Tune Hotels

MALAYSIA’S LARGEST GREEN HOTEL FINALLY OPENS

GBI Gold-Certified Tune Hotel klia2 made an energy-efficiency demonstration project for Malaysian building sector.

SEPANG, June 25th, 2014 – The newly-opened Tune Hotel klia2 has received a double recognition for its green technology and energy-efficient features.

Beyond the conventional green products of LED lights and energy-efficient equipment, Tune Hotels has taken its green initiative further by employing a holistic sustainability agenda driven into its building design right from the beginning.

The hotel has been awarded a provisional Gold Rating by the Green Building Index (GBI) Accreditation Panel and subsequently submitted as the first demonstration project under the Building Sector Energy Efficiency Project (BSEEP), a national project implemented by the Public Works Department Malaysia in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). BSEEP has for its goal the reduction in the annual growth rate of emissions from buildings in Malaysia by promoting energy conserving designs of new buildings.

Tune Hotel klia2 was officially opened today by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid. 

 

Deputy Minister Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid said: “I am very pleased to be here today to witness a very local homegrown brand making giant efforts in embracing the usage of energy and water efficiency, as well as green technology. Today, the need to care for our environment has never been more crucial. It is no longer a ‘special interest’ but a mission entrusted upon all of us to save our only planet we have got from environmental degradation. It is part of the Government’s objective to accelerate the national economy and promote sustainable development through efficient energy use. We want to improve the quality of life for Malaysians, increase national economic development by means of technology and safeguard the integrity of the environment.”

At the event, the Deputy Minister also presented the Gold GBI certification to Mark Lankester who received it on behalf of Tune Hotel klia2. GBI was represented by its Chairman Ar. Von Kok Leong.

Mark Lankester said: “We are elated with these recognitions. To be the largest hotel to be GBI Gold-certified is a fantastic accomplishment for our Projects team while as an ongoing BSEEP national demonstration project, we are very pleased to showcase how energy-efficient buildings can be operationally very cost effective, and most importantly benefit the bottom line of the business. As we have always said, being more cost effective allows us to pass on benefits to our guests.”

“Nonetheless, the comfort of our guests was our overriding priority when in the design stage for the Tune Hotel klia2. Great emphasis was given on the indoor environment quality, thermal comfort, lighting levels and luminosity, noise control, air quality and daylight availability, on top of energy and water efficiency, amongst many others,” added Lankester.

The construction of the Tune Hotel klia2 has demonstrated various key aspects of energy efficiency in buildings, providing unparalleled opportunities for both government and private sector practitioners in gaining practical information as a result of implementing energy-efficient building projects. 

As a BSEEP demonstration project, Tune Hotel klia2 will provide real-time data to illustrate and improve confidence in the feasibility, performance, energy, environmental and economic benefits of energy-efficient building technology applications. It is intended to be an example in supporting the design and construction of other real-life energy efficient buildings. 

Faber Group Berhad, through its subsidiary Faber Facilities Sdn Bhd, provided Environmental and Sustainable Design (ESD) Consultancy for the project.

Azmir Merican, Executive Director of Faber Group said, “The benefits of going green for hotels and resorts are obvious for the move would translate into savings in energy and water usage. More importantly though it reflects the proprietor’s commitment towards a sustainable future. With the increase awareness of ESD concept, we hope that more building owners in Malaysia will implement a green strategy and adopt the technology in reducing their carbon footprint.”

On the implementation of ESD for Tune Hotel klia2, Azmir said that during the design stage, extensive simulations were carried out to ensure the Tune Hotel klia2 is energy efficient with a projected Building Energy Intensity (BEI) index of 159KWh/m2/yr.

 

In Malaysia, the BEI benchmark for similar performance rating is at 200KWH/m2/yr for ‘up to 3-star’ hotels and 290KWh/m2/yr for ‘4-star and above’ hotel categories while the BSEEP benchmark is 187KWh/m2/yr. In comparison to the Australian hotel industry benchmarked ‘best practice’ performance indicator is 208KWh/m2 for accommodation hotels and 292 KWh/m2 for business hotels.

