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Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Lugano Weggis Zürich Oberlech Punta Ala
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Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona
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Villa Castagnola, Lugano
A
EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, Editor-in-Chief
spring of nature and cities. The special “Swiss Lakes” takes us out on the placid Swiss waters, staying in pleasant facilities where high-level cusine and refined spas surprise even well-traveled guests. These are “slow resort” that lull us with the rhythms of yesteryear, transporting us back to more human dimensions. In St. Petersburg, on the other hand, we find the charm of history, Tsarist opulence and that atmosphere of mitteleuropa which has never faded. Today, it weds contemporary design. And then off to explore Andermatt for the last snow at the super exclusive Chedi and afterward to Antigua for the annual regatta. In order not to miss anything before the special on Italy in the next issue, where we will discover the most current hip destinations.
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TOP 10 City Hotels
MATT THE CHEDI ANDER land Andermatt, Switzer
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
contents
SAINT PETERSBURG exclusive
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Saint Petersburg, Russia.
L MOIKA 22 KEMPINSKI HOTE ment Moika River Embank
W ST. PETERSBURG ct Voznesensky Prospe
special GEORGIA
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CONTENTS
GEORGIA travel4travellers
Mutskheta Church, Georgia.
special
78 80 86
SWISS LAKES
LE RICHEMOND Genève
CE BEAU RIVAGE PALA Lausanne
EDEN ROC Ascona
Eden Roc, Ascona.
contents
90 94
PARK WEGGIS Weggis
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VILLA CASTAGNO Lugano
CONTENTS
RM promotion
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AYS with BRITISH AIRW Y BA LE IS RL CA To ng Week for the Antigua Saili
RTO
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PO HOTEL CALA DEL Punta Ala
COSMETIQUE BIO Swiss
NATURELLE
Antigua Sailing Week.
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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.
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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
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X, n. 45 March 2014
Editor-in-Chief Ovidio Guaita Senior Editor Lawrence Taylor Contributors Elsa Bozzaotra, Maria Coscarelli, Paola Di Girolamo, Marco Galli, Paolo Gerbaldo, Alessandra Jovinelli, Giuseppe Lai, Daniela Libero, Pamela McCourt Francescone Photo Ovidio Guaita, Lawrence Taylor and published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.niccoloangeli.com Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press IT Manager Riccardo Casano www.riccardocasano.com Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscriptions (12 numeri annui) Italy 250 € 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 monthly publication © 2014 Palidano Press Ltd All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. ISSN 2043-6629 www.resorts.it
Cover and right: The Chedi, Andermatt.
All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.
Our correspondents
LAWRENCE TAYLOR Lawrence visited a time-honored resort in Punta Ala.
PAOLO GERBALDO A fascinating tour of the Swiss lakes in search of the best traditional hotels.
ELSA BOZZAOTRA
In Georgia and then in Saint Petersburg, with all its magic.
PAOLA DI GIROLAMO Paola tells us about the 10 best city hotels in 2014.
DANIELA LIBERO
Off to the regattas in Antigua with British Airways.
MARIA COSCARELLI Mary offers us innovative CBN products.
