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.

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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As some of the world’s great treasures tour the globe, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering access to many fascinating exhibits that guests might not have another chance to see, except on their travels.  For those who want a dose of culture on their next trip, Fairmont offers experiences for exploring King Tut’s tomb, the Dead Sea Scrolls and many more enticing exhibits from top international museums.  And after a full day of stimulating your intellect, cozy into one of Fairmont’s luxurious rooms for a good night’s sleep to soak it all in.

*King Tut’s tomb has proven to be one of the most popular and enduring artistic and archeological wonders in the world, and Fairmont has two properties celebrating this powerful and exciting icon.  Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs brings the ancient treasures of the Egyptian boy king, his family and royal predecessors to San Francisco through March 28, 2010.  The Fairmont San Francisco has partnered with the de Young Museum to create an exclusive package that guarantees guests VIP tickets and expedited entrance to the Kit Tut exhibition, even on dates that are sold out to the public. Starting at $249 plus tax and gratuity, the King Tut: Mummy and Me package includes a one-night-stay at the landmark hotel, two VIP tickets to the exhibition and two Egyptian Sunrise cocktails in The Laurel Court. With the King Tut: Wake Like an Egyptian package, guests enjoy elegant overnight accommodation, complimentary parking at the hotel, breakfast for two in The Laurel Court as well as VIP tickets to the exhibition, starting at $319 plus tax and gratuity.  Available through March 28, 2010.

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Just seven minutes by speedboat from Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort is one of the Andaman, Thailand’s hidden gems: Hong Island. The award winning beach is surrounded by limestone cliffs, offering a secluded, desert island experience.

The property’s complimentary shuttle boat departs daily at 8:30 and returns at 15:00 with drinking water, beach towels, beach mats, snorkeling equipment and a kayak and butler included. Picnic baskets are available for 500 baht per person. Guests are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Mr. Ove Sandstrom, General Manager would like to present the beautiful Hong Island experience to all Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra guests with their premiere service of the daily complimentary shuttle so that the guests can enjoy the beach, nature and overall island experience in full.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is the first hotel to facilitate this exclusive offer.

Sofitel Wanda Beijng held a French Gourmet Cuisine cooking class at Le Pre Lenotre restaurant. The esteemed Chef Yannick shared his “savoir-faire” with all of the participants.

Sofitel Wanda Beijing will continue to conduct the cooking class every last Tuesday of each month, and those who attend are certain to see their culinary skills improve. If class attendees are beginners in the kitchen, the class will offer basic and essential cooking techniques. For those more experienced, Chef Yannick will guide them through an experience of new cuisines, and some tips and tricks for advanced culinary techniques.

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