The launch follows a successful trial in the first half of last year, during which The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore transitioned from printed compendiums to interactive Samsung tablets.

Guests can now browse and request the hotels’ inhouse services using the convenient, user-friendly Tapendium technology. Ordering room service has never been so easy with intuitive menus on the e-Compendium that recommend both dishes and drinks. Guests can also book hotel restaurant tables and spa treatments using the tablet; as well as research Singapore’s tourist attractions and events, and plan their travel itineraries.

With information updated in real time by the hotels’ team, guests are assured that they have the most current information and recommendations in the palm of their hand.

“At Samsung, we are constantly seeking ways to work with partners to develop solutions that help evolve the way things are done and transform the industry. We are delighted to be working with Tapendium to bring the Digital Concierge Solution to guests of The Fullerton Hotels Singapore,” said Timothy Tan, head of Enterprise Business, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore.

“The combination of Samsung’s Knox customisation technology and the Samsung Galaxy tablet provides a secure platform to enhance and redefine the hospitality experience for both hoteliers and hotel guests alike.”

Since adopting Tapendium technology, all printed material has been removed from The Fullerton Hotels’ rooms. Guest communication is now instantly presented through the tablets, allowing both hotels to deliver on their efforts to operate in a more sustainable manner while driving cost efficiency.

“This technology has allowed us to further our efforts on becoming a “Smart Fullerton” by enabling more efficient delivery of our services as well as more time for our teams to create personalised experiences for our guests. In the longterm, this will deliver cost savings and drive sustainability as part of our efforts to become a more environmentally conscious organisation,” said Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Heritage.

“We are very proud that such a prestigious group as The Fullerton Hotels Singapore has adopted our solution after a trial period and demonstrated real cost savings and measurable workplace productivity at both their hotels,” added Steve Wooding, chief executive of Tapendium.

This special package includes one free ticket for one child not over 15 years, free accommodation with breakfast and complimentary round-trip shuttle bus service from the airport to 100 participating hotels in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Samui.

And for domestic passengers, Thai Airways has also joined with Thai Smile and Nok Air to provide three flights per week from Don Mueang to Mae Hong Son during Songkran Festival.

Find out more at (02) 288 7335 or visit RoyalOrchidHolidays.com/th

In love with Lanna

Travellers planning to celebrate the Songkran Festival in the old Lanna capital should check out the special package being offered by Anantara Chiang Mai Resort and Serviced Suites that will be available from April 12 to 15.

Starting at Bt7,600, guests booking a minimum of two nights will be rewarded with an international breakfast buffet, a one-time, four-hour tuk-tuk tour of the city during the Water Festival, water guns and water buckets, one traditional t-shirt per guest and one bottle of craft beer per guest.

Make a reservation at (053) 253 333 or email chiangmai@anatara.com.

Getting away from the wet

Perfect for those seeking a place to escape the water war during Songkran Festival, the Phi Phi Island Village Resort offers a special package to Thai residents and expatriates from April 12 to 30.

The room rates start at Bt21,200 for a two-night stay in a Superior Bungalow and the special benefits include sea transfers between Phuket and the resort, daily breakfast for two people, one set dinner for two and a 60-minute Thai massage for two.

Make your booking at (075) 628 900 or email reservations@phiphiislandvillage.com.

Bargain for sports fans

With the Hong Kong Sevens competition returning to Hong Kong Stadium between April 6 and 8, the Excelsior Hotel is offering a Rugby 7s Stay package that includes dining privileges.

Starting from HKD 2,600 (Bt10,400), you can enjoy an overnight stay in a Superior Room, daily breakfast buffet, a limited edition Dickens Bar rugby shirt per guest, buy-one-get-one free on beers in Dickens Bar, 20-per-cent discount on food and beverage and complimentary in-room Internet access.

Check out the best rates at ww.MandarinOriental.com/hong-kong/the-excelsior/luxury-hotel.

Flower power

Netherland’s Keukenhof garden celebrates the spring with exhibition of beautiful blooms until May 13.

Under the theme “Romance in Flowers”, this 69th edition showcases more than 500 varieties of tulips and daffodils. The Beatrix Pavilion is home to orchid and anthurium exhibitions, while 50,000 flower-like bulbs in two layers have been used to create a floral mosaic.

Find out more at http://www.Keukenhof.nl.

Whether they’re on a business or a leisure excursion, women find the Hotel Muse Bangkok and other properties of MGallery by Sofitel home sweet home thanks to their “Inspired by Her” programme of hospitality services and homey touches.

Guests are treated as of they were in their own cosy homes, with every daily need available in their room, ranging from exclusive amenities to healthy culinary selections.

Catering to the specific expectation of women staying at an upmarket hotel, the brand recently joined hands with global market researcher Ipsos on an in-depth survey about guests’ the habits and requirements.

