Porsche just revealed their 718 Boxster GTS model at the Los Angeles Auto Show—the flagship model of Porsche’s 718 Boxster lineup of convertible sports cars. The new Porche 718 Boxster GTS is powered by a turbocharged flat-four cylinder powerplant that belts out 361bhp and 470Nm of torque, making the vehicle sprint from 0-100kph in just 4.1 seconds with top speeds of 290kph. As for the exterior, the 718 Boxster GTS features a tweaked front bumper, a larger rear differential, blacked out dual tailpipes mounted in the centre of the back bumper and black tinted headlamps and tail lights. The interiors feature Alcantara inserts for the steering wheel, centre console, seats, and armrests and also the Porsche Track Precision App, which enables drivers to view, record, and analyse their track driving data on their smartphones.
Thrilled by the sound of camping in a bubble—a transparent little globe to savour the world around you? Go ahead, try out The Bubble Tent in New South Wales; 200 kilometres north-west of Sydney. Overlooking the Capertee Valley, the second largest canyon in the world and a birdwatcher’s paradis—home to 242 species including endangered birds—this Bubble Tent is an oasis of indulgence, for it comes complete with a bed, an eco-friendly bathroom with a compost toilet, running water, a shower and toiletries. Plus you are provided with a telescope for stargazing and an iPad loaded with playlists and bird-watching apps. Hammocks strewn around the property beckon to you, tantalising you with their indulgent comfort and spectacular views. Situated close to national parks, the Bubble Tent also provides you opportunity to revel in eco and heritage tours or check out helicopter flights and hiking, to abseiling, canoeing and fishing. The Bubble tent is available for a stay at a price of A$250 to A$310 per night.
Zoya, a diamond boutique from the House of Tatas, recently introduced its new collection, Rooted — an exquisite lineup of over 45 pieces, inspired from the inner strength of the feminine spirit. The collection was virtually launched by designer Gauri Khan. The Luxe Cafe caught up with Gauri khan on the sidelines of the launch to know more about her design inspiration, favourite jewellery pieces and her definition of luxury. Excerpts:
Where does Gauri find her design inspiration? Inspiration is everywhere – travel, art, architecture. Just like Zoya’s new collection which is inspired by inner strength, and uses motifs from the Rainforest as a metaphor for resilience. So inspiration is everywhere – it is how you interpret it.
To what extent does a jewellery design reflects the personality of a person?
Jewellery should reflect your personality. I like Zoya because it is very contemporary in its design language. Even when they use a traditional craft like Gulabi Minakari, it’s given a very modern interpretation. 2020 has been a difficult year for the world, and I think Zoya’s Rooted has a lovely colour palette to lift the mood for the festive season.
Light of the Rainforest inspired by the rays of the sun filtering through a dense forest canopy is Gauri’s favourite piece.
What is your all-time favourite jewellery piece? My favourite jewellery piece is my grandmother’s ring. I have it with me always. And my favourite from Zoya is Light of the Rainforest inspired by the rays of the sun filtering through a dense forest canopy. It’s quite lovely, and the segmentation of diamonds and emeralds is stunning.
What does luxury mean to you? Luxury is about opulence and grandeur. It’s also about fine craftsmanship, inspired design and great storytelling.
With extensive expertise in the field of wellness and following the success of Aman Skincare, Aman marks the arrival of a new brand, Sva. The brand offers a range of holistic formulas and supplements developed to aid in maintaining optimum health in a modern and frenetic world. Created with high quality all-natural ingredients, the name Sva has been derived from the Sanskrit word for health, svasthya, which signifies the universal wisdom of staying (stha) true to one’s own self (sva).
Combining traditional knowledge with contemporary science and nutrition, Sva responds to those seeking Aman’s on-property equilibrium in everyday life. Both natural and sustainable, Sva formulas (which are a combination of granules, capsules and tonics) can help to support immunity, digestion, circulation and to sustain a healthy mind. A total of 19 products have been formed in three ranges; Chinese Herbal Formulas, Micronutrient Supplements and Botanical Tonics. Each unique Sva product range draws from the study of herbal medicine, is gluten-free, plant based and most importantly, can be easily integrated into the daily routine. Sva Chinese Herbal Formulas and Micronutrient Supplements are the first ranges to launch, with Botanical Tonics following later this year. Exclusive to Sva, the brand’s signature product, Respiratory Support has been uniquely developed to help stimulate the respiratory system, which is particularly important when exposed to colds and flu.
Sva products will also enhance Wellness Immersions at Aman’s hotels and resorts via integration into upcoming retreats such as Amangiri’s Sleep and Immune Retreats and future programmes at Aman Tokyo and Amanpuri.
