WGTraveller January 2016 Issue

WG

JANUARY 2016

TRAVELLER

HOTEL METROPOLE

Unique Blend Of Excellence

THE LEGIAN BALI

An Exquisite Experience

THE PENINSULA PARIS French Classic

GRAND HYATT GOA Luxury In Goa

MORRO BAY

Delights Of The Pacific Coast www.wgtraveller.com

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‘ W GOA O

JANUARY 2016

something is always brewing

MASSIMO BOTTURA

Modern Italian Gastronomy

UMBERTO BOMBANA King of White Truffles

HAJIME YONEDA A Culinary Master

KIRK WESTAWAY Natures Finest

DAVIDE BISETTO

Passion For Venetian Cuisine

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- WGTraveller January 2016 www.wogoa.in | www.wogoa.com

PAUL PAIRET a culinary egalitarian WO’GOA January 2016 -

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A p lA c e t h At f e e l s l i ke i t wA s m Ad e f o r yo u

Because it was

here, barefoot luxury meets unpretentious style in a place that’s as unique as you. home to whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins and an incredible coral reef just steps from the beach, it’s been awarded “the Best water Villas in the world”, “the Best luxury resort in the maldives” and “Best spa resort in the maldives”. two spas, eight restaurants and four lounges round out the luxury experience.

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island For reservations contact MLEHI.maldives@conradhotels.com or visit www.ConradMaldives.com

© 2015 Southwest Airlines Co.

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

So in 1971, a little Heart built a different kind of airline—one that made sure everyone could fly.

Everyone has important places to go. So we invented low-fares to help them get there.

Here, we think everyone deserves to feel special, no matter where you sit or how much you fly.

And with all the places we’re going next, we’ll always put you first, because our love of People is still our most powerful fuel.

Some say we do things differently.

We say, why would we do things any other way?

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

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on your next holiday to Goa...

Experience the New Tourism Services to be launched by Goa Tourism

AMPHIBIAN VEHICLE

MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING

Fun Goa safe Goa

@TourismGoa

officialgoatourism

W: www.goa-tourism.com WGTraveller January 2016 E: reservations@goa-tourism.com

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SINGER

NEW YORK REAL ESTATE

35 Years of Experience, Integrity and Discretion Serving the International Community Call us today at: +1(917) 546-0804 E-mail: info@singernewyorkrealestate.com www.singernewyorkrealestate.com

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Good taste isn’t expensive

S P A C E S

F O R

B E A U T I F U L

L I V I N G

conceptplus INTERIOR DESIGN

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Suite 214, Hamsa (A) Office Tower, Za’beel Road Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O.Box 300450, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: +971 4 3705269 I Fax: +971 4 2947442 E-mail : info@conceptplusstyle.com I osama@conceptplusstyle.com - WGTraveller January 2016 www.conceptplusstyle.com

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DUTY DUTYFREE FREE PRODUCTS PRODUCTS & & BONDED BONDED STORES STORES

5, Vyzantiou, Spyrides 2064Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus 5, Vyzantiou, Spyrides Tower, Towers, 2064 Cyprus Tel:+357 +35722210828 222 108 28 I I +44 +44 745 745 228 Tel: 22868 680202 www.brandhouse.uk.com www.brandhouse.uk.com

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The sparkling Friday brunch by celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval serving family style food to share with a selection of Pan-Latin favourites and Toro Toro’s signature mouth watering churrasco rodizio style as well as exquisite cocktails and selected beverages.

You certainly won’t be leaving hungry!

Call 04 317 6000 or visit torotoro-dubai.com

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The Whitehall Penthouse Terrace

London’s 21st Century Grand Hotel Corinthia London combines contemporary flair with traditional grandeur.

Situated in the cultural heart of the capital, the hotel features beautiful rooms, elegant restaurants and the most breathtaking spa in London, ESPA Life at Corinthia.

CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON, WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON SW1A 2BD, UK +44 (0) 20 7930 8181 | RESERVATIONS.LONDON@CORINTHIA.COM | CORINTHIA.COM /LONDON

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E X C E P T I O N A L A L W A Y S B U T

W E ’ L L

T O

C

H O O S I N G

S T E P M O R E

T O

O N E

W I S H E A C H

O F

O U R

I M P O R T A N T L Y

A N D

A B O U T

P A Y I N G

M O M E N T

I S

T O O

D O

S L O W

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PA S S I O N AT E

G O

540

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W H AT

T H E M

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A T T E N T I O N T R U LY

D O

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&

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M E E T I N G

T H E Y

M E N

B E S T

T H E

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:

B U T

A N D

.

I S

T H E

A L S O

W O M E N

L I S T E N I N G

S L I G H T E S T

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX

. R E L A I S C H AT E AU X . C O M

H Â T E A U X

S E T T I N G S

ALL AROUND THE WORLD, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD.

W W W

F A S T .

E V E R Y T H I N G

E X C E P T I O N A L

,

M O M E N T S

T O

D E T A I L

,

F I R S T

P E R H A P S W H O

YO U R T O

A R E

E V E R Y

E N S U R E

fun UNPARALLELED SERVICE. UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. Pure Luxury combines uncompromising attention to detail, and the best chauffeurs in wine country so you can sit back, relax and have some Pure Fun! 1.800.626.5466 | PureLuxury.com TCP # 12878

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Editor Fabian deCastro

experience the adventure! anytime, anyplace, anywhere!

Lifestyle Editor Doug Singer Feature Editor Oilda Barreto Editorial Contributor Mario Bermeo Jr FJMdesign Photography Consultant Creative Design Studio Publisher

‘ W OGOA something is always brewing

IZZY Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

WGTraveller is an online digital publication published by: Izzy Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Unit 14, Agnelo Colony, Kerant, Caranzalem, 403002 Goa, India Tel: +91(832) 2463234 Fax: +91(832) 2464201 sales@wogoa.in.

Company registration number U22100GA2011PTC006731 WGTraveller New York Head of Operations - North America Doug Singer 404 East 66 Street, Suite 2E New York, NY 10065 E-mail: doug.singer@wogoa.in Marketing & Advertising Joel Savio Nazareth Call: +91 832 246 3234 E-mail: joel@wogoa.in Web Administrator Joel Savio Nazareth

install WO’GOA App

© IZZY Publishing Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. Editorial material and opinions expressed in WGTraveller digital publication do not necessarily reflect the views of IZZY Publishing Pvt. Ltd. WGTraveller and IZZY Publishing Pvt. Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or errors and do not accept responsibility for the advertising content.

All contents are strictly copyright and all rights are reserved.

Production in whole or part is prohibited without prior permission from IZZY Publishing Pvt. Ltd. © 2016 WGTraveller All rights reserved.

Cover Image Credit: Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo Tenue du concierge

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WG

TRAVELLER

Join us as we take off on a journey for the senses. This, our premiere issue of WGTraveller, will contribute many stamps to your passport and provided great inspiration to even the most well-heeled globetrotter.

Our first destination will be Monte-Carlo, where we will stop in at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, before we take in the cutting edge designs of Conrad Tokyo and the Peninsula Spa. The ongoing buzz about Macau will be explored amidst an oasis of calm and tranquility at the Spa of Grand Lapa, which since its conversion from the Mandarin Oriental is still one of the most elegant and well known hotels on the Macau peninsula.

For the true connoisseur of luxury, we will visit the Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa – The only five-star all-villa resort situated on the West Coast of Mauritius, a volcanic island nation in the Indian Ocean. Once refreshed we will head to the America’s northwest coast for a glimpse of the charming Morro Bay and the always gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway.

Have you ever fancied a trip to Goa? For centuries people all over the world have created sacred spaces for ceremonies and retreat - this is found in abundance at Goa’s Grand Hyatt, the Sereno Spa at Park Hyatt, and Zaara Spa at Resort Rio. With a spring in your step you will be well energized for a trip to The Peninsula Paris, the latest hotel in the group’s portfolio. As Asia’s oldest luxury hospitality brand with a heritage stretching back to 1866, this is truly a jewel in the crown of this world-class brand.

All of this is just the beginning as we will also be making stops at Bali’s The Legion Ball, the spa at the Reverie Saigon and New Delhi’s ShangriLa–Eros Hotel.

Bon Voyage!

Doug Singer Lifestyle Editor

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JANUARY 2016

CONTENTS 32

Once Upon A Time...

56

An Exquisite Experience

69

The Peninsula Paris

84

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa

100

Conrad Tokyo

108

India’s Enchanting Resort & Spa

122

Goa Scales New Heights

124

Delights Of The Pacific Coast

132

The Urban Spa Experience

138

The Peninsula Tokyo

144

The Reverie Saigon

146

Sereno Spa

150

An Oasis Of Calm

152

The Oberoi Spa

154

The Spa

156

Zaara

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WG TRAVELLER

HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO LOBBY Photo ©M.Jolibois WGTraveller January 2016 -

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G ET T IN G T O THE HE ART OF THE M ATTE R

Business Strategy Management and Operational Audit Corporate Restructuring/Turnaround Business Profit Improvement Business Process Reengineering Human Capital Management Business Continuity Planning Defense Offset E-Services

Serving: Aerospace & Defense | Leisure and Hospitality Telecom | Trading Manufacturing | Financial Services Distribution & Logistics | Investment Houses Construction | Service Industry

CORE Management Consultants Dubai Media City, Dubai - United Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 4 409 6789 www.core-uae.com | info@core-uae.com

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“THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE” – Kieran Holliday, UK

WE LOVE NATURE AND ITS WONDERS We believe it’s important to preserve and protect the marvels that surround us. At Modisa Wildlife Project you will become an active member in our day-to-day work, doing everything from helping to build and maintain facilities, to cleaning predator enclosures after the animals are fed. The work, combined with the activities, will bring you up-close with the animals and African culture.

All the activities at Modisa – from farm work, bush walks and lectures to feeding full-grown lions, leopards and wild dogs – will challenge you both physically and mentally. They’ll ensure you have a more unique and adventurous experience in the African bush than you can ever imagine.

WHAT TO EXPECT Lectures on the ecosystem; Hiking in the wilderness with specialized guides; Sleep-outs in the African bush under the breathtaking Kalahari sky (May – October); Up-close encounters with big cats and other local predators; Opportunities to feed the animals, including lions, leopards and wild dogs; Cleaning the enclosures and fence patrol; Basic tracking training; Animal viewing & game drives; Participating in game counts and other area surveys; Farm work and daily life in the camp; Enjoying the experience with like-minded people from all over the world …and much much more.

W O‘GOA supports

WWW.MODISA.ORG

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F

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A Division of 10 Strawberry Street

DISHING OUT CREATIVITY

10 STRAWBERRY STREET & IZABEL LAM

888-493-5961 www.tenstrawberrystreet.com

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Welcoming you to a new experience...

A new community characterized by rich, elegant living in a view-oriented open space that creates a perfect synergy of indoor & outdoor living.

A PA R T M E N T S 1 Br. from 728 sq.ft. USD 184,000 3 Br. from 1707 sq.ft. USD 410,000

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Beautiful townhouse with PGA Tour Golf Course views.

For all your property needs give us a call and we will be happy to help.

Kurt Berger Property Specialist BRN: 30077 Mob.: +971 (0)55 419 6959 Email: kurt@astonpearlre.com Tel.: +971 (0)4 392 8831 Website: www.astonpearlre.com

Choice of B&B Italia finishings or shell & core to be fitted to your unique taste and preference.

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from 1317 sq.ft. from 2385 sq.ft.

USD 325,000 USD 545,000

Need a rental?

Whether you need a car, truck or van, Enterprise is the perfect choice. And, we’ll pick you up.

