Travel Report
Whether it’s a ‘daycation’ or an extended trip, these pampering experiences are crying out for a splurge
Pampering experiences crying out for a splurge
This summer, the most important holiday essential turns out to be a trusted travel agent on speed dial. With limited flight availability, hardto-book accommodation and ever-changing rules, having the right intel and flexibility is what separates a good holiday from a great one. One option to check out is The Pelican Club, a members-only travel club that specialises in bespoke holidays based on everything and anything you desire.
Established in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Jamsheed and Jennica Pocha, who are former hoteliers, Pelican’s approach is to serve as a well-connected friend.
Here, Jennica opens her little black book and shares five hotels that know how to spoil guests, just in time for a much-deserved summer getaway.
CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE, MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND
“Having lived just a stone’s throw away when we were studying at the École Hôtelière de Lausanne, we know very well how soothing and healing the white-capped Alpine views over Lac Leman can be. The cutting-edge Clinique La Prairie takes Swiss hospitality and wellness to a whole other level. Dedicated to helping guests live longer and healthier lives, its signature week-long
Premium Revitalisation package costs US$44,000 and involves rigorous tests to create a DNA profile, highlight any red flags and ultimately provide that secret formula to boost your immune system.”
FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
“You never forget your first true love and for us that will always be Four Seasons Bora Bora, which is where we spent our honeymoon. This idyllic private island is blessed with glistening turquoise waters gently lapping the white sand beaches, and features sprawling private villas and over-water bungalows. Naturally, the service at the Four Seasons is exceptional, with Polynesian touches reflected in every detail. If you can peel yourself off the beach lounger, bike over to the spa and enjoy unique treatments featuring Tahitian black pearl powder and detoxifying Pacific algae. And with the resort’s glass bottomed treatment room, you won’t miss out viewing the marine life in the vibrant lagoon.”
AMAN-I-KHÁS, RANTHAMBORE, INDIA
“Jamsheed was born in India and it is one of our favourite destinations. It’s also impossible to imagine a pampering escape without thinking of Aman, and this property is a standout. Located on the fringes of the Ranthambore National Park and the domain of the majestic Bengal tiger is Aman-i-khás, an exclusive tented camp with only ten air-conditioned Moghul-style tents that offer incomparable luxury and privacy. After your royal sleep, embark on an adventure into the wilderness: you can ride in an open-top vehicle to spot one of the 70 resident tigers or tour the local Rajasthani villages and forts on horseback.”
LA RESERVE RAMATUELLE, FRANCE
“Located just a few minutes from central Saint-tropez but far from the crowds is the exquisitely elegant La Reserve Ramatuelle. This utterly private retreat is nestled amid Provençal pine trees, and you’re guaranteed relaxation
the moment you enter its lavender-fringed lobby. Stay in one of the 12 terracottaroofed houses that come with a butler to tend to your every desire. With obsessive dedication, the butler will organise everything, be it more pool toys for the kids, dry cleaning your favourite Missoni kaftan, or arranging the hotel boat to whisk you to that fully booked seafood restaurant where he just happened to get you a table.”
CHABLÉ YUCATAN, MEXICO
“Just before the pandemic, we visited the only spa in the world built beside a cenote, a naturally formed underground reservoir of crystalline water believed to have been sacred to the Mayans. This forms the backdrop of Chablé Yucatan, a resort that is delicately built on top of the ruins of a 19th-century sisal plantation that had been consumed by the jungle. The crumbling walls and cooling tree canopies somehow perfectly complement the clean lines and sleek interiors of the stunning casitas. Ixi’im, the Mayan-inspired restaurant helmed by acclaimed chef Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil, serves some of the best food we have ever tasted. The menu features fruits and vegetables harvested from the resort’s traditional Mayan Garden and boasts the world’s largest collection of tequila.” thepelicanclub.com