Goran Aleks has assumed the position of General Manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the 609-room iconic hotel billed as a resort-sanctuary in the city.

Having spent more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, German-born Aleks had held significant postings in Europe and Asia Pacific.  His association with the Accor group began in 1994 and throughout his career he has occupied various senior positions in Munich, Koblenz and Berlin in Germany.

He spent one year as the General Manager of Sofitel Project in Paris and subsequently was tasked to position the Sofitel brand in Australia.  Aleks managed for four years the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach and most recently the Sofitel Brisbane Central before he moved to the Philippines.

As the new General Manager for Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Aleks’s main objective is to ensure that the hotel maintains its reputation as the city’s luxury hotel and to charter new heights in the hospitality industry by offering the highest standards of fine cuisine, luxurious accommodation and superb service with a French touch.

China first lottery and gaming hotel is expected to settle in the Mangrove Tree Resort of Sanya, Hainan. The breaking news came after the announcement by the Chinese government of a 10-year tourism development plan to convert the province into a “top international tourist destination”, which states that Hainan will, “explore ways to promote local lottery and gaming industries.” According to Zhang Baoquan, the hotel president, athletic sports venues with a total area of 30,000 square metr will be put in place, allowing visitors to bet on games.

With over 5,600 guestrooms, the Mangrove Tree Resort has the capacity of ten 5-star hotels. It is also equipped with immense facilities for conferences and exhibitions, a theatre with 3000 seats, one-stop shopping and gourmet services, and a water world. A pillarless space for events and conventions which can accommodate four to six thousand people is unrivaled in the country.

It is expected now that the property sale of the hotel will be launched on Feb.6, priced at an average of 26,000 RMB per sq m.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16’s Baccara function room was transformed into a mini-gallery with Michael Jackson(MJ)’s iconic collection on Sunday, December 13, 2009, when Macau Ponte 16 hosted a press conference to unveil the 10 recently bid MJ’s items in front of the media. Guests on the panel included Chairman of Macau Ponte 16 Dr. Ambrose So, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sonny Yeung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr Hoffman Ma, Julien’s Auction’s President & CEO Mr Darren Julien, Executive Director Mr Martin Nolan, and Vice President Sofitel Greater China Mr Michel Molliet.

In the press conference, Dr. Ambrose So expressed, “We are delighted that Ponte 16 has successfully bid for the famous jeweled glove that Michael Jackson wore when he premièred his trademark Moonwalk Dance, as well as a collection of nine other MJ’s iconic items from  “Zombie” shirt worn by MJ in the “Thriller” video, a suit from “Men in Black II”, “We Are The World” signed poster, a painting of Charlie Chaplin created and signed by Jackson when he was 9 years-old, Bill Whitten designed tube socks, signed photographs, and a signed RIAA platinum record awarded for “Bad”.  Dr. So also announced that Ponte 16 will be opening the Michael Jackson Gallery to the public on February 1, 2010, which coincides with the 2nd Anniversary of Ponte 16.  The addition of the Michael Jackson Gallery, the first of its kind in Asia, will add to the appeal of Macau and extend the historical cultural mission of the Inner Harbour district, while drawing more visitors to experience Macau.

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Rest easy, your Olympic dreams are about to come true.  The Fairmont Chateau Whistler now has a select number of rooms and suites available during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  This February, Whistler, the Host Mountain Resort of the Games will be the place to be!

Accommodation available at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler consists almost entirely on Fairmont Gold, Fairmont’s Exclusive Lifestyle Experience, offering a private reception, exclusive lounge and numerous other special privileges including daily breakfast, hors d’oeuvres and honour bar.  To say the service and product of Fairmont Gold is unsurpassed would be an understatement.  Specialty suites as well as Fairmont Deluxe rooms throughout the hotel are also available in limited numbers during this time.  Set arrival and departure dates are required along with a minimum night stay (4 or 5 nights, depending on dates).  For those well-traveled individuals expecting a once-in-a-lifetime Olympic experience, this is their opportunity!

Now with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola open, guests can make their way over to Whistler Mountain to take in the downhill Olympic events right from The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s backdoor and never set foot in a vehicle.  Or if they wish to carve some turns, simply ski straight out onto Blackcomb Mountain.  With over 90% of Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain open to the public during the Games, fresh tracks are sure to be found!

Reservations at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler can be made by calling 1-800-606-8244 or clicking www.fairmont.com/whistler.  Full prepayment at time of booking is non-refundable.

