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Anantara Hotels Expands its Luxury Portfolio in China

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Anantara Hotels Expands its Luxury Portfolio in China

Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China, February 28, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Anantara’s world renowned luxury is coming to China’s Anji County in northwestern Zhejiang Province. A popular escape for nature lovers and hailed as an eco-tourism destination, Anji County is located three-hours’ drive from Shanghai and less than an hour’s drive from Zhejiang’s capital of Hangzhou.

• Discover China and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Known for its cooler climate, clean air and breathtaking scenery, Anji has been designated as an ecology-friendly city where the residents have established a thriving eco-friendly agricultural and tourism sector showcasing pollution-free green products, such as white tea, alpine vegetables, and flowers. Anji is also home to one of the largest natural bamboo forests in the world with over 60,000 hectares of bamboo groves containing over 40 different species.

Emerald mountains and tea plantations form the backdrop of the new Anantara Anji which is located on 165 acres of land. In addition to 162 guest rooms with sizes ranging from 53-216 sqm, the property will feature state of the art meeting facilities, an outdoor swimming pool with bar, four international restaurants including Chinese and international cuisine, a full fitness centre and a children’s activity zone.

Complementing the area’s natural surroundings, an Anantara Spa with full healing and wellness facilities and a Zen pavilion will be available to help replenish guests’ health and wellbeing.  Sustainable programs such as tree planting activities for the whole family, which will be organically integrated with the resort’s facilities will also be on offer creating an ideal place for multi-generational travel experiences.

Anantara’s culture-minded guests will be able to enjoy a wide range of indigenous experiences nearby including ancient temples and the residence of Wu Changshuo, a prominent painter, calligrapher and seal artist during the late Qing Period adjacent to the resort. Guests can also do day trips to the area’s famous bamboo forests, stream rafting sites or harvest tea in nearby plantations.

The resort’s unique architecture is designed by internationally renowned architect, Meng Fanhao of Line+ Studio which has been recognised for its creative and innovative designs. Construction will commence in March 2022 and is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

• Discover China and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Anantara Anji will join Anantara Guiyang Resort in Guizhou Province and Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort in Yunnan Province as the brand’s third property in China connecting guests to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Best Western Hotels and GOCO Create Holistic Wellness Experience in Vietnam

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Best Western Hotels and GOCO Create Holistic Wellness Experience in Vietnam

Ho Tram, Vietnam, February 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts continues to raise the bar for hospitality in Vietnam by unveiling plans for a spectacular new spa and wellness experience at the brand-new beachfront Charm Resort Ho Tram, in collaboration with GOCO Hospitality who will be creating, operating and branding the spa and wellness center within the Resort.

Currently under construction on Vietnam’s stunning southeast coast, just 110km from Ho Chi Minh City, Charm Resort Ho Tram will introduce two new Best Western branded properties to this dynamic destination, comprising over 1,000 keys. Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection® by Best Western will feature 470 spacious and stylish rooms and suites, while Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western will offer 458 upscale rooms and suites plus 90 luxurious villas.

Now, it can be revealed that guests at these two hotels will be able to enjoy exclusive wellness experiences curated by the internationally renowned wellness company, GOCO Hospitality. The new spa and wellness center will be managed by GOCO and led by a dedicated team of health professionals, blending international standards with authentic local elements. Guests will be offered a wide range of natural therapies complemented with advanced technology within this oasis of lush, landscaped gardens and waterways, just steps from the soft sandy beach and cerulean sea.

“Wellness has become a key component of the hotel and resort industry, especially in Asia, and we are delighted to work with GOCO Hospitality and Charm Group on this impressive new project. This soothing sanctuary will become one of the key selling points at Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection by Best Western and Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection by Best Western. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners as this new project comes to life, and introducing our guests to an exciting new era of wellness in Vietnam,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director, International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

Respected as a global leader in the wellness hospitality sector, GOCO Hospitality works with many of the world’s leading hotel operators and owners, creating some of the most unique wellness destinations globally, from spas to wellness centers and large-scale wellness communities. The company’s portfolio comprises of over 400 projects valued at more than US $4.5bn across 42 countries.

We are looking forward to working closely with Charm Group and Best Western Hotels to create a spa and wellness destination at this beachfront community which will add a unique offering within the fast-growing hospitality landscape in Vietnam. GOCO aims to bring to life a modern lifestyle focused concept, offering results-driven wellness solutions, perfectly aligned to the needs of multi-generational guests and complemented by the stunning location and innovative design language.”, said Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality.

