Jetsettersblog

Savings of more than $2100 per person are now available on a nine-night New Year’s Eve cruise/land package around the fascinating Arabian Gulf region on the Costa Favolosa in December 2012, when you book by November 30 this year.

Celebrate the beginning of 2012 on this round-trip itinerary from Dubai which involves port visits to the Omani capital Muscat, the emirate of Fujayrah, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the port of Khasab in Oman.

The new low price of from $3119 per person twin share (was $5289) also includes return economy airfares from Sydney and Melbourne, all taxes, on-board gratuities, two nights at Raffles in Dubai and a 4wd desert safari with dinner and a belly dancing show.

Children aged up to 18 cruise for free (except for port charges) sharing a cabin with two adults.

Costa Favolosa has a choice of five restaurants and 13 bars, swimming pools and Jacuzzis, casino, shopping centre, video arcade and a Formula One Grand Prix simulator.

More details from ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out their new website www.ecruising.travel.com

The Rezidor Hotel Group, in collaboration with Italian fashion house Missoni, opened the Hotel Missoni in Kuwait.

It’s the second Hotel Missoni and the first in the Middle East. Missoni, one of Italy’s leading fashion houses, is recognized for its distinctive fashion and design, striking colors and use of pattern. Hotel Missoni focuses on giving guests a genuine and uncomplicated experience — providing the luxurious touches that really matter.

Each Hotel Missoni is unique in its design, reflecting the local style and culture. Designed for people who share a passion for fashion, comfort and design, further Hotel Missoni’s are planned around the world.

“The Middle East is a key market for us in terms of development; Hotel Missoni Kuwait is a wonderful addition to the growing Rezidor portfolio. We have a long history here so it seems fitting that our first Hotel Missoni in the Middle East should open in this location.

We are committed to the long-term development of this brand and will continue to focus on opening in key cities and beach front locations,’ said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor Hotel Group.

Rezidor Hotel Group’s subsequent collaborations with Missoni include Hotel Missoni Jebel Sifah in Oman, scheduled to open in 2013; Hotel Missoni IIha de Cajiba in Brazil; and the recently signed Hotel Missoni, Antalya in Turkey.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait offers 169 sea-facing rooms with breakfast, laundry, high-speed wireless Internet, free local calls, movies on demand, and the entire contents of the mini bar, inclusive in the cost of the room.

The hotel also features extensive meeting space, a cutting-edge gym, a steam room, a sauna and a pool deck overlooking the city. Newly opened Luna, a lively lounge and restaurant located on the 18th floor of the hotel, offers breathtaking views of the gulf.

The food will be a unique blend of Arabic-oriental and Mediterranean cuisine with Italian hints mixed in, featuring appetizers, small bites and desserts. Luna is an addition to the hotel’s existing food and beverage outlets, Cucina, an Italian restaurant which lies at the heart of the hotel and offers authentic Italian cuisine; Choco Cafe, which offers pastries, chocolates and a selection of savory dishes; and the Pool Bar, which serves continental cuisine.

The soon-to-open 1,500-square-meter Six Senses Spa will include a fitness center, yoga studio, separate ladies gym, sauna and a steam room.

In addition to Six Senses signature treatments and traditional Asian therapies, the spa will also offer locally inspired treatments, using local and organic ingredients such as olives, dates and Arabic spices.

Kuwait is the second location after Edinburgh to be home to a Hotel Missoni, with additional locations in Oman, Brazil and Turkey scheduled to open within the next few years.

Through the worldwide license agreement concluded with Missoni, Rezidor’s strategy is to grow the Hotel Missoni brand globally, looking at both city-center and resort opportunities.

The Rezidor Hotel Group has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels in operation and under development with more than 86,300 rooms in over 60 countries. Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the goldpoints plus loyalty program for frequent hotel guests. For more information, visit www.rezidor.com

Overlooks Arabian Sea and Offers iPad Check-In, Pool Tiled in Missoni Stripes, and Inclusive Luxury Amenities

BRUSSELS, March 1, 2011 – The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, opens Hotel Missoni Kuwait in collaboration with iconic Italian fashion and interiors house Missoni. The 169-key property is Rezidor’s second Hotel Missoni – the first opened in Edinburgh, Scotland in June 2009. Hotel Missoni Kuwait is part of the Symphony Center, a boutique emporium located in the shopping district of Kuwait City.

Inspired by the Arabian Gulf and Kuwaiti culture, Creative Director (and original co-founder of the fashion brand) Rosita Missoni combined bespoke Missoni textiles and bold colors, using a palette of turquoise, green and gold.

