Jetsettersblog

A journey of discovery to the northern and southern extremes of the Gold Coast region can be an idyllic short break discovers Adrienne Costin.

The high rise buildings of Surfers Paradise stood proud in the distance as we looked at them from the windswept shore of the South Stradbroke Island beach.

We were on the open beach side of Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island, which as its name suggests, is the southern neighbour of the more famous North Stradbroke. The two were one island until the late 1890s when they separated by the body of water now known as Jumpinpin Channel.

Eco-accredited Couran Cove is the only resort on this small sand island, and like its big brother, access is by boat with regular and pleasant 40 minute transfers operating from the Resort’s office and reception at Hope Island on the mainland.

We had already checked in before boarding the ferry so as we walked up the ramp to the main reception area we were able to head straight to our room, which like the majority of the accommodation is built over the water making the private verandah very appealing for a sundowner or a pre-bed coffee. All these ‘marine’ rooms and suites include a kitchenette.

There is also accommodation is four bedroom villas within the rainforest.

There are three ways to explore this sprawling bushland resort – on foot, on one of thousands of hire bicycles, or on the shuttle train which runs regularly from the resort to the Surf Club. It’s a welcome sight if you’ve made the 2km walk out to the surf beach.

Guests are spoiled for choice with activities including a selection of nature-based activities. Do take the time to take a wander through the rainforest with its tract of ancient cabbage tree rainforest and for the more active there is a huge sports centre which includes an indoor lawn bowls green and a 100m running track.

Dining choices are also prolific. For a special night out choose The Restaurant, the Resort’s signature, fine dining restaurant.

My snapper was so fresh and perfectly cooked it melted into my mouth and my companions could only nod approval as they devoured their meals.

The Boardwalk Café and Bar is open daily from 8am for coffee, cakes and desserts and serves a light menu during the day.

During the busy summer months the Surf Club also serves light meals; basic provisions and pre-prepared meals are available from the well-stocked Resort shop and the Poolside Café is the spot for breakfast and other light meals and coffee – all of which are enjoyed amidst the oasis of swimming pools in the heart of the lagoon.

A day later we were back on South Stradbroke, this time having swapped the high-speed ferry for kayaks supplied on a half-day Balunjali indigenous tour.

The group met at the Southport Spit where after a quick briefing we headed off across the busy waterway to Wavebreak Island for a delicious afternoon tea and a snorkel in the cool waters which were surprisingly filled with many colourful fish.

Drying off we hopped back in our kayaks and before long had reached South Stradbroke where we stepped back in the time to see the island through the eyes of the traditional owners – our faces and feet painted with mud. It was a fascinating way to spend the afternoon learning about the aboriginal history of the land. As the sun began to set we made our way back to the kayaks and made the easy 30 minute paddle back to the mainland.

Between these two visits to South Stradbroke we had headed to the southern end of the Gold Coast.

The beaches are wide and beautiful, long waves roll in to the sand as children play in the waves and surfers show off their stuff in the break. Others, their sun-bleached hair tussled from a day in the water, wander up from the beach with their boards under their arms.

This is where you’ll find the Golden Four – the beaches of Tugun, Bilinga, North Kirra and Kirra. The best way to choose which one to enjoy is to take a drive along the small beachfront road running alongside.

We joined the lunch-time crowd at the Currumbin Surf Club at Elephant Rock, one of two famous landmarks at this beach.

Lucky enough to secure a seat on the outside of the balcony, we enjoyed delicious steaks and seafood overlooking Currumbin Rock.

Then it was time to check out the recently opened Surfworld Gold Coast located opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Surfers and lovers of surfing cannot fail to be enthralled by the expansive collection of surfboards, fabulous surfing photographs and other memorabilia.

This shrine to all things surfing is open from 10am to 4pm daily, admission is $9 adults, $5 children and concession and $25 for a family of two adults and two children.

As the sun set over the beach, a whale frolicked offshore, the surf lifesavers took down their flags and the beaches closed on another glorious day.

After a night comfortably ensconced within a suite at the stylish Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, we woke to another glorious day.

The hotel straddles the border with New South Wales and is a great destination for couples and families with its self-contained suites and penthouses, stunning beach or hinterland views and proximity to the beach, world-class restaurants and night clubs.

Our destination was Currumbin Valley but before we left the beauty of the waterfront, we used coffee as an excuse to visit Cafe D’Bar which overlooks Rainbow Beach in Queensland and Duranbah Beach in New South Wales, and is home to a fabulous Art Gallery.

