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Like other International Open Tennis tournaments, this event will also hold singles and doubles matches between some of the world’s top tennis players. The full player list for this big event has already been announced which is set to give you a top class field of tennis action.
Heineken Open 2009 highlights four top-20 ranked players of the world among several other rising tennis players. These stars include both finalists from 2008 Heineken Open who will compete in the tennis tournament to defend their title. Players from the tennis Davis Cup final will also participate in this event.
The Heineken Open 2009 men’s tennis international event usually takes place every year before the Australian Open. The announced singles line-up includes Juan Martin del Potro, David Ferrer, Robin Soderling, Nicolas Almagro, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Sam Querrey, Albert Montanes and Juan Monaco along with several others. Philipp Kohlschreiber will be defending his title this year. Some of the other players in the Singles Main Draw include Igo Kunitsyn, Jose Acasuso, Victor Hanescu, Robby Ginepri, Ernests Gulbis, Marc Gicquel, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Marcel Granollers, Viktor Troicki, Eduardo Schwank and Florent Serra.
2008 Heineken Open Tennis was a big event which saw seven players rank in the top 30. 2009 will be another great event as it promises to bring professional tennis and great entertainment from ASB Tennis Centre, Parnell, Auckland. Here is a quick player profile for tennis players in this years line-up:
Juan Martin del Potro – Coming from Argentine, Juan Martin del Potro is currently ranked as World’s No. 9 tennis player. He is the first player in ATP history to win his first four career titles in as many tournaments. He is definitely one of the top contenders for this title.
David Ferrer – A Spanish professional tennis player, David Ferrer is currently ranked as world’s no. 12. He was a former World’s No. 4 and is known as a dangerous clay court player.
Robin Soderling – This 24 years old professional tennis player has won 3 career titles so far. He came 2nd in the Australian Open in 2004, and has several career records.
Nicolas Almagro – Nicolas Almagro Sanchez Rolle from Spain is another talented tennis player. He has been a former No. 11 and won several career titles.
Philipp Kohlschreiber – Coming from Germany, Philipp has won four doubles and two single titles so far in his sports career. He has achieved a highest ranking of No. 24 so far.
Sam Querrey – This American tennis player is currently ranked as 42nd in the world. He has won 1 singles title so far in his tennis career, and has defeated many tennis players in his sporting history.
Albert Montanes – This Spanish tennis player is currently ranked as world’s no. 44 and has won 1 single and 1 double career title so far.
Juan Monaco – Monaco from Argentina is another of the top contenders in the list. He has achieved World’s top 14 so far and has won several singles and doubles career titles.
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, a highly cosmopolitan centre with significant numbers of foreign ethnicities among the Anglo-Saxon majority. It is aptly called the ‘City of Sails’ as its unique location with two major harbours makes it a magnet for marine adventurers of every description. Auckland has been named as having among the best quality of life when compared with global cities.
Originally a Maori settlement, European domination began with the purchase of the city’s site by Joseph Brooks Weller. Subsequently William Hobson, the Governor of New Zealand, selected the site to be his capital, and named it after the Viceroy of India, George Eden, Earl of Auckland.
A whale and dolphin safari is a mesmerizing adventure that will be on every visitor’s list of things to do at Auckland. The specially designed vessels, often catamarans take the visitor out into the tranquil waters of the Hauraki Gulf to observe these fascinating marine mammals at close range. The sight of dolphins engaging in their playful games or a mighty whale surfacing to breathe must rank among nature’s most memorable displays. Sometimes the spectacle of whales, dolphins and seabirds feeding at the same time thrills the beholder.
The Hauraki Gulf is considered to be one of the world’s richest marine parks, with no less than 22 species of marine life inhabiting the area. Additionally the cruise takes the traveller to experience a sea view of the Auckland area and the surrounding islands. On the rare occasion of dolphins or whales not being seen on the tour, the tour agency will often provide another ticket free of charge. The tour crew are highly experienced professionals with an intimate knowledge of the area and its creatures. Often a guide will provide a commentary on the sites of biological and historical interest. Drinks and snacks may be purchased on board.
A visitor seeking an Auckland hotel need look no further than The Langham Auckland. Distinctive among Auckland hotels, the establishment offers five-star luxury and all modern facilities and amenities, a peaceful haven in the port city.
If you are interested in exotic birds and lush natural surroundings, the Whitford Bird Garden in Auckland is one of the top places in the city to visit. Home to unique birds, fish and plant life, the Garden will leave you breathless with its tropical natural setting and peaceful existence of nature. Ideal for a family outing, the Garden is one of the more popular ones in New Zealand and is known for showcasing a wide range of natural species and lush greenery.
The Whitford Bird Garden creates a beautiful setting with its lovely orchids, palms and bromeliads that are eye catching. Birds like the fantail, warbler and tui are attracted to nest in this garden as the park is home to native plants where many of these birds’ habitat.
