JETsetter 2023 Issue#1

LODGE LIFE

NEW ZEALAND’S BEST LUXURY RETREATS

EASTERN EDEN

Cruising

Indonesia’s Most Remote Corners

NORDIC CALLING

Finland’s Dynamic Art & Dining Scene

THE 2023 BUCKET LIST

Ultimate Adventures from Across the Globe

DESIGNED BELGRAVIA TOWN HOUSE

This charming town house provides a wonderful mix of classical style and contemporary architecture. The house offers versatile living accommodation arranged over two floors and an exceptional private central courtyard providing ample natural light throughout the home.

• 4 Bathrooms

SPECTACULAR

This unique villa set into the hills of Mykonos comprises a main house and guest house offering over 7000sq ft of incredible interior and exterior spaces.

£3,450,000

P.O.A

LEASEHOLD • SOLE AGENTS

FREEHOLD • SOLE AGENTS

A luxury 6-bedroom Villa with ample space for entertaining featuring large sky-framed windows offering breath-taking views over Monaco Bay.

P.O.A

£3,450,000

FREEHOLD • SOLE AGENTS

LEASEHOLD • SOLE AGENTS

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF JETSETTER MAGAZINE FOR 2023

As we are finally able to indulge in our collective passion for travel, JETSETTER has been given a breath of fresh air; we’re returning to our travel roots in 2023, ensuring our readers have all the inspiration and information they need to explore the globe in style. Regular readers will also notice that the magazine’s design has been given a little refresh, while a comprehensive new website – which is poised to launch –and new bi-weekly digital newsletter will ensure that we have more stories, tips, adventures, and insights to covey than ever before.

Of course, the timing couldn’t be better. I’m writing this note from the media room of ILTM Asia-Pacific, a major annual showcase of luxury travel companies from across the world which, after two years of running virtually, is back as a live event and the insights from research conducted by the event organisers is fascinating. Travellers are expected to fly less often (despite an initial wave of ‘revenge travel’) but make those trips count (50% of surveyed travellers say their holidays will be longer), and once they land, they’re expected to choose experiences over goods, shunning conventional luxury consumption for the memories that come with unforgettable travel encounters. They’ll also book earlier, turn to the expertise of travel agents and travel creators more often (86% said they plan to use agents the same or more than they did

Contributors

since the start of the pandemic), and place health and wellness as a priority (56%), whether they’re escaping on a city break or embarking on a world cruise.

I was JETSETTER’s first managing editor and led the magazine for over a decade and it’s a pleasure to return to the role as the magazine joins the Artemis Communications stable and as we give the title a fresh perspective, heed the research, and deliver a captivating cross section of experiences, people, places and memories waiting to be made. In this first issue for 2023 we cruise the remote islands of eastern Indonesia with Heritage Expeditions, delve into Helsinki’s fascinating foodscape and modern art movement, check into New Zealand’s most indulgent luxury lodges, and find design inspiration on the streets of Miami. We also discover Copenhagen’s best boutique hotels, explore the extensive sustainability efforts of The Datai Langkawi, learn about balance and peace from Thai actor, singer, and entrepreneur Thiraphat Sajakul, and offer a host of unique experiences from Bali in our annual supplement. Travel safe, travel often, and make every moment count.

Noah Dolinsky is an experienced photographer based in Bangkok, Thailand. His specialties include portraits and editorials. His latest photoshoot was with the Thai actor/singer Thiraphat Sajakul for this issue of JETSETTER.

With 25+ years in the media and as former editor for several lifestyle and travel magazines, Neetinder Dhillon has plenty of stories to share and closely charts the luxury lifestyle on her website. For this issue of JETSETTER, she profiled film star Thiraphat Sajakul.

Denis Fahy denis@jetsetter-magazine.com

Publisher

Nick Walton nickwalton@artemiscomms.com Group Managing Editor

Helen Dalley helen.dalley@jetsetter-magazine.com Group Deputy Editor

Don Pierre Riosa don@jetsetter-magazine.com Creative Director

Robyn Tucker-Peck Contributing Editor

Paul Lo paul.lo@jetsetter-magazine.com General Manager (Shanghai)

Darryl Scott d.scott@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director

Fatima Cameira fatima@jetsetter-magazine.com Marketing Director

John Murphy john@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director (Thailand)

Laurence James laurence.james@jetsetter-magazine.com Chief Representative, Europe

Lois Lai lois@jetsetter-magazine.com Event Director

WPANORAMICPERFECTION

hile most hotels pride themselves on their views during the day, you’ll want to make the most of this spectacular setting when it becomes dark. Located in Hella, the heart of southern Iceland, and available through Off the Map Travel, Panorama Glass Lodge consists of a clutch of four glass-encased igloo style houses, each of which offers truly spectacular views of the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun. Each house (named for Nordic gods) is constructed with wood, steel and glass in a design inspired by traditional Scandinavian homes, and is located in a surreal, remote landscape ensuring plenty of privacy. Interiors include sustainable custom furnishings, intimate kitchenettes, separate glass saunas, outdoor hot tubs, and local Sóley Organics in the bathrooms. The property will open a smaller West Iceland location later this year. Of course, the most important spot is the bed, which is dressed in locally-sourced blankets and which offers the best Aurora spotting on the island. panoramaglasslodge.com

School’s in SESSION

Housed within the former Department of Education building in the city’s Sandstone Precinct, Capella Sydney combines iconic heritage-listed accommodation with truly bespoke luxury.

Opening in March, Capella Sydney delivers new levels of luxury to Sydney’s commercial, cultural and hospitality hub with 192 sublime rooms and suites, innovative dining outlets, and a location that’s just minutes from the glistening harbour foreshore, the famed Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Occupying an entire city block, encircled by Loftus, Bridge and Young Streets, the heritage-listed building was originally designed by architect George McRae in the Edwardian Baroque style and has been transformed by Make Architects into the city’s newest house of slumber. While the guest rooms and suites – each decked out with local touches, curated art work, bespoke furnishings and intriguing objets d’art – span eight levels, the new hotel will be anchored by three ground-level dining outlets, including signature Brasserie 1930, which will showcase the produce of smallbatch farmers and growers, while level six will boast an indulgent vitality pool and spa facilities. capellahotels.com- -

PATINA Debuts

InThe Maldives

Created as a hideaway where a reverence for pleasure, nourishment, and activity reigns supreme, Patina Maldives, Fari Island is more than just another sexy tropical retreat. Buttressed by a catalogue of world-class facilities, resident creatives and visiting experts, the resort is set to lead the pack in the cultivation of experience-led journeys under the Indian Ocean sun.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, the new property has been designed by Studio MK27 and Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, with verdant gardens shaped by landscape designer Vladimir Djurovic. The new Maldivian retreat’s 20 Fari Studios and 90 beach and over-water villas range from One Bedroom Beach Pool Villas to the stunning three-bedroom Beach House, complete with its own rooftop terrace and expansive gardens.

In addition, Patina Maldives, Far Island boasts 12 restaurants ranging from a plant-based concept to the Maldives’ first and only Greek outlet. You’ll be able to graze through the day at food trucks dotted around the island and come evening, the Fari Beach Club will welcome guests with a cool and laidback vibe.

The new property also has a green ethos based around

a dedication to self-sufficiency, seen in discreet yet ubiquitous solar panels that flow throughout the resort’s buildings and in the development of a cold dome where fruit and vegetables not native to the island will be grown on-site, lessening the reliance on imported produce.

Be sure to leave time to visit the in-house art exhibitions and the light pavilion created by American artist James Turrell, and indulge in sound therapies at the spa, home to a flotation tank, yoga pavilion and hammam. Arriving guests even receive a personalised 3D-printed gummy vitamin designed by British nutritional company Nourished. patinahotels.com – NICK WALTON

The first property of Capella Hotel Group’s new lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, delivers adventure, peace, and indulgence to the Indian Ocean.

WONDER

Set against the desolate beauty of Namibia’s highest mountain, little luxe to the wilds of Damaraland.

Boasting just six intimate suites, Onduli Ridge is the newest luxury safari camp to open in the heart of the Namibian wilderness. Created by Ultimate Safaris, the new camp seamlessly blends architecture and nature while blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors.

Named after the resident giraffe in the area, the camp is built at the base of two granite outcrops, allowing for magnificent views of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, to the south and the dispersed cathedral-like granite landscape to the north. After days spent tracking desert-adapted elephant, giraffe and rhino populations or exploring on e-bikes, guests can return to their suite, which features semi outdoor bathrooms with petrified wooden washbasins and large beds that can be rolled out so guests can sleep beneath the stars on their private deck. ultimatesafaris.na

Hotel Pravo Hong Kong sits in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong’s well- known commercial, gourmet and shopping district, next to beautifu l Victoria Harbour Located just a few steps away from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station and the Star Ferry Terminal, t he hotel provides easy access for both business travellers and leisure tourists. Because life is about living.

Hotel Pravo Hong Kong

No. 10 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

A Creative FORCE

The Mondrian Singapore Duxton is set to open in the Lion City this March, injecting a shot of cultural vitality laced with nods to the past.

Helmed by a team of all-star iconoclasts and changemakers ranging across the fields of hospitality, cuisine, design, fashion, nightlife and art, and located within the city’s most happening precinct, Mondrian Singapore Duxton promises to raise the bar and raise the roof of one of Asia’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.

Designed from the ground up by Robbyn Carter and the forwardthinkers at Los Angeles-based hotshop Studio Carter in a style dubbed ‘deconstructed shophouse chic’ the hotel recognises the iconic Singapore silhouette but rediscovers old details through art, furniture and textures. The Mondrian eschews the traditional lobby and instead fully immerses arriving guests in a bustling restaurant and bar. Beyond, 302 rooms and suites take inspiration from traditional Singaporean architecture and are executed with contemporary flair.

The new Duxton Hill hotel’s multi-disciplinary curated art collection further complements the design narrative, inviting guests to broaden their horizons and journey through the property with works by both emerging and established Singaporean and international artists. Adding to the precinct’s vibrant dining scene, the Mondrian will be a food- and fashion-forward culinary destination helmed by executive chef Alastair Clayton and chef de cuisine Kenny Huang, with a flagship Italian restaurant by world renowned butcher Dario Cecchini; a rooftop bar inspired by 1970s Hollywood; and Jungle Ballroom, a chic space accessed via a secret tunnel that will pulse with decadent mystique and sultry glamour thanks to its creative libations, served at a sunken lavastone bar. accor.com

Looking EAST

Tucked away on a hillside along the south coast of the Indonesian island, Somewhere Lombok is an unspoiled retreat with communal areas offering unparalleled views of Are Guling Bay, a world-renowned surf spot, and 20 standalone villas featuring mini plunge pools overlooking the lush greenery of the valley and village below. Everything from the building materials to the décor is regionally sourced and produced, in keeping with the overarching sustainability ethos of the young Gontard sisters, who have Indonesian roots but grew up in Hong Kong.

The Design Hotels member’s architectural concept was developed in collaboration with SWDesign and Hong Kong’s Eight Partnership. The central communal space features an open-plan indoor area with reception, restaurant, bar, and lounge, as well as an outdoor lawn and infinity pool overlooking the bay. With input from sustainability consultancy Eco Mantra, public spaces and villas are oriented towards the south to maximise natural light, and boast ventilation, while high thermal performance building materials, onsite rain harvesting, greywater recycling, and reflective building finishes help create strong green credentials.

Each serviced villa features locally produced goods, including natural marble trays by Maharani Decoration and linen bed skirts by La Luna Linen, with walls adorned with Valia’s own photography of Lombok’s people, places, and landscapes. There's local-produced bespoke furniture, and marble bathrooms with amenities by Sensatia Botanicals, an Indonesian brand known for vegan, reef safe, and environmentally friendly products. somewherelombok.com - NICK

The creation of sisters Valia and Claire Gontard, Somewhere Lombok is a stunning new addition to the island’s vibrant southern coast.

LUXURY Under Canvas

BThe newly opened tented camp Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Mexico lets guests commune with the verdant rainforests of Punta Mita.

oasting just 15 luxury tents surrounded by 19 forested hectares on the edge of a private peninsula, all-inclusive Naviva is a new adult-only sanctuary that awakens the intrinsic bond that humans have with nature through biophilic design – an architectural approach that immerses people in their natural surroundings and one that begins as soon as guests arrive and meet their personal guide on a cocoon-inspired bamboo bridge overlooking a dramatic forest ravine.

Using the lens of biophilic design and biomimicry – in which the natural world is the driving influence for design solutions – award-winning design firm Luxury Frontiers has created a resort that blurs the border between the natural and manmade worlds with luxury tents that are designed to be at one with Riviera Nayarit’s unique flora and fauna. An

open-air living room and separate bedroom flow to a private plunge pool and expansive outdoor living area, where a hammock, firepit and outdoor shower offer forest-framed refuge. Inside, textures and fabrics reflect natural patterns found in the environment while oversized bathrooms house deep soaking tubs and skylit showers that reveal uninterrupted visual connections to the outdoors.

Daily Naviva experiences focus on movement, gastronomy and cultural insight and include a nature hike to the Aztlán ruins, the chance to savour the ocean’s natural bounty during a “seacuterie” tasting, and learn about Aztec culture with a Metztli mythology session. Guests may also challenge their mind and body in the House of Heat, a temazcal sweat lodge designed specifically for Naviva; explore little known, small batch Mexican wines; or indulge in treatments at two spa pods tucked away in the forest. fourseasons.com -

EA JOURNEY THROUGH JAVA

xplore the vibrant Indonesian island of Java with a spectacular new train adventure from Aman Resorts & Hotels and PT Kereta Api Pariwisata. The cultural heartland of Indonesia, Java is studded with ancient treasures engulfed by pea-green paddy fields and rain forests lined with pristine white beaches. Travelling in dedicated carriages adorned in the Aman style, you’ll venture from the capital of Jakarta, which buzzes with modern dynamism, to Yogyakarta, home to the Unesco-protected site of the Borobudur temple and luxurious retreat Amanjiwo, named ‘Peaceful Soul’ for the serenity, privacy and beauty of its setting.

Available on selected dates, the once-in-a-lifetime experience begins in Jakarta Gambir station’s exclusive lounge, where you’ll receive an authentic Javanese welcome, before embarking on a panoramic seven-hour journey through Central Java, where temples turn to tree-lined hillsides, with a new story appearing around every corner. An exquisite Aman breakfast and lunch is served on board, surrounded by the opulence of one’s private carriage, and along the way you’ll learn about the destination from Amanjiwo’s resident anthropologist, Patrick Vanhoebrouck, who shares the region’s historic and cultural highlights. Sip on a crisp glass of champagne with afternoon tea before reaching Yogyakarta Tugu station feeling refreshed, where a 60-minute private transfer to Amanjiwo awaits. aman.com

A MANI: PEDI WITH BASTIEN GONZALEZ

Let your fingers do the indulging with a “Haute couture” French pedicure at Regent Phu Quoc, which has opened a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez. Known as the King of the Pedicure, podiatrist Gonzalez pioneered bespoke hand and foot beauty, pushing the boundaries in the evolution of the French pedicure while focusing on the concept of the medical pedicure and manicure.

The studio offers guests a selection of soothing and nourishing treatments for their feet, nails and hands, including Bastien’s Duo, a synchronised four-hands treatment that focuses on feet, legs, hands and arms conducted by two therapists who work in tandem to offer a complete manicure and pedicure, followed by a simultaneous massage to boost circulation and mobility. Alternatively, try the Foot Refoundation, which is ideal for relieving heavy legs and fatigue after long flights and includes a preliminary exfoliation performed with the Black Diamond Scrub, facilitating the absorption of the cream used during the massage. phuquoc.regenthotels.com

AN EPIC SUMMER AHEAD

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, has unveiled the inaugural itineraries of its second ship, Explora II, launching in summer 2024. A unique set of journeys and new destinations will allow guests to explore renowned and off the beaten path locations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, the Indian Ocean and Africa marking the first time the luxury lifestyle brand will sail in these regions.

Featuring 25 journeys and 14 extended journeys between August 2024 and end of April 2025, the itineraries will include 82 unique ports across 26 countries, with visits to Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Croatia. Explora II will then pass through the Suez Canal and allow its guests to enjoy the beauties of Egypt, with its heritage and timehonoured traditions, before travelling on to Saudi Arabia, cruising the coastline of the Red Sea and visiting the world-heritage sights of Al Ula and Hegra en route to the Arabian Gulf for stops at Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, known for their tall skyscrapers contrasting old palaces and beautiful mosques. Explora II will then reach the coast of India, where guests can explore everything from the steamy evergreen forests of the Western Ghats before continuing to the Seychelles and Maldives to each the natural sanctuaries of Africa with stops in Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa.

At each stop, guests will have opportunities to discover the local nature and culture through exclusive activities, while exploring exotic ‘bucket list’ destinations and delving into the locations through sustainable and tailored experiences. All journeys are designed for the discerning traveller who wants to stay longer, leave later and travel deeper. explorajourneys.com

THE SKY

LIMIT

Jetcraft celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. How did it feel to reach this milestone and what were some of the celebration highlights?

It was certainly a year we’ll look back on with pride. We were founded in 1962 by Charles “Bucky” Oliver. Since then, Jetcraft has grown extraordinarily, from a predominantly US-based organisation to an expanding global corporation. Today, we operate more than 25 offices worldwide with a team of over 80 aviation experts across five continents.

Last year, we established the first business aviation lounge in the Metaverse, taking our global footprint even further by removing the boundaries of the physical world from business aircraft sales, acquisitions, and trades. We also began our sustainability journey, working closely with ZenithJet and Azzera, specialists in climate action solutions, to become a carbon neutral business.

To mark the official end of our year-long anniversary celebrations, we shared our story on the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa — underlining a commitment to perform transactions at the Speed of Life and our optimistic outlook for business aviation going into 2023 and beyond.

Can you share more details on your brand refresh?

It’s a nod to our rich heritage and fresh energy. Our new look showcases our global team’s unstoppable attitude to delivering industry-leading market intelligence, unbeatable access and proven results to go further and faster for every aircraft transaction. It’s the culmination of several years of work to truly understand the value we bring to our clients every day.

Across your 25 offices worldwide, what are your fastest-growing markets and where do you hope to launch next?

We have offices in different regions but ultimately, we’re global and virtual. What comes next in terms of our footprint is ever-changing, but we’re available everywhere our clients are, and when the next ‘new place’ comes up for our clients, we’ll be there too.

You've expanded into the virtual world, what does that mean for your clients?

We pride ourselves on being early adopters of new technology and innovative ways of working. Right now, we’re in learning mode; the Metaverse is set to be the evolution of the internet but how and when it will happen is yet to be seen.

Clients turn to us for an unmatched international presence and local insight in every key region and an integral part of this is our ability to meet clients, wherever they are, to better serve them. Establishing ourselves in the Metaverse provides our clients with

Jetcraft owner and chairman Jahid Fazal-Karim talks the growth of the Ultra High Net Worth market, and entering the Metaverse as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary.

the ability to interact with Jetcraft in a new and unique way. As we learn what our clients need in this virtual world, the possibilities are endless. That being said, we don’t ever see face-to-face interactions going away, especially within business aviation. Our presence in the Metaverse and online hangar will bolster our customer convenience but won’t replace the value of in-person connection.

Tell us about some of the challenges to becoming a carbon neutral business.

In 2022, we began offsetting our business emissions, through the support of forest conservation projects in North Carolina and Papua New Guinea and wind power supplies in South Africa. Through a partnership with sustainability consultants Azzera, we’ve now delivered a scheme that achieves total verified carbon neutrality across everything we do.

