Designed for global Gen Y, Park Inn by Radisson identifies itself as a friendly, fresh, vibrant and uncomplicated brand that focuses on delivering the modern essentials of a great hotel experience. Park Inn by Radisson is a segment-leading brand with a 26-year track. Globally, there are 128 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in operation and 67 in the pipeline. In Asia Pacific, there are four in operation and 53 in the pipeline.

“Park Inn by Radisson Davao is a welcome addition to our existing hotel portfolio that includes the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay, the Pico Sands Hotel in Batangas and the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City. Our plans for the near future include the construction of Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Clark, Pampanga, SM North EDSA Complex in Quezon City, Bacolod City and Iloilo City,” said Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotel & Conventions Corporation. Carlson Rezidor already manages a Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu.

The Ramayana Water Park is being created on 171,200 square meters of land and will have 17 separate rides including a “Dual Wave Pool,” “The Vortex,” “Aqualoop” and “Euro Bungy.” It will also feature “Duelling Master Blasters,” where friends can race each other on triple tubes while racing up and down hills on specially designed water roller coasters. The attraction is being created in conjunction with White Water West Industries, a leading designer and manufacturer of waterslides and water park equipment. The company has completed over 4,000 projects worldwide for clients including Disney, SeaWorld and Atlantis Resorts.

“There couldn’t be a better time for Raffles to be opening in the Philippines,” said Peter French, president of Raffles. “The country is full of a new-found optimism as the economy expands, with a modern infrastructure and an international presence.” Raffles Makati is at the heart of a new, 30-floor tower, home to three very different areas in the one building: Raffles Makati, with 32 suites; Raffles Residences, with 237 one to four bedroom residences for private ownership; and Fairmont Makati, a hotel with 280 deluxe rooms.

The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila. Home to a host of foreign embassies and the Philippine Stock Exchange, Makati is the financial centre of the Philippines, an important hub for international affairs. It is also an exclusive residential area with a vibrant arts and culture scene and world-class retail.

Raffles Makati’s suites are spread over the 9th and 10th floors of the new tower. They have been designed by Singapore-based Bent Severin & Associates, whose portfolio includes Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles Beijing, the British Embassy in Copenhagen and the Peninsula in Hong Kong. Each of the hotel’s 32 large suites has large floor-to-ceiling windows and views out over the city.

A key design feature is the wooden flooring, covered with rich silk velvet and hand-tufted rugs. In keeping with the vibrancy of Manila, bright colors have been chosen for the fabrics — satin, silk, and damask. Locally inspired artistic accents — a ceramic pot, a bright painting, a woven basket – bring a dash of local joie de vivre to the interiors and a sense of place.

“We are excited about our maiden season in Asia and want our guests to feel the same way,” said SeaDream President Bob Lepisto.

“We are jump-starting the year by offering exceptional prices to some of the most exotic destinations in the Far East.

This limited-time sale applies to all 18 unique voyages in the region. Now is the time to book.” Voyages are seven to 15 days long and most may be combined as back-to-back sailings.

SeaDream II will sail in Asia from November through April 2014. Itineraries include visits to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Northern Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

Prices start at $3,599 per person for a Christmas voyage.

To obtain the additional 10 percent savings, use promo code ASIA10 at time of booking.

The Peninsula Hong Kong will offer three menus — Fortune (HK$10,888 plus 10 percent service charge for a table of 10 persons), Wealth (HK$13,888 plus 10 percent service charge for a table of 10 persons) and Longevity (HK$15,888 plus 10 percent service charge for a table of 10 persons) offer auspicious dishes to see in the new year. Each restaurant offers a special Fireworks menu on Feb. 11 with Champagne on the Sun Terrace to view the New Year fireworks display.

At the Peninsula Shanghai, peach tree and kumquat trees are on display in the lobby and each restaurant will have red packets hung on all trees representing good luck in the new year.

Each stone lion at the entrance wears a red bow, bringing additional fortune to the property and the guests who patronize the hotel. On New Year’s Eve, each in-house guest receives a red packet with a chocolate “gold coin” inside to bring good fortune in the year ahead. On Chinese New Year’s Day, a lion dance troupe performs in the lobby, to which all hotel staff and in-house guests are welcome to join. Non-residents are also invited. The Yi Long Court offers special Chinese New Year menus and hampers are available at the Peninsula Boutique.

