Jetsettersblog

DUBAI, U.A.E., Dnata has opened a new dedicated lounge to further enhance the special handling services it provides to thousands of passengers travelling through Dubai International.

Operating 24 hours a day and located in Emirates Terminal 3, the lounge will cater for Emirates passengers who have reduced mobility and need additional assistance as they depart the terminal on flights to
destinations worldwide.

Six specially-trained Dnata staff members will be based in the lounge, dedicated to serving and attending to customers while they wait to board their flights. The spacious new facility has been equipped with televisions
and has provision for hot and cold beverages. To make access to food outlets easier for these passengers, the lounge is positioned within close proximity to many of Terminal 3′s shopping and food outlets and going
forward a dedicated duty free outlet is also planned.

On the recent opening of the new lounge, Jon Conway, Divisional Senior Vice President of Dnata Airport Operations said: “Dnata’s hard-working team typically provides assistance to over 900 passengers with reduced mobility every single day. Some are transiting through the terminal en route to other destinations, some departing on international flights. Our current lounge seats just 40 customers for a daily throughput of around 250 passengers. We are delighted to open this superb new lounge, which has more than 11,500 square feet of space and improved facilities. We will now be able to accommodate 250 passengers at any one time which also gives us room for the growth in passenger demand we anticipate in this sector over the
next few years.”

The convenient location of the lounge – centrally placed between concourses 1 and 2 – will reduce transit times, ensuring a more comfortable and timely transition through Dubai International.

A further added bonus of this location is that there is space to offer a direct buggy access as well as a
dedicated screening machine and Arch Metal Detector (AMD) for the use of its passengers, thereby eliminating the waiting time for its customers at regular security screening points, often busy during peak hours.

Bill Rushton, Vice President – Property, Dubai Airports said: “The comfort of all our customers is very important to us and therefore we welcome the opening of the new dedicated lounge for passengers with special needs.

The facility complements our other initiatives for individuals with special needs, such as special car parking spaces near entrances, alternative ramps for passengers who use wheelchairs, special toilets, dedicated immigration counters for individuals with reduced mobility and elevators with audio guidance and Braille labels.

The new facility will go a long way in adding to customer experience across Dubai International.”

During 2009, Dnata provided special assistance to no fewer than 245,070 passengers with reduced mobility and anticipate this increasing to more than 350,000 by the end of 2010. As well as lounge access – the Special
Handling team provides assistance with checking in baggage; travelling
through the terminal and help with boarding flights.

Flagship takes off on second long-haul route; flights to Johannesburg to follow Lufthansa’s third Airbus A380 entered scheduled service just one week after being delivered to the airline.

The aircraft, which bears the name Peking, departed from Frankfurt for the Chinese capital at 1720hrs (2320 hrs Singapore time) under flight number LH720.

After landing in Beijing at 0830 hrs local time on the Thursday, the aircraft will be officially named.

The return flight (LH 721) will leave Beijing on Thursday morning at 1030hrs and arrive at Frankfurt the same day at 1430hrs.

Initially, the A380 will serve Beijing once a week. In coordination with Chinese authorities, Lufthansa aims to gradually increase the frequency of this service.

On Sunday, 12 September, Lufthansa will launch flights to its third A380 destination, Johannesburg.

The city will be served twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. In the Lufthansa configuration, the Airbus A380 can seat up to 526 passengers.

The totally revamped First Class cabin with eight generously proportioned seats on the upper deck stands for individuality, the ultimate in comfort and technical innovation, which greatly enhances the travel experience.

Also on the upper deck is Lufthansa’s award winning Business Class cabin with 98 seats. On the main deck, the 420 seats in the impressively spacious Economy Class provide an unprecedented level of comfort.

Details of the A380 flight schedule can be accessed at www.lufthansa.com/a380 .

