The All-suites Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta Is Set To Open In June 2016

Rajawali Property Group and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, today announced that Four Seasons will manage a new, all-suite luxury hotel in Capital Place, a luxury mixed-use development located in the heart of Jakarta’s bustling Sudirman Central Business District.

Recognised as one of the safest developments in Jakarta, Capital Place, a collaboration between the Rajawali Property Group and GIC, achieved an impressive accident-free safety record during construction and was recently chosen by the DKI Jakarta Government as the launch venue for National Safety Month 2016. Located along Jalan Gatot Subroto, the integrated business development will also include a 47-story office tower and upscale retail and dining outlets.

“Capital Place is a remarkable project that represents our bold vision for the city of Jakarta,” says Shirley Tan, CEO, Rajawali Property Group. “We are excited to introduce Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta as the centrepiece of this important development and extend Four Seasons legendary hospitality and services throughout the entire development. By leveraging Four Seasons experience and flexibility gained in similar mixed-use projects around the world, we are creating the first luxury mixed-use development in Jakarta to offer a seamlessly integrated five-star experience.”

Four Seasons is well-known for operating some of the world’s greatest hotels in key global financial centres including Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, London, New York and Paris. Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta will replace the current Four Seasons hotel located on Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, which is also owned by the Rajawali Property Group, and has been closed for renovation since late 2014.

“Four Seasons has proudly operated in Jakarta for 20 years. We have tremendous confidence in this market and look forward to a long and bright future here,” says Michael A. Crawford, President Asia Pacific, Four SeasonsHotels and Resorts.

“This is a unique opportunity to operate a new luxury hotel in Jakarta, while continuing our successful relationship with the Rajawali Property Group. We always strive to bring our guests the best, most remarkable properties and experiences, and we feel privileged to do so with the addition of this spectacular hotel, one that unites the vibrancy of downtown Jakarta with Four Seasons unparalleled level of personalisation and service,” continues Crawford. “We look forward to welcoming back the many loyal guests and patrons of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta as we mark the beginning of our exciting new chapter in this great city.”

With 125 spacious suites offering panoramic views of Jakarta’s skyline, the Hotel will be an impressive addition to the Jakarta cityscape. The architects of the development are the internationally acclaimed Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, whose design celebrates the Indonesian architectural principle of transparency between indoor and outdoor spaces. The clean lines of the French Deco-inspired Hotel interiors, designed by the renowned New York interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud, will gracefully complement the impressive outdoor spaces created by tropical urban landscape designer Bill Bensley.

Guests of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta will enjoy a world-class facility including state-of-the art spa, fitness, and event and meeting facilities combined with the highly customised service synonymous with Four Seasons.

Four Seasons is also known for running some of the world’s most dynamic and locally relevant restaurants, and the dining and bar offerings at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta will be no exception – lively gathering places designed to appeal to locals and visitors alike.

About Rajawali Property Group

Rajawali Property Group is the real estate investment and development arm of Rajawali Group. Rajawali Group is one of Indonesia’s largest investors. Driven by the philosophy of value creation, the Group has successfully engaged across a wide range of industries, including hotel & property, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, transportation and media. Over the last three decades, the Group has built a solid reputation for strategic investments, including Indonesia’s first privately-owned television network Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), the nation's first private mobile services operator PT XL Excelcomindo Pratama, and growing PT Express Transindo Utama into the country's second largest taxi operator by fleet size with a business model recognised by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as an effective poverty reduction program for emerging economies. The Group's track record in value creation includes the turnaround of PT Perusahaan Rokok Tjap Bentoel and partnering with the Government of Indonesia to significantly increase the shareholder value of the country's largest cement maker PT (Persero) Semen Gresik Tbk. As part of the Group’s vision of a sustainable future for Indonesia and Asia, it established the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia and initiated the Harvard Kennedy School Indonesia Program to enhance research and education in public policy and governance issues.

Four Seasons Introduces Complimentary Wi-Fi For Unlimited Devices

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is shaking things up for all of its guests, announcing a series of Wi-Fi upgrades this week, including complimentary Internet service across a majority of the company's portfolio.

"We have introduced new global standards to give Four Seasons guests a seamless, convenient and higher quality internet experience, whether staying with us, using our mobile app or visiting the public areas of our hotels and resorts," Four Seasons' Senior Vice President of Rooms Scott Taber said in a statement.

On top of saving guests money by eliminating Wi-Fi fees, the new service will provide added convenience.

Guests will be able to connect to the Internet with one click regardless of where they are inside the hotel. That means no more hunting down logins and passwords. 

"In addition to free, faster Wi-Fi, with seamless, one-click service, guests no longer need multiple logins in different areas of the hotel, and they can access our Wi-Fi network with as many devices as they wish," added Taber.

Since guests can connect to Four Seasons' Wi-Fi on multiple devices, they'll have additional range when it comes to getting work done or simply connecting.