At the Peninsula Tokyo, new year flower displays are positioned at the main entrance and the lobby tables, the lions at the hotel entrance will be illuminated in red and special in-room amenities will be provided for all guests. A lion dance will take place on Feb. 12 at the main entrance and head through the lobby and up to the Hei Fung Terrace Chinese New Year dinner. New year six-course lunch and dinner menus will be offered at Hei Fung Terrace as well as the Wishes lunch menu at JPY 8,880 ($1,146), and Lucky dinner menu at JPY 22,880 ($2,952).

A special new year décor and in-room decorations will be on display at the Peninsula Beijing and a Chinese-themed afternoon tea will be available in The Lobby as a calligrapher writes lucky couplets in the lobby. Guests can have their names written in Chinese characters as a souvenir with the hotel’s compliments.

At the Peninsula Bangkok, Fortune (THB 2,280 per person [$75]) and Wealth (THB 2,680 per person [$88]) set menus are available at Mei Jiang Chinese restaurant, Feb. 2 to 12. A Chinese-themed Sunday brunch at River Cafe and Terrace (THB 1,500 [$49], including hot drinks) is planned for Feb. 10. A Chinese-themed afternoon tea will be presented in The Lobby and a lion dance performance will take place on Feb. 10. The hotel’s Joyful Holiday Package includes a deluxe room at THB 8,888 ($293) per night (minimum two-night stay is required) and is valid from Feb. 1 to 28, with daily buffet breakfast at River Cafe and Terrace for two, one buffet dinner at River Cafe and Terrace for two, and a THB 500 spa voucher per stay.

The Prosperous Holiday Package includes a deluxe suite at THB 18,888 ($622) per night (minimum two-night stay is required) and features daily buffet breakfast at River Cafe and Terrace for two, a roundtrip airport transfer by hotel limousines, a Peninsula afternoon tea for two in The Lobby, a set dinner for two at Mei Jiang Chinese restaurant, and a 1 hour and 20 minute Thai massage for two persons at The Peninsula Spa.

The Peninsula Manila is offering a Chinese-themed lunch buffet (PHP 1,460 [$36] per person) and dinner buffet (PHP 1,560 [$38] per person) in Escolta, Feb. 9 and 10. A dragon and lion dance will be performed in the lobby on Feb. 10. The Peninsula New York, the Peninsula Chicago and the Peninsula Beverly Hills are also offering special celebrations of the New Year.

MANILA, Philippines – December 12, 2012 -Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced plans to introduce its two largest brands – Westin and Sheraton – to two new multi-billion dollar integrated entertainment complexes in Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines. Starwood will manage The Westin Manila Bayshore, scheduled to open in mid-2016 as part of the Resorts World Bayshore in the Entertainment City development in Parañaque,; and Sheraton Manila Hotel in the Resorts World Manila development located in Newport City, Pasay. The Sheraton Manila Hotel is slated for opening in early 2017.

The opening of the two hotels fuels Starwood’s remarkable growth trajectory in Asia Pacific. The company is the region’s largest upper-upscale and luxury hotel company; it currently operates over 230 hotels in Asia Pacific with plans to reach 400 operating hotels in the region by 2016.

The Westin Manila Bayshore and Sheraton Manila Hotel are integral components of Resorts World Bayshore and Resorts World Manila, respectively. These new mixed-use development hubs feature entertainment venues, luxury retail establishments and gaming facilities, leveraging favorable economic conditions. The planned development of The Westin Manila Bayshore also represents the Westin brand’s re-entry into the Philippine market.

“We are thrilled to enter the vibrant, booming market in the Philippines, and believe there is ample demand for the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, as well as the Sheraton brand’s unique blend of hospitality, connectivity and comfort,” says Chuck Abbott, Regional Vice President, Southeast Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Resorts World Bayshore and Resorts World Manila are expected to be among the region’s preeminent entertainment destinations, and Starwood is pleased to have been selected by their respective owners to provide world class brands and services to visitors and guests.”

