Heavens Voyage Winter 2023

2023 WINTER

VOL 7

By Heavens Portfolio

THE CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S ISSUE

Atlantis, The Palm

Le Bristol Paris

The Brando

Crown Towers Sydney

World-famous Fireworks

Delicious Festive Delights

The Magic Of Polynesia

New Year’s Extravaganza

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Publisher Christine Galle-Luczak Editors Kenneth Tan Eugene Phua Designer Penn Ey, Chee Marketing & Advertising Shirley Koo vpmarcomm@heavensportfolio.com Production and prepress Indochine Media

And Good Tidings to All As I write this message, I am filled with immense joy, pride and excitement. No matter how busy the year-end rush gets and regardless of how frantic the year has been, the festive season always fills my spirit with an abundance of happiness. When I also consider just how much travel and tourism has rebounded worldwide in 2023, my colleagues, industry friends and I myself all feel so proud of all the hard work everyone has invested. After all, this is what we’re here for: to bring you the very best in travel, experiences, destinations, cuisine, and culture the world has to offer. And, of course, I am excited for what the new year has in store not only for me personally but also for luxury travel.

Although I am grateful for everything we at Heavens Portfolio have achieved this year, I urge not only myself but also the entire team to keep striving for more and to get ready for the new challenges and goals just over the horizon. And that’s why I’m so excited for 2024 – if we can continue the upwards trends and developments we enjoyed this year, then I’m sure next year (the year of the Dragon, no less!) will be a roaring success.

But before that, let’s raise a toast to the wonderful year we’ve just had. This issue is filled with amazing ideas, breathtaking destinations and delightful dishes to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. From the utterly spectacular fireworks display in Dubai to wellness-centric activities in Southeast Asia, as well as the wide variety of delicious festive offerings, every page in this joyous issue is full of ideas and inspirations for you to have a year-end holiday or a family gathering to remember for life. I’d love to share in the joy of your celebrations, so please tag us on social media (@heavensportfolio) if you’ll be uploading some snapshots from your travels.

So, from all of us at Heavens Portfolio, I’d like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and an even Happier New Year. And if it’s not too early, I also wish all those who celebrate a very happy Chinese New Year!

Heavens Voyage is owned and published by Heavens Portfolio www.heavensportfolio.com Heavens Voyage is produced by custom publishing agency Indochine Media Ventures Sdn Bhd

All right reserved: Copyright and distribution rights are reserved exclusively by Heavens Portfolio and Indochine Media Ventures, its partners, associates and affiliates. All materials published remain the property of the production agency. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. All information contained in this publication is from a reliable source. Heavens Portfolio and Indochine Media Ventures do not make any guarantees as to the

Christine Galle-Luczak Founder & Managing Director

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accuracy of the information contained.

Debeers.com Enchanted Lotus Collection LONDON

NEW YORK

BEIJING

HONG KONG

KUALA LUMPUR

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Contents 10 Located in an idyllic setting in French Polynesia, The Brando offers year-end festivities like no other.

14 The pastries and desserts offered

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by Le Bristol Paris will make for a perfect gift for your loved ones (or yourself).

18 Enjoy Michelin-starred Christmas menus at Baccarat Hotel New York.

19 Want to be one of the first people to welcome in 2024? Then head over to Crown Tower Sydney.

20 Atlantis, The Palm is the best place to witness Dubai’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

23 Hop aboard the Vela yacht for a uniquely Indonesian celebration.

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24 Celebrate Christmas in the heart of Bangkok at 137 Pillars & Residences.

26 Windsurfing, bodyboarding and kayaking are just some of the fun ways to celebrate the festive season at Azerai Resorts.

31 Soothe your soul ahead of the new year at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort.

34 A wellness rejuvenation at The

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Farm at San Benito is just what you need to achieve all your New Year’s resolutions.

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Nature and Nurture AYANA Bali encapsulates the island of the gods’ most appealing offerings at its location by Jimbaran Bay.

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Thanks to its unrivalled Jimbaran location, AYANA Bali lays claim to being the largest destination resort in Bali. It features four hotels, each with its distinct personality, all of which features 972 rooms, suites and villas. Spread amidst wellmanicured grounds is AYANA Villas Bali, a 78-villa resort with impressive vistas of Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean.

There is also the AYANA Resort Bali, a Balinese designinfluenced resort popular with guests who return year after year, and AYANA Segara Bali. Meanwhile, Rimba by AYANA Bali creates environs for ideal family vacations, with decidedly nurturing Mother Nature themes. The fourth property, Rimba

by AYANA Bali, serves a more contemporary touch to one’s quintessential Balinese getaway.

Most guests familiar with AYANA Bali often gravitate towards its award-winning spa, which was recently lauded as the best hotel spa in Indonesia by Travel+Leisure Asia. The AYANA Spa’s headline facility is its aquatonic pool, Southeast Asia’s largest, which features a range of recuperative functions such as water jets, currents, and water pressure zones, all of which are designed to focus on different body parts.

