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Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has opened Swissôtel Foshan, its fourth hotel in the People’s Republic of China. This luxury hotel is located in the city of Foshan in Guangdong Province and is the first international hotel in the city. Its amenities and services cater for business travellers and tourists alike. The Zumiao Commercial District and the Fenjiang Financial District are in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, and the cities of Guangzhou and Shunde are only a short drive away. “We are very proud to complement our Chinese portfolio with a fourth hotel, in a market which is so important to us”, says Meinhard Huck, President Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel is 208 metres tall, which makes it the highest building in Foshan and the 234 hotel rooms and suites are located on the top 15 floors. Each room has modern interior design and state-of-the-art facilities, such as a plasma TV, high-speed internet, and a spacious work area.

Guests have a choice of four first class restaurants and bars: The Café Swiss on the 49th floor offers à la carte dining and international buffets, the Italian restaurant Cielo 51 and Bar 51 on the 51st floor have breathtaking panoramic views. “The Flow” lobby lounge serves sandwiches and cocktails and the Swiss gourmet shop offers Swiss products and oven-fresh pastries. The Swissôtel Foshan provides six exclusive meeting, conference and function rooms and the grand ballroom can accommodate up to 800 people. A dedicated team of experts and event managers is available to assist customers in the detailed planning and smooth running of their event. For their well-being, hotel guests may relax in the sauna, steam bath and swimming pool in the hotel’s spa and fitness centre or unwind with a massage.

“Foshan and the surrounding area have a number of historical sights to offer. For example, the Zumiao Ancestral Temple built in 1078, and the Nan Feng ceramic workshops in Chancheng, which have a tradition dating back to the time of the Ming dynasty Emperor Zhengde, are well worth a visit”, says Torsten Pinter, Swissôtel Foshan’s General Manager. “Furthermore, in 2006 a new museum was built dedicated to Bruce Lee, who was born in Foshan. This will certainly attract kung fu and martial arts fans. We are looking forward to treating guests from around the globe to Swiss hospitality.”

The Great Wall is a highlight of any visit to China. Stretching over 4,000 miles, from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, the Great Wall of China was built mainly to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders from the 6th century BC. Successive dynasties have all had a hand in repairing, re-building and preserving the wall, and Chairman Mao once claimed that ‘he who has not climbed the Great Wall of China is not a true man’.

To protect developing trade links with India and central Asia, the Great Wall was later extended westward along the Silk Road, which brought traders and their camels across the deserts in pursuit of great wealth.

Cox & Kings’ Silk Road Explorer tour traces one of these ancient trade routes, starting in Beijing and the Tang Dynasty capital of Xian, and travelling past the western extremities of the Great Wall to Dunhuang, an oasis town in the Gobi Desert. From here, visit Urumqi – the largest city in western China and the world’s farthest city from the sea – and see the spectacular scenery of Nanshan Pasture and visit a local Kazak family.

Next on the itinerary is Kashgar. A Silk Road trading centre for two millennia, Kashgar was once an important staging post and was home to many travellers and caravans. The Sunday bazaar is one of the world’s most exotic markets, with traders from Central Asia, Pakistan and India selling everything from paprika to handcrafted daggers.

From Kashgar, continue over the Silk Road’s fabled Torugart Pass into Kyrgyzstan, through spectacular scenery and astounding landscapes as arid Chinese land gives way to mountain forests and lush steppe. In Kyrgyzstan, highlights include the Russian garrison settlement at Karakol; the picturesque Djety Ogyz valley; the world’s largest freshwater lake, Issyk-Kul; and the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

Follow the Silk Road on Cox & Kings’ 14-night group tour, from £2,531 per person including flights with British Airways, accommodation with most meals, transfers and all excursions.

Categorised into seven modules, the course is specifically designed to help users, be they agents, travellers, travel writers and anyone who is interested in learning more about the fascinating country that Malaysia is.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Sydney, Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, says the two-hour online course is a quick, easy and convenient way to get acquainted with the widely differing attributes of Malaysia.

