[ daydream destination ] Missoni x Four Seasons

(Please note: I have less and less time these days to write full on hotel reviews! I will still try to do them once in a while but I just can’t commit to the weekly schedule anymore. )

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is always a pretty darned nice place to rest your head. But recently it got just a little bit more luxurious. The resort has partnered with luxury retailer Seaside Luxe to announce it’s collaboration with famed Italian fashion house Missoni. Seaside has already brought Missoni Home to it’s exclusive Maui boutiques but will now bring that partnership directly to the clients staying at the Four Seasons.

Two of the poolside Serenity Pool cabanas will be turned into Missoni Home showcases. There will also be a lounge display outside of the hotels existing 22 Knots boutique. Guest will get a sneak peek of the goods without even having to leave the pool.

I think new and clever ways of introducing products to the consumer is always a great thing and I kind of love this idea of brand-hotel partnership. And if I just so happened to be sitting poolside in Maui, I certainly wouldn’t be complaining about sharing the sunshine with Missoni. Of course the view sure doesn’t hurt. I don’t know about you but that combined with a few Mai Tais would definitely put me in an aspirational shopping mood!

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

{ daydream destination } The Nimb, Copenhagen

The Location

Copenhagen rivals Stockholm as the coolest, most cosmopolitan city in Scandinavia. Excellent shopping, culture and nightlife can all be found here. It’s also drop dead gorgeous in that romantic European way, with it’s many canals, cobbled squares and copper spires. The metropolis of about 1 million people is easy to navigate and also very safe. The transportation system is ridiculously easy to use and most of the locals speak English. Price wise, Copenhagen is up there with London and Paris but tends to be slightly less expensive than other Scandinavian cities. The Danish Design Center, Danish National Gallery and the changing of the guards at Amalienborg should all be on your must-see list.

The Hotel

The Nimb is located in the famed Tivoli gardens. The fairytale location is worth it’s weight in gold. All but one of the fourteen suites has a view of the gardens (which is especially spectacular when they are lit up at night). Guests of the hotel also have free entrance to the gardens.

But as fabulous as they are, the gardens aren’t the only reason to stay here. The 1909 building was originally a grand banqueting hall, but was refurbished into the luxe hotel it is today in 2008. The white-washed exterior recalls the Taj Mahal and is bedecked with white lights year round. You might think that the hotel’s interiors would be totally Scandinavian-minimalist, but the Nimb is a pleasant surprise. The theme is a comfortable mix of antiques and Chinoiserie accents blended with sleek pieces for a totally one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Many hotels have been inaccurately described as feeling like an (incredible) private home, but in this case those words ring totally true. It’s cool but definitely not over-the-top. Rooms sport genuine elegant antique furniture, such as armoires and secretaries and warm wood floors. The walls are mostly crisp clean white and most display some antique landscapes on the walls. All rooms also have four poster beds and all but one have wood-burning fireplaces. They also sport B&O soundsystems and flat screen TVs, and have B&O phones in every room (even the bathrooms). All rooms are also outfitted with an ample seating area and two comfortable sofas.

Bathrooms are also oversized, and sport double sinks, heated floors, free-standing bathtubs and huge shower stalls with rain shower heads. The toiletries are from luxe brand Molton Brown, so you might be forgiven if a few extras sneak into your luggage on your way out.

The Extras

Gourmets will do well to stay here – or even just to visit here if you are not a guest. The focus on food is quite heavy and you will find something for every taste. The main draw is undoubtedly Restaurant Herman, which holds one Michelin star. Executive Chef Thomas Herman crafts radically re-imagined Danish dishes, with names such as Captains Stew and Burning Love.

If you are after something more casual the Brasserie, the Bar and Grill or the Terasse are your other options. The Brasserie showcases three kitchens in an open concept space, to show off the skills of the chefs and servers. The Scandinavian brasserie menu changes once a month to reflect seasonal changes. Breakfast here is usually included with your room rate and includes standard buffet items as well as cooked options. It can be taken in the restaurant or in your room.

The Bar and Grill occupies the former on-site Dairy and serves casual grilled dishes, such as seafood and steaks.

The Terasse is the former free-standing restaurant Divan 2, which opened in 1877. The Terasse serves french style bistro food and has separate banquet and meeting rooms, as well as a large outdoor seating area and wine bar.

The Nimb Bar occupies the old ballroom, which is still adorned with some amazing original chandeliers. There is a huge baronial fireplace at one end and a grand piano at the other. If you are looking for something more intimate, try the cellar wine bar – Vinotek – which spectacularly displays it’s 1200 bottle collection around a few communal style tables.

Service and attention to detail are first and foremost here. Check in takes place in your guest room, with a complimentary glass of champagne. Limousine service in an Audi A8 is available and there are even iPads available at reception for guest use. You will be unlikely to ever want to leave.

