Hyatt Centric Montevideo in Uruguay Opens Today

Read article : Hyatt Centric Montevideo in Uruguay Opens Today

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hyatt announced today the opening of Hyatt Centric Montevideo, the brand’s first hotel to open outside of North America, and the second Hyatt-branded property in Uruguay. The 178-room hotel is located in the bustling Pocitos neighborhood, a prime destination for guests to explore and discover the heart of Montevideo. Hyatt Centric Montevideo is in close proximity to many of the area’s business and leisure districts, including the World Trade Center, Montevideo Shopping and Ciudad Vieja, as well as La Rambla, the coastal avenue where locals meet daily to exercise, socialize and take in the city’s best sunsets.

“We are delighted to welcome the first international Hyatt Centric hotel to the charming city of Montevideo,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president of operations for Hyatt in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Hyatt Centric Montevideo was designed to make guests feel welcome and connected with the heart of the destination. We are confident that this contemporary new hotel will allow for exploration and discovery, while introducing Hyatt’s well-known hospitality to both guests and residents.”

Arrival Experience

Guests can begin their journey cruising the Uruguayan coastline along La Rambla, the 19 mile (30km) waterside promenade near Hyatt Centric Montevideo. Upon entering the hotel, a large lounge welcomes guests as they make their way to the stylish lobby area. A stained-glass inspired ceiling invites natural light into the space and marks a central point that integrates the hotel’s restaurant, lobby and bar. The hotel design sets the stage for an authentic Montevideo experience and includes mosaic floors, eclectic ambiance and local artwork combined with modern luxury design, creating a touch of local culture. Large windows from the bar, deli and library offer sweeping views of the Rio de la Plata.

“We are thrilled to open our doors in Montevideo and present a hotel that truly captures Montevidean culture and innovative design,” said Guillaume Paupy, general manager of Hyatt Centric Montevideo. “Our team is ready to welcome guests and share their insider knowledge to help guests explore the best of the destination.”

Guestrooms

The hotel’s 178 spacious guestrooms, including 14 suites, balance the energy of the city with a calm, inviting respite. The minimal yet upscale features include contemporary furniture, destination-inspired artwork and modern colorful touches. Guestrooms offer impressive views of Rio de la Plata or the serene cityscape, and combine amenities to meet the needs of the millennial-minded traveler, including a luxurious plush bed, 47-inch LED TV (55-inch in suites), mini bar, large walk-in shower (additional bath tub in suites), generous work desk with enhanced lighting, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, premium bath amenities, JBL Horizon alarm clocks, a salon-grade hairdryer, concierge service, and 24 hour in-room dining.

Executive rooms and suites also have access to special services and amenities such as the rooftop lounge, which offers 180-degree waterfront views, continental breakfast, and evening cocktails, among other services.

Dining and Drinking

Hyatt Centric Montevideo features distinct dining options including breakfast, business lunches, intimate dinners, quick drinks or casual dining experiences designed to inspire food lovers during their journey to explore the best of local flavors.

The hotel’s signature restaurant Plantado features a regionally inspired menu offering locally sourced produce and classic Uruguayan favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Behind the culinary concept and menu is the talented Executive Chef Federico Ferrari, formerly of Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.

When the sun sets over the city, guests can retreat to the hotel’s vibrant Moderno Bar. Eclectic décor and scenic views complement creative signature cocktails, gourmet small plates and a unique selection of acclaimed local wines and artisan beers.

Additional food and beverage amenities include the Deli, a specialty market featuring Uruguayan olive oils and gourmet cheeses, freshly baked goods, local pastries, coffee and teas service, organic juices, to-go foods and other local goods.

Meetings and Events

Hyatt Centric Montevideo’s event facilities total more than 18,700 square feet (1,700 square meters), with each meeting room named after an influential female Uruguayan poet, a tribute to local literature. The fully integrated area features an elegant, multi-purpose ballroom and six sophisticated meeting rooms that provide an extensive range of options for upscale meetings, conferences, social events such as quinceañeras and weddings of all sizes, complete with state-of-the-art audio visual services and dedicated staff to assist in planning and execution.

