Starwood Hotels & Resorts Strikes A Chord With Amped Up Music Experiences

Musically-inclined SPG members are singing a sweeter tune thanks to new, members-only music offerings and once-in-a-lifetime interactive artist experiences. Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is partnering with Trevanna Entertainment, a live music consulting agency, to produce another remarkable year of the signature in-hotel music series, Hear the Music, See the World. Additionally, through SPG’s expanded relationship with AEG, the largest sports and entertainment presenters in the world, getting into the world’s most exciting music festivals and the best luxury suites is now a reality.

“Music moves our members, so we’re making this year’s program even more memorable, which will deepen our relationship with our most valuable guests,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Through SPG’s music program, we’re redefining what loyalty programs can do. We’re continuing to cultivate loyalty beyond reason with all of our members by providing them once-in-a-lifetime access to music’s top talent and the chance to see amazing performances from the comfort of SPG’s luxury suites in some of the world’s best venues.”

Up Close and Personal

SPG’s Hear the Music, See the World concert series has become one of the most popular SPG Moments. Tickets for this year’s intimate, acoustic series become available April 7, 2015. SPG members can redeem Starpoints at spg.com/moments to attend any of the five in-hotel performances, which gives fans the rare opportunity to connect with their favorite artists in intimate settings.
Confirmed 2015 Hear the Music, See the World performances include:

Aloft & Element Aloft/Element Miami Doral
Miami, Florida June 26 Nate Ruess
W W Beijing
Beijing, China July 4 Zhang Zhen Yue
St. Regis The St. Regis Mexico City
Mexico City, Mexico October 8, 2015 Jamie Cullum
Westin Westin Palace Madrid
Madrid, Spain October 30, 2015 Bastille
Sheraton Sheraton LA Downtown
Los Angeles, California November 5, 2015 John Legend

“There is nothing better than getting up close and personal at small venues with fans who love music as much as I do,” said John Legend. “I get to perform for these devoted fans in the most beautiful settings at the most incredible hotels in the world. SPG delivers what matters most to us – bringing music to the people.”
“Suite Access” to the #spglife

Through its expanded relationship with AEG, SPG is giving its members the opportunity to enjoy the #spglife outside of Starwood’s more than 1,200 hotels. Members can enjoy powerful performances from the comfort of SPG’s Luxury Suites in AEG affiliated venues such as STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena and London’s The O2, which are all part of the AEG Facilities venue portfolio. Members can share their experience at the SPG “selfie spot” while enjoying the SPG bar and other suite perks. Redemption begins April 7, 2015 at spg.com/moments.

Sold Out Festivals? Not for SPG Members

Now SPG Members will have priority access to festivals including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Barclaycard Presents British Summertime Hyde Park, which typically sell out in days if not hours. Through SPG, members can get sold out VIP or General Admission passes, behind the scenes tours, the best views of the stages, access to hospitality and AMEX lounges, catered dinners and more.

6 Luxury (Vegan) Hotels In Singapore (And Johor Bahru)

With the rapidly increasing number of people choosing a vegan lifestyle, luxury hotels and resorts are beginning to adapt their services to ensure guests looking for plant based luxury feel just as at home as their non-vegan counterparts. There are already some vegan hotspots in the world (including Berlin and Los Angeles) that are well known for their plentiful vegan offerings, where you can eat happily without having to accept salad at every meal.

Now Singapore, famed for it’s culture, history and culinary adventures, is nipping at the heels of some of the more famous vegan cities in the world and it’s luxury hotels are helping to lead the way.

It’s also just over the Causeway from Johor Bahru in Malaysia, where the luxury continues and the vegan food is really pretty special.

Johor Bahru is often overlooked by those travelling in the region despite being just an hour from the centre of Singapore and a frequent destination for Singaporeans who love to shop, the city is currently undergoing huge development with shopping malls, new hotels and theme parks including Legoland and Hello Kitty World, all opening recently and drawing massive crowds.

Here’s our pick of 6 luxury (vegan) hotels in Singapore (and Johor Bahru).

The Westin Singapore

Situated in the heart of the Central Business District, The Westin Singapore is a modern and fresh new property with killer views and a weekend brunch event that’s famous with food loving Singaporeans.

But a lesser known fact is that the Westin follows a culinary philosophy (SuperFoodsRX) that contains mainly vegan foods and they have a dedicated chef who deals with all special dietary requirements.

The hotel is also right near one of the iconic VeganBurg restaurants so guests wanting to try one of these world famous vegan burgers can pop by during their stay.

