Jetsettersblog

Starwood Hotels Amazing Offers In Asia Pacific

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. invites meeting planners around the world to take advantage of some delightful deals throughout hotels in Asia Pacific. More than 130 hotels and resorts in over 50 locations are offering meeting planners great deals for meetings booked and held from now through 31st January 2009.

Meeting planners can receive generous incentives in the form of bonus Starpoints for rooms booked, in addition to the Starwood Preferred Planner loyalty points earned when the group meetings actualize. These Starpoints can be used to redeem for rewards including complimentary hotel services, accommodation and so on at Starwood hotels. In addition to the Starwood Preferred Planner offer available at all Asia Pacific hotels, meeting planners can also enjoy 10% savings on Meeting Package pricing and double their complimentary rooms & upgrades at selected hotels across the region.

The generous offers will be available in many popular travel and meetings destinations including China, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Participating brands include Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Le Méridien.

Meeting planners can find more details on the offer as well as a list of destinations and hotels at www.starwoodmeetings.com 

 Note : Terms and Conditions apply.

The newly revamped site www.starwoodmeetings.com Is one of the most robust meetings related websites in the industry, and offers meeting planners a variety of attractive offers, rewards and recognition and comprehensive search options, making it an easy resource for organizing meetings of any scale.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.

Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands:

St. Regis, The Luxury Collection W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched aloftSM, and element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

New Fitness Retreats to Brazil and Japan

BOULDER, CO - Intrepid Travel’s new research and development division, the Travel Lab, announces two new fitness retreats to Brazil and Japan. Extensive research and knowledge of the popularity of this travel category, has led The Travel Lab to showcase a small selection of carefully chosen Lifestyle Getaways.

Intrepid’s Brazil Fitness Retreat is a unique adventure spa and fitness program on the island paradise of Ilha Grande, just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This Brazil fitness retreat program is designed to detox your body and relax your mind. The combination of outdoor exercise, yoga and meditation, together with a natural diet has proved to have extraordinary health and healing effects - the spellbindingly beautiful beachside location plays its part as well. Intrepid’s Brazil Fitness Retreat will help elevate traveler’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Brazil Fitness Retreat

Yoga, meditation and massage therapies, outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling, explore the island paradise location. 7 days for $1560. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlifr

Absorb the history and culture on Intrepid’s Japan Fitness Retreat as travelers cycle and run through the capital, meet Intrepid’s resident experts who will teach them about the physical and mental discipline required to master karate, aikido, zazen meditation and sumo. Travelers will learn more about Shiatsu massage as a masseuse loosens muscles and enjoy an amazing sea kayak off the picturesque coast. On this Japan fitness retreat travelers will also ascend Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest peak and will spend a morning watching the sun rise after walking along the oldest pilgrimage route up the mountain.

Japan Fitness Retreat

Experience meditation sessions with Zen monks, karate and aikido sessions with a black belt master, traditional shiatsu massage, sumo stable visit, coaching and analysis of fitness and techniques, conquering Mt Fuji, sea kayaking Japan’s beautiful coastline. 8 days for $1560. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tljfv

Intrepid Travel’s Fitness Retreats last from 7-8 days and range in price from $1,560 to $1,840. To learn more about these exciting fitness retreats visit:

http://www.thetravellab.com

Mark Hellyar Chef De Cuisine of The Oak Door

Grand Hyatt Tokyo is pleased to introduce Mark Hellyar as the new Chef de Cuisine of The Oak Door. Chef Mark brings a wealth of culinary experience to this position, with extensive knowledge and skills that he has cultivated over the years working in renowned restaurants.

Prior to his new appointment, Chef Mark worked for two years as Chef de Cuisine of the Blue Duck Tavern at Park Hyatt Washington D.C., a restaurant focused on wood-burning ovens.

Before that, Chef Mark worked in NoMI in Park Hyatt Chicago and at The Fat Duck, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Bray, England. He also has worked as Chef de Cuisine at Nora in Washington D.C. and was on the opening team of Classics, a restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel in Clevelend, Ohio, as Executive Sous Chef. Chef Mark earned his culinary degree from South Carolina’s Johnson & Wales University in 1998.

The Oak Door is a dynamic steakhouse and bar featuring quality meats and seasonal produce prepared in the dramatic oak wood-burning ovens. Designed by New York-based designer Tony Chi, The Oak Door is located on Level 6 of Grand Hyatt Tokyo; it has a 5.5 m ceiling and can accommodate a total of 215 guests.

The restaurant also features a private dining room seating 12, a terrace seating 40, bar seating for 27, a glass meat-ageing room and an open kitchen. Lunch is served from 11:30am to 2:30pm daily; snacks from 11:30am to 10:30pm daily; and dinner from 6:00pm to 10:30pm daily; the Bar is open until 1:00am daily.