Nearly 10 million individual mosaic tiles create signature Missoni zig-zag stripes throughout the property, including tiled flooring of a glamorous swimming pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Rosita Missoni also hand-picked furniture by designers she admires to use throughout the property, including pieces she has in her own home such as Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair.

State-of-the-art technological elements include using iPads for check-in, the latest Bang & Olufsen televisions in guestrooms, and en-suite “Magic Mirrors,” which enable guests to convert their bathroom mirror into a television at will.

All 169 rooms overlook the Arabian Sea. Rates include daily breakfast, laundry, high-speed wireless internet, free local calls, movies on demand, and all items in the minibar.

“Hotel Missoni Kuwait is a fantastic addition to Rezidor’s growing portfolio across the Middle East. Opening a Hotel Missoni here is a true celebration for our company, as it was in Kuwait where we opened our first Radisson Blu outside of Scandinavia. Hotel Missoni Kuwait will further strengthen our presence in the region and reinforce our position as one of the leading international hotel operators. A combination of design, lifestyle and technology will bring a unique lifestyle experience – as soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll know it’s Missoni,” said Kurt Ritter, President and CEO of Rezidor.

Dining options at Hotel Missoni Kuwait include Cucina, the brand’s signature Italian restaurant created by Rosita Missoni with Giorgio Locatelli, and Luna, an Arab-Mediterranean fusion restaurant located on the 18th floor. For lighter meals, Choco Café offers pastries, chocolates and a selection of savory dishes, and the Pool Bar serves continental cuisine.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait will also open a 16,000-square foot Six Senses Spa later this year. Offering signature Six Senses treatments as well as full range of beauty treatments, the spa will have 10 treatment rooms, manicure/pedicure stations, two yoga studios, relaxation areas and a juice bar. The Spa will also have separate gyms, hammams and changing areas for men and women, each with a sauna and steam room.

The hotel also features extensive meeting space, a modern high-performance gym, a steam room, a sauna and a pool deck overlooking the city. Staff at Hotel Missoni Kuwait includes over 17 nationalities speaking more than 14 languages.

Accommodations start at 280 EUR per night including a la carte breakfast, limousine airport transfers, mini-bar, laundry and WiFi.

The Abu Dhabi Festival will present a line-up of performers from across the world for the 2011 festival, according to festival organizers, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). With a program combining music, art, dance, jazz, ballet and fine arts, the festival will showcase excellence from across the artistic spectrum.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the festival will celebrate its eighth edition in 2011. The theme for the 2011 Festival will be “Harmony for Humanity,” reflecting the unifying spirit of the arts in bringing people together in shared appreciation beyond the boundaries of language, culture and difference.

Large-scale concerts, recitals and performances, exhibitions, workshops and debates, extending to community and education activities, the festival is a UAE-wide experience with activities scheduled across the seven emirates. Highlights of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2011 Main Program include “Mozart Masterpieces,” featuring the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, conducted and led by Augustin Dumay; the modern dance production “PUSH,” a Sadler’s Wells London Production; a ballet gala evening entitled “Max and Irina present Stars of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky”; Yefim Bronfman, the American pianist in a concert entitled “Bronfman and Brahms,” accompanied by the Russian National Orchestra, and conducted by Italian Nicola Luisotti; Al Jarreau; an opera gala featuring baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and soprano Ekaterina Siurina with the Russian National Orchestra; and a Young Artists’ Day concert will showcase the best emerging talent in the UAE.

Each year, ticket income generated by the festival is donated to civil society groups. In 2011, the income will be divided between three beneficiaries — the Ewa’a Shelter for Women and Children, who are working to address the impact of human trafficking; the A Child A Promise Foundation, in support of their work with children in Palestine; and ADMAF Education, to support the development of future arts education initiatives. For more information, visit www.abudhabifestival.ae or www.admaf.org

Offer ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Packages

Tournament Runs from 19th February to 2nd April 2011

DUBAI, UAE – 30th January 2011 – Emirates Sports Travel has joined forces with TUI Travel PLC’s Sports Division, a leading sports tour operator, and Gullivers Sports Travel, the UK’s leading cricket tour operator, to offer competitively-priced packages to the 10th ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The cricket matches kick off on 19th February 2011, when hosts Bangladesh and India meet in Dhaka, and the final match will be played on 2nd April 2011 in Mumbai. A total of 49 cricket matches will be played by 14 teams, over 43 days in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. All ground arrangements will be handled by TUI’S Indian-based operation, Le Passage to India.

