PhD Premiere Spring/Summer 2015

THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE & PROPERTY MAGAZINE S P RI N G / S U M M E R 2015

Première

W W W. P R O S P E C T. C O . U K

For the finer things...

Première Welcome to the Spring/Summer edition of Première magazine An election year can sometimes cause uncertainty in the housing market, but this year the stamp duty reforms announced in 2014 has seen the housing market continue to move at a blistering pace in the build up to the election.

The change in stamp duty has assisted with a rise in sales around the £1 million threshold and certainly with activity around £2 million. Whilst the stamp duty levels have increased for properties at these values, the confidence from buyers has shone through and we have seen record sales and exchanges achieved in the last 6 months for properties between £1 million and £2 million.

Our ‘London Days’ have proved invaluable recently, with the core of our portfolio showcased to buyers, tenants and relocation companies every 2 months, offering a highly proactive approach to reaching City and International buyers and tenants. The corporate rental sector has also seen an increase in activity, with our ‘London Days’ contributing to tenant numbers. The overall importance of our Mayfair Office has been more and more prevalent in all aspects of our success in the higher end of the market.

With a very active market, now is an excellent time to consider marketing your property for sale or rental and if you are presently on the market, but not achieving the desired results, we would love to hear from you.

I hope you enjoy our publication.

BRACKNELL 01344 207 304

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SHAUN STEVENS

Director Tel. 0118 979 9005 Mobile. 07970 280830 Email. sstevens@prospectphd.co.uk

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Finchampstead Road

Wokingham £1,150,000

PROPERTY 1

“Located approximately 1 mile from Wokingham Town Centre, this substantial detached property occupies a plot in excess of 1/3rd of an acre.”

prospectphd.co.uk 4

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838

Contents Editorial...

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W E L L N E S S & R E L A X AT I O N Enjoy the perfect Spa getaway at the sumptuous Alexander House.

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L U X U R Y FA S H I O N We take an in depth look at the ‘future classic’ watch – The Zenith.

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HOME VISION Is Bang & Olufsen’s Beovision Avant 85 the ultimate 4K TV for the home?

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T R AV E L We visit the Island of Koh Lanta to stay at one of Thailand’s finest hotels.

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HOME TECHNOLOGY The future is here with these pioneering technologies for the home.

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MOTORING Motoring expert Alastair Melton takes a closer look at Honda’s reincarnation of the classic NSX.

Augmented Reality: T H I S M A G A Z I N E I S A U G M E N T E D R E A L I T Y R E A D Y. A U G M E N T E D R E A L I T Y I S T H E E X C I T I N G N E W T E C H N O L O G Y T H AT B R I N G S PA G E S T O L I F E .

WHERE YOU SEE THIS ICON

O N A PA G E , U S E Y O U R S M A R T P H O N E A N D TA B L E T

T O U N L O C K E X T R A C O N T E N T A B O U T T H E P R O P E R T Y. F O L L O W T H E S I M P L E I N S T R U C T I O N S B E L O W T O A C T I VA T E .

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Mumberry Hill

Wargrave Guide Price ÂŁ1,875,000

prospectphd.co.uk 6

“Located near the picturesque Thameside village of Wargrave, this detached residence offers accommodation and outbuildings in excess of 7500 sq ft.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 7

Popeswood Road

Binfield Guide Price £875,000

“Located in the popular village of Binfield with views over fields to the front, this executive detached residence is in excess of 3100 sq ft.”

prospectphd.co.uk 8

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838

UK RESIDENTIAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS

Import, Export & Storage by Air, Road & Sea

It came through the French Revolution unscathed.

It would be a pity if it came to grief on the M25.

• UK Residential Removals

• Car Transportation & Storage

• Worldwide Relocations

• Office & Commercial Moving

• Weekly European Removals

• Antiques, Fine Art Packing,

• Storage Services

Storing & Moving Telephone: 020 3773 3697 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk www.abels.co.uk

Certificate No. FS23942

Long Hill Road

Ascot OIEO £1,750,000

prospectphd.co.uk 10

“Positioned on a plot approaching 1/2 an acre with a self-contained annexe, this individual detached property is located on the Ascot borders.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 11

We would not hesitate to recommend you and look to PhD for all property requirements.

