Northstar

HOTELS www.travelweeklyweb.com Ritz-Carlton takes on the Old Silk Road ALMATY – The Ritz-Carlton has announced the opening of its first hotel in the former capital of Kazakhstan. The 145-room property is the latest collaboration between Capital Partners and The RitzCarlton, following their partnership with The Ritz-Carlton Moscow. The Ritz-Carlton Almaty sits atop the 37-storey Esentai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Central Asia. With Club and Suite accommodations and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting facilities, it is part of the Capital Partners' Esentai Park development, which also includes an extensive shopping mall and residential complexes. "We are delighted to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Kazakhstan. Almaty is a key gateway city for our customers and this hotel complements the portfolio of Ritz-Carlton properties around the globe beautifully," Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton said. "Almaty is a dynamic city attracting visitors from all over the world and we are excited to be here." "Capital Partners invests in, and develops, projects around the world but our roots are firmly in Almaty and our investments in Kazakhstan demonstrate our commitment and belief that Almaty is a vibrant, fast-emerging city and the business hub of Central Asia. This ground breaking project will help redefine the way that the country is seen by the world," said Burak Oymen, co-founder of Capital Partners. "We are also pleased to announce The Ritz-Carlton Residences on the upper floors of the Tower, which offer unrivalled luxurious city living in the heart of Almaty, and which will enjoy all the fantastic amenities of the hotel with the privacy and benefits of personal ownership," added Oymen. The Ritz-Carlton Almaty Almaty is the Republic's largest city and an important cultural and commercial centre. It was also one of the transit stations on the Silk Road and is now a vibrant business destination. The city is located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau in the southeast of Kazakhstan where the mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the city's skyline. Almaty is fast becoming a world-class shopping destination for visitors with the opening of luxury stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci and Fendi in the neighbouring Esentai Mall. Beyond Bali BALI – You may have heard of "Nusa" but how about "Lembongan"? Nusa Lembongan is an island located on the southeast coast of Bali, Indonesia. Fast becoming a popular draw, the island is a world away from the hassle and bustle of Bali, and of the accommodations offered at the island is the Lembongan Beach Club & Resort. Located at Jungut Batu Beach, Nusa Lembongan, the property epitomises an ideal lifestyle concept with its chic atmosphere, 100 per Lembongan Beach Club & Resort www.travelweeklyweb.com cent organic spa treatments, luxury accommodation and delectable food and beverage options. Topped off with an unbeatable sunset, it has become one of the most outstanding places in Nusa Lembongan Island. Lembongan Beach Club & Resort can be reached only 30 minutes by a speedboat from Sanur Beach with regular departures throughout the day (approximately every 30 minutes from 9am to 5pm) or by a helicopter based on request. The resort consists of 26 private villas with six one-bedroom Garden Villas, two 2-Bedroom Private Pool Villas and eighteen 1-Bedroom Private Pool Villas all designed with natural materials in a modern Balinese style. Tjendana Spa, Nusa Lembongan, is nestled within the resort, offering a wide variety of treatments to pamper your body, mind and soul. Using locally sourced and 100 per cent organic materials from land and sea, our treatments are in tune with the world around you for a truly symbiotic and harmonized experience. While in Nusa Lembongan, visit the interesting Lembongan village seaweed farms, Jungut Batu Beach or Sandy Bay for sunset, discover the Mangrove Forest, Underground House, Devil's Tears, Panorama Point to capture the beauty of whole Nusa Lembongan and Jumping Point in Nusa Ceningan – right next to Nusa Lembongan. DECEMBER 2013 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 15

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