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Bodrum Siracusa Catania Marrakech Boracay Zambia Muroto
Kempinski Barbaros Bay, Bodrum
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La Mamounia, Marrakech
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Des Etrangers Hotel &Spa, Siracusa
D E S T I N A T I O N S
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EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, International Editor-in-Chief
Marrakech
n Sicily, for the arrival of the orange blossoms. The scent of the blossoms pervades the Sicilian dawn, perfuming the stay of those who choose to come here at this delightful time of year. The pleasant temperature, the tranquillity and the many flavours of the island that greet us, and also the hustle and bustle of the streets of Marrakech abound with boisterous travellers. But fortunately, once you enter the door of the Mamounia, you become wrapped up in the calm magic of a history that relives some of its best moments there. We then travelled to Phuket and Bangkok. Then to Zambia, a classic for safari lovers, a location that has always been loved, and where hospitality is getting better and better.
Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!
CONTENTS
30
TOP 10 cruise ships
34
DES ETRANGERS HOTEL & SPA Siracusa, Italia
38
KEMPINSKI BARBAROS BAY Bodrum, Turkey
42
UTOCO Muroto Misaki, Japan
46
Sea Cloud II
NEXT ROOM MORPHotel
CONTENTS
MARRAKECH exclusive
56
LA MAMOUNIA Marrakech, Morocco
THAILAND exclusive
68
TOWER CLUB AT LEBUA Bangkok
72
TWINPALMS Phuket
78
KATA ROCKS Phuket
84
INDIGO PEARL Phuket
CONTENTS
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BANGKOK AIRPORT Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
on the wings of
CONTENTS
ZAMBIA top safari
102
ZAMBESI KALEFU CAMP Lower Zambesi, Zambia
RM
lifeStyle
108
2016 GUAM EVENTS Guam Visitors Bureau
CONTENTS
www.palidano.com
E X C L U S I V E
D E S T I N A T I O N S
2014
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
2014
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
Places to Stay in Florence & Nearby
HOTEL COLONIALI
L’autore, Paolo Gerbaldo, è inviato di Resorts Magazine.
Top 100
Top 100
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.
aggiornare ISBN PalidanoPress Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
PP
T op 100 P l aces t o St ay i n
Flor en ce Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
M O S T
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
XII, n. 70 2016
Editor-in-Chief Ovidio Guaita Senior Editor Lawrence Taylor Contributors Elsa Bozzaotra, Riccardo Casano, 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, Arturo di Casola published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.nican.me Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscription Europe 300 € Rest of the World 350 € Publisher PalidanoPress 3 More London Riverside - SE1 2RE London Co-Publisher Hong Kong and Macao edition Asia Travel Media Ltd. Room 1705-1708, 17/F, Pacifi c Plaza, 410 Des Voeux Road West, HK
© 2016 Palidano Press Ltd
In copertina: Kempinski Barbaros Bay, Bodrum. A destra: Phuket, Thailand.
our correspondents All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.
LAWRENCE TAYLOR In Bangkok descovering the top city hotel and the top airport hotel.
OVIDIO GUAITA Ovidio is in Bodrum, in Turkey, the ancient Halicarnassus, where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once arose.
ELSA BOZZAOTRA Elsa tells us everything about the best cruise ships in this issue.
PAOLA DI GIROLAMO In the Lower Zambesi National Park, Paola proposes a luxurious tented camp.
PAOLO GERBALDO A classic of Moroccan luxury hospitality, La Mamounia, is always fascinating despite its years.
MARCO GALLI Marco reviews a unique floating hotel. For now it is only a project, but one never knows.
ARTURO DI CASOLA In Japan reviewing an unusual spa-resort.
MARIA COSCARELLI Maria presents the 2016 Guam events program.
