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Mauritius Ajman Uruguay Monte Carlo Riyadh

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Nella geografia del mondo alla scoperta della natura e dell’uomo

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AMERICA - AFRICA - ASIA - GRANDE NORD E RUSSIA - ANTARTIDE

IL TUCANO VIAGGI RICERCA - Piazza Solferino, 14/G - 10121 Torino tel. 011 561 70 61 - info@tucanoviaggi.com - www.tucanoviaggi.com

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Dinarobin, Mauritius

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Trou aux Biches Resort

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Spa, Mauritius

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Monte-Carlo Beach Principauté de Monaco

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EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, Editor-in-Chief

ediscovering Mauritius. Its beaches, its sugarcane plantations swaying in the wind, its famous curries, its spices, its people. But above all its resorts, which are constantly being improved, made even more appealing, more special, more entertaining. A classic destination which continues to amaze. Like Monte Carlo which has recently seen the radical restyling of its best structures, returning them to an unexpected youth.

So much glamour, but also so much substance, with innovative cuisines and spas catering to the needs of contemporary guests.

And between discovery and rediscovery, Resorts Magazine has reached its third edition. Following the English edition and the Italian one. You can see above the cover of the first issue of the Chinese edition, produced in collaboration with Travel Asia, a publisher from Hong Kong. There is always space (and market) for quality and excellence.

Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!

CONTENTS

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TOP 10 mountain resorts

36

HONG at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh

42

KEMPINSKI HOTEL AJMAN Ajman

48

THE AMERICAN COLONY HOTEL Jerusalem

Saint Moritz, Switzerland

Crafted for perfection

Sennheiser HD 800: il riferimento per le cuffie dinamiche. Una resa acustica eccezionale, un suono estremamente naturale, fedele in ogni dettaglio, un‘immagine sonora brillante per una spazialità senza precedenti.

Il tutto realizzato interamente a mano, “made in Germany”. www.sennheiser.it sennheiser.cons@exhibo.it

The Pursuit of Perfect Sound

CONTENTS

MAURITIUS exclusive

Mauritius

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ROYAL PALM Grand Baie

66

DINAROBIN HOTEL GOLF & SPA Le Morne Peninsula

72

TROU AUX BICHES Triolet

CONTENTS

URUGUAY exclusive

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ESTANCIA VIK José Ignacio

Estancia Vik

CONTENTS

MONACO exclusive

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MONTE-CARLO BEACH Monte-Carlo

PrincipautĂŠ de Monaco

CONTENTS

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TOMAS THAN Milano

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lifeStyle

www.palidano.com

E X C L U S I V E

D E S T I N A T I O N S

2015

Top Places to Stay in Florence & Nearby

Top 100

This directory offers an annotated and up-todate instrument for the possible destinations for those who want to stay in the city or nearby. This because sometimes it is not only a question of price but rather attention to detail, passion and taste.

HOTEL COLONIALI

Questa directory offre uno strumento aggiornato e ragionato sulle possibili destinazioni per chi vuole soggiornare in città o nelle vicinanze. Perché a volte non è solo questione di prezzo ma di attenzione al dettaglio, passione e gusto.

PP

PalidanoPress Four Seasons Hotel

2015

L’autore, Paolo Gerbaldo, è inviato di Resorts Magazine.

HOTEL COLONIALI

Dal Settecento fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. Due secoli di lusso ai tropici, tra ventilatori a pale, verande, tè pomeridiani e stuoli di servitori. Molti in Asia ma anche nelle colonie africane e in Centro America.

Una storia affascinante di lungimiranti investitori, pionieri e avventurieri costellata di nomi eccellenti come Raffles, Peninsula e Strand. Questa directory ci mostra i migliori esempi sopravvissuti dove sperimentare esperienze e atmosfere d’altri tempi.

