Accor - Restore, Realign, Reward

Restore Realign Reward Blend wellness into events with Accor

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WELLNESS IS MORE THAN A BUZZWORD Wellness is swiftly becoming a fundamental part of our lives as we attempt to reduce stress, improve our quality of life and conserve the Earth’s precious resources. The wellness industry is now worth US$4.2 trillion, and encompasses so many of our daily decisions; from the clothes we wear to the food we eat. With this wave of wellness, it is no surprise that event delegates are now asking for an enriching, captivating experience that connects mind, body and spirit.

We’ve curated a collection of unique locations, venues and activities to reduce stress, inspire creativity and generate authentic connections.

Panoramic views of the Yen Tu Mountain.

Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery Vietnam is located at the foot of this beautiful mountain.

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Inspiring culinary concepts

Our dining experiences have become Instagrammable moments, but Accor is not only delivering on culinary excellence. We are taking concrete action on global concerns such as food wastage, carbon emissions and local economic development.

Locally sourced from farm to table at Sofitel Luang Prabang Sofitel Luang Prabang in Laos offers an incredible farm to table menu at the Governor’s Grill restaurant. This was the very first restaurant in Luang Prabang to serve 100% locally-grown produce; including cheese from the Buffalo dairy farm, vegetables from nearby organic farms and sausages from the local German butcher, contributing over USD94K per year to the local economy.

Packing protein at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Well-known for pairing sumptuous meals with fabulous views and chic interiors, the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit team are invested in creating bespoke menus and experiences for clients. Recently the Sofitel’s pastry chef created special menus incorporating a client brand’s protein powder into a delicious ice cream. The pastry chef also held demonstrations and participated in a Q&A session with delegates, providing them with some menu ideas to try at home.

Advancing gender diversity in the culinary world at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Honouring women and their talents in the world of gastronomy, the Sofitel Saigon Plaza and Disciples of Escoffier held the first All Women Cheffes culinary festival as part of the annual Saigon Gourmet Week in October 2019. The illustrious event had chefs participating from all across the globe, including Michelin-starred chefs Julia Komp (Germany), Flora Mikula (France) and María José San Román (Spain), as well as Accor celebrity chefs Angela Brown (Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor) and Anne-Cecile Degenne (Raffles & Fairmont Makati).

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SACRED AND HISTORIC YEN TU FAST FACTS: •

• Known as the home of Truc Lam (bamboo forest) Zen Buddhism, Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province is tucked away in the north-eastern corner of Vietnam. For centuries it has drawn locals who make the pilgrimage to the temples, statues and pagodas that adorn the mountain top. Sitting at the foot of the mountain, Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery Vietnam is the perfect location for delegates to dive into the meditative ambience and reconnect with nature, with free yoga and meditation classes throughout the day.

Designed by Bill Bensley and reminiscent of a 13th century Tran Dynasty palace, Legacy Yen Tu offers the largest pillarless ballroom of any MGallery in Vietnam and organises holistic team-building activities promoting self-belief and confidence, environmental stewardship and cross-cultural connection.

For more active delegates, Yen Tu Mountain is the perfect opportunity to trade in the gym workout and embrace nature. Groups can take a guided six-kilometre hike to the mountain peak and brave the glass-bottomed cable car ride on the way back. To maximize the fun, team up for an exhilarating treasure hunt game across the many walking trails on Yen Tu. After a long day of conferencing or hiking, delegates can indulge in a traditional spa treatment at the new Wellness retreat; offering Zen meditation, herbal baths, natural remedies and wellness counselling (opening early 2020). Newly rejuvenated from their restful stay and treatments, delegates can enjoy specially-crafted meals to meet vegetarian and herbal dietary requirements.

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Yen Tu is accessible by three international airports and only 50 kilometres inland from Halong Bay. Legacy Yen Tu’s ballroom seats up to 900 delegates and has 133 rooms with half available in twin configuration.

