WAYFARER ISSUE TWO AUTUMN 2021

West End star

Checking out London’s luxurious, remodelled One Aldwych hotel

Tropical

escapes

Hot beachside executive breaks to fuel the endless summer

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PLUS BRILLIANT NEW AUSTRALIAN HOTELS, TRAVEL NEWS, TOP TABLES & MUCH MORE

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FIJIAIRWAYS.COM 6 WAYFARER

AUTUMN 2021 CONTENTS

In this issue.

22

44

Inside Finnair’s stunning premium lounges at Helsinki Airport

Tasting top drops at the De Beaurepaire Wines cellar door in Rylstone

FINNISH COOL

26

QATAR’S ECO WINNER

How the environment is a winner as Qatar Airways rebuilds its network

34

TASMANIAN DELIGHT

Inside the new Crowne Plaza Hobart, which marks IHG’s return to the state

36

COVENT GARDEN’S MASTERPIECE London’s luxurious One Aldwych has undergone a stunning makeover

FEATURES

BURGUNDIAN STYLE

46

OVOLO'S HEALTHY SWING

Ovolo Hotels’ restaurants globally are now meat-free as part of a 'Year of the Veg'

50

BEACHSIDE BREAKS Hot beachside executive breaks to fuel the Australian endless summer

68

LUXURY DRIVES

Behind the wheel of hot new SUV releases from leading auto makers Genesis, Lexus and Peugeot

42

JAMAICAN VIBES

Talking rum with Appleton Estate's legendary Master Distiller, Joy Spence

Breakfast with a view at qualia, Hamilton Island (p50)

WAYFARER 7

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2021

In this issue.

10

40

64

Welcome to the edition by James Wilkinson

We check out some of the best bars, restaurants and hot brands

Hot technology for home, the office and on the road

EDITOR’S LETTER

14

THE HOT LIST

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

18

TAKE OFF

Essential airline news and reviews from across the world

28

ROOM KEY

The latest hotel news, reviews and interviews

Book a suite at the all-new EOS

by SkyCity in Adelaide (p28)

8 WAYFARER

APPETITE

49

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Hot destinations from across the world and essential accessories

60

ACCESSORIES

Must-haves to hit the beach and fly with

TECH CORNER

66

INSIDE LINE

The latest motoring news and accessories from premium brands

74

NEXT TIME

Coming in the next edition of Wayfarer

REGULARS

You are why we fly.

We fly to bring hope. We fly to bring comfort. We fly because people need to get home and life-saving equipment needs to get to the lives that need saving. We fly for the same reason we always have and always will...you.

American Airlines and the Flight Symbol logo are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC. © 2021 American Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved.

EDITOR'S LETTER

Global travel is back on the agenda

I

t’s an exciting time for travel in Australasia as borders re-open, airlines get back to full capacity and the vaccine rolls-out.

For the first time in a year, we are able to talk about international travel – between Australia and New Zealand is a great start! – and more quarantine-free ‘bubbles’ in the coming months to destinations in the South Pacific and Asia.

While those bubbles take shape, we have the opportunity to not just explore the best Australia has to offer, but across the Tasman in the great country of New Zealand, where food, wine and adventures are a short hop away.

Having a bubble between these two great nations – appropriately happening in time for ANZAC Day – was a great way to get things moving in 2021 and what it has most definitely done is fuel the appetite for more international adventures.

Here at Wayfarer, we’ll be ready to showcase the best destinations

the world has to offer and, in the meantime, we’ll bring you the best of Australia and New Zealand, like some of the top beachside breaks in New South Wales and Queensland to fuel what has been an almost endless summer.

In this issue we also look at some of the latest airline, hotel and foodie news, review three leading SUVs and give you a guide to some must have accessories for home and on the road.

I’m also proud to say this is our first issue of Wayfarer being printed (instead of only digital to date) and Australia’s only printed executive travel and lifestyle magazine at a time when many publications have closed down.

Thanks for your support, tell all of your friends and colleagues about us and enjoy the issue.

Safe travels,

James Wilkinson Editor-In-Chief

TONS OF BONUS VIDEO CONTENT!

This issue of Wayfarer is loaded-up with over 20 videos.

Look for the TV icon throughout the digital issue of the magazine and a video will pop-up! If you’re reading our print version, visit wayfarer.travel

Editor-In-Chief

JAMES WILKINSON james@wayfarer.travel

Creative Director

ADRIAN TIPPER atipper@intermedia.com.au

Managing Director SIMON GROVER

Production Manager JACQUI COOPER jacqui@intermedia.com.au

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DISCLAIMER This publication is published by FAB Media Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials.

The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2021 - Travel Business Media Pty Ltd.

10 WAYFARER

WELCOME TO A NEW REALM OF LUXURY

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y a w a d l r o w A p e t s r oo d r u o y on

Escape to one of the world’s most stunning natural playgrounds right here in Australia.

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

14

The Hot List What needs to be on your radar this season

18

Take Off

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

28

Room Key

The latest hotel news, reviews and interviews

40

Appetite

Hot tables, bars and wineries, plus food and drink news

Check in to the new Virgin Australia Adelaide Lounge (p18)

WAYFARER 13

TAG TAG

01

CROWN SYDNEY’S STUNNING ARRIVAL

Crown Resorts’ highly anticipated Sydney hotel and dining precinct has made a spectacular debut at Barangaroo after four years of construction. The new, luxurious Crown Towers hotel and several restaurants – a’Mare, Woodcut, Nobu and Yoshii’s Omakase – opened to the public on December 28 and the result is one of the most exciting accommodation and dining precincts Sydney has ever seen. Crown Sydney’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Crinis, said Crown Towers and the restaurant and bar line-up was “a unique addition to Barangaroo’s already thriving food scene as well as provide Sydney with a world-class hotel that will allow the city to compete with other major global tourism hubs”. crownsydney.com.au

14 WAYFARER

THE HOT LIST DEPARTURES

02

BRITISH AIRWAYS UPS ECONOMY CLASS ANTE

British Airways has formed a partnership with celebrated, British Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge, who has designed a number of gourmet food items, which include signature pies and sandwiches, to pre-purchase for the airline’s Euro Traveller (short haul economy) customers. The new Speedbird Café will launch as a pre-order proposition, which will allow travellers to customise their journey by purchasing food, drink and inflight retail items up to 12 hours before departure. ba.com

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

03

FIJI READIES FOR BORDER OPENINGS

In anticipation of Fiji’s borders re-opening to travellers in the coming months, Tourism Fiji has introduced a ‘Care Fiji Commitment’, a program that includes a new contact tracing app, wellness ambassadors and much more. Tourism Fiji says the program includes enhanced safety, health and hygiene protocols “to ensure the utmost safety of travellers to Fiji in a post COVID-19 world”. Although Fiji’s borders are currently still closed to international travellers, the introduction of the program represents a destination-wide assurance that Fiji is ready to welcome travellers safely back to its shores upon re-opening. fiji.travel

Likuliku Lagoon Resort

WAYFARER 15

DEPARTURES THE HOT LIST

04

LEXUS ADDS PERKS TO ENCORE PROGRAM

Lexus Australia has expanded its Encore Owner Benefits program, by adding key perks such as holiday car loans, free valet parking and fuel discounts.

The move includes an expansion of the Lexus Encore program, in the form of two membership tiers, Encore and Encore Platinum, with the latter being standard with all Lexus RC F, GS F, LX, LC and LS models. lexus.com.au

05

BOSE’S NEW FRAMES AN AUDIO AND VISUAL DELIGHT

Bose has released three new Frames, each combining the protection and style of premium sunglasses with the functionality of premium headphones in one revolutionary wearable. The new Frames Tempo, Tenor and Soprano (AU$399) have polarized lenses, block up to 99% of UV rays, and look, fit, and perform like the world’s most acclaimed sunglasses for outdoor sports and daily wear. The x-factor is they feature Bose’s proprietary Open Ear Audio technology and the tiniest, thinnest, most invisible Bose speaker systems ever. bose.com

06

YEAR-ROUND ESCAPES AT LAKE CRACKENBACK The New South Wales Snowy Mountains offer some of the state’s best year-round holidays, One of the leading places to stay in the region is Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, located 15 minutes from Jindabyne and Thredbo and adjacent to the Skitube, which can whisk skiers and boarders to Perisher in just 10 minutes. Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa offers a range of stylish accommodations, from Lakeview Apartments to Mountain Chalets, as well as excellent dining options and a range of activities onsite, including a day spa, mountain biking, guided walks, fly-fishing tours, canoe hire and much more. lakecrackenback.com.au

16 WAYFARER

BESPOKE LUXURY IN THE HEART OF ADELAIDE www.mayfairhotel.com.au 45 King William Street, Adelaide

DEPARTURES TAKE OFF

Take Off

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

Virgin Australia opens first next-gen Lounge Virgin Australia has opened its first ‘Lounge of the future’ at Adelaide Airport, which showcases a fresh design and new food and beverage offerings.

The 283-seat Adelaide Airport Lounge takes the airline’s network to seven and Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said the new lounge was the first of many new and exciting products for customers following the airline’s re-launch.

She said the new Lounge is true to the Virgin Australia brand, creating a warm, authentic and inviting environment for frequent flyers.

Hrdlicka said the contemporary design includes a breeze block feature wall upon entrance into the Lounge, with canopy ceilings, before ceramic tiling leads guests into a large lightfilled space, with the centre walkway leading guests to numerous dining and seating areas.

She said ambient lighting, bright greenery and Australian sustainable furniture completes the Lounge, making it a relaxed, inviting and uncomplicated place, to refresh and recharge in a delightfully Virgin way.

“We are continuing to write a new chapter at Virgin Australia and we’re incredibly focussed on creating great experiences for our guests,” Hrdlicka said.

“This new lounge we’ve opened will be the foundation for the Virgin aesthetic and experience we will roll out across the network.” virginaustralia.com 18 WAYFARER

TAKE OFF DEPARTURES

Air New Zealand launches Hobart flights Air New Zealand has launched new direct services between Auckland and Hobart, with the inaugural flight taking off on April 22.