“The specific modules provide a comprehensive overview of Malaysia’s history, culture, geography, attractions, nature, events, infrastructure,” says Shahrin.

“This is an effective way to share very useful information, especially with those selling our products, as it not only equips them with the necessary information on Malaysia’s rich background and destinations, but also provides participants a well-rounded sense of what the country offers in terms of activities, events and services.

“The response has been extremely positive; with an average of 600 unique visitors to the site each month and a total of 2,356 users since the course first launched. Journalists are among our most frequent visitors.

“Useful links and tools are also readily available for download and used with articles or presentations when promoting Malaysia. For example, maps of Malaysia and the individual states, images, videos, Power Point presentations, brochures and other sources can all be obtained through the site,” says Shahrin.

To take the course and access all tools available, log on to http://trade.tourism.gov.my/training  Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate and a gift from Tourism Malaysia.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives will open in Addu Atoll during the fourth quarter of 2008 as the first Maldives resort with nature trails and weekly guided nature tours for guests provided by a resident expert. Unlike many resorts in the archipelago, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives features a varied and natural landscape with 12 hectares of lush foliage, lagoons and native bird life.

The three-kilometre-long island offers guests the expected pristine sandy beaches and clear waters, but being surrounded by towering ancient Banyan trees and nature trails adds a different experience for seasoned travellers to the Maldives. The landscape of Villingili is dominated by 17,000 coconut trees and 45 plant species, including the noni plant, which is believed to be useful for the treatment of ailments such as arthritis and hypertension.

Guests looking for an energetic afternoon to commune with nature can catch the guided weekly walking tours to learn more about the flora on Villingili. Guests that are more adventurous can pack a picnic and explore the nature trails. The resort will provide trail maps and there will be plaques providing information about the plants along the route. Guests can stop for a picnic break by one of the three natural lagoons, naturally tinged in red, blue or green.

For guests who prefer to take in the views from the comfort of their villas, all land-based villas will offer views of the ocean and the verdant vegetation. Some, like the luxurious Tree House villas, are secluded and perched on three-metre stilts among the treetops. The Pool villas are surrounded by lush forest with views of the beach through tropical foliage.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives is the first luxury resort in Addu Atoll. The resort, which is currently under development, will feature 142 villas with views of the ocean or the island’s natural lush vegetation. The Maldives’ second international airport, Gan International Airport, is an eight-minute boat ride away from the resort and Male International Airport is 70 minutes by air.

The bubbly is virtually included with each copy of the 10th anniversary edition of the South East Queensland Country Touring Guide.

The 2008 guide features a new pull-out map of wineries so that everyone who obtains a copy can potentially find their favourite winery, grab some local sparkling wine and make a toast to
the birthday guide.

South East Queensland Country is a tourism marketing region incorporating Greater Brisbane Country, South Burnett, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Southern Downs and Granite Belt and Toowoomba and Darling Downs and for the past 10 years the free guide has been providing inspiration on the region to potential visitors.

It is produced by Tourism Queensland in partnership with the support of tourism operators within the featured regions and the five regional tourist organisations coming under the South East Queensland Country banner. The wine guide was compiled in conjunction with the Department of Tourism Regional Development and Industry.

The guide is ideal for anyone interested in learning some of the secrets of South East Queensland Country and planning a holiday or short getaway in the region. Accommodation guides and accompanying photographs, events listings, restaurant and café guides, drive suggestions, maps, wine and food trails, and regional contact information are included in the 100-plus pages of the guide.

It can be ordered online at www.southeastqueenslandcountry.com.au, by calling 1300 738 300 and is available at RACQ outlets and accredited Visitor Information Centres throughout Queensland.

The Opposite House, a luxurious contemporary hotel, will open in the summer of 2008 in Beijing’s vibrant Sanlitun district. It is an integral part of The Village at Sanlitun, Beijing’s premier open-plan shopping destination, developed by Swire Properties.

The hotel aims to provide a new luxury experience for travellers who seek design, individuality, style and personalised service.

