Jetsettersblog

The Nam Hai’s indulgent gourmet and spa break

Valentine’s Day celebrations at Vietnam’s most luxurious beach front resort, The Nam Hai, are set to seduce guests with gourmet cuisine, indulgent couple’s spa treatments and the most opulent accommodation in Vietnam.

Resident Executive Chef, Richard Wilson has prepared a romance inspired menu designed especially for sharing to be enjoyed over a poolside candlelight setting with sweeping views over China Beach and to the Cham Islands beyond.

With the resorts resident pianist setting the mood for the evening’s celebrations, guests can enjoy the Nam Hai’s special Champagne cocktail served with fresh strawberries.

The Valentine’s Dinner is US$250++ per couple and begins with Chilled Cream of Asparagus Soup with Truffle Oil.

Duck rillete with cornichions and dill pickles served with melba toast follows leading into the main event offering a sumptuous fresh seafood plate of king prawns, langoustine, oysters, lobster and tuna tartare served with crunchy fennel coleslaw, potato and bean salad and lemon mayonnaise and tomato basil salsa.

Dessert is a grand mariner and chocolate parfait, decedent chocolate tart and lush strawberries.

Couples at The Nam Hai also have the opportunity to indulge at the award-winning spa, a sanctuary for relaxation and renewal of body, mind and spirit. Surrounded by a tranquil lagoon, the facilities include eight luxurious private spa villas, four single and four double. Each spa villa is appointed with a changing room, steam shower, separate private bath and a relaxation room which houses an oversized day bed perched at the edge of the lagoon.

Designed with lovers in mind, the Love Bath Ceremony Bathing Ritual (US$100) including Champagne and canapés, invites guest to luxuriate in a bath strewn with rose petals and infused with a pure blend of aromatherapy oils and Himalayan bath salts.

Unrivalled 5-star all villa accommodation at The Nam Hai amid the unique culture of Central Vietnam combines gourmet cuisine and abundant recreational pursuits in an atmosphere of unsurpassed opulence at Vietnam’s most exclusive oceanfront resort.

Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom villas to a five bedroom beach front pool villa with prices starting at US$750++ per villa per night.

The resort also offers four floodlit tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball court and a state of the art health club. An 18-hole golf course is opening nearby in the near future with bespoke local cultural, historical, shopping and sightseeing tours available on request.

The Nam Hai is 10km from UNESCO World Heritage listed Hoi An, a colourful and well preserved traditional Asian trading port with a fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures dating from the 15th century. It is also close to numerous historic attractions, including World Heritage-listed My Son, site of the ancient Cham civilization, and Hue, the former Imperial capital.

The resort is connected to the world via Danang’s international airport, just 30 minutes from the resort, offering direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Bangkok.

The Nam Hai is managed by GHM, one of the world’s leading creators and operators of award-winning, distinctive luxury hotels and resorts, throughout Asia and the USA. The five-star resort is a member of the prestigious The Leading Small Hotels of the World.

For more information on The Nam Hai Resort and for reservations, visit: www.ghmhotels.com

Malaysia has been positioned as one of the world’s best “Value for Money” countries in a global study conducted by FutureBrand, the leading brand consultancy firm.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Sydney, Mr Shahrin Mokhtar, said Malaysia will remain a top choice for many astute travellers who are still keen to go away despite the current economic climate.

“Affordability and accessibility are more than ever the two major factors travellers consider today when planning a holiday, and fortunately for us, Malaysia is both very affordable and easily accessible from all major ports around Australia,” says Shahrin.

“Despite the downturn in the world economy, keen travellers continue to travel, looking for the best value for money destinations, and they are finding it in Malaysia.

“Many travellers are spending a week or more luxuriating in Malaysia as opposed to a weekend in a resort spa in Australia for the same amount of money.

“For example, the 6-star Pangkor Laut Resort just off the west coast off Peninsular Malaysia offers an affordable AUD330 a night for an oversized garden villa with an outdoor spa; while other 5-star hotels and resorts around the country start at about AUD200 a night for a room or villa.

“For example, the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, which was recently awarded ‘South East Asia’s Hotel of the Year 2008-2010’, offers a deluxe king room with breakfast and butler service for about AUD206.

“Also, cheap flights via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia X and Singapore Airlines have been selling through the roof recently for the Savings Sales period which ends on 5 January 2009.

“We are also confident that the new Kuala Lumpur to London route via Air Asia X commencing in March 2009 will attract many more long-haul travellers to break up their route in Malaysia.