Re-opening on 1 October , Aman-i-Khas is a secluded wilderness
camp offering exclusivity and a one-in-a-lifetime experience in rural Rajasthan.
As the world continues to adapt and reawaken, Aman announces the re-opening of the stunning Amanbagh and Aman-i-Khas. With a number of new experiences across India, Aman continues to pave the way to wellness with the breathtaking locations of two extremely unique properties as its backdrop.
AMANBAGH
A secluded sanctuary in the Aravalli Hills of rural Rajasthan, Amanbagh’s towering palms and eucalyptus trees are ready once again to welcome guests into a hidden oasis. Meaning ‘peaceful garden’ in Sanskrit, the resort’s surroundings are among the most remote yet luscious in the region, once enjoyed by the Maharaja of Alwar.
Reopened on September 1st, Amanbagh provides the platform for Aman’s innovative Ayurveda Traditional Medicine Immune Support Retreat. For a minimum of four nights, guests will receive an initial wellness consultation from the resort’s resident Ayurveda physician, followed by a tailored wellness programme for the days ahead. Each day throughout the retreat, guests will enjoy an immune-supporting shot, a selection of restorative herbal teas, a daily private movement session, a bespoke Ayurveda spa treatment, guided walks at sunrise and morning group yoga sessions. Throughout the stay, healthy daily breakfast can be enjoyed, with recipes using the freshest local produce from Amanbagh’s organic garden.
A secluded sanctuary in the Aravalli Hills of rural Rajasthan, Amanbagh’s towering palms and eucalyptus trees are ready once again to welcome guests into a hidden oasis.
Amanbagh’s lush grounds and stunning surroundings offer over nine differentprivate dining spots with panoramic views. New this year, Amanbagh’s‘Farm to Fork’ journeyinvolves guests choosing their own vegetables from the resort’s gardens to create a special dish with the chef for lunch.
AMAN-I-KHAS
Set on the threshold of Ranthambore National Park, home to the majestic Bengal Tiger, Aman-i-Khas is a secluded wilderness camp offering exclusivity and a one-in-a-lifetime experience in rural Rajasthan. Re-opening on 1 October, the camp’s 10 Mughal-style tents designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy, offer anything but a traditional camping experience, with deep soaking bathtubs and cashmere furnishings imagining private spaces, where luxury and nature are found in equilibrium.
Following the camp’s reopening, its expansive grounds are revealed in a new two-night ‘Wilderness Break’;with exclusive rates for residents of India.
Until 31 May 2021, groups catching up with family and friends and desiring a private insight into the destination can now commandeer the camp as their own by booking the 10 tents on an exclusive basisvia the new ‘A Camp of Your Own’ experience.
Bentley’s loyalists are spread out across the globe, and that includes vegans too. So what do you do when you’re in love with those uber-luxury road rulers but can’t stand the idea of reclining in leather upholstered seats? You influence Bentley to explore options. Affluent vegan Bentley enthusiasts have done just that and now Bentley’s Mulliner department is testing some unique interior solutions for its vegan clientele. So they’re playing around with innovative options such as Protein, Mushroom and Jellyfish substitutes- each as classy as its animal skinned counterparts. Protein leather, also known as Pleather is made from oil in the form of plastic, either PVC or polyurethane, whereas Mushroom leather or Muskin is biodegradable leather extracted from mushroom caps and tanned using chemical free methods. Jellyfish material is another biosynthetic compound that will be used to produce the legendary car’s all-vegan interior. We do wonder, though, why jellyfish aren’t being considered part of the animal kingdom. That’s some luxe ‘food’ for thought!
The Roseate Hotel follows an alternate room occupancy policy on all guest floors to maintain social distancing. Pic Courtesy: The Roseate Ganges, Rishikesh
As the world gets ready to live with the virus, at least till the near future, life is not going to be the same. And definitely not for the travel and hospitality sectors. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And more often than not, desperate measures lead to great innovations and disruptions. The hospitality sector, and luxury hospitality in particular, seems getting ready for a slew of such disruptions.
Alongside the ever smiling and hospitable reception officers at the check in, guests will be co-welcomed by a team of paramedics and path lab professionals. The food menu will focus more on immunity than taste buds. In a nutshell, the word luxury is bound to find new meanings. There will be many a new normal and many new expectations.
