Travel Notes

Sofitel has taken over the Grand Central Plaza Hotel, Bangkok, to be renamed the Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok. New Sofitels have also recently been opened in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The 607-room Central Plaza is adjacent to the Bangkok Convention Centre and includes two executive floors and suites, a 3,500-person convention centre, shopping centre, conference facilities for up to 1,500 delegates, business centre and recreation facilities. www.sofitel.com.

The four-star Clarion Hotel, Dublin has opened in the city's financial district, 10 minutes walk to the city centre. The hotel has 146 deluxe rooms, executive rooms and one-bed suites, in-room Internet and voicemail, executive lounge, business centre and meeting rooms. www.choicehotels.com.

Mandarin Oriental is offering Summer Choices from June 1 to August 31 at all deluxe hotels, including single and double occupancy and other perks. Example rates: Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, US$99 (superior), US$279 (suite); Mandarin Oriental, Macau, HK$999 (superior), HK$2,999 (suite); Mandarin Oriental, Manila, US$129 (superior), US$199 (suite); The Oriental, Singapore, HK$1,414 (suite); Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya, US$79 (superior), US$189 (suite); The Excelsior, Hong Kong, HK$1,399 (superior), HK$2,199 (suite). www.mandarinoriental.com.