fashion fusion

muse
Issue 1 ~Autumn 2012
Navigating
the Straits
to luxury
Pangkor Laut Estates
fashion
fusion
East meets West
Whats On:
Spotlight on
London 2012
Where to go and
What to see
The magazine for luxury travel & lifestyle in all its guises
In our
launch issue
of muse, we
are pleased to
bring you the
best and brightest
resorts from all
around the world
and a mix of exciting
lifestyle editorial.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Designed & Produced by the
publisher Maclaren Jones
Marketing AG.
Editor in Chief:
Anita Jones
[email protected]
Advertising contacts
For advertising, sponsorship
and editorial opportunities
please contact the publisher on
+44 (0) 1565 624380 or email
advertising@musetravelmagazine.
co.uk
Thank you to our contributors
The contents in whole or part may not be reprinted
or reproduced without prior written permission
from the publishers Maclaren Jones Marketing AG.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the
publisher. The publisher bears no responsibility
and accepts no liability for the claims made, or for
information provided by contributors or advertisers.
Copyright of all editorial content in this magazine
is held by the publishers. All rights reserved to the
respective contributors. Every care has been taken
with the preparation of this magazine, but Maclaren
Jones Marketing AG cannot be held responsible
for the accuracy of the information therein, or any
consequence arising from it. All dates, prices and
information are believed to be correct at time of
going to print but are subject to change without
notice and no responsibility is accepted for errors
or omissions. All content contained within MUSE
magazine is provided for general information
only. While we endeavour to ensure all firms and
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Jones Marketing AG can give no guarantees the
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There is a layer of life that is tantalisingly select.
Islands that are privately owned. Cars of which precious few are made. Even
destinations where just a handful of human beings have ever been (in this
case, outer space..)
Muse is a brand new quarterly magazine that celebrates the exclusive,
the unusual and, above all, the achingly desirable.
In this issue, we take you to Mustique. Sit you in a Bentley. Propel you
beyond the stratosphere. And celebrate private secrets that make the
world such a special and surprising place.
Anita Jones, Editor in Chief, MUSE Magazine
Email: [email protected]
Contents
Features
10
the view from heaven
12
the must that is mustique
32
delicious decisions
36
a boy after the sea
72
highlights from
huntington House
Bayview is a brand new villa that puts
the Côte d’Azure at your feet
We open the door on this very private island
Deià, Mallorca
An untold story
UBER’s sumptuous design
76
savoir
80
design on a whole
new plane
The bed that dreams are made of
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380
92
the final frontier
94
a beautiful investment?
Boarding soon with Virgin Galactic
Stuart McAlpine Miller
Recommendations
Muse Top 5...
14
27
35
46
57
71
91
villas
spa resorts
cuisine Destinations
private houses
train journeys
private islands
diving destinations
Contents
Lifestyle features
Luxury Travel
16
when time becomes timeless
8
18
sun goddess
26
detoxing
28
Bentley
Exquisite new creations from Patek Philippe
Villa Tassana, Phuket, Thailand
24
detox de luxe
42
bray
Fashion fusion
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali
Heaven on a plate
The inside story
Sweeps along new terrain with the
Bentley EXP 9 F concept car
A tropical paradise
52
Elegance and adventure,
back on the rails
Eastern and Oriental Express
58
the greatest escape
where luxury
comes in waves
62
straits of luxury
Navigate the world in the Twizzle
sailing and racing yacht
88
under the surface
of paradise
40
Cuisine of malaysia
48
with the wines of the World
60
the new rolex sky-dweller
82
your guide to london
96
10 of the best
A new altitude of beauty
The Olympic Capital for 2012
A selection of Muse’s favourites
Gaya Island Resort, Borneo
Pangkor Laut Estates
Pulau Tenggol
Villa Tassana
Villa Tassana
MUSE VILLA TASSANA
PHUKET, THAILAND
The MUSE Villa Tassana stands amidst
lush tropical gardens, in a commanding
position overlooking the Andaman Sea.
Inside, contemporary Asian décor meets
the time-honoured concept of pavilions for
eating and dining. There are also three
spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
and dressing rooms. A 15-metre pool ripples
invitingly outside, and your staff includes a
personal chef and full-time villa attendant.
Villa Tassana’s ‘neighbour’ is the five-star
Trisara Hotel, and you also have full access
to its facilities including its world-famous spa.
Villa Tassana
offers guests a vacation
of modern sophistication
married with Thai
hospitality
WATCH THIS SPACE - MUSE VILLA TASSANA ‘REFRESH’
It’s hard to improve on excellence but that is exactly what the interior designers
and architects have done with the refurbishment of Villa Tassana. All will be
revealed in the next issue where we will detail the ‘new look’ Villa Tassana.
muse ~ 8
a tropical
paradise
muse ~ 9
Bay View
Bay View
The view
from heaven
This architect-designed villa is a contemporary
marriage of glass and rough stone, with terraced
areas on every level that merge seamlessly into
their surroundings. Inside, the beautiful openplan living and dining area - and indeed the whole
concept of the villa - capitalises on its magnificent
position. There are triple aspect views, floor to
ceiling windows and access to private terraces
from every room. The five bedrooms contain
every luxury and the spacious bathrooms are
designed to the highest of specifications.
Perched high on a cliff face,
Bayview is a brand new villa that puts
the Cote d’Azure at your feet.
The overarching feeling here is of light and
space with sculpted baths set by huge windows;
individually designed pieces of furniture; and a
sculpted Italian artisanal staircase that stretches
from top to bottom throughout the heart of the
Under an Azure sky that only seems to exist
open, admitting you to the exclusive enclave
Although completed just a few months
in movies, you point your convertible up
of Domaine du Castallet, where the entire
ago, the phenomenal landscaped gardens,
the winding road above the picture-perfect
Côte d’Azure is laid out before you. Bayview,
roof terrace and lush lawned areas feel
Riviera town of Villefranche sur Mer. Around
a brand new villa completed in July 2012
like they’ve always been here. They have
hairpin bends reminiscent of a Jean-Paul
has quite possibly the best vantage point in
been artfully placed to do full justice to
Belmondo car chase, the sun alternates
the South of France. Literally perched on a
the extraordinary views and space, adding
between warming the back of your neck, and
cliff, its commanding views take in St Jean
to the feeling of privileged peace and
Outside, the pool is bordered by a pool house
dazzling your Ray Bans.
Cap Ferrat, with a panorama stretching as
privacy as soon as you enter the grounds.
that is complete with a fully equipped kitchen
far as Cap d’Antibes, Nice and Villefranche
It also enjoys the most natural form of air
and outside lounge area with a shaded terrace.
itself. Breathtaking by day and mesmerising
conditioning: your lofty position is served
at night, it is the perfect backdrop to an
by a hint of fresh sea breeze.
A climb like this suggests the reward of a
fine vista at the summit. But what awaits you
is truly jaw-dropping. Gates glide silently
muse ~ 10
equally impressive property.
building. This is enhanced through inspired
interior and exterior lighting design, modular
furniture and Japanese sliding doors giving open
plan living, dining and cooking areas that are
both practical and aesthetic.
Privacy and tranquillity, style and chic, and a
majestic vista you will never forget. It all comes
together beautifully in this ultra-new creation.
muse ~ 11
Mustique
We open the door on this very private island
Villa: Greystone Cottage
The must that is
There are some places on earth that
are so special, their secret must be
jealously guarded.
The island of Mustique is just such a place.
One of the unspoilt Grenadine Islands,
Mustique covers just 1400 acres and
Villa: Greystone Cottage
around 500 (very lucky) people live there.
It is also home to protected coral reefs,
a variety of wildlife and the kind of
beaches that only seem to exist in movies.
Over the years, it has cast its spell on
everyone from royalty, dignitaries and
high profile celebrities but it is the charm
of the island’s friendliness and special
community spirit that takes families back
year after year to share precious time
together. And unlike many of the world’s
most glamorous destinations, Mustique
has a very dependable safeguard: the
island is privately owned and protected
by the owners themselves. Naturally they
want to preserve it as the ultimate place
TOUCAN HILL
Toucan Hill is possibly the most notable residence on Mustique – quite a claim on an island
that contains some of the world’s most desirable villas. This enchanting home is enclosed in
seven acres and is the result of many years work. Its commitment to perfection is everywhere:
in the inspired design and décor; the sumptuous furnishings; the romantic hideaways (such
as the ‘Passion Pit’); and the commanding vistas laid before you. The villa is in fact a series
of pavilions, linked by covered walkways with courtyards, colonnades and exquisite gardens.
The four bedrooms – Toucan, Sultan, Pasha and Palm - are individual essays in luxury.
to live and this guarantees it to be an
unrivalled place to visit.
With its exclusive collection of private
residences available for weekly rental,
luxury villa living is the ultimate essence of
Mustique. Choose from an extraordinary
array of architectural styles and interior
GREYSTONE COTTAGE
With its castellations, nobbly stones and quaint, almost Beatrix Potter windows, Greystone Cottage
is like a little piece of England - but in an altogether more exotic setting. The cottage sits directly
above Britannia Bay with panoramic views of the sea. A distinctly Caribbean feel is punctuated with
contemporary pulses of turquoise, white and lilac. Its three bedrooms include a four-poster Master
Bedroom that is the stuff of honeymoons.
designs, add private pools and sundecks,
The owner of Greystone Cottage is celebrated cook Kevin Snook, so naturally the staff includes an
verandas with breath taking views, every
internationally trained chef. Robert is there to fulfill your most precise orders, or to take you on a
comfort of your desire and you have the
culinary journey of revelations, surprises and twists.
perfect venue for memorable holidays and
special occasions.
