JJW News

COVID-19 Information & Response

licenciamentos@omnibees.com (Webmaster CMS ) — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 01:10:49 GMT

Keeping You Safe at Our Hotels and Resorts

The safety of staff and guests is of paramount importance to everyone at the JJW Group. To this end we have set up a COVID-19 taskforce to implement a range of new safety policies and procedures, in order to provide the safest possible surroundings for guests and our hotel family.

These policies have been based on the official local, national and international guidelines. Our taskforce has ensured that all of our new policies take these guidelines further, to deliver safety initiatives that go above and beyond industry standards – to deliver the safest environment possible.

All staff have undergone rigorous training procedures to ensure our hotels and resorts are prepared to welcome guests into safe, luxury surroundings; and our taskforce and cleaning teams are working around the clock to keep all areas of our properties safe and secure.

A lot of our guests are worried about their existing bookings, and we wanted to reassure you that we are extremely flexible with our booking dates and guests can find an alternative date within the span of a year. For more information on booking changes, please reach out to our customer service team who will be happy to assist you with applicable season prices.

Our thoughts are with those affected by the virus and those who are caring for them. We salute all the healthcare workers, local communities, and governments around the world who are tirelessly fighting along the front lines to contain this pandemic. We would also like to pay a special tribute to our exceptionally dedicated staff and the team at JJW, whose professionalism and compassion is a daily inspiration to us all.

While there is a lot of uncertainty, we will do our best to keep you up to date about new developments at our end. Towards this, we request you to please check our individual websites and social channels for the most up-to-date information on specific hotels and resorts.

Best wishes,

JJW Group

Pierre Gagnaire Interview: The Number One Chef in the World?

licenciamentos@omnibees.com (Webmaster CMS ) — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 01:02:11 GMT

Pierre Gagnaire at Hotel Balzac, Paris

“The day I will say to myself that I am at the top, I will stop cooking. You need to carry on aiming for the best, that’s your energy. For you, for the young chefs who are working with you and for the clients. The future is today, and my ambitions are still the same ones as when I started: To last...”

After spending 40 years as one of the most respected chefs in the business… people could be forgiven for thinking that Pierre Gagnaire is just being modest. But speak to him, and you know he means every word passionately. In fact, it is the constant evolution of his art that keeps him both relevant, and at the forefront of world gastronomy.

Chef Gagnaire’s long career started in St Etienne, where he began collecting the first of his Michelin Stars; winning three before relocating to Paris in 1996 and opening his eponymous Pierre Gagnaire restaurant at the luxury Hotel Balzac. In record time, this famous flagship restaurant was awarded its own three Michelin Stars… and quickly became recognised as the standard bearer for exquisite fusion cuisine the world over.

The ethos behind Pierre Gagnaire’s cuisine is passionately described as being, “Tourné vers demain mais soucieux d'hier,” (Facing tomorrow but respectful of yesterday) and it is this combination of embracing the future, whilst giving a hearty nod to the past, that delivers the innovation, passion and quality which is so closely associated with the master chef. Despite all this, Pierre Gagnaire insists on keeping everything simple and letting his cooking do the talking.

“I can’t really say that I have a vision. I work hard in order for the clients to have a real experience, and for it to be a new one each time they come, I do not have signature dishes. I also like to work with seasonal products.”

Dedication That Built a Culinary Empire

It is the complete dedication to his craft that sets Gagnaire apart. He will never be happy with his success, because there is always something new to achieve, and a new goal to strive for. In the last fifteen years, the renowned chef has seen his brand expand into an empire stretching from London to Dubai, and Las Vegas to Tokyo. Alongside the venture at Hotel Balzac, Pierre Gagnaire is the culinary brains behind: Sketch in London, Gaya in Paris, Pierre Gagnaire Pour les Airelles in Courchevel, Twist at the Manderin Oriental in Las Vegas, Pierre Gagnaire A Seoul in Seoul, Reflets in Dubai, Pierre Gagnaire - Tokyo in Tokyo, Les Menus in Moscow and Pierre in Hong Kong. After the services are done, Gagnaire likes nothing better than to put a plate of food together and reflect. This is the moment that he most enjoys.

“I love having the opportunity to eat] alone on one side of my restaurants once the clients have finished their plates and have left happy! It’s the same for artists after the show, that’s the only moment you can relax before the next day, when you have to give your best again and again.”

And it’s not just the ability to give his best time and again that brings the chef recognition. Pierre Gagnaire was one of the first members of the culinary world to embrace the idea of food as art… an outlook that enables him to carry on evolving his craft with an expert and distinctive touch (ever modest, Gagnaire has always been careful to highlight the distinction between being artistic and being an artist). However, despite all the worldwide acclaim and success his methods bring him, it’s definitely the simple – but vitally important – things that keeps his ideas fresh… and his passion alive.

