Issue 25 for Highlife Asia readers by Luxury Magazine

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Issue 25 Spring/Summer 2014

HOLIDAYS & CORP OR ATE T R AVEL

Best of the South Pacific PACIFIC EXPERIENCES Beyond the ordinary in Fiji & Vanuatu

MACHU PICCHU A rail journey to the home of the Incas

PACIFIC PODS The origins of vanilla in the South Pacific

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What does the most popular travel destination in Europe and one of its geographically largest countries have in common? A singular great way to travel: the France-Spain High Speed Train. Travel in reclining armchair comfort and enjoy the romance of rail while gazing out to the most breathtaking views. This new super quick train service offers efficient travel between 17 cities in France and Spain including Paris, Lyon and Marseille to Barcelona, and Marseille to Madrid. Travel from Paris to Barcelona in just 6 hours 25 minutes, enjoying luxury and comfort every second of the journey.

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Editor’s Letter The Best of the South Pacific

N E W

Z E A L A N D ’ S

For people in much of the world, the South Pacific is a fantasy destination. Centuries of storytelling and

O N L Y

D E D I C A T E D

L U X U R Y

T R A V E L

M A G A Z I N E

LUXURY RRP NZ$19.95

/ AU$17.95 incl gst

Issue 25 Spring/Summer 2014

HOLIDAYS & CORP OR ATE T R AVEL

Best Pacific

dozens of Hollywood movies have painted the picture of an impossibly beautiful, palm-fringed paradise. Of

of the South

course, the travelling distance means that the Pacific remains an unachievable fantasy for most in Europe and America – but many would nominate it as their ultimate luxury holiday.

PACIFIC EXPERIENCES Beyond the ordinary in Fiji & Vanuatu

MACHU PICCHU

For Australians and New Zealanders, it’s much more accessible. Flying just a few hours can take us to one of the many beautiful 1

islands. You don’t have to win Lotto to enjoy a relaxing Pacific break.

A rail journey to the home of the Incas

PACIFIC PODS The origins of vanilla in the South Pacific

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LUXURY Holidays & Corporate Travel

But this affordable, holiday image obscures an interesting development. The South Pacific is becoming a true luxury destination. At the top-end there’s been serious investment in five-star resorts. Individuals with deep pockets have created some absolutely stunning boutique hotels and lodges. Standards of cuisine and customer service have gone up to the next level without losing any of the down-to-earth friendliness that the Pacific is famous for.

“The South Pacific is becoming a true luxury destination. At the top-end there’s been serious investment in five-star resorts.” We’ve been making regular forays to the island nations to sample their luxury offerings. We’ve stayed in resorts to equal any in the world, and been lucky enough to stumble upon a few hidden gems. So this issue is all about sharing our findings with you. But that’s not all. We head down to Hanmer Springs in New Zealand’s South Island and see why this town should be the location of your next short break. Then it’s time out at the Pullman’s Spa in Auckland to indulge in the Skeyndor Sapphire Experience. We introduce the cultural Korean city of Andong, journey to Machu Picchu by luxury rail then trace back the origins of the vanilla bean and reveal how it has become a boutique industry for several Pacific nations. So, enjoy the read and keep relishing in what the wonderful world of travel has to offer.

Publisher: Travel Publications Limited Editorial Director: Philip Harrison Phone: +64 21 477 514 Email: phil@travelpublications.co.nz Editor: Melanie Hawkins Phone: +64 21 557 579 Email: mel@travelpublications.co.nz Features & Advertising Enquiries: Janice Burmaz Phone: +64 21 630 257 Email: janice@travelpublications.co.nz Contributors: Philip Tetley-Jones Jackie O’Fee Fergus Clark Janice Burmaz

Peter Thornley Toni Gillan Donna Martin Warren Burmaz

Creative Director: James Rangihika Designer: Kendal Baker Contact Details: PO Box 559, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand Phone: 0800 758 759 Fax: +64 9 300 7511 Website: www.luxurymagazine.co.nz ISSN: 1178-2382 Our preferred retail travel partner is United Travel. www.unitedtravel.co.nz

Melanie Hawkins Editor, LUXURY Holidays & Corporate Travel

P.S: Be sure to enter our amazing prize draw, staying at stunning Le Taha’a Island Resort in Tahiti. More details inside.

Although we endeavour to provide the highest level of quality in our content, the views and opinions contained within this magazine have been obtained from independent sources, and Travel Publications Limited explicitly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, content or availability of the information. Digital version available from www.zinio.co.nz

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Cover Story 21 Best of the South Pacific

Features 48 Fiji Experiences 68 Vanuatu Experiences 106 Andong, South Korea

114 Hanmer Springs 122 On the tracks to Machu Picchu

In Every Issue 12 Review 14 Luxury Preview

100

104 Brand Insider - The Langham, Auckland 109 24 Hours in - Barcelona

South Pacific Destinations 22 Fiji 52 Vanuatu 70 Cook Islands 78 Tahiti 90 New Caledonia 92 Samoa 94 Hawaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i

Property Features

124

24 Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji 30 Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, Fiji 32 Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji 54 The Havannah, Vanuatu 58 Eratap Beach Resort, Vanuatu

60 The Terraces, Vanuatu 102 Forty Two, Queenstown 112 Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong 120 Village Lake Apartments, Hanmer 122 The St James, Hanmer

Lifestyle 129 Custom Residential Q&A 130 South Pacific Vanilla 134 Spa Finder - Skeyndor Sapphire Experience

Competition 88 Le Tahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a Competition

108

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Review: Spring/Summer 2014

Check out these great events happening over the next few months. Ranging from airshows and well-being retreats to some of the biggest international sporting events of the year, you’re sure to find something here of interest.

Australian International Air Show, Geelong, Australia This airshow showcases everything aviation including new technologies, aircraft, equipment, systems and operational methods. Appealing to everyone from the defence and commercial industries to corporate business and aviation enthusiasts alike, the 2015 Airshow will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary. It will also pay aviation homage to a century of service by Australians in the defence of the Nation. 25 February - 1 March 2015 www.airshow.com.au

Alpine World Ski Championship, Vail, USA

The Rugby World Cup 2015, England

Firmly established as “the” ski racing capital of North America, the 2015 World Championship is set to be fantastic. Racing events are free and open to the public, with many of the courses featuring a mid-mountain finish area. Watch the technical skill and thrilling speed of the racers in Downhill, Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom events.

For rugby playing nations, this is the sport’s highest honour, where the best 20 teams battle it out to take the world title. An event not to be missed, whether in person or on screen, games will be played at 13 locations across England over 44 days. The stage will be set for excellent sporting action, sightseeing and numerous festivities during the competition.

2 - 15 February 2015 www.vailbeavercreek2015.com

Le Tour de France, France The world’s most high profile bicycle race, this demanding event sees approximately 20 professional teams cover a total distance of 3,600km travelling through France and surrounding countries. The 2015 Tour is actually scheduled to start in Utrecht in the Netherlands. With multiple vantage points during the event, it is a fabulous spectator sport. 4 - 26 July 2015 www.letour.com

Bali Spirit Festival, Ubud, Bali A global celebration of yoga, dance and music that offers rejuvenation and inspiration. The festival, now in its 8th year, brings together many top international instructors and world class musicians, attracting a large global audience. Set in the spectacular, tropical open-air venue of the Purnati Centre just 10-minutes south of Ubud, there are daytime workshops, demonstrations and evening performances. A true celebration of cultural richness, the sanctity of the environment and harmony between people of all nations. 31 March - 5 April 2015 www.balispiritfestival.com

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18 September - 31 October 2015 www.rugbyworldcup.com

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Luxury Preview The perfect venue for your conference in Fiji

Raffles comes to Istanbul

Getting away to Fiji is a tried-

Raffles Hotel is a name that’s indelibly associated with Singapore. Now it’s bringing

and-trusted route for a successful

its unique brand of luxury to the ancient, fascinating and always vibrant city of Istanbul.

conference or convention. Now there’s a superb new venue available to stage your event. The Denarau Island Convention Centre opened its doors and welcomed clients, industry partners

At the heart of the Zorlu Centre, a modern-day bazaar where fashion, fine food and the arts converge, Raffles is an exhilarating fusion of virtuoso architecture, dazzling interiors, inspired food and opulent luxury. The hotel overlooks the Bosphorus, the Prince Islands and the historic peninsula – a stunning vantage point above the city.

and tourism stakeholders to Sheraton Fiji Resort in April 2014.

Having lost the previous Event Centre in 2012’s Cyclone Evan, The Sheraton and Westin Resorts Fiji have created a purpose-built permanent structure. The new Centre is accessed via an undercover walkway to the Sheraton Fiji Resort’s existing ballroom pre-function area and lobby. Utterly contemporary, full of texture and distinctly Turkish, the hotel is embellished with a collection of specially commissioned artworks. Many of these are by Turkish artists, others by artists inspired by this magnificent city: tactile sculptures, objets trouvés and contemporary interpretations of classic patterns, pieces inspired by fabulous Byzantine jewels – all bringing the ancient and modern together. Throughout the hotel, the authentic Raffles touch is never far away, personified by the legendary Raffles Butler service that is a part of the anatomy of every Raffles Hotel. www.raffles.com

Getting from France to Spain just got faster With space for 1,200 seated guests,

Travel at high speed in maximum comfort on the TGV between 17 cities in France and

the new Convention Centre enables Fiji

Spain including Paris, Lyon and Marseille to Barcelona, and Marseille to Madrid. Paris to

to promote itself as an excellent venue

Barcelona takes just 6 hours, 25 minutes. Barcelona to Lyon is just under 5 hours, and it

for large exhibitions and conferences.

makes Barcelona to Marseille possible in just 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Denarau’s proximity to Nadi makes for easy international connections, while there are all the golfing and leisure attractions of Denarau waiting when it’s time to relax and soak up the sun.

Choose your First Class seat in refurbished wooden parquet carriages with large reclining leather seats. Family-friendly economy class is also available. However, regardless of your train service, you’ll find a power outlet near your seat for extra convenience. www.railplus.co.nz

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Luxury Preview New at Clooney – the Dom Pérignon Private Dining Room

Boutique resort opening soon in Fiji

One of Auckland’s top dining destinations has a new attraction. To find it, you’ll have to go underground.

Sources tell us that the new Vunabaka development, currently being built from scratch on Malolo Island in the idyllic Mamanuca group, is one to look out for. A residential and hotel development in a private island paradise, this property encompasses 100 acres of hilltop, marina, ocean and beachfront sites. Already, 65% of the residential chalets have been snapped up and construction of the five-star Island Grace hotel is scheduled for completion in March 2016.

The Dom Pérignon Room is Clooney’s subterranean room of luxury and fine food. This unique private dining room space takes the concept of the chef’s table to a luxurious new level, with an open-plan Gaggenau kitchen taking pride of place. All menus are personalised towards the guest. Choose from culinary masterpieces such as Mt Cook alpine salmon, confit hapuka or spanner crab cooked in coconut and flash-cured venison. To whet the whistle, we recommend Dom Pérignon 2004, but Sommelier Gary Olasz will be happy to suggest the perfect wine match for each course. The Dom Pérignon room is available for board meetings, with a projector, screen, sound

The Island Grace will be on five acres,

and whiteboard available if required. The room can accommodate up to 20 guests for a

including 150-metres of beachfront, and

sit-down event or up to 50 guests for a standing event. www.clooney.co.nz

will provide all of the central facilities for hotel guests and homeowners. The hotel consists of a 24-villa layout, with each

RFID Technology onboard Royal Caribbean

villa including one or two bedrooms,

Guests onboard Quantum of the Seas, to be launched in November this year, will be given

plunge pool.

plentiful bathrooms, kitchenette, and

wrist bands with Radio-frequency Identification Chips (RFID) that will allow them wireless access to their rooms, link to their onboard account for ‘tap and go’ purchases, as well as store their meal and drinks preferences. The RFID technology uses electromagnetic fields to wirelessly transfer data, which also means that a passenger’s misplaced luggage can be instantly located. Best of all, the cruise line is boasting a 10-minute “sidewalk to ship” check-in, absent of forms to fill in and lengthy queues. Ultra fast Internet will also be a highlight, with speeds up to 10x faster than usual via Ob3 Satellite technology. www.royalcaribbean.com

The larger Vunabaka community includes shops, restaurants, bars, fitness centre, tennis courts, spa and a full-service marina. All in all, the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed tropical lifestyle with everything you need close to hand. www.vunabaka.com

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Luxury Preview Escape city life with Hauraki Blue Cruises

Heritage and modernity meet in The Peninsula Paris The Peninsula Hotels group makes its grand entrance into Europe with The Peninsula Paris. A century-old classic building has been meticulously restored and modernised to create the latest example of Parisian excellence. Located just steps away from the Champs Elysées, The Peninsula is in the heart of the elegant 16th arrondissement, within walking distance of some of the world’s most famous monuments, museums and luxury shopping districts. A magnificent heritage building dating from 1908, The Peninsula offers spacious public areas, expansive rooftop and street-level terraces, and some of the largest guest rooms in Paris.

Imagine setting out from the Viaduct in downtown Auckland on a boutique catamaran cruiser. As your ship glides over the blue waters, the captain provides an entertaining commentary as you take in highlights of the Waitemata Harbour, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the seaside suburb of Devonport with its twin lookouts of Mt Victoria and North Head, Bean Rock Lighthouse and Bastion Point. As the city skyline slides out of view, you’ll feel yourself start to relax. Enjoy a delicious lunch showcasing Auckland’s top quality local produce as you cruise the harbour, then return to everyday life relaxed and refreshed.

Guests arrive in true Parisian style with two grand Lobby entrances. The Avenue Kléber entrance leads to the traditional Peninsula Lobby with its meticulously restored ceilings, magnificent drapery, marble floors and contemporary furnishings. Meanwhile, the hotel’s main entrance on Avenue des Portugais is designed for arrival by car, with direct access to the hotel’s own underground car park. A bespoke hand-blown Lasvit chandelier featuring

Organising a wedding or a special

a cascade of crystal “leaves” - a modern take on the plane trees lining Avenue Kléber – and

event? A catered cruise could be the

a massive stone installation from Bhutan, create a luxurious sense of arrival in this second

perfect way to commemorate your

lobby area.

special day. www.haurakibluecruises.co.nz

It all adds up to the ultimate expression of impeccable style, on a grand scale. The hotel even has its own limousine fleet, including signature Peninsula-green Rolls-Royce, a magnificent vintage 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II and two Mini Clubman vehicles. www.peninsula.com

A new Rarotongan Escape Recently opened Nautilus Resort is set against a beautiful mountain backdrop overlooking Muri Beach and its lagoon. All of their 17 Polynesian-styled villas come with a salt water plunge pool, mini kitchenette and authentic tropical Cook Islands gardens. Currently, Nautilus is welcoming guests with their limited time opening specials. www.nautilusresortrarotonga.com

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Luxury Preview Could this be the world’s most luxurious airline?

New Virgin lounge lets you fly through Melbourne airport

Leaving aside the private jets of the billionaire class, we believe Etihad Airways has taken airborne luxury to a new level with its new product and service offering – The Residence.

New research has found Australian frequent flyers spend nearly 90 hours on average a year in airports, with frequent travellers in Melbourne alone spending up to 83 hours in the airport every year.

Forget the traditional hierarchy of Economy, Business and First Class. Along with a range of premium cabin classes, each Etihad Airways A380 will offer a boutique version of The Residence with different colour palettes, table marquetry and custom carpets. Etihad has allocated the entire upper deck of the A380 to its premium cabins. Accommodating single or double occupancy, The Residence features a living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower room. Guests (it seems inappropriate to call them passengers) will enjoy the services of a Savoy-trained personal butler, gourmet chef and concierge. Could this be the start of a new trend towards hotel-style amenities and service at the topend of airline travel? If so, count us in. www.etihad.com

So Virgin came up with a timesaving solution. Velocity Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyer members, Lounge members, and Business Class guests flying out of Melbourne can now exit the Lounge through a dedicated private security screening point, which minimises their connection times to the departure gates at Melbourne Airport. One of Australia’s most frequent flyers, Dannii Minogue, said: “Whether I am travelling with my son, or rushing around on business, the Premium Exit at Melbourne Lounge is amazing. Being able to spend extra time in the Lounge to send an email, freshen up or simply relax and enjoy a coffee makes my travelling experience that much better.” www.virginaustralia.com

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Luxury Preview Air France unveils La Première suite

Klaus K has lofty ambitions for Helsinki

The battle to redefine luxury in the air

character can be the difference between an ordinary trip and one you enthuse over.

continues. The latest entry is the Air

That’s why we’re intrigued by this new development in Finland’s capital.

We’re big fans of the alternative, the artistic and the funky. Staying in a property with

France La Première suite – a whole new way to experience long-haul travel. The new La Première cabin now offers four exclusive individual suites on board the airline’s long-haul Boeing 777-300. The large seat adapts to any body shape and promotes rest and relaxation. Each guest has a personal 61cm HD touch screen, one of the largest ever seen onboard.

Image courtesy of Design Hotels™

The 171-room Klaus K design hotel, originally built in 1882 and once home to a girls’ school, holds a prominent position in terms of location and heritage in the city. Now the management has introduced two new levels to the historic structure. The new rooms come in four categories. The Sky Studios face the quiet inner courtyard, the Sky Balcony rooms boast park and city views, while the Sky Lofts have ceilings up to When the cabin lights are dimmed,

4.5 metres, allowing natural light from the skylight windows to flood the rooms.

the seat transforms into a fully flat bed

Finally, the Sky Suite is a huge room fitted with an egg-shaped bed inspired by the

over two metres long. The armrests are retractable so the sleeping passenger can relax in a space that’s 77cm wide.

Kalevala. There’s also a lounge with a games table and an expansive bathroom with a separate bathtub and rain shower. The room also has its own balcony with outstanding views over the Boulevard and Esplanade Park. If you’re wondering what the Kalevala is, it’s Finland’s national epic – a tale teeming with desire, passion and mysticism. Elements of the 19th century fable are woven throughout the interiors of the property, and are also present in the new rooms. www.klauskhotel.com

But this is more than just a luxurious bed. Thick curtains held by leather tiebacks allow you to create a truly private space. Opposite the seat, a comfortable ottoman lets you invite a guest for dinner, a drink or a conversation. The suite in turn then becomes a drawing room, a restaurant, or a work area. www.airfrance.com

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Image courtesy of Design Hotels™

Luxury Preview Sofitel So is a stylish addition to Singapore Sofitel So properties are renowned for their sleek, modern take on luxury. Now the So brand has made a grand new entrance in the Lion City, with the new Sofitel So Singapore

Walk into luxury when you explore Western Australia

housed within a heritage building on Robinson Road. The rooms, designed by Isabelle Miaja, are unlike any other accommodation in Singapore. Inspired by 19th century French decadence, every room features high ceilings and bespoke light boxes featuring images of palatial glass domes modelled on the traditional architecture of Europe and modern constructions in Singapore. Complemented by regal balconies flanked by antiquated columns, the So Lofty suites overlook Singapore’s bustling business district and are reminiscent of traditional Parisian apartments. With the modern traveller in mind, Sofitel So Singapore is equipped with the world’s first completely Apple-based guest technology solution in every room, including iPad minis to control all room functions and iPhones to call for hotel requests.

