Celebrity Life
Capella’s New Enriched Travel Experiences Tell the Cultural Story of Amazing Destinations
If you could drop work and disconnect all your devices in order to reconnect with nature or a loved one, would you? Assuming your answer to that is, "Yes, I would love to spend 24 hours confined inside a luxury tent in Bali!", then Capella Hotels & Resorts might have the solution for you. However, if letting go of your phone isn't really your bag -- don't worry, I'm right there with you -- but culture is, then the luxury hospitality group has a range of activities from their new immersive cultural program, Capella Curates, for you to choose from.
[caption id="attachment_163638" align="alignnone" width="1181"]
Confined to Quarters at Capella Ubud[/caption]
The new activities engage local experts from each of Capella's eight locations, and they're designed to enrich your travel experience. After all, experiential travel is the new luxury travel. Intrigued to give these experiences a go myself, I headed to their Singapore and Bali properties. I have visited both destinations before, but never like this. Here's how it went down.
Capella Singapore
Many of us have been to the Lion City numerous times, strolled along the Marina Bay waterfront, shopped until we dropped at Orchard Road, and maybe even frequented their many hawker centres for authentic Singaporean cuisine. But at Capella, we explored the city in a way that spotlights new adventures and uncovers the city's hidden gems.
[gallery size="full" ids="163630,163633,163631,163641"]
But first, let me set the scene: Located on Sentosa Island, Capella Singapore is the group's flagship property in Asia which makes use of two gorgeously restored colonial bungalows dating back to the 1880s, along with landscaped gardens and sweeping views of the South China Sea to impress its guests. It's a lush hotel fitted with 112 rooms, suites, villas and manors with modern Asian touches across the board. It also happens to be one of the most dog-friendly hotels I've ever visited, which makes it a hit with many resident Singaporeans looking for a luxury staycation.
After warm greetings and an ice-cool towel while I checked in, I'm given a golf buggy lift to my spacious private plunge-pooled villa. It's relaxing, so much so that I began to zone out while staring at the flourishing greenery. That was until a certain feathered visitor decided to stop by and gave me a sight I never thought I would see in Singapore: Roaming the island freely, peacocks can be seen at the hotel gracefully parading the grounds regularly.
[caption id="attachment_163639" align="alignnone" width="1520"]
A tour of the city on vintage Vespa sidecars; image courtesy of Singapore Sidecars[/caption]
Meanwhile, the food is just as lush. With lots of fresh fruits and variety for breakfast, The Knolls also offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu for lunch overlooking the cascading pools. Cassia, the Chinese restaurant, looks incredibly familiar thanks to interiors designed by acclaimed Hong Kong designer André Fu; it offers contemporary takes on traditional Chinese cuisine. The Chef's Table is great fun too, with a bespoke-style service that gives guests a chance to get stuck in and help prepare dishes for dinner.
As for the exclusive activities, one took us for a spin in a sidecar around Singapore to learn about the foundations of feng shui that the modern cityscape of Singapore was built on. And by sidecar, I mean the one-wheeled seat attached to the side of a vintage Vespa. Chinese metaphysics aside, it really does give you a new perspective of the city as you zip around from Marina Bay and the Singapore Flyer to the ArtScience Museum, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and more. Another experience had us walking through the Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a passionate guide that took us through the history and heritage, providing fun facts about the 160-year-old tropical flora and fauna.
Capella Ubud
Over to the uplands of Bali and we're suddenly in rainforest territory. When they told me I'd be staying in one of their tents in the forest, I had visions of rustic camping and the great outdoors in mind. Fortunately, no holes needed to be dug. Instead, Capella Ubud is a luxury retreat hidden in the cool valley of Keliki. It's built in and around the rainforest, with not one tree cut or removed in the process, and is a unique experience in itself. Look up and you'll see stars so clearly and in such abundance that it seems like an illusion. Look around and you'll see Bali's untouched natural surroundings with the refined tented rooftops, or maybe I should say lodges, popping up through the trees.
[gallery size="full" ids="163628,163627,163629,163625"]
There are a total of 23 tented suites dotted around, separated by stairs and footbridges and all with private pools, at Capella Ubud. Each is individually designed and themed by none other than Bangkok-based luxury hotel designer Bill Bensley, who was inspired by the Dutch settlers from the 1800s for this project. His designs show off interiors filled with European glamour blended with touches of Balinese life and all the eclectic flair that he is known and loved for: Think dark woods, rattan walls, soft drapes, a whimsical mix of colours and furnishings, along with a copper bathtub, indoor and outdoor shower. My only issue with this impressive 'tent' was the throne-like toilet that really was just not for me. But if you're feeling a little Game of (Toilet) Thrones, then off you go.
Dining doesn't disappoint either, with sustainably-farmed and fresh produce offered at Mads Lange in the form of healthy yoghurt bowls, avocado toasts as well as classic Indonesian nasi campur. There's also authentic Asian barbecue at Api Jiwa, which blends the traditions of Asia and the finesse of western dining with smoke. Our meal here was centred on seafood and produced some stunning dishes with takes on beef rendang sprinkled with coconut snow stealing the show. This was followed by some marshmallow roasting by the campfire -- nostalgia at its best.
