Residence9

Asia-Pacific I Issue 9 I 2014

Face To Face

The Journey To Super Luxury In Las Vegas

A Behind Of Absolute Hotel Service

Rolling In California

+ Best-Dressed Beachside Moderns

Summer Breakaway

Top Reasons To Live In Thailand

Contents

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360° DNA In Design

Color Up Your Home

12 Editor’s Summer Breakaway

26 The Right Carpet Colors

To welcome summer break in Thailand, we take a look inside where to go and what to do when you arrive at Chiangmai, including sought-after summer beaches along the Andaman coastline and the Gulf of Thailand.

Color impacts emotion by communicating a mood and creating atmosphere, from subtle and harmonious to striking and intense. Here is the tips for selecting the right carpet colors.

30 Timeless Wardrobe Ideas Choosing timeless suit colors and classic designs is the secret to maximizing your wardrobe for both versatility and cost-effectiveness. If you, like the average consumer, are only regularly wearing 20 percent of the clothes in your closet, the beginning of a new year or a new job is the perfect time for a change.

34 Sought-After Beachfront Residences Meet the short list of conceptual luxury accommodations, featuring captivating layer of the design in their suite with the concentrate on the suite that is equipped with everything to meet all business concerns as suite with daily necessaries will help to enhance homey moment and comfort away from home.

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Contents

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Personality

Rest In Style

Health & Beauty

42 Life In Style

52 Super Exclusivity at Las Vegas

56 Beauty Secret

Jonathan Wigley reveals what’s behind the success of the Bangkok-based Absolute Hotel Services, one of the country’s hotel management services providers that has come up with the audacious approach for hospitality business to make the international hotel brand born in Thailand become widely known in the world stage.

Indulge in the city’s world-renowned lifestyle and enjoy five-star services and amenities with a unique opportunity to own the most prestigious fully-furnished residence in Las Vegas. Future owners are able to escape into the exclusivity of a private home filled with the extraordinary comforts and privileges that only Trump can provide.

Discover the latest beauty, skincare and makeup products and the beauty tips to keep you on trend with the world’s leader in beauty, Lancome.

Traveler

Dining Room

46 California Motorbike Adventure

54 Samui’s Coolest Italian Bistro

When it comes to road trips, two wheels often provide the best way to experience the scenery and no more so than in beautiful Northern California.

Tantalise your taste buds with the finest Italian cuisine Koh Samui has to offer. Located on Chaweng Beach Road (opposite Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui), Prego is a stylish restaurant headed up by charismatic Italian Chef Marco Boscaini.

Property Roundup 66 New Space Update BHIRAJ BURI GROUP launches the BHIRAJ TOWER at EmQuartier. The new office tower will feature 45 floors with a six-floor retail centre at the base, managed by a leading retail operator. While the Hyatt has unveiled its first Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel, Japan, slated to open on 11 June 2014.

Hot Stuff 70 Classified & Promotion Check out the hot lists of properties for rent and sales and the reasons to live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Samui, Phuket

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Asia-Pacific I Issue 9 I 2014

From the Publisher

Tourism Momentum Is Building Up Traveling in Thailand is unbeatable, the country is teemed with the unscathed natural wonders and the gift of nature that is regarded as an invincible element in tourism industry that other country can’t afford to style on. There is tons of delightful activities, family-fun theme destinations, peaceful beachfront accommodations, art and cultural excursion in the North, and luxury leisure waiting for you to lavish on. Whatever you wish to do spa, go shopping, sleepover night at first-rate resort, boutique, small luxury, upscale hotels resorts, get yourself involved in exciting outdoor activities or opt to stay different in style in Pool Villa resort or even decide to live for long term at an exclusive serviced apartment-cum-hotel establishments in the North or coastal provinces, Thailand is the place to be.

The country is never short supply of beauty pageant and transsexual beauty pageant is no exception when most of men want to win the crown like a beautiful and intelligent woman.

The country also has international-recognized hotels and resorts that afford pleasurable ambience and standard facilities in order to yield a homey comfort as increasing well-designed and conceptual establishments have been successfully created to bring vibrancy and dynamicity into the modern lifestyle of business-alike guests and discerning travelers who have big budget to lavish on staying luxury and different in style as new hotels resorts under the brand name of international hotel chain are slated to open their new sister in Thailand within this year and next to accommodate incoming tourists even if there might be a slight concern about the political uncertainty, but tourism industry in Thailand is still generally considered promising and foreseeable as my friends from China, Japan, and other nations in Asean region told me that numbers of big player in tour operators there are starting to travel back to Thailand.

Destinations in Thailand are indisputably timeless, you can travel during both high and low season, when it comes to pinpointing to select a favorable accommodation, hotel, and resort to relax and sleep over night with your beloved, friends, and family, you have to be more selective. It’s not that they are sub-standard, but it’s the matter that if the suite of hotels and resorts is your preferable standard to indulge while the name of hotels and resorts and the character of their suite room are essentially the key factor for travelers to whether decide to click on and email to the reservation department as I will personally check the location first followed by looking into suite or room type and other services before booking online.

This issue was done in a snap, the highlight in this issue is the blissful choice of summer breakaway and Thailand’s best-ever and sought-after beachfront living spaces and residences, we have come up with a short list of conceptual luxury accommodations, featuring captivating layer of the design in their suite with the concentrate on the living space that is equipped with everything to meet all business concerns as suite with daily necessaries will help to enhance homey moment and comfort away from home. There is an extensive range of room and suite finished in traditional, Thai, modern, budget-friendly, low-rise, contemporary, and classic styles.

It’s subjective and unfair to gauge which one is better than another as we are not hold ransom to promote room and suite of a particular hotel and resort and independent of advertising and favoritism. Let’s check them out which one is your preferable sleepover.

Mr. Rangsan Srirat Editor-In-Chief www.facebook.com/TheResidence.Mag

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Editorial Advisory Board: Samroey Suwanpratheep, Janya P. Editorial Editor: Rangsan Srirat Writers/Sub-Editor: Dave, Andre Torpey, Cherry Lane, Sheehan B. Editorial Co-Ordinators: Tony Size, Martin P., Christ R. Contributing Writers: Saroj Palakawong Na Ayuthaya, Laurence Civil, John Ham, Machinda, Masaki H., Vasin Srivarathanabul, John B. Scott Photo Journalists: Surasak Khongkhuan, Kavin Elson, Koo Elle, Paul H. Production Art Director: Thanakrit Prawat Designer: Thanathat Ch., Jeff Fintoni Digital Production Specialist: Itthiniruth Sethsirikul Advertising Sales Consultants: Pailin Somtuy, Jiratip Bualert, Watcharaporn Panyoka Publishing Managing Director: Ketmanee Siribangsawatdi Managing Editor: Rangsan Srirat General Manager: Maneerat Saetang Business Development Director: Somporn Siribangsawatdi, Subscriptions / Distributions TNT Express Service by We-Send Editorial Enquiries rangsansrirat@yahoo.com rangsansrirat@gmail.com Three Sixty Biz Co., Ltd Phrueksa Ville 48 2/103 Soi Wat Veruwanaram 32 Don Muang District, Bangkok Office Mobile: +66 (0) 9 2729 9640-42 www.theresidence-magazine.com www.ebooks.in.th/Residence-magazine Email: info@360bizthai.co.th Residence magazine is the registered publication of Three Sixty CO., LTD. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions or errors. All information correct at the time of printing. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are not accepted and will not be returned. All rights reserved. Copyright @ 2014

by Three Sixty CO., LTD.

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360째 Design Focus:

Experience The New DNA In Design & Style

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Property in Thailand and Asia-Pacific is still the largest asset class in property investment. The property industry is fluctuated while people in the up market don’t only look for coveted location and convenience for a day-to-day basic of living, but they are also growingly in search of residential project capable of sporting the conceptual design and style, the quality of value for money, enhancing idea in interior and construction, including the capability to deliver the preferable homey and unique comfort to all residents and visitors.

Here is the action in design featuring great rank of design destination, properties, residences, new residential projects and condos with refreshing design & style ambiance, design hotels resorts all over Thailand and Asia waiting for your visit to realize the essence of practical and design ideas for living. Hopefully that all our design and stylish ideas in architectural and interior design featured in this issue can no less inspire your inspiration and imagination to recreate your dream residence or redefine a new livable and refreshing ambience at your own residence, place, and space.

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Editor’s Choices Of Summer Breakaway

CHIANG MAI

The Modern Tradition

Chiang Mai

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U Chiang Mai 70 Ratchadamnoen Road, Sri-Poom Muang District, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 5332 7000 www.uhotelsresorts.com/uchiangmai Le Méridien Chiang Mai 108 Chang Klan Road, Tambol Chang Klan Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 5325 3666 www.lemeridien.com/chiangmai RarinJinda Wellness Spa 14 Charoenraj Road, T.Watkate Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 5330 3030 www.rarinjinda.com

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ccording to Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to experience both historical and modern Thai culture coexisting side by side: the city features centuries-old pagodas and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. This dichotomy is best appreciated within the moat-encircled old city, which retains much of the fortified wall that once protected the city center as well as the four main gates that provided access to the former Lanna capital city. There are so many things to discover other than its beautiful and historic temples. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes, a number of elephant camps, many cooking and massage schools, numerous outdoor activities, a variety of handicrafts workshops, various cultural performances, and breathtaking scenery make Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations.

Where To Rest Exclusively U Chiang Mai is an oasis of calm nestled in the heart of the culture-filled city of Chiang Mai that has endeavored to create an unparalleled relaxation and ultimate pampering. It’s where the local heritage and design and modern amenities and luxury concept of living find their

fruit infusions, including an array of light snacks.They are an ideal romantic rendezvous for a memorable evening break sipping on a distinguished cocktail or a glass of top class bubbly and having a romantic tête-à-tête with your partner. most salutary east-meet-west setting here.

The overall design concept of U Chiang Mai is contemporary Thai while the architectural mix of ancient Lanna style, modern amenities, and innovative idea in design help make the resort the second-to-none, comparing to other boutique resorts in the vicinity.

Where To Dine In Style Le Méridien Chiang Mai is the lifestyle hotel that has been added to fulfill the quality of being chic and cultured, it exudes an intriguing blend of Le Méridien European heritage and the local Lanna art and design or the authentic northern Thai style so as to deliver the sense of contemporary cultural experience while its ideal location makes it a good springboard to explore other surrounding temples and heritage sites. As for recreation side, its restaurant, The Latest Recipe, presents international, Italian culinary, and Asian selection while Latitude 18 tempts you with list of fashionable cocktails,

Where To Indulge RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort has been professionally developed until it’s now become the well-recognized gem for indulgence and branded spa sanctuary. It’s situated on the large beautiful tropical landscape in an historical site and the 140-year-old teakwood house and has been developed a reputation as a place for the ultimate body pampering and relaxation, where the art and science of healing find their most salutary east-meet-west setting. RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort boasts their unmatched innovative infrared sauna, Vichy shower, Individual Hydro tub and pool that provides the full-fledged therapeutic healing through the pressure of water towards eight stations throughout your body from head to toe. It’s called “Hydrotherapy” that can effectively combat common ailments, increase the effectiveness of movement of the body, and benefit physiological systems dehydrate the unnecessary oil, help scrub and detoxify the dead skin cell.

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HUA HIN

The Endless Romance

In Hua Hin

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ua Hin, one of Thailand’s premier beach resort towns on the Gulf of Thailand, is less than 200 km south of Bangkok, making it one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations for city residents. Hua Hin features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand’s most renowned courses.

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Where To Rest Exclusively Hyatt Regency Hua Hin is unveiling the newly refurbished Presidential Villa, one of Hua Hin’s most luxurious beachfront pool villas to provide a fresh look and feel, with warm Thai touches to enhance the resort’s indulgent experience. Newly added features to the Villa include a new wooden floor entrance and an extended terrace outside the living room, suitable for a social gathering with comfortable seating overlooking the garden and ocean.

The Presidential Villa comprises a master bedroom with two queen-size beds, with a discreet private entrance, direct access to a private pool, private garden and beach.

Additionally, there is a spacious living room with a full set kitchenette, study room and dining table for eight persons, all set in a private compound area and surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

Where To Dine In Style Amari Hua Hin is the latest addition to Amari’s portfolio of properties in Hua Hin, it is among a smorgasbord of first-rate hotel resorts in Hua Hin where you can enjoy set of comfort, hedonistic approach, and natural Hyatt Regency Hua Hin Nong Kae-Takiap Rd Nong Kae, Hua Hin Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 3252 1234 www.huahin.regency.hyatt.com Amari Hua Hin 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae, Hua Hin Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 3265 5277 www.amari.com/huahin Villa Maroc 165/3 Moo 3 Paknampran, Pranburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77220 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 3263 0771 www.villamarocresort.com

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simplicity for the individual ultimate indulgence.

Amari Hua Hin encompasses the superb range of international eateries with five restaurants and bars from all-day dining at Mosaic offering Thai specialties, Coral Lounge, Reef Deli bistro, shoreline Beach Club for beach-sided BBQ party, and Aqua pool bar to enjoy international poolside favourites with “Tastes of Thailand” including a range of Thai bites.

Where To Indulge Villa Maroc Pranburi redefines a unique and distinctive luxury living inspired by the exquisite architecture of Morroco and Moroccan culture to enhance an unforgettable stay on the beach and the unspoiled surrounding. The resort is equipped with all the facilities to ensure that your stay is a pleasant one, including the fitness room to keep in shape, a well stocked library, fantastic dining options and our sensuous spa and very luxurious hammam in which to wind down. Looking for a perfect wedding and sweet honeymoon party, Villa Maroc is an ideal location for an intimate wedding as it is the first resort to bring this idea of luxurious décor to the coast of Thailand for a truly unique experience.

KRABI

Tropical Honeymoon Retreat

In Krabi

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rabi Province is rich in natural beauty, featuring a myriad of stunning limestone cliffs and mountains that can be seen from the golden shores and from the azure waters off the coast. Looking for the best spot to empty your holiday break or honeymoon time and indulge with the beautiful sea, sun, and sandy beach? Krabi province is one of the right and sensual choices to spend your vacation with your beloved as the province also sports the hedonistic theme and its uniqueness in the natural wonders are sure you will have an eye-opening traveling experience.

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Where To Rest Exclusively Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Hotel is among the growing number of stunning and striking resorts popping up along serene bays of Krabi province. The resort is one of the best pleasurable resort and golf leisure destinations in Krabi. Guests can opt for an Opera Suite or an Imperial Suite, they are colonial in design, combining Western luxury with an authentic Thai touch. Muted tones, a polished hardwood floor gives the room a subtle Thai flavour and reflects the natural harmony.

Where To Dine In Style Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi is the one and the only resort that is prominently situated within its own private bay named Pai Plong, the bay next to a small headland that separates between Ao Nang and Pai Plong bay.

The resort offers wide range of activities provided for all ages, including spa, fitness center, dive center, water activities, plus the extensive range of dining options and entertainment

option such as Lotus Court Restaurant, the night bar “Deep Blu”, seafood and Thai restaurant “Rim Saai”, Japanese cuisine “Hagi”, and beach bar & grill “On The Rocks” Where To Indulge Pimalai Resort & Spa is a perfect hub for discerning travelers wishing to make their honeymoon or vacation goes far beyond the usual format of staying at the sea-front leisure comfort as its Pool Villa zone, which is finished in tropical Thai contemporary style, is where guest can rejoice in the expectation of lush greenery, local flavor, and culture of the destination. The award-winning Pimalai Spa aims at bringing back guest to nature; built in the shape of a village style, the pretty small straw roofed Salas blend totally with the natural beauty of the jungle as environment is believed as the salutary medical doctor. Each has been designed with nature at heart, and fashioned with stones, native wood, bamboo, iron, ropes and ceramics.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Hotel 200 Moo 3 T. Nongtalay, A. Muang Krabi 81000 Krabi, Thailand Tel. +66 (0) 7562 7800 www.accorhotels.com Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi 396-396/1 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7563 7789 www.centarahotelsresorts.com/ckbr Pimalai Resort & Spa 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 7560 7999 www.pimalai.com

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PHUKET

The Reinvented Romance

That Inspires

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huket and other Andaman-coastal provinces are going farther than contemplating how the natural disaster Tsunami deadly wave in December 2004 had happened, survivors are now beyond concern and never let the trauma and grief deter their endeavor to bring lives, community, and tourism industry back to normal. As the result of mass-market tourism campaign ever made, the Phuket island becomes the star attraction to considerably enhance inbound tourism industry as the paradise island has been proved as a prime sailing and the heart of marine leisure destination of Southeast Asia through the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, one of the largest sporting events on the Thai tourism calendar since 1987.