To make a reservation, visit enterprise.com or call 1 800 rent-a-car.

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Pick-up subject to geographic and other restrictions. Enterprise, We’ll Pick You Up and the “e” logo are registered trademarks of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. ©2015 Enterprise Rent-A-Car G02183 10.15

RAYAVADEE - KRABI, THAILAND

WHAT'S MORE

BRITISH

THAN

GARY RHODES?

Come and see for yourself at his new eatery Rw1 at Grosvenor House Dubai.

A celebration of British food in a casual and vibrant setting.

For reservations call 30 - WGTraveller January 2016

04-3176000 | Grosvenor House | Dubai | www.rwl-dubai.com

WO’GOA

Where luxury meets the wild

Royal Zambezi Lodge, an intimate family-owned property, is situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River on the edge of the unique Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia.

7KH ORGJH RͿHUV WKH XOWLPDWH LQ FRPIRUW OX[XU\ ZLWK XQULYDOOHG JDPH YLHZLQJ DFFRPSDQLHG E\ SURIHVVLRQDO JXLGHV D OX[XU\ VSD DQG ZRUOG FODVV ÀVKLQJ DQG à \ ÀVKLQJ 5R\DO =DPEH]L /RGJH WKH HSLWRPH RI WKH OX[XU\ VDIDUL H[SHULHQFH

www.royalzambezilodge.com

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo

MEMBER OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

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WG TRAVELLER

Once Upon A Time The Metropole Dating back to 1889…

It came into being in the euphoria and prosperity of the “Belle Époque”, towards the end of the 19th century. Before being acquired in 1886 by the Monte-Carlo Hotel Company Ltd., the land on which the first version of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo was built once belonged to Pope Leon XIII. So much for the birth certificate of one of the flagships of the hotel scene in the Principality. American novelist Edith Warton may have had it in mind when she wrote “The House of Mirth”, published in 1905, with one part set in Monte-Carlo. She paints a picture of a Garden of Eden, dazzling architectural luxuriance and tropical gardens, all “standing out against the mauve mountains, which provided a magnificent backcloth…”

Nostalgic signs of the beautiful setting of which the Metropole has continued to offer an emblematic representation ever since it opened, with its landscaped gardens and a façade in patrician palace style, flaunting the flamboyant neo-classic taste typical of residences built in the “Belle Époque”.

Right from the start, the hotel attracted an international elite, businessmen and great names belonging to the aristocracy.

The era dedicated itself to the pleasures of refined vacationing, for which the Metropole became one of the most highly-prized addresses on the Côte d’Azur. Almost a century passed by, until the 1980’s. A real fan of Monaco, Lebanese developer Nabil Boustany acquired the Metropole and undertook a major operation to restore its former brilliance. Re-named the Metropole Palace, it pursued its goal of velvety luxury, warmth and hospitality.

Photo © E.Cuvillier

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Junior Suite Photo Š F.Rambert

A silky bubble of enchantment, a place of meditation sheltered from agitation though right at the heart of town, the address drew ever wider attention for its fundamental values.

An exceptional approach, today more than ever its own, thanks to a second complete restoration of the hotel. Work began in the autumn of 2003 and the hotel emerged from its chrysalis in the summer of 2004; the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, the official name of the new 5-star establishment which then opened its doors on the site. Here, a new concept of prestige hotelry unfurled its wings, in exemplary softness and serenity. An exceptional voyage to the heart of Monaco and the pinnacle of luxury‌ A unique blend of excellence, luxury and the fine art - Defining a statement in terms of style. From the 126 rooms and suites to the four restaurants, the spa and the pool, playing on all fronts so that the entire ensemble of spaces becomes the very essence of refinement in both design and comfort, gastronomy and well-being. Giving priority to a chic but casual lifestyle, a feeling of being totally at home. At the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, this constant quest for perfection to meet client expectations is based on a global concept: do everything possible so that with each moment spent in the hotel, the idea of voluptuousness is an integral part of the experience. In real terms, this formula, which serves as a corporate value, laid the foundations for the vast renovation project undertaken from autumn 2003 to summer 2004.

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WG TRAVELLER

Junior Suite Photo © F.Rambert

Suite Prestige Photo © N.Izarn

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

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Couloir Réception Photo © E.Cuvillier

WG TRAVELLER

Lobby Photo © N. Izarn

The hotel was thus designed and built so that it would run on the same positive yet gentle wavelength in its entirety. To meet the highest hospitality standards the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo required the assistance of the most eminent experts and esthetes in the fine art of pleasing. To achieve the goal, talents from different horizons were called upon, visionaries in their respective fields of creativity, to ensure that the concept came to life in all its color and fragrance, beautifully interpreted by top-ranking personalities. A dream team composed of star designers Jacques Garcia, Karl Lagerfeld and Didier Gomez, landscaper Jacques Messin, great names in gastronomy Joël Robuchon and Christophe Cussac, Susan Harmsworth, founder of the ESPA brand which became the spa’s partner in the hotel, and sound designer Béatrice Ardisson. Each one put in a brilliant performance to make the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo what it is: a reference in the world of hotels!

Jacques Garcia added his sublime touch to the Mamounia in Marrakesh, Le Costes and Fouquet’s in Paris. For the Metropole, this famous interior architect signed his name to a handcrafted decorative score. Often dubbed a “magician of atmospheres”, he endowed the lounges, bedrooms, restaurants and spa with a hint of “haute couture”. In a subdued, cozy and velvety ambiance, the hotel thus plays the ace of both glamour and mellowness.

With his discerning eye for elegance, Garcia cast a sensual tonality, quietness and warmth over the entire premises, to be savoured to the full!

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Serge Ethuin joins The Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo as General Manager succeeding Pierre Ferchaud.

Over the past year, Pierre Ferchaud brought to the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo his expertise of the luxury hotel sector: his management style combining professionalism, high standards in quality, employee empowering measures, attention to detail and listening skills. He allowed the establishment to identify the Director who would ensure the future of the iconic hotel.

Graduated in 1982 from the Ecole Hôtelière in Strasbourg, Serge Ethuin began his career in 1983 working for the Hilton Group as a receptionist at Hilton Paris, as well as in Strasbourg and Orly.

He quickly evolved within the same group as front desk manager then business development manager assuming functional as well as operational responsibilities. In 1997, he was entrusted with the general management of the Hilton Madagascar and successively Hilton Rome Airport and Hilton Arc de Triomphe.

The year 2008 marks his arrival at the head of a legendary Roman establishment: Il Rome Cavalieri, which will become the first European hotel to integrate the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Collection.

During six years, Serge Ethuin will inspire a new dynamic through the three Michelin Star restaurant La Pergola, the Grand Spa Club, and the unique Art collection that would significantly expand all emerging markets for the hotel. In 2011 he is awarded “Best General Manager” by Waldorf Astoria Worldwide.

After 30 years within the Hilton Group, Serge Ethuin takes the reins of the Royal Monceau Raffles Paris confirming the Palace position in the Parisian and international hotel scene. His accession as General Manager of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is a new challenge ahead for this accomplished professional. “It’s a great honor to be chosen to manage the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, for which I always felt a particular emotion. My main objective is to accompany and lead the teams in order to build together the future of this mythical establishment” adds Serge Ethuin.

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WG TRAVELLER

Studio Phenix WGTraveller January 2016 -

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

A new gem at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo (created in 2013), Odyssey with its restaurant and pool seems to have been carved from a shaft of light which is transformed to open to the sky in fine weather. Karl Lagerfeld, renowned couturier and high priest of fashion, was responsible for its design, giving it shapes and curves. Inside the hotel, Odyssey is rather like a micro-climate in all four seasons on a “dolce vita� latitude, its design unfurling a seaside atmosphere, all in flowing light lines. A Zen like oasis of delights!

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WG TRAVELLER

Karl Lagerfeld @ Odyssey-Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo Photo ©Emanuele Scorcelletti

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Photo ©C.Larit

A “Haute Couture” setting imagined & designed by Karl Lagerfeld along with Joël Robuchon’s third restaurant...

“Happy he who, like Ulysses, embarked upon a long journey…” and discovered the Odyssey! A beneficial port-of-call, a source of new energy, where time stands still. A pool, terrace, gardens, and pool-house, the various areas entwine their curves, the different elements melt into each other around the heated sea-water pool in a great splash of light conceived by designer, couturier and photographer, Karl Lagerfeld. With the fascinating photographic fresco on glass screens dedicated to the Greek hero’s adventures, reality outdoes the myth in an epic version revisited by the artist. A unique experience, exclusive to the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, reserved during the day for hotel residents and “Odyssey” members of the Metropole ESPA. A place which dresses and undresses, depending on the season. Covered in winter, it opens up to the sky in spring. Its walls move aside, its horizon widens. The restaurant area around the pool makes way for comfy sun-loungers, moving out to the coolness of the terrace under the protective shade of large white sails. The characters in the fresco, fixed for eternity, initiate the festivities. Joël Robuchon imagined tasty Mediterranean cuisine for his guests, light and savory dishes which will be appreciated by adepts of the Metropole ESPA’s sport and well-being programme: “Kale with quinoa, feta cheese, cranberries and sunflower seeds”, “Fresh cod with steamed spring vegetables with a spicy “ravigote” of herbs”. The evening menu is even tastier, dining beneath the stars in a truly exceptional venue.

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WG TRAVELLER

Photo ©C.Larit

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Suite Azur Photo © L.Thebaudt

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Suite Deluxe Photo © L.Thebaud

WG TRAVELLER

Suite Azur Photo © L.Thebaud

Luxury and Exquisite Pleasure - The 126 rooms and suites all demonstrate the art of hosting dreams and intimacy in comfort and refinement… Thanks to his expertise in decoration, designer Jacques Garcia has given brilliant illustrations of his talent in the most renowned international hotels. He composed the most harmonious example of chamber music, endowing the hotel with a score blending warmth and luxury in chic but cozy tones. A kind of magic formula, whose wonderful effects are felt in all the 126 rooms, all categories combined. Decorated in Mediterranean style, they seem to have stepped out of a scene in a noble residence. Headboards shaped as if with a scroll saw, the most refined fabrics selected from a palette of glowing and shimmering hues, wood with a patina of honey-coloured varnish… The charm of these finely-wrought interiors casts its most delicate spell.

The most dominant feature in the decor gives priority to light and a feeling of refined comfort. Against this backdrop, the 64 suites come with separate sitting-rooms and a balcony for the bedroom. The notion of space is thus magnified, maximized, to attain a surface area of 240 square meters in the Suite Carré d’Or, the largest in the hotel. As for the bathrooms, they play an important part in the overall layout. In white Carrara marble, with massage jet showers, large bathtubs and double hand-basins, they fit beautifully into the luxurious atmosphere that reigns in all the hotel’s rooms and suites.

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Chambre Suite Carré d’Or Photo © Eric Cuvillier

The ultimate luxury – the Suite Carré d’Or... On the top floor of the hotel, it is rather like a royal crown adding a final majestic touch to the Metropole, its highest peak of excellence.

Welcome to the Suite Carré d’Or and its apartments for an unprecedented experience of hotel luxury. Here, everything can be described as exceptional. In its 240 square metres, the Suite and its terrace demonstrate exemplary balance between exquisite taste and indoor/outdoor refinement, orchestrated in all its sumptuousness and the tiniest detail

by Jacques Garcia, the famous architect-decorator who restored the property’s letters of nobility during its renovation. On entering the Suite, one’s first striking impression is the extraordinary 180° view from the terrace of Monte-Carlo and its “Golden Square” with its “Belle Époque” casino, its gardens and the sea to infinity. With its 110 square metres and very comfortable furnishings to enjoy the spectacle at one’s leisure, it offers an unforgettable tableau open to the sky!

