Fitness PR Division

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its 2011 Travelers’ Choice awards. This year 676 establishments were recognized in the ninth year of the competition. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

Properties received awards in the following categories: Best Bargains, Best Luxury, Best for Romance, Best B&Bs and Inns, Best Relaxation and Spa, Trendiest, Best All-Inclusive, and Best Hotels in the U.S. and the World.

The average nightly rate for the entire list of Travelers’ Choice award winners is $283 and nearly one-third of the hotels have an average nightly rate of $150 or less per night. Average nightly rate for Best Bargains is $93; B&Bs and Inns $104; Best for Romance $400; Trendiest $237; Best Relaxation and Spa $427 and top 25 U.S. hotels is $299.

Auberge Resorts, owners and operators of award-winning luxury resorts and private residence clubs, and the Aspen Club & Spa, private membership club and renowned wellness center, today introduced their plan to design and develop innovative new luxury residences in Aspen, Colorado called The Aspen Club and Auberge Residences.  The unique new residence club will provide owners with Auberge Resorts' signature style of affluent living with the unparalleled wellness lifestyle of The Aspen Club.

New reports have been released by Expedia and Visa which have revealed a sharp increase in interest in travel to Mexico in the past year. According to Max Katz of Baja Real Estate Group, this news has been taking the Riviera Baja resort region by storm.

Expedia recently reported that travel bookings made to Mexico from its various brands, such as Hotels.com, was up nearly 25 percent in the last 12 months. Visa also noted that the amount spent on its credit cards by inbound visitors had increased from $4 billion in 2009 to $4.4 billion in 2010. Visa described Mexico as being a "sought after destination."

The information was revealed at Acapulco's Tianguis Turistico conference in March, an annual event organized by Mexican tourism officials to boost the country's profile as a top Latin American tourism destination. Mexico's Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara Manzo said that the country had "made real and sustained progress in making Mexico safe and secure."

When many of us think of vacation spots we immediately envision an all-inclusive resort, room with an ocean view and a soft-sanded beach a few steps away. Well, how about breath-taking Italy and just a few steps away from the Mediterranean Sea? For most of us the main appeal of a vacation is the sense of relaxation it brings. How about an entire resort dedicated to just that, your relaxation? In combining relaxation with the luxurious hotel aspect, Bagni di Pisa Spa Resort has created a harmonic environment to fit your desired needs and aspirations. 

The spa resort is located in Tuscany, Italy, offering six different types of rooms from comfort, to deluxe, to their prestigious suite, which includes a panoramic view of the Tower of Pisa! Included with your stay you are encouraged to use the thermal pools with hydromassages, Swedish saunas, Turkish baths, and their fitness centre. The Bagni di Pisa Resort also encourages you to bring your pets and offers an on-request dog-sitting service! Now, you don't need to stress over finding someone to look after your beloved pet.

The majority of standard hotels offer a few spa treatments, such as facials, or a massage. The Bagni di Pisa resort offers an extensive spa menu, including several different kinds of massages, numerous baths and wraps, and much more! Included in their wellness menu are health and wellness treatments focused around losing weight! The resort also goes by the title of a Medical Thermal Spa, which indicates their specialization in treatments for those that are overweight or obese. What better way to get back on a healthy track than to do so in the luxurious Tuscany, Italy?

In order to help those that are on the wellness plan the on-site restaurants and food available offer a wide range of tastes, including delicious low-calorie menus, vegetarian menus, and cultural specific menus.

Not only do they provide their fitness center but also many activities are presented, like hiking, mountain biking to different villiages, art tours, horseback riding, and more! Near-by airports offer parachuting and hand gliding sports to participate in! Being surrounded by such enriching culture and natural characteristics, like the Mediterranean Sea, is bound to make your vacation experience an enjoyable and memorable one.

Right now they have September promotions going on! Check them out and let us know what you think by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR!

Conde Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 2011 Readers' Choice Awards, ranking the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts worldwide. The awards appear in the November issue (on newsstands October 18) and are derived from the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice survey. This year, a record 28,876 readers cast a combined eight million votes on thousands of properties and destinations around the world.  The list also highlights a few firsts:

• The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, was named the top hotel in the world.
• Charleston, South Carolina grabs the number one spot in Top Cities in the U.S.
• After only two years since the grand opening, Chicago's Elysian Hotel is named top hotel in the U.S.
• Despite a tough year for Japan, Kyoto claims title as Asia's top city for the first time.

