Issuu

Maldivian escape

Experience paradise with an island retreat

Global flavours

Travel the world through tempting food

January detox

Refresh your mind and body

JAKE

GYLLENHAAL “Ultimately it’s about trying to express who you are”

A 5-star house for your four-legged friend Pamper your pet and add harmony to your home with Superfine Pet Luxury. Featuring modern and luxurious pet beds for your four-legged family members, Superfine creations are crafted using high quality materials and offer bespoke designs that will accent your interior. Discover these exclusive items now on display at Cities. DUBAI, U.A.E: The Galleria Mall - Jumeirah - Al Wasl Road T: +971 4 34 34 301 - info@citiesdubai.com RIYADH, KSA: Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road, Tahlia Street T: +966 11 218 0007 - info@citiesriyadh.com cities-design-and-lifestyle-store citiesdubai citiesriyadh www.citiesstore.com

Between the Finger Ring Captivating Flying Butterfly Ring, Mystery Set sapphires and diamonds.

Haute Joaillerie, place Vend么me since 1906

DUBAI: The Dubai Mall - Mall of the Emirates ABU DHABI: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island 800-VAN-CLEEF (800-826-25333) ABU DHABI: Etihad Towers +971 2 681 1919 www.vancleefarpels.com

Image: Greg Williams/August

Jumeirah Magazine Jumeirah Corporate Office, Al Sufouh Rd, PO Box 73137, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 366 5000, Fax: +971 4 366 5001. Website: www.jumeirah.com Jumeirah is a trading name of Jumeirah International LLC. A Limited Liability company. Registration Number 57869. Share Capital Dhs 300,000 fully paid up. Jumeirah International LLC its affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries (“Jumeirah Group”) and the publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication for whatever reason, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of Jumeirah Group or of the publishers. Readers are advised to solicit advice before acting on the information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. Jumeirah Group and the publishers take no responsibilty for the goods and services advertised. All materials are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (Including photocopying or storage in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright owner, except as may be permitted by applicable laws.

january 2016<<

Editor-in-Chief

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner & Group Editor

lan Fairservice Editorial Director

Gina Johnson Goup Editor

Sophia Serin Art Director

Karen Evans Editor

Danae Mercer danae@motivate.ae Picture Editor

Janelle Salangsang

Contents

Contributors

Rachel Ingram, Gareth Rees, Phill Tomans, Georgina Wilson-Powell

Monitor

Publisher – Luxury & Lifestyle

Negar Ghodstinat negar@motivate.ae

Essential news and previews

General Manager – Production

S Sunil Kumar Production Manager

18 City Watch Discover exclusive events all around the world

R. Murali Krishnan Production Supervisor

Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer

Anthony Milne

25 Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival Big names come to Dubai this year

Group Sales Director

Craig Wagstaff Group Sales Manager

26 The Museum of Innocence Orhan Pamuk’s novel inspires a famous London gallery

Ziad Saleh ziad@motivate.ae Abu DhAbi OffiCE Publisher

Imane Eddinari

Featured

for Jumeirah

Piers Schreiber

30 Jake Gyllenhaal The celebrity talks life and passions

Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai UAE, Tel: +971 4 427 3000, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845 Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124, E-mail: editor-wo@motivate.ae London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

34 A Design For Life An exclusive Q&A with a famous designer

38 Nick Perry: Luxury Travel Trends What’s happening and changing around the world

iPhone 6s

AVA I L A B L E AT: B LO O M I N G DA L E S D U BA I | H A RV E Y N I C H O LS D U BA I | S E L ECT DA M AS J E W E L L E RY STO R E S 8 0 0 - 4 4 8 674 | g i vo r i .c o m

january 2016<<

Contents 58

Lifestyle 46 The Luxury of Truth Why high-end brands are creating personalised documentaries

50 Refreshing Resolutions Detox in the new year

Travel 58 Global Tastes Travel the world without leaving Dubai 63 Mission: Not-at-all Impossible Behind-the-scenes with a London luxury concierge 66 Mind, Body and Soul How celebrities get ready for big nights on the red carpet 68 Dine, Do, Discover Escape to the Maldives with cuisine and adventure 78 Secret Spaces Unwind in the chic and newly renovated Beit Al Bahar villas 82 The High Life Try Mundo at Jumeirah Emirates Towers

THE DUBAI MALL, DUBAI | EL-KHAYYAT CENTER, JEDDAH

CIty WATCh

Explore some of the finest events happening this month

DubaI/abu DhabI

Arts Festival 22 to 23 January

Alserkal Avenue is a hub of creativity and artistic talent in the heart of Al Quoz. Twice a year it hosts an arts festival that is like no other in the city: the Quoz Arts Festival. Now on its fourth edition, the festival offers an excellent opportunity to explore the latest collections and exhibitions and to take home one-of-a-kind works of art. Quoz arts Festival, alserkalavenue.ae

Show Jumping 28 to 30 January The Dubai Show Jumping Championship is one of the most exciting equestrian events of the year. Celebrate the captivating sport in style from the comfort of a VIP box at the famous Meydan Grandstand and watch the UAEâ€™s most talented steeds and their riders take on a challenging course of jumps. CSI-W Dubai Show Jumping Championship, emiratesequestriancentre.com

golf tournament

Compiled by: Rachel Ingram. Images: Getty

21 to 24 January

Abu Dhabi Classics until 10 may

If music is your passion, donâ€™t miss this eight-month series of classical concerts. Offering performances by world-famous musicians and orchestras, Abu Dhabi Classics will feature 26 shows all the way through to May 2016. Additional cultural highlights include things like the Bait Al Oud Concert Series and the World Intangible heritage through Music series.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the most luxurious golf clubs in the world. It is also home to the annual Abu Dhabi hSBC Golf Championship, which celebrates its 11th edition this year. The tournament is one of the biggest events on the European Tour for both pros and spectators, and attracts some of the best players from across the globe. abu Dhabi hSbC Golf Championship, abudhabigolfchampionship.com

abu Dhabi Classics, abudhabiclassics.ae

Image: New Shorts: Lay Up

London

Film Festival 8 to 17 January

London Short Film Festival returns for the 12th year running with a programme that promises to be just as confrontational and creative as previous editions. The UK’s best short filmmakers will present their latest works at screenings across the city. There will also be panel discussions, award shows and festival after-parties.

London BoAt Show

London Short Film Festival, shortfilms.org.uk

8 to 17 January London Boat Show is the UK’s premier boating event. This year’s edition presents 10 days of events, activities and exhibitions. As well as exploring the latest models on the market, boat enthusiasts can enjoy a host of new attractions such as a watersports festival, an RS sailing simulator and talks by the biggest personalities in boating. London Boat Show, londonboatshow.com

London Art FAir 20 to 24 January If you’re a modern British and contemporary art devotee, then London Art Fair is an unmissable event. An essential date in the diary for artists, critics and collectors alike, the annual fair takes over the Business Design Centre in Islington for five days of exhibitions showcasing works from the early 20th century to today. London Art Fair, londonartfair.co.uk

New Year’s Day Parade 1 January

There’s no better way to ring in the New Year than by lining the streets for the captivating London’s New Year’s Day Parade. An annual tradition since 1987, the procession sees 10,000 performers sing, dance, play, march and cheer their way from Piccadilly to Parliament Square. Get the best views from the parade grandstands at Waterloo Place - Piccadilly and Regent Street - St James’s. London’s new Year’s day Parade, lnydp.com

