Jetsetter Spring 2021

PEOPLE

PLACES

IN THE

PROPERTY

DRIVING SEAT EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY ROAD TRIPS

WHISKY A GO-GO: Investing in Wee Drams

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Cars with the Wow Factor

PLAY

A Legendary Welcome.

An Iconic Destination.

1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673 + 65 6337 1886 singapore@raffles.com www.rafflessingapore.com

Denis Fahy

denis@jetsetter-magazine.com Publisher

Helen Dalley

helen.dalley@jetsetter-magazine.com Managing Editor

Nick Walton

Contributing Editor

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Don Pierre Riosa

don@jetsetter-magazine.com Art Director

Paul Lo

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

Robyn Tucker-Peck Contributing Editor

Darryl Scott

W

elcome to the April issue of Jetsetter, where the future seems much brighter than it did back in January, with vaccine rollout programmes gathering pace globally and the tourism industry gearing up for Summer. From Phuket to the Seychelles, some places are already welcoming tourists back, as has Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

With quarantines still an unfortunate reality, however, many of us are still in planning mode when it comes to holidays. If, like us, you’re dreaming of a road trip, then seek some open road inspo on p76, where we present eight exhilarating road trips, from the iconic (Route 66) to the historic (the Alpine Road).

d.scott@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director

In the market for some new wheels, or just a petrol head keen to do a bit of window shopping?

Robyn Tucker-Peck presents the coolest new motors, including the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Bentley Continental GT V8 while also reminiscing about her father’s 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL convertible. Get the full story on p34.

With travel still largely off limits, it’s been a great time to pursue a passion. Some whisky aficionados have been investing in rare bottles of single malts and Scotch whisky casks. With rates of return around 10 to 20 percent annually, there’s every reason to do so. Find out more on p58.

Whether you’re staycationing or finally hitting the road, we hope the coming Summer months will prove one big adventure…

Fatima Cameira

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

Tammy Fong

tammy@jetsetter-magazine.com Travel Industry Relationship Director

Laurence James

laurence.james@jetsetter-magazine.com Chief Representative, Europe JETSETTER is registered as a newspaper & periodical.

JETSETTER is published by Jetsetter Ltd JETSETTER is printed by Jetsetter Ltd Suite A, 14/F Bangkok Bank Building, 28 Des Voeux Rd, Central, Hong Kong Level 8 Tower 2 Jing An Kerry Centre, 1515 Nanjing West Road Jing’an District Shanghai, China 200041

Helen Dalley Managing Editor

CONTRIBUTORS Robyn-Tucker Peck brings more than 30 years’ magazine experience working in London, Chicago, Hong Kong and Vancouver for magazines including Cosmopolitan, Tatler and Homes & Gardens. Read her incisive luxury car round-up feature on p34.

Ana Couto and John Hoogwerf set sail around the Atlantic in pre-covid times with their golden retriever, Ella and have clocked up more than 10,000 nautical miles.

Currently anchored up in Greece, they hope to continue their maritime adventures as soon as restrictions are lifted – find out more on p90 and check out their website at svthedream.com

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-5706 Valley Cottage, NY 10989 USA Tel +852 2885 7885

Jetsetter-Magazine.com

Jetsetter Magazine

Jetsetter.hk

All rights reserved. Copyright and distribution rights are reserved exclusively for Jetsetter Ltd, their partners, associates and affiliates. All materials published remain the property of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. All information contained in this publication is from a reliable source. Jetsetter Ltd does not make any guarantees to the accuracy of the information contained.

CONTENTS SPRING 2021 58

86

76

88

32

CITY GUIDE

Kuala Lumpur

Jetsetter presents the best design-conscious stays, cocktail bars and outdoor pursuits in the Malaysian capital

34

FEATURE

The car’s the star Buckle up as Robyn Tucker-Peck introduces some of the best new autos out there, including Lambos and Jags

58

FEATURE

Making money on malt From rare bottles of Macallan to aged casks, whisky investment is having a moment, says Helen Dalley

Australia’s Great Ocean Road to less-well travelled paths, Jetsetter presents eight exhilarating road trips

86

INSIDER

Holidaying in Hong Kong The Hari Hong Kong’s GM, Rory Slater, says it’s keeping guests entertained with prohibitionera cocktail trolleys

88

INSIDER

Bringing the hotel home Home concierge service Butler delivers the hotel experience to your apartment, including bouquets and fine wine delivery

Women are a more permanent fixture in fine dining kitchens, says L’Ecriture’s chef de cuisine Heloise Fischbach

100

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Elevating the izakaya

Denis Fahy checks into the Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, an eccentric Japanese izakaya that channels those high-end Ginza vibes PEOPLE

PLACES

PROPERTY

PLAY

IN THE

DRIVING SEAT EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY ROAD TRIPS

EXPLORER

Life on the open seas

Eight epic road trips

With their yacht anchored in Greece, two sailors talk non-stop travel to catch maritime borders and creating a sailing community

From iconic journeys like Route 66 and

IN THE KITCHEN

Female fine dining

90

76

FEATURE

94

WHISKY A GO-GO: Investing in Wee Drams

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Cars with the Wow Factor

Cover image: The Great Ocean Road, Australia, courtesy of the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Limited

ROOM WITH A VIEW

BUDA BEAUTY

Experience Art Nouveau at its best at the Royal Suite at

Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest

L

ocated on the banks of the Danube River at the foot of the Chain Bridge, Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest is a reimagining of the city’s century-old Gresham Palace, acclaimed as one of the world’s finest Art Nouveau buildings with its grand staircases, stained glass, mosaics and ironwork.

The 179-room hotel is a historical landmark that combines the comforts of the 21st century with the elegance of the past. Its 19 suites reflect the architectural heritage of Gresham Palace, with tall, vaulted ceilings and curved windows. One of the most magnificent is the Royal Suite, which combines decorative wooden Art Deco furnishing with one of the most all-embracing views from any hotel suite in the city.

Located on the hotel’s second floor, the suite reflects Budapest’s imperial grandeur and youthful energy and looks out onto Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge and the Buda Hills from its furnished step-out balcony on the Pest side of the city. Offering acres of living space (there’s a separate dining area with a table that seats six), the suite seamlessly juxtaposes Art Deco aesthetics against contemporary details like abstract patterned rugs. Pour yourself a glass of wine and watch the cars zoom over to Buda and drive back to Pest on this 19th century cast iron beauty draped across the Danube before retiring to the crackle of the fireplace. fourseasons.com

20 jetsetter-magazine.com

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Love Art Nouveau and Art Deco? Then check into the Royal Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

21 jetsetter-magazine.com

INTRODUCING

A TASTE OF LONDON IN MACAO British-themed integrated resort to bring the best of UK capital to

Macao’s Cotai Strip

The Londoner Macao takes its inspiration from the Victorian era

S

ands Cotai Central has been reimagined as the Londoner Macao, a resort incorporating the best of British history and culture set to open in stages throughout 2021.

Offering more than 6,000 guestrooms, the integrated resort incorporates two new all-suite hotels, The Londoner Hotel and Londoner Court, alongside existing properties Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao and the St. Regis Macao.

Sands Resorts Macao’s global ambassador and legendary Brit David Beckham played a central role in the development of the two new hotels. The former footballer worked with London interior design firm David Collins Studio on Suites by David Beckham, the city’s first celebrity-designed suites and his first globally. The 14 suites are located on the top two floors of the Londoner and range in size from 113 to 298 sqm. Other suites feature interiors by Hong Kong-based Steve Leung Design Group, including the 75 sqm Victoria Suites, and 113 sqm Windsor Suites, where marble nightstands, custom beds, Chesterfield sofas and high-backed leather armchairs await.

Guests enter The Londoner Macao through a glass canopied porte cochere based on Victoria Station before arriving at the Crystal Palace, a palatial, light-filled atrium with an intricate ceiling immersed in rich marble finishes. Here, the resort will stage a changing of the guard featuring The Londoner Macao’s Scots Guards and heralding trumpeters several times a day.

Later on in the year, a Houses of Parliament facade will debut at the resort along with a life-sized replica of Big Ben featuring the iconic clock tower’s classic bell chimes. londonermacao.com

22 jetsetter-magazine.com

REGENT

INTRODUCING

A SNAPPY STAY If you love photography, then Shoreditch’s Montcalm East is the hotel for you…

I

f you live and breathe photography, then check into Montcalm East the next time you’re in London, which is set to open in Shoreditch this Spring.

Occupying a prime position between Shoreditch and the City, and a short stroll from Old Street, the 288-room hotel features one of the area’s most striking architectural landmarks, with a diamondshaped façade heavily influenced by the work of Tate Modern artist Bridget Riley.

Inside, Shoreditch-based design studio Blacksheep have paired geometric shapes and muted colour tones for clean and

calming spaces while bespoke artwork in the rooms plays on the trademark street art posters of the area.

Keen photographers can put their pointand-shoot skills to the test at the hotel’s PhotoLab, which has its own dark room.

The photography theme continues throughout the hotel with a rotating gallery of photographic art from emerging London snappers in collaboration with art curators CULTURE A. In a further nod to all things photography, there are works from famous photographers on the mezzanine level in partnership with Pop Art specialists Proud Galleries. marriott.com

Design hotel Montcalm East embodies the artistic spirit of East London

24 jetsetter-magazine.com

INTRODUCING

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Aslands is set within an integrated development and offers access to Fari Marina

MINIMALIST

MALDIVES

Experience modern Maldivian luxury at the

Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

L

ooking for somewhere new to stay in the Maldives? Situated on the blissed-out beaches of the North Malé Atoll, the 100-villa Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is poised to welcome guests from the second quarter of this year. A 10-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport, the resort will appeal to those looking for more than R&R, as it’s part of the Fari Islands integrated development, and offers access to Fari Marina, where luxury shopping, dining and entertainment options await.

Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, the resort’s minimalist circular architecture is inspired by the natural landscape of the

lagoon and embraces the circle of island life. All bedrooms look out to the horizon through sliding doors, with a curved deck and private pool merging into the ocean beyond. The villa’s interior design follows a similarly unfussy approach to detailing with a palette of natural materials and colour hues. Inspired by local artisan tradition, the resort’s furniture, rugs and fabrics were custom designed by the architects.

Fancy a bite? There are five onsite restaurants, including Eau Bar for healthy fare and hookah and Iwau for teppanyaki and sushi. After a day of snorkelling or just lounging, book an aerial yoga class and zone out to the rhythm of the waves. ritzcarlton.com

26 jetsetter-magazine.com

INTRODUCING

LIFE ON THE EDGE Lux Chongzuo, Guangxi offers modernist luxury along the Sino-Vietnamese border

Transport yourself into a Chinese watercolour at Guangxi’s Lux Chongzuo

S

urrounded by Guangxi’s legendary karst formations – the inspiration for many a Chinese watercolour – Lux Chongzuo, Guangxi Resort & Villas is the first international luxury resort in Daxin County.

Separated from Vietnam by the Mingshi River and a 10-minute drive from the border, the resort is 30 minutes from Asia’s largest transnational waterfall, Detian, and within easy reach of the Nongguan Nature Reserve, home to the critically endangered whiteheaded langurs.

Conceptualised by Guangzhou-based Teamer International, the resort’s architecture and

28 jetsetter-magazine.com

interiors are designed to integrate with the surroundings, utilising wood and stone with copper finishing for a minimalistic look.

The resort has opened 50 suites and six villas in its first phase, all of which feature riverfacing balconies overlooking the mountains.

Its two restaurants and three bars include steakhouse & wine bar Prime and rooftop bar Skiver, for stellar views over the karst rocks. Want to immerse yourself in the watercolour surroundings? Drift down the Mingshi River on a bamboo raft, recharge with a morning yoga or meditation class down by the river or do some laps in the 35m pool in the shadow of these limestone beauties. theluxcollective.com

Make booking in europcar.com with the promo code 53881114

INSPIRE

WILD CRUISES

Aurora Expeditions launches remote voyages for 2022

K

een to cruise again? Australia’s Aurora Expeditions has launched its 2022 programme, featuring 12 itineraries and destinations that venture to remote corners of the planet, including West Papua, Canada’s North West Passage and Baja California.

The 17-day North West Passage expedition provides a glimpse into the world that captivated early explorers such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen and explores the archipelago of remote islands and channels that make up Canada’s High Arctic region.

Expect to encounter walruses, beluga whales and polar bears.

On Aurora’s Baja California & Sea of Cortez nine-day cruise, passengers visit rugged islands, coastal desert and the protected areas of the Gulf of California, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the most productive ocean regions in the world, it’s home to more than 900 species of fish, including sharks (90 of them endemic), whales, dolphins, rays, sea turtles and sea lions.

New Aurora Expeditions ship is named after US marine biologist Sylvia Earle; the Fairline Squadron 50 embraces retro stylings

On the 14-day Raja Ampat & West Papua tour, cruisers can discover the influence of Melanesia Islam, and the Portuguese explorers & Dutch traders who ventured to the Spice Islands in search of highly prized spices like nutmeg. Raja Ampat is also a marine biodiversity hotspot, with 75 percent of the world’s coral species and more than 1,500 species of tropical fish found here so it’s a great option for keen divers and snorkellers. auroraexpeditions.com.au

30 jetsetter-magazine.com

CITY GUIDE – KUALA LUMPUR

KL KNOCK OUT

Photo by: Izudin Helmi Adnan

Classy cocktail bars, design-led stays, exhilarating outdoor pursuits… Kuala Lumpur has it all.

Jetsetter rounds up a trio of itineraries to try in the Malaysian capital

32 jetsetter-magazine.com

Photo by: Nazarizal Mohammad

CITY GUIDE – KUALA LUMPUR

Bar Trigona

Putra Mosque

Hotel Majestic

HIP COCKTAIL SPOTS

OUTWARD BOUND Explore the great Malaysian outdoors

Kick back in a design-conscious pad

Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur (fourseasons.com) offers cocktails crafted with locally-grown, sustainable ingredients, like signature tipple the Trigona Old Fashioned (rye whiskey, cynar, trigona honey & cedar wood bitters).

The cocktail menu is split into sections headlined by fruits: mango, watermelon & jackfruit and mandarin orange – and there’s even claypot-aged cocktails.

A popular daytrip from KL being just 14km away from the city centre, the Batu Caves are a series of caves and cave temples renowned for its steep flight of colourful steps to reach Cathedral Cave and the world’s tallest statue of Hindu deity Murugan. There’s also opportunities for rock climbing, with more than 150 routes to choose from.