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Top P l aces t o St ay i n

Flor en ce Four Seasons Hotel

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Top 100

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Top 100

T H E

and nearb y PalidanoPress

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D E S T I N A T I O N S

XI, n. 61 2015

Editor-in-Chief Ovidio Guaita Senior Editor Lawrence Taylor Contributors Elsa Bozzaotra, Maria Coscarelli, Paola Di Girolamo, Marco Galli, Paolo Gerbaldo, Alessandra Jovinelli, Daniela Komisarjevsky Libero, Pamela McCourt Francescone, Hasrudin Tazep Photos Ovidio Guaita, Lawrence Taylor, Paolo Gerbaldo, , published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.nican.me Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press IT Manager Riccardo Casano www.riccardocasano.com Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscription Europe 300 € Rest of the World 350 € Publisher PalidanoPress 3 More London Riverside - SE1 2RE London US Office 1133 Broadway, Suite 708 - New York, NY 10010 www.palidano.com

© 2015 Palidano Press Ltd ISSN 2043-6629 www.resorts.it

Cover: Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa, Mauritius.Right: Mauritius.

our correspondents All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.

LAWRENCE TAYLOR Chinese delights in the celebrated Hong Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.

DANIELA KOMISARJEVSKY LIBERO In Tomas Than’s showroom in Milano. Tactile, exclusive, personalised.

PAOLO GERBALDO Design in a secluded Monte-Carlo in this visit to the historic Beach Hotel.

ELSA BOZZAOTRA Luxury mountain: the 10 high-altitude resorts for winter and summer.

PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE In the silence of the plains of Uruguay, Pamela tries out Estancia Vik.

MARIA COSCARELLI The aroma of spices wafts from the special article on Mauritius by Maria in this issue.

ROBERTO SESSOLI Roberto, with Maria, has photographed and filmed excellence in Mauritius.

Milano Italia

Monte-Carlo Monaco

JosĂŠ Ignacio Uruguay

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our destinations

Jerusalem Israel

Ajman UAE

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Mauritius Mauritius

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Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Weggis Zürich Lugano Oberlech

N. 54 DICEMBRE 2014 EDIZIONE ITALIANA

Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Lugano Weggis Zürich Oberlech Punta Ala

The >Chedi, Andermatt

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NEW YORK PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP BANGKOK CHIANG MAI GOLDEN TRIANGLE LANAII HONOLULU

NEW YORK PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP BANGKOK CHIANG MAI GOLDEN TRIANGLE LANAII HONOLULU

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Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

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Mi la no Tal l in Vil ni us Ri ga S ai nt -Tr op ez S ard eg na C osta N avari n o 49 8

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TOP 10 | MOUNTAIN RESORTS

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Elsa Bozzaotra

Top

10

s t r o s e r n i a t moun e ltitud excellence at high-a

urchevel, France 1. Cheval Blanc, Co Shimla, India 2. The Oberoi Cecil, t Moritz, Switzerland in Sa , se ou H ta et vr 3. Su land Saint Moritz, Switzer 4. Badrutt’s Palace, nd el, Gstaad, Switzerla 5. Gstaad Palace Hot da rings, Alberta, Cana 6. Fairmont Banff Sp ce, Cervinia, Italia 7. Mont Cervin Pala nd Interlaken, Switzerla 8. Victoria-Jungfrau, chevel, France 9. Saint-Joseph Cour he, Buhl, Germany hö er hl Bü l te ho ss lo 10.Sch

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TOP 10 | MOUNTAIN RESORTS

E

-a lti tu de . xc el le nc e at hi gh m in g fo r co el r sp or ts , or w te in w r fo y ad an d re ni ab ly so .

Co ve re d in sn ow be gu ili ng . Un de e ar ns ai nt ou m io ns , s an d re co rd s. su m m er ex cu rs d le ge nd s, ra ce an s ie or St . al ap pe an d sw ee pi ng A de ep -r oo te d at in g su m m its br le ce , st re e th Li te ra tu re di d s. vi ew th e w or ld . W ho nt ai n re so r ts in ou m d st be n te se a? B ea ch es an Th es e ar e th e on ly be by th e d x ul la co re ts r to so le re po ss ib ev er sa id th at ow bu t it is al so sh e e on th t l ha ea w st ’s ly at iin g if th at ol ls ce r ta in e e m ou nt ai ns . Sk th th d in f an el es ew vi on e e an d re st or en jo yi ng th g, in k al w ds y pl si m di ng cr ow . en jo ys , bu t al so e. Fa r fr om m ad nc le si e th l al e ov r k is h ba th s. cl ea n ai r. An d ab g sa un as an d Tu tin vi in ith w a, sp W ith a be au tif ul

