DOTWNEWS September 2017 edition

September 2017

RIYADH, FOR REAL

Saudi Arabia’s evolving capital

SOME LIKE IT

HAUTE

CHIC HOTELS & EXCLUSIVE RESORTS FOR POOLSIDE GLAMOUR, ARABIAN NIGHTS & LUXURY FOR ALL THE FAMILY

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PALAZZO VERSACE DUBAI + LAPITA HOTEL DUBAI + AL HABTOOR CITY

LIMA

PERU FOR GOURMANDS

VIP at

SINGAPORE F1 GRAND PRIX

NEW-SEASON WATCHES

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DAZZLING JEWELS

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SUPERYACHTS

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LUXURY CARS

Exuding European grandeur and urban glamour, discover a space that mirrors your sense of style while fulďŹ lling your deepest desire. Plan your stay in Dubai this year and live the iconic Versace lifestyle in a cosmopolitan city that echoes the charms of tradition.

Explore our family, business, honeymoon and other stay offers at www.palazzoversace.ae/specialoffers

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Contents

september 2017

60 The elegant rooftop pool at The St. Regis Dubai is just the place to top up your Vitamin D

on the Cover 42 Some like it haute A haute hotel in every sense, Palazzo Versace Dubai is a glamorous ode to the Milanbased fashion house 50 Riyadh, for real Open for business and aiming for “bleisure”, Saudi Arabia’s capital is on the path to 2030

60 Destination deluxe Every inch a “city within a city”, Dubai’s Al Habtoor City’s three five-star hotels reviewed

88 Gourmet Journey Lima A guide to the city’s hottest Peruvian tables with Michelinstarred chef Virgilio Martínez

72 Magic moments A fun-filled family stay at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection

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GI LI GI V E S MO R E LIMITED TIME OFFER

Indulge in a 4-night stay in one of our Villa Suites, Residences, or Crusoe Residences, and enjoy daily gourmet Champagne breakfast, exquisite dinner experiences, sunrise yoga sessions, water sports activities, complimentary speedboat transfers, as well as steam bath and sauna at the award-winning Meera Spa.

B o o k y o u r s t a y : www.gili-lankanfushi.com Offer valid from now till November 2017

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives, Lankanfushi Island 08290 North MalĂŠ Atoll, Republic of Maldives T +960 664 0304 F +960 664 0305 Managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts

Contents

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september 2017

In the news

24 Europe

The Ritz-Carlton Vienna GM Christian Zandonella; Porto Montenegro nets Platinum Marina award; British Airways revamps Club World offerings

27 Middle East & Africa Two new andBeyond properties; Buddha-Bar Beach set for Abu Dhabi; Campbell Gray Hotels launch in Liberia

30 Asia & Oceania Hanoi’s stunning boutique-hotel La Siesta Central; Bill Bensley’s latest designs in Cambodia; Singapore Airlines debuts The Laundress range

32 Americas Artist Fernando Botero’s Cartagena suite; Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort announced; Delta and TUMI’s personalised amenity kits

34 Debut

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Hot hotels, chic boutiques and exclusive new resorts

36 Diary This month’s pick of sporting, cultural and artistic events

38 VIP Rub shoulders with the motoring A-list at the Singapore Grand Prix

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spend It 92 Escapes

The best one-of-a-kind travel experiences money can buy from driving a vintage Ferrari to Lake Como or a bespoke photography safari in South Africa

94 Luxe Kids The most fabulous finds and incredible escapes for your discerning travelling tot

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97 Staycations Inspiring packages to book in Dubai

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100 Essentials This month’s pick of accessories to stay chic on your travels and beyond

102 On the road Motoring news from Rolls-Royce, MercedesMaybach and Aston Martin; road testing the Audi S5 Coupé

108 Set sail CRN’s MY Superconero and Nautor’s Swan Swan 95

110 Out of this world A ¤100,000 European adventure with Rocco Forte Hotels

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JW MARRIOT T® MARQUIS DUBAI

Elevating Luxury to New Heights.

Comprising two iconic towers, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is centrally located beside the Dubai Water Canal. Offering a spectrum of facilities for the most discerning travellers, it is the ultimate destination of exceptional taste featuring an array of diverse restaurants and lounges.

1,608 LUXURIOUS GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES OVER 14 AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS AND LOUNGES SARAY SPA FEATURING TRADITIONAL HAMMAMS, A DEAD SEA FLOATATION POOL AND 17 TREATMENT ROOMS STATE-OF-THE-ART HEALTH CLUB AND FITNESS FACILITIES 8,000 SQM OF SPECTACULAR MEETING SPACES For more information please call +971 4 414 0000 or visit jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com

Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, PO Box 121000, Dubai, UAE | T +971 4 414 0000, F +971 4 414 0001 | jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com JW Marriott Marquis Dubai | @JWDubaiMarquis | JWMarriottMarquisDubai

news

hoT eVenTS, new hoTeLS And GLobAL jeT SeTTerS

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A BOTSWANA BEAUTY Safari camp aesthetes will approve of andbeyond’s l at e s t u n ve i l i n g : t h e nxabega okavango Tented Camp, which has been revamped, and enjoys sensational views over the okavango delta

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Luxury travel news from around the world This month’s best new hotels A guide to the top events in September VIP guide to the Singapore Grand Prix

News europe

BorN to lead: christiaN zaNdoNella geNeral maNager oF the ritz-carltoN, VieNNa

From a sweet childhood iN aN ice cream shop to the cultural heights oF VieNNa, Christian Zandonella has whirled his way through the hotel iNdustry, oNe departmeNt at a time interview: steven Bond

Tell us about your “journey to GM” – how did it all begin?

My parents used to have an ice cream shop in Munich, and this is where it all started. I would come home after school and clean the dishes or make ice cream, so I started very early. Then at 16 I got an internship with Hilton International, a brand that no longer exists. I always focused on food and beverage – my dream was to become a maître d – and then when I was a restaurant manager my dream was to become a director of food and beverage, which I became at the Hotel Arts Barcelona with The Ritz-Carlton. I always stuck to F&B and worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants because food and beverage was always my passion.

I think once I exhausted that journey in hotels, it was about how much more creativity and input I could give. If you grow into a hotel manager you have more opportunities to make transformations and start new projects at a different level.

From where do you draw your inspiration in the hospitality industry?

