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An Escape to W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak

Imagine. A magical beachside retreat in one of Bali’s opulent playgrounds, lush tropics and seductive seas. W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, where the everyday is an urban myth. Surrender to the indulgence, where peace and tranquility are the utopian reality.

Imagine. A magical beachside retreat in one of Bali’s opulent playgrounds, lush tropics and seductive seas. W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, where everyday is an urban myth. Surrender to the indulgence, where peace and tranquility are the utopian reality.

A romantic dinner under the stars by a secluded pristine beach? Room scattered with rose petals? A traditional Balinese dance lesson? A breathtaking helicopter escape for an bird’s eye view of Bali? Your wish truly is their command with their Whatever/Whenever service. They’ll make your special moment magical, and transform your dreams into reality. Anything you need, you just ask.

The beach beckons beyond W’s signature sleek designs. 237 retreats, suites and villas – including 62 Wonderful Garden View Retreats, 14 Spectacular Ocean Glimpse Retreat, 76 Spectacular Ocean Facing Retreats, and for a serious wow-factor there are 4 Marvelous Suites, 1 WOW Suite and 1 Extreme WOW Suite. For more privacy, we have 65 Marvelous One Bedroom Pool Villa, 10 WOW Two Bedroom Pool Villa and 4 Extreme WOW Three Bedroom Pool Villa.

W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak’s list of accolades continues to grow.  On September 28th The exclusive club of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s magazine announced at a dinner ceremony at Conrad Hotel Hong Kong, the reward of W Bali as Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific.

The function, which also marked the publication’s 30th Anniversary, has become the premier annual event for the past 21 years that the travel and hospitality industry looks forward to. The top places reflect the highest praise bestowed by Business Traveller readers on service providers, who have maintained impeccable standards that help make their journeys seamless and productive. The Readers Poll, conducted and interpreted by Ipsos, forms the ultimate basis for the results.

W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak opened on the 1st of March 2011, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in Bali, Indonesia . Located in the pulse of the trendy enclave of Bali, the entry of W Retreat & Spa sets the tone of exuberance in Seminyak where designer boutiques, eclectic galleries, concept restaurants, chic cocktail bars and clubs predominate here.   Owned by PT. Dua Cahaya Anugrah, W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak will feature a total of 152 Wonderful and Spectacular Retreats, 4 Marvelous Suites, 1 WOW Suite, 1 Extreme WOW (E-WOW) Suite and 79 Villa Retreats (65 Fantastic One Bedroom Villa Retreat, 10 Marvelous Two Bedrooms Villa Retreat and WOW Three Bedrooms Villa Retreat), distinct concept restaurants such as Starfish Bloo and Fire, destination bars – WooBar and Ice, W Lounge, WET outdoor pool, a signature Away Spa that is open 24/7, SWEAT state-of-the-art fitness center, W The Store, and Wired and Words business center and library.

Designed by Poole Associates Private Limited and AB Concept, W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak reflects inspirations of rich natural beauty, historical and cultural heritage of Bali, in synergy with playful twist of bold designs and textures that stimulate guests’ senses from every angle of the retreat. With the unique take of Balinese designs, each space is identifiable with playful touches and surprises.

Craig Seaward, the General Manager of W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak stated, “I am very proud and excited to see the property evolve and receive these recognitions at such an early stage of our inception.  Our team works hard to create something unseen in Bali and the acknowledgement proves that all our efforts and hard work has and will continue to make W Bali a success.”

In addition to the many exclusive indulgences at W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak, the retreat will offer a full-service WIRED business center available 24-hours, 350 square meters Great Room with unique Sensory® Set Up, and the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® concierge service, providing guests whatever they want – from discovery of Balinese customary ceremonies to VIP access to celebrated fashion showcases and parties – whenever they want it, as long as its legal!  Retreats and suites, including one WOW suites and an Extreme WOW suite, will feature the W Hotels signature bed with feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down comforter, creating the ultimate escape.

From the stylish architectural design, by Indonesia’s A.W. Lake, to the indulgent menu of signature services; AWAY Spa captures the playful, unique W experience, infusing it with Balinese elements to create an ‘escape within an escape’ for guests and visitors alike.