The Nimb
Bernstorffsgade 5
1577 Copenhagen
Denmark
T: +45 88 70 00 00
Rooms from $346.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

{ daydream destination } The Dolder Grand, Zurich

The Location

Zurich is a picturesque city and also the largest in the Swiss Confederation. Zurich has long had a reputation as a boring banking city, but even here things are changing rapidly. Contemporary Zurich is affluent and trendy. It’s former warehouse district ‘Züri-West’ is now buzzing with numerous bars, restaurants and clubs giving it a similar feel to Mitte in Berlin. It’s annual Street Parade has also overtaken London’s Notting Hill Carnival as Europe’s largest annual street party and is filled with young revellers. Be sure to have some fondue and partake in some Swiss beer or wine at one of the numerous cafes.

The Hotel

The Dolder Grand re-opened in 2008 after an extensive renovation. The 1898 building was completely transformed into a modern masterpiece by architect Sir Norman Foster – his first ever hotel design. The stunning building appeals to almost everyone. It really is one part castle and one part spaceship, making it a completely unique destination hotel – or “City Resort” as the hotel refers to itself. It’s one well worth staying at despite it’s location just outside of the city center.

The hotel is divided into three separate wings, one old and two new. However, sumptuous modern furnishings and amenities can be found in each. Every room in the Main building features a white marble bathroom with separate tub and shower areas, as well as an original balcony. The new Spa Wing and Golf Wing feature bathrooms with sandy limestone tiles and the rooms feature floor to ceiling windows instead of balconies.

All guest rooms are fully automated and feature a Bang and Olufson interface that controls everything: the lights, curtains, TV, DVD player as well as the Do Not Disturb notification. Bathrooms also feature separate televisons and free wifi is available throughout the hotel.

Most guest rooms are soothing but err on the cautious “hotel chic” side of design. However, the four sprawling luxury suites have each been designed by a different interior designer, giving each one a unique personality. These are some of the best rooms in Europe and come equipped with extras like whirlpool baths and steam showers. One suite even features a grand piano. If you are willing and able to truly splash out, this is the place to do it.

The Extras

There are two restaurants at the hotel. The Restaurant serves gourmet cuisine from Chef Heiko Nieder, in a chic tailored space. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and is a draw even for those not staying at the hotel.

The Garden Restaurant is open all day, every day and serves lighter European fare than the Restaurant. Chef Gion Fetz serves a seasonal inspired menu. An Amuse Bouche Menu is available for those on a business lunch, while in the evenings 4 to 7-course dinners are served, alongside a special vegetarian menu.

The hotel also offers a separate bar, lounge and lobby bar as well as a Spa Cafe as another dining options.

The Spa is the one of the best in Europe. It is over 4000 square metres and features separate men’s and women’s areas. It is fully equipped with the best spa features imaginable, including an indoor lap pool, plunge pools, steam baths, Sunaburo Pods (filled with warm Japanese mini stones) plus a room that snows. They also offer a huge array of services, from make up application to massage to medical procedures.

There is also a state of the art gym on the property, as well as a separate outdoor pool. If you visit during the summer months, the hotel offers mountain bikes on loan and there is also a mini-golf course for guest use. If you prefer real golfing, the 9-hole Dolder Golf Club Zurich is adjacent to the property.

The slightly out of town location means a stunning view of the city and lake below that can be seen from many of the rooms and public settings. But the hotel also offers hourly shuttles into the city in a vintage bus. But with so many amenities, maybe you won’t ever need to leave.

The Dolder Grand
Kurhausstrasse 65
8032 Zurich
Switzerland

Rooms from $590 CHF per night.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

{ daydream destination } Hotel Bel Air

The Location

Bel Air is another monied community in the Los Angeles area. This isn’t a place for the partying types (try the Chateau Marmont on Sunset for that) . It’s much more private and subdued – a great respite away from crazy LA. This location is still one of the most iconic and storied hotels in the area. It’s even worth a trip just to eat in the restaurant and ogle the gardens.

(For more LA information, you can find my Los Angeles travel guide here.)

The Hotel

Hotel Bel Air occupies a spectacular early 20th century castle. The exquisitely manicured grounds sprawl over 12 acres. The hotel just re-opened in October after two years of extensive renovations. Gone is the French Country theme – now the hotel is a sea of calm sophisticated neutrals and high end finishes. Fortunately the signature feature of the hotel remain – Swan Lake, the small lake guests must cross over by foot to reach the lobby. There are 103 rooms to choose from, ranging from a straightforward room up to the sprawling Presidential Suite on the hillside. (Also – be warned that this level of luxury does not come cheap. Rates run from $565 a night for the most “basic” room all the way up to $4,800 for a hillside suite.)

Famed designer Alexandra Champalimaud handled the renovations of the private spaces in the hotel. Champalimaud took her influence from the golden era of Hollywood (the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s) and blended it to fit within the original Spanish Colonial buildings, which are still bathed in the classic Bel Air pink. Heated stone and marble floors, plaster walls, natural wood ceilings are found throughout the space.