The whole team were very efficient at all stages.

Premier Properties Successfully Sold across Berkshire & Surrey

by Premier Homes of Distinction

From the point of offer, negotiating and closing, our expectations were managed and we were fully informed at all times.

If you have a property in a riverside village or town and would like further details about our specialist estate agency services, please contact Premier Homes of Distinction on

0118 907 9838

Visit our website at www.prospectphd.co.uk

Priory Lane

Warfield Guide Price £850,000

“An executive detached property positioned on a no through road offering accommodation and garaging in excess of 2500 sq ft.”

prospectphd.co.uk 14

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838

UTOPIA JUST SAY THE WORD

Utopia

/juːˈtəʊpɪə/ noun An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect synonyms: ideal place, paradise, heaven, heaven on earth, Garden of Eden

ALEXANDERHOUSE.CO.UK

ALEXANDER HOUSE HOTEL AND UTOPIA SPA TURNERS HILL, EAST GRINSTEAD, WEST SUSSEX, RH10 4QD / 01342 714914 (LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM LONDON)

Maidenhead Road

Wokingham Guide Price ÂŁ1,700,000

prospectphd.co.uk 16

“Located on a semi-rural country lane on the outskirts of Wokingham this stunning residence occupies a private plot in excess of 0.6 of an acre, with open fields to three sides.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 17

L U X U R Y W E L L N E S S & R E L A X AT I O N

Alexander The Great FOR THOSE YEARNING TO ESCAPE FROM THE RIGOURS O F D A I L Y L I F E , U P O N A R R I VA L A T A L E X A N D E R H O U S E Y O U H AV E N O O P T I O N B U T T O S L O W D O W N , U N W I N D A N D H AV E Y O U R S E N S E S G E N T L Y S T I R R E D . . .

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Hours to hour’ss drive, set in the heart of 120 acres of stunning Sussex gardens and woodland, you’ll find the stunning Alexander House which offers its guests a luxuriously chic relaxation experience.

The hotel itself is a grand 18th century manor, which is rich in history and character. Some parts of the building actually date back to 1608 (hence the name of the newly opened 1608 champagne bar), it is also believed to have connections with luminary poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In 2002 it was purchased by the present owners who transformed it into this luxury hotel and boutique spa. The 5 star AA rated hotel, only one of 42 outside of London, comprises of 39 bedrooms & suites in the main building.

There is also the on-going development of a further 19 stylish suites.

The hotels décor fuses much of the original buildings character with 19th century decadence and contemporary styling aspects, to create unique and stunning interior. This is evident throughout the various lounges and beautiful rooms – none more so than the spectacular Henley Master Suite.

In terms of things to do whilst staying at Alexander House, there is an emphasis on relaxation and wellness. At the centre

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of this escapism is the nirvana of the Utopia Spa. Offering a world of pampering, the Grecian inspired interiors have been designed to take guests on an intimate spa journey to relieve everyday stresses and strains. So as you lounge by the pool, melt away under the monsoon showers or plunge into the hydrotherapy pool, you really will feel as though you have absconded from the daily trials and tribulations.

The spa has 25 treatment rooms which includes three double treatment rooms, a number of relaxation lounges and an array of expert therapists. On offer is a wealth of spa treatments and experiences.

From a traditional massage or facial to a range of bespoke holistic and electrical treatments. Catering for both men and women the emphasis is to help encourage a natural balance to your mind and body.

Spa guests can also make full use of the state-of-the-art gym, join any of the daily exercise classes such as yoga or body blitz. In the grounds you’ll find a tennis court, bike hire and jogging trails or simply take a stroll through beautiful gardens and further into the rolling Sussex countryside.

For the tastebuds eating at Alexander House is an epicurean treat. There are

two restaurants on offer, Reflections is a brasserie style venue, whilst AG’s offers a true fine dining experience.

Taking influences from classic dishes with innovative cooking techniques, the menus are inspired by the surrounding countryside, woodland, land and field.

Through the use of colours, textures and witting presentation dishes are brought to life.

