Jetsettersblog

One of China’s most celebrated contemporary female artists, Yu Hong, presents her latest works at The Opposite House in Beijing, selected from her recent solo show at the Guangdong Museum of Fine Art.

This body of extraordinary work carries on Yu’s ongoing meditation of everyday experiences in China today.

The Opposite House, Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, above Pacific Place, Hong Kong, in October 2009. Swire Hotels opened a 345-room lifestyle business hotel called EAST in Hong Kong’s Island East, on Jan. 25, 2010.

The Opposite House is located in Sanlitun Village-a new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties.

The hotel’s 99 guest studios, including nine suites and a penthouse duplex with a 2,583-square-foot roof terrace.

More than half of all the studios are over 754 square feet and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor.

For more information, visit www.swireproperties.com

Wasabi at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai is ranked 54th in the ninth annual listing of The S. Pellegrino World’s Best 100 Restaurants, climbing 16 places from its position of number 70 in 2009. Wasabi was the only restaurant in India to be featured in The S. Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list of 2010.

This list celebrates the best restaurants around the world, and is a result of an extensive poll of international chefs, food critics, restaurateurs and gourmands.

Wasabi unveiled a new look in November 2009 after an extensive renovation.

The restaurant is designed to look like a “magic box” of red lacquer, with its host stand backed by an installation of drifting cherry blossoms and its walls crafted with traditional Japanese joinery.

A private tatami dining room is designed around a bold, sculptural 8-seat round table and complemented by on over-scale custom hammered metal light fixture.

A second Wasabi restaurant opened at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi in 2008.

Got more information, call 866-969-1825

or visit www.tajhotels.com

Australia’s newest luxury hotel, Saffire, located on the East Coast of Tasmania near Freycinet, will be introduced to the travel trade industry at the upcoming Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Adelaide.

The property opens June 1. Saffire is considered by its developers to be an iconic development for the Australian tourism industry. Its concept and design are like no other current hotel in the country, capturing the essence of the unique region and connecting with the environment to bring an authentic and enriching experience to guests. Pure Tasmania Managing Director Greg Farrell said, “ATE provides us to meet with 700 key buyers from about 40 countries from around the globe, as well as a range of international and national media.

We believe this is the perfect platform to launch Saffire to the national and international market.”

Saffire features 20 accommodation suites, each with sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay and the Hazards Mountains and complete privacy from the neighboring suites.

Tasmania’s freshest produce and finest wines and beers will be showcased in Palate restaurant and The Lounge bar.

All guests can restore their wellbeing in the premium spa facilities and on-site gym. Exclusive Signature Experiences are being developed accessing little-known areas of the Freycinet Peninsula, and a range of other activities can be tailored to suit guests’ desires.

For more information, visit

www.saffire-freycinet.com.au

JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., operator of the Nikko Hotels International chain, will open two Nikko Hotels properties in Suzhou, China. The first, currently under construction in a suburb of Suzhou, opens in October.

The second, Hotel Nikko Suzhou, will be a five-star hotel in the center of Suzhou, and is slated to open in 2013.

These two new hotels will bring the number of Nikko Hotels properties in China to 11.

In addition to the Suzhou hotels, JAL Hotels plans to open four more locations, in Shanghai, Wuxi, Guangzhou and Xiamen, all before 2012.

Hotel Nikko Suzhou will be in the center of a high-tech industrial development zone.

With 29 stories and 475 rooms, it will include multiple restaurants, banquet and meeting rooms, a pool, fitness center, spa, and a business center.

The hotel will be part of a new urban complex under development that features a mixed-use of office buildings, apartments and a shopping center.

The hotel scheduled to open this fall, will be located in the Suzhou Science & Technology Town area of the Suzhou New District, one of the region’s key development areas, and will be a four-star hotel with 200 rooms (90 rooms will open in the first phase).

In 2010, JAL Hotels plans to open four new Nikko Hotels International properties: 471-room Hotel JAL Tower Dubai in United Arab Emirates; and 388-room Hotel Nikko Shanghai, 500-room Hotel Nikko Wuxi and a new 200-room Suzhou property, in China. Plans for additional Nikko Hotels openings include 436-room Hotel Nikko Xiamen, 411-room Hotel Nikko Guangzhou and 475-room Hotel Nikko Suzhou in China; and 335-room Hotel Nikko Saigon in Vietnam.

Bebe Spa Sanctuary, pronounced “behm-beh,” at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji has introduced three new spa treatments to its treatment menu.

Bebe Spa is located on the hilltop of Vakalomalagi Hill, Heavenly Hill, with views over the landscape and the ocean. New to Bebe’s treatment menu is the Bebe Vakaviti Signature Massage, which unites traditional Fijian massage techniques with an ancient Hawaiian massage style.

This treatment uses light massage and stretching and gentle application of warm towels to draw out tension, re-align the body and leave the mind and spirit in a complete state of serenity.

Bebe’s exfoliation and detoxification treatments are taken to new heights by the new Tropical Salt Mousse Exfoliation and Tropical Escape treatments. Both treatments utilize a body brushing technique and salt mousse exfoliation, expelling impurities and improving circulation before each treatment together with the natural anti-aging properties of papaya and pineapple in a lotion or wrap to smooth, nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Bebe Spa treatments start from AUD$71 ($59).

