WAYFARER ISSUE SIX 2024

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO EXECUTIVE TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Global roaming

From

Sleeping in at 900km/hr

30

ISLAND HOPPING

Fiji Airways’ CEO Andre Viljoen says future growth is on the cards

34

TASTE OF AOTEAROA

Air New Zealand’s new inflight menus celebrate the best of Aoteaora

36

GARDEN STYLE IN DOHA

Inside the new Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge in Doha

38

QANTAS’ HONG KONG DELIGHT

The Qantas Hong Kong

International Lounge is back at its best

42

NORDIC PREMIUM STANDOUT

Finnair’s Premium Economy is a global standout

52

WALDORF’S MALDIVES WONDER

Why Waldorf Astoria Maldives

Ithaafushi is one of the world’s finest luxury resorts

54

HONG KONG’S LEGEND RETURNS

The Regent Hong Kong has made a spectacular return and Wayfarer checks-in

58

LUXURIOUS SECRETS

How Sonvea is a frontrunner in global sustainability

62

MADISON STYLE

Inside the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue

64

SINGAPORE STUNNER

JW Marriott Hotel Singapore

South Beach offers an exceptional stay

72

LANGHAM’S CULINARY DELIGHTS

Talking fine cuisine at The Langham London

74

WESTWARD’S AUSTRALIAN DELIGHT

Oregon’s Westward Whiskey has launched an exciting collaboration

78 POWDER TIME

Essential guides to Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Big Sky in Montana and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado

100

ALPINE PLAYGROUND

Essential guides to Colorado’s largest city of Denver makes for a fantastic winter or summer escape

104

BUSINESS BRILLIANCE

Wayfarer reviews five Business Class cabins that need to be on your radar right now

Check in to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi (p52)

Business travel is booming

TONS OF BONUS VIDEO CONTENT!

The digital issue of Wayfarer magazine is loaded-up with over 30 videos. Look for the TV icon throughout the digital magazine and a video will pop-up. For more videos and destination guides to cities across the world, visit wayfarer.travel

Editor-In-Chief

JAMES WILKINSON james@wayfarer.travel

Almost every flight I take these days, it feels like getting an upgrade is seemingly impossible, thanks for the demand for luxury leisure travel, smaller aircraft flying further and the booming business travel market.

These aren’t all bad things for the global tourism industry, given we need aviation to flourish to see further growth in the sector, particularly when it comes to aviation.

We’ve seen United Airlines launch new routes across Asia and Europe – and there’s more to come this Northern Summer – on the back of significant demand and that’s something that will further increase with another 200 Boeing 787 on the way.

It’s a similar story with Delta Airlines, which has just placed an order for the Airbus A350-1000 and similarly Qantas, which is edging closer to Project Sunrise flights direct to London and New York from Sydney.

British Airways has also re-launched flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Turkish Airlines has finally made it to Australia, Air Canada now has its longest route ever to Singapore and we are seeing a re-growth of a global network by Cathay Pacific.

At the same time a lot of these carriers are also growing their

Premium and Business Class cabins – Qatar Airways, Qantas and British Airways are also launching an allnew First Class too – as the demand for flatbed seats shows no signs of abating.

Airlines adding more seats up the front is always a good thing from a travellers’ perspective as it adds more spacious seats into key markets and means better chances for upgrades, be them complimentary, with points or the fantastic bid-to-upgrade systems which many carriers are now rolling out further.

Given the incredible demand for Premium and Business Class seats, in this issue we look at how airlines are upping the ante of existing products, launching new ones and sharpening the lounge offering, plus we took a few journeys to experience the cabins too.

We also take you skiing in North America, look at some fantastic accessories and give you some topline travel news.

I hope you enjoy our latest issue of Wayfarer and as always, I look forward to your feedback.

Safe travels,

James Wilkinson Editor-In-Chief

Subscription Enquiries

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DEPARTURES.

The executive travel hot list, plus the latest airline and hotel news and reviews from across the globe.

16 THE HOT LIST

What needs to be on your travel radar right now

20 TAKE OFF

Essential airline news, reviews and features from the across the sky

44 ROOM KEY

The latest hotel news, reviews and interviews from around the world

66 APPETITE

Hot tables, bars and distilleries, plus food and drink news from across the world

British Airways has revealed a £7bn transformation plan (p20)

The Hot List

What’s on our travel and lifestyle radar across the world right now.

CORDIS AUCKLAND RAISES THE BAR

Langham Hospitality Group’s Cordis Auckland has been one of New Zealand’s most awarded hotels for years and now the benchmark has been set even higher with the recent opening of the Pinnacle Tower, one of the best hotel developments the nation has ever seen.

Offering stunning 360-degree views of iconic Auckland landmarks from the upper floors of the hotel including Waitematā Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, One Tree Hill, Rangitoto, Mount Eden and the Sky Tower, the 17-storey Pinnacle Tower houses 244 premium rooms and signature Cordis Pinnacle Tower suites.

Highlighting the experience is a new Cordis Club Lounge and the Chairman’s Suite, one of the largest hotel rooms in New Zealand at 252.6 square metres.

The development also saw the expansion of the hotel’s existing Eight Restaurant, taking the restaurant’s capacity from 180 to 250 and the addition of a new destination bar ‘Our Land Is Alive’ (pictured) which exclusively showcases New Zealand sourced food and beverages with a local twist.

Cordis Auckland is also home to one of the largest curated locally commissioned art collections, with art curators Coupland Cormack having curated a collection of 46 innovative commissions, spanning across multiple mediums that have been created by nine of Aotearoa’s most prominent contemporary artists.

02

CATHAY PACIFIC UPS SYDNEY FLIGHTS

Cathay Pacific has boosted services between Sydney and Hong Kong, upping the flight schedule to four times per day for the first time since early 2020.

Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager of Southwest Pacific, Frosti Lau, said the carrier is boosting capacity to meet the rising demand for international travel.

“We have a longstanding commitment to the Sydney market and this service reaffirms our dedication to continuing to restore capacity and connectivity across the Cathay Pacific network,” he said.

The boost to Sydney flight services coincided with Cathay Pacific’s 49th anniversary of flying between Hong Kong and the Emerald City and are the latest of several Cathay Pacific schedule updates for the Australian market, after recent capacity increases announced for Brisbane and Perth. cathaypacific.com

03

SINGAPORE’S HIGH RISE OASIS

Pan Pacific Hotels Group recently unveiled its latest flagship hotel Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore which combines a striking design with fantastic hospitality, stylish rooms and suites and brilliant restaurants and bars.

Arising amidst the cityscape with dramatic terraced greenery occupying over 300% of the hotel’s land area, Pan Pacific Orchard marks the latest development in the green rejuvenation of the Garden City’s famed Orchard Road district and ushers in Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts’ new era of graceful luxury.

Pan Pacific Orchard features 347 rooms and suites complemented by a host of lifestyle concepts such as signature restaurant Mosella, Champagne and oyster bar Florette, the exquisite Claymore Ballroom on the 18th floor and the hotel group’s signature St.Gregory spa. panpacific.com

04

APPLE UPGRADES AIRPODS PRO

Apple has released its all-new AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging, making what firm says makes the world’s most popular headphones even better.

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro continue to revolutionise personal audio by delivering incredible sound quality, up to double the Active Noise Cancellation of their predecessor, an advanced Transparency mode, a more immersive Spatial Audio experience and an expanded range of ear tip sizes for an even better fit.

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro are also upgraded with USB-C charging capabilities, additional dust resistance and Lossless Audio with Apple Vision Pro. apple.com

FIJI AIRWAYS FLAGS MORE GLOBAL ROUTES AS LATEST A350S ARRIVE

Fiji Airways is eyeing more global routes, including Dallas, Seattle, Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul, following the delivery of the carrier’s third and fourth Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft.

The additional A350s, which feature the airline’s brilliant, new Business ‘Suite’ seats have already been deployed on major routes, operating services to Hong Kong, Sydney, Vancouver, Melbourne and more.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen, said one of the five ‘game changer’

ALADDIN MARKS 10 YEARS ON BROADWAY

Aladdin, already among the biggest hits in Broadway history, celebrated its 10th anniversary at New York’s New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2024.

The exciting, thrilling and brilliant production has played over 3,500 performances and welcomed nearly 6 million guests to the New Amsterdam Theatre and it ranks number 15 on the list of all-time Broadway long runs.

In the decade since Aladdin opened, only the mega-hits The Lion King, Wicked and Hamilton have grossed more at the box office. aladdinTheMusical.com

strategies the carrier has relentlessly pursuing since 2017 has been the modernisation of the fleet with ‘new generation’ aircraft such as the Airbus A350.

“The A350 with its superior cabin, significant fuel savings and substantial cargo capacity has fast become the pride of our airline and the joy of our passengers,” he said.

Viljoen said the airline is now in a stronger position to explore new destinations across the globe for the A350 and four-strong A330 fleet. fijiairways.com

07

VIRGIN RETURNS TO HEART OF AUSTRALIA

Uluru is set for a tourism boost with Virgin Australia announcing two new direct services from Melbourne and Brisbane to be introduced from June 2024.

“Whether it’s still on the bucket list or a much-loved destination, visiting Uluru is a must-do for international and Australian travellers alike,” said Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO, Matt Cameron-Smith.

“These new routes deliver more choice for travel to the NT, but also an abundance of convenient international connections through Virgin Australia’s global network of partners,” he said. voyages.com.au

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Take Off.

Essential airline news, reviews and features from the across the sky.

British Airways’ £7bn transformation plan

British Airways has announced an array of new initiatives to transform the airline, unveiling a £7bn transformation plan that Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle says is about committing to delivering a world class customer experience, modernising IT, growing pride among colleagues and focusing on sustainability, as well as driving on-time performance.

The plan includes a new First suite, free WiFi messaging and new seats for European travellers, alongside the resumption of more Asia routes.

“We’re on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7bn over the next two years to revolutionise our business,” Doyle said.

“We’re going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by

reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability.”

With more customers looking to remain connected with the world from their seats, British Airways Executive Club Members can now send messages free of charge on a single device using the airline’s WiFi, whatever cabin they’re travelling in.

As the only European carrier to offer First Class between the UK and US, British Airways will also introduce a brand-new and exclusive First suite from the end of 2025.

The airline expects the new seat to make its debut at the end of 2025 into early 2026 as part of its A380 aircraft refurbishment.

British Airways’ flights from London to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are also set to return in October and November respectively. New short-haul seats and cabin interiors are also on the way and will feature on the next generation of British Airways’ Airbus A320neo and A321neos, from May 2024. ba.com

Air Canada takes off for Singapore from Vancouver

Air Canada’s newest long-haul route from Vancouver has taken off, with the debut of services to Singapore, the only non-stop service to the city from Canada.

Stretching 12,818 kilometres (7,965 miles), the route is the airline’s longest flight measured by distance with a flying time of up to 16 hours and five minutes.

“Air Canada is thrilled to welcome customers onboard our newest route linking Canada and Singapore from our Pacific hub in Vancouver,” said Air Canada Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, Mark Galardo.

Sri Lankan signs major Emirates deal

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have kicked-off a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines, which will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers.

“These new Singapore flights are part of our strategic expansion at Vancouver, which together with an efficient and seamless in-transit connection process, further position the airport as the preferred North American gateway to Asia.

“Singapore is also an important gateway to beyond destinations. Customers have a multitude of connection options travelling to Southeast Asia, Southern India and Western Australia with our longstanding codeshare and Star Alliance partner, Singapore Airlines.”

aircanada.com

“We are happy to announce our renewed interline collaboration with Emirates,” said SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Richard Nuttall.

“SriLankan is committed to providing connectivity to Sri Lanka from around the world and we work with many partners to access cities we don’t fly to.

“Emirates is a truly global airline and has a long history in Sri Lanka and it gives us real pleasure to work with them.

“The partnership provides more options to connect to and from Sri Lanka, assisting both Sri Lankan passengers at home and abroad, and supports tourism growth to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” he said.

The interline network includes two new Indian destinations, Madurai and Tiruchirapally, in addition to Gan Island in the Maldives.

SriLankan Airlines’ passengers are also set to benefit from access to Emirates’ global network and connect to 15 cities operated by Emirates beyond Dubai. srilankan.com

American Airlines to launch Brisbane flights

Queensland is set to be connected directly with Texas for the first time, thanks to new daily American Airlines services from Brisbane to Dallas Fort Worth on October 27.

The new flights come at an exciting time for Queensland, with Brisbane recently gaining new services to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Korea and Japan over the past 12 months.

American Airlines’ Vice President International Operations, José Freig, said as travel to North America from Asia Pacific continues to grow in demand, the introduction of American’s second route to Australia ensures even greater adventure opportunities for those travelling from Down Under.

He said Dallas Fort Worth Airport serves as an important gateway to explore other parts of the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America, which is sure to be popular with Australian travellers.

“We’ve had an incredible response from travellers looking to venture to North America and beyond from Australia, so we’re excited to be further strengthening our Asia-Pacific footprint as we add sunny Queensland to our growing list of destinations,” Freig said.

When American’s seasonal service begins, it will be the longest nonstop flight in the airline’s network and operated by a reconfigured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring the carrier’s newly-designed Flagship Suite Premium Economy seats. aa.com

Cathay Pacific unveils stylish new Business suites

Cathay Pacific has unveiled stunning new cabins for the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet, headlined by stylish new Business Class suites with sliding doors. The new cabins will improve an already exceptional offering on Cathay Pacific, which includes some of the best hospitality in the sky.

“With meticulous attention to every detail, no matter how small, each aspect of these cabin classes has been carefully considered to bring travellers maximum comfort through their journey,” a Cathay Pacific spokesperson said.

“Materials have been hand-selected to ensure a sense of calm and designed for

intuitive use, showcasing Cathay Pacific’s continued commitment to offering the best premium long-haul experience in the skies.”

The Business Class cabin will feature a new ‘Aria Suite’, which has a privacy door and sliding partition, personalised suite lighting, 24-inch 4K monitor, Bluetooth audio and wireless charging.

There will also be a new ‘Gallery in the Skies’, which will include 30 pieces of artwork to be displayed in Business, created by artists who share a deep connection with Hong Kong.

An all-new Premium Economy seat will also be rolled-out and it will include a 15.6-inch 4K monitor, generous recline and legroom and a personal reading light.

Cathay Pacific is also installing a refreshed Economy seat, which a spokesperson said will be about a “comfort first approach with contemporary materials and a distinctly modern touch” alongside Bluetooth connectivity, where passengers will have the ability to sync their inflight entertainment with a travel companion. cathaypacific.com

United increases the Polaris luxury offering

United has announced the largest upgrade to its United Polaris international business class experience in eight years, debuting new in-airport and onboard amenities from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue.

“We know amenities can really elevate the overall flying experience and are confident United Polaris flyers will love the new wellness-focused offerings created with our best-in-class partners Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue and increased focus on sourcing recycled materials,” said United Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella.

The new Therabody offerings include an onboard amenity kit that features an eye serum, face spray, hand cream and cleansing towelette exclusive to United customers, as well as access to the award-winning Therabody devices like the Lounger, Theragun and RecoveryAir JetBoots in United Polaris lounges and inflight wellness videos on the airline’s Inflight Entertainment screens.

The new Saks Fifth Avenue bedding includes select items that are made with recycled plastic, aligned with United’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and feature a new limitededition day blanket from fashion designer Claude Kameni, who was named as one of the most influential Black designers to watch in 2023. united.com

Qantas set for Paris return

Qantas is adding another direct service between Australia and Europe with the launch of a new route between Perth and Paris, just in time for the 2024 Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and European summer.

Following the success of the Australian carrier’s unique direct flights from Perth to London and Rome, the new year-round route will see Qantas operate to the French capital for the first time in nearly two decades, cutting around three hours off the current fastest travel time from Perth to Paris.

From July 12, 2024, the 17-hour Perth-Paris flights will initially operate four days per week during the peak European summer with the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Services will move to three per week from mid-August 2024.

Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, said the airline was thrilled to put Paris back on the Qantas map with a direct link for Australians to the French capital for the first time.

“This route has been on our wish list for a while and we think customers will be as pleased as we are to see it go on sale today,” she said.

“Our direct flights to London and Rome have been hugely popular and Paris is the next most-requested

destination, so we know the demand for this service will be strong as well.

“Some of the first customers on these flights will be Australian athletes heading to Paris to compete at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We’re the only airline offering these direct flights rather than going through a mid-point because the key market we serve is Australia. Our in-flight service is designed with long-haul travel in mind,” Hudson said.

The new flights will operate through Qantas’ existing terminal at Perth Airport (Terminal 3), which will allow seamless connections to other domestic destinations in Australia. Qantas and Perth Airport are making positive progress in negotiations about moving its operations to Terminal 1.

A “circle fare” will also allow Qantas customers to fly into Paris and return to Australia from London or Rome on the one ticket.

qantas.com

Singapore Airlines ups Premium offering

Singapore Airlines has unveiled its revamped Premium Economy Class in-flight experience, which includes an improved and expanded selection of food and beverage options, as well as a new amenity kit.

Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class customers are experiencing an elevated journey across the globe thanks to the carrier’s latest enhancements.

Now available on all flights, customers are offered a glass of Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV champagne shortly after take-off.

Customers can also peruse a hard copy menu card that lists the wide variety of meal, snack, and beverage options that are available on their flight. Plus, meals will also be served on elegant custom-made porcelain Premium Economy Class serviceware.

On flights that are at least seven hours long, an all-new Out of the Woods amenity kit, designed exclusively for Premium Economy Class customers, will also be available.

These mark the first comprehensive revamp of Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy Class in-flight experience since this cabin class was introduced in 2015, allowing the airline to continue delivering a distinctive level of service to customers, according to Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Yeoh Phee Teik.

“Since its introduction in 2015, Premium Economy Class has become popular with our customers,” he said. “They

appreciate the added amenities, heightened comfort, and the extra personal space it offers, all at an excellent value.

“At Singapore Airlines, though, our philosophy is to never stand still. We regularly gather customer feedback and conduct market research, learn more about the evolving value drivers for travellers, and find innovative ways to continue delivering a personalised and world-class in-flight experience.

“Based on these insights, we have undertaken this comprehensive revamp of our Premium Economy Class in-flight offerings, which we believe will delight our customers.

“Our upcoming new cabin products and in-flight entertainment system will further reinforce our goal of delivering a distinctive level of service.

“All of this reflects Singapore Airlines’ dedication to elevating the Premium Economy Class experience to a class of its own,” he said.

Customers can also choose from an expanded Book the Cook menu, which features up to 20 dishes available on rotation, for pre-order at least 24 hours before departure.

singaporeair.com

United eyes more Pacific routes

The popular aircraft tails of United Airlines could soon be popping up in more destinations across the Pacific region as the carrier eyes further growth. James Wilkinson reports.

United Airlines is looking at adding further destinations and routes in Australasia and the South Pacific in 2024 as the carrier continues its phenomenal growth in the region over the past 24 months.

Speaking exclusively to Wayfarer onboard the inaugural flight from San Francisco to Christchurch recently – the first flight to connect Northern California and New Zealand’s South Island – United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, said the potential for growth was on the back of a strong commitment to the region.

“Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in general, is critical for United Airlines,” he said.

“We were committed to the whole region throughout COVID other airlines pulled back and stopped. We were the only airline to connect Australia to the United States, the only airline.

“So, what we’ve been able to do is change the perception of United, grow the brand and grow the market.

“We now have four flights a day in the winter season into Sydney. We have two flights into Melbourne and two flights into Brisbane as well as

you know. We also have two flights into Auckland from Los Angeles and San Francisco and our new Christchurch route.

United execs celebrate the launch of

“So, we are coming on full force,” he told Wayfarer

With 150 firm orders for brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners – the largest and a world-record setting Dreamliner orderbook on record –United has the ability for immense growth and Quayle said Australasia and the South Pacific was firmly in the spotlight for new destinations and routes.

“We’re just getting started (in the region) and there’s a lot more opportunity in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific,” he said.