Wellness and Recreation

Hyatt Centric Montevideo features a 24-hour fitness studio with the latest high-tech cardio and strength training equipment from Life Fitness®, and offers a massage treatment suite to relax and unwind, as well as a heated indoor pool.

Guests that like to take their workout outdoors will have the perfect opportunity to do so along La Rambla, the ideal spot for a walk, jog or to take one of the hotel’s custom-designed vintage bicycles for rides.

Hyatt Centric Montevideo is offering a special opening rate of USD $190 plus taxes for standard guestrooms, including breakfast. For full offer details, including terms and conditions, or to make a reservation, please visit hyattcentricmontevideo.com or call +598 26211234.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one of its affiliates.

The Hyatt Centric Experience

Hyatt Centric is a brand of full-service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations. Created for millennial-minded travelers who want to be in the middle of the action, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery. The lobby lounge is a launch pad providing guests with information about the most sought-after food, nightlife and activities the destination has to offer, sourced from a community of “in the know” local explorers. The bar and restaurant are local hot spots where great conversations, locally inspired food and signature cocktails can be enjoyed. Streamlined modern rooms focus on delivering everything guests wants and nothing they don’t, including environmentally conscious bath products, Bluetooth-enabled electronics and restaurant to-go delivery service. A team of associates are always available to aid guests in their discovery of the destination and make the most of their stay.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 12 premier brands and 652 properties in 53 countries as of March 31, 2016. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to create value for shareholders, build relationships with guests and attract the best colleagues in the industry. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Andaz®, Hyatt Centric™, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt™,Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®,Hyatt Ziva™,Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Residence Club®brand names and have locations on six continents. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Relax and Dine at The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong

Read article : Relax and Dine at The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong

Prior to this, I had made a review of Cathay Pacific’s excellent new First Class lounge called ‘The Pier’ in its main hub of Hong Kong. However that lounge review was done in conjuction with the other First Class lounge ‘The Wing’. This review will concentrate on ‘The Pier’ itself as that was where I chose to spend my time for the transit. Not only is this my favourite First Class lounge in Asia, but this lounge was closer to my boarding gate for my connecting flight to Zurich. The lounge is located one floor below the main departure level, and is accessed via an escalator around gate 63/65.

Reception desk to The Pier First Class lounge

Before entering the reception, there are 2 staff members who take a cursory look at your boarding pass to check eligibility, and they were able to provide keys to store your luggage. However as I wanted to shower, I needed the stuff in my hand carry. I do bring my own towel for my travels for hygiene reasons, and of course a change of clothes for the continuing journey. Then I proceeded to the reception desk which feels like checking into a luxury boutique hotel.

Foyer View at The Pier

Past that, the lounge has a central walkway that connects the various sections of the lounge. This lounge was designed by StudioIlse, based in London with Ilse Crawford as its lead designer. The choice of materials and fixtures create a cohesive look that is impressive and yet not too flashy, giving it the feel of a restrained luxury.

Elegant walkway in the lounge

My first stop in the lounge was The Retreat which has another reception counter where guests could reserve spots for the private day beds, shower rooms and a massage. Unfortunately, there was no time slot left for the next 3 hours during my layover. Given it was just a short 20 minute massage, I would not say it was something that fantastic of an offering, especially when considering Thai Airways provides an hour long for First Class passengers.

Reception for The Retreat Spa section

However, the shower rooms are probably one of the best inside any commercial airline lounge. Not only is it functional with luggage bench, the shower rooms have good lighting, hangers to hang your jacket and even a stool with a built-in coat hanger.

Private shower room

Cathay Pacific also provides premium products from Aesop which I use on a daily basis and that meant showering here felt like the one at home. While it might lack a bathtub, I do not need it for a layover shower in an airport. Thus a good rainshower with sufficient water pressure and great temperature controls was adequate and allowed me to refresh myself.

