Vol.7 No.2
Turning moments into memories
Desert Bloom Dubai’s new urban oasis on the Palm –
–
Boston and Maui, redesigned In search of the new classic cocktail Kiev’s cultural renaissance
oyster perpetual datejust special edition
rolex
oyster perpetual and datejust are trademarks.
Stay, and stay fit Fairmont Fit lets you embrace your passion for fitness — without packing a thing. Enjoy Reebok workout apparel and footwear during your stay, delivered directly to your room. Enroll in Fairmont President’s Club, our complimentary guest-recognition program, and begin exercising a world of privileges: fairmont.com/fpc
Vol.7 No.2
Fairmont Magazine
cov er story
Live the experience
photo: tina chang
Follow this icon
to find out what Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has in store for you this season. You’ll discover exclusive news and offers to fit each of your passions.
High Life
34
Journey to Dubai, where the soaring metropolis and its spectacle of grandeur tell the story of human achievement. By Marcello Di Cintio
Vol.7 No.2
58
D E P ARTMENTS
11 13
90
Contributors Check In
Travel, fashion & lifestyle.
Check Out
Fairmont Jaipur: a Mughal palace reimagined.
fe atu r es
Reality Show A portfolio of the winning entries from Magenta’s Flash Forward photography competition.
28
44
All Shook Up
51
Design Special
A new generation of mixologists are raising the bar by creating tomorrow’s classic cocktails. By Eve Thomas You thought home renovation was allconsuming? Welcome to the world of hotel redesign.
52 Material Transformation The Fairmont Copley Plaza’s historic Oak Room and Oak Bar take a bold step into the future. By Andrew Braithwaite
44
58 Behind the curtain The Fairmont Kea Lani looks outward for inspiration, taking cues from its natural surroundings. By Amanda Ross
68
Culture Clash
Past, present and future align as the contemporary art scene in Kiev, Ukraine, comes of age. By Aliyah Shamsher
24 On the cover Photographer: Tina Chang; assistant photographer: Mark Offemaria;
model: Toni Cox (Bareface Agency); styling: Sarah Maisey; hair & makeup: Carolyn Gallyer, Erica Piebiak; clothing (cover): Plein Sud dress, Gucci shoes; clothing (previous page): Etxart & Panno dress, Ted Baker blouse, Christian Louboutin shoes
10 78 80 82 84 86 88 89
President’s Letter Arts & Entertainment Spa & Fitness Food & Drink Sports & Adventure Shopping & Style Leadership & Philanthropy Fairmont Destinations
ISSN 1925-4121
Fa i r mon t Ho t e l s & R e s ort s
President’s Letter
President’s Letter —
t
his year has been a very exciting one for Fairmont. It’s been a time of growth, in which we have opened and are set to open new properties in six of the world’s most exciting locations. Our soon-to-debut Fairmont in fast-rising Baku, Azerbaijan, is part of an astonishing architectural achievement titled the Flame Towers, whose three tapered skyscrapers stretch 656 feet (200 meters) above the old town of Baku. Another emerging market is the beautiful city of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, where the new Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv looks out onto Poshtova Square and the Dnieper River. In India, we have opened the Fairmont Jaipur in the historic “Pink City” located near the 16thcentury Amber Fort. This hotel will be home to one of India’s finest spas. In New Mexico, USA, we recently unveiled the Fairmont Heritage Place, El Corazon de Santa Fe, which is a short stroll from the Santa Fe Plaza. In Dubai, Fairmont The Palm will add a resort property to our existing presence there. Soon we will also welcome our first Philippines property: Fairmont Makati, situated in Manila’s elegant shopping and financial district. Each of these new hotels is set to become a local landmark in its destination. In this issue of Fairmont Magazine we don’t just reveal these stunning new properties, we explore them with you at ground level. In Kiev, we focus on the artistic past and future of a capital rapidly reinventing itself on the world stage. For the cover story, we take you to Fairmont The Palm. Our second property in the international business hub is part of the city’s transition into a resort and family-travel destination. We also take the opportunity to reintroduce you to two Fairmont properties that I am sure you are familiar with: Maui’s beloved The Fairmont Kea Lani, fresh from stunning property-wide renovations, and The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, whose 100-year-old Oak Room and Oak Bar have just been reinvented for generations to come. Some of our most exciting news is not just about hotel openings, but available to discover at any Fairmont you choose. Guests will already be familiar with our Classic Cocktails, such as The Savoy’s original Cointreau version of the White Lady, and the Perfect Manhattan at The Plaza in New York. In this issue, we go behind the scenes at the Modern Classics competition, which resulted in 12 new spectacular drinks: from The Plaza’s Kiwi Sapphire Tonic to Fairmont Beijing’s Chinese Five-Spice Fizz. These delicious and exotic creations will be available exclusively within the Fairmont family – at least until they become classics the world over. It is with great pleasure that I bring you this issue of Fairmont Magazine and wish you happy travels and many fond memories of your experiences at our portfolio of fine Fairmont hotels.
Jennifer Fox
President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
10
Fairmont Magazine
Contributors
Tony Novak-Clifford
Fairmont Magazine
—Photographer Tony Novak-Clifford has lived in Maui, Hawaii, for more than 30 years. From his home base on the lower slopes of the world’s largest dormant volcano, he travels the globe to photograph luxury hotels. In this issue of Fairmont Magazine, he turns his lens to The Fairmont Kea Lani to capture its expansive renovations and design details for “Behind the Curtain” (p. 58).
Vol.7 No.2 Editor
Natasha Mekhail fairmontmagazine@spafax.com Editorial Associate Editor
Art Art Director
Eve Thomas
Guillaume Brière
Assistant Editor
Graphic Designer
Copy Editor
Production Production Director
Nicole Noon
Aliyah Shamsher Melissa Edwards
Joelle Irvine
Fact Checker
Line Abrahamian
Production Manager
Jaclyn Irvine
Online Editor
Jasmin Legatos
Proofreader
Rebecca Silver Slayter
fairmontmagazine.com
Contributors Andrew Braithwaite, Lindsay Briscoe, Tina Chang, Marcello Di Cintio, Catherine Dunwoody, Jacinthe Dupuis, Joanna Fox, Carolyn Gallyer, Hans Laurendeau, Blake MacKay, Sarah Maisey, Renée Morrison, Celeste Moure, Tony Novak-Clifford, Katarina Premfors, Sonu Purhar, Amanda Ross, Jim Sutherland, Isa Tousignant, Ruby Washington, Greg West © Copyright 2012 by Spafax Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the publisher is prohibited. Fairmont Magazine is published twice per year by Spafax Inc. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising matter. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of unsolicited art, photographs or manuscripts. Printed in Canada.
Executive Director, Brand Development & Global Partnerships
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
William R. Fatt
Alexandra Blum
President
Jennifer Fox
Executive Director, Public Relations
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Lori Holland
Carolyn Clark
Vice President, Brand Marketing & Communications
Brian Richardson
Eve Thomas
—Associate Editor Whether sampling gourmet chocolates or slathering herself in diamond cream, associate editor Eve Thomas is always hard at work researching luxury living for Fairmont Magazine. Previously, she edited a Canadian pop culture quarterly, shot videos for Rubik’s Cube and produced a musical. For “All Shook Up” (p. 44), she tried 20 cocktails in two hours and lived to tell the tale.
Managers, Brand Development & Global Partnerships
Christal Agostino, Diana Wetherly
Coordinator, Brand Development & Global Partnerships
Danielle Fatt
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Worldwide RBC Centre, 155 Wellington St. W., Suite 3300, Toronto, ON M5V 0C3 Canada +1 416 874 2600, fairmont.com
Executive vice president, media
PRESIDENT, content
Content DIRECTOR
North America
Katrin Kopvillem Arjun Basu
Senior Strategist
Courtney MacNeil Account Lead
Rachel Robbie Vice President, Finance and Operations
Paula Pergantis Asia Singapore Spafax Airline Network PTE, Ltd.
Geraldine Lee
glee@spafax.com Europe London Spafax Inflight Media
Arnold Green photo: richmond lam (Eve thomas)
agreen@spafax.com Middle East Dubai Spafax Dubai
Nick Hopkins nhopkins@spafax.com
spafax.com
Raymond Girard
Canada Director of Sales
South America Spafax Medios y Publicidad Ltda.
Paula Fontaine
Tracy Domitrovic
pfontaine@spafax.com
tdomitrovic@spafax.com National Sales Manager
Advertising Production Ad Production Manager
lmaurice@spafax.com
mshaw@spafax.com
Digital Sales & Marketing Solutions Manager
Production Coordinator
Anna Vecera Marto
sgeraghty@spafax.com
aveceramarto@spafax.com
TORONTO
Laura Maurice
Quebec And Eastern Canada
Lysanne Boileau
lboileau@spafax.com
Suzanne Farago sfarago@spafax.com
Western Canada
Barb Walsh
bwalsh@spafax.com
United States RMS Media Group
Todd Koss
toddk@rmsmg.com Media-Corps
Robert Laplante
rlaplante@media-corps.com
Mary Shaw
Stephen Geraghty
1179 King Street West, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M6K 3C5 Canada +1 416 350 2425 fax +1 416 350 2440
MONTREAL 4200 Saint-Laurent Blvd., Suite 707, Montreal, QC H2W 2R2 Canada +1 514 844 2001 fax +1 514 844 6001
CHIEF EXECUTIVE officer, SPAFAX
Niall McBain
Tina Chang
—Photographer Known for her clean and modern aesthetic, Dubaibased photographer Tina Chang captures the dualistic nature of her adopted city for this issue’s cover. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, Chang was recognized early in her career as one of fashion photography’s promising young talents. She contributes to M Magazine, Bespoke International, L’Officiel India and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
Marcello Di Cintio
—Writer Calgary-based essayist and travel writer Marcello Di Cintio journeys to Dubai to uncover the playground among the towers in this issue’s cover story, “High Life” (p. 34). Di Cintio recently worked as an instructor for the Palestine Writing Workshop in Birzeit, and he has documented his exploration of the Middle East and beyond in his latest book, Walls: Travels Along the Barricades. Fairmont Magazine
11
Create your own story this winter
Everyone’s an Original When planning the ideal winter escape, look no further than Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Whether it’s teaching your children to skate, witnessing the wonder of the northern lights for the very first time or skiing down some of the world’s most majestic mountains, you’ll enjoy an authentic and truly unforgettable travel experience. Double-miles offer With our Everyone’s an Original winter offer, you can earn 500 Base and 500 Bonus Miles from participating airlines when you stay at select Fairmont destinations between October 18, 2012, and April 30, 2013. For reservations or more information, please contact your preferred travel professional, call 1 888 270 0055 (in North America only) or visit fairmont.com/winteroffer
Vol.7 No.2
Check In
photo: martine doyon (Un point c’est tout! by Congo Bleu [Julien Pavillard] and L’Acte Lumière [Jean-Yves Soëtinck])
tr avel, fashion & lifest yle
Live the experience ——
pag e 79
Montreal, Canada, is a city of festivals, and the Quartier des Spectacles is its unofficial HQ. Free open-air concerts and art installations are de rigueur in the downtown square all summer, but the fun doesn’t stop once the temperature drops. In winter, the Montréal en Lumière festival is the place to be for light shows that dazzle against the city’s snowy backdrop, and for subzero activities such as a 360-foot (110-meter) ice slide. Take the plunge and then warm up in one of the 80-odd cultural venues that flank the Quartier. Isa Tousignant
tea for dessert (p. 14), modern chinoiserie (p. 15), ski tips (p. 17), shop vancouver (p. 18), gemstone beauty (p. 20), Gretchen rubin (p. 22), smart luggage (p. 23), travel charms (p. 24), scent sampling (p. 25), Hamburg for the holidays (p. 26) Fairmont Magazine
13
The Dish
Sweet Tea
a
dventurous chefs are moving tea leaves out of the pot and into the pudding, devising desserts that harness tea’s complex flavors and aromatic appeal, not to mention its noted health benefits. Brits don’t need to ask for milk or sugar at Artisan du Chocolat. The UK-based brand is famous for flavors that could wow Willy Wonka (including a tobacco-imbued ganache created for molecular chef Heston Blumenthal) and offers handcrafted “couture chocolates” bathed in jasmine and Earl Grey. JagaSilk Teabar in Victoria, Canada, serves
14
Fairmont Magazine
London Fog ice cream, infused with house-scented Earl Grey, and maccha ice cream, using micro-milled green tea imported directly from Japanese farmers. They also use maccha in tiramisu and white chocolate. (“Dark chocolate is too overpowering,” explains cofounder Jared Nyberg.) Traditionalists, don’t despair: you can still sip your tipple at The Fairmont Banff Springs – in a green-tea martini. Just ask for it steeped, not stirred. Eve Thomas
Live the experience ——
pag e 8 3
artisanduchocolat.com; jagasilk.com; fairmont.com/banffsprings
photo: hans laurendeau; styling: Blake mackay; tea set available at william ashley (williamashley.com)
Creative desserts and drinks transform tea into an edible delicacy.