Special Lakes Switzerland
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Antigua Sailing Week Antigua
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Our destinations Special Saint Petersburg Russia
38 travel4travellers Georgia
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Tbilisi Georgia
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Colombo Da Nang Dubai Ras Al Khaimah Santiago Atacama Courchevel Zermatt Aosta Venezia
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Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Lugano Weggis Zürich Oberlech Punta Ala
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Antigua Paris Milano Venezia La Paz Sucre Paro Punakha Thimphu Val d’Isère
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Carlisle Bay, Antigua
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Antigua Paris Milano Venezia La Paz Sucre Paro Punakha Thimphu Val d’Isère
Song Saa Private Island Sihanoukville
Uma Punakha, Bhutan
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Antigua Paris Milano Venezia La Paz Sucre Paro Punakha Thimphu Val d’Isère
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Song Saa Private Island, Sihanoukville
TOP 10 | CITY HOTELS
Top
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city Hotels urban excellence
Paola Di Girolamo
1
g Kong 1. The Peninsula Hon el Firenze 2. Four Seasons Hot apore 3. Raffles Hotel Sing Abu Dhabi 4. Emirates Palace, gsa, Jakarta 5. The Dharmawan al Hyde Park, London nt rie O rin da an M 6. el Gorge V, Paris 7. Four Seasons Hot no 8. Bulgari Hotel Mila al Bangkok 9. Mandarin Orient n Palace, Istanbul 10.Kempinski Ciraga
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TOP 10 | CITY HOTELS
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almost resorst otels that are oases, d to perfection, le service, designe ab cc pe im of s ce Pla of isolating us. With in the city center. above all, capable t, bu ts, one ex nt co e come opaque with inserted in impressiv care. Glass which be y ing log ris rp no su ch d te an e, n temperatur silence, discretio ls with the outside ol ne co pa so , cy be r iva ve pr ne re touch to ensu ht in the city will d and so on. Overnig controllable with iPa 10! after trying our top
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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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mountain resort | the chedi andermatt
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Paolo Gerbaldo
t t a m r e d n A i d The Che
ing in the Alps e -b ll e w d n a ty li a it hosp
in fl u en ce s an d t n ta is d s d n le Th e d es ig n b io u s ti n g a h ar m o n ea cr , ls ia er at lo ca l m y an d tr ad it io n it n er d o m n ee w en co u n te r b et in y an d w el l- b ei n g it al it sp o h f o is in an o as th e A lp s.
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A mountain resort | the chedi andermatt
he al th re so rt su pe rb ho te l in a e ne w de sig n ed i An de rm at t. Th Ch e Th : nd la er itz ie nt al in sp ira tio n. in th e he ar t of Sw us in te rio rs of Or io ac e sp s ze ili ut ps st ar tin g fro m th ad dr es s in th e Al y pl ay s, in fa ct , th Ga ls, el ia er ich at -M m l an lo ca Th e de sig ne r Je in flu en ce s an d sio n of fo re ig n an d tra di tio n. ty ni er od m n lo bb y, on th e fu ee un te r be tw co en us io em en ts . Th e on el rm n cr ea tin g a ha ch ic an d As ia ne pi Al n ee tw nc e be cu la rly re fin ed A su cc es sfu l al lia ls, fre sh an d pa rti ia er at m us io tig pr es ch or eo gr ap hy of su ite s. in th e ro om s an d ed ag st is , ts en el em of ce an d th e se ns e ist ica te d am bi en ph e so th ct on je re ed t at ul no ue ac cu m Th e Sp a do es ly fo rg et th e fa tig ick qu ts es gu lp st ag in g to he at t. slo pe s of An de rm ed i pl ea sa nt . e sp en t at th e Ch tim e th er nd re s ice ac e no t on ly fo r Th e ra ng e of se rv zli ng m ee tin g pl siz a is om Ro ng e of ga st ro no m ic Th e Ba r an d Li vi its gu es ts a ra ng rs fe of th e i ed Ch e or ch es tra te d by th e ap rè s sk i. Th Ea st an d Wes t, e of Th rs n. vo ia fla ar e em th M ef M an so ur pr op os al s of Ch e iv ut ec Ex ur of d by fo rie nc es gu es ts ar e gr ee te m ul tic ul tu ra l ex pe g sp ac e in wh ich in gu a m os ai c tri is in u an en is m e nt Re st au ra se rv ice . Th nt ie fic ef d an st d fa il wh ile tra ve lin g op en ki tc he ns an po se a qu al ity tra m co to u yo ws of di sh es th at al lo isi ne s. rs of di ffe re nt cu be tw ee n th e fla vo te d by ur e ch es t re pr es en t in th e bi g tre as ee in g in m be ry llte ys we m d d In tim ac y an ho sp ita lit y an of sis oa an t: at de rm th e wa rm Ch ed i An . th e Al ps
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INFO HOTEL RMATT THE CHEDI ANDE erland itz Sw t, at Anderm m .co els www.ghmhot s 62 Rooms 44 - Suite nts 2 Villas 0 - Restaura s Spa ye Children yes Chain GHM Affiliation none Activities ski, excursions 85 Score 82 Environment 90 n sig De 81 Service 80 Cuisine 80 h Healt 90 Spa 89 s om Ro
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S P E C I A L
S A I N T
P E T E R S B U R G
The tsars’ favorite destination for summer vacations has in recent decades been reliving the pre-revolutionary glories of history and tradition,
САНКТ -
never forgetting to keep an eye on the most futuristic trends.
