Korea has its own cuisine, quite different from Chinese or Japanese. As a national cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change.

Its roots can be traced back to antiquity with much of the foundation of the cuisine told in myths and legends. Evolving from a cuisine which was highly influenced by Chinese culture with Buddhism and Confucianism, the cuisine eventually came into its own by differentiating itself in a number of ways.

The Korean royal court cuisine once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. Meals taken both by the royal family and Korean citizens have been regulated by etiquette unique to Korea.

The cuisine is largely based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, and meats. Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice.

Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish is usually served at every meal. Korean cuisine usually involves seasoning with sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (red chili paste). It is a cuisine much sought after by connoisseurs.

From August 22 to 31 the Sheraton Suzhou Garden Brasserie will be a Korean restaurant offering a selection of Bibimbap, Kimchi, Bulgogi, Grilled galbi, Haemultang.

Priced at RMB198 (plus a 15% surcharge) per person it allows a taste of Korea in China in what will be for the time the most unique restaurant in the Suzhou city.

The Sheraton Shezhen Futian Hotel has introduced a special ‘Sneak Away’ Package.

If you stay for two nights or more breakfast is free and there is also late check-out available until 3pm (subject to availability).

The price of a Superior Room starts from RMB1100 +15% for weekends and RMB1200 +15% for weekdays.

This ‘Sneak Away’ Package is valid until September 14, 2008.

The Regent Beijing, the flagship hotel in China for Carlson Hotels Worldwide has been named one of the country’s top 10 business hotels.

The 500-room luxury property in the heart of Jinbao Street was given the title by Hotels magazine China, the organizers of the award, for its staff professionalism, strong guest return ratio, convenient location, sound maintenance and design appeal.

The Regent Beijing has won several other similar awards including Condé Nast Traveler US Readers’ Choice Awards 2007 and the Travel + Leisure 100 Best China Hotels Awards, just barely six months after its official opening in April last year.

In addition, it was awarded ‘The World’s Best Places To Stay’ title by Condé Nast Traveler in January 2008.
Source: eTravel Blackboard

Situated in Guangzhou’s new central business district of Tianhe — in English that could be translated as Pearl River New Town — Grand Hyatt Guangzhou is located in one wing of a brand new streamlined twin-tower building.

The hotel’s interior design was devised by Remedios, who has won accolades for his work on Grand Hyatt Tokyo, among other hotel projects.

This is the first international hotel in Guangzhou to feature a ’sky lobby’ located 22 floors up; like many other areas in the hotel, it offers expansive views across the Pearl River and Tianhe CBD.

The lobby area is inspired by South China. Remedios said, ‘I wanted the feeling to be as if you were walking into a traditional Chinese village at dusk — so lighting glows. There is a sense of bringing the outside indoors with the bamboo, and a dramatic use of materials with the rocks and glass. This all creates a metaphysical sense of welcome.’

On the third floor, the hotel’s three interconnecting sections of the Grand Ballroom can be augmented by fully enclosed VIP and bridal rooms.

Six function rooms have been given a residential feel, and a boardroom and the Business Center are also on the same level.

The Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai has recently had the honor of greeting Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of Mexico upon his arrival at the hotel’s Villa 8 Conference Centre.

The constitution and the office of the President closely follow the United States presidential system of government.

The Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel is a de luxe boutique hotel situated within 7 hectares of historic gardens in the heart of the consular district.

In our picture Ma Kejun (right), general manager of Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai, greets the President of Mexico.

Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel is located in the heart of the Hangzhou finance, business and cultural areas, and very close to the scenic West Lake. This is a very good time to visit because the famous lotus flowers in the West Lake are now at their very best.

The hotel has a special Summer Weekend package for RMB708.

This includes:
1. One night in a Hill-view standard room
2. Welcome fruit basket on arrival
3. 2 Breakfasts or lunch buffets
4. Free use of sauna, gymnasium and in-door swimming pool at the WTC Hotel Club.
5. 20% discount at tennis court, squash and snooker at the WTC Hotel Club.
6.Free high speed Internet connection.

