DOTWNews April 2015 issue

April 2015

24 hours in

yachting DeStinationS

Kuala lumpur

Where to take your superyacht

Cape Town South Africa's buzzing city

VIp TriBeCa

Summer

Film FesTival

in the SwiSS alpS

BuenoS AireS A golden revival

Suite DreamS The H Hotel Dubai

The Algarve

Exploring Portugal's southern coast beauty

NEW-SEASON WATCHES dAzzliNg JEWElS SUPERYACHTS lUXURY CARS

discover at renhotels.com

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April 2015

On the cover 50 The Algarve Exploring Portugal’s go-to summer destination 60 Golden Revival A new era of glamour in Buenos Aires 70 The Hills Are Alive Skip the snow for a summer in the Swiss Alps 80 Luxury At Sea New superyachts and destinations to drop anchor 102 Cape Town Calling An insider’s guide to the hottest spots in this South African city

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Modern artistry

The El Cathedral hallway in Faena Hotel, designed by the maverick Philippe Starck

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Let us offer you Arabian hospitality at its finest.

Let us teach you about our rich Qatari heritage.

Let us wrap you in luxury and comfort.

Let us keep a place in your heart.

Sharq Village & Spa is a novel contrast harking back to the past and offering a memorable experience for visitors seeking a destination resort with an exceptional sense of place. For reservations, call +974-4425-6666 or visit us at ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

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Swept Away Luxury yachting lifestyle in Dubai

In the news 26 Europe

Art in Barcelona, and a new look for Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo

40 Debut

Hot hotels, chic boutiques and exclusive new resorts

28 Middle East & Africa 42 Diary Dubai’s new polo address and a fivestar safari with the family

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32 Asia & Oceania

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This month’s pick of sporting, cultural and artistic events

44 VIP

The Langham, Hong Kong unveils new suites; diving in the Maldives

Mingle with the movie stars at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York

36 Americas

46 Interview

Cruising with Silversea; the new Emirates lounge at LAX

Paolo Terenzi of fragrance house, Tiziana Terenzi

Spend it 124 Escape

138 On the road

130 Essentials

142 Set sail

The best one-of-a-kind travel experiences money can buy, from cruising Burma to renting an island This month’s pick of accessories to stay chic on your travels

134 Ignition

The 2015 Aston Martin V-12 Vantage S has a race-car’s fierce capabilities hidden beneath a halo

Meet the next-gen cars from Geneva including the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept Oceanco’s Infinity, a Henry Ward Design island and a Bond-style mini submarine

146 Suite dreams

A regal stay in the royal suite at H Hotel Dubai

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Gourmet 108 Taste of... New Orleans

Chefs wax lyrical about the city’s thriving food scene

113 Restaurant news

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards; and the latest in Doha

114 Gourmet journey

A chef’s guide to the best foodie experiences in Sydney

116 Chef’s table

Chef Andy Bates on food trucks and casual dining

118 Spirit of travel

A journey through Spain with sherry, the country’s fortified wine

122 Reservation

A table at Michelin-starred Fera at Claridges, in London

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Tribeca Film Festival

Genna Terranova

Classic New York City architecture in the TriBeCa neighbourhood

VIP

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, NEW YORK CITY Recently appointed Tribeca Film Festival director Genna Terranova reveals what to see and where to be seen at this year’s event EVENT Tribeca Film Festival (www. tribecafilm.com) happens for 10 jam-packed days every year in April. We bring together films, directors, artists, creators, and celebrities from all over the world to celebrate the art of storytelling. Tribeca has an emphasis on community, industry and innovation. We are one of the youngest high profile festivals on the circuit, which allows us to be more forward thinking as well as more curatorial. This year’s event will have a long desired central location in TriBeCa where filmmakers, audiences, and creators can meet and mingle in the same space. A series of installations, talks and other exciting technology and film events will happen there. It is a creative space to escape the city but also experience live events that add to the festivalgoers’ overall experience.

AMBIENCE The ambience is New York – energetic, sophisticated but not stuffy. It feels like you are in the right place at the right time. A few hundred thousand people are expected to attend this year’s event as we have a lot of community events that bring people out in the masses. VIPs have access to all the highest profile events happening at the Festival each year. They have special premium access, a personal Festival associate with a seat waiting for them at any show they desire. And of course, some very special parties and private events. It is a catered experience where you get an insider feel and still have the freedom to choose your festival schedule.

RUB SHOULDERS WITH Richard Gere, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olivia Wilde, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan and more.