Neoclassical/Art Deco hybrid The Majestic (majestickl.com) dates back to 1932, making it the oldest hotel in the city. Check into the Orchid Conservatory for afternoon tea against a fragrant backdrop, and admire original features like the gold leaf domed ceiling in the bar above the grand piano.

Pull up a stool at these cool establishments

If you’re a fan of that speakeasy vibe, then pull up a stool at Three X Co, which regularly introduces themed cocktail menus such as its de-stress series, which included Lavender & Herbal Negronis.

The award-winning bartenders have a reputation for shaking up creative mixes and friendly service.

At PS150 (ps150.my), the cocktail menu pays tribute to Malaysia, Malacca and Sarawak. Try a Kelapa Pendan Julep (Rittenhouse Rye, pandan, toasted coconut) for a taste of Sabah, or rock up for teapot cocktails like Oolong (Oolong tea gin, citrus, mint & sparkling lemonade) between 5pm & 7pm.

Craving great views of the Petronas Twin Towers along with a lychee martini?

Then check into the Heli Lounge Bar, a helicopter pad by day and bar by night located on the 36th floor of Menara KH.

DESIGNER STAYS

Adrenaline junkies can head over to Extreme Park at Sunway Lagoon Extreme Park and freefall 22m above the water with Bungy Malaysia (bungymalaysia.com), or board the G-Force x, the highest slingshot ride in Asia, a reverse bungee jump inside a capsule pulling up to 5Gs.

If vibrant, bold design with a local twist is your thing, then check into W Kuala Lumpur (marriott.com) and hang out with the in-crowd at Wet Deck or Woo Bar. The Ewow Suite even has its own private cocktail bar & bar counter in addition to a spa treatment room/gym space, while artworks & soft furnishings celebrate local culture in a typically modern W way.

White water rafting awaits in Kuala Kubu Bharu, a 7km stretch of river and rapids an hour’s drive from the city along the Selangor River surrounded by jungle.

Book with Xventure Mind (malaysiawhitewater-rafting.com), which also offers trips along the Ulu Slim River at Tanjung Malim Perak.

Inspired by traditional Malay architecture, Villa Samadhi (samadhiretreats.com) offers rustic luxe villas with a quiet, chilledout holiday vibe yet easy access to the city centre, which is a 10-minute walk away. The 21 villas include a luxe sarang, which has a garden with its own whirlpool and a patio offering direct access to the pool.

Just 25km from KL, many visit Putrajaya to see the Putra Mosque, which is crafted from rose-coloured granite with a pink dome and is surrounded by Putrajaya lake. Get up early and admire it from above in a hot air balloon with My Balloon Adventure (myballoonadventure.com).

A modern urban retreat, Alila Bangsar (alilahotels.com) offers calming white interiors and cool, minimalist design. Cocktail bar Pacific Standard pays homage to 50’s Hollywood glamour, while the swimming pool on the 40th floor is flooded with natural light and enlivened by tropical landscaping.

33 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

THE CAR’S THE STAR Looking for a new set of wheels?

Robyn Tucker-Peck

introduces the best new rides to hit the market

34 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

H

aving lived in Asia most of my life, the one visual etched in my mind which I’ll always remember is a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow pulling up to the entrance of a hotel or in the driveway of a home, driven by an impeccable chauffeur with white gloves giving the impression he cared deeply about the car and looked after it like his own. The pride of owning a beautiful car has its advantages and I’m sure made more than a few people a little envious. Years later, that iconic Rolls-Royce has been replaced with new models and sportier versions, while the luxury car market in Asia has evolved to include brands such as Porsche, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Bentley, Aston Martin and newcomers like Felino. These latest luxury brands grace the streets of many Asian cities, none more prominently than in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.

A report by Mordor Intelligence on the Asia-Pacific Luxury Cars Market 2021-2026 reports that the Asia-Pacific market is poised to grow by more than six per cent during the next five years, driven by sales in China, Japan and India. While some firstgeneration Asian HNWI lead a low-profile lifestyle, members of the second generation are often Western-educated and enjoy showing off their affluence through high-end cars.

My father was a car enthusiast, owning a white 1959 MercedesBenz 190 SL convertible which was a beauty in its day. Like most owners of beautiful cars, he was intensely protective and proud of it. No-one was allowed to drive it except for himself, and we all had to be careful not to damage it in any way. Its sleek lines and upholstered tan leather interior, pristine gear box and shiny four-speed manual transmission with classic leather steering wheel matched the rest of the car as though dressed to impress while its prominent wheel hoods and stylish looks made it supremely special. Like the Mercedes 190 SL, all luxury cars have attributes that their owners love.

There is something special about seeing a beautiful car, especially a sports car. The engine noise, sleek low driving position, large road-hugging wheels, F1 seats and doors that might open up vertically all come together to generate an athletic, racy look.

A sports car is exhilarating and sexy. There is a vibration around them, an energy and excitement that doesn’t permit us to look away. Is that a movie star, a prince, or a pop star? we wonder as it zooms past. But it’s not the driver - it’s the car that’s the star.

Considering investing in a new ride? Here are some cool models worthy of your consideration.

35 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

36 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

THE BRUTALLY GORGEOUS FELINO CB7R One company dear to my heart is Felino, a supercar manufacturer based in the greater Montreal area in Canada. Designed by Canadian racing driver Antoine Bessette, the Felino cB7R makes a statement with its raw performance and unique lines. Targeting an experienced clientele of sports driving enthusiasts, Felino competes with major international manufacturers in the high-end supercar segment.

After being nominated Canadian racing champion in 2005 by ASN Canada FIA, Antoine Bessette began to design of a world-class supercar that offered thrill seekers an F1-type racing car experience once his international racing career ended in 2010. “I laid my Formula Atlantic car seat on the floor and sat in the driving position I thought was the best. We then started building the car around it,” he recalls.

Designed for road use, the first race-ready Felino, the cB7R, debuted in 2018 and the following year development and testing began. In 2020 the cB7R was featured at the Canadian International Autoshow. The car’s maximum speed is 345 km/h and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. With an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 1.6 kg/hp, its tough chassis, C.K.M., combines carbon fibre with kevlar and metal. felinocars.com

37 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

38 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

SHAPELY AND SUPER SPORTY: THE LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SVJ If there is a shape and look that makes a car desirable, the Lamborghini always catches my attention and the Aventador is a definite standout.

Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador SVJ at a world premiere during Monterey Car Week in California back in 2018.

The distillation of extraordinary design, ground-breaking technology, handling and performance, the Aventador SVJ is driving perfection, taking the concept of the super sports car to a new dimension. “The challenge to the Lamborghini designers and engineers was to improve the pure essence of the Lamborghini super sports car, drawing on every inspiration from spaceships to jet fighters: exceptional combinations of super-fast, super-athletic and possessing aerodynamic superiority. The Aventador SVJ takes a step into the future, shaping the potential for super sports car development,” explains former chairman and chief executive officer, Stefano Domenicali.

The interior specifications of the Aventador SVJ are extensive through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customisation programme. The special edition SVJ, the SVJ 63, pays homage to Lamborghini’s founding year. Produced in a unique configuration, it is limited to just 63 units. lamborghini.com

39 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

40 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

CELEBRATING THE JAGUAR C-TYPE AND GRAN TURISMO One of my favourite cars of all time is the Jaguar E-Type, so it’s with some joy that I discovered Jaguar Classic will create a limited number of new C-type continuations to celebrate 70 years of the double Le Mans-winning legend. In 2021, we will also see its Vision Gran Turismo SV debut on the world stage.

Celebrating 70 years of the C-type, Jaguar Classic is creating a limited number of new hand-built examples of the legendary 1950s sports racer. These authentic, new disc-braked Jaguar C-types are being built by Jaguar Classic experts at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Coventry, UK. The continuation programme will enable Jaguar customers to purchase a new factory-built example of the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning C-type for the first time. A new online configurator brings 3D CAD engineering data to life, enabling prospective customers to specify their perfect C-type virtually.

Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic, says: “Driven by some of the most admired racing drivers in history, the C-type laid the foundations for Jaguar’s success in endurance racing and is synonymous with design and engineering innovation. Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology to reintroduce this legendary car to a new generation of enthusiasts.”

Debuting in 2021, the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo SV is the ultimate all-electric gaming endurance racer and developed from the existing Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupé to deliver extreme performance, traction and high-speed stability. It is engineered in the virtual world with aerodynamics optimised, tested and proven using state-of-the-art simulation tools. Four electric motors deliver 1,903 PS (PS is short for Pferdestärke, literally “horse strength” in German, roughly the same as bhp) equivalent to 1,400kW, delivering a 0-60mph time of just 1.65 seconds, with a top speed of 255 mph. jaguar.com

41 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

42 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

PORSCHE LEGENDS REIMAGINED My favourite car to drive has always been the 911. The Porsche 911 GT3 is the seventh edition of this highperformance sports car and was developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsports. The double wishbone front-axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan-neck rear wing and striking diffuser originated from the 911 RSR, a successful GT race car. The 375 kW (510 PS) four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, meanwhile, is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing. The acoustically impressive, highrevving engine is also used practically unchanged in the new 911 GT3 Cup. The result is a brilliant driving machine: efficient and precise, perfect for the circuit and superb for everyday use.

The distinctive strength of the 911 GT3 lies in the sum of its characteristics. With a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h with PDK) it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.

Porsche also offers the new model with a six-speed manual transmission for a particularly exhilarating driving experience. The sophisticated aerodynamics benefit from their experience gained from motor racing and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient.

The arrival of the new Porsche Taycan within electric performance cars signals the beginning of a new age while unmistakably carrying the Porsche Design DNA. From the front, this electric athlete looks particularly wide and flat, with strongly curved fenders. The silhouette is determined by the sporty sloping roof line. The slim cabin, a strongly retracted C-pillar and the pronounced shoulders of the fenders lead to a strong, brand-typical emphasis on the rear.

The aerodynamically optimised 19-inch Taycan aero wheels and the black-anodised brake calipers help differentiate the Taycan within the model family. The lower front section, side skirts and the rear diffuser, meanwhile, correspond to the components of the Taycan 4S. Porsche is offering a leather-free equipment variant for the first time with the Taycan, with interior spaces made from recycled material underlining the sustainability of this powerful electric sports car. porsche.com

43 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

A NEW ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST One of the oldest and most esteemed luxury car manufacturers around, Rolls-Royce emerged from the electrical & mechanical business of Henry Royce in 1884. Royce built his first motor car in 1904 and in the same year met Charles Rolls, who sold high-end cars in London. The company has a reputation for its unwavering dedication to luxury and comfort and the current RollsRoyce line-up consists of the Phantom, Cullinan, Dawn, Wraith and Ghost.

Following the success of the first model, the secondgeneration Ghost launched last year. Over its ten-year lifespan, Ghost has become the most successful model in the marque’s 116-year history. Orsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce, says, “The first Goodwood Ghost was a response to a whole new generation of clients both in age and attitude. These men and women asked us for a slightly smaller, less ostentatious means to own a Rolls-Royce. The success of the product we created for them fulfilled our most ambitious expectations.”

The design team was driven to pursue a minimalist aesthetic for the new Ghost while ensuring the new model was unmistakeably a Rolls at first glance. RollsRoyce’s proprietary architecture enabled the design team to increase the width by 30mm, subtly communicating presence. This is framed by sharp bow lines that intersect with an angular light signature, creating an assertive yet beautiful front end.

In addition, the new Ghost was given its own ethereal front-end character. This was achieved not by way of overt design, but with light, as 20 LEDs underneath the top of the radiator grille subtly illuminate the veins.

During the development phase, the light reflecting from the polished uprights looked too striking, so the marque’s engineering team brushed the back of the metal grille bars to subdue the effect for a more restrained glow.

At Goodwood, significant advances were being made with the marque’s proprietary aluminium spaceframe architecture. First used on the Phantom and then the Cullinan, this spaceframe is unique to Rolls-Royce and enables the brand’s designers and engineers to develop an authentically super-luxury product, free from the constraints of less robust platforms used to underpin higher-volume vehicles. rolls-royce.com

44 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

45 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL REVAMPED Another British auto success story, Bentley Motors is one of the most sought-after luxury car brands in the world.

The company’s headquarters in Crewe, UK, is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s model lines, including the Continental, Flying Spur and Bentayga. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cuttingedge technology culminates to deliver a prime example of British manufacturing at its best.

Bentley’s new Continental GT V8 and Continental GT V8 Convertible are peerless grand touring vehicles, elegant, luxurious, and powerful, the latter providing an open-air experience.

The new Continental GT V8 and Continental GT V8 Convertible are driver-focused and exquisitely hand-crafted.

The third generation GT V8 Coupe and Convertible are the most agile ever with a four-litre, twin turbocharged V8 petrol engine develops 542 bhp and 568 lb. ft of torque. It can go from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. With unparalleled levels of luxury and 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloy wheels, the new V8 versions combine immense power with fuel efficiency. bentleymotors.com

46 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – LUXURY CAR ROUNDUP

47 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

A bottle from Macallan’s Red collection at Sotheby’s London. The six bottles were sold to a private Asian collector for US$975,756 at auction last October

58 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

DRAMS WORTH COLLECTING Investing in rare bottles and casks is on the up, particularly among young investors.

Helen Dalley tracks the thirsty trend for whisky investment

Fine single malt Scotch whisky casks have been the highest performing alternative asset of the 21st century according to the 2020 Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, which found that the ROI on whisky investments grew by 586 percent in the last decade.

Last October, Sotheby’s made history in the world of collectible spirits when the sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection achieved £7.6 million (US$10 million), the highest total for any whisky collection ever offered at auction. Headlined by a bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926, which set an auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit at £1.5 million (US$1.9 million), the sale was 100% sold, with all 391 lots snapped up by collectors eager to acquire sought-after and iconic bottlings.

Assembled by a private US connoisseur over some 20 years, it was the most comprehensive catalogue of whisky ever to be offered by a single owner in a single auction.

Rare bottlings have come online at the major auction houses at Bonhams Hong Kong, too, with an auction simply entitled Whisky this January seeing a bottle of 50-year old Macallan housed in a Lalique decanter fetch HK$1,054,000. A month later, the Nippon Whisky Collection Online fared similarly well, with entry-level investment bottles from Karuizawa, Chicibu and Hanyu coming in under HK$20,000. It will host another auction, Fine & Rare Wine & Whisky, on 21 May.

