Autumn 2022

MakingWaves on the Algarve

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From the Editor

With mandatory covid-19 hotel quarantine ending this October after more than two-and-a-half years, Hong Kong is breathing an audible sigh of relief and residents are breathlessly planning trips once more after a long hiatus from travel. Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council expects outbound travel to surge as much as 50 percent for the next few months. We hope you’ll have fun exploring destinations old and new again. Japan remains a top destination for many Hong Kong travellers. Don’t miss our city guide to Kyoto ( p74 ), which presents new wellness options alongside geisha experiences and the city’s fabled temples.

Considering a trip to Europe? The Algarve got that bit more hip with the arrival of W, which has opened a hotel near the popular resort of Albufeira.

A five-minute walk from the rugged charm of Balbina beach, W Algarve’s signature restaurant is Italian icon Paper Moon, a monochromatic beauty where ravioli in Piedmont truffle cream and grilled Portuguese squid await. Read our feature on p62

If you adore a good period drama, then top of your to-do list should be a trip to Bath, a Georgian gem that’s experiencing a resurgence in visitors after Netflix filmed its adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion there. An interactive introduction to the city, the newly opened Bath World Heritage Centre is a great starting point before you step out onto the cobbles and take in attractions including Royal Crescent and the Pump Rooms. Find out more on p46

Now that yachting season is upon us, we’ve got a round-up of the best new vessels from leading shipyards including Benetti and Sunseeker, plus an interview with interior yacht designer Francesco Muzio, founder of FM Architettura ( p80 ).

Elsewhere, our 24 Hours in Lima story ( p36 ) casts the spotlight on the Peruvian capital’s main attractions, including historical centre Plaza de Armas and the Palacio del Gobiero, where independence was declared in 1821.

Enjoy the latest issue and we hope you’re looking forward to quarantine-free travel as much as we are!

A drone captures the stunning beaches of southern Portugal

Managing Editor Helen Dalley

www.jetsetter-magazine.com

Denis Fahy denis@jetsetter-magazine.com Publisher

Nick Walton nickwalton@artemiscomms.com Group Managing Editor

Helen Dalley helen.dalley@jetsetter-magazine.com Group Deputy Editor

Don Pierre Riosa don@jetsetter-magazine.com Creative Director

Robyn Tucker-Peck Contributing Editor

Paul Lo paul.lo@jetsetter-magazine.com General Manager (Shanghai)

Darryl Scott d.scott@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director

Fatima Cameira fatima@jetsetter-magazine.com Marketing Director

John Murphy john@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director (Thailand)

Laurence James laurence.james@jetsetter-magazine.com Chief Representative, Europe

Lois Lai lois@jetsetter-magazine.com Event Director

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Mountains & Mist

Not every safari camp is set against the vast savannahs. At Rwanda’s Singita Kwitonda Lodge, you’ll enjoy breath-taking views of volcanic peaks Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura as well as the surrounding high-altitude forests of the country’s acclaimed Volcanoes National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas. Designed to reflect the gentle, yet strong spirit of Rwanda’s most famous residents, the lodge features eight contemporary suites, the interiors of which emphasise local design and handcrafted details. Each suite boasts a covered veranda, media suite, and indoor and outdoor showers. Private heated plunge pools help fend off the evening chill, as do in- and outdoor fireplaces, and you’ll find like-minded souls converging at the property’s convivial fire pit, interactive kitchen, ‘bar-deli’ and wine cellar. singita.com

Cambodian Cool

into Tribe Phnom Penh Post Office Square

Anew design-driven hotel group from Accor, Tribe has landed in Cambodia with the opening of Tribe Phnom Penh Post Office Square. Situated in the up-and-coming Post Office Square District, the hotel is surrounded by heritage buildings and new Khmer architecture, while the Mekong riverfront promenade and historic temple of Wat Phnom are also nearby.

Part hotel and part social hub, the 260-room hotel promises an edited hotel experience and prioritises the elements that matter most to travellers – comfortable beds, rain showers –and cuts out unnecessary details like pillow mints and stationery. From Tribe Comfort

Queen to Tribe Comfort XL, rooms come in six categories. Amenities include the Tribe signature bed with premium linens, blackout blinds, garment steamers, and Nespresso coffee machines. If you need to work during your stay, the hotel even has its own co-working space.

Once you’re well rested, work up a sweat at the Workout Atelier, then cool off in the outdoor saltwater pool overlooking the Mekong River. Hungry? Then head up to the hotel rooftop for stunning Phnom Penh views at Hemisphere, where everything from classic Khmer plates to charcuterie boards await. If you fancy a drink, head on over to Mezcal Mad Memories 21 (MMM21 for short) for signature sweet or smoky Mezcal-based cocktails. mytribehotel.com

Check

The first Tribe hotel in Cambodia has opened in Phnom Penh

Call of the Desert

Banyan Tree launches its first property in Saudi Arabia with the arrival of the stunning AlUla desert camp.

If you’re looking for a Lawrence of Arabia experience with more than a few creature comforts, look no further than the new AlUla desert resort. Nestled in the ‘living museum’ of the AlUla Valley, the retreat boasts two dining venues, including Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature Thai restaurant, a contemporary spa, and a series of sumptuous one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas.

Inspired by the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture, the all-villa, tented resort was designed around three concepts that allow guests to immerse themselves in the property and the destination. ‘In-villa’ provides guests with madeto-measure offerings brought to life by the resort’s hosts; while ‘In-valley’ captures the essence of this spectacular landscape with exclusive outdoor treatments, nomadic chef’s tables, active adventures, and private events; and ‘En-voyage’ delivers cultural and artistic immersions. banyantree.com

Mughal Marvel

Chedi Katara Set to Open in Doha

Heavily inspired by Mughal and Ottoman architecture, the Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, Doha is due to open in November 2022 at the Katara Cultural Village, where theatres, concert halls, galleries, and an open amphitheatre await.

Owners General Hotel Management enlisted design firm WATG to create something that incorporates Arabic influences old and new. Inspired from an exploration trip to Rajasthan, much of the façade is adorned with chhatris that is typical of traditional Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture. Refined details carved out of stone were also specially incorporated into

the design. Reminiscent of a Mughal courtyard, the lobby lounge makes quite a statement. The 10m high ceiling and walls are adorned by original Mughal- and Indian-inspired artworks alongside Ottoman-influenced tapestries.

Situated between desert and sea across a 66,000sqm plot, the hotel will offer 59 rooms and suites and 32 villas with terraces and views of the Arabian Gulf and Doha skyline. The villas all feature private gardens and swimming pools, and range from one to five bedrooms. There are five dining options to savour: The Restaurant, The Lobby Lounge, The Cigar Lounge, The Beach Club, and Marsa Katara, a stand-alone signature pier restaurant accessed by a jetty ride. ghmhotels.com

The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort will open just in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

A Sensory Awakening

A new resort nestled in the verdant valleys of Bali’s Ubud, Kappa Senses is a wellness destination with a difference

They say no trip to Bali is complete without a visit to the island’s spiritual heartland, Ubud, and it’s here, among the deep river valleys and steep rice terraces, that Kappa Senses has opened. Boasting 76 opulent suites and villas, set amidst an Eden-like jungle ten minutes from the centre of Ubud, Kappa Senses is the definition of a wild escape. The interior designs draw from the rich tapestry of Balinese culture, with carvings depicting scenes from the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, and surroundings influenced by the harmony-based philosophies of traditional architecture, all of which are juxtaposed by state-of-the-art facilities and modern approaches to wellness.

The resort’s restaurants include Kokokan, serving

the best Indonesian and Western dishes prepared using contemporary techniques and equipment; Kelapa, the zen eatery by the main swimming pool providing all-day favourites as well as Mediterranean flair come evening; and Kepuh, enticing guests with the diverse and fascinating cuisine of the Javanese empire of Majapahit. Be sure to leave time for a spot of pampering at the OmTara Spa by Clarins, home to seven treatment rooms, beauty and hair salons, vitality pools, as well as a gym, steam room, sauna, and Vichy shower. Treatments combine the effectiveness of the “Clarins Touch” – an exclusive high-performance manual massage – with the power of high-purity plant extracts and essential oils for an exquisite sensorial experience. kappasenses.com

Retro Party Vibes In Chaweng

Avani’s latest offering in Thailand will appeal to trendy travellers

Featuring 1950s-influenced retro-chic designs, Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club is just steps away from the surf and within easy reach of the island’s shopping and dining spots. Best of all, there’s direct access to SEEN Beach Club Samui, which is gaining quite the reputation for its pool parties.

Featuring 80 rooms and suites over three stories, the 1950s vibe is referenced with contrasting geometric patterns and metallic fabrics. In the Groovy Sea View Suites, you’ll find a record player, a cocktail-making station, and a disco ball in the bathroom. There’s no need to wait in line at reception either, as guests can check into the hotel over a drink at the Social Bar. Open 24 hours, the bar menu keeps the 50s vibes coming with shakes, hot dogs, and waffles. But the action all takes place at SEEN, where there’s two pools surrounded by daybeds, three bars, and a restaurant serving American, Asian, and European dishes.

No need to worry about long airport transfers either, as Avani Chaweng Samui is a 10-minute drive from Samui International, which means more time to parrtttaay! avanihotels.com

Pastels, neon signs, and Googie elements evoke 50s nostalgia at the Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club

Mustang Savvy

Nestled in The Forbidden Kingdom, the gateway to Tibet, Shinta Mani Mustang

The brand’s first property outside Cambodia, Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection will boast just 29 luxurious suites when it opens on the cusp of the Tibetan plateau in March. Offering a curated journey into this remarkable landscape, one rich in Buddhist faith with monasteries dotting the surrounding

snow-capped peaks, the lodge’s suites take their inspiration from the traditional Tibetan home, with each featuring an open-plan bedroom combined with a living area and a separate bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer majestic views of Mount Nilgiri Himal.

Culinary options at Shinta Mani Mustang will include the 60-seat Nilgiri Restaurant backdrop — named after the three-peak massif of the Annapurna — and a large outdoor dining patio, complete with large fire pit, where modern Nepalese and Western cuisines will be served, using locally sourced and foraged produce. The Aara Bar is named after an exotic local Tibetan/ Sherpa liquor and promises to be the spot for post-dinner story telling. In addition, the Wellness Centre features two treatment suites with hot plunge pools, steam rooms, and saunas. The menu of traditional holistic journeys created by a local 11th generation Tibetan Amchi doctor is just the ticket after days spent trekking, horse riding, rock climbing, cycling, and much more. shintamani.com

offers intrepid travellers an authentic taste of the Himalayas

ButAnythingStandard

The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon

Brings New Levels of Contemporary Sophistication

to the Thai Capital

The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon, the newest arrival to the city’s vibrant downtown, boasts 155 rooms and suites as well as a one-of-its-king culinary program across its six food and beverage outlets. Conceptulised by Spanish designer and artist Jaime Hayon, the new property captures the essence of the Thai capital to perfection, from its fascinating art collection - which includes Heaven’s Gate , a provocative piece by artist Marco Brambilla – to the seductive minimialism of guest rooms and suites. The new hotel is also a foodie destination; The Standard Grill is a spirited American brasserie inspired by The Standard, High Line in New York’s Meatpacking District (The Standard BKK Wagyu Burger with foie gras is not to be missed) while the 76th floor boasts coveted eatery Ojo by chef Francisco “Paco” Ruano. You’ll also find contemporary Cantonese cuisine at Mott 32 Bangkok and authentic Thai fare at The Parlour and leave time for a dip in the hotel’s seductive outdoor swimming pool. standardhotels.com

Time for

Experiential travel company Pelorus has launched thrilling new yacht-based treasure hunt adventures in three of its key locales, Sardinia , Antigua & Barbuda , and Indonesia , in collaboration with Luxury Treasure Hunts.

This fresh, highly creative approach to yachting allows guests to make the most of their boat, captain, crew and water toys, whilst exploring some pretty exotic destinations by land and sea.

Each 1-3 day treasure hunt yacht charter is completely unique and based on real historical figures. Staged and produced in unique locations, Pelorus and Luxury Treasure Hunts use a network of actors, screenwriters, prop makers, and location managers, some of whom have worked at Disney, Marvel and National Geographic, to create thrilling experiences that dig deep into each location’s history, landscape, and culture.

A web of clues, riddles, interactions, and games is used to guide guests to the treasure and solve the mystery, both onboard and onshore. You’ll become a swashbuckling hero in your own, real-life production.

For example, in Sardinia, Pelorus’s guests set off on a historically accurate quest looking for the fabled lost treasure of Captain John Rackham (aka Calico Jack). The captain and his lover Anne Bonney, with whom he had a child, are key figures in pirate folklore and play a central role in these island-hopping adventures.

In Indonesia, you’ll encounter the dragons of Komodo National Park and visit the coral gardens of Raja Ampat on a traditional phinisi; join local rangers to feed reef sharks or dive and swim among manta rays; and visit unexplored sacred temples that watch over mystical islands.

And in the Caribbean, you’ll hop off board to explore the islands and zipline through dense jungle; kitesurf off Barbuda’s pink sand beaches; and swim with stingrays, before dancing to steel bands at sunset and camping out on secluded islands.

Each destination has its own unique tale to tell, all fully developed to keep everyone on their toes. pelorusx.com

NEW BALI RETREAT OPENS

The highly anticipated AYANA Segara Bali, located within the AYANA Estate in Jimbaran, opens this month. The hotel, the fourth AYANA property inside the 90-hectare integrated AYANA Estate luxury community at Jimbaran, was designed by award-winning design firm WATG, with its 205 guest rooms and suites by Yasuhiro Koichi of SPIN Design Studio. A place where the forest meets the ocean, the new retreat delivers an immersive experience inspired by the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. Each guest space (we love the two-bedroom Ocean View Suite) offers indoor-outdoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling framed windows, oversized oval bathtubs and marble rain showers, and private balconies or terraces with daybeds. Look out for spectacular dining experiences that include pan-Asian restaurant Karang and swing by sunset hotspot Luna, which is home to a rooftop pool. Over at the spa, you can immerse yourself in the largest seawater thalassotherapy pool in Southeast Asia. ayana.com

THE RITZ-CARLTON YACHT SETS SAIL

Evrima , the first vessel of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, set sail on her maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon last month. The first of three custom-built yachts will stop at signature and intimate ports of call on voyages ranging from seven to 10 nights. The 190-metre Evrima features 149 suites including innovative two-story lofts and will visit the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America throughout the year. Suites feature private terraces, king beds, double vanity bathrooms, and luxury linens.

