Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 30)

DESTINATIONS Treatment room at the Banyan Tree Spa whole package—the amazing views and good company. It creates a sense of well-being.” At this time, it’s not possible to reserve a particular table. For restaurant or bar reservations at lebua, e-mail reservations@thedomebkk.com or call 011-66-2624-9999. lebua at State Tower offers an “Amazing Experiences” three-night package that includes an upgrade to Riverview with Balcony Suite, roundtrip airport transfers by BMW, Champagne and chocolates in their room, meals at the Dome and several special activities, including a klong (canal) tour, a cooking class with the hotel chef, transport by tuk-tuk (a traditional vehicle like a cabin cycle) and a shopping excursion by limousine. The package costs $2,000 double and is available through June 30. Book at www.lebua. com, or call 011-66-2624-9999. Banyan Tree Open since January 2002, the Banyan Tree Bangkok (www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok/ index.html) added a number of features in 2007, including a luxury dining cruise on the Chao Phraya aboard Aspara I. Last summer, the hotel unveiled an expanded Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok, now with 16 treatment rooms on the 19th and 20th floors, many with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of the city. Seven treatment rooms were added: three Grand Spa Suites for couples, equipped with steam for aqua-therapy treatments (including the signature Rain Mist experience), and four Deluxe 30 | TravelAgent March 3, 2008 Spa Suites, which offer steam, jet-pool bath and shower facilities. A beauty salon has also been added. All spa therapists are local specialists and undergo extensive training at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy. Agents can contact the spa directly by e-mailing spa-bangkok@banyantree.com or calling 011-66-2679-1052 or 1054. Best rooms to book at the hotel are in the Banyan Tree Club on floors 48-50. These are popular for the privacy they afford, as well as the views of the cityscape from the south side of the building and river from the north side. The U.S.-based travel agent liaison for the hotel is Victor Koki (sales-losangeles@banyantree.com, 805-499-9101). The Banyan Tree’s Vertigo Grill and the Moon Bar have become favorites with both locals and visitors. Both are on the 61st floor (the top floor) of the hotel, and combined they have a 100guest capacity. Keanu Reeves, Norah Jones and Kenny G are just some of the bold-faced names who have enjoyed the rooftop ambiance. The Moon Bar is perfect for romantic dinners, birthday celebrations, fashion launches or chillout sessions under the stars. The Vertigo Grill is divided into a dining courtyard and a private party lounge. Signature dishes include marinated tuna tartar, salmon roe; medallion of five spiced minced duck and foie gras; and broiled Maine lobster with chardonnay cream sauce. Both venues are open every evening, Vertigo from 6:30 to 10:30, and Moon Bar from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hours are subject to weather condi- tions, as the bar and restaurant are open-air. A smart casual dress code in effect at the Banyan Tree Bangkok. Long pants and closed shoes are required for men. Guests of both sexes will be turned away if they’re wearing torn jeans, sleeveless tops, shorts or flipflops. The Banyan Tree also features Bai Yun, an award-winning Chinese restaurant on the 60th floor, where a popular option is the dim sum all-you-can-eat dinner. Other restaurants include Saffron for Thai cuisine and the casual Rom Sai with an international menu. Private rooms for up to 12 people are available. Agents can make reservations for their clients at the Banyan Tree eateries by calling 011-66-2679-1200 or e-mailing hostesses-bangkok@banyantree.com. For a package deal at the Banyan Tree, the hotel’s “Romance in Bangkok” plan includes daily continental breakfast, one dinner at Vertigo, Bai Yun or Saffron, choice of a two-hour spa treatment for each guest, roundtrip airport transfers by Mercedes-Benz limousine, Banyan Tree Gallery gift and an “Intimate Moments” evening with candles, flower-petal decoration and wine en suite. Prices start around $355 double per night in a Deluxe View Suite, with a three-night minimum stay. Reservations can be made at www.banyantree.com or 866-8-BANYAN. I CONNECTING YOU For Thailand hotel packages, visit www.travel agentcentral.com/thailand http://www.lebua.com http://www.lebua.com http://www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok/index.html http://www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok/index.html http://www.banyantree.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/thailand http://www.travelagentcentral.com/thailand

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.