Jetsettersblog

Asia Jet can now provide bespoke tailor-made luxury experiences within Japan to coincide with the latest regulatory announcement by the Ministry of Transportation of Japan opening up the luxury tourism market for private jet users for the first time.

Asia Jet and JapanQuest Journeys can now offer our high-end clients the ultimate luxury air and ground tailor-made travel experiences.

This is perfect timing to coincide with Japan Ministry of Transport’s recent announcement of its latest regulations governing private jet movements at the Haneda Airport, Tokyo.

The collaboration combines Asia Jet’s extensive knowledge and experience in flying high net worth individuals on the finest private jet fleet in Asia, and JapanQuest Journey’s expertise of offering a unique luxury journey from an insider’s prospective and accessing the very best of Japan’s secret hideaways.

As the eagerly awaited new third runway and passenger terminal building of the Haneda Airport is due to open on the 31st of October 2010, parking bays for business jets will be located closer to the international passenger terminal building, eradicating a previously substantial long bus ride from the aircraft to the terminal, cutting down transfer times by 20 minutes.

In addition, international charter flights will be allowed to operate on a 24 hour basis. Landing slots will become more readily available for official flights and private jet charters.

Previously, Haneda Airport only allowed jets to park for a maximum of 5 days, however that will be increased to 7 days, giving more flexibility for our clients to enjoy what Japan has to offer. Up till now, it would normally take 7 days prior notice to obtain a landing permit for a private charter flight; however under these latest regulations just announced, a charter operator can file a landing application in less than 24 hours before scheduled departure or arrival under certain conditions.

With one of the largest charter fleets in the region, Asia Jet is already well known for its outstanding service quality and has been highly-rated by elite travelers for offering the best and most comprehensive choice in private jet solutions.

“For the past few years Asia Jet has been striving to access the Japan luxury tourism market. We are very excited about the latest regulation announcement and predict that luxury travel will be a major contributing factor in Japan economy in the long-term,” Mike Walsh, chief executive officer of Asia Jet stated.

“The collaboration with JapanQuest Journeys perfectly matches the vision and developments at Asia Jet.

With this strategic relationship, we aim to further enhance our members’ experience by providing unequalled exclusivity, exceptional charm, and intimate moments for their luxury vacations, weekend getaways, and special occasions.”

Asia Jet, the only company dedicated to providing a private jet card program for the luxury travel market in Asia, offers a range of services to suit both regional and worldwide requirements.

Asia Jet Card members enjoy convenience, quality, safety and one of the largest charter fleets in the region.

Asia Jet strives to make each flight an extension of its esteemed members’ home or office.

Each flight is completely personalized and uniquely designed to the specific client requirements.

With a portfolio of complimentary services that cover every facet of luxury and lifestyle, the Asia Jet Card Membership assures an extraordinary experience in the sky.

JapanQuest Journeys will present customized journeys in the months ahead both on a seasonal and year-round basis in collaboration with Asia Jet.

According to Scott Gilman and Philip Rosenfeld— Co-Founders of JapanQuest Journeys, “Our Partnership with Asia Jet will expand JQJ’s footprint deeper into the Asian luxury travel marketplace— bringing our clients a high-caliber and unique offering from the leader in ‘Bespoke Luxury Journeys to Japan.’

This strategic relationship between JQJ and Asia Jet brings to the luxury marketplace and our clients a compelling offering of top-rated luxury charter services combined with superior service and access to best of Japan that we believe our clients will value immensely.”

JapanQuest Journeys (“JQJ”) is a boutique firm specializing in bespoke “tailor-made” luxury journeys to Japan with an unparalleled and undiluted single-country focus.

With offices in the US and Japan, JQJ delivers a wealth of unique Japanese expertise based upon decades of first-hand experiences and an intimate understanding of the cultural, historic and modern landscape.

