LUX OUR MONTHLY GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF THE GLAMOROUS
Peak Time The season is coming to an end – but there’s no need to put your skiing plans on ice. We take a look at 10 snow-sure ski areas in the Alps.
High-End Hainan
The Park Hyatt Sanya is a luxurious escape on the idyllic “Hawaii of China”
Dram Good
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply settling in beside the fire after a hard week at the office, make a toast with some of the world’s finest whiskies.
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High-End Hainan The Park Hyatt Sanya is a luxurious escape on the idyllic “Hawaii of China”
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Lux - High-End Hainan
Hainan Island occupies an area roughly the size of Belgium on China’s southernmost tip. Widely known as “the Hawaii of China,” its perfect palm-fringed beaches are a far cry from the bustle of the nation’s major cities. Situated on a stunning inlet at Sanya, on Hainan’s southern shore, and featuring a private lake and white-sand beach, Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort combines the luxury of privacy and exclusivity with accessibility, being a mere three-mile drive from Yalong Bay, the island’s most popular tourist destination. Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort was created by the award-winning Belgian architect, Jean-Michel Gathy of the renowned design-consultancy firm, Denniston. The strikingly modernist development comprises six standalone, arch-shaped buildings designed to allow chi, the traditional Chinese notion of energy, to flow unhindered between ocean and mountains. Set amid the lush landscape next to the beautiful Nan Hu Lake, the placement of every building and internal space has been carefully considered to maximize guests’ enjoyment of the breathtaking view. The six buildings are linked by wide walkways and are decorated with paintings and sculptures to create a tranquil and rarefied art-walk experience. Designed to replicate the feeling of living in a private mansion by the sea, the sophisticated, elegant interiors are residential in style with a subtle Chinese sensibility. As in private homes, the spaces are wholly flexible. Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort features 207 luxurious guestrooms, including 26 suites and 17 villas. At almost 700 square feet, the standard rooms are among the largest on the island, and almost all of the guestrooms enjoy unadulterated views of the South China Sea. Drinking and Dining The ethos of the international culinary team at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is to offer a range of authentic Chinese and Western dishes that incorporate ingredients of the highest quality, sourced locally wherever possible. In keeping with the residential concept and ambience of a resort setting, guests are welcome to order from the menu or request bespoke dishes as relaxed and freely as they might do at home. The culinary team is primed to create unique and memorable dining experiences for guests, whether it is a champagne breakfast on the beach, a family barbecue in the villa, or a sunset supper on a yacht. There are eight main drinking and dining venues: Dining Room, Cellar, Pool House, Pool Bar, Bath House, Library, Terrace and Tea House, following the notion of rooms within a large residence. At each establishment, guests can order from the menus of any of the other dining venues. Dining Room is the main residential-style dining space offering Chinese cuisine focusing on seafood and steaks. Cellar is a cozy extension of the Dining Room, offering private dining in an intimate setting. Next to Cellar, in a traditional Chinese-style building topped with ceramic-roof tiles, is Tea House. The impressive, light-filled space, featuring a mezzanine floor and a 30-foot high ceiling strung with myriad birdcages, will serve a premium selection of Chinese teas, an afternoon tea menu, and regional Chinese cuisine. Acquisition International - February 2015 125
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Guests can also enjoy Western and Chinese comfort food such as pizza, burgers or chilled noodles, either at Pool House, Pool Bar, or Bath House alongside the pools. Library and Terrace are also great choices for guests who want to relax and read a good book – or take in the ocean views – while sipping on a cold drink or a premium cocktail. Meetings and Events Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort aims to be the most desirable, upscale event venue in Hainan. The hotel features eight unique, residential-style event venues, ranging from 450 square feet to over 3,600 square feet. All venues feature an abundance of natural light, outdoor terraces and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and lighting. Chamber is the largest indoor event space, measuring just over 3,600 square feet and comprising three separate spaces: a reception area, an open kitchen and a main dining area. Equally unique is Gallery, a long, 3,100 square foot space with paintings and sculptures decorating both sides to resemble an art gallery. The Salons are perfect for smaller, more intimate events. The almost 1,700 square foot Grand Salon with its 36-foot ceiling height and walls