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FROM THE EDITOR If we are lucky there are a few times a year when we experience something so exhilarating we feel truly alive - an experience so utterly fulfilling that you know it will stay with you for life. And those instants are different for us all of course – it could be the skiing through powder snow, tasting a 2014 Lafite-Rothschild, or having a kick-about with your child in the park. I felt this euphoria in 2015 when I was fortunate enough to witness the America’s Cup from Bermuda. The atmosphere, the thrill of the start and the sheer-bloody-mindedness of the competitors was aweinspiring. The anticipation of the race was tangible. In this issue we hope to have encapsulated all the thrills offered to us by our oceans’ playgrounds. We focus on the America’s Cup and talk to Sir Ben Ainslie about his mission to bring the trophy home to UK waters. We also spotlight what’s new in the world of superyachts and reveal the globe’s best marinas that should be high on your to-visit list. Of course getting to play in some of the world’s warmest seas usually involves a flight to your port of choice. With this in mind, we investigate the most exclusive airline lounges. Looking cool while staying cool is also important so we’ve asked one of London’s best fashion experts for advice. Needless to say three-quarter length shorts and Hawaiian shirts are a no-no. Sorry chaps. Enjoy the issue.
Dawn Alford
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OCEAN SAIL OF THE CENTURY 20 - 29 ISLAND IN THE SUN 32 - 35 CALL OF THE SEA 36 - 40
AND WHAT’S INSIDE COUNTS TOO 42 - 45 JOIN THE JETTY-SET 46 - 49
BILLIONAIRE WATER TOYS 52 - 60
STYLE DIVING BELLES 67 - 71
NICER PROBLEMS TO HAVE 75
SMART LIVING
COOL LOOKS FOR HOT DAYS 76 - 79
SEASIDE SPLENDOURS 90 - 95
COSTUME PARTIES 81 - 85
WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT 96 - 97
MOVE PART CAR, PART SUPER COMPUTER 100 - 103 NEED FOR SPEED 104 - 105
INDULGE BASQUE IN GLORY 108 - 109 SCHOOL’S OUT 110 - 111
ESCAPE WHEN CAMBODIA CALLS 116 - 123 LAND OF SPICES AND SEDUCTION 125 - 129 THE WORLD’S BEST AIRLINE LOUNGES 131 - 136
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C C U LT U R E SAVE THE DATE 146 - 147
O C E A N SAIL OF THE CENTURY 20 - 29 ISLAND IN THE SUN 32 - 35 CALL OF THE SEA 36 - 40 AND WHAT’S INSIDE COUNTS TOO 42 - 45 JOIN THE JETTY-SET 46 - 49 BILLIONAIRE WATER TOYS 52 - 60
SAIL OF THE
CENTURY
Sir Ben Ainslie on the spills of the America’s Cup – the w expensive boat race Wo r d s : J a n J a c q u e s
and thrills world’s most
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The Land Rover Bar team
The teams line up
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t’s the world’s oldest, most glamorous and frighteningly expensive sporting event. And this year’s America’s Cup, with its astonishing hi-tech yachts, promises to be the one where boats might fly. There’s a tidal wave of excitement, and not just among sailing enthusiasts, because this could be the year the cup is returned to where it began – Britain. Defending the title is the Oracle team USA, backed by software billionaire Larry Ellison, the world’s fifth-richest man – although he’d be richer if it wasn’t for the America’s. The British challenge is headed by our greatest living sailor, Sir Ben Ainslie, the man who helped The Oracle win in 2013. That triumph, a comeback of epic proportions, was largely down to Ainslie, who in 2012 won his fourth consecutive Olympic sailing gold medal. If his Land
Rover BAR team get through the qualifiers against boats from New Zealand, Sweden, France and Japan, the final will truly be a clash of the titans. “This America’s Cup is an allencompassing challenge across the board – sailing, design, management – it’s a massive, massive project,” says Ainslie. “If we are ultimately successful, ranking all British sporting achievements, it would be right up there because of the difficulty of actually winning the cup,” he adds. The sailing saga dates back to 1851 when Britain’s Royal Yacht Squadron put up the £100 Cup – later incorrectly inscribed the 100 Guineas Cup – for a race around the Isle of Wight. It was won by the U.S. yacht America, whose owners, a syndicate of New York businessmen, took the trophy home and renamed it the America’s Cup. It was 132 years, the longest winning streak in sporting history, before
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controversial businessman Alan Bond’s Australia II prised it from the grasp of the New York Yacht Club in 1985. Two years later the cup was snatched back by the Americans then grabbed by New Zealand in 1995 and seized by the Swiss in 2007. They lost it to the Oracle in 2010, which is now hoping to make it a hat-trick of American wins. But not if Sir Ben can help it. The yacht is called Rita – he calls all his boats that – and she is the product of 85,000 man-hours over three years by a 120-strong team. Oh, and at a cost of around £100million. Ainslie says: “As a sportsman you want to have the ultimate test, you want to push yourself to the limit. Some people shirk away from that and don’t like the pressure. For others, it triggers something inside that makes them push harder and they love the challenge. I love that challenge, I love that battle and get a big drive out of it.
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Sir Ben Ainslie
Taking flight: the Oracle US team
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“History shows how hard that challenge is of building the team, building the design tools, the infrastructure you need and getting the team working cohesively in these timeframes. It’s incredibly hard.” The 40-year-old relocated to Bermuda in November with wife Georgia, eight-monthold daughter Bellatrix and their two dogs. They live around the bay from the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club, a huge pink edifice where most of the team are based (they call it the Pink Palace). Every morning Ainslie takes a speedboat over to his HQ at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where his days are consumed with practice and testing. “It’s been a massive learning curve for me,” he says. “But an incredible opportunity to found a team and build it up from absolutely nothing. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe we could be successful.” The cost is mind-boggling. Some say yachting is like standing in a cold shower tearing up £50 notes. But the results are breathtaking. This year’s America’s yachts have been reduced to 50ft for the final, in a vain attempt to curb costs, not that it seems to matter. The image of yachting, for most of us humble landlubbers, includes billowing white sails helmed by a steady skipper, possibly in natty deck shoes. But elite sailing is now at the cutting edge of science. The boats are all hard lines – their tall angular sails menacing, their edges sharp, their hydrofoils jut like a vampire’s teeth.
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The teams sail across the Chicago backdrop
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Construction of the boats
The extraordinary design is to maximise aerodynamics, giving them the ability to skim along the water. Not so much sailing, as flying. Sailing has seen a massive transformation in recent years, mostly thanks to these hydrofoils, which are known as daggerboards. As drag is minimised the boat’s hull lifts out of the water, essentially flying just above the surface, skimming the waves. Speeds have doubled since the America’s Cup allowed daggerboards into the rulebook, and they continue to increase. Ainslie reckons he
can get Rita flying out of the water on her foils at 60mph, more than 50 knots. “It’s pretty terrifying, to be honest,” he says of the sensation of moving a boat along at three times Bermuda’s limit on the roads. “When you are going over 40 knots it’s pretty scary. I won’t lie. You’ve really got to have your s*** together. We feel like test pilots. You are going faster and faster and the boat feels close to breaking point. You are waiting for something to ping off. And if it does, it’s going to hurt. You really have to be on your game. There is no forgiveness whatsoever.”
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The US Oracle team
A class act
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If anyone can bring the cup back to Britain, it’s Sir Ben Ainslie. Revered for his determination and stamina, his achievements speak for themselves: 1996 Silver in the Laser Class at the Atlanta Olympics, aged 19 2000 Gold at the Sydney Olympics, exacting revenge on Brazilian Robert Scheidt 2004 Gold at the Athens Olympics after moving up to the heavier Finn class 2008 Gold at the Beijing Olympics, again in the Finn 2012 Becomes most successful Olympic sailor of all time at London 2012, winning fourth consecutive gold medal at Weymouth 2013 Joins Oracle Team USA midway through 34th America’s Cup and helps to overturn a 8-1 deficit and win 9-8 2014 Launches his own America’s Cup team. Begins work on a stateof-the-art facility in Portsmouth (now completed). Sets about raising £100m in campaign funds
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2016 Land Rover BAR win the America’s Cup World Series, giving them a 2pt head-start in May’s qualifying series for the 35th America’s Cup
Sir Ben Ainslie
The America’s Cup
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The best of Bermuda
The Emirates Team New Zealand
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The cup will be the largest event Bermuda has ever hosted. The jewel of the Atlantic is small – just 21 sq miles – but its celebrated pink sand coastline stretches for 75 miles. There are just 60,000 residents in the British overseas territory, which means that although it has its own government, it’s still under the sovereignty of the UK. Americans, Canadians and Brits make up most of the expat community. It’s hard to buy a place in paradise. Any real estate owner must have business or family ties and there are restrictions on international buyers. Bermuda is divided into nine parishes, with the harbour city Hamilton the centre of business and finance. St George’s, a World Heritage site, is the oldest continuously occupied place of English origin, with buildings dating back to the 17th century. An exclusive peninsula in the parish is called Tucker’s Town, although locals know it as Billionaire’s Row. The America’s Cup has brought hundreds of millions of pounds of tourism investment, mostly around five-star hotels. Actor Michael Douglas owns an area which is being redeveloped into a luxury complex of cottages. 1 © ACEA 2015 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 2 © ACEA 2015 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 3 Author: Hpeterswald 4 © Sam Greenfield / Oracle Team USA 5 © ACEA 2016 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 6 © ACEA 2016 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 7 © ACEA 2015 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 8 ©HarryKH / Land Rover Bar 9 © ACEA 2015 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 10 ©HarryKH / Land Rover Bar 11 © ACEA 2016 / Photo Ricardo Pinto 12 ©Austin Wong / ACEA
Beautiful Bermuda
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ISLAND IN
THE SUN We take a trip across the Atlantic to discover an untouched paradise where tradition meets modernity Wo r d s : S h a u n P r i n c e
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ith tales of vanishing ships and disappearing planes keeping conspiracy theorists up at night, Bermuda has become synonymous with mystery. But the drama that often shrouds the islands and their infamous ‘triangle’ is, in fact, far removed from reality. Here, life is simple. The waters are clear, the beaches are calm, and whatever the weather (usually brilliant blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine) everyone carries a warm smile.