Touch less hospitality is one new norm that hotels across the world are striving for. From contactless check-ins and check outs to digital food menu, hotels are not only adhering to the regulatory guidelines, many are pro-actively going way beyond. “The top priority is to instil the confidence in the minds of the guests that if they come to our property, they are safe. All our endeavours are to provide this comfort to our guests,” says Ankur Bhatia, executive director of Bird Group that owns Roseate Hotels and Resorts. For most, safety and wellbeing of the guests has become the top priority. Maintaining the high standards of cleanliness and hygiene is now the new yardstick of luxury.
While the basic level of sanitisation in being kept at all the touch points in the public areas with a 24- hour window to deeply sanitise the rooms after guests have checked out, some hotels are following an alternate room occupancy policy. “At Roseate we will be following an alternate room occupancy policy on all guest floors maintaining social distancing,” says Bhatia.
Despite all efforts, and long existing relationships with most guests, getting them back too soon in the post-lockdown world is not going to be a cakewalk for the hotels. There are many promotional offers on the block. Hotel chains like Tajand Oberoi are offering a 20 per cent discount on the best available rate and complimentary upgrade till 30th September on their web booking. The reservations too are entirely flexible in most hotels and some of them even giving a booking window till end of the year.
From thorough sanitisation to routine body temperature readings of resident guests and team members, some hotels have taken the drive to a next level. For instance SonevaJani, one of Maldives’ top rated super luxury resort, has deployed a full fledged medical team, assisting guests with testing to care, on a need basis. Every time a guest checks in, a COVID test is conducted. The guests are requested to remain in their villa until the test results are received and are negative. Besides checking temperature of each morning, on the fifth day of stay, Soneva would also ask guests to take one more real-time PCR test depending on the circumstances prevailing then. “To enhance our guest safety, Soneva have purchased the Life Cycler 96 testing machine from Roche, the samples will be sent to Male’ for testing at the ADK hospital,” says SonuShivdasani, Founder & CEO, Soneva.
“In case the COVID-19 test result is POSITIVE, the resort will ask the COVID positive guests, his/her family, friends and other travelling together to isolate in their villa. As an exclusive privilege, Soneva will immediately waive the daily room rate of the villa for the next 14 days and the only charges will be meals and other incidentals,” he adds.
From holistic wellness perspective, Soneva Jani has devised a whole new food menu focusing on various immunity boosters
From holistic wellness perspective, hotels are also focusing more on serving immunity booster menu. Hotels like Oberoi, Roseate have devised a whole new immunity and health booster dishes specially created by in house chefs. While Soneva Jani is serving the Ayurvedic elixirs at breakfast, the Andrographis Paniculata, (a known Ayurvedic immune booster) on a complimentary basis, hotels like Ritz Carlton in Pune have added exotic variation of immunity boosters like avocado toast with pistachio dukkah and mesclun greens (combination of baby spinach and baby lettuce) as breakfast menu besides serving immunity shots like Botanic (a mix of turmeric, lemongrass, carrot juice and ginger).
While there will be many disruptions, most of these will just be knee jerk reactions to the pandemic and will be forgotten as life gets normal. Only time will tell which of these disruptions will evolve to become game changing innovations for the hospitality sector. Till then, bon voyage.
Set on almost eight acres of natural countryside, Noor Mahal offers modern day comfort while keeping the essence of traditional Mughal and Rajputana styles of architecture
Life in the hustle bustle of metro is often accompanied by the serenity and calmness of a quick getaway. If your everyday dwelling is Chennai, you could always get away to some very relaxing quick breaks in Puducherry. Likewise, Mumbaikars, Bangloreans and friends from Hyderabad and Kolkata, all have their own quick getaway secrets.
We Dilliwalas were not this lucky always. Well, not till few years back. Earlier, the nearest “destination” you could take with the intent to unwind would require a harrowing 8 plus hours drive, on roads we would not prefer night drives. So if we started on a Saturday morning to unwind, by the time we would reach, there would always be the pressure to get back.
But that’s not the bigger problem. The bigger problem is what if I want a luxurious get away? What if we want to be treated like royalty, and not be far away from modern amenities? We didn’t have an answer till recently. When someone pointed out about Noor Mahal in Karnal, I presumed, it could be one of the better motels on the Delhi Chandigarh Highway. And then the recommendations kept increasing. Recommendations from friends I take seriously. Recommendations from connoisseurrs of luxury. Recommendations from serious travellers. Recommendations from friends who enjoyed the good life. So many recommendations that I could not contain my temptation to make a trip.
Like all good things in life, journey to Noor Mahal in Karnal comes with its own share of hardships. You do have to battle the traffic of one of the busiest highways in India. But once there, all you say is that it is worth it. For once, you may not believe it. In the middle of lush unending greens, you have an architectural magnificence that resembles nothing short of the best palaces in the country.
