Costa Cruises Takes Delivery Of Costa Pacifica

Italy’s Costa Cruises have taken delivery of the latest addition to its fleet, the 114,500-GRT Costa Pacifica. Sister ship to the Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica’s interior design and artwork is inspired by music and marks the first time that travellers can enjoy a comprehensive musical experience on a cruise ship.

 

The vessel features 1,504 cabins and suites, including 521 with private balconies. Each cabin boasts luxury bedding, a private bathroom with shower, individual climate control, satellite television with interactive onboard service booking facility, satellite telephone, minibar and in-room safe. In addition to the standard cabin amenities available, passengers staying in the Costa Pacifica’s suites enjoy additional privileges and facilities, such as the in-suite jacuzzi, pillow menu and 24-hour butler service.

 

A brand new 29-song soundtrack, exclusively created by maestro Mauro Pagani for Costa Cruises, distinguishes each area of the ship. Guests are greeted by the magnificent Welcome Atrium, a prelude to the elegance and luxury of the ship. There are 5 restaurants and 13 bars/lounges onboard serving a variety of food and beverages, with 4 swimming pools, 5 jacuzzis , a multipurpose sports court and outdoor jogging track amongst the sports facilities available. 

 

The “Ship of Music”, Costa Pacifica features the 3-storey Stardust Theatre, decorated with a focus on the musical theme and helmed by an exquisite Murano glass chandelier. In an industry first, the ship will feature a real recording studio fitted with the latest equipment where guests can sing and record songs into a memento CD. Other recreation facilities onboard include a Grand Prix simulator, Playstation World, casino, discotheque and shopping arcade.

 

Guests can also enjoy Costa Cruises’ Samsara Spa onboard the Costa Pacifica. Occupying an area of more than 6,000 square meters, the spa offers a range of high quality treatments and services, as well as gymnasium facilities, fitness classes and a restaurant.

 

Costa Pacifica will embark on its 8-day maiden voyage in the Western Mediterranean from Savona on 6 June 2009, following its christening ceremony together with the Costa Luminosa. The ship will call at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis, Valletta, Palermo and Civitavecchia. For the 2009 summer season, Costa Pacifica will offer 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises.

 

For more information, visit www.costacruises.com.

Eurostar Expands Connections To Switzerland

High speed rail operator Eurostar has introduced connections to 18 cities in Switzerland from the UK via Paris. In conjunction with Swiss high-speed rail operator Lyria, Eurostar will offer tickets to Aigle, Basel, Berne, Brigue, Chur, Geneva, Landquart, Lausanne City, Leuk, Martigny, Montreux, Neuchatel, Sargans, Sierre, Sion, Vallorbe City, Visp and Zurich.

 

From the UK’s St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International stations travellers will ride onboard 1 of the 31 Eurostar trains to Paris. In the French capital, a short transfer to Gare de Lyon or Gare de l’Est stations will take them to their final destination in Switzerland. Total travel times from London to the major Swiss cities take slightly under 8 hours.

 

In addition to connecting fares, travellers may also purchase stand-alone Lyria train tickets from Eurostar, giving them the opportunity to have a stopover in Paris before continuing their journey.

 

A founding member of Railteam, an alliance of European high-speed rail operators, Eurostar connects the UK and mainland Europe, linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Brussels, Avignon, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Lille, Paris and the French Alps.

 

For more information, visit www.eurostar.com.

InterContinental Bangkok Completes Refurbishment

InterContinental Hotels Group have announced the completion of an extensive US$25.9 million refurbishment for the InterContinental Bangkok. The luxury hotel located on Ploenchit Road has been transformed to exude a new look and feel, featuring new rooms and facilities.

 

Greeting guests as they arrive is a newly reconfigured driveway and glass-covered walkway, leading to the lobby decorated with traditional Thai motifs, sculpted columns and featuring a contemporary crystal chandelier. An adjoining Concierge Lounge, the first in Bangkok, allows guests to relax as they interact with the hotel’s team of multi-lingual concierges.

