ANCIENT WISDOM OF JAVA RETREAT AT AMANJIWO
Inspired by the heritage of Javanese healing traditions and ceremonies, Amanjiwo, which is located 2km from the UNESCO site of ninth century Buddhist temple Borobudur in Central Java, has introduced the Ancient Wisdom of Java Retreat. Available year-round, the three-night itinerary will include sessions with Javanese healers, lectures on Javanese spirituality led by the resort’s resident anthropologist and a visit to the historical site of Borobudur at sunrise.
Guests will also enjoy one Semedi meditation session, which includes a series of ancient exercises to calm and focus the mind, and one 90-minute traditional Javanese Pijat deep-tissue massage. Guests additionally experience a Purnama Purification ritual on full-moon dates. An ancient Javanese ritual held under a full-moon night sky, the Purnama cleanse is intended to return a balance of energy to body, mind and spirit. aman.com
The Kagi Maldives Spa Island will launch in the Maldives’ North Male Atoll this July. A 15-minute seaplane or 60-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, the boutique 50-villa property is targeting parties of friends and solo travellers in addition to loved-up couples.
Kagi has partnered with esteemed architect Yuji Yamazaki on the design of the resort. At the heart of the island will sit Kagi’s 1,500 sqm spa and wellness hub, complete with an openair, teardrop-shaped floating yoga pavilion at its centre. Kagi will also house a gym, two restaurants, three bars, a wine cellar, dive centre and house reef.
The resort’s fusion cuisine will take inspiration from the geographical ‘ring of fire’ that surrounds the Maldives, from the highly spiced and fragranced cuisine of Southeast Asia to the bold, fiery flavours of South America and Oceania. kagimaldives.com
With the dawn comes the silence. In the darkness of night in the expansive Gulf of Thailand, winds had whipped the northern coast of Koh Samui, sending waves crashing into the seawall beneath my room while tall, slender palm trees swayed rhythmically behind closed curtains. But with first light the tempest has been replaced by vibrantly blue skies, mellow golden sunshine and the tranquility that comes with being alone in the world.
If there’s any place on Samui that lets the imagination stretch its legs, it has to be Belmond Napasai, a breathtaking estate hidden away down a meandering lane on the island’s northern cusp. Just 30 minutes from the airport and boasting panoramic views towards Koh Phangan and Angthong Marine Park, Belmond Napasai has the timeless refinement of a grand dame hotel, where solitude is encouraged, and where serenity rules supreme. This is a place where travellers can collect themselves, rediscover themselves and then lose themselves all over again.
The first thing you’ll notice about Belmond Napasai is the scale. At almost nine hectares, the resort is expansive, and in many ways the size allows for two different resort personas. At one end is a pristine beach wreathed by sun loungers shaded by driftwood salas dressed in brilliantly white linen that flutters in the breeze. Beyond, an infinity pool captures the reflection of palm trees that march up towards the Thai-styled resort building. Ranks of
bicycles wait for the actively inclined while beyond, a pair of sun-baked tennis courts probably inspire more than they motivate. There’s a yoga sala, a Thai boxing ring and a modern fitness centre, plus cooking classes and spa treatments to keep guests as busy as they please.
From the resort’s colonial-styled lobby, two lines of villas extend down the length of the coastline. Belmond Napasai is home to 45 Villas, 10 One-Bedroom Villas and 13 Oceanfront Private Pool Residences, the latter each a little larger as you trace the narrow garden path along the cliff face.
My three-bedroom Oceanfront Pool Residence clings to a steep incline that tumbles down to the lagoon; stairs descend past a pair of stand-alone cottages to a master suite and separate living room & kitchen with an expansive terrace. More stairs lead down to a garden and ocean-fronted swimming pool, backed by a shaded sala and another living room and kitchen located below the main building. The villa has a welcoming, residential vibe and instantly becomes home, a simple rope on the door high above all that’s needed to keep the modern world at bay.
Despite showing signs of the weathering that comes with tropical living (and with whispered rumours of a refresh in the near future), Belmond Napasai still retains her grandeur. Residences range from one to five bedrooms and are dressed in dark polished timber, with cavernous stone bathrooms, vaulted rooves, teak ceiling fans and staggering views over turquoise seas from almost every angle. While there are flatscreen TVs, modern appliances in the lower kitchen, and wifi that seems to come and go like monsoon sunshine, the Napasai doesn’t try to compete with the newer resorts of Samui. Instead she gives an undeniable sense of place, of respite and seclusion.
I fling open French doors (plural) and let the warm sea air engulf the living room with its ornate writing desk, intricately embroidered couch pillows in faded pink silk, and lingering perfume of fresh fruit and frangipanis. If I was a novelist, the Belmond Napasai is where I would maroon myself, crafting turns of phrase while soaking in the oversized circular bathtub, musing over plot twists in the shade of coconut palms and bougainvillea bushes, and conjuring up colourful characters as my heels cooled in the ocean. I’d wave to fellow guests as they sailed past on resort hobbie cats and paddle boards, and smile over my paperback when they passed my al fresco breakfast table at the beautiful little Lai Thai restaurant, but would ultimately retreat to my spacious, isolated villa, perfectly content with my own company.
Yes, there are as many activities as you could possibly want at the Napasai, and travellers from around the world with whom to share them. However, the resort’s true beauty is in its timeless elegance, its unhurried nature, and ability to embosom travellers looking to reacquaint themselves with the simplicity of tranquility. In a world where serenity is a rarity, Belmond Napasai offers the ultimate escape, where afternoon naps are de rigueur, and procrastination is the new religion. belmond.com
One of the city’s most esteemed addresses, Jumeirah Guangzhou offers an unparalleled guest experience that takes luxury hospitality to new heights in the Southern China city.
Rising from the buzzing metropolis as its new statement address, the property is located in the heart of the Zhujiang New Town conveniently located near the Mall of the World and GT Land Winter Plaza shopping centre.
With 117 rooms and suites loftily located from the 50th floor to command stunning views over the city, the luxurious ambience of this extraordinary
hotel is immediately apparent. The opulent interiors by KCA International, which also designed Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai, were inspired by the Tang dynasty. Accommodation highlights include the Signature Loft Suites which extend over two floors and showcase breathtaking city views over the central business district.
The Lounge is the social epicentre of Jumeirah Guangzhou, where guests can savour sumptuous homemade desserts created by executive pastry chef Moo Chun Hoe, whose work is a sublime, minimalist fusion of art and food. A tapas counter and barista corner can also be found in the hotel’s lounge area.
A French brasserie with an elegant twist, Chinserie Restaurant features interior design inspired from Shamian Islands, and serves breakfast in the morning before transforming into a stylish eatery for lunch and dinner.
One of the city’s most glamorous hangouts, Bar On Six offers an outdoor terrace with stellar city views, where revellers can enjoy an evening of music, fine vintages and creative cocktails. A discreet sanctuary from the bustling city, guests catch up on emails from the quiet comfort of the executive lounge, while spirits aficionados are advised to pull up a stool at the whisky bar to sample a rare dram or two.