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Asia/Singapore Sunday, 14th December 2025
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The St Regis Kuala Lumpur

By S Puvaneswary
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Caroline Astor Suite

Location The St Regis Kuala Lumpur is within walking distance to KL Sentral station, a hub for the city’s three different rail lines including the KLIA Express that travels between both international airports (KLIA and klia2) and KL Sentral station. The hotel also offers shuttle services to the station.

The hotel is located close to the city’s largest park, Perdana Botanical Garden, and Islamic Arts Museum. Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the retail offerings of Jalan Bukit Bintang are just 10-15 minute drive away.

Caroline Astor Suite

Room The hotel has 208 guestrooms range from 63m2 for rooms to 138m2 suites, some of the largest in the city.

I stayed in a one-bedroom suite, which has a large living room, dining table, lounge area and work space. The bedroom comes with a walk-in wardrobe with ample closet and luggage space.

I was impressed by the detail that went into the suite, such as the safe concealed behind wall panelling. It was so well hidden I would not have noticed if my butler, Wan, hadn’t pointed it out.

St Regis Kuala Lumpur’s lobby

Facilities The hotel has every facility a bleisure client would require – from a gym and fitness instructor who can help create a personalised programme, to a spa, swimming pool and yoga room.

I thoroughly enjoyed my hour-long foot massage at the spa. The Jacuzzi is also memorable as the water was warm and the jets powerful, just the way I love my hot tub dips.

For meetings, the grand ballroom stands out with its digital canvas of 47 LED screens that surround, enabling organisers to have high impact presentations. This is complemented by 16 versatile meeting rooms.

F&B The hotel offers six dining options. I was impressed by the Japanese restaurant, Taka by Sushi Saito, which features creations of three-star Michelin chef Takashi Saito in his only venture outside of Tokyo. I’ve always been hesitant about Japanese cuisine, but the Tako (octopus dish) and Otoro (tuna belly), the best sushi I’ve ever tasted, changed my mind.
The hotel is also known for afternoon tea at The Drawing Room, featuring cakes and entremets.

At Botero, the sommelier hospitality and ornate ambience cresated by Botero’s 3m-high horse sculpture captivated me.

I had breakfast at The Brasserie, and enjoyed local favourites such as Roti Canai and Nasi Lemak. In the evenings, the space transforms into a contemporary French-Mediterranean bistro.

Service As one would expect of a St Regis, the service was excellent with attentive, friendly staff who anticipated my needs before I realised them myself.

I was completely indulged by the 24/7 butler service, a brand signature. Butlers take guests to their rooms and help them settle in – setting up Wi-Fi on all devices, offering complimentary garment pressing, unpacking and packing, and help with making external reservations. I was thoroughly pampered throughout my stay.

Verdict An unforgettable experience with personalised anticipatory attention from butlers.

No of rooms 208
Rates From RM800+ (US$195) per room per night
Contact details
Tel: (60)-3-2727-1111
Email: stregis.kualalumpur@stregis.com

Tourism players warn against overcrowding on Mekong River

By Marissa Carruthers
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It is essential that tourism is sensitively managed if the target of attracting four million visitors to the Mekong River by 2020 is achieved, tourism stakeholders warn.

At 4,350km in length, the Mekong River runs from China to Vietnam, slicing through six countries that offer varying cultures, traditions and experiences. And with many communities living on its banks relying on the waterway for survival, river-based tourism is emerging as a sector that has huge untapped potential.

Tourism stakeholders fear that if river tourism to the Mekong is not managed properly, will lead to negative impacts on the environment and congestion; Mekong River, Vietnam, pictured

The opportunity to develop river-based tourism is growing exponentially, said Jens Thraenhart, executive director of Mekong Tourism. He added: “We want to grow the cruise industry to more than four million passengers on the Mekong by 2020. People are looking for experiences of a lifetime and the Mekong region has the potential to deliver that.”

However, Pierre-Andre Romano, general manager of EXO Cambodia, expressed fears that this volume of visitors may lead to congested waters and have a negative impact on the environment, if managed incorrectly. He added huge investment would need to be ploughed into developing adequate infrastructure, such as docking facilities.

He said: “The boats cannot sail all year round so care needs to be taken that the waters don’t become too crowded.”

Thraenhart said the emphasis needs to be on developing more boutique tours and cruises, in line with community-based tourism models. He said several deluxe offerings have launched in recent months, paving the way for more to follow.

But Christopher Gramsch, Khiri Laos general manager, said developing river-based tourism in Laos is becoming increasingly challenging due to the volume of dams being built in the country’s drive to become the battery of South-east Asia.

It was recently announced boat trips on the Nam Ou are no longer possible between Muang Khua and Muang Ngoi.

He said: “This was one of the last scenic boat cruises we could offer clients. It seems the energy sector is more important than ecology and tourist boat cruises. The dams clearly have impacts on the tourism sector, and are a problem not only for Southern Laos but also for Cambodia and Vietnam.”

