Based on millions of reviews and opinions fromTripAdvisor travellers, the 2013 Traveller's Awards were announced last week to include Diamonds and Sandies Resorts among the Top Hotels in the Maldives, Kenya and Zanzibar in the following categories

Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Maldives   

- Diamonds Athuruga Beach & Water Villas

Top 25 Hotels in Tanzania

- Diamonds La Gemma dell' Est    

- Diamonds Dream of Zanzibar

- Sandies Neptune Pwani Beach          

- Sandies Mapenzi Beach

Top 15 Luxury Hotels in Tanzania   

- Diamonds La Gemma dell' Est    

- Diamonds Dream of Zanzibar

- Sandies Neptune Pwani Beach

Top 25 Hotels for Service in Tanzania   

- Diamonds La Gemma dell' Est

Top 15 Luxury Hotels  in Kenya

- Diamonds Dream of Africa              

- Diamonds Malindi Beach

Top 15 Small Hotels in Kenya

- Diamonds Dream of Africa              

- Diamonds Malindi Beach

Top 25 Hotels for Service in Kenya

- Diamonds Dream of Africa              

- Diamonds Malindi Beach

Please visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice for more information

Diamonds Thudufushi Beach & Water Villa receives the World Travel Award for

Maldives Leading Lifestyle Resort 2012

Diamonds Dream of Africa receives the World Travel Award for

Africa's Leading Beach Hotel 2012

Diamonds La Gemma dell' Est receives the World Travel Award for

Africa's Leading Beach Resort 2012

World Travel Awards is renowned as the most comprehensive, the biggest and the most prestigious awards program in the travel industry worldwide.

Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry, today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Every year 800.000 individual votes are casted by travel professionals and consumers in more than 170 countries and WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

This year, the Grand Final will be hosted in Asia for the first time, taking place in New Delhi on 12th December 2012.

For more informations please visit http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2012-4

The 2012 Villegiature Awards were remitted in Paris last November 5th, 2012
 at L' Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe Paris 
in the distinguished presence of Madame Begum Taj, Ambassador of Tanzania, Madame Sophie Thévenoux, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco and Monsieur Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Ambassador of Switzerland, as well as many other diplomats, interior designers such as Inda Mahdavi or 
Pierre Yves Rochon, hotels investors and owners, and of course many journalists.

The Prix was presented by the Ambassador of Tanzania, Madame Begum Taj to the Marketing Manager of Planhotel Group, Mr Stefano Soro.

The Villegiature Awards created in 2003 gather a voting Jury composed of 21 international press correspondents and journalists 
from very famous medias covering all over the world. 
They reward the best of the best hotels in Europe, in Asia and in Africa.

For more informations and pictures of the even please visit: http://www.prix-villegiature.com/index_vuk.htm

Planhotel Group is proud to announce the membership of the Exploreans Mara Rianta Camp with Ecotourism Kenya.

Ecotourism Kenya is a civil society organization that was founded in 1996 to promote ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices in Kenya. Founded with enormous industry support, the society was charged with the responsibility of providing the required support for the development of ecotourism and sustainable tourism in the country. This entails encouraging the adoption of best practices in the use of tourism resources, working with local communities and managing wastes and emissions.

Today, the society continues to pursue the vision of making Kenya’s tourism sustainable, in terms of concern for the environment and the welfare of local populations. As a membership organization, Ecotourism Kenya brings together individuals, community based organizations (CBOs) and corporate organizations in a forum where they can discuss the concept of ecotourism and use this knowledge to improve practices in their respective fields.

Ecotourism Kenya Official Website: www.ecotourismkenya.org

Snuggled on the entrance to the world famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies the new Exploreans Ngorongoro Safari Lodge. This elegant safari lodge will open officially the 15th January 2012.

Real hospitality fused with traditional wood log type lodge architecture and elegant European and African furniture and décor welcomes you in splendid style, surrounded by the natural magnificence of the highlands of Tanzania and the world heritage site namely the Ngorongoro Crater.

Activities from the camp include, game drives to the Ngorongro Crater, excursions to the Masai Market, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge and coffee farms as well as guided natural walks.