Marrakech Morocco
Siracusa Italia
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our destinations Muroto Misaki Japan Bodrum Turkey
Bangkok Phuket
Thailand
Thailand
Lower Zambesi Zambia
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Saint Petersburg Hainan Zanzibar Zurich Cannes Catania Siem Reap Botswana
Manila Oman Spalato Porto Montenegro Tirana Sofia Belgrade Zagreb Skopje Cap-Ferrat Masai Mara
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Luzern Venezia Lisbon Masai Mara Selous Onguma Chianti Cusco
Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp, Kenya
www.resorts.it
InterContinental Carlton, Cannes
TOP 10 | CRUISE SHIPS
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Elsa Bozzaotra
Top
10
cruise ships hip eS
s) Top Cruis e is ru C d y lo -L g a p a Europa (H
loyd Cruises) 1. Europa (Hapag-L (Crystal Cruises) 2. Crystal Serenity ilversea) 3. Silver Shadow (S rill Class (Canard) 4. Queen Mary II G (Seabourn) 5. Seabourn Legend Cloud Cruises) 6. Sea Cloud II (Sea -Lloyd Cruises) 7. Hanseatic (Hapag as Cruises) r (Regent Seven Se ge ya Vo as Se n ve 8. Se s) International Cruise n ea rid eb (H t iri Sp 9. Hebridean Dream Yacht Club) 10.Sea Dream II (Sea
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TOP 10 | CRUISE SHIPS
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us se tti ng sa il, al l of he n it co m es to d te ea cr ys ha s al wa ag in at io n, a cr ui se im l e al iv t ct no lle t co Bu r clu siv e. ar e sa ilo rs . In ou ng sp ec ia l an d ex hi e et ar m so em , th ay of lid ts an id ea of a ho le ve l. In fa ct , lo is is wh y a pa rti cu la rly hi gh ar tm en t bl oc ks . Th cr ui se sh ip s ar e of ap g in at flo d de er cr ow lo w, wh at ev er lit tle m or e th an ov th e sh ip s lis te d be On . ed ed ne is st nt in ua lly pa ck a ra nk in g of th e be ne ve r ha ve to co u yo ns ea m se ui a cr nc lu siv e se rv ice s th e de st in at io n, u ca n en jo y al l-i yo d an , gs ba e wo rld ’s se as , an an d un pa ck yo ur re fin ed st ay on th A . ne isi cu g in an d aw ar d- wi nn p. e un fo rg et ta bl e tri ey ca n en su re th od er n ve ss el s, th m le or ib s ss ip po sh st ng te W he th er sa ili co ur se , th e gr ea sa ili ng co m fo rt an d, of ov id e an ex ce lle nt gr ea te st po ss ib le e te ch no lo gy to pr at te r. dg m -e t n’ ng es tti cu do it th al l or la rg e, se cu rit y, wi sm is e ng le al ch e er th th e se rv ice an d ex pe rie nc e. W he th rta in ex te nt . It is ce a to ly on rs te at th th e su ite s th at Th e de st in at io n m re nc e, to ge th er wi ffe di e es th e ak m on -b oa rd ac tiv iti th e cu isi ne wh ich r ge t bo re d an d so ve rt. ne t po us in m ts ile es ar e on of fe r. Gu la nd ex cu rs io ns wh , al on g wi th th e on flo w un in te rru pt ed
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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 100 InterContinen Sw a git 49 Sin Resort & Spa 50 Cuisinart Golf
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HISTORIC HOTEL | DES ETRANGERS HOTEL & SPA
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Alessandra Jovinelli
a p S & l e t o H s Des Ăˆtranger a window on Ortygia
e o cl as si ca l p al ac e n a f o n io at T h e fa sc in la n d o f lo ca ti o n : th e is d e g e il iv r p a an d e d e le g an t ce n tr an t n e ci an e th O r t yg ia , ra cu se . o f th e ci t y o f Sy
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HISTORIC HOTEL | DES ETRANGERS HOTEL & SPA
