OutboundHolidays - Travel the World!

The Beach House | Tangalle | Sri Lanka

COMPARE SRI LANKA HOTEL PRICES FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

BOUTIQUE BEACH VILLA | 4 DELUXE ROOMS | 1 GARDEN COTTAGE

“The best beach house on earth” UK Tatler April 2006

The Beach House is a beautiful Dutch colonial bungalow situated among coconut palms on its own stretch of white beach near Tangalle, on the south coast of Sri Lanka. This is the most idyllic beach villa offering its guests a relaxed and tranquil holiday away from the mass tourism and the unavoidable buffet. The Beach House was once the tropical retreat of American artist Douglas Johnson who lovingly restored the bungalow with the help of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most renowned architect.

Although not looking like much from the exterior, the villa comes alive within with heavy wooden colonial furniture, sweeping verandahs so typical of Sri Lanka’s old Dutch villas and cushions in muted greys, blues and creams. Artistic details – shell mosaic mirrors, Johnson’s collection of pictures and collages, and quirky ornaments – make it homely and stylish.

Nominated as one of the Top Twenty Villas in the world by CondeNaste Traveller, the Beach House attracts its fair share of celebrity holidaymakers, but it’s still well within the reach of those serious about spoiling themselves. Perfect for spending days lazing by the beach and if you get itchy feet, trips to see temples, wildlife and historical towns will be all arranged for you.

The Beach House has been upgraded to meet the needs of the most demanding modern beachcombers. Five en-suite bedrooms, many with outdoor bathrooms offer dreamy nights for guests, while a full time staff of four provide discreetly for your every need.

“This is a shining example of barefoot luxury.” – UK Tatler

ACCOMMODATION

The house sleeps 9 in its 4 doubles in the main house and 1 single in a separate cottage. Rooms are a wonderful mixture of cool tiled floors, white beamed ceilings and comfortable four poster beds with mosquito nets and large windows with security grilles. There’s no air conditioning but ceiling fans and the sea breeze guaranteed keep you cool. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, which have just been completely modernised. As you have direct access to the beach, you can wander from your bedroom down to the waves before your first fruit juice of the day.

There are plenty of places to relax – a colonial-style sitting room inside and a large colonnaded verandah around two sides of the house. Since its restoration in 1992, the colour scheme has turned from eclectic to mainly blues and whites, reflecting its beach surrounds. Apparently, Douglas Johnson was so particular about which colours he wanted the walls painted that his house-painters lost their tempers more than once!

CUISINE

The house is fully staffed with a cook, shopper and maid, so you won’t have to do a thing, except look after yourself. As with many of the most exclusive resorts in Sri Lanka, meals are as simple or elaborate as you wish.

Guests are advised to have a chat with the resident chef when arriving at the Beach House and inform him of your preferences, likes or dislikes. Thereafter prepare to be surprised. A range of spicy local curries and traditional Western treats are served on the dining terrace amid lighted coconut palms and the sound of the ocean.

Alternatively, speak to the cook every morning about your requirements for the day. He is also great with BBQs, beach dinners and lunches for day trips. Guests pay the staff directly for the ingredients on a daily basis. The staff will then do all the shopping and cooking, the cost of which is included in the rental price.

If you do decide to try the local restaurants, Chanika’s, near the Tangalle Bay hotel is reputed for its fabulous and reasonably-priced lobster. Tangalle is a fishing port so seafood is generally fresh and good.

ACTIVITIES

Sun yourself all day, cool off in the pool or the ocean, read a pile of books while lazing around doing nothing but taking in the opulent nature of your surroundings

Visit the nearby blowhole, which is most active in June during the monsoon season and is the second largest natural blowhole in the world

Take a day trip on one of the local boats organised for you by staff, complete with a delicious pack-lunch if you require it.

Go snorkelling at the nearby bay. Between November and March, scuba diving can be arranged at the local PADI dive centre at a nearby hotel, Lets Dive, is run by German PADI instructors.

Tangalle is famous for its turtles – you can see them swimming offshore in some of the nearby bays. Check out the turtle conservation project at Rekawa, a small fishing village 10km away.

