Summer is in full swing, so it’s time to take advantage of those unused vacation days, and soak up the long summer days for just a little bit longer.
According to a survey conducted by Hampton Hotels, Americans are known for not taking advantage of all their vacation days, or even their days off work. The survey also revealed that 33 percent of employed Americans find it difficult deciding where to go on vacation, two-thirds do not get to do what they want on the weekend, whether it’s because of work or house duties, and 79 percent of Americans are willing to skip popular leisure activities such as watching TV and attending social events for a 3-day getaway. To help you and your clients, we’ve rounded up a few fun poolside experiences from around the globe with extravagant offerings to help them win back their weekends.
Skip The Chlorine
If your clients are tired of the standard chlorine pools, they can dive into the natural foam pools in the Finger Lakes, near Upstate New York, which are created around free-flowing waterfalls that descend more than 500 ft. At La Tourelle Resort and Spa, which features 70 acres of hiking trails that lead to the waterfalls of Buttermilk State Park in Ithaca, NY, travelers can hike one of five trails throughout the park to a natural swimming hole at the bottom of the waterfalls. In Robert H. Treman State Park, located in Ithaca, NY, guests can take a dip at the Enfield Glen natural swimming area, which is surrounded by nine miles of hiking trails and is popular among travelers because they can swim up to the 70-ft. waterfall and experience the water cascading down the rocks.
“La Tourelle is a family-owned and operated hotel, bistro, spa, steakhouse and opening in August 2014, a luxury campground (firelightcamps.com), situated on 70 acres with trails that connect to Buttermilk Falls State Park and [is] within minutes of Cayuga Lake wineries, gorges and waterfalls, downtown Ithaca Commons, Cornell University and Ithaca College,” says Scott Wiggins, owner of La Tourelle. “Accommodations include recently renovated guestrooms, pet-friendly rooms, a unique 3-bedroom suite in our historic yellow barn, and safari-style tents on raised wooden platforms complete with luxurious bedding and furniture,” he adds.
The resort’s Reconnect with the Girls package includes accommodations in a 3-bedroom barn suite; farm-to-table breakfast for six at The Bistro; and $100 credit pp to the August Moon Spa. Rates start at $950 per night, valid through Aug. 31 for stays Sunday through Thursday. This package can also be used for a family group. The property is also offering the Reconnect with Someone Special package with accommodations in a Deluxe Fireplace King Room, farm-to-table breakfast for two at The Bistro, a 50-minute couples massage at August Moon Spa, and $100 dinner credit for two at John Thomas Steakhouse. Rates start at $499 per night, valid through Aug. 31 for stays Sunday through Thursday. This 55-room property is also pet-friendly. For more information, visit latourelle.com.
Pool Party, Vegas-Style
Las Vegas is known for its wild, summer pool parties. At the recently opened PICNIC at Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, guests can enjoy a ’50s-inspired pool party with live entertainment and film screenings throughout the year. Guests can share a picnic basket and a blanket on the grass; have a meal at one of 12 communal picnic tables; take a dip in the infinity pool; enjoy a cocktail; or play blackjack at one of the four game tables. PICNIC features manicured hedges, bright lime green furnishings, a stage for live acts, and fire pits, as well as areas for guests to eat and drink while taking in the rooftop views of downtown Las Vegas.
There are 15 cabanas that can be rented by guests and equipped with water misters, daybeds, lounge chairs, couches and a large table. Cabanas fit up to 12 guests and Grand Cabanas can accommodate up to 20. Cabana pricing starts with a $150 food and beverage minimum. PICNIC is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Room rates start at $40 for a weekday stay, and $100 on the weekends. For more information, call (702) 719-5100 or visit downtowngrand.com.
Island of the Gods
For a longer-than-weekend getaway, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah Ubud in Bali has debuted three new pool spa villas this month. This 20-room boutique hotel, once the private estate of one of Indonesia’s foremost designers, Hendra Hadiprana, features a pool in each villa, nestled in a private courtyard surrounded with walls of Balinese stone and ironwood decks.
As the property’s general manager, Simon Spiller, puts it, “People who come to Ubud crave the opportunity to make the most of as much quiet, contemplative time as they can. With pools in their courtyards, and treatment facilities nestled between their indoor living space and outdoor bathing area, we’re cultivating even more exquisite levels of privacy.”
Spa treatments are standard with every pool spa villa booking. Your clients can experience this pool retreat with the Explore in Style package, which offers 4-night stays in a One Bedroom Pool Villa including butler service; Club benefits (return airport transfers, welcome drink and cold towel upon arrival, daily newspaper and free fruits in the villa, daily American breakfast at The Restaurant or in the villa, daily laundry service, complimentary mini-bar including alcoholic beverages, daily afternoon tea, daily sunset cocktails, private car service to and from Ubud Centre, yoga classes, and complimentary WiFi); popular arts and cultural events such as the Kintamiani tour through a local crafts village, Arma museum, Mount Kawi, and Goa Gaja, and a dance performance—Kecak—at the property’s amphitheater followed by a Balinese dinner at The Restaurant. Offer is valid for stays Sept. 8, 2014-March 30, 2015. Spa Pool Villa pricing starts at $620 per night inclusive of Club benefits and a daily 90-minute in-villa spa treatment for two.For more information, visit ghmhotels.com/en.