Toiletries provided for guests

On top of the normal bath amenities like shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, the shower room has toiletries like a toner, moisturizer, hand lotion and face wash on the counter top. That allowed me to try out some products which I might not otherwise have used.

Aesop bath amenities

After a nice hot shower, it was time for dinner and I proceeded to the end of the lounge where there was a staff member by the entrance of the aptly named The Dining Room.

Dining space at the end of the lounge

Furnished like a proper high end restaurant, there was plenty of seats since it was slightly past dinner time.

The Dining Room inside the lounge

As I got seated, the host handed over the menu, for there is no buffet here. All the items are cooked on demand and complimentary for guests. I was hoping for the pork neck dish they had last time I was there but there seems to be a change in the a-la-carte menu.

A la carte menu at The Dining Room

Thus I had some corn soup to start, though I was apparently given the soup of the day as well. It seems they might have made a double order for me. Since the soup portion were not too big and I love soup, I finished up both portions. They were light and delicately flavoured and hits the spot when travelling. Quality of the starters was up to a bistro level you might get in cafes located in town centres, and definitely better than that of any airline lounge I have been too.

Sweet corn soup with fish maw" width="1024" height="683" />Sweet corn soup with fish mawPumpkin soup – Soup of the day

For the mains, I had the wok fried clams which seems to be a dish one can get in most Hong Kong eateries. The stir fry was surprisingly good, since it was not too oily and the addition of cashews and crunchy celery gave it a refreshing taste. As a main course, a bowl of mixed white and red rice was served and it was tastier than what I had in the First Class cabin. I think it makes sense for First Class passengers to eat first before their long haul journey so they can get to sleep immediately once onboard.

Wok fried clams" width="1024" height="683" />Wok fried clams with steamed rice

For drinks, I had something warm early on with the jasmine and lily tea that the server recommended. It was a dried flower that ‘bloomed’ when hot water was added to the pot. The taste was similar to a light floral green tea.

Jasmine and lily teaRestaurant bar

After the meal, I ordered ‘Ginger Forest’ which is a ginger and lime drink topped with mint and it was such a refreshing drink that I ordered another glass to bring with me to one of the day beds in The Retreat.

Ginger forest beverage

With still plenty of time before boarding, I chose to relax by one of the day beds and these are really great places to rest during the afternoon with light from the windows overlooking the planes on the tarmac. In fact the gates here tend to have the A380s by other carriers, since Cathay has none of these large jets. At night, the space became a bit dark even though there are several lights guests have access to.

Private day beds" width="1024" height="683" />Private day beds

I spent some time finishing my drink and relaxing in the space until I needed more drinks that I proceeded next to The Bar.

Inside The Retreat

The Bar is at the opposite end of The Dining Room, and features a U-shaped bar counter with plenty of comfortable lounge chairs scattered across this spacious carpeted area.

Bar counter

Next to it, there is ‘The Pantry’ which is a moderately sized room with a table full of snacks and pastries and a full fridge of beers, non-alcoholic soft drinks, juices and yogurt parfaits that guests can avail themselves to.

Assorted pastries at The PantryBeverage fridge at The Pantry

I spent the remainder of the time by the bar as I browsed through some magazines that I obtained from the well stocked shelves inside the lounge. It seems that the main reading lounge between The Dining Room and The Bar was quite packed, and this meant I was able to find some space beside the bar counters.

Reading lounge

With plenty of sections to allow privacy for guests and great amenities, time spent inside the lounge does pass by quite quickly and it was soon time to board my flight, but the staff advised me that boarding has yet to commence. In actuality, there was a slight delay to boarding my aircraft. meaning I had more time to just stay inside the lounge. Ensconced in this beautiful surrounding, this was one delay I did not mind, and that just speaks to how comfortable this lounge is.