My inspiration is improvisation. Our day-to-day work is a lot about improvisation, but you cannot improvise to become a great hotelier, you can only improvise if you know your trade very, very well. It can appear from the outside that you make up the story or a decision but it takes a lot of experience to make a quick decision. If you’re dealing with ministers, heads of state and VIPs and the issues they can encounter in a hotel, then the experience matters, so my inspiration comes from improvising on a daily basis. It’s something you can learn, but not at school. The other night at 11pm I was

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standing with a guest in the Presidential Suite – he called me because there was an issue with his air conditioning. Opening windows with a VIP guest in his pyjamas at 11pm – they don’t teach you about that in school. There’s no textbook.

What’s your personal highlight for visitors to Vienna?

First of all I would recommend walking, walking, walking. It’s a city where you can walk everywhere and I encourage everyone to leave the map in the room – it’s so small you won’t get lost and every corner you turn there are little squares and surprises. I tell our guests to simply stay off the beaten path, just get out of the hotel and start walking. It’s a very safe city, even at night.

Is there a luxury travel trend you think will be particularly surprising in the coming five years?

We will focus very much on giving choice. We’re the only luxury hotel brand that offers mobile check in, for example. You can choose mobile or reception – the future is all about choice, and that includes entertainment; you can stream your own content in the room or simply select CNN; or go online and choose YouTube. The new generation may prefer to talk to us, but they usually prefer to send a WhatsApp message to the Club Level team, requesting a turn down or room service. We also want to be ready for a generation that is tuning out the technology and wants to be offline a little more. You have to offer both because “offline” will be the new luxury for many people.

News europe

the gold platinum standard in yachting Montenegro continues to raMp up its appeal to the discerning traveller – and specifically the world’s (super)yachties, in this case. opened in 2010, 460-berth marina porto Montenegro has been a luxury hub with a five-star hotel, upscale waterfront residences, retail village and restaurants, all working together with the aim of making the destination the world’s top superyacht marina. and now that vision has become a reality, as porto Montenegro has been awarded the the Yacht harbour association (tYha)

platinum Marina award – the first and only in the world to receive the platinum honour. the award took into consideration aspects such as air-conditioned waste facilities to prevent odours, a 24-hour concierge team and exceptional crew facility provisions that exceeded expectations. this marina’s fantastic offerings haven’t exactly flown under the radar, though – if you’re keen to get into one of the berths or residences, you may have to demonstrate some patience as they’ve already been snapped up and sold out.

Paris’s iconic rooftoPs sure are lovely, anD the sPecialiseD craftsPeoPle keePing the zinc roofs in toP forM are lobbying for unesco WorlD heritage status – shoulD they Win it, they’ll be the city’s seconD WorlD heritage site, folloWing the banks of the river seine

Don’t Miss

First in class

British airwaYs is not resting on its laurels, especially when it comes to its customers flying First from the Middle east… whose relationship with life’s finer things admittedly may be a bit closer than others’. as part of a £400-million (us$520.4m) effort to revamp club world offerings across the board, First passengers from the Middle east can now refresh in-flight with new washbags from liberty london in vintage prints, containing toiletries from refinery for men and aromatherapy associates for women. Further perks? those departing from abu dhabi can experience the new-generation First cabins on the 787-9 dreamliner, while passengers in dubai can relax pre-flight in the new concorde lounge concept in concourse d, exclusive to First guests. in london, all First passengers will get to experience the revamped concorde lounge in heathrow terminal 5 which, from october this year, will boast an updated look and feel and enhanced terrace. planning in advance will be to your benefit with Ba, with customers booking travel in First 60 days in advance from abu dhabi or dubai to heathrow able to take advantage of special fares (from aed20,550/us$5,595). travelling onward to the us? a new partnership with the white company offers plush new bedding for club world passengers, initially to launch on flights between heathrow and new York JFK before being made available on other long-haul routes.

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LakeSide Luxury in hiStoric hanoi

coNsidered a defiNiNg feature iN Vietnam’s capital hanoi, hoan Kiem lake is a must-see for many travellers in the ancient city – placing real estate with those lake views at a premium. opened just last month, boutique-hotel la siesta central may be bijou, but it goes big on visuals, with 19 of its 27 rooms boasting those highly sought water views – a feature not to be sniffed at. “every visitor who comes to hanoi visits hoan Kiem lake of course,” says chu Van Binh, general manager of la siesta central. “But it’s a rarity for them to actually see it from their hotel room. even the rooms that don’t have lake views look over the rooftops of the old Quarter, which is just

as fascinating in its own way.” owned and operated

by Vietnamese boutique hotel-brand elegance hospitality group (ehg), the property is a historic private residence that has been repurposed into a swank stay. in an overall atmosphere of modish elegance, dark wood panelling, intricately patterned tiling and a collection of black-and-white artworks add a classic feel. guest rooms feature rainforest showers, luxurious toiletries from the in-house la siesta spa brand – and of course those views, of which the Junior suite lake View and the premium la siesta suite Balcony will have the most impressive waterfront vistas.

Laundromat in the cLoudS No matter how much you speNd flyiNg premium class, there are still certain nuisances a traveller simply cannot avoid. even the most meticulous jet setter has been victim to the wrinkles of a long-haul flight, or an inconveniently timed bout of turbulence while sipping coffee. as part of its 70th-anniversary celebrations, singapore airlines has teamed up with the laundress, an eco-friendly cleaning company, offering travelsized fabric-care products to guests in suites, first and Business classes. crease release will remove moderate wrinkles; fabric fresh classic will refresh clothes with a clean-laundry scent; and the wash & stain Bar will help remove any unsightly marks without the use of liquids. it may not be your favourite dry cleaner, but when on-the-go, it’s the next best thing.

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other highlights include the la siesta spa with a menu of treatments based on traditional Vietnamese healing methods, and treatment rooms in sleek black-and-white themes. on the rooftop, red Bean restaurant serves fine international and Vietnamese cuisine, while twilight Bar mixes up bespoke cocktails and premium spirits, positioned on its perch as one of the city’s best vantage points. Nestled in hanoi’s buzzing old Quarter near the iconic central lake, guests can step out of the hotel and into the thick of things, walking around the business and tourist hub surrounded by city life swarming all around.

News asia & oceaNia

cambodia, bill beNsley style Cambodia’s tropiCal landsCape, awe-inspiring ruins and French Quarter neighbourhoods are eye candy enough, but it never hurts to add a touch of acclaimed designer and architect bill bensley’s style into the mix. shinta mani Hotels, which has been offering siem reap travellers boutique stays with bensley’s distinct aesthetic since 2004, has plenty in store.

