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| (By anoop verma) Welcome to paradise, where getting a
shot of high-octane entertainment is
about as easy as taking a walk down
the road lined with a glitzy forest of
neon, which advertises the presence of myriad hotels,
casinos, bars, restaurants and much else. The nickname
Sin City is apt, because what would
be termed as illegal or underground
in most cities of the world is ho-hum
in Las Vegas. This oasis of pleasure
offers endless possibilities -risqué performances by thinly
clad exotic dancers, slot machines that blare and blink,
thrilling poker tournaments, dancing fountains
on the boulevards, unmatched shopping
experience, and bars and night clubs tailor
made for infusing pleasure. |
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| From Desert to Oasis |
| The area was still a wilderness back in
1905 when Las Vegas was established
and it became a city only in 1911. Las
Vegas’s march towards fame and fortune
commenced as a criminal enterprise,
when a mafia boss called Bugsy Siegel recognized the
potential of the area and on December 26, 1946 he started
the Flamingo Hotel on what would later become the Las
Vegas Strip. Bugsy later died in a hail of bullets fired by his
rivals in the mafia, but by then he had already contributed
his mite in proving Las Vegas’s potential as a hub of adult
entertainment. As the cliché goes,
“Behind every fortune there is a crime.”
There lies a bit of crime at the core of
Las Vegas’s flamboyant edifice too, but
that only adds to its aura of mystery, glamour and glitz.
Along with the initiatives by the mafia satraps like Bugsy,
the building of the Hoover Dam in 1936 too had
an impact on the city. The dam solved the perennial water problem and that led to a rise in population. But Las
Vegas’s evolution as a land of mega-resort casinos had to wait till November
22, 1989 when The Mirage opened. The Mirage also heralded a movement
of people and construction activity from downtown Las Vegas to the Strip,
which during the next few years saw massive expansion and became home to
glitzy hotels that carry thousands of rooms, lavish restaurants, pubs and huge
casinos. Several large hotels and casinos have also come up in areas that are
somewhat off the Strip, as well as in nearby vicinities. |
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| Mega Resorts - Mega Dreams |
The maverick real estate and casino tycoon Donald Trump says, “As
long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.” This is definitely
the kind of motto that a builder in Las Vegas is expected to have at the
core of his beliefs. There is something in the air of this city that entices its
entrepreneurs to dream big. The result is that everything is massive in this
city - The hotels, the resorts, the casinos, the pubs, and the shopping malls.
Just how grand a man’s vision can get, when he imbibes the idea of getting
sinful – this is the underlying theme of Las Vegas, the idea that it is easy to
be creative when anything goes.
It is with The Mirage built by Steve Wynn in 1989 that the saga of Las
Vegas began in the real sense. This is the hotel that set new standards
that every other property in the city would follow. Built at a massive
cost of $630 million, The Mirage occupies 102
acres of prime real estate and is fronted
by more than a city block of cascading
waterfalls and tropical
foliage centering on
a volcano, which,
after dark,erupts every 15 minutes, spewing fire 100 feet above the
lagoons below. This palace of delights boasts of a lavish 3044-
rooms, even the marquee outside it happens
to be the largest freestanding marquee in
the world.
 At the famous Four Corners in the
center of the Strip, there stands Bally’s
Hotel & Casino. The property has eleven
restaurants, two bars and a hotel with 2,814
rooms. But Bally’s is most famous for its
casino that turns out to be a 67,000 squarefoot
of gaming paradise, containing scores
of themed slot machines, 65 table games, a
poker room, keno, and a sports book. The
hotel’s self-contained recreation area has an
Olympic-size pool and a wading pool lined
with lounges, cabanas and palms. Plus there
is the mammoth convention center spread
across 170,000 sq ft that is the venue of
choice for many celebrity shows.
A resort that goes by the name of Caesar’s
Palace is bound to have something enticingly
Roman in it. The hotel boasts of 3,348
rooms that are located in five towers going
by names that are eminently Roman - Augustus, Centurion,
Roman, Palace, and Forum. Even the casino at this exquisite hotel owes its inspiration to the most primal charms from
ancient Rome. Fountains, statues and other decorations get
juxtaposed with all the paraphernalia of modern gambling
and create an ambiance especially conducive to supreme
thrill. Since it’s creation in 1966 this hotel has been catering
to high rollers and celebrities alike.
Name the resort
that happens to be
the home to only
Playboy Club on this
planet? The Palms,
naturally! Even by
Vegas standards the
experience offered
by this Playboy Club
is truly unique as
high-stakes gambling
and nightlife come
together. But when
you want to try your luck at a regular casino then The
Palms packs just the right stuff in its
95,000 square foot casino complete
with high limit rooms, card tables, slot
machines and other games. Then there
are the magnificent nightclubs like the
spooky, futuristic bar called Ghost bar,
where the walls made out of glass offer
a 180-degree view of the city below.
If you want the charm of New York
City in Vegas then check out New
York New York Hotel & Casino. The
hotel is impossible to miss, just keep
your eyes peeled for a skyline that
includes several towers configured to
resemble New York City’s skyscrapers,
such as the Empire State Building and
the Chrysler Building. Look closer and you’ll even see a roller
coaster ride that surrounds
the exterior of the hotel.
Located on the northwest
corner of the Tropicana - Las
Vegas Boulevard intersection, this is
the hotel that thrives by setting new
standards for hospitality, luxury and
excitement.
There is no dearth of epicureans
who may want to term the Bellagio
as definition of Las Vegas hospitality.
That it truly is. Its spacious suites,
sophisticated and residential in
character, are meant to make you feel
pampered and at home in the world of
superb comfort, choice amenities and
impeccable service. When it comes to
casino action, Bellagio easily compares
with the best that the World offers.
From Blackjack to Texas Hold’em,
from roulette wheels to the most
enticing array of table games - this
is one of those casinos where every
gambler is spoiled for choice.
Steve Wynn is reputed to have
spent $2.7 billion to build his dream
resort, called the Wynn Las Vegas.
That’s about a million dollars for each
of the hotel’s 2,716 rooms. With its
golden crescent shaped facade arching
toward the sky, this hotel provides a
unique fusion of nature and luxury in
a resort fit for royalty. Natural beauty
permeates the Wynn Las Vegas; in
its front there is the artificial 87-foot
high hill covered with trees and on its
back there is the Tom Fazio-designed
18-hole championship golf course. An
110,000-square-foot casino offers a
number of games including Blackjack,
Big 6, Craps, Caribbean Stud, Roulette,
Let-it-Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow,
Three Card Poker and War. |
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| TRIVIA |
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| Unlimited Entertainment |
In a city like Vegas it is
impossible to get bored. There
are the resorts and casinos,
coupled with the unmistakable
entertainment value of
dancing fountains and glittery
performances by theater groups
like the Cirque du Soleil whose
shows subsume an irresistible,
all-ages appeal. It is even possible
for you to see real lions in a glassenclosed
exhibition. For that you
have to go to MGM Grand Hotel
& Casino. Out here trainers
feeding the animals make a point
of pressing balls of ground meat
on the glass, wherever children
are standing behind it, ensuring
eye-level views of the animals
just inches away.
