As you know if you have ever stayed with us, our luxury hotel, Asia Gardens, holds a very special relationship with the Asian continent: every corner in our hotel transports you to a different Asian place.

India is one of the most beautiful and unique spots in the world. Its unstoppable growth has, for many years now, brought about its own Hindi film industry. Their rich and diverse 200 tongues cohabiting in the same country have made cinema, and everything that surrounds it, the main national passtime for the citizens of India. The word Bollywood comes from a combination of Bombay and Hollywood, making reference to the former capital city of India and to the home of the famous American film industry. An interesting fact: North American productions are not very popular around here.

For Indian people, the film industry is a portrayal of their own lives and traditions, the characters play everyday stories that their society can identify with.

Boollywood’s favourite theme is musicals: traditional dancing and singing combined with eastern-style choreographies, accompanied by twisted dramas that end up in forbidden love and emotional plots. The storylines go from romance to loyalty, including other topics of everyday life in India.

The combination of all these factors in a movie, make this type of movie the perfect mix to get you hooked to these entertaining and far-fetched stories which the whole family can enjoy.

Another interesting fact about these movies, is that the characters generally don’t kiss on screen, an intense stare is enough to show their deep love for each other…This has a lot to do with the cultural traditions which are still deeply rooted.

Just like in Hollywood, Bollywood celebrities are all over the cover of magazines and the red carpets in India are the perfect catwalk for their love stories: everything revolves around this great star system. We couldn’t miss the mandatory annual awards to reward the industry: the Filmfare, equivalent to the American Oscar or our own Goya award, is the main event in Hindi cinema.

Currently, Hindi cinema is known internationally: Water, directed by Deepa Metha, is the fourth movie to be nominated as “best movie in a foreign language” in the Oscar.

Their celebrities go beyond Indian borders; it is not surprising to see Aishwarya Rai in the cover of Vogue or on a TV ad endorsing a brand of cosmetics popular in our country. Aishwarya is one of the most famous actresses and models in India also crowned Miss World in 1994 becoming famous worldwide.

Her recent wedding to the also Bollywood actor, Abhishek Bachchan, has everyone in a frenzy; the most important publications echo this event from the impressive Bollywwod.

From our 5-star resort, we encourage you to look up more information about this peculiar genre and we hope you have enjoyed this approach to Indian cinema as much as we do from our Asian paradise…

Thailand is the country in the world with the best quality silkand a great tradition of manual weaving silk fabric. This is one of the main souvenirs to be purchased in Thailand, highly recommended by any renowned tour guide in the country.

Today, in our blog we would like to tell you about this American man who became so famous and popular in Thailand, and what his relationship with silk consisted of: Jim Thompson.

This architect was born in 1906 and he was recluted as a CIA agent, a spy, during the II World War.

After the II World War was finished, and having spent some time in Ceilan, he moved to Thailand where he discovered the fascinating world of weaving silk fabric.

In spite of the fact that Thai people back then prefered to invest in products coming from Europe, once he quit his career as a spy, Jim Thompson wanted to focus on keeping the country’s traditions regarding weaving wonderful silkfabric.

Shortly after starting up his business, through his former American and European contacts as a spy, his fabrics started to get used in a musical call The King and I, it was then thathis business took off against all odds.

Just like us at the Asia Gardens, Jim Thompson decided to focus on the needs of his customers, paying attention to every Little detail. He is a role model for us and that is why we do our best to pay attention to every detail which will make your stay in our luxury resort in Alicante, perfect, as perfect as the quality of his colourful silk Thai. If you have already visited us, you must know that those details are the ones that will turn your stay in our hotel into a unique experience.

Thanks to his visión as an entrepeneur, this famous “farang” (foreigner) knew not only how to get the most spectacular combinations of colours in his silk, but he also managed to employ a significant part of the most disadvantaged population in Thailand, hence why he is so well known and loved.