While Quayle was unable to reveal any specific new routes or destinations – such as markets without service like the Fiji Islands – the carrier is confident of future growth.

“There is a lot of potential,” he said. “I’m not going to comment on specifics, but we absolutely have a lot of potential like you said with 150 Dreamliners coming.

“You can connect any two dots,” Quayle told Wayfarer

United has had significant growth over the past 18 months in the region,

with new services from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Brisbane, Los Angeles to Auckland and extra daily Sydney flights to San Francisco.

flights

Quayle said Brisbane’s growth, in particular, has been spectacular.

“When we started a year ago, it was three flights a week, just from San Francisco,” he said. “Now we’re running a daily San Francisco service and three times out of Los Angeles.

A lot of demand for United’s new flights is thanks to the carrier’s key partnerships, according to Quayle.

“It really comes down to two things – our partnership with Air New Zealand in New Zealand and our partnership with Virgin Australia in Australia,” he said.

“What we see is that when people fly down to Australia or New Zealand, they want to go in and out of different ports.

“And by us having service to all of these ports, we can capitalise off of that globally,” Quayle said.

United’s new Christchurch flights have already proven to be a hit for United Airlines and partner Air New Zealand, which can connect United States travellers to the South Island better than ever before.

Christchurch

Islandhopping

It’s an exciting time for Fiji Airways, with the carrier acquiring more Airbus A350s and winning major awards from organisations across the globe. To find out what’s next for the brilliant boutique airline, James Wilkinson sat down with Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen.

Andre, thanks for your time. You now have your 3rd and 4th A350-900s in the fleet. The plane has spectacular range. Which new destinations are you considering to send the jets to?

The new A350 aircrafts have allowed for an additional 30,000 seats per month across our network. These aircraft service our popular destinations including North American long-haul routes, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, providing greater travel options and connections for Australians.

We’re exploring growth opportunities in North America and flying to further destinations. There are numerous options on the table at the moment and we are conducting due diligence to see which destination makes the best business case for expanding our network.

Which existing destinations will also get an up-gauge of aircraft to the A350?

The new A350s fly to the following existing destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong, San Francisco and Vancouver. This will increase capacity on these flights by 30,000 seats per month.

This also frees-up A330s. Where could we see them soon?

I know they are now scheduled for Christchurch, alongside additional Auckland flights as well as Melbourne.

Australia, New Zealand and the US are our most popular tourist destinations, therefore where possible we operate our larger aircraft so we can increase capacity, welcoming more travellers onboard and transporting them to paradise.

You have also added a third Sydney flight with the 737 MAX. Tell us more about your plans for Australia, including potential new destinations?

We’re (Fiji Airways) exploring several additional destinations in Australia. Our current schedule is 14 to 18 weekly flights from Sydney, 10 weekly flights from Melbourne, eight weekly flights from Brisbane, three weekly flights from Canberra and two weekly flights from Adelaide.

You have just launched Noumea, hot on the back of the new Canberra flights. Where else are you looking at in the South Pacific?

We have the most comprehensive network in the South Pacific and the Noumea flights are a demonstration of our commitment to connect this region to the world. As with the rest of the world, we are exploring a number of potential new routes in the South Pacific.

When we last spoke, you flagged a desire to go double daily on Los Angeles – how are these plans looking?

We are currently operating daily flights to Los Angeles on our A350 aircraft. We will continue to look at the demand and forward bookings to determine if we can increase the frequency of these flights.

Congrats on the 5-star rating for a second year in a row too. How significant is this award?

This achievement is no small feat, especially for a national airline of our size, located in the remote South Pacific.

We have worked tirelessly to maintain the highest standards of service and safety, and we are thrilled to once again be recognised as an APEX Five Star Major Airline, especially being one of just ten carriers to be honoured with the award for 2024.

As you know, reaching a milestone is hard-work, but maintaining it is another story. This shows that Fiji Airways is continuously and consistently enhancing its products and services.

You have been building up Fiji Airways into one of the world’s best boutique airlines. You have to be proud of what yourself and the team have achieved?

We are immensely proud of our recent accolades and the international recognition our National Airline has received. It’s a testament to the dedication, grit and tenacity of our team to continue to innovate and provide the highest standard of offerings to our guests.

We have made great strides as an airline over the recent years and it shows our strength and ability to bounce back following the pandemic. I believe it’s because we bring our genuine FIjian Hospitality to every customer perception point.

I also want to point out that the team at Fiji Airways is the reason for our success, they are some of the most motivated and ambitious colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with. Their talents are on-par with the best in the business - if not above par.

A flagship Fiji Airways A350-900

Thanks for having our Wayfarer TV show on the planes. You’ve also been upping the IFE ante with new big partnerships. What’s the latest?

We have just announced several major sports sponsorships for 2024, including welcoming the Melbourne Storm as a new Australian partner, marking our first NRL partnership. We also have sponsorships with the LA Galaxy and closer to home, Fiji based Kaviti SIlktails and increasing our sponsorship for the Fijian Drua.

In terms of new in-flight additions, we have recently launched Disney and HBO as part of our in-flight entertainment, meaning guests will experience the best entertainment offerings in the region, as well as wellness content such as guided meditation, breathwork and exercises that are accessible throughout the flight.

Additionally, we are introducing IFE streaming services to our regional flights on the ATR aircraft and our Boeing 737 next generation aircraft. Guests can now stream the full suite of our inflight entertainment catalogue direct to their personal devices, while Business Class guests will get a new generation iPad Pro for their use during the flight.

You’ve also added more in-resort check-ins. Tell us about this.

We now offer resort check-in at multiple locations including the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa and most recently the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa. This allows guests to check into their International Fiji Airways flights (excluding those to the US) at the resort, with their bags tagged and transported directly to the airport, while they have more time to enjoy Fiji.

I’m looking forward to announcing more properties with resort check-in very soon.

What’s next for Fiji Airways? More A350s? More 737s?

Where do you see the airline in another five years?

We will continue to offer exceptional service and revamp our onboard experiences for travellers across safety, well-being, sustainability, and inclusiveness. We have set ourselves a target of achieving world class status and it continues to be our North Star as we endeavour to join an elite group of airlines recognised as the best in the world.

As an airline, our customers and travellers come first so we want to be able to offer them greater connections and options for visiting friends and family or holidays. Therefore, we are always exploring options to operate longer sectors and increasing our network across North America, Asia and the Pacific.

Fiji Airways has one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleet of 21 aircraft that service our network of 26 destinations. For the time-being, this suits our needs adequately but we continue to plan and strategise for the future in order to ensure the sustained growth of the airline.

As the National Airline, we are also focussed on ensuring that the Fijian people, the tourism sector and the local economy, reaps the maximum benefits because we fly for Fiji. Post COVID-19, we are now returning to a number of initiatives that we championed to help local communities. Our successes must be shared with the country in a tangible and meaningful manner.

fijiairways.com

Fiji Airways’ Andre Viljoen onboard the Airbus A350

Taste of Aotearoa

New Zealand is known for its globallyrenowned produce and that’s exactly what you can expect before you get there thanks to the nation’s flag carrier, as James Wilkinson discovers.

Over the past 12 months, Air New Zealand has continued to elevate its culinary and beverage offerings that have been showcasing the largest range of New Zealand suppliers and native ingredients than ever before.

The carrier’s ‘A Taste of Aotearoa’ offering is a fantastic evolution of Air New Zealand’s popular ‘Aotearoa on a Plate’ dining concept and it’s been winning travellers over each month since it was launched.

Inspired by the rich heritage and diverse bounty of New Zealand, the Business Premier menus bring together indigenous flavours and contemporary cuisine, according to Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty.

She says the offerings are inspired by manaakitanga – the Māori tradition of hospitality – and is a true celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s incredible culinary heritage.

“We believe it’s our privilege to showcase the best our country has to offer and share that with the world – and one we take very seriously,” Geraghty says.

“Working hand in hand with renowned local suppliers, the menus are bursting with New Zealand grown produce.”

Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand

“Whether it’s on a plate or in a glass, we want to serve up an authentic taste of New Zealand onboard and in our lounges.”

Geraghty says customers traveling in the airline’s premium cabins will have the opportunity to indulge in an unparalleled exploration of New Zealand’s exceptional flavours.

“Our country’s unique flora and produce are a treasure trove of flavours and ingredients that have inspired us to create a dining experience that celebrates the special flavours of Aotearoa,” she says.

“There’s something truly magical about the native flavours of New Zealand – from the peppery spiciness of horopito to the earthy goodness of kawakawa.

“By infusing our dishes with native ingredients, we pay homage to the traditional uses of these ingredients while creating a modern and memorable dining experience for our customers.”

The menus showcase fresh and locally sourced ingredients, and serves as a chance to introduce visitors to New Zealand to the wonders of our local food producers.

“Working hand in hand with renowned local suppliers, the menus are bursting with New Zealand grown produce,” Geraghty says.

Menu items showcasing New Zealand include Ahia smoked moki sourced from the people of Ngāti Porou, Ōra King salmon from Marlborough, New Zealand hāpuka, smoked mussels from the Coromandel, cheeses from Oamaru and Hawke’s Bay extra virgin olive oil.

The menus are identified by a distinctive icon, ensuring passengers can easily identify the featured dishes and savour the unique flavours of Aotearoa during their journey.

airnewzealand.com

Enjoy A Taste of Aotearoa onboard Air New Zealand

Qatar Airways’ luxurious, new Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge

Garden style in Doha

Step inside the new Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha and you’ll quickly feel like a VIP as James Wilkinson discovers.

When Qatar Airways opened the new Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha in mid2023, expectations were high for a superlative offering given the carrier’s history of operating exceptional lounges and that’s exactly what the airline has delivered.

Walking into The Garden, located in the striking Northern terminal expansion of Hamad International Airport, the first thing you’ll notice is how spacious the lounge feels, particularly given the high ceilings of the terminal and how the designers haven’t completely filled the space.

The Garden also overlooks an area of the terminal known as The Orchard – a wonderful tree-lined space that features tropical gardens and water features and surrounded by prominent retailers and restaurants – and gives you a sense of serenity in one of the world’s busiest airports.

Speaking of spacious, The Garden stretches over an area of 7,390 square metres and can accommodate up to 707 passengers across a range of areas from dining to relaxation areas.

Headlining the offering 24 quiet spaces – each designed to offer optimum relaxation available free of charge for the first six hours – and seven spa treatment rooms. There is also a fitness studio, pedicure and manicure stations, recreational areas and a nursery.

When it comes to having food or a cocktail or glass of wine, there are a

range of spaces on offer, including hot and cold buffets, sushi and salad bars, coffee, patisserie and dessert areas, alongside cocktail and bistro bar offerings and à la carte dining.

Two of the best areas in the lounge to score a seat at are in the bar area and also the lounge chairs opposite that overlook The Orchard – here you’ll also find impeccable waiter service that includes glasses of premium French and other global wines.

On the food front, you can expect both buffets and à la carte menus that feature modern and traditional Arabic cuisine.

When the Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge first debuted, then Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker – who has since retired – promised that passengers could enhance their journey on a whole new level.

“This world-class lounge showcases a sophisticated way of travel, centred in comfort, wellness and nature,” Al Baker said at the opening.

That is exactly what Qatar Airways has achieved because this is one of the world’s finest premium lounges and arguably the best Business Class Lounge currently on offer in the global Oneworld network, which the carrier is a member of.

The Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge is located Northern terminal of Hamad International Airport and is open to Qatar Airways and oneworld First and Business Class passengers.

Qantas’ Hong Kong delight

In May last year, Qantas swung open the doors once more to its Hong Kong International Lounge and since then, the re-opening has been a fantastic addition for travellers as the carrier re-boots flights to the popular city.

Originally opened in 2014 and one of the most popular lounges in the Qantas network since, the Qantas Hong Kong International Lounge was closed and vacated during the pandemic before recently undergoing a refresh as part of the carrier’s AU$100 million global investment.

Qantas Chief Customer Officer, Markus Svensson, said the airline was proud to continue its investment in Hong Kong as demand returns to the region.

“Our customers have always loved the Hong Kong International Lounge and we were excited to bring it back better than ever,” he said.

“Since we resumed flights to Hong Kong, we’ve seen really strong demand,” Svensson said.

“This reopening is part of our increased investment in customer experience across our network, to ensure Qantas customers continue to enjoy the high level of hospitality they have come to enjoy and expect from Qantas.”

Thanks to Qantas’ investment into the lounge, it’s no surprise the space has been popular with both Qantas and Oneworld travellers alike. The Hong Kong International

Lounge is spacious, stylish, there is fantastic hospitality and the food is exceptional.

The improved 2,000sqm lounge features an updated warmer colour palette and new furnishings by Australian designer David Caon, with a seating capacity for 290 customers overlooking panoramic views of Hong Kong’s famous Sky Bridge.

The original design of the lounge has been retained and finishes such as tiling and screens have been refreshed to create different zones within the lounge and a sense of privacy for customers – so much so you could have an entire area for yourself or your family without being bothered by anyone.

When it comes to the cuisine and wine, Qantas has done a brilliant job with the Hong Kong International Lounge and that’s thanks to one of the best in the business.

Legendary Rockpool founder and Qantas Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, Neil Perry, has designed a menu of local dishes inspired by regional flavours and ingredients and said there was one key element from the previous offering that had to be included.

“Our customers absolutely loved the Yum Cha trolley so we are pleased to

confirm we have fired up the dim sum steamers for its comeback and will bring back the much-loved char siu Chinese barbeque pork dish,” he said.

Perry said the large bar area serves up a wide selection of premium Australian wines, beer and spirits along with mixologist designed cocktails such as the Chi Chi, made from dark rum with pineapple, lime and vanilla.

The bar space is ideal for a full meal, or for independent travellers looking for a space to mingle or chat with the staff over a cocktail.

Qantas’ Quench hydration station is also on offer with hot and cold beverages which support wellness while travelling, particularly on the tea front.

Customers have the flexibility to dine in the formal, spacious dining area, which features a communal table, or in the relaxed lounge seating area.

With Qantas’ flights scheduled overnight between Hong Kong and Australia, corporate travellers can catch up on emails in the business zone, which is fitted with generous power and data outlets as well as high speed WiFi.

Those wanting to relax will be able to freshen up before their flight in the 12 luxury private shower suites featuring Li’Tya amenities.

Qantas currently operates flights to Hong Kong from Melbourne and Sydney with a mix of its A380 and A330 aircraft which offer Business Suites with lay flat beds.

This next-generation Business Class seat from the Flying Kangaroo can be reclined for take-off and landing, and the cabin offering also includes top Australian food and wine and worldclass entertainment.

United elevates inflight wine

First it was the seats, then lounges and now, wine is the latest major upgrade for United Airlines as James Wilkinson discovers.

Since United Airlines first launched its Polaris Business Class, the carrier has consistently been taking its onboard offering to another level, thanks to elevated amenity kits, food and most recently, wine.

In recent months, United’s onboard wine menus on long-haul flights have been noticeably getting better, however the latest releases have been some of the best we’ve ever seen from the Star Alliance carrier.

Onboard UA 870 from Sydney to San Francisco recently, United was serving Champagne Heidsieck Monopole NV, the 2019 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville in the Napa Valley, the 2021 Albert Bichot Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge from Bourgogne in France, the 2021 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey, California, the 2022 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc from California’s North Coast and the globally popular Whispering Angel Rose from Cotes de Provence.

United has also introduced a new ‘Cellar Selection’ red, which the carrier says are a “variety of unique, yet approachable wines from around the world” and the menu varies from flight to flight.

On UA 870, the special offering was a 2020 Emilio Moro Tempranillo from Spain and a drop that was popular with Polaris passengers onboard.

Featuring a special reserve wine is a good way to mixup the offering and it also gives United the chance to put on wines from the markets the carrier serves, be it Greece, Spain, Australia or New Zealand.

However, where the latest wine list jumps out is the addition of a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to the list. But not just any Cabernet Sauvignon, because Goth currently produce one of the leading wines from Oakville and it’s a wine that retails at US$75 per bottle.

It’s a significant jump from the previous menu, which featured the 2019 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles (US$36) and while that’s a very decent wine for the price, Oakville is a significant jump on Paso in terms of quality.

As someone who flies United Airlines over 50 times per year, it’s fantastic to see the carrier focusing on serving more California wines onboard – we’d love to see United flights having only American wines alongside Champagne – and also significantly raising the bar when it comes to serving quality drops.

The Business Class experience is becoming more premium than ever across the globe and it’s fantastic to see United Airlines continuing to raise the bar and serving some of America’s best wines inflight.

Nordic Premium standout

Finnair debuted its eagerly-awaited Premium Economy cabin in 2021 and it’s no surprise it has become one of the most exciting products in the air, thanks to its comfort, space aplenty and cool Finnish perks as James Wilkinson discovers.

Helsinki-based Finnair has been one of Wayfarer‘s favourite carriers for years thanks to its stylish Airbus A350s, Marimekko amenities, interior lighting and fabulous Finnish service onboard.

Now the carrier has taken things up a notch with all-new Business Class and refreshed Economy Class cabins alongside the debut of Premium Economy, an offering that is of the best products to have ever taken off.

The launch of the new cabins was part of a €200 million investment in the carrier’s onboard experience and while we most certainly love what’s on offer in the new Business Class cabin, the offering in Premium is stealing a lot of the limelight, thanks to seats and technology on offer.

Located right behind Business on the flagship A350-900s and popular Airbus A330-300s, the Premium Economy cabin is an intimate offering, with just 26 ‘Vector’ seats per aircraft that have been optimised for enhanced comfort and ergonomics by Finnair and manufacturer HAECO and feature memory foam cushions, a deep 8-inch recline, a waterfall leg rest and 6-way headrest.

When you sit down, the first thing you’ll notice is the comfort of the seats, even when in the take off and landing position. They are comfortable to sit and eat in, to do work on the laptop (thanks to the large and sturdy single leaf meal tray on offer) or while taxiing around at airports.

Then, you’ll notice how much space and storage there is, that’s a lot better than the Premium offering on several other airlines. You’ll find dedicated stowage for laptops and small items that has been incorporated to the design and it means less rummaging around and more time for relaxing.

You’ll most certainly also notice the fantastic, oversized 13-inch-wide personal TV screens in the back of the seats in front that come in full HD and are loaded up with blockbuster movies and top TV shows from Finland, Europe and across the world.

While working on laptops or using personal devices, you’ll also find

universal PC power and USB-A ports that we found to charge-up with great speed.

When it comes to the dining experience onboard, on the flight we took from Singapore to Helsinki there were two meal services, including a three-course dinner service and a light meal before landing.

Complimentary beers, wines and nonalcoholic beverages are also available during the flight, excluding Champagne, however, it is impressively still available for purchase.

Alongside the quality of the food, you’ll be impressed with the presentation – the meals are served on chinaware created by top Finnish designer Harri Koskinen and Finnish design icon, Iittala.

When it comes to relaxing and sleeping, here is where the airline absolutely excels. Alongside calming music on the inflight entertainment system, guests in Premium Economy are provided with a neck pillow and woven blanket designed specifically for the new cabin by legendary Finnish design house Marimekko.

In fact, I would go as far as saying the Marimekko neck pillow is one of the most impressive inflight amenities I’ve ever seen and it comes exclusively in the Premium Economy cabin.

Finnair Chief Commercial Officer, Ole Orvér, said offering the Marimekko neck pillow is one of the ways the carrier truly wanted to amplify the new experience.

“The trend for premium travel has significantly accelerated during the pandemic, so we are confident our new Premium Economy travel class will prove very popular with customers looking for an upgraded experience from Economy,” he said.

We certainly agree, because what Finnair has created is one of the most comfortable Premium Economy experiences in the sky and one we can’t wait to experience again.

Finnair’s Premium Economy cabin is now available on Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A330-300 flights to Helsinki from Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo (Haneda), New York (JFK), Dallas-Fort Worth and other key destinations in the network.