Shanghai/iStanbul

Johann StrauSS orcheStra 5 January

Image: Getty

Following their popular performance last season, Johann Strauss Orchestra returns to İş Sana Culture Centre to put on a New Year’s extravaganza of music, dance and entertainment. For one night only, watch the group perform a brand new show that’s filled with crowd-pleasing music, thrilling dance routines and a hearty dose of comedy. Johann Strauss Orchestra gala, andrerieu.com

The Nutcracker 2 to 3 January

Russian ballet troupes are some of the best in the world, so it’s with great excitement that the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre welcomes the Russian State Ballet to its stage. The ballet group will perform their captivating version of the festive tale The Nutcracker for two nights only, so don’t miss out. the nutcracker by Russian State ballet, en.shoac.com.cn

Melbourne opera 1 January Start the New Year as you mean to go on with a very special concert by Melbourne opera at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall. Conducted by Greg Hocking, the concert features an unmissable programme of compositions by the likes of Johann Strauss, Giacomo Puccini and Mozart. Melbourne Opera 2016 new Year Concert, shsymphony.com

Music festival 23 to 24 January

For two days and nights Istanbul Congress Center will be taken over by bands and musicians during the annual music festival Sömestr Fest. Guests can expect a range of local and national performers from a variety of genres, so it’s a good opportunity for a musical education. There’s also a range of competitions and interactive activities to entertain the whole family. Sömestr Fest, somestrfest.com

FrankFurt/rOMe

PhotograPhy festival Until 17 January Rome’s international festival of photography draws to a close in January and if you’re a budding photographer or a photography expert and you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit. There’s a particular focus on Italian photography this year, with special attention paid to images that capture the history and culture of Italy in interesting ways.

Magic of the Operetta 29 January

Bringing January to a close with a bang, Magic of the Operetta is described as a ‘musical firework’ for your ears. Guests can look forward to performances by talents from the opera and concert worlds, such as American soprana June Card, and renditions of songs from popular musicals such as Die Fledermaus, The Bird Seller, Wiener Blut and The Merry Widow. Magic of the Operetta (Zauber der Operette), papageno-theater.de

Fotografia Festival Internazionale di roma, fotografiafestival.it

Carnevale romano from 24 January The annual Carnevale Romano is a must-visit attraction in January. The highlight is the opening day parade that sets off from Via del Corse and features hundreds of dancers in costume, music performances, brightly coloured floats, and much more. After the parade ends, the party doesn’t stop and a range of special events across the city keep revelers in the carnival spirit for over two weeks. Carnevale romano, carnevaleroma.com

The Snow Queen 5 January

For one night only, an all-singing, all-dancing rendition of the classic fairy tale The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin) will be performed at Frankfurt’s Hugenottenhalle centre. Actress Ann-Christin Klinner stars as the protagonist alongside a talented ensemble in this haunting yet magical musical. Die Schneekönigin – Das Musical, schneekoeniginmusical.de

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE WON AN AED 10,000* GIFT VOUCHER

This DSF, it’s a win-win for everyone. With every AED 750 spent at Paris Gallery or Watch Gallery, receive a surprise shopping voucher that can be worth up to AED 10,000 or a discount voucher worth up to 20% for your next purchase. *Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid across all stores in UAE.

800-744

www.parisgallery.com www.luxuryclub.com

>>monitor<<

Sting

Santana

David Gray

La Bomba

emirates airline jazz festival Toto. David Gray. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Chris Botti Featuring Sting. Santana. The names headlining the Dubai Jazz Festival are impressive and varied. Running from 24 to 26 February, this multi-day series of performances features music from acclaimed artists and newer jazz musicians alike. Last year saw 35,000 fans attending the three-day festival. As for the crowd? Expect “a discriminating, upscale audience,” explains Alex Schaeffer, Director of Lincoln Middle East, who notes that’s why the brand has become involved as a sponsor. The result is often a pressing demand for tickets, meaning it’s worth booking early. Even better, arrange a luxurious visit to one of the festival’s many exclusive chalets. For more information, visit dubaijazzfest.com

Postmodern Jukebox

Toto

>>MONITOR<<

THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE Running in London from 27 January to 3 April, this special exhibition will present a new version of Orhan Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence. Somerset House, in collaboration with the Nobel Prize-winning author, has crafted a physical manifestation of the novel by the same name. Both the novel and the museum tell the story of engaged wealthy socialite Kemal Bey’s obsessive love for Füsun, a beautiful shopgirl, through an array of everyday items which have taken on special significance as keepsakes of the couple’s ill-fated romance. The exhibition at Somerset House will focus on 13 vitrines filled with everyday objects. Weaving between these are films by celebrated director Grant Gee. For more information, visit somersethouse.org.uk

-6963: $"3 3&/5"-

HRR Luxury Car Rental Garhoud, Red Avenue building, M-04, Dubai, UAE T: +971 4 294 3732 | F: +971 4 294 5720 M : +971 56 969 8999 E:info@hrrluxurycars.com

Featured 30 Jake Gyllenhaal The celebrity talks life and passions 34 A Design For Life An exclusive Q&A with a famous designer

Image: Getty

38 Nick Perry: Luxury Travel Trends Whatâ€™s happening and changing around the world

Writing by Danae Mercer. Image: Greg Williams / AUGUST

>>featured: jake gyllenhaal>>

jake gyllenhaal

Expressive, self-deprecating and quick to laugh, Hollywood star Jake Gyllenhaal is easy to like. A formidable career stretches behind him, one often filled with unexpected and dramatic roles. There was a boxer in Southpaw, a troubled teenager in Donnie Darko, a sheepherder in Brokeback Mountain, and a dark stringer in crime thriller Nightcrawler, just to name a few. Shouting, Gyllenhaal acknowledges, is a common theme, as is breaking things. Across all his roles, the 36-year-old actor manages to capture nuanced emotions

In December, Gyllenhaal visited the Middle East for the Dubai International Film Festival, where he was awarded Variety International’s Star of the Year. For over an hour, he spoke about his musical inspirations (Biggie and the Hamilton musical), his favourite roles, and how he prepares for the big screen.

The interview Was it an option to be a doctor and a laWyer, and not be in the arts?

At one point my grandfather did say to me after he saw me in a play in high school ‘so when are you going to get a real job?’, which I’m still looking for. But I guess that’s the journey of the actor. you made a number of films over the last 10 years. in the last five years, you made tWice as many. is there some design in this?

I think I learned that worrying about perception makes things move more slowly than you would like. When you listen to your instinct it’s actually sharp as a knife and quick. And so I just turned a few years ago directly to my instinct without a worry of what people might think. Work has just begun to flow. That’s what happened really.

do you feel you found yourself trusting your instincts more as your career has gone on?

The wonderful part about being an actor at this point in my career is that you’re expressing yourself through a series of things. Not just one primary performance. Everything became a little less precious. Why act?

There’s a moment when you realise the craft of what you do is so fun. It’s an intimate space. If you like being by yourself, then it’s a place to explore. I love the whole process of it. you seem to Work With people Who are up-and-coming. is that deliberate?

I enjoy working with everyone at any stage of the game if they’re talented. I like to trust, again, going back to that instinct. I’m just trying to listen to the director purely as an artist, as opposed to what everyone else is saying. And how are they as a person? Are we of like minds? How do they feel about me? If it lines up that I respect them, and they respect me, that’s powerful. Where do you sense pressure in being an actor?

