Starwood Hotels & Resorts to bring iconic W brand to the Netherlands with unveiling of W Amsterdam in 2015

W HOTELS WORLDWIDE TO MAKE DUTCH DEBUT

AMSTERDAM – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has announced it will debut its W Hotels brand in the Netherlands with the new W Amsterdam, scheduled to open in Autumn 2015. 

Owned by STAG Europe (Grafenau) BV, the hotel will be located on the prestigious Dam Square in the heart of Amsterdam, behind the Royal Palace and just steps from the city’s iconic canal district with its vibrant restaurants, bars and nightlife scene.

“We are proud to bring the W brand to Amsterdam as we continue to grow this contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand in primary markets throughout Europe and around the world,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

Tofino's iconic Sobo restaurant launches The Sobo Cookbook

 SHARING RECIPES AND STORIES FROM THE END OF THE CANADIAN ROAD

TOFINO, BRITISH COLUMBIA - From the award-winning destination restaurant at the end of the Canadian road, on May 12 SoBo will be launching its first collection of recipes celebrating the best in West Coast cuisine. With stunning full-color photography, the much-anticipated SoBo Cookbook is a beautiful tribute to the entrancing town of Tofino.

SoBo (Sophisticated Bohemian) started out in 2003 by Lisa and Artie Ahier as a purple food truck in the parking lot behind a surf shop, long before food trucks were cool. Despite its remoteness, it attracted rave reviews from guests from around the world.

In its first six months of operation, Air Canada’s enRoute magazine named it one of Canada’s top ten new restaurants. SoBo has since become a destination restaurant, moving from the truck into its current location today. Chef Lisa Ahier and her team are always on hand to offer a warm and friendly greeting to the many visitors that have made the pilgrimage to the West Coast of Vancouver Island just to taste her cooking.

The restaurant's menu celebrates locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired ingredients from family-owned producers. From blueberry farmers Cathy and Kerry McDonald in Port Alberni, to Lyle Young of Island Farmhouse Poultry in Cowichan Bay, the book not only connects readers with SoBo’s well-loved recipes, but also shares Lisa’s respect for this close circle of friends that have helped to make SoBo what it is today.

Still time to plan a long weekend escape at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Long weekends are made for a road trips. You don’t have to go far for a weekend escape, especially if you live in BC, Washington or Alberta.

We are extending our BC Residents rate so our neighbours can receive up to 25% off* stays at Fairmont Hotels in the Pacific Northwest. Come for some spring blossom spotting, a mountian hike or some patio lounging. Learn More

Select one of these participating hotels: Fairmont Empress Fairmont Waterfront Fairmont Olympic Fairmont Pacific Rim Fairmont Chateau Whistler Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Ski Banff Lake Louise Sunshine for Easter

Easter is coming up and all three resorts have activities planned.

Enjoy spring skiing with the Easter Bunny all weekend long at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, take part an Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast Buffet at Mt. Norquay as they wrap up the season, or show up for Easter Skiers Church on the slopes of Sunshine Village followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.

Last Minute Easter Weekend Deals Enjoy fantastic spring skiing conditions this Easter weekend with these blackout free, ski and stay deals.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute is open for Easter

Kite stuck in a tree? One too many Easter eggs? Head on over to BUEI this holiday weekend ...

We are OPEN from 10am-5pm on Friday, April 18th and 10am-5pm on Sunday, April 20th. Last admission at 4pm.

 

We wish all of you a safe and happy holiday!

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute  

40 Crow Lane, Hamilton, HM19

Phone: 441-292-7219 Or 294-0204 Web: www.buei.org ;

Bus Routes: 1, 2, 7, 8

2013 Certificate of Excellence Winner on Tripadvisor!

Fogo Island Inn named to the Travel + Leisure It List 2014

The annual editor’s choice awards for the best new hotels

Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada, has been named to the Travel + Leisure It List 2014 of best new hotels around the globe. The “It List” will be featured in the March issue of Travel + Leisure (T+L) and is also available on www.TravelandLeisure.com.

Fogo Island Inn was selected by Travel + Leisure editors and contributors for its impact on the global landscape of hotels. Its placement on this highly selective annual list comes after only 10 months of operation and at the mid point of their first winter season.

 “I am thrilled that our Inn, located on one of the four corners of the Earth, has been selected as one of the world’s best new hotels of 2014,” says David Curell, General Manager of Fogo Island Inn. “We are honoured to be included in this stellar group of newly introduced hotels.”

