Jetsettersblog

Orpheus Island, scheduled to open in early October on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, will host Chef Cheong Liew. Known as Australia’s “Father of Fusion,” Cheong is known for creating dishes with many cultural tiers. Cheong has developed a light, contemporary and refreshing daily-changing menu which will showcase the riches of the region. Orpheus will welcome Cheong from Oct. 12 to Nov. 7.

Accommodating 40 guests, Orpheus is a secluded tropical island positioned 50 miles north of Townsville. Each room, suite and villa has been designed to embody a contemporary minimalist island aesthetic while remaining true to the traditional character and architecture of the island. Following a $4 million transformation, phase one Orpheus is scheduled to open in early October 2011. For more information, call 011-61 (0)3 8644 4070, email Rachel@orpheus.com.au  or visit www.orpheus.com.au

India’s The Park Hotels has relaunched its Business Traveler Package for fall/winter travel valid at seven properties in the luxury hotel company’s portfolio, for bookings and travel Oct. 1 to March 31, 2012. Designed with the specific needs of business travelers in mind, the package includes 15 percent off the Best Available Rate (BAR); one-way airport-hotel transfer; early check-in at 9 a.m. and late check-out up to 6 p.m. (per availability); upgrade to the next higher room category (based on space availability); welcome drink in-room upon arrival; complimentary daily local Indian newspaper; daily buffet breakfast in the hotel’s 24-hour restaurant; mineral water bottles replenished daily in-room during the stay; tea/coffee makers in-room with daily replenishment of beverage packets during the stay; free use of Internet in-room or at the hotel’s business center (as applicable); 15 percent discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages at all the dining outlets during the stay; and 15 percent discount on all spa treatments during the stay.

The Business Traveler Package is based on a minimum three-night stay at any of The Park Hotels — The Park Bangalore, The Park Chennai, The Park Hyderabad, The Park Kolkata, The Park New Delhi, The Park Navi Mumbai and The Park Visakhapatnam. For information, e-mail sales.usa@theparkhotels.com  or visit www.theparkhotels.com

London, UK: Fancy seeing Berlin in a whole new light? Head to the German Capital this October and be part of one of the world’s largest illumination festivals; the Berlin Festival of Lights, and explore the city with the Berlin Sightseeing Pass. The city will sparkle as a range of illuminations and projections light up more than 40 famous landmarks and spaces – enjoy “Lightseeing” along the Kurfürstendamm- the famous boulevard that runs through Berlin – as it’s transformed into an incredible open-air gallery of illuminated buildings designed by German and international light artists.

Berlin Sightseeing Pass holders can learn more about the history of the city at the Alliierten Museum, which holds artifacts including parts of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie guardhouse. Check out 400 years of musical history at the Musical Instrument Museum or jump aboard a sightseeing cruise for a relaxing journey to experience the best of old and new Berlin.

The Berlin Sightseeing Pass offers access to these and over 50 other top attractions including The Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Jewish Museum and Berliner Dom and includes a sightseeing bus tour and public transportation throughout Berlin.

The Berlin Sightseeing Pass is available in two- and three-day durations, and costs $98 for adults and $48 for children (two days) or $117 for adults and $55 for children (three days). Users also receive a 96-page city sightseeing guide.

Passes must be ordered in advance of travel. For more information and to purchase your Berlin Sightseeing Pass, visit www.berlinpass.com

With the First Days of Fall, Berlin’s Focus Again Shifts to Art and Music with High-Profile Events, Festivals, and Openings.

Berlin– There is no better time to visit Berlin than in the fall, when the temperatures are still pleasant and the city’s many parks and tree-lined streets present themselves in full fall color. Traditionally, this is the time when Berliners re-focus on the capital’s rich art scene and enjoy a packed program of events and openings. Some of the highlights are presented here:
PERGAMON – Panorama of the Ancient City

Berlin’s Classical Antiquities Collection will present Yadegar Asisi’s monumental 360° panorama of PERGAMON – Panorama of the Ancient City. The exhibition devoted exclusively to the ancient city of Pergamon will stage a photorealistic 72’ x 328’ simulation panorama, mounted inside a purpose-built rotunda in the courtyard of Berlin’s Pergamon Museum. It is designed to give visitors an understanding of the fragments of buildings and sculptures on show in the museum. The goal is to present them in their original settings and in context, offering insight into the culture, architecture, and daily life of a Helleno-Roman city during the time of classical antiquity.

