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Bawah
Blissfully marooned at the end of the Earth
Harbour Island
BAHAMAS’ LITTLE ISLAND
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ISLAND GETAWAYS
Jamaica, Mykonos, Seychelles, St. Barths, Mauritius, Sardinia, Con Dao & Cancun
Contents February/March 2018
Features 66 Harbour Island, Bahamas’ Sweet Little Sister Brimming with smiles and a quirky personality Harbour Island is the diminutive little sister of the Bahamian Out islands. This is the quintessential tropical island - soft sands, swaying palm trees and blessedly free of crowds.
82 Quest for Perfect Island Getaways
This is island hopping on a global scale. There is art, culture & cuisine to be discovered in addition to sandy beaches, underwater adventures and yes, land explorations too in Jamaica, Mykonos, Seychelles, St. Barths, Mauritius, Sardinia, Con Dao, Bora Bora & Cancun.
116 Coming Out Top On Tenerife
Canary Islands resident expert takes a tour of Tenerife, revealing the under-the-radar destinations located beyond the resorts. Le Guanahani, St. Barth
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Contents
February/March 2018
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Departments 6 Editor’s Note 12 Just In
Greece’s Santorini and Corfu make for a prefect Mediterranean break; Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, one of the last remaining pieces of paradise that just got discovered; Three island resorts open their doors for the luxurious traveller: Six Senses Fiji, Baglioni Resort, and Fushifaru Resort; Brazil meets the Philippines with the Agua Brazilian Swimwear line; Glamping at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills; Marine life of East Africa in its full glory at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and One&Only Le Saint Géran Mauritius; Newly-opened COMO Uma Canggu Designer Koichiro Ikebuchi shares his inspirations; Zuri Zanzibar adds a distinct charm to Tanzania, African’s quaint island; Silversands Grenada and a cross-channel swim in Nevis takes the Caribbean spotlight; Design Indaba brings the spotlight Cape Town; Walking among dragons in Komodo Island; Nobu Hotel Marbella adds to 4 World Travel February/March 2018
Spanish Riviera’s glamour; Art Basel Hong Kong 2018 is bigger and better; Visual sensory, history and mystery in three hidden restaurants; Dancing the night away at LA’s Santa Catalina island; Moldova’s Milestii Mici wine cellar extending 200 kilometres breaks records.
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Inspire Me
34
Where to Stay
Sun Kissed Islands, Asia’s Calling Card 8 best islands in Asia with an abundance of beauty and engaging activities.
Extreme, Exclusive Island Stays 9 Lavish accommodations with decadent private pools, guaranteed relaxation, mouth-watering cuisines and a whole lot of character.
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Style File
Model Sanne Vloet shares her favourite cities and the essential must-haves on any trip; Island Style… Revisited A wardrobe in hand geared specially for island getaways to Maldives, Thailand, Madagascar and
126 Seychelles; Ibiza Shopping One island, 15 outstanding boutiques, hundreds of shopping bags. Let us be your guide in navigating the vibrant stores of Ibiza.
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Insider
62
Design & Architecture
Fashion designer Hasan Hejazi and jewellery maven Sophie Bille Brahe let us in on their secret getaways and favourite places to sit back, relax, and get their artistic on.
Jean-Michel Gathy on the dance of design, symmetry & saving the planet with Leonardo Di Caprio.
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Short Breaks
132
At Leisure
Paradise Found A sublime private island Indonesian resort, Bawah Island shows that luxury and environmental consciousness can go hand-in-hand.
Luxury on The High Seas Experience a private yacht and travel plans so exclusive, you share it with just your close ones.
