TRAVEL DONE DIFFERENTLY New hotels find their feet in Jakarta, Tennessee and Seoul, while brands such as Marriott and Aman innovate around the concept of luxury travel as a lifestyle, creating transportative and immersive experiences that bring the richness of different world cultures to you, wherever you may be
AMBOSELI is set for a November 2023 opening. The property is billed as an intimate lodge in the heart of Kimana Sanctuary, renowned for its lush landscape, remarkable density of wildlife and famed Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop. Kimana Sanctuary is the first community conservancy established in Kenya and owned by 844 Maasai families, who will receive a reliable income from the land subleased by Angama. The 10-suite
property has been designed by the same team behind Angama Mara – architect Jan Allan and interior designers Annemarie Meintjes and Alison Mitchell. Each of the lodge’s tented suites, will feature floor-to-ceiling screened doors leading to a private deck with a shaded lounge area, an outdoor shower and Angama’s signature rocking chairs. Inside comforts include a super king bed, a personalized drinks armoire and a dressing area connecting to a bathroom. Highlights at
the lodge include an indoor-outdoor dining area with an expansive baraza, a sundowner fire pit and an infinity swimming pool equipped with a drinking trough for elephants. Also on offer will be a safari shop, a family games room, a gallery and makers’ studio for Kenyan artisans, and a photography studio. Guests can maximise their game drive experience by heading out on an early-morning “pyjama safari”, to take in the abundance of wildlife. www.angama.com
FRAGRANCES HAVE LONG BEEN A CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS STAPLE in the Middle East, which has seen a plethora of homegrown perfume brands. One such standout brand is Dubai-based Montroi which sees nomadism as a cultural bridge, an educational tool, to connect, grow, and learn through shared experiences, ultimately leaving a more enlightened world for future generations. It is this very ethos which has led to the latest collaboration between the artisan perfumer and One&Only Resorts. The partnership blends Montroi’s sensuous storytelling and exploratory spirit with One&Only’s commitment to creating exceptional experiences around the world. Each fragrance has been handcrafted in Grasse, France and reflects Montroi’s commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity and attention to detail. Artisans have chosen every element of them to craft a scent that celebrates each destination. Bergamot, sweet jasmine and musky sandalwood combine to bring to life the ambiance of One&Only The Palm in Dubai; the coastal location of One&Only Palmilla is evoked with crisp notes of lemon, blackcurrant and pine, and a heady cocktail of pepper, vetiver and musk conjures the verdant jungles of Rwanda and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. The 15 exclusive scents are wrapped in sustainable packaging, each featuring hand-sketched artwork inspired by the resort. The collection will be available to purchase from December 1 at One&Only Resorts and anywhere in the world from Montroi’s website. www.oneandonly.com
A FUTURE-CENTRIC hospitality ecosystem in the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia, has signed its inaugural hotel partner, Ennismore.
The tie-up will see two of Ennismore’s iconic brands – 25hours Hotels and Morgans Originals – open properties in Trojena, NEOM’s mountain tourism destination that features a ski village. The 25hours team, with founder Christoph Hoffmann and Berlin’s Studio Aisslinger are working on a
bespoke story and design concept for Trojena inspired by the futuristic architecture of the building and nods to science-fiction movies, as well as the alpine heritage of the brand. The hotel will feature an in-house cinema, a farm-to-table restaurant, a bike workshop with co-working, as well as a rooftop restaurant and pool. The Morgans Originals hotel will be designed to transport guests from the surreal and natural landscapes of Trojena, into a world rooted in the iconic cultural legacy of the brand. The hotel
will feature four world-class dining outlets, a 2,000-metre destination spa and bathhouse, and an architecturally significant ski slope roof and rooftop pool bar overlooking the mountains. The hotel will also feature an eight-story vertical core with microclimates and immersive art experiences that will showcase the individuality of the brand. Tasked with driving the establishment of a world-class tourism sector, Hotel Development aims to serve the diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030. www.neom.com
ETIHAD AIRWAYS HAS COLLABORATED WITH ARMANI/CASA to create a new range of in-flight tableware and textiles that promise to give Business class travellers the ultimate luxury experience. ‘The Constellation Collection’ takes inspiration from the stars and pays homage to Etihad’s Middle Eastern roots with the use of unique geometric patterns that subtly decorate the range. The use of multiple textures across the dinnerware range represents the cultural diversity in the United Arab Emirates while the soothing colour palette of the pieces honours the surroundings of Abu Dhabi. Notes of dark green serve as a nod to the UAE’s date palm trees, while shades of aquamarine represent the beauty of the mangroves, and slate grey symbolises the city’s impressively futuristic skyline.