This marks another important step in Best Western’s growth strategy in Vietnam. With two properties now operating and 17 more in the pipeline, covering some of the country’s most desirable destinations, the group is targeting a total of 19 branded hotels and resorts by the end of 2024.

About Best Western Hotels ad Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Culinary Treats Across Asia

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Culinary Treats Across Asia - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com - TRAVELINDEXTokyo, Japan, Febrary 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / From Tokyo to Thailand, we’ve rounded up an array of novel dining experiences at hotels and resorts across Asia.

Essence of Japan Cocktails in Tokyo
Our senses transport us – whether it be a certain scent that ignites a memory or a flavor that delivers our minds to a different location. In the heart of Japan’s largest city, Palace Hotel Tokyo is tapping into that ability to transcend through taste with “Essence of Japan.” The cocktail collaboration includes a collection of eight drinks inspired by ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) spread across Japan. The eight inns chosen come from The Ryokan Collection and are some of the finest in the country. The cocktails have been created by Lounge Bar Privé’s bartender Akira Miyashita with ideas and carefully selected ingredients from each of the ryokans. One example is the drink “Snow Garden,” which is a nod to Zaborin in Hokkaido. A snowfall of powdered sugar adorns a fruity crimson cocktail of apple brandy and Zaborin original apple juice from a local producer. The “Tea Ceremony with Omotenashi” looks to Sumiya in Kyoto. The concoction is a sparkling cocktail with the aroma of Kyoto gin and matcha and is an expression of the tea ceremony culture and wabi aesthetics of the popular tourist destination. The drink selection is available till March 18th, 2022 and each drink is JPY 2,180.

• Discover Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Alma Cam Ranh’s Singing Cooks and Waiters
It’s no secret that good music enhances the flavor or any dish, as readily as the right dash of this, the right teaspoon of that. In Vietnam, they’re doubling down on the enhancement factor by having kitchen staff repurpose ladles as microphones. Waiters and cooks at Alma on Cam Ranh peninsula are belting out medleys of classic hits at La Casa restaurant. With ladles, pans and tambourines in hand, and with a live piano as a foundation, the apron-and-toque donning Alma Choir break into song and dance as suddenly as a flash mob to perform international and Vietnamese tunes including Abba’s Mamma Mia, Boney M’s Rivers of Babylon and Nguyễn Hồng Thuận’s Xinh Tươi Viet Nam (Beautiful Vietnam). What began as a group of staff banding together to sing Christmas carols in the weeks leading up to Alma’s debut in late December 2019 has matured into a professional outfit under the stewardship of Alma’s resident pianist Ben Guillen, who has a background in musical arrangement. He says the response from the diners at La Casa, a sophisticated and capacious dining setting seating up to 164 guests has been so positive “some customers have danced on their seats”.

Meliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360° Cuisine’ Program
The first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai in Thailand’s mountainous north since the onset of the global pandemic is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept. Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy), the executive chef at Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel due to open April 8 on Charoen Prathet Road, has crafted dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Billy’s emphasis on “thoughtful cooking” is encapsulated in signature dishes such as ‘Khao Khaab Hor Goong’, a chilled prawn salad wrapped in sesame rice paper, with piquillo peppers, fried tofu, fermented rice noodles and fresh Vietnamese mint, and ‘Pla Muek Yang Som’, a grilled marinated octopus salad with caramelized Valencia orange, red radish and orange dressing. “For Khao Khaab Hor Goong we use the prawn shells, prawn heads and garden herb stems for our stock base to poach the prawns, and lemon zest as part of the sauce to give a disarming citrus smell and flavor, before the leftover cooking oil is sent to be recycled into biodiesel,” Billy says.

Vietnamese Feasts at Maia Resort Quy Nhon
Maia Resort Quy Nhon knows that the journey to any traveler’s heart often requires a detour through the stomach. The gastronomically-driven all-villa resort, along Vietnam’s southern coast, is offering several different culinary-themed packages that will leave no bellies growling. The “Xuan Maia” packages range from one to five nights. Each option immerses guests in the culinary offerings of this oceanfront property. The three night option includes the choice of one of the resort’s signature culinary experiences: Once Upon a Table at ad hoc restaurant, Barefoot Destination Dining, a Privately Curated Dining Experience, Afternoon High-Tea, or Gastronomy by Maia. Executive Chef Komang Widarta has created menus that are inspired by the local culture and the kind of cuisine you’d find at a Vietnamese family reunion. Other highlights of a three-night stay include a daily treatment at Vela Spa, the choice of a family style lunch or dinner at Vi Restaurant overlooking Quy Nhon Bay, and a one-time complimentary upgrade to daily half board.

