boutique destination from the Design Hotels group. The original building - a 19th century Spanish villa - has been updated with two new annexes. Black, silver and cream tones runing throughout the 34 rooms, four luxury suites and public spaces are balanced by open wood beam ceilings, wrought iron fixtures, stained glass windows and a selection of antiques from the home’s original owners. But of the unique features of this new hotel isn’t even inside the property. Interspersed throughout the manicured gardens surrounding the main building, glass pyramids usher a modern architectural edge into the bucolic setting. These pyramids are actually large windows that allow natural light into the Bodyna Spa, whose indoor pool and fitness facilities lie beneath the gardens.
posted in Hotels, Destinations, News, Spas, Spain. permalink
- Local Celebs Dish on Alaska
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If you’re visiting Alaska, you’ll want to get an insider’s take on where to go and what to do. Check out Insider’s Alaska to find favorites spots from famous locals like author Dermot Cole, dog-sledding champ DeeDee Jonrowe and Olympic snowboarder Rosey Fletcher. They give tips on restaurants, great hikes, the best local coffeeshops - you name it.
posted in Destinations, Celebrity Travel, Travel Advice, Insider Tips. permalink
- Hawaiian and Aloha Offer Special Fares for Superferry Customers
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Now that the Hawaii Superferry is grounded until a judge rules whether the service can continue operating before an environmental impact report ensues, Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines are offering special $19 one-way fares to jilted Superferry ticket holders. Fares are good for flights between Honolulu and Lihue or Kahului through Oct. 31, 2007 and must be booked by Sept. 7, 2007. To score the fare, you have to have a booking number from Superferry. See the link below for details.
posted in Air Travel, Destinations, Deals, Contests and Promos, Cruise Travel, Hawaii. permalink
August 30, 2007
- Continental Adds Online Flight Change Feature
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Here’s one good thing that has come out of Hurricane Dean: Continental Airlines‘ new online flight-change feature. The airline started allowing travelers affected by the storm to change their itineraries and decided to continue offering the option permanently. Now any Continental customers with flights affected by severe weather can view and change reservations in real time online. A nice option for those of us who hate sitting on the phone with an agent.
posted in Air Travel, Destinations, News, Business Travel. permalink
- Where to Celeb-Spot in San Deigo
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If you want to see celebrities in San Diego, you best be checking out venues like the Ivy Hotel (Jessica Biel played in a poker tournament there last weekend and other celeb guests have included Jessica Alba and “The Rock”), the Hard Rock Hotel (slated to open in October, the hotel already has a deal with the Black Eyed Peas) and downtown nightclubs like Stingaree (Beyonce hosted her post-concert after party there last Sunday night).
posted in Hotels, Destinations, Celebrity Travel, California. permalink
- Choice Hotels: Stay Twice, Get Free Night
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Choice Hotels is running a Choice Privileges fall promo that gives members of its rewards program (free to join) one free night at participating hotels after they’ve completed two separate stays. To earn the free night, you must stay at one of the following properties two separate times between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 2007:
Comfort Inn
Comfort Suites
Quality Inn
Sleep Inn
Clarion
Cambria Suites
MainStay Suites
Suburban Extended Stay
There is some fine print to the rules. An eligible stay is defined as “any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs.” To me, that sounds like you’ve got to stay at least two nights to qualify for the free stay, but I’m not entirely sure that I’m correct about that.
posted in Hotels, Destinations, Deals, Contests and Promos. permalink
August 29, 2007
- Hawaii Superferry Grounded Until Next Week
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The Hawaii Superferry - the first non-airline mass transit option between the islands - has been grounded until at least next Thursday, when a Maui circuit court will resume a hearing on the new interisland ferry service. Officially launched on Monday, the Superferry was blocked by protesters on surfboards who worry that the service will endanger marine life species and argue that the state should have required an environmental impact study before allowing the new service to begin. We’ll keep ya posted on what happens.
posted in Destinations, News, Cruise Travel, Hawaii. permalink
- Carnival Cruises Says, “Serenity Now!”
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Serenity. That’s the name Carnival Cruises has chosen for the new adults-only area on the Carnival Inspiration ship, set to debut in October. Hilarious. Not only does it invoke fond memories of Frank Costanza yelling, “Serenity now!” but it also has the unfortunate distinction of sharing a name with a leading line of adult incontinence products. ‘Cause there’s nothing as relaxing as being reminded that someday, you’re probably going to need someone else to wipe your ass.
posted in Destinations, Unusual News, News, Cruise Travel. permalink
- Virgin America Launches LAX to JFK Route
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Hot on the heels of its Aug. 8 leap into the sky, Virgin America announced today the beginning of two daily non-stop flights between Los Angeles International and John F. Kennedy International. Previously, the airline flew from San Francisco to LAX and San Francisco to JFK. The new route is one of many Virgin America is adding to its offerings. Service between Washington Dulles and San Francisco, San Francisco and Las Vegas and Washington Dulles and Los Angeles will begin this fall.
posted in Air Travel, Destinations, News, Business Travel, California, New York. permalink