“My cooking and creativity is inspired by] going to the market, talking with clients and my kitchen team, reading and also practising sport because you empty your head and come up with new ideas...”

After four decades in the business, Pierre Gagnaire has remained on the cutting edge of contemporary cuisine, and continues to draw worldwide acclaim from critics, customers and leading chefs. His dedication to the craft and the quality of his food have ensured that the tables in all of his restaurants are never empty. And, as you’d expect from a man who has somehow managed to remain down to earth and humble amidst all the acclaim, he simply attributes his success to:

“Honesty, hard work, sincerity, and a little bit of talent.”

Pierre Gagnaire at Hotel Balzac: A Flagship to be Proud Of

Gagnaire’s dishes begin with spontaneity and instinct… before being honed within his tried and trusted boundaries of careful preliminary work, practice, then perfection. The result: A genius harmony of creativity and well balanced flavours.

From creation to the final cooking process, Gagnaire expertly crafts and shapes his dishes every step of the way. It is why his three Michelin starred restaurant at the Hotel Balzac remains one of the places to dine when in Paris… and why the restaurant’s carefully prepared menu is celebrated by gourmets, chefs and food enthusiasts the world over.

Due to popular demand, early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Please call +33 1 58 36 12 50 or email concierge-balzac@jjwhotels.com to make an enquiry.

Golfing Holidays at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

licenciamentos@omnibees.com (Webmaster CMS ) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 01:41:01 GMT

Luxury Golfing Retreats in The Algarve

The Algarve offers unrivalled golfing opportunities to enthusiasts from all across the globe. The beautiful climate, picture-postcard scenery, and acres and acres of award-winning courses are just some of the reasons people flock here every year without fail. Of course, they also come for the luxury resorts, impeccable hotels and exceptional beaches. And that's where Penina Hotel & Golf Resort comes in.

Not only is it the Algarve's first five-star resort, Penina also built the country's first ever golf course, introduced the golfing holiday to the Algarve... and is still recognised today as one of the finest destinations in Portugal. And so it should be, the hotel has spent half a century honing its craft, perfecting their golf courses, and delivering one of the best luxury experience to be found anywhere in the world.

Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

Set within 360 acres of perfect grasslands and natural beauty, the Penina Hotel & Golf Resort is the original home of golf in the Algarve. With three golf courses - including the Algarve's first 18 hole Championship course, this luxury five-star Algarve hotel leads the way in high-class service, Portuguese charm and exceptional golf. Perfect for luxury Algarve golf breaks, relaxing family holidays and corporate retreats.

The hotel also offers 6 restaurants and bars, ATP standard tennis courts, the largest private outdoor pool in the Algarve, full size football pitch, sauna and a 24 hour fitness centre. It also boasts a private beach bar and restaurant on the nearby Alvor Beach.

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina

Known as one of the most challenging – and satisfying – courses in the whole of Portugal, Penina's marquee course is as unforgiving as it is beautiful. Flanked by streams, ditches and water hazards, the course is maintained to the highest standard… and boasts an extensive array of subtle slopes, elevated greens and breath taking scenery. And, as a ten-time host of the Portuguese Open, you're guaranteed one of the best rounds to be had anywhere in the country.

Resort Course at Penina

A great combination course that provides 9 holes of solid, but gentle, practice for beginners, or alternatively, 18 holes of challenging golf for the more seasoned player. Blessed with a range of well thought out holes, this course follows the principles laid down by the father of Portuguese golf, Sir Henry Cotton: the perfect course for golfers of every level and ability.

Academy Course at Penina

This delicately balanced 9-hole course has been specifically designed for the intermediate golfer, and is great for all-round, thoroughly enjoyable holiday golf. With reasonable short greens, accuracy off the tee, and manageable – but entertaining – approach shots, all players are given the chance to practice their short game with aplomb.

A Five-Star Golfing Break with Luxury Dining

Penina is the Algarve's premier golfing resort, where the finest local and international food can be enjoyed after a day of play on one of three exceptional courses. Its restaurants range in style and culinary genre, with Le Grill offering Portuguese specialities, L'arlecchino serving sophisticated Italian dishes, and Sagres bringing grand buffets and themed dinners to diners both indoors and out. Live music plays in the enticing Bar Monchique, and during summer you can enjoy the stunning Dunas Beach Restaurant , where the clear blue of the Atlantic rolls gently onto the sand as you drink and dine.

Book Golfing Holidays at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

Take advantage of Penina's latest packages and don't forget that you can include a number of extras, including tutorage at Penina Golf Academy . See all the latest offers here.