Jetsettersblog

Styled around a unique botanical garden representing Thailand’s most lush and impressive flora, the new Siam Kempinski hotel in the heart of Bangkok was a “labour of love” for interior designers HBA.

The serene oasis is the product of an eight year collaboration with prominent Thai owners, including members of the Royal Family, to reflect Thailand’s unique cultural and natural heritage.

“Much of the impetus behind the design theme could be called cultural philanthropy,” explained Ian Carr, Principal at HBA Singapore. “Placing Thailand’s cultural heritage into Bangkok in an impressive and reinvigorated way was of utmost importance to the owners.”

“It is a breathtaking design statement redefining the meaning of tradition in Bangkok, transcending mere styles and trends with a quality and permanence typically unseen in commercial properties,” he continued.

Neighbouring Bangkok’s premium high-end shopping and entertainment complex Siam Paragon, Siam Kempinski elevates the concept of “urban oasis” to another level.

Outside, the world buzzes with excitement, yet within its walls is a world of stately serenity. Uniquely, all 303 rooms and suites face inward – away from the bustle of the city, instead overlooking a remarkable botanical garden.

In this microcosm of Thailand’s natural beauty, native species have been collected and artfully arranged as a “royal flower bouquet”.

Art in Design
The design not only distils Thailand’s lush and distinctive botanical diversity, but also the nation’s arts and culture.

HBA designers thoroughly researched the art of Thailand, identifying the finest emerging artists and spending several months scouring the country collecting and commissioning fine Thai objects d’ art representative of its evolution into an international destination, and of Bangkok into an international city.

HBA chose to work with emerging artists — all born after 1960 – who present dynamic, fundamental Thai elements and forms in a contemporary manner. Signature artwork, such as a three-dimensional wall mural by Khun Paramat, is prominent in every public space. The lobby is adorned with paintings by established, sought-after artist Khun Alongkorn.

“We chose to work with artists who are doing wonderful and exciting things with the traditions they have inherited. The message here is exclusively new Thai,” he said.

“Redefining cultural heritage in an impressive and unique way was of utmost importance to the Siam’s owners.” The end result is one of the most impressive contemporary Thai art collections on display anywhere.

The project also employed the talents of hundreds of Thai craftspeople in rendering custom furniture, artworks and finishes. From the entry experience to the guestrooms, the level of custom work is without peer.

“By starting with all that is culturally, historically and artistically Thai, we translated the shapes, forms, icons and colours of old Thailand into a new aesthetic that accelerated the ancient to the now, in a rebirth of tradition,” said Mr Carr.

The Spaces

The lobby is a study in what can be achieved when space, design, material and purpose come together in harmony – punctuated with soaring vertical lines created by 15-metre columns clad in pale stone.

Its ceiling is impressively embossed in receding concentric steps, enhancing the sense of unlimited space.

Floor to ceiling windows make the lushness of the manicured gardens as much part of the design as the dramatically scaled, conical bronze scones that adorn the columns.

“There is a strong affinity from space to space here; this property has no randomness to its juxtapositions,” said Mr Carr. “We wanted to create the impression of the quality and permanence of a Grand Dame hotel, so creating the feeling of a sanctuary was natural.”

The ethereal ambience extends into guestrooms, where a light, refreshing pallet soothes the spirit with a bright, resort-like feel. Furniture is handmade from local materials, including elegant and open rattans. A discretely textured fabric covers the walls, creating a chic, relaxed feel.

Thai tradition also inspires the food and beverage areas. Signature Thai restaurant Sra Bua (Lily Pond) features custom designed Thai silk panels with heavily articulated timber walls creating a feeling as calm as its name. International brassiere Europa uses local materials in surprising ways to create a smart, stylish Thai interpretation of contemporary European design.

The high ceilinged Whiskey Bar is a masculine space with a dramatic marble fireplace set in wood paneled walls.

Because this urban resort blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces, the pool area, located in the midst of the garden, was carefully considered: surrounded by a wood-framed pavilion, creating a casual lounging space, and adorned with day-bed sofas around a central bar.

Overlooking the gardens, the Lobby Lounge is set to become a smart venue for afternoon tea among Bangkok’s social set.

“Nearly every element of this design invokes or reflects back in some way onto the fabulous garden. It was a wonderful source of inspiration and what we’ve created here will stand the test of time,” added Mr Carr.

The most surprising and refreshing luxury hotel in Bangkok now sets a new standard for tradition in Thailand: not a retrospective of what has been, but an artistic foreshadowing of the next generation, broadening the appeal of Bangkok itself.

