destinations of the world news - dotwnews - september 2012 issue

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September 2012

MOTORINGThe ultimate staycation

SUITE DREAMSRome Cavalieri - Waldorf Astoria

SPEND ITVoyages of a lifetime

24 HOURS: SAN FRANCISCOLet loose in The City

TIME TRAVELWhat makes Geneva tick?

INTERVIEWPrince Alwaleed bin Talal

CONNOISSEURMarvellous Marbella

A tropical island hideaway in the Andaman Sea

Langkawi Land of myths and legends

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Sectiony title

46Blue lagoon

The islands of the Langkawi Archipelago swim in the turquoise

waters of the Andaman Sea

46 Lost in LangkawiCaitlin Cheadle surrenders to indolence in northern Malaysia’s tropical island paradise

54 Timeless GenevaNick Rice spends a week exploring the

watchmaking legacy of Switzerland’s financial centre

66 San Francisco: 24 Hours A day in The City by the Bay should be planned wisely and involve lots of food,

says Bob Ecker

Contents September 2012

On the cover

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ContentsSeptember 2012

In the news24 Retrospective The Olympic closing ceremony lights up London

28 Europe Countdown begins for Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

30 Middle East & Africa Historical monuments under threat in Syria

34 Asia & Oceania Hong Kong Air scraps all-business class flights

38 Americas Chinese investors make their mark on US hotel scene

40 Debut Hot hotels, chic boutiques and exclusive new resorts

42 Profile Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the world’s wealthiest hotelier

Insider68 Diary Out and about this month? Don’t miss these events

70 Spend it Once-in-a-lifetime luxury travel experiences

72 Suite dreams Rome Cavalieri is the jewel in the Italian crown

76 On the road Sometimes we’d rather keep our feet on the ground

78 Ignition Behind the wheel of the Mercedes ML 63 AMG

80 Fragrance butler The scents you can’t travel without this season

83 Trends Your own megayacht for just $560,000... per week

86 Online New and exclusive on DOTWNews.com this month

88 Album French culinary legend Albert Roux on his favourite places

90 Connoisseur Mary Gostelow works on her tan in Marbella

14-17 Contents.indd 17 28/08/2012 19:58

18 September 2012 dotwnews.com

Letter from the EditorTRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND, OR SO SAYS THE

well-known proverb. But isn’t travel also about control and ownership? Owning your time at least. Travelling for a vacation is often the only time when we really feel like we are our own boss (unless you actually are your own boss).

It’s the only time when we are in control of our activities for an entire week, or two, or three, with no obligation

to be at the o�ce or attend meetings or do the laundry. When we travel, we are masters of our destiny.

Ownership of time is about the ability to choose. Sometimes we plan to do nothing and end up filling our

time with activities, and sometimes, with the best inten-tions to explore or soak up the culture, we end up sitting

by the pool or on the beach or in the spa, realising that what we really need is time to do nothing at all.

For this month’s cover story on Langkawi, our deputy editor Caitlin Cheadle set out to spend a week

exploring the myriad wonders of the tropical archi-pelago, and find out why the “land of myths and

legends” is so enchanting. As it happened, she didn’t have to wander too far o� the beaten track to find out

what made it so special. With the best intentions to see and experience all the area had to o�er, Caitlin found

that it is the rich, fertile atmosphere of the destination itself that makes it such a tonic for weary

city-dwellers (page 46).Of course, there are other ways to own our travel

experiences. One of the resorts featured in the cover story is the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, which is quite literally owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal

– one of the world’s richest men and most successful self-made investors – through his company Kingdom

Hotel Investments. Prince Alwaleed always had a fascination with travel and hospitality, which is why he is now one of the world’s largest investors in hotels. As well as substantial hotel investments, he was also the first individual buyer of an Airbus A380, which joined

his existing fleet of aircraft and other vehicles.With an extensive travel and hospitality portfolio

and a sizeable bank account, Prince Alwaleed has the time to make the most of his wealth, and owns the

travel hardware to do so. Read his profile by our contributor Christian Sylt on page 42.

Time and its ownership have a very di�erent significance in Switzerland’s financial hub Geneva, where Nick Rice went in pursuit of an insight into the city’s horological history. From the great philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who started out as a watchmaker before leaving the material world behind, to the great watchmaking houses of Patek Philippe and Piaget, the city is the home of Swiss watchmaking, just as Switzerland itself is the world’s watchmaking capital. Read the story on page 54.

When time is of the essence, it’s up to you how you spend it, but to make your life easier, contributor Bob Ecker presents his guide of how to spend 24 indulgent hours in San Francisco on page 66, and we’ve rounded up our top once-in-a-lifetime luxury travel experiences for you in ‘Spend It’ on page 70.

There’s plenty more to beguile and excite in this issue, including our first luxury car review – a new addition to the motoring section – on page 78, and some of our favourite images from London 2012 in Retrospective on page 24.

Joe Mortimer Senior [email protected]

Kingdom 5-KR Prince Alwaleed’s 282-foot yacht is part of his extensive property portfolio.

18 Editors Letter.indd 18 28/08/2012 17:09


Letter from the EditorTRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND, OR SO SAYS THE

well-known proverb. But isn’t travel also about control and ownership? Owning your time at least. Travelling for a vacation is often the only time when we really feel like we are our own boss (unless you actually are your own boss).

It’s the only time when we are in control of our activities for an entire week, or two, or three, with no obligation

to be at the o�ce or attend meetings or do the laundry. When we travel, we are masters of our destiny.

Ownership of time is about the ability to choose. Sometimes we plan to do nothing and end up filling our

time with activities, and sometimes, with the best inten-tions to explore or soak up the culture, we end up sitting

by the pool or on the beach or in the spa, realising that what we really need is time to do nothing at all.

For this month’s cover story on Langkawi, our deputy editor Caitlin Cheadle set out to spend a week

exploring the myriad wonders of the tropical archi-pelago, and find out why the “land of myths and

legends” is so enchanting. As it happened, she didn’t have to wander too far o� the beaten track to find out

what made it so special. With the best intentions to see and experience all the area had to o�er, Caitlin found

that it is the rich, fertile atmosphere of the destination itself that makes it such a tonic for weary

city-dwellers (page 46).Of course, there are other ways to own our travel

experiences. One of the resorts featured in the cover story is the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, which is quite literally owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal

– one of the world’s richest men and most successful self-made investors – through his company Kingdom

Hotel Investments. Prince Alwaleed always had a fascination with travel and hospitality, which is why he is now one of the world’s largest investors in hotels. As well as substantial hotel investments, he was also the first individual buyer of an Airbus A380, which joined

his existing fleet of aircraft and other vehicles.With an extensive travel and hospitality portfolio

and a sizeable bank account, Prince Alwaleed has the time to make the most of his wealth, and owns the

travel hardware to do so. Read his profile by our contributor Christian Sylt on page 42.

Time and its ownership have a very di�erent significance in Switzerland’s financial hub Geneva, where Nick Rice went in pursuit of an insight into the city’s horological history. From the great philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who started out as a watchmaker before leaving the material world behind, to the great watchmaking houses of Patek Philippe and Piaget, the city is the home of Swiss watchmaking, just as Switzerland itself is the world’s watchmaking capital. Read the story on page 54.

When time is of the essence, it’s up to you how you spend it, but to make your life easier, contributor Bob Ecker presents his guide of how to spend 24 indulgent hours in San Francisco on page 66, and we’ve rounded up our top once-in-a-lifetime luxury travel experiences for you in ‘Spend It’ on page 70.

There’s plenty more to beguile and excite in this issue, including our first luxury car review – a new addition to the motoring section – on page 78, and some of our favourite images from London 2012 in Retrospective on page 24.

Joe Mortimer Senior [email protected]

Kingdom 5-KR Prince Alwaleed’s 282-foot yacht is part of his extensive property portfolio.

18 Editors Letter.indd 18 28/08/2012 17:09

Tel: 00.960.664.2200 Email: [email protected] | Call 1.866.969.1825 in the U.S. and Canada,

and 00.800.4588.1825 from all other countries or contact your travel consultant | www.tajhotels.com

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9362_4233_DOTW.indd 1 4/30/12 11:00 AM


September 2012, Issue 75

Publisher Anna [email protected]

Senior Editor Joe [email protected]

Deputy Editor Caitlin [email protected]

Online Editor Nicci [email protected]

Editor-at-Large Andy Round [email protected]

Contributing Editor Mary Gostelow

Sales Manager Andrea Tsiachtsiri [email protected]

Art Director Kris [email protected]

Multimedia Graphics Manager Vandita [email protected]

United Kingdom Sales RepresentativeDavid Hammond

[email protected]

Circulation department [email protected]

Cover imageKilim Karst Geoforest Park

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

International Commercial RepresentationsDestinations of the World News’ network of international

advertising sales and editorial representatives are based in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Egypt,

France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,

Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America. Destinations of the World News is published monthly by WNN Limited and

distributed globally to the world’s premier airport lounges, our subscriber network and a select number of five-star hotels in the UAE. The title Destinations of the World News is a registered trademark and the publisher reserves all rights. All material in Destinations of the World News is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and articles reflect the

personal opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the publisher. Destinations of the World News is not responsible for omissions or errors that result from misrepresentation of information to the publisher. Advertisers assume all liability

for their advertising content. All rights of the owner and the producer of this conceptual development and artwork

design are reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be imitated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without

prior permission of WNN Limited.

Principal O�ces WNN Limited, Reuters Building 1, O�ce 106, Dubai Media City, PO Box 500661, Dubai, UAE

Tel +971 4 3910680 Fax +971 4 3910688 WNN limited, 31 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, PO Box 51234,

zip 3503, Limassol, Cyprus

To subscribe to Destinations of the World News at an annual rate of $99 visit the website at www.dotwnews.com and hit SUBSCRIBE.

Images used in Destinations of the World News are provided by Gallo Images/Getty Images/Corbis/iStockphoto/

Photolibrary unless stated otherwise.DOTW News is printed by J G Cassoulides & Sons Ltd,

Nicosia, Cyprus and Al Nisr Publishing, Dubai, UAE

Published by

Contributors

Nick RiceNick Rice hit the road 15 years ago and has been

living and working all over the globe ever since. Sometimes the road has been the one less travelled, sometimes the one of least resistance. Occasionally

it’s been dangerous, often times exhilarating, but always rewarding. Having worked as a jaguar handler in Bolivia, an amateur sailor in the South China Sea,

and a radio presenter in Havana, youthful exuberance is now tempered with a bit more caution. And what better place to enjoy the more tranquil side of travel

than Geneva, where time literally is money (page 54).

Mary GostelowMary Gostelow is one of the world’s most prolific trav-

ellers and an authority on all things luxury. Mary says she spends at least 300 days a year on the road, but

judging from the brief notes we receive from far corners of the world, we think it’s more. Mary is editor-at-large

of WOW.travel and founder and owner of The Gostelow Report, chief blogger of www.girlahead.com, plus a

contributing editor of Destinations of the World News. This month, Mary was sunning herself in Marbella for Connoisseur (page 90) and catching up on the latest

luxury travel gossip in Mary Says on page 28.

Christian SyltChristian Sylt has been writing about travel since

2002, when he covered the topic for the UK national newspaper The Business. He now works

freelance for the Telegraph and Guardian newspa-pers, and writes regular travel features for the Inde-

pendent and the Scotsman. This month Christian spoke to one of the world’s most successful entre-

preneurs, and certainly one of the world’s wealthiest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, for Destinations of

the World News. Read our profile piece on the hotel mogul on page 42.

Caitlin CheadleDeputy editor Caitlin Cheadle left her native

Vancouver four years ago after catching the travel bug while backpacking through Europe. Since

relocating to Dubai she has found herself exploring hotter climates, most recently the idyllic archipelago

of Langkawi in Malaysia’s Andaman Sea, where she quickly learned that it’s perfectly acceptable to do nothing but revel in its lush jungles and tranquil

beaches. Read about what makes Langkawi the ulti-mate escape-it-all getaway for weary city-dwellers

in our cover story, on page 46.

20 ContributorsJSMcc.indd 20 28/08/2012 20:02

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September 2012, Issue 75

Publisher Anna [email protected]

Senior Editor Joe [email protected]

Deputy Editor Caitlin [email protected]

Online Editor Nicci [email protected]

Editor-at-Large Andy Round [email protected]

Contributing Editor Mary Gostelow

Sales Manager Andrea Tsiachtsiri [email protected]

Art Director Kris [email protected]

Multimedia Graphics Manager Vandita [email protected]

United Kingdom Sales RepresentativeDavid Hammond

[email protected]

Circulation department [email protected]

Cover imageKilim Karst Geoforest Park

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

International Commercial RepresentationsDestinations of the World News’ network of international

advertising sales and editorial representatives are based in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Egypt,

France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,

Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America. Destinations of the World News is published monthly by WNN Limited and

distributed globally to the world’s premier airport lounges, our subscriber network and a select number of five-star hotels in the UAE. The title Destinations of the World News is a registered trademark and the publisher reserves all rights. All material in Destinations of the World News is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and articles reflect the

personal opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the publisher. Destinations of the World News is not responsible for omissions or errors that result from misrepresentation of information to the publisher. Advertisers assume all liability

for their advertising content. All rights of the owner and the producer of this conceptual development and artwork

design are reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be imitated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without

prior permission of WNN Limited.

Principal O�ces WNN Limited, Reuters Building 1, O�ce 106, Dubai Media City, PO Box 500661, Dubai, UAE

Tel +971 4 3910680 Fax +971 4 3910688 WNN limited, 31 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, PO Box 51234,

zip 3503, Limassol, Cyprus

To subscribe to Destinations of the World News at an annual rate of $99 visit the website at www.dotwnews.com and hit SUBSCRIBE.

