Hotels & Resorts

14Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Olympian Jamie Baulch talks ‘Restoration of mind/body’ at BodyHoliday Resort, St. Lucia

The Olympic 4x400m relay is one of the final disciplines of every Summer Olympic Games, it encapsulates team effort, precision, speed and stamina. Jamie Baulch made the 400m and 4x400m relay his specialism, medalling at major championships including 1999 World Indoor Championships, 1997 World Championships and the 1996 Summer Olympics and thus ran into the annals of sporting history in the UK.   Since 2012, Baulch has been sharing his wealth of experience at the BodyHoliday Luxury Wellness Resort on the idyllic shores of St Lucia’s north west coast. The resort is famed for its unique approach to health and fitness, being the very first overseas destination spa more than 30 years ago and continuing to lead in this field. With its range of treatments, therapies and activities, the 155-roo...

Read More

7Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

15 very cool places to stay in the UK – for beach, outdoors and adventure

The Coolstays.com website has a collection of unique and unusual places to stay across the UK, Europe and worldwide. We pick out 15 very cool UK properties which have an active theme – options include by the sea, outdoors, wild swimming and more… Nagden House (Image credit: Coolstays.com) Nagden House Where: Faversham, Kent, EnglandAbout the property: “With stunning panoramic views across Graveney Marshes, Nagden House is a stylish and secluded rural retreat in Kent”Ideal for: groups, dog friendly, wild swimming, families, boating Details: sleeps 10, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathroomsPrice: from £1,969-£4,245 per weekHow to book: coolstays.com The Lodge in the Loch (Image credit: Coolstays.com) The Lodge in the Loch  Where: Portree, Isle of Skye, ScotlandAbout the property: “Lu...

Read More

27Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

‘Magnificent’: Cabot Saint Lucia golf resort to open in 2022

After huge success with Cabot Cape Breton in Canada’s Nova Scotia, the Cabot brand is now turning its attention to the Caribbean with the launch of the Cabot Saint Lucia golf resort in 2022. Situated on Point Hardy, a spectacular 375-acre peninsula on the northern tip of the Caribbean island, the master planned resort community is surrounded by raw, untouched natural beauty.  Described as “magnificent” by Golf Business News, the resort will feature an 18-hole golf course designed by Coore & Crenshaw and a collection of residences ranging from hillside townhouses to expansive single-family homes and beachfront lots. Health and wellness will be a major focus of the Saint Lucia development, with a beach club, spa and fitness facility, steam and sauna, and sports programme on...

Read More

25Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Quinta do Lago launches pro-athlete training breaks at The Campus

Quinta do Lago resort on the Algarve, Portugal, has launched its new “Pro-Athlete Training Break” packages which are tailor-made for athletes who are in between competition seasons.  Located 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago is a renowned sporting destination which offers elite training facilities at its new multi-sports hub, The Campus. It is the ideal destination for training, rehabilitation and recovery with more than 300 days of warm sunshine per year and at least 12 hours of daylight each day. The resort offers relaxed accommodation at The Magnolia Hotel combined with a hive of activity in the surrounding regions and provides a safe, secure and Covid friendly environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiHfxY-Q-OY About the packages The Pro-Athlete Train...

Read More

17Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Chasing the sun to Porto Montenegro: ‘The world’s first platinum status marina’

If summer has passed all too quickly, then Porto Montenegro is the perfect destination to escape to this winter. With its idyllic Adriatic location in the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor, proximity to three international airports, 450 marina berths and 295km of coastline, it is a true haven for the yachting community and other travellers looking to chase the sun. With average high temperatures of 21° in October – which only drops to an average of 13° in December – and more than 280 days of sunshine each year, it is the ideal place to enjoy Europe’s most impressive natural areas of outstanding beauty all year round. Porto Montenegro sailing opportunities As the world’s first platinum-status marina, Porto Montenegro welcomes and caters to the needs of the yachting community, offering ...

Read More

20Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Viktor Troicki to serve up tennis masterclass at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences

Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences will welcome Serbian former tennis pro Viktor Troicki for an exclusive two-week tennis residency on the island. The Davis Cup winner, who achieved a career high world ranking of No.12, will offer Amilla guests top-class tailored coaching, practice workshops and pro tips from 26 October to 6 November 2021. Troicki became the first tennis player in the Open era to win all three major team competitions, with the World Team Cup in 2009, Davis Cup in 2010 and partnering with Novak Djokovic to win the inaugural ATP Cup in 2020. The 35-year-old announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of June. Amilla Maldives has a long tradition of serving up some of the biggest names in tennis for one-off exhibitions, residencies and clinics, givin...