Another key highlight of Tune Hotel klia2 is water efficiency which is estimated at more than 40% water savings compared to a conventionally designed hotel building. This is attributed mainly towards the use of harvested rainwater for the water closet (WC), cleaning and irrigation purposes. 

Landscape plant selection also played a key role in that, only native or locally adaptive plants which required minimal or almost no irrigation was planted. Notably, the landscape provision for this project exceeded the local authority requirements by 154%.

The 400-room Tune Hotel klia2 opened for business on 9 May 2014. The hotel is directly connected to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) terminal via a covered walkway and link bridge, allowing easy and convenient access to check-in counters as well as the Gateway@klia2 shopping mall.

Tune Hotels has innovatively transformed the guestroom experience into a modern-style accommodation featuring the all-new room design with a sleek writing table, luggage platform and a 32-inch flat screen LED TV, bringing about an improved, sophisticated but cool ambience throughout the Tune Hotel klia2. 

To add to the guest experience and comfort, the hotel’s spacious lobby features a cool casual seating lounge with free wifi and an expansive open-air courtyard lounge, overlooked by a 24-hour restaurant and beverage centre. For guests with further transportation needs, the hotel includes a transport counter for overland transport needs and for flights, two AirAsia self check-in kiosks and klia2’s flight information displays are provided within the lobby for added convenience to hotel guests. 

Guests at Tune Hotel klia2 enjoy great connectivity to the Kuala Lumpur city and its surrounding suburbs as the klia2 Terminal boasts not only bus and taxi services but also the Express Rail Link (ERL) train service that connects to and from Kuala Lumpur Sentral. For guests arriving at or departing from the KLIA Main Terminal, they can make use of the scheduled shuttle service via the ERL that costs just RM2 one way and stroll over to the hotel via its covered link bridge.

The hotel also features 167 parking bays which are conveniently located just a few steps away from the airport terminal. A portion of the parking area has been allocated exclusively for green, electric and hybrid vehicles.

With a projected annual capacity of 45 million passengers, the klia2 is the world's largest purpose-built terminal dedicated for low cost carriers (LCCs). The new airport commenced commercial operations on 2 May 2014. 

Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Executive Chairman respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

There are currently 45 Tune Hotels available for booking across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, England, Scotland, Australia, India and Japan.

For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook at www.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels.  

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com.

From left: UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Asfaazam Kasbani; Executive Director of Faber Group Azmir Merican; AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani; Group CEO of Tune Hotels Mark Lankester; Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid; GBI Chairman Ar. Von Kok Leong and Tune Hotels COO Frank Trampert.

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Atman: An Urban Day Spa

I've been trying to write about Atman Spa for the last couple of weeks but I didn't know how to start it until that cup of Ginger Lemon Tea they served me awhile ago after the relaxing massage I had. It was so good that I have now all the words I need to describe the Spa.

There are more or less 20 Spas in General Santos. I already tried more than half of them since I regularly have my massage 3-4 times a month. From that number, I can certainly say that Atman is by far The Best Spa in Gensan.

Once you get in the Spa, the front desk will automatically entertain you and give you a glass of Iced Tea. That alone is a very nice gesture in accommodating guests and customers. Welcoming everyone with a smile regardless of who they are, is indeed sweet and inviting. While drinking your Iced Tea, you can start choosing from the services they offer. It ranges from P300-P1000 depending on the packages you choose. 

 Atman Spa offers therapy and massage treatments in a heavenly and spacious ambiance in downtown Gensan. Here are some of their services:

Atman Signature Massage

- Infuses thai, swedish and shiatsu techniques.