Images used in Destinations of the World News are provided by Gallo Images/Getty Images/Corbis/iStockphoto/

Photolibrary unless stated otherwise.DOTW News is printed by J G Cassoulides & Sons Ltd,

Nicosia, Cyprus and Al Nisr Publishing, Dubai, UAE

Published by

Contributors

Nick RiceNick Rice hit the road 15 years ago and has been

living and working all over the globe ever since. Sometimes the road has been the one less travelled, sometimes the one of least resistance. Occasionally

it’s been dangerous, often times exhilarating, but always rewarding. Having worked as a jaguar handler in Bolivia, an amateur sailor in the South China Sea,

and a radio presenter in Havana, youthful exuberance is now tempered with a bit more caution. And what better place to enjoy the more tranquil side of travel

than Geneva, where time literally is money (page 54).

Mary GostelowMary Gostelow is one of the world’s most prolific trav-

ellers and an authority on all things luxury. Mary says she spends at least 300 days a year on the road, but

judging from the brief notes we receive from far corners of the world, we think it’s more. Mary is editor-at-large

of WOW.travel and founder and owner of The Gostelow Report, chief blogger of www.girlahead.com, plus a

contributing editor of Destinations of the World News. This month, Mary was sunning herself in Marbella for Connoisseur (page 90) and catching up on the latest

luxury travel gossip in Mary Says on page 28.

Christian SyltChristian Sylt has been writing about travel since

2002, when he covered the topic for the UK national newspaper The Business. He now works

freelance for the Telegraph and Guardian newspa-pers, and writes regular travel features for the Inde-

pendent and the Scotsman. This month Christian spoke to one of the world’s most successful entre-

preneurs, and certainly one of the world’s wealthiest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, for Destinations of

the World News. Read our profile piece on the hotel mogul on page 42.

Caitlin CheadleDeputy editor Caitlin Cheadle left her native

Vancouver four years ago after catching the travel bug while backpacking through Europe. Since

relocating to Dubai she has found herself exploring hotter climates, most recently the idyllic archipelago

of Langkawi in Malaysia’s Andaman Sea, where she quickly learned that it’s perfectly acceptable to do nothing but revel in its lush jungles and tranquil

beaches. Read about what makes Langkawi the ulti-mate escape-it-all getaway for weary city-dwellers

in our cover story, on page 46.

20 ContributorsJSMcc.indd 20 28/08/2012 20:02

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24-27 Retrospective Select.indd 24 28/08/2012 19:52

An aerial view of Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium, London, on August 12. More than 80,000 spectators packed the stadium, and an estimated 750 million tuned in globally to watch the per-formance live. The ceremony was a tribute to British life, art and music featuring performances by celebrated British musicians including the London Symphony Orchestra, George Michael, the Pet Shop Boys, Fatboy Slim, Annie Lennox, Take That, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, the

Spice Girls and Muse, with appearances by Michael Caine, Russell Brand, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Mayor Boris Johnson. The entire show lasted three hours and 11 minutes, ending with the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame as the Olympic Games were handed to Rio de Janeiro, host

of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

RETROSPECTIVE


In a nod to Britain’s mighty literary and media history, this scene at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony featured a line-up of iconic London landmarks and a fleet of vehicles wrapped up in giant sheets of newspaper, printed with famous quotations and lines from popular British literature. Vehicles including London taxis, classic cars and a convoy of articulated lorries drove around the circumference of the Olympic Stadium, accompanied by flag-waving drivers – part of the 3,500 performers who took part in the ceremony.In the centre of the stadium, scale

models of London landmarks including the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Gherkin, Battersea Power Station, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are also wrapped in sheets of newspaper. The performance came at a poignant time for Britain’s media industry,

as the ongoing Leveson Inquiry digs deeper into the ethics of the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal last year.

RETROSPECTIVE


AS the dust settles over London in the wake of the Olympic Games, the spotlight is turned eastward towards the Russian town of Sochi, which will host the Winter Olympics 2014.

The Russian Black Sea resort hopes to make the most of the opportunity to transform itself into a year-round destination with the creation of Olympic venues that will continue to attract winter sports enthusiasts after the Games.

The Games will be divided into two clusters; a coastal area in Sochi, which will include a new Olympic Park, and a mountain cluster in the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains, where the downhill events will take place.

Plans are in place to convert the Olympic venues for use after the Games: the Central Stadium will become a football stadium that will be used in the 2018 FIFA World Cup; the speed-skating arena will be turned into an exhibition centre; and the Bolshoi Ice Palace, which has been dubbed “The Iceberg”, will be used as a multi-purpose sports and entertainment centre.

“I’ve no doubt that in the summer, Sochi will be as popular as Turkey, Bulgaria and Croatia and that in winter, visitors will be able to enjoy a world-class alpine skiing resort,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko, presi-dent and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.

In order to accommodate all the visitors, developers are building a raft of new hotels. International companies including Capella, Kempinski, Hilton, Pullman, Hyatt Radisson, Marriott and Extreme Hotels have all signed on to man-age hotels in the town, with many more expected in the next two years.

Sochi’s airport recently opened a 2.8km train link to Sochi train station, and plans are in place to extend the line to the mountain cluster in Krasnaya Polyana.

Sochi was chosen ahead of Salzburg in Austria and Pyeo-ngchang in South Korea as the host city for the Games, which will take place from February 7-23, 2014.

09.12 NEWS

Russia prepares for Sochi 2014

The Winter Olympics torch relay is expected to be the longest ever, covering 40,000 kms over 123 days and passing through nine time zones across Russia.

Time to spare

28-29 Euro News.indd 28 28/08/2012 17:08


One year after France introduced its new ‘palace’ rating for hotels and resorts of exceptional quality, three more hotels have been added to the prestigious list. The three French Riviera properties are La Reserve Ramatuelle, a member of Design Hotels, and Le Byblos and Le Château de la Messardière (pictured), which are both members of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotels join the nine existing palace properties in France to form an exclusive group of 12 properties. www.designhotels.com and www.lhw.com

Judy Kim, formerly in marketing with Accenture, is now based in Shanghai with her husband. Two years ago she teamed up with Australian-Chinese designer Bingbing Deng , whose designs are ‘new China humour’. Their company, Pilingpalang, produces the most covetable ceramics and cloisonné that you can imagine. The low green bowls decorated with praying monks, for example, are the kind of personal items that you like to see when you come into the kitchen for your first cup of pre-breakfast co�ee. www.pilingpalang.com Have you noticed how many chic dressers, including entertainment types and sheikhs (when in Western dress), are reverting to retro style flat caps, preferably in tweed? The knowledgeable source for London’s top hatters is Lock & Co., in business on St James’s Street since 1676. Choose between a Cashmere Gill, with a deep back, or a Bentley, appropriately named for its over-the-top strap that you can let down to hold the cap in place when motoring in a soft-top. www.lockhatters.co.uk Take a few friends with you and rent an entire village for a memorable occasion. Rent-A-Village can let you have, say, Brand in Austria, Deidesheim in Germany or Engelberg in Switzerland. They come in various sizes so you can choose one that fits your needs.www.rentavillage.com

Alternatively, plan ahead for 2013, for a trip of a lifetime to Iceland. From April through to August, Arni Stefansson organises trips inside Thrihnukagigur, 30 minutes’ drive south east of Reykjavik. The volcano is dormant, and its cone rises only 100 feet above ground, but Stefansson will guide you far into its subterranean chambers. www.insidethevolcano.com

MARY GOSTELOW

AFTER five years on the road, the Opéra de Lausanne has returned to Switzerland to take up residence in its newly refurbished home, the Municipal Theatre.

The five-year renovation saw a complete overhaul of the 141-year-old building, previously known as the Casino-Théâtre, including new interior designs and major improvements to the

technical equipment, the stage and the orchestra pit.

The theatre has had a major cultural influence in the region since the Opera began in 1755, attracting aristocracy and nobility from all over Switzerland.

To celebrate the return of the Opéra, the venue has planned a huge opening season, with six operas, two concert operas, a children’s

opera, seven concerts, four ballets and four noon recitals.

“Together in one place at last, we will embark on new adventures to delight the senses and once again feel the thrill of great nights,” said director Eric Vigié.

The 2012-13 opera season starts on October 5 with L’Elisir d’Amore by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti.www.opera-lausanne.ch

Lost opera returns to Lausanne

Europe News

The latest in luxury travel

MARY SAYS...

28-29 Euro News.indd 29 28/08/2012 18:52


Historical monuments under threat in Syria

The Citadel of Aleppo was struck by a missile last month,

destroying its medieval iron gate

News Middle East & Africa

SYRIA’S ancient citadels and for-tresses have withstood battles between warring empires for cen-turies, but whether or not they will survive the wounds of modern war remains to be seen.

As the Syrian conflict continues into its 18th month, international bodies are growing increasingly con-cerned for the welfare of the coun-try’s historical sites, which include six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Bosra are all UNESCO pro-tected, as well as the ancient villages of northern Syria, the Roman site of Palmyra, and the citadels of Krak des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (the fortress of Saladin).

Government forces and rebel groups are both thought to have occupied various historical sites dur-ing the conflict, making them tar-gets for attack from opposing sides.

“The evolving tragedy in Syria has a deep cultural, as well as a human-itarian, dimension,” said Bonnie Burnham, president of the World Monuments Fund. “These places form the very matrix of life in the city, the foundation of its citizens’ identity and history.”

Aleppo’s medieval Citadel was shelled by government forces last month and fighting continues near the site. “The Citadel’s massive iron doors, dating from 1211, were blown away by a missile attack, and its wooden doors with iron fittings were also shattered, raising concerns about looting,” Burnham explained.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Com-mittee chairman, Dr. Sok An, has appealed to all parties to protect the cultural sites from further damage.

“Aleppo, the millennial city of art and history, is now in danger, and its cultural heritage of outstanding

universal value is now under threat”, she said.

“No part of the ancient treasure of humanity shall be destroyed. It is the collective responsibility of all humanity to urgently ensure the safeguarding and protection of Aleppo’s cultural properties.”

The Roman city of Apamea, home to a long colonnade of towering col-umns and ancient mosaics, was also shelled and looted this year, and the fortress of Krak des Chevaliers has su�ered damage from shelling.

UNESCO has also alerted INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization to the possibility of widespread smuggling of cultural artefacts out of the countries to be sold on the black market.

The United Nations estimates that the conflict in Syria has cost around 20,000 lives since it began last year.

The 12th cenury fortress of Krak des Chevaliers has been repeatedly

occupied by armed groups

30-32 ME & Africa NewsJSM.indd 30 28/08/2012 17:07

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Taming the wildernessTwo of Orient-Express’ camps in Botswana have just completed improvements that make life in the wilderness that bit more bearable. Luxury tents at Savute Elephant Camp and Khwai River Lodge (pictured) in Northern Botswana now feature full WiFi connectivity, personalised mini-bars (with decanters of port and sherry) and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Sliding glass doors have also been added, giving residents better views of the surrounding wildlife.www.orient-express.com

DUBAI’S fleet of familiar beige-coloured taxis has been given a glamorous boost with the addition of a new collection of luxury vehicles.

Passengers can now opt to travel in a Lexus or the 4x4 Nissan Infinity when booking a taxi through Dubai Taxi Corporation’s call centre, or request one from a dedicated service desk when departing from Dubai International Airport.

The all-black vehicles can also be hailed on the street with a starting fare of AED 50 (US$13.60). The company said the drivers of the new taxis are the crème de la crème of its workforce, and will maintain high levels of appearance and service. www.dtc.dubai.ae

News Middle East & Africa

Luxury taxis in Dubai

Underwater museumThe Kenyan government plans to build an underwater museum in the Malindi Marine National Park in a bid to further the study of marine life and shipwrecks. The waters of Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast are home to marine life including sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and dolphins, as well as 35 shipwrecks, which create a lively ecosystem for the marine life. The museum is expected to be open by 2014.www.kws.org

Beach life gets betterMeydan Beach has opened in Dubai Marina – the first stand-alone beach club to open in the ciyt’s trendy JBR district. The exclusive club provides a luxurious beachside setting for Dubai’s elite, with two infinity pools, chill-out lounge, spa and fitness centre. The club is also home to the first branch of Milanese restaurant Giannino outside of Milan. Meydan Beach is operated by Meydan, the company behind exclusive desert resort Bab al Shams and The Meydan, a five-star hotel at Meydan racecourse, home of the Dubai World Cup.

30-32 ME & Africa NewsJSM.indd 32 28/08/2012 17:07

235x335h_mm coral reef.pdf 1 4/25/2012 7:25:19 PM


Hong Kong Airlines

News Asia & Oceania

SIX months after Hong Kong Airlines launched its daily all-business-class flights between London Gatwick and Hong Kong, the airline has been forced to cancel the route, due to “the continuing weak economic outlook in Europe, combined with the strength of the regional business within Asia”, according to Yang Jian Hong, the company’s president.

The airline says it now plans on reintroducing the all-business class flights on Asian routes. “We believe that a regional model focused on Asia Pacific is most appropriate for Hong Kong Airlines at this stage of our growth,” Jian Hong said.

Hong Kong Airlines’ daily all-business class London to Hong Kong service is estimated to have cost US$1.2 m per month to run. The route was launched in March 2012, using three new Airbus A330-200s with just 116 business class seats: 34 lie-flat Club Premier suites and 82 Club Classic recliners.

The last flight to operate the London to Hong Kong route will be September 10. Hong Kong Airlines said it would provide any assistance necessary to its customers to re-arrange bookings on the cancelled route or to otherwise provide a full refund.

