WAYFARER ISSUE FIVE 2023

Overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s newest luxury hotel and beyond five star experience boasts some of the best amenities in the Southern hemisphere, world-class service, and unparalleled views of the town. At The Carlin, the finer things in life come together in one seamless, unforgettable experience. Welcome.

thecarlinhotel.com

WINTJIRI WIRU

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is set to launch a breathtaking, fully-immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in May, the likes of which have not been seen before, combining ancient Anangu storytelling with state-of-the-art, drone and laser light technology.

As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

Over 1000 drones light the Uluru sky.

Working with Community

Wintjiri Wiru will bring to life a chapter of the Mala ancestral story which sits between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru. Voyages has consulted and collaborated closely with the Anangu custodians of this chapter of the Mala story to obtain approval to bring Wintjiri Wiru to life. This Anangu consultation group has been involved in naming the experience, advising on the visuals, narrating the story in English, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages and delivering the music – ensuring that every level of the experience is shared with respect and in line with Anangu cultural protocols.

Matthew Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages

Where an ancient story comes to life.

We are honoured that we can share the cultural importance of the Mala story with our guests, through such an illuminating and captivating experience in the spiritual heart of Australia. As custodians of the land and this part of the Mala story, the Anangu consultation group has carefully guided us on the Wintjiri Wiru experience, from conception to launch, to generously share their story with the world.

A messgae from the beginning of time.

Exploring new horizons

Ihad the opportunity to spend a couple of days at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, in early March for the first time since 2019 and it was fantastic to see so many destinations, airlines, hotels and attractions putting their best foot forward as people continue to travel the world in record numbers again.

Walking around the show, which attracted 160,000 delegates and 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries, you could get a real sense for where people wanted to travel to in 2023 and beyond.

The halls at ITB which attracted the most buzz were firmly Africa, the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Central America, Australia, the Greek Islands and the Middle East and what it showed was a keen desire for wanderlust and something adventurous.

When we all couldn’t travel, we daydreamed of where we wanted to visit when we could and now the world is firmly open, many travellers are stepping outside of the norm and seeking out something new.

Islands and beach destinations are firmly top of the charts right now and it’s no surprise places like Hawaii, Fiji, Queensland’s Gold Coast, Sydney and California are where travellers want to be on a year-round basis.

That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to put together features and stories on some fantastic midyear beach escapes and in our latest issue, we head to all of those spots – headlined by a 22-page feature on eight of the top hotels in Waikiki on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu –alongside showcase six of the best properties in the Big Apple, our favourite urban summer destination.

I hope you enjoy our latest issue of Wayfarer and as always, I look forward to your feedback.

Safe travels,

James Wilkinson Editor-In-Chief

TONS OF BONUS VIDEO CONTENT!

The digital issue of Wayfarer magazine is loaded-up with over 30 videos. Look for the TV icon throughout the digital magazine and a video will pop-up. For more videos and destination guides to cities across the world, visit wayfarer.travel

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The Hot List

What’s on our travel and lifestyle radar across the world right now.

FIJI AIRWAYS TAKES OFF FOR VANCOUVER

Fiji Airways has inaugurated its brand-new flights from Nadi to Vancouver in a massive boost to tourism in the South Pacific, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen, is encouraging Australians and Kiwis to take advantage of the new twice-weekly flights to Canada to experience worldrenowned Fijian hospitality on a long-haul service or to tag on a well-deserved break in Fiji before flying onto their destination.

“Our Five Star airline and multi-award-winning onboard experience, including meals, amenities and staff service offers the best value for money,” he said.

The new service will be operated by Fiji Airways’ widebody Airbus A330 and A350 fleet, which features Wayfarer TV episodes onboard all flights. fijiairways.com

02

AYERS ROCK RESORT’S INCREDIBLE NEW SHOW

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is set to launch a breathtaking, fully-immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in May, the likes of which have not been seen before, combining ancient Anangu storytelling with state-of-the-art, drone and laser light technology.

Called Wintjiri Wiru – which suggests a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in the local Anangu language – this will be the first time a light, laser, projection and drone experience of this magnitude has been performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.

The show will bring to life a chapter of the Mala

ancestral story which sits between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru. Voyages has consulted and collaborated closely with the Anangu custodians of this chapter of the Mala story to obtain approval to bring Wintjiri Wiru to life.

Designed and produced by world-renowned Media Architecture studio RAMUS, the Wintjiri Wiru experience will illuminate the Central Desert with a spectacle of lights, projections and lasers shining on the spinifex and mulga, connecting the earth and sky to offer an expansive experience of light and sound in the presence of Uluru. ayersrockresort.com.au

03

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

ROLLS OUT FREE WIFI

Singapore Airlines has rolled out complimentary unlimited in-flight WiFi for all Business Class customers, as well as its PPS Club members and PPS Club supplementary card holders.

In addition, the carrier says KrisFlyer members now enjoy free three-hour WiFi plans when travelling in Premium Economy Class and free two-hour WiFi plans when travelling in Economy Class. singaporeair.com

THE LANGHAM, LONDON PERFECTS THE ART OF SLEEPING

The Langham, London has partnered with Swedish Heritage brand Hästens to offer a perfect night’s sleep.

Rooted in history much like The Langham London, Hästens has perfected the art of designing high-end beds for more than 170 years, each of which is handmade from ethically-sourced natural materials.

The Infinity Suite, one of the finest at The Langham, London, was the obvious choice to celebrate the coming together of the two brands.

The suite, with its expansive semi-circular living room is spectacular and offers unbeatable views of nearby All Saint Church.

Double doors lead to the master bedroom, which is the perfect example of elegance, refinement and has now been graced with a Hästens 2000T bed.

Made of 37 layers and over 200 kilograms of carefully selected materials, the grey check pattern, the cream carpets, dark wood and golden fabrics all harmonise beautifully.

From bespoke furniture to discreet technology, a separate dressing room and a lavish infinity bath, and available in a one- or two- bedroom configuration this suite evokes a level of luxury befitting its name. langhamhotels.com

ALIBI’S WOOLLOOMOOLOO EVOLUTION

Alibi Bar and Dining has officially reopened with a refreshed look, feel and offering. Shannon Martinez, the powerhouse behind two of Australia’s most prolific plant-based restaurants Smith and Daughters and Lona Misa, is joined by renowned mixologist Andrea Gualdi to lead the evolution of Alibi Bar and Dining.

The eatery and bar has evolved with a brand new plant-based Mediterranean-inspired offering set inside a newly refurbished, ‘indoor-alfresco’ dining room.

Diners can expect a passionately crafted, soulful menu that leans heavily on Martinez’s Spanish heritage, to be implemented by executive chef Jiwon Do (formerly Hippopotamus Restaurant and Bar, Wellington).

In this new project, Martinez demonstrates her expertise in plant-based cuisine - the menu includes a tortilla with aioli with no eggs, and a cacio e pepe with no cheese. In dishes like these with so few ingredients, perfection is a real feat. Those familiar with Martinez’s work will be thrilled to see her famed plant-based labneh, yoghurts and cheeses making an appearance on the Alibi menu.

alibibaranddining.com.au

THE CARLIN’S RISING POPULARITY IN QUEENSTOWN

The Carlin Boutique Hotel has continued to be one of New Zealand’s most popular properties since it made a stunning debut in early 2022.

The stylish boutique luxury hotel is a labour of love for property developer, composer and hospitality industry veteran, Kevin Carlin. Spread over seven floors, The Carlin offers a range of spacious suites in one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations with 88 to 500 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space per suite.

Carlin said he designed the hotel and its extensive features based on luxury hotels in Europe and they include private butlers, private chefs, private massages, a separate private entrance, extra-large indoor and outdoor living spaces and access to a private jet and luxury vehicles.

The Carlin’s in-house restaurant – ORO – has been “designed for magnificence”, according to the owner, who said it takes “fine dining to the next level with innovative cuisine showcasing Aotearoa’s finest ingredients from the land and sea”. thecarlinhotel.com

Take Off.

Essential airline news, reviews and features from across the sky.

United’s epic orders for the record books

United created aviation history in December, signing the largest commercial widebody order by a United States carrier ever with an agreement to purchase 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and options to acquire 100 more.

The carrier expects to take delivery of the new widebody planes between 2024 and 2032 and can choose among the 787-8, 9 or 10 models, providing flexibility to support a wide range of routes, according to United.

United CEO, Scott Kirby, said the historic purchase is the next chapter in the ambitious United Next plan and “will bolster the airline’s leadership role in global travel for years to come”.

The Dreamliner order has also come alongside another major purchase by United, with the carrier exercising options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026 and ordering 56 more MAX aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2028.

Kirby said the airline now expects to take delivery of about 700 new narrow and widebody aircraft by the end of 2032, including an average of more than two every week in 2023 and more than three every week in 2024.

“United emerged from the pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” he said. united.com

Singapore Airlines sends more A380s to Australia

Singapore Airlines has revealed its the popular Airbus A380s will return to Melbourne for the first time in almost four years from May 2023, while Sydney will also receive a second daily A380.

The move comes as Singapore Airlines experiences greater demand on flights to and from Australia and as a result, from 16 May 2023 through to 28 October 2023, SQ237, from Singapore to Melbourne, and the return flight, SQ228, will be operated by the A380 instead of the current Boeing 777-300ER.

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Louis Arul, said the return of the A380 to Melbourne delivered a welcome capacity boost for the Northern Summer peak.

“Travel demand remains strong for 2023, particularly during the Northern Summer period,” he said.

In addition to the A380’s return to Melbourne, Sydney will welcome a second A380 from 17 May 2023, with SQ221 from Singapore to Sydney, and the return flight, SQ232, to be operated by the super jumbo instead of the current A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The return of a second A380 to Sydney will take Singapore Airlines to 98% of its pre-Covid seat capacity from the NSW capital and will see Suites or First Class offered on three of the four daily flights between Singapore and Sydney. singaporeair.com

Hawaiian Airlines heads to the Cook Islands

guests access to the Cook Islands, an archipelago that shares Hawai‘i’s Polynesian roots and natural beauty,” said Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO, Peter Ingram.

Hawaiian Airlines is set to reconnect the Hawaiian Islands and the Cook Islands from May 2023, with a new weekly flight between Honolulu and Rarotonga.

The move from Hawaiian will see the carrier return to the Cook Islands for the first time since 1993 and it means the South Pacific nation will once again have a direct service to the United States since before the pandemic.

“We are delighted to grow our South Pacific network by offering our

“This service greatly expands travel opportunities between the Cook Islands and the United States, thanks to our welltimed connections and robust network, including service between Hawai‘i and eight California cities.”

Flights will be operated by Hawaiian’s new Airbus A321neo, which features 16 luxurious leather recliners in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort Premium Economy seats, and 128 Economy seats.

Textiles and other materials throughout the cabin pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts including bark cloth (kapa) and fishing nets. hawaiianairlines.com

United launches San Francisco-Brisbane flights

United Airlines created history in late 2022, by flying the first scheduled non-stop passenger service by an American carrier from the US mainland to Queensland with the launch of San Francisco to Brisbane flights.

The services are operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and the new Brisbane services came on a big weekend for United, with the carrier also re-launching Houston-Sydney and Los Angeles-Melbourne and increasing San Francisco to Melbourne from three flights a week to a daily operation.

United Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, said the launch of flights to Queensland was a momentous occasion for the airline.

“United has a long history in Australia, and with our new partnership with Virgin Australia, now is the ideal time to expand our service and offer additional convenient flight options to our customers on both sides of the Pacific,” he said.

United Airlines will fly between San Francisco and Brisbane three times per week using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and onwards connections will be available to and from more than 80 North American cities. united.com

Qantas reveals new A350 interiors for Project Sunrise

Qantas has unveiled spectacular prototypes of the First and Business cabins on the long-range Airbus A350-1000 jets that will fly passengers non-stop from Australia to New York and London from late 2025.

Headlining the news is something many Frequent Flyers have been waiting for – an all-new Business ‘Suite’ product that comes complete with sliding doors.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the key to the new cabin designs has been giving passengers more space, made possible by Qantas’ decision to configure its 12 Airbus A350s to seat 238 passengers compared to the 300-plus seat layout specified by other carriers.

“Qantas has been the leader in opening up new long-haul flights for most of our history, and we’re bringing everything

we’ve learned, both technically and in terms of passenger comfort, to Project Sunrise flying,” he said.

Joyce said the spacious First suite has a range of features to make customers feel like they are in a mini boutique hotel room complete with an extra-wide fixed bed, separate recliner chair, personal wardrobe, dining table for two and a 32” ultrahigh definition TV.

Every Business suite will also have direct aisle access for ease of moving around the cabin and Qantas is incorporating sliding doors into the suite for privacy, if desired.

According to Qantas, other Business features include a twometre-long flat bed, generous storage (including a large mirror), cushioned leather ottoman, 18-inch ultra-high-definition touch screen TV, large dining table and feature lighting. qantas.com

Qantas’ brilliant new First Class Suite on the A350

Housed in one of Australia's most exquisite Art Deco buildings, Kimpton Margot Sydney is the talk of the town. Fabulous rooms, extraordinary restaurants and bars by renowned chef Luke Mangan, combine to create a dynamic destination that's walking distance from everything you want and need. Live your best life in our heritage-listed 1939 art deco masterpiece.

With acclaimed Australian chef - Luke Mangan - at the reins, Luke's Kitchen is a destination restaurant in the heart of the hotel's beautiful lobby. Amid old-world glamour, with an atmosphere that shapeshifts as the day unfolds, Luke's Kitchen offers renowned breakfast, bustling casual lunch, ultimate Saturday Brunches, and Modern Australian dinners.

Whatever the hour, superb seasonal produce is always on the menu to keep guests' taste buds tingling from morning ’til night.

339 Pittt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Qatar Airways brings the Airbus A380 back to Perth

Qatar Airways has dramatically increased passenger capacity on its flights to and from Perth, by bringing back the Airbus A380 to Australia.

The Doha-based carrier’s Perth flights were previously operated by the Boeing B777-300ER and passengers will now have a chance to journey on board the A380, which accommodates an additional 163 passengers daily, adding up to 517 seats spread across the three cabins.

“We want to demonstrate our commitment to Australia by continuing the work we did during the pandemic to keep Australians connected. It is imperative for Australian travellers to feel welcome in our city whether they are transiting or

visiting Doha,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker.

Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380s feature eight First Class seats, 48 Business Class seats and 461 Economy Class seats and the upgauge is part of the recent strategic partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, according to the Middle Eastern carrier.

“This expanded codeshare significantly expands the networks, lounges and loyalty programs of both airlines, bringing substantial benefits and new destinations to travellers,” a spokesperson for Qatar Airways said. qatarairways.com

Malaysia Airlines’ impressive Business Class named Asia’s best

class fare structure that was redesigned to match the value proposition of business class passengers and market demand.

“Our Business Class fare family makes Malaysia Airlines one of the few airlines in the world to offer flexibility coupled with multiple perks,” she said.

May said Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class is recognised for providing an unrivalled premium end-to-end experience, from its exclusive priority check-in counters, priority luggage handling, and access to the beautiful Golden Lounges with picturesque views, to its board-anytime flexibility.

Malaysia Airlines was named Asia’s Leading Airline for Business Class at the recent 29th World Travel Awards.

Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Lau Yin May, said the award is a testament to its successful endeavour to maintain the highest service level and safety assurance through its ‘#FlyConfidently’ commitment.

“This award is a true testament to the organisation and national icon’s hard work, long hours, sacrifice, and ultimate passion,” she said.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lasting change in travelling preferences, we constantly improve and enhance our products and services with a range of flexibility and choices.

“One of our most prominent innovations include our business

She said the Business Class completes the premium experience by providing spacious lie-flat seats to selected destinations and the airline also provides a wide range of cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, including noise-cancelling headphones, to ensure the most pleasurable flying experience on Malaysia Airlines.

Amongst the fantastic offerings, guests departing from Kuala Lumpur can opt for a personalised fine dining experience with its ‘Chef on Call’ service, which allows customers to select from a variety of specially crafted in-flight meals from 30 days to 24 hours prior to their trip and have them delivered to their seat. This is in addition to the popular signature satay, which has been served onboard since the first flight and has been produced by the airline’s caterer since 1973.

Business Class passengers will also receive a designer amenity kit by luxury leather goods manufacturer, Aspinal of London. malaysiaairlines.com

A CONTEMPORARY BEACHFRONT RETREAT ROOTED IN HAWAIIAN CULTURE. Experience Waikı kı as it should be. Discover the fully reimagined Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. This iconic place of healing and renewal is complemented by the latest amenities, a focus on wellness, unmatched hospitality and authentic guest experiences that honor its voyaging legacy.

American readies for all-new Flagship Suite debut in 2024

American Airlines has unveiled all-new Flagship Suite and Premium Economy seats that are set to debut on the airline’s long-haul fleet starting in 2024.

The new Flagship Suite seats will replace the current First and Business cabins and will feature sliding doors, a chaise lounge seating option and more personal storage space.

American’s move will see the carrier also increase the number of spacious seats on aircraft, with Business and Premium seating in American’s long-haul fleet growing by more than 45 percent by 2026.

The new Flagship Suite seats will be included on all Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 deliveries beginning in 2024.

American’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft will have 51 Flagship Suite seats and 32 Premium Economy seats, and the airline’s Airbus A321XLR aircraft will feature 20 Flagship Suite seats and 12 Premium Economy seats.

Etihad’s Airbus A380s set to soar back to London

On back of massive demand, Etihad Airways is set to bring back its popular Airbus A380s to the skies, with four superjumbos set to return from the upcoming 2023 Northern Summer.

The A380s will operate between Abu Dhabi and London and the move follows a surge in demand for air travel across the airline’s network and customer feedback for the return of one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky, according to His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group.

“It is wonderful to announce the return of this splendid aircraft,” he said. “The A380’s reintroduction provides a further boost to Etihad’s capacity into the key UK market, with a knockon effect for the wider GCC and Indian subcontinent that will bring more visitors to the city of Abu Dhabi.”

Etihad’s A380s feature The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft, including 9 First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 405 Economy Smart Seats.

“We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American,” American’s Vice President of Customer Experience Julie Rath said.

“The arrival of new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet.”

When the new deliveries start in 2024, American will also refresh its Boeing 777-300ER fleet with a new luxurious interior, elevating the inflight customer experience on long-haul international routes.

American’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will feature more premium seats than its current design, with 70 Flagship Suite seats and 44 Premium Economy seats.

The carrier will also retrofit its Airbus A321T fleet to align those 16 aircraft with the rest of its A321 fleet. aa.com

This includes 80 Economy Space seats with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches.

Etihad expects to return four of its A380s to the fleet in the summer of 2023, with plans to operate to London Heathrow, freeing up capacity for increased frequencies on existing routes and the launch of new destinations.

The A380s’ return will be supported by the addition of five of their smaller A320 siblings, according to the carrier. etihad.com

Where the little things mean a lot.

Little National Sydney rises above Wynyard Walk, moments from everything that defines the city. Connected to Sydney’s iconic attractions via undercover pathways, enjoy easy access to Barangaroo, Martin Place, and the CBD.

With everything you need from wellness centre by Technogym, library workspace, rooftop bar and more. Stay at Sydney’s #1 Trip Advisor hotel, voted the best of the best.

26 Clarence Street

Sydney 2000 NSW

littlenationalhotel.com.au

Delta’s sky high debut

The exciting first phase of Delta Air Lines’ next-generation ‘Sky Way’ terminal 2 and 3 project at Los Angeles International Airport is now open, nearly 18 months ahead of schedule.

The Sky Way at Los Angeles International Airport is one of the most exciting projects ever undertaken at LAX and highlighting the experience is an all-new Delta Sky Club, which is one of the best the carrier has ever developed.

Delta Sky Club Managing Director, Claude Roussel, said the new Delta Sky Club at LAX, located on the departures level between T2 and T3, features premium design and awe-inspiring views and promises to offer an unparalleled lounge experience for customers with Club access.

“Planning for this Delta Sky Club began back in 2018 and every detail – from the seating to the food and beverage offerings to the premium design – was selected to create a one-of-a-kind experience for guests,” he said.

“Whether guests visit the new Delta Sky Club to dine, work or simply enjoy the views, they’ll find much to love in this world-class lounge for a world-class airport.”

Roussel said at over 30,000 square feet, the Delta Sky Club at LAX Sky Way is one of the largest in the Delta network, with ample space for guests to retreat, relax and recharge.

“The journey begins in the majestic downstairs lobby, where guests can check themselves in at one of five selfservice kiosk stations,” he said.

These kiosks are designed for ease of use and will speed up Club access for guests, according to the carrier.

Additionally, the larger of the two Delta Sky Clubs on T2 will remain open. With both Clubs operational, approximately 800 guests will be able to enjoy the lounges simultaneously.

“Once checked in, guests will ascend the monumental staircase or escalators, passing beneath dazzling ceiling fixtures modelled after ocean waves before arriving at the custom wood-screened area that marks the Club’s entrance,” Roussel said.

“The lounge is outfitted with seating options to accommodate a wide variety of travellers, including private phone booths for quiet work and theatre-style seating for viewing the media wall.

“Club restroom amenities have been optimised for guest comfort and privacy and include a nursing room, oversized family restrooms and eight spacious showers managed via a virtual queuing system.

“Throughout the Club are hidden gems designed to delight. One such gem is the Coffee Grotto, a nook that offers a glamorous peek into the ambience of Hollywood’s Golden Age with an exquisite mosaic mural featuring glass tiles imported from Italy.

“The Gallery at LAX features pieces curated through Delta Sky Club’s art program and include digital creations, sculpture and large-scale mixed media works featuring local L.A. artists.

