Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

It’s the things we do together that seem to stay with us longest – exploring new cities, lazy days on a beach or adventuring outdoors. This summer, Four Seasons sets the stage for holidays that everyone can enjoy, with plenty of options to please every member of the family, from kids and teens to parents and grandparents – and why not bring along the cousins too?

Special offers* at participating Four Seasons hotels and resorts around the world this summer include complimentary nights, spending credits, and a host of other extras such as complimentary meals and spa treatments, tours, and toys for the kids. Bookings can be made beginning now for stays from June 15 to September 15, 2013.

What’s more, every Four Seasons offers family-friendly services and amenities to all guests. Kids for All Seasons is a supervised program for children at all Four Seasons resorts and select urban hotels, and many properties offer additional programming such as movie nights, kid-friendly tours and excursions, and professional babysitting services when the adults want some alone time. Many locations also have teen centres stocked with games and movies that host theme parties especially for younger guests. And, Four Seasons invites families to pack light, with baby gear including cribs and strollers loaned at no charge, along with special child-size robes to match Mom’s and Dad’s.

Connecting rooms are often available at a special price, and many resorts also offer residence rentals, giving families their own living spaces for private time spent together, along with multiple bedrooms to accommodate everyone.

Share Travel Experiences with Families Like Yours

Have Family Will Travel, the colourful blog created by Four Seasons, unveiled a fresh new look this spring to showcase real-life travel stories by popular family travel bloggers and Four Seasons staff. New features include the Kids’ Concierge, a tool that allows parents to search for stories, tips and destination guides by location, kids’ ages and favoured activities. There’s also a new function that invites families to upload their stories, tips, photos and videos from their own Four Seasons holidays; and the new, user-friendly Parents’ Insider Guides to Family Travel makes searching blog posts by destination a snap.

Also check out the Look Mom! Pinterest board, a collaboration between Four Seasons and top family bloggers. Follow and join in the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #FSFamily.

Inspiring Ideas from Around the World

• Own a Pony for the Day, Plus a Lovable Labrador and Really Fresh Eggs – The most popular staff member at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is Oliver, a lab who loves nothing more than to go for rambles around the estate and get his picture taken with guests, or even come along when kids head to the chicken coop to collect their own breakfast egg. For children and teens begging parents for a pony, the Hotel offers an experience that teaches young guests how to ride and care of one they can call their own for the day.
• Chill Out Hollywood-Style with “Larry” – The children’s book character (in plush toy form) welcomes kids to Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, inviting them to play along on his adventures in Los Angeles, and enjoy Larry-themed menus, poolside spa treatments and special treats.
• Explore Malaysian Mangroves – An on-staff naturalist leads a three-hour boat safari of the mangroves, chock full of wildlife wonders. The experience is sure to be a highlight of a family’s stay at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.
• Dig for Family Roots in the Old Country – Many travellers to Four Seasons Hotel Prague are interested in finding their roots in Eastern Europe, so Hotel staff helps fill in the family tree by connecting guests to local genealogists.
• Explore the Famous Ten Scenes of West Lake – With a guide or using maps created by Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, families hop on bicycles and tour the region Marco Polo called “heaven on earth,” and see for themselves the historic “ten scenes” first identified during the Qing Dynasty.
• Get Up Close and Personal with Nature – With a wildlife biologist who also happens to be a professional photographer as their guide, families are invited to pile into a luxury SUV and head to the mountains around Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole to see moose, elk, bison, eagles and wolves in a day of adventure no one will forget.
• Now THIS is Room Service! At Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, the Ice Cream Man brings his trolley of treats to guest rooms for custom made sundaes and cones for the whole family. Over 21? They’ll send up the Martini Man too.
• When I Grow Up, I’m Going to Be an Elephant Researcher – In the jungles of northern Thailand at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, teens and adults can spend time with local mahouts, learning how to ride and care for rescued elephants and participate in research programs.
• In the Footsteps of Liszt and Bartok – On the banks of the Danube, children can join in classes conducted by local music teachers at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, who expose a new generation to the wonders of folk and classical music, and opera.
• Consider a Career in Hospitality – At Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, the Hotelier Apprentice Summer Camp gives children a behind-the-scenes look at resort operations and has them participating side-by-side with the team who make it all run smoothly.
• Follow the Adventures of Les Triplés au George V – In Paris, Nicole Lambert’s beloved cartoon characters take over Four Seasons Hotel George V in a series of antics depicted on dishes just for children. The family-friendly Hotel staff includes a recreation manager who devises fun things for kids to do in the Hotel and around the city.
• Answer the Call in Dublin – Four Seasons Hotel Dublin is celebrating The Gathering – Ireland 2013 with a special itinerary that allows families to get in touch with their inner Irish.
• Bust a Move in Mauritius – Whether it’s a one-on-one scuba lesson in the plunge pool or a private Creole cooking class, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius can bring just about anything directly to its Deluxe, Grand and Royal Villas. Great idea for families: teens host an en suite dance party while grandparents show off a few moves of their own – disco ball and LED dance floor included.
• Extend a Helping Hand to Other Kids and Families – Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica connects guests with community members in need via the popular Growing Together volunteer program. Guests can help out by providing local families with basic necessities, and bringing backpacks with supplies for schoolchildren. Active families can even lend a hand by painting a local school.
• Pampering and Inner Peace for All – At the Island Spa in at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, children and their parents come together for specially-created interactive rituals that help everyone feel better – physically and spiritually. For those looking for something really special, Four Seasons Explorer is available for private charters, offering the opportunity for a luxe tour of the Maldives for just one family group at a time – along with a full staff to take care of every need and whim.