Travellers can book in for ESPA and 111SKIN spa treatments, dive in for watersports from the yacht’s marina while at anchor, and sample dining options including creative interpretations of Southeast Asian cuisine, and a specialty dining experience at S.E.A. designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg. The other two Ritz-Carlton vessels are set to debut in 2024 and 2025 respectively. ritzcarlton.com

EMIRATES ROLLS OUT PREMIUM ECONOMY

Dubai airline Emirates will add its latest Premium Economy cabin aboard its A380 aircraft to flights to New York JFK, San Francisco, Melbourne, Auckland and Singapore from December, with additional Premium Economy seats set for London Heathrow and Sydney services. Located at the front of the aircraft’s main deck, the new Premium Economy cabin features a 2-4-2 configuration with seats offering in-seat charging points, a 40-inch pitch, calf and foot rests, and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with dedicated check-in areas, inventive menus served on Royal Doulton Chinaware and extensive beverage options, including sparkling wines from the Yarra Valley. emirates.com

Manta,Hey!

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau launches Manta Retreat

Learn how to search and identify the mantas of the Maldives on the first retreat of its kind at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau

Love mantas? InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the first Manta Retreat of its kind this October in collaboration with the resortbased Manta Trust organisation. The programme enables guests to see manta rays in their natural habitat and aims to raise awareness about this highly intelligent species, which is under threat from overfishing.

The resort’s location within Raa Atoll, just a few boat miles away from Hanifaru Bay, is a known juvenile manta ray aggregation spot, where young manta rays spend their days in a sheltered area until they’re large enough to travel the atolls.

Participants will gain exclusive insights into the work of the Manta Trust and get close to these gentle giants. The retreat will take place over five days from 23-28 October and includes several snorkelling trips to search and identify the manta rays of the Maldives, plus workshops and talks on marine topics.

Jessica Haines, the resort-based Manta Trust Project Manager, will lead the retreat. She explains that participants will learn how to ID a manta ray and explore other marine life topics including coral propagation and turtles. Dedicated dive spots in the area around the resort, meanwhile, enable divers to observe manta cleaning stations, where fish, sharks, and mantas gather to get a regular hygiene check. maldives.intercontinental.com

Harbour Havens

CRYSTALBROOK ALBION

Located in one of Sydney’s coolest enclaves, Crystalbrook Albion in Surry Hills is housed within a former convent school dating from 1903, and stays true to its historical DNA while injecting a little colour into the scene with eclectic design and custom artwork. While the hotel’s 35 guest rooms are cozy and welcoming, you might want to splurge on the Albion Luxury Suite, which comes complete with a king-sized bed, 70s-inspired décor, Molton Brown bathroom amenities, Gothic windows, and a wall-mounted television over the bathtub. While the hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant, you’re spoiled for choice with surrounding eateries (including local favourite, WyNo X Bodega wine bar) and don’t forget to sneak up to the hidden rooftop garden with a bottle of vino for those balmy Sydney evenings. crystalbrookcollection.com

As summer descends on the city, Nick Walton takes a look at some of Sydney’s leading boutique houses of slumber

THE SEBEL QUAY WEST SUITES SYDNEY

If you want to be in the heart of the action, you can’t go past this all-suite icon of The Rocks, which recently underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment. In addition to extensive renovations of the rooms, the hotel lobby has been completely transformed, with curated artwork and upscale furniture selected to complement The Rocks’ locale and proximity to the harbour. The hotel features deluxe one- two- and threebedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, marble bathrooms, full laundry facilities, and stunning harbour or city views, making the hotel ideal for groups and families. Be sure to leave time to visit the 1920s Parisian The Quartier Bistro & Bar, sip the signature Bon Apple Tea cocktail at the bar, or cool off in the Roman-style sunken indoor swimming pool.

THE PORTER HOUSE HOTEL

The city’s newest hotel, The Porter House Hotel – MGallery opened this September in the city’s iconic Porter House, a heritage-listed building commissioned in 1876 by Hugh Dixson. Located in the heart of the CBD on Castlereagh Street, the new hotel boasts just 122 rooms and suites designed by award-winning architect Angelo Candelepas, who has seamlessly linked the historic building – home to a multi-level food and bar destination that includes sophisticated Dixson & Sons brasserie – with a new 36-storey mixed-use tower. Cool off in the hotel’s heated pool and explore the city like a local guided by the exclusive Digit Valet - a walking, talking iPad concierge, the only one of its kind in Australia. porterhousehotel.com.au

The Pearl of the Pacific

8AM

Base yourself at the city’s ultimate address, Miraflores Park, a Belmond Hotel and one of South America’s best-kept secrets. With 89 suites it has the appearance of an exclusive residential complex, the kind of place where your neighbours are the movers and shakers of the city. Overlooking its namesake park and the Pacific Ocean, the hotel’s accommodations are refined, elegant, and feature subtle, welcoming Peruvian accents combined with the latest technology, sumptuous bathrooms with spa baths, and private outdoor terraces in the Garden Suites. Leave time for an authentic pisco sour in the Belo Bar before dinner at Tragaluz, Miraflores Park’s acclaimed Peruvian- fusion restaurant. belmond.com

9AM

Lima has long been the leading gastronomic capital of South America and for good reason. From its unique blend of cultural influences and traditions, to its easy access to fresh produce from both the Pacific and the Amazon, to generations of innovative chefs and restaurateurs, Lima is a city where every appetite is sated. Get an insider’s perspective on a journey with the Lima Gourmet Company. The five-hour Interactive City & Gourmet Lima Food Tour includes walks through several artsy

neighbourhoods like the bohemian Barranco district, sipping locally grown coffee and Peruvian fruit smoothies, a pisco sour workshop, and experiencing the colour of the city’s leading market. It ends with dessert at the pre-Incan ruins of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, a stone’s throw from your hotel. limagourmetcompany.com

Perched on the cusp of the Pacific, and an acclaimed foodie destination, the Peruvian capital is a culturally rich city that’s constantly reinventing itself, discovers Nick Walton

2PM

If all that touring has still left you hungry, make for Mercado Surquillo Nº 1, one of the capital’s most vibrant and fascinating markets. Located near Parque Kennedy, the markets are a haven for local delicacies, ranging from ají de gallina , a classic Peruvian chicken dish in a spicy cream sauce; to rocoto relleno , juicy peppers filled with seasoned meat and vegetables originally from the desert city of Arequipa; to Peru’s ever-expanding selection of indigenous sandwiches. The Chicharrón, for example, with fried sweet potato, pork crackling, and Peruvian Criollo sauce, is always popular.

For something a little more refined, head to Central Restaurante (be sure to book in advance) for one of the city’s best showcases of Peruvian gastronomy. The restaurant earned 4th place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2021with chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León’s meticulous take on Peruvian cuisine incorporating native ingredients from across the country. Tasting menus, each centred on produce acquired from different altitudes, offer 8-course affairs all the way to 17-course feasts. centralrestaurante.com.pe

4PM

Walk off your meal with a little cultural excursion to the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), which boasts a fascinating collection of pre-Columbian and colonial art and some stunning contemporary pieces from local Peruvian artists. Located in the beautiful Palacio de la Exposición, the museum’s artefacts span ceramics and pottery to textiles

and paintings. It’s also home to one of the most comprehensive art archives in the region. mali.pe

6PM

On your way back to Miraflores Park, walk through Parque del Amor, Lima’s own Park of Love and a popular spot for young couples greeting the evening over the Pacific. Inaugurated on Valentine’s Day in 1993 and supposedly inspired by Barcelona’s Parc Güell, this serene coastal enclave was created to celebrate romance in its many forms. The park is best known for its centrepiece El Beso (“The Kiss”), a striking sculpture of two lip-locked lovers by Peruvian artist Victor Delfín.

Alternatively, indulge in some self-love at Miraflores Park’s Zest Spa, which uses organic indigenous products from the Peruvian Amazon to create pampering treatments and rituals that range from hydrating facials to reflexology, or make for the hotel’s rooftop pool, an intimate spot for views of the coast at sunset.

7:30PM

For one of Lima’s best cocktail experiences, make for Carnaval in the upscale district of San Isidro just 3km north of Miraflores, where mixologist Aaron Díaz creates imaginative libations that earned the venue critical acclaim. If you’re struggling to decide on which tipple to toss back, opt for the Gran Carnaval, a seven-cocktail selection that includes elevated classics and tropical signatures like the Jungle Bird , which comprises 12-year aged Guatemalan amber rum, lychee, pineapple, Campari liqueur, jungle cane, and honey. carnavalbar.com

9:30PM

Perhaps Lima’s most iconic restaurant, Astrid y Gastón opened its doors in 1994 in Miraflores (we told you it was the place to be), although it’s now situated in Casa Moreyra, a historic San Isidro hacienda whose origins trace back to the second half of the 17th century. It’s here that husband-wife duo chef Gastón Acurio and Astrid Gutsche, winner of the “Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef” award, and their team serve insightful cuisine while maintaining deep connections with local producers. Think croquettes stuffed with bacalao and silky mozzarella; Pacific scallops with Lucia gnocchi and a sweet sauce made with Amazonian cocona fruit; and Peking-style roasted guinea pig. astridygaston.com

Man & Bear

What first inspired your passion for wildlife photography?

My inspiration for wildlife came long before my passion for photography. As a kid I always used to visit the zoo or look at animals in books and magazines and model them out of clay and plasticine. It wasn’t until 2004 when we moved from Slovakia to Canada that I got into photography through my dad, at first documenting planes, ships, people and then slowly turning to the abundant wildlife around Vancouver.

In 2016 you completed an epic journey through Nunavut with your father. What impact has he had on your work?

My dad has been a huge inspiration and I will forever regard him as one of the world’s best photographers. Growing up I would watch him turn an ordinary situation into a beautiful image by naturally manipulating light. I followed in his footsteps, and

we have worked closely together on many projects about Canada, the Arctic, South Pacific and beyond.

You’ve camped in the ice, crawled through mud and frozen in wait for the perfect image – what does it take to be an accomplished wildlife photographer?

I think wildlife photography is an extremely challenging profession due to the physical and mental strains we face every single day. It can be hard being away from loved ones and it takes a lot of patience waiting for the animals to show up.

You’ve since won several major wildlife awards including this year’s Rising Star Portfolio in the Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. How do you handle the pressure at such a young age?

Of course, it was a huge accomplishment and a dream come true, but as a young photographer and as a teenager I thought that winning meant that I had

Nick Walton discusses wildlife, awards, and surviving the Arctic weather with award-winning Slovakian Canadian photographer Martin Gregus Jr.

made it and it got into my head a little and I became less competitive. I think at that age when someone tells you that you didn’t win, it feels like they were telling you that you’re not good enough and that played with my head a lot, to the extent that I barely entered any competitions until last year.

The 2022 winning images were taken during your 2021 expedition chronicling the summer lives of polar bears on the western coast of Hudson Bay. What does Hudson Bay offer wildlife enthusiasts?

I think Hudson Bay offers tourists the chance to see polar bears and experience the beauty of the north in a very accessible way. Unlike other parts of the world, Churchill is easy and relatively cheap to get to.

You’re best known for your work in the Canadian Arctic, especially with polar bears. What do you hope your images inspire in terms of conservation awareness?

I really hope people can look at my images and see a whole new side of not just the bears, but also of our natural world. We want people to see the animals not just as bears, but as mothers, as kids, as individuals that all have their

place in the natural world and that all need to be protected.

Have there been moments when you’ve feared for your personal safety?

With the bears there have been very few moments where I actively feared for my safety. I can’t say the same for the weather, which proved to be extremely challenging and there was a period of about five days where we didn’t know if we would make it.

What are five essential pieces of camera equipment you won’t start a trip without?

My drone, my Nikon D850 and D810 cameras, my 200-500mm and 14-24mm Nikkor lenses; and a GoPro.

What are your tips for taking better wildlife images when we travel?

I think the most important tip is to just take pictures - it doesn’t matter of what - just getting yourself in the mood can go a long way. I can feel it if I haven’t taken pictures in a few weeks, it takes a few days to get back into it.

Is This Bangkok’s Best Address?

With slick, minimalist lines, sophisticated guest rooms and suites, and an enviable location, Park Hyatt Bangkok has everything today’s luxury traveller needs, discovers Nick Walton.

BACKGROUND

Once the scene of elegant garden parties hosted by the British Ambassador for Thai Royalty, this prime corner plot in the heart of Bangkok was converted into one of the city’s leading luxury hotels in 2017. The Park Hyatt Bangkok retains its youthful persona thanks to architecture by AL_A, the London-based studio founded by Amanda Levete, with help from Bangkokbased architects Pi Design. The hotel and its adjacent Central Embassy luxury shopping mall are bound together by a loop that connects the structure’s plinth and tower. Drawing on motifs and patterns found in traditional Thai architecture, the eye-catching façade is clad in extruded aluminium tiles, creating a shimmering moiré-like pattern. Quickly becoming an iconic part of the city’s skyline, the luxury hotel’s modern, futuristic

exterior offers a tantalising sense of what’s to come for arriving guests.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

It’s a Park Hyatt so you know the vibe – intimate, contemporary, oozing with sophistication and subtle, intelligent, modern touches. Guests arrive at upmarket Phloen Chit (Wireless Road, no less) and are whisked up to the hotel’s 10th floor sky lobby for spectacular urban panoramas. The hotel itself occupies the ninth to 35th floors, and is approximately 45 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. In the lofty lobby, young but immaculately uniformed and razor efficient front desk staff checked me in and directed me to a bank of elevators for the ascent to my King Corner Room.

THE ROOM

The first thing you notice when you walk in is that view – so mesmerising you could be forgiven if you found yourself forgoing your most pressing engagements and perching on the sofa to while away the evening people watching. Once you drag yourself away from the floor-to-ceiling vistas, you’ll start to appreciate the efforts of Toronto and New York design firm Yabu Pushelberg, whose portfolio includes the celebrated Park Hyatt New York. The multi award-winning studio dressed the hotel’s 222 rooms and suites in calming neutral tones, accented by statement artworks. Aesthetes should take a peek in the ballroom, home to Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada’s awe-inspiring Pagoda Mirage , which is composed of thousands of small, conical copper lamps suspended in a swirling mass, majestically evoking the reflection of a pagoda on water.

The room itself featured a king-sized bed, 180-degree city views that can be kept at bay with electronic blinds, an ample work space, a separate dressing room with plenty of storage space, a living room with L-shaped sofa, and a sumptuous bathroom with Le Labo skincare products. There’s the all-important Nespresso machine, an

ornate minibar, and a 55-inch widescreen television.

I personally loved the bathtub and the work desk, which allowed me to catch up with the real world once I was done soaking away a long day of pounding the pavements of Bangkok.

Other stand-out guest spaces include the 55sqm King Deluxe rooms, and the luxurious Diplomat Suite, which offers an inspiring retreat with soaring views, a generous lounge and office area, a full pantry and dining area, and a powder room, set in a spacious 115- 122 square metres.