Three Exclusive Culinary Offerings at Azerai Can Tho​​
In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Azerai Can Tho has introduced three exclusive new culinary offerings that take advantage of the resort’s unique setting on a lush private islet. These special meals include “Romance Under the Banyan Tree,” (VND 2,200,000 per person) a candlelit table-for-two surrounded by lanterns and set under one of the property’s mature banyan trees. The dinner includes a set Western menu plus a cocktail. The daytime “Picnic by the River” (VND 998,750++) features a cozy set-up on the lawn overlooking the Hau River and includes a choice of three set lunch menus. The “Secret Romantic Dinner by the River” (VND 2,588,000 per person) offers a choice of a multi-course Western or Vietnamese set menu, plus a glass of sparkling wine. Azerai Can Tho is home to 60 rooms and five private-pool villas and is a three-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Azerai’s lush grounds cover more than eight hectares and are accessible only by the resort’s private boat.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Celebrates Women’s Day
The Grand Dame of Vietnamese hospitality rolls out the red carpet each year for International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated this year on March 8. Metropole Hanoi’s Wonderland by Le Beaulieu, which serves fine French cuisine, is offering a special four-course set menu (VND 2.1 million), with an optional wine pairing (VND 3.5 million). At angelina cocktail bar, whisky lounge and New World restaurant, the exclusive Women’s Day set menu features a three-course meal and a special welcome cocktail (VND 2 million). And Le Club Bar, which overlooks the hotel’s beautiful garden courtyard, is offering two exclusive buffets: a lunch buffet (VND 2 million) and a dinner buffet (VND 2.2 million). For more information on these culinary opportunities, or to make a reservation, contact Metropole Hanoi’s food and beverage department at Tel: 024 3826 6919 ext. 8200

Melia Phuket Mai Khao’s Asian Night
The new Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, situated on eight acres of Phuket’s north-western coastline on the Andaman Sea, has introduced a delectable set dinner menu that pays homage to “the deep south of Siam”. Held every Tuesday night between 5pm-9pm at elegant all-day dining restaurant SASA, the resort’s Asian Night menu is priced at THB 699++ (USD 22) and features nine dishes served in tasting size portions. The menu starts with ‘Yaam Pak Kut Thalee’ poached fern with catch of the day medley seafood and ‘Thord Mun Hua Plee Moo Bod’ banana blossom and Kurobuta minced pork with sweet chili dip, followed by ‘Kai Tom Kamin’ free range chicken and turmeric aromatic soup. Highlights include ‘Moo Hong’ traditional Phuketian slow cooked pork belly in light soya sauce, cinnamon and star anise, ‘Kung Pad Sator’ wok sauteed king prawns with shrimp paste and jungle broad beans, ‘Pad Pak Miang’ wok sauteed miang leaves, organic scrambled egg and crispy shrimps, and ‘Pad Pak Ruam’ pan-seared organic veggies with oyster sauce. Asian Night is rounded out with desserts ‘Kao Niew Turian’ sweet sticky rice with stewed durian fruit in coconut syrup and pandan, and ‘Pollamai Ruam’ tropical fruit.

Dine & Unwind at Banyan Tree Samui
Between 6pm and 10pm every evening on the private beach fronting Banyan Tree Samui, visitors and guests can dine al fresco with the white sand between their feet and spectacular sunset views over the sapphire sea. The sumptuous 4-course Western or Thai set dinner includes a welcome drink, a bottle of Champagne or wine, and either the choice of a mixed herb for two (hotel guests only) or a 45-minute spa treatment for two. This luxurious romantic interlude costs just 7,900 THB (with wine) per couple or 8,900 THB with a 200ml bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne.

• Discover Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Tropical Forest Picnic in Krabi
Those who seek a little solace from nature would be hard beat to better the picnic offerings from Banyan Tree Krabi in southern Thailand. As part of a Forest Bathing activity, guests are invited to hike to Naga Crest Mountain in the national park directly behind the resort, where they can be at one with the tropical environment, including waterfalls, scenic vistas and wildlife spotting. The forest bathing picnic is free to all guests who book a minimum two-night stay (and includes a bottle of wine for those staying three nights or more). For reservations, call: 075-811-888

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Hotels Expands in Vietnam with 12 Hotels and Resorts

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Meliá Hotels Expands in Vietnam with 12 Hotels and Resorts - TRAVELINDEXHa Noi, Vietnam, February 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Spanish group’s footprint in Vietnam deepens with 12 hotels and resorts from Tay Ninh to Hai Phong. Burgeoning hotel group, Meliá Hotels International, is set to become one of the largest international hotel brands in Vietnam through a new collaboration with the country’s largest domestic hotel owner, Vinpearl.