If you want the full Fairmont experience during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, our sister-properties The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and The Fairmont Empress, Victoria also have availability.  The Fairmont Vancouver Airport has Fairmont Gold rooms available starting from CDN $599 per night with a minimum four-night stay and set arrival dates.  Reservations must be fully prepaid at time of booking.  Contact The Fairmont Vancouver Airport directly at 1-866-540-4441 for reservations.  Just a short float plane ride away, The Fairmont Empress in Victoria has all room categories available with no minimal night requirement.  Rates start from CDN $299 CDN per night for a Fairmont room.  Call 1-800-441-1414 for reservations.

As well, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is offering a Powder to Podium package and The Fairmont Waterfront, also located in Vancouver, is offering a Going for Gold package.  In the months leading up to the Olympic Games, guests can take to the slopes and check out the venue first-hand, or enjoy the post-game snow after the games have wrapped.  Both offers include nightly accommodation, two adult lift tickets to nearby Cypress Mountain and an Olympic themed welcome amenity.  Available from December 1, 2009 to January 28, 2010, and again from March 9, 2010 to April 3, 2010, rates start from $249 CDN and $269 CDN per night at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Waterfront respectively.

Every seasoned golf traveler knows there’s much more to a great golf trip than what it says on your scorecard. That’s why Fairmont Hotels & Resorts recently unveiled a slew of engaging new golf packages just in time for fall and winter travel.

The new packages feature world-class golf, breathtaking locales, spectacular accommodations, inventive spa treatments and a host of other luxuries, all delivered in Fairmont’s signature style. A sampling of the available packages is listed below (along with a few of our favorite golf holes and signature cocktails for good measure.):
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Global luxury hospitality leader, Sofitel Luxury Hotels is introducing a remarkable new programme at select Asia Pacific properties that will draw corporate decision-makers and meetings & events planners for memorable, chic, and bespoke events.

InspiredMeetings encourages Sofitel meeting and event clients to embrace their own creative vision in their event conceptualization combined with the savoir faire of the Sofitel Inspired Meetings teams, to deliver exquisite and memorable events with the renowned French flair of the Sofitel Luxury Hotels. At each participating hotel, the InspiredMeetings? team is prepared to stage any type of event from large scale conferences to intimate parties where clients are welcome to experiment with even the most unconventional requests!
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Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta has unveiled its own unique decorative fan, designed by celebrated Indonesian textile artist, Josephine ‘Obin’ Komara.

The fan will be take pride of place in the hotel’s new lobby when Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta re-opens in October of this year.

The fan has a beautiful black wooden frame and finely carved sticks. The red background is the colour traditionally used for celebrations and auspicious occasions, symbolising joy and good luck - particularly in the East. The gold ties in beautifully with Mandarin Oriental’s logo, while jasmine flowers were chosen as the fan motif. Symbolising pureness, exoticism and a sense of ceremony and beauty, jasmine flowers or melati are abundant and widely prized in Indonesia.
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Everything you ever wanted to know about beetles…and more! At the Lanna Kids Club Beetles Garden at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, parents and children can get up close with these fascinating insects, learn about their life cycles and habits - and have a lot of fun at the same time!

The club’s friendly and informative staff will provide interesting insights into species such as the three-horned, fighting and muchi king (Japanese unicorn) beetles as well as others found in Thailand.  Did you know, for example, in Thailand female beetles lay eggs in the winter (November to December), which then hatch in the rainy season (June to October).  The rainy season is also the mating season during which time the male beetle becomes fiercely territorial.
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The Collection of nine Chic Outlet Shopping? Villages in Europe, managed by Value Retail continue to attract savvy international shoppers this season with an increase of total tax refunded sales in Q2 of 47% compared to the same period in 2008, showing a significant 51% increase year to date.

Collectively the nine European Villages outperformed their benchmark by double digit growth with clear indication that a sophisticated outlet shopping experience remains a key feature in the itineraries of travellers allowing shoppers to experience international and niche European brands at prices reduced by up to 60% every day, all year round. Host to internationally recognised fashion and lifestyle brands, of which, Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy, Matthew Williamson, Smythson, Anya Hindmarch, Temperley London and Agent Provocateur have chosen to have their only outlet boutique in Europe with one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping? Villages. In a continued evolution, over 70 brands have opened or plan to open a boutique at the Villages during 2009, with names including Gucci, Bulgari, Armani, Roberto Cavalli Class, Belstaff, and Diesel Kids. It is clearly a compelling offer.

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