all the dish that’s fit to print
ramadan detox
Ramadan officially started August 11th and marks the month-long period where Muhammad is believed to have composed the Quran. In honor of this holy month, Muslims around the world will focus on inner peace and cleansing from now until September 9th through daily fasts during sunlight hours and abstain from any harmful habits that introduce toxins to the body (like drinking or smoking).
Ananatara resident spa guru and unofficial Ramadan expert, Liz Smailes, shared her advice with us on incorporating the relevant messages behind the holy celebration into daily life. (more…)
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celebs hit the green carpet?
At the beginning of the month, celebs took a break from their usual red carpet to attend the Elephant Parade charity auction, of which Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a strong supporter. Stars including Elizabeth Hurley, Goldie Hawn, and Princess Beatrice of York hit the grass to show their support of the protection and conservation of endangered Asian elephants. Despite the rough terrain, fashion did not suffer. Sporting colorful dresses and forever high wedges and heels, these celebs looked almost as good as the painted model baby elephants (all of which were on sale at the event, including Anantara’s own ‘Little Bird’). The auction marked the end of the Elephant Parade in London, which earned over $1.5 million dollars for this great cause!
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for the kid who has it all
What do you get for the kid who has it all? How about a spa treatment in Bali? Anantara Spa Seminyak has designed a menu of spa treatments for those 2-12 year olds in need of some pampering. (Don’t worry, those under two can get a pre-bedtime baby massage with olive oil to smooth the skin, strengthen growing muscles, and relax that little body.) No kid will be able to resist a chocolate massage after a day of cannonballing into the resort pool. After being slathered with chocolate, your little princess gets a mani-pedi followed by a fresh strawberry hand and food massage. Don’t worry, your little prince won’t be left out – he can have one too, along with a chocolate butter hand and foot massage. This is the one time teens might lie and say they’re younger…
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baby elephants on the move
Remember when we told you about the Elephant Parade, the installation of model baby elephants scattered around London? Run by Elephant Family, the goal of the charity is to raise awareness of the declining population of the Asian Elephant.
‘Little Bird,’ the baby elephant representing Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, is somewhere throughout London. Now there is a little extra incentive to finding her, as the Director of Elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle, Mr. John Roberts, has announced that he would give out a free dinner to the first person to send in a photograph of themselves with ‘Little Bird’. And that’s not all! Elephant Family is offering the chance to win a vacation for two to none other than Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle where the lucky winners will train with mahouts at the resort’s famed elephant camp and learn about these gentle creatures. To enter, visit http://www.elephantfamily.org/how-can-you-help/events/competition/, fill out the petition, correctly answer the questions, and tweet a message to encourage your followers to sign the petition. The competition closes on July 9th, so hurry before it is too late!
The elephants are on the move! As the Elephant Parade comes to a close, 62 of these life-size, model baby elephants will be migrating from their positions around the city and congregating in Leister Square. July 3rd will mark the end of the parade, when these magnificent pieces of art will be auctioned off in hopes of raising over $2 million!
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baby elephants on parade
The Elephant Parade officially began in London this month. How will they fit, you might ask?
Well, the Elephant Parade is actually an open air art installation of life-size, model baby elephants positioned around the city. Elephants are painted by artists and celebrities, such as Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi and Lulu Guinness to inspire awareness of the plight of the Asian Elephant. With a current population of only 1,500 in the wild in Thailand (down from 300,000 at the turn of the last century), they face a severe risk of extinction.
Run by the small charity Elephant Family, these efforts require serious support from their patrons, which include Goldie Hawn and Sarah, Duchess of York. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a sponsor and champion of this cause, and has a little baby of its own, known as ‘Little Bird,’ placed somewhere around Londontown. All elephants are for sale by auction and Elephant Family aims to raise over $2 million.
This is London’s biggest outdoor art event on record and runs from May to July 2010. If you are hanging out in Trafalgar Square or Green Park, these colorful creatures will be impossible to miss. So, enjoy the exhibit because it may be the only time you see an Asian elephant in London!
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in to africa
As easily as Meryl Streep and Robert Redford fell for each other in 20th century Kenya, Thailand-based luxury resort and spa developer, Anantara, makes its historic entry into North Africa, announcing the development of two unique hotels in Morrocco. Anantara Marrakech Resort & Spa and Anantara Mogador Resort & Spa, are both scheduled to open in 2011.
In addition to its expansion into Africa, Anantara debuts its second property in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, this fall. With 206 rooms, suites, and villas, Qasr Al Sarab will be the company’s flagship property in the U.A.E. In 2011, Anantara Al Madina A’Zarqa will open outside of Muscat, Oman, along the peninsula that bears its name.
Expansion seems to be the name of the game for Anantara, as in 2008, the company launched four properties in Asia and the Middle East: in April, Anantara Seminyak opened in the fashionable Island of the Gods district in Bali; in October, both Anantara Phuket on Mai Khao beach and Anantara Desert Islands on Sir Bani Yas off the coast of Abu Dhabi opened. In December, Anantara Si Kao along Changlang Beach south of Krabi opened, making it the company’s fifth resort in Thailand. In March, the company unveiled its newest addition to the family, Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites, located in central Bangkok, making it the first of its kind for the Anantara group. For a list of all properties, please visit www.anantara.com.
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trend: gem of a treatment
Jewels of Arabia at Amara at Park Hyatt Dubai
Depending on a guests’ personal needs, the spa concierge will custom design an Amara spa program, based on the healing properties of the most precious “Jewels of Arabia”: Diamond (Energy, Clarity, Revival), Emerald (Detox, Cleanse, Heal), Ruby (Restore, Anti-Aging, Revitalize), Sapphire (Relax, Calm, Balance). Launched Spring 2008.
OTHER LAVISH TREATMENTS INCLUDE…. (more…)
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put some H2O in your summer
What’s hot weather without the beach? Three months of packed public transportation, overcrowded highways, and dripping air conditioners, that’s what. So beat the heat by heading for the coast and finding some surprisingly good deals in a few of the world’s most popular vacation spots.
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sunset sipping on bali
Imagine Bali for a moment. Postcard images of white sandy beaches and multicolored sunsets? Spiritual travel in the heart of the exotic Indian Ocean? Ultimate relaxation in the form of liquid bliss? Check, check, and check. (more…)
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greening up around the world
As being “green” has evolved from the hot new trend into a conscientious way of life, the luxury travel industry has followed suit.Hotels across the globe have moved beyond posting “Please Conserve Water” bathroom signs to embracing programs, practices, and products that are both eco-friendly and socially responsible. (more…)
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