Kue Bulan: Festival Mid-Autumn

Shang Palace di Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta merayakan Mid-Autumn Festival, 8 Juli hingga 9 September 2014, dengan menyajikan mooncake atau kue bulan.  Kemunculan bulan yang berbentuk setengah lalu berubah menjadi bulat sempurna telah menginspirasikan kemasan mooncake yang digunakan untuk melukiskan  kemewahan dan keindahan kue-kue Tiongkok.

   

Executive Chinese Chef, Benson Fok dan timnya memperkenalkan empat varian mooncake baru kepada tamu yang dapat dinikmati dan dibagikan kepada orang-orang terkasih.  Tamu dapat memilih 10 rasa mooncake tradisional atau empat rasa pada ukuran mini serta tiga pilihan baru dari Mini Snowskin Mooncake.

 

Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta membawa kembali beragam pilihan rasa klasik mooncake seperti Red Bean Paste, White Lotus with Single Yolk, White Lotus with Double Yolk, Red Lotus with Single Yolk, Red Lotus with Double Yolk, White Lotus Paste, Pandan Paste, dan Red Lotus Paste. Selain itu, Shang palace menghadirkan varian rasa baru yakni Winter Melon with Pine Nut Mooncake bagi tamu yang menginginkan kelembutan dan kenikmatan.

Tamu dapat pula merasakan berbagai isian favorit lainnya seperti White Lotus Paste, Red Lotus Paste, Pandan Paste, dan Healthy Five Grains yang terdapat pada mooncake ukuran mini.  Pilihan rasa Snowskin Mooncake seperti Mini Snowskin Raspberry Chocolate, Mini Snowskin Cheesecake dan Mini Snowskin Hazelnut Chocolate dihadirkan untuk memuaskan cita rasa tamu akan inovasi kuliner baru

Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta menampilkan dua jenis kemasan mewah untuk mooncake yakni Traditional Four-Piece Half-Moon Package dan Mini Six-Piece Half-Moon Package yang tersedia mulai dari Rp 398,000++ per kotak, termasuk tatakan kue, teh dan kartu ucapan. Tamu dapat memilih kemasan mooncake eksklusif yang hanya tersedia dalam batas waktu tertentu dengan menambahkan Rp 30,000 pada saat pembelian.

Mooncake dapat dibeli pada booth yang tersedia di depan Lobby Lounge dan restoran Shang Palace.  Nikmati potongan 20 persen bagi tamu yang memesan sebelum 31 Juli 2014.

Informasi lanjut, silahkan menghubungi (62 21) 2939 9562 atau website di www.platinumclubjakarta.com.

Learn With The One You Love At Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort announces unique package for couples including day tours of Bali and private Balinese massage lessons

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is pleased to announce “Learn with the One You Love,” the resort’s newest experiential package tailored especially for couples. Overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean and conveniently located near the famed Kuta Beachwalk, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is an ideal spot for couples looking to connect with each other while discovering the best of Bali. 

“We invite couples to experience Balinese culture through this unique package,” said Dario Orsini, General Manager of Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. “Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is the perfect place for couples to enjoy wonderful and unique moments, explore the rich heritage of Bali, and return home with wonderful lasting memories.”

Learn with the One You Love

From traditional Bali massage lessons to a full-day exploration of Bali’s natural and cultural treasures, Learn with the One You Love is a hands-on experiential package of all aspects of Balinese culture. Starting with the time-honored tradition of Balinese massage, couples will enjoy a 60-minute Balinese massage tailored expressly for them, followed by a 30-minute private Balinese massage lesson. Then, spend a day exploring the cultural highlights of Ubud, including Tirta Empul, Kertha Gosha Temple and a Tegalalang rice paddy; and the natural treasures of Kintamani, including Batur Mountain and Batur Lake.

Learn with the One You Love includes:

• 60-minute Balinese massage for two
• 30-minute Balinese massage lesson for two
• Up to 30 percent discount on all available rooms
• Daily buffet breakfast for two at FEAST
• Daily cocktail/mocktail tastings for two
• Full-day tour of Ubud and Kintamani

Offer starts at $215 USD plus tax & service charge, requires a minimum three-night stay, and is good through 27 December 2014 for reservations made 30 days in advance. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

About Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort offers an exclusive retreat with a spacious open-air terrace, outdoor rooftop pool and unrivalled panoramic views of the ocean. Ideally situated in the heart of Kuta’s Beachwalk, the resort offers 203 guest rooms and suites ranging from 46 to 265 square meters, each fitted with the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® Bed, and spacious private balconies with uninterrupted views of either the Indian Ocean or the resort’s signature social courtyard.

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort houses three signature dining destinations – Feast®, an all-day dining venue with a vibrant open-kitchen overlooking the Kuta Beach; Bene, a casual rooftop Italian trattoria with beautiful ocean views setting, where guests can also relish mesmerizing views of the beautiful Bali Strait on the rooftop deck level; and The Lounge, an open-air cocktail lounge with locally-inspired drinks and beautiful Indian Ocean views.

