W Hotels Opens 35th Property

W Hotels has opened its 35th property with the unveiling of the new W Boston, marking a milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Located in the heart of Boston near Chinatown and the Theater District, the hotel is designed as a ‘virtual garden’ concept and is the result of a collaboration between local architect William Rawn, TRO Jung|Brannen and New York-based Bentel & Bentel. The building’s glass facade enables light to be subtly transitioned as it filters through into the interior spaces, while the designers have made use of falling water and a modern fireplace to create visual interest of the interior.

 

The hotel features 235 guestrooms and suites, ranging from W Hotels’ signature Wonderful Room to the Extreme WOW Suite, vividly-designed with high-energy interiors familiar to guests at sister properties around the world. Each room is furnished with the W bed and pillow menu, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower complemented by amenities from Bliss, flat-screen televisions with CD/DVD player and iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, dual-line cordless telephones with voicemail feature, workdesk and a munchie box/minibar.

 

Dining at W Boston promises to be a gastronomic experience with outlets offering gourmet food and drinks from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and master mixologist Sasha Petraske. Market by Jean-Georges serves a multicultural menu inspired by Asian, French and Italian influences and prepared with ingredients from the New England region. The cozy W Bar boasts stylish spaces to mix and mingle over drinks and light snacks, while Descent, scheduled to open early next year, will be an exclusive underground spot with cocktails created by Sasha Petraske of New York’s Milk & Honey fame.

 

Business travellers at W Boston requiring conference facilities will have 9 spaces available to them, including the 177-square meter Great Room. Each meeting space is equipped with complete audio-visual support and a teleconferencing system, with business and secretarial services provided by the WIRED business center. Guests seeking a workout can do so at the SWEAT fitness center, or indulge in the variety of spa treatments available at Bliss Spa.

 

W Boston is the brand’s ninth hotel to open in 2009. W Hotels is on track to double its portfolio by 2011, with new hotels scheduled to open in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hollywood, Koh Samui, London, Marrakech, Paris and Shanghai.

 

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

Air Astana Begins Almaty – Kuala Lumpur, Tiger Airways Resumes Singapore – Hat Yai

Air travellers in Southeast Asia now have greater options when flying beyond and within the region. Kazakh national carrier Air Astana has commenced flights from Almaty to Kuala Lumpur, while low cost carrier Tiger Airways returns to the southern Thai city of Hat Yai.

 

Air Astana Links Malaysia With Kazakhstan

Travellers now have a direct link when flying between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty. Air Astana has launched a weekly, nonstop service using a 2-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 30 Business and 190 Economy Class seats.

 

The inaugural flight on 31 October 2009 was welcomed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, YB Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, and officials of Malaysia Airports. Onboard the flight was the Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Committee for Civil Aviation, Talgat Lastaev, accompanied by Ibrahim Canliel, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at Air Astana and members of the media from Kazakhstan. 

 

Flight KC 935 departs Almaty International Airport every Saturday at 0055 hrs, arriving in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 1055 hrs. The return flight, KC 936, takes off from Kuala Lumpur at 2335 hrs, landing back in Almaty at 0625 hrs the next morning.

 

Kuala Lumpur is Air Astana’s 7th international destination in Asia and the Middle East, joining Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, Seoul and Urumqi. From its hubs in Almaty, Astana and Atyrau, the airline flies to 44 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of Airbus A319, A320, Boeing B757, B767 and Fokker 50 aircraft.

 

For more information, visit www.airastana.com.

 

Tiger Airways Returns To Hat Yai

Singapore-based Tiger Airways has resumed flights to Hat Yai in southern Thailand. The low cost carrier will operate 3 flights a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

Flight TR 132 departs Singapore at 1325 hrs, arriving in Hat Yai at 1350 hrs. The return flight, TR 133, takes off from Hat Yai International Airport at 1420 hrs, landing back in Changi International Airport at 1645 hrs. Tiger Airways will operate a 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.

