April 2023
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
A lake-to-lake family-friendly train journey through the Swiss Riviera
SECRET GARDEN
Why Hatta is having its moment in the spotlight
VIEW FINDER
Postcard panoramas, from Lake Como to Mozambique
The hotel brands signalling the return of laidback luxury
Driven by a desire for luxury that feels both intriguing and ownable, the world’s most seasoned travelers will find in Habtoor Palace Dubai a coveted base of exploration. From its grand lobby with marble gilded staircases, to its legacy suites – a Bentley Suite and Sir Winston Churchill Suite; all is seamlessly choreographed through butler service to deliver a distinctive hospitality experience.
WHERE THE CITY MEETS THE SEA, WHERE STYLE MEETS ELEGANCE.
Cora Cora Maldives is a truly innovative concept resort and unlike anything the Maldives has ever seen, giving guests the unmissable opportunity to experience the Maldives like never before.
Cora Cora Maldives offers its guests a one-of-a-kind immersive Maldivian cultural, experiential, and culinary experience. Comprising of 100 villas, four restaurants, two bars, MOKSHA® Spa & Wellbeing Center, water sports & diving center, gym, overwater yoga pavilion, outdoor cinema, CoRa kids® club, and Dutch Onion® Art Gallery. Cora Cora Maldives is 45-minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and located in Raa Atoll.
It’s freedom time and at Cora Cora Maldives the Premium All Inclusive - Gourmet Meal Plan® is present in every detail of the resort, giving guests the unmissable opportunity to experience an array of dining possibilities.
Cora Cora Maldives is the ultimate idyllic, island escape!
April 2023
46 The Railway Children
A luxury train journey through the Swiss Alps
54 Escapes
This month, it’s all about family-friendly adventures
60 Magic in the Maldives
The Indian Ocean resort that does things differently 46
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Every day is a new chapter filled with the finest experiences life has to offer. At Raffles The Palm, we invite you to stay happily ever after.
TIME TO CHILL OUT
Once only accessible to those with (very) deep pockets, the Maldives has a new roadmap – to make its paradisiacal archipelago accessible to a wider demographic of traveller. And so enter a new breed of laidback hotels that keep the design levels high whilst creating a more affordable experience. Luxury, but not as you know it
A NEW FOUR SEASONS RESORT IS COMING TO THE RED SEA, Saudi Arabia. Perched on Shura Island, along the Kingdom’s western coast, the Foster + Partners-designed resort will feature 149 rooms and suites with uninterrupted views over white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The property will include six restaurant and lounge outlets, a marine discovery centre, a Kids For All Seasons space, a full-service spa, tennis courts, three outdoor pools with cabanas, and two separate beaches for families and adults. The strategic Shura Island location of the resort puts it within easy access of a yacht marina, leisure and lifestyle facilities, retail offerings, an 18-hole golf course and more. The Red Sea will be the ideal destination for those looking to uncover the wonders of the ancient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the close proximity to the ruins at Mada’in Saleh, as well as natural attractions such as the environmentally-protected coral reefs and mangroves, dormant volcanoes and local wildlife. The project is being developed with sustainability at its core, and relies on renewable energy with development only occurring on a small portion of the islands with expansive dedicated conservation zones. The resort will be easily accessible to visitors from around the world through its own dedicated airport which is currently under development.
www.fourseasons.com
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL HAS ANNOUNCED THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT WITH NEOM to open three properties on its luxury island destination Sindalah, situated in the Red Sea off the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia. The multi-deal agreement includes Saudi Arabia’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property, as well as two Luxury Collection properties. Sindalah is set to be among the most alluring destinations in the Red Sea with the island featuring exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings surrounded by a stunning and diverse ocean environment home to over 2,000 marine species. The ease of sailing from Sindalah to the Mediterranean will see it become a new destination for one-of-a-kind nautical and yachting experiences. The Autograph Collection property in Sindalah is anticipated to offer
rich immersive moments across 66 rooms and suites, including oneand two-bedroom villas, multiple dining options, a kids club, and a spa. The Luxury Collection properties will feature transformational experiences and destination-rooted authenticity. Slated to open in 2024, a beach resort will offer a mix of 70 luxury rooms and suites, including one-, two-, threeand four-bedroom villas all featuring private pools. The second project, projected to open in 2024, is expected to be an all-suite property offering 115 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, and will be situated in the heart of the retail and marina district of Sindalah. Both Luxury Collection properties are set to showcase multiple culinary experiences and leisure facilities.
