Jetsettersblog

Grand Mercure Hongqiao Shanghai is proud to announce the launch of its www.GrandMercureHongqiao.com Exclusive Packages!

The new exclusive and original packages have been designed to specifically answer its guest’s needs and expectations.

With these Packages, guests will not have to worry about the additional services he needs to organize during his trip; the business traveler will have his limousine ready, free internet access in his room; the couples will enjoy a special candlelight dinner, and kids will have a full weekend of fun!

Everything will be delivered, without adding a dollar to the bill…

The objective is to show the Hotel as an integral travel experience instead of a simple room night. In today’s economic situation, GrandMercureHongqiao.com Exclusive Packages are made for guests to enjoy a tailor-made hospitality experience at an affordable price!

Some may think that luxury hotels’ restaurant or limousine services are not affordable. Grand Mercure Hongqiao is here to prove them wrong!

Discover all Exclusive Packages at

www.grandmercurehongqiao.cn/en/packages

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Suning Real Estate Development Co. today announced the signing of agreements for Hyatt subsidiaries to provide management services to three hotels in the vibrant hubs of China’s Jiangsu province.

Grand Hyatt Nanjing is currently slated to open in 2013 and Hyatt Regency Wuxi and Hyatt Regency Xuzhou are projected to debut in 2012.

Grand Hyatt Nanjing is slated to open in the historic city of Nanjing in 2013 as an integral part of the mixed-use development, Suning Plaza. This large-scale complex in the prominent Xin Jie Kou district of Nanjing will consist of Grand Hyatt Nanjing, luxury serviced residences, a shopping mall, and facilities for dining, leisure and entertainment.

The 400-room hotel will feature innovative food and beverage concepts, a grand ballroom and several meeting rooms as well as an atmospheric spa and fitness centre. When completed, Grand Hyatt Nanjing will join the select circle of Grand Hyatt properties in Greater China that currently includes locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, and most recently Macau and Shenzhen.

Anticipated to open in 2012 as part of Suning Plaza, the 350-room Hyatt Regency Wuxi will be part of a two tower mixed-use development in Wuxi.

The 70-storey North Tower will feature the hotel on the upper levels, serviced residences on the middle levels and office space on the lower levels.

The 41-storey South Tower will contain additional serviced apartments. An eight-storey wing of the South Tower will provide extensive space for a shopping arcade, food and beverage outlets, a cinema and other leisure facilities. Hyatt Regency Wuxi will boast four restaurants and bars, an 800-square-metre ballroom and 10 multi-function rooms of varying sizes.

Guests at the hotel will be able to de-stress at a spa with six treatment rooms and fitness centre.

In the mixed-use development Suning is planning to construct in Xuzhou, Hyatt Regency Xuzhou will be ensconced in the upper levels of a 60-storey tower, which is one of five towers that will make up Suning Plaza in the city centre. The lower levels of the tower will have serviced apartments and offices.

A six-storey wing will contain a shopping mall, restaurants and bars as well as leisure facilities.

The 350 guestrooms will have a contemporary design and the hotel will offer travellers the latest technology tools, stylish restaurants and lounges, a grand ballroom and meeting venues as well as a spa and fitness centre. Hyatt Regency Xuzhou is slated to open in 2012.

Steve Haggerty, global head of real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said of the latest Hyatt properties planned for China, “These future openings in three of China’s most dynamic growth centres will further strengthen the Hyatt-branded portfolio in the country. We look forward to delivering authentic hospitality to business and leisure travellers.”

Six Hyatt-branded hotels have opened in Greater China in the past 18 months, including Park Hyatt Shanghai, Park Hyatt Beijing, Grand Hyatt Macau, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, and Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. Hyatt’s subsidiaries currently provide management services to 15 hotels in the region.

Preferred Boutique, the premier brand for intimate hotels and resorts, is pleased to announce its newest member in Thailand and its first in Phuket – Andara Resort and Villas.

Nestled on a lush hillside of the upscale west coast of Phuket’s Kamala Bay, Andara is comprised of 26 free-standing villas and 37 suites, all offering spectacular views of the Andaman Sea.

Its high standards and elegant design resulted in four award wins at the recent 2009 Thailand Property Awards: Best Villa in Phuket, Best Villa in Thailand, Best Condo in Phuket, and Best Architectural Design.

The secluded villas range in size from 1200 to 2500 square meters with three to six bedrooms.

