Jetsettersblog

Following the launch of Shangri-La Hotel, Paris in December 2010, the hotel has announced the opening of French gastronomic restaurant, L’Abeille. Named in homage to Napoleon’s favorite emblem, the bee, the restaurant offers seating for 40 guests, with French doors opening out onto the hotel’s private garden. Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has created a setting, using palettes of grey, taupe and silver. Once comfortably seated in a plush armchair or one of three elegant banquettes, guests will notice that the bee alights in many places, whether on the taffeta curtains, coffee cups, or on the embroidery of napkins and the wait staff’s ties.

Executive Chef Philippe Labbé has created a menu for spring, using seasonal ingredients, such as salmon from the Adour River, young green asparagus, trout, elvers and milk-fed lamb. Also noteworthy is the bread with Maquis honey and dried apricots, which is made exclusively for Shangri-La Hotel, Paris. Desserts are created by Head Pastry Chef François Perret, and the cellar’s 650 wines have been specially selected by Sommelier Cédric Maupoint. Later in 2011, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris will open Shang Palace — the first gastronomic Cantonese restaurant in France. A taste of things to come at Shang Palace can already be sampled at the hotel’s first restaurant, La Bauhinia. L’Abeille is open for dinner exclusively Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For advance bookings contact reservations on (+33) 1 53 67 19 90 or email abeille.slpr@shangri-la.com  For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com

The five-star Royal Garden Hotel in London is set to unveil 154 newly refurbished bedrooms and suites in early May, which will complete the new contemporary style the hotel has showcased in recent years with its massive $60 million renovation. Located in the affluent Borough of Kensington, guests at the Royal Garden are just steps away from the many trendsetting boutiques and excellent restaurants offered in the neighborhood.

Many Royal Garden Hotel rooms overlook Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. The hotel’s next door neighbor, Kensington Palace is one of the palaces under consideration by Prince William and Kate Middleton for their official residence. The Royal Garden arranges tours of Kensington Palace’s State Rooms followed by an English tea back at the hotel’s Park Terrace. Dollar rates start at $420 for a King room and $495 for a Garden room, including VAT and a delightful Continental breakfast served in the hotel’s Park Terrace restaurant. For mor e information, visit www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk

IDTGV, a subsidiary of the SNCF specializing in selling on-line travel by the French TGV, and the four-star Hôtel Gray d’Albion of Lucien Barrière Cannes have reached an agreement on the environment. Any client of the hotel who has used IDTGV to get to La Croisette will be given a 10 euro ($14) discount whatever the date and price of the stay, simply by presenting the ticket. It’s possible to combine the offer with an “Escale Détente Printemps” (a relaxing spring break). In the offer, a room for two and breakfast at prices from 219 euros ($311) instead of 352 euros ($500), a saving of 133 euros ($189) or 143 euros ($203) if the journey takes place by IDTGV. The offer is valid through June 30.

For the Cannes hotel, the reduction agreed for IDTGV passengers is an unusual way of encouraging its clients to be eco-citizens by giving them an incentive to use a much cleaner means of transport than the car or plane. This gesture is part of the sustainable development strategy of Gray d’Albion, one of the leaders in the field among the establishments on the Riviera. Since 2010, this policy has been confirmed by an ISO 14001 certification, the international standard of reference in environmental matters. But the hotel has, as well, introduced initiatives and investments to reduce its impact on the environment. So, in a few months, it has acquired a cardboard press, motion detectors, computer material carrying the “energy star” label and, besides, new lifts which use 40 percent less than their predecessors (a replacement which is doubly respectful of the environment as the work was carried out by a specialist with an ISO 14001 certification so assuring the recycling of the old equipment).

