From now until the the end of the year, unique experiences within the region and beyond are available at nice prices.
General
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members, who stay three times between now and July 31, 2010, can earn a free weekend night with the new "SPG Free Weekends" promotion. There are no limits to how many free nights can be earned and awards can be combined to make a longer weekend stay. Redemption starts between May 7 and December 19 on any Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday across all of Starwood’s global brands such as W, St Regis, Aloft, Westin and Sheraton. Non-SPG members who want to join SPG can register for the programme and the promotion until June 30 at www.spg.com/freeweekends
www.starwoodhotels.com
China
A value-added “Expo Special” is being offered by WORLDHOTELS’ five affiliates in Shanghai, featuring room rates from RMB1,500 (US$219.60), a maximum of two entry tickets and transfers to the Expo site in Pudong. The offers are valid from now to October 31 of this year, for guests booking a minimum of two nights. Participating hotels are the Eton Hotel and Yue Shanghai, both near to the Expo site, and Grand Central Hotel, Central Hotel and Seagull on the Bund located on the Puxi side of Shanghai. World Expo visitors wanting to make a side-trip can also take advantage of an “Expo Special” at Furama Hotel Dalian for a rate of RMB898 (US$131.50) for at least two nights, including breakfast and one-way transfer from airport to hotel, along with 500 frequent flyer miles.
www.worldhotels.com
Guests booking a suite for three consecutive nights at Mandarin Oriental Sanya and get a fourth night free as well as the following added benefits: entry to the Cliff Lounge for breakfast, high tea and evening cocktails with snacks, mini bar replenished daily, bottle of wine upon arrival, free broadband and wireless internet access and free in-room Nespresso coffee. Those in a Duplex Pool Villa also enjoy identical perks with even more such as round-trip transfers from Sanya International Airport, free local phone calls, free laundry service and 24-hour butler service. The promotion is valid until October 31.
www.mandarinoriental.com
Laos
Enjoy A Princely Experience in Luang Prabang’s Maison Souvannaphoum heritage hotel, the former residence of Laos’ Prince Souvannaphoum. Valid from now to December 21, the offer starts at US$360 per night for minimum of two nights in the Maison Room, which was the Prince’s bedroom. In addition, guests will enjoy US$100 complimentary credit to be spent in hotel outlets, daily international buffet breakfast, round-trip car transfer, a “Prince” cocktail and a traditional Lao dinner.
www.angsana.com
Malaysia
Flexi-spending is offered by Hard Rock Hotel Penang from now to December 22 this year. If you book the “Anything You Want” package, you will receive RM100 (US$31.50) spending credit for each day booked. The flexible cash voucher can be spent on dining, purchases or getting pampered in the hotel’s spa and outlets.
Thailand
W Retreat Koh Samui is opening this August with the package, "Retreat and Surrender". Now available for booking, the experience includes accommodation in one of 75 private villas equipped with modern lifestyle innovations, W’s Whatever/Whenever credit of THB2,500 (US$76) per day for use in the Retreat’s restaurants, bars and spa, breakfast for two, round-trip airport transfers and upgrade to the next room category.
Margie T Logarta and Andrea Zavadzsky
