Celebrity guest

Richard H'ng (left), general manager of the Shangri-La Hotel Ningbo, poses with model Liu Wen. Liu was at the hotel for a bazaar to raise funds for a voluntary outdoor first-aid team based in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Best female chef

Chen Lanshu, chef of Le Mout Restaurant in Taiwan, was awarded as Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef for 2014. She will be honored at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on Feb 24 in Singapore.

Appointed

Richard Greaves is now general manager and area director of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.

Conservation news

The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya recently unveiled a shelter for sea turtles to recuperate before being released back to the ocean. The hotel is working in close collaboration with the nonprofit organization Sea Turtles 911, to raise awareness of environmental protection.

Special deals

Romantic getaway package

Regent Beijing is welcoming Valentine's Day with a special room package available on Feb 14 and 15. Couples can enjoy this special weekend with an exquisite Romantic Getaway Valentine's Day package at 1,988 yuan a night, including a one-night stay in premium room, a fabulous five-course set dinner at Daccapo Restaurant and buffet breakfast at Jinbao 99. 010-8522-1888.

Celebrating marriage

The Shangri-La Hotel Beijing's Valley Wing Ballroom is giving a special discount to couples who celebrate their marriage anniversaries. Discounts will be commensurate with the number of years married. For example, a couple married for 10 years will get a 10 percent discount, while a couple celebrating 40 years of marriage may get a discount of 40 percent. 010-6841-2211 ext 6888.

Straight from the heart

Hyatt on the Bund's VUE restaurant is introducing a romantic menu to celebrate Valentine's Day. The feast opens with Douglas oysters with caviar and cucumber jelly, then proceeds through black truffles, grapefruit sorbet, Black Angus beef and pan-fried John Dory, culminating in a Madagascar chocolate-lovers' cake. You may also win two round-trip air tickets to Bali and three nights at the Grand Hyatt Bali. 021-6393-1234 Ext 6328.

Love in France and Italy

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai is introducing special couples' menus at Le Bistrot and Favola on Feb 14. Go French with classic oysters, foie gras, beef tenderloin, chocolates and a bottle of Champagne. Or, enjoy an Italian seafood degustation platter and a "Together Forever" dessert box with chocolates. 021-3318-9999 Ext 7022/7001.

Spring festival promotions

Raffles Beijing Hotel has prepared Chinese set menus for guests to celebrate the Spring Festival in a relaxed and charming atmosphere. Available from 198 yuan ($32) plus from Jan 30 to Feb 8. 010-6526-3388 Ext 5171

The St. Regis Beijing is presenting a Chinese rice cake for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Rice cakes, or puddings, in the shape of fish are packed in elegant gift boxes to usher in good luck and happiness for the coming year. Available at 468 yuan per box until Jan 31.