- ПЕТЕРБУРГ by Elsa Bozzaotra
SPECIAL | saint petersburg
In St. Petersburg we find the charm of the history, tsarist opulence and that mitteleuropa atmosphere which has never faded.
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With Elsa we re-discover Baroque and Rococo, borrowed from the emulation of the Parisian experiences.
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SPECIAL | saint petersburg
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Elsa Bozzaotra
Kempinski Moika 22
at the heart of a fairytale
Refined el egan ce an d e xc l usi v e s ervice. Th e l o n gsta n d i n g t r a d i t i on a l Kem pi nski excel l en c e c on t i n ue s i n S t . P eters burg.
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O
SPECIAL | saint petersburg
ne of the chef’s refined dishes, accompanied by a glass of Bordeaux on the 9th floor terrace of the renowned Bellevue restaurant. Before us the gilded domes of the churches and the sumptuous Winter Palace. It’s like a daydream. The opening is recent but the palace is historic, and the Kempinski Moika 22 recalls the former aristocratic atmosphere of the mansion designed by Basil von Witte during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I. The understated luxury of the ambience is embellished by unique details, such as authentic paintings or the perfect reproductions of antique pieces of furniture. Here we are immersed in history. It almost seems like taking part in the grand events of the pre-revolutionary Russian aristocracy. High Tea in the lovely Tea Room is a matchless cultural and culinary experience. The various blends of high-quality teas are served in the splendid Lomonosov imperial porcelains alongside mouthwatering temptations that combine Russian and English traditions. No less intriguing are the “wine story” tasting ceremonies held by the sommelier in the charming wine cellar. Yet, here in St Petersburg itself an icon of top-notch luxury - what matters most is the quality of life achieved only through absolutely perfect service. At Kempinski Moika 22 the guest is pampered and attended to with the utmost care and attention. In fact, this strategy of excellence explains why the number of guestrooms is limited: only in this way is it possible to maintain such high standards. The attention to renovation is also constant. In September four brand-new suites were created and we already hear talk of enlarging the spa. The personalized service, ideal position and the creative flair of the “kitchen tsar” (the very young Christophe Laplaza) are all responsible for making a stay at Kempinski Moika 22 one of the reasons for coming to St Petersburg.
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INFO HOTEL KEMPINSKI HOTEL MOIKA 22 St. Petersburg www.kempinski.com Rooms 197 - Suites 30 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa yes Children yes Chain Kempinski Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 79 Environment 67 Design 80 Service 93 Cuisine 100 Health 67 Spa 68 Rooms 80
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SPECIAL | saint petersburg
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Elsa Bozzaotra
W Hotel W as in … Wow!
An enchanting Fabergé egg that opens up like a complex matryoshka. Tied to the territory but at the same time innovative and audacious. In a word...wow.
