Jetsettersblog

South Korea’s leading luxury hotel The Shilla Seoul is now offering special promotional rates for its premier suites until the end of the year.

In the ‘Leading Suites’ package, The Shilla’s Studio Suites are priced at US$393 (KRW 440,000) and Premier Suites at US$930 (KRW 1,040,000) per night. The hotel’s prestigious Royal Suite is priced at US$2,146 (KRW 2,400,000) per night.

Also included in the package is limousine airport pickup from Incheon airport, access to the Executive Floor lounge and gym, welcome fresh fruit and wine, and complimentary buffet breakfast, mobile phone rental and internet.

Consistently voted South Korea’s leading hotel, The Shilla Seoul has been dramatically upgraded to become a leading ‘lifestyle destination’ in South Korea’s vibrant capital, offering improved shopping, dining, health and beauty, weddings and conferences, and superlative business facilities.

Highlights of The Shilla’s health and beauty offerings are the Guerlain Spa (one of only four in Asia) and the world renowned La Clinique de Paris, and a prestigious new shopping arcade showcases many world-famous designer brands.

The Shilla which is set in its own 23-acre private sculpture park in the heart of Seoul, is one of Asia’s most admired hotel groups, renowned for luxurious accommodation with state-of-the-art facilities, high-end technology and gracious, personalised service.

The Shilla Seoul and The Shilla Jeju, affiliated with the Samsung Corporation, are both members of the prestigious The Leading Hotels of the World.

For reservations of ‘Leading Suites’ package, please visit http://www.lhw.com.

About Shilla Hotels & Resorts

The Shilla is one of Asia’s most admired hotel groups. The affiliate of Korean electronics giant Samsung Group owns two deluxe properties, The Shilla Seoul and The Shilla Jeju, on the resort island of Jeju. Both are members of The Leading Hotels of the World.

The Shilla Seoul is consistently voted South Korea’s top hotel by influential publications, most recently ranked among the ‘World’s Best Hotels’ by Institutional Investor and World’s Top 500 by Travel + Leisure. It is also consistently on Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List of the ‘World’s Best Places to Stay’.

The market leader was lately refurbished as a “lifestyle destination” with dramatically improved shopping, dining, health and beauty, wedding, conference and business facilities – including one of only four Guerlain Spas in Asia, world renowned La Clinique de Paris, and a prestigious new shopping arcade showcasing world-famous designer brands, including Vera Wang, Hermes and Stephen Webster.

The Shilla brand has extended beyond South Korea with the management of the 5-star Shilla Suzhou, a new luxury hotel in Suzhou, China.

For information and reservations at The Shilla Hotels & Resorts, contact: (82-2) 2230-3310 Fax: (82-2) 2230-3720. Or The Shilla’s Overseas Offices in New York toll free (1) 212-515-5885, Fax: (1) 212-515-5881, Tokyo Tel: (81) 3-3586-7571 Fax: (81) 3 -3586-7360

 

Korea Tourism Organization is actively planning to attract more foreign visitors to experience the true nature and spirit of Korea with its online homestay program.
There could be no better way of getting to know Korea and its people than by enjoying a homestay with a Korean family.

The online homestay program has become very popular since it began earlier this year.
These days many tourists are looking for unique and memorable experiences and the program provides exactly that.

In order to register for the homestay program online, visitors must register for membership with www.visitkorea.or.kr and proceed to log in. After becoming a member you can go direct then to the Homestay reservation area to request a booking. Once a booking is made the host and guest can introduce themselves via email in advance of their visit.

There are around five thousand homes to choose from in Korea located near major tourist destinations like Seoul, the ancient city of Gyeongju and the natural paradise of Jeju Island.

The usual cost for homestay is US$40 per night plus a placement fee of US$30. The program also offers monthly rates of US$700 per month. Breakfast is included in the fee.

Become a member of www.visitkorea.or.kr today and take advantage of a fun and interesting way to get to know the country and its people better.

In conjunction with Children’s Day, Singapore Airlines has begun serving children’s meals with specially designed lunch boxes adorned with highly popular characters from Cartoon Network shows such as PowerPuff Girls and Ben 10. Junior travelers will also be able to take their lunch boxes home with them at the end of their flight.