The pressure I think comes from me having a very high standard for story, and trying, knowing that nine times out of 10 you will probably fail. And yet,

>>featured: jake gyllenhaal>>

The pressure I think comes from me having a very high standard for story, and trying, knowing that nine times out of 10 you will probably fail. And yet, at the same time, knowing you have to give it all no matter what.

at the same time, knowing you have to give it all no matter what. Sometimes the game is won in the last few seconds, and keep your eye always in the game even if it feels it’s not working. Miracles do happen.

worked with Josh [in Everest], and all I did was talk about his movies, which he didn’t like (laughs). are there roles you have to shake off when you’re Done?

I take my guidance from hip-hop, to be honest. To me, it’s all about, every situation you act like it’s your first time and your last. That’s from Biggie, you know.

Yeah. I think you hold a piece of that thing inside you, whether you like it or not, with all the characters you play. When I finished Nightcrawler, and when I finished Southpaw, I don’t think I really realised how much time I put into the creation of the character. I was talking about it to a journalist, and I said ‘I changed my molecular structure a little bit’ which sounded pretentious, and it is pretentious, but it’s also true. And then you get thrust out of it, pushed out of it, and it’s done. And you’re like ‘Wait, I’m a boxer!’ and ‘Where’s my daughter?!’.

Do you know actors who are more cautious than you have

the Nightcrawler guy was pretty Dark…

chosen to be?

Yeah, I’m him all the time (laughs). It was nice to finally play myself in a movie.

I think I’ve just come to the fact that it is quite possible it could end tomorrow. The opportunities could. Because of that, it allows me to commit fully to what I’m doing. Magic comes in risk. It comes when I think you’re pushed, and your ability, your talent, it’s always there when that’s there.

I think other actors are as varied as humans as we are in our jobs. Ultimately it’s about trying to express who you are. Sometimes I think, and I speak for myself, at different times in my career I was trying to present something other than I actually was. People often say to me: ‘When are you going to do a comedy?’ and I say ‘well maybe’. And ‘what you do is so dark,’ but then I think to myself ‘a romantic comedy could be so dark.’ (laughs)

what Do you think people get wrong about acting?

That everyone’s really short. It’s just not true. I feel that’s the sort of stereotype I just don’t appreciate. We’re not all short… [Only] the really talented ones are. I’m really tall.

what are some movies that inspire you?

what music Do you like?

I love Jerry McGuire and The Goonies. They shaped my childhood. I think somewhere, at the heart of me that I ask myself questions about a story, they’re always there. ‘Why can’t Josh Brolin be in this in a bandana?’ I just

Oh geez. I’m a big Drake fan, so… Actually, I just said that so you’d like me more. I’m listening to this band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. There’s this great guy Otis Redding. And the Hamilton soundtrack.

Photography by Farooq Salik, reporting by Gareth Rees and Danae Mercer

a design for life

British interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen ran a successful design practice before he became a household name as one of the designers of the popular BBC home improvement show Changing Rooms in the 1990s. He has remained a regular on television, appearing in shows including ITV’s Popstar to Operastar, Auction Party and Stepping Out and the BBC’s DIY SOS in the UK and The Apartment – Design Your Destiny on Star World in America. The expansion of his most recent venture, The House of Laurence, into emerging markets such as China was the subject of the recent BBC documentary Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen – Cracking China. A regular visitor to Dubai and a loyal patron of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Jumeirah spoke to the flamboyant star during his most recent stay

>>featured: Laurence LLeweLyn-Bowen<<

Images taken at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Image taken at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

>>featured: Laurence LLeweLyn-Bowen<<

The interview DiD you set out to achieve celebrity?

so you are a Designer first anD foremost. What is it you

No, not at all. I think that’s probably why it’s worked in quite a relaxed way for me. Twenty years ago I had my own really quite successful design practice – which was fine, it’s what I set out to do, it’s what I was expecting to do – and it was only because Jackie [Llewelyn-Bowen’s wife and business partner] was taking time out of her incredibly successful television career [to work] as a wedding organiser that I was asked to do Changing Rooms. I mean nobody would ever have thought of it. I was very grumpy about it. ‘For god’s sake, why would I want to be on television?’

love about Design?

What is your attituDe to celebrity noW?

I’ve always very much felt you have to be very thoughtful about celebrity. Why are you famous? Why do you enjoy being famous? Is it to be recognised, or is it to use it as a method, as a kind of a tool, part of your armoury for creating business? I’ve always felt very, very strongly since the very beginning that my business is what I do, the television thing, the celebrity thing, is the frosting on top of the cupcake, and so I was very keen when an international presence started burgeoning to ensure there was a business behind it, which is why I created The House of Laurence. We’ve just had the big documentary on the BBC about the business in China and about my expansion all over the world. And it was tough on me. I hadn’t realised before I saw it how ab fab I am. But actually that’s good. It is the real me. Yes, I was grumpy and tired and hungover, and so I was a little bit snappy. That’s what happens.

It’s a language. It’s the ultimate way that you can express yourself without words. The thing that very much interests me about interior design is it is literally that – it is interior, it’s something that you make a decision on that nobody else will judge unless you invite them in. So it gives you an ability to be much more personal about saying what you are and who you are. I suppose the absolute heart of it is that design is the ultimate expression of civilisation. When you are at the most basic level of civilisation you just make something to give you shelter, or to keep you warm, or to keep you fed. As society develops, things stop being made and they start being designed. They start having much more attached to them, these things can be much more complicated and much more multi-layered. And so this is why I believe that a deliberately regressive design, a design that’s deliberately ugly, a design that’s deliberately primitive is not really doing the job properly. What Do you mean by primitive Design?

It’s interesting. You look at a Picasso or something and that’s an interesting exercise, a very interesting exercise, or a particularly difficult to understand contemporary building, it’s interesting. But actually it’s not doing its job properly. Because in fact these things are there to move civilisation on, not to deliberately take civilisation backwards.

you mentioneD the house of laurence. hoW is business?

you anD your Wife, Jackie, are regular visitors to Dubai.

That now is probably the biggest part of what I do. We’re on our 12th store in the Beijing area, we’re moving into Shanghai next year, we’ve done 15 stores in Singapore and Malaysia, and we’re just about to open in Indonesia. That to me is the reality of what I do, what I am. Television recognition or celebrity recognition is a very small but a useful part of it. But I’m not running it down, I’m not embarrassed by it, it’s not something dirty and cheap that I try and deny.

What appeals to you about the emirates?

Dubai is culturally very important. This is the opportunity to create, more or less, a new society, which is that melting pot, which is all the best from the West, all the best from the East, everyone coming together to start something that feels quite new. It’s been interesting to see over the last 10 or 15 years that I’ve been visiting the way that style gets used very, very deliberately as a way of expressing that.

Nick Perry: LUxURy TRaveL TReNDs

Reporting by Danae Mercer and Gareth Rees

Nick Perry, Founder and Chairman of Ultratravel, the large-format, glossy magazine available as a supplement to readers of The Daily Telegraph, The National and Al-Ittihad, has more than 20 years experience working in the field of high-end travel. Jumeirah spoke to Perry about his career and luxury travel trends

>>featured: nick perry<<

The interview Tell me a biT abouT your background, nick. you have a prior connecTion To The middle easT, don’T you?

I used to own and publish a magazine called Business Traveller, for about 20 years, and we did the Middle East version of the magazine. In fact, we had our first Business Traveller Middle East awards at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in 2002. When I sold out of Business Traveller a couple of years later, the whole mood in the industry was towards premium leisure travel. so how did The idea for ulTraTravel evolve?