We recommend the tasting menus which will take you on unbelievable gastronomic journey. There are options for private dining, as well as afternoon tea lounges; and when the weather is kind the surrounding gardens add a choice of a seated terrace, a courtyard restaurant or even picnics on the lawn.

Finally when it’s time to turn-in, the hotel offers a range of rooms and suites from boldly chic to understated and elegant. Each are individually designed fusing the historical charm of the building with modern finishes and homely warmth. If you need any little extras be it strawberries dipped in chocolate and chilled champagne upon arrival the hotel just let them know.

So whether it’s a long weekend or just one night, Alexander House is the perfect choice for those wanting, just for a little while, to truly get away from it all.

Quality Reliability Excellence

0845 24 13 100 mail@cplaw.co.uk

Hawthorn Hill

Maidenhead ÂŁ1,250,000

prospectphd.co.uk 22

“A charming detached character home, positioned on a private plot in the region of 2/3rd’s of an acre in a convenient location for Maidenhead and links to London.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 23

The Ridges

Finchampstead ÂŁ2,750,000

prospectphd.co.uk 24

“Positioned towards the end of a stunning tree lined lane, this substantial, unique detached residence occupies a private plot in the region of 1.7 acres.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 25

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FA S H I O N

It’s only wafer thin WA T C H F I N D E R & C O ’ S J O H N WA L L I S TA K E S A C L O S E R L O O K AT T H E Z E N I T H

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Watch collectors love to talk about the

“classics”– the best, most enduring models from years gone by that are as attractive today as they were on the day they were made. For whatever reason, certain vintage watches posses a timeless appeal, either thanks to their innovative designs, mastery of traditional forms, association with cultural or artistic eras, or some other combination of ephemeral qualities.

But it’s easy to forget that, once upon a time, these watches were brand new.

Often, they weren’t even particularly popular when they were first released; rarely has anyone predicted they would achieve a legendary reputation. It begs the question: which watches out there today will become the classics of decades to come?

The watch for review here may be a perfect example of just such a future classic. This is the Zenith Heritage Ultra Thin, a timepiece that was new in 2010, but which isn’t regularly featured among Zenith’s most famous and eye-catching models. This is a watch that devoted collectors and industry insiders talk about as a real gem; something subtler than the icons we’re used to seeing; something built to endure rather than dazzle.

The context for the Ultra Thin, which Zenith has since repositioned within the “Captain” collection, is the legacy of Jean-Frédéric Dufour. Having been made Zenith CEO in 2009, Dufour did such a good job for the company that he was offered the position of Rolex CEO just five years later. Dufour took the reigns from the controversial previous CEO Thierry Nataf, who had embraced more extravagant, attention-catching deigns and whose

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tenure is now discretely forgotten in the Zenith history books. It’s an easy place to be forgotten—Zenith’s heritage stretches all the way back to 1865. If any company knows about classic horology, it’s Zenith.

Fast forward to the current decade, and the release of the Ultra Thin. Unlike some of its high-end competitors, Zenith is not particularly known for the thinness of its watches, but it categorically succeeded in producing a fine example of ultra thin haute horlogerie that could easily stand its ground against the likes of Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget.

At just 7.6mm thick, the watch is exceptionally graceful and slender, even if it is not exactly record-setting. If you’re used to more regular proportions, you’ll find the Ultra Thin slips under your cuff very nicely, and is so light that you’ll hardly notice its presence. Indeed, as a sumptuous dress watch, it’s clearly designed to do just that.

But timeless elegance is not achieved by thinness alone. The real glory of this piece comes from a subtle combination of all its qualities: masterful aesthetic restraint, flawless finishing, a superb mechanical calibre and the quintessential beauty of its case. The Ultra Thin enjoys a comfortably modern 40mm case diameter and, combined with the thin bezel, this creates a large expanse of dial. The effect is impressive thanks to the subtle golden sunburst effect radiating from the dial, and further enhances the grace created by the case’s thinness.

When we think about classic watches, one key quality comes to mind: uncluttered dials. The most elegant timepieces have traditional, minimalist

designs that make them highly legible and able to withstand the changing of fashion. The Ultra Thin scores highly on this measure, boasting a supremely classic yet thoroughly modern look that is the essence of refinement itself.