Results Based on Extensive Consumer Survey Conducted Across 10 Regional Markets

Hilton Hotels & Resorts, one of the most recognized names in the global hospitality industry, today announced that it has been named as the top hotel brand in Asia for 2010 by global research company Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), in conjunction with one of the region’s leading media, marketing and advertising publications, Media.

This is the second consecutive year Hilton clinched the title since the study’s “Travel & Leisure” category was introduced in 2009.

“Hilton is the leader in global hospitality and this research speaks to our strong brand power across Asia,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. “In addition to unmatched brand awareness, Hilton has earned the trust and affinity of today’s global travelers and continues to lead through innovation and a genuine commitment to refreshing hospitality.”

The results were based on interviews conducted with more than 3,300 people across 10 markets including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Consumers surveyed were asked to name brands in different categories that they trust the most or have the best reputation in terms of product and service standards.

The other major product and service categories include financial services, retail, automotive and consumer electronics.

Respondents were asked the following questions:

* When you think of [product / service] category, which is the best brand that comes to your mind?

By best, we mean the one that you trust the most or the one that has the best reputation in [product / service] category.

* Apart from the best brand that you entered, which brand do you consider to be the second-best brand in the [product / service] category?

“Being named the top hotel brand in Asia is a strong endorsement of the efforts being made by our teams who consistently deliver exceptional, quality accommodations and services. We will strive to maintain this enviable position as the hotel brand of choice,” said Martin Rinck, area president – Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton currently has 47 hotels in operation in Asia and more than 530 properties worldwide. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, China’s first luxury airport hotel, opened in July and the brand’s extensive development pipeline includes 33 properties in the Asia Pacific region. Hilton Hongqiao Shanghai (China), Hilton Pattaya (Thailand), Hilton Chennai Guindy (India) scheduled to open during the next two months.

Introducing a new experience in style and innovation

HotelCorp Ltd. (HCL), one of Thailand’s largest privately held hospitality management companies announces today the launch of Manathai Hotels & Resorts, featuring their flagship “suite” property the Manathai Resort, Surin Beach-Phuket and the cozy Manathai Village Chiang Mai.

Bernhard Ollmann, HOTELCORP, Director and Chief Operating Officer said, “We are delighted with this exciting opportunity to upgrade these two outstanding resorts, not only by enhancing the product for our guests comfort, but more importantly, by instilling the passion and service, that Thailand is renowned for.”

Manathai, the Intimate collection of hotels and resorts, has not only upgraded its resort facilities and amenities, but also authenticated the unique experiences that the hotels offer with a special focus on Thai cultural traditions of serenity, service and friendship. The Intimate Collection offers a unique blend of innovative and imaginative styles, incorporating Asian designs, textures, flavours and classical traditions.

Manathai Resort, Surin Beach-Phuket
Proving that “good things do come in small packages”, the boutique 52-room Manathai Resort, Surin Beach-Phuket, includes 30 Suites and is nestled at the edge of the tropical white sand and crystal clear waters of Surin Beach, surrounded by an array of day and night shopping and food and beverage venues that offer activity and entertainment, without being overbearing or intrusive.

John Morris Williams, incoming General Manager of the Manathai Resort, Surin Beach-Phuket said, “Our focus is to bring a unique hotel experience true to the heart of the ideals of Manathai.

This Phuket resort property offers the complete essentials for all modern day travellers, a first-rate standard of service and the ambience and privacy of one’s own little hideaway. We look forward into welcoming our guests to the Manathai experience.”

The Manathai Resort, Phuket offers two choices of accommodation wings. The Suite Wing suites offer guests the finer pleasures of resort living, providing a choice of 3 different experiences, with variations of spacious bedrooms, separate living areas and private terraces or balconies. Whether you choose a Studio Suite, Pool Suite or Duplex Suite, it’s definitely a “Sweet” experience.

The vibrant Lanai Wing, features a Brand New Rooms product that encircles the private centre-courtyard pool.