JQJ provides personalized end-to-end platinum quality service and engage experts that exude the highest levels of knowledge, resourcefulness and thoughtful professionalism

. To contact Japan Quest Journeys, please visit its web site at

http://www.japanquestjourneys.com ,

call at 202-455-0095 (Washington, DC) or email at

info@japanquestjourneys.com.

Emerging Asian hotel investment company Red Planet Hotels continues to chronicle an array of achievements as it forges ahead in its mission to place multiple limited service hotels in key Asian cities.

In recent significant developments for the company, the number of rooms it has under construction surged past 1,000 last week, fuelled by the injection of fresh investment capital.

Red Planet Hotels Chief Executive Officer Tim Hansing said the company is developing a portfolio of Tune hotels in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh.

It currently has 1,023 hotel rooms through six hotels in Jakarta, Bangkok, Pattaya, Angeles City and two in Manila, with more announcements expected soon.

All Red Planet-owned hotels operate under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels. Tune Hotels is part of the Tune Group, the private investment group of Tony Fernandes, founder and group CEO of low-cost airline AirAsia and Team Principal of the Lotus F1 Racing team.

“Tune Hotels’ business model is solid and complements our investment methodology,” Hansing said at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific in Hong Kong.

“Even though many investment companies have been looking to contain expenses and put expansion on the back burner, we were able to go out at the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 and raise significant capital.

To be able to raise funds and then to quickly secure sites and contracts to have over 1,000 keys under construction is a tremendous achievement and testament to the strength of our experienced management team and the Tune Hotels business model. We are looking for more opportunities to expand in Asia’s emerging markets with multiple sites in key cities, particularly those that Tune Hotels have interest in.”

Hansing said the limited-service hotel synergy presented Red Planet Hotels with some fantastic opportunities for expansion across the region and sites are continually being scoped and investigated. Tune Hotels is a rapidly growing chain of hotels that have embraced the limited-service model used by low-cost airlines and employs a self-service online booking system, encouraging guests to book early to enjoy low prices.

Using the demand-based pricing booking system, guests can book rooms at prices starting from $3 (or even lower during promotion periods) through the web at www.tunehotels.com.

It currently operates 10 hotels — seven in Malaysia, two in Indonesia and one in England, and has entered into strategic partnerships to open 20 hotels in India and a further 14 hotels in the United Kingdom.

For more information, call 011 66 (0) 2 207 2951, email tim@redplanethotels.com  or visit www.redplanethotels.com  or www.tunehotels.com

The new luxury Hilton Beijing Capital Airport hotel and conference facility has opened for business.

Within the seven restaurants and bars inside the new 72,000-square-meter Hilton are three signature locations.

Among them are My China, specializing in authentic Hunan and Sichaun food; Compass Grill, boasting the best steak experience in Beijing; and Yue Shang, specializing in Cantonese fare to create the most exclusive entertainment location in the nearby area. Complementing the main restaurants is the Long Bar, an L-shaped bar offering live music as well as a quiet lounge area.

The Hilton also offers an international buffet with seven cooking stations all featuring various specialties from around the world, as well as 24-hour dining for late-night travelers.

Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, located at Terminal 3, features more than 320 guest rooms, seven restaurants and bars with 32 private dining rooms, two ballrooms and 21 meeting rooms with more than 3,000 square meters of meeting space, executive concierge services, a luxury spa and state-of-the-art fitness center.

The facility is built on more that 28,000 square meters of space that provides ample room for on-site event parking as well as pleasant gardens.

The Australian-based StayWell Hospitality Group, one of Asia Pacific’s largest independently owned hotel management companies, is set to bring its Park Regis brand to Southeast Asia with its first property in the region to open in Singapore.

Scheduled to open before the end of this year, Park Regis Singapore will be located in the main banking and corporate district of Raffles Place, alongside the Singapore River with views of the nightlife of Clarke Quay.

The interior of the 203-room Park Regis Singapore is being designed by Australian firm Woodhead, which is behind some of Singapore’s key developments.

These include the interior design of Changi International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 3, as well as the Singapore National Library.

