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A room with a view in Evian Resort

From staycations to holidays in cooler climes, here is a list of travel ideas to inspire your clients as the hot summer kicks in across the region.


MONACO

From July 2 to August 20, Monaco will showcase the biggest stars in the world at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival. Backed by 150 years of Monte-Carlo magic, the festival and its exceptional programming continue to put Monaco and the Salle des Etoiles at the top of the summer calendar. Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer will bring Rod Stewart, Julio Iglesias, Jamie Cullum and Tom Jones, among others to perform.

The Monte-Carlo Beach Relais & Châteaux, open for the season from March is a five-star hotel with 14 suites and 26 rooms with a superb view of the Mediterranean Sea. The Relax Package, valid until October 23 comes at €200 ($225) per person and includes free access to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, a poolside sun-lounger for the day, lunch at the restaurant Elsa (drinks extra) and a 60-minute face treatment at Monte-Carlo Beach spa.


ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS

In 1905, the Evian Mineral Water Company commissioned the construction of a luxury hotel. A name was needed that would reflect the prestige of its future guests including King Edward VII of England who had promised to be one of the first to stay at the new hotel. Thus Royal Hôtel opened on in June 1909. The king died in 1910 without ever having visited the suite set aside for him, but the name 'royal' remained.

Located on a 47 acres property surrounded by parks and gardens, overlooking the Geneva Lake, Evian Resorts’s Hotel Royal was entirely renovated in 2015. Famous throughout the world for its golf course and its Spa Evian Source, the hotel has remained an unrivalled wellness and relaxation address for generations. On site is also the Kid's Resort, for children from four months to 16 years old.

From July 2 to September 4, a Séjour park view room starts from €294 ($330) for two people in double occupancy.


BUDAPEST

With its abundance of architectural beauty, luxury shopping, a vibrant contemporary art scene, cultural history and pulsating nightlife, Budapest is one of the most memorable holiday destinations in Central Europe. Experience a Hungarian holiday with castles glistening in the sunlight, the Danube overflowing with boats and warm weather that inspires a packaged calendar of outdoor events, including the Budapest Summer Festival and the Vajdahunyadvár Summer Festival.

Henna cookies at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s iftar spread this year

The Corinthia Hotel Budapest celebrates its 120th anniversary with a special package, which will take guests back in time to explore the past life of the hotel as the Grand Hotel Royal which was born in 1896. The hotel’s 'Royal 120th Anniversary' package, starting from €390 ($435) offers guests accommodation for two, roundtrip airport transfers, special in-room amenities, buffet breakfast, 50-minute aromatherapy massages for two, an exclusive private tour of the historic property, a special showcase of signature cocktails from the past century, free wi-fi throughout the property and €100 ($115) towards dinner at Brasserie & Atrium restaurant or an Orfeum evening programme.


ISTANBUL

Dating back to the 17th century, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the only Ottoman imperial palace and hotel on the Bosphorus that once hosted Sultans. With its splendid architecture, superb location, fascinating view and resort ambiance, including a spacious green garden with palm trees, it is the icon of hospitality and luxury, and always host to the most prestigious and extravagant events, meetings and weddings in the city.

General manager, Ralph Radtke, says, 'This summer, we have introduced these special promotions in the hope of attracting families and tourists from the UAE and the GCC region.'

A two-nights’ stay comes for Dh1,630 ($445) and includes daily buffet breakfast at Laledan Restaurant, dinner at Bosphorous Grill overlooking the Bosphorus and a one-time lounge session at the Pool Bar with cocktails for two. Offer valid until September.

Or go for modern luxury with Raffles Istanbul’s special Ramadan rates starting from €308 ($345) + 8 per cent VAT for stays of minimum three nights between June 6 and July 4, combining a variety of room and suite types and Sahour and Iftar dinners along with special Ramadan amenities.