“Hong Kong Airlines’ daily all-business class London to Hong Kong service is estimated to have cost US$1.2 m per

month to run”

axes all-business class flights

34-36 Asia News.indd 34 28/08/2012 17:11

@Maldives Ad-O.pdf 1 5/28/12 3:06 PM

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Postcards from paradise Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa has employed professional photographer Tanya Sorokina to take up residence at the resort. Tanya will offer photo shoots for guests at locations around the island, which is covered with swaying palm trees and surrounded by white sand beaches. Photo shoots start from US$250 plus taxes for one hour with 60 professionally edited photographs included. www3.hilton.com

VIETJETAIR, a privately owned airline, was fined US$938 for holding a mid-air ‘bikini dance’ onboard its inaugural flight from Ho Chi Minh to the coastal holiday destination of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Passengers whipped out their smart phones to film the ‘Hawaiian dance performance’, which involved a group of women in bikinis shaking their hips to music in the aisle of the airplane.

“It was the first flight to a beach town, so we came up with the idea of getting a number of girls in bikinis to dance and make passengers happy to improve our customer service,” a VietjetAir o�cial was quoted as saying.

News Asia & Oceania

Vietnamese airline fined for ‘bikini dance’

The 11th annual Anantara King’s Cup Elephant Polo will take place from September 12 – 16 in Hua Hin, Thailand. Organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts in aid of programmes to help preserve and protect Thailand’s elephants, the event sees teams including the New Zealand All Blacks take to the field.

The King’s Cup culminates in the black-tie Gala Dinner, attracting an A-list crowd from around the world in a magical evening of dinner and dancing under the stars.

Macau hosts Asian Beer and Food Festival 2012Held from September 8 – 16 in Macau, the Asian Beer and Food Fest will take place at the East Square, bringing together Asia’s most popular brews such as Asahi, San Miguel, Tsingtao and Macau Beer as well as brews from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea and China.

The playful side of polo in Thailand

34-36 Asia News.indd 36 28/08/2012 17:06

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14_DXBSM_235_335_DOTWN.pdf 1 12. 04. 18 오후 12:06

Chinese investment: a boon for American hotelsWITH a Chinese middle class that now exceeds the entire population of the US, it’s safe to say that Amer-ica is no longer the world’s leading consumer market.

But a growing number of China’s wealthy are turning their attention to the US as a safehouse for their millions, pumping money into infrastructure projects in return for US residency.

America’s EB-5 visa-for-residency scheme allows foreign investors the opportunity to gain a green card when they invest a minimum of US$500,000 in the US economy, as long as their investment creates at least 10 jobs in America.

In 2006, Chinese nationals were granted a total of 63 visas under the EB-5 scheme. Last year the figure was 2,408, and in 2012 it is already above 3,700.

Chinese investors now make up 75 percent of the total of EB-5 visas granted, and so far hotel and real estate acquisitions have been their preferred choice for investment.

Hong Kong billionaire Cheng Yu-tung recently snapped up the Car-lyle Hotel in Manhattan, as well as Rosewood’s The Mansion on Tur-tle Creek, The Crescent in Dallas, The Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, and Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands.

But the EB-5 residency status isn’t the only reason the Chinese favour hotel investment; the current growth of hotel room demand in the US and the explosion of Asian tourists trav-elling abroad are also strong draws.

According to industry analyst Jones Lang LaSalle, Asian invest-ment accounted for eight percent of US hotels purchased in 2010.

“America’s EB-5 visa-for-residency scheme allows foreign investors the opportunity to gain

a green card when they invest a minimum of US$500,000 in the US economy”

News Americas

The Carlyle from Central Park The leafy entrance to Rosewood Mansion

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas

City views from The Carlyle

38-39 America News.indd 38 28/08/2012 17:05

title Sectiony


US home to world’s healthiest ocean The waters around the uninhabited Pacific island of Jarvis, a protected territory of the United States near Hawaii, have ranked highest in a list of the world’s healthiest oceans.

Scientists used 10 different measurements chosen to reflect the needs of humans and ecosystem sustainability, including food provision, carbon storage, tourism value and biodiversity, to determine the rankings. At the bottom of the list was the West African coastline, with 10 of its 11 oceans deemed the least healthy in the world.

PAPAYA Playa Project, a luxury pop-up hotel in Tulum, Mexico, has launched the world’s first ‘PopUp Ashram’, running at the luxury design hotel from Septem-ber 15 – November 5.

“We want to create a spiritual retreat for people who are drawn to yoga or are simply asking the larger questions about life, but haven’t figured out where to turn, what to try, or found a practice that speaks to them,” said creator Michael Liss, former managing director of luxury travel company Butterfield & Robinson.

Choose from five- or eight-day packages and sample di�erent types of yoga, ceremonies with ‘indigenous grandmothers’, and ‘transcendental’ music and art. Rates start at US$1,095 for the five-day package. www.popupashram.com

Prince Harry may have been cringing after pictures of him partying in Vegas went viral last month, but the Las Vegas tourism board couldn’t have asked for a better publicity stunt. The day after the now-infamous nude photos of the young royal, 27, were posted online by US website TMZ.com, Virgin Holidays announced that inquiries about Las Vegas skyrocketed by 30 percent.

The company also reported that its Las Vegas web page became the most visited on its website in the week following Prince Harry’s heavily publicised lads’ holiday, during which there was a nearly constant stream of images of the prince and his friends partying in Sin City being posted online. Virgin Holidays has dubbed the spike the ‘Prince Harry E�ect’.

‘PopUp Ashram’ in Mexico

“America’s EB-5 visa-for-residency scheme allows foreign investors the opportunity to gain

a green card when they invest a minimum of US$500,000 in the US economy”

Las Vegas feels ‘Prince Harry E�ect’

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38-39 America News.indd 39 28/08/2012 18:47

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40-41 Debut.indd 41 28/08/2012 17:04

Interview

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal with wife Princess Ameerah Al Taweel

42-45 InterviewJSM FIN.indd 42 28/08/2012 17:03

Interview

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulazziz Alsaud is not necessarily a household name, but if you have ever stayed at The Savoy in London,

the George V in Paris, New York’s Plaza, the Four Seasons in Langkawi or the Ra�es in the Seychelles, among others, then you have been a guest in one of his hotels.

Grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia, Alwaleed was born in Riyadh in March 1955, but not one drop of his fortune comes from oil or inheritance. Instead, he built it up by buying shares that were cheap but expected to rise in value. It is known as bull investing, and Alwaleed is perhaps the world’s biggest bull.

Over the past 30 years he has single-handedly built up a fortune worth $20.4bn according to Bloomberg, and along the way, his investment firm Kingdom Holdings has snapped up for a song shares in the world’s most famous brand names including Apple, Disney, Fairmont and Four Seasons.

“We are a very diversified holding company,” says Alwaleed. “We are invested in real estate, aviation, petrochemicals, financial services, media and publishing, entertainment, health-care, education, retail, agriculture and hotels in two parts: hotel management and hotel real estate. We have strategic hotels that we will keep and many others that we buy, renovate, brand as one of our brands and then sell. So hotels and hotel real estate are a very big component of our holdings.”

Building this portfolio up from scratch is a feat in itself, and Alwaleed’s boundless energy comes across within moments of meeting him. He speaks in a manner that is concise, to the point and delivered in rapid-fire bursts, accom-panied by wildly gesticulating hands. Without hesitation he recalls detailed information about all of Kingdom’s investments.

In addition to its portfolio of storied proper-ties, Kingdom’s hotel management investments range from a 33.3 percent stake in Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, to 35 percent of the five-star Fairmont Ra�es group, which also owns Swis-sôtel. Kingdom’s hotel holdings are crowned by a 47.5 percent stake in luxury hotel firm Four Seasons, which it owns with Bill Gates.

It isn’t uncommon for billionaires to own hotels, but normally it’s an afterthought. With a significant part of his US$18bn fortune owed to hospitality, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the exception to the ruleWords: Christian Sylt

BREAKING THE MOULDPrince Alwaleed doesn’t fit the stereotype of a typical sheikh. He wears western clothes outside Saudi Arabia, and with his black leather jacket, blue jeans, blue-tinted shades, jet-black moustache and slicked-back hair, he resembles a young Burt Reynolds.

Alwaleed says he “began taking life very seriously when I was 15 years old”. He started soaking up business information as a youth by listening to the BBC news on the radio every day, and reading political magazines and newspapers.

In 1976 he began undergraduate studies in business at California’s Menlo College, where he excelled and absorbed himself in US cul-ture: “Back then, big names were at the back of my mind. For example, watching movies, it was Time Warner,” he explains. Alwaleed obviously remained loyal to his instincts, since Kingdom now has more than $150m invested in the company.

His break into business was kick-started with a $30,000 loan from his father after graduating. He also gave him a house, which Alwaleed quickly mortgaged, raising around $400,000, and each month, as a grandson of Saudi Arabia founder Ibn Saud, he receives a $15,000 allowance. The prince was no pauper,

but it was still business savvy that built his billions. Rather than investing in oil, which Alwaleed says has a cyclical value, he instead sought secure returns. And so it was that he started out in property speculation, and banks soon came under his gaze.

Alwaleed made his name in 1991 when, at the bottom of the recession, he invested $590m in Citicorp, which merged with Traveler’s Group seven years later to cre-ate Citigroup, the world’s biggest bank. Alwaleed’s investment in the company soared in value and Kingdom’s 14.9 percent stake is now worth $14.3 billion.

Citigroup’s turnaround made Alwaleed a boardroom celebrity overnight. The mere mention of him investing in companies is enough to make investors buy into the stock in anticipation of an upturn in their for-tunes. It means that his Midas touch is now a self-fulfilling prophecy – and it’s understand-able that Alwaleed lives like a modern-day Arabian knight.

ROYAL ABODEPrince Alwaleed is based in northern Riyadh, where other Alsaud princes reside in a kind of royal ghetto, but Alwaleed’s abode is the grandest of them all. The gates to his family

THE WORLD’S WEALTHIEST HOTELIER

Alwaleed’s 282-foot yacht, Kingdom 5-KR



Interview


1. Prince Alwaleed in front of The Plaza in New York 2. The prince during an interview with Bloomberg 3. Outside the Hotel George V in Paris 4. With Prince Charles at the reopening of The Savoy in London

1 2

3 4


title Sectiony


home part at the words “open sesame” and the edifice at the end of the palm tree-lined drive is equally exotic.

His $130m sand-coloured palace looks like a Four Seasons hotel, and inside, its 75-foot-high foyer is framed by dual winding stair-cases. The palace has 42,700 square metres of living space, 317 rooms, eight elevators, more than 500 televisions and 400 phones. Among the 180 walkie-talkie carrying palace sta�, Alwaleed has a personal physician and full-time barber. But for the all the trappings of luxury, he doesn’t spend much time relaxing.

“My schedule is straightforward. It is like a machine,” he says. Alwaleed gets by on five hours’ sleep, and that sets his rhythm for the day. From 10am to 11am he exercises, then from midday until 5pm he works at his o�ce. Lunch with his children lasts until 8pm, when he returns to the o�ce for four more hours. He then burns the midnight oil by exercising and reading until 4am. At 5am he is finally ready to go to bed after saying morning prayers.

And his deal-making doesn’t stop when he’s on water or in the air. Alwaleed’s 282-foot yacht is moored in Cannes every summer, and even when he is entertaining guests such as Sir Rocco Forte and Monaco’s Prince Albert on one of the decks, his portable Bloomberg business information screen seems stuck to his lap.

Alwaleed named his floating palace King-dom 5-KR after his lucky number five and his two children Khaled and Reem. The yacht’s glitzy golden interior was already in place when Alwaleed bought it in 1991 for $18m from US tycoon Donald Trump, who was on the brink of bankruptcy during the reces-

sion. It is now worth more than five times the amount Alwaleed paid for it, serving as proof that he selects his hobbies as shrewdly as his shareholdings.

Investment trips often involve travelling to tens of countries in a few weeks. To cram this all in, Alwaleed has a fleet of three Boeing air-craft, which carry his entourage of 75 people on every trip with him. He is even in the process of converting an Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger plane – for his own personal use.

BUSINESS AND PLEASUREAlwaleed can’t bear to be out of touch and is proud that his mind is never o� the ball. “It is a myth that to relax, a person has to be sunbath-ing and think of nothing. Forget it. I am against that. It’s a myth. To me it is a myth to just go and be incommunicado for a week or 10 days. To me it is incomprehensible,” he says.

Alwaleed says he specialises in technology, media and hotel investments because “I under-stand them well.” However, he concedes that investing in hotels is a personal passion of his, and there is good reason why his hotel invest-ments cover the star-rating spectrum – it mitigates risk.

“When we are in a down cycle, like we were some years ago, some five-star hotels get hit more, and those that are in the four-star range, like Mövenpick and Swissotel, will do better,” he says.

“When the economies of the world begin picking up, the luxurious hotels like the Four Seasons, the Ra�es and the Fairmonts do bet-ter. It depends on which cycle of the industry you are in,” he adds.

He says that, right now, things are looking up for hospitality: “We are already seeing major pick-up in the world economies. We are seeing a lot of pick-up in Europe, the United States and the Far East. Clearly, there are still some weak points in the Middle East, like Egypt for exam-ple, and Syria, but in general there is a major pick-up in the hotel industry. Many hotels are almost back to the previous era we saw before the financial crisis, but some are not yet. We are moving in that direction for sure.”

