Some of the most awe-inspiring creations of man and nature have been inscribed on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, and visiting one of these places is for many one of life's most memorable experiences. Several Worldhotels' properties in Asia Pacific are located just minutes from a UNESCO World Heritage Site or cultural landmark and each hotel, as unique as the destination itself, has a story of its own to be discovered.  

China - Beijing

Beijing is a place where history has a living presence, most strikingly in the city's imperial palaces, temples, halls and gardens. Among the most famous of these is the Forbidden City, the imperial seat of supreme power, and the nearby Temple of Heaven, where emperors made sacrifices to the gods.

 

Visitors to the Great Wall will find the Loong Palace Hotel & Resort an excellent choice for accommodation. A Deluxe Collection member, the Loong Palace is located at the midpoint of the highway leading from Beijing to Badaling Pass, the part of the Wall closest to the city. The property is popular among both leisure and business travellers, and has a pool, spa, tennis and squash courts.

 

Other historical treasures in Beijing include the Summer Palace, an elaborate garden in the capital's outskirts that served as a sanctuary of serenity for Qing emperors. Travellers visiting this lovely World Heritage Site can enhance their experience by subsequently retreating to their own sanctuary of serenity within the confines of the Jianguo Hotel, a member of the Worldhotels First Class Collection.

 

The only garden hotel in Beijing's central business district, Jianguo Hotel is located beside the city's diplomatic quarters, close to a metro station, some 30km from the Summer Palace. A refined property with a distinguished 30-year history, the hotel boasts recently renovated guest rooms and suites that come with broadband internet access, IDD, cable TV, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities and other amenities. The hotel also has fine French and Chinese restaurants, a British pub, a fitness centre with swimming pool and sauna.

 

China - Suzhou

Built by scholars between the 11th and 19th centuries as places for relaxation and meditation, the famous Classical Gardens of Suzhou are exquisite miniature landscapes made of meticulously placed rocks, foliage, water and graceful structures such as pavilions and bridges. Travellers visiting these historic islands of verdure can put themselves in the right frame of mind to fully appreciate their subtle beauty at the tranquil Worldhotel Grand Dushulake Suzhou.

 

A luxurious 5 star property overlooking the Moon Bay of sparkling Dushu Lake, the hotel is a harmonious blend of traditional Suzhou and contemporary architecture and offers guests excellent views of the peaceful lake. The hotel is a mere 15-20 minutes drive from the centre of historic Suzhou and has 330 guest rooms and suites that come with free broadband Internet access and 40-inch LCD TVs with multiple satellite/cable channels.

 

Cambodia

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor, some 400 square kilometres in area, encompasses the successive capitals of the Khmer Empire that ruled the region from 802 until 1295 A.D. One of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia, the area includes the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple with their countless stone sculptures.

 

Located within walking distance to Angkor Wat and exotic local markets is the luxurious Sokha Angkor Resort, Siem Reap, a hotel with 276 rooms and suites decorated in Khmer style. Facilities at this Worldhotels Deluxe Collection property include three restaurants, a swimming pool, 16 massage rooms, a sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, a fitness centre plus dining featuring Japanese, local and fusion international cuisines.

 

Malaysia

Inscribed on the World Heritage Site List in the year 2000, Kinabalu Park on the island of Borneo is famous for its abundance of pristine natural habitats, and for harbouring the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea, Mount Kinabalu. Eco-tourists drawn to the Park's myriad flora and fauna can find pristine ocean-side accommodation at The Magellan Sutera Resort and The Pacific Sutera Resort in nearby Kota Kinabalu.

 

Offering sweeping views of the ocean or idyllic green landscapes, the two hotels share 384 acres of seafront land and recreational facilities such as a Mandara Spa, a 27-hole golf course designed by Graham Marsh, a 104-berth marina, and a swimming pool with swim-up bar.

 

With design inspired by the architecture of the native Rungus ethnic group, the 456 guestrooms at the Magellan Sutera each have their own balcony, while the Pacific Sutera's 956 rooms stand out for their luxury amenities, which include a large flat screen TV, walk-in shower, and executive writing desk.