Making the most of the scenery and hilltop location, the outdoor space is extensive, boasting alfresco dining for up to eight people and large private infinity pools overlooking the ocean.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors let the incredible views and fresh air filter into the indoor living space. A fully equipped Western kitchen is manned by each villa’s personal chef and 24-hour live-in attendant. Other facilities include a game room and massage room with sauna.

The spacious suites are available in configurations of one to four bedrooms ranging from 240 to 890 square meters, featuring fully equipped kitchens and oversized bathrooms.

Most offer a private pool with sea-view terrace or a private rooftop pool.

The Thai inspired interior creates a warm and homely environment, adorned with local artistry and walls lined with Jim Thompson silk.

Full resort facilities include a 40-meter outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, state-of-the-art gym, spa with Andara’s exclusive product line, beach club, and two custom-finished motor yachts with which to explore the nearby islands. Phuket’s popular Silk restaurant and bar has relocated into the resort to offer contemporary Thai cuisine in luxurious surroundings.

“This stunning resort is a significant addition to the Preferred Boutique brand and our resort portfolio in Asia. With increased accessibility because of the recent addition of new international flights into Phuket and Preferred Hotel Group’s global sales and marketing strength, Andara’s success will set a new benchmark for luxury,” said Mark Simmons, area managing director, Asia, for Preferred Hotel Group.

“As a new independent luxury property, it is important that we are aligned with the right brand for our positioning and global exposure.

Preferred Boutique is the perfect partner for us to launch the brand and to establish a high profile clientele,” said Andrew Whittaker, general manager of Andara Resort and Villas.

About Preferred Boutique

At the heart of the Preferred Boutique experience is inspiration – that elusive characteristic that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.

The four Preferred Boutique categories – Classic, Design, Adventure and Resort – encompass eclectic properties from palaces to secluded cottages, from hip urban hotels to private islands. Preferred Boutique is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group family of brands which also includes:

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Summit Hotels & Resorts, Sterling Hotels and Historic Hotels of America. For reservations and a complete description of the Preferred Boutique collection, please visit www.PreferredBoutique.com.

Preferred Boutique guests are eligible to enroll in the I Prefer™ Guest Benefit Program, featuring benefits such as early check-in and late check-out, space-available room upgrades and more.

For more information, please visit www.IPrefer.com

The MiraSpa, a modern haven for rejuvenation, beauty, hair and fitness, is open at The Mira Hong Kong, one of Hong Kong’s most upscale, seamlessly advanced hotels.

The 18,000 square-foot retreat features a stunning, 25-metre indoor infinity-edge pool, immediately immersing guests in an environment of absolute tranquility and pampering.

MiraSpa introduces some of the world’s most glamorous treatments and products, including Elemental Herbology, available nowhere else in Hong Kong for treatments, which is a nutrient-rich skin care brand combining Traditional Chinese Medicine and botanical remedies to balance body elements and skin responses to seasonal changes;

Dr Murad, a visionary pioneer of anti-ageing, acne and cellulite skin care science; and luxury Parisian cosmetologist Anne Semonin.

Treatment areas include Seven Spa Suites, complete with private washroom and shower, and two VIP Spa Suites with private sunken whirlpool bath, relaxation area, steam shower and vanity area.

Unique features include a ‘Heat Experience’ with sauna, steam, whirlpool, experience showers and waterbed lounges, warmed by stunning EcoSmart Fires.

For the ultimate in relaxation, there is an oval shaped Aura Room with soothing colours which induces restful sleep while enjoying a therapeutic MiraSpa ritual, and male and female ‘Floatation Lounges’ that house state-of-the-art heated waterbeds to relax in either before or after spa treatment.

MiraSpa has catered for every beauty need, partnering with renowned Hong Kong hair stylists Private-i for leading edge hair design at The Mira Private-i Salon, as well as bringing in OPI nail products for the manicure and pedicure stations at the Nail Bar.

The state-of-the-art gymnasium features latest touch-screen cardio and resistance equipment from Life Fitness, and a Bar Lounge serves delicious juices, smoothies and healthy snacks throughout the day. Membership packages provide a host of benefits for spa and fitness devotees.

The chic indoor 25-metre pool and infinity edged jacuzzi are surrounded by stylish circular chill-out daybeds – while fibre-optic ceiling lights create spectacular, ambient day to night effects, creating the perfect atmosphere for special events and parties.

