The fabled US Grant hotel, on the edge of San Diego’s trendy Gaslamp Quarter, has named Douglas Korn as its new general manager. He doesn’t have far to move: Korn has spent the last six years as general manager of the Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, which is minutes away by foot from The US Grant.

The US Grant emerged from a $56 million renovation in 2006 and is now a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection. The hotel is a AAA Four-Diamond and Exxon-Mobil Four-Star hotel.

Korn says that his immediate order of business is to generate new sources of business and oversee the ongoing development of a full-service luxury spa at the hotel. The property currently boasts 270 guest rooms, including 47 suites. Of course, anyone staying at the property must eat at the Grant Grill, an institution since 1951 where movers and shakers are said to eat and “where deals get done.”

The US Grant originally opened in 1910 and has been listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1979.

Ever wondered what the adrenaline rush is like when buckled in behind the steering wheel of a Ferrari? Well, Baglioni Hotels, the luxury Italian hotelier with 14 European properties (seven in Italy) and luxury tour operator, Red Travel, are making the dream reality.

The one-day Ferrari Tour is a personalized 24-hour assisted tour, which starts at the entrance of a Baglioni hotel, where clients are greeted by a brand new Ferrari (perhaps the sporty Maranello, pictured). From there it’s through the winding roads of Italy—Lazio, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna or the northern lakes. The tour is led by an experienced Ferrari driver, who is also the tour director. The director will advise clients on technique and driving secrets.

The package is available from three Baglioni hotels: Hotel Bernini Palace (Florence), Carlton Hotel Baglioni (Milan) and Regina Hotel Baglioni (Rome).

For information and reservations, luxury travel advisors can contact Paola Ragnoli (redtravelferrari@baglionihotels.com; 011-39-02-773-331).

We hear that Auberge Resorts has picked up the management contract to operate the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Sante Fe, CA, along with sister property, La Valencia Hotel, in neighboring La Jolla. Along with the announcement, Auberge is installing David Friederich as managing director of both properties.

Under the agreement, Rancho Valencia will be branded as an Auberge Resort, while La Valencia will not. It will become, instead, an affiliate hotel managed by Auberge.

Rancho Valencia, located in the affluent and exclusive enclave of Rancho Sante Fe, is an all-suites property, wherein each suite features a fireplace and private garden terrace. For those who like an active vacation, the property boasts 18 hard-court tennis courts, complemented by a comprehensive tennis program. There, too, is Spa Rancho Valencia—the perfect place to unwind after a day’s worth of pounding the courts.

Sister property, La Valencia Hotel, endearingly nicknamed the “Pink Lady of La Jolla” for its pinkish exterior hue, is 82-years old and offers an assortment of room categories, along with four dining venues, all overlooking La Jolla Cove and the Pacific Ocean. The hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.

The properties will be under the watchful eye of Friederich, who, for the previous five years, worked at the Cloister Hotel on Sea Island, GA, most recently in the position of general manager. He also spent 11 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Trump International Hotel & Tower New York (http://www.trumpintl.com) has a creative program that will appeal to your foody clients: the Jean Georges Culinary Master Course, which can accommodate two to four people.

The world-famous Jean-Georges Vongerichten provides the private, two-hour cooking demonstration himself, enabling clients to learn some of the secrets behind the cuisine of his New York establishments Jean Georges (French), JoJo (Mediterranean), Vong (Japanese), Spice Market (Asian) or Perry Street (New American).

Luxury Travel Advisor can report first hand that this master chef is an affable and patient teacher. Last year we enjoyed an impromptu cooking demonstration while hanging with an elite group at the Trump International just prior to the lunch hour. We found him to be remarkably down to earth and charming, considering his international acclaim.

By the way, the Jean-Georges experience also includes accommodations in an Executive Park View Suite (Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; maximum two persons per suite), breakfast for two daily at Nougatine, and a three-course dinner for two at Jean Georges with a bottle of Champagne. Clients will also receive a signed copy of Vongerichten’s new book, Asian Flavors of Jean-Georges, featuring beloved recipes from Spice Market, Vong and 66.

The Jean Georges Master Culinary Course is priced at $8,999.

We recently enjoyed a visit from Catherine Hodoul-Baudry, director of sales and marketing at Hôtel Le Bristol (www.lebristolparis.com) in Paris, who told us that the hotel is seeing strong business from the U.S. market, despite the fact that the value of the U.S. dollar is so low against the euro.

“We haven’t seen a real decline in the US market and those who are coming are booking suites,” says Hodoul-Baudry, who recommends the hotel’s Terrace Suites, which “have huge terraces that can hold 12 to 20 people.” Watch for more suites to come; management has bought the building next door so that it can expand its premium offerings. They should be available by the middle of next year. By the way, tell your clients, if they go, to be sure to check out the hotel’s Gastronomic Restaurant, whose chef Eric Frechon has received two Michelin stars and whose cuisine is a favorite of Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of the French Republic, who dines regularly at Le Bristol.

Tip: To help celebrate the newly reopened Anne Semonin Spa, Hôtel Le Bristol Paris has introduced the “Haute Couture Cure” package, which combines beauty, exercise, well-being and dieting. We hear the program was originally created at the request of one wellness-minded guest and that management has now made it available to all.

It works like this: Two weeks prior to their stay, clients complete a questionnaire on expectations and personal goals. Once they’re in Paris, they are provided with a balanced breakfast (think carrot juice, yogurt and cereal); they then enjoy the challenge of a two-hour training session with personal trainer Bruno Fuscien Trasan. After that, it’s spa time, where clients can choose from hot stone massages, anti-cellulite care, herbal detoxifying wraps, firming wraps and aromatherapy and fitness massages. That’s followed by lunch prepared by Chef Frechon. Optional add-on activities include a manicure or pedicure or a makeup session with cosmetics guru Lise Watier.

The “Haute Couture Cure” is available as a three-day package for 3,300 Euros or a five-day packages for 5,550 Euros. Reservations must be made a minimum of three weeks in advance, and can be made by calling 01 53 43 43 25 or by visiting www.lebristolparis.com.