TV best bets with the Academy Awards, return of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

James Franco, left, and Anne Hathaway will co-host the Academy Awards on Feb. 27, 2011. (Credit: CBS/AP)

The second biggest event of the year is this Sunday on ABC: “The Academy Awards.”

No matter how boring parts of the show can be (Documentary Short Subject!), it still draws 40 million-plus viewers a year, about double a typical “American Idol” or “NCIS” episode. This year’s favorites for best film are between “The Social Network” and “King’s Speech.” And eschewing comics, the organizers opted for actors Anne Hathaway and James Franco (who is nominated for best actor for “127 Hours.”) as hosts.

On the most part, the rest of the week is relatively uneventful. The CW brings back “America’s Next Top  Model” and a new show “Shedding for the Wedding,” which is pretty much what the title describes.

And yet another housewives show is back on Bravo Tuesday, this one focused in Miami.

MONDAY

“The Bachelor” 8 p.m. ABC — Brad visits the hometowns of four of the remaining ladies.
“Chuck” 8 p.m. NBC— Robin Givens guests.
“How I Met Your Mother” 8 p.m. CBS— The Captain is back!
“House” 8 p.m. Fox — Real smart move: House at a school career day.
“The BET Honors” 9 p.m. BET — Honorees include Herbie Hancock, Jamie Foxx and Cicely Tyson. Atlanta Keyshia Cole performs.
“The Chicago Code” 9 p.m. Fox — So how dirty is Gibbons? We learn tonight.
“Jimmy Carter: The American Experience” 9 p.m. GPB — The always busy former president is profiled.
“Mike & Molly” 9:30 p.m. CBS — Mike gets lazy so Molly goes out with her sister.
“Skins” 10 p.m. MTV — Ratings are down 70 percent since week one.
“Castle” 10 p.m. ABC — Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes”) guests as a federal agent.
“Hawaii Five-O” 10 p.m. CBS — Danny gets a visit from his brother (played by Dane Cook).
“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover” 10 p.m. Bravo (third season finale) — Tabatha revisits salons she tried to revive from previous seasons.

TUESDAY

“Glee” 8 p.m. Fox — Figgins tries to teach students that under-age drinking is bad.
“NCIS” 8 p.m. CBS — A marine is found murdered, minus teeth and fingertips.
“Dirty Jobs” 9 p.m. Discovery — Mike cleans a fish grinder on a Bering Sea boat.
“NCIS: Los Angeles” 9 p.m. CBS — Deeks is shot.
“Only in America With Larry the Cable Guy” 9 p.m. History — Larry fires machine guns, hopefully at non-human targets.
“V” 9 p.m. ABC — Erica goes to Hong Kong to strike a blow against Anna.
“American Treasures” 10 p.m. Discovery (new series) — An anthropologist and archaeologist trek across America assessing alleged artifacts.
“The Good Wife” 10 p.m. CBS — Gary Cole plays a ballistics expert.
“The Real Housewives of Miami” 10 p.m. Bravo (new series) — The seventh franchise gets infused with some Latino flair.
“Teen Mom 2” 10 p.m. MTV  — Corey asks Leah to marry him.

WEDNESDAY

“America’s Next Top Model” 8 p.m. the CW (16th season debut) — No Atlantans in this round.
“American Idol” 8 p.m. Fox — Based on last week’s show, there is some real talent this year. The final 60 go to Vegas.
“Survivor” 8 p.m. CBS — Phillip is full of himself and has no clue how to play the game. That’s gold for viewers!
“Criminal Minds” 9 p.m. CBS — Prentiss asks two former Interpol colleagues to track down a past nemesis.
“Ghost Hunters” 9 p.m. Syfy (seventh season debut) — Ghost sites are investigated in Alexandria, La.
“Modern Family” 9 p.m. ABC — More misunderstandings create yet more hilarity.
“Shedding For the Wedding” 9 p.m. the CW (new series)— Nine couples lose weigh to win a dream wedding.
“Mr. Sunshine” 9:31 p.m. ABC — Ratings fell off the cliff last week after a promising debut.
“Hot in Cleveland” 10 p.m. TV Land— More Victoria on “All My Children.”
“Justified” 10 p.m. FX — Boyd is a suspect in a church bus hijacking.
“Law & Order: SVU” 10 p.m. NBC — Adults can be bullies, too.
“Toddlers & Tiaras” 10 p.m. TLC (third season finale) — Another week featuring little girls dressed up like adults.
“Top Chef” 10 p.m. Bravo — Atlanta’s  Richard Blais has made it to the top six. Paula Deen guests.