This promotion is running now and will continue until September 15, 2008.
For on-line booking click HERE.

The newly opened Swissôtel Grand Shanghai is inviting guests to ‘Buy one buffet and the second person dines free of charge’ at its international Café Swiss. The offer, valid until 31 August this year, applies to both lunch and dinner.

The buffet includes a sushi and sashimi bar, an assortment of salads, hot and cold starters (mezze), wood-fired pizzas, tandoori, fresh seafood and traditional Swiss specialties such as veal Zurichoise, cheese fondue and a selection of cheeses and various cold cuts.

For sweets there is and ice-cream teppanyaki station or indulge in chocolate-dipped fresh fruits. Desserts also include traditional Swiss tarts, cakes and other tempting mini dish pastries.

Swissôtel Grand Shanghai is located 5 minutes away from Jing An Temple and its subway station and City Square Mall is a 15 minute stroll from the hotel.

This is a new idea which lets you enjoy the luxury of the RItz-Carlton in Guangzhou at ridiculously low rate.

If you spend RMB 2,000 at any of the restaurants, bars, Spa, or limo transfer then a room at the weekend, including the use of the spa and the fitness center, is complimentary, as in at no charge. This offer goes through until the end of August.

You can take luxury even further by taking a supplemental upgrade to a Deluxe Club River View room which costs RMB500 or to an executive suite which is RMB1,000

With that you get access to the Club Lounge with five food and beverage presentations served throughout the day. Plus complimentary in-room wired and wireless internet access.

Spending and room rates are subject to 15% surcharge. The package is exclusively for local and expatriate residents of China, as well as residents of Hong Kong.

Swissôtel Grand Shanghai, which opened in spring this year, was voted ‘China’s Leading New Hotel’ and Asia’s Leading City Hotel’ at the 15th World Travel Awards

The awards cover all areas of the travel industry and voting is by travel agents from over 190 countries around the world. According to the Wall Street Journal, The World Travel Awards are ‘the Oscars of the travel industry.’

Ian L. Jones, General Manager of Swissôtel Grand Shanghai, said, ‘Receiving this award is such a tremendous honor as it recognizes the efforts of our hard working personnel who each played a role in the hotel’s opening.

‘Further, it underscores our belief that Swissôtel came into Shanghai’s travel industry at the right time, and that our brand’s focus on classic Swiss hospitality has a well deserved place in this highly competitive market.’

In China, three Swissôtel properties, namely Foshan, Kunshan and Shanghai, have opened in the last six months.
Source: Travel News Daily

Accor, the French hotel group was awarded ‘The Best Hotel Management Company of 2008 Selected by Investors’ at the ‘5th Golden Pillow Award of China Hotels’ award ceremony, held recently in Shanghai. At the same time, Robert Murray, Accor’s Senior Vice President — Greater China, was recognized as ‘The Leader of the Hotel Industry of 2008′.

The ‘Golden Pillow Award of China Hotels’ has been hosted yearly by China’s finance and economics media, 21st Century Business Herald since 2004.

The award has a panel of senior industry experts and business people which are combined field investigations by editors and reporters of the newspaper, to gain a comprehensive look at China’s hotel industry.

Robert Murray said, ‘China is welcoming a new era of rapid development in the business travel industry. High-end business customers have demanded more rigorous requirements for both high-end business and luxury hotels. Factors such as the environment, facilities, services and brand expertise are crucial in their consideration when selecting a hotel. The Golden Pillow Award endeavors to providing professional advice while identifying the best choices for business travelers.’

Accor China currently operates 61 hotels (over 17,000 rooms) in 29 cities with approximately 80 projects under development. All Accor hotels in China are in major metropolitan areas, gateway cities, popular resort destinations and are developing fast into tier two and tier three cities under six different brands. These are Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis, covering a full range of markets from luxury to economy. Our illustration shows General Manager Mr. James McStay Ong receiving the “Golden Pillow Award”.
Source: Travel Daily News