Winter 2016 Issue of Design Destination Magazine

PALAZZO VERSACE Redefining Elegance and Style in Dubai

ZEMI BEACH HOUSE Setting New Standards in Luxury in Anguilla

ALBERT HERRERA A Candid Conversation

HONG KONG A Shopper’s Paradise

CHINA

MYKONOS

CHICAGO

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Fall 2015

CONTRIBUTORS Scotty Graham has been leading Dive Trips, Photo Tours, Photo-walks, and Photography Workshops for the past 20 years. He is assisted by talented and inspired photographers, educators, and adventurers who are the best in the industry, and have the right attitude. His motto - Fun is the name of the game. Why not enjoy some time off with like-minded people who enjoy photography and always take the “Last Flight Out”.

Feature: China pages 18 - 23

www.scottygraham.com

PALAZZO VERSACE Redefining Elegance and Style in Dubai

ZEMI BEACH HOUSE Setting New Standards in Luxury in Anguilla

Our Cover:

ALBERT HERRERA A Candid Conversation

Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, Anguilla HONG KONG A Shopper’s Paradise

CHINA

Editor-in-Chief Franz E. Buchhalter Managing Editor Cynthia P. Howland

MYKONOS

CHICAGO

Writers Edmundo Ruano Cynthia P. Howland Franz E. Buchhalter

Photographers Jeremy Mason McGraw Scotty Graham

Graphic Design Werner Buchhalter Jr.

This issue is dedicated in loving memory to Marilyn Newkirk - Staff Editor of Design Destinations Magazine.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR One of my all time wishes was to visit China and see both the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Many times I planned a trip to China, and for some reason, each time it never happened.

But this past November, my wish was granted. Strolling and enjoying the awe inspiring wonder of this beautiful country was overwhelming and something that I will never forget.

In this edition of Design Destinations Magazine we are featuring China and its magnificent scenery with the beautiful photography of our contributing photographer Scotty Graham. We are also featuring articles on Hong Kong, Mykonos, and Chicago, and in our intimate interview with influential people in travel, we are fortunate to have Albert Herrera from Virtuoso in a candid conversation with Cynthia Howland.

In our Fall Issue we briefly introduced Zemi Beach House, a new resort on the beautiful Island of Anguilla.

In this issue we do a full profile of this amazing resort.

We also proudly present our new destination experience in ever changing Dubai - Palazzo Versace, a masterpiece in design and elegance.

In American Legends, we feature Ms. Billie Holiday, a true American treasure.

We hope that you enjoy our beautiful photography and articles and, as always, we would love to hear from you.

Go and See the World!

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE 6ALBERT

10PALAZZO VERSACE

HERRERA

Redefining Elegance & Style in Dubai

A Candid Conversation

18CHINA

25CHICAGO

Beyond the Wall

Second to None

30ZEMI BEACH

38MYKONOS

Setting New Standards

in Luxury in Anguilla

Sun, Fun and Plenty to Do

42VINYLS

46HONG KONG

The Return of the LPs

A Shopper’s Paradise

50BILLIE

52DISCOVERIES

HOLIDAY

Latest Travel Gadgets

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An American Legend

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25

10 50

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

ALBERT M. HERRERA A CANDID CONVERSATION BY CYNTHIA P. HOWLAND

Albert M. Herrera possesses an innate understanding of the luxury travel market, which has elevated him to one of Virtuoso’s most prominent executive positions: Senior Vice President of the network’s extensive product portfolio. Since joining Virtuoso in July 2004 as the Vice President of Hotels & Resorts, Albert has added cruise lines, tour operators and on-site destination management companies to the list of key relationships he develops and directs on behalf of the organization.

Albert Herrera’s impressive career spans more than 25 years and his knowledge of the upscale travel business is comprehensive, with expertise in creating sales and marketing strategies, identifying key market segments, recruiting and training strong sales and marketing teams, while increasing the customer base for travel providers of all sizes and in varying markets.

Under his leadership, Albert’s team manages relationships with more than 1,100 hotels and resorts, 150 onsite destination management companies, 60 tour companies, 30 cruise lines and 80 strategic alliances.

We caught up with Albert in between his extensive travels.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

DDM: In your role, one can imagine that you have visited some extraordinary places. Are there one or two experiences that stand out as having been the most inspiring or life changing?

experiences and needs/desires. Luxury is truly about choice and preference and luxury brands need to understand that rigid standards that strictly dictate how a guest will be treated are out of date. The brands that will stay relevant are those that can adapt to a changing world and understand that the luxury traveler doesn’t need to be told what he wants – he will tell you.