THURSDAY

“American Idol” 8 p.m. Fox — The top 24 are named.
“The Big Bang Theory” 8 p.m. CBS — Sheldon tries to find new friends.
“The Vampire Diaries” 8 p.m. the CW — Alaric makes a surprising confession to Jenna.
“Rules of Engagement” 8:30 p.m. CBS (new time slot) — Jeff creates a day when he gets his way but the cleaning lady foils his plans.
“Thurgood” 9 p.m. HBO — Laurence Fishburne’s Tony-nominated portrayal of Thurgood Marshall.
“CSI” 9 p.m. CBS — Two men pronounced dead come back to life.
“Grey’s Anatomy” 9 p.m. ABC — Meredith discovers her fertility treatments are causing problems for her eyesight.
“The Office” 9 p.m. NBC — Michael might hire his best bud.
“Royal Pains” 9 p.m. USA (second season finale) — Divya and Raj take dance lessons to prepare for the wedding.
“Fairly Legal” 10 p.m. USA — Kate mediates the firing of a young inventor from a company.
“The Mentalist” 10 p.m. CBS — A member of CBI is a suspect after an antiques dealer is killed at a museum.
“Jersey Shore” 10 p.m. MTV — Snooki’s past hookups come back to haunt her.

FRIDAY

“The Defenders” 8 p.m. CBS — Lisa has an affair with ADA Ward.
“Kitchen Nightmares” 8 p.m. Fox — Chef Ramsay visits Davide, a Boston Italian restaurant.
“Supernanny” 8 p.m. ABC — Parents struggle with four-year-old triplets.
“Who Do You Think You Are?” 8 p.m. NBC — Kim Cattrall digs into her family roots.
“CSI: NY” 9 p.m. CBS — A conspiracy-obsessed woman is found dead.
“Flying Wild Alaska” 9 p.m. Discovery — School teachers besiege Jim and Ferno on the busiest day of the year-.
“Blue Bloods” 10 p.m. CBS — A girl is murdered at a debutante ball.
“DC Cupcakes” 10 p.m. TLC (second season debut) — Pizza cupcakes? Really?
“Portlandia” 10 p.m. IFC (first season finale) — The mayor tries to recruit a baseball team to Portland.

WEEKEND

“Area 51” 9 p.m. Saturday Syfy — Captive aliens escape Area 51.
“The Antonio Treatment” 9:30 p.m. Saturday HGTV (second season debut) — Antonio fixes a bedroom.
“2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards” 10 p.m. Saturday IFC — Joel McHale hosts.
“The Amazing Race” 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — The remaining 10 teams go to Australia.
“83rd Annual Academy Awards” 8:30 p.m. Sunday ABC — Anne Hathaway and James Franco host.
“What Chilli Wants” 9 p.m. Sunday VH1 (second season finale) — Chilli takes a date to the Soul Train Awards.
“Big Love” 9 p.m. Sunday HBO— Bill tries to strengthen the bonds of his marriages.
“CSI: Miami” 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — A high-school bully is stoned to death.

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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog

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The World Travel Awards for 2010 – Part 4 Costa Rica’s Leading Spa Resorts - Examiner

The World Travel Awards have been compared to the Oscars of the Travel business.  The first awards were held in 1994.  Over 5,000 travel companies, destinations and organizations are nominated every year.

Judging takes into account every aspect of the business including overall performance, product development, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction.  This year voting was open to the traveling public.  Votes from individual travelers count as 1 vote and votes from travel agents count as two votes.

