Madrid Spend It

00 CoverFINAL.indd 2 CoverFINAL.indd 00 30/01/2012 17:27 30/01/2012

Gulf Craft’s Erwin Bamps Erwin Craft’s Gulf Hot ticket to Hamburg to ticket Hot Resort Desert Sarab Al Qasr

INTERVIEW CONNOISSEUR DREAMS SUITE

World Design Capital 2012 Capital Design World

Helsinki takes centre stage as it becomes becomes it as stage centre takes Helsinki EXPOSURE

NORTHERN

Valentine’s Day getaways Day Valentine’s

IT SPEND

Home of tapas and ﬂamenco and tapas of Home

24 HOURS: MADRID HOURS: 24

Safaris without the crowds the without Safaris

UGANDA UNTAMED UGANDA

Designer living in Kuwait in living Designer

STYLE CENTRAL STYLE February 2012 February

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ContentsFebruary 2012

On the cover 38 Helsinki creative The World Design Capital of 2012 celebrates the best creative talents from across Finland, says Andy Round

46 Style in Kuwait Designer stores, fashionable coffee shops and a very colourful hotel make Kuwait a great weekend escape, says Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey

54 Uganda safari Joe Mortimer goes off the beaten track in search of an authentic safari experience without the crowds in Murchison Falls National Park

61 Madrid: 24 Hours If time is short in Madrid, dedicate as much as you can to tapas and C

flamenco, says Nicci Perides M

CMY

46 Bold and beautiful Kuwait makes an ideal escape for shopping, spas and indulgence

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CMY

K cornucopia ilan_ocak2012.indd 1 1/18/12 4:58 PM ContentsFebruary 2012

In the news 18 Retrospective Shanghai welcomes in the Year of the Dragon 34

20 Europe Questions remain in wake of Costa Concordia disaster

22 Middle East & Africa Beach club set to open on ‘The World’

26 Asia & Oceania Maldives escapes costly spa ban

30 Americas Luxury is all in the (personalised) details

34 Debut Hot hotels, chic boutiques and exclusive new resorts

36 Interview Gulf Craft COO Erwin Bamps on pirates and possessions 36

62 Insider 62 Diary Out and about this month? Don’t miss these events

64 Spend it Romantic breaks and intimate offers for Valentine’s Day

70 Suite dreams Believe your eyes at Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort

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

74 Trends New travel and tourism concepts making headlines

78 Connoisseur Mary Gostelow picks three classic hotels in Hamburg

80 Album Amy McDonald, founder, Under A Tree spa consultancy

82 Final Word Hatem Chatter, The Leading Hotels of the World

dotwnews.com February 2012 13

10-13 Contentscc.indd 13 30/01/2012 17:31 Letter from the Editor

When a Whole city comes together Splitting her time between the stylish walls of the hotel missoni to celebrate a special occasion, the results are often Kuwait, the city’s designer malls and more than one choco-cafe, spectacular, and the chinese new year celebrations Ulrike found a destination where the absence of bars doesn’t in Hong Kong last month were certainly no excep- mean there is no fun to be had. Read her story on page 46. tion. Chinese New Year is celebrated all across the Last November I had the pleasure of being one of the passengers world each year with parades, decorations, and the aboard Qatar airways’ inaugural flight from Doha to Entebbe in exchange of gold or red ‘Lai See’ envelopes with a Uganda. There I spent an amazing week bumping along narrow small amount of money inside, but I was far more dusty roads in Uganda’s little-visited murchison Falls national interested in displays of the combustible kind. Park, where a handful of luxury safari lodges provide a tranquil The annual festivities in hong Kong are ranked base for some of the most unspoiled wildlife viewing in Africa. among the best in the world, with three days of public Whether you’re watching hippos wallow on the banks of the holidays that include a colourful parade of floats and nile with a cocktail in hand, or knee-deep in swamp looking for dancers and one of the best fireworks displays in the one of the country’s 10 (now 11) white rhino, Uganda is a laid- world. This year, I was at the heart of the action along back and intimate place to visit, one that I hope to revisit soon. with half a million others who turned up to watch the Read more about the journey on page 54. fireworks on January 24. Despite the unusually cold Back in Hong Kong, the city is preparing for the third day of weather, hundreds of thousands of people lined both festivities and joining hands once more as we go to press. I’ll sides of Victoria Harbour to watch the spellbinding shortly be toasting the year ahead at Sha Tin Racecourse for the 23-minute display, set to the photogenic backdrop of prestigious Chinese New Year Race Day. I haven’t checked the Hong Kong’s Central District (or Kowloon, depending papers yet, but the odds are, the Year of the Dragon is going to on which side of the harbour they were on). be a good one. Kung hei Fat choi – Happy Chinese New Year – The insipid drizzle dampened neither the fireworks from all of us at Destinations of the World News. nor the spirits, as most of Hong Kong turned out to join in the celebrations to herald the arrival of the year of the Dragon – an auspicious year according to the Chinese zodiac calendar – and the festivities continue as I pen this missive. Earlier in the month, helsinki had its own reasons Joe Mortimer to celebrate as it entered 2012, the year in which it Editor adopts the accolade of World Design capital. The [email protected] Finnish capital has a long relationship with all things cool (literally and figuratively) and this is the year in which it is given the recognition it deserves. Our man in Europe Andy Round set off to get the lowdown on what the year has in store for visitors, and spoke to some of the leading lights in Helsinki’s booming design scene. The celebrations are a city- wide effort, as galleries, boutiques, restaurants and even hotels ramp up their attempts to make 2012 the most creative year yet for the city (page 38). If Helsinki has joined imaginary hands to celebrate design, Kuwait city, it seems, has given a collective nod to all things indulgent. Keen to dispel the Kung hei fat choi myth that all middle eastern cities except Dubai are The Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year business hubs and little more, Ulrike Lemin-Woolfrey Parade welcomes travelled to the tiny city-state of Kuwait for a girls’ in the Year of the weekend away. Dragon in Hong Kong

14 February 2012 dotwnews.com

14 Editors Letter.indd 14 30/01/2012 17:31 opening march 2012

Classic elegance in historic Kyiv

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers our guests an extraordinary collection of iconic luxury properties around the world, including The Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai. This tradition of unrivalled hospitality continues with our first property in Eastern Europe: Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, Ukraine, opening in 2012. Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv is located in the heart of the capital city’s historic Podil district—a vibrant hub of industry, science, education and culture that offers a compelling blend of old and new. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, guests will be treated to magnificent amenities, exquisite cuisine and indulgent spa treatments—all adding up to a supremely comfortable stay that will not soon be forgotten. For more information, visit fairmont.com/kyiv

00 Cover.indd 20 31/01/2012 15:05 Contributors

February 2012, Issue 68

Publisher Anna Zhukov [email protected] Senior Editor Andy Round Joe Mortimer [email protected] Joe Mortimer has been addicted to travel since he Editor Joe Mortimer got lost on the top of a volcano at the age of six. He [email protected] didn’t know it at the time, but those few solitary Deputy Editor Caitlin Cheadle minutes spent wandering around the crater were [email protected] to ignite a fiery fondness for travel that has plagued Online Editor Nicci Perides [email protected] him ever since. He recently found himself tracking Sales Manager Karla Toledo Uganda’s white rhino through a wildlife reserve [email protected] at dusk in the company of three heavily armed Assistant Sales Manager Andrea Tsiachtsiri rangers, before setting out to explore the pristine [email protected] Murchison Falls National Park. Read all about his Art Director Kris Karacinski visit to the Pearl of Africa on page 54. [email protected] Advertising Art Director Fami Bakkar [email protected] Multimedia Executive Vandita Gaurang Andy Round [email protected] Andy Round wWWAndy Round works between United Kingdom Sales Representative the Middle East and Europe and somehow finds David Hammond the time to look after three beautiful young children [email protected] as well as writing for a number of international Circulation department [email protected] publications. He has worked as the editor of a daily Cover image newspaper in Malta, run a portfolio of magazines Harri Tahvanainen - Getty in Dubai and got lost looking for gorillas in Rwanda. More close to home, Andy recently set off to explore the Finnish capital Helsinki, where he found out exactly why it was named the World Design Capital 2012. Read his story on page 38.

Nicci Perides Nicci Perides has worked for several travel titles in the International Commercial Representations UK and has often found herself in sticky situations, all Destinations of the World News’ network of international advertising sales and editorial representatives are based in in the name of journalism: hiking a live volcano spew- the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, ing lava in the dark in Guatemala, or being chased by Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, elephants in Burkino Faso while camping. She has United Kingdom, United States of America. Destinations of the World News is published monthly by WNN Limited and now swapped her tent for five-star hotels and joined distributed globally to the world’s premier airport lounges, our DOTWNews.com to explore the more luxurious side of subscriber network and a select number of five-star hotels in the UAE. The title Destinations of the World News is a travel. Last month, Nicci went to Madrid, where she ate registered trademark and the publisher reserves all rights. All material in Destinations of the World News is compiled her way through some of the city’s favourite tapas bars from sources believed to be reliable and articles reflect the personal opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the and immersed herself in the world of Flamenco. Read publisher. Destinations of the World News is not responsible for omissions or errors that result from misrepresentation of her top tips on page 61. 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, Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey is a Dubai-based freelance prior permission of WNN Limited. Principal Offices WNN Limited, Reuters Building 1, Office writer with more than 1,000 articles and features 106, Dubai Media City, PO Box 500661, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 3910680 Fax +971 4 3910688 WNN limited, published in nearly 100 magazines and newspa- 31 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, PO Box 51234, pers internationally, plus contributions to tourism zip 3503, Limassol, Cyprus To subscribe to Destinations of the World News at books about Qatar, Oman and the UAE to her credit. an annual rate of $99 visit the website at Originally from Germany, she is a self-confessed www.dotwnews.com and hit SUBSCRIBE. Images used in Destinations of the World News are provided travelholic, having lived in five countries so far, and by Gallo Images/Getty Images/Corbis/iStockphoto/ Photolibrary unless stated otherwise. visited nearly 60. She recently explored Kuwait and DOTW News is printed by J G Cassoulides & Sons Ltd, wrote about her fashionista’s weekend away for Nicosia, Cyprus and Al Nisr Publishing, Dubai, UAE Destinations of the World News (page 46). You can Published by read more of Ulrike’s work at www.ulwoolfrey.com.

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February 2012, Issue 68

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16 Contributors.indd 16 30/01/2012 17:33 MontBlancLegend_ADV_143_235x335.indd 1 25/05/11 12:15 Retrospective

pectators equipped with smartphones and warm clothes visit a Chinese New Year lantern festival in Shanghai to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the SDragon. January 23 marked the beginning of three days of public holidays in China and Hong Kong to celebrate the new lunar year, during which festivities took place across the Far East. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac, a mythical creature with special significance. The dragon represents power and prosperity, and is believed to bring wealth and happiness to all. As well as parades and fireworks, people across the region observe different traditions to promote good luck. In Hong Kong, people write their New Year’s wishes on a piece of paper attached to an orange, which they throw into the branches of a banyan tree. If the orange gets stuck in the tree, the wishes are said to come true – the higher the orange goes, the more potent the wish will be.

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18-19 RetrospectiveFINAL.indd 18 30/01/2012 17:23 18-19 RetrospectiveFINAL.indd 19 30/01/2012 17:23 Europe News 02.12 News

Mary says... New hotel frenzy in Turkey The latest in luxury travel Countries across Europe “The multi-faceted region International hotel chains have seen large numbers of is showing up as one of the including Marriott, Wynd- new hotels open up in the last world’s fastest growing travel ham, Hilton and Radisson two years, despite the prevail- and tourism hotspots, with all have properties under con- When planning a trip to Siem Reap for ing economic doldrums in the sector driving the growth struction in Turkey that are the amazing temples of Angkor, build a the region. of many economies, including due to open in the next three dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak into the Less outspoken than its Turkey,” said Jonathan Wors- years, and others, including itinerary. French couple Joannès Rivière northern neighbours, Tur- ley, chairman of Bench Events Shangri-La, are expected to and Carole Salmon go daily to market to key has just as much to shout and co-organiser of Central announce new projects in produce daily specials like slices of water about, with around 1,000 Asia & Turkey Hotel Invest- the near future. lily with grilled frog (start with a pomelo new properties set to open ment Conference (CATHIC). Dubai-based Jumeirah and fresh ginger martini). by 2015, creating a total of Although a substantial por- Hotels and Resorts also made www.cuisinewatdamnak.com 120,000 new rooms in the tion of Turkey’s new hotels its Turkish debut recently popular destintion. will fall into the mid-range when it took over manage- Cameron Silver opened his vintage The positive growth in Tur- and limited service catego- ment of the historic Pera Pal- Decades boutique on Beverly Hills’ key is also spreading east into ries, a number of interna- ace hotel in Istanbul. Melrose Avenue in 1997. Since then Costa Concordia: the blame game Central Asia, where many tional luxury hotel groups CATHIC will take place his influence has led many celebrities countries are investing heav- are making major inroads in from February 6-8 at Ceylan to forgo grunge, in private, for the thrill Modern science and technology that were not marked on his map given until an hour after the acci- ily in hotels and hospitality. the country. Intercontinental in Istanbul. of looking dressed up at all times. Now enabled investigators to quickly of the area. Schettino claims the dent occurred. Decade has expanded into trunk shows learn what caused the sinking of the salute was not only a common Video footage taken by passen- of nearly-new designer labels like Lou- Costa Concordia, in which at least occurrence on sailings from Civi- gers onboard shows Costa staff boutin, Hermès and Manolo. The ven- 17 people lost their lives, but many tavecchia, from where the ship had telling passengers to remain calm ture has already held private viewings in questions remain about the events departed just two hours prior to the and return to their cabins. A voice many key US cities. Now Singapore and that led up to the disaster and the catastrophe, but that owning com- recording of a heated conversation the Middle East are planned. conduct of the ship’s captain during pany Costa Crociere had ordered it. between Italian coastguards and www.decadestwo1.com the evacuation process. Despite the presence of a ‘black Chicago is known for many things, box’ recorder and several eyewit- “Like the Titanic disaster including its fine buildings; it is now ness accounts, no one is quite sure getting acclaim for its Chicago Film what led Concordia captain Franc- of 1912, the extent to which Tours. Local film enthusiast John Brink- seco Schettino to steer the ship dan- man offers two-hour luxury bus tours to gerously close to the rocks of Giglio human error was to blame show off over 30 sites where more than Island – which tore a vast hole in the for the accident is now being 80 films were shot. You see locations for ship’s hull – nor of his actions follow- The Blues Brothers, North by Northwest, ing the collision. carefully investigated” The Sting and many more. Like the Titanic disaster of 1912, in www.chicagofilmtour.com which 1,517 people lost their lives, the extent to which human error Costa Crociere CEO Pier Luigi Fos- Schettino places the captain in a For the ideal gift for those who have was to blame for the accident and the chi denied claims that the salute was lifeboat while the rescue operation everything already, think architect and subsequent loss of life is now being authorised by the company, accusing was in full swing, while a member of designer Ben Pentreath. He crafted carefully investigated. But while the Schettino of acting recklessly and the coastguard ordered him to board many of the fine interiors at Lime Wood, finger was pointed at numerous peo- endangering the lives of passengers. the ship to oversee the evacuation of the instant-success luxury country ple in the 20th century catastrophe, But it is the events immediately other passengers. house hotel in England’s New Forest the blame this time seems to lay after the impact that have raised Captain Schettino was being held (limewood.co.uk). His London boutique entirely with the captain. more questions. Following the col- under house arrest at the time of offers antiques, rare books and such It is now generally believed that lision, Schettino apparently ordered press, pending charges of man- unique items as handcrafted wood trays Yoo inspired by Stark With a stylish history of architecture and design that dates back for centuries, it’s bearing historic maps of London. the captain steered the Concordia an officer to inform the coastguard slaughter, causing a shipwreck and no wonder that Moscow is home to the latest addition to the “yoo inspired by Starck” collection of luxury towards the island in order to per- that the ship had suffered a blackout abandoning ship before all of its apartment buildings. Barkli Park’s 130 neo-baroque style apartments have been designed and fitted out by www.benpentreath.com form a “salute” to a retired captain and was not in any major peril, and passengers had been rescued and French designer Philippe Starck, and are expected to lease for US$2,700 per square foot. The building is the who lived there, and struck rocks the order to abandon ship was not accounted for. 38th member of the “yoo inspired by Starck” collection. www.yoo.com Mary Gostelow

