As mentioned in a previous post on March 20, Swissôtel Grand, Shanghai will open to the public later this month. It is offering a special rate on its ‘Classic Rooms’. If you book between May and August 2008, a one-night stay is RMB 1,295 (about US$178) inc. breakfast + tax and service charge.

Other deals include 20% discounts on food, bevs and spa treatments for members of the “Miles and More” program of Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. And there are also benefits for those who belong to Asia Miles, Air China, Jet Airways and JAL. 
Source: Swissôtel Grand, Shanghai

The idea is that you travel by bus to China and it takes two weeks. The system has the somewhat unfortunate (and possibly religiously offensive) name of BuddhaBus. The idea is that it will save on carbon emissions.

The figures offered to support this are open to argument.

It is claimed that flying causes roughly the same amount of climate change per mile as travelling by car. While you might travel 10,000 miles in one year in a car, you can cover as much ground in a plane in one day. The carbon dioxide produced by one person on a return flight to China equates to over three years of sustainable emissions. A coach carrying 40 passengers cuts the impact by almost 90%.

If BuddhaBus is a success, it will show that people are prepared to go to great lengths — 8,000km of pretty rough travel — to reduce the theoretical impact on the environment.

BuddhaBus will take just 16 days to travel the 8,000km from Victoria Station in London to Urumqi in Xinjiang province, China (shown in our illustration) allowing only one night’s stopover in most places.

It is claimed ‘the perfect antidote to the stresses of the modern world’. Indeed the bus’s name suggests this will be a sort of zen-like escape from the horrors of modern travel.

Anyone who has traveled seriously long distances by bus will know this is total nonsense. In Australia where long distance bus travel is an affordable reality for many students passengers are frequently physically distressed before the reach their destination and abandon the effort.

BuddhaBus promises ‘Regular breaks and stopovers’ ensuring passengers ‘are able to appreciate the highlights of the trip at their leisure’ in places such as such as Warsaw, Moscow and Almaty.

As you are averaging 800km a day the amount of time you will be able to ‘relax and reflect;’ will be very limited.

Passengers will get to know the inside of their coach far better than the countries they travel through.

The first BuddhaBus departs London September 6, arriving in Urumqi 16 days later.

$1,600 single, $2,606 return, including camping and refreshments but not meals or hotels which makes it, compared to flying, a very expensive hobby. And a dashed uncomfortable one.
Source: Guardian

This would be nice to do to get away from the freezing Shanghai, and I imagine, even more freezing Beijing weather. It’s a spa escape package at Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa on Hainan Island. Prices start from RMB 2,190/person/night and spa highlights include:

- One wellbeing consultation
- Two aromatherapy massages/person (during which you may be able to hold someone’s hand like the couple above)
- Two yoga classes/person

Prices applicable till the end of 2008, a minimum three-night stay is required.

Jesper Bach Larsen, the hotel’s Director of Business Development, describes the combination of yoga and spa treatments as ‘the perfect escape from the daily grind of modern life.’
Source: PR Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa

With the Christmas season arriving five-star hotels are bringing out their winter packages in force.

Le Royal Meriden Shanghai has introduced ’Le Winter Package’ running from Dec 15-Feb 16, 2008:

- Starts from RMB1,300/night in Grand Deluxe room (plus 15%)
- Minimum two-night stay
- RMB400 credit in hotel restaurants
- Late checkout 2pm

It recently hosted French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, during his three-day State visit to China, when he met with Chinese officials and French businessmen at the hotel.
Source: PR Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

The Westin Beijing, Financial Street is offering these latest packages for the coming winter months; a new full day meeting package and a ‘Replenish your Body’ offer.

The meeting package is RMB650/person (25 people minimum, valid until December 31, 2007). Includes:

- Eight hours use of a function room (ten rooms have wireless Internet and audiovisual equipment)
- Buffet lunch and refreshments

Event organizers in the Starwood Preferred Planner program can claim triple ’starpoints’ on functions held before the end of this year.

‘Replenish Your Body’ is valid until December 31, 2007. Prices begin at RMB1,300/person/night (two night stay minimum). Includes:

- US$50 voucher for Heavenly Spa by Westin
- Buffet breakfast
- 4pm late check-out

Source: PR Westin Beijing, Financial Street

All the major hotels are gearing up for the summer season and introducing their summer packages.

The Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao is offering a Deluxe Room for RMB1,300 from June 25 to August 2 and special ‘Fit for You’ dishes at its restaurants.

It’s an eight-storey hotel situated in Shanghai’s western Hongqiao area near Hongqiao airport, equipped with an indoor pool and 24-hour Health Club.
Source: PR Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao

The Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel in Shanghai’s consular district is offering special summer and long stay packages.

The full-day meeting package is RMB480+15% per person which covers extensive meeting facilities and welcome treats. The long stay package is for an extended stay minimum of 21 nights RMB880+15% per night.

The hotel recently hosted UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (pictured right with John Gaskin, the hotel’s Managing Director) and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Greece, Dora Bakoyiannis.
Source: PR Radisson Plaza Xing Guo

Damien O’Connor, Minister of Tourism for New Zealand, (seen here when he was minister of sports and he has also been minister of prisons) said he was ‘pleased to be able to announce significant new funding aimed at lifting the quality within our fastest growing market — China.’

Then he said, ‘We all know there have been problems in this market with a predominance of low quality leisure tours that are of short duration, and often focus heavily on shopping commissions to make up for below-cost pricing.

‘As our fastest growing market, which is expected to become our fourth largest by 2009, it is important that we manage the growth in a sustainable manner.

‘Doing so will enable us to deliver the best possible outcomes to the tourism sector and New Zealand.”

So the New Zealand government will spend over $7 million in the next two years to get the New Zealand message across to tourists from China.
Source: Scoop

It’s all about MICE. The Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao has a special Group Meeting Package running from June 1 to August 31 at RMB1,350 per person. For this, you get the following:

One night stay in Deluxe room
Main meeting room rental
Daily working lunch
Refreshments throughout the day
Equipment for holding the meeting

The hotel has a Grand Ballroom, Executive Ballroom and eight function rooms. It’s located next to the Hongqiao Development Zone and within very easy reach of Hongqiao Airport.
Source: PR Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao

Holiday Inn is offering special guest room rates during the Spring holiday at its hotels in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Daya Bay and Zhuhai from February 16-25 (inclusive).

The hotel brand is operated by InterContinental Hotels Group, which also owns Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.

‘Gong xi fa cai’!
Source: PR Holiday Inn (Chinese website)