Flights are operated by the airline’s A320 fleet on Thursdays and Sundays, which Air New Zealand says will make the most of domestic connectivity and provide the best long weekend options for travellers.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran, says it’s terrific to be heading back to Hobart, adding a tenth Australian destination to the airline’s network.

“It’s really exciting to be launching a new route alongside reopening our other Australian ports after a year of being predominantly a domestic airline,” he says.

The launch came just days after a quarantine-free, two-way travel bubble was launched between Australia and New Zealand. airnz.co.nz

Qantas ups domestic flights as Jetstar recalls 787s The Qantas Group is expecting to reach 90 per cent of pre-COVID domestic levels in the months as leisure demand continues to soar across Australia.

Simultaneously, low-cost arm Jetstar is expecting to exceed 100 per cent of capacity and will recall the carrier’s international Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to be used on domestic routes.

Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said growing domestic demand and the opening of a two-way travel bubble with

New Zealand are helping keep the Qantas Group’s recovery on track and allowing more parts of the business to be brought out of hibernation.

“We’re now seeing really positive signs of sustained recovery,” Joyce said.

That was ahead of an expected international network resumption from October, with Qantas’ date not shifting despite delays in Australia’s vaccination program. qantas.com

WAYFARER 19

DEPARTURES TAKE OFF

AAdvantage celebrates 40 years of loyalty When American Airlines launched the AAdvantage loyalty program in 1981, it was one of the airline industry’s first frequent flyer programs to reward members for their travel.

Fourty years later, AAdvantage continues to be one of the leaders with innovative new partnerships, providing members with more personalized choices in a program that’s never been easier for members to use.

“AAdvantage continues to be the easiest airline loyalty program for customers to engage with,” said Rick Elieson, President of the AAdvantage program.

“Throughout our first 40 years, it’s been our privilege rewarding members for their continued loyalty to American with innovative benefits, unique partnerships and an evolving program that’s built for every customer.”

The program provided members additional flexibility last year by eliminating award ticket change fees and automatically extended elite status through January 31, 2022.

AAdvantage also offered members a threemonth head-start on earning elite status as well

as an additional path to earn elite benefits by using AAdvantage co-branded credit cards.

For the rest of 2021, Elieson says AAdvantage members can look forward to enhanced reciprocal benefits with their new alliances with JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines, alongside new ways to earn miles with new home, auto and business partnerships. aa.com

Fiji Airways achieves top safety rating The star of the South Pacific, Fiji Airways, has been certified with the highest level 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating, becoming one of just six airlines worldwide to currently achieve this top recognition.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, Andre Viljoen said the COVID-19 Safety Audit was conducted in March and April 2021, during which time Fiji Airways has been operating repatriation flights to Auckland, Sydney, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

Airport standards analysis is based on Nadi International Airport, the home base airport of Fiji Airways and the COVID-19 Safety Rating covers all safety and hygiene protocols introduced by Fiji Airways during COVID-19 to enhance customer and staff safety.

This includes all core safety values in the airport, lounge and onboard environment, such as social distancing organisation and control, enhanced cleaning and hygiene materials and systems, adapted food and beverage service, contactless service options at key touchpoints.

“We are proud to set standards in our part of the world for 20 WAYFARER

COVID-19 air travel; standards drawn up in partnership with in-house and external medical safety advisors like the Fijian Ministry of Health and other partners,” he said.

Viljoen said Fiji Airways established its Travel Ready programme in 2020, to safeguard the health, wellbeing and medical safety of customers and staff, and covers more than 1,200 health and safety actions.

A part of the programme was the introduction of medically-qualified Customer Wellness Champions to look after customers’ wellbeing on the ground and onboard. fijiairways.com

Singapore Airlines is preparing for the ‘new normal’

TAKE OFF DEPARTURES

Singapore Airlines pilots new travel pass Singapore Airlines has become the world’s first airline to pilot the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass mobile application for digital health verification.

This marks the second phase of SIA’s digital health verification process trials, which is based on the IATA Travel Pass framework.

“The first phase of the trials helped to support SIA’s drive towards a secure and convenient industry standard for the verification of Covid-19 test results, and the health status of passengers including their vaccination status, in the future,” said Singapore Airlines’ Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, JoAnn Tan. “That gives us the confidence that in the second phase, we can further streamline the verification process for eventual integration into SIA’s mobile application. This will help to provide a hassle-free digital solution for our customers in the new normal and help to bring about a more seamless travel experience.” singaporeair.com

United Airlines launches ‘Eco Skies’ alliance United Airlines has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Eco-Skies Alliance’, which sees the carrier partner with more than a dozen leading global corporations which will collectively contribute towards the purchase of approximately 3.4 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year.

With its nearly 80% emissions reductions on a lifecycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel, this is enough SAF to eliminate approximately 31,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or enough to fly passengers over 220 million miles, according to United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby.

“While we’ve partnered with companies for years to help them offset their flight emissions, we applaud those participating in the Eco-Skies Alliance for recognizing the need to go beyond carbon offsets and support SAF-powered flying, which will lead to more affordable supply and ultimately, lower emissions,” he said.

“This is just the beginning. Our goal is to add more companies to the Eco-Skies Alliance program, purchase more SAF and work across industries to find other innovative paths towards decarbonization.” united.com

WAYFARER 21

DEPARTURES TAKE OFF

O

ver the past six years, Helsinki Airport has undergone a major expansion that’s seen a brand new, modern wing open to service non-Schengen flights and provide additional capacity for national airline Finnair’s rapid expansion through Asia.

The result has been one of the most impressive airport terminals constructed in Europe over the past decade and one that is now home to two of the best lounges in the global oneworld alliance network.

Sitting alongside world-class shopping – including some of Finland’s most famous brands like Marimekko, Iittala, Moomin, Kalevala, Lapponia and Suunto – are two new flagship offerings for Finnair, the Platinum Wing and the Business Class Lounge.

Leading the way is the new Finnair Platinum Wing, which features the best in Nordic design, food, drinks and service and it’s one of the most calming experiences you’ll ever have before a flight. >> 22 WAYFARER

TAKE OFF DEPARTURES

Helsinki Airport is home to two of the newest, and the best, lounges the oneworld alliance has ever seen. James Wilkinson looks at what’s on offer at Finnair’s Platinum Wing and Business Lounges, which showcase the best in Nordic design and hospitality.

Finnair's Platinum Wing Lounge at Helsinki Airport WAYFARER 23

DEPARTURES TAKE OFF

Finnair's new lounges are loaded-up with fantastic food and wine experiences (and right)

Here, you will find a variety of spaces furnished with soft natural textures and textiles, including a bar, restaurant, living room and in true Finnish style, even a sauna that’s the only one of its kind at Helsinki Airport (and after you have a pre-flight cleanse, you’ll be wanting one on every journey).

After the sauna, private shower suites await and you’ll find them decked-out with organic skincare amenities.

Alongside being one of the most stylish airline lounges in Europe, Platinum Wing is one of the most practical and comfortable, especially in the living room, which comfortable sofas with small tables, a lamp and charging points, alongside views of the airport apron (you’ll often be head-to-head with a Finnair Airbus A350-900 that’s awaiting its next long-haul journey).

Adjacent to the living room is the restaurant and it is in here you’ll find full table service with an a-la-carte menu alongside a buffet. Both menus are loaded up with Nordic delicacies and treats, and you can expect three main courses and two desserts to choose from for lunch and dinner, as well as freshly-made omelettes.

Impressively, there are always meat, seafood and vegetarian options and during our visit, dishes on 24 WAYFARER

offer included an asparagus hotdog with sweet potato fries, arctic char with orange hollandaise and chicken Wallenberg with roasted potatoes. On the dessert side was a choice of chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream, or white chocolate mousse.

The Finnair Platinum Wing also stands-out for the beverages on offer in both the restaurant and bar. Expect vintage and rose Champagne, alongside several whites and reds from across Europe (Germany and France on our visit).

While the Platinum Wing – available to Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo and Platinum members, alongside oneworld Emerald flyers – is the airline’s new flagship lounge globally, where Finnair also excels is in what’s on offer at the adjacent Business Class Lounge, which debuted last December.

Alongside its more premium neighbour, Business Class Lounge also features a stunning Nordic design, a series of areas to work and relax and some of the best food and drinks ever offered in an airline lounge.

“With more passengers flowing through Finnair’s home hub of Helsinki Airport, the new lounge complex increases seating capacity and space,” says Finnair’s Vice President of Ground Experience, Karim Al-Soufi.

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“Together, the new combined lounge complex provides 200 additional seats over the lounges they replace.”

The lounge is broken up into a range of areas, from social, open banquet-style tables that are perfect for groups through to banquettes, workstations, couches, lounge chairs with chaises and stools at the bar.

There is also a family area that is stocked with games and activities for guests travelling with children.

On the technology front, power outlets are available at almost every seated position, while soundproof phone booths and printing facilities are also offered.

For a pre-flight freshen-up, there five shower suites stocked with leading spa amenities and these can be booked with a touchscreen reservation system.

“Throughout the design process, we spent a lot of time to really understand how our customers use our lounges and what their needs are.”

Finnair’s Head of Customer Experience Product Design, David Kondo

Finnair’s Head of Customer Experience Product Design, David Kondo, says the aesthetic of the new lounge complex marks the emergence of Finnair’s new design language which centres on “Nordicness, simplicity, clean lines, natural materials and texture to provide a warmer and more human experience”.

“Throughout the design process, we spent a lot of time to really understand how our customers use our lounges and what their needs are,” he says. “This, in turn, informed the design of the spaces and services.

“The result is a lounge that offers a variety of different zones and seating styles, providing our customers with different options on how they want to spend their time.”

Kondo says the furniture selection includes both modern and classic design pieces from esteemed Nordic brands that stand the test of time, and for example, the entrance area features Eero Aarnio’s ball chairs.

On the food and drinks front, expect a taste of the Nordics with a high-quality menu that’s loaded-up with local produce in season, available from the open kitchen and stylish bar that take centre stage.

Like in the Platinum Wing, find a choice of three main courses including meat, seafood and vegetarian options.

For those who aren’t able to access the Platinum Wing, you’ll be more than impressed with what’s on offer at the Business Class Lounge, which is one of the best Europe has ever seen.