Hot stone Massage 

- Excellent in bringing relief to stiff and sore muscles and to push away congestion and inflammation. The application of hot stone combined with oil massage also results to deep state of relaxation.

Bentosa Cupping 

- Glasses are placed on the skin with a candle’s flame creating vacuum and strong suction. It stimulates blood circulation and is an excellent stress-relief treatment.

Exfoliating Body Scrub

- Revel in sleek, fresh skin that's touchable and radiant, it contains green tea extracts and vit. E to help protect the skin and keep it healthy.

Aromatherapy Eye Pillows 

- Filled with all natural cassia seed, ginger, Cinnamon, lemon grass, lavender and pepper mint these eye pillows may help relieve headaches, sinus pressure, reduce eye puffiness, and calm your mind so you can fall asleep.

Right now their newest offering:

Infrared Sauna

- Guaranted to help you relax in comfort with an invigorating deep tissue sweat. Infrared rays provide a deep and gentle heating effect without undue burden to your heart.

After your massage, you can stay in their spacious lobby, drinking a complimentary delicious hot tea while enjoying their wifi. 

Atman Spa has 10 Female and 8 Male Therapists. Their management has already started rolling out required certification from TESDA to all of their therapists. This is an assurance to give you 100% Guarantee Satisfaction. 

Atman Spa is located at 1st Floor GP Johnston Building, Magsaysay Avenue, General Santos, Philippines. You may reach them by phone (083) 301 7891 or email them at atman_spa13@yahoo.com. You can also check their Facebook Page.

I am recommending Atman Spa simply because they are The Best Spa in Gensan. Go there now and try them. I'll be more than happy to take down this entry if you can find a better one than Atman. 

By the way Atman SPA is offering rewards for Foursquare Check-ins! Happy Hour Check-ins (1pm-4pm) pay only Php250 instead of Php300. If you become the Mayor of Atman SPA, you'll get a FREE Atman Signature Massage!

Also, you'll receive an Atman stamp for every single visit. On the 5th visit you will entitled to received a FREE Foot Bliss (worth Php200) and FREE Atman Signature Massage (worth Php300) on the 10th visit.

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SEAIR

SEAIR partners with Muranglipad.com to offer fare comparison to passengers

SEAIR International (SEAIR) announces its partnership with Muranglipad.com to offer airfare comparison to passengers.

SEAIR, the brand that pioneered commercial flights to Boracay in 2005, is back to offer premium services with fast and stress-free travel to passengers.  Part of its thrust to offer innovative services to clients, is the belief to offer the best value-for-money fares to passengers.

Muranglipad.com, a division of Triplestar Travel and Tours Inc, provides airfare comparison to all domestic and international destinations, across all airlines. SEAIR clients can now enjoy expert travel advise from Muranglipad.com’s pool of Travel Specialists. To avail of specialized travel assistance, passengers may call the reservations hotline at 849-0100 or visit www.muranglipad.com. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Mondays to Fridays and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays, to accommodate consultations, bookings and reservations.

Triplestar has 11 ticketing offices nationwide, particularly in Makati, Manila Domestic Airport, Quezon City, SM Clark, Cebu City, Cebu International Airport, Davao City, Davao International Airport, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban and Bacolod. All are strategically located to cater to passengers’ immediate travel requirements.

To find out more about the new and exciting service, please like SEAIR Facebook fan page atwww.facebook/flyseair and Muranglipad.com’s 

Facebook fan page at www.facebook/muranglipad.com for updates on promotions.  

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Tune Hotels

TUNE HOTELS LOVING BUSINESS GROWTH IN AUSTRALIA

Music-based campaign planned to celebrate Tune Hotel Melbourne’s first anniversary

 18 June 2014, Kuala Lumpur – Tune Hotels, which opened its doors in Melbourne recently will continue to lure more visitors to the city popularly known as Australia’s cultural capital, tapping on the rising number of tourists especially from South East Asia.