DINING

In keeping with that oh-so-cool urbane persona, the Park Hyatt Bangkok is also home to the chic Penthouse Bar and Grill,

designed by the innovative AvroKo firm from New York. The four-floor venue is home to an intimate chef’s table, a standalone cocktail bar, a separate whisky room, and an exclusive rooftop bar that’s famed for its rare spirits collection. Here in the Penthouse, service is intelligent and refined yet approachable, and menu highlights include Sloane’s Pork Chop with candied cashews and orange and a tamarind barbecue sauce; Hua Hin burrata with dehydrated tomatoes; Wagyu beef vol-auvent; and Canadian lobster linguine with bacon and chives.

Downstairs, you’ll find The Embassy Room, an elegant space overlooking the hotel’s expansive outdoor swimming pool that serves leisurely à la carte breakfasts with local touches – think Thai-style eggs with Chinese pork sausages.

Alternatively, The Living Room serves one of the best high teas in the city, as well as light meals, evening cocktails, and canapés, while The Bar – a dark, sexy, brooding space –specialises in Old World wines and small plates of perfection for your pairing pleasure.

FACILITIES

You’ll also find a 40-metre pool, the perfect respite from Bangkok’s balmy days, and a 24hour fitness centre, which is worth the lack of sleep to explore. For something a little more pampering, the Panpuri Spa features eight treatment suites, a whirlpool, a silver-lined steam room, and a menu laced with all-natural products.

Central Embassy, 88 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Bangkok, Thailand ; hyatt.com

The Crown of Kuningan

BACKGROUND

A haven of serenity and luxury in the heart of Indonesia’s capital, the Gran Meliá Jakarta is an urban oasis nestled in the prime Golden Triangle central business district of Kuningan, meaning you’ll always be in the thick of the action. Cutting an elegant figure against Jakarta’s cityscape, and inspired by its Spanish heritage, the 5-star hotel boasts 366 luxurious guest accommodations, five dining destinations, and a spa and wellness sanctuary by Meliá Hotels International’s signature wellness brand YHI Spa.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

After weaving through the chaotic traffic of Jakarta, arriving at the Gran Meliá Jakarta is a welcome respite. As I make my way up the escalators and into the hotel’s cavernous lobby, there is a sense of peace and order that’s accentuated as I’m guided up to the 15th floor, the coveted RedLevel, which is home to the special executive RedLevel Lounge. It’s here, in this boutique hotel within a hotel, that I’m checked into my Deluxe Suite, a sprawling and elegant space that makes travel far from home comfortable and convenient.

Nick Walton checks into one of Jakarta’s most iconic and beloved hotels, Gran Meliá Jakarta , to see how this hotel has evolved with the changing times

THE ROOM

While my suite isn’t the most modern in the city, it’s certainly large and well-appointed. The foyer opens onto the main living space, where an expansive dining table sits and can double as a meeting space, and there is a separate workspace, a couch along one wall, and panoramic city views. The bathroom features both a standalone bathtub and walk-in shower as well as double vanities, and opens into both the vestibule and a separate dressing room. Other room amenities include both wifi and high-speed cable internet and dual 42-inch LCD televisions. As a base from which to explore the city it’s great; there’s plenty of space for him and her, and guests can enjoy intimate in-suite dining, host casual catch ups in the living room, and the master bedroom can be easily closed off.

THE EXECUTIVE LOUNGE

One of the things that stands the Gran Meliá Jakarta apart is the RedLevel. An elegant, refined space that feels like an exclusive club rather than a business setting, the Lounge serves buffet breakfasts for RedLevel room and suite guests, as well the renowned RedLevel Lounge tea service and evening cocktails and canapés. Staying on a RedLevel guest floor also entitles guests to a raft of additional perks, including complimentary garment pressing upon arrival, personalised check-ins and check-outs (with arrival cocktail), free local calls and complimentary internet access. I love the quiet evenings in the lounge, where travellers from around the world meet over a range of libations and refreshments, the perfect precursor for a night exploring the neighbourhood’s leading eateries.

DINING

Like many of these Grand Dame hotels, Gran Meliá Jakarta offers a spectacular array of dining experiences. At Café Gran Via you can expect a gamut of flavours from across the globe, including spectacular breakfast spreads and thematic dinners. The hotel is also home to the acclaimed Yoshi Izakaya restaurant (right), whose verdant garden setting provides a relaxing ambience while enjoying chef Tomoaki Ito’s modern approach to Japanese cuisine. For the best flavours from Sichuan and Canton, guests can head to Tien Chao, whose menu highlights include authentic Peking duck and weekend dim sum. Meanwhile, the Lobby Lounge is the perfect setting for casual meetings during the day, thanks to its elegant tea and coffee service – with pastries from adjacent El Bombon patisserie. Come back in the evening for cocktails and nightly live jazz sessions.

WELLNESS

For travellers looking to relax after a busy day of meetings or to fend off the grips of jetlag, make a beeline for the YHI Spa, which offers a selection of soothing, stressbusting massage and beauty treatments influenced

by local traditions, helping you forget the frenzy of daily life. These are complemented by a wide variety of holistic therapies, including hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and reflexology. There is even access to an intimate outdoor swimming pool, which is a great way to beat Jakarta’s tropical heat.

Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said No.5 4, RT.5/RW.4, Kuningan Tim., Kecamatan Setiabudi, Jakarta, Indonesia; melia.com

Home in the Lion City

The latest Citadines flagship property, Citadines Raffles Place Singapore recently opened in the storied heart of the city’s financial district, within the biophilic CapitaSpring development which integrates live, work and play spaces in a vertically connected environment.

Travellers would be hard-pressed to find a better location, with the Citadines Raffles Place entrance only steps from major commercial hubs as well as the waters of Marina Bay. The lobby proper is located on the ninth floor, and shares the space with many of the property’s amenities (more on those in a minute).

Throughout the property there’s a sense of supreme calm. My Studio Deluxe apartment is one of eight room categories which range from studios to spacious lofts with outdoor patios. At 20sqm, the Studio Deluxe is dominated by a queen-sized bed, so no swinging of proverbial cats. However, the space is clean, modern and well-appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering fascinating cityscape views, a flatscreen television mounted on the wall, and a bathroom that’s cozy but functional. The kitchenette has all the basics, including a combination fridge and freezer, while deep-set wardrobes allow guests to declutter once they settle in. The wifi is laser fast, the bed is superbly comfortable, and rooms are quiet.

The new property also boasts more than its fair share of amenities, which range from a large outdoor swimming pool (a great way to beat the Singapore heat) and a Jacuzzi, to lounge spaces, a coffee stall, a 400m jogging track and 50m sprint track, a shared working space, a modern fitness centre, a bbq area, and a laundrette.

You’ll also be able to enjoy a sense of place with Citadines’ signature programmes activ∞ (pronounced ‘activate’) and For the Love of Coffee, which help guests access the best of city living through a series of signature programmes launched as part of the recent brand refresh. In fact, activ∞ offers a curated programme - accessible through the Citadines’ activ∞ digital toolkit – that ranges from yoga sessions to networking gatherings. discoverasr.com

Citadines Raffles Place Singapore opens in the heart of the Lion City, delivering modern accommodation and the brand’s signature experiences.

Georgian Drama

Afitting filming location for the Netflix series Bridgerton and the 2022 movie adaptation of Persuasion , the city of Bath is having a good run of late, its well-preserved Georgian architecture providing authentic settings for the Regency dramas that have become fashionable in mainstream media the past few years.

No doubt buoyed by this surge of interest in England’s most famous spa town, there have been several noteworthy developments: the United Kingdom’s oldest lido, Cleveland Pools, reopened this September, and the new World Heritage Centre, where visitors can get a comprehensive and interactive overview of Bath’s attractions. What’s more, the city celebrated a second UNESCO accreditation in 2022 as one of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, the only city in the UK to receive recognition from UNESCO twice. Meanwhile, a new hotel, Hampton by Hilton Bath City, is a great base from which to acquaint yourself with this Georgian gem, being just a few minutes’ walk from the Abbey and the Roman Baths.

Having lived in Bath for five years in my 20s, I’m no stranger to the city and used to take the main attractions in my stride while bemoaning the constant stream of tourists. Visiting now as a tourist myself (it’s 25 years since I moved there), the architecture seems much more

Serving as the backdrop for two recent Netflix productions, Bath’s Georgian charm is undergoing a resurgence, says Helen Dalley

Photo By: Visit Bath

inspiring, and I feel a sense of kinship rather than annoyance for the tour groups excitedly taking in the magnificent crescents and charming cobbled back streets, where cute cafes and traditional sweet shops await.

Debuting this past May, The Bath World Heritage Centre acts as a stellar introduction to the city with interactive exhibitions highlighting Bath’s history and famous landmarks. I pop in and enjoy the engaging exhibits and learn more about the hot springs, which rise to the surface at a constant temperature of 45°C. In addition, the centre’s mobile app provides details for the walking trails and a GPS map that enables visitors to build personalised itineraries based on their preferences.

As a World Heritage Site, Bath sits alongside places like the Taj Mahal and The Great Wall of China as one of the greatest cultural sites in the world, declares Tony Crouch, manager of the World Heritage for the City of Bath. “The centre provides something we’ve never had before in the city: a central place for visitors and residents to find out about Bath’s special status and be inspired to go out and explore the city,” he says.

LITERARY CHARACTERS

A literary giant with a strong Bath connection is of course Jane Austen, whose character Catherine Morland famously proclaimed, “Oh! Who can be tired of Bath?” in Northanger Abbey after partaking in the winter season of galas during its heyday in the 1800s.

The Jane Austen Centre delivers an animated introduction to one of England’s most celebrated authors, who passed

away in 1817 at just 41, having penned some of the era’s greatest novels. The staff really get into the spirit of things by taking on different characters from her books; behind the till in the shop (which sells novelties like the Jane Austen Top Trumps card game and parasol charm pendants) is a softly-spoken Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility. Our effusive guide is Charles Musgrove from Persuasion , who delights in testing our knowledge of all things Austen, while the lady in charge of doling out Regency costumes for visitors to don while posing for pictures with a mannequin of Mr Darcy is Pride and Prejudice’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who loudly admonishes two poor ladies when they profess their ignorance of the most eligible Austen bachelor. Best of all is the mutton-chopped Mr Bennet from Pride and Prejudice , greeting visitors in top hat and tails. His Regency costume delights those walking up the hill to the Crescent from town, and many stop to chat or ask him for directions, which he courteously provides in character.

It wouldn’t be a proper visit to Bath without taking to the waters. The Romans came here to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva and bathe in the waters of the natural thermal springs, which are still flowing today. You can explore the

clockwise from top: staff in character at the Jane Austen Centre; Bath’s cobbled back streets; the Roman Baths; Thermae Bath Spa

Photo By: Thermae Bath Spa

Roman Baths complex, walk on the original Roman pavements, and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva, which has been frequented by royalty and aristocracies for centuries.

Having already visited the Roman Baths, I opt to check out Thermae Bath Spa, which boasts natural thermal pools to dip your toe in. The mineral-rich water, which is naturally warm, contains 42 minerals including calcium, magnesium, and iron. Soaking in the Minerva Bath or exploring the Wellness Suite, which features ice and steam rooms plus a celestial relaxation room, is great for blissfully whiling away a few hours. Best of all is Thermae’s rooftop pool, replete with air seats and bubbling jets, overlooking the gothic spires of Bath Abbey. While it can get rather crowded, everyone is respectful of each other’s space. For a more exclusive spa experience, you can check into The Gainsborough Bath Spa, which is located just opposite and has its own spa village.

As a city whose economy heavily relies on tourism – visitors brought in a record £470 million (approx. US$627 million) in 2018 – there is no shortage of great places to eat and drink in Bath. A favourite

with locals for its wood-fired pizzas and its location smack dab in the middle of town, Dough pizzeria in Kingsmead Square serves up pizzas made onsite by Puglian artisans in one of the city’s traditional Georgian buildings. After a day of taking in the sights, including the Royal Crescent and its impressive arc of 30 Grade I listed terraced houses, I sip a Negroni in between bites of a sourdough-based margarita and feel like quite the traditionalist, given the hemp, multigrain, turmeric, and even gluten-free seaweed dough options on the menu. From this central location you’re well placed to dive in for a pint at The Bath Stable, The Dark Horse, or Kingsmead Street Bottle.

BUNS AT LUNNS

Used as the filming location for Lady Danbury’s home in Bridgerton , the Holburne Museum is renowned for its collection of works by Thomas Gainsborough, one of the UK’s finest 18th-century portrait and landscape artists. Many of the portraits, alas, are of wealthy men connected to the slave trade posing proudly with their families, which is rather unsettling. An exhibition on the same floor introduces some of the most prominent abolitionists, including Invictus and Josiah Wedgwood, which balances things out somewhat. There is a regular rotation of non-permanent exhibitions at the Holburne, too; I’m lucky to catch a David Hockney show, Love Life , which presents rarely seen drawings including sketches of author W.H Auden and fashion designer Ossie Clark.

There’s always a queue to get into Sally Lunn’s, Bath’s oldest house, which has stood here since 1482, and is famous for the Sally Lunn Bun — a soft and light pastry

Photo By : Visit Bath

On the Persuasion Trail

Hang out at the spots where Netflix filmed the romantic drama film

If you enjoyed this year’s adaptation of Persuasion with Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliott, go to Bath to take in the charmingly pastoral filming locations. Make your first stop The Royal Crescent where Anne stays with her sister and father to explore the delights of Bath and where she engages in a heart-to-heart with her late mother’s best friend, Lady Russell. Then head over to another filming location, Bath Street, paved with cobblestone and lined with rows of striking colonnades. While you’re there, check into the Pump Room, a popular site for an elegant afternoon tea, a champagne brunch, or to sample the city’s famous spa water from a fountain. Next, take a stroll up to Gravel Walk between Queen Square and the Royal Crescent, where the moving scene between Anne and her beau, Captain Wentworth, took place. netflix.com

still baked according to its original secret recipe. There’s a kitchen museum where you can see the Georgian cooking range on which the buns were originally made, after which they were sold for the very reasonable sum of 30p. I order a Welsh rarebit with homemade chutney – it has a similar taste and texture to a brioche – and a Sally Lunn blend coffee served in a silver cafetière. I don’t linger as the queues to get into this historic house are always out the door, but I’m glad to have finally sampled these fabled Sally Lunns.

While great pubs are everywhere in Bath – The New Inn has a lovely roof terrace for a quiet drink and former chophouse The Salamander has a great selection from the local Bath Ales brewery – the city also boasts a cosmopolitan culinary scene. At The Coconut Tree, you’ll find Sri Lankan street food served tapas-style, with exposed brick walls punctuated by colourful murals. At the recommendation of our server, we opt for hoppers, a coconut milk pancake served with coconut sambol, seeni sambol and lunu miris (Sri Lankan salsa) and the Cheesy Colombo, an addictive fried cheese cube served with sticky sauce, plus amba maluwa , a curry made from firm, unripe mango gently softened in a coconut sauce that dazzles the taste buds with punchy sweet and sour flavours. My friend orders the Jaffna goat curry, a recipe from the chef’s father, which gets a big thumbs up for being tremendously tender and skillfully spiced.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

As the most fashionable watering place in 18th century Britain, many flocked to Bath to also drink tea, dance, play cards, and gossip about the latest scandal in grand spaces like the Assembly Rooms. Known all over England as the place to see and be seen, visitors included the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, author Samuel Johnson, and members of the orchestra from the Handel and Haydn Society. As I take in the original chandeliers and opulent frescos of the Ball Room, which attracted up to 1,200 guests at a time, the audio guide informs me that the windows were set high to prevent passers-by from looking in.