Visit the ancient rock temple at Mulkirigala, a stunning 25km ride away past lotus ponds, paddy fields and local villages. Wewurukannala Temple is also close by with its giant 165ft high Buddha statue.

If wildlife is more your interest, visit the Uda Welawe National Park the best Elephant park in the country or nearby Yala National Park is world famous, boasting the highest density of Leopards in the wild anywhere in the world. (60km north east)

Features: Annabel Heseltine spent her honeymoon at the Beach House. Distinguished visitors visit from all over the world to stay in this exclusive retreat. Ideal for a group of friends, families or honeymooners.

Children: Children under 14 years are not allowed as the Beach House is filled with precious antiques.

Best time: December to April for the best weather and beaches, May to November for the cheaper prices.

How long: How long can you afford? Two weeks here would see you emerge as a more relaxed and peaceful person – however, finding anywhere to live up to this extraordinary holiday home in the future, might prove tricky!

What to take: A pile of good books, swimwear, shades, cool casual clothing and mosquito repellent for the evenings.

Products and Services: 4 double bed rooms (one bedroom is housed in its own garden cottage), All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, An enclosed sitting room leads onto the front terrace with blissfully comfortable lounging seats looking out across the Indian Ocean, Swimming Pool (shaded by palm trees this large pool remains invitingly cool all day), Dining area (a table is set on the veranda), Kitchen / Staff (a fully equipped kitchen and a full time staff of 4 will ensure you are pampered and left to drift from dreamy day to dreamy day)

Check-in/Check-out Time Normal Check-in is 12.00 noon and Check-Out is 11.00 a.m. Earlier Check-in or later Check-out time can be requested on a case by case basis and the hotel may agree depending on availability.

Address: Tangalle, Sri Lanka

Airport: Colombo International – 210km

COMPARE SRI LANKA HOTEL PRICES FROM 30+ TOP SITES

Sri Lanka

Browns Beach Hotel | Negombo | Sri Lanka

COMPARE PRICES FOR THIS HOTEL FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

DELUXE BEACH HOTEL | 140 ROOMS

The Browns Beach Hotel is located on Negombo’s famous ‘Golden Mile’, a beautiful palm fringed stretch of beach on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst the palm groves of the quaint fishing village of Negombo, Browns Beach with its unspoiled private beach is the most popular seaside resort in the immediate vicinity of the Bandaranaike International Airport, which is just 7km away.

The hotel is extremely well appointed with the latest amenities, there are also three restaurants with international and local cuisine, poolside bar, beach bar, karaoke bar, service bar, Sunset nightclub, Occasional evening entertainment & specialty evenings, a beauty salon, shopping arcade, conference and banquet facilities, 24 hour room & laundry service, gymnasium with health-club, kiddies’ corner, conference room and all other modern facilities.

ACCOMMODATION

The hotel rooms feature all modern comforts to include air-conditioning, balcony / terrace with a view of the sea / garden, an attached bath / shower with hot and cold water, private in-room bar – on request, piped music, radio, telephones.

CUISINE

Browns Beach Hotel servers both international as well as local cuisine in its many wonderful restaurants and bars. There is fresh seafood as well as fresh local produce prepared by the resident chefs into mouth watering treats to delight. The hotel restaurants serve a variety of tropical fruit drinks, while a la carte menus ensure that all your culinary desires are provided for.

THE SURROUNDS

Negombo is a fishing hamlet on the western coast of the island. Its close proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake makes Negombo a first or last stop when visiting the island. The town was captured by the Dutch from the Portuguese in 1640 and lost in the same year and re-captured in 1644. In 1796 the British took it over. During the Dutch period Negombo was one of the most important trading ports for cinnamon, the sweetest of which grows along the coastal belt near Negombo.

The busy town of Negombo has a selection of colourful shopping arcades and interesting rustic restaurants. It boasts a rich cultural heritage with impressive Roman Catholic churches built by the Portuguese. There are also the ruins of the Old Dutch Fort along with the Dutch Cemetery are interesting sites. Other Dutch buildings that are still in use include the lagoon resthouse. The Dutch also built a network of canals from Negombo to Colombo and in the opposite direction from Negombo to Puttalam totalling a distance of 120 km.