“So far, we are delighted with the consistent double digit growths in Australian arrivals to Malaysia, with the latest figures showing a 26.4% growth in October this year when compared to the same month last year.”

Cumulatively, 346,423 Australians visited Malaysia this year, with 38,408 in October alone.

Kipling & Clark unveiled its 2009 Luxury Family Travel Itineraries: Cambodia-Laos-Thailand for Families, 17 Days; Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Family Tour, 16 Days; Cambodia-Thailand Family Expedition, 13 Days; Japan Spring Break Family Tour-Tokyo-Takayama-Kyoto, seven Days;

Thailand and Laos Travel for Families, 12 Days; Cambodia and Vietnam for Families, 16 Days; India Travel for Families-India Highlights, 11 Days; China Summer Luxury Adventure for Families, 17 Days;

China Summer Tour for Families-Hong-Kong-Yunnan, 17 Days; Chengdu-Yangzi River Cruise-Beijing-Shanghai, 17 Days; China-Hong Kong Summer for Families, 14 Days; and China & Japan Cultural Contrasts for Families, 16 Days.

Kipling & Clark provides high-touch, private, luxury travel arrangements to greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Long-standing, intimate relationships and extensive experience with the finest hotels, resorts, restaurants and guides enables Kipling & Clark to create custom, unique journeys for discriminating travelers who want to immerse themselves in the culture, food, art and architecture of the beautiful and exotic Pacific Rim.

For more information, call 312-836-9071 or see www.kiplingandclark.com

The first edition of the Hong Kong-Macau Michelin guide was released last week. The 26th in the Michelin series, it marks the guides’ expanding coverage of Asia.

For its first venture into Hong Kong, the Michelin guide offers a selection of the best hotels and restaurants in the city in several comfort and price categories. Reflecting the great diversity of the gastronomic scene in Hong Kong (more than 30 different types of cuisine are represented in the guide), the list includes 202 establishments, of which 169 are restaurants and 33 are hotels.

A restaurant that receives one or more stars is considered not only one of the best in its country but also one of the best in the world.

Hong Kong’s starred restaurants are as follows:

Three stars - exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey:
Lung King Heen

Two stars - excellent cooking, worth a detour:
Amber
Bo Innovation
Caprice
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Shang Palace
Summer Palace
T’ang Court

One star - a very good restaurant in its category:
Fook Lam Moon (Wanchai)
Forum
Hutong
Lei Garden (IFC)
Lei Garden (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Ming Court
Petrus
Pierre
Regal Palace
Shanghai Garden
The Golden Leaf
The Square
Tim’s Kitchen
Yung Kee

As in all destinations covered by the guides, a consistent selection is ensured by awarding stars based on the same criteria: product quality, preparation and flavours, the chef’s personality as revealed through his or her cuisine, value for money, and consistency over time and across the entire menu.

The guide also includes 24 Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer a high-quality dining experience at an affordable price, a full three-course meal for HK$300 (around £25) or less.

For further information on the Michelin guides visit http://www.michelin.com . For more information on visiting Hong Kong please go to http://www.discoverhongkong.com

With A New Celebratory 35th Anniversary CD Rom

Award winning luxury tour operator ITC Classics is delighted to unveil its Platinum Collection 2009, but not quite as you know it.

A NEW APPROACH FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
To launch the Platinum Collection into the 21st Century and to commemorate International Travel Connections’ 35th Anniversary in 2009, the Platinum Collection will first be launched to ITC Classics’ clients as an interactive CD-Rom, featuring ITC Classics’ best selling luxury hotels and holidays from around the world. ITC Classics prides itself on offering exceptional, wholly bespoke holiday experiences which are exclusively commissioned for their clients.

However, this will not be replacing the “coffee-table” style brochure which will be printed early in 2009.

Jennifer Atkinson, Chief Operations Officer comments, “ITC Classics is continually striving to exceed customer expectations at every level. The Platinum Collection 2009 in CD-Rom format will be another first for ITC Classics and is something clients have been requesting. It includes a selection of tempting ideas and activities available at different resorts that the ITC Classics concierge team would be more than happy to organise.”

A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS

ITC Classics operates within the Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and is a bonded member of the regulatory bodies ATOL and ABTA, ensuring full financial protection.

We operate under a strict code of conduct, ensuring that not only are we responsible for each and every supplier involved in every package we sell but also that our service to our clients – from booking to travel arrangements to our after-sales service - is strictly regulated. So to travel with ITC Classics is to enjoy complete peace of mind.