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M SPECIAL | saint petersburg
o d e r n i t y , innovation, and dynamism. These three words alone are sufficient to define the modern character of this hotel, unique in all of St Petersburg. In spite of its classical 19th century façade, the W Hotel is like the Fabergé egg: inside it always holds new and unexpected surprises. As you step in, you are projected into the future, in a dimension that will capture your senses. New, high-quality materials characterize Iacopo Foggini’s bold creations. In the lobby a huge aquarium with plexiglass fish and a bookcase embellished with original objects make a cozy living room. The interiors are designed like a matryoshka: laid out in layers, each one renamed in an unusual way. Thus every single space becomes a destination within the destination, starting from the 137 guestrooms and suites, where the modern décor created by Antonio Citterio mingles with cutting
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SPECIAL | saint petersburg
edge technology. Here everything is reinvented, reinterpreted in a personal way, since the underlying philosophy aims to set new trends and not simply follow fashion. That’s why the W Hotel has a language of its own. Animated by a vibrant energy, the W Hotel is the place where every wish comes true. It is not by chance that the service here emblematically referred to as “Whatever/Whenever” - becomes the motto for the very young staff who do their best to make guests live complete sensory experiences. That is how a sophisticated dinner in the chic “Mix-In” restaurant - inspired by Alain Ducasse - or the soothing treatments at the “Bliss Spa” become experiences for hedonists, especially for those who are forever young at heart. However, it’s when you reach the very last layer of this magical matryoshka and you get to the rooftop “Mix-Up Terrace” that the dream becomes reality. The eye beholds everything from the nearby St Isaac’s Cathedral to the lavish palaces and the thousands of charming canals of St. Petersburg. This is when you have the sensation of dominating, and, at the same time, being enveloped by the entire city. And all you can say is “Wow!”
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INFO HOTEL
W HOTEL SAINT PETERSBURG St. Petersburg www.starwoodhotels.com Rooms 137 - Suites 10 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa Bliss Spa Children yes Chain W Hotels Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 79 Environment 66 Design 82 Service 83 Cuisine 83 Health 72 Spa 76 Rooms 90
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SPECIAL | saint petersburg
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S P E C I A L
G E O R G I A
It is difficult to imagine another country as rich in spirituality as Georgia. This is proven by the numerous places of
GEORGIA worship scattered all around, all impressive examples of the Georgian cross-dome style.
text by Elsa Bozzaotra, photo by Ovidio Guaita
a land of spirituality
SPECIAL | GEORGIA
Walking along the streets of Tbilisi one can spot a synagogue, a mosque, Armenian, Gregorian and Catholic churches, and even a Zoroastrian temple.
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SPECIAL | GEORGIA
GEORGIA
Tbilisi in and out
“The city of myths and romanticism” by Alexandre Dumas, who benefited from the salutary waters of its baths, Tbilisi is a fascinating, mysterious and multifaceted city combining manifold influences.
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SPECIAL | GEORGIA
The old city, surrounded by the tall steep walls of the Narikala Fortress, stretches out in a maze of paved streets flanked by old houses on which splendid lacelike balconies recall the Persian and Turkish domination.
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I
I
t is difficult to imagine another country as rich in spirituality as Georgia. This is proven by the numerous places of worship scattered all around , from the very ancient monastery of Jvari, in the old capital Mtskheta, where Saint Nino’s evangelization process began and which is still today the seat of the Patriarch, to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, alleged to preserve Christ’s holy tunic, not to mention the churches of Metechi, Sioni and Anchiskhati in the capital Tbilisi - all impressive examples of the Georgian cross-dome style. But also all the other forms of religious devotion live alongside the State Christian Orthodox Church. Walking along the streets of Tbilisi one can spot a synagogue, a mosque, Armenian, Gregorian and Catholic churches, and even a Zoroastrian temple, all clear indications of the multicultural character of these open-hearted and hospitable people, nonetheless respectful of their own traditions.
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SPECIAL | GEORGIA
In accordance with an interesting ritual, the picturesque figure of “Tamada” is entrusted with dressing up the “supra” or table, leading the toasts, and making all the diners happy.