The Cape-to-Cape track in the southwestern corner of Australia is one of the country’s top 10 walks, acclaimed by National Geographic. The wineries of the Margaret River are close by, adding a hedonistic tinge to the scenic attractions. Now there’s a new way to experience this beautiful region. West Australian walking tour operator, Walk into Luxury, Guests staying in one of the nine opulent suites can enjoy hospitality from the moment they arrive in Singapore, with a complimentary one-way transfer from the airport. They will also enjoy a daily Champagne breakfast and an ‘ExtenSo’ late checkout until 2pm. Dining is equally sophisticated, with Xperience, the hotel’s signature restaurant and bar offering customised menus in a hip gastro-bar environment. The exclusive rooftop bar, HI-SO, commands 360-degree views of Singapore’s urban-skyline, so your evening drinks will be an experience to savour. www.sofitel.com

has created an all-inclusive walking package that takes in the varied stretch of coastline from Cape Naturalist to Cape Leeuwin. Their walking tour packages come complete with post-walk massages, daily in-villa canapés and fine wines, exclusive dining and wine tasting experiences at renowned wineries and restaurants. Luxury accommodation is also included, with stays at up to four award-winning resorts and boutique retreats. These include Small Luxury Hotels Of the World members Smiths Beach Resort and Injidup Spa Retreat, as well as local favourites, Pullman Resort Bunker Bay and Losari Retreat. We love the idea of experiencing the great outdoors while working up an appetite for some great food and enjoying an idyllic night’s sleep in a boutique hotel. Walk into Luxury should be on your WA bucket list. www.walkintoluxury.com.au

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COLENSO0255

Happiness isn’t at the bottom of a soda can. You won’t find it in a bank account or in a box of chocolates. It’s in Fiji. Amongst the crystal clear water, white sand beaches, lush rainforests and smiling locals. Now, you can stop searching for happiness and start looking for flights. Go to www.fiji.travel to find out more.

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Best of the South Pacific

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Fiji More than you expect Fiji has something most Pacific nations lack – and that’s size. With a larger landmass comes diversity, which means a greater selection of hotels and holiday options. From family-friendly resorts to private island getaways, there’s simply more to choose from. What’s particularly intriguing is the growth in options at the luxury end of the market. The Maldives, Tahiti and Thailand used to be the go-to destinations for over-water bungalows and high-end holidays, while Fiji was for casual relaxation. That’s not the case anymore. Upscale developers have been busy creating a new generation of seriously luxurious resorts within Fiji’s 333 islands. Fiji has desirable options for everyone. Families can check into an all-inclusive resort on Denarau or bond with nature in an eco resort. Couples can indulge in Blue Lagoon fantasies in a tiny offshore hideaway with a couples-only policy. Larger groups or multi-generational families can stay at one of the smart new villas and boutique resorts that have appeared on the scene. Is Fiji a great choice for families with young kids? Is it the ideal choice for a honeymoon or child-free holiday? Is it a gourmet dining destination? Is it a smart option if you want to experience the local culture and enjoy sustainably harvested local produce? In all cases, the answer is yes.

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Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji Islands There are wonderful things to be found away from the beaten track. Savusavu is a case in point. A town of just over 3,000 people on the south coast of Vanua Levu, it’s the gateway to a side of Fiji you never knew existed. You’ll discover hot springs and coconut groves, a yachting port and bird watching tours. Most of all, there’s superlative diving. And to make the most of nature’s abundance, there’s a five-star resort on its own private peninsula – the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. Spread across seven hectares of a former coconut plantation, the Resort makes the most of its gorgeous setting with pristine seascapes and easy access to the untouched coral reefs offshore. As its name implies, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort was created by one of the foremost figures in marine conservation. Providing the opportunity to experience nature in a sustainable way, the Resort combines eco-friendly luxury with the highest standards of service. No wonder it has received multiple environmental awards, including the No.1 Small Environmental Resort on the planet. It’s definitely a boutique resort, with just 25 bures dotted amongst the coconut palms. A high guest-to-staff ratio makes for premium levels of service – nothing seems to be too much trouble. The tariff includes all meals and non-alcoholic drinks, with an à la carte menu that changes daily for both lunch and dinner. As always, it’s the little touches that make a real difference – things such as a complimentary cocktail and hors d’oeuvres at 5pm. Enjoying a sundowner in one of the Pacific’s most tranquil settings is one of life’s great pleasures, and a moment you’ll look forward to each day. The days themselves are action-packed. If you’re a nature-lover, you’ll revel in the opportunities to get out, on and under the water. Sail a Hobie Cat, splash about in a kayak, go fishing for your dinner, or snorkel the reef to your heart’s content. As you’d expect from a resort with Cousteau in the name, there are also opportunities to sample some of the world’s best coral reef diving. Whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced scuba diver, the resort offers a range of PADI certified courses and fantastic expeditions.

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Jean-Michel Cousteau beachside dining

We were there for a family holiday, and

central beachside infinity pool. Equipped

rock steps to the bedroom complete

were pleasantly surprised at the quality

with super-thick double-sized day beds,

with romantic four-poster king-sized

of the facilities for kids of all ages. We’ve

it’s the perfect spot to soak up the sun

bed and dedicated ‘his and hers’ walk-in

experienced a wide range of kids’ clubs in

and enjoy some blissful relaxation.

wardrobes. Rich native wood floors and

the Pacific and can confidently state that this is the finest and best-run club we’ve ever come across. In addition to the two

extra-high cathedral ceilings add to the

We were there to enjoy the peaceful ambience, so were pleased to find we’d

feeling of spacious luxury.

been booked into the most private part

Sliding full-length shutters reveal a private

of the Resort. Our three-night stay started

infinity pool complete with large deck,

with a foot rub out on the villa deck. Does

outdoor living and dining area and a

it get any better than that?

poolside bure complete with day bed. The

My 11 year old boy is at an age when

The Villa is the finest accommodation

separate villa is fully self-contained with its

Kids’ Clubs can feel a bit uncool, which

on the site. Hidden inside a high-walled

own kitchen facilities. You could use it as

could have been an issue, except that

compound, our villa comprised two

a second lounge, or you could do as we

it wasn’t. One of the guys at the water

separate pavilions, with the main split-

did, and give the kids their own space.

activities centre found out he loved sailing

level villa’s entire lower level home to a

and then took him out on the Hobie

A villa like this is a holiday in itself, but

rock feature bathroom. A wall of floor-to-

Cat each afternoon. That’s the kind of

with so much to do in the Resort, there

ceiling glass provides plenty of light and

personalised service and attention you

allows you to gaze out over your private

was no danger of our family becoming

won’t find everywhere.

garden while you luxuriate in your sunken

pools, water slide and tennis court, they have an amazing team of nannies (for the toddlers) and buddies (for the older kids).

In case this all makes the Resort sound

rock pool spa.

reclusive. The activities staff will set you up for whatever takes your fancy – from paddle boarding to undersea exploration.

like an action-packed adventure centre

There’s a large double-headed rain shower

Full instruction and training is included, so

for families and groups, I should hasten

with an additional al fresco shower option

you can be sure you’re in safe hands. You

to add that it’s also great for couples on

if you want to feel even closer to nature.

can simply snorkel off the pier or join the

a romantic or child-free getaway. There

Separate ‘his and hers’ vanity areas on

Resort’s resident Marine Biologist on one

are designated adults-only areas including

each side of the room provide another

of the daily boat rides to snorkelling

a separate restaurant, bar and the main

nice touch. Then you walk up the feature

sites nearby.

Award Winning authentic Luxury resort Discover intimate luxury & legendary personal service in a pristine setting. Home to just 25 Fijian style bures, our lifestyle resort overlooking the calm waters of Savusavu Bay welcomes guests of all ages. Relax, enjoy creative gourmet cuisine under the stars, take a guided snorkel trip with our resident marine biologist & discover the surrounding unspoiled natural environment. Our inclusive tariff includes an exclusive nanny for each child under 6 and a Fiji buddy for older children & teens. For our special packages see www.fijiresort.com email: sales@fijiresort.com Tel: 61 3 98150379

www.fijiresort.com 28

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Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort at a glance

Category: Boutique Island Resort. Villa Reviewed: The Villa. What’s great? Incredible for kids and dedicated adult only areas also make it perfect for couples. What’s not so great: It’s a bit of a hike to get out there, but worth it. Editor’s tip: Go for at least five nights to make the most of it. The philosophy that underpins the Resort

The resort uses Nui Health Fiji pure virgin

is strongly rooted in conservation. As

coconut oil harvested locally by the

Jacques Cousteau once said, “people

people of Wailevu Village on the shores of

protect what they love.” The Jean-Michel

Savusavu Bay. Inhale the earthy coconut

Cousteau Resort is perfectly placed to educate and enlighten, as well as provide you with a sumptuous holiday and

aroma and drift off to the sounds of the

Rate: From NZ$1021 per villa per night including all meals and non-alcoholic beverages. The Villa is from NZ$3021 per night. Website: www.fijiresort.com

ocean lapping at the shore. Pure bliss. Location

memories to treasure.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands

Dining each night was a pleasure. As

Resort really is a gem. The conservation

you’d expect, there’s a focus on fresh,

ethos sits well with the idyllic setting and

Villa interior

local ingredients and seafood prepared

unspoilt marine environment. There are

Overall service level

with flair but without undue fuss. Even

no intrusive high-rises or concrete vistas

Food & beverage

the children’s menu made a point of

to spoil the ambience. The service is first

offering healthier and tastier alternatives

class, with 100% natural Fijian warmth.

to the usual burgers and nuggets. Once a week there’s a traditional Fijian lovo feast, and you can even participate in a traditional kava ceremony.

You’ll come away rested, refreshed,

Villa size

Hotel pool Recreational facilities Spa facilities

stimulated and enchanted – a truly

Value for money

magical combination.

Any aches and pains will be well

According to my children, this resort

soothed by the delightful beachside spa

is one of the best places they’ve ever

treatments, or you can indulge with a

experienced. Take my word for it, you’ll

traditional Fijian massage in your bure.

feel the same way too.

85%

Where eco-friendly meets luxury.

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Yasawa Island Resort & Spa Yasawa Island, Fiji Yasawa Island Resort & Spa is an exclusive luxury resort on one of the most remote and unspoiled islands of Fiji. Just 18 luxury beachfront bungalows are hidden amongst the palms, each just a few steps from a pristine white beach. Swim in crystal clear waters, dive on vividly coloured corals, connect with an ancient culture or indulge in Fiji’s first beachfront spa. Whatever you choose to do at Yasawa, you’ll do it in complete seclusion and serenity. From the moment you arrive you will

Take the Ultimate Spa Bonus for only

feel totally relaxed and immersed in the

FJD$450 pp + tax per stay and select any

warmth and friendliness of true

50 minute spa treatment every day of

Fijian hospitality.

your stay. Yes, per stay – the longer you

Yasawa Island Resort & Spa is surrounded by private deserted beaches, nominated in the Top Ten Beaches in the World, each a private paradise waiting to be explored. Order Champagne and board a boat, armed with a picnic basket prepared by the chef. You’ll be delivered to a deserted beach of your own for the

stay the better the value.

“Just 18 luxury beachfront bungalows are hidden amongst the palms, each just a few steps from a pristine white beach.”

day - heaven on earth. Like all meals at

On Yasawa all of the motorised and non-

Yasawa, a private beach picnic is included

motorised water sports, activities, trips

in the tariff.

and tours are complimentary. Go for a

Time to pamper yourself as you enjoy the indulgence of the Baravi Spa – Fiji’s first Beachfront spa – hear the waves

hike, snorkel on pristine coral reefs, visit the blue lagoon caves or take a trip to the local village of Bukama.

gently lapping the shoreline as one of the

On Yasawa there is as much or as little to

highly trained therapists pampers you.

do as you want – the choice is yours.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Honeymoon Bure

Yasawa Island Resort & Spa at a glance

Category: Boutique Island Resort. Suite Reviewed: Deluxe Beachfront Bure. What’s great? Unbelievable location, a truly pristine island with one of the world’s best beaches just steps from your bure. What’s not so great: You can’t travel here with kids unless on a dedicated ‘kids week’. Luckily they have quite a few of these throughout the year. The resort welcomes children over 12 years of age all year round, however. Editor’s tip: Make sure you book a private picnic… lobster, Champagne and a deserted beach for two. Doesn’t get any better! Rate: From NZ$850 per couple per night (based on a 7-night stay) including all meals, non-alcoholic beverages and all activities, trips and tours (excluding diving and fishing). Website: www.yasawa.com

Location Bure size Bure interior Overall service level Food & beverage Hotel pool Recreational facilities Spa facilities Value for money

88.5%

An idyllic escape only dreams are made of.

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Likuliku Lagoon Resort Fiji Islands It is clear from the moment of arrival that a huge amount of time and money has gone into creating an extraordinary property. The Resort fans across a picture-perfect lagoon and arrival by water is via a tiny man-made island (also home to the super cool Masima Bar). We were warmly welcomed with a song, cool towel and cocktail.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Overwater bure

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Immediately to the right was my first

it’s lunch or dinner, dining at the resort’s

a skilled and passionate Executive Chef in

glimpse of a rare treat, and a first for Fiji -

Fijiana Restaurant is a true culinary

the kitchen.

10 overwater bures! These are proving so

experience with a daily-changing mini-

popular one can’t help but wonder why it

degustation menu. We enjoyed

hasn’t been done before.

the stunning lagoon views, from

With only 45 bures in total, Likuliku is able to offer guests privacy and exclusivity

our intimate table for two and were impressed by the menu’s focus on locally

If you want to work off some of your overindulgences, there is a surprisingly well-equipped gym. Or alternatively, try the wealth of water sports on offer.

caught seafood and the best imported

As the island is surrounded by a fringing

produce. We also liked the infusion of

reef, it is ideal for snorkelling right off

Bure, complete with a cute little plunge

the diverse cultures that shape the South

the beach. If you are a diving enthusiast

pool. The bure interior is definitely a step

Pacific, keenly represented by a fresh

you can choose to be transported just

above some of the other similarly priced

modern take in the Pacific-Indo and

minutes away to the Malolo Barrier

alternatives in the region and the clever,

Fijian-Chinese dishes. On Friday nights,

Reef by specialist dive experts. There is

open plan, split level layout makes it

a traditional Lovo and South Pacific

also a selection of island hopping tours

feel far more spacious than it actually is.

barbeque is served, which I thought

available – a great way to explore the

Think rich native-wood floors, plantation

was outstanding. It’s a far cry from your

many beautiful islands of the

shutters and gorgeous interiors. Having

typical backyard barbie, with choices like Moreton Bay bugs, lobster, mud crabs,

Mamanuca group. Likuliku enjoys

our own private plunge pool right on the sand provided the perfect chill-out

tuna, prawns, lamb and imported steaks,

location to soak up the stunning ocean

all cooked to order.

and is the ultimate couples’ haven. We were staying in a Deluxe Beachfront

views and simply relax.

many international accolades as one of the most romantic islands in the world and it is easy to see why. This is a

Apart from the quality, the overall

luxurious sanctuary that delivers privacy,

The cuisine here is undoubtedly some of

presentation also scored highly with me

beauty, island friendliness, style and

the finest I have sampled in Fiji. Whether

and demonstrated the benefit of having

pure bliss in bucket loads.

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Likuliku Lagoon Resort at a glance

Deluxe Beachfront Bure with Plunge Pool

Category: Boutique Island Resort. Bure Reviewed: Deluxe Beachfront Bure. What’s great? The quality of the cuisine and the villas exceeded expectations. What’s not so great: The bedroom area of the bure looks out to the neighbouring bure’s pool and deck. Blinds need to be pulled for extra privacy, but no big deal. Editor’s tip: If you haven’t stayed in an over-water bure before, try these – even if for just a few nights of your Fiji stay. Rate: From NZ$1657 per Bure per night including all meals. Website: www.likulikulagoon.com

Location Bure size Bure interior Overall service level Food & beverage Hotel pool Business needs Recreational facilities Spa facilities Value for money

91.5%

A stunning property.

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Laucala Overwater villa

Fiji Islan ds

It’s all about location In every holiday destination, there are a few properties that stand

out from the pack. They have a certain X-factor – a superior location, an outstanding design or a higher level of service – that means you remember them fondly. These top-class resorts each enjoy the ultimate luxury of their own island, so you can indulge your tropical castaway fantasies.

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Overwater Villa

Peninsula Villa

Laucala Island Resort When people speak of a private island,

Our recommendations are the two-

it’s natural to assume that the island will

bedroom Overwater Villas and the three-

be small. A picturesque speck of land in

bedroom Hilltop Villa. The first is set, as

the ocean, with enough space for a few

its name implies, above an emerald-green

villas and a pool or two. Any larger than

lagoon, with private jetty, hot tub and

that, and the island probably won’t be

private swimming pool carved into the

entirely private.

living rock. The second is resplendent in its

Laucala Island Resort challenges the stereotype. It’s a stunning 3,500-acre piece of paradise with its own extensive

hilltop location, with widescreen views of the surrounding islands and waters. You’ll feel like the king of the whole domain.

coconut plantations, verdant mountains

Laucala’s relatively large size means you

and lush forests. They grow their own

benefit from a wider range of amenities.

organic fruit and vegetables, and run

There are no fewer than five bars and

chicken and cattle farms to supply

restaurants, from the beach bar serving

the resort. There’s a golf course too,

barbecued fish, to The Plantation House

and plenty of stunning beaches. And

with its gourmet cuisine served in the

amongst this magnificence nestle 25

original colonial-style mansion. The 18-hole

gorgeous villas.

championship golf course will have golfers

Laucala is situated to the east of Taveuni

raving about its challenges, while non-

and is nearer to Vanua Levu than Viti

golfers can amuse themselves with cooking

Levu. It’s slightly off the beaten track,

classes, yoga, pilates and spa treatments.

which is part of its appeal. The entire

Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend your

island is the site of the resort, with villas

time in the shade of a palm tree, reading a

sprinkled around the northern coastline.

good book. No problem. At Laucala Island

With such a spacious location, each villa

Resort, the only thing that’s compulsory is

feels very private and exclusive.

relaxation. www.laucala.com

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Peninsula Villa

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Laucala main pool

The Royal Villa

Vomo Island Resort Vomo Island is a private island resort in the magic triangle

holiday home with three pavilions and accommodation for up

formed by the Mamanucas, the Yasawas and Viti Levu. If you

to eight guests.

want to escape the cares of the modern world, nothing beats the feeling of arriving by boat or helicopter to a place where everything is devoted to your comfort.

