LUXE Travel Magazine - A blissful journey through Asia

LUXE TRAVEL MAGAZINE

A Blissful journey

through Asia

THE SANCHAYA INDONESIA

Provided By The Sanchaya

The Sanchaya is a private beachfront estate with 29 villas and suites and a stunning private residence with unparalleled views of the ocean. A memory worth making; the estate is located on the Bintan Island, Riau Island Province, Indonesia - less than an hour from Singapore. It commands some of the world’s most stunning white powder sand beachfront views.

Situated within the bustling Mall of Asia Complex, Conrad Manila is the premier haven for smart luxury amid panoramic views of Manila Bay and its famed sunsets while being just minutes away from the domestic and international airports, business and leisure districts.

Inspired by the European Salons of the 19th century, this Preferred LegendSM cultivates highly refined service standards that pay homage to the attentiveness observed by artisans on a private estate. Its common areas, Dining Room, Library and Bar reference Southeast Asia’s rich history and culture blended with a vintage European refinement in its artworks, antiques, furnishings and spirit.

The Sanchaya offers an award-winning collection of 13 lavish villas and 17 suites combining exceptionally comfortable interiors with the warmth and atmosphere like those of a luxurious private estate spread over 9.6 beachfront hectares.

STUNNING PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Provided By The Sanchaya

HIGHLY REFINED SERVICE STANDARDS

THE DANNA LANGKAWI RESORT & BEACH VILLAS

MALAYSIA

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Provided By Makumu Private Game Lodge

Showcasing Langkawi’s stunning scenic beauty, the award-winning Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas welcomes guests with genuine island hospitality while delighting you at every turn.

Take your time to explore this luxury beachfront resort which features exclusive private pool villas with lavish Salvatore Ferragamo bath amenities, colonial oceanfront rooms and suites that boast views ranging from tropical mountains, ocean, marina and courtyard - with premium Laura Tonnato by La Bottega bath amenities.

Indulge in eclectic and intimate seaside dining, keep up with your wellness regime at the Technogym fitness centre or rejuvenate over therapeutic treatments at The Spa for balance of body, mind and soul.

Located in Telaga Harbour Park, this Mediterranean-inspired beach resort is easily accessible to many of Langkawi’s famous attractions and outdoor activities. It takes approximately 15 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and 25 minutes from Pantai Cenang to The Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas.

Provided By Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas

Provided By The Spot

SCENIC BEAUTY STUNNING

KARAN SINGH

OF THE DANNA LANGKAWI RESORT & BEACH VILLAS

GENERAL MANAGER

Born in New Delhi, India, Karan spent his childhood having stayed or dined in hotels almost a week every month due to the nature of his father’s business. He was inspired by a tall Sikh doorman to join the hotel industry. He realised his true passion was in hospitality and subsequently pursued an education in Hotel Management at Pacific International Hotel Management School, New Zealand. He officially made his foray into the world of hotels as a Night Auditor at Rydges Auckland in 2000 and soon after, he moved to Hilton Hotels & Resorts in 2003 where he spent 17 years, steadily climbing up the ranks to his first General Manager position in 2016 at Conrad Osaka, Japan. Now in Malaysia, Karan looks forward to exploring the country’s vibrant scene and flavourful culinary landscape. A fitness buff, outside of work, he is seen cycling, hitting the gym or traversing the globe.

Karan has a strong vision to uplift The Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas’ brand image and takes the stakes higher in terms of its repositioning. He resonates the core philosophies of the resort when it comes to ensuring unique and memorable guest experiences, connecting with people and creating a sanctuary of elegance. As a leader, he places enormous importance on striving to make the workplace environment enjoyable, diverse and healthy.

Please give us a bit of your own background. P

He also champions the sustainability arm at the resort to ensure that every decision is made with environmental consciousness in mind, including phasing out single-use plastics, energy conservation and food wastage management in order to promote sustainable development through the resort’s many bespoke activities.

Why / how did you choose the hospitality industry?

You meet the best people here with the most interesting personalities – always looking out for guests, taking care of them and ensuring they have the best possible experience, paying attention to the smallest details, keeping up with new trends and being present – it’s the whole package. I realised this is where my true passion was and still is. Knowing the philosophies and values of being in service, adjusting in styles and accommodating to changes.

Being part of the hotel industry is now an integral part of my life and my career goals have continued to evolve as I have learnt a great deal from each person (colleagues and guests alike) whom I have had the privilege of connecting with. This has been memorable to me to gain personal and professional knowledge and I would not change this experience.