Inside, just as ravishing, the chic of the entire Suite with a “haute couture” atmosphere, the spectrum of light hues for its decor with an ivory patina, honey-coloured parquet floors and woodwork, Louis XVI furniture, a bookcase with an enticing collection of original works... Here, between tradition and modernity, dotted with artworks, the entire space has been sculpted and adorned to become a ripple of delectation, subtle and soft.

Comprised of a prestigious master bedroom which opens onto a dressing-room with a boudoir and a vast bathroom with a tub and massage jet shower, the entire 7th floor can be fully privatized. It thus offers a perfect combination to accommodate friends or family members in all privacy, for get-togethers in the lap of luxury! It also grants the privilege of private access to Odyssey, the Metropole’s pool area designed by Karl Lagerfeld. With style and incomparable flair, the Suite Carré d’Or invites you to bask in bliss!

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WG TRAVELLER

Salon Suite Carré d’Or Photo © Eric Cuvillier

Terrasse Privée Suite Carré d’Or Photo © Eric Cuvillier

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

Bar Photo © Eric Cuvillier

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Yoshi Photo © Marcel Jolibois

WG TRAVELLER

Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte-Carlo

Refined cuisine, healthy and simple at Joël Robuchon’s two Michelin star restaurant, with a fondness for the Mediterranean, the menu promises a Garden of Eden which you are invited to discover by the staff, well-versed in discreet attentiveness and helpful advice.

The menu is easy to read, the ingredients are immediately identifiable. The unrivalled master of precise cooking and seasoning focuses on essentials, giving priority to flavours and textures, combining healthiness with tastiness. You opt for crayfish presented in a crisp wrapping with basil, quail which arrives caramelized and stuffed with “foie gras”, accompanied by potato purée with truffle. Curiosity impels you to investigate the extensive choice of dishes in small sampling portions. You must leave room for in-house bread and the dessert trolley. And plan your return...

While the Lobby Bar is a perfect setting of glamour, elegance and warmth… This is the beating heart of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, where regulars cross the path of newly arrived guests, families and businessmen, in a quiet, harmonious ballet. The Lobby Bar’s poetic character is re-invented by architect/designer Jacques Garcia, encouraging you to enjoy this delectable moment, in all privacy, or with family or friends. You cannot help but feel enchanted by these constantly changing ambiances, enhanced by artistic floral compositions reflecting the seasons, the warmth of ancient works of art. Nowhere else more than here has the “magician of atmospheres” succeeded in creating such propitious conditions for an awakening of the senses.

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

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Bastien Gonzalez The “Pedicurist to the Stars” He’s the man who gives wings to our feet. Recognised worldwide, his talent has brought him international recognition. More than a pedicurist, Bastien Gonzalez is an expert. A virtuoso who, through his range of exclusive treatments and massages, orchestrates a melodious symphony of bliss in the form of an adagio for the toes, a quintet for the metatarsal bones!

For this podologist by training, the foot holds no secrets. He decided to become a pedicurist out of passion. A way of putting these extremities of the human body, somewhat forgotten at our far ends, back in their right places, and concocting an array of tailormade benefits just for them. “I wanted to restore their very real importance, do away with the pain they sometimes endure…”, explains Bastien Gonzalez. “I have a real desire to ensure that my clients’ feet are in good health, and I encourage them to take care of them.”

Words that provide the key to his approach to pedicure and which have guided him in the design and launch of his own treatment centre: the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez. In the wake of London, New York and other capital cities, it is here in the Principality, in the Metropole ESPA, that a new studio henceforth dispenses the virtues and marvels of pedicure (and associated manicure) signed Bastien Gonzalez. “My treatments,” he adds, “revolve around three principles: treatments and benefits of professional pedicure without water, natural beauty thanks to highlighting of the nails with old-style polishing and a relaxing finish with a massage which restores well-being, starting with the feet”. It is all summed up in the studio’s motto: “Quality of treatment dedicated to the customer”. What more needs to be said! In addition to the treatments and massages dispensed by studios team and its therapists, the “Révérence de Bastien” range of products and accessories are available exclusively from the Metropole ESPA. WGTraveller January 2016 -

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HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO

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Spa Suite Photo © L.Thebaud

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Wellbeing, Relaxation and Regeneration at the Metropole ESPA Monte-Carlo… Feel as if weightless, in another dimension.

Between abandonment and delight, taste the atmosphere of beneficial serenity which envelops the setting. In 2006, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo opened its spa, creating an outstanding address within the hotel premises. To guarantee the success of such a project, the hotel entered into a top level partnership with the English reference brand, ESPA, a pioneer in the luxury spa sector and high-end cosmetic treatments based on 100% natural ingredients. Their collaboration led to the birth of the spa, named Metropole ESPA Monte-Carlo.

The setting had to be on a par with the excellence upheld by the hotel while embodying the quintessence of ESPA expertise and its science of well-being and relaxation. No sooner said than done! Since its inauguration, the Metropole ESPA has welcomed lovers of wonderful sensations in the refined scenery provided by its installations.

Journey for the senses - Soft lighting, a velvety ambiance…

As soon as one steps inside the spa, it is almost like a caress, an invitation to enjoy a voyage for the senses in a setting propitious for tranquility, ideal for replenishing one’s innermost energy. Orchestrated by Jacques Garcia, the designer responsible for the property’s metamorphosis in 2004, the spa’s decor conveys a silky impression of warmth and elegance throughout its 2,000 sq. metres. One basks in a protective cocoon, in which a team of qualified therapists, expert masseurs and masseuses dispense the benefits of their treatments under the auspices of ESPA expertise. Sheer delectation for both body and soul!

The Metropole ESPA cultivates a taste for intimacy and wellbeing in the various areas of which it is comprised.

The spa, for example, offers of a relaxation room, a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, a fitness studio and ten treatment rooms. It also proposes a stimulating and original concept, the Heat Experience, which alternates a hammam, sauna and caldarium with tropical showers and a fountain of refreshing crushed ice. Nothing like it for boosting one’s energy! As for the treatment rooms, two of them are real private suites with state-of the-art equipment (hammam, chromotherapy bathtub). Finally, another expression of the spa’s special magic, residents and Metropole ESPA members can access Odyssey, just above, with its heated sea-water pool.

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THE LEGIAN BALI

The Legian Bali MEMBER OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD

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THE LEGIAN BALI

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Deluxe Suite Bedroom

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If you are looking for a new standard for a lavish resort escape, then The Legian Bali is the place for your next holiday. The Legian is an exquisite experience, located on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.

Bali is known as ‘the islands of the Gods�, and is one of 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia, about 10 degrees south of the Equator. This GHM Hotel (General Hotel Management Ltd) is an original. The special relationship between the land and the local culture among each exclusive resort enables GHM to provide guests with a genuine, close-up experience.

The all-suite Legian Bali Hotel offers a more contemporary approach to traditional Indonesian design combined with Balinese convivial charm and is the perfect choice if you are looking for a truly unique and luxurious experience.

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Sunset Suite

From the smooth meet-and-greet service at the airport to arranging private tours of the island, and from adventurous excursions, arranging golf or restaurant reservations, to enjoying the ocean views, the spa, the infinity pools or other accommodations and services, your trip is sure to be a tropical heaven on earth. The renowned hospitality of the Legian Bali staff is dedicated to help making your best holiday memories.

The Legian Bali is one of the most iconic luxury hotels in Bali. It is strategically located along shore and in the heart of trendy Seminyak, an area known for its boutique shopping, chic nightlife and high-end spas. This stunning and grand beachfront resort is surrounded by an array of exclusive dining options, shopping, and entertainment and is ideal for the most discerning traveler who is considering the ultimate relaxation experience with sophisticated lifestyle options. The Legian Bali features beachfront suites and a one-ofa-kind castle in the sand Beach House, all among the most spacious in Bali, and all designed to emanate high-end and refined private residences. Sixty-seven sea-facing suites each display Indonesian culture. They are decorated with natural fiber furniture and flooring against white walls minimally accented by original artwork and relics representing the archipelago. Set in landscaped tropical gardens, the newly upgraded suites and transformed spa and health club will uplift the guest’s experience. Water ponds surround The Bale Paum meeting space in high tech style while The Business Centre offers secretarial assistance, Wi-Fi and broadband Internet access. There are also exquisite wedding event accommodations on the property and other occasion amenities available.

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Three Bedroom Villa

Legian Suite Bedroom

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The Restaurant

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Ocean Bar

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The Restaurant

Though the hotel is located in a gastronomic paradise of Bali, you don’t have to leave to satisfy your taste for superb cuisine. Four dining venues offer you the indulgence of choices: The Pool Bar, alongside each infinity pool, serving a continental breakfast, light meals and wide selection of cocktails, snacks and refreshments. The Ocean Bar, for light meals, snacks, cocktails and refreshments is also located alongside each infinity pool.

These are accompanied by picture perfect Indian Ocean views. Balinese breezes and signature sips can be found in The Lobby Lounge, adjacent to the lobby area, where a warm welcome awaits for guests arriving at The Legian, and it also serves as a perfect location for pre-dinner cocktails and/or as a post dinner cigar lounge. Helmed by Executive Chef Luke MacLeod, The Restaurant at The Legian Bali seamlessly incorporates Asian influences and local, organic, free range and sustainable ingredients along with a European concept. It showcases the finest products found in Bali combined with French and Southeast Asian culinary techniques, emphasizing on hearty flavors. This spacious, fine-dining/brasserie-style restaurant showcases a range of healthy and delicious meals from breakfast through to dinner.

Bountiful breakfasts at The Restaurant are like being on a world tour… from delicious French toast and homemade Birchermuesli, to exotic local fruits and Indonesian fried rice.

The new lunch menu offers more options of healthy and organic foods from Vichyssoise with Olive Oil Sorbet to Tuna Niçoise salad. Dinner at The Restaurant at Legian Bali offers a tantalizing range of artistically presented dishes from the garden, from the sea and from the farm. Or, perhaps you would like to indulge yourself with a six-course tasting menu, “Discover” created by Executive Chef Luke MacLeod and accompanied by Wine Spectator’s award winning list.

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ULTIMATE INDULGENCE AT THE SPA Take a therapeutic journey of relaxation at our spa with various selections of new treatments available to suit your body, mind and soul needs. The Spa offers four single and two couple’s spa suites, amidst a verdant garden, where intuitive therapists provide timeless Balinese healing traditions and innovative wellness therapies. For the yoga enthusiasts, The Legian Bali offers an indoor yoga studio as well as private yoga classes or Hatha yoga classes in beautiful surroundings and scheduled in the mornings. Advanced booking is required for private yoga sessions.

The Spa at The Legian Bali rolls out nine new menus of services from Ila and VOYA in addition to its extensive spa menu. The new treatments including a range of therapeutic massages and facial from Ila and VOYA Seaweed Facial’s range including the crème de la crème of facial treatments, VOYA Organic Deluxe Facial.

The Spa’s retail section offers a wide selection of spa and beauty products that have been specially created for The Spa at The Legian.

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The Club - One Bedroom Villa

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The Club - One Bedroom Living Room

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The Club - One Bedroom

Legendary sunsets over the Indian Ocean can be enjoyed from spacious suites as well as the three-tiered infinity pool. Three-tier swimming pools run right alongside each other with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. For serious aquatic workouts, dive into the 30 meter seaside infinity lap pool, and for cooling plunges the 23.5-metre and 14.5 elevated pools.

