Hotel Happenings, Cruise News And Travel Leaders: This Week's JimBits

The Small Luxury Hotels of the World group has a number of new projects and renovated properties agents should be aware of.

The hotel Splendide Royal, a 19th-century palace in the heart of Rome, is adding 15 spacious, new suites this summer. Close to the Spanish Steps and the boutiques of Via dei Condotti, this impressive hotel is designed in the Baroque style and is just few minutes walking distance from most of the city's major points of interest. The seventh floor restaurant, The Mirabelle, is rated by some diners as one of the top restaurants in Rome and boasts an elegant terrace with panoramic city views.

Ocean Drive in Miami has a new icon opening this June 2019, as the Celino South Beach merges innovative design, local culture, vibrant food and beverage with decadent Art Deco flair. The Celino has transformed three art deco buildings, including the landmark Park Central Hotel, into one luxurious boutique ocean front oasis. Each has been sensitively developed to maintain its original 1940s elegance, while the addition of a contemporary, loft-style building with a rooftop bar and glass-bottom pool mixes in modern Miami flair.

The latest Canadian property to join the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio, Villa Eyrie Resort is a once-in-a-lifetime hotel only 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. Built atop a mountain, escape to the crisp air and the panoramic views that reveal the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. The luxurious accommodations are inspired by the elegant villas of Lake Como, and offer sweeping views of the sublime landscape, whether it is blanketed in snow during winter or tinged with reds during autumn. At the heart of Villa Eyrie Resort is the newly-launched Alpina Restaurant, which fuses the Pacific Northwest cuisine Vancouver Island is known for with dishes and ingredients normally found in alpine environments around the world. Headed up by Michelin-trained chef Mario Gross, Alpina Restaurant is proud to offer the most extensive list of B.C. wines on Vancouver Island, with more than 120 different bottles available.

Silversea has unveiled new details of Silver Origin, the cruise line's first ever destination-specific ship, which will unlock deep travel experiences for guests in the Galapagos Islands from the summer of 2020. One of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships ever and designed entirely with these unique islands in mind, Silver Origin will combine Silversea's local destination expertise with the cruise line's trademark level of luxury to offer guests the ultimate destination experience.

From summer 2020, the 100-passenger, all-suite Silver Origin will build on Silversea's accrued know-how in the Galapagos Islands to form deeper connections between guests and the destination. In addition to the ship's pioneering design and guests' unique experiences ashore - which will be led by Silversea's Expedition Team, who are certified by the National Park of the Galapagos - this immersive concept will see guests enjoy Ecuadorian culture on board, through insightful content, including daily briefings, lectures, videos, and scientific information; authentic local cuisine, prepared by expert Ecuadorian chefs; and various other luxurious enhancements

Offering the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the region, at 1:12.5, Silver Origin will be a luxurious outpost from which guests will enjoy personalized experiences throughout the Galapagos Islands. Every aspect of guests' cruise experiences will be tailored to take them closer to the authentic beauty of the Galapagos Islands in luxury.

Travel Leaders Network, North America's largest travel agency organization, in partnership with sister company Travel Leaders Corporate, has embarked upon a large-scale international expansion program to expand opportunities and provide enhanced service to corporate customers. To date, 40 major travel agencies from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia have become new members of Travel Leaders Network. Many more agencies are expected to join over the coming months.

"We are creating a network of agencies that will serve as connective tissue enabling us to respond to larger opportunities both regionally and internationally," said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network. "These agencies, now backed by the scale, technology and tools available through Travel Leaders, are positioned to provide an even more customized, personalized and superior level of service to existing and new clients within their respective geographies."

New members, some of which are among the largest corporate travel agencies in their countries, join several existing international members of Travel Leaders Network. Combined, the network now has agency representation in nearly 50 countries. Additionally, Travel Leaders Group agencies across the U.S., Canada, the UK and Mexico, inclusive of CTS (Corporate Travel Services), will play a significant role in the international expansion.

"Our plan is to sign one exclusive Travel Leaders representative in key countries around the globe. We are engaging partners who can offer a full portfolio of corporate, leisure and events services and are recognized in their country and by their peers as service-oriented, successful agencies," said Block.

The newly-joined international members will have access to Travel Leaders' comprehensive suite of resources. Those include online booking tools, a wide variety of marketing programs, the company's extensive hotel program, including its highly curated SELECT Hotels & Resorts Program, international destination company (DMC) network and access to a vast array of education and training resources. Additionally, members will be able to support both international accounts and local customers through Travel Leaders' end-to-end technology suite that provides profile management, online trip authorization, data consolidation and analytics, meetings technology and customer reporting tools. International partners will also have access to some of the marquee leisure programs offered by Travel Leaders Network.

After meticulous renovations and more than $15 million CAD of investment, Les Chalets du Mont d'Arbois, Megève, A Four Seasons Hotel, the historic 5-star hotel of the Edmond de Rothschild family, will open their doors on December 13, 2019 as a Four Seasons experience. Beautifully complementing the existing Four Seasons Hotel Megève, which opened in December 2017, this new addition will extend the exceptional luxury offerings in Megève, marked by Four Seasons quality and service. These sister properties are offered in partnership with Edmond de Rothschild Heritage.