The Lanai Poolside Rooms and Suites are specifically designed to bring the sparkling pool right to guests’ door. Have a cool and refreshing drink by the pool, a lazy massage in the outdoor poolside Sala, or a swim after a rejuvenating spa treatment in the Chofa Spa, enjoying all the good things the Lanai Wing has to offer.

Manathai Village, Chiang Mai

“A beautiful little gem”, is but one of the many ways guests have described the Manathai Village, Chiang Mai.

An intimate boutique hotel, tucked away on a small residential Soi, in the very heart of Chiang Mai, where centuries old temples mix with architecture that reflects the passage of time and history. Consisting of 29 beautifully appointed accommodations, each with its own unique personality, are clustered in four Guest Houses replicating the Thai Lanna style of Chiang Mai.

The Guest Houses encircle the refreshing center pool and the natural flowing gardens and are highlighted by the 100 year old Main House that immediately sets the welcoming ambiance of serenity and service for which the Manathai Village is known.

The Manathai Resort, Surin-Beach Phuket is located at 121 Srisunthorn Road, Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand.

Telephone: +66 7627 0900 Fax: +66 7627 0909. The Manathai Village, Chiang Mai is on 39/9 Soi 3, Tapae Road, Changklan, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand. Telephone Phone: +66 5328 1666-9 Fax: +66 5320 8385.

More information can be found on www.manathai.com

HBA On The Bund

A legendary Shanghai pleasure palace dating back to the city’s ‘Pearl of the Orient’ heyday has been returned to its former glory by HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates and re-opened as the Waldorf Astoria On The Bund.

The iconic English Renaissance-style landmark dating back to the Victorian era was once Shanghai’s most exclusive and prestigious social club with bowling alleys, restaurants, an oyster bar, games rooms, barber’s shop and two wine cellars.

Its fabled Long Bar, extending 35 metres, was once the longest bar in the world.

“Restoring this forlorn property was a tremendous honour and true labor of love, the ultimate challenge of taking historical context and adding up-to-date convenience and style” said HBA Principal, Ian Carr.

The building on The Bund had over the years accommodated office space, a casino, motion picture sound stage and most recently a fast food restaurant. But it is now reborn, recapturing the spirit and romance of its bygone era while creating a new benchmark in luxury travel for Hilton Hotel Corporation’s first Waldorf Astoria in Asia.

One of the finest architectural gems along Shanghai’s waterfront promenade, the whitewashed façade is adorned with Palladium columns, intricate gables and a pair of sculpted rooftop cupolas.

The prestigious new hotel features a total of 266 rooms, four restaurants, two bars, a patisserie, lobby lounge, extensive banqueting facilities, swimming pool, health club and spa.

The Restoration

Throughout the painstakingly careful restoration, HBA designers were mindful of maintaining the highest degrees of period accuracy, requested by the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Commission which oversees the city’s heritage buildings.

“That the Shanghai Club has its roots in the late Victorian era was never far from mind,” said Mr Carr, who was also co-lead designer. “Restoring or converting heritage property is the ultimate design challenge.”

Because of the Shanghai Club’s wide popularity, the photographic archive was fortunately immense, guiding restoration of nearly every element from its neo-classical interior and English colonial-inspired furniture to decorative lighting and antique Chinese accents and artifacts.

Connie Puar, HBA Principal and co-lead designer, said: “Restoration demands extreme attention to detail combined with flexibility.

When we find a column where we did not expect it, we have to amend in a way that won’t compromise the design, which can be a challenge. Every item physically attached to the architecture—from ceiling molding and panels in walls, to the Sicilian marble columns and stained glass imported from England—is a restored or recreated heritage element.”

After removing decades of accrued material, HBA found the original interiors to be quite enduring. Paula O’Callaghan, Associate and senior FF&E designer, said: “A good amount of original surfaces like false moldings and drop ceilings were there, hidden underneath movie props. We also found the Shanghai Club’s fabled Long Bar painted in KFC’s palate.”