In the year ending March 2014, Victoria welcomed more than 260,000 international visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, representing an average annual growth rate of 13.1 percent.

The State of Victoria’s Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher met with Tune Hotels Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Lankester to discuss growth plans ahead of Tune Hotel Melbourne’s first anniversary in October.

“Victoria has strong ties with Malaysia, as many Malaysians have lived, worked and studied here. These links provide significant opportunities for visiting friends and relatives which is a key driver for repeat visitation,” said Ms Asher.

Victoria is the favourite Australian state amongst Malaysians who made up almost 100,000 overnight visitors, a 14 per cent increase for the year ending March 2014.

Tune Hotel Melbourne, which has been hugely popular amongst Malaysians, has also attracted many Australians who make up 55 percent of its bookings. Its 225-room facility at 609 Swanston Street, is conveniently located next to the University of Melbourne, just two streets away from popular Lygon Street, a short walk to Queen Victoria Market and minutes to Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).

“Demand has been strong from day one, owing to the invaluable support we have received from the Victorian Government, which accelerated our establishment process and promoted Melbourne as a destination of choice to international and local tourists.

“Tourism Victoria and the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) based in Kuala Lumpur have continued to support us, offering unique and bespoke familiarisation trips and extending knowledge and expertise to help us understand the Victorian market better,” said Lankester.

A special music-oriented social media campaign is underway to celebrate the first anniversary of Tune Hotel Melbourne that will that is aimed at supporting and providing a platform for new and young musical talents in Melbourne in conjunction with the hotel’s first anniversary.

 “We seek to provide that link and sense of belonging amongst the many young musicians in Melbourne towards Tune Hotels. We want them to see Tune Hotel Melbourne as an arena where they can showcase their talent and be noticed. Look out for our announcement soon,” he added.

Malaysia's international carriers Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X have both recently increased their Kuala Lumpur Melbourne flights to thrice daily and twice daily respectively to service this growth. By 2022-23 it is estimated that Victoria will receive approximately 152,000 Malaysian visitors annually.

Ms Asher is in Malaysia leading Victoria’s current Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, which includes more than 180 representatives from more than 130 organisations representing Victoria’s education, food and agribusiness, sustainable urban design, ICT and tourism industries.

1    From left: Tourism Victoria General Manager Melanie de Souza; State of Victoria’s Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher; Group CEO of Tune Hotels Mark Lankester and Victorian Government Business Office Commissioner Tim Dillon.

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Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider

I didn't know that Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider are the people behind the medleys I've been downloading few years back. They have been known for fast covers and medleys of new songs.  As duo, they have touched thousands of people through their collaborative covers of hits by Adele, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and Katy Perry. They're also known for their creative mash-ups and medleys; most notably the Michael Jackson Medley which upto now is in my iPod shuffle. 

Good news to those who have been listening to their music and covers. They are coming to Manila for a concert on June 25-26 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Sam has been hailed as an internet singing sensation, who along with his production partner Kurt was among the first musicians to establish a hugely popular music-focused channel on Youtube. To date, his videos have amassed over 500 million hits on Youtube alone, with each new release, including his 2013 debut original album “Make It Up”.

However, Kurt is a songwriter, director and producer of films, music videos and recordings. He has over four million YouTube subscribers, 25 million monthly views, 800+ million total views, and over 150 videos on his YouTube channel KurtHugoSchneider. Kurt has also collaborated with Hunter Hayes, Jason Mraz, Jason Derulo, Phillip Phillips, Megan Nicole, and many other musicians.

American-Hong Konger Sam and production partner Kurt been making homemade music videos and being heartthrobs on your computer screen for almost five years now. But hold your squeals as these YouTube artistes will be appearing at a stage near you.

Catch Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider on June 25 and 26 at the SMX Convention Center, 8:00 pm. This was made possible by Global Entertainment Productions and Star Media Entertainment. For tickets, you may log on to https://www.smtickets.com.