www.marriott.com
THE UAE IS SET TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL OUTPOST OF SHA WELLNESS CLINIC , an award-winning European health and wellness facility in Spain. A 2024 launch will see the property opening at Al Jurf, a destination being created by Abu Dhabi developers Imkan. Located approximately halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the destination is set to be the foundation of what will become the Riviera of the Emirates or Sahel Al Emerat. The wellness clinic will consist of 120 rooms spread over 125,000 square metres of pristine coastal land surrounded by sea turtles, gazelles, and various species of birds. Elegant finishes, white curves and stepped
terraces complemented by vertical cascading gardens will provide a contrast that brings SHA Emirates in harmony with the landscape. Sustainability aims to be a big factor for the project with a limited carbon footprint and respect for all indigenous wildlife in the area. Personalisation will see local culture, knowledge and treatments taken into consideration. It will also mean using local nature and seasonal ingredients in the clinic’s macrobiotic nutrition. SHA Emirates will follow the same principles as the original clinic in Alicante where the team has been perfecting treatments and programmes for over 10 years, winning over 100 wellness awards. www.shawellnessclinic.com
FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF LONGEVITY HUBS in Madrid and Bangkok, the first Clinique La Prairie Longevity Hub in The Middle East will open its doors this summer. In conjunction with Alfardan Hospitality, the state-of-art facility will be located at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl in Qatar. The hub will offer Clinique La Prairie’s most advanced health and wellness programs in absolute luxury. Its exclusive holistic approach combines leading preventative medicine and wellbeing with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, led by 50 medical specialists and a team of holistic experts. Guests will also have the opportunity to discover their Longevity Index, choose advanced therapies, and commit to highly personalised packages aimed at establishing a successful self-care wellness
journey. The carefully selected treatments and coaching in the packages Ω which include Energize, Rebalance, and Glow Ω are created to help guests look, feel, and live well. Medical experts in the fields of longevity, epigenetics and nutrition will offer consultations, and provide a tailormade guide to overhaul guests’ lifestyles. To address cellular ageing, a team of aesthetic medicine specialists will combine expert knowledge and stateof-the-art technology to provide a broad range of personalised treatments. Wellbeing concerns will be lavishly addressed with scientifically proven therapies and wellness practices that promote ongoing development. A vibrant workout space completes the facility to ensure fitness fulfilment. www.marriott.com
Uluwatu Estate, a tropical paradise on Bali’s southern Bukit Peninsula, is Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes’ first foray into the Asian private villa market. Uluwatu comes from ulu, meaning “land’s end”, and watu, meaning “rock”, and the property’s namesake certainly captures the essence of the clifftop views that make this home so special. Perched high above Nyang Nyang beach, the home was designed by its owners to create the perfect frame for the views. Openair interiors pay homage to modern aesthetics, luxury and comfort whilst capturing the essence of Balinese style. Surrounded by immaculate tropical gardens and calming ponds, the various living spaces blend into the greenery beyond allowing guests to soak up the estate’s natural beauty. Striking teakwood walkways border the gardens, leading to a separate pavilion that hosts the estate’s private spa. A fully equipped gym and table tennis are also available, as well as a dedicated media room for movie nights and games. Each of the eight independent suites offers a choice of indoor and outdoor bathing, with signature handcrafted baths set in private enclaves of the gardens. An additional apartment sits beside the villa featuring a lounge, billiards and foosball. www.mandarinoriental.com