“We are excited about the rebirth of these two well-known and recognized international hotel brands from Starwood and welcome them back in the Philippines. Westin is a very strong brand that will contribute to the positioning of Resorts World Bayshore as a world-class integrated resort and leisure facility. It is about time to bring back the Westin brand in the bay area, where it used to be popular. Since Phase 1 of Resorts World Bayshore will be double the size of Resorts World Manila, we will be able to offer more entertainment facilities by our target opening in 2016,” says Kingson U. Sian, President of Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.

The Westin Manila Bayshore and Sheraton Manila Hotel are owned by Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.

Compelling Brands
With the largest footprint among Starwood’s dynamic portfolio and one of the world’s most recognized hotel brands, Sheraton is often the first international hotel brand to enter largely untapped markets, paving the way for the introduction of other Starwood brands. This holds true in Asia Pacific where Starwood first opened the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers in 1974 – Sheraton’s longest standing hotel in the region.

“The Sheraton brand has always been a pioneer in the industry, forging ahead with a first-mover advantage in many markets. Sheraton has broken ground for Starwood’s entry into other important Asian countries including China, Thailand and Malaysia,” says Matthew Fry, Senior Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Today Sheraton maintains a presence in 16 countries in the region, with over 90 hotels in operation and plans to reach 150 operating hotels by 2016. Westin, the second largest brand in Asia Pacific within Starwood’s portfolio, features over 40 hotels in operation and 20 hotels in the pipeline. Mr. Fry adds, “Our distinct and compelling brands continue to appeal to developers and owners, fueling our expansion across the Asia Pacific region.”

Comfort, Convenience and Connectivity
Sheraton Manila Hotel, as part of the Resorts World Manila complex, is to be situated in Metro Manila, the Philippines’ seat of government. It will be located directly across Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, adjacent to the Villamor Golf Course, and a 10-minute drive to Makati City, Manila’s central business district. Resorts World Manila, comprised of hotels, restaurants, gaming facilities, entertainment options and a luxury mall, is set to join the ranks of highly successful integrated entertainment hubs such as Resorts World Genting in Malaysia, and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.

“We are happy to welcome back the Sheraton brand which will definitely contribute to the continued success of Resorts World Manila. With the entry of the Sheraton brand, we expect that we will be able to reach approximately 1500 hotel rooms in the Resorts World Manila complex, which is centrally located in close proximity from the airport,” says Kingson U. Sian, President of Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.

Offering 350 stylish, contemporary guest rooms and suites, Sheraton Manila Hotel will be a part of the third phase of the project to be completed by 2017, binding its guests with an exceptionally warm and welcoming hospitality experience underpinned by the sentiment “The World’s Gathering place”. Rooms will be equipped with an oversized work desk, custom-designed ergonomic chair, high speed Internet, flat panel television and the renowned Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed.

The hotel will boast three dining venues, including an all-day restaurant, specialty restaurant, and Lobby Lounge; 420 square meters of meeting space; the Sheraton Club and Club Lounge; and a full service Shine Spa for Sheraton®. Other signature offerings include the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft®, a social hub where connections seamlessly take place; swimming pool, and fully equipped fitness facilities featuring the brand’s revolutionary health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance™.

Wellness at Work and Play
The Westin Manila Bayshore is to be located in the Resorts World Bayshore mixed-use complex at Entertainment City, a massive master planned development on reclaimed land in scenic Manila Bay. In addition to the 600-room Westin hotel, highlights of Resorts World Bayshore include a grand opera house, a luxury shopping mall along with other entertainment complexes and extensive gaming areas. The integrated complex, which is projected to open in mid-2016, is expected to become a premier travel destination.

Developed under phase one of the project, Westin Manila Bayshore will bring the brand’s sensory-rich environment, including innovative programs and instinctive service, to Resorts World Bayshore, offering guests a welcoming respite from the rigors of travel and helping them leave feeling better than when they arrived. All guestrooms and suites will be outfitted with the restorative Westin Heavenly® Bed; Heavenly® Bath enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and White Tea Aloe bath amenities; and high-speed Internet access. Other offerings will include Westin’s signature SuperFoodsRX® menu of nutrient-rich and delicious options, five diverse food and beverage venues, state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® fitness facilities and swimming pool, Heavenly® Spa and 2,300 square meters of meeting and function space.