“The crown jewel of the Club is the Sky Deck, a yearround, all-weather terrace where guests can enjoy drinks from the premium bar and panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills,” Roussel said.

Throughout the lounge, guests can enjoy multiple food buffet and beverage centers that feature a seasonally inspired selection of fresh items, with options for dining

in and quick snacks for customers on the go, according to Roussel.

In addition to the regular menu rotation, the Club will feature special food and beverage programming that shines a spotlight on local makers and restaurant talent.

Through the Fresh Farm program, Delta partners with local artisans to highlight handcrafted, regionally made food and beverage products in a weekly activation similar to a farmer’s market pop-up.

DELTA’S NEW TERMINAL 3 AT LAX

Roussel said Delta’s state-of-the-art Sky Way at LAX will transform the travel experience for customers from the moment they arrive.

Since April 2022, travellers have been able to experience a centralised headhouse that consolidates check-in, security and baggage claim; 32 self-serve kiosks and 46 check-in positions; a 250-foot digital backwall featuring wayfinding information in English and Spanish, Delta Sky Club volume and flight and gate information; six baggage claim carousels; and seven new security lanes (with a total of 14 operational by late summer).

Additional milestones will be unveiled throughout the year, including three departure gates debuting just in time for the summer travel season.

Upon completion in 2023, Terminals 2 and 3 will be a consolidated 27-gate, 1.2-million-square-foot complex that connects Terminals 2 and 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), enabling quick post-security connections to Delta and Delta partneroperated flights.

delta.com

New York arrival

Air New Zealand recently launched its highly anticipated direct flights to New York City, connecting the Big Apple with Aotearoa for the first time ever non-stop and it’s a win for travellers, as James Wilkinson discovers.

Air New Zealand’s first ever direct flights to New York, which are between 16 and 17 and a half hours each way, made their long-awaited debut last September and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner services will provide a massive boost to tourism for both Auckland and the Big Apple, as well as shave significant time off existing one-stop services.

The inaugural Auckland-New York service direct to John F. Kennedy International Airport took off on time and to much fanfare for good reason – these services were announced prePandemic and come at a time when global travel is booming.

Air New Zealand’s CEO, Greg Foran, who was on the launch flight, said the services truly were a game changer for travellers to and from Aotearoa and the East Coast of the United States.

“The new direct flight to New York has been many years in the making and it gives us something pretty unique here to get to the East Coast of the United States,” he told Wayfarer

“The flight is worth around NZ$65 million to the New Zealand economy, it’s a great thing for the country and we are very proud to be launching this flight.”

Air New Zealand’s launch of direct flights to New York marks the seventh North American destination served directly from Aotearoa by the carrier, making flights to and from Australasia more accessible than ever before.

“As one of the world’s greatest cities, Air New Zealand is proud to add the Big Apple to its list of 29 international destinations,” Foran said.

“By adding greater access to the East Coast of the US, we’re connecting our North American customers to the possibilities of 20 destinations within New Zealand as well as the Pacific and Australia, all within easy reach. This is terrific for our customers,” he said.

Air New Zealand’s Chair, Dame Therese Walsh, was also on the launch flight and she told Wayfarer she was incredibly proud to see the first direct service take off.

The carrier also used the new direct flight, NZ 2, to launch a new international menu showcasing the best New Zealand to one of the world’s leading gourmand nations.

Onboard, premium customers enjoyed the likes of seared salmon from Marlborough, free-range chicken from Waikato and crisp salads picked straight from orchards and fields in Gisborne, Waikato and the Manawatū.

As part of the new menu, Business Premier customers were welcomed to their dining experience with an amuse-bouche of New Zealand paua saucisson (abalone sausage) with herb cream and tomato.

On the wine front, the carrier was showcasing some of New Zealand’s best drops, including Felton Road’s 2016 Block 3 Pinot Noir from Central Otago, the Stonecraft 2018 Crofters Syrah from Hawke’s Bay and the Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay.

Impressively, Air New Zealand has now launched and re-launched seven North American routes – Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Vancouver.

airnewzealand.com

Signature Suite dreaming

Air Canada’s Signature Class business cabin has been one of our favourite ways to get to North America and the offering keeps on getting better, as James Wilkinson discovers.

With fantastic Canadian hospitality, great food and wine, sleeper seats, entertainment aplenty and stylish amenity kits, Air Canada’s Signature Class has been one of the world’s best business class cabins for years.

As the world continues to open up and as Air Canada continues to return to many regular routes - such as Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney - the business class product has never been so popular and to find out what to expect, Wayfarer took a journey from Sydney to Vancouver and back recently.

PRE-FLIGHT: FROM VANCOUVER

Air Canada recently debuted its Signature Suite lounges in Vancouver and what’s on offer is exceptional.

The new Air Canada Signature Suite lounge, originally scheduled to debut in 2020, offers the best Canada has to offer in terms of food, design and comfort, alongside fantastic views of the airfield.

Ideal before a long-haul flight, particularly Australia, guests can sit down for an à-la-carte meal courtesy of a brilliant menu from renowned chef David Hawksworth, which is loaded up with local produce aplenty.

Some of the dishes to expect include White British Columbia Spring Salmon with smoked lemon emulsion, spring vegetables, herb crust; seared foie gras, grape gastrique, pickled grapes, pain perdu, toasted nuts and seeds, frisée; and a sensational Hamachi Crudo with

Hamachi sashimi, lemongrass sorbet, radish, cucumber, citrus pearls, puffed black and wild rice.

Make sure you save room for dessert, which includes a Salted Caramel Pot de Crème, Chocolate Tart and a daily selection of house-made ice cream. There’s also the ‘dessert in a glass’, which is made with Bailey’s, maple syrup and espresso.

On the wine front, the Air Canada Signature Suite lounge absolutely excels, with a line-up worthy of a leading Vancouver restaurant. Expect several wines from Canada’s emerging Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia, including the sensational 2017 Mission Hill Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc and the 2014 Martin’s Lane Pinot Noir.

British Colombia’s Similkameen Valley is also represented with the 2020 Clos du Soleil Chardonnay, while the house Champagne is the Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial and the Brut Rosé.

Alongside the food and wine, the Signature Suite also offers areas to relax in pre-flight and the interiors are courtesy of acclaimed Montreal-based Heekyung Duquette, who brought in loads of natural light to the lounge alongside Canadian style aplenty.

The lounge features floor-to-ceiling bronze panelling, bar tops made from local stone and a custom chandelier, while design is complemented by art from some of Canada’s greatest talents, with contemporary furnishings “representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship and quality”, according to the airline.

Sleep well in the sky on Air Canada and the brilliant Vancouver lounge (left)

When it comes time to freshen up, expect an array of premium products, including luxury skincare amenities from Molton Brown.

It all adds up to an excellent pre-flight experience highlighted by some of the best airline lounge food you’ll ever try.

PRE FLIGHT: FROM SYDNEY

While Air Canada doesn’t operate a lounge at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport, the carrier’s Star Alliance partners Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines both have fantastic facilities at the airport.

If you are after one of the best coffees at Sydney Airport, alongside a fantastic buffet and comfortable seating aplenty, head into to the Air New Zealand lounge, while if you’re craving some tasty South-East Asian cuisine, head into the Singapore Airlines lounge.

THE SIGNATURE SUITE SEAT

Air Canada operates Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on flights to Australia and New Zealand. Both aircraft feature the ‘Executive Pod’ in Signature Class, which feature lumbar support and a massage function and convert to a fully flat bed up to 203.2 cm (6ft 7in) long.

When it comes to sleeping, expect a pillow, duvet and mattress topper, while at meal time and working, expect a large tray table and ample storage. On the entertainment front, Air Canada’s inflight system has

thousands’ of hours of movies, TV shows, podcasts, music, audio books and games on demand and featuring some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters and Emmy Award-winning TV shows.

Tune in with noise-cancelling headphones or bring your own cans, plug in easily and you’re away.

Air Canada also provides amenity kits for Business Class passengers courtesy of Montreal’s WANT Les Essentiels brand that features vitruvi beauty products as well as socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye cover, glass cloth, and earplugs.

ONBOARD FOOD AND WINE

Canada is known for its fantastic array of produce and when you step aboard Air Canada, that’s exactly what you can expect.

Impressively, Air Canada offers flexible meal options for those who prefer to eat earlier or later than our scheduled service times. There’s also an ‘Express Light Meal Option’, served shortly after take-off and features an appetizer, warm bread and butter, mixed greens, cheese and crackers and fruit.

When it comes to the dining experience, you won’t be disappointed thanks to the meals curated by Air Canada’s culinary team of Chef Hawksworth, the Vancouverbased chef and the owner of restaurants Hawksworth and Nightingale; Chef Antonio Park from Montreal, who blends his South American and Asian roots with locally sourced,

sustainable ingredients; and Chef Vikram Vij, the coowner of Vij’s Restaurant, Vij’s Rangoli and My Shanti by Vikram Vij in Vancouver, where traditional Indian techniques meet West Coast ingredients.

Some of the top dishes served inflight at present include braised pork cheeks with grainy mustard sauce, sauerkraut, parsley potatoes, asparagus and baby carrot; roasted cod, olive salsa verde, saffron rice, cherry tomato and oyster mushroom; and a chocolate hazelnut cake for dessert.

On the wine front, the onboard list is curated by award-winning Sommelier Véronique Rivest, one of most respected sommeliers in Canada and abroad. Her lists feature both Canadian and international wines, including labels from the brilliant Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia.

The onboard hospitality is exceptional and it truly rounds out a fantastic inflight food and wine experience.

AIR CANADA’S CHAUFFEUR SERVICE

Air Canada has rolled out electric and hybrid Porsche cars for select Signature Class customers connecting to Asia, Europe and South America from domestic flights in Vancouver.

Eligible connecting International Signature Class customers arriving from within Canada will be met by a Concierge before being whisked away on the tarmac in a Porsche vehicle to the distinctive Air Canada Signature Suite. The fleet of vehicles will be electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Porsche Taycan, Panamera

and Cayenne, supporting Air Canada’s commitment to reach a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout its global operations by 2050.

EXPRESS TRANSIT TO THE USA IN VANCOUVER

One of the best things about flying Air Canada to North America is the express transit for onwards connections to the USA at Vancouver Airport.

After landing, you take a special path that leads to security and then US immigration, where you are processed before heading to the gate for your next flight without having to leave the terminal.

Then once you land in the United States, you simply collect your luggage and leave the terminal.

Air Canada offers fantastic connections to many top US destinations – including New York (Newark), Los Angles, San Francisco and more – and the express transit makes for a very simple journey.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

With fantastic hospitality, top food and wine, comfortable seats and brilliant lounges, Air Canada offers one of the best experiences in the sky.

If you are looking at heading to their home nation of Canada or beyond to the United States, Europe, South America and more, you can expect a hospitable journey that truly showcases the best the nation has to offer.

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Sky full of stars

It’s been a huge 12 months for United Airlines, with the Star Alliance carrier launching new routes, lounges and enhanced cabins across its fleet, led by the brilliant Polaris business class, which is firmly one of the best in the sky, as James Wilkinson discovers.

When United Airlines placed, in late 2022, an order for a record 200 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, many frequent flyers – myself included –cheered because it was amazing to see the Chicago-based carrier further invest in its future, particularly in widebody aircraft.

Announcing the order, United CEO, Scott Kirby, said the historic purchase is the next chapter in the ambitious United Next plan and “will bolster the airline’s leadership role in global travel for years to come”.

“United emerged from the pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” he said.

“This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky,” Kirby said.

Additionally, Kirby said United continues its “unprecedented effort” to upgrade the interiors of its existing fleet.

More than 90% of the carrier’s international widebodies (Boeing 787, 777 and 767) now feature the United

Polaris business class seat, as well as United Premium Plus seating and upgrades for the remaining aircraft will be completed by the summer of 2023.

For loyal members of United’s MileagePlus program and other travellers, the massive order means more United Polaris business class seats on more routes and more often.

Since it was launched, United’s Polaris business class cabin has been a winner on both short- and longhaul routes, thanks to the fantastic sleep you’ll get onboard (the seat reclines to a length of 6 feet 6 inches when in bed mode), the amount of personal space, storage, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, 16-inch highdefinition touch screens, noisereducing headphones, fantastic meals, drinks and wonderful hospitality.

Then there are the small touches too, like keeping the main cabin lights off when breakfast is served, having the windows all dimmed until right before landing, the pyjamas (on long-haul flights), United’s signature cooling gel pillows and the amenity kits from Away that include Sunday Riley skincare products.

The food and beverage offerings are fantastic, too. While long-haul menus differ due to the route, recent dishes (on Sydney-Houston for example) have included grilled beef fillet, chicken stuffed with macadamia and ricotta, seared barramundi fillet,

followed by United’s famous ice cream sundae.

When it comes to beverages, expect a selection of American and international wines, alongside premium spirits and liqueurs.

Prior to arrival, the selections are also delicious, including the likes of a spinach, fetta and rosemary frittata, alongside smashed avocado toast or fairy bread French toast.

Should you want some entertainment onboard, loaded up on the 16-inch high-definition touch are more than 1,000 movies, TV shows, audio playlists, podcasts, and games.

It adds up to an amazing experience and that’s constantly the feedback United continues to get.

“Our fleet of 787 [and 777] aircraft brings together the best parts of the United customer experience – helpful, friendly service, terrific amenities and best-in-class technology,” said United’s EVP and Chief Customer Officer, Linda Jojo.

“And customers just love our Polaris products – from our airport lounges, amenities and seat-back screens to big seats that turn into beds, luxury blankets and pillows and plenty of room for storage. We’re proud to offer customers more lieflat seat options than all other United States carriers combined.”

When you’re travelling on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in particular, you’ll

also notice the aircraft’s X-factors too, from the larger windows to LED lighting, a lower cabin altitude setting and higher humidity, alongside the 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions per seat compared with the airplanes it replaces.

It adds up to a fantastic inflight in experience and once you’ve taken a long-haul flight in United’s Polaris business class cabin, you’ll be booking another soon after you land.

LOUNGING AROUND

Prior to departure, every United Polaris customer also has access to the United Polaris Lounges at selected departure ports, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C., and amenities include spalike shower facilities, a full-service restaurant and curated buffet, a bar loaded up with premium drinks, as well as daybeds with soft lighting and fantastic United hospitality.

One of our favourite lounges is located at San Francisco International Airport and it ranks as one of the best across the Star Alliance network globally.

Before you take off, you can also enjoy the full catalogue of Wayfarer magazines to read in the Polaris lounges (and all 45 United Clubs) for free thanks to United’s partnership with publishing app Readly.

SIGN UP TO UNITED MILEAGEPLUS

Over the past four decades, MileagePlus has continued to be a leading airline loyalty program, with a number of industry-first innovations designed to enhance the travel experience for members.

United first introduced its airline Premier program in 1983 and then its first loyalty credit card in 1987.

More recently, in 2019, United announced that MileagePlus award miles never expire, and introduced PlusPoints for MileagePlus Premier members, giving customers more flexibility in how they choose to fly.

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United’s brilliant San Francisco Polaris Lounge

British excellence

Over the past decade, British Airways’ Club World has been popular for business and leisure travellers, particularly when it comes to the experience aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, thanks to fantastic English hospitality, comfortable seats and brilliant food and wine as James Wilkinson discovers.

It was back in late-2017 when British Airways kickstarted a £600m investment in its popular Club World business class cabins, adding restaurant-style dining, a luxurious sleeper service and new amenity kits. At the time it was heralded as one of the most exciting projects the airline had ever done since first launching sleeper seats in the carrier’s business class cabins and was aimed at propelling British Airways as once more a leader in the field.

Fast forward five years and the enhancements – which also included WiFi across the carrier’s fleet – have been an absolute winner for British Airways and while the airline has introduced a new Club Suite, gradually being fitted and now available on various routes including Sydney, the existing Club World product continues to offer a fantastic Business Class experience.

British Airways’ Club World on the Boeing 787-9 is laid out in a 2-4-2, forwards-backwards configuration and the choice of seats for solo travellers are most definitely the windows or the aisles, while couples will enjoy the privacy in the middle two seats.

Thanks to the stylish bedding styled by The White Company – which includes a bespoke, luxuriously soft large pillow and pillowcase, super-soft woven blanket with satin trim and a specially developed luxury duvet – the experience is undoubtedly at its best when it comes to sleeping onboard.

The seats extend into a 183cm (6ft) fully flat bed with a fully adjustable headrest that offers lumbar support and it is both spacious and comfortable for sleeping and relaxing while watching a British film or TV show.

You’ll find the window seats on the Boeing 787-9 are

the best if you can score one, given the extra privacy away from the aisle, especially in the small Business Class cabin behind First, which is in rows six and seven.

For freshening up, The White Company amenity kits also impress and they contain products from the retailer’s ‘Restore and Relax Spa Collection’, as well as a super-soft jersey eye-mask, offering a further touch of luxury in the sky.

While sleep is undoubtedly the greatest reason many travellers fly in Business Class, British Airways also comes to the fore when it comes to inflight dining, something that was also elevated in 2017 and continues to impress.

Meals, on flights from Sydney to Singapore for example, feature a starter, main course, cheese and dessert and some top dishes include roasted barbecue pork, seared salmon fillet, pappardelle pasta and on the sweet side, white chocolate and passionfruit cake and a selection or brie, cheddar and more.

When it comes to beverages, British Airways is renowned for its wine lists and on long-haul Club World flights expect Canard-Duchene Champagne, and white and red wines from across the globe, spanning Chile, South Africa, the USA and Portugal on current flights.

Some wines to be enjoyed include the DeMorgenzon Chardonnay from Stellenbosch in South Africa, the Chateau Ste Michele Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State in the USA and Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

With your meal, you’ll want to enjoy a good TV show or film and onboard the ‘High Life’ entertainment offering expect fantastic shows and movies like a box set of Yellowstone’s 1883, alongside new release flicks and British Classics such as Downton Abbey.

Before and after flights to and from London, those flying in Club World will have access to the Galleries Lounges and the Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5,

which means fantastic pre-flight dining or freshening up in one of the only arrivals lounges offered by any airline in the world.

Headlining the global network, British Airways has also just opened-up several new lounges inside Terminal 8 at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport in partnership with American Airlines and also offers a comfortable lounge at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Remember not to fill-up before departure though, because the inflight dining is exceptional.

Having flown the Club World offering over a dozen times since the late-2017 enhancements, it’s impressive that British Airways continues to improve the cabin, even as the Club Suite continues to roll-out.

The Club World offers fantastic value and thanks to the Great British service on offer, it is always a great way to fly.

We are very impressed with what British Airways has to offer in Club World and can’t wait to experience the elevated Club Suite product in the future.

JOIN THE EXECUTIVE CLUB

Those flying on British Airways in Club World should consider joining the carrier’s Executive Club program, which was recently re-introduced in Australia.

You can collect Avios when you fly with British Airways and oneworld airline partners, book a selected hotel and car hire; or take a holiday, hotel stay or car rental with British Airways Holidays.

With a return flight from Sydney to London in the Club World business cabin, you will earn enough Executive Club Tier Points for a Bronze membership and enough Avios for a reward flight from Sydney to Auckland with the carrier’s oneworld airline partners (taxes, fees & carrier charges apply)

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Fiji style

With a kids play area, a locallyinspired à la carte dining menu, showers and wonderful island hospitality, the flagship Fiji Airways Premier Lounge in Nadi makes for one of the best airport experiences in the South Pacific, as James Wilkinson discovers.

At the carrier’s home base of Nadi International Airport, you’ll find the flagship Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, which has consistently impressed since it debuted several years ago.

The experience begins with a smile from the staff at the desk, then a live greenery wall which forms the backdrop of the main seating area. On the ceiling above, find constellation lighting which represents the Fijian summer and winter skies.

The lounge features over 200-seats, including a ‘Quiet’ zone, booths, group areas, individual seating and a restaurant and dining room.

There’s also a media room that features a TV with sports and news, plus magazines, alongside a business centre with printing facilities.

Impressively, for those travelling with little ones, there is a ‘Lailai Land’ kids play centre with a qualified nanny and children’s meals are available upon request.

On the food front, there is a locally-inspired a la carte menu, courtesy of Kiwi-Fijian Chef Richard Cross, alongside buffet stations, barista coffee and a full bar with leading Australasian wines on offer.

For those wanting to freshen up between flights, there

are showers that feature premium Pure Fiji amenities. The Fiji Airways Premier Lounge is truly rounded-out by the fantastic Fijian hospitality on offer and overall, it makes for one of the best airport experiences in the South Pacific.

fijiairways.com

Room Key.

The latest hotel news, reviews and interviews from across the world.

Paris’ So hotel sets a chic benchmark

When it comes to hot hotels debuts in the world’s most fashionable city, few have had quite the impact that SO/Paris has had in just a few months.

Here is a 5-star hotel, located on the Seine between Bastille and Marais, that oozes so much style, sophistication and incredible appeal that it won’t be replicated anytime soon.

SO/Paris features 162 elegant rooms and suites that are spread between floors 7-14 in a former government building that dates back to 1966 – the Cité Administrative de Paris – that has been converted into the La Félicité Paris, SullyMorland complex that features a hotel, apartments, coworking spaces, social housing and even a market that sells fresh fish, cheese, produce and much more.

Headlining the new property at the are remarkable views of the city from all hotel rooms and suites, alongside a rooftop bar, restaurant and club, and Paris’ most dashing hotel lobby and staff uniforms courtesy of one of France’s most exciting couture talents, Guillaume Henry, the artistic director of La Maison Patou. all.accor.com

Beverly Wilshire’s stunning new rooms

You’ll find no lines or creases at the legendary Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, with the completion of the multi-milliondollar renovation of all guest rooms, suites and specialty suites.

