New Insider Microadventures of Mexico's Cultural Heritage Sites Now Offered from Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Read article : New Insider Microadventures of Mexico's Cultural Heritage Sites Now Offered from Grand Velas Riviera Maya

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Riviera Maya, Mexico (PRWEB) August 20, 2017

The "Beyond-All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare" Grand Velas Riviera Maya now offers new Insider Microadventures for guests to experience some of the best culture highlights in the destination. Two experiences are now offered, one to Chichn Itz and the other to Uxmal and the colonial city of Merida, with transportation in private plane included.

The resort's micro-adventure to Chichen Itza, undoubtedly the most famous Mayan ruins, features a private tour guide to explore the complex, the largest pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people which was first developed between 750 and 900 AD. Also at the site, guests will be treated to a 3-course lunch menu of regional favorites and swimming in a cenote (a large, natural sink hole).

As a second option, guests can explore the ruins of Uxmal and Merida, the largest city on the Yucatan peninsula. Representing the pinnacle of late Mayan art and architecture in its design, layout and ornamentation, Uxmal is one of the most important archaeological sites of Mayan culture. A private guide will show guests around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the towering Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace, which is over 12,000 sq. ft. in total. After visiting Uxmal, the experience features private transportation to Merida for a lunch and city tour complete with carriage ride down the Paseo de Montejo (Montejo Avenue) for a glimpse at the elaborate homes that still line the main street.

Private round trip transportation to both locations is provided in a CESSNA 206 single-engine plane.

The three-night Insider Microadventure to Chichen Itza starts at $3,960 USD and the Insider Microadventure for Uxmal & Merida begins at $4,545 USD. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and include luxury suite accommodations, la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. For more reservations or more information on Grand Velas Riviera Maya, please email reservationsrm(at)velasresorts.com, call 1-888-407-4869, or visit http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/.

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:
Set on 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort. Guests can choose among three separate ambiances in this Leading Hotel of the World, including adults-only oceanfront, family-friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle. All 539 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, plasma TVs, Wi-Fi, L'Occitane amenities, artisanal tequila, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs and marble interior. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world renowned celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza, Mikel Alonso and Xavier Prez Stone, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Se Spa, a Leading Spa of the World, is the region's largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step water journey. Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge; 24/7 in-suite service; three swimming pools; two fitness centers; water sports; innovative Kids Clubs and Teen's Club; Karaoke Bar; Koi Bar; Piano Bar, and business center. The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor areas for events inclusive of a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests. The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today and several other magazines and major companies worldwide, including World Luxury Spa Awards and TripAdvisor's Hall of Fame. Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and President of Velas Resorts, with his brother Juan Vela, Vice President of Velas Resorts.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/08/prweb14617346.htm

Traveling the Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail

Read article : Traveling the Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail

Overnight passenger train travel can be more expensive and slower than air travel today. So why should you go? And where?

After spending two nights traveling the Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail‘s Canadian, the ‘why’ is easy to answer: in an age when traveling to a destination has become only about getting from Point A to Point B in a rushed, often stressful manner, a few days (or more) aboard a passenger train is a vacation in itself. The pace is relaxed, the scenery can be fantastic, and the service is friendly. After my experience aboard The Canadian, I would venture to say passenger train travel is in fact the sole remaining mode of idyllic transportation from the golden age, outlasting air and cruise travel.

Incorporating a VIA Rail journey into a Canadian vacation itinerary will greatly enrich your trip. There are many routes to choose between, the longest being the four day journey from Vancouver to Toronto on the Canadian. We opted for a fraction of this trip, embarking in Vancouver and departing in Jasper, Alberta (then returning on the same route after days of sightseeing in the Canadian Rockies). The 20-hour one-way trip was spent taking in the scenery from one of several observation cars with 360 degree views, dining in the relaxed yet elegant dining cars, getting to know fellow passengers, and sleeping, reading, working, or napping. We found that the ‘rail level’ views and relaxed pace afforded a more intimate experience with the British Columbia and Alberta wilderness.

