focus
Sellers
showcase
Planners seeking innovative products
at ILTM Asia-Pacific may be in for a
bounty. Raini Hamdi picks a few
First undersea villa, all-glass
ballroom by pool, anyone?
Hilton’s Luxury Group, comprising
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and
Conrad Hotels & Resorts, has a lot to talk
about with luxury planners as the brands
continue to expand in Asia-Pacific.
Travel experts can get a sneak peek of
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, opening this
year. Designed by acclaimed Hong Kong
architect and designer, Andre Fu, the
property is the brand’s flagship in South-
east Asia.
Meanwhile, sister Conrad, which
positions itself as the destination for
a new generation of smart luxury
travellers, is launching a first-of-its-
kind undersea villa at Conrad Maldives
and the refurbished Conrad Centennial
Singapore (see Singapore report).
The Hilton’s Luxury Group booth at
ILTM Asia-Pacific features a virtual oasis
offering a glimpse into Conrad Maldives’
unique, game-changing undersea villa
on Rangali Island.
Hilton’s Luxury Group is also hosting
an exclusive evening reception on May
22 to showcase Conrad Centennial
Singapore’s newly-minted all-glass
Pavilion ballroom by the pool.
A Shangri-La for kids
Always loved by luxury holidaymakers
and planners of high-profile business
and government meetings, Shangri-La
Hotel Singapore has a new band of fans –
the little ones – thanks to the renovation
44 TTG Asia luxury | May 2018
Conrad Centennial Singapore’s new Pavilion ballroom by the pool
of its Tower Wing which features an
entire level dedicated to families with
young children.
Level nine houses 19 Deluxe Family
Rooms and five unique Themed Family
Suites. Each suite features an elegant
bedroom for the adults and a whimsical
children’s bedroom. Pick from Safari,
Treetop, Castle, Underwater and Space
themes.
As no stay for children is complete
without play, there’s a new Buds by
Shangri-La playground on level one
housing a Recharge Café, a Toddler Zone
and an Explorer Zone for children aged
four and up.
Explorer Zone has five themed play
areas – Waterfall, a pit filled with cassia
seeds; Space, for aspiring astronauts;
Underwater, a submarine themed climb-
and-slide structure; Fire Mountain where
children can shoot soft foam balls from
air guns; and Mesh Cave, a massive two-
deck net structure that meant the second
level was one giant, bouncy trampoline.
Regular activities are held in three
play rooms – Stage, a music room;
Muddy, an arts studio where children are
encouraged to paint on walls; and Bake,
where children can discover the joys of
cooking.
Buds extends outdoors with a giant
pirate ship play structure and a splash
pad.
Parents and child-minders are not
forgotten. A pantry on level nine comes
with a steriliser, washing machines and
dryers that parents and child-minders
can use. They are also supported by a
family concierge who ensures that check-
in is done swiftly and remains on hand
throughout the stay period to assist with
stay and activity requests. – Karen Yue
Revitalisation of Year
Visit Wharf Hotels Management at ILTM
Asia-Pacific and get insights into one of
the best conservation projects in Asia, The
Murray, Hong Kong.
The flagship of Niccolo Hotels, The
Murray is a uniquely Hong Kong icon and
was a former government building located
in Central. It underwent a high-profile
transformation designed by Foster +
Partners into a hotel featuring 336 over-
sized contemporary guestrooms and suites
with enviable views of the city skyline and
neighbouring Hong Kong Park. The cost:
US$1 billion.
Facilities include a stunning rooftop bar,
a series of signature restaurants and bars,
and creative meeting and event spaces.
The Murray, which opened in January,
offers a distinguished sense of arrival via
its private forecourt, fronted by Murray
Lane. Guests enter the building through
its majestic 11m tall arches that give the
building its definitive look.
100,000 steps at
third garden in heaven
Always full of ideas, Trisara Phuket, in
collaboration with Fitbit, has launched a
100,000 Step Fitness Experience that takes