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SMART

With #SmartUnliFB2, you can now enjoy one day of unlimited Facebook anytime, anywhere for only P2! It will make your current usage promo perfect and your day even better!

This “add on” Facebook promo is Smart's latest offer to its subscribers. You can avail provided you are subscribed to any existing Smart Prepaid promo.

So if you want a reliable Unli Facebook for only P2? Here's how!

1. Load any Smart Prepaid Promo
2. Register to FB2 by sending a message TEXT FB2 and send to 6406.
3. Wait for the confirmation message of your subscription.

4. Enjoy unlimited Facebook for the next 24 hours.

To learn more about this promo, check out Smart Prepaid’s UNLI FB2 here: http://smrt.ph/unlifb2o

Let’s all try #SmartUnliFB2! Text FB2 to 6406 na and add me: www.facebook.com/morganmagazine

Anne Curtis and Jasmine Curtis are also enjoying this service!

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LINE

LINE OFFERS FREE CALLS PROMO

Send messages using your LINE from June 17 to July 1, 2014 and get up to 30 minutes worth of FREE CALLS to any landline or mobile number in the world, PLUS an exclusive LINE sticker set. 

LINE is the world’s leading instant messaging app that allows its 460 million plus users to make FREE voice calls and messages worldwide. They will offer its Philippine-based subscribers a special “LINE Free Calls” promo. 

From June 17, 2014 at 12 noon, users will instantly get LINE Premium Call Credits (up to 300 credits in total), plus an exclusive LINE sticker set, by just sending LINE messages from June 17 until July 1 only.

LINE Premium Call Credits are electronic credit that allows users via LINE to call mobile phones or landlines anywhere in the world. Upon sending one message within the promo period, 100 credits will be automatically added to the user’s account balance (for guide info: www.line.me/en/call).

The maximum number of FREE call credits a LINE user can receive in one (1) day is 100 call credits. Maximum number of FREE call credits a LINE user can receive during the duration of the promo is 300 call credits, equivalent to up to 30 minutes worth of calls to any mobile or landline number in the world. Credits will be valid for 30 days.

LINE Free Calls promo is open to all existing and new LINE users in the Philippines using Android (LINE version 4.1 and above) or iOS (LINE version 4.2 and above) using mobile phones only. Only those who registered their mobile numbers on LINE are eligible to avail of the promo.

In addition, LINE will raffle off premium items such as ten (10) LINE USBs and one (1) SAMSUNG Galaxy S5 per day from June 17 to July 1, 2014 only (for a total of 150 LINE USBs and 15 S5s). Qualified entries are your LINE messages sent during the day. Entries will be refreshed daily throughout the promo period. The more messages sent via LINE, the higher the chances of winning.

Randomly chosen via electronic raffle, winners will be announced via the LINE Philippines Official Account and the LINE Philippines official Facebook page www.facebook.com/Line.Philippines . Winners will also receive a private message for verification and prize redemption procedures.

To download LINE visit http://line.me/en/ for more info.

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Ferring Philippines

In the Philippines, 230 out of 100,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes – one of the highest pregnancy-related mortality rates in the world. Ferring Philippines comes with breakthrough drugs to save lives of mothers.

I used to work for a US client that sells supplements. Anything that would benefit life and our body is something I always welcome in my blog. It doesn’t guarantee for I haven’t tried but there is a big chance it will work. Ferring Pharmaceuticals recently launched their their Philippine Headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last April 2014. They aim to address the growing concerns on pregnancy-related deaths via medicines and drugs that are backed by the company’s extensive research and development efforts. Ferring has a total of 60-year expertise in Pharmaceuticals.

“We want to inform doctors that there are available drugs which can spell the difference between life and death among pregnant women, especially those about to give birth,” said Michel Pettigrew, Ferring Group president of the Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer.

Pettigrew is also the President and CEO of Ferring Holding US, the company’s largest subsidiary, and is responsible for all clinical development and commercial activities in the United States.