HIGHTLIGHTS FROM THE 2009 PLATINUM COLLECTION

Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam

Accessible only by boat, the site of the Six Senses Hideaway on dramatic Ninh Van Bay is quite unique, taking full advantage of its secluded setting. Impressive rock formations, a curve of white sand beach, a playful stream and towering mountains behind, all add to the sense of being luxuriously at one with nature.

ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk)  offers 7 nights in a Garden View Villa with breakfast including transfers and return flights with Singapore Airlines from £1,505pp based on two sharing.

The Nam Hai, Vietnam

Located on a secluded 1km stretch of the celebrated China Beach near the ancient port of Hoi An, the award-winning Nam Hai is a luxury resort comprising 60 One Bedroom Villas and 40 Pool Villas. Managed by GHM Hotels, The Nam Hai is no ordinary beachfront getaway. This is a benchmark setting for sybarites in search of real class. Sprawled across 35 hectares, this splendid spa resort opened in December 2006.

ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk) offers 7 nights in a One Bedroom Villa with breakfast including transfers and return flights with Singapore Airlines from £2,120pp based on two sharing.

Shanti Ananda Maurice, Mauritius

Located in the south of Mauritius, Shanti Ananda is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens offering stunning views over the Indian Ocean. The perfect escape for total rejuvenation, this enchanting resort boasts a luxury 50,000 sq ft spa with 17 treatment rooms, surrounded by water to soothe the soul. Dining comes in all different styles, from Spa cuisine, based on the 5,000 year old medical science of Ayurveda, to Pebbles Restaurant serving International cuisine in a relaxed setting.

ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk)  offers 7 nights in a Junior Suite Ocean View with breakfast including transfers and return flights with British Airways from £2,579pp based on two sharing.

Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Hermitage Bay is Antigua’s newest luxury boutique resort. Tucked away beside a secluded white sand beach, this all-inclusive property offers 25 Cottage Suites with an intimate and private atmosphere. Guests can watch the sunset from their bathtub, cool off in the crystal clear waters surrounding the resort or indulge in one of the many treatments offered in the spa.

ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk)  offers 7 nights in a Beach Cottage Suite on an All Inclusive basis including transfers and return flights with British Airways from £2,270pp based on two sharing.

FURTHER EXCITING ADDITIONS
• The Beach House at Manafaru, Maldives
• Naladhu, Maldives
• Diva Resort & Spa, Maldives
• Baros, Maldives
• Sultans Way, Maldives
• Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor, Cambodia
• Amansara, Cambodia
• Six Senses Hideaway Can Doa, Vietnam
• Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort, Vietnam
• Atlantis, Dubai
• Al Bustan Palace, Muscat
• Ritz Carlton Doha
• Kempinski Soma Bay, Egypt
• Soneva Kiri, Thailand
• La Plantacion, Tenerife

BETTER THAN A BUTLER

ITC Classics has gone one step further in offering their clients the ultimate bespoke holiday experience. ITC Classics’ Concierge is a highly trained team offering a five star service and the best insider knowledge of luxury hotels and destinations. Just a phone call away, they are on hand to ensure every single moment of a guest’s holiday is unforgettable, from swimming with dolphins, to private planes and Christmas trees in suites nothing is too big or too small.

The Concierge team offer a wholly bespoke, gift wrapped service which is 100% tailor-made to suit the wishes of their clients.

To request a copy of the Platinum Collection CD-ROM or for further information please contact ITC Classics (01244 355527; www.itcclassics.co.uk

New for 2009, Elite Vacations has combined its Indian Ocean and Middle East and Africa brochures to offer one new 100-page brochure. Commenting on the decision, Elite Vacations’ Managing Director, Peter Jackson* said, “With such a high proportion of our sales tailor-made and many of them two centres, it has become logical to have a one-stop-shop brochure. We are delighted that this streamlining process has also greatly reduced our carbon footprint.”

As in 2008, the new combined brochure is supported by a smaller-format dedicated 44-page Seychelles brochure** which offers greater detail on the operator’s leading destination.

In the combined brochure the UAE continues to dominate the Middle East programme: 13 properties in DUBAI now including the NEW Atlantis the Palm plus a selection of the emerging Emirates with hotels in AJMAN, RAS AL KHAIMAH and FUJAIRAH.

• LEAD IN for Dubai: Five nights b&b at the 5 star Hyatt Regency Dubai costs from £845pp including return flights with Emirates from Heathrow and private transfers. Regional departures available.

In OMAN, Elite’s private car cultural tour the ‘Oman Adventure’ takes in Muscat, Al Sawadi, Nizwa and Sur, with options to extend in Musandam and Salalah. The choice of hotels in Muscat includes the long awaited re-opening of the newly refurbished Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat.