After a rewarding aqua workout, guests can satiate their appetites at one of AYANA Bali’s 28 dining destinations. These

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range from light bites and cocktails at the legendary Rock Bar to local specialities at Kampoeng Bali that serves authentic Balinese cuisine paired oftentimes with exciting kecak dance performances. In the pipeline for 2024 is After Rocks, an establishment that will give guests another option to the famed Rock Bar for sunset cocktails and evening revelry. Also on the cards is the Japanese-flavoured Sumizen, which opened in November 2023 as AYANA Bali’s 28th dining destination.

Both spa and dining reservations at AYANA Bali may be completed with the easy-to-use AYANA Web App. The application also offers a convenient way to order in-room dining, book activities and spa treatments, as well as obtain near-instantaneous assistance though the application’s live chat function.

Another highlight at AYANA Bali is its AYANA Farm, a two-hectare organic oasis that allows guests to lean into the resorts’ sustainability and traditional eco-practices that have been the mainstay of Bali’s agrarian society for centuries.

AYANA Farm draws both children and adults with interesting activities such as informative farm tours, afternoon tea with staples prepared from farm produce, and traditional herbal remedies workshops. Known as ‘jamu’, these herbal concoctions are part of Indonesia’s wellness heritage. Jamu workshops are held in collaboration with The Jamu Bar, which assists to unpack the ancient wisdom of Indonesian women stretching over at least seven generations.

When it comes to culture, AYANA Bali’s Saka Museum leads the way to preserve and to be a voice for the island’s culture and heritage. The museum is now open for free to both resort guests and the public on a limited basis, prior to its grand opening in 2024, and spotlights the history of Bali as depicted through artifacts, documentaries and literature. The museum is sprawling, to say the least, with a 13,000-squaremetre open-air space and a 6,000-square-metre indoor space.

Visitors can spend time enjoying local Balinese coffee, shop in the gift store as well as explore the knowledge centre and seven artfully conceived galleries.

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Paradise, Reimagined

The Brando’s heavenly setting matches its sun-filled celebrations this holiday season.

The Brando, a private 35-room resort and a private residence on the atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, is an idyllic setting for holiday celebrations in the sun. To make the festivities even more unique, The Brando presents a calendar-filled series of activities, including fun and games for both young and old.

These events that take place throughout December 2023 and into the new year remain faithful to the property’s philosophy that places an importance on culture, nature and people at its heart.

A whole spectrum of Polynesian activities that dive deeply into the region’s centuries-old way of life are not merely fun activities, but are also reflective of life lessons passed down through the ages. Seemingly simple activities such as coconut fibre sack race, coconut pyramid as well as ‘fai’ (or Polynesian cat’s cradle) are opportunities for children to learn that life is not merely a race to be won, it’s also in fact a journey that deepens a person’s understanding of how to be in the world.

Adults, on the other hand, are taken away from their corporate lives and get to live in the moment when participating in action-oriented races with thrills and spills.

The fruit porter race, stone lifting demonstration, and the Polynesian canoe race are not merely games of frivolity, they often are also measures of participants’ intelligence, skills, patience and sportsmanship. The Brando’s sustainability ethos 10

ensures that local products and materials will be used for a substantial portion of activities planned.

Even if bright sunshine does not necessarily denote a traditional snowy Christmas winter scene, children are shown authentic ways in which to savour this most meaningful of seasons. They can learn how to create the traditional tastes and flavours of Christmas at the gingerbread workshop, learn the art of penmanship by writing a letter to Santa Claus, and hone their arts and crafts talents at the Christmas tree decoration workshop.

In tune with the delicacies famous throughout the Polynesian islands, The Brando’s team of chefs has devised a Christmas dinner menu with local flavours at its heart using a ahima’a (or a traditional Tahitian oven). For New Year’s, a delectable gourmet dinner spread will be presented in tandem with hands-on culinary workshops taking place in the resort’s own vegetable garden. Then on New Year’s Day, a special burger menu will help revellers ease into the year ahead after a night of celebrations.

Throughout this magical season, evening programmes such as an outdoor cinema beneath the stars, a Polynesian dance performance, as well as a storytelling night on the beach will make a stay at The Brando as fun and celebratory as each guest wishes.

A Culinary Voyage to the Pacific

Tetiaria, French Polynesia thebrando.com

The Brando is pleased to unveil its new fine dining concept at Les Mutinés, under the guidance of Chef Jean Imbert.

Named in Vanity Fair’s « 50 Most Influential French People », Chef Imbert earned a Michelin star at Plaza Athénée in 2022, just nine weeks into his tenure, before leading the transformation of Christian Dior’s Paris restaurant.

The new concept will captivate guests with gastronomic tales of mutiny and adventure.

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Peace And Tranquillity Reigns Embrace winter’s healing energies at FORESTIS, a boutique wellness hotel set amidst the grandeur of the Dolomites.

Sprawled over a sea of green in summertime and located 1,800 metres above sea-level, the woods around the FORESTIS hotel features vistas that showcase the mighty Dolomites. This visceral setting was the inspiration behind the Austrian royal family’s move to set-up a tuberculosis sanitorium in this most healing of locations.

During winter, the landscape around FORESTIS transforms into snow and ice. During this time, both sun and snow take turns to dominate the environment. The low temperatures and the peaceful forests provide a standout setting imbued with tranquillity and a healing energy, which enables guests to go on walks both physically and metaphorically on their journeys to wellness.

