On behalf of the entire Heavens Portfolio family, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year. It would not be an understatement to say how thrilled we are that travel and tourism have been enjoying a bullish run for the past few months, and the frenetic pace does not seem to be slowing down despite the challenges and headwinds we still face all over the world. I’m excited to see what the year ahead has in store not only for myself and my colleagues, but also for all of you and your travels.
What’s on your travel bucket list for 2023? I’d love to see where your travels take you, so please feel free to tag Heavens Portfolio on social media when you’re uploading your photos and videos. @heavensportfolio is where you’ll find us, and please follow us if you haven’t already.
But if you’re looking for more ideas on where to enjoy a getaway or how to create unforgettable memories, then you’ve come to the right place. The luxury hotels in Graubunden all boast a fine heritage of luxury and picture-perfect winter views. For those who love schussing on the slopes, Ultima Megève offers yearround snowsports as well as plenty of off-piste delights. Meanwhile, The Armani Hotel Milano is hosting three tasting menus this season by acclaimed Executive Chef Francesco Mascheroni – an amazing place to start your food adventures in Italy. Or if you’re need in need of some much needed me-time, book a stay at The Farm at San Benito, Philippines. Their Holistic Detox Programme will revitalise you and re-energise you to achieve all of your New Year’s resolutions.
According to the Chinese zodiac, this year will be the year of the rabbit – an animal traditionally associated with the values of kindness, peace, elegance and beauty. So, may 2023 bless you with all of these, and so much more.
Publisher Christine Galle-Luczak
Editors
Kenneth Tan Eugene Phua
Designer Weilee Goh
Marketing & Advertising Shirley Koo
Vpmarcomm@heavensportfolio.com
Production and prepress Indochine Media
Heavens Voyage is owned and published by Heavens Portfolio www.heavensportfolio.com
Heavens Voyage is produced by custom publishing agency Indochine Media Ventures Sdn Bhd
Christine Galle-Luczak Founder & Managing DirectorAll right reserved: Copyright and distribution rights are reserved exclusively by Heavens Portfolio and Indochine Media Ventures, its partners, associates and affiliates. All materials published remain the property of the production agency. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. All information contained in this publication is from a reliable source. Heavens Portfolio and Indochine Media Ventures do not make any guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained.
4 Welcome to Heavens Voyage
8 Executive Chef Anissa Boulesteix joins Chef Yannick Alléno at Cheval Blanc Courchevel
10 Dine at Wynn Macau’s critically acclaimed Golden Flower restaurant
12 Unforgettable alpine holidays in the canton of Graubunden
14 The Datai Langkawi pledges to uplift the community, wildlife and paradise of the island
18 Spectacular tasting menus for the season at Armani Hotel Milano
20 Capturing the beauty of the Yucatán Peninsula at Maroma
22 The Patina Maldives offers guests a paradise with personality
27 Renew your mind and body at The Farm at San Benito
28 Azerai offers a variety of activities and adventures in Vietnam
31 A Scandinavian home away from home in Sailing Club Signature Resort Phu Quoc
34 Ski all year round at Ultima Megève in the French Alps
Escape to the tropical fringes of Patina Maldives for a spot of peace, and discover the wonders of the marine life that live within the reaches of our island’s lagoon while you’re here—ocean lover or island dweller, we
From tailor-made couples’ wellness journeys to interactive music programs and captivating dining experiences curated by our on-island events team, you and your loved one can take the time to indulge in all of your
Designed to encourage meaningful connections, our resort’s new Island Romance package includes a four-night stay in our one-bedroom Beach or Overwater Pool Villa, a unique private sandbank or overwater dining experience, a couples’ massage at our resort’s award-wining spa, FLOW, a floating breakfast to enjoy in the comfort of your villa, and a professional photoshoot so that you may take a snippet of your island memories
Discover the perfect romantic getaway
https://patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands/
In early December 2022, Cheval Blanc Courchevel greeted a new winter season that, like preceding seasons, will be a calendar filled with adrenaline-inducing activities. The exclusive ski-in, ski-out 36-key property offers direct access to the world’s largest ski area, Les Trois Vallées. There is also superlative cuisine courtesy of a newly appointed executive chef, and opportunities to unwind from a busy year.
At the Cheval Blanc Spa by Guerlain, rare moments of pure sensorial relaxation can be availed through an exclusive treatment for Cheval Blanc Courchevel – ‘Rêve sous les étoiles’. It features a deeply relaxing massage session that releases tension from both face and body with the skills of the Spa Beauty Experts.
When it comes to gastronomy, Cheval Blanc Courchevel also recently announced that Executive Chef Anissa Boulesteix is joining Chef Yannick Alléno at Cheval Blanc Courchevel. “I chose her for her talent, her personality, and her character,” says Chef Alléno, whose restaurants around the world have earned a total 15 MICHELIN stars.
“I have absolute confidence in her. I want to help steer her toward her own style of excellence and leave her completely free – ideal conditions for joining Cheval Blanc, where everything is based on creativity and the pursuit of excellence. Anissa learned cuisine by cooking with others; now she will define her own.”
On the cards: a menu by Chef Boulesteix centring on the element of fire – from the grill to the brasero on the terrace. Diners can expect soon-to-be-classic dishes such as lamb shoulder confit, sole meunière, and pot-au-feu with ingredients sourced locally and from around the world, such as farm-fresh eggs, trout fished in nearby lakes, blue lobster, pasta, milk-fed veal, lamb from Savoie, wagyu, along with chocolate and seasonal fruit.