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) Update: February 2014

 Kissing gouramis, also known as kissing fish

BUEI Gala "Underwater Extravaganza" Please join us at BUEI on Saturday, March 22nd for a fun and sophisticated evening raising funds for education!      The evening will start at 7pm with cocktails in BUEI's upper lobby followed by a delicious sit-down dinner in the spectacular Harbourfront restaurant. Dance the night away with The Big Chill on our bioluminescent dance floor. Bid on fabulous prizes in our Silent Auction. Dress for the evening is 'Underwater Chic' and the 'Hue is Blue'!   For individual tickets ($275) call Jessica at 294-0217 or email jessica.meredith@buei.org.    For corporate tables call Belinda at 294-0203 or email marketing@buei.org.   Please help us to continue to expand and develop our education programmes and exhibits. Since we opened our doors in 1997 over 50,000 students have participated in BUEI's education programmes and activities! Mon, Feb 3rd, 6-8pm: Inside Out Wellness Centre Lecture Series: 'THINK WELL' This lecture, the 3rd in the Inside Out Wellness Centre lecture series, will focus on how to create belief systems that are congruent with innate values (and genetics), and produce desired behavior and states of mind.   Free admission. Lecture series sponsored by Colonial Medical Insurance. Thurs, Feb 6th, 7:30pm:  BUEI and Bermuda Audubon Society present:    'BERMUDA'S BIRDS ... YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING!'                                                                                          BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! If you missed the first sold-out lecture, join us on February 6th for Bermuda Audubon Society president, Andrew Dobson's, fascinating illustrated lecture on birds in Bermuda you may not know about! Not many tickets are left so don't delay purchasing yours today! Sat, Feb 8th, 3pm: Lionfish Dissection BUEI will be holding a lionfish dissection on Saturday, February 8th at 3pm. See these beautiful but dangerous creatures up close and learn about the threat they pose to our oceans. Members are free. Non-members are free with admission.  Sun, Feb 16th, 3pm & 5:15pm: BUEI and Bermuda Docs present: Weekend Film Series 3pm - Music For Mandela Canada / 82 minutes / Unrated Music for Mandela explores the role that music played in the remarkable life of Nelson Mandela. Including musical performances by Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Mandela's favourite group), Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir, the film explores how resistance songs kept hope alive for the anti-apartheid movement even as its most prominent leaders were imprisoned.    5:15pm - More Than Honey Switzerland-Germany-Austria / 91 minutes / Unrated (English and German w/ English subtitles) Oscar-nominated director Markus Imhoof (The Boat is Full) tackles the vexing issue of why bees, worldwide, are dying off. With the tenacity of a man out to solve a world-class mystery, he investigates this global phenomenon, from California to Switzerland, China and Australia. Exquisite macro-photography of the bees in flight and in their hives reveals a fascinating, complex world in crisis.   Tickets are $15 and available from Oceans Gift Shop at BUEI or by calling 294-0204.           Don't forget Harbourfront is OPEN on Sunday from 6pm ... so make a night of it with dinner and a movie! Photo: Outside Marpha  Tues, Feb 18th, 7:30pm:  BUEI and the Humpback Whale Research Project present: Annapurna and Everest    Join us for an exciting evening with Andrew Stevenson who will be showing a 15-minute shortened version of his award-winning documentary film followed by an illustrated lecture on the Annapurna and the Everest region. Photo by the Royal Gazette  Thurs, Feb 20th, 7:30pm:  BUEI presents: 'Havana Tap'    In honor of Black History Month, join us at the BUEI for a special screening of Dale Butler's film on talented Bermudian tap dancer, Mitchell 'Live Wires' Trott.   Follow Mitchell's travels to Cuba to take lessons from an 84-year old Cuban tap dancer. Mitchell will open the evening with his spectacular tap dancing followed by the film and a Q&A with Mr. Butler and Mr. Trott. ASTC SPOTLIGHT MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM For over 60 years, the Miami Science Museum's award-winning educational programs, family-focused exhibits, historic planetarium, and rehabilitative Wildlife Center and Clinic have enriched locals and tourists alike. To learn more about the Miami Science Museum click here. Did you know that with a BUEI Membership you are entitled to FREE or reduced admission to over 300 science centers and museums in Canada, the United States and Europe? Visit the ASTC website to learn more about the ASTC Passport Program. Click here to become a BUEI Member and start enjoying all of the Passport Privileges.    When you travel, don't forget to bring your BUEI membership card and always call before you visit to confirm your Travel Passport benefits.

In This Issue BUEI Gala Think Well Lecture Bermuda's Birds Lecture Lionfish Dissection Film Series Annapurna Lecture Black History Lecture ASTC Spotlight Camp Update Valentine Marine Life Harbourfront Valentine's Day P&S Awards Lecture Times & Prices BUEI CAMP UPDATE