The textiles range brings together one of the world’s most renowned luxury lifestyle brands with premium materials for the ultimate rest. A matching pillowcase and duvet set feature Armani/Casa signature designs to further enhance the Business class turn-down experience. Guests on longer flights will also benefit from the airline’s new innovative memory foam mattress, providing additional comfort to the fully flat bed in Business. Keeping in line with the airline’s commitment to sustainability, the collection’s durable, high-quality material and innovative designs have reduced equipment weight by up to 10 per cent, resulting in less fuel burn and fewer emissions.
www.etihad.com
Nashville, Tennessee
Synonymous with country music, the vibrant city of Nashville is admired for its Southern hospitality. The newly opened Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville contributes to this tradition. Architectural firm SCB sought inspiration from the acoustic guitar, which is both functional and beautiful, crafting the 40-storey gleaming tower from warm-coloured panels and weathered steel. Across the 235 rooms, design firm Marzipan has used a porcelain tile with a slate-like finish, accented with black walnut, indigenous to the region. Guest room entry doors offer a subtle nod to Nashville’s musical legacy with linear stripes that are influenced by guitar strings. Inside a harmonious blend of handsomely tailored fabrics, textured wallcoverings, and mixed metals creates a sense of sumptuous warmth and elevated luxury. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Cumberland River, from the expansive infinity pool and enjoy treatments at the spa inspired by Native American practices. The Four Seasons Suite Sounds package, in collaboration with Songwriter City, offers guests an opportunity to meet and spend time with industry professionals in an intimate setting. www.fourseasons.com
The newly opened Grand Hyatt in Hainan is an oceanfront resort set on the Shenzhou Peninsula, a natural treasure located off the east coast of Hainan Island with a tropical climate and crystal-clear waters. The resort’s 262 spacious guestrooms and suites are havens of modern comfort with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies that max out on garden or ocean views. The resort’s contemporary design combines the essence of relaxed coastal living infused with Southeast Asian influences, from Balineseinspired architecture to interiors styled with a graceful Hainan touch. Buildings are clustered throughout the lush grounds and along the waterfront, creating an inviting mix of spaces for rest and relaxation. Also featured are unique kid-themed rooms that add a touch of magic and adventure to family holidays. Various dining options engage guests in an exciting journey of flavours that celebrate fine culinary traditions. Yu restaurant specialises in traditional dim sum and authentic home-style Asian cuisine, Luigi’s is a cosy trattoria-style Italian restaurant and at Pool House, guests savour the delights of an Asian barbecue accompanied by signature Tiki cocktails. www.hyatt.com
Set within Jakarta’s Golden Triangle, the St Regis Jakarta takes guests on a journey through the soul of Indonesian culture, encompassing music, dance, art and cuisine. The 17-storey hotels has had a legendary team of internationally renowned designers like Alexandra Champalimaud, Bill Bensley and Eddy Susanto encapsulating Jakarta’s vibrant energy and rich cultural traditions into the design. Across the 254 rooms and 28 suites, materials and architectural elements are reminiscent of ancient Indonesian temples and spiritual sanctuaries. Bronze and brass hardware reflects percussion instruments used in gamelan and textural elements mirror the patterns of traditional Indonesian tapestry. The St. Regis Jakarta is home to eight culinary concepts, each infusing an air of modern indulgence into meals. Whether savouring quintessential Indonesian dishes, enjoying live entertainment in the Drawing Room lounge or experiencing the art of sabrage –the signature ceremony of The St. Regis Evening Rituals series – the culinary experiences at The St. Regis Jakarta will be grounded in a deep appreciation for local ingredients and exquisite preparation. Guests will be perfectly located to enjoy the nearby attractions include Monas Tower and the Jakarta History Museum. www.stregis.com
In keeping with the tradition of MGallery hotels, South Korea’s first hotel in the MGallery Hotel Collection highlights an array of unique stories. The hotel is located on the northern banks of the iconic Han River in the storied Mapo-gu district – a centre for transportation and commerce since the Chosun dynasty. The 196-key hotel is named after the area, Maponaru which has attracted artists, poets, and painters for generations. The natural beauty and artful roots of Korean culture serve as inspiration for this Green Building-certified hotel which has been engineered to leave a minimal carbon footprint. As guests enter the hotel, they are greeted by art installations which honour the stories of love and hope and pay homage to Mapo’s history as a port location. Glass panels look out across the Seoul skyline connecting guests with the sweeping views of the river, while biophilic-inspired interiors create an intimate connection between guests and nature, promoting tranquility. Natural materials, subtle shades of white and walnut, and comfortable rounded-edge furniture ensure an air of peacefulness. The hotel offers five unique dining journeys, from the chic French bistro weaving the stories of the location into its design to a unique bar inspired by a traditional Asian pharmacy. Translucent and mirrored materials in the pool area harmonise water, light, and nature and a natural feeling of meditative and healing ties in the fitness centre, and sauna. www.accor.com
A blend of lifestyle & luxury in a timeless elegant atmosphere
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Escapes: From snow-filled adventures to sun-kissed retreats Celebrate the holidays in the Seychelles with Hilton
From the tops of its roof-skimming restaurants to the elaborately tiled floors of its hidden courtyard gardens, Marrakech is primed for a serene sojourn, Sarah Freeman discovers
courtyard Marrakech is primed for a serene sojourn,
STEP INTO THE HOLIDAYS
From festive feasts, places to party and holiday staycations filled with spirit to the very best places to ring in the New Year, the end of 2022 looks pretty fabulous if you ask us.
