Anantara: A Destination Experience

In the dynamic climate of today’s world, traveling to remote places for relaxation and rejuvenation has become an indulgence – if not necessity – shared by many. It’s not an easy task, however, to find a destination that will not only transport you away from the hectic pace of everyday life but captivate your senses and restore your spirit. And this was the inspiration for creating Anantara Resorts.

‘Anantara’ is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “borderless water”, and the resorts encapsulate the excitement of discovery and exploration that comes with entering new territory. Anantara Resorts offer an experience to guests unlike any other, one that couples serenity with exoticism and state-of-the-art convenience with indigenous charm. An experience that celebrates the destination – in all its natural beauty and cultural allure.

Creating a “destination experience” is at the core of the Anantara philosophy and one that the brand takes seriously. Anantara strives to go beyond guest’s expectations, not simply to meet them. The Anantara team is passionate about constantly anticipating and assessing every component of the resort experience in order to ensure that the guests are inspired and also – most importantly – entirely at ease.

This value is reflected in Anantara’s commitment to harmoniously blend with the local environment, whether that be in the verdant mountains of the Golden Triangle, the pristine beaches of Samui Island or the majestic seaside air of Hua Hin. Each of the resorts in these settings has been designed by renowned landscape expert Bill Bensley, who has the rare ability to capture the individual soul and culture of every locale in which he works.

All Anantara resorts offer peerless, unobtrusive service, spa pampering and a range of adventure activities associated with the location. For example, at Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, guests can interact with elephants that have been rescued from the city streets and even learn how to “drive” an elephant like the local caregivers! This experience is in the heart of Thailand’s northern hill-tribe country; where the countries of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge. Such an exotic encounter could not be experienced anywhere else.

One of the Anantara family’s more recent additions is in the exquisite Maldives. Positioned on a 5-acre plot in the South Male Atoll, Anantara Resort Maldives is an unspoiled haven for relaxation. The resort features 68 beachfront villas, 2 deluxe beachfront pool villas, 38 deluxe over water suites and 2 deluxe over-water pool suites all set around a natural, private lagoon.

The resort was designed by talented Maldivian architect Mohamed Shafeeg and interior designer John Lightbody of Abacus fame. It is a design where the contemporary seamlessly blends with the natural surrounds. Every detail has been meticulously thought through, from the glass viewing panel in the bathroom to the i-Pod docking stations – stocked with songs for every mood – to the exclusive wine cellar for two.

Essentially, the time a guest spends at Anantara is as individual as each and every person. Those seeking pure relaxation can indulge in an Indian mud therapy spa on treatment tables overlooking the rich and bounteous ocean below. Or while away the hours sun-soaking by the pool. Feeling adventurous? Let the experienced dive team arrange a scuba diving course on the house reef or try snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. Craving a gastronomical experience? Seduce the senses with one of the distinguished restaurant menus or let the culinary team organize a private island picnic especially tailored to all tastes. For true gourmands, Anantara Maldives also features a cooking school where guests can master the art of Thai, Indian and Italian cuisine.

With three thriving resorts in Thailand and the latest Maldivian addition, the Anantara family enthusiastically anticipates the debut of new resorts in Asia and the Middle East, including Anantara Resort Bentota in Sri Lanka; Anantara Jumeirah Lake in Dubai; a resort in the UNESCO world heritage town of Hoi An, Vietnam; the Anantara Seminyak, Bali; and the latest Thailand additions: Anantara Resort Khao Lak and Anantara Resort Phuket.

Anantara’s commitment to facilitate a ‘destination experience’ means that no matter where one is within the extensive family of resorts, guests will always be greeted by a familiar and welcoming smile. Whether snorkeling in the azure seas of the Maldives or trekking through the lush jungle in The Golden Triangle, one aspect remains the same: a commitment to providing the sophisticated traveler with an unrivalled destination experience. An experience that integrates an indigenous feel with every conceivable modern convenience into its motif, creating a serene, gracious and comfortable environment peppered with local flavor.

Without End 

For hundreds of years throughout Thailand, people would leave a jar of water outside their house to provide refreshment and extend a welcome to the passing traveller. Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'without end', symbolizing this sharing of water and the heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of every Anantara experience.