Accents 1 8
2 7
7 6
3
4 6 4
5
3
Asia Major
From opulent jacquard dresses to fresh takes on fine china, this season designers are looking east and making chinoiserie shine all over again. 1. Art Deco illustration by George Barbier, Le Paravent Rouge, 1921; 2. Peony dress, Zac Posen price upon request zacposen.com; 3. Ronde Louis Cartier XL, Cartier US$87,000 cartier.com; 4. Bamboo Top Handle Satchel, Gucci US$2,030 gucci.com; 5. Imperial Label sencha, Kusmi Tea US$20 kusmitea.com; 6. Bleus d’Ailleurs porcelain tray, Hermès US$1,528 hermes.com; 7. Old Chinese Coin cufflinks, Shanghai Tang US$115 shanghaitang.com 8. Vintage 1950s gold pendant, Carole Tanenbaum US$500 caroletanenbaum.com Aliyah Shamsher
Live the experience ——
pag e 87
Fairmont Magazine
15
Follow your nose When Le Labo says “handcrafted,� they mean it. Visit any Le Labo boutique around the world and find your perfect fragrance. Master perfumers will blend it on site and label the bottle with your name. Perfume for the masses? Hardly. To find a location near your hotel, visit lelabofragrances.com
Thrill Seeker
o n L o c a t i o n
Ski Savvy
Stay sharp on the slopes with help from locals in the know.
p r o t i p s
“Skiing with a
guide can be the difference between having a good day and having a great day. Lake Louise Ski Resort is massive, so a local guide allows you to experience areas of the mountain you may never have found on your own.”
Liam Ransome
photo: getty images (mountain); illustrations: guillaume brière
Fairmont President’s Club manager The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, british columbia, Canada
“If your skis,
“No matter how
easy you take it, skiing uses muscles that most of us don’t exercise all year. Yoga is something that I’ve found really loosens you up. Take a morning class and it makes your entire body feel aligned and ready for the day.”
board, boots or bindings don’t feel right, go back to the store or hire shop. Staff there should take the time to fit your equipment properly. If they don’t ask about your height, weight or ability, consider going somewhere else.”
Eve Donegan
Anna Chekurova-Dutoit Personal trainer Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Switzerland
Owner services/sales & marketing administration Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge, colorado, USA
t o p
Live the experience ——
g e a r
pag e 8 5
A perfect fit with a frame for every face. Comrade goggle Burton Anon US$170 burton.com
Award-Winning design inside and out. bent chetler Skis Atomic US$700 atomic.com
The helmet of choice for the K2 Park Team. Phase Team Helmet k2 US$80 k2skis.com
Fairmont Magazine
17
Chinatown Chic
Wing Sang gallery
Tradition meets trendy in the restaurants, shops and galleries of downtown Vancouver’s east end.
1. Best for Exclusive Art British Columbia’s foremost art aficionado, “Condo King” Bob Rennie, holds one of the largest contemporary art collections in Canada (with some of it on loan to the Tate, on whose North American Acquisitions Committee he serves). Find outstanding exhibits at his Wing Sang gallery, including a showing of paintings by Andrew Grassie, underway until March 13, 2013. 51 E. Pender St., renniecollection.org
18
Fairmont Magazine
photos: Site Photography (Wing Sang gallery); Hubert Kang (Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie)
Street View
Street View Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie
Peking Lounge
Chinatown Vancouver, Canada
2. Best for High-Low Decor Head to East Pender Street
Carrall St.
E. Hastings St. 1 2
3 2 E. Pender St.
4
135 E. Pender St.
4
Main St.
Keefer St.
for Peking Lounge, which offers an exquisitely curated selection of classic Chinese furniture in a modern boutique setting. At Bamboo Village, stock up on kitschy-cool patio lanterns, fans and soup bowls for a steal. Peking Lounge: 83 E. Pender St., pekinglounge.com; Bamboo Village:
Union St.
3. Best for Asian-Inspired Style
For a look that melds old and new, try Ochi, where curve-hugging chi-pao dresses à la In the Mood for Love come in modern materials and cuts, as well as classic silks. 121 E. Pender St.
5 5
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
4. Best for Fusion Food Discover inventive dishes and Live the experience ——
pag e 8 8
cocktails on Keefer Street, where Asian food markets meet hipster hangouts. At The Keefer Bar, wash down a pair of Peking-duck sliders with the house rosemary gimlet. A few doors down, haute-Asian hotspot Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie offers the Shao Bing, a to-die-for cumin lamb sirloin sandwich. The Keefer Bar: 135 Keefer St., thekeeferbar.com; Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie: 163 Keefer St., bao-bei.ca
5. Best for Niche Labels Get double the luxe at these
Charlie & Lee
side-by-side clothing boutiques carrying hard-to-find designer lines. Charlie & Lee stocks Filson rucksacks and oversized Bliss Lau necklaces, while The Board of Trade sources the drapey, minimalist women’s line Priory of Ten (designed by Mei Liu, formerly of Phillip Lim). Charlie & Lee: 223 Union St., charlieandlee.com; The Board of Trade: 227 Union St., boardoftradeco.com
Catherine Dunwoody
Fairmont Magazine
19
In Balance
Hidden Gems For skin that sparkles, try a diet high in carats.
Set in Stone
Abundant in Chinese art and culture, jade is used to soothe tension through spa treatments at Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan, China. Reserve an Imperial Jade Facial, designed to release tension and boost complexion, and you’ll also be treated to a massage that uses the brilliant gemstones. fairmont.com/yangchenglake
20
Fairmont Magazine
Eve Thomas
CLOCKWISE FROM top left: AGE Smart Skinperfect Primer SPF30 DERMALOGICA US$48 dermalogica.com; Tourmaline charged radiance masque AVEDA US$31 aveda.com; The Refining Facial LA MER US$75 cremedelamer.com
photo: hans laurendeau; styling: Blake mackay
f
orget about investing in gems for your wardrobe – do it for your skin’s sake, using products that promise a dazzling complexion with the help of ingredients inspired by the Crown Jewels. Tourmaline is prized for its natural spectrum of shades, from cobalt blue to canary yellow, but also for its electrical properties (find it in hightech hair dryers). Get that glow with Aveda’s Tourmaline line, which infuses the mineral into cleansers and creams. From fashion to facials, diamonds are still a girl’s best friend. Almost two carats of the powdered precious stone are used in La Mer’s Body Refiner and Refining Facial, encouraging thorough but gentle exfoliation. Meanwhile, finely milled pearls are the secret ingredient in Dermalogica’s new AGE Smart Skinperfect Primer. Pearl powder is rich in amino acids, calcium and proteins, which help stimulate cell regeneration and increase hydration. Who says it’s hard to look like a million bucks?
#1 Rated Private Residence Club in North America ~ London Fractional Life Awards #1 Performing Luxury Accommodations in the U.S. ~ Smith Travel Research #1 Rated Property for Guest Satisfaction in San Francisco ~ TripAdvisor
Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square is the smartest way to own a second home in San Francisco. Enjoy a first-class lifestyle paired with the attention to detail one expects from Fairmont – at a fraction of the cost. Plus, as an owner you you’ll get exchange privileges to over 100 Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel hotels, resorts and residential properties worldwide. Priced from $169,000.
private residence club call 415 292 1000 www . F airmon t A t G hirardelli.com This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of fractional ownership interests. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy to residents in jurisdictions in which registration requirements have not been fulfilled, and your eligibility and the resorts available for purchase will depend upon the state, province or country of residency of the purchaser. Brokers must accompany their client(s) and/or pre-register them on their first contact with the Sales Gallery in order to be eligible for a broker commission. JMA Properties, Inc. DRE #01157751.
Questionnaire
New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin on feeling good at home and on the road. What do you love about traveling? — People who do new things, have new experiences and meet new people are generally happier than those who stick to their routine. Because I love routine, traveling enables me to get out of my own head and space. Do you have any travel tips or mantras? — There is a great line by Eisenhower: “Plans are useless, but planning is essential.” So I try to plan everything beforehand, but I don’t get too worked up when all those plans go awry. Where would you like to go on your next vacation? — I live in New York City, and you really can’t run out of things to do here. So one of my new resolutions is to be a tourist without leaving home.
22
Fairmont Magazine
What’s in your carry-on? — I always travel with a couple of books, and I make sure they are books I want to read. I love young-adult and children’s literature. What’s your idea of true travel happiness? — To be in a fascinating place with a minimum amount of hassle. Your 2011 book, The Happiness Project, resonated with so many people. What motivated you to write your new book, Happier at Home? — I was at home on a Sunday afternoon, loading the dishwasher, and was suddenly hit with a tidal wave of homesickness – that kind you get on your first night at camp as a child. I kept thinking, How can this be? I asked myself, What am I getting from my home, what do I want out of my home and how can I make it better? Aliyah Shamsher
Live the experience ——
Happier at Home is published by Crown Publishers and Random House of Canada.
pag e 79
photo: ruby washington
Happy Trails
What’s your favorite quality in a hotel? — I love going to a hotel gym. I also just love hotels in general. There is so much noise and light in New York, so when I travel I can really find a place of calm in a hotel room.
Tool Kit
Eco-friendly
Traceable Unbreakable
Antitheft Packing pro
Space saver
Smart Bags
Don’t let their minimal detailing fool you – these travel cases hide high-tech materials and clever design in plain sight.
Clockwise from top left: Each Tilley Intrepid II Bag can be tracked down, thanks to its individual brass-plate registration number, US$258 tilley.com; The Lexon Design Air Travel Bag is made of Tyvek, a durable, tear-resistant and recyclable material resembling paper, US$89 lexon-design.com; The Salsa Deluxe by Rimowa features a high-tech locking system and polycarbonate shell that’s almost indestructible, US$595 rimowa.de; Lipault’s Pliable 0% collection is 100 percent foldable and stackable, US$205 lipault.com; The Move shelf and compartment system by Max Mirani creates a veritable wardrobe on wheels, US$379 maxmirani.com; Attach the TSA-approved Strapsafe by Pacsafe to your bag and keep would-be thieves at bay, US$25 pacsafe.com ~ Aliyah Shamsher Fairmont Magazine
23
Travelogue
Charm School
Whether a keepsake from your last adventure or inspiration for the next, let these travel-themed trinkets take you far, far away – no passport required.
Clockwise from top: Oak leaf, Asprey US$2,400 asprey.com; Roulette, Louis Vuitton US$5,950 louisvuitton.com; Pine cone, Asprey US$4,300; Coeurs de Chanel, Chanel price upon request chanel.com; Big Ben, Pandora US$45 pandora.net; Airplane, Tiffany & Co US$1,650 tiffany.com; Cable car, Louis Vuitton US$13,300; Mary Jane Manolo Blahnik for Tous, Tous US$300 tous.com; Palm tree, Tiffany & Co US$1,100; Alhambra, Van Cleef & Arpels US$44,100 vancleefarpels.com; Globe, Louis Vuitton US$4,100; Eiffel Tower, Pandora US$45 ~ Aliyah Shamsher
24
Fairmont Magazine
Three Steps
The Sniff Test
Learn to sample fragrances like a trained “nose” (and minimize fatigue on your own) with these tips from Fabrice Penot, cofounder of New Yorkbased perfumery Le Labo. Live the experience ——
pag e 87
1/ Put it down on paper
When faced with a number of fragrances, use blotters to avoid sensory oversaturation. “Only spray on your skin the perfumes you connect with on the blotter,” suggests Penot. “Then the real discovery begins: Will it work with your own chemistry?”
