BTME January 2022

MIDDLE EAST

JANUARY 2022

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IT'S SHOWTIME

WHEN IN ROME

CAPITAL INDULGENCE

PLUS

2022 promises an action-packed line-up of business events

A glance at new and upcoming hotels in the Italian capital

From fine-dining to casual bites, how best to dine in Delhi

Tried and Tested • Bangkok • Eyewear to get you noticed

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JANUARY 2022

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WHEN IN ROME

GHA DISCOVERY REVAMP

CAPITAL INDULGENCE

PLUS

A glance at new and upcoming hotels in the Italian capital

The Global Hotel Alliance reimagines its loyalty scheme

From fine-dining to casual bites, how best to dine in Delhi

Tried and Tested • Bangkok • Eyewear to get you noticed

IT’S SHOWTIME! The 2022 regional business events line-up

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CONTENTS

JANUARY 2022

REGULARS 06

UPFRONT

The latest airline and hotel news from around the world 13

POSTCARD

Soneva Soul wellness brand makes its debut 14 RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

Eco-consscious efforts at The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives 27

ELEVATOR PITCH

Hyde Hotel Dubai GM Lukes James pitches his property 29

AIR MILES

With Adrien Meyer, the Head of Private Sales at Christie’s 46 4 HOURS IN...

BANGKOK

Exploring the sights and sounds of Thailand’s capital

FEATURES

ON THE COVER

26 GHA REIMAGINES ITS LOYALT Y PROGRAMME

A new flexible digital currency is a highlight of GHA DISCOVERY 28 LIFE IN THE VACCINATED TRAVEL L ANE

A guide on how to visit Singapore under VTL rules 30

WHEN IN ROME

A glance at new and upcoming properties in the Italian capital 36 ACCESSIBILIT Y TO THE AMERICAN DREAM

The American Legal Center in Dubai explains the EB-5 programme process 42

DIFFERENT BY DESIGN

Serviced apartments are using design inspired by location to stand out 48

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IT’S SHOWTIME!

2022 promises an eclectic line-up of major business events, staged at some of the region’s largest exhibition venues

30 3

CAPITAL INDULGENCE

From fine-dining to casual bites, how best to dine Delhi at the city’s hotels 52

2022 VISION

Stylish eyewear, from frames to sunglasses, to get you noticed

48

THE REPORT TRIED & TESTED FLIGHTS, HOTELS, R E S TAU R A N T S 60 Celebrities, The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

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61 Conrad Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

64 SLS Cancun, Mexico

62 Fraser Suites Queens Gate, London

65 JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa

63 Mondrian Shoreditch London

66 Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison, London

52 JANUARY 2022

WELCOME

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irstly, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and to thank you for continuing to support Business Traveller Middle East. We start 2022 with mixed feelings about what the 12 months ahead will bring in terms of pandemic impact. The Omicron variant has thrown more hurdles in the path of the travel industry and the business traveller, yet there are many reasons to be optimistic. In the Gulf, where vaccination rates are among the highest globally and the health and safety measures implemented in destinations and by travel industry stakeholders – from airlines to hotels – are world-class, it is deemed one of the most desirable and safest places to visit.

This is evident in the UAE topping Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking, a monthly snapshot revealing the countries handling the virus most effectively with the least social and economic upheaval.

The ranking, which is compiled using 12 data indicators that span virus containment, quality of healthcare, vaccination coverage, overall mortality and progress toward restarting travel, considers the performance of the world’s biggest 53 economies in their response to the same once-in-a-generation threat. The UAE not only ranks first in the latest listing (November) but is one of the most consistent performers since the ranking’s inception a year ago. Daily cases in the UAE had stayed below 100 a day since mid-October until time of press, deaths are rare and it’s one of the most vaccinated countries globally with more than 200 doses per 100 people.

Against this backdrop, visitor numbers to the UAE continue to pick up, with Expo 2020 Dubai giving arrivals figures an extra boost in the last quarter, as well as major sporting events such as the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, which sold out thanks to the nail-biting competition between Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Dubbed ‘The Decider in the Desert’, the event reached full capacity with 60,000 spectators at Yas Marina Circuit.

In 2022, many major business events and conferences return to the UAE and the wider Gulf, and in this issue, we highlight some of the headliners in a dedicated calendar.

The event dates are not, however, set in stone, given the UAE introduced a new working week (Monday to Friday replacing Sunday to Thursday) on January 1, 2022. With many events traditionally starting on a Sunday, expect a re-jig of schedules.

The new working week will also alter travel patterns and prices in and out of the UAE, so it’s something to consider when booking your next flight.

One thing’s for sure though, with the Monday to Friday week aligned to most global markets, it’s good news for business and trade.

Gemma Greenwood, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

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Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published

by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd M OT I VAT E M E D I A GRO UP

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner and Group Editor Ian Fairservice Editor Gemma Greenwood Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Editorial Co-ordinator Londresa Flores Contributors Tom Otley, Hannah Brandler, Melanie Swan, Allyson Portee, Paul J Devries, Akanksha Maker, Duncan Forgan, Julian Gregory General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Director Andrew Wingrove Group Sales Manager Chaitali Khimji PAN ACE A M E D I A LT D

Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe Global Editor-in-Chief Tom Otley b us i n e s strave l l e r. c o m

IT’S SHOWTIME 2022 promises an eclectic line-up of business events at major venues region-wide (Page 16)

WHEN IN ROME A raft of new hotels have opened in the Italian capital with many more to come (Page 30)

ACCESSING THE AMERICAN DREAM The path to U.S. immigration explained (Page 36)

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JANUARY 2022

UPFRONT

UAE introduces new working week THE UAE INTRODUCED

ETIHAD LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST AIRLINE GREEN LOYALTY PROGRAMME ETIHAD GUEST, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, has introduced a series of

DUBAI TOURISM

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sustainability-focused initiatives to reward members for making ‘green’ choices and providing options to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Conscious Choices supports Etihad’s overarching sustainability ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and to halve 2019 emissions by 2035.

Travellers wishing to fly and spend more consciously and sustainably can now earn Tier Miles and other rewards for making sustainable choices such as carrying less baggage on board. They can also offset their flights’ carbon emissions using Etihad Guest Miles.

When they are not flying, members can earn Tier Miles by offsetting everyday emissions such as driving, with options ranging from one month to one year’s worth of offsets, as well as emissions such as cooling your home or cooking your dinner for a month up to a year; donating miles to a green cause; and by purchasing sustainable products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop in partnership with Collinson and CarbonClick. Members can also choose to ’go green’, by opting for a digital membership card instead of a physical one.

a new four-and-a-half-day working week for federal government entities on January 1, 2022, as well as new working hours.

The new working week runs from Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 3.30pm, and on Friday from 7.30am to 12pm.

The UAE has become the first nation worldwide to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week, official news agency WAM reported.

The move aims to boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing.

EXPO 2020 DUBAI VISITS EXCEED 6.3 MILLION THE NUMBER OF VISITS to Expo 2020 Dubai crossed 6.35

million in the period up to December 13, 2021, following the mega event’s opening on October 1.

Visitor numbers were boosted by music concerts, sporting events and National Day celebrations, an Expo statement said.

Popular programmes included a concert by Alicia Keys at the Al Wasl Plaza on December 10, where she also unveiled her new release, JANUARY 2022

Keys; a performance by Indian singer Neha Kakkar on December 12; and another by popular Filipino artists Sponge Cola and Matthaios, as well as the Expo World Choir, which featured singers and musicians from 142 nationalities.

Expo hosted 10,461 events in its first two months with more than a quarter (28 per cent) of November visitors coming from outside the UAE. Top international visitor countries included India, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. The event has given Dubai arrivals figures a boost, with the latest data from Dubai Tourism revealing the destination received 4.88 million visitors between January and October 2021.

The top five source markets for the 10-month period were India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UK and USA respectively.

Visitors stayed 4.6 nights on average, up from 4.1 in 2020.

C E L E B R AT I N G

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A visual celebration of the UAE’s golden jubilee

DISCOVER 100 PHOTOG RAPHS OF THE UAE SHOT BY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY

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UPFRONT

FENIX introduces shared electric bike service in the UAE and Qatar

ELECTRIC MOBILIT Y SPECIALIST FENIX has

launched an on-demand shared electric bike service in the UAE and Qatar. The service has initially launched in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra communities in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA). In Qatar, FENIX has entered into an exclusive micro-mobility partnership with the ASPIRE Zone in Doha to provide visitors with a safe, convenient and efficient means of transport across the sports complex via its FENIX e-bikes. The e-bikes join a growing portfolio of mobility offerings provided by FENIX, including shared e-scooters and the region’s first private e-scooter subscription service MyFENIX. Each purpose-built FENIX e-bike is equipped with an advanced pedal-assist motor system, a functional basket and illuminous front and rear lights. The bikes have a range of 75 km on a single battery charge and are equipped with fast wireless charging smartphone holders for easy access to directions while riding, and built-in NFC readers for potential tap-to-pay integrations in the future.

FENIX e-bikes and e-scooters cost AED 1/QAR 1 per minute to ride and are the first in the region with a No Unlock Fee. fenix.life

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NEOM and Volocopter to create world’s first bespoke public eVTOL system NEOM, THE SMART and sustainable regional development in northwest

Saudi Arabia and Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility, have established a joint venture ( JV) company to design, implement, and operate the world’s first bespoke public vertical mobility system in NEOM. Air taxi and vertical logistics services will be fully integrated with the overall multi-modal and zero-emission public transit system in NEOM. The JV will be the sole operator of initial public transit routes across NEOM, while enabling an open eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) ecosystem for vertical mobility services including logistics, emergency response, and tourism.

NEOM has placed a confirmed order of 15 Volocopter aircraft to commence initial flight operations within the next two to three years. eVTOLs are a crucial component of NEOM’s mobility mission, enabling transportation of people and goods without extensive surface infrastructure.

‘Fly Now, Pay if Okay’ now available in the UAE FLIGHT COMPENSATION company Colibra has

launched ‘Fly Now, Pay if Okay’ in the UAE. The service allows passengers to book flights that they only pay for if their flight arrives on time. Tickets are available to book through the app, which can be downloaded from the AppStore and Google Play, and are only available for flights that depart and arrive within 30 days. Colibra has revealed it is looking to launch a similar service for hotel stays. colibra.io

JANUARY 2022

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INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT & SPA TO OPEN SOON INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT & SPA is preparing to open in Q1 2022. Located on the Hayat Island shoreline

in Mina Al Arab, the beachfront resort offers 351 rooms with overwater views, including private pool villas. Facilities will include six new culinary outlets, a spa, kids and teens clubs, and Club InterContinental, a resort within a resort housed in an exclusive building offering personalised service, separate check-in area and access to a private pool. Meeting venues include a spacious ballroom and venues with the sea as a backdrop.

Hyatt plans its first Andaz-branded hotel in Qatar HYATT WILL DEBUT its luxury lifestyle Andaz brand in Qatar in Q3 2022, just in time for the FIFA World Cup tournament. The 318-guestroom Andaz Doha, located in West Bay, will boast sea views and four innovative food and beverage outlets.

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Novotel and Adagio open in Dubai’s JVT NOVOTEL JUMEIRAH VILLAGE TRIANGLE and

Adagio Aparthotel Jumeirah Village Triangle have opened their doors. The properties are 30 minutes from Dubai International and 20 minutes from Expo 2020 Dubai. Novotel JVT features 375 rooms and suites, three dining outlets, a swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and La Mar Spa. Located adjacent to Novotel, Adagio Aparthotel JVT features 171 fully furnished and serviced accommodation, with Studio, Deluxe Studio, One Bedroom and Deluxe One Bedroom apartments, as well as Triplex and Duplex apartments with their own private swimming pools. All accommodation features a fully equipped kitchen and complimentary Wi-Fi. Housekeeping services are provided, and dry cleaning can also be arranged. There’s also a ladies-only swimming pool and gym. Guests can pick up a grab and go breakfast at the Hub and have access to all the facilities at the Novotel property.

JANUARY 2022

The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, located in The Pearl, Qatar will open this year (2022), hot off the heels of St Regis properties in Dubai and Cairo, which opened in 2021.

UPFRONT

INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT & SPA WILL OPEN SOON WITH 351 ROOMS INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT & SPA will open in Q1 2022, a beachfront resort offering

Quirky 25hours brand comes to Dubai THE MIDDLE EAST’S first 25hours Hotel has opened in Dubai.

25hours Hotel One Central overlooks the Museum of the Future, is just minutes from Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and offers 434 rooms and suites.

Each room blends nomadic and contemporary design and quirky elements such as hammocks, double rainfall showers, roll-top baths, Schindelhauer bicycles, analogue telephones, UE Boom Bluetooth speakers and much more.

Room themes include the Bedouin Room, the Glamping Room, the Farmstay Suite, the extra-large Artist Village Suite and the Hakawati Suite with a Sheikh ‘triple-king’ bed, a double bathtub, dancefloor, private bar, private terrace, photo booth and more.

Dining venues span the Nomad Day Bar, in partnership with Dubaibased Nightjar Coffee Roasters; Tandoor Tina, for playfully combined British and Northern Indian cuisine; the popular Monkey Pool Bar; and the soon-to-open Ernst – a traditional Bavarian biergarten and wirtshaus. Business travellers will appreciate the fully kitted-out coworking spaces, meeting rooms, event spaces, open pantry and coffee bar at The Gallery on the first floor. Other creative spaces include a trade-in desk where guests can exchange their personal items for a night’s stay, a pottery studio, games room and a podcast studio.

351 rooms with overwater views, including private pool villas, and six dining outlets. For an exclusive experience, Club InterContinental, a resort within a resort, is housed in an exclusive building offering personalised service, separate check in area, access to a private pool, and special privileges. Meeting venues include a spacious ballroom and venues with sea views.

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HYATT CENTRIC MAKES ITS MIDDLE EAST DEBUT THE MIDDLE EAST’S first property under the boutique

lifestyle brand, Hyatt Centric, has opened in Dubai. Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai, pitched as a new social hub in the city’s La Mer district, is just 20 minutes from Dubai International, and features 173 rooms and suites, casual dining venues, an outdoor pool, spa, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Hilton reveals regional line-up of 2022 openings HILTON WILL OPEN six new properties across three brands in the Middle East over the next 12 months.

They include the 221-room Hampton by Hilton Doha Old Town in Qatar; the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait (pictured) featuring Japanese restaurant concept ROKA; Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah with a prime beachfront location; Hilton Bahrain, a 348-room property with studios and apartments; the Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi in the Maadi diplomatic district with meeting and event space; and the Conrad Rabat Arzana in Morocco with event space including a grand ballroom.

JANUARY 2022

UPFRONT

KEMPINSKI TO MANAGE WORLD’S FIRST FLOATING SEA PALACE RESORT IN DUBAI LUXURY HOTEL GROUP Kempinski is to manage what it claims

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will be the world’s first floating sea palace resort, located in Dubai.

Kempinski Floating Palace, anchored next to the popular stretch of beach on the emirate’s Jumeirah Beach Road, will open in 2023 with 256 rooms, suites and villas.

It will also feature a floating helipad next to an impressive yacht parking deck for up to 16 yachts, enabling discerning guests to arrive in style.

The main building of this floating palace, structured in four parts, is connected in the middle by a glass pyramid, home to exclusive gourmet restaurants, bars, a spa, pools, boutiques and banquet areas and offers the possibility for even larger yachts to sail in and out at the centre of the hotel.

Some of the 12 two-storey luxury villas, connected by pontoons, are for sale, but also for rent by hotel guests, and benefit from all the services offered at the hotel. Not only will they feature a roof terrace and infinity pool and indoor and outdoor living rooms, but each doubles up as a luxury houseboat with all the technical features of a smart home.

Cruising at a maximum speed of six nautical miles, the villas are equipped with solar panels and are designed to be environmentally friendly. There are two-, three- and four-bedroom options available.

Four Seasons to enhance three iconic Middle East hotels FOUR SEASONS is upgrading and expanding three of its ultra-luxurious Middle East properties this year.

Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh Resort in Egypt is doubling in size, adding 115 additional rooms and suites, five restaurants, a dive centre, recreational facilities, and a conference centre for 2,000 guests, to be completed soon.

In Turkey, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (pictured) will unveil its full renovation in April. The historic landmark will re-emerge with a remodelled courtyard, elevated dining concepts and public areas, renovated guest rooms, and a newly added wellness area including a traditional Turkish hammam.

At Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre a hotel-wide transformation is underway, which includes enhancements to the lobby, reception, lobby lounge, rooms and suites, as well as the Royal and Kingdom Suites.

Highlights include a Pierre Hermé patisserie and new restaurant under the patronage of Chef Daniel Boulud.

WOW VENUE SLS DUBAI OPENS SKY-HIGH NIGHTCLUB ON 75TH FLOOR Luxury lifestyle hotel SLS Dubai, located in Business Bay, has launched Privilege Nightclub. Located on the 75th Floor, it is one of the highest nightclubs in the world, taking the UAE party scene to new heights. DJs will spin the best beats to keep the vibe alive into the night while guests party next to infinity pools and 360-degree views of Dubai. Special nights range from Hip Hop and R&B on Fridays to ‘Saturdays on the 75th’, with DJ Slim taking guests through his unmissable set. Dining is part of the experience too, with menu highlights including Wagyu Short Rib Bao, the Crispy Tuna Taco, Lobster Thermidor or a Truffle Burger.

JANUARY 2022

POSTCARD

MALDIVES

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Stays w it h sou l Barefoot luxury specialist, Soneva, has launched a new wellness brand combining thousands of years of ancient healing with modern science and medicine to “reconnect mind, body and soul”. Offering each guest a “personalised pathway to health, happiness and fulfilment”, Soneva Soul encompasses resort spas; movement, sleep, yoga and meditation programmes; wellness and lifestyle products; a global network of acclaimed wellness specialists; and innovative, regenerative modalities and medical services.

The new Soneva Soul Island Spa at Soneva Jani in the Maldives (pictured) elevates guests’ wellness experience

far beyond the pampering treatments and massages found at a typical wellness centre or resort spa. Linked by raised walkways that wind among the trees, the threelevel complex is designed in perfect harmony with its environment. Complementing the existing Over-water Spa at The Gathering, it includes open-air treatment rooms, consultation suites, therapeutic biomodulation rooms, a state-of-the-art gym and juice bar. A yoga pavilion and meditation platform sit high above the tree line, offering 360-degree views across the turquoise private lagoon.

Gemma Greenwood

JANUARY 2022

NAALIO PHOTOS

LEFT: Recycling is a priority

Standard practice Eco-conscious efforts take centre stage at The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives

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ustainable tourism is a hot topic of conversation in the Maldives, with properties doing all they can to protect the environment. It’s a matter of urgency, with scientists claiming this archipelagic country, most of which is located just six feet above sea level, could be submerged in water in less than 60 years. One property championing sustainable practices is The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives, an ecoconscious resort set on 6.5 hectares of land.

Here, the natural rocks and reefs in the lagoon surrounding the resort remain untouched and indigenous vegetation from other islands has been brought in and replanted. The resort also generates its own compost, grows its own produce, has set

THE STANDARD HURUVALHI MALDIVES The Standard is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male Velana International Airport and features

JANUARY 2022

up an on-site wastewater treatment facility and recycles as much as possible, with the leadership team always looking for new ways to become more efficient, sustainable and smart in how it operates.

“We’ve worked a lot to be more sustainable,” says General Manager Jesper Soerensen. “The first action in being sustainable is that you start refusing to take things on. We do a lot of purchasing where I’ll say, no that’s too much, or that’s individual wrapping – I don’t want that.”

Many recycling and waste measures are enforced by the government, explains Resort Manager Mohamed Hassan.

“There has to be bottle crushers, compactors, and an incinerator of a certain

standard and sewage treatment plants, because you can’t just flush gray matter directly into the sea,” he says. “The wet garbage that comes out of the kitchens gets eaten by the biodigester machine, and the waste that comes out gets turned into fertilisers.”

The Standard grows much of its own produce in a dedicated resort garden and to supplement this, buys locally wherever possible. Despite the space constraints of the island, there are plans to expand what it produces by working with partners.

“With planning the island will have more than 2,000 chickens for the number of eggs required by June and July 2022. We have banana, watermelon, tomatoes, and various types of lettuces, and we then buy from local islands. We have invested in a local bakery and we’re in the process of putting a full team together.”

Preserving the natural environment is a priority. “The beach rock protects the island from changes in weather, so we don’t touch it,” says Hassan.

Soerensen adds: “Other resorts move the rock out because it’s not so attractive, but that causes beach erosion and water breaks. And now they’re learning their lesson and are having to bring in big boulders from India. It’s important for us not to disturb the nature.”

115 over-water and beach villas, each with a private lounge deck and plunge pool.

It’s a property for the young and hip, couples, families, and if you travel solo, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, from snorkeling, paddle boating, scuba diving and fishing to the luxury spa, yoga sessions, the gym, guest DJ and cinema nights, and the four onsite restaurants and three bars. Highlights include the snorkeling safari, with the opportunity to see exotic fish, coral, turtles, clams, and even lobsters; lunch at Joos Café, overlooking the infinity pool and Indian Ocean; and for authentic Maldivian cuisine, Guduguda, where dishes are cooked the local way.

The snorkelling safari

THE STANDARD HURUVALHI MALDIVES

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RIGHT: The natural lagoon environment is protected

RE SP ONSIBLE TR AVELLER

Seven new sustainable luxury hotels The latest properties to join the Considerate Collection by Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)

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mall Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has added seven more actively sustainable luxury hotels to its recently launched Considerate Collection (slh.com/considerate). This specialist portfolio now features 33 hotels in 25 countries. All Considerate Collection hotels have either been certified by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body, certified to a GSTC Recognised Standard, or have passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel with review by the GSTC. SLH is known for its Quality Assurance programme involving annual mystery inspections of its hotel members to maintain standards. This month it introduces a new 50-point sustainability module for the entire portfolio, aligned to SLH’s Considerate Collection pillars: Environmentally Conscious, Cultural Custodians and Community Minded.

The module looks for noticeable signs for the following: promotion of energy efficiency and standard operating procedures and encouraging renewable energy; water conservation; waste and organic waste management; elimination of plastic and single-use products; community support; local procurement, food and other products; healthy, seasonal and sustainable produce.

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resort made by local wood and marble. The hotel is in tune with every element of its high-alpine surroundings and draws mineral water directly from the glacier, which is used to serve guests throughout the resort.

FROM TOP: Arctic Bath; Grand Forest Metsovo

Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf, Germany An historic hotel with EarthCheck Silver Status and offering guests an authentic taste of its surroundings, from home-brewed gin and eggs from a shared hen house to fresh milk from the hotel’s own dairy cows.

Arctic Bath, Harads, Sweden Reminiscent of a Viking boat house, this one-of-a-kind hotel is run on 100 per cent renewable energy, instilling every guest experience with the spirit of the small Swedish Lapland community. Activities include moose safaris, ice-fishing and a floating spa boasting a cold bath supplied directly by natural river water.

Ca’ di Dio, Venice, Italy Drawing water directly from the lagoon to power its heat exchanger and cooling system, Ca’ di Dio is as innovative it is efficient. The meticulously restored historic Venetian palace invests in work reintegration paths and supports the inclusion of inmates from a Venice prison in a series of social impact projects such as selling Malefatte bags.

Bergwelt Grindelwald – Alpine Design Resort, Grindelwald, Switzerland A sympathetically designed chalet style

Grand Forest Metsovo, Metsovo, Greece This secluded hideaway is perched on the slopes of the Pindus Mountain range in the

foothills of the Pindus National Park, an important protected area for the maintenance of alpine. The hotel is owned by a Metsovian family who handpick staff from the local community. They keep the Epirus region at the heart of all they do, from the local handcrafted furniture to its network of local activity experts for exploring the region.

Op Oost, Oosterend, Netherlands Op Oost is a converted 18th-century farmhouse with roaming free-range chickens. Almost everything is foraged, farmed, and fermented within 150 metres of the hotel. The hotel’s heartfelt connection to nature is tangible with touches such as homemade in-room vegan cosmetics and dried reusable flower arrangements.

The George, Christchurch, New Zealand An urban oasis boasting some of the greenest views in the city, with most rooms overlooking Hagley Park – Christchurch’s largest gardens. The George passionately supports the TIAKI promise, a Tourism New Zealand initiative that involves educating guests about how to treat Aotearoa New Zealand with respect on their travels.

JANUARY 2022

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

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IT’S SHOW TIME!

JANUARY 2022

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

2022 PROMISES AN ECLECTIC LINEUP OF BUSINESS EVENTS AT MAJOR REGIONAL VENUES

T

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

he value of business events to the global economy should not be underestimated.

Pre-COVID-19, they generated US$621.4 billion of direct GDP and contributed a total economic impact of $1.5 trillion (global gross domestic product), according to a recent study by The Events Industry Council (EIC).

If the sector was a country, it would rank as the 13th largest in the world, ahead of the GDPs of Australia, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, according to The Global Economic Significance of Business Events study, commissioned by the EIC and conducted by Oxford Economics.

Every year, business events involve more than 1.5 billion participants across more than 180 countries, generating direct spending (business sales) of more than $1.07 trillion.

The Middle East accounts for $12.8 billion of direct spending, with GCC nations such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia playing an increasingly important role in attracting major

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business events given their world-class If the sector infrastructure and were a country, geographical location, within an eight-hour it would rank as flight of two-thirds of the 13th largest the world’s population.

Since announcing in the world it Vision 2030 socio-economic transformation plan, Saudi Arabia’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector has boomed, growing 16 per cent in 2017, with around 4.5 million attendees at more than 10,000 events, around 15 per cent of which were hosted in the capital, Riyadh. The number of event venues in KSA increased from 154 in 2017 to 277 in 2020, with more to come.

The kingdom’s reputation as a business events hub was elevated LEFT: Arabian Travel globally in 2020 when Riyadh hosted Market the G20 summit, demonstrating the ABOVE: Riyadh is country’s ability to manage an event Saudi’s business events hub of this size and scale.

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In the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are established locations for major global events, with Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) proving an economic powerhouse.

Events at DWTC generated a total economic value of AED 23 billion (US$6.26 billion) in 2018, with a record AED 13.1 billion ($3.57 billion), the equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the emirate’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), added in incremental retained economic value.

Dubai was one of the first destinations globally to revive its business events industry in the wake of the pandemic, setting new benchmarks in 2020 and from September to December 2021, hosted more than 40 events, up 40 per cent year on year.

Headline events included The Big Five, the MENA region’s largest building and construction show; Gastech, the world’s largest exhibition and conference supporting the gas, LNG, hydrogen, and energy industry; GITEX Global, featuring the region’s premier technology and start-up events, plus GITEX Technology Week, showcasing mega tech names from more than 100 countries; the Future Blockchain Summit, bringing together game-changing start-ups and investors; Gulfood Manufacturing, the region’s leading F&B processing and packaging event; and for the first time, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), staged under the theme ‘Inspire, Innovate & Discover for the Benefit of Humankind’.

JANUARY 2022

ABOVE: Dubai’s business events industry is the region’s largest RIGHT: Abu Dhabi stages major global energy conferences and events BELOW: GITEX 2021

At the same time, Expo 2020 Dubai and its resident venue, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) has been playing host to conferences, seminars and thought-leadership discussions and will continue to do so until the event closes in March.

With Expo generating momentum for the events sector and destinations such as the UAE proving among the world’s safest as far as the pandemic is concerned, 2022 prospects are rosy, with major conferences linedup at key venues covering a wide range of industries and sectors, from mainstream to niche.

Here’s a round-up of some of the major business events to look out for this year, with Q1 getting the year off to a booming start.

Venues featured include Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo 2020 Dubai, Bahrain International Exhibition & Conference Centre (BIECC), Riyadh International Conference & Exhibition Centre (RICEC) and Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

JANUARY World Future Energy Summit (WFES) January 17-19, ADNEC The World Future Energy Summit is the leading international event accelerating sustainability and the global transition to clean energy.

Exhibition, technology showcase, investment incubator and business forum all rolled into one event, the summit convenes leaders, innovators and global thinkers to share ideas that are creating the blueprints for a sustainable future. This year’s event will involve 34,000 international visitors and buyers from 125 countries, attending industry forums (more than 200 sessions) and six exhibitions featuring 840-plus suppliers in solar, renewable energy, water efficiency, sustainable waste management, smart cities and climate change. worldfutureenergysummit.com Intersec January 16-18, DWTC Intersec is the leading global emergency services, security and safety event with the 2022 edition promising the show’s largest ever and most comprehensive conference programme.

EXPO IN JANUARY

ABOVE: Solar energy is a focus at WFES BOTTOM: Arab Health supports innovation in healthcare

Delegates will hear from 500-plus international and regional speakers and three globally recognised headliners, with a power-packed programme filled with conversation, debate, shared learning and knowledge exchange. Intersec will also host tech disruption zones featuring the latest innovations and product pitches; a three-day cybersecurity agenda with experts, practitioners and techies getting serious about building resilience, live challenges, and an array of solutions. intersec.ae.messefrankfurt.com

Arab Health January 24-27, DWTC Arab Health is the place to make meaningful connections and support innovation in healthcare.

The 2022 edition will showcase the latest healthcare products and services, showcased by more than 3,590 exhibitors from across the world. Along with a wide range of CME accredited conferences, Arab Health will bring together more than 56,028 healthcare professionals to learn, network and trade. Moreover, attendees looking to discover and source new products and connect with suppliers can login online to pre-plan their meetings in-person. arabhealthonline.com

TRAVEL AND CONNECTIVITY BUSINESS FORUM January 11, DEC This forum will highlight and showcase business opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and progress achieved by the UAE, International Participants and Expo partners relevant to the travel and connectivity sector.

GLOBAL GOALS BUSINESS FORUM January 18, DEC This forum will highlight and showcase business opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and progress achieved by the UAE, International Participants and Expo partners relevant to the global goals. expo2020dubai.com

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BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

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UAE International Dental Conference February 1-3, DWTC The UAE International Dental Conference & Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai), now in its 26th year, is officially ‘The Largest Annual Scientific Dental Conference & Exhibition in the World’ and its 2022 theme is ‘Education & Innovation Transfer’. AEEDC Dubai is the go-to event for all dentists, dental specialists, nurses, assistants, hygienists, therapists, technicians, radiologists, auxiliary staff, students, faculty staff, and members of dental associations, ministry representatives, affiliated dental event representatives, manufacturers and traders. This year, held alongside the AEEDC conference, the AEEDC Orthodontic Conference and the AEEDC World Oral & Maxillofacial Conference will offer unique insights on the latest developments in the industry, with 18 pavilions, 3,000 exhibitors and 4,000 brands from 155 countries. aeedc.com Breakbulk Middle East February 1-2, DWTC Breakbulk Middle East is the place to meet key decision makers responsible for new-project business, including government ministries, private sector oil and gas companies and the world’s top EPCs. Because of strong gatekeeping systems within Middle Eastern companies, this event is one of the few ways to make direct contact with them. The event is on track to attract more than 1,700 companies representing the full industrial supply chain from 70-plu countries.

This event is a chance to forge the relationships your company needs to grow its business in a booming region that puts innovation first. middleeast.breakbulk.com JANUARY 2022

Gulfood February 13-17, DWTC Gulfood is the world’s largest and most influential annual trade show for the food and beverage industry, offering an unrivalled trading platform, a world-class showcase for industry excellence and talent, and a forum for highlighting the latest trends, innovations and business opportunities.

Gulfood 2022 will set the pace for

Gulfood 2022 will set the pace for high-volume business sourcing

high-volume business sourcing, new food and beverage launches, powerful distributor partnerships, start-up innovations and action-driving conversations on ensuring a strong, seamless global supply of food in the new context. gulfood.com International Exhibition for National Security & Resilience (ISNR) February 20-22, ADNEC The International Exhibition of National Security and Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi) represents a unique networking platform,

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Expansionist airlines such as Emirates are driving growth in the cabin interiors market; Air Arabia supports the Arab Aviation Summit; Cyber security discussions are part of ISNR; AEEDC Dubai takes place at DWTC

connecting regional government bodies with security solution providers from across the globe. It brings the national and cyber security community together to accelerate public-private collaboration for a safer connected world.

