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Hotel Focus: Penha Longa

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The Penha Longa resort is simply one of the most sublime hotels to visit on the Iberian Peninsula. Boasting not one, but two Michelin starred restaurants, a 27-hole world-class golf course, as well as a 1,500 sqm wellness centre and spa, the word luxury has never been more relevant than when referring to the Penha Longa. Situated in the former grounds of the eponymous monastery, and bordering two of the country’s most notable gated-communities, whilst just a short drive away from the beautiful capital of Lisbon.

For those who may be somewhat deterred by the grandeur of the Penha Longa have no fear of the resort being too exclusive. Mega-celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bryan Adams may own houses nearby. The pupils and families from the famous Carlucci American School may also frequent the resort, yet the Penha Longa is very much open to all comers.

A Focus On Food

I have mentioned the restaurants. Whilst there are a dozen different gastronomy experiences to try during your stay I’ll focus on the two that stand out immediately. Having one Michelin star restaurant in a hotel anywhere is a significant achievement in the world of hospitality. Having two is nothing short of sensational. LAB by Sergi Arola is famous for its incredible fusion dishes that have been rumoured to reduce some diners to tears thanks to the overpowering emotions that the combined flavours can bring. It also boasts a wine cellar that features an overwhelming 550 references from around the globe.

I dined with LAB’s Michelin counterpart, which is the Japanese (with a slight touch of Portuguese) restaurant, Midori. Midori was my first true experience sampling Japanese cuisine. That was seven years ago and I am still comparing every subsequent foray into Japanese cuisine to that. The food was incredible, the Saki almost blew my socks off, but the overall experience was like nothing I’d ever had in dining up until that point. I will forever associate the word precision, with the methodical, time-honed skill that the chef applied to prepare every dish as it came out for our party as I watched him. It is one of the signature joys of Japanese cuisine that you are able to watch the chefs at work so intimately, and it is a joy I first experienced at the Penha Longa.

Golf, Yoga, Event, Repeat.

The facilities at the Penha Longa aside from the restaurants are equally exceptional. The golf course as I mentioned in the beginning, is world-class for a reason. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, and home to 27 glorious holes amid the ruins of the medieval monastery. It’s easy to see why the course has hosted half a dozen major golf tournaments. The Wellness Centre boasts two outdoor pools, a heated indoor pool, Turkish bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, as well as some fantastic treatment rooms. You can also find a host of daily fitness activities to participate in whilst there. Yoga, Pilates, and outdoor fitness classes all run regularly and are available to guests to join in during their stay.

For accommodation, the hotel offers 194 luxury rooms and suites, all coming with their own balconies. The Penha Longa is a former royal palace of the Portuguese monarchy, and as such has a number of function rooms. These can cater for up to 600 delegates, and in total, there are 25 meeting rooms of different size. The Hotel is just a short drive from both Lisbon city and airport, but also the coastline. High praise must be reserved for the staff at this fantastic resort. Despite the wealth in abundance which resides in close proximity to the Penha Longa, the staff are exceptionally accommodating, towards all guests. Polite, attentive, and genuinely welcoming towards all guests.

The Final Word

The Penha Longa is an amazing location for any event or occasion. Its history is one of opulence and luxury but also quiet and solidarity. It has been a place of worship for both deities and dynasties. It encourages wellness but also indlugnece in some of life’s simpler pleasures. A place open to formality and family. Now all that’s left is to decide when you will go!

For more Infomation about the Penha Longa click here.

Hotel Focus: Asia Gardens

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The typical trip to Benidorm is not one where the word “luxury” may spring to mind straight away. The towering skyscrapers and the sizeable number of apartment blocks that dominate its skyline are more reminiscent of Las Vegas then they are of a seaside city on the Costa Blanca. The famous Hotel Bali may look impressive thanks to its considerable size, but is this the place you would choose to go for immersing yourself in your surroundings, or for holding a conference? Fortunately, just a few short miles into the hills away from the Playa Levante, we find the hidden oasis of the Asia Gardens.