l isl an d w hi ch , rt yg ia is a sm al ge . Re ce nt ly ra cu se by a br id Sy of st re e th ke d to an d na tu ra l no w ad ay s, is lin of ar ch ite ct ur al ve tro e ur as tre re al M ed ite rra ne an . re st or ed , it is a r bl ue se as of th e ea cl e th to in s nd w ho m Or ty gi a je we ls w hi ch ex te es s Ar te m is, to dd go r e th , nd ge ph Ar et hu sa , he Ac co rd in g to le e be au tif ul ny m th s d ou ge or an ch am e d, r fro m th w as co ns ec ra te er to pr ot ec t he at m gw fro rin s w sp flo to ill in st ha nd m ai de n, ee t, cl ea n w at er go d Al ph eu s. Sw Et ra ng er s ris es , s De l te Ho ad va nc es of th e e th g. An d be sid e it, th e Ar et hu sa sp rin nd ar y fig ur e. ca te d to th is le ge as th ey se t w ith its sp a de di es vi sit or s as so on rik st e er ph os m at en tu ry br on ze Th e fin de siè cle ce . An ea rly 20 th -c la pa l ica ss la oc ne t d wa lls co ve re d fo ot in th e el eg an us m ar bl e flo or s an uo pt e m su er ov es al so a fe at ur e of th ch an de lie r pr es id . Th e sa m e ta st e is es ez fri ed ld gi d wi th st uc co an yl e. in Ar t No uv ea u st in sp rin g ro om s, wh ich ar e d ja cu zz i, ha s an an om ro th ba c m os ai af ro nt . Ju st Su ite 42 0, wi th a ise bl ue of th e se uo rq tu e th d an ta in st au ra nt , wh ich vi ew ov er th e fo un e Ro of Ga rd en re th m fro d ha be to as sc en ic a vi ew is ne an cu isi ne . pi ca lly M ed ite rra ty by ed ish gu in is di st ge t ca rri ed aw ay is no t di ffi cu lt to it , m its fro it at ok ur se lf am on gs t W he re ve r yo u lo m . Bu t lo sin g yo ar nt ch cie ng an hi , tc es wi e ch ur ch by Or ty gi a’s be m pl es an d Ba ro qu te n k io sh ee fa Gr d g an on s rs , ca st le al le yw ay s – am e sig ne r lo un ge ba th de at d t an bu s , nt ce en cie vo ur its an no bl e re sid sa lly fu to y wa e be st bo ut iq ue s – is th gl y “c oo l”. t, ch ar m . Ex ce ed in an eg el e sa m e tim
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INFO HOTEL HOTEL & SPA DES ETRANGERS Siracusa, Italia ers.com
www.desetrang
Rooms & Suites 24 nts 1 Villas 0 - Restaura a us et Ar Spa Children yes ls Chain AMT Hote Affiliation none Activities sightseeing 69 Score 63 Environment 74 n Desig 79 Service 66 e isin Cu 64 Health 67 Spa 73 s Room
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SEA RESORT | KEMPINSKI BARBAROS BAY
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Ovidio Guaita
y a B s o r a b r a B i Kempinsk ss cana
cing Ali fa y a b d te n a h c n e n in a
Ju st
a
fe w
A li ca n as s,
ki lo m et re s
w h er e
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an ci en t h ad
h is
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SEA RESORT | KEMPINSKI BARBAROS BAY
, a fe w ye ar s ba ck na ug ur at ed ju st nt cie an e Th t im po rta nt de st in at io n to da y. au so le um , um’s m os th hi st or y. Th e m th is re so rt is Bo dr wi e rif st pa a to to te st ify re d, bu t th e to wn is st ill th er e ng sin ce di sa pp ea lo s ha e, ak qu ea rth an d m yr tle of di st ro ye d by an ys am id th e ro ck wa th pa g on al ng ro lli ss isi tu de s th is m yt h re m ai ns . St ct on ho w m an y vi fle re t bu lp he ot nn fo re th e Ae ge an th e re so rt, on e ca It al l oc cu rre d be d. se es tn wi s ha ru gg ed te rri to ry y as ev er. e Se a, as bl ue to da ch ec k- in , th er e ar e to th e ul tra -fa st nn rt ye so Ca re is by r th fe s ns en Fr om th e tra r gu es ts wh ich lik rth er ad ds of th e at te nt io n fo ne ra l. Th e sp a fu m an y in di ca tio ns ge in s tie er op pr pi ns ki an d tre at m en ts to th e ot he r Ke m a m en u of rit ua ls g rin fe of , ss cla of . Th e Si gn at ur e an im po rta nt no te e of th e co m pa ny nc rie pe ex nt rta lt an d ol iv e oi l in ba se d on th e im po sc ru b of m ar in e sa a s ne a bi m co r, la d a fa cia l, le av in g Jo ur ne y, in pa rti cu ed ish m as sa ge an Sw a rb th pe wi su a r am fo m y ad th e m ar bl e ha m ha lf ho ur s an d re ne d in tw o an d a m en u in clu de s e Th . sa os gu es t pe rfe ct ly to ar rb Ba , nt ra au st ac h re ris t-s in ge r. di nn er at th e be an ex ce lle nt gu ita by ed ni pa m co fis h, ac m ez ze an d fre sh ite ha s a se a er y ro om an d su ev at th r be em m re fa ct , it is in fu ll It is im po rta nt to is th e Ae ge an . In st ho al re e th re vi ew be ca us e he in th e gy m . au ra nt s an d ev en st re e th l al in vi ew
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INFO HOTEL AROS BAY KEMPINSKI BARB Bodrum, Turkey com
www.kempinski.
