KEEMALA Phuket is offering a 35 per cent discount to IATA-registered travel agents, airlines personnel and hoteliers as the resort prepares for its opening on December 1.

The deal is valid for stays between December 1, 2015 and October 31, 2015 except December 24, 2015 through January 20, 2016 as well as February 5 through February 14, 2016.

The promotion includes round trip Phuket airport transfer and late check out until 16.00, subject to availability.

Valid travel industry identification such as an employee ID or business card is required upon check in. To book, go to Keemala’s website and use promotion code: KTIP1516.

Don Muang International Airport

PASSENGER traffic thrived in Asia Pacific and the Middle East as of 3Q2015 with the regions’ airports reporting growth of 6.5 per cent and 15.7 per cent year-on-year growth respectively.

According to data from Airports Council International Asia Pacific, Asian airports like Bangkok Don Muang (31.8 per cent), Kunming (21.4 per cent) and Osaka Kansai (21.1 per cent) recorded the greatest growth for the region.

In the Middle East, its three largest hubs – Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai – continued logging robust growth, generating 21.4, 18.2 and 8.2 per cent increments respectively.

In terms of sheer volume, Beijing, Tokyo Haneda and Dubai have welcomed the most number of travellers with more than 40 million people passing through their gates each.

At Asia’s first Nobu outpost, which is owned by acting ace Robert De Niro, Hollywood producer Meir Teper and acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Rosa Ocampo discovers a sumptuous experience that makes her feel like a celebrity for a day

Location The hotel is very accessible, located just minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Makati CBD, Mall of Asia and other Manila Bay area attractions. A big plus: City of Dreams (CoD) Manila provides complimentary shuttle service to and from various points of the metro.

Rooms Our 36m² Deluxe Room spells Zen luxury, from the softest and cushiest bed and pillows, to the statement wall adorned with a huge calligraphy-like artwork.

While our bathroom doesn’t have the high-tech Japanese toilet found in the more expensive rooms, we are bowled over by its aesthetics (ladder towel rack, wooden planks, deep basin), luxuriant bathrobes and towels, and Natura Bissé bath amenities.

Facilities The lobby is cheerful with splashes of colours in the seating area. But the swimming pool is small, the corridors narrow, and the lifts cramped and confining.

Although the hotel stay comes with complimentary breakfast buffet at Nobu Restaurant, I recommend returning for dinner or a nightcap when the elegant venue is transformed into something theatrical, magical and whimsical even, thanks to the lighting, the wide skies and the gilded backdrop of CoD Manila’s domed Fortune Egg.

The Japanese fusion food is pleasing to both the palate and eye. The flavours do not overpower, and are refined with just the right balance of sweet, spicy, sour, salty and bitter. The food presentation is an art, served with dramatic flair and flourish, one dish after another in special plates and saucers.

We spotted several celebrities contentedly tucking into their meals and for one magical night, I felt like a celebrity also.

Service A standout. The hotel staff are young, cheerful and helpful. The restaurant staff are relaxed, attentive but not suffocating. The waiters know the menu well.

Verdict An indulgence of the palate and senses. Furthermore, Nobu Hotel Manila is an escape from the hurly-burly of the city without actually getting away.

Name Nobu Hotel Manila

No. of rooms 321

Rates From US$163

Contact details

Tel: (63) 2-800-8080

Email: guestservices@cod-manila.com

Website: www.nobuhotelmanila.com

MÖVENPICK Siam Hotel Pattaya, located at Na Jomtien, 15km south of Pattaya City and 20 minutes away from U-Tapao International Airport, will open December 15.

The 262-room resort has three dining outlets, function spaces, banquet facilities, an outdoor lagoon pool, a water sports area and a fully-equipped fitness centre.

The resort also provides various services including golf concierge island cruises, deep sea fishing tours, regional excursions and a kids’ club.

SINGAPORE-BASED real estate investment group M&L Hospitality has bought a hotel development site in Sydney’s CBD named 65 Sussex Street.

The group has appointed architects from Fitzpatrick + Partners and interior designers to build a mid-scale hotel property that features a restaurant, bar as well as meeting spaces. The project is expected to be completed by 4Q2016.

This acquisition will increase M&L Hospitality’s overall portfolio in Sydney to more than 1,000 hotel rooms and 16 hotels globally once completed. Operators of M&L Hospitality properties include names such as Hilton, IHG, Starwood and Swissôtel.

Signing ceremony between YTL Hotels and Marriott International. Craig Smith (left), president and managing director-Asia Pacific, Marriott International and Dato Mark Yeoh (right), executive director, YTL Hotels

YTL Hotels will develop two new Ritz-Carlton hotels in Samui and Niseko.

The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is located in Plai Laem and is expected to be completed within the next two years. It will have 187 rooms and pool villas, as well as F&B, wellness and recreational facilities.

Meanwhile, boasting views of Mount Yotei, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village will have 50 rooms, premium dining establishments, onsen and wellness facilities. Additionally, ski-in and ski-out access will also be made available during the winter seasons. It is expected to be completed within the next five years.

The two new hotels will add to YTL Hotels’ portfolio of 26 hotels and resorts across Asia, Australia and Europe which includes brands such as Kasara, The Gainsborough Bath Spa and Pangkor Laut Resort.

Gold Coast International Airport.

IN an attempt to boost arrivals from Indonesia, the Australian government will be introducing a three-year, multiple-entry visa for Indonesian visitors to Australia next year, an extension of the current one-year visa.

Online visa applications will also be extended to all Indonesian citizens by 2017.

The initiative was announced by Peter Dutton, minister for immigration and border protection, with Andrew Robb, minister of trade and investment as well as Richard Colbeck, minister of tourism and international education during Indonesia-Australia Business Week in Jakarta yesterday.

“These initiatives will benefit Indonesia and Australia as we look to promote stronger business and tourism links between our two countries. This change reflects Australia’s close relationship with Indonesia and is part of the government’s agenda to boost our tourism sector and reduce red tape,” Dutton said.

In conjunction with Indonesia-Australia Business Week, Tourism Australia also organised the three-day Walkabout Indonesia 2015 earlier this week, where 30 tourism suppliers met up with 150 Indonesian outbound players.

John O’Sullivan, managing director and CEO of Tourism Australia said: “The objective is to build partnerships and showcase new products, as well as to explore the kind of experiences the emerging affluent middle-class market is looking for.”

He added that Tourism Australia is in the process of opening an office in Indonesia to develop the market.

There were 150,200 visitors from Indonesia to Australia in 2014, up six per cent compared to the year before, generating an estimated A$600 million (US$432 million) in tourism receipts. Arrivals are targeted to increase to between 1.2 million and 1.5 million by 2020.

In the meantime, Colbeck in his meeting with Arif Wibowo, president and CEO of Garuda Indonesia, yesterday appealed to the airline to increase the number of flights to Australia to allow more traffic between the two countries.