For example, guests won't have to rely on their data plan inside the lobby or at the hotel bar.

There is a limit to the free service, though, as guests requiring additional bandwidth for large file downloads and uploads, HD streaming, gaming and conferences will have to pay a fee to access Four Seasons' 20 MB premium service. 

For now, Four Seasons says the single click Wi-Fi connection is unavailable in China and India because of local regulations. The service also remains unavailable at Four Seasons properties in very remote locations due to limited bandwidth.

HOTEL & RESORT | PATRICK CLARKE 

Etihad Airways Leads World Travel Awards Winners In Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways has retained its title as the Middle East’s Leading Airline for an incredible ninth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.

The United Arab Emirates’ flag-carrier was recognized during a red carpet awards presentation evening at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach in front of hundreds of Middle Eastern tourism leaders.

Also picking up the a coveted trophy was Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah which claimed the Middle East’s Leading Hotel title, while Jebel Ali Golf Resort walked away with the prize for Middle East’s Leading Family Resort.

Speaking during the event World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege for World Travel Awards to recognize the leading airlines, hotels and tour operators from across the Middle East here at the luxury Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

“This beautiful property – which itself takes the title of Middle East’s Leading New Resort – has provided us with a wonderful backdrop for this prestigious event.

“Congratulations to all our winners and we look forward to seeing them later in the year for the World Travel Awards Grand Final.”
Also among the winners at Four Seasons was Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel, which took the title of Middle East’s Leading Boutique Hotel, Le Royal Meridien, recognized as the Middle East’s Leading Spa Resort, and the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, which took the title of Middle East’s Leading Tourist Board.

Hailed by worldwide media for its role in identifying and rewarding excellence in the travel and tourism sector, World Travel Awards celebrates its 22nd anniversary in 2015 and is acknowledged as the ultimate travel accolade.

World Travel Awards global events are widely recognized as the best networking opportunity within the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

Both Four Seasons On Lanai Closing For Renovation - So What Will Happen To The Community On this Hawaiian Island?

HAWAII (eTN) - Lanai, also called the Pineapple Island, is an economy run by two Four Season Resorts. They employ 80% of the travel and tourism workforce, and besides pineapple and some fishing, travel and tourism is the dominant industry on this Hawaiian Island.

Everyone depends on these resorts, the airlines that would hardly have any other tourists flying them to Lanai, the ferry service to Lahaina, and the tour guides, shops, and many other business on this small island that is part of Maui County.

What would happen if these two resorts closed at the same time? Exactly this is happening next year. For most of 2015, the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Lanai The Lodge at Koele will be closed for renovation.

Now an entire community is already concentrating on the day when these resorts open back up.

In the meantime, what will happen to those that are in the travel and tourism industry who do not work for Four Seasons? They may be out of business.

What happens to those in the business working for Four Seasons?

Here is a response on the renovation from Four Seasons spokesperson Lori Holland.

What will be renovated (for both properties)?

Many enhancements have been unveiled including new restaurants ONE FORTY - an American Steak, Hawaiian Seafood restaurant concept, VIEWS at Manele Golf, NOBU LANAI, newly-redesigned guestrooms and suites, high-end retail stores, a renovated spa, the addition of a luxury Mercedes Benz transfer fleet, and an exclusive Four Seasons Resorts Lana'i airport lounge in Honolulu with continued investments planned to position the property as the premier resort in Hawaii. The multi-million dollar transformation underway at Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay is paving the way for the resort to offer the highest standards of hospitality, highly-personalized service, and innovative enhancements to guests who appreciate only the very best. The newly-redesigned West Wing rooms launched this fall, and we expect to begin the East Wing renovation in early January.

In order to expedite work, The Lodge at Koele will be dedicated to the transformation team in 2015; rooms and dining outlets will not be available for general reservations. The resort looks forward to welcoming guests for the Festive 2014 and 2015 season.

What is the time frame for the renovation?

We have also applied for a permit to add pool experiences, a multi-room luxury suite, and the creation of additional spa rooms at Manele Bay which may entail a suspension of occupancy for a limited time.

Will you lay off staff; if yes, how many will you re-hire, etc.?

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts values the contribution of all colleagues and the well-being of employees, their families, and the Lanaʻi community. The commitment our colleagues provide to our resorts and community is a vital component of our success.

To underscore our commitment to our employees and their contribution, Four Seasons Resorts Lana`i colleagues will continue to be employed and retain their benefits during the renovation period. Special work opportunities, cultural and preservation projects on the island, as well as training and development opportunities have been identified and confirmed to each employee to continue the long-term, robust investment in the Lana`i resorts and community.

What are the expected cuts on air and ferry traffic during the renovation?

I can't speak to this, but can share currently that Island Air has 5 flights daily, while Hawaiian Airlines offers 3 flights per day. Expeditions Ferry runs 5 times a day as well.

Boutique

Time to relax

Nobu Restaurant