 

The resumption of flights to Hat Yai increases the number of Thai destinations in Tiger Airways’ network to 4, including Bangkok (served triple daily), Phuket (served double daily) and Krabi (served 4 times weekly), which was also recently restarted in October 2009.

 

For more information, visit www.tigerairways.com.

Continental Airlines Now A Star Aliiance Member

Houston-based Continental Airlines has joined Star Alliance as its 25th member airline, completing its switch from rival alliance Skyteam. The entry of Continental Airlines is expected to enhance the alliance’s customer benefits of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless travel.

 

Passengers can now have access to 19,500 daily flights serving nearly 1,701 airports in 171 countries, with network enhancements in North and South America, transpacific and across the North Atlantic, including the prestigious London (Heathrow)-New York route. Continental adds its 3 hubs in Cleveland, Houston and Newark, offering greater connectivity and access to its extensive Caribbean and South American network. Across the Pacific, the airline adds flight options to mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, while affiliate Continental Micronesia offers services from Guam.

 

Apart from network enhancements, travellers will also benefit from Continental’s operational integration with other Star Alliance member airlines. Effective immediately, through check-in will be available for any itinerary involving a Continental flight with another Star Alliance flight at the originating airport, eliminating the need to repeat the process at connecting airports. The airline will also physically move airport operations to co-locate with other member airlines at locations such as Bangkok, Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Munich and Tokyo (Narita). In case of flight irregularities, Star Alliance Connection Centres will also include Continental-operated flights, looking after passengers and baggage transfers.

 

Continental’s entry also integrates its frequent flyer program with Star Alliance. OnePass Members can now accumulate and redeem miles on all Star Alliance member airlines, with Gold and Platinum Elite members automatically accorded Star Alliance Gold status and benefits while Silver Elite members will enjoy automatic Star Alliance Silver status. Members of the frequent flyer programs of the other 24 member airlines will also be able to earn miles when travelling on Continental Airlines.

 

Continental Airlines is the 3rd US member in Star Alliance, joining United Airlines and US Airways. For more information, visit www.continental.com and www.staralliance.com.

Garuda Indonesia To Reopen Jakarta – Amsterdam Service

Following a 5-year absence, Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is to return to Europe with the reopening of its flagship Jakarta-Amsterdam route, operated via Dubai, from June 2010. Amsterdam is the first of several European services planned by Garuda Indonesia, which was recently permitted to operate in the European Union following improvements to its safety standards.

 

Flight GA 088 departs Jakarta at 2100 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0209 hrs the next morning before departing again at 0315 hrs for a 0800 hrs arrival into Amsterdam. The return service, GA 089, takes off from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 1000 hrs, landing in Dubai at 1830 hrs and departing for Jakarta at 1945 hrs, where it lands at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 0710 hrs the next morning.

 

Garuda Indonesia will operate a 2-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured with the airline’s latest cabin products. Passengers will enjoy 36 full-flat beds in Executive Class, while the Economy Class seats feature a 32-inch seat pitch and 6 inches of recline. Individual touch-screen monitors deliver audio-video on-demand entertainment in both classes.

 

The airline joins several airlines already established on the route, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. Garuda Indonesia currently flies to 17 international destinations including Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Osaka, Perth, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

 

For more information, visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.

The Peninsula Shanghai Opens On The Bund

Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels has expanded its hotel portfolio with the opening of The Peninsula Shanghai along the bank of the Huangpu River. Located next to the former British Consulate Gardens, the grand and glamourous property is the first new building on the city’s celebrated Bund in over 60 years and marks the company’s return to its Shanghai roots.

 

Built in the style of a noble 1920s and 1930s residence, the hotel combines art deco features with subtle Chinese influences to reflect Shanghai’s glorious heyday. Special features include an elevator large enough to deliver a limousine to the ballroom, a custom-made 1930s Schindler cage lift, a full-scale replica of a 1930s seaplane and a fleet of customised Rolls Royce Phantom limousines.