59 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

Whisky is a family affair for Jonathan Macey and his son Tom, who own an auction house in Hong Kong

60 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

DEMAND FOR CASKS Jonathan Macey, CEO of Hong Kong-based auction house Macey & Sons, says it is seeing increased interest in whisky cask investment. “Last January, the amount of casks we were selling doubled and we have never been busier,” he notes.

Macey, who set up the auction house in 2012 and deals in art & silver alongside whisky, says Zoom has been a lifeline during the pandemic. The auctioneer has been busy arranging live tastings where clients sample whisky alongside its specialists in Scotland, who are on hand to deliver tasting notes.

One of the advantages of whisky investment over art or jewellery is that people don’t need to see the whisky before they buy it, says Macey. He believes the days of selling face to face in the auction house may well be over.

“Everything’s gone digital and you have to adapt… people are more relaxed sampling at home, and there’s more chance of them buying as they’re not being sold to.” The CEO adds that around 95 percent of people who sign up for a live tasting call will make a purchase.

Macey says whisky casks are still a relatively young market, having been around for less than 10 years. “The growth of casks is huge, and the major auction houses are now putting them on as lots, as we have done, alongside rare bottles. If an auction house is selling casks, you don’t need to move them – you can be anywhere in the world,” he points out.

At present, around 87 percent of its customers are women, most aged between 25 and 35. “If you turned the clock back 10 years, then a lot of whisky investors would have been men in their 60s. There’s a lot of good whisky bars and places to enjoy whisky-based cocktails in Hong Kong so perhaps that’s what’s driving it, plus some of the top whisky sales people are female. The staff are getting younger, too – my two sons, both in their 20s, work alongside me,” says Macey.

Which whiskies are finding favour at the moment?

“Glenrothes has enjoyed tremendous success recently, while Macallan’s whiskies aged in sherry oak casks go down well in Hong Kong, particularly with women, who like the sweet sherry flavour. Hong Kongers also like strong, smoky, peaty whiskies like Laphroaig,” says the CEO.

61 jetsetter-magazine.com

You can expect to earn around 10 to 20 per cent annually on your whisky investment Scotch whisky remains the most popular over others, and it’s the passion, history and the journey of these whiskies that makes them so desirable. “I went into the warehouse at Macallan and it felt like one of the seven wonders of the world. The casks that are built in the distilleries are lovingly looked after, and it’s fascinating how the wood changes the colour of whisky. It was like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for whisky aficionados… it’s almost a spiritual experience,” he notes.

Those looking to build up a whisky investment portfolio should go in softly at first, Macey advises. “Look at investing in one or two casks and think of spending up to HK$150,000. I don’t want people to spend HK$1 or HK$2 million. I’d also advise clients not to put all their eggs in one basket, and accept that whisky can go up and down in value.” You can expect to earn around 10 to 20 percent annually on your investment, says Macey. “I’ve made 13.2 percent on my collection this year, and 12-15 percent per annum is a fair market appraisal.”

Macey is expecting China to open up and to see some record breaking prices at the auction houses, as demand for whisky is stronger than ever. To meet demand, the owners of the distilleries it works with are expanding.

Gordon & MacPhail, for example, is currently building another distillery in Scotland.

The CEO, who founded Macey & Sons in 2012, would like to have more retail outlets for casks alongside its cask master shop in Central. “We’d love to have our own warehouse in two or three years’ time, but they are not cheap to build, and perhaps establish an office in London or Scotland. Who knows, maybe we’ll even distil our own whisky one day.”

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

A SAFE INVESTMENT Tailored whisky brokerage Rare Finds Worldwide offers collectors and investors the opportunity to increase their wealth with rare single malt scotch whisky. It gives clients access to some of the most prestigious single malts in the world including premium casks from distilleries such as Macallan, Dalmore, and Bowmore, says the company’s resident whisky & investment specialist Freeman Ho.

This page:

vintage Macallans and the sought-after Black Bowmore collection; Rare Finds Worldwide’s Freeman Ho

Opposite page:

Scotch malts are matured in oak casks for a minimum of three years; expect to pay upwards of US$25,000 for a 1966 Bowmore

While some clients buy out of passion, or for selfconsumption, others are focused on ageing casks to gain a substantial return. “Private casks aren’t that accessible to that many people, and we have a good relationship in Scotland with key distilleries. As more people get into whisky, enthusiasts are going beyond the basic range and turning their attention to more obscure ones – and you can even get your own very special bottling,” notes Ho, who believes single malt isn’t just a drink but can be a hobby.

In terms of trends, Ho agrees with Macey that casks are gaining prominence. “There’s a rapid rise in the number of bottles hitting the market every year, and you may have to wait many years to see your return. With bottles, there’s also a lot of information to learn, and you need to keep track of the auction market and prices.” Casks, on the other hand, are more risk averse and tend to have a more rigid price, he says. “Buying casks is not like investing in the stock market… it’s a physical asset.”

Scotch whisky remains the most popular of whiskies over the US, Japanese and other varieties due to its heritage and variety, says Ho. “Scotch whisky has more than two centuries’ worth of history, while Taiwan only has two decades, for example,” he says. There are currently than 150 active malt distilleries in Scotland while Japan has 10 and Taiwan just two. “They have great whiskies, but there’s just not that variety. For collectors and connoisseurs, Scotch

62 jetsetter-magazine.com

Top Scottish whisky brands Five brands to watch out for

The Macallan: arguably the biggest name in whisky investment, a bottle of 78-year old Macallan was the oldest aged whisky ever to be sold at auction, alongside five other aged whiskies, for US$977,496 at a Sotheby’s auction last October in New York. Bonham’s Hong Kong sold a bottle of Macallan 50-year old in a Lalique bottle for HK$992,000 in 2019.

Gordon & MacPhail: Look out for the family-owned distillery’s private collection (previously the rare old range): examples include a Glenlossie 1975 (toffee & dark chocolate on the nose, caramel on the palate) and a Caperdonich 1972 (sweet with a slight hint of oak).

Ardbeg: Check out limited editions such as Perpetuum and Alligator from this Islay distiller, with a bottle of its 1972 fetching US$2,450 at a Christie’s auction in 2016.

Bowmore: Another Islay distiller, highly prized for its unique flavour profile, regularly launches limited edition bottles such as the 1980 Queen’s Visit and Devil’s Casks.

Glenfarclas: Looking for a more affordable way into whisky investment? Then consider Glenfarclas, a Speyside distillery owned by the Grant family. A bottle of 1965 from the Family Casks range went for HK$17,360 at Bonham’s Hong Kong last November.

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

As more people get into whisky, enthusiasts are going beyond the basic range and turning their attention to more obscure ones.

You can even get your own very special bottling

whisky can offer so much more.” To safeguard this heritage product, there are a lot of regulations on Scotch whisky casks, meaning investors are more protected than they would be if investing in casks from other regions, adds Ho. If you’re keen to invest in whisky, he advises buying something you’re passionate about – and to reflect on how long will you hold onto the cask before exiting the asset. “With whisky, you need to have patience, as the investment will grow exponentially rather than proportionally,” he points out.

Middle-aged casks of 20-30 years old from a renowned distillery can cost anything from £30-60,000, while younger casks of around eight to 12 years old cost around £8-10,000.

“There are a lot of young casks from unknown distillers, that you could invest in from £2,000, but I wouldn’t really recommend as these distilleries haven’t proven themselves.”

Macallan casks, on the other hand, can cost, more than £100,000, with rates of return at around 15 per cent, says Ho. Ho expects bottle and cask prices to increase steadily over the next 12 months and also predicts independent bottlings will rocket as demand increases. His advice? Stock up now.

63 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

SPECIALIST RETAILERS TAKE OFF Owner of whisky retail store Caskells, John Rhodes, sells rare & collectible whiskies including the Kiyosato 26th anniversary (HK$46,000) to something more affordable like a Laphroaig 25 year old (HK$6,800) at his store in Wan Chai. He says while there’s been a downturn in business with only two people maximum allowed into the store, it has hosted events online. “Whisky is a social thing,” he says, adding that he finds nosing whisky more enjoyable than the actual drinking of it. “You can’t beat the smell of a nice aged, complex whisky.”

This page:

John Rhodes of Caskells has just opened his second retail store at the Peninsula; a bottle of 72-year old Gordon & MacPhail fetched HK$421,600 at Bonham’s this year

Opposite page:

Jeremy Kasler, CEO of whisky investment specialists Caskx, which has offices in Hong Kong, LA and Sydney

Asia has become an important region for the whisky industry, with independent bottlings and casks driving sales, along with old vintages like the Gordon & MacPhail 72 year old, released this March as a limited edition, which fetched HK$421,600 at Bonham’s and exceeded the presale high estimate of HK$380,000. “When this whisky was bottled in 1949, the UK still had food rationing, so it represents a bygone era, and as there is a finite resource of these old whiskies, they continue to go up in value. Prices will stay high, so it’s a safe investment,” says Rhodes. It’s a market that continues to evolve, he elaborates. “People are starting to look beyond the big brands to independent bottlers – they like that individualism, and the big names are responding to that.”

To meet demand, Rhodes has recently opened a new retail shop in the Peninsula hotel. The uptick in sales is being driven by a young audience, he elaborates. “Whisky used to be an old man’s drink, but now it’s not.”

Before building up a whisky collection, you need to ask yourself what you want it for, says Rhodes. “Do you want an interesting drinking collection so you can enjoy those whiskies when you retire, or is it more for investment?” he questions. If you’d like to start with a modest investment, consider looking at new distilleries like Daftmill, whose first bottling has since doubled in price. “It’s a way to get into investing without parting with too much money,” he observes. Other relatively new distilleries with some interesting bottlings include Islay distillery Ardnahoe, which was established in 2015. But don’t forget, too, that some bottlings may be susceptible to fakes so if you’re buying online, make sure there are good pictures to authenticate the product and do your research on the vendor.

As social distancing measures ease up, Rhodes is hoping to host some dinners and have some fun. “Sometimes people take whisky too seriously, but it’s just a drink – enjoy it!” While events will be on hold until later in the year, he is looking forward to getting his second retail shop off the ground. “We’re not expecting much in the first few months, but once the hotel opens to international tourists, we hope things will pick up.”

64 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WHISKY INVESTMENT

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CASKS

Asia has become an important region for the whisky industry, with independent bottlings and casks driving sales

With offices in Hong Kong, Sydney and LA, Caskx is a burgeoning whisky investment business headed up by founder and CEO Jeremy Kasler, which works with distilleries including Highland Park and Glenfarclas.

Investors can request samples of portfolio holdings, receive photos of casks or arrange a distillery visit to draw a glass from the cask themselves. He says the pandemic has had a good impact on business. “People are drinking and thinking more about whisky as they’ve had more time on their hands.”

Kasler says it spends a lot of time educating people and making the journey as transparent as possible. “We establish if they already have a love for whisky and talk about their budget, risk appetite, setting up a portfolio and exit strategies,” he elaborates. Some clients are clinical about their investment while others want to know all the history. Some are even teetotal, he adds.

Caskx offers planned monetisation strategies, but Kasler is keen to stress it tends to under promise and overdeliver. He sees whisky casks as a medium to long-term investment, with

65 jetsetter-magazine.com

returns of around eight percent per annum.

“The people that we’re dealing with in the current climate don’t want short-term gains, it’s about wealth preservation, and knowing that their money is safe in 10 years’ time.”

Kasler advises educating yourself about casks before parting with cash instead of relying on a sales person or broker. “It’s not bitcoin so the value won’t double overnight,” he warns.

The CEO says it’s important to enjoy the experience, too. “There are so many ways to invest money, but not many ways to enjoy the process, with whisky samples sent to you every year. While this isn’t about you buying to drink and you sell it as a cask, a lot of investors do end up buying it and it becomes their favourite whisky,” he says.

Hong Kong is an important market for the brand and they hope to fly people out from the distilleries when it’s safe to do so. “We know that people want to go out and enjoy themselves, and we’re planning to put on double the amount of events we usually would, and are looking forward to drinking whisky with like-minded people. It’s not just about making money but enjoying the journey.”

TAIWAN’S URBAN ODYSSEY THE CENTRAL LOCATION OF THE REGENT TAIPEI IN DOWNTOWN OFFERS GUESTS AN UNMATCHED URBAN ODYSSEY ON THE ISLAND OF TAIWAN.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

M

inutes by foot from the city’s finest attractions, sensational dining and world-class shopping are just a few of the many reasons why guests find the Regent Taipei so alluring. Another is its 45-minute drive to Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport and a mere 5-minute walk to Taipei’s Zhongshan MRT station.

buffet with a garden view while Azie offers globally-inspired light fusion dishes in an atrium-styled café.

This location gives stunning views of downtown from its 538 restful retreat rooms ranging from Superior Rooms to the grand Presidential Suite. The Regent Taipei features 478 deluxe guest rooms and 60 luxurious suites. The innovative Executive Club Floor concept, named Tai Pan Residence & Club, is another winning draw for the jet set, spanning two floors with dedicated rooms, suites and facilities for business executives. All room décor consists of modern classical and large ceiling-height windows for a fantastic visual experience. Lush pillows and marble floor bathrooms offer touches of home.

For down time, the Regent Taipei offers first class Spa and Wellness treatments, from massages to Jacuzzi spa, sauna and a year-round heated rooftop swimming pool. The Health Club & Sauna also has state-of-the-art fitness equipment, exercise classes, and private trainers.

Regent Taipei’s culinary experience combines savory traditional Asian and Western flavors. Mihan Honke offers the best of Japanese tastes with shabu-shabu, robatayaki, and yakiniku reminiscent of the ancient city of Kyoto. Brasserie serves a spectacular international

The best of China is on offer at Silks House with Cantonese and Sichuan specialties. Enjoy Michelin-starred chef tapas recipes and signature drinks at the Gallery lounge.

For global shopping lovers, Regent Galleria features the best brands in fashion and design, the only GRAFF and GOYARD retail locations in the country and VIP services complete with private shopping butlers.

In sum, a full package stay in full bloom is available for those seeking a Taipei urban odyssey.

Get Connected: www.regenthotels.com/regent-taipei/accommodation

T CAMBODIA

COOL

HYATT REGENCY PHNOM PENH PRESENTS AN EXHILARATING MIX OF COLONIAL CHARACTER AND CONTEMPORARY STYLE IN THE CAMBODIAN CAPITAL

he first Hyatt in the Cambodian capital and the largest international hotel in the city, the 247-room Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is an exciting new addition to the brand’s portfolio in Southeast Asia.