A day at FORESTIS begins with guests getting out of a warm and cozy bed, and drinking a glass of the purest and freshest water sourced from the springs above the hotel – streaming from the Plose mountain. Rich in minerals, this 12

water is known for its purifying qualities, and is used to prepare the finest teas. After an invigorating walk, savouring a warm cup of freshly brewed tea from this water source is the ultimate in simple indulgence.

At Palmschoss where FORESTIS is located, the crispy mountain air, abundance of sunshine and temperate weather help form the four pillars of this wellness retreat.

In the same tradition of the Celts and their ancient naturebased heritage, the FORESTIS Spa works in harmony with nature’s four elements and four distinct trees: mountain pine, spruce, larch and stone pine.

The emphasis of the cuisine at FORESTIS is, naturally, based on local produce sourced from farmers in the region. The cuisine is an artful blend of the traditional and a more modern creative approach, but always prepared in accordance with the principles of variety, freshness and authenticity.

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Festivities At Their Finest This holiday season, Le Bristol Paris captivates the five senses with its art, wellness, and cuisine presentations.

The holiday season is truly a unique time of year. At Le Bristol Paris, inspirations for the upcoming festivities comprise the ultimate in the artforms of French gastronomy. With decorations by Studio Björg, the storied hotel will envelop the five senses. Expect an artfully conjured winter scene decked in red, white and gold, stretching from Le Bristol’s facade to its legendary lobby and corridors. Within these spaces, quintessential Christmas trees and wreaths are matched in elegance only by a grand ‘tree of life’ installation at the heart of the lobby.

At Epicure, sculptor Ulderico Pinfildi crafts a Neapolitan nativity setting, in tune with Le Bristol’s stellar style of hospitality and traditions of gifting. With this in mind, the hotel’s pastry chef Yu Tanaka unveils a Le Bristol Paris Original: the Yule Log cake (pictured right). The dessert is adorned in hues of white and red, embodying a delicious almond mousse and almond biscuit, piqued in taste by the 14

subtle tartness of pink grapefruit gel and delicate floral aroma from candied rose petals. A layer of rich meringue envelops the top of this edible work of sublime artistry.

From exclusive yule log cakes to a premier advent calendar (pictured above), desserts and chocolates take centre stage at Le Bristol Paris. The latter is a recreation of the hotel’s facade and contains chocolate delicacies by Chef Johan Giacchetti and his team at the hotel’s onsite chocolaterie.

Adding to these are curated gift box sets, prepared by L’Epicerie des Ateliers du Bristol’s team. The ‘Christmas in Paris’ box consists of a bottle of Alfred Gratien champagne and a selection of house-made delights to enhance the holiday table. For dessert aficionados, the ‘Sweet Epicerie’ box features an ensemble of traditional sweets such as a stollen, a fruit jam of choice, honey and other festive accoutrements. Gift boxes are available for online order and are guaranteed to satisfy even the most exacting of palates. These festive presentations

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are symbolic of Le Bristol Paris’ unstinting dedication to its legendary culinary heritage, which in the past century has been the source of admiration and delight.

Similarly, Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie x Epicure has teamed up to create an exclusive package for the holiday season featuring the best of both worlds: an indulgent spa treatment followed by a dining experience only the team at Epicure can conceive. This special experience starts with a ‘Skin Caviar’ treatment at Spa Le Bristol. It features caviar pearls that infuse one’s skin with both hydration and glow.

And from the relaxing confines of the spa, guests are whisked to Epicure, where a dining experience bar awaits foodie and wellness enthusiasts.

When it comes to dining at Le Bristol Paris, the hotel’s restaurants present a medley of the most popular Christmas and New Year’s Eve delicacies. Chef Eric Frechon at Epicure has devised two menus each with eight courses. Opulent ingredients such as black and white truffles and Sologne caviar are served along with Chef Eris’s most acclaimed dishes, which he has further enlivened with innovation, especially for the holidays.

At 114 Faubourg, festive season six-course menus are perfection personified, showcasing the finest French cuisine in the grandest of locations.

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Swiss Alpine Holidays

Unparalleled opportunities for pure relaxation and never-ending winter fun.

Photo by ©Andrea Badrutt

Skiing in paradise With more than 40 ski resorts, 2,200 kilometers of groomed ski runs and breath-taking backdrops of snow-capped peaks, Graubunden and its collection of regions provide ski and snowboarding fans with perfect conditions along with unparalleled opportunities for pure relaxation and neverending winter holiday fun.

Home to Flims Laax, St. Moritz, Engadin, Davos Klosters, Arosa, Lenzerheide and Chur - no matter where you decide to venture a world of wintery pleasure awaits!

Photo by 7132 Therme Indoor © 7132 Hotel - Julien Balmer

Enjoy the healing powers of thermal waters Graubunden boasts a rich array of thermal waters, offering visitors rejuvenating experiences. Notable among these are Tamina Therme in Bad Ragaz, the 7132 Therme in Vals and Bogn Engiadina in Scuol.

Photo by ©Mattias Nutt

These thermal destinations contribute to Graubunden’s reputation as a haven for those seeking the therapeutic benefits of mineral-rich waters.