At No. 1 Royal Crescent, home of the Featherington family in Bridgerton, you can walk around a traditional Regency home that’s brought to life through film and sound, with gold-framed digital screens displaying portraits that become animated. The pictures of the lady and lord of the house appear to be talking to one another, and an audio track reimagines the conversations that took place here. In the parlour, the wife discusses future menus and recipes with the cook, warning her to be frugal with the sugar, while in the drawing room, her husband and son despair of possible rebellions on the plantation.

Photos by: Netflix

Before heading to Bristol (go if you have time; it’s only 12 minutes from Bath by train and has a fantastic harbourside and more metropolitan vibes than Bath), I swing by the Abbey Deli, located on the cobblestones overlooking its namesake, for a coffee. Thanks to its striking bay window, it made for the perfect location for the Modiste dress shop in Bridgerton , and there are photos of Kathryn Drysdale who played Madame Genevieve Delacroix displayed inside. It’s a fitting end to visiting a city featured in so many period dramas, and one that is sure to reappear in many more.

If you don’t fancy Bristol, there is still plenty more to see in Bath, stresses the World Heritage Centre’s Crouch. “We hope that more people will venture farther off the beaten track and realise all that there is to offer and aim for a longer stay. Bath can lay claim to being the UK’s most walkable city and visitors can spend an enjoyable time exploring the reasons why the entire city is inscribed twice on the UNESCO World Heritage list.”

Jetsetter stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Bath City ( hilton.com ; doubles around £100) and was hosted by Visit Bath ( visitbath.co.uk )

opposite page: inside the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum.

this page from left: a waxwork of Jane Austen; the Palladian-style Pulteney Bridge

Britain’s Oldest Lido Reopens New lease of life for Cleveland Pools

The 200 year old Cleveland Pools is now revitalised and almost fully restored. Built in 1815, the UK’s oldest public outdoor swimming pool is within easy reach of Bath’s city centre, being just under a mile from the abbey. Throughout its history, the lido underwent many changes in management and uses, and swung between states of disrepair and dilapidation to undergoing renovations and preservation projects. The 1860s was certainly its most eccentric era; it was managed by Captain William Davies Evans and his pet baboon and used to host extravagant galas. Most recently closed to public bathers in 1984, it was awarded a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2017, which restored it to its former Georgian glory. Featuring a 25m main pool and a children’s pool, it finally reopened to the public this September. If the thought of outdoor swimming makes you shiver – the water temperature is around 20°C – wait until heat pumps are installed next year that will keep the pools warm for the whole season, which runs from April to September. clevelandpools.org.uk

Photos by: Cleveland Pools

Master of Adrenalin

Luxury boutique hotel QT Queenstown’s resident Director of Adventure, Jonny Little , gives Nick Walton the heads up on the Alpine city’s leading dining spots, scenic excursions, and heartthumping activities.

Firstly, what is a Director of Adventure?

A quirky take on your traditional concierge, a Director of Adventure is your go-to person at QT Queenstown who can plan out your perfect holiday with back-to-back activities catered to your own interests.

How adventurous are you and what are your favourite New Zealand adventures?

I live for adventure; it’s one of my life’s passions. I will never turn down the opportunity to explore, try something new, or leap off something which will make my adrenaline skyrocket. Favourite adventures from those three categories (‘cause I can’t choose just one), I’d have to choose hiking the Milford Track Great Walk, learning to snowboard up The Remarkables, and paragliding down into the centre of Queenstown.

What is it that makes Queenstown such a unique destination?

Queenstown, though it may feel a bit like a small town, is packed with opportunities and experiences. You can find serene relaxation being surrounded by mountains and nature, yet they can bring you so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The town should be small and sleepy, but instead it’s bustling and vibrant and full of diversity and international ideas. People here are open to everything and that feeling is infectious.

What are some of the most popular adventures that you send QT Queenstown guests on?

Travelling to explore Milford Sound is definitely up there as one of the most popular, and personally I really recommend spending the extra buck to take a scenic fixed-wing aircraft flight — the views will blow your mind. For guests looking to splurge there’s heli-skiing. You get flown over the Southern

Alps to an untouched slope of fresh powder that is all yours to carve up. I can’t imagine anything closer to heaven.

How about something a little less heart thumping?

Spend a day on a luxury wine tour to see all the Gibbston Valley has to offer, followed by an evening soak in an onsen where you can watch the sky turn candy floss pink before the stars begin to come out.

Where should we go for post-adrenalin celebrations?

Start at Reds Bar for spectacular views and a beautiful cocktail list. Sundeck is a great rooftop bar to go soak in the last of the rays as the sun sets. Once the night has begun, head over to Bunker — if it’s a Saturday, get ready to buckle up for the best DJ set the town has to offer.

Queenstown is also a foodie locale - what are some of your favourite restaurants in the city?

Going out for brunch, you’ve got to go to Yonder. Incredible food, an atmosphere that feels so welcoming and trendy, and staff who are super friendly. Lunchtime, I’d probably call and order a Fergburger so I don’t have to wait in the queue and take it over to Perky’s Floating Bar to enjoy. Then for dinner, if it’s not already booked out I’d go to Blue Kanu for some next level ‘Polyasia’- style cuisine, or if you’re tuckered out from adventuring, I’d hit up one of QT’s restaurants or order in from our fantastic room service menu.

What’s the city’s best kept secret?

You never need to pay full price for anything - there’s a way of getting discounts for almost anything (which honestly, you need to know if you’re going to live in this expensive little slice of heaven). Chat to your Director of Adventure about what you want to do and they’ll teach you the best way to go about it!

Jetsetter magazine is now available on PressReader

Time to reconnect with nature, with your loved ones, and most importantly with yourself. #AreYouReadyToWander

Racing Line

Stand

Loved by racing drivers for its tight corners and long straights, the Macao Grand Prix has hosted racing legends including Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton in its 69-year history and is widely regarded as the city’s most prestigious and popular event. This year, it will be held from 17-20 November, with plenty of other GP-related activities prior to the seven races, the main event being the Sands China Formula 4 Macao Grand Prix. Can local driver Leong Hon Chio claim victory again for the third year in a row – or will someone else beat him to the chequered flag this time? Drivers will also be competing in the Macao Motorcycle Grand Prix, SJM Macau Roadsport Challenge, Melco Greater Bay Area GT Cup, MGM Macau Touring Car Cup, Wynn Macau Guia Race and the Galaxy Entertainment Macau GT Cup.

The city embraced the racing spirit early with a Grand Prix-themed art exhibition held at the IAM Gallery from October 24-November 20, which traced the history and culture of Macau Grand Prix from different perspectives.

Those who want to get the kids involved in all things GP, meanwhile, can check out The Macau Grand Prix - Family Carnival on November 5-6 at Tap Seac Square, where attractions include a simulation of the Guia Circuit and a mini racetrack where children can race against each other and experience the thrill of hunting down victory on the circuit.

Grand Prix aficionados will also get the chance to see the cars up close before they hit the circuit by visiting Macau Grand Prix Car Show, which will be held at Tap Seac Square on November 12-13. The Macau Grand Prix opening ceremony will also be held at 12 November at 3pm. In addition to admiring the cars on display, guests can shop for Grand Prixthemed racing goods at the kiosk.

Whether you’re attending the Macao Grand Prix for the first time or are a regular visitor to the event, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching the cars and motorbikes go wheel to wheel from the stands. If you can’t manage to get a ticket, then it’s still worth visiting Macao for the weekend to experience the racing buzz and watch the races on one of the large screens situated at different locations across the city.

Tickets for November 17-18 are MOP50, while prices for November 19-20 range from MOP400 to MOP1,000, depending on the stand. Purchasers of two or more tickets for the same stand on the same day on November 19 or November 20 get a 30 per cent discount. For the latest information and online ticketing, visit the Macao Grand Prix official website at macau.grandprix.gov.mo

Say Spaahhhh

SONEVA DEBUTS NEW WELLNESS PACKAGES

Ready to return to the Maldives or Thailand? Then check out Soneva’s limited-edition wellness packages in both destinations. Valid for a three-, five- or seven-night stay at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri, the packages include complimentary consultations with resident wellness specialists, treatments and daily movement and meditation sessions at Soneva Soul or the Soneva Kiri Spa.

Three- and five-night stays at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani include a wellness consultation, daily treatments, vitamin therapy or major autohemotherapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. A seven-night package includes additional vitamin therapy or major autohemotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions.

The Soneva Kiri Spa package includes a daily treatment, nutritionist consultation, therapy session, Ayurvedic massage, plus daily fitness, yoga and meditation sessions. The seven-night package includes an additional intuitive therapy session and Ayurvedic massage therapy. soneva.com

HOLISTIC WELLNESS AT RENATION HONG KONG

Looking to embark on a new fitness regime in Hong Kong in an inspiring location? Then get yourself along to Renation at H Code in Central, where indoor and outdoor cycling classes, weight rooms and strength classes await, along with sports massages and smoothies.

The studio is split into different areas: Recycle for indoor cycling, Recondition for strength and conditioning classes and Recover for resting and stretching, where physiotherapists and sports masseuses are on hand to address any problem areas. Finally, there’s Recharge , a juice and smoothie bar where you can also order healthy drinks and snacks. We like the sound of their signature Spirulina Colada (blue Spirulina, pineapple, coconut milk and agave). If you love cycling, then keep your eye out for regular sunset rides on the rooftop of Carbon at H Code. teamrenation.com

A new fitness facility for Hong Kong, an upcoming medical centre for Phuket, and new treatments in Vietnam, the Maldives, and Thailand.

JOURNEY TO PEACE WITH AMANKORA

Looking for enlightenment? Then consider booking Amankora’s Journey to Peace retreat (29 November-5 December) in the mountains of Bhutan.

In pursuit of wakening the mind, the six-night retreat will guide guests on their own path to tranquillity using the ancient lessons of the Tibetan Bon tradition led by Buddhist monk and mindfulness coach Geshe Yong Dong. On day one, guests receive a 90-minute welcome massage, then the programme tackles changing perceptions, attachments, the power of breathing, living in the present, and anger management. Each day will also include Tsa Lung breathwork and meditation, two 90-minute sessions with Geshe, and a 60-minute evening session of chanting, mantra recitation, and meditation, plus optional daily group movement classes. aman.com

NEW TREATMENTS AT ALMA CAM RANH

Alma Resort’s beachfront Le Spa has introduced a new menu with treatments including sun soother wraps and fancy footwork therapy. The menu offers treatments incorporating natural products like Vietnamese herbs, flowers, and mineral mud, including the 100-minute Reset, a combination of an aroma steam bath, aromatherapy floral footbath, Balinese massage, and facial.

ASAYA LAUNCHES BESPOKE NATUROPATHIC PROGRAMMES

Rosewood Hong Kong’s urban wellness concept, Asaya, has debuted a holistic self-healing programme headed up by resident naturopath Dr Tal Friedman. Focused on understanding each guest’s health and lifestyle concerns, Dr Friedman conducts an overview of lifestyle, diet, and recommended stress management solutions that are enhanced by nutritional supplements and herbal remedies where needed.

With tiered programmes on offer, guests and members can access Asaya’s naturopathic therapies, wellness treatments, and fitness offerings. Treatments include blood-flow restriction training (BFRT), lymphatic massage, and expressive arts to bring the body back into a naturally restorative state.

Each tier begins with an in-person or online consultation with Dr Friedman. Participants can then add on a 60-minute consultation with the naturopath, where he will recommend any diagnostic tests that may be required. rosewoodhotels.com

Alternatively, the 120-minute Rejuvenate treatment features an aroma steam bath; a coconut, orange, or herbal body scrub; a Vietnamese mineral mud body wrap; and an energiser retreat massage or fancy footwork therapy. Described as “reflexology without the ouch”, fancy footwork therapy is based on the same therapeutic principles and is designed to release toxins and restore the body’s energy flow. The sun soother wrap, meanwhile, features a hydrating banana leaf wrap with cucumber and lavender essential oils, a foot massage, and anti-inflammatory towels compressed with green tea and lavender essential oil followed by aloe vera. alma-resort.com

Algarvian Adventures

Portugal’s illustrious coastline just got a bit more upscale with the arrival of W Algarve, says Helen Dalley

The Algarve is Portugal’s most popular tourist destination and a tourism hotspot since the 1960s, renowned for its rugged Atlantic beaches and challenging golf courses. Hole 6 at Pine Cliffs Golf Course in Albufeira is on the edge of a ravine and requires a shot over the beach, while the Royal Golf Course in Vale do Lobo features a Par 3 in which three cliffs stand between the tee and the green.

Wooed by the great weather (famously sunny for over 300 days a year), many A-listers own property in Portugal, including Madonna (Sintra), Scarlett Johansson and John Malkovich (both Lisbon), and Sir Cliff Richard (Guia, Algarve). Bordered by the latter’s vineyard, which produces grapes for Adega do Cantor (“The Singer’s Winery”) of the award-winning Vida Nova wines, the English star’s property recently went on the market for €5 million (US$5.35 million).

clockwise from top: Spectactular Room at W Algarve; W Lounge; cocktail bar Sea Sky

W Hotel’s

opened in Albufeira

June, a former fishing village on the country’s southcoast of Algarve and one of the country’s major holiday destinations, with long, sandy beaches, buzzing nightlife, and dolphin watching among its many attractions. Like its sister properties, the cornerstone of the hotel is its cutting-edge aesthetic, which incorporates Portuguese azulejos tiles in guest rooms and restaurants and hand-blown glass pendant lamps hanging above a 20m-long onyx counter in the W Lounge.

VIBRANT VIBES

Featuring a curved feature wall adorned with infinity mirrors and a collection of handmade Portuguese ceramic plates – the staff tell me there are more than 600 pieces – the hotel reception area makes quite the statement. It may be 11pm when I arrive, but dance music is still playing, and a glass of sparkling wine is pressed into my hand shortly after, which feels true to W Hotels’ playful party going brand.

Inside my Spectacular Room (the top tier room, followed by Wonderful then Fabulous), I can hear the roar of the Atlantic Ocean and that distinctive chirrup of crickets as I step out onto the balcony, which overlooks the geometric swimming pool,

first location in Portugal, W Algarve

this

with the sea tantalisingly close behind the trees. Inside, I admire the filigree bedside lanterns, mosaics made from Algarvian tiles, and crocheted patterns on the glass panel separating the bedroom from the bathroom, as well as the cool backlit headboards that modernise the local touches.

