Jetsettersblog

Following the openings of Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 (launched October 2008), and the Sofitel Ningbo Wanda (launched December 2008), Sofitel will open its 23rd hotel in China — Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Huanghe. The resort-style hotel is located in the Sheshan National Tourism Resort, a 35-minute drive from Shanghai city center, surrounded by gardens and lagoons. Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Huanghe is a meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) resort that specializes in creative events, with 12 reception rooms and a grand ballroom that can host up to 900 guests seated banquet style.

Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Huanghe has 368 rooms including 53 Luxury Suites and an Imperial Suite.

There are also seven luxury villas designed for international and local government officials as well as business delegations.

The hotel has 12 multi-function rooms with a total of 22,600 square feet, all located in a custom-built conference center. The 12,900-square-foot pillar-less Grand Ballroom can be separated into three separate rooms that can be configured according to clients’ requirements.

All Inspired Meeting rooms are fully equipped with the latest technology and services required for today’s executives. The hotel’s “So Spa” creates a luxury sanctuary, for body and soul reconnection, blending Chinese and French natural roots. So Spa blends its natural surroundings into its 15 treatment rooms, where guests can enjoy a selection of signature treatments and refined French cosmetology — a rejuvenating and exhilarating experience.

There are few places on earth that are as romantic and steeped in mystical spirituality as Bali.

Known to some as The Morning of the World, and to many as The Island of the Gods, it is no small wonder that literally thousands of couples pledge or renew their wedding vows in Bali.

And there are few more romantic, luxurious, more private and convenient wedding venues than the five villas that make up the beachfront Pantai Lima estate on the island’s west coast.

Pantai Lima is an exclusive estate of super luxury villas built right on the Bali beachfront at Pererenan, an unspoiled fishing community, a short drive north of Seminyak, Bali’s centre of sophisticated shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Each of Pantai Lima’s five luxury villas – Waringin, Melissa, Sound of the Sea, Ambra, and Mary – is individually architecturally-designed and completely different one-from-another.

They are all truly spacious, beautifully appointed and completely private. Gardens and pools are satisfyingly vast.

There are several factors which make Pantai Lima Bali’s outstanding wedding venue.

Each villa’s truly spacious grounds lift Pantai Lima well above other venues’ facilities.

Four of the five villas are more than large enough to cater for a memorable multi-course wedding banquet for 60 guests, or as many as 200 to enjoy canapés, cocktails and champagne.

More than that – Villa Mary grounds is so spacious that as many as 250 can comfortably enjoy a sit-down dinner.

What this means, of course, is that no matter how many people you wish to invite to share your very special day, from an intimate group to literally hundreds of friends and family, Pantai Lima can easily accommodate them all in comfort and ease.

A memorable wedding in the recent past involved our bride and groom, after a sunset ceremony, holding themed parties in each of the four villas, with guests circulating amongst them, and then bringing them all together at table in Villa Mary.

And then there’s the sheer beauty of the site. The crashing surf, the gentle sea breezes, the creative architecture so completely at one with the environment.

The privacy and spaciousness of each of the villas is compelling, too. Four have five double bedrooms, while the fifth has six. That means the estate sleeps more than 50 guests in luxurious comfort – ideal for families and groups of friends.

There’s more. We mentioned the wedding banquet just now. Pantai Lima has deservedly acquired a reputation for cuisine to die for.

French executive chef Manuel Wendling and his team of sous chefs provide an eclectic menu selection melding classic French cooking, nouvelle cuisine, as well as Indonesian/Asian fusion food.

We hate to bring up the weather, but it can rain in Bali, spectacularly on occasion.

Luckily we have a very pleasant 250 sqm meeting room, more commonly used for business seminars, that’s a welcome alternative in the event of inclement conditions. (Rain usually passes very quickly –seldom longer than half an hour or so.)

Pantai Lima does not arrange weddings itself. There are a number of experienced and professional companies who make this their specialty.

Although it is easy to marry in Bali, there are a number of steps you must take, should you wish your wedding to be recognised internationally. We urge you to make contact with a reputable company in advance of your visit to Bali and are happy to put you in touch with those who have good reputations.

For more information about the Pantai Lima estate, please visit our website at www.pantailima.com

Each of our villas has its own dedicated website too. You can find them at www.villawaringinbali.com   www.villamelissabali.com www.villasoundoftheseabali.com  www.villaambrabali.com  and www.villamarybali.com

Guests wishing to rent the entire estate for their wedding celebrations will find that the owners are prepared to show flexibility in meeting your budget. To make direct contact with us email info@pantailima.com

Singapore’s ‘River Safari’ Another First For Asia

£64 Million Committed to Inner-City Nature Park

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) has announced that it will invest S$140 million (£64 million) on the building of Asia’s first freshwater river-themed attraction, the River Safari. This exciting new project will be located within the 89-hectare compound of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari and is part of an enduring vision for the city’s Mandai Nature Reserve, a unique cluster of nature-themed attractions in a tropical wetland and rainforest setting. Scheduled for completion in 2011, it is projected to attract about 750,000 visitors annually.