Then there’s the ultimate getaway – The Royal Villa. This exclusive residence has three bathrooms with ensuites, a separate living area, private pool and daybed. Extra-high cathedral pitched

But Vomo isn’t just a beautiful offshore hideaway. The resort

ceilings, rich hardwood floors and dark timber panelled walls

has been carefully developed with just 30 accommodations that

with mood lighting combine to create a cool, sophisticated

offer you an escalating choice of luxury. You could opt for the

interior straight out of the pages of Vogue. Coupled with the

Beachfront Villas, with their private decks just a few metres from

privacy that an acre of land provides, it’s easy to see why The

the water, or the Villas on the Hill with their garden and hillside

Royal Villa is the preferred choice of paparazzi-shy celebrities

views. Or splash out on The Residence – a palatial beachfront

and the well-heeled.

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Beachfront Villa

The Island’s setting is a huge part of its appeal. Soft white-sand

a pampering foot ritual. The spa menu has been extended

beaches surround the Resort and peaceful azure waters lap the

to include treatments like the Warm Shell Massage, where

shores. There’s fine snorkelling and the chance to escape to

sustainable, locally sourced tiger cowrie shells are gently

nearby Vomo Lailai Island for a day’s swimming and picnicking

swept across the body. Shells are also delicately placed over

on deserted beaches. When night falls, you’ll find yourself

the guest’s ears so that the whisper of the Pacific Ocean

drawn to the beachside Vuda Bar in time for a sundowner or

can travel through their body and soul and settle on their

two. Dining is a highlight too, with the choice of private dining

inner being.

in your villa or gorgeous seafood in the Reef Restaurant.

Vomo Island is the perfect example of something that’s

Vomo recently opened their new Senikai Spa that specialises

frequently sought but rarely found: the ideal island getaway.

in indigenous therapies using naturally based ingredients.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, an extended family

Each spa experience begins with a taste of Fiji’s crystallized

break or a romantic escape, it delivers the goods.

ginger and a chilled glass of tropical guava juice followed by

www.vomofiji.com

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The Rocks Bar

Turtle Island In this frenetic, fast-paced world, where business and family responsibilities sometimes collide, it can be hard to find ‘couple time.’ So here’s a suggestion: take your significant other on a romantic escape. Choose an island resort with an exclusive feel, so the two of you can re-connect in tranquility. At Turtle Island you’ll stay in one of just 14 exquisite bures, located a discreet distance from each other. The idyllic blue lagoon is just steps away, so you’re never far away from the soothing embrace of the waters. Accommodation options include the Grand Bure, with its extensive dressing area, walk-in double shower and queensized day bed on the deck, and the slightly smaller Deluxe Bure. All bures are beautifully fitted out with bespoke art and evocative handcrafted items. Many are named after celebrity guests, so you could find yourself luxuriating in Brooke’s Bure. (That’s Brooke Shields, if you haven’t guessed.) During the day you’ll find the relaxing

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ambience works its magic. You can reserve one of the white-sand beaches on this private island for a day, and get the Turtle Island team to drop you off complete with a picnic lunch of lobster and Champagne. As night falls there are tough decisions to make regarding dining. Will it be a candle-lit dinner for two on a floating pontoon in the middle of the lagoon, or a table set up at the end of the dock, on the beach, or on top of a mountain? The choice is yours. Wherever your table is set up you’ll enjoy five-star Pacific Rim cuisine, with a starring role played by locally caught seafood and the island’s own fruit and vegetables.

Grand Bure

Royal Davui Island is an adults only resort offering guests a level of Fijian luxury, elegance and privacy not found in todays larger resorts. With only 16 Vales set amidst 10 acres of lush tropical landscape, every guest enjoys the best of both worlds – genuine care and warmth that the staff know you by name, as well as the privacy and freedom to be secluded in your own tropical oasis. BULA VINAKA ~ Welcome to Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji

Owner Richard Adamson and his family take their host role seriously. They have drawn on traditional Fijian culture and building styles, added the best of the modern world, and infused the mix with world-class service standards. Guests rave about the hospitality and often refer to the Turtle Island staff as their ‘Turtle family.’ They tend to return often. We’re picking you will, too. www.turtlefiji.com

royaldavuifiji.com

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This page clockwise from top left: Water skiing with Adrenalin Fiji; Gourmet cuisine onboard Unique Cruises; Unique Cruises; Pure Fiji spa treatment; Pure Fiji spa door

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Fiji ex perien c es Story: Philip Tetley-Jones

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This page: detail shots onboard Unique Cruises, Bottom left: Island Hoppers fixed wing aircraft

What’s your idea of holiday bliss? Does it involve a pool,

peaks of the Mount Evans range. See another side of Fiji

sunshine, some undemanding reading and a cool drink or

– lush, forest-clad mountainsides, tumbling waterfalls and

two served at the appropriate hour? If so, you’re in luck.

precipitous cliffs. It’ll make you even more appreciative of

Fiji is only a few hours away, and you’ll find some absolutely

the sun loungers and manicured sands back at the resort.

gorgeous resorts ready to fulfil your needs. Or do you enjoy a little more stimulation on holiday? Do you like to get your heart rate up and your adrenaline pumping? Are you energised by challenges and excited by the chance to escape your comfort zone? Fiji has been working hard to look after visitors like you, too.

the air, don’t worry. Fiji has plenty of water-based activities too. You could book a jet ski safari and spend two to three hours on a water-borne excursion led by a trained guide. Or how about learning to sail a Hobie Cat? Operators such as Adrenalin Fiji have a range of packages to suit all levels

The buzzword in travel today is “experiences.” Travel

of skill.

operators have realised that novelty and excitement don’t

Maybe you’re over the whole resort thing altogether. Maybe

just appeal to hardcore thrill seekers. Luxury and adventure

you have a hankering to experience life on an ocean wave

aren’t mutually exclusive – in fact, they can be ideal partners.

– with a touch of luxury, of course. Sounds like you’re a

Is there anything nicer than trying a new experience and

candidate for a luxury yacht charter.

then returning to your five-star accommodation, ready to unwind in very plush surroundings?

Operators such as Unique Charters can arrange a catamaran with all the mod cons. Step on board a sleek 16.3-metre cat

You could start your holiday with a joy ride. That’s a

with its own captain and an accomplished stewardess/cook

helicopter joy ride, to be precise. Scenic flights are booming

to take care of your creature comforts. A six-day itinerary

in Fiji, with daily flights taking off on a daily basis from

could take you cruising through the Mamanuca and Yasawa

Denarau Island.

island groups, calling into various impossibly beautiful

Island Hoppers offer helicopter packages starting from

beaches along the way.

10-minute joy rides around Nadi Bay, to 30-minute tours

You can help the skipper by hoisting the sails or you can

over the islands of the Mamanuca group and the awesome

simply soak up the sun on deck. Then relax at sundown with

No crowds, no queues, no limits. Just the song of the ocean and the wind in your sails. Welcome aboard UniQue, your private floating resort, with four air-conditioned double cabins, your own chef and Fiji’s 333 islands at your door. This is the way paradise was meant to be explored.

Call (679) 707 5634 or visit uniquechartersfiji.com

If you’d like to go exploring but aren’t so keen on taking to

Winner AON Fiji Excellence in corporate Tourism Awards Your ultimate luxury and travel 2013 resource. Charters

Clockwise from top: Relaxing on Unique Cruises’ catamaran deck, S/Y Fiji Siren deck, S/Y Fiji Siren cabin

chilled drinks and sleep soundly in air-conditioned comfort –

After you’ve flown, sailed, kayaked, fished and dived your

it’s certainly a wonderful way of experiencing Fiji.

way across Fiji, we strongly recommend a session or two

For an offshore experience with more traditional trimmings,

in one of Fiji’s world-class spas. Most five-star resorts, and

try a ‘live-aboard’ diving boat such as the S/Y Fiji Siren.

many boutique ones, offer an excellent range of therapies

Handcrafted in Sulawesi from ironwood and teak, this is

and beauty treatments.

the romantic way to cruise. With double or twin-bedded cabins, an outdoor dining area under the soaring sails, plus dedicated spaces for video and dive gear, the S/Y Siren is an outstanding choice for those who love exploring the ocean in every dimension. Fiji offers some of the world’s best dive experiences, and a live-aboard sailing ship is surely the best

Best of all, your Fiji spa experience doesn’t have to end when you board the plane to go home. With products from the Pure Fiji range, you can enjoy the best skin, body and hair care every day. The Pure Fiji range uses local tropical products such as cold-pressed virgin coconut, dilo nut oil and plant-

way to encounter them.

based peptides to improve skin tone.

But not every Fiji experience involves adventures in the great

Every holiday experience should leave you looking and

outdoors. There’s a lot to be said for taking time out

feeling refreshed. With this one, the benefits will continue

indoors, as well.

long after the tan has faded.

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Vanuatu

The new frontier of luxury travel If “getting away from it all” is what you seek in a luxury holiday, Vanuatu should be near the top of your shopping list. Part of the Melanesian Island chain that stretches from the Solomon Islands down to New Caledonia, this young country offers volcanoes, pristine beaches, lush jungles, coral reefs and cultural diversity. The welcome is as warm as the climate, with cheerful greetings wherever you go. Traditional village life continues as it always has, with a veneer of French and English ways dating from the colonial era, when the country was jointly ruled by both European powers under the title of the New Hebrides. You could start your initiation into Ni-Van ways with a stay at one of the many resorts near the capital of Port Vila. If you’re feeling more adventurous, consider a trip to Tanna Island, with its fertile organic gardens and perpetually rumbling volcano, or picturesque Pentecost, where bungee jumping was invented by thrill-seeking young men using nothing but vines and rickety-looking platforms. Vanuatu offers all-inclusive resorts as well as some very luxurious private villas and palmfringed hideaways. Don’t expect high-rise hotels and streets packed with party-goers – Vanuatu’s not that kind of place. There’s delicious seafood, stunning sunsets and genuine smiles everywhere you turn.

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The Terraces infinity pool

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The Havannah Vanuatu It is our first visit to Efate the main island of Vanuatu. Feeling like celebrities avoiding the paparazzi in our swish air-conditioned van we are whisked away to the North West coast of the island. The drive is pleasant, winding through scenic bush and passing by local villages where groups of children are playing after school sports. As we descend down the hill towards the coast we can see the most spectacular views out over the islands and Havannah Bay. Our knowledgeable driver enlightens us with some interesting history of the area about how the U.S. used it as a naval base and place to shelter during World War II. Shipwrecks and archaeological sites are a reminder of what once happened here and are now a draw-card for wreck divers and some of the best deep-sea fishing in the South Pacific.

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The purpose of our trip is to find peace and tranquility and to enjoy one of the most awarded and luxurious beachfront resorts on the Island – The Havannah. General Manager, Frederick, is of French origin and has been in charge of some large international hotels around the world. He greets us by saying, “welcome to one of the most beautiful places on earth” and gestures with open arms to follow him from the main entrance foyer through the restaurant and out onto the beachfront deck – we don’t disagree. A very large super yacht is anchored a few metres offshore and a table for two is set up on the jetty with another on

the

beachfront,

perfectly

framed

with flowering bright pink Bougainvillea flowers. Two large Havannah cocktails appear on the table especially for us. In true celeb status, we sip and enjoy our drink while Frederick tells us about The Havannah, why it is so special and what to expect during our stay. “There are no children here,” he says politely, and continues in a most genuine Parisian

accent, “what matters to us at The Havannah is what matters to you. We want you to have the most memorable time of your life here and we would like you to come back in the future.” He suggests a few things we may like to do and places to explore before we head to our waterfront villa to relax and unwind Havannah-style before dinner.

kitchenette area for coffee and tea making

Our villa is so private and literally only a few steps away from the beach. A swinging day bed is positioned on the front deck to capture the sunrise or for relaxing and reading a book in the shade. Also positioned for views is a salt-water infinity edged plunge pool, perfect for cooling off in seclusion, or if you can’t be bothered making the short distance to the beach.

lily and coconut oils are neatly arranged.

Through the double front doors, the villa interior is light and spacious, studiostyle with polished split-level floors.

7-metre saltwater infinity pool complete

A lounge area on the lower level and master bedroom on the upper with a king-sized bed, centrally located to maximise the views out through the open louvre doors to Havannah Bay. There’s a

area, a swinging day bed pavilion and a

Deluxe Waterfront Villa

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and bar fridge stocked at your request. Behind the master bedroom room, a double vanity bathroom complete with walk-in monsoon shower and a gloriously deep bath with sea views awaits. To complement

the

bathroom

setting,

tropical garden flowers, organic toiletries and local hand crafted soaps from ginger,

The Havannah has five lagoon pool villas, four garden villas and six villas on the waterfront, all built for privacy but connected by manicured pathways amongst lush tropical gardens. We took the opportunity to view the two new Beachfront Deluxe Villas groomed and ready for guests. They each feature a with sun loungers in the shallow end, a large outdoor landscaped garden bath patio dining setting that extends out over the beach and comes complete with its own outdoor BBQ. One of the resort’s chefs will come and cook dinner at your

villa table or if you prefer to be on your

The

own, simply order the ingredients and

everything

entertain yourselves in total privacy. For

fresh and generous in portion. Prawn

lengthy stays this means you can alternate

bruschetta, slow cooked pork belly on

between the restaurant and private dining.

bok choy, raw fish sliced carpaccio, lamb

We took a short stroll before dinner to feel the fine white sand between our toes in a magical setting just like a postcard in paradise – no photo re-touching needed! We discovered on the beachfront a massive water sports shed that looks a bit like an

produce

was

locally

sourced

beautifully

and

The Havannah at a glance

presented,

shanks with side of greens, island beef fillet topped with prawns and potato gratin. Plus a crème brûlée Ni-Van style that we dared to fit in. The beverage menu has a great collection of local beers, New Zealand, Australian and French wines to complement the food, with a full list

Deluxe Waterfront Villa

(non-motorised) to enjoy the water, with

of spirits.

Category: Beachfront resort.

helpful staff to kit you up to paddle board,

After dinner we retired (a polite way of

Villa Reviewed: Waterfront Villa.

kayak, sail or snorkel. We chose fins, mask

saying we waddled off) to our private villa

and snorkel with a plan to be up for an

– with the doors open and louvres pulled,

early morning paddle before breakfast

we drifted off to sleep to the gentle sound

the next day. The Havannah also works

of waves lapping on the shoreline.

up turned canoe. There is everything here

in conjunction with a PADI dive centre. Guests can choose from 17 dive sites, all within 15-minutes of the resort. Fishing charters can be booked in advance too – the reef and game fish are prolific, plenty of Yellow Fin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Marlin to name a few. Or take a more leisurely boat ride on a sunset cruise out in the bay

The average stay at The Havannah is 6-7 nights, which as we found out, would be a minimum stay to enjoy everything there is to offer here. I can understand why people end up by wanting to stay longer. Sadly we only had one night before we headed off to explore the rest of the island for the

with a glass of Champagne.

first time.

There are land base activities too, namely

In the morning we walked straight from

pétanque and tennis. Plus the Resort’s day spa set within the tropical gardens. On the spa menu are enticing treatments

our villa onto the beach and snorkelled our way around to the reef noticing all kinds of colorful fish and coral beneath us,

like ‘Feet First’ (a reviving foot scrub with

then swam back to our villa to rinse off

acupressure), ‘Tension Tamer’ to relieve

and pack our bags before heading to the

back, neck and shoulders, as well as

restaurant for breakfast.

full body, hot stone and aromatherapy

The staff greeted us by first name and

massages. You can even design your own

seemed very happy to see us. Frederick

spa therapy. Once you’ve mellowed out,

was busy getting ready to take guests out

I recommend settling in to one of the

for a day cruise on a catamaran, but not

loungers set up on the beach, ordering

too busy to come and ask us how well

a cocktail or two and watching the day go by.

we had slept. He also ordered us both a hot cup of espresso. “The coffee beans

What’s great? The interior and exterior décor is fresh and beautifully themed with loads of attention to detail. Very private stand alone villas and the staff are on first name basis – a nice touch. What’s not so great: When we arrived, the drop-off area seemed to be a bit disconnected from the main entrance, not too far, but visually. Once we were shown to the resort lobby, we were blown away by the friendly reception and the spectacular views. Editor’s tip: Stay in the new Deluxe Waterfront Villas and spend a week feeling like a movie star. Make use of the water sports equipment, be a little adventurous and explore the bay. Editor’s note: The Havannah has a no children policy. Rate: From NZ$550 per night for a Garden Villa. From NZ$840 per night for a Waterfront Villa including breakfast. Website: www.thehavannah.com Location Villa size

Dinner at the restaurant ‘The Point’ is

are grown and roasted on the island. We

quietly sophisticated, the service friendly

source as much as we can locally,” he

Villa interior

and efficient yet unimposing, with 270°

said. The pineapple juice, fruit plate and

Overall service level

views of Havannah Bay. Frederick makes

scrambled eggs, tasted deliciously fresh.

Food & beverage

time to have a convivial chat as guests

As did the croissants and bread baked

sit down for dinner. He works the room

on the premises. We said our farewell to

as we work through ordering our courses

Frederick and watched as the boat slipped

Business needs

under the magnificent and softly lit open

off quietly into the bay. Our breakfast

Recreational facilities

side bure; we dine alfresco under the stars

stretched into a leisurely brunch. If it was

in the garden area. Jonathon our waiter

humanly possible to be any more laid back,

is local to Havannah, he is quietly spoken

we would have been horizontal. Our driver

and a bit shy but has a friendly warmth as

arrived on time to transfer us across to

he delivers each course with a smile and

Port Vila, so time to say au revoir à bientôt

comes back to check that we are happy

(see you soon) to The Havannah and its

with our choices.

friendly staff.