“At the centre of this project is the notion of transmission, which I loved right away,” Boulesteix says of her journey ahead at Cheval Blanc Courchevel. “Being able to offer the best I can give and surpassing it in a never-ending quest did the rest.”
Wynn Macau’s Golden Flower restaurant boasts an impressive portfolio of the world’s best awards. These include maintaining two Michelin stars from 2013 to 2021; the title of Forbes Five Star Restaurant by the Forbes Travel Guide for nine years running; and ranking in the 51 – 100 list by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. The restaurant’s interiors are all about ornate floral-motif chairs, hexagonal floor designs, and lanternshaped lighting. It takes inspiration from an Asian dining room in the home of a British shipping tycoon with its Orient-meets-Venice visual tropes – a setting that grandly reflects China’s aesthetic influence on the world.
Golden Flower’s menu is also an exploration of both old
and new. Executive chef Henry Zhang has matched imperialera dishes with his own ‘degustation’ creations, taking dinners on a past-to-present journey comprising the Prelude to the Welcome Tea, Caviar, Beginning, Heritage, Abundance, Soup, Umami, Seasonal Vegetables, Bloom, and the Finale. Diners are presented with rare opportunities to taste Chef Zhang’s iterations of classic dishes such as braised fish maw with superior chicken broth, as well as crisp codfish with balsamic vinegar.
Each dining experience at Golden Flower will not be complete without its personalised tea pairing experience, featuring 50 varieties of tea from across China. These varietals include the famed Sichuan tea leaves that are specially paired with Sichuanese dishes. The area is considered the birthplace of the tea tree, and the location from which the world’s teadrinking cultures had its beginnings. Sichuan’s Mengding Mountain is where the earliest records in written form on tea tree planting was found.
At Golden Flower, tea artisans have created their own tea blends to match the restaurant’s ambience and the changing of the seasons. With its flower garden inspirations, the restaurant and its team of tea artisans have conceived the ‘Golden Flower Signature Tea’ blend with fresh floral notes as well as other unique blends, which have health benefits that harmonise with the seasons.
The canton of Graubunden, with its stunning mountainscapes and selection of luxury hotels, are the ingredients of memorable alpine getaways. Hotels such as the neo-classical Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort is an inspiration from past ages, thanks to its heritage stretching back to 1869. Within this historic property are embellishments from the Belle Époque, the 1920s and the turn of the present century, as well as recent extensive refurbishments.
The 142-key Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort is composed of a 19th century Grand Hotel, the Villa Silvana, and the Chalet Belmont. Located in the middle
of Switzerland’s idyllic Waldhaus Park, the resort is embedded within sprawling meadows with pathways lined by pine and linden trees, and inspiring vistas of mountain peaks in the distance. The hotel boasts four gourmet restaurants and two bars, offering both authentic local flavours and creative dishes that are delectable celebrations of the region’s bountiful harvests.
The 3,000-sq m Waldhaus Spa is an award-winning Alpinic sanctuary of wellness that features an indoor pool encased in a glass cube, which is wrapped by a heated outdoor pool with bubble loungers and massage sets. The natural
swimming pool also has an ice enclave, which guests can plunge into for the height of refreshment. Sauna facilities, meanwhile, come in the form of an earth ‘grotto’, powered by a wood-burning stove.
Over at the canton of Graubunden in the hamlet of Vals is the 7132 Hotel 5 S, a super sleek property whose aesthetic vision was honed by the likes of Peter Zumthor, Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, and Thom Mayne. These boundary-pushing architects banded to craft their individual interpretations of what a design-aware hotel would resemble in the Swiss Alps.
7132 Hotels is a compendium of establishments named after the town’s postcode. These include the 7132 Hotel 5S; the 7132 House of Architects; the chalet 7132 Glenner; and the 7132 Gastronomie – a selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes, each with its own signature offerings, from the Michelinstarred 7132 Silver to the casual elegance of 7132 Coffee Shop. As for 7132 Therme, Zumthor transposed his architectural points of view to a raw concrete structure featuring 60,000
slabs of Vals quartzite. For his efforts, Zumthor was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2009.
For those seeking to arrive stylishly at the property, an Airbus EC 130 is on standby to transport guests from any Swiss location to Vals. 7132 Hotels is the sole hotel in Switzerland that offers such a service.
The historic Precise Upper House Seehof Davos, the oldest hotel in town since 1869, attracts guests with its prime location and palpable sense of old world luxury. With the Parsenn lift next door, guests have access to slopes featuring perennial snow along with an intricate expanse of hiking routes. A favourite of the world’s jetset, the 113-room hotel is the height of refined taste thanks to its collection of artworks, honed by Graubunden’s expert craftsmen over the centuries.
Accommodations at the property feature unique designs and configurations. The largest family apartment spans 102 square metres, features two rooms as well as a living and dining area. Interiors are a soothing blend of Swiss stone pine panelling and colours that blend seamlessly.
For serious skiers, in addition to the Parsenn lift next door, there are seven regions nearby with 57 transport systems and 300 kilometres of pistes, all of which are accessible by bus shuttle to the Jakobshorn, Pischa, Schatzalp and Rinerhorn ski regions. A further 4-km cross country stretch is available in the Flüela Valley, while the start of the World Cup trail and other tracks are a mere 350 metres from the hotel. For sledging and tobogganing, a favourite activity for both children and adults, an 18-km route is a couple of steps away. As for post-piste pastimes, the Precise Upper House Seehof Davos’ lounge is just the place for a pick-me-up hot chocolate or a well-deserved cocktail.