Currently operating two properties in the French Quarter district, each has just revealed a rebrand: shinta mani resort becomes shinta mani shack following a refurbishment – along with two new executive suites, the pool has received a makeover with a showstopping black-and-white design – while shinta mani Club is now known as shina mani angkor. the most exciting news is that of the group’s new collaboration with bensley, “the bensley Collection”. Comprising a small portfolio of ultra-luxury hotels, the first to open will be shinta mani angkor – bensley Collection in november of this year. Just 10 villas will make up this world-class property, each with a bensley butler, outdoor bath and polished concrete walls projecting sculptures of the apsara. Following in Q3 2018, shinta mani Wild – bensley Collection can be found two hours out of phnom penh in tmor rung’s remote wilderness. a luxury camp featuring 16 tents elevated over the destination’s waterfalls, guests can expect a focus on conservation and a design “to invoke the feeling of what it would have been like on a luxury safari in the jungles of Cambodia with Jackie o.” our oversized sunglasses are at the ready.

Don’t miss

Fans oF muji’s minimalist style will be able to immerse themselves in it when travelling to the Far east, as the japanese branD reaDies to launch a hotel in shenzhen later this year, FolloweD by a tokyo property in 2019

let maNdariN orieNtal eNtertaiN you You Can noW Have tHe ultimate osCars partY in Hong Kong with the reveal of the landmark mandarin oriental Hong Kong’s new entertainment suite. the vast 209-sqm space designed by award-winning architect and designer Joyce Wang brims with glamour and cutting-edge technology (a b&o beolab sound system, a concealed 160-in television screen with a 5,000-lumens laser projector, virtual reality equipment, a dJ booth, and even a thirties-era american jukebox) and ample dining space to host an event of unmitigated extravagance. naturally, with that comes an extraordinary bar: the four-metre-long “Cabinet of delights” laden with enough boutique wine on tap, rare vintages and mixers to give even bacchus pause.

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N E W S D I A RY

SEPT 12-17 THE HAVE YACHTS

Cannes Yachting Festival – Cannes, France Set in the picturesque Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto in the heart of Cannes at each end of the famous Croisette, it’s little wonder the festival is marking four decades this year, for there are few better settings in which to ogle at gorgeous yachts.

Along with taking in new launches and some 100 world premieres, watching the Concours d’Elégance showcasing rare vintage and modern-day boats, and lusting over luxury goods in the aptly-named “Luxury Gallery” in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, expect glamorous parties aboard yachts and on exhibitor’s stands, with this year’s official partners including Maserati, Louis Roederer and Azur Helicopteres. If you’re a have not, pick up a Riviera Card (€1,089 for two) which includes access to The VIP Club located on the roof of the Palais, lunch for two at Panoramic restaurant, a helicopter trip and priority access to official Maserati vehicles. www.cannesyachtingfestival.com

Diary SEPTEMBER

FROM SEPT 15

Spin the globe and jet off to this month’s must-do diary dates that will take you to the Côte d’Azur to soak up yachting lifestyle, to Oman for world-class opera or to London for a one-off auction devoted to a silver-screen starlet

EXTREME FASHION

Expedition: Fashion from the Extreme – Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, USA The highest mountain peaks, the deepest oceans and even outer space – who would have thought that mankind’s explorations of the world’s most extreme, inhospitable environments would end up inspiring high fashion? From safari-inspired tunics designed

by Yves Saint Laurent to a down-filled jacket by Gemna Dvesalia for Balenciaga and space-inspired designs by Helmut Lang – all displayed in dramatically designed, extreme “environments” – the exhibition charts the evolution of puffer jackets and high-tech materials like neoprene and Mylar from exploration essential to modern wardrobe mainstay. It’s certainly one of the more unique fashion exhibitions out there, but one that rouses discussion on the roots of what we wear, the climate and even (shhh!) controversies like fur. www.fitnyc.edu

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N E W S D I A RY

FROM SEPT 14 OMAN’S CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA

Aida – The Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman Opening with Giuseppe Verdi’s grand masterpiece, Aida, The Royal Opera House Muscat is bringing a world-class schedule of concerts, ballet and dance, musicals and more to Oman for its 2017-2018 season. Along with more stunning operas from Pagliacci to L’Occasione fa il Ladro; a performance of Swan Lake; a concert by contemporary Arab musician Sami Yusuf and dreamy bossa nova from multiple Grammy award-winning Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil, families too, have much to look forward to, with Peter Pan the musical to Peter and the Wolf, which includes a shadow puppet show with arias about animals and a screening of Peter & The Wolf LIVE accompanied by the Orchestra of Opéra de Rouen playing Prokofiev’s score. www.rohmuscat.org.om

PHOTO: Alessio Pizzicannella

SEPT 26

A HOLLYWOOD ICON

Sotheby’s London, The Collection of Vivien Leigh – London, UK Vivien Leigh (1913-1967) catapulted into Hollywood history with her incredible performance as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind in 1939, and for true fans eager to understand the woman behind the silver screen, Sotheby’s London’s latest auction is a must. Around 250 lots of paintings, jewellery, couture, books, furniture, porcelain, objets d’art celebrating all aspects of Vivien’s life will go to auction with a full exhibition on show from the 22nd. Among the highlights is Vivien’s personal copy of Gone with the Wind given to her by the author Margaret Mitchell, a gold ring inscribed “Laurence Olivier Vivien Eternally”, and even Vivien’s wig for the film A Streetcar Named Desire inscribed with her name. Frankly, we do give a damn. www.sothebys.com

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NEWS VIP

VIP

FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Celebrating its 10th edition this year, (Sept 15-17) the thrilling night race around Marina Bay Street Circuit is a highlight on the motorsport calendar and Michael Roche, executive director, Singapore GP Pte Ltd, tells us what’s in store this year

Clockwise from top: The illuminated Singapore skyline lends the perfect backdrop for the home of Formula 1ÂŽ night racing; Australian songstress Kylie Minogue kicking off the 2016 race weekend; Pentatonix performs at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in Circuit Park; cars manoeuvring the first three turns of the Circuit; English footballer Rio Ferdinand attends the 2016 night race; spectacular fireworks light up the night sky after the chequered flag is waved

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NEWS VIP

◗ THE EVENT M ic che Ro el ha

In 2008, Singapore made history for hosting the world’s first Formula 1® night race held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and has since continued to attract fans from across the globe as a “jewel in the Formula 1 crown”. This September, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (www.singaporegp.sg) will celebrate a special milestone with its 10th edition. Few events can capture the imagination like the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, with the stunning Marina Bay Street Circuit lit-up and glittering against the night sky and imposing city backdrop, the world’s finest drivers racing wheel-to-wheel at up to 320km/h and live performances from the big international artists. No wonder it’s at the top of everyone’s bucket list, especially with the event held in the beating heart of one of the world’s great cities, famous for its vibrant mix of cultures, cuisine and endless shopping options. On-track, it’s a feast for the senses as Formula 1 World Champions like Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso push themselves and their multi-million dollar prototype F1 cars to the absolute limit, just millimetres away from the concrete barriers. A new Empress Grandstand will offer spectacular views of the cars slowing down between Turns 11 and 12 of the Marina Bay Street Circuit before they cross the historical Anderson Bridge. This being our 10th Grand Prix, we’ve also introduced a “Super Pit” category where ticketholders will receive a commemorative ticket, lanyard as well as priority access at Gate 1. There will also be a specially curated photo exhibition along Orchard Road from mid-August that will feature some of our best highlights over the years.

