| The
Unusual, November 2004
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| Welcome
to the November 2004 edition of The Unusual, - Newsletter of Unusual Hotels of
the World. The Unusual brings you news from some of our featured hotels,
details about hotels in the guide, reviews, offers and feedback from
travellers.
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| News and offers in this issue:
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| News from some of our
Featured Hotels
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Sentry Mountain Lodge, Golden, Canada
Accessible only by helicopter, this remote
backcountry lodge is perched at an elevation of 6,920 feet, deep in the Selkirk
Mountains of British Columbia, Canada.
As we work to get the lodge set up for the winter season ahead we’re seeing
some good snow base already with 50-70cm at the lodge. We also have a writer
coming up to the lodge for a month of solitude to finish a book from mid -
November until we open. He'll keep our systems running through the late fall,
early winter and hopefully the solitude and incredible setting will inspire him
to finish his book!
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| Low season rates available to
Unusual Hotels of the World Travellers |
Low season is lodge opening in Mid December to
January 15th and April 2nd to lodge closing in mid April, early May. The skiing
is fabulous and even though days are shorter the average day still has 8 to 9
hours of sunlight for skiing – can your legs handle much more? There’s always a
cozy and warm lodge and hot sauna waiting for you at the end of the day.
The cozy and comfortable lodge makes Sentry guests feel right at home with
awe-inspiring views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, right from the dining room
window. By dazzling your taste buds with culinary delights, the chef’s cuisine
makes it a challenge to ski-off the previous nights meal. The food is as
important as the activities and sometimes an activity unto itself. The menu
continually evolves based on the supply of fresh ingredients available at the
time of your trip.
The Lodge can hold groups of up to 8 guests, but sorry, we can’t accept under
19’s for the winter season due to the extreme nature of the terrain. |
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| Christmas at Sentry - December 23
-28, 2004. |
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All the comforts of home and waist
deep powder. Submit a booking inquiry to reserve the entire lodge for your
family or friends.
$1,595 per person.
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| Skiing photo taken
12/15/03 -all photos © Alan Maudie |
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| We hope to welcome Unusual
Hotels of the World travellers to the lodge soon ! |
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| Grand Hotel La
Florida, Barcelona |
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JET ALL JAZZED
UP!!!
Official hotel of Barcelona jazz
Five Star Jazz - 3 to 28 November.
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Jazz
festival offer
Minimum 2 nights stay
2 nights stay in superior room
Full breakfast buffet
Entry Ticket for two to jazz concert
Sunday jazz Brunch or Jazz dinner
Jazz cocktail
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Price for two people: 730 €
(Drinks and 7% vat not included).
For higher room categories supplements apply .
Please confirm entry tickets for concert 7 days beforehand.
Offer valid during the month of November depending on
availability.
Information & reservation:
inquiry@uhotw.com
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Aurora Ice Hotel and Chena Hot
springs, Alaska
Join us for our Centennial Year celebrations in 2005.
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As preparation for our 100th year, we’re in the
middle of a makeover for the Ice Hotel, ready for launch on New Years eve. For
most properties would be a lick of paint and some new curtains. For an Ice
Hotel this is a more complex task!
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| Already the only ice hotel in the United States, this year’s
hotel has some new features that will allow it to be the first year-round ice
hotel in the world. Master ice sculptor Steve Brice is already creating some of
the customized pieces, while he waits for the outside temperatures to drop and
the famous crystal clear ice of Fairbanks Alaska to form. Once ice is
harvested, construction will be in full swing to construct the 120 foot long,
five bedroom hotel. The ice bar and signature ice martini glasses will
undoubtedly still be a highlight for guests, as is the wedding stage and art
filled lobby. Not only will the dazzling ice chandeliers lit with color
changing fiber optics be back, but the ice bar will be lit as well. |
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Photo's Copyright
© Patrick Enders |
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Is it cold ?
Yes… and many people expect Chena Hot Springs to be a rather barren location as
we’re way up in the wilderness of Alaska so I thought I’d share a little Innuit
ingenuity that brings 21st century luxuries to our guests.
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We heat the buildings with the hot spring water,
grow food in our heated greenhouses, and by next October we will be generating
our electricity with geothermal water too, so you needn’t worry that you’ll
miss out on home comforts. We have a spa to loosen aches after a day dog
mushing, or trekking around our wonderful scenery. We party… and as we’re
geographically located under one of the most active bands of
Northern Lights in the world are internationally recognized for an
opportunity to view this natural phenomena. |
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Alaskan Rejuvenation
2005 begins 100 years of Alaskan Rejuvenation at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Guests who stay in the ice hotel or the regular hotel during 2005 will get a
chance to win a sizeable gold nugget. I have to go get it weighed but it is
gorgeous!... I’ve promised not to loose it!
We’re not afraid of celebrities and big budget film crews who want to visit us
for the scenery around Chena and of course our hotel. An internationally
renowned drinks brand will feature the Aurora Ice Hotel in a half-million
dollar ad campaign, so hurry to book your trip so you can tell your friends
“I’ve been there” when it hits screens this summer.