Given Alwaleed’s knack for spotting market trends, you can take this one to the bank.n

Four Seasons George V ParisThe Plaza New YorkThe Savoy LondonFour Seasons Hotel BeirutFour Seasons Hotel DamascusFour Seasons Resort LangkawiFour Seasons Hotel MarrakechFour Seasons Resort MauritiusRa es Hotel Le RoyalRa es Grand Hotel d’AngkorRa es Resort Hotel SeychellesFairmont Mara Safari ClubFairmont The Norfolk HotelFairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

PALATIAL PROPERTIES

Meeting former French president Nicolas Sarkozy at The Louvre in Paris

1. Prince Alwaleed in front of The Plaza in New York 2. The prince during an interview with Bloomberg 3. Outside the Hotel George V in Paris 4. With Prince Charles at the reopening of The Savoy in London

Prince Alwaleed’s five-star investments


Explore Langkawi

Langkawi’s islands are surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea

46-52 Langkawi.indd 46 28/08/2012 19:47

Langkawi Explore

Once a refuge for outlawed pirates, today this serene archipelago o the coast of Malaysia is a sleepy hideaway for honeymooners and jaded city-dwellers. One thing’s

for certain, when you come to Langkawi, escapism is eortless

L O S T I N L A N G K A W I

WORDS: Caitlin Cheadle

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Explore Langkawi

Madam, you dropped this!” says a voice from behind me as I frame another postcard-perfect shot of the Andaman

Sea with my camera. I turn around to find the same young man who had dutifully delivered chilled towels to my sunlounger that afternoon, holding out what appears to be my Blackberry. I stare at it with a slight sense of disdain – I hadn’t even noticed it was missing – and press the buttons, none of which respond to my commands. Normally I’d be muttering a string of curse words in frustration by now, but here, with the gentle surf lapping at my toes, I can’t be bothered to care. There are more important matters at hand – like the approaching sunset. Langkawi will do that to you.

Its dense jungles were once a refuge for rogue pirates escaping imprisonment, and today the Langkawi archipelago, a scattering

of 104 lush tropical islands o� the west coast of Kedah in Malaysia, is a peaceful enclave where couples come to honeymoon and jaded city-dwellers come to reconnect with nature.

Only four of these islands are inhabited, and the largest, Pulau Langkawi, is the only one that has been developed for tourism, mostly within the past 20 years, after the Malaysian government declared it a duty-free zone in 1986.

Pulau Langkawi is unique for many reasons, but none impresses more than its sheer natural beauty. Roughly the size of Singapore, the island is covered in prehistoric rock formations, jutting skywards in steep peaks and cli�s and cloaked in a thick cover of rainforest. The jungle is home to rare species of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to Lankgawi’s islands and would not even survive on Malaysia’s mainland, less than an hour’s flight away.

It is in Pulau Langkawi that I spend six intoxicatingly carefree days, sunbathing on golden-sand beaches and taking respite from the afternoon sun in the shade of leafy jungles, sampling delicious Malay cuisine and watching blush-pink sunsets over al fresco dinners. Even must-see-it-all travellers will find it hard not to succumb to the laid-back way of life in Langkawi. This is not a place where there is nothing to do but laze about on a beach, but many who come here find themselves doing just that.

At The Datai Langkawi, an exquisite boutique hotel nestled within the rainforest that borders Datai Bay, you’re never far from nature’s bounty. Walking back from the beach one evening I encounter a group of six docile Dusky Leaf monkeys, perched on a ledge and going about their business as guests snap the impromptu portrait on their cameras. A few hours later I spy the rambunctious Macaque

“Roughly the size of Singapore, Pulau Langkawi is covered in prehistoric rock formations, jutting skywards in steep peaks and

cli�s and cloaked in a thick cover of rainforest”

1. The Datai Langkawi A member of The Leading Hotels of the World 2. Fiddler Crab A colourful inhabitant of the mangrove forests of Langkawi 3. Rustic charm Between stunning beaches and mountains, life goes on for locals 4. Four Seasons Langkawi Beach Villas make the most of the view

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UNESCO-protected Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

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Explore Langkawi

The mild-mannered Dusky Leaf monkey

monkey, the kind, I’m told, that will sneak into my villa to steal my fruit basket if I leave my terrace doors unlocked. Fruit bats dart in and out of the jungle as dusk approaches, and the constant whirring of insects and birds grows louder as the sky darkens.

On an evening nature walk around the property with The Datai’s naturalist, I’m frozen in awe when my guide shines his flashlight on a tree to reveal a huge purple tarantula and her three babies clinging to its bark. At bedtime, the steady chirping and buzzing of the forest is interrupted only by the occasional shrill cry of an unknown creature. But it’s not disruptive or frightening – this is nature’s lullaby.

Despite the temptation to spend all my time on Datai Beach, I do manage to pry myself from my sunlounger to explore the island. The hotel’s naturalist has offered to drive me to the Langkawi Cable Car, on the southwestern side of the island, where visitors can ascend to the top of Gunung Machinchang, 708 metres above sea level. We drive past thick towering jungles, waterfalls and slivers of tranquil beach until we turn inland, where rice paddy fields, rubber tree plantations and small clusters of houses huddle underneath authoritative mountains.

The cable car proves to be worth the trip (and the crowd) for the stunning views, which stretch over jungle-covered peaks and down to the Andaman Sea, all the way to Thailand. I can also see the Sky Bridge from the cable car’s top viewing deck, a curved steel bridge connecting two peaks of the mountain, along which visitors can walk. Back at sea level, I skip the duty-free shops at the base of the cable car and catch a taxi back to the hotel. My driver takes the opportunity to show me brochures of Langkawi’s attractions, which include a crocodile farm, the ubiquitous dinner cruise, the Underwater World, and of course the cable car. I feign interest as my eyes drift back over to what’s outside my window.

Later that day a chau�eur arrives to take me to the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, where I will spend the remainder of my stay. I ask him if there is anything else I should see during my visit. “You’ve seen the cable car,” he says. “That’s more than most manage! It’s the local Malaysians that bring their families

A view from the top of Gunung Machinchang, via the Langkawi Cable Car

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on weekends to see the tourist attractions and shop at the duty-free. Foreign travellers tend to come here to do nothing but simply enjoy the nature.” In other words, I can stop feeling guilty now.

“Besides,” he adds. “We have one of the best attractions on the island right next to the resort.”

The following day I’m cruising past towering cli�s that jut out of the turquoise sea and create a natural canal where leisure yachts and sailboats from all over the world are anchored, basking in the beauty of one of Mother Nature’s most gifted children. I’ve just spent the past three hours exploring the UNESCO-protected Kilim Karst Geoforest Park in the company of Aidi, Four Seasons Langkawi’s naturalist. On my camera are fresh photos of monkeys, snakes, and eagles, mangrove forests and limestone caves.

“Langkawi is like eco-tourism light,” Aidi tells me. “People might not want to go somewhere they’ve never been before for two whole weeks, but they can come here

The Datai Langkawi strikes a balance between untamed nature and luxury

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Explore Langkawi

The Datai Langkawi+60 (4) 959 2500www.dataihotels.com

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi+60 (4) 950 8888 www.fourseasons.com

THEGOLDENBOOK

for five days and see the rainforests and the mangroves, with plenty of time left over to relax on the beach.”

And he’s right: I’ve seen the Geoforest Park, I’ve ridden the cable car, I’ve wandered through unbridled thickets of rainforest and come face-to-face with vipers, monkeys, geckos and tarantulas – all within only three days. And so it is with relaxation on my mind that I return to the resort, where I sit down for a lunch of grilled sea bass at the beachside Kelapa Grill.

The next two days tick by at a deliciously slow pace. I hop on my bike in the mornings and cycle over to the yoga pavilion in the spa, where I practice Yin yoga before breakfast. I try a Malaysian massage, and spend my afternoons reading on the deck of my beach villa before a swim at dusk, and then supper. A bit of people-watching reveals that just like at The Datai, most of the guests here are return visitors. At first I assumed they were just fans of the hotels – both are experts at making you feel truly ‘at home’ in a luxury setting – but I now know Langkawi is a place you can’t visit just once.

On my flight back to Kuala Lumpur, I get chatting to my seatmate, an Australian who last travelled to Langkawi 12 years ago, returning this time alone to decide whether or not to sell his business. “Langkawi has changed a lot since I was last here, but not enough to keep me from coming back,” he says. As we exchange travel stories, I ask him how Langkawi compares to his previous island escapes to Bali. “Bali doesn’t come close to Langkawi,” he answers with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Bali has become overrun with resorts and tourists, but Langkawi is still so charming and peaceful.” Somehow I think that will never change. n

“Walking back from the beach one evening I encounter a group of six docile Dusky Leaf

monkeys, perched on a ledge”

A Brown-Winged Kingfisher watches over the mangrove forest

Datai Bay was voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world by National Geographic

LANGKAWI IN BRIEF

The Langkawi archipelago consists of 104 islands; 99 at high tide.

Langkawi has a tropical monsoon climate. The rainy season is from April to October, and the dry season is from November to March; however the weather is consistently pleasant year-round. August and September are the wettest months of the year.

Pulau Langkawi is a 50-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur. Daily flights are operated by Air Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur International airport. Langkawi is also accessible by ferry from Penang, and the mainland of Kedah.

The o�cial religion of Langkawi is Islam, but Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are also practised. Visitors should be respectful and wear modest clothing in public places.

Langkawi, with its awe-inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife, has countless myths attached to it, hence its moniker, “the land of myths and legends”.

Langkawi is home to more than 200 species of birdlife, 450 species of butterflies and over 90 species of mammals.

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City Geneva

Geneva has a history of watchmaking that dates back to a

time when the city was the trading hub of Europe. Today, its ritzy

shops and museums are proof that in this city, time really is money

WORDS: Nick Rice

Timeless Geneva

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Geneva City


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Geneva sits comfortably on the plain between the snow-capped Alps and the rolling Jura

Mountains. Founded more than 2,000 years ago, the city is spread over both banks of the Rhone River and surrounds Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. Strolling around this great body of water, with Mont Blanc’s imposing silhouette in the distance and the 140-metre high Jet d’Eau fountain shimmering, Geneva begins to exert a beguiling appeal.

Part of the city’s allure is how contradictory it can be. Rich in ancient tradition and unashamedly Old World, the architecture conjures up a bygone era of master craftsmen and a�uent merchants. Yet at the same time Geneva pulses with the present moment; strikingly modern hotels, contemporary clubs and restaurants, cutting-edge fashion and industrial innovation are all happening and available here, leaving the visitor open to embrace both worlds and trace a clear path between old and new.

Geneva is world famous for many things; for starters, you have its banks. Wealth management has a long and deep-rooted history in Geneva dating back to the 15th century, when it was an important trading hub, attracting merchants from all over Europe. All that foreign activity and investment led to the founding of numerous moneylenders and eventually banks, and the germination of a seemingly unshakeable financial industry. Ever since, Geneva has consistently been ranked as one of the top 10 financial centres in the world.

Then you have the international organisations. As well as the United Nations, there are around 152 such organisations based here, with around 186 nationalities represented at the last count, creating incredible diversity.

The city is also where the Geneva Convention was ratified to establish humane rules in war in 1949. And now, in the present day, there’s a di�erent type of convention –

Famous facesThe world’s leading watchmakers, including

Patek Philippe, come from Geneva

All that shimmersGeneva’s Jet d’Eau serves as a symbol of the

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City Geneva


the business kind. Geneva hosts countless exhibitions and expos across numerous industries, from automotive and aviation to invention and art fairs. Chocolate deserves a deliciously brief mention, and now Geneva gains more fame as the location for the discovery of the Higgs boson particle – the cosmic glue that holds the universe together.

But above all, the thing that Geneva is arguably most famous for around the globe is time-keeping – unparalleled luxury watches and the world of haute horology. Utterly peerless in the creation of the world’s finest timepieces, Geneva is the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry.

TIME TRAVELAllowing time and its precise measurement to be your guide to the city reveals a fascinating trail of discovery. A perfect starting point is the writer, composer, educator, politician and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This year, from summer until winter, Geneva is hosting a calendar full of events, tours and exhibitions to commemorate the tercentenary of the city’s most illustrious citizen.

Born in 1712, Rousseau began his life as a watchmaker. It was the natural order of things to follow his father, grandfather and great grandfather into the noble craft. Even Rousseau’s mother, who died just days after his birth, was herself a watchmaker’s daughter.

At this time in the 18th century in Geneva, a growing corporation of watchmakers and jewellers called the Geneva Fabrique had set up shop along the ‘Rive Droite,’ or right bank, of the Rhone and transformed it into a world renowned watchmaking centre.

“Geneva’s most flourishing manufacture is watchmaking. It employs more than 5,000 people, which is over one fifth of the citizens,” wrote Diderot and d’Alembert in their celebrated Encyclopedia of 1757.

Although watchmaking was in Rousseau’s blood, his abandonment by his father at age 10 had set him on a di�erent course. A self-taught polymath and one of the first theoreticians of democracy, Rousseau would dedicate his life to teaching, writing, politics and philosophy. However, the father of the French Revolution is still remembered by his links to the world of watchmaking.

automotive and aviation to invention and art fairs. Chocolate deserves a deliciously brief mention, and now Geneva gains more fame as the location for the discovery of the Higgs boson particle – the cosmic glue that

is arguably most famous for around the globe is time-keeping – unparalleled globe is time-keeping – unparalleled globe is time-keeping – unparalleled luxury watches and the world of haute horology. Utterly peerless in the creation of the world’s finest timepieces, Geneva is the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry.

TIME TRAVEL

boson particle – the cosmic glue that holds the universe together.

is arguably most famous for around the globe is time-keeping – unparalleled

Geneva gains more fame as the location for the discovery of the Higgs boson particle – the cosmic glue that holds the universe together.