Four dedicated communities on national security, cyber security, policing and law enforcement and critical infrastructure protection offer a deep dive into challenges and explore new technologies and best practices to avert the evergrowing threats they are facing.

Complemented by numerous business networking events, a comprehensive conference programme and various innovation initiatives, ISNR Abu Dhabi is not only the must-attend event for the national and cyber security communities to do business, drive innovation and promote thought leadership, but to raise public awareness too. isnrabudhabi.com Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) & Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) February 22-23, DWTC The global aircraft cabin interiors market was projected to surpass US$29 billion last year (2021), with a CAGR of 11.57 per cent.

In the Middle East, it is a market

predicted to increase by a further six per cent in 2022, with growth driven by expansionist regional carriers including Emirates and Etihad airlines, both of which continue to purchase new aircraft and modernise their fleets. AIME 2022 will bring together leading airlines and industry to explore the latest advancements in touchless technology, sanitisation technology and coatings and future cabin concepts.

Visitors, exhibitors and delegates can expect a 360-degree look at the industry. The Airline Advisor Board will feature regional airline experts sharing 2022 developments; the Onboard Hub is a free-to-attend event offering insights into the latest technology available; and the exclusive VIP Airline Programme will offer complimentary hospitality and a tailored meetings’ programme.

With the region recognised as having the world’s second largest fleet and second fastest rate of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) growth, with demand predicted to double over the next decade, exceeding $13 billion by 2027, MRO is a platform to meet new contacts, expand business networks, discuss new trends and technological developments, and source products and services in this sector. aime.aero

iFX EXPO February 22-24, DWTC, iFX EXPO is the leading exhibition connecting top-level executives in online trading, financial services and fintech from around the world. With a long history of uniting businesses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the iFX EXPO show is trusted by thousands of retail and institutional brokers, technology and liquidity providers, payment service providers, banks, affiliates and IBs, regulators and compliance, as well as crypto and blockchain brands. ultimatefintech.com Arab Aviation Summit February 28 to March 2, Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre The 9th Arab Aviation Summit (AAS) will bring together global experts to discuss the theme ‘roadmap of recovery’. Endorsed by Arab governments and previously held in many Arab counties, AAS 2022 will be hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) for the second year in a row and supported by global industry partners such as Airbus, CFM, Air Arabia and Alpha Aviation Academy amongst others. arabaviationsumit.net

EXPO IN FEBRUARY HEALTH AND WELLNESS BUSINESS FORUM February 1, DEC This forum will highlight and showcase business opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and progress achieved by the UAE, International Participants and Expo partners relevant to the health and wellness sector. expo2020dubai.com

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DUBAI TOURISM

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

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MARCH Middle East Energy March 6-9, DWTC With a 45-year legacy, Middle East Energy (MEE) is one of the most reputable and comprehensive energy events in MENA. The 2022 event, hosted under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, will bring together leading manufacturers and industry experts from around the world and shed light on five specific product sectors: Smart Solutions, Renewable & Clean Energy, Critical & Back-Up Power, Transmission & Distribution and Energy Consumption & Management. The Global Energy & Utilities Forum, a high-level keynote online conference, will be held in parallel to the exhibition, involving government authorities, regulators, industry practitioners and solution JANUARY 2022

providers to enable thought-leading discussions on the future of the energy and utilities industry as it moves towards a diverse, digitised and sustainable future. middleeast-energy.com Intersolar Middle East March 7-9, DWTC Intersolar is a renewables and energy storage event at Middle East Energy. Renewables and energy storage at MEE is the largest gathering of solar and renewable energy industry professionals in the Middle East and Africa, offering a trade focused platform to international manufacturers and distributors looking to meet regional buyers. intersolar.ae Dubai International Boat Show March 8-12, Dubai Harbour The biggest and “most exciting” marine and lifestyle show in the region will take place at the attractive maritime neighbourhood, Dubai Harbour, this year. Highlights will range from the show’s largest boat

ever to the Adastra Trimaran, an elegant long-distance triple hull superyacht. This is the place to browse seacraft by mega superyacht brands like Azimut, Cranchi, Feretti, Gulf Craft, Princess Yachts and many more. boatshowdubai.com Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (GISEC) March 21-23, DWTC A networking and business event for the IT security industry, GISEC 2022 will build on its decades of relationships in the global InfoSec community, corporate leaders, endusers from government and major buyers of cybersecurity solutions. It will bring together more than 8,000 of the foremost Infosec and tech professionals, business leaders, changemakers and senior practitioners for three days of unparalleled discovery, learning and networking with key government contacts and top businesses from across the world.

GISEC’s conference programme will include more than 100 sessions that are free to attend. gisec.ae

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

LEFT: Dubai Marina BOTTOM: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi DEAL caters to amusement park operators

Gulf Construction Expo March 22-24, BIECC This specialist event for the Northern Gulf ’s construction industry showcases the latest products, cuttingedge technologies and services from reputable local, regional and international companies, enabling suppliers to meet face-to-face with clients and buyers. btea.bh International Property Show March 24 to 26, DWTC A lively three-day exhibition and a platform to buy and sell local and international properties onsite. The headline feature is the ‘Mega Property Show’, which showcases marketleading offers from UAE, regional and international property developers.

This feature also offers services and rates offered by banks and other

GISEC will build on its decades of relationships in the global InfoSec community

financial institutions, legal service providers, real estate agents, and property auction houses. Conference sessions and a Property Think Tank Programme where the real estate industry discusses sector challenges and opportunities, is also part of the show. internationalpropertyshow.ae

Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure EXPO (DEAL) March 28-30, DWTC The Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Expo (DEAL) is a trade show dedicated to the Middle East’s entertainment, amusement and leisure industries.

DEAL 2022 will cater to amusement park operators, brand owners, franchisors, licensors, real estate developers, investors and government representatives, More than 300 exhibitors from 40-plus countries will showcase a wide range of innovative products and services across amusement rides, coin-operated machines, computer systems, food and beverage kiosks, gifts and souvenirs, show productions, safety and security devices and other relevant hardware, attracting thousands of visitors from 100plus countries. The show will also present cutting-edge innovations such as 9D park rides and family entertainment centre equipment as well as a large range of creative concepts and much more. As part of the event, the Amusement Operator and Franchise Showcase (AOFS) will bring together brand owners, franchisees, licensees and regulatory agencies with a view to creating global awareness among investors and discuss international concepts and ideas. dealmiddleastshow.com

APRIL

EXPO IN MARCH AFRICAN CEO ROUNDTABLE March 14-15, DEC The African Union CEOs roundtable will be a two-day event showcasing potential areas of investments in Africa. It will provide space to network and forge sustainable partnerships between African private sector companies and the world.

WORLD ENTREPRENEURS INVESTMENT FORUM March 28-30, DEC A business event aimed at sharing best practices for developing beneficial ecosystems for entrepreneurs and innovators in various sectors.

It will entail E2E bilateral meetings and 13 sessions on financial inclusion and digital transformation. expo2020dubai.com

AdditiveMEA April 13-14, Dubai (venue TBC) Additive 2022 is a two-day conference and exhibition dedicated to promoting the positive impact of additive manufacturing and 3D printing on industry and showcases new innovations and opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and APAC regions. additivemea.com JANUARY 2022

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Arabian Travel Market May 8-11, DWTC Arabian Travel Market is the leading international travel and tourism event unlocking business potential for inbound and outbound tourism professionals in the Middle East.

In 2022, tourism destinations from around the world will once again unite in Dubai to showcase their brand and exhibit at the show along with the biggest names in accommodation and hospitality, renowned tourism destinations and attractions, innovative travel technology providers and airlines.

The show’s theme is ‘The future of international travel and tourism’, with a comprehensive conference programme attracting high-profile speakers to debate the future of the industry and explore new trends, opportunities for growth, innovation and effective recovery. wtm.com/atm World Utilities Congress 2022 May 9-11, ADNEC The World Utilities Congress, hosted

by TAQA, provides an unrivalled platform to explore the latest products, innovations and technological advancements across the global power and utilities landscape, bringing together water and power leaders to provide insights on building resilient JANUARY 2022

ABOVE: Arabian Travel Market is the region’s largest travel and tourism industry event

The Hotel Show May 24-26, DWTC For more than 20 years, The Hotel Show Dubai has brought together global suppliers with regional buyers actively seeking new products and services in the hotel and hospitality sector. The event provides an unrivalled opportunity for hospitality professionals to network and conduct business. It also includes The Leisure Show, giving suppliers the chance to meet decision makers involved in creating, developing and operating leisure facilities, destinations and attractions in the hospitality industry.

In 2022, The Hotel Show Dubai has also joined forces with the international Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals association (HFTP) to stage HITEC Dubai, dedicated to technology professionals driving innovation within the sector. thehotelshow.com

SEPTEMBER Middle East Design and Build Show September 12-14, ADNEC Middle East Design & Build Week is a vibrant networking and sourcing platform for the construction, interior design, hospitality, and commercial industries. Held annually, the event offers businesses a compelling platform to promote their brands and

HILTON

MAY

low-carbon business models with agile automated digital operations. worldutilitiescongress.com

Automechanika Riyadh June 13-15, RICEC Automechanika Riyadh is Saudi’s only trade fair for the automotive aftermarket and services industry.

With Saudi the largest and fastest growing market for the automotive services sector, the show presents the ideal platform for international and local exhibitors to re-connect and gain direct access to key players in this industry. The second edition in 2020 attracted close to 3,000 traders, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, workshop or garage owners, and service providers. automechanika-riyadh.ae

BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR

products to thousands of qualified decision makers. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 200 exhibiting companies and 3,000 visitors from the UAE and globally. middleeastdesignandbuildweek.com Big 5 September 18-21, DWTC The Big 5 is the largest and most influential event for the construction industry. Its mission is to unite the global construction community and provide leading-edge innovation, knowledge, and business opportunities for industry stakeholders to connect, grow, and succeed. Visitors can meet leading manufacturers and distributors of construction products from around the world with 1,200 exhibitors from 152 countries attending. Delegates can also attend free CPD-certified talks from industry experts covering a wide variety of themes. The 2021 edition attracted 36,386 business professionals. thebig5.ae Global Health Exhibition September 25-27, RICEC The Global Health Exhibition will feature educational content delivered through CME-accredited conferences tailored to clinical healthcare professionals. Saudi-based and international exhibitors will showcase the latest technologies in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

The live event is the place to “finalise partnerships, strengthen relationships and see products and demos in real life”. globalhealthsaudi.com

OCTOBER GITEX Global October 9-13, DWTC GITEX Global is the world’s largest enterprise and government technology event encompassing immersive tech experiences, thought-provoking conferences and much more, with everything from 5G and big data to cybersecurity and quantum computing brought together in one place. GITEX unifies six shows that encapsulate the interconnected power of technology: GITEX Global; Fintech Surge, showcasing the financial industry’s biggest tech revolutions and staging path-breaking talks; the Future Blockchain Summit, bringing start-ups and investors together for four days of networking, business and education focused on disruptive tech; North Star Dubai, the world’s biggest show for tech start-ups; Marketing Mania, featuring the most avant-garde and edgy martech personalities; and AI Everything, which spearheads the region’s artificial intelligence transformation. gitex.com

BOTTOM FROM LEFT: The Hotel Show presents the latest hotel products and services; Big 5 has been running for more than 40 years; ADIPEC is hosted

by ADNOC; Etisalat at GITEX 2021

GITEX represents our national aspirations for the economy of the future. It also represents the UAE in bringing together the East and West of the world to formulate their future aspirations in technology.”

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

NOVEMBER ADIPEC November 7-10, ADNEC Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) is the world’s most influential meeting place where oil, gas and energy companies and professionals will convene in-person, safely and securely, to engage and identify the opportunities that will unlock new value in an evolving energy landscape.

The exhibition provides opportunities for buyers and sellers to meet, learn, network, do business and discover new products, solutions and technologies from more than 2,000 exhibiting companies.

This includes 51-plus NOCs, IOCs and IECs as well as 26 international country pavilions, providing a worldclass environment for trade across the industry’s full value chain. adipec.com

DECEMBER Seatrade Maritime Middle East Dubai, date and venue TBC Established in 2008, Seatrade Maritime Middle East has grown to become the meeting point for maritime professionals in the region.

The three-day event, which connects ship owners, shipyards, port operators and government representatives features a diverse trade show, informative conference tracks and an abundance of strategic networking opportunities. The 2021 edition took place at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo 2020 Dubai. seatrademaritime-middleeast.com JANUARY 2022

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L O YA LT Y P R O G R A M M E S

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is part of the Ultratravel Collection

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) relaunches loyalty programme All-new GHA DISCOVERY offers more flexibility on how members earn and spend and introduces the industry’s first digital rewards currency

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HA DISCOVERY, the loyalty programme for independent hotel brands in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) portfolio, has been relaunched in a move it says meets “the needs of modern travellers” with “more rewards, recognition and opportunities to experience hotels and resorts at home or away”.

The reimagination of the programme was based on member feedback, which found travellers want to be rewarded instantly and fairly, not just for nights stayed but also for spend, in a clear and straightforward way. They also emphasised their wish to feel part of the community and to enjoy hotel experiences close to home.

GHA DISCOVERY is therefore modelled around three member-centric concepts: a new digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$); Recognition, with more tiers and multiple ways to progress and benefits from the first stay; and Live Local, inviting members into GHA hotels even without a stay, through offers and experiences.

“Beyond rewards and benefits, GHA DISCOVERY better leverages the emerging role of hotels and resorts as community and lifestyle hubs, tapping into consumer appetite for connection to people and places and encouraging them to spend locally, giving a much-needed boost to the hospitality sector and local economies,” said GHA, which relaunched GHA DISCOVERY last month ( January).

GHA DISCOVERY is also one of the most diverse loyalty programmes globally featuring 35 brands across more than 800 properties worldwide. Ultraluxurious hotels and resorts in GHA’s Ultratravel Collection are part of this offering, with its portfolio of best-in-class properties in sought-after destinations, including remote islands and off-the-beaten-track locations, appealing to “traveller demand for bespoke luxury travel experiences where privacy, social distancing and a sustainable approach to tourism is preferred”.

GHA DISCOVERY is complimentary to join and travellers can sign-up online or download the GHA DISCOVERY app and register on their mobile phones. ghadiscovery.com JANUARY 2022

GHA DISCOVERY BENEFITS DISCOVERY DOLLARS (D$): An all-new digital rewards currency where members earn D$ at any property in the GHA DISCOVERY collection for use on future stays. At checkout, D$ earned on previous stays can be used towards the hotel room, room upgrades, dining, spa treatments, or other extras. Members can earn D$ from day one, and the percentage earned on eligible spend increases with membership tier status, starting at four per cent and rising to seven per cent.

EXPANDED MEMBERSHIP TIERS: The new GHA DISCOVERY tiers are Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium. New members achieve Silver status upon joining the programme and are entitled to benefits from their first stay.

Tier progression is easier and faster to access, thanks to an extra tier added and more flexible criteria. Members can move to the next tier in three ways – the number of nights/stays, spend across eligible purchases, or the number of hotel brands stayed in. Titanium members can also benefit from status sharing, with the option to gift their tier to a friend or family member each year.

LIVE LOCAL: Tapping into the staycation trend, Live Local gives members access to GHA properties in their home own through Stay Offers for breaks; Local Offers such as access to the beach, gym or pool, or special deals on dining and wellness; plus Experiences – bespoke member-only activities that immerse them in their local culture or community, from tours and classes to events and nature-bound expeditions.

JA Palm Tree Court, Dubai is a GHA member

E L E VATO R P I TC H

The elevator pitch

Business Traveller gives Luke James, General Manager at the new Hyde Hotel Dubai, five minutes to pitch his property to prospective guests

The recently opened Hyde Hotel Dubai is a hideaway in the heart of the city, offering a new kind of bespoke hospitality. We wanted to create a hotel environment that celebrates true discovery and authentic human connection, where guests experience iconic, personal, and captivating moments. Hyde Dubai is not your average hotel; it’s a lifestyle concept with personality and offers a home-from-home experience. That’s why you’ll find a collection of our favourite records in the lobby, artwork by local artists on display throughout the hotel, and friendly faces at every turn to give first-class customer service.