Last year, the hotel’s annual gas, electricity and water consumption of the hotel fell by 5 percent. At the same time, paper use was reduced by 7 percent by the progressive dematerialization of working practices and communication procedures. This environmentally friendly approach is one which the four-star hotel of Lucien Barrière Cannes would now like to share more widely with its clientele through selective waste sorting (a bin with compartments in each room), optional sheet and towel changing, the use of hybrid vehicles for travel in the region and, of course, the famous IDTGV reduction. For more information, visit www.summithotels.com/GraydAlbion

“An exuberant kind of yoga” flows into Southeast Asia’s newest wellness center June 24, when a renowned expert in the healing arts educates guests on the virtues of ecstatic dance. Scheduled over three days at V Integrated Wellness at The Andaman, the retreat aims to “free students from the rigidity of the body and mind through uninhibited movement — the type of dance our ancestors embraced, and tribal people still do,” said instructor Michael Hallock. Since 1996, the American has trained in India, worked for brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and The Golden Door Australia and led workshops everywhere from Bangkok to Bali, where he currently resides.

“The fact that we’re really only about a month old but already on the radars of specialists like Michael says a lot about the facilities, products and setting we offer at V Integrated Wellness,” said Christina Low, head of Integrated Wellness. V Retreats is one of five components that comprise V Integrated Wellness at The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort in the foliage-shrouded archipelago of Langkawi, 18 miles off the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia. V Botanical Spa, V Fitness, V Healthy Cuisine and V Beach Club make up the other four elements.

Hallock’s three-day program lasts two hours per day and is priced at RM 3,388 ($1,120) for single occupancy guests and RM 5,588 ($1,845) for double. The rates are inclusive of accommodation at The Andaman, all meals and a 60-minute massage per person. A one-on-one session with Hallock is also available at RM 320 ($100) per person. For more information, call 011-60 4 959 1088, email info@vintegratedwellness.com  or visit www.vintegratedwellness.com

Berlin is opening many new hotels this year and next as the city’s lodging industry rides several consecutive years of increased business. The new Music and Lifestyle Hotel, nhow Berlin features seven different meeting rooms and a conference room with a direct view of the river Spree. Furthermore, nhow Berlin has 304 guest rooms and a wellness center. For more information, visit www.nhow-hotels.com.

The Australian Toga Group already has two Adina Apartment Hotels in the German capital. Its third and largest hotel recently opened at Hackescher Markt. It has 145 rooms and offers conference rooms and a wellness center with sauna and fitness room. For more information, visit www.adina.eu.

Hospitality Alliance AG, the operator of Ramada Hotels, has located its new four-star project in a central location. The hotel with 337 rooms, a restaurant and a fitness center is at Alexanderplatz. The hotel is equipped with 17 multifunctional conference rooms and a large ballroom. For more information, visit www.ramada.de.

In March, the Titanic Comfort Hotel Berlin Mitte welcomed its first guests. The property has 226 guest rooms on eight floors. The conference room can accommodate events of up to 110 persons. For more information, visit www.titanic.com.tr.

The H10 Berlin Ku’Damm is located in the direct vicinity of Kurfürstendamm. Since March it’s been offering guests an unusual combination of old and new buildings. The old building encompasses 22 lofts. The new building has 161 deluxe rooms and 14 suites. A special feature is the Despacio Beauty Centre with ice fountain, saunas and wellness offers. Five conference rooms are available for meetings and incentives. For more information, visit www.h10hotels.com.

The Pestana group, the largest hotel chain in Portugal, plans to enter the German market with a four-star superior hotel. The six-storey design hotel is currently being constructed close to Kurfürstendamm. Since spring 2011 it’s been offering guests 142 rooms and six fully equipped conference rooms. For more information, visit www.pestana.com.

Eurostars will open on Friedrichstraße as the first hotel of the Eurostars chain in the German capital. It will open this spring with 221 rooms and an event area. For more information, visit www.eurostarshotels.com.

The Spanish hotel group Whim plans to open its first hotel in the world in September at the Tiergarten. Das Stue (Danish for “living room”) will have 81 individual rooms and suites, a daylight spa and two conference rooms. The distinguishing feature of the design boutique hotel, a photo motif covering the entire rear facade, should be an eye-catcher. For more information, visit www.das-stue.com.