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Below: the Christmas Carol Afternoon Tea set.

Holidays in the Big Apple

Baccarat Hotel New York celebrates gilt-edge glamour during the most magical of seasons.

The immaculate setting of Baccarat Hotel New York is glamorous all year round. But the property’s exclusively designed chandeliers and unmistakable red interiors infuse the holiday season with added panache. Both in-the-know locals and visitors to New York City celebrate the upcoming festivities there while sampling the hotel’s seasonal tea spreads and specialist cocktails along with a festive rooms package.

It’s little surprise that ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ is stylishly capped with a visit or stay at this most sublime of luxury hotels.

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With this in mind, Baccarat Hotel New York has launched two creative tea services, inspired by the tradition of taking tea in some of the world’s most storied palaces. These two holiday teas – the Christmas Carol Tea and the Nutcracker Tea, a specially created version for children – are available through to New Year’s Day. In the hotel’s Grand Salon, amidst exquisite bouquets of red roses and shimmering chandeliers that cascade and frame the opulent seats made from velvet and Jouffre silk, guests have a selection of festive Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus in the all-day-dining restaurant.

Here, Executive Chef Ashfer Biju, working in partnership with two-Michelin-starred Culinary Director Gabriel Kreuther, has devised delicious menus that reflect true elegance.

Come New Year’s Eve, besides the prerequisite champagne, also on offer are special dishes on the menu, created just for the occasion and in line with Baccarat Hotel New York’s grand tradition of throwing a party to remember.

When it’s time to ring in the new year, revellers can choose to dine earlier over a three-course menu or enjoy an elegant cocktail-style party with a live band. The adjacent Bar also features a DJ, inspired fare, and flowing cocktails.

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City of Lights

Crown Towers Sydney could be your dream location to fully enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Sydney’s skyscape is one of the best known in the world. And from Crown Towers Sydney, located in Barangaroo, views of the city are beyond astounding, while the property’s interiors are elegantly composed with a definite modern energy. These stylish spaces frame breathtaking views of the city, as guests peer from the Wilkinson Eyre building, designed in the shape of three-twisting petals. Interiors, on the other hand, are the work of New York-based Meyer Davis – a visual feast of tonal blues, ample spaces, and technology-focussed amenities, as well as a sense of rare and refined opulence.

Crown Towers Sydney also features an infinity pool, a modern gym and Crown Spa – perfect for resting and relaxing or getting ready for parties during the festive season. As with previous years, the capital of New South Wales takes on an almost electric atmosphere as its residents celebrate New Year’s Eve. With a budget of more than AUD$7 million, the city’s fireworks show is an awe-inspiring event. For those in-the-know, Crown Towers Sydney is one of the best vantage locations from which to witness this once-a-year extravaganza.

Befitting its ‘place to be’ reputation, the hotel is open for reservations for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with check-in dates before 30 December 2023 for a minimum of three nights for Deluxe King Rooms, Studio Rooms, Executive Suites, Premier Suites, and Tower Suites. A minimum five-night reservation applies for all other room categories during this period. So check-in, chill out, and watch the skies set ablaze in the city’s greatest show of the year.

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Bringing Myths To Life

This holiday season and beyond, Atlantis, The Palm inspires the imaginations of its guests

The lost undersea kingdom of Atlantis has captured the hearts and the minds of thrill-seekers throughout the centuries.

Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm is a 1,544-room destination resort where these myths are brought to life. Located on the crescentshaped Palm Island, the resort is a peerless setting for those seeking to ignite their imaginations and ensconce themselves in the lap of luxury.

This holiday season at Atlantis, The Palm, a feast for the five senses is on offer. Activities range from thrills and spills 20

at the world’s largest waterpark to being up-close and in the water with 65,000 marine species. At its restaurants, diners experience the novelty of Christmas spent tasting festive dishes at Michelin-starred restaurants, prepared by celebrity chefs, while at Santa’s Grotto, sparkling tree lights are all about getting into a festive mood.

As a destination resort, Atlantis, The Palm is home to Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, the world’s largest waterpark comprising 105 slides as well as a multifold selection of

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attractions and experiences. Among the exciting water-themed thrills on offer are the Leap of Faith – a slide through a sharkinfested lagoon – as well as the Lazy River that spans more than two kilometres of splash-filled river rapids. Meanwhile, Splashers is known as the Middle East’s largest kids-only waterpark, so fun for the whole family is ensured.

For families staying at Atlantis, The Palm, the Atlantis Explorers Club caters to children from ages 4 to 12; while teens aged from 13 to 17 will find The Zone to be a place they will enjoy. Adults, on the other hand, will discover a sanctuary at Awaken Spa & Fitness, with its 27 treatment rooms and a spa menu designed to unwind kinks and restore serenity.

Marine life flourishes at The Lost Chambers Aquarium, where the mystery of Atlantis resurges within a labyrinthine maze of underground passageways featuring underwater views of 65,000 types of marine species. At the marine mammal

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habitat, visitors have opportunities to experience first-hand the delightful Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins as well as furry South African fur seals. For those staying at Atlantis, The Palm, daily complimentary access to Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium are offered.

Resort guests are also given special rates for marine animal experiences throughout their stay.