AH: There are so many incredible destinations with extraordinary experiences that it is difficult to choose but two that stand out for me are a visit to the Ranch at Live Oak and the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India.

At the Ranch at Live Oak I spent seven days in a sort of “boot camp” engaging in various fitness activities as well as eating a healthy macrobiotic diet. The experience is about taking charge of your health and lifestyle (a luxury in and of itself) and not about the hottest design esthetic. And contrast to that with the Rambagh Palace in India where I stayed in a suite that had been the private chambers of the Maharajah of Jaipur. You truly feel as if you are reliving a piece of history when you are there. And it is actually living history as I kept running into the current Maharajah’s family in The Polo Bar at night!

DDM: What do you want the Virtuoso brand to stand for to your travelers, and to your travel partners?

AH: Our annual hotel directory is called “The Best of the Best” and that sums up what Virtuoso stands for – bringing together the best partners offering the best amenities and service to the best independent travel advisors and their clients. When a supplier decides to partner with Virtuoso we expect them to be fully committed to the partnership and invested in providing the ultimate in amenities and services to our travelers. And, consequently, when one of our advisors books one of our preferred partners, they expect that partner to deliver on our brand promise.

DDM: Do you believe that standards have changed in the past few years in terms of expectations for what a luxury experience is? What makes a luxury experience in your opinion?

AH: Standards haven’t necessarily changed but the definition of luxury varies by the individual’s taste, past

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DDM: What advice and insight would you give to a bright and ambitious Tourism and Hospitality graduate starting out in the business today?

AH: Be nice to everyone! Your trainee today may be your boss tomorrow – or your best client. In all seriousness, the market and industry is changing so fast that you need to be dynamic, embrace change and expect a less conventional career path than in the past.

DDM: Digital marketing and social media have changed the way we buy, and the way we sell.

What role do they play in the luxury travel space and specifically within your organization?

AH: At Virtuoso, everything we do from a marketing perspective is with the luxury travel advisor in mind.

Our consumer friendly social media content is provided as a tool for the advisors to share on their own social channels. We have multiple marketing channels including virtuoso.com, email marketing campaigns and social media channels that are designed to explain the importance with working with an advisor – from insider access, exclusive amenities etc. On Virtuoso.com a consumer can find an advisor or read verified reviews and ratings about our partners.

DDM: How “digitally” and “socially” active do travel agents who want to succeed in the luxury space need to be, ie., personalized website, blogs, Facebook, podcasts, etc.?

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

AH: Being digitally active is critical and its importance is increasing. If you look at the Millennials – people who were born between 1980 and 2000 – our research shows that 70% of them took at least one leisure trip in 2013. They are passionate about travel and consider travel to be an important part of their life. And, what’s even more interesting is that a greater percentage of Millennials use a travel advisor to book their travel than any other demographic. But, they are used to having instant access to information and use social media to connect with suppliers, read reviews, research etc. So the savvy travel advisors understand the importance of being digitally active as a means to attract new clients, interact with existing clients and showcase their insider access to partners, experiences, etc.

that they are selling 20% more than the non-VAST advisors with these VAST partners. So, by working within this community, our advisors and partners become more engaged with each other as we created a platform for more effective collaboration.

DDM: Of the many trends we see in travel today— sustainable travel, multi-generational travel, personalized and experiential travel, adventure travel, and so many more-----what do you see as the things that will most inform and impact your business and the way you move your business forward over the next few years?

AH:The “community” phenomenon and travelers, suppliers and partners embracing communities of like-minded individuals. These communities are not static – I may at times be an adventure traveler planning a trek in the Himalayas, sometimes a multigenerational traveler when traveling with my family and at times a cultural traveler yearning to learn more about the places I visit. Travel is becoming more and more about the experience and not simply the sheet’s thread count, the first class seat pitch or the 12 course meal. It is about an enriching experience that will alter your perspective on your world. And, communities are the most effective way of marketing to the varying needs of travelers. An interesting fact about VAST – our Virtuoso Active and Specialty Travel community. This is a community of 800 travel advisors who are certified in active travel and 47 partners who specialize in this segment as well. This community of advisors is so engaged that we find

About Virtuoso This “by-invitation-only” organization comprises 11,400 elite travel specialists associated with over 380 agencies in 30 countries and their combined database of more than a million affluent travelers, as well as over 1,700 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. These independent travel agencies receive sales, marketing and technology support, as well as exclusive services and products as part of their membership in Virtuoso. The network’s member agencies generate over $15.5 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationship with over a thousand of the finest travel companies provides the network’s clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access.