Where To Rest Exclusively Banyan Tree Phuket is one of the best examples of romance and rejuvenation as most up-scale resorts are increasingly jumping on the bandwagon to do pool villa concept, where you can blissfully feel as if you were at your own residence amidst the complete set of luxurious facilities and amenities featured in the villa, including the surrounding lush tropical garden and swimming pool created to bring you a sense of oasis. Staying in the pool villa here you will feel like home with the hedonistic theme of living, it excels other upscale pool villa in term of creating the harmony and balance to all nature-inspired elements in order to fulfill a quintessential oasis within the villa ambience and also to create a sanctuary for the sense for guest to realize the perfect embodiment of sensuality.

Where To Dine In Style Sri Panwa ensures you get the maximum

Banyan Tree Phuket 33, 33/27 Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay Amphur Talang, Phuket 83110 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7632 4374 www.banyantree.com/en/phuket Sri Panwa 88 Moo, 8 Sakdidej Road, Tumbon Vichit Muang, Phuket, Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7637 1000 www.sripanwa.com Indigo Pearl Resort Nai Yang Beach and National Park Phuket 83110, Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7632 7006, (0) 7632 7015 www.indigo-pearl.com

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privacy in the tropical modernity featuring the blissful choice of Ocean-viewed Pool Villas, One and Two-bedroom Pool Villas, Three to Six-bedroom Residence Villas and future planned big-budget phases of Residences and Pool Villas. For the passion of gastronomy, “Baba” is suitable for a romantic dining overlooking the west and the east seaside of Phuket Island. “Baba” is separately presented into three locations within the resort. “Soul Food @ Baba Dining Lounge” offers an intimate Thai dining experience with stunning sunset views. Baba Poolclub is the all-day dining for those wishing to experience the extensive range of Japanese, Italian, BBQ, delicious Thai & Hotpot cuisine. Meanwhile, the “Baba Nest” is the rooftop bar to enjoy some bubble drink and sunset cocktails with 360° panoramic views of the Andaman Ocean.

Where To Indulge Coqoon Spa at Indigo Pearl Resort, a fusion of modern architecture and Thai tin-mining heritage next to Nai Yang Beach, highlights new cutting-edge designer spa, best known for its unique mid-air treatment room ‘The Nest’, which was voted runner-up in the Best Luxury Resort Spa category in Thailand.

Coqoon Spa is styled as a ‘Garden of Eden’ in tropical rainforest and is the mastermind of Bangkok-based designer, Bill Bensley. Coqoon Spa also features six deluxe treatment rooms and an exclusive ‘Coqoon Suite’ complete with its own accommodation, butler and private pool, as well as a rain shower, steam room, sauna and Vichy shower. Here guests can stay for up to three-days to follow a tailored programme of health, wellness and nutritional advice and therapies.

SAMUI

Ultimate Lifestyle

On Island

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f you are tired of hiding in the shadows of Phuket or Krabi, Koh Samui is the best exotic solution to make your way to Thailand’s third largest island, which is also reputed as one of the top islands in the world to live.

Approximately one hour flight from Bangkok via Bangkok Airways, Koh Samui is an increasingly popular destination both for tourists and real estate investors and the best destination for diving to see the multitude of colorful fishes if you don’t want to linger too long in town.

Interesting things to do in Koh Samui include driving along the beach road, visit Namtok located around the island, see the natural wonder at Hin Ta-Hin Yai, pay homage to the big Buddha statue at Koh Fhan and Luang Pho Daeng at Chedi Laem Sor. Definitely, you can choose to end the day with the nightlife at Chaweng beach or at fisherman village on Bo Phud beach.

Where To Rest Exclusively There have been talking in the travel leisure business that the long staying together with your lover, family, or friends is a luxury travel trend projected for 2013. In order to live up with the trend this romantic season, it’s not the bad idea to pack your bags and stay together and longer at the three-bedroom Napa Reserve Villa at the InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort to achieve the ultimate getaway for indulgence and relaxation on Koh Samui.

Each of the three Thai-inspired bedrooms comes with luxurious en-suite bathroom with premium amenities, which includes his or hers Sothys beauty products alongside premium bathroom toiletries from Thai-brand Harnn.

Where To Dine In Style Prego is signature Italian food with a contemporary flair of Amari Palm Reef

Koh Samui, one of ONYX’s leading resorts under Amari brand, on Chaweng Beach.

It’s one of the finest places to eat in Chaweng, Prego features an open-air kitchen where you can watch Italian chef in action to prepare your favorite delicacies. Prego is specialized in home-made Pizza and authentic Italian cuisine, which is perfectly matched with the romantic dining ambiance. Don’t miss to experience crisp salads, gourmet pizzas, handmade pastas and fresh seafood.

Where To Indulge The property industry is fluctuated while people in the up market or end-user with high spending power don’t only look for location and convenience for a day-to-day basic of living, but they are also growingly in search of residential project that sports conceptual design and style, the quality of value for money, 23

InterContinental Samui 295 Moo 3, TalingNgam Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7742 9100 www.ickohsamui.com Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Samui 84320 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7742 2015-19 www.amari.com/palmreef W Retreat Koh Samui 4/1 Moo 1 Tambol Maenam Surat Thani, Koh Samui, 84330 Thailand Tel +66 (0) 7791 5999 www.wretreatkohsamui.com

enhancing idea in interior and construction, including the capability to deliver the preferable homey and unique comfort to all residents.

W Retreat Koh Samui is a point in case and the ideal example of the design destination and stylish living showcase in the Southern part of Thailand.

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 44 hotels and retreats, including 16 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. This is an ideal setting that features the complete element of romance and rejuvenation. Each room and villa is lavishly created to answer all honeymooners 24

and family, and is fully equipped with everything for general discerning travelers to feel like home.

It provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. To complement the high-end luxury experience synonymous with the W name, there is an impressive variety of leisure outlets and restaurants, bars and lounges to sit back and relax. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences.

Advertorial

Let the story begin Dara Beach once belonged to high end prominent Thai families who chose to build their vacation homes on this stunning location due to the surrounding beauty, exclusivity, magnificent views and the close distance to the main attractions while still keeping the peace and quiet.

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hese high end vacation homes had been handed down from generation to generation until just a few years ago when the owner of Cape Dara Resort, a veteran who established Mike Group in the city of Pattaya, was truly inspired by the experiences, memories and the natural beauty that this area evokes and decided to create the same experience that we all once knew and loved for the Cape Dara’s guests.

He created Cape Dara Resort and had it symbolized and characterized by a WOMAN who is full of intelligence, individualism, modernity and generosity, a WOMAN who will share the stories, memories and experiences with guests as well as the passion that will touch them upon arrival…. under the concept “once upon the time…is now”.

• Built to the Thai Hotel Standard Foundation strict requirements for five-star designation, Cape Dara redefines the contemporary Thai resort hotel. The main tower’s striking curvilinear exterior makes a bold first impression, the effect continuing inside where design features include expansive glass walls for five-star views, inventive use of metal and stone, and eye-catching ceiling installations.

All the while, familiar Thai design components see new expression in abstracted forms enhanced by nuanced hues, in addition to prevalent interior details such as teak-wood accents of smooth, unconventional finish. The approach allows for subtle allusions to Thai architectural and design elements amid a resolutely chic and sophisticated ambience.

Five-Star Luxury, Five-Star Location

Closer to the Stars

• Only minutes from the cosmopolitan commerce and pulsing nightlife that have made Pattaya one of the world’s top choices for leisure and business travel, Cape Dara Resort rises 26 storeys above a quiet residential section of North Pattaya. The grounds encompass more than three-quarter hectare of natural surroundings, including the resort’s own private beach. Indeed, the cape itself has long been a select enclave where prominent Thai families have maintained residences. For generations, this is where those seeking privacy and exclusivity amid marine splendour have converged.

• In Thai language the word dara means ‘star’, and a recurring astronomical theme certainly fits as the resort brings guests closer to the stars.

All 264 guest rooms, suites and villa compounds have open-sky views, made possible since the Cape Dara headland is North Pattaya’s finest coastal location. In fact the hotel is the area’s only in which every room gives on to exhilarating glimpses of both Pattaya Bay and the city to one side, or to both Wong Amat Beach and Koh Sichang to the other.

• Food and drinks venues keep to an

astronomy motif and indeed have their very own stars in the form of talented international chefs.

Venues include all-day-dining Radius Restaurant, Cantonese haute cuisine, Ming Xing Restaurant (meaning superstar), Mellow bakery cafe, Twinkle and Walala pool bars. The resort’s spa facility, Luminous, offers therapeutic treatments and rejuvenation rituals to enhance Cape Dara’s already soothing character. Meeting facilities also emerge in chronology and astronomy themes, the Vela ballroom, Natee, Lipda, Raio meeting rooms.

A family-friendly, Cape Dara provides amenities such as Kids Club where little ones take part in a full programme of guided activities. Older children can enjoy the latest wii game as well as a daily schedule of beach and aquatic fun as adults.

• While Cape Dara Resort certainly gives guests the opportunity to get away from it all, no contemporary accommodation can be without full connectivity with the wider world. To that end, the resort provides complimentary Wi-Fi and LAN Internet access in every guest room and throughout all facilities.

• Guest care throughout Cape Dara sees one theme in particular recur, as service is stellar.

Resort staff provide the kind of personalised attention once customary years ago at a family-run seaside guesthouse. At Cape Dara, you’ll be not only closer to the stars but also ever near a truly heartfelt hospitality.

360 Design Ideas

by Color Combos

The Right Carpet Colors For A More Livability at Home

Choosing the right carpet colors for your home is a big decision, one you will be living with for years. Because carpeting is one of the more costly expenses in decorating your home, you’ll want to choose a rug color that works with your current or planned color scheme. Trends do change, even in the popular colors for floor coverings, but they run 1–2 years behind those of the rest of the fashion industry. This means that the most popular shades in the ladies’ clothing department will be showing up on floors in a couple of years.

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hat are considered outdated, at the moment, are the cool gold and green shades. Silvers, mauves and grays are also less favored. The current trends are towards the much warmer colors. Golds and greens are still around, but they have been warmed up considerably. Earthy, environmental colors have become increasingly popular as well.

Light blues, neutral stone hues, rosy quartz, khaki and suede shades are also very much in demand. Beige, the traditional stand-by, is considered too dull and too safe by many designers. However, no other color has as much utilitarian value and flexibility as beige, so it will continue to be a popular choice, regardless of changing color trends.

When choosing the right carpet color for your room, there are several factors to consider. Fortunately, rugs come in almost as many colors as price ranges today. It is no longer difficult to find the color you want at a price you can afford. Always remember that your carpet choice will become the foundation of your fashion dĂŠcor for each room you design.

The following tips may help you choose the right carpet for the rooms in your home:

When choosing the right carpet color for your room, there are several factors to consider. Fortunately, rugs come in almost as many colors as price ranges today. It is no longer difficult to find the color you want at a price you can afford. Always remember that your carpet choice will become the foundation of your fashion dĂŠcor for each room you design.

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The more your carpet will be walked across, the more danger of spills, stains and tracked-in dirt. Lighter carpets can be treated to be more stain resistant, but the less expensive ones will still show wear and tear faster than darkercolored rugs. If you have pets or non-paved outdoor areas, more dirt will be tracked in than if you live on a paved lot.

Level of traffic — The more your carpet will be walked across, the more danger of spills, stains and tracked-in dirt. Lighter carpets can be treated to be more stain resistant, but the less expensive ones will still show wear and tear faster than arker-colored rugs. If you have pets or non-paved outdoor areas, more dirt will be tracked in than if you live on a paved lot.

Hallways and all-purpose living areas tend to take the worst beating. Most carpet-of any color-is not recommended for kitchen use.

Use of space — Do you want your carpet to brighten up a dark room or tone down a too-light space? Red is a perfect choice for darker family rooms, living rooms and hallways. It wears well and tends not to show stains as badly as some of the lighter colors. For rooms that have excessive sunlight, you will need to also think about fading, a problem that is more obvious with dark carpets.

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Personality match — Does the rug color match your personality? Casual, more-relaxed people tend to favor the warmer colors and earth tones. Detail-oriented people, on the other hand, often prefer blues, blacks, whites, grays and jewel tones. Do you feel more comfortable walking in rooms whose rugs are in one color family or the other?

Design match — Do you want a carpet that blends in to your overall fashion design or one that makes its own fashion statement?

Every room needs one main focal point. Your rug can be that point or it can support another object such as a painting or piece of furniture.

You just don’t want the carpet competing, or your room will feel too busy and confusing.

If all else fails — Choose beige. It is a safe color that goes well with white walls but also works with other colors. A mottled light brown rug will camouflage pet activities and stand up well to daily wear. You really can’t go wrong with beige.

360 Design Ideas

by Color Combos

Start Building Your Wardrobe with Timeless Suit Colors

Choosing timeless suit colors and classic designs is the secret to maximizing your wardrobe for both versatility and cost-effectiveness. If you, like the average consumer, are only regularly wearing 20 percent of the clothes in your closet, the beginning of a new year or a new job is the perfect time for a change.

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Timeless, classic suit styles and colors are those proven winners that always look flattering on the majority of wearers.

For example, a navy suit or sports coat has longer staying power than a more-formal black suit.

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hether you are just entering the business world or you are simply determined to streamline your overcrowded closet, a few wise color selections can result in multiplied mix-and-match outfits. In fact, with the right shoes, a suit, a sports jacket, an extra pair of trousers, and four shirts, you can create more than a dozen different business outfits. Imagine the possibilities when you increase the number of shirts to eight or more and throw in some well-coordinated ties and pocket squares.

If only one suit is in the budget, consider a single-breasted gray, charcoal, or khaki choice.

Because a return to minimalism has been the overriding trend on the fashion runways most recently, clean, classic lines are available everywhere and in all price ranges. However, it’s worth investing in quality core pieces for your basic business wardrobe. If you scrimp on cheap fabrics and craftsmanship, you will be replacing items regularly. Buy the best you can afford through creative shopping online, at high-end clearance racks, or through special in-store deals.

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Traditionally, solid ties in gray, blue, or dark red are always appropriate. “Repp” ties are a bit more preppy. They consist of thick navy diagonal stripes and one contrasting color.

Timeless, classic suit styles and colors are those proven winners that always look flattering on the majority of wearers. For example, a navy suit or sports coat has longer staying power than a more-formal black suit. Not only does this shade of blue complement the majority of skin tones, but it can easily be dressed up for formal occasions or played down for more casual attire. The shirt and tie combinations are almost endless for this versatile color. Navy makes a perfect choice for a second suit, but a navy sports coat from Isaia, J. Crew, or Calvin Kline is also an excellent choice. Pair it with gray flannel or wool trousers from Epaulet for the office or some slim-fit, cotton-blend chinos from mrporter.com for a more casual weekend look.

With this color palette, one pair of good quality brown shoes will handle all your needs.

Paul Stuart sells a dark brown wingtip brogue, but even a lighter camel shade will still look stylish with your dressy business outfits. Since your belt should always match your shoes, how about the Men’s Reversible Brown Leather Belt sold at Old Navy for a very reasonable price? When you can afford to, pick up a pair of good-quality 32

black shoes to expand your options even further.

Picking the right shirt and tie is not nearly as difficult as it might seem. J.C. Penney sells Stafford boxed 100-percent-cotton shirts in sets with coordinated, 100-percent-silk ties.

The Oxford blue shirt with a blue stripe tie is a safe, classic choice.

Traditionally, solid ties in gray, blue, or dark red are always appropriate. “Repp” ties are a bit more preppy. They consist of thick navy diagonal stripes and one contrasting color.

For a more daring look, consider at least one tie with a very small, subdued print on a dark or neutral background. You can find a large selection of classic men’s ties at J. Crew. A few colorful pocket squares can inexpensively add a touch of personality and flair.

Round out your new wardrobe with a trench coat or overcoat, a soft cashmere sweater from brooks brothers, a few dressy polo shirts, a decent watch, and a leather attaché case, and you’re done. From one or two timeless suit colors, you have built a completely functional wardrobe. Now it’s time to enjoy looking your best in 2014!

360 Design Ideas

by Color Combos

Thailand’s Sought-After Beachside Places,

Spaces & Residences 2014

Thailand is abundant of valuable tourist destinations waiting to be explored, having dinner on board on luxury cruise gilding on the river or dining along the river become a must when you visit Bangkok. But when it comes to traveling or emptying your leisure time at the countryside, beach and sea are sure to be what you will talk about to complete your dream modern lifestyle and ultimate traveling experience in Southeast Asia.