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e d i w d l r o W s t r o s e R 0 0 1 Top

51 Amanwana ldives at Reethi Rah Ma ly On e& 52 Amansara On 1 aavaru ala Estate, Bali Resort at Landaa Gir ns aso Se ur 53 Como Shambh Fo 2 i aw gk Lan t ce uri sor 54 Shanti Ma Four Seasons Re 3 ence yal Mirage, The Resid Pangkor Laut at s ate Est e 55 One&Only Ro Th 4 Palace 56 Anassa Taj Umaid Bhawan 5 Jimbaran Bay at li Ba ves Rangali Island t sor Re ns 57 Conrad Maldi Four Seaso 6 s ve ldi Ma a, Sp & i Resort 58 Reid's Palace Shangri-la's Villingil 7 e vat Pri nd Isla 59 Amanpulo FrĂŠgate 8 at Sayan li Ba e t sor Re ns aso 60 Grande Roch Four Se 9 try Hotel un Co nd rla o Ku jiw an 61 10 Am raa Hu da Ku at ean Club Resort 62 One&Only Oc 11 Four Seasons s ve ldi Ma a, s sort and Sp 63 Aman-i-Kha 12 Taj Exotica Re z ga Ra d Ba t sor Re 64 Amankora d 13 Gran Resort a Sp & lf Go ra 65 Suvretta House rdu 14 Ve eirah yas ala Him 66 Madinat Jum 15 Ananda in the lla we 67 Aman 16 Amanusa du Cap Ferrat Resort Chiang Mai ns aso 68 Grand Hotel Se ur Fo 17 Resort Nevis 69 Four Seasons 18 Il Salviatino mbo Lodge t, Bali 70 Singita Lebo 19 Bulgari Resor e & Spa 71 The Nam Hai 20 Al Areen Palac Zanzibar e lac 72 The Residence 21 Taj Lake Pa jvilas 73 Sandy Lane 22 The Oberoi Ra mp Golden Triangle Ca ted Ten ns aso 74 Blancaneaux 23 Four Se Spa rr Al Jissah Resort & gh ba 75 Shangri-la's Ba 24 Aman Lodge 76 Amankila 25 Sabi Sabi Earth Lijiang y Ca 77 Banyan Tree t rro 26 Pa sort & Spa Re e lac et Phuk 78 Blue Pa 27 Banyan Tree Palm e Th ly On 79 One& 28 The Legian i a Ma yar g an ian 80 Am 29 The Chedi Ch Tunis Resort Bora Bora ns aso 81 The Residence Se ur Fo a 30 Sayang Resort & Sp sa Ra 's -la gri an Sh 82 31 Amandari rtesin scat 83 Hotel Finca Co 32 The Chedi Mu ita ah An at s den-Roc tiu Resort Mauri 84 Hotel du Cap-E 33 Four Seasons 85 Le Touessrok 34 Cheval Blanc lle Ga ess rtr 86 Soneva Fushi 35 The Fo iera Maya es ell ych Se e Tre 87 The Tides Riv an 36 Bany Country Estate au uh watu 88 Whareka 37 Alila Villas Ulu es ell Seych 89 Muse 38 Four Seasons Ringha hl Hasheesh Sa i ero 90 Banyan Tree Ob e Th 39 ele ch Mi n e Sa lac Pa 91 Villa 40 Beau-Rivage sert Resort & Spa De on t cti sor lle Re Co un ry ch xu 92 Fu 41 Al Maha, a Lu roa Kia 93 42 Palazzo Sasso oon Resort and Spa aivilas 94 Bora Bora Lag 43 The Oberoi Ud h Van Bay cil 95 Six Senses Nin 44 The Oberoi Ce o 96 MesaStila 45 Hotel Splendid try Club Sanya un Co & tel Ho e pir 97 Banyan Tree 46 The Em ce rsa 98 Palazzo Ve 47 Amanpuri urice 99 K Club 48 Le Prince Ma tal Carlton Cannes e dg Lo i en Sw 100 InterContinen a git 49 Sin Resort & Spa 50 Cuisinart Golf

