all the dish that’s fit to print
congrats! you are engaged, now what?
Is it just me or is everyone getting engaged? Perhaps you love birds took advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on a long weekend this year. Congratulations if you are one of the lucky few we have spotted around town recently betrothed. Now let the planning begin! To help, here are few suggestions of locales to have the perfect destination wedding.
CARIBBEAN
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Getting married at a private island resort in the Caribbean is a fantastic kick-off to a new life. Parrot Cay offers two beachfront setting for wedding ceremonies – a boardwalk aisle that leads to an unspoiled beach, or the beachfront of a private villa available for rent. Parrot Cay also insists that stress need not be a part of the preparations; all weddings include the dedication of a planner to assist with all preparations, including reserving the dates, food and beverage details, music and entertainment, photography, and any other service requested. Parrot Cay can accommodate small, intimate weddings, or can be bought out for larger weddings (up to 120 guests).
Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Weddings at Rosewood Mayakobá are all about choices – choose stunning outdoor venues like the white sand beach or the Plaza with views of the resort, lagoon, and tropical jungle. Three different restaurants are available to cater. Retreat to the privacy of a private plunge pool after the ceremony, or come down a day early with the wedding party and receive treatments at the resort’s spa, Sense, which is its own private island.
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nantucket film festival has the golden (oscar) touch
The Academy Awards will be presented in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 7. But did you know the road to this year’s Oscars actually started at the Nantucket Film Festival?
Three Oscar nominated films, The Hurt Locker, The Messenger, and The Cove, all screened at the 2009 Nantucket Film Festival. Together, they have collectively garnered 12 Academy Award nominations.
Wait! There’s more! Nantucket Film Festival alumni of previous years are also nominated for Academy Awards.
Lee Daniels (Film Festival Alum 2007) is nominated for Best Director and Best Picture, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.
Jason Reitman (Film Festival Alum from 2000-2001) is nominated for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay (co-written with Sheldon Turner), and Best Picture, Up in the Air.
Stanley Tucci (Film Festival Alum 2001) is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, The Lovely Bones.
Celeb spotting during last year’s Festival included Ben Stiller, Meg Ryan, Ben Foster, Harold Ramis (a.ka. Egon from Ghostbusters), Kathryn Bigelow, Cheryl Hines, Paul Giamatti, Fisher Stevens, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Lily Taylor, NBC’s Brian Williams and Chris Matthews, husband-and wife-duo (and part-time Nantucket residents) Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and director, John Hamburg.
This year, the 15th Annual Nantucket Film Festival will take place June 17-20, 2010, and will be filled with parties, screenings, discussion panels, awards, and more.
Stayed tuned to learn how one lucky couple can win a VIP Trip to the 2010 Film Festival and The Wauwinet!
For more information on the 2010 Nantucket Film Festival please visit http://nantucketfilmfestival.org/
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nutritious nantucket
Nantucket was just named the healthiest county in Massachusetts according to a new report released this week by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. With all that the island has to offer, this is certainly no surprise to us!
Biking
Nantucket’s small size, flat terrain, and scenic beauty provide an ideal environment for bicycling. There are over 30 miles of bicycle paths on the island. Island bike paths are separated from the adjacent roadways, provide convenient access to many areas of the island, and are an enjoyable way to explore the entire island and closely view its natural beauty.
Yoga
Yoga on the Beach is held each morning (except Sundays) at 7 a.m. on Children’s Beach. Islanders and guests can achieve their personal Zen while watching the sun rise over the beautiful waters of Nantucket.
Fresh, Local Cuisine
You will not find a fast-food chain on Nantucket. However, what you will find are remarkable restaurants offering fresh and local ingredients.
Bartlett’s Farm has a plethora of good eats and its newly-expanded farm market is an easy swing-by to or from a number of the ocean beaches. While there, choose from ready-made salads and ogle the vast amounts of fresh produce, herbs, and beautiful plants grown on the surrounding acres. Saturday food tastings and garden classes are available for those who want to dig deeper
The Wauwinet has answered your prayers (and your rumbling stomachs) with TOPPER’S restaurant now serving their infamous breakfast to all of Nantucket! Their new European-inspired Continental breakfast menu includes Wauwinet granola and yogurt, freshly squeezed juices, and more!
Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant’s raw bar offers a creative twist to the old world oyster bar with oysters, fresh catches of the day, and various combinations of delectable lobster dishes.