Designed by the award-winning David Collins Studio, the newly renovated guest rooms, suites and corridors unify the Beverly and Wilshire wings of the Hotel, utilising a refined design and a light colour palette that immediately signals the evolution of the Hotel’s 94-year history.

Subtle modernity, crafted layering and soft hues combined with Beverly Hills chic, and touches of Hollywood glamour with an inspired contemporary twist, create a completely new guest experience, representative of Rodeo Drive luxury.

The refreshed rooms feature custom faceted mirrors and furniture, as well as a calming palette of ivory, silver and grey to complement and reflect the Californian skies and landscape.

Legendary Carlton Cannes joins Regent

IHG Hotels and Resorts has revealed one of France’s most iconic hotels, the Carlton Cannes, will re-open under the Regent Hotels and Resorts brand in Northern Spring 2023 after a two-year multi-million-Euro redevelopment.

The announcement celebrates the longstanding partnership between IHG Hotels and Resorts and Carlton Cannes owner Katara Hospitality, an award-winning Qatar-based global hotel developer and operator with over 50 years of experience in luxury hospitality.

The property will become a flagship property within the new generation of Regent Hotels and Resorts, as the brand returns to reimagine modern luxury once more.

“With a long history of hosting royalty, dignitaries and stars of stage and screen, the Carlton Cannes is one of the world’s most iconic hotels,” said IHG Hotels and Resorts’ EMEAA Regional CEO, Kenneth Macpherson.

“It is an icon of Riviera glamour, and we look forward to working with strategic partner Katara Hospitality to bring the

In a sophisticated nod to the Hollywood Regency period of interior design, luxurious materials are used to signify both opulence and comfort in the form of marble, lacquered and stained timber, as well as mirrored elements, leaving the room layouts feeling balanced and congenial, a sanctuary of comfort.

“This is truly a monumental time for us here at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel,” said the property’s General Manager and Regional Vice President, Peter Humig.

“This reinvention of Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel will create evocative memories and stories for our guests, for years to come.”

With 17 newly renovated room categories to choose from, there is something for everyone when looking to stay at this legendary hotel.

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reimagined Regent experience to life at the Carlton Cannes. This is just the start of our ambition to grow the brand further across Europe.”

Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel will have 332 rooms and 37 branded residences, designed by revered French interior designer Tristan Auer, known for his singular approach, polyhedral aesthetics and exquisite vision with just a touch of irreverence.

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The Langham, Gold Coast’s beachside arrival

The Langham, Gold Coast, has officially celebrated its grand debut of the hotel and all its services in entirety, following opening the doors to its long-awaited plethora of dining and experience destinations.

The Langham, Gold Coast, General Manager, John O’Shea, said the property has now unveiled, T’ang Court, Langham’s signature Michelin-starred destination for fine Cantonese dining, alongside Coral Moon, the region’s newest open-air destination cocktail bar and Chuan Spa, a peaceful, ambient spa offering a range of indulgent, holistic wellness treatments guided by Traditional Chinese practises.

The completion of new additions marks the final pieces of the Langham offering, joining the existing line-up of Akoya, a lunch and dinner dining restaurant overlooking glittering ocean views presenting some of Australia’s finest meat, fish and poultry; Palm Court, the stunning, floral home of the coveted Langham Afternoon Tea featuring delectable savouries and pastries created in-house; Lobby Bar, the hotel’s central spot for a drink with an extensive selection of bubbly, rare wines and Australia’s finest spirits; 26&Sunny, the lively local hotspot for beachside coffee and food; along with the hotel’s outdoor pool and swim-up pool bar, state-of-the-art, ocean-view health club, and kids club.

Lancemore Milawa’s luxurious transformation

Set in the Victorian High Country’s King Valley at the base of the Alpine National Park, framed by endless vistas of vineyards and mountains, Lancemore Milawa is a boutique hotel that reinterprets the vision of a country estate, where barefoot luxury meets the rugged terrain of regional Australia.

Unveiling a multi-million-dollar refurbishment recently, the Lancemore project is helmed by award-winning interior designer Hana Hakim of The Stella Collective, creating an innovative free-flowing design which embraces the region’s distinctive four seasons for which it is renowned: from bright blue skies in the summer to snow-capped mountains in the winter, from the kaleidoscope of colour in the autumn to the spectacular blooming wildflowers in spring.

Drawing inspiration from the local environment, the 40-room boutique hotel is a carefully curated space which will connect to nature and its surrounds, subtly integrating the magic of the area within the design. Indoor and outdoor spaces flow freely regardless of temperature, allowing one to truly

Brought to life by globally renowned Langham Hospitality Group, O’Shea said The Langham, Gold Coast brings “The Langham’s unmatched reputation for timeless elegance and true 5-star opulence to life in the heart of the Gold Coast through its grand 339-room luxury rooms and suites”. langhamhotels.com

interact with the biosphere: the warmth of the sun during the summer and the comfort of fire when it cools.

Lancemore Group CEO, Julian Clark, said the boutique hotel’s transformation has been a long-term strategy and one to cement the location as one of Australia’s premiere destinations for luxury regional travel.

“We wanted to elevate Milawa on the global stage and deliberately sought to work with someone with edge,” he said. “British- born, Syrian Hana Hakim is a designer with global heritage but who calls Australia home, the perfect creative to bring our vision to life, who understood intuitively what we set out to achieve.” lancemore.com.au

The Crest Collection heads for Asia Pacific

The Ascott Limited is bringing its French-born hospitality brand The Crest Collection to Asia Pacific for the first time with the opening of hotels in Singapore, China and Vietnam.

A global portfolio of bespoke hotels and serviced residences, The Crest Collection embraces the heritage stories of its properties and offers curated hospitality experiences, Ascott currently has four of these properties operating in France – La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris, La Clef Louvre Paris, La Clef Tour Eiffel Paris and Chateau Belmont Tours – all of which enjoy a strong average occupancy of over 80%. A fifth French property will be opened in Saint-Germaindes-Prés, Paris in 2026 following the refurbishment of a Citadines hotel.

To date, Ascott has secured eight properties, with over 1,000 units, under The Crest Collection, with more in the pipeline

W Sydney opening date confirmed

Australia’s hottest new lifestyle hotel, W Sydney, is set to finally make its debut in the fourth quarter of 2023.

W Sydney General Manager, Craig Seaward, said the return of the W brand to Australia’s most vibrant, international city will be welcome news to city dwellers, tourists and industry.

Set in the heart of Darling Harbour, he said W Sydney will bring its unique take on modern luxury to the city when it opens its doors in October 2023, igniting the waterfront location with energy, style and creativity as well as an exciting new landmark.

“We are incredibly excited to confirm our opening date for W Sydney in October 2023,” he said.

“There have been delays, but trust me, it will be worth the wait. It’s a luxury hotel with a new perspective, one that not only connects deeply with its host city and its urban setting but is also imbued with a sense of freedom and possibility.

“To cross the threshold of W Sydney will be to enter an exciting new world of creativity, design, culture and connection. We simply can’t wait to welcome our guests.”

Seaward said W Sydney will dazzle the city with its truly original accommodation, restaurant, bars and venues,

spanning key travel destinations such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka and London.

In Singapore, Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay will be refurbished and rebranded to The Robertson House by The Crest Collection. The hotel, which will exude an old-world colonial charm, is slated for launch by the end of this year.

In China, Yuexiu Hotel Guangzhou by The Crest Collection is expected to be in operation by by Q4 2023. The hotel will be designed to honour the longstanding history of Guangzhou and will feature luxurious furnishings and artwork displays.

The Crest Collection in Tay Ho, Hanoi will be part of the largest serviced residence integrated development in Vietnam. When completed ahead of opening in 2024, its architecture will exude the French Indochine glamour. discoverasr.com

conceived and created by award winning interior specialists, Bowler James Brindley.

He said W Sydney’s rooms, suites and ultra-luxe suites will set a new design benchmark for the city. Echoing the curves and lines of W Sydney’s exceptional architecture, no two rooms are the same, embracing their asymmetry with sleek, modern décor. The interior palette is inspired by the marine environment, and highlights are the stunning azure bathrooms and walk-in robes punctuated with contrasting colour and inflorescence, according to Seaward. marriott.com

Manlyʼs beachside makeover

The new-look Manly Pacific hotel,designed in collaboration with Coco Republic, is described as an ‘an ode to the ocean’ offering ‘elevated coastal living’.

It includes a refreshed façade, 213 redesigned rooms, including an exclusive residence known as The Infinity Residence, and nine ocean-facing Coastal Suites, complete with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

It also features a rooftop pool and bar, a sundeck with an infrared sauna, an eclectic new lobby bar known as 55 North, and a conference and events floor.

“At every touch point, we’ve considered the extra level of detail guests now expect from a great hotel experience, with a key focus on sustainability initiatives, such as smarter energy-saving room controls to electric car charging stations,” said Manly Pacific General Manager Dylan Cole.

Across the hotel’s eight floors and spacious hallways, natural light floods in and expansive views of the ocean are offered in return.

The soft and neutral colour palette takes inspiration from the natural beauty of the Northern Beaches as does the tactile organic textures and furnishings, pale bleached woods, and travertine stone accents.

The 177-sqm Infinity Residence is a one-bedroom suite featuring underfloor heating, a fireplace, kitchenette, ensuite with a black freestanding stone bathtub, a living and dining room, and a 100sqm private terrace with ocean views.

Guests are treated to a beach towel personalised with

their initials on arrival, as well as customised pillows, fine linens, freshly cut flowers, LaGaia beauty products and their very own personal Beach Butler.

The Coastal Suites offer a menu of bespoke wellness experiences including access to a Peloton bike (upon request), Peloton classes, a yoga mat, resistance band and yoga block, Leif skincare, LaGaia facemasks, and the option of a motivational or calming playlist with Bluetooth speakers. Every room features fresh foliage, natural stone bathrooms, quality bed linens and a nightly turn-down service, Smart TV with Google Chromecast, Bluetooth speakers and smart room controls, Leif amenities, and a minibar showcasing quality local producers. The rooms are spacious and offer separate entertaining, living and dining areas, balconies, or terraces.

The new lobby bar, 55 North, named in honour of its stellar location, has been designed by Luchetti Krelle and features timber veneers and paved autumnal marble and tiles throughout. The hotel also offers two restaurants on site, Japanese-inspired Tokyo Joe and French dining restaurant, Bistro Manly by Executive Chef Ryan Dawson. Guests can avail of the adjoining Manly Beach Health Club 24 hours a day, and the ‘Beach Club’ concierge team can offer personalised wellness experiences and packages, such as surfing lessons, kayaking, boot camps, beach yoga, facials, massages and cryotherapy.

manlypacific.com.au

The Manly Pacific hotel, a recent addition to the MGallery portfolio, has unveiled the results of a AU$30-million-dollar transformation project after two years in the works.

A world away on your doorstep

Escape to one of the world’s most stunning natural playgrounds right here in Australia.

Surrounded by the spectacular Snowy Mountains, with a host of activities, experiences and boutique accommodation choices, unforgettable memories are waiting to be made.

Debut of the Century

reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza made a stunning debut recently, building up on the hotel’s legacy as a Los Angeles cultural landmark.

Thanks to its luxurious redevelopment, Fairmont Century Plaza pays tribute to its star-studded history while ushering in a new age of glamour, infusing cutting-edge amenities with pioneering guest experiences.

Originally deemed ‘The Hotel of the Future’, famed architect Minoru Yamasaki’s mid-century modern icon returns as the centrepiece of a US$2.5 billion mixed-use development project on 6.14 acres, which includes two 44-story towers with 94,000 square feet of boutique shopping and 268 privately-owned luxury residences.

Fairmont Century Plaza’s 16 floors house an additional 63 privately-owned Fairmont residential units, as well as 400 guestrooms, including 49 suites.

The hotel is home to an impressive collection of art from around the world, including its signature piece, Laura. Sitting on the front drive at 23-feet tall, the serene mesh sculpture was created by internationally celebrated Spanish artist Juame Plensa.

A key ingredient of Fairmont Century Plaza’s vibe is a genuine passion from a world-class team dedicated to transporting guests far beyond the average hotel, dining or spa experience.

International design firm Yabu Pushelberg has transformed the hotel’s design, delivering a modern update to the 1960s nostalgia whilst celebrating Fairmont’s defining quality of grandeur with a Californian twist.

The new Century Plaza returns with almost half the number of guestrooms, allowing for a larger, more luxurious footprint with spacious marble bathrooms and a balcony for every guest room and suite.

Fairmont Gold, the brand’s exclusive hotel-withina-hotel experience, features 70 guest rooms and suites boasting private check-in and checkout; exclusive access to the exquisite Gold Lounge; and dedicated Personal Assistants offering 24/7 concierge service.

Even turn down gets a novel upgrade with The Fairmont Gold Bar Cart, an on-demand martini cart that delivers customized cocktails straight to guests’ doors.

Lumière, crafted by EDG Design, is a traditional French-inspired brasserie that evokes the feeling of being transported to 1920s Paris.

Open for all-day service, Lumière is an inviting

neighbourhood spot that celebrates timeless bohemian glamour with a fresh West Coast perspective.

Featuring local, seasonal ingredients and refined dishes, brasserie favourites include French onion soup, steak frites, seafood towers and magnums of Champagne.

The Bar at Century Plaza is the pièce de résistance of the hotel’s show stopping lobby, surrounded by a living green wall, floating fireplace and water feature.

The lobby also features floor-to-ceiling windows that retract into the floor, creating a gorgeous open space filled with natural light and fresh air.

The daring yet approachable menu serves classic cocktails, creative and technique-driven libations, and globally inspired dishes.

As a showpiece of the hotel, Fairmont Spa Century Plaza is reinventing wellness culture with offerings designed to unite ancient modalities of movement with state-of-theart technologies.

Through its doors lie nine treatment rooms designed by Yabu Pushelberg, experiential rain showers, sanariums, aromatherapy steam rooms, a hammam, and a Himalayan salt room.

Then there’s the Rooftop Pool, which offers stunning views of Los Angeles, including the Pacific Ocean, the Getty Museum, and the Hollywood Hills.

You can’t miss visiting the Pool Bar, which features whimsical beverages with Southern California flair that can be enjoyed poolside or in one of the nearby cabanas.

all.accor.com

GETTING TO LOS ANGELES

Wayfarer recommends flying to Los Angeles in Delta brilliant Delta One Suite, which was first unveiled in 2017 and has quickly become one of the best Business Class cabins in the sky. In the stunning cabin, expect sliding doors for privacy, fully-flatbed seats that are wide at 24-inches and recline to 81-inches, hundreds of hours of entertainment, delicious food and wine, stylish amenity kits, brilliant service and a turn down service that means you’ll arrive in Los Angeles refreshed for the day ahead. delta.com

The

Outrigger’s spectacular Hawai’i Island arrival

The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is one of the Hawaiian-based hotel chain’s newest additions and one of its most spectacular as James Wilkinson discovers.

Perched above the lava-rock cliffs of Keauhou Bay on the lush southern end of the Kona coast of Hawai’i Island, the 22-acre Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, where graceful manta rays swim right up to the shoreline and whales breach in the distance.

Each of the rooms at the property offer a private, spacious lanai (balcony) overlooking either the Keauhou Bay cliffs and ocean, or the hotel grounds.

Wayfarer recommends upgrading to a Club Room, where you’ll have access to the Voyager 47 Club Lounge that overlooks the cliffs of Keauhou and offers a continental breakfast and evening pupus (small plates) served with wine and beer.

The property also features a large, lagoon-style pool complete with a water slide, kids club, wedding chapel, several restaurants and bars, a day spa, cultural tours and the Feast and Fire Luau, which is one of the most spectacular evening events in all of Hawaii.

Alongside amazing viewing, the turquoise waters surrounding the resort are home to one of the only places in the world where people can consistently swim with manta rays.

For those looking to host events at the property, Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa also features four indoor meeting venues, including a 10,000 square-foot convention center, the largest on the Kona Coast.

Outrigger Hospitality Group President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner, said the addition of Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa comes at an exciting time of growth for the business.

“Outrigger is uniquely positioned to steward this exquisite oceanfront property; with seven decades of leadership in Hawaii’s hospitality industry, we have a pulse on this market and look forward to sharing the legacy of this remarkable place in a responsible and sustainable manner,” he said.

Wagoner said the addition is directly aligned with Outrigger’s strategic business plan to expand its presence in Hawaii and beyond, furthering its mission to be the ‘Premier Beach Resort Brand in the World’.

outrigger.com

GETTING TO KONA

Hawaiian Airlines flies to Honolulu and onto Kona from Sydney, Auckland and across the mainland United States. Hawaiian’s brilliant onboard experience includes a stylish Business Class cabin and more Extra Comfort seats on the widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. In Business Class, you’ find flatbed seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration, that fold down into 180-degree beds that are 20.5 inches wide by 76 inches long. Also expect a Mai Tai on arrival (and during the flight), a Hawaiian-styled meal service and after dinner, a sleeper service on the overnight flight to Honolulu that features pink duvets and pillows, and new amenity kits. hawaiianairlines.com

California cool

When it first debuted in mid-2019, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel quickly became one of the hottest hotels in Los Angeles and thanks to its brilliant style and hospitality, it’s remained incredibly popular since.

Over the past six years, the Proper Hotels brand has been setting benchmarks in the United States accommodation scene, particularly with its properties in California, headlined by one of our favourites in Santa Monica.

A Design Hotels member property, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel is firmly an architectural wonder just seven blocks from the crashing waves of the ocean, spanning two stylistically disparate buildings linked by an artfully crafted bridge.

With interior design by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel is a lesson in restrained elegance—think nature-inspired palettes, light hardwood floors, and organic textures augmented by artworks from emerging local artists.

The exquisitely pared-down aesthetics provide the stylish backdrop to the neighbourhood’s only indooroutdoor rooftop playground, complete with pool, cabanas, restaurant and bar.

Located at 700 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica’s downtown core, the property is housed across two buildings that present contrasting styles; one is a 1928-built Spanish Colonial Revival landmark building and the other is a sleek, contemporary new-build.

Linked by a suspended bridge, the resulting structure not only stands as a striking architectural standpoint in the neighbourhood but also optimises the ocean breezes and abundant Californian sunlight.

The rich Moorish detailing and Art Deco ornamentation of the older building have been conserved and updated, while the sweeping new build is monolithic in nature, creating a soothing palette for the multi-faceted design.

Santa Monica Proper’s interior design finds inspiration in the tones and textures of the neighbourhood’s famed Pacific coastline.

A neutral colour palette is heightened by bold patterns and silhouettes, while organic, natural materials such as wood and stone provide an experiential element to the aesthetics.

Supporting the hyper-local visual concept, artwork has been sourced from emerging and established Los Angeles based artists such as Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, and Tanya Aguiniga.

“As with the design for all of the Proper properties we were intentional about working with local artists to bring a truly authentic and localised experience to Santa Monica Proper,” said Wearstler.

“Earthy, raw materials, organic textiles and a layering in of art and landscape bring a rich sensory feeling into the hotel.”

Ranging from 325 to 925 square feet, the design of the hotel’s 271 rooms and suites is playful yet placid, layering muted tones and tactile textures with striking geometric shapes.

Informed by the kick-back L.A. lifestyle, the result is one of chic comfort defined by over-sized, statement headboards and an eclectic collection of vintage and modern furniture.

Many guestrooms offer living spaces, while balconies and terraces invite guests to embrace the seemingly endless days of summer. The Garden Terrace King Suites

offer the epitome of outdoor living with expansive terraces featuring an inviting daybed.

The airy, flowing layout of the guestrooms extends to the bathrooms, accessed through a sliding door and outfitted in peach-toned stone. The obsidian-framed windows flood the space in natural daylight and brushed silver and gold accents add a touch of discreet elegance.

Santa Monica Proper’s crowning glory is the sweeping rooftop deck and pool, complete with a sleek pool, poolside cabanas, and a restaurant with beach-inspired bar.

Located on the 7th floor, the rooftop is the perfect perch from which to take in the Westside’s spectacular sunsets, naturally accompanied by a meticulously crafted sundowner. Calabra, the rooftop’s striking inside-out bistro and bar, pairs ocean views with Mediterranean and Californian inspired cuisine and exceptional cocktails from the talented team of mixologists.

Where the hotel also excels is on the wellness front. Presided over by internationally renowned Ayurvedic guru Martha Soffer, the hotel’s Surya Spa offers customdesigned programs supporting physical and mental health.

Traditional massage therapies and treatments sit alongside yoga, meditation, and cooking sessions to ensure corporal and spiritual wellness.

The Santa Monica Proper Hotel has been one of Wayfarer’s favourite hotels since its debut and it’s no surprise it continues to be the toast of L.A.’s westside.

properhotels.com

GETTING TO LOS ANGELES

Wayfarer recommends flying to Los Angeles on Air New Zealand, which offers daily flights to the City of Angels from Auckland, with connections available from across Australia, the South Pacific and Asia. Flights are operated by Air New Zealand’s Boing 777-300ER and the flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features three cabins, Economy, Premium Economy and up the front, Business Premier, headlined by flatbed seats (featuring mattress toppers and large pillows for overnight flights), fantastic food and wine, thousands of hours’ entertainment and brilliant Kiwi hospitality. airnz.com

Accor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin

Legend of Paris

Over the past decade, Accor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin has become one of the hotel industry’s most exciting and charismatic leaders. He has taken the company from 13 brands in 2013 to more than 40 today, and in the process created one of the most exciting portfolios the sector has ever seen. Now, he is targeting future guests, one cool neighbourhood at a time, and finding ways for owners to get better returns than ever before. James Wilkinson reports from Paris.

