Celebrity Life

Imbibed amidst an immersive patchwork of sounds, scents, and flavours, the latest edition of Krug's much-loved multi-vintage Champagne strikes a chord that is as joyful as it is delicious.

I'll be the first to concede that there's nothing quite like "the intangible quality...of taking in the terroir" but insofar as virtual tastings are concerned -- essentially the status quo for drinks industry pundits in 2021 -- the recent unveiling of Krug's latest Grande Cuvée proved to be oddly visceral and thrilling (in some ways, even touching). Every year since 1843, the eponymous makers of prestige Champagne have released a new assemblage of reserve wines, always consisting of the classic Champenois trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier; and always left to age sur lie for 7 years.

Dispensing first with the formalities, the 169th Edition is a "generous expression" of 146 wines made in 11 different years (Krug bottle single vintages relatively infrequently), the oldest of which harkens back to the turn of the millennium. It is, however, the 2013 vintage that -- to butcher a musical analogy -- really sets the bassline: with intensely "luminous and pure" Chardonnays; racy Meunier; and Pinot Noir that extrudes a long, treacle finish. It is in a word, unsurprisingly, 'scrumptious': at its best harmonising alongside sharp aged cheese; aromatic seafood dishes; maybe even a cheeky slice of tarte tatin.

Unsurprisingly, the hallmarks of this Grande Cuvée (namely quality, consistency, and complexity) remain present year in, year out; but it's Krug's highly intuitive method of presentation that helps to immerse drinkers in the art of crafting prestige Champagne. With the jubilant voice of Olivier Krug pouring into their ears -- livestreaming in from the Maison's ancestral holdfast in Reims -- participants in these 'Encounters' were able to hear the story of the 169th Edition in a style that takes you beyond the spoken word. An "audio pairing" composed by Belgian musician Ozark Henry (and fed through to listeners using 8D technology) chronicles, in sonic form, the entire journey of the latest Krug edition: from plot to tasting, and finally harmonious blending together at the hands of Cellar Master Julie Cavil.

As ever, these 'Encounters' ended with a culinary presentation (in Hong Kong, presided over by Island Shangri-La's Uwe Opocensky) inspired by the tasting notes for the current edition -- langoustine and freshly jetted oysters seem to be much-favoured accompaniments this time round -- followed by a round of questions for the Maison's patriarch, Mr. Olivier Krug. On whether he was excited for a resumption of global travel -- to better present this 169th annual bottling -- he expressed optimism. Until then, you could do a lot worse than sipping to a soundtrack.

The 169th Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is now available at various retail partners throughout Hong Kong, including Watson's, The Fine Wine Experience, CitySuper and Avize Wine Cellar. To learn more, visit Krug online.

The post The Glenrothes Serves up Curated Cocktails, Special Menus and Vintage Watches at The Murray’s Popinjays appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The Carlyle hotel-inspired bolthole -- slated to open on the uppermost floors of Rosewood Hong Kong later this year -- will offer a blueprint for the eponymous group's vision of "a new kind of international members' club". We venture north of the harbour to discover just what that entails...

Hitherto, the Hong Kong ecosystem of private members' clubs has been split broadly between two camps: at one end, you have venerable institutions catered to the needs of the city's professionals (the FCC) and those who surround them (the KCC); at the other, a burgeoning array of social haunts meant to profit from the growing number of Silicon Valley types -- hawkers of crypto, CBD cafes, and other speculative investment opportunities -- who reside here.

Call me Debbie Downer, but neither feels like an especially glam place to visit. After all, such clubs justify their patronage by way of mostly pragmatic considerations: a convenient location; access to business networking opportunities; affordable gym membership; and so forth. This, as Rosewood Hotels CEO Sonia Cheng well knows is where Carlyle & Co. can break the mould -- by conjuring a little glamour into Hong Kong's mostly comatose members' club scene.

Best thought of as a kind of pied-à-terre to the Rosewood Hong Kong (spanning the 54th-56th floor of the hotel) Carlyle & Co. is, in effect, Cheng's answer to the boutique members' clubs that have dominated pop culture these last 20 years. In Hong Kong -- where bureaucratic red tape is frequent; and decent-sized real estate scant -- her hotel group's latest venture feels especially impressive -- if for no other reason than the sheer audacity of it all.