Besides being a marine life haven, Atlantis, The Palm is a world class showcase of the best restaurants. Dine at underwater establishments, taste delicacies at Michelinstarred establishments, and savour global flavours all in a single location. For guests who book five nights or more during a Christmas Eve stay, all room occupants can enjoy complimentary Christmas Eve dinners at Saffron or Kaleidoscope. And for guests who book 10 nights or more, Christmas Eve Dinner at Saffron or Kaleidoscope and a New Year’s Eve package are on the house.

For New Year’s Eve, there is no city like Dubai in which to ring in the New Year, featuring live entertainment, superlative dining, and the greatest show on earth: the Atlantis fireworks (pictured above). A superstar performer headlines the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, with renowned singer-songwriter Sting (pictured below) performing his greatest hits in a night of unparalleled glamour. Expect a luxury buffet featuring live cooking stations with unlimited champagne, capped with a legendary fireworks show that Dubai is known the world over for. It’s the perfect setting to welcome 2024 with a smile not only for you but also your loved ones.

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Celebrating Wellness

Chiva-Som’s Immune Resilience retreat is a seven-day panacea for those seeking longterm health boosts.

If a renewed sense of wellbeing is at the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions, then Chiva-Som Hua Hin – the awardwinning wellness retreat in Thailand – has the solutions. Their immensely popular Immune Resilience retreat is tailored to meet each guest’s goals. The focus for a retreat at Chiva-Som encompasses stress management, physical fitness, and allround health improvement.

The programme was conceived as an answer to restore the human body’s immune and innate self-healing abilities.

But its popularity with both new and returning guests sees the seven-day Immune Resilience retreat as a permanent fixture that works effectively to inform and to motivate guests on their individual path to better health.

The Immune Resilience retreat is composed of mindful exercise, nutritious meals and detoxification modalities that work on multiple levels to ensure guests learn how to increase and maintain a tangible sense of resilience during their week at Chiva-Som and upon return to their normal lives.

Each participant at the retreat will receive their individual meal plan, created by the resort’s nutritional consultant, which focuses on either intermittent fasting or nourishing wellness. Also included in the programme are complimentary physical analysis and skin consultations; up to 12 classes of fitness and leisure activities daily; unlimited use of the Water Therapy Suites comprising steam, sauna and jacuzzi; a daily 22

complimentary treatment from a selection of nine options, including Thai massage, balneotherapy, hydrotherapy or oriental scalp massage; complimentary in-room minibar; and complimentary laundry up to four pieces a day.

This holiday season, the resort hosts a range of Christmas and New Year celebrations that include carolling, special menus, live performances, and themed parties to ring in another year of good health and vitality. In between festivities, guests will also enjoy a variety of complimentary wellness workshops to rejuvenate their energy and inner peace, such as a ‘Inner harmony with the Tibetan Singing Bowl’ session and a ‘Loving-Kindness Meditation’ session, and many more transformative experiences.

Its bi-weekly Serenity Cruise further complements the wellness programmes that foster guests’ wellbeing. Taking place on Saturdays at 4pm, weather permitting, the Serenity Cruise comprises a traditional junk boat with red sails. Guests are served healthy Chiva-Som beverages and nibbles while gaining renewed clarity, as the vessel charts its afternoon voyage along the calm waters of the sea around Hua Hin. Restore your mental and emotional balance at Chiva-Som Hua Hin, your ‘Haven of Life’, and begin the new year with renewed vitality and a sense of wellbeing.

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The Celebrations of Bali The luxury Nirjhara resort and sailing yacht Vela are perfect settings to ring the upcoming year in style

At Nirjhara Tabanan, a luxury resort near one of Bali island’s most sacred sites, Tanah Lot, the holiday season is one that celebrates well-being, sustainability and the multi-faceted culture the island of the gods is famed for. Festive celebrations have been personalised for guests who want to immerse themselves in the island and its respect for the land and its ancestors.

Celebrations at Nirjhara include live entertainment from a carefully selected live band to acoustic performers. With their special music repertoire, these singers will feature holiday soundtracks that guests will remember for years to come.

On New Year’s Day, guests will have the opportunity to join a Balinese-inspired ceremony at the resort’s own temple to welcome 2024 on the most auspicious of notes. A sound healer will also be at Nirjhara , offering complimentary sessions as a sonic way to symbolically wipe the slate clean in preparation for the year ahead.

As for food and drink, the chefs and the mixologists at Nirjhara have concocted flavours and tastes that showcase locally sourced ingredients. Guests can expect delicious food and craft cocktails as they celebrate the holiday season with those nearest and dearest to them.

Meanwhile, onboard the luxuriously appointed Vela (pictured, left), a similar festive ambience permeates. The contemporary yacht is counterpointed by a deep respect for Indonesian craftsmanship and design. Guests can immerse in the stunning natural locations where the craft travels to, while savouring a level of consummate hospitality that ensures that this festive cruise will be filled with lifetime memories.