For more information on The Westin Manila Bayshore, please visit www.westin.com/manilabayshore.
For more information on Sheraton Manila Hotel, please visit www.sheraton.com/manila

John Johnston, President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts said:

“There couldn’t be a better time for Raffles to be opening in the Philippines. The country is full of a new-found optimism as the economy expands, with a modern infrastructure and an international presence. We bring with us 125 years of heritage and experience in luxury service and a portfolio that includes some of Asia’s greatest hotels. I believe this puts both parties in a very favourable situation, where Raffles is the right hotel company, at the right time, to be opening in Manila.”

Raffles Makati will be at the heart of a prestigious new development – a brand new, striking, 30-floor tower, home to three very different areas in the one building: Raffles Makati, with 32 suites; Raffles Residences, with 237 one to four bedroom residences for private ownership; and Fairmont Makati, a hotel with 280 deluxe rooms.

The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the world’s most exciting and cosmopolitan cities. Home to a host of foreign Embassies and the Philippine Stock Exchange, Makati is the financial centre of the Philippines, an important hub for international affairs. It is also an exclusive residential area with a vibrant arts and culture scene and world-class retail.

Another Raffles classic that is sure to be an instant hit at Raffles Makati is the Writers Bar. Styled as a library, this will be a new take on the original Writers Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Tom Meyer, Managing Director of Raffles Makati and Fairmont Makati explains:

“There is a huge buzz and anticipation around this opening. It has been 18 years since the last luxury hotel opened in this part of Metro Manila. Raffles is able to bring the best of both worlds to this opening: the most modern facilities, technology, exciting, stylish restaurants and bars – alongside the Raffles heritage of providing warm and graceful service, embodied by the legendary Raffles Butlers. At Raffles we believe that good service is not just about what you give people, it’s about how you make them feel. We call this “emotional luxury” and this is what we will be working hard to bring to this incredible city.”

Raffles Makati’s suites will be spread over the 9th and 10th floors of the new tower. They have been designed by Singapore-based Bent Severin & Associates, whose impressive portfolio includes Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles Beijing, the British Embassy in Copenhagen and the Peninsula in Hong Kong.

The look for Raffles Makati is contemporary, whilst drawing on the timeless quality of Raffles Hotel Singapore – echoing Manila’s own blend of old world charm and new world sophistication. Each of the hotel’s 32 large suites has been designed to be an understated oasis of calm. Every suite will have large floor-to-ceiling windows and mesmerising views out over the city. A key design feature is the wooden flooring, covered with rich silk velvet and hand-tufted rugs. In keeping with the vibrancy of Manila, bright colours have been chosen for the fabrics – satin, silk, and damask. Locally inspired artistic accents – a ceramic pot, a bright painting, a woven basket – will bring a dash of local joie de vivre to the interiors and a sense of place.

Good ideas need time to evolve and, after 125 years, the exceptionally good idea – Raffles’ Long Bar – will travel to Manila, to open in Raffles Makati. True to its Singapore original, it will feature similar décor with tropical punka fans; an atmospheric black, ivory and terracotta tiled floor; long-stemmed ceiling fans and a 14 metre long bar where clients can enjoy not only a Singapore Sling but cocktails made to order. A Makati Sling, anyone?

Another Raffles classic that is sure to be an instant hit at Raffles Makati is the Writers Bar. Styled as a library, this will be a new take on the original Writers Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore.

All the new restaurants and bars in the complex will be open to guests of both Raffles Makati and Fairmont Makati. These include all-day dining restaurant, a contemporary pastry boutique, two lounges, as well as the Long Bar and the Writers Bar. The hotel will have two large outdoor swimming pools, each with a wading pool and children’s pool and poolside lounges. Guests will also share the Willow Stream Spa, with five treatment rooms and a full service hair and nail salon. The Fitness Centre will offer inspiring views of the city, garden and swimming pool.