At any point of time when you
start looking for an antidote to Las
Vegas’s unique commercialism
then you have the option to visit the Hoover Dam and the Mojave
Desert Parks. The Valley of Fire
State Park lies 55 kms northeast
of Las Vegas and it is home to a
colorful rock landscape on which
Indians have left a virtual gallery
of ancient petroglyphs. If you are
a sporty type then you will enjoy
hiking along the White Domes
Trail, where you can thread
slot canyons, track roadrunners
and meet desert iguanas. The
Red Rock Canyon National
Conservation Area lying just 17
kms west of the city is a good
place to spot wild donkeys.
But it is shopping that visitors
to Las Vegas take most delight
in. In the Mecca of capitalism
everything is available. It is even
possible for you to walk into a
gun store and try a machine
gun or a World War II vintage
weapon. Dreaming about
emulating a Chicago mobster!
Go ahead and try a gun like Uzi
or Thompson M1A1. Such is the
dense concentration of luxurious
stores on the two-mile Strip
that even the most seasoned
shopper can be rendered
utterly defenseless. There are a
plethora of boutiques and each
one of them flaunts its own set
of exquisitely attired glassed-in
mannequins.
The stores are not just
stores - they seem to form
a fitting backdrop for a new
way of entertainment. You get
entertained as you shop. At
the Grand Canal Shoppes at
the Venetian, singing gondoliers
spirit shoppers down a winding
canal while street performers
entertain those on foot. Desert
Passage, the mall at the Aladdin,
has a Moroccan bazaar theme,
replete with a manufactured
thunderstorm that brews every
half hour. Then there is the
lavish Forum Shops, a colossal
560,000-square-foot assemblage
of designer stores attached to
the Caesars Palace Hotel. Even if
you are not buying anything, just
window-shopping can turn out to
be an unforgettable experience.
If you live by the motto, “Sleep
all day, party all night,” then
Vegas is surely the place to wine,
dine, gamble, golf, dance, drink,
and indulge in activities that are
decidedly sinful. |
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 (By Parul Chowdhry) Mumbai, Bombay, or Maximum
City! No matter what you call
it, this vibrant city, with its
shimmering art scene, its growing
global footprint and its nouveau
nightlife, has become the molten epicenter of
Indian hedonism. As if the unfettered glitz of
Bollywood is not enough, Mumbai is also the
home to India’s biggest tycoons and star athletes.
Themed bars and clubs are omnipresent and so
are fancy showrooms, mega malls and five star
hotels. Wallowing in a lifestyle that is decidedly
hedonistic is absurdly simple in the city that basks
under the refreshing breeze of liberal ideals.
The Hyatt Regency, located adjacent to
Mumbai’s international airport and minutes
away from the domestic airport, ranks amongst
one of the most popular venues for business
travelers. The reason behind Hyatt’s premier
status becomes obvious the moment you step
into its exclusive air-conditioned domain.The hotel’s dramatic lobby is crafted with the
intention of enchanting guests with a vision of a
modern day paradise. Floating ebony coffers and
stacked glass creations add a poetic touch to the
environment. Italian marble and structural glass
merge and mate to exude an aura of natural light
that is all pervasive. Comfy sitting arrangements
get interspersed with an array of beautiful indoor
plants sprouting out of well-designed pots. |
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 The hotel offers 408 elegantly designed guest
rooms, 22 suites and one Presidential suite. All
the rooms are exquisitely detailed and sprawl
across 36-sq-meters of superbly air-conditioned
space featuring Malaysian teak floors, over-sized
mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows. You get to
enjoy a plush king-sized bed, a nifty work desk
embellished with high-speed Internet access, and
much more. The bathrooms are equipped with
marble bath and have a separate bath tub and step-down rain shower.
Then there are the Regency Suites that
sprawl across 67-sq-meters of space
featuring modern decor with floor-toceiling
windows and Malaysian teak
floors. These spacious suites are equipped
with a lavish bedroom, a living area, a
work desk with high-speed Internet and
a marble bath with sunken tub and stepdown
shower. In addition to all that you
get to enjoy Regency Club amenities,
which include boardroom usage, airport
transfers and a private lounge where you
may avail of breakfast, tea and cocktails.
But if you wish to wallow in an
environment that is even more lavish
and luxurious, there are even more
possibilities available at Hyatt. The
Regency Executive Suites might turn out
to be your kind of thing. These luxurious
suites occupy 102 -sq-meters and feature
a whole range of facilities that will make
you feel as pampered as any Maharaja
living in a palace of his own.
It is the Presidential Suite that
symbolizes the apogee of luxury. Located
on the hotel’s sixth floor, the Presidential
Suite is spread across 280-sq-meters of
tastefully decorated interiors. This suite
is equipped with a 42-inch plasma screen,
a DVD player and Bose speakers. There
is a massage chair, modern kitchenette
and a personal wine bar. Then there are
the special touches of exclusivity like a
jacuzzi and minibar. |
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 With many unique restaurants and bars
in its ensemble, Hyatt has a lot to offer
to the relentless epicures from around
the world. There is Stax restaurant
that is especially well known for its
fresh homemade pastas and delectable
seafood specialties. It is even possible
for you to get your dish paired with
the perfect wine selected from a most
discerning collection of Italian wines.
But if you yearn for a mouthful of Indian
cuisine and some enticing vegetarian
selections then this restaurant will make
you spoiled for choice.
Glasshouse is the name of another
fabulous restaurant at Hyatt. This all-day
dining restaurant features international
specialties and authentic Indian kebabs
and curries prepared in an interactive
show kitchen. You really do need to
arrive at Glasshouse to find out that
watching food being cooked is about as
relishing to the senses as eating those
lip smacking dishes. The chefs turn into
proficient actors and performers as they
bake your bread, prepare kebabs and stir
their curries. This restaurant features
both, an a la carte selection, as well as
a sumptuous buffet for breakfast, lunch
and dinner. But if you are looking for
lighter stuff then you better head for The Lounge, whose forte lies in specialty
beverages, afternoon tea selections and
all-day desserts.
Looking for a drink – there is no need
to think twice before venturing into the
wide-open welcoming portals of The Bar.
As the warm, inviting ambiance of this
place works its magic on your senses,
whiskey and single malts start tasting
much better. |
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Health and fitness at the Hyatt Regency
usually begins and ends with two words -
Club Prana. This is a luxurious urban spa
and fitness center spread across 10,000
square feet, that offers a unique way to
refresh, renew and revitalize the body and
mind through its superb spa program.
The word “Prana” is of Sanskrit origin
that means “Life Force”. The massage
therapies that Club Prana offers range
from Sama Abhyangam to Hot Stone,
Swedish Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy,
Essential Back, Traditional Stress Relief,
Foot Reflexology and Indian Head
Massage. The club also features a beauty
saloon where guests can avail of hair
treatments, manicures and pedicures.
