Travel News

Serving guests excellence

Rosewood Corniche Jeddah has teamed up with the International Institute of Modern Butlers to better standards.

Assisting the training is Steven Ferry, the chairman of the International Institute of Modern Butlers, a veteran in the hospitality service and the founding member of the International Guild of Traditional Butlers and the International Institute of Modern Butlers. He has also authored 20 books and numerous articles for publications around the world.

Ferry had visited Rosewood Corniche in 2008 to help the existing butler-training programme in a two-week interactive session.

"The lessons at Rosewood Corniche honour the time-tested methods of traditional butlering but with a creative and modern approach," Ferry said.

Dance to ZoukOut's tunes

ZoukOut returns to Singapore's Siloso Beach for its ninth year on December 12, from dusk till dawn.

With 26,000 revellers in 2008, ZoukOut extends its venue this year to include Siloso Beach's Wave House Sentosa, which offers rides similar to those of Wave Houses in North America, Chile and South Africa, such as surfing the tube, jumping waves or performing flips. Tickets available at www.sistic.com.sg

The event includes:

1. Armin van Buuren, voted No 1 twice on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ poll.

2. The Defected Crew, led by Simon Dunmore and accompanied by percussionist Shovell and vocalist Yasmeen.

3. Copyright, comprising London-based DJ-producer duo Sam Holt and Gavin Mills.

4. The Martinez Brothers.

5. Martin Solveig, famous for his flamboyance on Parisian dance floors.

6. Richie Hawtin, owner of the M-nus label.

7. Miss Kittin & The Hacker.

8. DJ Craze, winner of World DMC Championship thrice.

9. Aeroplane, a Belgium-based act and ZoukOut debut.

After the sell-out of Zouk in the House in 2008, Zouk teams up with Defected Records to launch a ZoukOut in the House 09 two-CD compilation. It aims to include tracks mixed by Simon Dunmore, Defected Records's head honcho, and Zouk's djB.

With love from Fujairah

Coral Residence Tower Fujairah is offering honeymooners a special package during November.

The exclusive Bridal Suite is available for Dh999 per night and guests can stay an extra night free. The package also includes sparkling non-alcoholic champagne, a fresh fruit platter, a cake and a luxurious breakfast.

Elie Tohme, the general manager of Residence Tower, said: "A honeymoon is so special the stay should be one of the most memorable in the newlyweds' lives. We aim to make sure this happens."

Visit www.coral-international.com for details

Get ready to get pampered

Lighting the Christmas tree

Head for the lobby lounge on December 12 and listen to carols while enjoying home-made hot chocolate, gingerbread and other delicacies.

Time: 7pm

Festive afternoon tea

Sample traditional favourites such as chestnuts, sandwiches, cakes and pastries, served in an Arabic setting. The set menu is priced at Dh120 per person.

Time: 3-6pm

Traditional brunch at Ewaan

Tuck into a range of international cuisine and a selection of pastries while an Argentine band plays in the background. Guests are welcome every Friday of next month. The buffet is priced at Dh390 per person.

Time: 12.30-4pm

Cooking classes at Asado

Classes will be held on December 15 and December 22 and are priced at Dh275 per person (inclusive of lunch).

Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Teddy bears and tea at The Royale

Treat your children to an enchanting evening on December 19. The teddy bears will go towards charity for underprivileged children. The buffet, priced at Dh120 per adult, is free for kids.

Time: 4pm

Rejuvenation at The Spa

Every day from 9am-10pm guests will be pampered with a footbath and a hydrating Carita facial, followed by a massage. Guests who use the package will have a day's access to all The Spa's facilities, which include the steam room, Jacuzzi and outdoor pool. The package is priced at Dh750 per guest.

Sizzling evenings at Asado, Thiptara and Ewaan

Guests are welcome on December 24. The à la carte menu at Asado is priced at Dh440 per person; the one at Thiptara is priced at Dh420 per person; the buffet at Ewaan ranges from Dh290-Dh390 per person.

Time: 7pm

New Year's Eve dinner at Asado, Thiptara and Ewaan

Savour the rich flavours of Argentine Asado. Relish Thai delicacies at Thiptara. Or sample international cuisine at Ewaan and usher in the New Year with live music. The set menus at Asado and Thiptara are priced from Dh750-Dh850 per person; the buffet at Ewaan is priced from Dh650-Dh850 per person.

New Year's Eve dinner on a private rooftop

Whether a get-together of 12 or a dinner for two, this is ideal. The set menu is priced at Dh2,000.

Time: 7pm onwards

A fair to remember

Abu Dhabi Art is an annual platform in modern art, organised by the government of Abu Dhabi. Conceived as a boutique-style art fair, it brings together art dealers and innovative galleries and hosts special exhibitions, public programmes and cultural events. Abu Dhabi Art will welcome collectors, artists, designers, art dealers, curators, critics and art lovers from around the world. It will be presented from November 19-22, as institutions such as the Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi rise on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island and build world-class collections.

On November 19-22, 4-10pm daily; with programmes starting at 10am. Opening reception will be held on November 18.

Public programmes and workshops

Abu Dhabi Art, Talks and Sensations: The Wings Party

November 19, 7pm-1am

Design Workshop

November 20, 10am-6pm — Volume & Repetition

Contemporary British designer Sevil Peach will lead a workshop.

Max Lamb

Design Workshop on November 21, 10am-6pm — Pewter Casting

Design Performance on November 19 and November 20, 5-7pm — Sand Casting

Maarten Baas

Design Workshop on November 22, 10am-6pm — Cardboard

Design Performance from November 19-22, 4-10pm — Analogue Digital Clock

Design Moment

November 19 and November 22, 4-10pm

Talking Art: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Panel Discussion: From Private to Public: Patronage and the Museum in the Modern Era

Friday November 20, 6-8pm

Participants: Bruce Altshuler, director, Programme in Museum Studies, New York University; Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson, collectors, Chicago; Anthony d'Offay, founder, Anthony d'Offay Gallery.

Moderated by Richard Armstrong, director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum.

Book launches

Writers Jack Persekian and Antonia Carver join in a dialogue with Palestinian artist Tarek Al Ghoussein on November 19, 5-6pm, as he launches his monograph In Absentia: Photographs.

International Prize for Arabic Fiction

The winner and shortlisted authors of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction will be present to sign their works. On November 19, 6-7pm.

Pars Pro Toto II

Artist Susan Hefuna will launch her new book, Pars Pro Toto II, edited by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist. November 21, 6.30-7.30pm.

Visit www.abudhabiartfair.com for updates.