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ctually, Thailand is a dream destination for a sea adventure to enjoy scuba and also to feast your eyes with the natural surrounding, which has been regarded as the free gift from the nature that has helped generate a considerable amount of income.

To welcome summer break in Thailand, we take a look inside where to go and what to do when you arrive the sought-after summer beaches along the Andaman coastline and the Gulf of Thailand. The country is teemed with the unscathed natural wonders and the gift of nature that is regarded as an invincible element in tourism industry that other country can’t afford to style on. There are tons of delightful activities, family-fun theme destinations, peaceful beachfront accommodations, art and cultural excursion in the North, and luxury leisure waiting for you to lavish on. Whatever you wish to do spa, go shopping, sleepover night at first-rate resort, boutique, small luxury, upscale hotels resorts, get yourself involved in exciting outdoor activities or opt to stay different in style in Pool Villa resort or even decide to live for long term at an exclusive serviced apartment-cum-hotel establishments in the North or coastal provinces, Thailand is really the place to be.

The country is teemed with design residential 34

development projects also has internationalrecognized hotels and resorts that afford pleasurable ambience and standard facilities in order to yield a homey comfort as increasing well-designed and conceptual establishments have been successfully created to bring vibrancy and dynamicity into the modern lifestyle of business-alike guests and discerning travelers who have big budget to lavish on staying distinctively luxury as new hotels resorts under the brand name of international hotel chain are slated to open their new sister in Thailand within this year and coming years to accommodate tourists even if there might be a slight concern about the political uncertainty.

Living and/or traveling in Thailand is timeless and possible, you can travel during both high and low season (Green Season), when it comes to pinpointing to select a favorable accommodation, hotel, and resort to relax and sleep over night with your beloved, friends, and

family, you have to be more selective. It’s not that they are sub-standard, but it’s the matter that if the suite of hotels and resorts is your preferable standard to indulge while the name of hotels and resorts and the character of their suite room are essentially the key factor for travelers to whether decide to click on and email to the reservation department as I will personally check the location first followed by looking into the room type and other services before booking online.

We have come up with a short list of conceptual luxury accommodations, featuring captivating layer of the design in their suite with the concentrate on the suite that is equipped with everything to meet all business concerns as suite with daily necessaries will help to enhance homey moment and comfort away from home. There is an extensive range of room and suite finished in traditional, Thai, modern, budget-friendly, low-rise, contemporary, and classic styles. It’s subjective and unfair to gauge which one is better than another as we are not being hold ransom to promote room and suite of a particular hotel and resort and independent of advertising and favoritism.

Check them out which one is your preferable design-inspired sleepover.

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Beachfront Deluxe Pool Villa Adamas Resort & Spa Adamas is a rising name in wellness hideaways in Phuket. It provides a collection of luxurious room types, comprising of 116 see-front low-rise complex and private beachfront villas. Its Beachfront Deluxe Pool Villa is a step away from the pristine sea, it portrays private two-wing accommodation that can be connected by a small walkway fringed with lush foliage. The main living wing features a king-sized bed with well-designed and spacious bathroom and rain shower as the other wing is also equipped with kitchenette.

It also comes with a private pool with outdoor shower and a traditional Thai pavilion. Personal butler will be provided as an added privilege. www.adamasresortspa.com 36

A Great Escape At Pool Villa Anantara Phuket I can’t see the reason why I don’t included Thailand-based Anantara Resort, the irresistible hideaway for those wishing to get the most of natural touch as most of its resort properties evokes the soulful sense of Thai. Anantara Phuket is not the latest establishment, but I do like its concept to mix between the glimpses of the famous traditional Lanna Thai style with contemporary Thai as modern facilities for luxury comfort and the blending with surrounding nature make Anantara Phuket an undiscovered great escape in Phuket to have a tropical romantic immersion with your lover. Anantara Phuket’s pool villas are inspired by Thai architecture with free-flowing and expansive space and tropical woods as the vaulted ceiling in the bedroom and Thai paintings, prints, and textile wall-hangings are created and used to help accent the principles of Thai architecture and also to reflect the spirit of local artistic traditions. Its pool villa also features outdoor terrazzo tub and swimming pool, which is just a step down from the sliding glass doors of bed and bathroom. www.phuket.anantara.com

Ultimate Poolside Pleasure Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa is among a smorgasbord of five-star resorts in Hua Hin where you can enjoy set of comfort, hedonistic approach, and natural simplicity for the individual ultimate indulgence. It highlights the concept of furnishing rooms that allow guest to directly access the lagoon surrounding the sprawling tropical garden from the room’s private balcony. Sheraton Hua Hin claims 240 guestrooms in low-rise buildings. Each room features warm and bright tone while wooden and earth tone help afford the touch of modern Thai interior design. The Oceanfront Suite is fully equipped with everything for you to feel like home and for the modern-day executive traveler to meet the pleasure of all business concern. It is finished with the standard of signature Sheraton’s Sweet Sleeper Superior Slumber Bed and delicate and soft pillows, comfortable mattress, and a decorative bed scarf. Meanwhile, the bathroom of all room type is well-designed, clean, crisp, and bright with the help of many large mirror glasses just to create a feeling of spaciousness. www.sheraton.com/huahin

Hedonistic Beachfront Villa Asara Villa & Suite Asara Villa & Suite is the first-ever beachfront pool villa in Hua Hin, featuring 50 spacious “Asara Pool Villas”, 44 Suites, and one luxurious beachfront “President Villa” with the picturesque sea view. They are uniquely designed in village style surrounding the tropical lagoon, which perfectly set in the adapted tropical garden covering the vast landscape of 22 square kilometers. All guest rooms are similarly designed with the earth-tone color and natural concept. Pool Villa features separate living area, one standard slumber in the spacious bedroom, bathroom with a bathtub that is separated from bedroom by the sliding door. It also comes with the impressive alfresco showering area, private plunge pool and garden, and outdoor relaxing area. Meet full review of Asara Villa & Suite next issue. www.asaravillaandsuite.com

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The Core Of Luxury Comfort Conrad Samui Developer Hillcrest Residences (Samui) Co. Ltd, Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa is slated to welcome discerning traveler in 2011. This property will set new standards for spa resorts on the ever popular island of Koh Samui for guests to experience a new charter of luxury indulgence by Conrad brand. Located on a secluded hill, overlooking Aow Thai Beach at the South West tip of the island, the development boasts 79 villas and 39 Conrad Residential villas, offering panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand and the surrounding landscape of lush coconut plantations. It is also a perfect western-facing vantage point where guests will take-in the stunning Koh Samui sunsets. Each of the villas will have a minimum of 200 square meters of space, complete with a private plunge pool and a generous outdoor sundeck area that enables panoramic vistas.

To complement the high-end luxury experience synonymous with the Conrad name, there will be a variety of all-day dining and fine-dining restaurants, bars and lounges. The resort’s spa will combine international treatments with a uniquely Thai spa philosophy and design accents. www.conradhotels1.hilton.com 38

The Promising Metro Life In Pattaya Zire Wongamat Pattaya Zire Wongamat is Raimond Land’s third condominium project in Pattaya. The 2-tower residential complex feature a total of 451 units with a mix of studios and 1- or 2-bedroom units as well as spacious duplexes designed for the modern lifestyle with four contemporary themes. Designed by internationally renowned architect SODA, the construction of Zire Wongamat began in the second quarter of 2011 and is slated to be completed in mid-2014.

Zire Wongamat is guaranteed to be one of a few high-end coastal residential projects that can associate most of the sought-after and blissful philosophy of a first-rate condo such as good location, cutting-edge design where resident or guest can share a passion of stylish and fashion living, art, architecture. Meanwhile, its surrounding leisure and lifestyle components in prestigious Wongamat beach and the vicinity can completely provide a platform for a stimulating living experience in Pattaya as this is regarded as a sensory touch of quality leisure. Zire Wongamat is pointed to be a sophisticate choice that can afford guest with exquisite basics to represent the definition of metro life and urban energy.

The True Hybrid Lifestyle Modus Wongamat Pattaya Pattaya is smorgasbord with first-rate hotels resorts residents while the construction sites for the ongoing premier condos dotting along Pattaya city has been increasing seen, reflecting the strong demand of the beach living and residential projects in seaside destination. Modus Wongamat is the latest series of design-led condominium in Pattaya.

The Modus is conceptually finished through the combination of Thai style houses and modern style beachfront condominiums and the eclectic blend of oriental and western styles in order to create a new way of oriental living on the beach. Modus features two 7-storey modern-designed buildings on 5.5 rai of land and every unit is facing to the ocean so as to maximize the breathtaking view of the beach.

The sizes of the units are varying from 46 - 104 Square meters, one and two bedroom. Modus represents a true hybrid, combining the best of a full service hotel with an independently managed condo. Future buyers will be able to access many hotel-alike features and amenities such as fully functioning concierge, reception services, even free transportation to and from Central Festival beach via boat.

A Place To Call Home Baan Sansuk, Hua Hin Hua Hin is one of the country’s sea destinations to challenge the wave of the gulf of Thailand that is not too far away from Bangkok with less than 3 hours or about 233 kms driving through using Petchkaseam Highway.

Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s top holiday and leisure destinations and becomes a popular retreat for Thai nobility with lots of accommodations ranging from bare minimal to five-star opulence. Baan Sansuk is the new ingredient that has been added to make your holiday more special. So, now it’s time to make your holidays enjoyable for the entire family at Baan Sansuk Condominium. The nature-inspired condominium features 283 well-appointed residential units and the impressive 230-metrelong modern seascape swimming pool, which provides amusement for kids and the peaceful dreamy relaxing days for you. Baan Sansuk is situated in the prime-location of Hua Hin beach, only a few minutes to Chatchai Market and all other conveniences.

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Stay At The Award-Winning Project Anchan Villas, Phuket According to a report about villa market outlook in Phuket from Thailand Property Award, the demand for residential property in Phuket is still on the rise, but the market has changed in terms of what people want and what they are willing to pay. The total stock of villas increased to 2,813 units with the completion of Anchan Villa Phase II, an entry-level development with five units, located in the Central West Coast area, where discerning investors can enjoy a combination of western luxury and an exotic tropical lifestyle.

Anchan Villa is done in Balinese style villas, ideal for a long-term investment as a holiday home to pamper in the tropical lifestyle. Anchan Villas rest on similarly sized plots from 550 to 667 square meters and are primarily designed as two bedroom properties with the provision for buyers to extend the main building to add a third bedroom if needed. The two and three bedroom villas are designed to be spacious and airy in an attractive and practical layout.

The main living area and connecting bedroom look out onto the pool terrace.

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The White House Hua Hin Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas The set of romantic living that completely distances itself from the charming Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin. Its Villa type might be the next answer of your honeymoon. We spent a night there at the remodeled “The Villa�, which offered an exclusive environment with private Jacuzzi spa and pool to exude a more premium resort experience.

It features spacious living area, oversized bathroom with large stone bathtub and the separated outdoor rain shower. Other delightful features include twin or king-sized bed, indoor and outdoor rain shower and bathtub, marble pool, multi-media room, luxurious Jacuzzi.

The Villa is divided into four types for you to choose, including Deluxe Spa Villa, Deluxe Pool Villa, Premium Deluxe Pool Villa, and Premium Deluxe Family Pool Villa. The most prominent thing is the white color and light tone that dominate both exterior and interior, counting the relaxing lounge area, long chair at the garden, window, wall, until bathroom. The Villa is titled to be a very perfect hideaway for an impressive romantic honeymoon in Hua Hin.

The Memorable Step To Heaven Banyan Tree Samui Pool Villa concept has become highly anticipated in Thailand, the provided modern convenience and the blissful set of luxurious facilities and amenities featured in the villa help to ensure individual comforts and homey feeling, suitable for both short and long-term accommodation. All pool villa resorts actually guarantee your personal modern lifestyle, but the difference seems to be the matter of location, distinctive layout, interior design, and architecture that are eclectically incorporated to create enduring aesthetic appeal, romance, and serenity amidst the beauty of the natural surrounding.

The all-pool-villa Banyan Tree Samui is a case in point where discerning travelers can accomplish a hedonistic theme of living at a remote beachfront resort, not to mention to its

modern convenience that can bring guests a homey comfort. The focus on modern contemporary design and traditional Thai-style architecture are combined as a strong statement in aesthetic standard to create a unique sanctuary for the sense.

All Pool Villas are dominated by tropical and modern contemporary style and are similarly designed with the warm neutral color scheme, suitable for guest to indulge in the lap of luxury from the entrance to living room, bedroom, and the personal space at bathroom that are connected together. Each villa is ideally built using concept of high-ceiling associated with the large glass fracases to simply enhance the sense of spaciousness and make the living area, main bedroom, and bathroom more airy and also to make the most of the view. www.banyantree.com

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Life In Style

The Absolute Reflection Of The World Brand “We have been surprised by our success so far.

I would like to say that a lot of companies are only looking for their own interests, but we are looking for the interest of the owner or developer. Unless the developer wins, we don’t win. We will win together and loss together.”

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hailand is probably the world’s most famous country for hospitality in term of its people.

The smorgasbord of international hotel chains have obviously come to Thailand to explore the tourism opportunity and gained the benefit with the support of the salutary Thainess. The Bangkokbased Absolute Hotel Services is one of the country’s hotel management services providers that has come up with the audacious approach for hospitality business to make the international hotel brand born in Thailand and become widely known in the world stage. The company definitely provides a potential range of hospitality services and consultancy on a friendly and forwarding attitude based on the in-depth understanding of the industry and the great experience in hotel chains of its executives.

“Well, Absolute Hotel Services is basically the client-centric hospitality solution company 42

offering rang of services in hospitality that can be taken as a whole or a la carte. It’s just like a restaurant, you have buffet where you can eat everything in the buffet. If you don’t like the buffet, you can order some items from the menu.

That’s the concept of the Absolute Hotel Services,” said Jonathan Wigley, Chief Executive Officer and the founder of Absolute Hotel Services. “It’s not just my hotel experiences, but my team experiences to make a viable hotel management company in Southeast Asia. My objective is the best in whatever we are doing as the team. We have to make the best result for ourselves and just for our partners as well. My objective has always been very simple, whatever I do, I want to be the best and that’s it,” he stressed.

Wigley was born in Hong Kong. He was sent to the boarding school in England since he

was 11 years old and graduated at 16.

He could not go to the university immediately following he finished boarding school because he was still too young and it was a little bid earlier at the time.

His father asked for the possibility to join his father’s business in cloth and garment when he was back to Hong Kong. He refused his father’s offer, saying that he would like to work in a hotel in Hong Kong. He had the chance to work at the Excel Hotel, part of the Mandarin Oriental Group. 11 months later, he was accepted to the university in Switzerland in order to study in hotel management and then get back to Hong Kong again to join force with Marco Polo Hotel as the management trainee before being promoted to permanent level as supervisor level or management level.

In Thailand, He started with Delta Grand Pacific Hotel, the former name of Westin Grand Sukhumvit, Bangkok, as the resident manager before joining with Landmark Hotel Group.

He was the hotel manager for Bangkok and vice president to sale and marketing for Landmark Group prior to joining force with Marriott and Minor International Group. His strong and proven foundation and vision in hospitality business are unquestionable while a firm understanding of Asian traditions and business cultures inspires him to form his own company – Absolute Hotel Services, which has been driving on creating the “U” hotels resorts brand in Thailand such as U Chiang Mai, U Kanchanaburi, U Khao Yai, U Samui, and people are going to see the grandeur U Bangkok in Bangkok soon.

“My first point is I want to have my own business, but before I think of forming my own business, I want to make sure that I have enough experience and knowledge based on working for previous companies. I have learned a lot of good things and bad things. And we felt that we are a company that could offer the

“We are not B-2-C brand (Business to Customer), but B-2-B brand (Business to Business).

So, we want to make sure we are an absolute solution company for hotel and resort,” he explained.

“We are absolute and we do like the word “Absolute” because it begins with “A”, which is very good for internet search engine.

You can find it very quick because it starts with the alphabet “A”

most complete solution to partners and companies wanting to operate in the hospitality. Absolute could do absolutely everything in hospitality, hotel, and resort.”

“We are not B-2-C brand (Business to Customer), but B-2-B brand (Business to Business). So, we want to make sure we are an absolute solution company for hotel and resort,” he explained. “We are absolute and we do like the word “Absolute” because it begins with “A”, which is very good for internet search engine. You can find it very quick because it starts with the alphabet “A” “Following opening my own company, I would honestly say that two things that I have been mostly proud of in my career so far is the opening of U Chiang Mai resort and the second one that I am very proud of is my time serving at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. I took the under-performing hotel or resort and made it a successful hotel in Bangkok. There are many things that I am proud of in this area and I hope more to come.”

