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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!
tongue-‘thai’ed
This summer, David Thompson, following the success of nahm at The Halkin in London, will be opening a second edition of the restaurant at the Metropolitan hotel in Bangkok – a return to the city that inspired his culinary path. Following a soft opening in mid July, the restaurant will officially open by the end of the month. Launched in 2001, nahm was the first Thai restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star. With the move, Thompson and nahm up the ante for diners, using local ingredients and letting the infamous Thai markets guide the menus. Key dishes will include a jungle curry with snake-headed local fish known as pla chorn indigenous to the clear waters of rice paddies. The restaurant will also be open for lunch and, for a fun take on a popular Bangkok tradition, will feature “street food” dishes. (Speaking of which, don’t miss the September release of Thompson’s second cookbook, Thai Street Food.)
Ma hor Crushed prawn curry with turmeric and coconut
The restaurant will occupy the former Cy’an and will be designed by Japanese interior architect Koichiro Ikebuchi, who also designed Uma Ubud in Bali and Aoki, a heralded Japanese restaurant in Singapore. It will feature natural wood, including screens for privacy, and warm oranges and browns with shimmering bronze plates on tables. The space will be steeped in natural daylight and, in the evening, enriched by the soft lighting of the nearby outdoor pool. Other features include a private dining room and terrace dining.
David Thompson is universally acknowledged as a leading authority on Thai food. Originally from Australia, he first travelled to Thailand in 1986 and moved to Bangkok a year later. When he returned to Sydney in 1991, he opened his iconic Darley Street Thai restaurant, and, in 1995, he followed with Sailor’s Thai, which continues today.
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“travel my way, take the highway that is best”
Every road tripper dreams of a drive along historic Route 66. This iconic American stretch of road inspired the eponymous tune sung by everyone from Nat King Cole to the Stones to John Mayer. In its heyday, this was the major roadway that beckoned travelers to the west and sunny California. Since replaced with generic interstate highways, one can still cruise down stretches of road marked “Historic Route 66” or discover the bits that have turned into local roads. The movement to preserve the gas stations and motels and other Americana lining the original route takes motorists back in time.
Planning to go get your kicks on Route 66? If so, the new Hotel Parq Central in Albuquerque – opening in October – will be right en route. Located on a stretch of Route 66 passing through New Mexico, this historic building would have been part of the scenery for westbound travelers. In Santa Fe, the Inn on the Alameda sits just off the iconic roadway and its prime location lets drivers leave the car in the parking lot and stretch their legs strolling along Route 66 to nearby restaurants and galleries.
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we’re in an andaz state of mind
Fashion Week may have said goodbye to Bryant Park for good, but its new neighbor, Andaz 5th Avenue, has some new threads to show off. The hotel, sister property to Andaz Wall Street (which opened in January), has been draped from head to toe in red banners this week.
The zing-y display, which passerby are checking out on 5th Avenue and 41st Street, gives answers to the following question asked of New Yorkers: What is your favorite, uniquely NYC moment? Thoughts range from the cultured (“eating sushi on the steps of the New York Public Library”) to the unfettered (“fire hydrant sprinklers”).
Andaz 5th Avenue hopes to become the newest setting for these metropolitan moments. Designed by Tony Chi of tonychi and associates, the striking design of Andaz 5th Avenue includes elements like steel factory windows – jaw-droppingly tall – that will set off views across Manhattan and, for quieter moments, a garden retreat in the center of the hotel. Each of the 184 guestrooms will be full of natural light, plenty of space, and touches of whimsy such as clear hanging racks on an open-faced closet, a reference to the display racks in the nearby Fashion District, and cloisonné foot baths to fill after a day of city walking.
Meaning ‘personal style’ in Hindi, the Andaz philosophy is one of symbiosis with the neighborhood. Produce is locally sourced and the check-in and service is simplified, without the middlemen of doorman, bellhop, and concierge at the desk – just one “host” for each incoming guest.
It seems Spring may have finally sprung in New York, and it’s blooming brightest on 5th Avenue and 41st Street.
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park hyatt moves into the middle east, again
Park Hyatt just announced the opening of Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club, and Spa, the second in the Middle East for the hotel chain, and the first five-star property to open in the city since 2004.
The second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital, Riyadh, Jeddah is a major center for Middle East commerce. Business travelers will love the convenient location, just a quick five-minute drive to the financial district (traffic jams abound on the congested streets). Organizations can hold massive conferences, and companies can seal the deal at the adjacent Lazurde Meeting and Conference Center that boasts an over 8,600 square foot ballroom that can be divided up for meetings, an outdoor reception area by the sea, and all the high-tech multimedia gadgets needed for an A+ presentation.