One of the main features of this unique and beautiful garden is a free aviary flight that allows you to view exotic tropical birds. Another highlight of the garden is a large tropical fish pond that is home to different types of Amazonian fish. As you walk around, birds such as ducks, pheasants and quails, as well as turtles, wander freely around the garden.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the art gallery onsite where the owner of the Whitford Bird Garden has his native bird paintings on display. Blake Twigden, the owner, has created a perfect blend of art and nature in this spectacular garden by combining his love for Mother Nature with his in depth knowledge of outdoor life.
There are plenty of Auckland hotels where you can stay in, when visiting the beautiful city of Auckland. A preferred Auckland luxury hotel that is popular among tourists for its great service as well as central location is the Langham Hotel Auckland. This hotel offers premium and classy accommodation that makes for a relaxing haven to enjoy a good vacation.
An important landmark in New Zealand, One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is a prominent volcanic peak in Auckland. Standing at a majestic height of 182 meters, it is one of the largest volcano mounts in the city and is believed to have last erupted approximately 20,000 years ago. The name One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) translates to mean ‘mountain of the kiekie’ and is thought to be an important Maori sight. Today plenty of tourists as well as locals frequent this beautiful leisure site that is covered with lush greenery and flowers.
Unlikely to erupt again, at One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) you are still able to see the place where the Maori fortifications once stood, signified by an oval crater and other remnants. A climb to the top of the peak is worth it, as from here you can have an unprecedented view over the Auckland city and Auckland’s 2 main harbours.
A beautiful landscaped park known as Cornwall Park lies on the scoria cone of One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie). Filled with lush greenery and mature trees, it is a great place for relaxing and walking. Within the park, attractions like the Acacia Cottage which is a long standing timber structure in the country, and the Stardome Observatory which has a planetarium and 2 telescopes can be visited.
Ideal for hiking and enjoying nature, a trip to One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is highly recommended for those visiting Auckland. It will give you the rare chance to explore a volcano up close and unwind in this perfect natural haven.
Tourists looking for an Auckland luxury hotel to stay at when visiting the Auckland city can stay at the Langham Auckland hotel. This hotel is a preferred choice amid other Auckland hotels due to its excellent standards, and contemporary and elegant charm.
An experience like no other is found at Hauraki Gulf. One of the richest marine sanctuaries, the gulf is home to 22 species of dolphins and whales. Auckland’s Whale and Dolphin Safari is the ultimate chance to swim in the midst of the innocent dolphins and whales surrounded by the beauty of the breathtaking Hauraki Gulf.
Auckland’s original marine safari operator, Auckland’s Whale and Dolphin Safari has been permitted to allow visitors to be awed by the demonstrations and interaction between dolphins, whales and other fascinating marine creatures in their natural habitat. The safari operator ensures enthusiastic onlookers a sighting of these beautiful marine mammals. With 90% dolphin sightings and 75% whale sightings all year round, the sheer beauty of these captivating creatures will not disappoint visitors.
The safari that starts from the Explore NZ Kiosk, which is located at the centre of the Viaduct Basin in Auckland is a daily attraction open to everyone. The cruise includes commentary of the culture and history of the Hauriki Gulf as well as information about the dolphins and whales. Visitors are assured a comfortable and stable journey across this splendid maritime park safari that are carried out onboard the cataraman Dolphin Explorer. Apart from the Whale and Dolphin safari, visits to the exotic Waiheke Island are also available. This safari not only is insightful into the habits and beauty of these serene mammals but also a portion of the proceeds from the fares is contributed to marine mammal research and conservation.
After an eventful day exploring the maritime park, unwind at a spa in Auckland. The Chuan Spa Auckland is a spa that offers soothing treatments that reflect the ancient Maori secret for rejuvenation and relaxation.
Renowned as Volcano City with its’ central road ways and suburbs shaped by molten lava routes, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most culturally diverse town. With a growing number of Asians and a massive Polynesian community Auckland is a city lined with trendy metropolitan neighborhoods and lush properties that stretch out for miles.
Home to the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest edifice, the Sky Tower and Mount Eden, the New Zealand National Maritime Museum and picturesque Albert Park are also located in bountiful Auckland. But a trip to Auckland would be incomplete without visiting one of its true superstructures, the Vector Arena. With an impressive 12,000 spectator capacity, this monumental stadium in the heart of Auckland has hosted some of the biggest stars in the field of music, entertainment and sports. Providing varied accommodation for a myriad of events, Vector Arena is also a lyric theatre ideal for intimate musical shows with a limited number of audience members. With retractable and detachable seats the venue is perfect for any event including ice shows, sports events, ballets, orchestral performances and even business conferences.