It could be said that Absolute Hotel Services is the brand owner or brand operator.

Furthermore, Absolute is also driving on the ongoing bid to create the “U” brand in the upcountry such as U Kanchanaburi, U Khao Yai, U Samui, and the grandeur U Bangkok or a big new brand in Bangkok at the end of this year, including other new brand hotels and resorts in Thailand and the surrounding region in the coming years. All of these will never be brought into reality without the help of the people who have the same attitude and work as the teamwork.

“I am lucky enough to have my team that has worked together for many years,” he said.

“It was my desire to have the company and it’s also my desire to include people that I want to work with. My style is I’d like to surround myself with the best talent and listen to them.”

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“The difference in the Absolute Hotel Services is brain power. I only brought very clever and the best people. It’s not about how many people we have, but it’s about how many quality people we have. And we can guarantee our client from our brain power and our clever people who are best in their area.”

“Listening is the most important thing in hotel management,” he said. “You have to listen to your customer, you have to take action based on your targeted customer’s feedback, you have to be good value, and you have to be flexible. I’d say value and flexibility are the two things that customer wants” “That’s why U brand would be self-successful because it’s not created by our team, but it’s created by customers. They tell us what they want and we just do it.”

For an effective solution for the competitive 44

hospitality business, Wigley emphasizes on boutique hotels and resort, which have increasingly become a fashion-like accommodation and also become more business-minded than in the past. The advanced benefit for a small hotel and resort, he said, is that we can provide the personal care to all of guests and the owner of the establishment.

The challenge for a new hotel management company might not be the other well-known international hotel management brands, but how we can thoroughly see a salutary strategy and understand a business or what we are committing regardless of the size in business.

Understanding and sharing to each other is also the most important thing for a joint venture business wishing to have a flying start in establishing international thing in a country and exploded into the world.

“We are giving personal care and attention because we are not going to do two thousand hotels. We expect to have about 20 in U brand, 15 for new brand. You cannot give everyone enough love when you do two thousand hotels, but when you stay small, you can give everyone enough love. We want to think like the developer and look at the business like the owner,” he explained.

“The biggest challenge for Absolute Hotel Services may be too much work,” he smiled.

“But I look at that as the opportunity. I think we have been surprised by our success so far.

I would like to say that a lot of companies are only looking for their own interests, but we are looking for the interest of the owner or developer.

Unless the developer wins, we don’t win.

We will win together and loss together. So, we need to be in win-win situation,” he said.

Traveler

by Euan McKirdy

Rolling On

California Highway

When it comes to road trips, two wheels often provide the best way to experience the scenery and no more so than in beautiful Northern California.

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t’s 6:30am and the fog has barely started burning off the San Francisco Bay. But Cat MacLeod, Tour Master and operator of Leod Escapes, wants to get an early start. “We’re fitting four days of riding into three,” he explains, setting the scene for our upcoming epic trek crisscrossing Northern California.

The night before we obtained our bikes - a cruisy BMW R1200R and the more upright, off-road-inspired BMW R1200GS - from Dubbelju Motorcycles, one of the city’s oldest and best motorcycle rentals.

In theory, the route sounds simple enough and looking at maps online, it doesn’t seem like Day One, which takes us from San Francisco

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to Lake Tahoe, will be particularly arduous.

However, after crossing the Central Valley, we have the small matter of traversing the Sierra Nevada - the glorious mountain range that separates California from Nevada - to contend with.

So we find ourselves setting out over San Francisco’s Bay Bridge in the mercifully sparse early Saturday morning traffic, the sun flitting between the girders as we make our first tentative foray on our rented bikes.

In spite, or perhaps because, of its steep inclines, San Francisco is a biker’s city, and it allegedly has a higher ownership per capita then any other place in the US. “The reason is

simple,” says MacLeod, a giant of a man with a Viking’s flowing blonde hair, who dwarfs his 1200cc Ducati Multistrada. “Northern California has the best riding in the States. I’d argue that point with anyone.”

In terms of the roads that we were to experience that day, and the subsequent two, it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Other regions of the US have equally jaw - dropping scenery but in terms of sheer diversity of terrain, coupled with the length of the riding season - it only becomes miserable for a couple of rainy winter months - it’s hard to imagine a serious rival.

The first part of the trip is pretty straightforward. We navigate our way across the bay and past Oakland, heading out through suburbia to the sprawling farmlands of the northern Central Valley.

If you’re not from the States or a similarly vast country, it’s hard to imagine the scale of the countryside, and even at this early stage - first travelling through orchards, then cattle

ranches - it is impressive to eyes accustomed to Asian landscapes.

We encounter our first curves as soon as suburbia peters out, on Marsh Creek Road below Mount Diablo, but our guide dismisses these elementary swoops as a mere taste.

“These are nothing. Wait until we get up into the mountains,” he promises.

The produce, blueberries and strawberries, apricots and peaches, sold by the roadside along this stretch is like “a farmer’s market spread along the road,” says Cat’s wife and tour companion, Maus. It’s the first sign of California’s rich agricultural bounty, and a heartening indicator of things to come. The state has long had a commitment to fresh local ingredients, and in addition to the blockbuster names like the French Laundry in Napa, there is an increasing support of localisation right down to the most small-town places. Our breakfast pit stop, at the Grounds coffee shop and restaurant (groundsrestaurant.com) in the

pretty little town of Murphys, illustrates this beautifully.

We soon leave the small - town setting behind and head out through historic gold country. Our excitement mounts when the first sweeps and turns of the Sierra Nevada foothills become evident.

Having a tour guide under these circumstances is invaluable - Cat’s local knowledge, gleaned from years, if not decades, of riding these back roads, is encyclopedic, and George, the photographer, and I are content to allow him to dictate both the pace and the route.

The route is carefully mapped out to provide us with a huge diversity of landscapes-from the stunning, high-elevation switchbacks of the High Sierras, where the last of the winter snow feeds crystal clear mountain streams, to semi-arid desertscapes, the agricultural heartland of the Central Valley, the back roads of the beautiful Napa and Sonoma County’s wine country, and the latter’s utterly breathtaking coastline, along the famed Highway 1.

Plateauing just above the tree line, at around 9,500 feet (2,896 metres), the Sierra’s Sonora Pass is pure Californian wilderness and the air is heavy with the ozone-fresh smell of pine.

Wildflowers line the roadside and the wooded turns often open up into breathtaking vistas.

The road, which remains closed for the winter months, snakes over this hugely impressive range. The curves are as good as any I’ve experienced (thus far, at least) and with a gentle caution from Cat about the logging trucks’ predilection to spray gravel over the road, we’re off, coaxing our bikes around these snaking turns. On the way down, the road turns into a yawning switchback and past this the valley floor opens up in front of you.

The road leads down to, and alongside, the Walker River, a mountain-fed confluence that takes us past Jeff Kinds’ Mountain View Barbeque.

It’s a true roadside joint and during the summer, Kinds estimates that fully half of his clientele arrive on motorcycles.

The proprietor is dedicated to his craft, and wakes before dawn to start smoking his brisket.

This attention to the slow art of smoking means there really is no better place to stop for lunch on this beautifully desolate road.

After eating we’re soon back up on a high plateau, overlooking the vastness of California and to the north, Nevada. The road leads to this neighbouring state and the border town of South Lake Tahoe, where the state line - on the Nevada side, at least - is celebrated with its most famous industry - casinos.

Back on the Californian side, we stay in the eco-friendly 968 Park Hotel - all repurposed wood, local craft beers and live music. A quick dinner by the lake is followed by a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

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But with another early start the climb back over the mountains begins and this time we take the Carson Pass, complete with alpine lakes and a stunning lookout point at 8,000 feet (2,438 metres). This eventually leads to a turnoff onto Shake Ridge Road, Fiddletown and the back roads of the Gold Country.

This time the road takes us through wooded, sun-dappled backcountry, past picture-perfect farms and their 1930s-era red-painted barns.

It’s a marked contrast from the rarified air of the mountains.

It also marks the beginning of wine country - the state has cultivated vineyards here for well over a century - and we make a quick stop in the Italian-themed Toscana (villatoscano.com) for an impromptu take-home purchase. Most wineries welcome visitors for on-site sales and some, like Toscana, also offer meals.

We soon head out again, however, for a straight shot across the Central Valley toward wine country proper. The roads around Stockton and Lodi, just to the south of the state capital Sacramento, are largely unremarkable but riders are eventually rewarded for their patience with the Suison Valley Road and Highway 121, a curvy section of mostly new blacktop that takes you into northern Napa and the picturesque town of Calistoga.

Once famous for its hot springs, Calistoga is now known for its wine tours, which are sensibly bussed around. Should bikers wish to stay overnight, two tour groups - Terrific Tours (terrifictours.com) and Platypus (platypustours. com) - provide fantastic, chauffeured wine tours.

We stop for a much-needed lunch break at the lovely Hydro Grill and its award-winning burgers. It’s ostensibly a pub, but very much a Napa-style eatery, meaning quality is high up on the list of priorities.

From Napa and into Sonoma, the landscape is marked by endless trellised vines, which make for a scenic run through low-lying, twisting roads. We head through Anderson Valley, making our way toward the man-made Sonoma Lake, a popular weekend destination.

Turning off left before the lake proper, we climb once again and encounter the signature curves of California riding - not only the wide, sweeping roads that invite hard-leaning turns at speed but also a plethora of tighter, more technical bends. We drive along the forested slopes to the bottom of the valley, then up again, toward the coast and Sea Ranch (sonomacounty.com/cities/sea-ranch).

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A brief stop to help some stranded bikers deal with a deep puncture causes a slight delay, but soon we encounter the coastal mists of that most iconic of American roads, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), otherwise known as California State Highway 1. We make our way along the final ten miles or so to the tiny town of Gualala, our overnight stop.

The Breakers Inn, looking out over Northern California’s dramatic coastline, is an ideal way to experience the ruggedness of this landscape while remaining in comfort. While the titular waves boom throughout the night, this small hotel’s occupants are kept warm by in-room log fires.

Cat hands out small wipers that fit over a gloved finger the next morning, as the cold, coastal fog can quickly condensate on visors.

We head south, hugging the coast, which often falls away dramatically giving sweeping vistas of crashing waves along this unforgiving stretch. It’s often hard to keep an eye on the road, so mesmerising is this scenery.

An early lunch stop takes place at one of the most memorable culinary stops on the journey. The Marshall Store (themarshallstore.

com), just outside of Tomales, is one of several roadside shacks along Highway 1 that pull oysters out of the bay and prepare them to a uniquely PCH recipe. Thrown on a barbeque, when ready they pop open under steam pressure.

Dashed with chorizo or hot sauce, they’re served by the dozen with sourdough bread, that Northern California mainstay, and local beers.

Replete with shellfish, it’s time for the final leg, through Point Reyes, Marin County and the famed redwood forests. We zoom past George Lucas’ famous Skywalker Ranch – stopping in the driveway for the briefest of photos – before joining Highway 110 and the traffic toward that most famous of San Francisco landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Navigating our way back through the city to the Dubbelju garage to return our trusty steeds, we notice that the tripmeter has clocked us in at a neat 800 miles (about 1,280 kilometres) – a tidy end to a hugely diverse, visually rich three days on the road.

Motorcycle Details

Where to Stay San Francisco, of course, has a huge range of hotels. Two very different sides of the city can be found at the ultra-modern, skyscraper-based Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco), our base before the trek, or the full-of-character Queen Anne Hotel (queenanne.com), a repurposed girl’s school that retains many original architectural elements.

On the road, the 968 Park Hotel (968parkhotel.com) in South Lake Tahoe provides unpretentious accommodation, and the Breaker’s Inn (breakersinn.com) in Gualala is a great choice of coastal venue.

Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals (dubbelju. com) provide a range of top-of-the-line machines. All are impeccably maintained and great for anything from a trip of a couple days to weeks-long jaunts. Riders are required to hold a valid US or overseas motorcycle licence, and to have at least two years’ experience on bikes of 450cc or larger.

Leod Escapes (leodescapes.com) provides standard scheduled tours and custom-designed tours, led by local guides with extensive experience. The tours range from groups of up to 12 bikes for several weeks or just a single rider for one day.

Bear in mind that motorcycle riding is by its nature a potentially dangerous endeavour, so check with your insurance company to make sure that it is covered before booking a trip.

Take Off

THAI Welcomes HRH Princess Ubolratana at ITB 2014

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana graciously visited Thai Airways International’s booth, set under the theme, “Amaze Your Journey by THAI Legendary Services, THAI Smooth as Silk” at the Asia Pavilion at ITB 2014. HRH Princess Ubolratanawas welcomed

by Mr. Pricha Nawongs, THAIAreaGeneral Manager of Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland and the Baltic Countries and Mr. Warote Intasara, THAI General Manager of Munich and Federal Republic of Germany, together with THAI management from Frankfurt and Munich offices. ITB in Berlin, Germany, is the world’s largest tourism convention, which provides unique opportunities to benefit from the leading think tank of the global tourism industry.

More than 170,000 visitors attend ITB each year, among them are 113,000 trade visitors, and 11,000 represented companies from 180 countries.

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Emirates Sponsors Junior Dublin Literary Award

Emirates sponsored the ninth Junior Dublin Literary Award for Thailand by flying the winner, Achiraya Umpornpun from Concordian International school, to Dublin, Ireland.

The presentation ceremony was held recently at the Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok. The objective of the annual competition is to enhance the creative English writing skills of Thai students nationwide and to encourage innovative thinking.

Singapore-Okinawa New Air Link

Singapore and Okinawa have signed a new partnership designed to boost trade and tourism between the islands. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) penned between the Okinawa government and Changi Airport Group will see the two parties work together to promote new air routes, in an effort to boost traffic between Okinawa and Singapore, plus the broader Southeast Asia, India and Australia regions. “This MoU is aimed at enhancing direct air connectivity between the two cities.

Changi Airport is keen to establish a direct link to Okinawa. The prefecture shares the common interest to promote tourism, trade and transport people from one destination to another,” said Wong Woon Liong, Changi Airport’s senior advisor. Hirozaku Nakaima, governor of Okinawa, said he expects the new agreement to make Okinawa a “new attractive destination” for the 1.2 billion residents of South and Southeast Asia.

ANA To Order 70 New Aircrafts

ANA has decided to purchase 20 Boeing 777-9X aircraft and 14 additional B787-9 Dreamliners. It will also buy six more B777-300ER aircraft, to support its expansion efforts while waiting for the delivery of the new B777-X9s, which are not expected to enter service until after 2020. The order with Airbus consists of 30 single-aisle jets – seven A320neo and 23 A321neo aircraft – which will replace ANA’s existing B737-500 and standard A320 aircraft. The A320neo is the new fuel-efficient version of the A320, which is expected to enter service in 2015. All the new aircraft will be delivered from 2016 to 2027, and will eventually increase the size of ANA’s fleet to 250 aircraft.

At present, ANA – Japan’s biggest carrier in terms of fleet size and passenger traffic – has just over 200 aircraft. As well as retiring its older B737s and A320s, the airline will also phase out its B747-400s and B767s over the coming years. ANA was the launch customer of the B787 Dreamliner, and this latest order will increase its total commitment for the B787 series to 80 aircraft, making ANA the world’s biggest Dreamliner operator.

Tigerair to Order Up to 50 A320neo

Singapore’s Tigerair has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of up to 50 A320neo aircraft for future fleet renewal and growth.

The deal covers 37 firm orders plus 13 options.

The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100 engines and will be operated by the airline across its Asia-Pacific route network.

“We are delighted to conclude this agreement, which will allow us to introduce the latest single-aisle aircraft into our fleet,” said Mr Koay Peng Yen, Tigerair’s Group CEO, “This agreement also underscores Tigerair’s commitment to continue building on our leadership position in the budget travel sector at a measured pace.”

About Tigerair, its network extends to over 50 destinations across 14 countries in the AsiaPacific region. The group currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 48 A320-family aircraft, averaging less than three years of age. Such order highlights the unbeatable operating economics offered by single aisle product line of A320 from both the low cost and full service markets. The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 10,200 orders to date and over 6,000 aircraft delivered. The latest version A320neo will enter service in 2015 and incorporates new engines and “Sharklet” wing tip devices which together deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings.