Don’t be concerned, because the
treatments are as popular with men as
they are with women, so you and your
girlfriend can get refreshed at the same
time.
If you are sporty type then you will
enjoy Hyatt’s state of the art gymnasium.
There is a free-form outdoors swimming
pool, a flood lit tennis court, and an array
of steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, chill
pools and fun showers to help you sweat
out the extra flab that you may have
picked up from your eating expeditions
in India’s maximum City.
One great thing that Hyatt can do for
you is offer you a glimpse of what Mumbai
is really all about. Contact the travel desk
at the hotel and let the concierge take
care of all the arrangements for your
day out in the city. After all Mumbai is a
city that offers enough opportunities to
indulge in your every whim and passion.
Nightclubs, sprawling malls, Gateway of
India, Flora Fountain, Elephanta Caves,
and numerous other attractions will keep
you busy. If you’re lucky you may even
catch a film shooting in the making. |
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Contact Information:
Hyatt Regency Mumbai
Sahar Airport Road Mumbai 400 099, India
Telephone +91 22 66961234
Facsimile +91 22 66961235
email: hyattregencymumbai@hyattintl.com
mumbai.regency.hyatt.com |
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Traveling to far-off lands like any intrepid globetrotter is what many of us constantly fantasize about, but only few amongst us possess the determination or the resources to give full vent to our fanciful flights of wanderlust. Ibn Battuta, was one such intrepid traveler, who set off on his legendary journey more than 700 years ago, when the fastest means of transportation were the human feet, and only those that were blessed by fortune could hope for the luxury of traveling on a camel, horse or a ship. The account of his journey across many continents continues to be the inspiration for many books, movies, TV serials and now for the first time it is being glorified in the design and concept of a shopping mall.
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| It is possible for you to retrace Ibn Battuta’s famous journey without undergoing the hardships that the legendary traveler faced during his lifetime. You navigate in the cool and plush environs of a shopping mall and still manage to catch a glimpse of myriad cultures from all over the world. The place where you can experience such a sense of adventure happens to be the eponymous Ibn Battuta Mall, located in Dubai, where the possibilities tend to get limitless. Billed as world’s largest themed mall, this place is embellished by six elaborately designed courts that throw fanciful visions of places that Ibn Battuta visited and wrote about Tunisia, China, Egypt, India, Persia and Andalusia. |
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Don’ t be amazed if a visit to the Ibn Battuta mall evokes the
surreal feeling that you have been transported to the enchanted
world of 14th century. You will be wooed by the splendor of the
Arabic wind towers, and swept off your feet by the magnificence
of Indian domes. The lavish architecture of medieval China
will awe you and the picturesque beauty of Tunisia will
have a soothing effect. The Ibn Battuta mall is like a bridge
between the present and the past, a place where most modern
appliances, artifacts and entertainments get juxtaposed with
an environment that is decidedly from the 14th century world.
Located on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, the mall was
developed by Nakheel Properties Group in early 2005. You can guess its importance from the fact that this
place boasts of the only IMAX theatre in the
United Arab Emirates and it also offers a 21-
screen Cinema Megaplex, which is located in
the China Court area of the mall. So the next
time you are here don’t be surprised to find
your favorite Bollywood movie running on any
one of the screens at the Megaplex. In fact,
Bollywood movies are a huge draw at the mall
and so are flicks from Hollywood.
Spread across an area of 5.4 million square
feet, the place is larger than most malls in the
world. It includes 10
car parks that can
jointly accommodate
more than 5000 cars.
The retail area alone
is spread across an
astonishing 67,500
square meters and
it has 275 retail
outlets, while
the well-planned
Food Courts span
across 3,800 square
meters. Some of
the best brands
in the world are
represented here
- Betsey Johnson,
H&M, TopShop,
Forever 21, Ginger
& Lace, Lacoste,
Next, Pierrie Cardin, Gucci, Omega, Versace,
Banana Republic and many others. Then
there is the children’s play zone packed with
all sorts of amusements and thrills.
It is quite natural that walking up and down
this mega mall is going to stimulate your
appetite. But there is ample scope out here
to take care of that need. On both ends of the
mall two large food courts are located and
that is in addition to the several coffee shops,
scattered throughout its entire length. If you are an aficionado
for cuisine from all over the world then you are not going to be
disappointed. Along with the best concoctions from the world
of western food, here you will also find enough opportunities
to titillate your palate with relishing dishes of Chinese origin,
sumptuous Indian fare, Tunisian food, and lip smacking treats
from Egypt. |
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The most outstanding appeal of the mall lies in its
edutainment features, which combine features of education
and entertainment. There are numerous storytelling tours that
provide an exciting opportunity for visitors to better understand the historical perspectives that can be gleaned
from the life of Ibn Battuta. Then there are the
numerous exhibits of ancient technological
inventions, especially from the Middle East.
The modern full-size working reproduction of
an elephant clock is particularly interesting. It
is basically an invention of Islamic origin that
consists of a water-powered clock developed in
the form of an elephant. |
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Another piece of everlasting appeal is the recreation
of a 25-metre Chinese sea faring junk
that happens to be a replica of an ancient boat on
which Ibn Battuta is said to have sailed through
the Indian Ocean. The mirror maze located in
the Chinese court is great fun and many visitors
can’t have enough of it. Another interesting item
is the virtual aquarium that enables visitors to
observe many different types of marine life, including great
white sharks. There is also a sand sculpture, created by worldrenowned
artist Jenny Rossen, based on different mosques of
the Middle East.
For book lovers a tryst with the famous Magrudy’s bookstore
is a must. Located right next to it is a toy store. Even Géant, which
holds the distinction of being the largest French supermarket
chain, has a store here. When you tire of sightseeing and
shopping, then it is time for rest & relaxation. What can be a
better place for that than a luxurious spa or a state of the art
gym! Try it and chances are that you will be able to recharge
you batteries for another round of adventures at this mall.
If anything, the Ibn Battuta mall is certainly worth a visit, not
just for the shopping and entertainment experience, but also
for the fantastic design and concept. But before you venture
inside this place make sure you have a full wallet and a pair of
comfortable walking shoes on. It is really big, so big that you
have to become an explorer to fully appreciate its grandeur. |
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| Year-round sunshine and a culture that is eminently lavish
pose enough reasons to make Dubai an enormously popular
holiday and shopping destination. |
If there is any structure that succinctly epitomizes the
bustling, bright and cosmopolitan character of the city
of Dubai, it is the Burj Al Arab. The name translates
into english as “Tower of Arabs”. Since it’s opening
date in 1999, the Burj Al Arab quickly gained the
status of being Dubai’s iconic symbol. It is the
world’s most luxurious seven-star hotel, and its
opulence is unparalleled anywhere else on the
planet.