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh’s cultural and business district of Doun Penh and within a short stroll of the Royal Palace and the riverside, the hotel provides business travellers and leisure guests alike with comfort and convenience alongside warm Cambodian hospitality in one of Asia’s most captivating cities.

Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the hotel comprises an old colonial house and newlyconstructed 14-story building. The contemporarymeets-colonial interiors of the hotel reflect Cambodia’s unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents, French colonial influences, and speciallycommissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

The hotel is currently offering a Staycation package, which includes afternoon tea and daily breakfast at the Market Café Restaurant & Lounge and cocktails at The Attic. Guests staying for two nights, meanwhile, can enjoy dinner at the hotel’s signature outlet, FiveFive rooftop restaurant and bar.

The hotel is part of Hyatt Prive program, an invitation-only membership Hyatt has developed with select luxury travel agencies to offer their guests more perks when staying at nearly 150 Hyatt properties around the world. Benefits include free nights, room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and hotel credits.

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh presents a mouthwatering culinary journey, showcasing a diverse range of local and international cuisine alongside bespoke cocktails in vivacious spaces.

The hotel’s signature outlet on level 14, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar offers unrivalled views of the Royal Palace and Mekong river. Housed in the eaves of the original Colonial house, The Attic is a charismatic space with grand pillars and stylish monochrome floor tiles, with friendly bartenders mixing up bespoke cocktails. Bar lovers will similarly adore Metropole Underground, an early 20th-century metro-themed bar that’s home to nightly entertainment.

Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, meanwhile, is an inviting all-day concept flooded with natural light serving buffet breakfasts and à la carte options. Don’t forget to swing by for afternoon tea, where finger sandwiches and cakes are paired with cocktails or teatails, fragrant tea-based mixes.

Those staying in club rooms can unwind at the Regency Cub, where an outdoor terrace offers captivating views over the city.

Hygiene is of utmost priority at the moment, and Hyatt has it covered with its Global Card and Cleanliness Commitment, with mandatory temperature checks for all guests and associates entering the hotel and minimal contact check in and check out procedures including e-check out by emailing the bill and cashless payments wherever

possible. Other hygiene-conscious initiatives include keyless elevator and guestroom access and digital menus, newspapers and magazines.

Stay at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh for a captivating experience in the Cambodian capital. hyatt.com

THE GEM OF THAILAND

VANA BELLE, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, KOH SAMUI PROMISES TO MAKE ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

P

erched on the sands of a picturesque bay at the southern end of Chaweng Noi Beach and surrounded by tropical rainforest, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui offers seclusion along with easy access to the island’s major attractions, from world-class snorkelling and diving to renowned temples and Buddhas.

With 72 exquisitely appointed luxury Pool Suites and seven Pool Villas, resort highlights include a 180m-long white sand beach and beachfront infinity pool while the Luxury Collection Concierge helps create bespoke Koh Samui journeys for each guest. It’s also the perfect place to host a meeting, with the Marquee being the biggest covered meeting venue on any Samui beach, and the largest outdoor meeting space on the island.

Designed to provide guests with complete privacy, Vana Belle’s spacious Pool Suites and Pool Villas offer expansive outdoor spaces and indigenous Thai accents cosying up to contemporary style. All suites and villas have a private pool and terrace, and offer beach or rainforest views.

The Jungle One Bedroom Pool Suite showcases the finest facets of indigenous style with tasteful wood furnishings and artwork inspired by the mythical Thai Himavanta forest.

At the Ocean Pool One Bedroom Suite, meanwhile, a private terrace is the ideal place to enjoy the sea breeze or catch the sunrise. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors bathe the suite in tropical sunshine and the infinity-edge pool boasts views over the Gulf of Thailand.

The Premium Ocean View Pool Suite offers unforgettable sea views from the infinity pool and private terrace, while the Grand Ocean View Pool Suite features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors leading out to a private terrace.

Nestled among the resort’s lush gardens, the resort’s Tropical Pool Villas feature a shimmering elongated pool veiled by a thatched roof. Grandest of all is the Vana Belle Ocean View Pool Suite, where an elevated outdoor bathtub and infinity edge pool look out over the resort’s gardens. Butlers are on hand for those

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION staying in the Premium Ocean Pool, Grand Ocean View Pool Suite, Tropical Pool Villa, and Vana Belle Ocean View Pool Suite.

Want to sample authentic Southern Thai cuisine? Check into Panali on the beachfront, where locally-caught fish and rich curries and refreshing coconut juice deliver the tastes of Koh Samui. Serving up bistro food, Kiree is similarly inviting, with braised short rib and tuna pizza on the menu.

Those looking to explore this beautiful island can rely on the Luxury Collection Concierge, certified destination experts available 24 hours a day to help them get the most out of their Koh Samui stay. Among the concierge’s recommendations are elephant trekking trips and quad tours, both of which provide an exhilarating way to take in the island’s dramatic scenery.

The waters of the Gulf offer world-class snorkelling and diving on coral reefs teeming with colourful sea life, while inland, rainforest hiking and natural bathing pools await. Nearby sites include the Big Buddha and Wat Samrat temple, while neighbouring Chaweng Beach is Samui’s prime entertainment and shopping district. For a personal cultural experience, the resort offers Thai cooking and cocktail classes, beachfront yoga, and Muay Thai boxing classes.

Check into Vana Belle to experience the best of Koh Samui.

For more information and reservations, visit www.vanabellekohsamui.com Tel: +66 77 915 555 Email: reservations.vanabelle@marriott.com

WELLNESS

SPRING SPA BLISS Let Spring be a place of calm with some unique, feel-good therapies

SONEVA JANI UNVEILS NEW WELLNESS CENTRE Maldives resort Soneva Jani has added the Soneva Wellness Centre to its remit, along with 27 new overwater villas and new dining concepts as part of its Chapter Two roll-out.

Featuring a dedicated Ayurvedic centre, additional treatment rooms, cross-functional fitness facilities and open air yoga, the wellness centre will offer Vitamin IV therapy and chemical-free Sodashi facial rituals. The original spa, meanwhile, offers outdoor spa champas, sauna and steam rooms alongside a gym and yoga pavilion. soneva.com

Good to know: Book the new Soneva Unlimited

package and you’ll get unlimited access to spa treatments – along with meals, wine and experiences including diving.

AMAN DEBUTS JOURNEY TO PEACE RETREATS Desperate to recharge? Then consider booking yourself onto one of Aman’s four Journey to Peace retreats at select Aman destinations. The three-to-six-night spiritual getaways will be led by Buddhist monk and mindfulness coach, master Geshe Yong Dong. The As it is Retreat will take place at Amanpuri in Phuket and on the edge of Angkor at Amansara in Cambodia. The journey encourages participants to let go of thoughts, allowing them to arise and leave without challenging their existence.

Guests can learn to embrace impermanence and accept change at Amanoi overlooking Vinh Hy Bay in Vietnam or at Amantaka in Luang Prabang. The Silent Retreat at Amanoi and Amantaka is a three-night programme to help guests focus on the four foundations of mindfulness.

The Living in the Moment Retreat will take place in Bhutan and Montenegro and focus on altering mindsets for a healthier, happier life. aman.com

Good to know: Aman is also curating Extreme Sports Retreats. In November, Amanpuri will offer a five-night Laguna Phuket Triathlon Retreat for athletes competing in Asia’s longest-running triathlon.

72 jetsetter-magazine.com

WELLNESS

BUILD INNER AND OUTER STRENGTH AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL To help guests create positive life changes and build up their mental and physical strength, Mandarin Oriental has launched the Inner Strength – Outer Strength wellness initiative across all its spas worldwide.

The programme’s three core areas focus on physical strength (vitality), mental strength (mindfulness) and character strength (authenticity) and is tailored to each guest, who can define new goals, or work towards established goals. Virtual assessments and tip sheets, meanwhile, provide remote support.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is offering a series of singing bowl workshops along with tailored fitness programmes based on a full body composition analysis. Mandarin Oriental, Macau, meanwhile, will host an Inner Strength spa treatment combined with yoga and personal training. Over at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, there will be advanced yoga nidra techniques such as pranayama (breathwork) and mantra chanting alongside guided runs and boot camp sessions. mandarinoriental.com

Good to know: The spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has ten treatment rooms including two couples’ suites with private vitality pools.

BANYAN TREE KRABI OFFERS COLOUR CALM THERAPY Therapists are offering colour-calm advice tailored to guest’s individual needs at Banyan Tree Krabi, which unveiled a new spa with hydrotherapy facility and eight treatment rooms, each fitted with coloured lighting to enhance the well-being of each customer.

Someone who has come from a cold climate may be steered towards red lighting, which boosts energy and increases warmth. Those who have just had a long flight or have not been sleeping well, meanwhile, may be in need of some blue light. “We also have white, green and yellow lighting, and each helps to immerse the guest in an ambience that will create positive energy and benefit their health,” says spa manager Bussayawan Chanchai. banyantree.com

Good to know: Other treatments at the spa include a pearl powder massage. When massaged into the muscles with a hot lava shell, it relieves tension and stiffness.

73 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY ROAD TRIPS Buckle up for an exhilarating ride through some of the world’s most iconic road trips with

Jetsetter

Clockwise from top left:

Lake Hintersee, Alpine Road, Germany; Great Ocean Road, Australia; Cadillac Ranch, Route 66, US; Patchwork Road, Japan; Ennedi Plateau, Chad; North Coast 500, Scotland

76 jetsetter-magazine.com

Picture of Lake Hintersee Kordi Vale; Great Ocean Road, Australia Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Limited; Route 66, US Matan Levanon; Ennedi Plateau, Chad Native Eye Travel; North Coast 500, Scotland Colin Horn

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

77

jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

You’ll need several weeks to travel the entire length of Route 66, which begins in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica Mr D’z diner in Kingman, Arizona; the route is well paved, with 85 per cent of the original road still driveable

THE ICONIC ONE: ROUTE 66, US You can’t contemplate a road trip without considering Route 66, established in 1926 as one of America’s original highways. Spanning 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica and taking in eight states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California), you’ll need several weeks to travel its entire length. While you can no longer drive Route 66 from end to end uninterrupted, a large portion (approximately 85 percent) remains paved and drivable, meaning you can travel through tumbleweed towns like Texola in Oklahoma and Cool Springs in Arizona, and pull in for a milk shake at a ‘50s diner like Peggy Sue’s between Vegas and LA. Explore Springfield, Missouri, said to be the birthplace of Route 66, before stopping at the nearby Meramec caverns to admire the extensive limestone caves. In Arizona, you’ll pass the Pained Desert and Petrified Forest National Park, and its highly eroded badlands while the Grand Canyon is an hour’s north of Route 66.

Car to drive: The ultimate car along Route 66 would have to be a convertible, and American of course. We suggest a Corvette, Cadillac or Pontiac.

Worth a detour: Join Highway 1 in California and cruise along the coast, stopping off in Monterey and Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor.

Where to stay en route: While there are many motels on the way,

there are plenty of more luxurious experiences to be had along America’s most iconic road: try the Campbell Hotel in Tulsa (thecampbellhotel. com) housed in a restored 1920s Spanish colonial building; there’s even a Route 66 suite filled with memorabilia. In California where the route ends, check into the Mission Hill Hotel & Spa (missioninn.com): everyone from President Roosevelt to Tom Hanks has stayed here. national66.org

78 jetsetter-magazine.com

Picture of Mr D’z diner in Kingman, Arizona Heidi Kaden; Great Ocean Road, Australia Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Limited

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

THE COASTAL ONE: GREAT OCEAN ROAD, AUSTRALIA Widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, this Australian National Heritage listed road stretches 150 miles along the southeast coast of the country between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.

It’s home to craggy cliffs, perfect waves (hello, Bell’s Beach) deserted beaches and plenty of wildlife: you’ll see emus, kangaroos and koalas at the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Its most iconic spot is the 12 Apostles, a dozen dramatic limestone rocks jutting out of the Southern Ocean. Stop off at Great Otway National Park to see waterfalls and stroll through the tops of ancient, mossy trees.

Thirsty? The Basalt Vineyard or the Bellbrae Estate deliver some fine vintages. You can also sample bush tucker and learn to appreciate didgeridoo music at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Geelong.

Car to drive: Try a campervan or any car

with good storage – it’ll be perfect for stashing those surfboards should you want to pull over and hang ten during your trip.

Worth a detour: Head up to Cape Otway Lightstation and ascend the spiral staircase for vast, stunning ocean views, or try your luck whale watching at Logans Beach.

Where to stay en route: Try the Great Ocean Road

Resort in Anglesea (greatoceanroadresort.com.au) at the beginning of the road for riverside eats and wellness retreats and Drift House (drifthouse.com.au) in Port Fairy, an original blue stone with six suites and a solar heated pool. visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

79 jetsetter-magazine.com

Take a trip along Australia’s Great Ocean Road in Victoria for deserted beaches and stellar waves

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

Along the Alpine Road, you’ll encounter the exhilarating Oberjoch Pass and its 106 bends, and the fairtyale castles of King Ludwig II

Germany’s oldest tourist route, the Alpine Road in Bavaria stretches 280 miles from Lindau on Lake Constance in the east to Schönau on Lake Königssee in the East, up towards Salzburg and the Austrian border. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Oberjoch Pass, an exhilarating, testing drive with 106 bends, and the fairtyale castles of King Ludwig II, including Neuschwanstein (Sleeping Beauty’s castle and Cinderella’s castle were inspired by its dramatic Medieval stylings) and nearby Hohenschwangau, which is a 20-minute walk away. Later on, the route crosses into Tolzer Land, a popular holiday destination thanks to its many lakes including Lake Walchensee and another road, the Kesselberg Pass, is similarly thrilling, with its hairpin bends – the stretch from Kesselberg to Walchensee was a former race track. The route comes to an end at Lake Königssee, where you can take a cruise along the lake of the same name, or enjoy scenic walks through the Weissbach and Wimbach gorges, both of which offer good hiking routes and the chance to see Weissbach waterfalls.

Car to drive: As you’re in Germany, you’ve got your pick of homegrown luxury vehicles, including BMW, Mercedes, Audi or VW. How about a BMW 8 series convertible so you can feel the wind in your hair?

Worth a detour: As you’re so close to Austria, why not pop over the border to Salzburg after arriving at Lake Königssee?

