Sleek & Chic ~ Villa 32, Taipei, Taiwan

By Dian Hasan | December 20, 2009

The bustling Taiwanese capital of Taipei’s best-kept secret in chic accommodation isn’t even in Taipei. But close enough for conducting business when you’re in town. Villa 32, a spa-themed little boutique hotel outside the city, not too far from the airport, offers tranquility near the Beito hot springs.

Villa 32 is surrounded by its crisp, clear air, white clouds, stone-grey walls, lushes of greens, blooming flowers, and soothing hot springs, Villa 32 has preserved the last piece of leisurable tone in this urban bustle.

St. Regis Singapore ~ a new era of high-end luxury

By Dian Hasan | December 10, 2009

In the notoriously competitive world of high-end luxury hotels, there aren’t that many new players, at least not in the sense of a new luxury brand that is going international and expanding across the world. Luxury hotel guests are famously fickle and vehemently brand loyal. One such newcomer is the St. Regis, an expansion that’s been riding on the strength of the original St. Regis New York, and now… proudly available in the world’s major cosmopolitan cities.

Here’s a look at the excellent St. Regis Singapore, the lion city’s latest luxury entrant that has quickly become a permanent fixture on the social agendas of the creme de la creme of Singapore’s high society, and address of choice for discerning global business travelers.

Sleek & Chic ~ Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Resort & Spa, Mexico (1 of 2)

By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

Sleek & Chic ~ Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Resort & Spa, Mexico (2 of 2)

By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

Malaysia’s Secret Beaches ~ Langkawi Island

The Four Seasons Langkawi

Langkawi Island A string of 99 islands south of Phuket in the Andaman Sea make up Langkawi. The island is a Duty Free Island, and was recently given Geopark status by UNESCO. Langkawi is the easiest to access of all the islands (40 mins direct flights from KL) with gorgeous sandy beaches. Boasting some of the most luxurious hotels, such as The Four Seasons, The Datai, Westin, The Andaman, Casa del Mar, and others. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

Where time melts away ~ Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, The Maldives

Choosing The Maldives as your choice travel destination is the easy part, the greatest challenge is choosing the hotel. The Maldives are home to some of the most exquisite resorts on the planet.

Such the Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa. Located on the South Male Atoll and is spread over the two islands of Dhigufinolhu and Bodu Huraa. Private villas with an expansive deck or your own stretch of pristine beach.

Green & Chic ~ Maroma Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Maroma Resort is a top class resort, built in the style of the old Mexican haciendas. The hotel is made up of a series of huts with roofs made of palm leaves. The resort set along 25 acres of beachfront on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, just a 20 minute taxi ride from the Cancun airport.

Sleek & Chic ~ Putahracsa, Hua Hin, Thailand

Located on the eastern coastline of Hua Hin, Putahracsa makes its home on peaceful shores that fuses a quiet residential feel with chic urban living. Here guests can truly relax while the beaches and charming town complete the perfect escape.

St. Regis Bali ~ Raising the Ultra-Luxe bar

We check into the swanky St. Regis Bali Resort and are quickly seduced by her sophisticated style.
Nowhere in the world has, kilometer for kilometer, more luxury resorts than Bali. Nusa Dua, on the southern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, is an upmarket tourist enclave and has become the favored haunt of the hip. In the face of a glut of new resort developments, any newcomers would have at least have to be magnificent enough to make an impression. And impress, the St. Regis does, in more ways than one.

Chic Spa Destinations ~ Karma Spa, Karma Kandara Resort, Ungasan, Bali

Karma Kandara‘s best feature must be its location, perched atop a barren rock in Bukit Peninsula, a mere 20 min drive from Bali Airport, that feels more Santorini than Bali. Dream of cliff hanging Karma Spa, which promotes itself by the name Spa Shacks & Healing Huts suspended above the Indian ocean. Submerge in organic spa therapies and fresh kelp rituals blended on site. Splurge on oxygen facials, the same treatment Madonna takes prior to performances – Karma is a holistic destination bountiful with incredible experiences.