PARK HYATT TOKYO APPOINTS BEN WHEELER AS CHEF DE CUISINE AT NEW YORK GRILL & BAR

February 21st, 2024

Park Hyatt Tokyo is pleased to announce Ben Wheeler as New York Grill & Bar’s Chef de Cuisine. In his new role, Chef Ben brings his culinary passion and creativity to one of Tokyo’s most iconic restaurants.

Born in the United Kingdom, Chef Ben was raised in the Buckinghamshire countryside. From a young age, he felt he belonged in the kitchen and was fascinated experimenting with basic ingredients and turning them into something delicious. His fondest childhood memories were making pastries and cakes with his grandmother.

Chef Ben began his culinary career at The Stag at Mentmore, followed by the Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Trinity Square London. Thereafter he joined as Chef de Cuisine at Grand Hyatt Kuwait and Atlantis The Royal Dubai as a member of their pre- opening teams.

Japan has always intrigued Chef Ben, from its food, to cars and particularly the culture. He is fascinated by Japanese trends, both modern and traditional, and most of all, the attention to detail and dedication to perform any task artistically and efficiently. Chef Ben’s dream was to move to Japan and immerse himself in its culture, experiencing all five senses throughout the country and particularly the sense of taste and smell.

Food consumes most of Chef Ben’s time, both professionally and personally. During his leisure time, you can find him reading cookbooks and trying new restaurants and bars. In joining Park Hyatt Tokyo, Chef Ben said, “It is an honor to join Park Hyatt Tokyo, with its long history of setting international luxury hotel standards in Japan, both in culinary and service. I look forward to continuing New York Grill & Bar’s story and learning from the Japanese culinary team, while sharing my experiences and new ideas.”

After the completion of scheduled building maintenance, New York Grill & Bar will reopen on April 1, 2024. From April 15 to 18, 2024, Chef Ben welcomes Australia’s Rockpool Bar & Grill’s Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal for a special four-hands culinary collaboration creating a unique six-course dinner menu. Colombian-born Chef Santiago Aristizabal joined Rockpool Bar & Grill in 2009 and quickly proved himself to be an integral member of the culinary team as his career progressed from Sous Chef to Head Chef to his current position overseeing all three Rockpool Bar & Grill in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The limited dinner menu is priced at JPY55,000 per person, including consumption tax and subject to a 15% service charge. Reservations are required. For reservations, please contact New York Grill & Bar at (+81-3) 5323 3458 or visit NEW YORK GRILL | Park Hyatt Tokyo.

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, global travelers with a refined home-away-from-home. Guests of Park Hyatt hotels receive quietly confident and personalized service in an enriching environment. Located in several of the world’s premier destinations, each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with understated luxury. Park Hyatt hotels feature well-appointed guestrooms, world-renowned artwork and design, rare and immersive culinary experiences, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 44 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Auckland, Bangkok, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Busan, Canberra, Changbaishan, Carlsbad, Chennai, Chicago, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kyoto, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, New York, Ningbo, Niseko, Paris, Saigon, Sanya, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, St. Kitts, Suzhou, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington, D.C., Zanzibar, and Zurich. For more information, please visit parkhyatt.com. Follow @ParkHyatt on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #LuxuryIsPersonal.

Park Hyatt Japan – Spring/Summer 2024 News

February 20th, 2024

Spring and summer are among the best times to visit Japan. In addition to Sakura, or cherry blossom season, there are also thrilling outdoor adventures, seasonal art installations, and open-air dining experiences. Guests of Park Hyatt’s properties in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Niseko get front-row access to these—and more. Below, a preview of the spring and summer season, with just-launched experiences and buzzy new city happenings.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

This May, Park Hyatt Tokyo will undergo a renewal carried out by acclaimed design agency Jouin Manku. The new look will offer a fresh, modern take on John Morford’s original design and vision – which fuses art, sleek sophistication, and cocoon-like serenity – while retaining the soul and essence of its DNA, heritage, and original design. Park Hyatt Tokyo will keep what has become familiar and iconic over the past three decades and evolve the facilities and services to keep up the standards of luxury to which it has always been held.