Even those who are not staying here, flock
to this hotel because a trip to Dubai is never
complete unless your eyes have basked the beauty of Burj Al
Arab’s sail like shape soaring into the sky. At 321 meters,
this hotel is one of the tallest in the world. It even has its own
helipad. It is furnished throughout in opulent Arabic style, and
an astounding 8,600 pieces of 22-carat gold have been used
in its construction. |
| The Sheikh Zayed Road is a landmark by itself. This road
happens to be the home to some of the tallest buildings in
the world, including the magnificent 355m-high Emirates
Towers, which is the tallest building in all of Middle East and
Europe. Many tourists board the glass elevators that take you
to a viewing deck on the top which offers unforgettable views
of Jumeria coast. |
| Even though Dubai enjoys the reputation of being the city of
high-rises and beaches, it does have a fair number of parks
where you can chill out. the One such oasis is the Creekside
Park that lies in Umm Hurair area of Dubai. The park contains
over 280 botanical species, as well as a mass of green areas,
leafy paths for roller-skating and jogging, three jetties for
fishing, a mini-golf course and a 30m high cable car. |
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Attached to the bottom of Mainland China, on the banks of the picturesque Pearl River, there
lies a famous peninsula called Macau. Billed as a paradise seeped in history, culture and entertainment,
this place presents the unique facet of being traditional and yet so modern. For
many centuries Macau had been the prized jewel in the crown of Portuguese empire and to
this day its landscape continues to be dotted with buildings and churches built in inimitable Portuguese style
of architecture. Of these, the seventeenth-century Jesuit Church of Madre de Deus, better known as Sao
Paolo, is probably the finest Christian monument in the Far East.
It was only in 1999 that Mainland China regained control of Macau under previous treaty agreements with
the Portuguese establishment. Under Chinese tutelage there came growth at a scorching pace. In a matter
of few years, Macau transmogrified itself into orient’s answer to the fabled Las Vegas. Its casinos and resorts
attract thrill seekers in droves. The nights turn out to be brighter than the day, as animated billboards and
marquees advertising myriad gambling hotspots light up the streets. Limousines carry the rich for their tryst
with casinos of their choice. Beautiful women who can balance themselves precariously on their high-heels
offer tantalizing prospects for romance and seduction. |
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Amongst all the casinos of Macau, it is
the Mandarin Oriental that turns out to
be the most prestigious. If anything, the
hotel is built with a casino in mind and
that is just one of the reasons why it can
boast of such a fine playing environment
within its premises. Out here Baccarat
enjoys the distinction of being the most
popular table game. Even on the most
tranquil day it will be easy for you to
find baccarat tables surrounded with
gamblers cheering for a win. Everyone is
trying to get a touch of the sacred green
felt and strike it rich. It is a popular
saying in Macau that gamblers come to
Las Vegas solely to be entertained, but
over here, gamblers, especially those
of Chinese origin, step into casinos to
challenge their destiny. The casino is
open 24 hours a day, thus enabling its
patrons to challenge their destiny round
the clock.
Other than Baccarat, the sumptuous
spread of Mandarin Oriental’s casino
offers 11 types of table games and 59
types of slot machines. Roulette and
blackjack are hot favorites, and so are
games of local origin going by fanciful
names like Mahjong Baccarat, Mahjong
Paikao and Taiwan Paikao. As the casino
is part of a sprawling hotel, that makes it
a perfect place where you can fuel your
gambling fire, while still enjoying quality
time with your loved ones. In fact, the
Mandarin Oriental Casino & Hotel is
included in Forbes’ list of the best casinos
in the world. |
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| The magnificent structure of the hotel
exudes an aura that is a unique blend
of Portuguese heritage, the traditional
cultures of the Orient and the futuristic
spirit of Las Vegas. Once you walk into
its air-conditioned portal, you can’t
escape the feeling of being in a mythical
land, so luxurious and artistic that it
seems far removed from anything that
you have ever seen or experienced.
The immaculately proportioned lobby, |
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with its carved teak staircase and an
ecclesiastical window looking down upon
it, creates an impression of a Portuguese
Palacio. Wherever you look, your eyes
are greeted by incredible opulence - the
sitting arrangements, the elevators, the
bars, restaurants, landscaped swimming
pools and the casino.
Chandeliers, tapestries, and artwork
embellish every inch of the lobby.
Even the guest rooms are decorated in
Portuguese fabrics and natural teak.
Whether you choose to stay in a room
or a suite, you are bound to discover
that luxury comes standard at Mandarin
Oriental. If you yearn to indulge in some
sightseeing without going through the
rigmarole of stepping out of your plush
room, then you can go in for the Superior
City View Rooms and Deluxe City View
Rooms that offer magnificent views of
South China Sea or the historic Guia
Fortress. Even greater delight lies in the
Club Floor City View Rooms that offer
views of the city and the famous Macau
Grand Prix Race Track.
There are 388 rooms and 28 suites
waiting for you to take your pick from
and have the time of your life. The
truth is that the vibrant environment of
Mandarin Hotel is especially conducive
for romantic interludes. After all, where
else can love blossom if not in a setting
such as this. Just imagine the feeling
of you and your girlfriend enjoying a
champagne breakfast in your room even
as the city around you is still awakening
from the mists of the night. |
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From the broad range of fashionable restaurants located within
the Mandarin, it is easy to
choose one that suits your
needs and your tastes. The
most romantic restaurant is
Mezzaluna, located on the 2nd
floor; this elegant restaurant
offers Italian cuisine in stylish
surroundings. Inspired by a
renovated Tuscan villa, the
restaurant features a wine
room with a global collection
of vintage wine. The open
kitchen with wood-burning
oven only adds to the charm.
For aficionados of
Cantonese cuisine, there is
no alternative to Tunk Yee Heen which
offers Cantonese a-la-carte menus, as
well as stylish Chinese banquets. Then
there is the Naam Thai restaurant,
famous for its top class Thai menu in
Macau. Strategically located at a spot
where it overlooks a vibrant swimming
pool and luxuriant tropical gardens, this
intimate 60-seat restaurant is bright,
casual and contemporary. Out here you
can try some of the most delicious Thai
dishes cooked from the freshest produce
and the finest herbs and spices.
Then there is the Café Bela Vista that
carries all the splendor and charm of the
historic Hotel Bela Vista and remains
open 24 hours a day. Breakfast, lunch
and dinner buffets - you can depend on
this charming restaurant to keep you
supplied with the tastiest morsels at
all times of the day. If cakes are your
weakness then The Cake Shop is the
place to hang out. Located on the 2nd
floor, this shop is famous for its extensive choice of cakes and pastries, all baked
freshly on the premises. |
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| The memory and the spirit of the
legendary Portuguese maritime explorer
Vasco Da Gama lives on in the restaurant
called Vasco. Out here irresistible local
tapa-style treats, exquisite high tea and
a vast repertoire of creative cocktails
await you. But the main attraction of
the Vasco lies in the live band that is
often billed as Macau’s best nightly
entertainment. Looking for a more laid
back type restaurant? Try The Veranda,
a poolside spot to enjoy al fresco dining,
where you can savor grilled seafood and
exotic cocktails. |
Other than the sprawling casino, the
Mandarin Hotel boasts of a host of other
facilities to let you have the time of your
life. If it is peace and relaxation you are
seeking, then check out the in-house spa.
