Jetsettersblog

Attains the 5 Silver Crown Award

Fujairah Rotana’s Zen the Spa earned its first award on December 20 after only six months of opening. The jewel of the property, the largest, most modern and best equipped Spa in the East Coast of the U.A.E is in fact among the first recipients of this prestigious honor in the region. Granted by TheSpaReview, the organization reviewed Zen the Spa and rated it against rigorous consumer-based quality standards.

‘Zen the spa at Rotana’ is 1400sqm and comprises of 17 treatment rooms and one VIP suite equipped with a luxurious built in hydro-therapy jet bath and relaxation areas. All treatment rooms and relaxation areas are designed to enhance the spirit of tranquility and calm. The extensive menu includes an array of treatments to promote relaxation, cure ailments, relieve tension and encourage wellbeing and harmony. The team of dedicated professionals aims to provide the perfect therapy to recover from a stressful week at work or hustle bustle of the city.

Jean-Francois Laurent, General Manager of Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa commented,

“This truly makes for an incredible way to cap the year for our Spa. Receiving this 5 Silver Crown Award after only 6 months of opening means a lot and I am really proud of our team.” The elated Spa Manager, Sandrine Bertrand added, “I am especially proud of our team and all the hard work they put into creating relaxing and memorable spa experiences for our guests. I look forward to Fujairah Rotana’s Zen Spa becoming the recipient of many more prestigious awards such as this.”

Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa is beautifully sheltered between the Hajar Mountains and the majestic Indian Ocean. This captivating beachfront resort is a secluded retreat in a magnificent setting. The lush tropical landscape of Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa is the perfect coastal getaway with genuine Arabic hospitality, award-winning cuisine and impeccable 5 star service. Our waterfront includes a water sports center and 2 luxury massage cabanas, a perfect way of indulging yourself.

In addition we have an extensive recreation facility, whether it is playing tennis/squash to snorkeling or diving in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean. Our fantastic resort will undoubtedly leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and revitalized and has become a renowned haven for those seeking a change from routine and enjoy time with family and friends.

SriLankan Airlines’ flight schedule is undergoing several temporary changes, as the airline introduces new aircraft and retires four older ones in its narrow-body fleet.

Two new Airbus A320 aircraft have already been acquired, the first of which arrived on 30th November, with the second due within this month. Two more are being actively sourced, and until they arrive the airline is temporarily suspending services to four of its less popular destinations – Calicut, Cochin, Coimbatore and Hyderabad from 15th January 2009 until the end of the winter season.

SriLankan will continue to serve all of the other destinations in its route network. The airline recently commenced operations to Rome to cater to the ethnic Sri Lankan community in Italy, and also to generate tourist traffic to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The two newly acquired aircraft will join the fleet after painting of exteriors in SriLankan’s colours and livery later this month. This is being carried out by SriLankan Engineering at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport.

In India the airline continues to serve major destinations including its political capital New Delhi, commercial capital Mumbai, and its IT capital Bangalore. It will also maintain a major presence in Tamil Nadu, the state with closest links to Sri Lanka, through its 15 flights a week to Chennai, and daily flights to Trichy.

The suspension of operations to these four Indian cities will not affect the country’s tourism, export industry or its travelling public.

 The airline will also continue to fly to the country’s major tourism generating markets in Europe. Sri Lanka’s export industries will also continue to be supported, including its exports of fruits and vegetables to the Maldives, to which the airline recently increased flights.

All Southeast Asian and Far East destinations popular among Sri Lankan travellers and passengers of other nationalities transiting Colombo will remain unchanged.

The country’s labour traffic to the Middle East will also not be affected as there will not be any significant changes to schedules in that region.

Re-fleeting is an ongoing process for the airline’s narrow-body fleet.

The airline has an exemplary record in standards and safety, and has won two global awards from Airbus Industrie for operational excellence on the wide-body A330 and A340 aircraft.