The Business Class Lounge is open to all Finnair Business Class customers, Finnair Plus Gold and oneworld Sapphire members when the departure flight leaves from the nonShengen area and is operated and marketed by a oneworld airline. All other customers can purchase lounge access for off-peak hours either in advance or at the lounge reception. finnair.com

WAYFARER 25

DEPARTURES TAKE OFF

Qatar Airways’ environmental winner Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Qatar Airways’ mission has been to help people get home. However, as James Wilkinson reports, an unexpected second winner has been the environment as the airline grounds its Airbus A380s and rebuilds its global network with fuel-efficient Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.

T

hroughout the current Covid-19 crisis, Qatar Airways is one of the few global airlines to have never stopped flying and at one stage claimed the title of the world’s largest carrier.

That was primarily achieved by Qatar Airways utilising its fleet of 49 Airbus A350 and 30 Boeing 787 aircraft, connecting cities across the world from Brisbane to Paris, Los Angeles and more via the carrier’s hub in Doha.

A Qatar Airways A350 lands in style and CEO Akbar Al Baker (far right) 26 WAYFARER

While it was originally a move aimed at helping people get home during a time of crisis, it turned into a move that would also prove to be dramatically better for the environment, with the airline using the fuel-efficient, next-generation Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft ahead of the super-jumbo Airbus A380s.

The airline says benchmark figures identified Qatar Airways’ fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft consumed 20 tonnes of CO2 less per block hour on certain routes compared to the Airbus A380, figures

TAKE OFF DEPARTURES

that get a massive sustainable and economical tick.

Qatar Airways says the airline’s mix of modern fuel-efficient aircraft helped it to develop a sustainable and adapted solution, allowing it to “continue flying routes with less overall demand as it has a variety of aircraft it can select from to offer the right capacity in each market”.

With demand down, the Airbus A380s are grounded and that’s something that could remain in place for some time, according to Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, who said it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market.

“Qatar Airways Group has a strong record of industry leadership on sustainable operations,” he said.

“We take our responsibilities to care for the environment seriously and sustainability is at the forefront of our business planning across the group, this is why we have an average fleet age of less than five years, one of the youngest in the world.

“Thanks to our strategic and diversified investment in our fleet, the viability of our operations has not been dependent on any specific aircraft type.

“This has enabled us to be one of the few global airlines to never stop operating during this crisis, carrying over two million passengers and in the process becoming the largest international airline in the world.

“Our fleet mix has enabled us to continue operating routes throughout this crisis ensuring we do not leave passengers stranded.

“As we rebuild our network, passengers can rely on us to operate an honest schedule of flights to take them where they want to go, using the right size aircraft to offer sensible capacity on each route.

“As a result, we will not resume flying our fleet of A380 until demand returns to appropriate levels,” Al Baker said.

The grounding of the A380 comes as no surprise, with airlines across the world, including Oneworld alliance partners Qantas and British Airways, as well as Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France and more suspending super-jumbo flights indefinitely and sending aircraft to temporary storage at airports across the globe.

All of those carriers have invested heavily on new fuel-efficient aircraft and like Qatar Airways, they are seeing the financial and environmental benefit to the investment.

Aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are hub-busters and also offer greater flexibility for connecting city pairs as demand resumes.

Qatar Airways said the airline’s internal benchmark compared the A380 to the A350 on routes from Doha to London, Guangzhou, Frankfurt, Paris, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto and New York.

On a typical one-way flight, Qatar Airways said it found the A350 aircraft saved a minimum of 16 tonnes

“We take our responsibilities to care for the environment seriously and sustainability is at the forefront of our business planning across the group.”

Qatar Airways Group CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker

of carbon dioxide per block hour compared to the A380.

The analysis found that the A380 emitted over 80% more CO2 per block hour than the A350 on each of these routes.

In the cases of Melbourne, New York and Toronto the A380 emitted 95% more CO2 per block hour with the A350 saving around 20 tonnes of CO2 per block hour.

“Having closely studied the environmental impact numbers, flying such a large aircraft with a low load factor does not meet our environmental responsibilities or make commercial sense,” Al Baker said.

“Our young fleet of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft are a much better fit for current global demand.”

He said until passenger demand recovers to appropriate levels, Qatar Airways will continue to keep its A380 aircraft grounded, ensuring it only operates commercially and environmentally responsible aircraft.

Being environmentally responsible has been a passion for the carrier for some time and there was recognition of that in 2017 when Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East, and the fifth worldwide, to secure accreditation to the highest level in the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme.

Up next, Qatar Airways said its home, Hamad Airport, is expected to be the first airport in the region to achieve a 4-star GSAS rating. qatarairways.com WAYFARER 27

Room Key The latest hotel news, reviews and interviews from across the world.

Stunning arrival: EOS by SkyCity 28 WAYFARER

EOS makes luxurious Adelaide debut SkyCity Adelaide’s AU$330 million expanded integrated entertainment precinct, including its luxurious EOS hotel, has made a stunning debut in South Australia.

The transformed SkyCity Adelaide marks a new dawn for the state with the modern establishment featuring EOS by SkyCity, a 120-room 5-Star luxury hotel, as well as four new restaurants and two new bars.

Headlining the expansion firmly is EOS, led by popular hotelier Jodi Brown.

“Named after the Greek Goddess of Dawn, Eos is an embodiment of optimism,” she says.

“We look forward to bringing a new, extraordinary realm of luxury guest experience to Adelaide, where we will deliver a personalised approach, underpinned by indulgent experiences.”

Alongside stunning hotel rooms and suites, EOS also features a day spa, outdoor pool and on the rooftop, Sol Bar and Restaurant, led by Head Chef Kane Pollard, who has a menu loaded-up with locally-sourced ingredients. skycityadelaide.com.au

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W Melbourne has made its long-awaited debut

W Melbourne’s electric arrival

Ballarat gets stylish, new Quest property Visitors to Ballarat have an impressive new accommodation option to choose from following the opening of Quest Ballarat Station.

The stylish 77-room hotel located on Nolan Street is just footsteps from the train station and marks the second component of the Ballarat Station Precinct Redevelopment.

Apartments at Quest Ballarat Station boast full kitchen, dining area, king beds, heating and air conditioning, washing machine and dryer, refrigerator, toaster, kettle and microwave, spacious bathroom, workstation, LCD television and complimentary WiFi internet access.

Meanwhile studio-style rooms offer a more compact alternative, ideal for shorts stays and weekends away. questapartments.com.au

Marriott International’s luxury lifestyle brand W Hotels has made its Victorian debut with the opening of W Melbourne in the heart of the city.

W Melbourne, located at 408 Flinders Lane, features 294 stylish guest rooms and 29 suites, which General Manager, Damon Page, says features design details curated to reflect Melbourne’s fascinating history and culture.

“W Hotels is a perfect fit for Melbourne with its 24/7 energy and design, music and fashion in the brand’s DNA,” he says.

Page says the hotel’s 'Wonderful', 'Fabulous' and 'Mega' category rooms are inspired by the neighbouring street-level newspaper kiosks that date back to the 1960s, and each room features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning skyline views.

Then there are the 'Marvellous' rooms, which he says feature a vibrant wall graphic of a fairy wren, a bird native to Australia, pulling back a layer of fabric to reveal a truly colourful Melbourne scene.

Leading the way is the 175-square-metre 'Extreme Wow Suite', located on the hotel’s highest floor at Level 15, and features a large balcony with expansive views of the Yarra River and an interactive music station, which Page says is a fresh take on an old-school jukebox.

Where the property also stands-out is from a food and beverage standpoint, with W Melbourne featuring four restaurants and bars. There’s Lollo, under the direction of Adam D’Sylva, cocktail bar Curious in a cocoon-inspired space with a laneway entrance, intimate Japanese restaurant Warabi, and Culprit which Page says will add a twist to Melbourne’s café culture thanks to a floor-to-ceiling charcuterie display and a Vermouth tasting tray.

Another x-factor is the hotel’s take on fitness and leisure, in the form of FIT, an ultramodern fitness facility, and WET, a goldroofed indoor pool, poolside bar and DJ booth. marriott.com.au WAYFARER 29

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Australia’s first Mövenpick hotel opens in Hobart The first Mövenpick hotel to open in Australia has welcomed its first guests in Hobart, Tasmania on one of the city’s principal heritage streetscapes near the waterfront.

Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath, said the 221-room Mövenpick Hotel Hobart was a warm and contemporary property that promises to delight guests with Tasmanian nature design-inspired boutique interiors, fine food and wine experiences at Tesoro Modern Italian restaurant, a daily Chocolate Hour, and an assortment of other Mövenpick brand signature offerings.

“Mövenpick Hotel Hobart transcends the traditional hotel experience by masterfully blending the brand’s Swiss heritage with a premium hospitality experience,” he said.

He said the Jaws Architects-designed hotel exemplifies Tasmanian contemporary design with richly layered textures and a regionally-inspired colour palette.

All guestrooms are situated on floors 3 to 18, with many providing panoramic views and connecting guests with Hobart’s spectacular natural setting.

On the ground floor, you’ll find Tesoro, a modern Italian restaurant that has been positioned to be one of Hobart’s finest food and wine experiences loaded up with locallyinspired signature dishes. all.accor.com

Hilton returns to Melbourne’s CBD

Hilton is back in Melbourne’s CBD 30 WAYFARER

Hilton has made its highly-anticipated return to Melbourne’s CBD at the heritage-listed Equity Chambers on Little Queen Street.

Built in 1931, Melbourne’s Equity Chambers was renowned for its architectural style and Italian Romanesque and Gothic detailing.

In its reimagining as the 244-room Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, the building’s old world-charm has been respected and original features restored, whilst seamlessly connecting a modern six-level extension with a 16-level tower to the historic site.

Within its historic walls, the old and new have been cleverly combined, with sandstone, European Oak and bronze materials, creating a traditional yet modern palette against the backdrop of grand high ceilings, marble stone finishes and upholstery in hues of navy, taupe and royal blue.

Entered from the bustling thoroughfare of Bourke Street, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s Luci restaurant and The Douglas Club cocktail bar carry their own entrance independent of the hotel’s laneway lobby and are anticipated to be welcome new additions to Melbourne’s world-class dining and drinking scene. hilton.com

ROOM KEY DEPARTURES

Mount Lofty House debuts South Australia’s hottest new lodge Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills is putting the finishing touches on Sequoia Lodge, an AU$15 million project adjacent to the luxury hotel.

