Top-end river cruise expedition company Pandaw has rolled out itineraries for 2015, now open for bookings.

A 10-night Laos itinerary, to be operated on the new 10-stateroom Laos Pandaw, features two nights in UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, and expeditions to tribal villages in the Laotian jungle, crossing rapids, gorges and jungle pools. Departing November 1, 2015, the Laos voyage is priced from US$3,250. Bookings made before January 5, 2015 will enjoy a 10 per cent discount.

The cruise operator is also due to begin eight-day Brahmaputra River cruises on the MV Mahabaahu on March 29, 2015. Guests will be taken to the north-east region of Assam, India to the largest river island in the world to meet the Mishing people and Kaziranga National Park. Wildlife enthusiasts can expect close encounters with single horned rhinos, buffaloes, Indian tigers and river dolphins. Prices from US$2,430. Pre- and post-cruise stays can be arranged for New Delhi and Kolkata, including domestic connecting flights.

In Vietnam, Pandaw is putting a spin on the traditional Halong Bay cruise by tagging on a Red River expedition, to be sailed on the Angkor Pandaw. During the 10-night sailing beginning July 10, 2015, passengers will explore the bay’s limestone islands and caves, floating villages and school, before moving into the Kinh Thay River and Duong River. Passengers are given two days of sightseeing in Hanoi before being shipped off to see the Red River. Prices from US$2,600 and a 10 per cent discount applies to reservations made before October 31, 2014.

For more information, visit www.pandaw.com.

Lewin Terrace’s ambience and new Kyoto-inspired menu is sure to give top achievers a memorable taste of ancient Kyoto elegance. By Hannah Koh

Tucked into a verdant corner of Fort Canning Park, getting to Lewin Terrace is half the magic of this restaurant. Guests must cut through the parking space belonging to an adjacent building, ascend steeply hewn steps, and catch your breath before you gain a glimpse of the classic colonial bungalow that is Lewin Terrace.

The stylish black-and-white property was the former residence of the British fire station chief during colonial times, and the restaurant bears the name of Major-General E O Lewin, the general officer commanding in Singapore from 1933 to 1935.

If you’re looking to deliver your guests an exclusive and romantic dining experience, Lewin Terrace lends you the charm of yesteryear and the luxury of fine dining.

 MICE application

Lewin Terrace’s boutique appeal has made the restaurant a hit with the fashion mob. Among the A-list brands that have held functions at the colonial residence-turned-restaurant are Chanel and Tory Burch, while Olay hosted its blogger event at the venue as well.

There are two major sections – an outdoor veranda that seats 12 and room for 66 indoors. A narrow bar can take four guests. Altogether, the restaurant can accommodate up to 100 guests for banquets and 150 pax for standing receptions.

F&B concept

Marrying principles from both Japanese and French cuisine, the seven-course seasonal menu by chef de cuisine Ryoichi Kano starred fresh-flown Kyoto produce trimmed and plated exquisitely, with ingredients such as matsutake, bonito, taro, and other harvest season foods taking centre stage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the amadai urokoyaki with Japanese turnip sauce. A portion of the scales of the amadai tilefish were left intact and deep-fried to create a satisfyingly crunchy contrast to the soft but sweet flesh of the fish.

Fans of duck meat will enjoy the challan duck presented with a touban, which is a heated ceramic plate on which to cook the meat to your preferred done-ness. Cooked quickly, the fat from the duck bubbles merrily on the hot surface yet keeps the meat juicy and tender. Alongside it came a selection of Kyo-yasai, unique vegetables grown specifically in Kyoto, and a miso red wine sauce.

The fresh fig tart was served with a drizzle of caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Light and fragrant, it was the perfect end to a meal.

General manager and chief sommelier, Daisuke Kawai, is on hand to ensure only the best wines are served. Kawai was formerly chief sommelier at top French fine dining restaurant Les Amis in Singapore.

Service and ambience 

Lewin Terrace is romantic without overbearing intensity, shielded from the outside world but open enough to encourage conversations among guests. Service was constant, prompt, and thoughtful. Servers took time to tell guests about each dish, making sure that eating was not just a physical endeavour but an educational one too.