The poll found that 86 per cent of female clients wanted a hospitality programme specially designed for them.

The Inspired by Her programme includes a complimentary “Emergency Kit” for women guests.

“Hotel Muse is under the umbrella of the MGallery Collection, operated by Accor Hotel Group,” says Joyce Ong, director of communications at Accor. “Now, based on the survey, all hotels in the MGallery Collection have the Inspired by Her programme.”

The Inspired by Her initiative doesn’t mean MGallery is only for women, she says.

“We created the programme after listening to female travellers about what they need and what they would like to see more of in a hotel. MGallery is one of the most suitable brands to be championing this concept for female travellers.”

The award-winning Hotel Muse draws influence from Buddhist cosmology in the design of its 174 rooms and suites in six categories – Jade Deluxe, Dowadueng Corner Deluxe, Yama Executive, Dusit Duplex, Nimman Suite and Paranim Penthouse.

Each room features a work area with an iPod docking station and a king-size bed adorned with comfy pillows. The guest’s name is embroidered on the pillowcase, and they can take it home at no charge.

Guests can enjoy extra amenities in the bathroom.

A bathroom has a bathtub and separate shower, and for female guests there’s a complimentary “Emergency Kit” containing makeup remover, hair clips and ties, cleansing face foam, pantyhose, hair-removal gear, sunscreen spray and facial mask.

There are also elegant bathrobes in different sizes, made for extra comfort, and a yoga mat and dumbbells ready for a workout.

“When we’re busy working and travelling on business, it’s really nice to stay in a hotel that makes us feel special,” says Alice Jenkins, regional director of marketing for upper Southeast Asia.

“Our programme focuses on the needs women have when they’re travelling on business. Sometimes you might get halfway to your destination and realise you’ve forgotten something necessary, so we provide the emergency kit in the room.

“Meanwhile we realise that some ladies are looking for light meals, so we also added some healthy dishes and special beverages blended with flowers to the menu.”

Hotel Muse has added healthier dishes and florally symbolic cocktails to its menu.

The menu includes Salmon Tartare and Salmon Rolls made with top-quality fish from Norway that’s rich in Omega 3 and staves off heart disease. Australian tenderloin is herbed and served with flavourful sauce. The pana cotta is an aromatic mixture of Madagascar vanilla, passion fruit and mint.

After dinner, guests can hang out with friends at Speak Easy and enjoy tangy cocktails such as the Jasmine, a blend of vodka, passion fruit and pineapple juice, and the Butterfly, made with butterfly pea and gin.

“MGallery has more than 90 properties around the world, and in Thailand we have nine – the Hotel Muse and Vie Hotel in Bangkok, Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong, Veranda Resort Hua Hin, Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai and the new Avista Grande Phuket Karon,” says Ong.

Dubbed “Playcation 2: The Big Splash”, it invites guests to escape the heat by plunging into an aquatic oasis just off the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Unlimited access to the spills and thrills of the Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle is available to guests of all ages through special RFID-enabled wristband technology creating a seamless internationally accredited environment for families to chill out and re-connect with each other.

The package offers specially designed KidSuites featuring “secret” rooms decked out with bunk beds and play areas, as well as luxurious Ocean Suites with a private entrance designed for bigger families.

The room rates start from Bt3,499 and guests can enjoy daily breakfast at Plamong restaurant, free access to sections of the waterpark, free dining for the under 12s, complimentary access to the kid’s club and fitness facilities and complimentary

Wi-Fi, allowing guests to upload their family photos and selfies to social media instantly.

Meanwhile, parents can take advantage of the professional nanny service and enjoy a romantic evening together at the spectacular Vana Nava Sky Bar. Perched on the 27th floor, 110 meters above the ground, this elegant bar and glass-floored

observation desk was created by famed designer Ashley Sutton, and serves snacks and creative cocktails by acclaimed mixologist Joseph Boroski, overlooking the glistening Gulf of Thailand.

Find out more at http://www.VanaNavaHuaHin.com/th/holiday-inn-resort-vana-nava-hua-hin/

Starting from Bt2,000, guests can enjoy cycling along verdant tree-lined trails, creating batik artwork, swimming at Phrom Lok Waterfall, taking a premium mud bath spa treatment at Ban Laem Community and tasting delicious local food.

Sign up at http://www.LocalAlike.com

Double the benefits, double the fun

As members of the Leading Hotels of the World, The Okura Prestige Bangkok joins hands with The Nai Harn Phuket to create the Best of the Beach & the City Package under which guests can enjoy two-consecutive nights’ stay in Bangkok before or after three consecutive nights in Phuket.

