Send your clients to nicer climes

Summer is officially here in the GCC and it’s high time to send your clients away on a memorable vacation. Properties around the world offer an array of enticing options for you to explore.

Take, for instance, a Turkish break for high-flyers at Rixos Premium Göcek. Think super yachts, private jets and luxury villas in a small Turkish village of ancient origin. Erkan Yildirim, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Rixos Hotels, says, “This holiday experience is designed to appeal to even the most discerning of travellers, with every whim, requirement and desire catered to by our army of experienced lifestyle managers, butlers, chefs and concierge.

“We have packaged this sort of unique and exclusive experience together to show guests the level of luxury that can be experienced at our resorts and with the breath-taking surroundings and outstanding service standards offered at Rixos Premium Göcek, is the perfect resort to trial such a package for our brand,” Yildirim claims.

If tropical weather does not faze you, the Petit Chef programme at Thailand’s Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is great way to spend some of the summer days. Immerse kids in the magic and traditions of Thailand through learning the country’s cuisine, says general manager Carlos Tarrero. “The programme builds upon Phulay Bay’s commitment to sourcing fresh, locally grown ingredients and providing rare, exotic and authentic experiences for guests to treasure for a lifetime. The interactive programme encourages kids to get excited about cooking, while learning about the importance of organic, sustainable cuisine in a way that is wholly unique to Krabi.”

Or head towards the cooler climes for a luxury break at one of the iconic properties in Europe: Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan. “As art, design, fashion and culture collide in this dynamic city, we are proud to unveil the work of local artisans and architects who reimagined this icon for today’s luxury travellers and the local community,” says Hoyt Harper, global brand leader, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “With The Luxury Collection set to reach 100 hotels by the end of the year, this is an exciting time to unveil Excelsior Hotel Gallia, right on the heels of the annual design fair Salone del Mobile and the recent launch of Expo Milano 2015.”

Here’s a round-up of some unmissable deals for an international summer:

YOGA IN THE SWISS ALPS

Le Grand Spa at Le Grand Bellevue Gstaad has teamed up with Europe’s most renowned yogis to host an annual programme of yoga retreats. Overlooking the mystical mountain scenery bestowed with the rejuvenating energy of the Swiss Alps, retreats take place in the hotel’s light-filled yoga studio or in the gardens. Each retreat offers carefully tailored spa cuisine created by experts in cleansing diets.

Price tag : Stay seven nights for the price of five, including breakfast, one three-course dinner for two, served in Michelin-starred Leonard’s, one 50-minute aroma oil massage per person, free and unlimited access to Le Grand Spa. Starting from CHF2,520 ($2,750) for two in a Chic Room.

PICNIC NEAR LAKE COMO, ITALY

The recently opened Sheraton Lake Como Hotel in Italy’s world- famous lake region is surrounded by the Alps and bright blue waters, offering guests a visually captivating experience. Renovated by renowned Italian architect Ruggero Venelli, the property incorporates top-quality, natural materials and a neutral palette to produce warm interior spaces. Sheraton Lake Como offers 116 guestrooms, including four newly renovated suites, and a range of leisure facilities, including a private park for sunbathing, jogging and picnicking.

Price tag : Superior rooms start from Dh706 ($190) per night based on two adults sharing.

PICNIC NEAR LAKE COMO, ITALY

Rixos Premium Göcek has revealed Turkey’s most unique package for international jetsetters to enjoy the ultimate trip through the country’s best-kept secrets amid the breath-taking surroundings of Göcek. From super yachts, private jets and luxury villas, to lifestyle managers and personal chefs cooking local fare sourced from nearby villages; this claims to be the world’s most unique vacation offering a journey into a world rarely seen by the public eye.

Past fuses with present as this package guides the guest through ancient ruins, virgin coastlines and Unesco world heritage sites; all packaged in luxury fit for a sultan – jets, helicopters, yachts and dedicated staff ensure maximum comfort on the voyage, including pre-trip consultations with lifestyle managers and private chefs to ensure personal preferences are met.

Price tag : Try the Honeymoon Package which includes stay in a wellness suite, in room breakfast on the first night, a couple massage treatment at Anjana Spa, complimentary in room amenities, romantic dinner, complimentary in-room flower set-up, turn down with romantic bath candles, special salts and lotions. Minimum three nights’ stay, price upon request.

GET THE KIDS TO COOK THAI

The Petit Chef programme at Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand, calls little guests to experience the country through its cuisine. The educational activity includes a field trip to the chef’s organic garden, including a brief tutorial on the benefits of home-grown produce, and an interactive lesson on how to identify several varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well as how to pick and harvest them at the peak of flavour and ripeness. Kids will then be whisked into the kitchen for a behind-the-scenes tour and an interactive course in making dishes from scratch. The young chefs will then serve and present their finished dishes to their parents to enjoy.

Price tag : The Petit Chef programme is complimentary and the room rates in July start from THB13,200 ($390) per Reserve Pavilion, per night plus 18.7 per cent tax. This includes a special welcome amenity, daily breakfast for two, 24 hours dedicated butler service, complimentary in-room wi-fi, and free daily shuttle boat trip to Hong Island.

