Fancy an osmanthus with white lotus mooncake?

Mid-autumn delights from Hilton hotel feature both traditional baked mooncakes as well as mini snowskin versions.

The baked mooncakes feature white lotus variations and the traditional mixed nuts as well as green tea walnut filling and a new osmanthus white lotus flavour. Snowkin versions include caramel cheese, lychee chocolate truffle, D24, as well as black sesame with hazelnut praline flavours.

Source: Hilton mooncake brochure. An osmanthus white lotus flavour is Hilton's new mooncake flavour for 2017.

Interested?

View the Hilton mooncake collection brochure (PDF). The mooncakes are available from 4 September to 4 October 2017.

Prices range from S$60 for a box of four white lotus baked mooncakes to S$66 for four white lotus baked mooncakes with double yolks, or eight mini snowskin D24 durian mooncakes. A mixed box of eight Mini Snowskin Delights also costs S$66, as does the Classic Baked Treasures assortment of two or four flavours. Boxes for fewer pieces are also available.

Enjoy 30% off box purchases of for orders before 10 September. Citibank debit and credit card members get 15% off box purchases. Bulk order pricing is available, with complimentary customisation of the company logo on the box for orders of 50 boxes and above. Terms and conditions apply.

The mooncakes can be collected at the D9 Cakery, Hilton Singapore or at Hilton Singapore's booth at Takashimaya mall from 10am to 9pm.

Hilton is one of the top three hospitality employers in Greater China

Source: Hilton. Hilton won the Best Hospitality Company to Work For award in Greater China.

Hilton has been named one of the top three companies to work for in Greater China by global research and consulting firm Great Place To Work Institute, for the second consecutive year. Hilton is also the top-ranking hospitality company on the 2016 list. In addition, 51job Inc, an integrated HR solutions provider, has named Hilton one of China's top 100 employers and also honoured Hilton with an Excellent Campus Recruitment Strategy award.

"We work hard to be an employer of choice that fosters a high performance culture and creates meaningful opportunities for our team members," said Brendan Toomey, VP, Human Resource, Asia Pacific, Hilton "By offering great careers, great rewards and a great environment, we have been able to support our expansion in China by continuing to attract, develop and retain top talent. We recognize that our team members are the heart of Hilton, who provide the world-class service for which Hilton is known and who help achieve our goal of being the most hospitable company in the world."

Great Place to Work Institute's annual list of Best Companies to Work For identifies the best workplaces and celebrates the companies with the best talent management programmes and workplace cultures. As part of its rigorous methodology, Great Place to Work evaluates the programmes and practices of participating companies, while gathering employee feedback through an in-depth survey, focusing on the credibility of the management, the respect that employees feel they are given, the extent to which employees expect to be treated fairly, the level of pride employees have in what they do, as well as the camaraderie they experience at work. This year, 137 companies in Greater China were evaluated. Only 30 made it to the shortlist.

51job Inc's Employer Excellence awards recognise the top 100 companies in China whose HR practices have contributed significantly to their development. After an initial screening of hundreds of thousands of companies, 206 were selected for further evaluation. 51job Inc's criteria included the companies' growth plans, financial results, HR strategy, and the proportion of Millennials in their workforce, as well as wages and promotions, achievements in talent attraction and development, corporate social responsibility practices and reputation.

Hilton was lauded for its best practices in recruitment, training, retention, and corporate social responsibility, which have helped to reinforce the company's position in the market. In 2014 and 2015, Hilton was included in 51job Inc's list of 100 Best Human Resource Management Companies. Hilton also won the Best e-Learning Development award in 2014 and the Best Human Resource Management Team award in 2015.

Hilton Worldwide is the best company to work for in Greater China for 2015

Hilton Worldwide has been named the top company in the 2015's Best Companies to Work For in Greater China list by Great Place to Work Institute, the global research firm that identifies and classifies the world's best workplaces. Hilton received this recognition based on the results of the 2015 Great Place to Work survey which polled 200,000 employees.

