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.
Habtoor Palace Dubai - LXR Hotels & Resorts is fully eligible for Hilton Honors rewards programme
Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 435 5544 ~ reservations.habtoorpalace@hiltonalhabtoorcity.com www. habtoorpalace.com @habtoorpalace
OFF WE GO, THEN Diaries out, please, it’s time to make plans! 2023 is set to be an incredible year for travel and this month alone brings a slew of new hotel openings in Saudi and Dubai, movers and shakers from Marriott to Belmond and grand-slam renovations in the likes of Cannes, London and Istanbul. Where will you visit first?
PLACED AT THE PINNACLE OF DUBAI’S PALM JUMEIRAH , Orla is the latest architectural masterpiece, launched by the leading luxury real estate developer Omniyat in partnership with the Dorchester Collection. The ultra-luxurious new residential development elevates global property standards with sky palaces and a mansion. Designed by Foster + Partners the property enjoys a privileged position situated on a 29,000-sqm beachfront plot, with uninterrupted 270-degree views stretching from
Dubai’s sky-scraping skyline to the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. 86 exclusive twoto four-bedroom residences, three magnificent sky palaces and one of the largest mansions on Palm Jumeirah, boast oversized terraces, and double-height ceilings and are decked with European appliances. Residents will have access to a private, resident-only 300 sqm beach club, a large infinity, temperature-controlled outdoor pool, a private cinema, a state-of-theart fitness centre, a business centre with two
meeting rooms, a boardroom and a multifunctional events space; and library and cigar lounges; among others. Mahdi Amjad, founder and executive chairman of Omniyat, said: “Our development philosophy is to create iconic, best-in-class projects through collaborations with industry luminaries. Orla, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, is a signature property like no other that represents the epitome of style and will set the new standards for über-luxury real estate.” www.omniyat.com
SLATED TO OPEN IN 2025, Six Senses will enter its first sub-Saharan African project with Six Senses Victoria Falls. The riverside game reserve and wellness resort will be set within Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO Protected Area. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around. With its trademark ethos of conscious travel, Six Senses is working with DSA Architects International on a modular scheme consisting of a series of stilted wooden structures. This will match the weightless aesthetic with mighty engineering innovation to ensure the lightest possible footprint. The 22 lodges with private terraces and 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools are being designed by DSGN interior design consultancy team to capture the eclectic and authentic spirit of Zimbabwe. Timber floors and natural finishes will serve as a canvas to showcase ceremonial and bespoke furnishings and artwork. Along with on-site signature experiences such as the Earth Lab, Alchemy Bar, and Grow With Six Senses children’s activities, Six Senses Victoria Falls is best placed for access to the river on the Six Senses cruiser, the falls, the game reserves, and paying homage to Zimbabwe’s heritage and artisan culture. The resort is part of The House of Chinhara initiative to recover the majesty of Zimbabwean tourism. www.sixsenses.com
COINCIDING WITH THE BUZZ OF THE WORLD CUP , the members-only club and hotel concept co-created by the team behind Soho House, The Ned, has opened its doors in Doha. Following in the footsteps of its London and New York counterparts it merges sophisticated interior design, unforgettable culinary experiences, and wellbeing spaces under one roof. Set over five floors in the Ministry of the Interior building designed by esteemed Lebanese architect William Sednaoui, the 500,000-sqft property has been redesigned by David Chipperfield Architects of London with interiors by Soho House Design. A 1970s aesthetic is prevalent across the 90 bedrooms, 12 suites, and event venues which are rife with terrazzo flooring, silk drapery and
marble furniture. Seven dining outlets, which include famed Italian eatery Cecconi’s, will offer gourmands an international dining experience, which includes an American concept Electric Diner, Asian-Pacific eatery Kaia and outdoor poolside restaurant Malibu Kitchen. Ned’s Club, a private members’ club gives access to spaces including a rooftop terrace, a health club with spa, gym and 30-metre outdoor pool. Celebrating local and regional creativity, art is a focal point, with an impressive 150-piece collection curated by the co-founders of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. Most of the artists are females based in Doha who have drawn inspiration from the modernist building and its important location. www.thened.com
WITH ITS FIRST LAS VEGAS HOTEL PROPERTY OPENING IN 2013 , the Nobu hospitality brand has experienced a meteoric rise, growing its portfolio over the last decade to have 13 hotels and 50 restaurants. As its ambitious global expansion continues, the brand has announced its plans to create the Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Abu Dhabi. The strategic Saadiyat Island location which is graced by free-roaming gazelles, white-sand beaches, and critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, also offers
a large single concentration of cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Opening in 2026, Nobu Hotel will boast 165 luxuriously spacious guest rooms and suites, including a stunning Nobu Villa. With access to over eight kilometres of pristine beachfront, guests will also enjoy a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness centre, opulent swimming pools, and exclusive access to experience all that Saadiyat Island has to offer. Unrivalled destination dining will include a magnificent