3 Rooms & Suites 17 nts 4 Villas 0 - Restaura s ye Spa Children yes Chain Kempinski Affiliation none Activities cursions sea activities, ex 72 Score 83 Environment 60 n Desig 69 Service 60 e isin Cu 75 Health 82 Spa 77 s Room
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SPA RESORT | UTOCO
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Arturo Di Casola
Utoco ereafter”
at “the edge of the h
M is ak i o n th e to ro u M ry to n o Th e p ro m ed fo r ik o ku , is re n o w n Sh f o d n la is e es Ja p an e va g e p la ce s in th sa st o m e th f o b ei n g o n e tu al ly , ip el ag o . It is , ac ch ar ic n o ip N en ti re f th e h er ea ft er ”. o e g ed e h “t , re in li te ra tu
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T SPA RESORT | UTOCO
ha ve be en a he re co ul dn ’t ite c ts -J ap an es e ar ch up le of Fr an co co tio n e ea th Cr r ge fo ou e th e Ci el R be tt er pl ac of o ek an K o ik an d Fu m ith ad ja ce nt He nr i Gu ey da n oj ec t. A ho te l w pr us tio bi am e an , al l w hi te an d st ud io to re al iz el lb ei ng ce nt re w ng -lo re et m 22 0th e oc ea n. re st au ra nt an d in sy m bi os is w ith e liv to ne tli as fo llo w in g th e co e co nt en t, ar e to th e hi gh sa lin e du , re he s er Th e O ce an w at ea tm en ts . al as so th er ap y tr th r a fo d te oi pl ex co , an d it is y, is ca lle d U to it al at re d e an e ad m pl m si Th e pr oj ec t, ea s, ap pa re nt ly ar ch ite c to ni c id om ev er yd ay fr r fa el fe t us co nc en tr at io n of th e gu es t m ch hi w in st ai rs . , ng no xi r m s an d tim es re la r ne rs , si nu ou s fo co of e nc se ab sh ed w ith re al it y : 17 ro om s, fu r ni ly on e ar it of e d w in do w s Ta k in g ad va nt ag w hi ch th e gr an in , es ac sp d an ap e ap pe ar as di ve rs e co lo ur s e ou ts id e la nd sc th e ak m a se e th th e la nd sc ap e di re c tly fa ci ng fa s. I n th e en d, so d an ds be an ex te ns io n of tu re . ith th e ar ch ite c be co m es on e w
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INFO HOTEL UTOCO pan Muroto Misaki, Ja .jp
http://utocods.co
Rooms & Suites 17 nts 1 Villas 0 - Restaura s ye Spa Children yes Chain none Affiliation none Activities py, sea activities Deep Sea Thera
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NEXT ROOM | MORPHOTEL
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Marco Galli
MORPHotel eas the Conquest of the S in e re so rt A fa sc in at in g m ar th an a so jo u rn .