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.

OxyLUXE, A New Way to Stay Healthy & Ageless

SPA at Hotel Gran Mahakam

SPA at Hotel Gran Mahakam, the modern and urban spa introduces its new treatment, OxyLUXE on 16 June 2014. OxyLUXE is an innovative solution to stay healthy and beautiful by receiving 100% pure oxygen into the body in a comfortable and stylish air pressure chamber.

With substantial quantity of pure Oxygen, this treatment will generate various benefits for your health and outer shell such as boost up Oxygen levels inside our body, increase endurance/body’s natural antibiotics, relieve depression, headaches, improve quality of sleep, eliminate acne and skin rejuvenating, increase physical stamina and produce more collagen to make your skin firm and fresh.

Enjoy the 45 minutes treatment inside the chamber to maximize the Oxygen levels in the blood plasma to make you feel fresh and energized from time to time.

Let OxyLUXE from Spa at Hotel Gran Mahakam make you fit and ageless.

About The Hotel

Gran Mahakam Hotel is a charming, boutique style hotel pleasantly located at the crossroads of the business and commercial district, in the heart of the widely popular Blok-M area where department stores, shops, restaurants and other entertainment outlets abound and a 35-minutes drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Its elegantly furnished 158 rooms, International Restaurants, Bar & Lounge and banquet areas, contribute to give to the European-baroque-style architecture a feel of warmth, comfort and ease that is most found in friend’s homes.

Kotak Keceriaan dari Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta

Berbagi keceriaan pada perayaan tahunan Moon Festival atau yang juga dikenal dengan Mid-Autum Festival, Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta menawarkan pilihan homemade mooncake yang lezat yang disajikan dalam kemasan kontemporer. 

Dalam rangka memeriahkan salah satu perayaan tradisional Cina terbesar yang jatuh pada 8 September, Executive Chinese Chef, Jeff Lee bersama dengan tim Xin Hwa telah menyiapkan mooncake dengan ukiran indah ornamen logo kipas, merupakan trademark Mandarin Oriental, yang hadir dalam pilihan rasa; Red Bean dan White Lotus untuk pilihan tradisional, sedangkan Salted Egg Yolk with White Lotus dan Macademia with Red Lotus untuk pilihan kotemporer. 

Untuk tahun ini, Chef Jeff Lee dengan bangga memperkenalkan sebuah pilihan rasa terbaru homemade mooncake dari Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta, yaitu Mini Egg Custard. Selain itu, Executive Chef, Thierry Le Queau, secara khusus juga menciptakan kreasi Chocolate Mooncake, mooncake berbahan dasar coklat premium yang hanya akan tersedia di Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop. Chocolate mooncake tersedia dalam tiga rasa berbeda yaitu, caramel, markisa dan pu-erh tea.

Mooncake spesial dari Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta dikemas dalam sebuah kotak elegan dengan disain kontemporer berwarna merah dan emas, dan dengan sentuhan berbagai warna cerah pilihan pada kemasan bagian dalam, menjadikannya sebagai sebuah hadiah yang sempurna. 

Mooncake akan tersedia mulai tanggal 25 July sampai 10 Septmber 2014 dengan harga mulai dar Rp 418.000+ untuk mooncake kecil (isi 6 mooncake) hingga Rp 438.000+ untuk mooncake besar (isi 4 mooncake) atau mooncake tradisional yang dijual secara individu seharga Rp 108.000+ dan chocolate mooncake seharga Rp 118.000+ per potong. Penyesuaian logo perusahaan pada kotak dapat diberikan untuk setiap pembelian dalam jumlah besar minimal 100 kotak. 

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut atau pemesanan, hubungi Xin Hwa di +62 (21) 2993 8888 atau email mojkt-xinhwa@mohg.com.

Dengan kehangatan dan keramahtamahan kultur Indonesia serta pelayanan Mandarin Oriental yang telah dikenal, Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta menawarkan layanan personal dalam lingkungan mewah. Terletak tepat di jantung kota, hotel ini adalah sebuah oase mewah abad ke-21 yang memiliki 272 kamar tamu yang luas, termasuk 24 suites dan berbagai restoran pemenang penghargaan serta bar konsep, yang menjadi tempat pertemuan pilihan untuk tamu hotel dan masyarakat setempat. Pertemuan state-of- the-art dan fasilitas perjamuan juga menyediakan tempat terbaik untuk keperluan bisnis dan kegiatan sosial.

Informasi lebih lanjut, kunjungi www.mandarinoriental.com/jakarta.

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran Recognized in HolidayCheck Quality Selection 2014 Awards

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran is recognized as one of the world’s top rated accommodations by HolidayCheck.com for its service quality and excellence through guests’ reviews

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, a design-led five star resort situated in the pristine Jimbaran Bay, today announced that it has received the respected HolidayCheck Quality Selection 2014 Awards which recognizes the resort’s service quality and excellence by the guests’ reviews on the HolidayCheck hotel review portal. To qualify for the award, it is prerequisite for hotels and resorts to uphold a good rating within the all-round categories scored by the website. By consistently receiving positive feedback on the Holidaycheck.com website, Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran is successfully classified as one of the best rated resorts in the world.