Nobu restaurant with waterfront and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi views mirroring the famed Nobu Malibu. Situated alongside the hotel the development will include exquisite Nobu-branded residences. A mix of multibedroom waterfront residences and penthouses with unobstructed views of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is sure to make these some of the most sought-after addresses in the region. And, of course, residents will enjoy the highest level of Nobu service and bespoke amenities. www.nobuhotels.com
One of the world’s most anticipated luxury experimental resorts, Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah is an amalgamation of the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination. The contemporary mixed-use property consists of both hotel and residential arms. The hotel houses 795 rooms and 102 suites, including 44 suites with private pools. While the residence side comprises two-tofive-bedroom formats, as well as a series of ‘Sky Villas’ with private infinity pools and terraced gardens. The 43-storey building features over 90 swimming pools, including a rooftop infinity pool sitting 96 metres above The Palm. In keeping with the quirky Atlantis brand, the lobby houses the largest jellyfish tank in the world and the world’s first fire-meets-water fountain. Of the 17 restaurants and bars at the resort, eight are by celebrity chefs, including a first-ofits-kind Nobu by the Beach. Sensorially immersive wellness will be spread over a 5,000sqm spa, with a hammam, fitness area, 17 treatment rooms, a personal styling studio, a charcoal sauna, tepidarium, Halotherapy Salt Rooms and meditation gardens. A two-kilometre stretch of private beach links the two Atlantis properties making it easy for guests to enjoy both resorts. www.atlantis.com
The opening of JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh marks the brand’s long-awaited debut in Saudi Arabia. 349 modern rooms and suites are complemented by carefully landscaped exteriors, dedicated to the wellbeing of travellers. Elegant guest rooms vary in size across twelve categories and offer stunning views of the Riyadh skyline. Coral tones encapsulate the warmth of Arabia against luxe marble flooring and high-quality amenities provide a sanctuary laced with comfort, style, and subtle opulence. The wow factor comes in the form of The Royal Suite which spans 280sqm and encompasses a private gym and entertainment room. Dining options are underpinned by fresh, local ingredients: all-day dining at Kitchen
On 3 blends culinary traditions with modernity, while the JW Steakhouse features an open-kitchen with sustainability is at the core of its greenhouse-inspired eatery, JW Glass Garden. Authentic and mindful experiences will be offered at the hotel’s state-ofthe-art fitness and wellness centre including yoga sessions and refreshing outdoor swims. The Family by JW programme offers playful and interactive experiences for the whole family. www.marriott.com
Renowned for its deluxe all-inclusive formula in the Maldives, The Emerald Collection has bought its hospitality to the shores of Tanzania with its Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa. Located on the north-east coast of the island in the Muyuni area, the new resort perches between the coastline and acres of tropical jungle directly in front of Mnemba island. The property has direct access to azure waters and is surrounded by an oval reef, which has been declared a precious marine conservation area. As the only Leading Hotels of the World property in Zanzibar it exclusively offers suite accommodations, with 250 suites across 7 different categories. Like all resorts in The Emerald Collection, guests at Emerald Zanzibar will experience an elevated take on an allinclusive stay. The main all-day restaurant, Aqua, serves international cuisine from sunrise to sunset, while the Beach Club serves lunch on the beach. A Churrasco concept prevails at Carnivorous while at Le Asiatique Restaurant, and live Teppanyaki cooking takes place. At the 5-Star Diving Centre, trained divers will guide visitors of all abilities through the varied marine life is on the resort’s doorstep. Whilst parents explore the Zanzibarian environment, the Dolphin Kids Club, with its trained multilingual team, will keep little ones entertained with creative and educational activities and games. www.emerald-collection.com
Sprawled across 7,000sqm of beachfront, the newly opened Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah will appeal to families, couples, solo travellers and business guests alike. Located along Dubai’s golden coastline, the resort is a beachside haven for those seeking exclusive escapism with the option to explore the bustling city. 608 contemporary and intuitive rooms boast expansive floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private balconies, and thoughtful in-room comforts like a pillow menu, mood lighting, a top-of-the-range entertainment system, and large bathtubs. With a deliberately eclectic mix of new-to-the-region global brands, born-in-the-UAE concepts and core Marriott offerings, the hotel’s 10 exceptional dining venues will encompass flavours, influences and ideas from Japan, Korea, Peru, Italy, the Levant and more. Active guests will enjoy the 24-hour fitness centre, which is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and offers an age-appropriate fitness programme designed specifically for younger guests. While the resort’s opulent Middle Easterninspired Saray Spa will be a sanctuary for self-care, rejuvenation and relaxation. Additional facilities will include an ocean-view pool, Kids Club, state-of-the-art Marriott Fitness Centre, M Club Lounge, a fully equipped business centre, and flexible event spaces designed to foster collaboration. Additionally, the hotel will launch a bespoke Kids Go All Inclusive Package, guaranteeing that when it comes to exceptional dining options, it is not just the adults who are looked after in truly memorable style. www.marriott.com