Is this your first time being posted to Malaysia? How long have you been here? What are your thoughts and some observations about expat living in Malaysia / Langkawi?

I have visited Malaysia several times in the past for leisure and business, however it is my first time being posted here for work. I moved in September 2021 to join The Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas and it has been a great journey thus far. The expat community in Langkawi is rather small I would say and they are close-knitted. Nevertheless, I have spent a lot of my time with the local community since my move. I love cycling and I join the groups here often which consist of locals as well as expats

What steps did the hotel take to survive during the unprecedented challenges of the long pandemic? Would you say business has returned to normal at this point; if not, when is that anticipated?

One of our challenges was the lack of reputation purely as we were not part of any international hotel chains. Additionally, competing with other branded properties, we missed out on our fair share of business from international markets where we did not have the distribution as the international chains do and the perception that other luxury brands do. Our asset is in great shape, our software and service ratings are one of the best in Langkawi now, consistently beating competitions. By building a better, improved perception and expanding our presence in key source markets we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Being part of this consortium, we have the unique opportunity now to further elevate our resort’s commitment to providing world-class vacation experiences on an internationally recognised platform, where guests can enjoy the exclusive range of local experiences with exceptional service standards. It’s still a little early to comment if trends will revert back to that of in 2019 or pre-pandemic but we believe new markets will emerge. Since the travel bubble started last year, we have seen a recovery with lesser Covid-related checks or restrictions.

Anything special or new to expect from The Danna in 2023?

12 years since opening our doors, we have certainly come a long way and we have also established a few programs to uplift our resort – of course this will take time as we are planning the changes in stages and it will take place in phases. This includes our sustainability efforts and refurbishment works which have been a key focus alongside creating more awareness in the market and tapping into new segments. We will also be partnering with a new renowned luxury brand for amenities and embarking on a styling project for tailor-made room offerings. In addition to that, we have recently completed refreshing our fitness centre that overlooks the mountains and marina, fully fitted with the latest state-of-the-art Technogym equipment – including the Technogym Ride; the first of its kind in Malaysia. The spa was also refurbished and guests can restore balance to their bodies, minds and souls in a serene space. We will officially announce the developments of our new initiatives in times to come. This is part of our journey to keep up with changing times and improve our standards. We are on the right track and we foresee an exciting year ahead as we move along and achieve greater heights while continually building our brand. This is a year of recovery and the country’s tourism and hospitality sector has been reviving. Our core emphasis remains to welcome guests to our island, from all around the globe, and make them feel at home although in a different place – by giving them an opportunity to experience our traditions, culture and gastronomy in a world-class setting

We are undoubtedly working towards considerable efforts to attract and accommodate travellers in terms of added-value service, facilities and offerings

INTERCONTINENTAL PATTAYA RESORT

THAILAND

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InterContinental Pattaya Resort is Pattaya’s premier resort, an exclusive five-star oasis set in lush tropical gardens, with spectacular, panoramic ocean views and a private white sand beach. Less than two hours from Bangkok, the resort offers the exclusive Club InterContinental® Experience, including 40 Club Suites and two Villas and the Club InterContinental Lounge, which elevates personalized service and brings an array of special privileges. A complimentary shuttle service connects guests to downtown Pattaya.

HOSPITALITY

The resort has 156 well-appointed guest rooms, which open on to private gardens or sweeping views of the blue ocean. Each guest room is decorated with an elegant blend of traditional Thai elements and contemporary outlines and has its own balcony to relax and enjoy the invigorating sea breeze. Deluxe resort facilities include Amburaya Spa, Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club, a custom facility for children, a Guest Activities Centre, a fully-equipped fitness centre, and two restaurants – Infiniti and Elements – with sunset ocean views.

Set in an exclusive oceanfront location, the resort is the perfect place for corporate meetings, seminars, private receptions, parties and weddings. The multi-purpose Latitude by the Beach can seat 30 people on a roundtable and boasts spectacular ocean views, while the elegantly decorated Phratamnak Ballroom can accommodate multiple functions and opens onto the Phratamnak Courtyard and Oriental gardens.

Provided By Intercontinental Pattya Resort

RESORT PATTAYA’S PREMIER

THE KAYON JUNGLE RESORT INDONESIA

Enveloped by lush valley greenery and perched above the flowing water of the Uwos River, The Kayon Jungle Resort is a sanctuary of tropical indulgence. Located within the traditional Balinese Village of Bresela, Payangan, the resort is just 25 minutes from the cultural heart of Ubud.