At the end of 2011, the Waldorf Astoria Group will be opening their first new-build hotel in Europe. This will be going up directly opposite the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which means it will be located in the immediate vicinity of the Kurfürstendamm and the Zoological Garden. The 31-storey Waldorf Astoria Berlin will feature 242 rooms and suites, a conference area and a lavish spa facility. It is the second hotel in the Hilton family to grace the German capital and is intended to supplement the facilities on offer at the Hilton Berlin, which lies 2.6 miles away. For more information, visit www.waldorfastoria.com.

In 2012, some 310 rooms close to Berlin’s Museum Island, will be available in the new Leonardo Boutique Hotel Berlin. The hotel, which is completely made of metal and glass, is being constructed on Berthold-Brecht-Platz and will also come with a modern conference area and a diverse spa and wellness offering. For more information, visit www.leonardo-hotels.de.

In June 2012, both the airport Berlin Brandenburg International will start its operations and the Steigenberger Superior Hotel. Directly in front of the terminal, guests can use 322 rooms with a generous wellness area. For more information, visit www.steigenbergerhotelgroup.com.

In the direct vicinity of the main railway station, Hauptbahnhof, the Arabella Hospitality Group is erecting its first Sheraton Hotel in Berlin. Besides 464 rooms and two restaurants the exclusive complex will also have a very contemporary conference center. The opening has been announced for late 2012. For more information, visit www.chamartin.de.

A new hotel complex is taking shape on Alexanderplatz. The Alexander Parkside will be home to a Holiday Inn Express with 190 and a Hampton by Hilton Hotel with 167 rooms. Furthermore, it will house an Azure Hotel and an apartment building. It is scheduled to open in 2012.

The German flagship of InterCityHotel GmbH will be built in the direct vicinity of the main railway station, with more than 412 guest rooms and 10 conference rooms. It is scheduled to open in 2013. For more information, visit www.intercityhotel.com.

After the opening of the Titanic Comfort Hotel Berlin Mitte in March, the Turkish Titanic hotel group plans a further new building in the German capital. The former workshop building of the State Opera is to be transformed into a five star hotel with a central location on Gendarmenmarkt. For more information, visit www.titanic.com.tr

The Red Centre National Landscape is celebrating the opening of the new Red Centre Way West Macs Discovery Centre at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The Discovery Centre, an initiative of Parks and Wildlife Northern Territory, uses the latest technology to bring the art, culture, history and nature of the West MacDonnell Ranges to life through digital storytelling. Stories tell of the natural and cultural values of the region, which visitors can download and listen to on their iPhone or iPad while exploring the ‘West Macs’ and beyond. The content not only showcases the national parks of the West MacDonnell Ranges and its history and culture but also the local people and their connection to the landscape. Other resources include a dedicated website, Internet podcasts and information that can be viewed on large plasma screens operated by touch screen kiosks at the center. Entry to the center is free of charge and also offers free Wi-Fi access to enable suitable devices to download information. For more information, visit www.nt.gov.au/westmacs

For thousands of years, the Gunditjmara Aboriginal people of south west of Victoria flourished through their ingenious methods of channeling water flows and systematically harvesting eels to ensure a year round supply of food. Evidence of this lifestyle can be seen in the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape part of the Great Ocean Road National Landscape. Budj Bim (known today as Mount Eccles) is the source of the Tyrendarra lava flow, which as it moved towards the sea changed the drainage pattern in this region, creating large wetlands.

More than 30,000 years ago, the Gunditjmara developed the landscape by creating ponds and wetlands linked by channels and placed woven baskets in these waters to harvest mature eels. Visitors can explore this landscape with Aboriginal-owned Budj Bim Tours, who offer guided walks of the Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission Site and Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area; and include visits to the traditional stone house and aquaculture sites, eel smoking tree and tours of the seasonal wetlands. For more information, visit www.budjbim.com

Famous for School of Painters, Mansions, Culinary Institute of America

SHERBORN, MA・The tour operator who promotes freedom on two wheels, Great Freedom Adventures (http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com/), announces two departures of Magnificent Hudson Valley, New York Bike Tour Aug. 7-12 and Oct. 2-7 at $2,350 per person, double occupancy with a single supplement of $425.