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20-21 Euro Newscc.indd 20 30/01/2012 17:22 20-21 Euro Newscc.indd 21 30/01/2012 17:21 Europe News

Chicago is known for many things, including its fine buildings; it is now getting acclaim for its Chicago Film Tours. Local film enthusiast John Brink- man offers two-hour luxury bus tours to show off over 30 sites where more than 80 films were shot. You see locations for The Blues Brothers, North by Northwest, The Sting and many more. www.chicagofilmtour.com

For the ideal gift for those who have everything already, think architect and designer Ben Pentreath. He crafted many of the fine interiors at Lime Wood, the instant-success luxury country house hotel in England’s New Forest (limewood.co.uk). His London boutique offers antiques, rare books and such unique items as handcrafted wood trays Yoo inspired by Stark With a stylish history of architecture and design that dates back for centuries, it’s bearing historic maps of London. no wonder that Moscow is home to the latest addition to the “yoo inspired by Starck” collection of luxury apartment buildings. Barkli Park’s 130 neo-baroque style apartments have been designed and fitted out by www.benpentreath.com French designer Philippe Starck, and are expected to lease for US$2,700 per square foot. The building is the 38th member of the “yoo inspired by Starck” collection. www.yoo.com Mary Gostelow

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20-21 Euro Newscc.indd 21 30/01/2012 17:21 News Middle East & Africa

I am hoping that all those who watched a middle-aged person jumping down the bridge and coming back up smiling will be encouraged not just to jump but also to come and visit Zambia. Zambia’s Tourism Minister Given Lubinda volunteers to bungee-jump with 22-year-old Erin Langworthy, who survived a headlong plunge into the crocodile infested Zambezi River after her cord snapped.

People in this country are very receptive towards this kind of luxury. Redizor Hotel Group CEO Kurt Ritter One to watch: Yas Island on plans to open Missoni Hotel Doha in 2015. The hotel will be the third Middle Eastern property from Just two years after it first opened to the public, race weekend, when race teams and VIPs fill every the Italian design house, following Yas Island, the luxury leisure and lifestyle develop- room of the hotel, but a more discreet and stylish hotels in Kuwait and Oman. ment in Abu Dhabi, is going through something of venue during the rest of the year, with 12 restau- a revival as new management at the luxurious Yas rants, bars and lounges, 499 rooms and suites, and Marina and neighbouring Yas Viceroy Hotel inject an ESPA spa. You can definitely new life into the destination. Other attractions on the island, which is 20 Marina specialists Camper & Nicholsons took minutes from Abu Dhabi, include Yas Links Golf see Abu Dhabi over management of Yas Marina last year, and Club, home to a 36-hole championship course; Fer- evolve every time immediately set about repositioning the marina rari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor not only as an exclusive facility for boat owners, theme park; Yas Arena, home to a number of inter- you come back, but as a destination in its own right. national musical acts; C Club Beach Club and Yas with places like Yas Marina is quickly Yas Island and emerging as a popular “Other attractions on the island nightspot for the UAE’s well- Saadiyat. [I] first heeled and international include Yas Links Golf Club, Ferrari played Saadiyat visitors, with fine dining at World Abu Dhabi, Yas Arena and Cipriani and Yotto, casual a couple of years dining at Stars ‘n’ Bars, and Yas Marina Circuit” ago and was very the island’s hottest nightlife impressed with it. at Allure Night Club by Cipriani on the floor above, Marina Circuit, which hosts year-round racing and World-number-three golfer Rory all of which offer guests panoramic views across driving experiences. McIlroy sings Abu Dhabi’s praises the marina towards the iconic Yas Viceroy Hotel. Yas Marina recently teamed up with Dubai- at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf But the main draw is the marina itself – home to based seaplane operator Seawings to offer flights Championship, which started on a growing number of superyachts and other luxury from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, landing at Yas Marina. January 26. vessels, where berths start from just US$4,480 per As well as providing a fast way of getting from year, including a spot at the 2012 Formula 1 Etihad one end of the UAE to the other, the 40-minute Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. sightseeing tour also gives passengers aerial views The adjacent Yas Viceroy Hotel, which was of Dubai Creek, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa (the taken over by Viceroy Hotel Group last year, is a word’s tallest building), Palm Jumeirah, The hive of activity during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix World islands and all the attractions of Yas Island.

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News Middle East & Africa

Qatar opens Heathrow lounge Qatar Airways will open a new premium lounge for its first and business class passengers at London’s Heathrow airport – the first premium QR terminal outside the airline’s hub in Doha. The lounge will feature a theatre-style brasse- rie, a delicatessen, martini bar, plus private shower and changing facilities complete with heated floors, hotel-standard fluffy towels and robes with luxury amenities. The lounge will open from March 25.

No booze at The Pearl

The State of Qatar has Race Ocean Volvo Bow/ Marc Photo: banned the sale of alcohol Yachts taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race are unloaded in Abu Dhabi after a five-day journey from the Maldives. Race at restaurants and bars organisers decided to ship the yachts to and from the UAE in order to avoid the threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean, where in its trendy new luxury recent attacks have made the waters around Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula dangerous for crews. All of the yachts lifestyle development, The were returned to the Maldives for the third leg of the around-the-world-race to Sanya in China. www.volvooceanrace.com Pearl. The 400-hectare arti- ficial island is home to restaurants, retail outlets and Where in ‘The World’ is Lebanon? residential buildings, and is fast becoming a popular destination for tourists and locals for its fine dining options and boutique shopping. But high-end venues operated by international celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Rich- ard Sandoval say the ban has seen business drop by more than 50 percent, as diners opt for restaurants in luxury hotels in Doha, Legend reborn where the sale of alcohol is The hotel has stood on the still permitted. banks of the Nile since 1899

The rain in Africa Thirty-two tourists had to be rescued from South Africa’s Kru- The first project in Dubai’s ambitious The World is believed to have cost Nakheel recently launched a new ger National Park after ‘The World’ development will soon developer Nakheel around AED 51.4 cruise service, enabling visitors to torrential rain caused open its doors on the ‘island of Leba- billion (US$14 billion) to construct, get up close and personal with some severe flooding. Safari non’ after years of delays. but delays and economic conditions of the company’s biggest projects, camps were flooded and World Island Beach Club, owned meant that only a handful of the 300 including The World, Palm Jumeirah cars washed away by by Indian entrepreneur Wakil Ahmed islands have been developed to date. and Palm Jebel Ali. One-hour tours Azmi, promises exclusive member- Work is also underway on the on a fleet of boats, ranging from a rising waters, and sev- ship packages for yacht owners ‘Heart of Europe’, a six-island project 38-foot motorboat to an 80-foot eral roads and bridges and beachfront cabanas that can be currently being developed by the houseboat with a capacity of 30 pas- were badly damaged. rented out for the day. Kleindienst Group. sengers, start from US$272 per boat.

24 February 2012 dotwnews.com

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News Asia & Oceania

Double your pleasure Singapore Airlines has introduced double beds in first class cabins on its new Airbus A380s. Double beds, free-flowing drinks and private suites – what could possibly happen?

The falling price of luxury Good news if you’re planning a hotel stay in Shanghai or Tokyo ths year. The Hotel Price Index (HPI) – which is based on bookings made open for business through travel website The Maldives is home to some of the hotels.com and tracks the most luxurious spas in the world real prices paid per hotel Maldives Resorts, Anantara Photo: room rather than advertised rates – has revealed that the average room prices of four- Maldives hotels escape spa ban and five-star luxury hotels in the first half of 2011 dropped by 19 percent in Shanghai, ResoRts in the Maldives let of Islamic principals. But the decision to come to a decision,” President while Tokyo’s room rates out a collective sigh of relief last was reversed in early January, pending Nasheed told reporters. for four- and five-star hotels month, after an order to close a Supreme Court decision on whether The government came under dropped by 17 percent. down all spas in the island archi- spa operations and the sale of pork fire from the Maldives Association pelago was reversed. and alcohol products are legal under of Tourism Industry (MATI) and President Mohammed Nasheed Islamic law. the minority opposition party Dhi- More boutique ordered all spas and massage par- The ban was overturned “because vehi Qaumee Party (DQP), both of hotel apartments lours closed following pressure from the government does not want the which claim a spa ban would cause in Hong Kong opposition parties claiming they are economy to suffer any damage dur- “irreparable damage” to the Mal- fronts for brothels and in violation ing the time Supreme Court takes dives’ tourism industry. After successful boutique apartment development projects The Putman and Le Rivage, National Proper- Hedge fund guru brings you luxe golf ties Holdings has opened a third newly-built luxury RetiRed hedge fund legend Julian eight-night tour of the New Zealand boutique apartment com- Robertson, who founded one of the golf resorts Robertson and his family plex, The Jervois, in collabo- world’s fist hedge funds, Tiger Man- have been developing since 2000. ration with French designer agement Corp, has turned his atten- Apart from award-winning golf Christian Liaigre. tion to sharing his love of New Zea- courses and accommodation, guests Located in the upscale land with the launch of an exclusive staying at The Lodge, Cape Kidnap- Sheung Wan district, The golf holiday package that showcases pers and Matakauri Lodge will enjoy Jervois offers 49 one- and his exquisite luxury lodges. sailing, horseback riding, and art two-bedroom suites, each Roberston and his family have and winery tours. The family’s heli- with its own private lift lobby. opened award-winning proper- copter is used to chauffeur guests to The top five penthouse floors ties including the Kauri Cliffs and from Auckland International consist of two-bedroom Golf Club in the Bay of Islands, Airport and to provide tours of the units with views of Victoria Cape Kidnappers Golf Club in breathtaking landscape. Harbour. Designed to make the wine region outside Napier, Robertson started Tiger Manage- guests and residents feel and most recently the Matakauri ment Corp in 1980, with US $8 mil- truly at home, they’ll have Lodge in Queenstown. lion in capital. By 1998, its holdings access to 24-hour concierge Robertson will soon launch an had climbed to US$22 billion. After service, daily housekeeping, incredible holiday package for cou- retiring in 2000, Robertson and his complimentary gym use and ples looking to mix golf and leisure family, who first visited and fell in Kauri Cliffs an open sundeck with barbe- in beautiful surroundings. The Tiger love with New Zealand in 1978, The Tiger Tour takes guests around New Zealand’s finest golf courses cue facilities on the rooftop. Tour is a super luxurious nine-day/ began developing the group of resorts.

26 February 2012 dotwnews.com

26-28 Asia News.indd 26 30/01/2012 17:19 @Banyan tree bali.pdf 1 12/28/11 4:59 PM

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Ads.indd 4 28/12/2011 17:08 News Asia & Oceania

We have to leave this matter to the government to handle. Sansern Ngairungsi, deputy governor, Asia and South Pacific Market of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, on the recent severe terrorism threat alert for Bangkok issued by the US.