As soon as you enter the design haven, it takes you back in time to the ancient royal lifestyle our kings and queens used to lead. You are welcomed by an impressive lobby featuring intricate furniture, antique paintings & artefacts. The hotel has a modern day comfort while keeping the essence of traditional Mughal and Rajputana styles of architecture.
Central courtyard, Deewan-e-aam on the lobby level provides an access from all four sides of the palace
And the eye for details is not just on the physical appearance of royal grandeur. The detail extends to the way you are welcomed. Unlike conventional hotels, there is no waiting and sign up formalities at the reception. All that is done as per your comfort, in your suite. Yes. Every room competes to a suite in any conventional hotel.
While checking in, I saw a big group check out. Out of curiosity, I asked the very cordial hotel staff, what is the guest mix usually. And contrary to what I thought, I got to know that it’s much more than Delhi weekened get awayer like me. Noor Mahal is an ideal venue for destination weddings, corporate events, conferences and off-sites meetings as well.
“In fact, the wedding season is so busy, we don’t have even a day off,” said a senior hotel official. There’s clearly a niche that the hotel has been able to cater to, as far as destination weddings are concerned. “Noor Mahal is now the most sought after destination for the uber rich of parts of North Delhi and almost all of Haryana. That’s a huge catchment to cover,” said Roop Singh Choudhary, the founder and MD of The Noor Mahal.
The hotel was conceived by Roop along with his father, Manbeer Choudhary, retired army personnel. It took almost 8 years to build Noor Mahal and the entire family has been collectively involved in minute detailing of its architecture and designing. “The designing part is something my mother takes care of. We have the collection some rare artefacts and carefully chosen objects d’art, some of them my family has collected and owned since generations,” said Roop. The doors, windows and table tops are sourced from the old mansions and havelis of Rajasthan, while antique paintings and photographs adorn the walls of the restaurants, lobby and other parts of the hotel.
Noor Mahal’s finest royal sleeping chamber “Khwabgah” includes two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, separate bar and office chamber with a private terrace
Set on almost eight acres of natural countryside, the modern day palace has 125 heritage-style rooms and suites. Apart from the Presidential and heritage suites, Noor Mahal boasts of an exclusive royal sleeping chamber called the Khwabgah, which includes two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a separate bar, an office chamber, and a private terrace overlooking the Karnal city.
The bar’s facade at Khwabgah was made from an antique wooden balcony of a house in Amritsar’s golden temple complex
The Subtle aspects
The making of a royal experience is not just about architecture or the look and feel. The subtle experiential aspects, such as food cannot be ruled out. Not at least for a Delhi bred foodie like me. You may be a desi style foodie, you may appreciate the royal cuisine, you may just be fine by international delicacies or you want to see through an evening with cocktails, vintage wines or rare single malts. Noor Mahal has something for everyone.
Frontier Mail restaurant has been designed recreating the legendry Frontier Mail that operated between Mumbai and Peshawar during pre-independence days with elements taken from the actual train
Frontier Mail Its Indian restaurant has been designed recreating the legendry Frontier Mail that operated between Mumbai and Peshawar during pre-independence days with elements taken from the actual train. For meat eaters, the Tuni Khatta is something not to miss here. The chef special daal will pull you back again and again.
Polo Bar A colonial style English bar maintains its vintage theme with wood panelling and collection of some rare equestrian-themed art. A visit to the bar also indicates that Roop is actually a thorough connoisseur. From rarest French and Italian wines, to the best of single malt, you have everything you could ask for, making your evening, truly royal high.
7th Heaven Spa No experiential journey to a destination, as royal as Noor Mahal is ever complete without pressing your senses at the spa. The 7th Heaven Spa is just the right touch of royal de stressing you look forward do. “We are further expanding the capacity of the spa and will soon have more therapies,” said Roop. For now, the 90 minute pressure modulated Noor Mahal Signature Spa is all you need to get all stress off you.
As we write this, Noor Mahal continues to be a work in progress. It continues to be a story that’s evolving. And as it evolves, we just hope it continues to be a treat to everyone.
(Noor Mahal is equidistant from both Delhi and Chandigarh, roughly 3 hours. Rooms start at Rs 9,500. The Presidential suite is for Rs 45000, while Khwabgah is priced at 1.25 lakh, exclusive of taxes)
You can travel back in time in a traditional Spanish-style horse carriage called a kalesa in Philipines. Credit: Cebu Pacific
Southeast Asian countries are famed worldwide for their lush greenery and exhilarating activities, which is why the region is a hotbed for tourists from all across the globe. Yet, beyond the popular beaches and stellar sights in these countries, there’s still so much more to see and explore. That said, here are some of the best activities you can do off the beaten track in Southeast Asia.