Currumbin Valley is an easy 20 minute drive from Currumbin Beach. The lush hinterland is a 1.5km wide and 15km long stretch of sub-tropical hinterland with sheer escarpments, creeks, rock pools and waterfalls, all of which can be explored on well maintained walks.

The Mt Cougal section of Springbrook National Park is the northern rim of what was once a massive volcano which stretched south from Byron Bay and west to the Great Dividing Range and is also part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. We were savvy with this history, having visited the Green Cauldron exhibit of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which provides an introduction to the history of the area and animals found in the region.

On our way back from the Valley we made a compulsory stop at a roadside fruit stalls – the inexpensive and locally grown fruit and vegetables are out of this world with their flavours and freshness!

For information on the Gold Coast visit www.verygoldcoast.com

Couran Cove Resort. www.couran.com ; Balunjali. www.balunjali.com ; Surfworld Gold Coast. www.surfworldgoldcoast.org.au ; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. www.cws.org.au ; Outrigger Twin Towns Resort. www.outrigger.com

A progressive dinner in Port

A new progressive dining tour is tantalising the taste buds of visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

Taste Port Douglas tours begin at Port Douglas’ iconic Courthouse Hotel where guests receive a welcome drink and meet their guide for the evening ahead. The group then departs on a guided progressive dinner walking tour to three of Port Douglas’ award-winning restaurants such as Bistro 3, Salsa, Harrison’s, Zinc, 2 Fish, Finz, Clements and Zeus. Strolling between the restaurants, hosts Monique Leman and Corrine Durie tell guests tales of Port’s heritage, a rolling history of venues and just enough local gossip to pique your appetite! Taste Port Douglas progressive dinner tours start at $149 per person and are available Wednesday through Sunday.

Lunch tours are on offer from Wednesday to Friday, with prices starting at $89 a head including all meals, wine, breads, coffee and tea. Other tours include ‘Taste of Sea’, which includes an evening on Sailaway IV before dinner, and ‘Taste of Indulgence’ which includes transfers, lunch and spa treatment at Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa.

www.tasteofaustralia.com.au

SPA Magazine’s Annual Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Awards Names Remède Spa at The St. Regis Singapore as Favorite Hotel Spa (South East Asia)

Spa at The St. Regis Singapore as Favorite Hotel Spa (South East Asia)

The Remède Spa at The St. Regis Singapore has been named as a Silver Sage Readers’ Choice winner in the category of Favorite Resort/Hotel Spa – Southeast Asia.

More than 100,000 votes were cast this year for SPA magazine’s third annual Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Awards. The November/December 2009 issue of SPA, available on newsstands and in bookstores nationwide October 20, will highlight these spectacular spas.

“We are extremely excited to win this prestigious award by Spa magazine’s Annual Silver Sage Readers’ Choice. This is recognition of the outstanding efforts of our therapists who deliver luxurious spa experiences in this region,” said Mr Oscar Postma, Executive Assistant Manager (Rooms).

“The Remède Spa at The St Regis Singapore distinguishes itself from a traditional tropical Asian spa in its design as well as its treatments. It sets new standards of excellence with its wide range of customised revitalising experiences inspired by water and the finest ancient rituals of the bathing art.”

The St. Regis Singapore houses the first Remède Spa outside the United States.

The exclusive spa epitomise sophistication and indulgence, transporting each guest to an urban oasis of rejuvenation and relaxation. With a commitment to innovation, luxury, quality and service, each treatment is customised to the individual’s specific needs and desires.

Signature treatments include the Warm Jade Stone Massage, which uses heated and cooled custom made jade stones to deliver a deeply relaxing, grounding and cleansing treatment that is essentially healing and rejuvenating, as well the Olive and Eucalyptus Black Soap Body Wash & Scrub, a cleansing treatment that leaves you with silky smooth skin and an exhilarating feeling of wellbeing.

Treatment rooms : 7 Treatment Rooms

: 1 Jade Suite (Couple Suite)

: 2 Wet Rooms (male / female)

Operation hours : 9.00 am to 10.00 pm (daily)

Remède Spa is located on level 2 at The St. Regis Singapore

For information and bookings call Remède Spa at (65) 6506 6892 or e-mail: spa.singapore@stregis.com

For more than 13 years, Spa magazine has offered readers a personal connection to the beauty, health, and wellness secrets of the world’s hottest spas. Spa publishes six bimonthly editions plus the award-winning Spa Worldwide Guide annual directory. Check out Spa online at www.spamagazine.com

Following the highly acclaimed opening of The Putman in 2007, luxury developer, National Properties Holdings Limited is this month unveiling Le Rivage.