In recent weeks, the first details of the club's leviathan 25,000 sq. ft. premises have begun to emerge, inspired in broad strokes by the "intriguing, inimitable and ultimately indefinable" style of The Carlyle in New York (incidentally also a brand owned by Rosewood Hotels). To orchestrate this vision of Hong Kong-via-Manhattan, Rosewood turned to British designer Ilse Crawford, whose approach has imbued the club's many rooms with a light, playful sensibility -- affording each a healthy dose of individual personality.

For fusty decadents like yours truly, the gentlemen's spaces -- including a barber, shoeshine, and capsule store by an award-winning haberdasher -- hold immense charm -- even though they espouse just one of many eclectic visual styles members will enjoy each time they navigate the club. The aforementioned differ significantly from spaces like the Cabaret Bar and Sitting Room, both of which employ the medium of painting (by artists Jean-Philippe Delhomme and Christina Zimpel respectively) to celebrate The Carlyle hotel's legendary Bemelmans murals.

Supper & Supping

In the spirit of its progenitor, the various dining venues at Carlyle & Co. seem to be accompanied by an august sense of occasion. The crux of the action happens at the brasserie, which (like any decent club restaurant in Hong Kong) serves a medley of Western, Chinese, and all-day delicacies. Here, the focus is on simply cooking the freshest produce the club can source -- various of the small plates are smoked, cured, or otherwise preserved in-house -- yet it's hardly the most theatrical outlet. That honour belongs to Café Carlyle, an intimate supper club intended as the local chapter of the eponymous tippling destination in New York. Members can expect this to be the repository of the club's live musical programming, which (consistent with the historic acts that have taken to the stage at the Carlyle hotel) will include an assortment of uniquely American artforms like jazz, funk, and blues.

Members craving a dose of sunshine can also take a selection of food and drink on the club's 55th-floor terrace, which (much like the Rosewood property at large) enjoys the sort of view that's conducive to sonnet writing or spontaneous tears of joy. Flanking one end of that terrace, you'll find the local chapter of Bemelmans Bar. Like its namesake, the menu here is split roughly equally between fine wines, punchbowls and classic cocktails; though, at the weekend, you can expect a certain frenetic atmosphere to take hold, as the space merges with the terrace for live DJ performances against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.

Cosy quarters, brimming with personality

Though Carlyle & Co. members can easily book themselves into one of the 400-plus rooms at the surrounding Rosewood property, the entire 54th floor of the club is given over to eight themed suites -- all of which celebrate the history of The Carlyle hotel. More or less equal in size, each offers an inviting and distinctive interior personality. If you're retiring following an evening spent drinking (one too many) Martinis for instance, the 'Tommy' seems an apt choice -- named for and inspired by the legendary Bemelmans bartender Mr. Tommy Rowles. Other known personalities include Dorothy Draper, the original 'modern Baroque' decorator of The Carlyle's interiors; and Eartha Kitt, the renowned actress and Broadway musician. For dedicated students of café society, a stay in every single suite would seem like money well-spent.

A variety of membership packages are available at Carlyle & Co., with or without health club membership. To learn more about rates (or inquire about eligibility) visit Carlyle & Co. online.

The post The Best New Menus in Hong Kong in April 2021 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

It goes without saying that mothers deserve recognition all year round, but with Mother's Day approaching -- it falls on Sunday, 10 May this year in case you were wondering -- there's no better time to celebrate the first lady in your life this weekend. Whether she prefers to enjoy a leisurely brunch, indulgent dinner or spot of afternoon tea, Hong Kong's luxury hotels are offering the most opulent ways to spoil her. So without further ado, here are our top Mother's Day menus worth booking now.

Rosewood Hong Kong

Whisk mum away for a little afternoon tea at Rosewood's The Butterfly Room and indulge in a five-course spread of sweet and savoury creations. A complimentary Japanese strawberry shortcake and Asaya spa gift certificate is included in the offer. Or opt for dinner at The Legacy House where Cantonese cuisine with a Shunde influence is on the menu for lunch and dinner. Think classic style dim sum, traditional Cantonese soups, seafood and delicacies, in addition to a collection of speciality herbal teas for mothers to take home.