For an event that balances personal wellness with professional objectives, embrace the hotel’s Art of Peaceful Meditation suitable for all experience levels, held in the heart of the Truc Lam Zen Commons. MICE groups can also opt into a Digital Detox encouraging delegates to disconnect from their smart devices, TVs and laptops.

vietnam’s mountainous vistas As we lead more urban lives, the restorative power of nature calls to us. Vietnam is famous for breath-taking scenery such as Halong Bay, but here we discover to two locations that are guaranteed to create a memorable event.

SAVOUR THE DRAMATIC SCENERY OF SAPA

Nestled at the base of Vietnam’s tallest mountain Fan Si Pan, Sapa enjoys a diverse tapestry of cultural influences, originally settled by the local ethnic tribes Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho, and later established as a French colonial hill station.

Sapa overlooks a plunging valley, with mountains towering above on all sides. Due to the mountain ranges and altitude, Sapa is a golden opportunity to escape to clean air and moody mists, which will lift to reveal stunning views of terraced rice fields. Sapa’s natural beauty attracts all types of travellers – from Instagram addicts to dedicated hikers, and everyone is enchanted by the colourful and creative hill tribes who share their culture, cuisine and handicrafts with all who visit.

Offering a heady mix of haute couture and hill tribe style, the Hotel de la Coupole oozes French Indochine nostalgia and has convenient direct access to the Fan Si Pan cable car. The hotel offers enriching group activities, such as hiking adventures to local villages where delegates can absorb the vibrant cultures and stunning scenery. For those wishing to make a meaningful connection and contribution to Sapa, charity activities can be arranged with Project Sapa to support underprivileged children in the area.

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Pack your walking shoes and camera! Walking the rice terraces and trekking to waterfalls is a must-do.

The cable car swoops up to over 3000m above sea level, elevating you to the highest peak in Vietnam.

Hotel de la Coupole is the only International five-star hotel in Sapa, with a large ballroom perfect for 150-200 guests.

Add an authentic taste of Sapa to your event with an interactive BBQ cooking station. Inspired by the street food vendors in every Sapa street, the hotel’s culinary team seamlessly blend seasonal produce with typical northwest marinated spices 5

Luang Prabang We seem to be busier than ever, using technology to make our lives more efficient, more liveable and more accessible. Pullman Luang Prabang offers us the tantalising chance to slow down and reconnect with our most human of needs; sustenance.

SEEK SPIRITUAL AND CULINARY NOURISHMENT Originally the capital city of the Lao Kingdom, Luang Prabang is a city of unions; where the Mekong meets the Nam Khan, where Lao culture fuses with colonial influences, and where delegates can blend the spiritual and physical.

Walking the streets and alleys of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang is a visual feast of gilded wats, monks in saffron robes and aging Indochine architecture. Surrounded by centuries of history, the Pullman Luang Prabang embraces the modern culinary trend of farm-to-table dining with its very own organic garden and farmstead.

Designed with environmental consultancy EcoAsia, the Pullman’s ambitious project covers several hectares with a fruit orchard, tropical garden, greenhouse nursery, vegetable gardens, a buffalo pasture, duck pond and pens for chickens and goats. Delegates experience this agrarian adventure for themselves with animal feeding, egg collecting, fruit picking and buffalo milking all on offer.

Working in a cooperative with local farmers, the Pullman also offers the opportunity for groups to get involved in the rice cultivation process by helping with planting or harvesting, as well as bathing hard-working water buffalos that work the fields. Any unused rice husks are then donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation Camp, which groups can also visit and enjoy interacting with these beautiful animals in an ethical environment.

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Local rice farmers receive 60% of the harvest from the Pullman rice fields, with the remaining 40% used in the hotel’s kitchens Pullman Luang Prabang is more akin to a resort than a hotel, surrounded by paddy fields. With the largest conference centre in the city, 2 bars, a restaurant and 3 pools, it is a verdant, calming escape for city dwellers

Siem reap The gateway to Cambodia’s most famous landmark and the world’s largest religious complex, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is the epicentre of spirituality.

With world-class dining, spas, and a local creative scene that includes Phare the Cambodian Circus – Indochina’s authentic interpretation of Cirque du Soleil, this destination is also a culture hub.