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TOP RESTAURANT | HONG, RIYADH

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Lawrence Taylor

Hong

ity tradition and modern

ve e xc lu si vi t y, ti n te at f o t x I n a co n te on, f T h e R it z- C ar lt o r o o fl t rs fi o n th e st at e o f th e e th is g n o R iy ad h , H di in e in th e S au is cu se e in h C ar t o f in n o va ti ve in t ye al n io it ad ca p it al . Tr vi ce . it h su p e r b se r w d an n o ti ta p re se n

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R TOP RESTAURANT | HONG, RIYADH

m in at es La cq ue r re d do ra nt in R iy ad h.

Ch in es e re st au d ne w no re is e R itz - Ca r lto n, th e dé co r or th g se tt in g of Th lin k ar sp e th ch ar m , st ar tin g Lo ca te d w ith in ow n di st in c tiv e its at e s ha ng Ho ab le to an tic ip R iy ad h, th e iv e, m et ic ul ou s, nt rg e te la , At rs . ai ce ch vi r m g, ve lv et ar w ith th e se in ht lig t of S . oa by br d y ne ed th e gu es t ’s ev er th e w al ls fr am ed te ra co de hy gr ap pa ne ls w ith ca lli ld in gs . ou m d an s er pi la st Seabass with riginal Crispy o n a h t i w s u t p he served an The chef spoil Hot & Sour Sou n a u s. h c e z S r e t Lat Chee Prawn Chili Beans; af nd a terrine of a r g e n t i s d b d o u L P o e P c rass Ri elegant Kong with a Lemong d e n w o r c s a The meal w ums. with Spiced Pl

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INFO RESTAURANT HONG N THE RITZ-CARLTO abia Riyadh, Saudi Ar om

www.ritzcarlton.c

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BEACH HOTEL | KEMPINSKI HOTEL AJMAN

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Maria Coscarelli

n a m j A l e t o H i Kempinsk an oasis of peace

. This is the d i d n e l p S . t f Quiet. So asis Ajman. An o l e t o H i k s n i Kemp e ic world of th t c e h e h t n i of peace mirates.

United Arab E

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Y

BEACH HOTEL | KEMPINSKI HOTEL AJMAN

m es us at us uf ’s sm ile we lco a ge nt le th wi ab

ns fe r. An Ar tra r ou of ge ar ch is in at we ar e in a Du ba i’s ai rp or t. He ed ia te ly re al ise th m im e W . te ira hi s em ild in gs , ho te ls sm ile , wh o lo ve s ou t of no th in g. Bu rn bo s wa y cit a re ki Ho te l Aj m an sp ec ia l pl ac e. He se rt. Th e Ke m pi ns de of s lm . ile m of t de d by pe rfe ct ca ha ve em er ge d ou gu es t is su rro un e er th ov re s he ep t st Bu e . on as on is on e of th em s aw ay, bu t as so ile er m ov 15 ps ly ee on sw is c ite fro m th e su Du ba i’s tra ffi ew vi e Th n. e te lik ot is fo rg on it is th e th re sh ol d, it ite sa nd . Wal ki ng wh re pu e fin its an d th e wi de be ac h ba by po wd er. a th ick ca rp et of to in et fe e’s on sin ki ng ile re m in ds us to ra l tim es ; hi s sm ve se f la su Yu t ee ed at th e Sh ab el In th e ha ll we m lls di nn er is se rv fa g in ed en ar ev ep n pr he e ne ar en jo y ou r st ay. W nt go ur m et cu isi di sh es of ex ce lle re fre sh pr od uc ts , He . es nt us ra He au . st lo Re Pa rid e No vi el , ef ch n od uc ts . A lia Ita ca ed th e be st lo l pr by th e ta le nt th wi d ne bi m co lig ht ne ss . m Ita ly, al ly th an ks to its flo wn in da ily fro rti pa e, nc rie pe ex fy in g pe rt ha nd s pl ea sin g an d sa tis m pe re d by th e ex pa be to s ve el rs ou ge ne ro us an d La te r, we al lo we d Sp a. Th e m en u is ki ns pi m Ke e th at e fo ur tre at m en ts of th e th er ap ist s th e cr ow n ar e th in l ly we je e th t bu of pu re bl iss . Hi gh we ll- st ru ct ur ed , on s. 90 m in ut es as se its d an pe in sp ire d by Eu ro Yu su f re co m m en de d. oa sis . Ou r fri en d le av e th is lo ve ly to e he ar t m s co hi s er ha ov e Bu t th e tim es hi s ha nd ac pl he t or rp ai hi s lip s, he At th e dr iv es us ba ck . th at ne ve r le av es ile sm e th th wi ch es t, an d, be at in g hi s ck so on !”