Available on all flights lasting seven hours or more, the special lunch box contains burgers, chicken nuggets and spaghetti with meatballs, which are available on Singapore Airlines children’s Book-The-Cook program, Yummy. In addition, drinks will be served in an attractive, children-friendly paper cup, also dressed in Cartoon Network livery.

The lunch box is already available on flights leaving Singapore and will be available on flights departing from all other destinations from Nov. 1.

Children will also continue to enjoy the much-loved Cartoon Network giveaways available on all Singapore Airlines flights (with the exception of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur services). The giveaways, which include activity kits and plush toys, are catered to various age groups. Further enhancing their in-flight experience is the wide range of entertainment options available on the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system.

This includes the especially dedicated Young Ones section, featuring Cartoon Network shows such as Ben 10, Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends, Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi and many others. Junior flyers can also tune in to the children’s audio channel and listen to audio stories as well as the latest selection of children’s music, which include albums such as Camp Rock and The Jonas Brothers.

They can also watch the most current children’s movies such as Speed Racer and Kung Fu Panda. In addition, they can enjoy one of the largest games selections in the sky, which include popular games such as Bookworm Deluxe! and Mojo Muncho.

For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com

Jet Airways is happy to announce a Jet Value Pass - a scheme wherein you can purchase the pass and travel in Club Premiere or in Economy class. This scheme is valid until further notice.

Jet Value Pass in Club Premiere:

No of Coupons Passenger Type Booking Class Base Fare
04 Coupons Adult I USD 1,100
06 Coupons Adult I USD 1,550
08 Coupons Adult I USD 1,950

Jet Value Pass in Economy:

No of Coupons Passenger Type Booking Class Base Fare
04 Coupons Adult U USD 500
06 Coupons Adult U USD 700
08 Coupons Adult U USD 850

Website: www.jetairways.com

Purchase with MasterCard,

Traveling within the period of 2008/4/1~2008/12/31, purchase with MasterCard on www.evaair.com flights from 20 Asia Pacific cities will enjoy 5% additional exclusive discount.

Traveling within the period of 2008/4/1~2008/12/31, purchase Economy Class flights with MasterCard on www.evaair.com from New York or Los Angeles to Taipei will enjoy 5% additional exclusive discount.

Terms and conditions apply. During promotion period (“Promotion Period”) from 2008/4/1 to 2008/12/31, MasterCard® branded credit cards primary and supplementary cardholders who use MasterCard® branded credit cards (issued by MasterCard Worldwide) at www.evaair.com and satisfy the eligibility requirement are eligible to receive offers provided by EVA Airways Co. To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, each transaction has to be made in full by a MasterCard® branded credit card. To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, cardholders must purchase tickets to Taipei, Taiwan or transfer at Taipei, Taiwan to other cities flied by EVA Airways at www.evaair.com during the promotion period and departure from the following countries (cities):

Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Chitose, Miyazaki, Komatsu)、Korea (Seoul)、Hong Kong、Macau、Singapore、Thailand(Bangkok)、Vietnam (Ho Chi Ming City)、Philippines(Manila)、Cambodia(Phnom Penh)、Indonesia(Djakarta, Bali, Surabaya)、Malaysia(Kuala Lumpur).
To meet the eligibility requirement for program participation, cardholders must purchase Economy Class tickets to Taipei during the promotion period and departure from the following cities in U.S.A:

BR 31/BR 32 from Newark airport of New York,
BR 167/BR 168 from Los Angeles airport and transfer at Osaka,
Internet booking conditions:

This benefit is limited for e-ticket on internet booking except class H and R.
This benefit only applies to tickets booked through internet booking system for the itinerary provided in this program and departing within the designated period. Tax (including airport tax、security check tax fuel tax) is not included for this benefit.
This benefit can not be combined with other promotion.
Other terms and conditions provided by EVA Airways should apply.

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts for the first time is extending its popular Exotic Vacations package to include the peak season time frame of Oct. 1 to 31 and Nov. 16 to Dec. 19, 2008.