An archaeological exhibition of artifacts and excavations from Pergamon (present-day Bergama, Turkey) will complement the display. From September 30, 2011, www.smb.museum ; http://www.asisi.de/en/VisualCulture/index.html.

RENAISSANCE FACES

Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance portraiture are the focus of RENAISSANCE FACES, a highly rated exhibition featuring 15th century artists Leonardo da Vinci, Lippi, and Botticelli, and others. On display starting August 25 at Museum Island’s Bode Museum, the exhibition features stories of beautiful women, merchants, courtiers. It also explores this era’s unique artistic riches in the accompanying collection of paintings, medals, sketches and sculptures. Until November 20, 2011 http://www.smb.museum/smb/gesichter/.
STROKE.ARTFAIR

Focusing on urban lifestyles and environments as the inspiration for unconventional and uncompromising art experiences, THE STROKE.ARTFAIR is gaining traction as the world’s first and only urban art fair. Staged at the historic Postbahnhof, the fair features artists and galleries from around the world. They put classic interpretations of art in the context of today’s everyday streetscape with its graffiti, tags, tattoos, advertising or graphic design. October 14 – 16, 2011, http://www.stroke-artfair.com/english/index.html.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Every autumn, Berlin is transformed into a sea of color and light. That’s when the city’s famous landmarks like Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower and Berliner Dom Cathedral are illuminated by dazzling lights during the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. The popular nightly light show is complemented by art and cultural events, and special Lightseeing tours by bus, boat or Velotaxi make for memorable fall nights. October 12 – 23, 2011 http://festival-of-lights.de/en/.

JAZZFEST BERLIN

Berlin turns into the capital of jazz during the JAZZFEST BERLIN. Presenting a diverse program of traditional as well as progressive jazz, big band and large ensembles, the festival features international talent from American jazz stars to artists crossing the lines between local folk traditions and global sounds. The JazzFest 2011 will put a spotlight on Poland, featuring the country’s Mikolaj Traszka Clarinet Quartet and Atom String Quartet. Homage will be paid to the two accomplished film composers: Krysztof Komeda (for Roman Polanski) and Italy’s Nino Rota (a.o. for Federico Fellini). November 2-6, 2011 at different locations. www.berlinerfestspiele.de.

Go to www.visitBerlin.com  for a detailed calendar of events.

The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, has completed renovations, expanded its venue offerings, enhanced its golf course and is offering a U.S. Dollar Rate Package to make an aggressive drive into the U.S. luxury market. The New Dormy Clubhouse has reopened following a £3 million renovation that includes a refurbished lounge area, new comfortable sofas and armchairs, and upgraded steward-attended changing rooms (with saunas and relaxation areas), as well as bag stores and a large, well-stocked golf shop with impressive trophy cabinets.

Located next to the King’s and Queen’s 18th holes, the Dormy Clubhouse features expansive views of the golf courses from the Clubhouse Bar and Grill as well as a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bar from where guests can savor a comprehensive range of wine, spirits and beer.

This summer, Gleneagles will open its wine cellar to small groups looking to capture a behind-the-scenes experience. The large wine cellar can comfortably accommodate up to eight people for cocktails and dinner. From the patio of the Blue Tower Suite, one of the spacious signature suites, groups can enjoy drinks against a backdrop of rolling hills and sweeping vistas. The patio can welcome up to 12 for cocktails and canapés.

As part of the five-year development plan for The PGA Centenary Course, golfer Jack Nicklaus is overseeing refinements to the layout in preparation for the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches to be played at the property. Work began this past winter, and the finalized tournament course will be ready for spring 2012. Hosting an event the caliber of the 2014 Ryder Cup is a testament to the high level of service and professionalism Gleneagles can bring to any group.