In total, 112 companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan completed the evaluation process, which examined the companies' workplace environment by asking employees about their workplace experience as well as how they feel about their company's policies and management process. While employees answered the 58-statement Trust Index survey, the HR and senior management teams of participating companies were also asked to submit a Culture Audit questionnaire, outlining their HR policies and practices.

"We strive to be an employer of choice and this is deeply rooted in our human resource strategy which places our team members at the heart of everything we do at Hilton. Loyal and happy employees are the foundation of our company and are critical to our success. We are continuously exploring new opportunities to engage, develop and reward our team members so that they remain fulfilled and appreciated as part of the Hilton family," said Martin Rinck, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

Interested?

View the 2015 Best Companies To Work For In Greater China

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City adds new MICE options in High Tech Development District

Hilton Worldwide has launched the DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City in Guangdong province, China. The 314-room DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City extends the brand's existing portfolio of 20 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels operating in China, and strengthens Hilton Worldwide's presence in Guangzhou where the company currently operates three hotels under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton brands.

Source: Hilton Worldwide.

"Science City is one of the leading strategic development areas in Guangzhou, offering a competitive business environment with excellent opportunities for domestic and international companies that wish to grow in South China," said Bruce McKenzie, Senior VP of operations, Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton Worldwide. "Having operated in China for 27 years with 54 hotels currently open, we remain committed to supporting the growth of key regions in the country and look forward to addressing the demand for quality hotels in Guangzhou with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou – Science City."

The hotel is located in the heart of Guangzhou High Tech Development District – the Science City, adjacent to the new Huangpu District Government Administration Office (formerly Luo Gang District). The hotel is approximately 25.5 km from Canton Fair Pazhou Complex and 40 km from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Guests heading to Hong Kong, Macao and other major cities in the Pearl River Delta can do so within two hours via inter-city direct bus.

"DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou – Science City will be the brand's second hotel in Guangzhou, following the success of the DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou," said John Greenleaf, Global Head, DoubleTree by Hilton. "DoubleTree by Hilton continues to focus on growing our footprint in Asia Pacific, particularly in China, and delivering world-class hospitality and special comforts that we call the 'little things' to international travellers, starting with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival."

Each guest room features a broad range of modern furnishings and amenities, including the Sweet Dreams by DoubleTree Sleep Experience, 42" LCD television sets offering satellite channels, and bathrooms stocked with the new Aroma Actives natural skin and body care line. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness centre offering Precor-branded cardiovascular and strength training equipment. A complimentary 24-hour connectivity zone is also available to accommodate guests' business needs, and complimentary WiFi is available throughout the hotel's public areas.

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou – Science City features over 2,000 sq m of meeting space, including a Grand Ballroom and six function rooms. The 1,000 sq m Grand Ballroom is one of the largest pillar-less ballrooms within Science City; the 2,500 sq m rooftop garden with views of the central garden is also ideal for events.

Elements, the hotel's all day dining restaurant, is a gathering place with a wide selection of regional Asian cuisine, Western grill items, and fresh seafood. China House serves top-quality Cantonese cuisine, while Chao Shang Specialty Restaurant features fine Chaozhou cuisine. Seven private dining rooms offer additional meeting options.

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City participates in Hilton HHonors, the guest-loyalty programme. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including: digital check-in and the ability to choose their room. Free Wi-Fi will be available later in 2015.

To mark its opening, the hotel will is offering Hilton HHonors members double bonus points per night on best available rates for stays through October 7, 2015. Based on availability, Gold and Diamond members will also enjoy upgrades to the hotel's exclusive Hilton HHonors floor. Additionally, Diamond Hilton HHonors guests will enjoy complimentary continental breakfasts and 1,000 bonus points per stay, and Gold Hilton HHonors guests will have the option of complimentary continental breakfast or 1,000 bonus points per stay. 

Interested?

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City is at No. 18 ShuiXi Rd, Huang Pu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. Make an e-reservation or call +86 02 3223 8888.

Hilton customers to benefit from Live Nation experiences

Hilton Worldwide's new five-year marketing partnership with Live Nation, a live entertainment provider, will see members of Hilton HHonors, Hilton’s 42-million-member-strong guest loyalty programme, guests and team members across over 4,250 hotels worldwide to enjoy unique experiences such as artist connections and concerts. 

