Maroma Resort & Spa, Rustic Hideaway on Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

As published in Hotelier Indonesia magazine

www.hotelier-indonesia.com

January - February 2012

full issue at:  http://www.youblisher.com/p/242387-New-7th-Edition/ 

Maroma Resort:  www.maromahotel.com

Located in the Riviera Maya, Maroma Resort and Spa is a rustic yet luxurious hideaway built by hand in the tradition of the Mexican haciendas where personal service, warm hospitality and privacy are unsurpassed.  Opened in 1995, Maroma rests on the Yucatan Peninsula.  Known for its residential feel, it is among the most sought after a getaway on the Riviera Maya as its unspoiled beach and lush jungle provides the utmost in privacy and natural beauty.  Offering the cultural richness of the region, Maroma’s idyllic natural setting, pristine beach, accommodations and personalized service draws sophisticated travelers from all over the world.

DESCRIPTION:

Situated on a 25-acre beachfront portion of a 500-acre coconut plantation on the Riviera Maya, Maroma Resort and Spa is a 65 room hideaway that is reputed to be among the finest resorts in Mexico.  Opened in 1995, Maroma is nestled at the edge of an unspoiled stretch of beach on the Yucatan Peninsula, bordered by the world’s second longest barrier reef, providing world-class SCUBA and snorkeling.  The reef provides safe sea bathing in all weather conditions and protects Maroma’s talcum powder-like beach, which has been recognized as the “World’s Best Beach” by the Travel Channel.

LOCATION:

Located 12 miles from Playa del Carmen, Maroma Resort and Spa is set on a quiet beachfront on the Riviera Maya.  The region offers guests access to beautiful uncrowded beaches, lush jungles, more than over 100 mystical Cenotes and Mayan ruins and a host of eco-adventure and sports activities. Stretching 81 miles, the Riviera Maya begins 11 miles south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos, and extends to Felipe Carillo Puerto, a small town near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.  Cancun international airport is served by most of the major airlines with direct flights form several major U.S.  cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami and New York. Maroma Resort and Spa offers its guest transportation from the airport to the resort.   

                                               

DESIGN:

Maroma’s authentic Mayan sensibility is evident throughout.  The resort is made up of several two and three story, white stucco buildings with thatched roof terraces to maximize views and privacy. Buildings are joined by winding stone pathways lined with lush plantings, which are lit by more than 100 candles and torches each evening.

Each building has been hand-crafted by the same family of Mayan masons and is purposefully aligned to the stars to ensure proper energy flow so that the mind, body and spirit are at peace.  Interiors feature curved lines, indigenous building products, windows that capture sunbeams, oversized tubs adorned with Mexican tiles, and carved lighting niches that define sensuality.  

ROOMS:

Open to the sea and shaded by swaying palms, the resort offers 65 rustically-luxurious rooms and one four bedroom villa.  All guestrooms offer ocean or garden views, original art, hand-loomed bedding and rugs, private terraces with sofas or double hammocks, bamboo shutters, telephone, in-room safes, and CD players.   Bathrooms are resplendent with toiletries and feature oversized tubs, which are hand-made and adorned with Mexican tiles. No two bathtubs are alike throughout the resort.

AWARDS:

Travel + Leisure

“World’s Best Awards” – Top 8 Resorts in Mexico, 2011

“World Best Awards” – Top 5 Hotel Spa in Mexico, 2011

Condé Nast Traveler

Readers Choice Awards #8 Top Mexico Resorts” 2011

“Best Spa in Mexico and Central America”, 250 Best Spas 2011

“Top 7 Hotel Spa: The Americas and Caribbean”, Spa Awards 2011

“Gold List – World’s Best Places to Stay” 2004 - 2010

Readers Choice Awards #2 Top Mexico Resorts” 2010

Wine Spectator

“Award of Excellence” 2008, 2009, 2010

Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report

“Readers Survey Top Beach Resorts” 2011

“Readers’ Choice Top Beach Resorts” 2010

ADDRESS:

Maroma Resort and Spa                                        GENERAL MANAGER:

Highway 307, KM 51                                             Federico Echaiz

Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo                                  DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING:

México 77710                                                     Heda Chehda

Telephone: (52) 998-872-8200                              OWNERS/MANAGEMENT:

Fax: (52) 998-872-8220                                       Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises

Website:  www.maromahotel.com

Reservations: (866) 454-9351

reservations@maromahotel.com

The Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, “New” Dubai’s premier five-star destination

As published in Hotelier Indonesia Magazine

www.hotelier-indonesia.com

January - February 2012

full issue at:  http://www.youblisher.com/p/242387-New-7th-Edition/

Bonnington Towers at:  www.bonningtontower.com

Looking for traditional European-style hospitality amidst the fast growing business districts of New Dubai? Well, you don’t have to look any more – the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers is a landmark of heritage and style, providing a chic 5 star residential address to all who walk through her doors.

Located in the heart of Jumeirah Lakes Towers, a large mixed-use development on Sheikh Zayed Road just opposite Dubai Marina, the Bonnington is a 5-star hotel with 208, all non-smoking, rooms and suites, 272 luxurious serviced hotel apartments, 6 restaurants and bars, 4 in-house conference suites, a Leisure Deck on the 11th floor with infinity pool, state of the art gym, pool bar, Jacuzzi, steam, sauna as well as hairdressing salons for ladies and gentlemen. The Bonnington recently also added a large, purpose-built, conference centre and ballroom to its portfolio, which is located just across the road from the Hotel.

The Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers truly is “New” Dubai’s premier five-star destination, less than 30 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, a short 40 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi, and in walking distance of two Dubai Metro stations.

The hotel features a number of stunning & stylish restaurants and bars:

The Authors’ Lounge is the perfect venue for meeting business partners or friends or just to enjoy gourmet coffees, aromatic teas and light snacks, while relaxing in one of the many comfortable armchairs. In the evenings, an open fire place adds to the atmosphere.

The Cavendish Restaurant is a destination venue, bustling with life and taste, a true melting pot of cultures and cuisine, which brings guests and visitors the best British-European classical dishes presented with a modern twist incorporating the exotic elements of the Middle East. Once a month, the Cavendish’s popular wine dinners bring have the city’s gourmets flock to Jumeirah Lakes Towers to experience a specially composed, seasonal, five-course menu, matched with expertly selected wines.

Healey’s Bar and Terrace invites guests and visitors to relax and unwind in stylish surroundings after a long day’s work, and offers a fine selection of snacks as well as an extensive cocktail and wine list. Nightly live-music provides a chilled out atmosphere for sophisticated relaxation.

The Pool Bar on the Leisure Deck offers refreshing drinks, exquisite meals and also affords guests the opportunity to relax with a shisha by the pool-side with stunning views over the Jumeirah Lakes and the new Dubai skyline.

McGettigan’s Irish Pub, located just next to the main hotel tower, is Dubai’s first Irish family-owned and operated Irish Pub. First opened in Dublin in 1964, the Dubai branch opened in December 2010 and offers the same warm Irish hospitality and mighty Irish craic as the original. The Pub has fast become the venue of choice for sports fans – all major sporting events are shown on the many TV screens and guests can enjoy fine Irish fare and well poured beverages while catching up with the latest sporting action. There’s also a large beer-garden for the cooler months. McGettigan’s Irish Pub recently won the prestigious What’s On Award for “Best Pub Grub” in Dubai.

 
In the hotel, three floors of Business Club rooms & suites are ready to welcome executive travellers and guests staying in these rooms will benefit from a wealth of value-added services, e.g. complimentary airport pick-up, free wireless Internet, and access to the Bonnington Business Club Lounge.

The Bonnington truly features an option for every traveller, whether a guest is looking for a one night’s stay in a hotel room, or a year’s stay in a luxurious apartment.  The Hotel is only 40 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi, so guests also have easy access to a number of business and leisure destinations in Abu Dhabi, e.g. Yas Island Formula 1, Masdar city, etc.

The Bonnington offers five-star luxury that is truly individual. As it is not part of a large international hotel chain, guests and visitors will always benefit from the family atmosphere during their stay. Yet, as the Bonnington is part of Worldhotels’ Deluxe Collection, guests are assured international standards and quality.

The Bonnington was recently awarded not just one, but two TripAdvisor Choice Awards and TripAdvisor users rank the Hotel amongst the 25 best luxury hotels in the Middle East and the 25 trendiest hotels in the region.

While Bonnington may be a relatively new name to Dubai, it has an interesting 100-year history, dating back to 1907, when the Bonnington Bloomsbury first opened its doors in central London.

Today, the Bonnington Group is based in London and covers a wide spectrum of activities ranging from the hospitality industry to property investment, development and real estate.

The Bonnington– handcrafted hospitality since 1907... Check-in today @ www.bonningtontower.com

DJ ERNY, International Female DJ based in Bali

As published in Hotelier Indonesia Magazine

www.hotelier-indonesia.com

July-August 2011

full issue at:

http://www.youblisher.com/p/155887-Hotelier-Indonesia-4th-Editions-July-August-2011/

A regular in the Kuta clubbing scene for more than ten years, DJ Erny shares her experiences with Hotelier Indonesia.

[HI] How did you get started DJing? 

[DJ ERNY]  Music has always been a part of my life.  I could often be found break-dancing with school friends in Kupang, or listening to music during my days at university in Bali. Though educated in tourism, my free time continued to revolve around music. Upon completing school, I decided to become a DJ and make music my career.  I’m lucky that I could make a career out of my hobby.

[HI] What was your first big break in the industry?

[DJ ERNY]  2001, landing the position as the Resident DJ for Maccaroni Club in Legian, Kuta.  Female DJs were quite rare at the time, so for Arturo Caruso to take me on as their first resident DJ was quite a significant step for both the club and for me.  I owe a debt of gratitude to Arturo for the ten very good years I had with the club.

[HI] Since Bali is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, you must have seen quite a diverse range of guests at Maccaroni during your decade there.

[DJ ERNY]  The variety of guests is one of the points I had enjoyed about mixing at Maccaroni.   We’d have customers from all over the world, from Australia to USA, India, Japan, Italy, France, Holland, South Africa, Russia … from almost anywhere.  Some would stop by the DJ booth for a quick word or request. 

We also had our share of regulars.  One was a pilot with Cathay Pacific based in Hong Kong.  He was a surfer who made Bali his regular surf destination.  We had other regulars from Australia, Singapore, Java and around the region.

[HI] With the diversity in music around the world, it must have had an impact on what you carry with you.

[DJ ERNY]  Yes.  People would request their favorites which could range from Hindi to Euro-Dance to Hip Hop, club charts and others.   At times the club’s staff would let me know where a large group is from, and I’d play something from their region.   I remember the excited reaction from group of Russians when I’d play a top mix from the club scene in Moscow.  Having a club in the heart of Legian play a Russian vocal had caught them by surprise.  I enjoyed seeing their reaction.  Part of a DJ’s job is to read the crowd and keep them engaged.

[HI]  What music genres do you prefer?

[DJ ERNY]  My preferred genres include House, Tribal, Funky-House, Electro and Progressive.  However, due to the wide range of clubbers we have in Bali, I prepare a wide-range of music.

[HI]  You were able to play gigs out-country in recent years.  Where have your travels taken you?

[DJ ERNY]  I’ve had the good fortune to travel both within Indonesia and abroad.  The travel has allowed me to see the variety our world offers, including Australia, USA, Hong Kong, Macau, Dubai and Thailand.  I have also visited countries in the developing world like Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

[HI] Did gigs must have varied from one gig to the next?

[DJ ERNY]  Yes, there was big difference depending on the location.  Playing the discotheques in Vientiane (Laos), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) and Yangon (Myanmar) was typically to locals who were accustomed to hip-hop .. a genre that wasn’t often played at Maccaroni.  Being accustomed to a wide-range of guests in Legian, I was able to accommodate their preferences.

Playing clubs like Les Visages (Hong Kong), Glow Bangkok and StereoLab Phuket was for well-travelled expats who preferred House, Tribal and Progressive.   This also was also the type I played at S Nightclub in Holland USA.

[HI] You spent quite a bit of time in Hong Kong. What interesting stories or experiences did you come home with?

[DJ ERNY] I was at Les Visages Nightclub in Wanchai, Hong Kong for six weeks, as the International DJ at the center of their DJ Festival.  I was supported by six DJs based in Hong Kong.

