Le Meridien announces the opening of THREE new properties

Le Meridien announces the opening of THREE new properties in Asia: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, Le Meridien Chiang Mai, and Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa (the first five-star resort to open in Wanning City on China’s Hainan Island).

All three hotels feature Le Meridien’s newly introduced Arrival Experience, which includes:

a Transitional Portal (a wall of art and sound that engulfs each guest as they enter) a Sensory Experience (illustrated through Le Meridien’s new signature scent and a unique use of sound and light)
the Unlock Art program (artist-designed key cards that offer guests access to their guest rooms and to Le Meridien’s affiliated art organizations) the Elevated Experience (which transforms an ordinary elevator ride through the use of sounds created by Grammy Award winning composer Henri Scars Struck).

Le Meridien Chiang Rai, Pool Deck View of Kok River Le Meridien Chiang Rai, Exterior

STEVE ROSS LAUNCHES THE OAK ROOM’S 29TH SEASON

STEVE ROSS LAUNCHES THE OAK ROOM’S 29TH SEASON JANUARY 6-31
WITH “I REMEMBER HIM WELL: THE SONGS OF ALAN JAY LERNER”

In 1980, Steve Ross opened the legendary Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room, and today the room itself enjoys legendary status as a world-renowned repository of the Great American Songbook. Steve’s 2007 Oak Room show, a triumph in New York and London, celebrated the sublime words and music of Stephen Sondheim. For the month of January, he will salute another native New Yorker, the great lyricist Alan Jay Lerner. Among the gems Oak Room audiences will hear are “Too Late Now,” “Gigi,” “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “The Night They Invented Champagne” and “If Ever I would Leave You.” Shows are Tuesday through Thursday at 8:30 and Friday and Saturday at 8:30 and 11:00 pm, with a $60 cover charge plus either a $30 minimum or $70 prix fixe dinner. Reservations: 212 419 9331 or bmcgurn@algonquinhotel.com.

ALGODON WINE ESTATES’ CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINS “BEST BUY

ALGODON WINE ESTATES’ CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINS “BEST BUY” DISTINCTION
AT “WINES OF ARGENTINA” EVENT

Algodon Wine Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon scored high marks at a recent wine tasting conducted by Wines of Argentina, announced Scott Mathis, founder of Algodon Wine Estates and Algodon Mansion. The event, titled the “U.S. Master Sommelier Trip”, took place Nov 30-Dec 2 and featured Master Sommeliers visiting Argentina from the United States.

Algodon’s Cabernet Sauvignon had an outstanding rating of 8 points on a scale of 1 to 10, and was awarded the “Best Buy” distinction of all the wines participating in the event. “This is a remarkable honor,” said Algodon winemaker Mauro Nosenzo, “as we were competing against some of the best wineries in Argentina. The award is testament to the success of our commitment to quality and innovative new technology in winemaking.” Ratings were designated based on the relation of quality to retail price.

Go Nord, Young Skiers, Go Nord

Go Nord, Young Skiers, Go Nord

Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Courtenay

Vancouver Island

by Jack Christie

 

Whether you tour, skate, or noodle about on classic skinny sticks, nordic skiing in BC is celebrating its place in the sun.

Cross country skiing has long held its own in the province, thanks to strongholds like Hollyburn Ridge on Vancouver’s North Shore (cypressmountain.com) and nearby Manning Provincial Park in the North Cascade Mountains (manningpark.com). But with the approaching Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, there’s a big new kid on the nordic block – the Whistler Olympic Park – and that’s good news for anyone into exploring the outdoors, self-propelled style.

Suddenly the world’s best cross-country skiers are living, breathing, and training in BC – not just in Whistler but all the way from Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island to Silver Star Mountain Resort in the North Okanagan Valley.