“On behalf of the entire associates at Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, we would like to thank all of our guests who took the time to share their wonderful moments at our resort on HolidayCheck,” said Greg Gubiani, General Manager at Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran. “Unlocking the destination and creating unique memories is part of the journey that we continuously offer to our guests who are seeking the new meaning of lasting holiday experiences,” added the resort’s General Manager.

HolidayCheck.com is Europe’s leading hotel review platform with 25 million visits each month for travel planning and sharing holiday experiences. This year’s award of HolidayCheck Quality Selection was sent to hotels which had a correspondingly good overall rating on HolidayCheck in May 2014. Georg Ziegler, head of B2B at HolidayCheck, commented: “The hoteliers, and especially their employees, give their all every day to take care of their guests and make sure that they are satisfied. We would like to appreciate this commitment and express our gratitude with this certificate. With the certificate, hoteliers can show their guests with pride that guest satisfaction in their Hotel is top priority.”

About Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran

Experience a new perspective of understated luxury stay with Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran. Jump into the resort’s 1,300 square meters salted water lagoon pool and revealing panoramic views of Jimbaran Bay. The 118 contemporarily designed guest rooms, suites, penthouses and villas features futuristic in-room technology.

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran also introduces a gastronomic journey to the Island of the Gods offering discerning travellers four dining venues in a three-storey dining and entertainment complex: The brand’s signature all-day dining restaurant, Bamboo Chic featuring Pan-Asian street food served over live kitchens; Smoqee Lounge and Sky Bar, an enchanting spot for cocktails and live music over sunset; Latitude 8, the resort’s lobby lounge overlooking the lagoon offering choreographed cocktails, light snacks and evening tapas; and, WALA, an indulgence of hand crafted gelato or taste the perfect cup of Illy coffee.

About HolidayCheck

HolidayCheck is the largest independent travel portal in German-speaking countries. Visitors to www.holidaycheck.de can find a hotel to suit them, interact with other travellers and make a direct booking. The basis for this is a database of over 8 million hotel reviews, pictures and videos. HolidayCheck provides the guaranteed best price for the desired hotel from the offerings of 105 tour operators. The independent Stiftung Warentest has awarded HolidayCheck as the only hotel comparison site with an excellent rating of “good” (2.4) (“test”-Result 5/2012). The “Mobil in Deutschland” association chose HolidayCheck as its test winner in a comparison of the biggest travel portals. HolidayCheck makes happy holidaymakers!

For more information about HolidayCheck, visit www.HolidayCheck.com.

Selpi Ramadan bersama Hilton Bandung, Bandung Bimmers Community

Hilton Bandung bekerja sama dengan Bandung Bimmers Community (BBC) dan Local Partner dengan bangga mempersembahkan Selpi Ramadan – Selangkah Lebih Peduli di Bulan Suci Ramadan, yang merupakan kegiatan bakti sosial dan buka puasa bersama dengan 100 anak yatim piatu dari 4 panti asuhan, yaitu Mizan Amanah, Al-Kasyaf, Al-Furqon dan Al-Falah pada Senin, 21 Juli 2014.

Bulan Ramadan merupakan bulan suci yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh umat Muslim seluruh dunia. Di bulan ini, semua orang berlomba-lomba untuk menambah kualitas ibadah, bersedekah, dzikir dan berbagi untuk sesama yang membutuhkan. Hilton Bandung, Bandung Bimmers Community dan Local Partner pun ingin berbagi kebahagiaan di bulan suci ini dengan anak-anak yang kurang beruntung dari beberapa panti asuhan di Kota Bandung.

Selpi Ramadan dimulai dengan kedatangan anak-anak panti asuhan dengan diantar oleh sekitar 50 mobil BMW dari Bandung Bimmers Community, kemudian mereka segera menuju Grand Ballroom Hilton Bandung yang terletak di lantai 3 untuk mengikuti seluruh rangkaian acara. Myga Band membuka acara Selpi Ramadan dengan beberapa lagu Islami yang merdu untuk mengiringi peragaan busana dari Anggia Handmade Boutique dan Raisa Scarf, kemudian Regina Charlie Van Houtten pun tampil membawakan lagu-lagu Islami dengan suara merdunya yang kemudian diikuti oleh Ebith Beat A. yang membawa nuansa baru dalam music Islami dan memberikan sedikit sentuhan rap di dalamnya. Acara berbuka puasa dengan anak-anak pun semakin meriah dengan kehadiran Richard Rain, seorang Hallusionist yang memainkan beberapa trik sulap dengan anak-anak, mulai dari mengubah nilai pecahan mata uang, kain robek, sampai menciptakan salju di Grand Ballroom Hilton Bandung. Keceriaan suasana Selpi Ramadan semakin ditambah dengan beberapa hiburan lucu yang dilontarkan oleh MC Iwan The Big One yang semakin menghidupkan suasana berbuka puasa.

