Jetsettersblog

HF Holidays, the UK’s largest walking holiday specialist, has added 10 new trail itineraries to its 2011 programme including the seven-night Marseille to Cassis holiday which takes in coastal Provence and the Cote d’Azur.

Available as both a guided and self-guided trail, highlights include spectacular coastal walks in the Calanques National Park taking in the Calanques of Morigou, Sugiton, Port Miou and En Vau as well as the fishing village of L’Estaque which provided inspiration to many impressionist painters.

Also included are walks over the cliffs of Cap Canaille – the highest maritime cliffs in France – and amid olive groves and ‘blanc de blanc’ vineyards, together with a visit to Frioul Island – with its lovely beaches, cliffs and creeks.

The guided trail is available with three departures – 4 June, 24 September and 8 October – and costs £759 land-only or from £929 inclusive of Eurostar travel (St Pancras to Marseille) and transfers.

These prices also include seven nights’ half-board hotel, all transport and luggage transfers on walking days and the services of an experienced local leader.

The self-guided option is available year-round and costs from £499 inclusive of seven nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast, luggage transfer from Marseille to Cassis, plus maps and detailed walk notes.

All prices are per person, based on two sharing.

0845 470 7558, www.hfholidays.co.uk

The Dubai lounge scene will never be the same again, with a magnificent entrance of the highly anticipated RED Lounge.Terrace into Dubai’s social scene.

Located at the peak of the pyramid in Raffles Dubai, this stimulating new destination sure to revive the senses is where an exhilarating atmosphere, stunning terrace, fascinating people and spirited cocktails meet.

The opening weeks of RED Lounge have been attended by Dubai’s most fashionable and glamourous crowd as well as celebrity UK band the Kaiser Chiefs and Grammy Award winning American record producer Jermaine Dupri. From the looks of opening weekend, local media has expressed that it is sure to be a favorite among celebrities and the new place in Dubai to see and be seen.

As Dubai’s first ultra-modern Chinese lounge, casual bites of exquisite dim sum such as Foie Gras and Chicken Siew Mai are served in a sophisticated, yet dynamic setting.

One of the only lounges in Dubai open until 3:00am on weekends, light fare served into the late hours will be complemented by innovative signature cocktails such as the Desert Healer and the signature RED T, a refreshing combination of Chinese wine, red berries, basil, lime and a few secret ingredients sure to tantalize taste buds.

Revellers will delight in the sophisticated menu of premium cocktails, signature martinis and a selection of wine from all over the globe while people-watching and listening to exhilarating music.

The highlights of this vibrant lounge are the stunning terraces. RED Lounge.Terrace enjoys a prime location in the heart of Dubai, and boasts one of the only lounge terraces offering breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire Dubai skyline.

With 8 succulent restaurants and bars, a 3510 square metre spa, majestic botanical garden, the adjoining Wafi lifestyle and shopping centre and the exhilarating new RED Lounge.Terrace, Raffles Dubai has become much more than a hotel, it has become Dubai’s premium destination.

ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS

Raffles Hotels & Resorts epitomises enchanting experiences, embodying global sophistication and residential charm, imbued with heartfelt service “like a gentle breeze”.

At Raffles, guests arrive as residents, leave as friends and return as family.

Raffles’ relentless pursuit of service excellence has earned its hotels and resorts a legion of international accolades, including Condé Nast World’s Best Places to Stay and Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards.

Its flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore was voted Best Hotel in Asia for four consecutive years by readers of Ultratravel magazine by The Daily Telegraph while Raffles Beijing Hotel was named Best Luxury Hotel by Travel Weekly China in 2009.

In addition, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 98 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands.

The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

BERLIN – From now on, Design Hotels™ not only has the right hotel for guests, but also the matching rental car.

In exclusive partnership with the German car rental company Sixt, Design Hotels allows guests to rent a car from the Sixt portfolio when booking a stay at a member hotel.

After booking the hotel through www.designhotels.com, visitors have the option to reserve a rental car at the destination.

The booking can be done easily directly on the Design Hotels website. The service is also offered through the Design Hotels reservation hotline, which is available toll-free for most countries www.designhotels.com/contact

Bernd Neff, Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Communications at Design Hotels says:

“We are very happy to offer our guests this additional service. Thanks to the far-reaching Sixt network, guests are now able to book a rental car through Design Hotels™ in the majority of destinations worldwide.”

The car selection ranges from elegant sedans to smart cabriolets. Travel combinations include mixing indulgence and adventure with a stay at The Dolder Grand and an SUV tour of the Alps. Sun seekers can alternate between the rooftop deck at Palma de Mallorca’s Puro to a spin in a chic convertible.

