In the X2 Dinner

(left to right front row) – Suzanne Bowles from TG, Karen Hitchings, Jennifer Byrne from Travelscene Albert Park Back Row (l-r) Angela Woods from Jetset Dingley, Tania Verscharen from Armadale Travel, Loretta Abernethy from Craigs Travel Service and Nicola Johnstone from ETM Group

The Sarojin cooking class

(front of pic from left around table anti-clockwise) Nicola Johnstone, Khun Noot from The Sarojin, Suzanne Bowles, Tania Verscharen, Jennifer Byrne, Loretta Abernethy, Angela Woods Standing – three of The Sarojin’s celebrated chefs

The Sarojin Thailand has created a six night Luxurious Honeymoon Experience, designed to provide a level of personalised service and hospitality that makes the honeymoon just as special as the wedding day. A deluxe holiday experience, it is a wonderfully indulgent romantic retreat and priced from approximately AUD 3,230 per couple, (Thai Baht 87,230) the Luxurious Honeymoon Experience includes the extras that make such an occasion truly memorable.

The Sarojin Thailand has created a six night Luxurious Honeymoon Experience, designed to provide a level of personalised service and hospitality that makes the honeymoon just as special as the wedding day. A deluxe holiday experience, it is a wonderfully indulgent romantic retreat and priced from approximately AUD 3,230 per couple, (Thai Baht 87,230) the Luxurious Honeymoon Experience includes the extras that make such an occasion truly memorable.

It begins with a luxury private car transfer from Phuket airport, with refreshments and cold towels on hand during the 55 minutes journey to the resort. Upon arrival, guests are escorted to one of 56 beautifully decorated guest residences, where a chilled complimentary bottle of sparkling wine awaits, together with flowers and a basket laden with Thailand’s exotic fruits. Included in the package, and to be arranged at your convenience, is a private Candlelit Jungle Waterfall Dinner Experience “just for 2”, as well as a 90 minute Royal Oriental Spa treatment at The Sarojin’s award winning Pathways Spa, and daily a la carte breakfast with sparkling wine.

The Candlelit Jungle Waterfall Dinner is something special for any couple, with the romance of the setting heightened by its ethereal beauty; a guided walk down a candlelit jungle path leads to a waterfall setting lit by hundreds of candles. Against this backdrop is a beautifully adorned dinner table, replete with a personal chef, ready and waiting to prepare an exquisite gourmet experience. The Pathways spa, hidden by mangroves but set above the estuary with views toward the Andaman sea, provides an oasis of well-being where trained therapists help to relax and re-balance body and soul.

The Sarojin’s unique style of hospitality is further enhanced by its very own Imagineer, an ultimate personal concierge whose expertise and imagination helps turn guests’ wishes into reality. Jowell Philemond-Montout is The Sarojin’s Imagineer and his in-depth knowledge of the hidden treasures of the surrounding five national parks, combined with the amenities of The Sarojin, allow him full reign to create unique guest experiences. In addition to creating the most romantic deluxe dinners “a deux”, he engineers private barbecues in extraordinary settings, Thai cooking classes by jungle rivers, waterfalls and beaches, and facilitates fabulous trips on the Lady Sarojin yacht, that include snorkeling and cruising amongst the world famous Similan Islands and sea canoeing in stunning Phang Nga Bay.

The Sarojin’s guest residences are far more than a guestroom. Each one features its own private gardens and “sala” sundeck, couples’ baths with waterfall showers, and plunge and relaxation pools that blend into the natural habitat. Should the need arise to re-connect with the outside world, The Sarojin offers complimentary Wi-Fi internet access in all residences and throughout the resort. There is also a well stocked boutique shop and library with books, CDs and DVDs. Other complimentary facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre and mountain bikes, sailing catamarans, sail boats, sea kayaks and windsurfers. Khao Lak town is just 10 minutes away and readily accessible via a regular complimentary daily return trip shuttle service.