Di akhir acara, semua anak mendapatkan santunan dari rekan-rekan Bandung Bimmers Community dan juga pembagian goody bag berupa sajadah, alat tulis beserta makanan ringan dari Hilton Bandung.

General Manager Hilton Bandung, Scott Wilson berkata, “Kami sangat senang menerima anak-anak di Hilton Bandung dan berbagi kebahagiaan Ramadan bersama mereka. Tujuan utama dari acara ini adalah untuk membagikan sebagian rezeki yang kita terima kepada mereka dan menjadikan Ramadan tahun ini sebagai salah satu pengalaman Ramadan terindah yang mereka rasakan. Kami berharap agar kegiatan ini dapat terus berlangsung, tidak hanya di bulan suci Ramadan, tetapi juga di setiap saat agar kita semua selalu mengingat pentingnya berbagi dengan saudara-saudara kita yang membutuhkan. Hilton Bandung mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Bandung Bimmers Community dan Local Partner yang telah bekerja sama dengan kami untuk mendukung kesuksesan acara ini.”

About Hilton Bandung

Hilton Bandung is the leading internationally branded deluxe hotel in Bandung, designed to cater to the needs of modern and savvy travelers who value comfort, security, prestige. The upscale property is located five minutes from Bandung rail station; 15 minutes from Bandung Airport (BDO) and a two-hour’s drive away from Jakarta (CGK). Boasting superlative features such as the city’s largest guestrooms, grandest ballroom, biggest underground parking, most spectacular rooftop lifestyle area, and of course, the warmth and hospitality of the world’s most famous hotel brand, Hilton Bandung is the ultimate place be it for business, events or leisure. Visit www.bandung.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton Bandung at facebook.com/HiltonBandung and twitter.com/HiltonBandung

The Knick, Tayang Perdana 9 Agustus 2014

Disutradarai Sepenuhnya oleh Pemenang Oscar® dan Emmy® Steven Soderbergh dan  Dibintangi oleh Nominator Oscar® Clive Owen, THE KNICK telah Dilanjutkan ke Season Kedua Sejak Awal Penayangan Perdananya

Dibintangi Clive Owen (“Children of Men”, “Hemingway & Gellhorn” HBO; Nominator Oscar® “Closer”) dan disutradarai sepenuhnya oleh Steven Soderbergh (“Side Effects”; Pemenang Oscar® “Traffic”; Pemenang Emmy® “Behind the Candelabra” HBO), Serial CINEMAX Original terbaru THE KNICK menayangan perdana season pertama yang terdiri dari sepuluh episode pada Sabtu, 9 Agustus jam 21.00 WIB secara eksklusif hanya di CINEMAX, kurang dari sehari setelah penayangan perdananya di AS, episode berikutnya tayang setiap Sabtu di jam yang sama.

Sejak penayangan perdananya, THE KNICK telah dilanjutkan ke season kedua. Seperti di season pertama, Steven Soderbergh akan menyutradarai keseluruhan sepuluh episode di season kedua.

Kota New York, tahun 1900: Knickerbocker Hospital adalah rumah bagi para ahli bedah revolusioner, perawat dan staf yang mendorong kemajuan sejumlah pengobatan ketika terjadi tingkat kematian yang luar biasa tinggi dan penghapusan antibiotik. Pimpinan staf bedah yang baru diangkat, Dr John Thackery (diperankan oleh Clive Owen), adalah seorang yang brilian, namun pemberontak dan arogan, pecandu kokain dan opium yang hanya terkalahkan dengan ambisinya dalam penemuan dan pembaruan pengobatan dalam lingkungannya..

           

Di tengah para staf rumah sakit dan pasien hadirlah sosok berbakat lulusan Harvard Dr. Algernon Edwards (diperankan oleh André Holland), yang harus berjuang untuk mendapat perhatian ketika berusaha mengendalikan kota yang dicap rasial.

Mencoba untuk mempertahankan reputasi pelayanan berkualitas namun tetap mendapat keuntungan, Knickerbocker melakukan upaya untuk menarik pasien kaya, sambil berjuang menjaga kelangsungan rumah sakit.

           

Selain Owen, jajaran pemain lainnya termasuk André Holland (“42”), Jeremy Bobb (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), Juliet Rylance (“Frances Ha”), Eve Hewson (“Enough Said”), Michael Angarano (“Empire State”), Chris Sullivan (“The Normal Heart” HBO), Cara Seymour (“An Education”), Eric Johnson (“Rookie Blues”), David Fierro (“Birdman”), Maya Kazan (“Frances Ha”), Grainger Hines (“Lincoln”), Leon Addison Brown (“Mo’ Better Blues”) dan Matt Frewer (“Max Headroom”).