But above all, the thing that Geneva

measurement to be your guide to

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Tools of the trade (left)Geneva has been producing handcrafted timepieces since the 18th century

Flower power (right)L’Horloge Fleurie, or Flower Clock, is the centrepiece of the Jardin Anglais

City on the lake (bottom)Geneva’s picturesque Ile Rousseau sits in the middle of the River Rhône

The world’s only Patek Philippe museum is an essential visit on the trail of time through Geneva. Running until mid-October, the museum is showcasing the ‘Timepieces signed Rousseau’ exhibition. The show reminds visitors that, “the family of the celebrated Genevan philosopher included a number of watchmakers and artisans in related domains, making the Rousseau dynasty a perfect illustration of seventeenth-century Genevan craftsmanship”. Forty of the 60 known timepieces in Europe to bear the Rousseau name are presented here in tribute to the great thinker’s lineage.

Next stop on the itinerary should be a stroll around the public gardens on Ile Rousseau, home to the famous bronze statue of the iconic man. Connected by the Bergues Bridge that was built in 1832, the islet also functions as an information centre for all related Rousseau events and destinations, such as the Espace Rousseau at 40 Grand Rue, where Rousseau was born. The major event of the whole Rousseau season will be the world premiere of the opera

JJR (Citizen of Geneva), which will open at the Grand Théâtre de Genève on September 9 for two weeks. The Rousseau programme also includes nature excursions and several walking theme trails, all running until December 12.

TIMELESS INVESTMENTSAfter learning so much about the city’s watchmaking background, you’ll be primed to invest in a special timepiece of your own. Quite appropriately, there is no other place o�ering so many of the world’s highest quality watches than Geneva. Head straight for the ‘Rive Gauche,’ or left bank, and take your pick from the 80 watch and jewellery boutiques on the city’s richest street, the Rue du Rhône.

Every luxury brand has its own intricate history and invokes its own qualities and attributes; it’s a subtle appeal that speaks to individuals in di�erent ways and works its own particular magic. Along the Rue du Rhône, spells are cast every few metres by lustrous boutiques showcasing meticulously crafted timepieces that encapsulate that special something. Whatever your personal preference, you will find it here. From Piaget to Patek Phillipe, Breguet to Omega and Cartier to Jaeger-LeCoultre, you can find the watch that makes you tick here.

And it’s not just watches on this long stretch of shoppers’ paradise; there is exquisite jewellery, diamonds from Gra�, perfume by Chanel and designer handbags and shoes galore from all the most prestigious brands. Your every shopping desire can be fulfilled, but make sure you are travelling light. The biggest burden a visitor can carry is an empty wallet.

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2

On a little side street o� Rue du Rhône you will also find the lesser-known Rue Ceard, on which more shopping treasures can be found. There are stores by Hublot, Dior, Burberry and more, selling all manner of exotic goods, from cashmere and silk to Egyptian cotton and fine fur. If you still don’t find what you’re looking for, there is even more within a short walk. The elegant Place de la Fusterie is home to the Audemars Piguet boutique and also the Boutique Tourbillon, which brings together the most prestigious brands of the Swatch Group under one roof, including Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Ti�any & Co., Omega, Léon Hatot and Swatch.

Shopping is sure to build up an appetite, and here too you are spoilt for choice. As Geneva is so vibrantly international, the breadth of exotic cuisine available is mouth-watering; you could sample a di�erent ethnic restaurant every day for weeks.

Finally, if you still haven’t found that perfect adornment for your wrist, cross one of the bridges over to the right bank, where, rejuvenated by food and the fresh air, you can behold yet more great names in the world of watchmaking.

“Your every shopping desire can be fulfilled, but make sure you are travelling light - the heaviest thing a traveller can carry is an empty wallet”

Decorate your wristBrowse some of the city’s finest works at Boutique Tourbillon Genève

Independent brandsRichard Mille boutique at the Grand Hotel Kempinski

a short walk. The elegant Place de la Fusterie is home to the Audemars Piguet boutique and also the Boutique Tourbillon, which brings together the most prestigious brands of the Swatch Group under one roof, including

Omega, Léon Hatot and Swatch.Shopping is sure to build up an Shopping is sure to build up an Shopping is sure to build up an

appetite, and here too you are spoilt for choice. As Geneva is so vibrantly international, the breadth of exotic cuisine available is mouth-watering; you could sample a di�erent ethnic restaurant every day for weeks.

Group under one roof, including Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Ti�any & Co., Omega, Léon Hatot and Swatch.

Tourbillon, which brings together the most prestigious brands of the Swatch Group under one roof, including Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Ti�any & Co.,

cross one of the bridges over to the

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Four Seasons Hotel des BerguesTel: +41 22 908 70 00

www.fourseasons.com/geneva

Le Richemond GenevaTel: +41 22 715 7000www.lerichemond.com

Grand Hotel Kempinski GenevaTel: +41 22 908 9081

www.kempinski.com/geneva

THEGOLDENBOOK

“Utterly peerless in the creation of the world’s finest

timepieces, Geneva is the cradle of the

Swiss watchmaking industry”

As well as palatial boutiques where you can find the likes of TAG Heuer and IWC, there are also the Grand Hotel Kempinski, home to more elegant stores for Harry Winston, Ulysse Nardin and the innovative masterpieces from Richard Mille.

To round o� your time-themed visit, make a final stop at the record-breaking Horloge Fleurie, or Flower Clock – the symbol of the watch industry in Geneva. Head for Quai du Général-Guisan and the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) to admire this masterpiece of floral art and horological technology. As well as looking stunning in its array of seasonal colours, the Flower Clock also holds the record for the world’s longest second hand, measuring in at two-and-a-half-metres.

Geneva’s rich history is inextricably linked to the art of watchmaking, but the craft was recently feared to be in decline. Fortunately these fears have since been allayed and there are currently 12 prestigious watch manufacturers based in Geneva, together with plans to build a new watchmaking institute.

The luxury conglomerate Richemont has revealed plans to build an unprecedented new complex dedicated to continued innovation and education in the watch industry. The Richemont Group owns some of the finest Swiss watchmaking brands, which altogether have 21,000 employees and generate an incredible EUR 76.9 billion (US$94.2 billion) per year.

Richemont is to invest more than $100 million in the creation of the Campus Genevois de Haute Horlogerie, which will house workshops and a research centre for watchmaking, all due to open in 2014. The State of Geneva and the Department of Public Education have also collaborated with Richemont in the creation of the Learning and Apprenticeship Centre for Haute Horlogerie, which will be a central part of the campus and will open its doors to future watchmakers this autumn.

The evolution of this placid city and its rich heritage will continue to tick over, much like the outstanding timepieces it has been producing for centuries. ■

City Geneva

City on the waterGeneva straddles

the River Rhône and pretty Lake Geneva

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Jeanne couture -resized.pdf 1 5/16/2012 5:41:52 PM

ECNARGARF WEN EHTNINEWEST.COM/LOVEFURY

AVAILABLE AT MACY’S & MACYS.COM.

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SAN

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Your first class flight on Emirates (www.emirates.com) arrives at San Francisco International Airport (www.flysfo.com) in the early afternoon, so tra�c should be light as you zip to your downtown hotel. Top choices are the magnificent and entirely refurbished Mandarin Oriental Hotel (www.mandarino-riental.com), the stately Ritz-Carlton (www.ritzcarlton.com), the Four Seasons (www.fourseasons.com), or the popular boutique Hotel Triton (www.hoteltriton.com).

14.00 Drop your bags and hit the city. After all, San Francisco’s historic Cable Cars (www.sfcablecar.com) are clanging away all day long. The weather can change suddenly, so you should always bring along a light jacket or sweater in case of showers. Head to North Beach, the historic Italian neigh-bourhood, and grab a slice at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com). Owner Tony Gemignani is the 11-time World Pizza Champion. Enjoy walking around North Beach, then hop back on the street car north to waterfront destinations like Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

15.30Walk west on the Marina Green toward Crissey Field and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which just celebrated its 75th Anni-versary. Crissey Field is a wonderful public

(that means free) beach where locals and visitors enjoy the incredible views and fresh sea breezes. It’s very dog-friendly too. This part of the city will be the prime viewing area for the 34th America’s Cup (www.americascup.com), which takes place from September 7-22, 2013 in San Francisco Bay. An America’s Cup World Series pre-liminary event takes place this year from October 2-7. The Louis Vuitton Cup yacht races will determine the Oracle Team USA challengers and will be held in San Fran-cisco Bay throughout the summer of 2013. Bay Cruises on Red & White Fleet (www.redandwhitefleet.com) are another excellent way to enjoy America’s Cup racing. The old Presidio area adjacent to Crissey Field also contains the fascinating Walt Disney Family Museum (www.waltdisney.org), dedicated to Walt Disney himself, and the new Inn at the Presidio (www.innatthepresidio.com) – the first hotel to open in the area, which is a National Historic Landmark and National Park site.

17.00Take a taxi back to your hotel and get ready to hit San Francisco’s famous streets. The city is hopping 24/7 and you have plenty of first-rate options to catch a show or perhaps see a game before dinner. Theatre is alive and well here; San Francisco hosts pre-Broadway world premieres, original Broadway cast productions and current hits

such as ‘War Horse’, ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Book of Mormon’ (www.shnsf.com). Long-running San Francisco sensation Beach Blanket Babylon (www.beachblan-ketbabylon.com) is a hilarious local legend and shouldn’t be missed.

For something uniquely San Francisco, catch the action at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Even if you’ve never been to a baseball game, or don’t understand the sport, this could be the prettiest stadium in the country, with gorgeous Bay views and a tremendous array of dining choices. Try the stadium’s signature garlic fries. AT&T Park will also host the semi-finals and the finals of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

20.00San Francisco is a food lover’s paradise full of tried and true Michelin starred restaurants like La Folie (www.lafolie.com), the vener-able Gary Danko (www.garydanko.com) and Fleur de Lys (www.hubertkeller.com), or fantastic new hotspots such as Michael Mina’s RN74 (www.michaelmina.net), Boulevard (www.boulevardrestaurant.com) and Waterbar (www.waterbarsf.com).

22.00 Thirsty? Saunter to some of San Francisco’s trendier haunts like the very cool Twenty Five Lusk (www.25lusk.com), Press Club San Francisco (www.pressclubsf.com), the curious little watering hole called Big

How to spend an indulgent 24 hours in The City by the BayNIGHT & DAYWords: Bob Ecker


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Mandarin Oriental San FranciscoTel: +1 (415) 276 9888 www.mandarinoriental.com

The Ritz-Carlton, San FranciscoTel: +1 (415) 296-7465www.ritzcarlton.com

Four Seasons Hotel San FranciscoTel: +1 (415) 633-3000www.fourseasons.com

STAY

(big-san-francisco.com) on Post Street, AQ (www.aq-sf.com), or Park Tavern (www.parktavernsf.com). Beer-lovers should check out Toronado (www.toronado.com).

00.00Jones up on Nob Hill (www.620jones.com) transforms from sophisticated restaurant into big-time dance club after 10pm. For an afterparty consider clubs like Infusion Lounge (www.infusionlounge.com), Mon-arch (www.monarchsf.com), Ruby Skye (www.rubyskye.com) and Slide (www.slidesf.com). Be prepared to dance all night.

08.00 Get up early and walk down to the Ferry Building Marketplace (www.ferrybuilding-marketplace.com) to experience one of the greatest farmer’s markets in the world. This homage to all things green and delicious is a perfect place for breakfast or lunch, but you’ll have a tough time resisting all the delectable culinary items on display.

10.00Hop in a cab and head over to Golden Gate Park to visit the California Academy of Sciences (www.calacademy.org). This important museum is not only educational, it’s environmentally friendly too (note the grass growing on the roof). There’s a new 8,000-square-foot Earthquake exhibit, which will leave you fascinated and terrified.

The nearby De Young Museum (deyoung.famsf.org) contains precious artworks including a new exhibit of Dutch Master-works rarely seen outside of Holland. Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco’s jewels and is a lovely place to walk around and take in the scenery. In fact, the tranquil San Francisco Botanical Gardens (www.sfbg.org), located in the park, is one of the finest gardens of its kind in the US.

13.00 Head back downtown for a casual yet elegant lunch at the One Market (www.onemarket.com), one of the city’s premier restaurants.

15.00 Head o� to the airport with your heart firmly left in San Francisco. n

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Tony’s Pizza

Infusion Lounge

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BestivalSept 6–9, Isle of Wight, UK

You’ll hardly be able to see the stage through the swarm of trendy young things this ‘boutique’ music festival draws in. Bestival is centred on the

discovery of new and up-and-coming talents, but there’s still an impressive

roster of established artists – this year Happy Mondays and Kool and the Gang will be performing. Other

than the music, there is a mass fancy dress party, a Hidden Disco, and a

boutique campsite with tipis, yurts and bivouacs.

www.bestival.net

Fiestas de la VendimiaSept 11-16, Jerez de la Frontera, SpainA celebration of the grape harvest in Jerez de la Frontera, the festival is a non-stop party beginning with the ’pisa’, or squashing of the grapes with the feet. This year the festival is dedicated to sherry, and from start to finish you’ll be spoilt for choice, with parties, concerts, bullfights and flamenco dancing taking place throughout the city. Be sure to visit the vineyards, bodegas (sherry houses), and sample delicious Andalucian cuisine during your stay.

