Jetsettersblog

- Ten nights from £3,500 per person including flights, accommodation, meals, activities and photographic tuition -

Kicheche Camps, the group of small, privately owned luxury wildlife camps in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Laikipia in Northern Kenya has launched a new itinerary, The Kicheche Triangle. With emphasis on walking, wildlife, photography and conservation, the trip includes Bush Camp, Main Camp and Laikipia Camp and takes in the prolific and varied wildlife found throughout Kenya.

Highlights of the itinerary are the full day game drives in the Mara for which Kicheche is famed and a full-day walking safari where guests will spot birds and enjoy an introduction to wildlife photography.

Guests will also spend time at Laikipia, home to Kenya’s largest population of Black Rhino. The trip also includes a visit to the Wildlife Educational Centre, the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Lion Tracking programme in Laikipia.

The trip begins with three nights at Kicheche Camp Laikipia. This small, luxurious tented camp caters for just 12 guests and is nestled in indigenous forest, at the centre of the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Laikipia’s guests are accommodated in six tents, with private verandas, all of which overlook the waterhole.

Guests will then fly onto Kicheche Bush Camp which includes just six luxury ensuite tents, perched on the edge of the reserve in the private Olare Orok Conservancy in the Masai Mara.

The camp offers an incomparable game-viewing experience without the crowds.

Located in a prime wildlife area, the camp is un-gated and is an ideal location to experience the wildebeest migration.

The trip is rounded off with a stay at Kicheche Mara Camp, a classic luxury camp set in a forested glade on the northern Aitong plains with prolific game year-round.

During the itinerary, guests will discover more about Kenya’s wildlife and learn the skills involved with photographing big cats, small predators as well as the birdlife with acclaimed photographer Paul Goldstein.

Since its initial conception just a decade ago, Kicheche has become the camp of choice for wildlife enthusiasts and keen photographers.

Synonymous with outstanding wildlife experiences, exceptional guiding and gourmet cuisine, the Kicheche experience is second to none. Kicheche has the highest percentage of Silver and Bronze guides in the Masai Mara, accredited by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association and Kicheche’s guides have guided television crews and wildlife photographers throughout the region.

This month Kicheche is celebrating its tenth birthday with the best wildlife photography of the last decade which includes iconic images of the cheetah family made famous by Big Cat Diaries, a leopard illuminated by a rainbow following a passing storm, as well as stills from an astonishing hour when over 30,000 wildebeest crossed the Mara River.

Now in 2010, the Kicheche family employs more than 100 staff and supports numerous local families. Kicheche takes its responsibilities seriously, and has been nominated several times in the Responsible Tourism Awards.

The Kicheche Community Project is sponsoring 25 local children through school in 2010, two young people through Guiding School to enable them to become guides, as well as funding an HIV SAFE clinic and dental unit.

Kicheche has also donated a vehicle and developed an ECO centre for local children in the Mara Discovery Centre which launched earlier this year.

About Kicheche Camps

Kicheche Camps consists of three privately owned luxury camps in the Kenya. Kicheche Bush Camp includes just six luxury ensuite tents, perched on the edge of the reserve in the private Olare Orok Conservancy. Kicheche Mara Camp boasts 11 luxury tents set in a forested glade on the northern Aitong plains with prolific game year-round. Laikipia is a small luxurious tented camp, catering for 12 guests, nestled at the foot of indigenous forest overlooking a waterhole, in the centre of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

For more information or to book please visit www.kicheche.com

Safari Consultants offers the ten night Kicheche Triangle itinerary priced from £3,500 per person including international flights, transfers and all meals.

To book call Safari Consultants on +44 (0)1787 888 590 or visit www.safari-consultants.co.uk

Following an extensive makeover and expansion, the popular Dean Gallery Café in Edinburgh is the perfect place for foodies and art lovers looking for a winning combo of culture, coffee and cake.

And with the café twice its previous size, and dominated by the Eduardo Paolozzi’s 26 foot high statue, ‘Vulcan’, the Ruthvens managed eaterie is set to be the perfect antidote to Edinburgh’s Festival fever.

Speaking about the expanded café, Ian D’Annunzio-Green, executive director of Heritage Portfolio, managers of Ruthvens, comments: ”The café redevelopment was a great opportunity to bring an added dimension to the visitor experience.

