It’s challenging to keep abreast of what’s happening in Asia, because it seems everywhere you turn there’s a new hotel sprouting up or a new attraction drawing the crowds. We’ve provided a snapshot of some of the recent developments in the region in an effort to keep readers posted on Asia’s activity.
Singapore will soon be home to the Singapore Flyer, a giant observation wheel modelled after the iconic London Eye. To be located in the city’s new precinct, Marina Bay, the attraction will be bigger and taller than its British counterpart, offering breathtaking and unobstructed views across the city and the surrounding areas. Work has already begun on the Singapore Flyer, and is due to open in 2008.
In addition to the Singapore Flyer, construction on Marina Bay, Asia’s largest business and financial centre has commenced. The precinct will include two new resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa, scheduled for launch in 2009 and 2010 respectively, plus public spaces including an ice-skating rink, casino and indoor canals.
Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi, Malaysia revealed its new branding in May. Previously known as Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, the property announced its new branding alongside the unveiling of its new grand ballroom which can accommodate 400. This additional facility is set to heighten the resort’s business opportunities in terms of MICE facilities. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the ballroom’s unique features are its glass bay windows, and its drive-in facilities, ideal for motor exhibitions.
Sabah’s new Lok Kawi Wildlife Park officially opened on February 17, 2007. It’s located only one hour from Kota Kinabalu, along the Penampang-Papar old road, and consists of two components: zoological and botanical. Fully developed by the Sabah Wildife Department, the park offers a range of animal exhibits, including Borneo pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros (only three locations have these animals: Cincinnati in the US, Indonesia and Borneo), orang-utans, Malayan tigers and proboscis monkeys. The botanical component of the park offers groups the opportunity to go jungle walking along a paved trail about 1.4 kilometres in length.
Marriott International, Inc. will offer travellers to the greater Shanghai region a choice of accommodation in 15 hotels by the end of 2009 with the opening of the 330-room JW Marriott Hotel Hangzhou and the 330-room Courtyard by Marriott Hangzhou City Centre in 2008.
Both will be part of an 80,000-square-metre complex located in the heart of Hangzhou’s central business district. The hotels will be connected by a palladium that will house conference space, restaurants and lounges, and other public facilities.
Once completed, JW Marriott Hotel Hangzhou will feature 1650 square metres of function space, including a 950-square-metre ballroom that will be divisible into three sections, and eight additional meeting rooms in varying configurations. Guests of Courtyard by Marriott Hangzhou City Centre will have access to these facilities, plus JW Marriott Hotel Hangzhou’s restaurants and lounges, health club and spa.
Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing has opened its own CHI, The Spa, in the new valley wing of the hotel. The signature spa brand of the Shangri-La Hotel group, CHI design and treatments are inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies, based upon the principles of restoring balance and harmony to the mind and body.
In Beijing, CHI features 11 tranquil private spa suites and therapy rooms, making it one of the largest and most luxurious spa centres in town.
CHI is part of the Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing’s USD50 million expansion project launched in March 2007. The new tower includes an additional 142 rooms and suites, contemporary lounge-restaurant, Blu Lobster, a conference hall with capacity to seat 1300, 13 multi-purpose function rooms, and a club featuring a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and roof-top garden.
The first international conference specifically designed for journalism educators worldwide, the World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC), took place in June this year, held in Singapore’s Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Over 500 media industry professionals gathered for the three-day event to see media experts, award-winning journalists and renowned media figures discuss topics such as journalism ethics and online censorship. The congress featured plenaries, a press conference, panels and workshops for journalism education professors, administrators, journal editors and professionals and syndicates.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloft hotels, brings the new twist in travel to Asia Pacific as it grows its footprint in the strongest growth region worldwide. aloft has so far announced hotels in Beijing, in Sydney, and most recently, its first hotel in southeast Asia – aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11.
The 308-room aloft Bangkok will offer a refreshing alternative to current lodging options when it opens in 2010. aloft Bangkok will be part of a 31-story mixed-use development, with facilities such as 180 square-metres of meeting space, a spa, a restaurant and bar, re:charge fitness centre and splash indoor swimming pool. The hotel will be centrally located on Sukhumvit Road and will provide travellers easy access to the commercial and entertainment districts of Bangkok.
“Bangkok is one of Asia’s most important economic and lifestyle centres, with its many modern cafes, markets and entertainment options,” said Ross Klein, president, Starwood Luxury Brands Group and aloft hotels. “Our mission with aloft is to offer a stylish lodging alternative to travellers around the world. With the addition of aloft Bangkok, now there’s a fun new way to play and stay in the ‘Venice of the East.’”
Meanwhile, aloft Beijing will be part of an integrated mixed-use complex including offices, residential building and the recently signed Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian. Creating a refreshing oasis for travellers, the 200-room aloft Beijing will be located in Haidian district, a major information technology hub in Beijing with proximity to the Haidian government district, major universities and research institutes.
The hotel’s facilities will include 360 square-metres of meeting space, re:charge fitness centre, splash indoor swimming pool and three restaurants.
In the lead up to the second leg of the 2007 Formula One (F1) race series held at the Sepang International Circuit from April 6-8, 2007, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre played host venue to the pre-race gala dinner. The much-anticipated PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix Fantasy Gala 2007 was attended by socialites, dignitaries, international and local personalities, F1 management team and principals and, of course, the F1 drivers.
The occasion marked the second consecutive year the gala event had been held at the centre, set in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City Centre against a backdrop of the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers. Themed “Fantasy”, this year’s gala saw the centre transformed into a dark, glittery and enigmatic cavern of black, blue, gray and silver, complete with decorations of the mythical Pegasus.
ntertainment for the night included a performance by master illusionist Peter May and a concert by multiple Grammy and American Award-winning music group Earth, Wind and Fire. All proceeds from the night, including that from an auction conducted by Christie’s of London, were donated to a charity body (Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah) headed by Malaysia’s Queen, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah to aid under-privileged communities in Terengganu, the home state of the current King of the country.
More than 45,000 visitors, including foreign and regional delegates, gathered in China at the in the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ZZICEC) in April for The 2nd Expo Central China. The three-day event, covering trade and investment opportunities in the six central provinces in China – Henan, Anhui, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan – proved to be one of the best exhibitions and conventions organised in ZZICEC since its opening in 2005. Officially commenced by Wu Yi, member of the Political Bureau and vice premier of the State Council, The 2nd Expo Central China attracted high profile government leaders from different countries and CEOs of international corporations. The event also attracted 1288 journalists from around the world. Participants were impressed by the architecture of ZZICEC, its multi-functional design and the professional services offered by the staff of the centre. During the event, there were 196 direct foreign investment projects being signed with contractual foreign capital amounting to USD12.374 billion. ZZICEC is a new exhibition and convention centre in a newly-developed business district of Zhengzhou between the CBD and Zhengzhou’s airport. It includes 66,000 square metres of exhibition space.
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