SunStream Travel Blog

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Archive for February, 2009

Fort Myers Beach – Captivating Vacationers

Friday, February 27th, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111
CarolynM@SunStream.com
www.SunStream.com

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA
Captivating Vacationers with its Unpretentious Charm

Fort Myers Beach, Florida- The intimate island town of Fort Myers Beach captivates vacationers and locals alike with its unpretentious charm and warm hospitality. From the moment you descend from the scenic span of the Matanzas Bridge – which connects the island to the mainland of Fort Myers – you know you’re in for something special. The town’s casual and laid-back atmosphere and reputation as “the safest beach in the world” have led to its increasing popularity as a great family vacation spot. Its active nightlife and beach-side boutiques and bistros have also made it a favorite for Spring Breakers and couples looking for a weekend getaway. 

Wide, white-sand beaches bring visitors to Fort Myers Beach year after year. Over 30 beach access points are located along Estero Boulevard, some with parking and some for pedestrian traffic only. Peaceful surroundings make these great places to go and just enjoy the beach and its natural surroundings. The centerpiece of the island, Fort Myers Beach Pier, abounds with fishermen and local waterfowl. The pelicans especially enjoy the pier, and every post seems to have its prerequisite occupant perched on top. Bowditch Point, a lovely 17-acre park that fronts both the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay, welcomes visitors with an unspoiled wide sandy beach and beautiful views of nearby barrier islands. Sun lovers can catch a trolley to the beach, which runs up and down the island every 15 minutes.

Beyond the shoreline, Fort Myers Beach offers a myriad of activities for young and young-at-hearts alike. Numerous vendors along Estero Boulevard offer jet-ski rentals, bike rentals and parasailing, as well as other sport activities. The kids will enjoy a splash in the Community Pool, which features a two-story water slide, lap pool and a tad pool area with waterfalls, squirt guns and tire swings. No visit to Fort Myers Beach would be complete without a stroll through Times Square, the main shopping and dining area of the town. If you’re seeking a great day trip, X-Press to Key West offers a four-hour high-speed boat cruise to Key West with return on the same day. The eco jewels of Sanibel and Captiva islands are just 20 minutes away, the historical attractions of Fort Myers are within a 30-minute drive, and adventures in the Everglades are less than an hour away. The cosmopolitan city of Naples, known for its trendy boutiques, restaurants and cultural events, is 45 minutes south, making Fort Myers Beach a perfect home base for a Southwest Florida vacation getaway filled with adventure.

For more information, visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com, the official website of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, or call 1-800-237-6444 for the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. International visitors may call (239) 338-3500.

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DiamondHead Beach Resort – Where Green Is Good

Friday, February 20th, 2009

Florida Green Lodging Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111
CarolynM@SunStream.com
SunStream.com

DIAMONDHEAD BEACH RESORT – WHERE GREEN IS GOOD

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA – In September 2008, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) welcomed the DiamondHead Beach Resort to the Florida Green Lodging Program, which provides guidelines for lodging properties to help conserve natural resources and prevent air pollution.

“DiamondHead is proud to be a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said General Manager Neil Hopgood.  “It’s one way our staff can show our appreciation for the incredible beauty that surrounds our resort’s beachfront setting. We also want to illustrate how important it is that we all work together to continually take steps that are ecologically minded and environmentally sensitive, to ensure that our visitors for generations to come will be able to enjoy this amazing shoreline and all of the remarkable sights of nature Southwest Florida has to offer.”

At DiamondHead, “green practices” involve a number of recycling and improved energy efficiency, water conservation, air quality and waste reduction programs.

For instance, hotel guests and staff have the opportunity to recycle not only glass, plastic, cans and paper, but also batteries, cell phones, ink cartridges, florescent bulbs and computer equipment. The hotel cleans its air handler units frequently and utilizes energy-efficient programmable thermostats and air filters; it purchases green cleaning products and laundry detergents for all restaurant and housekeeping operations; and actively practices waste reduction purchasing programs, making recycled products and reduced/bulk packaging a priority.

The resort has also created the “EV-Spot,” a parking area specifically designed for Electric Vehicle owners. According to Andrew Roddy of the Florida Electric Auto Association, such a move has been eagerly anticipated by the growing number of electric vehicle owners around the state.

“Our owners obviously appreciate the environmental practices that DiamondHead has implemented,” said Roddy, “but what I think we’re more excited about is finally having access to such a wonderful vacation place in Southwest Florida! We welcome the resort’s charging station and are anxious to get more businesses to join our ‘Electric Highway.’”

DiamondHead Beach Resort now joins the growing list of Florida Green Lodges that benefit from vacationers and meeting planners seeking environmentally-conscious lodging establishments. To show support for the program, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order mandating all state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences solely at designated Green Lodging facilities. With DiamondHead Beach Resort’s designation, the program now has over 419 designated properties statewide with an additional 390 applicants awaiting certification.

“The management and staff of the DiamondHead Beach Resort recognize that environmentally-friendly initiatives not only make good business sense, but help to protect Florida’s unique environment for the continued enjoyment of our millions of residents and visitors,” said DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart.  “We proudly welcome the DiamondHead Beach Resort to the Florida Green Lodging Program.”

DiamondHead Beach Resort, one in SunStream Hotels & Resorts collection of distinctive properties in Southwest Florida, is located at 2000 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. For reservations and more information, call 888-765-5002 or 239-765-7654, or visit DiamondHeadFL.com.

