Novotel Nara Brings Modern Comfort to Japan's Historic Capital

Novotel Nara Brings Modern Comfort to Japan's Historic Capital

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 8, 2024

Novotel, a global brand under Accor, has opened its newest property, Novotel Nara, in Japan. Located along the scenic Saho River, the hotel is just minutes away from Shin-Omiya and Nara Stations, providing a peaceful base for visitors exploring the city's cultural heritage.

The hotel offers 264 guest rooms, including executive suites, blending European modernity with traditional Japanese aesthetics. This combination creates a welcoming space for both business and leisure travelers to rejuvenate while experiencing Nara’s rich history.

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Novotel Nara acts as a bridge between tourists and the local community. Its prime location allows easy access to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, offering guests both relaxation and cultural exploration. The hotel aims to connect visitors with Nara’s hidden charms and historical sites, away from the busy city atmosphere.

For dining, guests can enjoy Trattoria Ponte Nara, an all-day restaurant featuring a "slow food" philosophy. The restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes made with local ingredients from Nara, including pizzas crafted with spelt flour from Katsuragi City. Guests can dine in an open-air setting, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms in spring.

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Novotel Nara also provides several leisure spaces, such as the Social Lounge, designed for teatime and socializing. The Rooftop Terrace offers seasonal activities with stunning views of cherry blossoms in spring or the Wakakusa Yamayaki fire in winter. Modern conference facilities and banquet rooms make it an ideal venue for meetings and events.

The hotel emphasizes wellness with a fully equipped fitness center, a public bath, and a wellness lounge that includes a children’s area, ensuring guests of all ages can relax and enjoy their stay.

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As part of the Novotel Oceans Initiative, a partnership with WWF, the hotel is committed to sustainability. It aims to reduce plastic use, carbon emissions, and promote sustainable food choices. This initiative highlights Novotel Nara’s dedication to protecting the environment and contributing positively to both the local community and the planet.

Garth Simmons, Accor’s COO in Asia, commented “The opening of Novotel Nara marks a significant milestone for Accor as we continue to expand our footprint in Japan, a country with a rich heritage and a growing demand for quality accommodations. Nara, with its historical significance and cultural depth, is an ideal location for Novotel to provide an experience that combines modern comfort with a deep respect for local traditions. This opening underscores our commitment to contributing to the growth of Japan's tourism sector and offering memorable stays to travellers from around the world.”


Great World Residences Unveils New Brand Identity, Elevating Serviced Living in Singapore

Great World Residences Unveils New Brand Identity, Elevating Serviced Living in Singapore

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 27, 2025

Great World Residences, formerly known as Great World Serviced Apartments, has officially rebranded, marking a new chapter in its 25-year legacy of premium serviced living. With a refreshed brand identity, the transformation includes apartment refurbishments, upgraded facilities, and the addition of a brand-new pickleball court set to open in Q2 this year.

"Discover Your World Within Ours"

Reflecting its commitment to providing a sophisticated yet welcoming living experience, Great World Residences introduces its new tagline:
“Discover your world within ours”—a message that invites residents to seamlessly integrate their unique lifestyles into the property’s expansive and vibrant community.

Darren Cher, Senior General Manager of Great World Residences, shares:

“This brand refresh embodies our dedication to creating a home that resonates with our residents' aspirations and lifestyles. We are excited to welcome guests into this new chapter, where warmth, sophistication, and connection define everyday living.”

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Unparalleled Connectivity in the Heart of Singapore

Nestled in Singapore’s prestigious River Valley district (District 9), Great World Residences offers unparalleled convenience and connectivity:

  •  3-minute walk to Great World MRT station, providing direct access to Orchard Road and the Central Business District in under 10 minutes.
  • Adjacent to Great World shopping mall, home to supermarkets, dining, retail, and lifestyle essentials.
  • Close to Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay, renowned for their vibrant nightlife and dining scene.

Elegant Living for Every Lifestyle

Designed for business professionals, expatriates, couples, families, and even pet lovers, Great World Residences offers 304 spacious, fully-furnished apartments, ranging from 74 to 204 sqm.
Each unit features:

  • Contemporary interiors with elegant furnishings
  • Fully-equipped kitchens and living spaces
  • Family-friendly amenities including complimentary high chairs, cots, and children’s cutlery upon request

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World-Class Facilities & Services

Residents enjoy access to an impressive array of recreational and lifestyle amenities, including:

  • Swimming pool & Jacuzzi
  •  24-hour gymnasium
  •  Basketball & tennis courts
  • Steam room
  • New pickleball court (opening soon!)
  • Indoor & outdoor playgrounds for children
  • Lounge with workstations & meeting rooms

In addition, the property provides housekeeping and guest services, ensuring a seamless and comfortable stay.