What does feature on the dial—nice large hands, detailed appliqué indexes and a well-considered small seconds subdial—only serves to improve the sense of modesty, rather than eat away at it. Because of this, as well as the magnificent sunburst finishing, the watch looks equally fantastic in each of its different case materials and dial colours.

Finally, the Ultra Thin is blessed with that essential ingredient for any classic: an in-house movement, made specifically for this piece. Zenith is one of the most renowned makers of fine mechanical calibres, and the automatic Elite 681 is no exception. At just 3.47mm thick and a conservative 126 components, the 681 exhibits the very best of the Zenith manufacture, up to and including the gorgeous 4Hz tungsten oscillator with Côtes de Genève patterning that you can ogle through the sapphire caseback.

As one of the earliest watches added to the Zenith stable under the helm of Jean-Frédéric Dufour, the Heritage Ultra Thin has all the makings of an iconic timepiece that could endure for years to come. We look forward to celebrating its classic status in 2050!

John Wallis is a contributor to Watchfinder & Co.’s digital publication The Watch Magazine. Visit thewatchmagazine.com for more on watches, and watchfinder.co.uk to browse a selection of fine pre-owned watches

” “BEST PUBLIC “OUTSTANDING ISI Report 2014 SCHOOL” “THE MOST FORWARD-THINKING Tatler Schools Guide 2014

SCHOOL IN BRITAIN” 2014

Outstanding education for day and boarding pupils aged 13-18 +44 (0)1344 444013 | admissions@wellingtoncollege.org.uk www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk | Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU

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CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

A feast for the eyes... & ears B E O V I S O N AVA N T I S A C E L E B R A T I O N O F M O V E M E N T. A D R A M AT I C F U S I O N O F U L T R A H I G H - D E F I N I T I O N P I C T U R E AND THE ICONIC BANG & OLUFSEN SOUND.

Bang & Olufsen have long had a reputation for merging

fantastical design with pioneering high end function and this is no less evident in its current flagship Television offering range – the Beovision Avant. Combining Ultra High Definition (4K) performance with impeccable sound quality, the BeoVision Avant 85” offers a breath-taking television experience.

Following on from the acclaimed BeoVision Avant 55, Bang & Olufsen launched the up scaled BeoVision Avant 85 to offer a truly extraordinary cinematic experience at home.

The 85” screen magnifies the unique features and combines them with an impressive display size. Thus, the new flagship television displays Ultra High-Definition (4K) picture and the renowned Bang & Olufsen sound in one elegantly designed and beautifully crafted TV experience.

The designers at Bang & Olufsen have aimed at reducing the physical presence of BeoVision Avant 85 when not in use.

By offering both a motorised stand and a wall bracket option, you will be able to let this 85-inch TV stand out or blend into your home interior. Once you switch it on it shows off its full potential through a carefully choreographed unfolding. Touch one button on BeoRemote One, and it finds your favourite position, your favourite channel and your favourite sound setting. When you switch it off, it folds back the speakers, and returns to its discrete resting place close up against the wall.

The 85-inch version of BeoVision Avant features cutting-edge direct type LED with 2D local backlight dimming. The result is in an even more refined picture quality, bringing the true power of the cinema straight to your living room.

According to its creators, the BeoVision Avant 85, with eight integrated driver units and a surround sound module, provides sound performance unlike any other TV. By integrating a 3-channel speaker solution with both centre channel and stereo at the same time, you get exceptionally good stereo performance with optimised speech reproduction and sufficient bass. However, if you wish to extend the sound solution up to a full 7.1 surround solution this is possible, and even wirelessly, as the TV incorporates the Immaculate Wireless Sound concept.

The professional installation of BeoVision Avant 85 ensures that all relevant non-Bang & Olufsen equipment such as game consoles, Hard Disk recorders, TV boxes etc. can be handled by the Bang & Olufsen remote control, BeoRemote One. This new unibody aluminium remote offers one-hand and one one-touch access to a vast variety of experiences through great button feedback and personalised MyButtons.