Under the agreement, the leading Spanish hotel group will take over the management of 12 hotels and resorts already opened and in operation, in top destinations spread across the length of the nation.

“We believe in creating strong and strategic regional partnerships with companies that have a deep connection to the locations they serve,” said Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International. “The Vinpearl properties and destinations at the heart of this agreement are a wonderful complement to the roots we’ve already established in Vietnam.”

Meliá’s latest move will make it the second largest hotel group in Vietnam in terms of number of rooms. The rapidly expanding company first entered Vietnam back in 1999 with the opening of Meliá Hanoi. They currently have six properties in operation with six hotels in the pipeline in popular tourist hotspots throughout the country. The partnership will increase the group’s room count for Vietnam to 8,000 keys, boosting their numbers to 24 hotels and resorts, with 8 hotels under operation and 16 more on the way.

In addition to Meliá Hotels and Resorts, the existing portfolio includes two other brands, Sol by Meliá and INNSiDE by Meliá. In this new arrangement with Vinpearl, the properties will be known as Meliá Vinpearl hotels in order to emphasize the unique personality and strength of this collaboration.

“Collaborating with international partners in running our properties will effectively facilitate Vinpearl in joining world-famous hotel networks and contribute to raising the bar for Vietnamese tourism,” said Mr Thai Thanh Nhat Quang, CEO of Vinpearl Hotel. “Through this cooperation, Vinpearl and Meliá Hotels International also expect to deliver a variety of high-class hotel service experiences to millions of domestic and international tourists.”

The global hotel brand has built a portfolio of 380 hotels in more than 40 countries since its founding in Palma De Mallorca in 1956. In Southeast Asia, Meliá currently operates 20 properties and has a pipeline of 20 hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

“We see a huge potential for growth in Vietnam, particularly in the luxury hospitality industry,” said Ignacio Martin, Managing Director Southeast Asia at Melia Hotels International. “While COVID-19 may have brought international travel to a standstill, we are confident that the country will see growth in tourism in the future, as well as a rise in domestic travel.”

The 12 five-star Meliá Vinpearl properties will complement Meliá’s existing portfolio, by expanding into new locations. The first hotel to come into the fold was Vinpearl Quang Binh. The property is now under Meliá management and will be rebranded as Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh in March 2022. The coastal location catapulted to fame several years back when the world’s largest cave was discovered in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Despite this magnet, the area has been relatively untouched by international hotel brands.

Vinpearl Hotel Hue is also now under management and will be unveiled as Meliá Vinpearl Hotel Hue in May 2022. The hotel holds a prime position in Vietnam’s former imperial capital city, Hue, with views over the popular destination’s fabled Perfume River.

The other hotels under this strategic alliance include, among others, sites such as Thanh Hoa and Hai Phong near the country’s capital Hanoi; Nghe An and Ha Tinh along the North Central Coast, and Tay Ninh in the south. The group will expand under Meliá Vinpearl into locations where Melia already has properties, such as Danang, as well as cultivating new ground in destinations where the group currently has no presence.

The remaining 10 properties are scheduled to complete their migration into the new Melia Vinpearl portfolio under management of Melia Hotels International group during the first half of 2022.

Long renowned for its Spanish hospitality, Meliá intends to inculcate the same spirit of warmth and passion in every one of its Vinpearl properties. “At Meliá we prioritize each guest’s wellbeing and, through our personalized service approach, develop authentic connections with all who stay,” said Martin. “This is our way and what we will bring to each Melia Vinpearl property.”

At the same time, the group plans to elevate sustainability as a priority. Meliá Hotels International was recently named the most sustainable hotel brand in Europe and Spain for the third consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, the most comprehensive assessment in the world.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” seal. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe in 2020, according to the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking).

About Vinpearl
Vinpearl is Vietnam’s largest brand in tourism – resort – entertainment, owning an international 5-star chain of hotels, resorts, spas, conference centers, F&B services, golf courses, and amusement parks. Honored throughout the world, the brand has locations in some of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam.

After 18 years of development, Vinpearl is now the owner of 47 facilities, including 35 hotels and resorts with over 18,500 rooms and villas, 4 amusement parks, 2 animal safaris, 4 golf courses and 2 premium F&B service centers across 17 cities and provinces. The company’s footprint is expected to further expand on both national and global scales soon. As a leader in Vietnam’s hospitality sector, Vinpearl is raising the bar of tourist complexes, offering all-in-one services as well as a chain of world-class 5-star hotels and resorts, amusement parks, animal safaris, golf courses, spas, F&B services, and conference centers integrated with shopping malls and modern shop-houses.