Outrigger readies for Hawaiian Cirque Du Soleil debut

The Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel is readying for the debut of Cirque du Soleil’s new permanent show, the first outside Las Vegas, which will have a unique Hawaiian theme.

Anticipated to open in late-2024, the worldrenowned entertainment company’s first-ever resident show in Honolulu will fuse the iconic acrobatics and innovation that Cirque du Soleil is known for with the authenticity, natural beauty and unique culture of the islands.

Native Hawaiian Aaron J. Salā, has been retained as a cultural director to assist in creating this show’s storyline and name, as well as contribute to the casting process.

“Cirque du Soleil is an iconic company at the apex of entertainment and we are confident that the show created for Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel will delight and astound our guests and residents,” said Outrigger Hospitality Group President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner.

“This collaboration with Cirque was years in the making and perfectly aligns with Outrigger’s brand elevation strategy, which includes a promise to provide authentic live music and signature experiences in renowned beach locations.” outrigger.com

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Cirque du Soleil is launching new permanent show in Waikiki

Extreme Wow at the hip, new W Sydney

Following its opening in late 2023, W Sydney is once again taking the Australian hotel scene to the next level with the reveal of its top-level suites, the Extreme Wow Suite and five Wow Suites.

Combining bold design, eclectic experiences and the brand’s famous Whatever/Whenever service, W Sydney’s 202sqm Extreme Wow Suite is perched on Level 27 of the luxury hotel, offering panoramic waterfront views and extraordinary interiors.

Continuing the ‘marine chic’ design narrative that carries throughout the stunning rooms, W Sydney’s designers Bowler James Brindley took their penthouse inspiration from the HMAS

Lancemore’s Cleveland Estate makes stellar return

Lancemore Hotel Group has unveiled Cleveland Estate as the first property under its new sister brand, LMG Collection.

The property, formerly Cleveland Winery, officially reopened in February 2024 following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, revealing a relaxed retreat in a Victorian-era setting with 50 newlook guest rooms and suites, surrounded by a vineyard, gardens and farmland.

“The brief for Cleveland Estate’s transformation was not to create something perfect and definitely not pretentious,” said Lancemore Hotel Group CEO, Julian Clark.

“We wanted the property, with its roots tied to Victoria’s gold rush era, to transcend time and trends and reflect LMG’s love of art and design. Its architecture is distinctively Australian

Onslow, one of six Oberon-class submarines commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy that now resides in Darling Harbour as part of the National Maritime Museum.

High-design touchpoints include the unique crescent-shaped guest bedroom with an adjoining walk-in robe, while a second circular bathtub is positioned window-side to take in the mesmerising water views below.

The Extreme Wow Suite also features a spirit bar and private cellar, showcasing exceptional Champagnes and an extensive selection of Australian and international wines. whotels.com

and, like Australia, the refurbishment offers a melting pot of design references from diverse cultures, countries and periods, each combining to create a truly unique and colourful personality.”

Rooms include sleek freestanding bathtubs and artworks by celebrated

The property also features shared zones such as the billiard room, laidback lounging areas and dining nooks, an onsite restaurant and cellar door. lancemore.com.au

artists such as John Olsen, Russell Drysdale and Kate Bergin.

Travel and Leisure Co acquires Accor Vacation Club

Travel and Leisure Co has signed a deal to acquire Accor’s vacation ownership business – a total of 24 resorts across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia – for US$48.4 million.

The company will also receive the exclusive rights to develop new vacation ownership clubs and products under the Accor Vacation Club brand across Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

Speaking exclusively to Wayfarer, Travel and Leisure Co President and Managing Director of International Operations, Barry Robinson, said the intention is to keep the properties

under their existing Accor brands – Peppers, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Novotel, Mantra and Mercure.

“We are excited about building on the legacy of Accor Vacation Club, which has been a recognised and respected presence in the region for more than 20 years,” he said.

The addition of Accor Vacation Club’s will grow the Travel and Leisure Co’s club resort count by approximately 40% to a total of 77 properties. travelandleisureco.com

Shangri-La Singapore’s brilliant business rooms

With its newly-launched Horizon Club Business Rooms, Shangri-La Singapore is levelling up the work-from-anywhere experience for guests who have embraced the remote working lifestyle over the past few years.

Designed with seamless productivity in mind, the workspace in the spacious Horizon Club Business Rooms come equipped with a suite of ergonomic furniture and state-of-the-art electronics and they are an absolute winner.

“Throughout the pandemic, continued to listen and innovate its room offering”, a spokesperson for Shangri-La Singapore told Wayfarer.

“From offering experiential staycation packages for local guests who are grounded during the pandemic, expanding its dine-in and takeaway concepts, to now redesigning the hotel room’s workspace to help guests work, rest and play in one place with utmost comfort and ease.”

In the new Horizon Club Business Rooms, executive travellers will find an Omnidesk adjustable standing desk that can be adjusted to one’s preferred height and angle, an Omnidesk Ergonomic chair, a clutter-free desk setup with Logitech Master MX 3S Wireless Mouse Graphite and Logitech MX Mechanical Wireless Illuminated Keyboard and high quality, clear and crisp visual and audio quality for video-conferencing with the Dell 27-inch 4K USB-C Hub Monitor, Logitech BRIO 4K Webcam and Poly Sync 40 Speakerphone.

The Horizon Club Business Rooms include daily access to the Horizon Club Lounge, an exclusive haven located at Level 24 of the Tower Wing, where business or leisure travellers can unwind and take in the panoramic city views from the 24th floor of the Tower Wing. Breakfast, light refreshments, evening cocktails and canapés are served daily. shangri-la.com

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Reverie’s Sri Lankan masterpieces

From the masterminds behind Sri Lanka’s leading luxury hotel collection, Resplendent Ceylon, comes Reverie – a collection of laid-back boutique properties which embrace the slow pace of life that the island embodies.

The all-new Reverie collection has had a spectacular launch in Sri Lanka with the opening of Kayaam House in Tangalle and Ahu Bay in Ahungalla.

The properties are located just two hours apart along the south coast, famed for its miles of golden sand and palm-fringed coastlines, abundance of marine life and ocean-washed shores.

“The core brand values remain the same as Resplendent, as Reverie is a sister brand and born out of the same family and concept,” said Resplendent Ceylon Managing Director, Malik J. Fernando.

“Our offerings in terms of guest experience and service will be mindfully and personally paced. Reverie however will focus on smaller, intimate properties across Sri Lanka,” he said.

Perched on Ahungalla Point between two secluded bays on the south-west coast is Ahu Bay, a relaxed beach house for free-spirits, made up of a collection of four suites and three three-bedroom beach villas, available either on a rent-by-the-room or exclusive use basis.

Pared-back, rustic interiors will feature neutral sandy tones, rattan furniture, recycled wood accents and plenty of natural greenery. A casual all-day dining venue which will serve Sri Lankan and international favourites, surrounded by manicured lawns, beach cabanas, a Sanctuary Spa and a shimmering infinity swimming pool.

Kayaam House situated on the south coast in Tangalle, is a spiritual sanctuary in a secluded spot just steps from the vast Indian Ocean, home to six Ocean Rooms, two Palm Suites and a chic, Bawa inspired 20-cover restaurant and bar.

The Kayaam House journey focuses on restoration and recovery with wellness as a key part of every guest experience.

The Sanctuary Spa features a treatment room with therapies based on traditional healing methods utilising hyperlocal herbs and spices, whilst guests can find additional opportunities to bathe in nature at the outdoor yoga pavilion or at the far-reaching infinity pool.

Expertly curated by the local team, each of Reverie’s properties will offer soulful experience menus that offer guests the chance to completely, mindfully and respectfully immerse themselves into Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.

A third property, Kelburne Estate, also recently joined Reverie as a collection of hillside cottages in the tea carpeted mountains of Haputale.

thereverie.life

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines, which flies daily to the city from across the world, including London, Sydney, Melbourne and more, on the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet that feature spacious flatbed seats in Business Class and comfortable seats in Economy Class. Onboard across both cabins, expect delightful Sri Lankan and western dishes in both cabins, plus leading movies and TV shows on the airline’s inflight entertainment system. srilankan.com

Mövenpick’s Melbourne style

Australia’s newest Mövenpick Hotel in Melbourne, has been delighting guests with its daily ‘chocolate hour’ and stylish guestrooms and suites for the past three years and the hotel continues to receive fantastic reviews.

The 172-room Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer forms the six-level podium of the striking 78-storey Premier Tower development at the meeting point of Melbourne’s iconic Spencer and Bourke Streets in the CBD.

An ode to Melbourne’s vibrant arts scene, the hotel showcases a collection of works from outstanding local photographers including Steve Scalone and Sean Mcdonald, to name a few.

Located on levels one to six, each intuitively designed guestroom and suite exudes understated elegance.

A great night’s sleep is guaranteed with premium linens and blackout curtains, while modern bathrooms focus on wellbeing with a rain shower and mindful bath and body amenities.

With the brand’s heritage and rich culinary offerings inextricably linked to its Swiss origins, an area famous for its chocolate, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer dedicates one hour each afternoon to ‘Chocolate Hour’.

From 3.30pm to 4.30pm daily, hotel guests can indulge in complimentary sweet treats, such as chocolate petit fours, churros, mini ice cream cones and ice cream sandwiches.

To satiate serious chocolate lovers, guests can opt to elevate their Chocolate Hour experience with the purchase

of chocolate-infused cocktails or the hotel’s signature Mövenpick ice cream chocolate parfait.

Celebrating Movenpick’s more than 70-year-old rich culinary legacy, the hotel houses two unique gastronomic venues. Miss Mi restaurant and bar has awoken the senses of Melbourne’s dining scene with an exotic taste journey through Asia, while a dedicated Movenpick Café serves the brand’s signature ice cream alongside barista-made coffee and local artisan chocolates.

The hotel is dedicated to wellness with a dedicated recreation floor featuring a 25-metre swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and well-equipped gynamsium. Open until 10pm, this is one of only a few hotels pools in Melbourne where guests can swim at night.

all.accor.com

GETTING THERE

Qantas operates direct flights to Melbourne from across the globe with the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A330s, A380s and Boeing B737s and B787s that are headlined by the airline’s fantastic Business Class cabin. qantas.com

Your holiday begins when you step on board

Fly nonstop to Honolulu from Sydney or Auckland and explore more of Hawaiʻi with easy connections to Maui, Kauaʻi, Kona and Hilo.

Visit HawaiianAirlines.com.au or HawaiianAirlines.co.nz to learn more.

Waldorf’s Maldives wonder

When it opened to major acclaim in 2019, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi quickly became one of the world’s finest luxury resorts and now, some four years later, the property is still firmly in that position. James Wilkinson checks in.

Located a 30-minute superyacht ride from Malé Airport, the 119 all-villa Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is home to one of the finest luxury resort experiences on the planet, where service, style, sophistication and wonderful hospitality intertwine to create endless memories from the moment you arrive.

The exceptional hospitality begins when you land at Malé Airport and are greeted by one of the resort’s staff, who will usher you to the wharves outside where a 75-foot Princess yacht is waiting to take you in style, complete with champagne and canapes, to one of the most luxurious resorts ever built.

The journey from Malé is an adventure in itself as you depart the Maldives’ sprawling capital and cruise past the resorts and islands, occasionally with dolphins along for the ride, before reaching the expansive, yet intimate Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

As soon as you reach the resort, you’ll sail past the ultra-exclusive Ithaafushi Private Island – yours for a cool US$70,000 per night – and into the lagoon that’s lined with overwater villas, white sand beaches, restaurants, boats, jet skis and watercraft waiting to be taken out for a spin.

The team at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi will be ready to greet you in song on the wharf before you’ll be whisked away to your villa for the in-room check-in, orientation and quickly, relaxation.

There are a range of villas on offer at the resort, including beach, reef and overwater villas that open onto either a white sand beach or an expansive deck including a private infinity pool.

The resort is also home to two Stella Maris Ocean Villas, accessible only by boat, which are headlined by floor-toceiling windows, direct ocean access and ultimate privacy for those in residence.

Then there’s the exclusive Ithaafushi Private Island, which is like a private resort in itself. Also accessible only by boat, the 32,000-square-meter island features a fourbedroom residence, three-bedroom beach villa and a twobedroom overwater villa, alongside an overwater spa and gym, five swimming pools, an entertainment center and several pristine beaches.

The Ithaafushi Private Island also comes complete with a personal concierge team and dedicated chef to cook up some of the resort’s signature dishes and other personal favourites on request.

You don’t have to book the Ithaafushi Private Island for the ultimate meal, because the restaurants on offer are world-class.

At the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, find 11 specialty dining venues, led by our favourite The Ledge, helmed by world-renowned chef Dave Pynt, the mastermind behind Singapore’s legendary Burnt Ends.

The Ledge features Pynt’s signature, custom-built, four-ton, dual-cavity oven and elevation grills, enabling the Australian chef’s team the use of techniques such as smoking, slow roasting, baking and grilling.

Expect some of Pynt’s top dishes on the menu, including ‘Beef Marmalade’ with house pickles and Jamaican chicken

wings and lime crema, alongside a delicious The Ledge cheeseburger and the Wagyu steak Sando.

Another memorable dining experience is to be had at Yasmeen, where you’ll find a space filled with decorative artifacts and antiques alongside delicious and authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.

Here, order up pitas and puffed breads that have been baked in ovens based on centuries-old designs, alongside charcoal-roasted meats, and hot and cold mezzes.

Both the seafood mixed grill (fish Taouk, grilled shrimps and grilled calamari) and mixed grill meat (chicken Taouk, beef cubes, lamb chops and kofta) are fantastic choices.

When it comes to breakfast, the buffet on offer at the Tasting Table offers an epic selection of pastries, meats, hot dishes, fresh juices and more, while in the evenings, don’t skip late afternoon drinks at Amber, where a glass of Champagne while catching an epic Maldivian sunsets over the Indian Ocean is absolutely in order.

Food aside, the resort experiences here are spectacular, from the array of seacraft on offer for sailing, fishing and powering around on jetskis to the tennis courts and the offerings of the Ocean Pavilion, where you’ll find a fitness center, along with a range of wellness activities.

There’s also a PADI dive center, the Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park and the Lagoon Pool which is fantastic for little kids and adults alike.

Whether you are at the resort for a two-day experience or one that spans two weeks, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers a wonderful escape for honeymooners and families alike where you are getting an experience that is truly one of the best in the world.

waldorfastoriamaldives.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Malé via Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines, which flies daily to the city from across the world, including London, Sydney, Melbourne and more, on the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet that feature spacious flatbed seats in Business Class and comfortable seats in Economy Class. Onboard across both cabins, expect delightful Sri Lankan and western dishes in both cabins, plus leading movies and TV shows on the airline’s inflight entertainment system. srilankan.com

Regents reimagination

The luxurious Regent Hong Kong has made a spectacular debut after a remarkable transformation from the former InterContinental Hong Kong.

The ‘new’ Regent Hong Kong is a flagship for IHG Hotels and Resorts’ reimagined luxury brand and the transformation in Hong Kong has been nothing short of spectacular.

Before the hotel was the InterContinental Hong Kong, it was The Regent Hong Kong and firmly had legendary status in Asia’s World City.

Regent Hong Kong General Manager, Michel Chertouh, said the ‘new’ property offers a harmonious blend of tranquillity and excitement, creating an atmosphere where senses are heightened and memorable experiences are born.

“As one of Hong Kong’s legacy luxury hotels and host to generations of cherished memories, we are proud to officially launch Regent Hong Kong and ignite a new chapter of unforgettable moments for our guests,” he said.

“Regent Hong Kong offers a rare urban haven on Victoria Harbour, elevated above the city’s hustle and bustle.

“We have created a serene environment where you can disconnect from the outside world and enjoy bespoke service ‘on your terms.”

Chertouh said Regent Hong Kong stands as the quintessential base for an exploration of Hong Kong’s myriad of attractions.

“Its privileged location on the striking Victoria Harbour places guests at the epicentre of culture, surrounded by landmarks like K11 MUSEA, ‘Avenue of Stars,’ Art Square and the Hong Kong Museum of Art,” he said.

Hong Kong-born designer Chi Wing Lo is a visionary creative who has brought a modern and understated touch to what is his first hotel project.

Through his expertise in architecture, interior design, furniture and art curation, Lo has created a timeless aesthetic, blending artisan craftsmanship with a subtle yet sublime sensibility.

He is known for his considered meticulous approach, balancing tactile natural materials including natural oak and granite crafted by the most skilled artisans. Lo’s philosophy comes alive with a serene rhythm and an element of surprise through refined juxtapositions.

By blending serenity and stimulation, Lo has curated serene and uncluttered spaces that contrast with stimulating framed views across Victoria Harbour. At the heart of the Regent experience and firmly rooted in Lo’s scheme are also “Personal Havens,” personalised spaces scattered around the hotel designed to inspire indulgent, intimate moments.

“As we open the doors to Regent Hong Kong, we celebrate not only a new chapter for the brand but also a journey back to the roots of luxury hospitality,”

Tom Rowntree, HG Hotels and Resorts

“As we open the doors to Regent Hong Kong, we celebrate not only a new chapter for the brand but also a journey back to the roots of luxury hospitality,” said IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Vice President Global Luxury and Lifestyle Brands, Tom Rowntree.

“Over half a century ago, Regent Hotels and Resorts pioneered modern luxury, setting the industry’s ultimate standards that continue to influence luxury brands today.

“With a legacy steeped in innovation, breathtaking views and landmark destinations like Regent Hong Kong, the brand is returning in earnest to redefine luxury once more.”

Chertouh said within the welcoming confines of Regent Hong Kong, a sanctuary of peace awaits in any of its 497 guestrooms, which include 129 suites.

“Guests can relax in their Personal Haven in the cocooning comfort of a windowfront daybed while sipping oolong tea or unwind as the day’s stress melts away in the oasis-like bathroom with a soothing bath selection from a bar and bath menu – all while enjoying the framed views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island’s dramatic skyline,” he said.

“Those seeking unparalleled luxury and the ultimate Personal Haven will discover the pinnacle in Regent

Hong Kong’s stunning new Presidential Suite, a sleek and sophisticated 3,500 square-foot duplex with a private terrace and infinity swimming pool, all with sweeping views of the harbour.”

On the bar and restaurant front, Regent Hong Kong’s dining scene is a trove of six globally acclaimed culinary experiences.

“It’s not just about exceptional cuisine… it’s about blending emerging culinary talent with local flavours and cultural encounters,” Chertouh said.

“Guests are able to explore Cantonese gems at the two Michelin-starred Lai Ching Heen or savour the finest beef and wine at The Steak House.

“Harbourside offers lavish international buffets in a lively market atmosphere, while The Lobby Lounge is a cinematic spot for afternoon tea and cocktails.

“Nobu brings back its iconic Japanese cuisine, and Qura, the hotel’s chic bar, adds a dynamic touch, where like-minded guests gather for bespoke drinks, engaging conversations and elevated comfort food with mesmerizing harbour views and a fine selection of cigars in the humidor room.”

He said Regent Hong Kong, renowned for hosting prestigious events, will once again be the city’s hub for

The pillarless Regent Ballroom can host up to 1,000 guests, while ten versatile function venues offer flexibility and panoramic harbour views, all complemented by the intuitive service of Regent Masters.

Impressively, Regent Hong Kong offers a highly personalised approach to service with Regent Experience Agents ensuring that each guest’s experience is effortless and tailored to their occasion or desire from pre-arrival through to departure.

From dietary requirements to family excursions, the Regent Experience Agents are a single point of contact curating the experience to ensure it is truly a seamless and exceptional.

“The beauty of Regent service lies in its commitment to generosity, with thoughtful inclusions like select mini-bar items and laundry services all offered on a complimentary basis,” Chertouh said.

With Compliments is a brand hallmark for Regent Hotels and Resorts around the world.

Then there is the Regent Club, where guests will experience an exclusive sanctuary and luxury residential retreat where they can unwind, recharge and indulge in culinary, beverage and wellness offerings.