GLAMPING AT THE BEVERLY WILSHIRE Luxury camping with views of Rodeo Drive The ebb and flow of travel trends are genuinely entertaining. The humble and rugged camping has evolved to “glamping,” a portmanteau of glamour and camping that allows the “glamper” to enjoy unique experiences outdoors without giving up creature comforts. The iconic Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles offeres the ultimate glamping trip on its 10th floor. At the 200-square-foot terrace of the Veranda Suite, the only room in the hotel that has an entire floor to itself, stands a huge tent 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet tall in the middle. Inside the tent are a queen size bed, Four Seasons linens, and details that whisper luxuries such as a crystal chandelier, marble lamps, antique nightstands, and fur rugs. Outside the tent is a stunning view of the Hollywood Hills and Rodeo Drive that can be seen while chilling in oversized lounge furniture with a fireplace in the middle. An al-fresco dining that seats eight people is also set up. A delectable menu is prepared by the hotel’s executive chef that includes Japanese Mishima ultra wagyu beef and Ossetra caviar, while executive pastry chef Chris Ford ends the meal with a flourish: a smoked 55 percent Valrhona chocolate bar with a vintage Champagne flight, a Tahitian vanilla bean marshmallow, and campfire s’mores in the company of 24 karat gold leaf. Welcome to the world of glamping! February/March 2018 World Travel 15
JUST IN
PEACEFUL AND POISED AT UMA CANGGU Love and Surf in Bali “COMO is a resort where you can really feel at home even if you’re not. This is because of the harmony among excellent hospitality, exceptional location, and thoughtful design,” said Koichiro Ikebuchi, one of the two interior designers responsible for COMO Uma Canggu’s peaceful and poised visuals. This new hotel opens in Bali, Indonesia this February. Its suites and penthouses beckon travellers with mellow furnishings and a laid-back vibe. The penthouses’ beachside accommodations come with their very own private 10-metre rooftop pools and butler service, in addition to a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. Every room is decorated with stylish living green walls and balconies with foliage, reinforcing Ikebuchi’s passion for nature and its incorporation into his designs. Infinity pools open up to wide-arched entrances, allowing guests to view the sky at a perfect angle in their lounge chairs. “Ecology and nature are integrated. This resort is a place where people will appreciate and love nature. I think now everyone is more concerned about its importance, and design will be, and have to be, more considerate about it in the future,” said Ikebuchi. Aside from a lax getaway, surfers will also enjoy themselves at COMO Uma Canggu thanks to its rippable waves and perfect surfing weather most months of the year.
Como Uma Canggu’s penthouse pool
18 World Travel February/March 2018
Photograph by Nick Johanson/Shutterstock
Stone Town, Zanzibar’s Port
Zanzibar's spiced history and raw beauty Unguja Island plays host to yet another luxury property One foot on the soil of Zanzibar and you instantly know that you’ve fallen in love with Africa. Zanzibar Archipelago’s Unguja Island, east of Tanzania, popularly referred to as Zanzibar, is perhaps one of the most captivating islands of this vibrant continent. The addition of Zuri Zanzibar Hotel and Resort dressed in beautiful white sand is another reason why a trip to this island can no longer wait. Its home is the northwestern shores of Unguja in Kendwa Village, an enchanting beachfront that looks out to the Indian Ocean. 55 bungalows, suites, and villas overlooking the beach are set to open in May 2018. The waters are free of tide force, thus making for safe swimming and decent water adventures. As a nod to Zanzibar’s historic spice industry, the property will carry the Zuri Spice Garden, a pocket of lush greens perfect for a quiet stroll or meditation. The hotel, designed by Jestico + Whiles, is an ideal combination of 21st-century details and environmentally friendly architecture. The Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains the star attraction where visitors can experience the incredible culture of the local Swahili people. As a consequence of world wars and changing of masters during colonisation, Zanzibar is an eclectic mélange of European, Persian, Indian, and Arab culture and elements. The Stone Town, named as such because coral stones were primarily utilised in houses and other small establishments, the old city may be daunting to navigate with its maze-like narrow alleys—an adventure in itself. Mosques, bazaars, small shops, and houses dot the lanes, and due to the confined space, it is the bicycles and motorbikes that rule these paths. February/March 2018 World Travel 19
INSPIRE ME
Notable Look at the Extraordinary
SUN-KISSED ISLANDS, ASIA’S CALLING CARD BY EANA MANIEBO PALM TREES AND SEA BREEZE? CHECK. SAND ON YOUR FEET AND THE WARMTH OF THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN? CHECK. AN ISLAND EXPERIENCE ALWAYS RELAXES THE SOUL AND RECHARGES THE MIND AND BODY. WE WHISK YOU AWAY TO EIGHT OF THE MOST MESMERISING ISLANDS WHERE YOU CAN LET YOUR ADRENALINE RUSH WITH ZESTFUL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTS TO SPOT, REGALE YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH LOCAL CUISINE, LAZE AROUND THE BEACHFRONT, AND TAKE THE PERFECT SHOT WITH THE MOST VIVID VISTAS IN THE BACKGROUND.