The location is idyllic for those travelling on business; it’s perfectly situated in Business Bay, so guests are just a stone’s throw from major business hubs like DIFC, Bay Square and EMAAR Square. Within the hotel we have great working facilities and space, plus five meeting rooms with access to a terrace and natural daylight – there are no stuff y meeting rooms here. For corporate events and conferences, as well as social gatherings, we have multiple larger rooms to suit all occasions, including the Hyde Together ballroom, which can be transformed into a cabaretstyle or theatre-style set-up.

But it’s not all about work. When you’re staying here on business, you also need time and space to kick-back and relax. That’s when our dynamic dining concepts come into play.

Hudson Tavern is our laid-back urban escape, the perfect place to grab a beer and craft burger, while Cleo is a vibrant Eastern Mediterranean-

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FROM TOP: Luke James; Hyde Dubai is lifestyle hotel in Business Bay; The Katsuya Bar

inspired restaurant promising elevated social dining, an extensive wine list and table-side theatrics. We also have Katsuya, which is the perfect spot for a standout evening, serving Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi’s authentic

Japanese cuisine. With impressive views of the Burj Khalifa, a night at Katsuya is a culinary experience to remember. There is something for everyone at Hyde – you can enjoy great food without having to leave the hotel.

Of course, we have the rooftop pool and lounge where you can unwind and relax, as well as the Cinq Mondes Spa for holistic treatments that suit what you need – soothing or revitalising. There’s also the stateof-the-art fitness centre, which has incredible views of the Dubai Canal, so you can get in your pre- or postwork gym session in.

Hyde Hotel Dubai suits all types of business travellers – we look forward to welcoming you soon, bringing more enjoyment to your Dubai business trip.”

JANUARY 2022

TR AVEL RULE S

Life in the Vaccinated Travel Lane

Meridien Park, Singapore

How to visit Singapore under VTL rules

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ingapore introduced the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) in August 2021.

The VTL programme permits fully vaccinated customers to travel quarantine-free to Singapore, provided they meet several criteria, and are tested both before departure and after arrival in Singapore. The programme started with Germany, Brunei and Macao, was extended to 14 cities, and most recently, was extended to 21 countries with the addition of India, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Travellers must have only travelled to/ transited via any VTL countries/regions, Category I countries/regions (Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China and Taiwan) and/ or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days before departure for Singapore.

How to apply

As an introductory piece of advice – be prepared and have all your information to hand. As an example, don’t start the process until you know where you are staying since you need this information to complete the online forms. Also, don’t just pick a hotel and hope for availability. When I was planning this in mid-November for December, many hotels were not available on websites to book, and it was not clear whether they were closed or available for people flying in from overseas.

Step 1

Make sure you have downloaded your vaccination certificates. Print them out and ensure they are available on the relevant app, such as the AlHosn app in the UAE and the Tawakkalna app in Saudi Arabia. These need to include the QR code. Some apps show JANUARY 2022

WORDS JULIAN GREGORY limited validity, so don’t do this too early.

If you are travelling from Qatar, you must download your vaccination certificate from the Qatar Ministry of Public Health’s website.

Step 2

Investigate flights. The flight needs to be an approved VTL one. Note, if you are travelling on Emirates, not all flights from Dubai to Singapore are VTL flights, so refer to the airline’s VTL schedule before booking (emirates.com).

Step 3

Apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP). This is relatively easy and can be done between seven to 60 days prior to your trip. The pass itself is only valid for six days from your chosen date of entry. It requires the uploading of your vaccination pass/ certificate, including QR code. Once this has been done, approval is quick. Make sure you print and save a copy for inspection on arrival.

Step 4

There is a requirement to have SG$30,000 (US$21,926) of medical insurance to cover you should you become ill with COVID-19 while visiting Singapore. Travel insurance is offered by several providers and is relatively good value. My policy was with AIG and

cost SG$14.52 ($10.61) for five days. Again, print and save a copy.

Step 5

Download the Singapore Government’s ‘Trace Together’ App. It is a mandatory requirement to have downloaded it and have it switched on during the duration of your stay. Download before you depart and switch it on when you land in Singapore.

Step 6

Book a PCR arrival test at Changi Airport.

You need to set up an account with the Safe Travel Concierge. The test costs $SG125 ($91.35). Remember you need to isolate at your hotel until you get the result. It can take up to 24 hours.

Step 7

Travellers must complete a predeparture PCR/professionally administered ART test, so don’t forgot to book this for around 48 hours before to allow time for results to come through.

Step 8

Take a look at the Singapore Government’s Safe Travel checklist to make sure you have not missed anything or in case the rules have changed in the time it takes you to get this far! safetravel.ica.gov.sg

AIR MILES

AIR MILES WITH

Adrien Meyer Adrien Meyer is the Head of Private Sales at Christie’s, which offers a service for buying and selling art outside of the auction calendar WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

W

hat attracted you to the profession?

The art world is animated by passion and unpredictability. No two days are the same and you learn something new every day.

treasured pieces is a small sculpture

by Jules de Balincourt when he was exhibiting amongst other students from Hunter College (New York) 20 years ago. I fought for the work in a silent bidding auction up to US$145.

Which piece of art has left a lasting impression?

Peter Paul Rubens’ The Massacre of the Innocents (1612).

Favourite artist Pablo Picasso.

Do you collect art yourself?

I buy sporadically. One of my most

BELOW: Meyer’s favourite artist is Picasso

How do you source rare works of art?

A mix of discipline and luck.

Is it challenging to move fragile works of art across the world?

We are used to it and we have amazing teams who make it happen seamlessly, but I do get nervous if we have to move things in a rush. That’s when you really do need a professional team around you.

Has Brexit affected shipments of art?

It has made things more complicated.

But we are lucky as most of our business in London is done with international clients. It can slow things down but, again, it’s all about having a great team to support and we are lucky to have great logistics people at Christie’s.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the auction world?

Hugely – we had to adapt and move much of our business online.

It propelled us into a virtual environment with transactions over jpegs and digital views and that’s why everyone is craving for a return to

a more normal pattern. But it also changed our behaviours and many of these innovations have given us even greater reach.

What’s the most expensive piece that you have sold?

The 1932 Picasso of Femme assise près d’une fenêtre (Marie-Thérèse) sold last May for US$103 million.

What has been your most rewarding travel experience?

Meeting an unknown client at a toll station on a Christmas Eve, which led to the discovery of a wonderful trove of unlocated works by Claude Monet.

And most challenging?

Never challenging enough!

How are you adjusting to the “new normal”?

We are so used to hopping from Zoom to Teams meetings like it’s always been this way, but I really am missing the thrill of travelling and meeting people face to face.

What are your dream destinations?

I still haven’t been to Istanbul or Tokyo, and I’m longing to visit.

What’s your indispensable travel gadget?

Google Translate.

What’s your in-flight entertainment pick?

Any TED talk.

JANUARY 2022

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HOTELS

NEW HOTELS IN

ROM E

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Rome is ready for the return of business travellers with new hotels opening and more planned

WORDS PAUL J DEVRIES

S

pend a day strolling through Rome’s ancient streets and visiting its plethora of monuments and museums, followed by an evening of aperitivo and food on one of its historic piazzas, and it’s easy to see why the city is a magnet for tourists.

Despite Milan’s reputation as the country’s centre of commercial JANUARY 2022

activity, Rome also attracts its fair share of business travellers, ranking higher than its rival as a city for meetings and events. It offers both individual hotels with significant conference facilities (Rome Cavalieri – one of Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria hotels – can host up to 5,500 delegates) and vast spaces suitable for trade fairs or congresses at Fiera Roma or La Nuvola Roma convention centres.

Overall, the City of Seven Hills drew in excess of 10 million international visitors in 2019, making it one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Anticipating the new decade, it was getting ready for an influx of new hotels, with major brands including The Hoxton, Bulgari, Six Senses, and Rosewood set to inject some much-needed new life into the city’s inventory.

NEW DOUBLETREE BY HILTON ROME MONTI

Following the pandemic’s inevitable impact on the industry, Rome began to welcome the first tranche of new hotels in the spring of this year. This continued over the summer months, as it celebrated Italy’s victory in both the European football championship and Eurovision. Much more is in store between now and 2023 – here’s a selection of noteworthy recent arrivals and upcoming openings.

In April last year, the seventh Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Italy opened with133 rooms on Piazza dell’Esquilino in Rione Monti, a short walk from the city’s Termini railway station. The ground floor public spaces include restaurant Mamalia and MiT Food and Coffee Brewery, which has an outdoor patio. Rooftop cocktail bar Mun has views of the ancient Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore across the piazza.

Hilton will also open the 439-room Hilton Rome Eur La Lama in August this year, south of the city in the EUR business district. It will have direct access to La Nuvola Roma convention centre, which can host up to 8,000 delegates. It will have seven meeting rooms with a total of 857 sqm of event space. The new hotel will also offer an executive lounge, an all-day dining outlet and lobby bar, as well as a 15th-floor fine dining restaurant. doubletree.hilton.com hilton.com

31 LEFT: Doubletree

by Hilton Rome Monti rooftop bar ABOVE: A Roomy Balcony room at The Hoxton, Rome

THE HOXTON, ROME

Following its continental European additions in Amsterdam and Paris, The Hoxton marked an expansion milestone in May 2021, with the brand’s tenth hotel in Rome. Set inside a 1970s building in Parioli, north-east of Villa Borghese, there are 192 rooms ranging from Shoebox to Biggy. They draw inspiration from classic Italian cinema and mid-century Italian design, with the Roomy Terrace category adding outdoor space with garden furniture.

All-day eatery Cugino is run in collaboration with a local restaurant and micro-bakery. There is a large lobby and outdoor terrace, and a cluster of five meeting rooms with communal kitchen. In September, Beverly opened as the hotel’s second restaurant, with a ‘West Coast American’ farm-to-table concept.

The Hoxton is set for further growth as part of the joint venture agreed in 2020 between Ennismore (its parent company) and Accor, the French hotel industry giant. A new entity – also called Ennismore – brings no less than 12 Accor lifestyle JANUARY 2022

HOTELS

brands together, from 25 Hours and Mama Shelter to SO/ and The Hoxton, with 100+ new hotels in the pipeline. thehoxton.com

ROOM MATE FILIPPO

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Spanish group Room Mate Hotels – brainchild of hotelier Kike Sarasola – opened its fourth Italian hotel in June 2021 in the form of Room Mate Filippo. With each hotel in the group built around a specific fictional character, here Filippo is an ‘exhibition curator who researches the history of the Eternal City’.

A short walk from Piazza di Spagna, the hotel’s interiors are by Tomas Alia, inspired by the 1940s and using ‘palm trees as a poetic and inspirational element’. In addition to 30 hotel rooms, there is the choice of 11 Gran Filippo Apartments. Filippo joins existing Italian Room Mate hotels Isabella and Luca (in Florence) and Giulia (in Milan). room-matehotels.com

MAMA SHELTER

On July 1 last year, Mama Shelter Rome arrived in the city’s Prati district providing 217 rooms, bursting with bold patterns and bright colours, including pale green accent walls in the rooms and canary yellow ceilings in the bathrooms.

It’s the first Italian hotel of the brand (like The Hoxton, part of the Ennismore lifestyle portfolio of Accor), and the first hotel with Mama Baths offering a pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas. A large rooftop terrace has views over Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Mama Shelter is heading to Lisbon and Dubai next. mamashelter.com

W ROME

The just-opened W Rome brings the brand’s signature style to two 19th century buildings on Via Liguria, next to the Spanish Steps.

There are 147 rooms and 15 suites, ranging from entry-level Fabulous to the Extreme WOW suite with JANUARY 2022

TOP: The lounge at Room Mate Filippo ABOVE: Large Mama room at Mama Shelter

a private 140 sqm rooftop terrace.

The style is luxurious – light wood floors contrast with red velvet curtains, and dark oak and polished brass cabinets.

Sicilian chef Ciccio Sultano is overseeing the kitchens at the hotel, including in Giano Restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor seating. The W Living Room is on the ground floor – attractions include a hidden door in the public bathroom that gives access to the hotel’s secret garden, Parlapiano.

The rooftop has a WET Deck with outdoor pool and Otto Rooftop bar and lounge. w-hotels.marriott.com

SOHO HOUSE ROME

Soho House continued its foray into European capitals with the planned autumn opening of a new 10-storey property in San Lorenzo, offering 49 rooms and 20 long-stay apartments.

In addition to its usual members’ club spaces, there is a deli bar and lounge on the ground floor, a rooftop with bar and pool, a screening room, and health club with gym. The group is working on a property in Milan as part of its European expansion plan. sohohouse.com

ABOVE: Premium room with terrace at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi BELOW: Studio Suite at W Rome

ANANTARA PALAZZO NAIADI

Anantara, part of Minor Hotels (which includes brands NH and Avani Hotels), is quickly establishing a European footprint through a series of conversions, including Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam, and New York Palace in Budapest.

In Rome, it is converting Palazzo Naiadi, a 19th-century neoclassical building next to the city’s Termini Station and near the ruins of the Diocletian Baths. There are 238 rooms and suites, some of which are in the Clementino wing, previously the Vatican’s granary. F&B includes seasonal dishes on the rooftop terrace, which has an outdoor pool. anantara.com

COMING SOON BULGARI ROME

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THE ROME EDITION

Last year, Marriott’s Edition hotels opened in two very different European cities: Rome and Reykjavik – joining recent arrivals in Tokyo, Shanghai and Los Angeles.

The Rome Edition has 95 rooms and suites in an early 20th century building on Piazza Barberini, designed by Cesare Pascoletti in collaboration with Marcello Piacentini, one of Italy’s most famed architects of Rationalism. F&B is a focus for the hotel, including a signature restaurant with outdoor space, a Punch Room Bar, and a JANUARY 2022

THIERRY DELSART

With just six hotels today, Bulgari will nearly double its portfolio over the next few years with openings in several cities, including Paris, Moscow and Tokyo. In Italy, the original Bulgari Milan will get a sister hotel in Bulgari Rome this year, inside a 1930s modernist building opposite the Ara Pacis and Mausoleum of Augustus.

The majority of its 100 accommodations – like all other Bulgari hotels designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel – will be suites, and the top floor will feature its Il Ristorante restaurant and The Bulgari Bar. The brand’s flagship store on Via dei Condotti is a few minutes’ walk away – to celebrate the hotel’s upcoming opening, the jeweller has designed the ‘Bulgari Ospitalita Italiana Necklace’, a choker with 10 precious stones representing its first 10 hotel destinations. bulgarihotels.com

HOTELS

rooftop terrace. The rooftop also has a pool.

By 2023, Edition plans to add a second Italian hotel in Milan, while also adding a sister hotel to its Barcelona property in Madrid. editionhotels.com

SIX SENSES ROME

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Having opened a resort on the northern coast of Ibiza in 2020r, Six Senses Hotels will add Italy to its growing list of European destinations this year. Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, an 18th century building on Piazza di San Marcello, midway between the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, is being refurbished to have 95 rooms and suites. There will be ‘a range of quirky room types’, with interiors by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.

The ground floor will have a trattoria and bar with open kitchen, and a botanical garden, while the rooftop terrace will have 360-degree views of the city. The Six Senses Spa on the first floor will have treatment rooms, a fitness centre and relaxation areas.

Six Senses is working on hotels in London (the former Whiteleys department store in Bayswater, with 110 rooms) and New York (part of The XI, a set of twisting towers by architect Bjarke Ingels along the High Line). It will also open ski resorts in Switzerland and Austria. sixsenses.com

INTERCONTINENTAL ROME AMBASCIATORI PALACE

Having previously managed the Hotel de la Ville (now part of Rocco Forte), IHG Hotels and Resorts will make a return to the Italian capital with its InterContinental brand when it opens InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace early this year.