“This beautifully designed space on the second floor is brought to life through moments of decadence that punctuate each day,” Chertouh said.

For those seeking balance, the pool terrace and fitness centre are also now open. Guests can enjoy a refreshing swim in the large outdoor pool, a dip in the threetemperature infinity pools overlooking the harbour, or an invigorating workout with the latest Technogym equipment in the Fitness Centre which is open 24-hours.

IHG Hotels and Resorts acquired Regent in 2018 and has since been working to reimagine the brand.

Regent Hong Kong is a flagship property within the new Regent portfolio and it joins Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, Regent Chongqing, Regent Shanghai Pudong, Regent Phu Quoc, and the soon-to-open Regent Bali Canggu and Regent Santa Monica Beach in crafting the most refined experiences for modern trendsetters.

regenthotels.com

GETTING THERE

Qantas operates direct flights to Hong Kong from Melbourne and Sydney with Airbus A330s and Airbus A380s that feature the airline’s suite-style Business Class cabin. Qantas’ Business Class cabin is headlined by a ‘suite’ seat – available on all the Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 jets in the fleet and select Airbus A380-800s – that has been popular with executive and leisure travellers since it first arrived on the scene in 2016. This next-generation Business Class seat from the Flying Kangaroo can be reclined for take-off and landing, and the cabin offering also includes top Australian food and wine and world-class entertainment. Before you depart Hong Kong, be sure to stop by the Qantas Hong Kong International Lounge, which recently re-opened to much fanfare in Asia’s World City. The Hong Kong International Lounge is spacious, stylish, there is fantastic hospitality and the food is exceptional. qantas.com

grand occasions. The grand entrance with a cascading fountain and iconic marble staircase sets the stage.

Luxurious secrets

When it comes to sustainability, there is a leader in the world of hotels and resorts and that’s Sonvea, which strives to become better as the years go by. The renowned brand has properties in the Maldives and Thailand and there could be more on the way, Soneva CFO and Deputy CEO Bruce Bromley, tells James Wilkinson in an exclusive global interview.

Bruce, thank you for your time. Tell us about Soneva’s history as a brand.

It all started with Eva and Sonu. They first visited the Maldives in 1987 and fell in love with the place. They decided to open a resort like no other, whilst ensuring ultimate protection of the environment.

As you know, at Soneva we believe that a company must have a clear purpose beyond turning a profit, Sonu often speaks about it. It must serve and contribute to the society in which it operates and should not negatively impact the environment in which it is located.

First resort, Soneva Fushi, opened in 1995 and launched the story of Soneva. It was the first luxury resort in the Maldives, which at the time was a diver’s paradise, and the few hotels that were there had very low rates.

In 2011, Soneva became the first company, and is currently the only one, to offer luxury resort real estate for foreigners in the Maldives, at Soneva Fushi. The Soneva Villa Ownership programme is also available at Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll.

They built one resort after another, and founded Six Senses Resorts and Spas, as well as the Evason brand, which was sold in 2012. The Soneva brand was always premium brand of Six Senses portfolio. Since 2012, our Soneva strategy has been to only operate resorts which we own.

To manage the level and quality of our brand the way we want to, we pay an extraordinary amount of attention to detail, not least because we want to maintain our dedication to our sustainability goals.

Tell us about the new Soneva secret island in the Maldives.

Thirty years in the making, the Soneva Secret resort concept builds upon Soneva’s experience at the forefront of exceptional hospitality, and will set a new, unmatched standard in intuitive, personalised service, exquisite private villas and unspoiled settings, surrounded by nature.

Soneva Secret 2024 features just 14 beach and overwater villas, including lagoon Crusoe Villas, accessible only by boat, and the Castaway, the Maldives’ first floating villa. We are known for our exceptional service, at Soneva Secret we will enhance it with a dedicated Barefoot Guardian and Barefoot Assistant for every villa, curating an very personalised stay and one-of-a-kind, rare experiences for every guest.

The resort’s 14 private chefs, one for each villa, will craft bespoke menus and unique culinary journeys, whether savoured in the privacy and comfort of the villa or enjoyed in nature at the island’s most picturesque spots.

At Soneva Secret 2024, fully bespoke rare experiences are curated for every guest, reconnecting them with the abundant nature that surrounds the island. An underwater haven, the crystal-clear waters are home to colonies of majestic manta rays, pods of curious dolphins and gentle whale sharks, alongside shoals of colourful tropical fish.

Family experiences go far beyond The Den, whether picnics on castaway shores, sunset dolphin cruises, guided snorkeling with the experienced Marine Biologist, or navigating the night skies with exceptionally clear views of the Milky Way with the resident Astronomer.

What are your development plans for more properties going forward?

Our growth strategy encompasses the addition of at least one further property in the Maldives. We have a very strong base in the Maldives with Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, each of which offer very different guest experiences, and we see scope for the addition of further innovative concepts here.

Beyond the Maldives, we are looking at geographic and product expansion. On the geography side we are very keen on Japan, where we are looking at opportunities in Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as ski properties and ryokans. In Europe, we are working on a ski opportunity and potential European beach, and also looking at tier one cities.

You might ask why Soneva would be focusing on city centre hotels, and the reason is that our focus is the leisure traveler and increasingly in these major cities of the world like London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore and more, all of the growth in demand is coming from the leisure traveller rather than the business traveller, so we see this as a natural avenue for us to develop in.

Let’s talk about sustainability and the importance of this in sensitive locations like you have.

If you asked 100 people who are familiar with Soneva to describe the brand, I am sure that in 100 out of 100 of those descriptions you would hear two words in common being ‘luxury’ and ‘sustainability’. Bringing these apparent opposites together is what creates many of the unique guest experiences that Soneva delivers.

Environmental sustainability has been the foundation of our business since we opened our first resort in the Maldives in 1995. Over the years we have developed and honed our knowledge of the impacts of our activities and found ways to minimise these.

“It’s not a case of sustainability being “important”, it’s a case of sustainability being an imperative.”

Bruce Bromley, Soneva

In 1998, for example, we embarked on a process of eliminating single use plastics from our operations, which began with us banning the use of plastic straws on our islands.

In 2008, we took a major step forward in our goals by extending the ban to plastic water bottles, which we replaced with water bottled on site in reusable glass bottles. So far, we estimate that we have avoided around 2 million plastic bottles going to landfill.

Operating sustainably is actually a lot simpler than you would think and is largely about taking linear processes and making them circular, and this is precisely what we did by eliminating the wasting process of importing bottled water and instead making our own in reusable glass bottles.

We took our war on single use plastic outside of our resorts in 2016 when we established Soneva Namoona, a Maldives NGO, which is focused on eliminating single use plastic from local islands in the Maldives. This has been a very successful initiative and we currently have 22 Namoona islands, with many more looking at entering the programme.

Sustainability initiatives go beyond plastics of course, and we focus on ensuring that we operate in the most sustainable manner possible on our properties. Examples include local sourcing, maximizing the amount of food that we grow in our extensive organic gardens, eliminating

chemical pest control on our islands to protect and conserve the natural biodiversity, or the fact that we recycle north of 90% of our waste.

Our sustainability initiatives go by the tag line ‘Waste to Wealth’, and it’s a tag line that we strongly live up to, and this approach has indeed delivered considerable value to the business.

There are many examples I could quote, but my favourite is the glass factory that we operate at Soneva Fushi. The Glasscycle (see what we did there) up-cycles old wine bottles into stunning works of art which retail for many tens of thousands of dollars.

We have facilities to deal with all manner of waste whether it’s glass, plastic, metal or organic waste. For example, we melt old tin cans and turn them into the beautiful aluminium doorknobs and towel hooks that you will find in our resorts.

Our islands are beautiful natural environments, and a few years back we took the decision to eliminate chemical pest control in favour of sustainable processes. As a result, the mosquito population on our islands collapsed and our pest management costs followed suit. A great example of sustainability thinking improving the guest experience driving the bottom line.

We have recently invested US$10 million in solar facilities on our two Maldives resorts which will enable us to

cover 50% of our energy requirements from the sun, and dramatically reducing the emissions from diesel generators.

Soneva Secret, our latest Maldives property which debuted in January 2024, is more than 90% carbon free, taking advantage of technologies such as central chiller systems, sitting alongside expansive floating solar plant. The financial payback on these investments is extremely attractive.

A big focus is on climate change, especially for a company which has assets in coastal areas. We’re very much focused on net zero and in 2012 we became a carbon neutral company, taking account of all scopes (1, 2 and 3) of emissions.

Scope 1 measures the direct emissions that occur at our resorts, which is around 20% of our total emissions, while scope 3, which accounts for the remaining 80% of our emissions, measures the emissions that result from our supply chains including importing food and other operational and construction materials, and most importantly, the emissions from the air travel of our guests.

While we are investing in solar power and taking measures to reduce the emissions from our direct activities, our operations, supply chains and guest flights nevertheless result in a significant level of emissions.

We achieve carbon neutrality by employing carbon offsets to deal with whatever emissions we cannot directly address, for example because they sit outside of our direct operations – guest flights are the majority of it.

For a business to be truly sustainable, one cannot have a growth strategy and sustainability strategy. One needs to combine the two ends into a strategy which focuses on sustainable growth.

That is what we have done at Soneva. No sustainable investment is made without an ROI attached to it. That does not mean we put profits ahead of the environment. Indeed, quite the opposite.

We will not operate in a way that goes against our core values, regardless of the profit impact, and at the same time we will not make sustainability investments until the team is able to create a payback mechanism.

This very often requires extreme lateral thinking which drives some incredible innovations that move us forward in both a sustainability context and a business context. Our glass factory being just one of many examples.

How important is it for the hospitality industry as a whole to get right behind sustainability?

It’s not a case of sustainability being ‘important’, it’s a case of sustainability being an imperative.

Hospitality is a huge resource consumer, and typically tourist resorts are located in developing country destinations far from source markets.

While tourism is good for these developing economies –witness the extraordinary growth in GDP in the Maldives from when the first resort opened there in the early 1970s until today – there is often a huge environmental cost to this development.

With long-haul travel there is, of course, the issue of flight emissions, and then you have all the additional

burden of imports of food, water and other consumables. Dealing with the waste produced by tourism is also a huge burden on the host country.

It’s a classic case of the tragedy of the commons and hospitality companies, who are the economic beneficiaries of tourism, must take responsibility for the externalities which they create. Those externalities should not be limited to the direct operations, but also the economic and social impacts up and down our supply chains.

soneva.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Malé on Sri Lankan Airlines, which flies twice daily to the Maldives’ capital from the airline’s hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with connections available from across the world. Sri Lankan Airlines flies to Colombo and Malé from across the world, including London, Sydney, Melbourne and more, on the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet that feature spacious flatbed seats in Business Class and comfortable seats in Economy Class. Onboard across both cabins, expect delightful Sri Lankan and western dishes in both cabins, plus leading movies and TV shows on the airline’s inflight entertainment system. From Colombo, Oneworld alliance member Sri Lankan can connect you to some of Asia’s best destinations, from India to the Maldives and beyond. srilankan.com

Madison magic

Since it made its eagerly awaited debut in mid-2021, the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue has been one of midtown Manhattan’s hottest new hotels, thanks to its spacious, stylish rooms and fantastic food and beverage on offer.

The NH Collection New York Madison Avenue is led by General Manager, Carlos Salomon, who says “staying at the enchanted property takes guests on a journey back in time to one of the most iconic periods of Gotham’s history”.

“Located in a building inspired by the Renaissance Revival architecture of the 1920’s, the hotel exudes splendour, creativity and all the buzz of the city’s Golden Age of Advertising,” he says.

“The NH Collection New York Madison Avenue allow guests to soak in the ambience of 1950’s Madison Avenue while enjoying all the conveniences of the new millennium. Its style is distinctly European, with a touch of eclectic elegance.

“That nostalgia carries through to the establishment’s common areas, designed to foster convivial experiences.

“Warm rooms with welcoming fireplaces, areas for resting in comfort and quiet but vibrantly decorated work spaces are just a few of the lobby’s charms.”

Salomon says surrounded by some of the most emblematic skyscrapers of New York’s skyline, most of the hotel’s 288 rooms offer stunning city views.

“With an exceptional terrace looking out over the Empire State Building, the Presidential Suite will give its fortunate guests a stunning vantage point from which to view the soul of the city,” he says.

“Decorated with elegant furniture crafted from walnut wood, both the suites and the deluxe rooms are equipped with the brand’s outstanding

amenities, thus offering the highest standards of comfort.”

Also headlining the experience is the food and beverage on offer, including MAD Bar and Lounge, a top spot for cocktails, bites and live jazz music, as well as the latest NYC outpost of Serafina, which offers contemporary Italian cuisine crafted with quality ingredients and fused with an energetic vibe.

The NH Collection New York Madison Avenue is located in one of the most exciting areas of Manhattan, close to Grand Central Station, Times Square, Bryant Park and Broadway, as well as being easily accessible from the city’s three airports.

Also nearby are some of the Madison Avenue’s most fashionable boutiques, as well as shopping meccas such as Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s Herald Square.

nh-hotels.com

GETTING THERE

Air New Zealand flies to New York City direct from Auckland, a flagship route for the airline. The flights are operated by Air New Zealand’s popular Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features three cabins, Economy, Premium Economy and up the front, Business Premier, headlined by flatbed seats (featuring mattress toppers and large pillows for overnight flights), fantastic food and wine, thousands of hours’ entertainment and brilliant Kiwi hospitality. airnz.com

Singapore stunner

With its plethora of exciting and enticing bars and restaurants, luxurious suites, infinity pools, day spa treatments and a brilliant executive lounge, the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach truly offers an exceptional stay in the Lion City, be it for work or leisure. James Wilkinson checks-in.

From an exceptional location to fantastic wining and dining and spacious, stylish rooms, the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach easily ticks the box as one of the city’s most exciting properties for both business and leisure guests.

Led by General Manager Nick Heath, the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach also oozes style and sophistication thanks to its interior design by the legendary Philippe Starck alongside Foster and Partners.

“A design-led landmark near Suntec City in City Hall, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach offers an artful balance of historic heritage and contemporary style in close proximity to the Central Business District and leading Singapore attractions,” Heath said.

“Here, you’ll find impeccably designed rooms and suites appointed with 5-star amenities, complimentary

WiFi and sleek, marble bathrooms.

“You’ll find respite in the immaculately appointed hotel accommodations with elegant interiors, intuitive amenities and sleek marble bathrooms.

“You can also delight your palate with sophisticated fare at our stylish restaurants, and sip creative cocktails with friends and colleagues in our bars, which offer a chic downtown atmosphere.”

“At the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, you can also plan an unforgettable event in breathtaking event venues, including our elegant, standalone Grand Ballroom with iconic interiors and a stunning Forest of Lights.

“After a full day of business, shopping or exploring Singapore’s downtown core, refresh your senses at our signature hotel spa or visit our scenic sky gardens. Work,

dine, relax and explore with us at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach.”

Heath is right on the delighting your palate, given you can savour an award-winning international buffet at Beach Road Kitchen, discover celebrity chef Akira Back’s signature modern Japanese cuisine, and experience the delights of the NCO Club next door, which sits on a legacy of Singapore’s evolution with rich heritage dating back to the 1950s.

The three-storey entertainment lifestyle destination features four eclectic concepts in Madame Fan, a lifestyledining modern Cantonese restaurant; Cool Cats, a live music lounge and cocktail bar; Stags’ Room, which features a private reserve of wines by coravin; and the Fish Pool, an electrifying raw bar showcasing elegant small plates of sashimi, crudo and ceviche, as well as nightly captivating mermaid performances by Syrena, Singapore’s first mermaid

Should you wish to explore the city further, the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is ideally situated near Marina Bay, the Central Business District and leading downtown attractions including National Stadium and National Gallery.

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Singapore in Business Class on Singapore Airlines, which offers daily flights to city from over 130 destinations around the globe. On flights to Singapore, you can ‘Book the Cook’ and reserve your main course up to 24 hours before you fly, including creations by notable chefs from the carrier’s International Culinary Panel. singaporeair.com

Appetite.

Hot tables, bars and drinks

brands from across the world.

Como The Halkin’s wellness high tea

London’s luxurious Como The Halkin offers a taste of Bali to the heart of Belgravia with the property’s delightful afternoon tea featuring treats from the group’s signature wellness Como Shambhala Cuisine.

Located at the classic Halkin Bar, the team have meticulously curated a guilt-free menu comprising a delightful blend of savoury and sweet delicacies, accompanied by refreshing Como Shambhala juices and teas, bringing a wellness-focused twist to this cherished British tradition.

The afternoon tea experience at

Como The Halkin, available daily from 2pm-6pm, starts off with guests embarking on a wellness journey with hot towels infused with the signature Como Shambhala scent, creating a sensory ambiance reminiscent of a Como Shambhala retreat.

In line with the Como Shambhala holistic wellness concept, which seamlessly combines healthy eating, expert nutrition, and pleasurable gastronomy, the team have crafted an afternoon tea that delivers pure, unadulterated pleasure. comohotels.com

Mamacita trailblazes into Adelaide

Mamacita, a trailblazing new concept in Mexican cuisine and drink, has opened at Tryp by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide and is set to become a hot new destination for foodies and bar goers.

Mamacita is a must-visit location for the tequila afficionado, with shelves devoted to a collection of more than 50 tequilas (and climbing).

Guests can choose from an enviable range of margaritas – or to build their own – and to heat their meal with chilli sauces featured on a scale ranging from mild to eye-wateringly hot, one of which requires a waiver to taste.

Mexican classics including delicious tacos, quesadillas, nachos, chipotle marinated chicken, chicken wings and pork ribs all feature on the menu, alongside more adventurous choices for the gastronome: carne asada with 12-hour slow roasted and marinated scotch fillet, cured king fish in lemon and lime,

British Airways’ BA-B-Q sauce with Franklin Barbecue

British Airways has celebrated a decade of flying between Austin and London Heathrow in Texas style, by partnering with the city’s renowned barbecue joint, Franklin Barbecue, to produce limited edition bottles of their Original BBQ sauce, aptly labelled BA-B-Q sauce.

The collaboration was courtesy of British Airways’ Executive Chef Mark Brega, who drew inspiration from a visit to Austin and pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s culinary mastery.

“Franklin Barbecue is a legendary establishment in Austin,” he said. “Known for its long lines and mouth-watering brisket, it has earned a reputation as one of the best barbecue joints in the world.

“We are always looking for culinary inspiration in the cities we fly, so it was a delight to meet Aaron Franklin and learn from his passion and expertise and share Franklin Barbecue’s Original BBQ sauce with our customers.” ba.com

and yuca fries made from the yuca root, commonly found in South America and the Pacific.

Alongside the plentiful tequilas, Mamacita offers mezcals, which feature a scrumptious smokiness developed during the distillation process. Mamacita’s cocktail list is also extensive and features 14 margaritas at present count, although guests are invited to request their favourite cocktails and one of the experienced bartenders can make them using the bar’s wide range of spirits.

The new 120-room Tryp by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide, located at 266 Pulteney Street, is part of a unique, urban, boutique brand that embodies the local flavour, rhythm and beat of cities around the world, making it the perfect place for a new foodie concept like Mamacita to call home. tryphoteladelaide.com

Mamacita has opened in Adelaide

Legendary Aaron Franklin and British Airways’ Mark Brega

Terranea’s wine excellence

Southern California’s Terranea has again been recognised as one of America’s top destinations for fine wine alongside delightful cuisine.

Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea is one of Southern California’s premier luxury oceanfront resorts with 102 acres of unparalleled Pacific Ocean views.

Alongside the phenomenal location and views, Terranea is well known for its spectacular food and beverage offerings, headlined by mar’sel, where it’s all about New American and Mediterranean delights from farm-to-table produce and an epic wine list.

That drinks offering has been again rated as one of the world’s best, with mar’sel being awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for its ninth consecutive year recently.