The Opposite House is the first of a number of hotels being developed in China, Hong Kong and the UK by Swire Hotels, a new initiative from Swire Properties. These will all be highly distinctive hotels, individually named and designed by world renowned architects and designers.

The Opposite House will be the first hotel by esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose work includes some of the most innovative retail and commercial spaces in Japan. With the Opposite House, he will alter the definition of hotel space by minimizing conventional boundaries, creating seamless flowing space that allows light to flood in.

His striking design greets guests with its emerald glass exterior while the interior colours and textures are a vibrant mix of modern and traditional and come alive when struck by the natural light in the hotel’s abundant space.

The hotel’s 99 rooms will include 10 spacious suites which will be amongst the largest in Beijing, with more than half being over 70 sqm. All guest rooms will be strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor, lending each one a sense of place. The bathrooms owe their design to their Asian home with deep oak soaking tubs, invigorating rain showers and under floor heating.

The restaurants and bars, conceived by well known Shanghai-based, Australian-born restaurateur David Laris, will take you from the shores of the Mediterranean to the lands of north Asia, whilst the contemporary bar will offer a range of wines, cocktails and spirits. The luxury meets punk ‘mini club’ will define its own scene and create a new late night spot in Beijing.

The name, The Opposite House, is derived from a translation of a Chinese word, which historically described the building located opposite the main house in a courtyard where esteemed guests would stay. The name also reflects the hotel’s southern location within the courtyard design of The Village at Sanlitun, the new retail and entertainment complex which will raise the bar for international luxury brand shopping and innovative places to eat and drink in Beijing.

The hotel’s name also highlights Sanlitun as a district of diversity and opposites – old and new, east and west, bohemian and chic.

The Opposite House’s team all have one thing in common, aside from their wealth of experience; a burning desire to inspire the individuality and creativity of each team member in order for them to provide spontaneous, intuitive service to their guests.

“Our goal is to create different and surprising experiences that challenge the norm and complement the lives of our customers,” said Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels. “We feel we will achieve that with The Opposite House in Beijing, our first hotel.”

Outback Ballooning’ s signature post flight breakfasts have just got a whole lot better. Outback Ballooning has recently established a joint venture operation in Guilin, China.

For over 20 years Outback Ballooning has been serving a sumptuous fresh cooked four course outdoor breakfast after every balloon. After an early start and the ballooning adventure over the desert the breakfast ha s been the perfect way to complete a memorable morning. Traditionally the breakfast has been served in the bush but this has meant limited facilities – not a problem but certainly something that could be improved upon. The atmosphere of the bush setting has however been something that clients consistently rated as a highlight and could not be compromised.

After a long period of searching for the perfect way to access facilities without losing the ambience of the morning Outback Ballooning in conjunction with the Alice Springs Resort have come up with the perfect solution.

The same wholesome home cooked breakfast is now prepared freshly by the Resort’s chefs then served under the shady gum trees overlooking the dry Todd River. The setting is completely separate from the buildings and other guests of the resort but still allows access to wash room facilities and electricity for freshly brewed coffee. Luxuries that were just not available in the desert. The location also reduces transfer times after breakfast and makes it easier to connect with other tours.

On a completely different note Outback Ballooning has recently established a joint venture operation in Guilin, China allowing international tourists to for the first time experience this truly spectacular area from the air in balloons operated to the highest international standards.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact:
Kelley Smith, General Manager Outback Ballooning Pty Ltd
Email: sales@outbackballooning.com.au
Website: www.outbackballooning.com.au

Anantara Resort Saminyak’s uber-chic rooftop bar, Sunset on Six (SOS), has raised the bar several notches in Bali’s most fashionable area – Seminyak. As the name suggests, SOS is the place to drink in dramatic sunsets over the Indian Ocean while sipping on designer drinks – amidst cool sounds of chill-out lounge music and a visual feast of glamorous surrounds.

Divided into four areas, SOS caters for all manner of pleasurable leisure, day or night – whether guests prefer to soak in the sun, or chill out under a starry night.