Emirates, an Official Partner of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, offers 184 weekly flights to 10 Indian destinations, as well as flights serving Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Packages include an Emirates flight (Economy Class or Business Class) from Dubai to the Indian sub-continent, hotel accommodation and match tickets. Land packages start at 310AED (85 GBP) per person, per night (based on double occupancy with a three-night package) for hotel and match tickets. Airfare is not included in this price. Single room supplements are also available.

“The ICC Cricket World Cup is the first major sporting event available with Emirates Sports Travel, a new division at Emirates. The packages have been designed to make it easy for ardent cricket fans to attend the matches. This year’s tournament promises to be an outstanding event, celebrating a sport with a rich history and culture,” said Russell Sheldon, Senior Vice President Network Passenger Sales Development, Emirates Airline.

Packages can be purchased through Emirates offices worldwide. Price includes hotel accommodation, breakfast daily and a match ticket. All passengers, regardless of airfare or class of travel, can purchase the packages. All taxes and service charges are included in the prices.

For bookings or more information, visit http://www.emirates.com/icc

Dubai, January 2011: More than 20,000 people in the UAE have the opportunity to take ownership of a gold key to the Gate in Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel’s six million dirham (Dhs 6million), four-month promotion, Unlock the Gate. Meanwhile, one of 2,000 platinum key holders could become the custodian of the key to an apartment lease for one year, among hundreds of other ‘on the spot’ prizes.

According to the hotel’s executive assistant manager, Craig Cook, the 396-room hotel in New Dubai has gone all out to ensure that the community feels that the hotel and its seven outlets ‘belong to them’.

Gold keys to the Gate are available at the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel from the hotel’s concierge team or any of the restaurants, as well as through a special market distribution.

“We will give a key to the Gate to thousands of people across the Emirates. All they have to do is to bring their gold key to the hotel when they dine, spend Dhs 250 – and play immediately to win fabulous prizes from meals, to instant discounts, to beverages and special stays at the hotel,” he said.

The campaign will run at Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel until May 11 2011.

The Gate is giving away Dhs6m
Cook said that gold key holders can also win a special platinum key on-air as City 106.1, 92FM and Al Khaleejiah are all on-board and poised to give prizes in interactive competitions and banter, plus the opportunity to win one of the limited edition 2,000 platinum keys.

“The bounty of prizes on offer over the four months of Unlock the Gate tops the heady sum of Dhs 6m,” said Cook.

“Indeed, the 2,000 platinum key holders will be entered into a grand draw and could win the key to a one- or two-bedroom apartment for one year at the Residences at Ibn Battuta Gate.”

He confirmed that participants in Unlock the Gate can also become a platinum key holder by spending more than Dhs 5,000 at the hotel, and through the 7Days Ad7antage programme.

7Days is also distributing thousands of gold keys, and keys will also be given to those who pass certain productivity thresholds in booked business in conference and events or room bookings.

Creative marketing is ‘key’ According to the hotel’s director of business development, Guy Epsom, Ibn Battuta Gate is no stranger to ‘bullish promotions’ in a bear market.

“Dubai is a marketplace that needs new marketing energy and we are not afraid to go all out, as Unlock the Gate shows. We have been open since October 2010, and this is already our second big promotion.

“We recently gave away more the Dhs 1.5m worth of prizes in a month long campaign with Dubai Eye 103.8…and we don’t mean to stop here. Our team has come up with some great ideas and they are currently ‘cooking’,” said Epsom.

“Unlock the Gate will take centre stage at Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel for almost 16 weeks, giving UAE residents and visitors to Dubai ample chance to join in the fun and walk away with some incredible prizes, including an apartment for a year,” Epsom enthused.

On air, in print, online He also advised that the whole campaign is featured online at www.thegoodlife.ae

“We have taken the new-era step of moving our consumer promotions online and we have created a dedicated space under the brand banner of The Good Life.”

Michael Scully, managing director of the hotel’s owning company, Seven Tides said that Unlock the Gate is the inaugural campaign to be featured as part of The Good Life.

Going forward, The Good Life is ready to welcome new hotels and outlets scheduled to join the four-property cluster under the Mövenpick-Seven Tides association.

The Mövenpick Hotel Deira opened its doors on January 1 2011, the UAE’s first new hotel of the year. Two properties will open on the Palm Jumeirah in the next twelve months where the group already runs a successful restaurant at Oceana Beach Club – West 14th Grill and Bar.

Business brisk at the Gate Turning to business at the Gate, Scully said that the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel has achieved occupancies of 62 per cent in the first twelve weeks of opening up to the end of the year.