Sequioa is one of the most exciting new lodges seen in Australia for years and is a stylish addition to one of the leading estates in South Australia.

Mount Lofty House General Manager, Jesse Kornoff, says Sequoia is separate to the original house with its own dedicated guest relations team and offers the ultimate six-star experience on mainland Australia.

“Named after the three giant Californian Redwood trees planted by the original owner Arthur Hardy, Sequoia guests will have access to all of the property’s lavish amenities including Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, Arthur Waterhouse Lounge and Stables Day Spa,” he says.

Guests staying in one of the 14 contemporary, luxurious suites can expect breathtaking views and an “impeccable, personal and deeply heartfelt service” according to Kornoff.

“Guests will be able to choose from luxury bespoke experiences that celebrate South Australian stories that are not available to the general public, like the nearby Jurlique farm where all the guest amenities available in Sequoia are sourced,” he says.

“Food and wine also feature centre stage – think lunch with some of the country’s top winemakers, a back vintage tasting of their icon wines and hosted behind the scenes tours.”

At Sequioa, also find a stunning reception and lounge, breakfast room, gardens, sundeck and natural springfed hot pools which form a secluded sanctuary with uninterrupted panoramic views across the patchwork Piccadilly Valley. sequoialodge.com.au Luxury style: Sequioa Lodge is now open

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Ovolo South Yarra gets rocking and rolling Ovolo Hotels has debuted the newest addition to its designer hotel collection, Ovolo South Yarra, in Melbourne.

Located next to the intersection of Toorak Road and Chapel Street in Melbourne’s cultural precinct, blending past, present and progressive, Ovolo South Yarra is a place where retro chic and pop art meet.

“Ovolo South Yarra is ready to deliver an extraordinary hotel experience embodying Ovolo’s philosophy of connecting with its

Ovolo South Yarra has made a rockstar debut 32 WAYFARER

guests emotionally,” says Ovolo Group founder, Girish Jhunjhnuwala. “The property complements the local cultural scene through art, design and a unique restaurant concept.”

Taking design cues from the days of disco, rock gods and retro glamour, Ovolo South Yarra is bold, creative, and unpredictable. Designed by long-term collaborators of Ovolo, all 123 rooms infuse retro-plush, with accents of chrome and colour.

Ranging from micro-hotel rooms to Rockstar suites, completing the hotel in true Ovolo fashion. Each with a musical moniker, aptly named in honour of the era’s most iconic lyrical lovers, ‘John’, ‘Yoko’, ‘Sonny’ and ‘Cher’.

The hotel’s Restaurant, Lona Misa Kitchen & Bar is spearheaded by renowned Melbourne chefs Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters, Smith & Daughters Deli) and Ian Curley (French Saloon, Kirk’s Wine Bar). ovolohotels.com

ROOM KEY DEPARTURES

InterContinental heads to Sorrento

InterContinental will add some glamour to the Mornington Peninsula

Australia’s first Indigo a foodie’s delight

IHG Hotels and Resorts is adding Victoria’s popular Mornington Peninsula to its map with the signing of InterContinental Sorrento.

The luxury property is part of the redevelopment of the Hotel.

Following a sensitive, state-of-the-art restoration by the Trenerry Consortium, InterContinental Sorrento will occupy the accommodation component of the 145-year-old heritage-listed limestone building and will feature 106 beautifully appointed, spacious guestrooms, many of them with water views.

A high-profile chef partnership will soon be announced for the hotel’s signature restaurant, with the property also home to five other dining and bar outlets.

In addition, the hotel will feature a sprawling wellness centre incorporating a luxury bathhouse, an outdoor pool, gym and three function and event spaces, including the Conti’s original iconic grand ballroom and will be lovingly restored catering for corporate and social events. ihg.com

Now open: Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets

IHG’s popular lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo has made its Australian debut in Adelaide in the heart of the food-loving city.

The 145-room Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets property features intriguing design features, deep connections to the neighbourhood and exemplary culinary offerings, according to General Manager, Thomas Zinn.

“Hotel Indigo has paved its way across the globe as a truly fascinating brand designed to draw inspiration and spark curiosity from the roots of its surrounding neighbourhoods,” he said.

“With our ideal location right next door to the iconic Adelaide Central Market and near the newly renovated Her Majesty’s Theatre, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets will be the perfect escape for visitors and locals looking for a new way to connect with Adelaide.”

Located next to the lively Adelaide Central Market, the hotel will champion local producers in its two restaurants – Market and Meander Eatery and Bar, as well as rooftop raw food bar, Merrymaker which will be the highest rooftop bar in Adelaide.

Housed on the site of a former textile factory, Zinn said the property’s “raw and refined” design ethos celebrates the neighbourhood’s commercial past with an exciting blend of heritage-listed and modern architecture as well as eye-catching contemporary design features. ihg.com WAYFARER 33

DEPARTURES ROOM KEY

Crowne Plaza’s Tasmanian delight IHG Hotels and Resorts (IHG) has returned to Tasmania in spectacular fashion through the opening of the stylish, new Crowne Plaza Hobart.

Striking: the new Crowne Plaza Hobart

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ROOM KEY DEPARTURES

Crowne Plaza Hobart’s kitchen is helmed by leading chef John Churchill

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he new-build Crowne Plaza Hobart made its long-awaited debut in Tasmania last year, marking a return to Tasmania for IHG. Located in the heart of Hobart on Liverpool Street, the Crowne Plaza Hobart welcomes guests into the new era for the popular brand, offering a contemporary design-led experience, inspired dining destinations, and innovative spaces to blend work and play – while ensuring sustainability remains at its core.

The 235-room hotel offers guests a distinct sense of place with stunning harbour or Mount Wellington views from each room, including Hobart’s first Club Lounge that allows guests to cosy up with complimentary evening canapés and beverages.

The typical lounge look has been reimagined to emulate a residence within the hotel, complete with an eclectic mix of custom design furniture and design integrity that speaks to the unique landscape of Hobart.

Crowne Plaza Hobart’s proximity to cultural landmarks is sure to attract those seeking Hobart’s new undercurrent of creative edge and intrigue.

Guests will also be greeted by a collection of Tasmanian fine arts which have been curated throughout the hotel’s lobby by local artists, including Tasmanian Fine Art pieces from Handmark Gallery, featuring Tasmanian artists Melissa Smith, Jonathan Partridge and Luisa Romeo.

The connection to Tasmanian culture is further showcased throughout the hotel’s interior design, with the harbour city represented through cool shades of blue, silver and grey rolling through the hotel interiors perfectly capturing its fluidity.

In contrast, the hues of Mount Wellington impact the design through warmer, earthy shades of red and brown illuminating the trims and vignettes scattered throughout the property.

Continuing the hotel’s philosophy of local connection, Crowne Plaza Hobart adds to Hobart’s vibrant culinary scene with two restaurants, core restaurant and bar and The Deck, led by esteemed local Executive Chef, John Churchill.

Chef Churchill instils a powerful farm-to-table philosophy with a focus on small batch suppliers and low waste processes, including a partnership with Macquarie Point’s ‘Edible Precinct’ where organic waste will be dehydrated and composted to fuel the rooftop gardens.

Guests staying at the hotel will enjoy the connected advantages of a modern hotel, with touch-pad controls and sustainable bathroom amenities, as well as stylish touches that echo the Tasmanian landscape and the forestry history seen through timber accents and complementing textures.

Crowne Plaza Hobart will also welcome delegates with six versatile meeting and event spaces that reflect the needs of diverse conferences and events, including a stunning ballroom with natural lighting. Enhanced technology is also offer, including state-of-the-art AV and virtual conference capabilities.

“We are so excited, and more than a little relieved, that we are able to get back on track with opening great hotels like Crowne Plaza Hobart,” IHG’s Managing Director – Australasia and Japan, Leanne Harwood, told Wayfarer. ihg.com WAYFARER 35

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reimagined masterpiece London’s luxurious One Aldwych hotel revealed a brand-new look recently – after closing for the first time in 21 years for a complete top-to-bottom makeover – and it quickly re-elevated the property as one of the most stylish in the West End. James Wilkinson checks in.

ne Aldwych has been one of the most popular hotels in the British Capital in its 21-year life thanks to its location in Covent Garden where the City meets the West End, luxurious guestrooms with fresh flowers, indoor heated pool and thriving food and beverage scene headlined by a spectacular lobby bar.

So, when the hotel underwent a renovation a couple of years ago, it was about re-elevating the property to its luxurious past versus re-imagining it.

And the result has been stunning.

The hotel’s spacious rooms and suites, the lobby bar and Indigo restaurant were given a completely new look, on the back of recent makeovers to the popular Eneko Basque Kitchen and Bar and the modern in-house gym.

When you walk in to this Leading Hotels of the World member property, you’ll find the Lobby Bar in front of you and it has become quite the destination in itself – in the afternoons and evenings, it is buzzing with the high tea and cocktail set, many of whom are here for a delight and tipple before heading to a show (one of London’s best, The Lion King, is at home right behind).

The healthy meals on offer at Indigo restaurant on the mezzanine above are some of the best in Covent Garden,

while the makeover of the rooms and suites has been exceptional and you can expect pared back, subtle, not over-designed rooms with a brilliant, modern English luxury take.

One Aldwych General Manager, Janine Marshall, says the benchmark has been re-set, the designers have worked their magic and the hotel once again looks its stunning best.

“One Aldwych has always been a destination in its own right, a place to see,” she says. “The building stands as an island, three-sided, a little unusual, not joined to any other buildings, a true independent landmark in London.

“Not only is the building dynamic, but so is Covent Garden, our home,

it’s changing all the time - and One Aldwych needs to reflect that: this is a natural evolution.

“This latest work builds on other developments, including the recent launch of Eneko Basque Kitchen and Bar and the full gym renewal,” Marshall says.

She says part of the brief to designer Robert Angell when it came to the accommodations was ‘Britishness’, which is manifest in subtle touches throughout the rooms and suites.