The WRS aims to acquire many new species of wildlife through exchange programmes with international zoological institutions and over 30,000 trees will be planted. By combining the conservation of water wildlife with recreational water-based activities designed to appeal to all age groups, it is hoped that River Safari will increase general awareness and appreciation of freshwater habitats.

This announcement comes hot on the heels of the opening, at the end of 2008, of the Marina Barrage and Reservoir, the city’s 15th water reservoir and its first inner-city freshwater catchment. Located at the Marina Channel, ten minutes from Orchard Road, the Marina Barrage’s eco-design ‘Green Roof’ is the size of four football fields. Not only does the grassy lawn roof provide insulation and reduce the need for air-conditioning, it also doubles as a scenic picnic spot offering spectacular 360 degree views of the city to the South China Sea.

A 350-metre long promenade bridge to the mouth of the channel is dotted with eight viewing pavilions and embedded with nine steel encrusted gates which regulate water levels in the reservoir. Apart from a wide range of water-themed features and aquatic activities for all the family, there are several cafes and a museum – the Sustainable Singapore Gallery – comprising six inter-connected rooms providing free interactive tours and educational exhibits relating to the environment.

Another recent development is the Southern Ridges – a nine kilometre string of foot paths and connection bridges which link the hills and green spaces which span the four parks of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, ending at West Coast Park.

These new developments join a green cluster of popular local parks and nature reserves and attractions, including the city’s famous Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari and Botanic Gardens, the latter named “best urban jungle in Asia” by Time magazine in 2007. They are also further testimony to the destination’s commitment of urban beautification which began over forty years ago.

Singapore is already proven as a pioneer in Asia in its dedication to the long-term municipal development of open green spaces and water resources – green cover grew in Singapore from 36% – 46% between 1986 and 2007.

Says the Singapore Tourism Board’s Area Director, North and Western Europe, Divya Panickar: “The River Safari, Marina Barrage and Southern Ridges developments join an already impressive list of nature attractions in Singapore. Apart from the enduringly popular Botanic Gardens, other ‘must-see’ natural habitats include the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, to name a few. We are continuously looking for ways to make the most of our natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations of residents and visitors.”

As the boundaries between the city’s concrete and tropical jungles become more entwined, it is clear to see how Singapore richly deserves its ‘Garden City’ mantle, and with plans to further increase lands set aside for parks in the future, its green parks, wetlands and nature attractions should continue to grow in appeal to holiday-makers and business travellers alike.

For more information on Singapore visit www.visitsingapore.com

Two NEW hotels are opening this March as part of a major redevelopment of Darwin’s vibrant Waterfront, which will include harbour side restaurants, cafes, parkland, and a swimming area on completion.

the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront and the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront opened for business, with opening rates until 31 April 2009 (excluding peak periods, subject to availability)

. The rate of AU$159 (£73) per night for a studio room at the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront offers an incredible 30 per cent saving, and a special rate of AU$149 (£68) per night for a standard room at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront represents a 25 per cent discount.

Both hotels feature prominent indigenous Australian artworks from Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands as well as two major public art pieces integrated into the fabric of the building by Australian artists Mandy Ridley and Matt Huttlestone.

The hotels also offer shared lifestyle facilities including a pool, gym, parking, plus restaurant and bar, ‘Curve’.

www.medina.com.au  and www.vibehotels.com.au

Try something different on a day trip out of Darwin, with new cultural activities introduced at the Windows on the Wetlands information centre on the Adelaide River floodplain.

The centre provides a perfect introduction to the northern coastal wetlands, as well as superb vistas over the vast floodplains.

Visitors can learn about the customs of the local Limilngan and Wulna people.

Listen as the traditional curators tell Aboriginal tales such as the Turtle Dreaming story and explain the ancient ways of their people. www.nt.gov.au/nreta

NT is recruiting! Sign up for a true outback experience with a working holiday visa

According to recent figures from the Australian Government, the number of young Brits planning an extended trip to Australia increased by over 20 per cent in 2008, as they look beyond the Eurozone and try to escape the credit crunch.

More than 11,200 Working Holiday Visas were granted in the period July to September, up nearly 2,000 in the same period last year. Australia’s Northern Territory is the ultimate working holiday destination, with plenty of work and a high demand for skilled as well as non-skilled workers. Experience a lifestyle that is very different to the rest of Australia and overseas, from stock work on a cattle station, mango and melon picking, hospitality and construction, tour guides and nursing, the territory hosts a wealth of job opportunities in stunning surroundings.

www.immi.gov.au  or www.theterritory.com.au

Bilila Lodge Kempinski will open in June 2009 in the Serengeti National Park, one of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. With 74 rooms, including two private villas, Bilila Lodge Kempinski offers an infinity pool overlooking the grasslands and an Anantara Spa.