Gleneagles extended validity dates for its five-day/four-night guaranteed U.S. Dollar Rate program through March 31, 2014. The hotel can customize meetings and incentive programs to the specific needs and tastes of individual groups. A sample itinerary showcasing Gleneagles’ extensive and unrivaled facilities and exceptional value for money includes Estate Room accommodations; dinner for three nights including a four-course Scottish themed dinner incorporating local fare, and a 1920’s gala celebrating the era in which Gleneagles opened; up to three rounds of championship golf on-property; fishing, falconry, gundog training, shooting (skeet and rifle shooting and archery), equestrian or spa experiences offered as alternatives for non-golfers; and much more.

This sample itinerary is priced from $2,420 per person (including VAT), based on a minimum of 10 rooms on double occupancy, and is available now through March 31, 2014. Gleneagles can provide a bespoke per person price quote based on a client’s personal preferences. Meetings and incentive programs are commissionable at 10 percent. For more information, contact Gleneagles’ U.S. representative, Lorraine Leonard, at lleonard@strategicvision.org  or call 914-881-9054.

A member of Virtuoso, The Leading Hotels of the World, and Connoisseurs Scotland, Gleneagles is an award-winning, five-star hotel set in 850 acres of stunning scenery in Perthshire, Scotland. Gleneagles is recognized the world over as the ultimate destination for luxury and hospitality, and with a ratio of more than one employee per guest, attention to detail is exceptional and the impeccable yet discreet service is outstanding. For more information, visit www.gleneagles.com

Singapore’s new Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, the latest addition to the $4.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) integrated resort, will open Oct. 15. The family oriented attraction is housed in a steel and glass ship hull at the RWS waterfront. MEMA will offer a new museum-going experience that will include maritime talks, children’s workshops and exploration on life-size replica historical ships. The museum, which was designed by Ralph Appelbaum, is designed to transport visitors back in time to one of the greatest eras in history, where the tales of sea adventurers and the growth of sea trade between Asia and the Middle East are told.

The museum also offers a calendar of events, talks, educational programs and workshops on maritime history. These programs are led by academic experts, professional facilitators and veteran maritime industry leaders on a variety of topics including exploration, arts, and the cultural history of various regions. The museum is also working with schools to tailor programs and tours which tie-in with their curriculum needs. These tours and programs place special emphasis on subject matter that is taught at the Upper Primary and Lower Secondary levels, and brings classroom topics to life through interaction with the museum’s guides and staff and specialized activity guides that promote experiential learning. For more information, visit www.rwsentosa.com

Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with B.P Pluto d.o.o. for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Zagreb, Croatia. The newly built DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will form part of a mixed-use development of offices and retail space located in a prominent position within Zagreb’s central business district.

Expected to open in spring 2012, the company’s first hotel in the Croatian capital will be a short walking distance to the historic old town, which is made up of the medieval Cornji grad and Donji grad — the cultural, religious and commercial areas of Zagreb. This latest hotel signing in South Eastern Europe will introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to travelers in Croatia and will join the Hilton Marjan Split, which is currently under development.

Hilton Worldwide has been represented in Croatia since 2005 with the upscale and historic Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, a landmark property located on the Dalmatian coast, with views over the Adriatic and Dubrovnik old town. DoubleTree properties are also being planned and under development in Montenegro, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Featuring 152 guest rooms, a restaurant and a bar, the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will be complemented by a restaurant, lounge, business center, spa and wellness center, Precor fitness, swimming pool and sauna. More than 800 square meters of conference space will be available for guests to host a variety of business meetings, executive board sessions and social events. For more information, visit www.doubletree.com

Global Health Voyager, Inc., a full-service, web-based, medical tourism facilitator, has formed a relationship with Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd. (AHEL), an integrated health care organization that includes owned and managed hospitals, diagnostic clinics, dispensing pharmacies and consultancy services. Apollo Hospitals Group is regarded as an innovator and pioneer of integrated health care delivery in India, and has earned Joint Commission International accreditations for seven of its hospitals, the highest percentage of any hospital group in the region. India, a leading destination on the medical tourism map, is expecting more than 1 million medical travelers by 2012.