Since opening in March 2011, W Bali has also been awarded the following:

  • Conde Nast Traveler – Hot List 2012
  • #1 Trendiest Hotels In Indonesia & Top 25 Luxury Hotels In Indonesia, Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2012
  • Asia Spa Magazine – AWAY Spa – Best New Spa 2011,
  • Top 25 Leisure Resorts & Top 25 Spa Resorts 2011 + 2012, Smart Travel Asia
  • Best Guest Room – 31st Annual Gold Key Awards – Hong Kong 2011
  • Best Design Trophy – Hotels Over 200 Rooms, Design-et-al International Hotel and Property Awards , June 2011

Craig Seaward, the General Manager of W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak stated, “I am very proud and excited to see the property evolve and receive these recognitions at such an early stage of our inception.  Our team works hard to create something unseen in Bali and the acknowledgement proves that all our efforts and hard work has and will continue to make W Bali a success.”

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Leisure

Club Serena: A ‘Serene Luxury’ Experience in the Heart of Cebu’s Diving Mecca

photography by GPA Art and Photography

A three-hour drive, or more, depending on traffic, the fishing town of Moalboal in the southwest of Cebu Island is an extremely popular destination for divers and weekenders who love the white sand and pink sunsets. It is also a favorite place to stay for expats looking for a laid-back life of endless coffees or cocktails.

Thankfully, the big chain resorts haven’t discovered it and places to stay are mostly small family-run resorts. But if pampering is what you are looking for, there is only one hotel to book in Moalboal. Club Serena Resort is a 1.7-hectare beachfront property perched above coral rocks, presenting a unique union of luxurious accommodations and a host of activities to be enjoyed. This hidden gem is reached through a dirt road away from the main highway. Fronting a wide swath of white sand beach, it is an easy walk past several smaller resorts to reach the main town.

Recently renovated by noted architect James Jao, the new Club Serena has 17 rooms, three swimming pools, a restaurant, and a beachfront event space, all designed with modern Filipino aesthetic. On the drawing board are more rooms to be added, an expansion of their modern dive shop, and their popular Kids’ Club program. Their food outlet, Mira, offers all-day dining, favorite among visitors and locals, as well as the growing expat community that has settled in Moalboal. 

Club Serena offers diving courses for adults and kids by their resident operator, Seven Seas Aquanauts Phil. Corp, a PADI 5 accredited diving facility operating since 1988. For a complete list of the courses and their rates, please call (+63) 917.872.6367 or (+63) 905.459.5307.

The resort encourages above-water activities as well, and they have several paddle boards and kayaks available for guests to use.

For rates and more information, visit www.clubserenaresort.com or email sayhello@clubserenaresort.com or (+63) 917.872.6367 or (+63) 905.459.5307. You can also visit their Facebook page for updates.

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Travel

This is How the M.I.C.E. Alliance Initiative will Lift Boracay to New Heights

Leveling up Boracay in more ways than one

by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo

Saying the name “Boracay” instantly casts a spell, taking the listener to a daydream of immaculate, pale beaches, swaying palm trees, the music of breaking waves, and the vacation of a lifetime. The tropical island Eden is storied and renowned – a difficult enchantment to lift from any wayward tourist’s mind. But what if we were to tell you that Boracay is so much more? Can you build upon perfection? Yes, and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how. 

One is never too far away from the beach! BNCC is only a stone’s throw away from the Boracay Newcoast Beach front.

Boracay Newcoast Convention Center (BNCC), located at the heart of Boracay Newcoast will soon host the biggest conventions, exhibitions and other large-scale events in the island starting second quarter of 2022.

After the difficulties of the past few years, the stage is finally set for a massive Boracay reboot. The creative gears turn once more, and this time they will catapult our favorite beach capital to new heights. The cornerstone of this renaissance is the M.I.C.E. Alliance initiative, short for meetings, incentives, conferences and conventions, and events and exhibitions. The establishment of the Boracay M.I.C.E. Alliance will allow focused efforts in creating sustainable and eco-sensitive tourism development projects while synergizing with stakeholders to create long-term solutions and opportunities for all partners. The alliance is set to drive awareness, readiness, and expansion of product offerings that will be crucial in making the island competitive with other M.I.C.E. destinations. Working closely with the Department of Tourism Region VI and the Tourism Promotions Board, the alliance is primed to provide support to the areas that are involved in this major undertaking.

Cleofe Albiso, Boracay M.I.C.E Alliance Chairperson

BNCC enjoys state-of-the-art facilities and can accommodate about a thousand guests depending on set-up and conduct multiple events at a time.