Designed like a tropical garden, the spa
boasts of an outdoor swimming pool
and a picturesque waterfall. Teams of
highly trained professional therapists
pamper and rejuvenate every inch of
your body through their massages, body
treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures
and much else. An added plus are the
new therapies for relaxation like the
Comfort Zone treatments, which use the
marriage of science and nature to leave
your body and spirit in a state of bliss.
Mandarin Hotel makes it easy for you
to have a knockabout on a round of
energetic sports. There are three tennis
courts available for guests. No problem if
you don’t have your own racket and balls, you can get them from the Tennis
Pro Shop. If you need to polish
your playing style, an instructor
is also available. A squash court is
available on the third floor of the
hotel for those who really want to
sweat it out. You don’t even have
to go out looking for a mountain
in order to indulge in rock
climbing. The Mandarin has a 10-
metre high, 360-degree modular
rock tower, which is capable
of offering a truly adventurous
holiday experience.
For shopping addicts the
Mandarin Oriental Shopping
Arcade represents a vista of
unparalleled opportunities. Situated on
the lobby floor, the shopping arcade is
home to almost every major brand in
the world - Cartier, Emporio Armani,
Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Louis
Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo,
Dunhill, Hermes, Omega and Dior. One
thing is for sure, if you are staying at
Mandarin, you won’t have to travel far
in order to buy an appropriate gift for
your girlfriend or wife. But the world
of Mandarin is as enchanting outside
the building as it is inside it. Stepping
out of the hotel and taking peek at the
local culture can be an unforgettable
experience by itself.
You only need to take a five-minute
walk to reach the famous Macau
Fisherman’s Wharf that covers an area of
over 93,000 square metres and is home
to all kinds of entertainment and retail
facilities. The Nam Van Lake Cybernautic
Fountain is a man-made lake that gushes
with 86 waterspouts, some of which
are up to 80 meters high. At night the
waterspouts are a sight to behold when
288 colorful spotlights illuminate them.
The Taipa Houses and the Macau Tower
are important landmarks that showcase
the best aspects of local culture. Then
there is the Wine Museum where wine
aficionados can discover over 1,115
labels.
Mandarin Oriental Macau is a
microcosm of an unique paradise on
earth that every human being needs to
experience at least once. |
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It
is at Phuket that the
saga of Aman resorts
began, this is where the
group’s first resort Amanpuri opened
and instantly made a mark on the world’s
hospitality scene with its amazing
blend of modern design, classic luxury,
stunning settings and first-rate service.
Today Aman Resorts owns and operates
18 inimitably sculpted resorts around the
world, each one of them nestled within a
unique natural paradise, that subsume a
luxurious sense of a dventure. But it is the
resort at Phuket that continues to serve
as a flagship for the global hospitality
group.
Each Aman resort picks up its leitmotif
from the best aspects of the local culture
and that is why visitors find them so
attractive. Think of an oasis of luxury
that also carries the power of quenching
the lust for faraway cultures, as they are
replete with locally procured materials
reflecting local traditions.
When you spend time in an Aman
resort, you get to experience a whole
new world. The environmentally friendly
operation and the aesthetically pleasing
ambiance only add to the appeal. The resort at Phuket, for example,
has only 40 pavilions and 32 villas spread over 24 hectares of a hilly
headland on the northern side of Pansea beach. With abundance of
space between different villas, there is ample scope for guests to enjoy
the kind of privacy that is generally impossible in an ordinary resort.
Other than the famous resort at Phuket Island in Thailand, Aman
owns resorts at the following locales – Amankora Resort at Bhutan,
in Cambodia there is the famous Amansara Resort. France has its Le
Mélézin and in French Polynesia there is Hotel Bora Bora. Indonesia
boasts of maximum number of Aman resorts - the Amandari, Amanusa,
Amankila, Amanwana, and Amanjiwo. India has two Aman resorts,
Aman-i-Khás and Amanbagh. In Morocco there’s the Amanjena, in
Philippines there is Amanpulo. Sri Lanka is famous for its Amangalla
and Amanwella. In the Turks & Caicos Islands there is the Amanyara
and in the USA there exists the superlative Amangani. |
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| When you spend time in
an Aman resort, you get
to experience a whole new
world. The environmentally
friendly operation and
the aesthetically pleasing
ambiance only add to the
appeal. |
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| The resorts are located next
to some of the most gorgeous
beaches in the world, offering
ample opportunity to enjoy
the sea, surf and sun. Get
yourself a sexy new tan on the
tropical beaches of Amanpulo
on the private isle of
Pamalican in the Philippines.
How about sunning at the
powder-fine white-sand beach
of Amanyara in the Turks and
Caicos Islands, right next to
the surging turquoise waters
of the sea. Dine and wine in
your private cabana or watch The resorts are located next
to some of the most gorgeous
beaches in the world, offering
ample opportunity to enjoy
the sea, surf and sun. Get
yourself a sexy new tan on the
tropical beaches of Amanpulo
on the private isle of
Pamalican in the Philippines.
How about sunning at the
powder-fine white-sand beach
of Amanyara in the Turks and
Caicos Islands, right next to
the surging turquoise waters
of the sea. Dine and wine in
your private cabana or watch
the sunset paint the sky and
water in delicious hues. |
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| The Amanwella in Sri
Lanka is set beside an 800m
golden-sand beach that looks
magnificent in its palm-lined,
crescent-shaped avatar. |
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If you support an
adventurous mindset then
the resort will provide you
complimentary water sports
equipment such as snorkeling
gear, sea kayaks, boogie
boards, windsurfers, Hobie
cats and Laser sailboats. The
Amanwella in Sri Lanka is set
beside an 800m golden-sand
beach that looks magnificent
in its palm-lined, crescentshaped
avatar. Just think
of the pleasures that you
can enjoy on this patch of
paradise. The Hotel Bora
Bora is surrounded by one of
the world’s most spectacular
lagoons, and offers three
white-sand beaches.
Snorkeling reef fish is a
pleasure that guests like to
indulge in at Bali’s Amanwana
resort. The Amankila located
at East Bali is set within a
groove of coconut palms and
is famous for its 41-meter
swimming pool. Barbecues and
Balinese dance performances
on the volcanic sand beaches
are experiences that you
don’t want to miss. But it is
the Amanusa that commands
a garden hillside in southern
Bali with panoramic views of
the Indian Ocean. Out here
there exists a fringing coral
reef that makes it especially
conducive for swimming and
water sports.
The beach at Aman resort
on Phuket Island in Thailand
is especially persuasive in
turning you into a die-hard
Aman fan for life. It has
a 20m lap-pool, cocktail
lounge and an array of water
sports, as well as sun beds
and towels, and a seaside
gym with remarkable views
through full-length windows.