Taihu Golf Hotel in Tokyo

Taihu Lakes elegant and tranquil scenery has attracted writers and poets to express their feelings since ancient times. Taihu Golf Hotel offers comfortable accommodation, a deluxe day Spa, excellent meeting facilities and restaurants for both corporate and individual visitors wishing to enjoy the natural beauty of the area all year round.

The Hotel features a total of 119 rooms, all of which enjoy superb views of either Taihu Lake or the surrounding hills.

Appointed to meet the needs of business travelers as well as guests on a more leisurely schedule, the decoration is completed in a modern, warm style with some delicate touches that recall Suzhou¡¯s influence on Chinese arts and culture.

High speed internet access and multi purpose sockets at the desk top provide ease of use for business travelers.

Modern facilities and equipment are complemented by a dedicated team of professionals offering a one-stop service from enquiry to the completion of your function.

With a floor space of 450 m sq, the Ballroom comfortably accommodates sit down dinners of up to 300 persons, or seminar type meetings of up to 375 persons. The latest Audio Visual Equipment is available for event organizers to choose from, backed up by a team of technicians, on hand to provide re-assurance and technical assistance.

The Spa is a modern, warm and thoroughly inviting spa which provides an international standard of treatments with scientifically proven materials. From the moment you step into the area, the smart interiors invoke an expectation of luxury and pampering.

Hotel VIP: +86 512 66217777

Email: info@taihugolfhotel.com

www.taihugolfhotel.com

Park Hyatt Tokyo Facial And Body Treatments For Men

Park Hyatt Tokyo, committed to offering discriminating travelers the highest level of individual attention, will unveil a collection of facial and body treatments tailored for men and created exclusively by Australian company Aesop, whose sublime products have cared for discerning clients globally since 1987.

The treatments will be available from April 15, 2008 at the two-level oasis, Club On The Park spa and fitness centre, a distinguished feature of this luxury hotel.

Park Hyatt Tokyo’s partnership with Aesop began in 2003 with the introduction of its skin care products as guestroom amenities designed to heighten guests’ overall hotel experience.

Aesop was chosen for its alignment of philosophies and values in offering a contemporary, luxurious and unique experience, while maintaining an unparalleled commitment to service and innovation. The new collection has further strengthened this partnership by creating a place that offer Tokyo’s finest facial and body treatments for men.

To meet the increasing demand by male guests, the new menu combines Aesop’s exceptional skin care products with precise treatment techniques devised by Aesop and available exclusively at Park Hyatt Tokyo. Each treatment is the result of intensive research by Maria Vovos, Aesop’s Facial Treatment Specialist, whose many years of experience have culminated in this specially selected and constructed collection of treatments.

“In researching and formulating the Aesop facial and body treatments for men at Park Hyatt Tokyo, I undertook an in-depth study of Japanese climatic variations and skin types. In an urban environment such as Tokyo, it’s clear that cleansing and protection are the keys to healthy skin. This is why I have included masques and exfoliants to decongest and detoxify the skin at the core of each treatment,” said Vovos. All Aesop facials and body treatments will be delivered by Park Hyatt Tokyo’s Club On The Park specialists, each of whom have travelled to Melbourne and undergone intensive Aesop product and facial treatment training with Vovos.

About Aesop Facial and Body Treatments for Men at Club On The Park

Ultimate Relaxation – 100 minutes, 28,000JPY
An outstanding full face and body treatment to deep cleanse your face and dissolve facial and body stress. This treatment is particularly suited to long-haul travellers, urban dwellers and those with demanding lifestyles. The treatment begins with a complete deep tissue full body massage, followed by a deep cleanse to decongest and detoxify your face, with a particular and careful focus on the delicate eye area, before applying an intensive antioxidant facial masque. After removing the masque, a complete facial is delivered to remove every last once of stress.

Men’s Deluxe Facial - 90 minutes, 25,000JPY

This is a deep-cleansing antioxidant facial designed for male skin. It is particularly suited to frequent travelers, urban dwellers and men with skin that is subjected to extreme climatic conditions. The treatment begins with a deep cleanse with an intensive exfoliation to decongest and detoxify your skin before applying an antioxidant masque. After removing the masque, a face, head and shoulder massage is delivered.

Men’s Facial - 45 minutes, 17,000JPY

We recommend that you enjoy this facial for male skin each month to provide maintenance and balance. The treatment begins with a deep cleanse to decongest and detoxify your skin before applying an antioxidant masque. After removing the masque, an express facial massage is delivered.
Club On The Park is an exclusive spa and fitness facility limited to hotel guests and Club members. The treatments will be offered at Club On The Park,

For reservations, please contact Club On The Park at +81.3.5322.1234.