For a city break in style, those staying at Leon’s Place in Rome can rent a Smart car, ideal for navigating the city’s narrow and beautiful streets.

Emeraude Classic Cruises is launching a three-day/two-night itinerary that explores Vietnam’s Halong Bay.

The Emeraude’s new soft adventure options run from rock-climbing to butterfly trekking on Cat Ba Island. In between, there’s compelling middle ground in kayaking.

“Halong Bay is so much more compelling when it’s not a passive experience,” said Kurt Walter, group general manager of Apple Tree Group Hospitality.

“Yes, it’s one of the most magnificent seascapes you’ve ever seen, but when you get out into it, with a paddle in your hands, or your hands on the grit of these limestone karsts, then you’ve just gained a whole new dimension of experience.”

The new soft adventure program is managed by Slo Pony Adventures, a Vietnam-based travel company run by Onslo Carrington and Erik Ferjentsik, two American-trained outdoor enthusiasts. Participants can book the soft adventure of their choice independently, or as part of a group effort.

For rock climbers, Slo Pony is cultivating 20 different venues around the bay, including the Polish Pillar, a karst that exemplifies the bay’s fantastic limestone formations. On Cat Ba Island, Slo Pony leads trekkers through Butterfly Valley in the National Park.

Here the experience is less predictable but serendipitous with waterfalls, exotic wildlife, rainbows and views.

On the bay itself, Slo Pony’s kayak guides steer Emeraude passengers to deserted beaches and in and out of myriad lagoons.

Launched in 2003, the Emeraude is a near-replica of a stern wheeler that plied these same waters between 1906 and its wreck in 1937.

The modern vessel accommodates 74 passengers in 12 superior cabins, 22 deluxe cabins and three suites.

Until this month, the Emeraude’s Halong Bay excursion was a two-day/one-night cruise, calling on limestone karst islands hollowed out by grottos.

For those passengers in the soft adventure program, a Slo Pony tender retrieves climbers, kayakers and trekkers at 9 a.m.

The 2003-built vessel evokes classic architecture, polished wooden floors, beadboard wainscoting and brass fixtures.

Its spacious onboard restaurant specializes in western fare and freshly caught seafood. Each cabin features outdoor seating, as does the commodious sun-deck.

For more information, visit www.emeraude-cruises.com

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed a management contract with Riverside Infrastructure (India) Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of MARG, to operate Traders Hotel, Chennai, scheduled to open in early 2012. Located in the middle of Old Mahabalipuram Road as part of the MARG Junction Mall, a multi-use complex, the hotel will be equidistant to both Madhya Kailash and Siruseri IT Park.

The development will include a mall, office block and the 246-room hotel along with 52 service apartments.

One feature of the complex is a river flowing across the entire northern side of the mall, offering customers a view and respite during shopping.

Guestrooms will offer wireless and broadband Internet access and will be designed to reflect a classic yet contemporary style combined with local cultural influences.

The hotel will provide four dining and entertaining outlets including a café, a specialty restaurant, an all-day dining restaurant, and a lobby lounge for light refreshments.

Meeting and banqueting facilities will offer over 24,070 square feet of function space.

A health club, spa with beauty salon and 25-meter outdoor pool will complete the public facilities.

“The addition of Traders Hotel, Chennai complements our portfolio of hotels in India: Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, New Delhi; Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai, due to open in 2011; and Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore, due to open in early 2012,” said Greg Dogan, Shangri-La’s president and chief executive officer.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 69 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 30,000. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Mongolia, Russia, Qatar, Turkey and United Kingdom.

The Hilton Pattaya, which opened Nov. 29, is located about 100 miles southeast of Bangkok and offers a “floating” beachfront experience. Pattaya overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and the hotel stands atop the new “Central Festival at Pattaya Beach” complex that is Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront entertainment and shopping center, complete with more than 200 shops and restaurants, a 10-screen cinema and a 16-lane bowling alley.

Guests will have direct access through an exclusive ground floor entrance, but the hotel’s main lobby is on the 16th level.

The “Floating Guest Rooms with Views” are 302 rooms located between levels 19 and 33, offering panoramic ocean views, private balconies, contemporary furnishings, spacious bathrooms with separate rain shower and bath, the Serenity Bed Experience, LCD TVs and high-speed Internet service. Suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows and separate living and dining areas, while many feature outdoor bathtubs on private balconies.

The Infinity Pool offers sweeping sea views from Level 16 and is set amidst a lush, landscaped garden.

Lighter and healthier dining options are available poolside from the Shore dining concept and 24-Hour Health Club.

The hotel will be the first in Asia to debut the Hilton brand’s first-ever global spa concept that launched in October 2010 and is called eforea: spa at Hilton.