Premium leisure travel was booming, it was generating the most profit, and the industry was really bemoaning the lack of really good media showcases for the very best luxury travel products. The industry was spending a lot of money developing these products; they were its most visually attractive products. But where could they actually display them? The industry was asking, ‘Where are the really good luxury outlets for the very best premium leisure travel products?’ So the idea of Ultratravel came about, and it was all about the showcase. It started in the UK, and it’s now going into its 12th year, still distributed with The Daily Telegraph as a big, glossy magazine. I then launched Ultratravel Forum, the Ultra Travel awards (the Ultras), Ultratravel events, and we’ve just been involved in the launch of Ultra Travel Collection, which gives smaller luxury groups the chance to be part of a global luxury loyalty programme. so is There sTill demand for luxury Travel producTs?

There is huge demand. Since Ultratravel launched, there was a world recession in 2008, which lasted for a number of years, and fortunately it turned out that the premium sector of the travel industry was the most resilient to the turbulence. Luxury travellers still want to stay in luxury hotels; they are not going to downgrade.

how has The idea of luxury evolved?

The travel product continually needs to become more personal. Real luxury is when you are treated as an individual, and you’re not just stepping into the same hotel room that the last person left and the next person is going to occupy the moment you have left –you’re not just another pebble on the treadmill. Jumeirah has always been very good at name recognition, for example, acknowledging the guest. The one thing every guest has got in common, however much money they’ve got, however old they are, whatever race, religion or colour they are, is that they are all individual people, and it is human nature to want to be treated as an individual. Those that have the best organisation and the best product will think about all their guests as individuals, and that’s what I think, certainly at the top end of the market, people appreciate the most. iT musT be a challenge for hoTels, Travel agenTs and Tour operaTors To caTer To guesTs who have increasingly seen and done iT all.

I don’t think the market is saturated, I think there is always room for new ideas and new innovations. Whenever we do research amongst Ultratravel readers, the word that comes back to us most is ‘experience’. That is what they want. As somebody once said, you are actually living your memories. You might be away for two weeks, but if it’s a great experience, you remember it for the rest of your life. So it’s a very short period of time you’re away, but the memory actually enriches your whole life. The reason why people started getting madly into safaris, for example, is you’re actually going to the animal’s environment, you’re not bringing them to yours, you’re not seeing them in a zoo, you are going into a completely different environment and a completely different experience from your home life. I think that’s what people want. People don’t just want to live their same home life just in a different climate, they actually want to go somewhere where the hotel they stay in and everything around it gives them a taste of that local experience.

The promise of a great adventure! Join us on a magic carpet ride over the Dubai desert. Catch the rising sun at 4000 feet and descent to a vast expanse of golden sand dunes. See roaming camels, galloping gazelles and the mighty Arabian oryx in their natural habitat. Let some of the worldâ€™s most experienced pilots take you on a ride of a lifetime!

BALLOON ADVENTURES EMIRATES For booking and information visit: www.ballooning.ae or phone +971 4 2854949

>>featured: nick perry<<

What effect has technology had on luxury travel?

That is one of the great advantages of social media. If you look at the millions and billions of Instagram posts, for example, the vast majority are not things that people have bought, they are experiences that people are enjoying. They will be of travel experiences, they will be of meals, they will be of sporting events they’re going to, they will be things that they are enjoying with their family and friends. If you went out and bought a new car or a new watch, it probably wouldn’t occur to you to take a picture and Instagram it. When you’ve seen animals in the wild, or you’ve been to a local souk or a local market, when you’ve done something, that’s something that everybody wants to see and share. It’s a great way for people to find out about new experiences and where to go.

beautiful, and I know a lot of young people who come to Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Mina A’Salam and love the whole of Madinat Jumeirah, but Al Naseem is going to have a completely different feel about it. It’s still going to provide the beach and the views, but it’s going to provide a different environment. And that’s what people want. What’s next for Ultratravel?

We want to launch Ultratravel in other parts of the world. We’re working on an Ultratravel TV programme; we work with the hotels on showcasing the very best products, where the products are the subjects of the show rather than in the background. There isn’t a really good TV showcase for luxury travel. I just want there to be as many showcases for the very best premium luxury travel products in whatever media exists.

hoW has this focus on experience affected hotels?

It can happen at the lower end of the market that you get some cookie cutter hotels that are created somewhere and are bussed in. Whereas at the top end of the market, the idea that a hotel can just be the same everywhere, and that this works in this market and will therefore work in other markets, I think that’s done. I think people expect a hotel – the staff, the experience – to be indigenous and to give them that local experience. What do you mean by a local experience?

Well, for example, we’re sitting in Jumeirah Al Qasr, which is a beautiful hotel open for many years, two doors down what Jumeirah is going to produce for Al Naseem is going to be right for a 2016 audience. This is still

Gold medal In November, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was voted the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ by readers of Ultratravel Middle East magazine. The hotel was also voted ‘Best Hotel in Dubai’, the UAE, and the Middle East. The Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray won ‘Best Spa in the UAE’. Winners received Ultras – Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards – at the ‘Ultratravel 100 Awards’ held at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

AVAILABLE IN Dubai Duty Free â€“ All Terminals (Dubai International Airport) PRIMA GOLD OUTLETS IN DUBAI

Mall of the Emirates Dubai Mall Al Ghurair Center Burjuman Center +971 4 341 0568 +971 4 388 2550 +971 4 228 0983 +971 4 355 1988 Also available in selected Malabar Gold & Diamond outlets

LIFESTYLE 46 The Luxury of Truth Why high-end brands are creating bespoke documentaries

Image: Getty

50 Refreshing Resolutions Detox in the new year

Image: Presentation of the collection of Christian Dior in Paris, 1954

>>fashion<<

The luxury of TruTh With luxury brands enlisting documentaries to engage audiences tuning out of traditional advertising, how do filmmakers and brands successfully balance creativity with commerce? Georgina Wilson-Powell reports

Since 2009’s The September Issue, the behind-the-scenes documentary on Vogue, there has been a raft of luxury fashion, jewellery and retail brands jumping on the ‘heritage’ bandwagon. One of the latest is Frederic Tcheng’s Dior and I, a lovingly crafted low-key look at Raf Simon’s first couture collection as Creative Director at Dior in 2012. Simon had just eight weeks to make his impression on not only the front row but also a team of over 100 seamstresses working for the Parisian atelier, some of whom had worked at Dior for four decades. Variety reviewed it favourably, noting: “As carefully crafted as the clothes is Tcheng’s well-considered direction, privileging the creative process over stereotyped glamour or backstabbing.” As did The Times: “The most interesting element about the documentary Dior and I... is the insight we get into the process and the skilled artists in the atelier that elevates this above the standard fashion hagiography.” Compare this to the many scathing reviews of Matthew Miele’s Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s, a 2013 documentary showcasing the famous New York luxury department store. “A fawning, attention-deficit infomercial of a documentary,” said The Guardian. “The whole thing feels like a dreary 94-minute advert,” laments Time Out. Arguably, hiring a director and a film crew can be a gamble for a brand’s reputation. Watching Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s is a dizzying experience. The focus is on the brand and what it means to people (with an implication that

you should care about what they think, as they are socialites and celebrities), rather than Tcheng’s open, honest recording of the ups and down, fights, frowns and camaraderie at one of the last ateliers in the world. Tcheng cut his fashion teeth on Matt Tyrnauer’s Valentino: The Last Emperor as a co-editor. While Dior and I and Valentino: The Last Emperor couldn’t be more different, (Valentino is a flashy, gossipy rollercoaster ride, with a designer happy to perform for the cameras), both documentaries lead with the personal rather than the brand. “On Valentino, that was a big discussion, how do we make this a universal story? How do we make people relate to this personally, not just as fashion entertainment?” Says Tcheng. In Dior and I, the only talking heads come from within Dior. There is no outside opinion of the brand and very little context. It is what’s going on inside the atelier that is the story, not the atelier itself. “Keep brand screen time to an absolute minimum, otherwise the audience feels it has been tricked an switches off, “ says Christian Gill, a film producer who has worked on a range of documentaries for brands such as Bulgari, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana. What one gets from Tcheng in Dior and I is subtly observant empathy. He spent nine months editing scenes that balance an echo of Christian Dior’s