The legendary annual wildebeest and zebra migration starts in December when 1.7 million ungulates move south into the Ngorongoro area then heading north towards the Masai Mara in June.

This all inclusive property features 20 luxurious suites in individual cottages with open fire places in the bed and living room, spacious bathrooms with solar heated water, butlers with room service and large private viewing terraces.

The Camp has a welcoming Reception, wireless Internet facilities, a comfortable fire place lounge, cocktail and wine bar, formal dining room, wedding facilities, home theatre, Mvua African Rain Spa and swimming pool.

Exploreans staff at the Camp have genuine passion for hospitality making your whole stay relaxing and unforgettable feeling constantly looked after at the highest level.

Planhotel Group is pleased to announce the affiliation of Exploreans Mara Rianta Camp with Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

The perfect base for your exclusive Safari adventure is the Exploreans Mara Rianta Camp, nestled in the heart of the North Conservancy in the Masai Mara Reserve just a few minutes drive from several airstrips which are serviced with daily flights.

The luxury tented accommodation and all buildings are directly overlooking the Mara River which winds itself around the camp with gently flowing waters surrounded with wild life and teeming with large groups of hippos. The lodge is immersed in the original bush among indigenous plantations and trees.

Overlooking the pool and the Mara river the main building and tented terrace has a welcoming reception area and lounge, a library, wireless internet access, a comfortable bar and cocktail lounge and a typical safari style decorated restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can enjoy a relaxing and invigorating treatment or massage at the Mvua African Rain Spa while being captivated by the unspoilt atmosphere of the African bush and the soothing sound of the Mara river or by gazing up at the stars after a wonderful day of unmatched safari and wildlife experience.

Mara North Conservancy is a beautiful private wilderness area of more than 30,000 hectares. It is a vital part of the Masai Mara ecosystem as it forms the north-western zone, bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve in the south of Kenya. Professional wildlife and tourism management ensures guests of a truly exclusive and private safari experience with a very low vehicle density.

The Masai Mara is famous for its unique concentration of wildlife, birds, rich vegetation and open savannah. It has been classified among the “Seven Wonders of the World” due to the extraordinary annual migration ( July - November) when over 1.3 million wildebeest and zebras cross from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of greener pastures. Less famous, yet very impressive, is the Loita Hills migration, where thousands of local wildebeest come to the Mara North Conservancy (December to May).

Mara North Conservancy is a not-for-profit company established in January 2009. The conservancy is a partnership between eleven member camps and over 800 Maasai landowners. The aim is to create a best practice, world-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, and local communities. To form the conservancy Mara North leased land from individual Maasai landowners. This marks the first time that these Maasai landowners have received substantial and direct income from wildlife. Together, MNC and the Maasai community are implementing sound land management policies including, controlled grazing, holistic management practices, low volume and low impact tourism, and community land-use plans.

The Spherique Indian Ocean Art Project opens in Zanzibar.

23rd July - 23rd September: an exhibition by artists from 6 different countries.

Lugano, 5th July 2011 – The exhibition of artists from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Maldives and Sri Lanka officially opens to the public on 23rd July at the Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est resort. This unique event marks the launch of the Spherique Indian Ocean Art Project, an ambitious initiative that plans to involve all 26 countries from around the Indian Ocean by 2015 and organise travelling exhibitions which will culminate in a final event in Malé, in the Republic of Maldives.

The project is the brainchild of Carlo Cipolini, a Swiss entrepreneur who fell in love with the stunning landscapes and fascinating cultures that illuminate these countries. As a connoisseur of the local art Carlo Cipolini was inspired to pioneer a project that could showcase the talent of artists from this part of the world and create a new art movement featuring a melting pot of different ideas, styles, concepts and cultures. The Spherique Indian Ocean Art Project focuses on promoting every form of artistic expression, from painting to design, to illustrate the local artists’ originality and virtuosity.

The aim is to offer artists from around the Indian Ocean a chance to meet each other, exchange ideas and compare experiences, while also benefiting from an important commercial opportunity. The exhibitions will be held in some these countries’ most beautiful venues and will attract visitors from all over the world.