Conde Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 2011 Readers' Choice Awards, ranking the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts worldwide. The awards appear in the November issue (on newsstands October 18) and are derived from the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice survey. This year, a record 28,876 readers cast a combined eight million votes on thousands of properties and destinations around the world.  The list also highlights a few firsts:

• The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, was named the top hotel in the world.
• Charleston, South Carolina grabs the number one spot in Top Cities in the U.S.
• After only two years since the grand opening, Chicago's Elysian Hotel is named top hotel in the U.S.
• Despite a tough year for Japan, Kyoto claims title as Asia's top city for the first time.

For today's traveler who has everything, two premium luxury brands have come together to create this holiday season's ultimate gift. A special-edition Flexjet 25 Jet Card-operated by U.S. air carrier Jet Solutions-features the very best in private jet travel along with an extraordinary getaway to Los Cabos, crafted by the world-renowned luxury travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club.

Available through Jan. 31, 2012, those who purchase the Flexjet 25 Jet Card – Baja Adventure Edition will receive a complimentary experience that includes a four-day and three-night stay at the world-class Las Ventanas resort, situated where the Sea of Cortez majestically greets the Pacific Ocean at the edge of the Baja peninsula. The region's stunning natural beauty and amazing climate set the stage for an escape beyond compare.

"This year's limited-edition 'Baja Adventure' offering marks the fourth annual expert-inspired Flexjet 25 Jet Card, and is a holiday tradition customers look forward to year after year," said Fred Reid, President, Flexjet, as marketing and sales agent for Jet Solutions. "Travelers will not only enjoy access to the youngest aircraft in the jet card industry, but they will experience an adventure of a lifetime, designed exclusively for them by the award-winning travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club."

Upon arrival in Los Cabos, guests will enjoy spectacular rooms at Las Ventanas al Paraiso, which lives up to its name as a "window to paradise" and is one of the most elite resorts in the world. They will be captivated by the property's expansive suites, world-class spa, inspired cuisine and intoxicating ambiance, in addition to a number of special benefits-including private butler service-reserved especially for Flexjet 25 Jet Card program customers.

Throughout their stay, guests will delight in one-on-one access to some of the world's most talented and fascinating experts. Guests can golf on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol with PGA Tour Champion Mark Calcavecchia-recognized for 13 PGA tour wins, including his prestigious 1989 Open Championship title.  Or, they can choose to enjoy a private cooking lesson and mixology experience with a noteworthy local chef, hosted at one of Abercrombie & Kent's private multi-million dollar homes within their Residence Club. Exquisite dining experiences range from a dinner under the stars, complete with high-powered telescopes and expert astronomy consultation to a rare evening with Geoffrey Kent, famed explorer and founder of Abercrombie & Kent.

For today's traveler who has everything, two premium luxury brands have come together to create this holiday season's ultimate gift. A special-edition Flexjet 25 Jet Card-operated by U.S. air carrier Jet Solutions-features the very best in private jet travel along with an extraordinary getaway to Los Cabos, crafted by the world-renowned luxury travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club.

Available through Jan. 31, 2012, those who purchase the Flexjet 25 Jet Card – Baja Adventure Edition will receive a complimentary experience that includes a four-day and three-night stay at the world-class Las Ventanas resort, situated where the Sea of Cortez majestically greets the Pacific Ocean at the edge of the Baja peninsula. The region's stunning natural beauty and amazing climate set the stage for an escape beyond compare.

"This year's limited-edition 'Baja Adventure' offering marks the fourth annual expert-inspired Flexjet 25 Jet Card, and is a holiday tradition customers look forward to year after year," said Fred Reid, President, Flexjet, as marketing and sales agent for Jet Solutions. "Travelers will not only enjoy access to the youngest aircraft in the jet card industry, but they will experience an adventure of a lifetime, designed exclusively for them by the award-winning travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent and the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club."

Upon arrival in Los Cabos, guests will enjoy spectacular rooms at Las Ventanas al Paraiso, which lives up to its name as a "window to paradise" and is one of the most elite resorts in the world. They will be captivated by the property's expansive suites, world-class spa, inspired cuisine and intoxicating ambiance, in addition to a number of special benefits-including private butler service-reserved especially for Flexjet 25 Jet Card program customers.

Throughout their stay, guests will delight in one-on-one access to some of the world's most talented and fascinating experts. Guests can golf on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol with PGA Tour Champion Mark Calcavecchia-recognized for 13 PGA tour wins, including his prestigious 1989 Open Championship title.  Or, they can choose to enjoy a private cooking lesson and mixology experience with a noteworthy local chef, hosted at one of Abercrombie & Kent's private multi-million dollar homes within their Residence Club. Exquisite dining experiences range from a dinner under the stars, complete with high-powered telescopes and expert astronomy consultation to a rare evening with Geoffrey Kent, famed explorer and founder of Abercrombie & Kent.