About HBA

HBA creates inspired, brand-defining design experiences that evoke a distinct sense of place, while delighting the world’s most discriminating travelers. HBA’s portfolio spans more than 80 countries and encompasses the planet’s finest nameplates.

HBA spaces are a fusion of tradition and innovation, craft and the cutting edge. From 13 studios worldwide, HBA designers blend incomparable industry experience with a passion for artistic exploration and a philosophical approach to each project as a discovery opportunity. By expanding the aesthetic envelope, the company has developed strong, inspired identities that set new standards for luxury and comfort.

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

Centara Hotels & Resorts recently signed a contract to manage the first property under the new Centra brand, the Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong, in Phuket.

The new hotel will open in the end of 2010 and brings the total number of properties under Centara management in Phuket to six.

Centra has been developed to provide affordable quality accommodation in prime locations.

“We are very happy to announce the launch of the new Centra brand,” said Gerd Steeb, president of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“A lot of research has been undertaken and we are very confident there is a large market for hotels designed to exceed expectations but not over-deliver to a point
that is not required by the guests.

“The name ‘Centra’ was chosen to be a recognisable part of Centara, yet to indicate that this is a property at the budget end of the scale, rather than the 4- through to mid 5-star range of a Centara hotel or resort.

“Other hotels under the Centra brand will be announced very shortly.” The Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong announcement comes in the same month as the soft-opening of the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket at Karon Beach, a property that is at the top end of Centara’s branding.

These two new properties bring the total number of rooms operated in Phuket by Centara Hotels & Resorts to 937.

Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for sales & marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts, said that Phuket is one of the Thai destinations on which the company is focusing.

“This time last year we had three properties in Phuket, and this has been increased to six as part of our expansion policy on the island.

“Phuket is a market that has matured immensely and can be defined into a number of distinct segments. We can now offer three destinations, namely Patong, Karon and Kata, and we cover the upper budget category through to the mid five-star category.

“Within this we are also able to offer holiday styles to distinct personal preferences, such as couples, families, and independent-minded travellers who want privacy and lack of distractions.

“Our room types go all the way from standard through to suites, to spa rooms with their own Jacuzzi on the balcony and to villa accommodation.” Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong is a newly-built
eight-storey property at Patong Beach with 106 guestrooms offering a choice of king-bed and twin-bed accommodation, and a rooftop pool and Jacuzzi. All rooms have their own balcony.

The hotel is 400m from the beach and is within casual walking distance of the main shopping and leisure areas.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s largest hotel operator, with 35 properties at prime locations throughout the country. Overseas, Centara operates resorts in the Maldives, Vietnam,
Indian Himalayas, and Boracay and Manila in the Philippines.

For more information and reservations, please contact tel. +662 101 1234 ext 1 or e-mail to reservations@chr.co.th or visit our website at http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Cambodia’s first luxury private island resort has released its last remaining over-water villas to potential buyers looking to secure a rare piece of paradise.

Song Saa Private Island will be the first resort to be built in Cambodia’s pristine Koh Rong archipelago, and sets a new standard for responsible high-end accommodation in this emerging tourism destination.

Developers Rory and Melita Hunter are now offering the final six villas to like-minded investors following the success of their first phase of villa sales which was launched late last year in Phuket through sole agent, CB Richard Ellis.

“Our private island is discreet and we only have a very small number of villas on offer. There is nowhere else a buyer could get this standard of investment at such a low price,” said Mr. Rory Hunter, CEO of Brocon, the Australian-owned company behind the development.

The exclusive nature of Song Saa Private Island and the increasing awareness of Cambodia as a tourism market means investors can expect substantial capital growth.

“The launch of Song Saa has put Cambodia on the global map and has proven there is a market of international investors keen to invest in quality projects in an emerging location which offers a significant upside in capital appreciation.

Once regular airlift begins at the recently upgraded Sihanoukville International Airport, one can expect exponential growth in Cambodia’s coastal tourism,” said Mr. David Simister, Chairman of CB Richard Ellis Indochina.

Brocon guarantees investors a yield of 8% for 5 years – a superior rate in the region.

When the resort opens in late 2011, it will feature 25 rainforest, beach and over-water villas, all with private pools.

At its heart will be an over-water world-class restaurant and lounge, spectacularly positioned just off the island’s shoreline and surrounded by ocean. Guests will stroll out a short boardwalk to this breath-taking vantage point where, they can take in dramatic sunsets, seascapes and starry nights.