Villa: Toucan Hill
muse ~ 12
muse ~ 13
Recommendations
Muse top 5 Villas
01
05
01
02
04
muse ~ 14
03
The Villa at Grace Santorini, Greece
If you agree that few natural vistas can beat
a magnificent sunset, Grace Santorini lays claim
to some of the earth’s finest. This villa is located in
the beautiful setting of Imerovigli in the northwest of
the island, high above the Caldera. It is the perfect
vantage point from which to view the sun as it
descends like a flaming coin into the Aegean Sea,
and the Cyclades Islands. Created in 2012, The
Villa promises you the ultimate Grace experience:
boutique hotel luxury and service within a selfcontained sanctuary that is entirely your own. Two
exquisite bedrooms look out towards Santorini’s
azure blue skies, sparkling ocean and breathtaking
sunsets. As a one-bedroom format The Villa is a
honeymoon suite beyond compare. Meticulously
planned, The Villa’s exclusive amenities and facilities
make every stay truly special. The Villa has its own
spa – with Hamam, Jacuzzi and a treatment room
- where you can enjoy Grace Santorini’s full range
of treatments in absolute privacy and peace. If the
mood takes you, a private chef can attend to your
every gastronomic whim. Right down to an excellent
cellar and a very tempting cigar humidor, all of life’s
essentials are here.
05
02
Tarkuni Lodge at Tswalu Kalahari,
South Africa
There are safaris and there are safaris. This
experience is a truly private safari, on property
owned by the Oppenheimer family. Indeed, Tswalu
Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game
reserve and the ultimate private sanctuary. Gather
together your family or most special of friends.
Tarkuni accommodates up to 10 guests and comes
staffed by a host, private chef, personal field guide,
tracker and has its own game drive vehicle.
03
The Villa at One&Only Le St Geran,
Mauritius
Incomparable and distinguished, the Villa at
One&Only Le St Geran reigns supreme. It is
hidden in a peaceful corner of an estate, reminiscent
of a classical island home with clear views of the
Indian Ocean. The villa team is well versed in the
art of turning dreams into reality. So if you can tear
yourself away from the privacy of the villa, the resort’s
countless activities are ready for you to explore.
04
Villa Rockstar at Eden Rock, St Barths
The clue is in the name: for total indulgence, Villa
Rockstar is an ultra luxe house described as ‘what
may be the most extravagant creative enclave in
existence’. Offering the ultimate in privacy its unique
features include a recording studio, screening room
and a choice of cars from the Rockstar Garage at
your disposal during your stay.
05
Muse Pangkor Laut Estates
Situated along the secluded Marina Bay of a privatelyowned island are the eight distinctive Pangkor Laut
Estates. These residences recall the lifestyle and
atmosphere of South East Asian estates of days gone
by, when living was inextricably linked with nature, but
incorporate all the comforts of modern living. Each
Estate, ranging from 2 to 4 bed villas, is a collection
of luxurious pavilions enclosed within a beautifully
landscaped garden, created with minimal disturbance
to the natural forest. Three estates are located by
the private beach and five are situated amongst the
trees on the hillside. An Estate attendant and Chef
unobtrusively co-ordinate all aspects of your stay.
muse ~ 15
Watches
Watches
When time becomes
timeless
Ladies First Perpetual Calendar - REF 7140R
Ladies look for many things in a timepiece. Beauty is certainly one,
although to assume that all ladies’ watches should be regarded as
mere adornments would be a grave mistake. Patek Philippe has long
recognised a firm female following for complexity; a desire that the
watchmaker has answered beautifully with the Ladies First Perpetual
Calendar. This ultra-thin self-winding mechanical wristwatch features a
calendar mechanism that automatically knows the number of days in
each month. Indeed it even anticipates leap years.
Muse unveils some
exquisite new creations
from the masters of
time: Patek Philippe.
Of course, this is also a timepiece that delights the eye, aided with an
exquisite array of flawless Top Wesselton diamonds.
At the heart of its success is the freedom to go
its own way. Patek Philippe is the last familyowned independent watch manufacturer in
Geneva. As such it enjoys total creative freedom
to design, produce and assemble what experts
agree to be the finest timepieces in the world.
This is true to the vision - and how many can
say this today? - of its founders Antoine Norbert
de Patek (1839) and Adrien Philippe (1845).
Since 1839 and without interruption, Patek
Philippe has been perpetuating the tradition
of Genevan watchmaking. This exceptional
know-how, patiently and diligently acquired, has
been channelled into a tradition of innovation.
Indeed, Patek Philippe holds an impressive
repertoire of more than 80 patents.
split-seconds chronograph
with perpetual calendar - REF 5204p
The new Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph with perpetual
calendar features all the traditional assets that impress true
connoisseurs – manual winding, two column wheels, horizontal
clutch – yet it is also the most modern of its type.
Baselworld is the prestigious annual event
at which the world’s leading watch makers
show their new creations. Yet again, Patek
Philippe gave a masterclass in how to
combine more than 170 years of tradition
with extraordinary innovation.
This micromechanical marvel is housed in a classic round platinum
case with a diameter of 40 mm beneath a white opaline dial
made of solid gold. The movement can be admired through the
sapphire-crystal display back. Alternatively, you can replace it with
a solid-platinum back which is provided with this supreme example
of the watch maker’s art.
www.patek.com
Ultra-thin perpetual calendar
REF 5940J
With its new Ref. 5940, Patek Philippe opens up a
new chapter in perpetual calendars with the revival of
the cushion-shaped case that looks as topical today
as the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco showpieces in the
Patek Philippe Museum that inspired it. The stately
timepiece is worn on a matt black hand-stitched
alligator strap with square scales and a prong buckle
in 18K yellow gold.
muse ~ 16
Photography courtesy of Patek Philippe S.A.
muse ~ 17
N
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MORNING
GLORY
Glossy silk and wool
blend fuchsia dress
with butterfly and
chrysanthemum motifs
by Shiatzy Chen.
muse ~ 18
muse ~ 19
Fashion
Fashion
REGAL
LUSTRE
Purple long silk
dress by Jendela
www.zalora.com.my.
STRIKING
STANDOUT
This page: Black and
white cotton halter neck
dress by Jendela
www.zalora.com.my
Location: Spa Village
Resort Tembok, Bali
muse ~ 18
muse ~ 21
Fashion
REGAL
LUSTRE
muse ~ 22
Royal blue top and
orange skirt by
Khoon Hooi
www.khoonhooi.com
Location: Spa Village
Resort Tembok, Bali
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali
Detox de luxe
A perfect coming together of location, atmosphere and
expert Balinese healing, Spa Village Tembok is YTL Hotels’
first luxury spa resort.
Tucked along the exotic North East coast
This programme combines spa treatments
The Spa Village Academy
of Bali, Spa Village Resort Tembok has been
such as soothing body wraps and massage,
The Academy is for you if you are seeking
created as a sanctuary from the pressures,
yogasana and relaxation techniques with
a deeper understanding of Balinese healing
clutter and noise of daily life.
gentle walks in a tranquil environment
culture. It offers an insight into the island’s
conducive to inducing peace of mind.
healing traditions, with daily classes in the
Everything is focused on restoring equilibrium
philosophy and practice of the healing arts.
in mind and spirit, with a choice of three
Creativity
This includes training in Balinese massage
‘discovery paths’ to suit your own needs and
To many, creativity is essential to their
techniques and Boreh (body scrub), and an
wishes: Balance, Creativity and Vigour.
happiness. The Creativity path offers
introduction to Jamu (herbal remedies).
Balance It’s not hard to agree with the Balinese view
of life: that it is not orderly. You never know
what’s in store, so you should be prepared,
live in the moment and move with the
guidance in performing arts, crafts such
as wood carving and basket weaving, and
Sublime comfort
includes spa treatments, guided meditation,
The Spa Village combines western elegance
yogasana and other activities to rejuvenate
and comfort with traditional Balinese
your creative spark.
dwellings, and every aspect of the resort is
focused on grace, tranquillity and pleasure.
changes. They see life as a balance of good
Vigour
and evil, with both always present.
As the name suggests, the Vigour path is
After an unhurried day, settle into a gentle
designed to initiate movement. Combined
Balinese evening with a pre-dinner drink at
Modern life is full of stresses and surprises,
with
it
Taman Gili. Then take your place at Wantilan
ranging from small to large, and these can
provides the foundation for guests to regain
restaurant, where its position high above
have a negative impact on our well-being.
their strength, stamina and energy. This
the sea is the perfect setting for a sublime
The Balance path offers activities and
programme includes daily personal training,
and ever-changing repertoire of specialities.
treatments aimed at restoring equilibrium
yogasana, beach walks, spa treatments and
to the body and mind. This path is ideal if
body wraps. Activities such as scuba diving,
you’re looking for luxurious relaxation.
snorkelling and other outdoor activities are
a
balanced
nutritional
plan,
also natural contributors to the Vigour path.
muse ~ 24
So if you feel it’s time to recapture your
sense of self, Spa Village Resort Tembok
understands you perfectly.
muse ~ 25
Recommendations
Detox
Muse top 5 sPA RESORTS
DETOXING:
You may have a
hazy notion that
a detox is probably
‘a good thing’.
Here the Muse
reveals why a detox
can be important
- and we reveal a
selection of the
ultimate places to
experience one.
02
01
03
04
(see previous page & opposite)
the inside story
Remember the joys of the litmus paper
their magic, you help your cells which
in far-off chemistry lessons? And the
need to perform the myriad functions
whole acid-alkaline-ph-balance thing
that are essential to good health. If you
that would never, in a million years,
can integrate this cleansing into your
have anything to do with you?
regular lifestyle, your body will thank you.
Well actually it does. Because inside
Striking the balance
you, your body needs to strike a delicate
As a general rule, a diet on the road to
balance of acid and alkali to maintain
restoring good health should consist of
your good health - and the truth is, you
80% alkaline-forming foods and 20%
may not be helping. Not if you’re the
acid-forming foods. Then, to maintain
kind (and who isn’t?) who wants to curl
good health, that balance should be
up on the sofa with some comforting
roughly 70%/30%.
05
01
Spa Village Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
The award-winning Spa Village Pangkor Laut is
a unique retreat that extols the healing cultures
of the region. Malaysia, with its diverse history
of people and cultures, and a vast abundance
of natural resources, provides the backdrop for
health rituals that are amongst the oldest in the
world. The wealth of Malay, Chinese, Indian
and Thai practices makes this the ideal setting
for complete rejuvenation. The Spa Village
comprises eight treatment pavilions, a deluxe
Belian Treatment Pavilion, three Chinese Herbal,
Ayurvedic and Malay ‘Healing Huts’, two Bath
Houses, three Spa Huts, three Nap Gazebos and
a Spa Boutique. 22 beautiful Spa Villas situated
over the sea offer direct access to the Spa Village.
