Celebrity Life

10 years after our last stay at Trianon Palace Versailles, I decided to come back to celebrate our union’s anniversary with my partner. I booked a one-night stay and we took the occasion to visit the amazing Chateau de Versailles and lunch at the great ore restaurant by Ducasse. The COVID-19 situation is not easy to manage for everyone, and…

The post A Night At Trianon Palace Versailles, 10 Years Later appeared first on The Luxe Insider.

From the moment you walk into the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, you are instantly swept away by the highest level of hospitality.

With travel restrictions still in place, the best getaway options are the local ones. A visit to Landmark Mandarin Oriental is one of the best options for travel-starved, Hong Kong-bound guests. With its Sweet Staycation package that runs from now until the end of 2020, we can indulge in the modern luxury that is the hotel's signature.

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Location 10/10

Right in the heart of Central, connected to the district’s quintessential shopping mall, is the Landmark Mandarin Oriental. The high-profile address is close to major entertainment, dining and business establishments. It’s just a stone’s throw from all major transport options — trams, buses, MTR, taxis and even ferries that cross the harbour or serve the Outlying Islands.

Design 9/10

Unlike the traditional Mandarin Oriental properties around the region, Landmark MO veers away slightly from Asian influences, and is more geared towards modern contemporary minimalism. Brass, wood and marble feature in rooms, hallways and the tasteful lobby accented with geometric lights and decorative pieces.

Ambience 9/10

Stepping into the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, the signature Landmark scent wafts through the air as you are welcomed with the energy that resonates from the MO Bar. But at the reception area and beyond, a quiet atmosphere puts you in a state of calmness. Most of the other guests during our stay were couples or young families.

Rooms 10/10

From now until the end of the year, The Landmark Oriental is offering its LMO Sweet Staycation package. We stayed at the Landmark Suite — a spacious 1,507 sq ft one-bedroom suite with a king bed, dressing room, living room, dining room, Gaggenau kitchen, cocktail bar, and an impressive 7 ft round bathtub that can’t be missed.

Service & Facilities 10/10

Hong Kong hotels are generally known for their impeccable service, but the experience at Landmark Mandarin Oriental is in a league of its own. Setting the bar extremely high, the attentiveness of staff goes above and beyond with thoughtful arrangements and personalised care that usually go unnoticed. The Front Desk Manager took great care of us throughout the stay, ensuring that every request was met with perfection.

Food & Drink 10/10

Since Covid has limited our dining options to only small groups and a curfew, dining in is the way to go. So with such a spacious and luxurious suite, it only makes sense to take advantage of its facilities as well. The Sweet Staycation includes HK$3,000 dining credit that can be used in-room at any of the restaurants within the property (two Michelin-starred Amber, French neo-bistro SOMM, cocktail speakeasy PDT, and lobby bar MO Bar). Enjoying a meal in the privacy of your room also means that you can sample dishes from all restaurants. The Japanese pork belly cooked in barbecue sauce with Hakata Cabbage from SOMM and the typhoon shelter crab tater tots from PDT were highlights of our meal.

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Activities 9/10

It is a genuine challenge to peel away from the Landmark Suite, but LMO gives you at least several good reasons to do so. Included in the package is a 60-minute Oriental Essence massage for two, personal training session for two, and an ice cream or PDT hotdog making class for two to keep you busy during your stay. For guests with children, a camping tent can also be set up for the little ones.

Rates: Starting from HK$35,000 + 10% per night for the Sweet Staycation package. The promotion includes a round trip limousine transfer; welcome amenities of champagne, strawberries, lemon drinks and fruit; classes for two on how to make ice cream or hotdogs in the style of the establishment’s Please Don’t Tell bar; HK$3,000 spending credit at restaurants and bars, in-room dining and spa & wellness; HK$3,000 dining and spa gift voucher to be used within three months from check-out; bespoke luxurious bathtub experience; camping tent for kids with breakfast; 60 minute Oriental Essence massage for two people; personal training session for two people; unlimited movie streaming; and free pet policy with amenities.