“Robert loves working with makers and craftspeople, and the new guestrooms feature superb oak parquet floors, fashioned for the hotel in the UK and all the furniture is British made and designed,” Marshall says.

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The suites have been designed as luxurious apartments, filled with natural daylight through large windows with fabulous London views.

One Aldwych’s famous Dome Suite under the building’s cupola has also been reimagined, with vistas over Waterloo Bridge, the Southbank and the City.

“I wanted a residential vibe and to have something inspirational in every room – art, books, handmade pieces.

I am very proud to be part of this project, in one of the most iconic buildings in London – I feel great about doing it,” Angell says.

The rooms are beautifully appointed and thoughtfully configured with easy-to-use, guest-friendly technology, and the attention to detail is stunning – even the light sockets are stylishly finished in brushed champagne brass.

It is a celebration of the best of British like Marshall says and it is found right across the rooms and suites.

Each room in One Aldwych has a luxurious throw made

by Skye Weavers, a small weaving company on the Isle of Skye, that uses only Scottish and Kentish woolen yarns to create a variety of products on their bicycle pedalpowered loom.

GETTING TO LONDON

Finnair flies daily to London from its home-base of Helsinki in Finland, where the airline founded in 1923 offers connections to 150 destinations in 50 countries around the world. Many long-haul flights are now operated by the modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which features Finnair’s luxurious Nordic Business Class cabins that come complete with fully-flat, all-aisle access seats, premium drinks and beverages, hundreds of hours of entertainment and new amenity kits exclusively designed by Marimekko. At Helsinki Airport, find brand-new long-haul lounges that are some of the best in the oneworld network globally. finnair.com

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Then, in the bathrooms, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are ‘English Leaf’ by Mitchell and Peach, the fifthgeneration floricultural estate in Kent that produces fine fragrances and body products. A fantastic twist is that the grandfather of the present owner of Mitchell and Peach set up his fruit and vegetable stall around the corner in Covent Garden in 1922 and remained there until the market closed 50 years later.

Taking inspiration from the Parisian-style ironwork and the warm timber paneling, the new harmonious design has used an army of modern craftsmen – furniture makers, metal crafters, lighting manufacturers, glass artists and specialist finishers – to a create not only the new spaces, but also a backdrop for One Aldwych’s impressive contemporary art collection. The original pieces – some 400 of them – have been re-hung throughout the hotel.

While Eneko Basque Kitchen and Bar was retained in all of its glory (yes, you can still expect chef Eneko Atxa’s inventive interpretation of Basque country cuisine through some delicious shared plates like pork ribs, grilled octopus and rack of lamb), the upgrade saw a makeover of the Lobby Bar, which came complete with a fresh look and a new cocktail menu.

The new ‘Spirit of Adventure’ cocktail story circumnavigates the globe through a series of 21 drinks specially created by the Lobby Bar’s award-winning experimental mixologist Pedro Paulo.

Before you dive into Paulo’s drinks list, a meal at Indigo is in order and it is here you can expect innovative, seasonal British dishes that are entirely dairy- and gluten-free.

Marshall says the mix of a new look and feel, combined with some of the best food and drinks to be found in Covent Garden, makes the property an ideal spot for both business and leisure travellers.

“When we reopened, our guests found the hotel with its original soul intact – but it is now more polished, more detailed – and very elegant,” she says. onealdwych.com

ROOM KEY DEPARTURES

“One Aldwych has always been a destination in its own right, a place to see.”

One Aldwych General Manager, Janine Marshall

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DEPARTURES APPETITE

APPETITE. Hot tables, bars and drinks brands from across the world.

Top chef Matt Wilkinson joins Montalto Popular Mornington Peninsula establishment Montalto has appointed Matt Wilkinson as their Culinary Consultant.

The move will raise the bar on the food front for Montalto, which has a stellar reputation for producing some of the best wines in Victoria.

“It is incredibly exciting to be part of the Montalto team, one of Australia’s most iconic and stunning wineries,” Wilkinson said.

Montalto’s menus will feature the very best estate-grown and locally sourced produce from across the Mornington Peninsula. montalto.com.au

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APPETITE DEPARTURES

Boost your immunity with Grampians Olive Co Give your immune system the boost it needs to protect itself from microorganisms, bacteria and viruses with Grampians Olive Co.’s range of organic cold pressed extra virgin olive oils.

Grampians Olive Co. is home to the historic ‘Toscana’ Olive Plantation which produces Australia’s most exquisite sustainable and certified organic olive oils.

Today, still 100% Australian family owned, it is one of the country’s oldest olive groves and is the Grampians’ leading olive producer.

The Grampians Olive Co. range includes Premium Organic First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Harvest Agrumato and Infused Olive Oils, Olives, Honey and Accessories, Artisan Vinegars, Skincare, Hampers and Gifts. grampiansoliveco.com.au

Arras debuts brilliant vintage collection One of the finest producers of Australian Sparkling wine, Tasmania’s House of Arras has released its highly anticipated annual vintage collection, which once again absolutely excels.

The 2020 vintage collection from Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine producer includes four new vintages; House of Arras Rosé 2008, House of Arras Grand Vintage 2009, House of Arras Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2004 and House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Magnum 2004 In addition, House of Arras has also unveiled the first new wine to its portfolio in over six years – House of Arras Blanc de Blancs NV. House of Arras’ legendary Chief Winemaker, Ed Carr (pictured), said using the Traditional Method and crafted with careful precision and enriched by the exceptional time in tirage ranging from 30 months to 15 years, House of Arras wines retain brilliant freshness and longevity that has exceptional balance. houseofarras.com.au

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DEPARTURES APPETITE

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APPETITE DEPARTURES

Jamaican vibes There's a new look for one of the world's hottest rum brands and James Wilkinson chats to Appleton Estate's Joy Spence to find out more.

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remium Jamaican Rum brand Appleton Estate recently released a new-look bottle and label alongside the debut of a new premium blend, an 8-Year-Old Reserve, that is absolutely superb The new tipple is the work of Appleton Estate Master Blender, Joy Spence, and she says the launch is a “commemoration of the brand’s commitment to the highest standards of rum production and an expression of its rich Jamaican heritage, with a new modern take”.

Spence (pictured left) is legendary in the spirits scene globally and Wayfarer spoke to her to find out more about her memorable career to date.

Joy, tell us about your career highlights and becoming the first female Master Blender in the spirits industry.

I’ve always had a love of science and chemistry. To take the lead at Appleton Estate and combine this passion with great tasting rum, reflective of our Jamaican culture, is an honour.

I first found my love for chemistry at the age of 13 in school, where I dreamed of becoming a scientist. I graduated from The University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science degree, first-class honours. I then spent a few years teaching before moving to England to pursue a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Loughborough. I studied hard, and currently hold the record for achieving the highest score in final exams.

I then returned to Jamaica which is where I discovered my love for creating great tasting rum. I joined Appleton Estate as Chief Chemist in 1981, then gained the title of Master Blender in 1997.

I feel honoured to be named the first female to hold this title, in an industry that is traditionally male-dominated.

Throughout my career at Appleton Estate, we have released blends that I hold close to my heart, including our new 8-year-old release, a versatile expression of aged rum with hints of honey and vanilla.

Another highlight was creating special blends for Prince William and Prince Harry.

Throughout my work, I want to inspire future generations of budding scientists to develop their skills and continue the creation of great-tasting rum.

I often work with high school students, to pass on my knowledge, and even learn from them! There are so many young and eager learners with huge potential and I’m excited to see them step up and progress our industry.

After spending almost 30 years at Appleton Estate, I look forward to continuing to produce great-tasting Jamaican Rum and watch future generations of rum enthusiasts fall in love with our craft.

Tell us about Appleton Estate’s strict 265-year-old Jamaican rum process.

Creating our rum is a labour of love and a true art. Jamaica has a pulse unlike anywhere else, and that’s channelled into everything we do, especially our world-class rums.

For over 265 years, we have been crafting authentic, premium rums using traditions passed down from generation to generation that are unique to our Estate.

Appleton Estate is nestled deep in the middle of Jamaica’s Nassau Valley, surrounded by densely forested limestone hills. Our terroir holds a unique climate, soil and topography that produces rums with vivid and deep flavours and aromas.

We ensure that each bottle of rum is authentically Jamaican, created with Jamaican limestone-filtered water, sugarcane grown from our own plantation and fermented and distilled on the island using traditional practices.

Our tropical climate also means our spirits age at a faster pace in developing their complexity and flavour. We also adhere to strict minimum ageing guidelines which means that the age statement on each bottle refers to the youngest drop of rum in that blend.

We’re proud to honour traditional practices, to have kept the vivid and complex flavours translating through each barrel of Appleton Estate. appletonestate.com WAYFARER 43

DEPARTURES APPETITE

Burgundian style The award-winning, family-owned and run De Beaurepaire Wines in Rylstone, New South Wales, has a new-look cellar door and a range of premium tasting experiences.

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n two 170-year old converted stables a three-hour drive from Sydney, De Beaurepaire Wines’ new-look cellar door offers private, seated tasting areas where guests enjoy intimate and knowledgeable wine experiences with members of the winemaking family.

Their new premium wine experiences, which are tastings and immersive vineyard tours, showcase the family’s single vineyard Frenchstyle wines.

De Beaurepaire Wines has been a fast-mover in the Australian drinks scene. Starting with the first vine planting in 1998, the company – run by parents Richard (pictured left) and Janet De Beaurepaire, together with their children Amanda and Will – has grown into a renowned boutique producer of 15 French-style wines (including Winestate Magazine’s 2018 Australian Wine of the Year) that are available in Australia’s top restaurants and premium hotels.

The 53-hectare vineyard has a focus on Burgundy (Chardonnay and

Pinot Noir), Champagne (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Semillon) and Rhône Valley (Shiraz and Viognier) varieties.

“With the current hold on international travel, our wine experiences offer our guests the opportunity to enjoy their joie de vin and savour a taste of France right here in NSW,” Amanda said.

“Our unique vineyard location in Rylstone shares Burgundy’s cool, inland climate and limestone-rich soils – a ‘terroir’ that produces some of the best wines in the world.”

She said new ‘Explore’ and ‘Immerse’ tastings would be a showcase the brand had to offer five days per week, while specifically on Saturdays, two special offerings were also available - the ‘Vigneron Experience’ and a ‘Sparkling Affair’.