The “Oberoi Exotic Vacations” package offers a great opportunity to experience some of the best hotels in the world and enjoy exceptional value. Priced at $4,194 for a six-night stay and $2,796 for a four-night stay, the package includes accommodation for two persons, breakfast and dinner daily and return transfer from the nearest airport or railway station.

Valid from Oct. 1 to 31 and Nov. 16 to Dec. 19, 2008, this package is available at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur; The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore (the package is priced at $4,644 for a six-night stay and $3,096 for a four-night stay in a Luxury Tent). Booked independently of the package the room tariff for a night’s stay for two persons starts from $656.

For more information or reservations, call 800-562-3764 or visit www.oberoihotels.com

Cornerstone is a signature open kitchen restaurant specializing in grilled quality meats and seafood prepared in oak wood-burning ovens. Executive Chef creates home style dishes with an Italian flavour, seasonal produce and tasty desserts.Cornerstone changes the seasonal menu four time a year and executive chef makes these menus with the most fresh seasonal ingredients in the local market so guests can enjoy the change of seasons by dining at Cornerstone.

On weekends and holidays, Cornerstone presents the delightful Brunch menus that are perfect to share with friends and family. Cornerstone’s weekend brunch boasts attentive personalized service and unique setting which is hard to find in other regular buffet-style brunches.

Moreover the main course platters, arranged in accordance with the customer’s taste, can also be delivered to the guest by chefs themselves that shows the intimate touch Park Hyatt Seoul is renowned for.

Weekend brunch consists of a selection of breakfast favorites, starters and desserts from the open kitchen, main course platters of meats and seafood from wood burning ovens served to the table.

 
A variety of Brunch menus using the freshest seasonal ingredients can be offered with a glass of Champagne, Martini, or Wine in coordination with the customer’s taste.

Guests can also enjoy the various lunch menus and especially lunch set menus at reasonable price. You can select the seasonal specialties made by fresh ingredients among the selectively chosen menus according to your taste.

Dining at Cornerstone is like having a feast and it’s all about being together and executive chef made the lunch set from this point of view.Cornerstone has many unique traits including its wood-burning ovens.

The wood-burning oven idea, first developed in Sanctuary Cove in Australia, came to full fruition manufactured to our specifications also from Australia, and promises to provide a different flavour to the meats and seafood which will be the primary offerings at the Cornerstone.Location: Cornerstone (2Fl.)
Number of seats: 150

Operation hours:

Breakfast - 6:30 am ~ 10:00 am (Mon ~ Fri)/ 6:30 am ~ 10:30 am (Sat, Sun)
Lunch - 11:30 am ~ 2:30 pm (Mon ~ Fri)
Brunch - 11:00 am ~ 3:00 pm (Sat, Sun, Holidays)
Dinner - 6:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm
Information & Reservation: (02) 2016-1220~1/ parkhyattseoul.com

The Timber House

Styled after a traditional Korean house, The Timber House is a bar with international live entertainment. The Timber House offers a variety of premium beverages from the Whisky Bar, the Cocktail Bar, and the Sake/Soju Bar complemented by specialty Korean and Japanese bar menu.The concept of The Timber House is based on an old Korean House. Since a Korean house has a lot of character and is built with the wood, Park Hyatt Seoul has tried to transfer this to a hotel environment, to create a cozy bar. All the aspects of a house are represented in the Timber House and each room has an element of excitement.Live entertainment will be featured at the Timber House by the internationally renowned vocalist.

Location: The Timber House (L1)
Number of seats: 97
Operation hours: 6:00 pm ~ 2:00 am
Live Performance: 9:00 pm ~ 01:30 am (Mon ~ Sat)The Lounge

The Lounge located on the top 24th floor offers stunning city views and serves light meals including authentic Korean specialties, desserts and selective beverages throughout the day.

The high ceilings with vertical attachments emphasize the linear spacing of the venue especially surrounded by the COEX and the Samseong-dong area, and the Daechi-dong area on each side. Two large abstract paintings in shades of pink and orange hang by the wall of ‘The Lounge’ providing a splash of colour to the tone of natural granite stones with Myanmar oak tables and orange leather chairs.