The Negombo lagoon is dotted with dugout canoes or ‘oruwa’. Fish auctions on the beach are a common and interesting site. A Fishing Festival is held in late July.

RECREATION

Outdoor Swimming Pool – Water Sports – Tennis & Squash – Indoor Games – Drafts – Carom – Scrabble – Darts – Backgammon – Children’s Pool – Flood Lit Tennis Courts – Two Squash Courts – Beach Volleyball

Products and Services: Business Center, Room Service, High-speed Internet, Fitness Room, Restaurant, Parking, Swimming pool, Airport shuttle, Bar / Lounge, Elevator / Lift, 24 Hour Reception, Air Conditioned, Tennis Courts, Free Breakfast, Conference Room(s), Currency Exchange, Medical Assistance Available, Sauna, Security Guard, News Stand, Mini Bar, Refrigerator, Porters, Meeting Rooms, Hair Dryer, Laundry service

Check-in/Check-out Time Normal Check-in is 12.00 noon and Check-Out is 11.00 a.m. Earlier Check-in or a later Check-out time can be requested on a case by case basis and the hotel may agree depending on availability.

Address: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Airport: Colombo International [15min]

COMPARE PRICES FOR BROWNS BEACH HOTEL FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

USA

Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit Metro Airport Breaks Ground

Romulus, MI –(PR.com)– Owner Cooper Hotels completes airport development “hat trick”.

Management of the 126-unit, 38-suite Hampton Inn and Suites Detroit Metro Airport announced today that it has broken ground. Scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2009, the 6-story hotel is located on Smith Road adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Metro Airport. Both properties are owned and operated by Memphis, Tenn.-based Cooper Hotels.

The Hampton Inn & Suites will be the company’s third hotel at the Detroit Metro Airport. Cooper also owns and operates the recently opened Embassy Suites Detroit Metro Airport.

“On behalf of the City of Romulus, we congratulate Cooper Hotels for completing the hotel development ‘hat trick’ at the Detroit Metro Airport,” said Timothy Keyes, economic development director for the City of Romulus. “Cooper is an outstanding company providing a variety of high quality hotel products in the airport area, and the community appreciates their investment.”

Hampton Inn and Suites hotels have been designed to accommodate the lodging needs of both transient customers and guests staying three or more nights, including both business and leisure travelers. Unlike a typical Hampton Inn, the new Hampton Inn and Suites hotel will combine traditional guest rooms with larger suite rooms in a single property.

“Business and leisure travelers visiting the area will enjoy the same high-quality services and amenities that have made the Hampton chain one of the industry’s most popular and fastest growing brands,” said Phil Cordell, Hampton senior vice president, brand management.

The new hotel will include amenities such as the complimentary On The House Hot Breakfast served daily, complimentary high-speed Internet access, complimentary local telephone calls made from the room and the brand’s 100% Hampton satisfaction guarantee which guarantees each guest full satisfaction or their night’s stay is free. Guest rooms will also feature an open, under-the-counter bathroom vanity and curved shower rods for extra shower space. Also, an in-room coffee maker, iron and ironing board are standard in every room.

In addition, suite rooms offer a separate living and sleeping area and in-room kitchen amenities such as wet bar, refrigerator and microwave oven. All Hampton Inn & Suites also offer an on-site convenience shop and coin-laundry facility.

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program can earn HHonors points in addition to airline miles for every qualifying stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit Metro Airport. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to reap Double Dip® earnings by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay.

HOTELS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

England

Gay Travel Market Now Valued at £5 Billion Pounds…

London, United Kingdom –(PR.com)– Gay and lesbian people living in the UK last year spent a total of £4.7 billion pounds on leisure travel.

This market also spent a total of £47.2 million pounds last year on gay honeymoons, with more than 8,700 couples entering into UK Civil Partnerships during 2007, and each couple spending, on average, more than £5,000 pounds on their honeymoon.

These figures are being revealed this week at London’s trade show for the global tourism industry – World Travel Market – during the ‘Out Now Gay Marketing Masterclass’ presented to visitors to WTM by Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now.

