featured: john malkovich
we could find a house in France that we could live in part-time in the 1990s. I already knew France quite well, so we drove from Paris to Normandy along the Atlantic coast to Brittany and further south looking for a place.
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai.
Eventually we found a farm in the Luberon that was owned by a South African woman called Betty Woolpert and she decided to sell it to us. We still have it and although don't live there any more we go whenever we can. It's in a lovely area, midway between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. Istanbul is a powerful city. I first visited around 12 years ago, which wasn't as soon as I had wanted to. I'd read a lot about it and loved the idea of it. Part of the appeal is the geography, with the Bosphorus cutting between Asia and Europe. I recently stayed by the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and it was fascinating to go out onto the terrace of my hotel and see the constant traffic – people from the European side going to Asia and vice versa. The city is such an interesting mixture of culture, history and religion. I’m shocked at the extent Shanghai has changed. I'd spent a number of weeks there in 1987 and my wife and I went back about four or five years ago. The city, which was enormous in 1987, was a completely different world. I had a hard time believing that I'd been there before. It's like New York multiplied by 4,000.
In hIs footsteps Be InspIred By John MalkovIch’s travels By checkIng Into these JuMeIrah propertIes.
Jumeirah himalayas hotel, shanghai. Jumeirah’s stylish wing of the Himalayas Center has five bars
I love travelling for food. My wife went to university in Beijing so she knows it quite well. One of the best meals I've eaten was at the J E Mansion. It's a kind of modern reinterpretation of an alleged ancient Chinese style and the food was extraordinary, with a bit of Cantonese and a bit of Sichuan cuisine. San Sebastían in the Basque Country springs to mind for great food, too.
and restaurants, an urban spa and 5,000-square-metre rooftop infinity garden. Designed by Arata Isozaki, every aspect of the hotel symbolises unity, prosperity and good luck.
Contact +86 21 3858 0888, jumeirah.com. pera palace hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul.
Vienna is Europe's most liveable city. It's what they say and I'd have to concur. It has wonderful architecture, history and culture. I have friends there and I've worked there a great deal over the years.
This iconic property, located in the vibrant Beyoglu district, combines timeless glamour with traditional Turkish hospitality. The hotel has 115 rooms and suites boasting authentic 19th Century features. Make time for afternoon tea in the opulent
I live on the road. We do have a house next to Boston though, as well as the house in Provence. Both are interesting places, but if I go out when I'm in Provence, it's to the grocery store or the hardware store. There is also a lovely bike path along an old railroad that I sometimes explore.
Kubbeli Lounge – a much-loved institution that is a favourite among residents and tourists alike.
Contact +90 212 377 4000, jumeirah.com.
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