Stop-offs along the Alpine Road include King Ludwig’s grand castles and beautiful Bavarian lakes

Where to stay en route: Check in at Das Tegernsee (dastegernsee.

de), which offers everything from alpine chalets to modern suites over five distinct accommodation options and overlooks Tegernsee Lake. deutsche-alpenstrasse.de

80 jetsetter-magazine.com

Picture of King Ludwig’s castle and Bavarian lakes Johannes Plenio; Alpine Road Paul Gilmore

THE HISTORIC ONE: ALPINE ROAD, GERMANY

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

Picture of Shirogane Blue Pond Jarret Kow; Biei road Shirota Yuri

Take the road to Biei to see patchwork fields and the striking Shirogane Blue Pond

THE FLORAL ONE: PATCHWORK, PANORAMA AND ROLLERCOASTER ROADS, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN Want to explore Japan beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?

Then head to Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido and get lost in its quiet, picturesque landscapes not always reachable by public transport. Indeed, self-drive is popular in this furthest corner of Japan for that very reason. If you drive north from Sapporo to Biei, you’ll get to see – and smell – the heady aromas from the lavender fields in the Summer. While it’s called Patchwork Road due to its gorgeous patchwork of rural landscapes, it actually refers to Biei and the surrounding area rather than a specific road. Some of the flower farms are open to the public, like Farm Tomita, if you want to stop for an Insta selfie (and sample its famous soft-scoop lavender ice cream). Panorama Road (an area, not a road) is similarly scenic: drop by flower farms Shikisai Hill or Kanno Hill.

Don’t forget to coast along the Rollercoaster Road, a 2.5km long, steep, straight road in Kamifurano near Biei.

Car to drive: Japan has plenty of car rental companies dedicated to certain brands, including Toyota Rentacar and Nissan Rentacar.

Worth a detour: Visit the Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei, which gets its colour from aluminium that’s seeped into the water. Back in Sapporo, you can keep with the floral theme by visiting the Hill of the Buddha, a lavendercovered rotunda by Pritzker-winning architect Tadao Ando.

Where to stay en route: Check into upscale ryokan Mori no Royotei Biei (biei-hotel.com), a 17-room hideaway in the forest with hot springs. jnto.gov.jp 81 jetsetter-magazine.com

Picture of Everest Base Camp Truthseeker08; Potala Palace Evelyn Chai

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

After crossing the Nepalese border, you’ll arrive in Gyirong before driving along the Sino-Nepal Highway to Everest Base Camp

THE HIGH ONE: KATHMANDU TO LHASA, NEPAL & TIBET One of the most popular overland trips to Lhasa, the Friendship Highway from Kathmandu eastwards towards Tibet takes you across the mighty Himalayas to the world’s highest capital city, Lhasa, and encounters snowy mountains, glaciers and sacred lakes along 808 miles. After crossing the Nepalese border, you’ll arrive in Gyirong before driving along the Sino-Nepal Highway to Tingri.

But first, it’s Everest Base Camp to admire the world’s highest mountain (8,849m tall in case you’d forgotten). There’s also the chance to spot four other mountains over 8,000m high: Mount Lhotse (8,516m), Mount Mayalu (8,463m) and Mount Qowowuyag (8,210m). Travelling further east, it’s worth stopping off to admire the vivid murals and Buddhist scriptures at Sakya Monastery. At Shigatse, meanwhile, you’ll find the Tashilhunpo monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. The journey to Lhasa continues by crossing the Karo La Pass, which is more than 5,000m above sea level, the Karo La glacier, and nearby Yamdrok Lake, which is more than 45 miles long. Lakes are considered sacred by Tibetans and many locals make pilgrimages here.

Car to drive: While many of the tours that traverse this route are four wheel drive, most of the Friendship Highway is well-paved so a sedan should do.

Chinese passport holders can visit Tibet without a permit, others will need to do this journey with a guide.

Worth a detour: Stop off at Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, to visit

the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.

A monk at Everest Base Camp; Lhasa’s legendary Potala Palace

Where to stay en route: While the scenery is stunning, the hotels along this journey are admittedly pretty run-of-the mill. If you have time to stop in Lhasa, there’s a St. Regis in the ancient Barkhor area overlooking the Potala Palace. welcomenepal.com; china.org.cn 82 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

THE SUPER REMOTE ONE: ENNEDI PLATEAU, CHAD If you’re feeling adventurous and Route 66 or the Great Ocean Road seem just too cliched, then why not take a trip to the Ennedi in Chad and get up close to the glorious Ennedi Plateau, a sublime collection of sandstone mountains sculpted by wind and sand into breathtaking rock formations. A journey that only a select few tourists have ever made, this remote corner of the Sahara will admittedly involve booking with a travel agency (try nativeyetravel.com), but it’s still an amazing road trip to take. The trip starts in N’Djamena, travelling through the Sahel, passing small settlements, including Keraida nomad families with their camels. There’s the opportunity to look for rock dating back thousands of years, or spot one of the last populations of Saharan crocodiles, before crossing the vast dunes of the Mourdi Depression. Next up on this epic journey is the Ounianga Lakes, where the desert opens up to reveal a series of multihued lakes. Expect to see camel caravans on their way to the settlement of Ouaddai before travelling through the Bahr el Ghazal region, which is a great place to do a bit of African wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for the fennec fox, bustards and gazelles.

Car to drive: It’s got to be a Land Rover to navigate those testing desert roads.

Worth a detour: Stop off at Demi, a small, isolated settlement on the edge of a salt pan to see its residents digging the red earth for salt to be exchanged for goods like millet and sorghum.

Where to stay en route: Given the remote

Pictures by Native Eye Travel

location, the trip involves overnight camping – but there’s a Radisson Blu and a Hotel Radisson in N’Djamena. africantourismboard.com

A road trip through the Ennedi Plateau in Chad takes in glorious sandstone mountains and remote settlements

83 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP THE WILD ONE: NORTH COAST 500, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS The ultimate Highlands road trip experience and widely regarded as one of the best driving roads in Scotland, the North Coast 500 is a circular route that starts and finishes in Inverness. If you were to be so bold as to drive all 515 miles in one go, it would take more than 13 hours. But of course, it’s much better to do it over several days and savour the inimitable scenery. Working clockwise, the route starts at Inverness and runs via Muir of Ord, Applecross, Garioch, Ullapool, Scourie, Durness, Castle of Mey, John o’Groats, Wick, Dunrobin Castle and Dingwall then back to Muir of Ord and Inverness. The route also takes in many areas of the North Highland Way, a walking route along Scotland’s North Coast – worth investigating if you have time to explore on foot. Highlights include crossing the Kylesku Bridge at Lairg, a 275m-long concrete box girder

bridge that sits 24m above Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin, and the beautiful, deserted beaches at Achmelvich and Dornoch.

Car to drive: The Queen has been spotted near her Balmoral estate in the Highlands in Range Rovers and Land Rovers. Why not do the same?

Worth a detour: Stop off at Dunrobin Castle, a grand

gothic building that’s the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Sutherland Clan, for falconry displays and strolls round a garden inspired by Versailles.

Where to stay en route: The 500 route goes past the front door of the Torridon, (thetorridon.com) in Wester Ross, a luxury 30-room boutique hotel set in 58 acres of parkland at the end of a sea loch. northcoast500.com

Picture of Dunrobin Castle Michael Drummond; Achmelvich beach Steve Bittinger; Kylesku Bridge @kbrembo

84 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – ROAD TRIP

THE ONE THAT CROSSES COUNTRY BORDERS: ALASKA HIGHWAY, US & CANADA

Opposite page:

Dunrobin Castle, Achmelvich beach and Kylesku Bridge along Scotland’s North Coast 50

This page:

Sign Post Forest, Watson Lake and Haines Junction, which is located 1,632km along the 2,232 km-long Alaska Highway

Fancy a road trip that crosses into the US from Canada? The Alaska highway, or Alcan Highway, begins at Dawson’s Creek in British Columbia and runs to Delat Junction, Alaska. Stretching more than 1,387 miles, sights worth stopping off for in BC include the Sikanni Falls and Muncho Lake to spot caribou, and Liard River Hot Springs, where pools range from a balmy 42 to 52 degrees. Once you travel into Yukon, head over to Sign Post Forest at Watson Lake, where people from all over the world leave signposts from their neighbourhoods. The Northern Lights Centre is also based at Watson Lake, where interactive displays explain the science and folklore behind the aurora borealis. The route additionally passes through Whitehorse, the largest city in Northern Canada, the site of the preserved Klondike Paddle Wheel River steamboat. A few kilometres south lies Miles Canyon, where a ribbon of fast-moving water tuns between basaltic lava flows in this former gold rush town, where prospectors arrived in the 1880s hoping to strike gold.

Car to drive: Something sturdy like the Ford F-Series truck or a Dodge Ram – but many people do the route in a sedan or a coupe.

Worth a detour: Head to Yukon’s Ivvavik National Park for stellar hiking opportunities and wildlife spotting, including caribou, grizzly bears and golden eagles, or negotiate the rapids and canyons along the Firth River.

Where to stay en route: Try the Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse, Yukon (northernlightsyukon.com) and see if you can spot the fabled lights dancing across the sky. destinationcanada.com; travelalaska.com

85 jetsetter-magazine.com

INSIDER

WAN CHAI WONDER Home-grown hoteliers the Harilelas have debuted a new brand, the Hari, The hotel’s GM Rory Slater talks staycations, low-key luxury and electric popcorn machines with Helen Dalley

86 jetsetter-magazine.com

INSIDER

The Hari made its debut last December.

What was it like launching during a pandemic?

It was a very strange time to open, but the local community’s been supporting us by coming in to try out the restaurants, and word of mouth has seen a booming lunch business develop. Being on Lockhart Road, we’re in a great location and get a lot of foot traffic. There’s a steady influx of staycation bookings on the weekend; people enjoy using room service and doing late check out. As guests couldn’t come down from their rooms after 6pm, we introduced a prohibitionera cocktail trolley and were shaking up Martinis and Manhattans for guests to enjoy in their room.

How are your bookings so far for 2021?

Everything is pretty short term at the moment.

We’re just waiting to hear when restrictions will be lifted so we can increase table sizes. Once we have travel bubbles and borders are open, that will obviously make a big difference.

Do you think the staycation market will continue to be a significant part of your business?

Right now, it is of course the most significant, and some families are hiring out a few rooms for a couple of weeks as they don’t want to be in their homes anymore… they’re just desperate to get out. I think when people do start travelling again, they will favour slightly smaller hotels, not places where breakfast is in a ballroom with hundreds of people, and that will play in our favour. We have 210 bedrooms, and for Hong Kong, that’s small. Our restaurants and public spaces have a residential, intimate feel.

How would you characterise the hotel?

At our sister property the Hari in London, the hotel’s ethos and style is removing starch and formality from luxury for a friendly and informal approach, and Hari Hong Kong is the same. We’re not styling ourselves as a grande dame hotel with huge marble lobbies and front doors. Modern

luxury is low key, the chance to enjoy service and quality. The needs of travellers today are not a 50 sqm room with a large chair and desk. You need a big screen TV, an amazingly comfortable bed, a great shower and good wifi.

What were some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to face so far?

The pandemic did affect some of the supply chains, like getting furniture and fabric from Europe: we had some chairs being made in Italy and there was a delay in them coming in, for example. But in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t affect us. We just opened straight into restrictions and couldn’t open the gym, and the restaurants couldn’t serve dinner. They are challenges we’ve just had to roll with. Having said that, we did find there were an awful lot of high calibre staff on the market. In a boom market, they would be tough to find.

The first Hari hotel opened in London in 2016. Are the two properties similar?

The Hari London is an 85-bedroom townhouse conversion, so externally they are different but internally they are the same as we used the same architect and designer. Both have provocative artwork, and utilise metal and marble in the interior design, along with wooden floors. The lounge in Hari London has petrol blue seats, banquettes and an ornate book shelf, and we’ve transported that to Hong Kong.

I spent some time in the Hari London to understand the brand. Having worked in branded hotels, consistency is key. But we want staff to have fun with customers, and tell them they don’t have to serve coffee in the same way to all guests. How they engage with staff, whether they say good morning, hello, or how are you, is up to them. That makes the service more authentic.

We let them read the guest – if someone wants to chat, then do so.

Which hotel brands inspire you and why?

87 jetsetter-magazine.com

It’s not any specific brand. When I travel, I enjoy thoughtful touches – just people remembering my name, or things I didn’t expect. One hotel I recently stayed in had an electric popcorn machine. It had the perfect measure of corn in the cup that you could pop into the dispenser, and the paper cup fitted in exactly under the machine, then there was salt and sugar and an idiot-proof instruction card. We now have an electric popcorn machine in our staff canteen, and hope to get a candyfloss machine too.

What’s the philosophy of the Hari hotel?

It’s about taking away the starch from service, and manners, grace, elegance… a layer of sophistication without being stuffy. We want to be seen as a beacon of modern luxury. Luxury doesn’t have to mean formality.

It’s been a tough 12 months for hospitality. What are the reasons you are staying positive?

The dramas of the present day will be short-lived, borders will re-open, and Hong Kong will remain a key city in Asia. One of the Harilela’s other hotels, the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, made its debut 40 odd years ago. You build a hotel not for the first year but 40 years plus.

What is your focus at Hari Hong Kong over the next 12 months?

It’s about more than survival. We’ll be building our brand and reputation day by day, guest by guest.

The restaurants have been an early calling card, and when restrictions are released, it’ll be much easier, as we’ll be able to cater to more people for lunch and dinner.

Are there plans to open other Hari hotels?

It’s a topic of conversation, and there’s certainly an appetite to have more globally in gateway cities in Asia and Europe but things are on hold right now. So while this is the latest, it’s certainly not the last. thehari.com

INSIDER

BRINGING THE HOTEL HOME

Home concierge service Butler aims to deliver all the comforts of a luxury hotel to your home.

Helen Dalley meets modern-day Jeeves Angues Chan and Jonathan Lam

Butler founders Angues Chan (left) and Jonathan Lam (right)

88 jetsetter-magazine.com

INSIDER What inspired you to set up Butler?

We saw that there was a need for a trusted home service in the city. As investment bankers, we were used to working long hours and bosses calling us at midnight or 7pm on a Sunday night, and it was frustrating to spend downtime on chores and housework. Finding good quality, reliable staff was down to luck, and communication isn’t always straightforward when you want someone to clean your home. Then if you need to do something like get your wifi fixed, you have to talk to someone else, and relay all your personal information, tell firms how to find your home and so on so it’s very time-consuming. We were willing to pay a premium but still couldn’t always find the right people. Working long hours makes you realise how important home is for your lifestyle and health when work is stressful. We want to help people elevate their lifestyle.