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Winter in the City of Angels This holiday season, a stay at Bangkok’s 137 Pillars & Residences feels like coming home

The time for celebrations comes round as the year draws to a close. As cooler temperatures envelop Bangkok, visitors to the city are easily drawn into the festive mood. This is especially so at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences, a modern yet stately property in the heart of Bangkok. The hotel was crafted with a deep respect for and understanding of Thailand’s history yet embodies a level of modern luxury with its thoughtfully appointed rooms and suites.

So come Christmastime, the property will feature a shimmering Christmas tree as the focal attraction. Located on the 27th floor, Nimitr – which means ‘dream’ in Thai – is an exquisite restaurant that is quickly building a culinary reputation for tasteful interiors and elegant menus. Its palatepleasing flavours, punctuated by fragrant herbs and spices, are 24

an authentic showcase of authentic Thai cuisine. Meanwhile, at Jack Bain’s Bar, the hotel’s tucked-away speakeasy, specially created Thai-spiced cocktails give a new spin to party proceedings. During the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, guests can – and should – dance to live entertainment amidst a jewels-encrusted skyline that Bangkok is renowned for. Meanwhile, the hotel’s well-appointed 179 residences and 34 suites, along with two standout swimming pools including the suite guests-only rooftop pool, are the most salubrious venues for a well-deserved break.

A charitable component accompanies the celebratory mood as well. 137 Pillars Suites & Residences is collaborating with the Good Shepherd Foundation in the sale of Christmas decorations in aid of the city’s underprivileged children.

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Beyond the hotel, the city-wide festivities include beer gardens, countdown events as well as glimmering festive lights adorn Bangkok. With 137 Pillars Suites & Residences’ central location in Sukhumvit’s Phrom Phong district, guests find themselves at the heart of the celebrations, enveloped by the joy the holiday season affords. With the hotel as their base, guests have options of topping up their tans at the two infinity pools or signing up for a massage or facial treatment at the spa. Indulge in the invigorating traditional Thai massage that centres on the healing techniques of ancient Siam through the use of pressure points and palm pressure that traces the body’s meridian lines. Alternatively, sample the benefits of the ‘Brighter than Light’ facial with its unique masque formulation that imparts skin with unmistakable luminescence.

Those wishing to indulge in some last-minute festive shopping may avail of the hotel’s shuttle service to the Phrom Phong BTS station, where an expansive range of luxury stores are located nearby. Also steps away are Michelin-starred restaurants upon which the Thai capital owes its reputation as a world-class culinary destination to. There are also gourmet cafes serving excellent coffees, tasty pastries and cakes along with art galleries and niche boutiques just minutes away.

137 Pillars Suites & Residences is an unmatched combination of luxury hotel and elegant residence that provides guests with the amenities and level of hospitality that only a true home-away-from-home can offer. During the up-coming holiday seasons’ festivities, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences is the ideal base from which to enjoy this special time of year in a city known for its sense of welcome and wonder.

Picture-perfect Christmas lights at 137 Pillars.

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Reveling In Local Customs

Guests at Azerai Resorts this festive season will be immersed in the arts and culture of Vietnam.

Azerai Resorts in Vietnam remain true to the philosophy of its founder Adrian Zecha of creating unique properties in emerging destinations. Zecha is no stranger to the world of hotels, having founded some of the most well-known luxury chains in past decades. Azerai, too, follows the same tenet, blending accessible luxury and attentive service in settings yet undiscovered by mainstream travellers.

At Azerai Resorts, guests can be assured of serenity and privacy when staying at any of its properties. With the holiday season fast approaching, groups of friends or multigenerational families will surely appreciate the sense of peace that Azerai Can Tho avails, for instance. The resort, accessible only by boat, features 60 rooms and private pool villas ranging from one to five bedrooms. With this sense of seclusion, guests can readily immerse themselves in an immersive array of activities during Christmas and New Year. These include Christmas Eve dinner, which will be held by the resort’s pool and is framed by an ancient banyan tree, wherein guests will be entertained by Vietnamese dance performances.

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Meanwhile, Santa’s arrival at the resort bright and early on Christmas morning will delight children of all ages. Further enhancing the celebratory spirit, a special Christmas day menu will be served for dinner. On 27 December, the resort will host a Thai dinner that reflects the finest flavours from the neighbouring country. Then, on 28 December, the resort’s garden transforms into a Vietnamese food night market.

Another key date on the calendar is 31 December, when the New Year’s Eve dinner will be presented around the main pool and will feature a DJ on hand to create a special soundtrack for the festivities.

Over at Azerai La Residence, Hue, a special buffet will be taking place every weekend in December and January – perfect for catching up with loved ones. On 24 December, the resort will also hold a Gala Christmas dinner at Le Parfum restaurant (pictured on facing page). Diners will be serenaded by the Christmas Choir from Friends of Hue Foundation as well as performances by acclaimed Hue classical pianist and violinist Mr. Nhat. In addition, a charity corner selling hand-

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Winter 2024

Below: The Governor’s Bar in Azerai La Residence, Hue.

made products will be open between 1 December 2023 and 10 January 2024 in aid of Hope Center – Hue. The NGO assists disabled and disadvantaged people by providing them with vocational training and work opportunities.