Miranda Kerr is one of the most photographed and recognised people in the world. [She] will make an outstanding con- tribution to the Art for thought Chinese sculpture artist Chen Wenling ponders his work ‘Childhood-Horizon’ at Art Stage Singapore 2012, an international contemporary art fair held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention and Exhibition airline, the brand Centre last month. The four-day event is a major showcase of modern Asian artwork and draws buyers, artists, and its global curators and art aficionados from all over the world. Over 100 galleries held exhibitions during this year’s event, which is an effort to celebrate Singapore’s position as a cultural hub and to bridge the gap between the art reputation for scenes of the east and west. premium service and excellence. Golf with a view in Niseko Qantas Airlines’ CEO Alan Joyce comments on the decision to Japan’s ski capital of Niseko is nations, popular with locals and appoint Australian supermodel hoping to reposition itself as a international visitors, and home Miranda Kerr as Ambassador. summer destination by attract- to some of the country’s top ing golf fans from around the ski lodges. But during the sum- world, with a collection of 2012 mer months, the resort town is summer packages under the new transformed – its parks and open For the first time banner of Yotei Golf. spaces pop with seasonal flowers in the telecom Seven Niseko golf courses, like tulips and cherry blossoms, industry of not including the Arnold Palmer- and visitors enjoy outdoor activi- designed Niseko Fukui course, ties in the fresh mountain air. only Azerbaijan, its sister course Niseko Village, In addition to golf, the western but of the CIS and the world-class Hanozono, Hokkaido region is popular for have joined forces to lure golfers white water rafting, sea kayaking, region as well, we to Hokkaido, the northernmost mountain biking, cycling, onsen will provide our of Japan’s four islands, which is mineral spring baths and hiking. customers with home to 170 golf courses. Visit www.yoteigolf.com to ‘Yotei’ comes from Mount check out the golf packages the unique oppor- Yotei, Hokkaido’s magnificent available, which include the very tunity of staying volcano (pictured), which resem- tempting offer of seven nights connected even ble’s Mount Fuji near Tokyo. accommodation, five rounds of There’s little chance of an erup- golf, airport transfer and car for in the air. tion spoiling your game – the last hire for just US$1,100 (based Jurgen Peetz, CEO of one occurred more than 3,000 on four people sharing). Special Azerfon, on Azerbaijan years ago. packages will be available from Airlines’ new inflight In the winter season, Niseko is the end of May – the beginning communications. one of Japan’s premium ski desti- of Niseko’s golf season.

28 February 2012 dotwnews.com

26-28 Asia News.indd 28 30/01/2012 17:19 @DOTW advert full page (MALDIVES).pdf 1 12/28/11 6:40 PM

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Luxury: it’s all in the (personalised) details

As if the freebie amenities in luxury hotels weren’t good enough already, there is a growing trend of high-end hotels partnering with top of the line beauty companies to produce some very unique products for guests. W Hotels partnered with Bliss spa line in 2004, sparking the trend. Now, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has partnered with NYC-based fragrance line Le Labo to create a customised in-room amenity line; Hilton Hotels has partnered with Peter Thomas Roth to develop a line for the brand, and Mondrian is offering guests Malin & Goetz products. Marriott has partnered with Bath & Body Works to create a special range of orange-ginger products, and Hyatt has teamed up with eco-friendly line Portico. The mutually beneficial partnerships have proven a successful way to attract new clientele to the beauty brands (Bliss saw a sharp increase in male buyers after launching their W Hotel amenities), and give the hotel brand an air of sophistication that resonates with guests during their stay. Always coming up with innovative new ways to better guests’ experience, Toronto-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has also recently introduced resi- dent hotel dogs that guests can sign up to walk, as well as customised menus for travellers with specific food requirements. Fairmont’s special menus, called Lifestyle Cuisine Plus, are developed using local ingredients by chefs at each of Fairmont’s 64 hotels worldwide. Options include dishes for guests with celiac disease (gluten intolerance), diabetes, heart disease, macrobiotic, raw and vegan diets. Dishes are also conscious of calories and fat for those on weight-loss diets.

the month in numbers 3,337 Us$1,900 Us$1,074,701,287 The number of hotel rooms opened in Canada in 2011. The price of the most affordable cabin on a Western Rumoured cost of the world’s biggest superyacht, The majority were in the upper midscale category, fol- Caribbean cruise departing from Florida in August Eclipse (164 metres), owned by Russian billionaire lowed by the upscale category. In 2012 a total of 6,206 2012, themed around American reality TV star Kate Roman Abramovich. The second biggest is Dubai, hotel rooms are expected to open across Canada, a Gosselin, star of the series Jon and Kate Plus 8. owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, rapidly-growing luxury holiday destination. Worth every penny, we’re sure. which measures 162 m and cost $300 million.

30 February 2012 dotwnews.com

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City Helsinki

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Where the girls are The Georgian Court Hotel in downtown Vancouver, a member of Small Luxury Hotels, has recently introduced its Orchid Floor, featuring 18 rooms dedicated to female travellers. The rooms are offered at no additional cost to women travelling alone and are equipped with special devices like a flat iron, curling iron and ladies-only emergency kits, plus luxurious Aveda amenities. Extras include a yoga mat, silk- padded skirt hangers, and women’s lifestyle magazines in each room.

Changeover If you think small change is small potatoes, this should change your mind (pun intended). In fiscal year 2010, the US Transportation Security Administra- The beautiful people Actress Charlize Theron strikes a pose on the red carpet during the 69th annual Golden Globe tion (TSA) reported that Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The ceremony, in which the year’s best domestic travellers left a total of and foreign contributions to film are honoured by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is one of the industry’s US$376,480 in loose main events leading up to the Academy Awards in the springtime. Until recently, the Golden Globes did not have a regular host, and a different presenter was chosen each year. However, that changed in 2010 when British comedian change at the bottom of Ricky Gervais hosted the 67th Golden Globes; this year marked his third consecutive turn as host. the plastic bins at airport security checkpoints. In 2009 the total was US$399,000. Currently the money is handed over Healthy holidays on to the TSA finance office, where it is spent however TSA sees fit. the agenda for 2012

Stats on Luxury hotel LaSource Gre - body, clam the mind and decrease the States nada recently offered the first thoughts that can cause anxiety, Thinking of buying a holi- of their Sleep School work - frustration and worry, leading to day home? If you are, con- shops in December 2011, with an inability to sleep. sider the US. Forbes has the second course taking place Essentially, according to Dr in June 2012. Meadows, the school aims to re- just released a list of the top The seven-day workshop is teach guests how to sleep, while ten American real estate free to guests of the hotel and surrounded by a relaxing, calm- markets set for a rebound, is lead by UK insomniac spe - ing, non-clinical environment. so now would be a good cialist Dr Guy Meadows, who Located on Grenada’s Pink time to invest. According teaches a special method called Gin Beach, LaSource Grenada to the financial publication, Acceptance and Commitment is an all-inclusive luxury beach your best bets are San Jose, Therapy (ACT), which focuses resort dedicated to helping California; Houston, Texas; on letting go of one’s anxiety guests achieve mind-body har- Raleigh, North Carolina; surrounding their struggle mony, offering personalised go- Austin, Texas; Boston, Mas- with insomnia. at-your-own pace programmes sachusetts; Pittsburgh, Penn- Pupils will learn about how to help you reach your health sylvania; Fort Worth, Texas; their insomnia could have goals, whether it be total relaxa- Oklahoma city, Oklahoma; started and triggers that can tion, improving your golf handi- New Orleans, Louisiana; and make it worse, and are then cap or getting your weight back Rochester, New York. shown techniques to relax the on track.

32 February 2012 dotwnews.com

30-32 Amercias News.indd 32 30/01/2012 17:15 STDpassenger_cruise_ADV_143_235x335.indd 1 25/05/11 19:27 DEBUT

Rixos The Palm Dubai, UAE Luxury Turkish hotel brand Rixos has entered the Middle East, with its first GCC property opening this month on Dubai’s prestigious The Palm development. A total of 233 rooms and suites, plus 28 residential apartments are modern in design and function, featuring polished woods and rustic touches. The spacious grounds are covered in gardens running along a stunning beach-side promenade. Every single room enjoys views of the Arabian Gulf, and as with all Rixos properties, a revitalising spa and Turkish Ham- mam will provide the perfect place to unwind and relax.

Life on the Palm Rixos The Palm’s chic interiors exude understated elegance

New addition Qatar’s first city welcomes the St. Regis Doha this month St. Regis Doha Doha, Qatar Marking the debut of the St. Regis brand in fine dining to live jazz music at Lincoln Centre Qatar, the St. Regis Doha offers 336 guest Doha, the first jazz club in the city, featuring live rooms including 70 suites - all with sea views musical performances daily. Guests can lounge and the St. Regis’ legendary butler service. beside the Olympic-size swimming pool, in the The St. Regis Doha will surpass typical hotel seafront cabanas with private Jacuzzis, or at standards with a total of 10 restaurants and the Remede Spa. For business travellers, 4,000 lounges, offering everything from international square metres of meeting space are on offer.

34 February 2012 dotwnews.com

34-35 Debut.indd 34 30/01/2012 17:14 Hot hotels | chic boutiques | exclusive resorts

Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa Mui Ne, Vietnam Located 198 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh city on Vietnam’s stunning southeast coast, this luxury beach resort’s 89 rooms, suites and villas are designed to reﬂect Vietnamese style, and set amongst luscious gardens and landscapes overlooking the pool, fresh water lagoon or the sea. There is plenty to explore outside of rooms, with the average temperature of 29˚ C and a constant breeze creating ideal windsurﬁng and sailing conditions. Five restaurants and bars oer authentic Vietnamese cooking, seafood special- ties and more, served in settings ranging from a swim-up pool bar to Dining by Design, where you can create your own romantic dining experience in a secluded natural setting.

Mauritian village Thatched villas at Angsana Balaclava

Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, UAE palette and natural textures like wood and Located on floors 18 to 33 of Abu Dhabi’s iconic marble. The hotel’s signature restaurant, 18˚, Capital Gate Building, the hotel’s 189 luxury oers Eastern Mediterranean flavours in a guestrooms and suites feature floor to ceiling romantic setting with panoramic views of the glass windows oering sweeping views of the city and seating on the outdoor terrace. The Arabian Gulf and the city, in a building that leans city views continue at Rayana Spa on the 19th a record-breaking 18 degrees. Rooms are done floor, which is complemented by an outdoor in an open-plan, modern design, with a neutral cantilevered swimming pool and whirlpool.

Overwater luxury Angsana Balaclava Hyatt Capital Gate Mauritius leans 18 degrees Nestled on the sandy beaches of Turtle Bay, the resort’s 51 suites are designed in the style of a traditional Mauritian village, with thatched roofs, bespoke local artistry and natural resources like wood, stone and leather, and views of the oceans and mountains. Some suites also feature private plunge pools, and the 770 sq m Imperial Villa features four bedrooms and three private pools plus personal butler, for families and couples travelling together. The grounds are bordered by the beach, and guests can lounge at the overlapping pools, the Angsana Spa, beauty salon, the swim-up bar at the Passion Grill, or Oryza restaurant for indoor and al fresco dining.

dotwnews.com February 2012 35

34-35 Debut.indd 35 30/01/2012 17:14 INTERVIEW ERWIN BAMPS How to stay aﬂoat in a recession Gulf Craft COO Erwin Bamps knows a thing or two about market strategy - he’s nurtured a small UAE- based yacht company into a global success

INTERVIEW: Caitlin Cheadle

rwin Bamps is a clever man. I ﬁrst met him at the 2011 Dubai Interna- tional Boat Show, where we sat down on one of Gulf Craft’s luxury yachts toE discuss the growth of the Arabian Gulf as a yachting destination. However the course of the conversation soon turned to the recession, which was still very much on the minds of most of the exhibitors at the show. But in a time when the yacht production market has seen a worldwide decline of 70 percent, Gulf Craft has “Any luxury brand that is well-established managed to increase its market share and come out on top. According to Bamps, consumer during good times has to be reevaluated spending has shifted in a way that can beneﬁt the luxury market. Here he tells DOTW News during down times” why slow and steady wins the race.

Are you optimistic about 2012? It will be a good year for us, but I’m not sure times. Is that Gucci still worth the money? Did you see a shift in your client about other companies. It will be a very soft When times are tough everything is about keep- base after 2008? year in terms of world economy. You will see ing it in cash and keeping it in your account. Three years ago, the majority of our clients a decline in buying power of luxury products had ‘quick money’. They were fairly young – in Europe, as well as in America, but in Asia of Did you see the recession coming 25, 35, 40 years old, and they were spending course not. However the spending on luxury before it hit the headlines? serious money – money they didn’t have – on items in China and India is not going to com- Yes. And we planned ahead. We had cash something sleek and fast, that consumed a lot pensate for the loss in the mature markets of reserves, no bank loans – the company of gasoline. Our client today is usually older, Europe and America. Often the luxury items finances itself from its own cash pot. Gulf Craft and he is more comfortable materially, a little like yachts are the first thing to go when you is privately held and of course there is insertion more classic. The clients we saw before were introduce a budget. The yacht production busi- by private long-term investors. They have never more concerned about how the boat looked on ness has declined about 70% in volume in the taken their dividend out of the company in the outside. Our buyers today tend to see their past four years globally. Gulf Craft didn’t decline the 30 years we have been around – every year yacht as an extension of their business, where at all – we grew in market share over the past they have reinvested that dividend into the they invite clients on board to make deals or three years. When people are more concerned expansion of the company and its facilities. We socialise. This is very important in sealing a about how to spend their hard-earned money don’t lease buildings, the majority of what we deal, this kind of personal courtesy – especially they get more realistic about brand value. Any own in terms of overhead is all owned by us, in the Middle East. Owning a boat and inviting luxury brand that is well-established during so it means there is no pressure, respective to people onto that boat is an extension of trust. good times has to be reevaluated during down fixed costs. In Asia, when you start talking business, you

36 February 2012 dotwnews.com

36-37 Interview.indd 36 30/01/2012 17:12 Erwin Bamps

State room

product, the higher the profit margin. And if you sell only 10 yachts at a higher price, you have fewer clients to look after, and you can give better service. It builds brand loyalty, and people are happy to act as ambassadors for your company.

Networking must play a big role in your business plan. Rather than boat shows, we are hosting events where we invite owners and potential buyers onto a yacht for an intimate event. When I invite them for a day out, I invite them onto the boat of one of my clients. The owner is usually so proud that he is often the first one on, and the last one off. He ends up being a salesman on his own and I end up being the photographer! Mass marketing doesn’t work. It’s about word Main Saloon of mouth. Potential clients have to meet our existing customers. Your customers are your best sales tool.

Do you think consumer confidence will increase this year? There is more bad news than good coming out of the markets. I’m personally not opposed to the recession continuing for another year, because it means people will be more concerned with where they are spending their money, rather than when to spend it. In 2007, people didn’t care – the money was so easy flowing that companies didn’t have to work for brand loyalty. We are growing in market share, not in volume of units sold. I’d rather make three big wedding cakes than lots of little cupcakes.