On the heels of winning both Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines' top Readers' Choice awards yet again (16th and 18th years, respectively), ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is adding more "World's Best" to its roster by sailing to most of the magazines' readers' top-choice destinations worldwide.

In its published itineraries from now through early 2014, Crystal will be visiting eight of Travel + Leisure's top ten overall worldwide destinations, all ten top islands in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, plus 70-100% of the top cities shortlisted in the magazine's seven designated global regions. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will also be sailing to 32 of 37 top coastal (or near-coastal) cities currently listed in Conde Nast Traveler's November "Best in the World" issue.

On the heels of winning both Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines' top Readers' Choice awards yet again (16th and 18th years, respectively), ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is adding more "World's Best" to its roster by sailing to most of the magazines' readers' top-choice destinations worldwide.

In its published itineraries from now through early 2014, Crystal will be visiting eight of Travel + Leisure's top ten overall worldwide destinations, all ten top islands in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, plus 70-100% of the top cities shortlisted in the magazine's seven designated global regions. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will also be sailing to 32 of 37 top coastal (or near-coastal) cities currently listed in Conde Nast Traveler's November "Best in the World" issue.

Melia Hotels International's luxurious, all-inclusive Paradisus resort brand expands its portfolio with two new Mexican properties, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, opening today. Located in the prestigious Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico's eastern Caribbean shore, the magnificent resorts are poised to become the area's finest all-inclusive properties.  The impressive facilities and signature amenities at both Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla include dramatic free-form pools, breathtaking artful landscapes, a YHI Spa, twelve restaurants and ten bars providing guests with pure freedom to escape and indulge in all the properties have to offer. Paradisus Resorts are sophisticated all-inclusive properties owned and operated by Melia Hotels International, one of the most successful hotel companies in the world.

Paradisus debuts the brand's first adults-only resort with Paradisus La Perla.  The exclusive resort offers 394 elegantly appointed suites including 120 Royal Service Suites, two of which are Royal Service Presidential Suites.  Guests of the Royal Service area will enjoy adult oriented amenities including a private pool, bar and exclusive restaurant surrounded by palapas and Bali Beds in addition to a private beach.  Discreet but efficient butlers offer preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa treatments, activities and excursions.  The resort's 60 swim-up suites further privacy allowing guests to access the free-form pool directly from their terrace. 

Melia Hotels International's luxurious, all-inclusive Paradisus resort brand expands its portfolio with two new Mexican properties, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, opening today. Located in the prestigious Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico's eastern Caribbean shore, the magnificent resorts are poised to become the area's finest all-inclusive properties.  The impressive facilities and signature amenities at both Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla include dramatic free-form pools, breathtaking artful landscapes, a YHI Spa, twelve restaurants and ten bars providing guests with pure freedom to escape and indulge in all the properties have to offer. Paradisus Resorts are sophisticated all-inclusive properties owned and operated by Melia Hotels International, one of the most successful hotel companies in the world.

Paradisus debuts the brand's first adults-only resort with Paradisus La Perla.  The exclusive resort offers 394 elegantly appointed suites including 120 Royal Service Suites, two of which are Royal Service Presidential Suites.  Guests of the Royal Service area will enjoy adult oriented amenities including a private pool, bar and exclusive restaurant surrounded by palapas and Bali Beds in addition to a private beach.  Discreet but efficient butlers offer preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa treatments, activities and excursions.  The resort's 60 swim-up suites further privacy allowing guests to access the free-form pool directly from their terrace. 

Fitness resorts are all the rage as fitness goers long for a mix of fun in their workout program with long lasting results. These camps or live-in type fitness programs offers something for everyone that help you with a lifestyle change rather than simply focusing on a diet or just exercise. California Fitness Camp has been getting media attention, especially because it's not just a 1 week stay as if being on vacation, some residents are there for months to transform their eating habits and workout regimen.

California Fitness Camp starts off with a full body analysis, so that you know what your baseline is in order to watch the transformation as you work through your time there. And as everyone's needs are different, they customize a fitness plan that caters to you. Food is prepared by a 5-star chef, but in order to make sure that healthy meal preparation is something you can carry out once you are back in your own home, they also offer education and cooking classes on healthy eating habits, recipes and even how to manage food on the go. And of course, your mental attitude plays a big role in your weight loss success, so spa treatments are incorporated into your stay.

California Fitness Camp is located at the 5-star La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. The grounds are gorgeous and the luxury accomodations would motivate anyone to want to book their stay here to get in shape.

Would you consider a live-in resort such as California Fitness Camp for your exercise and weight loss needs? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.