But the most mysterious part of the story of this interesting character in Thailand’s most recent history, is that he went for a walk in Malaysia in 1967 and he never came back…

Nowadays, his business continues to be one of the main sources of income in the country, and that is why, from our blog in Asia Gardens, we wanted to share this colourful and mysterious story… the colours of Jim Thompson’s silk fabric.While you organize a visit to his shops in Thailand, we would like to welcome you to our luxury hotel in the Mediterranean, come and get away from everything for a few days…

The world of Bonsais has always appealed to us: the art of growing plants and trees pruning them and creating true beauties of nature to scale.

This is such an interesting and fascinating art, that when arranging the gardens of the Barceló Asia Gardens we decided to give one of them a leading role: the Asia Gardens Bonsai.

This hundred-year-old specimen, located at the entrance of our magnificent gardens, was specifically brought from Japan. In our 5-star hotel, we decided that in order to provide it with better care it was necessary to have a specificcompany taking care of its needs, solely and exclusively.

However, when we mention our Giant Bonsai we do it from the European perspective of our tree. We should really refer to the “Ueki no Te Ire”, extremely beautiful trees, which are, as well as our Bonsais, handled and cared for by pruning methods trying to mirror the shapes of trees that can be found far away in the mountains of Japan. These “Giant Bonsais” can be mainly seen on the edges of summits and ravines, and are true living works of art. Isn’t this an extraordinary fact? The Japanese art of Giant Bonsais

Asian luxury at its highest… as you can see, we don’t lie when it comes to expressing how much we look after each and every detail.

Bonsai, is a Japanese word which means BON (Tray) + SAI (Nature)…meaning the art of growing trees and plants to scale; there are several types and different shapes.

However, this 2000-year-old art is originally from China and it represented ETERNITY. Our Giant Bonsai Asia Gardens will welcome you into our gardens, where you will be able to, and you will want to, lose yourself eternally.

It’s no wonder that growing bonsais used to be a task exclusively for the higher classes: only those who were able to keep their tree inside a pot were worthy of eternal life.

The most peculiar thing is that the aim was also to arrange the tree in a way in which it would remind us of those found at the top of mountains, showing different shapes due to the treacherous conditions they’re exposed to: wind, rain, cold, dry-land…..

You may be surprised to hear that in our country there are even those called “bonsai crêches” for extreme bonsai owners.

In our luxury resort in Alicante, our Giant Bonsai will help you, without a doubt, to reach eternal life…a life of rest and balance.  We look forward to seeing you.

Many of you have probably heard of Feng Shui, which consists of improving the general aspects of life making good use of aesthetics.

When applied to the interior design of our homes, in this case the design of the Barceló Asia Gardens, it’s essential that there’s uniformity when decorating, providing large quantities of balance, turning our homes into a pleasant and cosy place where we find our “shelter” and feel good.

One of the ornamental symbols of Feng Shui is the elephant, and of course at the Asia Gardens we have our own, also with its own story that comes from way back.

The elephant, located at the entrance of our gardens, used to be owned by more than twenty generations of an Indian family part of the Chatria caste, a caste of kings, queens and governing figures. This family governed for years the districts of Sikkim, one of the smallest states of the country, very close to the Himalaya. The family lost part of its power and its wealth towards the end of the last century, and they were forced to give away some of their land and jewels, among them, the elephant that nowadays welcomes you at the entrance of our gardens.

The image of the elephant, the largest living animal, and one of the strongest and most intelligent ones, holds a very particular symbolic meaning: protection, good luck, wisdom and fertility which are the concepts represented by this majestic figure.

But the part of the elephant of highest significance is its trunk, the trunk they use to drink, eat and defend themselves with…It can be represented twisted with the trunks of other elephants, which symbolises eternal friendship, but it must always look upwards as a sign of good luck: an upwards trunk will help spread positive energy at home, and in this case, also in our gardens.

As well as good luck, we hope that our elephant Sikkim brings you protection during your stay in our luxury resort at the shores of the Mediterranean, showing you respect and humbleness. In order to make the most out of the protection offered by this majestic figure, and in order to apply a sample of Feng Shui philosophy in your homes, you must always place your elephant at the main entrance, or in our case, at the entrance of our gardens.