In bringing together the expanded facility and the Gallery’s largest and most dynamic permanent installation we have given our visitors the unique experience of rubbing shoulders with Paolozzi’s creation.”

Known for its superb food – everything is cooked from scratch daily and sourced locally and seasonally – the Dean Gallery Café has a daily changing lunch menu, a delightful afternoon tea with an optional glass of Prosecco, and legendary homebaking. Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s modern art galleries, the cafe is the perfect cultural retreat during the heat of the Festival season.

Managed by Ruthvens, the Dean Gallery Café has Gold accreditation within the Green Tourism Business Scheme, recognising its dedication to the application of green issues within its business. Ruthvens is part of the group of companies managed by premium discerning caterer, Heritage Portfolio.

The Dean Gallery Café on Belford Road, Edinburgh is open from 10 am until last orders at 4.30 pm.

Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s privately owned collection of award-winning luxury retreats has appointed Voya as its onboard beauty product for Necker Belle – the collection’s luxury 105ft catamaran.

Necker Belle recently introduced an experienced spa therapist onboard to further enhance the guests’ experience and therefore made the decision to partner with Voya – a certified organic skincare range designed to purify the body.

Helen Cain, Spa Manager for Virgin Limited Edition, said: “We are delighted to have brought Voya onboard.

Their hand-harvested seaweed treatments are designed to complement the ocean surroundings, as well as purifying your mind, body and well-being which makes them the perfect choice to have onboard Necker Belle.”

Together Necker Belle and Voya have devised a range of various treatments for the face and body that will send each guest on a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sheila Burnham, Spa training consultant for Voya, commented:

“What better way of enhancing the experience of being aboard Necker Belle. I could see from the outset that the fusion of our organic and luxurious seaweed products partnered with Virgin Limited Edition would be a true meeting of philosophies.”

For further information, please contact:

• For a full list of the treatments available please contact charlotte.tidball@virginlimitededition.com  or visit www.neckerbelle.virgin.com

• Treatments are not included in the charter rate and are priced in US dollars, Euros and British Pounds.

• Guests can book an appointment before they arrive by contacting Reservations, or on board by speaking to one of the crew.

Virgin Limited Edition is a collection of unique retreats chosen for their stunning locations, magnificent surroundings and offering a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service.

The group includes Necker Island in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Sa Terra Rotja in Mallorca; The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant in London; Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, The Lodge in Verbier, Necker Belle, a 105 foot luxury catamaran and Necker Nymph, a three man aero submarine.

Virgin Limited Edition aims to make a credible contribution towards creating a sustainable economy and to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.

For bookings please call 0800 716 919 (toll free) or +44 (0) 208 600 0430 alternatively visit www.virginlimitededition.com  for more details.

VOYA is a voyage that began in 1912 when the first seaweed baths opened on the wild Atlantic coast of Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland.

The tradition is continued today by the Walton family who own VOYA and run a seaweed spa visited by thousands of people every year.

They have created the world’s first range of certified organic seaweed based products by blending wild hand – harvested seaweed with the finest organic ingredients from around the world.

All VOYA products are packaged using recycled, recyclable or biodegradable materials.

The range of VOYA anti-aging facial skin care products has been approved by the Soil Association and the US Department of Agriculture.

Fine food, wine and villa living go hand in hand, and being able to make the most of the delicious local produce should be a stress-free affair.

Specialist villa website www.villarenters.com has launched a brand new dedicated GastroVillas collection and also teamed up with celebrity chef Jo Pratt (www.jopratt.co.uk ), of Good Food channel fame, for the perfect solution, with simple, user-friendly yet authentic recipes online for those who are ‘in the mood for holiday food.’ Each recipe is also accompanied by handpicked wine selections from celebrated wine expert Susie Barrie MW (www.winchesterwineschool.com ) for the perfect gourmet experience.

For details, go to http://www.villarenters.com/gastrovillas

The GastroVillas featured on the site have all been handpicked for their gourmet credentials, such as proximity to quality local markets or particularly good restaurants, fine kitchens, cooking facilities or dining areas.

In France, they include the romantic Echevronne Grange in Burgundy (www.villarenters.com/58957 sleeps 2, from £865pw), the ultimate choice for a wine and gourmet oriented couple.