Stress-free Relaxation
Simply basking in the natural beauty of the island can be incredibly restorative. Walking the miles of beach can be an amazing energy rejuvenator (not to mention great for the legs!) as crashing waves boost the mood and relax the mind. For those seeking a more concentrated dose of serenity the White Elephant Spa serves as the perfect location to release tension and return to equilibrium.
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delightfully daffy on nantucket
photographs courtesy of Nantucket Chamber of Commerce/Michael Galvin
From early April to mid-May, over three million daffodils of every color, shape and size will bloom on Nantucket. This blossoming, and the arrival of spring itself, is the focal point of celebration during Daffodil Festival Weekend. This year the festival will take place over the weekend of April 23-25. The Festival’s grand event is the Antique Car Parade, which features more than 100 antique cars (decorated with daffodils, of course!) After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic. This“Nantucket-Style” tailgate picnic showcases traditional New England fare ranging from gourmet meals served on fine china to boxed lunches and burgers.
Other Daffodil Festival Weekend highlights include the Nantucket Garden Club’s Daffodil Show, The Annual Daffy Dog Parade, Children’s Daffodil Parade, and The Daffy Hat Pageant. Not only does springtime on Nantucket bring delightful weather ideal for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and fishing, but it also brings delightful deals such as Hot Dates, Cool Rates at the Jared Coffin House with rates starting as low as $125 per night. Book by April 1st and guests will also get the added bonus of spa and dining credits!
For more information about Jared Coffin House and their Hot Dates, Cool Rates Guaranteed promotion, please visit http://www.jaredcoffinhouse.com/.
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february is national pancake month!
While the rest of America is busy gearing up for Valentine’s Day, AMPR is holding off on candy hearts and celebrating the start of National Pancake Month! Flapjacks, silver dollars, griddle backs, or just plain pancakes. Whatever you call them, get in the spirit with a steaming, stacked plate at one of these happening locales. You’ll find everything from simple buttermilk pancakes with syrup, to an edgier order featuring poached pineapple and vanilla yogurt. Dig in!
Just in time for Pancake Month, TOPPER’S restaurant at The Wauwinet is now serving breakfast to all of Nantucket! Order up a plate of Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes and a side of Apple Smoked Bacon from their À la Carte Breakfast Menu. Or stop by the White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill for buttermilk pancakes with soft vanilla butter, Vermont maple syrup, and a sweet Nantucket-y classic – cranberries!
Be first in line for breakfast at Andaz Wall Street’s new restaurant Wall & Water. Go on and overdo it with pancakes smothered in whipped cream, berries, and maple syrup. (After all, you can start your diet tomorrow instead, right?)
There’s nothing quite like a long breakfast spent basking in the Caribbean sunshine. Find it at Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, where you can choose buttermilk pancakes topped with maple syrup and Vermont butter or with poached pineapple, blueberries, and vanilla-scented yogurt on the hotel’s Terrace. Overdose on pancakes the first day? Enjoy healthy alternatives from the COMO Shambhala menu, including homemade muesli and energy smoothies.
A hearty morning meal is the perfect fuel for a brisk day out on the ski slopes. Try Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup at their 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill. Still hungry? No shame in seconds! Get your daily dose of protein with the organic three-egg omelet and roasted fingerling potatoes.
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no april fools on nantucket
Some say there are no guarantees in life. Fortunately, Nantucket Island Resorts and Crystal Cruises beg to differ!
Hot Rates, Cool Dates Guaranteed
Hot Dates, Cool Rates by Nantucket Island Resorts are back! For 2010, guests who book by April 1, 2010, get the lowest rate guaranteed at each property.
No April Fools here. If the rate goes lower at any time before a guest’s stay, Nantucket Island Resorts will honor the lower rate. In addition to the guaranteed rate, guests will also receive:
- Spa Credit: Two $25 spa treatment credits at the White Elephant Spa or The Spa by the Sea at The Wauwinet
- Dinner Credit: $25 dinner credit when $100 is spent, or $50 dinner credit when $150 is spent, at either Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant or TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet
Rates start as low as $125 at Jared Coffin House, $175 at The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, $195 at White Elephant, $225 at The Wauwinet, and $500 at White Elephant Hotel Residences.