Celebrate the holiday season embraced in refinement and elegance courtesy of Habtoor Palace Dubai – a palatial jewel in the city’s shimmering crown
The jewel in Al Habtoor City’s crown, Habtoor Palace Dubai promises to be one of the most magical places to spend the holiday season. Its majestic presence on the banks of Dubai Water Canal reveals secrets inside of grace and grandeur, with tales of refinement and revelry within its storied walls. Impeccable service combined with lavish design and exquisite experiences combine to create an urban haven filled with an air of exclusivity and excitement.
Welcomed on arrival by opulent French-style décor, a striking marble-gilded symmetrical staircase and a heart-stopping chandelier, the interiors are reminiscent of a Maison de Maître in true French neo-classical style – wherever the hotel’s marble floors take you. Over the holidays, make best use of one of its 52 signature suites for the most extravagant and comfortable way to celebrate festivities. Those who appreciate contemporary design as much as the artistry of motoring marques, will admire Habtoor Palace Dubai’s custom-made Bentley Suite, that combines the bespoke craftsmanship of the flagship Bentley Mulsanne with the elegance of Habtoor
Palace Dubai across a master bedroom, dining room, living room, study and bar. The Sir Winston Churchill Suite takes pride of place on the hotel’s highest floor – accessed by private elevator – and is an ode to refined luxury, with views over the hotel’s beautiful landscaped gardens, three bedrooms, a grand living room, spacious dining area, and a sweeping in-suite staircase leading up to a rooftop plunge pool and majlis.
Once you’ve chosen where to bed down, let the festivities commence... Start the holiday season with enveloped in elegance with a Festive Afternoon Tea at the chic Sidra Lounge. Relax with a cup of fine tea blends, whilst feasting on finger sandwiches, warm scones, smoked salmon and a gravlax trolley, along with a festive hot dish of the day.
When it comes to Christmas Eve, there’s only one place to be – World Cut Steakhouse. Its dark and sumptuous interiors create a decadent, warm and cosy wintery vibe – the perfect setting for a four-course Christmas Eve dinner with a twist.
Wake up on Christmas Day safe in the knowledge you’ll be celebrating in true Habtoor City style with a Christmas Day Brunch at World Cut Steakhouse.
Filled with a lively but sophisticated atmosphere and family-friendly vibes, its à la carte brunch is perfect for all ages, paired with a curated selection of drinks and live entertainment.
If you fancy a little Parisian je ne sais quoi this holiday season, celebrate the turn of the year with Belle Époque at BQ French Kitchen and Bar, with a feast of seafood, carvings and artisanal cheese accompanied by live entertainment to elevate your final dinner of 2022.
The end-of-year celebratory vibe is strong at World Cut Steakhouse too, with its New Yorkinspired New Year’s Eve five-course dinner set to a backdrop of the restaurant’s glam-slam surrounds and world-class live entertainment.