This newly-built boutique hotel apartment is National Properties’ second collaboration in Hong Kong with legendary French designer Andrée Putman.

“Our company is passionate about offering world-class architecture and design to Hong Kong,” said Loewe Lee, Managing Director of National Properties. “Le Rivage is a testament to our vision in providing this new concept to all the developments that we create.”

Le Rivage occupies a glamorous waterfront location in the Western District of Hong Kong with unobstructed Victoria Harbour views. Each of the 50 bespoke suites offer guests a relaxing oasis in the bustling metropolis with understated luxury and uncompromising comfort.

Le Rivage captures the essence of Andrée Putman’s signature style with a sense of warmth and comfort. The use of blues and whites pay homage to the breathtaking harbour views seen through the large picture windows, and each meticulously designed suite presents a timeless and elegant environment.

The generous 1,000 square foot apartments at Le Rivage each have a private lift lobby and entrance. In addition, two apartments on the third floor of the building have their own private terrace and garden area.

Inside the apartments is an open plan living space with high ceilings and a chic neutral décor. The suites come fitted with state-of-the-art gadgets and furnishings including a Toshiba 42” Full HD LCD television and DVD player and a Sony hi-fi system with iPod docking as well as a versatile kitchen, perfect for dining alone or for entertaining.

The expansive bathroom features a spacious rain shower, Italian Bisazza mosaic tiles, plush Frette towels and L’Occitane toiletries. Sumptuous Frette sheets and white goose down pillows and duvets cover each Simmons mattress.

Thoughtful design solutions are found throughout the suites, from a work desk with concealed drawers and compartments to storage cabinets underneath the bed.

Guests can enjoy complimentary wireless and fixed line broadband internet connections, local TV, Now TV and Cable TV channels. Services and amenities include a 24-hour concierge service, daily housekeeping service Mondays through Saturdays (excluding public holidays) with bed linens and towels changed twice weekly, and a dedicated guest laundry room.

In addition, Le Rivage offers guests a fully equipped gym with Life Fitness machines and free weights, a business centre and a spacious rooftop sundeck with barbecue facilities that is available for private parties.

Le Rivage is conveniently located close to the Shun Tak Macau Ferry Terminal and minutes away from the Central business district, Airport Express and the city’s main nightlife centres of Soho and Lan Kwai Fong. A complimentary shuttle service will be offered between Le Rivage and International Finance Centre (IFC) in Central from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

Prices for the suites will start from HK$27,500 per month. Daily rates are available upon request.

Le Rivage
Address: 138 Connaught Road West, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3607 3333
Enquiry: (852) 3607 3388
Email: info@lerivage.hk
Website: www.lerivage.hk

Accor, the most dynamic international hotel group in China, proudly announced today the opening of its first hotel in Taiwan, the new Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.

As economic collaborations between Mainland and Taiwan continue to strengthen, this newest property is well set to cater to Taiwan’s fast growing business travel and leisure tourist market. Furthermore, the launch of the new hotel is strategically important for the group’s development in the Greater China region where Accor has now established a presence in all major regions including the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and now Taiwan.

Located at Taiwan’s busiest international airport, Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is accessible in a few minutes from the terminal building.

Designed for Natural Living, the 360-room Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is designed to deliver a restful stay and a comfortable work environment.

All guests have free access to wifi in public areas, and rooms are equipped with LCD flat screens with an extensive international selection of TV channels. Innovative design elements are featured in all aspects of the room as well as relaxing ‘rain’ showers and anti-mist mirrors, dedicated flexible workspaces with high-speed an in-room safe large enough for a laptop and 24-hour room service. Guests staying on the Executive Premier Floor can access the exclusive executive lounge which offers a host of additional benefits.

Golf fanatics will be pleased to know that the hotel is close to Meilihua Miramar Golf resort. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle bus to Taoyuan City, home to many important industrial parks, just 15 minutes away.

Downtown Taipei with its myriad of attractions such as the National Palace Museum, the National Fine Arts Museum and Taipei 101, the world’s tallest skyscraper, is just 25 miles away, and the hotel enjoys convenient transportation links from the airport. Taipei, with its fun night markets, quiet temples and busy parks, is one of the region’s most dynamic and comfortable cities which, just like Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, strikes a balance between business and leisure.