Breakfast at Market Kitchen is the picture of indulgence, with frosted pink doughnuts, bicolour raspberry croissants, Portuguese egg tarts, and local sparkling wine lined up alongside a wide selection of bread, muesli, and bowls of sliced fruit. But as with most W hotels, it’s the design that catches the eye; the bright yellow chairs and bar counters covered in blue-and-white geometric azulejos tiles are a vivacious ocular wake-up call.

A tour with the W Algarve’s interior designer, AB Concept co-founder Ed Ng – whose projects include W BaliSeminyak and W Xi’an - casts further light on the hotel’s design vision. Looking dapper in a yellow-checked navy jacket and chinos, the Hong Kong born, Japan-based designer is visibly impassioned by his latest project, pointing out details like the lobby’s infinity mirrors (“they create a sense of space”, he explains) and the fish tail effect of the building’s wavy, scale-like exterior inspired by the

hotel’s coastal location. As we take a stroll down to the beach, Ng reveals his firm is currently in talks with the hotel to design a seafood restaurant overlooking the sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean. As a long-term collaborator with W, he believes the brand is evolving. “It’s moving away from that party image to something more sophisticated and luxurious. It’s always been a radical brand and people expect something different from it.”

While Portugal is of course famous for its fortified wine, Port, there is also plenty of great vino to be found all across the country, Algarve being no exception. I head over to familyowned vineyard, tapas bar, and tap room Quinta dos Santos in Western Algarve for lunch, where I drink a white Tesouro (Portuguese for “treasured”) in the courtyard overlooking the vines. The blue skies and September sunshine only add to the sense of occasion, and the tapas puts an upscale spin on rustic farm fare — there’s oven-baked cheese with almonds, honey, and toasted bread; grilled butterflied tiger prawns; and mushrooms in garlic-infused olive oil with lemon zest. The wine is thoughtfully poured out in small measures, encouraging us to savour every mouthful. I resolve to try the Dos Santos craft beers next time, with pilsners, amber ales, and IPAs available at the taproom.

PORTUGUESE ARTISANS

If ceramics are your thing, then don’t miss Porches Pottery, situated about 20km outside of Albufeira. Established by Portuguese artist Lima de Freitas and Irish artist Patrick Swift in the 60s to revive the Algarvian pottery scene, striking, rustic-looking pieces are painted on site. There are gorgeous tiles everywhere, including a striking bench in traditional Portuguese white and blues by the entrance that serves as the perfect backdrop for a selfie.

Inside the main building, you can watch the painters dipping their brushes into water before swirling them round on palettes as they paint bowls, jugs, and vases in Porches’ signature revivalist designs, with freehand paintings of deer, long-tailed birds, fish, griffins, and hunting dogs. Sideboards display lamp bases, jugs, teapots, and colourful serving plates, while the fireplaces are filled with vases and plates, and the pottery’s Bar Bacchus is surrounded by bas-reliefs and a tile mural hand painted by Patrick Swift depicting the life of the Roman god Bacchus. If you’re looking for something more personal, Porches takes commissions for everything from dinner sets to house name plaques.

from top left: hand-made ceramics at Porches Pottery

Part of the new generation of environmentally conscious Portuguese designers, Vanessa Barragão is a local textile artist who recycles unwanted yarns from rug factories and transforms them into underwater landscapes. I call into her studio in Albufeira (it’s not open to the public but she offers commissions via her Instagram @vanessabarragao_work) and am impressed by her tapestry crochet, with colourful yarns woven into three-dimensional representations of coral colonies living on the ocean floor. When asked for the source of her inspiration, she says, “When I first saw coral reefs, I fell in love with them, and I’ve always been inspired by the sea. All the materials in my studio were set to end up in the bin, and it’s my mission to save them from that fate.”

As we head back to the hotel, our driver Oleg recommends catching the sunset at Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, where yellow limestone cliffs soar 20 metres high and the beach is accessed by descending a steep scenic staircase.

BEACH LIFE

I don’t have time to take up Oleg’s recommendation, but late afternoon, I stroll down the hill from the hotel to Praia da Balbina, where the waves smash against the rocks in dramatic, mesmerising fashion and sunseekers lie supine under rustic beach umbrellas. This is not a beach for swimming – one kid dares to venture into

from top left: texitle artist Vanessa Barragao; wine farm, craft brewery and tapas bar Quinta dos Santos

the waves with his stick but is quickly beaten back – but there are plenty of people sunbathing, taking photos, or watching the waves while drinking vinho verde at Castelo Beach Club, where plates of harissa mussels, whelk salad, and garlic shrimp await. It’s a wilder, more secluded alternative to the larger and more popular beaches in the area like Praia Sã o Rafael and Praia da Faleésia, which stretches for 6 kilometres, flanked by red- and orange-coloured cliffs.

I head back to the hotel to meet General Manager Cajetan Araujo, who relocated to the Algarve from W Goa, sitting and chatting underneath the W Lounge’s centrepiece installation that takes its inspiration from Moorish jewellery and sea bubbles. It’s clear that he enjoys being here and loves exploring the quieter side of the Algarve on his days off. Araujo, who is of Portuguese and Indian descent, singles out Sagres (see sidebar) as one of his favourite places.

“It’s at the southwestern tip of the Algarve and feels like you’re at the edge of the world, or on the moon,” he describes dreamily of Sagres, a windswept town that’s popular with surfers and day trippers alike. He agrees with Ng that W Hotels is evolving – alongside fashion, design, and music, one of their new passion points is “loud and proud”, in terms of dedication to promoting equality. Sustainability is also key; at W Algarve drinking water is provided in glass bottles and they use as many local ingredients as possible in the kitchen. “We do import a few, but not many – you won’t find any avocado dishes on menus, for example,” he says.

While W Hotels has long been associated with the party crowd, and still is to an extent – Rita Ora played at the hotel’s launch party with the likes of Brazilian supermodels Cindy Mello and Isabeli Fontana in attendance – that is changing. “We have everyone from Gen Z to baby boomers checking in here,” the GM observes.

Day Trip: Sagres

Visit Europe’s Most South-Westerly Point

Located in the extreme southwest of continental Europe, the small parish of Sagres (population: less than 2,000) in Vila do Bispo, represents the Algarve’s more rugged side with towering, ocean-battered cliffs. Visitors come here to walk, hike, and enjoy the more isolated beaches, including Praia do Martinhal and Praia da Mareta. The nearby headland of Cabo de São Vicente is also commonly referred to as “The End of the World”, as it was acknowledged for millennia by the Eastern Mediterraneans. At this windswept cap five kilometres west of Sagres, there’s a lighthouse with a maritime museum, plus a bar with a terrace (only open during peak season).

Surfers love Sagres for its fishing town vibe and you can hang ten on wide, open beaches or small coves. Best for beginners is Castelejo, Cordoama, and Borderia, while Praia do Zavial can satisfy more experienced surfers when the swell comes from the northwest.

If you’re there to eat, try A Sereia Restaurante. Situated atop the fish market, the dishes are as fresh as it gets, with the selection including turbot, squid, and prawn grilled with lemon and herbs. You can even watch the fish auctions from inside the restaurant.

Photo By: Barni1/Pixabay

Rugged Balbina beach is a few minutes’ walk from W Algarve

DINING AT A MILANESE LEGEND

The elegant, traditional Italian restaurant Paper Moon, which first opened in Milan’s fashion district in the 70s and expanded to include stylish and prestigious addresses in global cities like Hong Kong and Doha, is now also the W Algarve’s signature restaurant. The buzzy atmosphere is underpinned by discreet, friendly service with waiters turned out in white shirts and black waistcoats. The sleek, understated theme extends to the décor, with monochromatic soft and hard furnishings, light timber floors, and black oceanfacing window walls contrasting white walls adorned with black-and-white photographs. We start off with burrata and grilled octopus, then order the spaghetti vongole and ravioli in Piedmont truffle cream for mains. Local produce is also celebrated on the menu, with grilled Portuguese squid and grilled monkfish available as secondi.

Keen to have the beach to myself, I rise early and am beside the waves by 7:30am, happy to make the first footprints. Having explored the yellow rock formations on the left yesterday, where a small group were fishing, this morning I venture right, to an even more secluded section of beach. I walk on cliffs and through pines before engaging in yesterday’s ritual of admiring waves slamming onto the rocks in all their glorious ferocity.

W Hotels’ Away Spas include quick, targeted solutions in addition to lengthier treatments, the 30-minute Instant Radiance exfoliation treatment being a case in point, and the reception at the W Algarve is fittingly decorated with Portuguese green bobbin lace lamps and a feature wall of white buoys. I’m booked in for the 60-minute Unwind massage, which combines moderate pressure with aromatherapy and is a great way to start the day before checking out. Facilities include a sauna, fire tub, ice tub, and steam room that allows you to choose from four scents: Cedarwood, Lemon Garden, Provence Lavender, and Eucalyptus.

My visit to the Algarve has been too brief, but true to my “Spectacular” Room, and with over 130 beaches covering nearly 125 miles of coastline, there are plenty of reasons to go back.

Jetsetter stayed at W Algarve in a Spectacular Room (rates beginning at approx. €467 a night; marriott.com)

from opposite page: handblown glass pendant lamps at W Lounge; monochromatic cool at Paper Moon

Kyoto The Comeback

As Japan opens its borders to independent tourism and abolishes its daily arrival cap, Jetsetter rounds up the best of Kyoto, with geisha spotting, temples, and wellness experiences all in the mix…

Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto’s temples, palaces and gardens are collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Photo By: Calin Stan / Unsplash

WELLNESS

A relatively recent opening – debuting last September –is Hilton’s LXR-branded Roku Kyoto ( lxrhotels.com ), situated within the 28.6-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto, a luxury enclave that’s home to some of Kyoto’s most remarkable Japanese gardens, architecture, and tea houses. Surrounded by the Takagamine mountains, the spa features Kyoto’s only outdoor onsen thermal pool that draws natural hot spring water from the adjacent resort, while treatments include Shinso luxury facials, Ayurvedic treatments, and massages featuring an original blend of aromatherapy oils infused with the essence of Kitayama sugi, a Japanese cedar tree native to the northern Kyoto area.

Opened this June by the Banyan Tree Group, Dhawa Yura Kyoto ( dhawa.com ) is located beside the iconic Sanjo Ohashi, a bridge that was once the final destination of the Tokaido Road leading from the ancient city of Edo. Check into the 8lement Spa for Thai massages and body scrubs. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre that’s open to hotel guests only.

Like the Roku, Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto ( hotelthemitsui.com ) features a thermal spring, while therapies include hot balancing treatments to boost circulation. The Toki Signature Journey features a body and

facial treatment menu created with an acupuncturist based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The hotel itself puts a contemporary twist on the Japanese tearoom, and the courtyard garden in the centre of the property is a great spot for tranquil self-reflection.

If you’re looking to push the boat out, check into The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto ( ritzcarlton.com ), which celebrates local traditions in its seven treatment rooms and one spa suite. Facilities include a steam room, pool and dry sauna, too. The signature Ryokucha Serenity Ritual makes use of antioxidant-rich green tea leaves from the local city of Uji for body, foot, and scalp massages. The Kyoto Bamboo Ritual, meanwhile, improves flexibility using heated bamboo stalks and warm oil.

the outdoor pool and treatment rooms at Roku Kyoto

GO GEISHA

Most of Kyoto’s geisha population is concentrated in the Gokagai, five traditional hanamachi (“flower towns”) districts of Gion Higashi, Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Pontocho, and Kamishichiken. Come between 5:30 and 6pm, and you may catch a glimpse of them gracefully shuffling in their kimono and wooden geta sandals between appointments. When it comes to photography, be respectful and discreet — or simply admire from a distance — as you can be fined up to JP¥10,000 (approx. US$70) for taking unauthorised photos on private streets.

An alternative to geisha spotting is to catch them in action at Gion Corner ( kyotogioncorner.com ) inside the Yasaka Hall facility of traditional performing arts, where 50-minute performances include traditional dances, a tea ceremony, ikebana (the art of flower arrangement), and musical stylings with the koto, the national plucked zither instrument of Japan. Performances are held at 6 and 7pm every day.

Maikoya ( mai-ko.com ) offers several geisha experiences, including a tea ceremony where guests don kimonos and learn how to make the perfect cup of matcha and while pairing

them with wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets. You can also book private lunches and dinners with geisha shows; holding true to its name, most of the performers at Maikoya are maiko, or trainee geishas.

Deeper Japan ( deeperjapan.com ) offers a two-to-three-hour private dining experience featuring geisha, with lunch limited to 10 and dinner, 12 people. At lunch, you’ll play lively traditional games with a maiko, while dinner comprises a 10-course kaiseki experience with entertainment provided by a maiko, a geisha, and a jikata (a musically trained geisha) playing the shamisen, a threestringed traditional Japanese instrument derived from the 16th century Chinese sanxian.

from top: geishas can be found in Kyoto’s five traditional flower towns, which include Gion and Higashi

Photo By: Naveen Kumar / Unsplash

TEMPLE TIME

Zen Buddhist temple Kinkakuji , ( shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji ) also known as “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” because of its extravagant use of gold leaf, has experienced some adversity in its time, including a disturbed monk who burnt it down in 1950 due to his hatred of beauty. The 14th century building was reconstructed in 1955 loyal followers but with more splendour and gold than the 500-year-old original design.

If you are a fan of minimalism, then head to Ryoanji Temple ( ryoanji.jp ), where one of Kyoto’s most celebrated rock gardens awaits. The large rock formations and smooth river rocks are considered one of the finest examples of karesansui , or “dry landscape”, a Zen Buddhist philosophy of gardening. The Ryoanji garden was carefully designed so that from any vantage point, at least one of its 15 rocks is always hidden from view. The temple also has a water garden, tea house, and tea garden.

Standing halfway up Mount Otowa, UNESCO World Heritage site Kiyomizudera ( kiyomizudera.or.jp ) founded by the Kita-Hosso sect of Buddhism, is renowned for its 13m high wooden platform off the main hall, which offers great views of the city outside. Inside, you’ll find the temple’s primary object of worship, a small statue of the 11-faced, thousand-armed Kanzeon Bosatsu also known as Kannon, Goddess of Mercy.

The Shingon Buddhist temple complex of Toji ( toji.or.jp ) was built between 794-796 CE, and is home to a collection of gold and wooden statues, including the wooden statue of the Yakushi Nyorai Buddha at Kondo Hall. Other highlights include The Five-Storey Pagoda from the Edo period. Standing 180m high, it’s the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.

from top: Buddhist temple Kinkakuji is covered in gold leaf; pagoda at dusk

Photos By: Golden temple: David Klein / Unsplash; Pagoda: Romeo A / Unsplash

Plain Sailing

Feast your eyes on new models from Benetti , Heesen , and more with Robyn Tucker-Peck

Megayachts are all the rage lately, with TV screens and social media blanketed by images of massive vessels that look more like impenetrable fortresses than high-end living spaces on water. What’s usually invisible to the eye is the inner beauty of the yacht, be it floating glass staircases and wrap-around sofas, to bespoke furniture and artisanal accessories. In this feature, Jetsetter highlights new offerings from the industry’s biggest names, some of which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show this Autumn.

