– Words by Matt Clemens –
When you work – work hard, when you play – play harder, and when you celebrate – celebrate like there’s no tomorrow, no matter the occasion. At the destination we present to you on the following pages, even the most casual of days will become something special – celebrate it!
Spectacular shopping at The Peninsula Hong Kong
For more information visit
hongkong.peninsula.com
Chanel, Goyard, Graff, Van Cleef & Arpels… The Peninsula Hong Kong’s glamorous shopping arcade is home to some of the world’s most esteemed luxury brands, which makes shopping there a festival of indulgence, any time of year. But opt for the “Legends of Luxury” package available until 23 December 2016 and you’ll be swept off your feet with glamour. Starting at HK$ 8,980, the package includes one night’s accommodation in a luxurious suite, daily breakfast for two at The Lobby, The Verandah or in-room dining, one exhilarating 15-minute helicopter “flight-seeing” tour, one-way limousine airport transfer, a special gift and a 20% off shopping privilege at The Peninsula Boutique, The Peninsula Hong Kong as well as VIP shopping services at select stores at The Peninsula Arcade, including after-hours shopping, new season previews and private fittings. And that’s not all, if you extend your stay to two nights or more, you’ll be able to take advantage of a round-trip limousine airport transfer, enjoy a set dinner for two at Felix restaurant or Spring Moon restaurant and unwind during the Afternoon Tea for two at The Lobby.
Cruising into the past at Anantara Hoi An Resort
A great way to celebrate any occasion is to do something new and unforgettable, and one great place to do just that is Anantara Hoi An Resort. Set in French colonial-style buildings on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the resort enjoys a fantastic location within a walking distance from Hoi An – a UNESCO listed town which is home to some of Vietnam’s most atmospheric streets, heritage temples, ancient merchant houses and tea warehouses. And now, Anantara takes further advantage of its setting by launching a picturesque river cruise, opening up one of Asia’s legendary waterways in a whole new way. The one hour cruise departs from the resort three times a day – including one time at sunset – and takes the passengers on a five-kilometre journey down a river that fuelled Hoi An’s rise in the 17th and 18th centuries as a powerful trade link between Europe, China, India and Japan. Anantara’s cruising vessel – a quaint, lantern-decorated boat, was fashioned by local carpenters at Kim Bong village further adding to the exceptional ambiance of this experience.
For more information visit hoi-an.anantara.com
Family time at InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort
Best way to celebrate? With your loved ones. With that in mind, InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort added a special room concept to its exclusive selection of rooms, suites and villas – the Family Room. And for families they are – not just by name. Coming in large sizes starting at 65 sqm and decorated in tune with the Thai colonial style of the resort, each Family Room comes with a children’s corner featuring a cosy bunk bed (but who will take the top one?!) and bean bags for day-time lounging and fun. And fun it will be thanks to the fantastic toy treasure chest waiting to be explored by those little travellers.
For more information visit samui.intercontinental.com
Kids also have free access to the resort’s own Planet Trekkers Kids Club which offers activities in and around the resort under supervision of a qualified child minders, so parents can enjoy a break in one of the resort’s seven pools or on the secluded beach. And those who opt for the Family Pleasures Offer will also benefit from two hours of complimentary babysitting services daily and one 60-minute therapeutic body massage for two adults at the beach hut per stay. Add to this complimentary children meals and one Junior Master Chef Class included in the package, and you’re in for a treat that you and your family will remember for many years to come.
Dining on a tree top at Soneva Kiri
The table is a very traditional place for celebrations, but what if the table is on the top of a tree? The Treepod at Soneva Kiri gives the word “table top” a whole new meaning.
As if Soneva Kiri’s location on a small island of Koh Kood, south of Koh Mak which in turns lies south of Koh Chang, on the Gulf of Thailand, wasn’t exceptional enough, the resort takes dining experience to new heights by placing the guests in rattan bird’s nest at ground level and leveraging them up to the tree tops! With sumptuous, cushioned seating for up to four diners, guests fasten their leather seatbelts and are gently hoisted 16 feet into the tall, native massang trees. Is this location secluded? Certainly, but fear not, the waiters are ready to literally fly down to your table expertly using Treepod’s zip lines.
At the tree top altitude the vistas are spectacular and immersion in nature – complete. And you can enjoy this unforgettable experience at breakfast, lunch and dinner! The menus follow the jungle theme ‘Canapés in the Canopy’, ‘Forager’s Basket’, ‘Woodland Offerings’, using produce predominantly from the resort’s organic gardens.
You might want to come down for dessert though. You can enjoy 65 flavours of homemade ice cream at Soneva Kiri’s own ice cream parlour or with many varieties of chocolates, organic bonbons and truffle temptations at the Chocolate Room.
All that remains is to find an occasion to celebrate.
For more information visit soneva.com/soneva-kiri
Well rounded up celebrations at Capella Singapore
Being awarded the highest accolade in the hospitality industry – the Five-Star Rating in Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, for the fourth consecutive year, proves that Capella Singapore is a worthy contender for your attention and an ideal destination for celebration of just about any kind. Many ingredients form Capella’s irresistible formula. For one there is its unique Chef’s Table private dining experience allowing the guests to savour gourmet fare, specially customized and prepared À La Minute by world-class personal chefs in the comforts of a home-styled kitchen which offers a comfortable setting for up to 14 guests.
Further culinary thrills are provided during the Mediterranean Sunday Brunch with a recently added Vintage option. Served at Capella The Knolls restaurant the brunch now comes with free flow of Vintage Taittinger Champagne allowing you to raise a toast to whatever you desire. Exceptional wines and specialty handcrafted cocktails also flow free.
Away from the table a journey of renewal awaits at the Auriga spa. Based upon the cycles of the moon, the spa’s approach to wellness draws from the unique strengths of the environment, taking the guests towards physical and mental rejuvenation. Does it work? The fact that this year Auriga spa has won the Forbes Travel Guide Star Award for the sixth successive time certainly proves it.
For more information visit capellahotels.com/singapore