During the launch, Pettigrew shared that a major part of their plans is to work alongside the Department of Health (DOH) to address the rising maternal mortality rates in the country. They will also actively promote their breakthrough products to top medical institutions in the city.

Ferring is ready to offer some of their most notable products from their roster that directly inhibits causes of deaths among pregnant women such as hemorrhage following a caesarean section and pre-term birth. These two causes are considered the most pressing reasons of deaths among mothers in the country.

One thing I like about Ferring is the chance of addressing fertility problems among couples. They have products that affect key factors to conceiving such as ovulation, and overall well-being of a mom-to-be.

It wouldn’t hurt to try!

Ferring’s gastroenterology and urology medicines are known to be superior choices as well. Their drug is known for effectively cleaning the gastrointestinal tract, addressing anxieties brought about by abdominal concerns like colon cancer.

Currently, Ferring Philippines will be focused in Metro Manila hospitals, but ongoing talks with the DOH assures that the company’s life-saving products in Reproductive Health, will reach the provinces as well in the next three years.

For more information, log on to www.ferring.com.

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Mark Lankester

Meet Mark Lankester; Chief Executive Officer of Tune Hotels Group

Mark came to Tune Hotels from the entertainment and leisure consumer goods industry. With over 15 years with the Warner Music Group in senior Regional and Managing Director management roles throughout Asia, Mark’s experience includes managing companies from start-up phases to managing growth-oriented established businesses across Asia and Greater China. Having spent an extraordinary amount of time in hotels, (including living out of one in Hong Kong and in Taipei for a full year!), and seeing how little time busy, active, recording artists actually spend in hotels, he is totally committed to our mission statement of promising a great night’s sleep, enjoying a fantastic hot power shower the next morning and ensuring a clean and safe environment to all Tune Hotels guests. As the Group CEO of Tune Hotels, Mark was presented the Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award 2012 by the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA), a regional award for outstanding entrepreneurship in recognition of his best practices, past and current efforts and continued publicity.

Mark is a multilingual marketeer and business developer cum business manager with solid strategic & financial skills and technology comprehension. His main endeavor is to change the face of the hospitality business and build a global brand, business model and network.

Mark has been at the helm of the Tune Hotels Group for six years. Under his tutelage the international value hotel brand that operates very much similar to low cost airlines has grown from a single hotel in Downtown Kuala Lumpur in 2007 to 30 operating properties at present, spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, India and as far away as the UK. New properties are coming up in Japan and Australia in 2013, while plans are under way to further establish Tune Hotels in Europe, the Middle East, East and West Africa, and China to achieve the target of 100 operating hotels in the years to come. At the heart of the expansion plan is Mark’s belief that the Tune Hotels brand and its brand values are universal and that a great night’s sleep at affordable prices, is a promise that resonates anywhere in the world.

A staunch believer of the Tune Hotels’ concept and its philosophy, Mark breathes and lives the brand. Tune Hotels has successfully pioneered a branded value hotel network globally that features the pay-as-you-need concept where guests only pay for basic room rates with the option of choice in adding on other amenities such as towels & toiletries, air-conditioning, in-room wifi and satellite TV service as guests deem appropriate. Providing international-standard, high quality accommodation by focusing on key essentials but minus the generally underutilised facilities commonly found in other hotels such as swimming pools, business centres and gymnasiums, Tune Hotels keeps its operating costs low, embraces energy saving opportunities and passes on savings to guests in the form of super low basic rates. Almost five million guests have stayed at Tune Hotels since its inauguration in 2007.

Mark Lankester is a strong proponent of social media for marketing, promotion and even customer care. At Tune Hotels, great emphasis is given on growing its fan base and followers on various social networking platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Sina Weibo, while its online portal www.tunehotels.com is positioned as the main user interface for guests to make and manage bookings from anywhere in the world.