The restaurant received the second highest level of Wine Spectator’s annual awards program, which recognises the world’s best wine restaurant lists and programs exemplifying outstanding wine service.

Mar’sel’s wine collection of 375 bottles is designed to complement Michelin-starred Chef de Cuisine Fabio Ugoletti’s seasonal new American dishes featuring farm-to-table creations using ingredients from Terranea’s herb and vegetable garden and from nearby Catalina View Farms.

The wine offerings provide discerning guests with an interesting selection of both New World and Old World varietals – California cult, French Bordeaux, Burgundy and many others from Italy, Portugal, Oregon, Germany, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Hungary and Spain.

The 5,000-bottle wine cellar is meticulously maintained with prestige and vintage wines offered through the Coravin system to preserve optimal freshness and quality. In addition, mar’sel teammates collaborate with guests to present outstanding, bi-monthly, interactive vintner dinners.

The entire dining experience is complemented by the sound of crashing waves and panoramic Pacific Ocean views in what is a stunning setting.

terranea.com

GETTING THERE

Qantas operates direct flights to Los Angeles from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney with Airbus A330s, A380s and B787s that feature the airline’s suite-style Business Class cabin – now available on all the Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 jets in the fleet and select Airbus A380-800s – that has been popular with executive and leisure travellers since it first arrived on the scene in 2016. qantas.com

Hawaiian flair

The Halekulani and Halepuna are known as two of the leading hotels in Waikiki, where alongside stylish rooms and suites you’ll find some of the best food and drinks in Honolulu.

Headlining the bar team for the Halekulani and Halepuna is Lead Mixologist and Oahu native, Tuda Grehan (pictured), who oversees the drinks program at both hotels, including House Without A Key, which serves up some of the best cocktails in Honolulu.

Grehan focuses on finding new ways to elevate the guest’s experience by executing the smooth and flawless operation of all outlets with beverage service.

Born and raised on Oahu, Grehan moved to New York at the age of 16 and later earned a degree in Fine Arts from The Cooper Union College with a focus in printmaking, photography, and bookmaking.

Using her specialized art background, Grehan stepped up to the challenge of crafting unique beverages tailored

to each customer’s preference as she started her career as a bartender in New York City, immersed in a culture that was looking for more than the conventional cocktail.

After New York, she returned to Honolulu to work at Grondin, the French Latin restaurant and bar in Chinatown, as well as a bartender at Waikiki’s Maui Brewing Company and Morimoto Asia before taking on the Head Bartender at Halekulani Bakery and Restaurant at Halepuna Waikiki.

Grehan has been instrumental in leading the beverage team in creating the new signature drinks for the Earl’s Pool Bar at House Without A Key and is now working on updating the drinks for Lewers Lounge.

By challenging herself to use specific ingredients or make custom infusions, Grehan believes each aspect in a cocktail serves a specific purpose.

While creating a memorable experience for guests which evokes all senses, she enjoys sharing her passion for the history and methods of cocktail making as a craft and as a cultural staple.

GETTING THERE

Hawaiian Airlines flies to Honolulu from Sydney, Auckland and across the mainland United States. Hawaiian’s brilliant onboard experience includes a stylish Business Class cabin and more Extra Comfort seats on the widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. In Business Class, you’ find flatbed seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration, that fold down into 180-degree beds that are 20.5 inches wide by 76 inches long. hawaiianair.com

Perched

on top of the iconic Eos by SkyCity

See Adelaide from a new perspective

Langham’s culinary creativity

The Langham London has a rich history of being one of the British Capital’s most luxurious hotels, thanks to the rooms, amenities and fantastic food and beverage on offer. Leading the team is Executive Chef, Berwyn Davies and to find out what’s on offer, James Wilkinson sat down with him for an exclusive chat in London.

Berwyn, tell us what makes The Langham, London’s restaurants so popular in your opinion?

The Langham London restaurants have gained popularity for several reasons. It’s a combination of culinary excellence headed up by Michel Roux, diverse dining options and our ability to build our fantastic heritage – the birthplace of Afternoon Tea – while never sitting still and look at creating new and existing dining experiences for our guests.

The Good Front Room, our elevated Caribbean restaurant, and our partnership with Chef Angelo Sato for our Japanese inspired bar menu in Artesian are both testament to that innovative approach we have.

Then there is The Wigmore, our award-winning pub that has become a firm favourite with both guests and the

local community alike. Another string on our bow is our banqueting team that create phenomenal menus for events big and small, from exclusive private dining to lavish ballroom wedding menus for well over 100 persons.

Finally, it is also important that beyond our culinary excellence there is also a phenomenal team front of house that truly delivers a 5-star experience to all of our guests. It’s the care and attention we apply to everything we do (and deliver consistently) that sets us apart and makes The Langham, London a hugely popular destination.

What are your highlights of each restaurant?

Palm Court is the beating heart of the hotel and operates around the clock, from breakfast through to dinner. It never ceases to amaze me how the teams seamlessly

transition from one service to another. Afternoon Tea, a quintessentially British tradition, is something we take huge pride in and really strive to do better than anyone else in London.

With patisseries and sandwiches that evolve throughout the seasons we always aim to highlight the best ingredients when they are at their prime, which makes for the most flavoursome cakes and sandwiches. Did I mention the phenomenal freshly baked scones? Truly one of a kind! Combine all this with the lavish interiors of the restaurant and attentive service and you can see why this is an experience that should never be missed.

The Good Front Room is our most recent new venture. Opened as a result of Chef Dom winning the TV programme ‘Five Star Chefs’ (now available on Netflix) this was a hugely exciting project to be involved in. One of the memorable parts of the process was actually all the work that went into preparing for launch. This is a type cuisine that, until now, had never been scene in an upscale environment.

With that in mind, there was a certain learning curve to fully understand the cuisine, get to grips with all of the ingredients and deliver a menu that would remain authentic but would perfectly sit in an environment such as The Langham. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process, from tasting new products, purchasing to finding the perfect crockery not to mention being involved with visually and transforming Palm Court restaurant into The Good Front Room for dinner service.

There’s also Angelo Sato at Artesian. The Japanese inspired menu we offer in Artesian is such a cool concept. The menu is not the biggest but delivers a lovely collection of small plates and bar bites that work so well and matches up perfectly with the amazing cocktails they are known for. Bar menus are at times a bit overlooked and

similar from place to place, its great we are able to offer something that is just a bit more creative. My biggest highlight here is the Chicken Karage… I am known for stealing a piece on a daily basis. It’s incredibly tasty and hits the spot every time.

The Wigmore is a well-oiled machine, for such a small kitchen they produce super tasty food ‘en masse’. It’s all about British pub classics, wholesome food with the best ingredients and perfect execution. It’s a nice kitchen to go to when checking-in on the chefs during service and stealing some of the XXL Cheese and Mustard toastie (the best in London – take my word for it). Ideal to refuel my energy tank, just need to keep an eye on my daily calorie intake.

What are some of your favourite year-round ingredients to use across the restaurants?

The first couple of ingredients that come to mind are smoked chicken and scallops. Smoked chicken is great ingredient and is hugely versatile which it why we use throughout the hotel. In The Wigmore we use it to prepare the smoked chicken croquettes. The carcass is ideal for making stock basis for béchamel. We also like to use it in Palm court for afternoon tea where it stars in the coronation chicken sandwich and we use it in banqueting for salads.

This being said, hand-dived Scallops have to be my all-time favourite ingredient. I always imagine the divers going to the seabed and collecting them. It has to be the best and finest foraged ingredient out there. We really like to feature scallops in banqueting kitchens, as it’s a real ‘celebratory’ ingredient and I also like to use it as part of our festive menus at the hotel.

langham.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to London in Business Class on Singapore Airlines, which offers four daily flights to the British Capital. Singapore Airlines operates several aircraft types to London, including the Boeing 777-300ER, the Airbus A350-900 and the Airbus A380-800. On the B777 and A350, the signature Business Class seats offer two new seating positions, the Lazy Z, a cradling position that ensures your weight is centered and balanced when you’re sitting down, and the Sundeck, a lounging position that extends the base and foot of your seat so you can stretch and rest your legs on the ottoman. On flights to London, you can ‘Book the Cook’ and reserve your main course up to 24 hours before you fly, including creations by notable chefs from the carrier’s International Culinary Panel. singaporeair.com

Westward’s Australian highlight

Oregon’s heralded Westward Whiskey has launched an exciting collaboration release with Australia’s award-winning Stanton and Killeen winemakers in Rutherglen that has been receiving global acclaim. James Wilkinson heads to Portland to find out why this release should be on your drinks trolley.

Westward, known for its exceptional production of American Single Malts, has released a new Vintage Muscat Cask Whiskey with Stanton and Killeen that’s exclusively available through Australia’s renowned The Whisky Club.

The project has been many years in the making, according to Westward Whiskey’s celebrated Master Blender, Miles Munroe, who said the distillery has been working closely together with The Whisky Club since Westward launched into the Australian Market in 2019, “releasing one hit or awardwinning drop after another”.

He said the world-first partnership with Stanton and Killeen was “born from a shared focus on blending tradition and innovation”.

Munroe said Westward’s awardwinning Original Whiskey is beautifully finished in the heavily awarded Classic Muscat casks that were sent from Rutherglen in Victoria to Oregon to create the standout release.

Stanton and Killeen’s ‘Classic Muscat’ is a blend of Muscat with a minimum 12 years of age, which adds complexity and richness.

Monroe said each cask was handselected for this partnership to complement Westward’s Original product and “the result is an absolutely cracking world-first whiskey”.

“This cask highlights our commitment to pursuing perfection by creating flavour in every step of a long, slow process without shortcuts,” he said.

“While the Westward Vintage Muscat Cask was born in Oregon, it wouldn’t be the whiskey it is without being raised in Australia by the renowned Stanton and Killeen winemakers.

“This exclusive release pairs our dedication to flavour innovation with the tradition and passion of Stanton and Killeen and is a delicious example of what can be created by exchanging ideas, aligning our visions and enjoying each other’s company all in the name of making incredible whiskey.”

Miles Monroe (right) and the Westward team

VISIT THE WESTWARD DISTILLERY

Take a tour and sample some of the world’s best whiskey at Westward’s home in Portland. Meet the talented people behind their whiskey, learn about their pioneering spirit and walk the distillery floor to see first-hand how their unique production techniques and passion make Westward’s releases some of the highest rated American Single Malt whiskies ever made.

All tours wrap up in the Tasting Room for an exploration of distillery exclusives that are not available anywhere else in the world. You can also purchase limited releases, plus Westward clobber, accessories and cool Portland merchandise. westwardwhiskey.com

Monroe said the process of creating this stand-out offering begins by brewing an artisanal American ale from scratch using locally malted barley, ale yeast, and slow, low-temperature fermentation.

It is then distilled twice in custom low-reflux pot stills designed to create a robust spirit, which transfers the fresh, flavourful ale into whiskey.

He said once the liquid is matured to perfection in new lightly charred American Oak barrels selected to accentuate the bold characteristics of the whiskey, the Westward Whiskey Original is transferred into Stanton and Killeen Vintage Muscat Casks.

“The whiskey is finished for an additional year to benefit from the four distinct seasons in Oregon that perfectly matures the whiskey and results in a nuanced, bold and delicious collaboration,” Monroe said.

He said with a nod to the festive season, Muscat is reminiscent of Christmas pudding flavours due to its fig, spice, fruit and butterscotch notes, making this limitededition release “the ultimate gift for whiskey lovers, beginners, aficionados and everyone in between”.

Stanton and Killeen Wines’ Managing Director, Wendy Killeen, said she is thrilled with the Westward collaboration.

“We have been producing award-winning wines for seven generations and 145 years, and similarly to Westward, we are exceptionally passionate about artful blending traditions and constantly innovating, to create unique and extraordinary drops that people haven’t tasted before,” she said.

The Whisky Club’s Head of Whisky, Seamus Carroll, said the collaboration started when his team “set out to find and bring together the very best producers in a perfect fit of people, craftsmanship and passion, to create a truly remarkable whiskey”.

“We well and truly achieved our mission to create the most incredible whiskey by bringing together the best producers, and we quite literally had to travel the world to make this happen,” he said.

“For the first time ever we’ve bought legendary Australian Muscat casks to the other side of the world to be filled with this world class whiskey.

“Between Westward having a cult following amongst whiskey enthusiasts, and the Christmas flavour notes making it a great gift for anyone who enjoys whiskey or wine, we know this will sell out fast.”

Carroll said whether it’s enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or paired with festive foods like plum pudding or pumpkin pie, the Westward Whiskey Vintage Muscat Cask is too delicious to miss.

thewhiskeyclub.com.au

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Portland, Oregon on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the Pacific Northwest city from across America (including key hubs Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world. Book a ticket on the long-haul sector in United’s Polaris Business Class cabin, which features flatbed seats, pyjamas (on flights over 12 hours), all-new Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and onboard amenities from Therabody alongside fantastic inflight food and drinks, premium noise-reducing headphones and fantastic inflight hospitality. united.com

Bringing gracious luxury to the City through contemporary design, Pan Pacific London o ers a sense of peace and calm.

Graceful Luxury

Indulge in a distinctive London experience, from bustling market stalls to Michelin-starred eateries and iconic landmarks, all conveniently on our doorstep.

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T: +44 (0) 20 7118 6888

enquiry.pplon@panpacific.com @panpacificlondon

Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award 2024

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE.

Guides to some of the world’s hottest destinations, hotels, cars, accessories and much more.

80

Wyoming’s wonder

Why Jackson Hole is one of America’s best winter escapes

86

Montana’s masterpiece

We hit the slopes at Montana’s incredible Big Sky Resort

94

Aspen’s elegance

Why Aspen Snowmass is known for legendary alpine luxury

100

Mile high marvels

Our essential guide to Denver, America’s winter playground

104 Business brilliance

Reviews of five of the world’s best Business Class Cabins

122

One fine stay

Wayfarer checks in to the luxurious Maua Nusa Penida

Travelling in style at Helsinki Airport

Powder time

North America is home to some of the world’s best ski fields from coast to coast and for the past few seasons, it’s been about the powder, wide runs and new lifts, alongside fantastic hospitality, particularly at three of Wayfarer’s favourite spots, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Big Sky in Montana and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado.

Getting airborne at Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming is high on the list of destinations for skiers and boarders each season thanks to its legendary cable cars, powder filled runs, luxurious hotels and the stunning greater ecosystems of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

The magical destination Jackson Hole in Wyoming, also known for its cowboy culture, has some of the best winter and summer mountain activities in America, from legendary ski runs to epic mountain biking and once you’ve slid through powder just the once, you’ll want to be back on the hill every year.

When we say epic, we mean epic. Last season, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort recorded 595 inches of snow, making it the snowiest, deepest ever recorded and one of the highest totals for an American ski field of all time.

That meant long, powder-filled days on the mountain, followed by après at its best with drinks and stylish rooms

at the luxurious ski-in, ski-out Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, as well as across Teton Village’s thriving culinary scene.

The resort famously delivers some of America’s finest powder snow with 4,139 of continuous vertical feet of legendary terrain and 2,500 acres of the best beginner, intermediate and expert terrain.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is perhaps best known for its iconic aerial tram that has been popular with expert skiers and boarders alike since the latest version debuted in 2008.

The team gives skiers and boarders the opportunity to access Rendezvous Bowl, ski or ride 4,139 vertical feet on

the mountain and enjoy waffles at the award-winning Corbet’s Cabin at the top of Rendezvous Peak.

Built in 2008 and gliding skyward from the base in Teton Village to the top of Rendezvous

Mountain at 10,450 feet in just 12 minutes, the Aerial Tram provides powderhounds the chance to take in stunning views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole valley, and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Located directly off the Tram, Rendezvous Bowl is the widest open slope at the resort and offers descent options via intermediate or expert terrain through the resort’s deepest snowpack.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

With Jackson Hole known as an intermediate and advanced skiiers’ paradise, any trip here should include lessons or a guide, even for a few hours, from the brilliant Mountain Sports School team that are well-known across the world for their professionalism and hospitality.

The Mountain Sports School team of ski and snowboard coaches for a half- or full-day lessons or a multi-day camp.

“Our personalised approach will give you your best day possible on our mountain, from finding the best terrain for you given your goals and the day’s conditions to learning

new skills and priority lift line access,” a spokesperson from Jackson Hole told Wayfarer.

“Everyone’s dream ski or snowboard day is different [and] let MSS help you create yours. Nothing on-mountain is off-limits.”

Alongside the one-on-one lessons, where the Mountain Sports School team truly impress is with their Kids Ranch lessons, which are well priced (from $350 per day) and fire up young skiers’ and snowboarders’ sense of adventure and accomplishment.

“Kids think they’re just skiing/riding Wookie Wiggle – one of our 35 kid-specific trails – but their Mountain Sports School coaches know they’re learning skills they will eventually use to rip moguls and bumps,” the spokesperson said.

The team also offer backcountry tours and the opportunity to go skiing with two Olympians, Tommy Moe and Resi Stiegler, who are Ski Guides and Special Ambassadors on the mountain.

SEE AND DO

When you walk around the picturesque town of Jackson, you’ll firmly know you have arrived in cowboy country –from the architecture to the shops and venues on offer.

Here you can expect to find art galleries, gift shops, cafes, bars and in the winter, a small ice rink in the town square.

It’s all about wild west fun at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where there is a bar lined with horse saddle bar seats, longhorn taxidermy and an impressive spirits collection alongside live country music almost every night of the week. Around the corner at the Snake River Roasting Company, expect a fantastic cup of coffee or tea and delightful pastries. Next door, Teton Toys has great range of things for the kids, plus plenty of Jackson merch from hoodies to local delights. At Mountain Dandy, find handmade homewares like wooden bowls, blankets, dishware, canvas and leather aprons are alongside handcurated vintage furniture cultivated from cross-country road trips, all in a collegiate and men’s club atmosphere. Across the square at the Jackson Hole Resort Store, find branded beanies, ski shirts, hats, magnets and more to remember the trip.

Alongside the epic skiing and boarding, there are several fantastic things to do in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, including wildlife and park tours, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, flyovers and of course heliskiing. These parks are two of the most stunning in America and it’s more than worth spending a day or two exploring.

WHERE TO STAY

Over the past 21 years, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole in Wyoming has firmly been one of America’s best alpine hotels, thanks to its location in the heart of Teton Village, the ski concierge offering in the winter months, its guided tours in Grand Teton National Park throughout the summer and the luxurious attention to detail right across the property.

Each winter, when Jackson Hole is truly in its element, the property is one of America’s most in-demand resorts thanks to its phenomenal basecamp location and the ski concierge service which is exceptional.

Guests will also find on-property demo level rentals, ticket purchasing options and exclusive retail selections that make ski-in, ski-out an absolute breeze.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole is also headlined by its outdoor pools and hot tubs, the full-service Four Star Spa – the only Forbes rated spa in the state of Wyoming – alongside three dining outlets, including Wayfarer’s favourite, Westbank Grill, which offers fantastic meals with stunning mountainside views.

The property also recently underwent a glamorous makeover. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole completed a full-scale renovation of all guest rooms, suites and public hallways in summer 2022.

The renovation included all new vanities and mirrors, furniture, artwork, beds, lighting, wall coverings, carpet and private bar.

A well-defined work area also allows guests to remain productive, with top-of-the-line new technology for communication and entertainment. The latest renovations build upon recent enhancements in Westbank Grill and Ascent Lounge within the past five years.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole

When we say epic, we mean epic. Last season, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort recorded 595 inches of snow, making it the snowiest, deepest ever recorded and one of the highest totals for an American ski field of all time.

The resort also has a number of condominiums and vacation homes that can be booked by the night or by the season. Jackson Hole Resort Lodging offers condominiums and vacation homes at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and packages include discounted lift tickets. All properties have a kitchen, living area, access to hot tub, fireplace, woodstove, washer and dryer.

The condos are all a short drive from the base of the Village and accessed by shuttles that run frequently, plus many offer picturesque views of the mountains and surrounding plains.

