Latest Happenings: Travel, Hotel and Restaurant Guide September 2020
Welcome to the new month! In the third quarter of the year, there are more exciting news in the travel industry as the domestic travel in the Asian region becomes more at ease. Even though international travel is still limited, but the residence can still explore the happenings in the city as well as inter city travel. Here are some travel news and latest happenings that covers new hotel and seasonal restaurant menu from selected establishments.
Maldives Border and Major Resorts have Reopened
The Maldives government is delighted to announce that the Maldives border has reopened. It is time to consider an island getaway in the near future. The resorts in the area are taking the health protocol seriously and they are adhering to the advise from the government. I personally think that the resort holiday can be a good choice since resort in Maldives is quite secluded and the high end resorts are filled with less guests. Please consult with your local travel and health authority before taking international flights. If you want to have some inspirations, check out the luxury hotels for your next trip. If you still prefer to stay at home, copy these ideas of having your own luxury hotel experience at home.
New Hotel Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Thailand
Centrally located, Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort boasts stunning views of limestone formations rising up from the Andaman Sea. Just steps away from local cafes and bars, as well as the ever-popular Ao Nang Night Market, visitors can immerse themselves in the bustling social scene while still being able to enjoy Ao Nang’s natural beauty.
The contemporary 178 guest rooms and villas reflect Krabi’s natural landscape and are designed to deliver a peaceful sleep experience. The private villas sitting further uphill on the property boast stunning sunset views, with a pool and relaxation area creating a private sanctuary, perfect for honeymooners.
The picturesque setting makes an idyllic backdrop for rejuvenation and pampering at the resorts spa with every treatment tailored to the guest’s goal, whether it is to combat jetlag or to relax in pure bliss. Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort will feature an elevated swimming pool for spectacular sunsets, along with an indoor gym designed to keep up with any active lifestyle. Families will love the indoor and outdoor playgrounds at AvaniKids, along with engaging family activities.
SO Sofitel Singapore Offers Karl Lagerfeld Menu Set
Legendary creative director Karl Lagerfeld would have celebrated his 87th birthday on September 10 2020. To
celebrate his life and his collaboration with SO Sofitel Singapore, culinary designer Hong Dingzhao has curated an exclusive all black
menu available this September. Go all out with ‘The Karl Xperience’ including 3 course black set menu, 2 hours free-
flow wine, beers, Taittinger brut & gin cart, plus a take home gift by Karl Lagerfeld for $138 per person.
Black menu highlights include tuna tataki with black bean hummus, popped wild rice & black garlic aioli; squid ink
spaghetti with seafood aglio olio style, prawn stock & parmesan foam or squid ink risotto with seared seafood,
mascarpone & parmesan foam; and SO/ burnt homemade cheese cake & mix berries compote.
3 Course Black Menu | Available lunch & dinner daily in September (excluding Saturday lunch) | $55
Add 2 Hours Free-Flow Beer, Wine & Prosecco | $48
Add Gin Cart & Taittinger Brut | Additional $20
Celebrate your birthday in September & get the Black Menu for FREE when dining with 4 paying adults* Book your desired dining time here.
The Okura Prestige Bangkok Takumi Seasonal Menu
Celebrating the award of a MICHELIN Star for the
third consecutive year, Elements restaurant at The Okura Prestige Bangkok introduces refreshed
6-course Ta-ke and 7-course Matsu tasting menus that take advantage of premium seasonal
ingredient from around the world.
Tantalising dishes include fresh Ostra Regal oyster with abalone, gelé celery apple and dashi
form, Yoichi Monkfish from Hokkaido served with clam and Japanese curry, Sawara fish from
Kyoto serve with water cress velouté and lemon caviar, succulent grilled Satsuma wagyu beef
from Kagoshima Prefecture and a dessert of Japanese Pebbles made from 43% Tannea milk
chocolate cremeaux with iced blackcurrant and musk melon.
Takumi Tasting Menus are available at Elements restaurant from 1 - 30 September 2020,
Tuesday to Saturday, 18:00 - 22:30. Price: Baht 4,000++ for 6-course Ta-ke menu; Baht 4,500++
for 7-course Matsu menu with an additional Baht 800 for Wagyu Beef Satsuma.
Ando and The Pontiac Hong Kong Collaboration
Running for one month from 28 August at Andō, the collaboration between Andō and The Pontiac will see three signature cocktails from The Pontiac made available for guests to enjoy alongside Andō’s tasting menus, with all cocktail sales going to The Pontiac. As a token of appreciation for their support of the F&B industry, Andō’s dine-in guests will also receive a complimentary welcome cocktail or mocktail to start the meal.
“It goes without saying these are the most challenging times for all of us in the F&B industry. It’s even more crucial for us, two parts of the trade – restaurants and bars - to come together and help each other to make sure that we, as an industry, survive,” said chef Agustin.
Priced at HKD$120 per cocktail, the collaboration will showcase The Hobnail, the house signature which features rye whiskey, rich ginger syrup, Amaro Averna, lemon, angostura, and orange oil; P.O.G.D., the Pontiac’s ode to tropical Tiki flavours by way of a milk-clarified daiquiri of passion fruit, orange, guava, nocino, rum, orange bitters; as well as the Bad Dream Mama, composed of Cacao Carmel Reposado, Regan’s orange bitters, absinthe, orange & lemon oil, served in the style of an Old-Fashioned. Teetotallers will love the Truth Hurts mocktail which uses grapefruit, house bangerang syrup (The Pontiac’s version consists of falernum with fresh mint, vanilla, cinnamon and pink Szechuan pepper) and soda, garnished with a twirl of grapefruit.
MO Bar Singapore Nomadic Forager
Following 2019’s pop-up event series, “Nomadic Foragers,” the team from MO BAR at Mandarin Oriental Singapore is adapting to the new normal with a Nomadic Forager Virtual Bar Tour for 2020.
In each stop of the 2019 regional tour, the team had the opportunity to explore local markets and learn about indigenous fruits and spices in consideration for cocktails. Collaborating with a renowned cocktail bar in each city, MO BAR’s team created a signature menu – served for one night only at a special guest shift event. Reflecting on their adventures over the year, the team developed MO BAR’s Volume Two menu, which brings guests on a whimsical journey across Asia.
With travel temporarily on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MO BAR embarks on a virtual bar tour in partnership with top venues in Southeast Asia, including Vesper (Bangkok), Alice Cheongdam (Seoul), The Curator (Manila), ROOM by Le Kief (Taipei), Sidecar (New Delhi) and more.
Each participating bar will offer two signature cocktails from MO BAR’s Volume Two menu for a limited run, allowing their guests to sample MO BAR’s cocktails – no travel required. For a more in-depth exploration of the drinks, interested guests may opt into a live virtual session with MO BAR’s team via a QR code.
MO BAR will also host each of the participating venues for a virtual guest shift in Singapore, offering their signature cocktails for one week at the bar. Guests dreaming of their next holiday can indulge in unique cocktails from top venues around the region, all without leaving Singapore. From 3 to 9 September, guests can expect to enjoy the pop up by ROOM by Le Kien (Taiwan) and Sidecar (New Delhi). More collaboration to be announced soon, so make sure you stay tuned!