“We ex pe ct yo u ba tly ee sw s er wh isp

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INFO HOTEL AJMAN KEMPINSKI HOTEL Ajman, UAE com

www.kempinski.

0 Rooms & Suites 18 nts 4 Villas 0 - Restaura Spa yes Children yes Chain Kempinski Affiliation none Activities and excursions beach activities 72 Score 62 Environment 69 n sig De 78

Service 82 Cuisine 66 h Healt 76 Spa 72 Rooms

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CITY HOTEL | THE AMERICAN COLONY HOTEL

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Paolo Gerbaldo

l e t o H y n o l o C The American lem

in the earth of Jerusa

th e sp le n d id f o r te ac ar ch T h e u n iq u e of w it h it s w e al th y, n lo o C an A m e r ic r ie n ta l st yl is ti c O d an ic b ra A d m e m o r ie s an ent s fr o m th e m o m u o vi b o is s, ce in fl u e n e lo b b y. o n e st e p s in to th

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CITY HOTEL | THE AMERICAN COLONY HOTEL

le from Chicago, he legendary coup need for a arrived in Jerusalem in 1881. Their e d, or aff ips Sp lationsh with th Horatio and Anna to build excellent re em r th d de or lea In on y. so idl life ” grew rap simple Christian colony of “americans e s th wa e, a hil ch nw pa ea a r M . fo local population nally been built igi or d ha ich at th wh ed ilding : Baron Ustinov decid to house them, a bu velopment in 1902 Land, de ly w ne Ho a e s th wa in e ist er bought. Th did not yet ex ich wh ard nd sta a of suitable hospitality, d European visitors. able for American an ail av e ad m be ld shou rn: a place destined l Jerusalem was bo te Ho y lon Co n ica travel in the Near And thus The Amer of Jerusalem and of ry to to his e th in le ro ade, and continues to play a unique erican Colony has m Am ts e es th gu at s th ou ion fam ut welcomes East. The contrib niable. It regularly de un is ty, Ci ly Ho make, to the journalism. litics, of culture, of odern and from the world of po ed hotel with 84 m wn no re a is e m ho ord’s ps from the old Nowadays the Spaff nt retreat, a few ste ga ele An s. ite su d an ity in multicultural comfortable rooms An island of neutral t. ee m n tio cre dis d r: a combination of city, where class an ting at the Cellar Ba ee m r fo e ac pe of Jerusalem. An oasis cor. century oriental dé h of modernity and 19th lony, with its wealt lendid American Co sp e the th m of r fro cte us ara vio uences, is ob The unique ch infl tic lis sty l ta ien ic and Or htful interior memories and Arab lead into the delig es ch Ar . by lob e into th history, surprises moment one steps this stroll through wn do g din ee oc it. Pr lconies, lounges, garden and frame rridors, passages, ba co s, l ult va of n sio es sha Terrace. A hote continue in a succ ces, such as the Pa rra te d an , om Ro y. such as the Pasha dialogue with the cit ectural and cultural hit arc m an in d ge ga en estigious dishes fro e restaurant offers pr qu es by d ab Ar nie pa ed m ag co an ac The cleverly m ernational menu, all o those from an int e experiences an on l te Ho y lon Arab cuisine but als Co n ica er Am e th at aying a superb wine list. St nt times. kes us back to dista ta ich wh e er a hospitality atmosph ntury, one can enjoy ce th 19 e th of d en e Here, today as at th voyage en Orient. eat tradition of the gr e th of rt pa is which

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INFO HOTEL LONY HOTEL

THE AMERICAN CO Jerusalem, Israel

olony.com

www.americanc

Rooms & Suites 84 nts 1 Villas 0 - Restaura Spa no Children yes tels

Chain Gauer Ho Affiliation LHW Activities sightseeing

67 Score 93 nt me on Envir 85 Design 74 Service 84 Cuisine 54 Health 0 Spa 76 Rooms

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SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

MAUR

A condensed version of India and Madagascar, with a few European and Chinese touches, concentrated in a few square miles on a tropical island.

