What’s New

“Bringing you the finest places around the world is what we love to do here at Upscale Living magazine. In keeping with this tradition, we are focusing on introducing you to new kids on the block or accommodation establishments with a re-looked lease on life. Grab your travel diary as you want to get to these places as soon as possible!”

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

CASA DI LANGA

PIEDMONT, ITALY

Casa Di Langa, a new sustainable luxury hotel will open in Spring 2021 in the heart of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Overlooking more than a hundred acres of working vineyards and rolling hills, the 39-room 5-star hotel combines traditional Piedmontese design with sustainable practices thoughtfully threaded throughout the guest experience.

Ingrained in every aspect of Casa di Langa is a deep respect for the natural world and its sustainable future. From a commitment to carbon neutrality to the use of 100% recycled water for irrigation, thermodynamic heating throughout, zero single-use plastic, PV cells and solar panels, the Casa di Langa staff is dedicated to creating a luxurious experience that cares for both their guests and the environment.

This deep passion for sustainable practices can be seen in every aspect of the design, construction and operation of the resort. “From our first visit to Piedmont, my wife and I were struck by the grandeur of the landscape, the unforgettable food and wine, and, most of all, the generosity of the people,” shares Kyle Krause, Chairman and CEO of the Krause Group.

He adds, “For Casa di Langa, our goal has always been to create an eco-friendly space that reflects that warm spirit of the region in a way that is both elegant and accessible. With this hotel, I’m proud to have the opportunity to share the Piedmont we love so much with our friends and guests from all over the world.”

Casa di Langa is inspired by traditional regional architecture and surrounded by Piedmont’s breathtaking views. The two Milan-based design teams GaS Studio overseeing the architecture and Parisotto + Formenton Architetti (P+F) heading up the interior design, bring extensive experience in luxury residential, designer retail and high level hospitality projects.

The design duo have created a property with refined Italian simplicity where the soft, muted colors of Casa di Langa’s natural environment are reflected in the property’s rich textiles and locally sourced materials.

Using a sustainable approach to architecture and design, they draw inspiration from the hazelnut orchard, vegetable garden and the views of the vineyards to integrate these natural elements in their design.

Installed throughout the property and grounds, the collection at Casa di Langa is an engaging selection of world-class fine art highlighting notable Italian and American artists.

https://www.casadilanga.com/

LITTLE KULALA SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA

As a firm favorite of both Wilderness Safaris guests and travel partners alike, Little Kulala is situated in one of the best locations in the exclusive 27 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the only lodge in a private reserve with direct access to Sossusvlei’s magnificent red dunes. “It is this location, combined with the camp’s notable architecture and elegant accommodation, that our guests have come to love”, notes Alexandra Margull, Wilderness Safaris Namibia MD.

“The new camp has a clean, modern and fresh twist, with even more space and comfort from which to explore its starkly beautiful surrounds. Little Kulala is all about celebrating the Namib, the oldest desert in the world, and not only bringing it alive, but showcasing its importance for our planet. Many of the camp’s new features focus on illustrating the natural beauty the desert, not only reinterpreting the desert experience, but telling the remarkable story of a desert habitat restored. The rebuild focused on embracing the overall purpose of the area, with interiors reflecting the environment, in colors, textures and composition. It also gave us the opportunity to adapt and enhance the guest experience to celebrate the Namib’s geology, wildlife, natural beauty, space, amazing night skies, and other special features”, she adds.

While maintaining the same light footprint, Little Kulala features an all-new 100% solar energy system. Its 11 desert suites have been expanded to offer better airflow, featuring a spacious deck, sala and plunge pool. Each room’s private rooftop area can now be utilized for sundowners, “African tapas” and other rooftop dinners, or stargazing. The room’s shaded sala has a roll-out bed for siestas during the day or for sleep-outs under the stars.

New walkways make it easier for guests to move between their rooms and the main area, built as close to the ground as possible without intruding on the dune environment. The cozy outdoor fire pit in front of camp is the perfect storytelling platform, with guides on standby to lead engaging conversations about the area’s geology and rehabilitation successes, and the classic sunken wine cellar offers a private dining option for those who desire a more intimate affair. The upstairs lounge area, complete with a photo hub and other interesting objects, offers a relaxing area for guests to learn more about the Namib Sand Sea and other interesting facts about its fascinating geology, fauna and flora.

www.wilderness-safaris.com

HENRY’S TOWNHOUSE

MARYLEBONE, LONDON

A charming and sophisticated property has opened its doors in Marylebone. Henry’s Townhouse, Henry Austen’s former home is a new high-end, curious and charming 7-bedroom hotel, or exclusive use property, just minutes from Hyde Park and was once owned by Jane Austen’s brother Henry.

