Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific presents The Trisara Elite Escape, Phuket>

Surrounded by rainforest and overlooking the Andaman Sea, this secluded resort is just 15 minutes away by car from Phuket International Airport. One trendy restaurant and a bar serves ala carte meals by the beachfront’s 45 meter lap pool, on the open deck overlooking the azure Andaman Sea, or in air-conditioned comfort. Trisara Grill is the newest addition serving only dinner with a delectable menu of grilled meats, seafood and vegetables. The vast open-air deck is ideal for grand weddings and reception events amidst blossoms of fragrant local flowers, orchids and roses.

Alternatively, an intimate symbolic wedding for two can be arranged right on the beach, toes in the sand. A team of holistic & wellness spa consultants offering Yoga, Pilates, Reiki and Cranio-Sacral Therapy complement the resort’s own team of skilled spa therapists. In-house treatments available include the Spa’s signature “Royal Trisara” which is harmoniously orchestrated by three therapists or six hands massage, Thai Heritage with Thai herbal white mud wrap followed by a relaxing Thai massage.

ELITE EPISODE – Trisara Escape!

In a celebration of our 5th Anniversary, guests reserving accommodation and quoting this ELITE ESCAPE offer for stays of 3 nights or more until October 31st , 2010 will receive the following benefits:

• GUARANTEED upgrade to the next category available at the time of booking
• Daily full breakfast for two persons
• Private car return airport transfers

PLUS your choice of one of our following signature experiences. A private in villa poolside BBQ for 2 persons OR 2 x 90 minute Thai or Oil massage treatments once per stay in our Spa between 10am – 2pm OR a Thai cooking class for 2 persons! (All benefits are available for 2 persons per stay)

With discounted rates starting from US$600, there has never been a better time to Escape to Phuket!

To find out more about this amazing Elite Resort please visit The Trisara at Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific.

For further full offer details please visit ELITE EPISODE – Trisara Escape! today!

Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific presents The Serai in Chikmagalur India

The Serai is a luxurious oasis of peace and tranquility nestled within a verdant coffee estate in Chikmagalur. Inspiration for the name came from the Persian word Serai which literally means a palace or a seraglio – a place for the accommodation of travelers. The name has manifested itself from the ethos of our resort which provides a well deserved respite from the rigors of modern day travails, trials and tribulations and lends itself to the architecture which has been inspired from local influences combined with contemporary design to provide an eclectic blend.

The resort is viewed as a contemporary response to the needs of creating luxury and to the fecundity of the nature around thereby creating a unique building typology that serves the ultimate aim of creating a world class resort. The design was aligned along a central spine of water that served to unify the entire resort and also create a sense of “genus loci” – the spirit of the place. The contemporary minimalist architecture & interiors blends effortlessly with the coffee estate. The central edifice that houses the reception, the restaurant, the bar, the spa and other facilities is fronted by an elegant vanishing edge pool with the cottages laid out along an axis that blends with the hills on the horizon. The cottages have been planned with utmost care incorporating some of the most modern amenities that is comparable with the best in the world.

ELITE EPISODE – The Serai – Special Monsoon Offer!

For 2 nights, 3 days you can stay in a twin share Estate Pool, Estate Jacuzzi Villa for only Rs.21,770(INR) on Weekends of Rs.20,600 (INR) on Weekdays. Or you can book a 3 night, 4 days package in the same accommodation for Rs.30,860 (INR) on Weekends of Rs.28,970 (INR) on Weekdays. Or alternatively you can book a 2 night, 3 day package in the Estate Terrace suites for the following special rates – Rs.Rs.29,510 (INR) on weekends, Rs.Rs.27,980 (INR) on weekdays or a 3 night, 4 day package for Rs.Rs.40,940 (INR) on Weekends of Rs.38,600 (INR) on Weekdays. This is an incredible saving of 10% off usual rates at this lovely and unique Elite Resort.

The package Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner & all taxes and you may add one of these options to your package : Complimentary Hi Tea in the room or Complimentary massage for 2 (for 1/2 Hour per person) or Complimentary special room amenities (bottle of Wine, Chocolates, Cookies fruit basket).

To find out more about this amazing Elite Resort please visit The Serai at Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific.

For further full offer details please visit The Serai Elite Episode today!

Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific presents Karma Samui in Koh Samui, Thailand

Karma Samui is an intimate villa resort located on the island of Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand. This idyllic island is known for having the most varieties of coconut palms in the world. In fact, the designers built this private villa resort around the palm trees so as to retain its pure and natural environment. Being only ten minutes from the airport, Karma Samui is also only five minutes from Chaweng Beach, a 3km-long strip that is lined with a plethora of chic shops, indulgent restaurants and fun nightlife venues.

ELITE EPISODE – Karma Samui Escape!

The more friends and family Come Together, the more you save! Karma Samui welcomes you, your friends and family to stay in our tropical island paradise at Karma Samui. Up to six persons can Come Together sharing a Luxury Three Bedroom Pool Villa and receive the following services during your stay FOR ALL OF YOU.

This package includes 2 nights accommodation sharing a Luxury Three Bedroom villa. Daily gourmet a la carte breakfast at our beach-front Padma Restaurant. An in-villa Seafood BBQ with personal chef and waiter. One 60-minute Thai Massage spa session and complimentary round-trip airport transfers.

Rates for this fantastic Episode are $299 per person for 5-6 guests, $399 per person for 3-4 guests, and $499 per person for 2 guests sharing a Luxury Three Bedroom villa. The validity for this package is from 1 May to 15 Jul 2010.

So invite your friends and family to join your unrivalled experience at Karma Samui!

*Note: Rates are based on 5-6 guests in a Three-Bedroom villa. The rate is subject to 18% tax and service charge. This offer is subject to availability.

To find out more about this amazing Elite Resort please visit the Karma Samui page at Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific. For further offer details please visit Karma Samui Elite Episode today!

Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific presents Pangkor Laut Resort ELITE EPISODE Malaysia

Located on a private island in the Straits of Malacca, off the West Coast of the Malaysian peninsula, Pangkor Laut Resort offers its guests unparalleled exclusivity.

Of the island’s 300 acres, only a fraction has been developed to house the resort’s eight Estates, three suites and 139 villas. Sumptuously appointed signature Sea and Spa Villas stand above gently lapping waves, while the Hill, Garden and Beach Villas allow guests to contemplate verdant flora and landscaped gardens as peacocks and hornbills take flight.

The award-winning Spa Village is a four-acre haven of serenity; lotus ponds reflect the stunning scenery and the healing ethos of 3 cultures are extolled, offering sublime experiences to rejuvenate and replenish the spirit. Explore the rainforest with the resident naturalist, watch the fishing boats haul in their catch to support the local cottage industries on the nearby Pangkor island or catch the sunset on an antique Chinese junk out at sea.

Pangkor Laut Resort is a 40-minute flight or 4 hour limo journey from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Private helicopter charters can also be arranged.

ELITE EPISODE – Pangkor Laut with Tanjong Jara!

For all reservations made for stays at Pangkor Laut Resort via the YTL reservations systems link below, in June 2010, for a stay in Pangkor Laut of any length, from now until 19/12/2010, traveller’s will be accorded a room rate (per night, as per below) at Tanjong Jara Resort

This special rate is only US$133++ per room per night for two people in a Bumbung Room. This is a saving of over US$200 off the room rate!

This room rate includes two return airfares using Fireflyz from Singapore to Kuala Trengganu Airport. Please note airport transfers are not included

To make a reservation, for more information or for the Terms & Conditions please contact Pangkor Laut Reservations.

Staycation
Capella
Sentosa, Singapore

“There aren’t enough days in the weekend!”

Have you ever felt like one of those burnt out souls, living and working in the city, longing for a weekend break? Staycations are the new buzz word, a decadent weekend away without going anywhere.

Driving up the sweeping drive to Capella Singapore, your eye is drawn to the old world charm, and Colonial splendour, of an original 1880’s Colonial Bungalow. Capella, has caringly crafted the old with the new, and created a unique resort set in 30 acres of lush tropical rain forest.

From the reception area within the Colonial Bungalow, we are transported by buggy to our pool villa. Capella has an eclectic mix of accommodation, contemporary villas, complete with private plunge pools, and alfresco bathrooms, premium rooms and suites, and two luxurious Colonial manors. A long-stay option could be the lavish, Club at Capella, here you have the choice of ocean view suites, three bedroom duplexes and modern manors, with private swimming pools. Those long stay guests also have the use of the clubhouse and pool.