The Datai Langkawi works towards ensuring that the visceral natural beauty of the island can be enjoyed for decades to come.
The Datai Langkawi, with its millennia-rich rainforest location, is home to countless species of flora and fauna, many of which face existential threats. With this in mind, the awardwinning resort has teamed up with a coalition of partners as part of The Datai Pledge, its sustainability and community support programme. In August 2022, findings from the private trust’s second Impact Report were revealed. These span four components of The Datai Pledge, which comprise objectives such as supporting marine life, terrestrial wildlife and local youth, as well as ensuring that The Datai Langkawi’s day-today commercial operations embrace sustainability wherever possible. To this end, the programme’s successes include a zerowaste-to-landfill initiative that saved 146,704kg of waste from going to the landfill and the production of 69,115 recyclable glass bottles of still water for in-house guests; collecting more than 4,361 seedlings, including critically endangered species to be germinated in the resort’s Native Tree Nursery; initiating a trans-island wildlife corridor; creating an on-site hatchery and conducive turtle environment in Datai Bay, resulting in the first turtle landing in more than a decade; and hosting an intern for six weeks as part of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Malaysia RASMA programme.
One of the components and pillars of The Datai Pledge, ‘Pure for the Future’ resulted in the resort reaching zero waste-to-the-landfill for the first time in December 2021. “Implementing waste management with a circular and holistic approach has provided many new experiences, and our collaboration with local artisans has been very fruitful,” says Remi Giromella, ‘Pure For The Future’ Pillar Leader and Director of Quality Control and Improvement at The Datai Langkawi. “It’s gratifying to see so many talented individuals receiving great exposure with our guests. There has been a very positive response to the upcycling craft projects conducted by surrounding communities through various local NGOs.”
The Datai Pledge’s ‘Youth For The Future’ pillar is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness among youth, and one of its many programmes is the collaboration with Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF) on their EcoSchools Programme on Langkawi island, which is crafted to inform and engage students to cultivate respect towards and appreciation of nature through education and action on environmental issues.
Meanwhile, the ‘Fish for the Future’ pillar works towards maintaining a healthy environment for coral reefs and marine life in Datai Bay. This is achieved, among other activities,
by promoting sustainable fishing practices through education and a ‘buyback’ scheme that supports the local fishing community. These measures have led to an increase in fish and the flourishing of coral reefs – both of which are certainly outcomes worth pledging towards.
With The Datai Langkawi’s ‘Wildlife For The Future’ programme, the resort is working towards conserving, regenerating and reintegrating pockets of fragmented rainforests on Langkawi island. This gives the island’s wildlife greater room to flourish. The Datai Langkawi has also teamed up with Gaia, a social enterprise dedicated to preserving the habitats of hornbills and ensuring that the species has a bright future in Langkawi.
“Together with all our partners and community members, we continue to build The Datai Pledge to provide a long-lasting contribution to the people, wildlife and paradise that surrounds us,” says Arnaud Girodon, Executive Administrator, The Datai Pledge, and General Manager, The Datai Langkawi.
Chiva-Som’s Art of Detox retreat is a deep immersion into its signature wellness modalities and therapies.
Located in the breezy seaside town of Hua Hin, the Chiva-Som Hua Hin resort is a peaceful haven of vitality that continues to attract a client list comprising international jetsetters and in-the-know locals. Renowned for its 360-degree approaches to wellness, the resort offers five- to 14-day detoxifications programmes to undo the effects of recent indulgences or other stresses from everyday life. The property is both a resort that promotes good health and an awardwinning facility that ensures guests leave feeling revitalised and equipped with knowledge on how to continue their wellness journeys at home.
Chiva-Som’s Art of Detox retreat, for instance, provides guests with the tools to reinvigorate their digestive system, the benefits of which are renewed energy along with improved digestion, greater immunity, weight loss, radiant skin, and a more peaceful sense of being. Held concurrently with the retreat is Chiva-Som’s visiting practitioner programme in which internationally acclaimed healers and therapists, whose wide-ranging areas of expertise are ideal complements to guests’ bespoke wellness programmes, come to Hua Hin.
The Art of Detox retreat has both instructional and motivational aspects. Guests will learn how to optimise their diets, a process that’s kickstarted at the resort with the balancing of macro- and micro-nutrients, as well as herbal and nutritional supplementation that recalibrates digestive and metabolic processes with the elimination of toxins. To complement these dietary considerations, the retreat also highlights treatments such as colonic hydrotherapy, as well as Pranayama breathing and stretching. There is also the
traditional medicine technique of detoxifying balneotherapy that utilises mineral-medicinal waters, muds, and natural gases to restore the body’s natural healthful equilibrium.
“Although detox diets are a popular way to recalibrate the body and to get back on track physically, as part of ChivaSom’s holistic wellness approach, we recommend doing the same for your mind,” says Ms. Pilailuk Thongtan, Chiva-Som’s Holistic Manager. Thongtan adds that, besides detoxification for the body, a mental cleanse “can be a great way to find more balance, focus and fulfilment in our personal and spiritual relationships, and help us to feel more present and whole”. This can be achieved, she says, by taking a break from the day-to-day stressors, anxieties, and distractions, whether it’s practising deep breathing and stretching exercises, or reducing screen time on electronic devices.
Executive chef Francesco Mascheroni at Armani Hotel Milano’s Armani/Ristorante reveals three refined autumnal menus.