Hotel pool

Spa facilities Value for money

91%

A quietly sophisticated resort.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Eratap Beach Resort Vanuatu

Less than 20-minutes drive from Port Vila resides Eratap Beach Resort. Situated on its own mini peninsula, the resort enjoys an idyllic position set amongst tropical gardens with three gorgeous beaches to choose from. It’s an enchanting natural setting and the resort has been designed to blend harmoniously into the landscape. With just 12 villas, the place has a private and exclusive feel, as if you have your own personal beach to relax on. All the villas enjoy beachfront locations with panoramic views of the surrounding islands, which further adds to the sensation of a secluded retreat. The buildings themselves are solidly

Eratap has the classic beach resort

constructed of painted masonry with

layout, with a main house (Nakamal)

clean lines and good attention to detail.

plus a palm-fringed pool for cooling

Thatched roofs are beautifully detailed

off in and acres of landscaped gardens

and the use of quality woods hints at

to wander through. The main house

indigenous Melanesian style with a

has an inviting clubhouse atmosphere,

touch of Bali. Our three-bedroom villa

with a bar in the centre and wireless

is situated towards the far end of the

access for your laptop. Sit back with a

resort, right at the tip of the peninsula. It

cocktail and check your email if you

truly feels as if we’ve arrived at the end

must, or simply take in the sights and

of the road, with relaxation at the top of

sounds of this beautiful location. You

the agenda.

can chat to your fellow escapees from

Two of their villas have recently had

civilisation or with the resort’s owners,

their own private plunge pool added, so

Tony and Louisa. An Australian couple,

guests can simply step off their lounge

they have a real passion for the property,

deck into the water. From here it’s a

having developed it from scratch and

matter of watching the lapping waves,

implemented their vision of a boutique

gazing out to the neighbouring islands

retreat on the unspoilt Vanuatu coast.

or a golden sunset in the early evening.

Their contagious optimism is a great

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Pool Villa

trait in the hospitality industry, and a reminder that this style of owneroperated luxury is one of the best ways to enjoy a South Pacific holiday.

yellowfin tuna and barracuda are all

After unpacking our bags and beginning the process of de-stressing, our first stop was the restaurant. The menu changes daily and quality was superb, taking advantage of the excellent fresh seafood and organically grown produce sourced by the chef. Try the local poulet, which is a deep-sea fish, and not chicken as your French vocabulary might tell you. The wine list includes a broad selection of Australian, New Zealand and French vintages to complement the cuisine.

village. Many of the villagers are on the

As amicable as the hospitality may be, it’s the natural setting that takes centre stage at a beach resort – and it’s here that Eratap comes into its own. The beach is simply stunning, with a lagoon opening out onto dozens of pristine islands and deserted beaches. The Resort provides two long boats and the knowledgeable staff are happy to take you on a cruise around the islands. Gaze at the colourful coral reefs or take advantage of the snorkelling gear, kayaks and reef shoes provided to explore the undersea world. Good surfing is also available, and if you fancy a spot of fishing, that’s easy to arrange too. Giant trevally, marlin,

available at different times of the year.

Eratap Beach Resort at a glance

As with many resorts in Vanuatu, Eratap has a symbiotic relationship with its local staff and they are happy to invite guests

Category: Beach Resort. VIlla Reviewed: Three Bedroom Villa.

to visit their village as part of a cultural immersion. This sort of arrangement has positive outcomes for everyone, with the local people benefiting from the injection of cash into their community and visitors enjoying a relaxed guest arrangement with their hosts rather than a soulless corporate experience. Children are welcome at certain times of the year, and the resort makes an extra effort to provide them with the sort of enriching experiences they won’t get at other destinations. For instance, they’ll be shown how to catch sardines off the jetty and then taught how to make a fire without matches to cook their catch on the beach. It seems so simple, but as every parent knows, these are the sorts of experiences that live on in the memory. We emerged from our stay at Eratap Beach Resort with a real affection for its understated charm. It’s a tranquil place in which to unwind and enjoy some quality time.

What’s great? Having access to snorkelling equipment, reef shoes, ocean kayaks and longboats with knowledgeable boatmen to take you to neighbouring islands, the coral reefs or on fishing excursions. What’s not so great: The standard of the food is very high and although there is a daily specials board, if you are staying for a length of time there can be a bit of repetition. Editor’s tip: Definitely make use of the kayaks and longboats to go exploring whether it be above or below the water. Rate: From NZ$640 per night for a 1-bedroom villa. From NZ$720 per night for a 1-bedroom pool villa. From NZ$840 per night for the 3-bedroom pool villa. Rates include daily breakfast and return airport transfers. Website: www.eratap.com

Location Villa size Villa interior Overall service level Food & beverage Hotel pool Business needs Recreational facilities Spa facilities Value for money

A destination of choice for travellers seeking luxury in the Pacific. Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 59

89%

Two Bedroom Apartment

The Terraces Vanuatu

The Terraces, named for its geographical location, perched high on the hillside just minutes from the town centre, is one of the most modern accommodation offerings in Port Vila. Without a doubt it has the most elevated and commanding views of Erakor Lagoon looking over sprawling tree top canopies towards the turquoise tropical waters that surround the island. As you swing in to the open front entrance

dressing room and bathroom with a deep

to the resort, there is a calm sense of

stone bath and walk-in shower. I could

arrival. We are welcomed by the owner

easily live here. Callum laughed when

manager, Callum. As a young lad he grew

I told him that this was larger than our

up near the foot of the Southern Alps

two-bedroom city apartment back home,

of New Zealand so has an appreciation

which we considered to be quite roomy.

of natural surroundings. Callum and his

“We designed the apartments with a

wife Michelle have designed and built

high roof stud to give you the feeling of

The Terraces to incorporate the views

spaciousness,” he commented as we head

and cater to the needs of guests looking

back downstairs. He points out a second

for that unforgettable experience away

bathroom and a fully-equipped kitchen.

from home.

Everything is big, a six-seater dining room

The Terraces reflect a boutique luxury style resort with 16 spacious apartments designed especially for the tropical lifestyle. The apartments are a mixture of generously proportioned one and two-bedrooms spanning over two levels and connected

table, a deep corner lounge suite, floor to ceiling glass windows and highly polished tiled floors. The doors open onto a private deck and plunge pool – all perfectly appointed to capture the breeze and maximise the views.

by a grand staircase to take full advantage

The Terraces’ main infinity edged pool

of natural light. The living room, kitchen

is for general use and a hub for rest and

and dining area are on the ground floor.

relaxation. A nice place to laze around

Callum shows us upstairs, where I discover

on the sun loungers or on the over-water

the largest bed I have ever seen, spacious

cabana. For those who like to be more

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Terraces infinity pool

The Terraces at a glance

Category: Boutique Apartments. Apartment Reviewed: Terrace One Bedroom Apartment. What’s great? Super spacious apartment style accommodation. Very modern, well maintained, with spectacular views. What’s not so great: It‘s high up on the hill if you want to walk anywhere but wellworth it for the views. Editor’s tip: Take a good pair of walking shoes, it’s so close to Vila shops you will want to go exploring. Editor’s note: The Terraces prefer their guests to be aged 5 years and over. Rate: From NZ$440 per night for Terrace One Bedroom Apartment. Website: www.theterracesvanuatu.com

active, below the top level of apartments

It’s very easy to see why The Terraces

is a tennis court and modern gym.

has become so popular for weddings,

Adjacent to The Terraces is the popular Mangoes Restaurant and Bar. The dining experience is superb. You can dine in the restaurant or order from the full room service menu with charge back facility to The Terraces. I highly recommend the

Location

honeymooners and groups. They can

Apartment size

tailor a bespoke honeymoon package,

Apartment interior

including an island massage from Ni-Van trained staff that will ease away any aches

Overall service level

and pains. At their tour desk you can book

Food & beverage

your excursions and activities. The location

Hotel pool

is great also with only a ten-minute walk to

Business needs

food here, it’s very hard to keep away

Port Vila township. The staff are so helpful

from Mangoes – we kept dropping in on

and have a wealth of local knowledge.

our way past for a light snack, pre-dinner

It’s like a mini information centre with

drinks, dinner and breakfast. They also

loads of brochures on what to do around

offer a self-cater option during your stay.

the Islands. We hired a scooter for the

Email or call in advance and they will stock

day, what a blast and a great way to zip

the pantry for you.

around Port Vila.

Recreational facilities Value for money

83%

A spacious, well serviced apartment.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Vanuatu’s

Star Performers

If variety is the spice of life, you’ll find plenty to please your palate in Vanuatu. One of the South Pacific’s less well-known destinations boasts a surprisingly varied crop of hotels and resorts. There are slick international resorts, boutique luxury villas and funky one-off hideaways bursting with character.

62 Deluxe Villa

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

One Bedroom Villa

Ratua Private Island Off the southeastern tip of Espiritu Santo Island lies another

the environment as nature intended. It’s a low-rise, sustainably

smaller island, sheltered and remote. Ratua Private Island is

run place where the service is heartfelt and the amenities are

the home of a resort unlike any other – a wild and naturally

bespoke. You can dine on the catch of the day in the Yacht

beautiful place where horses and chickens roam freely, and

Club dining room or relax over a casual beach barbecue.

38 lucky guests stay in 200-year old Indonesian-style houses.

Organic fruit and vegetables from the island’s own gardens are

Ratua Private Island is a true hideaway that will appeal to

plentiful and delicious.

nature lovers and those seeking an alternative to the norm.

This is a resort that will appeal to those who want to

There are 13 villas in total, arranged in three discrete villages

escape the modern world. Get close to nature and push the

around the island. Each villa is furnished in eclectic style with

boundaries – perhaps by booking the unique Safari Tent

vintage items and artwork. Residents enjoy private beach

accommodation surrounded by lush vegetation near the

access and restorative views of the lush gardens or tropical

water’s edge. It could be the most romantic honeymoon ever,

seascapes. Your wake-up call is likely to be a cock’s crow. Call

or simply a reminder that nature rules in this remote and

it rustic chic. This is a place to kick off your shoes and enjoy

beautiful place. www.ratua.com

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Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa Erakor Residence Sometimes you want the amenities of a well-developed resort as well as the privacy of a luxury villa. With the Erakor Residence, that’s exactly what you get. This beautifully appointed twobedroom villa has an enviable position on the beach front, with uninterrupted lagoon views over your private lawn. At the same time you’ll have access to all the good things the Warwick Le Lagon Resort offers. There’s a kids’ club, two tennis courts, a 12-hole golf course, three restaurants and the Oasis Spa. The Residence itself comes with air conditioning, its own private plunge pool and a spacious furnished living area. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the personalised Ambassador Service, which encompasses personal check-in, private dining, and canapés and Champagne served at sunset on your deck. Your Ambassador is available to take care of all the details while you get on with enjoying your holiday. Port Vila is only a few minutes away, so you’ll find it a simple matter to head into town for dinner or hire a car for a bit of island exploration. But perhaps you’ll be perfectly content to stay in the resort and enjoy the swimming, sports and a spot of spa luxury. Enjoy the seclusion or jump right into the action – it’s your choice. www.warwickhotels.com/le-lagon-resort

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Erakor Residence

I S L A N D S

Air Vanuatu - The ONLY airline providing business class seats between Auckland and Port Vila.

The ONLY airline offering convenient middle day arrivals and departures at Auckland every Wednesday and Saturday ensuring connections to and from all NZ domestic airports. The ONLY airline offering fantastic childrens fares! We know our place better than anyone

airvanuatu.com

airvanuatu@airvanuatu.co.nz www.vanuatu.travel Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Villa 25 Imagine settling in for a stay in your own luxury villa complete with infinity pool, private beach and all services catered on demand. It sounds like a fantasy, but it’s a reality at Villa 25. This boutique resort in a gated community is just a five minutes drive from Port Vila, with easy access to the restaurants and adventurous attractions of Efate island. You could enjoy this perfect venue for a romantic escape, or book out all three villas on the property for a rendezvous with extended family and friends. Each of the spacious two-bedroom villas enjoys sea views and is well-equipped with WiFi and an in-villa entertainment system. But you’ll almost certainly be spending most of your time outdoors, swimming in the infinity pool, splashing about in the complimentary kayaks and paddle boards, or even learning to scuba dive in the pool with the help of professional instructors. If you’ve already attained underwater proficiency you’ll be pleased to know that one of Vanuatu’s best dive areas is just a short swim from the beach. We were greeted on arrival by the manager Kris, who handed us a mobile phone preprogrammed with her number and the numbers of their private drivers. Kris also pointed out one of the resort’s unusual features – a communal pavilion called The Lowana. It’s the ideal place for guests to gather, relax over cocktails and create meals using the local produce. If you’d prefer a holiday free of cooking, Kris will arrange a professional chef to prepare your meals and even provide picnic hampers to take on excursions. Alternatively, you can request a ride into town to dine at one of Port Vila’s restaurants. Villa 25 ticks a whole lot of boxes: exclusivity, privacy, a beautiful setting, plus the perfect blend of concierge service with the freedom to do as much or as little as we felt like. It’s Vanuatu’s best-kept secret – although perhaps not for much longer. www.vanuatuaccommodation.vu

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Villa 25 infinity pool

Air Vanuatu Business Class The Facts Plane: Boeing 737-800. Cabin: 8 Business Class seats, configuration 2 + 2. Seat: Extra wide seat, pitch 39°, width 20.5”. Entertainment: Top-rating TV and radio shows. Extras: In-flight magazine ‘Island Spirit’, blanket, cushion and pre take-off drinks.

Air Vanuatu Business Class

Service: Ni-Van inflight crew, friendly and super efficient. Toilets: Very clean. Route: Auckland to Port Vila direct.

Story: Janice Burmaz

There is always something satisfying that

Champagne, followed by a crispy crab

happens as you are preparing to head

meat and cucumber salad. The boneless

away on holiday or for business – the

lamb shank served with potato and pan

anticipation of boarding the plane and

jus at just the right temperature simply

what will follow.

melted in the mouth. Then the coconut

Today we are flying Air Vanuatu to Port

crème caramel accompanied by crème

Vila from Auckland. We board, sip on

fraîche certainly hit my sweet spot. I

pre take-off Champagne, the cabin door

should have stopped there but the trio of

closes and the plane starts to taxi onto

fine cheeses that followed included my

the runway. Safety briefing complete and

favorite Kikorangi blue with quince paste,

we’re up and away into the clouds. Most business class flights are set up for passengers with the purpose of catching up on their work. However, Air Vanuatu’s offering is about getting down to the business of making sure that

A full bar service is available inflight with a quality variety of French, red, white and sparkling wines. Nambawan and Tusker beers locally produced from Vanuatu, spirits, liqueurs and a Tawny Port round

three hours, friendly and efficient Ni-Van

out the list.

(local Vanuatu) crew serve five courses

To end this magnifique glory of

certainly will keep you busy. Our tables are laid with a starched cloth, a white monogrammed button holed linen napkin (every airline should

Price: NZ$1158 round trip plus taxes approx $235.

dried figs and apricots.

your flight is most enjoyable. In just over

of restaurant quality food, which most

Flight time: Depart midday every Wednesday and Saturday (3 hours 15 mins), depart Port Vila 0700 hours (3 hours) – also departs from Australia Sydney 6x p/week, Brisbane 3x p/week, Melbourne 1x p/week.

gastronomy, freshly brewed coffee made from Vanuatu’s Tanna Island beans is by far the best inflight coffee I have ever had. With not so many bells and whistles, the

have this, saves those nasty spill stains

Boeing 737-800 business class cabin was

down your front) and real table cutlery.

very comfortable, with plenty of wriggle

The Melanesian styled five-course meal

room and leg space and the experience

commences with a petite assortment

certainly great value for money.

of tasty canapés and more French

Très bien.

Airport Lounge: Air Vanuatu shares Air New Zealand’s Koru Club lounge in Auckland and all of its privileges – in Port Vila, Harry Bauer’s Club Lounge is quite small but has a nice comfortable area with fully stocked drinks fridge, TV, view of the runway and very friendly service. Website: www.airvanuatu.com

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wild

in vanuatu

Story: Philip Tetley-Jones

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Clockwise from top left: Diving the President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo; Tanna Coffee; Jet-skiing; Friendly local children; The Summit Gardens & Café

If you’re the sort of person who craves

They’ll teach you the basics, or if you’re

and Café. Recently opened and great for

thrills and discovery as a counterpoint to

already a reasonably accomplished diver,

a coffee and sweet treat while gazing out

everyday life, Vanuatu has a lot to offer.

they can take you up to instructor level.

to panoramic views over Mele Bay. Their

This relaxed island nation has noticed

Best of all, Big Blue will take you to the

labyrinth of tropical gardens is 200-

the trend towards adventure holidays,

most amazing dive sites in the region,

metres above sea level and spreads over

and responded by turning its natural

including wreck, reef and even sunken

10 hectares, the largest in the South

attractions into tourist drawcards. The

plane dives.

Pacific. Also at the Summit there is a

But there’s a lot more to Vanuatu than

sandalwood plantation and a working

watery exploits. Adventurous souls may

essential oil distillery.

want to take to the air. In which case, we

Vanuatu has even more attractions to

recommend the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline.

offer on the outer islands of Tanna and

Imagine whizzing through the jungle

Espiritu Santo. Tanna’s rich volcanic soils

canopy, 80-metres above the ground, on

support a flourishing coffee industry,

a 200-metre zipline. You’ll be treated to

and a trip to the Tanna Coffee Roasting

breathtaking views down to Mele Bay

Factory is a must for all caffeine

but you’ll probably be too hyped to

enthusiasts. A bag of freshly roasted

last few years have seen a proliferation of experience-based tourist activities to complement the tranquil resorts and sunny beaches of Vanuatu’s 83 islands. The island of Efate is a natural starting point. Home to the capital Port Vila and a number of well-developed resorts, it also offers you the chance to abseil down a waterfall and explore the undersea world – all on the same day if you want.

take it all in. Never mind – there are

coffee could be the perfect memento

Edge Vanuatu can take you on a guided

no fewer than six ziplines and two

of your visit to one of the Pacific’s

abseil down the 50-metre high Mele

suspension bridges, so you’ll have plenty

hidden corners.

Cascades Waterfall, just 20 minutes out

of opportunities to drink in the views and

of Port Vila. You’ll be picked up from your

snap those all-important selfies.

hotel, driven to the site and given full

Or discover the true essence of Vanuatu on a gourmet food Safari with

Having acquired the taste for airborne

Christiana Kaluscha, a passionate cook

adventures, the next item on your

and host. Spend the day visiting the

halfway down and finish with a dip in the

Vanuatu bucket list should be parasailing.

markets and learning to cook with exotic

swimming hole at the bottom.