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Marcus’Restaurant
Bermuda may not officially be in ‘the Caribbean’ but it possesses all of its neighbouring region’s tropical allure, and much more. Located off the coast of Florida, the archipelago serves up a postcard-perfect platter of white sandy beaches and clear blue seas, with an added sprinkling of spice. Upon setting foot on the island it’s clear you’re entering an alternate reality where life moves at its own pace. The landscape is painted with bright houses cropping out from behind lush tropical vegetation. Each home is a different colour from the next but the one element they share is no door number. Instead Bermudians – whose typical uniform of shirts and Bermuda shorts rings true to stereotypes – guide their guests with statements like “my house is the red one next to the blue one.” While this may seem like organised chaos to a city dweller, it’s a prime example of what makes Bermuda so charming. Traditions and local pride are important on the island, which is also evident from its upkeep. From the pristine streets to the beautiful sandy shores, there’s an immaculate cleanliness that simply can’t be matched in similar tropical destinations. As a result, the beaches are some of the best in the world.
Nautical heaven Bermuda is popular with elite travellers, particularly yachting enthusiasts. Book a suite at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and you can sail directly into the state-of-the-art 60-berth marina, designed to cater to some of the largest private yachts around. In keeping with aesthetic of the rest of the island, the exclusive resort, which has recently undergone a $100m refurbishment, offers modern luxury with a traditional twist. From the outside, the hotel fits into the landscape with an inviting pink façade, while inside, contemporary living is personified. With over 60 museum-worthy pieces of art on its walls, the resort could easily claim to be a modern art gallery. An original Andy Warhol (Queen Elizabeth II, Reigning Queens) greets guests in the reception, while the hallways are lit up by the works of Banksy, David Hockney, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. Even while dining
at signature restaurant Marcus’, authentic Bermudian cuisine battles for the spotlight with works by talents such as Nelson Mandela that shine down from the walls.
Eyes on the prize A modern aesthetic continues throughout the hotel, from the spa to the harbour-view suites. The true connoisseur selects the Fairmont Gold experience for access to a VIP wing, luxury amenities and exclusive lounges where dedicated staff tailor bespoke holiday experiences. Water sports are, naturally, the life-blood of Bermuda and visitors can connect with the ocean in many leisure and sporting capacities, from scuba diving to yachting. Sailing is, arguably, the most revered sport on the island right now and, as testament to this, Bermuda was chosen as the host of the 35th America’s Cup. The unmissable event, taking place on 17 June, will see the world’s best sailors commandeer the fastest boats around to harness the power of the ocean and compete for the oldest trophy in international sport. After a day on the water, Hamilton’s beach club offers an scenic space to relax and recuperate, while a steady flow of cocktails keeps the heat at bay at 1609 Bar & Restaurant, home to the best sunset views on the island. Of course, such beautiful vistas come at a cost tourism. And while the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club lies far from where cruise ships deck, the philanthropic resort does its bit to the combat the impact of visitors and preserve the island. One such initiative is the Seabin project, which uses innovative floating bins to clean the harbour water. At just a seven-hour flight from London, Bermuda is the perfect place to drop anchor, recharge the batteries and escape into island life for a few days. Next time you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, consider looking beyond its borders and heed the warnings of the conspiracy theorists to discover an island paradise hidden in plain sight. Hamilton Princess & Beach Club thehamiltonprincess.com
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Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
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CALL OF THE
SEA
Superyachts are thriving with more of them on the water than ever before as the must-have status symbol of 2017 Wo r d s : J u l i e t B e n n i n g
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his summer the paparazzi will decamp from the gated drives and high walls of private residences to the regroup in the Mediterranean’s quietest coves and hidden beaches. The prize? A photo of a celeb immerging from the water at the stern of a yacht. It’s superyacht celeb spotting season and the race is on to uncover the seafaring retreats of the A-list. Among the most photographed yacht loving stars are Salma Hayek, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Beyonce. Yet these palatial retreats are one of the only places pap hunted stars can relax and if spotted, pull up the anchor and move off to another secret location in maximum comfort. The superyacht seasonal cycle starts every year at Monaco Yacht Show in September. The summer’s intense heat has subsided, the peak time tourists have left for home but the principality is nevertheless humming with activity. Evenings at the Buddha Bar see yacht brokers, crew and designers drinking sundowners together, whilst below at Port Hercule the densely packed yachts blink and dazzle, heaving with elegant guests, their underwater lights casting a turquoise glow. If all goes to plan, this is where sea loving UHNWIs will visit the yacht they may book for their next charter or find the shipyard to create the vessel of their dreams. Last year the show attracted 33,800 private owners, buyers and yachting professionals. This major rendezvous remains the event of the superyacht calendar. Theo Hooning, secretary general of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), whose members exhibited 53 yachts this year, affirms that the show “remains
absolutely the one and only superyacht event in the world.” For Monaco itself, yachting is the fourth largest sector of activity in the principality representing an annual turnover of €750 million. Superyachts are an ever-evolving class of asset that have changed dramatically over the last thirty years with the fleet of 30 metre plus vessels going from 1057 in 1990 to 4611 in 2016. Industry expert Merijn de Waard, whose company SuperYacht Gallery provided these stats reveals, “In the last few years the number of new yacht sales has been good, especially for the wellestablished shipyards. In terms of clients, the USA market is very strong, but we are also slowly starting to see more yachts being ordered by clients from Asia.” A huge disposable income is required for a superyachting lifestyle, especially as the yachts are built purely for pleasure and won’t appreciate in value over time. Chris Treadwell, at Enness Private Clients helps finance yachts for future owners who have assets in other places, “We’ve had clients with requirements for small boats valued at around $500,000 right through to one particular instance where a client wanted to buy a superyacht at $100,000,000.” But the initial outlay is only part of the story. A buyer must then factor in fuel costs, initial legal fees, crew salaries, dockage fees, insurance, maintenance and complicated taxes. The yearly cost of operating a yacht is likely to come to 10% of its original price. The savvy and well-briefed buyer would do well to buy a yacht that is likely to have a good resale value and has been built by a well-known and popular shipyard.
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Port Hercule
Camper & Nicholson
In terms of quality it’s widely accepted that the Germans and the Dutch reign supreme, but each country has cornered its own market. The country that consistently comes out as building the most yachts in meterage is Italy. This is due to a strong production market represented by Azimut Yachts, Ferretti, Riva, Overmarine and Sanlorenzo among others. Healthy orders for larger 40 metre plus yachts have been reported from Benetti, CRN, Mondomarine and Rossinavi. From the Netherlands Heesen invests hugely in super-efficient hull design creating a jaw dropping pedigree of faster yachts, while for quality Feadship and Oceanco are difficult to beat, with Amels creating beautiful yachts on proven engineering platforms. The Germans, such as Lßrssen, Nobiskrug,
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Camper & Nicholson
Blohm + Voss and Abeking & Rasmussen consistently build some of the finest larger yachts in the world, whilst the UK is best known for semi-production yachts from Sunseeker and Princess. Gulf Craft in the UAE is accredited for increasing the popularity of yachting in Arabic countries. Turkish producers such as Sunrise, Tansu and Turquoise Yachts are building beautiful yachts with slightly lower price tags than in Europe. In the USA Viking Yachts, Hatteras and Westport manufacture consistently popular yachts for a strong domestic market. One of the most exciting yachts to surface from a yard recently is 143 metre Sailing Yacht A, built by Nobiskrug and designed by Philippe Starck. Known for throwing out the rule book, Starck developed the
Camper & Nicholson
yacht for owners who wanted to “push the boundaries of engineering and challenge the status quo of the industry.” This gargantuan vessel, with its gunmetal grey hull and steep consateenered stern looks both impenetrable and fiercely seaworthy. She’s a daring endeavour that the yard’s managing director, Holger Kahl says is “undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in.” Quite when superyachting’s growth spurt will end seems to be anyone’s guess, with many yards securing orders for yachts over 100 metres. Built by Lürssen, Azzam, at 180 metres, is the largest private yacht in the world and is not set to be overtaken anytime soon given that there are no reported orders for yachts over 146m . But the superyacht industry
is one that fosters secrecy. Contracts are only revealed to the press once every detail is locked down, even then an owner’s identity is almost never disclosed. Many of the specifics, especially the interior, will remain closely guarded. Brokers protect the identity of their clients with an espionage-like fervour. Josef Malinov, a broker who runs his own firm, elaborates, “As soon as my clients disembark from their jet there’s a possibility they will be known to someone. I do everything I can to ensure their yacht buying experience is entirely private and unhindered.” For those less willing to make the massive commitment of owning a yacht, there are plenty of desirable vessels available for charter. Eduardo Valfre, one of Camper & Nicholson’s charter brokers, spells out the
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Gym Marine
Burgess
Burgess
formula for success, “The most popular yachts in our fleet are 67.5m M/Y Icon, 51.75m S/Y Q and 40m M/Y Thumper. Also, the yachts that have the capabilities to travel further afield are becoming more popular, such as the 77.4m M/Y Legend which charters in Antarctica.” Icon is an elegant and sleek superyacht with a spectacular pool, an expanded beach club, a large gym, a hammam and a sauna. She can accommodate 14 guests in seven staterooms. Nippy tenders, submarines and exciting watertoys add to the allure of a charter yacht. One company dominating the market for inflatable toys is FunAir and their slides, climbing walls and ‘blob’ catapult air cushions are sure to draw envious glances from other fun-seeking yacht guests at anchor nearby. For many owners, a positive charter experience is the beginning of their love affair with superyachting. But no yacht, however luxurious or well-equipped, will be a winner without the right crew. Crew will be on-call 24 hours a day and able to satisfy a guest’s every whim and demand. Recognising the value of crew, Fraser Yachts Captains’ Dinner, held annually during the Monaco Yacht Show, rewards its
most talented, hardworking crew with luxurious prizes. The Genoa charter show, held each year in May, is another demonstration of crew prowess, when yachts compete against each other to deliver the most dazzling hospitality. Although there has been a developing trend in the last few years for more intrepid cruising, particularly as far as the Arctic circle with explorer yachts, the established destinations for superyachts are the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Many marinas, such as Marina Port Vell in Barcelona and Porto Montenegro in Montenegro are targeting the UHNWI market with remarkable facilities and clubhouses, restaurants and concierge services. Fort Lauderdale, with its many canals is the centre of yachting in the US and provides a stepping stone to the ever-popular Caribbean. The beauty of the Caribbean islands is that they are each an easy hop from one another yet each offering vastly different cultures. With over 7,000 islands to explore it’s no wonder these yachts return every winter like migrating birds.