Great Freedom Adventures is the only company offering both summer and fall departures of multi-day bike tours of New York痴 Hudson Valley that include a narrated river cruise, visits to historic sites and a dinner at the Culinary Institute of America. These are six-day / five-night programs that indulge cyclists who will enjoy their time as guests at inns and restaurants selected as enhancements to the stories and histories of the towns and represent the best of each locale. See: http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com/new-york-bike-tours.html

In a landscape etched with historic architecture, history, mansions and gardens, itineraries allow for stops at Clinton Vineyards (yes, named for Bill Clinton), antique stores, museums and art galleries. On the rural side of life, there are visits to cheese-making enterprises and sustainable farms.

的t is rare to find a region with such exceptional cycling that also offers such a wealth of off-the-bike activities,・noted Jeanne Rummel, Great Freedom Adventures founder who is pioneering an in depth historical and cultural look by bike in the region chosen by Chelsea Clinton for her wedding, and a region celebrated on the October 2010 cover of Travel + Leisure.

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典he ridges, valleys and plateaus framing the Hudson River create one of the most spectacular settings in the world. Great Freedom Adventures bike tour of New York痴 Hudson Valley will immerse you in the beauty, history and cuisine of this remarkable region,・Rummel promised, noting that some of the landscapes may be familiar to cyclists familiar with Hudson River School painters. 

On both the summer and fall tours, cyclists can dip into the work of a prominent Hudson River School artist, Frederic Edwin Church. His work that focused on the Civil War will be in a special exhibition at the Evelyn & Maurice Sharp Gallery at Olana State Historic Site in Hudson.

Other stops include the Old Chatham Sheepherding Co., producer of award-winning artisanal cheese; hiking Poet痴 Walk, Washington Irving痴 inspiration for Rip Van Winkle; and visits to, among others, the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt mansions and gardens.

Cyclists travel between 15 and 55 miles a day for a total of about 220 miles. See: http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com/new-york-bike-tours-detail.html

This program begins and ends in Hudson, NY. Participates can reach the start point by car or train. The Amtrak train station in Hudson is only four blocks from the inn where participants meet. Guests will be met at the train station upon request. The closest airport is Albany International (about one hour away). Great Freedom Adventures has arranged a discount from Riverview Taxi that provides transportation to Hudson.

The programs include all but one dinner so that guests can explore local eateries on their own one night. Lodging, all breakfasts, guides, van support, entrance fees where required and other region-specific costs are included in the tour rate, with the exception of alcoholic beverages and guide gratuities.

Rummel, who has been arranging and running bike and other active tours for 13 years, is passionate about engaging her guests in green destinations and at a pace of low impact travel mandated by bicycle that allows the spirits of the riders to connect with the green around them.

Other 2011 USA bike tours include a maritime excursion on Boston痴 North Shore, Vermont痴 Green Mountains and Block Island on the Atlantic.

About

Great Freedom Adventures offers road bike tours with hiking and kayaking in New England and New York痴 Hudson Valley in regions distinguished by diverse natural and cultural offerings. The tours are four to six days in length and are guided and supported. Please see the website for additional information and for specific information on each tour. For information please see http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com

CONTACT: Penny L. Becker
TEL: 307-673-7120
EMAIL: stt@sheridanwyoming.org
WEBSITE: www.sheridanwyoming.org

SHERIDAN, Wyo.- The once sleepy town of Sheridan has blossomed into a centre of cowboy culture thanks to the 81 year-old WYO Rodeo. In the early 1930s a group of townspeople decided to create an annual rodeo to put Sheridan on the map- and it has done just that. Sheridan was recently named a 2011 Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was listed in American Cowboy’s ‘2011 20 Best Places to Live in the West.’

Rodeo week spans July 8th-17th with nightly performances taking place July 13th-16th. In 2010, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo joined the infamous Wrangler Million Dollar Tour of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and looks forward to being a major stop on the circuit again this year.