The spa is scheduled to open in January, and will pair the concept’s three signature spa journeys with customized treatments that draw from Thailand’s indigenous healing wisdoms and natural ingredients.

The Park Hyderabad, the newest of the properties of The Park in India, unveiled its three latest spaces, all influenced by Hyderabad’s tradition as a design center and producer of precious stones and distinctive textiles.

The Osmania Suite is the first of several accommodations at The Park Hyderabad where designers were commissioned to interpret the grandeur of the Nizams with a 21st century twist incorporating elegance and opulence in a contemporary and fun way. Suites by Tarum Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Manish Arora, Rajiv Saini, Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher will be opening shortly.

The Carbon Bar reflects an interpretation of Hyderabad’s jewels by India-based Khosla Associates.

The Aura spa, also designed by Khosla Associates, this oasis of tranquility is inspired by the whiteness of the Golconda Diamond.

The therapy rooms and suites feature silver foil embossed doors and curved walls with padded diamond-shaped, pearl white fabric.

Each of the seven therapy rooms is named after different stones from Nizam jewelry such as The Great Mughal, Dar-ia-noor, Lulur and Firoza.

The 270-room Park Hyderabad opened this past summer with a 3-D horizon pool, three restaurants, two lounges, two entertainment venues, and spa. Park Hotels offers luxury boutique properties in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kerala, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi and Visakhapatnam.

For more information, email sales.usa@theparkhotels.com  or visit www.theparkhotels.com

The Beach House Maldives, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, is outfitting a DeHavilland Twin Otter seaplane with leather seats, custom-made tables and furnishings as well as an amenities bag that includes an iPad and Bose noise-canceling headphones.

The exterior of the plane will be painted in an elegant white, gray and black livery.

Frederic Lebegue, the general manager said, “The seaplane flight offers a ‘private jet’ experience making this an inimitable way to travel with picture-postcard aerial views of the islands below.”

All guests traveling to the resort will be welcomed at Male International Airport, brought to a private lounge where spa treatments, refreshments and air-conditioned comfort await them before transferring to the resort’s own seaplane for the one-hour flight to the tropical retreat.

To pass the time, guests on board will have a customized iPad, Bose noise-canceling headphones, a pair of binoculars, fan and a pampering pack that includes face fresheners and hand wipes.

The seaplane can be booked privately by individuals wishing to travel in complete privacy and will also be used to transfer groups of guests to the resort from Male International Airport.

Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort is the only resort in the atoll to offer seaplane transfers to its guests.

Set in the far north of the country, Haa Alifu Atoll is usually reached by a domestic flight followed by a boat trip. The seaplane transfer reduces traveling time by half.

For more information, call 0110 960 650 0408, email reservation@beachhousemaldives.com

or visit www.beachhousemaldives.com  or www.hiltonworldwide.com

Dining at Soneva Kiri by Six Senses on Thailand’s Koh Kood Island now features the recently launched Treepod Dining experience.

The Treepod is situated at one of the best vantage points the resort offers, a few yards along the coastal path from the resort’s main facilities on the west facing side of the island.

Guests board the rattan bird’s nest at ground level and fasten their leather seatbelts to be hoisted 16 feet into the tall massang trees.

The Pod is outfitted with comfortable cushioned seating for up to four diners. As the Pod slowly climbs into the trees, Khun Lek simultaneously flies through the air on a zip line coming from a small platform perched half way down the hill.

Once Khun Lek has served the meal, he zips back up the hill, discreetly positioned a few feet away in case guests wish to add to their order.

The menus follow the jungle themes — Canapés in the Canopy, Forager’s Basket and Woodland Offerings — using produce predominantly from the resort’s organic gardens or the island of Koh Kood.

For more information, visit www.sixsenses.com

Best Western Premier Guro Hotel is the group’s ninth property in South Korea, and its sixth in the capital city of Seoul.

The newly built, 200-room Best Western Premier Guro Hotel is also the sixth hotel in the country to fly the flag of the luxury Best Western Premier brand, joining three existing Best Western Premiers in Seoul, one in Songdo and the airport hotel in Incheon.

The hotel is located at the center of the Guro Digital Complex, home to multi-national high-tech companies, laboratories and other cutting-edge businesses.

Its well-appointed 200 rooms come in double, twin, residence and suite categories, featuring upgraded amenities as cable and satellite TV, complimentary high-speed Internet access, in-room coffee/tea maker, in-room deposit safe, hairdryer and shoe-shining services.

Hotel facilities include a restaurant, coffee shop, lounge and bar, health club, business center and function rooms accommodating up to 300 people cocktail style.

There are Executive/VIP services on offer, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas.

For more information, visit the Best Western banner ad at the right.