◗ AMBIANCE Today, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is one of the largest events the country has ever hosted, and has become one of Asia’s mustattend weekends. As a sporting event, they don’t come much bigger. Formula One under lights in the heart of Singapore, the world’s biggest international artists playing every night, lots of action on and off-track. It’s enough to take your breath away, Singapore’s Marina Bay looming large in front of you, the world’s finest racing drivers zooming past you, lots of themed bars and hawker-style eateries around you – it’s unbelievably cool. As an experience for fans, it’s the complete package.

and Western culinary techniques. Led by chefs Russell Doctrove and Lee Man Sing, guests can look forward to signature dishes such as foie gras cotton candy, crispy sugar-coated barbecue Iberico pork bun with kumquat and toro tiradito with dragon fruit and red juice from their group of restaurants in Hong Kong including Mott 32, Blue Butcher & Meat Specialist, Brickhouse, Stockton and Mercedes me. The restaurant will sit alongside Japanese celebrity-chef and restaurateur NOBU, featuring a seasonal autumn menu with sustainable seafood such as mini chirashi cup sushi, tuna/salmon tataki with Matsuhisa dressing and Chilean seabass jalapeño miso. Two Michelin-starred Les Amis’ pastry chef Cheryl Koh of Tarte will be also be back with her colourful dessert creations.

Returning for the 10th year, the ever-popular world-renowned celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will showcase his signature dishes from the newly opened The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, with dishes such as black truffle and fontina pizza, steamed lobster with yuzu ginger dressing and bok choy as well as roasted foie gras with lychee, black olive and rose. Also back by popular demand with a specially curated menu is COMO Cuisine, known for their healthful cuisines that will delight clean and sophisticated palates.

◗ AFTER DARK Over at the other side of the track, Apex Lounge is a brand new product category launched earlier this year. Located on the second and third level of the Pit Straight hospitality facility, the industrial-themed Apex Lounge features a spacious duplex with plush seating areas, ambient lighting and concrete finishes.

Showcasing live DJ sets, the lounge seamlessly transitions from lounge to club where guests can party in an airy open setting with floor to celling windows in between the on-track action where they get an amazing view of the track and the podium from a private viewing gallery. Multiple live food stations ranging from freshly prepared tapas to nitrogen ice-cream are accompanied by specialist cocktails, craft scotch whiskies and sake bars.

◗ WEAR Comfort is key at the Circuit Park. Dress to keep cool both during the race and for the post-race headlining concerts at the Padang Stage. Fans are also encouraged to put on their most trusted pair of shoes and to pack light.

◗ RUB SHOULDERS WITH

◗ DON’T MISS

This event draws myriad audiences from business executives looking to reward their clients and employees to Formula One race fans, and people who appreciate great music, arts and entertainment.

On track, the F1 action promises to be explosive with Mercedes facing-off against Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing likely to join the fight as well.

Off track, the entertainment line-up doesn’t get much bigger than American pop superstar Ariana Grande, British synth-pop veterans Duran Duran, UK powerhouse DJ Calvin Harris, US pop-rockers OneRepublic and US DJ duo The Chainsmokers. Other headline artists include famed British singer-songwriters Seal, and Lianne La Havas, along with spoken word performer George the Poet.

◗ DINE ON This year, guests at the Formula One Paddock Club™ will see the debut of Hollywood Road

by Hong Kong’s award-winning restaurant group Maximal Concepts at the Paddock Club Lifestyle Area, showcasing the very best of Asian

dotwnews.com September 2017

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Madinat Jumeirah

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

One&Only The Palm

Sofitel The Palm

The Ritz Carlton DIFC, Dubai

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

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Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

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T h e w o r l d ’ s m o s T d e s i r a b l e l o c aT i o n s

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TIKI TIME IN DUBAI an exotic Polynesian styled resort located inside a theme park, lapita, dubai Parks and resorts is a oneof-a-kind destination for a luxurious family adventure

42 50 60 72 88

a haute hotel experience at Palazzo Versace dubai discovering riyadh, saudi arabia’s evolving capital al habtoor city’s three five-star hotels reviewed Parks and (luxe) recreation at lapita hotel dubai lima, Peru with michelin-starred chef Virgilio martínez

s o m e l i ke i t

haute Palazzo Versace Dubai is a glamorous ode to the Milan-based fashion house, finds Michelle Wranik-Hicks, who spends an indulgent weekend living la dolce vita

PHOTO: Nicolas Dumont

Ischia is just one of three swimming pools at the hotel, which although glamorous, is also ideal for children with a sandy area and shallow steps (above). Previous spread: A woman enters the Capri pool, the hotel’s main, adults-only swimming pool featuring the Medusa motif

I

n Greek mythology, Medusa was a monstrous woman with venomous black snakes in place of her hair, cursed by the jealous goddess Athena so that anyone who looked directly into her eyes was immediately turned to stone. It’s a terrifying, albeit mythical, tale – yet one that captivated the late fashion designer Gianni Versace, who made the image of Medusa the emblem of the legendary fashion house. Gracing everything from scarves and belt buckles on catwalks to the pebbled courtyard of the Versace family palazzo on Via Gesù in Milan, the motif became instantly recognisable. Even the infamous gown so memorably worn by Liz Hurley to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 (now known as “THAT dress”) was held together by gold Medusa-head safety pins.