Mauritius is as airy, serene and sunny as India is big and bombastic. Rising between the islands of Rﾃｩunion and Madagascar, the old ﾃ四e Maurice is not much more than a rock just north of

ITIUS the tropic of Capricorn.

SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

Ask your guide to take you to see something interesting, and you will find yourself in front of the botanical gardens of Pamplemousses. Before showing you museums, ethereal colonial houses or beaches, a Mauritian will show you nature.

Sugarcane plantations are everywhere. The whistle of the wind as it blows through the leaves is a pleasant sound.

Or walk alongside the tea bushes at Bois ChĂŠri and run your hands through them. Rum is an integral part of Mauritian life and the Rhumerie Chamarel shows this well.

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SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

P o rt L o u is is a cla ssic cap ita l. T raf f i c, busy p e o p le , sh o ps of all kin ds. Bu t a vi si t t o i ts m a rk e t is a t r ea t for th e ey es a nd t he cam era.

A n e xp lo sio n of colou r s an d a r om as.

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Leaving the capital, travelling south, stop at EurĂŠka La Maison CrĂŠole. Visit, followed by a Creole lunch on the veranda. Never tasted vanilla ice-cream like this before.

Maria Coscarelli and Roberto Sessoli went to discover the island.

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SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

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Maria Coscarelli

Royal Palm six-star aloe Sky and ocean melt into each other as magic in this “six star� aloe-scented resort.

An exclusive address where service, cuisine, spa and surroundings together all reach the highest levels.

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R SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

oyal Palm is the perfect name for this piece of paradise where the fragrance of aloe reigns everywhere. Wherever you lay your eyes, they settle on a constant quest for perfection. From the moment we walked through the gates, every single moment has been perfect. While the porter took care of our luggage, we were already in our Ocean Suite. Check-in in our room, but it only took a signature before we were alone: the ocean and us. The music of the waves echoes in the air and will accompany our entire stay.

Providing everything one could wish for in a luxury holiday is this resort’s strong point. A perfect place to relax in the Indian Ocean. To enjoy the Mauritian way of life in one of its most beautiful corners.

Stretching out in the morning sun, enjoying a beautiful beach of white sand framed by splendid turquoise water is a pleasure that guests are unlikely to forget. The air is inebriating, laden with scents.

Aloe is the one which has loyally followed us: from the yoghurt at breakfast to the face cloths in our room or the Spa. Or while we relax after a sauna and a hamman, rocked by gentle background music, waiting for the expert hands of the therapists.

Dinner in the La Goélette restaurant, which has been in the hands of Michel De Matteis for ten years. A creative chef who loves variety and has always pursued perfection, as he did when he worked for the three-star Tour d’Argent in Paris.

But it is time to leave. We take with us the memory of a sublime experience … and the scent of aloe which has accompanied our “six-star” stay.

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SPECIAL | MAURITIUS

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INFO HOTEL

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Maria Coscarelli

Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa under Le Morne

Mauritian and French taste reign in this bright green promontory dominated by an imposing guardian: the unmistakable mount Le Morne.

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bove us, the dark outline of Le Morne towers over Dinarobin. Which ever way one turns, its silent presence is there, different shades the only change. We even glimpse it at dusk as we slowly, carefully swing back our golf club for a challenging par 4 in our exploration of the best 18 holes on the island. It’s nearly tempting to hit the ball at it to see it disappear in its thick vegetation. The Dinarobin is nestled on a peninsula protected by this promontory: Le Morne. Two thousand feet high and an incredibly history.

The sun touches the last edge of the palm tree over us and red inflames the sky and the snowy clouds. We are alone: us, the sea, the sky... and the peace of the place. The dark shapes of the straw parasols keep us company, a light breeze causing them to rustle in tune with the surrounding palm trees.