For the younger guests there are supervised activities on the sprawling Legian lawn, which also promises a bit of private time for parents. Kid’s Activities abound from mid-July to early October, Easter and other Festive Seasons. Kids can gather in the landscaped gardens for scheduled fun-filled activities. Our staff members will be guiding the children throughout these activities.

For those seeking the complete privacy, The Club at The Legian Bali is conveniently located across the street; 11 private villas each with a generous living space, a private garden with a swimming pool, attentive butler service and club benefits.

A haven of one’s own, the villas of The Club at The Legian are quaint beauties. Designed in a sleek modern style yet embodying all the architectural detail for which Bali is so famous, each of the 11 bijou villas are located in their own private compound with a private pool and come with every amenity imaginable plus personal butler service, each of whom are trained by consultants from The Guild of Professional English Butlers.

Both The Legian Bali and The Club at The Legian portray an incomparable image of authentic Balinese hospitality. Their perfect location, personalized service and unique features, earned this five-star deluxe resort a number of awards and recognitions.

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THE PENINSULA PARIS

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Hotel Exterior

Since the inception of The Peninsula Hotels’ parent company in 1866 and opening of the flagship Peninsula Hong Kong in 1928, certain hallmarks have come to signify The Peninsula experience. Much copied but never bettered, these iconic features are now recreated in and reinterpreted for The Peninsula Paris, the latest hotel in the group’s portfolio.

As Asia’s oldest luxury hospitality brand with a heritage stretching back to 1866, The Peninsula Hotels share many well-loved traditions at each hotel around the world.

Although each hotel is unique in itself with its own inimitable sense of destination, they are all unified by a collection of exclusive Peninsula touches and elements, ranging from the iconic Peninsula pageboys to the Lobbies with their celebrated Afternoon Tea, RollsRoyces to state-of-the-art in-room technology and much more.

Just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, The Peninsula Paris, opened on 1 August 2014, this late 19th century classic French-style building which first opened in 1908 as one of Paris’ most famous “grands hotels”, and enjoyed 30 years hosting the rich and famous, the titled and tycoons, together with leading lights in the world of the arts, literature and music during the “Belle Epoque” and “Années Folles”, when Paris was at the height of its creativity and glamour.

Following the wartime occupation of Paris, the hotel was then converted into UNESCO’s headquarters in 1946, and in 1958 became the conference centre for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and used to host high profile events until 2009.

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Historical highlights include George Gershwin composing “An American in Paris” while staying at the hotel in 1928, while the Paris Peace Accords, negotiated by Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho, which brought the Vietnam War to a close, were signed in 1973 in the hotel.

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Lobby

Terrace

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Corberro Gallery

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Restoration and renovation - With interiors designed by The Peninsula Hotels’ in-house team and Henry Leung of Hong Kong and the architectural restoration spearheaded by Richard Martinet, the building has been meticulously restored by teams of French master craftsmen, utilizing traditional techniques in use for hundreds of years.

The aim of preserving the heritage, authenticity and the spirit of the building, together with the expansive volumes of the original rooms and public areas, original elements long gone or badly damaged were recreated following extensive research, and the décor dating back to 1908 reinstated in all its glory. Marble, stucco, mosaics, roof and wall tiles, wood carvings, stone work, gold leafing, paintings and a myriad of other elements have been lovingly preserved and painstakingly restored by some of France’s most revered family firms, dating back generations and more used to working on heritage projects such as the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles.

The façade alone employed the talents of 20 skilled stonemasons from historic monument specialist Degaine to restore the 10,000 sq m area with its elaborate carved stone flowers, bows and ribbons. Repairs were carried out where possible, carving missing portions by hand using stone dust paste, or where the bas-reliefs were severely damaged, the entire section was replaced by a new stone and handcarved from scratch, using only photos for reference. Each flower cascade took a stonemason three weeks of work, with 12 hours for a small bow. Wood restoration experts Atelier Fancelli, individually numbered and removed each original wood panel in the Lobby and Le Bar Kléber, they were then sanded down, repaired, restored and replaced. Specialist gilder and restorer Ateliers Gohard handled repairs, gold leafing and hand painting.

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The Lobby is at the heart of every Peninsula hotel and at The Peninsula Paris, the Avenue Kléber entrance leads to the traditional grand Peninsula Lobby with its meticulously restored soaring curved ceilings, magnificent drapery, marble floors and contemporary furnishings.A bespoke hand-blown Lasvit chandelier featuring a cascade of 800 crystal “leaves” - a modern take on the plane trees lining Avenue Kléber - creates a luxurious sense of arrival in this second lobby area.

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Lobby

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Suite Deluxe Dressing

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Premier Suite Bedroom

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Premier Room King

Rising six storeys above Avenue KlĂŠber, The Peninsula houses 200 luxurious rooms, including 34 sumptuous suites, with five featuring their own private rooftop gardens with spectacular views over Paris.

Designed with the modern luxury traveller in mind, The Peninsula Paris guestrooms are among the largest in the city and the most technologically advanced in the world.

In soft grey and cream hues, accented with high-gloss lacquered architectural features and designed to perfection with distinct Parisian influences, signature Peninsula functionality and grand ceilings, all rooms and suites are embellished with meticulously curated artworks, elegant furniture, stunning lighting, marble bathrooms and the ultimate in proprietary technology which sets new standards of guest personalization.

Fully customized interactive digital bedside and desk tablets are preset in one of 11 languages, and full control of all in-room functions is just a touch away. Rooms are designed so that every control is located precisely where it is required without guests having to think or search.

The Peninsula Paris offers 34 luxuriously appointed suites, including three uniquely designed theme suites - The Historic Suite, resplendent with period decoration, and the ultimate in grand accommodation, The Katara Suite and The Peninsula Suite. Amongst the most unique accommodation in Paris, five suites also command spectacular 360° views from their own private roof gardens.

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In their crisp white uniforms and pillbox caps, The Peninsula pageboys have become much-loved symbols of The Peninsula Hotels worldwide, personifying the group’s personal approach to service since the opening of The Peninsula Hong Kong in 1928, which was the first hotel in Asia to introduce pageboys. The role remains the same today – to welcome guests to the hotels and carry out errands for them, and The Peninsula Paris will have a team of pages, all standing by to carry on the tradition of exceptional guest service.

With a firm belief that “getting there is half the fun”, the partnership between The Peninsula and Rolls-Royce dates back to 1970 when The Peninsula Hong Kong acquired their first fleet of seven Silver Shadows.

Since then, Rolls-Royce limousines have been in service at almost every Peninsula hotel around the world, including three stunning 1934 Phantoms in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo – with every car sporting the signature Peninsula green livery. Guests at The Peninsula Paris will be able to enjoy the grace, glamour and luxury of a Rolls-Royce Extended Wheelbase Phantom, together with another classic vintage 1934 RollsRoyce Phantom II, lovingly restored over five year in Ashton Keynes, England. Peninsula guests can also zip around the streets of Paris in one of two chauffeur-driven MINI Clubman vehicles, with specially adapted roof boxes to hold shopping.

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SPA Room

This luxuriously appointed, 1,800 sq m (19,000 sq ft) area within the hotel allows guests to refresh and revitalise body and mind. A streamlined design, dotted with plant and mineral notes, exudes an immediate sensation of well-being, refinement and luxury; all key concepts at The Spa at The Peninsula Paris, and of every Peninsula Spa worldwide.

Boasting a 20 m x 5 m (65 ft x 16 ft) indoor pool, two Jacuzzis, eight private treatment booths including two suites for couples, a relaxation room as well as two fitness rooms equipped with state-of-the-art machines, The Peninsula Spa offers a relaxation experience unlike any other, in the heart of the City of Light. The interior design and furnishings incorporate traditional, eastern elements and contemporary elegance and offer a refined blend of harmonious tones and materials to soothe the soul, such as wood, granite and marble.

Exclusive treatments in a sanctuary dedicated to serenity and beauty - The Peninsula Spa’s treatments draw on eastern expertise enriched with western culture to create unique experiences that meet the needs and wants of every guest. Each treatment is considered a quest for effectiveness and ultimate well-being.

Two partner brands – ESPA and Biologique Recherche – enable The Peninsula Spa to offer its clients unique treatments to pamper the face and body. Available to both outside clients and hotel guests, the eight private booths offer targeted treatments adapted to every skin type.

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Premier Suite Bedroom

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Sauna

SPA Pool

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The Asian Tea Lounge

ESPA, recognised global leaders in spa and long-term partner of The Peninsula Hotels, takes its first steps into France at the Peninsula Paris. ESPA’s therapeutic collection of beautifully effective, personalised facials and body treatments combine the restorative powers of nature and proven skin science to leave guests restored, revitalised and with skin that glows. ESPA’s experts have created the “Ying Yang” body treatment exclusively for The Peninsula Paris: a soothing moment that brings body and mind into harmony by combining some of nature’s most effective plant, marine and essential oil extracts with renowned ESPA expertise.

In perfect synergy, Biologique Recherche offers clients its expertise in facials. Based on over 35 years of experience, Biologique Recherche treatments are tailored to each individual by conducting dermo-cosmetic analysis prior to every session. Formulas with high concentrations of active ingredients and original protocols are adapted for a unique Instant de Peau © facial.

To enjoy the benefits of The Peninsula Spa to the fullest, clients start their experience in the Asian Tea Lounge. This welcome area, serving a selection of rare Yemaya teas, invites clients to slow down and relax by offering a first moment of tranquillity and comfort.

Here, in this place where time is suspended, therapists identify individual needs.

Clients continue their spa journey in the relaxation room. This temple to the virtues of sleep is equipped with four, state-of-the-art massage beds; this veritable haven of calm allows clients to take a deep breath and simply let go. Eight elegant booths, including two private suites for couples, beckon clients for a unique, custom-made moment of relaxation.

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MARADIVA VILLAS RESORT & SPA - MAURITIUS

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa MEMBER OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD

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Luxury Villa Suite

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The Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is the only five-star all-villa resort situated on the West Coast of Mauritius. Mauritius is a volcanic island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is recognized as one of the world’s best luxury travel destinations, well-known for its beautiful beaches, lagoons, reefs, incredible sunsets, and a dry, tropical climate. With a prime location, the Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa is located on a stretch of pristine beach on the tranquil Indian Ocean, it sparkles in the bright sunshine all year round, and has views of the impressive rock of Le Morne Mountain, which is on the world’s heritage list.

The uniqueness of the Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa lies in its authentic Mauritian legacy. This all-villa resort is a family-owned hotel which stretches across 27 lush acres of land, home to a host of protected species and some 150 endemic plants. It features an award-winning spa and 65 subtly opulent villas, the villas each have their own private plunge pool and are spacious and sophisticated in design and color palettes, and the architecture is typically Mauritian. It is the entire experience that comes together to create the charm that is the Maradiva.

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In the heart of Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa there exists an oasis of harmony and tranquility. Maradiva’s Spa is the ideal place to synchronize your body and soul and escape from the stress of everyday life. It is the ultimate place for you to relax and revitalize. The Spa’s design is richly influenced by Indian philosophy. Maradiva’s Spa offers modern Western therapeutic treatments as well as Eastern widely-held Indian treatments, including Ayurvedic therapies. You can also have customized body & face treatments which range from deep muscular massages and relaxation aromatherapy to detoxifying cleansing wraps.

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If you are enjoying your villa-style living and would rather not venture out, “Around the Clock” villa service is available to all guests who wish to privately delight in restaurant cuisine and service. You can choose from set menus or having in-villa barbecues. Whether it be for a romantic candle lit dinner or a family celebration, they will make sure that every single one of your special requests is taken care of and that an delectably exquisite menu finds its way to your table.

But if you would rather become acquainted with our on-location restaurants, you have some scrumptious choices… MARADIVA DINING, for on-site dining.