All guests can stay connected with the hotel’s “Web Corner on a Mac,” a comfortable space outfitted with user-friendly Apple iMacs and a full service business centre is available. For conferences or meetings, the hotel offers a 488-sqm pillar-free Grand Ballroom and five additional meeting rooms flooded with natural light with one-touch control panels for lighting, sound and multi-media equipment.

The hotel breaks down the walls that separate business and leisure travel so that guests can find the right balance between work and play. Alongside state-of-the-art meeting facilities and the latest technology, Novotel’s innovative leisure services such as the ‘In Balance’ fitness gym filled with the latest exercise equipment, a steam room, sauna and an indoor swimming pool providing guests spaces to unwind and work out.

The Square is the Novotel brand’s flagship food and beverage offering in Asia, with its cutting edge design and versatility moving well beyond the traditional hotel coffee shop.

The Square updates the dining experience, making guests active participants, as their food is cooked-to-order as they move through different restaurant stations. Exotic specialties from Asia are served along side great European dishes, together with new world favorites from the Americas and Australia.

This alongside Novotel’s trademark exceptional service will make for an unforgettable dining experience for our guests.

As well as The Square, the hotel has a Chinese restaurant THE WEI with private dining rooms and two bars Q Bar in the lobby and O2 Bar by the swimming pool.

“Through our successful partnership with China Airlines, the opening of Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport will form a strategic footprint in Taiwan, a gateway destination. This Novotel will assist in meeting the needs of both domestic and international travelers.” said Mr. Robert Murray, Senior Vice President of Accor Greater China.

Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is now offering an opening rate of TWD 2,988 +15% for standard room, from now on to 31 December 2009.

For bookings, please contact our reservation hotline 400-818-2688 (mainland China) or 800-938-768 (Hong Kong), or go to www.novotel.com  or www.accorhotels/asia.com

Hong Kong – ibis, the worldwide reference for economy hotels, announces today the development of the largest ibis in Asia Pacific, in central Hong Kong.

The hotel will be the second ibis for Hong Kong and the first purpose built ibis hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2012.

Ibis Hong Kong Sheung Wan is being developed by Bright Century Limited – a joint venture between Hong Kong based real estate developer Common Empire Development Ltd. and Singapore based private equity fund Alpha Investment Partners Limited.

Mr Tony Yau – Executive Director of Common Empire Development Ltd., a spokesperson for the hotel owning consortium says “The hotel development is located in a much sought after location in central Hong Kong, where quality economy hotels are lacking.

We are very confident with our selection of the ibis hotel brand, due to its strong global brand recognition in major feeder markets to Hong Kong and the platforms that Accor offers.”

The ibis Hong Kong Sheung Wan is ideally located at the junction of Bonham Strand West and Des Voeux Road West, in the heart of downtown Hong Kong, in close vicinity to some of the Island’s premier business addresses and retail.

The hotel is a few minutes walk to Sheung Wan MTR and the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal.

The hotel will boast 550 guest rooms, an all day dining venue and bar.

Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Accor Asia Pacific said, “The development of this hotel is testament to the energy that has been invested into expanding the ibis hotel brand throughout Asia Pacific.

Today ibis exists in central locations in almost all major capitals throughout the region, consistently offering full service international quality accommodation and with the best value proposition.

It demonstrates our continued capacity to meet the ambitious objectives of our global development programme and heralds a new era of international-quality, economy accommodation in downtown Hong Kong – a key market for the brand in the Asia Pacific”.

Today throughout the world, Accor operates over 800 ibis hotels. By the end of 2009, the Asia Pacific ibis network will expand to 82 ibis hotels of which 42 are located in China – a primary growth market for the brand. 21 ibis hotels will open during 2009 in Asia Pacific.

Issenberg added “Whilst providing a much needed affordable alternative to accommodation in central Hong Kong, this hotel will provide the ibis brand extensive profile, which will feed into the regional and global ibis hotel network.”

Since its creation in 1974, the ibis brand has grown consistently, first in Europe and gradually in all continents.

Following an already significant progression in 2008, when ibis opened 50 hotels representing 8,300 new rooms in more than 20 countries, the brand will be accelerating its expansion again this year. Between 2009 and 2010, one to two new ibis hotels will be launched in the world every week.