“Un vendeur de plaisir” is how Franck Page, French chef and globetrotter, likes to define himself. With the Mauritian chef Berty, he “sells” the pleasure of a simple cuisine. Because simple is beautiful and suits the tastes of different palates. Spices, fresh fish, locally-grown vegetables. The cooking class in villa 870 will be one of the most beautiful and treasured memories of this magical island.

Near Dinarobin there is another jewel of the Beachcomber group: Paradis Hotel & Golf Course. Three miles of untouched white sand coupled with an excellent golf course. To play under the watchful eye of the local guardian, until the first shadows of night fall on Le Morne also.

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Maria Coscarelli

Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa an unusual name for an unusual place If the body has a memory, it will remember the time spent on this tropical island lost in the Indian Ocean.

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settle into my comfortable seat in Emirates Business Class and close my eyes. I do not want to open them again. I want to remember. I cannot forget. I really do not want to. I do not want a place which has given me so much to be forgotten. I do not want to forget Helena and her beautiful amber hands, with its slender long fingers.

A red henna tattoo. Definitely unique. Those hands with such well cared for shiny nails. When they massaged me they seemed ethereal, like alabaster.

The Spa seems like a blue rose in a bouquet of red roses. The scent of the thousands of plants which surround this place is inebriating and makes me feel out of this world. In another dimension. The admiration for what is created, which is generally intensified in the Tropics, makes me feel truly well here.

The plane rolls but I really do not want to open my eyes. I want to continue to taste the fleeting tannic aftertaste of the oaky champagne I sipped admiring an intensely pink sunset. I want to preserve the flavour of the Catalan onion cream. Of a cucumber sorbet... but does the young and talented chef, Lorenzo Buti, realise that his guests close their eyes and dream of his dishes? Even in the plane?

I will not open them. I have decided. I slip on my headphones and allow myself to be rocked by the high-altitude turbulence, but above all by the memory of the smiles, the welcome, the efficiency of Fatima, Rachel, Houma and all the staff. Their dependability made me feel truly important.

An unusual feeling, in an unusual place, with an unusual name – at least for an island lost in the Indian Ocean.

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COUNTRYSIDE RESORT | ESTANCIA VIK

URUG

Nature reigns in this former Spanish colony. Since the introduction of cattle by the Iberian conquistadors, the broad prairies still host many herds. Small and large rivers cut through these lowlands half way between the Argentine Pampas and the Brazilian hills.

GUAY

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In the capital, Montevideo, founded in the 18th century, neo-classical buildings alternate with contemporary hightech. But it is mainly the countryside that draws visitors. The silence, the flat expanse of green stretching to the horizon, days punctuated by the rhythm of rural activity. Pamela McCourt Francescone experienced this and more at Estancia Vik.

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Pamela McCourt Francescone

Estancia Vik space, light, infinity

Clean white lines and colonial colonnades, bright blue and yellow corridors, red tin roofs, and contemporary art.

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liberating feeling of isolation as the road winds up through fields to the hilltop property with its sweeping views across 4,000 acres of ranchlands to the distant horizon that melts into sky and sea. Estancia Vik: space, light, infinity.

Only 12 rooms - four are Master Suites – all unique, and with original art work by Uruguayan artists. Striking, but not for everyone, the Trujillo Suite’s nude paintings. The old wooden fencing used as a bed head in the Cardozo Suite was found on the estate. The Musso Suite vibrantly replicates frescoes from Pompeii’s Villa dei Misteri. The Barea Suite is awash with giant brightly-coloured murals, and the dark-panelled Master Suite Vik has a magnificent wooden bath tub, a large terrace and, like all the rooms in the blue west wing, stunning sunset views.

Menus change daily in the brick-vaulted dining room (and on the pool terrace in summer) featuring organic produce and fresh seafood. The parillero, a tin hut with graffiti walls and a large fire pit, of the kind used by Uruguay’s gauchos, serves meltinglytender Uruguayan meats.

The main room has comfortable couches and an eye-catching Google-map ceiling. Guests while away the time at the swimming pool which has large arches overlooking the plains, lagoon and river, in the small spa and gym, horseback riding, playing polo or canoeing on the river.

