Travel Agent - January 7, 2008 - (Page 28)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 garden. Note: The hotel has one set of connecting rooms, so book early. A good thing to keep in mind is that November and February are the busiest months at Claridges, so reserve at least a month in advance. The travel agent liaison is Arun Yadav, associate director of sales (011-91-11-41335105, arun.yadav@claridges.com). The general manager is Sanjeev Shukla. If needed, agents can contact him directly (011-91-114133-5000, sanjeev.shukla@claridges.com). The spa has two treatment rooms. Guests can book in advance of arrival by calling 011-91-11-4133-4133. The Claridges, New Delhi has several restaurants: Dhaba serves Indian fare, Jade offers Chinese cuisine (specializing in dim sum), and Pickwicks has dishes from around the world. Guests in the mood for Mediterranean cooking can visit Sevillas, where they’ll find tapas platters and a selection of sangrias. Those in search of a private dining room will find it in The Senate, the hotel’s executive lounge. The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur (www.oberoi hotels.com)—which once hosted President Bill Clinton—is located amid 32 acres of gardens and offers a variety of accommodations, including rooms, villas with pools and luxury tents. If you have clients looking for romance, steer them toward one of the hotel’s two Luxury Villas. These one-bedroom units have a private swimming pool, which is heated in winter, a bedroom with four-poster, king-size bed, dressing room with walk-in closet and personal bar. The marble bathroom has a double vanity, sunken bath and separate shower facing a private walled garden. The villa also has a separate living room, pantry and an outdoor dining pavilion overlooking the pool. Families will enjoy the Kohinoor Villa with Private Pool, which is reached by crossing a small moat bridge. These quarters include a large swimming pool, outdoor dining pavilion and separate living and dining rooms opening out onto the gardens and pool. The villa has a master bedroom with adjoining lounge area and guest bedroom. Each of the bedrooms has an its own bathroom with sunken marble tub. The 14 air-conditioned luxury tents are the preferred choice among premium accommodations, thanks to their Burma teak floors, claw-foot bathtubs and embroidered interior canopies. There is no need to worry about getting less-than-desired scenery; all rooms at the hotel serve up garden views. The busiest times at the hotel are during the Pushkar Festival in November, Christmas and New Year’s, the first two weeks of January and all of February. During these periods, book at least six months in advance. The Oberoi Spa has 10 treatment rooms, among them four suites that can accommodate couples. Although there are no alfresco treatments, the hotel does conduct yoga sessions in an outdoor tent. Book appointments in advance by contacting the spa manager Punchaya (01191-141-268-0101, ext. 1473 or 1443, spa manager@oberoi-rajvilas.com). The chef at the Oberoi’s Suryamahal restaurant conducts a “spice talk” for guests, explaining traditional Indian spices and their usage in Indian cuisine. At the end of the presentation, guests receive reference materials and packets of spices; they are then served a traditional thali dinner as the chef further describes the spices used in the meal. This dinner can be prepared for a maximum of 18 guests at the Chandramahal (indoor dining area adjoining Suryamahal). Johannes Herman Hordijk, the hotel’s general manager, can be reached at 011-91-141268-0101, gm@oberoi-rajvilas.com. The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore (www.theleela.com) has hosted such bold-face names as Tommy Hilfiger, Bill Gates, Vladimir Putin and the Dalai Lama. The hotel is Leela Palace & Resorts’ flagship property, and was inspired by the Royal Palace of Mysore and the palaces of the Vijayanager Empire. One perk at the property is the personalized butler service for VIPs. Butlers are assigned to the guests throughout their stay, and can perform duties such as packing and unpacking to advising visitors on city information. Of the hotel’s 361 rooms, the Royal Premier accommodations go fast. These are 704 square feet with amenities that include a 29-inch flat-screen TV, high-speed Internet connection CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 Maharaja Suite at the Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore 28 | TravelAgent January 7, 2008 http://www.theleela.com http://www.oberoihotels.com http://www.oberoihotels.com

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Travel Agent - January 7, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: Top Hotels in the Czech Capital, Prague Europe News & Notes Pacific/Asia: India's Tourism Boom Hawaii Spas: Send Your Spa-Loving Client to these Havens of Relaxation in the Islands Hawaii Briefs Las Vegas: Restaurants are Taking Center Stage as Vegas Becomes a Destination for Foodies California: San Diego, La Jolla and Coronado Offer a World of Options Close Together Ski/Snowboard: Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada New Orleans: Hotels for All Types of Travelers and Can’t-Miss Events to Consider Central & South America: Selling Santiago, Chile Caribbean & Bahamas: The Reef Atlantis, Cape Eleuthera Debut in the Bahamas in Time for the New Year Caribbean News & Notes Cruises: Onboard Enrichment Programs Grow as Cruisers Seek to Work on More than their Tans Cruise Lines Expand the Variety in their Shore Excursions with Special Activities and Adventures Cover Story: A New Era for Classic Luxury Travel Expo & Home Based Travel Agent Expo: Photos and a Recap of the Events Rail: Company Books Private Train Trips Agent Profile: Dave and Christa Krick, Advantage Cruise & Travel in Northern California Technology: XML Enhances Sabre and Amadeus Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Onsite Reports from Queen Victoria Christening and Marriott Headquarters Funjet Vacations NCL’s New Ship, Norwegian Gem The African Country of Djibouti In the Spotlight Editorial Index Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - January 7, 2008

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