The resort will span the two islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a footbridge over a marine reserve established to safeguard the islands’ reefs and marine life including dugongs, seahorses and exotic species of tropical fish.

The two islands are known locally as Song Saa, which is Khmer for the sweethearts, and the resort will be as romantic and intimate as the name implies.

“Think Thailand 30 years ago, before Koh Samui or Phuket became the international hubs they are today. We have the pristine rainforests and white sand beaches but without the over-development or crowds,” Rory said.

“We have tried to create something unique, something that reflects our love for Cambodia and for the environment. Central to our vision is respect for the environment and the people, and we believe private operators such as ourselves have an important role to play in the preservation of this rare corner of the world.”

The Hunters have established a marine reserve that covers one million square meters and extends 200 meters from the outer edge of the reefs around both islands.

They are working closely with the regional Environment Committee, a forum of local people with the knowledge and desire to protect their own livelihoods through marine conservation.

“While protection of the marine environment is central to our vision, we also realise that a healthy environment depends on healthy communities, so we have made a commitment to donate a portion of all revenue to the local community, to donate resources such as schoolbooks and help fund local health initiatives.”

With construction of the resort well underway, the Hunters have already assembled a highly experienced team to oversee the management of the resort.

The resort’s general manager, Jean-Paul Riby, is a specialist in small, remote luxury resorts, with more than 15 years of experience in Asia.

Most recently he was the general manager of Como Resort’s Bhutan property Uma Paro – a 33-room ultra luxury resort high in the Himalayan mountains.

Prior to that he was in charge of Vietnam’s Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay, the country’s most luxurious resort.

Song Saa Private Island’s project manager, Philippe Riant, has nearly two decades of experience in every phase of a resort’s lifecycle, from conception and design to construction and management.

Like Jean-Paul, Philippe is a specialist in small ultra-luxury island resort development and operations. Most recently, he was Director of Technical Services at Per Aquum Resorts, overseeing their iconic private island developments in the Maldives and Seychelles. He also spent 17 years with the prestigious Starwood group.

“It is important to us that guests receive the exclusive luxury island experience they are promised, and so we have sought a highly experienced management team to ensure that they do,” said Rory.

The sole agent representing the sale of the villas is CB Richard Ellis – rated by Euromoney magazine as the top global advisor in their 2010 real estate survey.

The Rezidor Hotel Group unveiled plans for the Hotel Missoni Belek, in Antalya, Turkey.

Located on the Turkish Riviera, the 138-key property will welcome its first guests in 2013.

Rezidor’s luxury lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni debuted in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2009 in partnership with the fashion and interiors house. Additional properties are under development in Kuwait (2011), Oman (2012) and Brazil (2012). Each property is personally designed by Creative Director Rosita Missoni, original co-founder of the Missoni label.

Hotel Missoni Belek, Antalya will be a golf and wellness resort located three miles east of the city of Belek on a hilltop overlooking olive groves, fruit orchards and the sea. The resort will be part of a mixed-use development with residential villas, a country club, sports club and boutique retail shops.

The resort will be adjacent to an 18-hole golf course designed by Swedish golf champion Annika Sörenstam. The hotel will offer 110 guestrooms and 28 villas ranging from 200 to 9,500 square feet. All will feature Missoni’s trademark design and color scheme.

The resort will offer two restaurants, including the signature Cucina Missoni, as well as a ballroom and meeting space. For relaxation after a round of golf guests can enjoy the 11,000-square-foot spa and leisure area, offering two swimming pools, a spa, Turkish baths, a fitness centre, and a kids’ club. Rezidor has four hotels in operation and two under development in Turkey. This is the first Hotel Missoni development in the country.

The Hivernage Collection will be open two new resorts in Marrakesh in 2011 — Pearl by Hivernage, a luxury boutique hotel; and Pure by Hivernage, Morocco’s largest well-being resort complex.

Located in the Hivernage neighborhood of Marrakesh, the Jacques Garcia-designed Pearl will open in summer 2011 with 72 suites ranging from 550 to 1,600 square feet each, decorated in the baroque style, accented with marble and velvet draping.

Dining options will include a French restaurant helmed by the two Michelin-starred Michel Rostang and an Italian restaurant overseen by Gian Carlo Morelli, who also has two Michelin stars.