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hope you'll be able to join our year-long centennial celebrations. |
| Information & reservation:
inquiry@uhotw.com
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Brenda Hewitt,
VP of Marketing and General PR
Chena Hot Springs Resort
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The Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy,
Australia
The world's only underground International Hotel.
It's an experience to remember for a lifetime.
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The Desert Cave Hotel allows you to experience dug-out style
living, underground shops, bar and opal display areas - all within sandstone
surrounds in the heart of Coober Pedy. Sleeping underground is a unique
experience. Quiet, cool, dark and airy - the rooms are spacious with high
ceilings. Most visitors say that sleeping underground gives them the best
night's sleep they have ever had
In 1989, the Desert Cave Hotel won both the South Australian and National
Tourism Awards for Tourism Development. The Desert Cave Hotel again won the
South Australian Tourism Award for national standard accommodation in 1990 and
1991. |
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Our History
Since 1915 Coober Pedy has lured those who seek the elusive opal which is found
in this vast Outback semi-desert area. Many of the locals live in dugouts
(underground homes) where the earth gives natural temperature control. Visitors
have always been fascinated by this underground way of living.
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Construction began in 1984 and the Desert Cave
Hotel was officially opened in 1988. Opal mining machinery was brought to town
from the opal fields to gouge through the sandstone of a hillside near the main
street. Extreme heat, severe dust storms and mini-cyclones made work extremely
difficult. Almost all the building materials had to be transported from
Adelaide, some 850km south. Local rock gathered from the Moon Plain, 25km
north, was used for the feature stonework on the front of the buildings. |
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Just Passing Through Package
If you are headed North or South we are nearly the centre most point between
Alice Springs and Adelaide, so join us for the night and spoil yourself with a
stopover at the Desert Cave Hotel. Start your trip refreshed the next day.
For just $139.00 per person (twin share) you get a deluxe room, a bottle of wine
and a box of chocolates on arrival, a **2 course dinner in Umberto's Restaurant
and breakfast in the Crystal Cafe.
We will also include a drink and gaming voucher to help you 'wind down' after
the drive in the Level Bar, featuring the world's only underground bar and
pokies. Children are an extra $25.00 per child.
*Offer valid for the first night only. Prices in Australian
Dollars
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Gamirasu Caves, Cappadocia, Turkey
Gamirasu is the name of an exquisitely restored eighteen-room cave house opened
in 1999, in Ayvali Village near Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. The
hotel is located in a restored one thousand year old Byzantine monastic retreat
which offers modern conveniences without distracting from the spiritual feeling
of the area which has been known to be inhabited for more than five thousand
years. |
Weather in Cappadocia
Spring & Autumn are best times to come to Cappadocia. In Spring Cappadocia
is all green with wild mountain flowers, neither too hot or cold. Be prepared
to expect a little rain however from March to the end of May.
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| Special New Year Gala
dinner - Welcome 2005 |
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Welcome the New Year in a hermit cave in front of
fire place while you watch the snow fall on the valley. Traditional Turkish
music in the background while you sip local wine. The cook is preparing for the
"Big Meal". Traditional home style Cappadocian food is on the menu. Unusual
Hotels of the World travellers – join us for food, drinking, dancing, games,
competition, entertainment, lottery and surprises. The terrace will be prepared
for you to watch the fireworks. The pine tree garden will be lit and decorated.
You will not want the night to finish... |
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About the owner IBRAHIM BASTUTAN
I was born in this small village, Ayvali. I have spent years to build up my
dream palace, Gamirasu. I look forward to welcoming you to join me in this
dream.
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King Pacific Lodge, BC, Canada
Every magic moment at King Pacific Lodge is a new found
freedom. At this floating wilderness lodge on Princess Royal Island, British
Columbia, the only deadlines are the unused rods and reels.
Shoelessness is encouraged. And time, of course, is utterly irrelevant. However,
feel free to consult the position of the sun. Better yet, let someone ask,
“what time would you like it to be?”
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Feel alive strolling through the rain forest or fly fishing here in some of
North America’s richest fishing habitats. Fly into untouched terrain or watch
whales on a wildlife viewing trip. By all means, engage in as much or as little
adventures as you like, for the lodge welcomes all levels of fitness and skill,
placing emphasis on comfort and world-class service. |
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The lodge is open from May to October and is
accessible by floatplane from Prince Rupert, BC. The international gateway is
Vancouver, Canada. The lodge offers fully-inclusive packages that include
floatplane flights between the Lodge and Prince Rupert, activities specific to
package, deluxe accommodations, gourmet Westcoast cuisine, open bar and use of
the lodge facilities.
King Pacific Lodge is a proud member of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, known
throughout the world for its high standards of service, comfort and amenities,
stewarding the land, and respecting the local environment and culture.
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Spotlight on – Underwater
Every edition we give a brief overview of the properties that are in a
particular category – and some of the logistical challenges involved in
construction, access or use !