The Gateway to The Orient

Oasis is the exact term I would use to describe my first thought upon visiting this other-worldly hotel. Once you make it through the rather spectacular lobby and atrium the fun really begins when you see the start of the signature gardens. Bamboo trees line the perimeter of the entire hotel, conveniently shutting out any intrusive buildings, encasing you in a jungle-like environment. There is a vast network of connecting paths that take you through over 150,000 immaculately maintained shrubs and bushes. On your travels, you will constantly traverse alongside countless ponds and other water features. Shangri-La, as it turns out, does exist after all. But instead of the dense jungles of south-east Asia, you can find it on the Costa Blanca.

Business or Pleasure, The Asia Gardens can be enjoyed at your leisure.

It is fortunate that some of the larger ponds come with signs to advise you not to swim in them. Thankfully, the hotel boasts an impressive amount of pools. Seven larger ones, as well as a host of smaller ones used for treatments and adults only. Most of the pools are heated also which makes swimming outdoors available almost the entire year. The food as you may have also guessed is exquisite. Eight restaurants, offering not only traditional dishes from both the Orient and the Mediterranean, but also a wonderful assortment of gastro and fusion in other restaurants. Each dining area also presents a different environment and theme in which to gorge yourself senseless in.

The Spa at the Asia Gardens is also worth mentioning. I say mention. What I mean is it should be the first thing you incorporate into your trip itinerary. Every professional on the Asia Gardens Spa team has trained at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. Why such a big deal? It is one of the oldest in the city and considered the first University ever established in Thailand. Each professional on the team is a master of technical practice that has been passed down and taught for two and a half thousand years. I feel relaxed just writing about it. Booking in advance is mandatory as the demand for treatments is naturally very high!

More Than A Hotel: An Incentive For Experience.

The Asia Gardens is so much more than a hotel. It is one of the most perfect destinations for any kind of event or corporate trip. It offers considerable space, with over 300 Balinese style rooms for guests. The impressive conference and meeting room facilities can hold up to 800 delegates. The atmosphere is tranquil and intimate, yet open and engaging at the same time. The region around the hotel has plenty of options for exploration and travel with Alicante being a half-hour drive away, and the coastline up to Valencia is worthy of exploration. But on a short trip of two-three nights, you will struggle to fully explore all that Asia Gardens has to offer.

The Asia Gardens is a truly remarkable experience for any type of stay. The hotel has an uncanny ability to replicate the surroundings of its oriental inspiration. You will feel like you have been transported into another world during your stay there, and with its impressive facilities and staff (who I have not mentioned nearly enough but are all wonderfully accommodating and friendly). It is a sure-fire winner for any event or occasion.

For more Infomation about booking the Asia Gardens and to view Conference-desks rates and enquire about bookings, click here.

Dubai – EYES WIDE OPEN!

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I was lucky enough to be invited by Corinthia Hotels and Alpha Management to come and experience the wonders of Dubai with a group of #eventprofs…! Never had an imagined what this country beholds…!

 

First stop – Heathrow Airport to Abu Dhabi. Lucky for me I managed to upgrade my ticket to Business Class, thanks to Etihad Airways. So on my arrival via the Business Lounge I was greeted (with a glass of bubbly of course!) and shown to my seat by my very own personal waiter Patrick.

The 6.5 hour flight was a very comfortable, and went by quickly, since I was constantly being plied with delicious meals and current movies, in between snoozing in my bed.

 

Next Stop Abu Dhabi…. The first thing that hits you when you exit the doors of the air-conditioned airport is the HEAT!!! I have never experienced this type of heat at 11pm in the evening….! After a quick exit I was met by Alpha Destination Management who transported me to my first stop ‘The Meydan Hotel ‘ home of the renowned Dubai World Cup and longest hotel in world at 1.3km!!!! I was amazed when walking in by the glistening of the largest chandeliers ever seen and beautiful fresh flowers everywhere… I was also overwhelmed by the hospitality service as soon as you arrive

 

    

After checking in I was shown to my bedroom …it was not like stepping into any normal size hotel bedroom it was like stepping into my very own large apartment … beautifully decorated and very’ GOLD’ but modern….greeted with personalized gifts and my very own camel teddy!!

 

Next morning I was shown to breakfast where right in front of my eyes was a buffet of beautifully presented food..from scrambled eggs to sushi and every freshly squeezed fruit , not forgetting Camel Milk!

