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Starwood debuts the ultimate new travel app on iOS7

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SPG AppMaldives.net.mv – Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today introduced an innovative and inspiring new app for iPad as well as an exciting new design to support iOS 7. The SPG App for iPad joins the SPG App for iPhone, extending SPG’s digital suite of products and gives today’s connected traveler a visually rich, personalized experience on every step of their journey from imaginative destination exploration to the details of their trip before, during and after a visit.  Each new, native iOS 7 app builds on the operating system’s latest features and designs and provides guests with the beautiful, immersive travel experience Starwood is known to deliver.

 “Travel is inherently mobile and the rapid advancements in technology enable us to extend the personalized experience guests receive in our hotels to their most personal devices,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest & Digital. “Following our success with the SPG App for iPhone, we built the SPG App for iPad using insights we have gained from our members. The relationships we’ve built with our guests put us in a unique position to lead and win with digital by delivering the experiences they seek.”

 Today’s travelers are increasingly using mobile devices to search for and explore destinations, as well as book rooms and other travel services.  Industry wide, 40% of travel searches occur on mobile devices up from 25% in 2012. Starwood’s mobile bookings are growing at an annual rate of 1000% –five times greater than the annual growth rate of the web channel 10 years ago. The new Starwood apps deliver both the convenience and speed mobile travelers desire while highlighting the SPG lifestyle.

 SPG App for iPad:

The new SPG App for iPad app pushes the boundaries of current hospitality apps by uniting Starwood’s unique focus on design and photography, as well as both curated and real-time social content into one mobile experience.  Alongside SPG’s iPhone and Android apps, the new SPG App for iPad provides a seamless guest experience, simplifying and enriching both business and leisure travel.

Starwood’s digital design team leveraged iPad’s capacity for high resolution, immersive photography to create an editorial-like experience akin to content one might expect from  high-end travel or shelter magazines.

“When we developed our iPhone App, we were focused on ease and speed, envisioning travelers engaging with the App with ‘one eye and one thumb’ in transit,” said Clay Cowan, Vice President, Global Digital for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “We created our iPad App with a deeper, more leisurely experience in mind.  We’re literally inviting people to ‘lean back’ and get lost in our destinations and hotels through fantastic photography showcasing great design, amazing locations and the unique experiences one can expect across our portfolio of nine lifestyle brands and 1,100 hotels in 100 countries.”

 App Highlights:

  • Explore: The “explore” section inspires travelers to dream of more vacation time with a rich mix of curated content including the more than 100 Member Favorite Resorts awarded by fellow SPG members and dynamic content generated through social interactions
    • Using our guest interactions through social media, the SPG app highlights the hottest venues, as reviewed by previous guests, around the hotel right on the map embedded in the app. So when you are far from home, you can eat, drink, and travel like a local.
  • SPG life: This section of the app is a hub for learning about Starwood Preferred Guest’s many benefits. Here, members can access up-to-date account information including point balance, upcoming stay information and elite benefits. Members can also take a peek at all the exclusive benefits SPG offers its members like a virtual backstage tour at one of SPG’s Hear the Music, See the World performances, soar with trapeze lessons with Cirque du Soleil or take a seat in the SPG Luxury Suite at the US Open. Users can bid on SPG Moments like these and see Instagram photos from events and live the #spglife within the app.
  • Fast and easy personalized booking: A secure area stores credit card  information streamlining booking to just three taps. All of Starwood’s more than 1100 properties in 100 countries are represented with full detail with ratings and reviews from verified members who have stayed at the hotel.  Perfect for researching your next escape.
  • Brand sections: Each of SPG’s nine brands have stunning visual content, designed to highlight each lifestyle brand’s unique attributes and social activities as well as give travelers a realistic representation of what each destination provides.   

“We strive to offer our guests a great experience that is unique to them both inside our hotels and at every touch point,” said Holdren. “The experience we created with our iPad and iPhone apps combine the insights of our guests with the magic of our design-led brands.  We build our apps on the newest tech in order to exceed the needs of our digitally connected guests.”

Starwood’s mobile team partnered with Bottle Rocket to design and develop the SPG apps—resulting in smart, intuitive navigation that seamlessly integrates SPG and hotel-specific branding into the iPad’s famously user-friendly interface. The SPG App for iPad will launch in both English and Chinese and will be updated with additional versions and multiple languages. The app, currently available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad or at www.spg.com/mobileapps, is the latest development in SPG’s evolution into a hyper-personalized guest services platform.

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Dusit Thani Maldives and beOnd Airlines announce exclusive discounts and benefits

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Dusit Thani Maldives, a premier Thai-inspired luxury resort, has announced an exclusive partnership with beOnd Airlines, a premium leisure airline renowned for its exceptional services and luxury. This collaboration offers travellers a unique opportunity to enjoy exclusive privileges when booking their stay at Dusit Thani Maldives through beOnd Airlines.