In the town of Jackson, you’ll find several boutique hotels and lifestyle properties, including the fun, remodelled and stylish Mountain Modern. Here, find a former motel that’s been transformed into a boutique hotel with rooms that are headlined by larger-than-life wall coverings celebrating the backcountry, local wildlife and fly-fishing and all are complemented with “pops” of red and black buffalo plaid.

“All guest rooms were designed with function in mind and include practical features like custom gear walls serving as utilitarian decor and offering year-round storage for hiking boots, backpacks, skis and snowboards,” a spokesperson told Wayfarer

In addition to king rooms, studios with full kitchens and king and double-queen suites, travellers can also stay in six new two-bedroom, two-story residentialstye townhomes that sleep up to eight people and come with a kitchen, living room with fireplace and a private outdoor balcony.

EAT AND DRINK

You’ll work up quite the hunger as you fly down some of the most exciting runs in America and that calls for a solid meal on the mountain. Our pick for lunch is the Piste Mountain Bistro, which offers a lively dining experience at the top of the Bridger Gondola. On the menu, expect steaks, elk fillets, salmon, trout and a chicken and crab pot pie.

In the Village head to lunch at Corsa, where you’ll find a laid-back vibe of Jackson Hole, while nodding to authentic trattorias in the Italian Alps. Pizza takes centre stage here and expect Neapolitan style pies with thin, bubble crust and fresh mozzarella.

The popular Spur Restaurant and Bar is recognised as one of the top spots in Teton Village and here, expect locally sourced ingredients to create seasonal menus of American West, European and Mexican cuisines. Top orders are the buffalo Quesabirria, Elk Jalapeño-Cheddar Smokey Brat, the Spur Game Chili and steak-cut burger.

For a rockin’ après, head to the Mangy Moose Restaurant and Saloon, which has been offering live music, drinks and food in a lively setting since 1967.

Over at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, you’ll find Champagne, cocktails and music at Ascent Lounge, which has a fantastic slope-side setting and mountain views. Next door at the Handle Bar, the resort’s American pub and beer hall, find a stylish interior and an outdoor patio seating with views up the mountain.

For a great lunch or dinner, head to Westbank Grill steakhouse for some of the best dishes in town, from

roasted salmon to smoked duck, vension and an exceptional line-up of steaks, including a dry-aged cowboy ribeye, an A5 wagyu New York strip and an Australian fillet. Here, expect views of the mountain and excellent hospitality.

At the intimate and rustic Il Villaggio Osteria, find an eatery reminiscent of the comfortable, community-focused restaurants that pepper the Italian countryside. Here, there’s a salumi bar, pizza oven and cosy main dining room marry seamlessly to complement the authentic flavours of the expansive menu, while an outdoor fireplace warms during the chilly Wyoming nights. Osteria presents a menu perfect for multicourse dining, composed of house-made pastas and pizzas, seasonal salads, and imported meats and cheeses from leading Wyoming purveyors.

In the town of Jackson and steps away from the Town Square, The Bistro is the newest concept from restaurateurs Gavin Fine and Roger Freedman. Drawing on inspiration from Parisian style neighbourhood brasseries, The Bistro presents modern, comfortable European dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all inside The Cloudveil hotel. The Bistro brings seasonal, beautifully prepared and presented dishes to life with outdoor cafe seating, a stunning zinc bar, fresh oyster bar and a variety of dynamic indoor dining areas. The Bistro’s French-inspired cocktail menu showcases thoughtfully crafted libations, while the European-focused wine list highlights fantastic bottles at every price point.

jacksonhole.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Jackson Hole, Wyoming on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world. united.com

Il Villaggio Osteria

Big Sky

Located in one of America’s most picturesque and remote states, Big Sky Resort in Montana is all about space, vertical feet, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to get up close to nature and wildlife while enjoying some of the best skiing on the planet as James Wilkinson discovers.

Big Sky Resort in Montana, which turned 50 in late 2023, carries legendary status when it comes to American ski towns and they say here it’s ‘The Biggest Skiing in America’ and they aren’t wrong, given here there is 5,800 acres of skiable terrain and 4,350 feet of vertical spanning across four mountains.

Here you will be surrounded by the beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Region, while taking in a perfect turn on a bluebird day and relaxing at the base of the mountain with a glass of wine in hand after.

Impressively, more than 2,300 of those acres are dedicated to beginner and intermediate terrain, which Mountain Sports School ski instructors here call the best for learning to ski in North America.

At Big Sky, it’s all about space and with more than an acre per skier on average, you’ll feel like you have the runs to yourself right across the resort.

There is 300 degrees of skiing off of Big Sky’s famed Lone Peak and that means you’ll never ski the same line twice. Here, you can carve down 4,350 vertical feet of skiing, the most in the state of Montana and most of North America.

Headlining the skiing and boarding experience is the new Lone Peak Tram, which began carrying guests to the resort’s 11,166-foot summit in mid-December 2023, exactly 50 years and four days from Big Sky Resort’s inaugural opening day in 1973.

The new tram is a complete replacement of the original jig-back gondola built in 1995 and this state-of-theart aerial tram technology is newly routed to carry more passengers spaciously up 2,142 vertical feet in just under five minutes.

According to Big Sky Resort President and CEO, Taylor Middleton, the Lone Peak Tram is an engineering marvel

It’s no surprise Yellowstone National Park carries world-famous status because what’s on offer here is magical, enchanting, mesmerising and mindblowing, from the geysers to the waterfalls, scenery and animals that call this park home.

positioned to serve as a gateway to experience one of North America’s most spectacular summits on Lone Mountain.

“The original tram opened the high alpine terrain of Lone Mountain to skiers and riders, and the new tram is symbolic of the experiential transformation we are endeavouring to accomplish through our Big Sky 2025 vision,” Middleton said.

“This world-class summit experience is now serviced by a modern tram that will open up possibilities never contemplated until now, in both winter and summer.”

After two years of construction and many more years of planning, the new Lone Peak Tram marks a significant milestone in the resort’s 50th year.

Middleton said it allows for completely new ways to enjoy skiing the mountain’s high alpine eastern and southern exposures and will open up countless other experiences yet to be unveiled.

“The tram complex will evolve in the years ahead, with the addition of a breathtaking observation experience planned at the upper terminal in both the winter and summer season,” Middleton said.

“Plans for the tram also include an architecturally stunning lower terminal enclosure and a mountaintop food and beverage facility housed in the old top terminal of the original tram.”

Alongside the Lone Peak Tram, Big Sky also recently added the Ramcharger 8 and Swift Current 6 chairlifts, which boast speed and comfort with heated seats and weatherproof bubbles.

The new Lone Peak Tram is part of a base-to-summit lift network that will more fully come to life by the end of the decade, starting with the

addition of the Explorer Gondola, scheduled to open for winter 25/26.

Big Sky is also adding its second eight-seater and third state-of-the-art D-line chairlift replacing the existing Six Shooter lift.

The new eight-place lift will effectively double the uphill capacity while reducing ride time by 30%, offering guests swift and comfortable access to Big Sky Resort’s north side terrain from the Madison Base Area.

This lift will also set a new record globally as the longest eight-place installation in the world.

Middleton said this new lift network will create improved access to the resort’s premier learning terrain, accessible to pedestrians for the first time ever, and complemented with new food and beverage experiences.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

The Mountain Sports School at Big Sky Resort is known its world-caliber instructors and top quality is what you can expect, be it in a lesson or private one-on-ones.

With 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, ski instructors and mountain guides can help you navigate the mountain –

with 320 runs and 38 lifts, there is a lot to explore – and give you some pointers for several days across the resort.

The kids lessons at the Mountain Sports School are also fantastic and with small group sizes, your little one is bound to jump up a grade after a few days at the resort and gain some valuable confidence.

SEE AND DO

While skiing and boarding is the number one thing you’ll want to visit Big Sky for, there are some fantastic adventures to be had in the area, including a visit to the legendary Yellowstone National Park, plus dogsledding and much more.

It’s no surprise Yellowstone National Park carries worldfamous status because what’s on offer here is magical, enchanting, mesmerising and mind-blowing, from the geysers to the waterfalls, scenery and animals that call this park home.

While many see Yellowstone in summer, it’s in winter when you truly can get a magical experience because under a thick blanket of snow, the Park becomes virtually silent, broken only by the hiss of steam from thermal features,

the burble of flowing rivers, and the occasional whine of a distant snowmobile. The crowds are at an absolute minimum while nature remains in full display.

Go on a winter adventure through the park with Yellowstone Vacation Tours on a big-wheeled snowcoach – the only way to see the park in winter alongside a snowmobile, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing – and along the way, you’ll see thermal pools, wild animals (including elk, moose, bison, foxes and more) and witness one of Yellowstone’s star attractions in a setting few visitors will ever see, an eruption of the legendary Old Faithful geyser in winter.

A short drive from Big Sky is one of the coolest activities in the area, a dogsled ride with Spirt of the North. Here, be taken on an adventure through the snow and trees with a team Alaskan huskies, many that have competed in some of North America’s legendary dogsled races. Trips take around two hours and depend on weather and trail conditions.

There’s also plenty of things to do in the town of Big Sky, from shopping to galleries, dining and bars. Some top spots to swing by include Montana Supply for mountain inspired goods for the modern explorer; the Ryan Turner Art Gallery for a vast collection of local wildlife, dramatic landscapes and abstracts of nature from the Greater Yellowstone area and Big Sky’s backyard; Beehive Basin Brewery for hand crafted brews in a small tap room; and Pinky G’s Pizzeria for hand tossed pizza, music, sports and beer with a low-key local’s vibe.

Head to Carabiner for for après and book a sleigh ride with Spirit of the North (right)

WHERE TO STAY

Big Sky Resort has some fantastic hotels on offer at both the base of the mountain that feature ski-in, ski-out and in the town of Big Sky, a few miles away, which is one America’s most happening new ski towns.

Mountainside, the Summit Hotel in the heart of the Big Sky Resort village offers an ultimate ski-in, ski-out experience complete stylish rooms, fantastic dining, an indoor-outdoor pool, spa and ski concierge. Here, head to Carabiner off the lobby for apres drinks and tasty treats, Peaks for steaks and fine American wine and enjoy suites with full kitchens and cozy living areas.

In the town of Big Sky a short drive away, book a room at The Wilson Hotel, one of Montana’s newest, stylish and most affordable properties that has spacious rooms and suites with kitchenettes, a heated outdoor pool and fantastic dining experiences. Book a table at Block 3 Kitchen and Bar, which offers seafood, burgers, steaks and delicious charcuterie and cheese blocks alongside the best whiskey and cocktail lists in Big Sky.

EAT AND DRINK

Big Sky Resort has dining options aplenty on the mountain, in the village and down in the town of Big Sky a few miles away.

Atop the Ramcharger 8 chairlift, Everett’s 8800 can lay claim to be one of America’s best on-mountain restaurants thanks to an exceptional menu from Executive Chef Henry Mills that’s loaded-up with farm-to-table produce alongside some of America’s best wines. Don’t skip past the morel mushrooms with Marchand de vin, shallots and garlic, while the filet mignon au poivre with Brandy cream, root vegetables and confit fingerling is also a winner. Also expect a fantastic cocktail list and the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. Bookings are recommended as reservations fill-up quick.

At the base of the village and located inside the Summit Hotel, Carabiner is the go-to for après drinks and American and Asian eats – order the ahi poke and the Reuben – in both the lounge with a fireplace, or on the newly renovated patio which offers views up the mountain to Lone Peak. Also expect live music, complimentary cookies and milk for the kids and bespoke cocktails (you’ll be hard pressed to skip past a Spritz for Spring).

For a casual bite between runs in the village, head to the Vista Hall, where there are a range of food options from pizza to burgers, sushi and tacos alongside a bar for local craft brews, wines and spirits. For a grab and go at breakfast or lunch, quick pick-me-ups and essentials to make dinner in the room, head to the Hungry Moose Market and Deli.

In the town of Big Sky, expect a range of cuisines from Mexican to pizzas, Thai and one of Montana’s top steakhouses and cocktail dens in the form of Block 3 Kitchen and Bar, where you’ll find seafood, burgers, steaks and delicious charcuterie and cheese blocks alongside the best whiskey and cocktail lists in the state. Go for the butcher’s block, which is loaded up with hand

cut prime, Wagyu, aged beef and a variety of regional and Montana game like Elk loin, Bison ribeye and Venison rack. The truffle mac and cheese is also fantastic, as is the crispy skin steelhead trout. Given the top whiskey list, a barrel aged Manhattan should also be in order. Save room for the signature maple glazed doughnuts and all of it comes alongside fantastic service and hospitality.

For a truly unique dinner experience, book in for a sleigh ride dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch, close to the town of Big Sky. Here, you’ll take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods to an oil-lantern-lit cabin for a family-style prime rib dinner. The cowboy singer-storytellers provide dinner entertainment – and tell a few jokes and tales along the way – and it makes for a brilliant Old West experience. Available from December through April and bookings are essential.

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Bozeman, Montana on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world. Big Sky Resort is a 1.5-hour drive from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and private transfers and shuttles are available. For a seamless experience, book ahead with companies like Big Sky Country Transport for a seamless ride from the airport to Big Sky. united.com

bigskyresort.com

Aspen Snowmass

One of the world’s most famous ski resorts, Aspen Snowmass has four mountains of phenomenal skiing alongside luxury hotels, shops and a thriving après scene.

Aspen is known the world over for its luxury hotels, shopping, phenomenal skiing and the star of Hollywood hits like Dumb and Dumber, but where did it all start?

Originally inhabited by the Ute Indians, Aspen became a silver-mining town during the mining boom of the late 1800s.

Following the devaluation of silver, Aspen experienced a cultural renaissance in the 1940s with the arrival of Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke. The Paepckes brought a vision for the community that focused on the mind, body and spirit, called ‘The Aspen Idea’.

That carries through each winter, where Aspen lives up to its reputation for phenomenal skiing and boarding.

Four ski mountains make up the terrain for the worldrenowned Aspen Snowmass resort. Aspen Mountain, locally referred to as Ajax, rises up directly from downtown, bringing a whole new meaning to ski-in/skiout, particularly when staying at the town’s premier hotel, The Little Nel.

At Buttermilk Mountain, home of the X Games, find a kids’ and beginners’ paradise where you’ll find wide runs and picturesque scenery.

Then there’s Aspen Highlands, which boasts the legendary Highland Bowl, and next door there is Snowmass, which offers the largest acreage and diversity by having something for everyone.

Snowmass is one of America’s most popular alpine playgrounds, thanks to its offering of sensational runs for both beginners and experts alike.

In the Snowmass Ski Area, expect 4,406 vertical feet, 3,342 acres of terrain, 98 trails, 21 chairlifts and access to your choice of cruisers, glades, steeps, terrain parks and halfpipes. You could say there is something for everyone here and it comes without the crowds.

The town is also home to some fantastic ski-in, ski-out properties, including one of Wayfarer’s favourites, the Viewline Resort Snowmass, alongside a plethora of dining options.

The area’s beautiful scenery and open space also lends itself well to other types of winter recreation, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, fly-fishing and hot-air ballooning.

After a hard day of play you can enjoy Aspen’s legendary après ski scene at spots like the Ajax Tavern, or head out for dinner at one of the town’s world-class restaurants.

Aspen’s big-city cultural institutions, well known for their summer programming, have plenty of events throughout the winter months as well, leaving you inspired.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

The ski school at Aspen Snowmass is headlined by some of the best instructors in the business who can teach skiers and boarders of all levels.

If you are hitting the slopes with kids, the two mountains for you are Buttermilk and Snowmass and both offer wide runs and space aplenty to finesse the turns and gather speed.

The facilities at both resorts are fantastic for beginners and intermediates alike or those looking to develop skills on some challenging black runs.

Aspen’s stylish Little Nel

SEE AND DO

Alongside the fantastic skiing and boarding, Aspen’s bigcity cultural institutions, well known for their summer programming, have plenty of events throughout the winter months as well.

The rafting, hiking, biking, rock-climbing, fishing, golf, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning and paragliding combined with the fresh air and natural surroundings create the perfect place to get outside and explore, all within steps of downtown.

Summertime also boasts an events calendar that can rival any major city and the quality of programming from Aspen’s diverse arts and cultural institutions is a big draw for visitors throughout the summer.

The Aspen Music Festival and School puts on an impressive 400-plus event program from June through August, while The Aspen Institute hosts signature programming and Theatre Aspen’s summer repertory features Broadway stars in an intimate theatre in the park.

WHERE TO STAY

Book a room at one of Colorado’s most luxurious hotels, The Little Nell, is Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel offers luxury services and unparalleled access to America’s most famous mountain town.

When you stay at The Little Nell, you’ll enjoy a cosmopolitan yet intimate ambiance, haute cuisine, and exclusive adventures and amenities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.

The Nell is frequently recognised for its award-winning wine lists, culinary programs and dedicated service and annually hosts a range of speciality dinners and wine pairing events spanning Argentina to Italy and Australia and expect some of the world’s leading chefs to do popup events.

Here, you’ll find two restaurants, three bars and a wine cellar and a speakeasy, headlined by our favourite, Ajax Tavern, which has the best après scene in town and fantastic burgers, and The Wine Bar, which serves up fantastic vino by the glass and bottle, alongside signature cocktails.

The Little Nell also has a ski concierge service and exclusive adventures in winter, along with lush gardens in summer an outdoor pool and hot tub, plus a full-service spa that opened in December 2023.

Inspired by Walter Paepcke, a founding father of Modern-Day Aspen, The Spa embodies the Aspen Idea of caring for ‘The Mind, Body, and Spirit’. Designed to provide guests with both performance enhancement and rejuvenation, the spa menu comprises three distinct therapeutic pathways, all tailored to suit individual needs.

The Spa at The Little Nell comprises three treatment suites, each equipped with a private changing room and steam shower. Two of the suites boast a hybrid infrared sauna with halotherapy and a dedicated resting area while one is equipped with dual treatment tables. A separate guest changing area with a restroom, vanity, and steam shower is also available.

Situated next to The Spa is a new fitness center with the finest in cardio and strength equipment including Woodway treadmills, Peloton cycles, Technogym weight machines, a functional training station from TRX, and ample space for free movement and self-directed workouts.

At the Viewline Resort Snowmass, an Autograph Collection Hotel, expect contemporary mountain lodging with a 1960s flair, from the lobby through to the newlyreimagined rooms and suites on offer.

Located on the mountain, complete with a gondola from the base to drop you right back at the ski concierge after a long day of thrilling runs, Viewline Resort Snowmass is firmly about location alongside fantastic amenities.

The accommodations have views of the mountain and book a 700-square foot Classic Suite, which are infused with thoughtful touches to encourage inside-out wellness and offers plenty of space to spread out and hang out. Expect a separate living room and cozy bedroom, where you’ll be free to switch effortlessly between rest, work, or play in the comfort of your alpine ‘home’, complete with a desk for when duty calls and a sofa bed for extra family members.

Hit the hot tubs after a ski then pop by Viewline Lobby Bar for a cocktail and afterwards, score a table at Stark’s Alpine Grill, the perfect way to finish the day after enjoying the best Snowmass has to offer.

This is firmly one of America’s best ski-in, ski-out hotels and you can expect fantastic hospitality like all Autograph Collection hotels.

Eat up at Ajax Tavern

EAT AND DRINK

At The Little Nel, find two restaurants, three bars and a wine cellar and a speakeasy, headlined by our favourite, Ajax Tavern, which has the best après scene in town, particularly if you can score a table outside at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola. The Tavern comes to life at lunch, and the party rolls on well into the night. If you go no further on the menu, try the truffle fries and Ajax wagyu double cheeseburger.

Off the lobby, The Wine Bar is Aspen’s coziest après-ski spot, recently refreshed with an Alpine chic décor and an array of seating arrangements. A DJ spins vinyl records from 4pm-7pm on Thursdays to Sundays, while dedicated service, a full menu of wines by the glass and bottle, craft cocktails, light bites, and more are available daily.