The guest rooms are decorated in soft taupes, stone, and chocolate colours, with soaring ceilings and windows opening out onto a deck and pool. The in-room amenities are state of art, my husband immediately notices the large flat screen television and Nespresso coffee machine. Our villa looked out onto lush greenery; and an abundance of bird life. We lounged on our day bed and took advantage of the plunge pool, before dressing for dinner and cocktails.

In the lacquered night air, high above the South China Sea, we laze on day beds drinking wine, watching the amazing Sentosa sunset. A peacock came to join us, before flying off to a magnificent tree by the pool. The terrace, in the evening is romantically lit with flickering votives, reflected in the strategically aligned mirrors.

Adjacent to the terrace is Bob’s Bar, not quite sure who Bob is or was, but he seems like he may have been a fun loving, self-indulgent sort of fellow. His bar is sultry, plush, and slightly mysterious, with a touch of the exotic 1950’s Caribbean. You can indulge in full bodied spirits, Cuban cigars, and tapas.

A tropical storm blew in over the ocean, and we adjourned to Knolls for dinner. The Knolls, is reminiscent of a fine tea room of Asia. It boasts a specialty tea bar, with 30 varieties of premium tea, in customised canisters from the Gryphon Tea Company. On that evening we had a craving for local specialties, and I had one of the best Tom Yum Soups outside of Thailand.

After a peaceful nights sleep, we were woken to the plaintive cry of a peacock and drew the blinds to watch the birds in the trees outside. We decided we would reacquaint ourselves with the island of Sentosa, having spent a great deal of time there when our children were small. Sentosa has undergone a major redevelopment in recent times and offers a cornucopia of leisure activities.

Along the beach there are many bars and restaurants that are also available for breakfast. We walked for quite a while watching families at play, before taking a chair lift up to the top of the island and the museum. Many of the original attractions still remain, but now with Universal Studios and the Casino open at Resorts World Sentosa, the Island has become far more sophisticated. With Luxury shopping malls, world renowned golf courses, and many attractions only a free train ride away, Sentosa is a true island of leisure.

Back at the Oasis that is Capella, you can indulge in complementary afternoon tea in the Library and reading room, housed in the Colonial bungalow. I discovered many beautiful and carefully chosen, illustrated coffee table tomes, throughout the resort.

The luxurious gardens in Capella have been skilfully landscaped; the three infinity pools are terraced down the slope, and surrounded by abundant, trees and flowers.

Auriga Spa has nine treatment suites, with private gardens luxuriantly planted with bamboo. The spa also offers a popular wellness program, vitality pool, and steam bath. Didn’t I say there weren’t enough days in a weekend!

Cassia, Capella’s renowned fine dining restaurant serving haute Cantonese cuisine, is also housed in the Colonial bungalow. The restaurant has a lovely view over the South China Sea and is elaborately and elegantly, decorated in lacquer box splendour. Reminiscent of the Spice Route of China, full of collected Orientalia.

We found ourselves drawn to watch another magnificent sunset, while indulging in cocktails on the terrace. It was a lovely evening so we and our guests, walked down to the beach. We stopped by the appropriately named, Bikini Bar for drinks and listened to the live music while people danced, and children played. After a delicious dinner at Wave House, we walked back along the boardwalk to our luxurious island retreat.

Sundays are very popular at Capella; the brunch at The Knolls, is fast becoming the trendy place to be on a Sunday. The interesting thing about Knolls is that each room is almost like a private dining room, with views out over the pool and ocean.

The Sunday brunch is one of the best I have indulged in, and I am guilty in saying that over the years I have had many! The food is fresh, creative and artfully presented, seafood, grills, salads, shaved Serrano ham and desserts to die for; a wealth of the best in Mediterranean fare, with a free flow of wine and beer inclusive. A four piece Caribbean-style band, played throughout the restaurant delighting the children, so much that instead of eating, they followed the band around like the pied piper. Afterward, you are invited up onto the terrace for cocktails and more music. A most tantalising way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon!

As Logan P. Smith so eloquently put it; “If you are losing your leisure, look out; you may be losing your soul.”

So if you are in danger of losing your soul, pack a small bag and head out for a Staycation, I can highly recommend it!

There may not be enough days in a weekend, but imagine what you could do at Capella if you had a week or more! For overseas visitors, the variety is endless, and all on the doorstep of the dynamic island of Singapore.

Joy C Anthes.