To Book: call +852 3891 8732 or email

Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Mandarin Oriental

From an indulgent Sunday roast at the Mandarin Grill + Bar with all the trimmings (complete with dessert trolley), or French fine dining four-course lunch at Pierre, to Cantonese lunch or dinner at Man Wah or a family-friendly Clipper Lounge brunch with a variety of seafood and mouthwatering desserts Mandarin Oriental has whatever takes your mum's fancy and then some.

To Book: call +852 2825 4000 or email

Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central

The Ritz-Carlton

There's plenty of options at The Ritz-Carlton on Mother's Day. Choose from a 3-course brunch, 3-course dinner and afternoon tea at The Lounge & Bar; a 4-course Italian brunch or dinner at Tosca di Angelo; or  an exclusive six-course Michelin-starred private dining experience focused on health-forward dishes and a well-being menu at Chinese restaurant Tin Lung Heen.

To Book: call +852 2263 2270 or email

Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon

The Murray

For a modern European style treat featuring plenty of bubbles, head to Popinjays at The Murray. Here, an elegant semi-buffet spread offers fresh seafood, salads, cured meats, cheeses, desserts and more. Guests can also pick one of five main courses including dishes such as the Slow-cooked Atlantic halibut and Black onyx beef striploin. The Murray Brunch at The Tai Pan and Garden Lounge also offer a full on feast featuring salads, oysters, cold cuts and carvery delicacies.

To Book: call +852 3141 8888 or email

The Murray Hong Kong, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central

Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong

Spend the afternoon sipping on this decadent pu’er tea-themed afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge in Kerry Hotel which features sweet treats with all the health benefits and antioxidant properties from the tea. What's more, each tea set will include a Cha Ling gift set made up of a fragrance, scented camelia brooch, young Pu’er tea and a complimentary Cha Ling facial experience.

To Book: call +852 2252 5237 or email

Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay

The post The 5 Best Mother’s Day Menus at Hong Kong’s Luxury Hotels appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Hi there, notice anything different about us? For months now, we've been working tirelessly behind the scenes -- and behind our screens! -- to give Prestige Online a head-to-toe makeover. Now that we've unveiled our new look -- featuring a refreshed layout and more dynamic visuals -- we'd like to celebrate by giving you, our valued readers, a full week of exclusive, luxurious giveaways.

From 6–12 March, we'll be giving away seven amazing prizes that are collectively valued at more than HK$80,000. One lucky winner will be selected each day and will be announced 24 hours after each giveaway prize is posted. We'll reveal one prize per day -- so check back daily to see what you could win!

Here’s how to win:

1. Follow Prestige Hong Kong on Facebook.
2. Subscribe to Prestige Online's weekly newsletters in the form below.

St. Regis Hong Kong

The prize: Two night weekend stay with afternoon tea, welcome drinks, and butler service (valued at HK$20,000)

[caption id="attachment_133249" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Suite, St. Regis[/caption]

Set to open in April 2019, The St. Regis Hong Kong is one of the city’s most anticipated hotel openings of the year. So you’ll be one of the first guests in the world with this prize — the Rituals Suite Experience. Stay at the luxurious hotel for 2 nights and enjoy a whole host of activities including afternoon tea, welcome drinks and champagne. Not to mention their signature butler service so you can be looked after at any time of the day during your stay.

The Murray

The prize: One night stay at the Signature Suite and continental breakfast for two (valued at HK$8,800)

[gallery ids="132883,132877,132881"]

Located in the iconic architectural Murray Building, The Murray reopened last year as a luxury landmark hotel in the heart of the city. And now you can win the chance to stay there in their Signature Suite, a contemporary and chic room furnished with a large bed, marble-floored bathroom and seamless technology. Followed by an intimate breakfast for just the two of you.

Arcane 

The prize: Dinner and wine pairing for two (valued at $4,000)

[gallery ids="132641,132642,132643"]

If you haven’t been living under a rock and watched popular Netflix show ‘The Final Table’ then you’ll already be well acquainted with Michelin-starred restaurant Arcane and multi-award-winning Chef Shane Osborn. Serving modern European cuisine, the restaurant offers exceptional dishes led by the seasons. The lucky winner and a guest will dine on a special tasting menu, paired with some great wines.

