Machu Picchu made of chocolate in Lima Marriott Hotel, Peru

The Christmas season in Lima is full of pines, lights and Santa figures. But this year, the most attractive construction is a Machu Picchu replica (more than 9 feet large) made with 160 kilos of exquisite peruvian chocolate.

Handmade by twelve persons, the work took 45 days to be done. The staff of the Marriot Hotel in Lima is proud of their work, which is now part of the main hall of the hotel until January 5th.

"Usually, we create an european town for Christmas, decorated with cookies and cotton. But Machu Picchu is now a World Wonder, so it had to be our next sculpture" said the cooking boos of the hotel, E. solis.

Chocolate temptation
The sculpture reproduces the famous inca city, with the Wayna Picchu mount in the back. The town Aguas Calientes is also present in the artwork. The Christmas crib is placed there, surrounded by llamas and typical people from the peruvian andes.

The staff commented that many tourists found it irresistible. In fact, some people take pieces of the city to eat it, and the cheffs must be quit to fix the holes.

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The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, Japan

Address: 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku - Tokyo, 100-0006, Japan.
Category: 5
Rooms: 314
Description: You will be pleased to meet Tokyo's exciting new purpose-built hotel, Peninsula Tokyo. The hotel, with breathtaking views towards the Imperial Palace Gardens, caused a buzz from its inception. Stylish and supremely opulent, it's a destination in its own right. The hotel brought a new dimension to hospitality in the Marunouchi district.

Services:
• 24-hour front desk
• Air-conditioned public areas
• Airport transportation (surcharge)
• Number of rooms: 314
• Number of floors: 24
• Audio-visual equipment
• Bar/lounge
• Beauty services
• Breakfast available (surcharge)
• Business center
• Business services
• Coffee shop or café
• Concierge desk
• Concierge services
• Conference room(s)
• Dry cleaning service
• Elevator/lift
• Fitness equipment
• Full-service health spa
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Hair salon
• Health club
• Internet access in public areas - complimentary
• Internet access in public areas - high speed
• Internet access - wireless
• Limo or Town Car service available
• Massage - treatment room(s)
• Meeting rooms (small groups)
• Parking (secure)
• Parking (surcharge)
• Parking (valet)
• Parking garage
• Porter/bellhop
• Restaurant(s) in hotel
• Room service (24 hours)
• Sauna
• Self parking
• Shopping on site
• Laundry service
• Steam room
• Swimming pool
• Wheelchair accessible

Testimonials:
"The rooms are outstanding. Every comfort you could imagine. I loved being able to see the outside temperature each morning, and how you can just tap the bedside table at night and the control panel will light up for you. Little touches like that means every detail has been thought of. The rooms were exceptionally dark and quiet at night.

The location is perfect. Across the road from Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace, with the Hibiya Line submay station below, Ginza station a 5 min walk, and Yurakucho Station also a 5 min walk (where you can access the very handy Yamanote Line). Ginza itself is a mere 5 mins away.

Highly recommended, and I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I return to Tokyo."

Web: The Peninsula

Tel: (81-3) 6270 2888
Fax: (81-3) 6270 2000

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Gora Kadan, Japan

Address: 1300 Gora Kanagaw, 14 250-0408 Japan
Category: 5
Rooms: 38
Description: It's important to mention that Gora Kadan is the best hot springs resort near Tokyo in the Hakone National Park. The Gora Kadan Hotel offers the special Kaiseki Japanese cuisine and romantic Japanese atmosphere in the Tatami rooms.

Services:
• Swimming pool
• Arcade/game room
• Number of floors: 6
• Shopping on site
• Business services
• Conference room(s)
• Elevator/lift
• Sauna
• Self parking
• Laundry service
• Spa tub

Testimonials:
"In one night at this precious hotel, you can have a taste of every Japanese art: flower arranging, tea ceremony, massage, cuisine, calligraphy, incense, architecture, their harmony of ancient art and modern lifestyle, the traditional bath, both indoor and outdoor, and a supreme hospitality. Compared to your plane ticket, the cost is a bargain. This is what you came for. You just can't do better."