‘‘

‘‘ >>fashion<<

From the beginning I was interested in putting the seamstresses on equal footing with the designers. It’s an ensemble cast and an encounter between the forwardlooking designer and the traditional based artisans

legacy under a new modern director, the seamstresses’ joi de vivre, and the shy protagonist’s last-minute terror of facing his first Dior front row. For the latter, there are tears. The result is an insight into the world of fashion wrapped with human stories. “From the beginning I was interested in putting the seamstresses on equal footing with the designers. It’s an ensemble cast and an encounter between the forward looking designer and the traditional based artisans,” explains Tcheng. Making the audience care This crafting of a story is integral to a successful brand-focused documentary, says Gill. “All brands think audiences are desperate to know about their product. In reality audiences rarely care. That’s why making interesting, beautiful documentary films help brands come across as authentic and with integrity. Once you have the interest of the viewers, they remember your brands in a better light.” Equally important is determining in pre-production what the expectations are on both the brand and director’s side. “The best way for brands to get involved is to allow the director to have a research period before a job in which they can look for a story,” says Gill. “Too many brands, and even creative directors at agencies feel the need to participate in the direction of the film, but they should have already had their discussion over how the product works. They should then be as hands-off as possible to allow the director (whom they have chosen, and like the style of) to do their work.”

Tcheng was partially protected by a French law that gives creative authority to the filmmaker. He also clarified what Dior expected from the film prior to the shoot. “I was very conscious of that in the beginning and I worked extra hard to make sure the film was a personal and human story. It wasn’t a brand story because I don’t know how to make those films. I make films about real people because that what interests me.” The fact that films like The September Issue and Dior and I have been released at the cinema indicates how our engagement with brands has changed.

“As the media landscape has changed with the decreasing power of TV in the face of multiple platform online, so the audience’s relationship with advertising has evolved,” explains Gill. “Documentary-style films will suggest a brand has more integrity and authenticity than aspirational or hard-product-sale driven advertising. This approach allows the brand to borrow some of the authenticity that is associated with this style of filmmaking.” The popularity for brand-related documentaries ties to how individuals interact with films and fashion. In general, people want to be seen as knowledgeable, authentic and of interest to social media peers. Sharing content allows the levering all of those things – but it also contributes to a brand’s success. “You can see why the documentary – historically a vehicle to deliver information in a non-partisan way – is becoming so interesting to brands,” says Gill.

refreshing resolutions

Photography: farooq salik and syed Ali

Whether your mind needs a break or your fitness a jumpstart after the festive season, read on to find the perfect detox solution for you

View from the beach at the Madinat Jumeirah

>>detox<<

You have

Immense amounts of stress and tension TrY

A yoga retreat We Tried

The three-day retreat with Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah WhaT iT promises

‘These three-day retreats are designed to embrace tranquillity in the serene and regal surroundings of the luxury beachside Arabian Resort of Dubai. The retreats specifically cater to practitioners of all ages and skill levels, offering a balanced mix of yoga and relaxation techniques, as well as Talise Spa’s signature sunset yoga evenings on the resort’s two kilometres of private beach. Included in the retreat are six yoga classes, two breakfasts, one juicing class, one detox lecture, an exclusive two-hour spa detox treatment, two infrared sauna sessions, and two days of beach access. Guests can enjoy 20 percent off additional spa treatments.’ WhaT iT acTuallY is

The retreat starts on a Thursday with sunset yoga. With the gentle sound of the waves, the changing colours of the sky, and the endlessly soothing voice of yoga instructor Vijay Sharma, things could not be more serene. “A yogi never gives up,” Sharma states repeatedly throughout the weekend. And when poses become challenging, he offers constant encouragement “If it is possible, why not?” After morning yoga on Friday, an exquisite breakfast with healthy dishes (like avocado layered with sweet potato, fresh fruit, multigrain muffins, yoghurt parfaits, and still-in-theshell coconut water) eaten on the beach is followed by a detox lecture, a treatment, and time in the spa. This is all concluded by yoga at sunset. The process is repeated on the following day. Owing to the intimate size of the retreat, Sharma is able to work with students one-on-one during the class, helping everyone from beginners to advanced yogis alike. The resulTs

A sore body, tightened muscles, new understanding of healthy food, and an amazing feeling of relaxation. After five yoga sessions in three days, we ache from using muscles we haven’t in months. The one-on-one sessions with Sharma have helped drastically improve poses and positions. We even made it into a handstand, something not dared in years. The words of inspiration from the instructor (‘never give up, a yogi never gives up’, and ‘there should always be joy in this’) helped refresh and relax our mind. Regular meditation at the end of sessions also led to a feeling of increased peace and calm. This, combined with all the other facets of the detox retreat resulted in a renewed, cleansed feeling. GreaT for

Someone who wants an all-over detox, from body to mind hoW

Visit jumeirah.com, email mjtalise@jumeirah.com, or phone +971 04366 6818

You have

Stomach problems and perhaps a few uninvited post-holiday-feasting pounds TrY

A food refresh, like going raw and vegan for several days We Tried

Detox Delight’s Botanical Delight WhaT iT promises

‘We want you to feel beautiful, vital and full of energy – and we can help you reach this goal. Our cold-pressed juices, vegan soups and raw food meals are there with you each step of the way on your healthy lifestyle mission. Become the best possible version of yourself: healthier, more energetic and with a body that looks and feels good.’ WhaT iT acTuallY is

Our tester braved the five day ‘Botanical Delight’ detox. This package features one breakfast (usually homemade granola with soy yoghurt and a fruit mousse, or a smoothie with healthy fats), one lunch (innovative salads star here, ranging from zucchini sweet potato with mushroom parsley ragout to an exquisite cucumber, tomato, black olive dish with a lemon juice, olive oil, and maple syrup dressing), one dinner (creative rethinks of classic dishes feature, like a ‘skinny green risotto’ made with buckwheat, or a delightful ‘curry lemongrass soup’ with sweet potato and edamame), and two juices. Particularly nice was the ‘chocolate mint shake’, a drink made with cashews, filtered water, raw cacao powder, mint and stevia; and the flavourful Sudinisches Dhal, which combined flavourful chilli, garlic, and ginger with delicious lentils and rich coconut milk. The resulTs

After five days, our tester was off caffeine, had glowing skin, was sleeping better, and felt less bloated than she had in months. The food never became boring, as it changed every day with considerable variation; and the dishes, delivered in the morning to any location around the UAE, were incredibly convenient to access. The detox served as a reset to her diet, helping remind what constitutes a healthy portion (notso-secret insight: not as big as is often served at restaurants), and just what it feels like to be fuelling her body with the best fruits and vegetables available. GreaT for

Those who want to lose a few post-holiday pounds or jumpstart their clean eating resolution. hoW

