Recommend October 2013 - (Page 54)

Bagan Lodge in Myanmar. asia raises the bar on luxury continued from page 36 A stay at Seri Chenang will make clients feel as if they were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth. Its six villas and 13 rooms are hidden in a clearing with spectacular views of mountains, rice paddies and the sea, while the accommodations are an exquisite blend of traditional Malay styling brimful with luxurious amenities. Every villa (from approximately $467 per night pp) overlooks the Andaman Sea and each has its own divergent character showcasing the myriad styles of Malay architecture from the county’s various states. The facilities are unparalleled, with an inﬁnity swimming pool, gymnasium, art gallery, luxury boutique and its super elegant Kayangan Spa, with a menu based on therapies drawing on the rituals of Malaysia’s age-old ancestry. The spa is hidden in the middle of a series of limestone cliffs and consists of a number of thatched pavilions with individual rainshowers and ﬂoor-to-ceiling windows. And when pampering of this caliber isn’t enough, Seri Chenang offers 24-hour private butlers from the moment guests arrive until they check out. If pampering of this caliber gets a little old, the resort has a wide range of options, including scuba diving or chauffeured treks to the surrounding countryside. And however far-off the location may seem, it’s actually not difﬁcult to reach: Silk Air and Malaysia Airlines offer regular, 40-minute ﬂights from Kuala Lumpur, and Cathay Paciﬁc, China Southern and Air Asia have seasonal ﬂights to Langkawi. india Few destinations capture the spirit of a country as Jaipur, India’s fabled pink city in the state of Rajasthan, known as “The Land of Kings,” where every romantic ideal about the subcontinent comes into focus. Jaipur has gardens, palaces that once were homes to maharajahs, exquisite weather, captivating attractions...and The Fairmont Jaipur, a 255-room luxury marvel that opened last July. Those looking for something far from the ordinary won’t be disappointed. The resort not only offers tours of Jaipur and visits to historical forts and palaces, but also treks into Rajasthan’s rugged terrain, hot air balloon adventures and even picnics on elephant back. The property reﬂects the majesty of early dynasties and its rooms 54 october 2013 34-57 AS Hotels.indd 54 and suites, with their alluring blend of traditional Rajasthani decor and modern touches, are perfectly suited for honeymoons and romance. Every room (from approximately $250 pp per night dbl) has views of the mountains or gardens, and no stay is complete without sampling the delights offered at Anjum, the hotel’s tea lounge, where one ﬁnds a “new dimension” to the art of tasting tea. This is a place that will enthrall tea lovers who get the rare opportunity to sample Adrak Wali Chai, the legendary Indian ginger tea, plus a staggering variety of black and white teas, as well as those infused with herbs like basil, lemongrass and mint. The teas and herbs, incidentally, are all grown on the premises. Zarin, the resort’s restaurant, is considered one of the top in the region and features classical dishes prepared using ancient traditions and rare spices while still retaining a modern ﬂair. The Willow Stream Spa, which recently opened, is a 12-treatment room facility and specializes in traditional Indian treatments in a plush sanctuary. japan Okinawa, the southernmost region of Japan, has long been relegated as a forgotten destination in the “Land of the Rising Sun.” For years the main island of the Ryukyu island chain was popular almost exclusively with Japanese who came to bask in its tropical atmosphere and who thought of Okinawa as something of a Japanese Hawaii. With its astonishingly clear waters, World Heritage sites, friendly locals and delicious food, Okinawa always had the elements to attract the so-called Louis Vuitton set. Unfortunately, for decades the island chain had a serious lack of luxury hotels, giving it the undeserved reputation of a low-rent destination. That is changing, as discriminating travelers seeking a new and relatively unexplored luxury destination are turning Okinawa into a “hot” place to visit. The island is within easy reach. Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines offer many ﬂights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Naha, Okinawa’s capital. Once there, consider the HOSHINOYA Okinawa, which opened in August 2012 and is located on a majestic natural bay on Taketomi, a speck of an island easily accessible by ferry from Naha where luxury, style and traditional Japanese atmosphere are ladled in an implausible tropical setting. The 48-villa Hoshinoya Okinawa, a member of the resort-hotel conglomerate that owns the legendary HOSHINOYA Karuizawa and the HOSHINOYA Kyoto, is shaking things up in Okinawa by offering what Yoshiharo Hoshino, the company’s president, calls “authentic Japan with modern comfort.” Care has been given to pattern the property after ancient Okinawan lines; even the 150-ft. long swimming pool is designed to resemble a traditional village well. The property’s villas (starting at approximately $680 per night) come in diverse categories and really play up the Japanese aesthetic with open-style living rooms, free-standing bathtubs in airy bathrooms, and futons on platforms in tatami bedrooms. Suites are suitable for couples and families. The resort’s restaurant highlights the same cuisine that is credited with Okinawans claiming the world’s longest lifespan—islanders average more than 80 years—and is thus heavy on seafood, greens and fruit. The French-trained Japanese chef produces dishes that change daily and include Ryukyu touches to memorable treats like imperial prawn ceviche and ishigaki beef with localherbed bearnaise. The library lounge is full of literary treasures, and recommend.com 9/24/13 8:04 AM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Emirates Vacations
Hail Caesars!
Wine Country + San Francisco: A Perfect Pairing
A Vintage Stay in Mexico
Lais-Back Luxury at La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo
Asia Raises the Bar on Luxury
Guadeloupe islands Travel Planner
Royal Princess
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth
Seaside Swells: Brazil + Uruguay
Moroccan Splendor
Regent Palms Turks & Caicos
It Takes A Villa

Recommend October 2013