It’s important to us and our clients that Jetcraft has a solid response to our environmental challenges. We’re a global business and therefore our efforts must have a global impact, which is why we’re excited to be positively influencing climate projects in as many regions as possible.

What trends are you noticing in aviation right now?

Our latest Pre-Owned Business Jet Market Forecast revealed that the share of Jetcraft buyers under 45 has risen by 20% in the last five years. Furthermore, these aircraft buyers are driving a trend towards larger aircraft purchases, with their average transaction price hitting $25m, some 31% higher than their over 45 counterparts. Nearly a quarter (24%) of our buyers in Europe are younger than 45, with this figure rising to 38% in the Middle East and Africa.

This rise is driven by factors such as a growing number of younger entrepreneurs from the technology and finance sectors that are entering into business aviation and are already established Metaverse users. Where our clients are, and where they may be in the future, is where we need to be to better serve them.

The pandemic was a tough time for the aviation business. How did you deal with the challenges it brought and what lessons did you learn from it?

The pandemic was difficult for commercial aviation. However there was an increase in demand for private aviation. This rise resulted in an alltime low in business jet supply, which at its peak saw the share of jet fleet for sale go down to only 3.2%. Now, after stabilising in the wake of a postpandemic surge with a more balanced supply and demand, pre-owned transactions are expected to have a more rational growth, reaching 10,921 transactions valued at US$66 billion over the next five years.

To what extent have your customers’ expectations changed post-pandemic?

Covid drove many buyers into the market looking for the safety, security and reliability flying private affords. The desire to avoid the crowds and the unreliability of commercial travel has led first time buyers into the charter, fractional, and whole ownership solutions. A private jet purchase is very personal; every buyer has very a different and specific set of needs and wants from their aircraft. There’s no one size fits all and that’s why our unique experience with all business jet makes and models, and access to the most diverse inventory in the marketplace, allows us to provide a truly agnostic perspective – one that most closely aligns with what our buyers want and need rather than ‘what needs to be sold’.

You recently published your Five-Year Pre-Owned Business Jet Market Forecast. What were the most salient points of this research?

The trend towards younger buyers is certainly an interesting one, with nearly a quarter of our buyers in Europe now younger than 45. Our data also identified that the global Ultra High Net Worth population is set to increase by at least 21% over the next five years, which will prompt continued increasing demand for pre-owned aircraft.

What’s on the horizon for Jetcraft in 2023?

This year is poised to be another exciting one in business aviation, and we’re ready for it. With the official launch of our Decentraland lounge and online hangar, the continued commitment to being carbon neutral and ongoing expansion across the world, watch this space for even more from Jetcraft in 2023 and beyond. jetcraft.com

COSYING UP IN COPENHAGEN

Experience the legendary Scandic spring in the Danish capital at one of this trio of boutique boltholes, says Helen Dalley.

NOBIS HOTEL

With interiors designed by Swedish starchitect Gert Wingardh, Nobis embraces stripped-back Scandi design with hardwood oak floors, bespoke dressers and desks, minimalistic light fixtures and abstract patterned rugs, while the hotel’s two Penthouse Suites deliver a luxurious loft feeling with rafters and multiple windows offering sweeping views over the city. Call in at Noi restaurant for the Winter Forest Tartar, tenderloin beef served with mushroom mayonnaise and pickled mushrooms, or pull up a stool at The Marble Bar for a Nordic Yam cocktail (rum, liquorice, chickpea and lemon). Ready to explore? Nearby, you’ll find Copenhagen Harbour, the centrepiece of which is Blox, a six-storey mixed use building that houses the Danish Architecture Center as well as restaurants and an auditorium. nobishotel.dk

25HOURS HOTEL INDRE BY

Located in a 19th century building that once housed a porcelain factory and then a university, this colourful retreat – think yellow walls and floral armchairs – is centrally located between the Round Tower and Kobmagergade Shopping Street. There are five room types: Medium Single, Medium, Large, Extra Large and Gigantic, the latter of which features views out to Trinitatis Church and can sleep three. Copenhagen is a great city to explore by bicycle, and the hotel offers classic and e-bikes by Berlin’s Schindelhauer with tour maps curated by cycling experts to help you discover the Danish capital on two wheels. Facilities include a Vinyl Room, the Love Library, plus two bars, a café and restaurant Neni, which specialises in Israeli street food. 25hours-hotels.com

NIMB HOTEL

Overlooking the Tivoli Gardens, Nimb Hotel features 38 guest rooms that coolly combine simple Nordic design with classical art and Oriental antiques. We love the 60 sqm Corner Suite, which features a two-person Agape bathtub and an open fireplace, where you can snuggle up on the sofa to the sound of crackling birchwood. Try one of Denmark’s iconic open-faced sandwiches – marinated herring, perhaps, or gravlax with dill and mustard sauce – at Fru Nimb or head over to vegetarian restaurant Gemyse for menu items including tortilla with Jerusalem artichoke; and grilled plum with sake ice cream and shiso. The spa includes a Moroccan hammam (all guests receive a complimentary salt scrub) and there’s also a CrossFit area if you want to keep up with your exercise routine. nimb.dk

The City for EXHIBITIONISTS

From historic street art to vibrant cultural communities, Berlin is a city set on constant reinvention, discovers Emily Manthei.

9AM

Wake up in East Berlin at Hotel Michelberger, a boutique hotel in the heart of Berlin’s punk and creative district. Rooms are simple and light-filled, with wood accents and lofted beds. They come in all sizes, for all types of guests, including one designed to fit “the whole band.” While hotel rooms are hidden behind a cosy courtyard, the expansive front lobby features a popular public cafe and wine bar with small nooks, lots of books, and occasional live music and DJs. Start here with a German breakfast and, if you’re feeling curious, ask about spirits designed and developed by the inhouse distillery. michelbergerhotel.com

10AM

Visit the city’s most famous piece of art history, the East Side Gallery. It is the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, stretching from the Oberbaum Bridge west along the bank of the Spree River. Iconic murals – think The Fraternal Kiss between socialist leaders Brezhnev and Honecker by artist Dmitri Vrubel, or Thierry Noir’s often-imitated cartoon heads, Homage to the Young Generation – have been preserved since the early 90s, but there are still some pieces along the backside of the wall that hold everchanging graffitistyle murals. eastsidegallery-berlin.com

For a completely different blend of art and history, book a tour (by reservation only) of the Boros Collection, a private contemporary art experience housed in an intriguing, windowless building. The bunker, built in the height of the Second World War, was used as an air-raid shelter and later a prisoner-of-war holding cell. Forty years later, it became home to the emerging techno scene in the 1990s and finally, in the early 2000s, transitioned to the stoic, iconic gallery it is today. sammlung-boros.de

2PM

Take a break for boozy brunch in Schöneberg. Bonvivant Bistro is a gourmet vegan-vegetarian cafe and gallery with a stunning plant-based menu. The cafe is known as one of Berlin’s most unique dining experiences, bringing extravagant and experimental flavours to both food and drinks. bonvivant.berlin

And while you’re in the neighbourhood, stop by the plaque honouring David Bowie’s Schöneberg apartment on Hauptstraße 155, where he and pal Iggy Pop created some of their most popular music in the 1980s.

5PM

Explore gorgeous Art Nouveau architecture during an afternoon swim at Stadtbad Neukoelln, a public pool in a southeastern borough. The pool is ringed with columns, tiled murals, and statues spitting water into the pool. Corresponding saunas give patrons the full spa experience for not more than the price of a daily metro ticket. berlinerbaeder.de/ baeder/stadtbad-neukoelln

8PM

Explore Holzmarkt25, a colourful creative community that sprung from a techno club collective in the early 2000s. Now, the same artist community produces ever-changing events, art shows, culinary classes, live music, and other surprises. And yes – the techno club still stands, on weekends. Wandering around the property, which sits at the bank of the Spree River, feels like entering a carnival of ideas. Hidden beneath the magic is Kater Schmaus, which takes German and Continental cuisine on the same eclectic, experimental journey as the surrounding village of artists. The small, crafted menu changes weekly, pairing dinner options with carefully-sourced wines. katerschmaus.de

10PM

As Berlin’s reputation for young artists grew in the early 2000s, the face of the city began to change. Both European and African immigrants have continued to evolve and grow the creative scene all over Berlin. One of the best places to see this transformation in action is YAAM, the Young African Art Market. It’s a space that includes a nightclub, art gallery, live stage and exhibition area highlighting all manner of West African culture in Berlin, reflecting the current and growing diversity of the city. yaam.de

Miracle on 48th Street

It’s easy to feel like you’re backstage at an Off Broadway set when wandering through Civilian, one of the newest boutique hotels to open in New York. Located on 305 W. 48th Street, in the city’s vibrant Theatre District, the 203-room property is a living homage to the stage, with photographs, sketches, and models from the likes of Hadestown and Slave Play , and costumes sprinkled throughout guest spaces – many, including replica guns from Hamilton and a shrug from Cabaret , can be found in a library nook that doubles as a private events space. Theatre seats rescued from an upstate production house grace the intimate lobby.

Even in the hotel’s snug little guest rooms (two-person Cozy and four-person Spacious) there are nods to the theatre, including wallpaper inspired by the costumes of designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo that complements four-poster beds and pillowcases

punctuated by patterns from costume designers Jeff Mahshie and David Zinn. Touches of luxury include bathroom amenities by Public Goods, Oeko-Tex Egyptian satin cotton linens, and minibars packed with locally-sourced goodies.

While the hotel’s location is great for any Manhattan foray, its newly opened restaurant and bar are proving popular with visitors and locals alike. Located on the first floor is the David Rockwell-designed Rosevale Kitchen & Secret Garden, an American bistro featuring rich red leather banquettes, ribbed leather ceilings and brass accents. The bistro champions local farms and producers with dishes like Steak Tartare with Thai larb and shrimp chips; Caviar & Chips, sterling white sturgeon roe served with potato chips; and Seared Duck Breast with wild rice farrotto, kabocha squash purée and pho spiced orange duck jus, all of which are just the ticket for a pre-fixe bite. During the warmer months, be sure to slip into the terracotta-lined secret garden for evening aperitifs.

Alternatively, head upstairs to the Rosevale Cocktail Lounge, home to a bespoke cocktail programme by mixologist Francesco Lafranconi that incorporates one of the city’s largest vermouth selections. Top libations to try include the Mr. Lee Manhattan, with Nikka Coffey Grain, Lillet, and orange bitters; and The Play, Rosevale’s take on an Old Fashioned with Michter’s US1 Straight Rye, Bacardi Ocho, falernum syrup, and bitters, best enjoyed on the brick terrace overlooking bustling 48th Street.

Finally, the Civilian rooftop bar is the place for budding starlets to be discovered. With panoramic views of Midtown, the chic space serves light bites accompanied by craft cocktails utilising fresh ingredients, and a rotating roster of DJs. civilianhotel.com – NICK

Manhattan boutique hotel Civilian combines a great location and innovative dining with stylings taken straight from Broadway.

I N WITH THE NEW

In a city like Hong Kong, where the hospitality scene is as competitive as you’ll find anywhere in the world, having top notch suites for travelling jetsetters is a must. Luxury travellers may love to hit the city’s restaurants, malls, and museums, but they also enjoy returning to spacious accommodations laced with more than a few creature comforts. Fortunately, the newly envisioned Horizon View and Cityview suites at the Island Shangri-La, created to coincide with the hotel’s 30th anniversary, have set a new benchmark for luxury in the city.

Built with the needs of the modern-day traveller in mind, and designed by world-renowned French interior designer Tristan Auer (whose previous works include The Cotton House, Mustique, and Paris’ Hotel de Crillon), the new look Horizon Club suites – including my Harbour View Suite - are spacious, elegant and timeless, and are all about providing a sense of space while also being both luxurious and functional. Taking both Parisian and Asian design cues, the suite is dressed in oriental-inspired furnishings, with a leather upholstered adjustable armchair and ottoman custom-made by Knoll Italia just begging guests to take a load off.

Within the living room, spacious day beds that run the length of the room allow guests to soak in spectacular city views or catch a flick on a 55inch flatscreen TV, and are complemented by a broad dining table, while

a multi-functional in-room pantry, complete with wine cooler and chilled fridge drawers, lets guests indulge, extending a home-from-home feel to the suite. Beyond, a new valet box allows for additional guest privacy and leads on to a walk-in closet, dressing table, and the main of two bathrooms, this one with twin vanities, a glorious bath tub, and a cavernous doublehead shower.

With the best hotel rooms, it’s often the little things that make the difference and at the Island Shangri-La this includes wireless charging ports secreted within bedside tables, sound bars and speakers throughout the suite that allow guests to groove to their own tracks via Bluetooth (including a separate panel in the bathroom), distilled hot and cold water taps in the pantry, intuitive lighting, an indulgent pillow menu, and multiple nozzles in that huge shower. The result is a suite that you’ll never want to leave.

Beyond the suite, Horizon Club guests are also afforded access to the hotel’s intimate executive lounge, which serves an infinitely elegant cocktail and canape experience each evening, complete with signature cocktails and a host of indulgent bites from the hotel’s culinary team. shangri-la.com – NICK WALTON

With the launch of new Horizon Club rooms and suites, Hong Kong’s iconic Island Shangri-La rewrites the book on luxury accommodation in the Fragrant Harbour.

ANGELS’ HAVEN

When she opened back in 1991, the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok set the city’s jetset abuzz thanks to its crisp service, elegant restaurants, and cavernous lobby. It quickly became one of the city’s most esteemed houses of slumber, and one that has stood the test of time, in part thanks to several renovations over the years, many at the hands of acclaimed New York designer Tony Chi. The hotel’s location, in one of Bangkok’s key commercial and diplomatic precincts, is also brilliant; steps from the iconic Erawan Shrine, the hotel is adjacent to major shopping malls and even has its own connection to the Skytrain network.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Initial impressions of the hotel are impressive. Guests enter a muted forecourt into a cavernous lobby filled with trees, gardens and water features. I was quickly guided by a cheerful front desk staff member up to the fifth-floor pool deck where I was escorted around the hotel’s extensive swimming pool to a series of standalone villas, unique additions to the hotel’s 380 guest rooms and 44 suites.

In a city of iconic hotels, The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok remains a firm favourite with travellers looking for a little Old World luxury. Nick Walton takes a closer look at why this Grand Dame remains so endearing.

THE ROOM

My Garden Villa King is not your average city hotel room. Instead, it’s more like a villa that you’d find at a tropical resort –in fact, in the past these glorious spaces have doubled as private spa suites. Each of these single-level villas features separate, spacious living rooms, dedicated spa suites, a master bedroom — with signature Hyatt Grand Bed and pillow menu — that opens onto a private courtyard garden (a great spot for some morning contemplation over a strong coffee), and a sumptuous bathroom with twin-vanities, a steam-enabled rain shower, a stand-alone bathtub, and Balmain bath products. There is also a pair of 55-inch smart TVs, a coffee machine, a Bluetooth-enabled JBL sound system, and ample storage. The one thing you’ll notice is how serene the space is, how residential it feels, and how well appointed every aspect is. But if you do need a change of scenery, villa guests also get access to the hotel’s exclusive executive lounge.

FACILITIES

In addition to the expansive swimming pool and whirlpool adjacent to the villas is the hotel’s i.sawan Residental Spa & Club, which offers a menu of contemporary treatments ranging from Thai pressure-point massages to Swedish aromatherapy, conducted in intimate spa suites by a highly trained team of therapists. Next to the spa is a comprehensive fitness centre with views to the swimming pool.

DINING

Like many Grand Dame hotels, the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok takes dining very seriously, making it as much a culinary destination for locals and travellers as it is a hotel. With its eight distinctive bars and restaurants, the hotel has a little something for everyone, from Italian osteria Salvia, with its Piedmontese and Sardinian-inspired menu and comprehensive wine list; to Spasso, a Parisian-styled bistro. The Dining Room, located in the lobby and famed for its live cooking stations, is

the place for lingering breakfasts and all-day dining; while You&Mee is a casual noodle house with Art Deco-inspired interiors and a range of delicious Asian-crafted sodas.

Other popular spots include the Erawan Bakery, where AOP Isigny butter croissants and Chef Frederic’s classic pastries are always popular; the Erawan Tea Room, which pairs an extensive tea selection with Western and Thai desserts and views of the Erawan Shrine; the poolside Breezeway, an informal eatery offering accessible cuisine and drinks throughout the day; and Bar @ 494, an award-winning wine bar that’s also popular among cocktail lovers for its list of exotic concoctions from around the world.

494 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok, Thailand; Tel: +66 2 254 1234; hyatt.com

BANGKOK DISRUPTOR

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Having never stayed at a Vignette Collection property, I arrived at the newly-opened hotel with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is the location in Langsuan sublime, with prime districts like Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam and Chidlom all close at hand, but the hotel itself — designed by award-winning Eight Inc — is a picture of innovation and Thai hospitality. After a quick check-in process in the tramcar-inspired lobby, during which I marvelled at Thai artist Kachama Perez’s incredible textile masterpiece, I’m up in my one-bedroom suite.

THE ROOM

My space boasts a kitchenette, a small work desk, a couch and dual 49inch flatscreen TVs, a small dining table, and a double sized bed in a separate room. While the space is certainly small compared to many other Bangkok hotels, it’s very contemporary and packed with useful amenities, from the air purifier to USB charging sockets and even a washing machine. Each of the hotel’s 393 rooms (Sindhorn Midtown also has serviced apartments for long stay guests) also features large format bathroom amenities from Karl Lagerfeld and modern comforts such as Fritz Hansen’s iconic Drop chairs.

FACILITIES

One of the best elements of the hotel is the swimming pool, which has fantastic cityscape views. You’ll also find a modern fitness centre on the 19th floor, and even an Emergency Popsicle Line, linked to a dedicated Popsicle Butler (it’s for kids but we won’t tell if you need to beat the Bangkok heat). Downstairs, in The Black Cat, the hotel’s uber-cool cocktail bar, complimentary shots of Lao Khao (a Thai distilled spirit) are served with pickled fruit each evening, to give that true Bangkok sense of place.

DINING

The new hotel recently introduced three eclectic dining offerings; The Black Cat, modelled as a Thai whisky bar, combines contemporary mixology with live music on selected evenings, while Bangkok’78, inspired by the golden age of Thailand, presents the city’s greatest culinary hits (including impressive breakfasts) in a retro-inspired concept. Java junkies will love Sip & Co, a chic addition to Langsuan’s flourishing café culture. sindhornmidtown.com

68 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand; Tel: +66 2 796 8888; sindhornmidtown.com

The first of IHG’s Vignette Collection hotels to open in Asia, Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok is a balance of elegance and functionality.

WHY SO SEXY?

How about staying active?

You can work up a sweat in the SO/ Fit fitness centre before cooling off in the indoor heated pool. However, we suggest a spot of pampering at the indulgent SO/ Spa, home to innovative treatments like the Himalayan detox therapy.

And when hunger strikes?

Make a beeline for Harbour Society, one of the city’s hottest tables, located on the 15th floor. Here, executive chef Marty Kindleysides prepares world-class cuisine laced with plenty of locally-sourced ingredients – think venison from Whitford; wild-grown ginseng from Rotorua; and duck from Pukekohe’s Estherbrook Farm.

You’ll also want to rub shoulders with the city’s beautiful upstairs at HI-SO, the hotel’s lavish rooftop bar, which boasts stunning views to Rangitoto, the city’s most iconic volcano, and an extensive selection of contemporary cocktails. so-auckland.com – NICK

Firstly, what is SO/ Auckland?