Programmes combine physical and spiritual health
and well-being, and are based on one of four
umbrella concepts: Rejuvenation and Longevity,
Relaxation and Stress Reduction, Detoxification,
snacks and junk food.
Acidic foods include:
The fact is, a lot of this lovely stuff
• red meats
is actually acidic and has toxins in
• caffeine
the form of additives, colourings and
• alcohol
preservatives. We also get toxins just
• hydrogenated fats
from living: they’re in the air, water, food
• refined flour
and chemicals in our environments.
• fried eggs
Toxins can become a problem: they can
Alkaline foods include:
make you feel sluggish and lazy, and
• greens (wheatgrass, cucumber,
can even lead to depression and illness.
parsley, sprouts, spinach, kale,
One of the keys to good health is
lettuce, cabbage)
to maintain a proper pH balance of
acid and alkali in our bodies. It’s an
• fruits (watermelon, apple, papaya,
mango, pineapple).
important part of keeping us in good
and Romance.
shape, managing weight and warding
This is just a short guide. For more
off disease. A ‘detox’ is a cleanse of
information go online, and also consider
the body. By minimising the bad stuff
professional advice to help you achieve
and letting good food and liquids work
a better ph balance in your diet.
www.detoxing.org.uk
muse ~ 26
muse ~ 22
02
04
03
05
Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
Hugging the powder-white sands of a horseshoe
coral cove, with nothing but vivid green sugar cane
fields behind, is the boutique Shanti Maurice. Its
fabulous Nira Spa, the largest in the region, combines
age-old Ayurvedic regimes with contemporary
international treatments. Therapists work with
nutritionists, personal trainers, Yoga masters and
Ayurvedic physicians to encourage optimum health,
mental wellbeing, revitalised senses, positive dietary
changes and spiritual awakening.
Verdura, Sicily
This award winning Spa from Rocco Forte Hotels
is set amongst olive groves and gardens on the
south-west coast of Sicily. Programmes and
treatments offer a holistic approach to health,
well-being and fitness; many are inspired by
organic Sicilian ingredients including fresh plant
extracts and cold-pressed plant oils. Treatments
are focused around the four key areas of antiageing, detoxifying, fitness and thalassotherapy.
Royal Mansour, Marrakech
In the heart of mystical Marrakech, Royal Mansour
was opened by the King of Morocco himself. The
spa is housed in a glazed pavilion surrounded by
a moat. A world away from the hustle and bustle
of the medina, there is an indoor pool, state of the
art gym and dedicated treatment rooms. You are
never far away from a luxury brand here: Chanel,
Sisley, Maroc Maroc, Dr Hauschka…
Parrot Cay & COMO Shambhala
Retreat, Turks & Caicos
Asian-inspired treatments here include massage,
emotionally rebalancing holistic techniques, facials
for restorative skincare and authentic Ayurvedic
therapies. You can also join a specialist retreat week,
led by visiting Masters, focusing on subjects such as
Yoga or Pilates. Specially created wellness paths are
designed to help you get the very best from COMO
Shambhala, combining key treatments in order to
achieve real results.
muse ~ 27
Bentley
Whatever image
comes to mind
when you think
of Bentley,
think again.
Pre-conceptions can be a dangerous
signature character lines, while retaining
things. They are the enemy of invention,
the qualities of luxury and power.
of surprise, and of bold, left-field ideas
that can lead to extraordinary results.
So although this is the marque presented
in a very different guise, the result is
And so is it with the Bentley EXP 9 F.
still reassuringly, and unmistakably,
This is a concept car for which their
a Bentley.
designers shed all pre-conceived ideas
of what a Bentley is - in favour of what
Essential Bentley design elements such
a Bentley could be.
as the matrix grille, round lamps and
the strong power-line and haunch along
The result: an SUV (yes, a Bentley
each flank are all reinterpreted for
SUV…) powered by a 6.0 litre, twin
EXP 9 F. The ‘hewn from solid’ design
turbocharged W12 engine with 8 speed
language and innovative detailing,
transmission.
emphasise the robust character of this
high-luxury SUV.
From the very beginning, the design
team had a clear vision for a new
The designers were also inspired by
Bentley SUV. Dirk van Braeckel, Director
the ‘visible engineering’ of the famous
of Design, explains: “EXP 9 F had to
Blower Bentleys. For example, the day-
represent the absolute pinnacle of
time running lamp apertures also act
the sport utility sector, setting a new
as the charge cooler air intakes for
benchmark for this type of vehicle. The
the twin-turbo W12 engine, each with
style had to reflect Bentley’s sporting
a dramatic, mesh-covered turbine fan
character despite its radically different
design and ‘rifled’ inner surface finish.
package and purpose together with
sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping
So where does this take Bentley in
with the Bentley tradition.”
the future? The word is, the EXP 9 F
could herald a third Bentley model-line
The extraordinary result was unveiled
alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and
at the Geneva International Salon d’Auto
the high performance Continental GT,
earlier this year. Entering this new class of
GTC and Flying Spur.
vehicle allowed the styling team to adopt
a more progressive design approach. The
Let’s hope so. This is a concept that
exterior is a bold, dynamic statement,
could grace the opera, the motorway or
combining clean, muscular surfaces with
your nearest sand dune.
Bentley
sweeps along new terrain
muse ~ 22
www.bentleymotors.com
muse ~ 29
Bentley Continental GT
THE NEW 4.0 LITRE V8
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
As with any performance car, the best way
From then on, it’s up and down via the
divided into three segments by body-
to appreciate its strengths is to drive it, and
paddles mounted behind the stitched leather
coloured strakes, plus twin chromed ‘figure
what better place than on the roads favoured
steering wheel. Every change is effortless, as
of eight’ exhaust pipes at the rear.
by Bentley’s own development engineers.
is the totally imperceptible switch from eight
From the gates of the iconic Crewe factory,
to four cylinders.
Inside the new GT, Bentley’s stunning blend
of contemporary design and traditional
their preferred route is west into the
stunning scenery of North Wales, towards
Through every corner the car rewards the
materials has never looked more appealing.
Llangollen and the challenging twists and
enthusiastic driver; the all-wheel drive
Leather of the highest quality is set off
turns of the A542 Horseshoe Pass.
transmission has a 40:60 rear-biased power
with diagonal quilting on the seats and
split which ensures high levels of grip and
contrasting double stitching. Complete with
Cruising out of the Cheshire town at the tail-
safe
the
winged ‘B’ sewn into the head rest, they’re
end of the morning rush hour, through busy
road is wet or dry. The steering is perfectly
comfortable and supportive no matter how
roundabouts and junctions, the new 4.0
weighted with plenty of feedback about
long the journey.
litre V8 Bentley Continental GT immediately
what’s going on at the front wheels, while
proves what an exceptional ‘every day’ car
the ride is firm and sporty but never harsh.
Four interior hides are available as standard
it is. Leaving the eight-speed automatic
Given that 20-inch alloys are standard that’s
on the V8, to be matched with seven external
transmission in Drive means there’s nothing
an impressive achievement.
paint finishes. For a wider choice, owners
predictable
handling
whether
can access the full palette of 17 shades both
difficult about being in slow-moving stop/
start traffic. The newly developed gearbox
Pausing for a coffee at the Ponderosa Café
inside and out, plus seven interior ‘duo-
is an integral part of the car’s reduced fuel
– the Horseshoe Pass’s famous stop-off
tone’ split colour schemes and a wide range
consumption, accounting for six per cent of
that’s always busy with bikers and tourists
of veneer wood trims.
the 40 per cent efficiency gains.
– means time to appreciate the Continental
GT’s stunning exterior. The essence of the
But with the last commuters disappearing
design remains unchanged, but the V8 can
in the rear view mirror, the opportunity to
easily be distinguished from its big brother
drive the V8 as Bentley intended proves too
if you know where to look. One of the most
much. The gearstick, complete with white-
significant differences is also one of the
on-black ‘B’ on top and knurled surround,
smallest; on the 6.0-litre Continental GT the
falls to hand. A deft flick to the left puts the
winged ‘B’ emblem above the radiator grille
car in Sport mode, where it stays longer
has a black enamel background. But on the
in each gear before changing up, and
4.0-litre car it’s red. It’s a distinction which
provides a more aggressive engine note. It’s
dates back to the 1920s, when the ‘red label’
a wonderfully spirited growl that sets the
badge graced the company’s smaller cars
car apart from the 6.0-litre version, and a
while black badges were reserved for larger-
firm squeeze on the throttle can’t help but
engined models. Also unique to the new
produce a smile.
car is the black matrix lower front bumper
muse ~ 30
Bentley is keen to stress that its
designers and engineers wouldn’t
accept any compromises in their
pursuit of efficiency from the V8
engine. It’s hard to argue with that,
and means drivers need make no
compromises in their enjoyment of
its performance. The new Bentley
Continental GT is a remarkable car,
a perfect illustration of everything
the modern sports coupe should be.
,Ma
llo
rc
a
Spotlight on cuisine
With all due respect to Robert Louis Stevenson, to travel
hopefully isn’t always a better thing than to arrive. Not when,
at your destination, there’s duck breast with beluga lentils
waiting for you. Or lobster with green asparagus ravioli. Or a
millefeuille of Cuban chocolate with spiced bread.
All this and much more is the signature of Deia, a magical
village on the north west coast of the island of Mallorca. Made
famous by the writer Robert Graves (‘I Claudius’ bought his
villa there) a visual feast of colour and history is complemented
with sublime cuisine.
As Bray is to England, so Deia is to an international set of
discerning palettes (and indeed wallets). Andrew Lloyd Webber,
a local resident, describes Deia as the “gastronomic capital of
the Mediterranean’. Michael Winner, with typical understatement,
describes it “fantastic, beautiful beyond belief… and the food
is stupendous”. In Deia, you have a paradise with food to
match. Here, we explore a few recommendations that are
worth the trip alone.
La Residencia Hotel
The terrace at El Olivo
...D
eià
Delicious
decisions...
Spotlight on cuisine
El Olivo Restaurant
El Olivo
A firm favourite of Hollywood A-listers, La Residencia nestles
between the impressive craggy Tramuntana mountains and
the endless blue of the sea.
