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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The Beijing National Stadium,also known as the National Stadium,the “Bird’s Nest” is a stadium finished form the Olympic Games in Beijing.The “Bird’s Nest”,the main venue for Beijing’s Olympic Games,is perhaps the most iconic structure of the 2008 Olympics.It is located east of the Beijing Natinal Aquatics Centre.

The stadium will host the main track and field competitions form the 2008 Summer Olympics,as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.The stadium can seat as many as 91,000 spectators during the Olympics.The capacity will then be reduced to 80,000 after the Games.It has replaced the original intended venue of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium.the stadium is 330 meters long by 220 meters wide,and is 69.2 meters tall.The stadium uses 258,000 square meters of space and has a usable area of 204,000 square meters.It was built with 36 km of unwrapped steel,with a combined weight of 45,000 tons.The stadium will cost up to 3.5 billion Yuan.

The National Stadium is dubbed the “Bird’s Nest” because ofits innovative grid formation.The twig-like structural elements and the bowl-shaped roof are the masterpiece of the project,yet they pose great challenges to technicians and workers who need to make the building stand on its own feet.The constructors have made decisive efforts to let the “Bird’s Nest” support its own weight without relying on any of the supporting structures.

The large steel skeleton of the project weights 42,000 tons,with the roof and the hanging parts around it accounting for 11,2000 tons.To bear such a heavy load,78 supporting structures were temporarily installed and distributed in different points under stress.Through accurate calculation and careful argumentation,experts came to understand that the unloading process of the supporting frameworks should be divided into seven steps and each step should abide by the sequence of outer circle,middle circle,inner circle,middle circle and innercircle.In other words,35 mini-steps are needed to complete the whole process.

To unload a supporting structure,or to load the insitu steel skeleton,a lifting jack is used.Jacking pads with a height of 100mm to 200mm are placed on the top of the supporting structures.When the lifting jack rises,it replaces the structure to bear the load of the steel skeleton,and a jacking pad is removed.Then the jack descends slowly to give the remaining load again to the column,thus repeating a total of 35 times until the steel skeleton is able to bear its own weight.

Accuracy is required during the process.The maximum descent of the outer circle is limited to  68-286mm,the middle circle 161-178mm and inner circle 208-286mm.If the descent of the steel structure,which relies on its own supporting capability,exceeds the extent,or cracks appear somewhere in the skeleton,then problems might exist in the design,manufacturing or construction stages in the past three years.In a word,the unloading process is a proof of “the Bird’s Nest” Quality.

2009 Asia Hotel Industry Summit announced the award list of 2009 for “Top 10 Luxurious Brand Hotel in Asia”, in which The Sofitel Wanda Beijing was named. Moreover, Mr. Ian Alexandre, General Manager of Sofitel Wanda Beijing and Area General Manager Sofitel Wanda Hotels North China was named as one of the “Top 10 Hotel Managers”.

These awards further bring recognition to the Softel Wanda Beijing as being one of the best hotels in the city.

Ideally situated in Beijing’s Central Business District, the 27-storey Sofitel Wanda Beijing has 417 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, 10 conference rooms, a Grand Ballroom, Health Club, swimming pool, and the luxurious LeSpa. The hotel is ideal for meetings, conferences, and incentive groups as it enjoys easy access to the China International Exhibition Centre, the city subway, major tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and shopping malls. It is only 30 minutes via airport expressway to Beijing Capital International Airport.

Luxury Travel Vietnam Company Limited which is the Indochina’s first luxury travel company has issued a list of hotels and resorts in the region.

This list is complied by the company founder, Mr. Ha Pham, and seasoned luxury hotel advisors and their discerning customers.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is honorable to get the 4th award from Top 10 Cambodia Luxury Hotels and Resorts.