This restored Burgundian stone house nestles amongst the famous vineyards of Burgundy in an area renowned for its fine food and wine. At the other end of the spectrum, Villa Alarelle, (www.villarenters.com/22206 sleeps 14, from £1,500pw), in Languedoc Roussillon, a region celebrated for its ‘confit de canard’ as well as delicious truffles and wild mushrooms, is ideal for a foodie family or group of friends.

With a large pool and tennis courts, it is set in an acre of land in the historic wine-growing hillside village of Herault, just 10 minutes away from the Michelin starred Auberge de Pigasse.

In Spain, Villa Camino Estret, Moraira, (www.villarenters.com/12028  sleeps 8, from £1399pw) is perfect for those looking for dining with a view, enjoying quite magnificent mountain, and valley views from its terrace.

 It is within walking distance of the village of Moraira, with its two Michelin starred restaurants and 25 minutes from Denia with its famous market selling fresh local meat, fruits and breads, and daily fish auction.

In Italy, budding gourmets can choose to try their hand at pizza with their own pizza oven at Villa Sasso in Ancona (www.villarenters.com/48797 sleeps 16, from £1550pw). Alternatively, Villa Santoro in Puglia (www.villarenters.com/5763  sleeps 10, from £2347pw) is a beautifully restored traditional Puglian trullo, or stone house, which is ideally placed to sample some of the superb wines of the region, from the whites of Locorotondo to the strong reds of the Salentine peninsula.

Open air weekly markets in the nearby towns offer huge varieties of superb local grown fresh produce, whilst local restaurants range from family friendly trattorias to more sophisticated dining spots.

The recipes, which are downloadable from the website at www.villarenters.com/gastrovillas  include light snacks and lunch ideas as well as barbeque marinades and main courses and have been devised for the favourite foodie destinations of Italy, France, and Spain.
Further destinations will follow.

They include a classic paella, prawns with chorizo and padron peppers in Spain; bouillabaisse and moules marinières in France and a choice of risottos, fresh pesto pasta with prosciutto and various salads in Italy. All are flexible and can be adapted depending on what is available locally.

The wine selections have been carefully chosen to complement each dish. In Spain, they include such inspired choices as an Albariño or a Verdejo from Rueda for the paella and a young (‘joven’), possibly chilled, Rioja or a cool, dry amontillado sherry to accompany the prawns and chorizo. In France, Susie has selected a Petit Chablis or ‘garrique scented Roussillon’ to accompany the Bouillabaisse, whilst in Italy, she recommends an Italian Rosé or white Campanian Greco di Tufo to serve with the fresh pesto pasta.

Commenting, Jo Pratt says ‘I’m delighted to be working with www.villarenters.com and Susie on this innovative project.

For so many people, relaxing with your friends and family over a delicious meal, with a nice glass of wine is an intrinsic part of a villa holiday, as is perusing local markets and buying some of the superb fresh produce. However, you don’t want to spend all your well-earned relaxation time on overly complex recipes. I’ve carefully put together a handful of suggestions for each destination that combine authenticity with ease, and which can be adapted depending on what you have to hand. All that’s left for budding holiday chefs is to give it a go and enjoy the results.’

James Marchant, general manager, www.villarenters.com, says ‘We know from research that food is an important element of our clients’ holidays, so we wanted to make their search for the perfect villa that much easier by featuring a dedicated selection of GastroVillas. We have plans to roll out the initiative to other areas, but have focussed on the classic destinations of Spain, Italy and France to whet people’s appetites!’

For bookings and further information, log on to www.villarenters.com

Two British surf companies have teamed up to produce a guide to the best surf breaks in the UK and Ireland.

Northcore Europe, who make surfboards and accessories, partnered with action sports publisher Wavefinder to publish a brand new surf guide – Top 25 UK & Ireland Surf Spots – which is available now.

Matt Strathern of Northcore said: “The chances are that somewhere along the stunning and often wild UK and Irish coastlines there’s a perfect glassy wave peeling right now.

If you want to start your surfing adventure you won’t go wrong chasing the waves detailed in this book.

“We’re really proud of this new title. Working with such a respected publisher as Wavefinder is fantastic and they’ve helped bring together a great little book.”

The 25 spots were selected by members of Northcore’s surf team, including advice from big wave rider Richie Fitzgerald on his favourite waves in Ireland, and two-time European champion Grishka Roberts on his choice of English waves.