What services do you offer clients?

Our core services are housekeeping, laundry and closet management, grocery resupply and food preparation but we can arrange everything from an aircon deep clean to bouquet deliveries. We’re very lifestyledriven based on seasons – we do Christmas tree delivery and red banner writing for Chinese New Year, for example.

You’ve referred to yourselves as Batman’s Alfred or Ironman’s Jarvis. Which one is most accurate?

The traditional meaning of a Butler is someone wearing a nice suit, black tie and carrying a silver plate – Alfred is a very good depiction.

We started off with the concept of Alfred, but we’re modern-day butlers using tech to empower our staff and clients, so that makes us more Jarvis. Technology is ultimately the future – we love the convenience of it but want to provide a personal, human touch to our service. Uber and Deliveroo used tech to revolutionise taxi service and home delivery, and we’re doing the same with the home.

You have an app. How does it work?

It’s all about convenience, so you can see what’s going on with your home at a glance. There’s a booking system, a summary list detailing what’s been cleaned & sanitised and so on, a payment wallet and a suggestion function where clients can note down how to improve our service. We also have a WhatsApp chat linked to our app so clients can talk to our home concierge team directly.

There are plans to upgrade the app in the second quarter of this year and offer easier access to value-added services, like instantly buying flowers for Valentine’s Day. We’ll make the booking system and the wallet more user-friendly, too.

Butler Club members can subscribe to monthly packages.

Tell us about that

We have green (HK$2,500/month for 14 hours), silver (HK$3,500 for 21 hours) and gold (HK$4,500/month) tiers. People try the entry level tier first, but a lot of them end up upgrading, or top up by a few hours.

Members can also access some perks via the monthly subscription plans, such as access to rare wines at wholesale prices.

What were some of the challenges of setting up Butler?

I think the biggest obstacle was people not believing in us. We had a lot of rejections and people doubting us, so you do end up thinking, ‘are we wasting our time?’ In the beginning, we were both working in investment banking full time, so it was very tiring. We’d leave work at 8pm, then work until 12am, go back to work, and Angues had to be at work for 4am! What kept us going was having the same vision, and we kept thinking eventually we’ll get there. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride at times. One day, we might have some terrible news, then by the end of day, we’d be on top of the world.

James Riley, group chief executive of the Mandarin Oriental, is a shareholder & mentor. How has he helped you?

We met him around 18 months ago when he was speaking at a lunch event. He found the idea of transporting the hotel experience to the home an intriguing idea, so we grabbed a coffee, had more meetings, and now meet once a month. He’s helped us prepare for negotiations with corporate clients like Swire and New World Development and introduced us to his network.

What are your plans for Butler over the next 12 months?

There still needs to be a lot of education around the concept of home concierge. But we remain hopeful. People were initially sceptical about Airbnb and staying in a random stranger’s house, after all.

What are your long-term hopes for the business?

With people confined largely to their homes for more than a year, have you seen more interest in your services?

With people staying at home for so long now, there’s certainly been a change of mindset and greater importance placed on home lifestyle.

Overall, it’s been very positive and our retention rate is above 90 percent.

Hong Kong is a blueprint – we want to be a global company and hope to duplicate the Butler experience in other cities, like Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok and Taipei as well as Singapore, even London. We want to make people realise the importance of their home, and make coming home the highlight of their day, an instant stress reliever. butlerasia.com

89 jetsetter-magazine.com

EXPLORER

SAILING THROUGH A PANDEMIC What’s it like being sailors during COVID-19? Ana Couto and John Hoogwerf of Sailing the Dream talk bubbles, non-stop sailing to catch maritime borders and being anchored up in Greece

R

oughly one year after COVID-19 entered our lives, it’s difficult to find someone that has not have their routines turned upside down or that does not feel their plans had abruptly ground to a halt, the stories of cancelled holidays, postponed weddings and missed family events told everywhere. The sudden change of work conditions and the lack of job security are discussed widely. The concepts of shielding, quarantine and social distancing seem to have taken hold of our lives for now.

their boats in the marina, we soon had our little COVID-19 safe bubble, enabling us to have regular contact with other people while still being socially distanced.

But how has it affected the lives of those that have a more alternative lifestyle, less tied down to one specific place, to a traditional way of living? How is it affecting the lives of permanent travellers like us sailors?

By the time the Tunisian government announced the reopening of their maritime borders in late June, we’d already overstayed our visas by roughly 100 days. A situation that we couldn’t prevent, as all immigration services had been suspended at the time of border closure.

I remember those weeks at the end of January 2020, when COVID-19 started making the news in Europe. I was in Portugal for my yearly family visit and the first adverse travel advisory was just published. At the same time, I was trying to leave my native country where I had not lived for a decade and attempting to get into the country where my home was (our yacht) but not the country where we live because we don’t live in any specific country. Since 2017, we’ve been living aboard our yacht, sailing from place to place and rarely staying more than 90 days in one country. We are permanent tourists, one could say. Within a few days of my return on board The Dream, our yacht, we watched in total disbelief as international borders closed one after the other, maritime borders included.

An overstay waiver given to those willing to depart immediately meant one less headache to deal with regarding our departure. But while the Tunisian maritime borders were about to open, none of the European countries had announced the opening of their borders. The only option on the table was to sail non-stop across half of the Mediterranean to get to Turkey, the only country welcoming foreign-flagged vessels in the region at that time. This was a challenging passage that took us nearly eight days.

We were going to have to stay in Tunisia for the unforeseeable future. We kept busy doing repairs and maintenance on the yacht. With only a handful of other sailors living onboard

Upon arrival in Turkey, we met other full-time sailors and their stories of the first lockdown

90 jetsetter-magazine.com

Left:

John and Ana are currently in Greece but hope to be on the move soon; views from their anchorage in the bay of Poros in the Peloponnese

Right:

at the customs dock waiting for permission to depart Tunisia; The Dream anchored up at Poros

EXPLORER were quite different from ours. A group of them had just arrived in Turkey at the time of the first lockdown. They were able to sail locally without too much problem but going to shore for a supermarket trip involved occasional involuntary trips to the police station.

A couple got stuck in Greece and were not allowed to leave the port by the coast guard while at the same time being constantly reminded that their visas had expired but not given the possibility of renewing them or departing.

Another couple sailed from country to country without being able to check-in due to the ban on their nationality but at the same time not given specific trouble by the officials they encountered.

often don’t match the time it takes to sail to the closest port of entry, quarantine and borders closed to arrivals from certain countries. These rules often change with very little notice and can be extremely difficult to get hold of.

We write these words while at anchor in Greece. It’s now been four months since we arrived in this spot when the government announced a two-week lockdown restricting all movements. Since then, we have not been allowed to depart and don’t know when we can expect to have restrictions lifted. Before COVID-19, we had a life of freedom. Now, it’s full of uncertainty. svthedream.com

Stories from friends on the other side of the world were also arriving. One friend had to sail solo across a good portion of the Pacific Ocean because the Pacific island nations refused his entry. By the time he arrived in Australia, after nearly two months alone at sea, he had to quarantine. Another arrived in the Caribbean after crossing the Atlantic Ocean just hours before the borders closed.

For us, the current state of affairs feels very much like musical chairs. At any moment, the music could stop and we could get caught in a precarious situation. The new reality means we can no longer move from country to country as before. Now we need PCR tests done in timelines that

91 jetsetter-magazine.com

LIFESTYLE FEMALE FINEECRITURE’S DINING: HELOISE FISCHBACH INTERVIEWED

ELEVATING THE IZAKAYA THE AUBREY AT MO REVIEWED RICHARD MILLE 65-01

SONY A1 CAMERA

TRULY ELECTRIFYING: INTRODUCING THE AUDI E-TRON GT

M+ MUSEUM HONG KONG

IN THE KITCHEN

FEMALE-FRONTED FINE DINING Chef de cuisine at two Michelin-starred restaurant Écriture, Heloise Fischbach is one of Hong Kong’s rising stars on the fine dining scene, says Helen Dalley

You recently organised a menu for International Women’s Day at the restaurant. What’s it like working in a male dominated industry?

It’s definitely an accomplishment to succeed in this profession where women are not necessarily the first pick in a kitchen regarding the key positions. With all the women who succeeded recently, like Vicky Lau and Helene Darroze, I think the profession is encouraging more women. We just need to keep heading in this direction more and more.

Tell us about the experience of taking over the restaurant for Women’s Day – what were you most proud of?

For Women’s Day, it was spontaneous: we had a lot of ideas running through our heads in terms of products, colours, flavours… the challenge was to create a menu with a structure from top to bottom that was rich, flavourful and attractive. That’s why I’m not proud of anything in particular, I was just happy to make something diners could really enjoy.

94 jetsetter-magazine.com

IN THE KITCHEN At L’Arpege, I was free to put forward anything I wanted, but I needed to make sure everything was perfect when chef Alain Passard came by to try the food – it was the perfect place to start a culinary career.

These two moments were a big part of my career, but there’s a lot more to come from me yet.

How has your culinary approach changed since arriving in Hong Kong?

When I arrived in Hong Kong, I was chef de cuisine, so needed to give more than only execute [the ideas of others]. So here I started to set up my ideas and be more creative. Working with Maxime, my mind started to become more precise, to find something different and add in little details to make the difference [to a dish]. All the things I learned before stayed in my mind but became sharper.

You left Paris for Hong Kong in 2016. What do you like about being a chef in the city?

It never stops. The city is always full of people and activity. But there is no time to waste and you have to keep going day after day.

The lunch and dinner tasting menus were conceived, developed, and executed by the women of Écriture from front of house to the kitchen. Can you elaborate?

What do you miss most about France as a chef, and would you like to return one day?

All the women in the restaurant did something they knew, depending on their level. It’s not only one menu, but also the entire atmosphere in the restaurant that we changed, just for one day.

I miss the terroir, the producers, and the contact between chefs and artisans. For me it’s one of the most important parts of our work, and in Hong Kong it’s really difficult to make that happen. I’m sure I will go back to France one day – I just don’t know when.

While the two chef di partie, Tia Cheung and Alexia Kei, helped me realise the menu and produce the dishes, assistant manager Kristina Delaire and guest relations officer Ng Ka Yan took care of the decoration of the dining room, the menu and everything related to the front of house. It was a team project, and that was

As social distancing measures begin to ease, how will you be tempting guests back to the restaurant?

We will continue to protect guests by keeping the restaurant safe.

the most important aspect about it all.

We’ll also be debuting new menus.

Your executive chef, Maxime Gilbert, describes you as one of the most talented chefs he’s ever worked with.

Why does your relationship work so well?

Tell us about those

We will introduce two new menus, one of which will be vegetarian, which is different to the one we have now. The spring and summer months are the perfect time to introduce this, as there is so much good produce around. Hopefully it will be well received, as I think people are more open to vegetarian menus now. ectriture.squarespace.com

It’s about honesty, respect and freely sharing ideas. He’s not the type of chef who will ask me to execute his ideas – I’m free to create what I want. We talk a lot and share the same vision. All of this contributes to a good relationship between us.

Écriture uses a lot of Japanese ingredients. Was this something you were familiar with?

I wasn’t familiar with them in France as ingredients like bonito, uni and koji (fermented rice and/or soya beans) are not that common.

It was certainly a learning curve but we use a lot of French produce in the restaurant, too, from Aveyron lamb to Brittany langoustines.

It’s just about using the best produce.

You’ve worked at two three-Michelin starred kitchens, Mirazur and L’Arpege, in France. What were the standout moments there?

At Mirazur, it was taking care of the pastry. I was only a commis chef, and wanted to learn more about pastry work, but I didn’t expect that the pastry chef would quit two months after I joined Mirazur, and for the chef to put me in charge. Chef Mauro Colagreco challenged me and trusted me, and I learned a lot with the support of the entire team.

95 jetsetter-magazine.com

FOOD ADVENTURES

MODERN TWISTS ON TEA

Inspired by modern coffee bars, contemporary tea houses are embracing painstaking presentation and surprising flavours in Hong Kong 96 jetsetter-magazine.com

FOOD ADVENTURES

T

aking inspiration from the cool, contemporary style of its sister coffee brand, The Tea Academics (the-academicsgroup.com) has a menu of signature tea lattes using soya and almond milk. Try a Pu’erh made with fermented dark tea, dried mandarin peel, cocoa powder topped with gold foil, or Tieguanyin, an Oolong tea latte made with halffermented Oolong and Tieguanyin tea powder topped with silver foil.

The curated collection includes umami-rich usucha, ceremonial-grade matcha ground from green tea leaves, and the antioxidant-rich Yunnan white tea, which has a mild, floral flavour. Looking for a healing brew? Pink chamomile is thought to provide mild pain relief and better digestion, while the inspiring iced tea menu includes Blue (Oolong, butterfly pea, pear and osmanthus syrup). To further enhance the experience, teas are beautifully presented on trays in handcrafted teaware.

Kiki Tea (facebook.com/kikiteahk) stands out from the Taiwanese bubble tea crowd by showcasing quality ingredients including premium Taiwanese tea leaves, black sugar and cane sugar, along with handmade pearls and pressed-to-order Teapressos. New teas on the menu include hibiscus rose tea topped with rose

cream mousse served either iced or warm, and iced jasmine orange green tea. For an extra HK$5, the tea bar’s famous ‘bubbles’ can be added, which include brown sugar pearls, mini taro balls and even Sichuan pepper flavoured pearls.

At Hong Kong’s first handbrew teabar, Green Ginkgo Tea (greenginkgotea.com), tea baristas are on hand to explain the origin and tasting notes behind the Japanese and Chinese brews it serves, and the menu features rare & award-winning leaves. Specialising in sencha, gyokuro and matcha, it also serves up waffles and matcha gelato floats if you’re feeling peckish.

Want to expand your tea palate? Then sign up for Green Gingko’s monthly tea subscription.

From sea salt yin yang to masala chai, the signature tea menu at Teakha (teakha.com) features a distinctly international flavour, while its brewed teas include Darjeeling first flush and white peony, which are served hot or iced. It does a nice line in scones too, from Earl Grey lemon to matcha white chocolate.

Its tea leaves are sourced from small plantations globally by sister brand Plantation by Teakha (plantation.hk), which also offers introductory tea workshops.