A Spa Boutique offers products from the treatment ranges, unique gift items, apparel including Kashwere bathrobes, books, CDs and gift certificates.

Signature treatments include a ‘fire and water’ body balancing ritual called ‘Inner Sanctum’ which helps restore inner harmony. It starts with a luxurious mother of pearl exfoliation to help shed dead skin cells and promote cellular renewal, before a massage that combines reiki, deep-tissue massage and acupressure to re-balance body and mind.

The ritual concludes with a bespoke Elemental Facial, leaving the skin invigorated and harmonised.
Another signature treatment, the ‘Mira Journey,’ is a modern twist on the traditional apothecary concept of customised ingredients to suit core needs, incorporating a salt and oil body scrub and hot oil wrap, before a heavenly ‘four hands’ massage to soothe tension, target stress zones and leave you uplifted and yet totally zoned out.
Spa Director is British wellness specialist Tracy Lord, who has worked in some of the most luxurious hotel spas in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

She studied beauty therapy at world-renowned Champney’s College of Health and Beauty in Hertfordshire, England where, following graduation, she remained for over three years as a beauty therapist and senior spa trainer.

Most recent accomplishments included the opening of the spa at Four Seasons Hotel, Macao Cotai Strip, prior to which she spent over three years with InterContinental, steering the opening of the new project in Dubai Festival City and the establishment of I-Spa at InterContinental Hong Kong. Other management projects include Amrita Spa, Raffles City in Singapore and Cleopatra’s Day Spa in Dubai.

The MiraSpa opens from 8am-10pm and can be accessed directly from street level by a dedicated lift situated next to the hotel’s G/F Kimberley Road entrance.

About The Mira Hong Kong

Centrally located on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, The Mira Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s commercial, shopping, dining and entertainment district. Located close to the local Mass Transit Railway (MTR), railway stations and the Star Ferry, the hotel connects easily to all parts of Hong Kong. Adjacent to The Mira Hong Kong are a retail promenade of branded boutiques, large-scale shopping malls, bargain outlets and upscale eateries.

www.themirahotel.com

In October 2009, Quark Expeditions announced that the polar adventure company’s flagship, Kapitan Khlebnikov, will retire in March 2012. Four months later, Quark announced that the 13-itinerary End of an Era program is an unqualified success. One of the voyages to remote locales in Antarctica has sold out, and others in the Arctic and Antarctica are well on their way.

Despite the fact that the ship’s retirement is two years away, travelers who hesitate to reserve a cabin may find they have missed the boat – or in this case – the icebreaker.

There are cabins left on Quark’s first End of an Era sailing, Northwest Passage: West to East (July 18 to August 5, 2010).

On that voyage, special guest Andrew Lambert, author of The Gates of Hell: Sir John Franklin’s Tragic Quest for the Northwest Passage, will return to Khlebnikov to deliver presentations about Franklin, and why a pursuit of scientific discovery had disastrous results.

Also, the Laughton Professor of Naval History, will be present when the documentary, Franklin’s Lost Expedition, in which he and Khlebnikov appear, is shown.

“We are very pleased that Professor Lambert accepted our invitation. His reinterpretation of the Franklin story has changed completely the way the world understands the event,” said Quark’s president, Patrick Shaw.

Shaw continued, “The success of our End of an Era program is bittersweet. We are disappointed that the icebreaker will no longer be a part of our fleet, yet, we are delighted at the response of polar travelers, who have embraced the program so enthusiastically.”

A free information kit about the Northwest Passage voyage can be downloaded from the Quark Expeditions website.

Per person prices start at $16,490. The 19-day expedition embarks in Anadyr, Russia and disembarks in Resolute, Canada.

About Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions was the first polar adventure company to transit the Northeast Passage with commercial passengers; the first to take travelers to the “far side” of Antarctica and the first to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent with guests, twice. In 2006 and 2007, Quark was named a recipient of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for “Emperor Penguin Safari” and the “Far Side” respectively. In 2006, Outside magazine named Quark’s “Emperor Penguin Safari” as one of the New Trips of a Lifetime.

Enjoy a complimentary of 2 night weekend stay at one of the distinctive The Luxury Collection Resorts at your choice; The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali (www.luxurycollection.com/bali) or The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi (www.luxurycollection.com/andaman ) for minimum spend of US$ 15,000 when you book your meetings or conferences in any of the participating 23 Starwood’s hotels & resorts across South East Asia (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) before 28 February 2010 by taking ‘You Choose’ Promotion.