A large event is planned afterwards to celebrate the project’s work and will be attended by people from the political, cultural and social worlds of all the countries involved.

The exhibition in Zanzibar was preceded by one in Malindi, Kenya, in January and is open to the public until 23rd September 2011.

Enclosed: exhibition invitation, project presentation brochure

For further information and contacts visit www.spherique.org

Planhotel Group is pleased to announce the affiliation of Diamonds Star of the East with Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Diamonds Star of the East joins our properties in Kenya, Diamonds Dream of Africa and in Italy, Petit Palais, in the exclusive world of Small Luxury Hotels of the World which include some of the world’s finest small luxury hotels. Only hotels with the highest standards are selected and given this exceptional opportunity. 

The distinctive features of Diamonds Star of the East are truly unique on the island of Zanzibar; The resort is a lavish private hideaway of eleven exclusive villas entirely decorated in a contemporary African style with its own plunge pool, private terrace and a large tropical garden overlooking the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean with stunning views on Zanzibar's famous sunset. Each guest is taken care of by a personal butler and can enjoy their day at the resort's private beach surrounded by tranquility and beautiful settings for a relaxing and truly magical holiday. 

You can now book your holiday through our website and soon from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World website, we look forward to welcoming you to Diamonds Star of the East.

Diamonds Dream of Africa, Diamonds Malindi beach, Sandies Tropical beach and Sandies Coconut beach are proud to host, from December 2010 to April 2011, the exclusive Spherique Indian Ocean Art exhibition.  

With this show, art lovers will have the chance to admire paintings created by some of the most talented artists from Kenya, Sudan and Uganda such as Joseph Cartoon, Peter Elungat, Erick Shitawa, Sebastian Kiarie, Salah Ammar, Yassir Ali, Chares Kamya and Mary Ogembo. 

Spherique art gallery makes this exhibition the first of many recurrent shows to expand the art works of the Indian Ocean.

A very special thank you to The Little Art Gallery, who, with their continued effort and savoir-faire, made this an unforgettable exhibition. 

We are honored to announce the celebration of the 20 years anniversary of the opening of Planhotel Athuruga & Thudufushi Island Resorts in the Maldives and the official inauguration of Diamonds Athurga’s brand new water villas attended by His Excellency Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Republic of the Maldives, on December 19th 2010.

His Excellency was accompanied by the Attorney General Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr. Mariyam Zulfa and Chairperson MDP Uza. Maruya Ahmed Didi MP, upon arrival on Athuruga Island, they were warmly greeted by Planhotel President Ms. Sara Rosso together with other directors. 

President Nasheed officially inaugurated the resort by cutting the ribbon on the front walkway and unveiled the commemorative plaque of this special event, he later toured the island and its 25 water villas and 46 beach villas portraying them as “extremely beautiful”, “I am very impressed by it. Therefore, I congratulate the architect who came up with the idea and with the picture” he added.

The Water Villas are designed by renown Italian Architect Mr. Ettore Mocchetti who, as described by Ms. Sara Rosso “ has set a new milestone revolutionizing the over water villa concept with his genius and flair using space and color with particular emphasis on the spacious terrace giving a sensation of being directly suspended over water”  calling it  “The unique white experience”.

The Celebration was concluded by a beautiful evening Gala dinner on the beach and an exquisite international buffet, accompanied by live entertainment. Towards the end of the dinner, 250 lanterns where launched in the starlit sky to mark this important occasion.

The much awaited re opening of the Exploreans Mara Rianta camp has been confirmed for May 2011.

This exceptional lodge site has been undergoing some serious upgrading and will boast 20 wonderful new luxurious tents. The design will retain the classical safari atmosphere and every attention to detail for the guests comfort has been taken into consideration whilst maintaining minimal impact on the environment.

However the development of the camp has not been without its memorable moments when a pride of lions decided to chill out on the lounge decking area under construction suspending all works for the whole morning.

The camp itself is located on more than a perfect spot along the river in the Northern Mara Conservation area it is certainly set to be yet another beautiful addition to the Masai Mara`s wide range of stunning lodges and camps.