I found an item on Yahoo News today, and I think it’s appalling. Yahoo quotes the Wall Street Journal as saying some Las Vegas hotels are charging people up to $200 (that’s US dollars) to reserve a chair by the pool. Not a cabana. Oh, no. Those can cost $1,000. This is just for a chaise lounge or chair next to the pool (where it’s probably 100 Fahrenheit, by the way.)
It’s disgusting, it’s greedy, and it shouldn’t be allowed. A lounge chair for $200? Why not charge for water from the shower? Or for adjusting the thermostat? Why not charge a $100 a day resort fee to use facilities you built to attract guests in the first place? Oh, wait. They already do.
I understand hotels had it rough during the pandemic. But this is corporate greed of a kind that I didn’t even think Vegas could attempt.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO DROP SOME COVID TESTING
Royal Caribbean Group will drop pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing for vaccinated guests on cruises of five days or less starting in early August, if allowed by local regulations.
Cruise Industry News says a formal announcement is expected shortly.
The news was revealed by Jason Liberty, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s second quarter and business update call on Thursday morning, the website reported.
NEW LUXURY LODGE IN AUSTRALIA
The House, Lizard Island, Australia is part of Luxury Lodges of Australia. Elise Hassey Photo.
The House, a world-class reef house situated on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, opened its doors on 1 July for guests seeking unparalleled levels of privacy and personalized service alongside barefoot adventure and a genuine connection to nature.
Newly built on a pristine headland of the exclusive Lizard Island, The House, and its adjoining residence The Cottage, make up the Estate, a rare and compelling offering which embody all things authentically Australian and the opportunity to enjoy laidback luxury at its finest.
(The property belongs to the Luxury Lodges of Australia group, which includes wonderful properties across the continent.Luxury Lodges of Australia is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences package, which includes everything from hotels to indigenous tours to wildlife explorations and wineries. I was lucky enough to take an indigenous tour in the Margaret River region of Western Australia in May with Koomal Dreaming, one of the Signature Experiences. It was fantastic, as was my visit to Vasse Felix Winery, which also is part of the Signature Experiences package.)
From the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Lizard Island, to the architectural design in all its purposefully restrained simplicity crafted from materials endemic to the land, the locally made furnishings and finishes used throughout the estate, an exceptional food and wine offering, and experiences unique to this inimitable pocket of nature, The House is the pinnacle of luxury reef accommodation, offering complete seclusion and privacy, perfect for multi-generational travellers or special occasions that call for a truly memorable getaway.
Located 240 kilometres (150 miles) north of Cairns and 27 kilometres (17 miles) off the coast of northern Queensland, Lizard Island is unspoiled paradise, covered with over 1000 hectares of National Parkland and surrounded by a protected Marine Park. The Estate itself is built on a secluded corner of the island, enveloped by three of the Island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches through which guests can access calm turquoise waters prime for snorkelling, diving, and fishing, while rocky tracks inland lead to picturesque lookouts and sustainable explorations.
Guests have their pick of both the main multi-level residence The House, as well as The Cottage, a separate single level sanctuary, conveniently situated nearby for an au pair, an older child, or grandparents. Up to eight guests can enjoy an all-inclusive stay on The Estate, with a private host dedicated to curating a perfectly unique experience for guests.
A stay at The House is completely bespoke with a team of experts on hand to accommodate all conceivable wants and needs, including a naturalist to lead hikes, a private chef and sommelier to cater to all tastes, a facialist, masseuse and yoga instructor to enhance wellness journeys.
The House itself comes with a fleet of boats available for all kinds of intimate encounters with the reef including ‘Pisces’, a 56’ Riviera Motor Yacht available for tailor-made experiences like fishing trips or day exploring the reef and nearby islands with a chef on-hand in to cook up your fresh catch of the day.
The Estate’s private chef is dedicated to showcasing the diverse and exceptional produce found in and around Queensland’s tropical north food bowl, as well the incredibly fresh seafood, while always catering to the tastes and special requests of guests. The House sommelier similarly works closely with the guest relations team to curate the Estate’s unique wine collection to the tastes of guests, hand selecting wines for every single meal and occasion.
TRANSCEND 22: Sustainable Tourism Conference in Beautiful Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The Slovenian Tourist Board is all about firsts: the first country-wide destination to be green certified, the first to commit to regenerative tourism on a national level, and now the first European country to host The Transformational Travel Council’s (TTC) annual gathering – TRANSCEND ‘22 – an event designed to shift the tourism paradigm from extraction to regeneration through transformation.
Since its inception in 2016, the TTC has helped the industry shift toward a more regenerative and transformational approach to travel. The collaborative influences how tourism operates as an industry and how travellers choose to travel and to live. The TTC’s objective with TRANSCEND ‘22 is to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of the select conference delegates in order to address tough questions and brainstorm best practices on how travel can be a catalyst for positive change in the world. This event would not be possible without the support and collaboration of the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB.)
The event will be held October 9-12 at Hotel Plesnik in the Logar Valley region of Slovenia, which is one of my fave countries in Europe.