Working with the Serengeti National Park authorities and government planning department, Bilila Lodge Kempinski has been blended into the surrounding landscape; the arc-shaped hotel follows the natural contours of the land and — as far as possible — has been constructed using only local materials.

For example, over a million traditional “chelewa” brooms have been used to create the thatched roof and the stone for the walls was sourced from nearby Mugumu.

Public areas include a restaurant with an open kitchen serving a mix of African and international cuisine, a lounge, a bar, a wine cellar, an authentic boma (or corral) where guests can enjoy moonlit barbecues, a library, a play room, a fitness center, an art gallery and a gift shop.

All the guest rooms have luxury ensuite bathrooms, multimedia DVD players, over 50 satellite TV and radio channels and a teak deck for relaxing while watching game (personal telescope included). Suites have their own private plunge pools.

For more information, visit www.kempinski.com

Air Canada customers will now be able to start watching movies and enjoy other on-board entertainment from the moment they take their seats on the aircraft up to the time they disembark.

Air Canada now offers this amenity before and during take-off and while landing.

The expanded service is now in effect.

For passenger safety, some restrictions apply.

Customers will be able to use Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment system to watch movies, television shows or listen to music immediately upon boarding.

However, under safety protocols approved by Transport Canada, passengers will be required to use only “ear bud” type headsets.

As well, in order that programs can be interrupted for safety messages and other information, use of personal entertainment devices, such as iPods, will only be allowed once the aircraft is in flight and the captain has granted permission.

Camp Jabulani, an elephant camp near Kruger National Park, is introducing a luxurious new lodging in September named the Zindoga Suite after the first male elephant born to the camp’s herd.

The name means “on its own.” Designed to blend with the surrounding bush and the existing camp, the Zindoga Suite is tailored to appeal to smaller groups and families, permitting for the first time an opportunity for children to enjoy the unique Camp Jabulani elephant experience with their parents.

Set off from the original site to ensure privacy, the ultra-deluxe suite has a maximum capacity of six people, and consists of two units — one accommodates two adults; the other, two adults and two children. In addition, the lodging boasts two wood-burning fireplaces, two heated pools, as well as a dedicated chef and team on hand to guarantee that everything goes smoothly for every member of the party.

With 13 specially-trained elephants, Camp Jabulani was the first in South Africa to offer elephant-back safaris, and the only one to offer elephant-back safaris at night. Elephant safaris are unlike those in a vehicle.

Guests sit behind the trainer in a comfortable saddle while the elephants quietly negotiate narrow paths in single file and get very close to other members of the animal kingdom.

What’s more, Camp Jabulani features morning and evening vehicle game drives, balloon safaris, bush walks, bird-watching, clay-pigeon shooting and a visit to the world-renowned Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, a leader in the breeding and research of endangered species.

Rates for the entire Zidoga Suite start at $4,084 per night, and are inclusive of all game-viewing (excluding balloon safaris), elephant-back safaris, accommodation, meals, beverages, butler and laundry service, children’s programs and transfers from the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport.

For more information, call 27 12 460 5605, email reservations@campjabulani.com  or visit www.campjabulani.com

Red Mountain Resort & Spa, in St. George, Utah, is now hosting destination weddings. This new offering at Red Mountain is suitable for wedding parties from six to 60 people, with options of indoor and outdoor venues. The culinary team, lead by Executive Chef Dale Van Sky, will cater to the tastes of each party by planning menus for bridesmaid luncheons, rehearsal dinners, receptions, post-wedding brunches or even a casual buffet.

The event coordinator will also assist with details such as music, photography, floral arrangements and specialty cakes.

Gift giving is made simple for guests when the couple registers at Sagestone Spa & Salon for treatments and adventure outings during their stay.

Guests can also take advantage of the Spa by refreshing and rejuvenating with different treatments before and after the big event (group rates are available).

The resort also offers the Red Rock Honeymoon package, which includes a 50-minute classic couple’s massage; a complimentary registry for the couple from Sagestone Spa & Salon; villa suite accommodations; three meals daily; daily guided hikes; unlimited fitness classes; healthy life classes and events at the Wellness Center; personal discovery activities such as meditation hikes, fire ceremonies, and tai chi;

Eat Well, Feel Well cooking demonstrations; and use of resort facilities such as the indoor pool, outdoor pool, bicycles, walking trails; and strength and cardio studio. Red Rock Honeymoon pricing starts at $379 per person, per night based on double occupancy with a minimum three-night stay.

For more information, call 877-246-HIKE or visit www.RedMountainSpa.com