Mark has been recognised within the industry for his leadership role, innovative ideas and vast marketing and business development experience, having been invited to speak at forums, seminars and conferences on the hospitality, investment, travel and tourism industries locally and abroad.

In 2013, Mark Lankester starred as an Advisor to Tony Fernandes on ‘The Apprentice Asia’, the regional adaptation of the globally renowned US reality series ‘The Apprentice’.

Experience:

- CEO, Tune Hotels Group

(September 2007 – Present)

- Managing Director/CEO, Triband Asia

(July 2004 – May 2010)

- CEO, Dragonback Media Interactive

(January 2005 – August 2007)

- Regional Director,  Warner Music Asia Pacific

(January 2003 – June 2004)

- Managing Director/CEO at Warner Music Hong Kong

and Chairman, Warner Chappell Music Publishing Asia

(November 1998 – December 2002)

- Managing Director at Warner Music Taiwan

(April 1998 – October 1998)

- Regional Marketing Director, Warner Music South East Asia

(October 1997 – October 1998)

- General Manager/Director, Warner Music Indonesia

(September 1996 – September 1997)

- General Manager/Sales & Marketing Director, Warner Music Malaysia

(February 1992 – August 1996)

Awards & Recognitions:

- Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award 2012 by the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA)

- Marketing Excellence Award 2003 by the Hong Kong Marketing Association

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Tune Hotel in KLIA2

I was very excited when I got the invite from Tune Hotels to join other International Bloggers across Asia and Australia to attend the Pyjama Party in its newly opened branch at the KLIA2 in Malaysia. I didn’t have any hesitation at all to go there despite the recent tragedy that happened to Malaysian Airlines. It was either I was too confident that I’ll get there safely or I knew I was just going to sleep inside the plane and I wouldn’t know if anything unexpected will happen.

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur via Air Asia Zest with my friend Starmometer.com, Philippines #1 Entertainment Website on May 31^st. We didn’t have a hard time looking for the hotel. It just took us a 10-minute walk via a linkbridge and a covered path to get to the hotel. There, Tune Hotels Social Media Manager Cindy Eliza Vaz and Rembulan Indira of Tune Hotels Indonesia met us and gave us a tour of the hotel and the airport. I also got the chance to meet Tune Hotel’s Marketing Manager Andrew Oon who I had previous conversation with on email about suggestions, comments and honest feedback about their hotels. I’m just glad on how they professionally handled situations and concerns. They make sure they act on it to keep customers’ loyalty and trust.

I have been to Tune Hotels in Manila for many times already so I would know right away what KLIA2 has that the franchised hotels and other branches didn’t have.

The hotel now has a spacious lobby designed to feature a better casual seating lounge with free wifi, and an expansive open-air courtyard lounge with a 24-hour restaurant and beverage center. The hotel includes a transport counter for overland transport needs and two AirAsia self-check-in kiosks and flight information displays with up-to-date information on arrivals and departures within the lobby making it so convenient and advanced. The hotel also has 167 parking bays which are located just a few steps away from the airport terminal.

Tune Hotels KLIA2 has innovatively transformed their 400 rooms into a modern-style accommodation. Every room has a sleek writing table which works perfectly for a writer like me. They also have now a luggage platform, the usual 32-inch flat screen LED TV and their 5 star quality bed and mattress which is my favorite. What I like about Tune Hotels is the way they strategically put up the hotels. Always near a train station, a shopping mall and restaurants.

My room had a nice view of the open-field. The internet connection was fast and the aircon was positioned well to not directly hit guests.

The Pyjama Party started at 6pm at the hotels courtyard lounge. 10 winners of the Tune Hotels’ #RoomerHasIt Facebook campaign were invited together with their family and friends to enjoy and join in for the celebration.

There I met International journalists and bloggers from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia and Taiwan. We enjoyed the night with cocktail, laughter and a lot of picture taking.