Gregory Jacobs (“Behind the Candelabra”), Steven Soderbergh, Michael Sugar (“Rendition”) dan Clive Owen sebagai executive producer. Tim penulis Jack Amiel & Michael Begler (“Raising Helen,” “Big Miracle”) menulis dan menjadi executive producer. Michael Polaire (“Behind the Candelabra”) sebagai producer. Steven Katz menulis episode lima dan Sembilan serta menjadi supervising producer. Production designer serial ini adalah pemenang Emmy® Howard Cummings (“Behind the Candelabra”); dengan costume designer peraih Emmy® Ellen Mirojnick (“Behind the Candelabra”); dan casting director peraih Emmy®- Carmen Cuba (“Behind the Candelabra”).

New York tahun 1900an direka ulang di sekitaran Brooklyn dan kota Manhattan oleh production designer Howard Cummings. Interior Knickerbocker Hospital, beserta perlengkapannya, difilmkan di panggung Cine Magic East River Studio. Pakaian tempo dulu yang dikenakan para bintang dan pemain lainya dibuat oleh costume designer Ellen Mirojnick.

Dr. Stanley Burns, pendokumentasi terkenal di dunia untuk koleksi foto-foto di awal era kedokteran, berperan sebagai penasihat teknis sejarah kedokteran di serial ini, bekerja sama dengan bagian produksi dan para aktor untuk membuat adegan rumah sakit senyata dan otentik di jaman itu.

Tayang perdana hanya selang 24 jam dari penanyangan perdananya di AS, saksikan kehadiran perdana serial CINEMAX Original menegangkan THE KNICK pada Sabtu, 9 Agustus jam 21.00 WIB di CINEMAX, episode berikutnya tayang setiap Sabtu pada jam yang sama.

A Moment of Togetherness

Ramadhan is a moment of togetherness, especially for Parador Hotels & Resorts Group (Parador). Parador is based out of Gading Serpong, Tangerang, and we manage four hotels in this area alone, namely Atria Gading Serpong, Atria Residences Gading Serpong, Ara Gading Serpong and FameHotel Gading Serpong. For Ramadhan, Parador held a breakfasting event on 22 July 2014 named Breakfasting Together, with the theme of ‘Semarak Ramadhan’.

Breakfasting Together is jointly organized by the four hotels and will be held at the Paramount Grand Ballroom, Atria Gading Serpong. We have invited 100 orphans from 3 different foundations; Yayasan Sahabat Yatim (Cipondoh), Yayasan Maktabul Aitam (Gading Serpong) and Yayasan Binaan Masjid Nurul Huda, as well as the media.

The event begins with the performance of YPA Nusa Marawis Cipondoh followed by a reading recitation from the holy Quran, followed by a religious speech from Ustadz Martonih, HN, SPDI. After that, we may all pray together.

Each hotel representative gives a symbolic donation of cash money and gifts to 5 children from the 3 foundations. The adzan sounds loudly as a marker of breakfasting time, where we will enjoy a delightful dish of Ta’jil, followed by Maghrib praying together. The event is unique because some employees and committee members serve food to the orphans directly. It was a lovely event and was closed by the management teams of each hotel having dinner with the Parador management.

Chief Operating Officer of Parador, Ricky Theodores gave his speech: “Ramadan is a month of blessing for the entire Muslim community and we make it a moment of togetherness. We invite orphans and the media as a form of togetherness and a sense of gratitude that we (Parador, Atria, Ara and FameHotel) can share with all. This event has been held from year to year, and this year is the first time we combined Atria, Ara and FameHotel as hosts. I hope that this event will be held regularly and can be enjoyed by many community members."

About Parador Hotels & Resorts

Established in September 2012, Parador Hotels & Resorts has quickly become a well-recognized name in the hospitality industry. By the end of 2013, Parador had already opened six hotels in Serpong (Tangerang), Magelang (Central Java) and Malang (East Java) – and is managing them all.

Parador has dedicated itself to be the most inspiring hospitality management team, with the ultimate goal of managing hundreds of leading hotels, resorts and residences by 2024. From selected service to luxury, Parador has five brands in its portfolio, including Vega, Atria, Ara, Fame and Starlet. Even though each brand serves a different type of guest, all Parador brands and properties offer the best combination of humble Asian hospitality and professionalism.

Favehotel Hyper Square – Bandung

To answer to Bandung’s need for quality budget accommodations and increasing demand for its popular select service favehotel group, Archipelago International on July 15th, 2014 opened the favehotel Hyper Square – Bandung, which is the groups third hotel under the fave label in Bandung and the 6th Archipelago International managed property in the city.

Bandung is the capital city of West Java and the third largest city in Indonesia. It was nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch, thanks to its charming resemblance to Paris and Europe during colonial times. It is also named Kota Kembang, which literally means the “Flower City”, since it became famous for its abundance of fresh flowers and foliage.

The city offers a number of leisure activities for visitors to enjoy, both within the city and throughout the surrounding mountain and highland areas. Activities in the outskirts of the city are centered around the mountain resorts, adventure activities and outdoor sports, whist in the city, visitors are treated to a wealth of dining options, clothing outlets and beautiful spots to just hang around and enjoy.