Available until October 30, a two-night stay at Okura includes complimentary daily breakfast and lunch for two, buffet lunch for a stay on weekday or Bt2,400 dining credit on the a la carte menu during Saturday and Sunday, express check-in and check-out, personalised concierge service, evening cocktails with snacks and all-day refreshments and complimentary blockbuster movies and access to the Okura Club Lounge.

A three-night stay at the Nai Harn Phuket offers complimentary daily breakfast and dinner, one-way transfer to or from the hotel and Phuket International Airport, access to fitness facilities, butler service, personalised in-room check-in, complimentary 30-minute neck massage per guest per stay, daily minibar refill and 20-per-cent discount on laundry service.

Guest can save 25 per cent when booking a minimum of two consecutive nights in a club room or suite at The Okura Prestige Bangkok and a minimum of three consecutive nights in an Ocean View Suite or Royal Ocean Suite at The Nai Harn Phuket.

Find out more by calling (02) 687 9000 or email reservations@okurabangkok.com.

Fun for all the family

Families can enjoy exclusive privileges when using the code ‘FAMVAC’ to book a minimum two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin until October 31.

The room rates start at Bt5,800 and families will be rewarded with daily breakfast for two adults and two kids, one-time family beach BBQ, complimentary one-hour daily kid’s activities at Camp Hyatt and a free extra bed.

Book your stay at http://www.HuaHin.Regency.Hyatt.com.

Swimming with the sharks

Como Maalifushi Maldives offers guests an amazing holiday experience with a Water Adventure package especially designed for the whole family.

The package starts at $8,166 (Bt255,000) for a five-night stay in a Garden Room and includes return seaplane transfer, boat transfers to Lavadhoo Island and a picnic on the shore, a splash net cruise and a local island cultural excursion. Those booking a stay of seven nights or more can also enjoy complimentary whale shark snorkelling.

Online booking can be made at res.maalifushi@comohotels.com.

A first-of-its-kind collaboration in Singapore, guests who book the Stay & Ride with Uber package at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront, the Orchard  Hotel  Singapore, M Hotel Singapore, Studio M Hotel Singapore, M Social Singapore  or Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore  will enjoy a complimentary Uber ride each day of their stay, along with other benefits including complimentary buffet breakfast for two persons, free room upgrade, free Wi-Fi, early checkin and  late checkout and food & beverage discounts at selected hotel restaurants. Guests also have the option to book an Uber airport transfer.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts will use the Uber Central to provide guest transport. Uber Central is a dashboard that allows organisations to request and manage multiple rides at the same time from one place. The guest does not require a smartphone or an Uber account to book a ride.

“As a group, we strive to exceed the needs of our business and leisure travellers by delivering value and convenience, and we take pride in blazing the trail in being the first hotel group in Singapore to launch such an offer. This unique partnership allows us to leverage Uber’s expansive transport network and peer-to-peer ride-sharing technology to enhance guests’ mobility while exploring our citystate,” says Lee Richards, vice president of Operations, South East Asia.

“It is exciting to see great hotels use Uber Central as a way to provide their guests with exceptional experiences that distinguish them from other chains. We look forward to partnering with Millennium Hotels and Resorts to ensure that every guest has safe, reliable transport throughout their stay,” says Arjun Nohwar, head of Uber for Business for APAC.

Find out more at http://www.MillenniumHotels.com.

The twonight package at The Okura Prestige Bangkok features complimentary daily breakfast at Up & Above restaurant or Japanese set breakfast at Yamazato, complimentary lunch for 2 persons per room per stay at Up & Above restaurant, unlimited access to the Okura Club Lounge, express checkin and checkout, personalised concierge services, evening cocktails and snacks from 5.30 to 7.30pm, allday refreshments, highspeed internet access, and complimentary blockbuster movies.

The 3night package at The Nai Harn Phuket gives guests complimentary daily breakfast at Cosmo Restaurant, dinner at Han Sha restaurant, oneway transfer between the hotel and Phuket International Airport , access to fitness facilities, WiFi throughout the resort, butler service during the stay, personalised inroom checkin, onetime 30minute neck massage per guest per stay, and 20percent discount before tax and service charge on laundry service (excluding dry cleaning and express service).

To qualify for this exclusive package, guests need to submit a booking confirmation letter from Nai Harn Phuket to The Okura Prestige Bangkok reservations team at reservations@okurabangkok.com within three days of making the booking.

The “Best of the Beach & the City” package is available through October 30.

To find out more, call  (02) 687 9000 email reservations@okurabangkok.com.

 Located right in the heart of the city and set along the Nam Song River surrounded by limestone mountains, Amari Vang Vieng aims to be the perfect base from which to explore the luscious countryside.

Designed to meet the needs of the modern traveller, the room and hotel interior spaces are inspired by the “elements” with “water” represented by the meandering Nam Song River, “earth” by the mountains, “wood” from the lush green forests enveloping the town and “energy”, reflective of the unique sense of tranquillity in the small town.