Immerse Yourself in Komodo Island in Indonesia
The amazing archipelago of Indonesia attracts millions of tourists annually thanks to its beautiful island of Bali. In fact, The Telegraph’s report on the island reveals that 1 in 3 of the country’s nearly 14 million annual visitors travel there solely to spend a holiday in Bali.
One can see the massive and mystical Komodo dragon at the Komodo Island National Park. Pic credit: The Independent
Thankfully, Indonesia has over tens of thousands of other islands for you to explore, and some of the best islands to immerse yourself in are within the region of Komodo. The islands of Komodo are filled with activities that you won’t get to experience anywhere else.
Komodo Island’s picturesque and unique Pink Beach. Pic credit: Rove
Here, you can see the massive and mystical Komodo dragon at the Komodo Island National Park. Its beaches also offer visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with manta rays. And last but not the least, you can unwind at its picturesque and unique Pink Beach.
Explore the Countryside in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Many of Thailand’s visitors travel to this tourist hotspot to stay at the country’s capital, Bangkok, thanks to the city’s countless shopping markets and nightlife. The vibrant beauty of Bangkok will surely give you an adrenaline rush, but why not have a change of scenery at the tranquil Thai province of Chiang Mai?
Known as ‘The Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life Photo credit: Chiang Mai
Known as ‘The Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Indeed, Expat Bets’ guide to Thailand highlights the country’s impressive transportation system. While most travellers will start from one of its impressive airports — with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi repeatedly hailed as one of Asia’s best — you’ll also get to experience the country’s extensive railway system if you’d like to reach different cities and provinces. This is why it should be very easy for you to head over to the country’s hidden gem of Chiang Mai.
Apart from gorgeous views, you can enjoy horse racing in the countryside in Chiang Mai. Pic credit: Bangkok
Apart from gorgeous views, there are many activities for you to do in the countryside. From interacting with rescued elephants at the Elephant Nature Park to chatting with a monk in the Wat Chedi Luang temple, exploring Chiang Mai shows a side of Thailand beyond its famous bright lights.
Revisit History in the Intramuros, Philippines
While the Philippines is known worldwide for its pristine beaches of crystal blue seas and white sand, the country has a fascinating history. Unbeknownst to many, the Philippines was colonised by Spain for over 300 years — a period that ended in the late 19th century. And at the heart of the country’s capital, Manila, lies Intramuros. Known as the Walled City, it has preserved many relics and sites of this interesting time.
Intramuros, known as the Walled City, has preserved many relics and sites of this interesting time Photo credit: Hotels Philippines
From the glorious San Agustin Church to the vast citadel of Fort Santiago, you’ll have a profound look inside the antiquity of the age of the Spanish colonisation. What’s more, you can travel back in time in a traditional Spanish-style horse carriage called a kalesa. Or, you can even tour Intramuros in one of their eco-friendly bamboo bikes.
Ever since Crazy Rich Asians was released, Singapore’s tourism has risen rapidly. As the setting of the hit Hollywood film, tourists have come flocking to places that were featured, such as Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and Sentosa Island.
The best way to explore the tiny yet transfixing island is on a bicycle. Cycling through the winding roads here will let you marvel at Singapore’s majestic mangroves and diverse wildlife. Pic credit: Klook
However, to see a greener and more enchanting perspective of Singapore, you can visit Pulau Ubin. Just a 15-minute boat ride from the mainland, the best way to explore the tiny yet transfixing island is on a bicycle. For an affordable amount, cycling through the winding roads here will let you marvel at Singapore’s majestic mangroves and diverse wildlife. And if the island tickles your fancy, visitors can even stay over at camping sites like Jelutong and Endut Senin.
Luxury furniture and lifestyle brand, Beyond Designs launches Beyond Designs Home and Bistro offering a unique experience of shopping for signature home accessories celebrating handcrafted traditions from around the world, and an equally exquisite dining option at a French-styled bistro.
The Bistro is studded with grand chandeliers and furnished with gorgeous white marble topped tables, chic cane chairs that redefine vintage, and classic sofas upholstered in floral fabric.
The Flagship store houses exclusive, antique-inspired, eclectic accessories – some created in-house, some sourced from around the globe. “The accessories and artefacts are one-of-a-kind finds that elevate the aesthetic quotient of your homes several notches higher,” said Neha Gupta, co- founder, Beyond Designs.
Beyond Designs Home and Bistro stays open from 10 am to 7 pm and serves modern European cuisine, along with some soul-satisfying Asian fare in a stunning, artful environment.