The new gay travel market data is sourced from the most comprehensive gay market research study ever undertaken of the UK market – the ‘Out Now 2008 Millivres Gay Market Study’ – and analyses the travel and spending habits of gays and lesbians across the UK.

“Gays and lesbians are a lucrative market, that is now well understood,” Johnson says. “But what the travel industry needs to get a better grasp on is the fact that there is immense diversity within the gay consumer market for travel. Many operators are missing significant opportunities to maximise their profits by mistakenly attempting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to their gay tourism marketing activities.”

Johnson said that communications was not the only area of concern when selling travel to gay consumers.

“Operators need to look at all elements of their marketing mix – including product differentiation, when targeting gay customers. Many gays and lesbians remain worried about how welcoming travel staff will be when they are on their vacations.”

In terms of product differentiation, Johnson unveiled Out Now’s latest gay consumer travel information site – GayComfort – letting consumers discover where they can stay with staff specially trained on meeting lesbian and gay travel concerns.

“GayComfort is all about training staff to deliver the best in customer service for gay customers, then letting consumers select those locations and properties with accredited GayComfort trained staff,” said Johnson. “The consumer gets to ‘know before they go’ that when they travel they can enjoy what mainstream consumers usually take for granted – being able to relax and be themselves.”

One of the biggest names in tourism – The Mark Travel Corporation – through their Fabugo.com gay travel brand, announced at WTM that they have entered into a partnership with GayComfort.

Fabugo.com is to deliver GayComfort accredited hotels to the gay consumer market via their extensive network of accommodation around the world. Fabugo is a leading supplier of accommodations to the lesbian and gay travel market and is owned by The Mark Travel Corporation. Fabugo.com features secure online booking of more than 25,000 hotels in hundreds of destinations worldwide.

Jason M Rhen, Managing Director of Fabugo, said his company’s partnering with the GayComfort program makes a lot of sense. “Fabugo listens to our customers and constantly strives to improve our product quality for gay and lesbian travelers,” says Mr Rhen. “By helping the industry train their staff to improve their service delivery on gay travel issues, GayComfort fits perfectly with what our customers are looking for from us in terms of well tailored product. This partnership delivers a great synergy for our business, and most importantly for our gay and lesbian customers.”

England

iGlobalFitness Launches to Hotel Groups Worldwide

London, United Kingdom –(PR.com)– Designed to suit the needs of hotel clients anytime, anyplace, anywhere, iGlobalFitness is the first of its kind to offer a worldwide network of personal fitness training services for both business and leisure travellers.

The company hope to sign up hotel groups who wish to offer a global outsourced service. This is an alternative to offer the customer who may use the hotel gym but actually requests a personal one-on-one service with a trainer that has years of experience in health and fitness. With iGlobalFitness there is will be no need to track down local trainers as the company will arrange that on behalf of the hotel.

All the marketing costs will be met by iGlobalFitness with hotels offering display of marketing material within hotel foyers, via their websites and newsletters and within hotel rooms.

iGlobalFitness is of particular value and well suited to busy people or those on the move, whether working in Britain or travelling worldwide. Looking ahead, some hotel guests may already be signed up with iGlobalFitness via their employers’ benefits scheme and can thus enjoy an implemented system in place to ensure progress is tracked against agreed fitness goals via their own specially designed and personalised training plans.

iGlobalFitness trainers are certified highly qualified and hold premier diplomas in personal training. The network spreads far and wide and training sessions for hotel guests can be booked at just 12 hours’ notice in most cities worldwide.

An iGlobalFitness trainer is able to provide equipment for the client to use or they can use the hotel equipment for a fee.

Individual guests pay for the personal training service themselves, having the option of paying for the service upfront or settling their bill when they check out.

iGlobalFitness is the brainchild of Paul Tomlin and has been created by a team of executives who have all experienced the demands of a pressurised work and travel schedule and who appreciate the benefits that personal fitness training can bring especially when staying in a hotel for a few nights.

Their collective top level experience at companies such as Virgin, Disney, Avis and Eurostar and their commitment to excellence ensures that great customer service is second nature to the team.

Paul Tomlin, Chief Executive Officer, states that they are expecting several hotel groups to sign up and they are currently in talks with Thistle Hotels.