SO/Paris and (left) Sébastien Bazin

Stylish stay: Sofitel Queenstown

Walking into Sébastien Bazin’s office at Accor’s global headquarters in the Paris neighbourhood of Issy-les-Moulineaux is like standing in the lobby of a flagship Mondrian or SO/ hotel. There’s the motorbike and edgy, stylish furniture and wallpaper, and views across Paris and along the Seine.

It’s an appropriate setting for the Chairman and CEO of a hotel chain who has transformed a business from a midscale and upmarket player into a luxury and lifestyle leader since he took the reins of the business in 2013.

Let’s wind the clock back to 2013 and Accor had significant strength across Europe and Asia-Pacific with its ibis, Mercure, MGallery, Novotel and Sofitel brands, with the latter having flagship properties across the world from Sydney to Los Angeles and New York to Fiji.

What a difference a decade makes and under Bazin’s leadership, Accor has acquired businesses like FRHI (Fairmont, Raffles, Swissôtel), Mantra Group, taken shareholdings in hot brands like Faena, Mama Shelter, 25hours, Tribe, 21C Museum Hotels, and formed a joint venture with Ennismore – owners of The Hoxton – to create the world’s most exciting lifestyle hospitality company.

It’s a transformation of epic proportions and alongside being a traditional hotelier in many ways – by offering comfortable lodging, quality food and beverage, event spaces and more – Bazin is continuing to push Accor to always be a leader and not a follower.

Let’s take co-working and co-mingling in hotels for example, something two of Accor’s hottest brands Mama Shelter and The Hoxton do brilliantly well. They are helping attract future Accor customers and Bazin knows how much future revenue it can potentially generate.

“Something which has been very interesting for me is how the pandemic accelerated two trends which we made a big bet on six years ago,” he told Wayfarer

“One is, could you co-mingle the local community with travellers within the same site? And of course, this started with Hoxton and Mama Shelter 15 years ago.

“It’s not only worked because that’s what people want, including owners, because if they’re going to have half of their revenues from non-hotel revenues, that is a big buffer against a possible slowdown in travel, which I don’t really expect.

“The second trend, which of course is accelerating is working remotely and we’ve never seen so many people in the CBD or downtown Accor hotels coming as a repeat guest twice a week and spending two or five hours and being in the lobby and being welcomed with their own computer and working.

“The master at it is The Hoxton, which is very, very good in having students for a third of the crowd and not paying guests.

“They don’t wait for them to even have a coffee. But they’re young, they’re nice. The only thing we do is ask them to leave at 12:15pm and they come back at 2:30pm. So that’s fine. That table is occupied by a paying guest and they do that very nicely. It’s kind of fun to watch, actually.

“Then the [lobby] all day is occupied by people. Those working remotely come five minutes by foot or by bike, so they really live in the vicinity.

“If we can continue really welcoming the non-travellers, then the travellers will pick that hotel because that is a trendy and nice place in town. So, with Ennismore, I’ve just never seen numbers like this.”

The next level of co-working is of course members clubs and a number of properties and chains globally have been following the success of Soho House with their own programs, including the ‘new’ Mondrian Shoreditch, which still features The Curtain Club, something that was launched when the hotel originally opened under Michael Achenbaum’s Gansevoort Hotel

Mama Shelter’s shared spaces are popular with guests

Group, prior to The Curtain’s takeover by Ennismore.

Bazin said there is firmly room for more members clubs around the world, but acknowledged it needs to be done well.

“The answer is yes [there is potential], but it’s a big but,” he said. “It has to be conceived at the time you build a hotel because people will pay you for membership if they have exclusive space and dedicated space.

“You cannot begin thinking about it by trying to reconfigure existing spaces, it doesn’t work. So, the Shoreditch Mondrian was meant to be that way. And, of course, Soho House are doing it built for this purpose.

“Can you [put them in] probably 5% of Accor hotels? Yeah, you can find a space, but probably no more than 10%.”

Bazin said the future is around maximising existing spaces, including co-working, across Accor’s portfolio, whether the property is a Novotel, Sofitel or under one of the lifestyle brands.

“It’s super easy,” he said. “We are not talking about converting rooms into offices. It has some traction in nonCBD areas or non-capital cities and [instead] in tertiary cities. But that’s not it. That’s not the game.

“The game is ‘can you have a better use of public spaces at a greater number of hours between 8am and 8pm?’

“You know, 90% of that space has been only occupied or non-utilised [at hotels] for the last 40 years.

“And people coming to work, they’re not fussy about it. They’re very happy to sit down on the sofa. You have to rethink the furniture, but that’s about it.”

As Bazin said, the opportunity is about hotels further cementing their place in the local community and finding more opportunities to bring the locals in and in turn, turning them into future clients for Accor.

“When you think about it, it is a 180-degree change of paradigm in terms of the way you see and you act for 40 years and the only thing we’ve been thinking of are the travellers. We did not even pay attention to the local community.

“It’s been 10 years now where all of that has been shifting and I think some people do it better than others. Because it is not part of the DNA of many commercial people in any big chain. Those customers are repeat, loyal and don’t go through any OTAs,” he said.

Since Bazin has been at the helm of Accor, there has also been a noticeable shift in the level of food and beverage across the company, which continues to get better.

Thanks to the company’s partnership with leading gastronomy and party business Paris Society, things could really shake-up across the company, particularly in the mid-market and upmarket segments if Bazin gets his wish.

“It is true we have done [great F&B] for the luxury and lifestyle segments,” he told Wayfarer. “Did we really make it for Novotel, Mercure and ibis? Not yet.

“We tried so many different recipes and it’s much better than it was, but it’s not yet where I want it to be.

“What I’m dreaming about, and I don’t know how feasible it is, is asking Ennismore, which has 20 different restaurant IPs that they own, and Paris Society, which is the best ever operator here in Paris with 22 restaurants and nightclubs and their own IP, to put together a team and within those 40 concepts, probably half of them would work into a Novotel, Mercure or an ibis.

“So, can we really import the savoir faire to the legacy brands of Accor? Clearly, it’s doable, but I need my GMs to endorse it. And of course, there’s always some resistance factor, but that’s okay,” Bazin said.

In Australia, some of Accor’s owners have raised the bar with food and beverage, like the Oscars Group, who have transformed Novotel Wollongong into the South Coast’s hottest food and beverage driven hotel, and in New Zealand, CP Group’s passion for fantastic bars and restaurants in Auckland.

The challenge is firmly globally after so much success locally and no surprise some of Accor’s hotels continue to set benchmarks globally.

All aboard the Orient Express and (left) Mondrian Shoreditch in London

“This company is probably easier to run and more daring than ever. I’ve been daring, but I’m not alone anymore.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor

Fairmont Century Plaza

Bazin said the team in Pacific have certainly been at the forefront of helping the company adapt and grow. They have been embracing new brands like Mondrian, Hyde, JO&JOE and Mama Shelter and signing new deals and taking ideas like co-working and food and beverage from the best in the business.

Having teams across the world like those in the Pacific, led by the talented CEO Sarah Derry and her exceptional leadership, has made Bazin’s job easier, he told Wayfarer, as the company has continued to adapt under his tenure.

“This company is probably easier to run and more daring than ever. I’ve been daring, but I’m not alone anymore,” he said.

“We have been transforming every two years and I probably need to pause a bit, but I cannot as this company should continue to transform.

“We went from ‘get light’, which is the asset light model, to ‘get broad’, which is all the acquisitions of brands from 13 [when I started] to more than 40 today, to ‘get fit’, which was a really big 20% labour cost saving during the pandemic, and now it is ‘get focused’.

“I think we are going to have a fifth focus coming for me or my successor, but I don’t know.”

While Accor has had some phenomenal brand growth, Bazin hasn’t ruled out further adding to the incredible portfolio he has built up.

“You’ll see some bolt-on acquisitions,” he told Wayfarer “So, anything between €100 million to €500 million or like we have done with The Hoxton, which was a partnership. But, you’ll see more of those because people will be consolidating a brand within one geography.

“A lot of people are still fragile and probably very much happy to merge or commingle.

“Accor is probably the partner of choice [for brand owners], because our company’s huge respect for different cultures, different brands, DNA and education and because Accor is the best at opening in [places like] Chile, Peru, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, Korea, because we’ve done that as part of our DNA for 50 years.

“You’ve seen that with Tribe, Hyde and JO&JOE in New Zealand and we don’t shock people. We don’t kill what [the brand owners] built and we protect it and it’s the reason we co-mingle together [with brand owners].

“So, with over 40 brands that to do exist, we’ve been really paying attention to those differences, which is the reason why we bond together,” Bazin said.

Over the past decade it has been remarkable to see what Bazin has done with Accor. He partnered with the right brand owners, ones that he found to be a perfect fit, like The Hoxton, Faena, Mama Shelter and 25hours, and has helped them grow with the owners still involved. Bazin also helped launch ALL (Accor Live Limitless) and supercharge it to the world on the front of his favourite sporting team, Paris Saint-Germain, which he was also Chairman of Bazin has an amazing talent for growing and promoting some of the industry’s best staff.

His vision is incredible, his passion is electric and he is a Hotelier the entire industry can be proud to call one of their own.

It should come as no surprise then that this year at the 2022 HM Awards, Bazin received one of the industry’s highest accolades, the Ashley Spencer Service to the Industry Award.

That honour is about recognising someone who has gone above and beyond for the industry and those who work in it. During the pandemic, Bazin helped raise funds for Accor staff across the world with the ALL Heartists fund, he has continued his push for more diversity in the workforce and he has helped champion service in every Accor property.

Bazin truly has become a legendary figure in the accommodation industry over the last decade and like many in the sector, we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.

all.accor.com

GETTING TO KNOW: SÉBASTIEN BAZIN

After five years working in several financial positions in New York, San Francisco and London, Sébastien Bazin was appointed CEO of Hottinguer Rivaud Finances, an investment bank, in 1990, and then CEO of L’Immobilière Hôtelière, a hotel developer in France, in 1992.

In 1997, he moved to Colony Capital, a private real estate investment firm, to head up its European branch and lead several acquisitions, principally in the hospitality sector (Générale des Eaux, Club Méditerranée, Lucien Barrière, Fairmont and Raffles, Buffalo Grill, Château Lascombes, Stadia Consulting and others).

He joined Accor’s Board of Directors in 2005 and, via Colony Capital, became a Paris Saint-Germain shareholder in 2006 and the club’s Chairman in 2009.

In August 2013, he resigned from his duties at Colony Capital and was appointed Chairman and CEO of Accor.

Sébastien is Vice-Chairman of the Gustave Roussy Foundation’s Supervisory Board, and has been a member of GE’s Board of Directors since 2016.

Surfside paradise

Stylish hotel QT Gold Coast has debuted one of Australia’s coolest hotelwithin-a-hotel concepts with the opening of the qtQT cabins, which offer a calming stay at one of the nation’s most popular beaches.

Adestination in its own right, qtQT is a unique open-air sanctuary oozing contemporary coastal cool.

An escape where laid-back flirts with luxe, the six qtQT Cabins each feature a private balcony, set within a tropical green oasis and a golden horizon.

Guests can book one or secure all six cabins exclusively, with each cabin suited for up to two guests or perfect for a solo escape.

Designed for discerning creatures of comfort, the cosy cabins each have their own character; filled with natural textures, earth tones and lavish local linens, creating a welcoming sense of tranquillity.

The inspiration was developed alongside EVT’s longstanding collaborator and award-winning designer, Nic Graham.

qtQT Cabins give guests the choice to either unplug, without the distraction of televisions, or book all six cabins exclusively.

“This is a place for our guests to simply be – whether it’s an unplugged solo escape or couples getaway with guests still accessing all of the designer comforts and culinary creations of QT Gold Coast,” said QT Hotels and Resorts’ Group General Manager, Callum Kennedy.

“At the core of QT’s success is our people strategy and we create unique roles to be able to deliver the recognised QT experience.

“Our Directors of Chaos have always made an impact, for this experience we have created the ‘Curator of Sunshine’ role to collaborate with the best local partners to truly personalise each experience.”

“This new space can also be booked exclusively for groups. We have created lush landscapes for weddings full of wonder, to off-beat corporate retreats.

“Meditate, celebrate, and everything in between. Checking into qtQT means you can delight in disconnecting from the world or lean into all the Coast has to offer.

“The combination of the new qtQT cabins alongside our recently completed QT Gold Coast upgrade takes the entire

experience to a new level,” he said.

Guests can make their stay even more unique with individualised Curated Experiences.

These experiences are bespoke activities organised by qtQT’s Curator of Sunshine, a dedicated concierge to curate unforgettable stays.

From elevated feasting on The Terrace, an al fresco dining area, followed by star gazing by the firepit or bespoke local bucket list dreams made a reality.

The QT brand is part of the EVT portfolio and the new qtQT Cabins concept has been one of the company’s most exciting projects to date.

“At EVT, part of our property strategy is to innovate to commercialise under-utilised spaces and we refer to this as ‘maximising our assets’”, said EVT CEO, Jane Hastings. “When designing the overall QT Gold Coast upgrade, we identified a previously un-used lower-level rooftop.

“We had been exploring the world of tiny accommodation and standing there as the sun set, we knew this would be the perfect location to trial our interpretation of this experience, the QT way.

“The cabins are low-key coastal cool, designed for the modern traveller, exclusive group stays or an innovative event option,” she said.

The qtQT Cabins are also doing their part to support the local communities and the Gold Coast’s artisan producers. They are loaded up with a carefully curated collection of luxe neighbourhood amenities, including linen and robes from I Love Linen (Burleigh), Saya Skincare amenities (Noosa), Harvest Clay ceramics (Gold Coast) and Drift Candles (Currumbin).

Whether it’s pamper pad, harmonious hut, love shack, kick back, all of the above, and then a little more, these new qtQT Cabins sure are an experience for everything unforgettable.

qtqtgoldcoast.com

“The cabins are low-key coastal cool, designed for the modern traveller, exclusive group stays or an innovative event option.”

Jane Hastings, CEO, EVT

Club style in New York

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue is upping the ante when it comes to luxury style, thanks to the recent opening of a new club lounge that’s firmly elevating the guest experience.

The Langham Club is located on the 4th floor, overlooking Fifth Avenue, and serves to provide guests with an exclusive space complete with all the modern conveniences and attentive service for with which The Langham is synonymous, according to the property’s Managing Director, Richard Bussiere.

“We strive every day to create the ultimate luxury experience for our guests,” he said. “The addition of The Langham Club rounds out that effort in the best possible way, with the creation of a literal next level of luxury for our guests.”

Guests who book Executive Club Rooms, Executive Club Rooms with Kitchen, Junior Suite with Empire State View,

One Bedroom Empire State View Suite, a Penthouse or the Presidential Suite will automatically receive access to The Langham Club as part of their stay.

Guests in any other room type can add The Langham Club experience to their stay for US$175 per person per day (during high season) and US$150 per person (during low season).

Children ages 10-17 can access The Langham Club for $75 USD per day; children under nine years old can access the Club for free.

Bussiere said all guests of The Langham Club will be able to experience a wide range of privileges, including allday refreshments featuring culinary presentations from the talented culinary team at The Langham, New York;

premium bar service; access to a private haven for meeting and relaxing throughout the day; and complimentary pressing of up to three clothing items upon arrival.

Designed by Richmond International, the same firm responsible for the recent renovation of The Langham, Boston and The Langham, London, as well as for the interiors at The Langham, Chicago, The Langham Club features luxe interiors reminiscent of a private members only club.

Signature elements include plush couches and hidden nooks for reading and working; a private library complete with The Langham’s signature Writer’s Corner, a nod to the literary history of the brand’s flagship hotel in London; and ample space for dining and drinking throughout the day.

Upon entry, guests are greeted with a residentially inspired area with a fireplace and an informal check-in area tucked into a corner for discreet, personalised service. The whole area is ensconced in warm timber, reminiscent of the woodwork found throughout the hotel’s guest rooms.

Bussiere said the large central buffet station offers a “mouthwatering display of individually presented viennoiserie and baked treats, flanked either side by a hot food display station and a drinks station”.

Decorative screens, these inspired by the location’s grand towers, anchor this space, while allowing views through to the lounge and dining area.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE LANGHAM NEW YORK, FIFTH AVENUE

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue is centrally located at 400 Fifth Avenue, between 36th and 37th Streets. Its 234 guest rooms and suites are some of the largest in the city and The Langham boasts a residentially-inspired aesthetic, topped off by a multi-million dollar permanent art collection featuring the works of Alex Katz and two luxurious penthouses designed by French retailer Roche Bobois, who also designed the hotel’s Presidential Suite.

Ai Fiori, the Michelin-starred restaurant from the famed Altamarea Group occupies the 2nd floor of the hotel, and its Sky Terrace outdoor restaurant is on the 11th floor, boasting menus of classic and modern Riviera-inspired cuisine, an award-winning wine list and innovative cocktails.

The Langham also has the capabilities to host meetings, events and social gatherings of all sizes in The Gallery at The Langham, a full floor of function space on the hotel’s third floor.

langhamhotels.com

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

United Airlines flies daily to New York’s major airports (Newark, La Guardia and John F Kennedy) from across the globe, with many aircraft featuring the airline’s brilliant Polaris Business Class suite. Each United Polaris Business Class suite-like pod (available on selected Boeing 777, 787 and 767 aircraft) features direct access to the aisle, a 180-degree flat-bed that measures 6’6” and 23 inches wide with infinite seat recline options and one-touch lumbar support, ample storage, multiple surfaces that enable passengers to dine while working, universal A/C power as well as 2-USB ports, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen, electronic privacy dividers for seats in the center of the cabin, mood lighting and an illuminated ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. united.com

Appetite.

Hot tables, bars and drinks

brands from across the world.

Bar Albert’s sky-high Auckland arrival

New Zealand’s hotly anticipated highest rooftop bar, perched on the 38th floor of Auckland’s newest lifestyle hotel voco Auckland City Centre, has opened for business.

Bar Albert is Auckland’s hottest new destination for sky-high gatherings and glamour with its Art-Deco inspired décor, openair deck, private event space and towering views across the city’s icons, Waitemata Harbour and Waitakere Rangers.

Presenting a locally inspired food and beverage offering, signature gins and seasonal cocktails are themed by Auckland

Street names, including Eden Crescent, Napier Street, Chancery Street and Market Place.

Wine lovers can feel good about sipping a local wine produced less than 50km away from Waiheke’s Man O War or Kumeu River Wines, among other New Zealand and international varieties. Continuing the local flavour, Matakana’s Sawmill Brewery features on tap, while East Imperial Tonics are on hand for alcohol-free tipples. baralbertauckland.com

Qantas adds new lounges, upgrades Business flagships

Qantas is set to significantly enhance its network of lounges in Australia and overseas, “elevating the pre-flight and transit travel experience for customers to a new level of luxury at key destinations”, according to CEO Alan Joyce.

The move from Qantas is part of the carrier’s commitment to consistently upgrading its travel offering and the $100-million investment features four brand new lounges, including a new flagship First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport, and an extensive upgrade program of existing international and domestic lounges.

Internationally, Qantas will open a new First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2025 in time for the new ‘Project Sunrise’ direct services from Sydney and re-opening a refreshed Hong Kong International Lounge, this year.

The carrier will also undertake a complete refurbishment and expansion of International Business Lounge in Sydney, open an updated and expanded International Business Lounge in Melbourne, build a new Hobart Qantas Club and open a new Broome Regional Lounge with double the seats. qantas.com

The Langham, Sydney’s new pastry delight

Award-winning pastry chef and TV personality, Anna Polyviou, has taken up a six-month residency as Executive Pastry Chef at The Langham, Sydney.

Described as the ‘powerhouse of pastry’, Polyviou’s has earned global acclaim having worked with leading chefs at London’s famous Claridge’s and top chocolatier’s Pierre Hermes in Paris.

Among her achievements, she was awarded Dessert of the Year as part of the culinary award of excellence in the UK and has won Hotel Chef at the renowned HM Awards.

“I am over the moon to be joining the Langham, Sydney team, part of a globally recognized brand known for its award-winning culinary expertise and exceptional intuitive service,” Polyviou said.

“Working within the luxury hotels environment has been dear to my heart for many years, and I’m incredibly excited to create bespoke dessert creations to continue the elegance synonymous with The Langham, Sydney and make 2023 a year to remember.”

Polyviou will design desserts for all areas of the hotel including Kitchen’s on Kent interactive dining experience, afternoon tea, in-room dining, special events and activations. langhamhotels.com

Star pastry chef Anna Polyviou is partnering with The Langham, Sydney

British Airways’ masterful wine addition

British Airways has appointed a full-time Master of Wine, Tim Jackson MW, who is set to elevate the carrier’s premium experience for its customers both on the ground and in the air.

The new Master of Wine will play a vital role in selecting and tasting potential new wines, curating menu descriptions, developing the airline’s wider drinks strategy and sourcing a diverse range of wines from across the globe for customers to enjoy.

As well as carefully selecting fine wines and sparkling options, the Master of Wine will also lead the selection of the airline’s drinks portfolio across its lounges and on board.

This includes championing the best of British beers, promoting classic gins and rolling out innovative non-alcoholic alternatives.

A large part of the role will also include a sustained focus on taking into consideration differences in flavours, as well as taste and structure changes of beverages at altitude.

Jackson said: “I’m delighted to be the first person to take this position at British Airways.