SO/Auckland is the seventh addition to Accor’s rebellious SO lifestyle hotel collection and the first to open in the Pacific. Located in the thick of the action, in a Custom Street building that once held the country’s Reserve Bank, this dynamic 130-room urban retreat is steps from leading bars and restaurants as well as the gorgeous Waitemata Harbour.

So, we’re talking design savvy?

Very much so. To create a bold aesthetic statement in the heart of the city’s downtown, New Zealand fashion icon World was tapped as signature design partner; you’ll see its playful interpretation of the city’s volcanic history in the stylings of the guest rooms and penthouses. Throw in furniture and lighting installations by Dutch design house Moooi, and a mega chandelier by Marcel Wanders in the lobby’s Mixo Bar and you have a hotel that’s as Instagrammable as any in the country.

What about the rooms?

That bold design language from World is best seen in the room stylings, which range from ‘Solid’ (think black and gold), and ‘Liquid’ (fiery walls and warm-tones), to ‘Vapour’, with plenty of stone and touches of pink. Penthouses boast either a Caldera theme with emerald blues and avant-garde art, or an Exposure theme, with lavish furnishings in both warm and cool hues. Rooms range from the cosy SO Urban through to the luxurious SO VIP, with its separate living, dining and kitchen areas and spectacular harbour views. Look out for stand-alone bathtubs, Nespresso machines, and complimentary minibars packed with local flavours.

Some rooms also offer access to Club Signature, an exclusive lounge by designer Benny Castles that serves afternoon tea and evening cocktails – be sure to head upstairs to the lounge’s private terrace.

Located in the heart of the vibrant Brittomart precinct, SO/Auckland is the city’s newest design-driven house of slumber.

GREEN LIVING

Located in the heart of the city’s financial hub,

Citadines Sudirman Jakarta brings strong green credentials to the Indonesian capital.

THE LOCATION

Anyone that’s been to Jakarta knows how important location is in a city famed for its traffic jams. Citadines Sudirman Jakarta is strategically located in The Newton 1, a mixed use development in the coveted ‘golden triangle’. Surrounded by shopping malls, modern office buildings, and innovative eateries, the property is just a stone’s throw away from the busy Sudirman area and some of Jakarta’s main business and entertainment hotspots. Visitors to the city will find the new complex a welcomed respite, with world-class facilities set against green belts and modern architecture. The vibe when arriving is that of a luxury apartment complex and after a speedy check-in process, I made my way up to my One-Bedroom Deluxe King suite.

THE ROOM

Citadines Sudirman Jakarta offers the comfort of serviced residences and the flexibility of a hotel. The property boasts 253 units ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as family suites. Each apartment has a private balcony offering stunning cityscape views and is fully furnished with amenities such as LED TVs, a microwave oven, an induction stove, a refrigerator as well as a high-quality air conditioning system with air filtering and air quality monitoring capabilities.

My 41 sqm One-Bedroom Deluxe King suite is all a busy visitor to the Indonesian capital could need. The fully-equipped kitchen makes cooking dead easy, especially with the ample dining table and full-sized refrigerator, while

the bedroom boasts a superbly comfortable king-sized bed and a dedicated workspace. The bathroom, while snug, has a separate shower with a heavenly showerhead and there’s plenty of room to tuck luggage away.

FACILITIES

The new property has plenty to keep guests busy and active during their stay thanks to Citadines’ activ∞ (pronounced as ‘activate’) programme, which combines amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool and fitness zone with outdoor jogging track and fitness corner, to networking events and neighbourhood discovery insights. Other useful facilities at the property include a kid’s pool and a launderette.

GREEN CREDENTIALS

With an EDGE certification from the Green Building Council Indonesia, Citadines Sudirman Jakarta is the first Citadines property in Jakarta to introduce green building concepts, including Low-E laminated double glass, LED bulbs, VRV Cooling system and multi-split AC for energy savings. The building also uses efficient water fixtures and has high-efficiency air filtration systems to maintain safe levels of indoor air quality such as Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5. discoverasr.com – NICK WALTON

PRING

S WELLNESS

BANYAN TREE GROUP REBRANDS SPA RESORT IN KOH SAMUI

Looking for some great spa facilities in Koh Samui? Then book a break at Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui (formerly the Tongsai Bay resort), the latest addition to the Banyan Tree Group’s Garrya brand of contemporary wellbeing-centred hotels. A curated hideaway spread across an expansive 11-hectares, the resort features its own private beach where you can chill before checking into the spa. The rebrand will infuse Garrya’s 5s into the new property – guidance on Self-care practices, Simplicity in the design of spaces and amenities, Slow Life to promote slowing down, recommendations to improve Sleep & Rest, and Savouring of food for nourishment. An upscale haven to renew and refresh, the resort’s multi-purpose suites and villas offer unobstructed views of the Gulf of Thailand. Therapies at 8LEMENTS spa include treatments for kids, while the resort’s spa cottages are equipped with two massage beds, a herbal steam room, and an open-air bathtub where therapists can administer floral or milk baths. garrya.com

Perched 450 metres above sea level, new wellness space H’mong Cottage at Avana Mai Chau is situated in blissful surrounds, with tiered rice paddies, bamboo groves and lush forest all helping to calm the mind. Sessions at the new centre are complimentary to guests, with hatha yoga, yin yoga, singing bowl meditation and sleeping meditation all on the menu so long as you make a reservation in advance. Guests can also book private sessions with a therapist for an additional fee.

Situated a three-and-a-half hour drive from Hanoi, H’mong Cottage is inspired by the local indigenous community, and the design takes its cues from their wooden cottages with details like thatched palm-leaf roofs. Sliding walls, with floor-to-ceiling glass panels, have been added so the view can still be enjoyed during cooler months. avanaretreat.com

NEPAL OPENS FIRST WELLNESS RETREAT

We usually associate Nepal with trekking holidays, but the country has recently opened its first boutique holistic destination, Miraaya Wellness & Golf Retreat, the first property of its kind in South Asia and the Indian-Sub-continent. The Miraaya Spa offers traditional Nepali massage and beauty rituals using the healing properties of local medicinal plants and herbs alongside wellness treatments, wellness cuisine and mindfulness activities. The resort is adjacent to a temple complex, Shashwat Dham, which features a temple surrounded by holy water from famous nearby shrines. If you like golf, then tee off at the resort’s nine-hole course, where water hazards and jungle terrain await. miraayawellness.com

INTERCONTINENTAL MALDIVES MAAMUNAGAU INTRODUCES NEW WELLNESS JOURNEYS

At the Maldivian resort, practitioner Joao Santos will focus on body treatments including dry massages and will also work with guests on the Metabolism Booster and Sports Athletes programme. Together with resident fitness trainer Rohit Vijay Tandel, their journeys are suited for those looking for physical optimisation, body recovery, and mindful grounding.

Rajeshwari Amol Nerukar is focused on helping her clients discover inner calm and peace and will offer wellness journeys that de-stress and promote better sleep through a combination of yoga, Ayurveda, sound healing and breathwork. She will work with Sunitha Narayana, resident yoga, reiki master and wellness guru at Maamunagau.

Another visiting practitioner, Kanlayanee Marrthuean ‘Jang’, will also team up with Sunitha to offer Crystal Wellness Journeys, which include gemstone facials, chakra balancing, reiki, crystal sound healing and crystal foot reflexology. intercontinental.com

MAROMA RIVIERA MAYA OPENS FIRST GUERLAIN SPA IN LATIN AMERICA

Following an extensive renovation that includes 10 additional waterfront suites, Mexico’s Maroma, Riviera Maya will reopen this May. Wellness at Maroma, which is part of the Belmond Group, will take on a new dimension with the launch of the first Guerlain Spa in Latin America, where guests can expect bespoke treatments designed around Mayan wellness philosophy, as well as sound and healing rituals. The spa also offers daily meditation, movement and yoga workshops.

With buildings aligned to the sacred geometry of Mayan masons, the hotel’s design honours Mexican artisanal traditions throughout, evidenced in the craftsmanship and use of local materials. belmond.com

RAKXA WELLNESS BANGKOK INTRODUCES CBD THERAPY

Whether you’re a fan of CBD treatments or simply CBDcurious, you’ll appreciate RAKxa Wellness Bangkok’s latest treatment, Thai Deep Sleep & Skin Radiant Therapy, which utilises Suriyachon and Cannabidiol (CBD) oils, coconut oil, and traditional Thai herbs in a signature Thai massage to boost circulation and aid sleep.

The treatment begins with a bath in Thai herbs and a herbal compress laced with a blend of Suriyachon and CBD oil to loosen knots and alleviate stress. Next, you’ll soak in a soothing bath of climber and cannabis herbs, with grated coconut for skin exfoliation, which is followed by a signal point massage and another herb compress to calm mind and body and help you sleep like a baby. Additional benefits of the treatment include a healthy glow, as the oils exfoliate and smoothen the skin. rakxawellness.com -

astern E DEN

Nick Walton explores eastern Indonesia with Heritage Expeditions, delving into a dynamic landscape that’s only just opening to tourism.

It’s funny how everything else seems so much louder when you’re holding your breath in the bush. The bird song seems to echo, the cicadas become deafening, and every step of a giant, ancient lizard a few metres away seems to resonate and reverberate. So it is during our first encounter with one of Komodo’s legendary dragons. Our guide, armed with nothing but a slender bamboo cane and the best of intentions, keeps one eye on his camera-wielding wards and the other on the dragon, its ribbon-like tongue flickering as it tests the air and approaches our group.

The Komodo Dragon is the largest species of lizard in the world, growing up to three metres in length and weighing up to 70kg. Apex predators, they stalk their prey before attacking with a

venomous bite. They’re also one of the main drawcards to their namesake national park, here in eastern Indonesia.

It’s the fourth day of my fascinating 15-day Heritage Expeditions cruise from Bali to Papua New Guinea, a journey that is not without significance; it’s the inaugural foray of the New Zealand-based expedition cruise company’s new vessel, the 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer , under the Heritage flag. The new vessel is over double the size of the company’s previous ships and arrives as the adventure cruise line tries to play catch up after its Russian Arctic season was cancelled.

Eastern Indonesia is a fascinating and relatively untouched corner of the globe; with towering active volcanos, countless coral-wreathed islands, a vibrant marine environment, and an incredibly diverse cultural tapestry, it’s slated to be one of the hottest destinations in the world in 2023, with many visitors combining excursions to Komodo — as famous for its diving

and pink-sand beaches as it is for its insidious lizards – with time spent in Raja Ampat (more on that in a minute).

The inaugural journey isn’t without its challenges. A few days out from our departure, Heritage notified passengers that the Heritage Adventurer's prop had been snagged on a ghost net as it journeyed south towards Indonesia. The subsequent time in a dry dock in Singapore meant the company’s expedition team needed to frantically find accommodation in Bali, flights to east to Labuan Bajo and the means to continue the itinerary while the vessel played catch up. However, all those years of cruising experience paid off and after two stunning days in Komodo, including a pair of spectacular beachfront dinners set against glorious sunsets, we joined the ship and continued northeast, literally into the unknown.

A few days later we arrive in remote Wakatobi. Indonesia’s youngest regency (the name is a portmanteau of the four main Tukangbesi Islands: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko), Wakatobi is another destination whispered by awe-stricken divers and intrepid adventures, and one that, at the time of writing, was only accessible from the sea. The third largest marine park in Indonesia’s expansive 17,000-island strong archipelago, Wakatobi is a World Heritage Site located to the southeast of Sulawesi and one Jacques Cousteau described as an ‘underwater nirvana’ thanks to its 750 coral species (compared to 50 in the Caribbean) and 942 fish species.

Heritage Adventurer anchors off the tiny island of Hoga,

where the avid birders among the group delve into the forest in search of Island Monarchs, Grey-streaked Flycatchers, Blacknaped Fruit Doves and Olive-backed Sunbirds while the rest of us don rash shirts and snorkels and wade through dancing seagrass to a mesmerising reef punctuated with chocolate chip star fish, giant clams, and even a shy banded sea krait.

This is a part of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle that rarely sees foreigners, as is evidenced the next day as our zodiacs skim through turquoise water bound for Buru Island, where our arrival represents the first international expedition ship to ever visit. On the beach of Pulau Tomah, a tiny islet off Buru’s west coast, it’s standing room only as over 1,000 locals greet us with dancing and singing. Whole families have gathered and more arrive on slender fishing skiffs, their bows slicing through some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.

Buru is the third largest island in the remote Maluku chain and is home to indigenous Buru, as well as ethnic Lisela, Ambelau and Kayeli people who have migrated over generations to its steep jungle-clad peaks from points across the Banda Sea. With mountains wreathed in mist and tumbling down to coral gardens, it’s a breathtakingly beautiful destination but not one without its darker chapters: Buru was once the site of a vast prison complex that held political prisoners, including writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer, who, refused writing materials, dictated his acclaimed novel Buru Quartet to fellow prisoners who would write his words down and smuggle them out.

After the warm arrival on the beach, where Heritage guests pose for countless selfies with the locals and watch dances performed by local school children, the birders make for a logging path in search of Amboyna Cuckoo-doves, Red-cheeked parrots, and Black Sunbirds, while others take to the zodiacs and explore Buru’s coastline. Much of the colourful village of Pasir Putih seems to be perched on stilts, and we watch girls skip along a network of creaking, weathered boardwalks to school, their immaculately white hijabs brilliant in the mid-morning sun. Nearby, fishermen mend nets and giggling children take turns diving into the sea, shoals of reef fish darting in every direction with each new plunge.

Our journey is packed with truly unforgettable experiences both on and off the ship. When we cross the equator, as per timeless tradition, one of the expedition staff, standing in for King Neptune, emerges from the ship’s plunge pool and slaps a cold fish across the face of the uninitiated (they’re rewarded with a shot of rum). And as the sun wanes in the sky, more than 20 migrating sperm whales escort us east towards the scattering of islet jewels that is Raja Ampat, one of Indonesia’s most coveted destinations.

Raja Ampat has little in the way of infrastructure so it can only be explored by ship, with many visitors opting for multi-day liveaboards that give access to the best diving spots, including breath-taking Wayag Island, where we cruise through an otherworldly landscape of conical limestone karst islands that jut abruptly from azure seas. As the sun mellows in the sky, there’s time to climb

TO READ:

This Earth of Mankind is the first book in Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s epic Buru Quartet, first published in 1980. The story is set at the end of Dutch colonial rule and was written while Pramoedya was imprisoned on the political island prison of Buru.

one of the peaks for mesmerising 360-degree views or to soak in the bathtub warm seas and snorkel over expansive forests of stagshorn coral while Torresian Crows and Moluccan Starlings flitter overhead.

While the diehard birders rise well before the dawn the next morning and delve into the dense forests of Waigo Island in search of rare Red and Wilson’s Birds-of-Paradise, the rest of the ship’s complement tries its luck the next day in Manokwari, our first port on the island of Papua, where we venture by 4x4 high into the Arfak Mountains. Up in the misty peaks, at a tiny hamlet that clings to the summit of one vertiginous ridge, I follow a local guide into the primordial rainforest in search of Magnificent, Superb, Western Parotia and Brown Sicklebill Birds-of-Paradise, Olive-crowned Flowerpeckers, and the famed Vogelkop Bowerbird, which builds intricate structures over a metre high to attract mates.

Just when I begin to doubt that I have the patience for true twitchery and as the walls of my tiny palm-frond hide start to close in, I’m rewarded with the arrival of an inquisitive Black-eared Catbird, morning light penetrating the thick jungle catopy catching the brilliant emerald of its breast as it pecks at our offering of Buah Merah , a large red seed pod used for traditional medicine in the mountains of Papua.

Wildlife is a massive drawcard to this part of Indonesia, both on land and in the vibrant seas. In serene Cenderawasih Bay there’s the unforgettable opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks attracted to the lights and bait fish of a bagan , a traditional floating fishing platform. Taking turns to slip into the seas surrounding the platform, we join a trio of whale sharks as they feed, vortexes forming in their mouths as they take huge gulps. It’s impossible not to be humbled

by the size and grace of these gigantic yet peaceful fish, who are now increasingly protected by the fishermen that once threatened their numbers.

That evening, as the sun grows heavy in the sky, we’re warmly welcomed by the tiny community of Kwatisore, on the shores of Cenderawasih Bay, where school children, their faces streaked with red and yellow paint, perform traditional dances inspired by Papua’s rarest tropical birds. We’re among the first foreigners many have seen and the visit hints at the positive influence tourism could have in this remote corner of the Pacific.

Our last stops in Indonesia entail a visit to Biak’s brooding Binsari Cave, a haunting chapter in the region’s WWII history where thousands of Japanese soldiers held out against American forces at the tail-end of the conflict before the extensive cave complex was bombed, leading to thousands of deaths. And in West Papua’s remote provincial capital, Jayapura, we visit the communities of Lake Sentani; set against the undulating peaks of the Cyclops Mountains, the lake boasts 22 small islands, and on one, in the village of Assey, young men and women perform a series of mesmerising dances to a serenade of kunda drums.

It's a magical moment and one I hope they will have cause to perform again as increasing numbers of travellers venture east in search of unique Indonesian encounters, giant lizards be damned!

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Get There: Garuda Indonesia ( garuda.com ) and Cathay Pacific ( cathaypacific.com ) both fly direct from Hong Kong to Bali.

Cruise: Heritage Expeditions (heritage-expeditions.com) will next cruise eastern Indonesia in October 2023, with cabins starting from US$11,295 per person.

Famed for the plumage of the males and their elaborate mating rituals, the majority of the 44 Birds-of-Paradise species can be found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. A number of species are threatened by hunting and habitat loss, including the Vogelkop Superb Bird-ofParadise, which was recently made a species of its own.

