1001 Arabian Nights - in Vancouver
In what we consider an ambitious move, our friends at the Shangri-La Vancouver have launched a one-month, hotel-wide promotion to highlight and celebrate all things Middle Eastern.
Called 1001 Nights, the promotion brings authentic spa treatments from the Middle East, traditional live Arabic music, beverages and cuisine from Lebanon and a souk (market) to the lobby of the hotel.
We attended the media launch on Tuesday in the hotel's Xi Shi Lounge, and were wowed by the attention to detail given to the design of the event and the menu. The Baba Ghanoush ( بابا غنوج ) was, by far, among the best we have tasted in our travels. Two specialty cocktails are on offer all month: Sparkling Ruby, made with bubbly, raspberries, honey and cinnamon, and the 1,001 Nights Martini, a mix of vodka and brandy, with hints of apple, maple and cardamom. Our seasoned tastebuds were awakened by the Sparkling Ruby.
During the promotion period, the hotel will feature traditional Lebanese cold and hot mezze served in Xi Shi Lounge. Menu items include hummus, baba ghanoush, homemade pickles and spice-marinated olives, as well as favourites like falafel, tabboulleh salad, lamb kibbeh, and halloumi cheese. On the sweet side - baklava and Turkish delight, traditional Turkish coffee and Moroccan Tea.
The property tapped the expertise from sister properties in the region in its search for unique and authentic spa treatments.
“We wanted to create something fun and different this year to offer our guests a memorable holiday experience,” said Vito Romeo, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. “We looked to our sister properties in Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates for inspiration, and how we could bring elements from the Middle East to life in Xi Shi Lounge. 1,001 Nights speaks to the diversity of cultures within the Shangri-La family.”
Exotic indulgence can also be found in CHI, The Spa, with the Arabian Nights Journey. Enveloped with the heavenly scents of coconut and jasmine in a soothing bath to start, guests can make plans for an Arabic Coffee Scrub and an Arabian Date Body Wrap, two treatments inspired by CHI, The Spa in Abu Dhabi. The Arabic Coffee Scrub is known for its cellulite-reducing benefits, thanks to natural detoxifying ingredients such as caffeine and tannins, which assist in the removal of excess body fluids. While the Arabian Date Body Wrap nourishes skin with a blend of dates, coconut milk, almonds and vanilla, gently hydrating and enriching skin with essential vitamins and minerals. The Arabian Nights Journey starts at CAD$395.
Event planners did not have to search far for suitable artists to feature in 1001 Nights. Traditional sitar and oud players will alternate during the week, and Tarab, a Vancouver-based Middle Eastern jazz-fusion band will bring modern interpretations of Egyptian, Arabian, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern songs to the stage on Thursday evenings. Kicking things up a notch are belly dancers performing on Friday and Saturday nights.
The event runs until January 5, 2014.