When you come to visit us, don’t forget that at the Asia Gardens every last detail has been taken care of….and, our elephant shall bring as much luck to you and protection as you may need.

As always…we look forward to seeing you at our luxury hotel in the Mediterranean Sea.

As you already know, the Barceló Asia Gardens has been awarded Best Spa Luxury Hotel in Europe, Conde Nast. Our Thai Spa provides a unique experience to help visitors reach not only balance but also physical and emotional wellbeing. The most commonly used term nowadays when we talk about the benefits of any Spa is WELLNESS. But WELLNESS is not a new word…..

Already in 1950, Doctor Halbert L. Dunn used to use the phrase “high level wellness”; he was the father of alternative medicine and he was considered the “creator of the wellness movement”. Dunn wrote a book which, although at the time did not cause much of a stir, years later became the main read for people who stood by that new way of practising medicine. In this approach, the idea is for body and mind to reach a life of success: a more general and broad vision of wellbeing, not only taking care of the physical aspect but also the emotional balance. The idea is to reach full balance.

The first “wellness centre” was founded in 1975 by John Travis in California: the Wellness Resource Center. Fortunately, you won’t have to travel that far… in our luxury resort, on the shores of the Mediterranean, we have all you need to help you reach that perfect balance that will help you achieve the balance of your body and mind: our Thai Spa.

All our masseuses are trained in the Templo Wat Po de Bangkok and their mission is none but to bring back our physical bio-balance and release all tension from body and mind….

The term Wellness is also often described as “the conscious and constant way to live life to the fullest”….. that is the reason why you won’t be able to refuse any of the treatments we offer in our Thai Spa. Make the most of your stay in our five-star hotel and get back what daily routine takes away from your body and mind.

All treatment booths of our Spa are inspired by traditional-style facilities found in Malaysia: outdoors in nature…always surrounded by vegetation. The beds and tatamis on the ground are double, to help you share, if you wish to do so, this unique experience. Choose between our traditional Thai massage, Nuad Thai, or the aromatic Bali massage, among other services offered by us in our Thai Spa. As a matter of interest, although this won’t surprise those of you who have visited the country of the Nuad Thai, Thailand, all treatments start by your feet…

In the Asia Gardens we won’t only look after you physically by offering you a wide range of services, massage treatments and daily activities. In addition, we will also look after your diet, which is an essential part of your wellbeing, in any of our 7 restaurants, Wellness is based on a balanced and complete diet. Our cuisine will provide you with everything your body and mind might need in order to reach that sought-after balance.

We would not want to forget another essential feature when you come to visit us: your wellbeing and your rest… so after you come to see us and you enjoy our Thai Spa and the cuisine of our restaurants, we shall offer you our magnificent rooms where you can rest for as long as you wish…

It is plain to see that we can offer you all that is necessary, and even more, to help you achieve happiness and health at the luxury resort in Alicante.

Come in search of your wellbeing to the Asia Gardens, we look forward to seeing you….

How often have we been amazed when admiring these interesting paper figures?…..

Today, we would like to tell you about the origin of this very meticulous and complicated art which at first glance seems difficult to make as well as a wonderful way of bringing us closer to Eastern craft cultures: ORIGAMI. This activity shall entertain the little ones as well as us.

ORIGAMI is a Japanese form of art which consists of folding a piece of paper repeatedly creating different shapes. Although in Spain we know it as papiroflexia there is no doubt that something as meticulous as this had to have its origins in a country like Japan.

If we were to ask about ORIGAMI in Japan, they would describe it to us as a type of educational art used by people to develop their artistic and intellectual skills….The word comes from “ORU” which means to fold and “KAMI” meaning paper.

The best way to understand how meticulous one has to be in order to be able to create these paper shapes, generally animal shapes, is to go ahead and do it! That is why at the Barceló Asia Gardens we would like to encourage you to follow these instructions and try something new: ORIGAMI.

http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjPDmVf6KJw&feature=youtu.be

If yours does not resemble a butterfly, do not despair, it is normal not to get it right at the start, but as we said before this is not a simple type of art, it requires a lot of precision and especially patience.