The Vigneron Experience offers guests the opportunity to join Richard and Amanda on a guided vineyard walk to explore where their grapes are

grown and discuss how terroir drives their wine styles.

Guests then enjoy a private wine experience which showcases the De Beaurepaire family’s Frenchstyle wines and explores how their ‘Burgundian’ terroir expresses itself in their award-winning wines.

“The French believe that 90% of French wine is determined by what happens in the vineyard,” Richard said. “This is why we enjoy sharing the Vigneron Experience with our guests – it showcases De Beaurepaire Wines as a whole, from grape to glass.”

The Sparkling Affair is designed for guests who prefer premium Sparkling and share a love for exceptional Methode Traditionelle Sparkling. As part of the Sparkling Affair, guests delight in a special flight of three De Beaurepaire French-style Sparkling wines paired with canapes either served on the lawns or inside the cellar door. debeaurepairewines.com.au

TOP DROPS

A quick look at five of our favourite current De Beaurepaire releases.

1. 2018 De Beaurepaire ‘Blanchefleur’ Blanc de Blancs Embodies the purity of chardonnay crafted using Méthode Traditionelle into an elegant and delicate sparkling wine perfect as an aperitif and accompanying seafood and shellfish.

2. 2017 De Beaurepaire ‘Jeannette’ Reserve Chardonnay Vibrant and elegant wine with floral aromatics, citrus and stone fruits on the palate with a rounded mouth feel and fine-grained resolve tannins producing a nice tension on the finish.

3. 2016 Rylstone Estate ‘Match Point’ Rosé Gastronomic style of Rosé inspired by the limited release Grand Cru Rosés from Bordeaux with a pale salmon colour and a dry, full strawberry and rich cherry palate offset by a mineralised crispness.

4. 2018 De Beaurepaire ‘Perceval’ Pinot Noir Delicate yet fleshy with rich raspberry and plum flavours framed by silky tannins with exceptional length culminating in a long aftertaste of cherry and candied fruit.

5. 2017 Rylstone Estate ‘Bluebird’ Botrytis Viognier Elevated acid over apricots, pears and white peaches with honey producing the perfect accompaniment to a blue cheese or salty, savoury dessert.

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Healthy swing Ovolo’s Hotels across Australia and Hong Kong are now offering vegetarian-only menus.

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APPETITE DEPARTURES

Ovolo's restaurants globally have gone meat-free as part of a 'Year of the Veg' initiative

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he ‘Year of the Veg’ move by the Hong Kongbased hotel chain will see Monster Kitchen and Bar at Ovolo Nishi in Canberra, ZA ZA TA at Ovolo The Valley in Brisbane and Mister Percy at Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour in Sydney transition to vegetarian-only menus, while Alibi Bar and Kitchen at Ovolo Woolloomooloo will continue its trailblazing efforts as the nation’s only vegan hotel restaurant.

At Ovolo Central in Hong Kong, Veda restaurant and bar has one of the city’s most popular vegetarian eateries for several years now and the move in Australia will no doubt emulate the success that venue has had.

Ovolo Group’s Founder and CEO, Girish Jhunjhnuwala, said the initiative is a “bold one” and he’s confident of success.

“Dining out and enjoying tasty food and wine with great company is one of life’s simplest pleasures,” he said. “Good times and good intentions is how we’re evolving.

“We want to be conscious about what we are consuming and practice environmental sustainability as best as we can, as this leads to a larger impact on humanity, not just the environment,” Jhunjhnuwala said.

He said with a rise in consumer interest and understanding of the benefits aligned with plant-based and vegetarian cuisine, this change embodies Ovolo’s philosophy of connecting with its customers’ wants.

Guests and diners will be able to nourish their bodies and feed their souls at Ovolo’s unique kitchen and bar concepts, inspired by fresh and locally sourced produce, ethical eating, and conscious cuisine, Jhunjhnuwala said, adding that seasonal cocktails and wines sourced from some of Australia’s most progressive producers will also feature. ovolohotels.com WAYFARER 47

Rylstone, NSW

Burgundy, France

We searched for a location in Australia that shared Burgundy’s cool, inland climate and limestone-rich soils – a ‘terroir’ that produces some of the best wines in the world. We found it above the historic village of Rylstone in NSW. Our family’s range of award-winning wines harness Old and New World winemaking techniques to create wine that is truly one of a kind.

www.debeaurepairewines.com

old world new world ne world

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

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Australian Beachside Breaks

Stylish Essentials

Tech Corner

Inside Line

Luxury Drives

Some of the best spots for an executive break to fuel the endless summer

Hit the beach and travel in style with these must have accessories

Top technology for the travelling executive, at home, the office and on the road

The latest motoring news and accessories in the market from premium brands

Behind the wheel of hot new SUV releases from top makers Genesis, Lexus and France's Peugeot

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TRAVEL BEACH ESCAPES

It’s no secret that one of the best times to hit the beaches in Australia is during winter. Right up and down the east coast there are amazing escapes aplenty and James Wilkinson looks at some of the best spots for an executive break to fuel the endless summer.

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BEACH ESCAPES TRAVEL

QUALIA Hamilton Island, Queensland In the heart of the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s favourite year-round playgrounds and offers everything from world-class sailing regattas to brilliant food, adventures for kids and poolside relaxation.

Leading the way on the island is qualia, which has been one of world’s leading resorts since it opened and continues to be one of the most in-demand luxury lodges the nation has ever seen.

Here you’ll find 60 private pavilions – all with large soaking tubs, decks, views of the Whitsundays and some with private plunge pools – set amongst 30 acres of tropical landscaped gardens.

The resort is also home to Spa qualia, which offers an array of treatments with luxury Australian products, arguably the country’s most picturesque lobby and two restaurants, Pebble Beach and the Long Pavilion.

Down on Pebble Beach you’ll find one of the resort’s two infinity pools and where you are guaranteed to capture a postcard moment or three.

While you’re at qualia, book in for a trip out to Heart Island, a floating luxury day room that’s accessible only by helicopter, and which offers a glass-bottom boat rides and snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef, including the legendary Heart Reef. hamiltonisland.com.au

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TRAVEL BEACH ESCAPES

BANGALAY Shoalhaven Heads, New South Wales The New South Wales South Coast is having an incredible resurgence following the devastating bushfires at the start of 2020, with hotels, resorts, lodges and villas now proving to be some of the most in-demand escapes in Australia.

One of the most exciting products on offer is Bangalay Luxury Villas, located at Shoalhaven Heads, which has a stunning room product as well as a restaurant serving up some of the best meals in New South Wales.

Here you can expect 16 striking villas located adjacent to Shoalhaven Heads Golf Course, the Bangalay Sand Forest and Seven Mile Beach, one of the best stretches of sand anywhere in the state.

Both one- and two-bedroom villas are on offer at Bangalay and both configurations offer space and style and are complemented by luxury spa products in the bathrooms, locallysourced mini bars and kitchenettes.

Where the property truly excels is in the restaurant, thanks to fresh, local, dishes from Bangalay’s Chefs, Simon Evans and Thomas Chiumento.

Highlighting the menu now are dishes like Moreton Bay bug, zucchini flowers, Greenwell Point lobster, roasted pumpkin, grass fed Southern Highland sirloin, alongside sensational desserts like chocolate ganache and a native Neapolitan ice cream sandwich.

The brilliant menu truly comes to life thanks to one of the best wine lists in the land – expect drops such as the Mount Mary Triolet, Pierro Chardonnay, S. C. Pannell Barbera and Samuel’s Gorge Shiraz.

Ideally, you’ll want to book in for two nights to explore the local area – Berry is just a 15-minute hop away, you can go horseriding on Seven Mile Beach and head for wines at Coolangatta Estate nearby – and have two runs at Strong’s dinner menu. bangalayvillas.com.au

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BEACH ESCAPES TRAVEL

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TRAVEL BEACH ESCAPES

THE REEF HOUSE Palm Cove, Queensland If you were to look at some of the most classic, stylish and luxurious hotels in Far North Queensland, The Reef House consistently features atop the lists.

This colonial-style hotel on the beachfront in Palm Cove – a town lined with ancient Melaleuca trees that’s affectionately known as the day spa capital of Queensland – has been a hit with travellers for over 60 years.

The Reef House was originally built in 1958 by Brigadier Thomson as a private residence where visitors were treated as personal guests and that tradition continues today throughout the hotel, from the service led by General Manager Wayne Harris to the quality upkeep of the colonial property and the relaxation on offer.

Here, you can expect a brilliant day spa (book an Ocean Wave Ritual), two swimming pools, (an adults only tranquillity pool and heated mineral pool) and a range of rooms and suites from the delightful Brigadier King Studio through to the Reef Suite Ocean View Spa Apartment and our favourite, Villa Casablanca, which features four bedrooms and a private plunge pool and outdoor spa bath.

When it comes to dining, Palm Cove is also known as a foodie town and that’s firmly what you can expect at The Reef House Restaurant. The leading eatery has been around since the 1960s and the classic Colonial style matches well with the local produce on the menu, particularly with the local saltwater barramundi, Queensland eye fillet, tiger prawn linguini and beetroot cured salmon.

Before dinner, head to Brigadier’s Honesty Bar for twilight canapes and punch hosted

by Wayne and as the night goes on, settle on the deck as you dine and check out the moon rise from the Coral Sea with a top Australian drop, such as the Match Point Rosé from Rylstone. reefhouse.com.au

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BEACH ESCAPES TRAVEL

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TRAVEL BEACH ESCAPES

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BEACH ESCAPES TRAVEL

CROWNE PLAZA SYDNEY COOGEE BEACH Coogee, New South Wales For decades, Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach has been one of the emerald city’s most popular seaside retreats, whether it be for business events or romantic weekend escapes.

Now, there’s a stylish new look inside the beachside hotel owned by Salter Brothers, thanks to a multimillion-dollar redesign, and the property has never looked better.

The hotel has completed a “sea-change” with the 209 guestrooms reimagined with a fresh, new look, reflective of the hotel’s beachside location and a complete refit of all the bathrooms.