The BeoVision Avant 85” and BeoRemote One has an RRP of £16,595. Placement options on wall or floor start from £1,095.

Opposite pag: BeoVision Avant 85” with BeoLab 18, Oak

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Sturt Green

Holyport ÂŁ7,000pcm

prospectphd.co.uk 32

“An exceptional house set in grounds of almost 5 acres which includes an all weather tennis court and stable yard complete with six stables, two workshops, tack room and feed store.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 33

Elegance for your garden...

Woodcraft Garden Carpentry specialise in bespoke handcrafted wooden structures for the home and garden, across Surrey and Greater London.

Expert craftsmen ensure that each project is tailored, designed and finished to meet the very highest of standards and expectations.

Tel: 01372 238987 | Email: halliwelltim@gmail.com | www.woodcraftgardencarpentry.co.uk

T R AV E L

Pimalai, Koh Lanta T H E U L T I M AT E I N R E S T A N D R E L A X AT I O N P E R C H E D H I G H O V E R T H E A N D A M A N S E A

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Opening page: The pool villa.

Above, clockwise from top left: Ba Kantiang Beach; Seven Seas wine bar & restaurant;

private dinner on the beach; the Pimalai Spa; a pool villa living room; the Horizon Pool.

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The journey through Koh Lanta from the

dock is spectacular, with lush green forest and wonderful views across to the ocean visible as you wind your way around the steep roads that traverse the island.

Yet even these magnificent vistas cannot quite prepare you for your arrival at the Pimalai.

Located away from the other resorts on Koh Lanta, which has managed to avoid much of the over-commercialisation of its neighbours Phi Phi and Phuket, the Pimalai offers an unparalleled sense of privacy and relaxation.

Stretching from the beach up the hillside, the resort sits seamlessly in the surrounding forest. Set in 100 acres of tropical gardens, many of the rooms are hidden among the trees, offering guests the chance of serenity and solitude.

The hotel’s philosophy revolves around utilising the natural world it inhabits, not exploiting it, and this is evident everywhere. From the elegant way the natural contours of the land are used to the monkeys, lizards and tropical birds you encounter, it is obvious the focus is on living in harmony with nature.

We stayed in a two-bedroom pool villa high up on the hillside, complete with its own infinity pool that offered beautiful views down to Kantiang Bay. After being dropped off by car, led through an imposing but stylish wooden door and warned not to leave anything unlocked due to the crafty local monkeys, we were quick to explore what was on offer at our home for the next few days.

As we walked down the stairs and entered our room, the classy interiors stood out immediately, with the contemporary Thai-style carved wooden furniture adding a subtle reminder of exactly where we were. Most impressive was the outdoor shower that enjoyed unbelievable views out across the forest and down to the ocean – hopefully the monkeys would be otherwise occupied when I went out there… for their sake and mine.

Back upstairs, there was a huge, shaded daybed directly in front of the pool surrounded by the sundeck, which came in very useful as the November rays proved a little overwhelming at times. Alongside this was the airconditioned living room, which had its own kitchen. There is the option of getting on of the resort’s chefs in for the night or of course you can cook yourself, but seeing as we were on holiday there was absolutely no chance of that.

After spending the first day luxuriating by the pool, soaking up some muchneeded sun and sampling some of the great food on offer via room service – the som tam and tom yum goong were particular favourites – we decided it was high time we ventured out to see what else the Pimalai had to offer.

As we were high up the hillside and had a two-year-old in tow, a car came to pick us up and take us down to the beach. Once there we were treated to a 900m uninterrupted stretch of unspoilt golden sand on Ba Kantiang Beach and the beautiful blue waters of the Andaman Sea. There are a wide variety of water sports to enjoy here, including windsurfing, kayaking, surfing and snorkelling. We decided to stick to the body surfing and tried to catch the waves before they crashed on the shore.

After working up a thirst thrashing about in the water it was only fair to reward ourselves with a post-dip drink.

Overlooking the beach is Rak Talay, a relaxed bar/restaurant where you can dig your toes into the sand while relaxing with a cocktail in hand as you watch others tackle the surf. This proved to be the perfect spot to unwind several times during our stay, particularly in the company of a cocktail during a laid-back couple of hours at sunset.

