There’s lots of news in the hotel world, and today I’ve got updates from both Fairmont and IHG. FAIRMONT HOTEL RENOVATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Driven by a commitment to ‘Make Special Happen’, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced that 20% of the Fairmont portfolio is undergoing transformation. This includes the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia with redevelopment projects at Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda and Fairmont Grand Geneva in Switzerland, both slated for a Fall 2026 reopening. ONGOING RENOVATIONS Fairmont Southampton– Bermuda: Embarking on the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Fairmont Pacific Rim– Vancouver, British Columbia: The Wellness Club at the Read more
Switzerland
Summer means European vacations for many North Americans. As great as it is to explore the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and other areas of the continent, many of us grow up yearning for a trip to Europe to see the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum and Big Ben and other icons. Editor’s note: I took my first trip to Europe after graduating from college in California (UCLA) in 1979. I saw many wondrous things, including Stonehenge, The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, the Mona Lisa in Paris, The Vatican, the canals of Amsterdam and the Swiss Alps. Better still, I Read more
A new list of the world’s most desired destinations, a look at a new Beatles experience heading to London, England, and a $3 billion prgram to boost Toronto Pearson Airport. Today’s blog post covers a lot of ground. WORLD’S MOST DESIRED DESTINATIONS It seems every keen traveller has their own bucket list of places they’re desperate to visit. Maybe it’s Machu Picchu, or maybe it’s a little town in France you visited on your honeymoon. I don’ t know that any list can be definitive, but the folks at JB.com say they’ve up come with a list of the most Read more
Okay, I’ve just about had it with some of these travel lists going around. The other day I noted a list of the nine most beautiful countries in the world that somehow omitted the United States, which might have more amazing scenery than perhaps any country on the planet. Today I’m taking umbrage, as well as great offence, at a list of the “most romantic countries” in Europe. I found this on MSN.com, courtesy of Icelandair, and I’m stupefied. The list contains 15 fine European cities. But it’s ridiculous that Paris, perhaps the most beautiful city in the world and Read more
Fall is almost here for folks in the northern hemisphere, which means the summer crowds are pretty much gone from many of the world’s – and North America’s – top destinations. Shoulder season is an ideal time to visit Europe, with the usual hordes having departed cities like Rome and Barcelona but with warm weather still lingering. Not to mention warm Mediterranean water. It’s also a great time to visit Northern California, which often sees it warmest temperature of the year in September and (usually) very little fog. And a fabulous time to visit Hawaii for deals and for Australia Read more