"When we opened Four Seasons Hotel Megève, we knew we were creating something truly exceptional in a very special destination," said Christian Clerc, President, Worldwide Hotel Operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "With the addition of Les Chalets du Mont d'Arbois, the guest experience will be enhanced even more with expansive, beautifully-appointed chalets as well as a Michelin-starred dining experience at Prima, now officially under the Four Seasons brand. Together with the Baroness Ariane de Rothschild, we have elevated the history, elegance and charm of Megève to extraordinary new heights."

A spokesperson for Boston tourism told TravelPulse Canada this week that a new Four Seasons in the Back Bay area of the city - the second Four Seasons Hotel for Boston - will open quite soon, perhaps within the week.

In addition, The Four Seasons Montreal is slated to open on May 8; less than a month from now.

AmaWaterways has confirmed it will add a new ship to its European fleet on July 1, 2020: AmaSiena. The 156-guest ship will sail a variety of seven, 10 and 11-night itineraries, visiting iconic cities, historical villages and spectacular vineyard regions along the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers. Like her award-winning sister ships, AmaMora (2019), AmaLea (2018) and AmaKristina (2017), AmaSiena will feature connecting staterooms, generous personal space, luxury amenities and a variety of dining choices such as AmaWaterways' signature regionally-inspired cuisine in the Main Restaurant and the wine paired tasting menu in The Chef's Table Restaurant.

"The popularity of river cruising continues to rise, and with the introduction of AmaSiena, we're happy to be bringing more of our brand of personalized, luxury river cruising to our guests," said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. "When she debuts in 2020, AmaSiena will feature the exceptional cuisine, variety of active shore excursions, world-class service and of course, some innovative touches that travelers have come to expect each time we introduce a new ship to our fleet."

AmaSiena will feature 78 staterooms, the majority with AmaWaterways' exclusive twin balconies - offering panoramic views from both a French and outside balcony. She also has four suites (350 sq. ft.), six pairs of connecting staterooms and 12 triple occupancy staterooms designed for multi-generational families. Additional amenities include a heated Sun Deck swimming pool with a swim-up bar, invigorating classes led by a trained Wellness Host, a fitness room, a fleet of bicycles and massage and beauty salon services. Guests also can enjoy complimentary Entertainment-On-Demand, high-speed Wi-Fi, and "Sip & Sail" happy hour.

The Fairmont Royal York is excited to unveil their newly imagined Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive luxury "hotel within a hotel" experience within the property.

Perched high above the city on the 12th through 18th floors of the hotel, with a private lounge featuring commanding views of the Toronto skyline, the new Fairmont Gold indulges discerning guests, from celebrities and heads of state, to business executives and leisure travellers, with the highest level of exceptional service for a memorable and personalized stay.

The new Fairmont Gold at Fairmont Royal York was designed by Champalimaud Design, an award-winning design firm with roots in Montreal and New York. The space was revitalized to showcase a sophisticated, residential aesthetic that honours the hotel's history with a modern twist.

Fairmont Gold at Fairmont Royal York's collection consists of 106 new elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, which feature newly expanded spaces. These rooms were inspired by the history of the property and pay homage to the original 1920's Art Deco period when the hotel was constructed.

The new Fairmont Gold is now open and is part of the multimillion-dollar restoration at Fairmont Royal York. Set to complete this summer, the hotel will have updated meeting and event spaces, as well as a new lobby experience in time for its 90th anniversary.

Uniworld's newest Super Ship, the S.S. Bon Voyage set sail on her maiden voyage this week following an ambitious makeover that not only reimagined its purpose, overall design and aesthetic but enhanced its structure.

Offering three itineraries along the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde rivers, the ship features four spacious new suites, four dining and beverage venues and spectacular Soleil Deck featuring panoramic views of the countryside, infinity pool and Le Café du Soleil, offering light local fare and chef-led cooking classes. In addition to its impeccable design and fine craftsmanship, guests of Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage may take advantage of new and immersive offshore excursions and Wellness on the Water, integrated-programming that honours the importance guests place on maintaining their healthy lifestyles while travelling.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed Puerto Rico as the host destination for its 2020 Global Summit. The location of the 2020 Global Summit, regarded as one the most important events in the Travel & Tourism sector worldwide, was announced at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain.

Puerto Rico is a US territory in the Caribbean, attracting more than three million visitors each year. It's ease of access, rich culture and cuisine, unparalleled natural wonders, year-long beautiful weather and hospitable people are key factors that make this destination unique and ideal for hosting next year's WTTC Global Summit from 21 - 23 April 2020.

Brad Dean, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's first-ever and new Destination Marketing Organization, said, "We're honoured to have been chosen as host destination for the upcoming World Travel and Tourism Council 2020 Global Summit. Puerto Rico is a place where rich culture and natural wonders lay the foundation for an immense bounty of one-of-a-kind experiences. We're thriving as a destination of global importance and hosting this Summit will elevate even further our tourism offering, positively impacting the local economy. We look forward to welcoming the global tourism industry next year to discover all that Puerto Rico offers."