Arab travellers to the tropical island of Sri Lanka are showing a keen interest in the country’s precious stones according to research conducted by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s Middle (SLTPB) East office.

“Arab visitors surveyed by our offices, particularly female visitors confirmed one of their primary reasons for visiting the country was to shop for precious stones,” said Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of SLTPB.

Ms Al Mansoori noted that Sri Lanka is a leading producer of gems in the world. In fact, it is home to 40 of the 85 varieties of gems in the world. Among them are the rare Alexandrite, Sapphire, Cat’s Eye, Ruby, Topaz, Garnet, Zircon, Quartz, Tourmaline and Feldspar.

Sri Lanka is currently positioned in the global market as a source of supply of high quality sapphires and as a supplier of cut and polished, free size and calibrated stones and more recently as a supplier of modern jewellery. The Sri Lankan gem sector, currently earns AED 1.83 billion (US$ 500 million) in exports earning.

“Sri Lankan gems have been admired and sought after by the rich and famous for thousands of years. Legend has it that King Solomon wooed Queen Sheba by presenting her with a beautiful ruby from Sri Lanka,” remarked Ms Al Mansoori.

Arab merchants are believed to have been familiar with the jewels of ‘Serendib’ giving colour to the fable “Arabian Nights” and the voyages of “Sindbad the Sailor”. A 400-carat Blue Sapphire adorns the British Crown even today.

The famous Arab traveller Ibn Battuta who travelled to Sri Lanka between 1333 and 1341 AD wrote: “All the women in the island of Ceylon have necklaces of rubies of different colours and wear them also on their arms and legs in place of bracelets and anklets,” Ms Al Mansoori stated.

The largest star ruby in the world valued at over US$ 25 million is also a product of Sri Lanka. The Rosser Reeves Star Ruby is a 138.7-carat stone and is recognised as the largest and finest star ruby in the world. It is named after Rosser Reeves the American advertising-guru who developed the unique selling proposition (USP) concept. Reeves donated the gem to the Smithsonian Institute in 1965 and it is now a prized exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.

“Most of Sri Lanka’s precious stones are mined in the district of Ratnapura,” observed Ms Al Mansoori. “The city by the same name is the centre for trading in gems. It lies at the foot of the 2243 metre high Adam’s Peak considered sacred by major religions in Sri Lanka. It is also a launch-pad for an excursion into Sinharaja, the country’s largest rainforest,” she adds.

Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s beauty is not confined to precious stones. A visit to Sri Lanka would be an opportunity to sample the wild natural beauty of the country including the scenic waterfalls, spice and tea plantations, bird and wildlife reserves, tropical jungle excursions and the luxurious yet eco-friendly accommodation. The country has beautiful beaches all around.

One&Only Cape Town is set to join South Africa’s culinary constellation when it opens on 4 April 2009 – a month ahead of schedule – with the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s maze restaurant alongside Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa’s first outpost of legendary Nobu in Africa .

The resort is now accepting reservations for the Easter holidays and thereafter.

Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, commented: “We have a broken record in development by completing One&Only Cape Town more than four months ahead of the original schedule and are delighted that we will have the hotel open for the Easter holidays. One&Only Cape Town marks a special homecoming for me in South Africa and with Gordon and Nobu lending their talents to this project, I’m confident that this resort – with two of the finest chefs in the world – will become the ultimate gourmet retreat in South Africa.”

In the heart of the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, One&Only Cape Town features 131 rooms – the largest in Cape Town – with captivating views of Table Mountain and the marina.

The resort’s contemporary interiors were created by internationally acclaimed New York-based interior designer Adam D. Tihany with strong influence by Africa’s culture and heritage. One&Only Cape Town will also feature an exclusive Spa Island – a haven of serenity which offers the most expansive and comprehensive spa in Cape Town.

