South China Morning Post. STYLE. Oct 2013

OCTOBER 2013
OCTOBER 2013
ON THE
ROCKS
CREATIVE
A-LISTERS
LEND A HAND
TO FASHION BR ANDS
PHILLIP LIM
ON DR AGON TAT TOOS
AND SOCIAL MEDIA
AUTO WORLD
SEEs NEW FANS
FOR OLD CARS
D I V E R S I O N S
HEAVEN
ON EARTH
STORY MICHELE KOH MOROLLO
For travellers seeking a slice of paradise, monastery hotels just might provide the holy grail
success, because they serve as destinations in
themselves,” says Efrain Rosa, general manager of
Hotel El Convento in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “Their
unique structure, architecture, interior design and
the intriguing history lying between their walls make
them national historic sites and landmarks. Their
boutique appearance also gives the impression of a
self-contained, intimate environment with Old
World luxury and personal service.”
The San Antonio Abad
chapel, with Plazoleta
Nazarenas (left), at Hotel
Monasterio in Cuzco,
Peru. The hotel pays
great attention to
historical details.
CREDIT
Steeped in history, with spacious grounds and
courtyards, peaceful gardens and mysterious
atmospheric chambers, restored monasteries make
surprisingly stunning luxury hotels. From Puerto
Rico and Peru to France, Turkey and Italy, restored
monastery hotels are attracting design-loving
travellers who are happy to splash out on a special
holiday experience.
“Convents and monasteries can be an immediate
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D I V E R S I O N S
Located in a 361-year-old former Carmelite
convent within the historic Old San Juan section, El
Convento began operation as a hotel in 1962 under
the ownership of Frederic Woolworth, heir to
America’s pioneer department store Woolworth, but
it has since changed hands several times.
During its heyday, the hotel attracted Rita
Hayworth, Ethel Merman, George Hamilton, Lynda
Bird Johnson and Pablo Casals, whose cello playing
in the courtyard could be heard throughout the
property. To differentiate Hotel El Convento from the
new glitzy hotels that line the neighbouring
fashionable Condado strip in San Juan, the hotel’s
Spanish interior designer Jorge Roselló retained the
original convent-style characteristics – narrow dark
hallways, arched corridors and high ceilings on the
first two floors of the property. Also in its original
condition is a rectangular interior courtyard where
the convent’s chapel and a giant 300-year-old
níspero fruit tree can be found.
A third, fourth and fifth floor with wider, brighter
hallways and lower ceilings were added to the
original structure. An outdoor terrace was
incorporated into the third floor, a plunge pool and
jacuzzi to the fourth floor, and the courtyard was
weatherproofed with a canopy, so guests can still
dine outdoors when it rains.
While a modern annex works in a hip and vibrant
destination such as San Juan, purists, such as
celebrity chef Alain Ducasse, focus on bringing the
pomp and splendour of French history back to life at
Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle, part of a 12thcentury Benedictine Roman abbey tucked away in a
serene valley in the Var region of France.
Tancrède Barale, the hotel’s director, says: “The
aim was to restore the Hostellerie to its original
personality and true identity, with that certain
additional soulfulness that defines strong and
distinct places.” This was achieved with the help
of distinguished French talent, such as architect
RIGHT
Exterior view of
Argos in
Cappadocia,
Turkey. Argos is
housed in a
2,000-year-old
cave system that
once served as
accommodation
for camel
caravans on the
Silk Road.
BELOW
A suite at Argos
is pure grandeur.
THE INTRIGUING HISTORY LYING BETWEEN MONASTERY WALLS
MAKE THEM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES EFRAIN ROSA OF HOTEL EL CONVENTO
102
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103
D I V E R S I O N S
THE AIM WAS TO RESTORE THE HOSTELLERIE TO ITS ORIGINAL PERSONALITY
AND TRUE IDENTITY TANCRÈDE BARALE OF HOSTELLERIE DE L’ABBAYE DE LA CELLE
RIGHT
Guests can relax
at the infinity
pool at
Monasterio
Santa Rosa,
perched atop a
cliff on Italy’s
Amalfi Coast.
BELOW
Hotel Monasterio
is situated where
an Inca palace
once stood.
Photo: Adrian
Houston
104
Robert Michel who, with a team of local craftsmen,
restored the building to its 18th-century Provençale
panache. Interior designer Tonia Peyrot worked
towards creating a feminine atmosphere of lightness
and refinement, and landscape artist Francesco
Flavigny laboured to preserve the bicentenary flora of
the three-hectare property.