“As an avid traveller, I have sampled wine from all corners of the globe, ranging from California to Chile, so I hope my love for travel, together with my experience and knowledge of beverages, will make a positive difference to the premium experience we offer our customers.” ba.com

Cocktail list

Spring fling

It’s Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and it’s an ideal time for long lunches, barbies and picnics. To spice up your next catch-up, here are five of the best cocktails for a Spring fling.

01. CLASSIC DRY MARTINI

Glass: Martini

Ingredients:

50ml Grey Goose Vodka

10ml Martini Extra Dry Vermouth

Dash of Orange Bitters

Lemon Twist

Method: Add Grey Goose, vermouth and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Firm shake and then strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass.

Garnish: Twist of lemon

02. PREMIER CRU NEGRONI

Glass: Rocks

Ingredients:

25ml Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru

25ml Martini Riserva Special Rubino Vermouth

25ml Bitter Liqueur (Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter)

Lemon Twist Olive

Method: In a rocks glass, add cubed ice. Followed by the rest of your liquid ingredients. Stir for adequate dilution.

Garnish: lemon peel twist and an olive

03. PERFECT MARGARITA

Glass: Rocks or Martini

Ingredients:

45ml Patrón Reposado Tequila

30ml Citronge Orange Liqueur

22.5ml Fresh Lime Juice

7.5ml Simple Syrup (to taste)

1 Lime Wheel for Garnish

Method: Combine ingredients in the cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Strain into a salt-rimmed martini or rocks glass.

Garnish: Lime wheel

Method: Pour straight up

Duddell’s takes flight with Cathay Pacific

As part of the airline’s major global reboot, Cathay Pacific has partnered with Michelin-starred, legendary Hong Kong restaurant Duddellʼs to debut some epic local menus in the air as part of a new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ inflight concept.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Customer Experience and Design, Vivian Lo, said both the airline and Duddellʼs are home-grown brands and renowned leaders in the hospitality industry, with the collaboration born out of a passion for food and an appreciation of the cityʼs gastronomic traditions.

She said the promotional menus bring a fresh and curated interpretation of much-loved local specialties, highlighting the commitment of both brands to elevating the food culture of Hong Kong.

“We are very excited to partner with acclaimed restaurant Duddellʼs, which shares our core values of thoughtfully curated dining with warm service, to showcase this new culinary experience for our premium customers,” Lo said.

A stalwart in the Cathay Pacific dining proposition, Lo said ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ not only showcases some of the cityʼs most popular and iconic dishes but through its partnerships also reflects Cathay Pacificʼs aspiration to connect its city to the world through these culinary creations. cathaypacific.com

Vesper Bar’s secret London debut

The Dorchester has debuted the James Bond-inspired Vesper Bar as part of the property’s most comprehensive transformation for over 30 years.

The space formerly housed legendary cocktail institution The Bar at The Dorchester and has been designed by renowned designer Martin Brudnizki.

At Vesper Bar, guests will encounter a bar with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun.

The cocktail menu showcases both timeless and signature cocktails inspired by The Dorchester, curated by award-winning drinks connoisseur and head bartender Lucia Montanelli.

The name, Vesper Bar, honours The Dorchester’s many connections with James Bond throughout the years. Bond author, Ian Fleming, who invented the Vesper Martini, stayed and dined at The Dorchester in the 1940s and throughout his life until he died in 1964 and when William Boyd continued the Bond series with the novel ‘Solo’, Bond wakes up in a suite at The Dorchester on his 45th birthday.

During the 60s and 70s the production company for the James Bond films, EON, had an office at the hotel and throughout the decades The Dorchester has hosted many press junkets for the films and welcomed all six James Bonds, 14 Bond Girls, four M’s and nine Bond villains as guests of the hotel.

dorchestercollection.com

India’s finest

The whisky market in India has been rapidly rising over the past decade and not just on the drinking front, because the quality of production from craft distillers is also going through the roof. James Wilkinson reports.

South Asia is quickly rising the global whisky ranks and leading the way in India is the team from Paul John Distillery in the state of Goa, who have capped off a remarkable 2022 that was highlighted by their ‘Mithuna’ taking a top three gong in Jim Murray’s hugely-influential Whisky Bible.

It was the first time in more than a decade that a South Asian whisky has been recognised in the top three and it shows the calibre of whisky that the Paul John Distillery can produce.

Produced by the Sazerac Company, Mithuna is part of Paul John Distillery’s zodiac series and Mithuna’s predecessor in the zodiac series is Kanya, which was named Asian Whiskey of the Year in the 2018 edition of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible with a score of 96.

Speaking exclusively to Wayfarer, Paul John Distillery Master Distiller, Michael D’Souza, said the latest recognition is a fantastic example of

how far craft distilling has come in South Asia.

“The awards we receive provide great recognition of what we can achieve,” he said. “It also shows how far the dynamics of the global whisky have changed.”

D’Souza, who will soon mark 30 years in the industry, said it’s an exciting time to be producing top quality

whiskies in a country that is seeing the spirits category going sky high.

“Many new whisky clubs have also started up in India at a time when the premium whisky category is rapidly expanding,” he told Wayfarer

Sazerac Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Brown, said he is thrilled to see a whisky from a small producing country like India be recognised globally.

“India is not generally known for its whiskies so we’re incredibly proud and frankly, over the moon with this accolade,” he said.

“To have our whiskeys named the second and third finest whiskeys in the world is astonishing, especially following last year’s three top spots in the Whiskey Bible.

“It is truly a testament of the skill and dedication of not only our Master Distillers Harlen Wheatley at Buffalo Trace Distillery, and Michael D’souza at Paul John Distillery, but to all of our team members at Sazerac.

“We could not be happier and motivated to continue our quest to create the world’s best whiskey,” Brown said.

Considered by whisky industry and connoisseurs as the most eye-catching podium entry of Jim Murray’s 2021 Whisky Bible – which typically features a litany of American and Scottish whiskies – Mithuna took third finest honours in the 2021 list, positioning the Indian-based Paul John Distillery among the world’s absolute finest.

In describing Mithuna for his 2021 Whiskey Bible, Murray says: “If Mithuna means “Ultimate,” then it is the perfect name. Or maybe Mithuna means “Perfect,” then it is pretty close. It is that very rarest of things. And, if nothing else, announces Paul John Distillery on the world stage of truly great distilleries. This is a whisky to devour…while it devours you.”

The Sazerac Company also produced the 2021 second-place winner Stagg Jr. (128.4 proof) which Murray describes as ‘Spectacularly mindblowing!’ and scored 97.5, Mithuna scored a 97 by Murray.

pauljohnwhisky.com

Paul John Distillery’s Master Distiller, Michael D’Souza

Parisian sensation

Paris is home to some legendary hotels and up the top is Le Meurice, which has played a leading role in films like Midnight in Paris and plays host to celebrities on a daily basis in its stunning rooms and suites alongside leading restaurants Restaurant le Meurice

Alain Ducasse and Restaurant Le Dalí.

Alongside the property’s exceptional rooms and suites, Le Meurice is well known for its culinary offerings, led by executive chef, Amaury Bouhours and to find out about his passion for authentic flavours and contemporary French gastronomy, Wayfarer caught up with him in Paris recently.

Amaury, tell us about your stellar career to date. Following my studies in the Soissons Hospitality College, I got an internship at the Louis XV – Alain Ducasse in Monaco where I first confronted with Alain Ducasse’s cuisine.

I then moved to Paris where I entered the team at the restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée as a commis. During six years I had the chance to work with three different chefs, all in line with Alain Ducasse’s philosophy but with a different personal style and to evoluate in different positions. This was very instructive.

I then was appointed Sous-Chef under Adrien Trouilloud at Lasserre restaurant, a historic restaurant avenue Franklin Roosevelt, at the time when Alain Ducasse was consultant there.

In 2016, I’ve joined the Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse as Deputy Chef under Jocelyn Herland and in 2020 I had the honour to be named Executive Chef for the hotel.

What are your favourite ingredients to use at present?

I love working with squash. It is a very versatile product, you have different varieties with different tastes and you can work them in so many different textures: purée, pickles, roasted, steamed, the possibilities are endless.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

My cooking style is French, modern, seasonal and focused on produce with respectful sourcing.

At Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse, my cooking is natural and pure, really focussing on the ingredients themselves. At Restaurant Le Dalí the relaxed atmosphere is complemented by a short menu and every dish is cooked with excellence in mind.

Amaury, what’s your signature dish?

For me that’s for our guests to decide but I can suggest a few favourites. At Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse, I recommend the barely cooked sea bream, which comes from Noir-Moutier and is so delicate that it’s best enjoyed rare.

At Restaurant Le Dalí, I recommend the pigeon from Flanders. We cook it on the barbecue, which really makes the most of this delicate meat.

What’s your favourite thing about working with Dorchester Collection and Le Meurice?

The team spirit. I can 100 percent relay on and trust my team. This is very important for me, your team is your family away from home – a good vibe and a friendly environment in the kitchen is key for the success.

dorchestercollection.com

GETTING TO PARIS

Wayfarer flew to Paris via London with British Airways. The great British airline flies daily to Paris via London and the author recommends flying in Club World (Business Class), which features flat-bed seats, hundreds of hours’ entertainment on demand, a great selection of wine and some of the best meals in the sky. ba.com

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE.

Guides to some of the world’s hottest destinations, hotels, cars, accessories and much more.

80 Hawaiian delights

Eight of the leading hotels and resorts in Honolulu’s playground of Waikiki

102 New York’s masterpieces We uncover six Manhattan hotels that need to be on your radar

120 Wayfarer Essentials

Leading accessories, hot technology and travel gadgets we like right now

130 Power play

Legendary HarleyDavidson has the ideal motorcycle for novices and fans alike

134 Electric ways How Volvo and Google are partnering up on some epic in-car technology

138

One fine stay Wayfarer checks in to an Atlanta hotel that’s one of the coolest the city has ever seen

Hawaiian delights

Honolulu’s beachside playground of Waikiki is home to some of the best resorts in America that stretch the golden sands from Ala Moana to Diamond Head and thanks to some upgrades and openings, what’s on offer now is the best it has ever been. James Wilkinson checks-in to eight of the top resorts that need to be on your radar for 2023 and beyond.

Halekulani

Luxurious Hawaiian resort Halekulani recently made a stunning debut after a masterful restoration that’s seen Waikiki’s most elegant property elevated to new heights.

The Halekulani, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, re-opened in late 2021 after a wide-ranging restoration of the property’s public spaces, guest rooms and suites, and the result has been nothing short of exceptional.

Halekulani’s unique architecture and exterior aesthetic has been painstakingly preserved, and the historic main building, including its trademark ‘Dickey Roof’.

The hotel’s iconic gatehouse and porte-cochere have been revitalised to further enhance its welcoming aesthetic and spirit of aloha.

Halekulani’s public spaces have also undergone an understated transformation inspired from Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage and encompassing a holistic sense of renewal.

The property’s stunning accommodations have been thoughtfully revitalised and designed, enhancing the property’s signature ‘seven shades of white’ aesthetic philosophy.

Framing dramatic and expansive views of the majestic Pacific Ocean and the verdant, oasis-like grounds of the resort, the overarching theme of nature and blending the sea with the sky will offer a haven of elegance and serenity.

New elements of warmth and texture serve to enrich the design, infusing a sense of harmony and balance throughout. Wooden panels and cabinetry have been incorporated, as well as textured wall coverings and meticulously crafted furnishings to fuse the subtle influences of European, Hawaiian, and Asian cultures.

Headlining the food and beverage offerings, Halekulani’s House Without A Key has long been celebrated as a premier oceanfront destination for live Hawaiian entertainment, traditional hula performances and sunset cocktails.

The indoor-outdoor restaurant has been completely transformed by owners the Halekulani Corporation to complement the sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head and the hotel’s 135-year-old Kiawe Tree, while paying homage to Hawaii’s golden age of travel.

With a dramatic new entry experience adjacent to the sea, House Without A Key now features a new shaded outdoor bar, Earl’s, named in honor of the acclaimed

20th century novelist, Earl Derr Biggers, author of ‘House Without a Key’.

A rare first edition of the 1925 novel will be on display to welcome guests to one of the most famous and desirable settings in the world, while additional enhancements include a state-of-the-art exhibition-style glass kitchen and custom Marra Forni brick oven created in Italy exclusively for Halekulani.

Newly conceived cocktails joining the hotel’s signature Mai Tai include the Yellow Umbrella, with fresh Lilikoi Juice, Coconut Matcha Syrup, Tequila and Mezcal; Coconut Cake Martini, an ode to Halekulani’s world-famous coconut cake; and Sweet Persea, a spirit-free avocado-based cocktail.

The newly reopened venue also offers a nod to the legendary Ernest Hemingway, who honeymooned at Halekulani in 1940 with his bride, acclaimed journalist Marsha Gellhorn. Hemingway – one of the many luminaries who frequented the restaurant – preferred a specific table near the ocean boasting a direct view of Diamond Head.

This table is now be distinguished as ‘Table 97,’ available only by advance reservation and House Without A Key has also reintroduced the classic Daiquiri to the menu, Hemingway’s favorite tropical libation.

Inspired by Hawaii’s indigenous flora and tropical natural beauty, Halekulani’s landscaping has also been renewed and enhanced to evoke a sense of serenity throughout the property, incorporating vivid, colourful hues from flowering plants and foliage to create an even more spectacular surrounding.

The re-design also features Native Hawaiian indigenous and local species, including the King Kalakaua spider lily and extremely rare Dwarf Rainbow Plumeria.

Guests can now find the Halekulani Fine Arts Collection exhibited throughout the property and additionally, Halekulani has also introduced Inspired Living, an innovative and unique selection of specially curated interactive ensuite guest activities and services providing priceless individualised experiences from the world of the hotel’s Halekulani Living arts and culture programs.

halekulani.com

The Laylow

In the heart of Waikiki on Kuhio Avenue and next to the International Marketplace you’ll find The Laylow, an Autograph Collection hotel that’s fast become one of the most popular properties on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands.

It’s no surprise that many of Oahu’s top resorts line the golden sands of Waikiki but a block back on Kuhio Avenue is The Laylow, which continues to stake its claim as one of the best lifestyle hotels on not just Hawaii’s most populous island, but in the entire state.

The Laylow is the only Autograph Collection hotel on the island of Oahu and the 251-room property is known as a secluded oasis that showcases mid-century modern design blended with present-day Hawaii charm.

Each of the guest rooms boast bold, custom-created monstera leaf wallpaper, inspired by vintage bark cloth patterns and while the rooms are playful and fun, they are also spacious and comfortable.

The second-floor lobby is home to The Laylow’s signature award-winning restaurant, Hideout and the open-air dining space features Modern Hapa Hawaiian cuisine, live nightly entertainment and hand-crafted cocktails surrounded by tiki torches and featuring two fire pits.

Adjacent to Hideout is The Laylow’s swimming pool that’s fast become one of the most photographed spaces in Waikiki and while it might not be on the beach, it offers a fantastic place to relax on any stay here.

“The hotel is a showcase for modernist design and handpicked accessories that tell a captivating story of Hawaii’s melting pot of cultures and mid-century Honolulu,” said The Laylow General Manager, Steven Lindburg.

“Works by mid-century modern visionaries inspired the aesthetic of guest rooms and public spaces while Hawaiian furnishings from the period were reinterpreted to give the

hotel a distinct sense of place.”

The Laylow’s quality and style has also had the property taking home a number of awards of late, including most recently by the U.S. News and World Report, which named the property Best Oahu Hotel and Best Oahu Resort for 2023.

“It’s an honour to receive the recognition for best hotel and best resort in Oahu,” Lindburg said. “It’s all thanks to our incredible staff who go above and beyond to ensure each guest has a memorable stay.

“We are committed to continuing to enhance the guest experience and excited to welcome new and returning guests.”

The Laylow is also known for its community partnerships and most recently the property partnered with Kailua resident Rachel Midori to launch its first ever swimsuit collaboration.

“Midori bikinis are some of the highest quality, ethically sourced and most sought-out bikinis in the islands,” Lindburg said.

“The exclusive range features The Laylow’s signature bold monstera leaf print on a perfect pink background. Each piece is sustainable, and skin safe, 50+ UPF, vegan and made to last longer than traditional swimsuit fabric.”

Alongside the stylish rooms, fantastic food and drinks, entertainment and the pool, you’ll also enjoy The Laylow’s location next to the International Marketplace, which has undergone a phenomenal makeover. laylowwaikiki.com

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

For decades, the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort has been one of Oahu’s top properties for Australian and American travellers and now, thanks to an incredible transformation, it has become one of the best hotels in the South Pacific.

Hawaii’s Outrigger Hospitality Group has been busy putting the final touches on a US$80 million transformation of the brand’s flagship property, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, located directly on the golden sands of Waikīkī Beach.

The investment has been transforming the resort into a contemporary beachfront retreat that’s rooted in Hawaiian culture and the makeover has been nothing short of spectacular.

Outrigger Hospitality Group President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner, said the makeover had a focus on wellness and unmatched hospitality, and sophisticated property enhancements have included upscale residential-style rooms and suites, chic poolside experiences and a fully reimagined Kani Ka Pila Grille and stage, the home of Hawaiian music.

“As a premier beach resort brand, we charted a strategic course to enhance Outrigger’s current portfolio and deliver exceptional, authentic experiences for the global traveller,” he said.

“The US$80 million investment at our flagship Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort infuses fresh energy and elegance into this iconic destination that was historically a place of healing and rejuvenation for Hawaiian royalty.”

From the impressive canoe-hale arrival experience lit by traditional fishing-basket lanterns to the artfully appointed accommodations, the resort design emulates an elegant Hawai’i beach house, warmly welcoming guests home.

Expansive resort grounds include three distinct accommodations: the Ocean Tower, the Pacific Tower and the Diamond Head Tower – a five-story oceanfront building

that has been converted into 23 brand-new, spacious rooms and deluxe suites, raising the key count to 658.

Headlining the Pacific Tower is the all-new Voyager 47 Club Lounge and a stunning Coral Reef Penthouse Suite, which has just been launched to major fanfare.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort’s Coral Reef Penthouse Suite offers exactly what you’d want for a fantastic Oahu experience, including an oversized lanai (balcony), kitchen, two King beds, a Queen sofa sleeper and two bathrooms with tubs.

Capping off the experience, the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite also has exclusive access to Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort’s popular Voyager 47 Club Lounge, which offers breakfast and evening cocktails and pupus (appetisers).

Guests also staying in club-level rooms and suites have access to the Voyager 47 Club Lounge, which offers the best seat in the house to start and end the day in style. Make sure you’re here for sunset, because you’ll find yourself in the best spot on Oahu to watch the sun dip into the ocean complete with a Mai Tai in hand.

The ocean-front lounge offers gourmet bites and

beverages, which impress at both breakfast and for the evening pupus service, alongside a bespoke concierge service.

During the makeover, Outrigger also created a strategic footpath called the ‘Ae Kai, which runs the length of the resort and connects the property elements in harmonious balance.

Outrigger’s decades-long connection to the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), as well as the Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai’iloa, is highlighted in the lobby with a 30-foot mural a double-hulled canoe, painted by PVS co-founder and beloved Hawaiian historian, Herb Kāne.

His painting of Hōkūle‘a, the canoe that inspired millions when it sailed around the world using only signs from nature – such as the ocean currents, wind and stars – also hangs proudly in all guestrooms.

The print is part of a thoughtfully curated gallery wall of museum-caliber photos and illustrations depicting ocean navigation and Hawaiian heritage.

“The resort’s rich tradition of celebrating the voyaging canoe and wayfinding, everlasting symbols of exploration and courage, permeate brilliantly throughout the physical

spaces and come to life in family friendly programming at the new cultural activities center – creating a uniquely authentic guest experience,” said Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort General Manager, Markus Krebs.

A novel “Grand Navigator Experience” at the property links a collection of penthouse suites atop the Pacific Tower that are named in honour of Hawai‘i’s esteemed Pwo Navigators. Now for an amazing x-factor in this hotel – travellers can book a single suite or, for a truly remarkable stay, reserve the entire 18th floor when travelling with a group of family or friends.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort most definitely has families in mind with the accommodations on offer, thanks to the introduction of a few dozen larger rooms with three double-beds, ideal for those with kids along for the stay.

When it comes to dining, a new beachfront Monkeypod Kitchen is set to debut during 2023 – the last piece of the remarkable makeover – and it will offer fantastic food and wine alongside stunning views of Diamond Head.

The resort is also home to the Kani Ka Pila Grille, the full-service poolside dining venue, famous for nightly live Hawaiian music by award-winning performers such as Kawika Kahiapo and Bobby Moderow, has been expanded with a larger stage and additional open-air seating.

Slack-key legend Cyril Pahinui bestowed the venue’s name, which means “let’s play music” and evokes the unfettered joys of backyard jam sessions and impromptu hula. The certified Ocean-Friendly restaurant boasts a fresh menu and signature cocktails with locally sourced spirits.

The environmental commitment at the property also continues through the Outrigger ZONE (OZONE) program, a global coral reef conservation initiative that provides enriching experiences for guests that protect the oceans from harm and help them to thrive for generations to come.

outrigger.com

Prince Waikiki

Across from Wayfarer’s favourite American mall, the Ala Moana Center, you’ll find a leading O’ahu hotel that’s headlined by a fantastic infinity pool, spacious suites and one of the best club lounges in Honolulu. Welcome to the Prince Waikiki.

If you love shopping, ocean views, sunsets, spacious suites, infinity pools, club lounges and sushi, Prince Waikiki should be high on your radar when it comes to choosing an O’ahu hotel for your next Hawaii trip. Here is a hotel that is away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach, yet is still positioned perfectly to also lap up some of the area’s best things to do, including shopping at the Ala Moana Center, exploring Downtown and heading off on a sailing charter.

