JW Marriott, part of Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), today announced the opening of JW Marriott Nara in Japan. The opening marks the first international luxury hotel brand to open in Nara as well as the debut of JW Marriott in Japan. Located a short distance from the renowned Nara Park, the hotel is an ideal starting point to visit the many attractions throughout the city. Through locally inspired design, JW Marriott Nara integrates its tranquil natural surroundings into an overall aesthetic that showcases the beauty of the destination.

Nara has long been celebrated as the birthplace of Japanese culture and it was the first capital of Japan back 1,300 years ago. The city sits in an idyllic area in Japan's central Honshu island, surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. Its beautifully preserved historic temples and monuments attract over a million visitors every year. Osaka International Airport is approximately 75 kilometers away, making this location easily accessible to both domestic and overseas travelers. Nara today is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site which encompasses 20 historic temples and shrines venues, including the iconic Todai-ji Temple, Kofuki-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple and Kasuga-taisha Shrine. The city is also famous for the tame herds of deer that roam freely through its streets.

“We are very excited to celebrate the opening of JW Marriott Nara,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “The entry of the JW Marriott brand into the Japanese market is a very significant milestone for us, marking Marriott International’s 50th property in Japan. This debut represents our commitment to our company’s expanding presence in Japan to serve the needs of both domestic and international travelers visiting this beautiful region.”

Conceptualized by global design firm GA Group of London, the hotel’s architectural elements honor the city’s natural beauty and heritage and give the hotel a true sense of place. Timber beams above the lobby space reflect the distinctive features found in the temples and homes of Nara. A linear fireplace in the lobby evokes the city’s annual Yamayaki Fire Festival. Behind the reception area, a fabric backdrop depicts the hills that surround Nara woven in gold thread. Throughout the hotel, patterned carpets are reminiscent of the surrounding landscapes, such as the reflections of the rain pools in Nara’s hillsides.

The hotel features 158 guestrooms including 16 luxurious suites featuring warm tones of timber, bronze and leather as found in the traditional homes of Nara. Sculptural representations of deer antlers hang over the sumptuous guestroom beds, echoing the recurring motif of the iconic Nara deer that can be found throughout the hotel.

Dining at JW Marriott Nara becomes a treat for all the senses, with an array of local and international cuisines within exceptional settings. Silk Road Dining is the hotel’s all-day dining venue featuring an open kitchen and design details incorporating elements from the ancient maritime Silk Road, of which the city of Nara was the final destination. Specialty restaurant Azekura offers three distinctive styles of Japanese cuisine – teppanyaki, sushi and kaiseki – in a contemporary space inspired by the artefacts of the eighth-century Emperor Shomu’s treasure house. Flying Stag is the hotel’s lobby lounge and bar, where a large abstract sculpture of a stag becomes a striking focal point on the wall.

Within the hotel’s landscaped grounds, JW Garden is a plant-filled space where guests can harvest fresh herbs and greens to be incorporated into their menu choices and craft cocktails at the bar. A luxurious Executive Lounge, set away from the more social areas of the hotel, offers a comfortable space in which to catch up on work or enjoy a quiet chat over drinks and light snacks.

The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and indoor swimming pool, as well as a luxurious Spa by JW. The Spa, in natural timber and stone, reimagines the peaceful calm of the nearby temples and features an inviting menu of treatments including massages, facials and therapy baths for the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation.

JW Marriott Nara is set to become the preferred venue in Nara for meetings, weddings and other events. A Ballroom and four customizable meeting rooms lead off from the main lobby via a dramatic Grand Staircase, and collectively offer 640 square meters of event space. Along with a dedicated events team to ensure a seamless occasion, the hotel also offers a bespoke “JW Wellness Break” program during meetings, which provides participants with mindfulness exercises and activities to re-energize and enhance focus.

“JW Marriott welcome travelers with “The JW Treatment”, our brand philosophy which affirms that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do,” said Jennie Toh, Vice President - Brand, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Nara offers authentic experiences with its stunning design, outstanding dining options and elevated service. Through our holistic brand programming, we empower our guests to focus on reclaiming a total mind-and-body wellness as they explore this wonderful destination.

Let’s have some cooking fun at home! Marco Polo Hotels – Hong Kong has put together a series of Home-cooking and DIY Cocktail Kits, allowing guests to enjoy simple, delicious dishes and drinks in the comfort of their own homes without hassle, by placing the order 3 days in advance.

Cucina, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star restaurant, has launched Italian Home-cooking Kits, including appetisers, mains and desserts, priced between HK$130-188. Every kit comes with the ingredients, together with video demonstrations and secret tips from Chef de Cuisine Andrea Delzanno.