A TOUCH OF OLD WORLD CHARM Siem Reap is located in a region steeped in centuries of rich Khmer and Buddhist tradition, with over a million tourists passing through the city each year and a history dating back to 802.

Located in the iconic Old French Quarter and delivering an exquisite old world charm is the newly renovated Grand Dame of Siem Reap, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.

A recent six-month-long renovation was a delicate balance of respectful restoration and elegant modernization. First opened in 1932, the refreshed façade retains the famous Raffles colonial style, but all the mod cons expected by today’s discerning traveller have now been incorporated into the rooms – from rain showers and roll-top tubs, to Segafredo coffee machines.

For a truly extraordinary experience, the hotel is available for exclusive buyouts – securing all 120 rooms and the 15 acres of lush tropical greenery all for one group’s enjoyment.

Experience a different side of Angkor. Raffles stages resplendent dinner celebrations and events right at the Angkor complex’s ruins. The preferred caterer for temple dinners, the hotel is able to stage intimate gatherings as well as lavish celebrations, all with that distinctive Raffles touch.

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The hotel has hosted many famous faces during its time – from Charlie Chaplin to the Clintons and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis Delegates can take part in many on-site activities, including Buddhist monk blessings, Singapore Sling masterclasses, botanical and culinary garden tours and a hotel tour with the resident historian Dine in the hotel’s new restaurant, 1932 to experience Chef Angela Brown’s interpretation of the recipes of the Royal Khmer kitchen, gifted to Raffles by royal decree 7

Exercise the mind, body and spirit in Thailand!

Conferences, exhibitions and incentives usually have packed agendas and long days. Here are a few creative ways to inject some self-care, physicality and mindfulness into your next event without compromising on any of the key objectives.

START YOUR MORNING RIGHT AT THE PULLMAN PHUKET ARCADIA Enjoy Pullman’s passion for fitness and kick off your event day with an early morning meditation or yoga class. The hotel team can arrange sessions for up to 40, allowing delegates time to stretch, breathe and clear their minds before the business of the day commences. The more active types can try the hotel’s fitness trail to get the endorphins started. For truly indulgent breaks, arrange for a Dharti Spa station to be set up during the morning or afternoon. Attendees can sip their coffee or local herbal juice while enjoying a head, shoulder or hand massage.

FUN FACT: Meditation is quickly becoming mainstream.

According to research by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meditation is now the fasted growing health trend in the U.S. and Apple named mental wellness/mindfulness apps as the #1 app trend of 2018.

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DRAGON BOAT RACING AT THE PULLMAN PHUKET PANWA Located on the white-sand shores of Makham Bay, delegates can wander out from one of three meeting rooms at the Pullman Phuket Panwa and join Sail in Asia for a dragon boat race - a fun and energetic way to build team bonds. With up to 20 people in each boat, it is one of the few sports where there are no individual stars. Instead, success lies in team unity and commitment to win the race.

FUN FACT: There are 22 people on a dragon boat; 20 rowers, one drummer and a sweep. The role of the drummer is to provide rhythm which enables the team to synchronise their strokes.

GET THE EXERCISE ENDORPHINS FLOWING AT GRAND MERCURE PHUKET PATONG Across the island, just 500 metres from the crashing waves of Patong Beach, incorporate some high-energy activities into the agenda. The Grand Mercure team can organise Thai boxing, Pilates and Tai-Chi classes for groups, all led by expert local instructors.

FUN FACT: Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, is the national sport of Thailand and is often called “The Art of Eight Limbs”. An hour-long class can burn up to 600 calories which will help work off the delicious conference lunches and snacks.

PACK YOUR SWIMSUIT FOR SO HUA HIN While many will be happy to pack their golf clubs and hit 18 holes at the SO Wonderland course at SO Hua Hin, the truly adventurous will head to the pool. Break your group into teams and have them race against the clock on the Wibit inflatable obstacle course in the Signature Pool, or hold an aqua-aerobics class to close out the day.