Seating around the bar

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Our Ships - Suites & Staterooms

Read article : Our Ships - Suites & Staterooms

Pinnacle Suite

Bedroom with 1 king-size bed, oversize whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah with whirlpool, pantry, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, microwave, refrigerator, guest toilet, private stereo system, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 1,150 sq. ft. including verandah.
Not all staterooms within each category have the same furniture configuration and/or facilities. All information is subject to change.

Pinnacle Suite Amenities include:

• New Bose® Bluetooth-enabled Soundlink
• New complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast
• New premium duvet, and soft, cotton bathrobes and slippers
• New binoculars for use during voyage
• New expanded line of Elemis bath amenities
• New in-suite coffee and espresso machine
• Neptune Lounge: A very special amenity exclusively for guests cruising in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, the industry-leading Neptune Lounge features a private place to relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy the personalized service of a concierge. The fleet-wide lounges provide worktables, large screen television, library, sofas and chairs, refreshments throughout the day and wi-fi for a small charge. One-Touch 24-hour Concierge Service is available when the Neptune Lounge is closed.

Etihad rolls out bed-and-bath airline suites

Read article : Etihad rolls out bed-and-bath airline suites

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 (Photo: Etihad Airways)

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Talk about some serious legroom.

Etihad Airways, a fast-growing Mideast carrier, laid out plans Sunday to offer passengers who find first-class seats a bit too tight a miniature suite featuring a closed-off bedroom, private bathroom and a dedicated butler.

It is the latest salvo in the worldwide battle among airlines for well-heeled customers. Their willingness to spend big on premium seats can make a big difference to an airline's bottom line.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier revealed the front-of-plane amenities as part of a broader rollout of plush new cabin offerings for dozens of long-range jetliners it plans to receive over the coming years.

Etihad CEO James Hogan conceded that offering what the airline says is the first-of-its-kind multi-room suite helps generate buzz, but that ultimately it is a serious effort to bring in more cash. The carrier already woos the flying elite with perks including first-class onboard chefs and in-flight nannies.

"Obviously there's going to be a halo effect in the positioning of Etihad Air as a premium carrier," he said. "But we wouldn't do it unless we felt we could make money with it. ... This is a top-end market. There is demand here."

Etihad is the smallest of three rapidly expanding, government-backed Gulf carriers redrawing global aviation maps by funneling travelers through their desert hubs.

USA TODAY: Gulf airlines lure fliers with new planes, top service
ALSO ONLINE: Middle East becomes the world's new travel crossroads
PHOTOS: Qatar's massive new airport hub opens to soft launch

Its base in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, this year became the first in the Mideast to open a U.S. preclearance facility staffed by American customs and border officials. U.S. pilots and members of Congress have criticized the facility, which is largely funded by the UAE, alleging it puts American carriers at a disadvantage.

Since starting operations in 2003, Etihad has built a fleet of 96 planes. It carried 11.5 million passengers and posted a profit of $62 million last year.

It has ordered more than 220 additional planes, including 10 Airbus A380s and 71 Boeing 787s being outfitted with new interiors introduced Sunday.

Among the promised amenities for those aircraft are 11-inch seatback TV screens in economy, a "lobby" on the A380s featuring a semi-circular leather couch and bar area for first and business class passengers, and prayer areas for Muslim passengers that can be curtained off and have an electronic indicator pointing the way to Mecca.

TODAY IN THE SKY: Babysitter on board: Etihad Airways has 'Flying Nannies'
MORE: U.S. Customs passenger facility opens in Abu Dhabi
ALSO ONLINE: JetBlue agrees to codeshare pact with Abu Dhabi's Etihad

Etihad has been aggressively building stakes in foreign carriers, including Virgin Australia and Germany's second largest airline Air Berlin. It has for months been considering buying a piece of struggling Italian carrier Alitalia. Hogan had no comment on those negotiations Sunday.