AFTER DARK There is a spectacular dinner that IWC hosts, this will be their third year at Tribeca. It is a celebration of the love of cinema. They always have some wonderful musical element or a surprise. There will be a wonderful celebration that Lincoln is doing with the Festival to celebrate the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra with music and film and our opening and closing nights are always great celebrations. Evening Bar at the Smyth in TriBeCa, Locanda Verde (377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States; +1 212-925-3797; www.locandaverdenyc.com) at the Greenwich Hotel.

STAY Smyth in TriBeCa is a modern property that’s centrally located (85 W Broadway, New York, NY 10007, United States; +1 212-587-7000; www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/smyth-tribeca) I also enjoy The Greenwich Hotel (77 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States; +1 (212) 941-8900; www.thegreenwichhotel.com) owned by Robert De Niro and business partner Ira Drukier. You can stay at the ultra-luxurious penthouse suite for US$15,000 a night.

DINE American Cut is perfect for steaks. This is the flagship location by Iron Chef Marc Forgione in TriBeCa (363 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States; www.americancutsteakhouse.com). For sushi head to Nobu or Next Door Nobu (105 Hudson St, New York, NY, United States; +1 212-219-0500; www.noburestaurants.com) MUST-DO If it’s warm, the High Line for an after brunch stroll and if you are a big foodie hit the smorgasbord in Dumbo, Brooklyn but go very hungry. It’s very casual but delicious. Try to see an event at the Beacon Theater (2124 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, United States; +1 212-465-6500; www.beacontheatre.com) – it’s a beautiful location and the four films that are going to be screened there are extra special.

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Destinations the world’s most desirable locations

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the hills are alive Who needs snow when the Swiss Alps are this beautiful in the summer?

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The Algarve, Portugal’s coastal beauty Buenos Aires: a golden revival Summer in the Swiss Alps New yachts and yachting hotspots 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur An insider’s guide to Cape Town

SUMMER ~ in ~

SWITZERLAND THE Ski SEaSon migHT bE ovEr, buT THE warmEr monTHS bEckon. wHETHEr you prEfEr ruSTic TouriSm or THE royal TrEaTmEnT, THE SwiSS alpS dElivErS, aS Becca Hensley diScovErS

Swiss Summer

Swiss style The Deluxe Suite at the luxurious Gstaad Palace (above), a favourite Swiss haunt for royalty, film and sporting stars

I

didn’t pack my tiara. But nobody says a word about that in Gstaad Palace’s storied Lobby Bar. Rather, they’re more concerned with which champagne I’ll be drinking and what trails I hiked today. In this century-old bastion of celebrity, the long favoured Swiss meeting ground of global old money, royalty, film stars, and magnates in the know, I recognise a few faces I’ve seen before in glossy magazines. Other countenances seem familiar – they must be somebody after all. Guests usually are here, where the owners coined an unofficial slogan that says: “Every guest is a king, and every king is a guest at the Palace.” Maybe that’s why, missing tiara notwithstanding, the other bar loungers take a gander at me, too. After all, maybe I’m a princess. Somebody has to be.

Gstaad is a mountain resort nestled halfway between Zurich and Geneva, an idyllic village that appears plucked from the pages of a storybook, marked by 17th-century chalets, cheese shops, bakeries, wine stores – and a promenade riddled with boutiques like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Roger Moore, Elizabeth Taylor and Yehudi Menuhin, to name a few, are just some of

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the guests to have stayed at Gstaad Palace over the years.

Others, such as Madonna and Prince Rainier of Monaco drop in for the scene. Its famous boarding school, Le Rosey – purportedly the most expensive in the world – brings in a hoard of future world players and their families, adding to the hamlet’s ramped-up charm.

But what’s special about Gstaad is how laid back it rolls. Denizens, some of their families dating back five generations, rub shoulders with contemporary beauty queens, maharajahs and sporting superstars over coffee and strudel, and wander the myriad summer festivals together. Don’t miss the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad in August, where international teams mount temperamental Arabian horses and battle for victory. Music lovers should schedule their stay for The Menuhin Festival Gstaad, featuring an an array of musical concerts between July and September, honouring the revered violinist and conductor who called this place home. Sports buffs won’t want to miss the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour – Grand Slam Gstaad, or the Crédit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad (ATP Tennis Tournament), both unexpected, jawdropping spectacles, scheduled in July.

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“this mountain getaway prevails as an evocative summer destination. �

Swiss Summer

“book a PenTHouSe SuiTe and baTHe in a baTHTub overlookinG THe SnoW-caPPed alPS” Of course skiing (and après skiing, a vigorous sport itself) dominates in winter. But the 220 kilometres of amply proportioned trails that link four Alpine valleys and ten villages which make Gstaad’s winter sports so famous also ensure this mountain getaway prevails as an evocative summer destination. Hikers and mountain bikers will find any number of routes through wildflower dotted meadows, up verdant, cow inhabited inclines and down rollicking, adrenaline-awaking paths.