The Coast2Coast restaurant serves Mediterranean, Mauritian and International cuisines in a relaxed ambiance with an incredible view of the majestic rock of Le Morne. It has a capacity of 150 persons. Coast2Coast functions in buffet style for breakfast and ‘A La Carte’ for lunch. For dinner, the chef presents a special menu every evening. Guests can unwind in one of the three lounges of the restaurant or relish the ocean breezes on the terrace. For romantic evenings, beach dinners under Raj tents can also be arranged.

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Beach Front Luxury Suite Villa

Cilantro is also known as coriander or, “cotomili” in the local language.

With its romantic design, Cilantro is like a temple of modern Indian gastronomy. This specialty restaurant has a capacity to serve forty diners at a time. It is open for ‘A La Carte’ dinner and features the finest in Pan Asian and Indian cuisine. It also offers an interactive live cooking teppanyaki (Japanese iron griddle) counter and sushi bar for a more convivial ambiance as well as a lounge area for pre-dinner cocktails and after dinner drinks. Barbecues on the beach or in the privacy of the presidential suite villa can be organized for small groups of 15 persons.

The Breakers Lounge Bar is a contemporary bar with an intimate atmosphere and serves light meals as well as a wide selection of international wines and spirits. It is also an excellent venue for relaxed entertainment. Nestled under intricate woodwork, guests can enjoy magnificent views of Le Morne and the ocean while relaxing in deep sofas and day beds in a chilled-out atmosphere.

When you are ready to leave your villa and go to the beach, Maradiva will meet your seaside satisfaction… What better way to enjoy the beach than with a team of dedicated beach attendants to cater to your refreshment needs with personalized service? A bottle of water is given to guests upon arrival on the beach and later there are offerings of fresh fruit and sorbet.

The beach pool has a light snacks menu and offers a selection of local and international cocktails with touches of the Mediterranean throughout.

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Lobby

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Private Beach

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Kids Club

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Watersports

There are inclusive stretches of crystal-clear lagoons shielded by a coral reef current with the potential of a refreshing dip and other activities for those looking to just relax or, have fun…explore the waters, venture out further with water sports or take on a challenge. The boat house is your access to a wide-ranging choice of nautical activities with modern equipment as well as a team of professional instructors. Some of the InResort Activities (Complimentary Activities) are Snorkeling, Water skiing, Hobie-Cat, Sailboats, Pedal boats, Kayaking, and Windsurfing.

They didn’t forget about the children’s experience, kids also have a great time… The Mini Club is open (9 am to 6 pm) to children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old. A program of age group-specific activities ensures that children have the most unforgettable holidays. Kids will have a blast with a series of fun, creative, sporty and cultural pastimes.

The club also has a playground area, safe shallow pool, sand pit, toy room, bathrooms, kitchen and a child-size dining area. A favorite among our little guests is the “Dodo room,” where the walls and floor are padded with soft cushions, making it the perfect place to let loose and run around.

Babysitting services are also available for younger ones at a nominal fee with 24 hour notice.

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Tamarina Golf

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When you are ready to explore the island… The Maradiva Resort and Spa will assist you with your excursions with dedicated concierge assistance. The capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, blends foreign influences and offers sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, colonial Eureka plantation and an 18th-century botanical garden. The area has a varied range of natural and man-made attractions and a convivial, multi-cultural population. The mountainous interior encompasses Black River Gorges National Park with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and native fauna. Mauritius received the World Leading Island Destination award for the third time and World’s Best Beach at the World Travel Awards in January 2012.

Discover the activities around the resort… Get aboard a luxury catamaran and explore the coves and lagoons of the coastline. This relaxing cruise will take you snorkeling in crystal clear waters, and then sail on to Benitier Island where you will enjoy a delicious seafood barbecue in total comfort.

An exclusive West Coast experience! Do not miss this unforgettable rendezvous with wild dolphins in the blue waters of Tamarin, not far away from the resort. Swimming trips are organized every day in the early morning.

Enjoy this truly exciting Mauritian experience! Go big game fishing on the West coast of Mauritius, renowned for its marlins, and feel the thrill of the catch. Safe, comfortable and luxury deep sea fishing boats with top-notch fishing equipment are at your disposal.

The Mauritian underwater world is an incomparable exploration scene that will delight beginners and professional divers alike. The ballet of exotic and colorful creatures in beautiful tropical under water vegetation makes for an outstanding spectacle!

Take in Mauritius’ natural beauty by visiting this natural park. There are exotic animals, canyons, and things to do like riding ziplines, hiking, and adventurous cable bridges, all in a lush environment.

Mauritius is becoming one of the world’s premier golfing destinations.

The closest course at Tamarina is just a 15-minute drive away. Designed

by Rodney Wright, this magnificent 18-hole championship setup, spread over 106 acres of savannah, has breathtaking views of Rempart Mountain and Tamarin Bay.

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Garden Suite Villa

Horse racing is one of the most established sports activities in Mauritius.

The Crown Lodge, a private steward suite at the Champ de Mars will allow guests to experience the euphoria of horse racing from a strategic vantage point that provides an unobstructed view of the finish line and the paddock. The VIP Lounge offers a unique excursion which combines history, tradition, glamour and excitement.

One last thing‌ As an all villa-hotel, Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa offers an incomparable atmosphere for residential and non-residential corporate functions. The conference room can accommodate up to 40 persons in theatre style, 36 in classroom style, 25 in U shape style and 12 in boardroom style. It is the perfect setting to create the most productive and inspiring business environment, whether you are planning a small board meeting, a seminar, an incentive meeting, a brainstorming session, a team building or a corporate event.

An expert team of coordinators will tend to each and every detail of your event and ensure that it is hassle-free.

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is the perfect choice for your adventurous vacation, corporate event, your family holiday, a romantic getaway, or to just escape and relax in the tropics! On a volcanic island! In the Indian Ocean!

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Exclusive Suite Villa

Exclusive Suite Villa

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CONRAD TOKYO

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Bay View Suite

CUTTING EDGE JAPANESE DESIGN WITH AN INNATE SENSE OF STYLE Conrad Tokyo is conveniently located just minutes from the world famous upmarket shopping and entertainment district of Ginza and offers panoramic views of the Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Bay. Situated 37 floors over Shiodome, a thriving new business district, the hotel is a masterpiece of contemporary Japanese design. Traditional Japanese symbols and motifs, Mon (the Gate) and Sumi-e (Japanese brush painting), feature in the subtle yet distinctive design.

Each of the 290 spacious guest rooms are modelled on either a City or Garden concept according to the views they offer towards the city or the Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Bay. The ambience created by the ceiling heights of the guest rooms and the hotel’s public areas is a welcome feature in a city where space is at a premium. The success of the hotel has been recognized through numerous awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Business Traveller and Michelin Guide Tokyo.

Conrad Tokyo also houses some of the city’s top restaurants and bars, including a new restaurant, called Collage, which has opened in August, 2014 offering the modern French combining the best of European culinary style. Guests can also choose from innovative Cantonese food created by Chef Albert Tse at China Blue, Kazahana’s exceptional Japanese cuisine, casual dining at Cerise or drinks and entertainment at TwentyEight Bar & Lounge. Mizuki Spa is the largest spa of its kind in Tokyo and boasts Tokyo’s only true Hinoki bath. Mizuki Spa’s signature treatment, “Tranquility”, is a full body hydrating treatment combined with an aroma facial massage, using (comfort zone) series of products.

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Deluxe Suite

Royal Suite

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China Blue

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Kazahana

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Collage

Conrad Tokyo features Tokyo’s finest restaurants and bars...

Collage is a new restaurant, just opened on August 1st, which gained one Michelin star in its latest edition. The restaurant offers the modern fine French dining combining the very best of European culinary style. Chef Shinya Maeda brings exceptional fine dining experience to the position, having served for the past five years as Chef de Cuisine at the hotel’s ‘Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo’, earning the restaurant a prestigious Michelin star for five consecutive years. Situated on the 28th floor with breathtaking view of dynamic city, Collage also accommodates a private room and an open kitchen to meet all kinds of requests from the guests.

China Blue serves innovative Cantonese food with a dash of flair. Chef Albert Tse, who established his reputation in Singapore at the renowned Jiang-Na Chun restaurant, is the creator behind the original modern Chinese dishes. Guests enter the restaurant on a transparent glass and granite pebbled passageway that leads past a window offering peep holes into the kitchen. China Blue is also home to a spectacular walk-in wine cellar and three private dining rooms with breathtaking views of Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Bay. Kazahana offers exceptional Japanese cuisine from three distinct dining arenas: Kaiseki, Sushi and Teppan counters, preparing some of the finest Japanese food in Tokyo. Kazahana, designed as a modern interpretation of a Japanese cellar – “Kura”, features a traditional Japanese Sumie painting as its motif. The restaurant offers a tranquil atmosphere with panoramic views over the Royal Hamarikyu Gardens. In addition, three private dining rooms are available with a choice of Tatami or wooden floor.

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The Mizuki Spa is the largest hotel spa of its kind in Tokyo, situated on the 29th floor of the Conrad Tokyo, offering panoramic views of the city skyline. Mizuki Spa features a modern Japanese design that evokes tranquility, while employing a combination of oriental and western treatment methods unique to Conrad Tokyo. Water and Moon, two of nature’s powerful yet calming symbols, have been integrated into the design of the spa to create a harmonious cocoon.

Guests are welcomed by a clear blue carpet that mirrors a full moon reflected over an aqueous surface.

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Mizuki Spa is the only hotel in Tokyo that features a genuine Hinoki bath - a tub made out of beautiful Hinoki cypress which has a rich grain, smooth texture, and subtle scent. The treatment menu includes 3 rituals, 3 facial and 3 body treatments to suit the individual needs of the guest. “Tranquility”, the spa’s signature menu, is a full body skin hydrating treatment combined with an aroma facial massage. It relieves tension and stress, smoothes and tones the skin, using (comfort zone) Tranquility series. It offers guests a journey for the senses resulting in an intense state of physical and mental well-being and comfort.

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GRAND HYATT GOA

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GRAND HYATT India’s most enchanting resort and spa destinations WGTraveller January 2016 -

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GRAND HYATT GOA

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The Best Luxury Resort between North & South Goa A truly enchanting destination resort and spa, Grand Hyatt Goa is set along the calm waters of Bambolim Bay; conveniently located between North and South Goa amidst lush green lawns. Unwind and relax in splendidly appointed rooms and suites blending spectacular water views with the grand elegance of Indo-Portuguese architecture, magical sun-sets, the most lavish amenities and the warm hospitality of a traditional Goan residence. The contemporary styled 312 guestrooms offer a private balcony overlooking landscaped gardens, pool or bay is the perfect luxury destination to visit with family and friends for a truly memorable holiday experience.

An ideal leisure destination, all guest rooms and suites allow guests to unwind and relax in the comfort of a large bed of their luxuriously designed room. The Bay View rooms are aptly designed and offer spectacular views of the sunset over the Bay. Grand Club™, Hyatt’s “hotel within a hotel”, offers an extra touch of luxury and special privileges such as complimentary continental breakfast, evening cocktails and canapés in the Grand Club™ Lounge.

Culture, cuisine, festivity and a collection of unique experiences - there’s so much packed inside this luxurious resort. You are spoiled for choice with seven brilliant, award-winning restaurants, bars and lounge that offer wide selection of authentic cuisine and flavours from across the globe. Indulge in around-the-week dining experience like cooking with our chefs, fondue evenings, cheese and wine table or sit down for an elaborate Sunday brunch with free-flowing Champagne and lobster. You can be assured that there is always something for you at Grand Hyatt Goa. Kids can have their own little holiday at Camp Hyatt—a recreation centre designed to provide the perfect amount of fun and game for children below 12 years.