Seating up to 170 guests, maze at One&Only Cape Town is modelled on its British namesake yet the tasting-sized dishes will evoke the bountiful flavours of the traditional recipes of South Africa. The restaurant will showcase the best in local seafood and game as well as fresh produce from organic South African farms. Jason Atherton will develop the full menu concept and oversee the standards of service. Jason was awarded a Michelin star for maze in 2006 after only seven months of opening and was the first British chef to complete a stage at Spain’s famous El Bulli restaurant. maze will be home to the country’s largest and most innovative collection of South African wine – housed in a magnificent tri-level wine loft. Over 6,000 bottles of South African wine from vintages of Cape Pinotage and Shiraz to both acclaimed and undiscovered South African vintages will be on offer.

Gordon Ramsay commented: “maze is perfectly suited for South Africa and it’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Sol and the One&Only brand. With Jason overseeing the standards, I fully expect this will quickly become another of our successful and sought-after restaurants.”

Guests are invited to a visual feast in the restaurant’s open kitchen which will be ideal for show grilling and roasting. The kitchen will also feature South Africa’s only ‘American’ imported broiler, which exposes steaks to a temperature of 650ºC, a signature trait of the maze style cuisine.

World-class master chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa will bring his innovative blend of classically styled Japanese cuisine incorporated with fresh South African seafood and indigenous spices to create unique dishes such as toro tartare, rock shrimp and scallops in yuzu sauce, and mochi ice cream.

Upon entering Nobu, simple creative sushi and sashimi menus can be sampled over exclusive Hokusetsu sake, a Japanese beer or a unique shochu-based cocktail in the sake-sushi bar lounge. A metal fan-like staircase leads to the 104-cover main dining area and sushi counter, framed by a textured, translucent origami light fixture crawling along the ceiling throughout. Here, guests can dine on broiled black cod with miso, baby abalone in a light garlic sauce, toro taban yaki and fresh yellowtail sashimi with Japapeño.

For further information visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Multi-million Dollar Renovation Restores Famous Renaissance Villa

One of Florence’s finest Renaissance villas is set to open as a luxury all-suite hotel in May this year, following a multi million dollar restoration.

Located in the hillside town of Fiesole on the outskirts of Florence, this former 15th century palazzo is being transformed into a magnificent luxury villa retreat by Italian hotel development and management company, MPg and renowned Italian architect Luciano Maria Colombo. This coveted location, with views of the famous Florence skyline is just moments from the city, yet quietly secluded within the beautiful Tuscan hills.

Work is now in progress on renovation of the entire villa and its adjoining buildings and garden which will be unveiled when Il Salviatino re-opens on May 13th 2009.

Il Salviatino, which dates back to 1320 and was later transformed into a palace for Florentine aristocracy, has been reborn following a two year conversion and restoration. No expense has been spared in recreating this historic masterpiece which will feature a daring combination of contemporary design and luxury with the sense of history and culture of 18th and 19th century Italy.

The luxury villa  www.salviatino.com will feature 62 large suites all with breathtaking views. Guests can expect the finest linens, rich buttery Florentine leathers and other luxurious furnishings in warm comforting colours. A fine collection of Renaissance art is a highlight of the villa and its gardens.

The hands of local artisans have unearthed historic treasures from the villa’s heyday, from intricate networks of ancient pathways to elaborate frescoes freed from behind false ceilings. With careful devotion and skill, experts are restoring the villa and grounds to its former glory. Centuries old mosaics are revived, and elegant glass houses emerge from the overgrown gardens.

Working closely with architect Luciano Maria Colombo, renowned for his work with great theatres throughout Italy, the company responsible for this restoration project is MPg, an Italian based hotel development and management company founded by veteran international hotelier Marcello Pigozzo, whose core values of innovation and work ethic are joined by a clear model of hospitality based on absolute employee empowerment.

Staff of Il Salviatino will undergo a 3 month training programme ahead of the opening and will be empowered to provide a level of service based on initiative and anticipation of guests’ needs.