In another life, Francesco Mascheroni was a sailor in Piombino, a port that skirts the Isola D’Elba. While cooking for his compatriots, he discovered that the vocation suited and fascinated him. It was here that his passion for cooking led him to culinary school, the Istituto Alberghiero Filippi in Varese and, from there, a career at some of Milan’s top tables like the La cantina di Manuela. Fast-forward a couple of decades, as executive chef at Armani/Ristorante, the contemporary Italian restaurant in Armani Hotel Milano, Mascheroni is both artist and tastemaker, one who is on an evolutionary quest to discover new techniques and flavours.
For Fall/Winter 2022, Chef Francesco has devised three tasting menus: Tradizione in evoluzione, Presente, and La mia cucina vegetale, as recommended in Michelin Guide Italy 2022. With Tradizione in evoluzione, the standout six-course menu comprises fish and meat, prepared in the cooking styles of Italy’s northern and southern regions. For Presente, dishes such as Spaghetti di Gragnano with sea urchins and caviar, as well as rice with pumpkin, porcini mushrooms, and guinea fowl ragout, are exercises in sublimity.
“My cooking combines Italy’s rich culinary heritage with international inspirations,” Chef Francesco says. “I cook what I like to eat and, because my tastes are simple, mine cannot be defined as an intellectual cuisine. I start from
traditional recipes, but I elevate them through a minimalist presentation and unpredictable balance of complementary textures and flavours.”
Equally inventive is his La mia cucina vegetale that also features three vegan dishes among delicate items such as dim sum, roast, clarified broth with fermented kimchi, Crisp Vegetable Garden, red quinoa, frozen snow and Citrus, shiso sorbet, and saffron. A superlative cheese selection, comprising a tantalising selection from both Italy and around the globe, caps the menu.
These autumnal menus reflect Chef Francesco’s philosophy, one that has undergone a definitive process of perfection from those early days in Piombino. “As a person, I’ve always been very balanced,” he says. “I’ve never looked for the dramatic effect in my dishes because I want them to satisfy me on a taste level.”
‘Fotografia Maroma’, a creative initiative by Belmond, captures the beauty and the culture of the Yucatán Peninsula for posterity.
The stunning landscape that Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, is a part of has always had a history of creative expression, largely due to the Riviera Maya’s visceral beauty and its culture. Contained within it is a deep understanding of the importance of storytelling and creative self-expression. Maroma, which is etched within the coastline of the Riviera Maya, is set for a relaunch in May 2023.
‘Fotografia Maroma’, a new exhibition timed to coincide with the resort’s reopening, is emblematic of Belmond’s longstanding commitment to the arts community. The initiative features the works of selected photographers, each of whom captures their personal visual interpretations that showcases Mexico’s identity in the past, present and future. Through this, they craft a series that acts as a visual portal to the Yucatán
Peninsula’s native culture and unforgettable natural world. The photographers selected by Belmond and the exhibition’s co-curators include Javier Hinojosa, Patricia Lagarde, and Ilán Rabchinskey, as well as emerging talent Margot Kalach, all of whom impart their distinctive visions and aesthetics on the timeless beauty that is the Riviera Maya.
Hinojosa, a photographer with more than 45 years of experience, is inspired by light manipulation and the often uncontrollable elements. His work centres on the Riviera Maya shoreline. Lagarde, on the other hand, dives into the blue-ish hues of the Caribbean sea; while Rabchinskey hones in on the meeting of land and sea, capturing moments of pure poetry seen in infinite horizons. Kalach, too, takes aim with works informed by her background and knowledge in history, art and science in relation to photography, to depict the forces of nature – both the sea and wind – vividly and powerfully.
The ‘Fotografia Maroma’ exhibition will be exhibited alongside some of the world’s most notable art fair events, starting from Art Basel Miami’s 20th edition, which ran in early December 2022. The photography series will then be shown at the Patricia Conde Galera for an extended residency, starting with ZONAMACO in Mexico City.
Maroma, from which the exhibition draws inspiration, will once again become the storied crown of the Riviera Maya. The luxury property is the first large-scale transformation of Belmond’s North America portfolio under LVMH ownership. Designer Tara Bernerd helms the hotel’s restoration, the
results of which will feature 10 new waterfront suites, a wellness spa collaboration with Guerlain that connects with the ancient Mayans’ restorative and rejuvenative wisdom, headline-generating sustainability initiatives, and a thoughtful emphasis on cuisine. “Maroma offered a rare opportunity to reimagine this iconic hotel, with its rich and storied history,” Bernerd says. “We sought to retain and enhance the original character, working with local artisans while simultaneously incorporating a contemporary elegance and a warmth that also has a sense of home, all of which speaks to the needs of the Belmond guest for generations to come.”
From idyllic isles to a world city, Patina reveals its brand of thoughtful luxury.
As a proverbial paradise in the sun, Patina Maldives ticks all the right boxes. There is its location in the North Male Atoll, composed of a necklace of four islands, three of which house luxury resorts. Patina Maldives is located in the Fari islands, and its design was conceived by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan. The resort has 90 beach and water pool villas, with 20 Fari Studios that are classically modern in personality, embracing guests in a true island welcome with cosmopolitan flair.
At Fari Marina Village, the resort’s social heart, choice libations from around the world come courtesy of Proof & Co., a company with deep connections to the world’s boutique
producers of rare drinks. At Fari Marina, 24-hour superyacht berthing and, while the Art Gallery’s exhibits and works of artists-in-residence inform Patina Maldives’ creative spirit.
A similar energy of inventiveness is at play when it comes to wining and dining at Patina Maldives, featuring 12 exciting concepts. Roots highlights tasty plant food and creations that expounds upon the principles of slow living. Wok Society, on the other hand, is a delicious celebration of Asia’s multifold culinary heritage, all in one venue. Mediterranean restaurant Helios is all about the region’s emphasis on classic ingredients that stood the test of time. Brasa, with its Patagonian-focussed flame grills, offers hearty dishes.