Six Senses’ first Italian property has opened in Rome in the historical Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, steps away from major historical landmarks, such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, and within walking distance of the prominent luxury shopping streets. Architect Patricia Urquiola’s sustainable designs juxtapose modernity with classicism across the 96 rooms housed within a historic Palazzo. A strong sense of the Eternal City’s history is conveyed throughout the building with its monumental marble staircase, 600-year-old columns and a large baptismal bath, visible beneath glass floor tiles. The interiors of the rooms are a reverential nod to Roman traditions with Cocciopesto on the walls and the presence of Travertine throughout. State-of-the-art, in-room technology has been subtly incorporated. Among a vast menu of therapies, the spa offers a modernday take on the ancient ritual of the Roman bathing circuit. True to the Eat With Six Senses ethos, menus foster a strong link with local culinary traditions. While the innovative use of natural and seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and suppliers reflects the brand’s food philosophy. www.sixsenses.com
The first-ever hotel from the mind of shoe designer Christian Louboutin aims to turn Melides into one of the most desirable destinations in Portugal. Nestled on the Alentejo coast, the village is renowned for its gentle pace and untainted land. In an ode to his famous, red-soled shoes, the hotel inspires guests to be bold, brave, and different, all the while living ‘La Vie En Rouge’. 13 Moorish rooms pay homage to Iberian artistry, each different in tonalities, textures, and style but all sharing the intimate, warm and vibrant nature that characterises Vermelho. Whitewashed walls, simple blue window frames and carved wooden doors are offset by pops of colour, like green jewel-toned tiled floors. The rooms come alive with Carolina Irving’s rich upholstery and Patricia Medina Abascal’s Spanish designs. Portuguese tiles from the legendary Azulejos de Azeitão, antiques and hand-painted walls courtesy of long-time Louboutin collaborator, Konstantin Kakanias add to the charm. Marble bathrooms –some with baths reminiscent of traditional sinks of Portuguese farmhouses – feature amenities by Kama Ayurveda. Local artisanal tableware adorns the onsite Xtian restaurant, where Portuguese Chef David Abreu showcases Portuguese fare. The small two-person only spa offers an intimate experience within its alabaster walls. www.vermelhomelides.com
As the first black female-owned Safari Lodge in Africa, Batoka Hospitality is reinventing the way the world views African hospitality. The newly opened Zambezi Sands, is an all-inclusive luxury tented camp nestled on the bank of the Zambezi River, offering guests unrivalled luxury in one of the world’s most breath-taking natural settings. The newly renovated resort boasts 10 tented suites, six of which have a private plunge pool, designed by renowned South African interior designer Yvonne O’Brien. With natural materials and tones, the large African-style tents offer exceptional views with a soundtrack of the area’s magical wildlife. Each tent is interlinked by a boardwalk that leads to the main dining area and bar, situated atop the river. Decorated with stylish teak furniture, wooden flooring, pewter ornaments and leather sofas, the common areas offer quintessential African luxury. In addition to the resort’s spa and fitness centre, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities, which include game drives along the river and inland, game walks with an experienced professional guide and a day or sunset river boat cruise. Sustainability and local employment are at the heart of the resort’s mission, enabling guests to experience true African culture and hospitality with as little harm to the environment as possible. www.batokaafrica.com
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46 The Railway Children: Segue through the Alps and the Swiss Riviera on a family-friendly rail adventure, taking you from snowy peaks to subtropical palms
54 Escapes: It’s all about kid-centric fun, gorgeous countryside retreats and the most interesting urban escapes for Spring
WEATHER WITH YOU
From a peaceful escape at Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa (pictured) to an energising stay at the Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona, Europe is coming into full bloom, ready for the new season. Let your spring adventures follow in hot pursuit
From snowy peaks to subtropical palms, a luxurious lake-to-lake family adventure by rail from the foot of the Alps to the Swiss Riviera pulls out all the stops…
WORDS BY: Sarah Freeman
Immerse yourself in wellness and adventure and explore nature from our tranquil tropical destination. Discover unique experiences on land and sea, from nature trail in the nearby forest to snorkelling the pristine blue waters of a marine park before returning for exquisite Creole meals and rejuvenating activities to balance body and soul.
LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit anantara.com
LIFE IS A JOURNEY.
Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas Blue Bay Marine Park, Le Chaland, Plaine Magnien, 51510 Mauritius
T: 230 651 5000 | F: 230 651 50 05 anantara.com
Have you heard about Hatta – Dubai’s hideaway in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains? Let this be your guide of where to stay, what to do and how to enjoy the UAE’s nature-filled oasis
this be
A blend of lifestyle & luxury in a timeless elegant atmosphere
Jewels: Discover boldness in simplicity with a stark contrast
On ode to jewellery heritage and Ramadan accessorising
Watches: Timepieces giving you the green light
Watches: Breguet ushers in a new age of elegance
Motoring News: All the latest from the world of fast cars
Out of this World: One-of-a-kind exclusive experiences in the sky for mini jet-setters
A NEW CLASSIC Boucheron’s Quatre Double White Edition collection adorns all the codes of the original Quatre collection, this time in white. Combining monochrome strength with style, the Grosgrain and Double Godron are sculpted in white gold, while the Clou de Paris in pristine Hyceram sits alongside the line of diamonds, across rings, earrings, necklaces and a daring piece of hair jewellery.
There is boldness to be found in simplicity, especially when diamonds are played off against a monochromatic palette of black and white. Serious. Striking. Sensational.
THE FIRST CAR OF BENTLEY’S BLOWER CONTINUATION SERIES – known as Car
Zero – is set to invoke the history of its ancestor by racing at a series of events across 2023. Completing its purpose of engineering validation while honouring its genealogy, Blower Car Zero will take to tracks in the UK, France and Belgium in a set of races that will test its performance and endurance.
The Blower Continuation Series – the first prewar continuation series ever created – has been built by hand using a combination of modern laser-scanned data and original drawings. Both
the blueprints and the 3D data were taken from the 1929 4½-litre supercharged Team Car #2 – the most famous Bentley in the world.
After Car Zero, 12 further Blower Continuation Series cars have been commissioned through Mulliner – Bentley’s bespoke and personalisation division. Some of these customer cars will compete alongside Car Zero at Le Mans in the summer, together with original Bentley Team cars from the 1920s.
Paul Williams, Mulliner’s Chief Technical Officer, comments: “By going racing with Blower Car Zero, we will prove the performance,
FORD RECENTLY REVEALED its new all-electric Explorer – a bold new electric vehicle that combines German engineering with striking American style. Customers can experience virtual electric Explorer test drives through a range of intrepid driving environments from their desktop or mobile device.
To help demonstrate the Explorer’s capabilities, Ford has teamed up with travel adventure influencer Lexie Alford – known to millions as Lexie Limitless and the youngest person to visit every country in the world –for a global expedition in the new all-electric Explorer.
Inspired by original female explorer, Aloha Wanderwell, who set a record 100 years ago with a Ford-sponsored round-the-world trip in a Model T, Lexie will lead a new round-the-world expedition beginning later this year. www.ford.com
authenticity and durability of our Continuation Series by taking on the original competition, and give our customers confidence that they too can take their continuation cars to the track. We’ve already proved the quality of the engineering within the car by completing a tough test of several hours at race pace around Goodwood, and it’s now time for the car to be unleashed for real racing. We’ll take the learnings from this race programme and apply them to the upcoming Speed Six Continuation Series, for which the first engineering car is in build now.” www.bentleymotors.com
RECENTLY LAMBORGHINI gave an insight into the first V12 HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) hybrid super sports car’s driving dynamics. Debuting along with the hybrid system are three new dedicated driving modes: Recharge, Hybrid and Performance, to be combined with the Città (City), Strada, Sport and Corsa modes, selectable via the two rotors located on the redesigned steering wheel, for a total of 13 dynamic
settings that highlight the LB744’s different personalities and potential depending on the situation and the type of road, or track, on which it’s driven. The new car, project name LB744, is designed and developed to deliver absolute excitement and control in all situations and in all grip conditions, providing the driver with a level of confidence and connection with the car never experienced before.