2023

UltimateTravel BUCKET LIST

From delving into the artisan workshops of Marrakesh to plying the rails of Western Europe in Old World luxury and bedding down under the stars in Africa, these are the travel experiences captivating us for the year ahead. By Nick Walton

The North Pole by Airship

Experiential travel company Pelorus has partnered with OceanSky Cruises to usher in a new age of no-footprint voyages that unlock access to some of the most remote and carefully preserved corners of the world via the latter’s ‘lighter than air’ airships. The first charters are planned to take flight in 2024 and will offer guests the opportunity to cruise in complete comfort from Svalbard, in the Arctic Circle, to what is often considered ‘ground zero’ for climate change: the North Pole. Modern luxury explorers can expect to embark on a 36-hour round trip cruising at 1,000 feet above sea level during which they’ll take in a unique perspective of this majestic landscape and its wildlife while dining on the finest cuisine and learning from onboard polar experts and scientists. The climax of this experience is the extraordinarily rare opportunity to drop down onto the exact location of The North Pole to enjoy a sustainable dining experience and spend a few precious hours at the very top of the planet. pelorusx.com

Flicks in the Jungle

If you’re a movie junkie or just looking for a romantic evening after a day’s sun worshipping you’re in luck at Vakkaru Maldives. The luxury resort recently launched a Jungle Cinema experience that’s perfect for those classic movie moments. Located in the middle of the resort, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, Vakkaru’s new Jungle Cinema seats up to ten people, making it great for private screenings with the family, small groups of friends, or a romantic date night for couples. With two screenings each night (at 7.30pm and 9.30pm), film buffs can choose from a wide selection of movie genres. You can opt for free-flowing soft drinks and popcorn, or a more elaborate set menu dinner if you’re looking to impress that special someone. vakkarumaldives.com

Watch an Eclipse From the Coral Triangle

Explore the seas of eastern Indonesia aboard the Celestia , a luxury charter yacht launching this month. The new Phinisi, a traditional Indonesian design with interiors by Cape Town’s Deirdre Renniers and engineering by naval architect Tresno Seery, will offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a hybrid solar eclipse from the waters of the Coral Triangle this April. Boasting seven cabins, including one King Suite with a private terrace, the Celestia will offer bespoke itineraries ranging from 3-7 nights out of Komodo and 7-14 nights in other parts of the Coral Triangle, including Raja Ampat (read more about this remarkable destination on pg 48 ) and the Spice Islands. Itinerary activities include world-class diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, birdwatching, private island-hopping, stargazing, private beach dinners, meditative yoga, massage treatments, and nature hikes. celestiayacht.com

Heli-Golfing in Tasmania

Designed by renowned golf architect Tom Doak and Australia ex-European tour pro and course designer Mike Clayton, Barnbougle Dunes in Northern Tasmania is a must for any jetsetting golfer and a unique experience offered by Unique Charters makes the experience all the more indulgent. Home to two Top 100 courses, you’ll get into Barnbougle by helicopter after a scenic flight from Launceston, meaning less time on the road and more time on the links. With a 9.30am tee off, there’s time to play a full 18 at Dunes with lunch afterwards, or a quick 14 holes at Bougle Run, the estate’s newest addition, with time for a wine tasting stop at Clover Hill on the way home. uniquecharters.com.au

Heli-Ski Greenland With an Olympian

EYOS Expeditions will offer a few lucky souls the chance to heli-ski some of Greenland’s most remote peaks with U.S. Olympian Bode Miller this April. The alpine ski racer, the most decorated male alpine skier in US history and the only skier with five or more victories in four different disciplines (giant slalom, combined, super-G, and downhill) will lead a ‘slopeto-sea’ heliskiing adventure from the 12-guest MV Nansen Explorer, the ice-strengthen hull of which allows access to the Greenlandic coast in early spring. He will be joined by ski guide and two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion Chris Davenport and polar guide Doug Stoup, who’s skied the seven continents, been to the South Pole 18 times, and pioneered skiing in Antarctica.

The expedition will take adventure lovers to the island of Maniitsoq on the western coast of Greenland, widely considered one of the most remote places in the world to heli-ski, and where it’s possible to ski from slope to sea. The ship will cover 150 miles beyond the Arctic Circle to Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest icebergs in the world. eyos-expeditions.com

An Exclusive Whisky Tasting

Discover the hidden icon of the whisky world, Brora Distillery, with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tasting experience. Closed for 35 years, the Highland distillery has been reborn and is now welcoming small groups of visitors through its famous wildcat gates. Unearth the distillery’s rich history, meet its craftspeople, and marvel at its architecture, restored to its former glory, as you sit down to an opulent paired lunch featuring the best of Scottish produce in the heart of the distillery. You’ll then taste some of the rarest whiskies in the world, including the £30,000 (US$36,000) Triptych collection (you’ll even have the chance to add the 1982 39-Year-Old distillery bottling to your collection, exclusive only to guests at the distillery). Visits to the distillery are by appointment only. brora.com

A Night Under the Stars

Head for Camp Kala, one of the newest safari retreats in Namibia, for a unique night under the stars aboard The Onguma Dream Cruiser. The new camp is situated within the Onguma Nature Reserve, a 34,000-hectare wilderness on the eastern border of the iconic Etosha National Park, and accommodates just eight guests in four spacious suites. Then there’s the custom-built Dream Cruiser, which features a romantic upper deck boasting a beautiful four-poster bed and lounge area, while a bathroom downstairs comes complete with a shower, flush toilet and basin. Couples are dropped off at a beautiful spot overlooking a waterhole in the Onguma Nature Reserve just before sunset to enjoy sundowners on the upper deck. The chef then delivers a decadent picnic dinner to linger over as darkness slowly falls, before guests retire to their netted bed, the perfect spot for star gazing backdropped by the sounds of the bush. onguma.com

The Ultimate Driving Holiday

For an unforgettable vacation behind the wheel, make for Europe, where Ultimate Driving Tours will offer a unique itinerary that combines a supercar tour with the Monaco Grand Prix. The 10-night European Supercar Tour & Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Hospitality itinerary, departing 26 May, is the company’s signature tour and offers guests a true bucket-list experience, including watching Formula 1’s most iconic race onboard Ultimate Driving Tours’ chartered superyacht. After soaking up the opulence of the Grand Prix weekend, the luxury tour of Europe begins, with guests driving some of the world’s fastest supercars through five countries on the road to Zurich. All you have to do is decide – Ferrari, Aston Martin or Lamborghini? ultimatedrivingtours.com

A Cruise Through Champagne

Belmond has launched Coquelicot , A Belmond Boat, a new luxury barge that from May will take guests on a cinematic and highly personalised journey of Champagne, gliding along the region’s canals and unveiling exquisite views from a unique vantage point. The new vessel features three glamorous cabins with ensuite facilities, an indoor salon with an exceptional champagne bar, and an extensive outdoor deck for relaxing pursuits, sensational dining and sparkling conversations. In addition, as part of Coquelicot’s partnership with Maison Ruinart, the world’s oldest Champagne house, guests will be treated to a private tasting lunch by Ruinart’s chef in residence Valérie Radou, the first time Maison Ruinart’s chef will be cooking a private ‘four hands’ lunch outside of the winery. belmond.com

An Epic Sailing Adventure

Set to launch in 2026, Accor’s Orient Express brand will launch Orient Express Silenseas , the first of two stunning oceangoing yachts the company has commissioned shipbuilders Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build. Promising to reignite the passion for travel that inspired George Nagelmackers to launch the original Orient Express train, and inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, each of the new yachts will echo the glorious era when writers, artists, painters, princesses and movie stars spent time between Monte-Carlo, the beaches of Saint-Tropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its famous Croisette and discovered a refinement tinged with exquisite insouciance and joie de vivre

A 220-metre-long ocean treasure with a tonnage of 22,300 UMS, Orient Express Silenseas will feature 54 Suites measuring on average 70 sqm, including a monumental 1,415 sqm Presidential Suite (with its own private terrace), two swimming pools, including a lap pool; two restaurants; an Amphitheatre-Cabaret; a recording studio, and a speakeasy bar. This unique travel experience, guided by the winds and powered by a hybrid propulsion system that includes three SolidSail rigid sails, will also feature spa treatments, meditation sessions and stopover explorations to discover cultural treasures that allow guests to completely unplug from reality and stop time. accor.com

An Outback Adventure

The 15-day Ultimate Outback Safari experience from Australian Air Safaris — which runs small group private plane tours across the country with departures from Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney — just might be the best way to delve into the very heart of this sunburnt land. During the itinerary, groups are led by their pilot across Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Along the way, you’ll stay at incredible outback retreats, including Bullo River Station, Finnis River Lodge, and Longitude 131. The tour also includes stays at some more traditional outback experiences like the Birdsville Hotel, and visits to iconic Australian landmarks like Uluru, The Kimberly, the Bungle Bungle Range, and Arnhem Land. Each tour is also assisted by local guides who share their passion for Australia, ensuring guests are never short of stories to tell when they get home. australianairsafaris.com.au

Cycle Turkey’s Taurus Mountains

The Slow Cyclist, specialists in carefully crafted small group e-cycling and walking holidays, has launched a new journey to Turkey for 2023. The Taurus Mountains is a six-day itinerary that sees guests explore the remote mountains on the southern edge of Turkey’s Anatolian Plateau by foot and electric bicycle, beginning in Lake Egirdir, just two hours from Antalya. Cyclists will traverse ancient mountain trails where the black goat hair tents of Yoruk nomads are scattered across hillsides, and the tinkling bells of their flocks can be heard floating on the wind. Highlights of the trip include discovering a little-visited 2nd Century city, seeing wild horses roam on the high plateaus, swimming in secluded lakes, and sleeping in a luxurious tent kitted out with comfortable mattresses and Turkish pikes (woven rugs). You’ll cycle between 20–60 km per day on a mix of quiet tarmac roads and occasional gravel roads, and walk for no more than three hours at a time. theslowcyclist.co.uk

A Luxury Journey Across India

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has launched The Leela Palace Trail, a thoughtfully curated itinerary that celebrates India’s palatial grandeur, one defined by its rich cultural heritage and immersive rituals. During the multi-day itineraries, guests can marvel at the ornate Vijayanagara-inspired architecture of The Leela Palace Bengaluru, learn the culinary secrets of Rajasthan at The Leela Palace Jaipur, discover the royal heritage of the Mewars at The Leela Palace Udaipur, perched on the banks of majestic Lake Pichola (right); explore lively city bazaars with The Leela Palace New Delhi, or restore inner balance with the ancient science of Ayurveda at The Leela Kovalam.

There are two distinctive packages: The Leela Palace Trail and The Leela Palace Trail — Curated. While the former allows you to experience the opulence of India’s finest palaces with the flexibility of weaving in your own destination experiences, The Leela Palace Trail – Curated is an itinerary that anticipates your every need and offers a distinctive Leela lens on the destination. The itinerary extends a local immersion of the destinations with signature Leela offerings, with highlights including unique dining experiences, ceremonial rituals, wellness therapies, palace tours, guided city tours, and rejuvenating yoga sessions. theleela.com

A Private New Zealand Escape

Enjoy the good life at Falcon Brae, a new exclusive-use luxury villa located at the confluence of the Stanley Brook and Motueka River, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Boasting 360-degree views of the mountainous million-acre Kahurangi National Park and the picturesque Motueka Valley, and a short drive from both the Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes national parks, this award-winning architecturally designed retreat has it all. There’s a sumptuous and expansive Great Room with a magnificent stone fireplace, grand piano and sunken bar; a media theatre; a show kitchen; four dining areas; a stunning collection of New Zealand art; its own helipad; a games den; a private pool and heated spa; and even a fire pit and BBQ area. There are three spacious suites to choose from — each with deep soak tubs and super king-sized beds — as well as a family bunk room. A raft of exciting activities curated by operations manager Jeremy Hancock includes guided hiking, white water rafting, and some of the region’s best brown trout fly fishing. falconbraevilla.co.nz

A Unique Shopping Adventure

If you’re in need of a little retail therapy, head to Marrakesh to sample El Fenn’s new Meet the Artisans break. The works of local artisans can be found throughout the landmark boutique hotel, which will now reveal its insider tips to guests that want to recreate the look and learn more about fascinating skills, passed down over the centuries, of master craftsmen and women.

Meet the Artisans guests gain access to all El Fenn’s in the know secrets and have the opportunity to spend an afternoon at Sidi Ghanem, an artisan enclave and emerging shopping hub filled with local designers, artisans’ workshops, and hip boutiques that sell everything from high-end fashion to Moroccan textiles and lamps created using traditional metalwork. Your driver will take you to the artisans that most appeal, from Maison Nicole, suppliers of bespoke furniture to celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo and Romeo Gigli; to Magasin General, where vintage finds and antiques from Morocco’s finest households and hotels go to retire. el-fenn.com

Cruising Australia in the Chairman’s Carriage

If you’re a train buff, you might be familiar with the Indian-Pacific . Operated by Great Southern Railways, the train travels 4,352km between Perth and Sydney via Adelaide – hence the name – and offers a gloriously all-inclusive slow travel experience. Available only on the Indian-Pacific , the Chairman’s Carriage offers a new level of train travel luxury, one that’s as indulgent as it is private. Boasting three Platinum Double cabins and one Platinum Twin cabin, the carriage accomodates up to eight guests and can be privately booked on selected departures. The carriage is dressed in the earthy tones of the desert landscape through which it travels, and boasts its own multi-purpose dining and lounge area with leather banquette seats. Guests in the Chairman’s Carriage also have access to the train’s Platinum Club and all its privileges, while all off-train experiences are included, as is the finest dining and premium wines. journeybeyondrail.com.au

Cruise the Remote Ecuadorian Coast

Looking for a unique take on South America? In 2023, Kontiki Expeditions offers an eight-day exploration of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast, allowing for a rich cultural adventure. With only nine staterooms and excursions to sparsely populated coastal ports, the 18-guest 128 ft superyacht M/S Kontiki Wayra will travel on two routes — The Toquilla Expedition and The Spondylus Expedition — along the Ecuadorian coast, immersing guests in the country’s wealth of birds, animals, flora, fauna, indigenous foods and cultural traditions while adhering to a “neo luxury” philosophy of sustainability and giving back to the communities visited. The yacht’s small size and routes allow access to smaller ports, villages and nature reserves starting from or ending in Manta or Guayaquil. Along the journey, highlights of which include a visit to a cocoa farm, an excursion to a New Latitude vineyard, and a hike through the Pacoche Humid Forest, guests will enjoy the best farm-to-table dining and service from a 13-strong crew. kontikiexpeditions.com

Swim With Sperm Whales

Nothing could be more awe-inspiring than swimming with sperm whales in the clear Caribbean waters of Dominica. With pristine rainforest, a river for every day of the year, waterfalls, national parks, volcanoes, white and black sand beaches and a vast array of soul-restoring excursions and authentic experiences, Dominica provides the perfect escape to the wilderness and six-star all-villa resort Secret Bay offers the chance to swim with these sea giants in their natural habitat. Sperm whales are resident off the stunning Caribbean island all year, and the resort's in-water whale experience day trip, which requires a specific permit regulated by the maritime authorities, is led by specially licensed and experienced guides who have invested decades studying and becoming intimately acquainted with Dominica’s resident sperm whale population. Along the way, you’ll learn about whale migration routes, feeding habits and environmental challenges. secretbay.dm

NORDIC CALLING

A visit to Helsinki and a detour to the nearby medieval city of Porvoo delivers both a modern and traditional take on Finland, says Helen Dalley.

There is one very good reason to visit Finland: to find out just what makes the Finns so content with their lot, despite its cool, rainy climate and the dark months between October and February. For five years straight, the World Happiness Report has singled out the Nordic country, which lies a smidge north of Sweden, as the happiest on the planet. But why? The report muses, “Maybe it’s because the country has worked hard to create a society that possesses an infrastructure of happiness. Social systems in Finland and the rest of the Nordics support democratic governance and human rights, plus education and healthcare that are free or charge only very nominal fees.”

With an abundance of natural beauty – Finland is famous for its pine forests and many lakes – it’s also easy for the Finns to enjoy nature, and they love taking icy dips then retreating to the cosy warmth of a sauna. Nature becomes all the more enticing when there’s low pollution levels and clean air too. As for its capital, Helsinki was voted the third-best city to live in the world behind London and New York respectively last year thanks to good housing and transport options, and there is plenty to offer visitors, including its world-renowned design district, a buzzing harbourside and a dynamic dining scene, with restaurants championing foraged ingredients and local produce.

As I enter the lobby at Hotel St. George (stgeorgehelsinki.com) I’m given the coolest Helsinkian welcome by Ai Wei Wei’s Tianwu, a white dragon created using traditional kite making techniques. Checking into an Atelier room that overlooks Old Church Park, I’m tickled to see a SodaStream machine and make myself some bubbly water before admiring the shimmering dark brown tiles in the Mexican marble bathroom.

The next morning, I’m met in the lobby by Heidi Johansson from city marketing company Helsinki Partners and we take a walk down to the harbour, where stalls selling freshly caught fish and snacks like reindeer hotdogs await; in nearby Old Market Hall, you can stop for salmon soup and shrimp sandwiches. We also explore Oodi, Helsinki’s Central Library, a sleek inviting space where you can do so much more than read, like see a movie, grab some lunch, play boardgames, and watch the books being transported around by mini robots.

As we later walk past a Moomin-themed shop window, discussion turns to Finland’s most famous export, which was created by Helsinki-born author Tove

Jannson. “Moomins are not just for children in Finland. I have a Moomin dress and wear it to work,” says Johansson.

After a bracing walk around the city – I love watching the distinctive green and yellow trams criss-cross the streets – I have a lunch date with Helsinki Partners’ Leena Karppinen at Brasa, (brasa.fi) where food is cooked on an open fire and the meat and fish is dry-aged inhouse. As an amuse bouche, we sip on an orange juice flavoured with burnt orange peel and eat sage and black pepper bread before digging into Pithivier (forest mushrooms in pastry with ramsons and pear chutney), and a dish simply titled Pumpkin, with ricotta, pecorino and kale accompanying the grilled winter squash, with tangy

sea buckthorn kombuchas on the side. We chat about the capital’s reputation as a design capital ahead of my visit to Design District Helsinki ( designdistrict.fi ) , where museums, stores and artsy cafes and restaurants converge. “Finland has never had aristocrats or an upper class, so design is about improving everyone’s life. After we became independent in 1917, design helped Helsinki prosper,” notes Karppinen.

A DESIGN CITY

Design District Helsinki’s executive director Mia Saporito takes me on a tour of some of the district’s hotspots and the people who make it tick. I chat to visual artist/ printmaker and pattern designer Reeta Hiltunen, whose designs appear in everything from large-scale artworks to greetings cards, and fashion designer Katri Niskanen, renowned for her feminine silhouettes and sculptural drapings, who’s dressed Finnish president Sanna Marin. We also meet photographer and founder of the Lokal Gallery (lokalhelsinki.com) Katja Hagelstam, which sells limited edition items and small-scale production lines by local artists and designers.

“We want everything to feel unique and encourage customers to buy less and choose well,” she says. “Young people here don’t want IKEA and H&M; they

have an appreciation for art and craftsmanship.” We also drop in at Klaus Haapaniemi’s home and textiles store inside Kamp Galleria (kampgalleria.com) , whose design approach is influenced by Finnish folklore and traditional decorative arts and combines traditional weaving techniques with modern prints. The Finnish designer was commissioned by Bjork to create a sofa and carpet for her summer house in Finland. “Normal Scandic design is minimalistic, but this is quite different,” says the brand’s Jan Kosinen.

Like their Nordic neighbours, the Finns love sweating it out in the sauna, and there are around three million nationwide to serve a population of 5.5. million. The only public wood-burning sauna in Helsinki, Kotiharjun has stood here since 1928, and is powered by a tower of logs piled up against the wall; as with electric saunas, every so often someone gets up to ladle water onto the hot stones to produce more steam and you hear that satisfying sizzle. As beads of sweat gather on my forehead, Heidi tells me with a smile that her father believes saunas are the remedy for just about every ailment, and that babies are bought into them for short periods from around five months old.

Feeling suitably detoxified, I later stop at Nolla (restaurantnolla.com), the Nordic country’s first zero-waste restaurant and chat with co-founder Albert Franch about its approach. “We set up Nolla as we were unhappy with the amount of waste created by the industry, particularly in fine dining. We want to maximise the use of every ingredient and won’t use anything in a single-use package. Sustainability has become a circus –who can do the biggest trick? – but we want to make it normal!,” he says. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, fishermen and producers, and the fresh corn polenta, palm kale and chanterelle sauce is certainly worth stopping by for, as is the toasted hay ice cream, honey cake and brandy caramel. I pair my dishes with an apple and quince cider and a raspberry sour from Nolla’s in-house microbrewery, Mamu.

ISLAND LIFE

The next day, I check into Marski by Scandic (scandichotels.com), a modern-looking hotel located smack dab in the middle of the city. My Grande Double Room overlooks the city’s main boulevard, Mannerheimintie; many famous buildings are situated along here, including the Houses of Parliament, National Museum and Helsinki Opera House. I don’t have time to swing by the Marski Bar, but it’s a hip focal point and popular rendezvous with locals, with contemporary Finnish cocktails on the menu and a covered terrace where guests can take their drinks in the warmer months.