WHEN ALL YOU NEED IS SPACE

Founded in 1875 by the son of a boatyard owner, Lürssen’s history is long and impressive. Now the fourth generation the Lürssen line are carrying on the family tradition in style: 12 of the 20 largest yachts built in the past 20 years were built by the German shipyard, including the megayacht AHPO , delivered in 2021, which offers luxury and privacy in equal measure. Across the length of her 115 metres – it was the largest yacht at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show – AHPO’s striking supercar-inspired interior is all smooth lines, fluid layout, and plenty of glass. When stepping aboard, designers Nuvolari-Lenard had a very simple objective: perfection. “When [people] approach the boat from any angle, they need to look and simply say, ‘Wow I like her a lot’,” says Carlo Nuvolari.

For the shipbuilder, the task was to build a yacht for a repeat client, an upgrade from his 86m Lürssen, with details such as handcrafted cherry blossom wallpaper delivering a distinctive touch. Highlights included a 12-seater cinema with LED star-studded ceilings and navy box seats, while an eight-metre swimming pool was built on the upper deck.

This year, Lürssen released the 160m M/Y Blue, the fifth longest yacht in the world, for Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE. Designed by the English design house of Terence Disdale, amenities include a dance floor, steam room, and beach club. lurssen.com

MY AHPO-Owner´s Suite and exterior - Lurssen Photo by: Guillaume Plisson

A FAMILY-FRIENDLY YACHT

Seen here is the Heesen M/Y Ela , which debuted last summer. At 50 metres, it’s a distinguished yacht with a striking profile characterised by a vertical bow and bold spray rails. Along with her Dutch pedigree as a guarantee of quality, Ela was also made a reality soon after her design caught the attention of her new owners. With just three months between purchase and delivery, the owners worked with Italian interior designer Cristiano Gatto and the Heesen team to personalise the yacht to their family’s requirements. “Together with the client, we revisited all the loose furniture, inside and out, selecting new materials for all the upholstery and key items from Paola Lenti, B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau and Promemoria,” says Gatto. “But more importantly, we designed bespoke pieces, such as tables, sofas, and lamps crafted by Italian ateliers who delivered them in record time.” heesenyachts.com

M/Y Ela, Heesen

Photos by: DC

A CLEAN CONCEPT

Renowned for its ability to create custom superyachts for the most discerning owners, Feadship is promoting a new concept design, Pure , a product of its clients’ boldest visions and long brainstorming sessions where the team pushed the boundaries of yacht design. The result is the 81.75-metre mega yacht Pure , with a sleekly simple exterior profile and open plan interior design based on how owners spend their time onboard. The captain, meanwhile, will navigate the yacht from a lower deck command centre instead of the bridge.

On Pure , Feadship offers a three-deck tall elliptical glass atrium, retractable glass-bottomed jacuzzi amidships, and a large beach club with three fold-down balconies aft and on both sides. “From the open-plan spaces to the futurecompatible propulsion and lower-deck command centre, the in-house Studio De Voogt design team worked closely with the Knowledge & Innovation department and engineering experts at Feadship and suppliers to ensure each solution proposed is realistic,” says the Dutch builder. feadship.nl

Photos by : Feadship YACHTING

PENTHOUSE PERFECTION

Founded in Poole, England, by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite in 1969, Sunseeker changed its name to Sunseeker International in 1985 and has since become an iconic maker of luxury motor yachts sold around the world while retaining its British DNA. New models launched at Cannes include the 24.5m Ocean 156 and 27m Ocean 182, both of which have the feel of a luxury penthouse, with the former featuring a curved stainless steel and timber staircase.

Another new yacht, and the largest of four models in its range, is the 131 Yacht. A standout element is the extensive use of glass in the master stateroom, saloon, and upper saloon to create lightfilled environments. Standard guest configuration is for ten guests in five cabins, with scope for up to 12 to be accommodated depending on the layout and options selected. sunseeker.com

The Sunseeker 131

Photos by: Sunseeker International

MANAGEABLE LUXURY

Another new addition, this time to the seas of Asia, is Beneteau’s Grand Trawler 62, the result of the brand’s collaboration with Massimo Gino of Nauta Design and Amedeo Migali of MICAD. The yacht capitalises on the success of the Swift Trawler range of spacious, practical vessels that offer consideration cruising ranges. The vessel has a distinctive hull, designed to improve cruising ranges and efficiency, and, at 18.95 metres long, is designed for 6-8 guests plus crew. Potential owners will love the impressive flybridge, one of the largest on the market, as well as the luxurious interiors, which include a VIP guest cabin in the bow, larger passagemakers for crew, satin wax wood finishings, and a midship owners suite that makes the most of the vessel’s generous beam. simpsonmarine.com

A VISION IN STEEL

Making its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show this year, the Benetti B.Yond 37M Goga extends across four decks, the first to display the excellence of the new Voyager series and expressing the style favoured by modern owners. Instead of fibreglass, Benetti made an unusual choice for a boat of this size and opted to return to steel, a step back to the 1950s when the shipbuilder pioneered metal hulls instead of the traditional wood. In many markets, steel is a symbol of durability, a quintessential feature of a series designed for long cruises. The flexibility of the layout makes it possible to redefine the spaces and use existing areas for new hospitality functions based on the needs of the owner. The upper deck, featuring a creative living area, extends from stern to bow and offers a 360-degree view of the sea, while in the cabins, traditional portholes are replaced with expansive hull windows. Elsewhere, the bridge deck owner’s suite has a private terrace aft, and the upper deck features a spa pool. benettiyachts.it

Design at Sea

What first piqued your interest in interior design?

I was born and raised in a seaside village near Portofino, so the majesty of the sea always had a big impact on me. My curiosity and sense of adventure come from the sea and are intrinsic to my Ligurian origins. I owe them my love for yachts and sea travel. My passion for travelling and discovering new cultures also played a role in my choice to become a designer.

What do your clients want from design?

Yacht owners have changed the way they want to experience their yachts. Now, they are seeking flexibility and multifunctionality, want less rigid divisions, and wish to live in the spaces of their vessels more freely.

How has interior design changed in recent years?

We see that flexibility is nowadays the major trend in interior design, especially in yacht and hotel room design. For example, hotel guests are looking for a room where they can unroll their yoga mat, have a work video call, eat a meal, and do everything in the same space. Another big trend is the sense of one’s own place; clients want to be surprised and enriched by an experience, and want to live in a personalised space.

You also design jet interiors. Are there any similarities with yachts?

In jet design you have more constraints — mainly technical — to take into account. Since jets are used mainly for business while yachts are for leisure, jet interiors need to instil calmness and encourage passengers to recharge after a busy day. I’d then focus on comfort through a specific selection of materials and colours.

How much of a difference does the weather make to the products and materials you choose to use?

It makes a huge difference. Proper material selection, whether you’re building one yacht or thousands, is critical to success. Perhaps the most important factors are corrosion resistance and strength. The combination of sun and sea water is one of the most corrosive agents that exist and we need to pay extra attention to the material selection for outdoor furniture.

What have been your biggest lessons in this business? Nothing is impossible, and ‘no’ is not a word.

Robyn Tucker-Peck talks about the challenges of space and functionality onboard with Francesca Muzio, founder of FM Architettura, which has designed yacht interiors for Benetti, Heesen, and Lürssen.

Benetti B.Yond 37M

Photos by: Benetti Yachts, Malgarini, Stranhero, Locci

WellnessForward Tipples

What gave you the idea to set up Only and what’s your vision for the brand?

When we were in Vancouver, we saw all our friends drinking these hard seltzers and realised there was a gap in the market in Hong Kong. While the drinks we’ve launched so far are vodka with soda, we’re not just a vodka soda company. We’re a beverage company focused on developing other alcoholic canned beverages with a health-conscious approach.

Tell us about your products

We have a ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage range, Only vodka soda and have three products so far: Guava Hibiscus, Yuzu Ginger and Tahitian lime. Mixed with 5x distilled Australian vodka, all drinks contain zero sugar, carbs or artificial flavours.

Are there plans to expand the product range this year?

We’ll be launching a fourth flavour later this year and next year, we’re looking at launching a different product line. We’ve also used Asian ingredients as we’re based in Asia, and our future flavours down the line are going to have a similar theme.

You both had corporate careers previously. What were some of the challenges you faced setting up the business?

We set up during covid and started doing a lot of research online in 2020. We’d email and call developers but never met them. The developer we ended up working with is based in Australia and we still haven’t met them in person.

Tell us about some of the best

moments since setting up the brand

When we did a sampling at Hong Kong Liquor Store, to see their in-person reaction was a real highlight. I think many have this perception about vodka-based drinks, but when people try it, that perception completely changes. Around 50% of our business is direct to consumer and sold through our own platform, so when we engage with our customers and they give their feedback on the drink, that’s special.

What gives your product the edge over similar products?

When you go to convenience stores, the canned alcoholic beverage selection is very limited, and the options available usually contain a lot of sugar and taste artificial. What people have picked up on with Only is that there’s no aftertaste, as we use vodka rather than a distilled spirit like hard seltzer brands. In addition to being sugar and carb-free, we’re 80 calories, while a beer is around 150 calories but with the same alcohol content of around 4.5%.

The drinks can be purchased at your website and at retailers and clubs all over the city. Are there plans to get more stockists?

So far, I think we have around 20 stockists, including some private clubs like The American Club and Hong Kong Yacht Club, and we’re the only such brand in these clubs. We’ve just confirmed a deal with an international five-star hotel, too. We’re very selective on which retailers we work with, as we want to build a premium brand. Our ultimate goal is to have Only everywhere, but

first we want to be recognised as a premium brand.

You partnered with a beverage developer in Australia to develop Only. How’s that going?

We still haven’t been to Australia – the developer couriers the samples to us and then we invite our friends to taste them with us. If we had been able to visit, that would have been so much easier. Things just take longer so you have to plan it better.

What do you like about Hong Kong?

It’s very easy to set up a business, plus tax rates are low. In the US, you have to use distributors to sell alcohol, whereas in Hong Kong you don’t, so that means we can go direct to, say, CitySuper. This makes it quicker and the margins are better, as we don’t have to share it with the distributor. I also think Hong Kong is very supportive of local businesses and consumers are very open to trying new things.

How ambitious are you for Only and what are your long-term plans?

We are focused on Asia first, and we want to be one of Asia’s top ready-to-drink beverages. In five years, we’ll hopefully be operating in multiple markets and growing this category.

What are you focusing on right now?

We’re focused on expanding our distribution network and we’ve been speaking to more hotels. Hopefully before the end of this year, we will have entered another Asian market. We’re also going to be sponsoring sports team – rugby perhaps, and a dragon boating team –to build brand awareness. drinkonly.co

Frustrated by the lack of healthy alcoholic drinks in Hong Kong, Flora Ma and Jonathan Der set up Only Drinks, says Helen Dalley

UNCLE MING’S OPENS IN WAN CHAI

A dramatic sky-high hotspot for whisky lovers, Uncle Ming’s has opened on the 25th-floor of Hong Kong’s stylish new AKI Hong Kong – MGallery hotel and presents 80 prized international whiskies, including a few single malts rarely seen in the city. Uncle Ming’s highlights include single malts and blends from all six Scotch-producing regions of Scotland with favourite drams including the Royal Salute 21 Years, created in tribute to the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. If sipping straight spirits isn’t your thing, signature whisky cocktails have been created by veteran Moroccan bar manager Maurice Bekouchi, and include the Oolongtini , an elixir of Monkey Shoulder, Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie from Speyside with Oolong tea, pomelo honey and orange zest, inspired by Queen Victoria’s enjoyment of a dash of whisky in her morning cup of tea. aki-hongkong-mgallery.com

THE FANTASY OF THE FAIRIES CONTINUES

Designer Ashley Sutton has opened The Mixing Room, a genesis story to his groundbreaking Hong Kong cocktail bar Iron Fairies. An enigmatic speakeasy hidden away off Hollywood Road, The Mixing Room takes its inspiration from Sutton’s experiences in the iron ore mines of Western Australia and from his children’s book trilogy about a band of grumpy miners trapped underground tasked with forging iron fairies from the ore. Raw iron, hand-hewn timber, tufted leather, and brick textured walls adorned with more than 22,000 jars and bottles containing fairy dust, poems and all sort of mysterious ingredients set the scene for cocktails by industry veteran Tom Egerton, who was inspired by the characters of Sutton’s books. These visually striking and Insta-perfect cocktails are laced with homemade sodas, house infusions, and craft spirits. theironfairies.com

TASTES OF CENTRAL EUROPE

Foodies looking to explore the flavours and culinary traditions of Central Europe should book a table at Schnitzel & Schnaps, which has opened in Central, Hong Kong. The newest opening of the Epicurean Group features a menu inspired by the homestyle cooking of Polish restauranteur and chef Krzysztof Bandel. Catering to 75 guests in a main dining room dressed in vibrant green and earth tones, dark timber and antique fixtures, Schnitzel & Schnaps specialises in classic schnitzel dishes served with authentic condiments and side dishes, with highlights including iconic Wiener Schnitzel with lemon and anchovies; Schnitzel à la Holstein, named for German statesman Friedrich von Holstein; and the Celeriac Schnitzel, a vegetarian option packed with a sweet and earthy flavour. Also look out for a range of authentic sausages and some tantalising schnaps-based cocktails. schnitzelandschnaps.hk

TOM AIKENS OPENS THE JADE ROOM IN TOKYO

DUSIT THANI DUBAI WELCOMES

TWO NEW VENUES

Dining in the UAE just got better with the opening at the Dusit Thani Dubai of two new venues – MaKiRa, a Japanese rolls and bowls destination highlighting the finest ingredients; and NoLo, the first non-alcoholic bar in Dubai. Located on the hotel’s ground floor and decorated with multi-coloured Japanese umbrellas, uchiwa fans, and colourful furoshiki boxes, MaKiRa fuses the flavours and techniques that hallmark the traditional and modern cultures of Japan into one exciting dining experience where dishes like Tuna Poke, and New Style Chirashi – sushi rice with salmon, tuna, octopus, hamachi, takuwan, hajikame and wasabi soy dressing – take centre stage. Finish your evening on a healthy note at NoLo, located on the 24th floor, which offers the same heady vibes as a traditional cocktail bar with one big exception: the glasses are filled with inventive 0% cocktails that taste just as good as the real thing. We love the Lavender Bees Knees Royale , with Lyre’s London Dry, lemon juice, lavender honey, and Lyre’s Classico Grande. dusit.com

