One of China's leading fashion photographers, Chen Man, will showcase her unique vision at Bangkok’s Metropolitan by COMO hotel in just over a month.

Contemporary... Chen Man

The exhibition, taking place from April 25th to May 31st 2013, will be on display in a pop-up gallery space within the hotel’s iconic Met Bar.

Artworks will include several pieces from her Bad Head series, which uses waste materials in the post-production process to drive the concept of environmentally friendly fashion.

“With the complex use of waste materials carefully constructed directly onto the models' form, the meaning is constructed by injecting the materials directly into the creative process,” says Man.

The show will display nine lightbox images and two printed works in the Met Bar along with six prints in one the hotel’s Penthouse Suites.

A graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Chen Man is China’s leading fashion photographer whose distinctive vision of feminine beauty and power has placed her among the image-makers of choice for luxury brands like Celine, Versace, Chanel, MAC and Mercedes.

Arty... the Met Bar

Her work, considered defining of modern China, has been exhibited at the Salon National d’Art Contemporain at the Espace Cardin in Paris and Ullens Center of Contemporary Art in Beijing.

Man’s upcoming exhibition has inspired a special Chen Man Afternoon Tea at the Met Bar, including a refreshing iced lychee, ginger and silver moon tea; pickled cucumber, shiitake mushroom and lily bud steamed buns; and bamboo, red bean and sesame cupcakes.

Guests staying in the Chen Man Penthouse Suite will also receive a signed book by Chen Man.

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The contemporary business traveller is increasingly social, a prolific networker and prefers to share a drink with colleagues than spend time hitting the gym or shopping, according to a recent survey conducted by Four Points by Sheraton.

Aside from sleeping, enjoying the hotel bar or restaurant with business partners is the number one activity preferred by business travellers while on the road. Sharing a meal and an icy cold beer topped time spent in the gym, spa, shopping or catching up with local acquaintances.

Popular... BeerVault

"Business travellers have a real need to connect on the road – both virtually and in person," says Brian McGuinness, Starwood's senior vice president of specialty select brands.

"Our survey results reveal that road warriors are social, preferring to network or to relax in the company of colleagues rather than just enjoying solitary pursuits," he said.

Over the past year, Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok’s bar, BeerVault has experienced an increase in patronage from hotel guests, especially those in town for business who are keen to explore the bar’s great range of international and local beers and handcrafted beer cocktails.

Nearly two thirds of those surveyed also reported they have kept in contact with someone they met on the plane or at the hotel while travelling.

"Four Points provides everything our guests need to be productive and comfortable on the road and that includes creating opportunities to connect socially through brand-wide programs like Best Brews TM, which invites guests to gather over a great local craft beer when the work day ends," says McGuinness.

The survey also revealed American business travellers hit the road more often than their international counterparts, with more than a third reporting they average more than 10 trips per year for business.

Chinese business travellers are among the most social with 50 per cent having shared a flight with a colleague and 70 per cent having stayed in touch with someone they met on the road.

Indian road warriors are the most likely to hang out with colleagues at a bar or restaurant (61 per cent) and the most likely to catch up with friends who live in town.

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With Anantara Cruises, guests see for themselves how Thailand’s waterways are the country’s lifelines, and why Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is one of the most famous and significant.  Locals living on its banks maintain an authentic lifestyle, creating vivid snapshots of a bygone age in between glittering temples like the Temple of Dawn, landmarks of regal heritage such as the Grand Palace and Royal Barges Boathouse, as well as striking bridges and monumental buildings which reflect the capital’s dynamic evolution over the past 20 years.

A couple 100 year old rice barges “Anantara Song’ and ‘Anantara Dream’ have been painstakingly rebuilt from teak and restored to their present splendour to cushion the appeal of a real Thai adventure.  Guests will make themselves at home on the river for overnight excursions that blend quintessential old world charm, modern comforts and truly personalised service, choosing between vessels and itineraries designed with discerning traveller needs in mind.

Guests in search of ancient wonders can join a two night, three day Ayutthaya Adventure accommodating up to four couples on the Anantara Song, or reserve this fine cruiser for private charter.  The colonial grace of this 20 metre, ultra deluxe river boat – dubbed ‘The Orient Express of the River’ – is evident in every exquisite detail.  Thai master craftsmen were employed for its reconstruction, with most of the work carried out in centuries old tradition – using mostly a sharp eye and patience with simple tools in very experienced hands.

The distinctive design blends warm teak, padua and mahogany woods, complemented by custom made furniture covered with colourful Thai silks and cottons.  Oriental rugs were chosen alongside Thai and Southeast Asian art, sculptures and artifacts, while a number of accessories were sourced from artisans working along Thailand’s rivers and canals, as well as from remote rural areas, resulting in a harmony of sophisticated and rustic folk accents.

