Discounts at KeysCaribbean Luxury Resorts

From staff reports, press releases

KEY LARGO — September finds a wide variety of events taking place in the Florida Keys, including a national motorcycle ride for charity, a benefit for the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, and an international bonefish tournament. To celebrate these unique Keys events, KeysCaribbean Luxury Resort Villas & Marinas is offering a September Special Savings Offer: 25 percent off at select KeysCaribbean luxury resorts through Sept. 30, 2008.

First up on Sept. 13 is the 2nd annual 1960s Bird Bash in Key Largo to benefit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. Mariner’s Resort Villas & Marina in Key Largo is only two minutes from the Bird Bash and is participating in the special 25 percent discount. Read more

Home Sales Rise in Florida

From staff reports

Single-family existing home sales rose in Florida for the first time in more than two years: While only six more homes sold in July 2008 than in July 2007, it could indicate stabilization in Florida’s housing sector, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors August 25, 2008.

A total of 11,498 existing homes sold statewide last month while 11,492 homes sold in July 2007, maintaining the same level of sales activity in the year-to-year comparison, according to FAR. The last time statewide sales of existing homes outpaced the previous year’s sales figure was in
the year-end 2005 report, according to FAR records, when sales were up 2 percent over year-end 2004.

Briefs: Apalachicola Park Opens, Miami Tourism Up

Tourism news from around the Sunshine State:

APALACHICOLA The new Franklin County Seafood Landing Park opens August 28, 2008 in Apalachicola. It is a primary access point for oyster and recreational fishermen to western Apalachicola Bay. The park’s boat ramp is expected to be completed Sept. 1, in time for oyster season.

MIAMI According to the Miami Herald and Smith Travel Research, hotel stays in the Miami-Dade area are up 5 percent, mostly due to foreign travelers and a 1 percent drop in U.S. visitors. The area’s 76 percent occupancy rate so far this year is a record, with a $173 average daily room rate.

LAKE BUENA VISTA The Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Powers reports that Disney is upgrading its Fort Wilderness campground, adding Internet, cable, larger RV pads and a miniature water park.

Time for Orlando for Grownups

We couldn’t have said it any better. Time Magazine’s Sept. 1, 2008 edition detailed the things to do for “grownups” in Orlando. Without kids, O-Town has plenty to do, and writer John Cloud, known for his profile of Ann Coulter, details what’s the best. We took a look at his list ourselves:

The Westin Imagine hotel. Time says that barman Kyle McCann is the one to ask for because of his “masterly” flavored vodka. This spanking new Art Deco style hotel has the eateries Fiorella’s Lobby Bar, Fiorella’s Tuscana Cucina and a poolside tiki bar. The Westin Imagine Orlando, 9501 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 233-2200, (866) 716-8108. Read more

Baskin Seeks Franchises, Bally Installs at Seminole Casinos

Baskin-Robbins, America’s favorite neighborhood ice cream shop, is rapidly expanding its Northern Florida footprint with today’s announcement that Pensacola, Jacksonville and the surrounding areas of Panama City and Tallahassee are now open for franchise sales. More than 50 new stores are projected over the next several years throughout the region and the surrounding counties of Escambia, Leon, Wakulla, Okaloosa, Duval, Nassau, Clay, Putnam and Santa Rosa, among others. Currently, Baskin-Robbins operates about 170 stores across Florida. “As the Baskin-Robbins brand continues to develop in Northern Florida, we’re now looking for franchisees in the region with strong financial backgrounds to manage multiple stores and a passion for their local communities,” said James Franks, national director of franchising, Baskin-Robbins. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. family of companies. For further information, visit http://www.baskinrobbins.com.

Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI), a leader in slots, video machines, casino management systems, and networked solutions for the global gaming industry, announced that the Seminole Tribe of Florida will implement Bally’s TableView table-rating and player-tracking system at its six casinos in south Florida.

Coors Light is sponsoring the U.S. debut of Daddy Yankee’s newly released CD, “Talento de Barrio” in Orlando. With roots in reggae and rap music, Daddy Yankee is a Latin Billboard and Latin Grammy Award-winning international artist whose music combines Reggae, Latin Rap and Hip Hop. The CD release party was Aug. 22 with tickets being given away to through promotions sponsored by WRUM-FM Rumba 100.3 www.rumba100.com, WQTM-AM La Preciosa 740 www.lapreciosa740.com and Clear Channel Orlando.

