Jetsettersblog

Thailand Wellness Package

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has singled out several spa and wellness packages. The Anantara (www.anantara.com) five-Day Wellness Package features a four-night stay in a Superior Lagoon Room, daily breakfast buffet, a spa cuisine meal, an exclusive spa treatment, and yoga session. A traditional Thai massage lesson and healthy spa cuisine cooking class are also incorporated in this vacation package. The exclusive rate is THB 43,600++ per couple now until September ends.

AsiaLuxe Holidays (800-742-5742, www.seeasianow.com) is offering round-trip economy class on Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific Airways, three nights deluxe accommodation at the Peninsula Bangkok with daily breakfast, three nights at Shangri-La Chiang Mai, one complimentary Spa Treatment at the innovative Chi Spa, a half-day Grand Palace tour, and a full-day elephant jungle trek tour. Rates start from $2,560.

Tthe Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa’s (www.marriott.com) value package includes one night in a deluxe room, a buffet breakfast, as well as choice of a Traditional Thai Massage, Aromatic Massage, Sports Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Body Detox Massage, Balinese Massage or an Indian Head Massage at Mandara Spa. Deluxe garden view room rates are Baht 4,900++ for one person and Baht 6,500++ for two. Deluxe sea view rates are Baht 5,700++ for one person and Baht 7,300++ for two.

International Grandway Tours (www.intlgrandway.com) is taking reservations now for Nov. 9 to 17 for those wishing to celebrate the Loy Krathong Candle Festival. Tour stops include Chiang Mai, Doi Tung, Chiang Rai, Bangkok and the floating market. Prices start at $1,250, double occupancy.

Visit www.tourismthailand.org

Italy’s AirOne Expands Fleet

Air One, the Italian private airline, announced an agreement with Airbus SAS, to purchase 24 new long-range aircraft – making the airline one of Airbus’ largest customers in Europe.

The newly ordered airplanes are 12 Airbus A330-200s and 12 new Airbus A350-800 XWBs, the latest generation of highly efficient and eco-sustainable aircraft, not yet available on the market.

The contract includes a plan for the future purchase of eight A330s to be delivered by 2012 and twelve A350 XWBs to be delivered by 2018. The order for the new aircrafts is consistent with Air One’s plan to increase its international network – particularly in the U.S. and the Far East markets – to reach 16 intercontinental destinations by 2012.

It also coincides with the relaunch of its domestic air transport system to improve quality and efficiency. The new aircraft purchase agreement is the latest step in the airline’s wider program to renew its fleet with aircraft which can guarantee passenger comfort, operative efficiency, and meet or surpass new environmental regulations.

Air One first signed an agreement with Airbus in 2005 to purchase 90 Airbus 320s for its medium–range operations – 16 of which are already part of the fleet. In 2006, Air One also signed a purchase agreement for 10 regional CRJ Bombardier, all of which were delivered by mid-2007.

Balloons over Bagan Burma Program

Balloons over Bagan announced seven-day itinerary that incorporates three landscapes of Myanmar (Burma). The tour is designed for small groups of six to eight people who have arranged their travel together in advance.

This tour is priced by the number in a group with a per person rate of $6,800 for six and $6,000 for eight. Rates include interior air flights, transfers, accommodations and meals, on-ground touring and six hot air balloon flights. Regions explored are Pindaya, Inle and Bagan. Pindaya’s rolling hills are set against some of the highest Shan Mountains. Inle Lake in Shan State is home to the Inthar people renowned for their floating villages and gardens.

For further information, e-mail balloons@myanmar.com.mm or visit www.easternsafaris.com

Hong Kong Shopping, Events for Olympics

For the 12 weeks starting from July 1 covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Hong Kong will feature food and shopping events to attract Olympic visitors. Retailers, hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants are offering discounts and incentives. Twelve major shopping malls and department stores will offer promotional events and special surprises – “shopping hotpicks” – in the latest products from fashion and beauty, jewelry and watches, consumer electronics and Chinese goods.

Entertaining shows and exhibitions will also enliven Hong Kong shopping experiences. Visa is running a ‘Million Dollar Travel Bonanza’ Lucky Draw with prizes worth more than HK$1 million ($130,000), open to all Visa cardholders that is applicable to all transactions in Hong Kong during the event period. Cardholders are entitled to one entry for every HK$500 spent ($64).

See www.visa.com.hk for registration and details. The “Explore Hong Kong Stamp Rally” rewards visitors who collect three stickers from three participating spots on their Stamp Rally Pass, visitors will earn a special gift.

The Olympic Piazza opens from July 25 to Aug. 24 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre where visitors can watch Olympic themed activities and watch the Games from Beijing telecast live on huge screens. The Equestrian Games take place in Hong Kong Aug. 9 to 21, while the Paralympic Games will be held in Hong Kong Sept. 6 to 17.

Visit www.DiscoverHongKong.com

Olympics Is A Go, Qianmen Street Is Not

Restored Qing Dynasty street not ready for Olympic tourists

BEIJING — Beijing planners lifted the veil Tuesday on the city’s newest tourist attraction — a fully refurbished Qing dynasty street - then admitted that the project would not be open in time for the Olympics.

