WestJet starts Maritime service early
WestJet has announced the early launch of additional non-stop service to Florida from Halifax, Moncton and St. John’s. Previously scheduled to begin the first week in March, flights will now launch between Feb. 20 and 26, approximately two weeks earlier. Three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) between Halifax and Orlando will start Feb. 21, Saturday flights from Halifax to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa will start Feb. 25, Thursday service between Moncton and Orlando begins Feb. 23, and Sunday service between St. John’s and Orlando starts Feb. 26.
(www.westjetvacations.com)
New hotel Wyn-win for Orlando
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has broadened its presence in Florida with the opening of its first owned hotel, the upscale, full-service Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, located within the Walt Disney World Resort gates in Lake Buena Vista. The announcement marks the ninth Wyndham property in Florida and the third in the state to join the upscale hotel brand in the last 12 months. The new-construction hotel joins three Wyndham properties in serving Orlando-area business and leisure travellers: Wyndham Orlando Resort, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort and the Reunion Resort and Club Wyndham Grand Resort in nearby Reunion, Florida. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek also joins the Wyndham Grand Collection, an ensemble of distinguished hotels with the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand that represent one-of-a-kind experiences in key destinations with refined accommodations, attentive service and relaxed surroundings.
(www.wyndham.com)
A shell of a good time
Sanibel Island will observe the 75th anniversary of its Shell Fair & Show with week-long Shellabration, Feb. 26 to March 4. From a “Sanibel Stoop” Guinness World Book event to a shell fashion show and special activities island-wide, the occasion promises “a shell of a good time.” In other area news, the Fort Myers Music Walk has now “relocated” from the third Saturday of each month to the third Friday of each month. The move was caused by event conflicts throughout the year. And the Southwest Florida Museum of History in Fort Myers will offer its fourth season of Author’s Evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday or Thursday evenings of select months. The events include the featured author’s presentation, a meet-and-greet, book signing, and admission to the Museum for $15.
(www.FortMyersSanibel.com)
Hotel package a hit with fans
The InterContinental Tampa’s Spring Training package is back. The hotel is centrally located in Tampa Bay, offering guests convenient access to shopping, dining, entertainment, sports and some of the area’s most memorable attractions, including Grant Field, Dunedin, spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Spring Training package includes 20% discount off the best available rate for deluxe accommodations, with rates beginning at US$151 per night; and a Fan Tool Kit, complete with a baseball for signing, Cracker Jacks, peanuts, popcorn, bubble gum, soda, and the lyrics and history of the song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” It’s available for Feb. 29 to April 4. InterContinental Tampa has a rooftop pool offering views of the bay and city; a fitness centre; and dining at Shula’s Steak House. To reserve the Spring Training package at InterContinental Tampa, call 866-402-0758 and mention rate code ILQGA.
(www.intercontampa.com)
Kimpton offer bucks the trend
The “perfect winter retreat” awaits at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ three Florida hotels. For $1 above the best available rate, guests can enjoy extra-warm tidings with specialty drinks at the new Surfcomber Miami, South Beach; the waterfront EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami; or Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, through March 31. Guests can book the “Toast the Season for Just $1 More” package at any Florida Kimpton property and receive deluxe room accommodations; two hand-crafted cocktails nightly from the hotel’s restaurant; insider tips from retail therapists; and 20% off all in-room spa treatments (at EPIC and Surfcomber). The package is based on availability and some blackout dates may apply. To book the package, visit the preferred hotel and enter the code CHEERS.
(www.KimptonHotels.com)
Having a Bal at new Miami resort
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., opened the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on Jan. 19. The property offers guests 214 ocean-view rooms and suites and 307 residences in three all-glass towers rising 27 stories above beach. Guests will find St. Regis Butler Service, a sprawling Remède Spa, Jean-Georges’ restaurant J&G Grill and contemporary art. Guestrooms reflect a contemporary Art Deco style with private balconies with ocean views. Meanwhile, the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Residences are located in the Village of Bal Harbour, directly across from the Bal Harbour Shops. The exclusive enclave sits on the northern tip of Miami Beach, minutes from energetic South Beach and downtown Miami, and convenient to two international airports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood.
(www.stregis.com/balharbour)
Key West classic joins Virtuoso network
The 311-room Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, has been accepted into the Virtuoso network. The brainchild of American railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, the resort opened its doors in 1920 and recently completed a US$43-million renovation, which revamped guestrooms, public spaces, restaurants and added a variety of amenities. As a Virtuoso member, Casa Marina is now “officially recognized as one of the world’s most renowned vacation spots. The resort will now be connected to Virtuoso’s affluent clientele, who enjoy distinctive vacation experiences and privileged access to a host of exclusive travel perks. This client base includes World Elite MasterCard cardholders, who will now receive special incentives when visiting the property.” Luxury travel network Virtuoso is a global collection of 1,000 premier destinations and 7,200 elite travel advisors.
(www.CasaMarinaResort.com)
Amelia Island fertile grounds for hotel discounts
The Third Annual Amelia Island Garden Show (March 3-4, 2012) will once again take root at Central Park in Fernandina Beach, and several island accommodators are plowing the way with special discounted rates and packages for the popular two-day event. The following packages and discounts are available:
Amelia Hotel at the Beach, the official host hotel of the Amelia Island Garden Show, is offering a special rate of US$89 per night in Standard rooms, $99 per night in Ocean view rooms and $109 per night in Balcony rooms (plus tax). Rooms include their signature Hot and Healthy breakfast each morning. Visit www.ameliahotel.com or call (877) 263-5428 to make reservations. Mention the Amelia Island Garden Show.
ERA Fernandina Beach Realty properties are offering a 20% discount on rooms during the Garden Show. The properties include Oceans of Amelia, Amelia South, Amelia By The Sea and Beachside Motel. Mention the Amelia Island Garden show when booking your vacation rental. Visit www.amelia-era.com or call (800) 741-4011 to make reservations.
The Amelia Island Hampton Inn at the Beach is offering a $99 rate (plus tax) on double rooms for the Garden Show weekend. For more information, call (904) 321-1111 or visit www.ameliaislandhamptoninn.com. You must mention the Garden Show during booking to qualify for the special rate.
During the Amelia Island Garden Show, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is offering a 20% discount on rooms. Guests must mention code PROTDC when making reservations to receive the discount. Reservations can be made at www.omniameliaislandplantation.com or by calling (888) 444-6664.
The Residence Inn – Amelia Island is offering a special package for attendees of the Amelia Island Garden Show. Make a reservations before Feb. 10 and guests receive a $20 Lowe’s Garden Center gift card per room, plus a complimentary pair of gardening gloves. Reservations can be made by visiting www.residenceinnameliaisland.com or by calling (866) 245-6099.
The Amelia Island Garden Show will feature growers and nurseries from around the state, including more than 50 vendors with a full assortment of flowers and plants, fruit trees and palms, orchids, herbs, container gardens, native plants, butterfly-friendly plants, shrubs, garden accessories and more. The event also offers on-site experts providing advice about “greening” your home, yard and garden. The “Ask the Expert” booth will feature short presentations and demonstrations on topics ranging from fertilizing to sustainable gardening. This year’s featured attraction is The Raptor Experience, an up-close encounter with live birds of prey. This is an exceptional opportunity to become aware of Florida’s unique, native and migratory birds of prey. Information will focus on raptors, their natural history and their importance to us and our environment.
(www.ameliagarden.com)