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Unlocking the extraordinary at the Garden of Dreams Each year, Grand Hyatt Goa transforms into a destination that celebrates the holiday season by creating memorable moments for every visitor. This year, Grand Hyatt Goa successfully hosted the magnificent New Year’s event. Garden of Dreams 2015 set the bar for a mystical night of entertainment, fiesta amidst great fanfare and grandeur.

A theatrical music dinner show, this one-of-a-kind New Year’s event in Goa was truly an escape from reality. The Garden of Dreams saw participation from hotel patrons, international and domestic travelers all raising their glasses to welcome the New Year the grand way.

The Garden of Dreams ensured that guests were transported to a bygone era of unparalleled enchantment through some of the most remarkable performances. A welcome stairway over smoky waters lead to the mystical lawns where Melanie Le Blanc welcomed guests with the melodious tunes of her grand piano raised mid-air. Each guest received a vintage garden drink - a perfect concoction infused with flavours of apples, cinnamon, orange zest and a variety of spices.

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Jaco Le Roux, GM, Grand Hyatt Goa and Tufan Kobanbay, EAM Grand Hyatt Goa along with Thelma and Zeynep

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Designed as a gateway to the Garden of Dreams, each part of the palace lawns delivered whimsical and captivating performances. The garden weaved a dreamy tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical performances sprawling across the lawns of Grand Hyatt Goa. With the backdrop of the 16th Century Chapel, celebrations began with soul-stirring lounge music followed by a carriage with a white horse, the fallen angel, a garden temptress and the princess in a mirror came to life as guests indulged in canapés and appetizers. These were only a few of the many jaw dropping aerial act and spectacular dance performances that lead to the stairway of the Garden of Dreams.

Jaco Le Roux, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Goa adds “Last year we decided to do something different from the regular New Year’s Eve gala dinners and conceptualized the Garden of Dreams. We are glad that we have been able to create this theatrical evening for the second time where guests can experience a whole new level of entertainment in the form of a theatrical music dinner show.”

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The region’s largest and international awardwinning Shamana Spa offers a reason to plan a revitalizing getaway with a range of SouthEast Asian treatments with a contemporary approach.

The Shamana Spa comprises of 19 treatment rooms, including an Ayurvedic suite, six couples’ suites with plunge pool and spacious single suites, it also encompasses a beauty salon, a gym, Goa’s only 25 metre indoor lap pool, a large free-form outdoor pool, whirlpool and wet areas with sauna and steam.

The extensive spa menu at Shamana Spa, offers traditional Balinese, Thai and Indian therapies and a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments, this haven of tranquility offers an array of state-of-the-art amenities with professionally trained staff.

Therapies on the menu are truly stimulating and rejuvenating. A number of treatments can be combined, depending on individual needs, to create a complete and sensory spa experience.

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GRANT 9 GRAND COURSE MacPHERSON HYATT MEAL GOA WITH MARTIN - LAS VEGAS BENN - SEPIA, RESTAURANT, SYDNEY

goan markets

Shopping in Goa charms visitors and locals with handicrafts, clothes, spices, herbs, semi-precious and precious jewelry made by local artists and traveling tourists from all over the world. The Anjuna Wednesday Market and the Saturday night Arpora market are a must-see.

old goa

Old Goa is a historical city in north Goa district. The city was constructed in the 15th century, and was under Portuguese rule from 16th to 18th century as the administrative seat of Portuguese India. The Basilica of Bom jesus is a UnESCO World Hertiage site and holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.

tropical spice plantation

Located in Curti (Ponda), the experience begins with a herbal tea detox, a splendid guided tour of the spice garden and ends with the most authentic meal served on a leaf crockery made by the local villagers. And while you are there, don’t forget to pick up spices and oils like almond oil, turmeric with DIY home remedies.

GOA experienCe

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photography tours

Take on a photography tour by Francisco DeSouza into some of Goa’s most bustling and rural areas.

Francisco will make you see Goa in a deeper way than the usual tourist experience and make sure you go home with great photographs to prove it. The photography tours cover bustling markets, fishing

A

villages and ruins of coastal forts. The tours will also help you understand technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration and most importantly, lead by example in approaching local people.

yacht experiences

nothing else provides the luxury, privacy and freedom of a super yacht. Theme parties, sunset cruises or just a get together with your loved ones on board, ride the waters and celebrate happiness the nautical way! With a trained crew to cater to every whim of yours, you can take full advantage of the luxury facilities on–board.

ExCURSIONS AND SIGHTSEEING Bondla wildlife sanCtuary

sHri manGesHi temple

BasilliCa of Bom Jesus, old Goa our lady of immaCulate CHurCH, panJim mae de deus CHurCH, saliGao CABo de RAMA FoRT • FoRT AGuAdA BiRd SAnCTuARY • dudhSAGAR FAllS

anJuna flea market saturday niGHt market

BeACheS: MiRAMAR • BAGA • CAlAnGuTe MoRjiM • CAndoliM • BAMBoliM AShWeM • uToRdA • PAloleM • PATneM

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go

fishing Imagine the vast blue sea, the crack of dawn or the warmth of an evening sunset; go fishing with local fishermen for an authentic Goan experience. Bring back your catch and our chefs will cook it for you just the way you would like. every day, sunrise or sunset

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CASTAWAY CRUISE CROCODIlE DUNDEE lEISURE CRUISE HOUSE BOAT F1 BOAT BREAkFAST WITH DOlPHINS SPORT FISHING WATER SkIING

TOURS AND JET ADVENTURES SkIING TOWABlE RIDES FlY BOARD GO kARTING BOWlING PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

courtesyJanuary Francisco 120 Picture - WGTraveller 2016Desouza who conducts photography tours across Goa

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speak to our resort Centre team*, a one-stop-shop to help you design the Grand Goa plan, to make your holiday truly unique. Call +91 832 3011510.

GOA *We help you explore Goa in and around our resort.

This service is available for non-hotel guests also.

experienCe

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GOA TOURISM

Goa scale new heights Goa touched another milestone in its tourism sector with the launch of the Hot Air Ballooning services by GTDC. The occasion was graced by Dilip Parulekar - Tourism Minister of Goa, Dilip Parulekar, Nilesh Cabral - Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Ameya Abhyankar - Director of Goa Tourism and Nikhil Desai - MD, GTDC at the GTDC parking lot at Baga.

The Hot Air Balloon service was tested in May 2015 and now, with the beginning of the peak season, Goa Tourism is all set to offer its visitors an unforgettable experience. A special test ride was arranged for the invitees during the event.

The Hot Air Ballooning Safaris are designed by Camping Retreats Pvt. Ltd, a Delhi based agency well known for its high standards of security, safety and customer service in conduct of tiger balloon safaris in India and abroad.

In the introductory phase, two hot air balloons will be operational with tours to Dudhsagar Water Falls. The Cameroon 180 will be part of the hot air balloon fleet that will be in operation in Goa taking tourists atop Goa’s picturesque landscaping and offering spectacular areal displays of the State’s tourism sites. This service aims at providing another dimension to adventure tourism in the state; it will also focus on showcasing Goa’s

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hinterlands and will give tourists an opportunity to explore the rich geography of the state via the sky and the waterways.

Dilip Parulekar, Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, said, “Goa offers a beautiful combination of sun, sand and sea, to witness this from a height is a breathtaking experience and we are sure that tourists will be able to make the most of this. It is our endeavor to provide visitors to the state with unique experiences that encourages them to keep coming back to the state.”

Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of GTDC, added, “We are very happy to start with the full-fledge operations of Hot air ballooning services and we hope that tourists will be able to enjoy Goa’s varied landscape through their journey on a hot air balloon.

We have obtained all the required permissions and safety checks for the balloons. We are confident that this will be another feather in Goa Tourism’s cap.”

The entire system meets all the required safety standard and certifications. System certification is from FAA (USA), CAA (UK) and EASA (Europe) has been obtained. Since it is a flying object, it carries the same certification procedure as a regular airplane. In India, this certification is sought from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Dilip Parulekar, Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, and GTDC dignitaries WGTraveller January 2016 -

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MORRO BAY - CALIFORNIA

MORRO BAY

The Delights of the Pacific Coast Highway Text Michael Hepworth

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Morro Strand Beach

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View of the waterfront Embarcadero from Marina Street stairway view

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Morro Bay kayak shack and sand spit Photo Jenna Dosch

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Morro Bay commercial fishing and oyster boats

Morro Bay, California is a quiet, sleepy fishing town north of Santa Barbara, whose claim to fame for many years, has been the massive pyramid style volcanic rock that juts out of the Pacific Ocean and marks its seemingly inconsequential place along the Pacific Coast.

My visit was one that was admittedly coincidental, as I was heading toward Cambria, about 15 miles to the north and close to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, but one that with hindsight, should highlight the map for anyone traversing their way up the Pacific Coast Highway..

Morro Bay was incorporated in 1964 and tourists continue to flock to its Embarcadero area. Centrally located and a seeming magnet for those on a journey is the Embarcadero Inn which is front-and-center with its picturesque view of the 578-foot mystical rock. It is a perfect base to explore the Embarcadero, where you can easily buy fresh fish, rent kayaks, paddle boards or motor boats, or for those whose desire is to meander, a wide array of rare shells are to be found on the beaches. For the sea-ready sports enthusiast, If deep sea-fishing is your game, there are plenty of charter options where the prime catches are salmon, rockfish, lingcod and albacore.

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Tognozzini’s Dockside serves the freshest local seafood right on the docks Photo Maryann Stansfield

When it’s time to head out and explore, there is a free trolley service that takes you from the waterside to the rather quaint and low key downtown area which is a gem to discover especially during the summer months. Dining options are quite extensive but we only tried a couple of places on our visit, both at the Embarcadero. We dined at the upscale Windows on the Water which has been around since 1997 with Chef Neil Smith running the kitchen since 2007. They specialize in fresh seafood dishes and have an extensive wine and spirits list for the perfect pairings. If you want something a bit more funky, then head over to Libertines for fish and chips with live music nightly which seems to lean towards country-style, blues and jug band offerings.

There are two active oyster farms in Morro Bay - the prime one being the Morro Bay Oyster Company. There is a limited production of these sought after oysters and local chefs snap them up, keeping them busy and producing about 800,000 oysters a year in what is an extremely hard and labor intensive business. You can take a tour out to the farm, or you can also use either a kayak or paddle-board to get out there to see what’s happening.

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Morro Bay Oyster company owner Neal Maloney Harvesting oysters at the Morro Bay oyster company

Neal Maloney pulling pacific golds out of the water for harvest

Owner Neal Maloney loading up harvested oysters WGTraveller January 2016 -

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Summer Trolly in morro bay runs from Memorial day through the first week of October

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Hikers have plenty of options as well with the Black Mountain trail in Morro Bay State Park, the Morro Bay sand spit at Montana de Oro, or the Cloisters Wetlands trails in North Morro Bay. Golfers have the 18-hole Morro Bay State park golf course, and bird lovers can see over 250 species of birds at the Morro Bay National Estuary. If you are a real enthusiast, then January is the time to go when they host the Winter Bird Festival which attracts bird enthusiasts from all over the world. Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets can be seen at the entrance of the national estuary in the Heron and Cormorant Rookery.

The place to stay in Cambria is the Fogcatcher Inn, which is strolling distance to the famous Moonstone Beach to search for moonstone gems, or to watch the surfers fighting the aggressive waves. The 60room hotel is one of many to choose from on Beach Road, but it has recently been modernized and a hearty cooked breakfast is included for your enjoyment.