Who to take with you:

If you’re bringing kids, I wouldn’t recommend this trip for kids under age six (though as always, parents know their own children best). During the rail trip, passengers are definitely confined to a series of train cars, and young kids would certainly get restless. Is there enough for older kids to do? Here’s what we found: a variety of board games in the ‘activity cars’, on-going snacks and juices in the lounges, and interesting sights out the window, whether it be scenery whizzing by or temporary stops at stations or through towns. In other words: not a lot of on-board entertainment.

If you travel with kids, we recommend downloading a few movies onto a computer, iPod, or iPad, and bringing plenty of reading material, activity books (such as coloring books) and card games. Plan on several hours between each meal that you’ll need to fill. Expect a primarily-adults-only passenger list: during our October trip, we saw only two children aboard the Canadian. This is not to discourage families from bringing kids: rather, know you’ll need to bring diversions and entertainment as needed. WiFi was not available aboard our train, though 3G and 4G service could be found via roaming off and on.

Which fare to book:

Determining which fare is right for you can be tricky. On the Canadian, there are two basic options: sleeper or economy. In economy, you’ll get a seat that reclines, access to an observation car with upper deck, access to a lounge with tables and chairs, and the option to buy food at the Starlight Cafe, serving meals and snacks to go. Passengers sleep in their seats, and share bathroom facilities. Economy is obviously the more affordable option, but quite frankly, didn’t look too appealing (despite the fact that VIA Rail seats are considerably more comfortable than airline seats).

Sleeper fare offers three bed configurations (each a different price) in the Sleeper Plus category.Passengers can opt between a one-passenger or two-passenger private cabin, or a semi-private upper or lower berth (closed with curtains). We experienced Sleeper Plus in a two-passenger cabin. We had a tiny-yet-functional cabin space with two chairs and a large window, a private bathroom with toilet, and a sink. Also included: a small amount of storage space and two outlets (yay!). In the evenings, a train steward comes by to lower your beds, which in the two-passenger cabin is bunk-bed style: upper and lower single beds. Beds are fully made-up each evening, and very comfortable (provided you’re not quite tall).

The one-passenger private cabin features one bench-like seat that flattens to accommodate a bed, plus a sink and toilet (the latter of which features a cushioned cover to become an ottoman during the day, but is covered up by the bed at night…a definite downside). Both the two-passenger and one-passenger cabins share one shower per car.

The last sleeper option is to book an upper or lower berth. These compartments feature bench seats (two facing each other) during the day, which fold out to become a lower berth bed at night. The upper berth bed folds out from the wall by the ceiling. These berths are made up at night and feature thick curtains for privacy. They share a public toilet and shower (one per car).

All Sleeper Plus fares include meals in the dining car (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, depending on when you’re onboard), snacks in the lounge, access to several observation cars and lounges, and complimentary champagne and appetizers upon embarkation.

Here’s a photo depicting 1. a two-passenger cabin made up for bed, 2. a lower berth made up for day, 3. coach seats:

Which to book will depend on your comfort level (how much privacy do you need?) and your meal needs. We absolutely recommend the all-inclusive dining: if you opt out of this, you can buy meals a la carte in the cafe, but this option would get old (and expensive) if traveling more than one night. We enjoyed the privacy of a cabin, but could have been comfortable in an upper and lower berth as well. Keep in mind that only up to two passengers fit in a cabin: families of four or more will need to book two (or more) cabins or opt for two or more upper/lower berths in a row. (The latter option will allow for more freedom of movement between beds as needed, but you’ll only have access to a shared bathroom.

View our VIA Rail experience video:

[embedded content]

Tips:

1. Carry-on sized bags only are allowed onboard. Full-sized bags will need to be checked, so plan accordingly. Cabins have space for up to two carry-on bags, but if you opt for a berth, you’d be better off with only a large tote or backpack.

2. Bring a water bottle to refill. While coffee, tea, and juice is on offer at all times, I found the need to also keep a water bottle filled to prevent dehydration. If you like to sip coffee or tea all day, bring a small thermos or insulated mug.

3. Bring a hair dryer if you’ll need one: in cabins, towels, shampoo, and soap are provided, but not hair dryers.

4. Be prepared for plenty of motion and some train noise at night. We slept surprisingly well onboard, but you’ll definitely feel the movement.