• NEW: The 5 star Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat costs from £1329 per person for five nights, including return flights with Oman Air, private transfers and b&b accommodation.

The operator’s JORDAN programme is similar to 2008 with the popular ‘Jordan Discovery Tour’ visiting Amman, Jerash and Petra and options to further extend in Petra, Dead Sea or Aqaba (Red Sea).

Elite has devoted a full page of its brochure to Middle East two-centre arrangements of ten to 12 nights. Dubai is linked with Muscat, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

• NEW: A 12 night two-centre of Sri Lanka and Dubai leads in for £1595pp including flights with Emirates from Heathrow, eight nights’ b&b at the Taj Exotica in Columbo, Sri Lanka and four nights’ b&b at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai plus private transfers.

For the SEYCHELLES, the operator is offering a total of 45 properties in 2009. Following their success in 2008, the number of Seychelles Secrets - small hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation has been doubled. All these can be found in the dedicated Seychelles brochure, but a selection are in the main brochure along with hotels on the main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, plus private island resorts including Bird, Denis and the newly refurbished Ste Anne Resort and Spa. A page on recommended island hopping itineraries demonstrates how product can be tailored to accommodate specific requirements.

• LEAD IN for Seychelles in 2009: £899pp for five nights’ b&b at Lazare Picault on Mahé including return flights with Air Seychelles from Heathrow and private transfers. Extra night from £30pp.

• UPGRADED: Five nights at the newly reopened 5 star Beachcomber Ste Anne Resort and Spa costs from £2169pp including return flights with Air Seychelles from Heathrow, private transfers, and half board accommodation in a Villa Beau Sejour

In MAURITIUS, Elite Vacations offers 25 properties including four NEW hotels, Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Les Pavilions (recently upgraded) and The Grand Mauritian which opened in 2008.

• LEAD IN: Five nights at Bois d’Oiseaux near Trou aux Biches costs from £899 per person where four people share a two-bedroom self-catering apartment

• NEW: Seven nights’ half board at the 4 star La Pirogue in Flic en Flac costs from £1625 per person including return flights with Air Mauritius from Heathrow and private transfers

Elite Vacations is offering 13 properties in the MALDIVES with the new 5 star Diva Maldives resort on Ari Atoll making its debut.
• NEW: Seven nights’ half board in a junior suite at the 5 star DIVA Maldives costs from £2239 per person including return flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow and transfers.

In SRI LANKA, the programme remains largely unchanged with a seven night Sri Lanka Discovery Tour taking in Colombo, Kandalama, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya plus a choice of three beach hotels.

• LEAD IN: Seven b&b nights at the 5 star Taj Exotica in Bentota costs from £1109 per person including return flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow and transfers

In MADAGASCAR, there is a seven night Madagascar Adventure Tour plus three beach hotels for extended stays. Also available are options of two-centre holidays with Mauritius or with an East African safari using the new Kenya Airways service from Nairobi.

• LEAD IN: A seven night Madagascar Adventure costs from £2598pp including return flights with Kenya Airways via Nairobi, transfers and full board accommodation (half board in Tana)

In 2009, Elite Vacations offers a choice of four 4 x 4 safaris in EAST AFRICA plus a choice of seven beach hotels in MOMBASA and ZANZIBAR

• LEAD IN: Seven half-board nights at the 4 star superior Ocean Paradise Resort in Zanzibar costs from £1098 per person including return flights with Kenya Airways from Heathrow via Nairobi and transfers.

WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS – Growth in 2008 has prompted Elite to expand the brochure coverage on weddings and honeymoons. The Gift Voucher scheme has proved very popular with honeymooners for reducing their overall cost or for upgrades.

TWO CENTRES - There is a greater emphasis on two centre options this year, and there are a further two pages suggesting popular African and Indian Ocean twin-centres, although different hotels and durations are also available.

SPA - The overall spa offering has been extended in response to the popularity of these properties in 2008, and two pages set out some of the most popular spas featured across a range of destination, and the treatments and products offered in each.

Peter Jackson**, Managing Direction of Elite Vacations, commented, “We continue to offer a cross section of product to appeal to most budgets. Our policy of treating all clients the same, however, means that no matter what the holiday cost our clients receive complimentary lounge passes at the UK airports and private transfers in resort.

Both Elite Vacations’ 2009 brochures are supported by the website www.elitevacations.com  which has been updated to offer greater choice and in many cases, more detailed information and further images.

• All prices are unconditionally guaranteed at the time of booking and include scheduled flights, airport lounge pass and private transfers (where appropriate).