“We are very pleased with the support shown from all booking profiles including corporate business from neighbouring zones such as Jebel Ali Free Zone and TECOM, as well as from individual bookings and walk-ins.”

He confirmed that Abu Dhabi residents seem to really like the hotel – the first five-star property in Dubai on the road from the capital.

“Local residents and GCC visitors particularly like the offer at Ibn Battuta Gate. And, we were thrilled to have a wonderful mix for our first big party in Al Bahou on New Year’s eve where we hosted more than 330 guests.”

Al Bahou, or the Grand Hall is the hotel’s central lobby area. It is vast measuring some 90 metres x 30 metres respectively.

Scully said that Al Bahou ‘wows’ the most experienced hotel guest with both its size and décor; it has 88 mammoth, eastern-style lanterns dangling into the large open space. It is also the gateway to the hotel’s seven outlets.

Signature outlets play Unlock the Gate Mistral is the total dining, all-day restaurant – already a great favourite for Friday brunch, and Shanghai Chic is open for dinner serving authentic Chinese cuisine with an authentic team to match.

Rustic Italian cuisine is available for lunch and dinner at Sicilia, and Chor Bazaar goes all out with Northern Indian dishes as well as a three-drum tandoori at dinner.

Meanwhile, Moroc – the contemporary bar, lounge and terrace serves bites, hubble, bubbles and more from 5.30pm until 1am, seven days a week, with Laurent Perrier Champagne at Dhs 395 per bottle, house bubbles for free until 7pm, and two drinks for the price of one* from 7-8pm every evening in an environment where contemporary Morocco is the obvious design influence.

The hotel’s Majlis bar and terrace is all taking part in Unlock the Gate, as is Pastane, for all-day gourmet treats.

Unlock the Gate for The Good Life at www.thegoodlife.ae

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2011

Westwood Ho! World Number One Charts Course For Major Abu Dhabi Success

The world’s number one golfer, England’s Lee Westwood, sets course for major success at this week’s new-look Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, as he takes on the event’s strongest-ever line-up.

Running 20-23 January at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, this year’s £1.69 million tournament boasts all four current 2010 Major champions – Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymner, the current Abu Dhabi champion – as well as double champion, Paul Casey.

Taking time out from the sweeping greens of the championship’s National Course, the six superstars joined newly-appointed European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, for a sail with the emirate’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, which will compete in the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race which stops in Abu Dhabi next New Year’s day.

-Ends-

For further information on Abu Dhabi call 020 7201 6400, see www.visitabudhabi.ae,  or e-mail uk@adta.ae

DUBAI, U.A.E,: Emirates’ Economy Class passengers residing
in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi can save themselves a busload of hassle as Emirates increases the frequency of its free of charge bus service, to and from Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai.

The new frequencies have been implemented to help passengers reach Emirates Terminal 3 conveniently and with no added stress.

In addition to the increased services Emirates has also invested significantly in revamping the bus, both inside and out. The bus interior is well air-conditioned with new more comfortable seating, whilst the exterior features an impressive Emirates aircraft decal, designed to stand out on the UAE’s busy roads.

Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice President Commercial Operations UAE said:

“We have a significant number of passengers that travel to Dubai from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to avail of Emirates’ world class services. As an airline we are all about connecting people and this value added bus service is just another aspect of our dedication to get passengers to their destination, with minimum hassle and maximum comfort.”

With an estimated travel time of less than two hours the newly designed bus has the capacity to seat 49 passengers comfortably.

A single, dedicated pick-up and drop-off point has been identified in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, to help cut down on passenger travel time.

Dubai will have two collection/drop-off points to account for arrivals and departures at Emirates Terminal 3.

The service will now depart Abu Dhabi four times daily from the Emirates Town Office located at Khalidiya area, Corniche at 0330 hours, 0930 hours, 1600 hours and 2130 hours.

It will depart Al Ain three times daily from the Emirates Office, Emirates Commercial Complex in Khalifa Street at 0330 hours, 1000 hours and 2100 hours.

The return journey from Emirates Terminal 3 will depart outside the arrivals hall to Abu Dhabi four times daily at 0200 hours, 0800 hours, 1430 hours and 2300 hours.

Return services to Al Ain will depart Dubai three times daily at 0200 hours, 0800 hours and 1430 hours.

This service is available only if an Emirates flight into/out of Dubai has already been booked.

New bookings can be made via the link above for Emirates, or Emirates’ offices.

Hotel Missoni will open its first resort in Kuwait in late September. The Kuwait opening follows the brand launch in Edinburgh in 2009.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait’s debut will be followed by openings in South Africa (2011), Brazil (2012) and Oman (2012).