The ‘You Choose’ Promotion where meeting planners get to choose 3 rewards out of 10 based on their meeting needs when they book meetings and conferences between now and end of February 2010 for stays until end of July 2010.

Plus, meeting planners will receive an extra bonus when they book their meetings before 28 February 2010. Meeting planners can find more details on this promotion as well as a list of destinations and hotels at www.starwoodmeetings.com/youchoose

Select 3 rewards from the following 10 below based on your meeting needs:

1. Double your complimentary rooms’ allocation.
2. Double your complimentary rooms’ upgrade allocation.
3. Complimentary suite upgrades.
4. Free internet access in guest rooms.
5. Free internet access in meeting rooms (1 on registration desk and 2 in meeting room).
6. A 10% saving on the meeting package.
7. Free welcome reception – selected beverage and canapé for 1 hour.
8. Menu upgrades – based on chef selection.
9. Double Starwood Preferred Planner points at completion of event – can be used for future meeting credits, free nights and free flights.
10. A complimentary room prize voucher to be used during the event or at a later time.

In addition, for every 25 room nights booked, meeting planners enjoy 2500 Starpoints® at time of booking. In the event that the meeting group size is reduced not less than 3 weeks prior to the arrival date, meeting planners can reduce the room block up to 25% without penalty.

‘You Choose’ promotion is available in many popular travel and meetings destinations including China, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Participating brands include aloft, Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Le Méridien.

* Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.starwoodmeetings.com/youchoose for the full terms and conditions.

www.starwoodmeetings.com is one of the most robust meetings-related websites in the industry. Featuring a variety of attractive offers, rewards and recognition, and comprehensive search options, it is an easy-to-use, one-stop resource for organising events of any scale. An industry-first MICE widget, which sits on the desktop of event organisers, provides organisers with the most relevant information on promotions, meetings packages and updates within the shortest time.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 982 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com

Glamorous Mediterranean style marina provides a stylish venue for intimate or grand scale weddings

Award-winning, luxury lifestyle yachting community Royal Phuket Marina has become one of Phuket’s most sought after destinations for many of the international weddings now attracted to Thailand’s largest and most popular resort island.

With a worldwide increase in popularity for destination weddings, couples are choosing to escape to exotic locations to invite their friends and family to celebrate their nuptials, often in grand style and taking over entire hotels and resorts for anything up to a week long.

For wedding planners seeking exclusive locations for their events, Royal Phuket Marina offers the backdrop of a glamorous Mediterranean-style marina setting, as well a 2,500 square metre Exhibition & Conference Centre which can accommodate up to one thousand guests for large scale wedding receptions and events.

Couples can also arrange for wedding party cruises out to Phuket’s breathtakingly beautiful Phang Nga Bay [location of the famous James Bond Island] with its iconic karst islands and azure blue waters which is just minutes from Royal Phuket Marina.

Seven super luxury yachts of varying sizes and capacity, come with full crew and on board catering to order, and are available year round for charter through the resident Royal Phuket Marina Cruising Club.

Memorable entertainment from spectacular fireworks displays to performances by top international artists, can be organised through partnerships with renowned wedding and event planners on the Island and Royal Phuket Marina works closely with most of the leading 5 star hotels in the area to accommodate wedding guests.

Guests can also opt to stay at Royal Phuket Marina’s fully-serviced, luxury apartments and penthouses which include Phuket’s only 4-bedroom penthouses which come with private rooftop pools and gardens.

The Fisherman’s Wharf-style Boardwalk which surrounds the marina packed with its magnificent luxury yachts, is home to an array of trendy bars and restaurants, among them on-site boutique bakery Les Anges, which is well known for catering to Thai Royalty and which can create fabulous wedding cakes to order.

Pampering for the bridal couple and their guests is also available at the Pearl spa, with stylish, designer boutiques offering plenty to attract shoppers and browsers.

Royal Phuket Marina’ facilities also include flood lit tennis and Phuket’s finest health club, while Phuket’s main shopping district and five golf courses including the famous Blue Canyon are nearby.

The RPM Exhibition and Conference Centre is managed under a joint venture with Royal Phuket Marina by Informa (www.informa.com), the largest publicly-owned organiser of conferences and courses in the world, staging over 10,000 events annually.

For bookings, email jennifer.drew@informayachtgroup.com .

