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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tweet tweet, hear all about it
AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape… AMPR ticker tape…
Hot off the press…
AUGUST 2010
Here is our monthly news in tweetable form.
New and Notable
- Up up and away for #BalloonFestival! #HotelParqCentral opens on 9/23/10. Rates starting at $179/night including breakfast and other treats.
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
- #AnantaraBophut in Koh Samui, #Thailand will be getting an upgrade! And we have the pics (http://bit.ly/cSwDte) to prove it!
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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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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star diamonds are a girl’s best friend
The newly opened Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa along Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand has been elevated to the International Star Diamond Award list by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. This prestigious group has been a revered source of recognition for travel, cuisine, and luxury products and serves. The resort was awarded with membership to this exclusive worldwide club, joining an elite group of five-star hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, automobiles, products, restaurants, and chefs.
Anantara took over management of the property in November 2009. Once a port for Chinese merchants, the island of Samui was enriched with the blending of Chinese and Thai influences. Anantara Lawana’s design of its 104 rooms and 18 villas pulls from this rich multi-cultural heritage.
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congrats! you are engaged, now what?
Is it just me or is everyone getting engaged? Perhaps you love birds took advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on a long weekend this year. Congratulations if you are one of the lucky few we have spotted around town recently betrothed. Now let the planning begin! To help, here are few suggestions of locales to have the perfect destination wedding.
CARIBBEAN
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Getting married at a private island resort in the Caribbean is a fantastic kick-off to a new life. Parrot Cay offers two beachfront setting for wedding ceremonies – a boardwalk aisle that leads to an unspoiled beach, or the beachfront of a private villa available for rent. Parrot Cay also insists that stress need not be a part of the preparations; all weddings include the dedication of a planner to assist with all preparations, including reserving the dates, food and beverage details, music and entertainment, photography, and any other service requested. Parrot Cay can accommodate small, intimate weddings, or can be bought out for larger weddings (up to 120 guests).
Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Weddings at Rosewood Mayakobá are all about choices – choose stunning outdoor venues like the white sand beach or the Plaza with views of the resort, lagoon, and tropical jungle. Three different restaurants are available to cater. Retreat to the privacy of a private plunge pool after the ceremony, or come down a day early with the wedding party and receive treatments at the resort’s spa, Sense, which is its own private island.
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the early bird catches the deals in thailand
Thailand has always been a great value for travelers, and now more so than ever as luxury hotels and resorts are offering free nights and advanced booking discounts on accommodations, from the beaches of Phuket, to the mountains of the Golden Triangle, to the heart of Bangkok. So what are you waiting for?! Beat the rush and book ahead to take advantage of these incredible savings in the Land of Smiles…
Ultimate Savings at the Metropolitan Bangkok
The gist: Save up to 62% off nightly rates for a City Room; 60% off a Studio Room, and 53% off a Metropolitan Room with a two night minimum stay.
Fine print: Rates are subject to a 10% service charge and 7% government tax.
Nightly rates: $99 for a City Room; $119 for a Studio Room, or $150 for a Metropolitan Room.
Offer valid until: September 30, 2009.
Early Bird Discounts at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa
The gist: Book 40 days in advance and receive a 40% discount; 30 days in advance for a 30% discount; 20 days for a 20% discount, and 10 days for a 10% discount.
Fine print: Receive complimentary daily buffet breakfast for two for reservations made more than 10 days in advance.
Nightly rates: Rates begin at $199 for a Deluxe Sea View room.
Offer valid until: December 20, 2009.
Seven nights for the price of five at Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa
The gist: Book five nights and receive two additional nights complimentary and daily breakfast for two.
Fine print: Take advantage of the Early Bird special and book more than thirty days in advance to receive one complimentary aromatherapy massage per person.
Nightly rates: Rates begin at $466 for a private Pool Villa.
Offer valid until: July 31, 2009.
Free night and dining and spa discounts at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa
The gist: Book more than 50 days in advance for two nights in a room or suite and enjoy a third night complimentary.
Fine print: Receive daily buffet breakfast for two and 25% off meals at the resort’s restaurants and spa treatments.
Nightly rates: Rates begin at $253 per night for a room; minimum stay of three nights required.
Offer valid until: December 12, 2009.
Free night at Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa
The gist: Book three nights in a room or suite more than 30 days in advance and stay a fourth night free.
Fine print: Includes a 25% discount at the resort’s restaurants and spa treatments.
Nightly rates: Rates begin at $166 from now until July 15. From September 1 to December 26, nightly rates start at $199.
Offer valid until: July 15; September 1 to December 26, 2009.
Click here for all special packages from Anantara. For a list of Metropolitan Bangkok offers, click here.
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the language of love
Fortunately for lovers looking to get away for the long Valentine’s Day weekend, love is a language spoken all over the world. For those who’ve had a hard time deciding which hemisphere to celebrate in, there are plenty of last-minute options that will suit any taste.
Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Why: Beautiful villas, miles of white sand beaches, and clear blue seas
What: Relax, regroup, and reinstate the romance on Parrot Cay’s private island. For an even more intimate retreat, rent the COMO Shambhala Cottage and share spa treatments and a Valentine’s Day dinner of seafood and caviar
How Much: Rates start at $775 per night; the Cottage is available for $200 for four hours and $350 for eight hours
Insider’s Tip: Experience a Caribbean sunset from the water and toast the end of the day with a glass or two of wine – the perfect sundowner (more…)
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thai one on at anantara’s cooking schools
Located on the picturesque island of Koh Samui in Thailand, Anantara’s cooking school puts a regional slant on its culinary tutorial. Those enrolled in its spa cuisine class better get a good night’s sleep, because guests are awake and on a bicycle by 6 am to start the day’s adventure. The chef will lead the group on a trek through Koh Samui’s spiritual countryside, culminating with a visit to the island’s largest Buddha statue. (more…)
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