2/Let it simmer
Well-constructed fragrances balance the head (citruses, greens), heart (florals, spices) and base (woods, balsams) notes. The head notes disappear the quickest, while the base notes linger longest. “The top note doesn’t say anything about a perfume,” says Penot. “Focus on what’s left on your skin after 20 minutes or an hour.”
photo: Lotte Hansen (testers)
Chill Factor
Le Labo makes its fragrances with natural essential oils. To ensure maximum freshness, each perfume is bottled on site, meaning the raw essences and diluting alcohol don’t mix until you place an order. Once you take a Le Labo scent (or any fragrance) home, Penot has this piece of advice for preserving your potion: “Protect it from light and heat. You can even keep it in the fridge.”
3/ Freshen up
Whether you’re sampling fragrances or wearing an old favorite, the nose inevitably tires. “Our sense of smell was originally there to warn us of a danger, so only new information is important,” explains Penot. Skip the coffee beans, he advises, and refresh your nose by smelling a neutral part of your skin, like the bend in your arm. At home, switch your scent when it ceases to register. “Then you can come back to it as a new stimulus.” Natasha Mekhail Fairmont Magazine
25
Winter? Wunderbar!
Celebrate the holiday season in and around Hamburg, Germany, with a two-Michelin-starred guide: Christoph Rüffers, head chef of Haerlin Restaurant at Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.
26
Fairmont Magazine
1/ Christmas Market
Locals wait all year for this market on the Rathausmarkt – in fact, all Germans do. With ornaments, wooden toys and the smell of roasted almonds in the air, you really feel like you’re in Santa’s village. Do as the locals do: warm up with glühwein (mulled wine) and snack on traditional currywurst (pork sausage) while the kids play on the carousel. Rathausmarkt, Hamburg
photos: Getty images (Rathausmarkt); Jenene Chesbrough (fish market); Donald Jin (marzipan); Gerckens (Cathedral)
Day Trip
Day Trip
3/ Lübeck
Just northeast of Hamburg, Lübeck is famous for its marzipan industry, and Germans love marzipan. From October on, local confectioners make almond paste especially for the holiday season. You can tour the factories and shops; there’s even a marzipan museum. You often find almond paste in desserts, but right now I’m working on a recipe mixing it with black truffles and Brussels sprouts to serve with goose for Christmas. Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein
2/ Altona Fish Market
Get up early on a Sunday to visit Hamburg’s famous fish market on the banks of the Elbe River, where you’ll find fresh mackerel, turbot, sole, shrimp, crab and, of course, lots of herring (I like to buy matjes, a really fatty, salty variety). Locals meet at the market for a breakfast of salted or smoked fish with rye bread and butter. Grosse Elbstrasse, Hamburg
Germany Lübeck
3
4 2 1
Hamburg
5
4/ Haerlin Restaurant
Bremen
Live the experience ——
pag e 8 8
We prepare a special menu for the season and put tables in the kitchen so diners can watch us work. It’s very lively and a great opportunity for them to ask us questions about their meal. We serve amuse-bouches of lobster, scallops and lamb; main courses of game; and wines (including one infused with cloves) ordered just for the occasion from a nearby vineyard. Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14, Hamburg
5/ St. Peter’s Cathedral
The town of Bremen, southwest of Hamburg, has many magnificent churches, but the most remarkable among them is St. Peter’s Cathedral. It’s a gothic construction, like Notre-Dame de Paris, with a vaulted ceiling and an ornate rosette feature on the facade. With its Sauer organ, one of the largest in Germany, the cathedral has a rich musical tradition and regularly holds concerts, especially during the holidays. Sandstrasse 10-12, Bremen Jacinthe Dupuis Fairmont Magazine
27
R   eality Show
From former US presidents to Sudanese students, portraits reign at this year’s Flash Forward contest for emerging photographers.
28
Fairmont Magazine
starstruck
Neoliberal Totem, David Welch, United States; Opposite: Fairytale for Sale #5, Natasha Caruana, United Kingdom
Fairmont Magazine
29
docudrama
This page from top: Iythar, Bharat Choudhary, United Kingdom; Libya 4, Sebastian Meyer, United States; Opposite: Untitled, from the series “Becoming South Sudan,� Alinka Echeverria, United Kingdom
Fairmont Magazine
31
Face to Face
Mady and Monette, Maja Daniels, United Kingdom; Opposite: Fiona and Maggie, Stacey Tyrell, Canada
Photo Finish Now in its eighth year, the Flash Forward competition is open to photographers who are 34 years old or younger from Canada,
the United States and the United Kingdom. It is just one project run by philanthropic arts publishing house The Magenta Foundation, which also puts out a coffee-table book of the winning shots, presents exhibitions in Toronto, Canada, and London, England, and organizes a festival with additional programming in Boston, USA, in partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Collect works from these emerging art stars at various galleries worldwide. magentafoundation.org // flashforwardfestival.com
32
Fairmont Magazine
Fairmont Magazine
33
Dubai is a superlative city, but in addition to its many indulgences, the soaring metropolis and emerging
resort destination also fulfills our deepest human desires.
By Marcello Di Cintio — Photos by K atarina Premfors
High 34
Fairmont Magazine
Life
I should be gazing
into Moonira’s eyes. We are celebrating our wedding anniversary, after all, and we’ve left our two-year-old son Amedeo in the hotel room to torment his babysitter. Dubai’s glittering nightscape, though, keeps drawing my gaze outward. We are on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The restaurant, suitably named At.mosphere, also ranks as the world’s highest, and below us – way below us – the world’s largest dancing fountain performs in front of the world’s largest shopping mall. My distraction is forgivable – I’ve never seen such a skyline – and as I force my eyes from the window I see that Moonira isn’t looking at me either. I love traveling to the Middle East. I’ve walked the streets of Istanbul and Jerusalem, and lingered for days in the cafés of Cairo, Shiraz and Esfahan. These places link back hundreds of years to the early whispers of civilization and religion, and house cultures that are simultaneously contemporary and ancient. The cities of the Middle East grant a traveler the long view of human history. Dubai is still too young to claim the pedigree of those ancient places. The area has a history, of course. For centuries, Bedouins marched their camels, trained their falcons and raised their tents throughout the surrounding desert. Seafaring traders shuttled goods across the Arabian Gulf in wooden boats and pearl divers held their breath to pluck treasure from the deep sea bottom. The astonishing structures that define today’s city rose here over the last few decades, not the past hundreds of years. The dizzying shopping malls. The hyperbolic hotels. The peerless towers. Dubai no longer dives. It ascends. And if the weathered metropolises of the rest of the Middle East tell the story of our grand and collective epic, I wonder then what we can learn about ourselves standing amid Dubai’s soaring glimmer. Perhaps it is fitting that a city that reaches upward is best viewed from above. Leaving Amedeo to his nap the next day, we take a tour of the sky over Dubai on a seaplane. I see the shining downtown and the Burj Khalifa from above. The tower’s design was inspired by the shape of
36
Fairmont Magazine
a spider lily, a foreign flower transplanted to the region that unexpectedly thrived in the harsh desert. The flower serves as an apt metaphor for the city itself. That its builders created their megalopolis on the edge of such vast emptiness lends weight to talk of the “Dubai Miracle.” But Dubai is not a “miracle.” The city represents human achievement, not divine intervention. The view from the sky shows what we are capable of when we combine our mortal ingenuity with a healthy dose of audacity. The most impressive example of this architectural boldness is the man-made Palm Jumeirah, a tree-shaped archipelago that blooms out of the shoreline and unfurls its fronds over the gulf. The thought of this vast handcrafted island smacks of hubris. The sight of it, though, is undeniably beautiful. The Palm testifies to the heights of human invention while, at the same time, doubling the beachfront in Dubai. Now the city boasts a thriving resort scene to match its soaring metropolis. The newly opened Fairmont The Palm occupies a superlative stretch of beach on the “trunk” of Palm Jumeirah. As I locate the resort from my seaplane window, I realize that my favorite thing to do there is simply to arrive. Each time Moonira, Amedeo and I step out of the desert heat and into the cool stone lobby with its modern Arabesque design, an attendant in the welcome area offers us Arabic coffee and fresh dates. Amedeo always asks for one more date, and he always gets it. As we pause there, aromas of rosewater, frankincense and bukhoor – a home fragrance, the burning of which is traditional to the Middle East – waft over and around us. Though the resort is brand new, the hospitality here feels like something ancient and as indigenous to the place as the bukhoor that scents our clothes. Afternoons are spent relaxing on beach chairs overlooking
Interactive displays line the path to “At the top,” the burj khalifa’s 124 th -floor observation deck; opposite: the dubai marina district
Fairmont Magazine
37
visitors to dubai Aquarium & underwater zoo take in 270-degree views in the shark tunnel; opposite: large-scale installation art exhibits give a gallery feel to the world’s largest mall
dubai shows what we are
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
capable of when we combine mortal ingenuity with a healthy dose of audacity.
38
Fairmont Magazine
Fairmont Magazine
39
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
our stretch of gulf, where staff proffer anticipatory rounds of cold towels and facial mist to keep us refreshed between dips. One can admire Dubai’s architectural achievements from a plane, but to experience the intimate miracle of welcome, one must be on the ground. On Friday, the Muslim day of rest, we have reservations for brunch at Fairmont’s other property, the Fairmont Dubai, downtown. The expatriate population redefined the word “brunch” in recent years. The midday meal now resembles a Dionysian extravaganza and suits the over-the-top indulgence that characterizes the city. As one of the first on offer, Fairmont Dubai’s brunch is particularly well known and revered. For each meal, 25 chefs take more than 10 days to prepare hundreds of dishes representing almost a dozen ethnic cuisines. Today, the restaurant staff at Spectrum on One make fresh crepes, roll sushi, carve roast lamb and mash avocado into fresh guacamole. Bartenders pour wine, juicy cocktails and inventive mocktails. Men and women in their evening finery tip back glasses of Champagne. My family and I sit at a table on the edge of this bacchanal, feeling underdressed and overwhelmed. But we don’t sit for long. We lose ourselves, and each other, as we line up for sashimi, chilled lobster tails and oysters. We eat Thai chicken, rogan josh, and who knows what else. I rarely eat dessert, but today I eat two. Amedeo, for his part, downs six different kinds of shrimp and puts himself into a sort of crustacean coma before I lead him to the candy station like a bad parent. “Don’t get used to this,” I warn. It is good advice for all, I think. To experience this city is not to get used to the lavishness it offers, but to surrender to it for a little while. Dubai nourishes the human need to indulge, then forgives us for it. Perhaps the greatest indulgence that Dubai grants a visitor, though, is the chance to be childish. To give in to what we used to love, and probably still do. We take Amedeo to the Wild Wadi waterpark. We slather him in so much sunscreen he smells like a piña colada and let him loose among the slides and the water guns. He is having too much fun to notice Moonira and I taking turns slipping away to the big rides. Tantrum Alley, the Burj Surj and the Master Blasters, where the water streams up the
40
Fairmont Magazine
slides to propel riders to the top before we slip and scream back down. In Dubai, even the waterslides break the laws of physics. Later we visit the Dubai Mall. We push the stroller past Emirati families posing for photos in front of fashion boutiques and head straight to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. We see snakes and penguins and turtles. Amedeo dances in front of a tank containing the same colored fish that swim in the cartoons he watches over and over. We finish our visit surrounded by slow-swimming sharks and rays (behind a 270-degree window of seven-inch-thick acrylic, that is) in the walkthrough Aquarium Tunnel. I turn to Moonira and say, “If I were a kid, I’d be losing my mind in here,” but the fact is, I am losing my mind. I gape at the sharks swimming around our heads and relive long-dormant fascinations born out of grade-school science films and books from the library. Like the waterpark, the aquarium jars loose a sort of childhood joy. At dinner, as Moonira and I stare past our chocolate cake – I’ve given in to dessert again – and out from The Palm into the city, I recall something else from childhood. The first thing we do with our building blocks is to make the tallest tower possible. Amedeo does this. So did I. This is part of human nature, this desire for grandeur. Dubai stands as the manifestation of that craving, writ large. Too new to show us our history, Dubai instead shows us the heights we can now achieve. This is what the city teaches us about ourselves. Visiting Dubai means giving in to the excess of tall towers, man-made archipelagos, midday feasts and water that flows uphill. After a week here I realize that we create these things not because we need to, but because we can. And because we can, perhaps we need to.