Versace’s Medusa, however, is nothing like the terrifying, screaming portrayal immortalised by Caravaggio in his famous artwork – and this is a good thing, as she’s everywhere at Palazzo Versace Dubai, her symmetrical face gazing serenely from the mosaics in the grandiose lobby, and from the glass doors, the towels and the gold-topped bottles of luxuriously lathering shampoo and conditioner in my bathroom. She’s on the bottom of the Capri pool, as I breaststroke above, and to my amusement, she even makes an appearance at Friday brunch at Giardino, where someone has rather cleverly carved a Medusa face in a watermelon.

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It’s not simply the Medusa motif that makes this palatial five-star property a Versace hotel, however.

Styled to resemble a 16th-century Italian palace, with as much passion and craftsmanship imbued into its design and décor as a couturier spends on a gown, the hotel is a glamorous tribute to the Milanbased fashion house. Despite Gianni Versace’s tragic murder outside Casa Casuarina in South Beach, Miami in 1997, the maison has continued to evolve.

Led by his siblings, Santo and Donatella Versace, it has even expanded into hospitality – launching a debut resort on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2000, followed by Palazzo Versace Dubai.

Set in a new district of Dubai known as Culture Village, in Al Jaddaf, northeast of Downtown on the banks of the Creek, guests need to be aware the hotel’s neighbourhood is a work in progress.

Eventually, it will feature a modern art museum, a marina and kilometres of waterfront walkway.

However the hotel too, was a work in progress, opening in stages until its official launch in November last year. Donatella’s lavish soirée drew a star-studded guest list with supermodels jetting in for the occasion, among them Alessandra Ambrosio, Helena Christensen and Natasha Poly – but celeb and supermodel spotting is quite the norm at Palazzo Versace Dubai. Even during my stay, there’s a buzz in the lobby, where this weekend’s guests, Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, are making a special appearance to meet fans.

The lobby makes a sartorial setting for a celebrity appearance, and it’s where the full grandeur of the Versace manifesto takes form. While her brother Gianni may have championed the bold and the brash, Donatella’s mood board throughout the hotel – and this may be the so-called woman’s touch – is a slightly more toned-down maximalist.

Even those who would never dream of wearing the clothes (which can take a certain swagger to pull off) will appreciate the sheer level of quality, whether it’s the ceilings hand-detailed in gold, the three-tonne, hand-blown Bohemian glass chandelier (inspired by a classic Versace floral pattern) or the intricate marble mosaic floors, which took Fantini Mosaici, a fourth-generation Italian firm, an astonishing two years to complete.

If you are a Versace lover, the immersion will delight you. Along with Medusa, there are countless representations of the maison throughout the hotel, from the striking geometry of the Greek key – another Versace signature – to Versace-prints encasing cushions atop neoclassical chairs. Many were created exclusively for the hotel, featuring icons of the region, such as the falcon, the peacock, and the Arabian horse. Down the hallways, off either side of the lobby, the walls are lined with sketches of Donatella’s and Gianni’s Atelier Versace gowns, and scarves framed like the pieces of art they are.

For guests overcome by the lure of the brand, there are boutiques, though it’s not just the adults

D e s t i n at i o n s Pa l a z z o V e r s a c e D u b a i

The opulent bathrooms in Signature Suites are a magnificent space to preen and bathe in Versace-branded amenities (top); gold is the focal hue in the Signature Suites, which span 214 square metres and feature a grand entrance hall, a living room, a separate bedroom and a kitchenette, each space laden with bespoke furnishings and pieces from the Versace Home Collection (above)

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The Versace boutique in Milan (top) and the mosaic Medusa in the lobby of Palazzo Versace Dubai (above)

who can clad themselves in all things Versace.

There is a Versace boutique just for children, conveniently located opposite the kids’ club, where some of the house’s designs are even printed onto the soft-play floor mats. At the adjacent Versace Home boutique, there’s linen and wallpapers, while owners of fur babies can even buy Versace bowls for their canine companions.

The hotel has 150 rooms and 65 suites, all embodying the DNA of the brand in turquoise, blue, beige and salmon hues, though on the ninth-floor, where many of the premium suites are located, the palette transforms into gold. Gold carpets lead the way to the door of my Signature Suite, which opens to ceilings that soar a good five metres high.

With carved boiseries and silk furnishings at every turn, the windows are hung with floor-to-ceiling curtains, while the floors are a mix of polished timber parquetry, marble and plush carpet.

No expense is spared for guests staying in this suite, particularly when it comes to indulgences.

Fresh flowers? There are vases of yellow roses and

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“Along with MedusA, there Are countless representAtions of the MAison throughout the hotel”

live orchids. Snacks? Delicacies come in the form of platters of nuts, silver trays of Arabic sweets, sliced fresh fruit, and handmade chocolates. At one point, the doorbell rings and the butler delivers fresh doughnuts. Good tech? Even fashion folk appreciate it, and I’m thrilled to find the suite suitably laden with LG televisions, Apple TV and digital consoles at the bedside allowing me to operate the curtains and lights to match the mood.

In the bathroom, Carrara marble and handcrafted mosaics hug the walls above a circular tub, while a terrace allows for a good look at Dubai’s rapidly expanding Creek, from Festival City and across to the new Dubai Creek Harbour. You can see all the way to Sharjah from another terrace off the suite’s elaborate living room, where bespoke sofas and armchairs create a regal atmosphere beneath a ceiling hung with chandeliers. And should you be gripped, at a whim, to host a party of six for a lavish meal, the table is already set, with crockery featuring brocade gold swirls and glassware embossed with the Greek key. It’s one of the more formal breakfasts I’ve had,

eating porridge and organic berries from a Versace bowl. Whether or not they are microwave safe is not something I’m game to test, though the suite also has small kitchenette with concealed Miele appliances.

I’m certainly not here to cook, however, as the dining options at Palazzo Versace Dubai are superlative.

Italy and eating may go hand in hand, but the same can be said of Turkey and the gastronomy at Enigma.

It’s not my first time dining at the restaurant – in fact, I’ve visited each time Enigma hosted a new chef gleaned from the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list, among them Quique Dacosta and Björn Frantzén.

Now presided over by chef de cuisine, Yunus Emre Aydin, both the food, from the Levrek sea bass with Black Sea findik crust or the aged Wagyu pastrami carved at the table, to the standard of service is impeccable. Incidentally, great service ends up being the case throughout my stay. For a hotel inspired by a fashion brand, some may be concerned about snootiness, though on the contrary, the staff – from the butlers to the pool attendants – are as obliging and as effervescent as Italian mineral water. For those less

D e s t i n at i o n s Pa l a z z o V e r s a c e D u b a i

Clockwise from top left: a Signature Suite bedroom, befitting of royalty; Donatella Versace attends the amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in February this year; models walk the runway during the Versace fashion show as part of Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016

Clockwise from top: the exterior of Palazzo Versace Dubai as seen from the Creek; one of the plunge pools in The SPA, set with vibrant turquoise mosaics; the exterior of the hotel. Opposite page: the hotel lobby, featuring a three-tonne chandelier by Czech glass brand Lasvit

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than enamoured with the level of service in Dubai, it comes as a pleasant surprise.

