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The post Three of Brazil’s kept secret appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

South America’s largest country is a cultural melting pot, bursting with vibrant cities, festivals, and diverse delicacies. On the other hand, it’s a biodiversity haven; home to the world’s largest jungle and to some of the world’s most untouched beaches.

It’s no secret that Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are exquisite destinations all on their own, and especially popular for travellers during the hot summer months. However, for those willing to venture somewhere less conspicuous, there are three less talked about Brazilian wonders waiting to be discovered and explored.

Silvio Nascimento, President of Embratur, Brazil’s Tourist Board commented: “Brazil is a distinctive destination with an unparalleled array of choices for travellers. One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Brazil is that holidaymakers can curate a really unique itinerary, which can include adventure, culture, nature, cities, and food. Alongside the must-see attractions, we’re encouraging tourists to explore alternative regions which offer some indescribable scenery and nature and amazing architecture.”

Ethereal Bonito – State of Mato Grosso do Sul                               

Bonito is Brazil’s hidden treasure. Famous for its ecotourism, and hiding in the hemline of the wetlands Pantanal, Bonito tempts visitors with its magical waterways. Made up of rivers, lakes and waterfalls with crystalline water, this area is a freshwater paradise that beckons the keenest of water enthusiasts.

Local attractions in Bonito include Lago Azul Cave (blue lake cave), Mimoso Cave, the Natural Aquarium, and the Sucuri River (anaconda river). Exciting water activities include snorkelling, rafting, visiting waterfalls and caves, scuba diving, as well as hiking local trails.

Manaus: the heart of the Amazon – State of Amazonas 

In the heart of the Amazon Forest, lies Manaus. A cultural city which serves as a major departure point for the surrounding Amazon. Serving as the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, Manaus is home to the National Institute of Amazonian Research — which makes it one of the most important centres for scientific studies of the Amazon and international sustainability. Aside from that, the city offers atypical local food, renaissance architecture, and warm hospitality.

The downtown area offers insight into local history, and Largo de São Sebastião Square — a popular spot where the famous Amazonas Theatre is located — is well worth a visit. Be sure to explore the various handicraft shops and art galleries along the way.

One shouldn’t miss the striking visual phenomenon called the “Meeting of the Waters”, where the dark Negro River converges with the brown, muddy Solimões River.

Modernist Brasília – State of the Federal District 

Unlike any other city in the world, Brasília is an architectural marvel. Home to more than 3 million people and inaugurated in 1960 by president Juscelino Kubitschek, Brasilia’s exceptional architecture is characteristic, bold, and artistic. It is the first and only modern city in the world to receive the title of cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Its reputation as a modernist icon means there is much to explore around the city. Most noteworthy are the city’s outdoor leisure centres, and one in particular: the Dona Sarah Kubitschek City Park, known as the ‘City Park’, which is one of the world’s largest urban parks with sports courts, barbecue areas, an equestrian centre, as well as walk and cycling lanes.

Another must-see is the iconic buildings that amaze architects from all over the world. One of them is the Cathedral of Brasília — a crown-like structure designed by Brazilian famous architect Oscar Niemeyer.

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The post Hilton Expands Malaysia Portfolio with DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

Hilton has announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City, a 300-room contemporary hotel that provides easy access to the city’s prime manufacturing hubs and recreational destinations. Through the latest opening, Hilton now has 13 hotels across three brands in Malaysia and an additional nine in the pipeline, holding the global hospitality company’s largest portfolio in South East Asia.

“We are thrilled to bring DoubleTree by Hilton’s distinct brand of upscale comfort to Shah Alam’s i-City, a highly-anticipated mixed development in Selangor’s Golden Triangle. Not only does the opening of the hotel signal the brand’s robust growth momentum, it also underscores our commitment to growing our presence across Malaysia and South East Asia, delivering warm hospitality and exceptional stays to guests in the region,” said Alexandra Murray, area vice president, head of South East Asia, Hilton

With Shah Alam’s i-City Convention Center, the city’s leading meetings hub, and Central-i-City mall, a theme park consisting of SnoWalk and Wet World Water Park, just a 10-minute drive away, the hotel offers an ideal location for guests visiting the city for business or leisure. The hotel is also a few minutes’ drive to the Blue Mosque & Garden of Islamic Arts and the Sultan Alam Shah Museum.

Located in Selangor’s golden triangle, the hotel is easily accessible to Shah Alam’s prime manufacturing hubs and is well connected to major highways such as the Federal Highway, New Klang Valley Expressway, and West Coast Expressway. The hotel is only 40 minutes away by car from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and 25 minutes from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).

“DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City is poised to elevate MICE experiences and the expectations of business and leisure travellers alike, all starting with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand’s signature warm welcome. The city of Shah Alam has so much to offer, and we look forward to helping our guests feel a sense of home and create wonderful memories during their stay with us,” said Gagan Talwar, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS

DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City offers an array of dining experiences which include comforting local favourites at Makan Kitchen, home-style Italian cuisine at Tosca, and a relaxing afternoon tea and curated cocktails at Axis Lounge. Located on the ground floor, casual deli and lounge The Koffee serves fresh pastries and cakes, making it the perfect place to grab a drink and snack on the go.

MODERN ACCOMODATION AND FACILITIES

DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City boasts 300 digital key-enabled guest rooms that feature motion sensor blinds, a dedicated workspace, a mini-fridge, high-definition TV and high-speed internet access. The hotel will offer eco-friendly full-sized bath amenities in line with Hilton’s sustainability efforts to reduce single-use plastics. Business and leisure travellers can indulge in true upscale comfort as they unwind at the award-winning Eforea spa, enjoy a workout at the 24-hour fitness centre outfitted with the latest Precor® equipment, and lounge by the outdoor pool designed with a swim up bar.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Featuring nearly 1,600 square meters of warm and inviting meetings and events space, DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City is an ideal venue for fairy-tale weddings, high-impact business meetings, and other memorable social gatherings. The stunning pillar-less grand ballroom measures at 1,170 square meters and can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Guests looking to host smaller meetings can choose from 10 flexible meeting rooms that are equipped with the latest audio-visual and technical facilities, as well as high-speed internet.

DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Hilton Honors Points and money to book a stay, free standard Wi-Fi and an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.

To celebrate the hotel’s opening, Hilton Honors members will receive 1,000 bonus points each night for a stay of up to five nights when booking directly with Hilton from now till Oct. 31, 2022.

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The post The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon officially opens as Group’s Asia flagship appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The Standard is delighted to announce the opening of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, its flagship in Asia and we are proud to be the latest addition to the King Power Group portfolio.

The hotel will leverage the iconic building’s architecture and energy and will bring the brand’s signature mix of culture, design, entertainment and hospitality to the Thai capital. With 155 rooms and suites and a central location in downtown Bangkok, the property offers the perfect getaway to Old Town, where a wealth of cultural attractions and a dynamic art scene await. To reflect the unmistakable energy of the Thai capital, The Standard’s “anything but standard” ethos is translated into exciting amenities, one-of-a-kind culinary programming at six food and beverage spaces, and meeting venues that break the mold.

Srettha Thavisin, Chairman of Standard International, revealed: “We are incredibly thrilled about the launch of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon in Thailand. This iconic flagship hotel of The Standard represents an extraordinary phenomenon in the hospitality industry not only in Asia, but globally as well. We are confident that The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon will have huge success in delivering the ultimate hotel experience – unlike any other in Thailand.”

At one with the city

To conceptualize the uber-social downtown property, Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon and The Standard’s award-winning in-house design team delved into the synergy between the city’s melting pot of cultures and free-form artistic exploration. The resulting social spaces are fresh and intertwined with reinterpretations of cultural cues, such as Marco Brambilla’s video monument to Hollywood dreams and excesses, in the lobby. Titled “Heaven’s Gate”, this provocative artwork is the first instalment in the “Box” series, a concept inspired by the brand’s first property in Hollywood that showcased an ever-changing roster of art installations.

Rest and play

The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon‘s beautifully understated rooms are balanced by bold, glamorous touches such as the softly-lit bar area and retro-style furniture. At 144 sqm, The Bigger Penthouse with its sumptuous upholstery, a full kitchen setup with Gaggenau appliances, ensuite bathroom with a giant soaking tub, and indoor plants feels like a stately home where good times reside.

Tucked away in a lush and serene poolscape overlooking the city, The Pool offers poolside service with light dishes, craft cocktails and healthful, plant-based delights in a social setting. Guests also have access to a stylish, 24-hour fitness centre, The Standard Gym, that comes with city views, ample natural light, and state-of-the-art equipment from CLMBR and PELOTON, and a variety of signature group classes, including high-intensity endurance training, group outdoor classes and Hollywood aerobics. Exclusive Standard gym memberships and personal training are also available.

A feast for the senses

With six distinctive dining, drinking and nightlife venues, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon promises to shake things up in Bangkok’s neighbourhood on the up. The Standard Grill, a spirited American brasserie informed by the brand’s celebrated original at The Standard, High Line in New York’s Meatpacking District, seamlessly transitions from power breakfast to social hotspot at night. On the menu are all-day classics such as The Standard BKK Wagyu Burger with foie gras as well as beef tartare and whole carved ribs served table-side from custom-made wood and marble trolleys. Guests may enjoy a classic, fresh Caesar salad prepared table side and an exclusive selection of Australian grain and grass-fed beef, dry-aged on site.