About Aesop

Celebrating its twenty-first year in 2008, Australian company Aesop formulates sublime skin, hair and body care products for a discerning global clientele. E ach product in the Aesop range contains the highest calibre man-made and botanical ingredients selected for their outstanding efficacy and safety. Aesop products offer exceptional care for all skin types and deliver an inspiring sensual experience.

Japan Rail East Discounts Pass

Tourists planning to travel northern Japan can receive a special discount offer from JR East ( www.jreast.co.jp/e/)

Toward the end of this year, JR East provides the JR East Pass Special. It’s a flexible three-day pass with the cost of JPY 10,000 ($93) for an adult and JPY 5,000 ($47) for a child for unlimited travel on JR East trains serving the areas north from Tokyo. The period of use is Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.

Visitors who use the JR East Pass Special will also receive an iridescent lacquer bookmark as a free gift.

For more information, visit this lnk

Continental Airlines Flat BusinessFirst Sea

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES LIE-FLAT BUSINESSFIRST SEAT

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES LIE-FLAT BUSINESSFIRST SEAT 2

Innovative seat design offers 180-degree recline; installation begins in Fall 2009

HOUSTON– Continental Airlines today announced details of a new 180-degree lie-flat seat for the BusinessFirst cabin on its Boeing 787, 777 and 757 aircraft. Customers will begin seeing lie-flats seats on Boeing 777 aircraft that primarily serve trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes in the fall of 2009, with installation on Continental’s 757-200 fleet beginning in 2010 and on its Boeing 787 fleet as the aircraft are delivered to Continental.

Unveiled today at the National Business Travel Association International Convention and Exposition in Los Angeles, the new 180-degree lie-flat seats are the centerpiece of Continental’s award-winning BusinessFirst service that provides the extra space and fine amenities of traditional international first class at a business class price.

“Continental continues to invest in its product to make flying more comfortable for our global customers,” said Larry Kellner, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines. “We created a brand-new seat designed to lie completely flat, without compromising functionality or effective use of cabin space.”

Lie-flat Design

Continental’s new BusinessFirst seats allow customers to lie completely flat, reclining 180-degrees and providing 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) of sleeping space in the fully extended position on its widebody aircraft. The lie-flat seat is one of the widest business-class seats in the air, measuring up to 25 inches when the adjustable armrest is positioned flush with the seat cushion, allowing customers to sleep more comfortably. Electronic “one-touch” controls enable customers to easily move the seats to pre-set upright, cradle and fully extended sleep positions and additional controls allow customers to adjust the seat back, lumbar support and leg and foot rests to the custom position most comfortable for them.

The lie-flat seats provide more individual storage space for personal items. Laptop power, headset and USB plugs are conveniently tucked above the customer’s shoulder. There is additional storage under the ottoman, on a shelf under the monitor and on an amenity storage alcove that provides room for small personal items such as a book or magazine and a water bottle.

iPod connectivity will also be available at the seat, allowing each customer to view their personal videos and enjoy their music, all while the iPod is charging. BusinessFirst seats on the 787 and 777 aircraft will feature a 15.4-inch video monitor for customers to enjoy on-demand movies, music and games. Seats on the 757 aircraft will feature 10.6-inch monitors.

The new BusinessFirst seats also have a six-way adjustable head rest, an individual overhead reading light and an adjustable seat light allowing a customer to read in bed without disturbing their neighbor and a privacy shell that allows for seclusion from other travelers.

Two Years to Design and Perfect

Continental’s product marketing team began researching new seat options in the fall of 2006 when planning BusinessFirst service for the new 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline visited with numerous seat manufacturers worldwide before selecting BE Aerospace, which created five different design concepts. Concurrently, Continental sought feedback from a focus group of BusinessFirst frequent flyers that identified and prioritized key needs of global travelers and worked closely with the airline’s project team and the seat manufacturer to help create the new seat. The important features requested by the focus group were to install a wider seat that could lay completely flat and be easy to operate.

Seats are the Centerpiece of Premium Service

BusinessFirst service features an extensive gourmet menu served with premium wines and champagnes created by Continental’s Congress of Chefs and Sommeliers. International Concierge Service provides individualized pre- and post-flight services for BusinessFirst customers at 42 airports around the world. Customers traveling in BusinessFirst may also access any of Continental’s 27 Presidents Clubs and more than 60 airline affiliated lounges worldwide.

Continental Airlines has won numerous awards for its BusinessFirst product. The Official Airline Guide has awarded Continental’s BusinessFirst as the Best Executive/Business Class for five consecutive years (2003 - 2007), and Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated Continental’s premium BusinessFirst service the highest among all U.S. carriers for trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights 10 years in a row.

Continental currently operates the Boeing 777 on routes between Newark and Beijing, Delhi, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London/Heathrow, Mumbai, Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv and Tokyo, and between Houston and London/Heathrow, Paris and Tokyo.