V Air to Become Taiwan’s First LCC

TransAsia Airways recently revealed V Air as its new subsidiary, which is set to become Taiwan’s first low-cost carrier (LCC). The new LCC will use the symbol of Taiwan’s native Formosan black bear, to be known as the ‘V Bear’, along with a bold blue name on a white background. Expected to launch later this year, V Air will initially operate a fleet of two or three Airbus A320 or A321 aircraft on flights within a flight radius of five hours. This will include destinations in Northeast and Southeast Asia, which the airline said are “popular travel destinations for Taiwanese”. Firm details of the new airline’s routes and fares will be announced at a later date. “TransAsia Airways is Taiwan’s first privately-owned airline company, and after 63 years, V Air will become Taiwan’s first budget airline brand,” said V Air’s chairman, Vincent Lin. “In the future, TransAsia Airways will join forces from the two brands through different strategies, allowing consumers to explore more possibilities in terms of both time and price considerations.” V Air will be joined in the Taiwanese budget sector by Tigerair Taiwan – a new Taipei-based joint venture between Tigerair and China Airlines.

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Rest In Style

By Glodow Nead Communications

The Next Unprecedented Exclusivity

in Las Vegas

Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, a world-class luxury hotel condominium rising 600 feet above the iconic Las Vegas strip, offers buyers to indulge in the City’s world-renowned lifestyle and enjoy five-star services and amenities, a central location, and the timesaving convenience of a fully-furnished, turn-key property with a unique opportunity to own the city’s most prestigious fully-furnished residences. Future owners are able to escape into the exclusivity of a private home filled with the extraordinary comforts and privileges that only Trump can provide.a

Reservations can be made at www.trumplasvegashotel.com, or by calling (855) LV-TRUMP (588-7867). The Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is located at 2000 Fashion Show Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.

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F

amous for its entertainment, dining and nightlife, Las Vegas has much to offer both domestic and international buyers. According to the latest data from the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), the Las Vegas property market continues its strong upswing as median home prices increased 24 percent last year. Las Vegas has also further established itself as a global city, developing sophisticated new residential buildings, luxury hotels, big-name shows and fine dining restaurants that are enhancing its reputation as a tourist hub.

Trump International Hotel Las Vegas features 1,232 ultra-luxury hotel condominium suites and 50 exclusive penthouse suites spread over 64 floors, with luxurious amenities such as an award-winning spa, salon and fitness center, DJT Restaurant, H2(EAU) poolside café and bar, an expansive pool deck with private cabanas, and a full-service business center.

Owners also enjoy a dedicated Trump Attaché, valet parking and 24-hour concierge service, among other services.

A dramatic, 64-story tower encased in 24-karat gold glass, Trump Las Vegas shines like a magnificent jewel on the Las Vegas strip.

Ideally located at 2000 Fashion Show Drive, the

spectacular resort is steps away from some of the famed shopping, gaming and entertainment that make Las Vegas the nightlife capital of the world. Five-star services and amenities include the award-winning Spa at Trump; DJT Restaurant; H2(EAU) poolside café; an expansive pool deck with private cabanas; 24-hour doorman; a full-service business center; signature Trump Kids and Trump Pets programs; and a dedicated owner representative, part of the signature Trump Attaché program.

Representative of the building’s penthouse suites at the sales center boasts a full-sized kitchen with breakfast bar that is equipped with Sub-Zero, Bosch, and Wolf appliances. In addition, a well-appointed living and dining area is furnished in a classic contemporary style and boasts unparalleled floor-to-ceiling views of Las Vegas. Two master bedrooms feature inviting signature sleep systems, and each includes a walk-in closet and elegant master bath with Italian marble countertops, glass-enclosed dual-head shower, whirlpool tub, and high-tech in-mirror plasma television.

For an unprecedented level of personalized service and pampering, the popular studio suites are also available, perfectly sized at 526

square feet. Buyers may now choose from two different layouts-featuring either a king-sized bed or dual queen beds to best suit their preferences. Featuring magnificent views of the city, Strip and mountains, studios offer a glamorous living space with elegant crown moldings, custom cabinetry and a state-of-the-art kitchenette. Beautiful Breccia Onniciata marble encapsulates the bathroom, complete with double-sink vanity, 6-foot whirlpool tub, and a high-tech, in-mirror plasma television. The studios are truly one-of-a-kind Las Vegas condominium residences that bestow a spectacular lifestyle.

Trump International Las Vegas allows owners to indulge in Las Vegas’ incredible lifestyle and enjoy the timesaving, low maintenance convenience of a fully-furnished, turnkey property. Ideally located in close proximity to world-renowned shopping, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Wynn Las Vegas, and some of the city’s best casinos, Trump Las Vegas is a non-gaming hotel condominium that is both luxurious and relaxing. Studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos are available for purchase, boasting spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip. Prices range from US250,000 to US$3,500,000 53

Dining Room

by Rangsan Srirat

An Outlook

Of Italian Gastronomy

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Looking for a homey, peaceful, small and yet chic eatery for a dining experience suitable for an intimate dinner for two, a special gathering, or small group functions, Prego is well one of a very nice venues among handful number of independent Italian bistros in Samui island to help transport you enjoy the traditional and modern Italian touch with contemporary flair as its stylish ambience is the good compliment and perfect match to the modern and creative twists that its Italian Chef Marco has added to his culinary delights.

P

Visit www.prego-samui. com for more information or make a reservation at +66 (0) 7730 0317.

rego is managed by Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui and located across the popular stretch of Chaweng beach, the Italian eatery features an open-air pizza kitchen where guests can watch Italian chef Marco Boscaini in action to present the combining authentic Italian food with a lively dining ambiance, the menu of crisp salads, gourmet pizzas, handmade pastas, fresh seafood and tantalizing desserts is guaranteed to please.

Prego highlights the al fresco dining with the blend of casual and contemporary ambience.

The setting is airy with water and floral decoration, with the ultimate feature being the open-air pizza. The restaurant welcomes diners with an alluring menu for those seeking European flavours amidst the island paradise of Koh

Samui. Since it first opened its door a decade ago, Prego has been the talk-of-the-town with its brick oven pizzas, homemade pastas as dishes are prepared to perfection using imported ingredients from Italy.

Known for his modern take on rustic recipes, some of Chef Marco’s popular dishes include grilled lamb chops served with baked tomato and sautéed spinach, pan-fried snow fish medallions with a vegetable caponata, and everybody’s favourite tiramisu al café, made from his own special recipe. Don’t forget to catch up with the assorted regional Italian medium-sized cold cuts of salami, parma ham and other regional specialties. Diners can complement all this and more with Prego’s extensive wine list.

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Health & Beauty

UV EXPERT ™ XL-SHIELD To extend the benefit of Blanc Expert with a dream complexion and protect the skin tone, UV EXPERT, number one UV brand in Asia*, proposes a new standard in UV Protection, the new face of expert protection. For the very first time Lancôme’s XL-Shield™ protects skin against XL UVA rays.

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protection and a very pleasant texture, as light as one rose petal. Skin stays shielded and radiant, this sensational extract brings out a nude rosy skin all day long.

Genuine to Lancôme’s texture cult, the formula provides a sensation of intense comfort and is approved by 100% women. It creates a fantastic nude effect.

Packaged in modern and feminine tube, UV Expert XL-Shield™ is easy to adopt by means of its practical service cap. The touch of ruby color reminds of healthy skin tone, emphasize a conspicuous feminine universe.

THE HARM OF XL UVA Long UVA rays, also called XL UVA, which penetrate more deeply than short UVA and UVB rays, are more harmful to the skin and affect it in three areas in the long term: - Colour: they cause melanin to turn grey.

Day after day, skin becomes dull and lacklustre and sun-induced age spots appear.

- Functional: they lead to cell dysfunction.

The defences become weaker and the skin dries out.

- Structural: they impair the quality of the skin. Its elasticity declines, wrinkles form and redness appears. * Beauty research, Asia 5 markets Consolidation (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong) – Fragrances and Cosmetics Selective Distribution – Full Year report for calendar year 2012 shows that Lancôme has been ranked 1st brand overall in value.

In its search for ever more effective sun and pollution protection solutions, UV Expert XL-Shield™ is targeting its action at the frontier of long UVA rays for a more luminous and even tan. The skin is protected, including against long UVA rays, defends itself better.

The skin’s youthfulness is visibly preserved.

XL-SHIELD™ FOR XL PROTECTION AGAINST EXTERNAL AGGRESSIONS A beautiful skin needs to be protected and preserved. The new XL-Shield™ technology has an anti- greyness and anti-dullness action to protect the skin tone and create a wonderful nude effect. A powerful shield designed to stimulate the creation of a beautiful skin tone in many circumstance, flawless and notably uniform.

With a deeper penetration into the skin, long UVA rays are more harmful to the skin.

UV Expert XL-Shield™ is targeting its action at the frontier of long UVA rays and can also

boast about a new combination of UV filters for 12 hours of UVB solar protection. The skin is protected against UV rays, including long UVA rays, and defends itself better. An advanced technology, an XL protection.

To enhance and reveal all the radiance of Asian skin, UV Expert XL-Shield™ also combines actives to prevent against external aggressions and internal damages. Enriched with a pollu-safe complex known for its anti pollution properties and other actives famous for its anti ageing benefits.

AN INNOVATIVE TEXTURE IN A BRAND NEW DESIGN The expert formula of UV Expert XL-Shield™ associates an optimal alliance of ever advancing

UV EXPERT PERFORMANCE, 100% APPROVED BY WOMEN UV Expert XL-Shield™ gathers 100% of women’s approval, they find find their complexion more uniform and less dull, their skin look fairer, visibly younger and healthy, the skin tone seems natural. The product is well appreciated for its anti-ageing properties and benefits for a beautiful skin, the wrinkles and fine line seem less visible, and the blemishes seem softened1.

The texture of UV Expert XL-Shield™ is 100% approved by women, they find it comfortable, rich and protective2.

1 Self-assessments – 42 women - 1 to 4 weeks.

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Update

1

Hilton’s Cool Escapes Hilton Bandung has unveiled a selection of excursions and activities for families built around day trips that make the most of Bandung’s refreshing cool climate and get to the heart of a relatively undiscovered destination. The Cool Change! Escapes series blends adventure with culture through a number of special sojourns such as hiking and picnicking on a volcano, rain forest zip-line flights, learning how to play with the local Angklung orchestra, cooking Sundanese cuisine and biking through pine tree woodlands.

All of the experiences are specially tailored to families, offering non-digital activities as well as the quality assurance of the city resort’s My Little Hilton program. This program also provides children with privileges and surprises all of their own, including a special Kids’ Check-In, welcome amenities and children’s menus and spa packages. For booking details please contact reservation.bandung@hilton.comor call +62-22-8606-6888

2 Experience A Vista View of Phuket Avista Hideaway Resort and Spa has launched a new 4-night Tropical Escape package designed to maximise an entirely unique experience in Phuket. The package includes 4-night stay in a Tropical Hideaway Pool Suite, round-trip transfers by private limousine, 45 minute traditional Ayurvedic treatment – Shirodhara, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine in an exceptional private suite, a window to the turquoise beauty of the Andaman Sea. Price starts at Bt99,000 net, valid from now until 31 October 2014. For further info, visit www.avistahotelsandresorts.com

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3 The Chedi Andermatt Opens In Switzerland Highly anticipated destination of Andermatt gets nod from New York Times as one of “Best places to go in 2014” with the opening of The Chedi Andermatt. Discerning Asian buyers can now enjoy the outstanding 5-star services, restaurants and amenities of Switzerland’s most talked about resort. The Chedi Andermatt offers owners of The Chedi Residences privileged access to world-class cuisine, bespoke wellness and fitness experiences and the status that comes with owning a piece in what the New York Times has declared as one of the “Best places to go in 2014.” The Chedi Andermatt is uniquely suited for discerning Asian buyers seeking a second home in one of Europe’s most sought-after locales. The resort features a contemporary design by the renowned Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston International Architects and Planners of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The architecture combines traditional alpine style with clean modern lines and sumptuous luxury amenities. The resort’s ambiance is elegantly casual, enhanced by traditional features and materials, like dozens of indoor and outdoor fireplaces spread throughout the common areas where small groups can relax with a glass of wine, espresso or hot cider. For more info, visit www.thechedi-andermatt.com

Trump SoHo New York, the neighborhood’s only AAA Five Diamond rated hotel, invites parents-to-be to check in for rest and relaxation with a new overnight babymoon experience and Bundle of Baby Bliss spa package at The Spa at Trump, an award-winning urban sanctuary featuring New York’s only luxury hammam. Providing guests with world-class accommodations, unparalleled New York City skyline views, and unrivaled service, Trump SoHo is the city’s top spot to indulge and be babied.

The price of the Bundle of Baby Bliss package is US$320.00. Guests may book a treatment at The Spa at Trump by calling +1(212) 842-5505 or e-mailing sohospa@trumphotels.com. The starting price of the babymoon travel package is US$645.00 per night, based on a Superior King Room (minimum two-night stay). For reservations or more information, please call (877) 828-7080 or visit www.trumpsohohotel.com/offers.

4 Trump SoHo New York Caters to Moms-to-Be

Positive Sign for Aqua Boracay 5

6 Family Fun Package Experience an authentic Moroccan styled beach resort and spend happy time with your family at Villa Maroc, Pranburi. Price starts from Bt22,000 net per night in a One Bedroom Villa or you may pay just a little more to upgrade your stay at Two Bedroom Villa for all bookings with a minimum consecutive two nights stay. This special rate is available for two adults with a maximum of two children (12 years and below). The “Family Fun Package” includes a sumptuous breakfast to fuel up for a day on the beach, an in-room DVD movie with popcorn and French fries, and a mini BBQ set menu at the end of the joyful day. Available from May 1-31, 2014 (Monday – Thursday)

Aqua Boracay Group today confirms that Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. will complete the extension of Boracay Airport’s Caticlan runway by the end of 2014, indicating that the entire airport is on track to welcome large international flights by mid-2015. Boracay Airport, also known as the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, will be further developed to allow for a new terminal, aviation equipment and nearby commercial facilities, marking an investment of approximately $300 million.

According to the official Philippines Tourism records, the highest number of tourists arrived to Boracay from Korea, closely followed by mainland China. With the extension of Boracay Airport, traffic figures are expected to reach 3 million visitors in 2015. This news comes as Aqua Boracay by yoo’s luxury residential development has displayed strong progress on Phases 1 and 2 of construction, with completion expected by end of 2014. Potential buyers who wish to receive further sales information about Aqua Boracay by yoo or may call +639189859110 or email info@aquaboracay. com. To learn more about Aqua Boracay by yoo please visit www.aquaboracay.com 59

8 The Real French Lifestyle

7 Peruvian Gastronomic Journey

VIE Hotel Bangkok launches a fascinating new menu and concept, totally revamping and renaming its flagship all-day dining restaurant on the 11th floor. La VIE - Creative French Cuisine is the new name and it aptly represents the celebration of life’s quality enjoyments that VIE Hotel Bangkok is known for. The new menu offers creative French cuisine with a taste and presentation that puts guests’ palates firmly in the world of delicious high end dining. Every dish is a voyage in gastronomy as well as design, from the Tiger prawns flambé to the Wagyu Tenderloin and including the rich desserts, such as Dark and White Chocolate Millefeuille and French Crème Brûlée, and a delightful variety of starters soups and salads. Menu descriptions read like fine wines and the dishes are sure to be just as savoured. Available for both lunch and dinner and don’t miss the grand opening period for the great lunch and dinner promotions and the glorious “Come 2 Pay 1” offer! For reservation, contact +66 (0) 2309 3939, email info@viehotelbangkok.com, or visit on www.facebook.com/viebangkok

Hilton Tokyo and Kyodai Japan, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Peru will jointly feature a special event titled ‘Fascinating Peru –Gourmet food & Cultural Promotion’ for the eighth consecutive year at the Hilton Tokyo’s Restaurant ‘Checkers’ from April 11to April 20, 2014. During this event, guests will have an opportunity to feast on a wide range of authentic Peruvian dishes on the lunch buffet (from 3,950 JPY) and dinner buffet (6,300 JPY) specially prepared by Peruvian guest chefs; Mr. Jose Cobata and Mr. Carlos Tipula. Live Peruvian folk loric entertainment is also available during dinner time on Saturdays and Sundays. Heir to ancient cultures from the time of the Inca Empire, Peru is a magical spot, home toone of the richest. For more information or reservations, please call 03-3344-5111, ‘Checkers’ 330.

