30Isea&iIWINTER 2012Raising the bar in BeijingBeijing has its fair share of impressive hotels butthe soon-to-open Hotel Éclat Beijing, part of theParkview Green development in Fangcaodi,Chaoyang district, promises a fresh take onluxury accommodation in China. Modern, lightand wonderfully spacious, the property hascapped its rooms at 100, giving guests generousaccess to its full range of services, which include24-hour butlers, a private pool and a range ofrestaurants. Although 20 of the suites will havetheir own private jet-powered spa pools andterraced gardens, like most hotels there is oneshining star, and for Hotel Éclat it is the presidentialsuite. A vast and inventively decorated space, itcomes with facilities and services that enable itsguests to enjoy boutique-level exclusivity withlarge-hotel panache. www.eclathotels.com BANGKOK'S NEW ARRIVALEven the recent floods can't dampenthe spirits of Thailand's new Siam CityHotel in Bangkok. Promising 'home-awayfrom-home' comfort, it was unaffected bythe disaster and is set to become afavourite with travellers looking forunderstated luxury and extreme comfort.Located in the heart of the city, theproperty is a short walk from temples,museums, markets, parks and restaurants.Colonial-style architecture combines withAsian styling in the rooms and suites, whichprovide a wonderful escape from thehustle of the city. The hotel also has eightdining venues, a fitness centre and a sixth-floor spa opening onto a fantastic roof-top pool. www.siamhotels.com/siamcity

EIGHTH WONDER FOR INDIAAdding to the seven properties it already operates across India, Leela Palaces Hotelsand Resorts is set to open its eighth hotel in Chennai, southeast India this January.The 14-storey property will be a vast complex with 329 rooms and suites and will offer arange of dining experiences at its four restaurants. Furthermore, guests will have access toits extensive E'spa Spa, swimming pool, fitness centre, 24-hour butler service and exclusiveRoyal Club. The group also has upcoming projects in Agra and Ashtamudi.www.theleela.com/hotel-chennai.htmltravelnewsLondon lifeThanks to a £15-million budget, the refur-bishment of the Radisson Edwardian MercerStreet in London's Covent Garden was alwaysgoing to involve more than a lick of paint.Each of the UK hotel's 137 bedrooms nowboasts ultra-modern décor and stylish bath-rooms, along with the most up-to-date Appleand television technology, making it perfectfor the discerning business traveller.www.radissonedwardian.com/mercerstreetImperial landscapes by railIndia's most luxurious train, The Maharajas'Express, has added another seven-nightroute to its list of journeys. Guests canembark at New Delhi for a magical voyagethrough imperial India, along the waydiscovering the fascinating heritage,complex architecture and unique culture thisbeautiful country has to offer. www.rirtl.comWINTER 2012I sea&iI31