Wavefinder produced the book, providing detailed information on the list of must-ride waves, including their unique Surfer’s Eye maps showing the location and optimum conditions for each surf spot.

The 56 page pocket-sized guide also features profiles of Northcore team riders including Lewis Clinton, Kathleen Spears and longboarder Ryan Hammond.

Nick Rink from Wavefinder said: “We had been looking for a quality UK surf company to work with on this project and Northcore fitted the bill perfectly.

“The company epitomises cold water surfing with their products and their philosophy and so this Top 25 guide around the chilly waters of the UK & Ireland works very well. Getting input from some of Northcore’s pro riders also adds an extra dimension.”

Northcore Top 25 UK & Ireland Surf Spots is available now from www.wave-finder.com  priced £3.99.

For European trade enquiries contact Extreme Horizon Surf Distribution

sales@extremehorizon.com

The One&Only Cape Town will launch Reuben’s, the restaurant of South African Chef Reuben Riffel, on Oct. 1.
Riffel is known for his restaurants in the Franschhoek wine valley. In his first urban restaurant venture, Riffel will serve bistro fare made from locally sourced produce. Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town will join Nobu and the resort’s tri-level wine loft with more than 5,000 bottles, from older vintages of Cape classics to wines from newer wineries. Connecting the eateries together is the lobby lounge and bar, Vista, with views of Table Mountain.

Riffel rose to fame when his first restaurant, Reuben’s, opened to much acclaim in the town of Franschhoek in 2004. In the same year Reuben also won the Eat Out Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year Awards.

His second restaurant, Reuben’s at The Robertson Small Hotel, was launched in 2009 in the Cape winelands. “I saw in Reuben Riffel an opportunity to capture the essence of South African spirit and pride the world saw when we hosted the World Cup,” said Sol Kerzner, chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, who dined at Reuben’s in Franschhoek while in Cape Town for the games.

“We invited him to bring his acclaimed local flair to a new restaurant at One&Only Cape Town.

“We are very pleased to have him on board and feel it’s quite fitting that One&Only’s first urban resort is also the setting for Reuben’s first urban restaurant.”

Created exclusively for the luxury resort market, One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence.

Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, each award-winning resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture, a genuine hospitality and a lively energy that is unrivalled.

These properties include One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas; One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico; and One&Only Cape Town, South Africa. One&Only The Palm, Dubai will open in October 2010.

For more information on One&Only, visit

www.oneandonlyresorts.com

The ancient waters of the Sea of Galilee are the setting for a new fountains, music and light show designed to emulate the dancing fountains of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, with pyrotechnics screened onto 30-foot jets of water, a laser show and a sound and light system that moves with the music. The spectacle takes place at the southern end of the Tiberias promenade.

Each performance includes the screening of four unique presentations onto two huge water screens, highlighting the history and development of the Sea of Galilee and its surroundings.

The spectacle lasts 15 minutes, with shows starting nightly at 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. A video of the show can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNbJrkX2eE8

For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

Scotland will host its first venison festival, the Royal Deeside Larder Venison Festival, a six-day celebration of venison taking place from Oct. 26 to 31 across Royal Deeside including Balmoral Estate, Banchory, Ballater and Aboyne.

A venison pie complete with antlers in the style of a Desperate Dan “cow pie” was created for the launch.

Local producers, hotels, restaurants and country estates in Royal Deeside & the Cairngorms have created a program of venison-themed activities.

A feast of venison inspired menus will be offered, from smoked venison sandwiches, sausages, broths and burgers to venison haggis and even venison vindaloo. Amateur cooks will pick up some top tips on how to cook venison to perfection at a series of cookery demonstrations followed by lunch or dinner.

Events include venison cookery demonstrations and lunches at Banchory Lodge Hotel; The Milton Restaurant; Glenkindie Arms; Loch Kinord Hotel; Wildlife Safaris at Balmoral, Glen Tanat and Finzean Estates; and Family Ceilidh and BBQ with spit roast at Woodend Barn, Banchory.

For more information, visit

www.discoverroyaldeeside.com/Venison-Festival.