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It is not by chance that the imposing statue of Mother Georgia, towering from atop mount David, welcomes all the visitors to the capital with an emblematic gesture of her hand. Defined as “the city of myths and romanticism� by Alexandre Dumas, who benefited from the salutary waters of its baths, Tbilisi is a fascinating, mysterious and multifaceted city combining manifold influences. The old city, surrounded by the tall steep walls of the Narikala Fortress, stretches out in a maze of paved streets flanked by old houses on which splendid lace-like balconies recall the Persian and Turkish domination. Besides this, from the elegant Rustaveli Boulevard extends the Russian city, which flaunts gorgeous palaces RESORTS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2014
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SPECIAL | GEORGIA
Tbilisi, however, also has an eye towards the future. We see this in its ultramodern constructions like the Bridge of Peace, which seems to unite a glorious past and a luminous future.
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in Baroque, Haussmann, or Moresque style, like the Opera Theatre and the National Museum. This very well-kept boulevard is the city’s dynamic center with trendy shops, political buildings, numerous cafés where one can sip a dense coffee, and restaurants where one can taste the many specialities of the Georgian culinary tradition with a good glass of wine produced in the local vineyards and kept in the typical “qvevri” amphorae. In accordance with an interesting ritual, the picturesque figure of “Tamada” is entrusted with dressing up the “supra” or table, leading the toasts, and making all the diners happy. Tbilisi, however, also has an eye towards the future. We see this in its ultramodern constructions like the Bridge of Peace, which seems to unite a glorious past and a luminous future, getting over the most troubled and saddest moments in the RESORTS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2014
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SPECIAL | GEORGIA
The outdoor pool is a peaceful oasis surrounded by luxuriant vegetation in which floral and fruit scents enhance the feeling of relaxation, an appropriate conclusion to the wholesome training in the adjacent Fitness Center.
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history of the country. Among the modern creations by Fuksas and De Lucchi, in the very heart of the bustling commercial district of Tblisi, stands the Holiday Inn, one of the emblems of Georgian hospitality. From its twenty-one floors one can enjoy an astonishing view of the town. This modern glass edifice well represents the futuristic impulse of a town projected towards the future. Named Adjar Hotel in the Soviet era, but thoroughly renovated in 2011, the Holiday Inn can host throngs of visitors and provide all those services and amenities that today’s cosmopolitan travelers demand. The use of iroko woods from Africa, glass, and other fine materials gives the interiors a cozy and contemporary feel. The spacious lobby is like a boundless space, though in a secluded corner it is possible to use the computers with free Internet access in a peaceful environment isolated from the hustle and bustle around the nearby front-desk. The outdoor pool is a peaceful oasis surrounded by luxuriant vegetation in which floral and fruit scents enhance the feeling of relaxation, an appropriate conclusion to the wholesome training in the adjacent Fitness Center. Undoubtedly, one of the strong points of the Holiday Inn Tblisi is the rich and varied breakfast buffet, the ideal place to start off a busy day with the right amount of energy; and then, the menus, a wellbalanced synthesis of healthy ingredients and traditional flavors presented in an innovative way and accompanied by a wide selection of wines, produced in the local vineyards in the traditional kvevri earthenware amphorae. RESORTS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2014
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SP EC IA L T H E
SWISS
L AKES
To follow the route of a trip to Switzerland not necessarily tied to the Alps, the theme of the lakes certainly provides a valid
SWITZERLAND thread and does not lack interesting surprises.
by Paolo Gerbaldo
the Swiss lakes
SPECIAL | switzerland
The Swi ss l ak e s are , in f a c t , an o ppo rt u n i t y fo r a j our ne y into the h e art o f E u r op e
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in search o f old w or ld c ha r m t ra ns m it t e d by l a nd s c a p e s an d g r a nd h ot e ls .
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Paolo Gerbaldo
LE RICHEMOND Genève
synonymous with luxury and comfort
At the edge of Lake Geneva you live in a place of elegance, discreet luxury and graceful beauty.
