Until 26th March 2009, the Metropole Monte-Carlo is celebrating the New Year with a stylish and
romantic theme.
Maud Lesur, the hotel’s Artistic Director, has named the theme “Sweet Boudoir”, and has dressed the hotel in the style and spirit of the 18th Century revisited. The décor consists of powder pink and silver tones, synonymous with refinement and femininity. The theme is present throughout all the public areas in the hotel, where guests can see beautiful vases of pale pink roses around the lobby and delicate silvered pebbles adorning the Joël Robuchon Monte-Carlo Restaurant, the Bar, as well as in the bedrooms and in the Spa.

“Renew” Treatment at the Métropole ESPA Monte-Carlo
Associated with the prestigious brand ESPA, the Métropole ESPA is offering “Renew”, a detoxifying programme providing a
moment of absolute relaxation within a luxurious setting designed by Jacques Garcia. “Renew” is a complete experience which starts with the Heat Experience treatment, consisting of preparation of the skin and the mind in the sauna, hammam or steam room, followed by the ice fountain and a shower in essential oils. The body is then treated to an exfoliation with salt and oil and ends with a detoxifying body massage with essential and aromatic oils. “Renew” treatment exfoliation and detoxifying massage with essential oils – 1h30, 195€

Tea Time
Every afternoon, Hotel Métropole offers “Tea Time”, a wellknown time to take the opportunity to relax with friends or take
a pause from a day’s shopping. Served in the charm and glamour of the lobby, ‘Tea Time’ offers a selection of cakes, pastries and sweets prepared by Pastry Chef Patrick Mesiano, and are presented on a powder-pink and silver trolley. Guests will be able to choose from a selection of herbal, strong and refreshing teas from the House of Ronnefeldt.
Métropole Tea Time : Monday-Sunday from 3pm – 6pm. Three concepts : Métropole (25€), Champagne (34€) or Pink Champagne (38€)

“Sweet Sweetie” Cocktail
For a romantic rendez-vous, Eddy Montana, Head Barman at the Hotel Métropole has created a “Sweet Boudoir” cocktail to accompany the theme. Consisting of passion fruit vodka, soya milk, strawberry syrup and Passoa liqueur, it has been named “Sweet Sweetie” and is served with a vanilla and strawberry macaroon, sprinkled with edible silver powder. “Sweet Sweetie” Cocktail – 24€

For more information visit “The Hotel METROPOLE” with Finest SPA

A private five star retreat on the southern tip of Hainan Island, China

Mandarin Oriental, Sanya is now open, bringing the hotel group’s signature oriental service excellence and distinct ‘East Meets West’ design to mainland China’s premier resort destination.

“We are delighted to be bringing Mandarin Oriental’s renowned levels of hospitality to China,” said General Manager, Gerd Knaust. Offering tranquility and serenity, the 297-room Mandarin Oriental, Sanya is a perfect hideaway surrounded by a peaceful, natural environment with lush greenery, protected coral reefs and a secluded 1.2 km private beach.

To celebrate the arrival of this exclusive resort, Mandarin Oriental, Sanya has introduced a special opening promotion that is available until 30 September 2009.

Opening Offer – “Enjoy Three Nights for the Price of Two”
From 1 February to 30 September 2009, guests can enjoy a complimentary room night when they stay with Mandarin Oriental, Sanya for two consecutive nights or more.

About Mandarin Oriental, Sanya

Mandarin Oriental, Sanya is situated at Sanya city, Hainan’s most popular beachfront holiday destination. Sharing the same latitude as Hawaii, Sanya offers a tropical climate with year-round sunshine, sandy beaches, clear waters, authentic cultural activities, and excellent golf and water sports facilities. Set among 12 hectares of private beachfront site, Mandarin Oriental, Sanya is situated in the sheltered Coral Bay near the city’s shopping and entertainment area, Dadonghai, with sweeping views of the South China Sea.

The resort features a series of private low rise and villa accommodation with ocean views, some featuring individual pools, patios and gazebos. There are 11 innovative restaurants and bars, an extensive spa village with private treatment suites and gardens, a large recreation centre with children’s’ facilities and over 3,800 sq m of indoor and outdoor conference and banqueting space, providing guests with the perfect destination getaway whether for business or pleasure.

