Weekendin Singapore Feb '14 | Issue 11 | Page 14

intheBUZZ intheBUZZ Coral Conservation Programme Alila Manggis collaborates with Local Fisherman to Restore and Preserve Indigenous Coral Reefs Atleenta Phuket Named Best Overseas Hotel at the prestigious China Best Design Hotel Awards. Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga Res ort and Spa has added another impressive accolade to its impressive trophy cabinet after being named Best Overseas Hotel at the prestigious China Best Design Hotel Awards. 

Aleenta Phuket, part of the AHMS Collection of boutique resorts, was in illustrious company, with other winners at the annual event comprising luxury hospitality’s elite: St Regis Sanya Yalong Bay, Amanfayun in Hangzhou, and the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund.

Aleenta Phuket’s latest honour follows a USD2 million renovation-and-innovation spend to further elevate the barefoot luxury experience for guests. 

 Anchalika Kijkanakorn, managing director and founder of Aleenta owneroperator Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS), said the award was recognition for the resort’s continual metamorphosis into something better while cherishing its surrounds. www.aleenta.com Leading Family Resort in the Maldives Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives wins again The luxury boutique hotel on the east coast of Bali teamed up with conservation organisation, Yayasan Alam Indonesian Lestari (LINI) and local fishermen, to develop the Coral Conservation Programme, with the aim of conserving the coral reefs in the local area. The pilot programme sees Alila Manggis working with over 20 fishermen from surrounding local villages to implement reef restoration. The team will also implement a training and awareness programme for the fishermen and the hotel staff, to educate the current and future generations about marine conservation and the impact over-fishing can have on their habitat and the local economy. The waters east of Alila Manggis teem with rich and diverse marine life and are home to seven world-class dive sites. The resort is also situated within the regency of Karangasem, close to the village of Candidasa, where the local people follow a traditional lifestyle, with fishing providing a key income to many. Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives garners, for the second year in succession, the award of Leading Family Resort in the Maldives Travel Awards 2013. Body & Soul: Four Colours in Four Days 11 Mar - 7 Apr 2014 | Club Med Bali Back by popular demand after its first run in Club Med Cherating Beach and Bali in 2013, the second rendition of Body and Soul: Four Colours in Four Days will be hosted at Club Med Bali for an entire month, offering vacationers more opportunities to attain the perfect balance of mind and body. Dedicated to vacationers looking for an escape from hectic work lives, this unique Club Med event serves to give tired minds a much needed respite and pamper guests into a state of complete relaxation. Scheduled from 11 March till 07 April 2014 (4 weeks), workshop sessions are complimentary to all guests staying at the resort. Tourism is also a key contributor to the economy and the Coral Conservation Project will ensure that the spectacular coral reefs in the region will remain for years to come, ensuring a stable future for the villagers. The resort features a cashless island experience with its Ultimate All-Inclusive programme—for children and teens this means all meals, soft drinks and activities throughout their stay, including being able to join their parents on up to five excursions. Accommodation is designed specially for families, with the Water Villas fitted with child safety features, bunk beds and a PlayStation 3. The Two-bedroom Pool Villas have one of the bedrooms equipped with twin beds. The house reef offers snorkelling just metres from all sides of the shore, with free snorkelling equipment and non-motorised water sports. The programme will see the hotel and the local community working together to place artificial structures, known as fish domes and roti buaya, into the waters. Designed to restore the existing coral reefs, and to encourage new coral to settle and grow, the structures will also attract other organisms as well as a large number of fish. The project will consist of 27 fish domes and 45 roti buaya, which will allow the damaged natural reef time to recover and regenerate. The Kids’ Club features an E-Zone for teenagers, with videos, PlayStation 3, pool tables, air hockey, snooker, and other games, while Camp Safari is a separate zone for younger children, offering supervised activities. All without charge. Alila Manggis is offering guests an opportunity to get involved in the Coral Conservation Project. Guests will be able to contribute to the project and plant their own coral as well as visiting a local village to gain a greater understanding of how the project impacts on the community. The ‘Gift-to-Share’ package starts from USD540++. www.alilahotels.com For more information, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com Centara World Masters 15 - 21 June 2014 | Hua Hin More than half of the tickets for Centara World Masters Golf Championship has been sold. The championship to be held at Hua Hin in Thailand will be venued at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin. More than 600 golfers from 20 countries are expected to participate, and this will be Asia’s biggest week of amateur golf.

 We anticipate that every place available will be booked long before the event begins, says Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts.

This event has been a success every year in which it has been staged, and its reputation as a week of golf, fun and sunshine has spread worldwide. The event is also Thailand’s richest amateur tournament with US$30,000 in prizes to be won.
The Centara World Masters is open to all amateur golfers over 35 who have an official golf handicap, and there are 15 tournament divisions based on age and handicap.

Participants will play at four of Hua Hin’s world-class golf courses, namely Black Mountain, Banyan, Majestic Creek and Imperial Lake View.

 Hua Hin was named Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australasia at the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators’ convention, held in Spain in November last year.

Along with the superb golfing and good camaraderie there are li vely social and entertainment events every night, as Thailand’s biggest 19th hole moves each night to stunning rooftop, beach, and poolside settings. A grand farewell dinner caps off the fun filled week.

 For more information visit www.thailandworldmasters.com Club Med’s Body & Soul event is a rejuvenating health and wellness retreat designed to boost your well-being and overall health. Through a series of activities on four colour-themed (Yellow, Red, Green, Purple) days, the event aims to influence your mood, emotions and state of well-being. Guests are strongly encouraged to participate in all 4 days of the programme for a holistic experience. Angsana Waterfront Suites DAILY PROGRAMMES Look forward to a host of wholesome activities each day: • A colourful diet of healthy eating • Additional resort activities • Getting fit with international wellness experts • Physical Best – an award-winning Australian fitness company • Yoga – a celebrity yoga instructor from Korea • Pure Yoga – Leading lifestyle brand with yoga studios in Asia • Renae & Paul – Empowerment consultants from Singapore • Colour-themed programmes tailored for kids • Special coloured-themed parties at night • Special Spa promotions Located on a tropical lagoon overlooking the Andaman Sea, the Angsana Waterfront Suites offer potential investors a strong value proposition with its attractive leaseback model. For more information visit www.clubmed.com.sg Weekendin 14 Scheduled for completion in 2016 The Banyan Tree Group has unveiled a new extension of its Angsana Hotels & Resorts brand, with its latest investment property opportunity, Angsana Waterfront Suites, situated within Laguna Phuket. The starting price for the one-bedroom fully furnished Angsana Waterfront Suites is Baht10.5 million and will also include a 5-year membership to the Laguna Phuket Golf Club. The show unit is now open at Laguna Property’s new Property Sales Centre, located within Laguna Phuket. For more information, visit www.lagunaproperty.com 15 Weekendin