 

The InterContinental Bangkok’s 381 guestrooms and 39 suites have also undergone renovations and now feature luxury beds, bathrooms with separate bathtub and shower, LCD televisions with DVD player, spacious workdesk, 2 dual-line telephones with voicemail function, high speed internet access, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Guests staying in the hotel’s Executive Club rooms and suites enjoy additional amenities and services such as an in-room sound system, separate living room (suites), butler service, as well as complimentary food and drinks.

 

Dining options at the hotel has been enhanced with the addition of 2 new outlets, Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar offering family-style Italian cuisine in partnership with Australian restauranteur and celebrity chef Guy Grossi, and gourmet chocolate shop and confectionery Choc!, where guests can view the entire chocolate-making process.

 

InterContinental Bangkok’s existing restaurants, Summer Palace  and Fireplace Grill, continue to offer diners authentic Cantonese cuisine and prime cuts. Espresso, the all-day dining restaurant, has been entirely redesigned, serving international buffets and a Sunday brunch concept. Popular for snacks, light meals and beverages, The Deli, now features a new location within the hotel while the Balcony Lounge has been revamped with the addition of a cigar bar, the Humidor.

 

The hotel’s recreational facilities, comprising the 24-hour Infinity Fitness, Spa InterContinental and rooftop pool, have also been renovated and offer panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline. For business travellers, there is a fully-equipped Business Center offering secretarial support and other services available.

 

For more information, visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.

Hainan Airlines Inaugurates Beijing-Dubai-Luanda Route

China’s Hainan Airlines has begun flights from Beijing to Angola’s capital city Luanda via Dubai. The airline is the first Chinese airline to operate flights to Angola and joins fellow carriers Air China and China Southern Airlines on the Beijing-Dubai route.

 

Flight HU 7923 departs Beijing Capital Airport every Monday and Thursday at 1910 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0030 hrs the next day before taking off from the emirate at 0340 hrs for Luanda, where it arrives at 0900 hrs. The return flight, HU 7924, departs Luanda at 1100 hrs on Tuesdays and Fridays, landing in Dubai at 2130 hrs and taking off again at 0010 hrs the next day to arrive back in Beijing at 1230 hrs.

 

Flights will be operated using a 2-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 34 Business Class and 198 Economy Class seats. Every seat is fitted with a personal screen from which passengers can enjoy the airline’s inflight entertainment system featuring a selection of movies, music and games.

 

Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines is China’s largest privately-owned aviation company and operates a fleet of 91 Airbus (A319, A330-200 and A340-600) and Boeing (B737-300/400/700/800 and B767-300ER) aircraft. From its base at Haikou and hubs in Beijing, Lanzhou, Dalian, Guangzhou, Taiyuan, Urumqi and Xian, the airline operates more than 500 domestic and international flights to more than 90 destinations.

 

For more information, visit www.hnair.com.

Aston International Expands In Bali

Aston International Group has soft-opened its latest property in Indonesia, the 100 Sunset Boutique Hotel. Located at the crossroads of Bali, the hotel is easily accessible to Ngurah Rai International Airport and the island’s famed beaches and districts.

 

100 Sunset Boutique Hotel offers 28 Deluxe/Superior rooms and suites, as well as 17 apartments. Each room features a private balcony, luxury bed, bathroom with shower or bathtub, LCD television with cable programming, DVD player and sound system, wireless internet access, IDD telephone, workdesk and minibar. In addition, the apartments boast separate living and dining areas, as well as a kitchen set and stove for guests.

 

Food and beverage options at the hotel is satisfied by the extensive all-day dining menu. A team of chefs is on hand to create a selection of international favorites, which guests may choose to dine in the lounge or in the comfort of their room.

 

For recreation, the 100 Sunset Boutique Hotel offers guests a luxury spa, with comprehensive treatments utilizing exclusive oils and creams prepared for the hotel. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool available for guests.

 

Originally from Hawaii, Aston International Group operates 7 other hotels under the 4-star Aston and Kamuela Villas brands in Bali. The group boasts a portfolio of 15 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments across Indonesia in the cities of Bandung, Jakarta, Ketapang, Manado and Pekanbaru, with a further 15 properties under development.

 

For more information, visit www.100sunset.com and www.aston-international.com.