“Our Service Ambassadors will be committed to creating a hospitality experience that is unrivalled in Italy with personalised service for each room.” said Mr. Pigozzo.

Secreted within sloping gardens, a Devarana spa will offer guests a holistic taste of the East. Deverana, meaning ‘garden of heaven’ in Thai Sanskrit, will feature a menu of ancient eastern practices by skilled Thai therapists.

For more information about Il Salviatino, visit: www.salviatino.com  or email: info@salviatino.com

IL SALVIATINO is located at Via del Salviatino, 21 50137 Firenze, Italy.

Explore the pyramids of Egypt before setting sail in the Mediterranean on a journey of discovery. Seadream I is a luxury yacht that exclusively caters for 56 couples, explore Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece in intimate style and make a pilgrimage to many wonders of the Ancient world.

Embarking in Alexandria, Egypt named after Alexander the Great, Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and features one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. From there Seadream I will take you to Cyprus.

In Cyprus you will visit Archaeological Park (A UNESCO Heritage site) covering the islands extensive Roman period with a visit to a working Byzantine Monastery where you will taste the local wines with the Monks.

Next stop the islands of Rhodes and Kos in Greece, where you will have the opportunity to explore the islands on your own or enjoy the historical guided tours of the Palace of the Grand Master in medieval Rhodes, and the Ancient Theatre “Odeum” and the Castle of the Knights in Kos.

In Kusadasi, Turkey you will visit the The House of the Virgin Mary which is said to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. The tiny stone cottage is a pilgrimage site for visitors from all over the world and exudes a calm and serenity befitting its original occupant.

With just 56 couples per sailing, Seadream Yachts allow you to explore islands most large cruise ships cannot reach and travel with like minded individuals on a journey of discovery.
Exclusive to www.ecruising.travel/hk the ‘Philosophers Pilgrim’ tour is available from only HK$36,899.00 which includes 7 nights on board SeaDream I.

Departs 3 Oct 2009.
For sale until: 16 March 2009
Destinations: Europe, Mediterranean
Cruise Line: SeaDream
Ship: SeaDream I
Embarkation Port: Alexandria, Egypt
Duration: 7 nights
Departure Dates: 3 Oct 2009

ecruising Asia Pacific can be contacted for information about cruise holiday products here and world-wide by simply visiting www.ecruising.travel/hk or phoning (852) 3711 3238.

With Silversea’s generous all-inclusive fare, travelling around Europe and the Mediterranean does not have to be prohibitively expensive.

Special savings are now on offer for an epic 21 day cruise around northern Europe aboard the all-suite Silver Cloud departing 30 May 2009, and an14-day Romantic Romp round Italy aboard Silver Whisper departing 20 June 2009.

LONDON TO STOCKHOLM:

Departing from London’s Tower Bridge, five overnight stops allow guests to explore the sights of London, Edinburgh and St Petersburg with the luxurious Silver Cloud as their base. Other port highlights include Dublin and Cork in Ireland; the Cornish town of Fowey in England; Kiel Canal and Warnemunde (Rostock) in Germany; Tallinn in Estonia; Finland’s capital Helsinki, and Stockholm in Sweden, where the voyage ends on 20 June.

Cruise-only fares booked by 31 March 2009 start from US$10,344* per person, double occupancy, and Silversea’s all-inclusive tariff means that there are no hidden extras. From just US$493* per person, per day, guests enjoy ocean-view all-suite accommodation and all gourmet meals, wines, Champagne, spirits and gratuities included.

BARCELONA TO VENICE:

Departing Barcelona on 20 June 2009, the stylish Silver Whisper takes in the best of the Mediterranean, calling at Cannes; Monte Carlo; the Italian ports of Livorno, Sorrento, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Lipari; Valletta in Malta; Corfu; Dubrovnik in Croatia and finishing with an overnight stay in Venice.

