RESORTING

Travel America, Jan, 2001

Carolina Retreat

Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms, a lush barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Wild Dunes Resort is located a mere 20 minutes from historic Charleston. The 1,600-acre private resort features more than two miles of white sand beach, golf, tennis, and an extensive children's program. Accommodations include rooms at the Boardwalk Inn, one- to four-bedroom villas, and three- to six-bedroom homes. Contact: Wild Dunes (TravelAmerica Magazine), 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451; (800) 845-8880; www.wilddunes.com.

Palm Beach Style

Florida's timeless Breakers Palm Beach is offering the extravagant four-night "Breakers in Style" package (starting at $5,710 per couple). Included are daily breakfast for two served in your suite, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and floral arrangement, a romantic dinner for two in L'Escalier, a "Relaxing Spa Day" for two (includes Thallasobath, Swedish massage, facial, and pedicure), an "Indulgence Spa Day" for two (includes facial, body scrub, aromatherapy bath and massage, manicure, and hair styling), private beach cabana, four days unlimited golf, unlimited bicycling, limousine and chauffeur assistance for airport transfers, and unlimited use of the spa. Founded in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel recently completed a $100-million revitalization. It features two 18-hole golf courses, 10 tennis courts, and a Mediterranean-style beach club overlooking one-half mile of private beach.

Contact: Breakers Palm Beach (TravelAmerica Magazine), 1 S. County Rd., Palm Beach, FL 33480; (888) 273-2537; www.thebreakers.com.

Denizens of the Deep

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino proudly announces Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay--the newest entertainment attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. Featuring dangerous and unusual aquatic animals and fish from the world's tropical waters, Shark Reef uses fantastic sights and sounds to transport visitors to an under-the-sea fantasy land. Developed in cooperation with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center, Shark Reef includes more than 100 species of sharks, exotic fish, reptiles, and turtles. Divers inside the exhibits can answer questions posed by curious visitors.

Mandalay Bay is a 3,300-room resort with a world-class spa, 15 restaurants, and an 11-acre tropical beach environment. It also offers top-name performers in a 12,000-seat Events Center, a 1,700-seat Broadway-style theater, and the 1,800-seat House of Blues Concert Hall.

Contact: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (TravelAmerica Magazine), 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89119; (877) 632-7800.

Hot New Therapy

The brand new St. Francis Health Club at San Francisco's Westin St. Francis is inviting guests to get stoned--as in La Stone Therapy, a hot new spa treatment. Therapists massage the body with smooth, warmed stones from the world's oldest riverbeds, allowing the heat and healing energy to penetrate deep into the muscles. From cutting-edge fitness equipment to the most unique body treatments, the St. Francis Health Club pampers the body and soul.

Contact: The Westin St. Francis (TravelAmerica Magazine), Union Square, 335 Powell St., San Francisco, CA 94102; (415) 397-7000; www.westin.com.

Colorado Rockies

Key to the Rockies Lodging Company offers a variety of vacation packages that allow guests to choose their own lodging and activities. Eleven member properties range from deluxe condominiums to elegant mountain homes in Keystone, Breckenridge, and surrounding towns. Activities can include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, golf, and skiing.

Contact: Key to the Rockies Lodging Company (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 8456, 23024 U.S. Hwy. 6, Keystone, CO 80435: (970) 468-1898; www.keytotherockies.com.

New in Chicago

The 339-room Peninsula Chicago is due to open this spring. As well as being luxuriously appointed, the accommodations will be among the most spacious in the city. A glass-enclosed health club and spa will occupy the top two floors of the hotel and will offer an 82-foot swimming pool and full spa and health club facilities. The hotel is being built over an existing retail podium on a prime site on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. This will be the fourth U.S. property of the Peninsula Group, whose flagship is the legendary Peninsula Hong Kong.

Contact: Peninsula Chicago (TravelAmerica Magazine), 108 Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 337-2888.

Dolphin Encounters

Dolphin Quest Encounter programs at Kahala Mandarin Oriental in Honolulu give guests in-water, face-to-face interaction with the resort's dolphins through gentle contact, trainer coaching, and play sessions. The main goal is to educate children and adults about marine mammals and the marine ecosystem.

Contact: Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii (TravelAmerica Magazine), 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816; (808) 739-8888; www.mandarin-oriental.com.

Manhattan Value

Red Roof Inns, a chain of affordably priced hotels normally associated with roadside locales, has opened its first hotel in New York City, the Red Roof Inn Manhanan. The 171-room hotel, located near the Empire State Building and Manhattan's fashion district, occupies a former office building. Guest rooms feature 25-inch cable television with Web access, coffee makers, and hairdryers. Rates range from $89 to $329 per night, including continental breakfast.