BusinessFirst on the Boeing 757 is currently offered on routes between Newark and Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Birmingham, Bristol, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hamburg, Lisbon, London/Gatwick, Madrid, Manchester, Oslo, Paris, Shannon and Stockholm.

Korean Air Launches New Carrier - Jin Air

Jin Air, Korean Air’s new domestic and regional subsidiary and South Korea’s freshest airline, revealed its corporate image and slogan. Jin Air, until now known as its tentative name Air Korea, held an open event last Sunday in downtown Seoul announcing its corporate name, branding, corporate image and employee uniforms. Jin Air decided to hold a street event to appeal its brand to the young and dynamic public in a fresh familiar atmosphere. The festive event was filled with special tap dancing, DJ and Korean singers’ performances.

Expansion plans

Jin Air begins operation on July 17 with eight flights per day (four round-trips) between Seoul Gimpo and Jeju. This number will be increased to 16 flights in October and 18 flights in December. A second route between Seoul and Busan will be launched in October with eight daily flights, which will be increased to twelve in May of next year. The third Busan~Jeju route will be inaugurated in April 2009 with eight daily flights, which will also be expanded to twelve in May. International flights will be inaugurated according to the Korean government’s approval. Routes will cover open sky policy regions in China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Jin Air will expand its fleet as its network increases. Jin Air will operate three Boeing 737-800 aircraft by the end of this year, all equipped with 189 economy seats. The carrier will start operating two 292-seater Airbus A300-600 aircraft in March and April 2009 respectively. The fleet will number a total of five aircraft.

Less expensive

Jin Air’s fares will be lower than the other domestic legacy carriers. Normal one-way fare between Seoul and Jeju will be 69,000 won. This is 22% lower that the current weekday fare of 88,800 won on other carriers.

Jin Air’s fare system will be variously segmented according to flight departure time. So, unlike the customary weekday/weekend division of other carriers, some of Jin Air’s weekend flights could be cheaper than its more popular weekday flights.

New paradigm of service

Jin Air’s service is based on practical convenience for both the passenger and the airline, lowering cost wherever possible. Reservation will be 100% web-based through its web page, www.jinair.com. Eliminating the need for a call center reduced costs considerably.

To reduce the time and energy required for airport check-in and boarding, Jin Air does not operate designated seating. Passengers will only be assigned one of three seating zones, and boarding will be on a first-come first-serve basis according to zone. Jin Air’s cost-savings will all be returned to the customer through lower travel fares.

Expect break-even in three years, cost-cutting to meet target

Jin Air is targeting sales of 160 billion Won in 2010, when it expects to break even and reach profit. Expected revenue is 18 billion Won this year and 120 billion Won next year.

To meet its target amidst rising fuel prices, Jin Air will cut costs across all controllable operational fields. It will not levy fuel surcharges recently announced by other carriers, but that may change if fuel prices continue to rise above a tolerable level.

Jin Air’s new approach to providing air travel services is expected to satisfy the Korean public’s diversifying travel needs.

Fly, better fly

Jin Air’s master brand logo illustrates a butterfly with blue and purple wings on a bright green background, with an aircraft cleverly center-placed. The butterfly signifies Jin Air’s service philosophy of easy travel.

The body of the aircraft, initially a Boeing 737-800, will be painted silver with tails in Jin Air green bearing the butterfly logo.

Jin Air’s slogan is ‘Fly, better fly - Jin Air.’

Mandarin Oriental’s Asian Properties Meeting Packages

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced a new meeting package available at all eleven of the Group’s Asian properties until Dec. 31, 2008.

For a minimum of 15 paying rooms, the package includes: special group rates and one room upgrade for the designated VIP or organizer plus VIP recognition and amenities. For a minimum of 30 paying rooms, the package includes a one room upgrade and for 15 paying persons, the deal includes: special daily meeting package rate inclusive of meeting venue.

For more information, visit this link.

First class travellers to US get JAL suites

JAL is to introduce its top-of-the-range first class “suites” and new business class seats when it launches its new 777-300ER aircraft on US routes this August.

Each of the eight suites on board has 20% more room than the current first class seating areas and comprises of a compartment that has an arm chair with five-inch wide padded arm rests which retract as the seat converts to a 180° flatbed. As the seat goes back it combines with an ottoman at the opposite end of the compartment to create a large sleeping area.

The new business class seat, the JAL Shell Flat Neo Seat, will also be introduced on the 777s alongside the JAL Sky Shell Seat in premium economy and new seats in economy too.

The new planes will operate every other day on the Tokyo to New York route on August 1 and will fly daily from August 11. From September 13 they will be used on the Tokyo-San Francisco route and from April next year on the Tokyo to Chicago and Los Angeles routes.