The upcoming festivities at Azerai Ke Ga Bay take Christmas to the ocean. Bodyboarding activities will be held on 24 December, while a windsurfing class will be offered on Christmas day. This guided lesson will give guests a step-bystep introduction to windsurfing – an unexpected yet fun way to celebrate Christmas. Meanwhile, on 31 December, the resort offers guests opportunities to kayak around Ke Gay Bay along with an invigorating yoga class in the afternoon. Finally, on New Year’s day, an early morning meditation session is offered to guests as opportunities to reflect on one’s goals for the coming year.

As with all Azerai properties, Azerai Ke Ga Bay will hold special dinners on the days before Christmas and New Year.

For the Christmas Eve dinner, cocktails will be served at sunset by the resort’s sunken lounge. Post-drinks, a delicious seafood dinner with specialities sourced from Binh Thuan will be served. For New Year’s Eve, guests can savour an exclusive dinner served at The Terrace, accompanied by live music and traditional dance performances unique to Binh Thuan.

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Celebrations to Treasure ÀNI resorts in Thailand and Sri Lanka roll out the red carpet for Lunar New Year celebrations with a unique sense of place

This Lunar New Year, take celebrations with family and friends to the next level at ÀNI resorts. Situated in both Thailand and Sri Lanka, their portfolio of luxury resorts are ideal for multigenerational family getaways. Amidst stunning natural settings, familial bonds have opportunities to be strengthened as the resorts’ team of chefs work tirelessly in the background to create reunion dinners to remember. A host of exciting Lunar New Year activities are also planned. These include the art of dumpling making, auspicious traditional dragon and lion dances, the traditional gifting of ang pow (or red envelopes), as well as fireworks and fire performances to grandly usher in the Year of the Dragon.

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ÀNI Thailand is a property on UNESCO-accredited Phang Nga Bay that sets the scene for celebrations to remember. With its location on Koh Yao Noi – an island composed of an assortment of 42 isles in Phang Nga Bay – ÀNI Thailand sits between fishing villages and farms on the 19-square-mile (or 50 sq km) island. It’s the epitome of relaxed and welcoming Southern Thai hospitality.

For the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, ÀNI Thailand features both five-night and week-long curated stays that offer an authentic sense of place and heightened levels of luxury and service conveyed by the resort’s dedicated 22 staff members. A host of specially conceived activities unique

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to ÀNI Thailand’s location has been designed for guests to maximise on the location’s tranquillity, stunning natural setting, and fascinating local culture. Guests have access to a stretch of beach, landscaped by nature, along with the resort’s 43-metre infinity saltwater pool that comes with its own pool butler. Watersports activities such as shuffleboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, and water slides will keep both young and not-so-young guests occupied. Other highlights from a stay at ÀNI Thailand include tours to the local village and food market. There is also a Kid’s Educational Programme where Mah, the owner of a five-acre rubber plantation, speaks about how she taps up to 350 trees every day to release its latex.

Mealtimes at ÀNI Thailand, too, are designed to be memorable. These range from a Greek Barefoot Lunch to traditional dumpling-making lessons by the resort’s chef, as well as reunion dinner festivities accompanied by live yangqin music. An added authentic touch are lion dance performances that precede a Chinese garden dinner to usher in wealth and prosperity for the year ahead.

Over in Sri Lanka, perched between the towns of Dickwella and Tallala is ÀNI Sri Lanka, located in a setting known for colourful villages, sacred temples, and a rich heritage of local artisans who magically conjure pottery and lace with materials sourced from the land. Here, a series of five-night and week-long stays are available at the resort – a picture-perfect representation of tropical modernist design and a sincere style of hospitality from its 30-strong staff.

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Guests staying at ÀNI Sri Lanka over the Chinese New Year holidays have their pick of activities such as traditional dumpling and rice flour hoppers-making lessons with Chef Cyril and mahjong games. These are in addition to a fireworks event, cocktails, canapes and a live broadcast from the resort’s outdoor movie screen of Dragon Dance celebrations from China to auspiciously ring in the lunar year ahead. ÀNI Sri Lanka comprises two buildings: Villa Monara and Villa Divia. Guests have access to the resort’s two swimming pools as well as an on-site Ayurveda spa. Upon consultation with the resort’s spa manager, a series of personalised treatments can be conducted for each guest according to their dosha body type.

Other highlights during a stay at ÀNI Sri Lanka include boat excursions to Mawella Lagoon, where birdwatchers will be amazed by the species of birds flourishing in the area. True to ÀNI Sri Lanka’s thoughtful consideration of all details, an exquisitely prepared afternoon tea and snacks are served on the boat.

Guests should also visit the ÀNI Art Academies, which are part of the resort’s social responsibility initiatives. Here, dean Tim Jahn and his students are happy to share with guests their personal journeys with art, and how the academies continue to be a catalyst and a space in which these artists create award-winning artworks. Another memorable activity at ÀNI Sri Lanka is the open-air cinema, where a popcorn cart serves a variety of flavours – fresh caramel, butter and Himalayan salt – and films under a clear and starlit night sky.

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Dreaming of a Dubai Christmas The holiday season at Address Grand Creek Harbour features exquisite culinary delights that will create elegant New Year celebrations.

Dubai’s Address Grand Creek Harbour sets the stage for Christmas and New Year festivities that will be the talk of the town. Guests will delight in decadent afternoon tea presentations, delicious turkey takeaways and unforgettable Christmas feasts.