Its bigger rival Emirates, based in nearby Dubai, has offered onboard showers to first-class passengers aboard its double-decker Airbus A380s since the plane joined the fleet in 2008. It also separates coach passengers from those in business and first class on an entirely different floor in its dedicated concourse in Dubai.

PHOTOS: Etihad Airways rolls out luxurious bed and bath suites
PHOTO ARCHIVES: A walk-though of Emirates' A380s

Etihad's latest offering goes one step further.

One passenger - or a couple - aboard each of its new A380s will be able to book a three-section miniature suite that the airline is calling a "residence" at the very front of the plane's upper deck.

The 125-square-foot (11.61-square-meter) area includes a "living room" partitioned off from the first-class aisle that includes leather seating, chilled minibar and a 32-inch flat-screen TV. There is a separate bedroom with space for two that can be closed off from the rest of the cabin and a private bathroom with shower -- though with only about 4 minutes of water for showering.

A white-gloved personal butler trained in London will be on hand to wait on passengers in the suite, giving them what the airline promises will be "discrete personal service and attention to detail found in the world's most exclusive hotels."

Etihad expects to get its first of its A380s in December, which it will deploy on the Abu Dhabi to London route.

Additional A380s will likely be deployed on New York and Sydney routes as they're added to the fleet, Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said.

The fancy new suite won't come cheap.

Baumgartner said it will likely cost three to four times as much as regular first-class seats, or about $21,000 from Abu Dhabi to London. One way.

Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1kOnNwQ

What goes into a spa bath that wins a National 'Contractor of the Year' award? | Articles

Read article : What goes into a spa bath that wins a National 'Contractor of the Year' award? | Articles

It's a matter of record that only one National Contractor of the Year (COTY) award was conferred on a Washington-area company in 2017. The winning project is a spa bath in the McLean home of Sunder and Premilla Raman. The project was ranked the nation's best residential bath in the $25,000 to $50,000 range.

The winning remodeler, Michael Nash Design Build and Homes, is a 30-year-old design build firm which maintains an extensive Lee Highway showroom.

Michael Nash is no stranger to awards for excellence in home remodeling. In recent years, the firm has won several prizes from the “Finest in Family Living” competition sponsored by the National Association of Homebuilders, and about a dozen Chrysalis awards from Qualified Remodeler Magazine, which assess the quality of remodeling projects in a nationwide contest.

More generally, Michael Nash ends the year by submitting work to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's Washington, D.C. chapter, which has conferred its Contractor of the Year award on Michael Nash projects in one category or the other every year for 30 years. In fact, the full-service remodeler has amassed more Washington-area COTY awards than any company in the award's nearly 40-year history.

Among other things, the COTYs are designed to assess what the remodeler has accomplished within a specific budget range.

“The criteria works well for us,” says Sonny Nazemian, Michael Nash founder and CEO. “Our work culture is oriented towards outperforming the limits of the budget. Yes, you can point to an upscale celebrity bathroom in, say, Architectural Digest that's more luxuriant than anything we've done, but what the story doesn't reveal is that someone spent $200,000 on it. The COTY, by contrast, compares apples to apples, and we are good at stretching the size and quality of what can be achieved in a bathroom within a specific budget parameter.”

Part of this, the remodeler observes, is the design and technical back-up provided by the firm's 11,000-square-foot showroom. Nazemian places a premium on being able to sell finish work materials for close to cost.

Even so, the range of counter surfaces, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting solutions on display are without rival in Northern Virginia. Then, too, the company commits to a “fixed price” contract, which means that the quoted figure is binding even when there may be change orders.

The company's greatest value component is its talent pool. The top designers have been with the firm for a minimum of 12 years. There is always a professional in the showroom to talk through ideas with browsers when asked.

Some homeowners say they “discover” the core solution to a previously undeveloped design problem on the first visit. Others take their time, treating themselves to multiple visits, researching online and in magazines, then spending long afternoons in the showroom.

Premilla Raman falls into the later “patient and deliberate” category. Raman and her daughter spent hours poring over selected web sites and magazines – even talking with neighbors who had recently remodeled.