BODRUM

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum offers guests the perfect setting to indulge in five-star luxury on the Turkish Riviera this GCC summer. The stunning resort offers beautiful surroundings of pine trees and olive groves and stunning views of the aptly named Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay). Located in one of Bodrum’s most sought-after points, the resort resides in a garden of one million native plants, with two private beaches, beautifully designed rooms and suites, and a choice of nine restaurants and bars.

Sitting on a hillside with spectacular views of pine forests and the sea, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum provides treatments using hand-ground ingredients from its own garden. The 2,700-sq-m Spa has a 26-metre indoor swimming pool, heat and water facilities, 12 treatment rooms including a VIP Spa Suite and a Couple's Spa Suite, as well as two outdoor cabanas.

The Luxury Breaks package offers daily dining or spa credit of €100 ($115) per day, or €300 ($335) when reserving a suite. Room rates start from €695 ($780) per night, for a minimum stay of two nights, and the offer is valid until September 5.


MALDIVES

Most hotels in the Maldives are excited about Saudi Arabia’s new Saudia airlines twice-a-week flights into Malé, which started from April. Basel Abu Alrub, managing director of Dubai-based travel agency U travel, says bookings to the islands from Saudi nationals rose more than 27 per cent from 2014 to 2015 and the number of Middle East visitors to the region is expected to increase in the range of 15-20 per cent each year.

In anticipation of the increase in arrivals, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has tailored its services and amenities enabling the Middle Eastern traveller to book with confidence knowing that when they travel to the resort their cultural needs and expectations will be met.

'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an extremely key market for the resort and the Indian Ocean has always been a popular destination for luxury travel. Middle Eastern travellers are attracted to the resort for its close proximity to the Gulf, free visa on arrival service, and our ability to accommodate Islamic customs. We welcome the airlines inaugural operation to the region and look forward to showcasing our unique offering,' says Lyle Lewis, general manager.

Lewis continued, 'At Rangali Island we recognise each cultures requirements and needs, welcoming Arabic travellers with a level of service and personalisation we know they expect and enjoy and the resort is well deserving of its Islamic friendly reputation. We’ve been sensitive in adopting amenities and activities including Arabic speaking team members, Arabic TV channels and newspapers and privacy within our spa outlets.'

Early bookers save up to 15 per cent and enjoy free wi-fi, with rates starting from $630 per room per night, breakfast included.


MUSCAT

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, has created a host of exclusive offers to commemorate Ramadan, including a tantalising iftar buffet with a signature show-cooking chocolate station, a special room package to enjoy throughout the season, and a Garangao celebration for children.

Tucked away between the rugged Al Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman, Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a hidden jewel amongst luxury hotels in Muscat, Oman, a 250-key beachfront retreat that welcomes guests with customs steeped in ancient traditions and contemporary comfort.

A summer package is available for families with an exclusive stay-three-pay-two offer, including three overnights in a luxurious room or suite, complimentary wi-fi, and exclusive savings on the hotel restaurants (20 per cent) and spa treatments (25 per cent). Valid until September 17.


DUBAI

It is hard to choose one hotel for Dubai, but we choose a property that has recently seen some investment, Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. 'This Ramadan, we are delighted to offer our guests an unforgettable taste of Arabian culture at the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach,' general manager, Philip Jones, tells TTN.

'Inspired by his travels around the Middle East and North Africa, our Arabic chef, Mahmoud will feature a surprise and delight corner with a selection of home-style specialty dishes from a different region every night such as from Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, to name but a few.

'Apart from this, spread over our two restaurants – The Talk and Soul, the lavish iftar offering will open with an extensive selection of over twelve varieties of fresh and mixed juices each night. The buffet itself will feature traditional Ramadan favourites and live cooking stations such as lamb ouzi carving, shawarma station, mixed grill, saaj station and much more. To complement the savoury selection, our pastry team will provide home-made selection of Arabic sweets and international desserts.

'Live oud music and poolside lounging with shisha service is also available.'

In line with the recent launch of the new menu at the New York Soul restaurant, the outlet will introduce a ‘Soul Supper Club’ on the weekends starting September 2016. This will feature flights of food based on the most popular dishes in the restaurant and flights of selected beverages at a fixed price.

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