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Raffles Hotel Singapore officially marks its return

Raffles Hotel Singapore has officially celebrated its reopening.

Owned by Katara Hospitality and managed by Accor with the aim to celebrate with Singapore and the global community, the official reopening of Raffles Hotel Singapore began in the presence of guests from Singapore’s business and cultural community.

The iconic hotel marked the start of a new chapter with a traditional lion dance ritual, followed by a commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mandarin Oriental commits to eliminating single-use plastic across portfolio

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic, across its entire portfolio of luxury hotels, by the end of March 2021.

The Group will commit to a wider and more challenging aim to abolish all single-use plastic currently in use across all operational departments, including rooms, spa, transport, restaurants and bars. The aim is to cover plastics used in all areas of the hotel, and not just in the public areas that the customer sees.

To achieve this, an elimination campaign has been underway for some time at all properties. Having completed a thorough stock inventory, the Group identified 23 of the most common items of single-use plastic currently in use across the portfolio. To date, 86 per cent of these initial items have been eliminated or are being phased out in all hotels, the Group said, adding it is now ready to make a firm commitment towards total elimination.

Sea Change Villas expands on luxury appeal on Rarotonga, Cook Islands

The Cook Islands upscale property, Sea Change Villas on Rarotonga, has announced final upgrades and refurbishments to its private boutique villas, which are nestled on their own secluded white sandy lagoon.

The property has now completed three new beachfront villas, adding to the existing six beachfront villas. Included in the mix are seven one-bedroom, and two two-bedroom and two-bathroom beachfront villas, three lagoon view villas with one and two bedrooms, and three three-bedroom and two-bathroom standalone villas with table tennis, foosball soccer and dartboard.

The resort signage and pathways have been enhanced; a new BBQ facility has also been installed as well as a large private boardwalk leading to the beach for direct beach access.

New single and double kayaks, stand up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment and fat wheel bicycles have also been added to the properties complimentary activity offerings for guests.

OVOLO introduces recycled toilet paper to all Australian properties

Ovolo Hotels has announced it will introduce Who Gives A Crap toilet paper throughout all hotels across Australia.

Who Gives A Crap is a toilet paper made from 100 per cent recycled paper. The company also donates 50 per cent of its profits to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world.

Ovolo will roll out the product across its Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra hotels.

Aman Kyoto, a secret garden sanctuary, opens November

Set in a secret garden at the heart of a 32-hectare forest, Aman Kyoto, Aman’s third destination in Japan opens on 1 November 2019.

The resort is nestled in forested grounds, within walking distance of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinkaku-ji Temple, and close to the centre of Kyoto.

The 29 hectares of permanent forest and three hectares of gardens surrounding Aman Kyoto serve as a serene setting for the Aman Spa.

Even a simple immersion – such as walking through a forest – has a powerful effect on wellbeing, Aman said in a statement, adding: this has long been recognised by the Japanese, and Aman Kyoto embraces this wisdom, alongside other Japanese holistic rituals, with a wellness offering defined by nature in every way.

Guests can experience guided yoga and meditation, as well as Shinrin-yoku, the healing art of forest bathing or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’.

Consisting of a series of standalone pavilions, Aman Kyoto has six Guest Pavilions housing 26 guest rooms.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney officially opens at No. 1 Martin Place

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney has officially opened its doors at No. 1 Martin Place in the heart of the Central Business District, heralding a new chapter for The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts brand with its first international hotel expansion outside of Singapore.

Housed in the iconic former General Post Office (GPO) building, the brand’s vision for the 416-room hotel is to deliver a unique, luxury hotel that is synonymous with warm hospitality and one-of-a-kind flair.

The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts aims to breathe new life and renewed engagement with the city’s much-loved landmark through initiatives such as its extensive revitalisation and cleaning of the historic façade, and introduction of complimentary heritage tours for guests and the general public.

The official opening ceremony was held in the Heritage Ballroom, the site of the former telegram office.

Alongside television personality and master of ceremonies Kylie Gillies, Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, the General Manager of The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, welcomed guests with an invitation to embark on a memorable journey with The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Marriott Hotels and Manchester United put fans at the heart of the action with the ‘Seat of Dreams’

Marriott Hotels and Manchester United have unveiled an exciting addition to Old Trafford that gives Manchester United’s most passionate fans the best seat in the house – the Seat of Dreams.

After debuting during the Manchester United vs Liverpool game, with support from fan favourites Wes Brown and Park Ji-Sung, the Seat of Dreams will give fans at every game the chance to experience match day from a unique and coveted vantage point in the stadium.

While enjoying special perks, including complimentary food and drinks, early entry to the stadium, and the opportunity to meet Manchester United legends.

The new addition to Old Trafford, which will be awarded to fans at random through a complimentary upgrade to their existing match ticket, is Marriott Hotels’ way of giving back to the club’s dedicated supporters. The Seat of Dreams will host four fans at every home game.

The debut of the Seat of Dreams also marks the kick-off of a larger relationship between Manchester United and Marriott Hotels, with the hotel brand becoming the club’s first ever official hotel partner.

Thanks to Marriott Hotels’ extensive global footprint, the partnership will take the elevated fan experience beyond Old Trafford to reach Manchester United fans around the world.

Club Med to treat grandparents with two free nights’ stay

To celebrate National Grandparents Day (27 October), Club Med is offering grandparents the chance to snap up a seven-night holiday for the price of five at their Bali, Bintan Island, Phuket and Kani, Maldives resorts.

For two weeks only, grandparents who book a holiday with their children and grandkids between 21 October and 2 November 2019 will unlock a dedicated special offer of two nights free on their seven-night stay.

With travel dates from November 2019–April 2020, there’s plenty of time to treat yourself, your family, or the grandparents in your life to a relaxing, holiday in the sun.

For more information on the offer, click here.

Sinalei launches new beachfront bar – Tuna’s Landing

One of Samoa’s best luxury resorts, Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, has upped its dining offering with the unveiling of its new beachfront bar – Tuna’s Landing.

Situated on the sandy shoreline of Sinalei’s palm-lined beach, Tuna’s Landing channels Samoa’s idyllic, slow-paced lifestyle. The menu includes smoothies, soft drink, coffee, beer and wine, as well as snacks such as crisps, a cake of the day, wraps and sandwiches. Complementing the resort’s tropical, sun-drenched location, it also boasts an assortment of ice cream flavours and toppings.

Tuna’s Landing is a welcome addition to the resort’s existing refined yet relaxed culinary offering, which includes in-room dining; private destination picnics; Uncle Harry’s bar; Ava I Toga restaurant; and traditional Samoan restaurant, Laumoso’oi.

St. Regis Hotels debuts on Venice’s Grand Canal

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has announced the debut of The St. Regis Venice, located steps away from Piazza San Marco; it claims to boast the largest waterfrontage in Venice.

The opening follows a two-year, full-scale renovation, restoring the grandeur of the former Grand Hotel Britannia, which opened in 1895 – the same year as the inaugural Venice Biennale.

The hotel offers 169 guest rooms and suites, many of which boast private terraces or Juliet balconies for sweeping views of Venice’s iconic landmarks.

Situated across the Grand Canal from Punta della Dogana, the hotel marries its heritage with the St. Regis brand’s modern design and bespoke service throughout a collection of five Venetian palaces, with the oldest allegedly dating back to the 17^th century.

The St. Regis Venice marks the brand’s third location in Italy, joining The St. Regis Florence and The St. Regis Rome.