Guests who visit before the property’s year-long closure can look forward to a spate of delicious new developments. These developments include the appointment of a new Chef de Cuisine, Ben Wheeler, at New York Grill & Bar, which will also host a culinary takeover by Chef Santiago Aristizabal, who is the Executive Chef for Rockpool Bar & Grill overseeing all three restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, from April 25-18. Both chefs will create three courses each, totaling a six-course menu with a wine pairing for guests to enjoy at JPY 50,000++ per person (as of today, around $338 USD).  It’s the perfect time to visit, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the recent unveiling of Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills district – the city’s most futuristic neighborhood – encompassing nearly 20 acres of green space, Japan’s tallest skyscraper, a temple complex, and a contemporary art gallery which is just a 15-minute drive from Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Also not to be missed this year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building next to Park Hyatt Tokyo will display the world’s largest projection mapping display from February 25th through April. Shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. each night and be played at half-hour intervals. The display will be around 138 yards tall and 120 yards wide.

Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

It may be Japan’s foremost ski resort, but Niseko is also a true year-round adventure playground. This summer, guests of Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono will be spoiled for choice of outdoor activities: ocean fishing, rafting down the Shiribetsu River, e-biking through Niseko’s forest, and much more. There’s plenty to do for little adventurers too, like firework displays, indoor rock climbing, and a suspended tree walk with views out to Mount Yotei.

Golfers can tee up at the Hanazono Golf Course, an 18-hole link set around the base of Mount Yotei and spanning trickling creeks, white birch forests, with views of the surrounding Annupuri mountain range. Guests can sign up for the “Stay & Play Golf Package,” which includes one round at the course (green fee, cart fee, golf tax included), a Pierre Hermé Paris chocolate golf gift, one complimentary glass of champagne per guest at THE BAR, complimentary breakfast, and more.

For the third year, the resort will activate the art installation “Mountain Lights” by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Returning to Niseko on July 1, the installation blankets the foot of Niseko Annupuri Mountain in 180,000 shimmering fiber-optic plumes of light. Guests staying at Park Hyatt Niseko for two or more nights between July 1 and October 14 will enjoy complimentary tickets to the installation.

The Hanazono Zip World – East Asia’s longest zipline – will also reopen for the season in mid-March. Stretching 1.6 miles from the base of the resort halfway to the peak of the Niseko United ski mountain, the zipline allows guests to soar over the forested mountains at speeds around 70 miles per hour on the Black Diamond Superfly, with views of Hokkaido’s Mount Yotei. With two ziplines set side by side, guests can fly across the sky with their friends and family.

This year also marks the 90th anniversary of Nikka Whisky Distillery, a world-renowned artisanal spirit brand launched in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese whisky. In celebration, ParkHyatt Niseko Hanazono will launch an exclusive Whiskey Tour package that will include two-night accommodation, a tour of the brand’s Yoichi Distillery to meet a master blender, a BBQ dinner with whiskey pairings, and a unique blending activity.

Park Hyatt Kyoto

Guests of Park Hyatt Kyoto have specialty access to one of the city’s top UNESCO sights. Upon arriving at the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple in the wooded hills of the city, guests will be greeted by a head priest who will lead them around the temple, guiding them to areas not typically open to the public, and delivering a private sermon. The religious site is especially popular during cherry blossom season; the wooded area is overtaken by white blooms along with maple and cherry trees.

On property, guests can enjoy Japanese tea pairing at the exquisitely renovated KYOYAMATO, a traditional ryotei Japanese restaurant run by a seventh-generation Kyoto family, complete with the Edo-era Soyotei ­­teahouse. There, guests can enjoy an exclusive lunch and tea experience amid ancient hanging scrolls and tea bowls made by master craftsmen. Or, they can enjoy an evening of traditional Geiko dancing and Michelin-starred dining in the airy tatami room, which can be completely opened to let in the night air, with views of the Yasaka Pagoda. Alternatively, guests can opt for a private cocktail experience in the Soyotei teahouse, enjoying a total of five creative concoctions inspired by the venue and created especially for the event by the head bartender at the Kohaku Bar.

For off-property excursions, a private car can whisk guests to areas off the beaten track, recommending “hidden” temples, shrines, gardens, and more.