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SunStream Originates “The Real Deal”

Monday, February 16th, 2009

realdeal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111
CarolynM@SunStream.com
SunStream.com

SUNSTREAM HOTELS & RESORTS ORIGINATES “THE REAL DEAL”
No Hidden Fees at Southwest Florida Properties

Fort Myers Beach, Florida, February 17, 2009 – SunStream Hotels & Resorts has re-introduced their “No Resort Fee” policy and now debuting on their latest website re-launch is “The Real Deal”. Unlike many hotels and resorts in Southwest Florida who offer low rates and then tack on resort fees once you have arrived, SunStream Hotels & Resorts has never added additional resort fees to guest reservations. Essentially, SunStream does not believe in charging for things that should be free. With SunStream, there are no booking fees, resort fees or parking fees. Plus they offer a list of complimentary items from wireless internet to a good hot cup of freshly brewed java. So while the other guys are busy tacking on their hidden fees, SunStream is busy making sure that your stay will be a pleasurable one.

So, how do they do it? “SunStream has always been dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our guests,” said Director of Hospitality Operations, Gary Locke. “We consistently strive to anticipate their needs – whether it’s the morning newspaper available at the front desk or a replacement for the toothbrush that they left at home – we provide our guests with extraordinary experiences.”

Each of the properties in SunStream’s diverse portfolio of resorts and condominium hotels showcases the exemplary service, attention to detail and warm hospitality that garners a repeat guest rate that is envied in the industry. SunStream focuses on quality in appearance, atmosphere and amenities. And when a hospitality company claims to be “The Real Deal”, it’s important to look at its whole record – not just what is currently in fashion at the time. The best hospitality companies are consistently, and quietly, doing exactly what SunStream has done since 1986 – providing its guests with an incomparable value and memorable stay.

Headquartered in Fort Myers Beach, SunStream Hotels & Resorts has become a name synonymous with luxury hotels and condominium resorts throughout Southwest Florida, having specialized in property development and hospitality management since 1986. SunStream’s distinctive collection of properties in Southwest Florida now includes the Bellasera Hotel, Park Shore Resort, Port of the Islands Resort & Marina, DiamondHead Beach Resort, GullWing Beach Resort, Pointe Estero Beach Resort and opening in November 2009, the Resort at MarinaVillage – a luxurious full-service condominium resort located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral with 19 stories of sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information on SunStream Hotels & Resorts or to book a reservation, please call 800-625-4111 or visit www.sunstream.com

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Make a Reservation!

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Did you know that our population almost triples during the winter months here in Southwest Florida? While there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy our tropical climate and pristine beaches, some planning ahead will add enjoyment to your stay.

Whether you choose one of SunStream’s fine dining establishments or you venture off elsewhere, a dinner reservation could be the most valuable way to save time! While dinner wait times can vary, making a reservation will guarantee you spend your vacation doing the things you love.

After a long day of great vacation activities, the last thing you want is to wait to eat! So save the headache… and the bellyache! Make a reservation for dinner if you plan on eating out!

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Where Life’s Really for the Birds!

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

When you get to the point where you think life’s for the birds, there’s really just two things to do: come down to vacation on Fort Myers Beach…and then make a beeline for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on nearby Sanibel Island, home to more than 220 (!) different species of birds. This wildlife refuge is a favorite for families and lovebirds alike, and was named by “USA Today” as the top-birdwatching locale in the country.

Yet it’s really much, much more. Dolphins, manatees, and alligators are just some of the other amazing wildlife found in the pristine native vegetation of the refuge, which is set on 6,400 acres of subtropical marshland (and encompasses more than one third of the entire island!). You can tour the refuge by kayak, canoe, or eco-friendly electric pontoon boat through Tarpon Bay; take a leisurely ride by car or bike through Wildlife Drive; or enjoy an educational tram ride throughout the refuge. Guided tours are all hosted by experienced naturalists by your side. There are wildlife presentations throughout the day, and a live “touch tank” for the kids.

Begin at the beginning, though — literally and figuratively! Walking through the Education Center at the entrance to the refuge is a great way to learn about the refuge’s namesake, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and pioneering conservationist whose story is as important today as it was nearly three quarters of a century ago. Ding’s cartoons with the “Des Moines Register” throughout the 1920s and ’30s illustrated his concerns with dwindling gas supplies, soil erosion, and clear-cutting original growth forests. He supported reforestation, habitate restoration and world peace. He fathered the Federal Duck Stamp program, conceived the National Wildlife Federation, and envisioned a network of refuges that supported birds on the migratory flyways. A frequent winter resident, he led efforts to preserve the area of land that would ultimately be named after him; in 1945, President Harry Truman signed an executive order designating it a National Wildlife Refuge. Every fall, a weeklong festival named “Ding Darling Days” — featuring environmental speakers, editorial cartoon contests, nature photography contests, and the Junior Duck Stamp awards — draws record crowds to the refuge.

GETTING THERE: Ding Darling is located 16 miles (approximately 35 minutes) from the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach; slightly further from other SunStream Resorts located farther south. There is a $6 toll to get onto Sanibel Island.

VISITOR INFO: The gate to Wildlife Drive generally opens one half hour after sunrise and closes one half hour before sunset. NOTE that the Drive is closed on Fridays. The Education Center is open 9-5 November through April and 9-4 in the summer.

The Refuge has an entrance fee program that includes $5 per car and $1 per person for walkers and bikers. Discount fees available. Tram tours are $10 per adult and $7 per child.

Visitors are advised to check in at the Education Center to get the latest information before embarking on the Drive. Call 239-472-1100.

The Tarpon Bay access (kayaks, canoes, bikes, pontoon boat rides) is open 7 days a week. There is no entrance fee and costs vary depending on activity. Call 239-472-8900.

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