[caption id="attachment_163637" align="alignnone" width="1540"]
Balinese dance class is combined with yoga moves[/caption]
At Capella Ubud, more active experiences awaited and it didn't take too long for us to meet with our Capella Culturist (local expert) to discuss the bespoke activities ahead. For us, a cycling tour around the local area and through rice paddies geared us up for a dance class, which combined both Balinese dance and yoga to really burn some calories. This all lead up to the climbing of Mount Batur, which is an active volcano no less, to witness the sunrise. It's no easy feat with its call time of 3am and steep 1,717-metre incline on slippery volcanic powder and rock, but thanks to our expert guides that literally pushed and pulled us up, we made it to the summit. And if the magnificent view wasn't enough, a splendid little picnic spread had been laid out for us to enjoy. So there I was, with hot coffee and croissant in hand, in awe of the rising sun. Then it occurred to me that had I not stayed at Capella, I never would have experienced the destinations this way, walked away with this particular memory, or have this story to tell you all.
[caption id="attachment_163623" align="alignnone" width="5102"]
Sunrise at Mount Batur[/caption]
The post Capella’s New Enriched Travel Experiences Tell the Cultural Story of Amazing Destinations appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
5 Stunning Hotels to Stay at When You Go to Bangkok, the World’s Most-Visited City
Thailand's capital has been named the world's most-visited city for the fourth consecutive year, according to the annual Global Destination Cities Index 2019 compiled by MasterCard. Other Asian cities that made it to the top 10 include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo taking 5th, 6th and 9th place, respectively. The list, which ranks 200 cities with the most international visitors, is based on publicly available data and visitor numbers (see 2018's top 10 most-visited cities in the world at the bottom of this article).
Having hosted a total of 22.78 million visitors in 2018, Bangkok continues to welcome more travellers than anywhere else in the world. As reported by the index, the average stay in Bangkok was 4.8 nights; in this light, we've compiled a list of the five most stunning hotels that will inspire your next trip to this dynamic city.
1. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
A beautifully elegant hotel that was built in 1876, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok exudes old world charm like no other. The design is a blend of traditional Thai elements with modernity. Plus the service here is always flawless.
View this post on Instagram
2. The Siam
At The Siam, one of the hotel's best features is the Art-Deco-meets-Thai-style design, not to mention the surrounding lush greenery that just makes it all pop. It's also very private here, leaving guests undisturbed and at peace.
View this post on Instagram
3. The Sukhothai Bangkok
With elements reflecting the ancient kingdom, The Sukhothai Bangkok reflects the glorious era with ease. Natural materials feature in its design along with acres of gardens and lotus ponds. It's truly an escape from the bustling city, but it's conveniently located downtown.
View this post on Instagram
4. The Peninsula Bangkok
Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya, The Peninsula Bangkok is an urban retreat that offers views of Bangkok's cityscape and yet seems slower paced to let guests really relax. The incredible 280-foot outdoor three-tiered swimming pool doesn't hurt either.
View this post on Instagram
5. 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok
Luxurious, urban, well-designed and modern, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences has it all in the heart of downtown Bangkok. Oh, and did we mention the unbelievable view from the rooftop infinity pool?
View this post on Instagram
*These are the world's top 10 most-visited cities in 2018:
1. Bangkok (22.78 million visitors)
2. Paris (19.10 million visitors)
3. London (19.09 million visitors)
4. Dubai (15.93 million visitors)
5. Singapore (14.67 million visitors)
6. Kuala Lumpur (13.79 million visitors)
7. New York (13.60 million visitors)
8. Istanbul (13.40 million visitors)
9. Tokyo (12.93 million visitors)
10. Antalya (12.41 million visitors)
The post 5 Stunning Hotels to Stay at When You Go to Bangkok, the World’s Most-Visited City appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Your Luxury Little Black Book To Miami South Beach
Your ultimate luxury guide to SOBE where to stay, dine, drink, and relax… Loews Miami Beach Hotel Say a big hello to the newly redesigned Loews Miami Beach Hotel; it’s the only place that you’ll want to stay on South Beach. This luxury hotel, which has undergone a massive $50 million renovation, offers the best […]
The post Your Luxury Little Black Book To Miami South Beach appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.
4 luxury hotel stays in Peru
Explore the beauty of the Andes in style at these gorgeous properties in Peru.
The post 4 luxury hotel stays in Peru appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
4 luxury hotel stays in Peru
Explore the beauty of the Andes in style at these gorgeous properties in Peru.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
The Fashionable Guide to Marrakech
What to do in the Moroccan city once frequented by Yves Saint Laurent and style icon Talitha Getty, among others.
The post The Fashionable Guide to Marrakech appeared first on LUXUO.
Avenue Interior Design – Women That Started A Successful Firm
Most Beautiful Hotel Lobbies In The World
Discover five of the world’s most beautiful hotel lobbies and get ready to lust for a stay in any of these that are as beautiful as luxurious!
Luxury hotels are not about how beautiful and well-equipped the bedrooms are, not even about the premiere luxury amenities and services, they are about an experience, which starts as guests walk right from the front door – at the lobby.
Continue reading Most Beautiful Hotel Lobbies In The World at Luxxu Blog.
Luxury hotels: newly-revamped properties to check into
Complete your jet-setting lifestyle with stays at these hotels around the world.
The post Luxury hotels: newly-revamped properties to check into appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Luxury hotels: newly-revamped properties to check into
Complete your jet-setting lifestyle with stays at these hotels around the world.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
The Best Kid’s Programming at Luxury Hotels
With the kids out of school and endless time to travel as a family, these six luxury hotels offer some of the most comprehensive kid’s programming out here. Whether you want to relax during the day while your kids are hard at work learning how to cook or meeting new friends, or you want to... View Article
The post The Best Kid’s Programming at Luxury Hotels appeared first on Elite Traveler.
Three luxe properties to check into at these world capitals
Live it up in Paris, Rome, and New York.
The post Three luxe properties to check into at these world capitals appeared first on The Peak Magazine.