9 Old Recipe At Park Society

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Throughout May, visit Park Society, Bangkok’s talk-of-the-town rooftop restaurant and bar on 29th floor of Sofitel So Bangkok to experience the old French cuisine. At this dinner, you will enjoy a 5-course Old Recipes set menu with an amazing view overlooking the skyline of Bangkok at THB2,999++ per person. The Park Society is where fine gastronomy meets spectacular views that captivate the senses as the array of

surrounding city lights playfully converge on the chic setting. Giving a choice of indoor and alfresco dining and with a culinary artist team led by awarding-winning Chef Paul Smart, Park Society adopts a Chef’s table concept which allows diners to tailor their dishes exactly the way they like from a wide range of fresh seasonal ingredients. Advance reservations are highly recommended at +66 (0) 2624 0000 or email: H6835-FB5@Sofitel.com

11 Soneva Kiri Unveils Triple Gem Of Pampering Soneva Kiri’s offering a trio of treatments designed to invigorate even the most weary bodies and minds through a holistic healing approach perfectly aligned to its pristine island setting. Each package is geared to facilitate something akin to an altered state of consciousness and will be tailored to each guest’s needs by expert spa hosts whose primary aim is to deliver highly personalised paths to wellbeing and relaxation. One is an Ayurvedic Wellness Programme, which consists of organic, calorie-controlled Ayurvedic cuisine suited to cosmopolitan palates as well as Ayurvedic consultations, advice and Ayurvedic spa treatments fused with yoga and meditation.

Details: 5-21 nights with prices starting at Single occupancy USD 5,170 and Double USD 7,591. Another two pampering programs include The Sleep Well & De-stress Programme and The Weight Loss Programmes. For more info and reservation, contact +66(0) 39 619 800 or visit www.soneva.com

10 Unlimited Flow of Cocktails FLOW Tasting Room located on 2nd floor of Le Fenix Sukhumvit soi11 is now offering a weekend special promotion, an “Unlimited Cocktails with Tapas Corner” with a wide variety of cocktails including Margarita, Dry Martini, Cosmopolitan, Kamikaze, Sex on the Beach with an unlimited Tapas corner for 2 hours from 7-9 pm at price only at Bt599 Net and special at Bt499 Net for early bird booking 7 days in advance. This promotion is available for only Friday and Saturday from now until Saturday 31 May 2014. For more info, contact +66 (0) 2305 4000 or E-mail: enquiry@lefenixbangkok. com or visit www.lefenixbangkok.com

12 Navasana Spa Opens at Outrigger Mauritius

The Navasana Spa is now open at the beachfront property Mauritius owned by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. The spa features 13 treatment cabins in a 1,800 sqm luxury retreat within the resort’s garden. The Navasana Spa uses the French product, “TERRAKE,” known for its spa concepts inspired by four elemental forces that made the birth of the world possible: Earth, water, plant life, and air and light. Within the spa, six cabins are reserved for water treatments: hydro-massages, invigorating jet showers and balneotherapy. The seven other cabins are dedicated to Shiatsu, facial, manicure and pedicure, and a wide variety of massages from around the world. There is also a VIP double cabin with private bathtub, shower and garden. The Navasana Spa at the Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa is open 11am to 8pm daily. There will be a free yoga session in the solarium every Thursday afternoon. Gift vouchers for all Navasana Spa treatments are available.

For more info, visit www.outriggermauritius.com 61

DJ Adam to Headline 2014 at Woobar Hotels Worldwide, in collaboration with 15 burnWstudios, an innovative music platform

13 THAI Wins Punctuality Award Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) recently won the “Punctuality Award Long Haul Airline” in the seventh edition Brussels Airport Aviation Awards for performance in 2013. THAI operates four roundtrip flights per week from Bangkok to Brussels and operated flights with a punctuality rate of 87 percent in 2013.

Mrs. Katrien Depauw (right), THAI District Sales Manager, Belgium & Luxembourg, received the “Punctuality Award Long Haul Airline” from Mr. Ward Decaluwe (center), Director, Operations Brussels Airport, with the presence of Ms. Kate Van Damme (left), THAI ASM of Swissport in Brussels. THAI was selected amongst four other air carriers under this category, which included Delta Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Qatar Airways. Brussels Airport has awarded aviation awards to airlines and partners that exhibit excellence in punctuality and performance, environment and safety, and network and route development since 2007.

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developed by burn®, a global leading energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company, annually hosts W Hotels & burn studios DJ Lab, one of the world’s best DJ searches that aims to recruit emerging music talents from around the world. Winners of the event get a chance to jet off to perform at different W hotels worldwide.

And one of the winners of last year Adam Share will be a special guest DJ at W Retreat Koh Samui this May. The babyfaced Adam Share, 24, who has had music into his life since he started to learn playing piano at four, is to spin his newest creations at W Retreat Koh Samui’s WOOBAR® on May 3, 2014 from 8:30pm onwards. (W House DJ beats from 6:00-8:30pm) Ticket is 600 THB, or 12,000 THB for an exclusive sunken pod for up to 10 guests with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Green Label or two bottles of Chandon.

For more info, contact +66 (0) 7791 5999 or email to bf.wkohsamui@whotels.com

14 Phi Ta Khon Festival Get ready to experience Thailand’s version of Halloween known as the Phi Ta Khon Festival on 27-29 of June 2014. It is a lively ghost festival in the Dan Sai District of Loei Province. The festival shows residents embracing the ghostly theme and adorning themselves with large colourful masks and fabulous outfits. This uniquely spiritual festival not only brings residents joy, but also provides a sense of harmony, love and respect amongst themselves and with their

ancestors. Loei Palace is offering the ‘Phi Ta Khon Special Package’ with a special rate of Bt2,998 net per person for a two-night stay.

Included is complimentary welcome drink and cold towel, daily breakfast for one person, round-trip transfer to the Dansai District to see the Phi Ta Khon Festival for one person For more information or to make a reservation, please call +66 (0) 4281 5668-73 or visit www.mosaic-collection.com/loeipalace

19 Dream Wine Voyage Experience

17 Samui Regatta 2014

16 The Distinctive Dusit To Fushun City Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts announced the signing of an agreement with Everfashion Group to manage a deluxe and beautiful castle-style hotel in Fushun city, part of Liaoning province near Shenyang. Dusit Thani Castle Fushun, Liaoning, is located within the Hot Go Park, currently being developed into one of the largest lifestyle and entertainment destinations in China, covering over 3.5 square kilometres.

Schedule to open in January 2017, the Dusit Thani Castle Fushun, Liaoning will be the first internationally-branded hotel in the city. The 450-room deluxe hotel, with its stunning castle architectural design, is approximately 45 minutes from Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and 40 minutes from Shenyang city centre by car.

The hotel will offer the award-winning Devarana Spa with a full range of lifestyle and wellness programs. Dining outlets will include an all-day dining restaurant, a theme restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a roof top bar and a lobby lounge. Recreational facilities will include an indoor swimming pool, a well-equipped gymnasium, a shopping arcade with luxury brands and a kid’s club. A ballroom and several meeting rooms with state of the art audio visual facilities will also be available in this unique hotel.

The 13th annual Samui Regatta is set to take place during May 25-31, 2014 from the Island’s most popular beach, Chaweng Beach.

Organised by Regattas Asia, Samui Regatta is headquartered at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui and attracts over 40 boats and more than 500 sailors of 30 different nationalities each year. A highlight of Samui Island’s social and sporting scene, Samui Regatta is also known as the ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ and is famous around the world for providing worldclass racing and putting on some of the best beachside regatta parties anywhere. Tickets to the 5-star Gala Dinner at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui on the final night are highly sought after.

SeaDream Yacht Club announces four niche Wine Voyages, including a special Wine Education Voyage, taking place from September 20 through November 8, 2014.

These experiences add to the two mega-yachts’ innovative culinary and beverage program, which features the first and only full raw cuisine menu onboard as well as showcasing local delicacies from ports of call. SeaDream most recently introduced a new Scandinavian menu for summer 2014 Northern Europe voyages that features reindeer, moose and fish caught from local fisherman daily.

For more information on SeaDream Yacht Club’s 2014 Fall Caribbean season, contact a travel professional, call 1-800-707-4911 or visit www.SeaDream.com.

18 Harley Davidson Discovery Trips Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi is offering guests the ultimate Easy Rider experience along the coastal roads to Pranburi with the introduction of Harley Davidson transfers from Bangkok.

The route weaves through fishing villages, limestone karsts,national parks,farm land and off the beaten track temples,such as Khao Luang cave temple just outside of Petchaburi,before reaching Pranburi,30-minutes past Hua Hin town. Riders then have the chance to explore further through the winding roads and

spectacular scenery in Sam Roi Yot National Park,which is near the resort. Included are 3 days / 2 nights in a luxury suite, 1 x half day adventure with picnic lunch on the mangroves with private long tail boat, Tuk Tuk Driving class (morning class), Cooking class on our very own private farm at Aleenta. Rates start at Bt38,900 net for Ocean Suite accommodation and the additional fees for Harley transfers are Bt12,000 each, availability until October 31, 2014. For more info, contact +66 2 514 8112.

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19 Valmont Prime Renewing Pack Valmont, the art of skin care specially designed for women from Switzerland introduces ‘Valmont Prime Renewing Pack’, the new formula of cellular anti-stress mask treatment to reveal skin’s natural beauty for visibly smooth, relax as well as utmost anti-aging care. The Valmont Prime Renewing Pack is now available at Valmont counter in Central Chidlom, Paris Spa branches at Alma Link Building, Paris Spa at Peninsula Plaza’s 1st floor and Paris Spa at Peninsula Plaza’s 3rd floor. For more details, please contact at Tel 02-655-2550, 02-652-2186.

20 Karen Millen’s The New Reality Fresh spirit is encapsulated in Karen Millen’s Spring / Summer 2014 collection. Its design team wanted to convey modern, urban, intelligent design – Karen Millen’s house codes – but with a renewed sense of ease.

That’s the New Reality: the crisp white cotton shirt, patchworked denim, a hint of nautical, and our signature leather jackets reworked in fresh white, playful stripes or a pop of colour.

These clothes are solution pieces; they are the building blocks of a modern wardrobe, each playing to the brand’s strengths of impeccable quality and attention to detail. The new collection is now available at Karen Millen shops and counters at Zen’s 1st floor, Siam Paragon’s 1st floor, Central Chidlom’s 2nd floor, the Emporium’s 1st floor.

21 Anne Klein Spring & Summer 2014 Collection The Anne Klein Spring/Summer 2014 collection offers a modern take of everyone’s favorite classics. Bold and graphic, Spring begins with a clean transitional palette of black, white, navy and vermillion, warming up to more seasonal hues of coral, jade, and peridot.

Iconic pieces get a trend-right update with faux leather and zipper trims, as well as mixed 64

statement graphics including chevrons, checks, mixed stripes, polka dots and leopard. The new collection on clothing is now available at Anne Klein counters at Paragon, the Emporium and Central Chidlom. Accessories collection is available at Anne Klein Central Ladprao, Zen, Siam Paragon, the Emporium and Central Chidlom.

For more details, please call at Tel 02 251-9712.

22 Conrad Bali Launches East Art Gallery The award-winning Conrad Bali has unveiled East Art Gallery to showcase contemporary Balinese art by generation artists as well as established masters on the island, aiming to stress the resort’s vision of connecting guests with authentic Balinese history, culture and traditions. The new space will be home to the first of eight scheduled monthly exhibitions this year. From now until 1 May, multimedia artist and graduate from the Indonesian Art Institute Denpasar, I Nyoman Suarnata, will show his work in an exploration of social issues on Bali such as rice farmers selling their land to developers and the risk this can have in eroding traditional ways of life. Prolific and award-winning painter, Balinese native Sugantika, will display his work from 2-29 May, offering an altogether different vision of Bali through spontaneity, playfulness and a love of life that shapes his work.

For more info and updates of the activities at Conrad Bali’s East Art Gallery, artist biographies and high-resolution photos, visit www.news. conradhotels.com/bali

Property Roundup

The Residences Debut

New Sales Center Ascott Celebrates 30 Years of Hospitality Excellence The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, continues to extend its global footprint as it kicks off its 30th anniversary celebrations with special promotions for its customers. From now until December 2014, Ascott’s online members will enjoy at least 30% off Best Flexible Rates at participating properties in over 30 cities worldwide. Guests who make bookings of 30 consecutive nights or more will receive a complimentary night for every 30 consecutive nights of stay. Guests can redeem their free nights at any Ascott property worldwide.

Ascott has recently secured contracts to manage its first property in Myanmar, Somerset Kabar Aye Yangon, and its third property in Wuhan, Somerset Zhuankou Wuhan. In addition, Ascott has opened its first property in Frankfurt, Citadines City Centre Frankfurt and will open Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur on 21 March 2014 and Ascott Midtown Suzhou in April 2014. For more info, visit www.the-ascott.com

Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, a world-class luxury hotel condominium rising 600 feet above the iconic Las Vegas strip, today announced the opening of a new sales center.

After a sales re-launch in 2012, condominium sales at Trump Las Vegas, comprised of 1,232 studio and one-bedroom suites and 50 penthouses, have grown exponentially with a five-fold increase in closings. The new sales center reflects a shift to focus on remaining inventory, including the one-, two- and three-bedroom penthouses that crown the tower’s upper floors. The surge in sales pace demonstrates that Trump Las Vegas, with its striking architecture, interiors, and unsurpassed amenities and services, represents a one-of-a-kind ownership opportunity in Las Vegas, allowing residents to indulge in the City’s world-renowned lifestyle and enjoy five-star services and amenities, a central location, and the timesaving convenience of a fully-furnished, turn-key property. Potential buyers who wish to schedule an appointment at Trump Las Vegas can reach the sales center at 877-TRUMP-11 (877-878-6711). Available floor plans range from 526 to 3,080 square feet and residences are priced from US$250,000 to US$3.75 million. To learn more about Trump International Las Vegas, please visit www.trumplv.com

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Hyatt has unveiled its first Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel, Japan, slated to open on 11 June 2014. The hotel will feature 164 rooms and suites housed at the top of the 52-storey Toranomon Hills tower, overlooking the Tokyo skyline. Hyatt said the bathrooms would be key features of the room design, coming equipped with deep bathtubs that are “inspired by Japanese bath culture”. As with all Andaz hotels, guests will be offered complimentary Wi-Fi and local calls, as well as a free non-alcoholic minibar items. Other hotel facilities will include a 37th floor spa and fitness centre, with a 20-metre swimming pool. There will also be a street-level cafe serving burgers and draught beers, and a pastry shop. “We are thrilled to introduce the Andaz brand to this exciting city to become a bridge between Tokyo’s fascinating past and dynamic future,” said the hotel’s GM, Arnaud de Saint-Exupéry.

“We look forward to offering the boutique lifestyle hotel concept to both guests and locals, which is something quite new for the Japanese hotel market. The Andaz brand is deeply rooted in local culture, and we are committed to providing an unscripted, Japanese-inspired experience to guests that will help them feel truly connected to the heart and soul of Tokyo.” Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills will become the 12th Andaz hotel in the world and only the second in Asia, following the Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai. www.tokyo.andaz.hyatt.com 66

New Office Landmark Revealed

Gaining Momentum Anantara Vacation Club, a luxury shared ownership concept, is delighted to announce that it has achieved an enviable rating of 89.2 for customer service in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) quarterly customer service report. This level of customer satisfaction places Anantara Vacation Club at the top of its sector in the industry, offering Club Owners a unique opportunity for shared ownership with an industry leader that offers unique access to some of the world’s most dynamic vacation destinations.

A new office landmark will be launched in a prime Sukhumvit district later this year when BHIRAJ BURI GROUP launches the BHIRAJ TOWER at EmQuartier. The new office tower will feature 45 floors with a six-floor retail centre at the base, managed by a leading retail operator. The total office space available will be 47,500 square metres with a direct link to BTS Phrom Phong station. The building will also feature 450 square metres of meeting facilities, spectacular views of Benjasiri Park and a rooftop helipad with private lounge. The new office building will combine contemporary minimalism with Western conservativeness. Mimicking the jewels of a crown, the glass façade will feature two different kinds of glass, low-E glass and reflective glass. The former is utilized for its energy efficiency and sound reduction, and used on the north and south elevations to represent “transparency”, symbolizing BHIRAJ BURI’s reputation as a transparent and self-determined business. The reflective glass, used in the east and west elevations, represents the company’s strength and independent identity.

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Society

Beauty is Power

Fight for Healthy Skin Eucerin Launched ‘Fight UV for Healthy Skin’ Campaign to promote sun protection in Thailand aimed to promote sun protection through trainings at 360 Boots pharmacists across Thailand for which they would be providing consultation to customers at stores nationwide to advise them on how to correctly protect their skin from the sun. In addition, 15,000 booklets containing essential information about the threats of UV rays and proper sun protection will be available at Boots stores.