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AND WHAT’S INSIDE COUNTS TOO The personal touch is what’s important in interior design for superyacht owners
Wo r d s : J u l i e t B e n n i n g
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acht interior trends follow closely to those of luxury properties with Design Centre Chelsea Harbour a key source for designers, alongside shows such as The Salone del Mobile Milano and the London Design Festival. A yacht’s interior will be as unique as its owner with highly personal touches that a designer may observe and transpose from the owner’s permanent home – take a look at Roberto Cavalli’s yacht Ability for a highly personalised animal skin themed interior (available for charter with Burgess). On today’s larger yachts virtually anything is possible and facilities include beauty treatment rooms, salons, spas, gyms and cinemas. If you can imagine it, it’s possible.
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Unusual surface design
Clean and minimal decor
In order to achieve a completely unique interior many owners are opting for real metal surfaces in extraordinary textures. Innocoating Europe BV is one of the leading companies offering this service.
Tansu Yachts is well versed in the crisp, bright and uncluttered interior. Newly launched Sexy Fish is worth investigating with its clean stylish symmetry and unfussy, timeless interiors.
Beach Clubs in the stern open out and maximise a yacht’s connection to the water. Check out Heesen’s Galactica Super Nova for a universally acclaimed example with multiple hull openings and swimming pool bottom skylights.
inno-coating.eu
rizatansu.com
heesenyachts.com
Port Hercule 1 - 3 Camper and Nicholson Legend 4 Burgess Coral Ocean 5 Gym Marine 6 - 7 Cannes, France 2015
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Beach Club
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Mirrors and reflective surfaces
Indoor and outdoor merge
Adding glamour and maximising light, mirrors are big news at the moment. Turquoise Yachts’ new launch, Razan elegantly demonstrates this trend in her salon clad with edge-lit églomisé glass panels providing an antique mirror effect.
The trend for floor to ceiling glass and a greater connection with the outdoors has come from the interior design industry. Feadship’s Savannah demonstrates this brilliantly with her awe-inspiring below the waterline viewing gallery, peerless use of glass and large sliding doors in every salon.
turquoiseyachts.com
feadship.nl
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JOIN THE J E T T Y- S E T H a v e y a c h t , w i l l t r a v e l . Bu t w h e r e d o t h e super-rich prefer to hang out? Here are the ultra-luxurious marinas throughout the Americas that are on their radar Wo r d s : D a w n A l f o r d
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P O R T D E G U S T AV I A , S T BARTHS FAV O U R I T E O F : Beyonce, Jay-Z, Roman Abromovich, Andre Balasz, Steve Martin, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. WHAT: Berthing for 60 yachts up to 200ft THE LOWDOWN: Considered one of the world’s most exclusive marinas, this is where the wealthy and well-known come to ring in New Year. With only a small number of berths for superyachts, it is almost impossible to make a reservation during high season. Awaiting owners, guests and crew are numerous luxury boutiques, flawless white sandy beaches, mindblowing cuisine and a wild nightlife.. portdegustavia.fr
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MIAMI BEACH MARINA, B I S C AY N E B AY, F L O R I D A FAV O U R I T E O F : Miranda Kerr, Naomi Campbell, Robert de Niro, Oprah Winfrey, Kelsey Grammar, Morgan Freeman. WHAT: 400 yachts and 45 super yachts, max length 250ft THE LOWDOWN: Ultra-modern and vast, it is known among the super-yacht fraternity for excellent facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool and concierge services round the clock. Dubbed ‘The Gateway to The Caribbean in the Heart of Miami,’ it is two minutes from the ocean and four minutes from the vibrant nightlife, fashionable restaurants and galleries of South Beach. miamibeachmarina.com
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FISHER ISLAND MARINA, MIAMI, FLORIDA FAV O U R I T E O F : Boris Becker, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Effrom, Olivia Culpo, Dwayne Johnson. WHAT: More than 100 berths for luxury yachts up to 250ft THE LOWDOWN: This is Florida’s most exclusive private island – guests must be members or sponsored – and it offers a high degree of privacy and world-class amenities. These include The Links, a country club whose golf course is surrounded by panoramic views of the Miami skyline. Its Mediterraneaninspired racquet club has been ranked as one of the finest of its kind in the world, and its beach club is the last word in luxury. fisherislandclub.com/marina 49
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BILLIONAIRE WA T E R T O Y S Life in the open water is idyllic but, when the urge for a little entertainment overcomes you, it’s great to have an aquatic gadget arsenal at your disposal
Wo r d s : M a t t C h a p p e l l
OCEAN
S u p e r Ya c h t S u b 3 This is the most compact super yacht submarine on the market, easily fitting aboard whilst retaining top performance and stunning design. It’ll take three underwater explorers in its luxury cabin (complete with air-con, Bluetooth and even a coolbox) and reach a depth of up to 300m. Its ground breaking pressure hull design means you get a full 360-degree view beneath the waves and it’ll keep going for 12 hours. Versatile and smart, this little sub does everything you’d expect of an underwater explorer -- only better.
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S Zapata Flyboard 3.0
Gliding over the water, in a jet ski, is great. How about flying over it? Having gained momentum over the last couple of years, flyboards are fast becoming a must-have water toy. Like snowboarding in the air, this hydro-flyer will push you to heights of up to 55ft by pumping sea water up into the board and shooting it out, downwards, underneath your feet. Lift-off in 3 - 2 - 1...
Seabreacher
You might already have a speed boat. But does it look like a shark? The Seabreacher is a serious piece of kit, with the speed, tech and handling to match its racy appearance. Powered by a 260hp supercharged engine, capable of reaching speeds of up to 55mph on the surface, it acts more like an aircraft than a boat -- it will pitch, roll and yaw. That means carving left, right, jumping over and diving under. Like a dolphin, the Seabreacher will temporarily dive and burst out of the surface.
DJI Mavic Drone
Should you want to capture your oceanic exploits from above, this is the perfect drone for the job. The new DJI Mavic is one of the most sophisticated drones on the market today, with features like a ‘follow me’ mode, obstacle avoidance and recognised gesture control (simply wave at your drone and it’ll snap a picture). It’ll fly up to 40mph in Sports mode, great for tracking your tender into that exotic island, and remain in the air for up to 27 minutes on a single charge.
Zapata Flyboard 3.0
Seabreacher
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OCEAN
DJI Mavic Drone
Seabreacher
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Jetsurf Factory GP
Jetsurf Factory GP
Whether you’re near the coast and need an extra tow into oncoming waves or out in a flat bay and want to have some fun gliding across the water, this motorised surf board is going to rock your water-filled world. A cross between surfing and wakeboarding (minus the boat), the board will push you through the water at up to 34mph. Memory foam straps and footpads lock you into the board, meaning reassurance and stability for beginners and jumps, air, flips and tricks for the more advanced.
H a s s e l b l a d H 6 D -1 0 0 c Relatively less well-known than brands like Canon and Panasonic, Hasselblad is for photography enthusiasts that want unwavering high-end quality, stylish looks and complete reliability. And when you’re after lifelike shots of your luxury oceanic voyages, that’s important. Handmade in Sweden, this model uses a 100MP sensor, along with a sensitivity range of ISO 64 - 12800, for stills and will shoot UHD 4K video. Built-in Wi-Fi means the camera can be used remotely, from iOS devices, with the Phocus app. Along with a host of other immensely impressive features, this will fit right in on board a trip to the tropics.
Hasselblad H6D-100c
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OCEAN
Jetsurf Factory GP
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FunAir Custom Inflatable Slide
Nautibuoy Marine Platform
‘We make toys for your toys’, says FunAir, the company you’ll be wanting to talk to for a customised, inflatable yacht slide. These slides are built specifically for the yacht they attach to which means you dictate how you want your slide to look, from the size and design to the colour and logos. Each one is made to fit seamlessly within your boat, using smooth vinyl arms to prevent slide burns and a nojump net to keep riders safe. And, let’s be honest, water slides never get old.
Nautibuoy Marine Platform Create your own island. Anchored off shore or streamed off the back of a yacht, the NautiBuoy is a luxury inflatable platform that means you can relax at water-level without getting wet. Made stable by a unique ballast system, the NautiBuoy has multiple uses; drink champagne in the middle of the ocean, sunbathe in complete serenity, create the perfect space for yoga and meditation, these are just a few. You can also buy leisure packs and extra accessories to make the platform more comfortable, from loungers to boarding ladders.