Inspired by the splendour of nearby Tegalalang rice terraces, The Kayon Jungle Resort has been thoughtfully designed to support luxury accommodation and high-end facilities. It is a five-star heaven that blends island creativity with boutique sophistication.

A SANCTUARY OF TROPICAL INDULGENCE

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The Kayon Jungle Resort is attuned to the surrounding environment and respects the harmony and community spirit of the local village. It is a place where seasoned travellers can escape the pace of everyday life and feel renewed by the beauty of nature.

The Kayon Jungle Resort commands a prime piece of landscape with a fine collection of rooms, suites and private pool villas cascading down the valley to emulate Bali’s famous rice terraces. Each accommodation option celebrates the essence of island living with a design-driven interior concept and exclusive amenities to enhance personal comfort.

Provided By The Kayon Jungle Resort

THE RESORT VILLA

Provided By The Resort Villa

With 14,000m² of tropical property, 70+ full-time staff & a 5-minute walk from the beach, The Resort Villa is a secret paradise that offers unforgettable experiences for those that seek a luxurious private getaway.

Located in the noncommercial region of Rayong, Thailand, The Resort Villa boasts infinity pools totaling 1,000m², 8 individual villas, 11 dining areas, 4 bars, a fully equipped gym, full-service spa, home cinema, 15m aquarium and much more. The expansive property is a private haven exclusive to groups of up to 16 guests, with access to various water toys, nearby attractions and even a PADI license certification course.

A perfect destination for families and friends for special occasions such as family trips, birthdays, and anniversaries – the meticulous staff at The Resort Villa will ensure guests have remarkable experiences tailored to their heart's content.

With private chefs that create sumptuous dining menus inspired by fine French dining, Thai, and other Asian favorites, The Resort Villa invites guests to go on a divine gastronomical journey.

A SECRET PARADISE

DIGITAL CREATOR

SARAH INTERVIEW

How did you become a digital creator and get to where you are today?

I’ve always loved travel and photography, though it wasn’t until I had a serious health scare that I quit my 9-5 corporate job to follow my passions. I started out sharing my photography with friends, with no intention or desire to make a career of it! When I started 8 years ago the term ‘Content Creator’ didn’t even exist. It took me many years, fully committed, a lot of hard work and constant learning to make Content Creation my full-time job. It’s been a fun & crazy ride ever since. I feel so blessed to do what I love!

Focusing on resorts in Asia this month, can you tell us about some of your best experiences you have had and where they were?

One of my favourite luxury travel destinations is Maldives (I’m actually here right now!). Of course, everyone knows about the aesthetic beauty of Maldives, however some of my favourite experiences have been interactions in nature. The first time my partner and I swam with Manta rays was an amazing memory, likewise diving untouched reefs in the remote atolls, interacting with majestic whale sharks, turtles & abundant fish life! We also host retreats each year in Maldives and have had some beautiful moments sharing our love of travel with people from all around the world.

What is your favourite and least favourite part of your job?

My least favourite part of being a digital creator is (sometimes) missing out on enjoying experiences organically because of the need to capture the moments for work. Really though, I am so lucky to even experience so many amazing properties and destinations. I honestly love photography and videography so I think I would probably behave the same way even if it wasn’t my job!

Meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and constantly being challenged by my surroundings & creativity is what I love about my job.

List the top 3 countries on your bucket list and why?

Oman - I travelled here for the first time last year and loved it! The people are the nicest I have met anywhere. The country has so much to offer, yet is so humble. You can be in the desert, grand mosques, fortress cities or clear turquoise waters all within 2 hours’ drive from the capital! I have never in all my travels been so happily overwhelmed by the incredible beauty of such an untouched travel destination.

French Polynesia - So much beautiful culture and insane scenery. There is a diverse variety across the islands of French Polynesia too. But it’s the clash of the steep mountains & jungle on the islands with the crystal-clear lagoons that I find absolutely breathtaking. Swimming with whales in Moorea is an absolute must!

Maldives - The ultimate destination for tropical island lovers! An abundance of marine life and coral reefs to explore across more than 1,000 perfect palm laced islands is my idea of heaven.

What does your daily work routine look like?

My routine is no routine at all! Travelling nearly full-time means that I squeeze in time to do my ‘office’ work (editing, social media, travel planning, contracts, press etc) around my travel and photography schedule. In an ideal situation, I start my day with a swim in the ocean followed by a coffee in the sun before starting any work. We shoot a lot of content throughout the day, so I need to take advantage of airport layovers, transfers, and late nights to keep up with my workload.