Built at a cost of 80 million dollars, Vector Arena could be dubbed the Madison Square Garden’s of New Zealand as 200 world class acts performed at its gala opening event back in ’07.Designed with state of the art features and traditional motifs typical of the Maori Iwi, Vector Arena is the ultimate culmination of cultural heritage and modern sophistication. Opened in March ’07, Vector Arena has become a permanent fixture in the international artists’ tour route as the arena has seen over 500,000 fans attend a whopping 70 shows in the stadium’s brief history. World famous acts such as Coldplay, The Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls and Eric Clapton have graced its stage to date in addition to Carlos Santana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Andrea Bocelli and Def Leppard in a catalogue that encompasses 80 top-notch acts and events such as the WWE Raw Live Tour, Disney on Ice and the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
The Green Room lounge with its exclusive VIP features is another must-see locale as it offers a private lounge, an exclusive catering staff, Cash Bar and a gourmet menu among other facilities. The private suites at the arena accommodate a minimum of 18 persons while VIP parking spaces are also available.
For scrumptious treats and refreshments, look no further than the Bistro Arena where guests can enjoy meals with views over the city’s breathtaking skyline. There are seven food and beverage stalls in total at the venue serving everything from hotdogs to bubbly champagne.
Accessible by wheelchair, the seating arrangements in the arena have also been built to accommodate those with limited mobility. A Hearing Assistance system is also in place for those with hearing difficulties in addition to braille signs and tactile indications for those with visual disabilities. Conveniently located within close range of the city’s public transportation links such as the Britomart train/bus station and the ferry terminal downtown, the venue is also near public parking spaces while mobility parking and bus parking are available onsite.
The Langham Auckland is ideal for those who are looking for an Auckland hotel close to Auckland’s popular attractions. Comfortable and stylish this elegant rest is undoubtedly one of the nation’s premier Auckland hotels.
“Five Star Rating”, “Luxury Hotels”, “Superior Deluxe” are all terms that allow hotel guests and visitors to set expectations about the quality and variety of the services provided. Although at present, there are no global standards for rating hotel accommodations; one can still gain some insight into the quality of the service by the number of stars or diamonds displayed in travel guides. Several of the major factors that play a part in these hotel ratings center on the room itself. En suite bathrooms complete with Jacuzzis and heated floors influence the rating on many three, four and five star hotels. However, extra factors in comfort, service and convenience make the overall difference in the final classifications.
Two of Auckland’s hotels are especially notable. Not only do they each have five stars after the name, but they each have extra qualities that make the traveler’s stay there even more memorable. Langham Hotel on Symonds Street in Auckland, for example, has all the expected features of the Langham brand, but has a unique way of combining them that is distinctively New Zealand.
The Stamford Plaza in Auckland is one of 98 hotels worldwide that have received the Official Hotel Guides “Superior Deluxe” classification. The Langham is part of the Leading Hotels of the World classification system and features a luxury hotel within a luxury hotel. Personalized service and access to the business center are part of the Langham Hotel Club extra amenities.
The Langham in Auckland, New Zealand has a total of 410 rooms for guests and 15 rooms for business or entertainment functions, while the Stamford has 313 rooms, 19 suites and can provide conference rooms with catering up for up to four hundred guests.
Location
Each facility is conveniently located from the Auckland airport. Also, both hotels are convenient to other points of interest such as the waterfront, High Street, the Domain and the Auckland Museum. The Stamford is situated just above the central business district (or CBD) with only a short walk to the waterfront or America’s Cup Village. It is also near the Auckland Railway Station, Hobson Street and the Convention Center. In both cases, transportation to and from the hotels and other points of interest in and around the city is available.
Services
These two luxury hotels vie with each other and with others in the vicinity to provide services that are unique and different and that will attract more guests to reserve rooms for lodging and for entertainment or business functions. Both hotels provide the capability to obtain a baby sitter, concierge, butler, and valet and laundry services. The Langham has secretarial and business services available and a doctor and dentist on call. Twenty-four hour room service is provided in both hotels.
Room Facilities
Within the guest rooms, the most modern technology is available to visitors. This includes broadband or high-speed internet access, and wireless access in the public areas. Guests have analog, two line telephones, video, flat-screen televisions, with an in room safe and business desk in the Stamford rooms.
Hotel Facilities
In both five star hotels guests have access to swimming pools, sauna, and exercise rooms with state-of-the-art gym equipment. Golf courses, tennis courts and squash facilities are also at arms length to hotel guests. In addition, guests can take advantage of the safety deposit box facility and the foreign currency exchange service at the Langham.
Strict attention is paid to every possible need or desire of guests at these Auckland luxury hotels. Nothing is spared in terms of the guest’s convenience. Facilities accessible to handicapped individuals are readily available. Comfort, convenience and enjoyment are the first priority for guests of these world-class luxury hotels.
As with most luxury accommodations, award winning restaurants are associated with the hotels. The Langham has three bars on site, including a champagne and oyster bar and a cigar bar. The Stamford has two world-class restaurants on site and one located nearby.
Other Luxury Hotels
The Langham and the Stamford are the only five star hotels in Auckland. There are many other hotels in the city that are rated with four stars or three stars, and there are also many fine accommodations for the traveler on a tight budget. Whether the visitor to Auckland is on vacation or is on a business trip, choosing a luxury hotel will make the trip even more enjoyable, and Auckland has two of the best hotels in the world.
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