With New Itineraries And Responsible Tourism Projects
Plus: a showcase of the best photography, wildlife moments and the top ten bush tales over the last decade

Kicheche Camps, the group of small, privately owed luxury wildlife camps in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Laikipia in Northern Kenya, will celebrate its tenth anniversary next month by launching a new itinerary, The Kicheche Triangle and a number of new responsible tourism projects which complement the existing programmes. To coincide with the anniversary, Kicheche is also showcasing the best wildlife photography from the last decade, ten great wildlife moments and the top ten bush tales from the camp.

Since launching on 1 August 2000, Kicheche Camps has grown from one small campsite in Kenya’s Masai Mara, to a luxury portfolio – Main Camp and Bush Camp in the Mara, and Laikipia Camp near Mount Kenya. However, they have not lost track of their roots, realising that clients desire a genuine wilderness awakening without diluting the wild bush experience.

Kicheche will this autumn launch a brand new itinerary ‘The Kicheche Triangle’, to coincide with the tenth anniversary. With emphasis on walking, wildlife and conservation, the trip includes Bush Camp, Main Camp and Laikipia Camp and takes in the prolific and varied wildlife found throughout Kenya. Highlights of the itinerary are the outstanding full day game drives in the Mara for which Kicheche is famed, a full-day walking safari where guests will spot birds and have an introduction to wildlife photography. Guests will also spend time at Laikipia, home to Kenya’s largest population of Black Rhino. The trip is rounded off by a visit to the Wildlife Educational Centre, the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Lion Tracking programme. The itinerary is available to book for the 2010 Migration Season.

Since its initial conception just a decade ago, Kicheche has become the camp of choice for wildlife enthusiasts and keen photographers who want to spend long hours in the bush. Synonymous with outstanding wildlife experiences, exceptional guiding and gourmet cuisine, the Kicheche experience is second to none. Kicheche has the highest percentage of Silver and Bronze guides in the Masai Mara, accredited by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association and Kicheche’s guides have guided television crews and wildlife photographers throughout the region.

Kicheche next month will also celebrate the best wildlife photography of the last decade which includes iconic images of the cheetah family made famous by Big Cat Diaries, a leopard illuminated by a rainbow following a passing storm, as well as stills from an astonishing hour when over 30,000 wildebeest crossed the Mara River. A number of the images by acclaimed photographer and owner Paul Goldstein have featured in wildlife and photography magazines. In addition, highlights from the last ten years of visitor’s books will be released, along with top bush tales including lions resting on verandas, leopards in camp and other great wildlife moments.

Described as ‘camping in Big Cat country at its finest’ by an Africa veteran, but first time guest Kicheche was founded by British award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein and New Zealand born Greg Monson who purchased the site in June 2000, when it consisted of just four tents and a gas-fired fridge. It was a brave move for the friends and business partners, during a turbulent decade. They had plenty of expertise in tourism, but not in running wildlife camps, but what they lacked in experience, they made up for in commitment and a passion for the region. Just three short months after the purchase, in the lead-up to the annual Great Migration, Kicheche Main Camp welcomed its first guests.

Over the next ten years, Kicheche expanded to include Bush Camp, established in 2006 and Laikipia Camp followed in November 2008 – the first Kicheche Camp outside the Mara. A small tented camp, nestled at the foot of indigenous forest, in the centre of the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia’s twelve guests are accommodated in six tents, with private verandas, all of which overlook the waterhole.

Today, the camps look a little different from its more simple beginnings, with luxury under-canvas living, intuitive, personalised service, expertly mixed sundowners and excellent gourmet cuisine, served al-fresco. However, the Kicheche philosophy has stayed the same over the last decade of a classic tented luxury without diluting the wild bush experience. The camps are unfenced and superbly positioned in the legendary wilderness and offer flexible game-viewing with no limit on drives. Camps are low in environmental impact (tents are solar powered and showers are of the bucket variety).

Now in 2010, the Kicheche family employs more than 100 staff and supports more than xxx local families. Kicheche takes its responsibilities seriously, and has been nominated several times in the Responsible Tourism Awards. The Kicheche Community Project is sponsoring 25 local children through school in 2010, two young people through Guiding School to enable them to become guides, as well as funding an HIV SAFE clinic and dental unit. Kicheche has also donated a vehicle and developed an ECO centre for local children in the Mara Discovery Centre which launched earlier this year.