Experience Premium Serviced Living

With its revitalized identity, enhanced facilities, and prime location, Great World Residences continues to redefine luxury serviced living in Singapore.

For reservations and inquiries:

Follow Great World Residences on Facebook & Instagram (@staygwr) for updates.


Purim Meets Holi During India at Jaffa Port Celebrations in Israel

Purim Meets Holi During India at Jaffa Port Celebrations in Israel

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 21, 2025

 Cultural exchange continues to play a key role in the vibrant relationship between India and Israel, as seen in the recent India at Jaffa Port—Purim-Holi Celebrations. Hosted on March 16, 2025, by the Embassy of India in Israel in collaboration with the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo, the event blended two iconic festivals—Holi, India’s festival of colours, and Purim, the joyous Jewish holiday—into a grand celebration at the historic Jaffa Port.

The event, attended by over 3,000 visitors, celebrated the enduring friendship between the two nations, offering a fusion of traditions in a lively and colourful atmosphere. Guests enjoyed classical Indian dance performances, Bollywood dance workshops, traditional Indian music, and engaging activities, bringing the vibrancy of Indian culture to Israel.

Deputy Ambassador Rajiv Bodwade remarked, “I am happy to tell you that the Embassy of India, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo, is celebrating the Indian Festival of Holi and the Jewish festival of Purim today, here in Jaffa Port. Interestingly, these two festivals fall on the same day yearly, as India and Israel traditionally follow the lunar calendar. This is just one of many examples of the cultural similarity that we share, which strengthens the unique and rich friendship between our two countries. While the rest of the world is focusing on cultural distinctiveness, India and Israel are happy to celebrate their similarities. Chag Purim Sameach and Happy Holi!”

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Kobi Yerdani, CEO of Jaffa Port, added, “Jaffa Port is proud to collaborate with the Embassy of India in Israel to celebrate the Holi and Purim festivals. Jaffa Port, which has served as a gateway to the Land of Israel throughout history, is happy to open its gates to the rich and magnificent culture of India, a country that is a true friend of Israel.”

Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India, further commented, “India and Israel share cultural and historical ties, and events like the India at Jaffa Port highlight the warmth between our people. It was a beautiful representation of our shared traditions. We welcome more Indian travellers to explore this beautiful country and experience its unique blend of history, spirituality, and modernity.”

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The Purim-Holi celebrations at Jaffa Port stand as a shining example of the growing cultural ties between India and Israel. With flourishing tourism, mutual respect, and deep-rooted connections, this event marked yet another milestone in the dynamic relationship between the two nations, paving the way for further collaborations in the future.


Heathrow Airport Power Outage Sparks Global Air Travel Disruption

Heathrow Airport Power Outage Sparks Global Air Travel Disruption

By Author

Published on March 21, 2025

London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest travel hubs in the world, has been forced to shut down following a major power outage caused by a large fire in the vicinity. The incident has brought operations to a complete standstill, severely affecting global air travel.

With Heathrow’s closure, more than 1,300 flights are grounded, potentially disrupting travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers. According to an airline analytics firm, as many as 145,000 travelers could be affected. The airport has issued warnings about significant disruptions that are likely to persist in the coming days.

Britain’s energy secretary confirmed that the fire also impacted Heathrow’s backup power system. However, he noted that it is too early to draw conclusions about the broader implications for Britain’s critical infrastructure.

imageHeathrow Airport looked empty this morning.

imageAn empty Heathrow Airport this morning.

The London Fire Brigade described the nearby blaze as a “prolonged incident,” with an increase in local disruptions expected. While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, the ongoing situation has left both residents and travelers facing uncertainty.

Experts in the aviation sector are predicting that the shutdown’s impact will ripple across the globe, potentially costing the airline industry hundreds of millions of pounds. The financial toll is expected to grow as the chaos could stretch over several days or even weeks.

An aviation analyst remarked that the aftermath of this shutdown will "undoubtedly cause chaos, not just over the weekend but well into next week," as airlines scramble to manage backlogged flights and stranded passengers.

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