The people at Port Vila Parasailing will

fresh local produce – a unique and fun

strap you into a harness and gently tow

culinary experience.

training before descending the waterfall. Check out the hidden jungle cave

Or how about booking a two-in-one tour with the country’s leading indigenous tour operator, Evergreen Vanuatu? Make the Mele Cascades descent in the morning and follow it with a light lunch at the new riverside café before being

you across the waters of Port Vila harbour. Feel the air rush in your face, and then feel yourself lift off and soar 60-metres above the waves. It’s a uniquely high-rise way to experience the sights of a low-

Finally, an excursion that will appeal to those seeking fun, fashion and a little pampering. Check out the Galavanting Goddess Experience on Facebook.

profile destination.

You’ll be whisked away to the secluded

afternoon of kayaking and snorkelling.

Of course, not every Vanuatu activity

beachfront studio of Designer Jo Jo

Your local kayaking guide will take you to

involves adrenaline. There are a number of

Vanuatu for an afternoon soirée. See

all the best spots for viewing the sea

more sedate (but equally rewarding) tours

sumptuous hand-dyed silk garments,

life from your glass-bottomed kayak. If

to try. We recommend a self-drive tour

view the latest trends from Europe, and

you’re lucky you’ll be joined by turtles

around the Efate Island loop road, passing

relax with a foot and shoulder rub from

and dolphins.

through small villages and getting a taste

a trained masseuse. For extra indulgence,

of island life. Check out the market stalls,

sink into a blissful hot tub with a glass of

marvel at the pretty coastline and jungle

Champagne or stroll around the gardens

views, and don’t forget to stop at Blue

until you find the pink banana tree.

Lagoon or the thermal hot springs for a

It could be a fantastic all-girls getaway

little R&R. The loop road route will also

or a unique mum and daughter

driven 15-minutes to Benjor Beach for an

This is just dipping your toes in the water, metaphorically speaking. If you really want to explore the undersea marvels of Vanuatu, we recommend learning to dive. Luckily, you’re in the perfect spot to gain

bonding experience.

the requisite skills. Big Blue, located on

take you past the Wahoo Bar, home of

the seawall in Port Vila, is Vanuatu’s only

superlative seafood, so that’s your lunch

Vanuatu is a wonderfully picturesque and

PADI five-star instructor development

or dinner catered for. For an afternoon pit

adventurous place, with attractions to

dive resort.

stop we recommend The Summit Gardens

suit all tastes.

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One Foot Island, Aitutaki

Cook Islands The luxury of simplicity Sometimes, the most relaxing thing you can do is nothing. If you can do it in a location that’s exotic and balmy, with all the familiar comforts of home, that’s even better. No need to worry about changing money or struggling with another language – just settle in for a carefree stay. The Cook Islands offer an easygoing alternative to busier destinations. Just a short hop from home, this island nation serves up tropical atolls and soaring peaks in a very user-friendly package. Stay in a boutique luxury hotel, pamper yourself with Polynesian spa treatments, take a jeep safari into the mountainous hinterland, and dine on some of the Pacific’s finest seafood in a beachfront restaurant. Everything’s easy to organise and nothing seems to be too much trouble for your gracious hosts. For many people, Rarotonga is synonymous with the Cooks, but this picturesque volcanic isle is only one of the group. Aitutaki, with its palm-shaded lagoon, is another enchanting option. Or you could venture further afield to islands such as Atiu, where Arabica coffee is produced from verdant, century-old plantations. It’s all waiting there for you to discover. Alternatively, if your idea of heaven is to spend the day basking by crystal-clear waters, you’ll have plenty of options in the Cook Islands. Simple pleasures are often the best ones.

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Cook Islands

Escape the everyday

A favourite getaway destination for New Zealanders who want a change from Fiji, the Cook Islands have a lot on offer. The warm, friendly culture and the easy pace of life are just a few reasons to visit. Their selection of boutique luxury properties is definitely another.

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Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa, Rarotonga Located on the beautiful white sand beach of Rarotonga’s stunning Muri Lagoon, Te Manava Luxury Villas is definitely a romantic getaway. Enjoy the freedom to customise your holiday by choosing from the comprehensive à la carte guest services menu for a full five-star experience or alternatively, the self-sufficient option and tailor your holiday to meet your personal requirements. All of the contemporary villas are fullyequipped with modern kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as a private swimming pool and courtyard. The joy of Te Manava is that it gives you the best of both worlds. Accommodation consists of Beachfront and Pool Villas in a combination of one, two and three bedroom options. The Ultimate One Bedroom Beachfront villa features a spacious coastal deck with stunning views of Muri Lagoon and private access to the beach just

Te Manava Pool Villa

metres away. www.temanava.com

Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa, Rarotonga Located on Rarotonga’s beautiful Muri Lagoon beachfront, this premium resort offers luxury villas each with private pool and waterfall feature. Featuring just five villas, this is a very special destination that delivers a romantic sanctuary for those wanting a total luxurious tropical holiday. Rumours have created a lavish private refuge in each of their villas so guests can simply enter their villa courtyard and close the door to the outside world. Beachfront Villas have the added bonus of a hot spa pool and all villas feature romantic four poster super king-sized canopy beds. The Beachfront Platinum Villa is premium at NZ$1800 per night and features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private movie theatre room, an indoor and outdoor waterfall and spa pool for cooler evenings. www.rumours-rarotonga.com

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Rumours Beachfront Romance VIlla

Te Vakaroa Villas, Rarotonga Set right on Muri Beach, Te Vakaroa Villas is a gated tropical hideaway that enjoys uninterrupted views of the beautiful Muri Lagoon and reef. This is a modern sophisticated property comprising of six well-appointed villas all opening up to a large private terrace with infinity pool looking out to the lagoon. Choose from either a one or two-bedroom villa or book the entire property for exclusive use for up to 18 people. This is the ultimate accommodation for large family group holidays or weddings. Two-bedroom villas sleep up to four guests with each bedroom having its own private luxury bathroom and balcony with stunning views of the lagoon. There is a spacious living area downstairs with a large daybed on the terrace. With local restaurants and bars in walking distance and water sports just steps away this is one of the best spots to experience and relax into the Cook Islands way of life. www.tevakaroavillas.com

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Crown Beach Villa

Crown Beach Resort & Spa, Rarotonga This luxurious adult-only boutique resort offers pure romantic bliss on the infamous sheltered sunset coast of Rarotonga. There’s 36 modern and spacious stand-alone villas that are exclusively reserved for 42 couples. Choose from Beachfront Villas featuring private jacuzzi or Courtyard Villas with private swimming pool. Garden Villas are nestled around the Resort’s grand pool and set in the property’s lush tropical gardens. The Courtyard Pool Villas are the ultimate romantic haven with their own secluded pool and courtyard to relax and unwind in. This is a luxurious sanctuary that offers a very high standard of accommodation and service with two restaurants offering quality cuisine. It sits in a prime spot on the lagoon’s edge providing excellent conditions for snorkelling or enjoying a cocktail on the palm fringed beach. www.crownbeach.com

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Pacific Resort Pool Deck

Pacific Resort Tiare Spa Massage

Pacific Resort, Aitutaki This is an idyllic island getaway and one of the world’s most

The ultimate Beachfront Bungalow at NZ$1,820 per night is

secluded boutique resorts. The natural beauty of Aitutaki is

ideal for families who like to travel and stay together in luxury.

what makes the location of this resort so special, and Pacific

This generously sized two bedroom bungalow features separate

Resort reflects this in its relaxed and luxurious beachfront

bedrooms, each with a spacious private ensuite and deck. A

accommodation. Part volcanic and part atoll, Aitutaki is just a

separate lounge with two single bed couches provides extra

40-minute plane journey north of Rarotonga.

sleeping and boosts the overall accommodation to a maximum

Situated in 19 acres of lush tropical gardens, the resort spans

of 6 guests.

2.5 kilometres of pure white sand beach. It offers three unique types of beachfront accommodation comprising of bungalows, villas and suites. All face Aitutaki’s exquisite sparkling lagoon and feature thatched roofs, large private sundecks, polished

For comfort, style and a holiday in an unspoilt piece of paradise, Pacific Resort, Aitutaki should definitely be considered. www.pacificresort.com/Aitutaki‎

wooden floors and super king sized beds.

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78 Bora Bora

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Tahiti

C’est magnifique! Something special happens when sophisticated French style meets laid-back Pacific ways. A hybrid culture is created, blending the best of both worlds. There’s no doubt Tahiti lies in the heart of traditional Polynesia, yet the food and ambience are subtly different from what you’ll find in neighbouring island groups. Call it the Tahitian experience. Add some of the Pacific’s most gasp-inducing scenery, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable holiday. If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in an overwater bungalow, this is the place to realise that dream. World-famous resorts on Bora Bora and Moorea offer the perfect lagoon setting for your wave-lapped idyll. Venture a little further from the beaten track and you’ll discover lesser-known islands such as Taha’a, with its vanilla plantations and pearl farms, or Rangiroa with its pink sand beaches and dazzling marine life. Whether you’re there to immerse yourself in the local culture or simply enjoy a Gauguinesque retreat from civilisation, the islands of Tahiti offer the perfect opportunity. It would be remiss not to mention the cruising possibilities. Imagine sailing through French Polynesia on a tall ship with sails flapping in the tropical breezes. Or you could hire an eight-berth luxury catamaran with its own crew, and decide on the course you want to plot. Each day would be a new adventure.

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quintessential Tahiti Tahiti has an unfair advantage: it’s home to the most

inflated promises, only to serve them up a hospitality

gorgeously picturesque tropical isles on earth. As if

package they could find elsewhere? Not at all.

that weren’t enough, the nation’s blend of graceful Polynesian culture with French savoir faire has added an extra veneer of style.

Tahiti has built on its natural advantages by providing the setting for some of the world’s most exquisite five-star resorts. We’ve sampled a fair few of them and

But does Tahiti rest on its laurels, content to trade off

made our selection of the best. Here’s the crème de la

its scenery and reputation? Does it lure tourists with

crème of Tahiti.

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The Hilton Moorea

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa There’s nothing quite like a lush volcanic peak rising steeply from an aquamarine lagoon. It’s the scene that greets you on the heart-shaped island of Moorea. And positioned against this backdrop of majestic mountains is one of the Pacific’s most iconic resorts – the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa. Snaking out into the sheltered waters of the lagoon lie the jewel in the Hilton’s crown – its overwater bungalows. Connected by winding wooden walkways built on stilts over the pristine waters, these accommodations provide the perfect chance to fulfil your tropical castaway fantasies. But if you prefer sleeping on dry land, don’t worry. The resort also features some immaculate garden bungalows with private plunge pools. Perhaps the pick of the crop is the King Panoramic Overwater Bungalow. Positioned to provide uninterrupted views to the horizon, this 62m2 bungalow includes a marble bathroom and private sun deck. If you can’t be bothered donning a snorkel, the marine life will come to you. The bungalow is fitted with a glass floor panel to bring you a real-life David Attenborough show, 24/7. www.hilton.com

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Le Taha’a Overwater Suites

Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa Take the 35-minute shuttle boat transfer from Raiatea Airport and you’ll discover one of French Polynesia’s best-kept secrets. Located on the secluded Motu Tautau islet, Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa faces the lush island of Taha’a on one side and the larger silhouette of Bora Bora on the other side. It’s a setting fit for a picture book. The world-famous Tahitian vanilla is grown on Ta’aha and pearls are cultivated in the lagoon. But you’re here for hedonism, so what is the accommodation like? All the suites and villas are built in the Polynesian tradition, with pandanus roofs, exotic woods, corals and tapa cloth. It’s a down-to-earth but very sophisticated environment, with 45 Overwater Villas, 10 Beach Villas and two Royal Beach Villas. Splash out on the end-of-pontoon Overwater Suite and you’ll luxuriate in a 90m2 residence that provides pictureperfect views of the magical sunrises and sunsets over the reef. Or you could opt for one of the Royal Beach Villas, and live like Polynesian royalty in a villa with plunge pool, two outside bathtubs and beautiful lagoon views. Perfect for families or friends travelling together. www.letahaa.com

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Four Seasons Bora Bora

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of the Four Seasons

Back on land, there are pool cabanas, high-class dining, a spa,

Resort Bora Bora. The jagged volcanic spires of Mount Otemanu

and much more.

rise out of verdant slopes. If you’re lucky, the sky will be nearly cloudless, save for a puff of white mist near the top of the peak. Meanwhile, down by the water’s edge lies one of Tahiti’s most beautiful resorts.

Luxury aficionados will appreciate the top-of-the-line twobedroom overwater bungalows and the three-bedroom Otemanu Luxury Beachfront Villa with its private pool. Whether you prefer end-of-the-pier isolation or the tranquillity of a

It’s not a boutique kind of the place – there are 100 suites, villas

secluded villa in its own tropical garden depends on your taste.

and overwater bungalows. But the resort is so well designed

Both combine privacy with opulent fittings and inspiring views

that you’ll never feel crowded. The turquoise waters of the

and provide the setting for a very special family holiday.

lagoon stretch out until they merge with the horizon.

www.fourseasons.com/BoraBora

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Hilton Bora Bora Presidential Overwater Villa

Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa Bora Bora is famous for its beauty. When you see the contrast of light blue lagoon waters against emerald-green mountains, you’ll wonder whether the results are really natural. Surely no colours in nature could be so vibrant and intense? Making the most of its natural setting is the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa. A beautifully designed arrangement of garden rooms, hillside villas and overwater bungalows, this resort is one of the most famous in the Pacific. The Hine Spa is set at the top of the adjacent hillside, providing you with million-dollar views as you luxuriate in the exclusive treatments. Countless celebrities have stayed here over the years, many of them reserving the two-storey Presidential Villa. If you follow in their footsteps you’ll be staying a palatial 300m2 residence with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms and a “wellbeing room.” Stunning lagoon and sunset views come as standard, as you’d expect. This is life as it’s meant to be lived. www.hilton.com

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The Brando Three Bedroom Villa Image courtesy of Tim McKenna

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort There’s an old saying about restaurants with marvellous views. The quality of the food and service is all too often in inverse proportion to the splendour of the scenery. This is absolutely not the case when talking about The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. Anyone who has stayed in a St. Regis property knows to expect flawless service. The Bora Bora representative is no exception, combining a magnificent beachside setting with superb service. This 44-acre resort revels in one the island’s most beautiful locations, with a finger of white sand stretching out into the lagoon. Extending still further is a line of overwater bungalows – including some of the resort’s top residences. We were particularly taken with the five Royal Overwater Pool Villas. These are built on the edge of the lagoon, and each includes a private infinity pool. Alternatively, you could book the Royal Estate Villa on dry land, and enjoy the luxury of a chef’s kitchen and private spa area with its own treatment room sauna and whirlpool. Decisions, decisions. www.stregisborabora.com

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The Brando Marlon Brando fell in love with the natural beauty of Tahiti over 50 years ago, while filming Mutiny on the Bounty. He subsequently bought the atoll of Tetiaroa and made his home there. Later in life, he realised his dream of creating a luxury resort thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built on a foundation of sustainability. The Brando is the result. This is a boutique resort of just 35 villas offering carefree luxury in an unspoilt environment. A natural sanctuary for bird and marine life, the island is carefully managed in harmony with nature. Access is by private plane and the islands are rich in ancient Tahitian temples and relics. Polynesian-style villas are equipped with modern amenities, including a media room and private plunge pool. But nature is the real star attraction, with easy access to the white sand beaches and sparkling waters of the lagoon. The beaches are often visited by sea turtles, manta rays and rare birds. In a world of frantic activity, you can see why Marlon Brando found peace here. Chances are, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to follow in his footsteps. www.thebrando.com

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Win a 3-night stay at Tahiti’s stunning

Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa worth $6,000 Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection, Le Taha’a is described as the ultimate Tahitian hideaway. Located on the secluded Motu Tautau islet, facing the lush island of Taha’a on one side and the majestic silhouette of Bora Bora on the other, the resort offers the promise of a total change of scenery in idyllic tropical surroundings. During your stay, dine in one of the resort’s three distinctive restaurants, indulge in one or more of the Spa’s wellness therapies and discover the stunning island surrounds by water or jeep safari tour. Le Taha’a looks forward to welcoming you to their award winning paradise.

Prize package includes: • 3 nights accommodation for 2 adults in a Beach Villa (180m2 villa with private plunge pool, thatched roof cabana in a tropical garden, outside bathtub and shower). • Breakfast each day of stay at Vanille Restaurant. • Return transfers to/from Raiatea Island to Le Taha’a (on Motu Tautau Islet) on the Resort’s private boat shuttle. Please note: international flights to/from Tahiti and domestic flights to/from Raiatea Island are not included.

Terms and conditions: Entry is free. One entry per person. Employees and their families of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa and LUXURY Holidays & Corporate Travel Magazine are not eligible to enter. The winning entry will be drawn on 25 March 2015 and the winner notified by phone and email by 27 March 2015. The prize is valid for six (6) months from 1 April 2015. The prize cannot be redeemed during block out dates. The prize is inclusive of 3 nights accommodation for 2 adults in a Beach Villa at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, breakfast during the stay and transfers from Raiatea Island to Le Taha’a on the Motu Tautau Islet return. NOTE: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO/FROM TAHITI AND DOMESTIC FLIGHTS TO/FROM RAIATEA ISLAND ARE NOT INCLUDED. Expenses incurred during the stay are to be covered by the winner, as are all other travel related expenses. The prize is not transferable, exchangeable and cannot be redeemed for cash. The decision regarding the winner is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The winner agrees to their name being published at the discretion of LUXURY Holidays & Corporate Travel Magazine. Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa and LUXURY Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 89 Holidays & Corporate Travel Magazine shall not be liable in any way (including, without limitation, in negligence) for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss) or for any loss or damage or personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with promotion except any liability that cannot be excluded by law.

New Caledonia

A touch of France One of the more baffling episodes in European history was the decision of the French government in the 19th Century to set up a convict settlement in New Caledonia. Political troublemakers were sent to the South Pacific to teach them a lesson. One wonders what the point of lesson was – perhaps that life in a tropical paradise has many advantages? It seems a peculiar form of punishment. Today, the only exiles are self-chosen ones. People from all over the world escape to New Caledonia and its surrounding islands to enjoy the enviable climate and lifestyle. Only a short flight from Australia and New Zealand, New Caledonia offers the opportunity to sample Pacific hospitality with distinctly French overtones. It helps that the country boasts the sublime white sand beaches of the Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands. The ambience is unique – a combination of the French Riviera with laid-back Melanesian friendliness. Raise a glass of chilled rosé to the modern-day success of the unlikeliest convict colony in the world.