The hotel’s range of features will include an outdoor lap pool, a gymnasium and several dining options comprising an all-day dining restaurant serving international cuisine, a lounge bar, a pool bar and a chic rooftop bar.

The hotel will feature two meeting and conference rooms with video conferencing facilities.

Sixteen years after inception, Chiva-Som, Thailand’s famous retreat for wellbeing, has clinched six major awards from the world’s most authoritative media. From the U.S. to Australia, and from the U.K. to Asia, the endorsements include: “Top Ten Best Medical Programs,” SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Crystal Award 2010; “Best Destination Spa,” The Crystal Awards 2010; “Fourth Favorite Destination Spa,” Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards 2010; “Best Amenities/Products,” Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Readers’ Travel Awards; “Top 5 Destination Spa,” Conde Nast Traveller 2010 Readers’ Travel Awards; and “Best Overseas Spa Resort,” Luxury Travel & Style Magazine 2010 Gold List.

For more information, visit www.chivasom.com

From Travel + Leisure Magazine
Bush and Beyond
CONTACT: Elizabeth Bean Crookston
TEL: 647-344-9492
E-MAIL: info@bush-and-beyond.com
WEB: www.bush-and-beyond.com

NAIROBI, Kenya—The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, a groundbreaking tourism partnership and luxury property located in Northern Kenya, was honored with a “Global Vision Award” in the November issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine. Every year, Travel + Leisure Magazine recognizes tourism companies and organizations that are considered to be leaders in true responsible tourism in their annual “Global Vision Awards” issue. The winners, who competed against nearly 150 applicants, were selected by a panel of ecotourism and philanthropic experts.

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a groundbreaking partnership between private investors, conservation tourism organizations, and the Maasai community in Kenya that balances luxury travel and economic development with ambitious conservation and community development programs.

In addition to their remarkable contributions to wildlife conservation and community development, The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille has four private, luxury houses in the Northern Kenya wilderness complete with a 17,000 acre private wilderness conservancy, international gourmet cuisine, an on-site spa with luxury treatments, and much more.

Taken From: Travel + Leisure; November 2010 issue
Global Vision Awards 2010

Green Luxury
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
Laikipia, Kenya

A three-year-old retreat in central Kenya, the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille has everything luxury travelers expect from a safari lodge: suites with plunge pools; gourmet meals and butler service; and guides who find some of the country’s best game viewing.

It also has other, more surprising touches, including solar-generated power and harvested rainwater that supplies 80 percent of the lodge’s needs.

What’s more, Ol Lentille has created a conservation model that makes partners and owners of the local Masai community.

Take the Trip: Between game drives, guests can brush up on their game tracking with the lodge’s private bush-skills course (999/588-4590; www.ol-lentille.com;  doubles from $1200 all inclusive).

The full listing of award winners is available in Travel + Leisure’s November 2010 issue.

For more information about the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille or otherBush and Beyond properties, contact Elizabeth Bean Crookston at 647-344-9492 or by e-mail at

ebean@bush-and-beyond.com

Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd marked another milestone in the development of its second brand, Modena, with the opening of Modena Putuo Shanghai, its second in China.

The property offers a “boutique hotel” experience geared towards short and mid-term stays.

Comprising 348 all-loft style residences, ranging from studio to two-bedroom options, Modena Putuo Shanghai offers a “boutique hotel” experience with modern furnishings. Easily accessible, it is ideally located in the heart of the Zhenru area of the Puxi business district, within walking distance to the Metro and the Shanghai Train Station, the hub for intercity travel. The all-loft apartments are fully furnished with separate dining and living areas, kitchen and bedrooms with free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout.

Each residence comes complete with a home entertainment system, cable, satellite TV and iPod docking stations and opens out into a spacious balcony that offers views of the city. Some of the services include a laundromat with a games corner, round-the-clock gymnasium and yoga room, an all-day café, concierge and 24-hour security services. Door and elevator access is via a security keycard system.

