DOLLAR(R) Returns the Favor to Travel Agents With a 20 Percent Discount

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TULSA, Okla., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dollar Rent A Car, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. , is giving travel agents a special perk as a thank-you for their business — a 20 percent discount on their next car rental.
(Logo: )
(Logo: )

The discount — available at all Dollar Rent A Car locations in the U.S. and Canada — is for travel agents in the U.S. and Canada with an official IATAN or IATA card. To receive this non-commissionable discount, agents should print out the “20% discount” coupon available at . In order to receive the discount, simply make your reservation and bring the coupon along with a valid IATAN or IATA card to the car rental counter and the discount will be applied.
“Travel agents are great at taking care of their own customer’s needs, but DOLLAR thought it was high time they got some of that special attention for themselves,” said Greg Billingsley, Director, Consortia Development and travel Industry Sales. “Dollar Rent A Car is grateful for the hard work travel agents do on behalf of their clients. We hope they’ll take the opportunity to save on their next car rental from DOLLAR.”
A 24-hour advance reservation is required to receive the discount. The travel agent discount applies to time and mileage only. The discount is available on all standard rates for any vehicle rental from any participating location in the U.S. and Canada. This discount is not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotional offer. The renter must meet minimum age, driver and credit requirements. Other restrictions may apply. For more information, visit .
About Dollar Rent A Car
Dollar has more than 535 worldwide locations in 48 countries, with a significant presence in Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, including more than 250 in the United States. Dollar serves the value-conscious traveler and is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Okla. For additional information, visit or .

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Women’s tunics and camis – where to buy them?

This looks like a totally silly question, you can just go to Google, type the words in, hit Search and most likely millions of pages will show up as results. True, but not always useful and effective.

I’ve done that and it didn’t take just a little, but days of online struggling. Finally, after spending countless hours online looking for what I was interested in, I came over jezzabelle.com, a simple looking online retail boutique selling clothing for women from where I bought myself a lovely red Free People tunic and a hot ‘n sexy whiteFree People cami.

Just to save you from the struggle I’ve been through, I decided to write this short post hoping others will take advantage of my finding and will save them time!

Choice Hotels International to Accelerate Clarion Brand Growth in United Kingdom, Germany and Russia

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International today announced that it has entered into an area representative agreement with Ireland-based Kasterlee Limited for the exclusive right to license and develop Choice’s Clarion brand in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia. Under the agreement, Kasterlee will develop a minimum of 16 Clarion branded hotels within eight years. Kasterlee is the company’s master franchisee for its Clarion, Quality and Comfort brands in Ireland.
There are 45 Clarion properties open across Europe, representing over 8,000 rooms. In Europe, Clarions are full-service, 4-star luxury properties offering restaurants, room service, meeting space, fitness facilities and a number of other amenities. Two of Europe’s most luxurious hotels to open in recent months are both Clarion brand properties: the 560-room Clarion Congress property in Prague, Czech Republic and the 558-room Clarion hotel Sign in Stockholm, Sweden. Recognized for its quality, the Clarion brand ranked “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-Scale Full Service Hotels” in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2007 European hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.
“We are committed to expanding the Clarion brand throughout Europe, and this agreement will help drive the brand’s growth in three major markets,” said Mark Pearce, vice president, international, Choice Hotels International. “We have worked closely with Kasterlee in Ireland and are extremely confident in the organization’s ability to develop and operate Clarion hotels that meet the brand’s strong commitment to guest service and operational excellence.”
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to franchise the Clarion brand in these three key markets,” said Frankie Whelehan, managing director, Kasterlee, Ltd. “We’ve had great success with the Clarion brand in Ireland, and we are confident that this brand will be very well-received by both consumers and hotel developers in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia. We are now engaged in reviewing a number of sites in prominent cities that would represent great markets for the Clarion brand.”
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,600 hotels, representing more than 455,000 rooms, in the United States and 38 countries and territories. As of March 31, 2008, 986 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 79,276 rooms, and an additional 96 hotels, representing 8,321 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide.
Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels Web site, which may be accessed at .
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.
Clarion received the highest numerical score among mid-scale full service hotels in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2007 European hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM). Study based on responses from 11,728 European guests who stayed at a hotel in Europe between June and September 2007, measuring 16 hotel chains. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in August-September 2007. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com
Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, and…Mom and Dad??