lined with wooden lattice, is an ideal venue for a wedding or gala dinner. The 6,500 square foot lawn in front of Pool House is ideal for atmospheric outdoor events. Recreation and Activities The recreation team has spent years researching and testing activities to offer guests the most unique and memorable activities during their time at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort. Five separate pools – a 375 square foot pool, a children’s pool, a family pool, a spa pool and an indoor pool – are available to suit all types of swimmers. While at Camp Hyatt, kids and young adults will be both entertained and educated with activities like cooking classes and eco-activities by availing themselves of the latest toys and video games or simply by reading or resting in the “silent room.” With a focus on local culture, as well as marine and environmental education, the resort offers myriad outdoor activity options for all ages, include hiking, golfing and stargazing, along with tours to nearby attractions such as Butterfly Valley, Nanshan Temple, Yazhou Ancient City and the Ganzaling Nature Reserve. Water sports enthusiasts will be thrilled with Baifu (Fortune) Bay – a private bay right next to Sunny Bay – renowned for offering some of the best diving conditions in China, as well as being an ideal spot for boating and kayaking. The Spa at Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is due to open in late 2015. Located by the lake and accessed by buggy, the spacious, light-filled spa will be built in a traditional Chinese style and will feature a main, two-story building and eight freestanding villas around an open-air courtyard. The semi open-air villas will each include a couple’s treatment room, a private foot treatment room, a freestanding tub, a shower, a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized daybed. Meanwhile, the main spa building will feature four additional treatment rooms; three foottreatment rooms, a TCM consultancy chamber and a lounge on the first floor. The floor below features a gym, a yoga studio and an outdoor infinity pool. Benefit-driven treatments will be carefully conceived to incorporate proven traditional Chinese practices, as well as the very latest in international spa techniques. For more information, visit www.sanya.park.hyatt.com Acquisition International - February 2015 127
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Peak Time
The season is coming to an end – but there’s no need to put your skiing plans on ice. We take a look at 10 snow-sure ski areas in the Alps.
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Lux - Peak Time
In spring, it is mostly on the glaciers, with altitudes above 3,000m that winter sports fans will find enough snow, yet also a lot of sunshine to ski on and to enjoy. SnowTrex, the ski holiday company, has put together the 10 best destinations with reliable snow for skiing fun at the end of the season.
Kitzsteinhorn salajean / Shutterstock.com
Sölden – Glacier Skiing in the Ötztal The Austrian glaciers each are an experience for itself. Winter sports is possible here until way into the summer months. Sölden offers two glaciers, the Rettenbach glacier and the Tiefenbach glacier, with altitudes up to 3,340m. 10 lift systems and a total of 34.5km of piste can be found up there. They are connected by the only glacier connection lift in the entire Alpine area. In total the ski area Sölden counts 145.5km of pistes. Kitzsteinhorn – Top of Salzburg The first publicly accessible glacier ski area in Austria and the only glacier in the Salzburger Land, the Kitzsteinhorn, is one of the most reliable for snow and also really popular, as it is located just above Kaprun. In over 3,000m altitude there are 41 km of pistes and 10km of ski routes waiting for glacier ski fans.
Saas-Fee
Andermatt milosk50 / Shutterstock.com
Livigno
Hintertux Glacier – 365 Days of Skiing At the end of the Tux valley lies the only all-year round ski area in Austria. There are 22km of piste at up to 3,250m altitude, of which some of the runs are open the whole year round. The Tyrolean ski area is especially wellknown for its legendary “Bretterpark” snow park, and further offers 60km of beautiful pistes, 13km of ski routes, wonderful sun terraces and so much more. Warth-SchröCken – Snow Paradise on the Arlberg The ski area union at the Arlberg is known to be one of the most reliable regions for snow in Europe. Approx. 11m of fresh snow come down here per year. The ski area gains further attractiveness via the Auenfeldjet (lift) which connects Warth-Schröcken with Lech-Zürs, and by offering a ski terrain covering a total 180km of piste. DamüLs – Reliable Snow in the Bregenz Forest Although it does not have a glacier, it is still one of the top ranking resorts for good snow: nowhere else in Europe (statistically seen) does it snow as much as in Walserdorf. Unbelievable 9.30m of fresh snow fall here in one winter season. The resort was awarded the “village with the most snow worldwide” in 2006. The neighbouring ski area Damüls-Mellau offers brilliant piste quality on approx. 75km of slopes Acquisition International - February 2015 129