Picnic time on Morro Strand Beach

Cambria is a quaint little town with plenty of touriststyle gift shops. Dining options in are plentiful with places like Robin’s for example which have been around for at least thirty years. My choice however would be Linn’s Restaurant and Bakery, where portions are substantial and the homemade Chicken Pot Pie for example is outstanding. They are well known for their pies and desserts in the area, and all produce comes from their farm about five miles away.

Of course a visit to this part of the world would not be complete without seeing Hearst Castle, now a State Park with an impressive visitor center. A real revelation is the indoor Roman pool with its amazing marble and tiles and the bus ride up to the castle along the winding road is pretty interesting in itself, as you can see all the ‘over the top’ extravagances of the famous publishing mogul. Prior to going on the various tours, you can see a 40 minute movie about the life of the enigmatic Hearst, but if you really want to know the facts, purchase a copy of “The Chief” in the well-stocked gift shop. www.morrobay.org Hiking Black Mountain in Morro Bay State Park WGTraveller January 2016 -

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THE RITZ-CARLTON - HONG KONG

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THE RITZ-CARLTON, HONG KONG TAKES URBAN SPA EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS Taking the spa experience to new heights – 465 meters high to be precise - The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA is located on the hotel’s 116th floor and covers 860 sq m (9,257 sq ft), dominating the city skyline and re-defining the urban spa experience. The Spa features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couples’ suites; complete with Relaxation Lounges with floor-toceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the city and Victoria Harbor.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is pleased to partner once again with leading international spa consultancy ESPA, to develop the ultimate haven of sumptuous elegance. Susan Harmsworth, CEO and Founder of ESPA comments: “The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA is a truly breathtaking spa.

Located in the world’s highest hotel, the Spa is set to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for guests and a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

The hotel selects high caliber therapists who have a true passion for the job and for the Ritz-Carlton culture. All therapists must also undergo intensive four-week training on treatment and product knowledge, spa concepts and ESPA’s signature five star customer journey.

A collection of signature treatments have been created exclusively by ESPA that combine Western and Asian influences, incorporating traditional techniques and indigenous ingredients to help balance and renew mind, body, and soul and give luminosity and radiance to the skin. Each treatment experience begins with a wellness consultation to ensure each guest’s experience is completely tailored to them Lava Shell Body Treatment helps to release deep-seated tension and tone and renew the skin. Heated Lava Shells are used to soothe tired feet prior to an indulgent full body message using warmed aromatic oils and deep therapeutic strokes to melt away muscle stress and leave you feeling relaxed and revitalized.

Executive De-stress Treatment features a deep, therapeutic massage focused on the back, shoulders and arms with a tension releasing massage to the eye area. A revitalizing eye treatment using cool jade stone rollers refreshes tired eyes and help focus the mind.

Traditional Oriental Massage uses traditional Chinese techniques to help balance the flow of energy; using deep acupressure movements including stretching and kneading techniques combined with an oriental head massage to release blocked energy and leave the body full of vitality and mobility.

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Honey and Milk Urban Spa Body Treatment - Known for its antioxidant, nourishing and healing properties, honey is often used as a natural moisturizer to soothe stressed or damaged skin. The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA will offer a unique 80-minute Honey and Milk Urban Spa Body Treatment from June 1 onwards. The treatment will begin with a warm milk foot bath to soften the skin and relieve sore feet. To restore a fresh healthy glow to dry, tired skin, the body massage with honey scrub is a perfect remedy. The therapist will apply Longan Honey Sugar Scrub to remove dead skin cells, revealing soft and smooth skin underneath. The pampering experience is completed with a warm oil body massage to revive the skin to supple and silky perfection. This natural and mild treatment is also a prenatal indulgence for mom-to-bes.

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The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA brings this new skincare product to life with the launch of “Tri-Radiant Boost”, a head-to-toe treatment that promotes naturally radiant and beautiful skin that one can show off at festive parties or one’s own wedding event.

Optimal Body TriSerum is a super-serum with a revolutionary formula that combines three key cell nutrients and pioneering beauty actives – powerful plant and marine extracts including turmeric root, balloon plant and seaweed, with aromatherapy actives such as frangipani to promote radiant skin. Turmeric root enhances skin radiance and evens out pigmentation; seaweed boosts firming collagen and elastin; frangipani provides antioxidant protection against premature ageing. Enhanced by TriActive Technology, the serum contains rich Omega Oils (3, 6 and 9) to produce maximum results in a formula that is 99% natural.

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Carefully incorporating ESPA’s innovative TriSerum, the 110-minute “Tri-Radiant Boost” is a luxury treatment that instantly boosts skin health while improving the tone and texture of the skin, delivering an immediate silky and radiant benefits. The treatment begins with a body massage using the powerful TriSerum and ESPA Deeply Nourishing Body Cream. The dedicated therapist performs the ESPA advanced pumping and lifting massage techniques, resulting in instant improved elasticity and skin complexion. It is then followed by a bespoke regenerating facial using smoothing and lifting movements which improve skin texture and tone, diminish fine lines and give the skin a youthful lift at the same time. This new treatment is recommended for men and women who desire to be instantly uplifted both physically and mentally. The optimal experience will bring the most tired complexions from head to toe to life again, radiant and beautifully nourished. “Tri-Radiant Boost” is also recommended as a pre-party or pre-wedding treatment to give one’s skin a sexy glow to go with the evening dress

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THE PENINSULA TOKYO

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THE PENINSULA TOKYO

Occupying the sixth floor, The Peninsula Tokyo with a spa reception area, nine treatment rooms, and separate changing, relaxation and Thermal Suite areas for men and women, The Peninsula Spa offers a deeply personalized spa experience to both hotel guests and day-use visitors.

Located on the fifth floor, the fitness center and pool area complete the 900 sq m / 9,688 sq ft facility. The fitness center offers the latest equipment for weight training and cardio strengthening, while the 20 m / 66 ft indoor heated swimming pool and vitality pool with balcony provide views of the Imperial Palace Gardens and Hibiya Park.

Designed by Japanese interior designer Yukio Hashimoto, The Peninsula Spa is feminine and soft. Using warm earthy tones of gold and chocolate, beige marble, dark woods, “Ajiishi” Japanese granite stone from Kagawa Prefecture and “washi” paper light fixtures, a perfect balance of Japanese influence and contemporary flair are fused.

Each of the nine state-of-the-art treatment rooms offer private showers, Japanese yukimi shoji screens, natural light and the world’s first Clodagh Gemini fully automated treatment beds.

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All treatments may be performed in each room, eliminating the problem of reserving a treatment based on availability of a particular room. This combined with all therapists trained to perform every treatment offered, leaves only the idea of reserving “time” versus a specific treatment.

Therapists set the benchmark for Tokyo spas in terms of skill, training and quality treatments, as no other spa has a team of therapists who undergo such an intensive, comprehensive and lengthy training program. Each Japanese therapist is fluent in English and must be fully qualified before joining The Peninsula Spa. They then attend a tenweek training program conducted by world renowned spa company ESPA, which covers treatment and product knowledge, treatment training, spa concepts and ESPA’s signature five star customer journey.

ESPA has especially created a selection of “Peninsula Ceremonies”, outstanding signature body treatments that uniquely reflect a fusion of Japanese, Oriental, Ayurvedic and European therapies. Each signature treatment begins with a welcome ritual inspired by the Japanese art of tea ceremony, to soothe the spirit and stimulate the taste buds while a fresh ginger foot buff promotes energy balance and grounding.

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At The Peninsula Tokyo, three exclusive treatments are on offer – the Keihatsu Enlightenment Massage and the Lighten and Brighten Face and Back Facial. The Keihatsu Enlightenment Massage was born from the ancient traditional massage techniques of Nihon Kaifuku Anma originating approximately 3,000 years ago in Eastern Asia and forms the foundation from which Shiatsu was developed. Techniques including specialized pressure, kneading and percussion methods traditionally performed without oil aim to improve muscle condition while simultaneously helping to promote the healthy flow of Qi or vital life force energy.

The treatment incorporates deep kneading, rolling and stretching movements using palm and forearm techniques inspired by Nihon Kaifuku Anma. This combined with a blend of scientifically advanced essential oils restores vitality and vigor to mind and body.

The Lighten and Brighten Face and Back Facial is specifically prescribed to personally suit the skin’s needs. This facial and back treatment will improve skin texture and tone and address areas of tension. The back is deep cleansed with body brushing and exfoliation to help stimulate circulation and cell renewal, and tension is released with a luxurious aromatherapy massage. While a smoothing and brightening mask takes effect on the back, lower legs and feet receive a deeply relaxing massage.

The exceptional facial treatment that follows includes double cleansing, exfoliating, massaging with deeply nourishing facial oils, and the application of an intensive face

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treatment mask. The acupressure head massage helps clear the mind, calms the spirit and eases tension.

The ‘Spirit of Peninsula Treatment’ begins with a refreshing foot bath which invites you to succumb to the unique ‘Peninsula Touch’ preparing you for the ensuing body treatment.

A deeply conditioning exfoliating salt massage begins the body work after which, a compression of hot steaming towels are then used to eliminate deep seated muscular tension. All this is then enhanced by incorporating warmed fragrant oils to deliver graceful and elegant massage techniques to uplift the mind and soothe the body. To conclude this experience, a detoxifying hand, foot and scalp mask containing seaweed extracts with lemongrass and peppermint is applied whilst the awakening head massage conditions the scalp and clears the mind.

The Peninsula Spa is a vital facet of Peninsula Wellness – a lifestyle program designed to touch every aspect of a guest’s lifestyle, both during their stay and beyond. The innovative program goes far beyond mere pampering to appeal to all the senses. It includes healthy organic meal options under the “Naturally Peninsula” food range at Peninsula dining outlets created by The Peninsula’s Chefs, organic herbal teas, coffees and chocolates, and a natural toiletry range entitled “Simply Peninsula” offering soothing mood music with exclusive Peninsula Spa CDs. WGTraveller January 2016 -

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THE REVERIE SAIGON

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THE SPA AT THE REVERIE SAIGON Vietnam’s most exclusive city spa, The Spa at The Reverie Saigon is a studied melding of sophisticated, urban luxury and a decidedly European-inspired setting. Together with the Fitness Centre, The Spa encompasses 1,200 square meters (12,900 square feet) over two floors and features 10 treatment rooms – four dual-bedded suites and six for individual therapies.

With four private rooms for hair and nail treatments and three semi-enclosed manicure / pedicure areas discreetly tucked way on the 7th floor expanse, The Spa’s beauty area beckons Saigon’s social elite and high profile VIPs to its posh setting – replete with views. The comprehensive spa menu is a celebration of holistic relaxation and rejuvenation, with treatments that draw from the depths of Southeast Asian spa traditions as well as Western-inspired aromatherapy treatments. The result is a poised balance of East and West.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to bathe each suite, cuing mind and body to relax and unwind. Classical furnishings decorate the spa reception and seating areas throughout and provide a bridge between The Spa’s more contemporary atmosphere and the regal ambiance of the hotel’s public spaces.

Seaweed harvested in the Atlantic, pink salt from the Himalayas and mud from the Amazon are just a sampling of some of the exotic elements incorporated into the diverse range of therapies by ila, Voya and The Spa’s own signature creations.

For treatments with Asian origins, guests can choose from custom-blended Thai aromatherapy oils of the highest quality, while Western-inspired therapies offer a selection of Italian essential oils by Dr. Taffi. Signature treatments created by The Reverie Saigon highlight The Spa’s seamless integration of luxury and leisure.

