Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com Centara offers package at Boutique Collection Resorts BANGKOK – Centara Boutique Collection is offering a two-night Boutique Break package with special benefi ts for guests staying at selected beach resort hotels at Samui, Rayong, Hua Hin, Koh Kood and Chiang Mai. The Boutique Break package is available from December 1 until March 31, 2011. Benefi ts include a discounted room rate and daily buffet breakfast, with most of the properties also offering late check-out. Seven Centara Boutique Collection resorts are included in the package, namely X2 Samui Villas by Design, The Sea Samui Vacation Residences, X2 Rayong Resort by Design, X2 Hua Hin Kui Buri Villas by Design, Away Koh Kood Resort, Away Suansawan Chiang Mai, and Khum Phaya Resort & Spa, Chiang Mai. The room rates vary according to the resort but begin at 3,999 baht (US$133) per two-night package at Away Suansawan Chiang Mai, and include 18,999 baht for a Deluxe Pool Villa at X2 Hua Hin Kui Buri Villas and 19,999 baht for a Deluxe Garden Villa at X2 Samui Villas. At Away Koh Kood Resort, two-night the 12 ,999 baht package at the Island Canvas Retreat includes ful l board of six meals including a seafood BBQ dinner, kayaking, a half-day trip snorkelling, and return boat t r ans fer Tr at / Koh Kood. The rates include 10 percent service charge and seven percent government tax and are on the basis of two persons per room. Complimentary room stay is available for up to two children under 12 years of age sharing their parents' room and bedding. An extra bed per package is available on a paid-for basis, the rates including breakfast. The package requires a minimum 15-day advance booking and is not applicable to group reservations and reservations for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. An extra bed per package is available on a paid-for basis, the rates including breakfast. The package requires a minimum 15-day advance booking and is not applicable to group reservations and reservations for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. Starwood Hotels & Resorts unveils plans to ramp up spas NEW YORK – At the Internat ional Spa Association annual conference and expo, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it plans to expand its portfolio of hotel spas by more than 50 percent in the coming year. More than 150 new spas are planned or are in development at Starwood, which currently features more than 300 hotel spas across iconic hospitality brands, including W, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Westin, and Sheraton. As the largest operator of upper-upscale and luxury brands in the world, Starwood continues to be committed to bringing branded, lifestyle experiences – including spas – to market. "We're answering the demand for spa with a portfolio of fi ve in-house spa brands and strategic partnerships that continue to enhance the guest experience at our hotels," said Mia Kyricos, director of Global Spa Brands and Programming for Starwood. Starwood will ramp up its branded spa concepts dramatically this year with Sheraton, St. Regis, and Le Meridien to debut their own exclusive in-house spa brands, each inspired by the individual hotel brands to provide an integrated lifestyle experience. "Approximately 75 percent of the properties in Starwood's growth pipeline include spas in their plans," said Jeremy McCarthy, Starwood's director of Global Spa Development and Operations. "And about 45 percent of our existing portfolio of more than 1,000 hotels offers spas and related services." Villa Maroc Resort introduces the Wedding Package BANGKOK – Make your wedding day a unique and unforgettable one in the exotic setting of Villa Maroc Resort Pranburi. Villa Maroc introduces the 'Wedding Package', where you can enjoy a celebration like no other and create wonderful memories to last a lifetime. The 'Wedding Package' is priced from THB 49,000 (US$1630) for a one night stay in a luxurious Pool Vi l la. Package price is inclusive of accommodations for the bride & groom, complimentary in-room romantic breakfast, wedding decoration in your room, vow and ring exch ange ce remony wi t h 6 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 07 DECEMBER 2010 a Master of Ceremonies, cake cutting ceremony wi th a glass of champagne for the bridal couple and free flow of soft drinks for up to 30 guests (during the wedding ceremony), wedding cake, ceremony set-up and flower decorations (including flower arch), Bridal bouquet, and the Groom's corsage. Also included in the package is a romantic candlelit dinner for two on the beach, including a bottle of champagne and Northern Thai flying lanterns and complimentary late check out at 02:00 pm (subject to room availability). Villa Maroc Resort is located on the secluded & romantic Pranburi beach – the ideal setting for memorable wedding ceremonies and unforgettable receptions. www.travelweeklyweb.com

• Cover