Monthly Archives: April 2012

Hot List 2012

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News travels fast – as I made my way down Orchard Road for a spot of retail therapy (yes, I’m still in Singapore having settled in at Naumi exceedingly well) my iPhone was a-buzz with hotelier friends telling me all about a fabulous party I missed out on.

The occasion? Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Hot List awards, celebrating 2012’s hottest new hotels. Held at Belgraves last week, the movers and shakers of the travel world supped Tanqueray punch and swapped their travel tips for the year ahead. Did you make it Paul? I’m sad I missed the event, but delighted to see two of the newest SLH hotels listed in this year’s winners. Canal House, Amsterdam and Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa,Vietnam – congrats! I hope I can visit both before the year is over.

Love how Canal House grade their rooms to indicate exactly what you can expect – guests choose from Good Rooms, Better Rooms, Great Rooms, Exceptional Rooms and Best Room! Any guesses which one I’d go for? Although, their Good Rooms look pretty gorgeous to me –

Perfectly placed to enjoy a wander around the Nine Streets shopping district, the flower market and Dam Square, the hotel overlooks the Keisersgracht, one of the city’s major canals. I hear the bar serves amazing cocktails too.

The new Anantara Mui Ne Resort in Vietnam is another deserving winner – I hear it’s absolutely heavenly. I could gaze at the sunset here for days.

Their Vietnamese cooking classes sound fun too, although I have a feeling I would need to be peeled off my sun lounger or the massage table here, it looks SO relaxing. From the hotel there’s masses you can see and do, from exploring the nearby temples and pagodas, the sand dunes (white, yellow and red), jeep safaris, hiking through rain forests, mountains and red canyons, local fishing villages, cable car rides, bird watching…no wonder the folks at Condé Nast voted it one of 2012’s hottest hotels.

Pick up a copy of the May issue of Condé Nast Traveller, on shelves now, to see the full, delicious list.

It’s back to London for me this week to water the plants before I head stateside. More on that later. Perhaps we can catch up with dinner soon Paul, is the new restaurant open in Sloane Square yet? You know the one which used to be Oriels – heard it should be great. Looking forward to being in town for a while!

MV

Single Singapore Ladies

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I must admit Paul; it really was painful tearing myself away from the magical NIYAMA – although getting mum to leave her pavilion with private butler (and new best-friend) Ali, was even harder!

I decided that perhaps it was time for mum to rejoin the real world before she eloped with a Maldivian waiter, so I packed her off back to London on the Solairus Aviation jet with a stash of traditional Indian Ocean essential oils and candles for me so I can try and recreate my NIYAMA experience at home.

Your tip to head to Asia on my way home couldn’t have come at a better time as my very dear friend Anita who’s now based in Singapore has been longing for me to visit for months and now that she is newly single I’m sure we’ll have a brilliant time.

She’s just gone through a very messy break-up and is definitely off men for a while, so as soon as I heard about the Ladies Only floor at the amazing all-suite Naumi hotel I booked us straight in.

The hotel looks super stylish with a rooftop infinity pool, sundeck and incredible restaurant and bar with the most amazing Poltona Frau armchairs! Anita will love Naumi as they seem to really know how to look after their female guests. Our suite on the Ladies Floor has extra privacy and comes fully equipped with all those little essentials such as the latest copy of Vogue, hair straighteners and a steam room to make sure our LBDs are 100% crease-free. What more could a girl ask for?!

Watch out Singapore, the single ladies are on their way!

Maldivian Style Comes To Sloane Square

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Melissa – you might not want to relocate to the Maldives permanently, but you could always take a bit of the Indian Ocean ethos home with you.

On my last trip I met Mohamed Faruhaadh, Housekeeper at Baros Maldives, and he shared with me his tips to give my bedroom a Maldivian makeover in the style of the Baros resort, after I raved about the great night’s sleep I had there.

He said “Choose soothing colours and warm tones to ground you, then add colourful accents with flowers and cushions. Check lighting is soft, and complement with candles. Keep a small collection of essential oils at home – starting with lavender – so you have one for every mood. And before going to sleep, wind down with relaxing music and a cup of mint tea.” I know you’re not usually a quiet-night-in kind of girl, with underwater nightclubs being more your thing, but it might just remind you of your Maldivian paradise.

When you go back to sample the club, can I suggest you spend some time in Asia en route home?

I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to Bangkok, Beijing and Singapore and let me tell you, there are some cracking properties here to check out.

Talking of a great night’s sleep – the beds at the Hansar Bangkok are like sleeping on a cloud.

I would recommend you visit Singapore, staying at the super Naumi hotel in the heart of the city. Check out the amazing rooftop views from the hotel before cycling the length of the beach – the perfect way to work up an appetite before heading to the famous Raffles for their famous brunch. I seem to remember you have an old pal there too, what was her name?

From Singapore you can take the train to Bangkok– and check out our new hotel there, the Siam, set to open this summer. I had a sneak peek and it’s going to be fantastic. One of the slickest arrivals on the Bangkok scene, its suites are huge and super stylish.

And if you have time on your tour of Asia, head toBeijing to see another brand new hotel, the Éclat Beijing, also pinned to open this summer and part of the architecturally striking Parkview Green in the Chaoyang district.

For a taste of traditional China, you could also stay at the tranquil Han’s Royal Garden Hotel.

This boutique hotel will offer an amazing personal packing service courtesy of its excellent butlers – making heading home or to your next destination a breeze. I’m sure my Russian friend Stacey at the hotel would love to take you cycling around the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square!

Just a thought – it would be right up your street.

PK

Relocation, Relocation

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It’s official…I want to live in the Indian Ocean. The tropical jungle, pristine barefoot beaches, outdoor living and swishy white curtained architecture could be my idea of relaxation heaven. Not to mention THAT turquoise water. Unfortunately, the Maldivesare a little too far from SW1 and Harvey Nics to become my permanent residence – I can but dream.

Mummy and I are super excited to get a first peek at the hottest new hotel in the area – NIYAMA. We checked into our over-water pavilion and admired our sophisticated surroundings and the picture-perfect location. All shiny and new, NIYAMA has barely been open 2 weeks so we really are test driving the resort. My favourite part of the holiday so far has been a snorkelling trip of a lifetime…you can rent a traditional dhoni boat and sail to tiny Valla Island for truly incredible swimming and snorkelling. And Mummy’s highlight? Adopting a coral!

The resort’s coral regeneration programme allows guests to literally adopt a baby coral and contribute to the longevity of the surrounding reef. The “parent” then receives images and updates on the coral’s progress following their stay. Mum will be delighted to hear this – I know how she likes to keep tabs on her offspring!

 

I can’t wait to return to NIYAMA for the opening night of Sub 6, the resort’s underwater nightclub, set to open in the coming months. With glass walls and submerged at 6 metres below sea level it’s set to become a destination in it’s own right.