A New Era

The Waldorf Astoria Club also resurrects the Long Bar.

At one time, patrons could gauge their relative social status by where they stood along it. A world-famous destination, the original Long Bar was lost during the Japanese occupation, but is now recreated from photographic records to original specifications, from dark timber paneling and white marble counter to rich, dark masculine furniture.

The most intentionally romantic space in the heritage building, The Grand Ballroom has achieved a level of refinement simply unimaginable in its early days, bathed in light by heritage-inspired crystal chandeliers while retaining its original warm, dark wood wainscoting, buff painted plaster walls and intricate ceiling and wall moldings. A remarkably scaled Oriental style rug covers the entire dining area.

HBA’s design team were called on to imagine a room that might have satisfied visiting royalty in 1911, and succeeded in making classical European style more romantic and refined than any original could have been, with oversized marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and dramatic fireplaces.

Décor is sumptuous with exquisite chandeliers, dark mahogany period furniture and Chinoise, antique reproductions.

“Ultimate design of the Waldorf Astoria Club delivers an unhurried feel of refined indulgence; as timeless today as it would have been a century ago, and able to stand next to the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue on equal footing,” added Mr Carr.

“In its rebirth as the Waldorf Astoria Club, Number 2 The Bund is again an address associated with high style, gracious civility like its cherished predecessor – a bastion of civility and style with the finest luxury experiences in Shanghai.”

For more information, please visit the HBA website at www.hbadesign.com

Design Hotels announced its newest member in Laos — the Alila Luang Prabang, which opened on Oct. 1, 2010.

The all-suite resort is located in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos. Architect Bunnag Duangrit created a contemporary hotel, while conserving the site’s architectural heritage.

The hotel’s design is also of historical interest, as the building was originally built as a governor’s mansion and then was used for a time as a political detention center.

The resort’s existing colonial buildings, built between 1910 and 1920, blend with new structures that have been designed to reflect and complement the Lao architecture.

The interior design is a fusion of French colonial charm with contemporary and modern elements. Each suite is designed to create harmony between the indoor and the exterior area.

The signature fabric pattern in the room reflects the colors of the city and thus gives it an urban feel.

The 23 suites, including two Governor Suites, four Pool Suites, two Heritage Suites and 15 Garden Suites, open onto a private garden with either a pool or an outdoor pavilion.

With an area up to 1,500 square feet and extensive gardens, the larger Heritage and Governor Suites offer generous living spaces.

Two corner Pool Suites provide exclusive access to a tower. With its panoramic views across the township towards the mountains, it is the perfect place for a candlelight dinner. Alila Luang Prabang is nestled in a quiet residential area of Luang Prabang, five minutes from the town center and 10 minutes from the airport. Rates range from $170 to $550.

For more information, call 800-337-4685 or visit www.designhotels.com/alila_luang_prabang

For those who are yearning for a White Christmas, Barefoot Traveller has added the popular winter destination of Hakuba, Japan into their ever expanding destination portfolio.

Hakuba, hosts of the 1998 Winter Olympics, in the Nagano prefecture is one of Japan’s best snow destinations. Hakuba is a skiier’s/snowboards paradise with over 200 different ski runs to choose from.

Hakuba benefits from a long snow season which runs from December through to April and on average gets a staggering 11 metres of snow each season!

After a long day on the slopes, Hakuba is also home to hundreds of Onsen – natural hot springs – where one can warm up, relax and go over the days skiing.

So good are these Onsen that just outside of Hakuba, is Hell’s Valley Park where one can go see the famous Snow Monkeys, relaxing in their own private hot springs!

For details on packages to Hakuba, please visit

www.barefoot-traveller.com.sg

The Unique Collection of Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce the opening of Sea Pearl Villas Resort in Patong, Phuket. The resort is located on top of Patong Hill and built on approximately 39 rais (appox. 15.60 acres) of land. It is on the main road leading to the world famous Patong Beach.