Guests can enjoy additional benefits through to 31 Oct 2009 including free nights based on a minimum of 2 nights booked; for example, stay 4 nights, pay 2 nights; stay 6 nights pay 3 nights. Plus, now through to 20 December 2009 and 11 Jan – 20 Dec 2010, guests that stay 6 nights or more in a Sarojin Suite can enjoy a 4 hour Nature’s Midday Haven per person, or 60 minutes spa treatment and half day elephant trek.

The Sarojin’s name is inspired by the mythical Lady Sarojin, the daughter of a prominent Thai nobleman who was regarded as the perfect host and whose household became famous for its hospitality. The Sarojin’s goal is to reflect this legacy by providing an experience that is reminiscent of staying at a friend’s private estate. It is located directly on a secluded 7 mile white sand beach, just 55 minutes drive north of Phuket Airport and 7km north of Khao Lak centre in the Phang Nga province of Thailand. Children under 12 years are not permitted to stay at The Sarojin.

For further information and images on The Sarojin please contact:

Jane Corbett-Jones

PR Manager

The Unique Tourism Collection

Mobile: 0417 772783

Simply by paying for one room, you can get another room for free during the low season, making this a perfect opportunity to see the place that has left travellers from around the world breathless with its sublime views and endless turquoise lagoons.

Le Maitai currently offers these two great deals:-

Stay five nights – Pay only Three

• For an unbeatable package, this deal is valid from 1st November 2009 until 31st March 2010 (based on five consecutive nights for accommodation only)
• Available for all room types – Garden rooms, Ocean View rooms, Beach Bungalows and the Overwater Bungalows

Family Package

• Stay in the low season and receive a second Bungalow or Room of your choice FREE for the entire stay (accommodation only)
• During the high season, the second Bungalow or Room is still only 50% of the price.

BOOKING AND ENQUIRIES: Contact your travel agent or call the Unique Tourism Collection on 02 – 9211 6590 www.hotelmaitai.com / www.uniquetourism.com

MEDIA ENQUIRES:-Jane Corbett-JonesPublic Relations ManagerUnique Tourism CollectionSuite 53, Level 3, 330 Wattle StUltimo, NSW, 2007

Located on the shores of the South China Sea with majestic Mt. Kinabalu as its backdrop, Sutera Harbour Resort encompasses 5-star accommodation in The Pacific Sutera, The Magellan Sutera and the world class facilities of the Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club. The resort is also affiliated with major tourist drawcards, the North Borneo Railway vintage steam train and North Borneo Yachting.

From the Sutera Harbour Marina, guests can catch a ferryboat to visit the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park islands just 15 minutes away. Of these islands, Manukan Island is the second largest and houses chalet accommodation, one of five eco-resorts co-managed with the Sabah Park authorities by Sutera Harbour Resort’s sister company Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. The other eco-resorts managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges include World Heritage Site Kinabalu Park, Laban Rata, Mesilau Nature Resort and Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve.

Sutera Harbour Resort houses two spas for guests to indulge in rejuvenating massage treatments, the two-storey Mandara Spa at The Magellan Sutera and Body Senses by Mandara at The Pacific Sutera.

The meeting, incentive, conference and event facilities at Sutera Harbour Resort include a Grand Ballroom at The Pacific Sutera with the capacity to host 1000 guests’ theatre-style and 550 guests banquet-style and The Magellan Sutera’s Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate 2000 guests theatre-style or 1400 guests banquet-style. There are 28 other function rooms throughout Sutera Harbour Resort.

At the heart of Sutera Harbour Resort lies Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club featuring facilities at the prestigious Sutera Harbour Golf Club and Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club. The course is finished with Bermuda grass and strategically challenging bunkers of fine white Malaysian sand. Playing any combination of 18 holes, golfers will enjoy a par-72 six-thousand-metre course.

The Resort also offers night golf facilities – the only night golf opportunity in East Malaysia and one of the largest facilities in the country. There are a total of 20 holes lit for night golfing, including 9 holes of the Lakes Course, 9 holes of the Garden Course and 2 finishing holes of the Heritage Course.

Note to Editors:

Sutera Harbour Resort:The Pacific Sutera. The Magellan Sutera. Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club.