A lounge bar with an open terrace leading to the central patio and separate cigar bar will serve as a social gathering place with live music and fantastic views. Pearl will also offer a Valmont Spa, a hair salon by Alexandre de Paris and a selection of shops including what will be Marrakesh’s flagship Louis Vuitton store.

The Miguel Cancio Martin-designed Pure, scheduled to open in the Agdal region of Marrakesh in fall 2011, will be the largest well-being complex of its type in Morocco.

The complex will consist of 70 rooms, suites and apartments alongside a “Spa Village.”

Pure will offer an outpost of “La Table du Marche” by Christophe Leroy (the original is located at Hivernage Hotel & Spa) as well as a health-food restaurant which will be overseen by a nutritionist.

The Spa Village will consist of an indoor heated pool, an outdoor pool, a hammam separated into a men’s side and women’s side (each 16,000 square feet with individual treatment rooms), and a 75,000-square-foot indoor fitness club with tennis, squash, weight training, cardio, Pilates and more, all overseen by trainers and coaches who will develop customized training regimes for guests.

Pure will also have a Mini-Spa and Junior Academy for children where they can receive instruction in tennis, swimming, martial arts, dance and other sports/activities. Specialized kids’ spa services will be on offer as well. The Hivernage Collection is represented by Dominique Debay Hotel & Resort Marketing (www.DDhrm.com) in the U.S.

For more information, call 888-DDHRM09 or visit www.hivernage-hotel.com

Best Western International’s African presence continues to grow with the opening of the Best Western Coral Beach Hotel, located in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s exclusive Msasani Peninsula area.

Located within five kilometers of the U.S. Embassy, the hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers an amazing vantage point for the beautiful sunsets seen on Africa’s East Coast.

The boutique-style hotel offers 62 guest rooms, an ocean-side restaurant and on-site bar and lounge.

Upscale guestrooms feature free wireless Internet access and flat-screen LCD televisions, and some offer ocean views. Complimentary full breakfast, business center and fitness center also are available for guests.

For more information, visit www.bestwestern.com

Safari Adventure Company and its holding company, the Wilderness Group, are thrilled to announce the evolution of its brand – in the form of a name change: Wilderness Adventures.

Since its inception some five years ago, Safari Adventure Company has been going from strength to strength, and it was felt that the time had come to express its spirit and its roots in one name.

The spirit of adventure is a primary focus of the company, attracting guests who seek to explore Africa through any number of exciting ways: viewing wildlife on game drives in open vehicles, walking through scenic, pristine areas, canoeing waterways, or indeed just being in the wild places of the continent. In this sense, the company’s by-line of “Live adventure, love the wild” still holds true and will continue to do so.

In addition, the company remains committed to the core vision of the Wilderness Group – that of making a difference in Africa by protecting its wildlife and partnering with local communities so that the benefits of ecotourism are available to those who live nearby. With the environment at the heart of their beliefs and values, their quest is to understand the wilderness better, to respect it, to care for it and to share it with guests.

In this way, the new name reflects the amalgamation of the two values, and thus the company takes its place firmly and proudly within the Wilderness family.

Please explore the new website to begin your next Wilderness Adventure: www.wilderness-adventures.com.

&Beyond Moremi Under Canvas semi-permanent tented camp officially opened in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve.

Offering a tented safari experience, the camp features five luxurious safari tents, each with a double bed, ensuite bathroom, flush toilet and warm bucket shower.

The mobile camp moves every week to various exclusive campsites throughout the vast floodplains, open grasslands and thick forests of the wildlife-rich Moremi Reserve.

“What differentiates the camp is its remarkably beautiful location,” said &Beyond’s Regional Director Jason King. “With plenty of water from the Okavango Delta, there are numerous vistas and exceptional wildlife sightings as lots of animals are drawn to the water. Our guests have recently had great sightings of leopard, lion and lots of elephant.”

The guest areas feature a spacious tent for dining, meeting for a pre-dinner drink or just whiling the time away between game drives. Meals and traditional bush dinners are served under the stars. &Beyond-trained guides lead guests on interpretive twice-daily game drives in semi-open 4×4 safari vehicles.

Moremi Under Canvas is the third “under canvas” camp in Botswana.

Guests can now experience the desert-like landscape at Savute Under Canvas, the large concentration of elephants at Chobe Under Canvas, and the range of wildlife at Moremi Under Canvas (open annually from September to December).

Established in 1991, &Beyond owns and operates 46 lodges and camps in Africa and India’s wilderness highspots.

The company is also one of Africa’s leading inbound tour operators, designing luxury safaris and personalized travel itineraries in 16 African countries, and India.