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o back in time to go into the future. And ‘ This is the path of The Richemond Geneva, legendary hotel founded in 1875, which revives, even in its new guise, all the refinement of an unforgettable era linked to the name of AdolpheRodolphe Armleder and his family. Today a stay at The Richemond, gem of the Dorchester Collection, means being part of a unique environment. The rez -de- chaussée, with a lobby, bar and lounge, testifies to the golden age of The Richemond. The food and wine are another aspect of the joys of the hotel. In the restaurant Le Jardin, Mediterranean cuisine is, in fact, a kaleidoscope of taste, celebrated by the careful selection of seasonal products and orchestrated by chef Sylvain Bailly. The soul of this hotel, synonymous with luxury and comfort, is definitely its rooms and suites. Contemporary environments. Technology. Noble materials. Carrara marble. Precious objects of art. Antique furniture. To these we add the view of the city of Geneva , its lake and the Alps. Concession to well-being, the Spa is an oasis of calm and serenity. Exotic scents and stylish décor, made with bamboo and mosaics. Hammam. Sauna. Relaxation area. Rooms for massages and beauty treatments. Staying at The Richemond, one feels the excitement offered by a chapter in the history of hospitality in Geneva and Europe. You live in a place of elegance, discreet luxury and graceful beauty. In a word, you will be fascinated by the unique Dorchester Collection style.
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INFO HOTEL
LE RICHEMOND Genève, Switzerland www.lerichemond.com Rooms 87 - Suites 22 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa yes Children yes Chain Dorcester Collection Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 77 Environment 60 Design 80 Service 80 Cuisine 80 Health 71 Spa 77 Rooms 90
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Paolo Gerbaldo
BEAU-RIVAGE Palace, Lausanne
a truly great experience of hospitality A voyage in a high-class setting with a Belle Époque atmosphere, pampered by outstanding service and the best of everything today has to offer.
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G
limmering Lake Geneva provides the setting for a great experience of hospitality offered by the BeauRivage Palace in Lausanne-Ouch: a charming refuge where guests are pampered in great style and enjoy the beauty of the setting in the best possible way. The two prestigious buildings housing the hotel, Beau Rivage (1861) and Palace (1908), are joined by a sumptuous corridor and the beautiful frescoed dome of the Rotonde: refined architecture and vast spaces offering the best of art, history and contemporary design. This is the starting point for discovery of a high-class hotel where guests are pampered in a Belle Époque atmosphere with all the comforts of contemporary living and truly outstanding service. For the palate, there’s the award-winning cuisine of Anne-Sophie Pic, served by Beau-Rivage chef Guillaume Reineix. The great art of the table may also be found in the gastronomic specialties served in the hotel’s other restaurants, all of the same quality. The menu at the Café Beau-Rivage, a luxury brasserie, combines classic cuisine with
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INFO HOTEL
BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE Lausanne, Switzerland www.brp.ch Rooms 137 - Suites 31 Villas 0 - Restaurants 4 Spa Cinq Mondes Children yes Chain none Affiliation LHW
innovation and fresh seasonal produce. For the health of body and spirit alike, there’s the Spa Cinq Mondes: an itinerary in an evocative space designed to relax and attract every one of the five senses. Historic greatness meets contemporary luxury in the hotel’s rooms, featuring not only precious upholstery, plasterwork and art but the latest new technologies. Pierre-Yves Rochon recently reinterpreted a series of rooms in the Palace, transforming them with his warm, gentle touch while preserving their original spirit. Fine transparencies let the landscape outside seep into the newly renovated rooms.
Activities excursions Score 87 Environment 92 Design 88 Service 84 Cuisine 96 Health 78 Spa 80 Rooms 90
The Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne is evolving in the spirit of its times, without betraying its history and its identity.
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Paolo Gerbaldo
EDEN ROC Ascona
customized relaxation
Pretty little Ascona is the perfect place to enjoy a short break in perfect serenity.