The favehotel Hyper Square is situated in one of Bandung’s most practical locations on the easily accessible Jalan Pasir Kaliki, just 15 minutes from Husein Sastranegara International Airport. The hotel is also just 10 minutes from the Pasteur toll gate and 5 minutes from Bandung’s main Rail Station.

The 161 stylish rooms will be modern, functional and super clean, decked out with cutting-edge LED TVs, fast and reliable complimentary WiFi throughout the entire hotel, security key card systems, air conditioning, in room safes and top of the line beds with high knot count cotton linens. Outside of the rooms, guests can indulge at the signature Lime Restaurant with its fabulous menu choices, or for a different atmosphere, the patio and terrace area provides the perfect spot for stylish, outdoor dining.

For business travel needs, the hotel offers 6 fully equipped meeting rooms. The meeting rooms range in size from the smaller rooms suitable for more intimate meetings, right up to the large banquet-sized function rooms for grander events. The hotel also features its own ballroom, available for use for both business and leisure affairs.

"favehotel Hyper Square aims to become the area’s best in class select service hotel, as it affords a number of facilities and amenities usually found in more up market hotels. The opening of this property reflects a continuation of our business strategy, which is to offer business travelers high-quality, affordable accommodation alternatives in Indonesia's most prominent cities." Said John Flood, Archipelago International's President  & CEO.

Mrs. Aty Fadjariaty as Hotel Manager of favehotel Hyper Square - Bandung, Mr. John Flood as President & CEO of Archipelago International dan Mrs. Linna Widjaja as Owner Representative of PT. Gema Indah Nusantara during Soft Opening event.

About favehotel

Since its inception in 2009, favehotels have been in the forefront of the budget hotel sector, redefining the industry’s standards for select service hotels. Imaginative design and mid-market features such as high quality bedding, complimentary high-speed internet access and LCD televisions have awarded the chain with a number of accolades, namely for their user friendly website that offers instant easy bookings and best rate guarantees for internet savvy customers.

favehotels currently operates 28 hotels throughout Indonesia and Malaysia out of which 10 are in Jakarta and 4 in Bali and has a development pipeline of more than 40 hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

favehotels recently won the “Indonesian Best Budget Hotel Chain Award” and aims to be Indonesia’s best in class as well as the largest and most consistent budget hotel chain promising uncompromising standards for cleanliness and safety, with a network covering the entire archipelago. The group has announced plans to open more than 30 new hotels within the coming 2 years.

About Archipelago International

Archipelago International is one of Indonesia’s leading hotel operators with an underlying portfolio of more than 80 hotels and 12,000 rooms. As a continually expanding brand, Archipelago International has a development pipeline exceeding 95 properties in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Archipelago International hotels operate under the hotel brands Grand Aston, Aston, Aston City, Alana, Harper, Quest, Quest Vibe, favehotels, NEO and Kamuela, ranging from ultra luxurious private pool villas to serviced apartments and select service economy class hotels, thus offering Indonesia’s vastest and most comprehensive hotel network.

Hilton Worldwide Opens DoubleTree by Hilton Brand in Indonesia

Situated in the capital city, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro is convenient to the top business and leisure landmarks

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton celebrated the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro, the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Indonesia, June 2014. Conveniently located in the heart of Jakarta city, the new-build, upscale 253-room hotel opens with three dining outlets, including one modern all-day dining restaurant, as well as an outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, seven meetings and events rooms, and 24-hour business and fitness centers.

The hotel is 4.2 kilometers away from the Central Business District, near multinational companies, embassies, government offices as well as the city center's popular shopping, dining and entertainment landmarks such as Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia.

“With its prime location in Jakarta’s city center, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro is the perfect location for our brand to debut in Indonesia,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We look forward to introducing our unique service culture to our Indonesian guests and welcoming international travelers who have stayed with us in other destinations. Starting with the iconic warm chocolate chip cookie welcome, presented to each guest upon arrival, and extending through every aspect of their stay, visitors to our new hotel will experience what we mean when we say it is the “little things” that can make all the difference during a hotel stay and that is where DoubleTree by Hilton excels.”

Spanning more than 1,400 square meters of meeting and banquet spaces, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro offers seven versatile function rooms which can cater to a variety of meetings and events including a standing reception of up to 800 persons in the hotel’s Makara Ballroom. The large, flexible Makara ballroom is pillar-less and features an eight-meter high ceiling. Other features to the meeting facility include a dedicated porte-cochere and a naturally-lit foyer that leads to the outdoor garden. A 24-hour business center allows guests to stay connected and productive throughout their visit.

“The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro marks the addition of our third brand to our portfolio in Indonesia,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. “The development of our portfolio within this market has been gaining momentum in recent months and we continue to be committed to expanding our footprint in Indonesia. I am excited that DoubleTree by Hilton has made its debut in the metropolitan city of Jakarta and am confident that the hotel will offer visitors to this vibrant capital a warm, friendly, world-class hospitality experience.”