For this edition of The Unusual we’ve put the
spotlight on Underwater.
There are currently 2 underwater properties in the
guide, and one in final construction that will open in 2005.
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Jules’ Undersea Lodge,
off Key Largo, Florida is probably the most famous internationally. Located 21
feet beneath the surface of the sea, you really need to get wet to gain entry!
The cottage sized building still operates as a research station but isn’t short
of creature comforts, with fridge, kitchen, DVD, videos and hot showers.
Although the experience of a habitat saturation dive is definitely high tech
diving (PADI and BSAC Sports dive qualifications are required), even guests who
have never scuba dived before can stay in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, as full
training can be provided onshore. Weddings are catered for, with the world’s
only underwater wedding cake. Late night snacks can even include the underwater
delivery of a pizza from a local shop.
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The Utter Inn,
Sweden is Europe's entry to the Underwater hotel category – providing
comfortable underwater sleeping for a couple with an underwater view of the
freshwater lake. As this property is moored, its use is weather dependent, so
summer stays are recommended. It doesn’t require any dive qualifications to
visit however, – just a sense for the unusual.
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Hydropolis, will see Dubai joining the
Underwater hotel club with their luxury offering. Currently under construction
it will offer outstanding undersea facilities and views. Watch this space for
more information when it opens in 2005
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| Who drives IT, Iniquus
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Iniquus - Unequal Advantage...
We invited Sid Lalwani, CEO of Iniquus, our IT developer, to give The Unusual
readers some background to what runs the uhotw.com site – and to introduce some
of the capabilities Iniquus offer.
Running a team of developers, designers and IT application specialists who support IT for companies around the world isn’t an easy task. “Developing the Unusual Hotels of the World site was an interesting challenge”, notes Sid “as we recognized early on that there was a dramatic difference in the use of technology and the content and destinations that uhotw.com featured”.
His team also understood that the guide would need a very flexible IT platform for development, so they decided on an ASP.net environment running with a SQL server database. “A critical element for the site would be the ability for the UHOTW Team to upload, edit and maintain hotel entries, site feedback and information requests easily. We created an automated process that minimized manual inputs and enabled the UHOTW Team to maximize the time spent on hotels, partners and research to add greater value to the site.”
With a constantly evolving site Sid’s team have developed a scalable platform so that the site will be able to cope with dramatic shifts in demand – a feature of global hotel and travel guides.
With tens of thousands of page views in the first month and users accessing the site from all over the world, the site has coped well with the demands placed on it. We look forward to continuing to evolve the site to meet the needs of the global traveler audience that Unusual Hotels of the World serve.
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We hope that you have enjoyed this edition of
The Unusual. We’ve been asked to let readers know some of the places
where you’ll hear about Unusual Hotels of the World
– and to share some of our plans looking ahead.
The UK has dominated our promotion efforts – so apologies to those travellers
from further afield. Special apologies to editors of The New York Times, Boston
Globe and Los Angeles Tribune who’ve been highlighted on our web stats chart
for daily hits – we’ll be working with you shortly !!!
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We've recently been featured in The Guardian and Institute of Director
publication, The Director.
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The Sunday Times Traveller Magazine is running an article in November, as are
Sales Promotion Magazine and Conferences and Incentives Magazine.
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Good Housekeeping will be covering us in December
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Conde Nast Traveller are running a feature in January
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We’ll also have coverage in The Mail in January too.
Viral promotion
As a reader of The Unusual you’ll likely have received notification of our
latest web promotion. If not check out the homepage link to ‘refer a friend’.
Provide your email address to login and as soon as any one of your referred
contacts register with uhotw we’ll send you an exclusive GSM phone flasher.
These have been lighting up our offices whenever our mobile phones ring – very
appropriate for Christmas !
Sponsorship
We’re working with a number of site and newsletter sponsors to support the site
moving forwards, but rather than delay The Unusual are sending it out
unadorned. Look out for our new sponsor on the website shortly.
Our travels
Simon has been testing Old Schools and Designer hotels in Europe, while Steve
has been spotted at Heathrow briefly before another North American fact finding
tour. We’re always looking for Unusual hotels to add to the guide. Let us know
your suggestions and comments in the travellers feedback area of the site.
Prizes are promised for new hotel entry suggestions !
What next for the site
UHOTW is pleased to announce that it now has a dedicated team of people waiting
for group or event requests. They will be happy to assist with requests for
groups of 6 or more. Inquiries received and expected include:
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Weddings
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Conferences
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Corporate Hospitality
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Birthday or Anniversary celebrations
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Staff reward or recognition events
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Meetings
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Product launches
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Photographic location shoots
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TV or Video shoots
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Consumer holiday prize promotions
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Travel Incentive events
You will find a ‘group/events’ request link on the
home page of the site.
Groups of 6 or less will be handled through the normal inquires links.
Thanks for your feedback and
comments.
Simon & Steve
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Sentry
Mountain Lodge, Golden , Canada 