FAIRMONT SINGAPORE SHIFTS TO MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE
WITH VELOCIOUS AND DELICIOUS FORMULA ONE TREATS

As Jenson Button’s star rises to meteoric proportion this season, shattering the dominance of megastars Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, Fairmont Singapore shifts to the sixth gear and revs up a head-spinning collection of exciting F1-inspired promotions. “As the fastest race on earth heads back to the Lion City once again, we have lined up an outstanding list of lifestyle, dining and pampering offerings both F1 fans and motor racing novices will surely enjoy,” said Mr Ian Wilson, General Manager, Fairmont Singapore and Regional Vice President, Asia, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “This is a period where we turn moments into memories for our guests and we are very excited to welcome them back this season,” he added.

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Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ landmark property in Asia, has been appointed as the Official Hotel Partner for the much anticipated and historic first Youth Olympic Games from 14 to 26 August 2010.

“The Fairmont Singapore is extremely proud of this opportunity to be a partner of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. As the brand’s pioneer property in Asia, the Fairmont Singapore looks forward to showcasing the best of Singapore, welcoming our guests from all over the world with warm and genuine hospitality, and an experience that truly reflects the distinctive atmosphere of this dynamic country. Given our history of hosting large-scale events, we are committed to making this a memorable experience for those key audiences that will be brought together for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games,” commented Ian Wilson, General Manager, Fairmont Singapore and Regional Vice-President, Asia, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“With more than a century of hospitality experience, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts looks forward to playing a key role in what promises to be a landmark event for both Singapore and the entire region. As we expand our foothold in Asia with the opening of new properties in Beijing, Kunshan and Shanghai in China, as well as the Philippines and India, we feel that it is fitting for us to unite in the excitement and spirit of the Youth Olympics and celebrate this new tradition,” added Thomas W. Storey, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“We will be welcoming overseas guests from the Olympic family, International Federations, commercial partners, government officials and representatives from the media during Singapore 2010. Visitors staying at the Fairmont Singapore will have ease of accessibility travelling to the competition venues in various parts of Singapore. I am excited to have a valuable partner such as the Fairmont on this journey with us,” said Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.

Fairmont Singapore has been involved in hosting a stellar list of high profile and global scale sporting events including the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in July 2005, a week-long event which saw over 6,500 officials, delegates, dignitaries and sports celebrities witness London win the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

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Singapore will be hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from 14 to 26 August 2010. The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games will receive some 3,600 athletes and
800 officials from the 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), along with estimated
800 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than
500,000 spectators. Young athletes - aged between 14 and 18 years - will compete in
26 sports and take part in Culture and Education Programme.

The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games aims to inspire youth around the world to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect. It will create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from around the world, as well as enhance and elevate the sporting culture locally and regionally.

For more information, please visit www.singapore2010.sg

Franck Lafourcade, General Manager of Sofitel Hyland Shanghai and Area General Manager of several hotels in Eastern China, has received  a “Silver Bernache Award for Respect”  from the Accor Group.

The Bernache Awards, founded in 1989, recognize outstanding Accor employees whose actions and exemplary behavior embody the company’s spirit and values. This highly coveted award epitomizes the Group’s corporate culture and its commitment to recognizing and rewarding the most deserving employees in categories as Respect, Innovation, Performance and Trust,  among others.

Mr. Lafourcade has been instrumental in the development of his personnel, enabling significant professional advancements for his workforce at the each properties he has managed. Furthermore, throughout his successful career with Sofitel Luxury Hotels, he has built long lasting, constructive bonds with owners, staff - and especially with visiting guests.

His experience and dedication show he is a true Sofitel ambassador, inspiring those around him with the “French touch” that lies at the heart of the Group. In Shanghai, the sincere  and in depth cultural understanding and respect he shows to his local guests have made him greatly admired by all who come into contact with him.

Mr. Lafourcade has recently been promoted to the position of Area General Manager with responsibility for Sofitel Suzhou, Sofitel Hangzhou Xanadu Resort, Sofitel Hangzhou Westlake, Sofitel Hefei Grand Park,  and Sofitel Qingdao, in addition to the ongoing management of the Sofitel Hyland.