Gulf Craft’s Majesty 125 Saloon and bar Is the Arabian Gulf becoming a popular yachting destination? It’s got the potential to grow. One of the things talk about golf, fishing, what kind of music you when times are tough, and you have a client that’s holding it back is the lack of marinas, but like. People who see their boat in this way come who remembers you and he’s now thinking that is changing. In Dubai, there is not much to to us because they can customise their boat to about upgrading. Sales are not going to happen see once you go around the Marina. There is also reflect their own needs and personality. by being aggressive. We’ve never sold so many the piracy in areas like Oman, Yemen, Djibouti upgrades. So while we have declined in overall – it is making it risky for people to pass from the Has the recession been beneficial to volume of sales, when it comes to superyachts, Mediterranean into the Gulf. But in terms of the luxury market? we’ve never sold so many. entertainment and leisure, the Gulf has it all. The recession helps brands that have a good product, good service and something to sell. In terms of consumer spending, is What are the fastest-growing yachting People are doing their homework and evaluating it more about quality over quantity destinations today? brands. We have been re-establishing our rela- now? Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, tionship with people who have already bought a In the past three years there has been more Malaysia. I was in Saigon and Hanoi 20 years boat from us. Most people aren’t buying, so we high-end spending than ever before. The people ago, and I just went back and it’s a very different are visiting and checking up on the owners. I who were really rich before the recession are world. There is real estate on the waterfront, want to hear from them what can be improved. still rich. People are stepping up the price of the with private berthing for yachts. The hotel that You get your foot in the door and you start ask- purchase but purchasing less. So I would rather we just delivered two boats to, it is US$600 per ing them questions. By the time you finish you sell fewer superyachts at US$15 million each night – in a country where you can buy a meal have cookies and coffee, you have data with you than a greater amount of less expensive boats. for $1. Luxury travel is going to explode in places to improve your product, which is invaluable This benefits in two ways: the higher-end the like this. n

dotwnews.com February 2012 37

36-37 Interview.indd 37 30/01/2012 17:12 NORTHERN EXPOSURE Photo: Comma Image OY Photo: Photo: Sakke Somerma Sakke Photo: Photo: Valterri Hirvonen-Eriksson & Company Hirvonen-Eriksson Valterri Photo:

38 February 2012 dotwnews.com

38-44 Helsinki.indd 38 30/01/2012 17:10 Helsinki City Photo: Sakke Somerma Sakke Photo: Photo: Niko Soveri Niko Photo: Photo: Comma Image OY Photo:

After taking the title of 2012 Design Capital of the World, the city of Helsinki is ready to grab the spotlight WORDS: Andy Round

38-44 Helsinki.indd 39 30/01/2012 17:10 City Helsinki

2 Photo: Ralph Larmann Ralph Photo:

1. Global guardians Helsinki’s central station, designed by Eliel Saarinen 2. Wall art Contemporary interiors in Klaus K hotel 3. Classical cool Even Helsinki Cathedral is taking part in the celebrations 1 4. Bold and beautiful Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

elsinki is eortlessly cool. The thing is, Finns have been living winters. No wonder Monocle magazine And as anyone who has for so long with great design that voted Helsinki the world’s most liveable tried to be cool knows, they’ve forgotten how cool it is. In fact city in 2011 “for its courage to rethink it takes a lot of eort to good design is not a luxury, it’s just a urban ambitions and for possessing the Happear eortless. way of life. So much so that it is taken talent to pull it o”. The Helsinki shop Aero is typical. It’s for granted. This year an even bigger accolade has packed to its designer-lit rafters with cool “There is an expectation in Helsinki been handed to the city: Helsinki has furniture by Finnish creatives. They may that form should always follow been named the ocial 2012 Design have too many vowels in their names, function,” says Tero Tyrell of the Capital of the World. but they have a design vision that’s über fashionable design hotel Klaus K, “Minimalist, functional and deceptively simple. There are wonderful which features contemporary lobster clean Finnish design has enjoyed an peasant-style tables by Ilmari Tapiovaara; sculptures on the walls and tree trunks enviable international reputation for clean-line stools by Alvar Aalto and a encased in glass. decades,” the city’s director of tourism 1960s hanging bubble chair by Eero “It is important that the trams are Katrilena Eklöf tells Destinations Aarnio that would have even the most beautifully designed and run on time, of the World News. “But during our hardened Bond villain gnashing their that the schools are exceptional and World Design year, we plan to bring it teeth with interior design envy. their environment encourages good even closer to visitors.” Want one yourself? That’ll be a results, that the bike paths work…” What that means is that throughout cool US$6,000. Which is not bad In practice, this translates into a the year, the city will be alive with for probably one of the most iconic capital that functions even in their pop-up restaurants, fashion shows, furniture designs of the 20th century. minus-unbelievable degrees centigrade local guides, designer open houses,

40 February 2012 dotwnews.com

38-44 Helsinki.indd 40 30/01/2012 17:10 Helsinki City

“Minimalist, functional and clean Finnish design has enjoyed an enviable international reputation for decades”

dotwnews.com February 2012 41

38-44 Helsinki.indd 41 30/01/2012 17:10 City Helsinki

1 Jani Kaila Photo:

6 Photo: Juho Huttunen Photo:

5 Lauri Rotko Photo:

1. Temppeliaukio Church Built by architects TImo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1969 2. Designer dining ‘Unwrapped’, by Nathalie Lahdenmaki, in the Helsinki Design Museum 3. Winter wonderland Helsinki is pretty as a picture under the neon lights in the snow 4. Stark design Kiasma is a giant bold contemporary art gallery 5. World Design Capital Creative interior design firm Martela is one of the main partners of World Design Capital

outdoor exhibitions, museum shows, a giants that guard Eliel Saarinen’s central So what exactly does living design giant design pavilion known locally as station masterpiece (and allegedly look like? It looks like very cool ‘sandwich’, a timber ‘chapel of silence’ inspired the cinematic vision of neighbourhoods such as the new Arabia to offer space to “retreat and encounter” Batman’s Gotham City) brave design district. Here the low-level apartment and a huge new sauna. In typical shapes the fabric of the city. blocks look like Monocle cover stars – Finnish style, everyone could contribute carefully ordered, wonderfully sleek, ideas and a committee helped to make BolD anD The BeauTiful boasting acres of manicured public the good ones a reality. In one of the latest architectural space with each block having its own Even without the events, design additions to the city, the giant bold unique work of art and easy access to is embedded in Helsinki. From contemporary art gallery Kiasma, the waterfront. Alvar Aallon’s super sleek Finlandia professional curator Leevi Haapala “A small percentage of each building’s Hall and House of Culture and the says design has always been part of cost was dedicated to public art,” says functionalism of the Olympic stadium everyday life in Helsinki. “We live Helsinki Expert guide Birgit Korhonen. by Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti to among it in our life and use it all “There are blocks for students, buildings Carl Engel’s Senate Square, Nordic Art the time when eating, dressing or for the elderly, for young families, people Nouveau houses and the globe-holding transporting ourselves.” with learning difficulties.” Basically, each

42 February 2012 dotwnews.com

38-44 Helsinki.indd 42 30/01/2012 17:10 2 3

7 4

8 Joni Rousku Photo: 9 10

6. All that glitters Inside the lobby of the uber-cool Klaus K hotel 7. Volkswagen Beetle Helsinki’s designers find art and inspiration in everything 8. It’s magic Official opening ceremony of Helsinki World Design Capital 20129. Swinging style Finnish chair design in boutique store Aero 10. Sit and ponder Pastil Chair by Eero Aarnio 1967

apartment block was conceived around its jewellery, or the deceptively bizarre Studio to “feature houses” marking use before a single brick was laid. creations of catwalk designer Paola out different designers, and there was Design in a more obvious sense Suhonen, the first Finnish company new work by Mirkka Metsola, Kaksiva spills across the Design District, ever to take part in Paris Fashion Week. Riivari and Poola Kataryna. a neighbourhood of around 200 Look closely at her hand-printed fragile “We used to have just one magazine independent stores, vintage shops, designs and you realise that what you in Finland that would focus on Finnish restaurants, designer workshops and first thought was a web of ornate blue design – now there are dozens,” says places like Aero. There is a quiet pride filigree, are in fact the interlocking Design District’s manager Laila Alanen. in word-of-mouth reputations that have patterns of old sailor tattoos. “And that’s just one reflection of the suddenly gone global. In the heart of this district is the growing interest in design in Helsinki. Take glassware outlet nounou, for Design Forum, a showcase for Finnish We are now more outward looking than example, featuring Anu Penttinen’s designers that includes new work, ever before.” blocky designs that took the Berlin classic designs and unique one-off Milla Visuri of World Design Capital Design Festival by storm earlier this products. When I poked my head Helsinki 2012 echoes these sentiments. year, or the little silver workshop where around the door, the forum’s shop “The city is as much about Marimekko Anna Heino creates her delicious bubble had just been redesigned by Mozo Oy fashion, coffee, cinnamon rolls and

dotwnews.com February 2012 43

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MUST EAT n Atelier Finne is a fashionable Photo: Ivo Corda Ivo Photo: restaurant in the old workshop of sculptor Gunnar Finne run by solar chef Antto Melasniemi. www.ateljenfinne.fi n Seahorse offers retro home- cooked traditional fillet of reindeer as Retro lighting well as Finnish meatballs. (top) www.seahorse.fi Bubble lamps on n A21 is a cocktail bar with a display at Habitare sophisticated vibe, ‘seasonally- Fair 2011 inspired’ drinks and doorbell access. Vintage chic www.a21.fi (right) n Mattolaitrui has more blondes Ivana Helsinki wearing sunglasses per square makes hand- metre than anywhere else in printed clothing, Helsinki. It’s also a great place to sip bags and knitwear champagne as the sun goes down. Pretty in pink www.mattolaituri.com (far right) Ravintola Grill It at Radisson Blu

MUST SHOP Somerma Sakke Photo: Oy Saokotel Photo: Royal Helsinki n Aero offers sleek contemporary furniture by modern Finnish designers as well as classic pieces. everyday objects made by famous that boasts a karaoke taxi, a tram www.aerodesignfurniture.fi architects Aalto and Saarinen as it dedicated to transporting drinkers n Helsinki Secondhand is a is about networks of your talents, around town complete with bar, and warehouse bursting with vintage skateboarding fathers, snow-how, a ‘solar chef’, Antto Melasniemi, who furniture goodies. think-tanks, urban gardening and cooks his signature dishes using giant www.aerodesignfurniture.fi foodie fashion,” says Korhonen. sun-heated silver globes. n Design District is a wonderfully She’s not wrong. The Design And Melasniemi’s concept is a walkable neighbourhood of 200 Museum shows you how Finns took reminder that seasons will sweep fashion, interior, homeware and on the challenge of conceptualizing you off your feet in Helsinki. Those vintage stores. everything from coffee cups to snow long Nordic winter nights can be www.designdistrict.fi boots and managed to make them cool. melancholic, but when the sun n Design Forum is a showcase of “Design should be so good you don’t shines this is a place transformed. work by Finland’s greatest designers even think about it,” says visiting design From the Möet-sipping blondes and those soon to become great. student Paula Kovanen. “I like Finnish with giant sunglasses laughing into www.designforum.fi brand Fiskars for example. They make their waterfront tapas at fashionable n Miun showcases creations by ergonomically designed scissors – Mattolaituri and the young families super designer Ilona Hyotylainen. A orange for right-handed people, red picnicking in immaculate parks in the fashionista essential. for left-handed – but you don’t think south, to the dozens of pavement tables www.miun.fi of them as a design icon. They are just that spill out of bars and tattoo parlours n Ivanahelsinki offers melancholic very good at their job and they have in the boho district of Kallio and the hand-printed clothing and innovative been around since 1649.” men and women dressed only in towels bags made from sailcloth. Check out A highlight of the museum is tableware outside the street-side saunas, the light the knitwear and delicate silks. by the granddaddy of Finnish design nights of summer are a genuine cause www.ivanahelsinki.com Kaj Franck, who insisted on “removing for celebration. n Arabia factory museum and gal- everything excessive to leave only You can enjoy a panoramic view of it lery offers highlights from the com- the essentials,” whether it was plates all from the little club perched at the top pany’s 130-year history, but there for the famous Arabia company or of the “fourth tallest building in Finland,” is also a shopping complex with glassware for Finland’s renowned Iittala the 14-storey Hotel Torni, built in 1931. products from Iittala and Pentik. company. There are teapot cubes by Rolf Like everything else in Helsinki, the www.arabianmuseo.fi Sinnemark and a reminder of the days structure has been beautifully designed n Klaus K is a former school con- when Finnish mobile phone company to perform a function. And that function verted into a sleek hotel in the heart Nokia was cutting-edge in the form of the is about enjoying a lost age of decadence of the design district. Great Italian breakthrough ‘communicator’ phone by with a great view while savouring a drink. restaurant, tremendous cocktail Panu Johansson. And of course, this being Helsinki, even bar with a nightclub bursting with Well-designed concepts even inform the mojitos are beautifully designed. capital cool. Helsinki’s lesser-known obsessions. Needless to say their function becomes www.klauskhotel.com This is the first city I’ve encountered quickly apparent. n

44 February 2012 dotwnews.com

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Optimistic_Ad_143_235x335_DotWNews.indd 1 27/06/11 12:34 Indulge Kuwait

46 February 2012 dotwnews.com

46-53 Kuwait.indd 46 30/01/2012 17:04 Kuwait Indulge

Girls’ weekend in the Gulf

Kuwait City is swiftly emerging as the Middle East’s new shopping and style capital WORDS: Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey

dotwnews.com February 2012 47

46-53 Kuwait.indd 47 30/01/2012 17:04 Indulge Kuwait

kept my oversized sunglasses firmly on my nose as I stepped out of the taxi and strode towards the hotel. A true fashionista does not care that she can’t see a thing at night withI them on; looking the part is much more important, right? And it was just as well that I did, because the lobby of Hotel Missoni in Kuwait City is bright. Very bright. Who needs paparazzi when you have striped sofas, gold décor, purple and gold tassels and Life in technicolour turquoise walls covering every surface of the Hotel Missoni Kuwait is most stylish lobby I have ever seen? If you are decorated in the striking patterns of the Italian design house into colourful designers like Missoni, Paul Smith or Pucci, or you simply don’t do any kind of ‘beige’ hotel interior, this is the place for you. From the lobby to the suites, from the pool to “Sink into a huge colourful sofa and revel the restaurants, every single detail, corner and in hot chocolate with marshmallows, knick-knack has been chosen by Italian style Godmother Senora Rosita Missoni herself, and to chocolate shakes, cakes, pralines and any great success. This hotel is a fashionista’s dream. It seems that Kuwait City is a bit of a fashion number of other sweet treats” capital in the Gulf. It’s not as well known as Dubai, but all the more exclusive for it. One and a bit hours’ flight from most major cities in the Gulf, you have a designer hotel with a luxurious spa, designer malls, the original Villa Moda, chocolate shops en masse and a perfect corniche to walk off the few calories that weren’t burnt off shopping. Oh, and there are a couple of sights to take in, just so that you don’t look completely devoid of culture upon your return. “Kuwait fuses the modern with the timeless and of course you get dedicated Missoni fans making the trip to the hotel,” says Missoni’s Dana Elhoury. As they should.

