EXQUISITE HOTELS AND RESORTS
REPRESENTED BY MOIRA FITZPATRICK
Moira Fitzpatrick Presents Spring Travel
Dear Colleague,
Looking forward to spring, and the start of the 2014 season, we would like to offer a variety of suggestions, from Tuscan countryside villas to luxury tent encampments on Canada’s wild West Coast. We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce a new Relais & Châteaux property in Spain – Molina de Alcuneza located near Madrid.
Thank you for your great loyalty and support of our properties over the past year -- we hope to help you plan some exciting trips in the next few months. Here are a few amazing travel suggestions:
The Post Hotel, Lake Louise, is taking bookings for the popular Wine Summit Lake Louise 2014, May 29 – June 1.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is once again a finalist in Conde Nast's Best Eco Lodge in Canada & US 2014. The resort invites guests to take advantage of the lower exchange rate of the Canadian dollar vs the US dollar, which amounts to almost 10% off.
Hotel Le Pigonnet is offering a couple of weekend specials for April to coincide with the 2014 Easter Festival in Aix-en-Provence (Apr 14-27), featuring concerts of prestigious orchestras, chamber groups and soloists.
Borgo Santo Pietro is offering a Simply Spring Deal – stay for two or more consecutive nights and receive a 30% discount, with additional 25% off for each extra night. Valid Apr 10 – 30, 2014, with blackout dates Apr 17 -31.
Casa da Calcada was recently voted the Top Restaurant in Europe 2013 among the European 50 Best Restaurants List.
The Yeatman won the Global Winner medal at this year's International Awards Best of Wine Tourism 2014, promoted by the organization Great Wine Capitals, which encompasses the principal wine capitals of the world.
RELAIS & CHATEAUX HOTELS
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THE POST HOTEL & SPA (www.posthotel.com)  Located in the majestic Canadian Rockies, this premier hotel and spa has announced Wine Summit 2014, featuring world-class wineries from Mendoza, Provence, Bordeaux, South Africa, Sonoma, Napa and Tuscany. Anthony Gismondi will be back as moderator. The Winemakers’ Dinner Series 2014 continues to be extremely popular. The Post recently opened a cozy 24-seat Fondue Stubli, specializing in traditional Swiss-style fondues. The hotel continues to offer two and three-day, weekday ski packages for fabulous spring skiing, including lift tickets, accommodation and breakfasts; a Gourmet package, including 6-course dinner with wine pairings and welcome wine & fruit basket; a Romance package with 6-course dinner, spa treatment plus welcome Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries; and a Spa package that includes two spa treatments, spa lunch and welcome wine & fruit basket. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.
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KENSINGTON RIVERSIDE INN (www.kensingtonriversideinn.com)  Combining a countryside setting with easy urban access, this charming boutique hotel is nestled in the heart of Kensington Village, steps away from shops, restaurants, and amenities. Formerly a charming bed & breakfast, this 19-room/suite hotel features stylish, upscale contemporary design, a cozy fireside lounge with adjacent patio, and one of Calgary’s finest gourmet restaurants. The Inn’s award-winning Chef’s Table is helmed by Executive Chef Duncan Ly who recently won the Silver Medal at the Canadian Culinary Championships, as well as the People's Choice Award for the Mystery Wine Pairing Challenge. Chef’s Table specializes in modern French cuisine and has recently received the prestigious AAA 4-Diamond rating as well as Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 2012 & 2013. Pastry Chef Karine Moulin will be appearing as a contestant on Season Four for Top Chef Canada. The hotel also offers in-room spa services, access to fitness studio and a network of running and biking trails with complimentary cruiser bikes. All packages are commissionable at 10%. Please contact Moira for an amenity.
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MANOIR HOVEY –Virtuoso (www.manoirhovey.com)  This 5-star, historic Quebec manor, nestled on the shores of Lake Massawippi, offers an ideal winter weekend getaway, whether it’s a cozy romantic escape (Wellness, Relaxation & Gastronomy or Spa packages) or outdoor adventures. Starting from the door of the Inn, guests may choose from guided ice-fishing, skating on a frozen lake (skates provided) or snowshoeing through the woods (snowshoes provided). Nearby activities include tubing, cross-country or downhill skiing. The Inn’s Ice-Fishing Package includes one-night’s accommodation, 4 hours of guided fishing, all equipment provided, hot drinks, homemade pizza, a 4-course gourmet dinner, and country-style breakfast – starting at $240 pp dbl per night. The Inn’s Winter Getaway package includes accommodation, gourmet dinner, country breakfast, and a choice among 1-hour of snowshoeing with a naturalist guide, a 1-hour sleigh ride through the woods with Belgian horses and driver – starting at $225 pp dbl, per night. The hotel is also offering 3 nights for the price of 2 including dinners, breakfasts and tips (for two days only). Travel Agent Commissions are paid twice monthly. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.