The best-in-class super tourism-resort-entertainment complex Phu Quoc United Center boasting a region-leading scale has been a pioneer in the “one-stop-destination” trend and officially marked a milestone in Vietnam’s development of the night economy model and the country’s great step forward in becoming a “new destination of the world”. In addition, Nha Trang and Da Nang – South Hoi An, Vinpearl’s famous complexes, have significantly improved in scale and excellence. Particularly, Vinpearl Nha Trang has become a luxury “tourist island” of Vietnam and the region in terms of services and experiences.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Urban Hotel Introduces 360° Cuisine Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint

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New Urban Hotel Introduces 360° Cuisine Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint - TRAVELINDEXChiang Mai, Thailand, February 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai in Thailand’s mountainous north since the onset of the global pandemic is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with the launch of its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept.

Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy), the executive chef at Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel due to open April 8 on Charoen Prathet Road in the heart of Chiang Mai, has crafted dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost.

“Our ‘farm to plate’ efforts, sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel and using every part of each ingredient we can – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – come full circle with ‘plate to farm’, whereby we return food waste back to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept,” Billy said.

Under the program, the hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production, in a bid to make communities and the overall food system more resilient. Meliá Chiang Mai recently partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa.

Through the partnership with ORI9IN, local farmers assist the hotel with import substitution, growing various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper, that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Billy’s emphasis on “thoughtful cooking”, that minimizes food waste through using as much of each and every ingredient as possible, is encapsulated in signature 360° Cuisine dishes. ‘Khao Khaab Hor Goong’ is chilled prawn salad wrapped in sesame rice paper, with piquillo peppers, fried tofu, fermented rice noodles and fresh Vietnamese mint and ‘Pla Muek Yang Som’ is grilled marinated octopus salad with caramelized Valencia orange, red radish and orange dressing.

“For Khao Khaab Hor Goong, for example, we use the prawn shells, prawn heads and garden herb stems for our stock base to poach the prawns, and lemon zest as part of the sauce to give a disarming citrus fragrance and flavor, before the leftover cooking oil is sent to be recycled into biodiesel,” Billy said.

The 360° Cuisine program is also designed to give guests peace of mind about where their food comes from by encouraging them to visit the ORI9IN farm to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming.

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy, Meliá Chiang Mai’s dining landscape will feature restaurants Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, bars Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and lounges Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge.

About AWC
Asset World Corporation (AWC) is Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, a member of TCC Group, one of Thailand’s most prominent conglomerates. AWC’s core focus of real estate development and management projects encompass two business groups: Hospitality helping Thailand become the top destination for sustainable tourism with hotels in key locations in Bangkok and popular destinations throughout Thailand serviced by management teams from internationally acclaimed hotel groups such as Marriott, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton; Retail and Commercial Buildings (covering retail, and wholesale facilities with mixed-use properties and office buildings) providing well-balanced and unique offerings a best-in-class customer experience that meet business and modern lifestyles with high-quality and innovative real estate development projects overseen by a qualified and experienced management team to build long-term value for stakeholders.

AWC succeeded in listing the company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the real estate and construction industry under the property development category on October 10, 2019. AWC’s market capitalization was the highest in the history of the SET (According to Bloomberg Database). AWC recognizes the importance of operating with a focus on sustainability – incorporating the needs of stakeholders, the environment, society, and contributing to ongoing improvements in Thailand’s economy with a purpose of building a better future.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe in 2020, according to the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking).

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Savor the Beauty of Spring Blossom in Japan with Best Western Hotels

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Savor the Beauty of Spring Blossom in Japan with Best Western Hotels - TRAVELINDEXOkinawa, Japan, February 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is inviting its experience-seeking guests to watch Japan’s spectacular sakura season with its new “Japan’s Spring Blossom Sale”. Under this enticing offer, travelers from all over the world can enjoy a generous 20% discount at hotels and resorts in many of the most popular destinations all across the “Land of the Rising Sun”.

Simply book from 23 February until 31 March 2022, for stays taken any time until 31 May 2022, and enjoy an instant 15% discount on the hotel’s Best Rate. Best Western Rewards® members are entitled to an additional 5% off. Whether guests want to discover Japan’s thrilling cities, captivating culture, magnificent mountains or its beautiful beaches, Best Western has the perfect hotel for every spring vacation in Japan.