During high tide, the water covers the sand to the edge of Rak Talay, so after we had tired of sitting and enjoying the peace and quiet, or rather when the twoyear-old decided she had had enough of sitting in one place, we went up to one of the two communal infinity pools.

They both enjoy wonderful views over the bay, with sun loungers set out so you can continue your search for serenity.

If all that rest and relaxation proves too much, the Pimalai has bikes you can hire, but beware the resort is set on slopes that may prove a bit much for the casual plodder. For those seeking something a little more athletic there is the sports centre, which has two floodlit tennis courts, a half basketball court and badminton, as well as a gym.

However, we were there to kick back and after what can only be described as possibly the worst attempt at basketball since Woody Harrelson tried to dunk, we decided to retreat back to the sanctuary of our room to lie down, relax and soak up the sun – and keep one eye open for any cheeky monkeys.

Food for thought As everything else at the Pimalai is the epitome of five-star elegance you would expect the restaurants to be top notch, and they do not disappoint.

A beautiful buffet breakfast is served each day in the Seven Seas restaurant, which like so many other places at the resort, enjoys a spectacular vantage point overlooking the bay. The buffet has everything you could possibly wish for and nothing is too much trouble – in our party we had two coeliacs and staff went out of their way to make sure their needs were catered for.

In the evening, a great spot to try is Spice ‘n’ Rice, an up-market Thai restaurant. Sitting outside in the lush, landscaped gardens overlooking the pool, we were treated to a feast of modern takes on traditional dishes, with the massaman lamb a great hit, although everything was delicious.

Be sure to finish the evening with a cocktail at Rak Talay, as the soothing sounds of the sea and the twinkling of lights in the distance offering the perfect post-dinner ambience.

Pimalai Resort and Spa Accommodation: There are a total of 12 deluxe, bayfront deluxe, pavilion suite, pool villas and beach villas.

Facilities: There are two swimming pools and a long stretch of undisturbed golden sand to enjoy. You can pamper yourself at the spa or for the more active there are tennis courts, a half basketball court, table tennis and badminton, as well as a variety of water sports, including scuba diving, canoeing, windsurfing, boogie boards, paddle boards and even sailing boats are available free of charge.

Motorised water equipment, such as jet skis, is not available on the island. The resort can also organise boat excursions, cookery classes and elephant treks.

Eat and drink: Spice ‘n’ Rice restaurant, Seven Seas wine bar and restaurant, Rak Talay beach bar and restaurant, Banyan Tree poolside cafe, pool bar, lobby bar, as well as delicious in-room dining options. Private dining can also be organised on the beach. If you want to get out and about and explore, there are also some great cheap restaurants and bars a short walk along the beach.

Getting there: Complementary transfers to and from Krabi airport.

Website: www.pimalai.com

37

Upper Chobham Road

Camberley Guide Price £1,000,000

“A substantial wing of a splendid character residence, positioned on a leafy road, convenient for Camberley Town Centre.”

prospectphd.co.uk 38

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838

TECHNOLOGY

The Future Is Now HOW HOME TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS CAN REVOLUTIONISE T H E WAY Y O U L I V E .

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Opening page: Wisdom Audio P48, L75, P20 Freestanding Models Above from left: Kaleidescape-OSD, MediaRooms Installation, MediaRooms Installation.

When great home technology and home

entertainment are expertly combined, they can truly bring a home to life. In the coming years, cutting-edge technology will be responsible for overcoming some of the most difficult challenges faced by the human race, but what many people don’t realise is that there is already some amazing technology that is available for their homes; products which will improve their lives, save time, give peace of mind and allow them to have more fun.

A well planned home technology system, designed by an expert, will also be future-ready. Ready to be easily updated and able to adapt for years to come, not only to new products and technology, but to your changing lifestyle.

Expertly designed systems fit around you and the way you live. They can be made virtually invisible or celebrated as the technological heart of the home.