Zone One features sumptuous daybeds to delight sun-seekers, while Zone Two comprises of an elegant DJ Lounge. The Dining Bar at Zone Three is solely aimed at providing in the form of sugar and spice; delectable eats and treats to do much more than just fill an empty gap. Finally, in Zone Four, The Wine Room and Long Table is the place to select a rare vintage from a state-of-the-art wine cellar to appreciate alongside out-of-this-world cuisine.

A fitting tribute to the spectacular sunsets this part of the island has hordes flocking to, is the colour scheme of SOS: Vibrant reds and lush crimsons juxtaposed brilliantly against neutral beige. Sumptuous, modern furniture combine with contemporary features like mood lighting to add further lustre to the glamorous venue, mesmerizing guests as they arrive at one of Seminyak’s hippest hang-outs.

During the day, SOS is an informal relaxation and chill-out space with friendly and unobtrusive service. Once the sun sets behind the horizon, it magically transforms into an intimate, vibrant and happening ‘destination within a destination’, with waiting staff sporting snazzy uniforms and impressing patrons with the wide selection of food and beverage menu items.

Featuring a mixture of ‘New World’ and Asian cuisines with daily changing speciality items, menus highlight signature dishes and can be adapted to suit the tastes and requirements of guests. A culinary highlight at The Dining Bar is the wide selection of ‘sate’ served – varying in styles, flavours and interesting combinations inspired by Indonesian and Japanese cuisine. Other than that, the menu also includes several cold selections.

Styled specially for sunset ambiance by highly acclaimed DJ José Padilla of Café Del Mar fame – he will personally be spinning at the decks from time to time and has set the music standards by training the resident DJ and Mixologist – three to four major parties will also be held throughout the year.

A resident Wine Guru at The Wine Room regularly hosts tastings and is at hand with expert advice. Its close proximity to the entrance furthermore encourages guests to personally select their own wines at the cellar prior to dinner at any of the resort’s venues.

The cellar contrasts warm hues of double insulated glass and timber that houses approximately 100 international labels representing premium vintages. Extensive ‘New World’ and Asian house wine selections can be enjoyed by the glass, while polished floors ooze character and blend in perfectly with the solid Long Table used for private dinners. Concealed pin spot lighting dramatically lights up the wine display, while the cellar ceiling is suspended from interchangeable lighting rigs utilizing adjustable chrome cables.

At The Rooftop Bar, a comprehensive and innovative beverage mix of boosters, cleansers, energizers, tropical cocktails, long drinks, designer margarita’s and daiquiri’s are served, as well as a selection of fresh fruit sorbet tea quenchers and late-night digestives.

Sunset on Six is all set to dazzle and further build on the already established trendy reputation of Seminyak’s cosmopolitan dining and nightlife scene, which has become Bali’s most fashionable area over the years. However, instead of merely following the cue, the venue will be setting a new pace, perfectly reflecting and complementing the lifestyle aspirations of the resort’s guests and Seminyak’s jet-set followers alike. Its main appeal, however, lies not only in its exclusiveness or beautiful surrounds, but in its ability to offer an experience. So very Anantara.

Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means ‘borderless water’, a name chosen for this element’s association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Inspired by local architecture and sensitive to the indigenous culture, Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin (220kms south of Bangkok), on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Golden Triangle in the country’s north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, Anantara Resort Dhigu (2006) and Anantara Resort Veli (2008) are a 30 minute boat ride from the capital Male. The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Resort Seminyak, opened in March 2008 in this most fashionable district of Bali – the Island of the Gods.

October 2008 will see the launch of Anantara Resort Phuket situated in the serenity of Mai Kao Beach, just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

Voyages Cradle Mountain Lodge has won the award for Best Resort/Lodge Accommodation in the prestigious Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s Annual Travel Awards.

Cradle Mountain Lodge was shortlisted by Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s expert panel of judges into the Readers Choice Awards, with readers invited to vote for their winner on the Gourmet Traveller Magazine website, www.gourmettraveller.com.au

Voyages Bedarra Island, an exclusive hideaway island retreat off the coast of Cairns, was a runner up in the category.

