www.villa-maly.com Villa Maly, a boutique hotel in in Laos' Luang Prabang, is marking Songkran (Lao New Year) with a three-night package from April 13 -16. See more!

1. Operators highlight new
itineraries that take guests
off-the-beaten-track
Cultural Tours
March 21 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,865 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk
agent bulletin
find out what's in store
for Aries this month
hotel bulletin
free & fast Wi-Fi with
no strings becomes a
reality for guests of
one hotel group
dynamic
packaging
ideas to boost your
commission with DIY
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iceland
Promote Iceland welcomes
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2. GLH HOTELS, which claims to be the largest owner-
operator hotel company in London with more than 4,000
rooms, or more than 10% of the city's fully functioning
hotel rooms, has announced the launch, with BT, of full,
fast and free Wi-Fi at all of its 36 UK properties with no
requirement to register. It means the service is
available throughout the hotels - from the lobby to the
bathroom - with a single click to gain access. It also
means that anyone - a guest or not - can use the free
service.
The company maintains that the major investment of
close to £2m will see its appeal to all guests such as
business travellers, groups and individuals surpass that
of rival hotel groups, and has already seen a 13%
increase in business.
The group's 15 London properties include the Charing
Cross Hotel, Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch,
Grosvenor at Victoria, Tower Hotel at Tower Bridge and
Royal Horseguards Hotel on the Embankment.
Its national brand is Thistle Hotels, which recently
carried out a survey of 2,000 people and discovered
"surfing" was one of the most popular holiday pastimes
for Brits, but that having to pay for Wi-Fi was one of the
top "holiday hates".
The survey also found that when booking a holiday,
fast, free and reliable Wi-Fi was a more important
consideration that the hotel having a swimming pool or
being close to local attractions.
The CEO of glh Mike DeNoma said: "It's crazy to think
that in 2014 hotel chains are still charging up to £20 a
day for Wi-Fi. Our research shows that free and fast Wi-
Fi is very important, which is why we partnered with BT
Wi-Fi to upgrade our existing free internet access with
no registration, no limitations and no fine print so that
customers can simply click and connect without fuss or
fee. And most importantly, they don't have to sign up to
memberships or earn loyalty points to qualify."
EMERALDA MANAGEMENT Group (EMG) has announced a
portfolio expansion with the launch of its latest luxury
hotel, the Emeralda Resort, Ninh Binh.
Located in Northern Vietnam, the new five-star property
sits within the primeval tropical-forest of the Van Long
Nature Reserve and offers an ideal base for exploring
Vietnam's ancient Royal Capital including Cuc Phuong
National Park, Tam Coc - Bich Dong and the Kenh Ga
floating village.
The company's chief commercial officer, Luong Trac
Duc, said: "We are delighted to launch Emeralda Resort to
the UK market, which is an important market for us and
we're keen to support it with sales initiatives and training
that educate and offer a full explanation of key USPs for
each property."
For more information visit www.emeraldaresort.com
EMG expands portfolio with launch
of new luxury resort in Vietnam
Free and fast Wi-Fi with no strings becomes a
reality for guests of one hotel group
by PAUL SCUDAMORE
www.travelbulletin.co.ukMarch 21 201414
hotelbulletin
VILLA MALY, a boutique hotel in Laos' Luang Prabang, is marking
Songkran (Lao New Year) with a three-night package from April
13-16 that leads in at US$452 for two or $367 for one. It includes
breakfast, airport transfers, a spa treatment and a dinner cruise
on the Mekong River on the Nava Mekong.
For details email info@villa-maly.com
InBrief
G RELAIS & Châteaux has announced the addition of six new
members as it approaches its 60th anniversary. They include
Maison d’Uzès in Gard, France; Hotel Restaurant Mammertsberg
in Freidorf overlooking Lake Constance, Switzerland; Chasa
Montana Hotel & Spa in Samnaun, Switzerland; Myconian
Utopia Resort on the Greek island of Mykonos; Mihir Garh in
Jodhpur, India; and Brilliant Resort & Spa in Kunming next to
Yangzong Lake in China’s Yunnan province.
G THE FAIRMONT Hamilton Princess in Bermuda is undertaking a
$70m renovation and restoration project that will maintain the
historic character of the hotel, while adding luxury and
contemporary features. It includes the renovation and
restoration of the guestrooms and suites in the Poinciana Wing
of the hotel,a new resort pool, the development of a new marina
and harbour side restaurant, plus enhancements to the
infrastructure.
G SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, At The Shard, London has opened its
reservation lines for rooms, events and Tīng – the signature
restaurant and lounge on level 35. The hotel will open on May 6
with room rates starting from £450 per room, per night,
including VAT.
For details see www.shangri-la.com/london
G MOROCCO'S MAZAGAN Beach & Golf Resort is promoting a
special Easter offer which is valid from April 1-30. Rates start
from 1300 MAD (approximately £95) per night in a Pool View
Room, including breakfast and airport transfers. The offer
includes dinner for two adults and two kids under 12; 50% off
children’s rooms (under 12 years); two-for-one spa treatments
per room; five rounds of mini karting per child; free access to
leisure and wellness activities throughout the stay including
biking,fitness and tennis; free access to the casino and nightclub
(for parents) including a 250 MAD casino bonus play per person;
and free access to all kids clubs. The offer is subject to tourist
taxes (MAD 49.50 per person, per day).
For details email reservations@mazaganbeachresort.com or see
www.mazaganbeachresort.com
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