The Best Places to Kick Off a New Year's Resolution

The Best Places to Kick Off a New Year's Resolution











































Learn to Surf in Barbados

Surrounded by white sandy beaches and sky-blue waters, the Caribbean's most eastern island of Barbados offers a huge variety of thrilling water sports, perfect for travelers looking to experience excitement in the new year. Adventurers visiting the island can also sign up for surfing classes with legendary surfer Melanie Pitcher, owner of Barbados Surf Trips, gaining access to her favorite hidden surfing spots around the island and allowing thrill seekers to strap up and ride the wave of their lives along the beautiful beaches of Barbados. Media Contact: Erica Irigoyen, erica@brandmanpr.com






Visit a Far-Flung Destination in Botswana

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to visit a new destination. Those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime vacation come 2016 can achieve it by booking a safari vacation at the recently renovated Belmond Eagle Island Lodge and begin their unforgettable journey. Reopened in November 2015, the Okavango Delta water-based safari underwent an almost total rebuild, bringing innovation and originality to the experience. Reflecting the region's natural beauty and offering an insight into the heart of the delta, local artisans and materials have been used to create the lodge's fresh new tented guest accommodation, restaurant and lounge. Located in one of the world's largest inland water systems and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Belmond Eagle Island Lodge is one of three Belmond safari lodges in Botswana. No other lodge in Africa offers such a water-focused safari experience, with activities including motorboat safaris, barge cruises and mekoro (a local canoe) safaris, as well as walking and air safaris in a private helicopter. Media Contact: Stephanie Krajewski, stephanie@brandmanpr.com

 





Care for Yourself at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

Located on Maui's pristine North Shore in the exclusive Kapalua Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is a natural sanctuary for health and wellness. Providing guests with the ultimate escape to balance the mind, body and spirit, the resort invites guests to “E Malama Kou Kino,” or “care for your body” in Ancient Hawaiian language, with exclusive bespoke wellness-related offerings and specials to further promote a healthy lifestyle in the new year. From “skinny” cocktails at The Banyan Tree and complimentary workout classes at the Fitness Center overlooking the glistening ocean, to special environmentally-focused classes through the Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua provides the ideal destination for travelers to actuate their new year's resolutions. Media contact: Shelby Callas, shelby@brandmanpr.com

 





Stick to Your Fitness Resolution with Fairmont + Reebok

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is focused on helping guests get fit for the new year. Sticking to a fitness regime while on the road can prove challenging, but through its exclusive partnership with Reebok, the 'Fairmont Fit' program at properties worldwide is urging guests to be active while traveling, whether they've forgotten their workout attire, prefer a lean carry-on at the airport, or just want a private workout in their suite. Fairmont Fit exclusively provides Reebok workout apparel, footwear and a yoga mat with stretch band, all which can be delivered directly to guests' room upon request. Workout apparel available at Fairmont hotels includes t-shirts, shorts (for men), capris (for women) and running shoes. Media contact: Stephanie Krajewski, stephanie@brandmanpr.com

 





Embark on a Journey at Mii amo, a destination spa

Surrounded by the towering red rock walls of Sedona, Arizona, the world-renowned destination spa, Mii amo, presents a luxurious spa experience where guests can find balance and harmony in the breathtaking canyon to kick off 2016. Proving to be the ultimate health and wellness destination, Mii amo is praised for its unique all-inclusive Journeys, where these specially customized packages provide guests with luxurious accommodations, two spa treatments daily, and delicious, "good-for-you" cuisine. Life-enhancing services include fitness and nutrition counseling, spiritual practice of living in the moment, and time to play and be wowed by nature. Mii amo offers 5 thematic Journeys that can be customized into a 3, 4, or 7 night experience: De-Stress Mind, Body & Spirit, Healthy Body in Balance, Soulful Essence, Spiritual Exploration, and Transformational Wisdom. Media contact: Ty Bentsen; ty@brandmanpr.com

 