Some 30 acres of olive and citrus groves guard your privacy,
where this hotel artfully blends glamour and fine living with
a reverence for its ancient Mallorcan past. Indeed, this
exclusive haven has been created out of 16th and 17th century
traditional manor houses, now equipped with state of the art
luxury. Its restaurant El Olivo is not only one of the island’s
finest, but one of Spain’s. Be warned: in this impossibly
romantic setting, it is nothing less than sheer gastronomic
seduction. Guillermo Méndez’s Tasting Menu destroys your
defences with such creations as venison carpaccio with
caviar from “Rio Frio” and Port wine vinaigrette; and John
Dory with langoustines, crabs and coconut; cod fillet with
callos and herb oil; and then millefeuille of pigeon breast in a
truffle sauce. The dessert menu also takes no prisoners, and a
mighty tome of a wine list ensures the perfect accompaniment
to every nuance and flavour.
Continued >
muse ~ 32
muse ~ 33
Recommendations
Spotlight on cuisine
La Residencia Hotel
Muse top 5 cuisine Destinations
Sebastian Restaurant
Bens d’Avall
Restaurante Es Raco de’es Teix
La Residencia
Hotel is a fine
old building
originally
two rustic
16th and 17th
century former
manor houses.
It is set among
terraced orange
groves and
ancient olive
trees, beneath
the Tramuntana
mountains.
Sebastian
Bens d’Avall
After two years at El Olivo, Sebastian Pasch opened his own
A restaurant with a breathtaking location - it is perched on the
doors with ‘Restaurante Sebastián’. Signature dishes include
edge of a cliff - and with equally memorable food.
lobster and green asparagus ravioli; a rack of lamb with honey
and rosemary crust; and the chocolate mousse with raspberry
filling. These gorgeous mainstays are joined by an ever-changing
discovery of daily specials such as breast of quail with veal sweet
The Chef/Patron here is Benet Vicens who combines a passion
for french gastronomy with his own signature style of traditional
Mallorcan cuisine.
breads, lamb’s lettuce and pine kernels; foie gras with apple
A typically elaborate starter might be a carpaccio of red prawns,
purée and old balsamic; or duck breast with beluga lentils,
freshly sourced from the local port of Sóller, or caramelised foie
parsnip crisps and a balsamic sauce.
gras, spiced fig bun and fine frost pumpkin. Then it might be
Restaurante Es Raco de’es Teix
Another alumnus of El Olivo is Josef Sauerschell, who won his first
Michelin Star there in 1991. He then departed to set up Es Racó
d’es Teix (which, not surprisingly, is known simply as ‘Josef’s’ to
the locals). He opened in 2000 and won his Michelin Star there in
rock fish with fresh almond cream and citric artichokes, or lamb
from Sierra de Tramuntana. As for puddings, these are surely
compulsory: from white chocolate mousse with wild red berries
to millefeuille of Cuban chocolate with spiced bread, fresh mint
sherbet and Angel d’Or.
2002. Sir Michael Caine proclaimed “let’s up him to two!” mid-way
La Residencia Hotel
through an outstanding dinner there.
The same artistry on offer at El Olivo is carried through to its
Lenora Sauerschell is the maître d’ and presents Josef´s “dishpoems”. These include fillet of red barb with gambas and
vegetable vinaigrette in saffron; roasted goose liver on balsamico
hotel, the legendary La Residencia. This fine old building is set
among terraced orange groves and ancient olive trees, beneath
the Tramuntana mountains.
dressing and canapé; or his renowned rack of lamb with olive
Its rooms, which look out through shuttered windows over fruit,
crust and potato au gratin. Desserts include tart tatin of peach
flower and herb gardens, are decorated in calm natural tones
with pistachio-lavender ice cream, cold melon soup with mint,
and feature traditional antique Mallorcan furniture. There are
mango and yogurt-lemon ice cream or berries with white and
67 rooms, ranging from single rooms and superior doubles to a
black mousse of chocolate.
selection of suites with four-poster beds. At the top is the Tower
Suite, for honeymooners and incurable romantics giving privacy,
muse ~ 34
elegance and a panoramic vista of the mountains, village and sea.
01
02
03
04
01
Franschhoek, South Africa
Breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, fine wines,
distinctive artists, and a small village atmosphere.
These are the hallmarks of the picturesque
Franschhoek Wine Valley, situated in the heart
of the Cape Winelands whose reputation as the
gourmet capital of South Africa precedes it. The first
French Huguenot settlers arrived in South Africa at
Franschhoek in the 17th century and their influence
lives on. This is a place unashamedly devoted to the
creation and enjoyment of good food and wine.
In the immediate surrounds of the village, there
are more than 40 wine estates, several of which
are world-renowned, and as well as food and
wine pairings, varietal specific tastings and Cap
Classique tastings, you can indulge in chocolate
making, cooking classes in demonstration kitchens,
and olive oil tastings. There are also numerous
classical concerts, art exhibitions and jazz evenings
alongside cellar tours, tutored wine tastings and
award-winning dining experiences.
05
02
04
03
05
Napa Valley, California
A place of singular beauty and breathtaking
views at every turn, Napa Valley is any food and
wine lover’s idea of heaven on earth. Often
affectionately known as a modern-day Eden, this is
the most famous wine-growing region in America.
However, the cuisine is just as varied: here you’ll
find amazing seafood, outrageous desserts,
celebrity chefs and world-renowned gourmet
restaurants such as the fabulous French Laundry.
Sicily
Famous for its street markets and street food, the
Sicilian way of life is alive and well in its bakeries and
select restaurants. It also offers culinary tours like no
other, with five gastronomic weekends throughout
2012 in the Italian Orient-Express hotels, and ten
chefs with a staggering 21 Michelin stars between
them! Each will prepare a degustation dinner,
including one course specially created for a unique
event on 29-30 September in 2012.
St Barths
St Barths is the glittering jewel of the French West
Indies, with gastronomy to match. Influences
come from everywhere including creole dishes,
Italian, French and Asian cuisine. So one day it
might be spring roll of shrimp and bacon, the next
fresh grilled lobster. Or indeed Chinese noodle
salad with coconut milk; or filet of local MahiMahi in papillote; or slices of grilled beef filet…
Portofino, Italy
Portofino offers culinary tours of wine tasting and
cooking classes in villages and inlets only reachable
by sea. You’ll dine at an array of ristoranti and
trattorie, from elegant to cosy and traditional, and
many with stunning views. Local specialties include
Pesto Genovese: the time-honoured sauce of basil,
pine nuts, walnuts, Parmigiano and Pecorino cheese,
and lashings of olive oil and garlic. Heaven on pasta.
muse ~ 35
A boy after the sea
INGREDIENTS: (continued)
PREPARATION:
The razor clams:
• 15g rishiri-kombu
• 900g low-calcium mineral water
• 40g white soy sauce (shiro shoyu)
• 500g live razor clams, purged in several
changes of fresh water
a boy after the sea
For the razor clams – wipe the kombu using a damp cloth, then
place in a pan with the water. Heat to 60°C/140°F and hold at
that temperature for 1 hour. Remove the pan from the heat and
add the white soy sauce. Set aside until cold. Preheat a water
bath to 65°C/149°F. Place the razor clams, in their shells, in a
single layer in sous-vide bags. Add just enough of the kombu
infusion to cover the clams, then seal under full pressure. Cook
immediately for 4½ minutes in the water bath. Transfer the bags
to iced water. When thoroughly chilled, remove the clams and
discard the shells. Cut away the entrails and reserve the ‘tubes’
in the fridge until needed.
an untold story
The oysters:
• Native oysters (1 per portion)
a boy after the sea
The final sauce:
• 800g reserved ‘sea’
For the oysters
– clean the outside of the oysters with cold water.
www.dansnooktrustfoundation.com
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• 200g juice from reserved oysters for a number of reasons.
Using a short,
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• 30g white soy sauce (shiro shoyu)
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• Table salt
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• Freshly ground black pepper you want to be inspired by the world’s “kind, caring
and compassionate, and
more and add it to the container. Cover and keep refrigerated.
greatest chefs, and are concerned
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– that’s a reason in itself.
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and is the creation of chef Kevinaround
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Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal
109
we have
in the world today regarding
sustainable fishing and fish farming. It
shows excellent examples of how fish
can be farmed in a safe and respectful
way, through new initiatives.
“A Boy After the Sea” is a tribute to a
young man who loved fishing and who
loved to cook.
people in the catering industry facing
All proceeds of this book will be donated to the Dan Snook Trust Foundation
problems with drugs www.dansnooktrustfoundation.com
or alcohol, and
fully appreciates the widespread need
for support.
He is also delighted to be part of such
an impressive publication. He writes:
“It is a testament to Kevin that he has
gathered such an impressive collection
of world-renowned chefs together in this
book and I am honoured to find myself
in such distinguished company.”
To purchase ‘A Boy After the Sea’
book please visit www.amazon.co.uk
muse ~ 36
Pure
or your favourite book store.
an
Kevin Snook
112
The book also highlights the problems
AN UNTOLD STORY
oceans,
rivers
andthese
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created
by 26 renowned chefs
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commercial fishing boat. Isolated at
To serve (per portion):
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and place on kitchen paper.
sea, with no land in sight, this became
• 10g reserved ‘sand’
Kevin Snook spends his time between
It celebrates recipes from our oceans,
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to deal
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call of cooking’s greatest exponents:
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Christopher
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some 26 internationally known
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• 2g reserved hijiki seaweed
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young people challenged by sexual or
•
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the final sauce
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approaches to fish and seafood
A foreword
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book appeals to cooks of every level.
writes its foreword. Indeed, Heston
Wild
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(approximately 3 x 5cm pieces per portion)
is already involved in* a charity for
a boy after the sea
AN UNTOLD STORY
Kevin Snook
Foreword by
Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal’s ‘Sound of the Sea’.
113
an enticing collection of recipes from our oceans, rivers and lakes
enticing collection
of recipes
from our oceans, rivers and lakes created by 26 renowned chefs
16
Boy after the sea
grilled line caught Cornish sea bass
I N G R E D I E N T S : ( ser v es 6 )
Sea bass:
Beet relish:
•4
x 225g boneless fillets, leave the skin
on, scaled and scored
• Pinch of sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2tbsp olive oil
•2
50g cooked whole beetroots, peeled
and diced in small cubes
• 3tbsp coarse grain mustard
• 1tbsp honey
• 2tbsp balsamic vinegar
Samphire:
•
•
•
•
•
with marsh samphire, beet relish and spiced yellow pepper purée
grilled line caught Cornish sea bass
225g fresh marsh samphire
Spiced yellow pepper
2tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 yellow peppers
with marsh samphire, beet relish and
1tbsp lime juice
• 3⁄4tsp chilli powder
spiced
yellow pepper purée
Freshly ground
black pepper
• 1tsp Dijon mustard
Sea salt
• 2tbsp olive oil
purée:
Samphire:The eternal explorer
• 225g fresh marsh samphire
Kevin Snook
is a chef,
entrepreneur and author.