Of course, it has its famous
swimming pool too — one
that measures 27-meters
from end to end. The pool is
tiled in midnight blue, and
it exudes an aura that many
find irresistible. |
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| If you want to enjoy a really
lavish cruise then Amanpuri
at Phuket is the place to go.
This resort is well known
for its gargantuan fleet of
vessels, in sizes ranging
between 20 to 110 feet.
Every vessel in Amanpuri’s
fleet is professionally crewed
and they are equipped with
a variety of recreational
material to let their guests
enjoy sports like water-skiing
and wakeboarding. Amanpuri
also operates overnight
charters that provide access
to some of the Andaman Sea’s
best dive sites. |
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Then there is the Amanwana
resort on Moyo Island that
maintains a fleet of 10
boats, which can be used for
cruising, fishing or diving. The sea around
Amanwana is
littered with sm all islands, and
that offers guests ample opportunities to
explore nearby coral coves and beaches,
indulge in shell collecting, beachcombing,
sunbathing and snorkeling. The cerulean
sea that skirts the Amanpulo resort packs
all the ingredients for superb cruising.
The resort keeps a variety of boats for
island hopping, fishing, diving and lazyday
sailing.
If you yearn for a tryst with traditional
Balinese fishing craft then you have to
head to Amankila resort that overlooks
the Lombok Strait in East Bali. This resort
offers two outriggers designed after the
traditional jukung boats. In addition to these outriggers,
the resort also offers Aman XII,
a 50ft vessel with a large sundeck and
shaded area, and the Aman XVI, a 36ft
vessel with sundeck and some shaded
area. But it is the Hotel Bora Bora that
is all geared to offer full-day or half-day
trips to neighboring islands in a 50ft,
sport-fishing catamaran. Diving trips
to the neighboring lagoons are quite
popular with the hotel’s guests. |
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There is definitely an extra pleasure
involved in swinging those golf clubs
when you are lodging at Aman resorts.
And that extra pleasure comes from the
immaculate settings of each golf course.
Morocco’s famed Amanjena Resort boasts
of a golf course that offers splendid views
of the High Atlas Mountains from its
vibrant fairways. When you are at Bali’s
Amanusa Resort, the luxury of playing
at the Bali Golf and Country Club, which
ranks amongst Asia’s five best courses,
is all yours.
The Amanjiwo resort, in Central
Java, at an hour’s drive from 18-
hole Mount Merapi Golf Course is
a picturesque haven for golfers and
sightseers alike. But if you wish to enjoy
your pick of five international standard
golf courses you have to be at Amanpuri
on the tropical island of Phuket where
some of the choicest courses lie within
a 30 to 40-minute drive of the resort.
In the balmy Turks and Caicos Islands,
the Providenciales Golf club is at a 40-
minute drive from Amanyara Resort.
Golfing amidst the mountainous valleys
and passes of Bhutan has a pleasure of
its own. To experience that pleasure you
have to be at Amankora Resort located
at Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Out here
you will find a well-maintained nine-hole
course set at 2,800m above sea level,
where the panorama of nature is at its
vibrant best.
The Aman-I-Khas located in Rajasthan’s
Ranthambhore National Park is famous
for its safaris that allow you to see
leopards, tigers, crocodiles, sloth bears
and other animals in their natural habit.
The safaris at Aman Resorts located on
the island of Bali are also quite popular.
The island is full of wilderness areas that
are havens for wildlife and are home to
some of the world’s most endangered
species. At Amangani in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, wildlife safaris are conducted
year round. Imagine the joy of being part of a full day excursion in a plush fourwheel
drive luxury SUV that is equipped
with binoculars, window-mounted scopes
and experienced field guides. |
At Aman resorts the art of pampering
guests is practiced to perfection with
a range of spas that offer world-class
treatment through judicious use of
cultural and natural environments. The
use of completely natural ingredients,
including essential oils derived from
organically grown wild plants and herbs,
makes the experience at any Aman Spa
most intimate and discreet. Guests can
pamper their body with therapeutic
massages, body wraps, scrubs and baths.
At the end of each treatment your sense
of well being is enhanced and your mind,
body and spirit feel rejuvenated.
The resorts employ in-house yoga
and Ayurveda experts who can gently
guide you into the ancient art of healing
and good health. Just as Aman Resorts
provides you enough opportunities
for partying, sporting, and all kinds of
adventures, it also packs the system to
help you balance your energies through
a process of holistic healing. |
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| may not sound like a place
you’d expect hot casino
action, but don’t let the name
fool you. This casino located
on the Gulf Coast has plenty
of gaming opportunities.
The 32 story, 3.2 million
square foot edifice is all
geared to pamper you with
every luxury that
money can buy. It
boasts of impeccably
designed guests
rooms and suites, a plethora
of fancy restaurants, lavish
entertainment programs,
seductive shopping arcade
and of course an exciting
casino that unleashes the
inner gambler in you. |
AT Beau Rivage the atmosphere is infectiously electric and the variety of games
available is simply unbelievable. In this vast oasis of unmitigated thrill, it is easy
for you to forget the clock and lose yourself in selfish joys of gambling. The 85,000-
square-foot casino features 93 table games, 2,100 slot machines, and 230 video poker
games. But if you are a poker aficionado then you will find Beau Rivage’s two-tiered
poker room the place to be. If you are a high stakes gambler then
you can wager your bets away from the madding crowd in a special
area within the poker room.
But it is the slots that are the favorites with most gamblers.
Dotted by as many as 2100 hot slot games, which include classic
reels, stirring video slots and the ever-popular video poker machines, the casino floor
is a sight to behold. The machines out here will eat any amount ranging from 1¢ to
$500, so whatever be your gambling budget, you are sure to find the slot that you can
afford. If you are looking for a machine that is actually famous for producing many
millionaires, then you have to go in for the all time favorite Wheel of Fortune.
Then there are games with names like Monte Carlo Cash Wheel, Blazing7s, Double
Diamonds, Hot Shots, Cleopatra II, etc, all of which promise their own brand of thrill
and wins. The best thing about the slots at Beau Rivage is that the machines are
100% coin free, as they are fitted with electronic payment system, which is especially
conducive for faster and easier transactions. But there are those for whom nothing
matches the thrill of table games. When you get cloyed by the perennial favorites like
Craps and Roulette, then you can try your luck in intriguing games like Mini & Midi
Baccarat, Single Deck Blackjack, Crazy 4 Poker, 3 Card Poker, and Pai Gow. |
| On the prowl for quality poker, Beau Rivage’s smoke free poker
room holds a rare delight. Immaculately designed with vaulted
ceilings and an open floor plan, the poker room turns out to be
an epitome of spaciousness and luxury. No matter what your
favorite game is, you are sure to find a table that meets your
requirements perfectly. Go ahead and try your hand at games
such as Texas Hold’em, 7-Card Stud and Omaha High Low Split.