Web: Gora Kadan

Tel: 0460-82-3331
Fax: 0460-82-3334

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Hiiragiya Ryokan in Kyoto, Japan

Address: Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8094, Japan
Category: 5
Rooms: 33
Description: This exquisite ryokan is as fine an example of a traditional inn as you'll find in Japan. Situated in the heart of old Kyoto, it offers the ultimate in Japanese-style living, with a very accommodating staff that's helpful in initiating foreigners unfamiliar with Japan to the joys of a ryokan.

Services:
• Japanese Style Room with Private Bath and Toilet Available
• Shared Outdoor Bath (Same Gender Only)
• Internet Connection (Computer Available)
• Free Parking

Testimonials:
"I just stayed at two nights at Hiiragiya. It is truly the best. The service is execellent. I stayed two nights at Tamahan afterwards and was spoiled by Hiiragiya. in fact, Hiiragiya was fully booked so we have no choice but to switch to Tamahan. Tamahan is no comparison and cannot be considered as a true Ryokan. Please see my review for Tamahan.

Therefore, I can suggest that if you pay a little bit more, you will not regret. I will defintely go back."

Web: Hiiragiya Ryokan

Tel: (075)221-1136
Fax: (075)221-1139

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Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, Japan

Address: 6-78 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0011 Japan
Category: 5
Rooms: 491
Description: With a stylish exterior designed in the image of Hiroshima Castle, RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima offers a wealth of modern facilities and services befitting a hotel of the twenty-first century. This new symbol of Hiroshima, an international city of peace and culture, will surely meet your every expectation.

Services:
• Indoor Pool and Gym
• Restaurant Chambord
• Chinese Restaurant Ryuho
• Buffet Restaurant Sereno
• Japanese-style Tavern Shusen
• Parking
• Hair salon
• Beauty parlor
• Medical clinic
• Massage
• Laundry

Testimonials:
"I know that this is a well-respected chain of hotels in Japan, so the service here was as good as I'd expect. The staff were courteous and nothing was too much trouble.

I must say that we had a room high up, which was a corner room - great views all round. It's close to the castle and prefectural art gallery, and very close, too, to the peace park and A-bomb dome. Trams or buses from the station stop close by, and with it being a tall building, it is easy to spot.

The food was of good quality, but a little pricey compared to other local eateries. All in all, a pleasant stay and we'd probably use it again if we had cause to be in Hiroshima in the future."

Web: Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima

Tel: +81 (0)82-502-1121
Fax: +81 (0)82-228-5415

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Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, Japan

Address: 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, 450-6002 Japan
Category: 4
Rooms: 763
Description: The hotel claims to be one of the 6 best hotels in Japan, and to be ideally located in the heart of the citycenter, easily accessible from the all-new Central Japan International Airport. Served by a wide array of transportation network, it is right above 11 floors of JR Takashimaya Dept Store and 2 floors of gourmet outlets. Their own 10 outstanding restaurants and 17 function rooms are a stand-alone state-of-the-art convention center (total of 4,200sq m)! Nagoya Marriott have the largest, luxuriously-appointed guest rooms in Nagoya, featuring complimentary high-speed internet-access and panoramic views in all its 774 regular rooms, Concierge rooms and suites. It is no wonder that this is the most popular and convenient hotel for both business and leisure visitors.

Services:

• Non-smoking rooms
• Cable/satellite TV
• VCR
• Pay movies
• DVD player
• Air conditioning
• Telephone
• Internet access - dial-up
• Refrigerator
• Minibar
• Coffee/tea maker
• Wake-up calls
• Bathtub only
• Hair dryer
• Iron/ironing board
• In-room safe
• Alarm clock
• Television
• Trouser press
• Rollaway beds
• Cribs (infant beds) available
• Wheelchair accessible

Testimonials:
"The hotel is located in the Nagoya train station. Very convenient to restaurants and shopping. Excellent service and beautiful lobby and rooms. Really very nice. I will never forget the quality of the food."

Web: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel

Tel: 81 52 584 1111
Fax: 81 52 584 1112

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