No one is more emphatic than M.I.C.E. Alliance chairperson Cleofe Albiso in describing how the different sectors of Boracay are pivoting from tourism to tourism plus. In brief, Boracay is challenging its own boundaries to become not just the pre-eminent tourist destination but also a corporate and business mecca. Turns out, if a venue is grand enough to host a wedding, wouldn’t it be just as grand to host a white-collar conference? Sky’s the limit for possibilities like this. At this moment, the island is abuzz with networking and making connections, training and empowering the hospitality services, polishing the infrastructure, revving up the transportation facilities, and all-around gearing up to go toe-to-toe with other M.I.C.E. hubs and be worthy of the tagline, “the best place for M.I.C.E. in a tropical paradise.” All hands are on deck and – after the extended global hiatus thanks to the pandemic – everyone is ready, nay, eager to meet and greet the guests. And, of course, we would be remiss not to point out that Boracay is more than halfway through completing such a tall order. The island is as well-oiled a machine as it could be, boasting 294 DOT-accredited hotels and resort, a staggering 4,500 seating capacity for meetings and conventions, and 12,400 room keys available in the island. Talk about volume! Plus, Boracay is already postcard-perfect, the very stuff that vacation dreams are made of. Why not turn the dial up to eleven and let it become a compass point for more than a summer getaway? This is the logical next step in realizing its vision of being not just a place to be, but the place to be.

Savoy Hotel Boracay like Belmont Hotel, and the soon to open Chancellor Hotel is also walking distance away from BNCC making it an ideal spot for both business and leisure trips.

So, yes, by all means think of the idyllic strolls on the beach, the luxurious caress of the ocean as you free-dive, the sheer delight of sand and surf while island-hopping, the adrenaline rush of aquasports, parasailing, cycling, or driving an ATV up Boracay’s foothills, the psychedelic glow of fire-dancing and party lights at night, the breathtaking sunsets, the larger-than-life adventures, or the hundred other ways it can lavish or reinvigorate your soul. Think of all of that, and then some. Because Boracay has its eyes on something greater: it is poised to become the premier starting point and last stop for tourism, entertainment, corporate gatherings, exhibits, and any other event the imagination can dream of. 

Paradise Garden’s Mabuhay Convention Center can fit 850 guests at a time.

For corporate set-ups, a 60 person function room is also available at the Isla Function Room of Paradise Garden.

Think of your company meeting. Now, think of your company meeting and the fun that’ll ensue right after. Picture that in the most scenic of vacation spots. Tempted already? Who wouldn’t be? You’re already in paradise. With business here and leisure literally just a stone’s throw away – heaven on earth, wouldn’t you say? 

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Travel

For Our Next Travel Destination, We Dream About Koh Samui in Thailand

Impressive views of the Gulf of Thailand welcome you at the Arrival Sala

Silent Sanctuaries

Mayenne Carmona discovers the Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui is a quiet oasis to recharge and rejuvenate…

What does one expect from a Four Seasons Resort? Everything! Firstly, it will definitely be ranked no less than a five-star hotel or resort. Most importantly, it would not fall short of all your expectations: excellent cuisine, topnotch comfort at your fingertips in a well-appointed villa, courteous staff who offer impeccable service, and every other detail you could possibly need—down to the last cotton bud. After all, a Four Seasons Resort is always designed by a top-rated architectural team and interior designers.

The moment I stepped into the Four Seasons Resort at Koh Samui, I felt all my cares washed away by the soft waves of the bluest sea. The fresh air cleared my sinuses in no time, and the gentle breeze was a much needed caress to a tired mind and body. It was truly paradise regained for me and my friends. We were a motley group of career-oriented people who needed a much-awaited break from work, and this was the perfect choice for us.

Each Villa has a butler to cater to the guests’ every whim. The afternoon we arrived, we requested a sunset dinner by the beach, and much like a genie, our butler whipped up a romantically set candlelit dinner for six. A five-course delicious Thai dinner was prepared by their well-trained chef.

Our days were spent languishing by the beach, having daily massages, attending yoga classes, doing water sports and enjoying every bite of Thai cuisine. Golf carts transported us wherever we wanted to go within the resort. This vacation brought all my senses to another realm, and restored a weary soul to perfection. 

Four Seasons Koh Samui, I look forward to seeing you again!

Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand in the scenic Gulf of Siam. It is a 45 minute flight from Bangkok. Sandy beaches, coral reefs, coconut trees and abundant tourist resources make it a popular holiday destination.

For more information on Four Seasons Resort, visit their website at https://www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui/

(This article has already been published in Zee Lifestyle’s March 2016 Travel Issue, “Silent Sanctuaries” written by our columnist Mayenne Carmona for La Vie En Rose on pages 32-33.)

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