 

Japan

Depicted in countless famous Japanese paintings and photographs, Mount Fuji has been submitted for inscription into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The mountain is situated on Honshu Island, 100 kilometres southwest of Tokyo. One of Japan's three sacred mountains, it is often used as a symbol of the Japanese nation.

 

The Worldhotels network offers several choices for travellers seeking accommodation in close proximity to Mount Fuji. These include, in Tokyo, the First Class Collection properties Dai-ichi Hotel Annex, Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo and Hotel Grand Palace, as well as Deluxe Collection hotels Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo and RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo.

 

The popular Rose Hotel Yokohama is another First Class Collection property that is good for Mount Fuji visits. The trip from the hotel to the mountain can be made in a little over two hours via public transportation.

 

Singapore

With a rich history, Fort Canning Park in Singapore may one day be inscribed onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The park resides on a lushly forested hill where ancient Malay kings and British colonial governors once built their residences, and where important episodes of historic military conflicts took place and is just minutes away from the modern Gardens by the Bay.

 

With 86 stylish rooms offering spectacular views of the park and the Singapore skyline, Hotel Fort Canning occupies the former British Headquarters built in 1926 that sits within Fort Canning Park. Hotel rooms feature furnishings by Italian designer Poltrona Frau.

 

Free Wi-Fi, customized pillow menus and monsoon rain showers are available in each room of the hotel, which has two swimming pools and fine-dining facilities serving modern Asian and Italian cuisines.

 

"Accommodation makes a significant contribution to the emotional and physical benefits of travel," said Roland Jegge, Worldhotels Executive Vice President Asia-Pacific. "For this reason, the potentially profound experience of visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site should be complemented with first-rate accommodation that aspires to the kind of greatness the Site embodies. We are proud to offer such accommodation in close proximity to a number of these famous landmarks."

 

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About Worldhotels:

 

• Worldhotels is a global brand that brings together some of the world's most unique independent hotels. With the tagline "Where Discovery Starts" it targets savvy travellers that seek an authentic and local experience when choosing a hotel. Worldhotels now offers 500 hotels in 250 destinations and 65 countries worldwide.

• With over 40 years of excellence in the industry, the company's mission is to provide access to luxury and upper upscale hotels of character and distinction. Each hotel in the Worldhotels portfolio has been carefully selected to ensure it meets the group's strict quality standards. Each hotel is measured against over 1,000 quality criteria every year.  

• Guests can also earn miles for each stay thanks to an extensive list of airline partnerships including 24 frequent flyer programmes by the world's premier international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Lufthansa, and United Airlines, which are just some of the partners that make earning miles with Worldhotels easy.

• Through a comprehensive range of services that includes global marketing, sales, training, e-commerce and state-of-the-art distribution and technology, Worldhotels backs independent hotels with the power of a global brand while allowing them to retain their individual character and identity. In addition to its classic "affiliation model", the group offers independent hotels a "full licence" branding solution which is the perfect alternative to standard franchise contracts.   

 

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers:

Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups:  61-2-8399 2210

China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87

China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87

Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95

India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35

Indonesia Toll free: 001-803 657 325 For groups:  65- 62 27 55 35

Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 67 21 81 41

Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86

New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088

Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35

South Korea Toll free: 080-747-10 00 For groups: 82-2-756 90 00

Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For Groups: 00801 651 423

Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

 

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Issued on behalf of Worldhotels by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

 

For further information or hi-res images, please contact:

 

Grebstad Hicks Communications (Shanghai)

Ms. Esther Molina

Tel: 86 21 5213 3030

E-mail: esther.molina@ghcasia.com

Grebstad Hicks Communications (Singapore)

Ms. Shanthi Regupathy

Tel: 65 6438 4024

Email: shanthi.regupathy@ghcasia.com

Worldhotels

Mr. Roland Jegge

Tel: 65 6227 5535

E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com