It is widely thought that Jane’s visits to Henry in London were of great value, for it was through his support that her work was published. Henry’s has been a design collaboration between owners Jane and Steven Collins and the award-winning Russel Sage Studio, assisted Feix&Merlin Architects. This has culminated in an intelligent and glamorous re-imaging of the Regency period, taking inspiration from Henry and Eliza’s reported life at the house and as part of wider London society.

The building itself comprises seven elegant and elaborately designed bedrooms, each with its own unique narrative to tell. Much like novels on a shelf, they invite the guest to open them up, step in and become immersed in a rich visual story. The townhouse boasts an array of meticulously chosen color palettes, abundant fabrics and beautiful furnishings providing the most sumptuous luxurious feeling throughout.

A huge amount of time and effort has been spent procuring unique antiques and original pieces from around the world. “We are thrilled to see our project and years of hard work finally come to life as a beautiful and captivating small hotel. Henry’s Townhouse will have a sense of occasion and will be sophisticated, yet fun, appealing to those looking for a lovely base to stay in the heart of the West End, as well as those wanting to hire the house exclusively for family and friends for a special occasion.” says Steven Collins, Owner of Henry’s. Just as much attention has been placed in the common areas of the Townhouse, including a bespoke Pantry Kitchen with sharing table for breakfast, private dining and parties. This space cleverly converts into a fully equipped meeting room. Henry’s also boasts a small yet lavish carriage like cocktail ‘snug’, outside terrace for evening aperitifs and Jane Austen’s Reading Room perfect for afternoon drinks or some quiet relaxation.

The property can either be taken on a room by room basis as a hotel or in its entirety as an exclusive home making it ideal for families, groups of friends or corporates looking for luxury, privacy and a central location.

https://henrystownhouse.co.uk/

PALAZZO AVINO

RAVELLO, ITALY

Palazzo Avino has unveiled a new capsule Collection of suites and rooms designed by Cristina Celestino. Overlooking the Amalfi coastline, the dramatic hotel in Ravello is perched on the hills; a dream hotel inside a building from the 12th century with Celestino’s interiors involving some of the facility’s most important rooms and suites. The new collection includes the Belvedere suite featuring a terrace facing the sea and a private swimming pool.

“The idea came by thinking about the essence of Palazzo Avino and its bond with Ravello and the Amalfi Coast” – Cristina Celestino says. “Perched on the steep cobblestone alleys, the hotel is like a pink mirage amidst terraces of olive and citrus trees. Hard to reach, it is a destination that proves to be even more extraordinary than expected, thanks to the breathtaking view of the sea and the horizon, glimpsed through the lancet windows in the facades of the Palazzo. The concept takes its cue from the wonders of the Italian gardens of Ravello, and the odyssey of forgotten legends of the Tyrrhenian Sea.”

The tools of the architect are custom furnishings and the use of color, texture and surfaces, on the boundary between earth and sea, classicism and orientalism, indoors and outdoors. The key element – since this is a hotel – is the bed: placed against a slightly concave wall that encloses it like a shell, it has a textile headboard that forms soft curves, with a cantilevered arrangement. The bed is lit by custom lamps resembling precious pearls on brass seashells.

The furnishings are in wood, applied in all its guises – from canaletto walnut to colored briar. They are custom made, in a natural dialogue with the hotel’s fine antiques. The tops are in handmade ceramic glazed with a craquelé effect in tones of ivory; other furnishings have been treated with a special paint for a mother-of pearl effect, creating iridescent surfaces.

The sumptuous luxury is never ostentatious, always at the service of the welcoming spaces. The rainbow onyx used for the facings in the bathrooms of the suites leaves room for the geometric lines of white, pink and variegated terracotta of Giardino all’Italiana – a natural, tactile material, Mediterranean par excellence.