Read More

9Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Olympic fever points the way to Paris 2024

Team GB secured 65 medals in Tokyo, an amazing haul during any normal Olympic Games, but truly historic when considering this achievement against the backdrop of COVID. Tokyo sits in the history books as Team GB's second-best overseas Olympics and may well be the springboard to greater things in three years time for Paris 2024! France officially becomes the proud host nation of the next Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Games of the 33rd Olympiad), receiving the flag from Tokyo at its glittering Closing Ceremony yesterday. Set to take place exactly 100 years after France's last summer Games, Paris 2024 will be the largest event ever organised in the country, running from Friday 26 July until Sunday 11 August 2024. It promises to be an inclusive, interactive and sustainable celebr...

Read More

11Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Lionel Messi signs for Hard Rock International as a brand ambassador

Hard Rock International is 50-years-old this year and to celebrate its milestone anniversary the restaurant, entertainment and hospitality brand has announced a partnership deal with superstar footballer Lionel Messi. The Argentina and FC Barcelona forward has become a brand ambassador for five years - the first athlete to partner with Hard Rock.  “I am honoured to partner with such a renowned brand as Hard Rock, and even more so at this historic moment – its 50th anniversary!” Messi said. “Sports and music are an integral part of my life, a perfect combination between my profession and my leisure time. Uniting both is a great success, and I am very happy that they have counted on me for this special outcome. It is an honour to be the first athlete to partner with a brand who has a hist...

Read More

13Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race

Motorsport fans could witness history at the next Formula 1 grand prix when it descends on the beautiful southern shoreline of the Algarve later this month.  Having equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 F1 victories by winning the Eifel GP at the Nürburgring, Lewis Hamilton could go one better with a win in Portugal and write a new chapter in the sport.  For that reason motorsport fans will be even more eager to say “I was there” if indeed Hamilton takes the checkered flag on 25 October.   This year the 2020 Portuguese GP takes place over 66 laps of the 4.684-kilometre Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.  João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, said: “Formula 1 has been absent from Portugal for 24 years and it is a prestigious inte...

Read More

5Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sport + Travel interview: Dinah Josephs, group fitness manager at The Campus, Quinta do Lago, Portugal

The wellness and activity holiday trend has been evolving rapidly over recent years. Right now there has never been a greater need for vacations which enhance your mental and physical needs, and Dinah Josephs, group fitness manager at The Campus, Quinta do Lago, Portugal is at the forefront of facilitating that trend. She has nearly two decades of experience under her belt as an international health, fitness and wellbeing lifestyle professional and consultant, in a range of sports environments. Dinah specialises in yoga practise, personal training, group fitness training, healthy eating, nutritional advice and guidance and natural health using a holistic approach to wellbeing. As for The Campus, Dinah cannot speak highly enough (and without bias) about her place of work. So read on...

Read More

30Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Sport + Travel Interview: Marco Koch – Olympic elite swimmer

It is not often you have the chance to pose questions to a European and World Champion swimmer, who is the former world record holder in the 200 meter breaststroke (short course). So here at Sports Tourism Media we are both excited and delighted to introduce Marco Koch, a German competitive swimmer, specialising in breaststroke events who has competed at the 2012 & 2016 Summer Olympics and took gold at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia. Marco says "I'm in my comfort zone in the water as swimming is my passion. I enjoy every second. The water unfolds my full potential. It carries and leads me. Water gives me a great feeling." (marco-koch.org, 20 Jan 2018). We are grateful Marco has taken time out of a gruelling training regime to answer our questions… Newsletter:...

Read More

1Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

‘Escapade Living’ brings motorsport to your living room window

It is somewhat of an understatement to say that 2020 has been and continues to be a year of seismic changes. The pandemic changed the world as we know it and whilst much pain – mental, physical and economic – continues to affect our lives, it has catalysed the need to for adaptability, innovation and resilience, especially within all areas of the travel sector. Clearly the travel industry that emerges at the end of this year will be very different from the one that entered it. But one thing the pandemic has turbocharged is the growing trend for ‘experiential travel’. Experiential travel – in which the traveller immerses themselves in a destination rather than superficially seeing it – is now coming of age in double time. The sports travel sector is of course at the very forefront...

Read More

1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Japan’s first esports hotel to open in Osaka in 2020

The city of Osaka will be the home of Japan’s first esports hotel when it opens this year.  Featuring gaming facilities and 94 beds over nine floors, the “Esports Hotel E-Zone Cyberspace” will offer no-frills accommodation in order to prioritise on the in-game experience. In a news release the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said: “The first, second and third floors are dedicated to gaming, with over 70 top of the range gaming PCs.  “The floors above meanwhile will house sleeping cabins, though the seventh floor will also feature some rooms with their own PCs for serious gamer ‘otaku’ - eat, sleep, game, repeat!”   Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media About the hotel Name of hotel: Esports Hotel E-Zone Cyberspace Located: Nipponbashi, Osaka, Osak...