Tokyo’s exhilarating urban attractions, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing to the exquisite Imperial Palace Gardens, can be enjoyed at Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka and Best Western Hotel Fino Shin-Yokohama. Alternatively, foodies can treat their taste buds in Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital, where Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto, Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama and SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Shin-Osaka create great options for visitors to this exciting city.

Or for a blissful beach break, Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach and Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach boast stunning seafront locations in Japan’s tropical island paradise, allowing guests to splash, swim and snorkel in the clear turquoise water or simply stroll along the soft sand.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Koh Samui Launches Samui Test and Go Offer as Thailand Reopens

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Meliá Koh Samui Launches Samui Test and Go Offer as Thailand Reopens - HOTELWORLDS - TRAVELINDEXKoh Samui, Thailand, February 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / As Thailand reopens to international tourists, Meliá Koh Samui has introduced a getaway that pays tribute to the resort’s sandy shores, award-winning dining and host of recreational and wellness pursuits.

Overlooking Choeng Mon Beach on Koh Samui island’s north-eastern tip, the resort’s ‘Samui Test and Go’ offer is anchored by a stay in a Deluxe Room, Premium Pool Access Room or Boat Suite. Special room rates of THB 3,999++ (USD 121++), 4,999++ (USD 152++) and 5,999++ (USD 182++) per night respectively include daily breakfast for two.

The package marks the reintroduction of Thailand’s ‘Test and Go’ program that permits quarantine-free travel to the Kingdom for fully vaccinated travellers from any country worldwide.

Lauded among Thailand’s top 20 resorts in the Condé Nast Traveler 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards, the resort’s ‘Samui Test and Go’ also includes a 15% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages and round-trip transfer from Samui International Airport for minimum two-night bookings. Guests who book their first night at the resort receive a 10% discount for the fifth night. A 20% discount on accommodation applies for stays of at least five consecutive nights.

For an extra THB 1,500 (USD 45) nett per person per night, guests staying in a Premium Pool Access Room or Boat Suite will elevate their getaway with The Level’s bespoke privileges including access to the private executive lounge with all-day snacks and beverages. Afternoon tea and cocktails and canapes at The Level Lounge from 2.30 – 4.30pm and 5.30 – 7.30pm respectively, late check-out and a dedicated concierge service are among The Level’s many benefits.

Under Thailand’s ‘Test and Go’ program, fully vaccinated travellers are required to do a COVID-19 test upon arrival to Thailand. With a negative result, travellers are allowed to freely travel anywhere in Thailand. Travellers must present to the Thai authorities’ proof of payment for accommodation at approved hotels and the expenses for two RT-PCR tests on their first day and fifth day in the Kingdom.

Guests who stay at Meliá Koh Samui on the first day of arrival in Thailand will be charged an additional THB 2,200 nett (USD 67) per person per time for a RT-PCR test. The resort offers a roundtrip transfer to the hospital for the second RT-PCR Test for an additional THB 1,500 nett (USD 45) per car and THB 3,000 nett (USD 91) per van.

A standalone bathtub on a private balcony is a highlight of the resort’s Deluxe Rooms. The Premium Pool Access Rooms feature a separate bathtub and shower, with large private balcony access to a 700-metre-long lagoon pool that meanders through the resort’s grounds like a river. The elegant two-story Boat Suites are crafted from meticulously refurbished wood merchant vessels that once plied the waters of the Chao Phraya River and the Gulf of Thailand.

With an outdoor terrace that sits above Meliá Koh Samui’s strand, The Breeza Beach Restaurant & Bar is focused on contemporary Thai dishes as well as Western and Mediterranean cuisine and anchors the resort’s dining landscape.

Meliá Koh Samui’s complimentary recreational and wellness pursuits range from kayaking and aqua exercise classes to gentle flow yoga and “walking meditation” at a “massage river”; a reflexology path situated between the infinity pool and lagoon pool.

‘Samui Test and Go’ must be booked directly with the resort by 31 March 2022 by calling +66 (0) 77 938 899 for a stay period until 30 June 2022.

Rates are subject to 10% service charge and applicable tax. Full prepayment is required at the time of booking and is non-refundable. The Level benefits are an extra THB 1,500 (USD 45) nett per person per night and are only applicable with the Premium Pool Access and Boat Suite. An extra bed is priced at THB 1,500 (USD 45) nett per night inclusive of breakfast but not applicable to the Boat Suite. A supplementary charge of THB 3,000 nett (USD 91) per night applies for stays between 9 – 18 April 2022. Other terms and conditions apply as per resort policy.