The hotel offers three innovative dining and entertainment options including the all-day dining restaurant, OPEN, which features three show kitchen stations that serve local Indonesian, Asian and Western cuisines as well as a barista counter to serve fresh coffee specialties. Guests can unwind in the cozy T LOUNGE which serves a variety of gourmet coffees, cocktails and premium wines. By the poolside, guests can relax at KREM pool bar offers a selection of ice creams, as well as local and Western-style light bites.

Guests can also enjoy the comforts and convenient features of the spacious guestrooms including the DoubleTree by Hilton Sweet Dreams™ bed, a 42-inch LCD TV, and a large workspace with Internet access and Wi-Fi connectivity. Guests can re-energize at the wellness center that includes a 24-hour fitness center fully furnished with LifeFitness® health equipment. Located next to the swimming pool and kids’ pool, the wellness center also features spa facilities including three therapy rooms with attached whirlpools.

As part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, DoubleTree by Hilton offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for stays through the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program. Guests staying at the first DoubleTree in Indonesia can earn 1,000 bonus points per night for a minimum stay of three nights between May 4 and August 31, 2014, inclusive.

Sneakerhead

Keberadaan sneaker semakin luas, dan pada saat bersamaan musik hip-hop tengah merintis jalan ke atas. Di Carnegie Mellon University terdapat program kuliah Sneakerology 101. Koleksi sneakerhead tersebut meliputi sneaker eksklusif atau edisi terbatas.

Sneakerhead adalah sebutan bagi penggila sneaker. Mereka mengoleksi dan kaya berkat sepatu bersol karet ini.

Sneaker atau sepatu bersol karet sebenarnya sudah ada sejak dulu, tapi baru mencapai puncak dalam kebudayaan pop pada 1980-an. Sepatu yang dikenal untuk bermain bola basket ini memang mengawali popularitasnya dari cabang olahraga permainan ini.

Adapun Michael Jordan saat itu sangat memukau dengan berbagai aksi mengoper, melempar, dan memasukkan bola. Tentunya popularitasnya dilirik oleh produsen sepatu olahraga internasional asal Amerika Serikat. Kemudian, pada 1985, meluncurlah produk bernama Air Jordan, dengan filsafat tentang kemampuan Jordan “berjalan di udara” ketika akan memasukkan bola.

Keberadaan sneaker semakin luas, dan pada saat bersamaan musik hip-hop tengah merintis jalan ke atas. Salah satu aksesori yang wajib dipakai oleh rapper kala itu adalah sneaker. Gaya bersepatu ini lalu ramai-ramai ditiru oleh anak muda saat itu.

Kemudian terlihat pergerakan dalam masyarakat, khususnya anak-anak muda. Sneaker bukan sekadar sepatu bersol karet yang dipakai untuk berolahraga. Lebih dari itu, sneaker lantas menemukan jalan sebagai simbol status pemakainya. Ada merek dengan model tertentu yang mengisyaratkan kedudukan pemakainya dari kalangan elite.

Namun, bagi para pengoleksi sneaker atau sneakerhead, sepatu bersol karet ini adalah segala-galanya. Mereka tidak memakai sepatu ini, melainkan mengumpulkannya sebagai hobi. Mereka adalah pakar sneaker dan sangat memahami ihwal sepatu ini dengan baik.

Hanya dengan melihat sekilas, sneakerhead sudah tahu sneaker yang ada di depannya asli atau palsu. Bahkan di Carnegie Mellon University terdapat program kuliah Sneakerology 101. Kelas kuliah ini mengajarkan sejarah pengoleksian sneaker.

Sneakerhead tak hanya mengoleksi sneaker untuk cabang olahraga tertentu, tapi melihat kualitas produksi dan nilai yang ada di dalamnya. Koleksi para sneakerhead ini meliputi Air Jordan, Air Force 1, Nike Dunk, Nike Skateboarding, Nike Foamposite, Nike Air Max, dan Nike Air Yeezy.

Koleksi yang beragam itu memang hanya terlihat sebagai sepatu bersol karet. Namun koleksi sneakerhead tersebut meliputi sneaker eksklusif atau edisi terbatas. Ada pula sneaker yang warnanya berbeda dengan yang sejenisnya, yang menjadikannya sneaker langka. Bisa juga sneaker itu dibuat dengan teknik pengecatan manual alias dikerjakan dengan tangan manusia, bukan mesin.

Custom sneaker menempati posisi tersendiri di kalangan sneakerhead. Dengan merancang sendiri dan menentukan warna yang disukai, hasrat penggila sneaker akan terpenuhi. Melihat fenomena ini, produsen sepatu Nike dan Reebok membuka toko custom untuk memenuhi keinginan sneakerhead. Mereka dibebaskan memilih material dan warnanya.

Sneakerhead tak mengenal tingkatan usia atau status sosial. Tak sedikit pesohor Hollywood yang menjadi sneakerhead, seperti Mark Wahlberg. Majalah Forbes pernah mencatat sneakerhead mencakup 5 persen pembeli sneaker yang ada atau senilai US$ 1,1 miliar hanya di Amerika.