NEW ORLEANS, July 16 /PRNewswire/ — New Orleans — widely known for raucous Mardi Gras and spirited nightlife — now has a new and somewhat unexpected label: family destination. With the June opening of the Audubon Insectarium, the recent return of the entire streetcar line, longstanding classic family-friendly places, and history and culture unsurpassed by any U.S. city, New Orleans has emerged as an ideal destination for families.
And in this summer of $15 luggage fees and milk prices that rival rising gas prices, The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (New Orleans CVB) is coming to the table with an abundance of restaurant deals () via the fourth annual “COOLinary New Orleans” restaurant celebration and an extensive list of summer hotel packages () to make family-friendly travel also budget-friendly.
With the COOLinary deals, travelers have until August 31, 2008 to take advantage of lunches for $20 or less and dinners for $30 or less at some of the city’s most popular restaurants that offer three-course menus. In addition, New Orleans is “hot” this summer with its Sizzlin’ Summer Coupons () offering families budget-friendly options and more than $450 in overall savings.
“New Orleans is truly a place for everyone, particularly families,” said J. Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB. “Where else in the U.S. can parents and kids experience being covered in powdered sugar while eating beignets at the world-famous original Cafe Du Monde location, enjoy phenomenal young musicians and street performers on every corner or stroll down cobble stone streets filled with hundreds of years of the country’s history?!”
This multi-faceted international city has a proud and longstanding tradition of being a welcoming destination for all types of visitors. In March 2005, prior to Katrina, it was even named by Yahoo! travel and National Geographic Traveler Magazine as the top family vacation destination in the United States. In keeping with that mindset, the New Orleans CVB is providing the below itinerary suggestions for the diverse compositions of families who are sure to discover how much there is to love about New Orleans:
The Classic Family Vacation:
— Hansen’s Sno-Blitz Sweet Shop
— Audubon Zoo
— Audubon Insectarium
— Creole Creamery
— Streetcar ride through the Garden District
— Beignets at Cafe Du Monde
— Accommodations: The Lowe’s Hotel (for its “Lowe’s Loves Kids” Program)

Mom and Dad’s first vacation with young children:
— Mardi Gras World Tour
— Audubon Aquarium
— Storyland Area in City Park
— Louisiana Children’s Museum

Just Dad and the Boys:
— Cruising down the Mississippi River on a paddle wheeler
— Johnny’s Po-Boys
— World War II Museum
— Audubon Park Golf Course
— Entergy IMAX Theater
— Swamp and Bayou Tours
— Charter Fishing trip
— Arena Bowl Championship Game (July 27, 2008)

Mom and the Girls:
— New Orleans Museum of Art
— Brunch at an historic French Quarter restaurant
— Shopping on Magazine Street
— Belladonna Day Spa
— High tea at The Windsor Court

Traveling with Teens and Tweens:
— Audubon Insectarium
— Bananas Foster at Brennan’s
— Shopping
— Voluntourism Project
— Po’ Boys at Mothers
— Mardi Gras World Tour

Mom, Dad & the Grown Up Kids:
— Drinks at Pat O’Briens
— Historic Homes/Plantation tours
— Tales of the Cocktail (July 16 - 20, 2008)
— Jazz at Preservation Hall
— Harrah’s New Orleans Casino
— Lunch at Galatoire’s