Professional cowboys and cowgirls from the PRCA will take center stage for the main rodeo events including bull riding, bareback riding, steer roping, saddle bronc riding, and barrel racing.

In addition to traditional rodeo events, there will be a plethora of activities for all-ages. Rodeo week starts with the Chris LeDoux Memorial Golf Tournament and Boot Kick-off and ends with a huge tailgating party and polo game. In between are the World Championship Indian Relay Races, crowing of WYO Rodeo royalty, Sneaker and Spurs Rodeo Run, Beds along the Big Horns Race, a carnival, parade and Indian Pow Wow, nightly concerts by big name performers, and much more.

Travelers wishing to saddle up and visit this epic Wyoming hoe-down would be wise to book early. Last year’s event saw record numbers with some events selling out. Sheridan offers numerous accommodations from bed and breakfasts and campsites to historic ranches and hotels. For more information on booking and the WYO Rodeo visit www.sheridanwyoming.org or contact Penny Becker at (307) 673-7120.

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Centrally Located on Hong Kong’s Waterfront, Hotel de EDGE Takes Pride of Place

Exuding effortless style and with views overlooking Victoria Harbour, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus will be the boutique hotel of choice for sophisticated travellers. Scheduled to open in mid-March, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is set to become a new Hong Kong landmark.

Ideally located in Connaught Road West, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is within walking distance to Hong Kong’s bustling city centre, the Macau Ferry Terminal and the colourful, creative hub of Sheung Wan.

Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ ultra-stylish 32-storey glass tower reflects the simple elegance of the interiors. Designed by award-winning Hong Kong architect Antony Chan, the 90-room property combines a sleek-chic design, practical comforts and a thoughtful attention to detail. Contemporary furnishings, soft-lit spaces and surprising extras create a welcoming, intimate environment.

The majority of the open-plan rooms boast panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the lush Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. When Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ guests need a respite from Hong Kong’s hectic streets and nonstop pace, they can enjoy the city’s most spectacular sights from the comfort of their private oasis.

At Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus, visitors experience exceptional standards of service. Recognising each guest has individual needs, Rhombus has introduced its ‘R Touch’ e-recognition programme. Taking personalised accommodation to the next level, the programme enables selected guests to tailor their stay to their preferences. From their favourite newspaper to their choice of soft or firm pillows, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus ensures every customer receives personalised attention.

Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus offers five accommodation categories: Superior Room, Harbour View Room, Deluxe Room, Deluxe Harbour View Room and Executive Harbour View Room. Each room includes complimentary WiFi internet access and features high quality audio visual equipment, a 42-inch LED TV, DVD Player and iPod or iPhone docking stations.

To celebrate Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ opening, guests can enjoy a special room rate of only HK$898* per Superior Room per night.

Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ guests can also spice up their stay with a visit to the glo restaurant + lounge. Located on the 1st floor, this intimate restaurant caters to world travellers with a taste for diversity and an appetite for epicurean excellence. While reflective panels, frosted-glass partitions and the clean, uncluttered design convey a relaxed setting, the open kitchen adds warmth and a dash of drama.

With its panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, stylish design and easy access to major attractions and transportation routes, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is positioned to become Hong Kong’s ultimate urban hideaway.

www.hoteldeEDGE.com.hk

* All rates are subject to a 10% service charge per room per night
* Subject to terms and conditions

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About Rhombus International Hotels Group

Awarded as one of the ‘Best 10 Hotel Management Companies’ and one of the ‘Best Hotel Brands in China’ at the China Hotel Forum, Rhombus International Hotels Group is the management company for Hotel Panorama by Rhombus, Hotel LKF by Rhombus and Hotel Bonaparte by Rhombus. Rhombus International Hotels Group brings over 24 years of international experience and ‘know-how’ to establishing another level of hospitality standard in Hong Kong. Based in North America, Rhombus International Hotels Group is an innovative, dynamic and progressive management and consulting company committed to achieving and delivering a superior quality of hospitality products and services by exceeding the expectations of the three most important key stakeholders involved: owners/ investors, guests and employees.

www.rhombusinternational.com