One of Helsinki’s most striking spaces is contemporary art gallery Amos Rex (amosrex.fi), whose underground exhibition spaces serve up the newest, often experimental art works. While there I’m lucky to catch an exhibition by Belgian visual artist Hans Oop De Beeck, The Quiet Parade, where large-scale spatial installation and figurative sculptures capture moments frozen in time, from a young girl blowing a soap bubble to a makeshift stilt village inspired by the settlements in Filipino archipelagos. In the summer, people gather for picnics on the domes outside the gallery, and when the snow comes, people sledge down them, says Johannson.

Post Amos Rex, I head off to the island of Suomenlinna, an 18th century sea fortress that’s a 20-minute ferry ride from Helsinki. As we

depart from the ferry terminal, Heidi grins and points out the SkySauna cabin on the Skywheel, the world’s first sauna on a ferris wheel. After a bracing walk around the headland where we encounter Russian merchant’s houses, we pull up a chair for lunch at Adlerfelt (adlerfelt.fi) for pumpkin and carrot soup with island bread with a malt crust and drink lingonberry and strawberry juice. The island houses six museums, including the Customs Museum; housed in a former prison, it showcases the history of customs and smuggling in Finland. You can also visit Submarine Vesikko, which served in the second world war.

With just 16 seats within the cosy confines of its brick-lined space, each diner gets the star treatment at restaurant Spis (spis.fi), with the chef and sommelier introducing each dish with equal parts passion and authority as we make our way through the tasting menu: chef Pauli Hakala tells us he picked the gooseberries for one of the dishes from his garden this morning with his son. Standout dishes include a mini mushroom doughnut made from foraged mushrooms with a velvety mushroom broth on the side, and tofu with juniper, kohlrabi and horseradish cream in a spring onion sauce; a palate cleanser of green currant granita flavoured with local gin and tonic is superbly sandwiched between courses.

HELSINKI INSIDER: DAVID KONDO, Finnair Head Of Customer Experience & Design

If you’re thinking of heading to Finland any time soon and flying with Finnair (finnair.com), you’ll be in for a treat, as the airline has recently updated its business class cabins, added premium economy class and refreshed its economy class cabins. Recognised as the best airline in Northern Europe by Skytrax for the 12th consecutive year in 2022, it launched a direct service from Helsinki to Guangzhou last September.

Finnair’s head of customer experience & design, David Kondo, is a proud Helsinki resident. Born in Japan to a Canadian mother, he grew up in Australia and has been based in Helsinki for the past six years. He loves the dining scene in the city. “I head to Cafe Esplanad (esplanad.fi) for traditional salmon soup or filled potato with shrimp or salmon for a great casual option. For a nice dinner, many restaurants do set menus with multiple courses. There are lots of great options but I like Bronda, Muru and Plein. Seahorse (en.seahorse.fi) is also a classic: the retro interior hasn’t been touched for decades and they serve up classic Nordic plates including my favourite dessert ever, frozen cranberries and hot caramel sauce.” Best outdoor activity? Going for a dip in the harbour after a sauna. “Go to the Kulttuurisauna – you have to book ahead – for a great sauna and a dip. If the water is frozen, they break it open!” His favourite place to go for a drink is the Son of a Punch cocktail bar (sonofapunch.com). “There’s no sign out front and you need to ring a doorbell to get in. They do a great cocktail with cranberry and white chocolate.”

OLD SCHOOL CHARM

A proliferation of colourful old wooden buildings encircled by pines and parkland, Porvoo delivers the classic Nordic experience many of us dream about, its main draw being the Medieval old town which is home to galleries, restaurants, cute cafes and independent boutiques. Less than an hour’s drive from the Finnish capital, it’s a popular day trip from Helsinki. I soak up the old town vibes at a traditional bakery with a lingonberry pastry then head down to the Porvoonjoki river and admire the rows of red, yellow and green riverside warehouses perched above it, where ships once came to load and unload their cargo.

Opened last year, Runo Hotel Porvoo (runohotel.com) is the second member of the Design Hotels network in Finland after Hotel St. George and represents the most upscale offering in this small city. Decked out in soothing, neutral tones and featuring wooden floors, my Balcony Suite overlooks Porvoo old town. The lounge is cool and inviting, and you can sit and read the hotel’s books on design, play board games and admire the works of local artists. Co-founder and CEO Erkka Hirvonen was very hands-on in the hotel’s restoration, having spent his childhood helping his family renovate a manor house. He then moved to Dubai to learn about the commercial and operational side of hospitality, working for Jumeirah and InterContinental Hotels before returning to his hometown.

“It was my dream to create a high-end Finnish hotel, but it was a question of finding the right property, but I finally found one in my hometown,” he says. Every room is hand painted, and much of the details are connected to the GM and his family: the towel ladders, for example, are made from old hay sticks from the family home, as are the bathroom’s pinewood benches. “The challenge was to make the hotel cosy and approachable – luxury hotels can be cold and formal,” says Hirvonen.

Having spent a week in Finland, I’m beginning to understand

why the nation keeps being crowned the happiest country in the world. In addition to its respect for democracy and equality, there’s great food, huge respect towards art and design, the great Nordic outdoors and the saunas, and every Finn I’ve encountered exudes a quiet contentment. While Hirvonen admits there was an adjustment period after 12 years in Dubai, he’s now firmly focused on putting Porvoo, and the laid-back Finnish way of life, on the map.

Jetsetter was hosted by Helsinki Partners (helsinkipartners.com) and flew with Finnair (finnair.com)

A DIFFERENT TAKE ON MELBOURNE

What is a W Insider and what makes them unique from other hotel concierges?

It’s W’s version of a hybrid elevated hotel concierge and experience curator, delivering experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. What sets W Insiders apart is our network of connections, so we can connect guests with experiences that take their travels to the next level.

Where are your favourite places to hang out in Melbourne?

Finding those hidden gems nestled between the laneways is where I’m at. However, I can’t go past the humble classics. My latest bar to frequent in Melbourne is a cosy and quaint place in Bond St, Bar Jayda ( barjayda.com.au ), which features high-top tables and sharing style nibbles including San Daniele prosciutto and ricotta on focaccia. My cocktail of choice would have to be the Strawberry Yoghurt Negroni.

What makes the coffee scene so great in Melbourne?

Melbourne’s evolving love for coffee is evident on every corner, with coffee kiosks, artisan-style cafes and cocktail bars focusing on beans, blends and everything in between! The coffee scene in the city taps into local styles, and the ways in which the coffee flavour is interpreted. At Curious (recently opened at the W Melbourne), the cocktail menu has an entire section dedicated to the humble bean, with a cheeky play on spoons made entirely out of chocolate to stir into your drink.

Melbourne is also famous for its street art. Where would you recommend guests head to so they can experience it?

Whether it’s a small sketch to the left of a lamp pole or a 4x4 mural, my all-time favourite location is Hosier Lane. Iconic in its nature, the lane features new and emerging talent all lining up to get their artwork on display. One of my favourite murals was on Hosier Lane in September 2022. It was a simple black and white figure with a collar and a vibrant red heart illuminated through the jacket.

You like to cycle round the city. Any routes you like to pedal down when not at work?

Heading down to the Dandenong ranges has always

been a favourite pastime, as the green of the forest is breath-taking. As much as I love exploring towards The Thousand Steps, I usually locate a boutique cafe for some scones with jam and cream on the way home.

W hotels are famous for their Living Rooms, where guests are encouraged to mingle. What can guests expect from the Living Room experience at W Melbourne?

W Melbourne’s take on the W Living Room has evolved to include Curious, our new hidden bar. Like any speakeasy worth visiting though, it’s a little tricky to find, which most often means you must either know someone who knows where it is or ask a member of our team to help you find it. marriott.com –

Jacob Detering, the W Insider at W Melbourne, spills the beans on his favourite coffee hangouts, street art spots and hidden speakeasies.

LODGE LIFE

With world-class dining, spectacular scenery, and authentic kiwi hospitality, travelling through New Zealand via its acclaimed luxury lodges is the best way to capture the essence of this remarkable land. Here are some of our favourites.

KINLOCH MANOR & VILLAS

One of New Zealand’s newest luxury retreats and one aimed at golfers looking for both challenging fairways and creature comforts, Kinloch Manor & Villas, located on the shores of Lake Taupo, is sister property to Treetops in Rotorua. However, that’s where the similarities end. Perched on steep mountain flanks, the uber-luxury lodge’s clutch of one and two-bedroom apartment style suites overlook the stunning Jack Nicklaus-designed course with the shimmering waters of the country’s largest lake beyond. Designed by architect Andrew Patterson, with interiors by acclaimed lodge guru Virginia Fisher that include oak floors, handmade New Zealand rugs, and carbon-neutral fireplaces, Kinloch Manor is dressed in local schist stone, and seamlessly blends into the lakeside landscape.

After trout fishing excursions, hiking or rounds of the private golf course, join fellow guests for pre-dinner drinks in the Great Room, a baronial space accented with fox fur, copper, stone and brass, or on the open terrace, before making your way into the cavernous Dining Room, a bold yet calming space in textured whitewash that acts as the perfect canvas for the modern Estate-to-Plate cuisine of Chilean head chef Norka Mella Munoz, who uses produce reared and grown on the the owner’s 2,000-hectare estate to execute refined, contemporary dishes matched with boutique New Zealand wines. kinlochmanor.co.nz

THE FARM AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS

Set atop a stunning 2,400-hectare working farm at the heart of the Hawke’s Bay winebelt, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers delivers world-class accommodation and hospitality to one of the country’s most coveted golf courses. Developed by the late American hedge fund billionaire Julian Robertson, and sister property to Matakauri and Kauri Cliffs (read more about this remarkable lodge on pg 84) , this unique coastal retreat boasts just 22 guest suites, in addition to a beautifully-appointed four-bedroom Owner’s Suite.

Each elegant farmhouse-style suite features interiors by designer Linda Bedell, king-sized beds, spacious bathrooms with over-sized bath tubs, wet bars, and lofty ceilings. But the real beauty is in the main lodge building, home to a sun kissed courtyard, fireplace snugs and a curated collection of local art. There’s an intimate spa (the manuka honey cocoon treatment is to die for), a heated infinity pool and fitness centre, an intimate wine cellar, and a Relais & Chateaux restaurant that capitalises on Hawke’s Bay’s outstanding local produce. If you’re not into golf, have the culinary team prepare you a picnic and explore the coastal cliffs on the Kiwi Discovery Walk; there are also Can-Am tours and opportunities to go horseback riding, wine tasting, kayaking or trout fishing. robertsonlodges.com

HUKA LODGE

One of New Zealand’s most awarded lodges and the property that spearheaded the luxury lodge scene, Huka started life as a humble fishing cabin overlooking the iconic Huka Falls. Founded just outside Taupo in 1924, the property has since progressed in leaps and bounds. Located on a nine-hectare private estate that edges up against the mighty Waikato River, Huka Lodge is wreathed by heritage-listed gardens and features 20 junior Lodge Suites, and two exclusive multibedroom owners’ residences, the Alex van Heeren and Alan Pye Cottages, the latter named after its Irish founder. Expect thoughtful interiors by Virginia Fisher in cream, honey and lavender, with monogrammed bed linen, private terraces, well-lit bathrooms with deep soak tubs, and captivating river views.

Dining has always been at the heart of the Huka Lodge experience, with guests offered 20 private dining spaces, ranging from the Wine Cellar to the Orchard and Jetty Pavilion, in which to feast on the world-class cuisine of executive chef Tristan Abbott, who showcases locally-sourced ingredients from the central North Island. hukalodge.co.nz

A breathtaking mansion nestled just outside Christchurch, Otahuna Lodge is a historic Queen Anne-style home lovingly revived by Americans Hall Cannon and Miles Refo in 2007. Wreathed by 12 hectares of stunning gardens and staffed by hospitality innovators, Otahuna’s five guest rooms – which include the sumptuous Rhodes Suite – are replete with ancient wood, bespoke furnishings and subtle yet cuttingedge technology. Each is fitted with fireplaces, balconies, hidden nooks and snugs, as well as the intimate touches of personality that sets lodges apart from hotels.

However, accommodation is just one element of the Otahuna experience. Chef Jimmy McIntyre, who’s been at the lodge for almost 20 years, is renowned for his simplistic yet elegant approach to fine dining, a philosophy that places locally sourced ingredients, including 130 varieties of vegetables, fruit, and nuts from the lodge’s own gardens, front and centre. otahuna.co.nz

MATAKAURI LODGE

The sibling of acclaimed North Island golf destination lodges Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, Matakauri brings a more contemporary feel to the South Island. Positioned overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the towering Tooth Peaks ranges, Matakauri features just 12 guest rooms, with four located in the main lodge, and the rest scattered across the clifftops. Each boasts clean, modern décor that takes its design cues from autumn in Otago, plus a gas fireplace, private balcony, flatscreen TVs hidden behind artwork, and quite possibly the best bathtub views in the world. The Owner’s Cottage, the lodge’s penthouse, accommodates eight in absolute luxury.

The warm colours of the suites continue in the main lodge, where breakfast and dinner is served in the intimate dining room, on the outdoor patio, or in the private library. Head chef Jonathan Rogers’ menus are inspired by the produce of the deep south and his everchanging à la carte offerings include roasted scallops with black pudding and beurre noisette; North Island terakihi with mussels and dill; and smoked Otago duck with beetroot, goat’s curd and blood orange. robertsonlodges.com

BLANKET BAY

Situated just outside Glenorchy, a hidden Eden at the western end of Lake Wakatipu, this purposebuilt lodge is flanked by the lake on one side and the imposing peaks of the Southern Alps on the other. Designed by US architect Jim McLaughlin and built using locally-sourced schist rock and recycled timber, Blanket Bay boasts a selection of accommodations ranging from main lodge suites to chalets, villas and a sumptuous Owner’s Residence. In addition, within the main lodge building there are cavernous living rooms with double-height picture windows and towering fireplaces, intimate bars, a modern games room, a duo of wine caves, a spa and fitness centre, a seasonal outdoor pool, and an indoor spa that looks through French windows to the lake.

Located at the base of the Southern Alps, the lodge is the perfect jumping-off point for travellers looking to explore Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park by helicopter, the Dart River by highpowered speedboat, or the ancient rainforests and towering peaks of the Mount Aspiring National Park on foot. Guests return to dinner cooked by chef Dan Reynolds and served in the cosy Lake View Dining Room. blanketbay.com

When you do venture from your room there's plenty to keep you occupied. Nestled on two kilometres of private shoreline, and backed by its own 215-hectare farm, the main lodge wreathes a large infinity-edged swimming pool while there’s a small fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room and icy plunge pool housed in one wing; lounges, libraries and snugs with fireplace and an extensive art collection in another. Two dining rooms, manned by immaculately clad staff, many of whom cut their teeth working on luxury superyachts, open onto tiled terraces and expansive lawns that double as a helicopter pad.

You can explore the estate on a farm tour that takes in the Wagyu herd and stunning views of the Poor Knights Islands; retreat to the intimate Mohei Pavilion, a beachfront cottage for day use set on one of the property’s five private bays; and sample the cuisine of Italian chef Michele Martino, a protégé of chef Ernesto Iaccarino of restaurant Don Alfonso 1890, who taps into the estate’s extensive gardens and orchards for the freshest ingredients. helenabay.com

TREETOPS LODGE & ESTATE

One of New Zealand’s most acclaimed luxury enclaves, Treetops Lodge & Estate is nestled amid an 800-year old native forest just outside the geothermal mecca of Rotorua. Created by passionate naturalist John Sax, Treetops showcases the very best of New Zealand through lavishlyappointed accommodation, sensational dining, and a raft of unique encounters that infuse the region’s Maori culture, bucolic landscapes, and its world-class trout fishing legacy.

With a pioneering eco-friendly architectural design that’s won the property global praise, Treetops offers a variety of accommodation styles, including the traditional Lodge Wing, a four-room enclave ideally suited for families and friends travelling together, and a clutch of secluded villas. Each space is exquisitely decorated with custom furniture, fireplaces, high thread count linens, and objets d’ art.

Guests can explore the estate’s seven trout-packed streams or wander along 50km of adventure trails on geocaching hunts, hiking and 4WD experiences. The lodge’s ground-breaking Maori Indigenous Food Trail, Estate to Plate Safari, and Wild Food Cooking School offer foodies unprecedented access to locally-sourced ingredients and traditional culinary culture. Leave time to visit the spa, where a host of innovative Rituals of Treetops treatments guarantee to soothe mind and body. treetops.co.nz

ANNANDALE

Nestled in Pigeon Bay, at the tip of the Banks Peninsula, Annandale is the modern face of New Zealand’s luxury lodge movement. Envisioned by New Zealand-born real estate tycoon Mark Palmer, Annandale isn’t really one property but a collection of five, each vastly different from the next, and most spaced a good 30-minute drive across a working farm from each other, ensuring ultimate privacy. There’s the historic and beautifully restored Homestead; the rustic elegance of Shepherd's Cottage; the contemporary lines of The Stables; and the open-plan, family-friendly living of Scrubby Bay. Seascape, a one-room glass-encased retreat overlooking a remote bay wreathed by a stony beach and rocky headlands, can be accessed directly via helicopter from Christchurch.

A stunning, unashamedly modern, open-plan villa, Seascape offers mesmerising sea views, a duo of gas fireplaces, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a kitchen with Miele appliances, and a deep soak tub with little between it and the expanses of the Pacific. While not a traditional lodge, Seascape offers the same chance to become a part of the landscape, to slow down, sleep in, and leave the rest of the world behind. To that end, guests can have a chef cook up a storm in the butler’s pantry; have raw ingredients delivered; or opt for the “we create, you serve” approach, which sees executive chef Craig Martin prepare a gourmet multi-course meal dish packed with ingredients from the farm’s own gardens that are vacuum packed and requires minimal preparation. annandale.com

MINARET STATION

A true departure from the traditional lodge model, Minaret Station marries luxury and the rugged outdoors to perfection. Only accessible by helicopter, the lodge is hidden away 3,000 feet up in the Southern Alps, in the shadows of Mount Aspiring. Situated on a 26,000-hectare station that’s home to just four luxuriously appointed Alpine Chalets, each of which features sheepskin carpeting, king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms, and private in-deck hot tubs, the property takes privacy and luxury to whole new levels. Powered by its own hydroelectric system, and constructed from timber and stone harvested from the station, Minaret Station’s main lodge building may have a rugged exterior but inside are gleaming timber floors, a complimentary wet bar, and a communal dining room where head chef Ivan Savae serves European and Asian fusion cuisine matched with the best drops from Central Otago.

Spend your days ‘tramping’ through Middle Earthlike scenery; take the helicopter to coastal islands for crayfish dives; go sailing on Lake Wanaka; or drop in at some of the region’s best cellar doors, and return in time for an al fresco soak under the stars. minaretstation.com

LUXURY In Residence

With the arrival of luxurious new Residences, New Zealand’s The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs continues to captivate guests from both home and abroad.

While Huka Lodge can claim to be New Zealand’s first luxury lodge, evolving from humble origins as a spot for world-class flyfishing, it was The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, located in Northland, that really helped put the country’s contemporary lodge scene on the global travel map. Combining a stunning David Harman-designed golf course with opulent accommodations and unapologetically OldWorld service, today The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. And it’s only getting better.

Created — along with sibling properties The Farm at Cape Kidnappers and Queenstown’s Matakauri — by hedge fund mogul, the late Julian Robertson and his late wife Josie, and now managed by their son Jay, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs features a colonial-styled main building set at the crest of a hill overlooking the stunning fairways and boasting 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands. It’s here, on the broad terrace or sequestered in the luxurious lounges, that guests convene for evening cocktails before slipping into the adjacent dining room to sample the exquisite farmto-table cuisine of executive chef Paul Froggatt, which taps into the property’s extensive network of local boutique producers and farms while also sourcing ingredients from its own working farm.