• Contact: Elite Vacations 01707-371000; www.elitevacations.com
**Elite Vacations’ 2009 Seychelles brochure is currently the only one dedicated to the destination available in the market place this year

Hyatt Regency Kyoto is now offering a special accommodation package available Jan. 4-Aug. 31, 2009 that enables guests to discover two of Japan’s favorite cities for travelers.

In addition to a stay at Hyatt Regency Kyoto located in the traditional and secluded area of Higashiyama Shichijo in the heart of Kyoto, guests also can enjoy a stay at Park Hyatt Tokyo, the backdrop for the critically acclaimed film “Lost in Translation.”

The package includes one-way rail transportation with arrangements made by Hyatt. Hyatt Regency Kyoto is priced from ¥28,000 double occupancy per night and Park Hyatt Tokyo is priced from ¥54,000 double occupancy per night.

The package includes a minimum four nights’ accommodations (two nights minimum in each city); Daily breakfast; one-way bullet train ticket for two people from Kyoto to Tokyo or vice versa (an additional ¥5,000 per person is required to reserve seats in a first-class car); car transfer to and from JR Kyoto Station to the hotel (platform pick-up service at JR Kyoto Station).

All prices are inclusive of tax and service charge and are subject to a ¥200 accommodation tax per person, per night at Park Hyatt Tokyo only. Reservations must be made directly with one of two Hyatt hotels. Cancellation must be made by 2 p.m. at the relevant hotel at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Reservations cancelled after transportation tickets have been issued will be charged a cancellation fee of two nights’ accommodations. Consecutive stays at Hyatt Regency Kyoto and Park Hyatt Tokyo are required.

For reservations, call 011-81-75-541-3210 or email reservations.kyoto@hyatt.com

For more information, visit www.kyoto.regency.hyatt.com

Singapore Airlines has announced a special value fare available on its exclusive, all-Business Class, nonstop flights from New York (Newark) and Los Angeles. Singapore is rewarding ARC travel agents with a $50 rebate in conjunction with the fare.

Priced at $5,999 inclusive of all taxes and surcharges, this outstanding value will now be valid on a limited number of seats for specific departures through March 31, based on availability. The special fare allows customers with flexible travel schedules to enjoy up to a 39 percent savings off peak travel day prices. The offer is available exclusively on Monday-through-Thursday departures on Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights from Newark and Los Angeles.

Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights reduce the travel time between the U.S. and Singapore by up to four hours compared to one-stop services.

Each aircraft offers the industry’s newest and most spacious Business Class seating, 180-degree flat beds, more than 1,000 on-demand entertainment options, oversized 15-inch video monitors with the world’s only in-flight workstations, as well as the industry’s first in-flight iPod and iPhone connectivity.

Travel from the U.S. is restricted to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday departures only.

Fares are valid for travel between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2009, based on availability, and must be purchased at least 14 days prior to departure. Attractive add-on fares for a range of Singapore Airlines’ destinations in Asia, India and Australia are also available in conjunction with this offer.

For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com/usa

Malaysia’s northern island of Penang has been honoured as one of the top islands in the world, according to Travel + Leisure’s 2008 World’s Best Awards.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Sydney, Mr Shahrin Mokhtar, says he is delighted that Penang had gained such recognition among an audience as discerning as Travel +Leisure’s readership.

“Penang has long stood as top holiday destination among travellers to Malaysia due to its rich history of food and unique architecture.

In July this year, its capital of George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site based on its architecture and culture that are unique to East and Southeast Asia.

“Penang continues to gain popularity among local and international travellers alike. It is still an affordable holiday destination for families young and old and offers a variety of activities to suit different interests and budgets.”

Hilton Hotels Corp. announced that its subsidiary signed an agreement with Shanghai New Union Building Co. Ltd. to manage the Waldorf-Astoria on the Bund Shanghai. The hotel will be located in the heritage building on the Bund in Shanghai and is scheduled to open in 2011. The property will be the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Asia Pacific region. The 266-room Waldorf Astoria on the Bund Shanghai will comprise two buildings.

The main entrance at the heritage building will be located at No 2 on the Bund which housed the Shanghai Club, an exclusive Gentlemen’s Club in the 1920s. This building will be connected by a courtyard to a new-build modern tower located behind the Bund on Sichuan Road.

The hotel will have an array of restaurants and bars, with four restaurants, two bars, a patisserie and a lobby lounge, extensive banqueting facilities, a swimming pool, health club and spa. For more information, visit www.waldorfastoriacollection.com