Olive and Latte eNews
Summertime
Governor Lamont Announces Launch of "Say Yes to Connecticut" Summer Tourism Campaign
Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Office of Tourism is launching a new summer marketing campaign to promote safe travel and fuel the Connecticut tourism industry's recovery following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a year of saying “no” to so many things due to the pandemic, the State of Connecticut is encouraging resident and visitors to “Say Yes to Connecticut” and all of its unique experiences this summer.
The campaign theme, “Say Yes to Connecticut,” was born out of the Office of Tourism's proprietary research that shows a growing sense of optimism among Northeast consumers amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and pent-up demand for travel, especially regional travel.
“Connecticut has an incredible mix of tourism offerings – from arts and cultural venues and restaurants, to lodging properties and outdoor recreation areas – all of which help generate business sales, tax revenues, and statewide jobs benefitting our communities,” Governor Lamont said. “The new campaign is a great reminder of that diversity and the growing optimism among travelers that we believe will put people back to work and translate into an industry-wide recovery for tourism beginning this summer.”
Running May 1 through September 6, the campaign will feature hundreds of businesses and activities across the state that make up Connecticut's tourism industry sector, including hotels, inns and B&Bs, restaurants, attractions, museums, historical sites, arts and cultural venues, farms, wineries and breweries, state parks and beaches, nature centers, outdoor recreation, shopping destinations, events, and more. Mask wearing indoors will continue to be required.
To participate in the “Say Yes To Connecticut” campaign, use #SayYesCT on social media. For information on the numerous attractions Connecticut has to offer, visit www.CTvisit.com.
Summer with various activities
Pullman Debuts in Khao Lak, Thailand
Located on Bang Muang Beach on the northern tip of the renowned Phang Nga province of Thailand, Pullman Khao Lak Resort is now open, offering travelers an energizing destination to recharge and reconnect.
The stylish resort is enriched by the vibrant local culture, taking influence from Takua Pa Old Town and its Sino-Portuguese design. From the moment Pullman guests arrive they are immersed in local art and handicrafts – designed to inspire.
“The opening of Pullman Khao Lak Resort is our 8th Pullman property in Thailand, joining a collection of hotels and resorts that are focused on fueling success by inspiring the mind and energizing the body. Phang Nga is famous for its natural beauty and pristine beaches so we are excited to debut such a vibrant resort here. Pullman Khao Lak Resort will feature immersive art and design, offer up smart interactions between guests and staff, allow guests to stay on top of their game with exciting fitness offerings, and serve up a happening array of F&B concepts,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer of Accor in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.
The 253-room resort features contemporary design that pairs modern amenities with local culture. Boasting private balconies, spacious living areas, and open bathroom concept with rain showers, the resort offers travelers a wide choice of accommodation solutions with 14 room categories, starting from the 44 square meter Deluxe Room, to the 62 square meter Family Suite, and 88 square meter Presidential Suite that overlooks the beautiful oceanfront. The resort also features a collection of two-bedroom pool villas, perfect for families or friends travelling together.
For reservations and general enquiries, please email HB436-RE@accor.com, or contact +66 (0) 76 592 233
Pullman Khao Lak Resort is located at 46/109, Moo 2, Soi 46 Laem Son, Bang Muang Sub-district, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga 82190 Thailand. For more information, please visit www.pullmankhaolakresort.com.
Allure of Summer & Vacation Plans
Opening 1 November 2021: LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences in Mauritius Offers Sophisticated Beachside Exclusivity
The highly anticipated LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences will open on 1 November 2021, unveiling a new generation of boutique-style resort for the modern, discerning traveller. Located in the north of Mauritius known for its lively beachside cafes, bars and artisanal local crafts, the elegant hideaway will be nestled in the Grand Baie lagoon overlooking emerald-blue waters and white sandy beaches.
“The vision for LUX* Grand Baie has been in my mind for some time, and I have been determined to bring all my years of experience in resorts around the world to a crescendo in this magnificent property. Grand Baie is the crown jewel of Mauritius and the mandate from the outset was simple: create the finest luxury resort in the Indian Ocean. In the process, it has become the flagship for LUX* Resorts & Hotels and our first greenfield project in Mauritius. The essentials had to be perfect – comfort, warm, welcoming and inviting. Exciting, creative and full of LUX* soul. That 'soul' comes from our people, who in Mauritius are magical” said Paul Jones, chief executive officer of The Lux Collective.