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Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa Location is everything and the newly built Sheraton Deva Resort has prime position at the base of the Deva Domain facing pristine blue waters and a UNESCO World Heritage barrier reef. A 90-minute drive from the international airport will bring you to this 180 room resort boasting direct access to 13 kilometres of white sand beach. Accommodation is a mixture of suites and private bungalows. Our pick is the Superior Beachfront Bungalow at a spacious 55m2. Featuring a large private terrace and an oversized double lounge, this is a most excellent place to unwind. Note, this resort is newly built and some facilities are still to open at the time of writing. A 9-hole golf course will be ready for tee off at the end of 2014 with the full 18-hole course due for completion in April 2015. Spa treatments will be available in the Resort’s spa in early 2015. www.sheratonnewcaledoniadeva.com

Le Méridien Ile des Pins A dramatic cliff top view of an idyllic turquoise lagoon encircled by a beautiful coral reef will certainly take your breath away when enjoying the views from Le Méridien Ile des Pins. Translated as the Isle of Pines, this resort has a beautiful natural backdrop of pine tree forests edged with palm trees and provides a wonderful contrast of bright green against the vivid

From top: Sheraton New Caledonia Superior Beachfront Bungalow; Le Méridien Ile des Pins Bungalow Suite; Le Méridien Ile des Pins Superior Garden View Room

blue of the ocean. There are 25 Bungalow Suites available at Ile des Pins, all with separate bedroom and a spacious high vaulted living room. Stand out favourites are the four Panoramic Bungalow Suites. Tucked away at one end of the bay, on a spectacular rocky ridge, they each feature a large private deck with direct access to the lagoon below and offer an exceptional sense of seclusion. Inside, the suite has a very serene and romantic feel complete with a raised, canopy draped, king sized bed. www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien

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Samoa

Discover hidden treasures Imagine a country where the white sand beaches are never crowded, where waterfalls tumble into crystalline pools, where the temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius all year round and the ocean is a pleasant 25 degrees. Imagine a coastline dotted with palm trees and the occasional resort, where people greet you with a friendly smile, and the air hums with harmonious singing every Sunday. That’s the reality of Samoa. One of the larger Pacific nations, Samoa offers a surprisingly wide range of holiday options. You can experience the buzz of Apia, sample the sophisticated pleasures of an upmarket resort, or escape to unspoilt Savaii for a taste of traditional Samoan life. Walk through a rain forest, swim in a turquoise lagoon, marvel at spectacular blow-holes or try your luck with some of the Pacific’s best sport fishing. Samoa covers all the bases – and it’s only a few hours from home. Don’t overlook the cultural riches. The annual Teuila Festival is the world’s biggest celebration of Polynesian culture, with fire-knife dancing, woodcarving, outrigger races, tattoo demonstrations and the Miss Samoa beauty pageant. Samoa may boast an enviable climate and natural beauty, but its human attractions are just as compelling.

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Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa, Upolu Located on the main island of Upolu, Sinalei is set in 33 acres of tropical beachfront, 45 minutes from the airport. A private paradise setting on the south coastline promises palm fringed white sand beaches and the tranquil sound of the ocean meeting the offshore reef. We recommend the stylish beachside villas that have their own large private deck looking out over the magical Sinalei Lagoon. Note, Sinalei is about to undertake the development of 27 premium villas, which will consist of twobedrooms, private swimming pool and bbq area. Work will commence at the end of 2014 and will continue for about 18 months. Guests will still be able to enjoy the existing accommodation and facilities during this time. www.sinalei.com

Seabreeze Resort, Upolu Set on a stunning cliff-side location overlooking a secluded lagoon on the beautiful south coast of Upolu Island, this small resort of just 11 bungalows offers an intimate Samoan escape. Choose from the stylish Ocean, Beachfront or Reef View Villas all furnished with sleek and luxurious furnishings and designed to maximise the stunning view and catch the natural cooling sea breezes. Couples looking for something extra special should book The Honeymoon Pointhouse. www.seabreezesamoa.com Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa

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Seabreeze Resort Ocean View Villa

Hawai’i

Polynesia meets the USA There’s only one place in the world where you can enjoy luxury American style while soaking up the tropical ambience of the Pacific. That place is the US state of Hawai’i. The birthplace of President Obama offers a distinctly American take on luxury. Natural scenery complements the amenities of the modern world, with a whole island chain to explore. The world-famous beauty of Waikiki beach, with its surf breaks and iconic setting, is a great place to start. The Hawai’ian royal family claimed this part of Oahu as their holiday home in the 19th Century before the USA took control. Now you can take advantage of the same luxurious setting that the Hawaiian monarchs enjoyed, albeit with more modern amenities. All the great hotel chains have a foothold in Hawai’i – the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons and the Hilton. But to experience the true flavour of Waikiki, you might consider a relative old-timer such as the Royal Hawaiian. It opened in 1927, which helps explain its prime location on the Waikiki beachfront. But don’t spend all your holiday on Oahu. You’d be mad to overlook the wild beauty of Maui and Kauai, or the volcanic drama of the Big Island. Each island offers an array of opulent resorts as well as private villas and hideaways.

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Hawaiian

Premium Properties The warm and friendly islands of Hawai’i have been a popular destination for people around the Pacific Rim for a long time now. With perfect weather, beautiful scenery, a diverse and sophisticated accomodation selection and of course incredible shopping, Hawai’i definitely could say that it has it all. Once a stopover in the 1980s and early 90s from New Zealand enroute to the USA, Hawai’i may have experienced a visitor lull when that changed. Not so anymore though, with direct flights and a super family friendly environment, Hawai’i is as

popular as ever for a relaxed getaway staying in some premium properties. Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea This is a seriously luxurious resort. This Four Seasons on Maui exudes the charm of a classic Hawaiian palace and sits in prime position overlooking the glittering sand of the infamous sun-soaked Wailea Beach. A tropical paradise at its magnificent best with 15 beachfront acres incorporating three pools, secluded terraces and beautiful manicured gardens. Delivering a high level of service is universal to the internationally acclaimed Four Seasons brand and Four Seasons Maui prides itself on allocating two staff for every guest, ensuring a unique customer experience. Couples can find solitude at the Serenity Infinity Pool located in the quiet upper level of the resort. The pool features a swim-up bar and stunning views looking down to the beach, providing a haven for adults 21 years and over. Incredibly, this resort is also extremely familyfriendly and goes out of its way for kids of all ages.There’s a separate kids pool, a kids club for very young guests and a decadent teens games room complete with pool table, table tennis, gaming stations and large TV screen. Accommodation is unquestionably of a high standard. The 305 guest rooms and 75 luxury suites are spacious by Hawaiian standards (up to 30% larger than other Maui properties) and are furnished with a comfortable mix of marble, leathers, sumptuous fabrics and local woods. The Four Seasons Maui “hotel within a hotel” is the perfect choice for those looking for something a little extra. Select either a Club Room or Suite to gain access to the exclusive Club Floor Lounge and enjoy the personal complimentary service of all-day refreshments and full-bar service from the dedicated concierge team. Four Seasons Maui possesses all the elements of a truly indulgent holiday and it is no wonder that it is a favoured holiday destination for A-list celebrities. This is a five-star resort that enjoys a privileged location in paradise surroundings, setting a high benchmark for others to aspire to. www.fourseasons.com/maui

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Halekulani Halekulani is a tranquil paradise in the heart of Waikiki. Its beachfront location has welcomed guests since 1883 and is one of the finest hotels in this popular holiday spot. Given its impressive pedigree, it has long been recognised as the premier address on Waikiki Beach and at 17-storeys, with a range of palatial suites and rooms, it still feels boutique-like even by Waikiki standards. The luxurious collection of accommodation has an understated elegance and boasts some of the finest views in Waikiki. Interiors have an upmarket beach feel using Halekulani’s signature “seven shades of white” designed to frame the spectacular views rather than compete with them. Taking a refreshing dip in Halekulani’s legendary orchid pool is impressive with unobstructed views of Diamond Head. The beachfront directly in front of the hotel is much less crowded than further down the strip of central Waikiki and feels like a semi-private, exclusive cove. The soft sandy ocean floor with no coral is ideal for swimming in the warm Oahu waters. This is the perfect oasis to access Hawai’i’s busiest holiday spot providing easy access to all the fun and diversions that make Waikiki legendary. www.halekulani.com

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Halekulani Guest Room

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The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki Affectionately referred to as the Pink Palace, The Royal

of the experiences you can enjoy. The Royal Beach Tower Pool

Hawaiian is one of Waikiki’s original hotels opening its doors

is one of the resort’s two pools and poolside cabanas can be

to luxury travellers in 1927. Rich in history with a strong

booked for those seeking relaxation in private.

connection to Hawaiian culture, this Honolulu icon has a classic elegance befitting its impressive lineage. Extensively restored and renovated over recent years, The Royal Hawaiian has managed to preserve its authentic grandeur while offering redefined luxury in the way of modern conveniences for its guests.

There are 528 rooms and suites to choose from, in either the contemporary Royal Beach Tower with Pacific Ocean views or the elegant retreat of the iconic Historic Building. Each area offers its own distinct accommodation style. Rooms situated in the Historic Building have a warm heritage appeal mixed with contemporary furnishings that give a relaxed classic

Set right on Waikiki’s beachfront, The Royal Hawaiian has its

ambiance. Alternatively, The Royal Beach Tower features

own private beach area with an option of a personal Beach

rooms that are spacious and pristine and have the bonus of a

Boy to assist you with your beach activities. Introductory surf

private balcony with spectacular ocean views.

lessons, stand-up paddling and catamaran rides are just some

www.royal-hawaiian.com

100 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

The Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar Cabana

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Forty Two Queenstown Heading to Queenstown for a break

The modern, spacious kitchen is an

against relaxed soft textiles and artwork

with friends or extended family? Then

entertainer’s dream. If cooking is your

by Brian McCracken. We didn’t make

Forty Two might be just place to retreat

passion, pay a visit to the Mediterranean

use of the outdoor courtyard but could

and enjoy this energetic town. Superbly

Market food store for gourmet ingredients

envisage this being a gorgeous extension

perched on the hillside to capture views

to create your own culinary masterpiece.

to the living area in the warmer months,

over Lake Wakatipu and the stunning

Alternatively, Private concierge service

especially with the lap pool tucked around

Remarkables mountain range, Forty Two

Touch of Spice can arrange for restaurant

the corner.

is a self-contained spacious property,

bookings, a personal chef, or for the

managed by Touch of Spice.

pantry to be stocked for your arrival.

Drive straight into the garage, then

We were visiting during winter so sitting

things then the office on the third floor

internally access the lower level before

by the large open fire in the lounge was

is fully-equipped and with that view I’ve

discovering the rest of the property, which

inviting in the early evening, especially

mentioned. But be warned, it can be hard

is spread over three generous floors. All

when the temperature dropped and there

to work in surroundings such as these!

bedrooms have walk-in wardrobes and

was a show of gently falling snowflakes.

ensuites, with the master bedroom’s ensuite featuring a freestanding bath – so tempting to luxuriate in while gazing out at the panoramic view.

Very fitting for Queenstown, the interior décor is comfortable yet contemporary with the use of natural stone and wood

102 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

If your visit to Queenstown is work related or you just need to keep tabs on

A double sofabed in the office means the property can sleep eight in total.

With so much to do in Queenstown your days will be easily filled and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look forward to coming back to Forty Two, we certainly did. However, I also think that this property would really come into its own for a longer stay, where you can enjoy just being there â&#x20AC;&#x201C; watching the changing light on the lake and mountains, listening to music from the high-tech audio system and engaging in conversation with your friends.

Clockwise from left: Open plan living and dining area; Outdoor lap pool; Office; Master bedroom bath

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 103

Forty Two Queenstown at a glance

Category: Stand alone property. Reviewed: Entire property. What’s great? The size and location of this property make it an excellent choice for a group of friends on a weekend getaway or extended family travelling together. Also, we loved the open plan living, open fire and views to die for. What’s not so great: The road is quite steep so we were warned to be careful of possible ice in the mornings – to be expected though as we were there in winter. We wished the lap pool was heated, as loved the outlook and could imagine having a soak in there while watching the sunset. No problem though, we will just have to come back in summer!

Top: Master bedroom Below: Open plan dining and kitchen

Editor’s tip: Use the Touch of Spice concierge service for anything from restaurant and activity bookings to creating a unique personalised experience for a special occasion. Plus, allocate some time to simply just enjoy the property. Rate: From NZ$1170 per night for exclusive use of the entire property. Website: www.fortytwo.co.nz and www.touchofspice.co.nz

Location Property size Property interior Overall service level Property pool Business needs Recreational facilities Value for money

89%

A stunning property.

104 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 105

Michael Shah Director of Sales & Marketing The Langham Auckland

Brand Insider

The Langham, Auckland Michael Shah was studying for a degree in politics and English literature in Melbourne, and starting to wonder what sort of career he could look forward to with such an esoteric qualification. At the same time, he was supporting his student lifestyle by working in one of Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top hotels. A conversation with a manager at the hotel opened Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes to the possibility of a career in the five-star hospitality sector. He joined the team, and now, over two decades later, he is happily ensconced in The Langham Auckland. He shared his thoughts on anticipation, staff-to-room ratios, and the ability of luxury hotels to manipulate the fabric of time.

106 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

be looked after when there’s such a large and

LUXURY: Michael, how do you define luxury?

well-trained team devoted to their needs.

MS: It’s getting what you want before you know you want it. That pretty much sums up

We’ve also created a unique role, called the

the difference between service that’s merely

Service Stylist. These are ladies in pink Chanel-

competent and service that makes you smile.

inspired suits and gentlemen with pink ties,

If you’re running a five-star hotel, it means

whose only role is to look after our guests.

anticipating what’s on guests’ minds, and

They’re always on hand to welcome people

then making sure they get what they want

in the public areas of the hotel and make

without having to ask for it.

sure their needs are met. They can facilitate anything you want in the hotel.

Here’s an example from my own experience. In a previous role with an exclusive winery

Finally, we have some core values that we live

owned by Moët & Chandon, I noticed a guest

by. ‘Be curious’ is a reminder to find out what’s

come through the doors munching on an

important to our guests. ‘Connecting from

apple. It was obvious he was going to finish

the heart’ is another mantra we use. Langham

the apple in a few more bites and then he’d

people are empowered to relate on a personal

want to dispose of the core. Without having

level, while always delivering to the highest

to be asked, I was there with a plate and

professional standards.

napkin. He was surprised but pleased. LUXURY: Michael, what is true luxury to you? LUXURY: That’s a great example of

MS: During my career I’ve been lucky enough

anticipating the customer’s needs. How do

to spend time in some truly outstanding

you recruit and train staff to deliver that sort

resorts. Hamilton Island off the coast of

of service at The Langham Auckland?

Queensland and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands

MS: We look for frankness and the ability to

spring to mind. The top resorts in these places

be relaxed and honest. You need to have a

enjoy a truly spectacular setting. It’s always

personality and be able to bring it out when

wonderful to get away to a warm, tropical

you’re on the job, while always being utterly

island and enjoy some quality time with

professional. Sure, we have a lot of training

my wife.

and mentoring systems, but these can only take you so far. You can’t learn human

LUXURY: Finally, can you share a story from

interaction out of a book.

your career that illustrates the lengths a great hotel will go to in order to satisfy an unusual

The second magic ingredient is teamwork.

request.

Everyone working at The Langham needs to be working in harmony to look after

MS: When I was working at an exclusive resort

every guest. So the housekeeper doesn’t get

in the Cook Islands we had a guest who had

flustered if you ask her a question that has

organised the perfect wedding for his bride.

nothing to do with making up the room.

He had promised her a sunny day – but sadly,

Whatever you want and whoever you talk to

you can’t control the weather, and their

– nothing should be a problem.

scheduled wedding day was ruined by rain. We knew how important it was for this couple

LUXURY: What do you think makes a luxury

to have a sunny wedding on a date that had

hotel tick?

personal significance. So we told them we

MS: There’s a sense of calmness and

would put everything on hold until the next

welcome, even in a very busy setting. When

day, which was forecast to be sunny. Then we

the doors are closed behind you, it should feel

created a hotel newsletter with the previous

as if you’ve entered a secret enclave where

day’s date, and arranged for the celebrant

you can feel safe and relaxed. Everything we

and local officials to make sure the marriage

do is designed to create that sense of serenity.

documents all carried the chosen date.

LUXURY: What are the practical things The Langham does to ensure this? MS: We have a very high staff-to-room ratio

Everyone signed off on the plan, so we were able to deliver a dream wedding on the perfect sunny day, with the official records showing that the groom had delivered on his plan.

– 435 staff to 409 rooms. Guests will always

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 107

Traditional Korean masks on display

108 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Andong

South Korea Preserving Ancient Culture South Korea is a country that has undertaken

As much as South Korea values its vibrant

rapid modernisation and development over the

future, it also places great importance on

past 50 years. It is home to the global electronics

its traditional heritage. Known as the city

giant Samsung, car manufacturers Hyundai and Daewoo and, in more recent times, the pop sensation PSY of the Gangnam-style phenomenon.

of cultural experiences, Andong lies in a region that is recognised as having the best preservation of Korea’s ancient culture and folk traditions. Often referred to as the “capital

The transformation to one of the world’s major

of the Korean spirit”, Andong holds 30% of

economies is truly remarkable, with South Korea

Korea’s relics, the largest number of cultural

now considered to be a key influencer of luxury

properties in their natural state. Travellers who

items and lifestyle experiences in Asia.

appreciate a culturally enriched experience have made Andong a popular destination to explore.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 109 Story: Donna Martin

Set in a peaceful countryside of rivers and mountains, the Andong region in the North Gyeongsang Province, is home to the famous Hahoe Folk Village. Surrounded by stunning pine forests and set at the foot of the Hwasan Mountain, this significant folk village is listed by the Korean government with UNESCO as a world heritage site. The beautiful Nakdong River encircles the edges of the village giving it the name of Hahoe, which translates to “village enveloped by water”. Considered as a museum in itself, the Hahoe Folk Village, once a Joseon Dynasty Village, provides a unique encounter for visitors to experience the lives of Korea’s predecessors. The Village is a miraculous preservation of traditional-style Hahoe Folk Village

architecture, folk culture, valuable books and the ancient way of clan-based villages. There are over 300 ancient

Andong Mask Dance Festival

houses in this village, many with original tile and thatched roofs. Occupied for over 600 years by the Ryu family, the Hahoe Folk Village produced two famous brothers, one of which became a great Confuscian scholar and the other, Prime Minister of Korea (1592-1598). In 1999 Queen Elizabeth II visited Hahoe Village and celebrated her 73rd birthday. In recognition of this proud moment a Queen’s Memorial Exhibition Hall was built nearby to showcase photos of local people with the Queen when she came to call. The Hahoe World Mask Museum displays intricately designed masks in three exhibition halls featuring ancient Hahoe masks along with traditional masks from all over the world. Visitors can experience first-hand how these masks are made by taking part in an authentic mask making programme on site. Andong is also famous for its annual mask dance festival, which is held every October and has become a global cultural festival. Folk plays using masks and dance are performed to express the traditional lives of the common people. This is an ancient tradition that Andong continues to follow in today’s contemporary world. Other attractions include the Byeongsan Confuscian School, which was first established in 1613 and is based on the learnings of Buddhism and the Bongjeongsa Temple, the largest Korean Buddhist temple believed to be 1,000 years old. With so many interesting aspects, it is well-worth the four hour express bus trip from Seoul to explore and discover this significant area.