 

The 235 guestrooms and suites are amongst the largest in the city and boasts views of Huangpu River, Pudong skyline or the former British Consulate Gardens. Each room is furnished with luxury bedding, a marble bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, 46-inch flat screen plasma television, CD/DVD player with sound system and iPod connectivity, in-room safe, minibar and Nespresso coffee machine. Business travellers will enjoy complimentary high-speed internet access, dual-line telephones with voicemail function, a 3-in-1 fax, printer and photocopier machine, VOIP and spacious workdesk.

 

4 themed suites (Astor, Majestic, Palace and Peninsula Suites) provide unique, private accomodation for discerning guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out to a landscaped terrace with its own table and whirlpool, making them perfect for romantic retreats. The Peninsula Shanghai’s most luxurious accomodation, the 900-square meter Palace Suite, promises utmost privacy and exclusivity. Accessed by a dedicated private lift, the suite features a large foyer with 3 grand reception rooms perfect for private parties and events, complemented by the wraparound outdoor rooftop terrace.

 

The Peninsula Shanghai brings 5 unique restaurants and bars to Shanghai, spearheaded by Sir Elly’s Restaurant, Bar and Terrace serving modern European cuisine. At Yi Long Court, Executive Chef and China’s first Michelin Star winner Tang Chi Keung offers mouthwatering Cantonese and regional dishes. The Lobby recreates the world of a wealthy noble house of the 1920s where guests can enjoy breakfast in the mornings, exquisite afternoon tea and drinks in the evenings. Guests preferring a more intimate venue can proceed to The Compass Bar, where the dark timber floor, deep navy and purple furnishings combine with nautical memorabilia to create a cozy haven for meetings and socializing. In the basement, Salon de Ning provides a glimpse of Shanghai’s decadence during the 1930s with 4 private alcoves (Azure, Indian, L’Atelier and Cinema).

 

Business travellers and meeting planners have 6 flexible venues at their disposal, including the spectacular Rose Ballroom, which is capable of accomodating up to 1,000 guests for a cocktail reception. Recreation facilities at the hotel include a fully-equipped gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment, a 25-meter long indoor swimming pool with its own fireplace, vitality pool and glass doors that open onto an outdoor terrace, as well as a Peninsula Spa by ESPA. The expansive facility boasts 7 treatment rooms and 2 VIP suites, tropical rain showers, steam rooms and saunas with iridescent light features and shaved ice fountains, where guests can indulge in holistic massages and treatments with spa products from ESPA.

 

The Peninsula Shanghai is the 9th hotel for Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, joining other Peninsula properties in Bangkok, Beijing, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Hong Kong, Manila, New York and Tokyo. The group is slated to further expand its portfolio with The Peninsula Paris when it opens in the French capital in 2012.

 

For more information, visit www.peninsula.com.

Refurbished Mandarin Oriental Jakarta Opens

Following a comprehensive 20-month renovation, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has reopened the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gala event attended by the Indonesian capital’s society elite. Located at Jalan M. H. Thamrin, the hotel is easily accessible to Soekarno-Hatta Interantional Airport and the business district.

 

The 272 rooms and suites have been outfitted in a classic, contemporary design by renowned interior design firm Lim, Teo & Wilkes, blending Indonesian culture with the group’s oriental heritage and modern amenities. Each room is furnished with luxury bedding, a large marble bathroom with mood lighting, separate rain shower and bathtub, in-room entertainment system with 42-inch LCD television, CD/DVD player and surround-sound stereo, iPod connectivity and multi-function data port, high-speed internet access, workdesk with telephone, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. 56 spacious Mandarin rooms measuring 64 square meters in size feature a living area that can be separated from the bedroom by sliding doors, while the luxurious Oriental and Mandarin Suites also offer guests complimentary use of the Executive Club Lounge facilities and the group’s renowned personalised service.