48 February 2012 dotwnews.com

46-53 Kuwait.indd 48 30/01/2012 17:18 banana ad.pdf 1 7/28/2011 12:53:24 PM

Banana Republic.pdf 6/23/11 11:54:58 AM

CMY

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“Kuwait is such a fashionable city. Other than the fact that this is an oil-rich country where people love to adorn themselves with expensive things, fashion seems to be a part of the culture. Many of the younger generation of girls have begun creating their own clothing brands in boutiques in Kuwait. The women are very fashion and design conscious, and enjoy showing off what they have. The newest items from all the top brands are always worn by women in Kuwait as a type of competition and a means of displaying what they are worth,” she adds. I could virtually hear the shops calling me. Kuwait’s fashion scene is probably best known because of the aptly nicknamed ‘Sheikh of Chic’, Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti Royal family who launched the luxury boutique Villa Moda back in 1992. The concept has since taken the Gulf and the wider Middle East by storm, but the original store is still there in a rather uninspiring-looking industrial estate – a huge glass box that houses all the designer dreams “Many of the younger generation of girls (some affordable, mostly not), I could imagine. My advice? Take your time, don’t have too have begun creating their own clothing much for breakfast, and bring a very forgiving credit card. brands in boutiques in Kuwait. The women “Shopping is a favourite pastime, simply because Kuwait is small and there is not are very fashion and design conscious, and much else to do,” says Mark Makhoul, the man behind Kuwait’s most popular blog, two enjoy showing off what they have” forty eight am (www.248am.com), which lists everything that is happening in the city. “Kuwait already has most brands, and if there is one they don’t have, we will be getting it very soon. People here are quite infatuated with brands, cars and food.” To make sure I didn’t just shop, eat and get run over by fancy cars, I went off to visit Kuwait Towers to get an overview of a city that sprawls, like almost every desert city, with miles and miles of low-rise buildings interrupted by the odd huddle of fancy new skyscrapers. It is easy to lose one’s bearings. There are three Kuwait Towers: two round bulbous ones decorated with turquoise and blue discs that are very much in keeping with the shimmering sea behind it, and one needle- shaped tower. The largest one has a revolving viewing platform 123 metres up, which provides visitors with an overview of what was destroyed in the Gulf War that ravaged the city in the early 90s. History lesson aside, it also gives you a great view of the city and serves a good cup of coffee, which is essential if you’re trying to cram in as much quality time as possible. To round off a day of shopping and sightseeing, some chocolate was called for. Perhaps due to the absence of alcohol in this Surf’s up at Kuda Huraa Contemporary art country, the café culture and in particular the The Maldives has perfect One of two Dale Chihuly conditions for surfing chocolaterie culture, has thrived. The 10km sculptures at 360˚ Mall long corniche is interrupted regularly by small

50 February 2012 dotwnews.com

46-53 Kuwait.indd 50 30/01/2012 17:17 VAN CLEEF ORIENS_FP.pdf 3/24/10 2:25:55 PM

CMY

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Sweet tooth Sugar and spice and all things nice at Laduree coffee shop

coffee shops, and every corner, hotel and mall is teeming with cafés, including the famed Ladurée café with its delicious macaroons. Closer to home, one of the loveliest is the Choco Café in the Hotel Missoni. Sink into a Hotel Missoni Kuwait Villa Moda 360 Mall huge colourful sofa and revel in hot chocolate +965 2577 0000 +965 2482 7004 +965 1800 360 with marshmallows, chocolate shakes, cakes, www.hotelmissoni.com www.villa-moda.com www.360mall.com pralines and any number of other sweet treats. It’s indulgent for sure, but the shopping, trying on of clothing and walking from exhibit to right on the waterfront with a marina, mall and a with wall upon wall of gardens – inside a mall. exhibit in vast department stores is good dancing fountain. For once it was not the mall I Apparently some 20,500 plants make up the vast exercise, surely? Anyway, a massage would sort was after, but the many food outlets overlooking green wall hanging. Trust Kuwait to be different me out. the water. With the moon shimmering and the in a stylish way. The hugely popular Six Senses Spa is a tranquil cafés bustling, this is the perfect place to while “I love 360° Mall, which has many boutiques haven of gold and turquoise hues within the away an evening. and unique items of clothing that you would not Missoni Hotel, with serene treatment rooms The next day, before I had to hop it back to find most girls wearing,” says Missoni’s Elhoury. offering anything from mini mani/pedis to four- the airport, I had just enough time to check out “Clothes that really represent your personality hour beauty rituals best enjoyed with a group the award-winning 360° Mall, both for more and which are unique to you prove to be more in of girlfriends. Make sure you leave some extra shopping and some culture. Here, you can demand in Kuwait. And the city definitely caters time, as the facilities are great and include two combine both. The designer-led mall boasts two to this demand,” she adds. types of sauna and a four-way shower that is truly beautiful glass installations by Dale Chihuly, the Overall verdict? Kuwait seems to have high-tech. artist responsible for the enormous glass edifice something for everyone, so feel free to bring the Feeling on top of the world, I jumped into a in the lobby of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, and family, but really, to get the most out of this city, taxi and headed south of the city towards the Al – wait for it – there are vertical gardens. I’m not leave the family behind and take just the girls. Kout development in the district of Fahaheel, really a country girl, but I was still impressed And an empty suitcase of course.e.

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46-53 Kuwait.indd 53 30/01/2012 17:17 Once upon a time in

AfricaIt’s the source of the Nile River, the home of mountain gorillas and tree- climbing lions, and one of the best places in the world to spot Africa’s big ﬁve without the crowds. Welcome to Uganda WORDS: Joe Mortimer

Life on the Nile Chobe Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park overlooks the Victoria Nile

54 February 2012 dotwnews.com

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ight is falling fast and it’s hard to make out the massive shape through the trees in the half-light. The man to my right, AK-47 slung overN his shoulder, nudges me and points with his chin at a smaller shape moving next to it. I edge closer and the big shape lifts an enormous head, revealing a foot-long horn on the end of it, and looks at me with a tiny eye – a pin-prick in the gathering darkness. I’m looking at Nandi, a female white rhino and her six-month-old calf, Malaika. They are two of just 10 rhinos in Uganda, and they’re standing less than 30 feet away in a thicket of trees. There are no cages or pens in Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Reserve – just 7,000 hectares of jungle, marshes and grasslands surrounded by a vast swamp and a two-metre-high electric fence. “It’s not just to keep the rhinos in,” says Johan Genade, one of the directors of Ziwa. “It’s to keep the poachers out.” And the firearms? “They’re not for the rhinos either,” he grins. At the park’s headquarters, Jehan and his wife – Ziwa’s executive director Angie Genade – tell me more about their work while a tame African bushbuck grazes six feet away. Throughout former dictator Idi Amin’s reign of terror, which gripped Uganda in the 1970s, and the civil war that followed in the early 1980s, rhinos were hunted for bush meat or killed for safety, and the species was wiped out by 1982. When relative stability returned, Rhino Fund Uganda was established to reintroduce rhinos to the country and repopulate Uganda’s national parks with sustainable rhino families. Ziwa opened in 2005 and is now home to 10 white rhinos, four of which were born in the reserve. The first rhino born in Uganda in more than 25 years was the offspring of an American mother donated by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and a Kenyan father donated by the European Union. They named him Obama. Like almost everything in Uganda, a visit to Ziwa is unique and intimate. It has an untouched feel that I haven’t encountered in other African safari destinations – a calm before (or perhaps after) the storm. Tourists started to return to Uganda when current president Yoweri Museveni took power in 1986, restoring peace in a country that had seen decades of unrest and brutality. But ongoing conflict in the north and a lack of infrastructure meant that until recently, tourists were still a fairly endangered species. The intrepid few who travelled to Uganda in the past usually did so to see the endangered mountain gorillas of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is split between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But the appearance of several luxury safari lodges, improved infrastructure and a booming adventure travel scene have brought some much needed international attention to other parts of Uganda, which was named by Lonely Planet as the number one country to visit in 2012.

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54-58 Uganda.indd 55 30/01/2012 16:59 Explore Uganda

Instrumental to the development of Uganda’s burgeoning tourism scene is Roni Madhvani, director of the Madhvani Group – a conglomerate of companies that owns a huge portfolio of assets in Uganda – and the former head of the Ugandan Tourism Board. Madhvani returned to Uganda in 1983, after living abroad for 11 years. His family were among the 30,000 Asians expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972, but peace brought new opportunities to rebuild his family empire, and tourism is now one of the fastest-growing sectors of the company’s business portfolio. Marasa Holdings, Madhvani’s hospitality arm, owns and operates two luxury safari lodges in Murchison Falls National Park and one in Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as luxury safari company Premier Safaris. “Uganda is not a mass market destination so it remains waiting to be discovered as a unique and unspoilt place,” says Madhvani. “The boom is yet to come and Uganda still remains off the beaten track, which is great for the discerning traveller as it still remains unspoilt and not commercialised.” This is the impression I get from the moment I leave the capital Kampala and embark on a four-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park, in the northwestern corner of Uganda. The land is green and teeming with long-horned cattle. The only conflicts I can see evidence of today are between rival mobile phone companies battling it out for control of the market, their logos plastered over buildings in every town and village we pass through. Chobe Lodge (above) There are only five lodges in Murchison Falls After a major National Park, which covers an area of 3,983 makeover, Chobe square kilometres at the northern end of the Lodge is one of Albertine Rift Valley, bordering the Democratic the most luxurious hotels in Murchison Republic of Congo to the west, so there’s little chance of bumping into the neighbours. Still waters I spend the night at Paraa Safari Lodge, (left) which is perched on the elevated northern The Nile is a life bank of the Victoria Nile. Established in 1954, source for African Elephants and the Paraa has a distinctly colonial feel, with warm rest of the park’s wooden interiors, comfy armchairs next to the wildlife fireplace, and an old-fashioned billiard table, with comfortable guest rooms that all have African Queen panoramic views over the Nile. (right) A cruise up the The ring of wooden posts around the Victoria Nile takes perimeter are designed to keep hippos out of you to the foot of the pool and other large animals away from the Murchison Falls lodge, says general manager Crispus Mwamidi, Uganda’s rhinos moments after I emerge from an evening swim (far right) that was pleasantly hippo-free. Mother Nandi and “The little ones can still get through the posts, her calf Malika which is why we have the rangers patrolling the at Ziwa Rhino & perimeter. Sometimes they find their way into Wildlife Reserve the dining room looking for food,” he explains. Wildlife is rife in Murchison Falls National Park. In 1907, Winston Churchill described it as, “Kew Gardens and the zoo combined on an unlimited scale.” Just over 100 years later, it seems little has changed.

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“I edge closer and the big shape lifts up an enormous head, revealing a foot-long horn on the end of it, and looks at me with a tiny eye – a pin-prick in the gathering darkness”

dotwnews.com February 2012 57

54-58 Uganda.indd 57 30/01/2012 16:59 Explore Uganda

“As the vehicle rounds a corner on a conspicuously quiet stretch of land, we skid to a halt and come face to face with a lioness lying breathless in the middle of the road”

On safari Murchison is a bird-watcher’s paradise. In (above) Smaller groups and the space of a few hours, we see red-throated less visitors make bee-eaters, pied and giant kingfishers, African animal sightings darters, African fish eagles, red bishops, crown- in Uganda more crested cranes (the national bird of Uganda), intimate hamerkop, helmeted guineafowl and the Water world flightless Abyssinian ground hornbill. (left) As the vehicle rounds a corner on a Hippos rule the conspicuously quiet stretch of land, we skid to waters along the a halt and come face to face with a lioness lying banks of the Victoria Nile in Murchison breathless in the middle of the road. Our arrival doesn’t seem to bother her in the slightest and it’s not until we attempt to manoeuvre around her that she leaps up and growls in annoyance. Earlier that day I saw some of the park’s The following morning, I set o at first light Later that afternoon I visit Chobe Safari Lodge, inhabitants firsthand on a three-hour cruise to explore the park from the comfort of a Land a handsomely renovated resort whose stilted tents upriver to the mighty Murchison Falls – named Cruiser with pop-up roof for easy game viewing, are fitted out with luxurious interiors decorated after former Royal Geographic Society president with destination consultant Marc Obwalatum with local art, all with stunning views of the Sir Roderick Murchison – where I ticked o from Realm Africa Safaris at the wheel. A river. Lunch on the terrace is an unforgettable most of Uganda’s big game minutes after the network of well-maintained roads criss-cross the experience, with a wide panorama of the Nile African Queen pulled away from the jetty. vast reserve, and within minutes we lose sight ahead and a group of hippos wallowing in the The river bank was teeming with life – of the other safari vehicles that set o from the shallow waters near the shore below providing a elephants, bualos, hippos, Nile crocodiles, lodge at the same time as us. natural chorus to my meal. Jackson’s hartebeest, Ugandan kob, giraes, With the exception of a small group of safari At the lodge’s private airstrip, four enormous families of warthogs and troops of baboons – all trucks at a spot where the last big cat sightings bualo are basking in the sunshine, indierent grouped in easy-to-photograph clusters. were reported, and a lone photographer to the comings and goings at the lodge. Journey Just above Murchison Falls itself, the Victoria crouched in the long grass by the hippo pool, I times in Uganda can be long, but you can Nile is forced through a six-metre gully, pushing don’t see any other visitors. charter a small aircraft in Entebbe, on the the water over a 43-metre drop with ferocious Marc points out some of the more intimate shores of Lake Victoria, direct to Murchison. power. From here, the river travels another details of the animals we spot, such as the scars Accessibility and infrastructure are two of the 55kms to Lake Albert and the Albert Delta, a on the throat of a male girae that indicate that biggest obstacles holding Uganda back, but haven for ornithologists who come for some of he has survived a lion attack. Herds of bualo the launch last year of a daily flight between the best bird watching in Africa and the chance graze all over the grasslands, while white cattle Entebbe and Doha by Qatar Airways is the first to catch a glimpse of the rare African shoebill, egrets perch on their backs to feed on flies and of what the government hopes will be many new whose huge shoe-shaped beak and demonic eyes warn the bualo of threats by flying away at the flights into the country. make it look truly prehistoric. first sign of danger. “Nature’s CCTV,” says Marc. Back in Ziwa, the Genades hope two new luxury chalets and the introduction of new bird-watching tours will bring in more visitors in 2012. But the arrival or six new female rhinos from South Africa is the most anticipated event of the year, and another step towards the Paraa Safari Lodge Chobe Safari Lodge Premier Safaris ultimate goal of reintroducing the rhinos of +256 (0) +256 (0) +256 (0) Ziwa to Uganda’s stunning national parks. ■ 48 34 4266 37 225 9300 31 226 0260 www.paraalodge.com www.chobelodgeuganda.com www.premiersafaris.com As we went to press, Johan Genade called to tell us that a female calf had just been born at Ziwa, bringing the total number of rhinos in Uganda to 11.