th at o ff er s m o re
t in th e A p ro p er ty b u il
. ic s o f th e fu tu re st ri te ac ar ch h it p re se n t w
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T NEXT ROOM | MORPHOTEL
hotels is the field of floating in ct oje pr t es lat he uld redefine sso. An idea that co uo os nt Sa ea dr An r designe ly this. We are the work of Italian d the sea – but not on an an m n ee tw be ction pable of furrowing the concept of intera spitality structure ca ho tic an gig a , tel ho rp speaking about Mo . rld wo e e th of as se the column to which th ed by a long spinal m for e: for or d m ne h sti uc de m ones Morphotel is also ted along with the habitats are connec ll offer a new way wi g rin ee gin en various independent ating works of cin fas d an ic ist able to moor in ur be fut rphotel will service, these Mo ip, sh a e Lik a. se to the . Restaurants, to conceive the trip rvices to entire cities se its , ps sto it g lon r weve few of the facilities ports and offer, for ho a theatre are only a en ev d an ry lle ga g ats are independent a commercial shoppin e mooring. The habit th of d e rio pe e th for to”detatch” from th that can be exploited ll even be possible wi it : ed nc va ad ge y fe ran and technologicall dent way within a sa vigate in an indepen to central body and na r speed with respect e oceans at a superio th of s y rd wa wa to By l . ve ble tra ll ina Morphotel wi cient and susta uffi lf-s se y tel ple m sto , it will re and is co any other transport motion of the oceans e th to ks an th d an lar cells h the filtering of a complex net of so g structure. Throug sin po im e th r we po to to internal crops. the energy necessary ned and then directed tai ob be by n ca ter wa le rphotel is reachable marine water, potab be no problems: Mo ll wi ere th rs, lle re. ve tu For last-minute tra the centre of the struc the heliport found at itality, helicopter, thanks to the future. For hosp inable, Morphotel is sta su al, gic olo hn Futuristic, tec g. cruises and travellin
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INFO STUDIO OSUOSSO
GIANLUCA SANT
e.com
iags.carbonmad
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MARRA
Framed by the Atlas mountains, Marrakech is a big name destination in elite international tourism. A place where the smells and aromas of the medina meet the lines of ArabMoorish architecture. Alongside the vitality of Djemaa el-Fna square and the souk, Marrakech has a more cultural and
K EC H sophisticated life to offer.
DESTINATION | MARRAKECH
In Marrakech Le Grand CafĂŠ de la Poste exhibits a complex equilibrium between East and West. In this elegant, glamorous, vintage and warm ensemble, chef Philippe Duranton very skilfully and sensitively proposes a cuisine which, starting with excellent local products, brings together French and Moroccan flavours. A few steps from the minaret of the Koutubia Mosque, the symbol of Marrakech, a key symbol of this combination rises: La Mamounia. Our journalist Paolo Gerbaldo went to discover it.
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DESTINATION | MARRAKECH
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Paolo Gerbaldo
La Mamounia a mythical past which doesn’t shun the present In the large interior spaces there is a predominance of furnishings and decor that speak a refined and exotic visual language. The feeling is of a mythical past, but one that doesn’t shun the present.
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he unmistakable doorman dressed in red and white opens the doors of the exotic dream embodied by the imposing moorish and art deco architecture of La Mamounia. This legendary Marrakech hotel has been capturing the attention of elite international travellers since 1923. The first projects to create a highlevel hotel designed for people who were looking for an orientalist feel go back to 1921. But it would be the architects Henri Prost and Antoine Marchisio who were to create it. They realised that, given a location this prestigious, the hotel had to give a feeling of the past without ignoring the present. The large hotel garden is a legend in itself. But inside what stands out are furnishings and decor that speak a refined and exotic language. The large interior spaces remodelled by Jacques Garcia are something more than just rooms and suites. In a way that doesn’t happen in many other places in the world. Here it is not only the pages of the great history of hotels of the past that are turned, but also those with the many routes taken by the company of travellers. At the heart of the hotel, the large spa is a space that is entirely dedicated to body and soul. There are also various themed restaurants: traditional Moroccan cuisine is revisited and served at Le Marocain, housed in a riad located inside the garden. Top-level Italian cuisine can be found at Don Alfonso, while French food is entrusted to the skill of the executive chef, Aurélien Poirot. And we shouldn’t forget the buffet at the Pavillon de la Piscine. A stay at La Mamounia allows guests to enter a legend in which luxury, modernity and identity hold undisputed sway.