Tak mengherankan bila sneakerhead tak sekadar mengoleksi sneaker, tapi melakukan investasi. Di eBay, konon, ada sekitar 11 juta sneaker yang dijual dengan sistem lelang. Sejak Mei 2013 sampai April 2014, pasar ini menyerap penjualan sekitar US$ 309 juta.

Bisnis Sneaker, Bisnis Miliuner

Jangan menganggap sneaker hanya sepatu bersol karet, lebih dari itu bisnisnya menembus angka miliaran rupiah. Situs Campless.com menghitung pasar resale sneaker di eBay mencapai US$ 200 juta. Adapun Jordan Brand, yang menjadi favorit sneakerhead, terjual sekitar US$ 2,5 miliar tahun lalu. Setengah dari penjualan itu merupakan Jordan Retro, yang disusul di bawahnya brand Marquee dengan angka US$ 500 juta.

Bila digabungkan semua angka itu—Jordan, Jordan Retro, dan Marquee—pasar sneaker mencapai US$ 1,75 miliar. Itu pun hanya pasar di Amerika. Konon, secara keseluruhan pasar sneaker mencapai nilai US$ 21 miliar per tahun.

Tak mengherankan bila sneakerhead tak sekadar mengoleksi sneaker, tapi melakukan investasi. Inilah yang kemudian mengubah filosofi memiliki sneaker. Anak-anak sekarang melihat ekor yang mengikuti sneaker. Padahal, dua atau tiga dekade sebelumnya, memiliki sneaker menunjukkan gengsi tersendiri.

Para sneakerhead mengetahui sneaker mana yang memiliki nilai tinggi dan rendah. Tak aneh bila penjualan perdana suatu brand dengan model tertentu dapat memancing sneakerhead bermalam di depan toko. Bahkan, kabarnya, di beberapa kota di Amerika sempat terjadi kerusuhan karena penjualan perdana ini.

Membeli sneaker dari sneakerhead bukan perkara mudah. Kebanyakan sneakerhead adalah remaja yang ternyata sangat pandai melakukan negosiasi. Mereka menjamin keaslian sneaker yang dijual, bahkan sampai detailnya dapat ditunjukkan. Soal harga, jangan ditanya. Karena mereka sangat ahli, harga yang ditawarkan di atas harga pasar.

Perburuan sneaker memang melelahkan, yang dimulai dengan melakukan negosiasi sampai bermalam di depan toko penjual sneaker. Namun teknologi digital membantu sneakerhead melakukan perburuannya.

Beberapa retail online atau situs lelang kerap dipantau oleh sneakerhead demi melengkapi koleksinya. Situs-situs ini memiliki koleksi yang dapat dikatakan langka dan eksklusif. Kebanyakan situs tersebut mendapatkan koleksi mereka dari pemilik langsung dan dijual dengan sistem konsinyasi.

Sementara itu, di eBay, konon, ada sekitar 11 juta sneaker yang dijual dengan sistem lelang. Sneaker yang ada merupakan sepatu bekas, tapi masih terlihat apik. Inilah pasar sesungguhnya para sneakerhead, pasar sepatu bekas. Pasar ini terbentuk dari jumlah produksi yang terbatas pada model tertentu, sedangkan permintaan membeludak.

Namun harga yang ditawarkan lebih miring dibanding harga retail. Harganya bisa murah, karena penjual tidak mendapatkan informasi yang pasti mengenai eksistensi sneaker tersebut. Bisa jadi sneaker yang ditawarkan memang tengah diburu orang.

Hasil riset yang dilakukan oleh Campless menunjukkan adanya kenaikan penjualan di pasar bekas ini. Sejak Mei 2013 sampai April 2014, pasar itu menyerap penjualan sekitar US$ 309 juta. Diperkirakan, pada Mei 2014 sampai April 2015, penjualan akan naik 50 persen lagi. Jika hal itu terjadi, pasar ini menggulung uang sekitar US$ 465 juta. Adapun Campless hanya meriset satu pasar.

Keberadaan sneakerhead sedikit-banyak mengubah cara pandang terhadap pasar oleh produsen sepatu olahraga. Kemajuan teknologi membuat permintaan bergerak dari media sosial yang ada. Bila olahragawan idola memakai model tertentu, muncul dorongan untuk memilikinya.

Jika ada yang disukai, tinggal bergeser ke toko online dan mengeklik tombol Buy Now. Tapi tak mudah mendapatkan sneaker berlabel limited edition. Bisa jadi, hanya menunggu beberapa bulan, sudah ada di lelang eBay.

Sebenarnya yang ada di kepala sneakerhead bukan melulu soal keuntungan. Lebih dari itu, mereka ingin menjadi orang pertama yang memiliki sneaker tersebut.

Sumber: MALE  Zone by Paksi Suryo, MALE Edisi 92 http://male.detik.com