By Chow How Ban
Saturday December 2, 2006
THOSE looking for holiday packages can check out The Great Escape, a showcase of YTL's hotels and resorts that is being held until Dec 10 at Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
The showcase features award-winning properties like The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort in Terengganu, Cameron Highlands Resort and The Spa Village.
At a press conference held recently, YTL Hotels & Properties Sdn Bhd brand communications executive vice-president Kevin Tromp said while visitors found out more about the packages, masseurs from The Spa Village would be around to offer them mini-massages.
“With the purchase of any of these packages, they will get a free one-year YTL Platinum Plus membership which is a fabulous award programme offering things like beauty products and luggage within Starhill Gallery and spa treatment and vacations at Tanjong Jara Resort and Pangkor Laut Resort,” he said.
Tromp then briefed the media on the latest offerings and development at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort and The Spa Village.
Tromp (right) and Cokkinias posing with a model of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“The Cameron Highlands Resort is doing very well. Many executive groups are choosing it as their retreat to get away from Kuala Lumpur as it has a nice environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tanjong Jara Resort, he said, had made it into the top five of the Best Overseas Hotel Spas in Asia and top 100 spas worldwide in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards 2006.
He said the resort had launched The Spa Village which housed five new treatment pavilions, each of which featured an outdoor sunken bath and a designated Malay flower bath facility.
He said the spa facility at the resort offered guests an authentic spa treatment using traditional Malay techniques and recipes handed down from generation to generation.
“We have a strong brand in the making. At the moment, we have The Spa Village at Tanjong Jara Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, Pangkor Laut Resort and The Ritz-Carlton.”
At the internationally acclaimed Pangkor Laut Resort, he said, the hill villas would be upgraded in time for Christmas and a few more restaurants offering Thai cuisine would be opened.
“Pangkor Laut Resort is a product that we are all proud of. We are taking the resort to another level and at the same time keeping its position for many years to come,” he added.
He revealed that the ground-breaking ceremony for the Majestic Hotel in Malacca had been held and the would be include a heritage building.
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur general manager Steve Cokkinias said the hotel was departing from its traditionally classic image and transforming into a contemporary hotel catering for a younger market.
“The guestrooms were renovated recently. The new tower of suites was completed last year and we now have The Spa Village,” he said.
He added that the guestroom layout had been reorganised with iPod docks and other communication ports, enhanced lighting, new bedding, flat panel TV, CD and DVD players, marble bathrooms and flooring. - The Star
