Spring 2010

Dear Colleagues,

The highly successful 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics are now only a memory, but a wonderful, warm memory, especially for the people of Vancouver and many Vancouver hotels and restaurants. Vancouver’s db bistro moderne and Lumière, performed their culinary magic daily to packed houses that included tons of international diners. 

Although skiing continues till mid May in Lake Louise, the Post Hotel & Spa are preparing for their sixth Wine Summit May 27 -30. 
 


Scenic Tours’ 2010 cruising dates are almost sold out and the new 2011 Europe River Cruising brochure is due to be released in early May. The launch of Scenic’s 5th ship, Scenic Pearl, will see an expansion of Scenic’s sailings and itineraries in 2011.



Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, which received top honors as the Most Excellent Lodge in the US and Canada in Conde Nast Johansens 2010 Annual Awards for Excellence will be opening May 20. Ideal for a summer family adventure, the resort offers a 4 nights for 3 package (see details below).



Visitors to Florence, Italy, will appreciate Moira’s special rates/package at Villa Vedetta: rates for 2010 start at 200 euros per room and 380 euros per suite and include one-night accommodation, a buffet breakfast and welcome drink for two; two-night stays include a buffet breakfast and a three-course dinner for two at Onice Restaurant. 


RELAIS & CHATEAUX HOTELS

THE POST HOTEL & SPA (www.posthotel.com) This award-winning Relais & Chateaux hotel and spa in the Canadian Rockies was rated among the top three hotels in Canada in T+L’s 2009 500 Worlds Best Awards. Now that spring has arrived, the hotel is preparing for its sixth Wine Summit May 27 -30, featuring prestigious wineries such as Chateau Palmer, Penfolds, Leonetti Cellar and more. Spring activities include skiing till mid-May, hiking, golfing, fishing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and more – all followed by relaxation and rejuvenation in the hotel’s luxurious Temple Spa. The hotel’s Watson House – a 4-bedroom lodge with kitchen and boardroom or dining table for 10 – is ideal for a family vacation or corporate retreat. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.





CHATEAU DE LA CHEVRE D’OR - Virtuoso (www.chevredor.com)
New for 2010, Chateau de la Chevre d’Or is offering a special pre- and post-cruise one-night package, which includes transfers from Monaco and Villefranche harbors and Nice airport, welcome treats, breakfast, special dinner at La Chevre d’Or, and complimentary access to fitness facility, hammam and Eze Tennis Club, perfumery tour – all starting at 475 Euros pp dbl. The hotel’s Special Opening Package (through April 30), priced from 349 euros pp dbl, includes a welcome treat, two nights’ accommodation, continental breakfast, gourmet dinner at La Chevre d’Or, visit to Eze Exotic Gardens and a perfumery, complimentary access to fitness centre, hammam and tennis club. Please contact Moira for bookings and an amenity in the room.


VILLA LA VEDETTA (www.villalavedetta.net) This romantic Relais & Chateaux villa sits atop Piazzale Michaelangelo, offering an urban retreat with amazing views of Florence. Ideal for travelers who wish to avoid inner city traffic, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle that operates from 9 am to 7 pm from the hotel to Ponte alle Grazie, located only five minutes on foot from the famous Ponte Vecchio. The hotel is only 15 minutes from the international airport Amerigo Vespucci. Surrounded by an Italian garden and its own private park, the 18 room/suite, five-star hotel offers a two-level swimming pool and bar, and gourmet dining in Onice Lounge & Restaurant. This gourmet restaurant is recommended in numerous national and international gastronomic guides for its fine cuisine and impeccable service. Please contact Moira for bookings of her special offer.




LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS RESORTS & SPA – Virtuoso (www.wildretreat.com) Voted the Most Excellent Lodge in the US & Canada in Conde Nast Johansens 2010 Annual Awards for Excellence, and rated among the 11 Most Exclusive Hotels in the World by Forbes.com & the Travel Channel 2009, this all-inclusive luxury eco-resort re-opens May 20, 2010, offering the same rates as 2009. An Early Booking special of 4 nights for 3 (Sun – Thurs, May 20 – June 23 & Sept 2 - 30, 2010) is available, as well as special travel agent rates of $1500 pp (regular $4750!) for 3-night weekend all-inclusive packages Thurs - Sun during May/June, based on space availability. The special rate also applies to accompanying friends or spouses, and includes seaplane transfers, meals, beverages, activities and one massage treatment. 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.

EXECUTIVE HOUSE HOTEL (www.executivehouse.com) This European-style, boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC, is offering a Spring Special from $89 per night pp single/double valid through April 30. The hotel offers a variety of dining-in options – an English pub with live entertainment, steak and seafood restaurant, casual café and a lounge and Oyster Bar. Surrounded by ocean and pristine wilderness, the hotel is actively working towards “going green.” Victoria, consistently voted among the Top Cities in North America, offers the best of both worlds: fabulous shops, restaurants, museums and city parks - complementing world-class golf coursesss, hiking trails and fishing expeditions. And the famous Butchart Gardens is in full spring bloom. Seattle-based Kenmore Air provides direct flights to Victoria while United Airlines offers convenient non-stop flights from San Francisco. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.






LUMIERE (www.lumiere.ca) For Olympic fans, Lumiere is offering a special Olympic Hangover Menu – 3-course prix-fixe menu for $60 through April 25. For opera aficionados, the restaurant will open its kitchen early to Vancouver Opera ticket holders for 3-course Prix Fixe dinners on Tues and Thurs throughout 2010 opera season, donating 10% back to the Vancouver Opera. The restaurant also offers wine dinners, special menus and cooking classes throughout the year. Under the helm of the famous New York chef Daniel Boulud, this world-class restaurant has received a slew of awards, including Top French Restaurant in Vancouver in Zagat’s Survey, AAA Four Diamond Award in 2010, Relais Gourmand, Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux and Traditions & Qualite, Les Grand Table du Monde -- the first independent restaurant in Canada to receive these latter two designations. 
Please contact Moira for special gift card.


db BISTRO MODERNE (www.dbbistro.ca) The Bistro is offering a special Olympic Hangover Menu featuring a 3-course prix-fixe menu for $30 through April 25. Venue of Team Canada’s first official dinner at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and a favorite of hockey fans who are now in playoff mode, the Bistro continues to offer Canuck season ticket holders 20% off food. Ongoing events include private cooking classes, wine dinners and jazz nights. A younger, west coast interpretation of Daniel Boulud’s db Moderne in midtown Manhattan, Vancouver’s sister restaurant offers the same urban vibe and modern French bistro cuisine – and joins Boulud’s famous Dinex Group. Please contact Moira for special gift card.



SCENIC TOURS (www.scenictours.com) Scenic Tours’ European river cruises are selling quickly for 2010, particularly cabins with private balconies. Cruisers may Fly Free to Europe (excl taxes) for Amsterdam to Budapest cruises, departing Oct 18, Nov 1 & 15 for all category cabins – a savings of $2,400 per couple. The launch of Scenic’s 5th ship, Scenic Pearl, will see an expansion of Scenic’s sailings and itineraries for 2011.Guests paying bookings in full for 2011 sailings by May 21 will receive a $100 per couple onboard ship credit. A fully refundable deposit of $250 pp ensures cruisers obtain first choice of date and cabin type for 2011 and receive best earlybird offers. Online booking is now available for preferred agents. Please contact Moira for a complimentary bottle of wine in the cabin.

For reservations and brochures or to VIP your clients please contact Moira Fitzpatrick of Exquisite Hotels & Resorts at 1-604-602-1282 or mfcons@bismail.com
All best wishes for a wonderful spring season,

Moira

Moira Fitzpatrick
1190 Melville Street

Suite 507

Vancouver, BC,
V6E 3W1

(Ph) 604-602-1282
(Toll-Free) 1-866-322-7199

(Fax) 604-681-3545

mfcons@bismail.com
www.moirafitzpatrick.com