Here’s a guide to update your bucket list
Have vaccine will travel
A GRADE ABOVE
Who needs an A- when C+ is way cooler? The new Club C+ is what we’re talking about. Located in Central district among Hong Kong’s most exclusive venues, the private lounge unfolds a unique journey of exquisite discoveries to a limited membership, carefully selected and by referral only.
Designed by Steve Leung of SLD, the premium lifestyle space offers tasteful aesthetics that blend Chinese contemporary design and British accents into a speakeasy-inspired venue to host the most prestigious private events.
The ‘C+’ is taken from the Chinese words ‘ci jia’, which means private home, defining it as a space where luxury connoisseurs can indulge and bond over traditional Cantonese delicacies, fine wines, rare cigars, and exceptional art pieces. The latter are curated from collections by legendary Asian masters, and are changed regularly to ensure a constant element of surprise, along with new stories to tell, with some of the carefully handpicked pieces also available for personal acquisition.
But to gain access into the exclusive club, you’ll first have to be referred and approved. Then you get to enjoy the gastronomic adventures, curated art exhibitions and inspiring conversations with high-achievers across multiple disciplines.
HILTON AT THE HEART OF ORCHARD ROAD
The Mandarin Orchard Singapore will become the Hilton Singapore Orchard after major refurbishments are complete. With 1,080 rooms and suites across two towers, Hilton Singapore Orchard will be one of the largest hotels in Singapore, well positioned to cater to leisure to business travellers and corporates to large groups.
Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of amenities and services including two 24-hour fully equipped fitness centres, an outdoor pool, a newly established Executive Lounge and a direct connection to a fourstorey luxury shopping gallery.
Set to be a dining destination on its own, Hilton Singapore Orchard is poised to elevate the city’s culinary scene with five curated dining concepts including the award-winning Chatterbox, two Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten and three new food and beverage offerings featuring an all-day dining, a specialty restaurant and a lobby lounge and bar. The hotel is set to open in January 2022 and has begun accepting bookings.
RAINFOREST RETREAT
Although Phuket has reopened to vaccinated travellers since July, you’ll need to stay at approved hotels, and have USD100,000 in medical insurance. It’s prohibitive for many, but we can’t stop dreaming of the tropical paradise that is Keemala.
Nestled in rainforest, it offers Thai tradition, modern design and sustainability. Founders Samornpun and Tanapong Somnam built the resort into the landscape while keeping the conservation of ecosystems a priority. Aquatic plants in the natural water bodies ensure optimal water quality. And almost all the food is grown in Keemala’s gardens or hydroponic facilities.
That’s great of course, but what really makes us want to be there is how georgeous the accommodations are, with wonderful holiday programmes to boot. Take your pick of clay cottages, tent villas and treehouses, all with private pools, oversized beds, Egyptian cotton sheets and beautiful décor to make your holiday absolutely instagrammable.
BUSINESS SENSE
Fairfield by Marriott debuts in Vietnam with a new hotel in South Binh Duong. The 181-room property features the ‘modern calm’ aesthetic signature to the Fairfield by Marriott brand. Open layouts and multifunctional spaces enjoy plenty of natural light. For your dining pleasure, the hotel offers two signature restaurants and bar. But the all-day dining restaurant Oryzaa, which presents a fresh take on local Vietnamese delicacies and Western classics, pretty much covers all your needs.
Located in the one of the largest business parks in the province and home to almost 70 international manufacturing companies, Fairfield by Marriott South Binh Duong is an ideal base for local entrepreneurs and international business travellers. Guests who are looking to explore the destination can easily access popular tourist hotspots including Song Be Golf Resort, Dai Nam Tourist Complex, Hoi Khanh Pagoda and the classically French Phu Cuong Cathedral.
The hotel is within a 45-minute drive from the country’s commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City and 20-minute drive from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Good to note if you are planning business meetings across the southern Vietnamese cities.