From lush jungles to pristine beaches and legendary deserts to cosmopolitan cities, Anantara currently boasts 17 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Bali, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates and will see new openings in China, Bali and Abu Dhabi in 2012.

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit www.anantara.com.

About Global Hotel Alliance

Based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance (“GHA”) is the world largest alliance of independent hotel brands. It uses a common technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its members, while offering enhanced recognition and service to customers across all brands, through a unique loyalty programme, GHA Discovery. GHA currently comprises of Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno Collection, Marco Polo, Mokara, Mirvac, Omni, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, Shaza and Tivoli hotels & resorts, encompassing almost 300 upscale and luxury hotels with 65,000 rooms in 51 different countries.

Sheraton’s 24-Hour Toast Around The World

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort memperkenalkan program Sunset Gatherings, yang memberikan pengalaman unik kepada tamunya untuk berkuliner ria sambil menikmati sunset di pantai Kuta yang dramatik. Yang juga menarik, makanan yang tersaji, canapés, dibarengi dengan minuman wine, yang merupakan wine premium standar Sheraton yang juga disajikan di seluruh dunia. 

Untuk mengawali program ini, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, menggelar acara yang disebut acara yang disebut sebagai “Toast Around the World” 24 jam, yang berlangsung 17.00-19.00 WIT, yang diselingi dengan live music, 15 Mei 2013.

Acara ini dimulai di Asia dengan mengambil tempat di Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers dan Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Hotel. Perayaan diteruskan secara virtual, mulai Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Bangkok; Sheraton Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway di seluruh dunia hingga The Sheraton New York Times Square, serta berakhir di The Sheraton Waikiki.

Yang diundang di acara ini adalah para tamu hotel serta para undangan, sekaligus menandai sosialiasi platform baru di dunia maya yang disebut Social Hour, yakni Sheraton.com/socialhour, di mana mereka dapat menelusuri atau pun men-share informasi yang berkaitan dengan topik tersebut dengan menggunakan #SheratonToast. 

"Kami terus mencari cara untuk memberikan pengalaman baru kepada para tamu, berikut interaksi sosialnya. Kami bangga dan percaya Social Hour menjadi program yang menarik, baik bagi tamu bisnis maupun leisure," kata Vincent Ong, Asia Pacific Senior Brand Director, Sheraton, Westin, Aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and Element.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort Unveils Spectacular Design Details

New Beachfront Resort Redefines the Kuta Experience and Delights Guests with Exceptional Architecture and Interior Design

BALI, INDONESIA – Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, a new beachfront resort that opened on December 1, is pleased to unveil the details of its contemporary and Balinese inspired design. The new resort, which has already transformed the Kuta experience, sits on a total area of 5.2 hectares of development and is located directly in the heart of Kuta beach, one of world’s most renowned surfing destinations. The resort offers an exclusive retreat, featuring spacious open-air terraces, lush gardens of local flowers, and an outdoor rooftop pool with unrivalled panoramic views of the ocean. Showcasing architecture by the distinguished firm of Enviro Tec, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is destined to become an architectural landmark while setting new standards for approachable luxury and extraordinary service in Bali.

“We are pleased to welcome guests to experience memorable stays at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, the new gateway to all that Bali has to offer,” said Dario Orsini, general manager.  “From the Balinese-inspired architecture to the exquisite interiors and remarkable service, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is designed to exceed expectations and create new benchmarks for hospitality, design, and culinary offerings in the region.”

Constructed by the renowned architecture firm Enviro Tec, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is inspired by the design of Bali’s beautiful rice paddy fields. The resort’s open-air concept and elevated position on the island provide amazing ocean and beach views, presenting guests with breathtaking sights of Kuta. Enviro Tec has designed many signature projects over the past two decades, which have brought forth fresh and evocative ideas that test the canons of architectural representation. Additionally, the firm explores responsible design and construction for the creation of an optimal built environment, which is showcased at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort with the use of recycled wood and water.