For more information, visit www.andbeyond.com

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket invites all to get away from the hectic city life and visit this family-friendly resort, the latest 5-star property from Centara Hotels & Resorts, located right on Karon Beach.

Come enjoy the peaceful ambience and exotic scenery as well as the relaxed feeling of the spacious rooms with appealing Sino-Portuguese style décor.

All the 262 guestrooms and villas have a balcony with a splendid sea view of the Andaman Sea while the spacious room size has been designed with the comfort of guests in mind.

Create a memorable holiday time together with your family in a variety of room types that perfectly matches your needs.

For a family of up to four adults or two adults and two children, the resort invites you to its Deluxe Ocean Facing rooms, of which there are 90 rooms available, or the Premium Spa Deluxe-The Club where there are larger rooms with a Jacuzzi on the balcony and access to the Club lounge and its facilities. The Deluxe Pool Suite – The Club meanwhile offers a private pool that promises a lot of fun for the whole family.

Specially for a big happy family holiday, the resort is introducing the 1- Bedroom Pool Villa, which can accommodate up to five adults or three adults and two children per villa, while the 2- Bedroom Pool Villa can accommodate up to seven adults or four adults and three children per villa.

Besides the rooms for family, there are also rooms for couples on a romantic holiday. If you come with your beloved one, Spa Deluxe Ocean Facing, a 54 square metre room along with a romantic Jacuzzi on the balcony or Premium Deluxe Ocean Facing, a 73.50 square metre room equipped with high tech facilities would be a perfect selection for you.

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is a newly-built resort property at Karon Beach on the island of Phuket.

The resort consists of 262 guestrooms and villas, with 126 Deluxe rooms, 63 Deluxe Spa rooms, 45 Deluxe Pool Suites, 18 Luxury Pool Suites, six One-Bed Pool Villas and four Two-Bed Pool Villas, and Deluxe Spa rooms have a Jacuzzi on the balcony. Leisure facilities include a tennis court, a fitness centre with 144 sq m of space, and a SPA Cenvaree offering Vichy treatments, steam rooms, relaxation lounges, manicure and pedicure rooms, and 10 single and double treatment rooms.

For more information and reservations, please contact tel. +662 101 1234 ext 1 or e-mail to reservations@chr.co.th  or visit our website at http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Sivatel Bangkok is setting new standards in Bangkok’s dining experience with Riedel wine glasses -the simple elegance, balance, and a form that enhances the taste of the wine.

The hotel will use only Riedel wine glasses to serve a wide selection of imported and locally-produced wines and champagnes in three of the five innovative restaurant and bar concepts.

Geoffrey Sivayathorn, Director of Food & Beverages of Sivatel Bangkok, revealed that the use of Riedel glasses is to offer guests the ultimate in wine enjoyment, be they house or vintage wines, locally-produced or imported. Riedel glass will take to the tables at Café Jardin, Big A Byte sport bar and The Porch, all are scheduled to unveil the new meaning of Bangkok’s dining experience in November.

Café Jardin is Bangkok’s first coffee garden on the day and turns into “a wine garden” at night.

The restaurant will be the first in the Thai capital to serve Movenpick coffee with Movenpick ice-cream.

Designed in European style coffee garden, Café Jardin will feature breakfast live cooking station and serve tapas specially created by chef to match with wine, in creating a sumptuous wine tasting experience such as 8 courses wine and tapas.

A wine shop will be available.

Located on the 8th floor is The Porch, the stylish casual fine-dining restaurant serves outstanding Western cuisine and superb wines amid a casual pool-side ambience. Sivatel’s signature breakfast for hotel guests likewise is served at The Porch. Full bar on Mezzanine level can be held for wine tasting and wine dinner events.

Big-A-Byte sport bar is Bangkok’s newest modern English pub & sport bar, featuring famous live band monthly, serving Big byte food – BIG portion – and traditional English pub food recipe in innovative presentation.

“We will only use Riedle wine glasses to serve all the wines and champagnes at Bangkok’s three most emerging three restaurants. Everywhere you look, there will be taste, class and exhilarating vibes,” Geoffrey said.

Pattira Phuksawan, Sales & Marketing Manager of Italthai Industrial Company Limited – the sole distributor of Riedel in Thailand, said that “We are pleased to be the launching partner of Sivatel Bangkok’s many new dimensions in dining experience, a journey to which will be made perfect with the use of Riedel glasses for the serving of wines and champagnes”