Built in 1900 on Via Veneto to host ambassadors staying in Rome, the property will house

TOP: Bulgari Rome ABOVE RIGHT: Rosewood Rome BELOW LEFT: Intercontinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace restaurant

160 contemporary rooms and suites, alongside a range of public areas, including a restaurant, bar and spa. ihg.com

ROSEWOOD ROME

As part of its rapidly expanding global footprint, Rosewood Hotels is adding a range of European cities to its portfolio, including Madrid, Amsterdam, Munich and Vienna.

In Italy, Rosewood Rome will be the brand’s fourth Italian hotel when it opens in 2023, joining the existing Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany, and future openings in Porto Cervo (Sardinia) and Venice.

Occupying three buildings from the early 1900s, the hotel will encompass the former Banca Nazionale del Lavoro on Via JANUARY 2022

Veneto – like the Rome Edition by architect Marcello Piacentini. BAR Studio will be responsible for the interiors, with a total of 113 rooms and 44 suites.

There will be a contemporary Italian bistro, a lobby bar, and rooftop bar and terrace. The bank’s original vault will be turned into a modern Roman bathhouse, while the brand’s Sense Spa will be on the top floor.

The following year should see the arrival of The Chancery Rosewood, the group’s second London hotel, inside the Eero Saarinen-designed former US Embassy in Mayfair. rosewoodhotels.com

ORIENT EXPRESS HOTEL DE LA MINERVE

When Accor launched its Orient Express hotel brand in 2019, a first hotel was set to open a year later inside Bangkok’s ultra-modern

by the Billi family for 30 years, will undergo a 20-month transformation to become the first Orient Express hotel in Italy. orient-express.com

CITIZEN M ISOLA TIBERINA

Part of ambitious plans in Italy, with a focus on Rome and Milan, the first Citizen M hotel will open

ABOVE: Orient Express Hotel de la Minerve BELOW: Public space at Citizen M

three luxurious private chalets in Courchevel 1850, is branching out to Italy and Spain with a number of new openings. Following its collaboration with Philippe Starck on Brach Paris – inside a former postal sorting centre in the 16th arrondissement – it will work with the designer to open Brach Rome in 2023.

Steps from the historic Piazza del Popolo, the hotel will have just 62 rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, rooftop, and a fitness club with a 25-metre pool.

Brach Rome will be the third Brach hotel when it opens, with another property in Madrid due next year.

Meanwhile, its Nolinski brand is also expanding, with the characterful Nolinski Paris set to get a sister hotel in Venice. evokhotels.com

NHOW ROME

Alongside the conversion of Palazzo Naiadi into an Anantara Hotel, Minor Hotels is also working on turning the existing NH Collection Vittorio Veneto, inside a 1968 modernist building on Via Veneto, into Nhow Rome. An opening date for the hotel, ‘where old and new not only coexist but crash into each other with full speed’, is not yet announced. nhow-hotels.com

CORINTHIA HOTEL ROME

pixelated MahaNakhon skyscraper.

With interiors by Tristan Auer, it would have been the second incarnation for the hotel portion of the mixed-use building, originally announced as The Bangkok Edition.

With that hotel due to open as The Standard Bangkok instead, Orient Express has set its sights on opening in Rome in 2024. The 17th century Grand Hotel de la Minerve, around the corner from the Pantheon and run

in 2023 along the Lungovetere, facing Tiber Island. Converting a 1950s building by architect Eugenio Montuori, the Dutch brand will bring its signature look to 160 compact accommodations and public spaces filled with Vitra furniture. citizenm.com

BRACH ROME

Evok Collection, a small French group with five hotels in Paris and

Corinthia Hotels will redevelop the former seat of the Central Bank of Italy, on Piazza del Parlamento, into a luxury hotel set to open in the first half of 2023. Details on the number of rooms and suites are to be confirmed, but they will wrap around a central garden. There will be restaurants and bars, a spa, and a rooftop.

Additional hotels are in progress in cities ranging from Brussels to Bucharest, alongside the conversion of the former Surrey Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side into Corinthia New York, its first hotel in the Americas. corinthia.com JANUARY 2022

35

U. S . I M M I G R AT I O N

Accessibility to the American Dream foreign nationals from around the world can immigrate in pursuit of a better life.

The resiliency of America has been tested in the past during dark times as they pushed through World Wars to emerge as the pre-eminent superpower.

The position of the United States as the world’s dominant power is likely to continue due to the size of its wealth, the U.S. economy’s efficiency, its military capabilities, and its presence and influence around the world.

A significant indicator of the health of the U.S. economy is the declining unemployment rate and the speed with which the U.S. labour market recovered after the Q1 2020 decline due to the pandemic. According to a report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 per cent to 4.2 per cent in November 2021.

The number of unemployed persons fell to 6.9 million, which is a considerable improvement compared to the 22 million in April 2020. The decrease in unemployment rate is attributable to the American work ethic, the educated base of the U.S. population, and access to modern medicines that made it possible for the country to bounce back economically.

36

AN INNOVATION LEADER

An attainable immigration journey for residents of the Middle East to the United States

T

he prominent term the ‘American Dream’ was first coined in 1931 and has been widely used for the past nine decades to convey a message of hope for all Americans, especially those that are new immigrants to the United States. The American Dream entails access to quality higher education, to innovative healthcare, and to a high standard of living. It is the promise that any immigrant, no matter their nationality or their socioeconomic background, can prosper in the land of opportunity, through hard work and perseverance, that has for so long kept up the demand for access to America.

Holding the record for having the highest number of immigrants, the United States has, for decades, stood the test of time as one of the best countries to which

JANUARY 2022

ABOVE: The U.S. promises immigrants the ‘American Dream’

As can be seen from the resiliency of the U.S. labour market during the pandemic, the concept of the American Dream will persevere through challenging times.

The United States is the world’s leader in innovation and technology. The largest technology companies in the world, such as Google, Apple, Meta (formerly known as Facebook), and Microsoft, were started in and have their headquarters in the United States.

Located in Northern California, Silicon Valley is famously known as the innovation hub of the world. The venture capital financing model for start-ups of Silicon Valley has been used globally to foster high-tech innovation. As the number-one most technologically advance country in the world, the American Dream will continue to attract young and intelligent talent from around the globe looking to foster their own American dream. If California were a sovereign nation, it would rank as the world’s fifth largest economy, ahead of the entire country of India, ahead of the United Kingdom and just behind Germany. This technological utopia remains the pre-eminent destination for opportunity.

LEFT: Shai Zamanian, Legal Director and Founder of The American Legal Center, Dubai BELOW: The American Legal Center, Dubai

THE EB-5 PROGRAMME

Given the many strengths of the United States, foreign nationals have for decades been in pursuit of access to America. Since the inception of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor programme in 1990, many foreign nationals have immigrated to the United States by way of investment.

The EB-5 programme was created by Congress as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and injection of capital investment by foreign investors.

The programme provides investors the opportunity to obtain Green Cards for themselves and their qualifying dependents, including spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age, by investing $500,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the United States, usually in government pre-approved projects.

They would invest, file their applications, expect an approval in about 16 months, and with the expectation of receiving their investment back after a period of about five or six years later. The core requirements of the EB-5 programme are that a minimum of 10 jobs must be created for U.S. persons for each foreign investor’s EB-5 application and the source and path of funds used for the investment must both be lawful.

“Each wave of immigrants that have come in have been able to assimilate, integrate and then rise up and become part of this great American Dream.”

FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA

1

Healthcare

With 80 per cent of the best hospitals in the world being located in the United States, the country offers its residents a top-quality healthcare system. The hospitals in the country are well funded and have world-leading medical innovation and advancement ensuring that patients receive the best care and treatment. The United States has control over 45 per cent of the world’s pharmaceutical market.

Home to six out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies globally, the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S. is among the most successful with leading-edge technologies. For instance, three of the COVID-19 vaccines widely used around the world (Johnson & Johnson, BioNTech-Pfizer, and Moderna) are developed by U.S. pharmaceutical companies. U.S. pharmaceutical companies played a pivotal role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and the U.S. population were among the first to have access to the vaccine. Therefore, many foreign investors seek to immigrate to the U.S. to ensure that their family members and children have access to top quality healthcare.

2

Education

Similar to its healthcare system, the United States is an education leader, with eight out of the 10 top universities being U.S. institutions. It is a wellknown fact that the academic institutions of the United States offer high-quality education.

The number of international applicants to U.S. institutions is on the rise with foreign students seeking to take advantage of all of the benefits that a U.S. degree and education provides. U.S. universities outperform those of other nations, not only because of the higher quality of academic life, but also because of the higher standard of living that is offered to students and the encouragement to participate in other aspects that will lead to their professional and interpersonal growth.

EB-5 PROGRAMME BENEFITS

There are many reasons why foreign nationals, including residents of the Middle East, choose to partake in the EB-5 programme as part of their immigration journey to the United States. Top reasons include access to better healthcare, quality education, economic stability, and great career opportunities.

JANUARY 2022

37

U. S . I M M I G R AT I O N

The main motivation for many families participating in the EB-5 programme is for the educational benefits that a U.S. Green Card offers, including:

■ Free education for school children

Given the public policy of the United States in ensuring that all children have access to education, public education for school children up to the age of 18 is free of charge. By participating in the EB-5 programme, a family is able to obtain the U.S. Green Card, by virtue of which they can take advantage of their status as U.S. persons. Being a U.S. person entails access to free public education in the United States. Therefore, many foreign nationals with young children choose to partake in the program so that their children can study in and graduate from U.S. schools without any out-ofpocket costs to the parents.

■ Higher University acceptance rates

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Universities in the United States often have self-imposed quotas on the number of international students that they accept. Due to such quotas, the acceptance rate of international students is lower as compared to domestic students. Therefore, many foreign families participate in the EB-5 programme so that with a Green Card in hand, their children can be considered as domestic students and avail the benefits of higher acceptance rates to U.S. institutions.

their children may attend U.S. colleges and universities at the same cost as citizens and may even qualify for grants, loans, and other benefits, many of which are only reserved for U.S. persons.

In addition to higher acceptance rates, domestic students can take advantage of lower tuition rates. The tuition fees for colleges and universities in the United States are drastically higher for international students.

For instance, the tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year for an undergraduate student at The University of California at Berkeley varies depending on whether or not the student is domestic or international: a domestic student must pay approximately US$14,226, whereas an international student must pay approximately $47,768 to receive the same education.

Additionally, it is significantly more difficult for international students to secure financial aid or student loans. Therefore, many families participate in the EB-5 programme to become Green Card holders so that

In addition to a high GPA at a reputable academic institution, a graduating student must also have competitive experience such as paid internship and research opportunities. American universities often collaborate with companies to help students find paid internships and research opportunities. They also provide their students with on campus interviews, which can guarantee them a job upon graduation. Many internship opportunities have a requirement of being a U.S. person and therefore international students cannot take advantage of such opportunities. Additionally, many companies take on interns with the goal that such interns will become full time employees upon graduation. Given that hiring a non-U.S. person carries more burdens for an employer, such as having to

■ Lower university tuition costs

JANUARY 2022

■ Paid internship and research opportunities

ABOVE: The American Legal Center specialises in the EB-5 programme BELOW: The U.S. is home to some of the world’s top universities

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sponsor their visa, companies are more likely to grant their internship opportunities to U.S. persons. Therefore, by participating in the EB-5 programme, families can ensure that their children have greater access to the internship and research opportunities that are offered to them in university.

3

Economic Stability

During times of turmoil, families seek to immigrate to countries that can offer stability. The United States has one of the most stable economies in the world, representing 20 per cent of total global output.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the United States has one of the highest Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the world. GDP is a measurement of a country’s monetary market value of all final goods and services and essentially represents the health of a country’s economy.

The U.S. has a super economy as it has the strongest economy in the world with its highly developed and technologically advanced services sector accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its output. The largest corporations of the world have their headquarters in the United States, with more than a fifth of the Fortune Global 500 companies being U.S. companies.

ABOVE: The U.S. has one of the most stable economies globally

There are several factors that contribute to the powerful economy of the U.S., such as the political stability of its government, the strong sense of entrepreneurship and encouragement of innovation, and the strength of its currency.

The U.S. Dollar is among the strongest currencies in the world. In fact, many countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, peg their currencies against the U.S. Dollar to stabilise their exchange rate, reduce uncertainty, promote trade, and boost incomes.

4

Career opportunities

The labour market in the United States has quickly bounced back from the pandemic. The declining unemployment demonstrates the demand for labour in the U.S. market, which translates into increased career opportunities. Generally, job seekers tend to fare better in the U.S. labour market if they are Green Card holders. This is because of the time and financial burdens associated with hiring an international applicant, such as sponsoring their work visa and obtaining the relevant permits. Therefore, many foreign investors wishing to start or continue their career in the United States participate in the EB-5 programme to obtain their Green Cards.

JANUARY 2022

U. S . I M M I G R AT I O N

HOW TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE U.S. THROUGH THE EB-5 PROGRAMME

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The EB-5 Immigrant Investor programme offers a fasttracked option for foreign investors to obtain their U.S. Green Cards. Given the ease of requirements of the programme, it is one of the most popular immigration routes to the United States, especially amongst residents of the Middle East.

The first integral step in participating in the programme is to engage the services of an experienced EB-5 consultant.

The American Legal Center is the top immigration consultancy in the region providing EB-5 services.

The Legal Director and founder of The American Legal Center, Shai Zamanian, has been established as the specialised leader in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in regard to the EB-5 programme.

He has assisted hundreds of families around the world, and especially out of the GCC region, in filing their EB-5 applications. In June 2021, he was instrumental in filing six per cent of all global applications filed that month based on numbers provided by the U.S. government.

Once an experienced legal consulting team is confirmed, the second step is to begin collecting the required documents, which include documents pertaining to an investor’s source of funds.

Working with expert EB-5 consultants will ease this process as they will be able to advise on the particular documents that are required. That said, it is crucial for a Middle East resident to work with an EB-5 advisor that has experience in this part of the world as the documents required vary on a country-by-country basis.

JANUARY 2022

RIGHT: The American Legal Center has helped many families file EB-5 applications BELOW: The world’s largest technology companies, like Google, were started in the U.S.

“The EB-5 Immigrant Investor programme offers a fast-tracked option for foreign investors to obtain their U.S. Green Cards.”

INVESTMENT PROJECTS

Simultaneously with the collection of documents, an investor will be introduced to EB-5 projects in which they can invest for their application. These projects are hosted by entities in the United States, which are referred to as Regional Centers.

Created by the United States Congress in 1992, the EB-5 Regional Center is the preferred route for EB-5 investors as they can take advantage of a passive investment but still avail the benefits of the EB-5 programme in obtaining a Green Card.

The EB-5 Regional Center programme had previously received funding from the U.S. government as part of the annual appropriations bill; however, it was detached from the annual appropriations bill of the U.S. federal government in late 2020. This detachment meant that for the programme to continue being funded, a further action by Congress would be required.

With Congress failing to reach a consensus on the future of the EB-5 Regional Center programme by June 30, 2021, the programme lapsed. However, EB-5 industry stakeholders have continued to work on a new EB-5 bill, which has introduced positive reforms to the programme. It is expected that the EB-5 bill will soon be attached to an appropriations bill and the EB-5 Regional Center programme will once again be reauthorised in early 2022.

When this takes place, it is expected that the price of the programme may remain at $500,000 for a short window and thereafter increase incrementally by $100,000 on a year-by-year basis.

Therefore, with a short timeline to prepare, interested EB-5 investors must begin their process as soon as possible so they can benefit from the lower ticket price.

Exclusive paintings, sculptures and photography from award-winning international artists.

Painting by Mona Kfoury

Photograph by Mahsa Namvar

Timepiece by David Galbraith

SER VICED APAR TMENT S

DIFFERENT BY

design

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Brands in the serviced apartment and aparthotel sector are using design inspired by location to distinguish their properties, and to give guests a sense of community and connection

I

t’s fair to say that until recently the words ‘serviced apartment’ would not have been enticing ones.

At best, most serviced apartments are forgettable: anonymous in design, with no connection to the local area and inoffensive in fixtures and fittings.