Discover a New Culture at The Cove, Eleuthera

A small island east of Nassau, Eleuthera is the perfect place to detox and kick off the New Year fresh, especially at Enchantment Group's peaceful and luxurious retreat, The Cove, Eleuthera. For a spiritual wellness experience, guests can embrace The Cove's deep roots of the Bahamian culture and its unexpected connection to Bhutanese culture. Born and raised in Bhutan, General Manager Chorten Wangyel has several Bhutanese staff on-property at The Cove including Tandin Bugub, who is not only the resort's resident masseuse, but also a level two reiki master. His “Cove Signature Massage” expertly blends Thai massage, reflexology, deep tissue, and reiki for a one of a kind healing experience. Meanwhile, guests can detox and refresh with fresh coconut water delivered to their rooms, or go conch-shell diving for their own fresh ceviche for a healthy, active start to 2016. Media contact: Ty Bensten; ty@brandmanpr.com

 





Discover New Adventures in Scottsdale, Arizona

Located at the heart of the Sonoran Desert with sweeping views of the Camelback Mountains, Scottsdale is one of the world's finest spa and leisure destinations, and a mecca for all things health and wellness. With beautiful weather year-round, Scottsdale has a wide range of activities and offerings for a healthy warm-weather retreat to ring in the new year. From world-class golf courses, breathtaking resorts and spas, unparalleled hiking experiences, and a booming culinary scene, Scottsdale is the perfect destination to get a jump on those New Year's resolutions. Embark on a rigorous hike up Camelback Mountain for the best view in the city, or take your yoga experience to the next level with an Aerial Yoga class offered at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a Moonlight Yoga experience at The Boulders, or let Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia be the host for the first dinner party in 2016 with health-centric fare in their Chef's Kitchen & Herb Garden. Media contact: Maggie LaCasse; maggie@brandmanpr.com

 





Start a Healthier Lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA

Consistently praised for its healthy and active lifestyle, Los Angeles invites travelers to embark on their New Year's resolutions in many fun ways. From health-centric restaurants such as the recently opened Little Pine in Silver Lake from renowned musician Moby and one-stop wellness shops like The Springs in Downtown, to hanging ten in South Bay's waves and hitting up the birthplace of beach volleyball in Manhattan Beach, L.A. makes embracing New Year's resolutions much more exciting than being stuck with the traditional gym to work off the holiday cookies and champagne. To make it easy for travelers, L.A. offers a wide range of hotel options, many of which feature unique fitness collaborations such as Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles who tapped hometown heroes Undefeated to outfit their gym and with a collection of tough-yet-soft sportswear. L.A.'s premier oceanfront resort, Terranea, allows guests to partake in various water and land activities - perfect for the whole family. Whether it's trying to get back in shape or simply to fill 2016 with new experiences, Los Angeles enriches travelers with a healthy beginning to the New Year. Media contact: Ty Bentsen, ty@brandmanpr.com

 





Experience Exotic Wellness in the Heart of New York

Park Hyatt New York's Spa Nalai is inviting guests to feel rejuvenated in the New Year with their newest spa treatment curated in collaboration with Park Hyatt Zanzibar. These new, limited edition treatments – Zanzibar: A Retreat for the Senses and Nakupenda: A Romantic Escape – are meticulously crafted to transport guests to the spice island of Zanzibar where they will be embraced with warming, indigenous botanicals and spices perfect to reinvigorate skin during the cold winter months. These artisanal offerings will be available to guests until February 28, 2016. Media contact: Erica Irigoyen, erica@brandmanpr.com

 





Stress Less, Relax More at Kulm Hotel St. Moritz

Start the new year fresh and relaxed with a Swiss spa retreat at Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. After the craziness of the past few holiday weeks and a year of other stressors, the Upper Engadine welcomes guests to a rejuvenating experience with the new Haki Method at Kulm Spa. Awarded the “Best Signature Treatment” in the European Health and Spa Awards, the wellness treatment combines physical and mental relaxation for full-body therapy. Made up of four treatments - Haki Sacral, Haki Sacral Deluxe, Haxi Stretch and Relax, and Haki Purna – the exercises are meant to continue into the new year, bringing renewed energy and peace of mind. Media contact: Daphna Barzilay, daphna@brandmanpr.com