The dramatic wraparound view of Seoul’s Gangnam area makes it the ideal setting for relaxing or enjoying cocktails and light refreshments with friends while admiring the city below.

The atmosphere changes dramatically from day to night due to the natural light source during the day. While bright and comforting with the clear view of the cars and passers by in the bustling city, the night view catches the array of sparkling skyscrapers and the calming of the city that harmonizes with the peaceful sight of guests’ enjoying dinner and drinks.

‘The Lounge’ offers an urban view from the 24th floor by which is complimented by the lighting and the granite stone centre piece that stands in the middle displaying champagnes, wines and newspapers along with teas and chocolates.Perfect venue for starting the day, guests can enjoy morning beverages to a selection of breads and morning coffee or tea from 8:00 am till 11:00 am. Danish pastries, croissants, hard rolls to toast breads are served.

‘The Lounge’ serves snacks, desserts and provides an extensive beverage selection from tea, organic juices to sparkling wines while serving Korean specialties from dolsot bibimbap to Kalkuksu and kalbi. Served from 11:00 am onwards ‘The Lounge’ offers Western appetizers and main course dishes from pastas to sandwiches and seafood dishes.

Location:

The Lounge (24fl.)
Number of seats: 50
Operation hours: 08:00am ~ 12:00pm
Information & Reservation: (02) 2016-1205/ www.parkhyattseoul.com

Meeting Rooms

The chef coming from Milan, Italy meeting room menus will also have an Italian touch and the menus will revolve around the Cornerstone concept.
Information & Reservation: (02) 2016-1256 / www.parkhyattseoul.com

Room Service
24 hour room service would be available, and the guests can order comfort food from the Park Hyatt Seoul room service menus. The menus will be composed of food that guests are used to eating in their homes, simple menus that is well prepared that make them feel good, such as tasty hamburgers for westerners or bulgogi for Koreans.

The doors to North Korea are temporarily open American visitors, but this opportunity is not going to last long.

Snow Lion Expeditions groundbreaking  Contrasting Koreas tour to Pyongyang, Seoul and Beijing may be the last time until 2012 for travelers to visit this forbidden country.

A highlight of this cultural tour of North and South Korea is the phenomenon known as Mass Games - A cross between performing arts and gymnastics, with a dash of “wow - that’s weird.” 100,000 performers dress in bright costumes and undulate and tumble and sway in an amazing display of synchronized dance. The only time the government of North Korea is allowing US travelers into the country is during the Mass Games, and it has been known that 2008 may be the last Games until 2012.

That will be when North Korea’s former “Eternal President” Kim Il Sung celebrates a 100th birthday.
This trip is priced to please at $5,895 per person.

www.snowlion.com

Orient Lines, the destination cruise specialists, has announced that its new flagship – Marco Polo II – will carry 650 guests in 325 staterooms, two thirds of which are outside. The cruise liner, which most recently sailed as Maxim Gorkiy, will make her maiden voyage for Orient Lines in April 2009.

Marco Polo II is rich in character and history with proven ocean-going capabilities, including an ice-strengthened hull, deep draft, Denny Brown fin stabilizers, bow thrusters and ample provisional stores, essential for cruising to all seven continents. The vessel has a classic interior décor and handsome exterior profile with a raked bow and traditional cruiser stern.

At nearly 25,000 tons Orient Lines’ new flagship is larger in size then Marco Polo yet carries nearly 200 fewer guests. The added space translates to a greater number of public areas and amenities including an indoor spa pool and four separate dining venues, six bars, a show lounge, cinema, casino, library, Internet center, card room, state-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor pool. Marco Polo II will maintain the line’s proven service formula with European officers, American and British social staff, and a friendly and gracious Filipino crew.

“We’re delighted to introduce Marco Polo II to Orient Lines’ large and loyal family of past guests,” said Wayne Heller, Orient Lines’ president and CEO. “In the very near future we will announce her maiden voyage and inaugural cruise schedule.”

Marco Polo II was originally built in 1969 for the German Atlantic Line. She underwent multi-million-dollar refurbishments in 1988 and 1995 and will receive additional enhancements to be fully compliant with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 2010 requirements.

To receive additional ship and itinerary news electronically or by mail, please register at www.orientlines.com or call toll-free 800-333-7300.