Foodies have another reason to visit the Japanese capital with the opening of The Jade Room + Garden Terrace at The Tokyo Edition Toranomon. Set on the 31st floor, the new hotel’s signature restaurant celebrates the versatility and expressiveness ingrained in Japanese culture and cuisine. Chef Tom Aikens’ a la carte and four or six-course tasting menus deliver a fusion of contemporary Japanese and Western influenced dishes – think squid consommé with yuzu, chicken, and confit lemon; and piglet belly with squid, pineapple, and vanilla – prepared using diverse yet refined cooking techniques. Set against the dramatic city skyline, the restaurant features works by photographer Masao Yamamoto and artist John Jackson. In addition, the Garden Terrace offers an urban oasis that serves innovative cocktails and a menu of small sharing dishes. thejaderoomgardenterrace.com

BALI’S UNI RESTAURANT & BAR RETURNS WITH NEW MENU

Acclaimed chef Steven Skelly’s Uni Restaurant & Bar in Bali’s trendy Berawa has begun a new chapter with an innovative menu packed with flavour and innovation. Reaffirming its focus on seafood, Uni’s new Japanese-heavy menu embraces the modern twists that have made Skelly a culinary legend on the island. A revolving raw menu makes the most of fresh locally-caught seafood – including newcomers like salmon confit with grilled leeks and radishes and crispy skin coral trout with miso eggplant and spinach – with signatures like the popular prawn roll. Uni’s new menu draws on chef Skelly’s extensive experience at some of Australia’s best seafood restaurants, including Sydney’s iconic Pier Restaurant and Fishface. Pair your meal with new cocktails by Mexicola Group’s Denny Bakiev and Uni’s resident mixologist Jordy Outra, which celebrate Japan’s booming bar culture, specialty spirits, and unique ingredients. unibali.com

NOI OPENS AT

FOUR SEASONS HONG KONG

Award-winning chef Paulo Airaudo has opened his new Asia flagship restaurant, Noi, at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Meaning “we” or “us” in Italian, Noi is a contemporary Italian concept where Airaudo shares the best of what he’s learnt while developing Geneva’s Michelin-starred La Bottega and Amelia. Noi’s seasonal tasting menu takes guests on a journey through the chef’s culinary experiences, starting from his childhood, with each dish a tribute to the farmers and the natural habitats each ingredient is sourced from. Noi sets itself apart from the usual stiff and intimidating fine dining restaurants in the city with a laid-back atmosphere and vibrant, art-inspired interiors by the awardwinning ab concept team. restaurantnoi.hk

The Street Food Chef

Now in partnership with an Indonesian developer, acclaimed chef and restaurateur Will Meyrick is steadily building his empire, but remains as hands-on as ever, he tells Helen Dalley

You’ve opened a new restaurant in Bali and will debut several others with Mirah Investment & Development. Can you tell us about that?

We’ve opened Honey & Smoke this October, a 35-seater restaurant with an additional 20 seats upstairs, which is more of a cocktail bar. Mirah has opened a few hotels recently, and they’ve partnered with me to curate dining experiences for them. One of them, located in Secana Beachtown residences, will have an Indonesian restaurant similar to Hujan Locale, which reopened this July in Ubud.

What prompted the decision to team up with Mirah?

I’ve always funded my own restaurants in Indonesia, which can be quite risky, but pairing up with Mirah has enabled us to develop the restaurants we want to without necessarily taking a risk. In Indonesia, you are on the Ring of Fire, and if you don’t make your money back quickly, the next year there might be an earthquake and you would have lost everything.

You opened Will St. in Perth last year. What attracted you to the city and how was it readjusting to life in the West?

I put my daughter through school in Perth, as it’s only three hours away from Bali. I’ve lived overseas since I was a kid and decided to re-engage with Australia and got my residency before Covid arrived. When the pandemic hit, we had a house here and the kids had residency. Perth is a great city; the beaches are amazing, the countryside is stunning, and we’re near the wineries.

Tell us about the restaurant and your approach to the menu.

At Will St., we do Asian food, and it was the right time to do it, as people couldn’t go to Bali and wanted authentic Indonesian cuisine. It was a natural transition, as the market is here. I reckon about half of the Australians who visit Bali are from Western Australia. However, we didn’t want it to look like an Indonesian restaurant, so we kept it very Australian, with natural tones, and we use local produce. The recipes are very similar but we’re using native ingredients from Australia like cassia leaf and saltbush, both of which have a similar texture and flavour profile to some Asian ingredients.

Are you tempted to open any more restaurants in Australia?

I would do, but your margins are much smaller here, and staffing is a lot more difficult and that’s why we only open Wednesday to Saturday. I’d never say no, but my focus is Asia and getting back on top of what we do there.

You’re part of Indonesia’s Top Chef franchise and have appeared on the Asian Food Network. What appeals to you about TV?

I’ve always enjoyed travelling and experiencing different food cultures and would have entered journalism if I wasn’t a chef. I love finding stories and fixers, and it all helps me come up with different restaurant concepts.

Some describe you as a celebrity chef. How do you feel about that?

I think it’s quite funny because when I’m in my restaurants, I’m probably asking guests, “would you like still or sparkling, madam?” I don’t know one celebrity chef that’s managed to do TV and restaurants successfully – it’s one or the other – and I’ve always chosen restaurants. Being on TV encroaches on your privacy; if you say or do one thing wrong, your whole business can fold. For me, the TV stuff is a fun element rather than a career.

How about “The Street Food Chef” moniker – is that still an accurate depiction of who you are?

That’s still very much who I am, so trying to do Western food is difficult as everyone sees you as, “the Asian street food chef”. That’s always been the selling point, but what’s important now is to evolve and being in Australia has enabled me to do that. The “street food chef” [label] will always stick with me, but as we expand and try out different concepts, it will be interesting to see where that takes us.

You were born in Portugal and have lived in Italy, Scotland, Peru, Australia, and Bali. What dishes captured your imagination when you were growing up?

It was never the dishes – it was the nightclubs and parties that got me into trouble and made me cook; I needed to get a job because there was a court case over my head for two-and-a-half years at 19.

I think a lot of people become chefs not out of want but necessity, because it’s a job that doesn’t require a skill set or a qualification.

As an avid traveller, how did you cope with being at home during Covid and what did you learn about yourself?

I ended up being a full-on Australian bogan and got myself a ute, a dog, and a trailer. I started going camping, and cray and squid fishing – we never would have done that stuff in Asia.

It’s your last supper. What’s on the menu and why?

It would have to be a good roast dinner – roast chicken, lamb, or beef – because that’s what we eat on a regular basis as a family. willmeyrick.com

Latin Lotharios

Whether you’re a regular visitor or a Bali newbie, most travellers know that when it comes to the island’s best dining experiences, the oh-so-cool coastal enclave of Canggu is where it’s at.

The once sleepy village is now a vibrant kaleidoscope of culinary concepts, the newest of which is Santanera. An elegant venue helmed by Colombian natives Andres Becerra and German Rincon, the duo tap into their extensive, international culinary experiences and their homeland’s gastronomic traditions while adding touches of local flavour to create refined farm-to-table tapas. Whether you’ve worked up an appetite or are just passing for a sunset libation, Santanera should be on your list.

The two-level, glass-encased restaurant is a symphony of influences and inspirations. Touches of rattan, leather, polished timber, and wrought iron, surrounded by towering picture windows that dissolve the lines between inside and out, create an ambience akin to an elegant French boudoir.

The effect is especially enchanting at night when Persian-styled pendant lamps illuminate intimate tables and when revellers can farewell the last of

the daylight from the lush rooftop. It’s the perfect canvas against which Becerra and Rincon weave their culinary magic, reinterpreting classic Latin leanings inspired by locally sourced ingredients.

By the time we arrive at the restaurant on a weekday evening, many of the 140 seats are taken and the venue is a hive of activity, with waiters smoothly gliding between tables and past eye-catching pieces by artists Dué Hatué. It’s a fitting ambience for a restaurant whose name is derived from the saint of the gypsies, and which references the joy of eating and drinking, and coming together as a community to do so.

We commence dinner with a round of superbly made martinis carefully curated by Santanera’s bar manager, Gabriel Steinberger, although cocktail lovers will also find some great innovations on the restaurant’s menu, including the Picante 37 with tequila reposado, triple sec, spicy tamarillo and jalapeno purée, and lime; and the Ambrosia with dry gin, absinthe liqueur, sour passion fruit, sage, lemon, and royal honey water - their best seller.

We match the drinks with the first course, the Mahi Mahi Tarama with island organic crudités and woodfired cassava bread. This

silky, elegant dish (above) has just enough umami to balance out the creaminess, and the texture of the tarama is juxtaposed with fresh, crunchy, organic vegetables.

This is quickly followed by the Sea Bass Tiradito with passion fruit, quinoa, and finger lime in a dish that is again infinitely elegant and a true homeland homage, the fish fresh and firm, the fruit adding sweetness and acidity. Blue swimmer crab with brown and white rice and a rich yet bright seafood broth is another triumph, at the same time hearty and light.

We finish with the Mille Feuille with dulche de leche ice cream, lemon curd, and salted caramelised hazelnuts, although Santanera’s signature strawberry and white chocolate granita, a rift on the classic Colombian street snack fresas con crema, is also to die for and features compressed watermelon, white chocolate ganache, strawberry granita, and milk sorbet.

Santanera is a true passion project; a restaurant that tells the story of ingredients and how they travel, of traditions and heritage, and of innovation that stays true. Combined with crisp, friendly service and a sensational drinks list, Becerra and Rincon’s cuisine is some of the best on the island.

Combining bold Latin flavours with European and Asian flair, Santanera brings a burst of flavour to Bali’s dynamic dining scene, discovers Nick Walton

Tastes of the Med

Serving up dishes from Valencia to Venice, The Bayside champions the best of Mediterranean cuisine, says Denis Fahy

The meal gets off to a flying start with cold antipasti and possibly the best steak tartare I’ve ever tasted, served with Parmesan cheese, mustard, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, gherkins, shallots, and capers, staying true to the original 1921 recipe featured in Auguste Escoffier’s Le Guide Culinaire. We also share a zesty scallop ceviche in a Peruvian citrus vinaigrette.

A fish taco is accompanied by pickled shallots and cabbage, tomatillos – a little tomato most readily associated with salsa verde – and chipotle sauce. The Med’s Middle Eastern side is represented by a mezze medley (falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, pickles, and pita) but best of all is the lobster roll, with its home-made herb mayo.

For mains, pizza and pasta dishes loom large – the linguine alle vongole sounds tempting, as does the pizza barca topped with 36-month jamon, salami, and chorizo – but instead I opt for an Argentinian rib eye with mashed potato and piquillo pepper (a chili that grows in Northern Spain) and broccolini, which is milder and sweeter than broccoli. My companion opts for suckling pig from Castille in Southern Spain, which is served with roasted potatoes.

Situated on the ground floor of the Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel, steps away from Hong Kong’s Hung Hom promenade, new bistro, bar, and terrace The Bayside serves up modern and traditional Mediterranean cuisine with ingredients sourced from Southern Europe. The newest restaurant from Silver Oak Group – its other eateries include Quiero Más and Gaylord – the eclectic menu sees French classics like moules marinière and steak tartare cosying up to paella and risotto dishes.

Styled by renowned Hong Kong based designer Hernan Zanghellini, the interiors are as warm and welcoming as a summer breeze in St Tropez, with hand-painted sapphire mosaic tiles and orange accents intended to reflect those dreamy Mediterranean sunsets. The evening begins with a gin and tonic infused with lemon and saffron; The Bayside’s in-house infused gins are already causing quite a stir and are the vision of mixologist and sommelier Vincent Chue.

Accommodating up to 220 guests, the 6,000 sqft space includes indoor seating and a generous outdoor patio where guests can dine alfresco, while the open kitchen displays the bespoke dry-aged meat cellar, which features 36-month Iberico Paletilla jamon, which is paired with tomato crystal bread and takes centre stage on the Bayside charcuterie board, alongside chorizo, salami, and fuet, a dry-cured Catalan sausage.

The kitchen is helmed by head chef Javier Perez, formerly of Yardbird and Tim Ho Wan, and executive chef Gary Batra, who preside over a menu that takes in Spanish tapas, French classics, and Italian pastas and pizzas, and complements them with a solid grilled meat menu.

We finish with a Malibu coconut lemon tart with coconut gelato and Basque burnt truffle cheesecake with raspberry sorbet; the latter is lighter than a regular cheesecake, the sugary, caramelised top offset with a welcome hit of tartness from the sorbet.

Resolved to return to The Bayside to savour the steak tartare all over again, I later discover there’s even more reason to reserve a table, as the restaurant is set to launch Jazz & Brunch by the Bay on weekends, with live music delivering a smooth sonic backdrop to tapas, mains, and free-flow drinks. silveroak.com.hk

Hong Kong Spirit

Local craft distillery N.I.P has launched a second gin featuring Chinese

Hong Kong craft distillery N.I.P has made a name for itself in the city with its distinctive rare dry gin, which is made from 21 botanicals, and Catnip Gin No 1 (Phoenix Orchid), which incorporates Chinese tea into the recipe for a hint of peach and tropical fruit. Now they’re back again with the second issue of the Catnip Gin, Da Pong Hao, a tea with hints of caramel, vanilla and stone fruits.

The gin features premium oolong tea from Da Hong Pao from the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious cliff-grown teas in Wuyi,

tea

China. Da Hong Pao is recognisable by its unique orchid fragrance and mineral, fruity palate with hints of caramel, vanilla and stone fruits, and a long-lasting sweet after-taste. To complement the tea, N.I.P has added three other key ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds and mandarin for a harmonious mix of tea, fruits and spices. If, like us, you’re intrigued by the idea of a cask aged gin, the distillery also has one of those in its range. Matured in a French oak barrel, with several festive botanicals including cinnamon, ginger and orange peel, the N.I.P Limited Edition – Cask Aged Gin 2022 gin has notes of dark fruits, chocolate and citrus. nipdistilling.com

If you love gin and tea, check out bottles from Hong Kong distiller N.I.P

LOFTY CULINARY HEIGHTS

Two of Hong Kong’s newest venues, ORO , a Manhattan-Italian restaurant, and American seafood bar TOP TOWN , both created by co-founder Gian Franco Razzani, a native of Abruzzo, in Central Italy, aren’t just wonderful restaurants with fantastic city views but also have great stories to tell.

ORO – “Gold”, in Italian – is precious, beautiful, and of the utmost superior quality. But beyond the colour, there lies an element with a deeper meaning, symbolizing hope, courage, and determination. A story that dates back generations to the waves of their ancestors who emigrated for a better future whilst upholding their Italian traditions, that they proudly continue to commemorate and celebrate.

