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Summer Travel: Ireland for Dad, Jimmy Buffet's Hotel
Published 06/14/2010
(Pensacola Beach, Florida) – There's an awesome travel idea for Father's Day at a castle in Ireland, while a new hotel opens in Florida in association with singer Jimmy Buffet.
In spite of the mess in the Gulf and increasing frequency of tar balls on the beach, Jimmy Buffet and his business partners are going ahead with plans to open the Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola, Florida, a 162-room luxury lodging that has taken about $50 million to build.
According to local media in town, the hotel is still set to open on July 1, with Buffet and Florida Governor Crist making public appearances urging tourists and locals to not get spooked by the disaster.
The Margaritaville Beach Hotel is set on over 800 feet of gulf front property, with an additional 800 feet overlooking the bay. It will feature 162 guest rooms and suites appointed with barefoot elegance as well as high tech touches.
Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, the hotel’s sense of place and attention to detail make it the perfect setting for guests who want to escape the everyday. It is definitely for those who have dreamed of escaping to a tropical island and sipping a margarita.
When guests walk through the doors of this Florida Vernacular-styled hotel they will be greeted by a panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors will be served fresh Florida orange juice upon arrival, calling to mind the hospitality of Florida’s early years as a vacation destination. The island-inspired surroundings will feature art, teak and reclaimed oak furnishings, ceiling fans and breathtaking views. The gulf front restaurant will be a great addition to the local dining scene, serving fresh coastal cuisine with a southern accent. In addition to this restaurant a Margaritaville Restaurant will be opened in the next phase of the development giving guests even more entertainment choices.
Vacationers have the option of enjoying beach activities or just kicking back and soaking in the sun and doing nothing at all (with a cool boat drink, of course). Other features include a business center, health/fitness room and group/meeting facilities for smaller corporate and social events. A water park is planned for the future which will add to the hotel’s high entertainment value.
As expected, music will play a starring role in the overall atmosphere of the hotel with island music on the pool deck and beach pavilion, the Margaritaville station on the in-room SIRIUS Radio and seasonal live music.
"The Pensacola Bay Area boasts 450 years of history, as well as premier museums, breathtaking white-sand beaches, a variety of adventure by land and sea, and now, the world's first Margaritaville Beach Hotel," said Ed Schroeder, director of the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Community response has been exciting and overwhelming, and we know Margaritaville will have global appeal for visitors. We're thrilled to see the property open in paradise, Pensacola Beach."
For reservation information, go to www.MargaritavilleHotel.com.
For Father’s Day, Ireland’s Ashford Castle is offering fathers the perfect getaway in the Green Isle. From the great outdoors to one of the "hottest" tables in Ireland - and beer - Dad has never had it so good.
The Father's Day package includes:
Two nights' luxurious accommodations fit for a king
Full Irish breakfast each day
Table d'hôte dinner one evening in the George V Restaurant
Choice of falconry lesson in Ireland's First School of Falconry or a fly fishing lesson in the picturesque Lough Corrib and the River Cong
Special bonus: Guinness tasting that includes Ashford Castle's signature Arthur's Bellini - created exclusively for Ashford Castle to mark Guinness' 250th anniversary (guests need to give the code "FD 10" when booking)
A highlight of this Father's Day experience will be a meal in the grandeur of the George V dining room, whose renowned Head Chef Stefan Matz was recently awarded "Best Chef" by Ireland's newly launched Good Eating Guide 2010-2011. With creative cooking, locally sourced produce and inspired use of seasonal ingredients, Chef Matz has crafted an innovative menu.
Priced at €850 (approximately US$1,060), the package is based on double occupancy. Additional nights may be booked from €188 (approximately US$235) per person, per night.
For more information on Ashford Castle or for other special offers, visit www.ashford.ie.
Ashford Castle, which dates back to 1228, is set on 350 acres of County Mayo, on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, with a spectacular backdrop of woodlands, lake, river and mountains. In addition to the 2010 Gold Medal from the Green Hospitality Awards, other recent awards and recognitions include Trip Advisor's 2010 top ten picks for European castle hotels and inclusion in Conde Nast Traveler's 2010 Gold List.
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