Korean Air will operate daily flights from Auckland to Seoul, South Korea between 17 December 2014 and 2 March 2015.

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24 Hours in:

Barcelona Donna Martin checks out the character and authentic charm of Barcelona, Catalonia’s vibrant capital. 8.40am. Arriving in Barcelona after a direct 12-hour flight from Singapore, we find our private transfer and set off for the city centre. It’s the start of a working day and we’re in rush hour traffic, but it flows easily and we move along at a good pace. We admire the skill of the scooter drivers who seem to out-number cars and enjoy the changing views as we near Barcelona’s city centre – from commercial neighbourhoods to apartment high-rises and classic architectural beauty. 9.30am. We’re staying at the MurMuri boutique hotel, located in the heart of Rambla de Catalunya in the sophisticated L’Eixample district. This is a prime spot with exceptional restaurants, cafés, bars and designer shops, all in easy walking distance. Gaudi’s masterpiece la Casa Batlló, the whimsical yet extraordinary apartment block, is a must visit and you will pass by it many times as you walk around this iconic neighbourhood. Barcelona’s most fashionable streets of Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya and Diagonal Avenue make up the famous shopping grid known as the Quadrat d’Or. This is where all the big fashion names like Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Hermès and Zara hang out along with boutiques of local Spanish designers, giving it a very hip vibe. As tempting as it is, shopping is left for later and we head off to get our bearings in this ultra-cool city. 10.30am. It’s a beautiful summer morning with the temperature heading towards 30°C. We take the classic hop on-hop-off Barcelona City Tour bus and sit up top in the welcomed shade, armed with guide book and headphones for the audio commentary. This is a great option for seeing all the main attractions in a short amount of time. Our journey on the West Route takes us past the medieval Gothic Quarter, the modern World Trade Centre, the Olympic Ring on Montjuïc, the prestigious grounds of the Barcelona Football Club and Gaudi’s Modernista structures of La Pedrera and la Casa Batlló.

atop the infamous La Rambla pedestrian boulevard. La Rambla is a 1.2 kilometre strip that leads to Barcelona’s oceanfront and is a colourful ever-changing cacophony of tourists, street performers, flower stands, bird stalls and souvenir kiosks. Testing our Spanish amongst the locals, we look for somewhere to eat in the bustling food market of La Boqueria. This is a food lover’s heaven! There are hundreds of specialist stalls offering everything including olives, seafood, meats, cheeses, chocolate, fruit, vegetables and so much more. However, it’s jam-packed with people so we decide to keep on looking. 1.45pm. What a find! We step off La Rambla into Barcelona’s prettiest public square, Plaça Reial, and find a sanctuary of neoclassical façades and palm trees that is full of buzzy little restaurants. Known as the Royal Plaza, this is the location of Gaudi’s first city commission of the very understated and ordinary (for Gaudi) candelabra lamp posts. We enjoy a delicious lunch soaking up the relaxed atmosphere and warmth of the local hospitality. 4.30pm. We’re starting to feel a bit jaded after our flight combined with a glass of wine relaxing in the sun so decide to head back to the MurMuri Hotel and crawl into the comfort of our luxurious bed for a siesta. We want to be ready to explore this exciting city by night! 9.30pm. After a restful sleep, it’s time to head out for dinner and discover La Bodegueta Provença just two blocks away – a very fashionable Spanish tapas bar with an antique wine cellar. Here we taste the most exquisite tapas – fried anchovies were our favourite. 11.30pm. Although it’s still early for locals, we call it a day. What a perfect day in Catalonia’s capital. Such an inspiring and lively city, it’s no wonder so many artisans and creators, past and present, call it home.

12.30pm. With important landmarks crossed off our list, we disembark at Plaça de Catalunya, the large city square that sits Pictured: The intricate ceiling of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 111

Island Shangri-La Hong Kong

The Island Shangri-La Hong Kong is at first glance a traditional high-end property that celebrates its roots firmly in the Orient. Adorned with plunging crystal chandeliers and rich rosewood furniture, it also carefully folds in a number of modern day favourites that we’ve come to enjoy at a hotel of this class. However, this story isn’t just about how the Island Shangri-La fares against its incredibly capable local neighbours but about the brand Shangri-La itself. I wanted to find out if there is still a defined position in the hotel world for this world famous long-running brand. As a child, I remember knowing that the Shangri-La was the most prestigious of all the hotel brands. Growing up in Singapore with my family, I distinctly recall that the Singapore Shangri-La was the quintessential hotel in the area. It was `the’ place to be seen when my parents would catch-up for a drink with their diplomat friends. It was also the place they would recommend when dignitaries would visit to discuss foreign affairs. It was the 1980s after all. The New Zealand High Commission building was located on acres of lush green landscaped gardens, complete with bullet-proof glass. Today things are so different. So, how has this wonderful brand transitioned through the decades to arrive at 2014? I was about to discover, right in the business heart of Hong Kong. I was picked up by hotel limo from the airport. The driver was very friendly and quickly introduced me to the S-Class’ massage seats, accompanied by a bottle of chilled water. The drive to the hotel was a great first impression. On arriving, the disposition of the building to the adjoining land is quite incredible. The hotel is built at the base of a very steep hill that forms part of the heavily undulating Hong Kong park. This closeness to nature is very rare in Hong Kong’s CBD, so a welcome surprise.

112 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Health Club jacuzzi

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 113

The lobby is grand and a comfortable place to be. With its busy vibe 24/7 you can feel anonymous at all times. When you step into the Lobby Lounge, the 130-year-old Banyan Tree commands presence behind the floor-to-ceiling glass panels. This ancient tree is special as it cost more than US$3M to conserve back when the hotel was first built. Checking-in was probably the most intuitive I’ve experienced. Many a five-star luxury hotel could benefit from their system. The check-in is in-room via iPad. But the clever part is how the staff use this digital medium to customise your visit. There are a number of questions around pillow selection, turn down service, departure transfers, spa needs, in-room music and so on that are all dealt with right up front. A really nice way to set the tone and get excited about the few days ahead. It was mid-morning when I arrived so I dropped off my bags and went to have a look around the adjoining shopping mall, Pacific Place. It’s a typical mall with all the main fashion outlets, as well as some of Hong Kong’s own brands. Lunch was back at the hotel’s flagship oriental restaurant aptly named Summer Palace – timeless allure of the Orient. It’s a Michelin two-star affair run by Chef Ip Chi Cheung. Go for the traditional yum cha favourites. They’re a marked refinement to anything you’ll find in New Zealand and Australia. The Baked King Prawn in Truffle Pesto Sauce was interesting and so delicious. There are no less than seven other fantastic restaurants, cafés and bars to choose from. There’s another Michelin star restaurant at the top of the tower called Restaurant Petrus. There, you can appreciate the stunning views of Kowloon and beyond. The food is French fine-dining and its cuisine and matched wines live up to its Top 20 Restaurant in Hong Kong status, as well as its ‘Best Wine List in Asia’ achievement. During the morning, Restaurant Petrus becomes a breakfast dining option for Horizon Club guests. I have to say, I felt very smug eating scrambled eggs on toast at a Michelin starred restaurant. So, back to my initial question; how has this iconic brand transitioned through the decades to arrive at 2014. Well, I can say it has arrived completely intact. If you get the chance, watch their new brand commercial on YouTube. It’s a stunning, cinematic look into the heart of the brand, and it explains what I mean. It tells the story of a man trapped in the snow, being surrounded by wolves. As night draws closer, the man collapses without hope. He then wakes in the middle of the night and it’s revealed that the wolves are lying all around him; protecting him and keeping him warm. The commercial ends with the words: “To embrace a stranger as one’s own. It’s in our nature”. A wonderful notion, executed perfectly at the Island Shangri-La.

114 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong at a glance Category: City hotel. Room reviewed: Horizon Club Harbour View.

Horizon Club Harbour View Room

What’s great? Breathtaking panoramic views of Victoria Harbour complemented by a host of exclusive Horizon Club privileges, including complimentary evening drinks and breakfast in a Michelin Star restaurant. Also, a special mention to the awe-inspiring “Great Motherland of China” – the largest Chinese landscape silk painting in the world that spans the tower’s atrium. What’s not so great? Nothing to say here – loved everything about this hotel. Editor’s tip: Make use of the extensive Health Club facilities. Rate: From NZ$550 per room per night. Suites from NZ$1100 per night. Website: www.shangri-la.com/ hongkong/islandshangrila

Location Room size Room interior Overall service Food & beverage Hotel pool Business needs Recreational facilities Spa facilities Value for money

92%

Timeless and elegant.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 115 “Great Motherland of China” silk painting

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools

Hanmer

Springs

In the lap of luxury In the 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, an early pioneer discovered a series of water holes in the South Island of New Zealand. Later, a local farmer walking the track through the Hurunui area discovered some hot springs of varying temperatures. Over the years these thermal springs became known to travellers passing through as Hanmer Springs Hot Pools and are now part of a multi-million-dollar thermal pool and spa complex managed by the Hurunui District Council.

116 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Story: Janice Burmaz

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 117

From left to right: Amuri Retreat; Mountainbiking Hanmer’s trails; Marble Point vineyard; The Spa at Hanmer Springs; Champagne and shopping

Since the early days, a lot of water has passed under the Waiau Ferry Bridge and Hanmer Springs has evolved into a popular thermal water playground. Hanmer was also one of the first towns in New Zealand to use natural gas for lighting and cooking fed by gas from the springs. Located just over 60-kilometres inland from the east coast of the South Island, the closest city to Hanmer Springs is Christchurch. The drive to Hanmer passes by a number of award winning North Canterbury wineries such as Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills and Black Estate, as well as the historic Hurunui Village. Visitors flock to the picturesque tree lined alpine village of Hanmer to soak in the luxurious Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools. The springs are full of minerals reputed to repair and rejuvenate the body by stimulating the immune system and fostering a sense of well-being. To cope with the increasing number of visitors, Hanmer Springs now has fifteen open-air thermal pools (the pools vary in temperature, with the hottest being the sulphur pools at around 40-42ºC), sauna

and steam rooms. There is a fresh water lap pool, large family and activity pools, a hexagonal pool and an aqua therapy pool. The pools are family-friendly with dedicated areas for the kids, aqua play, water slides and the Lazy River. The latest exciting addition to the complex is the big Super Bowl. You can ride on your own or share the fun on a tube. It starts with a fast drop through a water flume then you’re launched into a giant bowl, whirling you around before plunging you down a tube to the exit.

Café, which is fully licensed. At night,

The Spa at Hanmer Springs has one of the largest spa menus in New Zealand. Visitors to the Spa have access through connecting doors to the hot pools. As I found out after my spa experience, you won’t be rushed – just pampered. The Spa has an international feel and the treatment rooms are well set up to cater for couples and large groups. There are many indulgent packages to chose from including; the ‘Pamper Package,’ the ‘Ultimate Girls Weekend’ or the ‘Family Escape,’ which includes entry to the hot pools.

then headed next door for shoes and

Set amongst landscaped gardens with outdoor seating is The Garden House

118 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

groups can arrange an exclusive private pool party. Magic Memories, the local photography studio, can capture you sitting in the steaming hot pools. After a relaxing spa treatment and a soak in the pools, a short stroll to the village brings a taste of retail therapy – Hanmer style. Shopping after hours and sipping on Champagne is a special experience and available for large groups. We had fun trying on the latest designer labels with the lovely ladies at Mhor boutique, accessories at Wink. We worked up a real hunger after our retail frenzy, so with bags in hand we ducked across the road to Malabar for a convivial dinner of slow cooked dishes and sharing plates, paired with local wines from Marble Point. If shopping is not your bag then take time to tee off from Hanmer Springs’ Golf Course and enjoy the breath-taking scenery as you hit your way around nine or eighteen holes. Transport to the region has significantly progressed over the years, as has luxury accommodation. Modern luxury five-star

coaches, tour buses and shuttles now service what was the old horse-drawn coach trail between Christchurch and Hanmer. Cute farm cottages have been transformed

into

boutique

bed

and

breakfasts, hunting lodges and retreats. A new set of luxury apartments have sprung up in the village to accommodate a premium level of local and international visitors. The Village Lake Apartments and The St James are both five-star properties, fully serviced or with self-catering options. Both offer great spaces for incentive groups, team building and conferences. Select Braemar Lodge and Amuri Estate Retreat now firmly reside in the area along with the stunning Heritage Hotel, which was built in the early 1900s. The Hurunui region is not only known for its romance and relaxation. By the sheer nature of the terrain, its flowing rivers, mountains and forest parks have become a natural playground for mountain biking,

have your heart pumping in seconds. Call

such as Colorado and Queenstown. Hanmer also boasts a terroir that is highly suitable for growing grapes and home

it what you will; team building or thrill seeking. Your adrenalin will flow as you

to one of the highest altitude vineyards

leap from the historic Ferry Bridge on a

in New Zealand. Marble Point is a well

bungy (not for the faint hearted) followed

established boutique vineyard on the

by a thrilling jet boat ride through the

south side of Hanmer. Owners, Richard

gorge. Chill out on a grade two guided

Campbell and Sheryl Dennis, delight

river adventure taking in spectacular alpine

visitors to the Marble Point cellar door

scenery. For a little more punishment and if

with a range of award-winning wines

you think you’re clever enough to out-wit

and a delicious menu. The tasting room

your opponent, take aim playing paintball,

and restaurant are a natural fit with the

clay bird shooting or at the archery range.

environment, perfectly positioned with

However, if none of these options take

the most glorious views sweeping up the

your fancy, then join a guided quad bike

valley towards the rugged mountains. A popular venue for family gatherings, weddings, team building events and

tour – I thoroughly recommend this – it’s easy and great fun. As we discovered, there are so many

corporate functions. With so much on offer in the region, an experienced event manager and qualified marriage celebrant, Debbie Moody, has created a business called Amazing Days.

reasons to visit Hanmer and the Hurunui region – much more than we could ever have anticipated. From incredible experiences to luxurious places to stay,

Debbie is passionate about Hanmer and

great shopping and of course the spring

has made it her ambition to create special

mineral waters that started it all. This

events that bring people together for a

destination

wonderful time.

everyone’s ‘must visit’ list.

and hospitality. Many people say that it

If you’re into exhilarating activities then

www.hanmersprings.co.nz

bears a similarity to alpine destinations

Thrillseekers

www.visithurunui.co.nz

trekking, hunting, rafting, jet boating and bungy jumping. These experiences have become star attractions and local residents have turned their hand to entertainment

Adventures

Hanmer

will

should

definitely

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 119

Village Lake Apartments

Hanmer Springs If you are looking for loads of space and luxury on your Hanmer holiday with enough room for the entire family to spread out, then the Village Lake Apartments are a great choice. Combining luxury and elegance with well-appointed rooms and generous living space, the apartment style accommodation is perfect for families, groups and couples.

120 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

The location is central and just a short stroll away to Hanmer’s thermal hot pools, the village and golf course. There are 13 two and three bedroom fully-equipped apartments complete with designer kitchen and full laundry facilities, which are serviced daily. The apartments have well-positioned balconies, the perfect place to sit and enjoy an afternoon G&T and watch the sun setting over the mountains. The main living area of each apartment has a very sociable and open plan layout without losing that cosy warm feeling. Or turn up the ambience a notch by flicking on the gas fire. The décor is contemporary but accented by colourful original art work by Canterbury artist Liz Jenkins. Soft feather pillows and feather underlay on a super king-sized bed makes for

stylish comfort as well as following sound

Choice Award and Certificate of

a blissful sleep. Two bathrooms with

environmental practices, then this is

Excellence for three years in a row. It

heated tile floors, one double Jacuzzi

the place.

has also become a popular option for corporates to hold mid-week

bath, robes and hand crafted pure New Zealand Jeymar toiletries add to the

Village Lake has a five-star Qualmark

planning sessions and board meetings.

level of a luxury stay. If you are looking

rating and it is obvious to see why they

A considered choice for your next

for somewhere that has a combination of

have received Trip Advisor’s Travellers

Hanmer Springs visit.

‘Imagine a place so luxurious and comfortable you may never want to leave’

Only a stroll away from the world-renowned thermal pools and spa, Village Lake Apartments is situated in the centre of Hanmer Springs. Our Thirteen two and three bedroom apartments are nestled in a gorgeous alpine environment and provide the space and freedom to enjoy this stunning part of New Zealand.