Under the ‘Test and Go’ program, fully vaccinated travellers from any country are not required to quarantine but do need to do a RT-PCR test on arrival to Thailand*. Guests who stay at Meliá Koh Samui on the first day of arrival in Thailand will be charged an additional THB 2,200 (USD 67) per person per time for the RT-PCR test as required by the Thai authorities. The resort offers a roundtrip transfer to the hospital for the second RT-PCR Test for an additional THB 1,500 nett (USD 45) per car and THB 3,000 nett per van (USD 91).

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe in 2020, according to the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking).

About AWC
Asset World Corporation (AWC) is Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, a member of TCC Group, one of Thailand’s most prominent conglomerates. AWC’s core focus of real estate development and management projects encompass two business groups: Hospitality helping Thailand become the top destination for sustainable tourism with hotels in key locations in Bangkok and popular destinations throughout Thailand serviced by management teams from internationally acclaimed hotel groups such as Marriott, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton; Retail and Commercial Buildings (covering retail, and wholesale facilities with mixed-use properties and office buildings) providing well-balanced and unique offerings a best-in-class customer experience that meet business and modern lifestyles with high-quality and innovative real estate development projects overseen by a qualified and experienced management team to build long-term value for stakeholders.

AWC succeeded in listing the company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the real estate and construction industry under the property development category on October 10, 2019. AWC’s market capitalization was the highest in the history of the SET (According to Bloomberg Database). AWC recognizes the importance of operating with a focus on sustainability – incorporating the needs of stakeholders, the environment, society, and contributing to ongoing improvements in Thailand’s economy with a purpose of building a better future.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Resort Welcomes Son Hoang Le as Director of Sales

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Cam Ranh, Vietnam, February 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / A talented hospitality professional with more than 16 years of experience in sales, marketing, events and operations at some of Vietnam’s most acclaimed hotels has been named Alma’s director of sales.

Vietnamese national Son Hoang Le’s appointment to the 30-hectare family resort, with 196 pavilions and 384 suites overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula, comes after he worked at the Caravelle Saigon as the director of room sales.

Before that, he was the director of sales and marketing at Diamond Bay Vung Tau Resort & Spa and the director of sales at Hotel Majestic Saigon.

Son embarked on his hospitality career in early 2005 as a bellman at the Caravelle Saigon, where he spent the next 10 years also working as a receptionist, night supervisor and banquet sales executive, learning about various facets of the hotel business.

He moved to the Hotel Nikko Saigon to become a corporate sales executive, before progressing to the Pullman Hanoi where he became a sales manager and then an acting senior sales manager.

Son holds a Bachelor of Arts, English Linguistics and Literature at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and also studied electronics at Cao Thang College. Both institutions are based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Describing him as “an excellent negotiator and strategic thinker”, Alma’s managing director Herbert-Laubichler Pichler said Son’s background in operations enriched his leadership abilities among the hotel’s management ranks and, coupled with his rich sales and marketing experience, placed him in great stead to spearhead the resort’s ambitious sales efforts for 2022.

Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features 14 food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other drawing cards include a science museum, 6000 square metre waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, art gallery, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre with virtual reality games, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green.

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, art gallery, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Kempinski Hotels to Manage Prestigious Luxury Hotel in Riyadh

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Kempinski Hotels to Manage Prestigious Luxury Hotel in Riyadh - TOURISMSAUDIARABIA.com - TRAVELINDEXRiyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Kempinski Hotels portfolio is steadily growing in the Middle East: With the signing of a management agreement for a prestigious luxury hotel in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, another milestone in the expansion of the international hotel group has been set. The upcoming five-star Kempinski Al Qeshan Hotel is being built in a prime location in the heart of the Al Olaya business district on the famous King Fahad Road, which is home to banks, elegant restaurants and fine boutiques.

• Discover Saudi Arabia tourism at TourismSaudiArabia.com

The hotel with 150 elegant rooms and suites as well as ten serviced apartments are planned to be built and opened in approximately four years. With this luxury hotel, the owner is not only focusing on technical and structural sustainability but also has included a full green façade in his plans. While one complete floor of the 35-storey building is reserved for an exclusive ladies’ spa and one for a men’s spa, guests can indulge in culinary delights in two high-class restaurants or admire the skyline of the metropolis from the rooftop lounge and terrace with a pool of the luxury hotel.