The resort’s breathtaking interiors were primarily designed by FBEye, an exemplary interior design firm based in Singapore boasting a diverse portfolio of luxurious hotels, unique destination resorts, celebrity restaurants, signature spas, grand private residences and mega yachts and feedships.  FBEye has worked with leading developers and operators in hospitality such as Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

A2j, a well-known interior design firm led by Adelinah Chandra Rahardja and specializing in hospitality, restaurant, residential, office, and retail design, also contributed to Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort’s design. Some of the firm’s noteworthy projects include Ibis Balikpapan, Thai Alley at Pacific Place Jakarta, Untitled at JW Marriott Jakarta, Veranda Walk at Ciputra World Surabaya, and The Via and The Vue Apartments.  A2j drew inspiration for the design of Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort from the famous and beautiful Kuta Beach and the incredible sunset views seen from the resort.  A resort unlike any other in the region, its design incorporates traditional Balinese pattern and details to enhance the ambiance and reflect the destination.

When guests step into the hotel’s drop-off lobby, they are surrounded with the opulence of Balinese touches amidst the premium quality materials used to create a welcoming and warm environment. This beautiful space was designed by Hadiprana, a renowned firm out of Jakarta specializing in hospitality design.  In the lobby, two sandstone columns and monochromatic bronze colors are elegantly featured and provide a relaxed ambiance among the timber decorative beam at the lobby’s drop-off ceiling. An exquisite bronze waterfall, which was designed by a local artist, provides an extraordinary backdrop with illuminated silver pieces.

The inviting furniture in the resort’s lobby is custom designed by A2j and features warm tones and high-quality materials.  Balinese artwork and detailed rustic timber panels are found throughout the lobby area, providing a picturesque backdrop of the island’s unique culture.  The decorative wall-sconces are made from laser cut stainless steel with the traditional Balinese Geringsing pattern. Mounted on the ceiling is a beautifully decorated replica of a Jukung boat, a customary fishing boat used in Bali, highlighting the resort’s ideal proximity to the ocean.  Decorative lattice timber with a unique Balinese pattern and dramatic low lighting is showcased along the wall partition in the lobby, while a large sphere lamp creates an inviting ambiance.  The décor of the rooms reflects a modern yet classic design aesthetic.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort introduces 203 guest rooms and suites ranging from 46 to 265 square meters, each fitted with the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® Bed and features a spacious private balcony with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean or the resort’s signature social courtyard.  Every piece of hand-selected furniture reflects a sense of belonging, including mother-of-pearl shell motifs that reflect the beautiful Indian Ocean. Spacious spa-inspired bathrooms are beautifully appointed with freestanding bathtubs and rainforest showers. Exquisite Statuario Italian marble sits on the vanity in each room, and the floors are furnished with beautiful ceramic tile. The curtains are contemporary with vertical grid lines, and in the corridor, guests are greeted with polished Ujung Pandang marble. The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort’s two-story Oceanic view Presidential Suite features a sleek design with warm hues of natural colors and a private sundeck lounge.  

Three distinct epicurean experiences are offered at the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, including the all-day dining Feast, which features a vibrant open kitchen and is located alongside the Beachwalk patio overlooking Kuta Beach, and the Bene, a light-hearted Italian trattoria with an oceanic setting where guests can relish mesmerizing views of the beautiful Bali Strait on the rooftop deck level. The Lounge offers a locally inspired cocktail menu, with an open-air setting and beautiful Indian Ocean scenery.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort features the luxurious Shine Spa, which pampers and rejuvenates guests with signature treatments blending East and West. Shine Spa’s impressive design and tailored treatments are influenced by the tropical location and intended to rejuvenate and refresh.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort also offers nine flexible event spaces, including a sophisticated 700-square-meter ballroom that is divisible into two rooms.  The facility also includes seven additional breakout rooms.  Each room name is derived from Pewayangan, an Indonesian puppet, to further reflect the Balinese culture.  The meeting space is also supported with a secure underground parking facility that is capable of hosting more than 3,000 vehicles, including 2,000 cars and up to 1,000 motorbikes.  Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is the ideal destination for hosting any type of event, whether it be a large conference, intimate meeting, gala dinner, or cocktail reception.  The resort staff’s authentic Balinese hospitality and service contribute to a memorable event.

