Latest news with #TheReserve
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
First look at Chester Zoo's overnight luxury safari lodges with views of giraffes and zebras
Chester Zoo's first-ever overnight safari-style lodges are almost finally ready to be unveiled after months of anticipation and almost ten years of planning. The Reserve at Chester Zoo - a spectacular safari-style lodge resort, overlooking the giraffe enclosure - will officially open its doors to guests on Monday (August 18) offering one of the UK's most unique short break experiences. Combining luxurious accommodation with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the zoo's world-renowned wildlife, the new resort is set to transform how travellers experience conservation in the UK. READ MORE: Quirky Manchester city centre ice cream spot has just been named among the UK's best READ MORE: The cultural gem sat on a backstreet at the risk of closing for good The lakeside Reserve features 51 beautifully designed lodges, some overlooking a private savannah where giraffes, zebras and blesbok antelope roam, and others nestled beside a peaceful lake. According to Chester Zoo, the new resort is set to attract an estimated 35,000 additional visitors to the North West each year, drawing nature-lovers from across the UK and addition, guests staying at The Reserve are projected to spend over £10 million annually, with all profits reinvested into the zoo's charitable conservation work - supporting critical projects in Kenya, Uganda and the UK. These include endangered species breeding programmes, global wildlife protection efforts and cutting-edge scientific research. Those behind the project say the innovative concept - where every hotel stay directly funds the protection of threatened species - will help strengthen the zoo's role as 'one of the country's most loved and most impactful conservation charities.'"The Reserve at Chester Zoo is a game-changer - not just for luxury travel but for conservation, explained Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo. "Born from our long-standing commitment to protecting African wildlife, we've created a truly immersive, safari-style experience right here in the UK, where guests may wake up to giraffes on their doorstep, enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax in beautifully designed lodges surrounded by nature. But what makes The Reserve truly unique is its purpose. 'Everything we do at Chester Zoo - now including The Reserve - supports conservation. As a not-for-profit, every single stay directly funds our groundbreaking work, here in the UK and around the world. That includes protecting black rhinos in Kenya and Rwanda, using AI to fight poaching of giant pangolins in Uganda and working with communities in Madagascar to save precious species like the golden mantella frog.'Guests at The Reserve aren't just going to enjoy a luxury break - they're going to power our conservation movement for generations to come. "This new venture will help strengthen the zoo's role as one of the country's most loved and most impactful conservation charities. We believe this is the future of travel, where unforgettable experiences and real conservation impact go hand in hand.' Scheduled to officially open next week, the lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials, while the décor is inspired by landscapes in Africa, where the zoo is working to help highly endangered species to thrive in the wild. The Reserve integrates eco-friendly design to boost UK biodiversity, including wildflower meadows, aquatic planting, swift and bat boxes, green roofs and native tree planting - targeting at least a 10% biodiversity net gain. In total, 12 of the lodges overlook the paddock where giraffes, zebra and blesbok antelope roam, while the remainder overlook the lake. Many of the rooms can be booked for couples, families and large groups and come with a number of amenities including steam showers, outdoor bathtubs and beautifully appointed balconies to relax on and enjoy the wildlife. "We've been thinking about a hotel since 2016 and we received planning permission but it was a standard rectangular hotel with 100 rooms in it and we thought that it wasn't really in keeping with what the zoo is and our values. "So, in 2018 we then travelled to South Africa and teamed up with a company there to operate a hotel with us and sketched out what you can see now and I was saying to someone that it's odd that we're in a board room in Port Elizabeth and all these years later it's here. "We were going to build it earlier but Covid got in the way, we were shut for a while and there were some financial difficulties but we were determined that when we reopened we needed it in the zoo. "The reasons for doing it are numerous. We have 37,000 animals here at Chester Zoo, 13km of footpath so to try and get around the zoo in one day as a family can be difficult and we recognise that a lot of people and travelling and staying in hotels and B&Bs in and around the area so why not just do something here. "The beauty of the hotel for guests is that they can see things that normal zoo visitors cannot, so a lot of the rooms look out over the paddock that have the animals