Teeing Up in the Wilderness
ROUGHLY 97 PERCENT OF THE LAND IN AND AROUND THE resort hot spot of Jackson, Wyo., is either government-owned or federally protected, but this summer some lucky golf aficionados will find that a bit of what remains has been set aside just for them: a 7,500-yard, par-72 golf course, designed by former PGA champion and noted course architect Tom Weiskopf, that has just been completed at Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson.

Designed to highlight the winding Snake River Canyon and fronting the national forest, the course is considered by Weiskopf to be his “finest U.S. course to date.” The 554-acre parcel is surrounded on three sides by Bridger-Teton National Forest and boasts more than 6 miles of frontage along the Snake River, one of the region’s most famous fly-fishing waterways.

The views will be unique, planners say. “On any number of holes, golfers might catch a glimpse of elk or moose,” said Stephen Schram, managing partner of DPS Development Co., which helmed the course. Created with environmental and sustainable design in mind, the course has already earned a “Signature Sanctuary” designation from Audubon International. It will begin welcoming Snake River Sporting Club members and their guests later this year. For more information, visit www.snrsc.com

A Lofty Concept
AS HOTELS WORLDWIDE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR NEW WAYS TO CATER TO THE GROWING business travel contingent, Houston’s Hotel Derek this month is launching guestrooms designed to feel more like home offices than hotel suites. Called “business lofts,” they feature a living space with an adjoining work alcove where papers can be spread out on a Texas-sized desk. Included in the alcove is a Dell computer with a 19-inch monitor and laser printer, plus a “business toolbox” with scissors, calculator, ruler, tape, stapler and other essential work items. “Essentially, we have provided the things that one might need in doing the smallest task or even the largest of jobs,” said Steven Andre, general manager of Hotel Derek. In addition, the six business lofts are filled with brain-teasing games and toys to help get the creative juices flowing, such as cards, an Etch-A-Sketch and a putting machine. The business lofts have a $50 rate premium compared with Hotel Derek’s regular rates. For more information, visit www.hotelderek.com

JAL Joins the Club
UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF LONGTIME MEMBER AMERICAN AIRLINES, JAPAN AIRLINES HAS taken its first step in joining the Oneworld global airline alliance. The Asian carrier recently exchanged a memorandum of understanding with Oneworld, setting out a fast-track framework for the remaining steps to be taken before the alliance can formally invite JAL to join. If all goes as planned, JAL should be flying as a full-fledged member of the alliance in about one year, joining such carriers as British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Aer Lingus — plus member-designates Royal Jordanian and Malév, which will start offering the alliance’s services and benefits in early 2007. For more information, visit www.oneworld.com

Airfare Goes Google
FOR TECH-MINDED FANS OF GOOGLE MAP “MASHUPS” — WHICH USE THE MAPPING POWER OF the search-engine giant as the backdrop for all kinds of data — the new Fare Compare search tool is yet another example of technological potential. For the average traveler, though, it’s just plain cool. The Fare Compare site has a Google map function that shows you the cheapest flights from your departing U.S. city, across various airlines, to the top 50 destinations across the country. “Travel is all about maps. Now you can see the lowest fares in relation to where you are and where you want to go,” said Neil Bainton, Fare Compare COO. “Using the Google map platform, you can uncover ways to save hundreds of dollars by using regional airport alternatives.” For more information, visit www.farecompare.com; for a Google enthusiast’s perspective, check out the sample search on the blog www.googlemapsmania.blogspot.com

Feds Seek Fee Hike
CALLING IT ESSENTIAL TO INCREASED AIRPORT MONITORING, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS seeking to double the security fee charged to passengers on nonstop flights, currently $2.50, by this October. The maximum fee would remain $10. The proposed fee hike is part of the fiscal 2007 budget, and has the goal of raising an additional $1.3 billion from the security tax program. The airline industry has complained that it would end up shouldering the increase, since heavy competition would bar carriers from passing all the costs along to passengers.

Marriott Expands Welcome
WANT EXTRA TOWELS, FOAM PILLOWS OR THE NEWSPAPER OF YOUR CHOICE WAITING FOR YOU when you check in to your hotel? Marriott International has announced it is significantly expanding the system that lets guests do just that. The Rewarding Welcome system allows Marriott Rewards members to enter their preferences, and — thanks to the expansion — that data can be accessed by management at nine Marriott-brand chains: Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott Vacation Club International, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn and TownePlace Suites. For more information, visit www.marriott.com

Fly Free to Alaska
Stressed by the cost of cruising? Breathe easier with complimentary air from Radisson Seven Seas Cruises when you book any of six voyages this summer to the unspoiled wilderness of Alaska. The seven-night itineraries (May 24 and 31, June 7, Aug. 30, and Sept. 6 and 13) ply the Pacific Northwest coastline between Whittier, Alaska, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Per-person fares for these sailings start at $3,497, which includes 30 percent savings and free economy airfare from 86 North American gateways. Guests who forgo the free airfare can instead take $500 off the cruise fare. For more information, visit www.rssc.com

Avis Weekend Special
Take the weekend off at Avis, which this month launched a promotion giving customers free two-day weekend rentals for every weekly rental of at least five days. Between now and June 25, customers who enroll online may earn up to three free weekend certificates, to be redeemed for travel through Dec. 17. Customers need a valid Avis Wizard number to participate; if not already enrolled in the Wizard program, customers may do so by calling 800 722 5909. Certificates may be redeemed at all participating locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; however, an important exception is the Big Apple — both airport and metropolitan New York locations will not accept the certificates. For more information, visit www.avis.com

Shop It Around
Members of Continental Airlines’ OnePass program can put “bonus miles” on their shopping list with a new promotion tied to grocery shopping. OnePass members in Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania can earn 1,000 bonus miles when they enroll and participate in the OnePass Grocery program by March 31. To participate, OnePass members should visit www.randallsonepass.com, www.heinens.com or www.shoprite.com and link their frequent grocery shopper cards with their OnePass numbers to earn miles for shopping. For more information, visit www.continental.com/onepass

Amex-Delta Bonus
Pay with plastic and rack up the miles with Delta’s new “Power Stop” promotion. SkyMiles members can earn a one-time 2,500-mile bonus by charging a round-trip Delta Shuttle ticket on an American Express card and flying before March 31. Registration is required; to sign up, go to delta.com/powerstopbonus

Clarification
The description of the silver-anniversary deal at the Hilton Cartagena (“Hilton’s Silver Belle,” Jan. 31) should have indicated the contacts as being (email) reservations.cartagena@hilton.com and (tel) 57 5 6650666.

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