Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/743898
www.travelweekly-asia.com 17 ITB ASIA OFFICIAL DAILIES | hotel grapevine CENTARA HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS IN CHINA F ollowing the successful opening of the Centara Resort Zhaoqing in January 2015, Centara Hotels & Resorts extends its reach in China with management agreement signings for the upcoming Centara Grand Beach Resort Jin Tai Hainan in Hainan Province, and the Centara Villas Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province. The Centara Grand Beach Resort is a five-star family-focused resort with 350-rooms, targeted for opening in the fourth quarter of 2019. The property is owned by Jin Tai Heng Ye Real Estate Co., Ltd., a subsidiary company of Shaanxi Energy Group Co., Ltd., one of the top 100 state-owned real estate developers in China. The Centara Villas Zhaoqing, on the other instance, is a 46-villa property owned by Yuhao Properties, which also owns the Centara Resort Zhaoqing. Tom Thrussell, the company's vice president of brand, marketing & digital says that Centara is well- known for its resort products and expertise that provide vacation experiences to families, couples and groups alike. He added that with an existing strong Chinese client base and the company's continued focus on meeting and exceeding guests' needs, these new developments will be a success in the market. "We look forward to delivering our warm Thai service and experience in these new and exciting locations," he says. A "handy" smartphone keeps Meritus Hotels & Resorts' guests connected to essential travel information, while the hotel concierge remains just a call away to lend personal assistance. Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Marina Mandarin Singapore respond to traveller demands for technological advancements that make their stay a seamless experience, regardless of whether they are in the hotel or out of it. Available in all rooms of both hotels, the smartphone provides unlimited 4G data, local and international calls, online city guides and ticket bookings to popular attractions. Travel By Esther Faith Lew TAPPING ON TECH apps for transportation services such as Mass Rapid Transit maps are included. The handy hotel contacts list also offers convenient assistance when required. The smartphone solution makes it convenient for first-time travellers to the destination or business travellers who need to attend to their schedules and work calls uninterrupted as they commute from hotel to meeting venue. Guests may use the smartphone without worrying about privacy issues as each device will be restored to factory settings upon the guest's check-out. No personal or browsing data will be captured. BY MARK LEAN