Source: Hilton Worldwide. Hilton
is setting out to inspire a new,
healthier mindset - encouraging
 people to seek out the unfamiliar,
to appreciate a different point of
view and to learn from every day
experiences and travel moments.

Hilton at Play, a global campaign to connect people with enriching and playful experiences, will be anchored by Live Nation, while Hilton will become Live Nation's Official Hotel Partner. The two companies are scheduling play dates with award-winning artists at Hilton locations throughout the world. In addition, Hilton HHonors members will be invited to redeem HHonors points and bid on exclusive play experiences such as sound checks and ’meet & greets’ with popular artists.

“Around the world, people simply are not taking time off from work to play... Hilton at Play is our response: it’s a cultural catalyst for change and a reminder of the power of travel,” said Jeff Diskin, Executive VP, commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. 

Hilton shark fin ban rides the tidal change on Chinese delicacy

The February news that the Hilton group would ban shark's fin from all restaurants and F&B facilities at its 96 owned and managed properties in Asia Pacific by 1 April 2014 is yet another nail in the coffin for the once-popular Chinese banquet dish. 

Shark's fin is often served with scallops and crabmeat.

In December 2012, the company removed shark fin from menus across all restaurants and food and beverage (F&B) facilities operated by its managed properties in China and Southeast Asia, only serving it on request. 

This action helped pave the way for a ban, which first took effect in Southeast Asia on September 1, 2013 and then in Greater China on February 1, 2014. Banquet bookings made in each region prior to the respective ban dates will be honored accordingly.

Hilton follows in the footsteps of the Peninsula Hotels group, which chose to stop serving shark fin and associated products as of 1 January 2012. This ban affected Chinese restaurants and banqueting facilities in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Chicago. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts also announced a ban on shark's fin in all of its operated restaurants and stopped accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting from January 2012.

A celebrity campaign against shark fins

Cathay Pacific announced a sustainable policy for shark's fin as far back as September 2012. At the time, it said that it will only accept shipments when shippers provide proof that the products to be shipped are independently verified sustainable shark and shark-related products. The South China Morning Post, which follows developments on shark finning very closely, reported in September 2013 that the policy will go into effect this year, and that the airline has stopped signing new contracts on shark's fin, and volumes have gone from 300 tonnes a year to about six tonnes.

Air New Zealand, Asiana, Emirates SkyCargo, Fiji Airways, Garuda, KLM, Korean Air, and Qantas have all banned shark's fin fully or partially, KLM as early as 2001, though there have been allegations that the practice may have continued after the bans.

While Taiwan introduced fishing laws in 2012 to ban shark finning, shark conservation has accelerated at the national level in recent months. An agreement on shark conservation from nine Arab nations was announced in February 2014. Several states in the US have banned shark's fin, India joined the bandwagon in August 2013, while New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries stated in January 2014 that shark finning would be eliminated in all New Zealand fisheries by 1 October 2015 with the exception of blue sharks, for which shark finning will be eliminated by 1 October 2016. Brunei is also enforcing ban on shark's fin from this year.

China, one of the biggest consumers of shark's fin, saw a government ban on serving shark's fin at official functions in December 2013. The Xinhua news agency reported that the Communist Party of China announced the ban as part of a sweeping government crackdown on corruption and extravagance. An official notice from the Party and the State Council, China's Cabinet, has "ruled out dishes containing shark fins, bird nests and wild animal products at official reception dinners".

This was an echo of an announcement made by the Hong Kong government in September 2013. "The Government is determined to take the lead and set a good example on this front that goes beyond the minimum expectation as laid down in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)," said a Government spokesman at the time. Shark's fin, bluefin tuna and black moss would no longer be included at official entertainment functions due to various conservation concerns.

"Since it is not possible to list out all food items of concern exhaustively, the exclusion of these three items from official menus is a start and also serves as an example of raising public education and awareness on sustainability," the spokesperson said.

While demand for shark's fin has already been declining over the years in Singapore, banning an item often creates an underground demand for it. Just last month, 970 kg of illegal shark's fin were seized in San Francisco.