For dinner and a show, there’s scarcely 10 steps between Enigma and Q’s bar and lounge launched by jazz legend Quincy Jones, the atmospheric den fused with the scent of leather and smoke, and the sounds of gifted bassist-vocalist Katie Thiroux. Flora, the club hostess, is as charismatic as they come, and paired with the music (each artist is hand-picked by Quincy so the calibre is outstanding), the atmosphere (exactly like nothing else in Dubai) and knockout cocktails, named after something the man himself has created (from the negroni-esque Vibe, after his Vibe entertainment magazine giant, to Dude, a mix of aged Chivas Regal whisky, Campari, orgeat and bitters inspired by the 1981 album, The Dude), the evening ends on a high note.

Even after a night of excess, I wake looking forward to the Friday brunch at Giardino, where the green-and-white jungle print walls hark back to the gown worn by Jennifer Lopez to the Grammy Awards in 2000, and the crockery belongs to the exclusive “Rosenthal meets Versace” collection.

Along with great plates, whatever your palate desires, Giardino has a station to suit, from roast meats or sashimi and all manner of seafood, to mini prawn or beef tacos, gazpacho in tiny martini glasses, and even a mobile guacamole and nacho station.

Brunching at Giardino also enables access to yet another one of the hotel’s expansive swimming

pools (there are three in total) – the Ischia pool, with a swim-up bar, sun loungers and pool floats aplenty, which may or may not sink a little lower depending on how heartily you attacked Giardino’s decadent dessert station.

There’s more gastronomy in store for connoisseurs of Italian cuisine at Vanitas, the restaurant presided over by chef Andrea Gaia, who offsets hefty air miles clocked up from flying in only the finest seafood with a kitchen garden. At dinner that evening, the finedining ambiance is ultra-refined, with red-velvet chairs, elegant candelabra, and cuisine that pulls off a rustic-yet-refined direction with aplomb.

While it’s true that anything would look and taste delizioso on Versace plates, it truly does at Vanitas, from the starter of scallops with cress, dehydrated apple wafers and fennel to the tortelli di ricotta, drizzled with tomato coulis and basil oil. At dessert, the mandarin mousse with blood-orange sorbet and grapefruit caviar disappears within moments, and even children are spoiled with the Versace touch, as I discover when my son receives a bowl of house-made chocolate gelato, sprinkled with genuine gold flakes.

My food-addled body is also given a Versace touch the following day at the hotel’s 1,000-squaremetre SPA. Laden with marble, mother-of-pearl details and ceilings that seems to twinkle with stars, there’s a subtle sea theme with motifs of cornucopias and seashells embellished onto the walls, while the spa’s thermal offerings include plunge pools,

various saunas, steam rooms and showers that jet to amplified bird sounds.

In the capable hands of my New Zealand therapist, it’s clear that no matter which treatment I choose I will experience a forget-the-world-exists level of Zen. Being Versace, there are caviar facials and 24-carat gold dust massages, but in my case, a massage executed with rosehip seed and infused Argan Oil is both relaxing and effective.

After a stint on a heated relaxation bed, I’m hardly in need of any more leisure or extravagance, but seeing as there is one more pool just near the spa, I decide to investigate. Tucked behind the western wing and surrounded by gardens, Portofino is an imtimate, adults-only lagoon pool, though at this hour of the day, it’s blissfully free of all ages.

When faced with an empty hotel pool, you really must seize the moment, and I do exactly that, luxuriating like a prima donna on a pool float in seclusion, and in true Italian style, perfecting the art of la dolce far niente – the sweet art of doing nothing.

Stay Palazzo Versace Dubai +971 4 556 8888 www.palazzoversace.ae

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riyadh f

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They tried to make him go to Riyadh and he said, “Yes please”. Steven Bond spends a long weekend in Saudi Arabia at the behest of a royal camel festival, and takes the chance to explore the kingdom’s capital on the road to 2030

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Kingdom Center or Burj Al Mamlaka glows pink at night to support breast cancer advocacy (above). Previous spread: the Royal Suite Lounge at Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski

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espite living in the Middle East for more than five years, the prospect of travelling to Saudi Arabia felt a bit like preparing for my first mission to Mars. To elaborate, I live in Dubai, have very dear Saudi friends and am completely accustomed to seeing throngs of our westerly neighbours arrive en masse during national holidays. Yet the idea of spending actual time in “The Kingdom” somehow felt otherworldly.

Indeed, my opportunity to visit the kingdom didn’t occur through a tourism visa application – because they simply don’t exist, yet – but via an invitation to the first-ever King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held this year in March (www.alaibilfestival.com).

It was an email from my editor that received a rare triple-take, and one that sparked a rather zealous and positive RSVP. Why? Because I was curious to experience just how different Saudi Arabia really is – and also, because I’m rather fond of camels.

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DESERT BEAUTIES First impressions are important, but I realise that judging an entire nation based on a slightly provincial camel festival is a bit like judging the entire United Kingdom based on Crufts – that’ll be the world’s most prestigious dog show, for those not in the know. Joking aside, there are parallels. Dogs are legitimately “man’s best friend” to many of my countrymen, though camels are even more part of Saudi Bedouin culture, past and present – and they also make for a pretty decent burger.

The camels I see, however, are not destined for the chopping block. They are far too beautiful, I’m told. The multiple-acre festival comprised on-stage traditional music, indoor and outdoor market stalls selling traditional wares, military memorials, Bedouin tents (complete with falcons) and a very thorough museum, demonstrating the history and extent of camels in Saudi civilisation. But the crux of the new annual “Camel-chella”, an hour’s drive north and east from the capital, is the month-long beauty contest. Farmers and owners from every corner of the kingdom have brought their fittest and

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“Farmers and owners have brought their Fittest and Finest For a chance to win big and the scale and the stakes are no joke, with this year’s prize money extending to us$30.66 million”

Clockwise from top left: A proud owner poses with his prized possession at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held this year in March; the juxtaposition of old and new can be seen in Riyadh’s older neighbourhoods, and at the clay and mud-brick 19th-century Masmak Fort, which details the founding of the modern kingdom and is a stark contrast to the city’s modern skyline; The Ka’bah at the centre of Islam’s most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid Al Haram in Mecca

finest for a chance to win big. The scale and the stakes are no joke, with this year’s prize money extending to SR115 million (US$30.66 million) for the winning entrants; muscular one-humped dromedaries with well-manicured feet and heavy bottom lips that have long succumbed to gravity. Despite being hastily knocked together, with infrastructure and facilities knocked together in mere weeks, the regal event drew crowds of up to 35,000 on its busiest days, building to the climactic finale when King Salman himself appeared to witness the cream of the crop.

a biGGer Vision To outsiders like myself, the event is an endearing celebration in a theocratic bubble, and a jigsaw piece of an important puzzle. The Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, is spearheading Vision 2030, a five-pronged strategy to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy with a war chest of well over a billion dollars to develop the kingdom’s service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and – most notably – tourism.