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THAIL
Ancient Siam, the kingdom never conquered by the Europeans, is today a destination popular for culture, nature and sea. Phuket remains the destination most requested by vacationers from Europe and the Far East and the hospitality offer is able to satisfy all pocketbooks.
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Bangkok, a cosmopolitan metropolis standing between past and future, is spread around the Chao Phraya River which represents it umbilical cord. History is reflected in the local handicraft, traditions and cuisine, today carefully revisited to satisfy Western palates.
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Phuket remains among the most popular destinations in Thailand. Renowned above all for its beaches and the numerous hotels, bars and restaurants, it is in reality an island extremely interesting from a natural point of view, in part protected by the Sirinat National Park. Our correspondents Ovidio Guaita and Lawrence Taylor went there to explore the best resorts.
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The Tower Club at lebua the golden dome
It stands out on the horizon, at the top of one of the tallest a skyscrapers in the Thai capital. For sure not one of the newest but certainly among those that create the city skyline.
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upported by very classical ionic columns, the golden dome of Lebua is not known for its form. But rather it is here that you can find the Sky Bar, the first of its kind and the largest. It seems afloat in the Bangkok night, always crowded and glamorous. The Capital seen from up here is a world unto itself, a composition of coloured lights from which the chaotic traffic and noise disappear. Still at the top of the skyscraper arises Mezzaluna, the formal restaurant which has been one of the best in the city for ten years. The Franco-Mediterranean cuisine here weds with Japanese inspirations wisely dosed by chef Ryuki Kavasaki. Two tasting menus of 4 and 7 dishes with or without wine pairings guide guests along a gastronomic path made of well-balanced flavours which rarely overlap. Lightness is assured, due to the cooking techniques and ingredients adapted from the Asian experience of the Japanese chef. Our experience starts with a seafood symphony with Hokkaido Scallops, accompanied by a 2012 Spanish Rioja Blanco Faustino VII Bodegas Faustino. Then comes the Nova Scotia Lobster with a 2009 Argentine Chardonnay Centenario Reserve Graffigna. Next is a Pacific Code to conclude with a turf ace, a memorable cut of Saga Wagyu, enhanced with a 2011 Bordeaux Clarendelle Rouge by Haut Brion. Pre-dessert and dessert conclude our experience at Mezzaluna, - a restuarant which would certainly deserves a star or two – just in time to join the nightowls of Bangkok at the mythical Sky Bar. The next day the hotel limousine takes us to the airport. The night owls are still asleep while we early-risers are recalling the flavour of a special night that thrills us as we fly off to discover yet another classic: Phuket.
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Twinpalms
the frangrance of frangipanes
Amid palms and frangipanis, an exclusive refuge only a stone’s throw from the movida of Phuket. Calm and class backed up by a superb spa.
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he intense traffic is at times distracting, and we almost fail to notice the deviation of the driver who picked us up at the airport. We are already at the entrance. A broad staircase welcomes us and leads us to one of the latest addtions to the hospitality panorama on the island. Twinpalms is a quiet refuge in front of a beach as expansive as it is lively. Among the locales that populate the area we find the Bimi and the Catch. Both are extensions of the resort, with a cuisine that is mostly Thai at the first and international at the second. The Bimi is as tranquil as the fashionable Catch is lively. The latter, with its ver y contemporar y design is decidely that trendiest place in the area. Divided into a bar zone and a restaurant, it is the ideal destination for an excellent Ceasar Salad and a Margarita cocktail. An irremissible stop-off is the Esthederm Sun Spa, an institution dedicated to the protection of the skin from the sun, reducing negative collateral effects to a minimum. Basically, the Estherderm Sun Spa helps us to get a tan
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without burning. But, above all, it provides protection for the skin with Estherderm Cellular Treatments, a patented protection, hydration and epidermis balancing system. We tried one of the Full Day Tanning Programs. It begins with the Before Sun, an exfoliation and hydration skin ltreatment and application of a sun screen. Next, ever y two hours the therapist comes to the pool to apply the treatment once again so that one is never exposed without protection. At the end of the day, one is pampered with the After Sun trearment, designed to prolong the beneficial effects of the sun, ensuring the elasticity of the skin and preventing wrinkles.