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and 17km of ski routes, due to the large amount of snow. Tignes – Snowy Pearl in Espace Killy The ski areas Tignes and Val d’Isèsre combine to one of the largest ski regions in France: the Espace Killy. In total 300km of pistes and 20km of ski routes await the riders, skiable over an expanse of nearly 10 months per year. Just above Tignes (2,100m) lies an especially snow-sure area, at the Grand Motte, reaching up to 2,456m altitude. Saas-Fee – Guaranteed Snow at 3,600m Altitude The ski area in the Swiss Saas valley offer unlimited skiing fun. Especially the glacier ski area Allalin, just above the high-plateau of Saas-Fee, offers brilliant powder snow all-year round. The lifts in the ski area take winter sports fan up to 3,600m, where skiing is possible until way into the summer months. Andermatt – Freeride Hotspot in Central Switzerland Just above Andermatt (1,444m) lies the glacier ski area Gemsstock, with its 31km of pistes – not the largest, but surely one of the most reliable for snow in entire Switzerland. The Gemsstock belongs to the Skiarena AndermattSedrun in the Swiss Canton Uri. Located at approx. 3,000m altitude, this is the ideal starting point for some wonderful, sunny, high-alpine runs, and 6 km of ski routes. Thanks to the great amount of snow, Andermatt is an absolute hotspot for freeriders. Bansko – Value Price Skiing in Eastern Europe The Bulgarian resort Bansko does not offer a glacier, but the 75km of pistes reach up to altitudes of 2,560m and are known to be a reliable place to go for good snow. The ski area Bansko offers the most modern ski centre in Eastern Europe and additionally offers a good snow-making system. A highlight here is the valley run with 16km length – therefore one of the longest worldwide. Not too long ago this ski area was announced the best value price ski area in Europe by the Internet portal Tripadvisor. Livigno – Snow Unlimited in Lombardia The location alone, at 1,816m above the sea and in the northern part of Lombardia, is a guarantee for snow in Livigno. This Italian ski village is situated on a high plateau in between the ski mountains Mottolino and Carosello 3000, providing for skiable terrain with 115km of piste. Our tip: Livigno is a toll-free area and so an extensive shopping trip is really worth it! Acquisition International - February 2015 131
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Dram Good Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply settling in beside the fire after a hard week at the office, make a toast with some of the world’s finest whiskies.
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The Macallan Whisky Maker’s Edition How much: £89.99 This smooth and dry malt of the month is layered with fruit and spice. Its mahogany colour comes from Macallans’ traditional use of European oak casks. Glenmorangie Dornoch How much: £59.99 Glenmorangie’ s hallmark elegant citrus and floral notes are woven into this dram with a hint of distant sweet aromatic smoke and rich, nutty notes. To raise awareness for the conservation of the Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie has partnered with the Marine Conservation Society to preserve this precious waterway by making a donation each time a bottle is sold. Aultmore 21 YO 1 litre £54.99 & Aultmore 21-YearsOld 70cl How much: £125 The Aultmore distillery’s water filters down through the misty, mysterious area called the ‘Foggie Moss’ to create this rare Speyside malt. Aultmore is rated top-class and is a dram sought after for its gentle grassy notes. Brora 40 Year Old Single Malt Whisky How much: £6,995 Only 160 bottles have ever been produced of this, the first ever 40-year-old bottling from the longclosed distillery of Brora in Sutherland, Scotland. Taken at natural cask strength from a single cask distilled a generation ago, the fine pale gold malt in this exquisite crystal decanter is a proud and rare survivor of another age. Notes: Soft, smoky and unctuous, with a gently rising honey and fruity sharpness which is quickly offset by savoury, slightly medicinal and musky notes with hints of menthol slowly developing into the intense sweet aroma of dried fruits. Johnnie Walker & Sons Signature Blend McLaren Edition How much: £35,000 Jenson Button and Johnnie Walker have created a whisky so rare, only 25 bottles are available in the world. The John Walker & Sons Signature Blend, McLaren Mercedes Edition bottle is encased in carbon-fibre and suede-leather and comes with an action-packed two-day VIP experience as well as an actual wheel nut used on Button’s car during the 2011 season. Top Tips for Whisky Drinking Whisky connoisseur and World Duty Free ambassador, Miss Whisky, shares her top tips on drinking and tasting whiskies: • New to whisky? Try a single grain style like Haig Club. It’s lighter, more delicate, and easily sippable • Spend time with whisky: admire it, smell it, sip it slowly. Let its flavours wash over you. You’ll feel less burn and enjoy it more • Too much burn? Add a splash of water to your whisky. Take some water with a dram like Glenfiddich Select Cask, and let the water open up the notes to revel new, subtle flavours • Try whisky with food. Pair Glenmorangie Dornoch with sticky toffee pudding or Mortlach Special Strength with high quality milk chocolate Acquisition International - February 2015 133