You can monitor and be in complete control of your home via one simple interface, whether you are in bed, on business in New York or vacationing on St Barts. This affords a near endless array of possibilities - receive a message when your children return home safely from school, have a hot bath and your

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favourite cocktail ready and waiting for you after a hard day at work, or create your own personal weather station which will monitor local conditions and shut skylights if it senses rain whilst heating your driveway if snow is expected.

Choosing and installing your own system can be quite a daunting prospect.

Fortunately there are a number of specialist home technology installation companies who can advise on and oversee all areas of your project. Ascot based Media Rooms are one such company who work extensively in the home counties, London and as far afield as Switzerland and Monaco.

“To achieve optimum results we always take the time to get to know our clients, their lifestyles and their expectations of the technology,” says Justin Wilkinson, Managing Director of The Media Rooms. “What problems would they like technology to solve for them? How can we make their lives easier? The process starts with either one or several home walkthroughs for existing properties or a discovery session for new buildings, working from plan.” Justin adds. “ Once the discovery proposal has been accepted, we hand-pick only

the best products, to give our clients the absolute optimum experience.”

So what products would you expect to find in a top of the range, luxury home tech installation? Here, Justin has chosen 5 of the best currently on the market.

Datasat RS20i audio processor with Auro 3D Auro 3D and Datasat have created the next generation in high-end cinema audio. Auro 3D enables us to experience true and ultra realistic three dimensional audio - the listener is cocooned in true-tolife sound, with the addition of additional height layers to complete the final, missing dimension to traditional surround sound systems. Backed-up by the phenomenal power of Datasat’s brilliant RS20i audio processor, which was “built by audiophiles for audiophiles” and is the most versatile, customisable and featurerich audio processor available in the high-end consumer space.

Above, from left: Gira doorstation1, Gira G1 Operating Unit, Wisdom Sage Series.

Wisdom architectural loudspeakers Since 1996 Wisdom’s ethos has been to “create the world’s finest loudspeakers unbound by the limitations of current technologies and past design”. Their cutting-edge designs employ large scale thin film planar-magnetic transducers, electronic crossovers instead of passive designs and innovative woofer designs all of these were developed specifically to solve problems inherent in the limitations of traditional speaker designs and how they interact with the listening room. The result is truly an experience like no other - pure tech-craft.

Runco projectors Runco’s award winning home cinema projection solutions have cemented their reputation as one of the leading providers of premium quality projectors for the home cinema market today - they grace some of the most opulent, chic and impressive cinema rooms around the world. Utilising and building upon the latest enhancements in video, Runco work to perfect these enhancements in order to offer products suitable for the

most discerning clients and the best home cinemas and media rooms. Each projector can be customised for perfect and seamless integration into each client’s home cinema.

GIRA doorstations & surface-mounted home station video GIRA systems are synonymous with superb quality, engineering and style and the GIRA system 106 is an extremely elegant, frameless metallic design. The new modulated door station allows hospitality to begin even before your guest reaches the front door and the full system comprises a call button module, voice module, camera module and information module. In the dark, a system light and backlit modules ensure excellent legibility and an attractive appearance.

Functions such as door opening, call acceptance and switching of lights can be carried out directly.

If ambient noise at the front door is extremely loud, an enforcement function can be activated at the press of a button.

The automatic door opener function and automatic call acceptance for internal household calling can be optionally enabled and then activated via the menu.

Kaleidescape movie servers The Kaleidescape Experience turns movie night into a truly social event. The fun starts with the pre-show entertainment, as you select that one movie everyone can agree on. Watch the cover art shuffle and reshuffle as Kaleidescape makes intelligent recommendations of movies based on genre, actor, or director.

Kaleidescape up-scales your DVDs, stores DVDs, Blu-rays and CDs all in one place and enables you to download films directly from the Kaleidescape store, in equivalent Blu-ray quality, for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, Kaleidescape plays well with other products, adding value to the rest of the quality equipment in your home cinema.

For more information or to arrange a relaxed meeting and home walkthrough, The Media Rooms can be contacted on 01344 883 639, e-mail: info@themediarooms.co.uk or website: www.themediarooms.co.uk.

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The Chase

Maidenhead

Guide Price ÂŁ1,250,000

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A stunning individual, detached residence in excess of 3000 sq ft, located in a private cul-de-sac on the outskirts of Maidenhead.