The thought of weeks spent in such accommodation isn’t the sort of treat some would associate with business travel. Then there is that hybrid of apartments and hotels called, rather unimaginatively, aparthotels. It’s an ugly neologism, rather like bleisure, but at least then there’s the chance of some time off for good behaviour.

Still, there are some brands hoping to change the reality – and our perception – of serviced apartments. “It’s a nascent sector still and it’s been very corporate in the past,” says Stephen McCall, chief executive of Edyn, which has the serviced apartment brands Cove and SACO, as well as aparthotel brand, Locke. McCall blames the hospitality industry for being slow to respond because of “the traditional hospitality trope of consistency”.

“It’s bland, it’s transactional, it’s dead functional,” McCall says. “I wish the travelling public were more aware of the breadth of choice available to them. People think serviced apartments are corporate, white-washed, stain-proof, with indestructible plastic furniture. It’s what you get in the US, which has a massive extended-stay market, but it’s very boring.”

‘We try and get In its place the Edyn brands “…try and get very inspirational very inspirational designers with keen vision and an incredible aesthetic to give you an designers to give experience in your room that’s a bit edgier and you an experience sharper than you would have at home. And in your room that’s maybe you wouldn’t do that at home because you don’t upgrade there every 10 years.” a bit edgier’

A FRESH AESTHETIC

This approach, with variations, can be seen in many of the new aparthotels, though there are challenges when a development might have hundreds of units in it.

Kayleigh Millington is group head of interiors for City Suites, which also has the Wilde aparthotels brand. The dilemma, according to Millington, is to “design en masse” while also keeping things “tonal, tasteful, but not going overboard with a particular type of finish or artwork”. Millington was clear about what she wanted to change. “My perception of serviced apartments before working in the sector was they were pretty basic.”

Instead, Millington’s design aesthetic is fresh with quality materials. “A well-engineered timber floor and a carpet that is comfortable underfoot – it won’t be a bold, bright print that you might put in a hotel where you are only staying one or two nights. You are going for the design side of things.”

Frédéric Carré is regional general manager for UK, Germany, Spain and Georgia at The Ascott Limited, and is responsible for both serviced apartments and the Citadines aparthotel brand, which is expanding across Europe. Carré JANUARY 2022

SER VICED APAR TMENT S

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LEFT: Lyf Funan Singapore’s ‘Connect’ social zone ABOVE: The lobby of Lyf Tenjin Fukuoka features wall art by local artist Kazuhiko Ifuku

WORDS TOM OTLEY

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JANUARY 2022

SER VICED APAR TMENT S

believes the design must give a sense of the local, something Ascott achieves by using both its internal design team and an external team from the location of the new aparthotel.

“This allows the design of the property to both express the DNA of the brand through the input of the internal team, while the local team expresses spirit of the location.”

Pointing to the award-winning design for the Citadines in Islington, Carré says that its previous use as a Royal Mail sorting office inspired the team to put a post box in reception and a London skyline in the guest rooms. In the new Citadines property in Nantes, the fact that French novelist Jules Verne was born in the city inspired an ‘Around the World in 80 days’ theme.

AVOIDING HOMOGENEITY

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ABOVE: Cove Paradise Street, Liverpool BELOW: Cove Arne Street, Covent Garden

JANUARY 2022

The basics are important as well. As Millington says, “the design of the apartments means ensuring there is enough storage in the bathrooms, hanging spaces with goodquality hangers with skirt clips and somewhere to put your suitcase. There’s also a dining table with a plug nearby so it can be worked at with a laptop and a glass of wine nearby, and rooms with as much natural light as possible, yet at the same time offering black-out curtains in the bedroom and good quality beds so people get the sleep they need.”

The challenge for designers – and brands – is how to achieve scale and efficiency without ‘People will pay sacrificing the style of a place. Rolling out one design a thousand times is a lot less expensive more for beautiful than individual properties. This is true of hotels, design; they will be but perhaps we don’t notice it so much when we more loyal to the are staying only a couple of nights.

“Our job is to look for scale and efficiency yet brand and they will avoid that homogeneity,” says Edyn’s McCall. book direct’ “We don’t want to replicate things for the sake of our comfort. We don’t use the same designer for each of our hotels. We don’t just put a picture on the wall and call it design. We work with different designers in each place to give it a unique design. Fifty years ago when you stayed in a hotel it was a serious upgrade on your house, but now many hotel rooms are nowhere as attractive as where we live. We even have faster broadband at home.”

This is taking a bet that people want that variety and will pay for it. McCall admits that not everyone does, but then the majority of the market can cater for those happy with cookie-cutter serviced apartments. McCall’s business case is that “people will pay more for beautiful design; they will be more loyal to the brand and they will book direct.”

“All our serviced hotels and aparthotels look different,” he adds. “I don’t want to travel to Berlin and have a hotel that is identical to one in London. Where’s the fun in that?

We have amazing common areas and collaborations with artists, and a community of relationships with people in the area to devise a programme for each property – we’ve put on in-lobby talks on diversity and inclusion, held calligraphy lessons, hosted DJ nights and mescal tasting.”

This approach is also being used by Ascott’s new co-living brand Lyf, which is for “next-generation travellers, such as digital nomads, technopreneurs, creatives and self-starters” and uses design to “enliven the spaces and foster a sense of community”, according to Norman Cross, head of Lyf brand and general manager of Lyf Singapore.

“Lyf features plenty of flexible communal spaces, such as the coworking areas which can be easily transformed into zones for workshops or social gatherings [and] the units are also customisable to suit the guests’ individual needs and preferences,” says Cross.

For the social side, Lyf has regular programmes of activities, including workshops with local artisans, hackathons, innovation talks, music jamming sessions, cooking sessions and many more. The guest service managers, rather than being called concierges, are rather punningly termed “Lyf Guards and Ambassadors of Buzz” providing not just guest services but also city and food guides, and bar-keeping at the properties.

To date, Ascott has 17 Lyf properties with more than 3,000 units in 13 cities and nine countries, with 14 more set to open. Lyf Funan Singapore, for instance, worked with local designers to create unique furniture pieces for its ‘Connect’ social zone including a ‘seesaw piper chair’, ‘rocking piper stool’ and ‘rocking piper lounger’. The lobby has a work by local artist Justin Lee called ‘Celebration of Life’ which pays homage to Singapore’s past and present.

In a similar way, Lyf Tenjin Fukuoka in Japan features wall art by local artist Kazuhiko Ifuku.

ABOVE: Studio Deluxe at Citadines Islington BELOW: A communal space at Citadines Islington

‘We believe people want great staff who know the local area and can recommend local food and drink’

GOING LOCAL

Also in Asia, Lanson Place is another brand which invites travellers to ‘Make yourself at home’, yet aims to have a design which ‘creates energy’. “Our interiors have to be aesthetically pleasing, functional, user-friendly, enjoyable, safe and maintainable,” says a spokesperson.

It builds its design on three brand pillars: home comfort, community spirit and the art of hosting. These are demonstrated in practice as staff introduce guests to the local neighbourhood, sharing their enthusiasm for everything from food stalls to specialist shops that otherwise might have gone unnoticed.

“Not everyone wants community and togetherness,” says McCall, “But we are betting that people don’t want something that looks the same everywhere they go. We believe people also want great staff who know the local area and can recommend local food and drink.”

But is this localism really what travellers want? Frédéric Carré is in no doubt. “When I speak to our guests, they are clear that they appreciate the relationships with the local area – the small restaurants nearby, the cinema.”

It seems that for serviced apartments and aparthotels the future is not just more design, but more connection.

JANUARY 2022

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4 HOURS IN...

1 WORDS DUNCAN FORGAN

Bangkok Enjoy a leisurely tour of the Thai capital

JANUARY 2022

1

WAT SUTHAT

Take advantage of the relatively calm mid-morning traffic with a cab ride to Bangkok’s old city (THB100/ US$3 from Sukhumvit or Silom), where you can explore the myriad royal and religious highlights. Kick off your stroll at the astoundingly beautiful Wat Suthat Thepwararam, home of Thailand’s biggest wi-hahn (main chapel), and the Giant Swing, a towering landmark formerly used for Brahman ceremonies. From there, it is an easy walk (or short tuk-tuk journey) to other big-hitting sights, including Wat Saket (Golden Mount), the Grand Palace and temple complex Wat Pho – famous for its giant reclining Buddha.

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KARIM ROTI MATABA

Missing an opportunity to eat in Bangkok is woeful – so it’s time for lunch. Hip, upscale options near the royal sights include Nusara, an intimate Thai dining room presided over by Michelin-starred chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn. Alternatively, Phra Athit Road is a brisk walk (or THB50/$1.50 cab ride) away – where old-school dining can be found at Karim Roti Mataba, a Thai Muslim restaurant that has been dishing out crispy roti with curry for about seven decades. Undoubtedly, the star dish is the mataba, with spicy fillings stuffed into a roti before being pan-fried, but the mutton curry and oxtail soup are dishes to look out for. Choose to

dine in the shabby but atmospheric restaurant, or order takeaway and devour the flaky, spicy goodness by the banks of the Chao Phraya river. roti-mataba.net

3

CHAO PHRAYA

From Karim Roti Mataba, walk to Pra Athit Pier and catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat downriver to Si Phraya Pier (THB15/46 cents). The journey along Bangkok’s so-called “River of Kings” is a memorable excursion.

Take a prime vantage point at the side of the boat and observe the passing cargo barges, riverside communities and landmarks. These include Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most striking temples, the legendary pile of the

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Mandarin Oriental hotel, and the Old Customs House dating back to 1888 – one of the many Europeanstyle buildings commissioned by King Chulalongkorn. Designed by Italian architect Joachim Grassi, its dilapidated Palladian grandeur has made it a favourite setting for photo and movie shoots.

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WAREHOUSE 30

Back on dry land, it’s a short walk from the pier to Warehouse 30, a hub for Bangkok’s creative community, designed by leading Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag. Transforming a cluster of Second World Warera warehouses, Bunnag and his collaborators have established a creative hub teeming with galleries, dining venues, boutiques and pop-up shops. The revolving cast of vendors at the complex changes regularly. Recent highlights include Aurum Gallery, vintage retailer Horse Unit, and the DAG, a hip communal dining venue.

Across the road, be sure to stop by

P Tendercool for a browse. Reclaimed colonial-era hardwood, Burmese teak and gleaming brass add a distinctive flair to the distinctive bespoke tables handcrafted by this design company. warehouse30.com

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SKY BAR

Even its biggest fans would agree that Bangkok’s heat and traffic can drain a visitor’s energy. Thankfully there’s plenty of scope for liquid replenishment at the end of a busy afternoon. The distinctive gold dome at Sky Bar in Lebua at State Tower – a ten-minute walk along Charoen Krung Road from Warehouse 30 – acts as a beacon for thirsty wanderers.

As one of the highest rooftop bars in the world (and famous for its starring role in The Hangover: Part II), the venue is reliably packed. But the views over the Chao Phraya river are worth sharpening up your elbows for. It’s a gilded way to end an action-packed itinerary in Thailand’s charismatic capital. lebua.com JANUARY 2022

CAPITAL INDULGENCE WORDS AKANKSHA MAKER

HOW TO DINE DELHI

JANUARY 2022

D E S T I N AT I O N S

D

elhi is not only an international hub for business and leisure travel, but a gastronomic destination too. With many of the city’s top hotels offering premium dining experiences, we’ve handpicked a selection of the best options to sample during your next trip. Whether you’re entertaining business partners or the kids or travelling solo and want to treat yourself to some posh nosh, we’ve got the venue for you.

AnnaMaya at Andaz Delhi

AnnaMaya inspires guests to “Eat Mindful. Shop Artisanal. Raise Awareness”. A combination of two elements, Annapurna – the goddess of food, and Maya – the goddess of magic, AnnaMaya is envisaged as a European food hall that serves original cuisines with a contemporary touch. Known for its fresh ingredients and enigmatic cooking techniques, the live kitchen and tandoor section is where artisanal items and fresh produce are converted into delicious dishes. Spicy mango curry with Kerala red rice, amaranth paratha with kumaoni pickle and banyard millet khichdi are some of its signature dishes. There’s also a salad bar dressed with fresh aloe vera plants and micro greens stored in temperature-controlled cabinets. annamayadelhi.com

Bukhara at ITC Maurya, A Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi

The romance of the rugged north-west frontier of India comes alive at this authentic Indian restaurant, which is highly renowned worldwide for its food and service. You can’t go to Bukhara and not try its signature dal Bukhara that’s simmered overnight on a slow charcoal fire and finished with cream and a dollop of unsalted butter. Naan Bukhara, sikandari raan and barrah kebab are some of the other dishes you should keep in mind. This restaurant is known for its no-cutlery dining experience, but if you feel more comfortable with a knife and fork, staff are happy to assist. A meal at Bukhara is an escape to this province of erstwhile India, thanks to its authentic food and unique ambience. itchotels.com

Dilli 32 at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi

This restaurant presents an amalgamation of legendary Indian heritage and meticulous craftsmanship. Dilli 32 is an Indian speciality restaurant that showcases flavours and aromas from various princely states of India, with a focus on Awadhi and north-west frontier cuisine. Must-try dishes include the chicken 65, Rampuri tikka, tandoori prawns, dal tadka, egg curry, a signature ‘dal dilli 32’ and mutton pulao. If you’re feeling indulgent, go for a regional thali – a balanced meal comprising an appetiser, kebab, regional curry with rice, dal, assorted Indian breads and dessert.

Dilli 32 is also famed for its premium selection of beverages including shahi shikanji and childhood favourites such as ‘banta’ with homemade salts. theleela.com JANUARY 2022

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Honk at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

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For all your pan-Asian cravings, Honk at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity is the place to be, with a menu encompassing Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Singaporean and Malaysian. Honk’s speciality is its famous Beijing barbecue from the clay oven. This includes a fivespice marinated honey baroque pork belly and a classic Peking duck. For seafood aficionados, the fresh catch section features mud crab, sea bass and grouper. Other favourites include dim sum, sushi, soothing curries and kushiyaki. A beautiful collection of Chinese teas can be sampled here too. The restaurant is bright and airy with high ceilings, contemporary furnishings and indoor and outdoor seating available. all.accor.com

Food Exchange at Novotel New Delhi Aerocity Food Exchange is the culinary backbone of this hotel.

The all-day dining restaurant is a convenient spot for travellers to either grab a quick meal or relish a full three-course affair. The restaurant’s menu has an eclectic mix of delicacies from North Indian, South Indian and Continental cuisines.

Savour the mini raj kachoris, tandoori lamb chops, black puffed rice, crusted spicy king prawns and so much more. The décor is contemporary with an edgy touch to it, with sharp looking lamps and a formal dining arrangement. Various hues of brown make the space inviting and eye-catching. The open kitchen is a nice touch too and you can see your meal being prepared in front of you, which certainly whets the appetite. all.accor.com JANUARY 2022

La Piazza at the Hyatt Regency Delhi

When La Piazza first opened its doors to guests in 1994, it caused a stir in the culinary world. The restaurant’s authentic Italian offerings introduced Delhi to Italy’s famous regional cuisines, different kinds of pastas, as well as its famous gelato. Using farm-fresh ingredients and imported Italian produce, the trattoria-style restaurant has curated multiple menus featuring extraordinary Italian delicacies. La Piazza aims to serve the freshest dishes possible and takes its farm-to-table concept very seriously.

Each dish is expertly crafted using only fresh, authentic ingredients, which makes for a highly memorable dining experience. The restaurant’s design emulates the spirit and vibrance of the quintessential Italian countryside eatery and lures guests with its rustic charm. hyatt.com

Nostalgia at 1911 Brasserie at The Imperial New Delhi

Nostalgia at 1911 Brasserie first welcomed guests in 2011 as an ode to the 100-year celebration of Delhi. It pays homage to traditional European menus and classic western dishes. The ambience is old world, with the restaurant’s walls adorned with black-and-white photographs of music icons, legendary Hollywood stars and royalty, while soft piano notes tinkling in the background. Delicacies are flammbéed with Cognac on the gueridon trolley, adding not only culinary drama, but taking you back to the yesteryears. theimperialindia.com

D E S T I N AT I O N S

Orient Express at Taj Palace, New Delhi

Sevilla at The Claridges

With an ambience reminiscent of Mediterranean cities, Sevilla is deemed one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Avid wine lovers are spoiled for choice at this Spanish-inspired venue as diners can choose from 150 global grape varieties. Wines are paired with the restaurant’s signature dishes like beetroot risotto, patata bravas and cordero, inspired by the cuisines of Southern Europe and Morocco. When the temperature is pleasant, the outdoor terrace is the best spot to enjoy Sevilla. claridges.com

Shang Palace at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi

For a classic Oriental dining experience, Shang Palace at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi is an obvious choice. Shang Palace is also the luxury hotel brand’s signature restaurant concept, which makes it even more special. The restaurant serves authentic Sichuan, Cantonese and Yunnan cuisine with a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian signature dishes on offer, including the Beijing roast duck.