For more information visit www.iGlobalFitness.net or call 0845 238 2000 or 07771 77 33 36 and speak to Sue O’Halloran.

England

Winners of HotelClub Awards United Kingdom 2008

London, United Kingdom –(PR.com)– London hotels excel once again as the results are announced in the second HotelClub Awards United Kingdom.

The capital city takes home two of the top three overall hotel awards, with Claridges and The Strand Palace Hotel taking top honours alongside Scottish favourite The Gleneagles Hotel.

London accommodations also win Top Family Hotel for The Royal Garden, Top Business Hotel for Hilton Trafalgar Square, and two awards for the hotels with the Top Bar and Entertainment – The Sanderson Hotel and The Landmark London.

The HotelClub Awards (http://www.hotelclub.com/awards/), presented in London by online accommodation experts HotelClub, along with Insight Guides and WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?), the top travel & lifestyle focused social networking community, followed a customer survey of 70,000 hotel consumers globally.

Paul Mulcahy, General Manager EMEA, HotelClub says “With the spotlight on London in the lead-up to 2012, it’s fantastic to see the city’s hotels are continuing to provide an outstanding experience for guests.

“We are operating in a challenging environment, but there is a big opportunity for hotels to appeal to the domestic market. These awards celebrate the great service and excellent facilities on offer for people not venturing so far from home this year.

“We congratulate all our winning hotel partners and thank HotelClub customers for taking the time to recognise the hotels that deliver the very best in hospitality. These awards provide valuable insight for hoteliers as they are voted for by guests,” says Mulcahy.

Ireland’s capital city also steps up, with The Westbury and The Merrion in Dublin both taking top honours in the Top Three Hotels in Ireland category, alongside exclusive and luxurious Ashford Castle in Cong.

The Gleneagles Hotel takes home a second nod as one of the Top Three Hotels in Scotland, with De Vere Cameron House in Glasgow and The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh sharing the limelight.

The HotelClub Hotel Awards are a ‘people’s choice’ awards presentation. Earlier this year 70,000* consumer voters nominated more than 120,000 of their favourite hotels online at www.hotelclub.co.uk .

“This year we added the new category of Top Bar and Entertainment, as we feel this is an area that deserved to be recognised. We’re constantly trying to evolve the awards to ensure we understand what our customers are looking for in a hotel,” says Mulcahy.

The complete list of winners in the HotelClub Hotel Awards 2008 is as follows:

Top Three hotels in Great Britain and Ireland
• The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire
• Strand Palace – London
• Claridges – London

Top Three hotels in England
• Swissotel The Howard – London
• Shaftesbury Premier Paddington – London
• The Chester Grosvenor & Spa – Chester

Top Three hotels in Ireland
• The Westbury – Dublin
• The Merrion – Dublin
• Ashford Castle – Cong

Top Three hotels in Scotland
• The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire
• De Vere Cameron House – Glasgow
• Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa – Edinburgh

Top Hotel in Northern Ireland
• Europa – Belfast

Top Hotel in Wales
• St David’s Hotel & Spa – Cardiff

Top Family Hotel
• Royal Garden – London

Top Business Hotel
• Hilton Trafalgar Square – London

Top Service hotels
• The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire
• Hayfield Manor – Cork County
• Swissotel The Howard – London

Top Bar and Entertainment Hotels
• Dylan Hotel – Dublin
• Sanderson Hotel – London
• The Landmark London – London

* Source: HotelClub.co.uk Global Online Consumer Survey – ‘Hunt for the Best Hotels in Great Britain and Ireland’ conducted between April and May 2008.

UK HOTELS BY REGION

Cook Islands

Pacific Resort Aitutaki at World Luxury Hotel Travel Awards

Aitutaki, Cook Islands –(PR.com)– The bubbles are flowing once again at Pacific Resort Aitutaki after being judged the best ‘Luxury Island Resort’ in the world at the World Luxury Hotel Travel Awards Gala Ceremony held at the world renowned 300 year old Lanzerac Estate in South Africa’s famous Cape Winelands, at the weekend.