www.lamborghini.com
THE FERRARI ROMA SPIDER , the latest model from the Maranello marque, was recently presented at an exclusive event at the El Badi Palace in Marrakesh. This timelessly elegant, high-performance car is a contemporary take on the chic, pleasure-seeking Italian lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s. This spider carries over the
proportions, volumes and specifications of the Ferrari Roma’s hugely successful V8 2+ concept, but what makes it so striking is the adoption of a soft top, a solution making a welcome return to the Prancing Horse range on a frontengined car 54 years after the 1969 365 GTS4. www.ferrari.com
IN 1969, THE FIRST MINI CLUBMAN MADE
A CLEAR STATEMENT , which designer Roy Haynes put in these words: “The impression that only ugly things can be functional has disappeared.” The exceptional car with style caused a sensation from the start between 1969 and 1981 with its characteristic split doors at the rear. At that time, the Mini Clubman conquered the automotive market as a station wagon with a long wheelbase and extended shooting-brake body. Now limited to 1,969 units, the Final Edition cites the year in which the legendary Mini Clubman was created and combines the specific brand tradition with exclusive design elements and strong characteristics. www.bmwgroup.com
NEXT MONTH, BMW GROUP CLASSIC WILL HOST THE LEGENDARY CONCORSO
D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ESTE in cooperation with the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este
On Sunday May 21, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Public Day – Il festival in the grounds of the nearby Villa Erba will once again give the wider public the opportunity to experience the parade of all the cars in the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. But that’s not all: this will be a day of attractions extending beyond the cars themselves, with a richly varied programme of music and entertainment laid
on for the whole family. The vehicles entered in the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este will be on display here before the parade and can be admired at close quarters. The BMW Group will also be presenting spectacular new vehicles with leading-edge technology on the Sunday, from a very special BMW M car and MINI Cooper SE Convertible to an electric scooter from BMW Motorrad. A new all-electric M Performance model of the BMW 7 Series will also be shown.
Visitors to this year’s event will also be able to admire the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the marque’s first fully electric model, in the
magnificent mosaic garden at Villa d’Este. The Spectre marks the transition of Rolls-Royce into an all-electric age, and the company has confirmed that its entire product range will be electric-only by the end of 2030.
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, and the outstanding surroundings provide the perfect frame in which the most extraordinary automobiles of their era glitter like precious gems. It is precisely this that has ensured the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’s special flair since 1929. www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com
The private aviation company putting mini jet-setters first, with extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences in the clouds
WE ALL KNOW WHO’S REALLY IN THE DRIVING SEAT OF DECISIONMAKING WHEN IT COMES TO HOLIDAY PLANNING, and as a clue it’s increasingly less us grown-ups! If the saying ‘happy kids, happy parents’ rings true, we’ll all be spending our summers at Disneyland or Butlins for the foreseeable future. But what if you can combine ultra-cool, kidfriendly experiences with the kind of stylish travel we all know and love? That’s where VistaJet comes in, the first and only global private aviation company that makes flying private simple. Simple but sublime, we should say. But the icing on the cake is how it caters for kids, putting little VIP traveller experiences front and centre for VistaJet members.
The extensive traveller’s program is designed specifically for children at high altitude, with the most ingenious adventures in the sky created to keep them occupied and entertained. Each adventure will be tailored to your child’s age and interests, whilst combining the world-class hospitality of a private jet with exciting edutainment elements.
Fantasy-lovers can disappear down the rabbit hole and into a magical world with an Alice in the Sky adventure. Once they’ve picked out their
costumes, they’ll be guided through the Alice in Wonderland story by one of VistaJet’s trained entertainers, playing games, trying themed crafts and activities, and enjoying a deliciously colourful Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. For film buffs, the Movies in the Sky adventure gives aspiring young actors and actresses the chance to call ‘action’ and star in their very own movie, acting out their favourite blockbuster or bringing a whole new story to cinematic life.
For something a little more covert, kids can become a recruit and train as a secret service agent, like in all the best classic spy movies. The Secret Mission will see them solve an international criminal operation, guided by a sharply dressed in-flight ‘spy chief’, who provides briefcases with cryptography kits, spy gadgets and a Kingsman-inspired training program. On top of the in-sky adventures, each little VIP traveller gets an Explorer Backpack, tailored to their age and destination, designed to be used both on board and beyond. In fact, the whole family gets a personalised Activity Hamper, filled with things to do together, meaning the sky-high fun can continue long after you’ve touched down. www.vistajet.com
Breguet watch is the exact opposite of programmed obsolescence. It is designed not only to masterfully tell but also withstand the test of time.
Make History with us.