That’s if you want to leave this hotel, because once you uncover Prince Waikiki’s pool lined with cabanas and adjacent club lounge, you’ll find it hard to leave.

Prince Waikiki also boasts some of Oahu’s most stylish guestrooms and spacious suites, which offer floor-toceiling ocean views of the South Pacific, which are most definitely at their best when the sun sets.

“Each of Prince Waikiki’s ocean view hotel rooms and suites embodies the laid-back essence of Oahu, with all the little delights and details that matter,” said Prince Waikiki General Manager, Joshua Hargrove.

“And with views so stunning from the inside, just imagine what awaits a stone’s throw away.”

The hotel is also home to some fantastic eateries, including the signature 100 Sails Restaurant and Bar which serves up an epic buffet you’ll be going for seconds at, alongside Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo off the lobby and the casual poolside Hinana Bar.

In the mornings, head to the Honolulu Coffee Company for a fantastic cup of coffee and those who like to play around, get the team to book you a round at the recently refreshed 27-hole Hawai’i Prince Golf Club.

princewaikiki.com

‘Alohilani Resort

When it comes to the most stylish resorts on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, one of the standouts is the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, which features an infinity pool, cabanas, top restaurants and bars, spacious rooms, suites and a fantastic club lounge.

The ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is located across from the golden sands of Hawaii’s most popular seaside attraction and it’s also home to some of the best hospitality in the United States.

The 839-room ‘Alohilani Resort, named in honour of Queen Lili’uokalani, opened in May 2018 after a spectacular, five-year US$125 million reimagination of the former building and what’s on offer makes it one of the best properties on Oahu.

Headlined by two restaurants by internationally acclaimed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, a 17,000-square-foot seascape pool deck, a captivating 280,000-gallon Oceanarium and a rooftop fitness experience, the ‘Alohilani Resort makes for a fantastic stay for both leisure and business travellers alike.

For those that don’t know the property, they are in for a treat, because the resort, also features one of the best executive lounges in all of Hawaii, the Longboard Club, which includes breakfast and evening culinary delights daily alongside local craft beers and a wine ‘cruvinet’ with 16 varietals.

The property impresses with the art works around the resort and when you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by a custom coral wall sculpture named Makai by famed artist Nina Helms, the signature piece of the reception area that offers a poetic interpretation of the natural coral wonders that lie beneath the ocean’s surface.

After passing by the impressive Oceanarium – expect to pull-up a seat and gaze at the fish with your morning coffee in hand – you’ll head up to your floor to find all

guest rooms and suites have private lanais, and offer expansive ocean, Diamond Head and city views.

An airy, guest room experience is inspired by Oahu’s serene landscape and pairs rich natural materials with a soothing palette of whites and taupes peppered with bursts of blues and greens.

The resort also offers stylish one-bedroom suites with elegant living rooms accented with large-scale black and white photography.

Also set to capture your attention is the seascape pool deck, which features cabanas, loungers, a heated saltwater saltwater infinity pool and a hot tub. The deck is also home to Swell Bar, which offers food and drinks, including some fantastic happy hour concoctions.

Those that like to stay fit on their holiday will want to check out the Island Club and Spa, a fitness and spa experience that includes a state-of-the-art gym on the third floor with a movement studio for daily classes and Fitness on Demand virtual classes.

Enhancing the recreational offerings are two rooftop full-size clay tennis courts, batting cages and training turf, distinct features for a resort in Waikiki Beach.

There’s also yoga and TRX classes overlooking the ocean and three spa treatment rooms, including, a couple’s room for massages, body treatments and facials.

Capping off the ‘Alohilani Resort experience is of course the location, with the sands of Waikiki Beach right across the road and you’re only a short walk away to Diamond Head as well. alohilaniresort.com

Hilton Hawaiian Village

For decades, the Hilton Hawaiian Village has been one of Oahu’s top resorts and thanks to some recent upgrades, it has never looked better.

When you check in to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived at your own private Oahu neighbourhood thanks to the expansive facilities that make it one of the largest resorts anywhere in the world.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village sits next to the widest stretch of Waikiki Beach and is home to five swimming pools, a private saltwater lagoon, several leading bars and restaurants, five hotel towers and the fantastic Waikiki Starlight Luau on the Great Lawn, which showcases delightful island cuisine and culture. One of the best things about staying here is you have so much to do in one resort, led by the stand-up paddling, kayaking and other water activities in the lagoon and the excellent restaurants and bars around the property.

You can experience a range of Hawaii flavours Tropics Bar and Grill, alongside exceptional dining at Bali Oceanfront, the resort’s signature restaurant which is now offering daily breakfast complemented by views overlooking the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. With five towers on the property, expect a range of accommodation options that suit budgets and room configurations for families, couples and business travellers alike.

Wayfarer recommends booking a room in the recently renovated Tapa Collection tower and inside you can expect a spacious layout, furnished balconies, stylish textiles and wall art that honour the Hawaiian culture’s vital connection to the land and sea and the distinctive patterns of tapa.

The renovated guestrooms retain the room category flexibility that Tapa Tower has become known for over the years, including ocean view rooms, junior suites, one-bedroom suites, and Tapa Family Rooms – a unique and spacious room layout with two queen beds and a king bed.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village also offers a range of water adventures available from the resort’s beach concession, Waikiki Beach Activities, including catamaran sails (best to book a sunset cruise), kayaks, stand up paddle board rentals and much more.

For guests that prefer to wind down, Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Mandara Spa offers a range of treatments which incorporate the best island botanicals and expect some of the best massages, facials and more on Oahu.

What truly caps off a fantastic stay at this property is Hilton Hawaiian Village’s legendary Waikiki Starlight Luau, where you’ll enjoy colourful song, dance and cuisine of the Pacific on the Great Lawn. It’s an unmissable experience and one you should do no matter if you’re stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village or one of the nearby fantastic properties.

hiltonhawaiianvillage.com

The Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber made a spectacular arrival in early-2019 and at the launch, Hawai‘i’s first and only craft hotel set a course to be locally-infused in everything at the property, from music to coffee and art.

What’s been impressive is to have seen how this hotel on Kalakaua Avenue has continued to be a true standout in this popular neighbourhood, particularly thanks to its ‘Beachcomber Originals’, an alliance of extraordinary artisans and tastemakers who contributed to the hotel’s original Waikiki vibes.

From an extreme-surf photographer to a Hawaiian fiber artist and an internationally acclaimed slackkey guitarist, the 12 artists collaborated with Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber to create a one-of-a-kind journey for guests, while sharing their personal inspiration and passion for the Hawaiian culture.

“With its central location, steps to Waikīkī Beach, the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel draws inspiration from local artisans who are integral to the interior design and modern Waikīkī vibe of the craft property,” said Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel General Manager, Edwin Torres.

“The alliance of extraordinary collaborators in the Beachcomber Originals contribute to the hotel’s look, sound and taste to create a one-of-a-kind journey of the senses for its visitors.”

The property’s debut came after an extensive US$35 million modernisation of 498 freshly designed guest rooms, renewed public spaces including the pool deck and two meeting areas, plus an all-new lobby, porte cochere and the introduction of some brilliant food and beverage venues.

“With its thoughtful design, smart technology and bespoke art, the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber encapsulates the past, present and future of Waikīkī,” said Outrigger Hospitality Group’s President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner.

On the food and beverage front, the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber is home to local dining hotspots including the Maui Brewing Co. for pizzas, beers and fun, and the Hawaiian Aroma Caffe, where you’ll find one of the best cups of coffee in all of Oahu.

In the rooms and suites, it’s all about space, style and importantly, technology, including 55-inch flat-screen TVs with the ability to stream from mobile devices and use personal YouTube, Netflix and Hulu accounts.

Thanks to its location on Kalakaua Avenue, the sands of Waikīkī Beach are across the road, while shopping at the reimagined International Market Place can be found right next door. The location is fantastic and as you’d expect from Outrigger, there’s also exceptional hospitality to be had right throughout your stay.

outrigger.com

Halepuna Waikiki

If you haven’t heard of Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani then don’t fret because this stunning boutique hotel made its debut in late-2019 and in tune with the re-opening of the world and it has quickly become one of Oahu’s finest.

Nestled behind its famous sister, the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani has been one of the most exciting debuts on Oahu in recent years and can firmly lay claim to be a true hidden gem in the state of Hawaii.

Developed by the Halekulani Corporation, the 284 room and four suite property made its debut in October 2019 and thanks to its views of the Pacific Ocean from a brilliant infinity pool and the spacious accommodation offerings above, the hotel has quickly become a popular stay for leisure and business guests alike.

The property is situated across the road from its sister property and was designed to embody and reflect the spirit of Halekulani and bring ‘The House of Welcoming Waters’ to life.

New York City-based interior design firm Champalimaud was engaged to design the public spaces, rooms and suites, subtly embracing the ethereal sensibilities of land and water.

The timeless design has been complemented by local artwork sourced in collaboration with the Honolulu Museum of Art.

The property also features the first ever

Halekulani Bakery, which has a locallyinspired menu focused on using indigenous ingredients. Here you can enjoy delectable artisan breads, a contemporary coffee bar with specialty coffees, pastry pairings, savory bites and the delectable Halekulani Coconut Cake.

Halepuna Waikiki General Manager, Julie Arigo, said Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani reflects the same philosophy that Halekulani is acclaimed for, which is to provide each guest with the highest standards of quality and personalised service, while celebrating the indigenous surroundings, culture and aloha spirit of the islands of Hawai’i.

Similar to Halekulani, she said the new property also epitomises design and service that harkens back to the golden age of travel.

“Engaging our guests in the local culture and sincere service is of the utmost importance, from the moment the guests book their stay until the moment we say ‘a hui hou… until we meet again,’” she said.

“We look forward to welcoming guests for their anticipated stay at Waikiki’s exciting new luxury boutique hotel.”

halepuna.com

Spirit of Aloha

When it comes to flying to Honolulu, book a ticket on Hawaiian Airlines where you’ll be emersed in the spirit of Aloha from the moment you step onboard as James Wilkinson discovers.

Hawaiian Airlines flies to Honolulu from Sydney, Auckland and across the mainland United States and the carrier’s brilliant onboard experience includes a stylish Business Class cabin and more Extra Comfort seats on the widebody Airbus A330 aircraft.

In Business Class, you’ find flatbed seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration, that fold down into 180-degree beds that are 20.5 inches wide by 76 inches long.

Also expect a Mai Tai on arrival (and during the flight), a Hawaiian-styled meal service that showcases the state’s top local chefs and after dinner, a sleeper service on the overnight flight to Honolulu that features premium bedding including pink duvets and pillows, alongside amenity kits.

Should you be on a day flight and still want some extra rest, the premium bedding is available on all flights over eight hours in the Business Class cabin.

When it’s time to relax, entertainment at the pointy end comes in the form of large-format iPad tablets that sit on a telescoping arm – something also ideal if you want to watch content on your own device.

Right behind the Business Class cabin, you’ll find the Extra Comfort seats, which offer more legroom, priority services and additional amenities, such as a comfort kit amenity pack and personal electrical power outlets, to make your travel experience on Hawaiian Airlines even better.

It’s an exciting time for Hawaiian Airlines as the United States carrier re-boots its global network, prepares for the delivery of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and focuses its efforts on being more sustainable than ever before.

Hawaiian has also upgraded its Hawaiian Miles program, taken delivery of Airbus A321s, unveiled new services to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and launched free inflight WiFi on selected flights.

When it comes to booking your night flight to Hawaii, take a journey to Honolulu and beyond that gets you in the holiday spirit from start to finish.

hawaiianairlines.com

New York’s masterpieces

New York has firmly come roaring back to life and alongside the rebirth of Broadway musicals, the city’s hotel scene is once again taking the world by storm. In a special report, Wayfarer checks in to six leading boutique, luxury and lifestyle hotels that need to be on your radar.

Park Lane New York

Manhattan’s bustling accommodation scene has a new gem that’s quickly rising the popularity charts, the Park Lane New York hotel, which recently debuted from a stunning, major redevelopment.

The Park Lane New York, led by popular Managing Director Prince A. Sanders, rises 47 stories into the New York skyline and is situated just steps away from Central Park.

Managed by Highgate, a leading hospitality investment and management company, the 47-story property features 610 rooms – nearly half of which provide sweeping park-facing views with the remaining rooms featuring views of the Manhattan skyline.

Entrusted with reawakening the spirit of the iconic hotel, global design agency Yabu Pushelberg embarked on a total redesign of the building, reinvigorating the interiors to create an entirely new space for guests to enjoy – while mindfully restoring the existing architectural details of the historic building, a unique example of legendary Emery Roth and Sons’ trademark post-war style.

Drawing from the hotel’s natural exuberance and the wonders of Central Park’s changing seasons, Park Lane stands as homage to the wonders which lay beside it.

“The arrival of Park Lane marks the newest standout for Highgate – and the next chapter for our company as we continue to add to our lifestyle and luxury portfolio,” said Highgate’s Chief Executive Officer, Arash Azarbarzin.

“We’ve brought together an inimitable cast of collaborators – including the globally acclaimed Yabu Pushelberg and visionary Scott Sartiano – to create an inclusive, one-of-a-kind hospitality experience.

“Joining sister hotels like The Newbury Boston, Modernhaus Soho, Hotel Figueroa, and more, we are very excited to offer the Highgate experience and service at the historic address of Park Lane,” he said.

Complementing the hotel’s rebirth, Scott Sartiano, hospitality magnate and founder of The Sartiano Group

who’s behind Manhattan’s new coveted private members club, Zero Bond – concepted Park Lane’s food and beverage program, providing a modern approach to hotel dining and imbibing.

In partnership with Highgate, Scott and his team offer three unique venues: Rose Lane, an 80-seat lobby bar with an outdoor promenade; Harry’s New York Bar, an intimate restaurant on the hotel’s second floor; and Darling, Central Park South’s only rooftop lounge atop the hotel.

“Perched on the 47th floor, the exclusive cocktail bar will treat guests to the ultimate New York City experience against the backdrop of Manhattan’s sprawling skyline and park,” Sanders said.

Park Lane also offers four unique venues to host events, meetings, and celebrations. Headlined by The Park Room and The Empire Room, the hotel’s 2nd floor is a self-contained environment with 15-foot ceilings, divisible spaces, and natural light – an uncommon find along the park.

“Varied in size and style, guests may revel in any occasion while at Park Lane,” said Sanders.

Located on Central Park South between 5th and 6th Avenues, Sanders said the Park Lane is ideally situated directly across the southeast corner of the park and within immediate walking distance to major attractions, such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, 5th Avenue shopping, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Inspired by Yabu Pushelberg’s whimsical interior design and the wonders of Central Park, independent branding and design agency, Mother Design, brought Park Lane’s new personality to life through an entirely new visual ecosystem.

From a new wordmark and typography that influenced everything from uniforms to wayfinding, seeking to redefine the look and feel of traditional luxury by using bold colors and eclectic textures that invoke a playfulness and accessibility previously foreign to ‘Billionaires’ Row’.

parklanenewyork.com

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Qatar Airways offers daily flights to New York from across the world via Hamad International Airport in Doha, currently named the ‘Best Airport in the World’ by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021. Qatar Airways’ flights feature the carrier’s phenomenal QSuite, which debuted in 2017 has quickly become one of the best Business Class suites the world has ever seen. Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as private cabins for up to four people with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry. qatarairways.com

“The arrival of Park Lane marks the newest standout for Highgate – and the next chapter for our company as we continue to add to our lifestyle and luxury portfolio.”

Arash Azarbarzin, Chief Executive Officer, Highgate

The Carlyle

Award-winning Hotelier Marlene Poynder has had a journey that many would aspire to have. She’s gone from Western Australia to New York City, working with some of the best brands in the business along the way and now she’s at the helm of Rosewood’s legendary Carlyle hotel that’s one of the finest properties ever built. She caught up in New York with James Wilkinson to talk about her journey and much more.

Over the past 30 years, Marlene Poynder has been one of the world’s most acclaimed Hoteliers.

She’s been on a journey that has taken her from Australia to New Zealand, Asia and the United States, including leading the teams at Park Hyatt Sydney, Hilton Queenstown, the Waldorf Astoria Beijing, Conrad New York Downtown and now at one of the world’s finest properties, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, in New York City.

Poynder has been a leader for many and an inspiration for many more, showing how far a career can take you from a quiet suburb in Perth to the bright lights of New York City.

Marlene, congrats on your recent appointment as Managing Director of The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, in New York City. This is a very exciting time for you in your phenomenal career isn’t it?

Yes, it is very exciting, and I’m honoured to be managing this renowned property.

Managing a property as legendary as The Carlyle carries a certain sense of responsibility, given the property has an incredible history.

Absolutely – The Carlyle has such a wonderful, storied history. We are currently celebrating 92 years which is quite a milestone. I am thrilled to have joined the hotel earlier this year and we are already hard at work to maintain The Carlyle’s incredible legacy while also introducing it to a new generation.

What makes The Carlyle so unique in your opinion, from the suites and bars to the fantastic location?

The Carlyle is an extremely special hotel, but it is so much more than a hotel. It is chic and elegant but also eclectic and whimsical at the same time. From your arrival in the intimate Art Deco lobby, you immediately know you are in New York. It’s old-world glamour but never stuffy and has a wonderful nostalgic feeling.

The hotel has just emerged from a three-year long renovation and the beautiful new guest rooms and suites have been very well-received and for the first time in decades, we debuted a new restaurant called Dowling’s at The Carlyle.

It’s been one of the toughest reservations to get in town – the menu features new interpretations of timeless New York favourites and throwback dishes such as Steak Diane, which is flambéed tableside.

Of course, Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle are two iconic locations that should not be missed. And the hotel’s Upper East Side location, just one-block from Central Park, offers the perfect New York experience. And the incredible tenured staff are full of personality and character. They truly feel like “family” to our guests.

As you know, I’m a big fan of Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle, two New York institutions. What makes these venues so special to you?

Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle are truly such beloved institutions here in the city. At Bemelmans, guests can enjoy our famous cocktails and live music while admiring the whimsical murals by famed author and artist Ludwig Bemelmans.

It’s been amazing to see the resurgence that Bemelmans Bar is currently experiencing since reopening after the pandemic… we have had lines to get in the bar for the first time ever in our 75-year history.

It’s become quite the favourite bar with the Instagram younger crowd. And Café Carlyle has been open since 1955 and offers a classic cabaret experience highlighted by murals that were painted by Oscar-winning French Artist, Marcel Vertes.

You’ve had some amazing performances of late in Café Carlyle, including by fellow Australian expatriate Kylie Minogue. Tell us about that.

Yes – Café Carlyle just reopened this past (northern) spring with Isaac Mizrahi kicking the season off for us. We’ve had many great performers this year including the legendary David Foster and Katharine McPhee and author Candace Bushnell.

Kylie Minogue performed a special event in the Café to celebrate the launch of her rose wine – it was so incredible to see her perform on such an intimate stage.

You’ve managed some amazing hotels across the world in your career. How does this role compare in that mix? This role is the cherry on top of the icing on the cake for me. It’s The Carlyle, New York! I am incredibly honoured to be a part of this incredible hotel and its’ continuing journey, leading into her first century.

The location is brilliant. What are some of your favourite things to do in the Upper East Side?

I walk in Central Park every day with my dog, Chief – and there are so many wonderful museums and restaurants on the Upper East Side. One of my favourite Japanese restaurants in Manhattan is directly across the street from the hotel, Kappo Masa on Madison.

There is something for everyone up here from a traditional diner experience to fine dining cuisine. Our concierges are a wonderful source of information.

It is just a short cab ride across the park or leisurely stroll to great cafés and restaurants on the upper West Side. Even Bourke Street Bakery (from Sydney) has a location just a walk across the park.

From the MET to the Guggenheim, we have some of the world’s most renowned museums within walking distance.

The roof top terrace bar at the MET is a wonderful way to experience fabulous views of Central Park and the city skyline whilst enjoying a casual cocktail or beer.

rosewoodhotels.com

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Air New Zealand has launched flights to New York City direct from Auckland, the new flagship route for the airline. The new flights are operated by Air New Zealand’s flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features three cabins, Economy, Premium Economy and up the front, Business Premier, headlined by flatbed seats (featuring mattress toppers and large pillows for overnight flights), fantastic food and wine, thousands of hours’ entertainment and brilliant Kiwi hospitality. airnewzealand.com

“This role is the cherry on top of the icing on the cake for me. It’s The Carlyle, New York!”

Marlene Poynder, Managing Director, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

Marriott has opened the stunning Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, a new hotel that soars 50 stories above the dynamic North of Madison Square Park neighborhood.

Headlining a fantastic new property, The RitzCarlton New York NoaMad’’s 250 guestrooms include 19 suites, with an additional 16 oneand two-bedroom penthouse residences.

The 2,100-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite, located on the hotel’s 37th floor, features breathtaking views of Manhattan, a private wellness room complete with a Peloton bike, separate living and dining areas, media room and 194-square-foot walk-in closet, and service entrance.

The hotel’s food and beverage partnership is truly unique, with all culinary venues and in-room dining helmed by Michelin-starred chef and global citizen José Andrés.

Situated on the ground floor of the hotel, Zaytinya, a play on the Turkish word for olive oil, offers an innovative mezze menu and creative cocktails inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines.

An exciting addition to New York’s nightlife scene, Nubeluz is located on the hotel’s rooftop. It offers sweeping 270-degree views across Manhattan, complemented by an expansive menu of classic and signature cocktails, light bites, and an array of Tablas, where guests can build boards of jamon, queso, and embutidos hailing from Andrés’ native Spain.