We hope you have enjoyed today’s post, and, as usual, we look forward to seeing you at the Asia Gardens hotel.

From our luxury Hotel, Asia Gardens and Thai Spa, we would like to wish you a very happy start to the traditional Chinese New Year and tell you about some interesting customs regarding this thousand-year-old tradition.

Like every year, around this time, the most important Chinese festivity takes place.The Chinese New Year started as a festivity to celebrate the end of the winter and mark the beginning of spring that is why in China it is also called Spring Festival.

China is one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, throughout its 5,000 years of history its traditions have been consolidated in time and they continue to be celebrated to date. In China, they use a lunisolar calendar to indicate the time of the year, according to this calendar we are currently in the year 4,710. In the west, years are worked out based on the phases of the sun and the moon. Due to this, the festivity does not take place on a specific date, as these cycles are irregular, and that is why the new moon marks the start of the month.

The celebrations commence with the first new moon of the year, the first day of the first lunar month. Fifteen days later, during the first full moon, the festivity ends with the Lantern Festival, lighting up the night using thousands of lanterns hanging off homes and businesses. Chinese Lanterns are traditionally made out of silk, although the most common type are red balloons. This festival organises the stage for the Lion Dance, the Dragon Parade and fireworks.

Celebrating the New Year this way is not exclusive to China, other Asian countries like Korea, Japan and Vietnam have taken on board this thousand-year-old tradition. This festival takes places wherever there is a Chinese community, and one of the largest ones is in Chinatown in New York, where this festivity is spectacular and highly expected by the Chinese community and by all New Yorkers, even the Empire State Building lights up to commemorate this festival.

The arrangements for the Chinese New Year start a month before the New Year. There are several traditions that Chinese people follow strictly, one of them is spring cleaning their house in order to get rid of bad luck that may have built up during the year. Also, after the New Year has arrived they do not sweep as according to the superstition that would push away the newly acquired good luck. They also prepare food gradually as another Chinese superstition says that all knives must be put away at the beginning of the year as this takes care of unfinished business.

The main entrances to houses and rooms are filled with red flags and emblems with good luck messages on them for the New Year. The colour red symbolizes vitality and happiness and it is also the colour of good luck. The streets of the city get covered with red lanterns and emblemss to scare away bad spirits.

In Chinese culture every year has a special meaning and it is associated to an animal in the Chinese horoscope. This year is the year of the snake, a sacred animal with positive attributes and a symbol of good luck. The snake is also associated to wisdom and is considered a symbol of protection, in India it is represented by god Shiva.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we have already taken care of all superstitions in order to be surrounded by good luck in our 5-star resort…

Why not start the Chinese New Year at our Asia Gardens Hotel…?

We look forward to seeing you…

Among many curiosities, Japan is known for having demanding local buyers.

11% of worldwide sales of luxury goods are made in Japan and the country is known as having the highest number of luxury brands. As a matter of fact, Japan is the main market for brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Salvatore Ferragamo…. It comes as no surprise that the biggest Chanel shop is located in the district of Ginza.

Japanese buyers are very demanding when it comes to image and many luxury brands decide to establish first in Japan before doing so in other countries, which means they have to make a great effort in order to obtain good results due to the demanding nature of these clients. Japanese buyers are so exquisite that many of the luxury brands create special editions of some of their exclusive products for the country of the rising sun.

Bulgari, for example, created a limited edition of the Assioma mens’ watch as well as a pink gold ring for women.

Burberry has also tried to satisfy the taste of the Japanese consumer to such a degree that they have created two parallel brands to the main one: Burberry Black Label (men and women) and Burberry Blue Label (younger women’s line).

But it has not only been these two brands which have created special editions for Japan: Gucci has also regularly done exclusive editions with special jewels and bags.

At the Asia Gardens Hotel we are taking these luxury brands as examples and we are customizing the stay of each of our guests. All you need to do is visit our little corner of Asia at the Mediterranean Sea and you´ll get to experience what is known as Asian Luxury.