If you’re a fan of dim sum, you can opt for its Shangtastic Dim Sum Dinner featuring a selection of 10 handmade baked, fried or steamed dumplings, along with signature clay pot dishes, staples and desserts. Lamb potsticker, chicken xiao long bao and prawn dumpling with caviar are some of our recommendations. shangpalacenewdelhi.com

Named after the famous long-distance luxury passenger train, Orient Express is a charming restaurant promising memorable gastronomic experiences. Caviar with accompaniments, lobster bisque, Dutch asparagus soup, Balik salmon and mille-feuille are some of the dishes you can indulge in here. For mains, go for lobster ravioli, black pomfret, corn-fed chicken or a centre cut steak. The menu also boasts of an array of pasta including homemade linguini and potato gnocchi, along with parmesan risotto and goat cheese ravioli. A selection of European cheese is an ideal way to end your extravagant European meal here. tajhotels.com 51

Yi Jing at Sheraton New Delhi – A Luxury Collection Hotel

Yi Jing is a Chinese restaurant noted for its traditional cooking techniques and unique ingredients used in a refreshing and inventive way. ‘Yi’ means ‘to change’ and ‘Jing’ refers to ‘the classic’, reflected in a cuisine philosophy that amalgamates simplicity with contemporary interpretations spanning China’s diverse regions. The menu celebrates dominant culinary traditions from the Sichuan and Hunan provinces and highlights of its pan-Chinese culinary line-up include intricately handcrafted dim sum, deftly pulled handmade noodles, barbecued specialties, immersive tastes from the wokery, and delectable desserts that are both comforting and adventurous. marriott.com JANUARY 2022

EYEWEAR

2022 vision EYEWEAR TO GET YOU NOTICED THIS YEAR

JANUARY 2022

WORDS: GEMMA GREENWOOD

Beach Lounge II by Eque.M

Transforming the classic Cat-Eye style with soft corners on the frame end and bringing Eque.M’s iconic water-drop pure titanium temple into the mix, Beach Lounge II creates an elegant face-scape. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,400 (US$654)

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Buggy Bee by Eque.M

A fashionable square shape with deeper lens size, balanced with a titanium bridge and temple for a clean and smart look. With clip-on sunglasses available, these frames are very versatile and ideal for those living in the Gulf where sun is in abundance. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,950 (US$803)

AVIOR by Masunaga

The front of these frames is constructed with three layers: acetate, titanium and acetate. The profile is thin, but the frame feels solid and substantial. By reducing the volume of each element from the front view as much as possible, the look is stylish and minimal. The arabesque pattern on the temples adds beautiful vintage elements, while the temple tips with crownlike metal pieces are an original design feature – Kenzo Takada’s family emblem. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,700 (US$735)

Coral Love by Eque.M

This rounded Boston-shaped frame is a design feature in every collection. Coral Love is a delicate version, with a down shaving creating a beautiful line to the temple. This is a wellbalanced frame. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,150 (US$585)

JANUARY 2022

EYEWEAR

The AERON by Masunaga

The AERON is a masterpiece for a connoisseur, pushing the limit of both design and technical aspects with stylish all-titanium frames and a pressed top bar. By integrating the rim locks with the bridge, the overall design is clean and sharp. The contrast between the ultra-thin rim and the thick decorative top bar creates a design accent. Bold and delicate, these frames suit those who love adventure. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,600 (US$708)

Model D1 by AETHER Fresh and universally flattering, the cultivated arc of the Model D1 embodies a progressive interpretation of a time-honoured style.

Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

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AED1,550 (US$422)

Model S2 by AETHER

Refinement strikes a bolder note in this model – a classic form is rounded out with unique diamond-cut edges and distinguished by a meticulous dual finish of polished and brushed matte surfaces. Check rivolivision. com for regional retailers.

AED1,700 (US$463)

Model R1 by AETHER

Smooth curves meet a poised edge in the Model R1, an elevated update of a classic, balanced with a keyhole bridge and sleek in its glossy finish. Check rivolivision. com for regional retailers.

AED1,550 (US$422) JANUARY 2022

KABUTO

The KABUTO is inspired by ‘90s Cat-Eye sunglasses. Narrow and angular they are both futuristic and vintage at the same time. By using acetate sheets 10mm in thickness and having the bold bevel detailing to the front, this sharp-looking frame is flattering on most.

The design comprises sharp lines and flat planes, and the contrast of the shiny and matt finishes expresses light and shadow in the most beautiful way. Smooth surface and beautiful lines exude presence. The elegantly engraved temple core, custom hinge parts with engraved logo and temple tip with crown-like metal piece create a feeling of luxury wrapped in a highly fashionable look. Check rivolivision.com for regional retailers.

AED2,700 (US$735)

HOT65 by Carrera

A modern reinterpretation of a bestselling style – these unisex sunglasses feature a full-rim mask silhouette true to the brand’s heritage, while distinctive details make them desirable and relevant.

The sleek metal insert along the brow bar, the signature ‘C’ adorning the prominent front, and the logo lettering along the sides ensure eyecatching impact. Available in matte black with grey polarised lenses, matte black/gold with grey bronze lenses, black with dark grey lenses, black/nude with brown mirror lenses, and Havana with brown shaded lenses. carreraworld.com Price varies by retailer

CHAMPION65 by Carrera

Marking Carrera’s 65th anniversary, these sunglasses remaster the iconic silhouette with brand-new details and design code for an elevated aesthetic.

Crafted from supremely lightweight and durable Optyl, the full-rim aviator profile is set apart by the metal insert along the brow bar and the signature ‘C’ positioned proudly on the front. Available in black with grey lenses, burgundy with dark grey lenses, matte black with grey bronze lenses, brown Havana with grey shaded lenses, and red Havana with green shaded lenses. carreraworld.com Price varies by retailer JANUARY 2022

EYEWEAR

COOL65 by Carrera

A modern statement-maker to celebrate Carrera’s 65th anniversary.

From the full-rim rectangular silhouette to the flat brow bar, they’re the perfect choice for men and women with a flair for the unexpected.

Finished with a sleek metal trim, the brand’s signature ‘C’, and logo lettering along the arms, they are a captivating reinterpretation of a classic style that will stand the test of time.

Rectangular sunglasses in acetate with metal temples, available in black with brown shaded lenses, matte black with grey polarised lenses, and Havana with green shaded lenses. carreraworld.com Price varies by retailer

CHANGER65 by Carrera

Imbued with Carrera’s signature, unapologetic attitude, these sunglasses celebrate the brand’s 65th anniversary in fitting fashion.

The full-rim aviator profile features a bold silhouette and distinctive finishing touches, such as the graphic, three-dimensional ‘C’ adorning the front and the logo lettering on the temples. The striking lenses deliver a modern contrast, ensuring all eyes are on you in this extraordinary design. It comes with two lens options that can be easily swapped removing the C logo plaque on the front through magnets.

Available in black/burgundy with brown lenses, Havana with brown shaded lenses, and black with grey shaded lenses. carreraworld.com

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Price varies by retailer

JANUARY 2022

HOTEL LISTINGS

HOTELS COLLECTION

B u s i n e s s Tr a v e l l e r M i d d l e E a s t m a g a z i n e i s a v a i l a b l e i n a l l o f t h e s e e x c l u s i v e h o t e l s

GRAND MILLENNIUM DUBAI HOTEL

MIRFA HOTEL

WALDORF ASTORIA RAS AL KHAIMAH

DUBAI The 340-room five star hotel features awardwinning restaurants and bars, spa and health club, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, a magnificent ballroom and exceptional banquet facilities. +971 4 429 9999 reservations@grandmill-dubai.com grandmillenniumdubai.com

AL MARFA Away from the bustle of city life, overlooking the azure blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Mirfa Hotel offers 114 newly renovated rooms. The hotel provides excellent accommodation for the business and leisure traveller, state-of-the-art conference facilities, a fully equipped gym and ample parking. +971 2 8953009 rsvn@mirfahotel.com

RAS AL KHAIMAH Cradled by the Hajar Mountains, a championship golf course, sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is 50 minutes from Dubai Airport and brings true Waldorf service to the most alluring beachfront location in the UAE. +971 7 2035555 rasalkhaimah.info@waldorfastoria.com waldorfastoria.com/rasalkhaimah

CROWNE PLAZA MUSCAT OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

CROWNE PLAZA DEIRA, DUBAI

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, DUBAI

OMAN Adjacent to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, this 295-room hotel is an integral part of Madinat Al Irfan, a product of an exciting ambition to establish a new urban centre within Muscat. Situated 10 minutes from the new Muscat International Airport, Al Mouj and Muscat Hills Golf courses and overlooking a Wadi - a natural reserve and home to about 260 variety of Oman’s exotic birdlife during the season. +968 2425 2000 rooms.cpmuscatocec@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/muscatocec

DUBAI Located in the cultural heart of Dubai, Crowne Plaza Dubai – Deira lies at the convenient gateway between the old and new districts of the city. Featuring 300 guest rooms and suites, and an array of meeting rooms, 6 restaurants and bars, a dedicated and fully equipped fitness centre with outdoor swimming pool, the hotel is the perfect place for both leisure and business guests. +971 4 262 5555 cpdeira.info@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/deira

DUBAI The award-winning Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining and gracious hospitality in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The hotel’s 302 superbly appointed rooms and suites offer a combination of traditional luxury and modern functionality. Spatial elegance, awesome views and thoughtfully selected furnishings create an experience of unparalleled style and comfort. +971 4 3438888 shangri-la.com/dubai

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the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

■ Celebrities, The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

■ Fraser Suites Queens Gate, London

■ SLS Cancun, Mexico

■ Lexham Gardens

by Cheval Maison, London

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■ Conrad Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

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■ Mondrian Shoreditch London

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■ JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa

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T R I E D & T E S T E D R E S TAU R A N T

Celebrities, The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai B A C K G R O U N D This chic French restaurant at one of the city’s most exclusive hotels, The One & Only Royal Mirage, has come under new direction since reopening after the pandemic, with Michelin-starred Chef Mauro Colagreco – an Argentinian with more than 20 years’ experience in France under his belt – at the helm.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Elegant and chic, yet cosy and intimate in its grandeur, this crystal chandelier and marble-decked space is a modern and stylish setting. With gorgeous views across Dubai and out to the hotel’s beautifully groomed grounds, it is indeed fitting that it’s located in the hotel’s ‘Palace’.

T H E F O O D Blending classic South of 60

France cuisine with the Mediterranean, but adding a more contemporary flair, the dishes are evocative of the taste of home. I had the Bouillabaisse for main, a light and tasty fish dish in a slow-cooked soup with a centuries-old history, it has been crafted

A decadent French escape to enjoy for business or pleasure

with a modern take. Every detail is taken care of, with even the home-made olive oil and freshly baked bread mouth-wateringly magnificent. There are plenty of fish and seafood options on the menu, as well as meat, but I opted for the scallop carpaccio

for entrée, which was divine, dressed in a light and refreshing citrus dressing, while the artichoke in a clam dressing with pistachio and pine nuts offered a delicious and crunchy twist on the classic vegetable, bursting with flavours. The presentation of every dish was exquisite.

Other recommended dishes to try include le tartare de langoustine.

T H E S E R V I C E French hospitality at its best; the staff made us feel incredibly pampered.

T H E W O R K S P A C E This is a wonderful spot for dazzling visitors to Dubai or impressing that new client.

V E R D I C T A decadent French escape in one of Dubai’s most sough-after locations, which can be enjoyed for business or pleasure. Melanie Swan HOURS Monday to Saturday, from 7pm to 10.30pm

LOCATION One&Only Royal Mirage, The Palace, Dubai

CONTACT +971 4 399 9999; restaurants@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae; oneandonlyresorts.com/royal-mirage

JANUARY 2022

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Conrad Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi B A C K G R O U N D Recently taken over by Conrad, part of the Hilton group, the striking Etihad Towers is an established favourite with business travellers visiting the UAE capital.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel is chic sophisticated, grand and elegant, though modern and understated. Part of five towers in the complex, it is quite the hub for business in the city – it’s the place to be for everyone from diplomats to executives.

W H E R E I S I T ? Located on the city’s Corniche, it is half an hour from Abu Dhabi International Airport, but close to the heart of the city’s business district and embassies area. It is also a short drive to the nearby Marina Mall and just 15-20 minutes to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, so it’s a good base if you are attending an event.

BEST FOR Location

DON’T MISS Spectacular views on the 74th floor

PRICE From AED900 (US$245) room only in January

CONTACT +971 2 811 5888; etihadtowers.ae

R O O M S I stayed in the King Premier Room, which had sweeping views across the city and the ocean. With a small lounge and desk area and a huge king-sized bed, it was extremely comfortable with plenty of wardrobe and suitcase space. Luxurious leather finishings and mirrors in the bedroom made it feel very sophisticated yet homely.

The marble-clad bathroom had a large walkin shower, free standing bath and a range of beautiful toiletries and accessories showing plenty of attention to detail and comfort. The bedding and pillows were divine, a key factor in how much I like the room, based on the quality of a night’s sleep.

There is plenty to do during your down time at the property

F O O D A N D D R I N K With a range of dining experiences across 12 restaurants, bars and lounges, the hotel has so much to offer, and you certainly don’t need to leave the property. From the lobby café to several international restaurants, I felt spoiled for choice. The breakfast buffet offered a huge array of international cuisines making it a meal to really set you up for the day. I ate dinner in the Japanese restaurant, Tori No Su, which had a lovely atmosphere and served a range of creative dishes in addition to the traditional Japanese fare. Nahaam offered a lovely al fresco experience for a casual evening dining out by the pool. For a skyhigh experience, the Observation Deck at 300 on the 74th floor can be booked for afternoon tea or mocktails with light bites, accompanied by 360-degree views.

B U S I N E S S Great Wi-Fi, 13 meeting rooms and live conference facilities for functions as large as 2,200 guests. The hotel is also a good place to host casual meetings over coffee or food.

L E I S U R E The hotel has a well-equipped

gym and studio, as well as a spa, pool and beach area, meaning there is plenty to do during your down time at the property. If you don’t have time to head to one of the city’s malls, there are two floors of boutique shopping too.

V E R D I C T With a wonderful location in the heart of Abu Dhabi, impeccable service and plenty of dining, leisure and business facilities that spoil you for choice, this hotel is a destination in itself. Melanie Swan JANUARY 2022

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Fraser Suites Queens Gate, London

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B A C K G R O U N D Frasers Hospitality is part of Frasers Property Group, a global hospitality operator of serviced apartments and hotels with around 25,000 rooms worldwide. In the UK, it has apartments across London, Edinburgh and Glasgow with living space, separate bedrooms and in-room kitchen facilities.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The apartments

are located in several large multi-storey stucco blocks. Reception is a walk up a few steps, under a modest portico, and all the COVID-19 protocols are marked out.

Reception is attended 24 hours, with good security, but guests need their room key to get into the property at night.

W H E R E I S I T ? On Cromwell Road in

London, a short walk from Gloucester Road Underground station, with good service to Heathrow and the West End.

R O O M S There are 105 suites in total,

ranging from studio apartments to one and two bedrooms including duplexes.