• 2tbsp
unsalted
butter
He
trained
in
two
renowned
three-Michelin
• 1tbsp lime juice
starred
restaurants:
Le
Moulin
de Mougins,
• Freshly ground black pepper
under the guidance of Roger Verge, and the
• Sea salt
Bonne Auberge in Antibes. His passion for travel
then took him to Canada, where he owned two
Beet
relish: He won many awards and accolades
restaurants.
• 250g
cooked
beetroots,
through
his love whole
of organic
produce. peeled
and diced in small cubes
Kevin coarse
continuedgrain
his travels,
this time to the
• 3tbsp
mustard
Caribbean, St. Lucia and then on to the
• 1tbsp honey
magical island of Mustique. His passion for food
• 2tbsp
balsamic vinegar
has evolved but his philosophy is still the same.
He prepares simple, fresh, seasonal dishes,
Spiced
yellow with
pepper
purée:
often seasoned
his own
spices, drawn from
• 4different
yellowethnic
peppers
cuisines. He then adds his own
culinary
twist powder
to give each dish his signature.
• ¾tsp
chilli
• 1tsp Dijon mustard
After 35 years Kevin still
• 2tbsp
olive oil
has his own catering
company, and has written and published four
cookery books. He also runs Bray Cottages in the
To culinary
accompany:
village of Bray on Thames, taking care of
• 8food
Jersey
baby
loversroyal
from all
partspotatoes
of the globe.
• 1 generous bunch of English fresh mint
• 1tsp sea salt
• 4 sprigs of coriander leaf
muse ~ 38
• 8 Jersey royal baby potatoes
• 1 generous bunch of English fresh mint
• 1tsp sea salt
together
the cooked
diced leaf
beets, the
• 4 sprigs
of coriander
Beet relish – gently mix
mustard, honey and vinegar. Set aside until ready to serve.
Spiced yellow pepper purée – quarter the yellow peppers,
discarding the stems, seeds and ribs. Brush the pepper pieces
with olive oil and place them, skin side down, in a hot frying pan,
on a hot griddle. Cook:until dark brown. Place them in a small
P RE PorARATION
bowl and cover them with plastic wrap, allowing them to steam
for 5 minutes. Remove and peel off the skin, place in a blender,
Beet relish gently
mixwith
together
the cooked
diced
beets,
theolive
mustard,
honey and
together
the chilli
powder,
mustard
and
oil. Purée,
refrigerate
and set
vinegar. Set aside
until ready
to aside
serve.until ready to use.
215
– pick
throughthe
theyellow
samphire,
removing
the roots
Spiced yellowSamphire
pepper purée
– quarter
peppers,
discarding
the and
stems,
anyBrush
toughthe
stems.
Wash
and with
rinseolive
thoroughly,
to remove
grit
seeds and ribs.
pepper
pieces
oil and place
them,any
skin
side
orfrying
sand.pan,
Put into
of boiling
salted
water
2-3 minutes,
down, in a hot
or ona abowl
hot griddle.
Cook
until
darkfor
brown.
Place them
strain and add the butter, lime juice and black pepper. Toss and
place on warm plate in preparation for serving.
in a small bowl and cover them with plastic wrap, allowing them to steam for
5 minutes. Remove and peel off the skin, place in a blender, together with the chilli
powder, mustard and olive oil. Purée, refrigerate and set aside until ready to use.
Jersey potatoes – cook the potatoes in salted water with the mint
for approximately 15 minutes, keep whole to retain the heat and
Samphire – pick through the samphire, removing the roots and any tough stems.
just before serving slice in half.
Wash and rinse thoroughly, to remove any grit or sand. Put into a bowl of boiling
salted water Sea
for 2-3
andtoadd
thetemperature.
butter, lime Brush
juice and
black
bassminutes,
– preheatstrain
the grill
a high
the sea
pepper. Toss bass
and place
warm
in preparation
fillets on
with
oliveplate
oil and
season withfor
saltserving.
and fresh ground
pepper. Grill the fish, skin side down first for 3-4 minutes, then
Jersey potatoes
– cook
the potatoes
in salted
water with
for moist.
approximately
turn
and cook
for 1 minute,
allowing
the the
fishmint
to stay
15 minutes, keep whole to retain the heat and just before serving slice in half.
Finishing and presentation – arrange the samphire and the
potatoes
thetocentre
the serving plates.
the
sea fillets
bass with
Sea bass – preheat
theingrill
a highoftemperature.
Brush Place
the sea
bass
top and
with
theground
coriander
leaf. Add
olive oil and on
season
withgarnish
salt and
fresh
pepper.
Grill the
the beet
fish,relish
skin side
one
side andthen
spoon
onand
some
yellow
to the
down first foron3-4
minutes,
turn
cook
for 1pepper
minute,purée,
allowing
the fish to
stay moist.
other side. ■
Finishing and presentation – arrange the samphire and the potatoes in the centre
of the serving plates. Place the sea bass on top and garnish with the coriander leaf.
Add the beet relish on one side and spoon on some yellow pepper purée, to the
other side.
Photography Adrian Wroth
Kevin J Snook
PREPARATION:
Photography Adrian Wroth
Sea bass:
• 4 x 225g boneless fillets, leave the skin on,
scaled and scored
• Pinch of sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2tbsp olive oil
Kevin J Snook
To accompany:
INGREDIENTS: (serves 4)
217
Wine
Wine
The cuisine
of Malaysia
with the wines
of the world.
Many people are nervous about trying to pair good wine with robust Malaysian food. But it can be done
with delicious results…
At first sight, it’s no contest: the pairing
A good place to start is with lower-alcohol
muscular contenders; just keep an eye on
of wine with the feisty and even explosive
wines that have some residual sugar or a
the alcohol level, and perhaps have plenty
nature of Malaysian food.
perceived sweetness. For example, German
of mineral water on the table to keep up
Rieslings — specifically from the Mosel-
your hydration. A Crianza from Spain has a
Saar-Ruwer — have very low alcohol levels
roasty character to meet the spice head-on.
(as low as 6%), and can simultaneously
Or how about a chilled Beaujolais Cru or
offer a touch of sweetness. Even if you don’t
indeed an Aussie Shiraz?
Indeed, you can waste a great deal of money
on a fine and complex wine - only to have
it mugged and kidnapped by the mighty
flavours trampolining on your tongue.
After all, Malaysian cuisine is a heavenly
meld of vibrant influences: of China, India
and Malaysia, where their skill with spices,
herbs and of course chilli are today the stuff
(or even if you usually run away from them)
you may be delightfully surprised when
they’re teamed up with aromas and flavours
of robust Malaysian cooking. A wine labelled
of gastronomic legend.
‘QbA’ will give you some perceived sweetness,
Even so, wine and spice is not necessarily
try a Spatlese and you may discover a
an unequal fight. And nor is it true that the
delightful counterbalance to the spice.
only sensible accompaniment to Malaysian
food is Malaysian beer. No, there are wines
able to grapple with spice, complement it
and generally perform the task of all wine:
to make great food taste even better.
Here are a few ideas for you to try.
as will a ‘Kabinett’. If you like sweeter wine,
Going up in alcohol but down in the
sweetness, a Vouvray from France has a
similar burst of fruit, as do Gruner Veltliner
from Austria and Alsatian Gewurztraminers
that can be nearly bone-dry or mildly sweet.
If you’re a fan of rosé wines, these can
Perhaps one common denominator is an
have the refreshing notes of a white but
obvious one: low-alcohol wines may be
with a little more substance to stand up
a good idea if the food is either hot (as in
to robust cooking.
spicy), hot (as in chilli), or indeed both.
Slaking your thirst on a 15%, chewy Barolo
may shorten the evening somewhat.
muse ~ 40
usually drink the sweet German wines
Let us leave you with a specific combination
to try. Head for a restaurant that is noted
for its Nasi Lemak. This dish comprises
coconut milk-infused rice perfumed by
fragrant pandan leaves and accompanied
by a spicy and sweet sambal belacan, a
boiled egg, crispy anchovies, roast peanuts
and cucumber slices. At times, it comes
with deep-fried chicken or beef rendang.
Team it up with a classic chilled Chardonnay.
It has an oaky fullness that matches the
dish’s
coconut
richness
and
shrimpy,
peanutty, spicy sweetness.
The result: an honourable and delicious
draw. Wine 1 Spice 1.
For some wine lovers, though, it has to
be a red. If so, there are certainly many
41
muse ~ 39
Bray Cuisine
Bray
Heston Blumenthal, The Fat Duck
Heaven on a plate
Nestling beside the tranquil River Thames, Bray is
a feast for the eyes, the soul - and the taste buds.
Caldesi in Campagna
Where to eat
In the UK, only four restaurants hold
the coveted three Michelin stars; it’s
therefore extraordinary that two of them
are located in Bray.
The Waterside Inn was founded by
the brothers Michel and Albert Roux,
following the success of Le Gavroche
in Mayfair, London. Their spirit and
Hinds Head, Bray
Only one thing surpasses the sublime
vision remains very much alive: the
experience of gastronomy in its finest
Chef Patron is now Michel’s son, Alain.
form: and that’s gastronomy enjoyed in
He maintains the standards that have
idyllic surroundings.
seen the restaurant retain its three stars,
At Bray, a quintessentially English village
without interruption, since 1985.
on the River Thames in Berkshire, the
A very different proposition is The Fat
two come together quite beautifully.
Duck, whose three stars have been
Now you can enjoy some of the finest
won through the same attention to
food in the world, while settling in to an
standards – but an altogether different
enchanting cottage in Bray for a long and
take on cuisine.
unforgettable weekend.