At the Viewline Resort Snowmass, you won’t need to go far to experience brilliant culinary offerings. The two restaurants are approachable yet elevated, designed to encourage communal experiences among friends and strangers alike. Framed by stunning scenery, Stark’s Alpine Grill and Viewline Lobby Bar serve up exceptional Snowmass resort dining experiences for all.

Warm up with a fireside cocktail, experience the excitement of the essential après-ski, or refuel with the family at a cozy slopeside table after a long day of exploring Snowmass mountain.

aspensnowmass.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Aspen, Colorado on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world. united.com

Stay slopeside at the Viewline Resort Snowmass

Rockin’ Red Rocks

Mile High marvels

With exciting museums and galleries, boutique hotels, top restaurants and some of America’s best skiing an hour away, Colorado’s largest city of Denver makes for a fantastic stopover or a few days away.

They call the Denver the Mile High City thanks to its altitude because it is exactly one mile above sea level and given its close proximities to the Rocky Mountains, it is the perfect base before exploring the best skiing and hiking Colorado has to offer.

With an epic food scene, stylish hotels and fantastic museums and galleries, it has also become a fantastic destination in its own right, whether it be two days on a work trip or longer on a family escape.

Wayfarer looks at some of the best things to do in one of America’s most underrated cities

SEE AND DO

When it comes to immersive art playgrounds, Meow Wolf Denver is something truly spectacular and unique – it’s a venue that transports audiences of all ages to fantastic realms of story and exploration. Created by more than 300 collaborating artists, the ‘Convergence’ at Meow Wolf Denver is home to psychedelic mind-bending art throughout four worlds.

The experience is not only immersive, but home to some of the most creative work ever seen in America. Here you will commute via the Quantum Department of Transportation to the ‘Convergence’, a bustling city created by a rare cosmic event that joined four alien worlds.

When you’re not trading memories as a form of currency, you and your fellow inter-dimensional travellers can venture out into four floors of surreality featuring Meow Wolf’s most epic immersive art to date.

Tucked away in the heart of the nostalgic Lowry neighbourhood, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum allows guests to step back in time in a WWII-era hangar. Founded in 1994 and housed at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Wings is dedicated to educating and inspiring all people about aviation and space endeavours of the past, present, and future.

Visitors can also enjoy the observation tower and patio that overlooks a B-52 Stratofortress, or the mezzanine, which offers a bird’s eye view of the hangar and also find more than 50 aircraft on display, thrilling flight simulator experiences and an enrichment program dedicated to the expansion of aerospace education in Colorado.

For more than 100 years, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has been at the heart of cultural experience in Colorado’s largest city. Here, you can explore the cosmos, uncover dazzling gems and minerals, see a film on the giant screen and a planetarium show and get up close to some of America’s largest collections of dinosaur bones, including the great T-Rex.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science regularly has several exhibitions running and one showing now is ‘Wild Color’, where you’ll learn how to decode the hidden messages that different colours can send.

Delve into the colour spectrum as you make your way through immersive rooms, each representing a colour of the rainbow. Then, explore some of nature’s mysteries that are hidden in plain sight: creatures that change colour, plants and animals that give off an eerie glow, and shades of colour that the human eye can’t detect.

Rolling Stone magazine calls it America’s best amphitheatre. Musical legends including the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones have raved about it. And many a music fan will wistfully recount their first-ever Red Rocks concert.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre’s reputation may precede it, but there’s no replacement for experiencing this acoustically impeccable, naturally stunning marvel of ochre sandstone yourself. Designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and Department of the Interior, the amphitheatre is a top destination for Colorado residents and tourists from around the world.

WORLD CLASS SKIING

Denver is known as one of the world’s premier winter playgrounds for good reason – the city is less than a twohour drive from several world-class ski fields, including our favourites Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, and a short flight from Aspen, Snowmass and Steamboat

If you choose to drive to the resorts, book an AWD, such as a Ford Escape, from Alamo, which offers good quality cars at great rates a short shuttle ride from Denver International Airport.

Should you wish to fly, United Airlines has quick flights to Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat Springs and more at very competitive prices and on convenient schedules to maximise your time on the hill.

WHERE TO STAY

Located in Denver’s newest micro-district, the Dairy Block, boutique hotel The Maven stands tall as one of the city’s best new properties in recent years. Here you can expect 172 comfortable and spacious rooms, some with balconies and loungerooms, alongside large flatscreen TVs and well-appointed bathrooms.

Perfect for families and larger groups, the hotel offers 48 double queens and 10 bunk rooms alongside 11 expansive suites, including a diamond suite dedicated to baseball.

The Maven also has a fantastic bar (Poka Lola) and restaurant (Kachina Cantina), both off the lobby, and the best thing about staying at what is what’s on offer across the Dairy Block, once home to Windsor Dairy and now a vibrant micro-district that boasts 15 shops, 19 restaurants, seven bars, and a luxury coworking space.

Denver’s legendary Union Station

Skiing Aspen Snowmass

Stylish: The Maven

At the Milk Market, inside the Dairy Block, find fashion stores, cafes and fantastic takeaway offerings from pizza to burgers, seafood and wings.

In addition to the Dairy Block, The Maven hotel is also close to the popular neighborhoods of LoDo, LoHi and RiNo, meaning you will find everything from Union Station, historic Larimer Square, Coors Field and local colleges all within walking distance.

EAT AND DRINK

Colorado is home to some of America’s finest produce, particularly from a farm-to-table perspective and the meals on offer at Guard and Grace Denver are some of the best in the state.

Guard and Grace Denver is popular Chef Troy Guard’s most ambitious restaurant to date and it’s a spectacular 9,000 square foot space, located in the heart of Downtown Denver’s business center on the street level of the 56-floor Brookfield Building.

Named after the chef’s daughter, Guard and Grace is a take on the big modern American modern steakhouse – expect fiery grills and charcuterie, an oyster bar and bar tops, private rooms and a walk-in, floor-to-highceiling glassed wine cellar – yet the atmosphere is both comfortable and enjoyable without being stiff.

Located inside Denver’s renovated historic Union Station, Stoic and Genuine is known for its fantastic seafood menu loaded up with fish, oysters and shellfish from some of America’s top producers.

This brilliant restaurant is from the Crafted Concepts team of James Beard Award-winning Chef Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch, who have also made their mark on Denver with Rioja and Bistro Vendôme.

They have created an enjoyable and stylish multi-coastal seafood house and oyster bar that team say is committed to impeccably-sourced, sustainable and creative seafood preparations. Also expect a fantastic list of American wines alongside wonderful hospitality.

Denver’s best sandwiches are found at the Leven Deli Co, where you can enjoy homemade Jewish Deli classics, like their famed 12-day, dry-aged Pastrami Reuben, or an original Smashed Chickpea.

Located right behind the Denver Art Museum in the heart of the Denver Museum District, the deli is known for its use of Mediterranean ingredients and fresh vegetables, alongside great quality drinks to take home including European wines and fantastic coffee. Happy Hour specials are offered daily, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and include half off all bottles of wine, $1 off beers and appetizers.

LOUNGING AROUND

As the leading airline flying to Colorado, United Airlines has significantly invested in its lounge product at Denver International Airport.

United recently opened its largest United Club at Denver International Airport, a 35,000 sq.-ft. space that seats 600 across three levels, making it the largest in the carrier’s global network.

The new Club is located in the B Concourse and according to the carrier, It provides a modern take on the United Club experience with a new feature bar offering beer flight boards to taste a seasonal rotation of premium local and craft beers.

This club is the second in a series of new locations to open in Denver this summer. Recently, a new 24,000 sq.-ft. United Club opened in the A Concourse, featuring a luxurious ski lodge aesthetic and thoughtful design touches inspired by the Colorado outdoors.

Up next, the carrier will open an additional revamped club location in 2025, and once open, Denver International Airport will feature more than 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space – nearly the size of two football fields – across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go concept offering enhanced food and beverage for United Club members with quick connections.

“With more than two-thirds of United customers connecting to other places in Denver, the new clubs are expected to accommodate more than double the number of travellers than before,” according to United’s Head of Clubs and Lounges, Alexander Dorow.

He said the opening of these new clubs comes on the heels of United unveiling a new club concept, United Club Fly, in Denver last year, that is a first-of-its-kind concept for a U.S. airline.

The full catalogue of Wayfarer magazine also is available to read in the new United Clubs at Denver International Airport and over 45 United Clubs across the USA for free thanks to United’s partnership with publishing app Readly. denver.org

GETTING THERE

Taking flight on Cathay Pacific and Finnair (right)

BRILLIANCE Business

From Helsinki to Hong Kong, carriers across the globe have been upgrading the business class experience, from top-notch food and wine to Bluetooth capabilities. In a special report, James Wilkinson reviews five cabins that need to be on your radar right now.

CATHAY PACIFIC

For over a decade, Cathay Pacific’s Business Class cabin has been one of Asia’s best thanks to spacious, lie-flat seats, exceptional service, great inflight entertainment and fantastic food and beverage. Is it as good as it was when it debuted? It’s even better.

Cathay Pacific’s mediumand long-haul fleet of Airbus A350s, Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-300ERs make flying a fantastic experience and a lot of it comes down to what’s on offer in Business Class, which is headlined by spacious flatbeds seats that feature plenty of storage and space, alongside a sleeper service with large pillows and duvets, restaurant-style dining and hundreds’ of hours entertainment on demand.

Once you put the world-class Hong Kong lounges into the mix alongside world-class service, you have a Business Class experience that’s quite simply exceptional.

Business Class is in a 1-2-1 layout, meaning all seats have direct aisle access and are some of the most spacious to be found in the sky.

The first thing you will notice is the amount of space available, from the side storage, which can fit a handbag, laptop or magazines, plus the side cabinet for headphones, valuables and even iPads, and also the shoe locker.

There’s an oversized tray that’s ideal for working or dining on and once a meal turns up, you’ll find room to place your computer or iPad to the side and still have access to the full tray table.

The generously-wide 21-inch seat then reclines a full 82-inches when retracted into bed mode and there is a generous 29.5-inch width when the armrest is retracted.

The experience then gets better when duvets, blankets, pillows and cushions help create a comfortable and restful sleeper service, ideal for the night flights to destinations like Sydney, New York and London.

If you’re travelling with a companion, it would be best to book a pair of seats in the centre of the aircraft, which are gently angled towards each other and can slide forward, allowing you to chat or dine together with your friend, colleague or loved one.

Don’t fret if you score one of the centre of the jets if travelling alone though as there is a screen for added privacy.

When it comes to the food and beverage on offer, Cathay Pacific has been on a constant mission in recent years to constantly up the ante.

The carrier recently signed a deal with Michelin-starred French restaurant Louise to bring its fresh take on traditional French cuisine to the skies.

Building on the success of the airline’s all-new selection of ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ created in collaboration with Cantonese finedining institution Duddell’s, Cathay Pacific is teaming-up with Louise to present an exclusive menu of 16 reinterpreted French classics on selected long-haul flights departing from Hong Kong.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Louise to create a bespoke menu of reimagined French classics that showcase the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Cathay Pacific and Louise,” said Cathay Pacific General Manager Customer Experience and Design Vivian Lo.

“Through the exchange of ideas and expertise with the Louise team, we hope to inspire and challenge ourselves to continue to innovate and improve our food and beverage offerings.”

Alongside the new French offering, Cathay Pacific has been known for its fantastic selection of Cantonese, western and healthy dishes, washed down with wines from across the globe, usually spanning Portugal to Australia, Spain and France, alongside the airline’s own Betsy beer.

If you are on a long-haul route, you can choose dishes from 10 days out to 24 hours before departure and options range from contemporary Asian signature meals to western classics and more.

On the entertainment front, Cathay Pacific’s Business Class seats feature flatscreen touchscreen TVs that are loaded-up with the always impressive StudioCX entertainment system, which offers a range of Hollywood blockbusters, cinema classics, TV shows, music albums and games.

If you want to work on your laptop or device or play content from them, in the seat you’ll also find a universal Power Supply outlet, a multiport connector and a USB port.

When it comes to sleep, get ready for a relaxing ride thanks to large pillows and duvets and when you wake, grab some luxury Bamford skincare products from the amenity kit you’ll want to keep and you’ll arrive fresh and ready for the day ahead.

Before departure in Hong Kong, head for the Wing or the Pier Business Class lounges – depending on the gate location – and have a glass of wine or a snack (save room for the onboard meals) to round out your travel experience, which, once you include the impeccable Cathay service, is nothing short of exceptional.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

The Airbus A350-1000 is one of the most popular and advanced aircraft to ever take to the skies and for the model’s latest operator, Etihad Airways, it means launching new routes and upgrading others with one of the most fuel-efficient jets in the air.

When Etihad’s first Airbus A350-1000 took off for the first time in the carrier’s modern colour scheme to Paris in late March 2021, it signalled a new era for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier.

It would be a debut of the carrier’s latest onboard products – including the highly-touted new Business Studio seats, which were already popular on the A380 and B787 – and also a sign of Etihad’s firm commitment to continue ordering and flying highly-sustainable aircraft.

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350-1000 operates with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft and is part of the carrier’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Before stepping aboard the A350-1000 in Abu Dhabi to experience the all-new product offering to New York’s

JFK Airport, I noted I was flying on one of the most important aircraft in the fleet, which carries the registration of A6-XWB.

This A350-1000 is named Sustainability50 and carries a unique livery in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the federation of the UAE and Etihad’s commitment to netzero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Sustainability50 program was formed as a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce in 2021 and impressively, it uses Etihad’s A350s as flying testbeds for new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

It’s always good to have a feel-good story before you hop onboard an aircraft and it is wonderful to see what Etihad is doing not just physically, but also to raise awareness across the greater aviation industry.

When you step board the A350-1000, the first thing that jumps out is the long Business Class cabin that’s decked out with 44 all-new Business Studio seats, that come complete with sliding doors.

Thanks to no overhead bins in the middle of the A3501000 cabin, it’s also one of the most spacious in the air and it helps accentuate how roomy the new Business Studios feel with and without the door closed.

The new seats all face forwards – unlike the Business Studios on the B787 and A380s which alternate forwards and backwards – and each offers all-aisle access, which is yet another winner.

Etihad’s new Business Studio seats are also spacious and comfortable. They have a width of over 20-inches and convert into a fully-flat bed of 79-inches in length, which equates to plenty of room to work and recline for a fantastic rest.

The Studios are also loaded-up with technology, which is ideal for business and leisure travellers.

The 18.5-inch TV screens offer a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad’s extensive library of films and television shows (including live games of the FIFA World Cup recently), alongside music and games on the impressive E-BOX inflight entertainment system.

Should you not bring along your own, Etihad also offers premium noise-cancelling headphones for each passenger and on my flight to JFK, a good two thirds of the cabin were enjoying them being offered.

For those who bring their own headphones – right now we’re enjoying Focal’s new Bathys –you’ll find a very impressive Bluetooth headphone pairing offering that (finally) allows high-quality audio without the cables.

There’s also a built-in wireless charging dock, which worked well with Apple and Google phones, alongside mobile and high-speed WiFi connectivity, also available in the economy class cabin.

The A350-1000s also feature Etihad’s newest cabin interior, which is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is both more efficient and sustainable in design, according to the carrer.

Etihad’s signature lighting design is “inspired by the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi’s palm trees and the cabin lighting emulates natural ambient light and is designed to enhance the guest experience, provide an optimum

environment for sleeping and reduce the effects of jetlag”, according to the carrier.

The effort to reduce jetlag is also on the E-BOX inflight entertainment system in the form of a new ‘dark mode’, like Apple iPhones and Google Pixels have, and it is a fantastic new addition.

Another way Etihad is helping reduce jetlag is in the cuisine offered onboard, thanks to not just the healthy dishes, but by offering an à la carte menu that can be enjoyed when you feel like it, thanks to the carrier’s signature ‘dine anytime’ service.

Menus vary between routes and seasons of the year, but you can choose from traditional Emirati dishes and destination-inspired meals, healthy options and light bites, including the famous steak sandwich.

Recent onboard delights have included braised beef, pan roasted barramundi, chicken biryani and mushroom tortellini, while on the dessert side, expect dishes like apple and rhubarb crumble, chocolate cake and seasonal fresh fruit.

While there’s no onboard bar – that’s saved for Etihad’s A380s – there is a Bellini on the regular beverage menu, alongside premium Champagne (like Duval Leroy) and leading white, red, rosé and dessert wines from across the world, from McLaren Vale in South Australia to the Côtes de Provence, Bordeaux, Mendoza and more.

Before extending out the flatbed, there’s an Acqua Di Parma amenity kit to freshen up with that contain an eye mask, ear plugs, plush socks and a signature fresh fragrance, alongside a shaving kit on demand.

When you’re ready for sleep, expect top quality pillows, blankets and duvets and when the door is closed, you’ll feel private and comfortable in your own little cabin.

For flights like the hop to New York’s JFK Airport, the 14-hour journey is a delight on the A350-1000 and you will feel refreshed when you reach the destination.

The experience is capped off by the impressive lounge on offer at Abu Dhabi International Airport for pre-flight dining, freshening up and working, alongside the fantastic hospitality both at the airport and in the air from the award-winning cabin crew.

Etihad has upped the ante with its A350-1000 product and it’s an absolute joy to fly on across the world and we can’t wait to hop on again soon.

etihad.com

FINNAIR

Finnair’s all new Business Class cabin featuring the stylish ‘AirLounge’ seat made its debut at the end of the pandemic and its no surprise it has been getting fantastic reviews since, because this is one of the best seats in the sky.

In recent years, Finnair has constantly been upgrading the Nordic carrier’s offering, whether it be the efficient Airbus A350s, new airport lounges or onboard food, and it has all been to the benefit of high flyers.

Finnair took that one step further with the launch of all new Business Class and Premium Economy cabins on the entire long-haul fleet of A330s and A350s.

For Finnair, it represented the debut of Premium Economy – which they have done exceptionally well – and an advanced Business cabin with an all-new seat dubbed the ‘AirLounge’.

The Finns are known for their brilliant furniture and interior design, so it’s no surprise epic style is exactly what you get with this seat.

David Kondo from Finnair’s Customer Experience team, who led the design work for the new Finnair long-haul experience, said the AirLounge is not a traditional aircraft seat but takes inspiration from lounge furniture.

He said the seat is designed to maximise your comfort, space, and freedom to move during a long-haul flight.

Kondo said the clean lines and the dark, comforting colour scheme follow Finnair’s Nordic design style that is visible also in Finnair’s lounges in the non-Schengen area at Helsinki Airport.

“We wanted to rethink business class and create more of a residential environment, emulating the comfort you would expect at home,” he said.

“By doing away with complicated seat mechanisms and using 3D curved shells, we’re able to provide a larger flexible living space. This allows you to move more freely and take up different positions that traditional aircraft seats do not allow.”

The seat concept was originally conceived by PriestmanGoode of London then further developed by Collins Aerospace, with customisation and final design execution by Finnair and its appointed design partner, Tangerine.

The seat’s innovative fixed contoured shell with no recline enables a wide variety of sitting and sleeping positions: you can sit at different angles, rest your feet on the ottoman or use infill panels to create a large flat surface.

A mattress and duvet turn the space into a comfortable bed, and you can use the cushy pillows to relax in a variety of sitting positions. The high cocoon like shell of the seat provides privacy, while the divider between central seats can be lowered when travelling with a companion.

The lighting options in the seat allow tailoring the ambiance of every customer’s own ‘nest’. Along with a customised lamp that doubles as a reading light, a do not disturb light is included if total privacy is desired.

The in-seat lighting complements new cabin mood lighting designed in partnership with Jetlite to combat the effects of jetlag. The design scheme is inspired by Nordic nature, complete with the northern lights as the cabin is dimmed for sleep.

The various storage options within the seat include spaces for personal items, laptop, and all pillows and blankets; all certified for taxi, take-off, and landing, so customers can settle in right away and have their essential items conveniently at hand right from the start of the journey.