Visit Detox-Delight.ae or phone Talise Spa to organise an entire detox day

Yogi Vijay Sharma

>>detox<< Chef Gabi creates juices

Detox in your kitchen Talise Wellness Executive Chef Gabriele Kurz is an expert in health and nutrition. Responsible for creating healthy dining alternatives across Jumeirah Group, her cooking and educational classes, nutritional advisory, and diabetic/obesity consultations are popular throughout the UAE. After spending an afternoon cooking with her, here’s what we learned Make a vegetable stock by slowly simmering roughly chopped vegetables in water. “It’s one Detox Delight juices

of my key bits of advice. And don’t be afraid to throw away the vegetables once your done. All the benefits are in the stock, and this helps bring the body into an alkaline state.” If juice fasting, try something savoury as well. Here’s where the vegetable broth comes in again. “It has such a comforting effect on the body.” Don’t be afraid of carbs. They’re important and crucial. Just eat the healthy ones and avoid highly processed white carbs, which are converted quickly into sugars. Go green with papaya. “This is the secret to beautiful skin. It supports the liver. Drink it for three days, and you will see it on your skin, definitely.” As green papaya tastes slightly bitter, mix it with apples or other fruit. Be sweet on potato. Sweet potato in particular carries numerous benefits, offering added fibre and vitamin C. You can even juice them. “I was always shy about this, but they’re actually really nice to juice.” Enjoy chia seeds. These little nutritional powerhouses help gel together liquid (like almond milk) to create a thick consistency. They have been widely hailed as one of the world’s best sources of several important nutrients on a calorie for calorie basis, loaded with fibre, protein, and Omega-3s. Try turmeric. “It’s great for anti-inflammation.” Used a lot in Chinese and Indian medicine, this bright yellow spice has been widely hailed for its

Detox Delight smoothie

numerous health benefits. For more information, visit talisenutrition.com

You have

Dull, tired, mid-winter skin TrY

A skin detox We Tried

The Power of the Sea treatment offered at Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah iT promises

‘Enriched with nutrients of the ocean, combining the richness of sea plants and marine minerals, this treatment detoxifies on all levels. A pampering exfoliation leaves your skin nourished and soft. Relax with a mini-facial as a conditioning hair mask purifies your scalp. For the finale, a luscious body lotion seals in moisture, leaving your body silky smooth.’ WhaT iT acTuallY is

The treatment starts with access to Talise Spa’s impressive facilities. These include a plunge pool, a sauna, a steam room, rain showers, lounge areas, and more. The treatment itself, lasting two hours, begins with an invigorating detoxing scrub made of green tea, brown sugar, and vanilla. After a warm shower, a therapist applies an algae and seaweed wrap as you lounge in a heated bed, then provides a fortifying head massage and mini facial. To end everything, lotion is soothingly massaged into your skin. The resulTs

The whole process claims to be detoxing, and it’s exactly that. Skin glows at the end, feeling smooth and refreshed. There’s also a noticeable bit of increased firmness. GreaT for

Someone who wants to unwind, relax, and emerge with detoxed toned skin. hoW

Visit jumeirah.com, email mjtalise@jumeirah.com, or phone +971 04366 6818

>>detox<<

Goodie baGs Can an iV cure all ills? international journalist Phill Tromans visits a spa to try this new trend “Would you like to come and try Drip & Chill?” reads the email that dropped into my inbox. I stare at it blankly. Should I know what this is? Closer inspection reveals this to be about intravenous therapy, a wellness product that’s quite the in-thing in the US and is becoming more popular around the world. The principal is simple: instead of necking multivitamin pills when you’re feeling a bit run-down, why not get that goodness straight into the bloodstream? It does, at first glance, seem something of a drastic process. Swallowing a couple of vitamin Cs is one thing, but being hooked up to a drip when not in some kind of emergency situation is another. Curiosity overcoming squeamishness, I decide to give it a go, and respond to the email sent by the newly opened EF Medispa clinic in London’s Canary Wharf. A day before my appointment I indicate my treatment preference on the firm’s website, and opt to go for an Athletic Performance concoction, being on something of a gym fix at the moment. After answering 50 questions about my medical history, I’m shown a list of chemicals tailored for my specific requirements. They include L-Glutamine, which purports to reduce muscles breakdown and improve protein metabolism, as well as vitamins A, C, D, magnesium and zinc; all good stuff that’ll be siphoned into a bag for me. Nestled between the skyscraper headquarters of banks and city traders, EF Medispa also houses a facility for treatments like Botox and teeth whitening. After filling in a form confirming my medical history, I’m sat in a very comfortable chair and a nurse comes to say hello. All the staff are fully medically trained, which is reassuring. My blood pressure is taken and a needle stuck into my right arm, which is no worse a feeling than getting a jab or giving blood. Then the custom bag of bright yellow liquid is drained into me. It takes about 20 minutes, during which time I chat with other clients and wonder what I’m meant to feel. After 10 minutes, my arm feels a bit heavy, but a dramatic transformation fails to appear. Perhaps my visions of Popeye eating his spinach were a touch optimistic. Still, the people are friendly and professional and there are plenty of herbal teas to choose from. After leaving and going on my way, I can’t help feeling that I should have deliberately had a heavy evening the night before the treatment, as I was actually feeling pretty chipper before it began. Consequently, in the hours after I feel a little bit hyper but otherwise much the same, which is disappointing for a treatment that costs £225 ($348) a pop. However, the idea of mainlining vitamins when the body is crying out for nourishment seems a sensible and logical one – far more effective than a fizzy glass of multivitamins and a lie down. It’s proved popular enough for EF Medispa to have five clinics in London and Birmingham, and other drip n’ chill locations are popping up around the world. Maybe the next time deadline day has pushes me to breaking point, I’ll try it again.

TRAVEL 58 Global Tastes Travel the world without leaving Dubai 63 Mission: Not-at-all Impossible Behind-the-scenes with a luxury concierge 66 Mind, Body and Soul How celebrities get ready for the red carpet 68 Dine, Do, Discover Escape to the Maldives with cuisine 78 Secret Spaces Unwind in the renovated Beit Al Bahar villas

Image: Getty

82 The High Life Try Mundo at Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Images: Getty

>>travel<<

global

TasTes

Travel the world without ever leaving Dubai through these three international restaurants

The Mediterranean About: Made up of land from three continents (North Africa, Southern Europe, and Western Asia) that wrap around the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean region is a diverse mixing of numerous cultures. Food here has become particularly popular in the last few years for its numerous health benefits. Featuring grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, herbs and spices, nuts, olive oil, and fresh fish, sweets and sugars are limited. Drinking a glass of wine with dinner is common. Dine in DubAi: Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah DetAils: This high-end Mediterranean seafood restaurant perches out on a pier at Jumeirah Al Qasr, creating a beautifully luxurious over-the-water dining experience. try: The new Pierchic â€˜Brunch en Blancâ€™. The brunch menu features an internationally sourced seafood platter with lobster caught off the coast of Oman, Norwegian prawns, deliciously smoked salmon from the Severn and Wye Valley, and fresh clams and mussels from New Zealand. This is served alongside grilled prawns, a whipped lobster bisque, succulent roast beef or fish of the day, and a beautiful meringue dessert.

