Mandarin Oriental launches new promotions for Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei

The Mandarin Oriental is welcoming guests for new promotions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.

Hong Kong’s largest annual music and arts festival, Clockenflap, returns this year for its 12th edition, with Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong as the official hotel partner. The hotel is located alongside the Central Harbourfront, which will be home to Clockenflap from 22 to 24 November 2019.

The three-day music and arts festival, one of the annual highlights of the city’s calendar, will feature talented artists from Hong Kong and around the world including electropop sensation Halsey, British indie giants Mumford and Sons, rapper Lil Pump and Taiwanese singer-songwriter Crowd Lu.

Priced at HK$5,100, the Clockenflap Music Festival in Hong Kong accommodation package is available from 21 to 25 November 2019 and includes:

- Overnight accommodation in a Statue Square View Room, with an option to upgrade to a Harbour View Room for an additional HK$200 per room per night

- A one-day admission to Clockenflap for two persons

- Daily breakfast at the Clipper Lounge or Café Causette for two persons

Source: Mandarin Oriental. Clockenflap 2018.

In Singapore, Mandarin Oriental has partnered with Singapore Sidecars to create a new cultural package. Guests staying on the Singapore by Sidecar room package gain access to all exhibitions at the nearby National Gallery Singapore. Guests will also enjoy a 60-minute vintage Vespa sidecar ride.

Suggested routes include a night ride covering heritage areas such as Kampong Glam and Little India or a hipster neighborhood Tiong Bahru.

Source: Mandarin Oriental. The Singapore by Sidecar package.

Priced from SGD 599 per night for two guests, the Singapore by Sidecar accommodation package includes:

- Accommodation in an Ocean View room

- Two all-access passes to National Gallery Singapore

- A 60-minute Singapore Sidecars experience for two persons

 - Daily breakfast for two at Melt Café

- Afternoon Tea for two at MO Bar

Meanwhile, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is going pink in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is offering pink ribbon-themed delights, including a luxury accommodation package, until 31 October.

Organised in collaboration with Estée Lauder Companies Taiwan Affiliate, the hotel will raise awareness of breast cancer and canvas donations to support breast cancer research at the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Research Foundation.

From now to 31 October, a special Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea will be served in The Jade Lounge. Made with ruby chocolate, the afternoon tea’s pink pastries are crafted by the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef Yam Lok Hin and his team. The delectable creations include a raspberry rose cup, hibiscus honey cake and ruby guava puff. In addition, MO Bar is presenting the pink Mandarin Fizz cocktail.

Source: Mandarin Oriental. The Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea set.

The Pink MOments package is priced from NT$12,500, and includes:

- Accommodation in an elegant guestroom

- Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea for two at The Jade Lounge

- Mandarin Fizz cocktails for two at the MO Bar

- Breakfast at the contemporary Café Un Deux Trois

The Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea is priced from NT$1,450 per set. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei will donate 5% of proceeds from the Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea and NT$400 from every Mandarin Fizz cocktail (valued at NT$450) ordered to the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Research Foundation.

The group separately announced that Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok will reopen its River Wing on 11 November 2019. 

Source: Mandarin Oriental. The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok will soon reopen its River Wing.

In keeping with the successful restoration of the Authors’ and Garden Wings in 2016, the River Wing renovation has been designed to confirm this historic hotel’s position as one of the best in the world.

The restored River Wing’s accommodation comprises an increased number of suites along with enlarged guestrooms with enhanced views of the Chao Phraya.

Lord Jim’s, The Verandah and Riverside Terrace restaurants along with the hotel’s lobby have been renewed, with many original features restored and reinstated. In addition, the hotel has a new Japanese kaiseki-style restaurant, Kinu by Takagi. This is the first restaurant in Thailand by Michelin-celebrated Chef Takagi Kazuo of Kyoto Cuisine Takagi in Japan. Kaiseki (懐石) refers to a traditional Japanese meal with multiple courses.

The property’s two iconic swimming pools have also been re-landscaped to provide additional relaxation areas and cabanas.

In celebration, the hotel has created the Be the First to Stay accommodation package, priced from THB25,350++ per night, including:

- Luxury accommodation

- Personal butler service

- Daily buffet breakfast for two people at The Verandah

- Daily hotel restaurant and spa credit of THB2,000 for guestroom reservations and THB4,000 for suite reservations

“Throughout its 143-year history, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been an icon of this vibrant city. The River Wing renovation is a stunning complement to the Authors’ and Garden Wing refurbishment and has been meticulously designed to recognise the property’s heritage while ensuring our continued position as one of the world’s legendary hotels,” said Greg Liddell, GM of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. 

“The entire team is passionate about delivering bespoke Mandarin Oriental service and warm Thai hospitality. We are delighted to complete this restoration, and to welcome our guests back ‘home’ to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.”

The Be the First to Stay package is available for reservations between 17 November 2019 and 31 March 2020. Room rates are per room per night, based on double occupancy and subject to 10% service charge and applicable tax.

Emirates flies the A380 into Taipei

Emirates has expanded the network of destinations served by its flagship A380 aircraft with the launch of new scheduled A380 services to Taipei, becoming the first and only airline to operate an A380 into the city.

Source: Emirates. The first Emirates A380 flight into Taipei was greeted with a water cannon salute on arrival. The A380 service from Dubai to Taipei landed at 16:50 local time on 1 May.

Emirates has seen growing demand for its services on the route and together with the increasing popularity of the Emirates A380 experience among customers, made the logical decision to deploy one of 77 A380 aircraft to Taipei. The Taipei route was introduced as a daily Boeing 777 service on 10 February 2014 and Emirates has since transported nearly 450,000 passengers between Taipei and Emirates’ Dubai home.