Anna Guillan, Voyages Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing, said: “It is an honour and a privilege for Cradle Mountain Lodge to have been recognised by such a prestigious magazine as Australian Gourmet Traveller.”

“We strive to ensure every guest takes away a memorable experience from their stay with us at Cradle Mountain Lodge, from its unique Tasmanian wilderness setting, to the alpine pine cabins and delicious gourmet food and wine. So, being named the Best Resort/Lodge category by the readers of Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine is a truly high accolade and a fantastic recognition of all the work our team at Cradle do every day.”

A wilderness retreat nestled high in the Tasmanian wilderness and on the edge of the World Heritage Listed Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain Lodge welcomes city slickers and hikers alike in a range of alpine accommodation.

Choose from the comfortable and contemporary to the inspired decadence of the King Billy Suites with their deck-mounted hot tubs perched above the stunning landscape.

After a day spent hiking in the national park or canoeing on Dove Lake, there is always welcome respite in the form of indulgent sessions at the Waldheim Alpine Spa, with six treatment rooms overlooking the idyllic Pencil Pine Creek.

Regular tastings of premium Tasmanian produce and wines add a civilised touch to proceedings, while the signature Highland Restaurant and its more relaxed sibling, the Tavern Bar & Bistro, provide a place to relax and refuel before another day in the great outdoors.

Voyages Longitude 131° won the Best Outback Accommodation category in last year’s inaugural Gourmet Traveller Awards, with Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge in Queensland and Voyages El Questro Wilderness Park in Western Australia the runners up.

Where can you go and listen to live music and have a choice of a Kona Longboard, New Belgium Fat Tire, Flying Dog Wheat or a variety of over 50 beers. LiveBrew at Studio 54 inside MGM Grand hotel.

On June 27th we had the opportunity to attend the LiveBrew event hosted by MojoRepublik.com and Lee’s Discount Liquor. When we arrived at the event it appeared to be a bit disorganized, but once we were checked in and met with our media guide, Alison Monagham, a wonderful even began. So many tables, so many beers, so little time it was a difficult choice of where to begin.

The first stop was at the table with mini shrimp tacos which were so delicious that it was hard to move on. Then again we were there to do some taste testing of the beers and listen to the live music. Our media guide gave us the opportunity to walk around and partake in the taste testing. You can guess with over 50 beers that we would not be able to taste test all of them. We began making our rounds and were presented with some really good beers and some that did not fit our taste. The servers were very informative with the various types of beers available.

A rep from www.MojoRepublik.com took the stage to announce the bands. The guests were also presented with the information that a portion of the net proceeds from the event would benefit the Caring 4 Kids Foundation. A pleasant surprise was the presence of Designated Drivers, Inc which offered attendees of LiveBrew a free safe ride home.

The first band was The Skooners, an indie band of pop-soul rebels with a distinctive alt-rock flavor. The band was good and brought people to the stage to watch their performance. Draw The Line, who is the only Aerosmith Tribute Band that has been endorsed by Aerosmith themselves took the stage and wowed the audience with the vocals and likeness of Aerosmith.

MGM Grand Studio 54 is one of the hottest Las Vegas night clubs. Studio 54 offers a 22,000-square-foot nightclub featuring state-of-the-art sound, video and lighting. The club also offers four dance floors and bars, an exclusive area on the second floor for invited guests, and several semi-private lounges capable of accommodating up to 400 people. Walking through the club we both realized how dark the stairways were, and that was before drinking. For this event most of the lighting was from the stage with dim lighting throughout the bars and lounge areas.

For those who missed out on this event, you’re in luck as LiveBrew will continue as a monthly premier social networking event in Las Vegas that will rotate into different and exciting locations.

LiveBrew Tickets: www.livebrew.com

Online Magazine: www.mojorepublik.co

Review by Robert and Tanya Attebery, Jetsetters Magazine Entertainment Editors and Photojournalists

MGM Grand Hotel: www.mgmgrand.com