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Unilever Thai Trading Company Limited organized the event to introduce ‘aviance Perfec Radiance set’ and ‘aviance Collagen Matrix set’, the first time ever 100% complete skin care treatment under ‘Complete In & Out Ultimate Beauty’ concept at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok. Highlight at the event was beauty knowledge and philosophies shared by Dr.Pongsakornpat Arunothayanun, Unilever Network’s Regional Product Knowledge & Capability Development Manager. The speaker also provided a number of ways to slow down or turn back the hands on time which is related to the breakdown of collagen and how to boost collagen in natural and beauty solutions. In addition, tv star Pijittra Siriwajchapan shared her beauty tips and trick for her younger looking skin.

Lakeside Gala Concert @ Harrow International School A glitzy evening under the stars lakeside at Harrow was the setting for their annual Gala Concert. This year’s theme was Movies under the Stars and stars really came out to shine.

The Harrow Symphony Orchestra with guest players from the Bangkok Charity Orchestra played the latest and the greatest blockbuster movie themes ever written. With red carpet as far as the eye could see and a boat launch delivering a James Bond 007 look-a-like at the end of the evening and the pulsating rhythms of the orchestra playing the James Bond memorable theme tune a fireworks display brought the evening to a thrilling climax.

It was like being at the Oscars…no, in-fact, it was better!

Durex Lovolution Party “Durex,” the global leader of sexual well-being, teams up with the favorite sweetheart of the new generation, ‘Pluem’ Surabot and ‘TubTim’ Mallika Leekpai of VRZO, celebrating the 1st Wedding Anniversary by revolutionizing the meaning of next generation’s love with “Durex Presents Lovolution Party Chapter 1: We are so in love”, in the mission to transform temporary relationship into eternal flames. Celebrating the forever love with “after wedding party” atmosphere and blast the night away with DJ Dome Pakorn Lum, Southside, DJ Zara Gift and DJ Leo & DJ Leonie.

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Classified

Living In Bangkok Focus On The City Life

Bangkok still remains a key investment location for regional and expatriate executives, drawn to the city’s affordable market that offers much better value when compared to markets in other Asian capitals.

The urban lifestyle development in the up market has been considerably transformed or driven by the growing demand of sophisticated buyers and investors looking for the conceptually mix-used condos with modern design and stylish finishing, and the comprehensive idea to help achieve a modern day-to-day basic of living in the city.

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angkok and other tourism-potential destinations like Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya are smorgasbord with hotels resorts and residential property projects as the prospect of living at a resort-alike modern condominium in the city is growingly obvious, resulting in local residents being lulled by the bulldozers at the construction sites for the ongoing premier condos dotting along Sukhumvit, the outer Sukhumvit, Sathorn,

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Silom, Ladprao, Ratchadapisek, and other coveted locations in the Central Business Districts (CBD), suburban Bangkok, and other non-CBD areas with mass transit connection.

The residential development has noticeably evolved from the developer-led market, when buyers had very limited choice of product and service in the past decades, to location-oriented approach before innovatively transforming

itself into what experts and professionals in the industry widely call design-led market. It’s actually the sensation of modern lifestyle that has increasingly dominated and dictated what the architectural response would turn out to be.

The question of balance and the matter of taste of people are also playing as the key role to determine a whole new approach to design the interior in a residential unit.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales House for rent near BTS Aree station Asking price 100,000 baht, negotiable.

300 sq.m., 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with outdoor jacuzzi with the separated maid quarter.

Fully Furnished. Short walk to BTS Aree, and Villa Supermarket. Call 081 629 5854 MARQUE Sukhumvit The new definition of modern family lifestyle with a touch of luxury located at the entrance of Sukhumvit 39, the name MARQUE is inspired by the word “marquise” which is a boat-shaped diamond cut. A single building 50-storey high-end condominium offering 149 units. The unit types include two-bedroom, three-bedroom and penthouse, with space ranging from 128 to 600 sq m. The highlights are its prime location right on Sukhumvit Road and the expansive space of 3 rai. www.marquesukhumvit.com

duplex units and four penthouse apartments.

The construction is slated to completion in March 2014. www.hydesukhumvit.com

The Emporio Place The Emporio Place is where the finest elements combined to offer the highest quality of living featuring the vibrant location of Sukhumvit 24, unique and innovative architectural and interior design, and specially selected materials providing superbly tasteful final touches. Consisting of three towers ranging from 12-42 storeys, the development offers 361 residential units ranging in size from 44 to 164 square metres. www.tcccapitalland.co.th/emporio_place/ emporio_html

Socio Ruamrudee A luxury residence with a striking modern design, SOCIO appeals to your sophisticated metropolitan lifestyle. Each apartment is thoughtfully designed to optimize your living space. SOCIO stands for living amongst the latest and most innovative technology. New state-of-the-art technology has been adapted to the amenities including FTTx, the latest broadband network architecture that connects you to the world with the fastest speed available with present technology. www.sociocondo.com/ruamrudee.html

Q Langsuan 177 units on the 36-storey high-rise building.

Two-bedroom unit sized between 73 and 117 sq.m. All of them are harmoniously painted with soft-mute tone and artistically and stylishly furnished with elegant teak floor and fully finished with high-grade amenities and functions. www.qh.co.th

The Ritz-Carlton Residences Bangkok 200 residences featuring the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton in the city’s most exclusive address. Residences are part of the mixed-use MahaNakhon development created

by The Office For Metropolitan Architecture.

Residents will enjoy outstanding facilities and privacy, and unique design features including skyboxes, terraces, double height ceilings, duplexes and interiors by David Collins Studio. www.rcr-bangkok.com

Bright Sukhumvit 24 Condominium For Rent Bright Sukhumvit 24 BTS E5 Phrom Phong 1 Bed 68 Sq.m.

Decorated same as showroom unit and furnished hi-end furniture and electric appliance, spacious and luxurious. Contact Thai 0810600433 English 0814478579 HYDE Sukhumvit Idyllically situated between Sukhumvit Soi 13-15, The Hyde Sukhumvit is the epitome of a mix-used development established to reflect a truly ultimate urban indulgence, comprising of 455 high-end residential units housed on the freehold 40-storey building, consisting of 227 one-bedroom units, 138 two-bedroom units, 78 three-bedroom units, eight three-bedroom

MODE Sukhumvit 61 On nearly 2 rai of land, 2 buildings and only 84 units per building spread over 8 floors with ground floor green space. This is a unique condominium. Its architecture inspired by Italian modernism. All suites are defined by elegant proportions, generous window bays and an extraordinary level of quality, thoughtfulness and poetic design. www.modebangkok.com The Sukhothai Residences The Sukhothai, an icon of world-class luxury hospitality and elegant architectural design. The masterminds behind the

development of this sophisticated hotel, Kerry Hill and Ed Tuttle, two internationally renowned architects, now reunite for The Sukhothai Residences, the most highly anticipated residential development in Bangkok. www.sukhothairesidences.com Canapaya Residence Situated on Rama III Road, Bangkok Thailand and within easy reach of the Sathorn and Sukhumvit CBD, CANAPAYA comprises; luxury high rise RESIDENCES, 4-floors of retail, dining, entertainment and a wide range of services, and featuring a wide selection of Thai and international brands; an international 5 star HOTEL with Bangkok’s largest ballroom and spectacular river views; and a MARINA with a riverbank esplanade. www.canapaya.com Q Asoke A High Rise 41 Floor Building near the MRT Petchburi. Easy access to shopping malls, schools/universities and hospitals, including Terminal 21, Central Chidlom, Central Rama 9, Emporium, Bumrungrad Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, the Airport Rail Link (Makkasan station), and Asoke pier.

Facillities are Swimming pool with Hydropool Salt Water System, Exercise room with Full Equipments, Sauna, Library, Service Lounge, and Nice Garden, etc…www.qhcondo.com MARQUE Sukhumvit The new definition of modern family lifestyle with a touch of luxury located at the entrance of Sukhumvit 39, the name MARQUE is inspired by the word “marquise” which is a boat-shaped diamond cut. A single building 50-storey high-end condominium offering 149 units. The unit types include two-bedroom, three-bedroom and penthouse, with space ranging from 128 to 600 sq m. The highlights are its prime location right on Sukhumvit Road and the expansive space of 3 rai. www.marquesukhumvit.com 71

Living In Chiang Mai The Modern-Tradition Lifestyle

Chiang Mai is going beyond pondering about the pristine quaint, rustic town of picturesque way of living and farmers in ox-carts along the road as generally depicted in travel brochures. But the province is still the gem of the north as a result of the massive tourism campaigns and the thriving tourism industry, making it a bustling modern city with a rapid growth of new hotels and conceptual resorts. Chiang Mai’s condominium market is booming and still a popular location for condominium development. It has also seen a steep rise in the sale of new villas, invariably in gated communities. Many new buyers are generally Thais from Bangkok looking for a better quality of life.

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ccording to statistics from the Department of Land, there are approximately 18,640 condominium units in Chiang Mai, more than 6,000 of which have been launched in recent years. Currently, there are more than 10,000 condominium units in the city with an average price of Bt1.5 million per unit. The Government Housing Bank (GHB) reported that condo sales totaled 3,500 units or Bt8,000 million in 2011 with 3,000 of those units in the city distributed among 12 condo projects. 2012 saw 33 new condo projects launched.

In the meantime, land prices in central Chiang Mai have seen a dramatic increase this year and set to rise further as the city continues 72

to attract more tourists and new residents.

In gated communities, the land price is increasing from Bt1 to Bt2 million per rai (1600sqm). The land prices in Chiang Mai have increased more than 100 percent in some locations such as the Nimmanhaemin Road and Super Highway, Chiang Mai-Lampang Road. Expecting that within the next five years, the price of land in the city will be much higher and there will be less land for gated communities.

It is expected that more Chiang Mai people will live in condos and the average price of a unit will be in the region of Bt1.5 million. Meanwhile, housing projects will be expanded to areas outside the city, like Mae Rim, San Sai,

Doi Saket, Sankampaeng and Saraphi.

Chiang Mai is increasingly enjoying the diversity of expatriates-mainly American, British, Australian, Dutch, French and German-and a growing number of Japanese and Korean retirees who spend four or five months a year in Chiang Mai during cold east Asian winters, drawn by the climate and good medical care. The region’s thriving economy has been bolstered by the arrival of 10 shopping malls, a planned fourth ring road and high-speed rail link to Bangkok.

The proposed creation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 is set to cement Chiang Mai’s position as a commercial hub serving nearby Laos, Myanmar and southwest China.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales

Veranda The High Residence Located outside the city of Chiangmai and away from the hustle and bustle.

Highlight a total Zen experience from the moment of arrival. Divided into two zones, on one side representing the cultural heritage of the north and the other the Contemporary Veranda style. A boutique northern retreat of just 80 rooms, all guests are ensured of the best personal service, 24 hours a day from its warm and friendly staff. www.verandaresortandspa.com

Kantary Hills Chiang Mai This stunning hotel and serviced apartment is located in the heart of Chiang Mai’s most chic district with easy access to the best shopping and entertainment areas, the central business district and nearby industrial estates.

The property offers all the luxury of a five star hotel with the space and comfort of a serviced apartment. Featuring spacious and comfortable rooms, this property is “the� place to stay in Chiang Mai. Suitable for both long and short term stays. www.kantarygroup.com/kantaryhills-chiangmai

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Living In Hua Hin Focus On Modern Classic Life

People have different taste and interest when it comes to styling while people living in the up market are not only looking for just the superb location and convenience in order to enjoy the maximum day-to-day basic of living, but they are also in search of residential development that can sport the conceptual design and style, the quality of value for money, idea in construction, the impressive range of leisure facilities, not to mention the personalized hospitality service, which is the central core to imbue the lovely homely feel within a luxury condo.

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n the world of lifestyle development, it’s not always that the ultimate indulgence could be easily achieved when you arrive at some beachfront resorts to enjoy the most of your honeymoon. Sometime, staying in the modern luxury is not enough to enhance your personally preferred romance, but it’s about the addition of the good connection between the natural comfort, homey relax, and the concept of luxury simplicity to help you gain the most sensual touch of leisure comfort and fulfill a unique holiday break and as well as reflect the true honeymoon package while the breathtaking view is also important to enhance romantic moment in Hua Hin. Hua Hin property market is experiencing good times. Hua Hin is one of the best seaside locations to help you accomplish such the wonderful world of natural leisure for the

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pleasurable and serene honeymoon date as the Hua Hin is fraught with hotels resorts with international standard of innovative amenities and hospitality service, and Thai touch.

Historically, buyers wanted to be as close to the sea as possible, typically seeking good beach front property. However, the focus on the type of land sought has shifted from beach property to sea view. This is mainly due to supply shortages of quality beach land. Most seaside land is already occupied by hotels and resorts, forcing new developers to look to farmland for their projects.

Hua Hin has all the ingredients for a very special holiday experience. Besides sun-filled days on the mile-long white sandy beach and the superb seafood sold along the beach to tempt your palate and many fine seafood restaurants on the street and the main road,

discerning travelers can still sense the special atmosphere and the old charming through cultural attractions situated around Hua Hin town waiting for you to discover. The cultural sites include the Hua Hin railway station, the royal palace, Wang Klai Kangwon Palace.

Hua Hin is also renowned for its golf courses and becomes a paradise for golfers as the country’s first golf course was found in 1924, which was built in the lush countryside.

Other factors that help maintain Hua Hin as the top hideaway of the gulf of Thailand is the annual festival such as the King Cup’s Elephant Polo, Hua Hin Regatta, and of course Hua Hin Jazz Festival, the annual jazzy gig on the dazzling beach that catches the world’s eyes. All of those mentioned help lift Hua Hin to be a favorite vacation for Thais as well as expats.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales

Malibu Kao Tao Malibu Kao Tao is located on an idyllic beach in the vicinity of Hua Hin. It’s a charming residential seaside community consisting of only 140 apartment units built on a sprawling 7.2-acre plot of beach front land. The unit is a 140 square meters 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms with a dining and living room fully furnished condo unit. Fully furnished with beautiful style.

Spacious terrace situated next to the large swimming pool of the project. The community is a 5 star, high-end residential complex built in modern colonial architecture. Security is enhanced by a 24-hour guard service.

A lagoon style swimming pool equipped with a Jacuzzi surrounds the low-rise buildings offering a really enjoyable swim, creating quality time for the whole family. The beach itself is clean and the sea water clear. It is a tranquil spot that allows you to enjoy nice scenery of nature. www.villamalibu-huahin.com

Amari Residences Hua Hin These first hotel-serviced residential condominiums in Hua Hin are designed with meticulous attention to detail and all units are fully furnished by the high quality loose furniture exclusively provided by Chanintr Living.

The stunning and spacious tropical landscaping complements a modern contemporary architectural style. Services are provided by Amari, Thailand’s leading hospitality provider with over 3,800 rooms available nationwide.

The project is located only 4 kilometers from Hua Hin downtown. Amari Residences Hua Hin is the next generation of second home professionally managed residential complexes where your holiday becomes possible at anytime of the year. www.amariresidences.com/huahin

Stylish Golf Course Condominium This almost brand new 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominium is located in prestigious Palm Hills, Hua Hin’s premier golf and country club community just 8 minutes north of Hua Hin’s city center. This unit has been fully upgraded including a built in washer and dryer, built in dishwasher and refrigerator, air con and fans throughout, upgraded flooring, tiles and wallpaper set this unit apart from all the rest.

Outstanding communal facilities include a lifetime family membership to the Palm Hills Golf Course and separate lifetime family membership to the Palm Hills Fitness Center with an extra large swimming pool, restaurant, tennis courts, weight room etc and the best 24 hour security in Hua Hin. www.exotiqproperty.com

Ocean View Condos in Exotic Huay Yang NishaVille, winner of the 2009 Thailand Property Award for the Best Villa Development in Hua Hin is proud to announce their new NishaVille Apartment Residence’s. With 30 units on 5 floors offering ocean views this project benefits from being located within the NishaVille Resort and Spa where you can enjoy the personal luxury and privacy of your own residence as well as those of the finest hotel in the area. Located in Huay Yang, approximately 80 minutes south of Hua Hin this project borders the Wanakorn National Forest and Marine Park. All units offer two bedrooms and bathrooms with sizes ranging from 110 to 127 square meters. More info, contact +66 (0) 84 387 5699 75

Living In Pattaya Property Focus On Pattaya

Chonburi province has considerably been developed from merely the sleepy town and roadside fishing village to be one of the country’s most visited beach resort. It has grown up with the smorgasbord of first-rate hotels and resorts, residential buildings, restaurants, and certainly night scenes. As the result of mass-market tourism campaign ever made, the city becomes the star attraction of the country as the nearest hectic beach vacation that discerning travelers have to visit after Bangkok.