in, and we're also doing some early morning and late-night tours of the zoo so the rangers come down and take people up to the Heart of Africa which opened earlier this year and they have the chance to see nocturnal species such as aardvarks." There's also the chance to meet conservation experts who are working on the front line of global wildlife protection - including in Kenya and Uganda where the zoo supports projects to save the eastern black rhino, nubian giraffe, giant pangolin and mountain bongo. "We've got eight giraffes in total at Chester Zoo and then two here at The Reserve are father and son, they're called Meru who is 15 and Stanley who is three, explained Caroline Wright, Assistant Giraffe Team Manager at the zoo. "When it comes to the feeding of them, we'll come to the two lodges and show guests because they have very specific dietary requirements, so we give them branches like willow which is their favourite. "If you are doing the giraffe feeds, it's with a zoo keeper so we'll be able to share information on the personalities, and even just being in the lodges means you can watch them at night, and even we don't get to see that we watch them back on the cameras. "Then there's the campfire stories is learning all about in the field conservation stories as you would if you were out and talking to the rangers around the fire. So it will be learning about the first conservationists, how we got to know so much about giraffes and that sort of thing." As part of the experience, guests can drink, dine and unwind at the new Amboseli Restaurant and the Tsavo Lounge, where they can enjoy a drink on starlit evenings on the lakeside terrace. Each evening, they can grab a cosy blanket and join Chester Zoo's expert rangers by the firepit for a sundowner or warming hot chocolate to share stories from the field. The Amboseli Restaurant is named in a nod to the region in Kenya where the zoo and its partners work to protect lion populations. Dishes span small plates, sourdough sandwiches and woodstone oven pizzas, sides and large plates. There's also sweet treats including sticky toffee pudding, poached apricots and Bakewell slices. "The price is demand led so if you want to come mid-summer or on a bank holiday it will be just like any other hotel, but at the moment for a couple, the price starts from £190 but that includes breakfast, £50 meal voucher and entry into the zoo, so if you strip that back, accommodation is about £100. "We have lots of different types of rooms depending on people's budgets so we have some very high-end rooms with their own gardens, giraffe feeding stations, steam showers, free-standing bathtubs on the balconies. "Then we have the family rooms as well that can sleep for, while some can sleep 12 as well, so lots of different ways to be inclusive and that can be booked through the website, allowing people to find the best deals for them. "In terms of the theme, it's been styled in African Savana colours, lots of greens and pastels, lot of landscaping and using plants that you would see it that part of the world, and it's a very quiet and peaceful site as well. "But we've been very careful about the decor and style, taking people away from where they are, a retreat and escape from normal life. "We already have £200,000 of bookings for next year already, people are booking into the summer of 2026. It's not just bookings from the North and North West but last week we had some from London as well. People coming up on the train, staying here for a night and then going onto North Wales." Stays for couples start from £396 (£198 per person, based on two sharing). This includes valet parking, an arrival drink, breakfast, a £50 dinner allowance and two day entry tickets to Chester Zoo (worth over £130) with extended hours entry that aren't available to general visitors and campfire stories. Stays for a family of four (two adults, two children) start from £684 (£171 per person, per night). This includes valet parking, an arrival drink, breakfast, a £100 dinner allowance and two day entry tickets to Chester Zoo (worth over £240) with extended hours that aren't available to general visitors and campfire stories. To find out more or to book your stay, visit:
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Concern over cocktail bar plan on Otley Run route
Several objections have been lodged against plans to open a new cocktail bar close to the start of a popular pub City Council has been asked to grant a premises licence for The Reserve at 96 Otley Road, approved the venue would be allowed to open until 23:00 from Monday to Thursday, midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 22:00 on claim rowdy behaviour along the Otley Run has a "profound" impact on the quality of life for residents, though the applicants say people taking part would not be allowed in. The licence application said: "We intend to establish an up-scale neighbourhood cocktail bar on the ground floor of the building, offering a refined yet welcoming atmosphere for the local community."According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the operators said they had a "wealth" of experience from working in prestigious venues including London's Savoy Hotel. A licensing