Playful sights in a city where old meets new (including an installation work outside the Pavilion downtown dubai gallery and a rare spotting of a traditional emirati caravan); opposite: Dubai’s beaches are popular middle-east getaways for their white sand and warm water temperatures
THE greatest indulgence that
photos: getty images (camels, beach)
Dubai grants a visitor is the chance to be childish. To give in to what we used to love, and probably still do.
Fairmont Magazine
41
the vast dunes of the arabian desert surrounding dubai can reach heights of up to 820 feet (250 meters) and are best explored as part of a desert safari, by way of a kitted-out Jeep
42
Fairmont Magazine
On the cover
Concierge
Dubai, UAE Stay The modern, Arabian-inspired Fairmont The Palm is one of Dubai’s newest resorts. The property, situated on a quarter-mile (450-meter) stretch of beach, has an “end of journey” vibe where guests are made to feel at home. Between its waterfront and four outdoor swimming pools, guests are sure to find refreshing reprieve from the desert heat.
fairmont.com/palm
photo: Tina Chang (model); Clothing: Ted Baker jumpsuit, salvetore ferragamo shoes, christian louboutin clutch
Dine
Among Fairmont The Palm’s range of restaurants is FREVO, Dubai’s first authentic Brazilian steakhouse. Every night, chefs from the land of soccer and samba grill up steaks and chops, Brazilian style. For those who prefer Chinese to churrasco, The Palm’s restaurant offers a range of regional specialties in a sumptuous dining room overlooking the gulf.
Do For a compelling look back at the Dubai of old, visit the Dubai Museum. Dioramas of Bedouin camps, camel traders, souk merchants, falconers, pearl divers and more illustrate the history of this desert by the sea.
Knight Tours offers visitors an evening out, Bedouin-style, on their all-inclusive Desert Safaris. The experience begins with a wild 4x4 drive over sand dunes and ends at a tent complex replete with camel rides and falconry displays. Enjoy a grilled feast stage-side while whirling dervishes and belly dancers provide the dinner entertainment. knighttours.co.ae Model Toni Cox at fairmont The Palm. The concept for this issue’s cover Shoot (sketched at right by art director guillaume briÈre and executed by photographer tina chang) was to inhabit spaces that reflect the new resort’s stunning symmetry and contemporary arabesque design.
“I looked for specific architectural details in
the hotel that would showcase and highlight the region, such as the beautiful archways, mosaic floor tiles and decorative lanterns all around the hotel – and, of course, the gorgeous views of The Palm and the skyline of the marina.” — T i n a C h a n g , p h o t o g r a p h e r Fairmont Magazine
43
A ll
Shook Up Cocktail culture is back with a bang, and Fairmont is on the hunt for 12 tipples worthy of the title Modern Classic. B y Eve Thomas — Illustrations by Guillaume Brière
44
Fairmont Magazine
t
here are five blank pages at the back of The Savoy Cocktail Book. First published in London in 1930 and compiled by the hotel’s then head bartender, the illustrious Harry Craddock, the guide is a quick-witted compendium of drink recipes that range from the Abbey (dry gin with Kina Lillet) to the Zed (Hercules and apple brandy). The extra pages are, according to the author, “for the addition of any new Cocktails that may be invented in the future.” So what does the classic cocktail of the future look like? That’s what I’m here in New York to find out, sitting in on an exclusive sampling session at The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel. How fitting that the city that gave rise to the Manhattan and Tom Collins is spearheading an effort to revive and reinvent the mixed drink for generations to come. It’s early afternoon and The Rose Club, the hotel’s second-floor bar and lounge, has yet to open to guests, but the buzz below is constant, care of an endless stream of porters, personal assistants, ladies who lunch, little girls in search of Eloise, and curious tourists in off Fifth Avenue to snap a photo of the famous lobby. People-watching, however, must take a backseat to the serious business at hand: tasting 20 cocktails in two hours. The Plaza is one of six international Fairmont hotels weighing in on which drinks will make it onto the new Modern Classics menu, launching in 2013. To get the inside scoop on this task, I’m joining Mariano Stellner (corporate director, food & beverage, Americas), The Plaza hotel manager Tracy Lowe, Rose Club manager Christina Dace, and, behind the bar, resident mixologist Heather Buesing. All have pen and paper handy, ready to rate each sip on a scale of one to 10. Buesing begins with a glittering green, gin-based drink. She prepares one version to showcase the finished product – from glass (Collins) to garnish (kiwi) – and splits a second five ways for us to taste. This is her first time mixing these cocktails, with the exception of The Plaza’s own
vs. Bart e nd er s
M ix ol ogi sts
entry, but she has been prepping behind the scenes for weeks, grinding spices, boiling syrups and infusing spirits with freshly picked herbs, all according to other bartenders’ precise instructions. “This time we are asking the experts to choose the drinks, not just the people in suits,” says Stellner, referring to the Classic Cocktails menu. Launched in 2010, it showcased traditional recipes from the past hundred-plus years – the kind of drinks Don Draper might order. Each selection was tied to a property in its city of origin (or inspiration), such as the Singapore Sling. Vying for a spot on the new Modern Classics menu were more than 80 recipes submitted by Fairmont bartenders from around the globe (and short-listed to 20 prior to today’s tasting). There is definitely some local pride on display – the submission from The Savoy takes its name from London’s Green Park, and the Fairmont Beijing’s cocktail uses a syrup based on Chinese five-spice powder. Yet the emphasis is no longer on perfecting the past. The winners have to be bold and borderless, with a taste that transcends culture and ingredients, however fresh and local, that can be found as easily in Shanghai as they can in San Jose. There is a little room for nostalgia, however, between sips, as the judges recall the legacy of cocktail culture and the once-prominent role of bartenders like Craddock, Ada Coleman and Jerry Thomas. “A hundred years ago, mixology was very important to luxury hotels. They put on a show,” says Stellner, who pauses to consider both his words and the next libation placed before him (a muddled marriage of rum and peach puree). “And I think, now, it has come full circle.” After evolving in the century prior to Prohibition, the cocktail devolved over decades throughout America – think moonshine, kitschy tiki-lounge concoctions and two-ingredient disco drinks. Only now is it reclaiming its rightful place alongside gourmet cuisine, where it dazzles as much as any signature dish. Farm to fork? Try garden to glass. “People have a DIY spirit now and want to know how things are made,” mixology expert and consultant Kathy Casey tells me later over the phone from her test kitchen in Seattle, where she’s judging entries as well. “Artisan bread, rooftop herb gardens – people are even knitting again! And that’s where handcrafted cocktails come in.” Suddenly, a cosmopolitan cobbled together using squeeze-bottle lime juice and cranberry drink just doesn’t cut it. Ingredients must be fresh, recipes inventive, and even descriptions should inspire. After all, how disappointing to pore over a thoughtful menu espousing organic, free-range lamb and local, hand-gathered chanterelles, only to find the usual suspects on the drinks menu: gin & tonic, rum & coke, and other uninspired ampersands. Back at the bar, creativity abounds as the experts move from cognac to vodka to Cointreau, with semi-finalists from Scotland, China
W h e r e h av e a l l t h e b a rt e n d e r s g o n e ? It seems any nightspot worth its celery salt is now staffed instead by mixologists – a serious-looking bunch that can be found blending house bitters in mason jars and waxing poetic about small-batch bourbon. But rather than a fleeting trend or overly ambitious job title (see: “sandwich artist”), the term mixologist is an acknowledgment that, for some people, tending bar is more than a way to pay rent until they sell that screenplay. It’s a career path, a passion, a devotion to drinks on par with a chef’s love of food. (And just as some mixologists prefer the b-word, many award-winning chefs simply call themselves “cooks.”) In short: while mixologists may serve customers, they’re more likely to spend their off-hours hunting down hard-to-find ingredients and dreaming up new drinks. Fairmont Magazine
45
Pro Tools
and Egypt. There are some clear winners, a rare miss or two, and some that split us down the middle. “Now this is my kind of cocktail,” proclaims Buesing, admiring her handiwork. “That doesn’t do it for me,” says Stellner. “Too sweet.” “Cut down on the juice to let the spirit shine through,” suggests Dace. “I wouldn’t put this one in a martini glass,” says Buesing. (She later reveals that male guests who love the taste of cosmos will often order them covertly in a tumbler.) “You know what I like about this?” Lowe ventures, considering the next drink, a mix of whiskey and maple syrup. “It’s balanced.” The word comes up a lot. Really, balance is the most important consideration. There aren’t a lot of rules for tasting cocktails, except to eat a full meal beforehand and drink plenty of water. There’s no talk of terroir or tannins. You don’t need to “nose” or swirl your glass – the aromas will hit you while the drink is still in the shaker (and if they don’t, there’s a problem). Star anise, cucumber juice, muddled mint, violet liqueur. On most nights, a craft cocktail bar looks closer to a banquet table – or a candy shop – with its full spectrum of shapes, colors, flavors and smells. After sampling our last drink, I’m asked to pick a favorite and to sit back and enjoy it as The Rose Club finally opens for the evening. I settle on the Célibataire. So delightfully bitter, gingery and sweet – it tastes like a classic. A small crowd of visitors ascends the grand staircase and exits the gilded elevator, eager to explore the iconic locale, to investigate the very spot where jazz greats Billie Holiday and Miles Davis once performed. “With the right atmosphere, even a glass of water can be a special experience,” proclaims Stellner, sweeping his arm across the bar, the velvet ropes, the still-humming lobby below. “I believe it,” I say. I just don’t plan on testing the theory. ~
essential ingredients fresh peach, star anise, mint sprigs and rooftop honey: just a few of the flavors you can find in fairmont’s new modern classic cocktails
46
Fairmont Magazine
Want to shake it with the best of them? For at-home cocktails, make sure your bar (or kitchen) is stocked with the right equipment. B o sto n s h a k e r James Bond was onto something. The majority of cocktails require, above all, fresh ice and a good strong shake. St r a i n e r Indispensable, especially once you’re experimenting with fresh herbs and fruits. Most are great in a recipe, not so much between your teeth. J i g g e r Eyeballing might work once, but you’ll be hard-pressed to recreate a winning drink without this measuring tool. R ec i p e s There’s a reason they sell The Savoy Cocktail Book at MoMA’s gift shop. It’s a work of art – and a practical one at that, with more than 700 recipes for “Cocktails, Rickeys, Daisies, Slings, Shrubs, Smashes, Fizzes and other Drinks.” (You can also snag the original Classic Cocktails menu from your nearest Fairmont bar. We won’t tell!)
sunset SPLASH M a k e s 1 c o c k ta i l
1 1/2 oz (45 mL) Mount Gay Eclipse Silver Rum 3/4 oz (25 mL) fresh lemon juice 3/4 oz (25 mL) simple syrup 3/4 oz (25 mL) peach puree 1 1/2 oz (45 mL) Piper-Heidsieck Champagne 1/4 oz (7.5 mL) Campari Amarena cherry Measure rum, lemon juice, syrup and peach puree into a pint mixing glass. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into large martini glass. Top with Champagne. Gently add Campari to sink to bottom of cocktail – do not stir. Garnish with a cherry on a pick.
“People have a diy spirit now and want to
know how things are made. Artisan bread, rooftop herb gardens – people are even knitting again! And that’s where handcrafted cocktails come in.” – Mixologist (and Modern Classics judge) K athy Casey
Fairmont Magazine
47
Ta s t e T e s t What the judges considered when choosing 12 winners from 80-plus competing cocktails.