Highlights include Fettuccine Bolognese (HK$148). Pasta fans can enjoy an extraordinary al dente experience alongside Wagyu beef with just one call. Other dishes include Crab Meat Salad with Caviar (HK$130), Linguine with Clams (HK$148), Risotto with Seasonal Mushrooms and Parmesan Cheese ($148), Veal Milanese (HK$188) and Tiramisu ($138). “These meal kits and videos definitely help save time and allow beginners to cook at home. Cooking is a kind of meditative practice and it’s more fun than you can imagine.” said Chef Andrea.

Be on Canton, with its al fresco dining terrace at Gateway Hotel, is taking care of those cocktail cravings. DIY Cocktail Kits feature 10 popular cocktails including Sex on the Beach, Old Fashioned and Cosmopolitan, priced at HK$125 each. Guests can follow the videos and craft timeless classic cocktails at home. A cocktail shaker is included upon spending HK$500 or above.

Order Hotline:
Cucina: T / WhatsApp +852 21130808
Be on Canton: T +852 21137828 WhatsApp: +852 5217 6428

Staying in and practicing social distancing? There’s still no reason why your cravings for good food can’t be satisfied. During this difficult time, we weather the storm with offerings of mouth-watering delivery and takeaway options!

Enjoy a five-star lunch -- ranging from dim sum and Cantonese classics from Tao Li, to Asian flavours from Café East and authentic Japanese delights from Sagano -- delivered straight to your doorstep (or you can pick up at The Lounge if you prefer.)

Takeaway Chinese and Western dinner sets as well as à la carte items are also available from Tao Li and Café East for self pick-up. Simply email us your lunch or dinner order and we’ll take care of the rest -- just set the table and dive in!

Instead of clinking champagne flutes to toast the beginning of summer...why not choose to ‘imbibe’ with a glass of chilled sparkling tea or if you are looking for something with a kick then a bespoke cold brew tea liqueur could be the order of the evening! Famed for its teas, Fortnum & Mason has put this ingredient at the heart of its beverage list both at its restaurant, Fortnum’s 181, and its store at K11 Musea.

With the rising global concerns around health and wellbeing, more people are looking for alternatives to alcoholic beverages and Fortnum & Mason provides an array of exciting mocktails along with its exclusive Sparkling Tea that gives you the same celebratory feel.

As the latest evolution in Fortnum & Mason’s 312-year tea history, Sparkling Tea (HK$ 248) is a certified organic blend of eight famous and rare brews – and despite its bubbly appearance, it contains zero alcohol. With complex flavours and remarkable layers, notes of tropical fruits on the nose precede a palate of lemongrass, water mint and Darjeeling, leading into drier tannins and a long-lasting hint of jasmine on the finish. Giving you the same champagne feels from popping its cork to toasting with flute in hand; it really is the next best thing!

Order a glass of Sparkling Tea from the champagne trolley at 181 Fortnum & Mason’s restaurant or head to the bar and order up its new range of speciality mocktails that have Sparkling Tea as the base ingredient. Priced at HK$128 each, these comprise of: “Everything’s Peachy” made with Peach, Ginger Preserve, , Sparkling Tea (0%), “In The Spritz” made with Raspberry, Passionfruit, Earl Grey, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sparkling Tea (0%), and “Rub Of The Green” made with Seedlip Garden 108 , Green Shiso, Fresh Lime, Fortnum’s Black Tea with Apple, Sparkling Tea (available 0%).

For something a little fruity, Fortnum & Mason has launched its Cold Brew infusions which come in three specialty blends Orange and Lemon, Apple and Blackberry, and Apricot and Cherry. As the perfect refreshment for cool summer sipping, Cold Brew infusions take tea drinking to a different level. Without the need to boil the kettle, simply pop one of these bags into your cup of water, your water bottle or even add a few to a festive party jug to share between friends.

For something a little stronger, Fortnum & Mason introduces the world’s first cold brew tea liqueur Fortnum’s X Conker Distillery Cold Brew Tea Liqueur 70cl, 20% ABV (HK$ 568). This revolutionary liqueur is distilled in traditional copper pot stills at Dorset’s Conker Spirit Distillery and blended with Fortnum’s signature Countess Grey black tea. Delicately handcrafted, the tea itself has been cold brewed, allowing the flavours to gently diffuse from the tea leaf for over 24 hours. The resulting liqueur is complex and intricate, with bergamot and orange notes packed into every sip, and a soft, elegant mouthfeel and natural sweetness. Best enjoyed in a champagne cocktail, it is also delicious served long with soda and a peach wedge, or over ice for an after-dinner tipple at home or indeed at Fortnum’s 181!

To find out more, visit Fortnum & Mason at:
Shop 022, G/F, K11 Atelier, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon www.fortnumandmason.com