Nautibuoy Marine Platform FunAir Custom Inflatable Slide
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Luxury charity shoot at the oldest and most prestigious shooting school in the world, hosted by
West London Shooting School and Tempus Magazine are proud to be partners in supporting Ormond Street Hospital for our charity shoot on 8th 13 June Great Ormand June2017 2017. Please contact ashley@tempusmagazine.co.uk for more information on how to purchase tickets. • Private tuition • Courses • Corporate events • Bespoke Events • Simulated Game Days • Gun Room • Restaurant • 020 8 8 45 137 7 W W W. S HOOTI NG SC HOOL .CO.U K W W W. S HO PFOR S HOOTI NG .CO.U K
S T Y L E DIVING BELLES 67 - 71 NICER PROBLEMS TO HAVE 75 COOL LOOKS FOR HOT DAYS 76 - 79 COSTUME PARTIES 81 - 85
BERINGICE.COM
DIVING BELLES The finest timepieces need to look stylish on land and sea. Some are inspired by water sports and others may even be required to navigate from beneath the waves Wo r d s : D a w n A l f o r d
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue The brutishly capable Sea-Dweller prioritises performance over pomp with a steel/titanium case, a helium escape valve and a waterproof rating of 3,900 metres. ÂŁ9,150 rolex.com
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B r e m o n t A m e r i c a ’s C u p I 3 2 Built in the UK using the finest components, this delicate piece takes inspiration from the J-Class yachts of the 1930s. Classic and simple lines ensure the model turns heads and a limited run of just 535 pieces confirms collectability. £2,795 bremont.com
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Now available in stunning Black Ceramic, this is the first non-metallic substance to be used on the iconic Royal Oak model. Stealthy and understated, this AP is exquisitely finished and guaranteed to start conversations. ÂŁ70,000 (est.)
audemarspiguet.com
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B l a n c p a i n F i f t y Fa t h o m s Tr i b u t e Originally engineered for all-action hero, Captain Robert Maloubier, and made famous at the hands of Jacques Cousteau, this industry-defining timepiece remains a dive watch of unique appeal. ÂŁ11,530 blancpain.com
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NICER PROBLEMS T O H AV E Tempus columnist Dawn Alford is a guest out-of-her-depth at a poolside bash
A
t first, I reasoned with myself that I’d misheard what the party’s host was saying and that actually she was exclaiming, in Downton Abbey style, that she “couldn’t get the help these days.” Some people with a three-comma bank balance love to share their downstairs problems; and by that I mean their domestic staff annoyances, rather than needing a check up in Harley Street. From drivers who refuse to wear their chauffeur’s hat to wayward maids and nannies desperate to become the other woman (yawn), I’ve heard it all. It seems the bigger your home, the more staff you need to run it and, ergo, the headache of managing them all increases. It is a “nicer problem to have” of course and one that we will continue to visit in this column. But this one was a new one on me. “I just can’t get the kelp” was actually what the lady-of-the-house was declaring, with a mix of both boredom and frustration. My fellow guests nodded in sympathy as I made, what turns out to be, a fool of myself by asking if she was referring to a new type of facial, body-wrap, or perhaps a paleo diet? A friend nudged me and whispered – “No she needs kelp for her, er… fish” After dinner there was dancing and a DJ by the basement swimming pool and as I descended down the marble stairs, I saw a fish tank surrounding the pool that would make even the Atlantis hotel in Dubai envious.
Reaching around the length and one side of the pool was a mega-structure aquarium containing colourful fish of all shapes and sizes. And also sharks. “I bought them for my husband’s birthday” explained the Russian beautyqueen looking hostess. “He likes to think of himself as a shark in business – so it was a bit of a joke. I had it built for his birthday and the fish and sharks imported.” She went on to explain that the reason sharks don’t eat their smaller neighbourfish is that that are fed well – but also that it’s important to maintain and area in the aquarium of kelp seaweed in which fish can hide and stay safe. It seems that kelp, to your well-heeled shark, repels them in the same way as offering a shopping trip to TK Maxx would to a Saudi Princess. “But we can’t find kelp in London and now, everyday, more and more of our beautiful fish are being eaten,” she continued to say. “I asked my assistant to find a new supplier. Luckily she has found some but it’s a long, long way away. They can’t deliver and my husband is using the plane every day this week - so I don’t know when we’ll be able to get her there.” I ventured a guess at where her lucky assistant would be heading for the Kelp pick-up. Was it Eliat, Mustique? Or surely not as far as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef? “Cornwall,” she replied. “It’s just a disaster. We’ll have to hire a second plane.”
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COOL LOOKS F O R H O T DAYS A few basics can go a long way when keeping elegantly stylish this summer. Here’s the Tempus guide to getting it right Wo r d s : E r i c M u s g r a v e
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T
he warmer months lend themselves to lighter fabrics, so cottons, linens and lightweight wools should be in your wardrobe. The next consideration is construction of your jackets and trousers. Look for garments that are unlined or, part-lined jackets. Quintessential summer fabrics like seersucker and Madras checks come into their own in the warmest months. Basics can include a navy blazer or similar jacket, a crisp white shirt in cotton or linen, neat cotton chinos or similarly simply-cut trousers in pale khaki or light blue, and light leather loafers or canvas sneakers. The stronger sunlight should also encourage bright colours and patterns to be worn. Mixing patterns can work well, but it takes practice.
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Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown
It is easier to put blocks of colour together, such as a red polo shirt and pale blue shorts. Wearing shorts in a business setting is inappropriate, but shorts are fine for casual occasions. Classic T-shirts are good if you have the physique to carry them off. If you are less Adonis-like look for a fuller-cut alternative. Polo shirts are a ubiquitous option, ranging from fine Sea Island Cotton to heavier natural fibres. A discreet logo or no logo at all (if you can find such a garment) is more stylish. Finally, remember that temperatures can change fairly quickly, so a fine-gauge cashmere sweater is handy, as is a large, lightweight scarf to protect against any chill. For the head, true Panama hats come in a range of qualities (you get what you pay for) - natural fibres like ramie, straw and cotton will perform best. It is difficult to look elegant in a baseball cap.
Orlebar Brown
STYLE
Joseph Turner Bempton
Orlebar Brown
Dubarry of Ireland
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STYLE
COSTUME PARTIES Sun, sea, sand or surf – the designers this season have created must-have hot looks whether soaking up the rays on land or sea
Wo r d s : L y n n e t t e P e c k
White Halter Plunge Swimsuit - Seaspray £76
Hermine - Anita - POA
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Rio Festival Swimsuit - Seaspray £76
Rio Contour Bandeau - Seaspray £76
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Miraclesuit Miradonna Mirabasic Kotys Bandeau Swimsuit - UK Swimwear £105
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Miraclesuit Miradonna Sauvage Naida Swimsuit - UK Swimwear £125
Miraclesuit Miradonna Mirachic Aisha Swimsuit - UK Swimwear £115
INDIA - Lime neoprene two-piece tank top set with black binding - Zwim Zuit £90
Ibiza - Love Laura £249
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Capri - Love Laura £199
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S M A R T L I V I N G SEASIDE SPLENDOURS 90 - 95 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT 96 - 97
Bennett Road
SEASIDE SPLENDOURS 90
Buying a beach home is not just good for the soul, it is also a wise investment
SMART LIVING
F
ew views are finer than a sea view. Experts know that waterfront properties are always in high demand. A beach house for sale in exclusive Sandbanks, Dorset – Britain’s Riviera – is a rare and precious thing. But there are many other sumptuous sea views to be had. Christopher Bailey, waterfront specialist and partner at Knight Frank predicts stiff competition for these
rarefied homes as superb investments this year. He says: “A shortage of quality homes coupled with a strong supply of confident buyers, backed up by encouraging economic data and a weakened pound should give this discreet, luxury end of the market loads of impetus.” Here, Tempus takes a look at the glorious possibilities for sale….. 91
O L D COA S T G UA R D ROA D, SANDBANKS, DORSET
B E N N E T T ROA D, SALCOMBE, DEVON
They don’t come much finer than this. Finally on the market after the same family have lived here since the 1960s, this sublime detached waterfront house is on the more private and sheltered side of the famous Sandbanks peninsular. With its own jetty, mooring and private beach, it has spectacular views towards Brownsea Island. And the icing on the cake? Planning permission to expand in paradise.
JUST one look and you can see why this home hasn’t been on the market for 30 years. In the heart of Salcombe it has one of the most sought after panoramic waterfront views in the UK. There is planning permission to replace the current house with a six-bed family home, complete with swimming pool, designed around the stunning scenery. The lucky owner will be able to see for miles and miles past the estuary and out to the sea beyond.