1
H ow d o e s i t lo o k ? As with cuisine, visual appeal is vital – never doubt the power of a first impression. Sometimes just changing the garnish or glass will make a drink shine.
2
H ow d o e s i t ta st e ? All right, this one’s obvious. But judges had to consider not only their own preferences, but those of their guests – sweet tooths, spice-lovers and all – while bringing out the best in the particular spirit used. They had to make sure the menu held something for everyone.
3
I s i t c r e at i v e ? Some drinks left judges looking for the modern twist, while others proved overly complex. A bit of showiness is a treat, 2butounces a cocktailrye that requires whisky 1 special ouncetools Italian too many or tricks risks 2 dashes slowingvermouth down the speed of service.
Desert Rose
Angostura bitters Shake the rye, vermouth, and bitters well with cracked Wh ice. at ’ s iStrain t m a d e into o f ? Ain chilled cocktail ModernaClassic must be reproducible glass and garnish aroundwith the world. If you can’tofget twist or, an ingredient in New York City, course, maraschino (which chancescherry are it won’t be easyis to find subject the same in Kunshan,toChina. challenge re: purity as adding an olive to a martini).
4
5
In 50 years, will this b e a c l a s s i c co c kta i l? Forget flavors of the week. Judges had to look beyond current trends (absinthe, moonshine, jams and jellies as sweeteners) and seek out the drinks with staying power.
48
Fairmont Magazine
Kiwi Sapphire Tonic M a k e s 1 c o c k ta i l
1/2 kiwi 1 1/2 oz (45 mL) Bombay Sapphire Gin 1/2 oz (15 mL) fresh lime juice 1/2 oz (15 mL) pineapple juice 1/2 oz (15 mL) Monin agave nectar* 1 oz (30 mL) tonic water Kiwi slice or wedge Scoop the kiwi out of the skin and add into a mixing glass; discard the peel. Press with muddler to release flavors. Measure in gin, lime and pineapple juices and agave. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Add tonic water to shaker tin and then pour drink into Collins glass – do not strain. Garnish with kiwi on a pick. *Or substitute simple syrup
c é l i b ata i r e M a k e s 1 c o c k ta i l
3/4 oz (25 mL) Cointreau 3/4 oz (25 mL) bourbon 1/2 oz (15 mL) Aperol* 1/2 oz (15 mL) fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz (15 mL) fresh grapefruit juice 1 oz (30 mL) ginger beer Wide orange peel
Measure Cointreau, bourbon, Aperol, lemon and grapefruit juices into a pint mixing glass. Fill with ice, cap and shake vigorously. Add ginger beer to shaker tin and then pour drink into orange-peel-lined Old Fashioned glass. *Or substitute 1/4 oz (7.5 mL) Campari
Presenting
Find your favorite and order it at any Fairmont in the world.
The Green Park
Spirit(s)
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Kiwi, lime, pineapple
Basil, lemon, celery bitters
Lemon, peach, bitter orange
Kiwi slice or wedge
Basil leaf
Amarena cherry
sunset Splash
Cranberry Cucumber Mojito
Acapulco Margarita
Bay Area Daisy
Célibataire
Zimbali Trophy
Triple Pepper Caesar/Mary
Royal Boulevardier
Chinese five-Spice Fizz
DeSert Springs
Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau
Patrón Reposado Tequila, Rémy Martin VSOP, Cointreau
Cointreau
Ketel One Vodka
Ketel One Vodka
Johnnie Walker Black
Rémy Martin VSOP
Non-alcoholic
Cranberry (or currant), cucumber, mint, lime
Basil, mint, lime
Clementine (or orange), lime, honey
Grapefruit, ginger Clamato (or Orange, rosemary, beer, bourbon, tomato juice), Sauvignon Blanc bitter orange lime, pepper mix
Maple syrup, red vermouth, bitter orange
Lemon, ginger, five-spice syrup
Clementine (or orange), cucumber, mint, lime, honey
Cucumber, cranberry
Basil leaf or mint sprig
Garnish
Glass
Cocktail
Kiwi Sapphire Tonic
Flavors
The Modern Classic Cocktails
Mount Gay Eclipse Silver Rum, Mount Gay Eclipse Piper-Heidsieck Silver Rum Champagne
Lime disk
Orange peel
Orange twist, fresh rosemary
Celery, red chili, lime wedge
Lemon twist
Lemon wedge, candied ginger
Mint sprig
To learn more, visit ever yonesanoriginal.com
Fairmont Magazine
49
Š2012 Reebok International Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reebok and RealFlex are registered trademarks of Reebok.
Sidney Crosby
Enjoy Reebok workout apparel and footwear during your stay, as a Fairmont President’s Club member. Learn more about Fairmont Fit at fairmont.com/fpc/fit
Fa i r m o n t M a g a z i n e
Design special
f e at u r i n g
Roll out the fabric samples and spread out the paint chips: it’s renovation on a grand scale as we zero in on the redesigns of two beloved American Fairmont properties – one a century-old Bostonian landmark, the other a modern Hawaiian retreat.
01 (P)
52
02 (P)
58
Fairmont copley plaza, boston
A 100-year-old restaurant gets a 21st-century update using five key materials. We deconstruct the elements.
Fairmont Kea lani, Maui
The lush, tropical resort brings the outdoors in with a total refresh that’s organic in more ways than one.
Fairmont Magazine
51
pa rt 1
52
Fairmont Magazine
boston
PART 1 BOSTON
photo: courtesy of fairmont copley plaza (kitchen); illustration: guillaume brière
DESIGN SPECIAL
Material Transformation To bring a legendary Boston, USA, restaurant into the 21st century, designers selected five key materials that honor its 100-year history while giving a hint of what’s still to come. By Andrew Braithwaite — Photos by Greg West
I
t takes skill to create a restaurant that will last 100 years, but reinventing a century-old space is just as great a challenge. Los Angeles-based designers Dayna Lee and Ted Berner, the husbandand-wife team behind Powerstrip Studio, took a bold first step in remaking one of Boston’s most venerable dining establishments. Their transformation of The Fairmont Copley Plaza’s twin Oak Room and Oak Bar, two separate but adjoining century-old rooms (whose past incarnations were frequented by such illustrious guests as Amelia Earhart, Elizabeth
Taylor and the Kennedy clan), began with the dramatic first step of tearing down the rooms’ dividing wall. The resulting 4,050-square-foot (376-squaremeter) OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, with its focus on handcrafted cocktails and American farm-to-table cuisine, contains five other equally transformative material gestures that produce a brighter, more welcoming space – one Lee hopes will “meet the expectations of those who’ve appreciated this place over the past 100 years, and give it new life for its next 100.”
Coppe r Bar • Windows Ted Berner: Looking at archival photos, we saw that the original bar occupied this long space against the interior wall. Our new copper-topped bar mimics the original at 83 feet (25 meters) long. For single travelers the bar seats take the formality out of the place – you feel like you’re right there, in the middle of the party. On the copper we used a Butler’s finish: it’s heavily polished to a dull glow, sort of like silverware that’s been in a family for generations. We also found original copper mullions on the windows when we stripped the paint. They were here all along, and we just restored them to shine.
Oak Millwork • Bar Ted Berner: Believe it or not, there wasn’t any real oak left in the Oak Bar or the Oak Room. We discovered that anything resembling wood was actually painted plaster. So we used a pickling process to create a light cerused finish on red oak that we sourced from New Hampshire, and it’s all over the place now – from the millwork that encircles the room to the operable doors on our 177-bottle back bar. It really brightens the room up – previously, the space was very formal, like an old officer’s club. The oak lightens the space, but it also gives it a feeling of solidity and substance.
Cr ystal Chandeliers dayna Lee: There were two huge crystal chandeliers in the old space – lovely focal points, by Waterford – but when we opened up the space they felt too large. So we got in touch with the company and they flew a chandelier designer out from Ireland. He took measurements and custom-designed a smaller version that fit the space better. There are seven of them here now – still crystal, still Waterford – and the two original chandeliers will be relocated to the main lobby. The new ones were positioned to be seen from the sidewalk, to give a first hint of the drama you are about to enter.
History Buffed
Fire Oven • Fireplaces dayna Lee: A lot of Chef Stefan Jarausch’s new menu is based on this central f latbread oven. The hearth is more than 4,000 pounds (1,815 kilograms) – about the size of a Humvee. We placed another handful of smaller fireplaces around the room, including a two-way that connects the dining room to a cocktail lounge. They give OAK Long Bar + Kitchen a more all-seasons feel by emitting a flickering amber glow. Ted and I met in Rhode Island, so even though we live in sunny Los Angeles now, we know all about warming by the fire during those New England winters!
B
10 0 y e a r s l a t e r
Gl a s s E nt ra nce • W i n d ows dayna Lee: The previous Oak Bar had this very closed-off, private feeling from the exterior. We decided to move the primary entryway and to frame it all in glass, in order to capture the attention of people in Copley Square. It feels so natural that I’m not sure why it wasn’t done before. We converted one of the 17-foot (5-meter) Palladian windows into a huge, glassed-in entryway, and there’s a secondary wall of nine full-height glass panels, to keep the drafts out in winter. We want everybody in Boston to feel welcome here, and this glass entrance is like a big invitation.
oston’s grand dame, The Fairmont Copley Plaza, has just emerged from a $20-million renovation and restoration – no small feat for a century-old Beaux-Arts building. Helmed in part by Parker-Torres Design, the project’s focus was about honoring the hotel’s pedigreed past while dispensing with the fussiness that can be endemic in historic properties. First step was to update the flower patterns and brocade that typified the hotel’s former feel. In its place, interior designer Miriam Torres developed a new palette of navy, sky-blue and silver (“silver is the new cream!”). In the suites, she introduced silver and added hints of plum to tie in with the lobby’s original marble columns’ veining in the same shade. Metallic wallpaper in the rooms lends a contemporary accent while custom carpeting recalls classic patterns, such as Greek keys, but punctuated with modern hues. She commissioned an artist to sketch the city’s landmarks, which were then used as artwork in the rooms; historic memorabilia, like old menus, were also framed and hung in navy-painted niches down the halls. But while a contemporary redo was the strategy, Torres cautions that it’s important not to look “too 2012.” Timelessness and elegance are what a hotel redesign needs to stay fresh well into the future. Amanda Ross
pa rt 2
58
Fairmont Magazine
Maui
Behind the Curtain The secret world of hotel renovations unveiled at Maui’s The Fairmont Kea Lani. By A manda Ross — Photos by Tony Novak- Clifford
DESIGN SPECIAL
Most of us have been
through the singular joy of a home renovation. The persistent layers of dust, the constant hammering, the shrill sound of drills: they’re the daily trials in your dream of a better living space. Your survival options consist of camping out in the basement and eating frozen dinners or fleeing the scene altogether. But what happens when the dining room you’re renovating is 5,000 square feet and it’s attached to 450 bedrooms that also need some sprucing up? Moving out isn’t an option – nor are microwave dinners. Welcome to the high-wire act of hotel redesign. For The Fairmont Kea Lani, in Maui, Hawaii, shutting down for a reno wasn’t going to be possible, so its recent three-year, $28-million facelift played out in a series of strategic design moves that included a complete interior refresh, a conceptual overhaul of its signature restaurant and a large-scale reuse program designed to keep hundreds of pieces of furniture out of the landfill. All of it took place while guests of the landmark Hawaiian resort continued to eat pupus, drink Molokini Mules and be merry on its 22 acres of tropical paradise. At first sight, the 1991 hotel looks more like a Moorish palace circa 1491, a dramatic departure from the box-like hotels of the early 1990s. With its large grounds, the Kea Lani could have handily accommodated 600 to 700 rooms, but instead the original design featured just 450 suites and villas of at least 860 square feet (80 square meters) each.