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PALAZZO VERSACE Redefining Elegance and Style in Dubai

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai is a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture. Featuring a striking entrance, high ceilings, landscaped gardens, and a range of wellcrafted Italian furnishings, the hotel is truly symbolic of the Versace lifestyle.

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Elegance Palazzo Versace Dubai is a luxury hotel and resort located on the foreshore of the Dubai Creek, Dubai. The 215 suites and the 169 exclusive residences together with several signature restaurants, a spa and the sophisticated range of Versace Home Collection products are brought together to create the Palazzo Versace Dubai – a truly unique lifestyle experience.

The luxury of Palazzo Versace lies in the materials used – parquet flooring, a canvas of elaborate white and cream boiserie, and a pastel palette of silk furnishings. The hotel rooms and suites feature uplifting colors of turquoise, blue, beige, gold, and salmon. Plenty of natural light illuminates the rooms and suites, and serene views of the Dubai Creek or the new Culture Village can be enjoyed from a private balcony or terrace. The bathrooms feature handcrafted mosaic and Carrara marble tiling that provide a balance of detail and simplicity – the ultimate backdrop to a walk-in rainforest shower.

Every single piece of furniture and fabric that adorns the hotel’s 215 hotel rooms and suites, and 169 residences, is designed and tailor-made by the House of Versace exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Hotel. Each of the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars is designed to have an al fresco terrace to reflect the heritage of Palazzos, where the internal court was the informal space to meet, dine and enjoy the weather. The three outdoor pools are decorated with mosaic tiles and surrounded by palm trees and flowers. The beautifully landscaped gardens and unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek and skyline, make this luxury hotel an ideal venue for weddings and social events in Dubai.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

Every single piece of furniture and fabric that adorns the hotel’s rooms ,suites, and

residences, is designed and tailor-made by the House of Versace exclusively for the Hotel.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 Each of the hotel’s rooms and suites reflects the true essence of the Versace brand.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 Upon arrival one is welcomed by the striking ‘Pietra di Fiume’ design of the iconic Medusa and Greek décor. A walk through the 5-star hotel’s public spaces reveals several exclusive designs and fabrics from the House of Versace, while the lagoon pools and reflection ponds complement the serenity of the lush gardens that surround the hotel – a true luxury retreat for leisure travelers. Explore eight delightfully contrasting yet Versace-themed restaurants and bars that grace the luxury hotel, and enjoy al fresco dining with views of the surrounding Dubai Creek.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

Poised to take Dubai’s culinary scene by storm, Enigma at Palazzo Versace Dubai is a new avantgarde restaurant where captivating culinary stories will be told by the world’s best chefs. Enigma is the first restaurant to change its dining concept and world-class chefs four times a year, and will take discerning diners and gastronomist on an unexpected multi-sensory journey, with each new chapter ingeniously unfolding before their eyes.

As the name indicates, Enigma will keep guests guessing the next chapter in its collection – including the menu that will remain confidential until guests are immersed in the almost surreal epicurean world. Another first for Dubai, Enigma will allow guests to pre-book their seats in advance, just as you would for a performance, fundamentally reinventing the way restaurants take reservations.

The first of Enigma’s culinary masters is one of the world’s most radical avant-garde chefs

Quique Dacosta, whose eponymous restaurant in Spain holds an impressive three Michelin stars and is included in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants by Restaurant Magazine’s list. With a gastronomic imagination like no other and a desire to live life to the fullest through his food, Quique is c o m m i t t e d t o c a re f u l l y c re a t i n g masterpieces by manipulating style and substance in harmony.

Enigma will delight diners with its chefs’ ‘untold stories’ and stimulating culinary experiences every evening.

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CHINA BEYOND THE WALL

Photos by Scotty Graham

YANGSHUO TOWN West Street is the oldest street in Tangshuo. With a deep history, and vibrant present, this “global village� provides a fascinating glimpse into both eastern and western culture. Whether you are Chinese or one of the many foreigners who visit each year, you will find ,West Street is a terrific place to enjoy a bowl of soup or a beer and watch the exotic night scene unfold.

THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS One of the greatest archeological discoveries in the world, the Terracotta Army comprises more than 8,000 soldiers- each with unique facial expressions and positioned according to rank. This complex mausoleum was built to protect Emperor Qinshihuang ’s tomb (221 – 207 BC) in the city of Xian, Xian. After being buried and forgotten for over 2,000 years, this ancient wonder was discovered in 1974 and restored to be admired by the world.

LIJIANG RAINBOW The Old Town of Lijiang, in the province of Yunan, is a beautifully preserved ancient Chinese town, infused with local culture, narrow streets, well preserved ancient buildings and 800-year-old bridges and waterways.

CHICAGO Second to None

“I think that what comes through in Chicago humor is the affection. Even though you're poking fun at someone or something, there's still an affection for it”.

Bob Newhart

"I have a place in Chicago and I get there as much as I can. The city is so unbelievably beautiful. It’s one of the greatest cities on the planet. My heart beats differently when I’m in Chicago. It slows down and I feel more at ease.”

Jeremy Piven

Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa

Setting new standards in luxury on the beautiful island of Anguilla

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

Located on the small island of Anguilla, Zemi Beach House offers a pristine beach world-class dining, and impeccable service in an elegant yet casual atmosphere.

There are few places that have that magic and serenity to make you feel special. Zemi Beach House is one of those places

luxury, elegance and style. The 49 beautiful appointed rooms and 20 two-and three-bedroom residences, three restaurants,

and the most pristine beach in Anguilla make Zemi Beach House the new player in the destination. Guests are greeted

The Thai House is a retreat within Zemi Beach House. Nestled inside of an ancient Thai House, the spa boasts oversized garden while they feel at ease in one of many relaxation areas. Guests are encouraged to come for a treatment and stay for

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 on the small but beautiful island of Anguilla. This new luxury resort located on the pristine beach of Shoal Bay East is redefining

a rum bar, a magnificent spa inside a 300 year old Thai house, two swimming pools -one exclusively for the adults, tennis courts

upon arrival by the friendly sta oering a welcome signature drink, cold towels and a warm smile.

Spa Suites for guests to retreat in total privacy. After their treatment, guests enjoy freshly prepared teas from the spa

the day to enjoy the purifying Taino Bathing Ritual.

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Zemi Beach House offers varied dining options, from casual to gourmet in one of three exciting restaurants - 20Knots, Stones and the Rhum Bar that features rum tasting and light fare or guests can simply dine on their own terrace while witnessing amazing views.

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 Dining at Zemi Beach is a culinary journey of intimate gourmet experiences. From a seasonally inspired bounty, the exceptional cuisine of Stones is anchored in Anguilla’s rich culinary traditions. In this elegant venue, overlooking Shoal Bay, guests enjoy a selection of fine wines and handcrafted cocktails paired with seafood, fish and farm-to-table vegetables-all showcasing Asian- influenced flavors. 20Knots provides a casual atmosphere for all day dining on the sand or indoors beneath the soaring 32-foot ceiling. And for before or after dinner, don't miss the Rhum Bar featuring more than 100 small-batch, single- estate rums that recall the Caribbean’s 18th century sugarcane plantations, The Rhum Room is a refined and elegant tasting room in which to savor the best island rums and small bites.

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An enclave of stunning natural beauty, on a six-acre oceanfront retreat takes guests on an effortless journey of rest and renewal.

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 The accommodations reflect the natural beauty of Anguilla, pairing the timeless appeal of sun, sand and warm sea breezes with contemporary luxuries.

The Suites emanate a contemporary island style featuring soft neutrals, crisp white bedding and dark Caribbean shutters

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MYKONOS

Sun, Fun and Plenty to Do

One of the most scenic corners of the island, Alefkántra or “Little Venice”, is an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colorful balconies and stylish windows. With balconies perched over the sea, pictures of the famous Italian city spring to mind.

Relax at a waterfront café and admire the view of the quaint windmills standing imposingly on the hillside above, set against a luminous blue backdrop.

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

Mykonos well may well be Greece's most famous island, a tranquil island that is a heaven for sun seekers as well as for those looking to be immersed in the bohemian lifestyle of this unique and charismatic island. Visitors stroll along the lively waterfront and admire the fleet of fishing boats casting colorful reflections in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Aside from its nightlife, beaches and enchanting sunsets, Mykonos is a charming and picturesque town.