As the building is a conversion of several large Victorian stucco buildings, each room is different in shape, ceiling height and vantage. Entry-level studio deluxe rooms are 31 sqm, while the studio executives are 40 sqm. The one-bedroom deluxe is 41 sqm and one-bedroom executive is 48 sqm. My room was one of the latter and had a separate bedroom accessed down a corridor, then a living room, kitchen JANUARY 2022

and a good-sized bathroom. There was a comfortable sofa, a circular table with two gold-coloured chairs, and a wardrobe with iron and ironing board.

All the suites are designed with functionality in mind and are neutral in tone. Touches of luxury include shot silk curtains and padded velour headboards on comfortable beds, with good-quality cotton sheets. There is large if slightly anonymous abstract framed art, interesting Giacomettiinspired lamp stands and dark brown

All the suites are designed with functionality in mind and are neutral in tone laminate flooring, though the latter does cause a problem when someone is walking overhead since the sound of their footsteps can be very noticeable. I mentioned this at reception and they said it was because the apartments are a Victorian conversion.

The bathrooms have good shower pressure and L’Occitane toiletries, and all of the suites have fully equipped kitchens.

There is a thin but adequate desk and very fast wifi. A QR code was provided for accessing newspapers and magazines via devices. The TV didn’t seem to have the ability to stream content from my device, which would have been useful, but it was adequate for watching the local news.

A few points generally: there is a shortage of plugs from which to power

devices, the fridge had no door shelf, meaning bottles could not be stored upright, the kitchen tap leaked, there was a rip in the seat of the office chair, marks on the walls, and the extractor fan didn’t work in the bathroom so it steamed up and had condensation on the walls.

On the lower-ground floor, there is a self-service laundry, or, of course, you can pay to have laundry done. Housekeeping is for stays of eight nights or more, so you must keep the place tidy, though towels and other in-room amenities are replenished on request.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The property has a good-sized bar (Magenta Bar) to one side of reception and an outdoor eating area, but with the wealth of choices available on neighbouring Gloucester Road and South Kensington, it’s tempting to eat out. Food can be served in the downstairs breakfast room, though I didn’t take advantage of the £12 breakfast since there are so many options nearby.

M E E T I N G S There is a meeting room on the ground floor near reception that can seat 12 in a boardroom arrangement.

L E I S U R E There is a gym in the lower basement with a variety of equipment.

V E R D I C T A good-value property with a residential feel, in a convenient location for travel in London and to Heathrow, and only a short walk from Kensington Gardens.

Tom Otley BEST FOR Good value for money, and you can book short stays of one night up to several months

DON’T MISS Choosing a room at the front with large sash windows

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in November started from £176 (US$233) for a Studio Deluxe room

LOCATION 39B Queens Gate Gardens, London; +44 (0) 20 7969 3555; london-queensgate.frasershospitality.com

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Mondrian Shoreditch London B A C K G R O U N D The Mondrian Shoreditch, owned by The Reuben Brothers and operated

by Accor, opened in August 2021 following a major building re-design. It marked the return of the Mondrian brand to London.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Award-winning

London interior design studio Goddard Littlefair has put its stamp on this luxury lifestyle hotel, keeping it in line with the Mondrian brand’s upbeat, playful and individual spirit. Urban chic is the overall vibe, with significant artwork installations throughout the property, including a largescale piece hand-painted onto concrete in the ground-floor bar. Rooms and suites are luxurious and theatrical and give a nod to the area’s history as a hub for culture and creativity, with brick walls juxtaposed with dark wooden floors and furnishings, and in our suite, rich green leather. In the corridors, diffusers emit a bespoke aroma. This is a reincarnation of industrial chic at its finest.

W H E R E I S I T ? On Curtain Road in the heart of Shoreditch, a popular gentrified area of East London known for its restaurants, bars and boutiques and just a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station.

R O O M S This is a 120-bedroom property, including 13 suites. We stayed in a residential-style Loft Suite with a magnificent outdoor terrace overlooking Shoreditch and London’s Square Mile with its eclectic mix of high-res architecture.

An open-plan bedroom and living space featured a king bed, table with chairs and a green leather banquette seat, green wardrobe and tea/coffee-making facilities, plus a mini bar. In the bathroom, a steam rain-shower was a nice feature, as was the under-floor heating. Amenities were plentiful and Ciel branded. Bespoke artwork adorned the walls in this cosy space. The bed and pillows were very comfortable.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Dining is a highlight, with world-famous chef, Dani Garcia, fronting his first restaurant in the UK – BiBo,

BEST FOR Business stays and events with an edge

DON’T MISS Dinner at BiBo

PRICE From £299 (US$399)

CONTACT mondrianShoreditch.com

This is a reincarnation of industrial chic at its finest a Spanish kitchen serving outstanding tapas. This lively urban space, ideal for lunch or dinner, brings something new to the Shoreditch dining scene, with menu highlights for me including the oxtail brioche, pulpo a la gallega (octopus), roasted aubergine, cod fritters, and a beautifully presented whole deep-fried sea bass for two. If you like paella, choose from lobster, chicken, octopus, rib-eye and Iberico ribs and for dessert, the decadent chocolate mousse for two is very moreish.

The light and airy Altitude at The Curtain on the top floor overlooks the outdoor pool and city and is part of The Curtain Members Club. It serves a la carte breakfast. On the ground floor, the versatile Christina’s

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Shoreditch, which sources products from local suppliers and start-ups only, is an allday café and cocktail bar, popular with the local creative community.

B U S I N E S S This hotel is set up for private events, from weddings to dinners and film screenings to launch parties, with six venues on offer – the Ballroom, Screening Room, Boardroom (up to 20), BiBo’s outdoor courtyard, which is reminiscent of an Andalusian garden, BiBo’s private dining room, plus the Design Studio, a co-working space for The Curtain Club members by day and a versatile events space by night.

L E I S U R E A well-equipped gym, plus a

spa and a small rooftop pool with terrace; an ideal spot for cocktail sipping.

V E R D I C T If you need to stay near the City of London for work or meetings, but want to retreat to somewhere more culturally immersive and laid back after hours, this is the spot. It’s worth spending an extra night here to enjoy the hotel’s facilities and to soak up the vibrant Shoreditch vibe.

Gemma Greenwood JANUARY 2022

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

SLS Cancun B A C K G R O U N D This new property from lifestyle hospitality specialist sbe opened in February. sbe is now owned by Accor after the French group bought 50 per cent of the brand in 2018 and then bought the rest while also merging with Ennismore.

Among the sbe brands are Mondrian, Delano, Hyde Hotels and SLS. They are all very fashionable, or, as sbe would have it, they represent “a global tribe of individuals, partners and progressives”.

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel is located on the first four floors of a 20-storey L-shaped building facing the Caribbean Sea and the entrance to the marina. The other levels contain luxury apartments.

These have a separate entrance around the corner from the hotel so you don’t mingle with the owners in the lifts, although they do have the use of the pool, restaurants and gym.

I stayed in late April. While many of the apartments had been sold by then, they were yet to be occupied so it was very quiet. Security is very reassuring – you go through two attended gates before pulling up at the hotel.

The interior design is by Italy’s Piero Lissoni and has been beautifully done, with low sofas decked out with cushions in alternating pastel and bright colours. The seating area just off the lobby has a pool table and shelves with coffee-table books.

W H E R E I S I T ? In the gated community of Puerto Cancun, a new development close to downtown and the hotel zone. It is about half an hour’s drive from the airport, depending on traffic. There are further

hotels planned for the area, which is also home to the Renaissance Cancun Resort and Marina.

M E E T I N G S There is one room seating

R O O M S The 45 rooms and suites are all

stretch of sand with a private beach club, a lifeguard and a buoyed-off area for swimming, while further out there are kite surfers and people sailing. It also has a pool with a spa bath at one end.

The fitness facilities and the Ciel spa are superb, much too large for a property of only 45 rooms but then they are also for the use of the apartment residents – I never saw anyone using them, although this may change over time. There’s also an 18-hole golf course and private marina, while bikes can be borrowed for free.

About a ten-minute walk away is a high-end shopping centre with restaurants and a cinema.

elegant, with oak wood flooring, Mayaninspired wall coverings designed by Lissoni and bathrooms with marble floors, silver Travertine walls, walk-in rainfall showers and Ciel Reserve amenities. About 75 per cent of them have sea views, and those that don’t look out over the new developments towards the marina. They range from 51 sqm Deluxe Kings to the 260 sqm Presidential suite. My Deluxe Ocean Front King room had a sliding door between the bedroom and bathroom, a work area with a comfortable sofa, and a balcony with chairs and a hammock.

There’s a 250-metre stretch of sand with a private beach club, and the fitness facilities and spa are superb F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel was still finishing its beach club when I was there (it has since opened), but there was an outdoor terrace for the lobby bar and the restaurant, Leynia, which is an “Argentinean grill inspired by flavours from Japan”. I only ate lunch there but the service was good and my burger was excellent. The restaurant is open daily from 8am to 10.30pm.

12 people on the second floor.

L E I S U R E The hotel has a 250-metre

V E R D I C T A luxury hotel with great security, beachfront and good food and drink options, with the liveliness of Cancun and the hotel zone a short taxi ride away. I enjoyed the peace and quiet, but as the apartments are occupied and the hotel fills it could become quite a party place around the pool and beach bar area.

Tom Otley BEST FOR Uninterrupted sea views and a great restaurant with outdoor terrace

DON’T MISS A morning swim in the infinity pool, then relaxing in a private cabana

PRICE Internet prices for a flexible stay in September started from US$672 per night for a Superior King, including resort fee (10 per cent of room rate)

CONTACT “Novo Cancun Torre 1”, Avenida Bonampak; tel +52 998 689 0757; accor.com; sbe.com JANUARY 2022

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa B A C K G R O U N D Originally opened in 2001, the JW Marriott is co-managed and linked with the Marriott Cancun next door and so benefits from a huge range of bars, restaurants and leisure facilities while at the same time not appearing, at least on the face of it, to be a giant resort. The hotel has also had a renovation of most of its public areas, restaurants and rooms.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The lobby is very JW Marriott – there’s a large marble reception area on the left and a concierge desk on the right, with the space then leading on to the lobby bar, where giant double-height windows overlook the swimming pool and Caribbean Sea. Marriott Rewards guests have their own desk at one end of reception. A porter offered to take my bag to my room but I was in a rush and so spent the next couple of minutes wandering around trying to find the lifts until a helpful member of staff directed me. Less haste, more speed is something I have yet to learn.

has Kasai Izakaya and Ramen Noodle Bar, Sasi Thai, Mikado, La Isla coffee shop, the Sacbe Beach Shack and the Champion’s Sports Bar. The main bar in the JW is the lobby one, although the cocktails in the Gustino were also excellent.

M E E T I N G S The two hotels have more

W H E R E I S I T ? In the middle of the hotel zone, about 15 minutes from the airport and 5km south of Cancun’s convention centre.

R O O M S The hotel has 447 spacious rooms, including 74 suites, all of which have balconies and sea views. The entry-level Standard category is 43 sqm. The new

Being linked to the Marriott next door means it benefits from vast facilities while not appearing to be a giant resort design is bright with blue oceanic patterns, particularly in the bathrooms, which have twin sinks and separate tubs and showers.

The rooms have good-sized workdesks and large minibars with room to put your own items. The wifi is quick and you can stream entertainment from your device through the 32-inch TV. For an upgraded price, guests can visit Club 91 on the 14th floor, which is billed as a boutique hotel within a hotel rather than as a club lounge. It offers food presentations daily, an open bar from 6pm to 10pm, Premium Ocean View rooms, access to the second floor of the spa, and late checkout when available.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There are restaurants across both properties. In the JW are Gustino Italian Grill, Sedona Grill, the Beach Walk poolside bar and a shop that sells snacks and pizza. The Marriott

than 8,175 sqm of meeting space combined, including the JW’s Tulum ballroom, part of which had been converted into an antigen test centre when I was there. Together, the hotels total nearly 900 guestrooms. There’s also a business centre.

L E I S U R E There are three outdoor pools overlooking 200 metres of beachfront. One feels more private (it is adults only) and has a swim-up bar. The hotel has a 3,250 sqm, three-level gym and spa with 17 treatment rooms. The fitness facilities are available without charge (well, there is a compulsory resort fee for all guests whether you use these facilities or not). There is also a PADI diving pool and a kids’ club.

V E R D I C T A superb hotel with everything

you could want for a one-week stay or even longer. The advantage of having the two resorts connected is the wide choice of dining and facilities. Tom Otley

BEST FOR Exceptional service from the well-trained staff

DON’T MISS Testing out the vast margarita menu in the lobby bar, then swimming in the spa pool the next day to recover

PRICE Internet prices for a flexible stay in September started from US$378 per night for a Deluxe Guest room, including resort fee (10 per cent of room rate)

CONTACT Boulevard Kukulcan; tel +52 998 848 9600; jw-marriott.marriott.com JANUARY 2022

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison B A C K G R O U N D The Cheval Collection of serviced apartments includes both the Cheval Residences and Cheval Maison brands. In London, it has nine apartment locations and another three in Edinburgh.

Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison opened in June this year and is situated within two large stucco buildings (spanning numbers 32-38) dating from the 1870s and 1880s.

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(both on the Piccadilly line). A walk from either takes you away from the busy Cromwell Road into a quiet residential area, helped by the fact that the apartments are at the end of Lexham Gardens and so get very little through-traffic.

R O O M S There are 30 apartments split between the “A” and “B” blocks, with either one or two bedrooms, spread across six floors. Not all rooms are directly accessed from the lifts because of the mezzanine floor, so there may be steps to negotiate: staff offered to help when we checked in.

The apartments look out either on to Lexham Gardens at the front or the newly constructed garden at the back. The rooms are all of a good size, although because of the nature of the conversion are different

Our two-bedroom apartment was one of the equestrian-themed ones, which meant large black-and-white pictures of horses and a cooler colour scheme than the redand green-themed apartments. The beds were firm and very comfortable, and the soundproofing was excellent. There was a reasonable amount of wardrobe space, an iron/ironing board, a laptop-sized safe and, in the main room, a circular table with four chairs, a sofa bed and a large TV with the ability to stream content from your own device via Google Chromecast. There was a very well-equipped kitchen with a coffee maker, an oven, a washing machine and a dishwasher. For the two rooms there were also two bathrooms, both with good showers (both power and rainshower), robes and high quality toiletries.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Reception is up a few steps in one of the blocks at the end of Lexham Gardens. It is stylish, in an anonymous sort of way, with large black-and-white photographic prints on the white walls, smart low-slung sofas and the reception with COVID-19 screens in place. Design is cool and elegant with high ceilings and art books on the shelves around the central fireplace. The staff were

The apartments are very modern, but without seeming impersonal friendly, and offered to take us to the room and then provided a show-around. This is worth accepting since there are numerous appliances that need pointing out, although they were all fairly intuitive to use.

W H E R E I S I T ? Lexham Gardens

is equidistant to both Earl’s Court and Gloucester Road Underground stations

dimensions even in the same category.

Deluxe one-bedroom apartments on the first floor range from 64 sqm to 76 sqm, while Luxury one-bedroom apartments on the lower ground floor are 51 sqm to 53 sqm.

Superior one-bedroom apartments are on the lower ground and ground floors, and range from 49 sqm to 76 sqm. There are also three colour schemes: Racing Green, Luxurious Glamorous Red and Cool Neutral Equestrian.

As you’d expect with them being brand new, all the apartments are very modern, but without seeming at all impersonal.

L E I S U R E There is a fitness centre on

the lower ground floor with equipment from Precor, including a treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike, and a landscaped atrium garden.

V E R D I C T This is a super new addition to the Cheval Collection. Tom Otley

BEST FOR Residential living in a lovely area of London with good transport connections

DON’T MISS Exploring the cobbled mews streets and grander stucco blocks on the way up to High Street Kensington and Hyde Park

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in November started from £315 (US$417) for a Superior one-bedroom apartment

CONTACT 32 Lexham Gardens, London; chevalcollection.com JANUARY 2022

LOOKING TO BUY | SELL | RENT

PROPERTY IN DUBAI?

800+

62,000+

40 Years

€ 1 Billion+

Offices worldwide

Happy customers worldwide in 2021

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Worth of transactions in 2021

CONTACT US 800 3555 | +971 4 422 3500