When making reservations online, book and then enter special request code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800. 475.2637) and mention special request code GTDLOW
Crystal Cruises’ Price Guarantee & Assurance
In addition to Crystal Cruises’ Price Guarantee, which protects guests who have already booked by giving them the best applicable fare if it drops, the Crystal Assurance Plan also includes reduced cancellation periods from 75 days to 45 days prior to sailing without penalty, and extended deposit requirements, from three to seven days before deposit is due.
Plus, to celebrate Crystal’s 20th Anniversary in 2010, guests will enjoy 2-For-1 Fares for all destinations, All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits of up to $1,000 per guest, free round-trip air with most cruises, and business class air for Penthouse categories in Europe.
For information and reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit crystalcruises.com.
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while the stork is en route
Obscure cravings, recurring mood swings, and an ever-expanding waistline? When you’re expecting, the side effects can be less than glamorous. Thank goodness for these soothing babymoon packages, guaranteed to result in that oft-talked about motherly “glow.” So ladies, prop up those swollen ankles, sip on a decaffeinated beverage, and settle in for a few days (or even just an hour!) of much-deserved pampering. Oh baby!
Parrot Cay
Here’s your chance for a second honeymoon: Parrot Cay’s three-night Babymoon Package designed for couples to have some time together before the new arrival. Sink into an indulgent 75-minute prenatal massage, an hour-long private yoga session, and a COMO Shambhala Massage. Seeking some outdoor adventure? Book a snorkeling expedition, kayaking, diving, and fishing. Or snuggle up for some alone time with a castaway picnic or private tiki hut dining.
Prices start at $3,070 per couple. Package includes accommodation in a Garden View Room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, return airport transfers on scheduled commercial flights, group yoga and Pilates classes, and non-motorized water sports.
Metropolitan London
Mum’s the word! Stop in chic London Town and book the Metropolitan London’s A Met Mum-to-Be offering. Upon arrival to your room, mother-to-be will find a lightweight COMO Shambhala tote bag (perfect for hauling around all those diapers!) and a Purify Hydrating Mist for refreshment on the big day.
Test out the Urban Escape spa for a COMO Shambhala pre-natal massage incorporating a specially-designed ‘Body Cushion’ for support and relaxation during your treatment. Packages from £319 per night for a Deluxe City Room include mineral water in the room at turndown and a healthy breakfast for two.
Rosewood Mayakobá
Story-telling, diaper-changing, and bathtub-splashing are the most excitement you’ll be seeing in your weekends for awhile. So take advantage of the freedom you have left with a few nights away at Rosewood Mayakobá!
Book the four-night Babymoon Package for two and receive daily buffet breakfast, a prenatal yoga instruction session with consultation for two, choice of a snorkeling excursion or a visit to the photo studio at the resort, and a romantic candlelit beach dinner.
Rates start at $1,183 per night including tax and service for a minimum five-night stay through December 15, 2010.
Nantucket Island Resorts
Frankly, strollers on cobblestones sounds like a painful endeavor. Steal away to the quaint historical streets of Nantucket while your load is still light! Reserve a Nantucket Babymoon Package for two nights at either The Wauwinet or White Elephant and a one-hour soothing prenatal massage at one of these properties.
And hey, mom’s not the only one in need of some pampering! Mr. Mom can use a “Daddy Coupon” of $25 towards any treatment at either spa.
Other package inclusions are the White Elephant’s signature “Trunket” stuffed elephant, celebration cigars for the big day, and complimentary gourmet Continental breakfast at The Wauwinet.
The Peninsula Spa by ESPA
A working mom-to-be and can only get away for an hour or two? Reserve a Maternity Massage at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York. This gentle massage uses nourishing ESPA oils and is designed for mothers-to-be after the first trimester, relieving tension in stress-prone areas such as the lower back and hips.
Indulge in 60 minutes for $195 or 90 Minutes for $295. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA in both New York and Chicago also offer a special Pre- and Post-Natal Treatment. Using signature calendula-infused oil, Pink Clay Mud, and various nourishing creams, mommy or mommy-to-be will enjoy improved skin tonicity and complete relaxation. Cost is $320 for 90 Minutes of utter bliss.
ESPA at Acqualina Resort & Spa
While your growing belly might not be ready for an itsy bitsy bikini beachside, you can still snag some Floridian sunshine in a cover up and chic celebrity-esque shades. Book a room at the Acqualina Resort & Spa through December 23 and take advantage of the resort’s Babymoon Package and ESPA spa. Offering includes an 80-minute Maternity Massage and an 80-minute Deep Tissue Massage to work out any pregnancy-induced knots.
