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March/April 2016
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A Tale of
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© Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2016. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.
WHERE TO STAY
Sat its best
TATUS
YMBOL
BY TARU BAHL & CHRISTINE LEE
This Page Armani Hotel Milan
windows gives a breathtaking
view Opposite Beach Suite
living Room at Cheval Blanc
46 World Travel
Having gained international acclaim for
their contribution to the world of fashion,
be it clothes, bags, shoes, accessories
for men and women and furnishings,
some of the best brands have branched
into the business of hospitality. It is almost
a natural, spontaneous and seamless
transition. Their trademark emblems and
signatures can be seen at discreet places
whether it is the facade or the lobby area
or the interiors of the rooms. The very
concept of designer boutique hotels
means exclusive branding by the designer
in question. If London’s Ralph Lauren
hotel is full all year round, even though
it one of the priciest address in town,
it is not so much for its central location
or even its classy interiors, but the fact
that it is a hotel designed and owned by
the Ralph Lauren brand – and it’s guests
expect the Ralph Lauren experience. The
stores in these hotels do brisk business,
showcasing sometimes collections that
have not even hit the Paris ramp. We
have the privilege of compiling a collection
of eight such classic properties that are a
testimony to the brands they endorse.
LVMH brand extends to Cheval Blanc
The maisons of Cheval Blanc, the hotel brand of the French conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton, presents a
spectacular version of high-end luxury hospitality. The brand which bought most of Bulgari in 2011 and owns Louis Vuitton,
Moët & Chandon, TAG Heuer, forayed into the hospitality business, creating the Cheval Blanc hotel banner. These one-of-akind French Maisons are cosy, private, lavish and designed to deliver a luxurious experience. The Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de
France was bought by LVMH in the French West Indies in 2015 and rechristened as
.
Anchored on the gorgeous
, it exudes the island’s signature ambience of casual sophistication. Lushly
store housing creations from local designers and international brands. Overlooking the ocean, the hotel is a short distance
from Gustaf III Airport, on the northern coast of Saint Barthélemy which is 4km from the island’s capital, Gustavia. The
hot tub. Highly recommended are their mix of gazpacho, salmon tartare, frites and sole meunière. If there on a Tuesday, you
may just be privy to a well-attended poolside weekly fashion show.
World Travel 47
WHERE TO STAY
This Page Bulgari Hotel London
Opposite
Ponte Vecchio Suite Terrace
views at Portrait Firenze
London’s Bulgari Hotel at epitome of finesse
Lending a dash of Italy’s most distinct design elements, the Bulgari brand brings timeless glamour and heritage to its latest
for design. Generously proportioned rooms and suites combine with unrivalled facilities such as a full gymnasium, physical
training centre, spa treatment rooms, three-lane swimming pool, 47-seat cinema, unique cigar shop and sampling lounge and
a stunning Ballroom. The relatively small number of rooms ensures that the services on offer are tailored to the needs of each
guest allowing them to soak in the legendary Bulgari service, which begins even before they arrive at the hotel. A fast track
traveller and personal shopper are provided on a platter, as they also get help to navigate London. They even pack and unpack
your luggage, baby sit your toddler and lend you some of their latest gaming consoles along with a butler on call. The hotel
is touted as one of the most expensive hospitality address in all of London but it boasts of a full house all year round. Being
centrally located with Harrods a stone’s throw, the pull to be at Bulgari for the fashionistas is understandably irresistible.
48 World Travel
A piece of art in true Ferragamo style
his teens. He went on to design bespoke shoes worn by Hollywood greats like Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Audrey
Hepburn. As the family business expanded, so did their interests with the launch of Lungarno Collection of Hotels and
Restaurants, which includes restaurant Borgo San Jacopo, La Terrazza Bar and Hotel Lungarno. The latest addition to this
impressive stable has been Portrait Firenze hotel, right on the banks of River Arno. The rooms look chic with dark wooden
swank, modern suites have amazing city and river views with elegant sitting rooms, walk-in closets and vintage photographs
to keep you company. By the Ponte Vecchio, bask in the proximity of artistic and architectural treasures that are barely a
few steps from the slickest fashion stores and artisanal heartlands. The concept at Portrait is to do away with restaurants, and
instead give a fully equipped kitchen to do your own.