ANDBEYOND LAUNCHES EXPEDITION YACHT IN GALAPAGOS

February 13th, 2024


Conservation-led luxury travel company andBeyond has announced the extension of its South America portfolio with the launch of an expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands. Named the andBeyond Galapagos Explorer, the 38 m (124 ft) yacht will operate on two 7-night routes in the east and west of the famed Galapagos Islands. Boasting just six suites and cabins, the yacht will cater for a maximum of 12 guests, with two expert guides present on each departure.

“A uniquely biodiverse environment with the highest number of endemic species in the world, the Galapagos is a natural choice for the further expansion of our portfolio in South America. We are absolutely thrilled to finally have the opportunity to bring our brand of responsible tourism to this precious part of the world, which the Ecuadorian government has protected from over-tourism by strictly limiting the number of operating licenses issued,” says andBeyond Executive Chairman & CEO, Joss Kent.

“We have long believed that the best way to encourage our guests to help protect the world’s wild places is for our skilled guides to help travelers not only fall in love with those places, but also to gain an understanding of the threats that they are facing. This is what we are aiming to do through the introduction of our luxury yacht, where two knowledgeable guides will host just twelve guests, showcasing the wonder and mystery of this exceptional destination.”

With only 12 guests on board, the elevated guest-to-staff ratio makes the Galapagos Explorer the most exclusive yacht operating in the islands. In addition to the highest level of guiding, the vessel will also offer beautifully appointed spacious indoor and outdoor guest areas, as well as four exquisite cabins and two luxury suites. Currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment of its interiors, the andBeyond Galapagos Explorer will set sail on its first departure on June 17, 2024.

Situated on the equator, the Galapagos consists of 18 main islands, three smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1878, the islands are home to a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else on earth. Notable species include the Galapagos giant tortoise, marine iguana, and blue-footed booby. The islands also feature unique geographical features, and each has created a distinct ecosystem of its own, with strict conservation measures in place to preserve the delicate balance. The Charles Darwin Research Centre, located on Santa Cruz Island, focuses on conservation efforts and conducts scientific research to protect the rare biodiversity of the islands.

Operating on two different 7-night itineraries, the andBeyond Galapagos Explorer will offer the choice of discovering the east or the west of the main cluster of islands, while including the highlights of the destination in both. Highlights of the eastern itinerary include the magnificent formation of Kicker Rock, located just off San Cristóbal Island, as well as sightings of the critically endangered waved albatross in Gardner Bay on Española Island. The western Itinerary features highlights that include exploring the geographical center of the Galapagos Islands, Sombrero Chino Island as well as close encounters with the rare Santa Fe land iguana on Santa Fe Island.

Both itineraries present plenty of opportunities for land and sea adventures such as snorkeling, hiking and birdwatching, as well as a plethora of unique and interesting land, air and marine species. Rates for both itineraries begin from $10,950 per person sharing per 7-night cruise.

In keeping with its stated mission to leave our world a better place, andBeyond will apply its ethos of Care of Land, People and Wildlife to its new base of operations. The company plans to extend its Oceans Without Border initiative into the area and hopes to be able to review and implement projects that support the Galapagos’ incredible land and wildlife. Furthermore, in line with its dedication to community development, it also aims to train and upskill local residents, as well as to highlight local procurement opportunities.

For more information or to book, log on to andbeyond.com or contact your preferred travel provider.

ISSUED BY: media@andBeyond.com

T +27 11 809 4300 | F +27 11 809 4511

www.andBeyond.com

ABOUT ANDBEYOND

Established in 1991, andBeyond strives to leave our world a better place through the delivery of extraordinary travel experiences and our care of the land, wildlife and people. We are bespoke tour operators for sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica. We also own and manage 29 extraordinary lodges and camps across three continents. We positively impact 75 communities and directly conserve our primary footprint of 1 million acres. Our 2030 vision is to scale our impact through partnerships to support the conservation of an associated 40 million acres of key biospheres and to double our 2020 impact investment, while offering discerning travelers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be.

Dromoland Castle Launches Dromoland Lodge

January 23rd, 2024

Dromoland Castle – the 16th-century castle-turned luxury hotel, and former ancestral home of the royal O’Brien family – has just unveiled its new Dromoland Lodge, a five-bedroom private residence set on the 18-hole golf course on the castle’s 500-acres.