We went to the heart of KL the day after the event riding the Express Rail Link KLIA Express train that connects to and from Kuala Lumpur Sentral. It was so convenient for travellers like us that you wouldn’t need a tour guide.

Foodtour Malaysia was waiting for us when we arrived at Tune Hotel Downtown KL. After checking in, we had a tour in the city and tried what Malaysia had to offer. I was mistaken to be a local because I look like a Malaysian Indian too. I love it whenever foreigners approached me and asked me for direction. I even pretended I was a local and gave them the instructions.

Tune Hotels Downtown KL is just a 5 minute walk from the train station. It’s near the famous Petronas Tower and Malaysia’s Menara Tower. It’s also very accessible to the magnificent Batu Cave and Bukit Bintang which is popular for great food in Kuala Lumpur.

I have always been vocal that I love Tune Hotels. I have been recommending them to my friends and followers because I know my name and my choice wouldn’t get compromised. Whenever I’m at Tune Hotels, it feels like I’m home away from home. I always get a VIP treatment and the nicest service. If you have been following me on twitter and been reading my articles, you would know that I have always been frank and honest with my reviews and thoughts. For a budget hotel, Tune Hotels KLIA2 is the best. I’m giving them 5 stars.

I wonder how do #TuneHotels in Australia, Japan and England look like… Can they still be considered a budget hotel even if located in a First World Country? Find out soon… I’ll make a research about it! I’m sure you would all love to hear about that.. Being in an expensive country but paying less for accommodation.

P.S. I used #TuneTalk simcard and #SmartRoaming for my internet on the road.

For real-time updates and promotion alerts, follow their Facebook at www.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels. 

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com.

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Air Asia Zest

I didn't have any hesitation riding Air Asia Zest from Manila to Kuala Lumpur despite relatives giving me warning to not go to Malaysia because of what happened recently to Malaysian Airlines. But I have Blogger friends who have been flying with Air Asia and all they have are good words for the said carrier. Those words must have been enough reason to give it a try or I just knew I was only gonna sleep inside the plane for 4 hours so if anything bad happens I wouldn't know.

AirAsia Zest is a low cost carrier based in the Philippines that flies hand in hand with AIR ASIA. It has been voted as the World's Best Low Cost Carrier for 5 consecutive years at the World Online Survey by Skytrax and recently at the 2013 World Travel Awards. It serves domestic destinations to Boracay, Cebu, Macau, Shanghai and my destination Kuala Lumpur. 

AIR ASIA flies to a total of 88 destinations. They have been flying for 8 years already and has carried over 200 Million guests. The airline is proud to be a truly Asean Airline (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with established operations based in Malaysia Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines stretching across Australia, India and China.

They made it easier for passengers to check in. You can either do it through Mobile Check in, Kiosk Check In and Web Check-in which is what I did for my flight. Just make sure you do it 1 hour before your flight to avoid inconvenience. You'll depart from Terminal 4 of NAIA. In few minutes we got at the boarding area with no hassles. 

I was one of the last passengers who got inside the plane together with my friend STARMOMETER.COM, the #1 Entertainment Website in the country. Flight Attendant Ace welcomed us with a smile. All of the flight attendants were very accommodating and friendly. 

AirAsia offers inflight hot meals from Traditional Filipino Chicken Adobo to Malaysia's Favorite Nasi Lemak. If you order in advance, you'll get a 20% off from the regular price of P200 and a free water. 

We arrived in KL on time. The flight was smooth and I didn't have any problems at all. They even allowed me to pose inside the plane after everyone got off. 

Every purchase of AirAsia tickets lets you earn BIG POINTS which can be used to redeem free flights. Air Asia also made it easier for people who have no credit card. You can purchase the tickets through their payment partners; Robinsons Department Store, Cebuana Lhuillier and 7-11 stores. 

To know more about AirAsia.com check their site or follow them on www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines or www.twitter.com/AirAsiaPH

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