European Families Spending on the Euro:
— Antique shopping on Royal Street
— The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
— Tax-free shopping on Magazine Street and hundreds of stores state-wide
— Dinner at Commander’s Palace
— Cocktails and mock-tails at Snug Harbor for live jazz

Not only is New Orleans considered one of the most “walkable” cities in the United States, but it has also become an accessible city for travel. Families can travel by car or take advantage of the new flight paths that have been added by several major carriers, including JetBlue Airways. Families can also visit The Big Easy during pre-and post cruise ship options. Traveling via Amtrak, The City of New Orleans train is running to Memphis and Chicago, while the Crescent runs to Atlanta, Greensboro, Washington, D.C. and New York. If you are traveling from the West Coast, the Sunset Limited is running to San Antonio and Los Angeles.
Once in New Orleans, families can extend their stay to explore Cajun Country and experience the unique heritage of Southeast Louisiana, within just a three-hour drive of the beaches and diverse beauty of the South Coast region.
Consistently recognized as one of the top five convention and visitor bureaus in the United States, The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau is the driving force behind New Orleans’ most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city — including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, the Faubourg Marigny and Garden District — are thriving. In 2007, New Orleans welcomed 7.1 million visitors, nearly double the amount of visitors in 2006. For more information, visit .
Media Contacts:
Mary Beth Romig / Jennifer Lotz
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
/

Jennifer Tolchin
Weber Shandwick
212-445-8336

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

Watch Some of Hollywood’s Brightest Stars, Under the Stars, During TripAdvisor’s Traveling Movie Tour

NEWTON, Mass., July 16 /PRNewswire/ — This summer, relax with TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community, as the company brings its free Traveling Movie Tour film festival to New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston. As part of TripAdvisor’s movie tour, some of the nation’s most prominent venues will be transformed into outdoor movie theaters allowing people to enjoy famous onscreen faces, in some interesting outdoor places.
Starting July 29 in New York City at the World Financial Center Plaza, these special engagements begin at 6 p.m. (with the movie starting at sundown) and will feature one of two family friendly movies — Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, or Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring John Candy and Steve Martin. See the full movie tour schedule below.
Take a movie vacation for a night — and don’t forget your suitcase!
Guests are encouraged to bring their friends and family to the outdoor screenings, but most importantly, a piece of new or gently worn luggage — such as suitcases, duffel bags or backpacks — to contribute to Suitcases For Kids, a non-profit organization that arranges luggage donations to foster children worldwide. To date, more than 25,000 suitcases have been donated to foster kids in the U.S. and 47 countries since 1996.
Moviegoers can conveniently pack their soon-to-be-donated luggage with snacks for the show (popcorn, candy and soft drinks), and then leave the suitcase behind.
“TripAdvisor is thrilled to be able to bring great travel movies to a city near you this summer,” said Christine Petersen, CMO, TripAdvisor. “Plus moviegoers can help foster kids in need through our partnership with Suitcases For Kids.”
After dropping off a bag for Suitcases For Kids, festival attendees are encouraged to stop by the TripAdvisor tent to enter for a chance to win a Roman getaway. As part of the five-city movie festival, TripAdvisor is giving away one trip for two to Rome, Italy. Entries will also be accepted at the TripAdvisor Traveling Movie Tour Web site — — where complete film tour details can also be found.
TripAdvisor encourages guests to arrive early to snag a good viewing spot. Following is the movie tour schedule:
New York City, World Financial Center Plaza
Tuesday, July 29 - Roman Holiday

Miami, Lummus Park South Beach
Wednesday, August 6 - Roman Holiday
Thursday, August 7 - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Los Angeles, Huntington Beach Pier Plaza
Wednesday, August 13 - Roman Holiday
Thursday, August 14 - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