Here, the owner and chef Heston
For any serious gastronome, and for
Blumenthal reveals his fascination with
how the brain influences our appreciation
of food. From this process come creations
such as nitro-poached aperitifs, crayfish
ice cream, snail porridge and salmon
poached in liquorice.
There are many other restaurants and
gastro pubs, all combining to re-inforce
Bray’s reputation. They include The
Hinds Head, The Crown and Caldesi.
Nearby there is also The Royal Oak,
owned by Bray resident Sir Michael
Parkinson and his son Nick, and the
Greene Oak and White Oak, owned by
Sir Terry Wogan’s daughter.
As you can see, then, a visit to Bray is
not something to hurry. You have an
array of appetising options, so if you’re
thinking of making a weekend or even
a week of it, please turn the page. We
have some equally gorgeous ideas for
accommodation, to make your stay in
Bray complete.
people who simply enjoy the finer things
in life, heaven on earth is at Bray.
(Photographed above is the Salmon poached in a
liquorice gel from The Fat Duck)
muse ~ 42
Two of the four UK restaurants
that hold the coveted three
Michelin stars are located in Bray
Alain Roux,
The Waterside Inn
Bray House
Bray Cuisine
MUSE Bray House
MUSE Dormer Cottage
Accommodating your every whim
Bray-on-Thames is a fabulous example of
scroll bath all combine to create an
its cascading water feature, beautifully lit
a country village with a wealth of history,
ambience of snug luxury.
in the evening. The bathroom is adorned
legend and a delightful English charm.
The Amber Suite boats a dramatic four-
with white and silver tiles, encompassing
a spacious wet room with under floor
Right at its heart are two quintessentially
poster, and has its own private terrace
English cottages: Bray House and
overlooking the lovely gardens. The
Dormer Cottage. Exquisitely furnished
White Suite, also with a four-poster, is
and finished, they are supported by a
an essay in calm sophistication, and
A striking oak staircase with glass panels
professional concierge service, to attend
features an en-suite wet room.
takes you to the first floor bedroom. to every wish and need: from restaurant
reservations and riverside picnics to
Champagne, flowers and spa treatments.
Naturally, the cottage is replete with
modern technology, from a Bang &
Olufsen sound system and iPod docking
So if you’re coming to dine in Bray, you
stations to an American fridge and a
now have the complete reason to stay.
specially imported, and rather ingenious,
MUSE-Bray House - Sleeps 6
induction wok.
Bray House originally started life as the
Muse-Dormer Cottage - Sleeps 2
stables for the nearby Manor House of
This quaint and beautiful cottage,
Bray in the 1780s. It has three double
located in the heart of the village, is some
en-suite bedrooms, and seats 10 for
500 years old. Dormer offers a wealth of
dinner (cooked, by prior arrangement,
enchanting features, including exposed
by your private chef). Through original
wooden beams that cross the living room
stable doors, the living room leads to
and a welcoming open fireplace with a log
a stunning courtyard garden, perfect
burner. The slate flooring, Stephani rugs,
for pre- dinner cocktails or a gorgeous
burnt orange silk wallpaper and gorgeous
summer morning breakfast, al fresco.
curtains add a contemporary elegance to
The Master Bedroom is designed to
this most historic of properties.
enhance the 18th Century features of the
From its chef’s knives to Le Creuset
house, with its characterful nooks and
cookware, the kitchen is a true cook’s
crannies. Five different lighting moods,
domain. Beyond, you find a decked
original artwork and a contemporary
seating area and pretty little garden with
heating, the softest bath towels and
beautiful toiletries.
Luxuriously decorated in shades of
cream and ivory silks, this spacious
room offers the finest linens and cosy
touches throughout. Adjacent to the
bedroom is a lovely walk-in dressing
room offering plenty of wardrobe space.
The Concierge Service
The Bray Cottages team offers a
complete concierge service. They can
arrange everything from restaurant
bookings and champagne to boat trips
on the Thames and airport transfers.
Bray House
That way, you can concentrate on the
Dormer Cottage
business in hand: some of the world’s
most inspired food, in one of England’s
most coveted spots. Bon appetit.
For more information on a truly
unforgettable experience in Bray,
please visit: www.muse-hotels.com
or call +44 (0)1628 583 517.
Perfectly beautiful English cottage,
furnished with love, care and flair!
muse ~ 44
Bray House
Bray House
Dormer Cottage
Dormer Cottage
Recommendations
01
03
02
Muse top 5 private houses
05
01
Africa House, Royal Malewane
This is safari, up close and personal, with a true
sense of elegance at every turn. Royal Malewane’s
private residence, Africa House, is located in the
heart of Africa’s finest bushveld, on a private
game reserve adjacent to the Kruger National
Park. Here you will find accommodation of the
utmost splendour for up to 12 guests making this a
luxurious home for a safari adventure for families
or friends. You are greeted by an imposing front
door in classic North African style, which opens into
the calm of the central courtyard with its cooling
fountain, twin casitas and expansive covered
veranda. Spacious and gracious, the living and
dining areas lead onto another covered veranda
where you can relax on the day beds, swim in the
pool or enjoy leisurely meals in a magical bush
setting. Africa House is the epitome of exclusivity
in a safari villa with your very own private chef,
butler, ranger, tracker and game drive vehicle, and
a ‘boma’ for memorable dinners under the stars.
04
muse ~ 46
22
05
02
Molori Great Barrier Reef
Just steps from the beach in lush Port Douglas,
Molori Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s
most enviable locations. This fine residence does
full justice to its surroundings, giving you the
ultimate home from home. Exquisitely designed, it
is also fully staffed and offers five suites capturing
the sea breeze. This is the perfect base from which
to enjoy the incredible experiences on offer - from
enchanting rainforest flight-seeing to diving or
snorkelling on the legendary Great Barrier Reef.
03
Necker Island
This ultra-chic private island is owned by Sir Richard
Branson. Necker’s 74 acres are surrounded by clear
turquoise waters, coral reefs and pristine white-sand
beaches. You can hire its full 28-guest capacity or,
during certain celebration weeks, Necker welcomes
singles and couples to enjoy the dreamlike fantasy
of island life at its most luxurious.
04
Cove Spring House, Barbados
With the grace of a luxury villa and the comfort of
a fine hotel, this homey residence is located on the
spectacular Western coast. An impressive sea front
property, it offers seven en-suite bedrooms with a
further three in the spacious guest cottage.
A waterfront hideaway, secluded cove, state of the
art cinema, fully equipped gym and sixteen staff all
add to the grandeur of this luxury villa.
05
Muse bray house, england
Bray is quintessential village England, and Muse Bray
House is one of its most charming residences. This
double-fronted country house has a 16th century
church as its neighbour and has stood proudly here
for more than two centuries. On the ground floor, a
fireplace and vibrant art deco theme welcome you
to the living room. Statement furniture, a surprising
bar (a relic of an old ship) and a divan with crocodile
feet are all quirky touches of English eccentricity.
Three king-sized suites combine age old architecture
complemented with state of the art bathrooms and
creature comforts.
muse ~ 39
47
Burgess Yachts
Don’t just live the dream: sail it.
The Twizzle sailing and racing yacht
is now navigating the world.
For around $245,000 a week you can
enjoy the bracing salt air - while
being cosseted in five-star luxury.
If Twizzle were a racehorse, she’d
in mind, the Panamax sail plan is
(via full-width automated glass doors)
win the Derby. If she were a
designed to clear Panama’s Bridge
with an expansive cockpit complete
Formula 1 car, she’d have been
of the Americas at low water.
with bar, comfortable sofas and
shaded dining. This creates an
created by Red Bull.
Where
luxury
comes
in waves
muse ~ 48
Approach Twizzle
from a distance, and her
sleek, sculpted profile signals
immediately that this is
no ordinary sailing yacht.
But it’s not until you step on
board that the real difference
becomes clear. For a refreshing
and breathtaking charter
experience, the extraordinary
Twizzle is waiting.
Her leading-edge swing centreboard
imaginatively conceived indoor/
First and foremost, Twizzle is an
can be lowered or raised to any
outdoor living area.
oceangoing sailing and racing yacht
angle in less than a minute, even at
of the highest order. Her pedigree
speed or when sailing. This provides
The flybridge provides another
is impeccable, and it shows: she
flexible racing options and acts as
al fresco living area with sunbeds,
was brought to life by a team who
a stabiliser when motoring. It also
plenty of seating, casual dining
had already won accolades for
opens up a host of shallow-water
amenities and a barbecue.
their previous 55-metre creation.
anchorages the world over.
From a distance, Twizzle cuts a
Now comes a yacht that is built for
competition, for traversing the globe
But for those more focused on
silhouette of pure-bred, ocean-
- and for a whole lot of fun.
relaxing than tacking, Twizzle is
going elegance. But step aboard
replete with creature comforts,
and her true depths become
Her advanced mast, rig and sailing
space and grace. Unusually for a
deliciously apparent.
systems are purpose-designed for
sailing yacht, her entire main deck
both performance and play. The rig
has been allocated to owners and
allows precision adjustment and
guests. Giant wraparound windows
rapid furling for fast tacking and
of one-way glass offer panoramic
racing in all wind conditions. At the
sea views beyond the foredeck.
same time, with circumnavigation
The airy main saloon integrates
Twizzle offers the best
of both worlds, without
compromise.
muse ~ 49
Burgess Yachts
Burgess Yachts
Motor yacht comfort with
a true sailing experience.
They say that the longer
you stay aboard a yacht,
the more it seems to shrink.
Not this one. The designers have
brooked no compromise when
it comes to the feeling of elegant
and open space, with sumptuous
creature comforts at every turn. On
the lower deck, eight guests enjoy
every luxury.
There are two double cabins, a
standing
further twin and the magnificent
and several crew members were
captain
Gordon
Master Suite with bathroom, spa
intimately involved in the practical
shower and private study leading
areas of the build. And when it
directly up to the aft cockpit.
came to the all-important question
Innovation, taken on board.
Percy
>Twizzle boasts one of the most
advanced sailing rigs ever created
with 1,780 m2 of sail. Both main
and mizzen sails can be hoisted
simultaneously - and silently - in
under two minutes.
of hospitality, Oliver McKeown, the
The style is minimalist, understated
Michelin star trained chef, directed
and ultra-contemporary. At every
the design of his mezzanine galley
turn there are cashmere throws,
and all the practical aspects of
leather door handles, woven linens,
gourmet cuisine for long voyages.