Located on the first floor of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, The Lobby Lounge and Bar is an oasis where guests can enjoy a morning pastry and coffee, an

afternoon glass of champagne, or nightcap in the evening. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad offers a wide range of thoughtfully curated amenities designed to complement a highly personalised guest experience.

Guests staying on the Club Level can enjoy access to the signature Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, where they can relax or work while experiencing dedicated concierge service and a variety of culinary offerings throughout the day.

The hotel also features a 6,800-square-foot signature RitzCarlton Spa and Fitness Center, including eight treatment rooms as well as separate sauna and steam rooms.

ritzcarlton.com

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Air New Zealand has launched flights to New York City direct from Auckland, the new flagship route for the airline. The new flights are operated by Air New Zealand’s flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features three cabins, Economy, Premium Economy and up the front, Business Premier, headlined by flatbed seats (featuring mattress toppers and large pillows for overnight flights), fantastic food and wine, thousands of hours’ entertainment and brilliant Kiwi hospitality. airnewzealand.com

ModernHaus SoHo

When it comes to boutique hotels in New York, ModernHaus SoHo continues to one of the coolest properties in town thanks to its epic food and beverage offerings, chic rooms and fantastic location. James Wilkinson sat down with the property’s owner and Director of Thor Equities, Jack Sitt, to find out more.

Down in the heart of SoHo, the former James hotel is at its best as the ModernHaus, with not just the fantastic bars and restaurants the property has been well known for, but some of the most stylish rooms in Lower Manhattan.

Jack, thanks for having us at this fantastic property. What makes ModernHaus one of the most fun and exciting hotels in SoHo?

Living two blocks away from the hotel, I am uniquely in tune with the neighbourhood’s culture. When opening ModernHaus SoHo, the goal was to create a social gathering point – a one stop shop for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

When guests arrive, there’s so much at their fingertips – 11,000 square feet of outdoor space, dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, coffee in our day-to-night lounge, cocktails on the rooftop pool, and a variety of wellness classes.

You have some amazing views from the rooms… it really is quite a different experience than some visitors to New York are used to.

With 10 room categories, ranging from studios to standard queens to corner suites, we have something for everyone –intended length of stay or the purpose of your visit.

All of our rooms throughout the property feature large windows with stunning city views, luxe guest amenities, and an array of vibrant artwork – some even including original pieces from Hans Hartung, Nicolas Party, and Kaws.

The hotel’s crowning jewel, the Gallery Penthouse, is sure to stun guests with 1,300 square feet of open floor plan and views of the Manhattan Bridge and Freedom Tower that look straight out of a postcard.

Jack, the food and beverage on offer is fantastic. Tell us what’s on offer.

We put together a team including Michelin-starred chef George Mendes and veteran restaurateur David Rabin to introduce our signature restaurant Veranda. Housed in

a gorgeous greenhouse-like glass enclosure with a fully retractable roof, the venue expands on the hotel’s indooroutdoor nature – perfect for al fresco dining, which is a rarity in this city.

Jumpin Jacks, our high-end breakfast and cocktail bar is known to many as the living room of the property and offers healthy dishes, pour overs, espressos, macchiatos and lattes. I became consumed by coffee culture over the lockdown – studying the science behind the beans and what makes a good cup. It was important to me that we offer the highest quality available. Jumpin Jacks is the only New York Outpost that offers Cometeer Coffee; a brand made with top-tier beans rare auction lot beans you can’t find anywhere else in the city.

Lastly, Jimmy, the property’s rooftop bar, provides panoramic views and one of the city’s few outdoor pool decks – where guests can spend time enjoy season cocktails and light bites.

The overall idea is to draw our guests in with the beauty of each venue, and keep them coming back for the food and drink.

Your rooftop bar, Jimmy, is still one of the hottest spots even after many years of trading. What makes it so good?

Jimmy has become such a staple of the neighbourhood, and with so much new going on with the hotel, it felt right to preserve a bit of SoHo’s old soul. When visiting, guests can expect the same core layout that made David Rabin’s venue what it is today, but with a new design and refreshed energy including new artwork, furniture, and a top-notch menu.

There are many great things about the hotel. What’s the X-factor in your opinion?

The vision behind ModernHaus SoHo was to create a dialogue between industrial architecture and a refined,

dynamic interior that allows for intimate moments with the city as its backdrop. The hotel’s design, and use of outdoor space, remains the property’s most unique feature.

We drew inspiration from the Bauhaus art movement, the heritage surrounding the neighbourhood, and Philip Johnson’s Glass House, introducing colour and texture to the interiors while prioritising space and bringing the outdoors indoors.

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Book a ticket to New York City in Air Canada’s brilliant Signature Service Business Class, which ensures customers will receive priority service at every stage of the journey, including access to airport concierge services, expedited check-in and security clearance, priority baggage handling and preferential boarding. aircanada.com

The Wall Street Hotel

Australia’s renowned Paspaley family, known across the world for their 100 years of pearling, debuted their first hotel in Lower Manhattan in August 2022 in their former New York office and the property has quickly become one of the hottest boutique hotel debuts the Big Apple has ever seen. James Wilkinson, caught up with the Wall Street Hotel General Manager, David Sandler, to find out more.

If you had walked past the historic Tontine building in lower Manhattan’s Financial District when it was a commercial tower, you’d immediately think it would make for a stylish boutique hotel and that’s exactly what Australia’s renowned Paspaley pearling family have done in creating the Wall Street Hotel. The hotel is home to 180 individually-designed guest rooms and suites, that range in size from generous king rooms to spacious and luxurious multi-bedroom suites, alongside a stylish lobby bar, rooftop ballroom and French Brasserie ‘La Marchande’, which has been commanding excellent reviews since it opened.

David, what makes the Wall Street Hotel one of the city’s hottest new hotels?

The Wall Street Hotel presents a stylish cultural center in the heart of New York City’s Financial District. With 100 years of international trade and travel experience, The Paspaley family – Australia’s renowned pearling family and the property’s ownership group – returns to New York City’s historic pearl trading district with an inaugural hotel. Housed in the landmark Tontine building and blending the best of Manhattan’s brilliance, The Wall Street Hotel softens the edges of an ambitious metropolis, offering guests an elegant and gracious approach to service and hospitality.

What makes the hotel so unique in your opinion?

What makes The Wall Street Hotel stand out is its collection of contemporary Australian Aboriginal art. Each piece in the hotel collection was created in a remote APY art studio, especially for The Wall Street Hotel. Five top-

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Etihad Airways operates daily flights from the carrier’s home in Abu Dhabi – connecting from 63 destinations in 47 countries – to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport with brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world. Wayfarer recommends flying in Business Class, which is in the form of 44 all-new, Business Studio suites, which feature sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. etihad.com

tier artists from the region were invited, as part of the special commission, to create a series of painted works in their signature style to adorn the walls.

Tell us about the stylish rooms and suites on offer.

The 180-room hotel has suites that range from 300 to 800 square feet, from intimate and cozy to spacious. Inspired by classic New York, the interior design has a light, yet saturated palette that evokes a sense of calm and warmth.

The four suites include the Carnegie Suite, Nesbitt Suite, The Great Pearl Suite, and Otto Suite, all providing complimentary WiFi, a custom entertainment system with casting capabilities, and Bang and Olufsen Bluetooth speakers.

David, tell us about the fantastic food and beverage on offer. The Wall Street Hotel’s all-day lobby lounge, Lounge on Pearl, is perfect for after-hour cocktails, a light bite to eat, or a casual coffee.

The double-height space is modern with nostalgic elements throughout and features a rich palette of jewel tones and lush textiles. The sprawling space was designed for casual comfort as well as intimate moments, making it perfect for work or leisure.

When it comes to a classic dining experience, Michelinstar Chef John Fraser leads the team at La Marchande, a French Brasserie within the space.

Combined with Beverage Director’s Amy Racine premier French wine list of rare bottlings, such as grower Champagnes and library Beaujolais, Chef’s modernized take to sultry classics of French cooking gives guests an experience worthwhile.

What’s your x-factor at the hotel?

The Wall Street Hotel offers a Curated Concierge, where the guest experience will feel more personable than ever before.

With exclusive services and carefully selected partnerships, they strive to make every experience personal and memorable for the most discerning travelers and clientele.

Some of the in-room services include a private yoga and pilates trainer, food delivery by Caviar, custom tailoring, nanny services, professional printing, and more. Find out more about this special service here.

thewallsthotel.com

Andaz 5th Avenue

The Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City has been one of the Big Apple’s most popular hotels in recent years, thanks to its fantastic location, spacious rooms and fantasticservice. James Wilkinson caught up with General Manager Scott Mason to find out more.

Over the past 12 months, the already popular Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City has continued to up the ante in with some product enhancements and it has firmly made one of Hyatt’s best American hotels even better.

Scott, the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York has always been one of my favourite hotels in Manhattan. Now, it’s even better with some new additions like Wellness Suites, gym equipment and in-room amenities. Tell us more. We’re always updating our rooms and amenities to meet our guests’ needs. Our new Wellness Suites, for instance, allow guests to maintain their fitness and wellness goals while traveling.

These feature new touches like The Mirror Gym, free weights, a sound bath, aromatherapeutic sleep enhancements, bath salts, and a range of healthy snacks in the mini bar, all to create a holistic experience. Even the beds are unique to these suites – they’re created by a Japanese brand called Airweave, ingeniously made of fishing line, and optimise firmness at various points of your body.

Speaking of wellness, our Fitness Center has also been updated with new equipment like Peloton bikes, a Tonal station, and upgraded cardio machines.

We have also introduced our new line of in-room bath amenities – we partnered with an upscale NYC-based brand called Fellow Barber, who had just launched their new unisex line of hair and body care products. Partnering with a local brand is important to us and adds another personal touch to our guests’ experience.

Tell us about the rooms and suites on offer – some of which have some fantastic balconies and terraces too. Thanks to the high ceilings and oversized windows, our suites are spacious and bright, like an NYC loft apartment space. We offer nine suite categories, ranging from 486 to 1779 square feet, and yes, many have balconies and terraces looking onto 5th Avenue. The Empire Terrace Suite is particularly striking with its wraparound terrace.

What are your other highlights of the property, like your fantastic restaurant, event spaces and pop-up library. The Bar Downstairs is our speakeasy-style restaurant, and our bar team has developed a great list of seasonal drinks and an expanding non-alcoholic offering too.

Our event spaces are very popular with our open kitchen concept, also designed to mimic a NYC-style loft. Our team prepares dishes right in front of you and serves them at kitchen-island type stations. The idea here is to create a less corporate or ballroom setting, and instead invite guests into our ‘home’.

The Courtyard space has been fitted with a retractable roof and new furniture, and next door to that is our newly updated boardroom, which has a new conference table fitted with A/V connectivity points.

Our Lobby Lounge has always been an inviting space –we offer coffee in the mornings and a glass of wine in the evenings. The books in the library nook are supplied by

our partner and neighbour, New York Public Library, right across the street.

And our Fifth Avenue Gallery space has been revived with a new installation by Edward Granger, whose immersive piece is a celebration of New York’s urban jungle. Guests can actually take a piece of this art experience home with them – our key packets feature a little rendition of the work on the cover.

Why does the Andaz 5th Avenue make for a fantastic New York City stay?

Our location is ideal – we’re right by Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, One Vanderbilt, and all the best shopping on 5th Avenue. Being in midtown, we are also in the middle of the business district, which makes for an easy commute for our guests traveling for work.

What are some of your favourite things to do in the local area? Bryant Park, right across the street behind the New York Public Library, is an obvious choice. They have yearround programming and events, from concerts and movie screenings to group yoga sessions. It’s a nice spot to just have a seat and watch the city go by. In the winter, they set up a market with food stands and an ice-skating rink that takes over the main lawn. Quick access to 5th Avenue shopping destinations always makes for a fun pastime.

hyatt.com

GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Etihad Airways operates daily flights from the carrier’s home in Abu Dhabi – connecting from 63 destinations in 47 countries – to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport with brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world. Wayfarer recommends flying in Business Class, which is in the form of 44 all-new, Business Studio suites, which feature sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. etihad.com

Travel Essentials

Must-have accessories

Stuart and Lau’s cary briefcase

Stuart and Lau are a rising star when it comes to stylish bags and luggage and one of our favourite items in their latest collection is the Single Cary briefcase. Ideal as both a day-tripping carry-on or for heading to the office, Stuart and Lau Co-Founder, Matthew Stuart, said the Single Cary briefcase is a stylish winner.

Meet the Nordberg

The Nordberg from dbramante1928 (far right) is a refined document case, handcrafted from luxurious full-grain leather. This elegant, modern, slimline bag features two carry handles and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap. It opens with a two-way zipper to a spacious central compartment featuring considered use storage, including a padded area to protect your 15-inch MacBook. Finished with a zipped rear and front slip pocket for easy access, this timeless document case is a practical choice for business travel. dbramante1928.com

Tech Corner

Top technology for the travelling at home and on the road.

Focal’s inflight winner

Focal’s latest release, the Bathys, are quickly becoming some of the most popular headphones the company has ever released and they’re ideal for some of the world’s longest flights.

For the past 40 years, Focal have produced some of the world’s best headphones and named like Utopia, Stellia, Clear Mg and Celestee and synonymous with amazing quality.

Now the company has released another stunning model, the Bathys, which blend high-fidelity sound with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

Highlighting this stunning debut are features like the latest Bluetooth 5.1 technology and a battery life of over 30 hours when using Bluetooth and Active noise cancelling mode, making them ideal for some of the world’s longest flights, like United’s Sydney-Houston and Air New Zealand’s Auckland-New York.

Bathys headphones make the perfect travel companion to take with you wherever you go.

Compatible with SBC, AAC, Apt-X and Apt-X Adaptive codecs, Bathys provide a broad choice of connectivity modes.

If you are looking for the best possible sound quality, the USB-DAC mode delivers a resolution of up to 24 bits / 192kHz for an uncompromising listening experience, thanks to the DAC and the integrated amplifier in the headphones.

There are two modes of active noise cancellation available: a Silent mode, optimised for trips with high background noise (planes, trains and more) and a Soft mode to aid concentration at home, in the office and more.

In addition, there is a transparency mode which enables you to stay connected to your surroundings.

Its fast-charging feature gives you 5 additional battery hours in 15 minutes of charging, which is absolutely brilliant and a full charge only takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

When it comes to the design, Bathys’ style is inherited from Focal’s open-and closed-back headphones.

The earcup grilles pick up Focal’s design code, with its highly aesthetic curves. Focal’s flame symbol features at the centre of the earcup, incorporating a white backlight system to be activated if desired, for an understated, chic effect, while another standout feature of Bathys is its elegant and timeless Black Silver colourway.

Bathys also incorporates Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants to stay connected at all times, while

they are also compatible with Google Fast Pair for a faster, more intuitive connection.

The headphones are supplied with a Jack cable and a USB-C cable to serve frequent travellers who want to watch films on the plane and the compact, rigid carrying case also means they can be taken anywhere.

addictedtoaudio.com.au

Pixel’s hype time

Google has finally released the Pixel Watch, the company’s first watch built inside and out, and the hype and anticipation has firmly been worth the wait, as James Wilkinson discovers.

Over the past few years since Google first released a Pixel phone, there have been a number of smartwatches that have worked exceptionally well, such as one of our favourites, the exceptional Sunnto 7 from Finland.

So, it comes as no surprise that there was a fair amount of anticipation in the lead-up to the first ever Pixel Watch, which Google first announced back in May at the company’s annual developer conference, Google I/O.

What Google has created with the Pixel Watch is an exceptional smart timepiece that’s functional, easy to use, stylish and affordable.

Thanks to a partnership with Fitbit, it also offers some leading health and fitness features, effectively bringing together all of the things you like about Google and what you get from Fitbit.

Where the Pixel Watch excels is the ease of use when it comes to all of the essentials, such as Google Assistant, Maps, Wallet, Calendar and Gmail. There’s also a 4G LTE model, so you can also take all of that on the go and be able to leave your Pixel Pro at home.

The first thing you’ll notice is the design, of course, and Google has gone for a bold, circular 3D domed glass face which blends seamlessly into the stainless steel body, offering a comfortable, durable and stylish addition to your wrist.

On the durable side, the watch is both water-resistant (up to 50 metres) and scratch-resistant and it was designed by Google to be worn all day.

“Designed with comfort and durability in mind, the Google Pixel Watch is sophisticated for a night out or a business meeting, can endure your activities and workouts, and is pleasant to sleep in,” says Google’s Head of ANZ, Device and Services Business, Rory Charlston.

“Inspired by a classic timepiece, the tactile crown controls on-screen scrolling, accesses shortcuts and initiates the app tray to get you the helpful information you need.

“The side button subtly above the crown opens your most-recently used apps, so favourites are just a click away.

“The unique band attach mechanism – inspired by how a camera lens attaches to a camera body – makes it easy to change bands to transform the overall look of the watch,” he says.

You can switch up the look with 20 different bands –classic or modern in woven, stretch, active and leather styles, with metal coming next year – and the face is fully customisable with 19 offerings and you can set your favourite photos as your watch face with Google Photos.

“Google Pixel Watch is powered with Wear OS by Google (Wear OS 3.5) and delivers the information you need at a glance, making life more convenient and providing help whenever and wherever you need it,” Charlston says. “Interaction is extremely smooth, responsive and easy to use.”

He’s right because the interaction is smooth and responsive, just like what you get with the latest series of

the Pixel Pro smartphones, and thanks to Google Assistant built in, your personalised help on the go is quick and completely hands-free.

One of the best features is you can easily control your smart home devices through the Google Home app or just say ‘Hey, Google’ to your watch to turn on or off the lights, and get notifications from your Nest Doorbell when a person or package is at the door.

The interaction with home control is seamless and absolutely fantastic and with the 4G LTE model, being able to do this without even needing the phone is fantastic.As you’d expect you can also check your notifications from Gmail and Google Calendar, make contactless payments in stores and at transit with Google Wallet, and get turn-by-turn directions with Maps, including an interactive view that makes it easy to see where you are and where you’re going.

Apps aplenty are also available on the Google Play Store on your wrist, including Adidas Running, Calm, Spotify, MyFitnessPal and Strava.

When it comes to health and fitness, the partnership with Fitbit is an absolute winner.

“Google Pixel Watch has a deep integration with Fitbit to provide leading health and fitness features, including our most accurate heart rate tracking yet,” says Charlston.

“With on-device machine learning and deep optimisation down to the processor level, it gives you an accurate measurement of your heart rate continuously tracking at once per second.

“The Fitbit experience is completely redesigned on Google Pixel Watch, with 40 exercise modes available to track your favourite workouts and all-day activities including steps, distance with built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes, to help you push for that extra rep during workouts.

“It helps you keep tabs on your health with an ECG app to detect signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), better understand your sleep with Sleep Score and Sleep Stages, and receive guidance powered by Fitbit’s 20 billion nights tracked.

“You can also get insights into key metrics like your breathing rate, heart rate variability and more — all on the Health Metrics Dashboard in the Fitbit app.”

The Pixel Watch also connects seamlessly to your other devices such as Fast Pair and your Pixel Buds will automatically connect to your watch once paired with your phone.

You can also start a call on the watch and conveniently transition to your phone once in reach and the same fluid handoff between devices also allows for listening to your music and Maps.

In addition to compatibility with Pixel phones, Google Pixel Watch also works with other Android 8.0+ phones and is available in two connectivity configurations: built-in 4G LTE for phone-free convenience or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only.

store.google.com

Bose flexes it up

Bose’s most recent addition to its popular SoundLink Bluetooth speaker family in Australia and New Zealand, the SoundLink Flex, continues to be a portable winner.

The Flex, according to Bose, delivers the best audio performance for a portable speaker its size in an all-new, grabable, and ultra-rugged design.

“It is packed with exclusive Bose technologies to deliver deep, clear sound that’s powerful enough to fill your living room while entertaining, and loud enough for any outdoor adventure,” a spokesperson for Bose said.

“It adds proprietary Bose PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation, so whether upright, hanging, or flat on its back, the speaker is optimised to deliver rich, lifelike sound.

“Its IP67 waterproof and dust-proof rating combines with up to 12 hours of battery life to make it a tough, portable workhorse.”

According to Bose, the Flex uses every fraction of an inch of its enclosure to deliver astonishing audio performance.

A custom transducer – as big as could fit – maximises clarity so you can hear each instrument and vocal, and delivers bass that you can feel in your chest, according to the company.

“It combines with dual-opposing passive radiators, which brilliantly turn vibration into powerful audio output from the compact speaker,” the Bose spokesperson said.

“Bose proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) technology dramatically minimises distortion so you hear natural, full sound.

“For the first time in a Bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Flex dynamically detects its orientation and automatically adjusts to deliver un-compromised audio through Bose PositionIQ technology.

“Whether the Flex is upright on the kitchen counter, hanging from a backpack, or lying flat next to the pool, you don’t need to do a thing to ensure optimal sound quality.”

With its IP67 rating and premium materials, the SoundLink Flex is rugged and resilient, ready Together, its soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille protect it from drops and bumps, won’t peel or flake,

and are resistant to corrosion and UV light.

Its tightly sealed acoustic components keep water, dust, and dirt out and won’t compromise audio performance. It will even float to the water’s surface after an accidental drop in the bathtub, pool, or ocean. And its durable utility loop can easily attach to a carabiner or buckle on your bag, or hang from a hook in your shower or beach chair.

The SoundLink Flex’s setup is straightforward with simple voice prompts for Bluetooth pairing to your phone or tablet within seconds. It remembers up to eight connections for seamless switching from one device to the next.

Using the Bose Connect app, you can control the Flex, personalise settings, and receive the latest software updates.