Bebe Spa Sanctuary houses eight treatment rooms, suspended from the main structure, which feature private balconies and open-air showers or sunken spa-baths with panoramic views.

The hilltop Bebe Spa offers a range of face, body and massage treatments, some of which are uniquely Fijian such as the Bobo massage, in which the masseuse uses warm coconut oil and arm, elbow and forearm movement to relieve muscle tension.

For more information, visit www.outriggerfiji.com or www.bebespafiji.com

The Marrakech Hotel’s Souk Seeker, a team of personal bargain hunters whose mission is to shell out complimentary tips, suggestions and maps of the city’s most affordable shopping spots.

This exclusive, year-round service is available only to guests of the Moroccan-themed hotel. The Marrakech Hotel’s retail mavens will provide recommendations upon request to New York City’s top bargain destinations such as Century 21 and the Brooklyn Flea to Moroccan retailers where guests can hunt for authentic North African furnishings such as those seen at the hotel.

For more information or reservations, call 212-222-2954 or visit www.marrakechhotelnyc.com

Carnival Cruise Lines officially launched its new year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C. The Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to the Bahamas and Key West, Fla., from the passenger terminal in downtown Charleston.

In 2011, Carnival will also offer a series of Bermuda cruises from Charleston on the Carnival Fantasy.

The Carnival Fantasy sailed into the city’s port early on May 18, accompanied by a fleet of local maritime industry vessels.

The Spirit of South Carolina, Charleston Water Taxis, Moran Tug Company, SpiritLine Cruises and the Charleston Harbor Pilots all joined in welcoming Carnival to the port.

Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald emceed the luncheon event, attended by Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley; Jim Newsome, South Carolina State Ports Authority president and CEO; and Jim Berra, Carnival’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

In the spirit of Carnival’s “Fun For All. All For Fun” mantra, several Charleston area leaders and Carnival team members participated in competitive races down the 82-foot-long dual racing water slides.

Carnival Fantasy sailed the afternoon of May 18 on a five-day voyage to Freeport and Nassau.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa and the Heard Museum announced a long-term partnership that will enhance both organizations and open the door for Arizona guests and residents alike looking to gain a distinct perspective about the cultures of Native People of the American Southwest.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa will become the presenting sponsor for the Heard Museum’s Second Sunday programming through April 2011.

This program began as a way for the Heard Museum to thank the community for 75 years of support and has remained as an ongoing tribute to the dynamic partnership between the museum and local residents.

Nearly all Second Sundays of the month offer free admission to Arizona residents at both Heard Museum locations (Phoenix and North Scottsdale) and, as a result of this partnership, will be free to all Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa guests when they show their resort room key.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa will join NU series presenter Chase to co-sponsor the July event.

The evening series NU (Native You) is held on the third Friday of each month from 5:30 to 9 p.m., where visitors can enjoy free museum admission, outdoor courtyards, Heard Museum Cafe, the Berlin Gallery and Shop.

There is also a cash bar and Ikea lounge. Local bands, salons with contemporary artists, DJs, artist demonstrators, activities, special speakers, authors and films are all a part of NU.

Also, the two attractions will partner to host a Native culinary celebration at the Heard Museum.

For more information, visit www.wildhorsepassresort.com

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa – Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa > PHX > 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd P > Chandler > AZ > 85226>4>From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Take Interstate 10 East 11 miles to Maricopa Rd. Turn right onto Maricopa Rd. Turn right onto Wild Horse Pass Blvd. The hotel is located on the right.

The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas has announced eight new retailers (most of which are first-to-market) and restaurants.

Among the vendors opening this summer are Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man; Christian Audigier, selling apparel and accessories by the French designer behind the Ed Hardy; and La Martina polo equipment and casual wear.

Opening this fall will be P.J. Clarke’s, a New York-based saloon; Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) a design-driven yet affordable clothing retailer, which will open a flagship store; Ugg footwear; True Religion Brand Jeans; and Inglot beauty products. In addition, four current retailers are expanding and remodeling their spaces: Ermenegildo Zegna was completed in April; and Burberry, Cartier and St. John will complete their expansions this fall.

For more information, visit www.forumshops.com

Marriott has developed five new GoThere Virtual Meetings studios at properties including the New York Marriott East Side Hotel, the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel, the JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square, the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott.

Marriott’s GoThere Virtual Meetings, using AT&T and Cisco TelePresence, is part of the rollout of telepresence meeting technology at Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels and Renaissance Hotels.

With 25 studios planned, Marriott International says it is the lodging leader in offering public telepresence meetings facilities, which allow clients to hold small virtual meetings with customers and colleagues around the world.

Through the AT&T Business Exchange, all of Marriott’s GoThere Virtual Meetings studios can connect to more than 50 companies and 1,000 plus rooms currently on the AT&T global network.

Telepresence is a rapidly growing and increasingly popular technology that enables groups to meet and collaborate in multiple locations worldwide in real time.

It combines high-definition video and real-time audio for GoThere Virtual Meetings studios.

For more information, visit www.marriott.com/gotherevirtualmeetings  

To book a meeting room online, visit www.gotherevirtualmeetings.com