Rating: 9.5/10

Perfect for: a modern sense of luxury paired with exceedingly exceptional service and thoughtfulness

The post Hotel Review: Landmark Mandarin Oriental Sets a New Standard for Personalised Services appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The cotswolds are hands down my favourite part of the United Kingdom. There’s just something so classic and quintessential about these old villages! So if…

The post The Cutest Airbnb Cottages in the Cotswolds appeared first on World of Wanderlust.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

The post The Top 5 Staycations in Hong Kong’s Most Luxurious Hotels appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We’re all desperate for an escape and with the news of Tasmania’s borders opening up in October, what better time to start planning a getaway…

The post The Coolest Airbnbs in Tasmania appeared first on World of Wanderlust.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

The post Aman Poised to Launch in Bangkok with Aman Nai Lert Residences appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A futuristic mosaic of culture, art, and middle eastern charm, Abu Dhabi’s golden ambiance amalgamates with rich surroundings, to tempt any discerning traveler. Mexican designers Aidia Studio are pioneers in experimental design, piquing curiosity with their dynamic urbanism and creative disciplines. Aidia architects Rolando Rodriguez Leal and Natalia Wrzask are at the helm, and although […]

The post Aidia Studio Luxurious Pod Hotel in Abu Dhabi’s Rub’ Al Khali Desert appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Fifty metres underground — this is the depth that local winemakers chose when they decided to store 10,000 wine bottles in the Aven d'Orgnac caves, an underground tourist attraction located at the southern end of the limestone plateau of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.

The experiment began in March 2018, when a new storage facility was specially created in a disused access tunnel to allow wine to mature in what amounts to a highly stable and peaceful environment.

A living product that ages best in undisturbed darkness, the wine will have benefited from ideal conditions: A constant temperature of around 12°C and an all-year-long rate of humidity of over 95%.

On December 12, 1,000 bottles of Côtes du Vivarais "Grand Aven 2017" from this treasure trove will be passed from hand to hand by a chain of human volunteers who will bring them back to the surface after two years underground. Thereafter, they will go under the hammer with a range of other local vintages in an auction with modest reserve prices.

Lots on offer will include 150 magnums of Terra Helvorum 2017 starting at 30 euros, 350 bottles of 2015 Terra Helvorum for as little as 15 euros and 350 bottles of Grand Aven 2016 from just 10 euros.

On land and sea

These days, experiments to store wine deep underground are very much in vogue in France. On June 3 of this year, 500 bottles were placed in racks at a depth of 103 metres in caves in Padirac under the watchful eye of Serge Dubs, the Best Sommelier of the World in 1989.

The first of these to return to the surface will be brought up for an initial tasting in the spring of 2021. And let's not forget that this experiment is focused on a very particular wine: A Clos Triguedina Cahors, christened Cuvée Probus, which has been produced to honour the 130-year anniversary of the Padirac Chasm.

Surprisingly enough, this new approach to maturing wine was initially inspired by a find at sea. In 2010, divers in the Baltic discovered a wreck containing what turned out to be a cargo of champagne, which was probably on its way to 1840s Russia.

The wave of experimentation that is now ongoing began when the bubbly, which was made by such houses as Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and the now defunct Juglar, was discovered to still be delicious after some 170 years under water.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque country, winemaker Emmanuel Poirmeur has registered a patent for a process that involves vinifying wine in special vats at a depth of 15 metres under water. For its part, Leclerc-Briant set a record when it vinified one of its champagnes at a depth of 60 meters under the Atlantic in 2012, not surprisingly the vintage was christened "Abyss."

The post Post-Pandemic Vacation Dreaming: Luxury Remote Hotels to Visit appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Hotel design: Luxurious hotels that will inspire you ⇒ Interior design has a very significant part when it comes to hotels. Clients value and judge the decor of the lobby, rooms, and restaurant. So, check this luxurious hotel designs and get inspired.

Hotel design is crucial. When customers pick a hotel, the reviews and, of course, the photographs of the hotel play an influential role.

Continue reading Hotel design: Luxurious hotels that will inspire you at Luxxu Blog.

Set amidst 100 olive groves, this natural piece of haven enjoys a stunning seaside location in a secluded part of East Mani. For those seeking to enjoy luxury, combined with peace and tranquility — 100 Rizes Seaside Resort will be your happy place by the sea. Member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this hidden gem is one of Mani’s best kept secrets. Are you ready to discover it?

The post 100 Rizes Seaside Resort: A Luxury Escape in Mani, Peloponnese appeared first on Passion for Hospitality.