Cruise-only fares booked by 30 April 2009 start from US$6,494* per person, double occupancy or just US$464* per person, per day.

*Port and fuel charges, government fees and taxes are additional.

Subject to availability, terms and conditions.
About Silversea

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.

In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include “World’s Leading Luxury Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2007); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2007 &2008).

Emirates is again demonstrating it’s a cut above the rest by announcing it double up on flights to the Italian fashion centre of Milan.
Currently, the airline flies twice daily from Dubai to Milan’s Malpensa International Airport, weaving yet more services into its European network.

The flight EK 419 departs Suvarnabhumi Airport at 0225hrs, and connects with the flight EK 093 which leaves Dubai at 0905hrs and arrives in Milan at 1245hrs or connect with the gliht EK 091 which departs Dubai at 1600hrs and lands in Milan at 1940hrs.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe, said: “This has been a very good time for our passengers travelling in and out of Italy from across our network. First, there was Venice and the opening up of the Italian north east, then we gave better access to Milan and Rome, making them non-stop daily to and from Dubai, and now we’re stepping up flights to Milan.

 We are truly committed to the Italian market and this latest development very much shows that.”
Emirates has been flying to Milan since 2000, and in addition to Dubai, most passengers travel there from cities including Manila, Colombo, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Johannesburg and Bombay.

Passengers travelling in the other direction mostly head for Dubai, Colombo, the Maldives, Mauritius, Dhaka, Bangkok and the Seychelles.

 The extra frequency and improved connections in Dubai will ease travel to Africa, China and Australasia.

The route is supported by a combination of three class configuration Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777 aircraft, the latest of which carry the industry leading ice entertainment system.

Mr Sultan added: “On the back of this double daily flight, we also expect a further increase in cargo trade and that’s great news for importers, exporters and the business community in general. Italy is already a major trading partner for the UAE and Emirates is glad to support that through Emirates SkyCargo.”

Designer fashion goods, cars and car parts are among the items carried by SkyCargo out of Milan, much of which go to the Middle East, Far East and Australia.
Inbound consignments include mainstream fashion garments, fruits, vegetables and fresh fish with key source markets being the Subcontinent and the Far East.

With the second flight to the strongest Italian freight market destination, overall SkyCargo capacity will leap to nearly 600 tonnes, including the weekly Boeing 747 Freighter service. Milan is also a major financial, business and design centre.
The multi-award winning international airline of the UAE has been ratcheting up its services in Europe of late.

 
Last year, Emirates announced daily flights to Cyprus, the same day that the Malta service becomes daily. Istanbul has gone from a daily service to 11 flights per week.

Recently, flights serve Nice, non-stop, fives times a week, removing the current link through Rome. Meanwhile, from February 2nd next year, Emirates will go twice daily to Moscow.
Flights from Bangkok to Milan
EK 419 departs Bangkok 0225hrs – arrives in Dubai 0555hrs and connects with either option;
EK 093 departs Dubai 0905hrs – arrives in Milan 1245hrs
EK 091 departs Dubai 1600hrs – arrives in Milan 1940hrs

Flights from Milan to Bangkok
EK 094 departs Milan 1425hrs – arrives in Dubai 2325hrs – connects with EK 384 from Dubai 0315hrs (following day) – arrives in Bangkok 1205hrs

EK 092 departs Milan 2115hrs – arrives in Dubai 0620hrs (following day) – connects with EK 418 from Dubai 0905hrs – arrives in Bangkok 1805hrs
Photo caption: Streets ahead – Emirates has announced it will increase its daily flight from Dubai to Milan to twice a day from January 1st, 2009.

About Emirates Thailand
Emirates Airline has been operating in Thailand for over 17 years. Currently, Emirates operates 21 flights per week to Dubai, 7 flights per week to Hong Kong, and 7 flights per week to Sydney and Auckland.

 For further information, please visit www.emirates.com/th  or contact Emirates Bangkok office 0-2664-1040-4.