Steps away, and nestled in rich native bush, are 22 sumptuouslyappointed suites and the luxurious 4,200 sqft two-bedroom Owner’s Cottage, all of which count private terraces, cathedral-esque bathrooms, roaring fireplaces and complimentary minibars among its amenities.

The most recent addition at Kauri Cliffs also takes its inspiration from its founding family. Designed to accommodate the Robertson family when they visit, and modelled after the coveted Owner’s Cottage, The Residences at Kauri Cliffs are three truly luxurious residential-styled enclaves designed for families and friends seeking privacy and the opportunity to commune with nature.

Each of these magnificent four-bedroom residences exudes its own individual style, with warm décors by acclaimed New Zealand designer Virginia Fisher – the undisputed queen of lodge interiors — that perfectly blend with the surrounding green hills and blue sea of Northland. The spacious lounge and living areas are designed for guests to gather and relax, as is the familysized kitchen, which comes complete with a casual dining island and a butler’s pantry for exclusive chef service. Each residence also features an expansive veranda that flows to a 25-foot saltwater pool and surrounding deck.

Each Residence guest room boasts a spacious bed and wardrobe, a private bathroom and direct access to the veranda, much like you’d find in a private home while Master Suites offer more of those bucolic estate vistas. Included in stays is a full daily breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks, canapes, dinner and a generously stocked mini bar with New Zealand wine, beer and select spirits.

In addition to tennis courts and a newly opened pickleball court, the mesmerising par 72 championship golf course has been lovingly renovated, with the replacement of all greens during an exhaustive 18 month process, thus ensuring its position as one of the world’s most acclaimed courses and one that will seduce and challenge even regular visitors.

Lodge guests can also work up a storm in the modern fitness centre, take a dip in the outdoor infinity swimming pool or soak in the indoor pool, sample indigenous wellness treatments in a spa nestled within an ancient Totara forest; or enjoy a picnic at private Pink Beach, a postcard perfect slice of coastline they’ll have all to themselves.

robertsonlodges.com –

A MODERN DAY EXPLORER

Founder of Caladan Oceanic, a private deep sea exploration company, Victor Vescovo is a former commander in the US Navy with a passion for exploration. He has summited the highest peak on all seven of the world’s continents, including Mount Everest; skied to both Poles; and was the first person to have also descend to the bottom of all the world’s oceans. In June 2022 he travelled 100km into space on Blue Origin’s New Shephard-21 mission.

You’ve just finished a two-month expedition of the deepest ocean trenches the Great East Japan Earthquake area. What inspired this epic journey and what did you hope to reveal?

We wanted to achieve several objectives, including investigating the areas at and around the Great East Japan Earthquake, to see how the marine environment was affected. We also wanted to use our time in the larger area to make the first human descents to the bottom of the Ryukyu, IzuBonin-Ogasawara, and Japan trenches. Given that the national Japanese submersible, Shinkai, has a maximum depth limit of 6,500 metres, we saw an opportunity to go much deeper with my submersible the Limiting Factor, which can go to any depth. Additionally, there is a place in Japanese waters, the Boso Triple Junction, that has three tectonic plates slowly colliding together. There is only one other place on the ocean floor that has that dynamic, so it was a great place to see what that unusual geology was like and what life might live there.

Would it be fair to say exploration was in your blood?

Perhaps. I do know the most dangerous thing my parents did when I was very young was provide a bicycle to me. I immediately roamed very far, and very wide — probably dangerously so — among the streets and fields of Dallas, Texas. I also learned how to fly when I was 19 years old, I’ve climbed mountains for over 30 years, and now have been going down to the bottom of most of the world’s ocean trenches. Yes, I think it’s fair to say it is just something in me that I need to do — explore.

How do you keep your cool when you’re thousands of feet beneath the surface with little between you and the crushing depths?

I think part of it is just my nature — I’m not that excitable and tend to be very analytical and procedure-driven. More than a few people have described my personality as a bit like the constantly logical and calm Spock from the Star Trek TV series. But a big part of it is training as well. I was a military officer for 20 years and have flown civilian jets and helicopters, so in that training you are taught to not let your emotional responses take control over you during stressful times. Panic is never the right answer in any stressful situation.

You’ve also discovered several shipwrecks including most recently the USS Samuel B. Roberts off the

coast of the Philippines. Why is it so important these wrecks are discovered?

I have always been extremely interested in military history and been drawn to military wrecks as they are physical reminders of things that actually happened many years ago and work as a bridge between our current time and those times past when people did extraordinary things in defence of their countries and ideals. Finding the wrecks is not only very exciting and a great technical achievement, but also gives us an excuse to retell the stories of the people and ships and remind them of the sacrifices that so many made so we could live the way we do.

Tell us about your partnership with EYOS Expeditions.

When I was planning my first big marine expedition, to locate and journey to the bottom of all five of the world’s oceans, I realised that I needed a logistical partner who could help me navigate all of the details that needed to be done in advance to make it possible. EYOS has a stellar reputation for doing these things, so I met with them early in the process and realised they would be a great partner for me. And we’ve been working together ever since.

In addition to your descents, you’ve travelled to the edge of space with Blue Origin. Should we be looking to space or is there much to discover here on earth?

We need to do both. Our world is so rich that we shouldn’t have to sacrifice research in one at the expense of the other. We have an enormous amount still to learn in the oceans since more than two-thirds of it remains completely unexplored. And as for space, we have also barely begun to scratch the surface of what we could learn. I think it is an extraordinary time to be alive as we keep pushing the technical boundaries of exploration in space and the ocean. We must do both.

What will your next expedition focus on?

It is very likely that I will sell my diving system to another organisation soon, given the prodigious expense of maintaining it and personally paying for all of my expeditions. However, doing that will allow me a bit of a breather to study all the technical things that can be improved in deep ocean diving and to go back into the workshop to come up with solutions for a next-generation manned submersible. caladanoceanic.com

Read the full interview at jetsetter-magazine.com

Turning Trash into TREASURE

As travellers’ concerns for the environment grow, sustainability initiatives in hotels and resorts are becoming ever more comprehensive and it’s no longer enough for properties to make small – although admittedly worthy –gestures like switching to bamboo straws or phasing out single-use plastic bottles. Booking.com’s recent Sustainable Travel Report 2022 indicated that 81 percent of global travellers said sustainable travel is important to them, with 50 percent saying that recent news about climate change had encouraged them to make more sustainable travel choices. The report also found that 57 percent of travellers would

feel better staying in a resort if they knew it had a sustainable certification.

One resort that has embraced sustainability throughout every facet of its operation is The Datai Langkawi, which has earned both the bi-annual ASEAN Green Hotel Standard Certification in 2020 and 2022, and the coveted EarthCheck ECO (Terrestrial) Certificate in 2019 and 2021, which provides a transparent and scientific assessment of environmental and social sustainability endeavours and opportunities comparative to industry best practice.

Situated in the heart of an ancient rainforest where Dusky langurs and Sunda colugos are common sights, a planetfriendly focus pervades throughout the 121-room resort, from the bamboo combs and toothbrushes in rooms to the local, sustainably sourced catches that are served in its five restaurants, where dishes are enlivened by organic herbs including chili, turmeric and ginger grown in the property’s expansive permaculture garden.

The Datai Langkawi’s Pure for the Future initiative, part of its all-encompassing The Datai Pledge sustainability, conservation, and community vision, seeks to incorporate the seven Rs of

As hotels and resorts increasingly look to more green ways of doing business, The Datai Langkawi, one of Asia’s most coveted retreats, is leading the way in luxury sustainability.

sustainability – reduce, recover, recycle, repurpose, replace, return and rethink – into daily life at the Langkawi hideaway. The hotel reduces resort waste that would either end up in a landfill or the sea, for example, by making it recyclable, upcyclable or returning it back into nature in organic form up to 93 percent of the resort’s waste has been processed on-site on a regular basis, and zero-waste-to-the-landfill has been reached for the first time in December 2021, and then for 152 days overall in the year of 2022.

In addition to recycling and upcycling initiatives, Pure for the Future champions local sustainable micro-enterprises and natural produce and educates guests on sustainable food production with enlightening tours around the permaculture garden. Regular beach clean-ups keep Datai Bay – voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world by National Geographic – in pristine shape.

If you’re green fingered, then prepare to be impressed by the resort’s permaculture garden, a zero-waste organic food production system that produces fruit, vegetables, herbs and even honey from the resort’s beehives and is fed by compost from The Datai Langkawi’s Sorting Centre. Want to get hands-on? Then sign up for the complimentary garden tour, which might just encourage you to see what you can grow once you’re back at home. You can even don protective headgear and become a beekeeper for the day

and learn how to harvest tangy Trigona Itama honey directly from the hives of the resort’s stingless bees – the experience finishes with a honey tasting and the chance to take the fruits of your labour home with you.

Serving the resort’s five restaurants, The Datai Langkawi’s on-site aquaponic farm utilises soilless culture to yield organic produce, including mint, water spinach and choy sum, with freshwater fish like tilapia and catfish providing nutrient-rich aquaculture water to feed the plants.

Fancy getting creative? Then you’ll love The Lab, which hosts regular workshop activities including soap-making using propolis from the bee farm, and candle-making workshops, with used candles and soap from guest rooms melted down and fashioned into new creations by guests. Crushed glass, plastics and outdoor slippers are also upcycled at The Lab and turned into concrete slabs or, in the case of slippers, distributed to partner NGOs for recycling, upcycling, and reuse.

While you’re sure to have fun perfecting your soap or candle design with family or friends, the best takeaway from this fun session is knowing you have done your bit to reduce waste by breathing life into single-use materials we often perceive as no longer fit for purpose. thedatai.com – HELEN

Designs On MIAMI

From interactive museums to cool street art, design has become one of Miami’s biggest draws. Helen Dalley rounds up some of the best creative experiences in the city.

The playground of the rich and famous – Shakira, Sylvester Stallone and LeBron James live here and the Kardashians love to visit – Miami is where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, with white-sand beaches, palm trees, neon-lit streets, raucous nightlife and street art all in plentiful supply. Home to the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world – there’s more than 800 examples in less than one square mile – the pastel-coloured buildings lined up on Ocean Drive demand to be photographed, while immersive art experiences like Superblue are pushing the boundaries of what an art museum can be. Read on for our definitive design guide to the Magic City, which takes in design-conscious stays, artistic experiences and restaurants that embrace design.

WHERE TO STAY: DESIGN-CONSCIOUS PROPERTIES

If you want to stay in design-savvy digs, then there is arguably no better place to lie your head than citizenM Miami Brickell (citizenm.com ). The hotel brand is the selfstyled king of affordable luxury, and its Miami property boasts plenty of thought-provoking art: we love local artist Jen Stark’s vivid mural on the building’s façade and Lakwena Maciver’s kaleidoscopic piece Good Life . The rooms are bijoux and beautifully stripped back and you can control lights, blinds, and the TV with an app or in-room tablet, but really, it’s all about hanging out in the living room, a residential-style space where long, inviting sofas are artfully positioned under warm lighting, and where the hotel’s art collection will encourage you to start a conversation with the person sat opposite you.

The hotel brand has also just opened another property in the city, citizenM Miami World Center, which is situated just opposite the FTX Arena, so it’s a great spot if you want to catch basketball team Miami Heat in action, or a big music concert: Adele and Maroon 5 have played here.

If you're a music fan, you’ll love 33-room boutique hotel The Marlin (themarlinhotel.com ) in South Beach, which was once owned by Island Records owner Chris Blackwell, and features a wall of gold discs from U2, Bob Marley and the like in one of the hotel corridors. You can even stay at the late fashion designer Gianni Versace’s mansion, Villa Casuarina (vmmiamibeach.com ), where the all-suite property’s most commanding space, the Gianni Suite, features mural-covered walls, lavish décor and bedding plus two balconies, one of which overlooks Ocean Drive.

WHERE TO EXPERIENCE DESIGN (THEN SHOP)

The art world descends on the city for Art Basel Miami Beach held in late November/early December, and some of the industry’s biggest galleries (The Modern Institute, David Zwerner, White Cube) are in attendance: last year, guests were treated to new immersive artworks from David Hockney and Jimmy DeSana’s photos of 1970s New York. While we wouldn’t advise visiting Miami during this super-busy time (accommodation is expensive and hard to find, for starters), there are plenty of design attractions year-round. Arguably the most innovative is Superblue Miami (superblue.com ), an art museum that invites guests

to interact with art, as you walk through a mirrored labyrinth by Es Devlin, touch teamLab’s light-based displays and walk under the installation Pulse Topology by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer where thousands of light bulbs glimmer to the heartbeat of museum visitors.

Other galleries worth checking out include the Rubell Family Collection (rubellmuseum.org ) which is home to one the US’s biggest contemporary art collections, including works by Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama and Liu Wei, and the Gary Nader Art Center (garynader.com ) in midtown for Latin American art plus iconic names like Warhol, Lichtenstein, Monet and Manet.

There are also several Art Deco Tours in Miami - some even incorporate drink stop-offs like the Art Deco and Cocktail Tour (artdecotours.com ) - but the definitive, and official one, is organised by the Miami Design Preservation League (mdpl.org ), a non-profit that uses proceeds from tickets towards protecting the architectural and environmental integrity of Miami Beach and the surrounding area. During the tour, you’ll admire the city’s candy-coloured hotels, which feature cool Art Deco details like porthole windows and bold vertical bands; we love the bright yellow accents on the Leslie Hotel, and the cool mint shade of the Carlyle. Put your questions to the authoritative tour guides, who certainly know their stuff and enjoy testing guests’ knowledge on all things Art Deco and introducing fun facts: did

you know the shelves on top of windows are referred to as “eyebrows” and kept the sun out in pre-aircon days? Don’t forget to call in at their Art Deco museum afterwards, which delivers a good overview of the three major design styles in Miami: Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco and Miami Modern, or MiMO.

Even shopping can be a creative experience if you head to Miami Design District, where installations include Buckminster Fuller’s Fly's Eye Dome, a fibreglass sphere you can step inside, and 2x4 studio’s monochrome vortex, which will unwittingly draw you in. The design district is chock-full of high-end fashion brands and populated by a young, hip crowd where oversized sunnies and leather trousers are de rigueur and the aroma of expensive perfume hangs heavily in the air. Once you’ve checked out the art, then shop ‘til you drop at fashion boutiques including Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vuitton, many of which are housed in specially-designed buildings: check out Dior’s sculptural concrete panels and Fendi's facade, which is repainted in a bright hue every couple of months.

Don’t miss another Miami design icon, too: Wynwood Walls (thewynwoodwalls.com ), an outdoor museum of international street art with more than 40 hand-sprayed murals. Nine more were unveiled during the recent Miami Art Week, including works from Spain’s DULK and Bicicleta Sem Freio from Brazil. This hip district also welcomed its first hotel, Arlo Wynwood, with a graffitied exterior by Douglas Hoekzema, late last year.

WHERE TO EAT: DESIGN-INSPIRED RESTAURANTS

Situated in happening Brickell, the quirkily named Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita (doloreslolita. com ) was once the site of an old fire station, built in the popular Mediterranean Revival style by architect H. Hastings Mundy, with a two-story hipped roof, arcaded porch and stucco walls. Call in for their its Serrano ham croquettes, Mexican Ox-tail tacos and lobster quesadillas.

Just around the corner from Dolores is one of the most exclusive tables in town, Sexy Fish Miami (sexyfishmiami.com ), which features original artwork by Damien Hirst and surreal fish lamps designed by starchitect Frank Gehry: try the yellowtail tartar with bacon and caviar, or the king crab and bone marrow with truffle and toast.

For something more heritage, check into Mandolin (mandolinrestaurant.com ), an Aegean bistro situated in a former 1940s home in the Design District that serves up more-ish hummus and tzatziki with crunchy veg and bread to start plus other authentic plates like baked feta with tomatoes, chili flakes and peppers; and fried calamari with an almond torator dip. If you love vintage décor, then swing by Casa Florida (casafloridamiami.com ), where you can dine on broiled East Coast oysters and sip coconut mojitos aboard a restored 1960s bus.

Without A THE MAN LABEL

Thai actor, singer, and entrepreneur Thiraphat Sajakul recently made a memorable Hollywood debut in Ron Howard’s film Thirteen Lives.

Speaking to Neetinder Dhillon, Tui discusses the film, his approach to balancing life, fatherhood and how he navigates the entertainment industry.

Thai actor, singer, and entrepreneur Thiraphat Sajakul, popularly known by his nickname “Tui”, is familiar with the vagaries of fame with nearly three decades in the collective glow of the celluloid, the small screen, stage lights and legions of fans. His latest venture with Hollywood – Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives – has profoundly impacted him. The film translated the emotional and adrenaline-fuelled true life rescue of a football team and their coach from deep within a flooded cave in Thailand’s mountainous north.

“An opportunity of a lifetime,” declares the 49-year-old Tui. “Working with Ron Howard is a dream for everyone. That moment when I did the Zoom casting in the middle of the pandemic will stay with me. I have played many roles, but Captain Anont, who led the Royal Thai Navy SEAL team in the rescue, is special. He is not a fictional character. I needed to understand his perspective and empathise with his difficulty in remaining logical and unemotional in a difficult situation and convey this to the audience who would not get a wide-angled view of the navy captain. I had to distill it for them. I met Captain Anont – I needed his blessings – to craft him. I also went to the cave.”

The canvas given to Tui was small, but his layered portrayal and fine brush strokes brought across the quiet strength of the navy captain. “This project was way beyond my dreams. I gave my best to this role. To play a real-life hero is special. Thirteen Lives is not just another Hollywood movie with an A-list cast. It’s special; it’s about my country, real heroes, an event, an impossible situation. This movie will be there forever.”

The inner businessman in Tui appreciates the long-term impact of the film on Chiang Rai’s economy as a tourist destination. The son of Wanasthana Sajakul, a politician and a businessman, Tui credits his father’s advice to pursue an economics degree and an MBA for his business acumen.“I’m thankful for that. It opened my mind to the bigger point of view, to understand the odds and the money around. You can enjoy what you do but understanding the ecosystem around it and the money metrics is important. That learning gave me the distance to step aside and understand why something works or doesn’t. That point of view gives you a powerful choice and expands your mind: you do something not just because you enjoy it, but the economics of it make sense too.”

So, is he first a performer or a businessman? “I have stopped labelling myself. It’s up to others to call me what I am from their point of view. I enter a ‘room’, and I am ‘that’ till I choose to leave. I flow with the energy of life. Acting is one scene, music another and business another. It’s all me at that point in time. I sit in my director’s chair, and it’s up

to me to say ‘lights, camera, action’ and ‘cut’ when I need to and change the room.”

In between ‘rooms’, Tui stops to take a deep breath, meditate, and pause, “To stop the mind from moving and to recharge.”

Beyond the fame is life as an actor that would put even the strongest through the wringer. “It’s not easy moving in and out of characters. That first step is hard every single time. It’s like learning to play the guitar: first, your fingers are sore, you feel the burn, and then you begin to strum the chords, and the melody follows. You have to be in that character’s sphere to be ‘in’ that person. You can call it art, a movie, a song, a performance, whatever you name it; it’s really about communicating the energy.”

With two music albums (Teerapat and Phleng Man Pha Pai ) and scores of credits as a singer, model, and film and TV actor, Tui has acquired many ‘labels’, and walked in and out of several ‘rooms’. In the works is a music project he doesn’t want to speak of yet, and a film series he's is in talks about. Asked to choose one, films or TV series, Tui declares, “A film is like a song, a TV series an opera whose plot keeps evolving. Both are equally exciting, but in different ways.”

