The Brandman Agency's September News Bytes

TBA News Bytes ~ September 2009

·   NEW OPENING! Announcing the addition of Hotel Das Cataratas to Orient-Express Hotels – On the border of Brazil and Argentina, next to the breathtaking Iguaçu Falls (275 waterfalls over 3 miles), the elegant two-story Portuguese colonial building is the only hotel within the national park  – allowing guests of the 193 rooms (+ 15 suites) exclusive access before the park officially opens at 9am. Brazilian cuisine is available at Restaurante Itaipu and the Ipê Bar & Grill serves churrascaria (South American barbecue) with live music for dinner poolside nightly. Opening in late October, the spa will feature products using Brazilian tropical fruits and Amazon ingredients by Natura. Adventurous types can explore via helicopter tours over the falls, boat rides through the rapids and four-wheel drive jungle adventures. Hotel Das Cataratas re-opens October 1 after thorough renovations. Rates begin at US$375* per room per night, including breakfast. www.hoteldascataratas.com

·   NEW OPENING! InterContinental Huizhou Resort opens next month, October 2009 - located 90 minutes from Shenzhen and 120 minutes from Hong Kong, InterContinental Huizhou Resort offers 220 executive club guest rooms and villas with contemporary Asian design and breathtaking views of the landscape from private balconies or terraces. For an especially tranquil and private escape, the resort’s luxurious 20 villas offer a dedicated personal butler, private plunge pools and individual pavilions for outdoor relaxation. Five restaurants and bars include Cantonese delicacies (Zhuyuan), Mediterranean flavor (Olives & Herbs) and all-day-dining at Café Veranda. SPA InterContinental offers both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western therapies by only using natural products. The resort also includes scenic 18-hole Golf Course. www.intercontinental.com

·   NEW OPENING! InterContinental Kiev opens this month, offering 272 deluxe rooms in the heart of the Ukraine’s capital city – overlooking St. Michael’s Square, and located between three of the most famous churches in ancient Eastern Christendom. Surrounded by the golden cupolas of the cathedrals, the doors open to some of the city’s best-know landmarks in the city. The hotel’s French restaurant, Comme il faut , is inspired by the legendary Café de la Paix at InterContinental Paris Le Grand, and later at night, b-hush, the ultra-modern rooftop Champagne, caviar and seafood bar offers panoramic views from the outdoor mahogany sky terrace overlooking St. Michael’s Square - a nightly destination for both well-heeled residents and hotel guests.  www.intercontinental.com

·   La Mamounia, Marrakech’s iconic hotel, re-opens its doors on September 29, 2009, and invites travelers around the world to experience the magic of La Mamounia with a series of Unique Experiences, giving guests their own personalized Moroccan journey. Including airport transfers, spa treatments upon arrival, breakfast and lunches, choose from the Very Morocco Experience, the Beauty Experience, the Flavors of the World Experience – and our favorite, the all-encompassing the Sensory Experience, with different signature scent and iPod along with nightly turndown service, guided tour of Marrakech with photographer, full day trek in the high Atlas & recovery dinner in suite, 90-min massage, 90-min hamman ritual, Hot Stone massage, private yoga lesson, “Flavors of Marrakech” guided tour, dinners at L’Italien Le Français and Le Marocain, and a Moroccan wine tasting with sommelier.www.mamounia.com

·   La Mamounia also welcomes Margaret Bell of Boca Raton, Florida as the resident performer at Le Bar Churchill for the next six months. Evoking the charm of bygone days (when Winston Churchill was a regular) with a distinctive speakeasy/hidden jazz club, Ms. Bell’s live musical performances will keep the festive spirits (no pun intended) high for guests in the evening. Ms. Bell has toured with Carly Simon, Bebe and Cece Winans, recorded with Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross and has performed on Broadway.

·   Orion Expedition Cruises has released their 2010 sailing schedule, adding shorter sailings (7-nights) to the cruise line’s popular expeditions – allowing travelers to “access the inaccessible” - including the Antarctic, the Kimberley region of Australia, Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. New itineraries visit six new destinations in Papua New Guinea, as well as new parts of the exotic Spice and Tanimbar Islands and for the first time, an expedition that includes Irian Jaya, famous for Asmat art woodcarvings. Standouts include: Australia’s Wild Southeast – Voyage of Discovery (7 nights): [Back to Press Releases Main]