Exclusive Service for Discerning Business Travellers

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched a brand new service, Personal Hotelier, across the Crowne Plaza estate throughout Middle East and Africa. Guests staying in Club rooms or on the Crowne Club floor can now enjoy the undivided attention of a hotelier dedicated to catering to their every need.

Crowne Plaza Personal Hotelier is an initiative that provides guests one point of contact, one face, one name and one telephone number to call prior to and during their stay at the hotel. This exclusive service is designed to alleviate the stress of corporate travel, allowing the guest more time and space to think, resulting in making their business trips more efficient and effective.

Commenting on the launch, Haitham Mattar, Director of Marketing Middle East and Africa, said, “Most of our guests are frequent business travellers. While they tend to enjoy travel, it can be exhausting and hectic so we decided to introduce a service to help them get the most of their time with us. “

From the moment a booking for a Club room is made, a member of the Personal Hotelier team will be assigned to the guest, contact them to introduce themselves and then offer them any assistance if required.

A personal hotelier can help guests with everything for business needs, such as updating a presentation, printing documents, making reservations at a restaurant or spa and even personal shopping.

The pilot program, conducted at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, received an overwhelmingly good response.

Results from a survey* conducted amongst guests who participated in the program demonstrated that 95 per cent rated the service excellent with regards to its efficiency and usefulness.

The Personal Hotelier service is available to guest who book Club rooms or on the Crowne Club Floor at all Crowne Plaza properties across Middle East and Africa.

InterContinental Dubai Festival City is the first hotel in the UAE to trial the flagship Lexus hybrid, the LS600hL within their chauffeur fleet.

Following an agreement with Al-Futtaim Motors, two hybrids joined the fleet in early January 2009 as part of an overall testing programme undertaken to determine whether the vehicle will be suitable for the UAE market.

Now in the final stages of testing, the vehicles have been integrated into the fleet service providing guests with a luxurious airport transfer with the added bonus of Hotel Manager, Mr. Steven Greenwood personally chauffeuring guests at least once a week in the Lexus hybrid.

Designed to be considerably more environmentally friendly than conventional automobiles, the LS600hL is equipped with the most sophisticated and powerful Lexus Hybrid Drive system to date that combines a battery powered electric motor with a 5 litre V8 petrol engine providing excellent fuel economy, significant reduction in harmful emissions and an outstanding power of over 380 horsepower to rival many V12 equipped vehicles.

The Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) constantly applies the best mix of power sources for the driving conditions at hand, to achieve the most economical and cleanest output.

For example, during low speeds and in ‘stop and go’ traffic, the electric motor is used only. When speed is increased, a combination of the electric motor and petrol engine is used to accelerate the car until the petrol engine takes over at high speed. Additionally the regenerative braking system energy that would normally be lost as heat when braking is captured as electric power to recharge the battery.

Benefits of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system include a smooth and silent an acceleration that is capable of propelling the car from 0 – 100kph in 6.3 seconds, and up to a 70% reduction in the smog forming emissions found in most cars, an exceptional standard for the future of automobiles.

The vehicle is the world’s first V8 hybrid all wheel drive luxury vehicle and features a host of ground-breaking technological advances, high performance and understated luxury.

InterContinental Dubai Festival City is the first hotel in the UAE to welcome hybrid vehicles into their fleet, in support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directive to provide a clean and sustainable environment to boost the profile of Dubai as a ‘Green, Clean City’.

Commenting on the debut of the environmentally friendly automotives at his hotel, InterContinental and Dubai Festival City Hotel Manager Steven Greenwood said,
“We are grateful to Al-Futtaim Motors for the opportunity to create an example and positive message for Dubai on the importance of reducing carbon emissions.

The hybrid cars, which are both energy efficient and comfortable for hotel guests, are another step in the right direction to change the way that personal responsibility for climate change is viewed.”