SAVILLS, GUIDE PRICE £4,250,000
KNIGHT FRANK, PRICE ON APPLICATION
Old Coastguard Road
Bennett Road
R I V E R S I D E C R E S C E N T , N E W Q U AY, C O R N WA L L NOT much point going on holiday if you live here. This glamourous five-bed dwelling is in a unique position set down off the road. Secluded and sitting on a small peninsular, the uninterrupted views stretch out to sea and down the Gannel Estuary. The huge triple aspect sitting room has picture windows perfectly framing the wonderful view and enchanting landscaped gardens and sun-trap patio offer lovely outside space. It’s a saunter down to golden Crantock Beach, but Fistral Beach, one of Britain’s best for surfing, is a 10-minute wander. COUNTRY AND WATERSIDE PRESTIGE, £1,650,000
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Old Coastguard Road
93
One Shore Road
O N E S H O R E ROA D, S A N D BA N K S , D O R S E T THE ultimate penthouse, this is within a development of only seven ultra-luxury apartments. Your morning coffee is a whole other experience when taken as you gaze over Poole harbour and out to sea. The remarkable fittings and furnishing bring a new meaning to the phrase ‘state of the art’, – gems like bespoke kitchens and silent remote curtain tracks – but it is the view which takes your breath away. SAVILLS £2,600,000 guide price
O L D FO R T ROA D, S H O R E H A M BY S E A BREATHTAKING views over Shoreham Beach and the sea make this a real dream home. Designed to make the most of the scenery, four of the rooms in this this six bedroomed detached family home have direct access onto the beach. But if you don’t fancy that, you could always recline on the large decked terrace, maybe sip some bubbly in the outdoor jacuzzi, or retire to yet another terrace adjoining the master bedroom. HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL, £1,899,950
MARTELLO PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS, POOLE, DORSET THIS is where you live if you want feel on top of the world. With panoramic views of Poole Bay and the big blue sea beyond, this sumptuous apartment earns its elevated status. Set back from the cliff edge, it is one of only four apartments on a peaceful and private no-through road. The blue flag beach – Canford Cliffs Chine – is set amidst seven miles of glorious golden sands and crystal blue waters. SAVILLS, GUIDE PRICE £1,700,000
M E W S T O N E W E S T, A L L E N H AY E S R O A D, S A L C O M B E , DEVON Known for its temperate climate, golden beaches and glorious countryside, Salcombe is a famous yachting centre and a perfect cruising base from which to explore France, The Channel Islands and the beautiful harbours of the West Country. The upper level of this gorgeous six-bedroom house has magnificent views, and its impressive master bedroom suite with an east facing bedroom and terrace perfectly capture the morning light. It’s property poetry. KNIGHT FRANK, £2,750,000
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SMART LIVING
One Shore Road
Martello Park
Martello Park
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WHATEVER YO U R B OAT
F
irst up, let’s get the amusing quotes out of the way. “A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into.” “The two happiest days in a sailor’s life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it.” “If it flies or floats, rent it.” The received wisdom is that a boat is an expense, rather than a revenue generator. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Put it to work for you, and a cash syphon could turn into a cash cow. A yacht can be as wise an investment as any other form of property, if you do your homework. Before you start, though, let’s look at some of the costs involved. There’s the purchase price, which can turn out to be the lowest expense in its lifetime. And then where you’ll keep it – a marina slip is more expensive but convenient, a mooring is cheaper but less convenient. Factor in maintenance and repairs, which is higher for saltwater-based boats, plus winter storage, fuel and insurance. And champagne of course. Every boat needs a ready supply of that. So including these costs will give you a pretty good idea of the sort of boat you can afford. It has similarities to investment in general and comes with the same caveats. Those are: don’t buy anything you don’t understand, keep an eye on related fees and understand how the boat-buying market works – only risking what you can tolerate going down.
Is a yacht a bottomless pit you throw cash into? Or a wise investment? It depends on what you do with it
Wo r d s : S c o t t M a n s o n
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SMART LIVING
A safe haven
Improve and increase
All those watch-outs in place, investing in yachts can be a welcome break for the often dry world of traditional finance. In fact, during the financial crash of 2008, many yacht owners took comfort in the fact that while their financial investments were under siege, they at least had a floating asset whose value remained steady. Of course, you don’t have to buy a boat outright either. For investors with fewer funds at their disposal, there are smaller boats—or even shares in boats, or buy-to-hire boats, available. Yacht timeshare, for example, sees you enjoy a boat for a specified period each year, like the concept of timeshare on holiday homes. And if you’re buying a boat with a view to chartering it, then take care to ensure that it’s as hirable as it possibly can be, when you’re thinking about fixtures and fittings. Also, ensure that there’s no finance still to be paid on the boat as that means it technically still belongs to the finance company, rather than the seller.
A boat that’s come from a well-known builder will always sell more quickly in the second-hand market and, if you’re smart, then buying a boat that needs some work could see you reap financial rewards, provided your improvements add value. Think of it like doing up a house, where tough negotiations and smart choices are key. And the bigger the boat, the higher the returns. Look at the beautiful M/Y Serene for example. One of the world’s biggest superyachts, it cost $330m to build and costs around $2.5m a week to charter – Bill Gates recently took it around Sardinia. But if you factor in an approximate annual running cost of 10% of the ship’s build cost – $30m every year – then that purchase price starts to look, if not appealing, then at least reasonable. Finally, if you’re buying a boat as an investment then lead with your head, not with your heart. Boats can be an investment of passion, like cars, which can mean that what you like may not be what your target market is looking for. Keep it classic, keep it clean and you can’t go far wrong. MJS Capital is currently structuring a yacht bond. Prospective investors should contact: www.mjs.capital
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M O V E PART CAR, PART SUPER COMPUTER 100 - 103 NEED FOR SPEED 104 - 105
PART CAR, PART SUPER
COMPUTER Revered for its blistering performance, the new GT-R wants you to love it for its luxury too Wo r d s : C o n o r M c N i c h o l a s
MOVE
I
t’s not an exaggeration to say that the GT-R challenges our very notion of luxury. Luxury’s essence is usually rooted in a European tradition, a connection with the deep past, a sense of artisan craftsmanship that goes back generations. A Ferrari comes from a house of creation that seeks to be an extension of the spirit of Michaelangelo. So what then to make of this, a brutal, angular Japanese car that is part machine, part legend and famously nicknamed Godzilla? This heavily updated 2017 model of Nissan’s iconic GT-R appears to the traditional luxury set to be an alien creature, a visitor from another dimension. Throughout its 48 years the GT-R (first the Skyline then the true GT-R we know today) has always been about power and control. It’s
something it has mastered but continually sought to prefect. But this car brings something new to the spirit of GT-R – a desire to cosset and serve. Banished for this incarnation are the sometimes cheap interior plastics and fussy switch-gear. In their place are a leather-covered dash, carbonfibre transmission tunnel, updated infotainment system and new seats. All this and more takes the GT-R experience to new levels. It’s a language of luxury rooted very much in the modern day, uncompromisingly contemporary. Likewise, the GT-R on-road experience is very of the modern age, feeling part car, part super-computer. Where other marques will boast of their skill in the traditional crafts of wood and leather, the GT-R is proudly crafted by Japan’s finest minds in programming.
»
Perhaps all cars these days are defined as much by their software as their hardware, but the GT-R exists on a plane where engineering and data processing are locked in a dance with each that can set your adrenaline pumping with just a flick of the foot or hand. Topping out at 196mph and delivering 563bhp, the GT-R is a serious bit of kit that will embarrass most other cars on the road no matter how premium and European they might be. Nissan, however, provides no official 0-60 time for this car, which is odd given that it’s universally understood to be one of the fastest accelerating cars around. Its absence tells you everything about the spirit of this car. A gentlemen’s agreement between Japanese manufacturers prevents the release of an official 0-60 time for the GT-R because of their mutual desire not to enter into a race for ever more crazy stats which may sacrificing the wider experience of the car. If you’re seeking brash European muscle you will not find it here. Instead this is a car born of tradition, respect, dedication and an uncompromising drive to perfection. It is, in many ways, the very spirit of Japan. Of course, none of this has stopped people measuring the acceleration. By all accounts, the new GT-R
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will take you from a standing start to 60mph in something around 3 seconds, which leaves the it hanging out confidently with some of the most expensive supercars on sale today. In creating this latest generation of Godzilla Nissan has sought to dial up the GT more than the R. It’s no less powerful or dramatic (inside and out) but it’s now set-up to make a cross-continent dash an effortless cruise as well as the traditional delivery for thrilling bursts of invincible power when you want it. Despite this rebalancing the essential tone of the GT-R remains that of some highly complex, expensive and utterly deadly military industrial hardware. The new luxury touches are appreciated and make any time spent in the GT-R a joy but it’s still has an essence of riding a cruise missile. That’s not in any way a bad thing, just a very different thing. As such the GT-R will remain an acquired taste. And that’s absolutely right – who would want to drive a car that’s for everyone? If you’re a character who ultimately values smarts over badge then the raw intelligence and power of this car will be utterly seducing. The GT-R remains a true icon and in this form it’s more powerful than it’s ever been.
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NEED FOR
SPEED We check in with Oliver Rowland, the Tempussponsored F2 driver, for our regular update on this rising star of the racetrack
Wo r d s : S c o t t M a n s o n
MOVE
F
or Oliver Rowland, life is pretty good at the moment. Not perfect, mind. Because for this highly motivated 24 year old F2 racer, driving for the DAMS team, his thirst for success is hard to satisfy. However, when we speak he’s just topped the first Formula 2 practice session of 2017, in scorching temperatures at the Bahrain International Circuit. He’s also set out his ultimate target – that of a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2018 – after being announced as a development driver for Renault. So it’s been a good month for Oliver and things are only set to get busier. Luckily we managed to grab him while he was on a brief visit to his home town of Sheffield, England, to ask a few questions.
T: If you could race against any F1 driver, past or present, who would it be and why?
Tempus: Hey Oliver, congratulations on the Bahrain track time. How did it feel out there?
T: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
O: I suspect most drivers would say this, but racing against Senna would be amazing. I wasn’t even alive when he was driving but you can see from the old footage that he was special and different. I also ride motorbikes, so being on the same track as Valentino Rossi would be great. He’s 38 years old but still has the passion and desire to win. And also the agility – if you look at the way he moves and controls the bike, adapting his lean angle to the new tyres they now have to use, then you’d swear you were watching someone much younger ride the bike.
Oliver: Thanks! Yes, it felt pretty good being fastest in practice. The car is performing well and there are no issues to report so far.
O: I lost my dad when I was 18, but he was the best advisor I ever had. He told me to work hard, be the best person I could be and don’t change who I am. That’s always stuck with me.
T: So you’re fast on the track, but what about on public roads. Any speeding tickets yet?
T: What’s the biggest misconception people have about racing drivers?