Kayakers can paddle through its Alpine lakes, and white water rafters can ride the rapids. Those who still hanker to ski can join locals who s-turn down the Glacier 3,000, a snow covered peak reached by gondola, complete with a restaurant, slopes aplenty and an area for toboggan rides. Atop Wilspile Gstaad, special scooters can be rented to whisk you down the mountain. And, more passive, but just as exhilarating, ride the scenic Swiss railway – a workout for your eyes. Try the famous

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Golden Pass, a trip that runs from Montreaux on Lake Geneva, via Gsaad, to Lake Thun, Lucerne and on to central Switzerland.

Afterwards, the place to slumber is The Palace, a century-old, five-star hotel that caps a hill mid-village in Gstaad. With turrets and towers galore, it welcomes guests as fellow members of a royal family. Not stuffy, you’ll find the whole brood happy here – kids splashing about in the swimming pools, teens batting balls across the hotel’s four tennis courts, and elders, some who have holidayed here for six decades, staking out their regular bar stool for tea parties. For a celebratory weekend, book a penthouse suite and bathe in a bathtub overlooking the snow-capped Alps, eat dinner at rustic La Fromagerie, the in-house Swiss-style restaurant which specialises in truffle fondue, then dance it off at GreenGo, one of the world’s most bucket list discos.

Swiss Summer

For the ultimate Palace adventure, try to spend at least one of your regal Gstaad nights in the Palace’s Walig Hut, set high above the village at 1,700 metres amid a flower filled meadow. An ancient farmer’s home, this rough-hewn cabin dates back to 1786, and though it has undergone a painstakingly restoration to introduce modern comforts, it manages to retain an

authentic character. Superlative for honeymooners, the cabin can sleep two adults and two children, or can be rented for lunch or dinner.

Leaving my tiara and fancy attire back at the hotel, I hike up to the cabin just before dusk. Standing on the porch, looking out amid the jagged mountain peaks and the sweeping patchwork of color below, I watch the sun plummet in an explosion of hues to the symphony of cow bells. While I sip a Swiss wine (chilled in a cow trough), the chef prepares a classic country meal of cheese, charcuterie and salad, and a maid fluffs my feather pillow and thick duvet, preparing it for the evening. The serenity of the moment seizes me. This is the princely life redefined.

Swiss style soaking The Penthouse Suites (left) at Gstaad Palace feature bathtubs with sweeping mountain views Cabin fever Gstaad Palace guests searching for solace and authenticity can stay at the restored Walig Mountain Hut (below)

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Swiss Summer

Alpine charm The Swiss hamlet of Scuol (above) balances on the banks of the En (Inn) River

But there’s more to Switzerland than crowns and turrets. In Scuol, a picturesque hamlet, wedged in the Lower Engadine region of Switzerland, I discover a whole new language.

“Allegra,” says the woman at reception desk of Hotel Engiadina, an elegant, old world, lodge bedecked with carved wood details, lace and centuries-old farm implements. “Allegra,” I reply, uttering my first words in Romansch, an ancient language spoken only in this tiny corner of the world. My mood instantly lifts – who wouldn’t be cheered when exchanging pleasantries using a word, which literally translates to “joy”?

Romansch is Switzerland’s fourth official language, falling last in line after German, French, and Italian.

One percent of all Swiss speak it – and most of those live in this in section of Switzerland, near the Austrian border. While the influences of tourism have diluted the usage of Romansch in global villages like St. Moritz, this more rural part of the region lives this vibrant language. School is taught in it, store clerks do business with it, radio blares it, and hip hop artists rap it. Used for signage, it looks a bit like misspelled Italia and sounds melodic, like a gurgling stream. Thought to date back 1,500 years, Romansch might be considered a linguistic time capsule. A spoken Latin left behind by Roman occupiers, it collected smatterings of Celtic and Etruscan dialects. It stayed local thanks to the region’s harsh winters, towering peaks, and rugged terrain.

During dinner in the Hotel Engiadina’s pine-walled restaurant that night, I speak my second Romansch word for the first time. “Viva!” I say, clinking wine glasses with a friendly Swiss couple sitting at the table next to me, inspiring a contagion of toasting in the intimate restaurant with diners raising their glasses, nodding and crooning “Viva” as if it were a song and

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we were one big family having dinner together. Viva is as evocative as allegra when translated and means “live well” or “to life.” This soulful toast underscores the celebratory modus operandi of Engadine’s vivacious mountain community. As a person eating alone, I feel welcomed and embraced by it.