Paul Goldstein, Kicheche Camps commented ‘When Greg and I bought Kicheche Camp ten years ago we were pretty green, but we’ve learnt a lot along the way. Each year has been even more rewarding and I have many wonderful wildlife moments ranging from the spotting of elusive Painted Dogs close to camp, to watching lion cubs and cheetahs grow to maturity. Kicheche has over the last ten years become the camp of choice for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts and we are delighted to continue to count esteemed guests including photographers Anup and Manoj Shah, Jonathan and Angie Scott of BBC’s Big Cat Diaries, as well as actress Rachel Weisz as part of the Kicheche family. We appeal to first time Kenya visitors as well as welcoming photographic visitors who return year after year – one thing is for sure, once guests discover the Kicheche difference – they will be hooked!’

A well-known TV commentator summed up Kicheche: ‘ Courage often strays across the frontier with foolishness, and it was brave indeed to launch an enterprise like Kicheche at the start of the most turbulent decade of our lifetimes – for Kenya and the rest of the world. But in Africa the rewards come to those who invest imagination, energy and cash – and take the most finely calculated of risks. In every sense, Kicheche is a triumph of survival – and hope for the future.”

About Kicheche Camps
Kicheche Camps consists of three privately owned luxury camps in the Kenya. Kicheche Bush Camp includes just six luxury ensuite tents, perched on the edge of the reserve in the private Olare Orok Conservancy. Kicheche Mara Camp boasts 11 luxury tents set in a forested glade on the northern Aitong plains with prolific game year-round. Laikipia is a small luxurious tented camp, catering for 12 guests, nestled at the foot of indigenous forest overlooking a waterhole, in the centre of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

For more information or to book please visit www.kicheche.com

Safari Consultants offers the ten night Kicheche Triangle itinerary priced from £x,xxx per person including international flights, transfers and all meals.

To book call Safari Consultants on +44 (0)1787 888 590 or visit www.safari-consultants.co.uk

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the signing of a Non-Exclusive Master Agreement with D.I.H (Cyprus) Limited, an affiliate of Duet India Hotels Ltd., and JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd.

The agreement was signed concurrently with the execution of the agreement for the Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road. The Non-Exclusive Master Agreement also covers the Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur City Square, which opened in October 2009, and Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam. Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road and Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam are both targeted to open in October 2010.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts — which already boasts the largest upper-upscale and luxury Indian footprint of any U.S.-based hotel company — is launching a major expansion of its mid-market brands, Four Points by Sheraton Hotels and Aloft Hotels, in India. Starwood is well on track with its plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels in India by 60 percent by 2013 with the opening of the first Four Points by Sheraton in Navi Mumbai, Vashi in partnership with the Rahejas Group.

“Starwood has spent the last two years laying the groundwork for the debut of the Four Points by Sheraton brand in India, and we are thrilled to see our plans come to fruition with the opening of two Four Points hotels last year and the signing of this partnership with D.I.H. Cyprus Limited and JHM Interstate,” said Miguel Ko, chairman and president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “We look forward to continuing to grow this brand in key markets throughout India and Asia Pacific with Duet India Hotels, JHM Interstate and other development partners.”

All Four Points properties in India, including the hotels in Navi Mumbai, Jaipur and the soon to open hotels in Pune and Visakhapatnam, are new builds, bringing a new generation of sleek, modern, and stylish mid-market hotels to the country.

Four Points by Sheraton Pune will be located on Nagar Road, with convenient access to the airport, leading retail centers and offices.

The hotel will feature 216 rooms (168 hotel guestrooms and 48 serviced apartments) along with two food and beverage outlets, a lounge bar and nearly 10,500 square feet of meeting and function space. The serviced apartments are designed for extended stay guests and will consist of a bedroom, living area and kitchen.

Pune is one of the largest cities in India, with many colleges and universities, and is fast emerging as a prominent hub for information technology and manufacturing companies.

Scheduled to open on Oct. 31, Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam is located minutes from the main business areas, the airport and local sightseeing.

The hotel will feature 122 guest rooms, three restaurants and bars, a swimming pool and spa along with a fully equipped business center and 6,232 square feet of flexible meeting and function space.

Starwood’s legacy in India began in 1973, when its Sheraton brand debuted in Mumbai. The company has since grown the portfolio to 26 hotels under its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton,

The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brands. By 2013, Starwood expects to have an additional 15 new hotels in India across the Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft brands.