They are also welcome in the newly-opened Vik Playa, in the chic jet-setting village of Josè Ignacio, with its black granite infinity pool fronting the ocean. While gourmets will head for nearby Puelo Garzon where celebrity chef Francis Mallman reigns supreme.

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CITY RESORT | MONTE-CARLO BEACH

MONTE-

Like a fairy-tale. Wealthy and opulent, the most famous area of the Principality of Monaco exudes glamour. Actors, royalty, magnates and promoters of a “creative� finance without borders animate the scene of this tiny city-state.

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The Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix is held here, and people play roulette in its famous casino. This is were beautiful Grace Kelly came to marry Prince Ranieri, turning Monaco into a front cover destination.

One by one, hotels in Monaco are being renovated to offer even better quality. Our reporter Paolo Gerbaldo tried out one of the top resorts, the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel which was recently reopened.

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Paolo Gerbaldo

Monte-Carlo Beach glamour and discretion

A jewel combining glamour and discretion. Mediterranean charm integrates the bright colours of the rooms perfectly with the spirit of the place.

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uilt at the end of the Twenties with an international spirit catering to the new fashion for summer seaside holidays, the Monte-Carlo Beach is a jewel which follows the shape of the coastline, combining glamour and discretion. A first look at the building shows the play of exuberant tones and colours over a harmonious and lively architecture. The careful renovation by India Madhavi keeps the essential elements of the legendary Beach, starting from the colour of the facade, adapting them with great skill to today’s world.

Mediterranean charm thus integrates the bright colours of the rooms perfectly with the spirit of the place. Luxurious and intimate spaces in symbiosis with Le Grand Bleu which is reflected in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, filled with sea water, of the Beach Club.

Mediterranean flavours are enhanced by the starred chef, Paolo Sari. At the Elsa restaurant with its splendid terrace, Sari offers a 100% organic menu based on local products he selects personally. The dishes are prepared with meticulous care and offer a perfect harmony of textures, presentation and sensations.

In the Monte-Carlo Resort, Paolo Sari’s Michelin star is only a few steps away from Marcel Ravin’s star: Ravin showcases his approach to cuisine in the Blue Ray restaurant of the Monte Carlo-Bay Hotel & Resort. The dynamic and vital cuisine of Ravin places great technique at the service of research which span from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. A menu which in its original combinations is a winning proof of an alchemy of taste which is mindful of the substance of products.

Inimitable excellence is, since 1863, the distinguishing feature of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM): a dream which, constantly looking to the future, continues to thrill.

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Tomas Than

no logo luxury

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Daniela Komisarjevsky Libero

Luxury without logos for travellers who like a timeless style. Every unique piece, each one a true masterpiece, is an expression of Tomas Than’s aesthetic vision, as the architecture he loves creeps into all his creations.

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uxury without logos for travellers who like a timeless style. Every unique piece, each one a true masterpiece, is an expression of Tomas Than’s aesthetic vision, as the architecture he loves creeps into all his creations.

Walking into the show-room gives the visitor privileged access to the world of Than: objects, books, household décor which make up his every day life are combined with elegant taste which recalls the middleeastern background of the stylist. The atmosphere captures the senses and readies us to design the masterpiece which will accompany us in our travels following personal itineraries and lifestyles.

Exquisite ostrich and crocodile skins, calfskin in spectacular colours that craftsmen – exclusively from Italy - will assemble, creating and numbering the essential pieces of the collection, including the star piece, the versatile Sir John bag. True luxury lies in travelling to new horizons carrying one’s belongings in a T.T. rigorously logo-free creation, which one will then personalise and enrich, making it irresistibly shabby chic wrapped in the scent of spices and exotic fragrances. Tomas Than may soon dedicate one of this bags to the readers of Resorts, following his motto: There is no greater satisfaction than sharing with others what we have created for ourselves.

Thank you Tomas for sharing, enriching our lives with beauty, traditional craftsmanship, history and design. Our personal initials are the only distinguishing feature on each bag, leaving a fragment of ourselves to those who will follow and will discover through our T.T bags the fascination of non- conformist and preciously unique pieces.

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in the next issue

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