Christmas merriment isn't reserved for countries in the global west, though Europe and North America certainly have cornered the market on gingerbread houses and chintzy decorations.

In far reaches of the world, hotels cater to a clientele of locals, expats, and tourists alike who enjoy their fair heaping of tinsel and egg nog. Today we're focusing on three Asian hotels spreading yule tide joy in spades, some sticking to tradition, some contributing their unique cultural touch to the holiday.]]> Heidi Atwal 2011-12-22T16:40:39-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/12/5/12720/0212 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/ps_sitting_with_bed_room.JPG" class="top"><p> It must be very good indeed to be <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/tom cruise"><b>Tom Cruise</b></a> (your feelings about Scientology aside.) That's because while in India promoting his latest "Mission Impossible" movie, Tom stayed at the country's newest and <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/5/17/15322/1023/hotels/The_Most_Expensive_Hotel_Built_in_India_is_Not_Too_Expensive_to_Stay_At">most expensive</a> hotel, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Leela+Palace+New+Delhi/local/4941"><b>The Leela Palace New Delhi</b></a> in the city's diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri. And of course, he wasn't sleeping in a standard room.<p>No, Cruise rested his head in the hotel's <b>Maharaja Suite</b></a> which is billed as a "palace within a palace" and has six rooms, 24-hour butler services, spa rooms, a Jacuzzi, walk-in wardrobe and a private gym. The suite is also equipped with bullet proof glass and a private elevator, making it a Mission Impossible indeed to juliana 2011-12-05T13:59:11-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/9/7/15386/96271

A lot of talk is flying around these days about a potential expansion into India (as well as London) by big-time hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, who is Indian himself. Citing the "maximum potential" and "7%-9% growth rate" of India's current economy in this article, Chatwal makes it clear he has his brand-oriented mind set on expanding his luxury hotels onto Indian turf.

But until we get shots of a construction site, we have to scratch our heads and wonder: when will this Dream become a reality?]]> ASchechter 2011-09-07T17:00:42-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/8/2/20526/02700 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/45679/LeelaCourtyard.JPG" class="top"> <p>At least three or four times a day someone asks us <i>where should I stay in Bangalore, India</i>... give or take three or four times a day. So maybe the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore">Garden City</a> doesn't make our top ten FAQ but if you ever have reason to visit the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley_of_India">Silicon Valley of India</a> and ask us that question, the answer is <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/LEELA+PALACE+KEMPINSKI+BANGALO/local/4902"><b>The Leela Palace</B></a>. <p>On a recent business trip we had the pleasure of experiencing a stay at the Leela. The lush grounds and ornate architecture of arches and domes was immediately awe inspiring. There's no need to ask whether this is the real <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=526QUiYPgt0">Leela Palace</a>. You just know if there was a real Leela, Mr Pappagiorgio 2011-08-03T12:00:56-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/