Lots of Sweet Deals at Fairmont Hotels this Summer
Fairmont Monte Carlo Sports New Spa
Upon completion in July 2009, the Fairmont Monte Carlo’s recent renovation will be capped off with the addition of an impressive 3,000 square-foot Willow Stream Spa. Inspired by its unique position on the Mediterranean, the spa will embody the sensational energy of the sea with a highlight being its signature Power of the Sea experience, a thalasso kur treatment featuring a sea algae wrap, sea salt bath and finishing with a marine firming creme.
Taking a cue from the Impressionist Painters who have called Monte Carlo home, a collection of treatments such as Reflections of Turquoise, Reflections of Magenta and Reflections of Cyan will include soothing aromatherapy and massages. Complete with eight treatment rooms, spa lounges, a couple’s suite and Hammam and sauna, the new Willow Stream Spa is the pièce de résistance of the hotel’s $58 million USD makeover.
Explore Canada on Two Wheels
Committed to providing travelers with a healthy environment to stay fit and maintain a balanced lifestyle while away from home, Fairmont hotels across Canada have introduced BMW Cruise Bikes as the newest benefit for guests, granting active and adventurous travelers the opportunity to explore the vibrant cities and stunning landscapes of Fairmont’s distinctive locales. In addition to the high-performance bicycles, each hotel will also boast a variety of child-sized BMW bikes, allowing families to enjoy the great outdoors together. Ottawa is a perfect place to explore; as one of Canada’s greenest cities it offers a myriad of paths and trails. Located in the heart of the city, Fairmont Château Laurier features an Urban Cycling Package that includes nightly accommodation, bicycle access, complimentary parking for hybrid vehicles and a donation to the National Geographic Society. Guests can take a ride along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, past Dow’s Lake and then loop behind the Parliament Building for a scenic and environmentally-friendly journey across the city.
Fairmont Amps Up Music Program with EMI
Looking to provide travelers with a hotel benefit “in tune” with their needs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has partnered with EMI Music on a new branded music program, providing hotel guests with exclusive access to an impressive catalog of digital music. Highlighting the new program is The Fairmont Music Store, an online portal housed on Fairmont’s award-winning website, which enables guests in North America to gain access to discounts on digital music and other music related experiences from one of the world’s top labels featuring artists such as Coldplay, Moby, Keith Urban, Katy Perry, The Beach Boys and many more. Through the new online music boutique, located at http://www.fairmontmusicstore.com/ and accessible at home, in the office, or at any Fairmont location in North America, site visitors have the ability to browse and download songs, albums, and distinctive Fairmont playlists from some of EMI’s top-selling musicians and emerging artists. The Fairmont Music Store is the latest initiative from the two companies, which had previously partnered to infuse music into the hotelier’s Fairmont Fit program with digital music players featuring hundreds of tracks from EMI Music artists.
Modernizing a Classic Swiss Retreat
Switzerland’s Fairmont Le Montreux Palace put the finishing touches on its multi-million dollar renovation in May 2009 and is ready to show off its stunning new style for summer. The ambitious project, which encompassed the refurbishment of all guestrooms and other main hotel spaces such as the hotel’s elegant restaurant, Brasserie, also included the addition of the Freddie Mercury Suite, a distinctive new room celebrating the legendary singer-songwriter who was a frequent guest of the hotel. Located on the pristine shores of Lake Geneva and overlooking the Alps, the resort is ideal for relaxing in the spa or checking out the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in July. For dining, the Brasserie has always been a destination in its own right, popular with hotel guests and locals alike. Offering delicious and authentic Brasserie dishes, as well as original Swiss specialties including a large wine menu with local and international treasures, the Brasserie is not to be missed.
Fairmont Roofs Abuzz with Activity this Summer
The Fairmont Washington, D.C. has guests buzzing after recently welcoming 105,000 Italian honeybees to their new home: three beehives on the roof. The bees will enhance the hotel’s culinary program along with its interior courtyard garden, which already provides fresh herbs and flowers such as edible pansies, as well as plants, trees and flowers. The Fairmont bees came from Larry & David Reece in Germantown, Maryland. The Reece family has been keeping bees for over 150 years and is widely respected among local beekeepers. They are extremely bee-centered, rather than commercially oriented beekeepers, which explains the long-term strength and viability of their hives. The DC bees join comrades at The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (which is expanding it’s rooftop apiary from three to six hives this summer), The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver.