Rotana Hotels Soft-Opens Newest Property In Syria

UAE-based Rotana has soft-opened the Afamia Rotana Resort, its latest 5-star property in Latakia, Syria. The hotel is located 2 kilometers from the city and easily accessible to Syria’s historical sites including Ugarit Canaanite, Crusader forts and castles, as well as ancient Roman vestiges.

 

Afamia Rotana Resort offers guests 190 rooms and suites. Each room and suite features a luxury bed, spacious bathroom, multi-channel satellite television, telephone with voice mail function, high speed internet access, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. The resort also boasts 14 beachfront cabanas and 42 villas with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms.

 

The resort offers a variety of dining options at its 5 restaurants and bars. Al Manara, the all-day dining restaurant, offers guests an extensive buffet spread, while Cafe Blue serves a selection of teas, coffees and pastries. Aquarius, located by the poolside, provides refreshing drinks accompanied by light snacks while Breeze is an ideal venue for relaxing over shisha. At Moodz, guests can enjoy signature cocktails to the tunes of specially-selected music.

 

As a conference hotel, the Afamia Rotana Resort caters to business travellers with meetings and event facilities for hosting conferences and seminars. There is a ballroom for up to 500 guests, a conference hall capable of accomodating 350 guests and private meeting rooms available, supported by a business center with full secretarial services. 

 

For recreation after a day of meetings, guests can utilize a state-of-the-art health and fitness center, 2 outdoor swimming pools and a temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and a tennis court. The resort also boasts a private beach with its own marina facilities.

 

Founded in 1992, Rotana currently manages 67 properties across the Middle East, under its Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Centro Hotels, Rayhaan Hotels and Resorts and Arjaan Hotel Apartments brands.

 

For more information, visit rotana.com.

New Luxury Hotel In Goa From Taj Hotels Resorts And Palaces

India’s Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have announced their new premium hotel, the 170-room Vivanta by Taj – Panaji, Goa. The hotel is located in the heart of the city and 28 kilometers from the airport, allowing guests a convenient 15 minute transfer by power yacht.

 

The Vivanta by Taj – Panaji, Goa offers 6 accomodation types, named to describe the stay experience. Guests may select from the Charm, Delight and Indulgence rooms, or the Allure, Temptation and Nirvana suites.

 

The 33 square meter Charm, Delight and Indulgence rooms feature hardwood flooring, recessed down lighting with an array of room facilities. These include a large bed, day-bed by the window, 4-fixture bathrooms with full-sized bathtub and separate rain shower, 32-inch LCD television with DVD player, high speed internet access, dual line telephone and a multimedia panel for guests’ personal gadgets, as well as a fully-stocked minibar. In addition, Indulgence rooms boast a view of either the city or the Mandovi River and access to the hotel’s lounge, Rhythm.

 

At 56 square meters, the Allure suites feature all the amenities of the hotel’s regular room types as well as a separate living room and lounge space, while the similarly sized Temptation suites boast its own private balcony. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the 97 square meter Nirvana presidential suite provides magnificent views of the Mandovi River from its private balcony.

 

Dining at the Vivanta by Taj – Panaji, Goa is satisfied by its 5 food and beverage outlets. Latitude, the all-day dining restaurant, serves Goan, Indian and continental cuisines in a chic and contemporary setting featuring an open kitchen concept. Pan-Asian favorites are served in Tamari, where they can be ordered in a variety of sizes and styles, while Caramel offers freshly brewed coffee, breads, a variety of imported cheeses and cold cuts, ice creams, chocolates and other snacks. Tease, the bar, offers a selection of premium spirits, international beers, as well as Fuse, a set of signature Vivanta cocktails, accompanied by music from the resident DJ. The hotel also features Rhythm, an exclusive lounge located at the upper atrium.

 

As a business hotel, the Vivanta by Taj – Panaji, Goa has a comprehensive suite of facilities to support the business traveller. 5 meeting venues of different sizes are available, supported by a fully equipped 24-hour Business Center. The hotel provides wireless, high-speed internet access in meeting spaces, while laptop computers and mobile phones may be rented should guests require their use.

 

For recreation, the hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness center, rooftop swimming pool and Taj’s Jiva spa, as well as its own shopping arcade and beauty salon.

 

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest hotel groups, operating 65 hotels in 45 locations within India and another 15 international hotels in Africa, Australia, Bhutan, Malaysia, Maldives, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, UK and the USA.

