Bragging rights

They all talk about superb products and services and a host of other impressive superlatives. But every now and then the tie is broken by anecdotes of who came visiting who.

No star complex

IN most aspects, the group acted as if theywere just any other guests at JW Marriott Jakarta. But their fans, of course, didn’t see them that way. Hip hop group from LA, Black Eyed Peas, stayed at Marriot for their concert in Jakarta last November and in charge of them throughout the stay was assistant director of sales, Harry M. Suryadharma. “The group was great.They didn’t have many requests. The only special request was for a lady butler for Fergie,” he said. The rest of the band consists of William Adams, Allen Pineda and Jaime Gormez.

Icing on the cake

IN the earlier part of March InterContinental Hong Kong’s managing director, Jean-Jacques Reibel and his management team hosted a cocktail reception at the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant, NOBU for the Hong Kong Tourism Board PR Summit, with PR representatives from Hong Kong Tourism Board’s international offices in attendance. NOBU, touted to be the world’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurant, is present in the world’s trendiest cities. As expected that night in Hong Kong, the guests found the meal unforgettable. But what made that night truly memorable was the presence ofNobu Matsuhisa, acclaimed and highly influential chef proprietor of Nobu.

More power to the Olympics

THE Special Olympics debuted in Shanghai last October and it was considered to be a milestone because it was the first time this was held inAsia and China. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to Shanghai to attend the opening ceremony together with Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, Special Olympics founder and honourary chair,and a few of their family members. And they stayed at the Portman Ritz-Carlton,Shanghai.

Looking back, Ritz-Carlton’s Area Vice President and GM Rainer Burklesaid, “During our conversation about the significance of the Special Olympics movement, I was deeply struck by Gov.Schwarzenegger’s commitment to raising the profile for the underprivileged athletes. They each have the talent and passion to excel in their respective areas of sportsmanship and given his sporting background, he is determined to help as many of them realise their dreams and,in doing so, inspire others around them to succeed.”