The room designs are all quite different. The loft rooms are as sleek as you would expect, while the rooms in the original building and bungalows have more of an Art Deco influence. The colour palettes range from chic chocolate to black and white. But all the fixtures and furnishings are the highest quality possible and have been outfitted with the best of the best. Amenities include state-of-the-art automation system which controls the lights, a/c, messaging and curtains. Hillside rooms features sweeping views of the canyon. Most rooms have indoor and outdoor fireplaces, spacious decks and grand pianos. fetures a large indoor/outdoor patio which overlooks the lush garden.

The Extras

Rockwell Group headed the changes to the design of the restaurant on the property. The restaurant is now headed by Wolfgang Puck and serves up modern Californian cuisine, with Mediterranean and French influences. The room features a large indoor/outdoor patio, with large retractable glass walls overlooking the lush gardens outside.

The lobby lounge and hotel bar have also been redone, in lovely dark understated colours. There are also two different ballrooms available for larger events.

Another recent addition to the hotel is the 4,134-square-foot Hotel Bel Air Spa by La Prairie. The spa features seven treatment rooms, including a private space for couples complete with outdoor patio. There is also a brand-spanking new fitness studio.

(And yes, I think most of these are renderings – but they are still pretty great!)

Hotel Bel Air
701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles CA 90077
Rooms from $565.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

{ daydream destination } Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle

The Location

There are a few hotels in the world that are on my personal bucket list. This is one of them. I have been to Thailand twice, but never to the northern tip (what can I say – my preference for leisurely beaches always wins out). I can’t remember where I first heard about this place but I’ve been enchanted with it ever since, and I am determined to go there one day. (Note: Chiang Rai is also unaffected by the recent flooding in Thailand.)

The Golden Triangle is the northern-most tip of Thailand. From the elevated platforms of the camp you can see actually the natural triangle formed by the Mekong and Ruak rivers, which also mark the boundaries between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Four Seasons Golden Triangle has the distinct advantage of being perched right in the centre of it all – a remote and exotic location, perfect for those with a taste for adventure.

At first the words “tents” and “five-star” may seem like contradictory terms. But don’t be misled. These tents may have canvas sides but they are nothing short of luxurious. Picture elegant copper bath tubs, large decks with outdoor daybeds and stunning views of the Mekong River. By night fall the remote location becomes quite apparent as a flashlight bearing guide will be required to guide you safely back to your tent (a Land Rover is also availabe if you don’t feel like making the walk by foot). The encampment is comprised of only 15 tents and the hotel does not allow young children, ensuring that you have an experience that is both private and quiet.

The Hotel

The tents themselves feature hardwood flooring, paddle fans and hardwood and leather furniture. Each room has it’s own distinct theme, but each has the same sort of safari vibe. The sleeping areas feature a large mosquito nets and comfy platform beds. The bathroom is open-plan, and the free-standing tub actually located in the living room. The hand hammered copper bathtub is large enough for two and also features a hand held shower. The outdoor decks are huge at almost 400 square feet. They feature a daybed and a covered hot tub (perfect for rainy days). The tents also feature an outdoor rain/steam shower.

Bonus room amenities include books on local history and culture, binoculars (for watching both the birds and the elephants roaming freely in the fields nearby) plus a refrigerated private bar.

The Extras

The camp is based around some very well-taken care of elephants. These gentle giants will be around to take on your daily excursions to places like the Opium museum, local ruins and markets. You can also feed them in the morning and even help with the bath time. There is also the option of taking your breakfast at the baby elephant camp – and I mean, who wouldn’t want to do that?

The Spa is one of the best features of the camp. Where else can you experience top end spa services in an open walled pavilion in the middle of the jungle, listening the wildlife around you. Treatments after 6pm are conducted in the privacy of your room.

The Burma Bar is another highlight. The bar is a great place to interact with your fellow guests and to discuss the day’s adventures over a glass of wine. The bar stands atop some high stilts making it an excellent place to sit and view the sunset. Plus the staff have been known to give you small paper hot air balloons to release into the dark night sky.

The restaurant features both Thai and Western food. They also offer a few varieties of wines (some are actually Thai). The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with spectacular views of the nearby rice paddies and small lake. A private dining area called the Rice Barn is available for reservation for couples, for those wishing for a truly private experience. The restaurant also offers cooking school, for those who are interested in learning more about Thai cuisine and they offer picnic baskets and meals to go for your tour excursions (extra fees apply for baskets).

Rates include pick up from Chiang Rai (including a boat ride to camp), as well as all food, beverages and many excursions. 3 night minimum stay is required.

Four Seasons Golden Triangle
P.O. Box 18, Chiang Saen Post Office
Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand
T – 66 (0) 53 910-200
Rooms from $79000 THB.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.