A COUNT’S MANSION IN MOSCOW

The newly christened St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya, originally constructed in the 1870s as the residence of Count Orlov-Davydov. Located on Nikolskaya Street, which connects Lubyanka Square and Red Square, the hotel occupies one of the most prestigious buildings in the Russian capital. The hotel is also within walking distance from historic attractions and sites, including the Kremlin and Bolshoi Theatre as well as Gum and Tsum luxury department stores.

Price tag : The Suite Temptation package starting from RUB24,990 ($470) for a St. Regis suite includes breakfast, wi-fi and other benefits.

STYLISH BREAK IN A FASHION CAPITAL

The recently opened Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan, owned by Katara Hospitality, is Milanese landmark recently emerged from a meticulous, all-encompassing renovation. The historic building was formerly known as Palace Gallia was unveiled by The Luxury Collection as part of a multi-million Euro investment to restore the brand’s most iconic European hotels.

Price tag : €14,650 ($16,700) per night for the 1,000-sqm Katara suite with a private spa, formal dining and kitchenette, taxes and fees apply.

SPA BREAK IN BANGKOK

Thailand comes to mind whenever someone speaks of a spa holiday. Why not combine it with shopping at InterContinental Bangkok, located right in the heart of Ratchaprasong, the core of the Bangkok’s business and commercial districts. The fascinating Erawan Shrine and major shopping destinations such as Central World, Gaysorn and Siam Paragon are within walking distance, while access to other parts of Bangkok is fast and efficient by Skytrain, the nearest station is steps from the hotel’s entrance.

Price tag : Spa InterContinental Bangkok presents a new two-hour treatment combining Primmalai and Kerstin Florian luxury spa brands. The spa’s East Meet West package, priced at THB7,500 net ($225 net), has been designed so that guests can reap the singular benefits of two distinct therapeutic traditions.

The treatment begins with Kerstin Florian Caviar Facial for 60 soothing minutes of rejuvenation. The treatment helps reduce fine lines, improve elasticity and promote skin regeneration and remineralisation, while also providing essential antioxidant protection.

The one-hour Primmalai Bouquet Therapy combines traditional Thai massage techniques with application of special oils, the formulation of which was perfected long ago by royal Thai courtiers. Primmalai’s version, Restful Body massage oil, contains 100 per cent natural ingredients including anti-ageing extracts, super anti-oxidants and nutrients derived from grape seed, olive, almond and rice bran. East Meets West Spa Package at Spa InterContinental is available until August 31.

OPT FOR A PARISIAN SUMMER

Bringing the Orient to the City of Lights, Le Méridien Etoile Paris in France has created a Middle Eastern haven in its Parisian hotel, with an interior and exterior rooftop lounge that brings the magic and charm of the Arabian Gulf to its cosy setting overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

Located at 81 Boulevard Gouvion Saint-Cyr, Le Méridien Etoile Oriental Lounge is offering its Middle Eastern guests who want to enjoy a European getaway an exclusive special summer package.

Price tag : The Oriental Summer package, which runs from July 10 to September 4, includes a twin bedroom priced from Dh812 ($220) or triple bedroom from Dh853 ($235), both with breakfast. It features complimentary access to the stylish Oriental Lounge, with traditional French and Arabic delicacies as well as shisha. Open daily from 9am to midnight, the Oriental Lounge provides three workstations and complimentary wi-fi access.

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Stay at a grand Budapest hotel

“If these walls could talk, they could tell stories about both the world wars, majestic balls, motion picture screening by the Lumiére brothers, famous guests, grandiose exhibitions, multiple renovations and more,” says Corinthia Hotel Budapest general manager Thomas Fischer, honoured recently as the ‘best hotelier in Budapest’.

The hotel has in turn received the accolade of Hotel of the Year 2014 in the five-star category by the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association in cooperation with the Hungarian Tourism Board.

“Somehow this property was always a hotspot of the most important events and remarkable eras of Hungarian history. Therefore, I can tell it is a great and honouring mission to manage this hotel and its team,” says Fischer.

He continues: “In the 120 year-old ‘royal’ history in the 21st century, the management cherishes all the values inherited from the past, but at the same time keeps being progressive and provides all the services and facilities that an individual luxury traveller, a corporate guest or a conference client requires in our days. We have a greater responsibility than most hotels do in our times, because with every day we add a new mosaic to history, a new ingredient that needs to be worthy of everything we inherited.”

PACKAGES

The Grand Budapest Hotel Package starts from €409 ($465), excluding taxes and fees. “Our package is valid all year and is an utter success, very popular among the fans of the movie with a hotel’s history very similar to Corinthia Hotel Budapest, formerly known as Grand Hotel Royal.”

The Budapest Air Race package with cocktails and breakfast includes the opportunity to watch the Red Bull Air Race when it comes to Budapest in early July. This offer is available at a price of €494 ($565), excluding taxes and fees.

The ‘stay longer and save’ package across all Corinthia hotels is also worth mentioning: 25 per cent discount off the best available room rate if reserving for three nights or more.

By Rahim Mubarak Shams