Blacklane goes green

By TTG Asia
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Reduce your carbon footprint with Blacklane

All Blacklane rides are now green, with the company committed to offsetting the carbon footprint of all rides across the 250 cities and 50 countries it operates in.

This is believed to be the first time a ride service is launching a global carbon-neutral programme. Blacklane offsets carbon emissions by funding a wind farm near Pune, India, where 40 wind turbine generators produce electricity with no fossil fuel consumption.

Reduce your carbon footprint with Blacklane

Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane, said: “Quality rides (that do not) compromise the environment benefit travellers, drivers and the world. They also align companies’ business travel needs with their sustainability goals.”

To deliver its promise, Blacklane is partnering Carbon Footprint, the UK government’s provider, to offset ministerial travel carbon dioxide emissions. The company calculates Blacklane’s carbon emissions based on ride distances and vehicles in the fleet.

Aman brings 15-year Shanghai project to fruition

By TTG Asia
0

Amanyangyun, the fourth Aman location in China and the first in Shanghai, will open on January 8, 2018, after a 15-year-long relocation of a Jiangxi forest and reconstruction of a historic village.

Fuzhou-born entrepreneur Ma Dadong and Aman had worked together to oversee the transportation and replanting of 10,000 trees – including the 80-tonne Emperor Tree – and the disassembly and rebuilding of 50 antique houses, which were displaced by a new reservoir project in Fuzhou.

Amanyangyun is the result of a 15-year-long conservation initiative

On the 10ha Amanyangyun 27km southwest of Shanghai, the 50 disassembled antique houses have been restored into 26 guestrooms, 13 of which are four-bedroom Antique Villas measuring 8002 to 1,000m2, and including a private pool and Jacuzzi as well as a courtyard. Amanyangyun will also offer 24 newly created 65m2 Ming Courtyard Suites, with two private courtyards attached to each.

Aman Residences converted from 12 of the historic homes will also be available.

On the grounds of Amangyangyun is Nan Shu Fang, which also made the journey from Fuzhou, a modern-day recreation of a 17th century scholars’ studio. Guests can use this space to practise traditional crafts such as calligraphy, music and painting, or to watch one of Amanyangyun’s Kunqu Opera performances.

Another highlight is the 2,840m2 Aman Spa – one of the largest in the Aman collection – housing eight treatment rooms, two double spa suites, relaxation areas, a sauna, plunge pool, Jacuzzi and two swimming pools; indoor and out.

The spa building will also house the fitness and movement centre, while the Cultural Discovery Centre will welcome children age five to 12, and have a dedicated programme for teenagers. Programmes include wetland visits, classes on Chinese farming techniques, lantern making, paper cutting, pottery moulding and tea ceremonies, as well as Chinese shadow puppet shows.

The property will offer five restaurants and bars – Chinese restaurant Lazhu pays homage to Jiangxi province; Japanese restaurant Nama; the lakeside Arva for Italian farm-to-table style dishes and sharing plates; The Bar and Cigar Lounge; as well as the 200-seat Banqueting Room.

Other facilities include a 200m2 herb garden and 25-seat cinema.

China urged to pump up ‘toilet revolution’ efforts

By Pamela Chow
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Public toilets on Tiananmen Square in Beijing

Chinese president Xi Jinping issued a directive last Monday for continued efforts in improving the country’s toilet conditions, in order to encourage greater domestic tourism and international arrivals.

The campaign, termed ‘toilet revolution’, was first launched in April 2015 to upgrade hygiene and living standards in both rural and urban areas, reported Xinhua News Agency.

Public toilets on Tiananmen Square in Beijing

The China National Tourism Administration recently announced plans to build and upgrade 64,000 toilets between 2018 and 2020.

In his recent address, Xi urged the country to maintain its efforts in improving public toilets, announcing: “This work must be a concrete part of advancing our country’s revitalising strategy and we must make great efforts to fill these shortcomings that affect the quality of life of the masses.”

Under the ‘toilet revolution’ campaign, the central government has reportedly pumped more than RMB1 billion (US$150 million) into revamping more than 68,000 public toilets, exceeding its initial three-year goal of 57,000.

An example includes popular Beijing tourist attraction Temple of Heaven, a park whose toilet-paper dispensers are fitted with facial recognition technology that limits each user to 60cm of paper every nine minutes.

Tourism Western Australia enhances agent engagement in new campaign

By TTG Asia
0
Hamersley Gorge in Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) has teamed up with Travelport to promote Perth and Western Australia to travel agents within Australia.

The targeted trade campaign has been launched since October 16 to stimulate interest among travel agents within Australia, raise awareness of destination experiences and spur more tourist arrivals.

Hamersley Gorge in Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Over the past month, the campaign engaged over 200 agents who have completed a mini-training portal and referred friends and colleagues to participate in the training, according to Tourism WA.