The Modenabrand made its debut in Chinain March this year with the opening of the 104-unit Modena Heping Tianjin.

Modena Putuo Shanghai brings to 11 the number of Modenaproperties in operation and on the drawing board in Chinaand the region. Of these, six properties are scheduled to open over the next two years — Modena Jinjihu Suzhou (2010), Modena Ligondi Suzhou (2011), Modena Wuxi (2012) and Modena Wuhan (2012).

Outside China, Modenawill make its debut in Vietnamin 2011 and Singaporein 2012.

For more information, visit www.frasershospitality.com

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts unveiled its completely restructured and enhanced signature Golden Circle (GC) recognition and award program.

Golden Circle is the only international loyalty program that allows both staying and non-staying guests to earn and redeem Golden Circle Awards Points (GC Awards). Since its inception in 1997, Golden Circle’s 1.7 million members have enjoyed special recognition and benefits during their stays at Shangri-La hotels, resorts and Traders hotels.

From Oct. 25, 2010, the revamped program enables members to also earn and accumulate points that can be redeemed for complimentary room nights, room upgrades, dining, spa privileges at CHI, The Spa and airline miles. GC members can earn one GC Award Point for every $1 or local currency equivalent spent. Rewards are available for as little as 500 GC Awards Points and members can share rewards with family members. Golden Circle regularly invites top members to join exclusive events each year, including the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train journey or a Formula 1 Race. Members earn GC Awards Points by staying at Shangri-La or Traders hotels, dining at participating restaurants or enjoying spa treatments at CHI, The Spa.

At the same time, members continue to receive their customary exclusive privileges according to their membership tier.

To signify the change, Golden Circlehas adopted a new tier system of Gold, Jade and Diamond levels. Transition to the next level is based on qualifying nights or stays per year. Membership to Golden Circleis free and open to anyone over the age of 18.

To join, visit Golden Circle’s new dedicated website, www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com , where members can also manage their profile, set their preferences, check and redeem points, and learn all about the new program.

The Langham, Xintiandi officially debuted on Oct. 15 with 357 rooms and suites.

The Langham occupies a landmark building in the heart of Xintiandi and is also adjacent to Huai Hai Road, home to international designer boutiques.

The 24-story hotel pays tribute to the city’s heritage while at the same time embracing the best in today’s luxury interior comforts designed by leading hospitality designer Peter Remedios.

As part of a phased opening, the hotel will introduce a selection of Grand rooms offering panoramic views over the renowned Shikumen storefronts of Xintiandi.

The Langham, Xintiandi also features a modern high-ceiling grand ballroom and an additional eight meeting rooms which can be tailored to ensure every event captivates the senses.

The hotel’s Cachet All-Day-Dining restaurant offers gourmet dining. Step outside the hotel and an exciting array of restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes await at Xintiandi.

For a limited time, the hotel is offering a unique opportunity to be the first to experience the enchanting hospitality of The Langham, Xintiandi with a special introductory offer for RMB 2,700 per night, which includes return airport limousine transfer;

Langham welcome gift; unlimited laundry and dry-cleaning during stay; complimentary mini bar; complimentary breakfast at Cachet; complimentary wired and wireless Internet; and complimentary international Skype telephone calls. The offer is valid through Dec. 30, 2010. For more information, visit www.langhamhotels.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has enhanced its mobile communication to luxury travelers around the world with the launch of “MO Hotels,” a new travel application available on the iTunes App Store.

Designed for iPhone/iPod touch and compatible with iPad, the complimentary app offers travelers the ability to make or modify “real-time” reservations, review detailed hotel information, explore destination guides and more.

With stylish design, rich media content and a real-time booking tool, the application delivers a range of dynamic content is available offline, resulting in an app that works seamlessly without network signal coverage.

Benefits and features of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s app include comprehensive property details;

real-time reservations; promotions and offers; and “Cities by MO,” a destination guide.

Available globally and downloadable free of charge, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s iPhone application is found in the Travel category of the iTunes App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore