TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 22 Centara properties

TWENTY-TWO properties operated by Centara Hotels & Resorts have been awarded the 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Of these, 20 are in Thailand, one in the Maldives and the other, in Vietnam.

The newly released certification, which is based on ratings posted by hotel guests, places each property within the top 10% of all businesses worldwide on the TripAdvisor website.

In 2012, eight Centara properties received the TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.

Centara properties receiving the award are located at Bangkok, Krabi, Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Trat, Koh Chang, Chiang Mai, the Maldives, and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.

“This is an outstanding recognition of our commitment to our guests and for the quality of our Thai-style hospitality,” says Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“As the certification is based entirely on the consistency of high ratings given by guests to businesses listed on the TripAdvisor website, it reflects the authentic feelings of our guests towards their experience with us.

“We are on a path of rapid strategic expansion, and several of the properties gaining the awards are in their first year of operation,” he said. “To gain recognition so quickly indicates that our guests appreciate and enjoy the Centara style of service.”

Centara Hotels & Resorts currently has a portfolio of 38 properties in operation in Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, the Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. A further 20 are in the construction phase, bringing the over-all total to 58.

Centara properties that have received the 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence are: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld; Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi; Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui; Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Villas Samui, Centara Villas Phuket; Centara Kata Resort Phuket; Centara Karon Resort Phuket; Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat; Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi; Centara Pattaya Hotel; Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort; Away Suansawan Chiang Mai; Centara Boutique Collection, Khum Phaya Resort & Spa; Centara Boutique Collection;Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya; Centara Boutique Collection; Centara Boutique Collection; Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong; and Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara.
The latest Centara brand is named COSI Hotels, “an economy brand designed for travellers who predominantly make their bookings via the Internet and who want comfort and convenience at the most friendly prices available.” The first COSI hotel is due to open in 2015.
For more information and reservations, call 662 101 1234 ext 1 or e-mail reservations@chr.co.th

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Dalai Lama keynote speaker at 2013 Global Spa Summit

THE DALAI LAMA, TENZIN GYATSO, one of the world’s most popular spiritual leaders, will be keynote speaker at the 7th annual Global Spa’s Wellness Summit, set for New Delhi, India, in October.

His Holiness describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. In 1989, he was winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and is the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for the global environment, and was recently named the most popular world leader in the U.S. and six European nations.

He has authored more than 72 books, and traveled to more than 62 countries on six continents.

Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, clinical professor of medicine, University of Arizona and University of California, believes that hearing him speak will represent a “defining moment” for conference delegates and the industry.

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First global destination spa forum set for India

A DEDICATED FORUM, defined as fully immersive, all-inclusive spa and wellness retreats, will lead off this year’s Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) at New Delhi, India, Oct. 5-7.

The global spa forum represents the first time leaders from 1,500-plus destination spas worldwide will gather in an effort to create a strategy on how best to solve their biggest challenges and capitalize on their biggest future opportunities.

“Although destination spas are a smaller group than resort and day spas, they’re often the leading innovators on the wellness frontier. And this first global ‘think tank’ organized for this critical spa segment is an exciting, much-needed event,” said Sharon Kolkka, general manager of Australia’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.

“We, the leaders of destinations spas worldwide, have much to discuss: from how to drive individual business growth; to the possibility of forging a united industry alliance to specifically advance our sector; and, more generally, wellness in the world.”

While destination spas and wellness retreats are becoming more diverse than ever, they share a mission of providing comprehensive mind/body/spirit experiences in which all guests participate. The programming, which typically spans fitness activities, nutritious cuisine, therapeutic and beauty treatments, preventative services and wellness education classes, is specifically designed to jumpstart healthy lifestyle changes.

And while destination spas represent only 2% (roughly 1,500 out of 72,000) of spa properties globally, they account for a much larger percentage of industry revenues (13% or $6 billion-plus) and employment, by 9%.

A group of destination spa leaders met informally at the 2012 Summit in Aspen, Colorado. And this year GSWS organizers decided that this high-impact sector needed formal space on the agenda to help further an alliance and collaboratively analyze their unique challenges and opportunities.

“In many ways, destination spas are the heartbeat of the industry,” said Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of the Global Spa and Wellness Summit. “Creating health transformations is their very DNA.”

Among those helping shape the Destination Spa Forum agenda are two Thai wellness retreats – Chiva Som and Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary.

The Forum is sponsored by the International Health and Wellness Alliance (IHWA). This new organization is devoted to educating the world about destination spas and wellness centers and encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices and evidence-based approaches at properties worldwide.

To learn more about the Summit, or to register to become a delegate, visit: http://www.globalspaandwellnesssummit.org

Hansar Samui’s luxury tropical retreat couples package

HANSAR SAMUI is offering a luxury tropical romantic retreat that includes a full list of special offerings – from cooking to massages.