Practically built in the Red Sea itself on the Corniche of Jeddah, it’s hard not to appreciate the view as well. The resort is a remarkable engineering feat that reclaimed prime waterfront land from the Red Sea while retaining the delicate surrounding marine life. It’s the closest hotel in the city to the jaw-dropping King’s Palace, which is located on its own island. It also faces the iconic King Fahd’s Fountain, the world’s tallest fountain, which shoots up water at 233 miles per hour and is illuminated by over 500 spotlights at night.
The restaurant, Nafoura, faces this scene (as do most of the guest rooms) and serves up mouth-watering mezzes and grilled Mediterranean dishes from the open kitchen. Sipping tea (no alcohol allowed) and smoking shisha on the outdoor terrace (the menu has over 20 varieties of the flavored tobacco) will undoubtedly be a popular activity. Cigar aficionados can light up in a separate cigar lounge.
Keeping in line with Park Hyatt’s chic and modern yet understated aesthetic , French interior designer Gilles Quiffet and architect Patrice Hart designed the 142 guest rooms and public spaces to fuse a sleek European style with Arab-Andalusian architecture. Native artwork and crafts adorn the rooms, while intricately landscaped gardens surround the complex. Spa facilities are on the way and will feature separate ladies’ and gentlemen’s areas including the region’s first Hydrotherapy center.
Rates start at 1350 Saudi Riyals.
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vogue on summertime escapes
We all know that last-minute travel is trendy in 2009. Some of those who would normally book holidays six months out are waiting until the 11th hour to pick a spot, pack up, and go.
Vogue blogged about last-minute escapes this week. Not your run-of-the-mill weekend getaways but far-flung jaunts into worlds more exotic than our own, like Florence and Beirut.
One of the chosen is La Reserve Ramatuelle, opened a few weeks ago in the South of France. Sitting up in the Mediterranean hills, it takes in the heady views of the sea. As an added flourish, it’s the first spa featuring La Mer products in all of France. Vive la France- and the summer escape.
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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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cheers to park hyatt
Besides the weather, we’d like to think the party went off without a hitch. Wednesday night at the swanky midtown leisure palace, the Core Club, AMPR and their 100 closest friends toasted Park Hyatt hotels. While the terrace was unused (except for a rumored impromptu after-party) the chic space buzzed with chatter about recent openings, upcoming plans, and all things travel.
Sommelier Marcelo Rebole from Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires kept the Malbec flowing, while Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta from NoMI at Park Hyatt Chicago topped off the champagne flutes. “On the wagon” guests got a boost from the beautiful Brazilian nutritionist, Patricia Teixeira, enlisted by Park Hyatt this year to help launch its Healthy Living menu. Teixeira brings to Park Hyatt her experience as a sports nutritionist for Real Madrid during the Beckham era (we tried to abstain from asking about his personal habits!). The eleven General Managers who flew in from around the world were probably fiending for a bit of her Anti-Jeg Lag drink. But from Shanghai to Tokyo and Zurich, they kept their cool and worked the room in top form, keeping the media on their toes.
See you next year!
cheap eats on nantucket
Nantucket restaurants have always been pricey, we won’t deny that. But this year, the island is giving off a more wallet-friendly vibe – restaurants, hotels, boutiques all have specials for spring 09. Bon appétit!
Brant Point Grill at White Elephant (open April 22) and TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet (open May 13) are starting off this season with a more wallet-friendly vibe. New Executive Chef Frederick Bisaillon at the Brant Point Grill has crafted a few opening promotions for the Brant Point Grill including a Stimulus Steak for $15, a four-course prix fixe meal for $29, and $1 oysters, clams, and appetizer specials every day from 3-11pm. When TOPPER’S opens in May, Executive Chef David Daniel’s menu will move away from the traditional pre-fixe to an á la carte menu with a classics category that will include choices such as Lobster Pot Pie, Yankee Pot Roast, and Beef Wellington. (more…)
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now revealing: ramatuelle
Guess where we’re dreaming of jetting off to this summer? The Grand Canyon? Cold. Ibiza? You’re getting warmer. South of France? Hot. The picturesque hillside community of Ramatuelle on the Côte d’Azur? Sizzling, spot-on! And where to stay? The brand-new La Réserve Ramatuelle, that’s where. La Réserve, the sophisticated hospitality group with a Jacques Garcia-designed hotel on Lake Geneva and apartment flats in Paris will open their third property, La Réserve Ramatuelle, on June 1, 2009. Right outside St. Tropez, La Réserve Ramatuelle is an elegant, intimate getaway with views of the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. World-renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte-designed Ramatuelle’s new hotel and spa, creating an exceptional streamlined retreat. (more…)
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