Tuesday, May 4, 2010

MANTIS ADDS ROYAL CHUNDU ZAMBEZI RIVER LODGE IN ZAMBIA

KAZUNGULA PROVINCE, ZAMBIA (04/2010) Mantis, marketer and manager of boutique hotels, resorts and game reserves across Africa, Europe, the Americas and Antarctica, has added Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge in Zambia to its ever-growing, golden portfolio of luxurious, five-star properties.

Royal Chundu is an opulent, eco-sensitive lodge set in the Katombora Forest on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia, just 18 miles downstream from one of the world’s seven natural wonders, Victoria Falls. The Royal Chundu (meeting place of the chief) comprises 10 secluded brick-under-thatch villas on the banks of the river and four island villas built on stilts two-and-a-half miles upstream on the private island of Katombora.

Strategically built in harmony with its natural surroundings, each of the mainland villas features a spacious lounge, en-suite dining area, glass-walled showers and private decks offering uninterrupted views of the Zambezi, Africa’s fourth largest river. The island villas are similar to those on the mainland, but the dining area is separate and the decks offer an open air bath and plunge pool. Via teak walkways, the villas link to the main lodge which houses an indoor restaurant, library, TV lounge, boma, spa facilities and an infinity swimming pool with sun lounges and thatched umbrellas.

Interiors, fabrics and fittings reflect a bygone era of colonial elegance blended with African charm. Stylish appointments include shell-embellished chandeliers and tailored netted curtains enveloping king-sized beds.

Activities include game drives, boat cruises, canoeing trips, walks, fishing trips, bird safaris, exploring Katombora Island on foot, and visiting in neighboring Botswana, the world-famous Chobe National Park, which boasts impressive elephant and buffalo populations.

And no trip to Zambia would be complete without viewing (or picnicking by) Victoria Falls, also known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone is believed to be the first European to lay eyes on the world’s largest curtain of falling water, and he named it after Britain’s reigning monarch.

Royal Chundu is 30 miles from Livingstone Airport and an hour and a half flight from Johannesburg. Transfers are offered from airports, hotels and lodges in Livingstone, Victoria Falls and Kasane areas or any other location within 50 miles of the lodge.

For more information on Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge, please contact Mantis Central Reservations at +27 (0) 41 407 10000 or email reservations@mantiscollection.com or visit www.mantiscollection.com.

PARIS’ HOTEL KEPPLER JOINS THE ELITE MANTIS GROUP

PARIS, FRANCE (4/10) − The Mantis Group has added another gem to its elite collection of five-star resorts and game reserves across Europe and Africa- the chic Hotel Keppler near the Champs Elysées in Paris.

Comfortably situated in the Golden Triangle, Hotel Keppler is in the heart of the entertainment and high-fashion district of Avenue George V and Avenue Montaigne. The most popular sights of the city are less than a mile from the hotel including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triumph and the breathtaking Place de la Concorde.

The hotel’s interior was created by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the famous designer of the George V hotel, and boasts a fresh decor ripe with iconic Parisian style. Throughout the hotel is a black and white theme accentuated with clever strokes of cranberry and lemon.

Housed within a 19th Century Haussmannian building, the trendy Keppler comprises 39 guest rooms and suites including Classic, Standard and Executive rooms, as well as Traditional, Superior, Deluxe and Penthouse suites.

All accommodations have custom-designed furniture and lighting by Rochon, as well as handmade Turkish rugs and molded ceilings. The spacious, bright rooms are exemplary of contemporary style, form and function, and many feature balconies with stunning views of the City of Lights.

After a long day visiting museums and perusing shops along the grand avenues, guests can cozy up to the bar for a delicious drink. The bar at Hotel Keppler is ideal for pre-dinner drinks and nightcaps, where guests enjoy cocktails while lounging by the fireplace or relaxing in the winter garden. A number of traditional French restaurants can be found near the hotel and the concierge is happy to make reservations and recommendations for lunch and dinner.

Guests also enjoy 24-hour access to the sauna, hammam and fitness center. The hotel can arrange an in-room massage upon request.

Hotel Keppler is a perfect destination for groups that require stylish surroundings for business and social events. There is a fully-equipped meeting space, WIFI and a business center.

For animals as well traveled as their owners, Hotel Keppler is a pet-friendly establishment.

Rates range from $402 to $468 for a Classic room; $435 to $522 for a Standard room; $562 to $656 for an Executive room; $736 to $870 for a Traditional suite; $830 to $1004 for a Superior suite; $937 to $1138 for a Deluxe suite; and $1071 to $1339 for the Penthouse suite.