58 February 2012 dotwnews.com

54-58 Uganda.indd 58 30/01/2012 16:58 lorange_ins.pdf 1 8/29/2011 3:16:07 PM

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Madrid in brief Night & dAy Sit back and watch the world go by over tapas at Plaza Major (left) before you take in a world-class If time is short 08.00 Arrive at Madrid International Air- flamenco show in Madrid, port Barajas. Transport links from the air- combine port into the city are plentiful – either opt for public transport and use the metro (a train STAY the city’s leaves every five minutes), jump in one of the most popular many taxis or arrange for an airport pick-up Hotel Ritz Madrid pastimes and with your hotel. +34 91 701 67 67 follow our guide Baoli Palm Beach www.ritzmadrid.com to tapas and 09.00 Arrive at the Hotel Ritz Madrid (www.ritzmadrid.com, T: +34 91 701 67 67) flamenco ready for breakfast, which is served in Goya 15.00 Take a stroll to Mercado de San courtyard of the Hotel Ritz Madrid. The Ter- restaurant until 11.00. If you’re visiting in Miguel (www.mercadodesanmiguel.es), a race serves a variety of tasty concoctions and Words: spring or summer, enjoy an al fresco break- magnet for Spanish food lovers. A large square is perfect for people-watching, as Madrid’s Nicci Perides fast in the delightful courtyard of the terrace market is home to more than 100 stands sell- rich and famous turn out in their finest country and gardens. ing plates of cheese, wine, fish, olives, ham, classics to gossip about the latest scandals. desserts, vegetarian delights, sushi, bread and 11.00 Embark on your Tapas tour. Your first sangria – it’s tapas at its best. Choose what- 23.00 To finish off the quintessential Span- stop should be La Taberna del Alabardero ever you desire, then take it to the middle of ish day, take in a traditional Flamenco show. (www.grupolezama.es, T: + 34 91 547 25 77), the plaza, where big wooden tables are taken The 23.00 showing at popular Flamenco res- located in a pedestrian-only area near the over by locals eating lunch, talking loudly and taurant Las Carboneras (www.tablaolascar- Teatro Real and the Royal Palace. La Taberna gesticulating wildly. The atmosphere is excit- boneras.com), includes another feast of tapas was created by King Juan Carlos’ priest Luis ing and urban – you’ll feel like you’ve hit the and wine. Once your food and drinks have de Lezama, who opened several restaurants pulse of the city. arrived, sit back and enjoy one of the most across Spain in the 1970s to help the needy. passionate displays of dance in Europe. Three Lezama employed orphans to work there and 17.00 To conclude the tapas tour, walk five ladies, one man and a band of three make up learn the hospitality trade, and the proceeds minutes along the cobbled stone streets for the cast. The colours of the costumes are a went to his foundation to support poor chil- sundowners at the Plaza Mayor - the heart seductive mix of vibrant reds, dramatic blues dren. La Taberna del Alabardero is a great of Madrid. The vast square is, as you would and passionate pinks; the heels of the danc- place to sit – try out a selection of delicious expect, a tourist haven, but it’s well worth ers rhythmically bash the floors and the room traditional tapas while you people-watch. having a look all the same. The spot where vibrates. The atmosphere is electric. the King of Spain would once watch as traitors 13.00 Join both locals and tourists as they and criminals were beheaded is now filled with 01.00 It’s time to start your night and party soak up the rays on one of the many quaint quaint little tapas restaurants. La Torre del with the stars. Buddha del Mar is one of wooden rowing boats found in Buen Retiro Oro has a fantastic selection. Madrid’s swankiest nightclubs and a great Park. Buen Retiro is Madrid’s largest park spot to dance the night away. To keep up and a wonderful place to enjoy a stroll, an ice 19.00 Don’t even think about heading for with the locals you’ll need to stay awake cream and, in the warmer months, a gentle supper until at least 23.00 – especially after until at least 6am, when the club closes – a

Madrid row on the lake. all those tapas. Instead, enjoy a cocktail in the chance to work off the day’s tapas.

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61 24 Hours.indd 61 31/01/2012 17:00 Diary 02.12

Venice Carnival 2012 February 11- 21, Venice, Italy This historical event dates back to 1296, taking place the day before Lent and lasting a full 10 days. Originally it was a time when everyone in the city, regardless of social standing, could mingle thanks to the elaborate masks they wore to hide their identities. Today the masks are still a very big part of the parties, balls and parades, with prizes being awarded to those wearing the most elaborate creations. www.venice-carnival-italy.com

Vienna Opera Ball February 16, Vienna, Austria Held in the famous Vienna State Opera House, this exclusive ball remains one of the most opulent in the world and one of the most highly anticipated events on the Viennese social calendar. First held in 1936, today the Vienna Opera Ball is an ode to the glamour of days past; the dress code is strictly elegant, with ladies in floor-length ball gowns and men in white tie as they swirl about the room in the synchronised rhythm of the Viennese Waltz. www.viennaoperaball.com

Dubai Desert Classic February 6 – 12, Dubai Come watch championship golfers Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Fred Couples and Alvaro Quiros as they take to the award-winning Majilis course at Emirates Golf Club for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, part of the European Tour schedule. The event also incorporates side competitions and prizes, including a chance to play alongside Lee Westwood, as well as the Challenge Match Dinner on February 12. www.dubaidesertclassic.com

62 February 2012 dotwnews.com

62-63 Diary.indd 62 30/01/2012 16:55 February What’s on

London Fashion Week February 17 – 22, London One of the most highly anticipated events of the season, LFW sees fashion editors, bloggers, celebrities and models descend upon the city for one week of high-profile catwalk shows, where they’ll get a preview of the Autumn/Winter 2011 season from British designers and labels like Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson and Burberry. If you don’t care for fashion it’s still a great time to visit London, as the streets will be alive with LFW events and after- show parties. Whatever your reason for visiting, you’re sure to feel the extra buzz that takes hold of the city. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Rio Carnival February 16, Rio de Janeiro This raucous festival, held during the peak of the summer season in the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, dates back to 1723 and was traditionally a celebration to bid farewell to negativity in preparation for the 40-day Lent fasting period. Elaborate parties, parades and festivities take over the streets for four full days and nights, and most offices will shut down for the duration. Parties are rowdy rather than glamorous, and include dancing, samba and musical performances. It’s estimated that some 500,000 tourists flock to the Valentine’s Day city to participate in the festivities, February 14, Worldwide making this one of the most popular If you’re not into Valentine’s Day, you’re times to visit. out of luck – it’s caught on all over the www.rio-carnival.net world. In the west it’s customary for men to buy flowers and chocolates for women, but in Japan women buy chocolate for the men in their lives (store-bought ‘giri-choco’ for platonic male friends and homemade ‘honmei-choco’ for intimate partners). In Denmark, men write romantic notes or funny poems called ‘gaekkebrev’ and anonymously give them to the object of their affection. It’s up to you how you celebrate – check our list of Valentine’s hotel packages in ‘Spend It’ on page 64.

dotwnews.com February 2012 63

62-63 Diary.indd 63 30/01/2012 16:55 Spend it Itineraries

Love on the Nile Egyptian romance Sand, sea and stars Make this Valentine’ Day a chance to tick a few Toast your loved one on What better spot to celebrate the most romantic items off your bucket list. Situated on the east the banks of the Nile day of the year than one of the most romantic bank of the Nile River, the Hilton Luxor Resort places in the world – the Seychelles. Raffles & Spa enjoys an ideal waterfront location, Praslin Seychelles, an all-villa resort spread perfect for romantic evenings by candlelight. across 30 acres on the beautiful island of Pra- In the daytime, explore the city of Luxor, the slin, known for its crystal clear waters, divine site of ancient Thebes and home to the Temple beaches and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karnak, the Valley of Kings and the Valley of Vallee de Mai, is offering a special Valentine’s Queens, as well as the world-renowned open- “Stay 5, Pay 4” package. Enjoy a complimentary air museum. After a thrilling day of sightseeing night, including accommodation in any of the you can return to the luxurious hotel for a stroll pool villas, a free upgrade to the next villa cat- in the Nile garden, a swim in the outdoor infin- egory (subject to availability), daily breakfast for ity pool or a soothing treatment in the newly two, plus romantic turn-down with bath set-up renovated Nayara Spa, with 12 treatment rooms for couples on Valentine’s Day. Celebrate your offering the perfect venue for an intimate love with a five-course Valentine’s dinner under couple’s massage. Enjoy a romantic meal for the stars at Curieuse Restaurant, or choose a two at Rosetta, Olives or Silk Road restaurant, private set-up in your villa, on the beach or in followed by drinks in one of five stylish bars. a cabana, with a tailor-made five-course menu Cost: From US$230 per night in a double room. Val- and a bottle of champagne. One couple will also entine’s package includes upgrade to Nile View room, be able to book a private boat for a Valentine’s bubbly upon arrival, in-room breakfast, access to spa sunset cruise with dinner and champagne. thermal area and a special Valentine’s cake. Cost: from US$816 per night plus taxes. From: stay period must include Valentine’s Day. From: available for bookings over Valentine’s Day. Book: [email protected] Book: [email protected] www1.hilton.com www.raffles.com/praslin

64 February 2012 dotwnews.com

64-67 Spend It.indd 64 30/01/2012 16:53 Itineraries Spend it

Indian Ocean romance We all love a well-thought out candle-lit dinner in a nice restaurant on Valentine’s Day, but we would deﬁnitely prefer to be whisked away to a luxury resort in the Maldives for four nights. Emirates Holi- days and Taj Exotica Maldives have teamed up to o er an unforgettable Valentine’s escape. Fly from Dubai to the Maldives with Emirates Airline, then jump straight into your speedboat for the 15-minute transfer over the blue waters of the Indian Ocean to Taj Exotica. Check into a Lagoon Villa (with or without pool) and settle down for four nights in paradise. The hotel promises to create the perfect romantic atmosphere, with a private dinner on the beach, a 45-minute couples’ treatment at the Jiva Grande Spa, and a romantic Spend it sunset cruise. Cost: from AED 10,645 (US$2,898) per person in a Lagoon Villa and from AED 12,765 A romantic picnic on Australia’s Gold Coast, a ($3,475) per person in a deluxe Lagoon Villa with pool for four nights including breakfast. sunset cruise in the Seychelles or a private dinner in Includes return economy class airfare from Dubai and return speedboat transfers to the resort. the jungles of Bali - love is in the air this February From: until February 29. www.emiratesholidays.com *All prices are subject to change. Please contact the listed companies for further information.