O: Ha, no I stay steady on the road. I did the Nürburgring once though, in a Ford Fiesta. It was a hire car so, thinking about it, I’m not sure the insurance would have covered me had I ran into problems. I didn’t go too fast though. There were a bunch of guys speeding in their sports cars but the problem is that you don’t know how good or bad they are at driving, so it’s best to just keep out of their way.
O: Some people think we just push pedals and turn wheels. They don’t realise the training that goes into it. Also, there are fewer tools we can use in F2, compared to F1. We don’t have all the systems they have for race and car management, which makes F2 more interesting than F1 in many ways. The sport is also a lot safer than it was in 80s and 90s though, and I think some people feel that a bit of the excitement has been lost.
T: What’s changed for you since being announced as Renault’s development driver?
T: If you were put in charge of the FIA for the day, what would you change and why?
O: The media attention has definitely picked up but, in terms of day-to-day, it’s pretty much business as usual. I’ve been driving with Renault for a few years but it’s nice to have an official role confirmed.
O: I think there’s a feeling that there is too much of a gap between the top tier teams in F1 and everyone else. We need to level the playing field somehow. It all comes down to budget – the top teams get paid more than the smaller teams because they win more often, so they have more to spend on development. We need to figure out how that money is spread around more evenly. Ross Brawn (Formula 1 managing director) is a clever guy though, so I’m hopeful he’ll figure something out that works for everybody.
T: What’s the trickiest track you’ve tackled? O: Monaco is tough because if you make the slightest error then you can have a very bad weekend. Spa is also tough for a different reason, as it’s a very fast track. You need to trust your car.
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Follow Oliver and the DAMS racing team at dams.fr
I N D U L G E BASQUE IN GLORY 108 - 109 SCHOOL’S OUT 110 - 111
BASQUE IN
GLORY Mini masterpieces of fine dining a b o u n d a t C o v e n t G a r d e n’s m o s t stylish Spanish restaurant
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hen your world-famous r e s t au r a n t h a s t h r e e Michelin stars, how on earth do you follow an act like it? Spanish chef Eneko Atxa must have done some serious soul searching before launching in London. His Bilbao restaurant Azurmendi, no16 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, is revered for Basque cuisine which has to be tasted to be believed. Brits no longer need travel for the elite experience. Eneko at One Aldwych, in London’s Covent Garden, showcases a ‘diffusion’ line of contemporary Basque fine dining. Although head chef Edurne Martin Delgado describes it as ‘simple, happy food,’ there is nothing straightforward or easy about the dishes all of which are mini masterpieces. A charming waiter – all the staff who served us were delightful and knowledgeable – blended fresh basil into creamy golden butter in a pestle and mortar at the table. We were bowled over by the intense emerald colour and luscious scent, even before tasting it on addictive bread which should be illegal. Diet suspended until further notice. A starter of traditional Talo, which is a sort of tortilla, was really too pretty to eat (but we managed somehow). Heritage tomatoes, little globes of herb emulsion and tiny flowers made it an edible bouquet. Another starter of Iberico ham, velvety mushroom duxelle and basque muffin was glorious, as was a light but creamy egg yolk tempura. From the mains, a seared duck breast with a rich julienne of king oyster mushrooms was succulent as were the meltingly good braised pork cheeks. Fish dishes included a grilled salmon fillet like no other, with mussels and asparagus, 109
and a mouth watering hake tempura. But it was the desserts which made you want to cry. Salted caramel mousse with sheep’s milk ice cream was pure and silken and the Basque vanilla sponge was so light it practically evaporated, yet lush too. As well as a la Carte, diners can choose from a pre-theatre, tasting and weekend brunch menus. The wine list is beautifully edited and kept in the family as it is from Eneko’s uncle Gorka’s vineyard. The dessert wine, Bizkaiko Txakolina Basque Country 2014, is a particular favourite. The restaurant’s design, fitting for the heart of theatreland, is dramatic. From a suave mezzanine bar, a gleaming copper staircase descends to a large and airy underground dining room. A company called Casson Mann - which specialises in museum and gallery installations - is responsible for the beautiful and rather grand space. The tall, windowless walls are all angles and curves of stone and wood, along with studded steel girders reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. An unusual black back wall is carved with irregular scoops. It probably shouldn’t work, yet it’s a triumph. The curvy leather banquettes with their cherrywood tables are spotlit (again, more theatre). Although it’s a vast space, there is an intimate feel, helped along by the affable service. Take away all these trappings, though, and the food still stands on its own. Eneko at One Aldwych, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 4BZ Tel: 0207 300 0300 eneko@onealdwych.com
S C H O O L’ S OUT A former boys’ school is the unlikely setting for one o f L o n d o n’s b e s t I n d i a n r e s t a u r a n t s Wo r d s : S c o t t M a n s o n
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s anyone who’s taken a stroll down Brick Lane in London’s East End will attest, the capital has no shortage of Indian restaurants. However, the truth is that many of them are fairly identikit, serving similar dishes in interchangeable settings. There are notable exceptions, of course, from Benares to Tamarind, but high-end Indian dining has been a little lacking. Until now. The arrival of the Lalit group to London late last year saw India’s largest privately owned hotel group set up its first overseas outpost in the shadow of London’s iconic Tower Bridge. It’s perfectly placed for city visitors, being close to The Shard, The Globe Theatre and The London Dungeons. The Lalit London is no tourist trap though. Set in a beautifully restored Victorian boys’ school – all red brick and lofty ceilings – it has a sense of grandeur and importance that’s the perfect backdrop for Baluchi, the hotel’s flagship restaurant. It’s located in the former assembly hall, a vast space painted in a deep blue, complete with giant chandeliers, original stone fireplaces and beautiful wood panelling. We arrived early and, in truth, such a big room can feel a little cold when there are few people there. Within half an hour though, the room had filled and the happy buzz of Friday night diners had warmed the place up. 110
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The menu is inventive and feels authentic, drawing upon influences from all over India. There are dishes from Kashmir, Bengal, Goa, Kerala and many more, overseen by a delightful chef who took the time out to visit some of the diners. Special mention, too, to the ponytailed sommelier whose engaging chat and colourful wine descriptions helped set the tone for a fun dinner. The bread is wonderful, cooked in a proper tandoor oven, but my advice would be to go easy as the best is yet to come. A must-try is the Kerala-style seafood bisque with coconut, cognac and tender chunks of lobster. It’s the sort of soup that even people who say “I don’t eat soup” will love.
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Similarly good is the monkfish doused in kasundi mustard, with black onion seeds and horseradish chutney. We also enjoyed the deep, earthy flavours of the Kashmiri rogan josh with Romney Marsh lamb. The latter saw me scooping up great hunks of lamb and sauce into the welcoming embrace of a truffled naan. If there’s a better definition of indulgent then I’m yet to find it. The menu is vast and demands a repeat visit. For those looking for something more informal, there’s also a naan bar – which offers wine flights with speciality breads. Another example of inventiveness at this fabulous new restaurant. thelalit.com
THEMACALLAN.COM P L E A S E S AV O U R R E S P O N S I B LY
E S C A P E WHEN CAMBODIA CALLS 116 - 123 LAND OF SPICES AND SEDUCTION 125 - 129 THE WORLD’S BEST AIRLINE LOUNGES 131 - 136
WHEN CAMBODIA CALLS.. From mountain forests where elephants roam to newly opened chic hotels, this once-tragic country is building a prosperous future
Wo r d s : L a u r a Te n n a n t
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y new husband has never been a lying on a beach kind of guy. So our first big trip as a married couple had to combine enough sybaritic self-indulgence to keep me happy with enough history and culture to keep him interested. The first bit was easy; we booked into the resort of Pimalai on the unspoilt Thai island of Ko Lanta for a week of hot and cold running butlers, sunsets and infinity pools. The second was a little harder. We knew we wanted to stay in Southeast Asia, but which part? The region is freighted with history – too much history, you might say. In the end we chose to spend a week in Cambodia, a heartbreakingly beautiful, lush green jewel of a country with a magnificent history and appalling recent past. Bounded by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia is about two-thirds the size of the UK and contains a fertile clay basin, tropical jungle, the enormous fish-stocked lake of Tonle Sap and mountains forests where elephants roam. Gold, rubies and sapphires are all mined here and the sheer jaw-dropping scale of the temple complexes around Siem Reap, the most famous of which is Angkor Wat, is testament to the country’s bountiful natural resources. Yet it’s also studded with land mines, thanks to the horrors of the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal rule, and today governed by a corrupt administration headed by one of Pol Pot’s defectors. Poverty is everywhere, but so is hope, resilience and pride, as we were to discover.
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The beautiful lodge exterior
February in Cambodia, when the climate has yet to reach its hottest and most humid, is an ideal time to make a pilgrimage to the temples that were the main focus of our visit. We flew from cold, dark London to Bangkok’s vast international airport and then on to Siem Reap, where we made grateful landfall, after a journey of around 20 hours, at Sala Lodges. Old Cambodia hands report their astonishment at the way in which the sleepy town of Siem Reap has in recent years transformed itself into a tourist city accommodating millions of annual visitors, many from China and Korea. In these circumstances, it’s just as well to have an oasis, and Sala Lodges is exactly that. The hotel’s 11 individual dwellings are original Cambodian village houses on stilts, dismantled and lovingly reconstructed in Sala’s peaceful gardens. Each comes with a mini biography of their former owners to reassure guests they haven’t been ‘liberated’ from a hapless villager (our house was built in 1957 and sold to the hotel by a former civil servant and his wife, who wanted something a little more modern). They are utterly charming – the sort of effortlessly chic barefoot luxury to which numberless boutique hotels aspire. Our air-conditioned lodge was enchanting, with not a note out of place, right down to the mosquito net draped romantically over the bed. A bathroom with rainforest shower and separate loo was large and properly luxurious and our secluded verandah the perfect spot for morning yoga and evening sundowners. Attention has been lavished on every detail, from the original teak furniture and objets d’art in our room, to the bluegrey-green towels by the pool (do Farrow & Ball do that colour, I found myself wondering) and the daily breakfast smoothie (always a tropical iridescent, not like the sludge I make at home). However independent a traveller you are, you would be wise to hire a guide before attempting Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei or any other of Cambodia’s famous temples. By 9am they are heaving with people and un-visitable, as awe and wonder at these thousand-year-old structures is replaced with the commuter rage you get squeezing on to London’s tube at rush hour.