Beijing city and local banks have poured 9.2 billion yuan (1.3 billion dollars) into restoration work on Qianmen Street, one of the capital’s oldest neighbourhoods, with the goal of restoring it to its former glory a century ago during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

“It won’t be finished in time for the Olympics,” Tian Yun, chairman of the real estate developers working on the project told visiting journalists. “But tourists will still be able to come and have a look.”

Qianmen Street runs down Beijing’s historic central axis just south of Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. Further to the north stands the new National Stadium, the main arena for the August 8-24 Olympics.

The road has been torn up and replaced with paving stones to make up a pedestrian street, with cars giving way to a tramway that has been restored after it was discontinued in the 1960s.

Qianmen Street reached its peak of importance in pre-revolutionary times as a commercial, theatre and entertainment district but fell on hard times in recent decades because of over population and inner city decay.

The project to renovate the area was launched in May last year and newspapers reported at the time that the goal was to finish it in time to attract Olympic tourists.

Up to 500,000 foreign visitors are expected to be in Beijing during the Games but Tian denied that a deadline for opening the street had been missed.

“We are here to do a good job, not to rush the job for anybody,” he said, adding that he could not say when the project would be completed.

Critics have charged that the street has been turned into a Disney-style version of old China that bears little resemblance to reality.

“This is history as it never was,” said Ed Lanfranco, a writer who has monitored the changing face of Beijing for the past 20 years.

But Tian said restoration work had been conducted using old photographs and written records and that no buildings of historic importance had been demolished.

Gaming Boost for The Philippines

Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has unveiled a US$1.5 multi-billion dollar project by Australian media tycoon James Packer to build its own integrated tourism hotel and casino complexes, in competition with Singapore’s soon to open resorts complex.

“The deal with Packer will be signed within the next few weeks,” PAGCOR spokesman Dodie King, said. “I cannot say anything at this stage, but talks are continuing.”

Confirming the negotiations involve a payment of $100 million deposit, Packer’s consortium, Bloomsbury Investments, is the second casino operator to be granted a license to operate a casino, after Malaysia’s Genting Group.

The integrated resort will form part of a $20 billion project which PAGCOR hopes will turn 120 ha (297 acres) of reclaimed land on Manila Bay into one of Asia’s biggest gaming and resort destinations. “It will be on par with Macau.”

The Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City project is expected to inject a total of up to $3 billion into the Philippines economy, comprising investments in hotels, casinos, entertainment complexes and a golf course.

“We require a certain level of development as well as minimum investments of $1 billion for each project,” said Efraim Genuino, chief executive of PAGCOR. “We found project concepts of four bidders most acceptable. In the next five years the four bidders are expected to invest a total of $10 billion in the Philippines economy.”

A local daily, the Philippines Daily Enquirer, estimates the resort complexes will boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to 3 million annually and generate over 250,000 new jobs in addition to payment of taxes, creating additional business opportunities in the construction, IT, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment and transportation industries.

Two other bidders, Japan’s Aruze Corp and SM Investments Corp of the Philippines have also announced plans to operate its own integrated complex.

Construction work on the project is expected to start by year’s end.

Sukhothai Bangkok Offers Meeting Packages

With the opening of the hotel’s stand-alone Garden Villa meeting facility, The Sukhothai Bangkok is offering companies with a range of options to ensure productivity levels remain high during business events.

The Garden Villa is set in the hotel’s gardens and away from busy hotel areas.

The Residential Meeting Package starts at THB6,800 ($204) in a Superior Room per delegate, THB8,400 ($251) in a Deluxe Studio and THB10,400 ($311) per delegate in an Executive Suite.

The package includes breakfast each morning in the Colonnade Restaurant, one full day meeting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., morning and afternoon tea with selection of snacks, a choice of a set lunch or international buffet (except Sunday Brunch) and a full range of audio visual equipment and flip charts.

In addition to the meeting and accommodation components, delegates will also be qualified to make use of an exclusive range of discounts at the hotel’s Spa Botanica. Post-meeting treatments go for 60 to 90 minutes and start at THB2,000 ($60).

All elements of the accommodation, meeting venue and spa treatment components of this package are valid until Sept. 30.

Call 011-662-344-8888, ext. 5120 or visit www.sukhothaihotel.com

St. Regis hotels in Malaysia

SINGAPORE - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced the introduction of its renowned St. Regis brand to Malaysia, with plans to debut a new property in 2014 in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur will feature 200 lavishly-appointed guest rooms and 200 whole-ownership St. Regis branded Residences as well as world-class dining options and spacious meeting facilities. Owned by ONE IFC Sdn Bhd, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur will offer an unrivaled dimension of luxury, sophistication and personalized service as part of a premier mixed-used development called ONE IFC in the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Sentral Precinct (KL Sentral).

“We are thrilled with the landmark entry of the St. Regis brand into Malaysia. The sustained demand for luxury accommodations, the legendary personalized service of the St. Regis brand, and the unrivaled location of this hotel in the KL Sentral area will make The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur an extremely attractive choice for travelers coming to this dynamic capital city,” said Mr. Miguel Ko, president for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “The growth of international arrivals has remained strong as a result of efforts by the Tourism Authority of Malaysia to promote Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur as a destination for business, leisure and meetings.”