For couples, The Origin of Love elevates every aspect of the spa experience, from limousine pick-up within Saigon to a bouquet of peonies, caviar and a bottle of champagne upon arrival. The lavish treatment itself blends an invigorating honey and red wine body scrub with a soothing candlelit massage. Spa canapés and a chocolate gift set complete the three hours of bliss.

The two-hour Reverie Harmony is a relaxing ritual performed by two therapists.

Four hands work in unison to soothe the entire body. The treatment concludes with a customized facial and a simultaneous head and foot massage, leaving the mind uplifted, the body energized and the skin delightfully fragrant.

The 90 or 120-minute Reverie Fusion draws inspiration from the East with the use of bamboo to warm muscles and stimulate the nervous system before long, wide ‘butterfly’ strokes are applied to sooth, release tension and promote internal balance.

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SERENO SPA - PARK HYATT, GOA

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Sereno Spa For centuries people all over the world have created sacred spaces for ceremonies and retreats places away from the outside world, focusing upon the highest ideals – wholeness, healing and peace. Spread over 3,350 sq m (36,000 sq ft), Sereno Spa at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa is a complete wellness spa destination, set in lush beachfront gardens in the idyllic region of South Goa, India. Sereno Spa offers holistic treatments with a blend of unique therapies inspired by Ayurvedic and yogic traditions. These profound and holistic sciences of life redefine the spa approach, creating an all-encompassing and rewarding experience. A truly serene sanctuary for the senses, Sereno Spa offers treatments and programmes that promote wellness, fitness and relaxation.

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SERENO SPA - PARK HYATT, GOA

The comprehensive menu of spa therapies has a complete range of Ayurvedic treatments – from Pita Abhyanga, a deep tissue technique for muscle relaxation to Kapha Abhyanga, a massage that stimulates the cells, removes dullness and helps tone the body. Kalpa Moksha, a unique back and scalp massage therapy and Pada Abhyanga, a highly specialised acupressure foot and leg therapy are noteworthy too. The signature treatments at Sereno Spa include the Marine Experience which uses seaweed and mineral-based luxury products; Mithun, a couple’s spa experience which includes a soothing welcome ritual, followed by a detoxifying and re-mineralising marine wrap. Shirodhara, one of the most relaxing therapies and the cooling aloe and lavender Masque. Complete your holistic Ayurvedic experience with a first of its kind traditional steam bath, the Sarvanga Vashpa Swedan Yantra. Lie in an ornate chamber carved of seasoned medicinal wood, as you are enveloped in steam infused with a blend of vetiver roots, lemon grass and tulsi (basil leaves). The ideal way for your body to absorb the oils and their benefits. Sereno Spa offers other treatments as well, including touch therapies like Marma Energy Zone massage, skin refining treatments, replenishing body wraps, holistic facial therapies and marine facial therapies. Yoga Asanas and Pranayam under the guidance of expert Yoga masters also form an integral part of the wellness offerings at the spa. The spa features single and double treatment suites, outdoor therapy pavilions, separate male and female sauna and steam rooms.

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The elegantly designed nine indoor treatment suites, along with outdoor therapy spaces, are arranged around the Courtyard of Tranquility, offering guests the ultimate haven for body, mind and soul. Some of the signature spa packages at the Sereno Spa include the Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Programme, that focuses on lifestyle balance and enhancement of the body’s natural healing processes, and the Beauty and Indulgence Programme, that brings a unique and fresh perspective to health and beauty care. The Stress Management Programme focuses primarily on implementing various mind and body balance techniques, while the Integrated Wellness Programme combines lifestyle assistance with advice on natural self-care techniques, organic nutrition concepts and fitness options. Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa and Sereno Spa are the recipients of a host of prestigious awards and accolades, including ‘Most Luxurious Spa (Resort)’ at the GeoSpa asiaSpa India Awards 2014, ‘Favourite Destination Spa’ at the Conde Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards 2013, ‘Best Resort Spa’ at the asiaSpa India Awards 2012, ‘Favourite Destination Spa (#2)’ at the Conde Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards 2012, ‘Best Resort Spa’ at the asiaSpa India Awards 2011, ‘Best Destination Spa’ at the Conde Nast Traveller India Readers’ Awards 2011 , ‘Best Ayurvedic Spa (hotel)’ at the fourth asiaSpa India Awards, ‘The Best Beach Spa’ in Conde Nast Traveller Asia’s Best Spa’s 2010-2011 and ‘The Best Spa in India’ in India Today Travel Plus Readers Choice Survey 2010 – 2011 and 2009-2010.

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GRAND LAPA - MACAU

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AN OASIS OF CALM THE SPA GRAND LAPA, MACAU Amid Macau’s bustle exists an oasis of tranquillity that continues to embody the idyllic charm and quaintness of this historic city – Grand Lapa Spa. The Spa features six treatment suites each with their own private outdoor garden and whirlpool bath, the only spa in Macau or Hong Kong to have these features.

The spa offers a comprehensive range of body, facial and beauty treatments using professional organic spa brand VOYA from Ireland. This awardwinning organic beauty range is formulated using hand-harvested organic seaweed from the pristine Northwest coast of Ireland and the finest organic elements from around the world; evidenced by certification from the Soil Association – widely acknowledged as the Rolls Royce of eco accreditation, and the USDA – known for their stringent authentication standards. The VOYA skin care line currently offers 15 products including an anti-ageing facial range, an organic body care range and hair care. Signature massages include Organic Seaweed Leaf Body Wrap and Hot Stone Massage, while popular Journeys” include Organic Experience and Harmony for two.

Additional highlights include a retail boutique featuring specially designed spa and leisure wear, exquisite bath, body and beauty products and essential oils. True to its commitment to genuine health and holistic wellness, The Spa is part of the 15,000-square-metre resort, complete with unparalleled fitness and sports facilities that include a large outdoor free-form, temperaturecontrolled swimming pool, outdoor garden whirlpool bath, kids’ club, state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a yoga studio offering private sessions and workshops.

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THE OBEROI SPA - WILDFLOWER HALL, SHIMLA

The Oberoi Spa Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas - An Oberoi Resort, set amidst thick evergreen forests, presents a picture of breathtaking natural beauty. The resort stands handsomely amidst acres of cedar and pine trees, bearing testimony to its rich heritage. Reflecting its gracious past, the interiors of the resort are luxurious and inviting. Burmese teak panelling, fireplaces, artworks and polished parquet floors create an aura of old-world charm. The guest rooms and suites with timber floor and hand knotted rugs complemented by spectacular views offer a sanctum of comfort and tranquillity.

The extensive spa menu features holistic, non-clinical therapies, massages and beauty treatments incorporating ancient Ayurvedic principles, Aromatherapy and Western techniques administered by skilful therapists who have undergone rigorous training administer these treatments.

The therapies on the menu include massages, exotic body scrubs, floral baths and rejuvenating beauty treatments. Extended and personalised programmes, which include yoga and meditation sessions, are also available. These are undertaken under the guidance of the resident Yoga teacher.

In addition to offering time honoured therapies like Balinese massage and a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments, the spa menu incorporate the therapeutic sound and vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls to cleanse and enhance the chakra energy centers of the body; heated lava shells to synergise warmth and deep pressure in a massage and facials and body wraps using products of the renowned Hungarian spa brand, Omorovicza.

Himalayan Romance Retreat - Leave the world behind while you and your loved one indulge in a session of body pampering treatment. Start with a body exfoliation with our customized blend of exotic Indian spices to purify and cleanse your skin to a lustrous glow. Relax in an aromatic steam bath to open the pores and breathing passages followed by a soothing massage. Your treatments conclude with a relaxing bath as you absorb the stunning view of the Himalayas.

Journey to Tibet – An herbal poultice massage and Sound and vibration therapy.

This warm herbal poultice massage is combined with energy balancing and healing sound. You will enjoy the benefits of the heat and therapeutic massage as your chakra energy centers are cleansed and enhanced through the therapeutic sound and vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls.

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Exotic Spice Body Envelopment - This anti-oxidant, detoxifying and anti-ageing body wrap repairs your skin and leaves you radiant and relaxed, toning and tightening the skin. Your treatment begins with a full body exfoliation and an aromatic steam therapy to open your pores to benefit from the antioxidants of the spice blend used in your treatment. Wrapped in a warming blend of cinnamon and clove masque to infuse vitamins and minerals that will provide warmth to your entire body. While your body luxuriates in the spice blend, your therapist pampers you with a neck, face, and scalp massage. This treatment concludes with an application of moisturizer and a spicy mist to awaken your senses.

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SHANGTI-LA’S - EROS HOTEL, NEW DELHI

The Spa at Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi embraces a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being. Inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies, our treatments are based upon the principles of restoring balance and harmony to the mind and body. Pamper yourself at the Spa at Shangri-La with a variety of massages, herbal baths and body wraps. Surrender to the intuitive touch of our therapists and the restorative powers of fragrant oils, aromatic herbs and spices. All treatments take into consideration your individual needs and desires. The Spa at Shangri-La gives you the luxury of personal space and timelessness to indulge your senses, soothe your body and revitalize your spirit. Soothing music flowing from the state of the art sound system greets you when you step into the spa reception and transports you into a tranquil haven. Muted lighting and wood paneled floors and walls give a warm cocoon like cozy feeling.

The Spa covers approximately 20,000 square feet of space with two wet rooms, which have steam, sauna, Jacuzzi and locker facilities. The Salon, with its private treatment areas, has a range of hair treatments including cuttings and coloring, massage, manicures and pedicures and hair Spa’s for women and men amongst other facilities.

It also has a fully equipped state of the art gym, an open-air pool and five treatment rooms which offer a full wellness program, a wide variety of massage therapies, facials and body treatments.

Alternative holistic therapies are also available. The couple massage room has a Jacuzzi where couples can sit back and relax while sipping on chilled champagne. The Spa at ShangriLa’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi offers you a tranquil haven in which to dispel the rigors of travel and rejuvenate your body and mind.

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ZAARA SPA - RESORT RIO, GOA

Zaara Spa Resort Rio

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Zaara Spa at Resort Rio, Goa is a unique health and wellness oasis that offers holistic treatments through a blend of unique therapies. Its palace like spaciousness and Mughal authentic décor promises to set the tone for a transformational experience. This luxury spa boasts of two Ayurvedic rooms, one Thai massage room, three couple rooms, two single rooms, two steam rooms, one relaxation area and a dedicated consultation room. Complete with a beauty salon, spa pool and a foot massage lounge, Zaara Spa is a retreat for complete mind and body rejuvenation. It also has an in- house Ayur- shop well stocked with all kinds of Ayurvedic Beauty and body care products.

Zaara Spa offers authentic and highly effective ayurvedic, curative and rejuvenative treatments. At Zaara Spa you will find a variety of treatments to meet your specific needs- Customized herbal remedies, therapeutic massages, relaxing oil treatments and lot more in Beauty.

It’s well qualified experienced in-house Ayurvedic (B.A.M.S) doctors and professionally trained staff provide personalized care for a unique healing experience. A visit to Zaara Spa promises to be a transformational experience integrating timeless therapeutic methods with the contemporary spa principles of aromatherapy and energy healing. Their Swedish massages like Tibetian Singing Bowl Massage and Zaara Hot Stone Massage, Signature Experiences and couple packages are bestselling treatments. However, Reiki, acupuncture and ayurvedic treatments have started gaining popularity.

The focus at Zaara Spa is to offer a complete healing experience – mind, body and soul. To offer customers the best services and treatments and constantly introduce new services. The spa has a resident acupuncturist, wing chun/ kung fu master, reiki healer and astrologer, something to suit every mood and taste. Be it relaxing massages, refreshing wraps, special body care treatments or wellness programmes.

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