The redesign puts the hotel firmly back on the business radar with a new, purpose-built conference and events centre with eight new flexible meeting spaces, state-ofthe-art technology and new group event dining concepts and menus.

With 13 event spaces in total, the upgrade has helped the property further cement its position as of one Sydney’s leading seaside resorts to retreat and meet.

When it comes to the guestrooms, all have been fitted out with premium bedding, carpet and curtains, and a fresh new bathroom refit, elements which complement the backdrop of Coogee Beach and the South Pacific Ocean.

Where Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach has also excelled is in the food and beverage now on offer at the property. It wasn’t an upgrade or a renovation, but a complete overhaul and the design, food and drinks found at Shutters and Estate is exceptional.

On the food front, an all-day dining, Mediterraneanstyle menu encourages leisurely lunches at Shutters, with charcuterie, kingfish crudo or a warm octopus salad. Mains include the Rangers Valley rump cap or a Bannockburn spatchcock with unlimited fries and house salad.

The drinks list at Shutters Bar is equally impressive with classic cocktails and a curated wine selection from Australia, Italy and France.

In addition to Shutters, Estate takes things even further, with the venue carved into three exciting micro-hotspots.

There is the open-air casual dining and entertainment area named ‘Terrace’; the more formal setting of ‘Kitchen’; and the fun and happening Taqueria, which serves up tacos, nachos and margaritas.

For a little extra x-factor, there is also Confessional, a private karaoke hide-away reserved for late night renditions. ihg.com

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TRAVEL BEACH ESCAPES

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BEACH ESCAPES TRAVEL

CRYSTALBROOK RILEY Cairns, Queensland In recent years, most of the attention in Far North Queensland has been on the beachside towns of Palm Cove and Port Douglas, but in the city, the Crystalbrook Collection has been making waves of its own with three new hotels, including our favourite, Riley.

Located at the northern end of the Cairns waterfront boardwalk, Crystalbrook Riley features 311 stylish rooms and suites, most with spacious balconies, that look out over the Coral Sea. In the rooms, expect understated elegance, contemporary design and a splash of fun, which firmly carries across throughout the hotel at the lagoon-sized swimming pool – it’s 1,000 square metres with a private manmade beach – in the day spa and across the brilliant food and beverage outlets.

Head to Greenfield’s for a coffee, freshly made cold pressed juice and a sandwich, to top eatery Paper Crane for wok fried seafood or a tender steak, and to Rocco, which is perched 42 metres above sea level, for sharestyle food, cocktails and Champagnes as the sun sets and beyond. crystalbrookcollection.com

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LIFESTYLE ACCESSORIES

Beach chic Hit the sand in style with these essential accessories.

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ACCESSORIES LIFESTYLE

Jump in a pair of the Roscoe Green shorts from Bondi Joe

Top trunks from Bondi Joe When you hit the beach, make sure it’s in a pair of the stylish Bondi Joe swim trunks.

Ideal for both taking a dip at the beach or hitting the bars and restaurants after, the Bondi Joe trunks are a perfect combination of practicality and style.

They are designed lining-free for all-day comfort with quick-drying fabric made from, impressively, 100% recycled material, including recycled plastic water bottles.

Our pick are the Bondi Joe ‘Roscoe Green’ trunks (AU$99.95). They feature a tropical print with birds of paradise flowers, lush leaves and pops of pink and white flowers, plus a distinctive grey background. bondijoe.com

Eco friendly, stylish towels

Grab a stylish design from ECO Towels

The ECO Towel is the first-ever Australian made towel to be made from RPET, a soft and absorbent recycled yarn that uses recycled plastic bottles and fabric cut-offs.

ECO Towels (AU$79), which are available in over 20 designs, are kind to the environment and your body, reducing waste and the impact on the planet saving close to 20 water bottles out of landfill and our oceans. kedesign.com.au

Pacifico Optical’s cool shades Australian premium eyewear brand Pacifico Optical’s latest collection, ‘Shades of Europe’, pictured left, is inspired by the Italian Coastline.

Since 2015, Bondi born Pacifico Optical has been crafting classic and timeless eyewear inspired by a love of the sun, the ocean and the carefree coastal lifestyle.

Pacifico Optical director and co-founder, Alain Guglielmino, says the desirable colour palette of Amalfi Blue, Tuscan Green, Capri Pink and Citrus Orange are inspired by the distinct Euro flora pastel greens of the shrubs and trees in the South of Italy and the pink bougainvillea of Capri and Sicily. pacificooptical.com WAYFARER 61

LIFESTYLE ACCESSORIES

Travel Essentials Must-have accessories for the global high-flyer.

The Armstrong from Kinnon

Kinnon’s stylish Armstrong business bag When it comes to business bags and briefcases, we all want some flexibility so they can be used carrying the laptop to work or the tablet and a set of Bose headphones for the flight.

The team at Kinnon have just the ticket - the Armstrong business bag, which is part briefcase, part carryall and lots of style.

The Armstrong is made from sustainably sourced Italian pebble leather with nappa leather contrast detailing and it’s made to last.

Finished with matt black YKK zippers (that thankfully don’t get caught) and hardware with leather zipper pullers and a monochrome striped cotton lining, the Armstrong is durable and practical.

Impressively it features dedicated for a 13-inch or 15inch laptop, a tablet, a notebook, charging cables and other essentials for a day at work or weekend away.

The Armstrong also features hand carry straps, an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap and a suitcase slide on the back for ease when travelling, fantastic for popping onto the carry-on.

Complimentary monogramming is also part of the deal. kinnon.com.au 62 WAYFARER

ACCESSORIES LIFESTYLE

Tissot’s Powermatic 80 Silicium

Stay Konnected with Samsonite

Tissot’s versatile Powermatic 80 Silicium Switzerland’s Tissot has been synonymous with legendary watchmaking since 1853 and the brand continues to release classically elegant, stylish timepieces on a regular basis that both look great and function particularly well.

One of the recent releases that has captured our attention is the Tissot Powermatic 80 Silicium, which isn’t just elegant, but lightweight, stylish and adaptable with many outfits, both casual and formal.

You’ll find an exhibition case at the back that lets you admire the inner workings of the watch, while also feeling comfortable on the skin.

The watch also features a silicon balance spring, which means greater longevity of up to 80 hours of reserve power, as well as heightened precision and resistance to magnetic fields.

The Tissot Powermatic 80 Silicium‘s rotor is also finely engraved with the ‘Waves of Time’ decoration, adding extra style to what is a brilliant everyday watch.

While many watches of a similar price range from other brands might look stylish and feel good, the brilliant x-factor here is the 80 hours of reserve power, particularly when your watch is off your wrist as you sleep or work out. tissotwatches.com Samsonite’s game-changing Konnect-i

When it was launched into the market in late 2020, Samsonite had a game-changer with the Konnect-i, the most high-tech backpack the world has ever seen.

Since then, it has quickly become a must-have for business travellers and urban adventurers alike.

The Samsonite Konnect-i Backpack with Jacquard by Google is an everyday bag that connects with a wearer’s smartphone, meaning you can perform actions and receive alerts while on the go.

These abilities and alerts include tasks related to audio, such as play, pause, next track and what’s playing, and communication, including receiving phone calls and texts.

The smart features also make navigation easy, through functions such as estimating arrival times and next directions. Even dropped pins and saved locations are also available and the Bluetooth-enabled backpack can also receive alerts for rideshares.

Jacquard technology allows you to cut through the digital clutter with a simple gesture allowing you to stay connected, not distracted.

There are two versions of the Konnect-i backpack available − a Slim Backpack, which is complete with a vertical zipper, and a Standard Backpack, which is finished with a horizontal zipper. samsonite.com.au

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LIFESTYLE TECHNOLOGY

Tech Corner Top technology for the travelling executive, at home and on the road.

Review: Google’s brilliant Pixel 4a and 5 phones Google’s lightning fast and lightweight Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 smartphones, which debuted in late 2020, have quickly proven to be a winner for users across the globe.

The Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 both pack 5G speeds, feature the latest Google hardware, software and AI, have a remarkable battery life and cameras that are firmly on a premium digital SLR quality.

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perspective – especially when listening in wired and wirelessly – whether it is watching a film, a clip on YouTube or on a Duo call with a colleague, client or friend.

Google has gone a step further with video calling app Duo on the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5, thanks to a new HD screen sharing mode that lets you and a friend watch the same vision, be it a sporting match, stand-up comedy show, a funny video and more.

On the camera front, Pixel smartphones have been known for their high-quality

image capture for years and the new devices also take that to a new level.

Clever and creative new features include Cinematic Pan (which gives your videos a professional look with ultrasmooth panning); Night Sight in Portrait Mode (gives you the ability to capture brilliant low-light photos, including the stars); and Portrait Light (you can capture portraits that focus on your subject as the background fades into an artful blur). google.com

TECHNOLOGY LIFESTYLE

Fitbit impresses with Versa 3 smartwatch

Must have: the Fitbit Versa 3

Fitbit first unveiled the new Versa 3 health smartwatch last August and since then it has become a must-have for fitness fans and travellers alike.

The Fitbit Versa 3 is loaded-up with exciting new health, fitness and convenience features to the company’s most popular smartwatch family.

On-device GPS, in-app workout intensity map, enhanced PurePulse 2.0 technology, and Active Zone Minutes make it easier than ever to stay on top of your fitness goals, beyond tracking your daily steps.

Fitbit Versa 3 has even more smart features to add convenience to your day, including a built-in speaker and microphone to take quick phone calls, send calls to voicemail and adjust call volume – all from the wrist.

You also have a choice of voice assistants with the addition of Google Assistant alongside Amazon Alexa Built-in, so you can set reminders for your workout, mindfulness practice or bedtime, check the weather, add hand sanitiser to your shopping list, control your smart home devices and more just by speaking to your watch.

Its updated design and interface take a cue from Fitbit Sense, including softer lines, increased comfort, greater responsiveness, and faster, more effortless interactions.

With an already long battery life of 6-plus days, if you find yourself running low, a 12-minute quick charge provides one full day of use.