Get Connected to Four Seasons

Families who love Four Seasons are joining the conversations and sharing their stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and Weibo. In addition, most Four Seasons hotels and resorts and many Four Seasons restaurants host their own social media pages – visit individual properties on fourseasons.com for links.

^{*Offers valid on bookings for stays from June 15 to September 15, 2013. Many offers also extend beyond this period – full package terms, conditions and dates are available online.}

Abercrombie & Kent Tours

What are you most passionate about when exploring the world? For fifty years, Abercrombie & Kent’s private luxury travel experts have worked hand in hand with thousands of us answering this very question when designing custom, tailor made itineraries. This week, A&K launches The Tailor Made Journey Giveaway which celebrates this legacy by giving away two journeys of a lifetime, custom-designed to the winner’s specifications … with expert advice from A&K founder Geoffrey Kent.

Win an authentic African Safari Adventure at select Sanctuary Retreats and Royal Portfolio properties. Or travel on an Enchanting Adventure for two in Europe or Asia featuring Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  Each trip includes a choice of destinations, 10 nights’ accommodation and sightseeing opportunities for the winner and a companion. This is the first time A&K has given away a Tailor Made Journey where each winner will have the opportunity to personally consult with Geoffrey Kent to curate their dream vacation. 

The Safari Adventure: A Tailor Made Journey in Africa

A&K began in Africa and knows how to deliver the authentic African safari experience like no one else. Enjoy 10 unforgettable days on safari, with Sanctuary Retreats and Royal Portfolio providing complimentary accommodations. Having grown up in Africa, Geoffrey Kent is the perfect person to help put together a unique safari adventure. (Prize valued at $30,000)

The Enchanting Adventure: A Tailor Made Journey in Europe or Asia

Experience a personalized, 10-day journey of a lifetime through Europe or Asia, savoring the hospitality of Four Seasons hotels at every destination. With 35 five-star properties spanning these two continents, the winner will have a wide a variety of options to choose from, and Geoffrey Kent and his team of experts are ready to help. (Prize valued at $18,000)

Enter Abercrombie & Kent’s Tailor Made Journey Giveaway online, submit your entry no later than July 31, 2013. Refer a friend and receive an additional entry for each friend who enters (up to 10).
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the U.S. & Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 25 years of age or older as of date of entry. “The Tailor Made Journey Giveaway” is sponsored by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. For Official Rules, which govern, click here. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 p.m. EDT on 5/15/13 and ends at 12:00 p.m. EDT on 7/31/13.

“Truly experiential travel balances authenticity, flexibility and a sense of well-being. Our guests want experiences that are true to a place and its traditions, incorporating elements of the past and reflecting the local culture,” explains Kent. “I will personally consult with each winner, bringing my lifetime of travel to help make his or her journey as memorable and inspiring as it can possibly be.”

What Is Tailor Made Private Travel?
To help plan the trip of your dreams, Abercrombie & Kent’s Tailor Made Travel Consultants bring a rare blend of knowledge, patience and most of all, creativity and caring to designing a customized itinerary that reflects your personal passions. We take time to understand your needs, get to know your tastes and interests, and then use A&K’s global network of 50 overseas offices and travel partners to make the arrangements.

The ultimate luxury is peace of mind, which comes from having everything professionally pre-arranged and reserved, with an English-speaking guide meeting you when you arrive in each new destination. Part storyteller, part scholar and part expert organizer, your guide orchestrates each day from beginning to end.

Customized travel has been at the heart of Abercrombie & Kent’s business since the very beginning.  We’ve planned honeymoons, around-the-world trips, safaris for three generations, tours of exclusive wineries and museum visits with exclusive access for art aficionados. And with our local expertise and connections across the globe, we can arrange experiences you never imagined possible.

Still not sure if Tailor Made private travel is the right fit for you? Take the A&K Travel Quiz on the website to define your personal travel style.

