New & Noteworthy!

Well…  it was a fun week, whirling around Shanghai with a few very important meetings thrown in for good measure.  As you know I was in Shanghai to attend ILTM Asia, the leading “by invitation only” luxury travel event for Asia-Pacific travel buyers (& stylists!). It’s three days of catch ups and air kissing with the best of the best in the industry and THE place to discover a little destination gem or two.

I did manage to find a couple of properties that are definitely worth talking about, one is The Siam in Bangkok… this 39 room riverside luxury retreat features Bangkok’s most spacious suites filled with priceless antiques, contemporary comforts and above all, oriental allure. The Siam will be the hottest address for those in the know seeking a more authentic and personalised stay in this exciting city.

The Siam is also featured in this months South East Asia Travel + Leisure where it also made the cover!

I also loved the fab ski chalet Cheval Blanc in Courchevel… the first foray into hotel management by the luxury group LVMH has not gone unnoticed, as this chic chalet is one stunning retreat.

Looks like I will have to learn to ski now… (that’s right Brent doesn’t ski… but he does do snow!).

Luxurious suites and super chic public areas to match, make this one a winter winner. With a Maldives outpost scheduled to open later this year, this is one luxury hotel group I will be keeping a close eye on.

The Surin Phuket is another property that has had a magic make over… it was known as The Chedi under the GHM brand and has now been refreshed and reborn as The Surin, the hillside suites are all white-walled… all very Caribbean chic and set on tranquil Pansea Beach (shared with the iconic Amanpuri). It is contemporary, cool and above all luxurious. With the new GM Antonio Saponara at the helm (he is ex Aman) this will be one beach retreat worth recommending.

One other city slicker I discovered and plan to visit this year is Le Royal Monceau in Paris… with its stunning contemporary interiors by Philippe Starck and panache to match, this is one property sure to ruffle a few established feathers in the 8th arrondissement!

All rooms feature stunning bathrooms and dressing rooms designed just like an ateliers’, including perfect lighting guaranteed to make you look ravishing even after a night of table dancing at Le Bain Douche – a bath house turned nightclub where I used to party in the 80’s with all the top models of the day… but that’s another story!

The luxury spa is My Blend by Clarins where you can even create your very own skin care range all tailored to your personal needs… now that’s what I call luxury!