“With Sheikh Abdul Kareem Abdullah Al Qeshan, an extremely successful businessman in the cementitious and construction industry, we have found an ideal partner who, like us, places the highest demands on quality and relies on a prime location,” says Bernold Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer Kempinski Group and Chairman of the Board Kempinski AG. “The country’s financial capital signifies an important step in our growth plans in the Kingdom. Following other projects in our development pipeline in Al Madinah, Makkah and Yanbu, as well as our already successfully operating Kempinski Hotel Al Othman in Al Khobar, we look forward to welcoming guests to the capital of Saudi Arabia in the future. We foresee an increasing demand for business travel as well as a growing appetite for leisure retreats in 5-star hotels, all aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which is to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030.”

And Sheikh Abdul Kareem Abdullah Al Qeshan commented: “Thanks to unlimited support from our Kingdom to businessmen, Al Queshan successfully continues to invest in the Eastern region of our country. In expanding and diversifying my investments by building a five-star luxury hotel, I am keeping the pace of the Kingdom’s renaissance and its Vision 2030 led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The signing of this agreement with Kempinski Hotels, one of the leading luxury hospitality brands around the globe, marked a special day in the history of our company. We are looking forward to building this thirty-five floors luxury hotel under the name of Kempinski Al Qeshan Riyadh as one of the most important tourist landmarks and assuring the finest architectural and technical specifications in the most important location on King Fahd Road. Besides providing high-end hotel services to visitors to Riyadh, we will be also contributing to creating many jobs for our ambitious youth.”

• Discover Saudi Arabia tourism at TourismSaudiArabia.com

Located on a desert plateau, the city of Riyadh is a place where old-world charm meets modernity and visions of the future: Alongside fortresses steeped in history, palaces, museums and colourful souks visitors will find skyscrapers in the thriving financial district, the country’s best universities, state-of-the-art shopping centres as well as a growing arts and culture scene. As the economic, administrative and cultural centre, Riyadh is the most populous city in Saudi Arabia with 7.5 million inhabitants.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Adventure Awaits in Dominica, the Caribbean’s Nature Island

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Adventure Awaits in Dominica, the Caribbean’s Nature Island - TRAVELINDEXRoseau, Dominica, February 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Cabrits Resort and Spa Kempinski Dominica, a five-star resort nestled within one of Dominica’s pristine national parks and lush ecosystems, is the ideal base from which to explore the natural beauty of this stunning, untouched Caribbean Island. The world’s second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake, is a must-see natural attraction, and the island’s thriving coral reefs are bucket-list-worthy for avid divers and snorkellers. Home to three national parks, two forest reserves and 365 rivers, the island offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Now it is even easier to reach the island with the recent launch of American Airlines’ nonstop flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Douglas-Charles International Airport (DOM). Flights operates three times weekly and serve as the only nonstop link from the United States to Dominica.

“With the new direct airlift from Miami, paired with our special Discover Dominica offer, we invite guests to get out and explore all that this incredible destination has to offer,” said Resort Manager Pascale Selwan. “Our resort provides the best of both worlds: an idyllic location within Cabrits National Park, combined with unparalleled five-star service and luxurious resort amenities.”

The resort’s concierge can arrange guided group and private tours to some of the island’s most famous natural attractions such as Trafalgar Falls, Titou Gorge and the hot spring Ti Kwen Glo Cho. This impressive cave is home to a hidden waterfall and even served as a film location for the second ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film. After a day of exploring, guests can return to the resort for some well-deserved relaxation, unwinding in the full-service Kempinski The Spa, dining on international cuisine and cooling off in one of four refreshing swimming pools.

The Discover Dominica package includes:
– Luxurious accommodations
– Daily buffet breakfast at Cabrits Market
– Day trip to Titou Gorge, including 45 minutes at Ti Kwen Glo Cho Natural Spa
Rates start from 466 USD per night. This offer is available for stays of three nights or longer, is subject to availability and is valid until 31 December, 2022, with free cancellation up to seven days prior to arrival.

About Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica
Situated in Douglas Bay on the northwest side of the island, Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica provides a breath-taking panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea as well as easy access to explore the island’s countless waterfalls, natural hot springs and 365 rivers, one for each day of the year. All 151 rooms, suites, duplexes and one Presidential Villa are luxuriously appointed. Resort features include two distinctive restaurants for local and international cuisine, including farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining, and a bar; an 18,000 sq. ft spa; four pools; six beach cabanas; modern fitness facilities; two tennis courts; a children’s club and on-site water sports. More than 8,000 sq. ft of events space, including three meeting rooms, a boardroom and an outdoor amphitheatre provide options for executive retreats, weddings and celebrations.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News