Terms and Conditions
1. This opening offer applies to Seasonal Choices and Delight Rates for all room types.
2. This offer is valid from 1 February to 30 September 2009 inclusive, and cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers.
3. The complimentary room night is to be materialized immediately after the paid for stay, and is not available on 1 October 2009.
4. The complimentary room night cannot be redeemed for cash, and is not refundable.
5. This offer is subject to availability and change without prior notice.
6. 15% service charge and prevailing local government tax (RMB11 per person per night) applies.
7. In the case of any disputes, Mandarin Oriental, Sanya’s decision is final.

For more information visit www.mandarinoriental.com

Coming from India, ayurvedic massage originates directly from ayurveda ; a natural massage technique of well-being.
Ayurveda, or “the science of life” is undoubtebly one of the most ancient health disciplines in the world and is based on the knowledge of oneself.
It integrates the body and spirit at the same time.
In India, it is simply healthy living.
In spas, ayurveda is practised through ayurvedic massage therapy aiming to achieve a feeling of overall well-being.
This massage is traditionally practised lying on the floor with no clothes on or in underwear.
Warm oil is applied all over the body and a small amount may be rubbed into the forehead during a massage session.
The techniques used in ayurvedic massage include repeated kneading and employment of pressure points on different parts of the body in order to warm the muscle and obtain a general feeling of well-being.
This massage is a relaxing therapy but can also be a vigourous one.
It comprises of a whole body experience and can be practised in a more dynamic manner.

Claire’s advice :

Ideally the person should be without clothes. The results are more effective. Make sure that the room where you are going to have your massage is very well heated ; you shouldn’t feel cold at any time.
Your body’s well-being will be entirely taken care of, so let yourself go !

Visit Ananda in the Himalays

Kobido, or the “ancient way of beauty” is a traditional Japanese facial massage.
It is regarded as a natural technique believed to be extremely effective in the prevention and treatment of wrinkles.
Kobido massage consists of stimulating different facial acupressure points, around the nape and the neck, by using smooth strokes and deep-kneading movements.
This is a very gentle and effective massage treatment.
Kobido movements are said to unblock the muscle tensions believed to be a cause of wrinkles and allow a fresh blood flow.
The skin is rejuvenated and relaxed.

Claire’s advice :

60 min of this massage will be one of those definitive moments of amazing beauty treatment.
It can be combined with other types of facial massages that aim to relax and purify skin tone.
Having regular Kobido treatments will restore vitality and beauty of your skin as well as minimize the aging process.

Originating from Korea, this massage treatment aims at relaxing the body and spirit.
Lying on a mat, the person is fully dressed whilst a therapist is performing vibrating and stretching movements.
This technique starts by massaging the feet and gradually moving upwards.
The therapist is practising meticulous kneading on joints, using vibrating movements on the other parts of the body and finishes with a gentle facial massage.
Korean massage stimulates a deep muscular tension relief, relaxes the back, improves the breathing and helps the person to fall asleep.

Claire’s advice :

This massage, with its amazing vibrating techniques, will enable you to experience a deep relaxation.
For those who would rather not use body oils, this treatment can be practiced at any time and is a particulary pleasurable experience.

Situated at the centre of Cape Town’s fashionable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, overlooking the marina and with panoramic views across to Table Mountain, the new 131-key One&Only Cape Town resort is set to open in the second quarter of 2009. The property, Sol Kerzner’s first hotel in his homeland of South Africa since he completed the Palace of the Lost City in Pilanesberg in 1992, is destined to become Africa’s most spectacular urban resort.
Commenting on One&Only Cape Town, Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, said:

‘One&Only Cape Town will become a significant landmark in Africa with its bold, contemporary design promising to make it one of the world’s leading luxury resort destinations. I am looking forward to once again contributing to South Africa’s tourism industry, which has seen an incredible growth in recent years.

‘In addition, I am very pleased to open a spectacular resort with a fresh and exciting new concept in my home country in what I’ve always believed to be one of the greatest sites in Cape Town. Opening in plenty of time for the 2010 World Cup, the resort will appeal to the international traveller and play a key role in the local community.’

One&Only Cape Town will provide a comprehensive range of luxury services and serve as a gateway to the myriad experiences of the continent – from safaris to pristine beaches to the exploration of the world-renowned Cape wine region. The resort will also include three stunning, two-storey 800-square metre residential penthouses.