Braemar GatheringSept 1, Royal Deeside, Scotland

This world-famous event dates back to 1832 and showcases

traditional Scottish highland games such as caber-tossing, stone-

putting and hammer-throwing, with performances by pipe bands

and highland dancers. Endorsed by Queen Victoria in 1848,

today Queen Elizabeth II attends regularly. Considered one of the most scenic parts of Scotland, mountainous Royal Deeside is

home to Balmoral Castle. www.braemargathering.org

DIARY 09.12

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dotwnews.com April 2012 63

Munich OktoberfestSept 23 – Oct 7, Munich, Germany

At midday on September 23, the city of Munich’s Lord Mayor will tap

the first keg of beer and share its contents around the Schottenhamel tent, signalling the start of this two-

week festival. It all started in 1810, when the first Munich Oktoberfest

took place as a celebration of the Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage

to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Visitors can hop

from beer tent to beer tent sampling brews, watching parades and

dancing to live music.www.oktoberfest.de/en

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London Fashion WeekSept 14–18, London, EnglandHead to one of the world’s most fashionable cities for an aesthetically-pleasing lineup of beautiful clothes, beautiful people and glamour. For four days, new and established British fashion designers will showcase their Spring/Summer 2013 collections at Somerset House, with smaller independent shows also taking place at venues throughout the city. And of course there are the parties. After Fashion Week ends the Vodafone Fashion Weekend runs from Sept 20-23, where you’ll have the chance to buy designer clothes at discounted prices and rub shoulders with the fashion elite at a host of glamorous parties across the city. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

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Spend it Itineraries


A slice of the Big AppleHas the profile of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal on page 42 inspired you to start your own hospitality investment portfolio? Even if you’re not in a position to buy your own luxury hotel, how about buying a small piece of one? A col-lection of exclusive suites at The Plaza in New York are up for sale, starting at a mere US$1.5 million. We’d go for one of the Edwardian Suites, which range from 800-1,000 sq ft and start from a cool $2.5 million. The one-bedroom suites come with master bedroom, living room and bathroom with Louis XV-style period furnishings including custom-designed club chairs, hand-carved writing desk and rich textiles and fabric throughout. Bathrooms fea-ture a master bath with inlaid marble mosaic tiles and 24-carat gold plated Sherle Wagner fixtures. If you fancy your own pied a terre in the heart of Manhattan, there are few better business partners than the owner, Prince Alwaleed himself.From: now.Cost: Edwardian Suite from US$2.5 million.Book: [email protected]/piedaterre

South African adventureTravel through South Africa in style this autumn. Depart from Dubai on a first class flight to Cape Town, where you’ll spend three luxurious nights in a one-bedroom Marina Suite at the One&Only Cape Town. From there, luxury transfer will bring you to Groot-bos Private Nature Reserve, where you’ll have two nights to explore the wildlife and take part in horse riding, guided nature walks and whale watching. You’ll then be whisked to Wilderness for two nights at Views Boutique Hotel & Spa, where you’ll stay in a Deluxe Suite and enjoy a tour of the Knysna Lagoon. From there you’ll be transported to Sabi Sabi Bush lodge for two nights, for game drives and walking safaris, before mov-ing on to Sun City’s Palace of the Lost City, and finally a night at the five-star Peermont D’oreale Grande in Johannesburg.From: now until October 31, 2012.Cost: from AED 45,430 (US$12,368) per person on twin sharing basis. Includes first class airfare with Emirates. Restrictions apply.Book: [email protected]

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

70-71 Spend It.indd 70 28/08/2012 16:51


Classic AntarcticaIf you plan to go all the way to Antarctica, you might as well do it right. In celebration of luxury travel firm Abercrombie & Kent’s 50-year anniver-sary, chairman and founder Geo�rey Kent will be joining guests on a 15-night Classic Antarctica voy-age, setting out from the southern tip of Argentina in the legendary Tierra del Fuego on November 26. Reserve the Owner’s Suite to guarantee this journey into the great white wilderness aboard the majestic La Boreal is done in the lap of luxury. After several days in Buenos Aires getting to know South America’s most colourful city, you’ll fly to Ushuaia and set out through Drake’s Passage before arriving in the Antarctic on day seven. Spend the next four days visiting penguin colonies and beaches covered in basking elephant seals, or hike into the icy interior and explore abandoned whaling stations along the coast.From: November 26 to December 11.Cost: from GBP 17,380 (US$27,259) based on two people sharing. Includes return flights from London, flights to Ushuaia, the Owner’s Suite onboard Le Boreal, and full board dining including open bar. Book: [email protected]

*All prices are subject to change. Please contact the listed companies for further information.

The Plaza, New York

Over indulgenceRa�es Hotel Singapore is celebrating its 125-year anniversary this month, and you are invited to share in the celebrations with a holiday experience of a lifetime. Check into the hotel’s grand Presidential Suite for at least two nights during September and you will be treated like a visiting dignitary, starting with a ride from the airport to the hotel in its vintage limousine. On arrival in the Presidential Suite, you’ll be treated to a bottle of 125th Anniversary champagne to enjoy as you soak up the tropical atmos-phere on your terrace and admire the 1887-built colonial building. During your stay, couples will be presented with a pair of 125th Anniversary edition Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso engraved watches – one for him and one for her. Spend the remainder of your stay indulging in the hotel’s timeless luxury. Have a drink at the Long Bar – the birthplace of the Singapore Sling – take afternoon tea in the Drawing Room or Tif-fin Room, or play a game of billiards in the room where bellboys once had to chase out a tiger with a broom. If your stay falls on September 15, you will also receive tickets for the Fancy Dress Dinner at Bar & Bil-liard Room – a gala event to celebrate the historic anniversary.From: September 1-30.Cost: from US$40,160 based on two people sharing and a minimum of two nights.Book: singapore@ra�es.com www.ra�es.com/singapore

Celebrate 125 years at Ra�es Singapore, see the Antarctic in style, or buy a luxury suite in New

York’s Plaza Hotel – spend it wisely this month

Spend it

Antarctica with Abercrombie & Kent

70-71 Spend It.indd 71 28/08/2012 16:51


Suite dreams

It’s not entirely accurate to say that Waldorf Astoria’s Rome Cavalieri is one of the best hotels in Rome, because it isn’t really in Rome. Not in the busy centre at least.

Nestled on a slope high above the city on the far side of the River Tiber, the grand dame of a building commands a panoramic view, allowing guests to observe the Eternal City from above.

The focal point of the hotel is the 40-metre outdoor pool and glass conservatory of the Grand Spa Club. In the summer, the poolside is the place to see and be seen for Romans, countrymen and visitors alike, in an eye-pleasing display of flesh and designer poolwear that could come straight from the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.

Corner Suite 467 on the fourth floor has a bird’s eye view of the entire a�air, backed by breathtaking vistas of the city. Marble-framed mirrors at either end of the double balcony reflect light and sky, making the space appear to stretch to infinity.

Inside, the suite is fitted with antique furniture, marble obelisks, lavish ornaments and an impressive collection of authentic artwork. The centrepiece of the living area is a french antique desk with gilded trim, accompanied by a glass table lamp and potted orchid.

A curved bookshelf is stocked with Italian literature and a collection of English language classics by Mark Twain, Daniel Defoe and Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as a stack of fine art catalogues and co�ee table books. There’s even a pair of binoculars for close-up views of the city (and the pool, one would imagine).

Waldorf Astoria’s Rome Cavalieri is an elegant playground for the city’s most glamorous, says Joe Mortimer

Heavy drapes frame the windows, and a luxurious throw adorns a black leather Keyton Verona massage chair. An extensive pillow menu features 13 di�erent types of pillow that can be used during your stay or taken home for EUR 150 (US$184) each. Above the king-sized bed, a fisheye-style porthole mirror adds a playful dimension to the room.

The bathroom is decorated in white marble, with amenities by Salvatore Ferragamo, and a bath menu o�ers four soaking options. Try the ‘Carezzevole’ bath with Crabtree and Evelyn Aloe Vera, served with caviar and champagne for an indulgent EUR 300 ($368). Fourteen di�erent soaps o�er a scent for every mood.

Suite guests have access to the Imperial Club, an exclusive lounge on the seventh floor. There isn’t a better way to enjoy panoramic views of Rome than sitting on the breezy terrace with a glass of prosecco as the sun begins its descent, illuminating the dome of the Basilica di San Pietro in Vatican City below.

When in Rome

Suite: Corner Suite 467What: Rome Cavalieri – Waldorf AstoriaWhere: Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Rome, ItalyPrice: from EUR 1,200 (US$1,473) per nightwww.romecavalieri.com

The important bit

A fireworks display lights up the sky one night just after 10pm, and the popping of corks and clinking of glasses marks the beginning of another glamorous night out for Rome’s rich and famous. Is that Jay Gatsby I can see on the lawn below my terrace? Or just another impeccably dressed guest mooching o� into the shadows? n

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Advertorial Advertorial

Six Senses.indd 66 26/08/2012 15:03

SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY:

Time is a luxury that can’t be bought; that’s why the team at Six Senses Zighy Bay go one step beyond to ensure that your time with us is well spent. And that goes

for the entire family.

Our goal is to create memorable experiences that the entire family will treasure both during your stay with us, and long after you return home.

While you’re unwinding by the pool, working out the tension in the award-win-ning Six Senses Spa or exploring the rugged terrain of the sublime Musandam

Peninsula, our Children’s Club will make sure that your little ones have their own holiday of a lifetime.

Whether that’s fun activities like rock painting or hunting for crabs; adventur-ous pursuits like paragliding or snorkeling; or educational programmes such as

Arabic cooking classes, learning about the ocean or an introduction to gardening, our highly experienced Children’s Club team can create the perfect itinerary for

children of all ages.

Our children’s activities are not restricted to the little ones; mums and dads who want to join in and share those magical moments with the kids are welcome to get involved with scheduled indoor and outdoor activities, or just ask our Chil-

dren’s Club team to help you arrange your own family activities.

After an active day, the whole family can relax in one of our 79 pool villas, all designed in the local Omani style and fitted out in rustic chic décor that blends

the natural environment with our five-star experience.

In the evening, take the whole family for dinner at one of our spectacular restau-rants, set out on a dhow cruise around the peninsula, or have our team arrange a private dining experience in one of the romantic locations in and around the

resort for a memorable meal under the stars.

Six Senses Zighy Bay transports guests to a world free from worry and stress, but despite its remote location, Oman’s Musandam Peninsula is only a 90-minute drive from Dubai, making it a great addition to a Dubai or Abu Dhabi holiday,

or an ideal destination in its own right. Furthermore, as long as they have a UAE visit visa, our guests don’t require an additional Omani visa.

Six Senses Zighy Bay Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula, Sultanate of Oman

Tel: +968 26735 888 or +968 26735 555 Fax: +968 26735 887 or

+968 26735 556 E-mail: [email protected]

Children’s Club activities include:Arabic cooking classes in the organic garden

Introduction to gardeningParaglidingSnorkelling

Bubblemaker and discover scuba dive coursesDhow cruises

Sabatyn excursionsRole plays on the historical legends of Oman

Nature drawing

Crafting memories that last a lifetime

Six Senses.indd 67 26/08/2012 15:23

76 July 2012 dotwnews.com

Engine: 6.75-litre V12 BHP: 453

Torque: 720Nm/3500rpm0-100kph: 5.8 secs

Top speed: 240 kph (limited)Origin: Goodwood, UK

Cost: AED 2.3 million (US $626,000)

The best is never enough for Rolls-Royce. Take the new Phantom Coupé Aviator Collection: this limited edition celebrates the spirit of human endeavour, specifically that of co-founder Charles Stewart Rolls, that made the brand what it is today. Exclusive exterior design concepts include Aviator Grey paint and contrasting matt finish bonnet, window and grille surround. Inside, the wood and metal mix conveys the sense of being in a cockpit, enhanced by the Thommen, aviation-grade clock with blood orange needle tips. Just 35 will be made, so reserve yours now.

ON THE ROADROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM

COUPÉ AVIATOR COLLECTION

“Our founding forefather Charles Stewart Rolls was a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of motoring and aviation to the limit. With our exclusive Phantom

Coupé Aviator Collection we celebrate this great British hero, presenting a car which hints at experiments in early flight married to the best engineering,

modern design and exquisitely crafted materials”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce

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dotwnews.com May 2012 77

title Sectiony

Engine: 6.0-litre V12 Torque: 570 Nm

0-100kph: 4.5 secs Top speed: 305 kph

Origin: Crewe, UKCost: US$235,000

Aston Martin’s new Vantage Roadster is a serious car. So serious that only a limited number are being made. Aston Martin has taken the nuts and bolts of its Vantage Coupe and trimmed it down for a more sporty performance. The addition of forged alloy

wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres give extra points on performance and handling, and carbon fibre accents give it an extra sporting finish. Sport mode allows dynamic driving with a sharper throttle response and additional oomph when accelerating.

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE ROADSTER


78 July 2012 dotwnews.com

Engine: 5.5-litre V8 biturboBHP: 558Torque: 760Nm0-100kph: 4.7 secsTop speed: 250 kph (limited)Origin: GermanyCost: from US$99,300

But when you dip the accelerator, the car lets out an almighty roar and unleashes its full 558 BHP to rocket propel itself towards the horizon, accelerating from 0-100kph in less than five seconds. The seven-speed Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox can be set to Eco, Sport, or Manual, but for the most interactive driving experience the tiptronic controls allow lightning-fast gear changes that push the ML to its limit. Or yours - whichever comes first. Understandably for a twin-turbocharged V8, the ML laps up gasoline, and the needle finds its way to the red zone much quicker than you might hope.

For all its complexity, the onboard computer is very easy to use. Three di�erent connector cables allow you to hook up iPods, smartphones and other devices to the entertainment system, and there’s a USB socket for the back seat DVD system. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is quite tremendous, producing a thunderous cacophony. But be careful not to drown out all that wonderful engine noise.

