through the enthralled crowd on stilts, pouring champagne and offering delicate, ambrosial tidbits, both savoury and sweet. The following two days offered so many absolutely fascinating press talks to attend that my head has still not stopped spinning. Back to back press events were held like clockwork over two days – exhausting yes, but the ultimate reward – being among the first to learn about incredible new hotels that had either recently opened or were set to open in the near future. For example, how could one’s curiosity not be piqued by the thought of staying in an intimate, 12-room hotel called the “Hotel Splendide Royal” in Paris?
We also enjoyed a private in-villa gastronomic dinner for the media coordinated by award-winning Chef Juan Pablo Loza and the team at Rosewood Mayakoba. Served to the accompaniment of a fabulous Mariachi band and endless bubbly and tequila, the evening was designed to highlight their stunning new villa selections. International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) is a portfolio of global, regional and specialist luxury travel events. Alongside the global flagship event in Cannes, ILTM NEW JETSETTERS GLOSS MAGAZINE
The Suite Life - Vancouver’s Loden Hotel Swan Lake
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Ambiance
Bar Longhi
How about new life being breathed into an iconic New York City building (with an interesting history of its own) after decades of being abandoned? “The Beekman” opened in August in the Big Apple’s City Hall district, the original site of “Temple Court”, built in 1883, home to 200 whitecollar businesses from accountants, lawyers, publishers and press agents. Charmingly, each of the nine floors features an original “floor drop” section, where the floor was able to swing open to allow for a safe to be pulled up by rope (before three elevators were installed in later years) The Beekman is fully expected to become “New York City’s Next Iconic Hotel”. I hope to make it there in 2017 to find out exactly what makes it so special! Also of interest is the new kid on the Miami Beach “block” – the 206 room Nobu Hotel, part of the legendary Eden Rock brand and the Oberoi Al Zorah in Dubai, which boasts 247 acres of forest for exploring the bio diversity of the region. All this being said – and I’ve said a LOT – I haven’t even touched on some of the wonderful evening festivities such as a night sailing aboard a catamaran with a non-stop flow of champagne and delicious hors d’ouvres and an astonishing surprise- a light show from the soon to open Andaz property.
With only 77 room and suites, this hotel has a nice, intimate atmosphere. The lobby is small, with an appealing residential feel. The warm, calming tones of chocolate, ivory and caramel and generous use of dark wood and striated marble make this a lobby you actually like to linger in. Cozy sofas invite you to sit, even if just for a moment, and the use of table-lamps and a candlelit fireplace add an appealing glow. A small alcove off the lobby houses a fabulous little self-serve coffee bar serving Nespresso and TWG Tea from 3:00 AM to 10:00 AM, they also offer “Electra-Townie” bikes (complimentary) so that you can explore more of the city and the seawall. They also offer something that many healthconscious New Jetsetters will love – as an extension to the “BeFit Gym” on the premises, The Loden can provide expert guides to accompany you on treks to explore the beautiful Lower Mainland area, or show you some of the most spectacular biking trails, all designed with fitness in mind and customized to your level of fitness. They call it “WanderFIT” and we think it’s a fabulous option for active guests. The Loden “prides itself in the personal touches, high-end amenities, and being a central, quiet place to escape and unwind”. We think they have good reason to be proud. Restaurants Regrettably, we did not have time to have a meal at Tableau Bar Bistro, Loden’s award-winning neighbourhood bar-bistro, which is accessed directly from the hotel lobby. New Jetsetters GLOSS
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