Pacific Delight Tours grouped five of its most popular tour packages in one easy-to-read “2009/10 Quick Guide,” with offerings suitable for every level of traveler. To kick off this new brochure, Pacific Delight is giving early-booking savings of up to $500 per couple for bookings made by Dec. 31.

Program choices include major highlights of China: magnificent Yangtze River scenery on three- and four-night cruises; imperial Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City; the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs; Shanghai’s Shanghai Museum and Jade Buddha Temple; Xi’an’s famed legions of terra-cotta warriors; Lhasa, Tibet’s mountainous capital; and the vibrant city of Hong Kong.

Prices range from $1,588 to $7,588 per person, double, before the early-bird savings. One of Pacific Delight’s most sought-after trips is the 17-day Classic China & Yangtze River Gold Experience — an intimate, one-of-a-kind perspective into the country’s ancient history and culture, escorted by knowledgeable guides exclusive to the company.

This deluxe vacation, limited to just 16 guests, features accommodations in Asia’s best hotels; Junior Suites with balconies aboard Victoria Cruises’ newest and most luxurious ships; private shore excursions; superb meals; front section seats to many performances; and exclusive sightseeing. Cities include Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong.

Land-only prices are $6,788 to $7,588 per person, double, with 12 departures between April and October 2009; early-bird savings are $500 per couple. With no more than 26 participants, the upscale, fully escorted 13-day Historic Cities & Yangtze River Imperial Experience, provides an in-depth view of each city visited: Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Great Wall and a pedicab ride through Beijing’s old Hutong area; Xi’an’s 2,200-year-old terra-cotta warriors and horses, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which includes a Pacific Delight exclusive – a white-glove handling of treasures in the private artifact room; and Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum and renowned acrobatic show.

Special meals include a Beijing Duck welcome dinner, Defachang Restaurant dumpling lunch and Tang Dynasty dinner and show. March 2009 to March 2010 departures are $2,918 to $3,688 for land only; early-bird savings are $300 per couple.

Two of Pacific Delight’s Deluxe SuperValue Tours, offering value and variety, are highlighted in the Quick Guide. The 12-day Historic Cities & Yangtze River provides travelers with an affordable way in which to delve into China’s Imperial cities — Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing — and receive a strong understanding of the country’s history, art, archeology and architecture. The land portion of the tour is complemented by four nights of Yangtze River cruising aboard Victoria Cruises’ Premier Series five-star fleet, sailing the most spectacular portions of this legendary waterway. Land-only prices are $1,588 to $2,288 for departures between March 2009 and March 2010; early-bird savings is $100 per couple.

The 11-day Golden Route SuperValue is similar to the Historic Cities & Yangtze River but substitutes the Yangtze River cruise with a two-night stay in Guilin, a city set among some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. While there, guests visit the magnificent rock formations at Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill and take a cruise on the Li River, passing lush green landscapes and picturesque villages.

The land-only prices range from $1,648 to $2,188 on year-round departures; early-bird savings is $100 per couple. Pacific Delight’s China Escapade Series of vacations offer off-the-beaten-path itineraries to some of China’s most exotic regions. The 15-day Tibet & Yangtze River Escapade is an escorted journey that takes adventurous travelers to Tibet’s 1,300-year-old capital city of Lhasa, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level.

Guests explore the many monasteries and palaces, including Norbulingkha, Sera or Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and the greatest architectural structure in Tibet, the 1,000-room Potala Palace, once the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. A Tibetan dinner and show includes the traditional Yak Dance. Other special sites include the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, with its Imperial Vault of Heaven; the terra-cotta warriors and Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an; and the Giant Pandas at the Chongqing Zoo.

A three-night Yangtze River cruise and three nights exploring Shanghai conclude the adventure. Land-only prices for the April-October 2009 departures are $3,918 to $4,388; early-bird savings is $100 per couple. The programs include pre-confirmed hotels, intra-Asia air/land transportation, most meals, sightseeing, local guide or tour escort, transfers, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. Transpacific air is available at attractive rates. Prices are subject to change. Pacific Delight Tours offers escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia.

For more information, call 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com