PART 2 MAUI
Fast-forward two decades and the resort’s atypical architecture worked in its favor by providing interior designer Roger Gagon with a modern blueprint on which to stage the refurbishment. The resort, inside and out, had been a rolling sea of white (no coincidence since kea lani means “heavenly white” in Hawaiian). Still, Gagon felt the palette was too austere and needed a more human touch. “I wanted to take it back to neutral then play with color on its base,” he explains. Guests’ new first impression – the open-air lobby – introduces shades of deep plum, gold and pink that mimic the play of light during a Hawaiian sunset. Purple replaced the white underside of its sky-high ceiling domes, which were once an almost clinical shade. And Gagon cued unexpected eye candy in other places. Combining the primal patterns found in Polynesian tattoo art, he developed a
ABOVE: Kō, the new restaurant concept at the fairmont Kea Lani, focuses on island family recipes passed down for generations
Fairmont Magazine
61
DESIGN SPECIAL
warm and rich aina (land) design for the corridor carpeting that now weaves throughout the halls. The “beige-and-safe” flooring of the past has been replaced by 7,300 square yards (6,100 square meters) of bold earthy designs that add punch and pattern. Elsewhere on the property, Gagon drew on rich coastal colors to reflect the shoreline of Hawaii: blue-green tide pools, seaweed and the islands’ flora and fauna. Palm-shaped loungers now dot the poolside, while bedspreads in the villas depict the large ferns found across the island. In all 37 villas, new tabletops were made from recycled sorghum board, a sustainable pressed grass similar to sugarcane. “The colors and textures here in Hawaii influence every aspect of my design thinking; they’re unlike anywhere in the world,” says Gagon. That inspiration gave the designer confidence to choose new pieces that would integrate into the hotel’s existing design. When your choices need to be replicated many times over, there’s no margin for error (to wit: 2,000 lanai chairs). In addition, selects have to meet luxury hotel standards, as well as appeal to a wide audience and withstand repeated use. Gagon recovered 450 sofas in each guestroom with 10,000 yards (9,144 meters) of fabric in wood-colored tones, which paled in comparison to the 32,000 yards (29,260 meters) of fabric required for the drapery and sheers in honey-gold. Meanwhile, the hotel’s new flagship restaurant, Kō, serves as the poster child for Gagon’s vivid island imagery. Its previous iteration, Caffe Ciao, was exclusively alfresco dining – which was perfect for
62
Fairmont Magazine
PART 2 MAUI
THE resort, inside and
out, had been a rolling sea of white. Gagon felt the palette was too austere and needed a more human touch.
A server at the luana Lounge prepares a shady nook for guests; Opposite: For his design of Kō, Roger gagon drew visual inspiration from local influences, such as rainfall on sugar cane, Polynesian tattoo art, Palm trees and Seaweed
DESIGN SPECIAL
64
Fairmont Magazine
PART 2 MAUI
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To achieve the desired organic effect, Gagon incorporated natural elements, from sea-urchin lamp bases in guest suites to palm-shaped lounge chairs by the pool to asymmetrical seating and unexpected splashes of color in public spaces; opposite: textured vessels mimic the patterns of wood bark, shells and coral
Fairmont Magazine
65
DESIGN SPECIAL
idyllic sunset dinners but sent diners running for cover when the rain fell. The first step was to beat back the elements. Gagon built a monolithic flat roof over the restaurant without adding walls. “I didn’t want to compromise the original architecture, which is so unique,” he explains, noting that it was important to provide much-needed shelter against a stray shower. “I wanted to create continuity.” For the interior, Gagon set about studying clouds to harness an ethereal ambiance. Silver strands of metal beads now hang from the ceiling in rhythmic spiral patterns that were designed to mimic both the swaying of hula skirts and the cascading of rain on sugar cane. “We don’t get to do kinetic architecture very often,” Gagon says of this contemporary interpretation of the island’s history. Throughout the process, Fairmont was determined to avoid that other constant of renos – frequent trips to the landfill. The brand’s environmentally mindful ethos meant that scrapping 500 outdated bedroom armoires was too wasteful a proposition. So Gagon ingeniously sliced the upper halves of the cabinets off, topped the bottom halves with heavy slabs of granite and – voilà – modern pieces to hold the bedroom TV. The upper portions of the armoire were then given to staff members or sold to the public for a nominal fee. Every one found a new home. Similarly, with the double doors that lead to each suite’s bedroom, Gagon decided to inset a grass-cloth vinyl fabric into the recessed panels for a more contemporary look. “Simply replacing a pair of living-room doors seems innocuous enough until you consider that it translates into
66
Fairmont Magazine
PART 2 MAUI
over 800 doors sitting in a garbage dump,” he says. And all those hallway carpets? Hundreds of yards were saved and used for lining large earthen water catchment pods that residences use for landscape and irrigation purposes. Most hotels aspire to be a home away from home for their guests – except when a reno is underway. That’s when they shoulder the stress attendant with constant construction so that visitors don’t have to. The goal is to try to manage it as seamlessly as possible, until the big reveal. For this resort property, the result was a refreshed design inspired by local surroundings and a welcome respite from the cares of daily life – perhaps even a serene escape from one’s own home renovations for those who prefer the crashing of waves to the sound of crashing in general.
the shades of the hawaiian sunset (as seen here from the fairmont kea lani beachfront) inspired the Formerly all-white resort’s updated color palette; Opposite: quiet communal spaces punctuate the resort’s redesign
Concierge
Maui, USA Stay Wailea forms the
choicest part of Maui, and THE Fairmont Kea Lani – tucked off on its own 22 lush acres – is the choicest part of Wailea. Each suite starts at a cavernous 860 square feet (80 square meters), which makes the whole experience feel more luxe residence than cookie-cutter resort.
fairmont.com/kealani
Dine
Eating in Maui used to mean either local and lowbrow or high-end and unauthentic. But Kō at The Fairmont Kea Lani takes generations-old island family recipes (Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean and Japanese) to the level of fine cuisine.
korestaurant.com Off the Honoapiilani Highway, there’s now Star Noodle. Chef Sheldon Simeon was recently named one of Food & Wine’s The People’s Best New Chefs for dishes like scallop shots and pad thai with fresh in-house noodles.
starnoodle.com
Do Sometimes luxury
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
means simply walking from your room, grabbing a snorkel set and swimming 10 feet above sea turtles and technicolor fish. For the adventurous, the Kea Lani’s beachfront also offers stand-up paddleboards for heading south to Makena’s famed Big Beach. Featured in National Geographic’s book The 10 Best of Everything, Blue Hawaiian Helicopter TOURS give you a bird’s-eye view of paradise, with narration by pilots who double as certified tour guides. Gaze at sea cliffs, waterfalls on Molokai or the Haleakala crater, all at dizzyingly close perspectives.
bluehawaiian.com
Fairmont Magazine
67
68
The golden doors of Kiev Pechersk Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral, destroyed in World War II and fully reconstructed in 2000, play backdrop to a moment of contemplation. The historic monastery dates back to the 11 th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; opposite: Footprints to the Future (2012), a site-specific work by acclaimed contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama at Arsenale 2012
Fairmont Magazine
photos: Patrick peron (monastery); courtesy of arsenalE 2012 (Footprints to the Future)
Culture Clash As Kiev, Ukraine, reintroduces itself economically and politically to the world, its contemporary art scene is stealing the show. B y A l i ya h S h a m s h e r
Fairmont Magazine
69
It’s 4:30
on a spring afternoon, and fewer than 24 hours have passed since Arsenale 2012, the First Kiev International Biennial of Contemporary Art, opened its doors to the public. Outside the sun is blazing, illuminating the otherwise cavernous halls of Mystetskyi Arsenal, the 18th-century weaponsmanufacturing factory turned exhibition space. On the second floor, a surrealist interactive installation by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama headlines the exhibition. Her commissioned piece for the Biennial, Footprints to the Future (2012), shows Kusama’s continued fascination with black dots. Downstairs, the ever-provocative Ai Weiwei shows Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (2010), a series of 12 towering bronze animal heads depicting figures in the Chinese zodiac. And among the noteworthy artwork already installed, a scattering of paintings and installations still line the floors, waiting to take their place. It’s been a frenzied race to the finish for Berlin-based curator David Elliott, who was the first director of Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum and Istanbul Modern (both now widely successful modern art museums) and is eager to fill the 538,000 square feet (50,000 square meters) of exhibition space with top international and national art. If things still seem a tad chaotic on day two, one only has to think back to Ukraine’s recent independence in 1991 to remember how far its capital has come. Two decades later, the people of Kiev are triumphantly navigating the murky waters of their former occupation (which included not only Soviet, but Russian and German, too). They started with a massive-scale rebuilding project, in which churches, squares and government buildings were reconstructed from the inside out. Traces of Kiev’s past can still
70
Fairmont Magazine
be seen throughout the city. Baroque churches with their blinding gold domes sit side-by-side with pretty, 20th-century pastel apartment buildings; newly installed large-scale LED billboards flash with advertisements for McDonald’s and MTV. And while brutalist fortress-like government buildings characteristic of the Soviet era continue to loom at every turn, today Kiev is remembering its lighter, more artistic side. For a city that once inspired the likes of prolific Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko and pioneering geometric abstractionist painter Kazimir Malevich, the Biennial is a long-awaited victory, the crowning achievement in Kiev’s slow but steady re-emergence on the global art scene. It’s a movement that not only features a new generation of artists poised to add dynamism to the sometimes predictable landscape of contemporary art, but also includes a collection of international-caliber museums and contemporary art centers, and a flourishing local gallery scene.
M
y small but trusty vintage gold watch now reads 4:35 p.m. On the second floor of the Mystetskyi Arsenal exhibition center, in a smaller, more intimate hallway, works by two of Ukraine’s most influential contemporary artists, Alexander Chekmenev and Oleksandr Kadnikov hang side by side. Both are a series of photographs, each a lesson in memory, with Ukraine’s Soviet past taking center stage. And, like the city itself, full of contrasts, the works couldn’t be more contradictory. Chekmenev’s photographs of heavily medaled Ukrainian war veterans (The Winners, 2007) lend a sense of gravity to Kadnikov’s collected objects, purposefully arranged and photographed in 1960s-pop-art hues (The Rake, 2009). Vibrant blues, oranges and reds give loaves of bread, herring on toast and abandoned toys a larger-than-life immediacy;
Now a survivor of numerous invasions, The Gate Church of the Trinity at Kiev Pechersk Lavra was originally built in the 12 th century, while the detailed and highly ornate frescos, along with the 16-candle chandelier, were installed in the 18 th century; opposite: The shock of the new with Rashid Rana’s Language Series III (2011) at Arsenale 2012
“like itself, full of contrasts, the
photos: courtesy of arsenale 2012 (language series iii); aaron miller (monastery)
works couldn’t be more contradictory.”
like the city itself, full of contrasts,
the works couldn’t be more contradictory.
Fairmont Magazine
71
A sanctuary for many, the underground caves at the Kiev Pechersk Lavra are, in fact, some of the world’s oldest churches, where Christian paintings and relics can be viewed; Opposite: Contemporary art worship, Funky Flower (2008) by Takashi Murakami at the PinchukArtCentre
“Memory is everywhere
in this city. And it can serve as either a platform or a prison.”