Rounding off the impressive list is Koen, a blend of Japanese tradition and Scandinavian sophistication.
Patina Maldives’ Flow spa, with a philosophy that emphasises a similar fluidity, centres on the notion of ‘flow’. This incorporates movement therapies, biohacking, attention to guests’ posture, sleep patterns, and life outlooks. The spa features a watsu and flotation treatment rooms, as well as a hammam suite. Fittingly, the therapists’ brand of choice is Osea, a seaweed-based range sourced from Malibu that replenishes skin with marine-powered ingredients.
Another sea-facing property is the upcoming Patina Sanya, scheduled for a 2025 unveiling. As one of China’s premier luxury destinations, Sanya is the jewel in the crown of Hainan island. Designed by Danish studio BIG, Patina Sanya will reveal design tropes that pay homage to its location. The resort will structurally comprise a journey of 12 signature Sanya landmarks, including landscapes inspired by the city’s Boardwalk, Marina, Rolling Hills, and the Summit. The property’s rooms and suites will feature skyroof interiors and bay-fronting terraces, all made using materials unique to the area – lava stone and Li brocade. An urbanmeets-nature sanctuary, Patina Sanya will present the next level of luxury to a fast-maturing market.
Also scheduled for a 2025 reveal is Patina Osaka, the first urban Patina property in Japan. With a design concept based on the idea of water, the hotel is conveniently located opposite Osaka Castle, one of the country’s most revered historical sites, and Naniwanomiya-Ato Park.
The contemporary 20-storey property is the work of Jun Mitsui & Associates for its exterior, and Strickland for the interiors. Notable locations will include Fusion, the space in which guests check-in and later unwind at the cocktail bar, replete with a listening station boasting a vast collection
of vinyls. The emphasis on music is one of Patina’s signature offerings, one in which its Osaka property will both amplify and celebrate.
The mood levels off to calmer degrees at the hotel’s brasserie and Tea Lounge on the floor below. An oasis of calm, the Tea Lounge is a component of the hotel’s design philosophy with interiors that expound upon nature’s multifold layers, crafted with art by the local creative community, and inspired by Osaka Castle’s history and Mother Earth. Throughout the hotel’s public spaces, and in rooms and suites, elemental materials such as copper, wood, earth, and water create an interplay between modernity and the natural world. Of course, guests will also have pictureperfect views of Osaka Castle.
Named after an icon of the 19th century, Brenners Park Hotel & Spa’s Villa Stéphanie has been reimagined for modern-day wellness aficionados.
It would not be remiss to say that the grand tradition of European hotel culture began with the Villa Stéphanie destination spa. It is described as a spa that merged past with present and future, the first of which had a story that began two millennia ago when the Romans introduced the culture of bathing to Baden-Baden. By doing so, they set the scene for what is now legendarily known as ‘douceur de vivre’.
Fast forward to the 19th century, when a hotelier named Anton Alois Brenner introduced to Baden-Baden the novel Stephanie-les-Bains, a property that has since become the benchmark for elegance and sophistication. This extends to both the hotel’s headline-making bathing facilities and unique building design. This spirit of creativity continued with Brenner’s son Camille who matched the hotel’s sense of luxury with a new focus on health, beauty and wellness. These tenets still hold true for Brenners Park Hotel & Spa in the present day, of which an 1890 annexe – Villa Stéphanie –named after Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Baden, the adopted daughter of Napoleon I, continues to be both an inspiration and an icon of the illustrious hotel.
For today’s discerning guests, who like many before them come to Baden-Baden for its healing waters, Villa Stéphanie has been beautifully restored – besides the original walls and the staircase, the building’s structure is
new. The interiors by Bergit Countess Douglas conjure an exceptional setting, with a total floor space of 5,000 square metres in the style of a grand spa villa. There are a total of 12 rooms and three suites, which include their own private customisable spas. Guests may select from a range of fitness equipment to create a wellness-focussed environment tailored to their goals.
As in Brenners Park Hotel, the interiors at Villa Stéphanie are tastefully appointed with a more contemporary design direction, such as brighter hues, light wood panelling, and calming limestone shades for walls and flooring. At Le Salon, social meetings can be conducted stylishly. The space features both a library and an enchanting private terrace that fronts Brenners Park. With artworks spanning both classics and more modern pieces, the design scheme is both unique and conversation-starting. The central premise behind Villa Stéphanie is to allow guests to be both inspired and cognizant of the destination’s original intention of being a wellspring that restores good health and vitality.
With this in mind, Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing collaborates with skincare brand Augustinus Bader to offer guests specialised treatments with products formulated by Professor Augustinus Bader, head of stem cell research at the University of Leipzig and the world’s leading expert in
regenerative skin care. The spa comprises a 500 square metre sauna, an indoor pool, a plunge pool, and a ladies sauna on each of the building’s five floors. The spa’s latest addition is Augustinus Bader’s new spa menu that focuses on treatments using Professor Bader’s luxurious skincare products imbued with TFC8 technology. This patented and highly effective modality channels key nutrients into the skin, resulting in optimal cell renewal.
For the face, both the facial treatment and super facial treatment work cohesively using patented TFC8 technology to bring about impressive results, both instantly and over a series of treatments. For the body, the signature Augustinus Bader Full Body Treatment is a series of therapies that includes exfoliation, superficial fascia massage, and application of Augustine Bader’s The Body Cream that minimises cellulite while promoting smoother and firmer skin in a single treatment.