Make the most of Habtoor Palace’s festive magic with its winter sale gifting guests 20 per cent savings on rooms and suites from December 6. As part of the La Perle staycation, you can also enjoy breakfast, La Perle tickets for two and 25 per cent savings across the hotel’s restaurants and bars. Or stay more and spend less, when you stay for five nights but pay for three, or stay eight nights and pay for five. Happy holidays! www.habtoorpalace.com
Celebrate in some of the city’s most contemporary surrounds with a festive stay at Armani Hotel Dubai. Not only does it have a jaw-dropping location within Burj Khalifa, but its refined corridors unveil all manner of lavish events. A hotel with an eye for exquisite cuisine, you can feast on a six-course Christmas Day lunch at Armani/Ristorante, an East-meetsWest seven-course New Year’s Eve set menu at Armani/ Hashi or a beautiful festive afternoon tea in the lounge, with a dolci display, scones and Queen Elizabeth II’s afternoon tea sandwich of choice made with jam from the Balmoral Castle gardens. www.armanihotels.com
As lavish and elegant as hotels in Dubai come, a festive celebration at Raffles The Palm Dubai will be nothing short of refined with a rather stately seal of approval. Head to Le Jardin for a beautiful festive buffet, serving everything from crispy roast potatoes and turkey with all the trimmings to loads of different international dishes, all set in a gorgeous alfresco location with the garden’s flowers creating the most beautiful backdrop. For New Year’s Eve, there’s a big live band, The Fanatics and DJ performance to take you from one year into the next with the most exclusive of events. Celebrate either inside or out, and make the most of Raffles The Palm Dubai’s extravagant setting. www.raffles.com
This month it’s all about the most beautiful ways to spend the holidays, from incredible festive feasts to epic New Year’s Eve nights out
Kill many birds with one stone at Dubai Creek Resort, with its plethora of star-filled celebrations. You can enjoy a festive afternoon tea in the lounge, a vibrant Christmas Eve dinner at Boardwalk with live music and epic views, or an extravagant Christmas Day brunch at Traiteur, with live cooking stations and entertainment spread across Brasserie du Park, NOÉPE and The Thai Kitchen. For New Year’s Eve, a blow-out night awaits with dinner starting in the hotel’s Fountain Garden, before the after-party kicks into high gear with a DJ and a spectacular fireworks display to ring in the new year. www.dubaicreekresort.com
Go big or go home this Christmas with the ultimate festive food celebration with the B.I.G. Brunch in Garage, with an evening soirée on Christmas Eve and a gorgeous lunch on Christmas Day at W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island. If you’re up for celebrating in style, with an atmosphere to match, this is the place to be. For New Year’s Eve, you can head back to Garage for a celebratory gala dinner, which also offers complimentary access to the after-party in W Lounge. Guaranteed to be as glam-slam as celebrations come, let W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island light up the holiday season the best way possible! www.marriott.com
A FLIGHT OF FESTIVE FANCY
As we enter into gifting season, attention draws more fervently towards wish lists. Whether you’re treating yourself or shopping for someone special, this month’s selection of watches, jewels, accessories and exclusive experiences should help eliminate any last-minute panic. We suggest a Chanel J12 or Première Original Watch as a stylish starting point...
134 Jewels: Frost yourself with diamonds at this most wonderful time of the year 136 Why Eternity rings are a gift that keeps on giving 138 Watches: Keep track of your party schedule this festive season with timepieces laced with gold 140 Out of this World: A snow-kissed Swiss adventure
Capture the season’s holiday magic with the ‘Boucheron Wonderland’ collection, a joyful invitation to experience the holidays through the eyes of a child, full of imagination, enchanting surprises and jewellery dripping in diamonds
enchanting surprises and jewellery
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so there’s only one thing for it... Frost yourself with diamonds for a holiday season with a twinkle in its eye
From a backdrop of beautiful mountains to lush vineyards and sparkling lakes, experience the art of savoir-vivre in three refined retreats in Switzerland
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR GETTING AWAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS , but less Home Alone -style panic on a plane and more haute hotel with crackling fire, champagne on tap, and all the festivities you can shake a Chanel stocking at.
Throwing its hat into the ring to bring you that and more this season is The Bürgenstock Collection in Switzerland, which has curated a selection of high-end experiences across three of its most ravishing and snow-kissed resorts.
Your festive adventure starts at the foothills of the Alps at Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne, with a breath-taking helicopter ride over the snowy peaks, landing at an exclusive location upon which your personal chef will prepare and serve you an authentic Swiss raclette – a deeply indulgent and delicious dish of melted cheese, accompanied by gourmet charcuterie and bubbles.
The hotel itself sits 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, so there’s no need to jostle for views, as they play out from every single angle. This beautiful wellness space is the epitome of refined relaxation, with an evening spent in its infinity edge heated pool the stuff of wonderland dreams.
Next up is a close encounter with Switzerland’s world-famous watchmaking history with a stay at Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, where you can enjoy a private tour of the Omega Museum in Biel to get an exclusive glimpse of the James Bond-themed collection, as well as other timeless relics. After, you’ll be whisked back to the hotel to enjoy some well-earned digestifs amid the tranquillity of this hidden urban gem.
Lastly, you’ll venture towards the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux to the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa in Lausanne. This legendary and magnificently restored
1909 property combines Art Nouveau with modern comforts, and is rewriting history with its contemporary approach to luxury. The city itself, known as the Olympic Capital, is home to the majestic Lausanne Cathedral, as well as The Béjart Ballet and numerous museums. Surrounded by lush vineyards, the views are best experienced from the hotel’s 360-degree rooftop, before surrendering yourself to the charms of the Spa du Royal and Brasserie du Royal.
The Experience Collection offer includes two nights in a standard room at each of the hotels, three selected experiences to choose from, exclusive welcome gifts, a complimentary room upgrade upon availability, as well as early check-in and late check out where possible. Feeling flash? Then book yourself a private air transfer via helicopter for a truly haute start to your holiday. www.burgenstockcollection.com