Greg Stanaway and the whole staff at the Cook Islands leading luxury hotel, Pacific Resort Aitutaki were celebrating their success… “it is all about receiving recognition for having taken the extra step in facilities and service excellence” said Stanaway, also saying that the award again “recognises the distinction that is found in ‘exceptional hotels’ and will earn us, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands, accolades for many years to come”.

“It is significant recognition for the Cook Islands to be seen out in front with some of the best hotels, lodges and resorts from the ‘hot’ destinations around the world including Thailand, Mauritius, India, Maldives, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, France, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Greece and Mozambique” said Greg Stanaway, “and our staff feel proud to know that their efforts are being recognised and that the unique experience that is Pacific Resort Aitutaki is absolutely one of the best”.

Pacific Resort Aitutaki is the Cook Islands pre-eminent luxury resort and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels group. The resort has twenty-seven luxurious, absolute beachfront bungalows, suites and villas, all with their own personal panoramic view of Aitutaki’s world-famous lagoon and where each sunset majestically colours the ocean beyond set in an enclave of romance, refinement and luxury that beckons to even the most discerning traveller. Pacific Resort Aitutaki has won many prestigious awards since its opening in 2004.

Winners and finalists of different categories are listed on the World Luxury Hotel Awards website www.luxuryhotelawards.com/winners2008.asp

PACIFIC RESORT AITUTAKI

Cook Islands

Pacific Resort Aitutaki Earns Conde Nast Traveller’s Recognition

Aitutaki, Cook Islands –(PR.com)– There was more good news for Cook Islands tourism, when US readers of the world’s most prestigious travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, recently included Pacific Resort Aitutaki in their list of the Top 20 Resorts in Australia and The Pacific.

The 21st Annual “Reader’s Choice Awards” were announced at a gala function at the New York Public Library last month. The Condé Nast ‘Traveller’s Readers Choice Survey’ is the largest independent poll of consumers ‘preferences’ in the U.S. with over 32,663 readers voting in 2008.

Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been consistently recognized as one of the regions leading resorts winning many awards and accolades, acknowledging their pre eminence as a luxury resort.

“Naturally we are thrilled to gain the publicity this sort of award brings us” said Greg Stanaway, Pacific Resort CEO “it also recognizes the efforts of our people in Aitutaki and helps position the Cook Islands and Aitutaki as a quality destination. Given the relatively low number of North Americans visiting Aitutaki at this stage compared to other destinations voted on this list, we feel very proud of this ranking.”

Pacific Resort Aitutaki’s latest success follows on from recent accolades, when in October, it was named the best “Luxury Island Resort” in the world at the World Luxury Hotel Travel Awards and earlier, in June this year, when it was voted “Australasia’s Leading Boutique Resort” at the World Travel Awards.

The complete results of the awards can be found on Condé Nast Traveller’s website at www.concierge.com/cntraveler

PACIFIC RESORT AITUTAKI

Turkey

First Two Leading Swissôtel Spas of the World in…

Zurich, Switzerland –(PR.com)– The “Amrita Spa & Wellness” concept combines the Asian spa culture with Western influences and harmonises modern elements with the traditional Turkish bathing culture.

Visitors to the most exclusive spa in Istanbul can choose from a wide array of therapies and massages to help recharge their batteries or start their day full of vim and vigour at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus. A team of specialists, trained in Eastern and Western techniques and using exclusive products, pamper guests in the 14 treatment rooms. Treatments include advanced anti-ageing programmes, hot stone therapies, cellulite and beauty treatments, mud wraps, herbal and flower baths, saunas, detox programmes, hydrotherapy, watsu aquatic massages, and steam bath aroma-therapies.
In addition, the spa boasts a Turkish bath, a private Hamam for special events, a treatment room for couples, a spa suite with a private steam bath, sauna and Jacuzzi. Pilates, kinesis, gravity and yoga sessions are held outside on the lush hotel grounds. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Jacuzzis, tennis courts and solariums add to the array of facilities. Workouts are tailored to guests’ individual needs in the 800 m? fitness area. The Business Express Programme, assisted by a personal trainer, helps intensify the benefits of exercise and is designed in short stints to accommodate a busy schedule.

The Amrita Spa & Wellness at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul welcomes guests seven days a week from 7am to 10pm.