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX photos: aaron miller (woman); courtesy of PinchukArtCentre (funky flowers)
— D av i d E l l i o t t , A r s e n a l e c u r at o r
72
Fairmont Magazine
photos: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
so much so, you don’t know whether to smile or look away, in case you are noticed lingering a little too long among the toys and fishes – after all, the veterans are watching. At that moment, David Elliott, the curator, briskly walks past – apparently late (for what can only be a very important date), and like Alice chasing the White Rabbit, I follow. Never quite working up to a jog, Elliott unknowingly leads me into the adjacent hall, where he joins Jake Chapman, half of the infamous Chapman Brothers, an art group based out of the UK whose work The Almighty Disappointment (2011) is currently being housed downstairs. Cutting a striking figure, the artist towers over Elliott’s slight frame, wearing his standard uniform of skinny black jeans and white tee. The two are scheduled for an artist’s talk underneath the Arsenal’s dramatic vaulted ceiling. A large-scale video projection flickers on and off. Chapman begins with an apt remark: “I truly believe that art can still move collective conscious forward and make strong political and social statements.” For the citizens of Kiev, Chapman’s comment has significance. It is slowly becoming clear here that art can truly transform: helping revitalize neighborhoods as art galleries and museums are built or restored, and providing a vehicle to communicate and even console. The PinchukArtCentre is one such example. The six-story building of glass, steel and concrete sits quietly tucked away behind a Soviet-era shopping mall. The only indication of something stirring beneath the surface is the daily lineup of Ukrainian youth eager to catch a glimpse inside. Founded in 2006 by businessman and international art collector Victor Pinchuk, the center was the first comprehensive international art gallery in the Ukraine. The climb upward is rife with anticipation: first floor, Anish Kapoor’s
biomorphic void sculptures; second floor, Damien Hirst’s white beach-ball installation; third floor, Takashi Murakami’s dreamlike anime flowers. An absolute visual assault to the senses for any visitor, but for Ukrainians, an unprecedented chance to view some of the best contemporary art today. The center also makes a point of exhibiting Ukrainian artists, giving them equal space among the Jeff Koons and Damien Hirsts, while the PinchukArtCentre Prize, created in 2009, became the first private national award for young Ukrainian artists up to 35 years of age. In 2011, the center created a curatorial program, open to young Ukrainians, in an effort to help develop their professional understanding of the art world. The initiatives have made the center one of the country’s most soughtafter cultural experiences. By early 2012, the total number of visitors to the PinchukArtCentre had reached nearly 1.5 million. More astonishing, 80 percent of these visitors were under the age of 30. The center’s influence can be felt throughout the city of Kiev, having sparked a wave of contemporary art galleries to be built in the last three years, including the Chocolate House (a branch of the Kiev Museum of Russian Art), which regularly exhibits contemporary Ukrainian artists, and M17 Contemporary Art Center, which exhibits and commissions large-scale Ukrainian and international art projects.
It’s 5:00
now, and the once-bright light that radiated throughout the Arsenal’s halls is beginning to dwindle. David Elliott fittingly chose memory as one of his key themes for the fair. Taking a last look around the exhibition space, I perceive that memory is indeed palpable, coursing through the Fairmont Magazine
73
Concierge
Kiev, Ukraine Stay In the heart of the city’s historic Podil district, Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, Ukraine, is adding a new layer to the already dynamic landscape of this historic city. Taking inspiration from the country’s national style of architecture, Ukrainian Baroque, the hotel is modeled after some of the city’s most famous buildings, like the National Opera of Ukraine and the Central Post Office. The most impressive design detail: the Atrium Lounge & Pâtisserie (pictured) features a soaring glass ceiling, hand-painted frescoes and 24-karat gold-leaf appliqué on every column and doorway.
fairmont.com/kyiv
Dine
The Strand Grill’s open-concept kitchen and dining room offers clear views not only of the Dnieper River, but also of the restaurant’s Josper grill, the indoor charcoal barbecue that is unquestionably the centerpiece of the extensive kitchen. Housed in Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, the restaurant fuses traditional Ukrainian cuisine with Western influences. For the best of both worlds, try The Strand on Sundays for Kiev’s first and only Champagne Brunch or visit any night for a Signature Steak, when you’ll see the Josper grill in action.
Do
exhibit, with works like French-American artist Louise Bourgeois’s Cells (1992–2006), which feature cage-like structures containing a symbolic grouping of objects from Bourgeois’s past, and Yin Xiuzhen’s Weapons (2003–2007), which runs the entire length of a ground-floor hall, bringing to mind Mystetskyi Arsenal’s darker days as a weaponsmanufacturing facility. In a dark projection room, Ukrainian artist Mykola Ridnyi’s Monument (2011) shows city personnel dismantling a Soviet monument, a symbol of worker heroes, in a program that the city undertook in an effort to “modernize” public spaces for Euro 2012. Part of the younger generation of artists, Ridnyi creates work that demonstrates the playful yet bold choices that are being made in Kiev, where remembrance of the city’s turbulent past continues to serve as inspiration for the future. Elliott dashes by again, but this time I catch my White Rabbit. Slowing down for only a moment, Elliott is the calm within the storm of this Biennial: “Have you been outside? Memory is everywhere in this city. And it can serve as either a platform or a prison.” He pauses again, and gives a little wink. “The key is letting it be both.” And with that, he’s off again, hurrying back to wonderland.
74
Fairmont Magazine
The Atrium Lounge & Pâtisserie at Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
Founded by renowned Ukrainian art collector Victor Pinchuk, the PinchukArtCentre gives you an unprecedented chance to view top contemporary international and national artists in the most intimate of settings.
pinchukartcentre.org The National Art Museum of Ukraine was the first public museum in the city. The building itself is another testament to the Ukrainian Baroque style. Inside, discover more than 40,000 works of art from the 12th to 21st centuries.
namu.kiev.ua The Chocolate House, a former twostory mansion, now serves as an extension of the Kiev Museum of Russian Art. This outlet for contemporary Ukrainian and Russian art holds rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
kmrm.com.ua
bulthaup b3 – timeless and classic. Inspired by our convictions. A bulthaup kitchen combines the utmost individualism with precision. The passion for detail plays as important a role as the overall architectural concept. This is what makes every bulthaup kitchen unique. It represents true, customized perfection tailored precisely to the room and everyone that lives in it.
www.bulthaup.com
Travel comes home Now you can bring the best of your Fairmont travel experience home with you, with a visit to The Fairmont Store. Luxury linens, pillows and robes—as well as delicious tea collections and decadent Le Labo bath products—are all available for you to enjoy at any time. Visit us at select properties or online at fairmontstore.com
Arts & Entertainment
Spa & Fitness
Food & Drink
Sports & Adventure
Shopping & Style
Leadership & Philanthropy
Fairmont Destinations
78
80
82
84
86
88
89
photo: frank herfort
Fire in the Sky
Fairmont Baku — From the eternal flames that burned in its ancient temples to the Caspian Sea flares that signify Baku’s booming oil industry, Azerbaijan has maintained a deep connection with fire for more than 1,000 years. It is from this ancient tradition that architect Barry Hughes of Londonbased HOK took inspiration when designing the three iconic Flame Towers, one of which houses Fairmont Baku. “The most impressive thing about the towers is actually the shape,” says Hughes. “We really wanted them to look like flames in the sky.” fairmont.com/baku
Eye on the World
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr — When it opened its doors three years ago, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr quickly earned a reputation as the cultural gateway to Abu Dhabi, playing host to various exhibitions that showcase the breadth of talent originating in the UAE. In March 2012 the hotel looked to the Far East for inspiration, staging Korean Eye: Energy and Matter. The acclaimed exhibition, which has also traveled to London, Singapore and New York, features a collection of paintings, sculptures and photos from 19 of Korea’s top artists. fairmont.com/babalbahr // koreaneye.org
Arts & Entertainment
Book Club The Fairmont Royal York
— Every February, The Book Lover’s Ball brings more than 600 readers together with today’s most acclaimed international authors for a one-night-only black-tie affair at Canada’s The Fairmont Royal York. The 2012 event raised more than $500,000 in support of the Toronto Public Library, with literary guests Kevin O’Leary, Margaret Atwood and Wayne Johnston in attendance. In 2013, upand-coming stage and screen performers will bring some of your favorite novels to life. fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto // bookloversball.ca
Siren Song
Fairmont Battery Wharf
— If singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson isn’t a household name yet, he’s well on his way. This year, Nathanson headlined the Sounds of Fairmont music series, with a performance at The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. He joins musicians such as Colin James and Emeli Sandé as part of the 2012 lineup.
— For a relative newbie, UK-based Scottish R&B/pop singer Emeli Sandé has racked up a long list of credentials that now includes performing at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. Quickly becoming a household name, Sandé landed stateside earlier this year at the Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston as part of the Sounds of Fairmont series: “The show was really intimate. It’s a real test, there’s no special effects or anything. It gets me excited all over again.”
fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston
fairmont.com/battery-wharf-boston
Making Tracks photos: In Procession by Hong Young, 2010 (Opposite); Simon Emmett (Emeli sandé); Myriam Santos (Matt nathanson)
The Fairmont Copley Plaza
pr o m o s Rock of Ages
’80s Revival
Peace of History
Join the list of Abbey Road’s famous alumni with The Savoy’s Record a Song package for FPC members. As an honorary rock star, you’ll receive a private song recording, an exclusive studio tour and a two-night stay at the iconic hotel. (Groupies not included.)
Fans of Glass Tiger, the Canadian rock group best known for their 1980s single “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” have a chance to catch the group live at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac this November for an intimate performance at the historic hotel.
Stay in the same suite that John Lennon and Yoko Ono used for their 1969 “Bedin for Peace,” at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada. Discover a mini museum of memorabilia, with photos and signed records from the landmark event.
fairmont.com/savoy // abbeyroad.com
fairmont.com/fpc
The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel —
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac —
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth —
fairmont.com/queenelizabeth Fairmont Magazine
79
e-Zen
Fairmont online — Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’s exclusive in-house spa, is found in some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic locales. The newly launched Willow Stream Magazine offers spa goers another layer of wellness online. Find articles on health and beauty, along with medical support for spa therapies found at Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spas. While there, follow spa director and columnist Anne McCall Wilson as she travels the world to open new locations from Vancouver to Jaipur. willowstreammagazine.com
Spa & Fitness
The Golf Whisperer Fairmont’s Middle East properties
— Long-time golfer and psychology graduate Matthew Nutting – now a qualified Integral Therapist and Mind Factor coach – has developed a specialized mental-training program to help golfers refine their thought processes and attain optimal performance on the course. Nutting’s “Performance You” regime is now available exclusively for guests of Fairmont’s Middle East properties. themindfactor.com
Wine & Tees The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
— Stay fit while having fun at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California’s wine country: take a swing at the awardwinning 18-hole golf course, enjoy breathtaking views on a guided hike, boost your heart rate in a Zumba class or wind down with aquatic yoga in the warm, shallow waters of the inn’s Watsu pool (pictured).
Tartan Treatments
fairmont.com/sonoma
fairmont.com/st-andrews-scotland
Fairmont St Andrews
— Why choose between a golf trip and a spa getaway when you can have both? Known worldwide for its top-rated course, Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland, is also an under-the-radar spa haven, where treatments incorporate local ingredients like Celtic salts (pictured) and organic oatmeal. The Ultimate Spa Package allows guests to indulge lochside with four hours of services, one night’s accommodation and a full Scottish breakfast. Rates from US$235.
promos CrossFit
Road Warrior
Rest Stop
Now an international movement, CrossFit aims to condition the body like an Olympian, with short, intense workouts that combine running, jump rope and weight-lifting. Adding to their already stacked roster of fitness activities, Fairmont hotels will be launching Reebok CrossFit training at select properties this fall.
For a total body workout with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, first choose your destination and then get moving. With the Fairmont Fit program, Fairmont President’s Club members can request Reebok workout gear, a pre-loaded MP3 player, a yoga mat and a stretch band, all delivered directly to your hotel room.
Retreat to The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located in the heart of Canada’s majestic Banff National Park, with the Spa Treatment package. Spend the day hiking or skiing and then indulge in a custom deep-tissue facial or a chamomile body scrub before tucking in for a night at the historic Rocky Mountain hotel.
Select properties —
fairmont.com/fpc/fairmont-fit
Select properties —
fairmont.com/fpc/fairmont-fit
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise —
fairmont.com/lakelouise Fairmont Magazine
81
Tropical Cookout
Fairmont Mayakoba — Rainforests, deserts, mangroves – Mexico’s varied landscape provides a never-ending source of inspiration for chefs at Fairmont Mayakoba, Mexico. Now you can broaden your own recipe repertoire with in-house cooking classes led by the hotel’s seasoned culinary team. Following meal preparation in a set of complimentary chef-approved whites, take a seat ocean-side to enjoy the fruits of your labor. fairmont.com/mayakoba
Food & Drink
Raising the Bar
Fairmont properties worldwide
— Whether you’re sidled up to the hotel bar at a Fairmont in England or Egypt, skip “the usual” and try a cocktail from Fairmont’s new Modern Classics menu. Last spring, Fairmont bartenders entered more than 80 libations that were judged by a panel of experts. Of these, 12 made the list and, like the already popular Classic Cocktails menu, you can order these sips at any Fairmont in the world. everyonesanoriginal.com
Get Steeped
Fairmont properties worldwide
— Nutritional know-how: Fairmont has you and your little ones covered while you’re away, with Lifestyle Cuisine Plus and a specialized children’s menu. Both offer wholesome, fresh and seasonal meal options, with the adult program also covering everything from food allergies and caloric restrictions to raw-food and vegan diets.