A stay comes with daily breakfast – with a choice of having it delivered to the lodge or of dining at the Earl of Thomond restaurant in the castle, two golf carts for exploring the grounds, a personal residential assistant, and airport transfers. The property features a game room, boot room, parlor with fully stocked bar, private putting green, outdoor terrace and dining area, laundry service, and ample board games. For dinner, a chef is available to come prepare lavish meals on site, or guests can opt for the “crock pot” menu where a warm dinner will be waiting after a day spent exploring the Wild Atlantic Way or an afternoon Hawk Walk with resident falconer. Fun fact: the castle’s mews have been accredited by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, filled with Peregrine falcons, hawks, and owls. Guests also have access to all of the amenities of the castle, such as golf, bicycles, tennis and pickleball courts, boating, the new Castle Spa… The lodge was a former private home.

The Castle Spa opened in mid-2023, nestled within the historic stone walls and inspired by the property’s acres of manicured flower-covered grounds as well as the estate’s former chatelaine, Lady Ethel, who presided over the castle in the early 20thcentury. The reborn spa spans 320 square feet and six treatment rooms and incorporates revitalizing, science- and nature-backed therapies from three award-winning female-owned brands: celebrity-favorite skin care line Dr. Barbara Sturm (the first hotel in Ireland to offer these exclusive treatments), the plant-based Irish brand SEABODY, and the bio-nutritional British range OSKIA. Several treatments are exclusive to the hotel, including the SEABODY Beauty and Wellness Spa Experience, which harnesses the power of hardworking marine-based nutraceuticals harvested from Ireland’s Atlantic Coastline to optimize the skin’s health and vitality.

Rates start at 3,500 euro per night (approximately $3,833).

More about Dromoland Castle

If these castle walls could speak – rising from the landscapes of Ireland’s western County Clare, a fifteen-minute drive from the Shannon Airport, Dromoland Castle looks like a vision from a fairy tale. Set on 500 acres, the estate has welcomed guests like they are part of the story – and family – since the early 1960s, when the 16th-century castle, the former ancestral home of the royal O’Brien family, was converted into one of Ireland’s most acclaimed luxury hotels.

Dromoland feels like stepping back in time in just the right doses. The glorious interiors, including 97 rooms and suites, are positively regal – think chandeliers, suits of armor, drapery and silk claret wallpaper – but the property overall never feels stuffy, in large part thanks to a congenial team, many of whom have been there for decades. Thanks to the immense size of the property, days can be activity-packed, with hiking, as well as fishing and row boating in the on-property lake and such castle-appropriate options as falconry, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, horseback riding and golf. The JJ Corry experience, meanwhile, exclusive to Dromoland, takes guests to the renowned whiskey bonder for a special tour and to create a custom blend of whiskey.

The castle also caters lovingly to children, with such popular programs as “Princess for a Day” and in-room surprises. For the older set, self-care can be found at the indulgent spa and at afternoon tea in the antiques-studded Gallery, one of the castle’s most beautifully designed spaces. Dinner at the acclaimed Earl of Thomond features creative Irish cuisine, while Dromoland’s ever-popular head bartender always has something special up his sleeve, including cocktails inspired by Tarot cards and Irish mythology. The octagonally shaped room where these libations are served beside a large fireplace was once the O’Brien family’s library – just another one of Dromoland’s special corners where past and present beautifully meet.

A central location, fifteen minutes from the Shannon International Airport, makes Dromoland a fantastic base for exploring western Ireland, including such sights as the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

Images of Dromoland Castle: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ga1r0pstkm6n7dbi3pq5z/h?rlkey=g4uifg4hxbzw2ndxqmcd6gmpg&dl=0

Images of the Lodge: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8hctf152umk4hslwfrysr/h?rlkey=qlsd30lv50wbbhltjplp66ilq&dl=0

Palm Beach: What’s New 2024

January 10th, 2024

With winter in full swing, travelers as well as cultural and culinary institutions have started flocking south to America’s favorite winter destination – Palm Beach. With new restaurants, an immersive creative arts scene spanning from ornate Gilded Age décor to contemporary pop-art, and a series of festivals and events, below is a preview of what’s new and notable in Palm Beach this season as well as the latest from White Elephant Palm Beach – the must-stay boutique hotel on island.