The four-bedroom penthouses with access by private lifts as well as substantial terraces with pools, will set the benchmark for residential luxury living in Southern Africa. These outstanding properties will be located on the top two floors of the resort’s chic crescent-shaped Marina Rise, thereby taking full advantage of the iconic views of the marina as well as two World Heritage sites: Table Mountain and Robben Island.

The owners of the penthouses will benefit from a wide array of personalised services from the resort including a concierge and butler, a housekeeper and access to the spa and fitness centre. In addition, Nobu, the renowned Japanese restaurant located within the resort, will offer private catering.
Cape Town-based architects Dennis Fabian & Berman and Ruben Reddy have ensured the seven-storey stylish property integrates with the Waterfront District, and the resort interiors are being created by internationally acclaimed New York-based interior designer Adam D. Tihany. The resort’s feel will be contemporary whilst drawing heavily on Africa’s culture and heritage. Tihany’s approach of imbuing each of his projects with a sense of the surrounding culture runs parallel to One&Only’s core philosophy of providing distinctive experiences. This is not Tihany’s first time working with One&Only Resorts: in 2004 he designed the stunning Agua restaurant at the award-winning One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico and, most recently, he designed the resort’s new Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, MARKET.

Forty of the resort’s spacious suites will be set on an adjacent lush green landscaped island in the waterfront itself, giving these rooms a distinctive resort feel and convenient access to Spa Island. The resort’s rooms and suites, the largest in Cape Town with a minimum size of 60 square metres, will all have a private terrace or balcony. The rooms at the 91-key Marina Rise will have panoramic views of Table Mountain. Two suites will offer their own ensuite spa treatment rooms to afford guests maximum privacy and relaxation. The resort’s main pool area, located on one of two private islands linked by bridges, will feature a 350-square metre freeform, infinity-edge swimming pool, a private sitting area with double chaise lounges for sunbathing and shaded trellis pavilions for those seeking respite from the sun.

The exclusive Spa Island features the most comprehensive and expansive spa in Cape Town. An oasis of serenity and privacy surrounded by water and dense vegetation, the 1,200-square metre One&Only Spa offers 11 treatment suites of which two will have private wet areas for both single and couples treatments. Two vitality pools will complement the relaxation spaces, sauna and steam rooms, and a hair salon and the celebrated Bastien Gonzalez pedicure and manicure studios provide additional facilities.

The 200-square metre One&Only Fitness Centre, located in the main resort building, will feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment from Technogym® with personalised workout programmes developed for guests and residents. A dedicated Kinesis training room will offer tri-dimensional pulley system training and there will be spacious studios for yoga, Pilates and tai chi.
One&Only Cape Town will also have a specially-designed KidsOnly Club for younger guests of 11 and under, which will offer daily complimentary supervised activities including full and half-day programmes. For guests with business in mind, there will be an extensive meeting and banqueting room measuring 260 square metres, able to host up to 200 people for cocktails and 112 guests for a sit down dinner. The space can also be divided into two separate rooms for a more intimate setting. An adjacent boardroom seats 20 and in the business centre there will be a second boardroom seating 12 people.

On the dining front, innovative chef Nobu Matsuhisa will bring one of the most celebrated global restaurant brands featuring his signature Japanese-inspired menu, with a few South African twists, to Cape Town – the first Nobu in Africa. One&Only Cape Town will also offer a second restaurant called Plate showcasing the best in local seafood, game and produce with flavours inspired by the many cultural influences in Cape Town.

A spectacular tri-level wall of glass and steel commands the entrance of Plate’s impressive Wine Loft. Here, guests will discover a magnificent collection of 6,000 bottles. Fine vintages of Cape Pinotage or Shiraz will be on offer alongside undiscovered South African gems, with particular emphasis given to both acclaimed and undiscovered South African vintages. In the mezzanine tasting room, more than 100 wines will be available by the glass – the largest such selection in all of South Africa – served with suggested food pairings to create a truly new culinary experience with each tasting.

A third restaurant, Island Terrace, located outdoors on The Island will be available for more casual dining as well as special events. Vista, the lobby bar, will have a magnificent three-storey clear glass wall highlighting the scenic Table Mountain views.
One&Only Cape Town will display the hallmarks of excellence found in all One&Only resorts around the world. It will offer an unparalleled commitment to the finest experiences, luxurious accommodation, lively entertainment, a wealth of activities, warm service, a state-of-the art spa and unforgettable cuisine.

For more information visit One & Only Resorts