Valentine’s bliss Fun in the sun Endless Summer It doesn’t get much more There’s more to life on the Gold Coast than surfing Create your own adventure with romantic than the Seychelles and seafood when you’re staying with Palazzo Palazzo Versace’s Audi A3 Cabriolet Versace. The designer hotel has just added a sporty Audi A3 Cabriolet to its collection of vehicles (which also includes a Bentley Arnage, an Audi A8 and a fleet of Palazzon Versace Vespas), so guests can explore the Gold Coast with the wind in their hair. The Audi Endless Summer package invites guests to spend a day driving around the coast with a pre-programmed GPS that o ers helpful suggestions on where to go. The car wil be loaded with an Italian-themed gourmet picnic for two, so you can drive around until you find the perfect secluded spot for lunch. Set up the picnic with supplies from your ‘Road Trip Kit’, which includes sun screen, face mist and a picnic blanket. Finish the day with an overnight stay in at the luxurious Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, followed by breakfast the following morning. Cost: from AU$565 (US$593) including one night accommodation, full-day use of an Audi A3 with GPS, gourmet picnic hamper for two, road-trip kit and breakfast. From: year-round. Book: [email protected] www.palazzoversace.com

64-67 Spend It.indd 65 30/01/2012 16:51 @DOTW advert full page (Seychelles).pdf 1 12/28/11 6:04 PM

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Ads.indd 4 28/12/2011 19:07 Secret gardens in Bali There are few places in the world more naturally beautiful than Bali, so what better place to take your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Romance always ﬁlls the air at Ubud Hanging Gardens, hidden in the lush green interior of Indonesia’s favourite island escape. Surrounded by the vivid hues of bright green rice paddies and lush tropical forest, the Orient Express resort is perched on the side of a deep gorge facing a traditional temple. Check into one of the 38 exclusive villas and embrace the tranquil natural surroundings. If that’s not enough, the resort has come up with the ultimate romantic dining experience for two. A host will guide you to a secluded location deep in the jungle, lit by oil lamps and surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, where he will serve you a private gourmet dinner. Afterwards, take a romantic stroll to the Holy Water Temple, where a local priest will perform a puriﬁca- tion ritual, then return to the resort’s riverside bamboo deck with a soothing foot massage. The rest is up to you. Cost: Riverside Deluxe Pool Villas start from US$380 per night, including daily breakfast and afternoon tea. The secret romantic dinner starts from $175 per person. From: any time. Views to remember Book: [email protected] Immerse yourself in the natural landscapes of Bali www.ubudhanginggardens.com

Bubbles and PJs Mandarin Oriental New York has partnered with Moët & Chandon to o er the perfect weekend treat for the girls – the Moët Cham- pagne Slumber Party. Check into a luxurious suite at the hotel, located in Columbus Circle’s Time Warner Centre, and enjoy two bottles of Moët Imperial Champagne as you settle in for an evening’s indulgence. Each guest will be pampered with complimentary manicure and pedicure at the hotel’s spa, and a VIP shopping experience with a personal style consultant at the original Saks Fifth Avenue. You won’t want to leave the hotel for too long though, so you’ll soon be returning to the suite to enjoy Mandarin Oriental’s ﬁve-star hospitality with breathtaking views of Central Park and Manhat- tan as your backdrop. Finish up with a selection of ‘girls’ night in’ movies from the hotel’s DVD library and fall asleep in style. Cost: from US$2,250 for one night in suite-only accommodation for up to two people or $3,750 for a suite with connecting room for up to four people. Slumber in the city From: until April 30, 2012. Your NYC weekend starts with Mandarin Oriental’s sweeping vistas Book: [email protected] www.mandarinoriental.com

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64-67 Spend It.indd 67 30/01/2012 16:51 Burberry Body Advertising Alternative DPS2.pdf 1 10/27/2011 6:34:42 PM Burberry Body Advertising Alternative DPS2.pdf 1 10/27/2011 6:34:42 PM Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort appears from the wilderness of the UAE’s Empty Quarter like a mirage, but it’s much more than a castle in the sand, says Joe Mortimer

omehow the sand dunes of the UAE’s In the garden – and yes it is actually a garden, Empty Quarter steal all sound. From with grass and flowers – a private temperature the moment you turn off the main controlled infinity plunge pool is framed by two road from Abu Dhabi, the rolling huge clay urns, and the sun loungers face the moundsS of multi-coloured sand that line the mighty dunes up ahead. road absorb all but the most persistent noises. On the terrace there’s a barasti hut with two Stop your car halfway along the 12km road that lay-flat sun beds – a perfect spot to escape the winds over the dunes towards Qasr al Sarab sun in the shade of the bamboo thatch, or to Desert Resort by Anantara, and you’ll hear watch the sun sink behind the dune – and a nothing but the rhythm of your own breathing. dining table for sunrise breakfasts or lunch by Anyone who lives in a major city will know the pool after a refreshing outdoor shower. The that complete peace and quiet is not something silence is broken only by the occassional whir you get to experience often, and it takes a while of a helicopter as VIP guests are whisked from to get used to. Abu Dhabi in style. Perched on the edge of the Empty Quarter – one of the world’s largest sand deserts – is Qasr al “You might only be an hour Sarab Desert Resort. It appears from behind the dunes like an oasis in the barren desert, hence and a half’s drive from its name, which means ‘mirage palace’ in Arabic. Like an ancient fort lost to the desert, the resort the big city, but the modern sits at the head of a valley surrounded on either world feels a million side by enormous dunes. Here, the only sounds are those of birds and running water, plus the miles away” welcome of Anantara staff wishing you a pleasant stay as they escort you to your villa. From the garden you can see the entire resort Ours, Villa 27, is a miniature sandstone fort unfold either side of you – the 10-bedroom built in typical Arabic style, with battlements Royal Pavilion off to the left, the restaurants, and drainage channels around the top of the pool and Anantara Spa to the right, and the epic round wind towers, which predated the familiar valley that looks like it came straight from the square towers that are typical of more modern set of Lawrence of Arabia dead ahead. Arabian structures. Inside, the villa is fitted out It’s tempting not to leave the villas, but like a modern-day Arabian palace, with rich with activities like archery, falconry, jeep or décor and dark woods welcoming you in. Like mountain bike safari and camel trips into Red sea a mini-museum, the rooms are fitted out with the dunes available, it seems wrong to let The rolling dunes of the Empty local artefacts – ornamental amphoras, brass indulgence get in the way of exploration. Quarter make for a stunning view bowls, hand-carved boxes containing dried The resort is home to 2,500 pieces of art fruits and jewel-tone cushions scattered across and artefacts, some curated by the resort’s the comfortable divan. developer, TDIC, and some lent by a private The bedroom features full-length mirrors and collector. Many of the best pieces are on display huge Arabian light fittings, as well as a king- in the Library, which is also a meeting point for sized bed covered with sumptuous cushions. guests before activities, and a source of more Above the recessed bed, the ceiling is made information about the local area. from a criss-cross of beams and wicker matting, Watch the sun set from the top of a sand and a huge black-wood sliding door separates dune and savour the silence. You might only be the bedroom from the living area. an hour and a half’s drive from the big city, but All the desert colours almost hide the the modern world feels a million miles away. n modern touches – 36-inch LG flat-screen and DVD player in the bedroom, wireless internet connections and surround sound. There’s a The important bit small dining room in the base of the round turret, weighed down by a huge bowl of fresh Where: Qasr Al Sarab fruit, and a separate pantry with Nespresso Desert Resort by Anantara coffee machine and well-stocked minibar. The Location: Liwa, Abu Dhabi, UAE lighting is warm and the rich curtains billow in Cost: from US$667 plus 10% terracotta and gold when you open the sliding service charge and 6% tourism fee doors to the terrace. www.qasralsarab.anantara.com

70 February 2012 dotwnews.com

70-71 Suite Dreams.indd 70 30/01/2012 16:49 Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa Suite dreams

Castles in the sand

Desert calm The tranquillity of your private villa is enveloped in a still quiet

Arabian palace Understated luxury Desert landscapes are framed by Neutral tones and Arabic decor arched windows and high ceilings reﬂect the natural surroundings

70-71 Suite Dreams.indd 71 30/01/2012 16:49 ON THE ROAD

Mercedes Benz The new Mercedes SL range SL500 promises sporty performance, Engine: V8 great looks and enhanced BHP: 435 passenger comfort in one tidy Torque: 700 Nm bundle. Living up to its “SL” 0-100kph: 4.6 secs (super light) namesake, the new Origin: Germany SL models are at least 125 kgs Cost: EUR 117,096 lighter than their predecessors, (US$151,000) providing greater agility on the road, better fuel efficiency and better levels of safety and comfort. Ventilation grilles with chrome finishes and slanting headlamps give the SL500 a distinctly sporty appearance, while sculpted lines running down the bonnet and the sides of the car give it a stylish finish.

“There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there are only a handful of automotive icons. Our SL is one of them: it has class, it has style, it is the ultimate in comfort and luxury” Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman, Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars

72-73 Motoring.indd 72 30/01/2012 16:48 Motoring

THE LANGUAGE OF MOTORS

MOTORING, like football, is an international language. It doesn’t matter where we are in the world, men can usually find common ground in the appreciation of a fine motorcar. It’s an appropriate subject in all situations, from the dinner table to the boardroom. Unlike football and politics, a conversation about cars is unlikely to land a guy in trouble, unless he’s talking to the proud owner of the car he has just spoken unfavourably of. In a short conversation conducted in a broken mixture of English, Arabic and Cantonese, I stood with a small group of gentlemen in the drizzle in Hong Kong recently and agreed that the Mini Countryman is not really a Mini, high-performance sports cars should not be allowed in city 2013 Shelby PUTTING the muscle back into muscle cars, the new Shelby centres, and the new Range Rover GT500 Mustang GT500 has elbowed its way straight into the record books this Evoque is a lot like Marmite – you Engine: 5.8-litre supercharged V8 year as the most powerful production V8 in the world. Built for either love it or you hate it. BHP: 650 power, the 2013 Mustang has a new supercharger, a carbon fibre It’s like that scene in Indiana 0-100kph: TBA driveshaft and a launch control system that is integrated with Jones and the Last Crusade where Top speed: >321kph the engine and traction control system, promising the fastest the Sultan of Hatay (played by Origin: US kick-start in town. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged- British comedian Alexi Sayle) Cost: TBC aluminium wheels are dressed in Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar declines Walter Donovan’s bribe G:2 tyres for superb road holding. in favour of his car: “Rolls-Royce Phantom II; 4.3-litre, 300 horse- power, six cylinder engine, with Stromberg downdraft carburetor. Can go from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 12.5 seconds. And I even like the colour,” he declares with admiration, turning his back on the previous oer of arms, jewels and gold. Cars seem to transcend national borders and political dierences and bring people together in mutual understanding and respect. SSC Tuatara SHELBY Supercars’ Lamborghini WHAT do you get if you cross Perhaps it’s the roar of the engine; Engine: 7-litre Tuatara is a thing Gallardo LP a super sports car, a passion for perhaps it’s the metallic paint, or DOHC V8 of beauty. Its sleek 550-2 Spyder open-air driving and a dose of Italian maybe it’s the smell of petrol and twin turbo curves are part racing Engine: 5.2-litre style? You get the Lamborghini engine grease that gets us going, BHP: 1350 car/part fighter jet, V10 Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder. The but whatever it is, it works. 0-100kph: a look enhanced by BHP: 550 new Spyder features a 5.2-litre V10 So next time a half-million 2.5 secs stabilising fins at the Torque: 540 Nm at engine that launches the car to a dollar car passes you on the street Top speed: rear and a canopy-like 6500 rpm top speed of 319 kph, and a rear- with a whoosh, take a look around 442.6kph windshield. One-piece 0-100kph: 4.2 secs wheel drive system that puts it at and see who else has shared your Origin: US carbon fibre wheels Top speed: 319kph the mercy of the driver. The exterior appreciation and give them a nod Cost: and an all-carbon fibre Origin: Italy characteristics of the Gallardo – it will be the shortest, simplest US$1.3 million body make the Tuatara Cost: EUR 158,798 have been retained, but the engine, conversation you have ever had, float like a butterfly (US$244,976) transmission and stability control wherever you are in the world. and the 1350bhp system have been re-tuned and That’s the language of motors. engine makes it sting optimised to make the most of the JOE MORTIMER like a bee. rear-wheel drive setup.

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72-73 Motoring.indd 73 30/01/2012 16:49 DESTINATION INSPIRATION

Dancing all the way to the bank Best hotel room in London A friend of a friend of Destinations of the World How about this for a London hotel concept: just News admits to being addicted to the BBC reality one room for two, only open for a year and set in show Strictly Come Dancing, where ‘celebrities’ the most exclusive part of the capital, perched battle it out for top honours armed only with in the shape of a boat on top of the Southbank sequins and slinky dance moves. The show is Centre overlooking the Thames. Like it? Of syndicated to 75 countries (and counting) and course you do. A night in ‘A Room For London’ its generation of around £100 million a year for starts from £120 and to ensure as many people the BBC through books, DVDs and even chick enjoy it as possible, the room can only be booked lit shows that our friend is not alone. Inevitably once per guest. The art concept has been holidays were the next way forward. The BBC installed by organisations Living Architecture is now in talks with a cruise operator to oer and Artangel as part of the cultural climax of ‘masterclasses’ run by the show’s professional the Olympics, the London 2012 Festival. Guests dancers along with appearances by the judges as are invited to document their experiences in the part of trips around the Mediterranean. ‘ship’s log’ and selected artists will be using the room as a studio throughout the year. Already room nights have sold out until June.

Fifteen days to build a hotel When Destinations of the World News was very young its favourite toy was Lego. So naturally we were thrilled with the Broad Sustainable Building Corporation’s project to build a 30-storey hotel in – drumroll please – 15 days (excluding foundations). Really. The building near Dongting Lake in Hunan can withstand a magnitude nine earthquake and is ﬁve times more energy ecient than conventional buildings. And it is created from pre-fabricated sections that are just bolted into place. YouTube the time-lapse video footage and gaze in awe at the future of construction. Charles Hosea Photo:

Shanghai surprise Snooze control At Destinations of the World News towers we like to know where The great thing about holidays is sleeping. The we stand with our airline cabin crew. Call us old fashioned, but long lie-ins, the comfy beds, the pillow menus… we enjoy the comforting poetry of “chicken or fish”, the pure But a holiday dedicated entirely to sleep? The Shakespearian drama that is the emergency briefing and of course Grand Resort Bad Ragaz Spa in Switzerland the synchronised ballet of banging the overhead bins shut. So we is oering a two-night ‘Sleep Diagnostics’ were dismayed to hear that Shanghai’s China Eastern Airlines is package that examines everything from the way grooming its 2,600 flight attendants to be killing machines. CEA your heart, lungs and brain function at night attendants are being trained in the martial art of qin na “for the to the way the body moves and, erm, snores. continued safety of passengers” and as a first line of defence in The programme is run by Mark Dappen, a sleep emergency scenarios. Hong Kong airlines did a similar thing last specialist with Switzerland’s Olympic squad year and that depressed us too. We’re going feel very nervous and includes infrared night filming, a thorough asking for another drink in the skies over Asia. medical and ‘skin scraping’ for analysis. Nice.