Located above, on the 31st floor of 28 Stanley Street, is TOP TOWN, an Art Deco-inspired indoor-outdoor venue offering stunning panoramic views. The day-to-night hotspot is ideal for casual lunches to late-night cocktails, as a place to see and to be seen.

Owner Gian Franco Razzani is an entrepreneur and qualified sommelier. He started his career in some of the most celebrated hotels in the Mont Blanc region as well as in an exclusive area of Sardinia on the Emerald Coast.

At ORO’s entrance is a floor mosaic with the name ORO in a blue frame, specifically Noble Blue. Inspired from the 1958 hit song Nel Blu dipinto di Blu e, by Domenico Modugno, famous for its “Volare” chorus. It means ‘to fly with no limits’ which he sang with arms outstretched to the sky. Nobody did this before and this gesture has become a symbol for hospitality, to welcome guests with passion from the heart. The food and setting honours the Manhattan-Italian culture that is a part of many Abruzzo descendants; after World War One, many Italians emigrated to New York for a better life and these pioneers retained their memories and proudly continued to celebrate Italian life.

Alternatively, Art Deco-styled American seafood bar TOP TOWN offers indoor and outdoor seating at which guests can enjoy stunning Central business district panoramaa. The location is perfect for entertaining anytime of the day and night, from casual lunches to late-night cocktails amidst décor inspired by The Great Gatsby.

Oro, 30/F, 28 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2133 7517 / 3464 0989

Top Town, 31/F, 28 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2133 5769 www.oro-toptown.com

Now that travelling overseas is more of a possibility, it’s time to update your travel gear, be that an oversized tote that takes you from pool to party, or luggage tags that keep tabs on your suit cases. If only luxe leather will do, you’re in luck as Aman Essentials has introduced an inaugural line of leather accessories, including totes and tags, passport cases, wallets and card cases.

The wallets and card holders incorporate the geometry of the Aman logo with origami to create practical pocket detailing, while contrasting nappa linings are inspired by the colourful landscapes of Aman destinations - White

Travelling Companions

Sand, Aman Grey, Mink, Grass Green, Aqua, Sunrise and Earth. The “A” from the Aman logo, meanwhile, is embossed on tote bags and hand-transcribed on leather charms using traditional marquetry techniques.

Aman’s debut accessories collection incorporates lamb, goat and calfskin leather sourced from artisan tanneries, while items are hand-crafted by family-run business es in France and Italy. Featuring Italian hardware and ergonomic zips designed to fit the curve of the hand, these luxe leather pieces are sure to become regular trav elling companions when you’re ready to hit the road. shopaman.com

Put an upscale spin on your next trip with Aman’s leather travel accessories

Inspired By Nature

Carl F. Bucherer introduced the first model of its Manero Flyback collection six years ago, when it was initially offered in a 43mm stainless steel case on a black leather strap. The brand has regularly expanded this collection since then, the latest addition being a 40mm version presented in five different colours in an effort for the watchmaker to appeal to younger audiences.

For this new collection, the manufacture partnered with German nature photographer Hannes Becker, who photographed striking landscapes that represent each of the five watch colours, namely red, blue, green, white and black. Becker’s photos include the green rolling fields of Emmental, the deep red of the Berner Oberland mountain range, the black rock surfaces of the Grimselregion, the blue of Lake Lucerne and the brilliant white of the Aletsch glacier.

The watch is powered by a CFB 1973 caliber, with a 56 hour power reserve. Along with central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands, the dial features a date aperture at 6 o’ clock, while the chronograph counter and small seconds subdials complete the picture. Each of the collection’s five watches are presented on matching textile straps made from recycled materials. carl-f-bucherer.com

Carl F. Bucherer unveils a colourful lineup of 40mm Manero Flyback watches

The 40mm Manero Flyback is available in red, green, white, blue, black and white

GoldPerformanceWinning

Tag Heuer continues its passion for racing with a new Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph in striking black and gold.

Inspired by the brand’s famed yellow gold Heuer reference 1158 CHN (a personal favourtite of Jack Heuer), which were traditionally awarded to winning drivers, Tag Heuer has created a bold new take on its acclaimed Carrera, with a neverbefore seen dial and black and golden gilded subdials. The new timepiece’s 42-mm case is made of solid 18K 3N yellow gold, with gold pushers and crown, while the rich black sunray brushed dial brings sophistication, depth, a subtle play of light to the wrist. Contrasting against the deep black dial are two “azuré” and gilded gold chronograph and a subtle at 3 and 9 o’clock, while at 6 o’clock a discreet permanent second indicator and date window complete the harmonious tricompax layout. The indexes and hands are plated in 18K 3N yellow gold and polished, enhancing the dial’s legibility and elegance. Connoisseurs might also recognize the two-tone palette of the legendary John Player Special livery, which stood out in Formula 1 in the 1970s and 80s. Tag Heuer ambassador and world champion Ayrton Senna’s 98T Lotus also sported the world-famous livery at the beginning of his brilliant career. tagheuer.com

Greubel Forsey launched its newest creation, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture, this June in Singapore. This exclusive timepiece was revealed to around 30 collectors, who came from across Southeast Asia to attend the event.

With a convex, conical case shape, the watch represents a complete departure from traditional movement construction and aesthetics and brings an architectural experience to the wrist. The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture has a diameter of 38.7mm and thickness of 12.35mm, and a power reserve of 90 hours. Water resistant to 50m, it is presented on a rubber strap with titanium clasp.

“Creating an engaging, three-dimensional movement architecture has always been a key element in the Greubel Forsey approach to fine watchmaking,” says CEO Antonio Calce. “With the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture, we’ve finally created the physical manifestation of that very concept.” The timepiece was launched in collaboration with longstanding partner Sincere Watch, who were allocated the first limited edition timepiece from this collection. The watch which will be limited to 11 pieces in 2022, then 18 pieces per year until 2025. greubelforsey.com Check

Looking for a new piece for your watch collection?

Performance Couture

Two titans of land and sea have united for the first time in a groundbreaking collaboration of ethically driven innovation. Italian luxury auto marque Maserati and North Sails Apparel have launched a capsule collection comprising a selection of products designed for adventure. The collection’s garments have been developed with future-fit materials, from organic and recycled cotton to Gore-Tex Infinium fit for performance. Key pieces—from hybrid vests to an elevated update on the classic polo and a mobility-centred jacket in two lengths—are presented in a colour palette that includes deep navy, crisp white, bold black, and grey dawn, mixed with electric blue and the distinctive Maserati yellow. Each boasts breathability, air permeability and durability, making them essentials for your next foray on land or sea. maserati.com

With mesmerising designs for every day, each jewel in Graff’s new Butterfly Silhouette collection traces the outline of a butterfly with wings outstretched in delicate compositions of round diamonds and clusters of pavé stones, with minimalist metal settings so that the butterflies appear to float upon the skin. Alternatively, the Pavé Butterfly collection sees vibrant clusters of pavé diamonds converge upon a magnificent marquise diamond to emulate the beautiful iridescence of a butterfly’s wings. graff.com

Seasonal Seduction

King Fook’s new Day Night Collection captures a deep sense of self in nonconventional black and white tones. The new collection, which includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in different shapes and contours, showcases precious black and grey diamonds, mysterious and translucent milky diamonds and clear white diamonds across pieces designed to be subtle and seductive rather than ostentatious. kingfook.com

New jewellery collections from House of Graff and King Fook set the mood for the chilly winter months ahead.

Johnnie Goes to Mars

Walker Blue

Exploring themes of geoengineering, AI empowerment and physics-defying technologies, the new limitededition design for Johnnie Walker Blue Label reimagines a thriving and vibrant future society that has transformed cityscapes and skylines, embracing new scientific developments to push the limits of what’s possible. These intricate illustrations represent the remarkable depth of flavour, rarity and two centuries of craft that’s found in every bottle of the blended Scotch.

Halls, who has worked with some of the world’s most successful artists including Adele, Rihanna, U2 and Beyonce, interprets Mars 2220 as a multi-planetary civilisation with bustling colonies. After 200 years, a once-dead world now teems with life and new energy, enabled by the second generation of ‘Martian’ colonists. Over a century of terraforming has already begun to bear fruit and the first signs of green life can be seen beyond the geodesic domes the Martians call home. Earth and Moon appear in the skies above – a powerful reminder not only of how far we’ve come, but that by walking forward together, we can achieve anything.

Whisky lovers can discover a rich world of flavour as they are transported into the world of 2220 by scanning an NFC on the front of the bottle with their smartphone.  johnniewalker.com

Johnnie

Label looks to the future with an innovative collaboration with renowned digital artist Luke Halls.

As part of Tumi’s new Fall collection, the luggage brand employs technical and material innovations to reduce a traveller’s ecological footprint. The new lineup includes a special sustainable edition of the brand’s 19 Degree polycarbonate collection, presented in a new matte ombre colourway and with a shell and lining made from recycled materials. Also look out for the new Tegra-Lite collection, which is available in carry-on, short trip, and extended trip sizes. These cases include components made from durable recycled materials and are compatible with Tumi+, the brand’s ecosystem of add-ons that enhance capacity and functionality. tumi.com

Cases with Green Credentials

Victorinox has extended its luggage range with the new Spectra trolley collection, made from planet-friendly materials. The first Victorinox suitcase made of a recycled, nextgeneration polycarbonate shell material, the Spectra 3.0 delivers sustainability without compromising on strength and performance. To provide extra packing convenience – and suit the needs of those who love to shop when they’re away – the medium and large models offer a new self-expandable system that offers up to 40 percent of additional volume, while the carry-on offers an additional 20% space. The cases are available in the core Victorinox colours of black and red. victorinox.com

New sustainable luggage collections from Victorinox and Tumi make conscious travel a breeze.

Style Meets Speed

Aston Martin debuts the limited edition V12 Vantage Roadster

Alimited production model that combines the performance of the most powerful Aston Martin Vantage ever made with the freedom of roof-down driving, the new V12 Vantage Roadster elevates the open-top driving experience to exhilarating highs.

Limited to just 249 customer examples globally, it boasts a dramatic widebody design, ground-hugging wide-track suspension and – for the first time in a Vantage Roadster – the 5.2-litre Twin-Turbo V12 engine. Hold onto your hats, as the car offers searing straight-line speed, accelerating from rest to 100km/hr in just 3.5 seconds and with a top-line speed of 321km/hr.

As a flagship model of the Vantage range, the V12 Roadster is fitted with Sports Plus Seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather, while a carbon fibre performance seat with exposed twill carbon fibre shell and manual six-way adjustment is an optional extra. Want to go more bespoke? Further boost the exclusivity of your wheels with the marque’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin, for everything from exterior graphics and liveries to woven leather. astonmartin.com

Limited to just 249 examples globally, the V12 Roadster goes from 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds

Timely Launches in the Metaverse

Quinting is set to launch limited edition watches and digital ownership tokens with Coinllectibles, discovers Helen Dalley

Luxury watch brands are learning that it’s no longer enough to launch a limitededition timepiece. As an increasing number of manufactures embrace the Metaverse, collectors also expect an NFT version that they can wear in the Metaverse or keep in a digital watch collection inventory.

Luxury Swiss watch brand Quinting is the latest in a long line of adopters, and is set to launch five limited edition watches and Digital Ownership Tokens (DOTs) worth more than US$450,000 combined at the inaugural Global Web 5.0 Conference in Singapore this month.

The brand has partnered with blockchain company Coinllectibles to launch four racing-themed watches: Moonlight Circuit, Challenge Ferrari, 24 Heures du Mans

QGL55CR24H and Quinting 24 Heures du Mans QSL55CR24H. The fifth watch, Quinting Panda, features the black and white bear flanked by bamboo on its dial.

Worn by everyone from Hong Kong actress Michelle Ye to French actor Gerard Depardieu, this is the first time Quinting has minted DOTs for its watches. With its own manufacturing facility in Geneva, the brand is famous for creating the first transparent mechanised watch in the world, using sapphire crystals to create a seethrough movement.

Pascal Berclaz, president and CEO of Quinting SA, says DOTs add another dimension to the collecting process. “We are using NFT technology to represent the ownership title of the actual watch, and it’s another way for collectors to buy these limited-edition watches.”

Panerai’s Radiomir Eilean Experience Edition, limited to just 50 units, not only comes with an NFT that unlocks access to digitally authenticated ownership and a curated collection of of Italian-themed experiences and artwork, but new owners are also invited on a cruise along the Almalfi Coast aboard William Fife’s beautifully restored yacht, the Eilean.

Hublot collaborated with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami not only to create two stunning timepieces - the Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black and the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow – but has followed up with two NFT digital works, inspired by the striking watches. The two static NFTs feature the smiling flower that’s become an iconic theme of Murakami’s work and his Superflat artistic movement.

Franck Muller announced in July the launch of its new NFT series of digital and physical luxury watches in partnership with the BinanceNFT Marketplace. The series, which consists of a series of exclusive mystery boxes that contain everything from physical watches to metaverse wearables, began with the release of the Mystery by Franck Muller.

Watchmakers are jumping onboard the NFT movement with innovative digital experiences that will appeal to collectors. Here are some recent releases.

Camo Camera

Leica teams up with streetwear brand

A Bathing Ape and graffiti artist Stash

APhotography has long documented street art and street fashion, and now a limitededition Leica, the D-Lux 7, A Bathing

Ape x Stash, celebrates the link between photography, streetwear and graffiti.

The limited-edition model offers the same technical specifications as the serial production model, including a 17 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor capable of delivering 4K30fps and full-HD 60fps videos, a fast 24-75mm

(35mm camera equivalent) zoom lens with optical image stabilisation, and an aperture range of f/1.7–2.8.

Offered with a black-finish version sold exclusively through Leica stores, and a silverfinish version only available through the streetwear brand, each version features BAPE’s signature camo look on the camera body and the distinctive wild style of US graffiti artist Stash. Retailing at US$1,895, it comes with an additional carrying strap, camera pouch, and an auto lens cap that opens and closes as the lens retracts and extends. leica-camera.com

This limitededition Leica model celebrates the link between photography and the street

Art Steps Up

in Sydney

Following a AU$344 (approx. US$236) million investment that some are calling the most significant cultural development in the city since the Sydney Opera House opened nearly half a century ago, the Art Gallery of New South Wales will re-open as a twobuilding museum this December.

Featuring a new standalone building, public art garden, and revitalised historic building, this once-in-a-generation project will almost double the gallery’s display area. It will include a new destination to showcase Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander art and culture, plus works by leading Australian and international artists. Pritzker Prize winning architects SANAA were tasked to design an open, accessible home for art that integrates harmoniously with the surrounding landscape overlooking Sydney Harbour, and which features courtyards, green roofs, and three accessible roof terraces.

With a 6 Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia – the highest for sustainable design – this landmark project will breathe new life into a flagship public institution. artgallery.nsw.gov.au/smp

The Sydney Modern Project will see the Art Gallery of New South Wales almost double in size

Art, architecture and landscape merge at the Sydney Modern Project expansion