The globetrotter’s guide to divinely worldclass destinations for your next great escape.
The globetrotter’s guide to divinely worldclass destinations for your next great escape.
HAVEN ON EARTH.
Like love at first sight, The Mulia and Mulia Resort & Villas take your breath away the moment you glide up the winding driveways—through lush foliage, you’ll glimpse grand mansion-like structures, azure lagoons and Bali’s only floating glass chapel, all backdropped by the Indian Ocean. The 30-hectare property (the island’s biggest) in Nusa Dua offers an unparalleled beach getaway, combining a 526-room resort hotel, a 111-suite wing complete with 24-hour butler service, and 108 sprawling villas. Not to mention, six pools—yes, six—marked by towering statues of ladies symbolising the prayer rituals of Bali, and where wait staff bring around refreshments every hour, even reaching out to pass you a fruit skewer if you are in the deep end. One can’t help but feel like a queen here… And eat like a king, all day long. There are nine restaurants and bars boasting everything from Mediterranean brunches lavish with Champagne, to Japanese teppanyaki and drinks under the stars.Take a half-day escape to the Mulia Spa, which starts in the Wellness Suite, where you go from oxygenated hydrotherapy pools, a sauna and steam room, to an Ice Room. The extreme changes in temperature take you on a hot-cold journey to help release toxins and boost body circulation, so that you thoroughly enjoy the ensuing 90-minute deep-tissue massage. And, make sure you get a poolside table at The Lounge around 5pm, for a late afternoon tea of cocktails and traditional Indonesian treats, served with a sunset against pastel-coloured skies. Breath-taking. www.themulia.com.
A LANDMARK, REJUVENATED.
The home of the Singapore Sling is getting a facelift: From the new year onwards, Singapore’s historic Raffles Hotel will embark on an ambitious restoration programme. Designer Alexandra Champalimaud, who has worked her magic on such institutions as London’s Dorchester and the Big Apple’s Plaza and Waldorf Astoria hotels, aims to preserve the ambiance, service and charm of the Raffles while introducing a contemporary touch to its iconic classical architecture and tropical garden. www.raffles.com.
FELIZ NAVIDAD.
If your family is looking for sun instead of snow this season, a Christmas week vacation at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is for you. Set in the heart of the River Maya, you’ll be luxuriating at the spa, coconut bowling and kayaking by day, then feasting on authentic Mexican food by night. In an unexpected twist to its better-known activities, the resort will transform its Lobby Terrace into a magical Hogwarts’ Dining Hall come New Year’s Eve, complete with a buffet inspired by each of the wizardry school’s houses. No portkeys required! www.banyantree.com.
TWO TO GO.
Gift shopping for the jetsetter in your life? Why not get them a stylish Mr & Mrs Smith hotel gift card, designed with prints by British sleepwear designer Olivia von Halle? The partnership is just one of many travel tie-ups happening this holiday season. Etihad Airways has tapped Christian Lacroix to create special city guides and first-class amenity kits for its Business Class passengers. Meanwhile, The Westin Hotels & Resorts has embraced the colouring-forgrownups trend, teaming up with illustrator Johanna Basford on a series of three designs to help guests relax and decompress.