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I
n a splendid location overlooking the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by a well-caredfor garden, the Eden Roc in Ascona is the perfect place for a customised relaxing holiday. In an enchanting natural setting, the elegant Eden Roc offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and wellness - thanks to a large spa - plenty of sports activities and trekking excursions around the lake. The resort has perfect rooms and suites, exclusive places designed by Carlo Rampazzi, like the dĂŠcor, which brings the colours of nature right into the hotel. This is the perfect setting for the restaurants: places designed in different ways to suit different times of the day and the year, but all perfect for sampling dishes inspired by the Mediterranean tradition. A creative selection of Mediterranean dishes explored
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INFO HOTEL
EDEN ROC Ascona, Switzerland www.edenroc.com Rooms 58 - Suites 37 Villas 0 - Restaurants 4 Spa yes Children yes
in new ways, demonstrating a great mastery of seasonal flavors and products, in the relaxed lounge atmosphere of Ristorante Marina, created by Carlo Rampazzi. Ristorante La Brezza perfectly suits the ĂŠlite setting of the Eden Roc Hotel: impeccable service, courtesy, painstaking care of the menu. Chef Rolf Krapf masterfully plans the selection, combining carefully chosen ingredients from land, sea and lake with experience and care to enhance their natural flavors, while leaving plenty of room for seasonal touches such as the perfect addition of white truffles from Alba in the autumn. Vast cheese selection. The Eden Roc, set in beautiful little Ascona, is the perfect place for a break in perfect serenity.
Chain Tschuggen Hotel Group Affiliation LHW Activities excursions Score 84 Environment 85 Design 80 Service 83 Cuisine 93 Health 82 Spa 81 Rooms 86
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Paolo Gerbaldo
PARK WEGGIS Weggis
sheltered by a Japanese garden
A comfo rtabl e, exclusi v e r e sor t pres enti n g an admi r a b l e b l e n d of es theti c val ue, hi stor i c h osp i t a l i t y, a n d a focus o n heal th an d t h e p a l a t e .
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T’
he perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake of the Four Cantons, with the Alps and majestic Rigi reflected in it. This secluded place is Park Weggis: a comfortable, exclusive refuge in the shelter of a Japanese garden. Park Weggis is a prestigious resort built around a historic building dating back to 1875, with a newly restored art nouveau façade. The design is simple. The use of space is rational. The hospitality is perfect down to the tiniest detail. The rooms are embellished with use of precious natural materials, as is the large, elegant Adara suite. Anyone staying at the Park Weggis simply must sample the creativity of chef Renee Rischmeyer, harmoniously combining the French tradition with hints of Asia and the Mediterranean at the Gourmet-Restaurant Annex. Skfulful preparation and
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INFO HOTEL
PARK WEGGIS Weggis, Switzerland www.parkweggis.ch Rooms 32 - Suites 20 Villas 0 - Restaurants 3 Spa yes Children yes
bold, well-balanced flavours characterise the gastronomic delights, abounding in expressive exploits inspired by seasonal produce, proposed by chef Florian Gilges in the art nouveau hall of Sparks Restaurant. But the Park Hotel is about more than good food and fine wines: it is also the Sparkling Wellness Centre, with six perfectly private spa cottages in Asian style. Solitude. Silence. Relaxation. Regeneration of body and spirit alike. Traditional Tibetan treatments for a relaxing stay at the top of the world. Park Weggis presents an admirable blend of esthetic value, historic hospitality, and a focus on wellness and the palate: a resort where visitors feel at home as soon as they arrive.
Chain none Affiliation R&C Activities excursions Score 83 Environment 87 Design 81 Service 80 Cuisine 89 Health 72 Spa 86 Rooms 86
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Paolo Gerbaldo
VILLA CASTAGNOLA Lugano
refined intimacy
It is the qui et, ti n ged w i t h m od e r n nos ta lgi a, wh i ch mak e s your st a y i n t h i s cha rmi ng hi sto ri c h ot e l i n S w i t ze r l a n d on L a ke Lugan o .