“Guests can indulge themselves here surrounded by understated yet engaging luxury, stylish ambience and excellent service, using our world-renowned products,” says Christiane Werron, Head of Spa & Clinic by Augustinus Bader. “This outer beauty, combined with Augustinus Bader’s philosophy of bringing out a person’s inner beauty, makes for the magical symbiosis of Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing x Augustinus Bader.”
Samujana’s recently refurbished villa 12 is its jewel in the crown, and the setting for a dreamy Koh Samui getaway.
With an assortment of 23 luxury villas, Samujana offers both seclusion and exclusivity on the island of Koh Samui – attributes that have made many international celebrities return guests. Located on a hilltop crest on the idyllic island, Samujana’s name is derived from Koh Samui and ‘jana’, which means coral in Moroccan. Samujana also has the unique topographical privilege of overlooking an inviting coral cove.
Then there is its jewel in the crown: Samujana’s Villa 12, a recently refurbished palatial seven-bedroom abode – five of these bedrooms feature jacuzzis. Villa 12’s interiors have been configured to be attuned to the island’s energies of peace and calm, and comprise an array of neutral tones, with islandsourced rattan weaves. The villa’s facilities were conceived to cater to lifestyles of every type of guest. There is the 50-metre pool, and adjacent bar and cabanas; dedicated wellness areas, such as a spa treatment room and yoga space; a games room featuring a bar, table tennis facilities, pool table, and video games; and an expansive private cinema.
Similarly, each guest accommodation is decked in lightcoloured timber, while communal areas are subtly embellished with weathered teak felled from the north of Thailand’s sustainably minded forests. As for the guest experience, Villa 12 was designed to answer the needs and wants of international jetsetters who work (out) and play with equal
passion. For the former, a commercial-grade gym and pool replete with Life Fitness and Hammer Strength hardware ensure that guests maintain their fitness levels even while on holiday. Those who enjoy boxing and mixed martial arts training have a separate matted area in which to pursue their goals. Incidentally, Villa 12 was the holiday abode of UK Heavyweight boxing personality Anthony Joshua. To complete the fitness amenities, outdoor facilities include a full-sized boxing ring, a basketball court and an open-air trampoline.
Post-workouts, guests can enjoy the luxury of mealtimes at the villa’s open-air lounge with barbeque facilities, as well as selections from a wine fridge with space for an impressive selection of 153 bottles.
After celebratory New Year excesses, it’s often the case that one’s body may need a reset, wiping the slate clean as it were. With tailordevised programs to achieve such aims, The Farm at San Benito’s team of health experts takes its guests through a systematic process of mental, emotional, and physical renewal.
Detoxification is essential in bringing back the body’s naturally healthy state. Although there is an abundance of do-ityourself detox offering in the market, there are key components that are oftentimes neglected or not properly addressed. This can result in a weakened immune system and a body that is unable to function properly.
With this in mind, The Farm’s bespoke Holistic Detox Program offers a comprehensive, safe and effective opportunity to cleanse the body and mind. Time-tested modalities such as colon and kidney cleansing as well as psycho-emotional recalibration are highlights of the Holistic Detox program. Meanwhile, a nutrient-rich vegan menu bursting with nature’s life-giving flavors as well as fitness movements, rejuvenating spa services and sessions on mindfulness further seal in the benefits of such an immersive experience.
An integral part of the programme is juicing, as guests are served high vibrational liquids of fruits and vegetables. This aims to relieve the digestive organs of the need to process meats and alcohol. In contrast, drinking juices imparts the body with revitalising elixirs infused with plant-derived vitamins and minerals. With regular juicing, guests often experience benefits such as sustained vitality, mental clarity, enhanced immunity and speedy cellular healing.
“Bodies are like machines – for it to work properly, it needs regular maintenance, periodic check-ups, and the right parts and process to make sure it will work,” adds Dr. Alonzo.
“It cannot work 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you do not treat it properly.” Thus, The Farm’s Holistic Detox Programme was designed for this very purpose.
Azerai Resort’s curated sampling of experiences offers outstanding ways to immerse in Vietnam’s cuisine, culture and history.
Azerai has revealed a series of more than 40 curated experiential offerings at the luxury resort brand’s three properties in Vietnam. These include Azerai La Residence in the country’s former imperial capital, Hue; Azerai Can Tho that sits in the picturesque Mekong Delta; and Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an ocean front property located 180 km from Ho Chi Minh City. The array of activities offered by Azerai is both expansive and exciting, catering to both adrenaline-seeking adults and families on multi-generational getaways. “Each of the experiences on this menu is a reflection of what truly captures the ‘essence of place’,” says Henry Gray, executive director at Azerai Resorts.
For instance, the Lost Kingdom adventures program lets guests take in the hidden splendours of Ang Kuli, a 379-year-old Khemer Temple, in the region near Can Tho. Another example are the cycling adventures on offer, which will take guests deep into the Mekong Delta. All in all, the
curated list of experiences feature a selection of day trips, activities at the resorts, and authentic immersions into the daily lives of the communities where Azerai’s resorts are located. Vietnam’s flavourful cuisine, both in its savouring and preparation, is also deliciously presented on the menu of experiences.