As one of Asia’s largest healthcare groups, Apollo Hospitals offers over 8,500 beds across the system, clinical and diagnostic services, medical business process outsourcing, third-party administration services and health insurance. In addition, Apollo was the only health care provider selected as one of the top 10 business superbrands of 2011 in India by Superbrands.

U.S.-based Global Health Voyager, Inc. operates off of a worldwide network of accredited facilities and providers to patients seeking health care, surgical, dental and wellness procedures. The company is a one-stop medical tourism resource, providing consumers, employers, payers and other intermediaries the ability to choose and access information about a wide array of destinations, hospitals, procedures and services from one convenient location. For more information, visit www.globalhealthvoyager.com

Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn, joining its fast growing portfolio as the fourth Hilton Garden Inn in Turkey. The hotel is located on the European side of the city within approximately six kilometers of the entertainment and shopping of Beyoglu, the historic sites of the old town and the Ottoman palaces and parks of the Golden Horn banks.

The modern and contemporary hotel is also approximately eight kilometers south of the main Istanbul Levent business district and approximately 18 kilometers from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (IST). The hotel offers 210 guest rooms, a contemporary designed lobby, 24-hour business center, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the hotel, remote printing capabilities, the Garden Sleep System bed and ergonomic Mirra chair by Herman Miller. Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn has eight meeting rooms, the largest accommodating 250 delegates with all meeting spaces holding up to 400 guests. Meeting rooms benefit from premium AV services and natural daylight.

The Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn will also strive for the latest environmental efficiencies through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program. Example of the hotel’s LEED Gold features include applied recycled building materials, installing water reduction systems, bicycle storage, maximized open spaces, water efficient landscaping, and enhanced refrigeration management.

The hotel features the Sumac Grill restaurant, offering international and Turkish cuisine; a lobby bar; and the 24-hour Pavillion Pantry, which stocks a range of healthy snacks, desserts and fresh drinks. On-site fitness facilities are available 24 hours. For those who want to get some exercise in the comfort of their own room, there is the option of the Hilton Garden Inn Stay Fit Kit.

So far in 2011, the company has opened five hotels and expects to open an additional five hotels before the end of the year. Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn opens as Hilton Worldwide’s 18th hotel operating in Turkey, with recent additions including Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa, DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Moda, DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Old Town, and DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos-Cappadocia. Upcoming openings include Hilton Garden Inn Mardin, Hampton by Hilton Ordu as well as Hilton Bursa and Hampton by Hilton Bursa — the first dual branded property by Hilton Worldwide in Turkey. Hilton Worldwide’s Turkish portfolio currently includes the luxury Conrad Istanbul, the full-service Adana Hilton, Ankara Hilton, Mersin Hilton, Hilton Istanbul, Hilton Park Istanbul, Hilton Izmir, Hilton Kayseri, Hilton Dalaman Resort & Spa, and Hilton Bodrum Turkbuku Resort & Spa; the full-service DoubleTree by Hilton Ankara-Kolej, DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos-Cappadocia, DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Old Town, and DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Moda; and the focused-service Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya, Hilton Garden Inn Konya and Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa. For more information, visit www.HGI.com

ITC Hotels, India’s chain of eight luxury LEED Platinum-certified properties, brings their newest culinary brand, Kebabs & Kurries, to the ITC Kakatiya in the heart of Hyderabad. ITC Hotels has been globally recognized for their restaurants. Kebabs & Kurries infuses an authentic addition of north Indian culinary options to the diverse selection of restaurants on site, which include Dakshin (specializing in south Indian cuisine), the tea lounge Rani Rudrambha, the Marco Polo bar, the Deccan Pavilion and the Irish pub, Dublin.

Kebabs & Kurries décor features an open kitchen where chefs can be seen preparing their dishes. Special lighting adds drama to smooth sandstone walls and intricately carved wooden pillars, reflecting the beauty of north Indian forts. Museum-style spotlights highlight wonderful antique copper artifacts, while carved sandstone screens act as room dividers and convey the restaurant’s theme — the sun. The ITC Kakatiya overlooks Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad. For more information, visit www.itchotels.in