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

THE RETURN OF THE

VINYLS The Vinyls, as they are known today by the millennial generation, are something that has been here since 1930 when RCA Victor launched the first vinyl long-playing record -that’s “LP” for short. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a 12" diameter flexible plastic disc. Although a failure when they were first released, LP’s rapidly became very popular in the 1 9 4 0 ’s a n d 1 9 5 0 ’s w i t h t h e development of a more sophisticated production process and the availability of equipment with which to play them. The record production continued through the 1960’s and 1970’s and began a decline when cassettes were introduced in their various 42

formats. In the 1980’s, compact discs (CD’s) were introduced and became the leader in recordings.

Durability, convenience and sound reproduction quality all led to their replacement of vinyls. Production of vinyls became very limited making records a collector’s item,

particularly those recordings that were not remade in compact disc form and are only available on LPs. Collectors treasure the collectible

character of these records for their sounds, the kinds of music they preserve, and the artwork and information on their record covers.

Digital technology made an important impact in the industry through the end of the 1990s.

Home computer users began sharing digitized music in a number of different formats. The MP3 standard began to catch on, Napster software appeared and the rest is history.

Although replaced as a mass market music medium by digital media, vinyl records continue to be manufactured and sold in the 21st century. In other words, what was once old is new again.

HONG KONG THE ULTIMATE SHOPPER’S PARADISE

Yee Wo Street in the Causeway Bay shopping district featuring all the major luxury brands.

More than 60 million visitors come to Hong Kong every year primarily from mainland China followed by neighboring countries. The US remains Hong Kong’s main market from the Americas.

DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016 Hong Kong is an exciting and vibrant “melting pot” of a city, full of diversity for every kind of visitor. The discriminating shopper will find the best of best brands worldwide as well as a plethora of quirky local shops that could only be born of Hong Kong. The city is invaded by tourists every year from mainland China and neighboring countries in search of the latest fashions and luxury goods.

One of the most celebrated dining destinations in the world, Hong Kong is home to Michelin-starred restaurants- and dotted with local traditional neighborhood favorites. Don’t leave without trying the “dim sum.”or a visit to Kow Loon City, famed for its Thai and Chinese culinary treats,

Hong Kong is a city that does not sleep. Be prepared to enjoy an amazing experience.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

BILLIE HOLIDAY

An American Legend

Few artists have made an impact so great in music as Billie Holiday. With her rendition of “Summertime” she sealed her legacy and ]more than 50 years after her death, her music continues to be an influence with todays artists.

Born Eleonora Fagan in Philadelphia in 1915, Billie had a rough upbringing. In her early years, she endured a life with her mother that exposed her to darkness, despaired, and experiences that influenced her music.

Billie was discovered by pure coincidence at the age of seventeen when she was filling in for another singer at a local club in Philadelphia. It was there that an influential producer saw the potential in the uniqueness of Billie’s voice and offered her a break by producing her first recording. In 1933, Billie, along with the Benny Goodman Orchestra recorded her first hit “Ruffin’ the scotch” and sold more than five thousand copies - a huge record at the time.

Billie Holiday’s range of emotions came through in every song that she sang and her ability to improvise with both phrasing and tone gave her music unparalleled texture not found anywhere else.

“Lady Day” as she was known, died in 1959 in New York.

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all” Billie Holiday

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Winter 2016

DISCOVERIES Something New to take along your travels Snap and share great images from a smartphone with the DSC-QX10 Lens-Style Camera with 18 MP Sensor by Sony. With a 25–250 mm focal range, this G Lens lets you get closer to the action with your smartphone. Unlike digital zoom, the 10x optical zoom retains image quality across the full zoom range. You’ll be able to capture distant subjects in rich, precise detail without having to worry about image degradation.

Small but powerful. With the HT-TM02 TripMate Nano Wireless N Pocket Travel Router you can instantly convert a wired network to wireless with easy setup. You can also bridge an existing wireless or network, create your own secure Wi-Fi network.

Backup your photos and videos from your iPhone, Android phones, iPad or other mobile devices to attached USB flash drive, hard disk. Free up space on your phones.

And for the sports fanatics, you will find a lot of new options in the Fitbit Blaze with features that monitor your heart rate, connect to the GPS on your phone to map your routes and see run stats like pace and duration.

Start a workout on your tracker and get step-by-step instructions and coaching right on your wrist. All of this without compromising on style as the Fitbit Blaze comes with a range of color bands.

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