97 jetsetter-magazine.com

TOP TABLES

RESTAURANT RENAISSANCE It’s time to embrace eating out again. Here are the best new places to excite your tastebuds in Hong Kong and Macau

MIXING RAP AND ROLLS WITH TMK TMK Rap & Rolls joins the Hong Kong restaurant scene with a hip hopthemed temakeria perfectly made for fun-fuelled nights out. Serving hand-crafted temaki from its location on Wan Chai’s Star Street precinct, the restaurant celebrates the culture of the golden era of hip hop with vintage boomboxes and a mural covering the restaurant exterior in 1980s rap lyrics alongside artwork featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Salt-N-Pepa.

Dishes include classic handrolls like the crispy soft-shell crab and hamachi tomato, tuna hotdog and salmon taco with yuzu mayo and avocado tempura. Nori bowls include the West Coast (marinated salmon, avocado and crackling tofu) and the Fat Beats menu, which brings out recommended plates of the day.

TMK Rap & Rolls is the first restaurant launched by Pirata Group in 2021, with four more in the pipeline, including a new Pici Pasta Bar in Kennedy Town and an Italian bakery concept, Pane e Latte, in Stanley. piratagroup.hk

SOAK UP THE AFTER-WORK VIBES AT IZAKAYA BY K Modelled after Tokyo’s legendary after work social hubs, Izakaya

by K has opened at The Parkside in Tseung Kwan O with Michelintrained chef Yusuke Kitade at the helm. Menu specialties include Japanese Wagyu clay pot rice with A4 Miyazaki Wagyu and tuna tartare with avocado paste and marinated egg yolk topped with caviar, along with iwashi (sardine) sushi and unagi inari (deep-fried tofu with eel).

The restaurant manager is also an experienced sake sommelier and keen to introduce diners to hidden sake, shochu, whisky and liqueur gems from Japan. There’s an extensive range of sakes, from feminine and floral to rich and complex brews. facebook.com/izakaya.byk

DIG INTO STEAKS AND SANDWICHES AT AUSSIE GRILL BY OUTBACK Aussie Grill by Outback has opened its Hong Kong flagship at the Entertainment Building in Central, with signature burgers and sandwiches as its calling card.

Hungry? Then order a burger, hearty 5-6oz patties of USDA Choice Grade Beef generously loaded with toppings, like the Bacon Bomb Burger topped with jalapeños, bacon onion jam, bacon, Cheddar, homemade pickles and aioli sauce. Another signature is the braised pork sandwich, hand-pulled, shredded roast pork in toasted ciabatta, topped with aged Cheddar, tomatoes, peppercorn sauce, honey balsamic vinaigrette and rocket. Other crowd pleasers include the crispy sriracha chicken burger, crispy shrimp sandwich and Impossible melt sandwich. aussiegrill.com.hk

98 jetsetter-magazine.com

TOP TABLES EMBRACE THE TIKI AMBIENCE AT CABANA BREEZE There’s some Tiki vibes going down in Tung Chung now all-day dining destination Cabana Breeze has made its debut along the waterfront.

There’s an eclectic selection of Tiki-inspired cocktails and mocktails with a modern twist. Menu highlights include the Maui Margarita, with Mexican pepper-infused tequila, mezcal, lime, pink grapefruit, pineapple juice and kaffir lime, and the Cabana Colada, a creamy blend of coconut-infused white rum, pineapple nectar, fresh coconut, guava and lime. Gin and rum lovers will enjoy Cabana Breeze’s custom-built gin and rum trolleys, which highlight the venue’s selection of fine spirits, available by both the bottle and the shot.

With a focus on fresh seafood, grilled dishes and freshly-baked pizza from the woodstone oven, menu highlights include a Tuscan-style brick chicken and slow-cooked lamb rump served with green pea puree, broccolini and mint sauce.

SAVOUR GRILLED DISHES AT TEPPANYAKI MIHARA Serving up Japanese fare with a global twist, Teppanyaki Mihara has debuted at The Parkside in Tseung Kwan O.

Named after chef Terufumi Mihara, menu highlights include Miyazaki A4 Wagyu beef sirloin, known for its snowflake-like marbling from Japanese Black cattle, and Hokkaido pork, which is revered for its high collagen and healthy fat content.

Elsewhere on the menu, there’s tuna from Daisen, one of Japan’s oldest tuna suppliers, Hokkaido scallops and oysters and Canadian lobster & South African abalone sourced by the restaurant’s local team in Japan.

Chef Mihara is especially skilled at the Shiogama-Yaki cooking style, steaming fish in a crust of salt and egg white on the grill, retaining moistness and tenderness for maximum flavour. The technique also creates cool presentation, being cracked open on the table for guests when served.

Chef Terufumi’s two omakase chef’s choice menus, invite foodies on a gourmet journey spotlighting highest quality meat, shellfish and fish flown daily from Japan, complemented by homemade sauces, along with wine and sake pairings.

Featuring cosy booths and banquette seating, the main dining room is bathed in golden light by banks of suspended pendant lamps.

Other design highlights include vibrant turquoise sofas and tropical floral wallpaper.

NEW EATS AT LONDONER MACAO One of Macao’s hottest new openings, the Londoner Macao brings several new dining options to the city, with an eclectic range of British, Asian and international dining experiences.

One of its standout eateries is North Palace (pictured), which will present the northern Chinese cuisine of Shandong, Beijing and Inner Mongolia as an elevated dining experience. The restaurant’s dramatic open fire pit, rotisserie grill, duck oven and signature roasted whole Mongolian lamb and Beijing duck all look set to be firm favourites.

Another place worth checking when the restaurant opens later in 2021 is the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, the celebrity chef’s authentic British gastropub, which serves classic British cuisine including Ramsay’s his signature beef wellington, shepherd’s pie and ale-battered fish. londonermacao.com

99 jetsetter-magazine.com

RESTAURANT REVIEW

A NEW JAPANESE SQUEEZE Denis Fahy pulls up a stool at the hottest new table in town, the Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

A

n eccentric Japanese izakaya located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, The Aubrey features a drawing room curio lounge and three distinctive bar experiences. Designed

by Maximal Concepts and Silverfox Studios, The Aubrey’s design was inspired by Japanism, a 19th century European movement influenced

by Japanese art while also embracing the cool vibes of izakayas in Ginza. This highly creative theme is atypically untethered to the usual style of Japanese restaurants and first impressions are a design-conscious space that’s deliciously unconventional.

While the cutting-edge design will win over styleconscious designers, sustainability is another key component of the restaurant’s DNA. It utilises the world’s first viable compostable clingwrap along with bamboo and paper products from sustainable sources, with an ultimate goal to remove single-use plastic from all operations and embrace the zero waste philosophy.

Leading The Aubrey’s bar programme is Devender Sehgal, most recently bar manager at Otto e Mezzo Bombana. At the first of The Aubrey’s three bars, known as The Main Bar, Devender and his team shake up a core selection of Highball and Chuhai cocktails, a signature cocktail menu inspired by the game of chess and a rotating selection of three seasonal cocktails based off a singular Japanese ingredient. I order the Two Bishops, an aged, very smooth

rum blended with whiskey, citrus and matcha clarified milk, which is eminently drinkable, the time spent clarifying the milk really elevating the cocktail’s flavour profile.

The second bar is the four-person Omakase Cocktail Bar, where resident bartenders take guests on a drinks journey across Japanese spirits and flavours. Feeling decadent? Then head to the Champagne and Sake Bar, which celebrates the age-old tradition of oysters and champagne and also serves up sparkling sakes should you prefer to toast your good fortune with something Japanese and fizzy.

Dining at The Aubrey is overseen by chef Yukihito Tomiyama, who most recently helmed the one Michelin-starred Shinji by Kanaseka in Macau. At lunch, the Aubrey elevates the humble bento, serving guests their meal in beautiful hand-crafted wooden boxes, the layers revealing exquisite bites from the restaurant’s raw, tempura and robata menus.

Jetsetter is here for a media tasting to dig into a specially prepared menu. First up, we sample a scallop jelly tobiko, a dish that seems to capture the essence of Japan in one sweet shot, the eggs from this flying fish being deliciously crunchy, sweet and smooth. Next it’s the monkfish liver maki with shiso, and this foie gras of the ocean could not be more fresh.

You can’t have a Japanese tasting menu without sushi, and it dutifully arrives in the form of the

100 jetsetter-magazine.com

omakase nigiri platter, an artful preparation of creatively arranged speciality sushi. Served on a traditional platter, it’s so delicious I’m left wanting more. Next to appear is a seaweed salad, which has to be the most refined palette cleanser I’ve ever experienced: you can’t help feeling this one is doing you lots of good. Guests can really get to know their seaweed when they sample this combination of wakame, ao tosaka, aka tosaka and kaiso crystals.

Palate fully cleansed, it’s time to dig into the saikyo miso sablefish. The saikyo miso is distinguished by being slightly less salty than regular miso and gently seeps in to the gently flavoured sablefish, which is perfectly creamy and oh-so smooth.

Next it’s the main event, Wagyu oxtail and bone marrow fried rice. With all the effort that goes into breeding wagyu it’s wonderful to eat dishes that do it real justice like this one. The media table I’m seated at falls into a respectful silence when this dish arrives as all attention is focused on savouring the flavours of this gorgeous main, the bone marrow a perfect complement to the oxtail.

The meal bows out with a white miso souffle, an intriguing take on a classic dessert that’s a truly melt in the mouth experience with very subtle overtones of soy and seaweed. It’s a deliciously light and flavoursome way to end what’s been an enlightening and immensely enjoyable dining experience. mandarinoriental.com

SPIRITS

Lineage is a 15-year old expression aged in charred white oak barrels

IN THE FAMILY

Jim Beam debuts a new expression that

J

encapsulates the brand’s past, present and future

im Beam Bourbon, the number one selling bourbon in the world, has launched Lineage, a batched premium expression created by seventhgeneration Beam family master distiller, Fred Noe, and his son, Freddie. Encompassing eight generations of expertise, Lineage is the first bourbon from the Jim Beam portfolio to feature Freddie’s name and has been created exclusively for the global travel retail market.

Aged in charred white oak barrels in Warehouse K since 2004, the bourbon is 15 years old and has the same mouthfeel and smooth, warm finish that Jim Beam is renowned for worldwide. The whiskey has notes of spice,

vanilla and caramel for a balanced finish, while the bespoke bottle features the iconic Jim Beam seal.

Freddie Noe said enjoyed breaking the rules to create a new expression. “It was an honour to create this unique whiskey with my dad – one that’s different from anything out there in the bourbon world.”

Fred Noe added that lineage represents a significant moment in the history of Jim Beam.

“Not only is it a collaboration between the seventh and eighth generation of distillers in our family, but it’s also a blend of the past, the present and the future.” beamsuntory.com

101 jetsetter-magazine.com

WATCHES

THE ART OF INVENTION Greubel Forsey

debuts its popular Balancier Contemporain model in 5N red gold

T

wo years ago, Greubel Forsey ushered in a new chapter in its history with the launch of the Balancier Contemporain, a complex timepiece with a diameter of just 39.6mm. Following the success of this handsome watch, originally presented in white gold, the atelier has debuted a new model with a 5N red gold case and multi-level contrasting dial.

Composed of 255 parts, the Balancier Contemporain represents something of an architectural accomplishment. The movement was created especially to fit the specified dimensions and houses a large balance wheel within a small space to achieve a harmonious creation with optimal proportions.

The red gold case is enhanced by threedimensional variable geometry-shaped lugs that create subtle yet elegant curves. These proportions are accentuated by contrasting finishes including a fully polished bezel and lugs with a satin-brushed caseband and caseback. Above the bezel, the high-domed sapphire crystal adds further depth to the movement. The artistry continues on the caseback, where a circular engraved red gold disc is displayed in the centre, surrounded by a white gold bridge, which features the atelier’s key values written in engraved and black-polished letters, along with the characteristic olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons. greubelforsey.com

The Balancier Contemporain is the first Greubel Forsey timepiece with a diameter of just 39.6mm

102 jetsetter-magazine.com

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

A WATCH FOR ALL DAYS PATEK PHILIPPE HAS DEBUTED THREE NEW UPDATES TO ITS POPULAR TWENTY~4 TIMEPIECE

A

watch conceived for every hour of the day, Patek launched the Twenty~4 back in 1999 and it immediately attracted attention for its art-deco-inspired cuff design, featuring a cambered rectangular case that follows the contours of a woman’s wrist.

The manufacture has revisited the Twenty~4 collection to deliver a fresh interpretation of the original cuff-style quartz model with three new versions. The “manchette” or cuff-style model with quartz movement now includes a new version in rose gold with a chocolate-brown sunburst dial. Presented in a round case, the Twenty~4 Automatic offers two new models: one in steel with an olive-green sunburst dial, the other in rose gold with rose-gold sunburst dial.

The third manchette model to adopt the new Twenty~4 face, Ref. 4910/1201R001, pairs an 18 carat rose-gold case with a chocolate-brown sunburst dial for a warm, refined look. The clean layout of the dial enables the applied Arabic numerals, trapeze-shaped hour-markers and rounded baton-style hands to take centre stage. Fully hand-polished, it feels smooth and cossetting on the wrist.

The Twenty~4 Automatic has welcomed two elegant additions into its collection, the first being the Ref. 7300/1200A-011 in steel with an olive-green sunburst dial, which is the first time this colour has appeared in the contemporary Patek Philippe collections. The polished-steel bracelet features a new, patented foldover clasp and is secured by four independent catches.

Another elegant update to the Twenty~4 Automatic collection is the Ref. 7300/1200R-011 in rose gold. The timepiece extends the warm sheen of its case to the rose-gold sunburst dial. The new, patented fold-over clasp adds to the comfort of the bracelet, which features three rows of hand-polished rosegold links.

These three new expressions of the Twenty~4 bring a sense of timeless beauty to daily life. Which one will you choose? patek.com

WATCHES Hublot has created world’s first orange sapphire watchcase

ORANGE CRUSH Hublot makes a big bang with the world’s first orange sapphire watchcase

F

Sapphire. Reinterpreting the Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon in this new orange shade involved incorporating titanium and chromium into the mix, the translucent bezel and case in orange sapphire crystal enhanced by six H-shape titanium screws that characterise the iconic Big Bang design.