Date last visited:

October 2013

Fare cost:

Calculate Via Rail fares here. Definitely plan early and check for fare discounts, offered several times per year. What we found: VIA Rail is not more economical than flying, so you need to consider the fare cost a part of your vacation experience, not part of your transportation costs.

Directions:

If embarking in Vancouver on the Canadian, you’ll depart from Pacific Station. Located next to Science World, it’s easy to get here from SkyRail from either the airport or the Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced The Canadian as guests of the VIA Rail, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own, and we hope our experience inspires and equips other traveling families to make great decisions about rail travel.

About the author

AUTHOR: Amy Whitley is the founding editor of Pit Stops for Kids and content editor of Trekaroo. She writes on staff monthly as a family travel expert at Go Green Travel Green and Practical Travel Gear, and contributes to Outdoors NW as an outdoor adventure traveler. Find Amy at Google.

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M/I Homes Unveils New Model Townhome at Ashton Place in Lisle, Ill.

Read article : M/I Homes Unveils New Model Townhome at Ashton Place in Lisle, Ill.

M/I Homes, one of the most active homebuilders in the Chicago area, announces it is unveiling a decorated model home at Ashton Place, a new community of 26 maintenance-free townhomes in Lisle, Ill., just east of Naperville Road at the intersection of Warrenville Road and Leask Lane.

Prospective buyers will have the first opportunity to tour the new decorated model home at a special celebration on Thursday, August 17, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include complimentary refreshments, the opportunity to enter a free raffle and tethered hot air balloon rides*.

“We’ve had terrific traffic at Ashton Place since pre-sales started earlier this summer, which speaks volumes about the appeal of this community’s highly desirable location near downtown Lisle, the Morton Arboretum, neighboring Naperville, and the western suburbs’ corporate corridor, not to mention major transportation arteries like Interstates 88 and 355,” said Curt VanHyfte, area president of M/I Homes. “Now, with our new model home available to tour on site, prospective buyers can see for themselves how our home designs are the perfect match for this sought-after area and the beautiful surroundings they’ll enjoy at Ashton Place.”

VanHyfte noted that Ashton Place offers an extremely picturesque setting, with lavish landscaping, winding roads entering the neighborhood, wooded streetscapes and a private cul-de-sac at the back of the development. Additionally, a selection of townhomes in the community back up directly to Leask Lane Park, a new on-site 3-acre neighborhood park that is owned and maintained by the Lisle Park District.

According to Cheryl Bonk, vice president of sales and marketing for M/I Homes, three available floor plans at Ashton Place present a variety of price points, home sizes and design features. Base-priced from $349,990 to $379,990, homes range from 1,866 to 2,231 square feet and feature two to three bedrooms, 2½ baths, an attached two-car garage and a basement. The three plans are available in traditional three-unit townhome buildings and in pairs.

“The groupings of these homes and the overall intimate size of Ashton Place, with just 26 residences, creates a wonderful residential enclave on a lovely property,” said Bonk. “When we unveil our new model home at Ashton Place at our grand opening event, buyers will experience one of these floor plans, our popular Cortland design, firsthand.”

Measuring 2,203 square feet and base-priced from $379,990, the Cortland is a two-story design with two bedrooms and 2½ baths. “The centerpiece of the Cortland is an extremely open family room and dining area configuration, filled with abundant sunlight from lots of windows,” said Bonk. “The model also shows this floor plan with an upgraded gourmet kitchen and optional private patio, which create a great setup for casual family gatherings or simply comfortable day-to-day living.”

The Cortland also features a large kitchen pantry, under-staircase storage area, and foyer powder room on the first floor. An extra-wide staircase leads to the second level, which opens into a large loft that is showcased in the model as a home office with an expanse of built-in cabinetry as well as a beverage cooler. “The loft could just as easily be used as a second family room, theater room or workout space, or buyers can choose an alternate layout with a third bedroom in lieu of the loft,” said Bonk. “Buyers really appreciate this type of flexible space since it allows them to tailor the home to their own lifestyle.”

In the Cortland model, hardwood flooring runs through the loft and into the adjacent master suite, which includes a luxury master bath with oversized shower, and a walk-in closet with a door to the second-floor laundry room. The secondary bedroom also has a walk-in closet, and an en suite bath with a double vanity.

Other options and customizations on display in the Cortland model include a brick fireplace in the family room; built-in cabinetry, with apothecary spice drawers and a quartz top, in the dining area; and kitchen upgrades including stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and 42-inch maple cabinets.

Ashton Place offers residents the convenience of maintenance-free living, with exterior maintenance snow removal, landscaping and lawn service provided.

The community is located in School District 202 featuring Tate Woods Elementary, Lisle Jr. High School and Lisle High School. Residents of Ashton Place will enjoy being in close proximity to downtown Lisle, a pedestrian-friendly hub of dining and retail outlets surrounded by a prairie-style streetscape inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. Walking distance from downtown is the Lisle Metra BNSF Railway, providing easy access to Union Station in Chicago as well as neighboring suburbs. Lisle also offers unique attractions such as the Museums at Lisle Station Park where visitors can learn about the heritage and culture of 19th century Northern Illinois. Lisle is home to the popular Eyes to the Skies Festival, a three-day event that includes hot air balloons, musical performances, a carnival and fireworks.

For more information or to RSVP to the August 17 grand opening event, visit www.mihomes.com/ashtonplace or call Nicole Skrocki at (630) 296-9774. The event will take place in the new Cortland model and sales center at 1989 Fiona Lane in Lisle (for GPS, please us 2010 Warrenville Road, Lisle). *Tethered hot air balloon rides are offered based on weather conditions and availability. Rides are on a first-come, first-serve basis from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants must register and sign a tethered-balloon passenger waiver agreement.

Homes at all M/I Homes communities come standard with the builder’s industry-leading 15-Year Transferable Structural Warranty, which not only allows buyers to purchase with confidence, but also adds value if the home is sold in the future. All homes are also WHOLE HOME Certified, an M/I Homes designation indicating the builder’s superior approach when constructing homes. Upon testing, an M/I home will receive a more favorable HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score than an Energy Star-certified home, which can save buyers upwards of 30 percent on their energy bills. A lower HERS Index means lower energy costs, and on average an M/I home achieves a HERS rating of 57, considerably lower than other resale homes and other builders in the market.

About M/I Homes:

M/I Homes has been building new homes of outstanding quality and superior design for over 40 years. Founded in 1976 by Irving and Melvin Schottenstein, M/I Homes has fulfilled the dreams of over 100,000 homeowners. From its start as a family business, M/I has grown into a national leader. M/I Homes of Chicago is one of the top four builders in the market, with 24 active communities across the region. All M/I Homes are 100% WHOLE HOME certified and are backed by the company’s landmark 15-Year Transferable Structural Warranty.

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Originally published Aug 11, 2017.

See you in our City of Dreams | Food and Leisure, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star

Read article : See you in our City of Dreams | Food and Leisure, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star

The City of Dreams complex, which includes the Nobu Hotel, Crown Towers and Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, is set to expand Manila’s entertainment dreamscape with a grand opening on Feb. 2.

DiCaprio.

De Niro.

Scorsese.

They all want in.

What do they want “in” on?

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

MANILA, Philippines - City of Dreams, the mega-complex of hotels, casinos and restaurants set to light up yet another area of Manila Bay with its official launch on Feb. 2.

The big question: Will Nobu owner Robert De Niro, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese and heartthrob actor Leonardo DiCaprio actually be coming to Manila for that launch?

Charisse Chuidian, City of Dreams VP for Public Relations, tells us about a just-released local TV ad featuring the three Hollywood players capering about in a casino, with the tagline: “They all want in.” And a series of billboards outside the complex seems to hint as much. But, close to opening day, Chuidian and other City of Dreams bigwigs are keeping mum. What with Pope Francis visiting Manila this week, and final touches being completed at the 6.2-hectare City of Dreams (COD), this is probably not the time to go celebrity crazy.