Stylish Luxury Accommodations

Tailor Made Travel is the ultimate in personalization, designed to take you only to the places you want to go, at a time and pace that best suits you. Working directly with you or your travel professional, our well-travelled experts create an itinerary tailored to the places and activities you long to see and do. Choose from five-star boutique hotels or breathtaking wilderness retreats to create the perfect dream vacation.

The Sanctuary Retreats portfolio of luxury safari camps and lodges in Africa offer an intimate boutique experience with the added promise of authenticity. Located in some of the most stunning locations in Africa, each property is completely unique in its design and committed to the philosophy of “Luxury, naturally”.

In South Africa, former fashion designer Liz Biden brings an incredible sense of style to each property in the Royal Portfolio. Royal Malewane, once her family’s country retreat, has been transformed into an ultra-luxurious safari hideaway near Kruger National Park. Birkenhead House in Hermanus has a stunning, modernist aesthetic and is one of the few places on earth with whale watching from the beach. La Residence is an intimate boutique hotel in the Winelands on a 30-acre vineyard estate near Franschhoek (two hours from Cape Town).  

A worldwide synonym for luxury, Four Seasons has built an unrivalled portfolio of five-star hotels and resorts in the world’s most desirable destinations. Each property embodies Four Seasons’ commitment to custom-crafted visits that allow you to experience a destination in a way meaningful to you, through unique insider knowledge and special access to what makes every place exceptional.

To learn more about planning your own Tailor Made journey with Abercrombie & Kent, go www.abercrombiekent.com/tailormade or consult with a Travel Specialist at 800.554.7094.

About Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent pioneered luxury adventure travel with our first African safaris in 1962, and today our award-winning travel services extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. A&K’s custom itineraries and small-group journeys offer one-of-a-kind inspiring experiences, while our 50 on-site offices ensure invitation-only access to the people and places that make every destination unique. Join the world of A&K by following on Facebook and Twitter: @AKTravel_USA.

Banyan Tree Resorts

Search for this summer’s best beach getaways, and secure the best villas for your perfect holiday tan. Banyan Tree resorts in Mexico, Seychelles, Indonesia and China offer villa vacations where the sands are warm and welcoming, and the service even more so. Check out these global destinations from the Banyan Tree collection.

Sanya, China
China’s Hawaii of the East has a few surprises for jaded beach lovers. The island of Hainan, known for its coconuts trees and pineapple produce, is now attracting local and international beach lovers with its powdery sands and offshore marine life. Banyan Tree Sanya is situated on a secluded picturesque peninsula on the southern tip of Hainan, directly on Luhuitou Bay. Guests are spoilt for choice as they move between the beach and large main swimming pool, each with myriad facilities. On the private beach, used only by Banyan Tree guests, 11 breezy cabanas built for two, offer the ideal lounge pad for enjoying the sea, while the nearby free-form swimming pool is equipped with spa jets. Stay in one of 49 pool villas, each with an enchanting tropical garden setting for the outdoor swimming pool which starts from 45 square metres. Book An Intimate Hideaway with a minimum stay of 2 consecutive nights and enjoy daily buffet breakfast, airport transfers, welcome coconut drink, 60-min Hydrotherpy spa session, destination dining, daily fruit platter, daily turndown service, snacks, a mocktail & complimentary massage sampler, Bayan Tree Gallery gift along with 10% off a las carte massage session and 10% off a la carte dining. Book by December 29, 2013 for travel from April 1 2013 until December 31 2013.
  
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Mexico’s Caribbean coast has been famous for decades, but a new stretch has come to attention. The Riviera Maya is home to party town Playa del Carmen, as well as secluded enclaves that offer the utmost intimacy and relaxation in the form of private pool villas. Banyan Tree Mayakoba, which has topped TripAdvisor.com’s list at number one resort in Riviera Maya since its opening in March 2009, is the place for ultimate indulgence, be it for exquisite dining experiences, award-winning Banyan Tree Spa treatments and hydrotherapy facility, or the 107 private pool villas and townhouses. A dedicated beach club, Sands, offers meals, loungers and an infinity pool for guests even as they enjoy the pale blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Take a leaf from the ancient Mayans and enjoy the sunrise on the beach, soaking in the purifying rays of the early morning sun. Book A Romantic Getaway in Mexico with a minimum stay of 3 consecutive nights at the Garden Pool Villa or Courtyard Pool Villa and enjoy daily breakfast buffet for 2 persons at Oriente Restaurant, 2 60-min massage & 30-min refreshments and relaxation session  per villa per stay, 1 3-course dinner for two at Saffron Restaurant and 1 romantic “Intimate Moment” arrangement and a complimentary bottle of wine. This offer is open for bookings until 19 December 2013. Valid for stays from now until 22 December 2013. (blackout dates apply)

Intendance Bay, Seychelles
On the main island of Mahé, Seychelles, several beaches jostle for top position – and they are all winners. Seychelles is known as the original ‘garden of eden’ – where you can find giant tortoises that weigh 100kg, rare coco-de-mer trees, corals and marine life, and the impeccable Banyan Tree Seychelles. Its location is on Intendance Bay – a gorgeous sweep of white sand beach punctuated by wetland mangroves and ancient boulders. Destination dining experiences on the beach include Grill on the Sands and Moonlight Gazebo, where expertly grilled Seychellois seafood or a degustation dinner is the chef’s order of the day. Find further romance in one of the 60 colonial-style pool villas, dotted amongst the hillside or by the beach. Escape to Seychelles with every 4th night complimentary. this offer is available until December 27th 2013.