Found at the end of the train line, the small town of Scuol balances on the banks of the rushing River Inn. Best known for its healing spring waters, it’s a warren of white-washed medieval houses, each etched with sgrafitto, a fresco-like adornment born in the region. Cobbled alleyways lead to Bogn Engiadina, an immense hydrotherapy haven, composed of multiple saunas, steams, baths, thermal pools, and grottos, the perfect antidote to long afternoons spent hiking. On one outing, I learn my third Romansch word.

“Guarda,” says an old man, tapping his cane. “See there,” he says in English, when I look perplexed. He points to a mountain path, visible between ancient houses. “Look there. That’s where Hannibal passed atop an elephant.”

“Guarda,” I respond. And, I can just about imagine it – elephant and all.

Thegoldenbook GSTAAD PALACE Tel: +41 33 748 5000 www.palace.ch

HOTEL ENGIADINA Tel: +41 81 851 5454 hotelengiadina.ch/en

Royal Armleder Suite terrace

Luxury

AT SEA Rowena MaRella-Daw takes a look at trendsetting superyacht designs and the enticing destinations in which to drop anchor this year

T

hese are certainly exciting times for the yachting industry. The race to build the best superyacht with green credentials and jawdropping features is driving shipbuilders and designers to an ever-higher rate of knots. A new breed of younger clients is also playing a key role in the superyacht evolution with modern visions and high expectations. Earlier this year Superyacht. com announced its Top 100 forecast of new builds, and although size is always a factor, this year seems to be more focused on groundbreaking technology, streamlined architecture and design, eco-friendliness and fuel-efficient propulsion.

Fully-customised yachts are fast becoming more desirable for those who want to extend their lifestyles at sea. Owners relish the creative input involved in personalising their yacht, and this is where the fun begins. But there are many factors to consider during the design process. “Before we begin, we listen closely to the client to ensure we understand fully their dreams, lifestyle and tastes – only then do we put pencil to paper,” says Andrew Winch, founder and creative director of UKbased Andrew Winch Designs. “We spend time researching important points, including the client’s desired cruising area, ports, where the yacht will be docked, location of the owner’s cabin, how much distance the yacht will cover and the speed required,” explains Andrew.

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Gourmet Your ultimate guide to fine dining

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a pr i z e d p l at e A perfectly plated Goan lobster curry at Gaggan in Bangkok, the restaurant awarded the top prize at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards last month

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Unearthing old and new in New Orleans Gourmet news from around the world A chef’s foodie guide to Sydney Ten minutes with chef Andy Bates Sherry: Spain’s misunderstood wine A table at Fera at Claridge’s

Taste of...

new orleans From classic Creole and Cajun fare to 21st-century cuisine, top chefs wax lyrical about the gourmet awakening in New Orleans, but the food speaks for itself

Words: Eric Grossman

ower salad at Borg Sunfl ne

One Of AmericA’s most beloved travel destinations, New Orleans is renowned for its music and food, both of which have been exported around the world. As the largest and most visited city in the state of Louisiana, New Orleans is filled with dozens of eateries specialising in authentic, regional Creole and Cajun recipes. Along with world-class music, shopping, and cultural festivals - most notably the annual Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest celebrations culinary-minded travellers come from far and wide solely to experience the city’s gourmet offerings.

Some are bastions of fine dining where a jacket is required and a sense of genteel formality reminds customers of a bygone era; others are firmly rooted in the 21st century, with young, stylish chefs creating trendy, forward-thinking cuisine.

“New Orleans continues to nurture a diverse dining scene that is incorporating more and more different types of restaurants at all price points,” says Ryan Prewitt of Pêche Seafood Grill, which in 2014 was awarded the prestigious James Beard Award honouring America’s best new restaurant.

“This sustained advancement of the culinary scene only works to the benefit of the city as a whole,” chef Prewitt explains, “and continues to make New Orleans a very attractive travel destination.”

As the face of one of New Orleans’s most famous and historic, restaurants, Tory McPhail is one of the city’s biggest culinary stars. “The New Orleans dining scene is unlike any other in the country,” he says, adding that what makes New Orleans cuisine so special is “the flavours and the seasonings - you know you’re in Louisiana when you eat in our city.”

Alon Shaya is another successful New Orleans chef

Wahoo at Commande Gulf r’s P d e ll ala Gri ce

carving his own path while eschewing traditional local fare. “The dining scene is skyrocketing at the moment with young, passionate and motivated chefs and entrepreneurs,” says the man behind the wildly popular Domenica and Pizza Domenica eateries.