Or you can walk into the ultra luxurious high stakes lounge,
where action gets even bigger with no-limit Texas Hold’em and
Pot-Limit Omaha. If hunger strikes in the middle of a game you
can bet that a beautiful waitress will be at your beck and call to
take your orders. |
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THE rooms are not just living spaces; they are designed with the intent
of pampering the guests with every luxury imaginable. The aesthetics of each
room turns out to be a fascinating blend of the modern and traditional. An
immaculate choice of colors contrives a feeling of warmth and
gaiety, and every bit of furnishing is plush and comfortable.
But the icing on the cake may lie in the spacious bathrooms
with marble surfaces and whirlpool tubs (in suites only). A
perfect place to relax and soak, when you return back to
your room. If your girlfriend joins you, you may never want
to leave the tub.
There are times when you need a lot more space than
any room can provide. For such occasions Beau Rivage has
suites that get big or even bigger, every inch of their space
laced with choicest decorations and amenities. There is the Jasmine suite,
which spreads across 900 square feet and features separate living area that
can prove especially conducive for times when you are planning to entertain
guests. When you want to live in truly royal style, then you have to try the
gorgeous 1,200 square foot spread of the Cypress suite. This suite comes
with an exclusive powder room and a delightful dining area. A great place to
stay when you want to impress a female companion! |
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BEAURivage Theatre turns
out to be the mecca of every type of
entertainment that you may possibly
dream of. It is easy to get star struck with
the bevy of stars, from
the world of music
to that of acting, who
are always making an
appearance to regale
their audiences with
dazzling performances.
Hollywood’s best comedians, the Blue
Man Group, and Julio Iglesias are just a
few of the all star line up that plays at
Beau Rivage.
How great it would be feel, if life could
turn out to be a living, moving fantasy!
Reality may not be like that, but an
entertaining show can be. At Beau
Rivage Theatre you can have the chance
to experience the living, moving fantasy
that is Y! This is a show in which Russian
dancers and Chinese acrobats team up
to create a unique cross-cultural fusion
that is totally unmatched and totally
nonpareil. Since the middle of February
this show has been enchanting visitors
to the hotel, and such is its popularity
that the performances are scheduled to
go on till the middle of June. That leaves
enough time for you to book a ticket if you
haven’t witnessed Y’s mesmerizing world
of fantasy already.
Once the sun disappears beneath a veil
of darkness the heat really gets turned
up at the famous Coast Nightclub. During
the day, it is a mild mannered sports bar,
but as soon as the sun sets the music
blasts, the liquor pours, and the dancing
and flirting goes on all night long. This
is a place where anything can happen,
so it is always better to discard your
inhibitions before you enter the portals
of this nightclub. For golfing aficionados
there is the Fallen Oak Golf, an 18-hole
golf course spread across 510 acres of
pure heaven. |
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ATBeau Rivage the art of fine dining
gets practiced to perfection allowing you to an impeccable setting to seduce someone
at an intimate dinner for two. The restaurant called Olives is quite famous for its
succulent dishes that subsume the tempting Mediterranean flavor of Tuscany. Hearty
homemade pastas, flatbread pizzas, succulent rotisserie and flame-kissed meats and
seafood – the prefect menu to make romance blossom. The open kitchen at Olives,
with its wood ovens and wood fire, is always a sight to behold.
Then there is BR Prime, a quintessential American steakhouse, famous for its
modern decor, immaculate service and amazing food. For those who are in love
with Asian cuisine, Jia is the place to be. This is where the best culinary traditions
of Japan, Thailand, China, Korea and Vietnam come together within the boundaries
of a modern and sophisticated space. But there are opportunities galore even if
you happen to be interested in a more casual kind of dining. Take your pick from
restaurants with memorable names such as The Buffet, Terrace Café, Memphis Q
and Coast Restaurant.
What about the times when all you need is a break from your dining, wining or
gambling activities? At Beau Rivage you will find activities that promise just the
kind of relaxation remedy that you may be in need of. The spa has perfected the
art of pampering your body. Specialist treatments like cutting edge massage, wrap
and scrub therapies will heal and rejuvenate you inside and out. The salons are for
occasions when you want to be looking your best. But shopping too can be a great
rejuvenating experience. Take a breather as you walk down the magnificently
designed showrooms, where the atmosphere is trendy and chic. In its essence, Beau
Rivage is one attractive, lively place that you want to keep coming back to. It’s one of
the best places to indulge in your many passions! |
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Viva Las Vegas! There can be no better way to rejoice Las
Vegas than to walk into a luxury resort exemplifying a solid
fusion of European refinement, American dazzle and a truly
royal hospitality. That’s Monte Carlo Resort & Casino for you,
one of the classiest themed resorts celebrating the vibrant
zeitgeist of life in the Sin City. Embellished with Renaissance
statues and cascading fountains, the entrance to this resort is
as awe-inspiring as the interior.
But it is what lies beyond that fascinating portal that is
designed to give you a time of your life – an array of luxurious
and spacious suites, beautiful swimming pools, excellent spa
facilities, lavish shows, wedding chapel, a pricey array of
boutiques, restaurants and bars, and a truly world class casino
spread over an area of 90,000 square feet. It’s the kind of
trendy elegance that is the hallmark of a place all geared to
offer an effortless blend of possibilities. |
Every room at Monte Carlo has a
mini-bar, luxurious bathrooms
with separate showers and tubs, and
the interior design and furnishing is
absolutely immaculate. There are many
types of suites that you can choose from
depending on your budget. But if you are
inclined towards really pampering your
wife or girlfriend, then you must try the
super luxury Spa Suites or the Diamond
Suites.
Once you emerge from your room at
Monte Carlo you are greeted with myriad
options that offer experiences as varied,
as they are novel. You can have a tryst
with tranquility at Monte Carlo’s spa or
walk into a saloon where highly innovative
stylists can help you look your best.
Experience paradise in Monte Carlo’s
21,000 square-feet of tropical bliss with
not one, but four pools.
Go in for the cool shade of your own
private cabana and soothe yourself with
a refreshing drink. Looking forward to
a game of golf, you can bet on the golf
concierge to take care all your golfing
needs. Plus there are the shopping
arcades lined with stylish boutiques and
tons of panache. |
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Even if you are not a food junkie you
will learn to develop the taste of
being one, once you have stayed in Monte
Carlo. Here you will find a wide range of
restaurants, offering a delicious array of
foods, from fast foods for quick eaters, to
more elaborate cuisine for the epicurean
types.
There is the sinfully seductive Diablo’s
Cantina, a 13,000-square-foot hangout
that is famous for its specialty food, airy
center bar and hip lounge. If your palate
yearns for the finest wines then Andre’s
French Restaurant, managed by none
other than the renowned chef Andre
Rochat, is the place to go. The Buffet and
Café restaurants are meant for more
casual dining.