WORLDHOTELS, the world’s leading Europe-based global hotel group for independent hotels welcomes Grand Central Hotel Shanghai as its newest Deluxe Collection affiliate.

The Grand Central Hotel Shanghai is as its name suggests a grand new landmark for China’s most exciting and cosmopolitan city, combining Shanghai’s classical French heritage with stunning modern facilities.

Boasting an unrivalled location, the Grand Central is adjacent to the famous Nanjing Road and just a short stroll from popular attractions including The Bund, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Grand Theatre.

Designed by HBA, the world’s leading hotel interior design specialists, The Grand Central features 353 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites equipped with all modern conveniences, technology and luxury amenities. Each room commands breathtaking views of downtown Shanghai.

A magnificent, “floating” ballroom shaped like a giant mythical Phoenix Egg acts as the hotels’ own star attraction: the Shanghai Grand Ballroom rises a full seven meters above the lobby without central pillars for support. Architecturally impressive, the elliptical venue is set to become Shanghai’s hottest new events space,

“This will be every event organizer’s dream venue – ideal for the city’s most exciting gala parties, grand opening launches, fashion shows, wedding banquets and award ceremonies,” said by Mr. Jifu Zhang, General Manager of Grand Central.

The Grand Central is newly-opened by the Wang Bao He Group, celebrated operators of Central Hotel as well as of Shanghai’s oldest restaurant, the Wang Bao He Restaurant. The latter dates back to 1744, and it has since become internationally renowned for serving China’s most famous crab banquet

A range of exquisite international cuisine is on offer at the Grand Central’s four elegant and intimate restaurants; superb Cantonese dishes, sumptuous French fine dining, Coffee Shop and Lobby Bar all enable the hotel to cater for a worldly clientele.

Roland Jegge, WORLDHOTELS’ Vice President Asia Pacific, said:

“We are delighted to welcome this stunning new Shanghai landmark to our portfolio. We congratulate the owners on creating such a magnificent new hotel and we look forward to introducing it to discerning travellers worldwide through our global network.”

Ho Chi Minh City — Park Hyatt Saigon has been voted “Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City” for the third consecutive year in the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards at the Business Traveller Asia Pacific 18th Travel Awards 2009.

Business Traveller heads the portfolio of titles belonging to international publishing house, Panacea Publishing, headquartered in London. Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is one of nine titles around the world, including sister publication Business Traveller China.

Since starting up in 1982, Business Traveller has represented a valuable resource for frequent travellers, as well as served as a platform for expressing their concerns and desires.

The Northern Territory’s spectacular landscapes in Kakadu and Uluru have been voted Australia’s top two travel destinations by National Geographic Traveler in the United States.

The sixth annual ‘Places Rated’ Destination Stewardship survey in conjunction with National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations ranked Kakadu in the top ten destinations in the world.

Kakadu National Park lies in the Top End of Australia offering travellers tropical waterholes, wetlands and world-renowned escarpments packed with rare species of plants and animals, that are depicted through ancient rock art, etched out by the traditional owners over 50,000 years.

The monumental site of Uluru was ranked 32nd in the world, most renowned for its incredible red desert setting, surrounded by canyons, ranges and the famous outback town of Alice Springs.

Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef ranked sixty-nine and NSW’s Byron Bay ninety-nine, with a total of 133 celebrated destinations from around the world and ranked according to how they have weathered the pressures of mass tourism and other threats.

Kakadu and Uluru were the only destinations in Australia to score in the top 50 with judges noting Kakadu’s wonderful wildlife and unspoiled beauty, and Uluru’s excellent care and sustainability programs.

With a score of 78, they praised Kakadu as “an outstanding example of the fundamental importance of long-standing traditional learning in Parks management.” They also highlighted on a global scale, Uluru is “a good model for arid-zone and indigenous-tourism development.”

Tourism NT Chief Executive Maree Tetlow said this is a huge accolade for the Northern Territory and for both Kakadu and Uluru.

“Australia’s Northern Territory tourism industry relies heavily on its natural and cultural environments, so to receive these accolades from the highly respected National Geographic organisation is testimony to our tourism operators and our Parks management,” Ms Tetlow said.

“We have been working with our industry to help them understand environmental issues such as climate change by making them relevant to tourism.

“Through our ‘Going Green’ program we’ve provided practical step by step information to help tourism businesses in the Northern Territory develop more sustainable operating practices,” she said.