— This November, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’s Get Steeped program sees hotels around the world paying homage to tea, both traditional and with a twist: The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston serves up tea cocktails at the Oak Long Bar + Kitchen, while Fairmont Monte Carlo is getting creative with sweet and savory tea-infused ice pops. November also marks the launch of Eclipse, Fairmont’s new tea blend.
fairmont.com
fairmont.com/getsteeped
All Together Now Fairmont properties worldwide
promos All Dogs Go to Fairmont
Comfort Food
Tea & Tanqueray
Furry friends are welcome at Fairmont, where dog-centered amenities range from three-course menus for four-legged guests to treats prepared by award-winning pastry chefs. Lacking a Fido in your life? Fairmont’s Canine Ambassadors program provides stellar stand-ins.
Looking for a taste of home on the road? Fairmont hotels are adding something a little more local to their menus. For home cooking, head to Fairmont Dubai, where expat “mamas” showcase their regional cuisine, while at Fairmonts around the world, honey beers are brewed onsite with the help of rooftop beehives.
Fairmont’s first hotel in Eastern Europe is offering a mix of culinary experiences. Traditional tea and house-made jams at The Atrium Lounge & Pâtisserie, bubbly and caviar at Grand Cru Champagne Bar, and cigars and classic bevvies at the aptly named Vintage Cocktail Bar.
Fairmont properties worldwide —
everyonesanoriginal.com
Select properties —
fairmont.com
Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv —
fairmont.com/kyiv Fairmont Magazine
83
Golf Lover’s Paradise
Select properties — To many, golfing is more than a game – it’s a lifestyle. That passion for the greens is the inspiration for Fairmont’s destination-focused Ultimate Golf Packages. Aside from tee-times, they offer players revitalizing spa treatments, fine dining experiences and luxury accommodations. Discover year-round and seasonal packages, starting at $199 per night. fairmont.com/ultimategolf
Sports & Adventure
Rustic Bliss
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
— The fairy-tale wedding gets an all-natural upgrade at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Whether you stage your big day outdoors or in, Lake Louise’s ice-blue waters, surrounded by snowdusted peaks and sparkling glaciers, offer the picture-perfect setting. Tip: shake off pre-wedding jitters with a hike, mountain biking or a canoe ride. fairmont.com/lakelouise
The Sporting Life Fairmont Heritage Place
— Fairmont’s partnership with BMW continues to grow. Hotels across Canada, Mexico and Singapore already offer vehicles, shuttle buses and cruiser bikes for guest use. Now all USA properties are also set to provide a 7-series vehicle. Happy driving!
— Fairmont’s luxury private residence club, Fairmont Heritage Place, is situated in some of the most breathtaking locales around the globe. Designed with the comforts of home (and perks of a hotel), here you can explore the great outdoors while reaching your fitness goals. Hike your way through the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Santa Fe, USA (pictured); golf along the spectacular Indian Ocean in Zimbali, Africa; or ski to your heart’s content in Whistler, Canada, and Telluride, USA. Fairmont Heritage Place is your home away from home.
fairmont.com // bmw.com
fairmontheritageplace.com
Fast Times Select properties
pr o m o s Kids Clubs
Powder Room
Walk This Way
Fairmont Kids Clubs offer little travelers the chance to stay active while on vacation. The activities, based on an obstacle course, will challenge kids’ agility, balance, speed and strength in a non-competitive environment – all with a healthy dose of fun.
Carve your own path on some of the world’s top ski slopes at Fairmont properties across North America (select from Telluride, Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, Tremblant, Le Massif and more) with a range of Ultimate Ski Packages, including accommodation, lift tickets and other special offerings. Now that’s epic.
Fodor’s Travel has partnered with Fairmont’s Boston properties to create downloadable audio walking tours. These intuitive itineraries include suggested routes, imagery and descriptions of iconic attractions.
Select properties —
fairmont.com
Select properties —
fairmont.com/ultimateski
The Fairmont Copley Plaza & Fairmont Battery Wharf —
fodors.com Fairmont Magazine
85
A Cut Above
Fairmont Monte Carlo & select properties — It’s only fitting that the most expensive dress in the world should be unveiled at Fairmont Monte Carlo’s Billionaire Sunset Lounge. Located poolside on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the space proved the perfect backdrop for British designer Debbie Wingham’s recent fashion show. The evening’s stunner was a £3.5-million black-diamond dress (pictured) that left the crowd speechless. Look for the gown on display at select Fairmont properties this fall. fairmont.com/monte-carlo // debbiewingham.com
Shopping & Style
Trunk Show
Fairmont Beijing & Fairmont Peace Hotel
— This season sees Fairmont Beijing and Fairmont Peace Hotel partnering with Hong Kong-based luxury fashion and housewares brand Shanghai Tang. As part of the Gold Concierge Trunk Program, guests will have access to a trunk full of Shanghai Tang products, including trendy teapots, stylish stationery and designer dim sum dishes. Plus guests can sign up to receive exclusive invites to preview upcoming fashion collections normally reserved for Shanghai Tang’s VIP program. fairmont.com/beijing // fairmont.com/peace-hotel-
Suite San Fran The Fairmont San Francisco
shanghai // shanghaitang.com
Top Coat Select properties
— One of Canada’s best exports is keeping Fairmont guests toasty this winter. Canada Goose, known for its ultra-warm parkas used for arctic exploration, is the official supplier of down jackets to valets at Fairmont properties across North America. Now you, too, can test-drive these famed toppers with packages that include his-and-her loaner parkas and two-nights’ accommodation at Fairmont’s Canadian hotels. fairmont.com/promotions/canada-goose
— Fifty years after he first performed his signature song, Tony Bennett left his heart once again in San Francisco with a concert this past February at the Fairmont. The hotel’s Tony Bennett Suite was designed by Bennett’s niece, interior designer Nina Chiappa, who says, “The hotel has always been a place of congregation and celebration for our family and I was delighted to create this display.” Guests take home a signed print of the Golden Gate Bridge, painted by Bennett himself. fairmont.com/sanfrancisco
p r omos Après-Ski Shops
Scents of Place
With 200 shops in Whistler Village, this ski-resort has far more to explore than just its great outdoors. After shopping for all your outerwear, visit Mount Cashmere for luxe après-ski sweaters, Pandora for souvenir travel charms and Inside Out Boutique for lingerie imported from France.
New York-based boutique perfumer Le Labo’s signature Rose 31, an alluring aroma featuring spice-infused floral and woodsy notes, is the fragrance of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ in-room amenities, including shampoo, conditioner and soap. Now full-sized versions of the bath and body products are available for purchase online. fairmontstore.com
photo: Jeff Romero (dress)
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler —
fairmont.com/whistler
Fairmont online —
Make Every Experience One of a Kind
Fairmont partnership — Get closer to more Fairmont experiences with the new Fairmont Visa Signature Card. Earn two complimentary nights with breakfast for two at any Fairmont hotel or resort worldwide. Enjoy an automatic upgrade to Premier status, waived foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access and more. fairmont.com/mag Fairmont Magazine
87
Leadership & Philanthropy
Green Scenes
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver & Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
— Let a Fairmont concierge be your eco-guide in two of the world’s greenest cities. At The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the dedicated team will assist with bike rentals for a day of cycling around the seawall, part of which is situated in Vancouver’s Stanley Park (one of North America’s largest urban parks) and at Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, the concierge will arrange sailboats to view the city by water on Hamburg’s stunning Alster Lake. fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver // fairmont.com/vier-jahreszeiten-hamburg
Fish Tales
Fairmont’s Asia properties
— More than two decades in the making, the Fairmont CAREs program has grown from an environmental protection initiative to a global commitment toward social and community wellbeing. With the help of donations and grants, the program provides the seed money necessary to foster self-sufficient communities in underfunded regions. Recent projects include the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, which supports microfarming projects run by local women.
— In a continued effort to promote sustainability that reaches beyond each of its hotels and resorts, Fairmont has officially resolved to remove shark fins from the menus in all of its Asian properties. As part of the Sustainable Seafood initiative (a branch of Fairmont’s Green Partnership), these hotels will highlight alternative options on their menus, and seek ways to educate colleagues and guests on sustainable food choices that help conserve marine resources.
fairmont.com
fairmont.com/promotions/asia
Fairmont CAREs Fairmont properties worldwide
88
Fairmont Magazine
Fairmont Destinations
Find Fairmont Worldwide Fairmont Gold floor property
Fairmont Hotels United States Austin (opening 2015) Boston at Battery Wharf Boston at Copley Plaza Chicago Dallas Newport Beach New York Pittsburgh San Francisco San Francisco at Ghirardelli Square San Jose Santa Fe Santa Monica Seattle Washington, D.C. Canada Calgary Edmonton Montreal Ottawa Toronto
Vancouver at Hotel Vancouver Vancouver at Pacific Rim Vancouver at Vancouver Airport Vancouver at Waterfront Winnipeg Europe, Middle East & Africa Abu Dhabi Amman (opening 2014) Baku (opening 2013) Cairo at Heliopolis & Towers Cairo at Nile City Dubai Fujairah (opening 2013) Hamburg Kyiv London Makkah Moscow (opening 2016) Nairobi Riyadh (opening 2013) Asia Beijing Chengdu (opening 2014) Jaipur
Jakarta (opening 2014) Manila (opening 2012) Nanjing (opening 2013) Shanghai Singapore Taiyuan (opening 2014)
Fairmont Resorts
United States Hawaii Maui Scottsdale Sonoma Telluride Canada Banff Charlevoix Jasper Lake Louise Montebello Montebello at Kenauk Mont-Tremblant
Quebec City Victoria Whistler Bermuda, Caribbean & Mexico Acapulco at Acapulco Princess Acapulco at Pierre Marques Barbados Bermuda at Hamilton Princess Bermuda at Southampton Riviera Maya Europe, Middle East & Africa Ajman (opening 2013) Dubai at Palm Jumeirah Kenya at Mara Safari Club Kenya at Mount Kenya Safari Club Monte Carlo Montreux St Andrews Zimbali at Zimbali Lodge Zimbali at Zimbali Resort Asia Kunshan
For reservations, please call +1 800 441 1414 in the United States and Canada, and +1 506 863 6310 internationally, or visit us at fairmont.com
Fairmont Magazine
89
Check Out
Dynastic Design Fairmont Jaipur, India — During its long reign, the Mughal dynasty (16th to 19th centuries) developed a highly decorative design language that prized light and symmetry above all. In this combination of Turkish, Indian and Persian tradition, each emperor sought to outdo the next, culminating in the dynasty’s greatest architectural achievement, the Taj Mahal at Agra, India. It is from this style that the new Fairmont Jaipur takes its inspiration. The hotel employed more than 1,000 workers, all dedicated to reimagining a traditional Mughal palace, while a small, handpicked group of local artisans worked for more than two years to create the exterior carvings and paintings.  Aliyah Shamsher
90
Fairmont Magazine
Make Every Experience One of a Kind
Introducing the
Fairmont Visa Signature速 Card.
Enjoy two complimentary nights at any Fairmont hotel or resort worldwide. For information and to apply, visit fairmontcard.com Open to U.S. residents only.
Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. Fairmont Visa Signature速 credit cards are issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A. See fairmontcard.com for pricing and rewards details.
BLUE sAPPHIrEs NEsTLED IN CLUsTErs oF roUND, mArqUIsE AND PEAr-sHAPED DIAmoNDs, sET IN 18-KArAT wHITE goLD
HoTEL wALDorF-AsTorIA 301 PArK AVENUE 212-751-9824
800-CELLINI www.CELLINIJEwELErs.Com NEw YorK, NY 10022
509 mADIsoN AVENUE AT 53rD sTrEET 212-888-0505