And on-speaker buttons allow you to power on/off, turn volume up/down, connect to Bluetooth, and play, pause, or skip tracks. You can also access your phone’s voice assistant or take and make calls with exceptional clarity through a built-in microphone.

The Flex has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers up to 12 hours of playback, enough to last you through your all-day family reunion or lazy afternoon at the park.

The Flex uses USB-C charging with the charging port strategically placed on the opposite side of the utility loop, so you can charge and play the Flex in any position without missing a beat.

Pair a second SoundLink Flex or Bose Bluetooth speaker for Stereo Mode (left-right channel) or Party Mode (simultaneous music playback).

When at home, the Flex works flawlessly with one or more Bose smart speakers and soundbars to extend your listening experience using Bose SimpleSync technology.

When the Flex is connected, ask your voice assistant to play music on your smart speaker, and content will play simultaneously on both.

bose.com

Expect fantastic sound with the Bose SoundLink Flex

Pixel Buds Pro hit the mark

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro have been a winner since they were released and continue to sell exceptionally well.

When Google revealed back in May 2022 they were releasing the all-new Pixel Buds Pro, it was excitement to the ears because the previous offering, the A-Series, was already one of the best quality and great value wireless headphone products in the market.

Fast forward almost 12 months and Google has launched a product that’s not just great value (again) and fantastic quality (again), but headphones that can lay claim to be one of the best wireless audio products ever released.

With this release, expect earbuds that offer Active Noise Cancellation that brings full immersive sound, whether it’s while listening to music or while watching a film. The latter is where the Pixel Buds Pros really excel – because the surround sound on offer is absolutely brilliant and what you’d normally expect in the house from a Sonos system.

A great example of just how good the surround sound is would be Ron Howard’s Rush, which has classic Formula 1 cars racing in every direction and it’s a movie that’s particularly good on the go on the brand new Pixel 6a, which has one of the best smartphone screens on the market.

The brilliant sound comes courtesy of the work Goggle has put in to develop the Pixel Buds Pros, which is on another level for the tech company.

“To set the foundation for your music to shine without distractions, Pixel Buds Pro use Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) [and] we built our ANC with a custom 6-core audio chip that runs Google-developed algorithms — all tuned by our in-house audio engineering team — and custom speakers,” said Google Product Manager, Nidhi Rathi.

“Everyone’s ears are unique, so it’s not always possible for the eartips to create a perfect seal that prevents sound from leaking in from the outside.

“Pixel Buds Pro use Silent Seal to adapt to your ear, to help maximise the amount of noise that’s cancelled.

“And built-in sensors will measure the pressure in your ear canal to make sure you’re comfortable even during long listening sessions.

“Once you’re listening to your music or podcast, Volume EQ will adjust the tuning as you turn the volume up or down, so highs, mids and lows consistently sound balanced.

“Later this year, Pixel Buds Pro will also support spatial audio. So, when you watch a spatial audio-supported movie or TV show on compatible Pixel phones, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action,” she said.

Like Rathi said, you are in the middle of the action and what also impresses is when you’re watching live rugby on Stan, where you’ll find fantastic immersive sound.

Where the sound impresses, and this isn’t always the case with some other brands, is when you’re in transparency mode. With the Pixel Buds Pro, you’re still getting the immersive experience while being aware of your surroundings and this is particularly important when running, walking or cycling.

For someone who likes to go for a walk and take my zoom call with me (with the camera off and on mute, of course), these Pixel Buds Pro can seamlessly switch between your previously paired Bluetooth devices — including laptops, tablets, TVs, and Android and iOS phones – thanks to the Multipoint connectivity, so taking your meeting with you is a breeze.

While you’re out and about, use the Google Assistant for fantastic handsfree help, including real-time translation in 40 languages, which is fantastic when you are travelling.

The Pixel Buds Pro also have IPX4 water resistance, plus the case is IPX2 water resistant, do don’t worry too much if you’re sweating up a storm on that run or while caught in the rain as Google has you covered.

Impressively, the Pixel Buds Pro also have 11 hours of listening time or up to 7 hours with Active Noise

Cancellation turned on which is fantastic for a long flight and they are available in four colours, being Coral, Lemongrass, Fog and Charcoal.

At the end of the day we knew to expect something good from Google when they revealed the Pixel Buds Pro, but they have most definitely exceeded all expectations and have again raised the bar when it comes to high quality and great value earbuds.

store.google.com

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro offer exceptional value

iPhone 14 excels

When Apple revealed its allnew iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, the focus was once again on how good the upgraded camera would be, but this latest release is a lot more than just brilliant imagery, as James Wilkinson discovers.

dbramante1928 has stylish cases for the Apple iPhone 14

The new iPhone 14 was always going to be a hot seller from Apple since it was announced on September 8 in 2022, thanks to its core offerings of everyday practicality, style, amazing battery life, super-fast 5G and fantastic cameras.

What the iPhone 14 – available in 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches – does is give novices and photography pros alike the capability to capture some fantastic imagery and video without needing to pick up a DSLR and snap away like they are a photography champion.

Once you do start snapping away, you will quickly be a champion thanks to Apple’s ‘Photonic Engine’, which, thanks to a deep integration of hardware and software, improves mid- to low-light performance for photos across all cameras on the iPhone 14, led by a 12MP Main camera featuring a larger sensor and larger pixels, a new front TrueDepth camera and an Ultra Wide camera to capture more of every scene.

What that means is you’re loaded up with cameras that can capture everything from brilliant portraits to wide angle views of sports grounds and in an array of circumstances, particularly when there’s low light.

The Photonic Engine improves mid- to low-light performance up to 2 times on the Ultra Wide camera and on the TrueDepth camera and an exciting 2.5 times on the new Main camera.

According to Apple, the Photonic Engine enables this dramatic increase in quality “by applying the computational benefits of Deep Fusion earlier in the imaging process to deliver extraordinary detail, and preserve subtle textures, provide better colour and maintain more information in a photo”.

The iPhone 14 certainly delivers on that because the camera system produces fantastic images, particularly in low light, that are easy for any user to capture.

Then there’s the fantastic video capabilities of the iPhone 14, which is headlined by a new ‘Action’ mode, that is able to take smooth-looking video – normally only captured when a phone is attached to a gimbal – that adjusts to significant shakes, motion and vibrations even when video is being captured in the middle of the action, for example someone running or skiing.

The new camera system has also seen an impressive upgrade and you can now capture –again, what you’d normally only achieve on a DSLR camera – content in 4K at 30 fps and 4K at 24 fps.

Apple’s iPhone 14s feature the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU, which increases performance and efficiency, most notably through the fast-loading of apps, writing emails, watching movies, playing games and importantly, offering up the best battery life on an iPhone ever.

Users of older iPhones will immediately notice the difference in speed of using apps thanks to this new technology, while the ability of 5G connectivity makes working on the go, streaming and data calls an absolute breeze.

The new phones introduce critical safety capabilities such as Crash Detection, a first in the industry, which detects a severe car crash and automatically dials emergency services when a user is unconscious or unable

to reach their iPhone.

Apple says these capabilities build on existing components, like the barometer, which can now detect cabin pressure changes, the GPS for additional input for speed changes and the microphone which can recognise loud noises typified by severe car crashes.

According to the company, advanced Apple-designed motion algorithms trained with over a million hours of real-world driving and crash record data provide even better accuracy.

The iPhone 14s also introduces Emergency SOS via satellite, which combines custom components deeply integrated with software to allow antennas to connect directly to a satellite, enabling messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

On the interface front, the iPhone 14s feature iOS 16, which is headlined by fantastic ease of use, style and new communication, sharing and intelligence features.

You’ll like the new Lock Screen that’s more personal and helpful than before – you can create your own ‘canvas’ through imagery and practicality like times and weather –while with messages, users can now edit or recall recently sent messages and mark conversations as unread to revisit them later.

Live Text also gets more powerful with the “ability to recognise text in video and quickly convert currency, translate text and more”, according to Apple, while Visual Look Up adds a new feature that allows users to tap and hold on the subject of an image to lift it from the background and place it in apps like Messages, something that is fun to use and very practical.

The latest technology is also helping people on the fitness front too. For the first time ever, Apple Fitness+ is available for all iPhone users to subscribe to and enjoy in the 21 countries it is offered in, even if they don’t have an Apple Watch.

Overall, the iPhone 14 is a fantastic upgrade from previous models (from someone who has had iPhones consistently since the inaugural model) and the company continues to make the daily experience more powerfully practical than ever before thanks to its increased performance and ability to capture amazing photos and videos.

apple.com

High seas

The latest cruising news and features from across the globe.

Orient Express sails away

Accor’s Orient Express brand is legendary for operating luxury trains for over 140 years and now the legend continues on the high seas with the launch of the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas.

The move by Orient Express to take to the high seas will see leading hospitality company Accor enter the cruise market and partnerup with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a French-based global leading shipbuilding company, to launch the first of two extraordinary sailing yachts that will set sail in 2026.

Accor Chairman and CEO, Sébastien Bazin, said the Orient Express Silenseas would feature spectacular interiors and marked another exciting phase for the company.

“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it onto the world’s most beautiful seas,” he said.

l’Atlantique is proud to herald a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas,” said Chantiers de l’Atlantique Managing Director, Laurent Castaing.

“This concept, born in our design offices in 2018, is the quintessence of our savoir-faire in the fields of naval architecture, the construction of sophisticated hulls, as well as the design of luxurious spaces.

“In addition, the installation of three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1,500-square-meter unit wind propulsion system, for which we have developed and tested a first prototype, will contribute significantly to the propulsion of the ship.

“Combined with a hybrid propulsion system running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), Silenseas will thus become

“This exceptional sailing yacht, with roots in Orient Express’ history, will offer unparalleled service and refined design spaces, reminiscent of the golden age of mythical cruises.

“Innovation is at the heart of this ultra-modern ship that will revolutionize the maritime world with new technology to meet today’s sustainability challenges.

“It is a boat designed to make dreams a reality, a showcase for the best of French savoir-faire,” Bazin said.

According to Accor, the Orient Express Silenseas will be inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera and will echo the glorious era when writers, artists, painters, princesses and movie stars spent time between Monte-Carlo, the beaches of SaintTropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its famous Croisette and discovered a refinement tinged with exquisite insouciance and joie de vivre, inviting them to extreme escapades.

“With a signed letter of intent to order two ships, Chantiers de

the ship of reference in terms of environmentally-friendly operation and design,” he said.

A 220-meter-long ocean treasure with a tonnage of 22,300 UMS, Orient Express Silenseas will feature 54 Suites measuring on average 70-squaremeters, including a monumental 1,415-square-meter Presidential Suite (including a 530-square-meter private terrace), two swimming pools including a lap pool, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.

A tribute to artists and culture, Orient Express Silenseas will invite guests to experience incredible shows in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret and a private recording studio will give a voice to the most beautiful melodies. This unique travel experience, guided by the winds, will feature spa treatments, meditation sessions and stopover explorations to discover cultural treasures that allow guests to completely unplug from reality and stop time.

all.accor.com

“It is a boat designed to make dreams a reality, a showcase for the best of French savoir-faire.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor

Inside line

The latest motoring news and accessories from premium brands.

Power play

The venerable Harley-Davidson, one of the world’s most trusted brands, celebrates 120 years of continuous production. Roderick Eime reports.

When we cast our eyes over the headlines in the finance pages, we see the prominent tech monsters: Amazon, Google, Facebook, Twitter et al. Enormous corporations who produce, well, nothing except optimistic profit projections.

At the very beginning of last century, making it big had a whole other meaning. It meant sprawling, noisy factories and a workforce who rolled their sleeves up, got their hands dirty and made things. Beautiful things.

The story of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is a true American

legend and this year the Motor Company celebrates 120 years of continuous production, the longest of any motorcycle brand. There are other brands with their own claims, but all have suffered interruptions and various cycles of demise and resurrection. Not so the Motor Company. It has weathered world

wars, recessions, depressions, corporate bashes and stock market crashes.

The preferred brand of Hollywood A-listers, the global glitterati and captains of industry alike, any way you look at it, a Harley makes a statement.

The brand’s diehards will tell you the iconic Motor Company’s impeccable heritage and continuity are key to the attraction. The large frame machines and their signature 45-degree V-Twin engines producing that distinctive exhaust note are the mainstay of production, but the 21st century has brought new challenges.

“At some point in time, HarleyDavidson will be all-electric,” said Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz, in a recent interview. “But that’s a longterm transition that needs to happen. It’s not something you do overnight.”

Nevertheless, Harley-Davidson will go down in history as the first major manufacturer to reveal a full-size electric motorcycle, the LiveWire in 2014. Complex though the process was, you can be sure the other major manufacturers have electric bikes on the drawing board too.

The 2023 model line-up is the result of some recent shakeups. The midlevel and learner-approved Street 500 is gone and the venerable Sportster with its 883 and 1200 Revolution engines has been replaced by a new Sportster S with a 1275 Revolution Max (RevMax) watercooled, DOHC engine. Purists have been heard to argue that the smaller 975cc Nightster is more faithful to the original Sportster that ran with minimal alteration from 1957 than the brutish newcomer yet both show the innovation that Harley-Davidson is bringing to the table.

Harley-Davidson also continues to persist with the Pan America adventure bike, which has been a resounding hit with the critics and is slowly but steadily gaining traction in the Australian market.

Also making a welcome return to the MY23 lineup is Breakout in a new, muscular 117ci trim with stunning Baja Orange paint as an option.

harley-davidson.com

LEGENDARY LINE-UP

Meet the Harley-Davidson models you need to know.

BREAKOUT

The Breakout returns in 2023, flexing more muscle and flashing bright new styling over its long-and-lean chopper profile. The muscle is provided by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine, the pinnacle of torque and displacement in a factory-installed, regular-production Harley-Davidson powertrain that gives the Breakout rider instant bragging rights on the street. New for 2023, the bike has a 19-liter fuel tank topped with a low-profile chrome console shaped to lengthen the motorcycle profile and extend riding range. Also, a new handlebar riser and polished stainless steel handlebar is 19mm taller for improved rider reach to controls.

FAT BOY ANNIVERSARY

Proof that more is better. The original wide ride on two wheels with steamroller stance takes on a whole new look in celebration of HarleyDavidson’s 120th anniversary.

NIGHTSTER SPECIAL

This new middleweight contender amplifies the Nightster motorcycle riding experience with a host of style, convenience and technology upgrades. Exhilarating performance is delivered by the Revolution Max 975T liquidcooled V-Twin engine, tuned to make tremendous torque at low RPM. To minimize overall motorcycle weight the engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis.

PAN AMERICA 1250 SPECIAL

The Pan America motorcycle is HarleyDavidson’s explore-it-all machine for riders who see touring as detouring – on road and off. This rugged, powerful, technologically advanced multi-purpose vehicle is designed from the ground up to be capable, confidence inspiring, and fun wherever the road may take you. The Pan America 1250 Special model is a premium adventure touring motorcycle loaded with exclusive features. Some of those options include electronically adjustable semi-active front and rear suspension and an industry-first innovation, Adaptive Ride Height (ARH), a suspension system which automatically transitions between a low stopped position and optimal ride height when the motorcycle is in motion.

Futuristic ways

In the upcoming Volvo EX90, lidar, cameras and radars come together to understand the car’s surroundings and help keep you safe.

To further improve our assisted driving technologies and eventually reach autonomous driving in the future, Volvo said they needed a way to recognise the surrounding environment at detail – both immediately in front of the car and at longer distances beyond the twists and turns ahead.

Enter Google’s HD map, a comprehensive map designed specifically for car makers that provides highly detailed and up-to-date road information.

In continuing the Swedish car maker’s longstanding collaboration with Google, Volvo Cars and their strategic affiliate Polestar will be the first car makers to bring their HD map technology into our cars, starting with the recently unveiled Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3.

By integrating Google’s HD map, Volvo said they will be able to bring together data from their industry-leading sensor set in the Volvo EX90 with Google’s precise lane-level and localisation data to facilitate assisted driving features like lane change assistance and Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist technology, as well as future autonomous driving functionality.

“The addition of Google HD Maps in our future car line-up marks an expansion of our strategic collaboration with Google, reflecting our commitment to work with technology leaders,” said Volvo COO and Deputy CEO Javier Varela.

“Implementing Google HD Maps in our upcoming cars will help us offer our drivers a more enjoyable driving experience and in future contribute to the introduction of safe autonomous driving.”

This road information combined with the data from the Volvo EX90’s lidar and other sensors will be processed through the car’s core computer system powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AI Platforms Xavier and Orin.

By combining data from Google’s HD map with information collected from the exterior sensors, including a lidar and software developed by safety software company Zenseact, Volvo said they aim to create a more predictable, safe, and comfortable drive.

“Building on our long history of mapping the world, Google’s new HD map is designed specifically for automakers and provides comprehensive lane-level and localization data that is crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems,” said Google’s VP and General Manager of Geo Automotive, Jorgen Behrens.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with leading automakers like Volvo Cars to improve the safety and comfort of drivers everywhere.”

Google’s HD map will also support the introduction of our autonomous driving technology in combination with our sensor set consisting of a roof-integrated lidar, radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, to further improve the car’s understanding of its environment.

In the future, Google’s HD map will also support the introduction of Volvo’s autonomous driving technology in combination with our sensor set consisting of a roof-integrated lidar, radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, to further improve the car’s understanding of its environment. volvocars.com

Electric avenue

While most automakers aim to develop electric models in the future, Volvo is going one stop further by transitioning its entire range and Australia is at the ready to hit the goal and well earlier than expected.

Volvo is going all-electric in Australia by 2026

Volvo Car Australia is gearing up to be a trailblazer Down Under, with the Swedish automaker set to only sell fully electric cars in Australia from 2026, four years earlier than the parent company’s 2030 global target.

“Globally, Volvo is firmly committed to becoming an electric-only carmaker by 2030, but in Australia we will make the transition happen by 2026,” said Volvo Car Australia Managing Director, Stephen Connor.

“The earlier deadline will allow us to meet the expectations of our Australian customers and be a part of the solution when it comes to fighting climate change. Sustainability is now as important as safety to us, with climate action having the highest priority.

“Volvo Cars has one of the most ambitious climate plans in the car industry which involves consistently reducing the life cycle carbon footprint per car through concrete action.

“Australian consumers are early adopters of new technologies, and they are embracing fully electric cars in increasing numbers as part of a practical response to combatting climate change.

“There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine. So, instead of investing in a shrinking

business, we choose to invest in the future, which is fully electric,” he said.

Connor said by 2025, nearly 80 per cent of Volvo’s Australian sales will comprise fully of electric models.

“The decision to sell only electric cars from 2026 makes perfect sense, and we believe it will give us a strategic advantage in the Australian market,” he said.

“The final piece of the jigsaw will be converting the last 20 per cent of our customers to a fully electric future from 2026.

“I am very confident we can achieve this, and even go beyond to achieve our aspiration of selling 20,000 fully electric cars every year in Australia.”

Volvo is currently the fastest growing brand in the Australian luxury SUV segment, clocking up record sales for the past four years.

It recently launched the C40 Recharge Pure Electric, the first dedicated electric only vehicle model for the Australian market.

The C40 Recharge Pure Electric is available with a single electric motor and front-wheel drive, while the variant with dual electric motors comes with all-wheel drive. It is also the first Volvo to be completely leather-free.

volvocars.com

“There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine.”

Stephen Connor, Managing Director, Volvo Car Australia

One perfect stay

Kimpton Sylvan Hotel

Tucked away in Atlanta’s elegant neighbourhood of Buckhead, the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel is a 1950s-era adaptive reuse boutique hotel with a mid-century modern design scheme, complimented by a splash of understated sophistication and heartfelt Southern hospitality. The hotel includes 217 guest rooms, a vibrant living room lobby, a refreshing private pool, and over 4,000 square feet of meetings and events space. The crown jewels of The Sylvan are its three unique indoor and outdoor dining and drinking concepts – The Betty, Willow Bar and St. Julep. Our favourite space is The Betty, which features an elegant, old-Hollywood atmosphere and menus with a nod to midcentury supper clubs, but with modern twists. Get to Atlanta on Delta Air Lines (delta.com) and don’t forget a late checkout for a dip in the pool before you depart.

ihg.com

Perfect for when you need to travel light with one carry on bag.

Meal or snack

Beverages

Meal or snack

Entertainment

Beverages

Frequent flyer points

Entertainment

1 Carry-on bag

Frequent flyer points

1 Carry-on bag

Perfect for short trips with one checked in bag.

Meal or snack

Beverages

Meal or snack Beverages

Entertainment

Frequent flyer points

Entertainment

1 Carry-on bag

Frequent flyer points

1 Checked bag

1 Carry-on bag

Change with fees

1 Checked bag

Change with fees

Perfect for your family getaways.

Perfect for when you need flexibility, priority and your favourite seat.

Meal or snack

Beverages

Meal or snack

Entertainment

Beverages

Entertainment

Frequent flyer points

1 Carry-on bag

Frequent flyer points

2 Checked bags

1 Carry-on bag

2 Checked bags

Change with fees

Cancel with fees

Change with fees

Select standard seat

Cancel with fees

Select standard seat

Meal or snack

Meal or snack

Beverages

Entertainment

Beverages

Entertainment

Frequent flyer points

1 Carry-on bag

Frequent flyer points

1 Carry-on bag

2 Checked bags

2 Checked bags

Flexible

Flexible

Fully refundable

Fully refundable

Select favourite seat

Select favourite seat

Priority check-in

Priority check-in

Priority baggage

Priority baggage

Priority boarding

Priority boarding

Perched on top of the iconic Eos by SkyCity

See Adelaide from a new perspective