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Kata Rocks suspended in blue
Perched amid the rocks, this resort with exclusively pool suites invites guests to relax and become hedonistic just a few steps from Kata Beach, one of the best in Phuket.
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ts white structures can be obser ved from a distance, situated on a promontor y called Kata Rock. It is elegant but simple, and enhanced by the green of the surrounding vegetation and the blue of the pools. Each suite, in fact, has its own infinity pool overlooking the Andaman Sea. During the day, the resort seems to be deserted. Guests are all enjoying the privacy of their spacious suites with breath-taking views. The voluminous living rooms with entire walls of glass and an equipped kitchen permit guest to cook without giving up the pleasure of the view – perhaps, after having participated in the lessons at the cooking school. In addition to the latter, the service of a concierge is also available to organise a series of cultural and marine activities. At sunset the lounge in front of the central pool becomes animated with cocktails. Per fectly oriented towards the
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west, the pool lounge is the ideal scenario for afternoon chit-chat. Amid tradition and innovation, the barmen entertain guests with proposals of high alcoholic content just before dinner. In the restaurant, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the chef proposes Thai specialities along with a few international alternatives. The ser vice may appear na誰f, but the staff is always cordial and the sojourn absolutely pleasant. The contemporar y design, the ample spaces, the view and the private lap pools make this venue a much appreciated destination. And for those who fall in love with it, there are properties for sale, both for exclusive ownership as well as those to share with co-owners.
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Indigo Pearl the tin resort
Property of a family for generations linked to the extraction of tin and the project of the famed Bill Bensley. A place where every corner recalls the mining past of Phuket.
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nce upon a time when tourism did not exist and the majority of the people in Phuket dedicated themselves to fishing or to the extraction of tin. Important families have administered this industry, developing it and favoring the exportation of the raw materials. In the 90s the mines were closed and other materials replaced tin. An era was ending while the hospitality industry simultaneously consolidated and new operations – certainly more international – appeared. Indigo Pearl represents this passage well, for it gives witness to an important past and, at the same time, promotes a new one. The pieces of industrial archaeology - just as do the works of art taking inspiration from this era - enrich the stay of guests who fine themsleves inserted into both the economic and industrial histor y of the island. One remains dumbfounded by the unique tin objects created expressly for the resort. Some examples would be the faucets, the outer shell of the bathtubs, the beds, the information signs and so on. The tropical garden is another reason for interest in this resort. Maintained by an army of gardeners, it boasts three pools and the five restaurants which make us regularly lose the way back to our suite. The tall palms, the frangipanis, the banana plants alternate with a myriad of bushy plants which recall a botanical garden. It is not by chance that the resort hosts a workshop of the renowned Austrailian foral artist, Michael Pritchard, on the compositional art of tropical flowers.
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However there are many other activities as well. Among the internal ones, the Thai Cooking School is always very appreciated, as are the Champagne Brunch and the barbeque. One must not miss the Coqoon Spa, where the Thai tradition reigns supreme. The Nest, built like a nest in a tree, is the signature treatment villa. It isolates and fascinates while the expert (and stong) hands of the therapists take care of us. Indigo Pearl is a resort capable of satisfying diverse demands and tastes, managed by a cordial staff, decidedly relaxing for couples and families. A very Thai experience, profoundly tied to the history and traditions of Phuket.