For additional information on Hotel Keppler, please visit the website at www.keppler.fr or call 33 1 47 20 65 05. Email is hotel@keppler.fr.

REJUVENATE AT A GIRLFRIEND'S YOGA RETREAT AT SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE

Eastern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA (3/2010) − Shamwari Game Reserve is offering a three day yoga package for women who need to unwind, relax and simply get away from it all. It’s the ultimate in girlfriend getaways − an opportunity for women to truly rejuvenate while staying at The Sarili Lodge in the most luxurious game reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Guests are escorted on their journey to contentment by Harry Petrie, a professional yoga instructor and clinical massage therapist practicing in Port Elizabeth. Petrie has created a program of traditional yoga according to the ancient Rishikesh culture, which utilizes a variety of techniques to trigger specific neuromuscular relaxation responses.

Each morning begins with an intense session of breathing, postures and relaxation. Guests start with an advanced breathing technique called Pranayama, during which they are taught correct breathing sequences to develop full capacity use of the lungs. This is followed by Asanas, a series of postures that are held for a length of time in an effort to restore well-being and increase flexibility. The morning session ends with an assortment of relaxation techniques, including the use of specific hand positions called Mudras to stimulate different parts of the body. All exercises are taught according to each individual’s ability level.

After the morning session a nourishing breakfast is provided to guests, followed by a walking safari or game drive. Guests have the opportunity to see South Africa’s big five while under the guidance of Shamwari’s own specially trained game rangers. After a walk, or ride, on the wild side, guests are treated to lunch followed by an afternoon of meditation and shiatsu treatments. These sessions are also led by Petrie, trained at the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research in Pondicherry, India, who specializes in clinical deep tissue and shiatsu massage.

Each day concludes with a dinner served in the guests’ private lodge. Perfect for an intimate gathering of close friends, The Sarili Lodge provides an ideal combination of a colonial and bush experience. Located in the southern region of the Reserve with expansive views of the plains, Sarili is an environmentally-friendly, private African villa with a spacious deck overlooking the Bushman’s River. The décor emulates a traditional farmhouse with interiors that reflect an easy living home lifestyle in a natural environment. The lodge consists of five suites and boasts a swimming pool, dining and lounge areas and a courtyard barbeque area.

Situated in a verdant bush along the Bushmans River, Shamwari is the ultimate luxury game reserve with a special focus on responsible tourism. The Reserve, comprised of 52,000 acres, is in a malaria-free zone.

The package is $1,415 per person and does not include accommodations, meals or beverages. For further information on the Shamwari Game Reserve, please visit the website at www.shamwari.com or call 877-354-2213.

MANTIS ADDS FIVE-STAR CASASUR ART HOTEL IN BUENOS AIRES TO ITS PORTFOLIO OF EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES

Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA - The Mantis Group, marketers/managers of upscale boutique hotels, resorts and game reserves across the world, has added the five-star CasaSur Art Hotel in Buenos Aires to its portfolio of luxurious properties.

CasaSur Art Hotel is a charming boutique hotel located in Recoleta, the city’s exclusive arts district, a lively area teeming with galleries, shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. The hotel comprises 36 guest rooms, from smart Executive suites equipped with wifi, a working desk and a French balcony, up to the Grand suite located on the 12th floor, offering panoramic views of the city from its wide, private deck. All rooms are decorated in shades of brown, beige and white, creating a stylish, rotogravure-like effect.

The hotel’s deluxe wellness center offers full-day and half-day spa packages, and its fine dining restaurant called Croque Madame caters to the sophisticated palate. Breakfast is served buffet style, while the sit-down menu items are a mix of regional and international dishes. At five o’clock, guests settle in to the lobby bar for tea and artisanal pastries; grilled sandwiches (the signature “croques”) or tapas and wine selected from the most prestigious Argentinean estates.

Because of its popular location, the CasaSur Art Hotel is ideal for exploring the neighborhood on foot. Beyond Recoleta’s shops and galleries, the district is home to La Recoleta Cemetery, an historic burial ground as renowned for its eclectic architecture as for those entombed in its many mausoleums, among them the country’s “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” former first lady, Eva Peron. After taking a walking tour of Recoleta, visit greater Buenos Aires. With its excellent climate, French and Italian-influenced architecture, bustling arts and music scene, many museums, great cuisine and seductive tango studios, the city is considered one of the most desirable destinations in the world, often compared to Paris.

For reservations: email reservations@mantiscollection.com or visit: www.casasurhotel.com