WELCOME HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE & DESIGN ISSUE 89 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM
ARCTIC BATH – SWEDEN • VINCENT VAN DUYSEN • TAJ RISHIKESH – INDIA
ON THE COVER Arctic Bath, Harads © Daniel Holmgren
Enjoy Your Stay?
F
or those fortunate enough to stay in hotels on a regular
Of course, it’s no easy task selecting just one stand-out;
basis, there’s a burning question that you’ll likely find
with almost 15 years at Sleeper I’ve racked up my own fair
yourself being asked time and time again: which is your
share of room nights. For me, the location of Anantara Al
favourite? Well, in celebration of our 20th anniversary year,
Jabal Al Akhdar, perched high up on a ridge on Oman’s fabled
we’ve asked a few of our loyal supporters – leading architects
Green Mountain, is second to none. The spectacular fantasy
and designers whose projects have featured in these very pages
land of Capella Ubud, as seen through the eyes of Bill Bensley,
over the years – about their most memorable hotel stay. We
is also up there with the most memorable, as is the carefree
also spoke to our globetrotting team of freelancers and those
spirit of Bikini Island & Mountain Hotel in Port de Sóller, the
who’ve had a hand in making Sleeper what it is today; their
impeccable service at Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, and the
words certainly make for an insightful read.
unwavering commitment of the team at Belmond Cap Juluca,
A hotel’s surrounding landscape is a key talking point,
Anguilla, having bounced back from the devastation caused
upholding the importance of location, location, location;
by two major hurricanes that ravaged the island in 2017. A
recurring phrases such as classic, simple and timeless come
recent stay at the newly refurbished Raffles Hotel in Singapore
as proof that less is often more; and first impressions count,
also struck a chord; it was this grand dame that sparked my
with many detailing the warm welcome on arrival. In fact, the
fascination with the industry, having marvelled at it as a
art of hospitality – the service delivered by the front-of-house
backpacker some 20 years earlier.
team – was shown to be one of the most memorable aspects,
But if I was to pick just one, it would be Kudadoo in the
with some going so far as to name those who made their stay
Maldives. From the Japanese aesthetic of the overwater villas
so special, as if etched on their memory for ever more.
to the dazzling surroundings, not to mention the resort’s
Bill Bensley talks about the power of the unexpected; James
minimal impact on the environment and forward-thinking
Lohan and Tamara Herber-Percy – aka Mr & Mrs Smith –
sustainability practices, to me, it’s luxury hospitality at its
remember the small gestures that made a big difference; and
best. The stand-out moment though was one that harks back
others speak of the journey, whether that be the building
to the notion that hospitality is first and foremost about
anticipation en route to their destination, or the journey of
people. Returning to my room after dinner, I opened the door
discovery within. Furthermore, almost everyone we spoke to
to a bubble-filled bath decorated with tropical flowers from
recalled experiences that took place outside the perimeter of
the gardens, a chilled bottle of champagne and some delicate
the hotel itself, further reinforcing the belief that hospitality
pastries from the chef. The occasion? There wasn’t one. One
is no longer just about bed and board.
of those unexpected moments I’ll never forget.
Hotels that elicit an emotional response are undoubtedly make a mark too. André Fu recalls a hotel he visited as a teenager, that made such an impression it inspired him to pursue a career in hospitality design, while Jean-Philippe Nuel’s most memorable hotel tells the story of a bygone era.
Catherine Martin • Managing Editor
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