Sea Pearl Villas Resort offers you the right balance for a life that is filled with excitement, deep impressions and a lifetime of inspirations.
All rooms and suites are decorated based on dark wood color furniture to complement and add to the luxury and charm of the building. The Jacuzzi on each balcony creates a romantic and relaxed atmosphere naturally. A spacious lifestyle and fitness club is part of the resort.

Fine dining options will also be available within the resort’s signature restaurant along with casual all day dining options.

For a group of friends, a family or even a couple, a luxury motor yacht is available for a private day or overnight charters, the ultimate experience for a dream holiday!

To get there, there are many flight options available from Bangkok direct to Phuket and takes little over 1 hour. Additionally there are direct international flights from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong plus a number of charter flights from Europe. Numbers of buses are also operated from larger cities in Thailand to Phuket town.

For more information, please contact info@theuniquecollection.com

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Opening in October, Sivatel Bangkok will become the first hotel in Thailand to launch the interactive high-definition IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) on Apple platform and IP Phone in all of 75 Sivatel hotel suites and 10 Sivatel serviced residences.

The technology will allow guests to access to a wide range of pay Video-on-Demand services in crystal clear image and sound, as well as to key travel information such as real-time flight information, weather, world time, Youtube, Google Map via in room wireless keyboard and LCD screen.

Information and highlights of the dining services and facilities of the hotel, including billing, will also be available within a fingertip on the user-friendly remote control and will be on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad in the future.

To support the Unified Communications (UC) concept through IPTV and IP Phone systems, the building is also cleverly engineered with the installation of a “Fiber Optic Backbone” to ensure bandwidth efficient delivery of internet connection and high quality of telephone signal, allowing business and leisure travelers to connect with business and friend with high levels of performance and reliability.

Moreover, Sivatel is designed to environmental-friendly with the “VRF – Variable Refrigerant Flow System” and an automatic electricity-controlled system. The”RFID – Radio Frequency Identification card” and “IP CCTV or IP-based Closed Circuit TV” systems are installed to offer convenient, and at the same time, security of hotel and residence guests and office tenants and visitors.

Sivatel’s General Manager, Mr. Apichan Sivayathorn, said that “Sivatel Tower is designed to answer the calls for modern lifestyle amid concerns over the environment and the safety and security from corporate business and leisure travelers.”

Dubai, U.A.E. – flydubai made it a Russian double today with the announcement of its 24th destination, the Western Russian city of Samara.

Flights to Samara will begin on Wednesday, October 20, and will follow hot on the heels of flydubai’s first flight to Russia, which will be to Yekaterinburg on Saturday, October 16.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO, said: “Traffic between Russia and Dubai is developing and we at flydubai are pleased to be playing our part in ensuring business and leisure travellers from both countries can discover the benefits of travel between our two nations.

“The introduction of flydubai’s direct service to Samara provides an option for travellers to the Samara Oblast region, which is an important area near the river Volga.”

Situated where the Volga and Samara rivers meet, Samara is an important regional centre, as the majority of the Russian car manufacturing industry is situated in neighbouring Tolyati.

A city with a long history of importance to the region Samara also offers culture and plenty to see for leisure travellers. Samara is a haven for ballet and opera lovers and has played host to some of Russia’s most famous sons, including composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who lived there during World War II and wrote his Seventh Symphony in the city, and author Alexey Tolstoy, who was born in the city.

flydubai flights to Samara will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from October 20. Flight FZ903 will depart Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 at 0900hrs and arrive in Samara at 1450hrs local time.

The return flight FZ904 leaves Kurumoch International Airport at 1550hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1935hrs local time. Prices for flights from Dubai begin from AED 1150 and flights from Samara start at USD 400. Flights can be purchased on flydubai’s website (flydubai.com), through the call centre and with travel partners.