It was on a friend's recommendation that Premilla Raman wandered into the Michael Nash showroom, and began looking at full-sized displays and talking with staff designers.

“There are hundreds of samples; I could wander around on my own gathering ideas and taking notes. There was no sales pressure, but when I asked for feedback, I received immediate assistance and very relevant suggestions.”

Raman's vision called for converting a 210-square-foot production-house master bathroom in their four-bedroom Colonial into an open, free-flowing spa bath loaded with cutting-edge amenities. After occupying the house for 22 years, the Ramans – both seniors – were ready for luxury.

“In the previous floor plan, there was a platform tub in a bay window that absorbed about half of the available floor space, yet the shower was too small,” Premilla Raman recalls. “But once we starting looking at alternatives with the designer, we began to see the possibilities of a much more luxuriant space.”

Still, the larger question was how “successfully” can a dated production-house floor plan be transformed into a flowing postmodern design while sticking to the boundaries of the bathroom's existing footprint? For instance:

“We wanted a larger walk-in design that wouldn't require a built-in curb to keep the water in,” the homeowner remembers. “But weren't sure this was even possible.”

To meet these new requirements, the design team removed the platform tub and introduced a subfloor that raised the floor about an inch. The shower is now lower than before, and the subfloor bevels slightly toward a linear drain, eliminating the need for a built-in lip around the shower.

“Of course, this kind of change demands angles that are absolutely precise,” Nazemian explains. “Water is an absolute judge of whether a shower design works well.”

Tucked behind floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the new shower sits on river rock flooring that connects it visually to a freestanding pedestal tub. There's a small bench at one end, a hand-held shower nozzle within easy reach. Overhead, the stainless steel “waterfall” shower head proffers a range of body sprays with varied temperatures and pressures.

The shower's inside wall is finished in soft Brennero Pearl porcelain accented by a glass tile inseam; cubbies designed to hold personal items are within easy reach.

For a still more leisurely bathing experience, the acrylic tub tucked into a three-window bay presents a restful view of the tree tops. Window shades by Applause can be easily adjusted to screen back light.

For enhanced convenience and privacy, the former double sink has been replaced with a pair of floating vanities, each on a different wall.

Featuring espresso-colored maple and mission style cabinet facings and white quartz surfaces, the vanities present a clean, linear elegance in a room that is refreshingly simplified and spacious.

Is this the nation's prettiest new spa bath?

“We like it,” Premilla says. “Better yet, everything we were promised was delivered. That's a good feeling.”

For information call (703) 641-9800 or visit MichaelNashKitchens.com

John Byrd has been writing about home improvement for 30 years. He can be reached at (703) 715-8006, www.HomeFrontsNews.com or byrdmatx@gmail.com

Spend the summer by the bay at Jannah Marina Bay Suites

Read article : Spend the summer by the bay at Jannah Marina Bay Suites

As the ending of the summer season draws near, Jannah Marina Bay Suites introduces its bespoke room rates for families and friends looking for a short getaway in Dubai Marina.

A unique relaxation venue overlooking the majestic Dubai Marina, the bespoke luxury hotel apartment is offering 20 per cent off on best available rates when booking direct. This exclusive rate brings guests to cutting edge kitchen facilities, premium Jannah spa beds and organic bath amenities featured in every spacious suite and room. Bask in the summer goodness by the rooftop swimming pool and the bubbling Jacuzzi as you are surrounded by picturesque views of tall buildings and lavish yachts. Dining and shopping just got better with Dubai’s leading malls and recreation areas just a few steps away from the hotel, creating a stress-free experiential holiday scene in the city.

Jannah Marina Bay Suites offers guests an unprecedented level of service founded on the noble Bedouin hospitality. The hotel is known for its signature Karim services, tending to all of the guest’s needs 24/7 and its first class limousine services for a truly extravagant staycation.

This offer is valid until September 30. - TradeArabia News Service