Strategically located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, Sutera Harbour Resort’s 384-acre property encompasses two 5-star hotels, an international spa, and an award-winning golf and marina club. Also in the family are North Borneo Railway’s vintage steam train and the island, mountain and nature eco-resorts of Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. Combining all avenues of leisure, entertainment and corporate business needs in an atmosphere that is refined yet relaxed; Sutera Harbour Resort is the ultimate lifestyle destination in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.

Fast Facts on Sutera Harbour Resort:

• 956 Rooms.
• 14 restaurants & Bars.
• 2 Ballrooms.
• 28 Meeting Rooms.
• 27 Hole Championship Golf Course with Day & Night Golf.
• 41-Bay Two-Tiered Covered Driving Range.
• 104-Berth Marina.
• Mandara Spa.
• Covered/Outdoor Tennis Courts. Badminton Courts.
• Squash Courts.
• 12-Lane Ten Pin Bowling Centre.
• 2 Kids Clubs.
• 2 Fitness Centres.
• Olympic-sized Swimming Pool.
• Kid’s Pool & Fun Pool.
• 2 Landscape Pools.
• Billiards Room.
• 100-Seat Movie Theatre/Auditorium.
• Karaoke Lounge.
• Watersports.
• Sutera Sanctuary Lodges.
• North Borneo Railway.
• North Borneo Yachting.

For media enquiries, images, further info, please contact:

Australia

Jane Corbett-Jones

Public Relations Manager

The Unique Tourism Collection

Mob: 0417 772783

jane@uniquetourism.com

www.uniquetourism.com

Karen Hitchings has over 20 years of travel and hotel industry experience in retail, corporate and wholesale and has travelled extensively through Asia, Pacific, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, North and South America.
 
UTC’s Managing Director, Jonica Paramor, has said that Karen’s presence in Melbourne as a dedicated member of the UTC team, is an important strategic move to address the needs of the company’s growing support base with the travel trade in Victoria and to increase sales for our extensive portfolio of clients from the Melbourne market.
 

Travel Indochina is offering a “Luxury Journey ” package at The Sarojin for $1354 per person. For details click here

This unspoilt paradise boasts stunning geographic beauty, combined with a warm welcome from friendly locals, all with sophisticated infrastructure but without the usual trappings of the tourism industry. There is an excellent choice of accommodation, ranging from luxurious, intimate resorts to stylish self-catered villas for couples wanting their own space with the comforts of home.

The good news for Australian honeymooners is that not only are these places offering exceptional service and locations, but they also compare favourably pricewise to anything remotely similar in the region, with something to offer everyone – from great cuisine, colourful local culture and adventures to world-class diving in turquoise lagoons.

This unspoilt paradise in the Pacific boasts stunning geographic beauty, combined with a welcome from friendly, warm locals, all with sophisticated infrastructure but without the usual trappings of the tourism industry.
There is even a progressive dinner party in which visitors dine on delicious, authentic Polynesian cuisine prepared by locals in their own homes throughout the evening, something unheard of in most tourist

regions.
Speaking at the launch of the marketing campaign in Australia, the CEO of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, John Dean, outlined the reasons why this destination is capturing so much attention.
“While always considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world, the Cook Islands have now been transformed by a new range of upscale accommodation having opened in the last two years, as well as a range of existing resorts already popular with Australians.”
“The good news for Australians is that not only are these places offering exceptional service and locations, but they also compare favourably pricewise to anything remotely similar in the region, with something to offer everyone – from great cuisine, wine and coffee to world-class diving in our lagoons,” John said.
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation has developed a marketing campaign which highlights the strongest elements of the region:-
• Romance
• Secluded Escape
• Gentle Immersion • My Family
• History and Legends
• Connection to the Environment
• Adventure
Over the course of the campaign, the CITC will focus on each of these attractions, hoping to appeal to various sectors of the market depending on their specific interests. They expect that the region’s pristine environment will serve as a huge drawcard for visitors, who are increasingly seeking out places that have remained unspoilt by tourism.

