We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – Pattaya, Thailand's oft-maligned yet popular seaside resort deserves more than a passing, critical look.

Things are looking up even more, now, with the opening of the sprawling beachfront shopping complex and lifestyle destination, CentralFestival Pattaya Beach.

The 240,000 square metre complex features a world-class entertainment facility, five-storey Central Department Store, more than 370 international retailers and dozens of beach-themed restaurants and bars.

The resort-style CentralFestival Pattaya Beach extends to 111 metres of beachfront in Central Pattaya.

Also in Pattaya's favour is it's one-hour drive on good roads proximity to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The complex includes 16 bowling alley lanes, 10 cinemas, a beachfront terrace and exciting new restaurants and bars doing what Pattaya has always done well - serving seafood.
CEO Kobchai Chirathivat believes in Pattaya's potential to become Thailand's premier tourist destination with the new facility attracting more upmarket custom.

Enough tonic for the gin?

Now there are more important travel issues

I am old enough to remember when the getting to the airport on time was the biggest worry about international travel… unless you include (with certain airlines, mostly gone, now) concerns about whether the in-flight bar supply would last the distance.

Terrorism, political turmoil closing airports in faraway places and natural disasters added to the list, and now, on the high seas at least, where once there were no problems, piracy! Swine flu is the latest bugaboo.

‘Using your head' and ‘taking care' remain best advice but it is also possible to wise-up before you leave home turf to anticipate problems and optimise your security.

More than ever, you must be very aware of where you are going and what you are doing because situations can change dramatically in an instant,'' says Mark McCormack, CEO of Loop9, developer of the new-age Travel Messenger SMS Concierge Service.

The service can provide SMS security updates to a traveller's mobile phone in over 3,000 cities in over 200 countries.

McCormack's top five tips for travelling peace of mind are as follows:

1. Register on www.smarttraveller.gov.au, the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service. It provides up to date advice for travellers on a host of countries and, if you are registered, the government can contact you if an emergency arises at your destination.
2. Check out World Health Organisation www.who.int for advice on things like swine flu. The WHO recommends that if you are travelling in swine flu affected areas to avoid public gatherings, avoid using public transportation, if in public try to remain six feet away from others, and see a doctor if you experience cold-like symptoms. It also offers advice on keeping healthy while overseas and what to do if you fall ill.
3. Never leave home without travel insurance. To do so could see your holiday or business trip ruined and bills for tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. The website www.insurancecouncil.com.au is a good place to start.
4. Photocopy all your travel documents and keep them separate from the originals. Also email all your personal details such as passport number, itinerary, flight details to your own email in case documents are lost or stolen.
5. Sign up to Travel Messenger, www.travelmessenger.com.au through major travel agencies.

In its first year, Travel Messenger SMS technology has been crucial to the safety of thousands of Australians caught up in dangerous situations overseas – most recently Bangkok and Mumbai. It is constantly updated to provide travellers with updates on developing situations.

For more information visit www.travelmessenger.com.au

Once (there) were (only) warriors

Now there is a grand new attraction in Xian
 
We missed the grand opening of the Grand Park Xian but if we feel inclined to visit the famous terracotta warriors on parade, the new jewel in the Park Hotel Group's crown, will be on the ‘to do’ list.

The property will be remembered by previous visitors to Xian as the Grand Castle Hotel.

Location is everything in this part of the world and the 338-room GPX has it all. The property nestles by the ancient Xian city wall in the city's business, shopping and entertainment district, is handy for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and is about Parramatta-Sydney distance from Lintong, home of the warriors and the mausoleum of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Park Hotel Group’s growing portfolio of properties has spread from home-base Singapore to the China mainland, Hong Kong and Japan with 10 more in China within five years.

Dismissing the present economic downturn, Park Group director Allen Law says the company is taking a long-term perspective and will continue exploring opportunities for expansion in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
China's own long-term growth projections point to healthy inbound and outbound tourism.

Another hot-listing for GHM

Sizzling Saujana KL Makes The Grade
 
General Hotels Management's all-new The Club at The Saujana, Kuala Lumpur has been acknowledged by the Conde Nast bible's 2009 hot list, which is based on criteria of outstanding service, bars and restaurants, ambience, design, location and leisure facilities.

Other GHM properties - The Nam Hai (Vietnam). The Setai (Miami), The Chedi Chiang Mai (Thailand) and The Chedi Club, in Ubud (Bali) - are also listed.

Set in 160 hectares of lush tropical gardens and fringed by TWO 18-hole championship golf courses of the Saujana Country Club, The Club at The Saujana is a pitch and a putt from KL city centre.

The boutique resort has 105 Club-class rooms and suites designed in contemporary Asian style.

With fabrics from Jim Thompson, stemware from Germany and Anore bathroom amenities from Italy, the end result is a matching balance in muted tones and ambience.

Club guests have a private entrance foyer and check-in lounge and receive complimentary club benefits including personalised check-in, a welcome drink, daily breakfast at The Restaurant, all day tea and coffee in The Lounge, evening cocktails and canapés at The Lounge, minibar replenished daily, laundry and dry cleaning services, wireless internet access, Club Concierge services, shopping butler, usage of boardroom and daily newspaper.

Other GHM properties in Phuket, Thailand, Mexico and Bali will open next year.