Sunday afternoons were very interesting, as I began playing at 3pm (3 in the afternoon).  Hong Kong has a very large population of domestic helpers from Philippines and Indonesia.  Sunday was the one day they would have off from work.   They would hit the clubs in Wanchai mid-afternoon until well into the night.   Whereas the dance floor packed with western expats six nights a week, Sunday afternoons had the club filled with young maids enjoying their one day off.

While in Hong Kong, I was also given the opportunity to get around and experience the nightlife with other club DJs.   With them, we’d typically visit nightclubs in Wanchai, Lang Kwai Fong and Kowloon, giving me a broader experience on the Hong Kong club scene.

More about DJ ERNY can be found at:

Email:  djerny@djerny.com

Website:  www.djerny.com

YouTube:  www.youtube.com/ERNYDJ

SoundCloud:  www.soundcloud.com/DJERNY

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/#!/DJ_ERNY

We wish to thank DJ ERNY for the time she’s taken to share with us.

Banyan Village, Resort & Golf Hua Hin, Thailand -- A One-of-a-kind place

As printed in Hotelier Indonesia Magazine

www.hotelier-indonesia.com

July-August 2011

full issue at:

http://www.youblisher.com/p/155887-Hotelier-Indonesia-4th-Editions-July-August-2011/

Banyan Village, Resort & Golf is in a one-of-a-kind “place” — geographically, atmospherically, and in terms of service and quality. The shared vision of a group of friends, it is fast becoming the community of choice for those devoted to fun, family, and an unmatched combination of posh comfort, urban chic and cultural fascination.

Located just two hours south of Thailand’s capital city by car, Hua Hin, Banyan’s home, has long been Bangkok’s preferred seaside resort, popular with Thais and foreigners alike. Sometimes affectionately referred to as The Bangkok Riviera, it is also less than five hours from several major metropolises, such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Celebrated as a centre for Thai culture, outstanding golf, yachting, and kite-surfing, as well as a haven for arts and wellness pursuits, Hua Hin has everything a contemporary resort town ought to have.   But the region’s accessibility, temperate climate, warm gulf waters, and varied, spectacular scenery have attracted recreational visitors for centuries. In fact, their numbers include His Majesty the King Bhumidol Adulyadej, who became so enthralled with the area during visits with his jazz band in the 1960s that he eventually made it his summer residence.

Here, it’s possible to dine at a fabulous beachfront restaurant serving the freshest seafood (for which Hua Hin is justly renowned), shop at one of the country’s most dazzling night markets and enjoy your favorite local entertainment — all in one evening.

Any such ideal evening should by rights end at Banyan Village, Resort & Golf, situated on a hillside just a few minutes south of downtown, in the picturesque village of Kao Takiab, amid pineapple plantations and ancient Buddhist temples.

While it’s true that Banyan Village, Resort & Golf could exist only in Hua Hin, it’s also true that it could not be what it is without enlightened management and ownership. Already aficionados of the region, Hua Hin is for them vastly more than a pin in a development map. Details, management believes, make all the difference.

Thus, the scale and architectural vernacular of every structure is chosen for its compatibility with the natural topography. Homes are designed to provide all contemporary amenities, within an ambience that is simultaneously “Thai” and environmentally sensitive.

Further proof is in the array of facilities and services offered. From tennis courts to yoga classes and from a fitness centre to a beach club, no interest is ignored.   The resort’s restaurants cater to even the most sensitive palate and demanding taste buds by serving up a variety of dishes from around the world.

The eagerness to please pervades all three of Banyan Village, Resort & Golf’s major components. Its centerpiece is the resort, offering guests levels of accommodation and attentiveness unparalleled in this part of Thailand and rare elsewhere.

The resort consists of 86 tropically landscaped villas, each featuring a lavish, 130-square-metre living area, two bedrooms, kitchenette and private Jacuzzi connecting to an immense, free-form communal swimming pool.  Just as homeowners get to enjoy the services of a concierge, maintenance and housekeeping crew, and room-service staff, so too do resort guests. To the staff, nothing is too much trouble.