Summer Exploring in Scottsdale with Fairmont & National Geographic
Navigating a GPS to discover desert creatures, going on a photo safari, or meeting real-life explorers; all in a day’s work for kids at the Fairmont Scottsdale this summer. The Five Diamond resort introduces its inaugural National Geographic Explorers Camp, a collection of discovery-based activities for children ages 5-12 from May 22 - September 7, 2009. Campers trek on a “Desert Discovery” GPS treasure hunt, go on a “Photo Safari,” have fun at a “Geo Bowl” and play on gigantic, highly detailed maps. Best of all, eight world-renowned National Geographic explorers share their adventures on select Saturdays beginning May 30. Experts include “Crittercam” inventor Greg Marshall, tornado chaser Tim Samaras and reptile expert Brady Barr. Families also enjoy waterslides, “dive-in” movies, fishing, a teen “Hang Out” and infant amenities upon request.
Couples that Spa Together…
There is no excuse for partners not to spa together when gorgeous Couple’s Suites and great treatments abound at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. At Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the Couple’s Suite in the Fairmont Spa has become one of the most requested by guests, offering a soaking tub for two, rain shower, side by side treatment tables and a beautiful gas fireplace. Or guests can head south to the Riviera Maya and rekindle the love in Fairmont Mayakoba’s Treetop Luxury Spa Suites. The lush forest provides a perfect canopy for couples to share their private moments amidst the breathtaking scenery. Guests seeking some excitement can delight in the resort’s Ritual of Two treatment that combines elements of fun and romance; each partner takes a turn giving the other a spa treatment using a variety of muds, masques and baths, before winding down with full-body aromatherapy massages. Or try the Signature Couple’s Suite at Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland featuring a double shower, side-by-side treatment tables and a private sitting area. Lovebirds can immerse themselves in the authentic Highland Fling Couples Massage complete with scented candles and soothing music.
Fairmont Goes to the Dogs
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is proud to introduce three new additions to its team of Canine Ambassadors, resident hotel dogs on duty to comfort and welcome guests during their stay. Sonny, a Yellow Labrador Retriever, is the newest member of Fairmont’s Canine Ambassador team at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise as director of Pet Relations along with Smudge, a Golden Labrador Retriever at The Fairmont Algonquin in New Brunswick. Also new to Fairmont is Golden Labrador Gracie, who joins the staff at the Fairmont Tremblant and is available to greet guests and go for scheduled walks and runs. The Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind trained both Sonny and Gracie and although they didn’t end up becoming guide dogs, they are committed to the goal of making every Fairmont guest smile. Sonny, Smudge, and Gracie join other popular pups at Fairmont including Catie Copley at The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, Santol at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Holly at The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, Mavis and Beau at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Chunki and Kimi at The Fairmont Acapulco Princess.
Down on the Farm in Kenya
Chef Hubert Des Marais, the new group executive chef for Fairmont’s East Africa properties, hardly had his visa stamped when he was scouring the country for local purveyors to supply Fairmont’s newly renovated properties in Kenya. On site, he’s working to develop an organic vegetable and herb garden for the legendary Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. The property is also supporting the local community by partnering with the Kanyoni Youth Development and Environmental Project Association to set-up a chicken coop that will be run by local youngsters and provide fresh eggs for the property. Participants have built the chicken houses out of indigenous materials, such as wood branches from the forest, and use only locally bred livestock and natural birdfeed. Through the brand’s Green Cuisine program, a component of its award-winning environmental platform Fairmont’s Green Partnership, Fairmont properties are committed to responsible food purchasing practices and use sustainable, locally sourced and organically grown products whenever possible.
Pools with a View
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts prides itself on having iconic destinations in distinctive locations, and sometimes the best views in the house come poolside. On the 25th floor of the new Fairmont Nile City, The Sky Pool will be a Cairo hotspot when it opens later this year, complete with poolside cocktails, luxuriant massages in private cabanas, floating bars and a spectacular view of the Nile. The pool at Fairmont Singapore has dazzling views of one of Asia’s urban gems. Located on the 8th floor of the hotel, guests can swim with the sight of the city’s towering skyscrapers overhead. At The Fairmont Banff Springs, guests can sit back and take in the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains from the outdoor pool, which looks out onto stunning scenery including the Fairholme Mountain Range, Bow River and Rundle Mountain. The oceanfront pool at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is a 10,000 square-foot delight with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, the Kohala Mountains and dormant volcanoes.