The package, which is being offered from now until Dec. 13, 2013, includes:

Three-nights accommodation for two in Sea view XL or Beach Front room; private round trip airport transfers; Hansar signature cocktail on arrival; welcome flower garland and local fruit selection on arrival; daily à la carte or buffet breakfast for two; Thai cooking class; beachfront dining for two under the stars, complete with butler; rejuvenating 90-minute massage for two (choice of Stimulator, Revitalize or Siam Facial); 30-Minute Foot Reflexology massage; facial followed by herbal body scrub; full day Island tour highlighting the fantastic scenery of Eastern Thailand; Picnic lunch for two; one high tea for two at the Chill Lounge; ne coupon per person to choose from either: One non-alcohol cocktail at Chill Lounge or one dessert at H-Bistro restaurant; complimentary hotel gift; nightly turn-down treat; bottle of house wine; flower arrangements; bath with flower petals; and early check-in/late check-out subject to availability.

The package starts at US$1,767 for the Sea view XL room and US$1,934 for the Beach Front room.

Hansar Samui offers luxury, beachfront, spacious accommodation with unobstructed sea views from every room, and supersize private balconies and oversized daybeds for outdoor living and entertaining. Each room has been finished with teak floors, terrazzo bathrooms and local textiles to provide a sense of place.

For more information on Hansar Samui visit: http://www.hansarsamui.com/home.

 

Wellness retreat at Phulay Bay’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve

RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE at Phulay Bay is offering an exotic wellness retreat, designed to “refresh   your soul and mind” that focuses on awareness of your mind, body and spirit,   using ancient therapies and techniques. Phulay Bay is the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve   property, located in Krabi and set along the scenic shores of the Andaman   Sea. It was opened just over a year ago and represents a departure from the   ordinary, with “rare, exotic and authentic experiences” in one of the most   remote corners of the world. It has 54 one-bedroom villas with private plunge   pools and great ocean views. The Andaman Wellness Retreat package includes: Two-nights accommodation in the Reserve Pavilion or Reserve Pool Villa; daily breakfast for two at Jampoon Restaurant; roundtrip transfers from Krabi Airport by hotel limousine; exotic beverage refreshments en route to Phulay Bay; special welcome amenity; one hour daily Meditation class and one hour yoga   private class per stay; one hour Pilates   reformer or hatha yoga class per stay; one hour session of guidance through healthy life style   class from the Wellness Reserve team; daily lunch at Raw Café with special healthy TAiPAS Menu; one hour Thai massage therapy; daily detox and energy Juice; 24-hour butler service; complimentary daily boat trip to Hong Island; and complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, local coffee and tea. This package starts at US$647.12 for the Resort Pavilion and $1,236.94 for the Reserve Pool Villa, and is valid through Oct. 31, 2014. For more information on Phulay Bay, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/PhulayBay/Default.htm.

Six Senses Spas opens first spa in Bangkok at Pacific City Club

SIX SENSES SPAS opened its first spa in Bangkok at the prestigious Pacific City Club — the latest in a number of unique locations and major cities around the world.

Superbly located in the heart of the bustling city, The Pacific City Club provides an elegant setting for Bangkok’s business and social elites. The spa décor evokes a traditional Thai heritage house, merging modern facilities with the ambiance of a bygone era.

Warm old woods and silk soft furnishings are complemented with Asian antiques and copper fittings while spectacular city views add a sense of drama.

The Six Senses Spa at The Pacific City Club features three single and one couples treatment rooms, a consultation room, a manicure and pedicure area, a nap room and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. There are also female and male changing areas with steam, sauna, showers and relaxation areas.

Six Senses’ Asian heritage is reflected in the spa menu, which features Six Senses Signature treatments, including facials, massages, scrubs and wraps using the Six Senses natural skincare range. There are also facial therapies created by Biologique Recherche, providing firming, toning, regenerating and anti-stress solutions for all skin types.

Thirty-minute express treatments for head, back, shoulders, arms and feet, offer immediate relief for guests on the go, while two to three-hour spa journeys are designed for those with a little more time and in need of pampering.

Spa Manager Wilailuck Somsak (Wi) is a true spa aficionado. She brings many years of experience and knowledge from her previous roles running spas in Thailand and overseas. She is passionate about wellness and dedicated to delivering memorable spa experiences.

The Pacific City Club also offers numerous options for dining, relaxation and entertaining, such as the Sai Si Palace restaurant – serving Chinese culinary creations, or the Lounge & Library, a great setting for get-togethers.

VIE Hotel Bangkok welcomes Korean actor

POPULAR KOREAN ROMANTIC comedy actor Hwang Jung Eum, right, was welcomed to VIE Hotel Bangkok recently by Jirapa Akkaraj, general manager of VIE Hotel Bangkok and V Villas Hua Hin. She was in Bangkok for a fashion magazine shoot and stayed at the hotel’s Grand Deluxe Room.