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SPECIAL | switzerland
I
n perfect symbiosis with the lake of Lugano, the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is a space of class. A choice made of intimacy and refined serenity characterized by the intense history of the Grand Hotel in Lugano. Opened in 1885 by Charlotte Schnyder von Wartensee of Lucerne, who transformed into a hotel the existing villa originally built for a family of Russian nobles - the Von Ritters - the Grand Hotel is now a staple of hospitality for both Lugano and Switzerland. The original building, several times enlarged, has an original angular plan and is surrounded by a large park. Historically, the Oratory of Saints Peter and Andrew, dating from the fourteenth century, was the private chapel of the hotel. The chapel was restored for this function in 1888 and again in 1903 by the Schnyder family. Mediterranean flavors and seasonal ingredients characterize the gourmet restaurants Le Relais and ArtĂŠ. In the restaurant ArtĂŠ, Michelin-starred chef Frank Oerthle combines the fundamentals of quality food with imaginative menus, careful to enhance sea and lake fish. The spacious wellness center is dedicated to those pleasures that give the right tone to the resort on the Lake.
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INFO HOTEL
VILLA CASTAGNOLA Lugano, Switzerland www.villacastagnola.com Rooms 75 - Suites 9 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa yes Children yes Chain none Affiliation none Activities excursions Score 79 Environment 80 Design 75 Service 82 Cuisine 92 Health 75 Spa 65 Rooms 81
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RM RESORTS MAGAZINE
promotion
Britsh Airways First Class.
novitĂ &eccellenze rm promotion
Antigua
Classic Yacht Regatta At Carlisle Bay with British Airways for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. With BA you can fly via London with the new Business and First Class.
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Daniela Libero
Caribbean yachting holidays are among Antigua’s main draws. At Carlisle Bay, guests can now learn to sail or improve their skills aboard a 40ft keelboat with three-day Royal Yachting Association courses, offered through On Deck Racing. Indeed boat charters are a popular way to explore Antigua’s 365 beaches, coves and historic harbors on sunset cruises, half-day picnic charters, picnic excursions and all-day cruises to the likes of Great Bird Island, which has some
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novitĂ &eccellenze rm promotion
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INFO HOTEL
CARLISLE BAY Antigua www.carlisle-bay.com ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA Antigua www.antiguaclassics.com BRITISH AIRWAYS www.ba.com
of the best hiking and snorkeling to be found. Trips might include visits to sister island Barbuda on a 82ft-long catamaran: Excellence, or Wadadli Cats. From 26 April to 6 May 2014, the island hosts Antigua Sailing Week, made up of several days of breathtaking races. This is one of the premier sailing events in the world – and a spectacle Carlisle Bay’s guests always enjoy. The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta is another of the island’s main draws and ranks among the world’s premier classic yachting events. The regatta runs from 17-22 April 2014.
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novitĂ &eccellenze rm promotion
Hotel Cala del Porto eleganza discreta a Punta Ala
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Lawrence Taylor
INFO HOTEL
HOTEL CALA DEL PORTO Punta Ala GM Luigi Magnani www.baglionihotels.com
Located in one of the most beautiful locations in the bay of Punta Ala off the Tuscan coast, Hotel Cala del Porto offers the best view from which to admire the islands of Elba, Montecristo and Corsica. The maritime pines dominate the landscape punctuated here and there with low edifices. The hotel arises on a hill which dominates the tourist port with a unique and enviable panoramic view. Traditional Tuscan decor in pastel tones adorn rooms and suites, most of which have private balconies with views of the Tuscan archipelago, the pool and the garden. The hotel boasts two restaurants ( Belvedere and The Beach ), whose cuisine borrows heavily from the Tuscan tradition, reinterpreting it in a lighter way.
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novitĂ &eccellenze rm promotion
CBN
beauty comes from pollen The natural organic line of the well-known Swiss manufacturer of tradition and innovation.
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Maria Coscarelli
The Naturelle Cosmetique Bio Suisse has offered for several years products based on natural Active Germ Cells. The patent is based on the findings of U.S. researchers on the telomeres present in cells. On that basis the laboratories of the CBN has continued the research, applying the findings to cosmetics. The result is a line of products based on the innovative Bio Germinal Complex obtained from the pollen grains of plants grown in the laboratory. The complex acts on the skin cells to extend their replicative capacity. All products are paraben-free, hypoallergenic and have food-grade preservatives.
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