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU Eschew a month solely dedicated to wellbeing, and instead gift yourself a year of you. Retreat to some of the most beautiful places on earth to discover emotional, mental, physical and soulful immersions that will look after you long after January has bid adieu
7048 It’s All Yours: A private Thailand resort rewriting the rules of exclusivity, where every detail is curated just for you
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Nature’s Cure: Cloud forests, giant tortoises and rugged, all-natural beauty in Ecuador
62 Escapes: Travel with the feel-good factor, from the Swiss Alps and Ireland to the Maldives and Koh Samui
Leave a season of excess behind with wellness retreats that promise to restore, revive and rejuvenate. From Bulgari Resort Dubai to Habtoor Palace to Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort, be kind to yourself this month and gift yourself a treat for your mind, body and soul
Discover a hotel triptych in the heart of Dubai, where suite dreams, family adventure and cultural immersions collide
PHOTOGRAPHY: Nicolas Dumont and Mehr Dumont
Imagine a place where dreams come true Ω not only for you, but for everyone you love. A place filled with magic and mystery, excitement and adventure, good food and fun. Somewhere designed to bring out the inner child in all of us, yet eliciting an air of sophistication for secret moments stolen for adults alone. Lazy pool days meander into languid lunches, revitalising spa immersions reward afternoons at the waterpark, al fresco family beach gatherings segue into stylish sundowners. An urban haven home to three hotels, here endless possibility waits around every corner. From the electric energy at W Dubai Mina Seyahi to the artistic elegance and family-friendly culture found at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and Le Méridien Beach Resort & Waterpark Dubai, come with us to experience the city as you never have before at Destination Mina Seyahi.
From a private beach in Doha to the more rugged coastlines of Ras Al Khaimah, Waldorf Astoria’s luxury property collection is the gem of the Middle East
SAY HELLO TO 2023!
As one year rolls into the next, time ticks by signifying all that lies between the seconds, from past to present. Never lose track of all that 2023 has in store with a beautiful watch around your wrist, such as Harry Winston’s Ultimate Emerald Signature timepiece, which features a dazzling 394 diamonds.
102 Jewels: Sparkling diamonds and blue hues to ensure you can celebrate long into 2023 104 Van Cleef & Arpels creates history in Saudi Arabia 106 Watches: A rainbow collection of timepieces 108
Out of this World: High-fashion at Harrods meets high-end hospitality at The Prince Akatoki
Messika’s Divine Enigma collection lets you ‘style without limit’, with a highquality diamond collection blended with the purity of white gold. The pieces are hypnotic, for women who dress as they dare
THEY SAY THAT NO TRIP TO LONDON IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A VISIT TO HARRODS, but what if you can combine that with a stay at the Japanese jewel in the capital’s hospitality crown? The Prince Akatoki, a classic Georgian townhouse in Marylebone, is so much more than meets the eye... It's a Japanese sanctuary of clean lines, calming colours and unbridled zen, from its natural elements to the tranquillity found at every touchpoint.
Nestled in the heart of the West End, tucked just a few streets behind Marble Arch, The Prince Akatoki takes up an unassuming position in a row of smart townhouses. But its location is superb for those wanting the very best of London’s shopping, arts and culture scene combined with the quiet of a residential suite. On your doorstep Ω or thereabouts Ω you’ll find Hyde Park, Selfridges, Grosvenor Square and, of course, Harrods Ω
the quintessential British department store. Here, floor upon floor of fashion, beauty and homewares awaits, not to the mention its iconic groundfloor Food Hall, an emporium of seafood and fruits to cold cuts and freshly-baked sourdough. If you go home without purchasing a Harrods hamper, you’ve got stronger willpower than most!
Providing the best of Japanese hospitality mixed with the best of British culture, the Akatoki x Harrods special offer includes two nights in one of the elegantly-refined rooms or suites of The Prince Akatoki hotel, with a complimentary one-category upgrade on arrival. You’ll also be gifted a welcome box to honour the Japanese tradition of gift giving, featuring a bottle of sparkling sake, a vegan candle, origami and other special surprises. For breakfast, you’ll have a choice between traditional Japanese or English fare, and,
of course, a visit to Harrods.
After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the store’s seven storeys, a three-course à la carte dinner for two awaits at Harrods Social by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, accompanied by champagne. The menu is fuelled by hearty, locally-sourced foods from the best possible suppliers, expertly prepared and layered with delicate flavours. The perfect way to round off a day in the city.
Once back at your Marylebone des-res, you can let The Prince Akatoki continue you to woo you, with full access to the 24-hour gym to work off any Atherton-fed excess, or you can pull up a chair at The Malt Lounge & Bar to sample some if its Japanese homegrown sake.
A stay that is the perfect fusion of luxury and tranquillity wrapped up London’s prettiest bow. www.theprinceakatokilondon.com