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eal estate in Pattaya has been one of the fastest growing and most sustainable industries, and the number of property developments currently underway is a clear indicator that this trend is set to continue.

Developments in locales such as Jomtien, Sahathip, Pratumnak Hill and Mabrachan Lake are providing good investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, developments in the famous the

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North, Central, and South Pattaya is still paying dividend even if economic sluggishness and poor consumer confidence are taking a toll on the property sector.

Breachfront residential properties completed with tremendous facilities are increasingly sought after in the modern lifestyle while the expansive view is a credible ‘wow’ factor to help maximize a unique and pleasurable

home-away-home, intimated ambience, and cosy, especially in the area where there’s scarcity of new building sites. There are so many residential projects these days in Pattaya that can help you achieve the space and time of modern luxury comfort as its brimming stylishness and exquisite ideas make it a unique place full of surprise and the sense of exclusivity is guaranteed to ensure all individual comfort.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales Palm Wongamat (Ocean Residential) The Palm comprises two towers, 26 and 45 stories respectively with a total of 544 units.

Unit sizes: studios 32 – 33 sqm, 1-bedroom 46 – 53 sqm and 2-bedroom units 62 – 96 sqm, as well as penthouses 500 – 520 sqm.

There is a large infinity edge swimming pool, a children’s pool, a sundeck, water features, a kids’ club, fitness and games rooms, floating pavilions and large open areas. Studios from 2.6 – 3.6 MB, 1-bedroom apartments from 4.5 – 7.5 MB and 2-bedroom apartments at 5.9 – 13.8 MB. www.thepalmpattaya.com Reflection Jomtien Beach Pattaya A luxurious condominium located in Pattaya, famous town of Thailand. Perfect for little vacation, or for long term living. The building is decorated with finely selected accessories.

Each unit is fully furnished with quality furniture.

Few minutes away from shopping complexes, hospitals, and international schools. Luxurious facilities such as jacuzzi, swimming pools, library, are available. www.reflectionpattaya.com Waterfront Suites & Residences A prestigious waterfront home set within an iconic, mixed use 50 Storey Hotel and Condominium overlooking the entire area of Pattaya Bay and Pattaya City with far reaching views to the tropical islands of Koh Larn, Koh Krok and Koh Phai. www.waterfrontpattaya.com

Del Mare Bangsaray Beachfront Beachfront Condos at very affordable prices in Bang Saray. This is an exciting addition to Pattaya’s Property market that offers incredible, close ocean sea views. The condos come in many different sizes and shapes to satisfy Pattaya’s discerning property investor with sizes ranging from 39.5sqm all the way up to 375sqm. Scheduled to commence construction in April 2014 and finish in November 2016. www.delmarepattaya.com The Riviera Wongamat Beach A newly announced high-rise condominium project in Wong Amat, consisting of two towers of 40 and 43 storeys housing 980 units, Studios, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units are available.

Sized from 27 sqm studios to 134 sqm 3-bedrooms units. The studio will be 31 sqm, 1-bedroom units will be ranging in size from 35 to 50 sqm, 2-bedroom units will be ranging in size from from 72 to 84 sqm and 3-bedroom units will be ranging in size from from 129 to 134 sqm. Prices start from 71.500 THB per sqm. Prices for studio starting at only 2.2 MB. Construction will be starting within 2Q 2014 and due to completion on 2Q 2017. www.therivierapattaya.com Baan Plai Haad Total Unit : 353 UnA 6,400 sq. m. condo situated by the secluded Wong Amat beach.

The design concept is inspired by the pattern of the area available in the project with access to a private beach and the profile of the architecture is particularly designed for a sea

view within sight of almost all condominium units. Prices start from Bt3.59 million. www. sansiri.com/condominium/baanplaihaad_pattaya/en/ Veranda Residence Pattaya This wonderful villa is ideal for large family who looking for the privacy and space for their quality living. Veranda Residences Pattaya is a stunningly well designed new high rise development from a very experienced developer with a rich portfolio of finished developments.

Comprising of 33-storey residential tower housing 364 units with an 8-storey hotel with 149 rooms.

Residential unit sizes from 32 sqm to 272 sqm and prices starting at Bt100,000 per square meter. Prices from 3.2 MB. This latest creation from them quite simply oozes class and sophistication with stunning architecture from OBA and interior design by August – one of Thailand’s leading interior designers. www.verandapattaya.com Centara Grand Residence Pattaya This unique residential development combines a luxurious high-rise condominium with hotel facilities and services that are provided by Centara Grand Hotels and Resorts, and comprises ocean facing studios, one and two-bedroom units, and penthouses with the option of duplex accommodation with private pool. Centara Grand Residence Pattaya is only a 10-minute drive away from Jomtien and Pattaya city centre. 315 units facing the ocean Total living space ranges between 41 and 496 square metres. www.cgrpattaya.com

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Living In Phuket Focus On Modern Luxury On Island

Phuket and other Andaman-coastal provinces are going farther than contemplating how the natural disaster Tsunami deadly wave in December 2004 had happened, survivors are now beyond concern and never let the trauma and grief deter their endeavor to bring lives, community, and tourism industry back to normal. As the result of mass-market tourism campaign ever made, the Phuket island becomes the star attraction to considerably enhance inbound tourism industry as the paradise island has been proved as a prime sailing and the heart of marine leisure destination of Southeast Asia through the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, one of the largest sporting events on the Thai tourism calendar since 1987.

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huket, at 539 square kilometers in size, is not only Thailand’s largest island but also one of its wealthiest provinces. The beauty of the island is matched by its consistently tropical climate and undoubtedly the island’s largest source of income comes from the tourism market, but there are also thriving rubber and cashew nut industries. One of the good point of Phuket is that it’s very accessible, Phuket International Airport enjoys direct air services to major Asian cities like Hong-Kong, Singapore, Japan and Tapei, and now an increasing number

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cities outside of Asia, including London, Frankfurt, Perth, and connecting flights to anywhere in the world. The island actually benefits greatly with this solid infrastructure and it now sets to continue to grow further as several low-cost carriers from abroad.

Take a look at the real estate aspect in Phuket, the industry has been one of the fastest growing and most sustainable industries, and the number of property developments currently underway. Developments in locales such as Hat Karon, Laem Panwa, Patong, and Hat Rawai,

including other high potential beaches on the western side of the island, are still providing good investment opportunities. Phuket is one of Asia’s most sophisticated and certainly Thailand’s best established property market outside of Bangkok. For the past twenty years, developments have been sprouting up around the island, encouraging a large influx of investors.

At present, there is an increasing demand for new developments in areas such as Bang Tao Beach, Surin, Cherng Talay and Layan, as well as the southern coastal areas of Nai Harn and Kata.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales The Viva Patong Located on exclusive area of Tri Trang, South of Patong, home of luxury developments such as the Rosewood, Avista Hideaway and Amari Coral Resorts, overlooking stunning views of Tri Trang and Freedom beaches, Viva is a hotel style of living with the modern tropical concept offers the new sense in living and transforming perception of Patong into a more pleasant one, soothing all your living experience.

Two 7-storey low rise condominium buildings with ceiling height about 3 meters givean elegant feeling of the right balance. The price is inclusively of furniture package, pantry and wardrobe by IKEA, sanitary wears by Hafele, real wood bed, headboard and mattress, and luxurious sofa set. www.vivapatong.com Phuket Villa Resale The abode features a master bedroom, a twin bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a study room as well as dining area and lounge. This category is luxuriously furnished for family holidays as well as a destination escape for groups of friends. Discover ample charms for up to six people, with a large private outdoor pool measuring 3.5 by 9 meters, jet pool, outdoor and indoor showers, and an outdoor sala providing a relaxing overview of the villa. www. banyantree.com/en/phuket_doublepool_villas Oceana Phuket Oceana Phuket is Kamala’s latest ocean living condo residence for sale. Ideally located within easy walking distance of all the bars, shops and restaurants in Kamala village, as well as the fabulous beach and ocean. There are 135 units in total in 3 separate buildings ranging in size from 30sqm studios up to 88 sqm 2 bedroom penthouses, and most units have a special panoramic ocean view. Studio start Bt2,836,631 – Bt3,979,011 (31.78 sqm – 31.78 sqm) www.phuketoceana.com

of the resort, including the tropical architecture and the contemporary interior decor. The most attractive amenity is the rooftop sun deck and infinity pool with lounge and dining area. There is a fitness center on site for the active and health conscious. www.thecharmphuket.com The Deck Built on a 5-0-45-rai land plot on the north end of Rat-U-Thit 200 Years Road, only a five-minute stroll to Patong Beach and 10 minutes to the noted shopping and leisure venue of Jungceylon. Unit priced between Bt2.9 to Bt11.4 million, dwelling areas will range from 29 to 75 square meters. They include Studio type (29-38sqm); One-bedroom (40.5–50.5sqm) and Two-Bedroom, 63–75sqm). The project will be equipped with two state-of-the-art swimming pools, including one on the upper deck overlooking the western sea-view, and another one on a lower level which incorporates a jacuzzi, a fitness center, and a sauna room.

The development will be ready to occupy by mid-2015. www.sansiri.com/condominium/ thedeck_patong/en/ Vista Del Mar A unique and an exclusive development of luxury Phuket Villas, with stunning sea views and private pools. In a superb location carefully nestled amidst virgin tropical forest on the hilly slopes overlooking Naithon beach, arguably one of the best beaches in Thailand, – Asia’s growing top holiday destination. www.vistadelmarphuket.com The Pavilions Estate The Pavilions is Asia’s most romantic and intimate adults-only resort. Perched atop one of Phuket’s highest points, each lavish pool villa is utterly private, delightfully decadent and unusually spacious. Choose an Ocean View

Pavilion; tropical modern temples framing show-stopping seascapes. www.thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-home Eva Beach Set on the beachfront, all units offer uninterrupted sea and island views of the south east coast of Phuket. Villas are surrounded by lush landscaping and natural rocks to the rear.

Enjoy only the sound of the sea and a calming breeze from all floors. This 22 villa beachfront development offers three design types with 3 - 4 bedrooms. The villas cover 485 sqm - 596 sqm of built up area and 310 - 385 sqm of living space. Prices range from 32.6 up to Bt46.7 million. www.evabeach.com Coco Chalong An ideal place for those seeking a charming and comfortable environment away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday crowds in Phuket. Each of the 80 private pool villas will delight you with the excellence of design, the feeling of space and the luxury of the villas at a remarkably affordable price.

Recreational facilities, which include swimming pool, fitness center and lush tropical gardens, are designed for escape and relaxation as though surrounded by the tropical atmosphere of such a peaceful place. www.cocovilla.net/ coco-chalong Dinso Residence Dinso Residence is ‘The Green Oasis of Patong’, occupying over 2,000 sqm. of a private hillside on Nanai Road, Dinso Residence features 60 exclusive condominium units ranging from 31 sqm. up to 88.6 sqm. Residents can enjoy Patong’s vibrant beach resort lifestyle and retreat to relax in a lush natural environment designed to complement the serene private hillside setting. www.dinsopatong.com

Chic Condo Chic condominium Karon is an ultra modern condominium featuring 7 floors of modern designed condos over looking Karon Bay on the West coast of Phuket. Common facilities include a large communal swimming pool, fitness center, wifi lounge and lobby. Merely 700 meters from Karon Beach and only 100 meters from international restaurants, entertainment and shopping areas and a 10 minute drive from Patong beach. www.phuketchiccondo.com The Charm Residence The closest condominium to the beach in Patong, The Charm Residence is seen by its attention to detail in the design components 79

Living In Samui Focus On Samui

Koh Samui is the best exotic solution to make your way to Thailand’s third largest island, which is also reputed as one of the top islands in the world to live. Approximately one hour flight from Bangkok, Koh Samui is an increasingly popular destination both for tourists and real estate investors and the best destination for diving to see the multitude of colorful fishes if you don’t want to linger too long in town.

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hailand’s property market is incredibly diverse, offering buyers everything from high-end villas in Samui blissfully overlooking the Gulf of Thailand to luxury high-rise condominiums. Samui is still on the rise in popularity among investors, making the island becomes a preferred destination for those seeking holiday homes as its infrastructure develops and word of its natural beauty spreads.

The number of visitors from Asian countries is increasing due to improved air links. You can 80

now fly direct to Samui from Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

This transformation is reflected in the real estate market where prices have risen dramatically, and at an increasing rate, over the last few years. Real estate prices continue to rise rapidly offering exciting investment opportunities in an idyllic setting.

Residential opportunities considerably expand while Samui Island offers an attractive lifestyle change for many people as it combines

the advantages of a tropical retreat with most of the amenities and services people in the West have come to rely on. As a tourist island, Samui boasts increasingly modern facilities, with a choice of excellent international restaurants and bars, as well as a multi-cultural atmosphere.

The property sector is also supported by professional services, such as English speaking lawyers, and a quality construction companies and building suppliers with standards expected by many foreign homeowners.

Property Projects For Rent & Sales The Ridge Freehold and Leasehold The Ridge is an exclusive luxury development of 11 private pool villas with panoramic sea views located in the prime North East of Koh Samui.

Freehold and leasehold. House/Villa located at northern Samui, price ranked Bt17,400,000 30,800,000. Space availability 276 - 859 sq.m.

2-5 Bedrooms. Land Area: 396 - 806 sq.m. No. of Units/Rooms: 9 units available of 11 units Tel (International): +66 (0) 856 920 550 / +66 (0) 831 079 684 Tel (within Thailand): 0856 920 550 / 0831 079 684 www.theridgesamui.com S’Cape Resort Condominium Located in Plai Laem, one of the most sought-after locations in Samui which is close to Chaweng, S’Cape Resort Condominium, Koh Samui comprises 76 exclusive freehold condominiums on a stunning 2.8 acre hillside destination just minutes from Samui International Airport. One and two-bedroom units feature impressive Jacuzzi balconies and the super luxurious Penthouses have private pools. All units are overlooking stunning sunsets and picturesque views. www.s-capesamui.com

The Residences @ W Retreat Koh Samui With just 12 ultra-exclusive villas available for purchase at W Koh Samui Retreat & Residences, you are invited to infuse every moment of your life with the signature touches, services and soul that have made W Hotels such an iconic presence. The W Koh Samui Residences adjoin the main W Koh Samui Retreat & Spa at Maenam Beach on the island’s sublime and beautiful north shore.

Priced from Bt100 to 205 million. www.kohsamuiresidences.com/villas Mandalay Beach Villas Mandalay Beach Villas provide an impressive, cutting edge visual experience.

The architects have introduced a distinctive and cohesive design aesthetic across the seven three bedroom luxury villas. Mandalay Beach Villas are an impressive balance between form and function, inside and out, modern and tropical. Facing the white sandy expanse of Laem Noi Beach and backed by lush palm stands, each of the seven exclusive villas has its own private courtyard, giving approximately 350-500 square meters of living space, with 17m beach frontage each, on land plots ranging from 800 to 1600 square meters. www.mandalaybeachvillas.com

The Estates Samui The Estates Samui is an exclusive and private collection of 14 villas cradled on a hillside overlooking one of the most pristine stretches of beaches on the island, on stunning Laem Yai Bay, in a secluded cove above a private beach, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. The Estates is integrally part of the Four Seasons site and actually reach it through the Four Seasons lobby. www.theestates-samui.com Cascades Samui This exclusive private development derives its name from the spectacular infinity pools enjoyed by each owner, together with the natural seasonal streams that cascade through the enormous granite boulders. Cascades is about lush green rolling hillsides and coconut groves, picturesque waterfalls and magnificent ocean views. www.cascadessamui.com 81

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Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa is an all-suite luxury resort located between the city of Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Doi Mae Salong. The resort provides guests with superb services and facilities in a stunning natural setting. There are different types of accommodation to cater to the different needs of the guests: Katiliya Classing Suites, Katiliya Superior Suites, Katiliya Deluxe Suites, Katiliya Duplex Suites, Katiliya Three-bedroom Suites, and Katiliya Villas.

All suites are built in a separate villas surrounded by lush tropical garden with high ceilings, spacious and equipped with amenities to ensure guests comfort. Katiliya’s Spa is where guests can enjoy wide range of massages. The fitness center is where guests can workout with wide range of equipment to suit all needs. The resort restaurant and bars offer diverse menus from both Thai and International dishes. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in this holistic resort in Chiang Rai for FREE through becoming our membership. ***Subscribe to “Residence” magazine NOW to stand a chance of winning 2 vouchers of a one-night stay in Katiliya Suite each at Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai. Fax or mail your subscription form to +66 (0) 2168 6189. The winners will be announced in the next issue and our facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheResidence.Mag

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