But the most casual dining spot has to
be the Monte Carlo Brew Pub. Out here |
the menu gets really varied - consisting of brick-oven pizzas, salads and sandwiches on one hand, to juicy steak served with a 16-ounce draft on the other hand. Even as you munch and drink you can catch all the sports action on one of 40 flat-screen TVs, including a giant 10 x 10 projection screen. On weekends the atmosphere at Brew Pub gets hot with a DJ spinning all your favorite tunes. Then there are the Dragon Noodle and the Market City Cafe – the former is all about authentic Asian cuisine, and the latter is quite popular for its Italian recipes.
When it comes to entertainment, Robert Schimmel’s comedic style is truly unique. He will have you roaring with laughter with jokes and anecdotes |
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 A resort that takes its name from
Europe’s legendary Monte Carlo has
to be really superlative in the gambling
facilities it offers. For a thrilling ride to
the wild side all you got to do is walk
into the resort’s casino area. Here
your senses will be treated with every
conceivable type of gambling known to
modern man.
There are table games galore. You
can try your hand at Midi-Baccarat and
Mini-Baccarat games. For Blackjack
aficionados there awaits a plethora of
action to regale them with an edge of the
seat excitement. Texas Hold’em and 3-
Card Poker are played with great gusto.
Then there are the vastly entertaining
games like Casino4Poker and Craps.
Hey nothing beats the thrill of betting on
a roulette wheel in the company of likeminded
gamers, when there is a beautiful
waitress around to fill everyone’s drink
and keep the atmosphere charged up.
Monte Carlo also offers Pai Gow Poker,
a unique game that combines elements
from Pai Gow and Poker.
If it is the slots that usually drive your
adrenalin flow to a new high, then you
have no dearth of choices to feed your
desire. The casino at Monte Carlo offers
slot players a little of everything. From
traditional slot machines to the latest
video reel machines, it is possible for you
to play at games that offer multi-million
dollar awards.
The Race & Sports book betting section
at Monte Carlo happens to be one of the
most sophisticated in all of Nevada. You
can sit back in comfort and enjoy your
drink as massive projection screens
broadcast live from major sporting or
horse racing events. You have many
different options to participate in the
action – you can place straight bets,
parlays, totals, money lines teasers, etc.
So what are you waiting for? Now is the
time to enjoy Monte Carlo’s legendary
cool and vibrant spirit that subsumes the
best of both Las Vegas and Europe. |
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| Clean, pollution-free streets are a major |
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draw for visitors. |
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| Pondicherry - with grand boulevards and quiet promenades, its well-laid,
wide streets that still carry quaint sounding French names, its vista of
neatly cut fields lush with greenery, historical monuments that narrate
marvelous stories from a bygone era - is a photographers delight. The
city was the capital of French colonies in India and it came back to the Indian union
only in 1954.
The drive from Bangalore, where I live, to Pondicherry is about 280 Kilometers,
and the road is quite decent but not without the omnipresent potholes India is
known for. I found Pondicherry an exceedingly peaceful, easygoing city; it makes
you yearn to focus your camera and capture the essence of every passing moment.
The food, fashion, and scenery make this city worth visiting for photographers and
non-photographers alike. |
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| A farmer lost in contemplating the vista of |
| his greenery. |
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| Gingi Fort, located about 60 kms from |
| Pondicherry, subsumes a zeitgeist |
| drenched in glory days of Indian kings. |
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| This is a lighthouse rising like a finger |
| against the backdrop of a painted sky. |
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| The Kailash Beach Resort appears |
| sublime as it basks under the glow of |
| lights. |
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| Vysyal Street, one of the oldest surviving |
| streets, is well known for its French |
| architecture influence. |
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| With remarkably low smog, sunsets in |
| Pondicherry are a war of colors. |
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You can explore
the ocean by
maneuvering a
1000-foot personal
Triton submarine.
For transporting
guests to the
underwater hotel
there is an elevator
that goes down to
a depth of 40 feet
under the sea. |
 |
Either you live a life rollicking
in adventure or you don’tlive at all. And what can be a
greater adventure than the
one that allows you to spend
few halcyon days in an environment as
mythical as the one described in Jules
Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
In 2009 your lust for adventure will find
yet another avenue for fulfillment. That
is the year when Poseidon Undersea
Resort is set to start receiving guests.
The dazzling ocean floor becomes your
luxurious home for as many days as you
like; you live in an underwater habitat
crafted out of transparent walls. In any
direction you look, there spreads the
vista of a magnificent marine life rocking
to the beat of ocean currents. The
best thing is that you get to enjoy the
breathtaking experience without having
to compromise on any of the comforts
that you are used to. |
To reach Poseidon’s underwater
paradise you have to take a flight to
Fiji’s Nadi International Airport. The
adventure begins as soon as you arrive.
A pilot will be there at the airport
to whisk you aboard a twin-engine
turbine aircraft. A short flight from Nadi
International Airport will bring you to
Poseidon Mystery Island, where you will
receive a tour of the fantastic resort that
will be your escape during the duration
of your vacation. |
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The Poseidon Mystery
Island is as mythical as it can possibly
get. It sprawls across approximately 225
acres of land, and is about a mile long.
The 5000-acre lagoon, that encircles the
island, gushes with clear blue seawater,
at places up to 90 feet deep, and it is
home to a great variety of marine life. For transporting guests to the
underwater hotel there is an elevator
that goes down to a depth of 40 feet (12
meters) under the sea, where the resort
has twenty-four spectacular suites and
one luxury apartment. |
|
Use of highest
quality marble, leather and fine fabrics
in all the floors and walls goes a long
way in imparting a particularly unique
sort of splendor to this underwater
world. Approximately 70% of each room
is made out of 4-inch thick clear acrylic
sheets, which offer spectacular sights of coral gardens and other vistas of the
ocean. A wild array of fish that populate
these waters will gladly interact when
they are fed with the push of a button
from the control consoles that are there
in every room.
And you don’t have to worry about
your privacy either. |
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If you want more
privacy than the glass walls of your suite
provide, then it is possible for you to
actuate a special interior window film,
which darkens the acrylic walls. In any
case, during daylight hours it is nearly
impossible to look into the individual
suites from underwater. Though staying
in Poseidon is an adventure by itself,
still there are other high-octane exploits
that you can indulge in while you are
here. You can explore the ocean by
maneuvering a 1000-foot personal
Triton submarine. For exploring the
deepest parts of the ocean, Poseidon’s
16-seat luxury submersible comes
quite handy. Plus there are facilities for
excellent scuba diving.
If you prefer relaxation to adventure
then Poseidon offers you the chance to
indulge in marine-focused spa treatments.
And just in case you find yourself
getting nostalgic about your overland
garden, there is also provision for you
to swing on a hammock built for two. |
What about meditating under the gaze
of only the moon and stars! Try many
of the relaxation techniques that can do
wonders for the ultimate revitalization
for body, mind and spirit. Of if you are in
a mood to treat yourself to some elegant
seafood, an array of dishes await you
at Poseidon’s six restaurants and seven
bars. Plus there is a theater area, and a
conference room that can also double as
a we | | | | | | | |