About Royal Phuket Marina:

Royal Phuket Marina is a world-class, luxury, Mediterranean-style marina and entertainment and lifestyle hub with open air restaurants and bars.

On Phuket’s eastern seaboard overlooking scenic Phang Na Bay, Royal Phuket Marina is Thailand’s first lifestyle community rivaling top marina resort communities in Europe and the Caribbean.

Developer Gulu Lalvani is the founder of Binatone, the world’s second largest manufacturer of digital cordless phones. He is on a mission to promote Phuket as a world class yachting hub in one of the world’s most idyllic and assessable locations.

For more information about Royal Phuket Marina please visit www.royalphuketmarina.com

Classic afternoon tea is now on the menu at Café Gray Deluxe, the recently-opened “21st century grand café” at The Upper House hotel in Pacific Place.

Award winning Chef Gray Kunz is serving a traditional menu of tea or coffee with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones with home-made preserves and jams, organic honey and Devonshire clotted cream.

Priced at HK$185, or HK$345 for two, the ‘CAFÉ GRAY TEA’ is served daily from 3.30-5.30pm at the restaurant with breathtaking harbour views from the top floor of the exclusive new hotel.

A new a la carte bakery and pastry menu also features specialties including calamansi fruit pate, apple crostada, lemon curd tartlette, pistachio ‘opera cake’, chocolate-caramel candy bar, caramelized mille-feuille, blackcurrant scone and Café Gray cookies.

Tea choices range from the house specialty to classic Darjeeling, Crown blend and Earl Grey, flavoured green tea, herbal Egyptian chamomile or fresh mint, Chinese Oolong or jasmine, and flower blends such as rose.

Also on the menu are Valrhona hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, fresh juices and special tea selection tailor-made by Chef Gray.

Since opening in early October 2009, Café Gray Deluxe has received much praise from local and International guests and media. The contemporary interior design of Café Gray Deluxe with breathtaking harbour views and double height ceilings creates an energetic dining space while the seductive bar and lounge is highlighted by a 14-metre long bar, symmetrical with an open kitchen feature.

To make reservations at Café Gray Deluxe, please contact (852) 3968 1106 or e-mail info@cafegrayhk.com

The acclaimed theatre production Soul of Shaolin is coming to Shanghai.

Excitement is growing among theatre-goers in Shanghai over the return of Soul of Shaolin.

Fresh from a highly-acclaimed spell on Broadway, the show will be back in China for a three-night run at the Shanghai City Theatre next month.

Soul of Shaolin features 30 performers skilled in the art of Shaolin kung fu and tells the story of Hui Guang, an abandoned child who is raised by the legendary monks and grows up to be martial arts master.

The show debuted at New York’s Marquis Theatre in January 2009 as part of the China on Broadway series of productions.

It received rave reviews from many American critics, with the New York Post describing the show as “a dazzling display of skill”, while the Associated Press called it “astonishing and amazing”.

According to the show’s executive director Xue Weijun: “The story of Shaolin is timeless and appeals to all audiences, young and old.”

People booking accommodation in Shanghai may not want to miss the latest run of Soul of Shaolin, which will take place from March 12th to 14th.

Ticket prices range from 100 yuan (GBP9.30) to 300 yuan and the performance gets underway at 19:30 local time each night.

Renaissance Hotels has opened the latest gem in its global portfolio, the 128-room Renaissance Malmo Hotel in Malmo, Sweden, under a franchise agreement with Scandinavian Hospitality Group (SHG).

The Renaissance Malmo Hotel brings together the best of the Renaissance brand experience as it blends history with ultra-modern design in the hotel’s three preserved historical buildings.

The location of the hotel building named “the rose” dates back to the early 1800s.

Located in the heart of Malmo, Sweden, the hotel is located at the Lilla torg and a five-minute walk to the Malmo Central Station.

Rates at the Renaissance Malmo Hotel begin at SEK1095 ($150) per night.

The Renaissance Malmo Hotel features 128 guestrooms offering 37-inch flat-screen televisions, and complimentary wireless high-speed Internet.

The Renaissance Malmo’s Rosen Bar & Dining offers contemporary Swedish cuisine with Spanish flavors.

The restaurant design was created by designer Henry Chebaane. The Renaissance Malmo Hotel participates in Marriott Rewards, the global guest reward program that allows members to earn their choice of points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay.

For reservations or more information, visit www.renaissancehotels.com