That same philosophy extends to Banyan’s award-winning golf club, whose course was immediately elevated to world-class status when it was voted best new layout in the Asia-Pacific region by readers of Asian Golf Monthly in 2009.

In fact, Banyan is the only golf resort in Thailand nominated in the top five best golf resorts in Asia Pacific. Banyan also serves as a great locus for exploring the region’s numerous golf alternatives.

What’s more, while golfers will be thrilled to play the course, which hugs the rolling contours of its terrain, one hardly needs to tee it up to appreciate the club.

The clubhouse, for instance, is an architectural mix of traditional Thai themes and modern flourishes. It features luxurious locker rooms, exclusive club suite accommodations and complementary dining experiences in Mulligan’s Bar and The Terrace Restaurant, both of which offer spectacular sunset views of the Burmese Mountains, always enhanced by friendly Thai hospitality.

To paraphrase the overall design and operating objectives at Banyan Village, Resort & Golf: The idea is to redefine the tropical resort experience, with something for everyone. The inspiration is an exquisite, culturally rich location accessible to a discriminating but cosmopolitan clientele.

The goal is then to infuse Banyan with a built environment worthy of this historic and beautiful context, to create something for generations to come. Like Hua Hin itself, Banyan exudes style and charisma without the pretense (not to mention congestion) befalling other resort areas.

And because residents and frequent visitors to Banyan Village, Resort & Golf share a fondness for the place, it is, like Hua Hin, more than the sum of its parts.

Banyan Village, Resort & Golf, Hua Hin, Thailand

68/34 Mooban Hua Na, Tambol Nong Gae, Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 77110

Sales Office: +66 (32) 538 855

sales@banyanthailand.com

Resort: +66 (32) 538 888

booking@banyanthailand.com

Golf: +66 (32) 616 200

reservations@banyanthailand.com

www.banyanthailand.com

Fusion Maia launches Fusion Lounge, Hoi An

As printed in Hotelier Indonesia Magazine

www.hotelier-indonesia.com

June 2011

full issue at:  http://www.youblisher.com/p/140265-Hotelier-Indonesia-Magazine/

Fusion Maia continues surprising – having just launched the news to open Fusion Lounge in the Ancient town of Hoi An.

Yet another exciting concept offering Fusion Maia guests the amazing choice to enjoy breakfast any time or anywhere, including in Hoi An overlooking the Thu Bon River, or even spa included in their visit to Hoi An such as a complimentary foot massage while waiting for the resort shuttle bus.

Fusion Lounge Hoi An retains the chic design style of the resort, yet offers a relaxed and trendy new environment.  The restaurant and lounge bar offers a signature modern Asian Fusion Set Menu, great Lavazza coffee and selection of home-made cakes and pastries as well as wireless internet.  A convenient complimentary shuttle service is available between the Resort and the Lounge for guests.

The launch of Fusion Lounge  Hoi An shows commitment to continue developing surprising concepts and unique services.

On this occasion, we are offering a special promotion of 290USD++/villa/night(*), including:

·         All spa treatments included

·         All villas have a private pool

·         Breakfast served any time, any place

Reserve now at +84  (0)511 3967 999, reservation-dn@fusion-resorts.com, www.fusionmaiadanang.com.

*The rate is not inclusive of service charge and tax and valid until 30 Sep 2011

About Fusion Maia

Fusion Maia’s trendsetting concept is attempting to shake up the luxury resort scene with its all-inclusive spa concept, the first of its kind in Asia.  This hip new 5 star beach resort on Vietnam’s central coast and offers 80 chic pool suites, 4 spa and 3 direct beach front villas, all with modern open-plan living and courtyard with private swimming pool. 

The first resort in Asia to offer all (really all!) spa treatments included in the regular room rate!   Maia Spa is the largest in Vietnam and the highlight of the resort.  This surprising feature allows you to enjoy the spa experience as part of your stay, be it a manicure, or a full spa package, at no extra cost.

About Fusion Management

Fusion Management hospitality services creates and manages unique and exciting concepts fusing harmony, surprise and spirit to create signature identities and emotions for each project, yet always with a distinctive Fusion lifestyle approach in management.

Fusion Maia Resort is the latest showcase and new projects including Fusion Alya Hoi An and Fusion Alya La Gi opening early 2012.