“Taiwan is a significant market for Emirates and we have witnessed a strong and steady growth in demand since our start of services in 2014. We are committed to cultivating the market through continuous investment and we are confident that the launch of our new A380 service will open up further opportunities in business and tourism between Taiwan and other countries,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Interested?

For Taiwanese travellers, flights EK366 and EK367 will be served by the new two-class configuration offering a total of 615 seats: 58 in Business Class and 557 in Economy Class.

Cebu Pacific now flies to Fukuoka

Philippines airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) began flights from Manila to Fukuoka on 17 December. This marks the beginning of the airline's thrice weekly service to its fourth destination in Japan. Aside from Fukuoka, CEB operates direct flights from Manila to Osaka, Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya, and from Cebu to Tokyo (Narita).

Japan is one of CEB's most popular international destinations from the Philippines. The Japan National Tourism Organization shows that Filipino arrivals in Japan surged by 44% to more than 211,000 from January to October 2015, compared to the same period last year.

The Manila-Fukuoka service operates every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Manila at 2:15pm and arriving in Fukuoka at 6:55pm. The return flight departs Fukuoka at 8pm and arrives in Manila at 10:40pm. These flights utilise CEB's brand-new Airbus A320 fleet, with 180 all-economy class seats.

CEB has also launched direct flights between Cebu and Taipei, Taiwan, as well as between Davao and Singapore on December 17, 2015.

"The launches of three international routes from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao underscore Cebu Pacific's commitment to provide more travel opportunities, and make the Philippines and the world easily accessible to 'everyjuan'," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB's network now spans 64 destinations on over 98 routes, including flights to Guam, Dubai, Doha, Sydney, Bali, Seoul, and Beijing.

Interested?

CEB's current promotional fares from Manila to Fukuoka go as low as P6,778, up to 51% lower than other airlines.​ The latest seat sales can be found on CEB's official Twitter and Facebook pages. Guests can also download the Cebu Pacific official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.

Asia Miles adds Miramar Hotel Group offer

Source: Miramar Hotel Taipei website.

The Miramar Hotel Group has joined the Asia Miles travel and lifestyle rewards programme. Members earn 250 Asia Miles for each eligible stay at the Miramar Garden Taipei or Miramar Hotel Hsinchu. 

Members should quote their Asia Miles membership number when making a reservation for a deluxe room and present your membership card at check-in.

The Miramar Garden Taipei opened in 2006, while Miramar Hotel Hsinchu was launched in 2013.

United expands trans-Pacific routes with Taipei, Tokyo connections with in-seat power

United Airlines is expanding its trans-Pacific network with the connection of its San Francisco hub with Taipei, Taiwan, beginning March 29, and launching a second daily flight between Houston and Tokyo on March 30. Services to China and Australia are in the pipeline.
  

"With the most extensive route network, the broadest alliances and hubs in the largest US cities, United offers travelers more choices to more of the world than any other US airline," said Jim Compton, United's Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer. 

"The new Taipei and Tokyo services strengthen our commitment to the Pacific, where United is already the leading US carrier, and to the San Francisco and Houston hubs."

With the addition of Taipei, the airline will offer nonstop flights between San Francisco and eight cities in the Asia-Pacific region. United will operate the Taipei and Tokyo services with Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The aircraft flying San Francisco-Taipei will offer 269 seats – eight in United Global First, 40 in United BusinessFirst and 221 in United Economy, including 113 extra-legroom United Economy Plus seats. The aircraft flying Houston-Tokyo will offer 267 seats – 50 in United BusinessFirst and 217 in United Economy, including 72 United Economy Plus seats. 
 
United is the only US airline to offer flat-bed seats in its premium cabins on every long-haul, international flight from the continental United States. The airline also offers more extra-legroom economy seating than any US airline. The United Global First and United BusinessFirst classes offer seats that recline into fully flat beds, personal on-demand entertainment, in-seat power and USB ports. Customers in United Economy also enjoy in-seat power and personal, on-demand entertainment at every seat.

These Taipei and Tokyo additions come as United plans to introduce three-times-weekly Boeing 787 service June 9 between San Francisco and Chengdu, China, pending government approval. This nonstop service would be the first by a US airline from the United States to mainland China, beyond Beijing and Shanghai. 

The company also plans to offer, subject to government approval, nonstop Boeing 787 service between Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia, six times weekly beginning October 26.

San Francisco-Taipei Service

Flight 871 will depart San Francisco daily at 1.50 pm and arrive in Taipei at 6.30 pm the next day. Flight 872 will depart Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport daily at 11.10 am and arrive at San Francisco International Airport at 7.30 am the same day (all local times).

United is the largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, offering nearly 300 daily flights to more than 90 destinations worldwide, more than any other airline from the Bay Area. From its San Francisco hub, United also offers more nonstop trans-Pacific service to and from the United States than any other airline, with nonstop flights to Taipei, Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Sydney. 
 

Houston-Tokyo Service

Beginning Sunday, March 30, Flight 1 will depart Bush Intercontinental at 9 am and arrive at Tokyo's Narita International Airport at 12.35 pm the next day. The return flight 2 will depart Tokyo at 6.55 pm and arrive in Houston at 4.55 pm the same day (all local times).

The second Tokyo flight complements United's existing daily Houston-Tokyo service, which began in 1999. The Tokyo flights offer convenient round-trip connections at Narita to the airline's flights to Guam, Seoul and Singapore, as well as to flights operated by United's joint-venture partner ANA to 19 destinations in Asia, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Taipei.

This additional flight to Japan's capital is timed to provide travellers with a new option for travellers shuttling between Japan and Central and South America. From Houston, United and United Express offer nearly 560 daily flights to 176 destinations around the world, including top business and leisure travel markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.