>Her ‘glass cockpit’ bridge has
active glass panels and multiple
screens, with a fully integrated
navigation/communications data
and monitoring system.
>She has a 62.5m carbon fibre
Panamax main mast and a 58m
mizzen mast - the tallest ever built.
hand painted silks, limed oak blinds,
chocolate lacquer and pale polished
Remarkably for a superyacht, the
Italian marble in the bathrooms.
environmental design means that
Twizzle’s design concept is an essay
Twizzle is carbon neutral and is
in comfort without clutter, complete
certified for even the most sensitive
with state of-the-art entertainment
waters. All carbon emissions from her
and communications systems. When
main engine, generators and tenders
the mood takes you, Twizzle is also
are offset, as was the footprint from her
designed for all kinds of water-based
original construction. Twizzle offers
activities. A split-level platform lowers
a sublime combination of contrasts:
you down to the ocean, so you can
exhilarating spray-in-your-hair ocean
swim, kayak, fish, snorkel or dive.
sailing, racing and discovery, coupled
> In 60 seconds her swing
centreboard can be adjusted to any
angle (whether at speed or when
sailing) for flexibility, stability and
access to shallow waters.
>Twizzle has her own cellular
phone network. Even in poor or
no reception areas, you receive the
SY Twizzle Network signal on your
Blackberry or iPhone.
with luxury, comfort and protection.
Design touches like these abound,
It is a craft that has been built with
born
love and is crewed with passion.
from
years
of
seagoing
experience. The owners’ long-
Twizzle’s ingeniously engineered stern platform
forms a split-level swim deck and tender dock, with
direct access to the kayaks, sailing dinghy, water
toys, snorkelling gear and Nitrox dive centre.
Welcome aboard.
Twizzle glides
lightly in the
natural world: she
is carbon neutral.
>A single iTouch remote
allows guests to control lights,
air-conditioning, blinds, satellite TV
and Twizzle channels, and the full
range of Kaleidescape music and
DVD options.
>Two Castoldi 6.4m jet tenders
are hidden in concealed bays
beneath the foredeck.
TWIZZLE
LOA - 57.5m (188.7ft)
Builder Royal Huisman,
The Netherlands, 2010
Exterior & interior styling Redman Whiteley Dixon
Interior decor Todhunter Earle Interiors
Cruising speed 12 knots under power
Guests - 8 in 4 cabins
Crew - 11
Winter
Caribbean
Summer
Mediterranean
Charter rates
from US$245,000 per week
Twizzle is offered for charter
by Burgess as Central Agents.
muse ~ 50
muse ~ 51
Chronicles of South East Asia
Now and again, you can’t help wondering
whether ‘progress’ has actually set us
back a notch or two. When, in the name of
advancement, we lose something that had
already attained its own kind of perfection.
The great train journeys of the past are a
case in point. A world of wood panelling
and burnished brass; of attentive personal
stewards and dressing for dinner; and of piano
bars, reading rooms and cocktail verandas,
all awaiting your every whim on board.
This is a passion that has been beautifully
rekindled by the luxurious Eastern &
Oriental Express. Moving gently from great
cities to paddy fields and faraway mountains,
each journey on this very special train
takes travellers and explorers to a series of
intriguing places; cosseted all the while in a
style that you could once take for granted.
Now, you can again.
This is a holiday that is all about adventure,
discovery and excitement, with a permanent
- yet ever-changing backdrop of breathtaking
scenery. It is about magnificent food, convivial
like-minded company and rare joys - such as
sipping a Planter’s Punch at the bar while
the sun slips beneath the jungle-clad hills.
As the fragrant branches of tropical trees
brush softly past the open-air observation
carriage, you enter a rich new world of sights,
scents and sounds.
Elegance and adventure,
back on the rails
We invite you to
board another
era and discover
the Chronicles of
South East Asia.
Entitled Chronicles of South East Asia, you
can embark on three journeys that take you
back in time while offering thrilling new
insights into contemporary life. A six-night
route, called ‘Fables of the Hills’, sees the
train wend its way between Singapore and
Bangkok (enjoying a visit to the mysterious
Cameron Highlands heading North). A
second six-night journey leads from Bangkok
through Thailand’s remote North-East plain,
with its exquisite Khmer temples, and on to
Chiang Mai. The third also heads North and
across the mighty Mekon river into Laos,
returning to Bangkok after three nights.
Let us give you a taste of one: Fables of the Hills.
muse ~ 53
Chronicles of South East Asia
Chronicles of South East Asia
FABLES OF THE HILLS:
YOUR ITINERARY
Singapore to Bangkok: 7 days, 6 nights
Highlights:
Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Tham
Kasae Viaduct, River Kwai.
Day 1:
A welcome drink at the station in Singapore.
On-board entertainers include a resident pianist,
fortune-teller and reflexologist. Evening welcome
reception on board train.
Day 2:
Morning in Kuala Lumpur. Excursions include a
city tour, a heritage walking tour, shopping and
handicrafts, National Museum, Royal Selangor
Pewter Museum and Factory. Lunch on board.
A scenic coach transfer to Cameron Highlands
Resort with an informal dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3:
Morning choices include Resort’s Spa Village,
visiting Mardi Agrotechnology Park, touring a
tea plantation or exploring the lush jungles with
resort’s dedicated naturalist. Lunch at the resort
before returning to train. Informal dinner on board.
Day 4:
Leisurely morning tour of charming royal city
of Kuala Kangsar. Lunch on board. Afternoon
arrive in Penang. Excursion options include
tour of colonial Georgetown, visit to Peranakan
Heritage Museum or Tropical Spice Garden
Gallery. Informal dinner at a choice of specially
selected venues.
Day 5:
Train crosses border into Thailand. Morning at
leisure and lunch on board. Afternoon private
tour of the Monkey Training College at Surat Thani.
Dinner on board.
Day 6:
Morning arrival at historic River Kwai Bridge
followed by leisurely barge cruise down river
with visits to Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
and Don Rak War Cemetery. Lunch on board.
Afternoon tour choices include elephant camp
and a visit to the moving memorial at Hell Fire
Pass Museum. Cross spectacular Tham Kasae
viaduct on way to Wang Po. Farewell cocktails
FABLES
OF THE
HILLS
This is a journey leads to all that’s best
and most compelling in Asia: the romance
and colonial heritage of Malaysia’s mist
shrouded Cameron Highlands, the evocative
bridge over the River Kwai and the fabulously
varied architecture of cities such as Kuala
Lumpur, Kuala Kangsar and Georgetown on
the island of Penang.
As the sun catches the traditional green and
in the Bar Car, you’re invited to a welcome
While these excursions are undoubtedly
cream livery of your train, your personal
reception by Train Manager Ulf Buchert, to
highlights of your journey, your time abroad
steward steps forward to meet you. He puts
meet your fellow travellers over a glass or two.
the Eastern & Oriental Express is equally
exciting. One moment you might be relaxing
his palms together in traditional greeting; a
welcome that is symbolic of the warmth and
On this trip, you don’t simply look at the
in the open air Observation Car and chatting
friendliness which will permeate your every
breathtaking scenery. You are introduced
with other guests over hot coffee in the misty
waking hour aboard.
to expert people who bring each destination
dawn; or kicking back with a sundowner as
to life. Peranakan cooks reveal the spices
the train passes unforgettable vistas such
A whistle blows; the guard flourishes his
that make Penang a food lover’s dream; a
as the Karst Mountains among Thailand’s
emerald flag; you start to glide away from
Malaysian expert recounts the story behind
paddy fields.
the modernity of Singapore and, indeed, the
the disappearance of Jim Thompson, creator
21st century. For this is a step back in time;
of the modern Thai silk industry. What
And then of course there is dinner: a
a time when they did things properly.
became of Thompson when he failed to return
culinary journey in itself from east to west
from a walk in the thickly forested Cameron
as Executive Chef Yannia Martineau ‘shops’
Time for a drink. A Singapore Sling seems
hills? Explore these dense jungles on a guided
from stop to stop, unearthing fresh and
appropriate, mixed with expert ease on
hike and form a theory of your own.
unusual ingredients en route.
comfortable you could be sitting on a sultry
Indeed, this is a rare chance to take part in
All too soon, it’s time to raise your glass
veranda being served a drink by a white
local activities and to do something new. The
for a last cocktail and bid fond farewells
gloved butler. As the train crosses into
stay in the Cameron Highlands for instance,
to new-found friends as the train heads
Malaysia, resident pianist Peter Consigliete
includes a tasting of teas grown there in the
towards Bangkok, its final destination.
sets the scene with nostalgic melodies that
hills. A stop beyond Thailand’s dramatic
You climb down from your carriage with a
might have enlivened the old plantation
Tham Kasa viaduct enables guests to ride
store of cherished memories, a thousand
houses that once bordered the track.
elephants at a working tuskers’ camp. This
photographs and, just maybe, a plan already
unique journey also offers special insights
hatching for a future journey east.
board by your bar steward. The bar is so
In various carriages, various diversions vie
into the lives of local people: such as the
for your attention. You can choose a session
experts at Surat Thanis Monkey Training
of reflexology by Khu n Pim, or a visit the
College who reveal how they teach these
Chinese astrologer. And meanwhile down
creatures to harvest coconuts from tall trees.
and dinner on board.
Day 7:
Arrive in Bangkok in morning. Disembark.
muse ~ 54
muse ~ 55
Recommendations
Life on board
Muse top 5 train journeys
LifE on
board
Your accommodation
Sightseeing & excursions
The train is made up of different categories
Each journey strikes a careful balance between
of elegant, well-appointed private cabins:
pure relaxation on board and exciting and
Pullman single, Pullman, State Cabin and
fascinating experiences out and about. All
Presidential Suites, most with twin-sharing
sightseeing excursions are escorted by qualified,
accommodation, and fully air-conditioned
informed guides. We suggest comfortable light
with an en-suite shower and lavatory.
cotton clothing for excursions and a sun hat.