The National Geographic panel consisted of 437 well travelled experts in a variety of fields including historic preservation, site management, geography, sustainable tourism, ecology, indigenous cultures, travel writing and photography, and archaeology.

To view the survey and rankings visit National Geographic Traveler.

National Geographic Adventure’s Global Travel Editor, Costas Christ, will be visiting Alice Springs next week to undertake his role as the key note speaker in the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference from 9-11 November.

Escape to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and let the stresses of everyday life melt away. Uncover a heritage of rich local culture, and reminisce over ancient splendour.

Take in towering red sand dunes that glimmer in the desert sun for as far as the eye can see. Glimpse free roaming sand gazelles and captivating Oryx, and explore a landscape of breathtaking natural beauty.

The recently launched Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort is located just 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, set within the famed Liwa Desert – an area steeped with tradition and bursting with legacy.

Step back into traditional Arabia and journey into the fabled desert from this magnificent 206 room resort. Designed to absorb the region’s distinctive custom, guestroom interiors are inspired by the simple grandeur of an old desert fortress and boast locally hand-crafted furnishings, rich carpets and embroidered fabrics to evoke ambient warmth and an inescapable sense of romance.

For the ultimate in lavish experiences, guests are invited to retreat to one of three Villas, each featuring three bedrooms and reflecting a splendid regal retreat.

Promising the finest five star services, including 24/7 butler, these private palaces benefit from two bedrooms with King beds, one bedroom with Twin beds, a common lounge area, pantry, private pool, sundecks, oversized terrazzo bathtubs, rain showers and complimentary WIFI.

Qasr Al Sarab also offers 29 one bedroom Villas, 10 two bedroom Villas and a range of comfortable rooms all exuding sensual Arabian touches.

Adorned with hints of Bedouin tradition and exquisite reminders of timeless culture, guests are assured of feeling a million miles away from the fast pace of city life.

Unveiling a series of gastronomic adventures, the resort offers a variety of enticing dining choices. Relax in comfortable chairs at Suhail Qasr Al Sarab, where guests can feast on the finest grills and seafood whilst taking in sweeping views of the starlit dunes in the distance. Or indulge at Al Waha Qasr Al Sarab restaurant where the finest Middle Eastern and international delights await.

Qasr Al Sarab unfolds a gateway of cultural discovery to the mesmerising traditions of the Liwa Desert. Be prepared to stand in awe at the sight of amazing natural phenomenon, such as the crystallised sand formations known as ‘Desert Roses’ that embellish some of the largest dunes in the world.

Traverse the undulating landscape by traditional means atop a camel and experienced guide, and live out epic Arabian experiences as you soak up the region’s fascinating history.

Glimpse at the Arabian wildlife as they roam in their natural habitat, a 9000 sq km protected nature reserve. Or simply pass an evening in the style of centuries gone by, gazing at a starry sky from the desert’s natural vantage point of a beautiful ochre red dune.

Reveal the true spirit of Arabia with a visit to the Bedouin Tent. Admire a welcoming setting of a Bedouin inspired tent, where dining and entertainment are sensuous arts.

Become immersed in the local way of life and savor a string of authentic Arabian customs against the backdrop of vast dunes and enchanting desert surrounds.

After a day of enthralling activity, let the beautiful and supremely intimate Anantara Spa become the perfect oasis of privacy and serenity. Relax in one of five spacious desert view treatment rooms, from which to enjoy a wide range of divine indulgences.

The highlight of the spa is an exclusive Moroccan-style Hammam with the calming sound of running water echoing from ornately tiled walls. Double heated marble beds, Jacuzzis, steam rooms and an exclusive Ice Cave pamper those who indulge in the ornate Hamman.

Take pleasure in signature experiences, richly inspired by the region and fused with the finest local ingredients. Choose from a soothing selection of Thai-themed treats for overall rejuvenation, and reap never-ending pleasures with luxurious facilities such as a Vichy treatment room, whirlpool bath, steam and sauna.

For those with superfluous energy, a fitness centre complete with kinesis, yoga and aerobic studio, alongside weights and cardio room is also available to work off extra steam.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is a scenic retreat located in an astounding, unique environment, encompassing authentic aspects of desert life and capturing the true heritage and culture of the region.

A tapestry of colour, culture, luxury and ingenuity are just waiting to be discovered at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.

For Bookings and Reservations Please contact Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara on Tel: +971 2 886 2088 or email: infoqas@anantara.com  For further information please visit www.qasralsarab.anantara.com