By the end of my test drive, I’m not quite sure whether I’ve been driving a sports car that wants to be a 4x4 or an SUV that wants to be a sports car, but when all is said and done, the ML’s identity crisis doesn’t matter one bit. In fact, it might just make it that unique, once-in-a-generation kind of car that will be remembered for just that. ■

WORDS: Joe Mortimer

THERE is no rational explanation for this car. No one needs a 4x4 that can out-run a high-performance vehicle, and few supercar enthusiasts want a car that can tackle steep inclines and rocky terrain. Well, look out world, the Mercedes ML 63 AMG does both.

At first, you would be forgiven for mistaking the ML for a normal luxury SUV, the kind that a�uent inner-city mums use to take the kids to school. You would have had to overlook the scarlet red brake callipers, AMG badge, four exhausts and the not-inconspicuous “V8 biturbo” emblems on the front wheel-arches, but you would still be forgiven. But anyone familiar with the work of the AMG stable will immediately recognise that this car is anything but normal.

The anticipation when sitting in the cockpit of the ML is similar to what you experience when you climb into a roller coaster and the safety bar settles tightly on your chest. You’re not entirely sure what’s about to happen but you know it is going to be special. The car springs to life with a low growl as its 5.5-litre engine roars to life and a barrage of light dials and digital displays flash into action.

At slow speeds the ML seems to drive itself. The AMG Ride Control sports suspension keeps the car steady on the road, even when rounding sharp turns, and the high-performance braking system means there is very little lurching forwards and backwards in stop-start tra¢c.

NUTS & BOLTS

WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING



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MONTBLANC LEGEND POUR FEMMEInspired by the classic beauty of old

Hollywood’s most memorable stars, this scent embodies timeless beauty, with

topnotes of neroli, bitter orange and pear, a blooming heart of jasmine, lily of the

valley and orange blossom, and a powdery base of musk and vanilla.

Wear it in: Corsica

BURBERRY BODY EAU DE PARFUM ROSE GOLD

As subtle and seductive as their iconic trench coats, Burberry’s latest scent

combines green absinthe with delicate peach and freesia, revealing its true femininity over time: rose, iris and

sandalwood, balanced by vanilla and amber.Wear it in: Vienna

80-81 ProductsJSMcc.indd 80 28/08/2012 16:18

JIMMY CHOO PARFUMA warm blend of tiger orchid, candied

orange, cypress and caramel topnotes, Jimmy Choo Parfum is a sweet and

sensual choice for hot summer nights. A heart of amber, sandalwood and

patchouli brings an invigorating oriental touch that lingers on the skin.

Wear it in: Bangkok

PERFUMERS WORKSHOP SAMBA SKIN

Created to capture the essence of just-showered skin, topnotes of bergamont mingle with peach nectar and incense, and a floral heart of peony, rose de mai and jasmine. Musks, sandalwood and

velvety oakmoss add a rich, sensual base.Wear it in: Cote d’Azur

L’ARTISAN PARFUMER FOU D’ABSINTHE

A cooling, soothing scent reminiscent of a stroll through a pine forest, Fou d’Absinthe blends the icy-cold tingle of absinthe with

black currant buds, star anise, pepper clove, and ginger, enhanced by earthy notes of patchouli, pine needles and fir balsam.

Wear it in: Bavaria


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Trends

Fifty shades of promotionFirst there was the book, soon there will be the film, and what must follow is the hotel

promotion. The book Fifty Shades of Grey has become a publishing phenomenon, selling 31

million copies worldwide. For the uninitiated, it charts the intense romance between Ana Steele

and businessman Christian Grey and involves a lot of toys that you won’t find in Mothercare.

Anyway, to pick just one of dozens of hotel examples that are cashing in, the Edgewater

Hotel in Seattle has a US$1,700 package “honouring the book,” including Ana’s favourite drinks, a romantic yacht trip, a drive in ‘Grey’s’

Audi and a ’Fifty Shades’ landmark map.

TMZ ToursWant to know exactly what celebrities get up to?

Log on to TMZ.com. The site has become a must-visit for anyone obsessed with what sandwich

Lady Gaga is eating this week (now infamous for publishing nude photos of Prince Harry). The next

step for the multi-million-visited site? TMZ tours of Hollywood. Stops include parking in front of the Ivy

restaurant (A-list hangout); the Viper Room (where River Phoenix died) the corner where Hugh Grant

made a new friend; and the Chateau Marmont (above), where Josh Harnett once phoned the

police about his poorly tummy. Essential Hollywood or just stalking in a bus? Your call.

Norse codeThere’s nothing like the wind in your sails to put a spring in your step. But forget mega-cruises or Riviera jaunts; if you want to really experience life on the ocean, hop on a Viking long boat. The Roskilde Viking Ship Museum in Denmark o�ers courses on how to sail longboats along the country’s famous �ords, including manoeuvring sails, rowing and navigation. Sadly, pillaging is not included, but every ship has been built to traditional specifications, and some of the trainers have big Viking beards. The courses are only US$150, but the chance to be a Viking for the day is obviously priceless.

Pay with fingerprintsPayment can be such a hassle at check-out;

all that paperwork, all those forms – “use the same credit card, sir?” Who needs it. Now at the Ushuaïa Beach Hotel in Ibiza, there is something that cuts through all that –

biometric paytouch. Guests give their card details and fingerprint data at check-in, and

that’s it for the rest of your stay. Whenever you want to buy something at the hotel you just

present a fingertip. No pin numbers, no swiping, no carrying cash or cards, just a touch. How cool

is that? Answer: very.

Enjoy a jail breakLast month we showed how easy it is to buy your own island paradise. Now, hot on the heels of that wonderful concept, comes another isle idea: booking a holiday at the prison rock of Alcatraz. It’s only US$600 a night. Included in the price is the ferry trip, a little show-round by a former inmate, a little volunteer work and an overnight stay in D-block, where the most dangerous prisoners used to be locked up, 24 hours a day. Your cell door is kept open, but your bedding includes a nice mattress and, erm, nothing else. Night activities can include your own midnight swim. If you dare.

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83-85 Trends.indd 83 28/08/2012 16:14

LOOKING TO INVEST IN RUSSIA & THE CIS?Now in its 8th year, the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) has become the region’s largest industry gathering, with over 450 key players under one roof. Nowhere else is it possible to meet so many of the region’s most influential decision makers in once place, at one time.

The conference programme will explore the opportunities current market conditions present for hotel investors, enabling you to discover how to position your investment for growth.

For those looking to do business in Russia & the CIS, RHIC is the must-attend event.

Make valuable contacts — Discover the latest trends — Identify new business opportunities

REGISTER NOW!www.russia-cisconference.com or call +44 (0)1462 490609CONFERENCE HOSTS

FOUNDER SPONSOR

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

PL ATINUM SPONSORS

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel GroupCorinthia HotelsHorwath HTL Hungary & Russia

GOLD SPONSORS

ACCORAECOMAirportcity Saint-PetersburgArgentina National Institute of Tourism PromotionAZIMUT HotelsCushman & WakefieldDeloitteDLA PiperErnst & YoungHilton WorldwideHVSIHGInterstate Management Services, IncMarriott International, IncOrient-Express HotelsSalansSchneider ElectricStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, IncWATGWyndham Hotel Group

Sponsors confirmed as of 22 August 2012

POSITIONING YOUR INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH

120822 RHIC12 DOTWN 235x335.indd 1 22/08/2012 07:36Untitled-1 1 8/28/2012 11:34:25 AM


INReal deal

Real Madrid has scored a great deal with the creation of its own resort/theme park island o� the coast of the UAE. Scheduled for

completion in 2015, we can’t wait for kick-o�.

Sand and deliverThe key to the perfect sand cas-tle? Just one percent water. Too

much and it’s mush; too little and it crumbles. Thank you scientists at Amsterdam University for that

wonderful insight.

Fright clubWoooo zombies. We love ’em.

News reaches us that Universal Studios is planning Walking Dead

zombie ‘experiences’. We really can’t wait.

Di�cult Hobbit to breakNew Zealand has the forthcoming

Hobbit spectacular all wrapped up. There are now set tours of

Hobbiton, helicopter tours of LOTR sights and visits to ‘touch

the props’. But our favourite is the Air New Zealand Boeing 777s

branded with Hobbit images.

OUTMarriage by textDrive-thru weddings in Vegas? Passé. You can now get married by text. Just text your location to ministers Andy or James and they will fire up the Wedding Wagon and come to you to do the need-ful. lasvegasweddingwagon.com

IKEA airport loungeIKEA last month unveiled a pop-up airport lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle International. Sadly, the lounge is a one-o� and will not be available for flat-pack takeaway from your neighbourhood store.

Is this seat taken?A two-year study into antisocial travel behaviour (window seat, bag on aisle – sound familiar?) has found out… the bleeding obvious. “Confinement in small spaces without privacy causes people to actively disengage.”

Gourmet baboonsBaboons in Cape Town are becoming a major nuisance due to their preference for “the higher quality of food enjoyed by humans”. The result? Organised raids on restaurants.

Set sail for serious luxury with the Christina O

With armadas of luxury yachts clogging up A-list marinas from Monaco to Miami, it’s often hard to

stand out from the sea-going billionaire herd. Every Microsoft gazillionaire and football-club owning oligarch seems to have a gigayacht complete with helicopter pad, escape submarine and Jay-Z DJ booth.

So what do you do if you want to make a splash? You go old school. Forget the flash and spend your cash on hiring history. Just US$560,000 a week will get you a yacht that is not only astonishingly luxurious, but also rich in iconic personality – it’s called the Christina O, and it was the floating palace home of shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis (a Greek immigrant dishwasher who arrived in Argentina with US$60 and went on to own 50 tankers) married Jackie (style icon of the 1960s and widow of assassinated president JFK), onboard this yacht amid a blast of bouzouki and plate throwing (really) in 1968.

At the time, the vessel was the most luxurious yacht in the world and the perfect venue for its mythically generous host. A young John F Kennedy was introduced to Sir Winston Churchill in the ship’s bar. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Frank Sinatra, Rudolf Nureyev and John Wayne were regulars in the yacht’s lounge; billionaires John Paul Getty and John D Rockefeller were always on board for business and guest rooms accommodated Greta Garbo, Eva Peron, Margot Fonteyn and Marilyn Monroe.

Onassis bought the former World War II surplus frigate in 1954 and then set about updating it with a then extraordinary budget of US$4 million. After his death in 1975, the vessel was gifted to the Greek government as a presidential yacht before undergoing extensive restoration and becoming available for charter today.

High sea historyAt 99 metres, the Christina O is huge even by

today’s superyacht standards, and continues to o�er a level of Onassis indulgence that would make Croesus blush. The open-deck pool, inlaid with mosaic frescos and bronze border, still closes at the push of a button, and the bottom rises to become a dance floor.

Connecting three of the five decks is an ornate spiral staircase o�ering access to a world where Waterford crystal glints, Ercuis silverware sparkles, Baccarat wall lamps glow and original Renoirs sulk against a background of marble bathrooms, lapis lazuli, oak panelling, original sea charts, onyx fireplaces, glass-covered models, creaky leather furniture and teak decking.

Perhaps the Christina O’s most astonishing cabin is Ari’s Bar, which is made from the timbers of a Spanish galleon, with foot- and handrails carved from whales’ teeth and bone. Its most famous feature was its bar stools, upholstered in skin taken from the most, erm, sensitive parts of whales.

Today those stools are upholstered in fine leather, as 21st century demands forced contemporary modifications to the Christina such as the addition of a Six Senses spa and Michelin-starred cuisine.

Passengers are now catered to with a newly introduced sports lounge, gym, elevators, video systems with surround sound, high-tech air-freshening systems, Jacuzzi, massage showers, children’s playroom and dining room. On the deck by the tenders and lifeboats is a helipad. In Onassis’ day, this was where he kept his seaplane.

This grand dame of the sea can still reach 22 knots and continues to wear her iconic status lightly. The Christina O’s 18 staterooms can accommodate up to 36 passengers, and her deck continues to host parties for the type of people who appreciate the yacht’s paparazzi-blocking privacy.

Want to really join the world’s wet set? Hire the Christina O. www.mychristinao.com n

83-85 Trends.indd 85 28/08/2012 16:14


INReal deal

Real Madrid has scored a great deal with the creation of its own resort/theme park island o� the coast of the UAE. Scheduled for

completion in 2015, we can’t wait for kick-o�.

Sand and deliverThe key to the perfect sand cas-tle? Just one percent water. Too

much and it’s mush; too little and it crumbles. Thank you scientists at Amsterdam University for that

wonderful insight.

Fright clubWoooo zombies. We love ’em.

News reaches us that Universal Studios is planning Walking Dead

zombie ‘experiences’. We really can’t wait.

Di�cult Hobbit to breakNew Zealand has the forthcoming

Hobbit spectacular all wrapped up. There are now set tours of

Hobbiton, helicopter tours of LOTR sights and visits to ‘touch

the props’. But our favourite is the Air New Zealand Boeing 777s

branded with Hobbit images.

OUTMarriage by textDrive-thru weddings in Vegas? Passé. You can now get married by text. Just text your location to ministers Andy or James and they will fire up the Wedding Wagon and come to you to do the need-ful. lasvegasweddingwagon.com

IKEA airport loungeIKEA last month unveiled a pop-up airport lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle International. Sadly, the lounge is a one-o� and will not be available for flat-pack takeaway from your neighbourhood store.