Read More

15Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Losinj in Croatia named European Island of Sport 2020

Losinj in Croatia has been named European Island of Sport 2020 - and to celebrate Hotel Bellevue in Čikat Bay has launched an Active 365 Weekend package. Known as Croatia’s “island of vitality”, Losinj will this year welcome some of the world’s leading triathletes, cyclists, runners and cricketers for a series of sporting events on the island. Events include the XTERRA Croatia off-road race weekend, the 10th Losinj half marathon and the Mediterranean Cricket League.  Losinj sporting events in 2020 XTERRA Croatia On 18-19 April, more than 800 participants will line up in Losinj to take part in XTERRA Croatia, an off-road racing extravaganza comprising the first ever XTERRA off-road triathlon held in Croatia, and a 40km off-road mountain bike race.  The XTERRA Croatia triathlon w...

Read More

9Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hotel co-venture plans Madrid, New York, Manchester and Paris openings

It’s not just Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career that is a major success at the moment - but also his career as a hotelier.   Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels - the hospitality partnership between the superstar footballer and the Pestana Hotel Group - is planning to add a number of new hotels to its portfolio. The group already has properties in Ronaldo’s hometown of Funchal, on Portugal’s island of Madeira, and in the Portuguese capital city Lisbon. And it was also announced that Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels is also planning to launch properties in Madrid, Marrakech, New York City, Paris and Manchester. Pestana CR7’s Manchester hotel, the brand’s seventh in total, is in the city where Portugal captain Ronaldo made his name playing for Manchester United. It was also where Ronaldo first wor...

Read More

17Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Man Utd and Marriott Hotels unveil the ‘Seat of Dreams’ at the Theatre of Dreams 

Manchester United and Marriott Hotels have unveiled the “Seat of Dreams” - a new concept that will be launched at the club’s Old Trafford stadium. United’s Premier League clash against rivals Liverpool on Sunday 20 October will see the Seat of Dreams used for the first time. This unique matchday experience allows supporters to watch the action from a coveted vantage point in the ground while also enjoying special perks such as complimentary food and drinks, early entry to the stadium, and the opportunity to meet Man Utd legends. The new addition at the Theatre of Dreams will be awarded to four fans at random through a complimentary upgrade to their existing match ticket. Official hotel partner The debut of the Seat of Dreams concept also marks the kick-off of a larger relationship be...

Read More

29Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Mischa Zverev to host tennis camp at Amilla Fushi resort in the Maldives

Guests at Amilla Fushi luxury resort in the Maldives will be served up a sporting treat in November with a tennis camp hosted by Mischa Zverev. The German ATP Tour professional will provide guests with a daily programme of high-energy drills, technical skills and competition tactics during the camp from 23-27 November 2019. Aimed at players aged 12 and above, and open to all skill levels from beginners to budding professionals, the camp will see the 32-year-old lead daily two-hour group sessions focussing on aspects such as groundstroke, forehand and backhand training; volley and tactics strategy sessions; and footwork practice.  The Tennis Camp by Mischa Zverev is complimentary and exclusive to guests of Amilla Fushi. The resort has two floodlit hard courts, complimentary equipment hire a...

Read More

9Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

London record hotel openings in 2020 will boost sports and MICE sectors

London’s MICE and sports event sectors will be boosted by a record 7,995 new hotel rooms opening across 65 new hotels in 2020.  Next year the UK capital will host seven matches in the Euro 2020 football championships, including both semi-finals and the final. And major sports business events to be held will include the International Sports Convention at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June.  According to data published by STR, next year’s new hotel and room openings will be added to the 158,956 existing hotel rooms in the city. London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s promotional agency, said in a statement: “New hotel room openings have soared from 3,222 in 2010 to 7,995 planned for 2020. This means that in ten years [2010-2020], London’s overall hotel room capacity has increased ...

Read More

9Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Hotels & Resorts

Portugal Masters 2019: Thomas Bjørn to play in Algarve’s top golf event

European Ryder Cup-winning captain Thomas Bjørn will return to play at the Portugal Masters for the first time in four years. Held at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, the Portugal Masters will see many top European Tour players return to the Algarve from 24-27 October.  Bjørn, who led Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory in 2018, told EuropeanTour.com: “I have always enjoyed playing in Portugal. I have fond memories of the country as I reached the milestone of ten victories there nearly ten years ago.  “A number of my fellow players have a lot of great things to say about this tournament, so I’m looking forward to coming back in October.”  Championship director Peter Adams added: “With just a few short weeks to go until we return to Vilamoura, we are all very excited for this y...

Read More

30Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Aspen House: VIP SKI’s new property opens in Val d’Isere, France

VIP SKI’s new home, Aspen House, will open its doors for the 2019-2020 winter season.   Five years in the planning, the property is located in the world-class ski resort of Val d’Isere, France. Aspen House offers an enviable location in the older part of town, minutes from the high street, and only a little more than 100m from the piste.   With only eight suites in this brand-new building, each of the apartments are designed with classic furnishings and a rich decor. Suites sleep from four to 10 guests.  After a hard day on the slopes, Aspen House has a funky spa on the ground floor with hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi.  Andy Sturt, owner of VIP SKI, said: “Val d’Isere still remains at the heart of our business and our clients have been telling us for a while that the old building was looki...

Read More