1 Rutherford Crescent, Hanmer Springs | +64 3 315 5288 | reception@villagelake.co.nz | www.villagelake.co.nz Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 121

The St James Hanmer Springs

The St James is the newest five-star

the accommodations have a courtyard

In addition to the studios there is an

property for Hanmer Springs and is

or balcony to take advantage of the

entire stand-alone house called 59 St

conveniently located in the heart of

scenic vistas and inspiring artwork by

James. This property is set up as a luxury

Hanmer Village. Being north facing,

Christchurch artist Elizabeth Jenkins.

adult family or group stay, great for

the units and suites are perfectly positioned to take in views of Chisholm Park and the surrounding snowcapped mountains. Owners, Paul and Rae Baigent are dedicated hosts, committed to making sure their guests are treated to the utmost luxurious experience, right down to those personal touches that make every guest feel special. Paul and Rae are very knowledgeable of the area and their aim is to ensure that every dining, shopping and spa experience while staying at The St James is a

incentive and team meetings for up to 18

“A night in our fivestar Qualmark luxury accommodation will leave you refreshed and ready to explore the postcardperfect scenery of the Hanmer Springs and North Canterbury area.” - Paul and Rae Baigent

memorable one.

people. All the technology is available for presentations. For team building, there are a number of options like white water rafting, mountain biking and golf, as well as wine tasting and of course the world famous Thermal Pools and Spa to round out a day of strategic planning. Full catering is provided or alternatively you can bring along your own chef to work from the fully-equipped kitchen. Paul and Rae say that, “a night in our five-star Qualmark luxury accommodation will leave you refreshed

There are a number of accommodation

They are also so comfortable that once

and ready to explore the postcard-

options from Deluxe and Executive Spa

you have kicked off your shoes you’ll find

perfect scenery of the Hanmer Springs

Studios through to the Isobel Suite that

it hard to prise yourself away to explore

and North Canterbury area.” We would

boasts gorgeous views of Mt Isobel. All

the village that surrounds you.

tend to agree.

122 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Simply Stunning!

Relax in style and luxury at the St James, located in the heart of Hanmer Springs alpine spa village. Treat yourself at our private executive retreat, 59 on St James.

THE THE THE

St St St

The St James is Hanmer Springsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; newest premium accomodation and exclusive executive retreat.

Phone +64 3 3155225 Chisholm Crescent, Hanmer Springs

thestjames.co.nz stay@thestjames.co.nz

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 123

Machu Picchu

On the tracks

to Machu Picchu

High in the Andean mountains of Peru, some 116 kilometres from Cusco, lies The Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the early 1900’s American Professor and Explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered significant archeological remains, which he referred to as “The Lost City of The Incas”. Local farmers called the steep mountain, where the terraced ruined city lay, Machu Picchu, which means Old Mountain. In 1983, highlighting the ruins as an outstanding example of the Incans’ architectural genius, UNESCO declared Machu Picchu a “Cultural and Natural Patrimony of Humankind”.

124 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Story: Toni Gillan

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 125

Travellers are intrinsically drawn to Machu

neighboring Plaza San Blas where high

combis and colectivos (shuttles), single line

Picchu but it wasn’t until I gained sway on

priced boutiques sell traditional alpaca

trains and then ultimately by bus travelling

that old mountain that I realised why.

knits alongside indigenous artisan markets

up a narrow road with twisty hair pinned

where weavers sell colourful textiles. Day

turns will get us there.

Just getting there, flying Auckland/ Sydney/Santiago to Lisbon in Peru is an arduous journey. A Lisbon stopover is recommended before flying on up to Cusco. At an elevation of 3326 metres, allow yourself time to adjust to living at altitude. If you get altitude sickness, descending into the Sacred Valley usually solves the problem. Some have to return

or night, visiting the centre city Plaza de Armas can be a very diverse experience. Most memorable, on the north side stands the imposing La Catedral. With the heady aroma of devotional flowers drifting around in the dim ambiance, it is also a substantial repository of colonial art. One painting particularly, the oldest

But rather than complicate our lives, we hire a car to take us from Cusco to the transport hub, the old-world village of Ollantaytambo. Being in the know, we are staying right on the train platform in a delightful boutique hotel called El Albergue. Our driver drops us nearby

there, shows Cusco inhabitants parading

and we amble down the hill with our bags

to sea level, if they are not sensible.

around the Plaza with a crucifix praying

in tow feeling very smug. We will be up,

As the South American gateway to Machu

for the great 1650 earthquake to stop.

train-side, very early in the morning to

Picchu, Cusco is the classic tourist trap

Miraculously it did.

ensure we beat the tourist crowds. That

but equally is an absorbing example of

Guidebooks advocate online pre-

Spanish colonial and religious conquest.

purchasing entrance tickets to Machu

Fast food restaurants obscure Inca stones

Picchu, which are daily limited to protect

and massage touts accost visitors as they

the integrity of the site. It’s an involving

explore the sprawling city. Cusco is a

transaction with detailed passport

city of mystical promise, museums and

information required for security. It can

churches with narrow, steep cobblestone

also be bewildering to work out how to

A 5am alarm call, a substantial breakfast

streets leading uphill towards the

book transport to the mountain. Cars,

and a picnic box tucked under our arm

126 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

night we fireside dine at El Albergue’s Whistle Stop Café on fried green tomatoes and peppered chicken (I have the recipe in Spanish) – delicious Peruvian fare flavored with local coriander and fresh greens.

Top left: Staff onboard the train in costume; Bottom left: Peruvian locals; This page: onboard the Vistadome

sees us on the platform anticipating the

valley and into the hills, fast flowing rivers

awareness as our elegantly attired train

first “Expedition” train departure to Aguas

keep apace with the train. You daren’t

stewards have marvelously transformed

Calientes. An empty train idles; we await

look away least you miss out.

into cultural entertainers and chic models.

boarding instructions thinking others from outside the station are still to come onto the platform. Trackside another train arrives and departs. Inexplicably that was our train and impossibly we missed it!

But now, top of the world, we arrive at Aguas Calientes. Our patient guide is still waiting to take us to the bus to begin the conclusive part of our expedition up the Old Mountain. On the final climb as he

Upgraded without argument by the

minds us up to the ruins he collectively

station manager we board the next train,

refers to my partner and I as “MyLadySir”,

the deluxe Vistadome, which we had

which we find most endearing.

plush leather seats, on the left hand side of the train for the very best outlook. With breakfast set before us, we considered our advantageous position. As we were about to embark on what is billed as, “a journey

rocks down the aisle pulling people up to dance to reverberating Peruvian pipe music. Then we’re into a fashion show as staff modelling alpaca knits parade up and down the rows. Two young girls beg to wear the woollies and join in the fun. Attaining Machu Picchu was a

already booked our return trip on. He personally sees us settled into generous

An iridescent dancer in a bear mask,

journey of immeasurable physical

“Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.”

for your senses”. As if in a bubble, wrap-

and mental determination. Enroute it became a journey of personal and spiritual enrichment, revelation, and understanding. It is an exploration of self and in that precious moment; on reaching the summit, when, through the mist those Inca ruins rise out to meet you, it

around glass windows on both sides

Coming back that afternoon in a state

and above us elongate and enhance our

of sensory overload we hardly looked

panoramic vista. Crystal clear, the arid

out the train window, content to just sit

Breathe in. Breathe out. Leave your

Andean plains spread out before us. As

quietly but then, like children woken up

essence within this sacred place. We do

the journey progresses across the sacred

for a midnight feast, we’re startled into

this with humble gratitude.

is exulting.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 127

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A customised approach to selling real estate Staying in the world’s great hotels, it quickly becomes clear how they set themselves apart. In a nutshell, they take a very personalised, tailored approach to looking after their customers. This philosophy also applies to other servicebased businesses that target the top end of the market. We had a chat to John Wills and Nic Blackie of Auckland real estate agency Custom Residential to get the inside word on providing a great experience for customers. LUXURY: Can I start by asking you a

open home viewings on the weekend,

LUXURY: Finally, what defines ‘luxury’ in

personal question? What would be your

we set up an exclusive viewing on Friday

the housing market?

dream holiday?

evenings, to lure people in from Ponsonby

NB: I love to escape up to Ruakaka in Northland and get away from it all. But if we’re talking dream holidays, I would love to go back to Italy with my husband and take more time to explore the country. JW: My dream holiday would be a cruise

Road. With wine and food, it created a real buzz and helped widen the pool of buyers. It made the property the topic of discussion well into the evening. LUXURY: What else does Custom Residential do for its vendors?

NB: It’s high-end finish, it’s beautiful design and it’s creating a special product that we can aspire to. However, that extra 10%? It’s a feeling. It’s walking into a property and feeling how special the space really is, and generating an emotional pull that buyers

on the Disney Cruise Line. It would be

JW: Our approach is very personal. We’ll

just can’t ignore. People lead busy lives

magic for the kids and great for the

stay in touch throughout the campaign,

grown-ups too. Disney really knows

and they want their home to be a haven.

right up until the keys are handed over.

how to deliver a quality experience, and

They want to enjoy a beautiful lifestyle

It’s about delivering a quality service that

their cruise ships go to some amazing

in their own space. So functional but

stands out. People enjoy the experience

destinations, like Alaska and the

beautifully designed outdoor living areas

and remember us next time they’re in the

Caribbean. You can’t beat a good cruise

that enhance the indoor areas are a real

market. We’ve sold some properties

for a really relaxing, luxurious getaway.

drawcard. Resort-style planting,

three times.

swimming pools and unique internal

LUXURY: John, Nic – tell us what the

LUXURY: Is it just about the home

features give a feel of exclusivity within

experience is like when a homeowner

viewing experience and regular

your own four walls.

lists with Custom Residential. How is it

communication? Or does the personalised

different from selling through a big real

approach go deeper than that?

estate chain?

High quality home staging and planting with a design edge will create a great first

NB: We also take a very bespoke attitude

impression and can lead to viewers falling

JW: We take a very personal approach.

to marketing campaigns. One example

in love with the property. Then you’re

‘Quality over quantity’ is our motto. Our

is a bungalow in Mt Albert that we sold

philosophy is that you only get to sell

set for a competitive auction – which is

recently. It was on the market for the first

your home once, so everything needs to

exactly what you want as a vendor.

time in 60 years, and it was like a time

be tailored towards helping you get the result you want. We wrap an individual marketing campaign around each property. It’s not a templated approach. We like to connect with our vendors and buyers in a meaningful way, and we genuinely enjoy working with people. LUXURY: Can you give us an example? JW: One of our vendors was selling a very luxurious, $2 million-plus townhouse

capsule, full of original features that were immaculately preserved. We knew this property would appeal to a certain sort of buyer with a passion for classic, authentic features from a bygone era. So when we prepared the marketing materials, we didn’t just show the front of the house and the usual angles. We used high-quality imagery to showcase all the appealing details and the unique features.

in Grey Lynn. With a property like this

Again, it’s about bringing that special

you’re selling the lifestyle as much as

detail that creates emotion around a

the location. So in addition to running

residential purchase.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 129

Pacific

pods

The story of Vanilla in the South Pacific Vanilla has always been a high end product. The delicate complex flavour of vanilla makes it a highly valued ingredient for top pastry chefs around the world. The infusion of vanilla pods and their aromatic seeds bring popular desserts such as custards, ice-cream and milk puddings to life, adding a wonderful sweet fragrance and taste. However, as it is with the finer things of life, real vanilla is a luxury and is the second most expensive spice after saffron. This is largely due to the extremely labour intensive cultivation of growing and producing these rather unattractive wrinkly, dark-brown pods. Which is why growing vanilla is an extremely lucrative business. The origin of vanilla can be traced to South-eastern

It was a French slave in 1841 that discovered the vanilla

Mexico where it was used by the ancient Totonaco Indians

orchid could be pollinated by hand. This is the same

and later the Aztecs. Back then, vanilla was known as

method that is still used today that makes the production

‘tlilxochiti’ (black flower) and was named ‘vainilla’ by

of vanilla so labour intensive and expensive. The French

a Spaniard meaning “little pod”. It was the Spanish

slave was working on the tiny island of ‘Bourbon’ near

explorers in the 16th century who introduced the dried

Madagascar and from his discovery the vanilla type

vanilla pod to Europe where it was discovered, notably by

Bourbon, was created.

the French for its distinct flavour, enhancing the taste of chocolate and coffee. However, the vanilla orchid from which the vanilla pod is produced could not be cultivated out of Mexico due to a local Melipona bee that pollinates the orchid’s flowers. This was a barrier that could not be overcome, therefore providing Mexico with a 300 year monopoly on the world-wide supply of vanilla pods.

130 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Story: Donna Martin

The tropical regions of the South Pacific are ideal for vanilla plantations as the vines of the vanilla orchid prefer hot, moist climates. Tahiti, Vanuatu and Tonga all have significant vanilla industries that create many jobs and provide profitable growth to these small regions.

Tahiti French Polynesia is a large producer of vanilla and the idyllic island of Taha’a is famously known as “The Vanilla Island”. This pacific paradise accounts for more than 70% of all the vanilla produced in French Polynesia and is home to the secluded Le Taha’a Island Resort. Guests staying at this exclusive resort are welcome to explore the vanilla plantations to understand the significance of this little island’s contribution to the wider Pacific economy.

Vanuatu Italian spice expert Piero Bianchessi developed his vanilla plantation in 1987 on the tiny island of Venui in Vanuatu. Today it is a revered producer of vanilla that is smooth, mellow and slightly fruity in flavour. Venui Vanilla has educated other local growers the intricate steps of vanilla production, enabling employment in neighbouring islands.

Tonga The family run business of Heilala Vanilla secured its plantations in Tonga after assisting the local community with a Tongan Aid project in 2002. The years that followed have seen the family work in close collaboration with the Kingdom of Tonga to become a strong producer of one of the richest grades of vanilla in the Pacific. Heilala Vanilla has a very distinct aroma, shine and plumpness that is sought after by top chefs around the world.

Vanilla bean varieties Vanilla is grown in several tropical countries around the world. The vanilla bean is actually a seed pod. Most of the fragrance residues are found in the seeds and oily liquid surrounding the seeds. Taste can vary depending on the country vanilla is farmed in, similar to how grapes from different regions can produce varying distinctive wines. This is down to the type of soil, amount of sunlight, rainfall, and of course the vanilla bean variety that is being cultivated. There are three main varieties of vanilla that are grown for cultivation purposes, all with different flavours, aromas and uses. The Bourbon bean has a strong vanilla aroma and is very rich in taste. This vanilla bean is long and slender and is mainly grown in the Madagascar region. The Mexican bean is the original variety and has a smooth taste with a spicy fragrance. The Tahitian bean contains more oil and water than the Bourbon beans and is usually shorter and plumper. They have a fruity and floral aroma and are grown in the South Pacific producing countries.

The process The vanilla production process begins with the pollination of individual vanilla orchid flowers by hand. This causes a green pod to grow on the orchid vine, which is picked and then cured in the sun. This is an ancient process and is the most important step to secure the flavour and fragrance that is held within the bean. The vanilla curing process is another complicated laborious procedure, which can involve blanching the green vanilla beans in hot water,

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 131

followed by ‘sweating’ them in woollen blankets until they turn a brownish colour. After sweating, the beans are then subjected to sun-drying sessions. These drying sessions are intermittently dispersed with placement in wrapped blankets to ensure the correct water content is achieved within each bean.

How to pick your bean Because vanilla beans are not cheap, you need to pick the best ones and use the whole bean, pod and seeds. The best quality vanilla beans are ones that are dark skinned (almost black), oily, tender and flexible. Oh, and they should have an intense vanilla aroma! Don’t, whatever you do, pick a bean that is dry and hard.

Vanilla impostors The market for gourmet-grade whole vanilla beans has grown as the appreciation of vanilla’s qualities increases. The trend for healthy, pure ingredients pushes out preservatives and additives and puts vanilla impostors firmly in the spotlight. Pure vanilla extract contains the extracted flavour and aroma of the vanilla bean and can be substituted for real vanilla beans if necessary. However, the sweet, spicy and woody flavour of true vanilla will not be the same. Vanilla essence is of a much lesser quality, is often synthetically produced and is definitely an inferior substitute. The rise in popularity of food shows and celebrity chefs have made us far more conscious of the ingredients we cook with. Importance is placed on the quality of what we eat and we are more mindful of the journey that food has taken to arrive on our plate. For vanilla, that journey is an extensive one.

132 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

LUXURY HOL IDAYS & CORP OR ATE T R AVEL

and WIN 1 of 3 distinct bottles of Beau Joie Champagne Beau Joie (pronounced bô-jwah) premium French Champagne is produced in Epernay in the heart of France’s Champagne region. Created by the globally recognised, Charles Ellner Estate, this regal Champagne is superior in taste and particularly distinct with its handmade armour encasement. In true keeping of the Champagne region’s royal connections, the bottles wear a striking copper suit of armour inspired by medieval Knights and the copper roofs of Paris. Available as a Brut, Rosé and Demi-Sec to suit the finest palates and the most lavish of celebrations, Beau Joie is a superior and memorable Champagne for those that enjoy a unique experience. Brut & Demi-Sec NZ$109, Rosé NZ$129 Available at all good liquor stores.

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134 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.

Skeyndor

Sapphire

Experience

Spa at the Pullman, Auckland Did you know the act of mindful living is subject to being able to focus on your present self without the distractions of everyday life? That said, a visit to a tranquil spa is just the answer to melt away stress from your mind. LUXURY magazine evaluates the new Skeyndor Sapphire Experience available at the Spa at the Pullman, Auckland, and explains how this new treatment can create spiritual harmony and balance in your physical, energetic and emotional self.

Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. 135 Story: Janice Burmaz

Spa at The Pullman offers an urban

uses a gemo-thermal treatment rich in

provides vitality and improves tissue tone,

sanctuary for fitness and well-being, with

micronised minerals, also sourced from

releasing muscle tension at the same time.

a holistic emphasis around recharging and

the thermal waters of Salies-de-Béarn in

I am then covered in a cocoon-like-wrap

relaxation. It is a retreat where modern

France. When applied to the skin, these

for about 15-20 minutes. Rawinia works

world stresses slip away and leave you in a

minerals provide regeneration properties

away any upper stress with a soothing

peaceful, present state of mind.

that enhance, soften and soothe the skin.

head massage while I relax and enjoy

I have come to Spa at the Pullman to

The key ingredient is the use of powdered

submit myself to the latest treatment by

sapphire from the precious stone that

Skeyndor called Sapphire Experience, to

originated from the island of Sri Lanka.

help disconnect from the day. Skeyndor

This was a very sought after gem by the

is a specialist spa brand that originated

Parisians, as the stone symbolised clarity,

final massage.

45 years ago in Spain and has developed

knowledge and wisdom. Powdered

A smooth silky gel enriched with sapphire

products over time that initiate a complete

sapphire is used for its resistance, intensity

particles is massaged into my skin,

sensory experience.

and purity. It also assists to improve

enhancing the softening and relaxation

the muscular system and has analgesic

properties. I was curious about the origin

properties that calms those who suffer

of the sapphire particles and dust. I learnt

from insomnia or stress.

that these are a by-product from the

Simultaneously my feet luxuriate in a

Understanding the history and basis of

jewellery manufacturing industry. The

warm foot bath, the water infused with

my imminent Sapphire treatment, I am

particles are incorporated into this unique

Skeyndor Thermal Spring Bath Essence,