Ideally located at one of the city’s best addresses, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur is within walking distance of the National Museum and Lake Gardens as well as the KL Sentral railway hub and major commercial areas including KLCC and Bukit Bingtang. Spanning 72 acres, KL Sentral is the largest commercial development in Kuala Lumpur today and is regarded by many as the city’s new Central Business District. The capital and largest city in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is one of the best examples of an Asian city that has managed to preserve the best of its cultural heritage while emerging as one of Asia’s fastest growing centers for trade, commerce, finance, and information technology.

“We are excited to embark on this collaboration with Starwood in bringing a luxurious brand like St. Regis to Kuala Lumpur. We have engaged an exciting team of internationally-reputed experts, whose modern outlook in today’s fast-changing environments and technologies share our commitment in turning this iconic project into a reality,” said Carmen Chua, chief executive officer of ONE IFC Sdn Bhd. “Our commitment to this development represents our dedication, belief and confidence in the future of Kuala Lumpur. This signing ceremony marks another important chapter in the KL Sentral growth prospect and more importantly, a step forward in KL’s transformation into a global city, one that will shape and enhance as well as contribute to the overall growth and success of the country.”

Following in the tradition of the legendary St. Regis New York, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including luxury accommodations, personalized guest and resident experiences and the iconic St. Regis Butler Service. Trained in the English tradition, the St. Regis butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

The New York-based architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) has been appointed as the main architect for the ONE IFC development. Founded in 1936, SOM is one of the world’s leading architecture, urban design, engineering, and interior architecture firms with a portfolio that features some of the most important architectural accomplishments of the 20th century.

One of the world’s most intriguing destinations, Kuala Lumpur is a bustling metropolis with everything from gleaming skyscrapers and world-class museums to curbside eateries and traditional night markets. This richly-textured cosmopolitan setting is perfect for the latest addition to the St. Regis portfolio. From Kuala Lumpur to Cairo, Beijing to Buenos Aires, Singapore to Shanghai, St. Regis is committed to designing custom-tailored guest experiences in the best addresses around the world.

Travelers pick Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok

BANGKOK - Business and leisure travelers have picked the newly-opened Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok as one of the region’s top hotels for delivering the highest levels of customer service. The property opened earlier this year and is the first Park Plaza hotel in Thailand.

Following research carried out by the hotel through Medallia, a globally-recognized customer feedback management system, Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok was ranked as one of the region’s best for its exceptional service.

“Our culture is built around friendly, attentive service in all staff interactions. Throughout the hotel, our staff are empowered to make quick decisions in response to guests’ requests and needs,” said Magne Hansen, General Manager, Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok.

The 95-room hotel is just a 100-meter walk from the BTS skytrain and MRT subway stations at the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection in Bangkok. In-room amenities include free wireless high-speed internet, 32-inch LCD televisions with laptop connections and DVD players.

Guest comments on the Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok included the following:

“We highly recommend this hotel to anyone we know coming to Bangkok. We have never experienced service like that shown at this hotel. The staff have made this stay one of the most memorable experiences in our trip through Thailand and Vietnam,” said Mr. & Mrs. EOB, tourists, Fort MacLeod, Alberta, Canada.

And according to a business traveller from Israel, Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok is the best hotel he has stayed at.

“The hotel has been designed for the comfort of the guest, like no other I have seen, and I have traveled, since 1943, in about 80 countries and made 19 round-the-world trips including stays at the Waldorf Astoria, New York; The Peninsula Hong Kong; The Imperial, Tokyo; and Plaza Athenee, Paris,” said Mr. Z M, business traveler, Tel Aviv, Israel. (February 19, 2008)

Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok is also the closest international hotel to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. It is a short walk from the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the numerous dining, shopping and entertainment areas along Sukhumvit Road.

Jetstar Asia flights to Phnom Penh

Visiting Cambodia’s two major cities of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh will soon be more affordable and enjoyable. Starting July 28, 2008, Jetstar Asia passengers flying to Cambodia can enjoy stopovers in the historical city of Siem Reap besides traveling on direct flights to Phnom Penh.

With the new flight schedule, Jetstar Asia passengers will be able to fly to Phnom Penh daily, either with four non-stop flights weekly or via Siem Reap thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The stopover flights to Siem Reap will also provide travelers departing from Singapore the option of flying between Siem Reap and Phnom Pehn.

Flight reservations for the stopover flights to Siem Reap are only available for Jetstar Asia passengers traveling to Cambodia from Singapore, and must be made through the Jetstar Call Centre.

Jetstar Asia’s CEO Ms Chong Phit Lian remarked, “With this new triangular route and flight schedule, passengers can now travel to both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh on our flights, and enjoy more flexibility and convenience when planning their itinerary. This is in line with our brand proposition to provide our customers with more value and comfort, which include benefits such as checking in and out at Changi Airport Terminal One, free online seat selection, pre-assigned seating and a generous 20-kg baggage allowance.”