At Azerai La Residence in Hue, guests have opportunities to learn how to prepare Vietnamese cuisine in the ‘Aroma of Vietnam Cooking Class’ under the expert tutelage of the resort’s chef. In the ‘Exploring Hue Cuisine’ activity, a food tour to the region’s most famous shops and stalls showcases and highlights signature central Vietnamese delicacies. One of Azerai La Residence’s most romantic escapades is the ‘Private Dinner Cruise’ that takes place on a 17-metre cruise boat that travels along the storied Perfume River. On board, guests have opportunities to taste exceptional Vietnamese and international dishes while sampling riverscape views.
Meanwhile, at Azerai Can Tho, the ‘Romance Under the Banyan Tree’ experience comprises a five-course meal for two with the resort’s inspiring outdoor setting as a backdrop. Dinner is served beneath Azerai Can Tho’s famed banyan tree, around which the property was designed and built. The ‘Breakfast Cruise to Cai Rang Floating Market’ is a fun way
to understand how the waterways in the region and through the Mekong Delta floating market have all had a hand in shaping the lives of Can Tho’s locals. The experience is capped with a noodle factory visit.
Guests of Azerai Ke Ga Bay can learn about the exotic dragon fruit in the ‘Monastery and Iconic Fruit of Binh Thuan’ experience. The excursion also includes a stop at Tai Cu Mountain and salt fields in the area. On this trip, the resort’s chefs will prepare dishes from the rich bounties of the sea.
Avid golfers, on the other hand, have the option of a golf package with PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet in two new championship-level golf courses designed by none other than the legend Greg Norman. This experience includes a twonight stay at a deluxe suite, daily breakfast for two, and an exhilarating 18 holes of golf for two adults (inclusive of green fee, caddy fee, shared buggy, and roundtrip transfers to and from the golf course).
For history buffs, there is a guided trip to a colonial lighthouse, Vietnam’s tallest and oldest, built by the French in 1899. An ideal location to catch a sunset, this experience is possibly best enjoyed with optional chilled white wine and delicious canapes. At Azerai Ke Ga Bay (and other Azerai properties), it’s all about the delightful touches that make these standout experiences ones to treasure.
Pimalai Resort & Spa ensures a bright future for the marine life of Koh Lanta.
Kantiang Bay, a 900-metre expanse of powdery white sand at Pimalai Resort & Spa, is the quintessential setting for a dreamy beach vacation. With its low-key luxe Koh Lanta location, the award-winning property has many loyal guests from Thailand and around the world who make return visits. The reason: in a rapidly changing world, the sandy coastline and tropical paradise environs have consistently remained pristine since the resort opened its doors 21 years ago.
To maintain such consistency, Pimalai Resort & Spa has made steps to ensure that the marine population is well-
taken care of. In a concerted initiative, the resort recently partnered with local government authorities from Krabi province, Koh Lanta district, the Royal Thai Navy along with the local business community in conservation efforts to maintain the population numbers of three species of marine life unique to the area. These include the release of 50 sea turtles that have been nurtured by the Royal Thai Navy’s Turtle Conservation Centre in Phang Nga province into the Andaman Sea at Kantiang Bay. In times to come, these turtles will return to the same shores to lay their eggs, ensuring a cyclical process of renewal.
A total of 2,000 land hermit crabs were also released at Kantiang Bay. As crustaceans that exist in both land and sea, the bay’s idyllic setting proves the perfect habitat in which this species can thrive.
The third species of marine life that Pimalai Resort & Spa, the Thung Talae Forest Royal Development Study, and Crab Conservation Center of Koh Lanta all focused on was blue swimmer crabs, also known as flower crabs. They are considered a local delicacy and a source of income for fishing communities in the area. So, in a joint effort, 10 million of these crabs were set free in the ocean. By increasing the numbers of the crabs, its supply can then be sustainably maintained in years to come.
In the words of Charintip Tiyaphorn, Pimalai’s Owner Representative: “At Pimalai, we are fully committed to preserving the environment and letting nature thrive. The fact that the local authorities selected our beach as the perfect place to release these wonderful creatures reflects the strength and effectiveness of our conservation efforts. Sea turtles will only return to peaceful and unpolluted beaches, so our commitment to keeping Kantiang Bay unspoiled – including regular beach cleaning and having no motorised watersports – is delivering benefits for the entire ecosystem.”
As the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is inviting as it is pristine. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island comprises three national parks and a nature reserve. Suffice to say, the location abounds with vibrant marine life, thriving coral reefs and extensive seagrass ecosystems.
A design minimalist’s dream, Sailing Club Signature Resort Phu Quoc features villas that encompass an elegant Scandinavian aesthetic, and is perfect to become your homeaway-from-home. Spacious, and perfect for family holidays (including pets), these five-star accommodations are all about luxury interpreted through a relaxed and informal personality. Within each villa, there is a private pool and garden. Interiors
make the most of neutral woods and a palette of beiges that bring about a sense of calm.
At the resort, no guest request is too much. An impromptu dinner barbeque at your villa? No problem. If guests prefer dining at the resort’s all-day dining restaurant Sandals, the Market, a menu that spans modern takes on both Vietnamese and internationally flavoured cuisine is on offer. For those with specific dietary needs, the chefs at Sandals, The Market are skilled at adapting the a la carte menu to a glutenfree, vegetarian or vegan diet.
For families with children, the Kid’s Club is where to head to when looking for ideas to keep the young ones entertained. Activities to encourage learning and creativity are emphasised here, while parents spend their leisure time by the pool or at the Beach Club, touted as the hottest entertainment venue on the island, where the mixologists craft together cocktails to get the party started.