Palm Beach’s New Wave: A Cultural Renaissance

America’s first resort town is trending again. Palm Beach has been a favorite getaway for the jet set since the Gilded Age thanks to its sunny weather, miles of beaches, palm tree-lined streets and designer boutiques. Now, the resort town is beckoning a younger, fashion-forward crowd. Urbanites have relocated from major cities and a flurry of restaurants, galleries and boutiques have followed – reinvigorating the town with a chic new vibe while still retaining the island’s glamour of its past era. Recent New York culinary transplants include Harry’s, Adrienne’s and Felice at The Square in West Palm Beach, while 2024 will welcome Tutto Mare, a Mediterranean concept by the Tutto il Giorno restaurant group that will open at The Royal Poinciana Plaza as Palm Beach’s first and only intra-coastal waterfront destination, and Maman, a French café and bakery also at The Square.

Thriving Creative Culture

Palm Beach is also a growing destination for art and culture lovers. The Norton Museum of Art, which underwent a $100 million renovation in recent years, will host an upcoming exhibition (March 2-June 16) featuring a curated selection of works by Ellen Graham, the American portrait photographer known for her unplanned and unposed shots of actors, musicians, royals and athletes. Art galleries including Taglialatella and Gallery Biba feature some of the biggest names in progressive art movements: Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Banksy and Robert Raushenberg. Another must-stop is the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, the 100,000 square foot Gilded Age mansion and national historic landmark. With marble halls, lavish furnishings and gold leaf detailing the estate is an ode to the opulence of the early 1900s era – with an impressive art and antique collection with pieces dating back to the Renaissance. White Elephant Palm Beach, with a museum-worthy collection of its own featuring 120 original pieces of colorful, contemporary art, also offers an insightful glimpse into the architectural history of Palm Beach. The Architecture & Preservation Package includes two nights in a one-bedroom suite and a 1.5-hour architecture tour of the great homes and iconic buildings on island led by a representative from the Palm Beach Preservation Foundation.

Social Season: Calendar of Events

There is no shortage of events during the height of Palm Beach’s social season. Polo enthusiasts will head to the Winter Equestrian Festival, the longest-running equestrian event in the world, happening through March 31 or the Palm Beach International Polo Season at the nearby International Polo Club Palm Beach. Fashion lover? From February 15-21, the Palm Beach Jewel & Antique Show is a high-end showcase of rare stones and objects spanning every genre and combining many periods and movements. Meanwhile, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County will present an “Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear” exhibition, exploring the palm Beaches’ impact on fashion history, through May 25, 2024. Set against the clear blue waters, one of the largest boat shows in the world, Palm Beach International Boat Show, will also return on March 21 with over $1.5 billion worth of yachts, boats, and accessories on display.

Where to Stay: White Elephant Palm Beach

Nestled in the heart of Palm Beach sits an icon of Palm Beach luxury – White Elephant Palm Beach. With an enviable location just off Main Street, White Elephant Palm Beach is housed in the former Bradley Park Hotel, originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street. Today, the landmark building with a Mizner-style façade captures the spirit of a grand home with 32 residential-style rooms and suites, a buzzy restaurant (and another northeast transplant) LoLa 41, and exclusive amenities including access to the latest BMW series and Priority Bicycles to explore the island. Ideal for families or those who want to entertain, The Park Suite offers 1,500-square feet of privacy and refinement with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen, and a private rooftop terrace is a luxurious home away from home. Bonus: With White Elephant Palm Beach’s Winter Suite Package, travelers who book a suite through March 31 will also enjoy daily in-room breakfast, a tour of the Flagler Museum, an afternoon tea for two at LoLa 41 and a guided, walking tour of the shop-lined Worth Avenue.

Rates start at $495 per night for a Deluxe King Room, $695 per night for a one-bedroom suite, and $3,295 per night for the Park Suite.

How to Get There

Nonstop flights are available into both Palm Beach from several U.S. cities including New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Dallas. Many seasonal flights are returning to Palm Beach International Airport this winter as well, including daily direct service from Los Angeles on JetBlue starting December 2023 and from New York’s Westchester County on Delta as of November 10. There are also several nonstop flights into nearby Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including a new route from Ottawa on Porter Airlines – easily connected to Palm Beach in under one hour via the chic Brightline rail. It’s now easier than ever to explore the sunshine state with Brightline’s new extended service, effortlessly linking West Palm Beach with Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

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