Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014: EUROPA and EUROPA 2 receive top distinction of 5-stars plus

Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014: EUROPA and EUROPA 2 receive top distinction of 5-stars plus

·         For the first time, two ships have been awarded the 5-stars-plus rating
·         The expedition ship HANSEATIC took first place in the "boutique ships" category

The latest edition of the popular "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships" has awarded the two sister ships in the luxury sector, the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the highest distinction of 5-stars-plus. This makes both ships global leaders. The expedition ship HANSEATIC was ranked in first place in the top ten "boutique ships" with up to 250 passengers.

Attaining 1,860 points out of a possible 2,000, the EUROPA 2 achieved the highest score. Together with its sister ship, the EUROPA has once again been included in the 5-stars-plus category with 1,851 points. This allowed both luxury ships to claim first and second place amongst the top ten "small ships" with up to 750 passengers. The HANSEATIC improved its score with 1,765 points and, as the only expedition ship to be awarded five stars, is featured in the top ten list of "boutique ships" for the first time. The BREMEN also improved its score with a total of 1,555 points and was awarded the 4-stars-plus rating.

"In the 29-year history of Berlitz ratings, this is the first time two cruise ships are in the exclusive 5-stars-plus-club. No other ships currently achieve such a high standard, which are set by the EUROPA and EUROPA 2 and their crews," says Douglas Ward at the presentation of the Berlitz award to the management of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "The EUROPA 2 has also achieved the highest score ever in the history of the book. She offers a great space per passenger ratio, much light through the high windows, an excellent and high-class culinary choice and attentive and unobtrusive service," explains Douglas Ward.

"We are especially proud to be global leaders in the luxury sector with both ships," said Karl J. Pojer, chief executive officer of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "This score is a special distinction for the crews of the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2 who are setting the bar in the sector with their quality and service. It is also a huge 'thank you' to the team in Hamburg and a welcome affirmation of our strategy in the luxury and expedition sectors," explained Pojer.

Author Douglas Ward and his team tested a total of 285 cruise ships around the world and scored them based on criteria such as ship fittings, menus, restaurant quality, service, crew, entertainment and the cruise experience.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com. All press releases and a picture gallery can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/press. For EUROPA 2 images, visit http://www.hl-cruises.com/press/photoarchive/cruises-fleet/ms-europa-2/.

Reservations: Please call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), send an e-mail to salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.

London scores in world’s biggest popularity poll

London has had its biggest-ever vote of confidence – being voted one of the world’s favourite cities in a gigantic worldwide popularity survey by Ipsos MORI.

The company spoke to 18,000 people in 24 countries – more than ever before – polling them on the best cities on earth to work in, live in and visit.

London was the only city in Europe to rank in the top five in all three categories, with only New York matching that achievement worldwide.

The Ipsos Top Cities Study returned London as top place to live in Europe, surpassing all the other major European cities and nations including Paris, Rome and Berlin.

With all results taken together, the survey showed London and Paris outclassing runners-up including Abu Dhabi and Sydney to rank only marginally behind New York as world #1.

Broken down, London ranked as 3rd best city to visit, 4th best city to live in and 5th best city for doing business,Each city was given an overall score based on the sum of responses across all three categories.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London and Partners, said: “Londoners already know that there is nowhere else they’d rather live and work. It’s great to see that our reputation has officially gone global. We work every day with businesses, tourists and students from all corners of the globe who want to be part of our great city. They see London as the best place on earth to work, live, study - and enjoy yourself. This survey is truly vast in scope, the biggest of its kind in history, and it’s gratifying, but not surprising, to see how highly London scores in every category.”

Aspire Hotel Sydney-The Perfect Base For Aspiring Scientists

Science enthusiasts from all over NSW are preparing to converge on Ultimo in the inner city for the 11 day Ultimo Science Festival, September 12 - 22, with Aspire Hotel Sydney the perfect accommodation choice for visitors.

There will be talks to challenge your perceptions of the world, hands-on activities to puzzle over, startling exhibitions, inspiring science shows and even the chance to share ideas with real research scientists. The Ultimo Science Festival is a joint initiative of the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Broadcasting Centre, Ultimo TAFE and the University of Technology - all of which are located a short stroll from Aspire Hotel Sydney.

Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined street in Ultimo, Aspire Hotel Sydney offers 96 spacious standard and deluxe guest rooms  , each with its own ensuite with full bath, while some rooms have excellent city views and private open-air balconies looking onto green parkland or the city beyond. Modern conveniences are standard in all rooms, with Internet data ports and 'smart bars' which charge any incidentals directly to your hotel account.

Each room is furnished to accommodate a minimum of three people, making the hotel attractive to families seeking a peaceful respite and park-like surrounds within walking distance to all science festival venues and to the city. It is also a short stroll to nearby Wentworth Park where active families or health-conscious couples can run, cycle or enjoy a range of sporting activities at the local sports centre add to the convenience of Aspire Hotel Sydney.

The hotel is also easily accessible to the rest of the city through a myriad of transport options including light rail and city buses. Access to the airport, Blue Mountains and other attractions is from nearby Central Station.

