Popular
-
Sempu Island Travel Malang East Java Sempu Island, is a small island located south of Java Island. The island is located in Malang regency, ...
-
Cool San Diego Beaches Travel Towers Gallery This one is great for families and also very popular with teens and young adults. Its a souther...
-
Cool Sardinia Beaches Travel Gallery Sardinia's beaches, time-forgotten sea towns and archaeological ruins make it worth a visit even du...
letter
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Hotel Bali Rich Luxury Villas
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Queensland Dream Job
Tourism Queensland is searching the globe for candidates for what it describes as the “Best Job in the World” – an AUD$150,000 six-month contract for the role of Island Caretaker based on a Great Barrier Reef island.
Airfares and live-in accommodation on tropical Hamilton Island are included and applicants can come from anywhere in the world. A broad range of experience will be considered and the successful candidate must be willing to explore the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel, make friends with the locals and generally enjoy the tropical Queensland climate and lifestyle.
According to Tourism Queensland’s CEO Anthony Hayes, if the job sounded too good to be true, there was one catch.
“The successful applicant will need to live on Hamilton Island for six-months, travel amongst the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and report back on their adventures to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates,” said Mr Hayes.
“They’ll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they’re doing so they can’t be too shy and they’ll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors - which may of course not appeal to everyone.” Mr Hayes said while the “Best Job in the World” might sound like an elaborate marketing and PR campaign it was in fact a genuine job.
“Yes, this is part of a unique Tourism Queensland strategy to promote the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef internationally, but candidates will have to go through a genuine recruitment process,” Mr Hayes said.
“They will need to submit an application, take part in interviews, meet Australian visa requirements and will have set duties.
“The fact that they will be paid to explore the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this what is undoubtedly the best job in the world.” Mr Hayes said the “Best Job in the World” campaign would kick off a three year, $1.7 million global marketing strategy aimed at increasing the profile of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef islands, which stretch from Bundaberg in the state’s south more than 2,600 to the Tropical North.
“No one has done anything like this before and the concept aims to showcase Queensland’s unique island experiences and provide something different in what is a very competitive global travel environment,” he said.
“We want to show the rest of the world just how amazing the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are through the eyes of someone who is exploring the destination first-hand.” According to Mr Hayes the “Best Job in the World” was the type of cutting edge marketing strategy Tourism Queensland was renowned for.
“We have one of the most amazing destinations in the world and as Queenslanders we are fortunate to have it all on our doorstep,” he said.
“We want to open our doors to the world and invite one lucky person come and live the Queensland lifestyle themselves for six months and then tell the rest of the world about their experiences.” Mr Hayes said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown and unqualified individual become the lynch-pin for a major international marketing campaign “When we first floated the idea with our industry partners they absolutely loved it and we have received fantastic support from local industry in the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef” he said.
“I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won’t want to go home at the end of the six months,” he said.
Mr Hayes said the successful candidate would be paid a salary package of AUD $150,000 for the six month contract and would receive return airfares from the nearest capital city in their home country, accommodation on Hamilton Island, travel insurance for the contract period, computer, internet, digital video and stills camera access, plus travel to a number of the other Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Applications open from January 10 to February 22, 2009. Tourism Queensland and their representatives in international markets will select ten candidates and visitors to www.islandreefjob.com will have the chance to select one Wild Card candidate. The final 11 shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six-month contract will commence on July 1 2009. The campaign activity will run in the Australian domestic market and 10 key international markets, making it Tourism Queensland’s first truly global campaign.
“The campaign will be supported by extensive PR and digital marketing activities, advertising in major national print and online media outlets throughout the world, tactical cross- promotion marketing with local travel and media partners and in store promotion with participating travel partners,” he said.
Mr Hayes said the campaign was being funded cooperatively by Tourism Queensland, major partner Hamilton Island, regional partners and local industry.
“This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone,” Mr Hayes said.
“Well almost everyone – as much as I would love to, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to apply.” Potential applicants can apply on www.islandreefjob.com and visitors to the site can learn more about Australia’s unique Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
For information on the destination please visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au
Garuda Indonesia to operate 18 new routes in 2009
Continuing with business development measures, in 2009 Garuda Indonesia will operate at least 18 new routes in both the domestic and regional sectors, while the arrival of 14 new B 737 NGs (New Generation) starting in mid 2009 will help to realize the airline’s network expansion plans.