“When I moved to New Orleans 12 years ago, there were a small handful of restaurants pushing the envelope away from the classic Creole and Cajun fare.

Now, you’re seeing everything from Israeli cuisine that we will be making at Shaya [the chef’s newest restaurant], to ramen, Mexican, modern Vietnamese and more.”

Shaya predicts that the next five years will see continued growth in diversity and talent. “I want to see the rich traditions of Creole and Cajun food continue to be embraced, cooked and served with lots of heart by our younger generation of Louisiana chefs,” he says.

For a taste of the city, visitors can eat their way between grand dining rooms such as Galatoire’s and Antoines, or casual, family-owned eateries like Parkway Bakery & Tavern and Domilise’s; both are synonymous with the city’s signature sandwich, the po’ boy. Adventurous foodies can head to the New Orleans East neighborhood to enjoy authentic flavours courtesy of the area’s sizable Vietnamese population, and when the weather’s warm, all walks of life cool off with a classic New Orleans snoball similar to Italian ice or Hawaiian shave ice.

“It’s great to see this city use its rich culinary heritage to grow, prosper, and diversify,” says Brian Landry, chef and partner at the city’s Borgne restaurant. “Eating your way through this city is as exciting as it has ever been.”

Photo: Graham Blackall

Commander’s Palace

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Spend It unique experiences and sophisticated essentials

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b eau t y a n d bra i n s Designed in collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro, the Gea is compatible with a smartwatch, the LG Watch Urbane LTE

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Itineraries to inspire your next adventure Elegant essentials for sophisticated travellers Road-testing the Aston Martin V-12 Vantage S News from the Geneva International Motor Show Oceanco’s Infinity, a mini sub and a fold out island A regal stay in the royal suite at Dubai’s H Hotel

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Essentials

From Mediterranean scents and couture to luxury millinery and iconic jewellery with royal connections, we have curated the most luxurious travel essentials for you this month

So Magnifique!

Far more than just a pretty face, this dazzling Camelia Ruban Bow watch pays elegant homage to the lady herself, Coco, who held bow motifs very dear. Featuring more than 1,500 black and white diamonds set in 18 carat white gold, this mesmerising piece of CHANEL Fine Jewellery is enough to stop time itself. In the words of Coco, ‘A woman can be over dressed but never over elegant’. $POA; www.chanel.com

Taking Flight Milliner to the Middletons, award-winning Vivien Sheriff is regarded as one of the industry leaders in British headwear design. Said to be inspired by the natural beauty of her studio’s countryside setting in rural Wilshire, her couture pieces are imbued with English personality and handcrafted excellence.

Stand out from the racing crowd, with this delicately sherbethued headpiece, made from hand-curled crystal-speckled quills and signature beading. POA; www.viviensheriff.co.uk

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Fluttering Diamonds Bring the summertime flooding into your jewellery collection with this sunkissed, sliced diamond ring, created by jeweler Lady Nuttall. The unique design features 5 delicate butterflies in glorious yellow rough diamonds, sitting proudly on a meadow of full cut and pear cut pave diamonds. The Long Meadow ring is part of the Saqqara couture jewels brand, and Nuttall’s debut collection, which seeks to celebrate the unique origins of rough diamonds. $29,468; www.veryfirstto.com

50s Flair This Zip Antique Confettis Sapphires necklace goes beyond the realms of fashion. It could also be described as a piece of decorative art, with its recent unveiling at the Timeless Design exhibition, in association with Design Days Dubai. The exquisite creation of round diamonds, round sapphires and sapphire beads in white gold pays homage to the Zip Necklace of the 1950s, a feat in jewellerymaking that can be credited to the Duchess of Windsor. Who knew an everyday object could be re-appropriated in such a refined way? $POA; www.vancleefarpels.com

Shining Bright Inspired by Donatella’s favourite sparkler – the yellow diamond, Versace’s latest fragrance is brilliant, bright, mysterious and alluring. The floral scent has crisp fruity and woody accents, combined with notes of sparkling Bergamot Citron and noble Neroli, giving it a Mediterranean refinement. This is the perfect glamorous, feminine scent to transport you to the magical, warm feeling of sun on your skin, and captures the energy and pureness of the canary gem.

50ml US$87; www.parisgallery.com

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Ignition

A N G E L IN DISGUISE Angelic and gleaming white in the sunshine, the new Aston Martin V-12 Vantage S arrived on our doorstep with one simple (yet utterly necessary) piece of advice: “She’s a beast. Be careful.” We had to find out why.

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