Free Gas, $159 Rooms at Disney Swan and Dolphin

From PR Newswire

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 18 Given the soaring costs of gasoline, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is offering some special deals to give relief to Floridians driving to the resort.

Each week through Labor Day, the resort will randomly select a guest who drove to the resort for their stay and send them a rebate check for the mileage incurred traveling to the resort — offering $1 for every mile driven. All hybrid car drivers will receive complimentary valet parking.

According to Peter Kacheris, general manager, “This is a great opportunity for our in-state guests who drive to Orlando. They can receive everything from a gas rebate that’s double the current IRS mileage rate, to free valet parking and some extra pampering for the car.”

This special drawing is valid only for guests who are Florida residents and drive a vehicle to the resort. In addition to this special offer, guests can also take advantage of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s summer savings for Florida residents this year — starting at $159 per room per night through September 30, 2008.

Call 800-227-1500 or visit http://www.swandolphin.com

Wearstler Remake of Miami’s Tides on Ocean Drive

W Magazine’s Travelista column recommends the following in Miami Beach:

• The Tides on Ocean Drive. Redesigned by Kelly Wearstler, who redid the Viceroy in L.A. It was finished in April 2009. Each room has museum quality artifacts in what the hotel calls a “coastal-chic” sensibility. Kelly Wearstler’s signature “Porter Chairs” decorate the terrace; the lobby has a martini bar. The restaurant, La Marea Restaurant and Terrace serves fresh seasonal ingredients from the kitchen of Executive Chef Pietro Rota (formerly of trendy Il Sole in West Hollywood). The Coral Bar serves “twilight cocktails” by the hotel’s pool terrace. The Tides, 1220 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, 800-439-4095, 305-604-5070
• Regent Bal Harbour. Total luxury in this deluxe hotel just up A1A from Miami. The Regent Bal Harbour, 10295 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, FL 33154, 305-455-5400.
• Gaansevort South Hotel Spa and Residences, which sports fire pits, a shark tank and Canyon Ranch. 2377 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-604-1000

Call 511 in Florida During Road Emergenicies

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18, 2008 — As Floridians and visitors prepare for Tropical Storm Fay, the Florida Department of Transportation is encouraging everyone to use its free 511 Traffic Information Service to stay updated with real-time roadway information.

In the event of an evacuation or other emergency, FDOT recommends drivers call 511 before hitting the road to check on highway and bridge conditions. Florida’s 511 service provides up-to-the-minute information on toll suspensions, road closures and evacuation routes.

“Our primary goal is to keep people safe, especially during severe weather conditions and hurricanes,” said FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos. “By dialing 511 or visiting the FL511.com Web site, people can stay updated with road conditions so they can make good travel decisions.”

“We strongly recommend people dial 511 to find out exactly what the road conditions are, so they can travel safely,” said Gregg Laskoski, Managing Director, Public & Government Relations for AAA Auto Club South, in a press release.

The free 511 service is accessible by cell phone, landline or by visiting www.FL511.com. By dialing 511, callers can hear real-time reports on Interstate conditions.

Tropical Storm Fay Makes Great Skies

The news reports that Tropical Storm Fay is crossing the Florida Keys and heading up the west coast of Florida. So far, the winds are pretty lame and we really aren’t interested in what Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel thinks about how fast the wind is going.

By the way, the MAXIMUM sustained winds are 60 mph, which is about the speed of a strong surprise summer storm. In addition, overnight, Fay will solve all of drought problems of Florida.

The good thing? A hurricane is GREAT ratings grabber for TV stations and such. Nothing like getting everyone worked up for nothing?

We can’t wait to go out to Siesta Key and see how the sunset looks tomorrow after the storm passes through.

McDonald’s Attractions in Florida; See a Neon Speedee

VENICE - Here, a McDonald’s interior in Venice, Florida. Inside is a historic McDonald’s sign, with Speedee in the middle. The McDonald’s is a regular Mickey D’s, but the neon is always lit inside.

If you are in Florida, there are many great McDonald’s locations. If you want the best McDonald’s in the world, visit the McDonald’s of Oerther Foods, which has 20 franchises around the Orlando area.

The Oerther McDonald’s on Orlando’s International Drive near Sand Lake Road is among the biggest grossing McDonald’s restaurants in North America.

The World’s Largest McDonald’s and Play Place. 6875 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, Florida (407) 351-2185. www.mcfun.com

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