The proposed routes are as follows:
1. Jakarta - Tanjungkarang (Lampung)
2. Jakarta - Malang (East Java)
3. Jakarta – Makassar – Kendari (Southeast Sulawesi)
4. Jakarta – Makassar – Gorontalo
5. Jakarta – Makassar – Sorong (Papua)
6. Jakarta – Makassar – Ambon
7. Jakarta – Makassar – Palu (Central Sulawesi)
8. Jakarta - Jambi (Jambi)
9. Jakarta - Manado – Ternate (Southeast Maluku)
10. Jakarta - Balikpapan – Tarakan
11. Jakarta – Pangkal Pinang
12. Denpasar – Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara)
13. Denpasar – Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara)
14. Denpasar – Adelaide (Australia)
15. Denpasar – Hongkong
16. Surabaya – Hongkong
17. Jakarta – Shanghai (China) – Denpasar – Jakarta
18. Yogyakarta – Singapore.
While some of the routes are ‘new services’, others are ‘old routes’ that will be re-opened in stages.
For the Yogyakarta – Singapore route, Garuda Indonesia began services on December 16, 2008 flying three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Meanwhile, with the increase of Chinese tourists to the country, Garuda Indonesia changed its Jakarta – Shanghai – Jakarta service to Jakarta – Shanghai – Denpasar – Jakarta, effective from December 20, 2008, thus enabling travelers from China to fly direct to Denpasar.
Other routes, such as Jakarta – Tanjungkarang, Jakarta – Malang, and Jakarta – Makassar – Kendari in the domestic sector and international flights from Surabaya to Hongkong and Denpasar to Hongkong will be opened in mid January 2009 and served seven times a week.
Garuda Indonesia President & CEO, Emirsyah Satar explained that by 2013 Garuda Indonesia’s aircraft fleet is expected to grow by threefold with a total of 128 aircraft, thanks to new fleet additions comprising 50 B 737NGs and 10 B 777-300ERs, and arriving in 2009, as well as the ongoing aircraft revitalization measures that will gradually replace old aircraft with more sophisticated and efficient ones. At present, Garuda Indonesia operates 54 modern jet aircraft, consisting of three wide body B 747-400 aircraft, six A-330s, and six Boeing 737 NGs, as well as 39 narrow body aircraft of the Boeing 737 series. “Backed by 128 aircraft, in 2013 Garuda Indonesia will make a “quantum leap” into the future”, Emirsyah further added.
Meanwhile, to accommodate the rising flow of travelers during the long Christmas and New Year holidays which extends from December 22, 2008 until January 04, 2009, Garuda Indonesia has increased its seating capacity to over 29 thousand seats to various destinations, such as Jakarta – Denpasar (18.650 seats) , Jakarta – Makassar (1.248 seats), Jakarta – Singapore (1.024 seats), Jakarta – Hongkong (3.516 seats), Denpasar – Singapore (898 seats), and Denpasar – Surabaya (854 seats).
During the recent Christmas holidays (December 22 – 27, 2008), Garuda Indonesia achieved 85% to 95% in seat load factor. The flow of returning travelers from January 1 till January 5, 2008 also experienced a rise of up to 95% with services to several destination cities, such as Denpasar, Medan, and Yogyakarta experiencing a super peak in passenger flow
Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam
Rates: Room rates vary depending on low, mid, and high seasons.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Burj Al Arab Hotel,
The hotel is designed to be shaped like a sail with the wind blowing on it and provides you with a stunning view of Dubai’s coastline (pretty cool, huh?) For the basic indoor amenities of this highly ranked hotel, it has 202 suites and a restaurant that offers its patrons some of the finest tasting foods to be found anywhere. It also offers private dining options for those who want to host private meals, a luxurious ballroom that can hold events like weddings and galas and a state-of-the art gala and more!
For the amenities of this hotel’s suites, they include air conditioning, private bathrooms, private telephones, TV’s, room service and an in-room safe to keep your precious valuables from being lost or stolen.
If you think this is all that the hotel will offer you; you are far from right because the seven-star hotel also has a elegant cocktail bar, gym, spas, a squash court, baby sitting services, facilities to hold meeting and a luxurious swimming pool to cool off from the Arabian sun.
You must be thinking how much does it cost to stay in a seven-star hotel such as this? The answer will shock you because the rate for a basic room, at the Burj Al Arab Hotel is $2,106 per night!
Yes, you head right: $2,106 per night to stay in a room with single, double or twin beds. For a triple bedroom, the rate is $2,467 per night. In addition, the rates for the suites are much higher – starting out from $2,446 to $2,802 per night for a single, double, twin or a triple bed suite.
The Oriental, Bangkok
In Hotel you have 358 nice decorated rooms. You can enjoy your river view from the restaurant.
Lord Jim's restaurant serves delicious seefood cusine.
Guests can also relish an authentic Chinese cuisine in an elegant setting of the on-site restaurant. After a tiring day, you can unwind at the cosy bar with an exotic drink.
This hotel also contains sauna, fitness, swimming pool, tennis place or you can renta a boat.
You can see that this Hotel has it all.
If you want to visit it and you don't know where it is, here you have the map.
Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel
The hotel is located in the “Old Fort,’ in Quebec City, Quebec. Moreover, the hotel has 95 rooms, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars. For a little on the hotel’s history, it was built sometime in the 19th century, on old Quebec City, and later became a hotel.
The hotel also has 6 conference rooms, where you and other guests can hold conferences and meetings.
Furthermore, the hotel’s in-room amenities include a large work desk, fine linens/bedding, free high-speed Internet access. a variety of magazines, safety boxes, a minibar, coffee maker, ironing board, voicemail, dual phone lines, A/C connection, large windows, no-fog mirrors, heated bathroom floors, and a Bose sound system.
For the outer area of the hotel, the amenities include concierge service, room/laundry service, baby-sitting services, auditorium, displays of archaeological artifacts, an all-around security system, exercise/gym room, message therapy/beauty salon center.
The outer room services include indoor/valet parking and car wash services.
If you want to enjoy a fine meal at one or both of the hotel’s restaurants, they offer French cuisines, which you will enjoy. They also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner packages, where you have a meal for two, three, or four people. Do not forget about the fine wine the hotel serves its guests.
Of course, if you want to get away from the hotel, for a spell, there is the whole city to explore. Quebec City has plenty of shopping malls, live events, cinemas, sporting events, parks, museums, and other places of interest for you to see. Note that all the main signs in the city are written in both French and English.
Lastly, the nightly room rates for the hotel starts at $169 for classic rooms and go as high as $599 per night for a luxury suite (rates subject to change and depends on the type of room rented).
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort Bali is one of the best hotels of Bali. You can experience the Indonesian culture during your stay. It is located on the south coast of Bali. It is just about 20 kilometers away from the Ngura Rai International Airport. Since the hotel is just within walking distance to Tanah Lot Temple, the temple can be seen right from the hotel.
You can choose from the different rooms they have. The rooms have sophisticated ambience. Most of the rooms are furnished with very warm earth tones. This makes you feel that nature is just within your reach. You can choose whether you want an ocean or a garden view room. There are also executive suites wherein you can enjoy big and luxurious living rooms.

Enjoy also the room and hotel facilities offered during your vacation. Rooms are fully air-conditioned. You get to enjoy watching TV because of the cable or you can choose from the pay-per-view movies. When you want to get some fresh air, the balcony is ready for you. Private bathrooms are also provided.
For those who are having a vacation but still can not leave their work in their offices, modem/data port connection and telephone are also provided. The hotel itself offers services that will surely make you stay longer. Some of these services include: baby sitting, currency exchange, laundry facilities, beauty salon, spa, sauna, restaurant, shopping arcade and of course, the outdoor and indoor swimming pools.
St. Regis New York
Guest rooms: There are several classes of rooms and suites available to the guests according to their preferences. The rooms are designed and customized with 12 foot ceiling, connecting rooms, writing desks, Italian marble bathroom, double-paned windows, chandelier, rollaway bed, sitting area, All rooms are readily equipped with some entertainment system such as flat screen TV, radio, MP3 player, and stereo CD player.
Bed features include foam pillows, feather down comforters, feather pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets. Bathroom amenities include terry cloth bathrobe, double sinks, bathroom telephone, separate showers, shaving mirrors, and European bathtub. It also has an available fully stocked refrigerator and minibar.
Features and Activities: While staying at the hotel, guests can experience comfort and leisure with its featured spa and fitness center. It also has a business center that caters to your needs of computer rental and secretarial services. Each floor has butlers available whenever you need them.
Restaurants and Lounges: The hotel offers various elegant restaurants that perfectly suit the taste of their guests. It also introduced its new French cuisine to their guests. Complete with all its dining amenities, guests would surely enjoy their dinner at their preferred restaurant.
Meetings and Events: This high-class hotel also caters special occasions such as wedding and business conference. Surely this would be a perfect place to any social gatherings.
Rate: Contact Starwood for best available rates.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Kickstarts Meetings Sector With Launch Of The Richest Offer Ever:"Free Meeting + Free Nights" Meeting Package
Starwood Hotels & Resorts today announced the launch of the richest meeting offer ever: the “Free Meetings + Free Nights” meeting package to help take the load off companies planning events and conferences this year. Starwood's biggest meetings offer ever includes free meetings and free stays for every three-night residential meeting booked – a savings of up to 50%. One- and two-night residential conference bookings also enjoy the meetings component for free.
This “Free Meetings + Free Nights” generous offer will be available at more than 100 hotels in Asia Pacific in many popular travel and meetings destinations including China, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Participating brands include aloft, Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Le Méridien.
Meeting planners can find more details on this offer as well as a list of destinations and hotels at www.starwoodmeetings.com . Note: The offer is valid until March 2010 for bookings by September 2009.
www.starwoodmeetings.com is one of the most robust meetings-related websites in the industry. Featuring a variety of attractive offers, rewards and recognition, and comprehensive search
options, it is an easy-to-use, one-stop resource for organising events of any scale. An industry-first MICE widget, which sits on the desktop of event organisers, provides organisers with the most
relevant information on promotions, meetings packages and updates within the shortest time.
* terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.starwoodmeetings.com for the full terms and conditions.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 930 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Melbourne's own Westin Hotel wins Qantas Frequent Flyer award
The Westin Melbourne, the most decorated Westin property in the world has been recognised by frequent flyers as one of the best leisure and business hotels in Australia.
Last year, the Westin was named in Conde Nast traveller's gold list as one of the best places to stay in the world, alongside the best luxury hotel in the Victorian Tourism Awards hall of fame amongst others.
Now consumers who travel frequently have named the Westin Melbourne in their favourite category. Qantas Frequent Flyers were asked to vote for their favourite qantas.com hotels across destinations and categories such as comfiest bed, best room, best view and more. The results are now being showcased in a spectacular minisite that has been integrated into 'Hotels' on qantas.com. www.qantas.com/hotels
Anne Jamieson, Sales and Marketing Director, the Westin Melbourne said, "This is a great honour. Qantas frequent flyers are connoisseurs of the industry. As world travellers, their taste is most discerning. So to be voted as one of their favourite hotels is certainly flattering."
She said, "Our guests love the Westin because of its unrivalled location in the heart of Melbourne, the welcoming staff and the sleek chic ambiance which epitomises the hotel."
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
With a portfolio of more than 150 properties around the world, Westin Hotels & Resorts is in the midst of the most robust growth period in the brand's 77-year history. Westin Hotels is the fastest growing upper-upscale brand in the world with plans to expand to more than 250 hotels in the next five years. Westin Hotels & Resorts is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 940 properties in more than 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 940 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
At Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Stay Longer Pay Less
To make your decision even easier, Hyatt Hotel Canberra is currently offering an incentive whereby the longer you stay, the less you pay. A one-night stay is priced from AU$305, two nights from AU$580 and three nights from AU$795. Each stay includes full buffet breakfast for two in the Promenade Café and access to the Clubhouse Fitness Centre.
Easter is an ideal time to visit your national capital to view the many exhibitions and galleries on offer. Showing at the National Gallery of Australia, “Misty Moderns: Australian Tonalists 1915-1959”, is the first exhibition to tell the story of Australian Tonalism, a movement championed by the influential and often controversial painter Max Meldrum in the first half of the 20th century
At the National Museum of Australia, explore the voyages that connect Australia to the world. Share the personal stories of some of the people who have travelled to and from Australia over time. See some of the Museum's latest acquisitions and oldest treasures.
The Australian War Memorial’s “Over the Front: the Great War of the Air” exhibition brings history to life with a range of extraordinary original aircraft and an exciting visual depiction of military flight.
To book your stay, call Hyatt reservations on 13 1234 or visit hyatt.com.
Two New Hotels Opening in Darwin
On 9 March 2009, the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront and the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront will open for business, and to celebrate Toga Hospitality has announced special opening rates for both properties.
Guests can enjoy an opening rate of Aud$159* per night at the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront, an amazing 30 percent saving, and a special rate of Aud$149** per night at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront which represents a 25 percent discount.
Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront offers 121 studios and one bedroom apartments incorporating the Medina qualities of apartment accommodation, space, style and home conveniences. The one bedroom apartments will feature separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchen and laundry and a grocery delivery service.
The 120 room Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront offers guests the chance to trade in traditional accommodation for a fresh, viberant alternative with a contemporary edge. In line with the ‘Vibe’ style, every aspect of Vibe Hotel Darwin has been designed to mirror a great lifestyle – the rooms are stylish, the menu in the Curve restaurant is tempting and the location provides easy access to the best that Darwin has to offer.
Both hotels feature prominent indigenous Australian artworks from Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands as well as two major public art pieces integrated into the fabric of the building by Australian artists Mandy Ridley and Matt Huttlestone.
The hotels also offer shared lifestyle facilities including a pool, gym, parking and an on-site restaurant and bar named ‘Curve’.
Rachel Argaman, CEO of Toga Hospitality said “We are very excited to be opening both our Medina Apartment Hotel and Vibe Hotel in Darwin on 9 March 2009. We invite you to experience our hotels first hand with our fantastic opening specials of Aud$159* a night at the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront and Aud$149** a night at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront.”
To take advantage of these great opening rates visit www.medina.com.au or www.vibehotels.com.au
*The opening special for Medina Grand Darwin of Aud$159 is for overnight accommodation in a studio room and is valid from 9 March until 31 April 2009. Excludes peak periods and is subject to availability.
*The opening special for Vibe Hotel Darwin of Aud$149 is for overnight accommodation in a standard room and is valid from 9 March until 31 April 2009. Excludes peak periods and is subject to availability.