The flexible table can be used to read, dine or work. Each seat comes with impressive connectivity, including USB A, USB C, PC power, and wireless mobile charging.

The inflight entertainment system comes with a new more user-friendly, customised interface and a wider 18inch screen, making time onboard fly.

In line with its long design heritage, Finnair has worked with top Finnish design houses to complement the cabin ambiance and premium travel experience through beautiful new textiles and tableware.

All meals are served on new chinaware from Finnish design house Iittala. The Kuulas dining collection is designed by Harri Koskinen and inspired by the contemporary home environment.

“We wanted to rethink business class and create more of a residential environment, emulating the comfort you would expect at home,”

David Kondo, Finnair

Each item in the collection is carefully designed with aviation in mind, making the collection efficient and lighter to support aircraft weight and CO2 reduction targets.

Business Class customers will enjoy renewed meal and beverage offerings, including an up to six-course meal in modern bistro-style and another lighter meal. In between meals customers can enjoy the stunning new refreshment area located at the main entrance of the aircraft.

The Finnish fashion house, Marimekko has created unique pillows and a duvet for the Business Class, with Maija Isola’s iconic designs in soothing dark colours.

While the new hard product is exceptional, what about the inflight food and service? Well, that’s where Finnair is better than it has ever been.

In Business Class, you’ll find menus loaded-up with some exceptional signature dishes. First-up there’s a cold starter, which at present is a choice of corn puree with edamame and fava beans and dill oil or a herb tartlet with shredded chicken and mustard seeds.

Then there’s a choice of three main courses and on current flights (to Singapore for example), including braised beef cheek with onion puree, asparagus risotto and dark truffle sauce, or lightly smoked rainbow trout with pea puree, summer vegetables and creamy mussel sauce, or fried wok vegetables, cashew nuts, noodles and coconut sauce.

For dessert, it is blueberry mousse with white chocolate or cheesecake with raspberry sauce.

There’s also a light meal served before landing and on flights to Singapore now, that is a game meat pie and Skagen salad with greens and fresh fruits.

On the beverage front, Finnair serves up and excellent selection of wines from across the world and current highlights include Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Champagne, the Labouré-Roi Chablis le Beaunois 2018 from Bourgogne and the Château Puybarbe Côtes du Bourg 2016 from Bordeaux.

Onboard, there is also a Finnair signature cocktail, the Northern Blush, as well as a fantastic Negroni.

The only thing to keep in mind before the inflight meals is to save room because Finnair has an exceptional lounge offering at Helsinki Airport, including fine dining, relaxation areas and even a sauna.

finnair.com

All of Finnair’s long-haul aircraft are equipped with internet connectivity.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

Malaysia Airlines was recently Asia’s Leading Airline for Business Class at the 29th World Travel Awards and when you experience what’s on offer, it comes as no surprise the carrier continues to receive global recognition.

For Malaysia Airlines, winning such a prominent award truly shows how far the oneworld Alliance member has come in recent years and how the carrier continues to impress on both long- and short-haul routes across the network.

“This is a true testament to the organisation and national icon’s hard work, long hours, sacrifice, and ultimate passion,” said Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Yin May Lau.

“It is a testament to our successful endeavour to maintain the highest service level and safety assurance through our ‘FlyConfidently’ commitment.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic forced a lasting change in travelling preferences, we constantly improve and enhance our products and services with a range of flexibility and choices.

“One of our most prominent innovations include our business class fare structure that was redesigned to match the value proposition of business class passengers and market demand.

“Our Business Class fare family makes Malaysia Airlines one of the few airlines in the world to offer flexibility coupled with multiple perks,” she said.

pleasurable flying experience on Malaysia Airlines.

The seats are spacious, offer plenty of comfort when in bed mode, particularly those who are over six feet tall and also offer room to work and watch entertainment on your own laptop or iPad Pro.

Amongst the fantastic offerings, guests departing from Kuala Lumpur can opt for a personalised fine dining experience with its ‘Chef on Call’ service, which allows customers to select from a variety of specially crafted in-flight meals from 30 days to 24 hours prior to their trip and have them delivered to their seat.

This is in addition to the popular signature satay, which has been served onboard since the first flight and has been produced by the airline’s caterer since 1973.

“Our Business Class fare family makes Malaysia Airlines one of the few airlines in the world to offer flexibility coupled with multiple perks.”

Yin May Lau, Malaysia Airlines

May said Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class is recognised for providing an “unrivalled premium end-to-end experience, from its exclusive priority check-in counters, priority luggage handling and access to the beautiful Golden Lounges with picturesque views and our boardanytime flexibility”.

It is in the Golden Lounges where Malaysia Airlines has been a constant winner over the past 20 years and now the world has firmly re-opened, they are once again at their best.

She said the onboard Business Class cabin completes the premium experience by providing spacious lie-flat seats to selected destinations and the airline also provides a wide range of cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, including noise-cancelling headphones, to ensure the most

Business Class passengers will also receive a designer amenity kit by luxury leather goods manufacturer, Aspinal of London, something ideal on the long-haul flights on the Airbus A350s that head to the British Capital from Kuala Lumpur.

The airline’s exclusive amenity kits include an impressive array of travel essentials such as PAYOT’s skin and body range, which includes the Lip Balm and the luxe Hand and Body Lotion, specially designed to pamper customers throughout their journey, including an eye mask, comb, a pair of earplugs and socks.

Customers will be given the dual-tone Business Class duvet, which is made of cotton and polyester and has the airline’s trademark Wau Bulan, as well as a soft pillow and mattress cover, making it the ideal snuggle partner through their journey.

Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class cabin is a fantastic experience in the sky and as May said, it is a true testament to the organisation and the carrier’s hard work to again be one of the best airlines in the world.

malaysiaairlines.com

QATAR AIRWAYS

Qatar Airways launched its new QSuite Business Class product in early 2017 and the airline’s then CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, promised it would revolutionise travel across the globe. It certainly has and what an amazing product it has turned out to be and it continues to set benchmarks for the aviation industry seven years on.

There was a lot of hype, as you’d expect, when Qatar Airways first launched the allnew QSuite Business Class seven years ago and has certainly been a case of ‘believe the hype’ because the product hasn’t only set benchmarks for the carrier you find the seats on, but what many other airlines have since done.

In fact, since the launch, Qatar Airways was won almost every gong available for the QSuite seat and the new cabin offering, including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat and World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering, alongside winning Airline of the Year, Best Airline in the Middle East and World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge.

The global recognition has come for good reason, because the seat, food, wine and onboard service is nothing short of exceptional.

With so much privacy and space, the QSuite has firmly become a First Class product in Business Class, particularly for the middle seats on the aircraft, which can turn into a private family cabin for up to four travellers or a double bed for couples. All complete with sliding doors (which has quickly become the norm for many carriers since the debut of the QSuite).

While solo travellers will love the privacy of the window seats, the winners are the private cabins for up to four people, which feature privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, something that is still a first of its kind in the industry.

Adjustable panels and moveable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.

The suites offer ambient mood lighting, fully lie-flat beds and generous storage space, creating a private areas that’s excellent for sleeping, eating, relaxing or working.

One of the best features is the media panel, which includes an all-access power port, alongside USB, HDMI and NFC capabilities.

The media can be played back on high-definition large screen televisions, which feature over 4,000 entertainment options.

When you couple that with the airline’s super highspeed WiFi, you’ll be online, powered up and entertained for the whole flight.

When it comes to eating, Qatar Airways offers a dining on demand service that consists of both Arabic and Western Dishes.

A number of fine wines from across the globe are available onboard depending on the route, including premium French champagnes and impressively, a number of Australia’s best wines.

The best part of the meal experience onboard Qatar Airways is the dine on demand, a-la-carte restaurant service, which means you can eat whenever you’d like (ideal on 14-hour long-haul flights when sleep is essential) and the presentation, which is laid out like a fine dining eatery.

On long haul flights, you’ll find a bespoke turn down service complete with pillows, a quilted mattress and a soft, plush duvet.

While the cabin crew make your bed, you’ll be hopping into some sleepwear from the White Company before freshening up in style thanks to exclusive amenity kits from iconic French Perfumer Diptyque.

The bespoke products are available for First and Business Class passengers on routes across the globe and they consist of Diptyque branded bags as well as gift boxes featuring Diptyque’s signature oval branding and impressively, they are customised for male and female passengers.

In line with Qatar Airways’ focus on sustainability, the Diptyque bags are made from vegan leather while the eye shade and socks are made from RPET.

The seat, amenity kits and meals aside, it is the hospitality onboard that truly rounds out this exceptional experience. You’ll find stylish, hospitable and knowledgeable cabin crew onboard and they excel when it comes to the dine on demand service in particular.

The Qatar Airways QSuite available on the airline’s Airbus A350-1000s, Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs.

Before you fly, stop by one of Qatar Airways’ lounges across the world, particularly the new Al Mourjan ‘The Garden’ Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha where you’ll find exceptional food and wine and relaxing spaces aplenty.

qatarairways.com

Antler’s stylish new Icon Collection

Antler has launched its latest luggage collection and once more it promises to be a must-have for travellers.

Merging timeless design with unmatched durability, the Icon Collection caters to the evolving needs and changing behaviours of modern-day travel.

Brand and product expertise come together, introducing three distinct silhouettes: the Icon Stripe suitcase, the Soft Stripe suitcase, and Discovery backpack.

As the latest instalment in Antler’s brand reimagination, the new collection celebrates 110 years of excellence, quality, and innovation in travel.

Our pick is the new Icon Stripe silhouette, which sees the launch of the biggest carry-on, a new size within the brand’s product portfolio and the official biggest cabin in the market, reaffirming Antler’s leadership in hard side luggage. antler.co.uk

Travel Essentials

Must-have accessories this season for the global high-flyer.

Victorinox’s Journey 1884 is a durable, stylish standout

The Victorinox Journey 1884 watch has been creating worldwide acclaim since it recently launched, thanks to its style, durability, customisation and environmental sustainability.

The Victorinox Journey 1884 pays tribute to its inspiration with a hand design replicating the Swiss hiking signs, a dial featuring the rough texture of a natural hiking path and a practical and sporty rubber strap. The Swiss Army Knife, a standard item on hikes, is evoked in the counterweight of the second hand. In addition, the case features strong shapes and curves and the notch at 6 o’clock on the bezel looks as if it has been carved out by a sharp pocketknife.

ISO-certified for shock and water resistance, each watch gives the owner maximum freedom during any activity, whether they are wearing the more sporty quartz or the more sophisticated automatic version.

To be well prepared for just about any situation as well as to match any outfit, all the new Victorinox watches offer a wide selection of straps. Thanks to an innovative system, the straps can be easily changed without the need for tools in only a few seconds. victorinox.com.au

Google’s Pixel winner

With each new phone release, the Google Pixel continues its rise as one of the world’s finest smartphones and with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the offering has never been better.

When it comes to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the first thing you’ll notice is the style has been refined – expect softer silhouettes, beautiful metal finishes and recycled materials, giving it a stylish look and feel.

While the 8 is smaller in size than Pixel 7, it gets a boost from the 6.2-

inch Actua display, which is 42% brighter than Pixel 7’s display.

You’ll immediately notice the difference when you’re streaming a movie or watching rugby on Stan because the quality of the screen is exceptional and it makes watching on the go better than ever before.

When it comes to the Pixel 8 Pro, it is a 6.7-inch Super Actua display and you’ll notice the fantastic quality with

how good ultra HDR images look as well, particularly if you are snapping them from the phone.

Where the new series of Pixel phones also standout well is the quality of the cameras and you’ll be blown away with how you can capture, people, places, food and more.

Every camera on the Pixel 8 Pro has been upgraded, starting with the main

camera that captures better photos and videos in lowlight settings.

The bigger ultrawide lens delivers even better Macro Focus, the telephoto lens captures 56% more light than Pixel 7 Pro and takes 10 times photos at optical quality, and the front-facing camera now has autofocus for the best selfies on a Pixel phone.

With the Pixel 8, you’ll find the same updated main camera, plus a new ultrawide lens that enables Macro Focus.

The camera app has an intuitive, redesigned interface, letting you quickly find and capture content in your favourite photo and video modes.

With the Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll have access to Pro Controls, giving you more creative control of the Pixel Camera with settings like shutter speed, ISO, 50 MP photos throughout the zoom range and more.

There are also a couple more fantastic features in the camera app that you likely didn’t expect to find.

With the Best Take feature, on-device algorithm creates a blended image from a series of photos to get the best look, particularly when it comes to group shots – so don’t worry if someone has their eyes closed or isn’t looking at the camera.

Magic Editor in Google Photos is a new experimental editing experience that uses generative AI to help you

bring your photos in line with the essence of the moment you were trying to capture.

You can reposition and resize subjects or use presets to make the background pop — all with just a few taps.

Audio Magic Eraser lets you easily reduce distracting sounds in your video, like howling winds or noisy crowds.

This first-of-its-kind computational audio capability uses advanced machine learning models to sort sounds into distinct layers so you can control their levels.

A GIF demonstration of Audio Magic Eraser.

The Pixel 8 Pro also has a Video Boost, which pairs Tensor G3 with our powerful data centres to apply cuttingedge processing to your videos.

It adjusts colour, lighting, stabilisation and graininess, and the result is stunning videos that look true to life.

Video Boost also enables Night Sight Video on Pixel for better low-light smartphone video quality.

The new Pixel 8 phones also have speech recognition and language understanding models, so you can use your voice to quickly type, edit, and send messages, now in multiple languages seamlessly. And your Pixel can even read aloud and translate webpages for you so you can listen to articles on the go.

Pixel is even better at understanding the nuances of human speech, so you can talk to it more naturally to get things done. If you take a pause or say “um,” it will wait until you’re done before responding. Use your voice to quickly type, edit and send messages, even if you speak multiple languages.

Phone calls are easier with Pixel Call Assist, a set of features that helps with everything from making calls to avoiding spammers, including Call Screen, Hold for Me and more. With Call Screen, Google Assistant can answer unknown numbers and find out who’s calling and why –so you can decide whether to pick up.

Then there’s also the temperature check. On the back of the Pixel 8 Pro, a new object temperature sensor lets you quickly scan an object to get its temperature.

Use it to check if your pan is hot enough to start cooking or if the milk in your baby’s bottle is at the right temperature. Talk about taking technology to another level!

Google Tensor G3 works with the Titan M2 security chip to protect personal information and make your Pixel more resilient to sophisticated attacks.

And now, Face Unlock on Pixel 8 meets the highest Android biometric class, allowing you to access compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet.

With Pixel, you receive exclusive features and updates that keep your phone getting better over time. For the first time, we’re providing seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro — including OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are available now from the Google store.

store.google.com

Pixel 8 Pro in Bay

Aston Martin’s powerful standout

When Aston Martin revealed the DBX707 in early 2022, it was heralded as an SUV like no other and it’s a tag the car can still have to this day.

The DBX707 has firmly elevated Aston Martin to the pinnacle of the segment with a unique combination of blistering performance, supreme dynamics, unmistakable style and absolute luxury.

Engineered with an abundance of character and compelling capability DBX707 is the ultimate SUV in every respect.

Fastest. Most powerful. Best handling. Three accolades for which the DBX707 was conceived to claim. Not by blindly chasing benchmarks but achieved on its own terms and in its own inimitable way.

For Aston Martin this meant ensuring there is nuance behind the numbers - that’s to say world-beating power and pace matched by exceptional precision, dynamic flair and genuine engagement for an addictive and uniquely impressive driving experience. A sabre in a segment of sledgehammers.

Taking the V8 DBX’s widely acclaimed design, dynamics and driver-pleasing character as its starting point, DBX707 builds brilliantly on those authentic sporting attributes.

Every area of the car has been enhanced to boost performance, intensify driving pleasure and amplify its on-road presence.

Starting with the powertrain, Aston Martin’s engineering team set about realising the full potential of the DBX’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. The DBX707’s engine features ball bearing turbochargers and a bespoke engine calibration to liberate more power and torque.

Also new to Aston Martin’s flagship high performance SUV is a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission.

Capable of managing much increased torque loadings compared with a regular torque converter automatic, this high-performance transmission allows output of the 4.0-litre V8 to be lifted to an immense 707PS and 900Nm, increases of 157PS and 200Nm over the DBX (V8).

Launch capability is also improved, which contributes towards the DBX707’s 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds.

In keeping with its extensive engineering upgrades the exterior and interior of the DBX707 have received an equally thorough design makeover.

The result is spectacular - overtly sporting but with the style and attention to detail for which Aston Martin is rightly celebrated.

DBX707 also welcomes the addition of soft-close doors, further enhancing the SUV’s luxury credentials.

As on the exterior, the DBX707’s interior features a dark chrome finish to switchgear as standard. Bright chrome and carbon fibre can be specified as an option. Piano Black veneer is standard with carbon fibre or bronze metal mesh veneer finishes available as an option.

astonmartin.com

Volvo streamlines model line-up

Volvo Cars is streamlining and standardising its model names for fully electric cars, in line with our ongoing transformation towards becoming a fully electric car maker by 2030.

Volvo has revealed the fully electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models are being renamed to EX40 and EC40 respectively, seamlessly fitting in with Volvo’s other fully electric models: the EX30, EX90 and EM90. The XC40 name remains for internal combustion-powered variants of the model.

The move reflects Volvo’s transformation towards becoming a fully electric car manufacturer. In 2023, fully electric cars represented 16 per cent of our global sales volumes, an increase of 70 per cent versus 2022.

The EX30, EX90 and EM90 will all hit roads this year and bring the number of fully electric models in our product portfolio to five, with several more new models to come.

The update also includes the removal of Recharge badging from our plug-in hybrid models, which are now denoted simply by the T6 or T8 suffix indicating different levels of power output.

The new and streamlined model name standard makes it even easier for existing and new customers to understand which of the company’s models are fully electric and which are hybrids, according to Volvo Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO, Björn Annwall.

“By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids,” he said.

Annwall said Volvo is also introducing a new Performance software pack for its EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants, and as an upgrade for the previous model year in selected markets.

The Performance software pack, which increases power output by 25kW for faster acceleration, also includes unique pedal mapping for quicker accelerator response and a unique ‘Performance’ drive mode to unlock the full 325kW.

In available markets, the Performance software will be offered as an optional upgrade pack via the Volvo Cars app when ordering a new car, while drivers of previous model year 2024 C40 and fully electric XC40 Recharge cars can purchase and download the software from the comfort of their sofa.

He said Volvo is also investing in improvements to its hybrid products. B5 mild hybrid petrol variants of XC60 and XC90 now employ a more efficient engine combustion cycle, expected to result in CO2 emission reductions and fuel economy improvements of up to around 4% for the XC60 and around 2% for the XC90 based on the WLTP cycle.

Annwall said the EC40, EX40 and XC40 are as compelling as ever, with Google built-in and smart interior storage –and in the case of the electric duo, electric range of up to 583 kilometres for the EC40 and up to 576 kilometres for the EX40.

One perfect stay

Māua Nusa Penida

Indonesia’s mystical island of Nusa Penida, a 30-minute boat ride from Bali, is home to what’s firmly one of Asia’s hottest new retreats, Māua, where luxurious and stylish villas, world-class cuisine, leading spa treatments and brilliant service blend together to offer an exceptional stay. When Swiss-Belhotel Chairman, Gavin Faull, created the vision for Māua, a new retreat brand named after a rock carving on his farm in Taranaki, New Zealand, it was all about style, sophistication, luxury and hospitality in leading regional areas across the world. Yet, even Faull couldn’t imagine the brand would launch in such spectacular fashion on the Indonesian island of Nusa Penida, a retreat he says is “a thousand times better” than what was conceived. Here is a 25-room, all-villa luxury retreat that has quickly become one of the most popular in the region and one that soon will be creating headlines as one of best villa products to be found anywhere in Asia. Hop on Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) to get you to Bali in style before a luxurious stay at this incredible resort.