San Francisco, Union Square
Tuesday, August 19 - Roman Holiday
Wednesday, August 20 - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Boston, Boston Common
Wednesday, August 27 - Roman Holiday
Thursday, August 28 - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Those who are unable to attend the events can still donate luggage to Suitcases For Kids by visiting for more information.
About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R), , , , , , , , , , and . TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000 hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (), the U.K. (), Ireland (), France (), Germany (), Italy (), and Spain (). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .
TripAdvisor, SeatGuru, Travel-Library, Holiday Watchdog and TravelPod are either registered trademarks or trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Airfarewatchdog, BookingBuddy and SmarterTravel are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Smarter travel Media LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Cruise Critic and The Independent Traveler are either trademarks or registered trademarks of The Independent Traveler, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. VirtualTourist and OneTime are trademarks of other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008

About Suitcases For Kids

Suitcases For Kids was founded by 10-year-old Aubyn Burnside in 1996 in an effort to provide Catawba County (North Carolina) foster care children with suitcases. Since its inception, the organization has grown to become an international non-profit with chapters in every state and 47 countries.
TripAdvisor

Navigate the Mountains: New Online Travel Guides for the West Texas Frontier

VAN HORN, Texas, July 15 /PRNewswire/ — Planning a trip to the wide open spaces of the remaining frontier can be daunting, but officials in West Texas are making it easier through online travel services. The non-profit Texas Mountain Trail, a participant in the state’s heritage trails system, offers special interest itineraries, a daily photo blog, and other services to aid trip planning. “We know that many of our visitors travel across the country to get to the adventure-filled high mountain desert, our clear night skies and our frontier towns still experiencing horse traffic,” says Beth Nobles, Regional Coordinator of the Texas Mountain Trail. “We want to make planning their trip from afar as easy as possible.”
Nobles offers several websites for visitors: the Texas Mountain Trail Daily Photo Blog () features photographs of scenic mountain vistas, flowering cacti, adobe architecture, hiking and biking adventures, and ancient rock art awaiting visitors to the region. Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the Davis Mountains and El Paso, all located in the region are pictured on the blog. The organization’s main website, , offers fun itineraries for travelers of all ages and all interests, such as: Big Bend Birding, Movie Traveler: The Kevin Costner Fandango Tour, the El Paso Mission Trail, Top Ten 15 Minute Rest Areas, and Big Bend Hiking and Biking Girlfriend Getaway, as well as travels suggested by historical memoirs by women. “We also regularly feature ‘favorite places’ of visitors and residents of the region, in the blog ‘My Favorite Place,’” said Beth Nobles. .
Nobles also recommends a new travel resource, WestTexasTrip, and their website, , with special content about the Trail, Fort Davis, in the mile-high Davis Mountains, and Midland, its gateway city. Fort Davis, population 1,200, was awarded a 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destination(R) award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation(R) for its unspoiled frontier nature and heritage tourism resources, such as historic hotels. The community is home to the National Park Service’s Fort Davis National Historic Site, one of the country’s best restored frontier forts; and the world renowned McDonald Observatory.
A 24 page travel guide for the Texas Mountain Trail region — featuring parks, museums, and historic sites in Far West Texas — can be ordered through the Texas Historical Commission, by calling 866/276-6219, or visiting .
Online Trip Planning:
For travel to Far West Texas, visit: or
For a look at fun things to see and do, visit the Texas Mountain Trail Daily Photo blog:
For information on Fort Davis, Texas, visit: or call 1-800-524-3015
For flight information to Big Bend, the Davis Mountains and other attractions in West Texas, visit Midland “Your Window to the West”
Web site:
Texas Mountain Trail

Buy, Sell, Invest and Grow Through Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions In the Travel Industry

LONDON, July 15 /PRNewswire/ —

While one company looks to cash in on an investment, another seeks an
investment opportunity — the travel Investment Forum provides an opportunity
to maximize any growth potential.

Covering the latest strategies to manage the success of your next
investment, acquisition or divestment project, travel Investment Forum
organized by TTG and ttgbusiness will be taking place in London on the 18th
of September 2008.