South West France About: Often known for its exceptional wine, the southwestern region of France also has a strong history of great food. Meats and cheeses are the most popular. The former spans dishes like cassoulet (meat and bean stew), Toulouse sausage, foie gras, and confit (goose or duck leg cooked in its own fat). As for the latter, the variety is vast. The Roquefort, made from ewe’s milk, is particularly striking, as is the Rocamadour with goat’s milk. Sweets are also present in the form of cakes like fénétra, a meringue and marzipan dish flavoured with candied lemons and apricot marmalade. Dine in DubAi: Imperium, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray DetAils: Opulent and impressive, Imperium features French food amidst gilded columns, crystal chandeliers, and a sea-facing terrace. try: The elegant Friday brunch. Food from South West France, as well as from other regions, is presented in the most exquisite fashion. Expect seafood, terrines, a carving grill, delicate goose liver placed atop crunchy bread, and more. Keep an eye out for dishes from Toulouse, like the glazed goat cheese with frisée salad and honey vinaigrette, the delicate salmon en croute, or the cassoulet de Toulouse; and cuisine from Bordeaux, including the regional spinach salad with walnut vinaigrette and the steamed mussels with lemon-saffron sauce.

>>travel<<

Dolomites Northern Italy About: This mountain range, located in Northern Italy, features such striking beauty that in 2009 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is popular for skiing, climbing, and other outdoor pursuits. Food here has traditionally been simple and hearty. Speck, a smoked raw ham, is one of the best known meats, while lucanica (fresh sausage) and pancetta (Italian bacon) from Trentino are also quite popular. Mushrooms, cheese, and honey also play prominent roles in dishes. The honey often comes in flavours like honeydew, dandelion, and acacia, and can be served alongside the pungent flavours of the region’s cheeses. Dine in DubAi: Alta Badia, Jumeirah Emirates Towers DetAils: Taking inspiration from the Italian Dolomites, this chic restaurant offers the perfect blend of authentic Italian cuisine, elegant ambience and warm service. try: The restaurant’s new ‘Aperidinner’ concept. Inspired by the trend in Italian cities of pairing an aperitif with dinner to mark the end of a working day, Alta Badia’s offering features select aperitifs alongside a set menu. Upon sitting, decadent focaccia and thick-crusted brown bread are served warm to the table. Following a beautifully plated starter, mains like homemade cavatelli pasta with clams, mussels, and cherry tomatoes, and a tender slow-cooked lamb shoulder placed atop a creamy bed of potatoes, are offered. For information on any of these global restaurants, or on any other dining options across Jumeirah’s properties, visit jumeirah.com

>>travel<<

Mission: not-at-all iMpossible

Images: Getty

Whether itâ€™s finding an expert to shine diamond shoes or procuring a helicopter on short notice, Jumeirahâ€™s London concierges have accomplished it all. Claire Hill, Jumeirahâ€™s blogger and international traveller, reports

>>travel<<

t begins with good service. Les Clefs d’Or. It’s a prestigious organisation and international network of hotel concierges who are committed to promoting professionalism and solidarity in the industry. A well-known saying among members is to provide ‘service through friendship,’ and it’s a motto Jumeirah Group concierges are proud to live by. Regularly tasked with negotiating tables at ‘fully booked’ restaurants or creating elaborate celebrations at the drop of a hat, the team work around the clock to ensure their first response to a guest request will never be no. So what do some of those requests look like? If you’re curious, read on…

Diamond shoes During his 17 year career at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Head Concierge Jason Laker Jones has dealt with a whole manner of requests, ranging from the mundane to the magnificent. He might be searching for a horse-drawn carriage one minute and booking a helicopter transfer the next. “I’ll never forget the guest who arrived at the desk one day with a pair of diamond encrusted shoes. They were worth GBP20,000 and he asked us to have them professionally cleaned.” Worthy of more than just a simple polish, the team located a diamond dealer who agreed to help. The guest was delighted with the result and proudly strolled back into the lobby sporting his dazzling diamond shoes. Then came his next request: “I need a helicopter and a smoked salmon sandwich to go.” Within 20 minutes, an S-Class Mercedes had whisked the gentleman (complete with sandwich) off to the heliport and he was up and away.

Passports, cakes, and clippers There was once a request for a gluten-free, dairy-free cake shaped like a black panther. The team managed to have one made and delivered that same day. Another guest called from Heathrow airport after realising his passport was still in the hotel safe. Jones, the Head Concierge, took the matter into his own hands, personally delivering the item after beating the London traffic on his motorbike. Still another guest came with a rather unusual question: Where can I find a pair of sheep shearing clippers? By scouring the internet and an extensive contact list, the item was eventually tracked down on the other side of the world. Of course, this presented another challenge: the guest needed to take the clippers back to the Middle East and was scheduled to leave the UK

that week. Within three days they had arrived from New Zealand and were sent to the guest (who was spending his last few days out of town).

A travel companion For some, circumstances mean they may need to stay at the hotel for long periods of time. Special bonds are made and lifelong friendships can develop. One elderly guest stayed at the hotel for a year while visiting a poorly relative in hospital. When she returned to her native France, a member of staff escorted her back and spent a few days helping her to resettle. For the team, it was a straightforward decision to make. “This particular lady had sadly just lost one of her only relatives. It felt appropriate for a team member to accompany her back to France,” Jones explains.

Tooth fairy visits Over at Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living, the team is just as well-versed. A ‘normal’ week might include scheduling impromptu visits from fantasy folklore figures or arranging a lavish children’s birthday party for 70 guests (complete with its own set design, dinosaurs and fire-breathers, then sending a Rolls-Royce to collect several boxes of chicken nuggets from the birthday boy’s favourite fast-food restaurant). The team do their utmost to make everything happen. Head Concierge Dan McCaskie explains how the team rallied round to help one of their younger guests who had experienced a particularly stressful few days in the capital. During a trip to Hyde Park, the girl had accidentally fallen into the Serpentine lake and arrived back at the property somewhat dishevelled. On speaking to other Jumeirah staff, he noticed she had a wobbly tooth. A few days later, her smile revealed the tooth had fallen out. Such strong rapport existed between the team and the family that a lifestyle assistant seized the opportunity and arrived at the family’s room one evening dressed as the tooth fairy. Claire Hill is PR Manager and Copywriter, Jumeirah Group. On a weekly basis, new stories about Hill’s travels from across the luxurious world of Jumeirah will be posted on the Jumeirah blog. Every month, her highlights will appear here. For more information, visit experiencejumeirah.com. For more information about any of Jumeirah’s luxurious London properties, visit jumeirah.com.

mind, body and soul Celebrities have been known to use natura bissé when preparing for Hollywood red carpet events. now you can too, thanks to a recent launch by Jumeirah Zabeel saray

What’s new: Natura Bissé, a high-end exclusive luxury skincare company, has designed seven refined new treatments to help reveal and create beautiful skin. Particularly nice is the Diamond White Glowing Mask, a soothing treatment that restores skin’s luminosity and hydration. About the spa: The award-winning Talise Ottoman Spa, located in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai, is luxuriously decadent. The largest spa in the Middle East, it spans over 8,000 sqm, with 42 individual treatment rooms and facilities divided into male, female, and couples sections. Offerings include: three traditional Turkish hammams; snow rooms; sauna and steam rooms; Jacuzzis; heated marble stone beds; Thai gardens; a fully equipped gym; two indoor thalassotherapy swimming pools; relaxation areas; and more. The experts say: “People are very wise now. They’re looking for good products, not just brand and marketing. After all, with a skin cream, you wear it every day. You know if it’s performing or not. So you really want something that works. Our aim is that you don’t need any makeup, but that your natural skin is your makeup as much as possible.” – Ricardo Fisas, CEO, Natura Bissé Middle East To book: Call the spa team on +971 44530456 or email JZStalise@jumeirah.com

>>travel<<

dIne, dO,

dIscOver

Images: Getty

A collection of islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives makes for a perfect holiday retreat. Hereâ€™s how you can dine and do times two

>>travel<<

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi

>>travel<<

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi Going back in time to days of Maldives’ past, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi exists as an exclusive, incredibly private gem of an island. Surrounded by natural beauty, the two islands create a feeling of being alone, tranquil and serene, in paradise. Given Dhevanafushi is one of the Maldives’ most remote islands, none of this should come as a surprise.