After Thirteen Lives Tui is basking in the success of the Thai rom-com Don’t Touch My Dad, a TV series about a single father trying to control his teenage girls. The conversation segues into Tui’s perception of parenthood. There’s an intensity in his voice as he speaks of his 12-year-old son, Titan, who lives with Tui’s former wife, Natasha Plienwithi. “What he wants to be is up to him, his passion, his point of view. I followed my passion; it would be fair to let Titan have that freedom to create his ‘movie’. I know my game; he needs to find his. He has his matrix, his view of the world. His dreams are different from those of his parents. I’ll always be there to guide him as a coach. I have no doubt he will find his melody, his beat, his game. Like I found music sitting in the back seat of

To my son, I say, start the day with gratitude, keep it simple, respect the laws of nature, be compassionate and craft the energy of your sphere, understand its quantum field and then begin painting it in your colours. Look at life as a chef and cook something that is you on a plate.

my mom’s car listening to the Beatles, Elvis, and rock ’n’ roll. It just downloaded into the ‘vinyl shelf’ of my mind. Titan will have his own vinyl shelf. Understanding your coding and constructing your own operating system is essential to who we are as humans.”

“To my son, I say, start the day with gratitude, keep it simple, respect the laws of nature, be compassionate and craft the energy of your sphere, understand its quantum field and then begin painting it in your colours. Look at life as a chef and cook something that is you on a plate.”

Reticent about his several community initiatives, Tui will only say this; “It is important to leave the world a better place. I prefer to do my part quietly. I know what I’m doing, but don’t want the result of my activities to be ‘the end’ instead of the starting point of something new. My advice would be to turn on the light in your heart and let it come from within.”

And dealing with a lack of privacy as a celebrity? “My interactions with people, whether fans or not, are about exchanging energy. I appreciate that chance to make connections. My son sees all this from his ‘backseat’ in the car, and he can choose the direction he wants to take.”

Tui speaks in analogies of operating systems, frequencies, human coding and energy flow, the mind’s processing power, and the world taking the leap from the binary into the quantum. Quantum physics fascinates him, as does spirituality and meditation. His day begins with it. He takes a break by meditating, too: “I take a break with my mind, slow down and float instead of swimming.” Life, he says, is about constantly “upgrading your operating system and clearing out the cache, deleting the trash. That’s self-improvement.”

the in

BACK SKIES

As the world returns to the skies Nick Walton enjoys the return to regular service on Cathay Pacific on a flight between Hong Kong and the Indonesian capital.

CHECK-IN

I attempted to check in for my flight using Cathay Pacific’s app, of which I am a fan but the system told me that I would need to complete the process at the airport. It was because of this that I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport well before my flight – CX777 from Hong Kong to Jakarta departing at 9.20am. However, I was not expecting the organised chaos at HKIA, where it seemed every person in the city was headed somewhere. The line for business class had at least 300 people in it when I arrived and the process of checking in was very, very slow despite the efforts of Cathay crew who marshalled the masses.

Despite that first impression, when it came to my turn I was checked-in by a smiling staff member who efficiently tagged my luggage and sent me on my way.

The departure process delays were further compounded by the new digital security gates installed during Covid, many of which were not working. Combined with lengthy waits for security and immigration, I had to forgo a visit to the lounge (at the time of writing Cathay was only operating two business class lounges at HKIA, The Wing, at gate 2, and The Pier and gate 65) and instead made a beeline directly for my departure gate, 47. When I arrived, boarding onto the Airbus A350-1000 had already begun.

THE SEAT

The Cathay Pacific A350-1000 business class cabin features 46 herringbone lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. This is followed by 32 seats in premium economy and 256 season in economy.

The airline has stayed with seat manufacturer Zodiac (now Safran) and the A350-1000 boasts

the brand’s newest incarnation of the Cirrus III seat so regular Cathay passengers will feel right at home. The seat is, in my opinion, one of the best in the skies. It has plenty of storage, under the seat, under and within the ottoman and also in a closed compartment at shoulder level; there are easy to reach seat and entertainment controls (including a touchscreen IFE remote); USB and AC charging ports; and the headphones (which admittedly are a little clunky and cheap) and headphone jack are secured within the closed compartment.

With the herringbone configuration, middle seats face the centre of the aircraft while window seats, like mine, 16A, face twin windows. Wings on the tops of the seats, part of a redesign of the seat shells in collaboration with Studio F.A Porsche, add to the sense of privacy while a flip out extension of the seat makes it ridiculously comfortable when extended as a 190cm long bed. I also appreciate the absence of a chunky airbag-fitted seatbelt still found on some business class seats. All of this, combined with LED mood lighting on night flights, more oxygen in the cabin thanks to the aircraft’s carbon fibre construction, and super quiet engines, meant I was almost disappointed when the captain announced a quick flight time of four hours.

SERVICE

Smiling crew welcomed us onboard and once settled offered pre-departure drinks. Like many passengers I asked for a cheeky glass of champagne (having, in my opinion, earned one after running the airport gauntlet) but the crew said they couldn’t open a bottle until we were airborne (Covid works in mysterious ways) so I contented myself with an apple juice.

True to their word, after an on-time departure from HKIA towards the east (and some very long winded announcements in four languages), a glass of chilled champagne was delivered, along

with the menu for breakfast. While the meal was more than adequate, service levels were very slow, although I am sure crew are only now getting back into their stride after so long out of the air.

DINING

Breakfast began with a selection of seasonal fruit and fruit yogurt, and a choice of cereals. From there we were given the choice of scrambled eggs with veal sausage, shiitake mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and Lyonnaise potatoes; a dim sum selection including vegetarian glutinous rice, a scallop and shrimp dumpling, chicken siu mai, and a beef ball; and braised chicken with preserved olive leaf sauce and e fu noodles. I opt for the dim sum, which, while not entirely appealing from an aesthetic perspective, was quite satisfying, especially when matched with a chilled coconut water — always a popular choice first thing in the morning – and an illy cappuccino.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Cathay Pacific A350-1000 boasts the airline’s newest entertainment system, which features an 11.1-inch touchscreen highdefinition monitor and offers a huge selection of recently released and classic films and TV shows in a variety of languages. While the plan does offer wifi connectivity, for such a short flight I thought I’d simply enjoying being unconnected for once.

SUMMARY

It was a pleasure to be flying with Cathay Pacific again after so long and I look forward to the carrier reclaiming its position as the region’s best in the coming months. cathaypacific.com

NOTE:

The author travelled on a redemption ticket and reviewed the flight without the airline’s knowledge

A DATE WITH THE DORCHESTER

Chef Martyn Nail on Making the Move

THE LITTLE FLOWER OF SHIP STREET

Rosita Opens in Hong Kong

NOT YOUR AVERAGE LUGGAGE

British Brand

HeyChesto Launches

POISED FOR PERFORMANCE

The New Range Rover Sport

Creative PLATES

FINE DINING REVIVAL

New to Hong Kong’s vibrant Sheung Wan neighbourhood, Rêveri is the brainchild of founders Jessica Kesumo and John Law, who first envisioned creating a restaurant together after helping establish a family friend’s venue in Indonesia. Promising a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience inspired by the couple’s journey, simple yet forwardthinking lunch and dinner tasting menus combine Asian flavours with western cooking styles: think Truffle Brioche, Japanese scallop with aged cheddar and fragrant scallop oil atop a fluffy truffle brioche bun; bite-sized Carabinero Tarts with foie gras mousse and yuzu sake jelly topped with caviar; and Butter Poached Lobster drizzled with a fragrant Shaoxing wine sabayon. Dishes are served in a dining room dressed in muted, neutral tones designed to create a light and warm ambience and an escape the bustling city. reverihk.com

TEMPTING TAPAS

NEW LANDMARK RESTAURANT FOR GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE

The Grand Hyatt Singapore will partner with Sergio Herman later this year, with a new restaurant marking the acclaimed Dutch chef-entrepreneur’s Asia debut. Located on the hotel’s mezzanine level, the new signature restaurant will take over the space of local favourite mezza9. A household name in the Netherlands and Belgium, 52-year-old chef Sergio Herman is famed for running a slate of successful restaurants, his role on prime-time cooking shows, and as an advocate for the judicious use of local Zeeland produce procured around the Westernmost region of the Netherlands. Herman gained prominence when he transformed Oud Sluis, his family’s humble mussel restaurant, into a culinary powerhouse that earned three Michelin stars every year since 2005 and is now the driving force behind the Sergio Herman Group, which includes twostarred Pure C, one-starred AIRrepublic and one-starred Le Pristine in the Netherlands and Belgium. hyatt.com

Hong Kong’s Pirata Group will introduce Calle Ocho this month, a convivial tapas restaurant and bar inspired by Spain’s historic Madrid de Los Austrias neighbourhood. Located in Fashion Walk, in Causeway Bay, the 130-seat restaurant will welcome guests with a striking tiled facade and bespoke artwork that evoke hallmarks of Iberian ambience such as the spacious plazas, narrow streets, and warm, inviting enclaves that make Iberian dining so special. Executive chef Víctor Caballé Molina will deliver a menu that travels the length and breadth of Spain, from the humble Pan con Tomate made with fresh tomato and herbaceous olive oil, to the playful “Uni-Cone” featuring tuna tartar crowned with sea urchin. Also look out for a selection of indulgent Charcuteria; Grilled Cuttlefish, Clams Clay Pot, Spanish Suckling Pig ‘Boneless’ Terrine, a wholesome Vegetales section, and a show-stopping squid ink paella packed with octopus, crispy calamari, king prawns, mussels and clams. piratagroup.hk

Pull up a chair at some of Asia's most hotly-anticipated restaurants this spring

STYLISH SUSHI

Pioneering restaurant group 1957 & Co. has ushered in a new era of fine dining with the arrival of Akanoshou, an elevated teppanyaki and sushi omakase restaurant in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay. Drawing inspiration from the element of fire as well as from traditional Japanese art, the striking 3,000 sqft space was conceived by acclaimed designer Steve Leung with input by lighting designer Tino Kwan and creative director and graphic artist Ruth Chao, and is helmed by teppanyaki head chef Chong Wai Cheong and sushi head chef Okura Masataka. A main dining room is complemented by a custom-built teppanyaki area, a dedicated sushi space with a bold red marble countertop, and four private rooms, while an outdoor terrace is the perfect spot for pre-meal aperitifs.

Chef Chong draws upon his expert knowledge of traditional teppanyaki techniques to create signature dishes like the teppangrilled Wagyu Sando, made with premium Hida Wagyu beef; and the Hida Wagyu Yakisuki, an innovative twist on Japanese sukiyaki with marinated Wagyu seared on the grill and served with raw Taiyou-ran egg yolk from Nagasaki.

In addition, chef Masataka presents an exquisite Edomae sushi omakase that includes tuna sourced from two of Japan’s leading suppliers, Ishiji and Yamayuki, and two types of shari (sushi rice). Signature dishes include Steamed Abalone with Sake, in which the chef wraps the mollusc with kombu and steams it with sake for seven hours until it’s tender and flavourful. akanoshou.com.hk

NO TEPPEN, NO PROBLEM

Another new Japanese eatery for Hong Kong, Izakaya Nakame No Teppen, the first overseas branch of the celebrated Tokyo restaurant, has opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering diners an authentic robatayaki experience. Located in the basement of The Kowloon Hotel, the new venue’s atmosphere is enhanced with the use of warm lighting and wood throughout the space, including tables made of reclaimed wood and custom-designed tatami-inspired booths. The centrepiece of the restaurant is an open robatayaki bar, which also houses a sushi bar, dining bar and chef’s table. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from Yamagi, the largest wholesaler in Tokyo’s famous Toyosu Fish Market, the restaurant offers a plethora of dishes, ranging from Grilled Unagi Ochazuke; and Monkfish Liver with Ponzu Sauce to Spicy Dam Dam Gyoza and even a plant-based cheesecake. @nakamenoteppen.hongkong

SKY-HIGH DINING

Meliá Chiang Mai has launched Sky-High Mai Restaurant & Bar, an intimate fine-dining restaurant serving contemporary Northern Thai dishes with Mediterranean influences. Located on the hotel’s 21st floor, with panoramic views of the city and famed Doi Suthep Temple, diners enter the intimate venue under an arch that pays homage to a nearby temple, while, in a salute to Chiang Mai’s Bo Sang Umbrella Village, large lit installations of umbrella ribs cling to the ceiling. The menu by award-winning executive chef Suksant “Billy” Chutinthratip and sous chef Karn Phojun celebrates traditional Lanna cuisine with Mediterranean touches in adherence to a ‘360-degree Cuisine’ programme that promotes healthy and sustainable eating based on farm-to-plate and plate-to-farm processes. Highlights include crisp fried fluffy catfish and pomelo salad scented with rice field crab jus; a Vietnamese sausage and edible flowers salad roll with yellow chili puree; and Pappardelle Soi Neur, homemade pappardelle with creamy khao soi curry sauce and slices of seared Australian sirloin. melia.com - NICK WALTON

A DATE WITH THE DORCHESTER

After 36 years in the kitchens at Claridge’s, acclaimed chef Martyn Nail has joined The Dorchester London, overseeing the menus at recent revamps The Promenade and the new Artists’ Bar, as culinary director. He talks mixing trend and tradition and reveals his favourite London eateries to Helen Dalley.

What was the culinary inspiration for The Promenade and what are some of your favourite dishes?

The Dorchester’s new culinary direction is an exciting one as it will define where trend and tradition meet and create something unique. The Promenade and Artists’ Bar feature menus that reflect the style and period of their setting. They offer both classic and international dishes with a focus on quality seasonal ingredients, sourced responsibly and cooked respectfully. Some of my favourite dishes from the new menus include Cornish lobster cannelloni with sea beet and samphire; roast rack of Kent lamb with charred point cabbage and winter vegetables; and the Scottish halibut with roast celeriac and girolles.

You also curated the menu at Artists’ Bar, which focuses on British seafood, in collaboration with the bar’s mixologists. What was that process like?

The Artists’ Bar’s menu offers superior British seafood carefully prepared using skills and techniques from around the world and includes ceviche, sushi and gravlax dishes. I worked collaboratively with head of bars Simon Rowe when choosing the ingredients; for example, we developed the delicate flavour of The Petal, the venue’s signature cocktail, to complement the clean-cut heat of chilli and the freshness of lime in our ceviche.

You joined The Dorchester this past July after a 36-year stint at Claridge’s. How are you enjoying the challenge so far?

I joined The Dorchester at such a pivotal time, with the hotel having just completed the first stage of its most extensive renovation. Walking into its legendary kitchens, I felt inspired to create a cohesive team that grows beyond

industry challenges and provides an outstanding level of service and food. This started with a fully refurbished employee dining room, new menus and a new direction. The employee journey is as important as the guest’s experience and they’re the most important part of what makes and keeps The Dorchester so special.

You’ve been in F&B for many decades. Which people remain your greatest inspirators?

Over the decades we meet many people who become friends, and I couldn’t talk about this subject without mentioning chef John Williams MBE, who I’ve known for nearly 40 years. We joined Claridge’s about a month after each other and his determination to change things for the better in every aspect has stuck with me and stood me in good stead since 1986.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some inspirational GMs along the way, notably Christopher Cowdray, now CEO of the Dorchester Collection, and Thomas Kochs, who was GM when we brought Noma to London for the 2012 Olympics. Thomas filled our ballroom with more people in one day than Noma did at the restaurant in one week!

How does your menu respond to current dining trends?

I think diners want interesting comfort food that’s satisfying, qualitydriven and respectively sourced. The dishes at The Dorchester are carefully and simply put together, adding layers of detail that create interest and pleasure.

How has your own culinary style evolved?

Food is an ever-evolving craft in general but the innovation within culinary technology, demands within hospitality, and the rise in profile of renowned chefs have all added to the interest and desire for our craft. What will drastically have to change is waste. We need to respect our planet and make changes to maintain this.

Where will we find you dining on your days off?

I enjoy light, simple food. I eat and taste food all day long so giving myself a taste rest is important for me and my trainer or it’s hard work and unnecessary calories. It’s the ongoing dilemma of what I could eat versus what I should eat! Restaurants that have impressed me recently include Nordic restaurant Studio Frantzen at Harrods, Trinity Clapham, Perilla Newington Green and as a great local spot, Sam Riverside in Hammersmith. dorchestercollection.com

THE FINE DINING REVIVAL

The whole concept of fine dining is one that’s morphed and evolved over the past two decades. Long-gone are the days of discrete tableside silver service, at least in Asia, only to be replaced by concepts like ‘casual fine dining’ that, while communal and inviting, do take some of the celebration out of the traditional dining experience.

Fortunately, the arrival of Castellana, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Central’s Club Lusitano, delivers an unapologetically refined, indulgent, and decidedly grown-up dining experience for a lucky few. With a focus on the cuisine of Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, the new two-storey restaurant is helmed by Piedmont-born chef Romeo Morelli, who not only comes from a culinary family, but also taps into extensive experience at leading kitchens in

Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi to create impeccable regional cuisine defined by tradition and craftsmanship.

We visited midweek to sample the chef’s white truffle menu, which showcased one of the most coveted ingredients in the city’s foodscape calendar. As you’d expect, Castellana’s five-course seasonal menu offered an intriguing and delectable exploration of these ‘white diamonds’ of Alba, with dishes ranging from steamed tuna and anchovy served with a zesty pepper reduction and matched with a perfectly chilled Asti from the chef’s hometown; and delicate Arctic char paired with a sweet-sour blood orange jelly; to tender 10-day dry aged veal that whisks diners into the mountains of Piedmont.

A winner of the evening was the Ravioli di castelmagno e tartfuo bianco , a Castellana signature that sees homemade ravioli generously filled with Castelmagno cheese from Piedmont and served with butter sauce and slices of dry aged egg yolk that add to a nuanced flavour profile while allowing the white truffle topping to shine. Another favourite was the Castagna al tartufo , a dish

inspired by the classic Piedmontese dessert Mont Blanc. Castellana’s contemporary take pairs sweetened chestnut purée topped with whipped cream and white truffle, which injected a hint of earthy aroma to this sweet delight.

The fine dining positioning of the new restaurant was further accentuated by the ambience, which was hushed and serene (save for the piped-in vintage Italian pop ballads playing on discreet speakers), and elegant interiors by JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio. The design agency has created a chef-centred “cucina di casa” concept on the lower floor and an expansive dining room on the upper floor, where timeless décor is punctuated by rustic antiquity, including burl wood ceilings, painted frescos, thick drapes, handcrafted Italian lighting, and carpets that depict the vineyards of Piedmont from the air.

While not every dish was a standout, the attention to detail, the adherence to tradition, and the subtle innovation of a chef with youth on his side, ensured an unforgettable dining experience that flies in the face of communal tables and shared platters.

castellanahongkong.com

Just when you thought fine dining was dead, Castellana brings new levels of gastronomic elegance to central Hong Kong.

THE LITTLE FLOWER OF SHIP STREET

Newly opened Rosita delivers soul-soothing and contemporary New Latin American cuisine in the heart of Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district.

a hug from within, especially when paired with a buttery 2021 Rutini chardonnay from Mendoza.

Balbi and Chaneton continue to pay homage to their roots, tweaking the classic guiso soup and elevating it with juicy lobster, a rich lobster bisque, and thimble-sized gnochetti sardi , the perfect match for a Barda pinot noir from Patagonia that’s laced with summer fruit notes. It’s also the perfect precursor to seared beef tenderloin, served with baby onions, mushrooms and a rich jus.