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One of the luxury lodge bedrooms
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The gorgeous infinity pool
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Ta Prohm
Two Bhikkhus
Siem Reap at night
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Fortunately we had Ohm of Hanuman Travel, a former Buddhist v, now tour guide and fixer for production companies filming in Cambodia. Thanks to him we hauled our sorry asses out of bed at 5.30am and entered the jungle temple of Ta Prohm the back way, entering in perfect solitude through a gateway crowned with a gigantic, tranquil head of Buddha. Overgrown by jungle, by 9am it too would be crammed with people waiting for their photo opportunity in front of the gnarled root system that makes a starring appearance in Tomb Raider. At dawn, it really did feel as if we were discovering a lost civilisation (or as Shelley might have put it, ‘Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!’). Ohm’s conversational style could be disconcerting. He’d begin by telling us the story of 12th century Cambodian king Jayavarman VII, who built Ta Prohm in honour of his mother, then leap forward a thousand years to describe how he’d been the local fixer on Angelina Jolie’s latest movie First They Killed My Father. Jolie’s film is set during the Khmer Rouge’s 3 years, 8 ths and 20 days in power, when the regime murdered up to two million of its own people. The actress, whose adopted son Maddox is Cambodian,
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has described the country as her ‘awakening’. Locals, including Ohm, hope that her decision to buy property in the Cambodian jungle will help focus the world’s attention on vital elections in 2018, when many hope to dislodge the hugely unpopular current ruler Hun Sen. Temples, beautiful though they are, are not Siem Reap’s only attraction. At night, by tuk tuk, it’s transformed into a warm, fragrant cityscape lit by neon where scooters, cars, motorbikes and bicycles weave and buzz around each other, apparently without an accident. We enjoyed delicious dinners at both Chanrey Tree (chanreytree.com) and Marum but our favourite meal in Cambodia was eaten at Sala Roluos. This private restaurant in a traditional house on stilts is the perfect way to finish a morning tour of the floating villages around Tonle Sap. For a taste of Cambodia culture both old and new, check out classical Cambodian dance at the Apsara Theatre and witty contemporary circus from Phare Ponleu Selpak The latter is a charity that lifts local young people out of poverty by training then in performing arts, and makes for a touching and uplifting evening. 36
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We couldn’t leave Cambodia without paying our respects at Phnom Penh’s Choeung Ek, the most notorious of Cambodia’s many ‘killing fields’, and visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Profoundly distressing though it may be, this act of remembrance for a period of history which, Cambodian students report, is barely taught in their schools, felt like an important gesture. After that, we felt we’d earned a leisurely boat trip along the Mekong River, which curved around the island of Koh Dach, and returned to Phnom Penh in time to witness a glorious sunset. That night we were booked into Raffles, a stately colonial mansion with all the accoutrements of five-star luxury. For us, though, the quieter charm of Sala Lodges summed up the way this beautiful and tragic country is seeking to rebuild itself and its people for a more peaceful and prosperous 21st century. After our unforgettable visit, we couldn’t help but wish it all the luck in the world. Laura Tennant travelled with Turquoise Holidays: turquoiseholidays.co.uk
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A privately owned collection of just four boutique luxury award winning hotels situated on the tranquil south east coast of Zanzibar, along one of the Top 30 Island Beaches in the World. Each one unique in its own way but always offering an authentic luxury experience with all the facilities you would expect and the most personalized service
Breezes: Baraza: Palms: Top 4 Luxury Baraza & Spa | The Palms | Zawadi Beach Club - Top Resort 20 Luxury Hotels - No.1 Small HotelHotel | -Breezes in Tanzania in The World in Tanzania Zanzibar Zanzibar Zanzibar HotelsZanzibar -T t o ry T t Za Voted among the Top 20 Luxury Hotels in the World No.1 Speciality Top 3 Hotels for - No. 1 Hotel for Service & the Top Hotels in Zanzibar & Tanzania Lodging Service in Tanzania in Tanzania in Zanzibar
www.thezanzibarcollection.com
Kick back and let Zanzibar take the strain. As one traveller wrote in the h o t e l g u e s t b o o k , i f y o u c a n’ t r e l a x h e r e , heaven help you…
Wo r d s : M i c h e l l e R u s s e l l
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hink of exotic Indian Ocean destination hotels to hire exclusively and you are likely to consider the Maldives, Mauritius or perhaps the Seychelles. Zanzibar however offers a wonderful alternative. The island is awash with exotic spices, romance, Arabic and colonial architecture, and Omani influences. The Zanzibar Collection of hotels has effortlessly captured these aspects and implemented them into each one of their properties: Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Baraza Resort & Spa, The Palms and Zawadi. The latter two properties can be hired in their entirety at a surprisingly affordable price. »
Zawadi villa
The Palms bedroom
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Zawadi upper beach
Hatha yoga
Each property is very different in style. Sit on the veranda of The Palms, with a gin and tonic in hand at sunset and you would be forgiven for thinking you are in 1920’s Africa. Colonial in style, private and very, very romantic, six gorgeously appointed villas all decorated in a rich dark wood, combined with crisp white linens and a plunge pool on the terrace, take you back to a bygone era, with modern day facilities. The vibe is hushed and relaxed and the gentle chink of glasses, light conversation and the waves of the Indian Ocean provide delightful background noise. Zawadi is set upon a cliff top and with nothing separating you from Indonesia apart from the expanse of the Indian Ocean which you can see at every turn. Modern in style, each villa is private and decorated in hues of white and soft grey. This is the newest property in the Zanzibar Collection and if you think of The Palms as an older, wiser brother, Zawadi is the young, modern and sophisticated
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little sister, with the most Instagrammed view in Zanzibar. Although very different in style both are all inclusive and both exceptional properties can be hired out in their entirety. Hiring an intimate, private resort, such as The Palms or Zawadi in its entirety for family, friends, celebrations, anniversaries and weddings, in many cases can be far more cost-effective than hiring various rooms and in return you receive exceptional service. Privacy, dedicated staff and, as both resorts operate on an all-inclusive basis, gourmet food and branded beverages are also cluded. The Zanzibar Collection has its own in-house yogi who practices Hatha Yoga. Classes are available twice daily in the morning and afternoon and last approximately one hour - the level of ability is determined by that of the overall class. Yoga bunnies can delight as a dedicated yoga package, comprising of 10 classes is available, exclusively at Baraza Resort & Spa. Âť
Baraza Spa pool
Baraza Spa relaxation room If spa treatments are a must for you then Breezes Beach Club & Spa and Baraza Resort and Spa have an extensive spa treatment list that the expert therapists have devised themselves, using local products. Both spas are called Frangipani Spa and the outpost at Breezes Beach Club & Spa is much smaller than that of Baraza Resort & Spa, yet is a haven of tranquility. Facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating Sultan’s Treatment, just for two are just some of the unique treatments on offer. Walking into The Frangipani Spa at Baraza Resort & Spa with its Arabic
décor and exquisite gold glass mosaic tiles that glitter in the sunlight, I felt as though I had been transported to a royal, Arabian palace. The attention to detail is extraordinary. Top tip: ask for Rusti, she is exceptional. With sugar soft, dazzlingly white beaches, fringed with palm trees and warm azure waters, two superior spas, an in-house yogi and a choice of two luxurious resorts that can be hired exclusively, the Zanzibar Collection is your ultimate choice for an Indian Ocean destination with a difference. As one guest recently wrote in the comments book: “If you can’t relax here, heaven help you…”
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In-house yogi
Getting there Zawadi (www.zawadihotel.com) and The Palms (www.palms-zanzibar.com) are available for exclusive use. Contact info@thezanzibarcollection.com Kenya Airways operates daily flights from London-Heathrow to Nairobi with daily connections to Zanzibar. www.kenya-airways.com
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Flight delayed? No problem. We have just the places to ease those travelling woes
Wo r d s : S c o t t M a n s o n
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oday’s business or first flyer demands more from their airline lounge than a few free newspapers and some sandwiches. Indeed, as airline lounges have now expanded so that even those without a premium ticket can access a a more lower-tier lounge (at a fixed price), airlines have upped the ante to show customers how their loyalty and ticket choice are rewarded with bigger and better customer experiences. With new lounges, 24 hour superchefs, sleep pods and more, here are nine places where you will learn to love a layover;
Quantas First Lounge, Sydney Famed for its complimentary Aurora spa treatments, 8400 plants and 48-seat open kitchen menu designed by acclaimed chef Neil Perry, serving wagyu beef and veal carpaccio, this lounge regularly tops the ratings. Passengers traveling in first class are telephoned the day before they travel so that they can book a spa session (massages, facials, or hand and foot treatments), but everyone else is on a first-come, firstserved basis.
L u f t h a n s a F i r s t C l a s s Te r m i n a l , Frankfurt This grand dame of airline lounges is still as wonderful as ever, not least because instead of trekking through the main terminal, passengers departing Frankfurt drive up to a separate building, clear security and immigrations at the facility and then are driven directly to their plane. In a Porsche or Mercedes, natch. While in the lounge, make use of their beautiful restaurant, cigar bar (with free cigars), shower and nap rooms. The airline has a similarly impressive operation in Munich too.