Fitbit Versa 3 is available (for AU$399.95) in black/black aluminium, pink clay/soft gold aluminium and midnight/soft gold aluminium. fitbit.com

Naim latest Mu-so Qb hits the mark Leading British hi-fi specialist, Naim Audio, recently debuted its 2nd Generation Mu-so Qb, which is undoubtedly the hottest wireless speaker releases over the past 12 months.

The 2nd Generation Mu-so Qb evolves the brilliant styling of its predecessor, however, beneath its luxury aluminium casing is what Naim calls “a game changing performance, functionality, and feature upgrade”.

We absolutely agree, because the latest Mu-so Qb provides some of the best wireless audio ever found in a speaker thanks to a system that is incredibly easy to stream through.

The Mu-so Qb features Naim’s unique music-streaming platform to offer a scintilating performance, whether playing digital music collections, internet radio, or music streaming services such as TIDAL and Spotify.

It boasts an illuminated volume dial, complete with a proximity sensor, which lights up in welcome when a hand approaches it.

Key features include easy access key playback controls, including favourite playlists and radio stations, Spotify resume and multi-room functionality. It can also be controlled through the updated Naim app and a new remote-control handset.

Powerful enough to fill most rooms, Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation’s relatively compact size also makes it a superb option for spaces such as kitchens and bedrooms. busisoft.com.au

Naim’s brilliant, 2nd gen Mu-so Qb

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TAG TAG

Inside Line The latest motoring news and accessories from premium brands.

Audi’s Q5 gets a makeover Audi has given its popular Q5 a new look, with the refreshed mid-size luxury SUV now available in Australia.

Among the enhancements are a sharper exterior design with an even stronger ‘Q’ identity, new MMI touch-sensitive controls and a rear light cluster that features new digital OLED technology.

While the design changes – including giving the Q5 a lighter look from the outside with greater ground clearance and in the cabin thanks to a new freestanding MMI touch display – impress, the most exciting enhancements are at the rear of the vehicle.

This is in the form of the next-generation OLED lighting technology, available for the first time ever worldwide in the modified Q5.

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The optional OLED rear light is split into three tiles of six segments each, which enables Audi designers and developers to create different light designs and signatures from a single item of hardware.

When ordering their Q5, customers can choose from three rear-light signatures, whereby each signature has its own specific designs for coming and leaving home.

On switching the Audi drive select mode to ‘dynamic’, the lights change to yet another signature.

The OLED rear-light cluster is also equipped with proximity detection: If a road user approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear to within less than two metres, all the OLED segments light up. audi.com.au

MOTORING LIFESTYLE

Uniden’s brilliant Dash View 30

Star camera: Uniden’s unobtrusive Dash View 30

There have been a number of top-quality in-car cameras for some time now, but Uniden have released one that’s the best we have seen yet.

Uniden’s new, state-of-the-art Dash View 30 Smart Dash Cam offers crisp and detailed video of the journey in bright or low-light road conditions alongside voice guidance.

Built using Japanese engineering technology and designed for Australian road conditions, the slim and stylish design sits discreetly inside the vehicle without intruding on the windscreen, ready to record every detail on the road.

The Dash View 30 (priced at AUD$399.95) features a 2.5K Video Resolution Front Camera with a 140-degree wide angle lens, perfect for capturing the road, but also the scenery around and ahead of you.

The dash camera also has additional features such as safety speed and red light camera warnings which are kept up to date by Uniden’s support team, as well as voice guidance control using the Smart One Touch function, and inbuilt GPS and Dual Band Wi-Fi for Fast Data Transfer functionality to Android and iOS smartphone devices via the DashView App. A 32GB MLC High Endurance Micro SD Card comes standard for ease of storage space, quick transfer and replay at the highest quality to relive the most scenic moments of your journey. uniden.com.au

BMW debuts first iPhone digital key

BMW has launched Digital Key for the iPhone

BMW has become the first carmaker in the world to enable its customers to use iPhone as a fully digital car key.

The move is the latest partnership between the German carmaker and Apple, which in the past saw BMW the first to integrate iPod in its vehicles and the first to offer wireless CarPlay.

The BMW Digital Key for the iPhone – stored securely in Apple Wallet – enables customers to just tap to unlock and easily get going by placing the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button.

The car owner can also share access with up to five friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, horsepower, maximum radio volume and more. There will also be compatibility with the Apple Watch.

BMW says management of access can be done from inside the car as well as through Apple Wallet.

Digital Key for iPhone is available for a broad range of models: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M and Z4 if manufactured after July 1, 2020.

Compatible iPhone models will be iPhone XR, iPhone XS or newer and Apple Watch Series 5 or newer. bmw.com WAYFARER 67

LIFESTYLE MOTORING

As the Australasian SUV market continues to heat up, James Wilkinson gets behind the wheel of three hot releases from Genesis, Lexus and Peugeot that need to be on your radar.

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MOTORING LIFESTYLE

GENESIS GV80

It has been firmly a case of worth-the-wait from Genesis, with the South Korean automaker making a huge splash in Australia with the launch of its first ever SUV, the GV80.

Combining luxury, style, comfort and performance, the GV80 (from AU$90,600), is a fantastic addition to a range that already includes the G70 sports sedan and G80 luxury sedan.

Genesis has debuted the GV80 in four variants, which feature three powertrains, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, five or seven seats offerings and an optional luxury package.

Opening the range on the power front is the GV80 2.5T, which has a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine that delivers 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque. The range is then topped out with the GV80 3.5T AWD, which ramps things up thanks to the 3.5-litre turbo petrol V6 engine that produces 279kW and 530Nm respectively.

While the power certainly impresses, where the Genesis hits the mark is on the standard appointments from the first model in the range. Expect a mood-lit cabin with leather and real wood-finished trim, a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen multimedia interface, panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels and a power-operated tailgate.

Right across the GV80, you’ll find more features that also impress, like the interior lighting control system, the ease of plugging in to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, power rear seats and the sunshades in the back.

Importantly, on the safety front, find 10 airbags and the Genesis Active Safety Control suite of technologies headlined by the Smart Cruise Control system.

It’s an incredibly impressive SUV debut from Genesis and you’ll find a ton of value for money across the board. genesis.com

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LIFESTYLE MOTORING

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LEXUS RX

It was a fantastic step-up for Lexus when the brand debuted the new RX range in October 2019, with the Japanese manufacturer well and truly upping the ante of what has been a staple on Australasian roads since the early 2000s.

With the latest-edition RX, find key upgrades across the board, from a styling, connectivity and safety perspective alongside enhanced driving dynamics.

Right from the entry level RX 300 Luxury (from AU$71,920) find a swathe of included features, like a 12.3-inch screen, touch-display and touchpad-type Lexus Remote Touch functionality, easy connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six USB ports.

The performance stacks-up too, with the twowheel-drive RX 300 producing 175kW of power and 350Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine. They are impressive numbers from an entry model and ramp-up in the all-wheel-drive RX 350 and RX 350L models, thanks to a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

The X-factor goes even further with the selfcharging hybrid-electric RX 450h and RX 450hL

employing a 3.5-litre V6 and electric motor to deliver strong torque and fuel consumption as low as 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

Alongside the technology and power, the RX is a very comfortable car to drive in the city and on the highway. The Luxury grades of the V6 and selfcharging hybrid electric variants are fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels genuine leather-accented seat material, front memory seat easy access, and front seat heaters and ventilation.

Option packs are available with a panoramic roof with front moonroof, a colour head-up display and smart key card, as well as 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, panoramic view monitor and rear door sunshades.

When it comes to safety, key features include night-time pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection for the pre-collision safety system and autonomous emergency braking.

All-in-all, it’s a brilliant release from Lexus and it comes as no surprise that it continues to be one of the company’s most popular models in Australasia. lexus.com.au

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LIFESTYLE MOTORING

PEUGEOT 3008

Peugeot has debuted its latest 3008 SUV range and it is a fantastic upgrade to what has proven a popular model on Australasian roads.

Excitingly, Peugeot has upped the ante with the latest makeover, adding a 3008 GT Sport model to the range and it looks as good as it feels to drive.

The 3008 GT Sport 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine that produces a pumping 133 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque giving you the feeling you are driving a hot hatch – which the French automaker is well known for in the form of the 308 GT – yet you have a ton more room to carry the ski gear or a boot full of shopping.

The cornering is brilliant and the car delivers a scintillating performance in drive, sports and eco modes. When you are heading up a hill, pop it in sports mode and you’ll see the power the 3008 offers and it more than impresses for the GT Sport’s price tag (from AU$54,990).

The fantastic engine and brilliant handling aside, this new range is all about stunning looks and onboard technology thanks to the makeover that has given the 3008 a new striking edge.

New frameless radiator grille designs are underlined by gloss black side scoops and a painted treadplate integrated with the new

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bumper design. The headlights have also been redesigned which Peugeot says gives the range a more purposeful appearance. They feature daytime running lights and indicators using advanced LED technology.

Inside, the new 3008 features Peugeot's nextgeneration digital i-Cockpit technology with an improved 12.3-inch digital head-up instrument panel that produces a higher contrast to improve visibility, a compact steering wheel for improved driving dynamics and a larger upgraded, centrally-mounted 10-inch, highdefinition, capacitive colour touchscreen for increased functionality.

You’ll also find Peugeot’s latest driving aids and safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Lane Positioning Assist.

Full connectivity is assured for the new 3008 SUV too, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorScreen a standard feature. Upping the ante in the GT Sport is a 515-watt, 10-speaker Focal premium audio system and the sound is fantastic.

Peugeot is on a winner with the new 3008 SUV range and you can firmly expect fantastic bang-for-buck on each of the models. peugeot.com.au

MOTORING LIFESTYLE

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A skier enjoying some powder turns in Thredbo over winter

Coming up next What you can expect in the winter issue of Wayfarer magazine, distributed globally in July.

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WINTER MAGIC

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LOUNGING AROUND

Airlines are upping the ante when it comes to pre-flight offerings

Came for the meeting.

Stayed for the style.

Lived for the luxury.

@shaunbirley

Wonder. Full.

Wonder. Full.

Wonder. Full.

Wonder. Full.

Wonder. Full.

Experience wonderful at ovolohotels.com

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Remember Why There’s a place where you can reconnect with what matters to you most. A place where you’ll find the time and space to remember your why.

Visit hamiltonisland.com.au