February/March 2018 World Travel 25
INSPIRE ME SUN-KISSED ISLANDS
Previous page, Sun deck at The St. Regis Langkawi From top, Paraw sailing at the white beach, Boracay; Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Samui
26 World Travel February/March 2018
WHERE TO STAY EXCLUSIVE ISLANDS
Extreme
Exclusive Island Stays These island destinations take exclusivity to the extreme, bringing luxury to romantic, dramatic, adventurous, and mythical new levels. By Laura Elliott
This page, from top, North Island AlFresco dining; no one does relaxation better at Villa North Island bedroom Opposite, intimate fantastical paradise at North Island
NORTH ISLAND Seychelles Extreme Relaxation A Robinson-Crusoe-meets-Paradise-Island vibe greets you on a stroll around the tranquil shores of this long uninhabited jewel. Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens along with artisans from Africa, Zanzibar, Bali and the Seychelles married cultures and architectures to provide an overthe-top, intimate fantastical paradise. From the eleven guest villas complete with decadent private pools and libraries, to the West Beach Bar perched on an outcrop of the granitic island’s westside––the view becomes less of an experience and more a call to the soul. Lavish accommodations include 450 square-metre villas with luxurious bedrooms, a writing and changing room area, generous marble baths and outdoor showers. You decide wether to let the gentle breeze of punkah-punkah fans cool you down while opening fully retracting windows to admire the 270-degree view, or simply indulge in air-conditioning. When its time to pamper no one does relaxation better than North Island. Swimming and sunbathing on four private beaches, just steps away snorkelling and scuba diving with 4-metre visibility over otherworldly reefs, yoga on the beach for your most memorable sun salutation, and private massages. Visits to the world-class Spa on North Island find a blend of the rare and exotic right down to organic natural herbs, marine cosmetics and complimentary barefoot rituals, a foot massage that chases away the stress of travel and welcomes relaxation. Their holistic and Thalgo treatments feel more like journeys. Get your adventure on with Hobie sailing, yacht charters and deep sea fishing. Enjoy island hopping on a private helicopter to play golf at 18-hole Lamuria Resort on Praslin Island. Trekkers will enjoy nature walks hosted by the island’s ecologist or bird watching with a naturalist. north-island.com February/March 2018 World Travel 35
STYLE FILE SANNE VLOET
Sanne Vloet Model and globetrotter, Vloet shares her favourite places to visit and lets us in on her tips and must-haves.
S
anne Vloet is taking the modelling world by storm as she walks the runways for top fashion houses around the globe. A former gymnast, Sanne’s big break in the fashion industry arrived in style when she strutted her way in the Oscar de la Renta show at New York Fashion Week in 2014. What followed were the runways of eminent and distinguished designers such as Chanel, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, among others, and campaigns for Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors. She walked her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2015 and made her second and third appearances in the 2016 and 2017 shows. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, and statuesque beauty has made her a popular face in international magazine covers and inside pages. This Dutch model currently resides in New York. With her suitcase, scarf, and penchant for exploring, the entire world is her stage.
FAVOURITE CITY Amsterdam. It’s in my home country, and I love it. It is small and easy to get around in. There is a certain chilled ambience which I also enjoy. The canals, the bikes… it just has that indescribable charm.