An elegant cart featuring crafted cocktails makes its rounds, complementing a list infused with a dose of 1920’s prohibition-era New York and 2020’s Thailand, while the wine list befits the sophisticated backdrop.

High up on the 76th floor, guests can experience one of the city’s most anticipated restaurant unveilings of the year – a collaboration with multi-award-winning chef Francisco “Paco” Ruano. His Mexican-inspired restaurant Ojo draws on Bangkok’s progressive outlook and the venue’s whimsical design, referencing Mexico’s ancient civilizations to deliver flavours never experienced in Thailand or the region, such as aguachile seasonal prawns and bone marrow tortillas, complemented by inventive cocktails and a thoughtful wine list. Bringing together Chef Paco’s culinary prowess, panoramic views, creative beverage program and genre-bending décor, Ojo will sit proudly beside The Standard’s legendary Boom Boom Room in New York City and London’s star attraction Decimo as one of the world’s best rooftop venues.

For 360-degree views from the 78th-floor perch there is Sky Beach, Bangkok’s highest rooftop bar mixing blissed-out ambience, downtempo beats, a hard-hitting cocktail selection from one of Thailand’s most celebrated mixologists and all-day froze.  Guests can also dine on award-winning Chinese cuisine at Mott 32 Bangkok’s open-air terrace dotted with lush greenery. The famous apple wood roasted Peking duck is not to be missed, as are expertly curated cocktails and authentic Cantonese, Beijing and Szechuan flavours created with the most meticulously sourced ingredients. At Tease, a strikingly graphic, black and white bijoux tea room, the intimate room overflows with whimsy and wonder. Guests can discover alcohol-infused brews, tasty savoury and sweet treats such as Quail & Whiskey Party Pie, Jerusalem Artichoke Panna Cotta and Chocolate Praline, Mixed Berry Milkshakes found nowhere else in Bangkok, and a setting inspired by Vienna’s grand cafes. The elegant Fuerstenberg-porzellan Chinaware completes this special experience.

For comfort food with a side of The Standard’s cultural programming, guests can head to The Parlor. The menu offers authentic Thai cuisine, including dishes like Blue Swimmer Crab with crunchy rice and Coconut cupcakes with lobster red curry, and breakfast is available all day. Cocktails like the Honey Trap and Be Wild, created by Khun “Milk” Thanaworachayakit, The Standard, Bangkok Mahankhon’s beverage manager, complement the atmosphere and delicious food. In addition to an eclectic playlist spotlighting local and global talent, curated by The Standard’s music division, the hotel’s relaxed social hub hosts talks and workshops, including astrology sessions, live performances, and themed bingo nights inspired by the fabled bingo sessions at The Standard, High Line.

Artful touches

Public spaces at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon immerse guests into the local community as well as introduce them to Bangkok’s vibrant creative scene through the elements of fine art hidden in plain sight. A stunning and vibrant Marc Quinn, “Flood Plain of the Tributaries of the Orinocco”, 2018, from King Power’s private collection, enhances the colour and personality at reception. Hidden in plain sight in the corridors leading to the elevator and The Parlor is a breathtaking, original, Joan Miro sculpture, entitled, “Personnage” (bronze sculpture at L4), 1976, also from the King Power collection.

In the lobby, they are greeted by a portrait of a couple, caught in an embrace, embedded in the floor. Overhead, locally handmade rattan lamps create an intricate canopy, while fine objects showcased in the shop are the labour of love of local artists as well as The Standard and its collaborators. Chief Design Officer, Verena Haller and the design team, hand-picked art, antiques and curiosities, creating their version of a shoppable flee market, enhancing both the custom-designed and locally sourced furniture, creating meticulously designed and incredibly inviting spaces guests never want to leave.

A meeting of great minds

Overlooking the city, four stylish meeting rooms offer a variety of event space options, whether the goal is to collaborate, debate or present. Flooded with daylight, each room comes with ample pre-function space and cutting-edge technology, and can host receptions, workshops, productions, and more. The largest venue, with 126 square meters of space and 3.2m-high ceilings, can accommodate 80 delegates for theatre-style events in the heart of Asia’s most exciting city.

The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is pleased to introduce its opening offer “Bite into Bangkok”. Offering guests staying at the property between 29^th July and 30^th September 2022 a unique opportunity to experience some of the city’s most exciting new restaurant concepts, the package comes with up to THB 5,000 hotel and dining credits per day, depending on the room category booked.

The post The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon officially opens as Group’s Asia flagship appeared first on Travel Daily.

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