Sightseeing for anyone without a GCC passport is currently restricted to resident expats, visiting businessmen (emphasis on the gender pronoun) and devout Muslims fulfilling their hajj and umrah duties. In fact, for a country that doesn’t yet allow secular tourism, a significant portion of the GDP (just under three per cent) arrives via the dual holy cities of Mecca and Medina, which could soar to $20 billion within the next few years, according to the Council for Economic and Development Affairs.

biKinis anD burKas Meanwhile, the Crown Prince has unveiled plans for a Red Sea resort “governed by laws on par with international standards”, which many open-minded locals have hailed as a triumph; and a progressive use of some of the country’s small Maldives-esque islets (see page 29). Yet despite its congestion issues, the capital city is arguably already primed for an influx of holidaymakers, with a swathe of five-star hotels and a regionally re n o w n e d fi n e - d i n i n g s c e n e ( m i n u s t h e a d u l t b e v e ra g e s ) .

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m ag i c

moments There are magical places to explore and enchanted adventures to be had in the desert, writes Cursty Mitchell, who enjoys LegolandÂŽ Dubai with her family during a stay at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection

gourmet journey

Lima City BiteS

Peru’s seaside city is flush with gourmet discoveries and michelin-starred chef Virgilio martínez, owner of Peruvian restaurant Central in Lima – ranked number 5 in the World’s 50 Best restaurant List – shares his favourite haunts for cerviche, cocktails and standout coffee lima neira café lab

El pan de la chola

afternoon tea at amangalla El pan de la chola

chef Martínez’s authentic peruvian restaurant liMa in dubai

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private room at astrid & gaston

gourmet journey

virgilio Martínez central

◗ BREAKFAST El Pan de la Chola is a coffee shop that offers amazing quality with daily freshly baked bread. The team’s passion for their craft is evident in the delicious offerings, and it’s the perfect spot to grab something sweet as well.

Av. La Mar 918, Miraflores; +51 1 2212138

◗ COFFEE STOP Neira Café Lab is a café-cum-laboratory and the team take their coffee seriously, analysing even the aroma to the finest element. The quality is unbeatable and the man himself, Harry Neira, is always there making one of the greatest cups coffee I have ever had.

Calle Enrique Palacios 1074, Miraflores; www.neiracafelab.com

◗ LUNCH Isolina is a tavern that may be one of Latin America’s 50 best, but you won’t find a fine-dining atmosphere here. It is fun and laid back with large portions of home cooking-style food, which is perfect to share.

Av. San Martín Prolongacion 101, Lima 04 Barranco, Lima; +51 1 2475075; www.isolina.pe

◗ DINNER I have lots of favourite places in Lima, but if I have to pick one, I would say Astrid & Gaston. I really love this classic Peruvian restaurant; they have truly embraced our culture and are continually experimenting with local ingredients.

Av. Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro, Lima 27; +51 1 442 2777; www.astridygaston.com

◗ AUTHENTIC EATS pesca de cercanía (close fishing) at central

pieles de Árbol (tree skins) at central

That has to be La Picanteria – this is a favourite among Lima locals. With amazingly fresh seafood, this restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside you will receive a warm and friendly welcome and some of the best seafood in town.

Surquillo, Sta Rosa 388, Distrito de Lima; +51 1 241 6676; www.picanteriasdelperu.com

◗ HAPPY HOUR My favourite place for cocktails is ámaZ restaurant. They have amazing Amazonian-influenced concoctions and a very unique bar with some very quirky design.

Av. La Paz 1079 Miraflores, Lima; +51 1 221 9393; www.amaz.com.pe

El MErcado by rafaEl ostErlin (www. rafaElostErling.pE) is thE placE to try cErvichE! this placE has it all, bEautiful décor, aMazing atMosphErE, grEat drinks and thE bEst cEvichE. thE no fuss pEruvian stylE is a Must to ExpEriEncE

Don’t miss

Mercado

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COME ON OVER ValkyRiE there is absolutely nothing conventional about the design of aston Martin’s futuristic hypercar, which is approaching its tipped 2019 release date – though not without some challenges

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itineraries to inspire your next adventure luxury must haves for kids and family-friendly escapes elegant essentials for chic travellers Motoring news and road testing the audi s5 coupé the latest superyachts on the water a €100,000 european holiday with rocco Forte hotels

YOUNG AT HE ART Jet away to Beverly Hills for a mini movie-star experience, run amok in America’s Wild West or seek cooler pastimes in the UAE this month with these memory-making family friendly getaways

ALPINE VIBES IN THE DESERT It might be scorching outside, but not at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, where it’s a year-round winter wonderland – particularly if you’re staying in one of the hotel’s Aspen Ski Chalets. Overlooking the snowy slopes of Ski Dubai, these chalets are just the ticket to quell that Alpine craving, though even those staying in a Grand Deluxe Room or above can get a ski-and-build-a-snowman fix with the hotel’s Family Package. Simply book a stay of three nights or more to avail free daily access for four people (two adults, two children) to Ski Dubai and Magic Planet per room, per night. This special package also includes breakfast for four people daily. www.kempinski.com

FALL FUN WITH FENDI

The FENDI KIDS Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection includes some playful pieces from a pink “cupcake” dress with tulle micro-ruffles to an adorable frog sweater for boys and baby clothes adorned with Fendirumi Kigurumi characters like Pirochan playing “DJ”. www.fendi.com

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ABU DHABI’S YAS WATERWORLD IS GETTING ITS GLOW ON THIS MONTH, STAYING OPEN UNTIL 10PM EVERY FRIDAY WITH MUSIC, PERFORMANCES AND LIGHT SHOWS, GLOW-INTHE-DARK DRINKS AND SNACKS AND A LIVE DJ SET AND LED HYDROJET SHOW AT AMWAJ WAVE POOL

DON’T MISS

L u x u ry k i d S

MINI MOVIE STARS Do they know the script to their favourite film off by heart? Are they begging to go to stage school? If their sights are firmly set on the silver screen, why not treat your little star to a once-in-a-lifetime “World Premiere Experience”? The Peninsula Beverly Hills and NYCbased Red Carpet Kids have dreamed up a fantasy come to life for your movie-mad youngster, who will have the chance to live a day in the life of a Hollywood mega star. Once arriving to the hotel, situated in the eminently glamorous celebrity haunt of Beverly Hills, VIP Security Personnel will usher your little star onto a film set where make-up artists and stylists await.