Passengers flying with beOnd are eligible for a special offer at Dusit Thani Maldives, including discounts of up to 10% for stays between November 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. Dusit Gold members receive additional discounts and privileges, further enhancing the benefits for loyal guests.

To access these exclusive offers, passengers must present a valid beOnd booking reference and use the booking code FLYDTMD when making a reservation at Dusit Thani Maldives.

This partnership strengthens the seamless travel experience that both Dusit Thani Maldives and beOnd Airlines aim to deliver to their discerning guests.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with beOnd Airlines and offer their passengers an opportunity to experience the unique blend of luxury and serenity at Dusit Thani Maldives,” said Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Maldives. “This partnership allows us to create more memorable stays for travellers looking to explore the beauty of the Maldives with the convenience and style that both Dusit Thani and beOnd Airlines are known for.”

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Celebration

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi unveils Sixties Glamour holiday celebration

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The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi invites guests to step back in time with its “Sixties Glamour” festive theme, capturing the elegance and charm of a bygone era. From December 15 to January 7, the resort transforms into a sixties-inspired setting with a chic colour palette of blue, white, silver, and black, adorned with pearls, bold accents, and iconic decorations. Guests will experience a world of vintage style, complete with family-friendly activities, unforgettable events, culinary delights, and festive experiences.

“We’re delighted to once again invite our guests to enjoy the magic of the holidays with us,” said General Manager TJ Joulak. “Our ‘Sixties Glamour’ program invites guests to embrace the spirit of the season in an atmosphere of timeless elegance and create unforgettable memories with loved ones.”

The resort offers a variety of spacious accommodations suitable for couples and families, from overwater villas to Ithaafushi – The Private Island, providing the ultimate island escape. A full calendar of events and sixties-inspired holiday decor ensures that guests are surrounded by festive cheer and celebrations, including the following highlights:

Guests can embrace the season’s magic with events for all ages. Highlights include a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Peacock Alley on December 17, featuring festive music and seasonal treats. On December 25, Santa Claus and his team will bring joy to NAVA Beach with gift-giving and a chance to meet Santarina and the elves. A sixties-themed fashion show for kids and teens will also offer young guests an opportunity to showcase their style on the runway.

For the season’s major celebrations, a grand tent will host Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve festivities, complete with world-class cuisine and captivating entertainment. Additionally, “Cinema Under the Stars” at the Lagoon Pool provides a unique experience with a movie night under the Maldivian sky.

The resort’s 11 distinctive dining venues will elevate the holiday dining experience with exclusive, specially crafted menus. Signature options include “Timeless Pairing” at Amber, featuring oysters and champagne, and the “Festive Flavours of Japan” at ZUMA, offering an elegant tasting menu. At Terra, “Dom Perignon Prestige” pairs gourmet dishes with Dom Perignon Champagne, while Yasmeen presents a festive buffet inspired by Lebanese street food. Guests can also enjoy a curated wine experience at Rock, savour fresh lobster and champagne by the ocean at Mirror Pool, and partake in festive brunches at ZUMA and Tasting Table. The “Maldivian Charm” dinner highlights local flavours, while “A Tale of Two Wines” at Glow features Bordeaux and Burgundy wines paired with gourmet cuisine. Another unique experience awaits at Li Long’s Laba Festival feast.

Guests seeking relaxation can enjoy holistic wellness practices led by visiting experts, Shree and Dr. Syed, including Himalayan Sound Bath Meditation, Acupuncture, and Pranic Healing. For younger guests, special wellness activities include “Splash and Fun” at the Aqua Wellness Pool, a “Beauty Camp” for girls, and a “Fitness Boot Camp” for children.

This holiday season, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi invites guests to create unforgettable memories surrounded by the glamour and warmth of the sixties.

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Cooking

Domenico Carella and Fabrizio Margarita unite for innovative culinary experience at Patina Maldives

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Patina Maldives has announces an exclusive culinary pop-up, Ultra Milano by Domenico Carella, taking place from November 9th to November 13th, 2024. This exclusive experience will showcase the innovative culinary and mixology talents of Domenico Carella, a renowned figure in the food and beverage industry.

Carella has built an impressive career as a professional chef, bartender, and manager. With over a decade of experience, he has mastered the art of blending ingredients and flavours to create dishes that perfectly balance texture and taste. His culinary journey has taken him around the world, earning accolades such as Manager of the Year in Asia by “That’s Shanghai” in 2015.

At this event, Domenico Carella’s mixology will complement Fabrizio Margarita’s pizza artistry, reimagining dining with a sustainable flair at Veli Bar in Patina Maldives, Fari Islands.

Carella’s approach to food and beverage emphasises environmental respect and sustainability. His holistic vision ensures that all departments, from the kitchen to the bar, work harmoniously, aligning the procurement of raw materials to create a unified and sustainable operation.

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