The Amrita Spa & Wellness at Swissôtel Grand Efes, Izmir serves discerning hotel guests as well as members from the local community. The full service Spa lies on 5’500 square meters and awaits its guests to enjoy a world of elegant wellness, invigorating aromas, international beauty treatments, and relaxing touches. Included in this paradise, there is a Presidential Wellness Suite for couples’ therapies, hydrotherapy room, a relaxation lounge, salt pool, private fitness training, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, traditional Turkish Hamam, sauna, steam bath and an array of therapeutic and beauty treatments combining Eastern healing and Western technologies.

Ayurveda forms an integral part of the wellness regime for the guests. From massages to the more rigorous transformations in lifestyle, the Ayurveda experience is designed keeping in mind the individual’s desire to heal, cleanse, relax and revitalize using a holistic approach. In the fitness area, where the members and guests can get fit with state-of-the art facilities, Amrita Spa & Wellness at Swissôtel Grand Efes, Izmir offers the latest cardiovascular and weight training equipments. Three fitness studios compliment mind and body experiences with a variety of classes presented on a regular basis in The Sweat Shop, The Breathing Space, and Spinning Studio.

“After operating the elegant Amrita Spa & Wellness at our Swissôtel Ankara successfully for more than two years, we are more than pleased to offer our guests the same outstanding experience in Istanbul and Izmir”, says Gerhard Struger, Regional Vice President Turkey & Eastern Europe at Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. “Next summer our Swissôtel Göcek Marina & Resort will add a luxurious spa to its facilities – by then all four Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts in Turkey will offer the same outstanding level of Spa experience.”

England

No.11 London Couture Hotel and Private Club Transformed

London, United Kingdom –(PR.com)– With his reputation for creative integrity, innovation and attention to detail, the interior design and property entrepreneur Paul Davies has established himself as the true leader of London’s luxury home and hotel living market.

Catering to the most discerning clients from around the globe, his luxury property company, Paul Davies London, has long offered the ultimate in fully-furnished and immaculately-designed homes in the capital’s most exclusive districts, but his most recent venture, his first couture hotel and apartments, No 11 London, has really raised the bar for luxury living and is a testament to his peerless flair for interior design.

An opulent Private Members Club and Hotel located in fashionable Knightsbridge, No.11 London is a ‘home from home’ for the discerning traveller in need of a temporary London base.

No. 11 London, which has undergone an extensive refurbishment (the restaurant, bar, lounges, library, gym, spa and ten bedrooms are ready; the remainder will be completed by March 2009), is an outstanding example of how to blend the grandeur and elegance of a glamorous stately home with contemporary chic.

The spectacular décor combines lush brocade upholstery and curtains with rich Murano glass chandeliers to create a warm, welcoming and relaxing environment. What makes No. 11 London unusual is the attention to detail and the care that has gone into the choice of fabrics, colours and textures.

Its sumptuous facilities include a spa, techno-gym complete with personal trainers, a 24-hour concierge service, five-star dining and a fleet of chauffeur-driven cars ranging from a luxurious Rolls Royce Phantom to a nippy Mini.

Discreet but attentive service is a feature of No. 11 London and visitors can expect to be cosseted, whether they are staying overnight, holding a business meeting, enjoying the fine dining experience or taking a break from shopping with a freshly-made cup of tea.

With No.11 London flourishing, Paul Davies’ sights are firmly set on rolling out the ‘home from homes’ concept for the great and the good and is looking for opportunities in New York, Paris, Milan, Moscow and Los Angeles.

Hotel Reservations can be made directly via the website – www.no11london.com – Or calling the Reservations Specialist at +44 (0) 20 7730 7000

About No. 11 London
Located just steps from designer shopping at Sloane Square, No. 11 London was built in the 19th century as a home-from-home for aristocrats, politicians and celebrities of that era. The private mansions and carriage house have been reinvented as a private club and couture hotel to impress and accommodate today’s demanding traveller.

No. 11 London overlooks Cadogan Gardens and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels.

Contact:
Jo Dos Santos
No. 11 London – Private Club and Hotel
11 Cadogan Gardens
Knightsbridge, London, SW3 2RJ