The fabrics have been carefully selected: the patterns and graphics of the curtains coexist with the solid colors of natural, precious fibers. The carpets – custom designed and knotted by hand – feature monochrome geometries and oversized floral motifs.

https://www.palazzoavino.com

MORUKURU OWNERS HOUSE AND RIVER HOUSE

MADIKWE, SOUTH AFRICA

Inspired by the growing need of guests to connect with loved ones, in a private exclusive environment, where they would feel like home away from home, the owners of Morukuru Family created a unique offering of three private villas in the magnificent, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa.

Fox Browne Creative was briefed to give Owners House and River House a refreshed and updated look. The existing houses were still in immaculate condition so no structural change to the existing buildings was needed.

In Morukuru Owners House, mustard accents and pattern feature prominently in the choice of fabrics. A custommade mustard leather and bead chandelier, over the dining table makes a strong contrast against the existing stone fireplace and natural texture of the thatch roof. Artefacts that were saved and re-purposed from the original house add a layer of warmth and reflect the owner’s love of African art. All original paintings were kept as a nod to the previous design, creating a sense of continuity, The outdoor deck was expanded including a comfortable built in firepit seat under an ancient Morukuru tree. This connects guests to the Marico River and encourages al fresco evenings around the fire. In the bedrooms the custom-made, hand woven, headboards are inspired by the traditional basket weave of the Tswana culture in the region. Their use of geometric pattern in all their design is carried through in the bold texture on the stained-glass panels in the new cabinetry. Hand blown glass bedside lamps were sourced from a young local artist.

Bathrooms were given a complete overhaul for a lighter fresher look. Mottled marble vanities reference the texture and pattern of the wild dog coats, while strong black steel accents give the bathroom a lighter more contemporary feel.

At Morukuru River House, the color palette is inspired by the olive green of the ancient Morukuru trees and riverine forest. Green accents feature throughout the 3 bedroomed house. The same geometric patterns, inspired by the Tswana basket weave are referenced in the stained-glass cabinetry. The Artwork is a mix of new organic pieces and the owner’s original collection.

The outdoor veranda at River House was enlarged with a new bigger pool to create spacious outdoor living for families with more comfortable outdoor furniture.

https://morukuru.com/

THE MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE

MAYFAIR, LONDON

From the people who brought you the renowned Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, comes The Mayfair Townhouse, a high-end neighborhood hotel overlooking London’s Green Park. Curious, engaging, witty – The Mayfair Townhouse delivers the unexpected and redefines what it means to be a London hotel.

Part of Iconic Luxury Hotels, this is the fifth hotel in the portfolio, with a promise to offer a new unexpected personality from what the brand is traditionally known for and bringing a fresh lifestyle product into one of London’s most distinguished neighborhoods. The Mayfair Townhouse is the characteristic ‘new kid on the block’ – a product that has never been experienced in Mayfair.

A carefully stylish, imaginative home for the modern traveler -the essence of the new Townhouse invites discerning travelers who appreciate an intuitive, perceptive level of service and a guest who above all, has a refined palette for curiosity.

Without the traditions of a regular hotel, there is no room at the Townhouse that has not been thoughtfully curated. The hotel bridges the gap between ritzy high-end lavish hotels and the corporate enterprise properties that currently stand in Mayfair.

When you walk through the doors of this new Townhouse, expect the unexpected. Moments of surprise await around every corner of the fifteen connected Georgian buildings that line Half Moon Street, which was once the setting for Oscar Wilde’s most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Built from 1730, Half Moon Street was a colorful haunt for bachelors, bohemians and artistic types in Victorian London. During this time many of Half Moon Street’s townhouses were split into residential apartments for the elite to live before marriage. Iconic fictional characters, Oscar Wilde’s Algernon Moncreiff and Bertie Wooster in P. G. Wodehouse’s comedies resided here. Moments of this history and culture are immersed throughout The Mayfair Townhouse’s discreet address, and quickly become the central pillars of design and personality of the eclectic house.

Capturing this playful spirit to create a new era of the Dandy, Goddard Littlefair has helmed an authentic, quick-witted design of the Townhouse whilst reviving the interiors, bringing the Georgian spirit and blending it with a contemporary rhythm.

The fox, the hotel’s mischievous motif, is woven throughout the hotel, from the art collection showcasing a series of fox images, to intricate design elements throughout the property.

https://www.themayfairtownhouse.com/

SINGITA SABORA TENTED CAMP

GRUMETI GAME RESERVE, TANZANIA

Set in a 350,000-acre concession in the Serengeti in northern Tanzania, Singita Sabora Tented Camp has captivated guests for more than a decade with its inimitable location. The new lodge’s extensive redesign is a modern interpretation of luxury tented safaris, while retaining the quintessential elements of a romantic experience under canvas.

