Bali bolthole: Christina Ong, the Singaporean hotelier behind the style-driven Metropolitan in London and Bangkok, Cocoa Island in the Maldives and Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, will open Uma Ubud in Bali, in July. Occupying a three-hectare site on the fringe of Ubud, overlooking the Tjampuhan Valley, the resort has been designed to evoke a rural home in the hills, using local woods and alang-alang thatched roofs. The 27 villas feature open-air bathrooms and a combination of garden terraces, private courtyards and infinity-edged plunge pools. In addition, guests have access to a meditation bale, reflexology area, jade green pool, four treatment rooms and an open-air pavilion with the best views of the resort for group and private yoga practice. Dedicated retreat weeks with the world's leading yoga teachers, such as America's Rodney Yee, are planned. Introductory rates from $1,131 will be available until the end of the year. Uma Ubud will be the first of Ong's Uma properties, with Uma Paro due to open in Bhutan in October (tel: [62] 361 972 448, www.uma.como.bz/ubud ). Fore of the Empire: Brunei's Empire Hotel & Country Club, which has seen the likes of Bill Clinton teeing off on its championship course, has launched a three-day/two-night golfing package priced at $2,900. Based on twin share, the deal includes: all transfers; a welcome gift of Empire golf goodies; two night's stay in a deluxe room; daily breakfast; one round of golf (18 holes) on the hotel's Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course; one round of golf (18 holes) at the Royal Brunei Golf & Country Club; buggies on both courses; complimentary use of the driving range; and a complimentary lunch at Spike Lounge. Valid until December 30. Inquiries: [673] 241 7788 or go to www.theempirehotel.com . Making a mark: Later this summer, W Hotels will open its first establishment in Asia. W Seoul Walkerhill, on the slopes of Mount Acha, has been designed by Hong Kong's RAD, and will feature four different room types: the Wonderful Room, with dramatic red, black and white decor; the Media Room, with a round rotating bed, jacuzzi and interactive art projections; the Spa Room, in soothing tones of grey, with a pool-sized bath; and the Scent Room, featuring a customised menu of aromas and an outdoor terrace. In the main areas, highlights include: the living room, with egg-shaped chairs suspended from the ceiling; a swimming pool beside a tank of large, living fish; and the 54,000sqft, three-level Away Spa, where signature treatments include the Hammam Ceremony - an ancient Turkish ritual incorporating scrubs, oils and steamed herbs - and Watsu, an underwater Shiatsu-style massage. Rack rates start at about HK$2,930 (tel: [82] 2465 2222, www.whotels.com/seoul ). Finally reaching a Plateau: After a three-month delay, the treatment-cum-guest rooms and suites at Plateau, on the 11th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, are available for overnight stays. Part of the $100 million, 80,000sqft temple to indulgence designed by architect John Morford of Park Hyatt Tokyo fame, the Japanese-style rooms feature futon beds on raised platforms, rain showers and glass-sided baths. Should you tire of the nirvana-inducing spa menu (the Vichy Shower Treatment, featuring massage under warm water jets, is particularly recommended), you can work out in the gym, sweat it out in the sauna (with floor-to-ceiling glass windows), take a dip in the heated olympic-sized pool, or sample the fresh seafood at the al fresco Grill. Until August 31, rooms are available at an introductory offer of $2,600, including breakfast and a choice of manicure, scalp massage or neck and shoulder massage (tel: 2584 7688, www.plateau.com.hk ).