Need some extra TLC during your stay? Reserve an additional 90-minute prenatal treatment at the on-site ESPA spa. The nourishing treatment incorporates natural calendula-infused oils, muds, creams, and advanced massage techniques to relax and nurture.
From now through April 4, the Babymoon Package starts at $675 for an Intracoastal Hotel Room and includes daily continental breakfast for two with a minimum stay of three nights.
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fall and winter travel deals
Didn’t have time for a summer vacation? Book a getaway for the fall or winter and take advantage of last-minute booking deals for the remainder of 2009. With the air getting chillier and the heat not yet turned on in New York City buildings, we think it’s a great time to explore Nantucket, Beaver Creek, or London (where the heat is on!), head south to the Riviera Maya and Turks & Caicos, or even east to Thailand. (more…)
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nantucket’s farmers & artisans market
Courtesy of Nantucket Farmers Market (via Flickr)
Find yourself on Nantucket some Saturday morning? Lucky duck.
Do yourself (and the island) a favor and wander over to the Nantucket Farmers & Artisans Market, happening each Saturday through October 17 from 9 am to 1 pm. Cambridge and North Union Streets, right by the Starlight Theater, are closed to cars for the market.
Spotted this past Saturday was Karin Sheppard of Island Weaves, with her beautiful blankets of alpaca, silk, and mohair, David Berry of Nantucket Honey Bee Company with his light and dark honeys (the color changes depending on whether the bees are pollinating summer or fall flowers), and Dylan Wallace and Claudia Butler of Nantucket Native, with their organic fruits and vegetables – and chocolates. There were plenty more stands, all full of locally made and grown goodies.
A tip for those who wander in unprepared: there’s an ATM around the corner, on the bottom of Main Street.
If you want to book a trip to the island this fall (one of the lovelier times to go), check the Nantucket Island Resorts website for the latest “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” offers.
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deals for labor day and beyond
Wondering where to go to snag the best vacation deals this fall? HotelChatter recommends Parrot Cay’s three for two deal over Labor Day weekend and we’re adding a few more great deals into the pot for fall vacations in Nantucket, London, New York, Miami, and Mexico.
Walking to the beach on Nantucket
Nantucket: As the days get shorter, New England gets more delightful; the water is the warmest it’s been all summer, reservations at restaurants are easier to come by, and the crowds have returned to the city.
DEAL: Stay at the Wauwinet for $395/night on September 11, 19, 25-26, and for $475 on October 1, 4-6, and 8-11. Or stay at the White Elephant for $575/night on September 8, 15-16, 20-23, $425/night on Sept 28-30, and $450/night on October 1, 4-8, 11-16, 18-19, 22-31. Details here.
Leaves in Hyde Park
London: Interested in visiting “Old” England? The Metropolitan and the Halkin in London are great spots to stay when checking out Hyde Park’s fall foliage.
DEAL: Book seven days in advance and receive Ultimate Savings at the Metropolitan with rates starting at £199, and at the Halkin rates from £229. That’s almost £200 off of normal rack rates. Valid through December 31, 2009, Sun-Thurs.
Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York
New York: Stay in the city and day-visit the Peninsula Spa by ESPA.
DEAL: Purchase one spa treatment and get 50% off the second, or bring a friend and share the savings. Valid Mon-Wed until September 9. Details here, or call (212) 903 3910.
Steam room at Acqualina
Miami: Sure, Miami is hot, but the ice fountain at ESPA at Acqualina, Miami is ice-cold.
DEAL: Acqualina has a three for two deal now through October 31st, 2009. Rates start at $375/night. Huge bonus: guests receive $40 spa credit for each night booked. ESPA at Acqualina is also offering a day pass to the spa for just $55, which includes a 20-minute boutique treatment of choice.
Beachside pool at Rosewood Mayakobá
Riviera Maya: If you missed out on SB 2009, try a ” fall break” instead. Rosewood Mayakobá s refined luxury is just a little different from MTV pool parties in Cancun…
DEAL: The Rosewood Escapes package at the resort offers rates starting at $395 a night, a $200 resort credit per stay, and upgrades upon arrival. Now through Sept 30, 2009. Details here.
***Need help fleshing out fall travel plans? Contact our favorite travel agent, Ellie Colin of Ovation Travels at 1-800 431 1112, or email info@ovationtravel.com.
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