Renovated to provide privacy and comfort, separate crew quarters allow guests to feel as if they have the boat all to themselves, while an onboard team, comprising of a captain, two service staff and a chef, delivers seamless cruise expertise and gracious hospitality.  Guests reside in four air conditioned staterooms filled with all the five star luxuries guest can expect from Anantara.

On the spacious upper deck, an expansive lounge and dining area with a full bar sets an idyllic scene for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, served from a well provisioned galley.  A separate sun deck invites guests to take in views of Ayutthaya’s crumbling city walls and lively markets on the banks, in between stopping off to explore temples such as Wat Mongkhon Bophit, built to protect one of the country’s largest bronze Buddha statues dating back to the 15th century.

Alternatively guests can call Thailand’s most luxurious cruise, the Anantara Dream, their very own river residence by reserving this magnificent vessel entirely to themselves for a two night, three day Ayutthaya Thousand Golden Temples Tour or Ang Thong Mystic River Tour.

Offering ample living space for up to only two couples, the two staterooms (20 and 25 square metres) are fully air conditioned and feature elegantly tiled ensuite bathrooms with a full shower and a comfortable two metre square super king sized bed dressed with delicate linen, alongside a library and deluxe branded amenities.  Beyond these extra allures, Anantara Dream voyages offer luxury discovery experiences such as private cooking class, Thai wine tasting class or perhaps a self guided walking tour at various points if interest along the journey.

Recognition ... Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Minor International’s luxury residential resort properties continue to win industry accolades, receiving three prestigious awards from industry peers for The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok and the Residences at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai.

Having garnered numerous awards for their Asian properties over the past two years, Minor International continues to set a new standard for luxury development in the region.

The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok received two coveted awards from the Asia Pacific Property Awards, in association with Bloomberg Television and Google; and the Residences at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai received designation as one of the Top 20 Resort Properties from Property Report South East Asia Magazine.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition from our peers in the industry,” said William E. Heinecke, founder of Minor International, the property development firm and one of Thailand’s largest hospitality and leisure companies.

“Our vision was to create extraordinary properties in the world’s most dynamic and beautiful areas, and it’s gratifying to be acknowledged and rewarded for our efforts.” The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok Win Two Asia Pacific Property Awards Announced this week in Shanghai, the Asia Pacific Property Awards are part of International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property competition of residential and commercial properties.

Each year, they set out to identify the very best real estate professionals and developments across the globe. The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok, which opened in April, 2011, were given “Highly Commended” awards in two categories: Development of Multiple Units in Thailand; and Apartment in Thailand.

New standard for luxury living ... St Regis Bangkok Residences

All of the award winners will compete for the “World’s Best” recognition at the International Property Awards in London in December, 2011. Just last year, the St. Regis Bangkok received The Best Condo Development Bangkok & Best Condo Development Thailand at the prestigious Thailand Property Awards in November, 2010. Rising from the 25th to the 45th floors of the St. Regis Bangkok, The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok are destined to become one of the city skyline’s defining silhouettes.

Located in a prime location along Rajadamri Road, in close proximity to the prestigious entertainment and business districts of Bangkok, The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok will set a new standard for luxury living in Thailand and be ideally positioned to cater to both the city’s influential business leaders, discerning leisure travelers, and potential homeowners seeking one of the world’s finest addresses.

The Residences feature 53 St. Regis branded homes – a first for the IndoChina region – ranging from approximately 320 to 920 square meters and including three- and four-bedroom units, deluxe penthouses and duplex penthouses with private pools. The homes offer the privilege of a bespoke St. Regis experience and an exceptional lifestyle at one of the most exclusive addresses in Bangkok. www.stregisbangkokresidences.com The Residences at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Named One of Top 20 Resort Properties Another one of Minor International’s Thailand developments, The Residences at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, was named one of the Top 20 Resort Properties by Property Report South East Asia Magazine, the region’s leading luxury real estate publication. Chosen by a panel of renowned business and property journalists, the list features the best private residences within fully operational resorts in South East Asia. The Residences at Four Seasons Resorts Chiang Mai scored well in several categories, including location, design, comfort, exclusive services and the range of resort facilities available to residents.

Beautiful Chiang Mai province was voted Asia’s third best city by Travel + Leisure Magazine World’s Best Awards in 2009. Taking advantage of its breathtaking surroundings, the Residences at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai feature five deluxe villas that blend the renowned style of the ancient Lanna period with all the amenities of a modern way of life. Residences owners enjoy full service by the award-winning Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, including access to a world-class spa, a fully-equipped fitness centre, tennis courts, library and reading room, specialty restaurants, swimming pool and butler services.

For more information, visit http://www.residences-chiangmai.com/