Northstar

The Indispensable Travel Industry Read Feature: Time to go Apps Vol. 11 | 04 January 2011 | www.travelweeklyweb.com | Published by Travel & Meetings Group, Ten Alps Communications Asia Pte Ltd Design Hotels that educate and inspire Hotel Stay on top of the world Page 3 News Qatar Airways to promote Kenya From organic soap making in Bali to a cheese and wine tasting in Lon- don, Design Hotels presents four member hotels offering interesting and exciting educational experienc- es. For wine enthusiasts, Boundary in East London launched 'Château Boundary', a club offering a range of vinous events and activities including intimate winemaker dinners in their restaurant. In India, Alila Diwa Goa offers cooking classes and visits to local museums to learn more about the region's history and culture. Those in search of a chic private urban retreat – with a range of five star services and experiences on hand – need not look further than La Réserve Paris where guests can take their pick from anything from piano lessons to cooking with a private chef. For anything from trekking to making facials using local fruits, Alila Manggis in Bali is the perfect retreat and an idyllic educational hideaway. Boundary, London, United Kingdom Don't know a Rioja from a Ries- ling? Boundary, Sir Terence Conran's hotel in Shoreditch, East London, launched 'Château Boundary' in May 2010, a free wine club, for beginners, enthusiasts, connoisseurs, or those who simply enjoy vinous treats. Pre- vious events include a 1970 Grand Cru Classé tasting, a vintage 2000 tasting with premium wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy and a Baro- lo and white truffl e evening. Alila Diwa Goa, India From watching a 3D science show to learning how to cook fresh- ly-caught fi sh, Alila Diwa Goa offers educational experiences for all ages. The hotel is situated just 500 me- ters from the beach looking out to verdant paddy fields, and so offers the perfect location for exploration and learning. In the hotel's 'Culinary journey' guests can learn from the Chef about how to prepare and cook local dishes such as a 'Goan Beef Asado' or discover the origin and use of different spices. For inquisitive minds the local Goa Chitra Ethnog- raphy Museum offers an insight into the region's past. La Réserve Paris, France Combining the privacy of an apartment , with all the f ive-star services of a hotel, La Réserve Paris offers a unique experience for the guest. Located on Paris's monumen- tal Art Deco Place du Trocadero with spectacular hilltop views of the city, the hotel consists of ten elegant and luxurious apartments with high ceilings, double height windows and high-tech amenities. Each spacious apartment has its own housekeeper and concierge, ready to tend to ev- ery need, including running errands and arranging in-home spa services. For those with a passion for cooking the hotel can arrange for a personal Page 6 chef to accompany guests to the lo- cal market where they can choose a variety of fresh ingredients. Alila Manggis, Bali This serene Balinese getaway offers an impressive range of educa- tional experiences, from adventure treks to observe first-hand the life of local families to learning how to make virgin coconut oil in the ho- tel's kitchen. In the 'Food for your skin' programme guests are invited to make their own facial treatment using herbs, roots and fruits from the hotel's garden and nearby veg- etation, including the famous local Mangosteen plant which contains a powerful anti-oxidant. Guests can also take Balinese dancing classes or learn about the agricultural practices of Balinese farmers from the hotel's gardeners. The hotel is located on the unspoilt East coast of Bali and com- prises four two-story buildings.

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