FAVOURITE COUNTRY TO VISIT I love to visit Indonesia, Bali especially. Everything there is simply amazing and there’s something to do for everyone — rafting, yoga, hiking, surfing, or just hanging out on the beautiful beaches. The food is great as well! FAVOURITE HOTELS Shangri-La Hotels all over the world. You know what to expect and 44 World Travel February/March 2018
the service is always excellent. The last one I stayed in was in Boracay, Philippines. The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland was also very special. It’s not every day you get to sleep in an igloo in the snow. RESTAURANTS When I travel, I always try to eat the local food, and the best way to discover this is on the streets! A QUICK WEEKEND RETREAT Tulum, Mexico. It’s not far from the US and offers so many wellness and retreat hotels. Their fresh seafood and beaches are amazing as well. RED-EYE OR DAYTIME FLIGHT? I can sleep easily on flights and I don’t like to waste time so I prefer
red-eye flights! MUST-HAVE WHEN TRAVELLING I always travel with a scarf because airplanes can be very cold! In warm countries, you also need to cover a little bit sometimes so it comes in handy too. My Bluetooth airpods are a staple as well for listening to music or taking a phone call on the road. TRAVEL TIPS Bring facemasks on long flights. It’s essential to take care of yourself while travelling because you want to arrive fresh at your destination. Another one is to pack everything in little bags in your suitcase to keep your items organised. W
ISLAND STYLE REVISITED BY ANNABEL KERMAN
A
n island destination is considered by many the nirvana of holiday travel, with the allure of endless pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unrivalled privacy and exclusivity for the elite traveller. But when it comes to design it’s easy to pigeonhole these paradise island resorts with a natural rustic styling that lets the natural beauty of their surroundings take centre stage. And what if our style choices are not of the ‘barefoot chic’ variety? Or if we want to select holiday wardrobes from bolder trends fresh off the s/s catwalks for an island vacation? Luckily the plethora of luxury resorts that have been steadily growing over the last decade in the most remote corners of the globe means that island resort no longer needs to simply mean rustic. The resorts selected here all share essential elements expected of an island paradise, but vary hugely in style: From a modern tropical Thai retreat, via a Madagascan bolt hole entirely in pastel pink stone, an architecturally bold overwater Maldivian resort, to a Seychelles retreat opening as we go to press with a contemporary nod to 19thcentury colonialism. Which means whether you prefer the season’s Hawaiian meets crayola colours meets world traveller vibe, louche retro pastel glamour, sharp sports influenced modernity, or the latest clean-cut take on safari, there is a luxury island resort to suit. So grab your copy of Robinson Crusoe, it’s time to start island hopping… February/March 2018 World Travel 45
“Water gives me a feeling of space, the feeling of freedom.”
This Page, from top, Aman New York spa pool; Jean Michel Gathy Opposite, Chedi Muscat, spa relaxation room
I spend a good deal of my recreational time on the water. In my sailboat I sense all the different personalities of the Pacific, her seasons and her mysteries. So when the world-renown designer of luxury hotels and master of water-feature design, Jean-Michael Gathy, had an opportunity to speak with me we began our conversation over our mutual love of water. I wondered if water had been a lifestyle for him, like it is for me, and what inspired his water features. He laughed saying this was a good question and perhaps best talked about over a glass of whiskey. When I reminded him sailors drink rum, he heartily laughed and had this to say. “I am fascinated by water,” he said. “Why am I fascinated by water? It is the same for the sailor. Why do you enjoy the sea? For me, water gives me a feeling of space, the feeling of freedom, the feeling of flowing. On top of the water for you, you have the wind, you have that feeling of infinite lines or specific island approach or big rock approach. It is the same for me.” He went on to say that he enjoys including water in luxury resort design because it emphasises the control of space. During the day people are off doing what they love to do at the beach, on the water, in the mountains or wherever. But at night, the water sparkles. At night at the resort all is dark and the water is reflective. It is at once dramatic and soothing, inspiring and tranquil. The water can illuminate like a chandelier, something grand