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BORGO SANTO PIETRO (www.borgosantopietro.com)  This restored 13th-century Tuscan villa near Siena is closed for the winter, re-opening Apr 10, 2014. The hotel’s annual Grand Easter Adventure includes 3 nights’ accommodation for two; complementary Easter Egg Treasure Hunt; 5-course gourmet Easter Sunday lunch for two; art lesson and pizza-making class for the kids; one 40 min massage; a welcome bottle of Spumante, fresh fruit platter, and fresh Borgo flowers; gourmet breakfast including freshly squeezed juices from hotel’s fruit and vegetable juice bar; use of Borgo's garden hot tub, tennis, basketball and badminton court, table tennis, mountain bikes, hiking boots, archery and trampoline; plus all taxes. The package is available Apr 17 – 21, 2014; cost starts at 1350€ per room. The hotel’s spring specials at 30% off include Truffling in Tuscany, a 2-night seasonal package, including accommodation, one-day guided exclusive truffle hunt on private and protected fields, with truffle-based lunch and wine tasting with sommelier in Borgo wine cellar, starting at 840€ for two. The 3-night package also includes a Tuscan truffle cooking class with hotel’s chef, starting at 1239€ for two. All packages are commissionable at 10%. Please contact Moira for an amenity.
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Relais & Chateaux properties in Spain (16 hotels; 7 Grand Chefs) and Portugal (5 hotels) are sprinkled over different regions – each with its own traditions, cuisine and culture.
MOLINO DE ALCUNEZA (www.relais.com/molino)  Originally a 14th century flour mill, this new Relais & Chateaux, country hotel has 17-room/suite and is located an hour’s drive from Madrid, 5 km from the medieval town of Siguenza, and close to the historic towns of Atienza and Medinaceli, and the lavender fields of La Alcarria. Set in the valley of the Henares River, which runs through the property, the hotel comprises two buildings – the restored mill plus a new building. Facilities include a restaurant specializing in modern regional cuisine, a spacious bar/lounge, spa and wellness centre, sauna & hot tub, outdoor swimming pool, business centre, meeting rooms, garden and patio. Activities include hiking, cycling (bicycle rentals), horse riding, games room, and children's playground. Area attractions include Plaza Mayor, Siguenza Cathedral, and Siguenza Castle, Medinaceli Castle and Medinaceli Plaza Mayor. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.
ABADIA RETUERTA L’DOMAINE (www.relais.com/ledomaine)  Located in north central Spain in the province of Castilla y Leon, this elegantly restored 12th century abbey has been converted into a five-star hotel, with every architectural detail immaculately preserved. The monks’ cells are now guest rooms, the chapter house is the lounge bar and the refectory is a sumptuous restaurant. The hotel also includes a gym, yoga and treatment rooms. About 30 minutes from Valladolid, the hotel is set among magnificent vineyards of the Abadia Retuerta estate, extending along the banks of the River Duero. The one-night Gourmet Bliss package includes accommodation, train station transfers, full butler service, a la carte breakfast, gourmet dinner created by the hotel’s experienced Chef, tapas lunch, tour of the Abbey, and access to Ulrick Ruckheim’s Hedge Museum. Wine seminars, guided winery tours and wine tastings are all available to guests. Other activities include cooking classes, mountain biking, horseback riding, helicopter tours and falconry. Please contact Moira for an amenity in the room. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.
CASA DA CALCADA (www.relais.com/calcada)  Situated at the heart of the town of Amarante, between the bustle of Porto and the sun‑dappled countryside of the Douro Valley (both less than an hour away), this 16th century manor house is a favorite with those who love beauty, great wine and golf. The hotel’s 2-night Gourmet Golf package includes accommodation, buffet breakfast, one green fee plus cart and lunch, one 7-course gourmet dinner in Michelin the 1-Star restaurant and all taxes. This 26-room/ 4-suite hotel boasts an award-winning, Michelin-starred Restaurant - Largo do Paco, which also offers a remarkable collection of port wines. The hotel also offers a Relaxation package that includes a one-hour massage, and a special rate offer. On-site activities include wine tasting itineraries, biking, fishing and relaxing by the swimming pool. Nearby attractions include pre-historic cave paintings, ancient roman cities such as Braga and the historic city centers of Oporto and Amarante. Please contact Moira for an amenity in the room. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.
LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTELS
HOTEL & SPA LE PIGONNET ***** SLH (www.hotelpigonnet.com)  Located close to the centre of Aix-en-Provence, this 5-star Small Luxury Hotel is known for its famous guest Paul Cézanne, who painted Mt. Saint Victoire from its terrace. The hotel includes the new gourmet restaurant La Table du Pigonnet; Le Bar, with a cigar and cognac cellar; Lounge Club Le 5; and the Bistro. The hotel also features a fitness room, wellness spa using Valmont brand, hammam, sauna, pool and park. The one-night Gourmet Stay in Provence includes a superior room (park view), two continental breakfasts, gourmet dinner, and welcome sweet – starting at 340€ for two, valid through Mar 31, 2014. Two-night packages for April include Following the Paths of Cezanne with classic room (courtyard view), continental breakfast, one 3-course gourmet dinner for two and 2 glasses of Champagne – starting at 580€ for two for April. Journey in Provence includes a superior room and substitutes the Champagne with a visit to Chateau La Coste – starting at 760€ for two. Book directly with Moira and receive 12% commission, a deluxe buffet breakfast, bottle of wine, fruit basket and upgrade at time of check-in if available.
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS RESORTS & SPA –Virtuoso (www.wildretreat.com)  This safari-style luxury tent camp and adventure resort specializes in custom-designed remote experiences and strives for sustainability. Voted the Most Excellent Eco Resort in US & Canada by Conde Nast Johansen 2012, and Most Excellent Lodge in 2013, the resort is now booking 3, 4 and 7 night all-inclusive adventures for the 2014 season from May 18 to Sept 28. Activities encompass wildlife viewing (whales, bears), horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, zip-lining, shooting, First Nations guided tours, and more. This year’s season starts off with Swift Water Kayaking, Surfing & Fly Fishing – all-inclusive packages, including daily instruction. Agents receive booking commissions of 10% on the total value of resort packages. Please contact Moira for bookings and receive a shipment of BC Sockeye smoked salmon.
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HOTEL ARTS (www.hotelarts.ca)  Featuring chic, contemporary décor, this 185-room/suite hotel offers an extensive art collection, two trendy restaurants, fitness centre, in-room spa services, seasonal outdoor pool and poolside patio. The hotel caters to corporate & leisure guests, with extensive event, conference and meeting space, and is located close to the city’s arts, entertainment and business districts -- shopping, theatre, spas, dining, convention facilities, the Saddledome sports & event centre and the world-famous Calgary Stampede. The hotel offers two of Calgary’s finest restaurants -- the Yellow Door, a 112- seat contemporary restaurant featuring bistro-style dishes using classical components with a modern twist, and Raw Bar by Duncan Ly (also executive chef at KRI), which features a new Vietmodern menu, and a team of award-winning mixologists. In addition, the hotel offers an array of drop-in yoga classes for a fee plus a new eco-friendly bike program for guests to explore the city in style. Please contact Moira for an amenity in the room. Please contact Moira for best available rate and bottle of Chianti in room.
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VILLA LA VEDETTA (www.villalavedettahotel.com)  This romantic neo-renaissance villa, just steps away from Ponte Vecchio, offers breathtaking city views and an ideal base for travelers who wish to explore Florence during the day and spend the evenings relaxing in a quiet urban retreat. The 5-star hotel includes the Onice Restaurant, bar, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, fitness room, its own private Italian garden and a spacious centuries-old park. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to the town centre, connecting to Ponte alle Grazie, just 5 min walk from the famous Ponte Vecchio. In addition, the hotel features a personal shopper service to the most exclusive brands -- Gucci, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Prada, Vuitton, and more. Children receive welcome sweets, drawing kit, soda and ice cream, reliable nannies on request. Bike rentals are available.. Please contact Moira for best available rate and bottle of Chianti in room.
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For reservations, brochures, an amenity in the room or to VIP your clients please contact Moira Fitzpatrick of Exquisite Hotels & Resorts at 1-604-602-1282 or mfcons@bismail.com