Tell us why you love what you do.

I enjoy creating art through storytelling, but mostly I love creating a positive impact through social media. Using my voice to encourage others to follow their dreams, to live sustainably, and to have meaningful travel experiences of their own, is something that fills me with immense joy & keeps me energised. Seeing even just one person positively impacted by something I have created makes me love what I do.

Do you have any exciting trips coming up and could you tell us more?

We have a lot coming up! Over the summer we will be heading to our favourite spots in Europe (especially in the Mediterranean) as well as some new places, before we head to Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and back to Europe for Christmas. We are hosting some retreats in Mexico and Maldives later this year and early next year which will be amazing too!

Your top resort recommendations in Asia and why

Gili Lankanfushi and Soneva Jani in Maldives. Both resorts are beautiful, with amazing people, delicious healthy food and the perfect barefoot luxury concept. We also love that they are extremely conscious of the environment, because this is something we really value in travel.

Any advice for someone wanting to become a travel blogger and content creator?

There’s really so much to talk about, but my top-level advice would be to focus on what you are passionate about and what your skills are, then make this the core of how you approach the travel creator space. I think that constantly being on a public forum, it’s so important to remain true to yourself for longevity and for people to connect with your authentic self. And since everyone is unique, use what makes you special to approach the creative space and ‘your people’ will find you! The possibilities are limitless with social media & the space is not slowing down. There is more than enough room for everyone. Believe in yourself, do not give up (all the best things take time) & the rest will follow.

SHERATON GRAND CHENNAI RESORT & SPA

MAHABALIPURAM INDIA

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Set on the scenic East Coast Road, facing the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal, is a beautiful beach haven resort, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa. The design and decor of the 129-room property takes inspiration from four S’s, namely, Sun, Sand, Sea, and South India. Nestled in the heart of 10 acres of beautiful land with lush greens, well-manicured lawns perfect for a picturesque beach wedding, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. As part of Marriott International, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa offer upscale accommodation, world-class services, and exquisite F&B that will take guests leisure or business stay to the next level.

Discover modern style and welcoming service at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa. Ideally located in ECR and overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the hotel is just a short distance from historic monuments, ecological adventures and museums - an ideal destination for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Settle into one of the luxury hotel and suites, which feature free Wi-Fi and a private balcony or patio with outstanding views.

Provided By Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Mahabalipuram

A BEACH HAVEN RESORT

AMIT KUMAR INTERVIEW

OF SHERATON GRAND CHENNAI RESORT & SPA

MAHABALIPURAM

GENERAL MANAGER

Could you tell us a bit more about how Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Mahabalipuram came to be?

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa is a destination of its own and with its pristine beaches and its grand lawns showcasing an extravagant location with multitude of offerings and amenities to choose from. Inaugurated in July 2018, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa aimed to cater to Chennai’s high potential market which was witnessing a positive influx of business and leisure travellers alike, thus launching it perfectly timed to meet the growing hospitality demands of the city.

What do you believe sets this destination apart?

Creating experiences and making memories, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa has become one off a kind destination with its traditional yet modern looking architectural spaces, this place makes you feel at home all while indulging in a relaxing and comfortable space overlooking the bay.

At Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa we believe in creating memorable & personalized experiences for our guests from delivering a grand greeting at the entrance with a traditional South Indian welcome of tender coconut and shell necklaces & angavastram wrapped around your neck to welcome amenities and personalized amenities for special occasions for all our guests.

What sets us apart from our competitors; premier resort packed with all the amenities starting with extravagant venues for holding your dream event and multiple venues for your events with 129 well-appointed rooms suites and villas.

The alluring experience from the award-winning restaurants to being one of the top beach resorts in Chennai, We cater to all our guest's needs above and all, Sheraton Grand Chennai is the only property with an expansive 25,000Sq Ft exclusive lush green lawn for any guests to hosts their dream weddings or any social event with a perfect beachfront backdrop, Along with this we also have a perfect infinity pool and a pool deck with a bar overlooking the perfect views of the bay.

As a sizable resort, how do you keep such incredible service standards?

Working towards a personalized guest experience is a key to creating a memorable & blissful moment for our guests all while working on consistency for our associates and team to follow the standards and ensuring experiential guest services and experiences are rendered all.

Undergoing consistent training for providing impeccable service time and again is also one of the major factor that helps us achieve and maintain our incredible service standards

From a memorable & and comfortable experience, we are also committed to providing with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols with specific area of focus which include: Face Coverings, Rigorous Surface Areas and Public Spaces cleaning, Minimized Guest Contacts, Increased awareness and emphasis on Food Safety and there is also 24/7 Security and surveillance on the property and we always have a doctor on call 24/7 at the property for all the guest’s needs.

