Anantara the ultimate in privacy

Less than a year after opening, both Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara (pictured) and Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa have topped the charts in Elite Traveller’s annual ‘101 Top Hotel Suites of the World 2009’ list.

As the only property in Abu Dhabi to make the Elite list, Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara’s exclusive Royal Villa was chosen for being the ultimate in privacy.  Each of the two Royal Villas come equipped with the best standards of luxury.

Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa was awarded for its secluded Private Villa, hailed as a ‘private haven’ by Elite Traveller.

Anantara Brand Expands into China

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a leading hospitality and leisure organisation in the Asia-Pacific region, announced its expansion into the Chinese market with Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa, due to open at the end of 2010.

Building upon the presence of its existing Anantara Spas, Anantara Sanya will further complement the brand’s growing network of luxury hotels and spas throughout Asia and beyond.

Occupying a tranquil section of beach on the serene Luhuitou Peninsula, Xiaodonghai, on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island in south China, Anantara Sanya will comprise 128 guestrooms and 20 pool villas within a luxury boutique property.

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah wins best resort

Just three years after opening, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Oman (pictured) was awarded ‘Best Resort Hotel’ at the Business Traveller Awards 2009 held in London recently.


The runners-up in this global category were Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, Conrad Bali and Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

“It is a great honour for Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa to receive this coveted hospitality accolade,” said Arbind K Shrestha, the resort’s general manager.

“The award acknowledges our dedication to offering our guests excellent service and a quality product. We will continue to strive towards setting new benchmarks in the hospitality industry.” 

Residential tower turns traveller haven

Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi, the 20-storey blue-glass tower, was originally designed as a residential property offering studios and one bedroom apartments.

But earlier this year the Cristal opened for guests offering  92 rooms and suites, state-of-the-art conference and business centre, as well as indoor pool and spa facilities. The hotel offers a mix of dining outlets from a café to the all day restaurant and there is also a health club and spa on the 19th floor.