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WHERE TO STAY
This Page Armani Hotel Milan
windows gives a breathtaking
view Opposite Ponte Vecchio
Suite Terrace views at Portrait
Firenze
Armani’s “less is more” philosophy at Hotel Milano
Set in the historic Brera district, this sleek luxury hotel is a stone’s throw from the Milan Cathedral. Situated in the heart
streets below. He began working on the luxury inn four years ago, renovating the building and adding a glass addition to the
furnishings such as curved-back dining chairs, with Japanese-inspired touches, lacquered woodwork and upper-level bamboo
sleek lounge bar offer panoramic views of the city skyline. At the heart of the world-famous fashion district, the
Hotel Milano, has 95 guestrooms and suites that are chosen for their aesthetic qualities. The Armani touch is all over,
unique relaxation pool.
50 World Travel
A daring bold fling with Versace
The distinctive vision of Gianni Versace and his audacious commitment to luxury and beauty can be felt as soon as you step
into the Palazaao Versace Gold Coast
the synergy of perception uniting Gianni Versace S.P.A. and the Sunland Group. Their shared commitment to excellence
September 2000. In a spectacular waterfront setting, every aspect of architecture, ambience, furnishings and ornamentation
of Italian design. Singular touches include peerless marble and mosaic, vaulted ceilings hand-detailed in gold and an antique
chandelier that once shed its lustre on the grand State Library of Milan. The fashion branded hotel expresses the exuberance of
the Versace soul. Palazzo Versace is a jewel for the world to enjoy.
Designed in partnership with the Gianni Versace fashion house, this lavish hotel overlooks the Broadwater with luxe rooms
amenities. Home to Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson, the hotel is a favourite venue for weddings too.
World Travel 51
WHERE TO STAY
This Page ODYSSEY, the new
space designed by Karl
Lagerfeld at the Metropole
Monte-Carlo Opposite Tortuga
Bay pool & Bamboo restaurant
The signature flourish of Monte Carlo
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
boutiques and casinos. With a mix of classical and modern architecture, its 126 rooms and suites have been decorated by the
famous interior designer Jacques Garcia. The fascinating history of the
draws parallels with
the brand’s own evolution in the world of beauty and fashion. Going back to the time when the land it is built on, belonged to
its soul, maintaining a level of luxury, emphasising an emotional character which was perfectly in line with the classical
architecture and decoration of the time. Today, it stands as a symbol of elegance, a place of sparkling life which is in perfect
synergy with the Principality. It is also a refuge, where each of its 64 rooms and 62 sophisticated suites offer incomparable
comfort and attentive service. There is a timeless appeal to the place that also houses precious objects d’art, with the prime
beauty reserved for the “Carré d’Or” suite with its private 110 square meter terrace and panoramic view over Monte-Carlo.
Its 2-Michelin-starred restaurants managed by Chef Joël Robuchon ensure that guests enjoy a delicious Mediterranean meal
that has the
highly recommended sushi bar and teppan-yaki.
52 World Travel
Give in to temptation in the Caribbean
The only AAA Five Diamond Awarded property of the luxury Dominican Republic Hotels, Tortuga Bay offers one of
Caribbean’s most luxurious experiences with impeccable service and villas with interiors designed by the world-famous
Oscar de la Renta. As a Tortuga Bay guest, thoughtful pampering begins as soon as you land at the Punta Cana International
Airport where the hotel’s VIP service whisks you through customs to a private car that takes you through the lush and vibrant
the resort. Located in a private enclave within the resort, this boutique hotel includes 13 luxurious beachfront villas offering
the option of private luxury ocean and golf view residences with all the amenities and services of the hotel. Dine at one of
the AAA Three and Four Diamond Award restaurants or opt for one of the numerous in-room dining options. This luxury
amongst the villas. The store introduces a new concept for the brand based on destination luxury retailing and tempts guests
staying at Tortuga Bay.
World Travel 53
WHERE TO STAY
This Page Classic Villa suite at
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Cheers to Jamaican bonhomie by Ralph Lauren
Discover true island style and charm at Round Hill Hotel & Villas. This sprawling 110-acre private enclave has luxury
villas, boutique oceanfront rooms and award-winning seaside dining restaurants that allow you to experience what is truly
’paradise on earth‘. Each of the 36 Ralph Lauren designed oceanfront guestrooms and 27 private, luxury Jamaica villas are
a sight to behold. Located in the Pineapple House, the rooms overlook Round Hill Bay and snorkelling reef. Some beautiful
picture perfect sunsets can be seen from this vantage point. The designer rooms feature plantation-shuttered windows or
balconies, white linen-adorned four-poster beds, quaint sitting areas and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers, soaking
tubs and dual vanities. Four classes of villas are on offer, ranging from two- to six-bedrooms and including a selection of
pull themselves away from the comfort of the resort to experience some action, there are enough options with water sports,
tennis, golf, spa, dining and shopping with local master craftsmen showing their wares too. The property has found favour
54 World Travel