Also paying great attention to historical detail is
Hotel Monasterio by Orient-Express in Cuzco, Peru.
Built in 1595, Hotel Monasterio is situated where an
Inca palace once stood. Three years later, this palace
was conquered by the Spanish who turned it into the
Seminary of San Antonio Abad, for the education of
Catholic priests. The building is a fine example of the
grandeur of colonial Renaissance architecture with
stones around its entrance that still bear the Spanish
Arms Escutcheon, a 300-year old cedar tree in a
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cloistered courtyard, and a chapel and guest rooms
decorated in baroque fashion with magnificent
antique paintings of saints in ornate gilded frames.
“Its distinct feel and character appeals to the kind
of traveller with a contemplative nature,” says
Gustavo de Leon, Hotel Monasterio’s general
manager. “Orient-Express’ intention to recreate the
majesty of the Seminary of San Antonio Abad involved
faithfully restoring as much as we possibly could.
Monasteries and convents have a lot of history and
therefore naturally add a lot of character to a hotel,
creating an experience that is authentic to
its location.”
In Cappadocia, Turkey, it is the legendary cave
dwellings that best capture the region’s architectural
character, and the rustic and earthy design approach
of Argos is indeed fitting for its locale. Situated in the
village of Uchisar in the ruins of an ancient
subterranean monastery complex named Bezirhane,
Argos is housed in a 2,000-year-old underground
cave system that once served as accommodation for
camel caravans on the Silk Road.
After 15 years of careful restoration under the
direction of Turkey’s leading architect, Turgut
Cansever, the result is a cosy and romantic hobbitlike sanctuary of traditional tufa-stone, with Turkish
carpets and artefacts, candles, a fireplace, and
touches of modernity such as wireless internet, inroom sound systems and private in-suite pools.
“The restoration and transformation of the spaces
were based on the principal structural elements of
the ancient buildings. The colour, touch and smell of
the stone on the walls and floors, as well as the wood
on the ceilings, doors and window frames, were
identified as the main decorative elements,” says
Eisin Sungur, Argos’ executive assistant manager.
“New spaces carved in rock walls and niches
were designed as exhibition areas that celebrate
traditional life in the past, and as places for sleeping
and bathing. Even modern elements, such as balcony
parapets, shower screens, curtains and furniture,
were chosen for their harmony with the colours of
stone and wood.”
For those who prefer more temporal means of
attaining peaceful bliss, there is Monasterio Santa
Rosa, which offers a tranquil spa that will nurture
body along with spirit. Perched atop a cliff on Italy’s
Amalfi Coast, this 17th-century former monastery
has 20 sea views rooms and a luxurious spa with
vaulted ceilings and a stunning double-height
tepedarium – a Roman-style warm bathroom with
heat radiating from the walls and floor. There are
also private outdoor garden pavilions for those who
want to enjoy the fresh air and flowers while being
pampered with herbal oils and lotions from Italy’s
premier perfumery, Santa Maria Novella.
For travellers seeking a slice of paradise, one of
these hotels just might be the holy grail.
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LEFT
The relaxing
main patio
at Hotel
Monasterio
in Peru
RESTORING PAST GLORY
Besides monasteries, other buildings, when restored, make interesting hotels. Here are some of them.
The Waterhouse At South Bund, Shanghai
This 1930s Shanghai dockland warehouse gets a complete makeover with large Corten steel windows
and furniture by design icons Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner.
www.waterhouseshanghai.com
La Purificadora, Puebla
The incarnation of a 19th century Mexican water purification factory, La Purificadora hotel was
redesigned by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta with communal dining tables in the restaurant
made from old wood found in the old factory.
www.lapurificadora.com
QT Sydney, Sydney
The historic Gowings and State theatre buildings in Sydney were transformed into a quirky hotel that
retains most of the old buildings’ Gothic, art deco and Italianate influences.
www.qtsydney.com.au
Gastwerk Hotel, Hamburg
Built in a former municipal gasworks building, Gastwerk Hotel brings a new spirit of industrial chic with
high casement windows, exposed concrete walls, a neutral colour scheme, oversized chairs and warm
ambient lighting.
www.gastwerk.com/hotels-hamburg/
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