Is this seat taken?A two-year study into antisocial travel behaviour (window seat, bag on aisle – sound familiar?) has found out… the bleeding obvious. “Confinement in small spaces without privacy causes people to actively disengage.”

Gourmet baboonsBaboons in Cape Town are becoming a major nuisance due to their preference for “the higher quality of food enjoyed by humans”. The result? Organised raids on restaurants.

Set sail for serious luxury with the Christina O

With armadas of luxury yachts clogging up A-list marinas from Monaco to Miami, it’s often hard to

stand out from the sea-going billionaire herd. Every Microsoft gazillionaire and football-club owning oligarch seems to have a gigayacht complete with helicopter pad, escape submarine and Jay-Z DJ booth.

So what do you do if you want to make a splash? You go old school. Forget the flash and spend your cash on hiring history. Just US$560,000 a week will get you a yacht that is not only astonishingly luxurious, but also rich in iconic personality – it’s called the Christina O, and it was the floating palace home of shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis (a Greek immigrant dishwasher who arrived in Argentina with US$60 and went on to own 50 tankers) married Jackie (style icon of the 1960s and widow of assassinated president JFK), onboard this yacht amid a blast of bouzouki and plate throwing (really) in 1968.

At the time, the vessel was the most luxurious yacht in the world and the perfect venue for its mythically generous host. A young John F Kennedy was introduced to Sir Winston Churchill in the ship’s bar. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Frank Sinatra, Rudolf Nureyev and John Wayne were regulars in the yacht’s lounge; billionaires John Paul Getty and John D Rockefeller were always on board for business and guest rooms accommodated Greta Garbo, Eva Peron, Margot Fonteyn and Marilyn Monroe.

Onassis bought the former World War II surplus frigate in 1954 and then set about updating it with a then extraordinary budget of US$4 million. After his death in 1975, the vessel was gifted to the Greek government as a presidential yacht before undergoing extensive restoration and becoming available for charter today.

High sea historyAt 99 metres, the Christina O is huge even by

today’s superyacht standards, and continues to o�er a level of Onassis indulgence that would make Croesus blush. The open-deck pool, inlaid with mosaic frescos and bronze border, still closes at the push of a button, and the bottom rises to become a dance floor.

Connecting three of the five decks is an ornate spiral staircase o�ering access to a world where Waterford crystal glints, Ercuis silverware sparkles, Baccarat wall lamps glow and original Renoirs sulk against a background of marble bathrooms, lapis lazuli, oak panelling, original sea charts, onyx fireplaces, glass-covered models, creaky leather furniture and teak decking.

Perhaps the Christina O’s most astonishing cabin is Ari’s Bar, which is made from the timbers of a Spanish galleon, with foot- and handrails carved from whales’ teeth and bone. Its most famous feature was its bar stools, upholstered in skin taken from the most, erm, sensitive parts of whales.

Today those stools are upholstered in fine leather, as 21st century demands forced contemporary modifications to the Christina such as the addition of a Six Senses spa and Michelin-starred cuisine.

Passengers are now catered to with a newly introduced sports lounge, gym, elevators, video systems with surround sound, high-tech air-freshening systems, Jacuzzi, massage showers, children’s playroom and dining room. On the deck by the tenders and lifeboats is a helipad. In Onassis’ day, this was where he kept his seaplane.

This grand dame of the sea can still reach 22 knots and continues to wear her iconic status lightly. The Christina O’s 18 staterooms can accommodate up to 36 passengers, and her deck continues to host parties for the type of people who appreciate the yacht’s paparazzi-blocking privacy.

Want to really join the world’s wet set? Hire the Christina O. www.mychristinao.com n

83-85 Trends.indd 85 28/08/2012 16:14


A walk in the cloudsTreat yourself and the family to a short summer escape in the stunning Rigi mountains of central Switzerland.

Olympic feverLooking back at some of the free Cultural Olympiad events hosted by nations that took part in London 2012.

Timeless traditions at The May FairThe May Fair hotel has recaptured the spirit of London in days gone by with its new Cigar Room.

Champagne under the stars in KenyaThe Sankara Nairobi has opened the first rooftop champagne bar in the Kenyan capital.

Drunk pilot ordered o� Qantas flightA Qantas pilot was ordered to leave the flight deck after crew reported she was drinking alcohol.

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Urban sanctuaryThe COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at The Metropolitan London is the perfect spot for some R&R.

Mediterranean renaissance Lucy White finds a touch of luxury in the Balearic Islands at Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca.

To win a year’s subscription to Destinations of the World News and a bottle of S.T. Dupont Passenger for Men or for Women, visit DOTWNEWS.COM and guess the location of the image. The location in August’s competition was

Edinburgh Castle. The winner was Julie McCallum from Saltcoats, Scotland.

Island in the cityNicci Perides discovers the delights of Hong Kong in the luxurious Island Shangri-La Hong Kong.

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Life is a journey Spa guru Anna Bjurstam from Raison d’Etre Spas shares her top six spa destinations.

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86 Web.indd 86 28/08/2012 16:13

EVEN in the magical world of Bali, there are some places that defy expectations. When you’re a guest at W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, you’re transported into a land where traditional Balinese culture and traditions meet ultra-contemporary design and technology. The somewhat surreal haven, created by some of the world’s top architects and designers, is the jewel in the crown that is Seminyak; Bali’s exclusive West Coast beach resort where the island’s trendiest boutiques, hottest galleries and liveliest nightspots congregate.

Home to 158 Retreats & Suites and 79 Villa Retreats, W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak is a collection of unique spaces that incorporate traditional Balinese design with a twist and a shake, with bold colours and modern contours adding a fantastical edge to the island’s mythical spirit. There’s privacy when you need it, and plenty of opportunities for mingling and flirting when the sun drops; a daily spectacle best enjoyed from one of the plump beachfront bean bags with a cocktail in hand.

Dine al fresco and sample Bali’s wealth of fish and seafood at Starfish Bloo; indulge in flame-grilled prime meats and seafood from the show-kitchen at FIRE; or sample artisan cheeses and charcuterie at ICE. After the sun has set, WooBar and the W Lounge thrill guests and Bali’s most fashionable souls with a seductive mixture of high design, electric atmosphere and some of the world’s top DJs.

If you prefer your holidays to be all about you, AWAY Spa immerses guest in a world of sensory indulgence, with three spa menus and a collection of rare and exotic Balinese treatments. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beach bum, a gourmand or a spa connoisseur, W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak promises to tantalise and delight all those who choose to call it home.

BALI TRADITION W STYLE

Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali, 80361, Indonesia

T: +62 361 4738106E: [email protected]

www.whotels.com/baliseminyak

CONTACT


W Bali_Final.indd 1 8/26/12 6:37 PM

EVEN in the magical world of Bali, there are some places that defy expectations. When you’re a guest at W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, you’re transported into a land where traditional Balinese culture and traditions meet ultra-contemporary design and technology. The somewhat surreal haven, created by some of the world’s top architects and designers, is the jewel in the crown that is Seminyak; Bali’s exclusive West Coast beach resort where the island’s trendiest boutiques, hottest galleries and liveliest nightspots congregate.

Home to 158 Retreats & Suites and 79 Villa Retreats, W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak is a collection of unique spaces that incorporate traditional Balinese design with a twist and a shake, with bold colours and modern contours adding a fantastical edge to the island’s mythical spirit. There’s privacy when you need it, and plenty of opportunities for mingling and flirting when the sun drops; a daily spectacle best enjoyed from one of the plump beachfront bean bags with a cocktail in hand.

Dine al fresco and sample Bali’s wealth of fish and seafood at Starfish Bloo; indulge in flame-grilled prime meats and seafood from the show-kitchen at FIRE; or sample artisan cheeses and charcuterie at ICE. After the sun has set, WooBar and the W Lounge thrill guests and Bali’s most fashionable souls with a seductive mixture of high design, electric atmosphere and some of the world’s top DJs.

If you prefer your holidays to be all about you, AWAY Spa immerses guest in a world of sensory indulgence, with three spa menus and a collection of rare and exotic Balinese treatments. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beach bum, a gourmand or a spa connoisseur, W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak promises to tantalise and delight all those who choose to call it home.

BALI TRADITION W STYLE

Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali, 80361, Indonesia

T: +62 361 4738106E: [email protected]

www.whotels.com/baliseminyak

CONTACT


W Bali_Final.indd 1 8/26/12 6:37 PM

French restaurateur and chef

The name Albert Roux is, to the culinary world, what Muhammad Ali is to boxing – no less than legendary. Owner of Le Gavroche, the first British

restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars, and voted, along with his brother Michel, most influential chef in the country by the UK’s Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine in 2003, Albert Roux is the godfather of Britain’s culinary empire. Among the young chefs who have cut their teeth in his kitchen are Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing, Marco Pierre White and Pierre Ko�mann, to name a few. All talk highly of the experience and knowledge gained in Roux’s kitchens.

Today, Albert Roux collaborates with his son Michel Roux Jr at the magnificent Roux at The Landau at The Langham London, and manages a number of restaurants through his company Roux Consultancy. This month he will appear at the 11-day Langham Food and Wine Festival in Hong Kong, which takes place from September 13-23. www.langhamfoodandwine.com

ParisOne of my favourite places is Paris, especially in the spring, when it is so beautiful. I would conclude my day with a fantastic dinner a La Tour d’Argent, overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral, but only in the charming company of my wife.

BaliI love the interior landscape of Bali; the mountains, not by the seaside. Spending time in the temples, eating delicious fresh fruit and meditating is my idea of a perfect day in Bali.

ALBERT ROUX, OBE

AdelaideI love Adelaide. It is very tranquil and the countryside, dotted with vineyards and beautiful farms, is wonderful. The charming attitude of the Australian people makes it a place I love to go back to again and again.

“In Hong Kong you can get hand-made

shirts measured and delivered within 48 hours, and I love all those little stalls in

the market”

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Broome Broome, in Australia, is the most charming little village in the Northern Territory. The village is well-known for the production of pearls, and for the 100 kilometres of white beach and coral reef, where there are still aboriginals living the way they have done for centuries.

Album


Hong KongI must include Hong Kong for its diversity, the exhilaration of the tempo, and the broad range of cuisine you can find. You can get hand-made shirts measured and delivered within 48 hours, and I love all those little stalls in the market and the people who live there.

Picture perfect Hotel Caruso Belvedere’s infinity

pool overlooks the breathtaking vistas of the Amalfi Coast

Album

Cape TownThe Cape Peninsula in South Africa is a great destination because of the diversity of all the di�erent people living happily together. I also love the wines that they are producing today, even though I think they drink it too young.

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Marbella Club Hotel


Fly into Malaga, or take the four-hour high-speed train from Madrid. It is then a half-hour drive west to the

Marbella area, a year-round destination popular with Middle East residents (there are no fewer than seven Saudi palaces in Marbella alone) and Europeans. For tradition and up-to-date style, nothing beats the Marbella Club Hotel, originally a farmhouse that was bought in 1947 by Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg for his father, Max. It became a staging post for Prince Alfonso’s high-society friends on their way to Morocco, and since then every crowned and might-have-been-crowned head of Europe has stayed there. The hotel now has 121 rooms, lovingly looked after by 400 employees. It can o�er everything, from an immediate-vicinity beach and promenade to tennis, swimming, people-watching and, as of this year, nearby skiing overnight at El Lodge, the 20-room Sierra Nevada private lodge of the King of Spain that the Marbella Club manages. A Marco Polo Suite, perhaps 310, is closest to the beach. Lie in your four-post bed and look across the subtly-designed room and its terrace to the blue Mediterranean a few yards away. You need to book ahead for a prized table at The Grill, where you might see Count Rudi von Schonburg, long-time friend of Prince Alfonso and ongoing hotel ambassador with a wealth of stories to share. The GM is would-be French aviator Franck Sibille.www.marbellaclub.com

For families, follow parents who know their children are happiest at the soft-pink Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona, run by German GM Rudiger Hollweg, who wanted to be a doctor. Now he administers happiness over a sprawling

147-room resort that looks like a Moroccan castle, with myriad private terraces (the one attached to room 806, a Levante Suite, is large enough to play table tennis on in style). There are games everywhere, inside and out, and a kids’ club plus several unusually-shaped swimming pools. For adults there are interesting artworks, serious hardback books and a spa with Ligne St Barth and hot candle massages. The beach is also recommended for all ages, and head a few yards further to the hotel’s 3,000 sq m vegetable garden, which produces nearly all the avocados and tomatoes required in the cheerful, casual dining outlets.www.kempinski.com/estepona

For golf enthusiasts and those who want to be kids-free, head a further 20 minutes inland up to Finca Cortesin Hotel, Spa and Golf resort in Casares. The 220-acre estate holds a sprawling all-white colonial house with a mere 67 rooms. Honeymooning couples might like #42, a second-floor room with a totally private terrace that holds a 24 sq m private plunge pool. Head o� to the course, designed by Cabell Robinson, with more than 100 bunkers, or stay at the resort and visit the massive spa, with its snow-room, Biologique Recherché and Carita products. There is an Olympic-size indoor pool, and an outside one that is twice as long. The signature restaurant, Shilo, with an open kitchen to watch the action, is run by famed Dutch culinarian Schilo van Coevorden, who also oversees food at the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. In the summer months, Madrid-based, Sicilian-born chef Andrea Tumbarello moves his Italian concept Don Giovanni to Finca Cortesin. Be prepared, by the way, to coincide with top car launches. The hotel’s Swiss GM is René Zimmer.www.fincacortesin.com

Mary Gostelow

Luxury travel expert

MA

RBE

LLA

Connoisseur An insider’s guide to the most luxurious hotels in the world

Finca Cortesin

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