DINE with a private island picnic

Sometimes the most luxurious things are the simplest, like eating good food with a loved one in a beautiful setting. Sneak away to a private island with this beautifully uncomplicated offer. Surrounded by blue ocean and cream sand, you can sip a chilled glass of champagne then indulge in a pre-discussed feast of your choice. All of this is done in an environment like no other: one shared just between you and your guest.

DO relax at the ‘Luxury Island Spa of the Year’

Perched over the water, with glass-floored panels offering views of the colourful marine world underneath, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi’s Talise Spa is uniquely beautiful. The stunning setting, combined with exceptional staff, has helped the spa win numerous accolades. Among these are: ‘Luxury Island Spa of the Year – Maldives’ by the Luxury Travel Guide; ‘Maldives’ Best Hotel Spa’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Hotel Spa’ at the World Spa Awards 2015; ‘Best Luxury Emerging Spa’ at the 2013 Spa Awards; and more.

DINE with the locals

Local Maldivian cuisine is a fascinating combination of mainly coconut (juiced, oiled, shredded, dried) and fish (most often tuna, occasionally also dried). Tuna is mixed into curries, joined with breakfast dishes in a sweet-andsavoury fashion, stuffed with onion and chilli into dumplings, processed into a thick fish-based paste, and more. At Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, much of the fresh vegetables and fish are provided by local suppliers and nearby islands.

DO snorkel directly off the beach

Given the hidden-gem nature of the island, you can swim for 30 seconds from the beach and be surrounded by coral reef. While the property provides complimentary snorkels and fins, the best way to explore the reef is with an experienced guide who will talk you through the nuances of the Indian Ocean. Look out for sea turtles, reef sharks, dolphins and an amazing variety of gorgeous tropical fish.

SLEEP in a 306 sqm villa with a private pool

There are rooms, and then there is this: a luxurious multi-room retreat nestled against the beach, offering an exclusive cabana, private pool, tropical garden, separate living room, and more. To say the space is massive would be an understatement. The bed itself is 3-by-2 metres. Added to this is the luxury of a personal 24-hour butler. Together, the elements make this villa the sort of place you won’t ever want to leave, not during your trip, and certainly not after.

Jumeirah Vittaveli Ocean Suites

>>travel<<

Jumeirah Vittaveli Only a short luxurious motorised catamaran boat ride from Malé, the capital of the Maldives, this property offers luxury alongside convenient central access. The range of options both in terms of activities and restaurants is vast. This, combined with natural beauty and strikingly clear water, makes Jumeirah Vittaveli a tempting multi-day retreat.

DINE with a meal of over 30 mini-dishes

In Swarna, the newly opened beachside Indian venue, you can feast for hours on end. The restaurant takes thali, a traditional Indian meal made up from a selection of dishes, and adds in an infusion of luxury. Beverages follow a similar theme, featuring things like ‘Tamarind Margarita’ or ‘Swarna Chai’. The layout features open-air cabanas in a Maharaja-style lagoon-facing garden.

DO get active over the water, in the water, or on a bike It’s incredibly hard to become bored at Jumeirah Vittaveli. Whether you decide to hop on the complimentary bike conveniently placed outside your room and cycle around the island, board a boat to go snorkelling in exquisite coral reefs, or take a personal training lesson in the over-water gym, there are numerous entertainment options. And thanks to various activities aimed at children and teenagers (like treasure hunts, a separate pool area, and movie nights), families can easily join in the fun.

DINE with a private in-room champagne breakfast

Sushi. Champagne. Fresh eggs. Fresh fruit. Fresh bread. Mugs of steaming coffee and delightfully chilled orange juice. All this can be enjoyed from your own villa, sat at a private table for two, while you gaze out along your own stretch of beach towards the ocean. The meal takes privacy and intimacy to a whole new level.

DO play a round of eco-friendly ocean golf

Sometimes, between lounging in gorgeous cabanas and swimming in beautiful clear water, you feel the urge to get a bit competitive. Fortunately there’s a conveniently placed plot of faux grass on one of the piers. From it, you can hit eco-friendly biodegradable fish-food golf balls out into the water. Or if you prefer your challenges in intellectual packages, you can enjoy a round of supersized outdoor chess.

SLEEP over the water and by the beach

Clever guests spend several nights enjoying the luxury of a beachside villa (with a private beach, complimentary bikes, natural landscaping, pools, outdoor swings, outdoor showers, outdoor bathrooms, and more) before relocating into one of the property’s over-the-water villas. From these, the ocean is at your doorstep. A private infinity pool also makes a scenic spot for beautiful sunrise and sunset photos. Or enjoy the Ocean Suites, accessible only by boat. For more information on Jumeirah Vittaveli and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, visit jumeirah.com

>>travel<<

Secret SpaceS perfect for the most discerning guests, the luxurious Beit al Bahar villas at Jumeirah Beach Hotel offer privacy and space Unwind this January in the recently refurbished Beit Al Bahar villas. These 19 private spaces offer a tranquil hideaway nestled between lush foliage and beautiful water features. Featuring a private express check-in and check-out, you can glide through the initial steps of your stay, drop your bags in the spacious living room (pictured here), and gaze out towards the nearby ocean. At your doorstep is a private swimming pool. If you want something larger, you have exclusive access to the Executive Pool (along with your own private cabana). After a relaxing swim, you can enjoy complimentary daily afternoon tea in your villa, as well as pre-dinner canapĂŠs and cocktails. If you feel like something more active, you have endless access to Wild Wadi Waterparkâ„˘, as well as a complimentary scuba diving session in the hotel pool. This is all complimented by a dedicated 24-hour butler service, meaning if you feel like simply relaxing in the airy, recently renovated villas, all the resources of Jumeirah Beach Hotel will still be at your fingertips. For more information, visit jumeirah.com/jumeirah-beach-hotel

>>lifestyle<<

>>Your guide to living the jet-set lifestYle with jumeirah<<

The high life:

Mundo, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai

What: This newly opened international restaurant brings a world of

The chefs: Are present and interactive. Expect live cooking sta-

flavours to Dubai. Cuisine spans dishes from the Mediterranean, Middle

tions that add an element of performance, creating a theatrical

East, India, and Asia, allowing diners to enjoy food from the four cor-

feel to the feast. This also means food can be crafted exactly

ners of the world.

to suit any pallet.

The vibe: Sleek and vibrant with an energetic, youthful feel.

Don’t miss: The Asian street food. Dishes are inspired by Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Macau.

The experts say: “We want the food to rekindle memories of home. Mundo is new but familiar; it is classic yet reassuring,” explains Sven

A particular favourite: The overall diversity of the restaurant.

Wiedenhaupt, General Manager, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

WIth a focus on change, Mundo has a dynamic rotation of dishes. Every day there is something different.

The hours: Unlike most restaurants, Mundo stays open between break-

fast and lunch. “Each station will be progressively modified to eventually

For more information, visit mundo.ae, call +971043198754, email

evolve into the recognisable brunch experience,” says Wiedenhaupt.

mundo@jumeirah.com