Celebrity guests

Ian Somerhalder (left), star of the US TV drama Vampire Diaries, is warmly welcomed by Robert Cousins (right), director of operations of Fairmont Peace Hotel.

Dong Hailong (right), general manager of Tang Dynasty West Market Hotel Xi'an, poses with Taiwan pop singer Aska Yang as he arrives at the hotel.

What's new

Good price

Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu in Shandong province offers discount room rates and free breakfast until Feb 10. A child under the age of 6, who is accompanied by a paying adult, can enjoy free buffet meals at its Cafe Kong restaurant. 400-120-5900

Discount package

Regent Taipei offers a cuisine and accommodation package at a discount especially for visitors from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Singapore until April 30. It also includes private butler services 24 hours a day and round-trip limousine airport transportation. 886-2252-38000

Special honors

Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport recently won the title of the "China Most Preferred Business Hotel" and its general manager Eka Ananta was named "Top 10 China Hotel Industry Outstanding General Manager 2013" at the sixth China Hotel Industry Annual Meeting. The hotel also won the "China Best Concierge Service" Internet Award 2013 by BrandWisdom and Ctrip.

Cuisine

Truffle festival

Raffles Beijing Hotel is holding a black truffle-themed food festival from Jan 2 to 29. During the event, executive sous chef Riaan Burger will present a menu of delicate French cuisine accentuated by black truffles flown in from Yunnan province. 010-6526-3388 Ext 4181

Lantern-style menu

Hotel Equatorial Shanghai is introducing the Lantern-style Valentine's Day set menu. The sumptuous seafood dinner buffet with the specially made Chinese dessert includes Alaskan hairy crab, oyster, salmon sashimi, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Free soft drinks, local beers, wines and roses are prepared for lovers. 021-6246-1688 Ext 2337

Romantic Oceans day

Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund's Oceans restaurant is introducing two enticing gourmet set menus on Valentine's Day. The menu includes seafood and meat options as well as a sweet dessert. A glass of Pommery Brut rose champagne, pre-dessert and petit fours are offered and violins, roses and candles await lovers. 021-2509-1188 Ext 7078

Family reunion

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street is offering a family reunion menu to herald the forthcoming Spring Festival at its Qi restaurant. Available are both an a la carte and a tailor designed set menu. Guests can also enjoy a dim sum lunch at the restaurant at 188 yuan per person. 010-6629-6999

Appointments

Gregor Wateler is appointed the general manager of Kerry

Hotel Pudong, Shanghai. Shi Songbai is appointed the general manager of Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan.

Pietro Padova has been appointed as the sous chef of Danieli's restaurant at The St. Regis Beijing.

(China Daily 01/04/2014 page13)