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British Airways Gatwick First and Club Lounges
Two new lounges at Gatwick for BA sees the brand celebrate its British heritage with home-grown designers and artists represented throughout. Some furniture has been created by UK manufacturers Boss, using Scottish leather by Andrew Muirhead and classic fabric by Osborne & Little, while British lighting designers Tom Dixon and Elstead Lighting have created bespoke copper ceiling pendants and table lamps. There’s also art from Sir Terry Frost, Turner Prize-winning painter Chris Ofili and John Hoyland, member of the Royal Academy and one of the country’s leading abstract painters. Little ones will also find this place fascinating, as there’s a dedicated Kidzone with table football and Xbox.
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Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa First Lounge, Doha Inspired by the design of Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, Al Safwa First Lounge encapsulates its cultural surroundings with simplicity and grace. It’s a stunningly minimalist place, comprising a vast ‘water wall’ and a proper restaurant serving five-star food 24 hours a day (with Krug as the champagne of choice). There are also comfy private nap rooms and a fully functioning spa.
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Emirates First Class Lounge
Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai This is surely the world’s largest first class lounge, as it spans the entire length of Dubai’s purpose-built A380 terminal. Just strolling around it can take about 20 minutes. It offers dozens of seating areas, a couple of restaurants, a cigar bar, nap rooms, a spa, duty free shops, and more. You can even get a complimentary 15 minute massage in its Timeless Spa and, arguably best of all, board your plane directly from the lounge.
Air France First Class Lounge
Thai Airways First Class Lounge, B a n g ko k In the ‘land of smiles’ nothing is too much trouble, and nowhere is this better exemplified than in the service of this First lounge. You’ll be driven from check-in to the lounge in a golf cart – tons of fun in a busy airport like this – and then enjoy your own semi-private lounge room, complete with couch, seat and TV. The food is authentic Thai, including a seriously good pad thai and, arguably best of all, you should also allow time for the complimentary one hour massage. Sheer bliss.
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Air France First Class Lounge, Paris From the moment that a private car picks you up from your connecting flight to take you to the terminal, you know you’re in for something special. Start with a complimentary spa treatment – from a facial to a massage – before opting for a little nap on one of the private, and very comfy, day beds. Hopefully, you’ll have time spare for a spot of lunch as the Lounge’s menu has been selected by Alain Ducasse, arguably France’s greatest living chef. Enjoy a fine dining experience with table service before finally bidding a reluctant ‘adieu’ to this remarkable experience.
Handcrafted with timeless devotion...
DIRECT ACCESS TO OVER 80% OF THE WORLD’S CERTIFIED DIAMONDS . BESPOKE . ONLINE . LONDON SHOWROOM . 3 Hanover Square, Mayfair, London W1S 1HD, UK T: +44 (0) 20 3540 1477 WWW.77DIAMONDS.COM
Etihad First Class Lounge
Etihad First Class Lounge
Cathay Pacific ‘The Pier’
Etihad First Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi
Located in Terminal 3, this newly opened flagship space is a lesson in how to make a customer feel special. With two bars, a high-end restaurant, nail salon, barbers, spa and fitness room, plus butler and nanny – it’s scientifically engineered for ultimate chillaxing.
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Cathay Pacific ‘The Pier’, Hong Ko n g
No, you haven’t walked into a swish city centre members’ club – this really is an airline lounge. Albeit one finished in green onyx and featuring day suites, a dining room, pantry and even a foot massage zone. The whole place feels residential, rather than designed for business, and has the sort of casual, relaxed air you might find at a prestige yacht club. Truly linger-worthy.
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A country house with history, Lucknam Park is one of the finest spa hotels in the country Wo r d s : S c o t t M a n s o n
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kay, I need to remember this moment. Because life doesn’t get much better than this. I’m driving down a grand, tree-lined gravel drive – which winds its way through hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland – and in front of me sits one of the finest country houses in England. Oh, and I’m driving a Rolls-Royce Ghost. The Black Badge Edition, if you’re wondering. It’s fitting that I’m driving such a car, because this is surely the Rolls-Royce of spa hotels. A 17th century masterpiece that sits within a 500-acre estate that includes stables (containing dozens of beautiful horses), tennis courts, a croquet lawn, football pitch, cookery school, handsome sculptures and horticultural surprise and delight at every corner. Located in the one of the cutest corners of England, close to the delights of the spa town of Bath while also being at
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the gateway of the Cotswolds, Lucknam Park is buried deep enough in the countryside that you feel away from it all. I’ve been to many a country house hotel and felt annoyingly distracted during a walk of the grounds by the drone of traffic on a nearby motorway. By contract, this place is wonderfully tranquil and still. That feeling of serenity continues through the charming and speedy check in – we are in our room within minutes. And what a room it is. Heck, it’s gorgeous. A beautiful suite that sits at the front of the house, overlooking that majestic drive, with light flooding in to fill our ornate and tastefully furnished rooms. Fine antiques and luxury fabrics are everywhere, including the super high thread count Egyptian bedding that simply screams ‘afternoon nap’ to yours truly. A four-poster bed, freestanding bathtub and the ultra-fluffy robes and towels also make it very tricky to leave our little temple of comfort
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But leave I must, as there’s a spa session with my name on it. A Carita radiance facial, no less, which involves my work-weary features being given a welcome boost through the of use deep cleansing, toning, a wonderfully rich moisturising mix and a face and head massage that had me gurgling with pleasure. Book a treatment at all costs – you’re missing out on an essential part of the experience if you don’t. After my session, I blissfully floated down to the spa area and spent a very happy few hours down there, using the five thermal cabins – including Japanese Salt and amethyst rooms and three pools, a 20 metre one for swimming, an outdoor salt water plunge pool and the hot indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool. It was a perfect day for the latter, being cold and crisp but sunny, which meant I could sit in hot bubbling water with the sun on my face, while looking out at green and wooded parkland. Again, one of the little life moments to savour. After all that body cleansing, it was time to get more decadent. This came in the form of a Michelin-starred meal in Restaurant Hywell Jones, the hotel’s fine dining establishment.
An elegant – but not stuffy – room provided the backdrop to a succession of gastronomic marvels. We went for the tasting menu with wine pairing and what followed was a series of love letters to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, from flaked Cornish crab garnished with Exmoor caviar (yes, you read that right – from a local sturgeon farm) to truffle-fragrant poached rose veal with its sweetbreads in pancetta or slow-roasted rolled pork belly with apple and foie gras. Save some room, too, for the rich chocolate bar with salt caramel ice cream, honey-roast peanuts and glazed banana. The definition of pure pleasure on a plate. The dining room, indeed the whole hotel, has that happy buzz that comes when everything is going right. I didn’t see one disgruntled face, not a single person’s request going unheeded – everything was just so and ticked along perfectly, like a fine Swiss timepiece. Frankly, two days was too little. We could have stayed a week. #goals, as the kids would say. lucknampark.co.uk
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C U L T U R E SAVE THE DATE 146 - 147
S AV E T H E D A T E Yo u r l u x u r y e v e n t c a l e n d a r s t a r t s h e r e
June
8- 11
Cannes Collection, Old Port of Cannes
Les Voiles d’Antibes, Port Vauban, Antibes
Cannes Collection, Old Port of Cannes
31 May - 4 June
June 8 - 11
Welcoming a selection of the world’s most beautiful classic craft, this marks the start of the Mediterranean circuit for traditional sailing yachts. Among the racing taking place is the first stage of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.
The Cannes Collection promises the world’s finest, most desirable objects in a perfect setting. Its aim is to delight the more discerning affluent buyer who is driven by more than just a label. Whether buying a handcrafted Buccellati necklace, a limited edition Koenigsegg supercar or a luxury yacht, the elite buyer is offered a sense of the exceptional through craftsmanship, heritage or rarity.
voilesdantibes.com
cannes-collection.com
June
9 - 11
Chesterton’s Polo in the Park, Hurlingham Park, London June 9 - 11 Impossibly glamorous and always fun, this is a unique format of fast and furious polo. With the rules tweaked to make the game more pacy and bring spectators closer to the action, you can see why the sport is a firm favourite with royal princes William and Harry. polointheparklondon.com/tickets
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June
15 - 18
Royal Ascot, Berkshire
Art Basel, Basel
Royal Ascot, Berkshire
June 15 - 18
June 20 - 23
The highest quality paintings, sculptures, drawings and installations all in one place. About 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia show work from great masters of modern and contemporary art, to the latest generation of emerging stars. Through its VIP services, Art Basel connects leading art patrons and galleries across countries and continents.
Britain’s most glamorous and valuable race meeting, attracting many of the world’s finest race horses to compete for more than £6.58 million prize money. The Queen, a dedicated owner has attended every royal meeting during her reign and the Royal Procession is always an iconic moment to herald the start of every race day. Ascot.co.uk
artbasel.com
June
April - Sept
14-16
5-4
The Boodles, Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
Picasso Exhibition, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid
June 27 - July 1
April 5 - Sept 4
A chance to get close to the tennis elite in the English summer sunshine. The Boodles attracts the world’s best players as they build up to Wimbledon. This is an intimate stadium which brings you close to the thrilling grass court action.
In honour of Pablo Picasso’s famous Guernica, the museum brings together around 150 masterpieces by the artist. “Pity and Terror in Picasso: The Path to Guernica” includes the museum’s stunning works and others from over 30 world-wide institutions, including the Tate Modern in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There is also a selection from private collections, including that of Claude Ruiz-Picasso, the son of the artist.
theboodles.com
museoreinasofia.es
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O N T H E W E B , I N P R I N T, MOBILE AND TV
COMING SOON
ISSUE 49
THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMER RACE INTO STYLE Be the best in show with our Ascot wardrobe essentials
CHAMPERS AND HAMPERS
ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY Regal retreats and stately estates
The most decadent al fresco dining experiences in Britain
B Y R O YA L D E C R E E London’s finest Royal Warrant holders
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