 

The hotel’s 4 new restaurants serve a range of international cuisine, including authentic Gallic fare at Lyon, the French fine dining restaurant. Each dish is carefully prepared according to traditional techniques with fresh seasonal ingredients, accompanied by the vintage selection from the wine cellar. Specialising in Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines, guests dine on authentic dishes, premium dim sum and a wide selection of Chinese teas amidst the ornate decor at Xin Hwa. For casual dining, Cinnamon showcases classic dishes from across Asia prepared at live cooking stations, while the signature Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop returns to offer guests freshly made pastries, cakes, chocolates and savouries, paired with afternoon tea in a casual and comfortable setting. Located on the 5th floor next to the swimming pool, guests will find exotic cocktails, smoothies, fresh juices and beverages at Azure, before partying the night away to the beats of the DJs at MO Bar.

 

Business travellers at the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta have a fully-equipped business center at their disposal, with a comprehensive range of secretarial, translation and interpretation services. The hotel also offers 9 flexible function rooms, including a Grand Ballroom which seats up to 350 guests for a dinner banquet. Following a day of meetings, guests can relax in the freeform swimming pool, or enjoy a workout at the state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel can also book a round of golf for guests at one of the numerous courses in Jakarta.

 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group currently operates hotels and resorts around the world in the Americas, Asia and Europe, including Bangkok, Geneva, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, New York, Prague, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington DC. The group’s portfolio is slated to further expand with new developments announced in Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Moscow and Paris.

 

For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com.

Best Western Expands Vietnamese Presence

Best Western International is set to expand its presence in Vietnam with the opening of a new property in Hanoi and the announcement of new developments in Dalat, Lao Cai and Nha Trang.

 

Best Western Muong Thanh Hanoi

The new Best Western Muong Thanh Hanoi is the group’s second Vietnamese property and is located in Linh Dam district near the city’s bus and railway stations.

 

The hotel offers 168 rooms, including 22 larger suites to guests, which are fully wheelchair-accessible. Each room is furnished with comfortable bedding, spacious bathrooms, satellite television, direct-dial telephone with voicemail, workdesk with dataports, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Adjoining rooms are available to families or guests travelling in a large group.

 

For dining, there are 3 restaurants located within the property. Peppercorn’s serves western cuisine and grill dishes, while Basil and Cilantro offer a selection of Asian cuisine. In the vicinity, various restaurants offer Vietnamese cuisine and specialty food from the mountain regions, with numerous lounges and watering holes serving alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages paired with live music entertainment.

 

Best Western Muong Thanh Hanoi also boasts an indoor swimming pool and the Savasana Spa & Wellness Center where guests can relax following a day of business in the city. Meeting and banquet facilities, including a spacious ballroom, can cater to events of various sizes and is supported by a fully-equipped business center.

 

New Developments

In addition to properties now open in Haiphong and Hanoi, Best Western International will open 3 new hotels in Vietnam in 2010. The group is focusing on the gateway cities of Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Vietnam’s World Heritage areas of Halong City and Halong Bay, Hoi An and the ancient capital, Hue.

 

The Best Western Sapaly Hotel Lao Cai, Best Western Premier Nha Trang Plaza and Best Western Dalat Plaza Hotel reflect the group’s optimism on Vietnam’s growing tourism industry. When completed, the 3 hotels will add 460 rooms to Vietnam’s hotel inventory.

 

Best Western International currently operates more than 30 properties across Asia in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

For more information, visit www.bestwestern.com.

Malaysia’s First Hard Rock Hotel Opens

The Malaysian island of Penang is home to the newest addition to Hard Rock International’s hotel portfolio. Adorned with pieces from Hard Rock’s world-famous memorabilia collection and set amidst the beaches of Penang’s famed Batu Ferringhi district, the 6-storey Hard Rock Hotel Penang is 45 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Georgetown.

 

233 guestrooms and 17 suites feature contemporary design and modern amenities. All rooms feature the brand’s signature Sleep Like a Rock bedding, a spacious bathroom with Hansgermany rain shower, 32-inch LCD television, CD/DVD player, iPod docking station, complimentary streaming music, high-speed internet-access, in-room safe, IDD telephone, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Guests staying in the Kings Club enjoy privileges such as the exclusive use of the Kings Club Lounge and premium room amenities, while Suite guests enjoy the privacy of a separate living room. Most rooms offer private balconies and views of the beach, with the ground floor rooms facing the swimming pool having swim-up patios with wood trellis covers.