Owners, chief executives and senior directors of travel operators and
agencies will gather for this all-day event, focusing on subjects such as
private equity funding, legal issues surrounding acquisitions, and how to
fine-tune long-term growth and investment strategies.

Highlights include:

— A rare chance to hear Clive Jacobs, Former Founder, Chairman and CEO
of Holiday Autos speak on his entrepreneurial approach and past
investment activity
— Unique buy-side and sell-side insight from high profile travel
companies including a perspective from Mervyn Williamson of Statesman
travel Group
— Practical case studies and analysis including a perspective from
renowned analyst Chris Photi of White Hart Associates
— In depth trend assessment to understand the key factors affecting the
travel investment landscape, including a perspective from Caroline
Bremner of Euromonitor International.

For more details about this event:

Call: 44-(0)207-955-3935
Email: hdouglas@cmpi.biz
Online: www.ttglive.com/tif

About TTG

travel Trade Gazette and ttgbusiness are essential reading for anyone
working in the travel industry. Whether it is for the latest breaking news,
destination features, career and better business advice, information,
campaigns, competitions, events, jobs or social networking, it’s our aim to
deliver the information and entertainment you need on both a weekly and daily
basis.

Web site: http://www.ttglive.com/tif

Travel Trade Gazette

Expedia, Inc. Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Europe-Based Venere.com

SEATTLE and ROME, July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Expedia, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Italy-based Venere Net ApA () from Advent International and the founding partners. Venere.com has established relationships with approximately 29,000 hotels and bed and breakfast properties throughout Europe and the U.S. The transaction will result in the addition of more than 10,000 incremental hotel properties in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to Expedia, Inc.’s global hotel offering. Terms of the pending acquisition were not disclosed. Closing of the transaction is subject to competition approval in Germany.
Venere.com is focused on offering hotel reservations to European consumers and provides hoteliers with geographically diverse sources of demand. The company has direct relationships with approximately 29,000 hotels around the world — including 26,000 in Europe — with which it operates an agency model. Venere(TM) is currently adding hotel properties at a rate of more than 1,000 per month.
“Acquiring Venere will bring a well-known, respected European consumer brand to the Expedia(R) portfolio,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, President and CEO, Expedia, Inc. “Additionally, it will immediately expand our supply footprint in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and enable Expedia to diversify our business model approach to hotel partners worldwide.”
“We are delighted to have played a role alongside Venere’s management team in transitioning the company from an entrepreneurial, founder-led business into one of Europe’s most valuable on-line travel assets,” said John Singer, Managing Partner of Advent International. “Expedia is a highly complementary fit for Venere, and will be a perfect strategic partner for their ongoing development.”
“We are thrilled at the prospect of becoming part of Expedia because our dedication to offering superior service to travelers via our expansive network of hotels and B&Bs is a great fit with the most respected group of brands in travel,” said Marco Ficarra, CEO of Venere.com. “In addition, our team of passionate travel professionals located in Rome, London and Paris will complement Expedia’s global team, as we continue to provide hotels new ways to optimize their distribution mix.”
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. is the world’s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides wholesale travel to offline retail travel agents and in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travelers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com(R), hotels.com(R), Hotwire(R), Expedia(R) Corporate Travel, TripAdvisor(R), Expedia Local Expert(TM), Classic Vacations(R) and eLong(TM). Expedia, Inc.’s companies operate more than 50 global points of sale with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit .
About Venere Net
Founded in 1995, Venere Net is an Online travel Agency operating on a global scale, and the only one to focus exclusively on hotel reservations. Global private equity firm Advent International obtained a majority stake in Venere in late 2006. The remaining shares are still in the hands of the four company founders. In addition to its headquarters in Rome, Venere Net has branch offices in London (Venere UK LTD) and Paris (Venere France SARL). For more information, visit .
About Advent International
Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the world’s leading global buyout firms, with offices in 15 countries on four continents. Advent has built an unparalleled global platform of over 115 investment professionals across Western and Central Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on international buyouts, strategic restructuring opportunities and growth buyouts in five core sectors, working actively with management teams to drive revenue growth and earnings improvements in portfolio companies. Since its creation, Advent has raised euro 15 billion in private equity capital and completed more than 200 buyout and private equity transactions valued at over euro 23 billion ($36 billion) in 35 countries. For more information, visit
Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Classic Vacations is either a trademark or registered trademark of Classic Vacations, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. hotels.com is either a trademark or registered trademark of hotels.com, L.P., a subsidiary of hotels.com in the U.S. and/or other countries. Hotwire is either a trademark or registered trademark of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. TripAdvisor is either a trademark or registered trademark of TripAdvisor, LLC in the US. and/or other countries. Venere is a registered trademark or trademark of Venere Net S.p.a. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
Expedia, Inc.

