The globetrotter's guide to retreats that recharge your batterries.
The globetrotter's guide to retreats that recharge your batterries.
GET SPIRITED
Descending upon Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is an enchanting sight: You arrive at a 60-acre expanse crowned by a palatial estate inspired by the Lanna kingdom. Within lie 123 hideaways fit for a king—most grand are the twostorey villas decked in teakwood and Thai silk, with modern amenities, cultural antiquities, a plunge pool and an outdoor deck overlooking green paddy fields. Start your morning right by joining in rounds of almsgiving to monks, and meditation. Then, soak up more healing vibes at The Dheva Spa and Wellness Centre, where treatments with an Ayurvedic focus as well as fitness programmes revitalise your mind, body and spirit. dharadhevi.com
SPICERS VINEYARDS RETREAT
On your next trip to Australia, visit one of its oldest and most historic wine regions, Pokolbin in Hunter Valley. While you're there, stay at the luxurious Spicers Vineyard Estate—with 12 wellappointed suites, all with fireplaces and oversized sofas you could easily fall asleep on. Explore gourmet cheese producers and indulge in wine-tasting sessions across the Valley before returning to Spicers for a refreshing evening cocktail. The three-course dinner at Restaurant Botanica is a truly gourmet experience in itself—the food is exquisite and wine, divine. Try a relaxing massage at Spa Anise before you make your way home. spicersretreats.com
FIND YOUR WILDERNESS
KILLCARE BOUTIQUE HOTEL If you hit the road heading north from Sydney towards the Central Coast, in 90 minutes you will land in the discreet Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, located high on a ridge, surrounded by Bouddi National Park—home to seven glorious beaches and secluded bays. The family-owned hotel is imbued with the elegance of the Hamptons, anchored by a charming restaurant run by renowned Australian-Italian chef Stefano Manfredi. A fat kookaburra perched on a tree greets you as you make your way to your two-bedroom suite, each with a generous balcony overlooking the gardens. Spend your days wandering across cliff tops to discover the peaceful seaside wilderness. Order a Manfredi lunch hamper and explore the coastal trails and be rewarded with spectacular ocean views. bellsatkillcare.com.au
RELAX AND REVIVE
Need to jump-start your thought process? Plan a work holiday—a different setting can do wonders for your productivity and creativity. Three-year-old Luna2 Studiotel boasts a retro-futuristic aesthetic forged through a primary-colour palette and geometric shapes inspired by classics like LEGO, Monopoly and the Rubik’s Cube—there is even a 25m Mondrian-style colour block lap pool. Inspiration abounds in the 14 conceptual rooms; the lobby where supermarket queen-themed Pop Art by Indonesian artist Triyadi reigns; and the Pop! Lounge bar, brought to life by British artist Stuart McAlpine Miller’s contemporary artwork. Get those creative juices flowing at Space— Bali’s most exclusive rooftop bar—or for a more chilled night in, sip on popcorn-infused cocktails at Lunaplex, the island’s only private cinema. luna2.com
CATCH UP ON BEAUTY SLEEP There is so much to do in bustling Bangkok and yet, there is a hotel whose guests would rather not stir out: Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. For starters, anyone who has stayed here will liken the bed to cloud nine—MyBed is Sofitel’s exclusively designed sleep experience comprising an ultra-plush yet firm mattress with a downy duvet, crisp white sheets and pillows of your choice picked from a menu of specialised fluff . If a great night’s sleep doesn’t fully recharge you, there is Le SPA, a sanctuary by L’Occitane that melds Thai wellness philosophies with French beauty traditions. Its Golden Siamese treatment with a deep-tissue oil massage and stretching, hand and foot wrap, and indulgent gold leaf treatment for the face (said to boost oxygen levels) will take you right to spa heaven. sofitel.com
MAKE A SPLASH
If horizontal days and hot summer nights sound like just the break you need, retreat to Boracay (Brangelina and Lee Min-Ho would agree). Check into The District, where rooms feel like suites—space-wise, by boutique hotel standards—and come with a rain shower, über-chic furnishing and a patio overlooking crystal blue waters. Itineraries should include dosing up on vitamin D on the private white sand beach or dozing off by the pool, and savouring cocktails during golden hour at the rooftop Star Lounge. Chill out bars and EDM nightclubs are within walking distance, so partygoers can revel till sunrise and wake up just in time for one of the best brunches on the island. thedistrictboracay.com
WHAT TO PACK
All the essentials to relax and unwind in style
Clockwise from top: Bag, Michael Michael Kors. QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones, Bose. Shoe, Hermès. Sunglasses, Gucci. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