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Mahabalipuram has an incredible offering, could you tell us more about the planning for guest arrival?

For enhancing and elevating the experiences our Guest relations team connect with our guests before their arrival, to understand the purpose of the visit so the team can curate their experiences.

At our resort we believe in creating memorable & personalized experiences for our all our guests from delivering a grand greeting at the entrance with a traditional South Indian welcome of tender coconut and shell necklaces & angavastram wrapped around your neck to welcome amenities and personalized amenities for special occasions for all our guests.

What do you believe makes a successful experience for a guest at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Mahabalipuram?

We believe in creating memorable and blissful moments for our guests making them feel like a part of our family and giving them a feel of their own home with relaxing blissful comfort.

Connecting with our guests, engaging with them, and creating joyful memories and exposures is our top priority, creating trust and loyalty and building this bond amongst us as we laugh and share our memories is how we feel like the guests have had a perfect experience.

Could you tell us more about your journey to being at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Mahabalipuram?

In my course of 20 years of enriching experience in the hospitality industry which includes more than a decade spent with Marriott International Hotels, I’ve had an interesting journey with multiple ups and downs and tons of challenges to face from but what helped me stay focused and helped me drive my way forward was always my attitude towards learning new things spearheading the team with their impressive interpersonal & management and knack of innovative towards strategic planning along with their enhanced and stellar services towards our guests.

Prior to this staggering move, I had served in the same capacity at Courtyard by Marriott Chennai. Having also worked with Global Brands like Hyatt, Carlson, Starwood, and now Marriott International, I have honed knowledge in the field through the course of my career, the testament to my beliefs, dedication, and my strong foundation towards my work is one of the key steps to my success and has helped me win multiple accolades which include Food & Beverage Leader of the year for Starwood properties and is the Recipient of the Consumer Operations Award for Marriott International, along with this I have also been awarded General Manager of the Year 2022 in overall categories at the recent HVS Anarock HOPE 2023.

What does your day-to-day look like?

Always acknowledging priorities whilst leading by example and having patience with customers are just some of the ways in which my skills are used daily.

Most days will consist of handling of responsibilities and operations for the resort all while handling the guest expectations, since flawless service is always expected from our guests Thus, it is our responsibility to ensure that the hotel can meet these expectations and provide each guest with an experience to savour. This includes overseeing the maintenance of the resort whilst ensuring that each department is correctly trained and knows their roles.

The day Starts off by holding the daily morning briefings to strategies with all the heads of departments to check if any concerns may be raised, and so we can ensure that everyone is on aligned. If there is spare time before the daily meeting, it is always and exciting and enticing to go meet and greet our guests and interact with them to know about their experience at the resort.

During the day overlooking and developing strategies to brining in business and going over it for generating more revenue for the resort all while working closely with the department heads in ensuring we deliver good profitable business to our stake holders

Assessing the training needs and ensuring that all the associates are getting their needs met is also an important task for ensuring that we grow as a team and develop talent across our property

Going into the final stretch of the day, it will typically be spending time with our guests and not underestimating the importance of this, this is crucial in genuinely finding out if the guests needs are met which elevates their experience.

And all the while it may be exhausting, this is all part of the experience of being a General Manager because hospitality is ongoing, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Thus, you really have to have a passion for the job and the industry, because you won’t be able to do a good job without having a knack or aptitude towards striving for success. 40

Any future plans for the resort?

Yes, A few key points that we are emphasizing and working on are:

• Net zero we are driven to make a positive and sustainable impact in our resort and this rigorous climate commitment to reach net-zero emissions is a needed step for us to reach that goal towards the future to help and be a part of the community where we live.

• Talent Retention-The desire for more flexible work arrangements and schedules to accommodate work/life balance is at an all-time high, In addition to meeting the strong desire for flexibility at work. It’s also important to set boundaries and incorporate practices to help ease workplace stress and burnout.

• Working for exponential growth towards talent and emphasizing on meeting everyone’s training needs

• Delivering unmatched luxury experience for the guest staying with us at the property by elevating overall guest experience with more engagements and achievements

IN THE NEXT EDITION...

THE WELLNESS EDITON

In our next issue, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of wellness with the most luxurious wellness destinations around the globe. From exotic destinations to cutting-edge treatments, discover the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation.

TO OUR COLLABORATORS