At The Patisserie, turkey takeaways will be on sale starting from 15 December 2023. The culinary team will serve authentic celebratory whole-roasted turkey accompanied by standout side dishes, prepared with unstinting care and attention to detail. Meanwhile, artfully presented afternoon tea spreads are available from 15 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, and are accompanied by equally tasteful live entertainment courtesy of The Patisserie’s pianist, whose delightful musicality takes place from 4pm to 7pm.

At The Restaurant that overlooks the shimmery Dubai cityscape, Christmas Eve dinner is a glamour-tinged occasion.

Within the elegant restaurant, diners will tuck into the best Christmas delicacies. These range from terrine of goose, roasted duck breast, and Christmas-themed sweets including a tantalising hazelnut chocolate Christmas log.

Celebrations extend to Christmas day brunch at The Restaurant. With an international spread of the choicest selection of sushi, oysters, and tender meats live from the grill, as well as a selection of Christmas favourites including the signature roasted turkey, mashed pumpkin, glazed root 30

vegetables, roasted chestnuts, mashed potatoes, and served with classic gravy, patrons will have a wide variety of culinary delights to savour with their loved ones.

Come New Year’s Eve, the third floor of the hotel morphs into an elegant Monte Carlo setting that recalls high-spirited glamour and panache. From 8pm till 1am, guests can tuck into a selection of the choicest international cuisine and live food stations at Luma Pool Lounge, while live performances and exquisite drinks are ingredients that create a celebratory atmosphere bar none. And when the clock turns midnight, Dubai offers one of the most scintillating fireworks displays in the world that indicate that the New Year has arrived in style.

Where the Sun Sizzles

Activities that soothe the soul abound at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort

The sun-dappled shores of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc beckon, and at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, guests have the run of not one but two picturesque beaches. Ocean views are guaranteed from any one of the resort’s 215 villas, whether for a romantic couples’ getaway or a fun-calibrated family holiday at one of the country’s better kept secrets when it comes to luxury beachfront resorts.

Guests at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort will always find something enjoyable to do. The well-thought-out activity list includes kayaking and visits to The Village Farm. Scuba diving classes are also on offer, so there’s no better time than the present to discover the region’s vibrant marine life.

Another resort highlight: egg hunting that takes place at 11am every day at The Village Farm. Tailored for children,

the activity promises to be filled with fun. Also at The Village Farm, guests have ample opportunities to get up-close and cuddle with the farm’s cute denizens, an activity that will surely get the oxytocin levels humming.

And as for one’s well-being, guests at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort can opt for a calming singing bowl workshop, an invigorating Phu Quoc pepper signature spa treatment, or an aqua yoga workout. In addition, there is also the resort’s natural setting that sets the scene for a meditative walk on the beach, a sunset mindfulness activity, meditation classes at the Spa Lobby, or the extremely popular back, neck and shoulder workshop conducted in the resort’s main lobby. Guests are welcome to join these personalised wellness activities designed to unite body and mind.

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Winter 2024

Luxe For The Holidays The upcoming festive season is filled with the best in luxury – from secluded villa stays on a tropical paradise to artful chocolates and the ultimate in fine-dining experiences.

Have A Tropical Christmas

If you’re seeking some festive fun in the sun, Samujana – which boasts some of the finest villa residences on Koh Samui – is unparalleled as a holiday destination with friends and family. Guests who book four nights or more during the Christmas period receive 15% off room rates. Highlights of the 32

Samujana Christmas experiences include Tropical Christmas dinner featuring an all-star gourmet barbeque cast including seafood ceviche, grilled Phuket lobster, Thai red curry spiced tuna steak, and grain-fed Australian beef tenderloin, as well as banana spring rolls dripping with chocolate sauce for dessert.

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Desserts Filled With Love

At Cheval Blanc Paris, pastry chef Maxime Frédéric and his team conjure a ‘chocomotive’ creation inspired by wooden toys.

Shaped in the form of a steam locomotive and three chocolate wagons, chef Maxime’s creation evokes the excitement of travel as well as tempts those with a sweet tooth. The locomotive is composed of a 75% dark chocolate bar, sprinkled with crispy

Haute In The City

The two-Michelin-starred Pavillion, located in the centre of Zurich, is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city. With a menu that spans the delights of French haute cuisine, Pavillion is renowned for its hospitality, courtesy of its restaurant manager Aurélien Blanc and his team. For the holiday season, the restaurant presents a celebratory nine-

Winter 2024

chocolate-hazelnut Gianduja by chocolatier Nicolas Berger.

The middle wagon is made from caramelised chocolate-coated hazelnuts, while gingerbread, orange confit, cinnamon cream, and light-as-air mousse with green cardamom fills the third carriage, which are incidentally designed to resemble the windows of the Cheval Blanc Paris building.

course menu (CHF630 including wines and soft drinks; CHF 460 without drinks) for dinner from 24 to 26 December, and lunch on 25 December. On New Year’s Eve, a ninecourse menu (CHF 995 including drinks) comprises dishes such as foie gras, lobster bisque with yuzu, as well as white truffle gnocchi.

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