Based on bookings done on Travelport’s platform, there was a 16 per cent growth in October for WA, compared to the same period last year.

New hotels: Avani Hua Hin Resort & Villas, Sherwood Suites, and more

By TTG Asia
0

Avani Hua Hin Resort & Villas
Avani Hua Hin Resort & Villas in Thailand offers 185 rooms and suites, as well as 11 one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas with direct access to the main pool. Facilities include a spa with nine treatment rooms and Hammam, gym, kids club, an all-day dining restaurant and a jazz lounge. Guests can also choose to do watersports such as kite surfing, sailing or stand-up paddle board yoga. Event planners can make use of a 900m2 meeting space, which can accommodate banquets of 500 people. It can also be reconfigured to five smaller venues.

Sherwood Suites
The new-build in the heart of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City features 157 apartments over 20 storeys. Studios weigh in at 57m2, one-bedroom units range from 61m2 to 81m2, while two-bedroom apartments offer between 91m2 and 118m2 of space. Each apartment is furnished with flatscreen TVs, contemporary Italian designer furniture, luxe mattresses, and come with fully-equipped kitchens and marble bathrooms with rain showers. Facilities include a 20m-long covered pool, jacuzzi, pool bar, 65-seat restaurant, games room, kid’s club and a 24-hour gym with sauna and steam room. Guests will also be able to avail the free hourly shuttle bus that stops at at several Saigon attractions such as the Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens
AccorHotels has opened two hotels – a Novotel with 254 guestrooms (pictured above) and a 518-key Mercure – in an integrated lifestyle complex at the edge of Singapore’s Orchard Road. In total, the complex boasts facilities such as 14 dining outlets ranging from Thai to Mediterranean, two outdoor pools, a tennis court and a function space that can accommodate more than 500 guests. As well, the complex features a series of pods housing an additional nine F&B outlets offering both local and international cuisines.

Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen
The Ascott has expanded its footprint in China with the opening of its third property, the 182-room Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen, in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District. The serviced apartment will be part of an integrated development which comprises a mall with more than 200 shops and a 23-storey office tower. Lodgings range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, all of which come with a well-equipped kitchen and high-speed wireless Internet. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, breakfast lounge, gymnasium, aerobics room, reading room, sauna, children’s play area, business centre, and several meeting rooms.

Courtyard by Marriott Bandung Dago
Situated at Jalan Ir. H. Juanda 33 Bandung is the 187-room Courtyard by Marriott Bandung Dago. Rooms are designed to be hybrid zones for both working and resting, while the property’s lobby features media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones. On the property is Momo Café, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, with a wide selection of local and international dishes. Other facilities include a sauna, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, kids’ club, as well as a business centre with several computer terminals. There is also 1,260m2 of space spread across 15 event venues, where the largest can accommodate functions of up to 500 people.

Sammy Carolus helms Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit

By TTG Asia
0

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, scheduled to open in 3Q2018, has appointed Sammy Carolus as general manager.

Carolus has been part of the Hyatt family for over 25 years, commencing his career in 1992 as a sales associate at Bali Hyatt.

He progressed through various sales and marketing positions at Bali Hyatt, Grand Hyatt Bali, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin & The Barai, and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. In 2010, he returned to Hyatt Regency Hua Hin & The Barai as general manager and, in 2016, was general manager of Grand Hyatt Taipei.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit will be the very first Hyatt Regency hotel in Bangkok. The hotel offer 273 rooms including 21 suites, as well as facilities such as an all-day restaurant, swimming pool, and over 1,300m2 of meeting space.

Low-income Malaysians can apply to be trained as local hosts under new scheme

By S Puvaneswary
0
Adam: local hosts will not compete with traditional tour guides

Malaysians with a household income of RM4,000 (US$974) and below may qualify for a new scheme designed to train and certify 2,000 local hosts as ‘Tour Buddies’ to local and foreign tourists.

The Digital Sharing Economy initiative was recently introduced by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) in collaboration with government agency, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

Adam: local hosts will not compete with traditional tour guides

Participants will be screened through interviews.

MITA secretary-general, Adam Kamal, shared: “The idea is to provide them training to earn supplementary income. They will not be competing with tourist guides as they will only offer their services within the area that they live and to small groups like families and FITs.”

After the course, MITA will assist participants in registering with any of the existing tour sharing economy apps available such as ToursByLocals and ShowAround.

From next month through to April 2018, participants will be trained on how to use the Tour Buddy mobile app to access information on local places of interest including their history and what dining and retail spots are in the area.

The training will also touch on soft skills such as how to meet and greet tourists and the do’s and don’ts when accompanying tourists.

The initial training in December will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Langkawi and Johor Bahru. Subsequent trainings will be expanded to East Malaysia.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Building a new world
TTG Asia | Salter Brothers Hospitality names Chris Curran as COO
TTG Asia | Le Méridien Putrajaya welcomes new GM