Shortly after breakfast I was met by The Meydan Events Team and shown around the whole venue. I was astonished by the space and facilities the place had to offer, including the world class race course right in front of you. With rooftop infinity pools, race course, small to large open plan meeting spaces, nightclub on site… I could only imagine how the hotel buzzes when special events are in progress!

 

 

The hotel offers only the best cuisines, from the Shiba Restaurant embarking on a journey of Culinary Far Eastern delights, to The Farriers Restaurant, a gourmet extravaganza of traditional, Asian and European cuisine. Having being lucky enough to try all the restaurants I could not fault anything … from the service to the taste of each dish …. The food really is remarkable!

 

Day two …after experiencing the Dubai FRIDAY Brunch ….. I was collected by Alpha Destination Management and taken straight to ‘Fly High Dubai Helicopter Pad’, where I had the most incredible experience taking a helicopter tour from Atlantis and The Palm over the city. It was breathtaking being able to see the development of Dubai, which is ever expanding… not forgetting the famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest viewing tower in the WORLD right in front of your eyes. TRULY MAGICAL!

            

 

Dinner for the evening was held in the Steakhouse which was another culinary delight – very different to the other restaurants in the hotel but I would say more pristine… if you could get anymore pristine! Then if that wasn’t enough for the day I was on the guest list for ‘White’ the exclusive open air night club in the facility with the most amazing panoramic views of Dubai… great music and amazing atmosphere!

After leaving the club after a few tipples…whilst staggering back to the hotel we managed to spot the DJ – Mahmut Orhan entering the hotel so decided to harass him for a photo… !

Day 3 was time to leave The Meydan hotel and before heading to our next destination we were immersed into the culture centre for the heritage tour- by visiting the Gold and Spice Souk markets, Dubai museum, Abra Crossing –

   

and a visit to the local Mosque…

 

After lunch at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht club – Boardwalk Restaurant… we were then blown away by another highlight of the trip….A jeep Safari ride to our next destination… over the beautiful ‘no man’s land’ , the desert, capturing some memorable pictures …

   

not forgetting #usainbolting IN THE DESERT !

 

NEXT DESTINATION – Bab Al Shams situated in the heart of the desert and nestled in the dunes of Dubai. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. Located in a perfect location only 40 minutes from Dubai airport – for those seeking a unique desert experience within easy reach of Dubai, Bab Al Shams is the ideal destination.

 

     

The first day I made the most of the luxury facilities whilst soaking up the sun… and of course experiencing the pool side cocktails….

     

It was very surreal moment sat by a beautiful swimming pool then looking aside and realizing you are in the middle of the desert. So tranquil and peaceful.

After a lazy afternoon in the sunshine … I was shown around the impressive conferences and banqueting facilities, comprising of 22 meeting rooms and event capacity of 5000 people! It was quite unbelievable that the resort had all these hidden meeting facilities, including the amazing open air arena which is a short 5 minutes away surrounded by the natural scenes of the Arabian desert…

After watching an unforgettable sunset over the desert….

we took a short walk to the extraordinary Al Hadheerah Restaurant which is within the Bab Al Shams resort! This was like another resort in itself offering an exquisite buffet with 14 live cooking stations. An authentic desert dining experience with live entertainment including, dancers, camel riding and a falconry show! A real WOW factor to end my incredible trip in Dubai!

This was like another resort in itself, offering a generous buffet with 14 live cooking stations. An authentic desert dining experience with live entertainment including, dancers, camel riding and a falconry show! A real WOW factor to end my incredible trip in Dubai!

         

 

After the exciting night before… my journey sadly came to a end, but this was a experience which I will never ever forget ! I came to Dubai with my Eyes Wide Open and wow this place you really do need to keep your eyes wide open!

 

I came to Dubai with my Eyes Wide Open and wow, in this place you really do need to keep your eyes wide open! Dubai is indeed a place that fuels the mind. It is constantly growing and rising high to become the biggest and the best, incorporating well known features and landmarks from other countries and making them their own… This place is definitely becoming a popular place as both a business and travel destination, making it the best in the world. If I could describe DUBAI in its letters it would be..

D efinitely U nforgettable B ut A lso I ncredible…..!

 

I would like thank Corinthia Hotel Residences & Alpha Destination Management for such a remarkable unforgettable Arabian Experience.

Thanks for reading!

Eleanor x

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