Guests can choose from 160 rooms ranging from superior and deluxe categories to various suite configurations, offering a choice of city or mountain views. International dishes as well as local and regional cuisine inspired by street food are served at all-day dining restaurant, Essence while dessert and coffee are under the spotlight at Cascade, which has scrumptious baked goods and light snacks.

Breeze Spa features the brand’s signature mood-based massages while other facilities include an outdoor free-form swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness centre and a Kids’ Club to keep the little ones occupied.

To celebrate its official opening Amari Vang Vieng is offering a special rate starting at US$60-plus (Bt1,900) in a Superior City View room. The offer is valid for bookings made by June 30.

Keep updated at http://www.Amari.com/vang-vieng/.

Situated next to Tanjung Pendam Beach, the hotel offers remarkable sunset views, local culinary delights, and the warm hospitality. Nature lovers can tear themselves away from the white sand for a day to visit the Beraye Waterfalls and Batu Mentas Nature Reserve that is home to the endangered Tarsius monkey.

Also well worth exploring are the 19th-century colonial houses in Manggar area, the Vihara Kwan Im Buddhist temple, the Giri Jati Balinese village and the Maritime Museum.

“Fairfield by Marriott is growing in this region and we now have 47 properties in the pipeline in Asia Pacific alone and more than 400 properties worldwide,” says Mike Fulkerson, vice president for brand and marketing Asia Pacific.

“The brand offers a calming, reliable experience at a great value, and with the added warmth of Indonesian hospitality, Fairfield by Marriott Belitung promises to be a great retreat.”

With architecture inspired by traditional Rumah Panggung stilted houses, the 136 guestrooms, including 11 suites, are flooded with natural daylight and face the tranquil swimming pool and ocean.

Each spacious guestroom and suite features LED TV, free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, as well as a generous bathroom.

The contemporary Lobby Bar is a convenient space for a casual meeting while The Market retail store presents a convenient and tempting selection of grab-and-go refreshments to both hotel guests and visitors.

A breakfast buffet is laid out at Kava Restaurant and features Indonesian favourites as well as traditional eats.

Guests can also unwind under the sun on one of the loungers at Simpur Bar. Other facilities include a swimming pool with kids’ pool and a well-fitted gym that’s open around the clock.

Find out more details at http://www.fairfieldinn.com.

Rates start at Bt6,000 for Deluxe Riverview Room including buffet breakfast for two, room upgrade to next available room type, late-check-out until 4pm and one-time credit of Bt1,000 per stay on food and beverage in the hotel and neighbourhood map. A shuttle boat service runs from Saphan Taksin BTS Station to the Hotel every half-hour.

Find out more at (02) 665 3165 or email res172.royalorchid@sheraton.com.

Sweetness with a Smile 

Thai Smile and Mitr Phol celebrate the hot season with special summer drinks for Smile Plus-class passengers from this month to July.

Customers will be welcomed on board with a Mittz Lemongrass and Royal Lotus, that combine refreshing lemongrass with refreshing Mitr Phol syrup.

Book your flight at http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com.

Downtown deluxe

Also marking the arrival of the summer is the SureStay Plus Hotel’s Best Western Sukhumvit 2, which is offering travellers a Super Hot Deal from now to October 31.

Starting at Bt2,199 for a Superior Room and Bt2,399 for a Deluxe Room, guests can enjoy breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi and in-room minibar. Or save even more by opting for the Sabai promotion with room rates starting at Bt1,999 for a Superior Room or Bt2,199 for a Deluxe Room. Both include breakfast for two and free Wi-Fi.

Find out more at http://www.SureStayPlusSuhumvit2.com.

Island in the sun

The Ko Tao Festival returns to Sairee Beach on Saturday and Sunday to promote environmental conservation and showcase the beauty of island.

Now in its 15th edition, the festival features several environment-friendly activities including children’s art contest under the theme of coral reef conservation, a design contest for new recycling rubbish bins to be installed across the island and a local food market. Visitors can also enjoy the Opening Parade & Eco Display and Mr & Ms Save Koh Tao and live music performances.

Find out more at http://www.Facebook.com/KohTaoFestival/.

Pachyderms on the pitch

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is hosting the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament from tomorrow to Sunday.

Visitors can enjoy an impressive opening parade, children’s educational day, a Ladies Day known as the Bangkok Ascot, great foot, hot bands and spins from top DJs. This year, a group of 20 unemployed ex-street elephants will take part in the event, which they will receive full veterinary checks from the Zoological Parks Organisation of Thailand, under the patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand and the Department of Livestock Development. In addition, all elephants are given essential vitamins, food and care, which are not available to them during their normal daily lives.

Find out more at http://www.AnantaraElephantPolo.com.