Mandarin Oriental 

The prize: Two night weekend stay at the Harbour View Roomwith breakfast for two, and dinner for two at Mandarin Grill + Bar (valued at HK$21,000)

[caption id="attachment_132639" align="alignnone" width="1100"] Harbour View Room, Mandarin Oriental[/caption]

As big fans of this luxurious hotel, we thought what better way to celebrate the Prestige Online relaunch than with a stay at the flagship. The winner can indulge in the five-star room and enjoy world-class facilities and amenities. But what’s more is the prize includes not only breakfast for two but also dinner for two at Michelin-starred restaurant Mandarin Grill + Bar — where only the finest ingredients have been used for classic grill dishes with a contemporary touch.

Arbor 

The prize: A Seasonal Tasting Dinner with wine pairing for two (valued at HK$4,550)

[gallery ids="132472,132471"]

If you enjoy innovative French cuisine, then you’ll want to win this special tasting meal at Michelin-starred restaurant Arbor. Created and crafted by Chef de Cuisine Eric Räty, the 6-course tasting menu will reflect the changing seasons and best produce that comes with it. Bringing together French techniques and premium ingredients from Japan, this dinner will be an evening to remember.

Grand Hyatt

The prize: A spa experience and afternoon tea for two (valued at HK$2,200)

[gallery ids="132275,132272,132273"]

Treat yourself and a friend to spa and afternoon tea at the Grand Hyatt and you’ll get brownie points for sure. Start with a 60-minute massageat the award-winning spa Plateau along with a 30-minute radiance facial treatment, and finish the day with an indulgent afternoon tea set at Tiffin. The winner will also receive a spa day-pass to the enjoy the pool, fitness studio and sauna.

The Upper House

The prize: A one-night weekend stay in an Upper Suite and breakfast for two at Café Gray Deluxe (valued at HK$20,000).

[gallery ids="131921,131922"]

For our first prize, we want you to rise high above Hong Kong and enjoy the view from a spacious, 1,230-square-foot Upper Suite at The Upper House. Relax in luxury with a drink in hand (compliments of the mini bar) and admire the stunning harbour views from your living room, bed or limestone bathtub before waking up to a blissful breakfast for two at the hotel’s European contemporary restaurant, Café Gray Deluxe.

Terms & Conditions:

1. By entering this Prestige Online giveaway, you will be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.
2. This contest is open to Hong Kong residents only, and entrants must be over the age of 18 [eighteen].
3. Entrants must subscribe to Prestige Online and follow our Facebook page for their entry to be valid. They must therefore maintain a public profile setting at all relevant times.
4. Every email entry will be entered in for the daily prize for the entire giveaway period.
5. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, credit and are non-transferrable to third parties.
6. Prestige Online reserves the right to cancel, re-draw or otherwise modify this giveaway at any time with immediate effect and without giving prior notice.
7. Entrants are limited to one giveaway prize per person each calendar year.
8. Winners will be contacted for prize redemption. Winners must respond within 24 hours of announcement, otherwise prize will be forfeited.
9. Photos are for reference only.

The post Celebrate the New Prestige Online with 7 Days of Luxurious Giveaways appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We travel to Cotton Tree Drive at the heart of Hong Kong to discover the city’s new 5-star sanctuary which offers views of the surrounding green oasis

The post Inside The Murray, Hong Kong’s New Luxury Hotel appeared first on LUXUO.

From the stunning Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok to Bulgari’s stately outpost in Shanghai, these city hotels are luxe cocoons in the world’s busiest capitals.

The post Best new city hotels of 2018 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

From the stunning Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok to Bulgari’s stately outpost in Shanghai, these city hotels are luxe cocoons in the world’s busiest capitals.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Here's "huat" to do this Chinese New Year: escape from nosy relatives by getting out of the country for the long weekend of February 16-18, 2018.

The post CNY 2018: Welcome an auspicious year at these 8 luxury hotels abroad appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

All you need to know for a good tumble between the sheets.

The post The Peak Expert: Picking the Right Bed Sheets for a Good Night’s Sleep appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

All you need to know for a good tumble between the sheets.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.