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 43

Italian design - sheer privilege

logica twin The tradition of the Sauna and the Hammam, the freshness of pure water, natural materials combined in a single exclusive product, all in the very best Italian taste

www.effegibi.it

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

MOTORING

Eastern Promise W I T H T H E R E I N C A R N AT I O N O F T H E N S X , C A N H O N D A P R O D U C E A TRUE HYBRID SUPERCAR?

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Unveiled Itat the recent Detroit motorshow, Honda showcased its next generation NSX supercar, coming to market some 25 years after the launch of its iconic predecessor. Developed in the US, the newest addition to the evolving supercar scene will be produced in the new Performance Manufacturing Centre in Marysville, Ohio.

Whilst there are similarities to the original – a low slung two seater cabin positioned ahead of a V6 cradled in a lightweight structure to name the key ones – the second generation NSX seeks to move the supercar world on a similar leap to its inimitable forefather featuring a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain driving all four wheels and the use of carbonfibre to reinforce the floor.

The 3.5 litre V6 combines with 3 electric motors (one mounted adjacent to the engine and the other two mounted on the front axle, 1 each driving an individual wheel). Although Honda are being coy around the actual power figures industry rumours speculate on a total of no less than 500bhp translating into a comfortable sub 4.0 seconds dash to sixty mph and v-max approaching the hallowed double tonne. Any concerns about the car’s ability to rein this extraordinary performance in are allayed by carbon ceramic discs fitted as standard housed under 19” alloy wheels.

With the power fed to the wheels via a 9 speed “synapse quick” DCT (dual clutch transmission) the car promises exhilarating acceleration figures. Agile Handling Assist (AHA) uses “subtle application of the brake torque to further enhance response and dynamic stability”. This coupled with the ‘torque vectoring’ effect of the front electric motors intimate that the NSX will bring handling limits displayed by the upper echelon of the supercar nee hypercar game (think Porsche 918 levels of interactivity and handling prowess for a fraction of that car’s nigh on a £1m price tag and you shouldn’t be far wrong…).

To this end the NSX has four switchable chassis modes.

Quiet mode allows the car to be driven on battery power for short distances. The next three modes move in gradual levels from this via Sport, Sport + and Track – for ultimate performance motoring.

This tantalising prospect is made all the more appealing by the car’s appearance. The photos reveal a striking, cab forward stance with mere slits for the headlamps and gaping honeycomb effect grills. Strategically placed air intakes provide sufficient cooling to the engine, brakes and motors at high speed and in all climes. Constructed from a blend of high strength steel and aluminium, and of course not forgetting that carbon fibre floor, as a guide to the approach taken to make the NSX the car it is the design and engineering team sought to equip it with “ultra-thin” A-pillars aiding visibility and increasing the car’s useability across the spectrum. Indeed it was this very factor that marked the original NSX’s down as a gamechanger in the early 1990s forcing the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini et al to go back to the drawing board and deliver products able to not only cope with the racetrack but also everyday driving.

In terms of competitors the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911, Audi R8, Ferrari 458 and McLaren 12C were used as benchmarks by the development team, according to Chief engineer, Ted Klaus. To quote “We’re looking for the excitement of the 458 at the price of the 911, and we think the hybrid technology can help us achieve that.”

100 eager UK enthusiasts have already placed ‘pre-orders for the New NSX. The earliest examples are expected to be delivered in late 2015 with an anticipated price tag in the region of £90-115k, a figure comfortably below that of the opposition the car is targeting. We can’t wait to try the car for real on the road and see how close Klaus and his dedicated team have got to achieving their goal – should you feel the same best begin to form an orderly queue at your local Honda dealership.

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Nine Mile Ride,

Finchampstead ÂŁ899,950

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“Having undergone a full refurbishment this individual five bedroom detached property has bright and airy accommodation of 2794 sq ft.�

To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838 49

Forest Road

Warfield £2,000,000

“A substantial detached residence offering accommodation and outbuildings in excess of 6300 sq ft on a private, versatile plot of 6.4 acres.”

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To find out more about this stunning property, please contact on 0118 907 9838

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