Hotel Missoni Kuwait will feature a swimming pool with mosaic floor in a signature Missoni stripe; 13,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa; Rosita Missoni’s family recipes at Cucina restaurant; 18th floor bar with Arabian Sea views; and access to a mixed-use luxury retail development, which will include a Missoni boutique.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait combines the style of the Italian fashion and interiors house with the expertise of The Rezidor Hotel Group.

The property is centrally located close to the main shopping area of Kuwait City, overlooking the Arabian Sea.

It is part of a new development that also houses a large shopping mall, apartments and offices.

Designed by Creative Director Rosita Missoni, one of the Missoni label’s original co-founders, the interiors of Hotel Missoni are bold, richly patterned and colorful. Each Hotel Missoni is reflective of its location.

In Kuwait, Rosita was inspired by the brilliant blues and sparkling beaches of the Arabian Sea. Interiors at Hotel Missoni Kuwait have a palette of gold, turquoise and beige combined with unmistakable Missoni prints. The property’s 18 floors feature design pieces such as Hans J Wegner’s Wishbone Chair. The lobby of Hotel Missoni Kuwait City will include large mosaic urns, a Hotel Missoni trademark. Every Hotel Missoni will feature these oversized urns decorated in the color scheme of the individual property.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait offers 169 rooms and suites, all of which have sea views. The 106 rooms continue the palette of gold, turquoise and beige and are accented with bold patterns. Combining form and function, accommodations have been carefully designed to meet the needs of today’s modern travelers with linens from the Missoni Home range. Each guest room has an in-suite bathroom featuring either a generous bath or a shower with a bench seat, rain shower and handheld shower.

Custom-scented Missoni bath amenities were specially created for Hotel Missoni Kuwait. There will be 63 suites, ranging from 805 square feet to the 2,260-square-foot Presidential Suite with a 970-square-foot outdoor terrace.

Guest room amenities include a 32-inch Bang & Olufsen LCD TV; a mirror TV in the bathroom; air conditioning; AV guest connection outlet; bathroom amenities scented with a Missoni fragrance; bathrobe and slippers, created exclusively by Missoni; complimentary high-speed wireless Internet; fully stocked mini bar; hair dryer; Illy coffee machine; iron and ironing board available on request; on-demand films; personal safe; three telephones; guest services; 24-hour room service; concierge; fitness area, located on the second floor; laundry/valet service, including express ironing.

For more information, call (011) 965 9999 1357, email

info.Kuwait@hotelmissoni.com  

or visit www.hotelmissoni.com

Dubai, U.A.E – Underlining their relentless commitment to offering the best inflight entertainment in the air, Emirates has won the ‘World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment’ award for the sixth year running at the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Emirates faced stiff competition from other leading airlines to win the accolade at the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards which took place in Hamburg on 20th May, 2010.

In an extremely competitive marketplace where many airlines are spending significant sums in their inflight entertainment (IFE) products, Emirates has maintained its leadership position by concentrating on technical innovation and quality content. Since developing ice (information, communications and entertainment), its ground-breaking audio and video-on-demand system, in late 2003, Emirates has continually improved and expanded its IFE offering and has become the benchmark for all other airlines.

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Vice President Corporate Communications (Product, Publishing, Digital & Events), who received the award, said: “When we won this prestigious award for the fifth time in a row last year we knew that we could not rest on our laurels, and we immediately focused on improving ice even further. We’re thrilled that so many Emirates passengers have recognised this by voting for us.”

ice, which is available on over 80 per cent of the Emirates fleet, offers a staggering choice of up to 1200 channels of entertainment including 230 movies from around the world.

In 2009-2010 Emirates selected movies from over 15 countries that were available in over 20 languages, as well as many with the option to choose Closed Captions for the hard of hearing, still a first in the airline industry.

Since becoming the first airline in the world to install TVs on every seat, on every aircraft in 1992,

Emirates has made significant investments to offer the widest range of entertainment to passengers.

Edward Plaisted, Skytrax Chairman said: “Emirates continues to excel in this category, and yet again are a repeat winner of the Best Airline Inflight Entertainment Award.

This aspect of the travel experience gains in importance each year as customers become more demanding, and Emirates are clearly matching these expectations to have been voted the world’s best by passengers.”

The awards follow a 10 month survey between July 2009 and April 2010 of 17.9 million air travellers from over 100 different nationalities.

The survey measures over 38 different items of customer satisfaction for each airline’s product and service standards.