Arquitectonica’s Icon Brickell Redefines the Essence of City Living on Miami’s Biscayne Bay

MIAMI, July 14 /PRNewswire/ — Located at the epicenter of Miami’s cultural renaissance, the new three-tower development known as Icon Brickell was recently “topped off,” bringing the new residential paradise a giant step closer to the targeted September 2009 occupancy. Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica and developed by Jorge Perez’s Related Group, the expansive bayfront property features a tranquil, ultra-modern island lifestyle within close proximity to the city’s most exciting and dynamic urban offerings.
Housing 1,794 units and situated adjacent to Miami Circle and Brickell Park, the residence enclave fronts one of the neighborhood’s most spectacular stretches of Biscayne Bay. Arquitectonica’s design anchors the three soaring towers around an expansive 15 story podium raised more than 100 feet above a wide stretch of waterfront (1,000 linear feet including the parks) and offering breathtaking views of the water, city and parks.
Serene lifestyle, big city excitement
Equally magnificent are the Icon Brickell’s landscaping and resort amenities, with interior and branded decor inspired by Yoo by Starck, which evoke a world of exotic style and urbane sophistication. Featuring resplendent lush gardens and towering stone statues modeled after the Moai Figures of Easter Island, Icon Brickell’s outdoor living space is dramatic. According to Arquitectonica’s founding principal, Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA, “The modernistic island theme that is consistent throughout the Icon Brickell provides a dual ambiance. The feeling inside the complex is one of meditative serenity, while just outside is Miami’s magnificent metropolis. Each ambiance fills a need and a mood, creating a balanced holistic lifestyle.”
A boutique hotel with amenities for all
Occupying its own building within the trident structure, the Viceroy Tower will be the only structure among the three to house a hotel in conjunction with residences, offering hotel services to both guests and owners. Icon’s other two towers in the Brickell complex are reserved for residential condominiums, although residents and hotel guests alike will share access to Icon Brickell’s exclusive amenities, including a 28,000 square-foot spa and swimming pools on the 15th-floor outdoor deck, which is more than 2 acres.
The boutique hotel, operated by Kor, will encompass more than 100 resort units across nine floors, occupying 78,300 square feet of luxury space. A signature Viceroy Restaurant on the pool deck level is one of the five dining venues in the complex including two bayside restaurants, a light dining cafe on the pool deck and light dining at Club 50 — a roof top lounge and pool for residents only on the 50th floor of the Brickell Tower.
21st-century technology
An example of Icon Brickell’s luxurious duality is the 21st century technology that complements the enclave’s peaceful atmosphere. Each residence will be equipped with the smart-building technology known as “icon” (interactive concierge on-demand network), which enables residents to take advantage of a full range of concierge services. Additional techno-features include public WIFI service areas and wiring for high-speed internet telephone and data communication.
Completing Icon Brickell’s contemporary lifestyle is a full-service fitness center and spa, a movie theatre, and a private dock. Grand in both scope and concept, the Icon Brickell is the last great address on Brickell Avenue. Here, residents can be at the center of what makes Miami a fabulous city, while living a balanced and tranquil lifestyle.
ABOUT ARQUITECTONICA ( A full-service architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and planning firm, Arquitectonica began in 1977 in Miami. Led by founders Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA, and Laurinda Spear, FAIA, ASLA, the firm has evolved into a practice of over 500 employees. Well-known projects by the firm include the Westin Times Square and Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York, Festival Walk and the Cyberport Technology Campus in Hong Kong, the Hilton Americas in Houston, the Bank of Luxembourg Headquarters, Exaltis and the Microsoft European Headquarters in Paris, the Regent Shanghai hotel & Office Tower and the China International Trust and Investment Company Headquarters in Shanghai, the International Finance Center in Seoul, the Dubai Four Seasons Resort, the Buenos Aires St. Regis Hotel, the Infinity towers in San Francisco, the Philips Arena in Atlanta and the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.
Arquitectonica has a practice across the United States directed from regional offices in Miami, New York and Los Angeles. Arquitectonica’s international practice is supported by European regional offices in Paris and Madrid; Asian regional offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Manila; the Middle East regional office in Dubai; and Latin American regional offices in Lima and Sao Paulo. Affiliated companies: ArquitectonicaGEO (), Laurinda Spear Products ().
Icon Brickell Miami
COST: $800 million
SIZE: 4.6 million GSF