Not only can families enjoy the Science Festival, they can also visit IMAX Theatre, the Sydney Aquarium, the newly-opened Wildlife World, the Maritime Museum and Chinatown - all just a short stroll from the hotel, while Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf provide vibrant eating options by day and by night, as well as the place from which to explore the harbour by boat.

Aspire Hotel Sydney is part of the Metro Hospitality Group, and is located at 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, at the north western end of Sydney's Darling Harbour precinct.

Guests can book at Aspire Hotel Sydney and Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 00 4321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at the new look website, www.metrohotels.com.au.

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group currently provides a national accommodation network of properties, with over 1000 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.

For more information on Aspire Hotel Sydney, contact Sarah Peattie, Peattie Public Relations on (02) 9357 7775.

Agents Rewarded with Great Prizes for Schoolies Bookings

Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji has partnered with Unleashed Travel, Australia’s leading overseas-travel provider for schoolies, to put together an amazing seven night Fijian schoolies experience and every agent that makes a Sonaisali schoolies booking is rewarded with an incredible prize.

For every agent that makes a new seven night Sonaisali 2013 schoolies booking, they will receive one $50 Myer voucher for every person they book and one free night stay at Sonaisali Island Resort – so book seven packages and stay seven free nights, book 10 packages and stay 10 free nights. Partner can also stay for an additional FJD$58.00 per night. 

This amazing prize of a free night’s stay at Sonaisali Island resort also includes Full American Buffet Breakfast, a special invitation to the GM’s Cocktail Party on Monday Evenings (1hr free drinks), children 18 years and under can stay for free, a welcome cocktail per person, all meals for Children 12 years and under, complimentary Kids Club, a Jungle Cruise per person and all non motorized water sports.

This promotion is valid on all seven night Unleashed schoolie packages sold until 20th November 2013 and agents can stay at Sonaisali with their free room nights between 21st November 2013 and 30th June 2014, blackout dates do apply.

The Seven-night schoolie package is available from 25 November until 2 December 2013, and starts from only $1999 triple share, per person including return economy airfare, return transfers, accommodation, all meals, schoolies exclusive use of the resort, daily activities, nightly entertainment including international DJs, themed parties, Unleashed Travel crew and extra security.

Unleashed Travel specialises in overseas group travel packages for school leavers. Its crew will meet guests at Nadi airport and escort them to the resort. They will also be available 24 hours if guests have any questions, issues or concerns and will be on hand in case of emergency.

Sonaisali Island Resort is a private Island destination perfect for schoolies. Situated 300 metres off the main island of Viti Levu, Sonaisali Island Resort is only 25 minutes from Nadi International Airport and 15 minutes from Nadi town, making it quick and easy to get to.

Guests can enjoy their days tanning by the huge pool with swim up bar, snorkelling, surfing, diving, jet skiing or even playing paint ball. By night they can party to the International DJ's playing huge sets and fantastic themed parties including ‘Biggest Pool Party’, ‘White Night Party’ and ‘Beach Party’

Schoolies wanting a break from all the partying can relax and be pampered at The Frangipani Health and Beauty Spa.  Designed as a sanctuary for the inner self to refresh and rejuvenate the spirit as well as ones physical being, the Spa is open daily and offers and extensive selection of treatments.

Sonaisali Island Resort accommodates 300 guests in a range of beachfront hotel rooms and bures and features a pool bar and two restaurants, the Sunset Restaurant which hosts breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a range of themed buffets and a la carte dining and fine dining 'Plantation' Restaurant.

When making a Sonaisali booking with Unleashed Travel email the booking confirmation to:

salesexec@sonaisali.com or res_fit@sonaisali.com and use the code “SKOOLINC” for your reservation to be processed.

For further information visit http://www.sonaisali.com/groups/schoolies and for bookings visit www.unleashedschoolies.com.au or call 1800 981 320.

Inaugural Accor ‘Es-capers’ event to discover Asia Pacific’s Social Media Champions

Cross-regional scavenger hunt to show how social media has revolutionised travel




Hong Kong will be alive with the buzz of social media representatives from across SE Asia and as far away as Australia as seven teams of two battle it out in the inaugural Accor Hong Kong Es-capers scavenger hunt from 9-11 September, using their social media contacts to assist them.

Designed by the teams at Novotel and ibis Hotels in Hong Kong, the teams of two from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia will have to reach checkpoints, find clues and hunt down special photo opportunities to win points towards their team's final tally.

From Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, they will be known as the Hong Kong Es-capers, easily identifiable in their special polo-shirts as they zip around the city, culminating in a cruise where prizes and accolades will be handed out to the winning teams in a series of creative challenges.

Also to celebrate the 5th birthday of Accor's guest loyalty programme, Le Club AccorHotels, five lucky guests staying in-house in Accor's 5 HK Hotels on the night of 10 September will be awarded a special invitation to a sunset birthday cruise and a prize of 20,000 points each to reward their loyalty.