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Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi precious stop-offs
How to transform a night arrival, an earlymorning departure or simply a connection into pure pleasure. Gourmet restaurants, refined spa and so much more at Novotel at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
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t is not often that we enjoy a stop-off in the airport - much less an early-morning departure with the relative transfer at an impossible hour (The city is almost an hour away by car.). The Novotel at the international airport in Bangkok is an exception. It was not by chance that it was recently named “best airport hotel.” Let’s forget that we can check in anytime for a stay that will last 24 hours, a fabulous solution which cannot always be taken for granted. The strong point is the cuisine. Let’s begin with the Thai restaurant with it authentic Thai dishes – just slightly revisited in a modern way and…designed for the Western palate as far as spicy is concerned. Then we have the Golden Village which offers a Dim Sum Lunch and refined Cantonese cuisine. Sushi and Teppanyaki lovers will choose the Kinsen, while those who are by no means risk takers The Square, the international restaurant which is always available for trying the classics from around the world. Irremissible the section dedicated to smoked salmon and tuna, a real surprise. However, if your appetite calls for something sweet, then the Gourmet is for you. Fresh croissants and other “delights” will transport you into an inviting Parisian pâtisserie to indulge your sweet tooth. The gym - obviously open 24/7 – is available for the more active, as is the Thalasso Spa, with its anti-ageing and foot reflexology treatments, in addition to the traditional Thai and Balinese massages. The exotic evanescent atmosphere enraptures the traveller and, together with the treatments and the gym, contributes to eliminating the tiredness of the flight and jetlag.
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NOVOTEL SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT Bagkok, Thailand www.novotel.com Rooms & Suites 631 Villas 0 - Restaurants 4 Spa VOUS Children yes Chain Novotel Affiliation none Activities airport transit Score 74 Environment 70 Design 78 Service 80 Cuisine 80 Health 73 Spa 70 Rooms 70
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g yp tair h as invested in th e l on g- ra n ge p remiu m segment, int ro duc in g a n ew Busin ess C l a s s on t h e B777-300/ER and t he l ast gen eration of th e AB 330- 300 b ound fo r Bang ko k , Kual a Lu mpur, B eij in g, Canton an d J oh a n n e s bu rg. The new Business C l a ss boasts seats th at be com e b e d s w it h t he to u ch o f a b u t to n an d wh ich are in ser ted i n i n d e p e n d e nt mo du l es. Onb o ard enter tain ment is available o n 15- i n c h s c re ens w it h a vast sel ec t io n of films, games an d ap p s i n va r i ou s l ang uag es. Egyp t a i r p e r mit s us to reach 68 dest ination s in 5 0 countr ies (Af r i c a , t h e M i d dl e and Far East ) by way of its ver y n ew h ub in Ca i ro. Th a i la n d is o ne o f t he Co mp any ’s maj or destin ation s, c h os e n by n u mero u s to ur o p erato rs and individual passen ger s. Th e m or n i n g ar r ival in Bang ko k al so allows for conven ient con n e c t i on s w it h nu mero u s fl ig ht s fo r beac h destin ation s an d for a ll of S o u t heast Asia. www.egyptair.com
To Bangkok with Egyptair With its daily flights from London, Egyptair permits us to reach 68 destinations in 50 countries in Africa, the Middle and Far East by way of its very new hub in Cairo.
ZAMBIA
Squeezed between Angola Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana e Namibia and closed off from the sea, the Zambesi River, which crosses a good part of the Country, assumes the crucial importance of giving the country its name.
TOP SAFARI | LOWER ZAMBESI
H e r e w e f in d V ic t o r ia F alls, t he most spec t ac ular in t he w or l d, sp an n in g o v e r a k ilomet er and rising t o a height o f 1 2 8 me tr e s . D is c o v e r e d by David Livingst one in 18 55 , th e y w e r e n am e d af t e r t he reigning Queen of England .
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Paola Di Girolamo
Zambesi Kalefu Camp in the Lower Zambesi National Park
A river camp, ideal for lovers of fishing. Reachable by small aircraft that land on a nearby landing strip, it ensures a decidedly African experience.
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oming to the camp in a boat which lands at a nearby dock, guests will get a preliminary taste of the thrilling experience of the water safaris in motorboats which glide along the grassy banks of the Zambesi or the excursions in a canoe along the canals in the park. This will afford exciting close encounters with the animals that live there. Spacious tents with cloth walls are fixed on teak platforms and are equipped with beds surrounded by mosquito nets and carved wooden tables placed around the main tent, the focal point of tent life. Walking in the jungle following the tracks left by the animal is a trek amid the sounds, colours and fragrances of the savannah. Fish lovers will be escorted to special reserves in search of the famous tiger fish.
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