Be the first to experience the unveiling of LUX* Grand Baie to enjoy 30 per cent off the best available rate by staying between 1 November 2021 and 31 January 2022. Or plan ahead and reserve your stay before the end of this year to enjoy 22 per cent off the best available rate on stays between 1 February and 31 December 2022.
To make a reservation, visit https://www.luxresorts.com/ or email reservation@theluxcollective.com
Looking forward to Summer
Experience Crafted Long Beach Days & Getaways All Summer Long
To inspire travel to Long Beach, the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is launching a spring and summer tourism campaign that takes the complication out of planning for out-of-towners: beginning now and through early September, every week the CVB is releasing pre-packaged Long Beach Days & Getaways – itineraries around the food, shopping, and culture scenes that set Long Beach apart.
Designed to immerse visitors in authentic Long Beach experiences and appeal to a variety of interests, Long Beach Days & Getaways are written by embedded locals with a flair for experiential writing. Crafted trip itineraries are also showcased in original videos that invite and entice the viewer to picture themselves exploring all Long Beach has to offer.
The tourism campaign has launched with five original articles and videos showcasing the unique Long Beach Days & Getaways listed below. Media outlets are invited to download the articles, accompanying photography and videos, and are free to run this content on their own platforms attributed and linked to visitlongbeach.com.
Places to relax and work at
SOVA “The Social Hotel” Readies for Summertime Debut in Downtown Dallas
Look forward to a new type of hotel, fresh to the shores of America, and opening its doors in Downtown Dallas this May. Travel is frequently synonymous with adventure and SOVA Hotels has the singular goal of providing guests with more stories than anywhere else. This boutique hotel incorporates elements from all over the world and ties them together to offer a sense of community and comfort. SOVA guests stay in micro-rooms, and in exchange for smaller spaces receive luxurious elements sourced from around the world at a noticeably lower rate. Guests check in at the lively SOVA bar and are given recommendations and daily activities by the local “Travel Guides” on staff.
Developed by 27-year-old twin brothers, Blake Shirk and Brandon Shirk, SOVA was born out of the pair's passion for traveling with the need to also save money. Noticing a gap in the U.S. for such a hotel concept, they decided to start their own project, creating high-end, minimalist rooms amongst carefully designed, inviting group spaces. Every aspect inside SOVA tells a story, which is exactly how the Shirks envision each guest's experience to be.
“What stories do you have from your life?” Asked the Shirks. “We would wager that many of the stories you share from past years are from your travel experiences. We want to help weave those stories and ensure that you have memorable ones with new friends.”
The SOVA team chose a location with walkable proximity to dozens of lively bars and restaurants, downtown hotspots, and the Dallas Farmers Market. Each room combines features from 50 diverse countries, offering a luxurious haven to lay down at night before taking on another day of adventure. SOVA opens to the public in late May and will be located at 2105 Commerce Street.
For more information on SOVA Hotels, visit www.SOVAHotels.com.
Spring-Summer Trips and Future Visits
Designer Hotel Ovolo South Yarra Rocks into Melbourne
Ovolo Hotels has unveiled the next addition to their designer hotel collection, Ovolo South Yarra, in Melbourne. Located next to the famed intersection of Toorak Road and Chapel Street in Melbourne's cultural precinct, blending past, present and progressive, Ovolo South Yarra is a place where retro chic and pop art meet.
Ovolo Group founder, Girish Jhunjhnuwala commented on the opening, sharing that “Ovolo South Yarra is ready to deliver an extraordinary hotel experience embodying Ovolo's philosophy of connecting with its guests emotionally. Complimenting the local cultural scene through art, design and a unique restaurant concept.”
Taking design cues from the days of disco, rock gods and retro glamour, Ovolo South Yarra is bold, creative, and unpredictable. Designed with long-term collaborators of Ovolo, award-winning designer Luchetti Krelle, all 123 rooms infuse retro-plush, with accents of chrome and colour. Ranging from micro-hotel rooms to Rockstar suites, completing the hotel in true Ovolo fashion. Each with a musical moniker, aptly named in honour of the era's most iconic lyrical lovers, 'John', 'Yoko', 'Sonny' and 'Cher'.
Effortlessly designed, the rooms and suites offer an injection of energy and are anything but dull. Seamless technology integration with Chromecast, Bose Bluetooth speakers (excluding Go Go rooms) and intuitive design is met with custom bold graphic wallpapers that jump off the walls. While chrome makes a comeback in feature joinery pieces in harmony with plush pattern-heavy furnishings. In addition, Ovolo South Yarra's rooms feature a convenient water dispenser, hydrating guests while reducing plastic waste.
It is anything but under-the-radar, book now at ovolohotels.com