The new forward-thinking camp features sophisticated details such as hand-stitched leather finishes, as well as durable canvas and campaign furniture, and it echoes the unmistakable spirit of classic East African adventures combined with intuitive simplicity. Added comforts have been incorporated, such as private meditation decks and secluded outdoor salas with shaded daybeds, the new camp is now set even closer to the ground. Guests can spend languid afternoons reading on their decks, idly watch game passing by, and immerse themselves in Sabora’s unrivalled setting. With not much separating them for the bush, every sight, sound and smell is amplified, maximizing the trill of this tented experience. Singita’s design partners, Cécile & Boyd and GAPP Architects, collaborated for the creation of the new architecture and décor of the lodge, which echoes the earthy color palette of the bush. Featuring muted taupe, tan and beige, the elegant aesthetic also includes touches of brown leather and thick beige stitching.

Mesh, canvas and weave finishes throughout provide a rich combination of textures and layers of sophisticated comfort. The exquisite craftmanship of the custom-designed tents is extended to every chosen piece, while the placement of the camp has been subtly reorganized to make the most of its sweeping surrounds, and each tented suite enjoys breathtaking views of one of the two nearby waterholes. The nine self-contained suites feature a seamless combination of in-and outdoor living spaces, which include private areas in which to rest, relax and immerse oneself in wellness activities like outdoor yoga and soothing guided rituals and treatments. The tents also offer private fitness areas and lifestyle units such as a beautifully curated pantry and dining area.

Resting lightly above the ground, the tents have minimal impact on the landscape and with the use of sustainable materials, natural light, cross ventilation, energy-efficient lighting and solar power, the off-the-grid design wholly embraces the One Planet Living sustainability framework adopted by Singita Sabora’s location at eye level with grazing herds of wildlife rewrites the script on sustainable experiences in the wilderness.

https://singita.com/lodge/singita-sabora-tented-camp/

THE WOODWARD

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Oetker Collection is proud to announce that Spring 2021 will see the addition of The Woodward, a new hotel in the heart of Geneva, to its exclusive portfolio of masterpiece hotels. Owned by Bastion Holdings, the hotel sits directly on the shores of Lake Geneva, offering panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

Originally built in 1901 by French architect François Durel in a post-Haussmann style, the hotel is located on Quai Wilson and is currently being completely transformed and carefully reimagined by world-renowned architect Pierre-Yves Rochon.

Beyond The Woodward’s historic façade, guests will find classic-meets-contemporary interiors, providing a stylish city sanctuary with spectacular lake and mountain views. Each of the 26 suites has been carefully curated to possess its own distinct character and individual design details, with signature flourishes including marble fireplaces and bookcases. 21 of the suites also have a full lake view.

The jewels in the crown are the Presidential Suite, designed in elegant ivory tones and offering panoramic lake views from every room with a private dining room and loggia, and the Royal Suite, reached by private lift and designed to resemble a chic Parisian apartment.

World-class dining experiences will be driven by L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Jardinier, both recipients of Michelin stars at their New York outposts which are owned and operated by Bastion Group. After 7 years as Executive Chef of L’Atelier in Taipei (1*), Chef Olivier Jean will be at the helm of the kitchens at The Woodward.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon will feature the legendary chef’s open kitchen concept, creating a theatrical dining experience for just 36 guests seated around the counter, as well as two dining rooms that can be privatised. Le Jardinier by Michelin-starred chef Alain Verzeroli - a play on the French word for ‘gardener’ - will be the restaurant’s first foray into Europe following the success of its outposts in New York and Miami.

In keeping with Oetker Collection’s commitment to wellbeing, the hotel’s 1,200m2 spa will include a Wellness Institute by Maison Guerlain and a 21-metre indoor swimming pool - the longest in Geneva. There will be a state-of-the-art gym, two saunas, two steam rooms, two Swedish baths and a Jacuzzi. Guests will be able to enjoy exclusive treatments by Guerlain across six wellness suites, including one for couples and a corner dedicated to men.

https://www.oetkercollection. com/hotels/the-woodward/