The Metropolitan Bangkok, the hip hotel which is part of COMO Hotels and Resorts, provides three nights of accommodation for the first part of the tour, and a perfect base from which to explore the market, shop and hit the best bars and foodie haunts of the city, not to mention its own outstanding restaurants, Glo and Cy’an. 

The tour moves to The Sarojin Thailand, recently voted Asia’s best boutique hotel at the World Travel Awards for the 3^rd consecutive year, where guests will learn to cook and experience firsthand the resort’s outstanding cuisine, guided by their team of over 40 chefs and friendly staff against a stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea and the five surrounding national parks.

Elephant trekking, cruising through the jungle by ‘pleat’ boat up the Takuapa River and sea kayaking through the caves of Phang Nha Bay will await those wanting to venture out when they’re not savouring superb food or relaxing at Pathways Spa.

The Sarojin/ Met Bangkok and Sailors Thai Culinary Experience is priced from $3332,and includes return economy airfares from Bangkok, three nights accommodation at the Metropolitan Bangkok, five nights accommodation and daily breakfast with sparkling wine at The Sarojin Thailand and many other inclusions which are listed in detail below.

For bookings call Julia Enders at Travelforce on 02 – 8235 5585 or email: Julia@travelforce.com.au   http://www.sarojin.com  http://www.como.bz

8  NIGHTS MET BANGKOK / THE SAROJIN AND SAILORS THAI CULINARY EXPERIENCE – 2008

The Sarojin/Met Bangkok and Sailors Thai Culinary Experience includes:

• 3 nights accommodation at the Metropolitan Bangkok
• return transfers to/from Bangkok Airport
• a visit to Bangkok’s thriving Or Tor Kor Market
• casual riverside seafood dinner by Chao Praya River
• return airfares from Bangkok to Phuket
• 5 nights luxurious accommodation at The Sarojin for 2 persons sharing
• daily a la carte breakfast with sparkling wine for 2 persons
• 2-way airport transfer by private car to/ from Phuket Airport with refreshments and cold towels served for 2 persons.
• return transfers to all excursions on same said addendum
• pleat boat river safari followed by Thai lunch at the river bank. Takuapa river is situated in Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park, the protection of this area is very important for conserving the natural water sources for the province. Takuapa River is one of the most important rivers in Phang Nga province. Explore this magnificent river and its beautiful mangrove forest waterways by “pleat boats”. The traditional “pleat” boats are especially designed to cruise shallow water areas and give a rare opportunity to enjoy a ‘close up’ of the spectacular scenery, fauna, flora and the local rural way of life within these waterways. Fully inclusive of safari style lunch, soft drinks and 1 bottle pb chenin blanc per person.
• cruising ,sea cave canoeing and Thai cooking class Phang Nga Bay and full day on board traditional Thai long tail boat cruise at leisure and enjoy sea cave canoe journeys in Phang Nga Bay,  beautifully located in Phang Nga Bay and 50 minutes by private car transfer from The Sarojin.  Phang Nga Bay is renowned for its many dramatic limestone islands.  These distinctive sheer rock formations jut vertically out of the emerald green water.  At lower tides, cave tunnels are exposed amongst these huge rocks, allowing entrance by sea canoes through these areas of untouched nature and into the hidden lagoons behind. Cruise further to the floating Muslim village for a Thai Muslim cooking class and lunch. This marine adventure is all inclusive of equipment, guides and fresh, cold towels.  Lunch at the floating village is fully inclusive of mineral water and soft drinks only. No alcohol is allowed to be consumed at the floating village. 
• seafood barbecue dining and cooking experience on The Sarojin beach, on the white sand shores of the beautiful Andaman Sea.
• Thai cooking class at the Edge Restaurant and farewell dinner

For bookings call Julia Enders at Travelforce on 02 – 8235 5585 or email: Julia@travelforce.com.au  / http://www.sarojin.com/

Having started in the travel industry seven years ago with Flight Centres which lead to a management role, Zoe spent time to travel overseas before taking up a role with Small Luxury Hotels in Sydney in 2006. This involved close contact with high end hotels and exposure to the luxury market.