Still, getting a glimpse of the three hotels making up City of Dreams — Hyatt, Nobu Hotel and Crown Towers — is enough of a glittering experience, even without the Hollywood glitz. Over a very fine lunch at Cantonese restaurant Crystal Dragon, Chuidian says that with 940 rooms available, a two-level casino open, and a bevy of excellent new restaurants (Nobu among them), City of Dreams looks to expand Manila’s entertainment dreamscape quite a bit more.

In a complex developed by Australian billionaire James Packer and Lawrence Ho (son of Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho) through Melco Crown Enterprises, the P37-billion City of Dreams is yet another jewel in the burgeoning Entertainment City lining Manila Bay. But, while the flavor of City of Dreams is international, the staff uniforms are perhaps the most visible reflection of Filipino creativity: exquisitely designed by Rajo Laurel, Dennis Lustico and Vania Romoff. 

They got gaming

The integrated casino resort — located auspiciously close to the “Fortune Egg,” the City of Dreams’ dome-shaped architectural landmark — is a gamer’s paradise, with 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot machines and 1,700 electronic table games for both VIP high rollers and mass-market players alike.

If gaming’s not your thing, entertainment options include Dreamplay, Dreamworks Studio’s first interactive play space complete with movie mascots (you can leave kids there, if you sign a waiver; for adults, the rate is cheaper); Pangaea and Chaos, two trendy nightclubs run by the Michael Alt Marina Bay Sands group; a shopping arcade featuring luxury brands like Roberto Cavalli, Rolex and Cesare Paciotti; and eateries like the signature Red Ginger, a pan-Southeast Asian haven of comfort food offering delicious takes on beef rendangand nasi goreng, Erwin’s Gastrobar, O Kitchen, Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse & Bar, Apu Filipino Cuisine, and a Godiva Chocolate Café.

Hyatt City of dreams: all-day dining and aqua suites

Among City of Dreams’ three hotels, the Hyatt is the most affordable, with come-ons like a 24-hour buffet and Aqua Suite with shower area large enough to fit a family of four.

“You can hold meetings in there,” says Jose Badelles, Hyatt COD’s marketing communications manager, and though he’s joking, it’s actually true.

If you don’t require a room-sized shower, you can choose between a Twin or 36-sq.m. King room, which will serve as a very comfortable base from which you can access food outlets like The Café, a midnight buffet (all you can eat for P1,088) with five stations offering fresh seafood, fried and grilled items that are fired up only upon ordering.

“We have an a-la-minute concept, so you won’t see huge mounds of food but it’s all cooked fresh,” says Stijn Van Leeuwen, The Café’s food and beverage manager. “Customers can specify the doneness of their steak, for example, so there’s a very good interaction between the chefs and our customers.”

The Hyatt’s facilities include a Franck Provost salon, fitness center and outdoor pool, to which guests aren’t limited. Meaning, Hyatt guests can swim in the Nobu Hotel pool, and vice versa — a nice perk on top of everything else.

Game of crowns

Kevin Sim, chief operating officer of City of Dreams, welcomes us into the Crown Tower lobby, and we’re already seeing double. That’s because they’ve hired nine sets of twins to serve as lobby girls. “We’re different,” Sim explains, as the two ladies wearing pillbox hats gamely pose for pictures.

Double the casino space, too, as Crown offers two floors of betting options, including gaming tables, slot machines, electronic games and VIP rooms.

Crown Towers offers a unique experience for high rollers as well: the luxury of parking your helicopter at the Tower One helipad, literally checking in at the eighth floor and having a personal butler escort you directly to the casino tables. Talk about an inside straight!

Then there is that eye-popping “six-star hotel” claim. Whether such a category actually exists or not — most international hotel accrediting agencies claim it does not, though the term has been bandied around by plenty of casino complexes — the Crown Tower certainly fulfills every requirement of a topnotch five-star hotel.

The personal butlering service at Crown Towers is another thing that sets it apart. According to general manager Brett Hickey, the 80 rooms, suites and villas in Tower One are for Signature Club members only — you must be invited to stay there.