This year there were four major categories of awards given for hotels in Costa Rica.
Part 1 - Costa Rica’s Golf Resorts
Part 2 - Costa Rica’s Leading Hotels
Part 3 - Costa Rica’s Leading Resorts

Here are the nominees and winners for Costa Rica’s Leading Spa Resorts

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa – winner

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula near Tamarindo, JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa offers  289 guest  rooms and  21 suites.  They boast three beaches, a world class spa, an Equestrian Center  and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Mike Young.  JW Marriott features a large free form pool with an infinity edge as well as an outdoor children’s pool.  A fitness center with free fitness classes,  whirlpool and sauna is on site.  Other activities include kayaking, snorkeling,  table tennis and volleyball.  Family and children activities are available.  There are four restaurants each with a unique menu and two bars.  

This resort was also nominated in the Resort category.

Hilton Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica

Hilton Papagayo  is  located on the Pagagayo isthmus on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  This is an all-inclusive resort with 202 guest rooms, bungalows and junior suites.  They offer a Kid’s Club with children’s activities and a children’s menu.  Activities include biking, fishing, jet skiing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, tennis courts, a fitness room and walking track.  There are pools and a beautiful beach.  Business services are available.

This resort was also nominated in the Resort category.

Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa

Located on the Central Pacific Coast near Manuel Antonio National Park, this hotel is dedicated to sustainable tourism.  They feature a comprehensive spa and three outdoor pools all overlooking the Pacific Ocean, one for adults only, one with a swim up bar and one with a waterfall. There are workout facilities and family fun areas.  Hike through the 12 acres and see monkeys, birds, sloths and other wildlife common to Costa Rica.  They also have business and meeting facilities.

This hotel was also a nominee in the Leading Hotel category and the Winner of the Resort category.

Hotel Punta Islita

Located on the Nicoya Pennisula, south of Samara, Hotel Punta Islita provides a premium beachfront getaway on the Pacific ocean.  Facilities include: a luxury spa, pools, beach club, fitness facilities, a 9 hole golf course, tennis and restaurants.  They can accommodate weddings and corporate events.  

This hotel was also nominated in the Leading Hotel category,

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, located in La Fortuna,  is a five star resort with 114 guest rooms.  Tabacón is famous for their natural hot thermal springs, pools and spa.  The main swimming area features five pools with temperatures ranging from 77 to 102 degrees Farenheit.  One offers a swim up bar, thermal water slide  and great views of the Arenal Volcano. There are many other pools and waterfalls in the rainforest and spectacular gardens that you will encounter as you walk through the grounds.  The Spa offers a smorgasbord of indigenous  treatments  A yoga studio and meditation trails are available as is a fitness center.   

This resort was also nominated in the Resort category.

Tango Mar Hotel Beach Spa & Golf Resort.

Located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in a secluded area, Tango Mar boasts two private beaches with over a mile of sand for walking and sunbathing.  You can enjoy a game of tennis on the illuminated courts and swim in the spring fed swimming pool.  You can go sport or deep sea fishing.  Tango Mar also offers its own quality horses and stables.  You can ride into the jungle, on the beach or visit local communities.
One of the resorts main attractions is a 9 hole par 3 and 4 Executive Golf Course.  Due to the limited number of people with access to play, you can play as many holes as you like and practice to your heart’s content here.

This hotel was also nominated in the Golf Resort and Resort categories.

The Royal Corin Resort & Loto Spa

The Royal Corin Resort & Loto Spa, located in La Fortuna, boasts 54 rooms all with a view of the Arenal Volcano.  Visitors here can swim in the three thermal pools each with different temperatures.  There is also a river of hot springs with a warm waterfall.  Guests can also enjoy a a massage in the Loto Spa,

This hotel was also nominated in the Resort category.

Xandari Resort & Spa

The Xandari Resort and Spa offers 22 individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica, and only 20 minutes from the San Jose International Airport.  It features an amazing Spa using all natural ingredients with a wide variety of treatments from raw sugar to coconut to chocolate.  This resort is known for its original art. Stroll through the botanical gardens, visit the greenhouse or the orchid house and play with the farm animals. 

There are nature trails where you can see a variety of birds and waterfalls.  Enjoy the swimming pools and Jacuzzis   

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