Using the specially designed hash-tag of #EsCapersHK you can follow your country and send them messages of support, or help them as they pursue their goal to see which country uses social media the best to solve their clues This event is being run in collaboration between Accor, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to see how social media has changed the way people travel.

The first event of its kind, it will showcase how new media channels have changed the way people plan, execute and report on their travel experiences, while highlighting some of the most interesting attractions in Hong Kong. Make sure you are following this unique event to see which country comes out on top.

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with more than 3,500 hotels and 450,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and hotelF1 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers its clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.

www.accor.com | www.accorhotels.com

Hilton Worldwide Opens Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok

Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand. Located in the heart of prestigious Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s most central business and entertainment districts, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is the ninth Hilton Worldwide hotel in the country.

Hilton Worldwide is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in Thailand and reiterated its commitment to growing its presence in the country.

“Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, has always been a popular business and leisure destination, and the country holds special significance to us as we’ve been operating in this wonderful country for 30 years,” said William Costley, vice president, operations, Southeast Asia, Hilton Worldwide. “The opening of Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok reinforces the continued expansion of Hilton Worldwide and further development success of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in Thailand. It also enhances our brand’s commitment to offering quality hospitality experiences to travelers visiting this key gateway city.”

The stylish Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers a range of 280 spacious deluxe and executive rooms and suites, providing guests a place to unwind or catch up on work. The hotel’s modernistic restaurants include fresh culinary concepts reflected in its two specialty restaurants, Scalini and Mondo. Scalini, the hotel’s main dining area, serves 1920s-inspired, fine Italian-American food. The restaurant features a live interactive kitchen and pizza oven as well as a centrally-located wine cellar. Mondo takes its inspiration from the Mediterranean and serves tapas and antipasto style dishes in a casual setting. Diners can feast on delights from the charcuterie meat and cheese tower, while fresh coffee from the barista bar keeps diners refreshed.

“For three decades, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has been one of the hotel brands of choice for visitors to Thailand, and I’m delighted that our legacy continues as we officially add Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok to our existing portfolio of four properties located in key leisure and city destinations including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

As a participant in the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, the hotel will offer guests the ability to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points. Gold and Diamond HHonors members will also receive free breakfast and Wi-Fi connection in their guestrooms.

Business travelers can choose to host interactive meetings at the Summit, which offers three meeting rooms styled after a New York penthouse and are equipped with a Bofi kitchen and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology.

Recreational options include Lapse, the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool with sweeping views of Bangkok’s skylines. Guests can lounge at a pool bar or maintain their fitness regimes at the fully-equipped, 24-hour Precor gym. 

Situated 300 meters from Phrom Phong skytrain station on Sukhumvit Soi 24, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers guests easy access to premium shopping and dining centers such as Emporium, Terminal 21 and Siam Paragon. Travelers can also connect to Bangkok’s major landmarks, including the Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya River.

Hilton Worldwide manages eight other properties in Thailand including Conrad Bangkok, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, Hilton Pattaya, Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Conrad Koh Samui, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket – Surin Beach and the recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok. It will open the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok in 2015.

Opening promotion

To celebrate its opening, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok also announced the “1,000 HHonors Points Per Stay” promotion which rewards guests with 1,000 HHonors points per stay for rooms booked for a minimum of two-night stay from September 01 to November 30, 2013.

The “1,000 HHonors Points Per Stay” promotion is valid for stays until November 31, 2013. For more information, please visit www.hhonors.com.

Safety decision closes Mt Hutt with guests on mountain

A combination of drifting snow and poor visibility has lead to Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area closing the access road with a total of 316 guests still on the mountain.

Mt Hutt ski area manager James McKenzie said while ski area management had been aware of an approaching front and a poor forecast for today (Wednesday September 4) the situation deteriorated “pretty quickly”. 

“We made a decision to close the mountain at 11.30 this morning and a number of people made it safely down the road,” he said.

“However at midday a combination of new snow blowing around everywhere and  wind gusts of up to 45kmh, especially around the Saddles, meant visibility along the upper section of the access road deteriorated to the extent we closed the road completely.

“Guest safety is of paramount concern and we’re continually assessing the conditions. We won’t rush to get people down until visibility improves.

“We’ve got plenty of food, hot drinks and space up here in the base building, so if we do have to hunker down into the hours of darkness our guest will be warm, dry and well looked after.”

Of the 316 guests currently on the mountain, up to 270 of them are students, staff and parents from nearby Mt Hutt College.

Mr McKenzie said the Year 7 to 12 students were all in good spirits and many were going out to “play around” in new snow accessed by one of the ski area’s Magic Carpets in the beginner’s area.

“We’ve received 10 to 15cm of new snow so far today, and while visibility has closed our chairlifts we’ve still got the Magic Carpet going for them and they’re pretty excited to be up here enjoying that,” he said. “I think the majority will look back on this as one great adventure.

“We’ll give them afternoon tea and of course dinner if they’re still here, but our priority is to only let their buses down the road if we’re comfortable it’s safe to do so. Our staff also will drive pilot vehicles to provide a safe escort.”

The Southerly blast is set to ease back later this evening.