sub-committee will consider the application at a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on 12 August.A report to the meeting said concerns were raised by ward councillors and eight people living near the venue, close to pubs Woodies and the Three described witnessing rowdy and intimidating weekend behaviour from participants on the Otley said: "The adverse impact on the amenity and quality of life of local residents is now profound."However, the applicant has offered a list of conditions to prevent nuisance behaviour."We will not allow anyone who is in fancy dress, part of the Otley Run or is already intoxicated as this is not the style of what we are wanting to offer, and also to prevent public nuisance," they would only be served with food and there would be no outside drinking area at the front of the Reserve Cocktail Bar Ltd has also lodged a change-of-use planning application for the premises, a former massage shop. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Malaysian Reserve
10-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Sunwing Vacations and Meliá Hotels & Resorts are drawing Canadians in with limited-time perks
From rate reductions to room upgrades and more, Canadians can get more value out of their vacations across Mexico and the Caribbean when booking this July TORONTO, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ – Sunwing Vacations' newest Partner of the Month, Meliá Hotels & Resorts is a great option for Canadians looking to embark on a value-packed summer or winter escape. Internationally renowned for their Spanish charm, the brand offers a range of comfortable and upscale properties in sought-after regions throughout paradise. With resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, guests can expect to find convenient amenities, spacious accommodations, sparkling pools, pristine beaches, an array of international cuisine and à la carte dining options, with each hotel ideally located in each destination with opportunities to take in local culture nearby. Travellers who book at participating Meliá properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic by July 31, 2025 for travel by December 20, 2026*, can enjoy a wide range of limited-time perks including resort credits and spa discounts*, reduced rates and kids stay free*, while Canadians who secure their getaways at Meliá Cuba properties during the same time period can take advantage of reduced rates, room upgrades, no single supplement fees* and first child stays free*. The following Meliá hotels are offering rate reductions on bookings made during July: Meliá Las Antillas, Meliá Las Americas, Meliá Varadero, Meliá Jardines del Rey, Meliá Trinidad Peninsula, Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Paradisus Los Cayos, Paradisus Rio de Oro and Sol Caribe Beach. Complimentary room upgrades* are also available at select resorts, including: Upgrade from Junior Suite Economy to Deluxe Room at Meliá Las Antillas Upgrade from Classic Room to Classic Golf View Room at Meliá Las Americas Upgrade from Paradisus Junior Suite to The Reserve Junior Suite at Paradisus Los Cayos For children aged three to 12, the first child free* offer applies to participating Cuba resorts including Sol Caribe Beach and Meliá Jardines del Rey. A prime perk for travellers flying solo, Meliá Varadero, Meliá Trinidad Peninsula, Paradisus Princesa del Mar and Paradisus Rio de Oro are offering no single supplement fees* in which singles are not required to pay a surcharge for staying in a double occupancy room. Additionally, vacationers looking to travel in groups of ten or more can benefit from up to $400 off per pair*, when travelling between November 1, 2025 and December 20, 2026*. Canadians looking to secure their summer escapes or to get ahead of the winter rush are encouraged to visit or contact their local travel advisor by July 31, 2025 to book. Vacationers can also enter for their chance to win a seven-night all inclusive getaway to Meliá Puerto Vallarta or Meliá Jardines del Rey by filling out the entry form on *Restrictions apply. About Sunwing Vacations As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit
Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Cision Canada
Sunwing Vacations and Meliá Hotels & Resorts are drawing Canadians in with limited-time perks Français
From rate reductions to room upgrades and more, Canadians can get more value out of their vacations across Mexico and the Caribbean when booking this July TORONTO, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Sunwing Vacations' newest Partner of the Month, Meliá Hotels & Resorts is a great option for Canadians looking to embark on a value-packed summer or winter escape. Internationally renowned for their Spanish charm, the brand offers a range of comfortable and upscale properties in sought-after regions throughout paradise. With resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, guests can expect to find convenient amenities, spacious accommodations, sparkling pools, pristine beaches, an array of international cuisine and à la carte dining options, with each hotel ideally located in each destination with opportunities to take in local culture nearby. Travellers