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74-76 Trends.indd 74 30/01/2012 16:47 0_DOTW PAGE TESTER.indd 3 1/26/10 10:57:23 AM Trends

To dive for IN Fancy a trip two-and-a-half miles beneath the Atlantic to explore Tale of two cities Hurrah for the direct train between Paris and Moscow that the greatest wreck in the world? That’ll be US$60,000 please has just been reintroduced after a 20-year absence. The trip pril 15 marks the 100th anniversary of the it will no longer be organising trips to the wreck. In takes 38 hours at speeds of up sinking of the Titanic, a tragedy so potent addition to the submersible dive, clients such as Rojas to 160kph and prices start from A that the stories continue to resonate with us will enjoy a luxury two-week cruise from St. John’s, US$500 one-way. today, particularly following the most recent maritime Newfoundland, featuring five-star cuisine and lectures Auditions for disaster in Italy last month. But what do you do if about the famous ship. museum staff you’ve seen the films, read the books and bought the Although Deep Ocean Expeditions is the most The US$180 million Titanic Visi- ‘White Star Line’ T-shirt? Simple – if you’ve a spare extreme example of Titanic tourism, a quick web tor Centre in Northern Ireland is US$60,000, you pay to visit the doomed ship for real. search reveals dozens of cruises to the wreck site auditioning staff (with scripts and The 12,500-foot journey to the bottom of the freezing featuring Titanic-themed dinner parties and period everything) to see if they have Atlantic takes more than two and a half hours in a dress. Most have sold out. the ‘T Factor’ needed to tell the Russian three-person Mir submersible. When the Mir Such demand is a reflection of the way the tragedy Titanic story with “passion”. arrives at the site of the wreck the pilot switches on – that claimed a staggering 1,517 lives – continues to Tuk-tuk s’il vous plait? exterior lights, engages thrusters and explores the captivate us. And it’s an awe-inspiring story. Let’s not Tourist chefs may have welcomed legendary ship for three to four hours. forget when the Titanic was built it was the largest Sarkozy’s plans to make vast For those who have paid to enjoy this ultimate deep- moving object on earth (882 feet long), burned a tonne parts of Paris beggar-free, but the sea adventure, they can observe firsthand – through of coal every two minutes and was famously believed biggest news in the City of Lights an eight-inch-wide thickened porthole – the ship’s to be so sophisticated that it was ‘unsinkable’. has been the introduction of tuk- grand staircase, mighty bridge, promenade, gigantic Among those on its fatal maiden voyage were tuk taxis all over the capital. propellers and famous bow and then hover over the millionaires such as the Guggenheims and the Astors, ‘debris field’ where century-old artefacts are scattered as well as poor Irish migrants – including stowaway across the seabed. John Coffey – hoping for a better life overseas. Of the OUT At least 80 people have signed up for the ultimate first-class passengers 201 out of 324 survived, 118 out Titanic experience according to Deep Ocean of 277 second-class passengers and just 181 of 708 Birmingham’s better Expeditions, which has been organising exploration third-class passengers. The figures speak volumes. The New York Times’ 45 Places dives to the site on and off since 1998. “These people But the devil is in the detail. During construction To Go published last month placed the UK’s much mocked second are not all billionaires,” company founder Mike the number of lifeboats was cut from 48 to 20, only city of Birmingham at number McDowell tells Destinations of the World News from enough for 1,178 of the 2,235 people on board. Before 19… above Vienna, Antarctica, Seattle. “They are people who have worked hard to the ship struck the iceberg the wireless operators Rome and Madrid. Have these have the money to do this.” were too busy sending frivolous telegrams for guys been to Birmingham? According to the UK’s Daily Mail one of the deep-sea wealthy passengers to receive warnings from other tourists will be Sir Richard Branson, who was quoted ships; binoculars in the crow’s nest were missing; the Motorway tours Britain’s M25 motorway, infa- as saying he had invited actress Kate Winslet to join vessel was travelling too fast and when the deadly mous for traffic jams and com- him. “Wouldn’t it be something if the star of Titanic ice came into view the crew tried desperately to muter misery, is now the focus of really got to go down to the real ship? I’m going to talk turn the ship. Instead they exposed its flank and the a new coach tour organised by a to her, I’m sure it’s an opportunity she will jump at.” iceberg fatally ripped through six of the 16 water-tight company called Brighton & Hove. Not all clients are billionaire entrepreneurs compartments. Don’t forget your sandwiches and though. American banker Renata Rojas told The New There were great stories of heroism while the flask of coffee. York Times she had been obsessed with the Titanic ship took three hours to sink and terrible stories Angry birds home since the age of 10. “It’s going to be an opportunity of disgusting self-preservation such as wealthy to roost to pay my respects. If I could, I would stay under landowner Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, who sneaked off Addicted to Angry Birds? Yes? for days.” early in a virtually empty lifeboat, bribing the crew You saddo. Well, you probably When the overbooked trips were last marketed in not to return to help rescue survivors. already know that two theme 2005 Rojas missed out on a place and was determined We’re sure that for those who will pay US$60,000 parks celebrating the world- to get to the front of the queue this year. It was her last for the submersible adventure, it will be an experience dominating game are to be built in Finland. Bet you can’t wait. chance. Deep Ocean Expeditions says after this year as unforgettable as the story itself. n

76 February 2012 dotwnews.com

74-76 Trends.indd 76 30/01/2012 16:46 C

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K Connoisseur An insider’s guide to the most

luxurious hotels in the world Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten

here are three central in the city to find the elevators for the second-floor reception. You emerge in a space Hamburg hotels with history. that sums up this graceful hotel, which is Jugendstil throughout. Public areas seem Cruising started in this like an infinite expanse of silky-wood floors and upper corridors are double the Hanseatic port in northern usual width. Bedroom 624, like its neighbours, is light and bright, to emphasise its TGermany, when the general director of size. A simple uncluttered table-desk sits near a console holding every conceivable Hamburg Atlantic Line, Albert Ballin, socket. Televisions are Bang & Olufsen and the bath-shower is one big wet area. A commissioned a passenger-friendly 70-foot basement pool has one end wall completely covered by an infinity-horizon ship in 1899. Ten years later, he built a landscape, and the gym is similarly spacious. Try a hamburger at Apples restaurant hotel for his first-class customers, both (it is 100 percent best beef, says the hotel’s Tibetan GM, Tashi Takang, proudly). Mary pre- and post-sailing. What is now the www.hamburg.park.hyatt.com Gostelow 242-room Kempinski Hotel Atlantic The 157-room Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is a five-floor palace that oers Hamburg still stands regally guarding theatre, from past to bang up-to-date. The 1897-vintage hotel is on Binnenalster, the Lifestyle the Alster See lake and Elbe River. smaller lake, and the most coveted rooms are front-facing. If you can get a top-floor and luxury Outside, the all-white, five-floor beauty Biedermeier-style loft, you have a balcony to sit on, if weather permits, watching lake commentator has deeply-fluted columns. Inside, ferries and the tall, Jet d’eau-like fountain. Turn to your right and you can see one of you are greeted by an original life-size the world’s biggest Apple stores. Stay here for ambience, wow factors and food. Some portrait, on tiles, of an early hotel locals seem to spend hours enjoying coee, or something stronger, in the spectacular patron, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Bedroom lobby, with original 115-year-old wood panelling and a moulded ceiling highlighted 420, typically, has opening windows by bright ruby furnishings and sparkling glassware, and at night, dozens of candles. looking over Alster See, immediately The pens on the reception desk are real Mont Blancs, secured by gold chains. Dining across the street – it has been recently options include Michelin-starred French at Haerlin, plus a classic grill, a pavement- redecorated, with bold beige and set café and the red-hued Doc Cheng’s lifestyle-Asian restaurant. The hotel director burgundy colours. The 18-metre indoor, is the creative Ingo Peters. www.fairmont.com stainless steel pool opens from seven in the morning. After, you can head Kempinski Hotel directly to the sensational breakfast Atlantic Hamburg buet, justly renowned for its seafood, even at this hour. GM Peter Pusnik is determined nothing is too much trouble for his sta (ask directions and they will take you). If you have time at weekends, join fit Hamburgers in cycling the five-mile circuit of Alster See: the hotel has complimentary Townie bicycles emblazoned with its logo. www.kempinski.com Park Hyatt Hamburg is the hotel of choice if you want to stay in the city centre, and right in the middle of Hamburg’s retail area. The 252- room hotel is, indeed, so ‘hidden’ in the historic 1911-vintage Levantehaus Jugendstil (Art Deco) shopping mall that it is a challenge to find the hotel’s entrance. Negotiate your way to the

HAMBURG centre of 40 of the best luxury boutiques

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K Album

Amy mcdonAld true testament to following your passions, Amy McDonald spent her early career managing several award-winning spa properties in the US,A before she decided to put her expertise on wellbeing to more entrepreneurial uses. She opened her first company, Amy McDonald and Associates, in 2005, and established her current venture Under a Tree shortly after. Leading a skilled group of seasoned industry professionals, Amy works with global hospitality brands like Four Seasons and Starwood Capital Group, merging her knowledge of resort hospitality, healthcare and wellbeing into integrated hybrid models. In other words, this Owner, Under is a woman who knows what it takes to make guests feel truly relaxed and at peace. a Tree wellbeing, Amy’s passion for wellbeing and travel have taken her to amazing spa destinations all over spa and hospitality the world. Here she shares her recommendations for the best places to unwind and de-stress with consultancy Destinations of the World News.

Isle de France St. Barths, Caribbean On an island synonymous with glamour, this small luxury property provides an atmosphere of barefoot chic that complements its beachfront location. Tucked away in a grove of coconut palms, the spa’s outdoor pavilion is an idyllic venue for Thai massage. Featuring Natura Bisse products, the spa also offers a full selection of high-performance facial and body skincare treatments.

Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel Matilda “Seven cascading Udaipur, India San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Beyond the sumptuous facilities The historic colonial town of San pools are and jaw-dropping decor, it’s the Miguel has drawn generations of genuinely warm team of staff that artists and expats to Mexico. Hotel energetically truly dazzles. Located within its Matilda is a modern boutique own lake-front pavilion with an hotel filled with high design charged by enormous infinity pool, state- and contemporary Mexican underwater music of-the art fitness centre and art. Spa Matilda’s signature meditation garden, a team of apothecary offers freshly prepared and refreshed by Indonesian therapists provides products made of locally sourced exceptional treatments, ranging ingredients, plus Spa En Vivo – a saline springs” from indigenous Ayurvedic rituals private oasis with minimal shelter, to globally inspired massage extraordinary views and mineral- modalities and beauty services. infused hot springs.

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80-81 The Album.indd 80 30/01/2012 16:45 Peace of mind Isle de France’s outdoor pavilion is a heavenly venue for a Thai massage

Mii amo Toskana Therme Four Seasons Tented Camp Arizona, USA Bad Sulza, Germany Golden Triangle, Thailand At this destination spa, each guest Comparable to “being in a womb”, I literally cried upon leaving here. It commits to a minimum three-night Toskana Therme’s Liquid Sound feels like you have landed on a distant stay called a Journey. What I love uses state-of-the art technology to exotic planet. Between arrival and about Mii amo is the opportunity unite bathing with sound, colour departure you’ll be treated to a luxury to get lost in the red rocks and and light. Seven cascading pools are tent overlooking a bamboo jungle, magic of Sedona while enjoying energetically charged by underwater incredible Thai food, elephants and some of the best spa services in the music and refreshed by saline Thai massage. You can groom, bond, world. Treatments are guaranteed springs, leaving you buoyant, relaxed bathe and ride an elephant given to to help any busy person switch and enjoying the surroundings. you for your stay. These gentle giants, off. I recommend: Kinetic Flow, Guaranteed to create a deep sense of plus Thai massage in a two-sided Aura Soma, Exercise Physiology, rest and wellbeing beyond the more jungle treatment room, puts this Acupuncture, Watsu and Bio traditional spa water therapies – put nature/adventure/spa combination Aquatic Cranial… all are excellent. this on your bucket list. at the top of my list.

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Hotel Cipriani, Venice Setting a leading example

You’ve stayed in a lot of incredible match, and the ladies want to go Where do you send your clients hotels… to the museums. We’ll have your for Valentine’s Day? Yes, and I’m so happy to be able to tickets to the matches and the I would definitely send people to do that. I am dealing with many museums waiting for you in your Venice. It’s classically romantic royal families, so people can come room. We can also arrange for cars, and you can’t go wrong with that! to me and say, ‘I have a VIP travel- dinner reservations, spa appoint- ling with me,’ and I know what ments – the guest doesn’t have to Can you explain the Leader’s Club? to do. Take Tokyo for example. worry about anything. When you join the Leader’s Club If the client wants a hotel in the you have automatic advantages, city, and they want a big lobby What are the top destinations you like complimentary breakfast with high ceilings, we can guide would recommend for a holiday? and internet access, plus room them to the Imperial Hotel. Or South Africa is amazing. In Cape upgrades and more. One of the maybe there are some princesses Town you have the beach and the biggest advantages is that for each and they want to go shopping. So mountains and you can do a lot of five stays in at least two Leading I can recommend the Hotel Seiyo activities nearby. I was also very Hotels in one year, members can Ginza, which is near the luxury surprised at how safe Johannes- earn one free night that can be Hatem Chatter shops, and we can arrange for staff burg is. And there are safaris and redeemed at any one of more than to assist them with their shopping, game treks to see the Big Five. I 430 hotels around the world. Regional Director Middle East, or to have the latest collections would also strongly recommend The Leading Hotels of the World brought to their suite, or even Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro. Where as a region has some of the request shops to open after-hours Especially for us in Dubai, where best hotel standards/service that to give them some privacy. we are so used to working all the you’ve seen? time – go to Brazil and you have Dubai, because you have such a What are some of the most memo- people on the beach, drinking great number of extraordinary rable moments of your career? caipirinhas, watching football – brand-new hotels. In Thailand Last year, when we had a booking it is very relaxing. the service is great because they for more than US$1 million in treat you like royalty. If I go to Marbella, Spain. It was for a royal What are the criteria to become New York, the service is amazing family from Saudi Arabia. a Leading Hotel of the World? because the waiter and the con- We are always making them as cierge have been performing their Is this kind of business very tough as possible – we have to be jobs for their whole lives, so they competitive? very strict and consistent with all really know good service. There are a lot of competitors, but our hotels to make sure we are to be honest we don’t really worry fair. We are not in the business Where have you been that has the about them, because we give a full of terminating hotels – we are most impressive natural setting? concierge service, which other working to promote the hotels that Switzerland, because of all the companies don’t. For example, meet the hundreds of standards, lakes and the mountains. When if you have a booking in Spain, covering everything from the you open the windows it’s like and you are going with a group of reservation process to departure, revealing a painting, with the flow- friends – both men and ladies – from bedding, decor, and cuisine ers and the trees and the sky – it is and men want to go to a football to facilities and, above all, service. just stunning. n Final WORD

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BEYOND EXPECTATION

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stregis.com ©2011 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affi liates.