Contacts
21 Lewin Terrace, Fort Canning Park
Singapore 179290
Email: info@lewinterrace.com.sg
Website:  www.lewinterrace.com.sg
Opening hours
Lunch, 12.00-15.00 (last order at 14.00)
Dinner, 18.30-23.00 (last order at 21.30)

Marriott International last month debuted its first Marriott-branded hotel in Haikou, capital of China’s Hainan.

Located on the west coast of Haikou and adjacent to Hainan International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Haikou Marriott Hotel offers 386 well-appointed rooms including two luxury villas in nine different categories.

Its selection of event facilities comprises an expansive lawn with ocean views for up to 800 guests, and over 4,000m2 of configurable meeting space including an 845m2 Grand Ballroom and seven meeting rooms.

There are three restaurants and four bars, while recreational offerings include adult and children’s pools and an eco-pool. The Touch Spa boasts six hot spring pools, two steam rooms, two saunas, two Jacuzzis, three foot spa rooms and six treatment rooms.

Tea terrace in Hangzhou

The MICE Department of the Hangzhou Tourism Promotion Centre, Hangzhou Tourism Commission, has produced its first incentive planner in English and Mandarin.

Roger Shu, MICE manager, said it is also the first incentive guide to be produced by any tourism department or convention bureau in China.

Some 2,000 hard copies have been produced, and only the Mandarin version will be mailed out, while English copies will be distributed at MICE shows such as IMEX, IT&CM China and CIBTM. The English version can also be downloaded at www.micehangzhou.com/en.

Shu commented: “The incentive planner is targeted at international meeting planners, incentive houses, the media and end-users based in China. Outside of China, our incentive target markets are Greater China, and South-east Asia. It showcases Hangzhou products that focus on interactive activities.”

The planner has 56 recommended products under five categories. These products allow incentive groups to experience Hangzhou’s culture, nature, water attractions, nightlife, and options for teambuilding, he added.
– Caroline Boey

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore has transformed a historical school building nestled within its lush premises into its latest MICE offering.

Now known as The Pavilion, the former Singapore’s Hollandse School, which operated from 1928 to 1982, has been lovingly conserved and restored to its former glory. The charming colonial-style venue can host receptions with 120 guests or banquets for 100 people, and comes with a foyer and courtyard.

“Due to its historical value, fond memories of The Pavilion remained in the minds of guests and colleagues alike. When the plan for regular refurbishment of furniture and fixtures was confirmed, the ownership decided to transform this sentimental site into a venue that will again create lasting memories for families and corporations enjoying their celebrations and events,” said Reto K Klauser, vice president and general manager of the luxury hotel.

While Klauser believes that The Pavilion’s rich heritage alone will draw event planners, the hotel has rolled out new initiatives to enhance the appeal of the venue. They include the Back To School meeting package, a “Heritage Wall” that commemorates personalities who have made an impact to the hotel, and an outdoor grill experience delivered through an outdoor kitchen in the courtyard.

“This revolutionary outdoor grill experience is unlike any other,” said Klauser. “Our creative chefs have designed three flexible packages, for example a set dinner with Russian-style service, buffet or communal (dining). The experience takes gourmet meals to a different dimension and our chefs are able to deliver unparalleled freshness directly to guests’ plates. These grilled dishes are also not available at any Shangri-La restaurants.”

Prices for an outdoor grill dinner start from S$90 (US$71) per person.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has upgraded its website (www.klccconventioncentre.com) with new features to enhance user experience and connectivity for its global clientele.

New technologies have been harnessed to ease navigation and introduce new, customised features for users planning an event. For instance, users can now utilise an event profiler page and a product page to refine their search at the click of a button and gain instant access to content relating to the different segments i.e., Association Conventions & Conferences, Banquets & Functions, Corporate Meetings & Events, Entertainment & Concerts, Exhibitions and Small Meetings, and their respective product offerings.

Angeline Lue, the centre’s director of sales & marketing, said: “We want the site to be both a key information touch-point for our global clientele and a marketing tool, so new features such as dedicated email addresses for the sales team and individually configured to each event type mean sales enquiries can reach us in real time and prompt a faster response. All this will help us better serve our clients whilse reaffirming our world-class reputation and position as Malaysia’s premier convention facility.”