who book at participating Meliá properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic by July 31, 2025 for travel by December 20, 2026*, can enjoy a wide range of limited-time perks including resort credits and spa discounts*, reduced rates and kids stay free*, while Canadians who secure their getaways at Meliá Cuba properties during the same time period can take advantage of reduced rates, room upgrades, no single supplement fees* and first child stays free*. Complimentary room upgrades* are also available at select resorts, including: Upgrade from Junior Suite Economy to Deluxe Room at Meliá Las Antillas Upgrade from Classic Room to Classic Golf View Room at Meliá Las Americas Upgrade from Paradisus Junior Suite to The Reserve Junior Suite at Paradisus Los Cayos For children aged three to 12, the first child free* offer applies to participating Cuba resorts including Sol Caribe Beach and Meliá Jardines del Rey. A prime perk for travellers flying solo, Meliá Varadero, Meliá Trinidad Peninsula, Paradisus Princesa del Mar and Paradisus Rio de Oro are offering no single supplement fees* in which singles are not required to pay a surcharge for staying in a double occupancy room. Additionally, vacationers looking to travel in groups of ten or more can benefit from up to $400 off per pair*, when travelling between November 1, 2025 and December 20, 2026*. Canadians looking to secure their summer escapes or to get ahead of the winter rush are encouraged to visit or contact their local travel advisor by July 31, 2025 to book. Vacationers can also enter for their chance to win a seven-night all inclusive getaway to Meliá Puerto Vallarta or Meliá Jardines del Rey by filling out the entry form on *Restrictions apply. About Sunwing Vacations As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc.
News18
11-06-2025
- Business
- News18
World's Richest People Have Hidden Rs 12,500 Crore Worth Gold In This Building
Last Updated: Singapore has increasingly earned the moniker "Geneva of the East", standing shoulder to shoulder with Switzerland as a preferred safe haven for the elite Ever wondered where the ultra-rich stash their treasure troves of gold? While most of us are content locking up our jewellery in bank lockers or home safes, the world's wealthiest individuals rely on something far more secretive, secure, and sophisticated – a facility in Singapore known simply as 'The Reserve". Tucked away near Singapore's Changi Airport, 'The Reserve" is a discreet six-story fortress that houses gold, silver, and other precious metals worth a staggering Rs 12,500 crore. This high-security building is not open to the public and operates as a private vault facility, providing top-tier safekeeping to global billionaires, investment moguls, and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs). Founded by Gregor Gregersen, the facility is managed by his company Silver Bullion, which has emerged as a trusted name in physical wealth protection. Inside, thousands of vaults and lockers are sealed within thick concrete walls, offering clients not just security, but complete discretion. In fact, from January to April 2025 alone, the demand for storing valuables at 'The Reserve" has shot up by 88%, a reflection of how geopolitical and economic instability is reshaping how the ultra-wealthy view traditional banking systems and investment instruments. Singapore has increasingly earned the moniker 'Geneva of the East", standing shoulder to shoulder with Switzerland as a preferred safe haven for the elite. With its robust legal system, political neutrality, and financial transparency, Singapore has become a global hotspot for wealth preservation. Why the shift? The answer lies in global anxiety. Trade wars, inflation fears, and banking collapses in several nations have shaken investor confidence. In countries like Lebanon, Algeria, and Egypt, where banking systems have buckled under economic pressure, many wealthy individuals now prefer storing their wealth in tangible assets, especially physical gold, rather than entrusting volatile banks or paper-based financial instruments like ETFs and mutual funds. The logistics of moving and storing gold internationally are no small feat. From transportation and insurance to high-end security, the costs are steep. That's why facilities like 'The Reserve" primarily cater to long-term investors, those who don't just see gold as a commodity, but as an anchor of financial survival in uncertain times. The vault's location also plays a critical role. With low crime rates, neutral foreign policy, and tight regulatory control, Singapore has positioned itself as an oasis of stability, a magnet for those looking to protect not just wealth, but legacy. As central banks in Asia reconsider monetary policy amid inflation concerns, Singapore's recent move to lower repo rates has only increased its appeal as a destination for asset storage and global investment. While this level of financial protection may seem like a luxury, to the world's richest, it's a strategic safeguard. As the global financial climate grows more unpredictable, secure storage of real, physical assets is no longer an indulgence; it's a necessity. First Published: June 11, 2025, 13:51 IST