 

For more information, visit www.tajhotels.com.

Celebrity Millenium Refurbished With New Facilities

Celebrity Cruises’ 91,000-GRT Celebrity Millenium has returned to service following an extensive $10 million refurbishment. The ship recently completed its scheduled drydock maintenance period in Victoria, Canada, where the upgrades were carried out.

 

Each suite and stateroom has been upgraded with new amenities and fittings. Guests will be able to enjoy new 26-inch LCD televisions (32-inch for Suites), drapes and bedding in warm, natural colours, in addition to the ship’s excellent onboard service.

 

During its 12-day drydock, Celebrity Millenium also received new carpeting throughout the entire ship and new upholstery adorn the Lido deck, Celebrity Theatre and main dining room. The vessel’s marble and stone surfaces have also been renewed and all wood hand rails on the verandahs and pool deck applied with a new coat of varnish.

 

Celebrity Cruises have also replaced the traditional teak decking on all exterior areas with synthetic deck coverings, including the jogging track, outdoor stage, dance floor and pool deck.

 

Consistently ranked amongst the world’s top 10 large ships, Celebrity Millenium will sail 7-night Alaska voyages between Seward and Vancouver from now until September 2009, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and cruising the Inside Passage as well as the Hubbard Glacier.

 

For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.

China Airlines Inaugurate Flights To Surabaya

Taipei-based China Airlines has inaugurated services to the Indonesian city of Surabaya. An extension of its Taipei-Singapore route, the airline will operate flights on the Singapore-Surabaya sector 4 times a week using a 2-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft fitted with 30/36 Dynasty business class and 277 Economy Class seats.

 

On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, flight CI 751 departs Taipei at 1605 hrs and arrives in Singapore at 1845 hrs. The flight continues to Surabaya at 2145 hrs, arriving in Juanda Airport at 1100 hrs. The return flight, CI 752, departs Surabaya at 0605 hrs for Singapore, arriving at 0925 hrs before continuing to Taipei at 1025 hrs for a 1510 hrs arrival into Taoyuan International Airport.

 

China Airlines joins fellow Taiwanese carrier EVA Airways in offering flights to Surabaya. The airline also competes with Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar Asia and Silkair on the Singapore-Surabaya sector.

 

For more information, visit www.china-airlines.com.

More Flights From Lufthansa And Wataniya Airways In The Middle East

Travellers in the Middle East can look forward to greater regional and inter-continental connectivity with greater frequencies and new flights from Lufthansa and Wataniya Airways. The German airline will fly daily to Bahrain and Dammam from Frankfurt, while Wataniya Airways adds the Egyptian Red Sea destination of Sharm el Sheikh to its network.

 

Lufthansa

Beginning 22 September 2009, flight LH 624 will depart Frankfurt at 1330 hrs and arrives in Bahrain at 2115 hrs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. From Bahrain International Airport, the return flight, LH 625, takes off at 0040 hrs and lands in Frankfurt at 0510 hrs.

 

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, flight LH 626 departs Frankfurt at 1330 hrs, arriving in Dammam at 2110 hrs. The return flight, LH 627, departs Dammam at 0115 hrs and arrives back in Frankfurt at 0545 hrs in the morning.

 

Lufthansa will operate a 2-class Boeing 737-800 leased from Privatair with 32 Business and 60 Economy Class seats on both flights. The airline will also operate bus connections for passengers travelling to Bahrain/Dammam on the days where direct flights are not operating, effectively providing daily service to both cities.

 

For more information, visit www.lufthansa.com.

 

Wataniya Airways

Kuwait’s Wataniya Airways will operate daily services to Sharm el Sheikh from 5 June 2009, using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

 

Flight KW 2010 departs the Sheikh Saad Terminal at 0645 hrs and arrives in Sharm el Sheikh at 0915 hrs. Thereturn flight, KW 2011, departs Egypt at 1000 hrs, arriving back in Kuwait at 1220 hrs.

 

Sharm el Sheikh is Wataniya Airways’ seventh destination after Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus and Dubai. The airline joins Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways in offering nonstop flights between both cities.

 

For more information, visit wataniyaairways.com.