 

Leading the selection of dining options at the hotel is the signature Hard Rock Cafe serving authentic American specialty dishes, with live band performances every night. An all-day dining venue, the Starz Diner, offers Asian and International cuisine with a show kitchen for guests to observe the chefs at work, while the Lobby Lounge commands an unsurpassed view of the Andaman Sea. The Pizzeria and The Shack ensure guests enjoy pizzas, snacks and beverages by the hotel’s poolside.

 

Hard Rock Hotel Penang is home to the island’s largest free form swimming pool at 2,400 square meters, complete with its own sand islands, water slides and poolside cabanas. The hotel also features the Body Rock Gym and Rock Spa, where guests can have their treatments in gazebos facing the sea, before finishing with a hair and beauty session at the Hair Salon. Younger guests have their own spaces at the Lil’ Rock Kids Club and Teens Club to keep them busy with activities while the adults shop at the 2 Hard Rock merchandise stores.

 

Meeting and event planners have up to 350 square meters of space at their disposal, including a unique marquee ballroom capable of accomodating up to 300 guests, pre-function garden area and 3 meeting rooms. All venues feature state-of-the-art audio-visual techonology and are supported by a full service business center.

 

The Hard Rock Hotel Penang is the brand’s 3rd property in Southeast Asia, joining the Hard Rock Hotel Bali and Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya. There are now 12 Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos around the world, with new properties upcoming in Atlanta, Dubai, Hungary, Palm Springs, Panama and Singapore’s Resorts World integrated resort.

 

For more information, visit www.hardrockhotels.com.

Kingfisher Takes Off For Hong Kong, Singapore

Kingfisher Airlines has launched flights to Hong Kong from Mumbai yesterday, with a non-stop service to Singapore to follow later today. Hong Kong and Singapore are the latest destinations to join Kingfisher’s growing international network from India, which also includes Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Dubai and London.

 

Mumbai-Hong Kong

Flight IT 071 will depart Mumbai daily at 2255 hrs and arrive in Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2 at 0805 hrs the next morning. The return flight, IT 072, will take off from Hong Kong at 1405 hrs, landing back in Mumbai at 1750 hrs in the evening.

 

Mumbai-Singapore

Flight IT 029 takes off from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport daily at 2305 hrs, landing in Singapore Changi International Airport at 0705 hrs the next morning. The aircraft returns to Mumbai as flight IT 030 at 1015 hrs, arriving back in India at 1305 hrs.

 

The flights have been scheduled to allow for greater connectivity with the airline’s extensive domestic network. Kingfisher will operate its 2-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft on both routes, . The twin-engined jet is configured with 30 Kingfisher First seats and 187 seats in Kingfisher Class, with premium travellers also enjoying the use of an onboard social area comprising a full bar and comfortable couches.

 

Bangalore-based Kingfisher Airlines is India’s only 5-star airline and currently operates a fleet of 71 aircraft to 65 cities in India and 7 international destinations.

 

For more information, visit www.flykingfisher.com.

Turkish Airlines Adds Jakarta To Network

Turkish Airlines has commenced flights to Jakarta, with an extension of its existing Istanbul-Singapore flights to the Indonesian capital. The inaugural flight landed in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 1734 hrs, with Turkish State Minister Mehmet Simsek and the airline’s Chairman of the THY Executive Board, Candan Karlitekin, onboard.

 

Flight TK 066 departs Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport at 2320 hrs every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Singapore at 1530 hrs the next day for a technical stop. The flight continues to Jakarta at 1645 hrs, where it arrives at 1725 hrs.

 

The return flight, TK 067, departs Jakarta at 1915 hrs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, landing in Singapore at 2155 hrs, before continuing to Istanbul at 2310 hrs. The aircraft arrives back at Ataturk International Airport at 0540 hrs the next morning.

 

Jakarta is Turkish Airlines’ third destination in Southeast Asia, after Bangkok and Singapore. The airline will operate a 2-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines flies to 119 international and 35 domestic destinations.

 

For more information, visit www.thy.com.