Grand Hyatt Singapore

Right in the centre of the busy Orchard Road shopping and entertainment district, vegans will be very happy at Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Chefs at their signature, award winning restaurant Mezza9 are happy to put together a vegan menu where guests can dine on vegan versions of Asian cuisine from around the region.

Plus the in-room amenities are by New York based luxury brand June Jacobs whose products are all natural, organic and 100% vegan (rarely found in hotels so this is an added luxury vegan bonus).

Sheraton Towers Singapore

Sheraton Towers Singapore has a great location on Scotts Road and offers all of the upscale amenities you would expect from a 5 star hotel in Singapore.

They earn their place on our list because of the amazing array of vegan delights, including a phenomenal vegan breakfast, where their talented team pulled out all the stops and made a stack of vegan pancakes, vegan banana bread, granola, a range of cooked options and a variety of fresh juices.

Drink vegan cocktails in the Towers Executive Lounge and eat dainty vegan canapes before heading down to Li Bai, the Sheraton Towers Singapore’s fine dining Cantonese restaurant where you’ll be seriously impressed by the vegan food on offer.

A stay here gets you a vegan banquet in the morning but make sure to leave room for all the other vegan food on offer because there is a lot of it!

Four Seasons Singapore

Check in to be greeted by beautiful vegan snacks in your classic luxury suite. The Four Seasons brand is well established in the luxury travel world but they’re also very well equipped to look after vegan travellers who want to experience what this top end brand has to offer.

The renowned fine dining Cantonese restaurant has a menu with a whole section of vegan (and vegetarian) dishes. Dinner at Jiang-Nan Chun as a vegan guest still offers the same high quality experience as other (non-vegan) guests with exquisite food being served at every course.

There’s nothing out of the ordinary about eating plant-based food in this restaurant and the food is exceptional.

The other great thing about the Four Seasons Singapore is the great range of luxury vegan products available in their spa. Whether booking in for a treatment or stocking up on luxury skincare, vegan guests can choose from a range of products that contain no animal products and haven’t been tested on animals.

Regent Singapore

Located just around the corner from the Four Seasons Singapore, the Regent Singapore is home to the seriously talented Chef Angelo, whose ability to make vegan guests feel at home is second to none.

Vegan visitors to the Regent Singapore will be well looked after during their stay but making a reservation at Basilico, their signature Italian restaurant guarantees a fine dining experience that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

At breakfast, they’ll make you vegan versions of local favourites as well as coming up with a few extra dishes that taste as good as they look.

Renaissance Johor Bahru

Our top pick in Johor Bahru has to be the Renaissance Johor Bahru, a 5 star luxury hotel just 10 minutes from the Malaysia – Singapore checkpoint, enabling guests to experience both Malaysia and Singapore on the same visit.

Expect modern rooms, state of the art fitness centre, a stylish outdoor pool and superb customer service, as well as delicious vegan dining at both Cafe BLD and Wan Li.

The award winning chef at Cafe BLD will prepare a vegan feast that not only tastes amazing but looks amazing too, including this exquisite ‘Carrot Cake with Pepper Relish and a Green Pea Puree’ and ‘Potato Cake With Marmalade, Beetroot Puree’.

If Cantonese fine dining is your thing then Wan Li will not fail to impress with a wide range of vegan dishes, our favourite being the ‘Bamboo Shoot Rolls with Golden Pumpkin Sauce’ which were packed full of flavour.

The wonderful thing about all of these hotels is that even though they aren’t specifically vegan companies, they cater exceptionally well for all their customers no matter what their dietary requirements are.

So now vegan travellers looking for luxury can head to Singapore and neighbouring Johor Bahru where they can see the sights, soak up the culture and enjoy the finer things in life in one of our chosen luxury hotels.

Amazing vegan food is guaranteed!

Contributed by Paul Eyers, Founder of Vegan Food Quest. www.aluxurytravelblog.com

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Travelore News: Starwood Celebrates Opening Of Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the opening of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai.

Developed in conjunction with the Abdulsalam Alrafi Group, this hotel signifies the first new-build opening for Sheraton in Dubai in over 30 years.

The Sheraton Grand Hotel will open as part of a three-tower, mixed-use development, with complimentary Wi-Fi connection throughout the 654 luxurious guest rooms, suites and premium serviced apartments, as well as a comprehensive business centre, spa, fitness center and rooftop swimming pool, three restaurant and lounge concepts and a Sheraton Club.