Combined with the hardest of Hong Kong finds — crisp, intelligent, and attentive service — dinner at Rosita is enough to want winter to last forever. rosita.hk – NICK

There’s nothing better than tasting a chef’s passion in their food and that’s exactly what foodies will find at Rosita, the newest culinary opening on Hong Kong’s vibrant Ship Street. The creation of Michelinrecognised chef friends Agustin Ferrando Balbi (Andō) and Ricardo Chaneton (MONO), and helmed by Marco A. Livoti, this intimate little eatery taps into the ethos of ‘new’ Latin American cuisine with homely, yet elegant dishes packed with flavours that are both authentic and innovative.

Positioned as ‘semi-formal’, which translates as comfort food prepared with finesse and paired with intuitive service, Rosita (little flower in Spanish) retains the explorative, celebratory experience of dining out (one we had taken for granted until Covid) but without the associated pretension. Amidst warm, inviting interiors that transport guests to a family dining room, the trio of talents deliver a menu that’s both a tribute to tradition and a tantalising taste of what’s possible.

Rosita currently serves a pair of tasting menus, six courses (US$126++) and eight courses (US$164++). If you opt for the wine pairing by sommelier Carlito Chiu, and we suggest you do, there’s an additional fee starting from US$51. We kick off with Arepas , bitesized breads from Venezuela made with corn flour and served with a rotating selection of dipping sauces. Then it’s on to a zesty hamachi and Spanish octopus ceviche with red and yellow pepper, red onion, and a passion fruit riff on leche de tigre . The ceviche’s heat is mellowed by an extremely impressive Miolo Cuvee Brut from Brazil.

A Puchero winter soup helps fend off the last of the seasonal chill and combines Argentinian chorizo with traditional corn flour and avocado dumplings, pak choy, corn and winter roots and feels like

Swiss watch

Arevision on one of the brand’s most revered models, the Code 11.59

Openworked boasts a 41mm case that, for the first time, combines 18-karat white gold with striking blue ceramic. Further enhancing the blue ceramic case middle, the electric blue openworked elements and lacquered inner bezel reinforce the timepiece’s two-tone aesthetic. Collectors will appreciate the white gold and sapphire caseback, on which is engraved with the words “Limited Edition of 50 pieces.”

Beating at the heart of the new timepiece is the Calibre 2948, a hand-wound openworked tourbillon movement that testifies to the meticulous work of the Manufacture’s craftspeople. Its openworked mainplate and bridges come in shades of blue that is in turn illuminated by a pink-gold-toned balance wheel and an openworked barrel that reveals the spring and the light grey geartrain within.

The watch comes fitted with a contemporary blue textured rubber-coated strap lined with calfskin leather. audemarspiguet.com - NICK WALTON

maker Audemars Piguet releases its latest version of the iconic Code 11.59 as an openworked tourbillion in eye-catching blue.

One of the most innovative watchmakers in the world, Hublot maintains its position at the cutting edge of horology with the creation of the new MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 5-Day Power Reserve, which takes the iconic Rainbow design and thrusts it into the 21st century. To create this striking timepiece, which was designed to reproduce the rainbow effect of coloured gemstones but by using carbon and composites instead of jewels, everything had to be reinvented: the concept, the method, the tools, the materials, and all the associated colour ranges.

I See Rainbow

Hublot continues to innovate with the addition of the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 5-Day Power Reserve, a study in the potential of coloured composites and carbon.

In essence, the case of the new timepiece is braided. Thin bars of carbon are laid flat, a few millimetres apart. Afterwards, bars of coloured composite are placed vertically into the gaps and protrude slightly from the carbon. This height difference is then filled with a third carbon mesh that raises all components to the same level. Both carbon and composites are threaded into the mass across all three dimensions: length, width and height.

This exceptionally complex achievement – in which Hublot had to develop a complete prism of infinite shades to reproduce the brilliance of gemstones, a first in watchmaking – reproduces the natural variations usually achieved by the natural variation of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds on the surface of the case.

Within this remarkable watch, limited to eight pieces, is the HUB9009.H1.RA.B movement with manual winding and a fiveday power reserve. It comes with a bi-axial tourbillon with one complete rotation per minute for the first axis and a rotation every 30 seconds for the second axis. This hypnotic unique double rotation has guided the design of the case with curved sides, which display the tourbillon at 6 o'clock, within a new, colourful architecture. hublot.com - NICK

A Tributeto an Icon

In 1953, Blancpain introduced the first modern diver’s watch, the Fifty Fathoms, an iconic timepiece it now pays homage to with a new limited-edition release.

Composed of three 70-piece limited serieses each named for a different region of the world, and marking 70 years since the original graced the wrists of divers around the globe, the new Fifty Fathoms timepiece boasts a black dial with a sunburst motif, vintage-look luminescent hands and block-type hour-markers. The 42mm watch case, topped by the famous unidirectional bezel with a domed sapphire inlay, is made of polished steel while the timepiece is powered by the Calibre 1315 movement in a concentrated format, ensuring a five-day power reserve and resistance to magnetism, an essential criterion in the world of diving.

The anniversary edition’s oscillating weight – bearing the “Fifty Fathoms 70th” logo – is made of platinum and features an opening, a technical trick used in the 1950s to increase the suppleness of the rotor and improve its shock resistance. The watch is fitted with a black NATO YTT+ strap made from 100% recycled and entirely recyclable thread from fishing nets recovered from the sea, a sustainable initiative that will eventually be extended to all Blancpain NATO straps. blancpain.com -

Not Your Typical SUITCASE

For those that swoon over the golden age of travel, with its stylish trunks and silk lined cases, HeyChesto is a new British luggage brand that offers a touch of bygone travel glamour for the contemporary traveller.

The HeyChesto collection has been inspired by iconic British destinations and its cases come in four evocative shades: The St Mawes in navy blue, The Cambridge in plum red, The Padstow in cream and The Glastonbury in matt gold for a bit of rock and roll.

Functionality flows on a par with aesthetic and each chic HeyChesto suitcase is handmade and built to last. The shell of the suitcase is made with ABS material and covered with PU, which is a hard-wearing imitation vegan leather. Glamorous goldcoloured latches and rivets add a vintage feel together with a sturdy lock ensuring possessions are safe and secure when on the move.

Each case’s interior is lined with striped cotton, either in a bold beach towel blue and white design or a more understated thinner stripe style. Three pockets line the sides of the case for small or loose items with the central area clear for clothes and

washbags. Making moving through airports or train stations a breeze, the HeyChesto suitcase can either be carried like an old-fashioned case by clasping its smart handle or pushed through on 360 spinner wheels and pulled by its telescoping handle.

Whether gallivanting for a weekend in the countryside or further afield, HeyChesto is a colourful, design-inspired luggage option for people of any age or gender. The question is where to go to first. heychesto.com - NICK

CLAUDE MONET’S GARDEN

The magic of Monet’s garden comes to life in FREYWILLE’s latest design, The Bridge, it is a charming addition to the brand’s renowned Hommage à Claude Monet collection. The collection was first introduced by the Viennese atelier in 1995 under the suggestion made by the artist foundation.

FREYWILLE has been known for their superb fire-enamel artistry since 1951. Expertly handcrafted in the heart of Vienna, every FREYWILLE fire-enamel jewellery is refined by master artisans with over a hundred steps of intricate procedure and taking at least 5 days to complete.

The latest design is inspired by the spring and summer scenery in Claude Monet Garden, where it provided the artist with the creative environment that he longed for.

HAUTE PIECES

Buccellati adds stunning new pieces to its jewellery and homeware ranges.

Inspired by Renaissance designs, Milanese brand Buccellati uses centuries-old techniques to handcraft and engrave silverware, and produces high-end homeware collections as well as fine jewellery that will draw envy from any seasoned dinner party host.

For Fall/Winter 2022, Buccellati added new pieces to its Macri jewellery range, which features the use of the brand’s signature Rigato technique to form a unique silky texture on each piece’s surface that’s further enhanced by round brilliant-cut diamonds. Incorporating yellow, white, pink and black gold, we especially love the Macri Eternelle ring in black gold.

Set with gold-wrought chains intertwining with one another, the pieces from the Étoilée collection are equally eye-catching,

with diamond-encased lilies bringing bracelets, necklaces and earrings to life.

Want to make your table a talking point? Buccellati’s Double Rouche – Florence Furnace collection of crockery and Handmade Candles collection use the ancient vetrina technique to create decorative motifs that are reminiscent of sun-dappled waves, with each product presented in three colours: cream white, pale green, and blue.

Incorporating Murano glass and solid silver bases, both of which are interchangeable, new additions to the Homemade Candle collection feature scents that will linger headily in the room, further adding to the drama of a great dinner party. buccellati.com

THE MIDAS TOUCH

Montblanc highlights its unique craftsmanship with a new edition of the iconic Meisterstück writing instrument featuring its new curved nib.

An icon of writing culture, the Montblanc Meisterstück writing instrument is instantly recognisable by its shape, proportions and precious black resin and gold fittings. However, it’s the fountain pen’s nib, referred to as the very soul of every Montblanc writing instrument, that makes it truly stand out. Now, as part of its mission to continuously elevate the writing experience, Montblanc has introduced a new nib into its repertoire – the curved nib.

Ground at a 45-degree angle, the Montblanc curved nib is particularly suited for intricate Chinese, Japanese and Korean calligraphy as well as for sketching and drawing designs. A form of self-expression and creativity, the art of calligraphy requires the versatility of a nib that allows for a variety of line widths, shapes and styles to enhance the beauty of the handwriting. Depending on the angle of the curved nib on paper, the calligrapher can achieve wide horizontal lines and thin vertical lines while also turning the nib upside down for a fine line suited for detailed drawing.

Hand-sculpted from solid gold by master artisans over 35 skilled steps, each nib is the result of elevated expertise, dedicated workmanship, as well as intuition for each fundamental step that takes years to master. montblanc.com - NICK

A RAINBOW OF COLOURS

Patek Philippe adds stunning new timepieces to its acclaimed Aquanaut Luce collection.

The very first chronograph model of Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut Luce collection shines in the colours of the rainbow made possible with baguette diamonds and baguette sapphires. Presenting the first model with a chronograph movement for its contemporary casual chic Aquanaut Luce collection (and representing the first self-winding Patek Philippe ladies’ chronograph), the manufacture has transformed this rose-gold timepiece into a precious treasure with a fresh and inimitable style.

The new Ref. 7968/300R-001 39.9mm Aquanaut Luce “Rainbow” chronograph is equipped with the self-winding calibre CH 28-520 movement and presented in a true rainbow of colours; the octagonal bezel is adorned with two rows of baguette-cut gems, with the inner row consisting of 40 flawless rare white Top Wesselton diamonds and the outer boasting 40 sapphires in the colours of the rainbow. The medley of colours continues on the mother-of-pearl dial engraved with the typical Aquanaut motif, while the 12 applied hour markers in rose gold are baguette sapphires with nuance colours coordinated with those on the dial. Luminous baton hands in rose gold make the hours and minutes quickly and easily legible. patek.com

POISED FOR PERFORMANCE

The New Range Rover Sport redefines sporting luxury, effortlessly combining assertive and instinctive on-road performance with trademark Range Rover refinement.

door detailing is also available. Alternatives include luxurious grained, Windsor or soft Semi-Aniline leather options for a truly luxurious effect.

These tactile materials seamlessly blend with new Moonlight Chrome interior finishers while elements like the integrated audio speakers, developed with Meridian and hidden behind the textile of the rear doors, contribute to the clean, crisp and modern aesthetic. An advanced Cabin Air Purification Pro system creates and maintains the optimum interior environment for wellbeing and alertness.

A comprehensive dynamic toolkit combines for the most engaging and dynamically capable driving experience, while a suite of technologies governed by Land Rover’s Integrated Chassis Control system work in harmony to provide instinctive responses and agility. A new Stormer Handling Pack also provides the ultimate combination of chassis technologies for the most dynamic and agile handling and includes All-Wheel Steering, an Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking; and Dynamic Response Pro, a 48-volt electronic active roll control system capable of applying up to 1,400Nm of torque across each axle.

Boasting a progressive design sophistication and connected convenience, the third generation of the now iconic Range Rover Sport is the brand’s most desirable, advanced, and dynamically capable yet.

The new model’s sophisticated exterior is unmistakably Range Rover Sport with taut surfacing, a dynamic stance and an instantly recognisable profile. This is perfectly accentuated by stealth-like detailing that includes an eyecatching front grille and Digital LED lighting units that sit above a sculpted, double-aperture lower bumper and create a distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) signature.

Perfectly honed design elements are also echoed at the rear, including a sculpted tailgate with a full-width feature bearing the Range Rover script and uninterrupted LED light graphics that introduce surface LED technology to a Range Rover production vehicle for the first time. A characteristic shoulder line runs the length of the

vehicle, accentuated by new lower fender details and the longest spoiler ever fitted to a Range Rover.

This reductive design extends to an all-new interior. The cockpit-like cabin sets the tone for a dynamic driving experience, providing excellent visibility while simultaneously cocooning the driver with a high, sloping centre console. The award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment features a high resolution floating 13.1-inch haptic touchscreen, positioned at the centre of the modernist dashboard, that controls everything from navigation to media and vehicle settings, while Amazon Alexa provides the ability to control various settings and features using natural voice commands while reducing the potential for distraction.

Innovative and sustainable material choices include tactile and lightweight Ultrafabrics premium textiles finished in attractive new Duo Tone colourways, while a unique textile option that extends to the dashboard and

To optimise responses, the vehicle monitors the road ahead using eHorizon navigation data to pre-emptively prime the vehicle for upcoming bends, while Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control makes its debut the New Range Rover Sport and helps drivers navigate tricky terrain by maintaining steady progress according to the ground conditions.

The New Range Rover Sport is based on Land Rover’s advanced, flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex), which provides the perfect foundations for its superior dynamics and peerless refinement. A line-up of powerful and efficient powertrains includes two six-cylinder extended range Electric Hybrid plug-ins, which provide a pure-electric driving range of up to 113km and CO2 emissions as low as 18g/km1.

The new 530PS V8 Twin Turbo provides sports car performance, with 0-100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds with Dynamic Launch engaged, while customers can also choose from powerful and efficient mild hybrid petrol and diesel Ingenium engines, with pure-electric propulsion available in 2024, as Land Rover continues its electrification journey. landrover.com - NICK WALTON

A IN FOR PENNY

The Royal Canadian Mint’s Opulence Collection, featuring rare pink diamonds from the famed Argyle mine, promises to reinvigorate the passion of coin collecting in Asia.

The newly minted gold, platinum and diamond-encrusted coins represent some of the finest examples of numismatic craftsmanship and include Splendour, Grandeur and Treasure, three coins available in Hong Kong and encrusted with the rarest fancy vivid and fancy intense pink diamonds.

Created in collaboration with Crossworks Manufacturing and designed by Canadian artist Simon Ng, the pink diamond coins are the first of their kind to be produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Beyond their exceptional beauty and unparalleled craftsmanship, what makes the coins truly unique is the use of pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s renowned Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia, which was once responsible for producing 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, which in turn account for less than 0.1% of all diamonds mined worldwide.

The Royal Canadian Mint’s first-ever 10 oz. 99.95% pure platinum coin, Splendour features a finely engraved single cherry blossom surrounded by a delicate lacework of vines, and 64 hand-set fancy vivid pink diamonds.

Crafted from 2 oz. of 99.95% pure platinum, Grandeur features an exquisite cherry blossom surrounded by a ring of lush flowers and filigree vines. The engraved artwork of this 42mm coin is enhanced with 30 fancy vivid pink diamonds hand-set into rose gold-plated, platinum-cast jewellery enhancements. Delivering luxury on a grand scale, the ultra-rare diamonds radiate from the centre of the flower toward the rose gold-plated rim.

Finally, crafted from 1 oz. of 99.99% pure gold and inspired by Art Deco architectural elements, Treasure’s engraved design features a stylised central cherry blossom with swirling petals. The art is adorned with five fancy vivid pink diamonds hand-set into a rose gold-plated, platinumcast jewellery piece. The obverse of all three coins features a field pattern inspired by the cherry blossom petals on the reverse, and the effigy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. kunmingdiamonds.com - NICK WALTON

LABOUR

LOVEGROVE of

An exercise in both engineering and aesthetic excellence, KEF has continued its partnership with the visionary designer to produce the acclaimed audio brand’s new wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Delivering both an uncompromising audio experience and understated style, the new headphones draw on KEF’s decades of technological innovation while tapping into the flowing, sculptural forms Lovegrove, a regular KEF collaborator, is known for.

Available in two sleek colourways — Silver Grey and Charcoal Grey — the new Mu7 headphones boast precision-engineered, ergonomic aluminium construction and a lightweight, durable headband that delivers a snug acoustic seal, with minimal ear pressure. The memory foam ear pads mould to the shape of the head, improving both passive and active noise cancellation and

bass response, while a swivel point above the earcups allows the headphones to be rotated and flattened, ideal for compact transport while travelling.

Custom tuned by engineering experts, the Mu7 headphones integrate enhanced codec technology to deliver KEF's instantly recognisable high-resolution sound quality, wirelessly. In each of the closed-back earcups sits a full-range dynamic driver for a pristine audio performance that reveals even the most subtle acoustic details.

In addition, sophisticated Smart Active Noise Cancellation technology uses multiple filters to capture environmental sound, before applying a specialised algorithm to target individual frequencies, ensuring crystal clear calls regardless of the environment. kef.com - NICK

The new nine-piece capsule collection by Aspen Ski Company brand Aspenx and Aether Apparel equips men and women for life off the beaten path.

ACTION Ready for

Featuring footwear and both technical mountain wear and midlayers to keep you toasty wherever your travels may take you, the new limited-edition ASPENX AETHER collection marries the distinct attention to detail that US outdoor gear brand Aether is known for with Aspenx founder Paula Crown’s unique perspective.

The ASPENX AETHER collection is technically minded, designed to protect the wearer from the elements wherever they venture this season without sacrificing style along the way. In addition to a launch vest, insulated shirt, down poncho, and Dolomite boot, the collection includes the launch jacket. Constructed from a pre-baffled stretch ripstop with tremendous ease of movement, the ASPENX Launch Jacket is lightweight, water-resistant, and insulated with 800-fill-power goose down. aetherapparel.com, aspenx.com

CONCEPTUAL THE

MASTER

Hong Kong conceptual artist Mak2’ s work addresses everything from shifting socio-political environments to new technology. She tells Helen Dalley about changing her name, doing stand-up, and creating her first sitcom.

Ifind inspiration by experimenting with different creative media and pathways. My previous works can be considered part of the contemporary art discipline, but this year, I’m coming out with a sitcom, Hong Kong’s Next Top Artist , a web series that’ll be released mid-February.

In 2018, a feng shui master advised me to add a “2” to my name, and I attribute my success to the narrative that he and I created. When people have an idea and want it to be persuasive, they use the endorsement of a ‘higher power’ to make it more convincing.

Two years ago, I started doing stand-up comedy. I’m serious about humour because it’s a very hard thing to do well and has a certain structure that needs to be learnt as if you were studying for an academic subject.

I have an upcoming exhibition in Berlin at Peres Projects this March. The work I’ll be showing will be a new sub-series of works within my Home Sweet Home series and revolves around ideas of censorship, romanticism and fantasy.

My main wish is that I can sustain myself as an artist. I don’t give myself a specific ideology to avoid trapping myself, and my ambition is to always stay creative. makyingtung.com

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