Then it’s onto the green room and over to the set, where a crew and director will film a live-action feature complete with special effects and props. Later that evening, your celebrity kidlet will be whisked off to the world premiere at The Paley Center For Media – with a red carpet complete with paparazzi and interviews – to watch the screening with family and friends. Available exclusively at The Peninsula Beverly Hills (for ages four and up), with packages priced from US$8,500. www.beverlyhills.peninsula.com/en/discover/ peninsula-academy

GO WILD IN THE WEST If getting out there amid nature is what your family loves best, The Resort at Paws Up is calling. With a name inspired by “the welcome of a wiggling ranch dog and its unaffected charm” (we love!) and a mix of converted barns, rustic houses and riverside safari-style tented camps, this luxurious working ranch spans 37,000 acres in Montana, including a 16-kilometre sweep of the legendary Blackfoot River (fun fact: where Robert Redford filmed A River Runs Through It). Kids can run wild exploring some 160-kilometres of riding and walking trails, never once bleating “I’m bored” with around 60 activities from abseiling and

white-water rafting to fishing for cutthroat trout, or – ideal for your little cowboy wannabe – spending the day with a wrangler herding cattle or trail riding. Steppes Travel is offering a four-night, full-board stay in one of the brand-new, threebedroom family tented suites from £5,225 (US$6,739) per person, based on two adults and two children, including return economy flights from Dubai and an interchangeable “starter pack” of activities, such as a Blackfoot River float trip, two-hour horseback ride, archery, sporting clays for two adults and one half-day Kid’s Camp for two children. Can we get a yee-haw? www.steppestravel.com

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PUt a riNG ON it With daring combinations of cuts, and centre stones hemmed with borders of diamonds or coloured stones, every piece from the Melody of Diamonds collection, such as this ring, crafted by Fawaz Gruosi, is sculpted like an artwork and utterly dazzling – rather like your bride to be. POA; www.degrisogono.com

a rOse-tiNted seasON Whatever Raf Simons touches turns to gold, or in this case, rose/deep gray. Since leaving Dior, Calvin Klein’s new chief creative officer’s eyewear collection is not only a glimpse into his artistic and curatorial perspective of the brand, with dualcoloured lenses and sleek metal detailing, this rectangularshaped pair creates a modern, architectural silhouette that will take you from autumn through to Courchevel.

POA; www.calvinklein.com

Essentials SEPtEMbEr

Decadent timepieces – including a Louis Vuitton smartwatch – a luxe leather micro bag that takes its cues from vintage luggage and modish sneakers inspired by the city of Dubai are this month’s au courant must-haves Words by: Michelle Wranik-Hicks

a PerFect teN With simultaneous readings of 37 time zones, a crown-operated activation of all functions, and a hand-enamelled gold world map with subtle graded shades of blue depicting the seas and continents, the latest version in the Traditionelle collection is available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques – but there are just 10 in the platinum limited-edition collection, so best be quick. POA; www.vacheron-constantin.com

city treads Sneakers of the World is Emilio Pucci’s ode to the globe’s most magnetic cities, and Dubai is among the 11 limited-edition variations of the iconic “city up” style along with Milan, Seoul and Miami. With vivid colours, elastic bands and mini rouches, the name of each city is embroidered on the back of the shoe. Showing your love for the iconic UAE metropolis has never been so chic. US$490 (AED 1,800); www.harveynichols.com

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SPEND IT ESSENTIALS

MECHANICS & AESTHETICS One of Bovet’s most successful complicated timepieces, the breathtaking Amadeo® Fleurier Virtuoso III now features a dial made from one the world’s rarest materials: Aventurine. Described as “goldstone” in English or rivière d’or (“river of gold”) in French, the rare glass, along with Meteorite, is one of two new capitvating dial materials reaffirming Bovet 1822 artisans as the exacting masters of their craft. POA; www.bovet.com

GET SMART Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon is the first smartwatch from the fashion house and it’s not simply a looker. With customisable dials and straps and various incarnations, such as this Tambour Horizon Monogram 42, it’s sexy tech-luxe ideal for frequent travellers. Powered by Google’s Android Wear with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processing platform and AMOLED touch screen, along with a fitness tracker and a handy My Flight functionality, it also enables wearers to access exclusive apps and Louis Vuitton City Guides.

US$2,900; www.louisvuitton.com

THE “ONLY” WATCH FOR YOU Evoking “the last moments of light cast by the sun as darkness descends on the evening sky”, you too, may come over all Shakespearean when you take a closer look at Audemars Piguet’s blue-dialled version of its black ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, created for the Only Watch auction taking place in Geneva this November. As the first black ceramic perpetual calendar wristwatch with a black ceramic caseback with sapphire display back revealing a unique handfinished black oscillating mass, it’s a worthy investment for charity. US$83,000-124,000; www.audemarspiguet.com

MAKE IT A MINIATURE Leather is Mulberry’s forte, and there’s plenty of it scattered throughout the brand’s Autumn Winter 2017 accessories, which boast a daring yet vintage vibe with subtle references to the collection’s equestrian theme and antique luggage (think hat-boxes and trunks). Our eyes locked on the Mini Trunk bag in dark amethyst or gold-ochre croc print – certain to become the focal point of any ensemble. POA; www.mulberry.com

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A Luxurious European Experience

Live the European sophisticated lifestyle at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.

Benefits you can enjoy while you stay with us: · Complimentary WiFi access · Direct connectivity to the award winning Mall of the Emirates with more than 700 shops and services · 20% off in our truly levantine restaurant, Olea · Truly authentic dining experience at our signature restaurants: Aspen, Olea, Salero Tapas & Bodega and Noir Lounge & Bar www.kempinski.com/dubai For reservations call +971 4 341 0000 or email reservations.malloftheemirates@kempinski.com