to liven up the darkness, giving a beautiful focal point that eases body, mind and spirit. At once a lively and yet totally calming component, he pointed out there is an absolute fascination when a person sits at a restaurant, bar or lounge and views a fountain or water feature. “Have you ever witnessed yourself sitting beside a fountain doing nothing? Now, would you sit in the garden doing nothing for three hours? No. You would last twenty minutes. But sit in front of a fireplace or fountain, and you can do nothing for three hours.” Symmetry provides one of the fundamental elements of relaxation, he says adding that this is a scientific fact. People have a fundamental psychological need to create balance in their mind. That’s why when people see something symmetrical like Borobudur and the Taj Mahal they are instantly relaxed and calm. Our eyes and mind love symmetry. “The word for comfort is balance,” he said. I had read that he likened a beautiful hotel to a dance. So I asked him which of his projects is his most memorable dance. After lamenting that answering is like asking him to pick a favourite child, he said, “An architect is a choreographer.” Gathy believes it doesn’t matter if you design a brick, or a tree or fabric––what counts is when they have to dance together. He said that he tries to design a seamless product similar to a ballet’s holistic performance, and not defined by any one specific piece. Great design is not an addition of elements February/March 2018 World Travel 63
FEATURE HARBOUR ISLAND
HARBOUR ISLAND BAHAMAS’ SWEET LITTLE SISTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANA LUI & WORDS BY DANNI LANDA
66 World Travel February/March 2018
you actually live here. I’m in the Kitchen Cottage with its canopied fourposter bed and bright yellow claw foot bath, which I eye up for a late night soak before bed. Each of the nine rooms are decorated in accordance to its outlook and history. As expected my room used to be the kitchen and while there’s no whiff of frying bacon I can’t help but feel the residual warm glow of the many family moments this room once witnessed. The absolutely first thing anyone should do on arrival on Harbour Island is commune with the sea. The island is famous for it’s pink sands and while I am partial to a peachy tint the real beauty is in the texture. They call it powder - like snow except without the discomfort of ski gear. One side of the island looks out to the Atlantic and the other kisses the Caribbean, the common thread between them is the vast spectrum of blue - from glassy green to piercing turquoise it is picture postcard perfect. Even though the island is only 3 miles long and half a mile wide the beach appears to go on forever. The few people that pass my way offer friendly waves or stop for a chat. That even the most hard-headed city folk are able to shed their big smoke armour and talk to a stranger is testament to the liberation the island provides. Everyone is friendly and genuinely happy to see you. It’s contagious and not long before I myself start to wave at complete strangers. Dunmore Town is the name given to the tiny collection of streets that make up the commercial centre. The whole place fits in perfectly with my 1940s tropical film noir fantasy. Rows of pastel cottages in the New England colonial style sit cute-as-a-button along the streets. Pinks, greens, blues and yellows all with white picket fences and eaved windows. It would be no surprise to find a sultry Rita Hayworth sitting on a porch sipping freshly made lemonade. Harbour Island has long been the domain of a certain niche within the jet set crew. It’s relative isolation means that only true believers make it across from the glitzier resorts. Aristocrats, fashionistas and a rabble of global drifters dominate the local scene. These are not the ostentatious types though – there’s more substance than flash and the smattering of gorgeous, exclusive and hip
This page, from top, sunbeds and parasols of the Dunmore Hotel; colourful colonial houses of Dunmore Town; a restaurant deck on Eleuthera Opposite, clockwise from top left, Harbour Island golf carts; wooden signpost; palm trees and garden view at the Other Side; Island Treasures; fishing boats; Tree Trunk Room interior at the Ocean View Club
QUEST FOR PERFECT ISLAND GETAWAYS 82 World Travel February/March 2018
Photograph by Round Hill, Jamaica
FEATURE ISLAND GETAWAYS
PACK YOUR SWIMWEAR AND SUNBLOCK, AND COME WITH US AS WE HOP FROM ONE MAGNIFICENT ISLAND TO ANOTHER. PLAY EXPLORER AS YOU DISCOVER THE BEST RESTAURANTS, THE MOST RIVETING ACTIVITIES, OR BE ENRAPTURED BY THE LOCAL CULTURE AND GLIMPSES OF THEIR HISTORY.
•JAMAICA •MYKONOS •SEYCHELLES •ST. BARTHS •MAURITIUS •SARDINIA •CON DAO •BORA BORA •CANCUN
February/March 2018 World Travel 83
Photographs by Shutterstock/ Balate Dorin
FEATURE TENERIFE
SHORT BREAKS BAWAH ISLAND
PARADISE FOUND
Photographs by Bawah Island
BY SANJAY SURANA
IN INDONESIA’S ANAMBAS ARCHIPELAGO,
126 World Travel February/March 2018
A NEW, REMOTE, LUXURY RESORT COMBINES FABULOUS FACILITIES AND AMENITIES WITH ADMIRABLE GREEN PRACTICES
February/March 2018 World Travel 127
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