Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com The Merlion Hotel roars By Natalie Chen SINGAPORE – A stay at the Merlion Hotel can be an eye opener. It's not everyday that you come face to face with the icon of Singapore in the luxury of a 100 sqm hotel room. One can describe it as a surreal experience, seeing the Merlion up close. Everyone who's visited Singapore would have an idea of what the Merlion is, which is a mythical creature with the head of the lion and the body of a fi sh. The Merlion was fi rst built as an eight-metre tall sculpture in 1972 and located at the mouth of the Singapore River to "welcome all visitors to Singapore". Commissioned for approximately S$165,000 in 1971 by the Singapore Tourism Board, it was built by Lim Nan Seng. Before the Merlion stood at the tip of the current The Fullerton Waterboat House Garden, but in 2002 the statue was relocated 120 metres to the current Merlion Park next to One Fullerton, overlooking Marina Bay. The Merlion in all his splendor is a crowd puller, as a "hotel" he draws even more attention. The Merlion Hotel is an art installation by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi commissioned specially for the Singapore Biennale, organised by the Singapore Art Museum, which showcases from 13 March to 11 May 2011. Open to the public from 10am to 7pm, the Merlion Hotel has attracted hordes of visitors resulting in long queues so to get a glimpse of the suite is a treat. The art installation has generated much buzz from people vying to stay a night in the Merlion Hotel and jamming booking lines to reports of how he "stole" a guest's girlfriend. There is always a story behind the mystical Merlion and local poets and writers have used him A new Pullman Resort opens in Lijiang as their muse as he is part of Singapore's folklore. Incidentally, the view from the Merlion Hotel is spectacular especially the night scene. The Merlion is part of the Fullerton Heritage Precinct and The Fullerton Hotel is credited for managing the landmark Merlion Hotel. The hotel suite comes with a double bed, bathroom, amenities as well as a dedicated Merlion Butler. Guests who stay the night also get complimentary breakfast at The Fullerton Hotel. Take an adventure to the most westerly point of Australian Mainland! PERTH – Owner of Ocean Park and expert Marine Biologist, Ed Fenny says the tour is an exciting way for visitors to see this secluded World Heritage listed area of Western Australia. " S t e ep Po i nt is one of SHANGHAI – Pul lma n, an upscale five-star hotel brand of the Accor Group, speci f ical ly designed for modern era business and leisure travellers, announced today the offi cial opening of Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa in China's southwestern Yunnan Province. Consisting of 79 villas and 51 deluxe rooms, the new property in Lijiang, a city which is often dubbed as China's "Forgotten Kingdom," is Pullman's fourth resort in the country, with two in Sanya and another in Zhangjiajie. "We are very excited to bring the Pullman brand to Yunnan, one of China's most attractive destinations for tourists due to its breathtaking 6 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 12 APRIL 2011 natural scenery, mild climate and rich ethnic cultures," said Robert Murray, senior vice president, Accor Greater China. "It is also our great honor to join forces with Kunming Construction Company, a highly reputable real estate developer in the province, to deliver a truly comfor table, authentic Lijiang experience to guests from both home and abroad." The tranquil resort, boasting uninterrupted and stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, is located adjacent to Shuhe Ancient Town and just minutes away from downtown Lijiang as well as Dayan Ancient Town, a UNESCO world heritage site. Australia's true hidden treasures and an area that many travellers don't even know about ," Fenny said. "Our expert marine guides will take you through the rich biology of the area, pointing out the "Big 5" – dugongs, sharks, turtles, dolphins and sting rays," he said. Fenny said the Steep Point tour includes some extreme off- road four wheel driving and takes passengers to F e n ny sa ys the tour al so includes a guided tour of Ocean Park Aquarium, bushwalking and snorkelling in season. "And a delicious lunch!" he said. "We wi ll be launching an extended 4WD tour from Shark Bay to Exmouth very soon, mostly due to increased demand from tourists and backpackers," he said. "With flights now operating between Shark Bay and Exmouth it's a great opportunity for us to showcase this incredible region," he said. Steep Point tours run daily from Monkey Mia Resort and Denham Discovery Centre. For bookings or more information visit www. oceanpark.com.au www.travelweeklyweb.com

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