
Water Wellness
Wherever, water’s increasingly essential to wellness. The Dolder Grand, high over Zurich, has an indoor-out pool, as does another Swiss beauty, Park Hotel Vitznau (image above). Wild lake-swimming is year-round at Heckfield Place, 40 minutes west of London’s Heathrow - its new Bothy by Wildsmith, named for the hotel’s champion gardener, includes chlorine-free pool swims and hydrotherapies. In Malaysia. The Datai Langkawi celebrates its 30th birthday with pop-ups utilising top therapists and surrounding rainforests.
Angkor Wat Alternative
Angkor Wat is on bucket lists - but avoid tourists. Siem Reap’s iconic Amansara, King Norodom Sihanouk’s guesthouse, showcases 1960’s New Khmer architecture (the double-height restaurant and Amansara Suite are originals). 12 of the 2005-vintage Kerry Hill rooms have pools. Visit the ruins at sunrise. A ten-minute remork, black carriage-motorbike, drive, say guided by historian Ven Sophorn, is part of the experience. You may even get a wave from regular Siem Reap visitor, the ultra-friendly current ruler, King Norodom Sihamoni.
Buddies In Bermuda
Take a bunch of buddies to Bermuda. Stephen King, New York-based English entrepreneur, adds a detached six-bedroom Residence to Bermuda’s art-filled Loren Hotel. The Residence has a private beach, heated pool, hot tub and tennis court, gym, spa and media room. Visiting chefs included.
A Masterpiece In Giving
Jan and Maria Manetti Shrem are selling Picasso’s 1964 Femme nue couchée avec un chat, estimate $18-25 million, at Sothebys New York, for charity (they’ve already magnificently funded art education, neurology and more). Colombia-born Shrem monopolised Japan’s book distribution, owned a Michael Graves-designed Calistoga winery. His Forentine wife introduced Gucci to the USA and her Napa Valley salon hosted Pavarotti through to Gavin Newsom.
Midnight Shoe Shopping
Jackie Kennedy visited Amedeo Canfora’s Capri sandal shop at midnight to be paparazzi-free, and he designed the K-sandal for her. That was 1962. Today, grandson Costanzo Canfora offers Tiberio Palace guests workshops composing bespoke leather sandals (The Palace’s Capri Suite terrace inspired The Great Gatsby).
Bountiful
Jean Imbert, celeb chef at Hôtel Plaza-Athenée Paris, adds French Polynesia’s The Brando. A lifelong Marlon movie addict, Imbert’s Brando creations highlight Bounty-inspired tastes. Sun-melted chocolate on fresh coconut.
Tickled Pink
Pale pink’s in. Dior has guys’ suits, as does Givenchy (louchly loose, with prominent satin-banded below-knee horizontal slits). For gals, Californian Rick Owens, Owenscorp, is arguably today’s most relevant designer, says Vanessa Friedman – he’s regality plus everyday. Floor-length wispy frocks slit waist-high, briefs provided. Wrap in sequinned garlands emulating mammoth doughnuts. With wife Michèle Lamy, Owenscorp does boxing, with popups at Selfridges and the Venice Biennale.
Newsletter Signup
Mary Gostelow and Islay Robinson deliver short, sharp coverage of everything you need to know about the world of luxury.