Owned by PT. Indonesian Paradise Island, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is part of Beachwalk – a luxurious shopping destination, presenting over 200 retail outlets in an open-air style and designed architecture inspired by the design of Bali’s rice paddy field. Centrally located at the heart of Pantai Kuta and just 5 kilometers away from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), the resort’s elevated position on the island provides stunning ocean and beach views. 

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Lifestyle Resort

Sheraton continues to celebrate its 75th Anniversary with the brand’s debut on the Island of Gods, marking Bali’s gathering place at the heart of Kuta Beach

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), December 7, 2012 announced the opening of the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort on Kuta Beach, one of world’s renowned surfer’s paradise in Bali. Sheraton as part of ‘Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort’ is transforming the Kuta experience and presenting an all new contemporary vision of paradise for travelers. Set on a total area of 5.2 hectares of development, the hotel is located directly at the heart of Kuta beach with pristine Indian Ocean scenery.

Owned by PT. Indonesian Paradise Island, the Sheraton in Bali is part of beachwalk – a luxurious shopping destination, presenting over 200 retail outlets in an open-air style and designed architecture inspired by the design of Bali’s rice paddy field. Centrally located at the heart of Pantai Kuta and just 5 kilometers away from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), the resort’s elevated position on the island provides amazing ocean and beach views.

“For 75 years, Sheraton has become a gathering place for our guests and locals alike around exciting destinations across the globe,” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “Bali is a perfect fit for the Sheraton Brand, being an international holiday destination that is well known globally – Bali is one of the world’s gathering places.”

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort marks Starwood’s fifth hotel on the Island of Gods. Currently, Starwood manages The St. Regis Bali Resort, W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. By 2014, Starwood will debut three new hotels in Bali, marking a total of eight hotels representing six of Starwood’s lifestyle hotel brands. .

“We are delighted to welcome our iconic Sheraton brand to Bali. The opening of Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort sets Starwood on track to become the hotel management company with the largest number of brands represented in Bali,’ said Chuck Abbott, Regional Vice President, Southeast Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort together with the new development of beachwalk offer guests an all-around experience – whether it is for business or leisure, for a family holiday or a honeymoon getaway.”

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort offers an exclusive retreat, amidst spacious open-air terrace, outdoor rooftop pool and unrivalled panoramic views of the ocean. The resort introduces 203 guest rooms and suites ranging from 46 to 265 square meters, each fitted with the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® Bed and features a spacious private balcony with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean or the resort’s signature social courtyard. Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort also features a signature two-story Oceanic view Presidential Suite with contemporary approach of Balinese interior and private sundeck lounge.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort houses three dining venues where travelers can enjoy Sheraton’s signature restaurants – the all-day dining Feast® with its vibrant open-kitchen, located alongside beachwalk patio overlooking the Kuta Beach, or indulge at Bene - a light-hearted Italian trattoria with oceanic setting, where guests can also relish mesmerizing views of the beautiful Bali Strait on the rooftop deck level. The Lounge offers a locally inspired cocktail menu, with open-air setting and Indian Ocean scenery.

To keep travelers fit and energized, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort introduces Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance™ with lifestyle designed training programs and encompassing a fully equipped fitness center, Shine Spa for Sheraton that will pamper and rejuvenate guests with signature treatments blending from the East to the West with local Balinese touches and Color Your Plate™ a simple three colors approach to a healthy food program.

With a total of over 1,600 square meters all located on one level, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort offers 9 flexible event spaces - including a 700 square meters ballroom that is divisible and supported with an underground secure parking facility capable of hosting over 2,000 vehicles. In addition the meeting spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including broadband or wireless high-speed Internet Access. Travelers can stay connected with the exclusive Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® that provides a connectivity hub, with complimentary Wi-Fi and Personal Computer stations.

In celebration of its opening, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is offering ‘Experience Sheraton’ package. Starting from USD225++ per night, the package includes accommodation in a deluxe guestroom, breakfast for two at Feast®, one-way airport transfer from or to Bali International Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), daily resort credit of USD25 to indulge in various food and beverage offerings or spa treatments. Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) earns double Starpoints. The offer is valid until 30 June 2013. Rates are subject to 21% service charge and government tax. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and reservation about Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, please visit www.sheraton.com/balikuta.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of a $5 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,128 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM.  The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.