With its own metallurgy & materials laboratory, Hublot has released several striking timepieces where the sapphire cases and dials act as transparent settings for sophisticated mechanics, including the transparent Big Bang Unico Sapphire and, most recently, the Spirit of Big Bang Yellow

The calibre on the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire is equipped with three sapphire bridges for the first time: a barrel bridge, automatic bridge and a tourbillon barrette. The tourbillon cage at six o’clock affords a glimpse into the mechanical heart of the model, while the legibility of the open dial is enhanced by hands and indices with a luminescent coating. The transparent orange rubber strap, with a patented express One Click interchangeability system, completes the look of this limited edition release, which is limited to 50 pieces. hublot.com

rom eye-popping yellow to cool transparent, Hublot has mastered the machining of sapphires to create one-of-a-kind shades for its watchcases. With the new Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire, it has achieved another world first by adding a new colour to its palette of through-tinted sapphires. The latest iteration of the Big Bang Tourbillon additionally features a new self-winding tourbillon movement and reinvented architecture with its micro-rotor visible on the dial side.

104 jetsetter-magazine.com

WATCHES

A COMPLEX CHRONO Fans of ultra high-end chronos will adore Richard Mille’s 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph

F

ive years in the making, the RM 65-01 is the is the most complex timepiece to ever leave the Richard Mille workshops. The manufacture’s first automatic split-seconds chronograph combines the mechanical soul of the RM 004 with the convenience of an automatic and demonstrates its commitment to the creation of ultra high-end chronos.

The RM 65-01 is a complex sports timepiece designed for everyday use

The model’s baseplate and bridges are crafted of grade five titanium, a biocompatible, corrosion-resistant and rigid alloy for seamless function from the gear train. The RMAC4 calibre is equipped with the manufacture’s latest-generation splitseconds mechanism and the six-column wheel ensures optimised simultaneous movement, maximal function locking and greater adjustment durability. Like a mechanical brain, this castellated piece orchestrates the controls and can be seen through the sapphire glass caseback. Featuring a carbon TPT sporty case, which is renowned for its resistance to micro-cracks and splits, the red quartz TPT pusher can fully charge the watch ready to time a new event. richardmille.com

105 jetsetter-magazine.com

WATCHES

TIMED TO PERFECTION Omega unveils a special edition Seamaster to mark the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing

W

An Olympic tribute: the Seamaster Diver 300m Beijing 2022 special edition

ith less than a year until the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, Omega has launched a tribute to the world’s greatest show on snow with the Seamaster Diver 300m Beijing 2022 special edition. The watch additionally salutes a milestone in Omega’s timekeeping history, as it marks the brand’s 30th occasion in this role.

Featuring a blue ceramic dial, titanium bezel and Olympic Games-inspired dial and caseback, the 42mm case is crafted from stainless steel and features a grade five titanium bezel ring with a 60-minute diving scale in positive relief. The blue dial, a nod to the competition’s sub-zero temperatures, features laser-engraved

106 jetsetter-magazine.com

waves along with rhodium-plated indexes and Superluminova hands. As a special tribute to Beijing 2022, there are also five special minute-markers at two, four, eight, ten and 12 o’clock, each one created in the five colours of the Olympic rings.

On the reverse side of the watch, the caseback features a stamped Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 emblem. The stainless steel bracelet features Omega’s patented foldover rack-and-pusher with extra diver extension, and the watch is powered by Omega co-axial master chronometer calibre 8800. In a further nod to the Winter games, the watch is presented in a snow-white presentation box. omegawatches.com

WISHLIST

RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 is only available to owners of this car

Time your laps in the new 911 GT3 with a chrono of the same name

T

he new Porsche 911 GT3 encapsulates the pure adrenaline of a genuine sports car and Porsche Design has captured the buzz of high-performance racing in a cool chrono exclusively available to those purchasing the 911 GT3 with the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3.

The Porsche Design calibre werk 01.200 with flyback function combines starting, stopping and zeroing in a single operation, while the movement is powered by a custom winding rotor recreated from the design of the Porsche 911 GT3 wheels. Want to time a lap? Then make use the chronograph seconds and 30-minute counter.

The principal design features, material selection and performance of the 911 GT3 have shaped the conceptualisation and the making of the chronograph. The titanium used for the watch case is derived from the lightweight principle displayed in engine design, while the colour and material choices were similarly inspired by the car, with the strap made from Porsche vehicle leather.

The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 is available in two versions: a sporty model with an applied dial colour ring in shark blue and classic black colour ring. There are two colour options for the case, natural titanium or black-coated titanium, and a tachometer or classic minute scale bezel. Can’t wait to strap it on your wrist?

You’ll have to wait a little while, as watch delivery takes eight to 12 weeks. porsche-design.com

107 jetsetter-magazine.com

LUGGAGE

GET PACKING The new Tumi Max cases represent a cool blend of performance and luxury

I

f you don’t enjoy checking luggage in, then a sturdy, lightweight case with great manoeuvrability is in order so you can effortlessly glide through the airport in style. Enter Tumi’s latest premium collection, Tumi Max, a cool combination of performance and luxury that offers bold designs created with consolidated layers of stitchable aluminium sheets that showcase the brand’s craftsmanship.

Available as an International Expandable Four Wheeled Carry-On and Continental Expandable Four Wheeled Carry-On in a cool silver colourway, this high-shine case is not only aesthetically eyecatching but also delivers peak durability and functionality, with four dual spinner wheels to keep the case in line. Bumpers offer additional protection to the carry-on and your belongings, while leather accents complete the modern design with a dash of refinement. The carry-on features a USB port to help keep you powered throughout your journey and a built-in garment sleeve to keeps clothes wrinkle free. Powerbanks and hangers are sold separately. tumi.com

The Tumi Max range is made with sheets of stitchable aluminium for added durability

108 jetsetter-magazine.com

TECH

THE NEED FOR SPEED

T

he most technologically advanced camera Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 features the 30 fps speed of a sports camera, the 50MP of a landscape camera and the 8K skills of a video camera. This plethora of features enables users to capture fast-moving objects that have previously proved elusive.

Boasting the world’s fastest mechanical shutter flash sync with speeds of up 1/400 seconds, the Alpha 1 also features anti-flicker shooting with its mechanical and electronic shutter in another world first. High speed readout from the 50.1-megapixel image sensor and a large buffer memory make it possible to shoot up to 155 full-frame compressed RAW images or 165 full-frame JPEG images at up to 30 frames per second.

Sony’s Alpha 1 packs speed and resolution into a compact, uncompromising package The Alpha 1 delivers the speed needed to capture fast-moving objects

For the first time in an Alpha camera, the Alpha 1 offers 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS recording with 8.6K oversampling, while its 8K footage can also be used for flexible 4K editing during post-production. Combined with Sony’s acclaimed autofocus technology, gradation and colour reproduction performance, the Alpha 1 helps photo & video journalists and dedicated amateur snappers alike realise their creative vision. sony.com

109 jetsetter-magazine.com

STYLE

L ART MEETS STREET

Fashion label Canotwait aims to bring hope in challenging times

ooking for a cool new Chinese brand to champion? Then check out Canotwait, a brand inspired by modern art and street culture founded by designer/avid art collector William Chan. Canotwait debuted its designer collection with luxury fashion retail platform Farfetch this February. Launched last year with a Autumn/Winter collection driven by the smiley face logo, the brand hosted a pop-up store and interactive exhibition in Shanghai to mark the launch.

This spring, Canotwait debuted three collections: Designer, ToWear and Hype. The Designer collection represents a collaboration

by William Chan and Masanori Morikawa, founder of Japanese fashion label Christian Dada. Morikawa has incorporated high fashion elements to the collection, using a pink rose and the word ‘hope’ in bold graphics on the back of a blue sweatshirt to bring a bit of sunshine to Canotwait’s second season. T-shirts with ‘hope’ and ‘end’ emblazoned on the back express a similarly positive sentiment. Best of all is a flowing black jacket with unfettered shape and movement that challenges traditional silhouettes. The women’s pieces are more straightforward, and include relaxed black trousers with a drawstring belt and oversized sweatshirts. farfetch.com

110 jetsetter-magazine.com

BEAUTY TRAVEL

LUXE

BEAUTY Cleanse inside and out with Aman Skincare and its new holistic supplements Cleanse mind and body with supplements and skincare from Aman

N

ow you can reboot your body inside and out with Aman, as the brand has just launched a new range of holistic supplements, SVA. Blended to support the liver’s detoxifying function, SVA’s Liver Detox Micronutrient Supplement combines lecithin, milk thistle, artichoke and ginger root, which is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

Another supplement, Digestion Support, encourages healthy gastro-intestinal balance and can be paired with the herbal formula Nourish to further promote a healthy digestive system. One of the main ingredients in Nourish is bai zhu, widely used in Chinese medicine and prized for its ability to support the immune system.

Looking to detox the mind? Calm, from SVA’s herbal formula range, combines chai hu to maintain a sense of inner balance and paeonia lactiflora root to help calm emotions and focus the mind.

The most recent addition to the Aman skincare collection, the Grounding Miracle Mud Mask breathes new life into dry skin with a blend of indigenous ingredients. Prickly pear seed oil and aloe vera promote hydration, and amethyst supports cell rejuvenation. These ingredients are blended with shea and cocoa butters, which seal in moisture for softer, smoother skin.

Another standout from the skincare range is the magnesiumrich Grounding Maca Cleansing Powder, which promotes the skin’s cellular health. With a distinctive purple hue, its three key ingredients – maca, amber and amethyst – help rejuvenate pollution-weary skin. shop.aman.com

112 jetsetter-magazine.com

TEE OFF

NEXT-LEVEL IRONS Taylormade debuts SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons

W

Up your game with the latest irons from Taylormade

ant to make some serious improvements to your game?

Taylormade Golf’s SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons utilise the company’s new Cap Back Design and echo damping system to deliver enhanced performance.

To develop this new iron construction, the company charted thousands of shots from players of every skill level to identify the most tightly clustered impact areas among solid strikes. Leveraging on that data, engineers set out to expand the sweet spot to capture more of those shots, pinpointing performance where golfers need it the most.

Cap Back Design was key to unlocking this new level of distance and performance. The strong, lightweight polymer material helps to secure the topline and provides additional rigidity in the upper part of the face. It works with the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to create a larger unsupported area of the face, which translates to improved flexibility engineered for increased ball speeds and distance. When paired with the Echo Damping System, the irons help minimise unwanted vibrations and produce the signature forged-like feel and sound of SIM irons.

Equipped with the same technologies that power SIM2 Max but bundled into a low CG oversized package, SIM2 Max OS is the longest and most stable iron in the current TaylorMade family. It features a wider sole, stronger lofts and accentuated draw-bias in comparison to SIM2 Max. If you want to eliminate those short right misses and are on the look-out for a forgiving club, these are the irons for you. taylormadegolf.com

114 jetsetter-magazine.com

For a few years now, we have been watching the USA unfold hybrid warfare towards China. What justifies such aggression? What has China done to deserve such unwanted attention? Where is the threat perceived by the USA? What are the means used by the USA? Where does the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) fit in? What justifies the global information warfare campaign of mis-information, dis-information, and intoxication currently at play in mainstream media about the BRI, which direct result is to create cognitive dissonance at best and create a fabricated enemy at worst?

This book critically examines what China’s BRI is about, clarifies the confusion and answers valid questions. It includes a first time ever published list and contains statistical tables of all the BRI projects up to December 31st, 2018. This work also demonstrates how instrumental the BRI is to globalization, which in itself is conducive to humanity’s evolution. It describes humanity’s five key choke points, and apprehends how China and the BRI are addressing them.

“It is an excellent, comprehensive and detailed treatment of the Belt and Road Initiative. This book is far more useful than almost anything written on the topic.” Parag Khanna, Author of Connectography, New York, USA “I trust this book would provide a good road map for policy makers and infrastructure developers in any developing country amidst complex geo-political circumstances.” Dr. D. J. Pandian, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Beijing, China

AUTO

Sportiness and comfort meet sustainability with the Audi e-tron GT

GREEN YOUR WHEELS All-electric, sporty and pioneering: meet the Audi e-tron GT

116 jetsetter-magazine.com

AUTO

R

eady for a sustainable drive that still delivers on performance? Then consider getting the behind the wheel of the Audi e-tron GT, the brand’s new electric frontrunner, which is also available as an RS and quattro model.

The first electric sedan from Audi is driven by two powerful electric motors that deliver electric all-wheel drive and smooth road performance. With a net energy content of 85 kWh, the battery can reach ranges of up to 487 kilometres for the Audi e-tron GT quattro and can be rapidly recharged.

In around five minutes, it’s charged for a distance of roughly 100km.

With its large wheels, wide track, flat silhouette and long wheelbase, the e-tron GT exudes sporty proportions, while its sculptural design – check out the low inverted Singleframe grille and sloping roof line – makes it doubly easy on the eye. Leather-free interiors and upholstery made with a high percentage of recycled material (fashion designer Stella McCartney collaborated on the interior design) reinforce the car’s commitment to sustainability. The RS model can manage 0-100 km/hr in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/hr.

Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi is among its fans: “The Audi RS e-tron GT is a milestone in the development of electrified highperformance models,” he says. Sustainability can’t be speedy, or sexy? We don’t think so. audi.com

117 jetsetter-magazine.com

CULTURE

CULTURAL COOL Hong Kong’s eagerly-awaited M+ Museum will open its doors later this year

A Hong Kong’s M+ Museum will showcase works of renowned artists Ai Weiwei and Antony Gormley when it debuts later this year

s the first global museum of contemporary visual culture in Asia, the M+ Museum is poised to enrich the city’s cultural scene when it opens at the M+ Building in West Kowloon district later this year.

Dedicated to interpreting visual art, the moving image and design & architecture, M+ has staged exhibitions locally and globally since 2012. The museum has also made a big splash online with its digital presence, M+ Stories, a bilingual storytelling platform showcasing works from the M+ Collections and presenting interactive online exhibitions such as neonsigns.hk, which saw the public submit more than 4,000 photos to collectively create a neon

118 jetsetter-magazine.com

map of Hong Kong. Still available online, it remains one of the museum’s most visited exhibitions.

There are more than 5,000 objects in the M+ Collection, such as the Sigg Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art, which was a founding gift to the museum from Swiss collector Uli Sigg. Universally recognised as the most comprehensive collection of Chinese contemporary art globally, it features works from more than 300 artists including Ai Weiwei, Fang Lijun and Geng Jianyi. The museum also owns sculptures by several renowned international artists, including Antony Gormley, Yayoi Kusama and Mona Hatoum. We can’t wait to check it out. mplus.org.hk