Tanjong Said Bay, Indonesia
Singapore’s favourite beach destination is no other than on neighbouring Bintan island, a 45-minute high-speed catamaran ride away. Banyan Tree Bintan, built amidst old-growth tropical rainforest, enjoys access to its own private stretch of Tanjong Said Bay, which is shared only with sister resort Angsana Bintan. Check with the Marine Lab for weekly snorkelling trips to corals growing offshore, or simply choose a sun lounger to enjoy complete contentment with the sound of ocean waves and lazily soaring Brahminy kites high overhead. Built into the forested slopes, the resort’s villas are inspired by Balinese architecture, and are equipped with jet-pools or private pools. The Credit goes to You this spring where we can enjoy daily breakfast and hotel credits equivalent to every 2nd nights room rate.  Hotel credit can be used at the hotels participating restaurants, spa and gallery during our stay.Book by April 16, 3013 for travel until May 31, 2013.

Don’t forget you can enjoy Banyan Tree products in your own home.  I’m taken with the Recycled Toothpaste Tube woven Tote Bags in the apparel section

Langham Hotels International

“The birth of a legend” is a term not many entities can genuinely lay claim to with authority and integrity.In the case of Langham Hotels International, however, this epithet is well deserved, as the roots of this family tree reveal an impeccable pedigree that is historically significant to the international hospitality industry.

No other luxury hotel group can lay claim to the rich heritage of the original Langham Hotel and the extraordinary values it has inspired in the hotels that came after it.  From the day the first Langham Hotel opened in 1865, it astonished Victorian London with the scope of its luxury, technology and grandeur. The hotel also presented many world firsts, on unprecedented scales and always with elegance and grace.

I am so happy to introduce you to The Langham hotels which continue to exude a sense of enchantment fostered by the original ‘Grand Hotel’ - The Langham, London.

Much of what exists in each of their hotels today bears the hallmarks of what made the first hotel so special. Langam Hotels were at the forefront of creating new hospitality experiences back in the 19th century, and remain so today.  This luxury hotel group exudes a graceful and timeless elegance, presenting classic themes accented with personality… and a certain quirky charm.  The staff engages you with a natural finesse that bears the seal of their heritage: always anticipating their needs, but never obtrusive.

Indeed, The Langham family of luxury hotels offers us an experience of impeccable hospitality, handcrafted and refined for over 140 years.

Feel special when you arrive for your Langham holiday.  Locations in Boston MA & Pasadena CA USA, London England, Melbourne Australia, Auckland New Zealand, Hong Kong, Bangkok & Shanghai

Linger Longer for a Sweet Suite at your favourite Langham Hotel the offer is available from 28 November 2012 to 22 February 2013 at selected properties. Book two nights or more at the Best Available Rate and enjoy up to 30% off and qualify for complimentary internet, breakfast, club access and more… click here to find your favourite Langham online today.

Relax, knowing your enchanting haven awaits…

Best Western Hotels

As you know, I book corporate travel and post the best online deals for you to book yourself.  Has anyone else noticed the exciting changes at Best Western Hotels.  My business travelers love the brand & you will too. 

Best Western International is the world’s largest hotel brand with more than 4,000 hotels in 80 countries. Their uniqueness is found in each hotel’s charm and local appeal while maintaining a commitment to quality, service and value.  

Hotel packages offer something for everyone across the USA & Canada.

They’ve combined accommodations and special add-ons to give you the best value for your next getaway.  Featured packages include everything you’ll need for your next sight-seeing vacation!  Packages change monthly so, don’t forget to check back next month for more great deals.

Click here to view International Specials

Experience the best of Best Western – Best Western Premier offers extra amenities and services in stylish and charming surroundings at select hotels in Europe and Asia.  The best vacation experiences are ones that will be remembered for a lifetime. Best Western Premier® strives to make your vacation experience as memorable as possible.  Immerse yourself in the cultural adventures of Europe with eastern,western and central European vacation packages from Best Western Premier hotels. Home to palatial accommodations and gratifying service,all the while blending in the best of the destination city, the boutique hotels of Best Western Premier will solidify a majestic,memorable European travel experience.  View the latest specials Today!