Meanwhile, wellness facilities at the Sailing Club Signature Resort Phu Quoc include a fully equipped gym, while morning yoga classes are also available. The resort’s spa is a peaceful sanctuary that features a spa menu that combines ancient and modern techniques and therapies. Within the space, there are four private treatment rooms; a manicure and pedicure area; a couple’s treatment room; a steam bath; a sauna; and a Zen space to maximise those moments of complete relaxation.
Rarified experiences abound: from indulgent spa treatments in Marrakech and a Dubai hotel opening to afternoon tea served in gilt-edged crystal and The Hari Hong Kong’s inaugural art prize.
Legendary crystal house Baccarat has a heritage of crafting objets d’art for royal households through the generations. Now at Baccarat Hotel New York, this tradition is further espoused in its most opulent afternoon tea service – The Crystal Tea. The afternoon culinary experience features rarified ingredients such as caviar, lobster, truffles, and Madagascar vanilla, all of which are served on a Baccarat crystal three-tier along with Cristal champagne. This exclusive tea experience also comprises a Baccarat Faunacrystopolis Harcourt Tea Set gift for guests to take home. The Crystal Tea indulgence starts from noon to 4pm at the hotel’s Grand Salon, priced at USD$3,000 (for two guests), and requires a minimum of 48-hour advance notice when making a reservation.
Address Grand Creek Harbour is the first five-star property to grace Dubai Creek Harbour. Featuring two towers spanning 53 and 65 floors, the 223-key hotel also comprises 794 serviced apartments. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed the observation deck between the two towers, from which guests can take in views of both old Dubai and the inspiring skyline of new Dubai. The hotel fronts a lively water-facing promenade with a host of entertainment, retail and dining options. Within the hotel, The Spa and Fitness Centre along with an infinity pool offer the ultimate in relaxation for both adults and children who have specially created facilities such as Qix Club, Qix Teens, Kids Pool, and Splash Pad to have fun in. Address Grand Creek Harbour also features an elegant Club Lounge that offers a range of exclusive benefits.
Cactéa, the new well-aging range from marocMaroc, is fast-creating a skincare buzz among those-in-the-know. Inspired by the rituals of Moroccan hammans, marocMaroc blends these traditions with the latest scientific knowledge, and utilises ingredients such as argan, orange blossom, rose, and almond. At Royal Mansour Marrakech’s Spa Royal Mansour, three treatments feature products from the Cactéa range. These include the 75-minute Cactéa Signature facial that relaxes body and mind, while bringing forth a radiant complexion. The 60-minute Cactéa Energising facial, on the other hand, activates lymphatic circulation as well as detoxifies and rehydrates the skin. Then there is the 60-minute Cactéa Revitalising treatment, which minimises the appearance of wrinkles while working to sculpt facial contours and to enhance skin’s natural glow.
As with its sister property in London, The Hari Hong Kong’s appreciation for art results in an open call for entries in its inaugural The Hari Art Prize. It will be open to emerging self-taught artists and art students who’ve graduated in the past three years. The initiative is held in collaboration with Londonbased consultancy A Space for Art. Entries may be submitted from 1 February to 30 April 2023. The winner receives a cash grant of HKD100,000, funded by Dr. Aron Harilela, with his or her artworks displayed at both The Hari Hong Kong and The Hari London. Results of The Hari Art Prize will be revealed in September 2023. “My family has always had a passion for art with many pieces from our private collection featured throughout The Hari hotels in Hong Kong and London,” Harilela says. “This is the first of a new cultural tradition for us.”
Ultima Megève sets the scene for a ski sojourn in the French Alps with a well-considered array of luxury touches.
At the centre of the alpine action in Haute-Savoie, Megève is a four-season ski resort that those in-the-know, seeking powder and elegant off-piste activities, gravitate towards. These insiders also know that Ultima Megève, a pair of properties conceived as not-your-typical chalets, offers guests a stylish alternative in which to spend their time in Megève. For ski enthusiasts, the nearby Mont D’arbois, Rochebrune, and Le Jaillet comprise 325 kilometres of snow-capped terrain, where one could test their snow-sports prowess.
With its location deep in the bucolic French countryside and its idyllic setting overlooking the legendary Mont Blanc, one might assume that Ultima Megève could veer towards the conventional side. But these two private chalets have been designed with both luxury and privacy in mind. Ultima Megève’s sprawling living spaces – that seem like they’re
always ready for a high-fashion photoshoot at the drop of a couture hat – are perfect for hosting multi-generational families or large parties of close friends.
Designed to cater to the lifestyles of A-listers, Ultima Megève comprises an arcade room, an underground private club, and a stocked wine cellar for those in the mood for entertainment and nightlife. The chalets’ wellness amenities, on the other hand, include a gymnasium and a full spa with a hammam, a massage room, and hairdressing facilities. Exclusive treatments by expert spa therapists can also be arranged. Likewise, if guests seek beauty pampering before evenings on the town, the space is designed to seamlessly facilitate such services. Meanwhile, an indoor-outdoor pool with sweeping mountain views, an accompanying outdoor hot tub, and an indoor jacuzzi are all perfect to sink into after a busy day on the slopes.
A haven for foodies, Ultima Megève also boasts an impressive yet intimate dining room and outdoor terraces –perfect settings to impress when one is hosting, whether it be a small get-together or an elaborate party. An efficient and intuitive concierge is always on hand to arrange exceptional experiences or to make reservations at some of Megève’s most popular tables, often at a mere moment’s notice.
Finish a day of skiing in Gstaad by returning to your luxe private suite or residence, and we’ll take it from there. Experience the service of a 5-star superior hotel within the privacy of a chalet setting. This is life savoured to the fullest.
Yes, you’ve heard of us. That’s only the start.