But what perks: all Tower Suites guests are assigned one of 48 personal butlers who will attend to their every need — whether it’s personal shopping, laundry requests, transportation, or getting room service from Nobu or any of the other restaurants in City of Dreams. Hickey describes a request last New Year’s Eve: a guest wanted to watch the fireworks display from the helipad level of Tower One. Not only was the wish granted, but with a bucket of chilled Champagne and canapés on standby. The butler service is as personal as you want it — and the same butler will be assigned to you, 24/7, for the duration of your stay.

Each of the rooms, suites and seven lavish villas of Tower Suites offer high-speed Internet access, JBL docking stations, flat-screen smart TVs and a gallery of luxury bathroom amenities. (Those staying in villas can choose from amenity brands such as Hermes, Acqua di Parma, L’Occitane, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chopard and Bulgari.)

With two towers and 254 rooms, the Crown has exclusive facilities as well, such as a private swimming pool (Crown guests may explore all the City of Dreams pools, but the Crown pool is restricted only to guests and members. Want to double your relaxation? Crown guests can enjoy the freeform pool with a welcome kit of Evian spritzer, smoothie and complimentary use of Christian Dior sunglasses.)

Such luxury does not come cheaply, as a three-bedroom Premier Suite at Crown Towers can run from P60,000 a night to P340,000 for the bi-level, 548-sq.m. Presidential Suite.

For your culinary needs, the Crown caters to rarefied tastes: The Tasting Room is a French haute cuisine resto where Basque chef William Mahi offers special six-course degustation and wine-pairing menus (including popular favorites like the 52-degree egg with truffle, 36-hour marinated salmon and aged Wagyu beef); across the way you will find Crystal Dragon, where Malaysian chef Bong Choi offers a heavenly dim sum trio (Four Seasons, minced duck with black pepper and minced pork spinach dumplings), stir-fried prawns with butter and crispy egg floss, and oven-baked marinated codfish with five spices.

If it’s understated, trendy & chic, it must be Nobu

One of the City of Dreams’ major coups is scoring the first Nobu Hotel in Asia, second only to the Las Vegas original.

The City of Dreams outpost continues what general manager Marlon Hirsh calls “the unique Nobu hospitality — understated, chic and trendy” being the main buzzwords that define the Nobu experience.

Inspired by boutique hotels and a Japanese bamboo motif, the lobby boasts the very first Nobu teahouse in the world, featuring hand-tied Ikaati teabags and a refined array of pastries. Plush shagreen elevators take you up to one of the 321 rooms, which induce an immediate Zen mindset with the shadow-style calligraphy on the walls (and the “o” in Nobu) signifying a free flow of energy. Other unique touches are the getaslippers and minibars, stocked with the Nobu sake and Matsuhisa wine that’s only found at 32 Nobu restaurants around the world.

Hirsh says Nobu co-owner Robert De Niro is very hands-on: “He sits on each piece of furniture and gives us his comments,” but again, no word on whether the legendary actor will be attending the grand opening.

At the Nobu restaurant, which is the largest in the world, breakfasts and other dishes on the menu have been “Nobu-fied” (or Filipinized, depending on your perspective), with Wagyu tapsilog, Sakana (Japanese fish) sisig, and paella on offer. Executive chef Zach Hillberry is the man responsible for the merry fusion, saying that these were the dishes he liked upon arrival in the Philippines, and that he included paella as a nod to our Spanish colonial history.

Of course, signature dishes such as Rock Shrimp Creamy Spicy, Toro Tartar with Caviar, and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño are available to local diners, and “every meal at Nobu is meant to be a kaisekiexperience,” Hillberry says.

The bespoke philosophy of the hotel extends to the spa, where the signature Nobu Rakuen treatment includes yoga exercises to help client and therapist breathe together as one, followed by a relaxing massage with bamboo rollers.

No wonder the Nobu Hotel was fully booked during the holiday season, and is currently at 75 percent occupancy, with a clientele comprised of locals and Chinese from Taiwan and Mainland China. Many, it seems, are seeking that unique brand of Nobu hospitality found only in this corner of the world.

* * *

To reserve at Crown Towers, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila or Nobu Hotel, call 800-8080 or book through the City of Dreams website: www.cityofdreams.com.ph/.