Over the top
Transcendent views, next-level luxury and super-smart technology – these hotels are OTT (in a good way), writes Akash Arora.
KENSHŌ BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SUITES, MYKONOS kenshomykonos.com
From gleaming white walls and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea to a relaxed, sundrenched pool area, every Greek-island cliché comes to life at this brand-new hotel overlooking scenic Ornos Bay, a 10-minute drive from Mykonos’s town centre. The 35 rooms and suites each feature a unique layout and covetable pieces of furniture by designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Kenneth Cobonpue. But the biggest drawcard of this boutique property is its collection of on-site facilities: a fitness centre with groupexercise classes, a spa with hammam for when you really want to switch off and a fine-dining restaurant where you can savour the best local and Mediterranean fare.
THE ST. REGIS LANGKAWI stregislangkawi.com
There’s no shortage of sublime lookouts at this newly opened St. Regis resort on the southern tip of Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago. Grab a sun lounge by the pool to take in the shimmering Andaman Sea and lush rainforest. Or book the Beach Cabana Sunset Dining experience for a romantic meal as twilight turns the seawater a brilliant blue. Our favourite vantage point is the Sunset Overwater Villa with separate living and dining rooms, kitchenette, walk-in wardrobe, a private deck and infinity-edge pool. When hunger strikes, on-site Asian restaurant Kayuputi – perched above the water on stilts – is just as intoxicating.
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO chicago.peninsula.com
A recent revamp has put this plush Illinois hotel at the top of its game. The swanky rooms feature handcrafted floral-art design elements (pictured above) by artist David Qian and cutting-edge in-room technology. Tablets control everything, from lighting and temperature to TV channels and hotel services, and touchscreen LED wall panels provide the latest weather updates. The suites dial the luxury up a notch – sink into a window-side marble bath with city views or get up to three hours of complimentary access to a chauffeur-driven Mini Cooper to explore the city.