Arquitectonica

TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic Employees Honored by ForbesLife Executive Woman

NEWTON, Mass., and PENNINGTON, N.J., July 14 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community and Cruise Critic(R), a TripAdvisor Media Network company, and the world’s leading online resource for consumer-oriented cruise reviews and news, today announced that Christine Petersen from TripAdvisor and Carolyn Spencer Brown from Cruise Critic were each named to ForbesLife Executive Woman’s 25 Most Influential Women in travel list in the magazine’s summer 2008 issue.
The list was compiled by polling top industry executives to determine the women in travel who “have significantly shaped-and will continue to define” the travel industry. Petersen can be found within the “Trendsetters & Innovators” category and Spencer Brown is one of “The New Specialists.”
Recently promoted to chief marketing officer, Petersen has overseen tremendous TripAdvisor growth in revenue, membership, site traffic and content. In leading TripAdvisor initiatives such as the launch of interactive maps, a social networking tool and user-generated destination guides, Petersen is at the forefront of changing how travelers interact and research travel. Petersen heads marketing, public relations, product development, content distribution and community support.
As one of America’s leading cruise journalists and editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, Spencer Brown has her finger on the pulse of cruising. In addition to regularly writing news, feature and cruise ship reviews, Spencer Brown oversees all editorial-related planning, development and implementation for CruiseCritic.com(TM) and CruiseCritic.co.uk(TM). Having covered the cruise industry for more than 12 years and taken more than 100 cruises, Spencer Brown has used her vast expertise to help CruiseCritic.com become the number one cruise site on the Web and a place where travelers love to interact with one another and get the latest cruise news.
“ForbesLife Executive Woman’s recognition of Christine and Carolyn showcases some of the outstanding talent we have within the TripAdvisor Media Network,” said Steve Kaufer, founder and CEO, TripAdvisor. “Through their dedication and drive to create more robust online travel environments, Christine and Carolyn are not only helping grow and improve TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic, but are moving the travel industry in new and exciting directions.”
About TripAdvisor Media Network TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor, airfarewatchdog.com, bookingbuddy.com , cruisecritic.com, holidaywatchdog.com, independenttraveler.com, onetime.com, seatguru.com, smartertravel.com, travel-library.com, travelpod.com and virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000 hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (), the U.K. (), Ireland (), France (), Germany (), Italy (), and Spain (). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .
(C) 2008 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved. TripAdvisor is a trademark of TripAdvisor LLC. Cruise Critic is a trademark of The Independent Traveler, Inc. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008
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