FUN FACT: If your delegates want a more intense workout, the SO Hua Hin can arrange fitness training with Thai celebrity trainer Mickey Allapach Na Pombhejara.

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Bangkok venues with a twist Bangkok is a bustling hive of action, excitement around every corner. When life pulses at such a vibrant rate, an event needs that extra “oomph” to really make an impact. Here’s a few insider tips on choosing a venue to differentiate your next event.

ELEVATE YOUR SOCIAL EVENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Let guests soak up the city skyline and the ever-green Lumpini Park at the HI-SO Rooftop Bar at SO Bangkok.

Accommodating up to 200 guests across two levels, the sweeping views and openair roof create an expansive space perfect for signature cocktails and dancing the night away.

INSIDER TIP: Delegates will embrace their inner ringmaster, lion tamer or trapeze artists with the SO Bangkok’s circus-themed tea breaks.

Bursting with all the colour and fantasy of Tim Burton’s Dumbo and Hugh Jackman’s The Greatest Showman, delegates are entertained by mimes and magicians, and can enjoy an array of circus-inspired favourites such as lollipops, iced donuts and popcorn.

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TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE AT SWISSOTEL BANGKOK RATCHADA The expansive Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is perfect for any MICE event with a 822-square-metre ballroom and 26 breakout spaces. For a truly memorable experience, host a pre-dinner cocktail reception in the hotel’s Clock Museum. Featuring priceless antique clocks from all over the world, the timepieces will certainly be a conversation starter and there will be no excuses for arriving late to dinner.

INSIDER TIP: The hotel partners with Food4Good charity project which donates 10THB (USD 0.33) from every dinner to the Foundation for Child Development to help feed malnourished children in Thailand.

BE IMMERSED IN THAI KNOWLEDGE AT THE SIAM SOCIETY Located opposite the Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit, the Siam Society was founded in 1904 to promote knowledge of Thailand. The hotel offers a Thai culture package with events held in the private outdoor garden at Siam Society, which has the motto of “Knowledge gives rise to friendship” – definite inspiration for meaningful conversations among delegates.

INSIDER TIP: The Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit has conference spaces that can accommodate up to 550 guests. Ask about the mental-wellness themed coffee breaks which include complimentary 5-10 minute head and shoulder massages.

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UNRIVALLED LUXURY THE ULTIMATE REWARD IN THE MALDIVES Long admired as one of the most sought-after and exclusive places to visit, best known for crystal clear waters, superb snorkeling and lavish accommodation, the Maldives offer an incentive experience like no other.

A thrilling 55-minute seaplane ride from Malé, the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi with 120 luxury villas and one of the largest lagoons on the island is a perfect option for an intimate buy-out.

Delegates can rest and re-engage with nature, sauntering along white-sand beaches or taking a dip in their private plunge pool while looking out across the glistening Indian Ocean.

The hotel can arrange once-in-a-lifetime activities for delegates, including snorkelling tours of the Coralarium led by the resort’s marine biologist. Located at the heart of the resort’s lagoon, the Coralarium is an art installation created to raise awareness of coral depletion and acts as an artificial reef, encouraging regeneration of the local marine environment. Alternatively, adventureseekers can enjoy a Castaway lunch on a deserted atoll and build a raft as a fun team-building activity.

A fantastic option for incentive buy-outs, the newly opened Pullman Maldives Maamutaa features 122 premium villas – including 53 ocean villas with private pools and 32 scattered along sandy beaches. Meetings here can take place on sand banks or aboard a traditional dhoni (wooden sailing boat). Build team bonds with a cooking class in the resort’s herb garden, a nature walk with a marine biologist, or private dinner at Phat Chameleon restaurant, the only vegetarian/vegan restaurant in the Maldives.

FUN FACT: At any time throughout the year, the coral reefs of the Maldives are inhabited by 10-12 species of dolphins and whales.

The Maldives are also known as one of the best spots in the world for spotting the whale shark – the largest fish in the world, ranging from 18 to 32 feet.

Pictured: Canoeing, a team-building exercise at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.

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