Makati’s central business district is known as the ‘Wall Street of the Philippines’ and Raffles and Fairmont Makati will together offer an impressive range of state-of-the-art spaces for events and meetings, as well as a 24-hour business centre, all with a personalised business concierge service.

Step out of Raffles Makati’s elegant lobby, and there is a fascinating city waiting to be explored: Intramuros, the old capital of Manila (dating from 1571) a standing reminder of the country’s Spanish period, with centuries-old walls, bulwarks and plazas; Fort Santiago, built in memory of those lost during the Spanish and Japanese periods; Malacanang Palace, since 1863 the official residence of the country’s president; and the Ayala Museum, full of art and objects that trace the rich tapestry of Philippine history.

With its Grand Opening in February 2013, Raffles Makati is set to become a modern icon for this burgeoning, exciting city.

Exclusive privileges also include express check-in and check-out at the Club Lounge; option of breakfast venue at Dusit Club Lounge or Tosca Restaurant; all-day fresh fruit juices, soda, tea and coffee, evening cocktails and snacks at the Club Lounge; local calls to city landline; use of Club Boardroom for two (2) hours; discounts on all dining venues, amongst others.

Located in the heart of the financial district, Dusit Thani Manila is also home to an assortment of world class award-winning restaurants patronized by diplomats, tycoons and celebrities. The ability of the hotel’s skilled chefs from different culinary backgrounds enables a unique concoction of some of the most delectable feasts or merely a pleasurable dining experience, to simply put it.

Founded on a vision to provide a sincere, gracious warmth that touches the heart, Dusit Thani Manila aims to create a unique journey to all its guests while presenting nothing less than an exemplary service with the distinctive synthesis of Thai hospitality and Filipino geniality that Dusit Thani Manila is renowned for.

The Dusit Executive Stay Room Package is priced at Php8500.00++ for single and double occupancy. Valid until the 31st of December 2012. Terms and conditions apply. For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 238 8888 or e-mail dtmnrsvn@dusit.com

Opening its arms to the world is Myanmar (Burma) its unfolding secrets include- its ancient palaces, elegant pagodas, legendary river, tranquil lakes and pristine beaches which open out onto either the Bay of Bengal or the Andaman Sea.

More info at this link.

Indonesia

An exotic collection of islands – 18,000 in total scattered around the equator; although the most visited are Java, Borneo, Bali and Lombok – Indonesia has so many hidden gems on offer.

More info at this link.

Philippines

A nation of over seven thousand islands has more than enough to offer any visitor. Apart from magical mountains and rice terraces designated one of the natural wonders of the world. (doesn’t make sense)

More info at this link.

Laos

Landlocked and mountainous with the marvellous Mekong River flowing through it, Laos is mostly covered with untouched tropical forest and until recent years unknown to all but the most inquisitive traveller.

More info at this link.

Cambodia

An ancient civilization imbues this country, which for centuries was the heart of the Khmer Empire, an empire which ruled much of south-east Asia. Relics of this powerful rule are abound throughout the land, from the magical and mysterious Angkor Wat to the walled city of Angkor Thom.

More info at this link.

The agreement will bring the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel to Manila.

Scheduled to open in 2014, the 350-room Hilton Manila is located on Newport Boulevard next to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is just minutes away from Manila’s central business district, Makati.

“Manila is the political, economic, social and cultural center of the Philippines and a leading gateway destination in Southeast Asia,” said Andrew Clough, senior vice president, development, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

“Today’s announcement fully demonstrates our ongoing commitment to growing aggressively in Asia Pacific and re-establishes both Hilton Worldwide’s and the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand’s presence in the Philippines.”

“Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a leading global hotel brand and Hilton Manila marks another milestone for our rapidly growing collection in this region,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “Our brand portfolio currently spans 80 countries and we are proud to bring our authentic hospitality to visitors and locals in this part of the Philippines.”

Directly opposite Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Hilton Manila is located in Newport City, where Manila’s largest road transportation hub and several multinational companies are situated. Near Manila’s main business districts, the hotel will be developed by Alliance Global Group and Genting Group, and connect to a entertainment and hospitality complex.

The 10-story hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and lobby lounge. It will also feature a fitness club, an indoor pool, a spa, a ballroom and other function and meeting space as well as a car park.