All are panelled with cherry wood and elm
Observation Car
burr, with decorative marquetry friezes and
Located at the very end of the train is a unique
intricate design inlays that enhance the fine
bar; this is the perfect place to enjoy cocktails
fabrics and hand-tufted carpets. The Pullman
in a colonial ‘veranda’ ambience with its teak
Cabins feature upper and lower berths, while
wood flooring and panelled walls. There is
State Cabins and Presidential Suites offer two
also an outdoor observation area where you
single beds at floor level.
can while away many a contented hour amidst
the panoramic scenery during daylight hours.
During the day, berths/single beds are
Smoking is allowed on the outdoor platform.
converted into comfortable seating.
Restaurant, dining and dress
Saloon Car and Boutique
This carriage contains a reading room and
There are three elegant restaurant cars -
boutique. The reading room is a charming
‘Adisorn’, ‘Rosaline’ and ‘Malaya’ – two of
area offering a selection of books, magazines,
which join the Eastern & Oriental Express for
and games in a vintage setting. A fortune teller
every journey. Each car is decorated in floral
entertains guests on the first day of every
motifs reflecting the culture of the region and
journey. The boutique offers passengers the
featuring elm or rosewood panels which are
opportunity to purchase Eastern & Oriental
hand-painted with delicate flowers.
Express souvenirs from a range of specially
designed items from the collection Venice
Each meal has a sense of occasion, with
Simplon Orient Express.
distinctive European cutlery and hand-cut
crystal glassware adorning the dining tables.
Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in
cabins. Evening dining offers guests an
opportunity to dress up for the occasion
with glamour and style. A jacket and tie
is customary for gentlemen, with suitable
evening wear for ladies. Smart day wear is
appropriate at all other times.
Over our six nights on board there will be a
mixture of formal and informal evenings.
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Piano Bar
Located in the centre of the train, our resident
pianist entertains guests in the Piano Bar.
Decorated with pale ash wood panelling, the
bar is open throughout the day and late into
the night for cocktails, aperitifs and liqueurs.
Local entertainers also perform here on
selected evenings.
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Orient Express Europe
A work of art in itself and a true Art Deco icon,
the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
offers a journey unlike any other. In May 1982
the legend was reborn when it made its maiden
run from London to Venice. Today, the gleaming
carriages of this most luxurious train continue to
transport passengers across Europe in exquisite
surroundings on one of the most celebrated and
romantic journeys in the world. Step aboard and
you enter a more gracious, elegant age of travel.
Romance, adventure and style are all intimately
bound up in journeys and tours that crisscross
Europe, rolling through sublime scenery to some of
the continent’s most alluring cities. Delightful vintage
cabins, gastronomic cuisine and lively on-board
entertainment make a journey aboard this iconic
train one of the world’s finest travel experiences a sequence of unforgettable moments.
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Eastern & Oriental Express,
South East Asia
A sublime reminder of when train travel was all about
standards and elegance, the Eastern and Oriental
Express is all of your Agatha Christie fantasies come
true. Tailor-make your journey with The Chronicles:
four journeys that explore deep into Asia and touch
upon such magical places as Thailand’s remote Isan
plains, Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands, mysterious
Laos, the colonial splendour of Kuala Lumpur, and
the evocative Bridge over the River Kwai.
The Ghan, Australia
This transcontinental adventure offers an unsurpassed
view of Australia - North to South over three
unforgettable days. Your train takes you through
the very centre of Australia between Adelaide,
Alice Springs and Darwin in one of the great train
journeys of the world. This is an incomparable way
to travel to the two jewels of Australia’s Northern
Territory: the Red Centre and the tropical Top End.
Rovos Rail, South Africa
In the vast beauty of South Africa it would be
easy miss out on so much. However, Rovos Rail
gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself
in this majestic country’s ultimate train journey.
This takes you from Pretoria to Cape Town,
through some of the oldest desert in the world
to Swakopmund in Namibia, or to witness the
mighty natural phenomenon of Victoria Falls.
Rocky Mountaineer
Amidst a land of stupendous beauty, The Rocky
Mountaineer allows you to absorb the full experience
of Canada’s breathtaking scenery, glass in hand. For
this train is big on creature comforts with gourmet
dining, a highly personal service and the best of
modern sophistication. You can take from 2-12 day
journeys and gaze at the passing glacier-fed lakes,
majestic mountain ranges and ferocious rivers.
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Gaya Island Resort
The
greatest escape
If you’ve ever dreamed of truly getting away from
it all, your reservation awaits - in Borneo.
There is something special and atmospheric
The resort’s architecture respects Sabahan
about a place that is only accessible by boat.
elements; its 120 villas and two-bedroom suite
use local materials and blend harmoniously
It has a sense of removal. Of adventure. And
with the natural environment, with villa interiors
of hiding a secret that the march of ‘progress’
designed with a contemporary elegance.
has failed to find.
Yet this is more than just a beautiful
That is why YTL Hotels is excited to unveil the
beachfront resort in stunning surroundings;
Gaya Island Resort at Pulau Gaya, Borneo, the
with its PURE activities, this is a place for
largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman
the curious to actively engage or peacefully
Marine Park. Here, everything that nature has
absorb all Borneo has to offer.
created over thousands of years, from sheltered
coral reefs to protected mangroves, has been
Accommodating your every wish
preserved by those devoted to its care.
Beauty and restrained modernity are happy
bedfellows here. Ancient rainforest and
A similar care and the lightest of footprints
protected mangroves surround every villa,
have created a sublime residence there as
set in the hills. Villa interiors are designed
well. It rests along the coast of Malohom Bay,
with a contemporary elegance and offer a
a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of
variety of views including mangrove, canopy,
an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline
tropical rainforest and the South China Sea.
of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. This is
a land of idyllic golden sand beaches, dive
Each 47 square metre villa features a
sites of spectacular underwater havens, and
spacious bedroom, a writing desk, a safe box,
untouched tropical rainforests, home to
a flat screen television with satellite channels,
many rare species including the Orang Utan
WiFi capabilities, a large open bathroom with
and the proboscis monkey.
an oversized bathtub and two vanity units.
Outside, you have a verandah with day beds.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS.
THE DIFFERENT VILLAS.
The Gaya Villas offer a serene setting with
partial views of the lush tropical rainforest.
The Bayu Villas are set amongst a tropical
mangrove on a gently sloping hillside, and a
gentle stroll to the pristine sandy beach.
The Canopy Villas are positioned on a hillside,
offering views of the rainforest canopy or the
tropical mangroves.
The Kinabalu Villas offer the ultimate views,
stretching across the South China Sea. On
a clear day you can see the silhouette of
Mount Kinabalu.
The Suria Suite is perched on the hillside,
spread gracefully over two levels and
giving breathtaking views of the ocean and
Mount Kinabalu.
The key ingredient
Beautiful local food is an essential ingredient of
any holiday, and the Gaya Island Resort offers
an array of possibilities. Feast Village specialises
dance; to meditation and yoga, to the soothing
in Asia-Pacific specialities. Fisherman’s Cove,
sounds of the lapping waves.
a seafood restaurant, serves freshly caught
seafood cuisine and offers a breathtaking view
The inspired spa
of the sea and Mount Kinabalu. The Pool Bar
Such a remarkable destination deserves a spa
& Lounge is a contemporary, casual pool-side
to match. Spa Village offers a rich tapestry of
lounge with a floating upper-deck platform
spa treatments that reflect the cultural healing
overlooking the lap pool; perfect for light
traditions of Sabah’s many indigenous people.
refreshments and sundowners.
These range from the specialised rice scrubs
and masques of the Kadazandusun to the age-
A tranquil private beach located a five-minute
old practices of the Bajau sea nomads.
boat ride away, Tavajun Bay offers single dish
lunches infused with local and international
Nestling among the mangroves, Spa Village
influences and served from earthenware
offers six treatment rooms with outdoor decks,
skillets. Amongst other choices, from single-
a walk-in theatre and a yoga retreat space.
dish lunches to beach barbecues, there are
inspiring options for private dining, everywhere
from private verandahs to the resort’s 64-foot
luxury yacht.
What would you like to do?
PURE, the resort’s activities programme offers
4 alternative activity paths: Discovery, Vigour,
Creativity and Balance.
They offer an array of pastimes, from marine
exploration and scuba diving; to kayaking and
stand up paddle surfing; to craftworks and
So: an extraordinary location.
Artful accommodation.
Sublime food.
Myriad activities.
And the perfect spa.
Just one question remains:
when will you go?
Watches
Watches
The new Rolex
sky-dweller
A new altitude of beauty
It is the way with legendary brands: they
somehow find ways to improve upon
perfection. Rolex stands with the very finest,
able to find new concepts to surprise and
delight us, not with superficial gimmickry
but through craftsmanship, precision and
elegance.
The Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, new in
2012, has been created with global travellers
in mind. Indeed it is the first Rolex to offer two
time zones and an annual calendar, discreetly
marking the passage of the months.
With 14 patents – five of which are new – the
Sky-Dweller provides, in an unprecedented
and highly original way, the information
global travellers need. Local time is offered
via centre-hands, and a reference time display
in 24-hour format is read via a rotating offcentre disc visible on the dial. In addition, the
innovative annual calendar (named SAROS
after the astronomical phenomenon which
inspired it) requires only one date adjustment
a year, when the month changes from
February to March. The month is displayed
by means of 12 discreet apertures around the
circumference of the dial.
For the
traveller who
has everything:
something
he hasn’t. Yet.
Inside, the Sky-Dweller ticks to a new
calibre: the ‘9001’ chronometer, officially
Swiss-certified and entirely developed and
manufactured by Rolex. Available in 18 ct.
white, yellow or Everose gold cast by Rolex
in its own foundry, this advanced wristwatch
features the fluted bezel that is a signature
of the brand.
With the Sky-Dweller, Rolex has once again
achieved the impossible: it has scaled new
heights, designing and making a wrist watch
that builds still further on the legend of the
Rolex Oyster.
www.rolex.com
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MUSE Pangkor Laut Estates
MUSE Pangkor Laut Estates
Straits of Luxury
MUSE Pangkor Laut
Estates
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The ultimate private island retreat.
Tucked away in a small cove, and accessible only by private vehicle, Pangkor
Laut has borrowed a little space from the two million year-old rainforest
there to create eight very special residences called ‘Estates’.
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Pangkor Laut Resort
Pangkor Laut Resort
Navigating the Straits
And when that island turns out to be
privately-owned, and a temple to beauty,
to Luxury
serenity, gastronomy and boundless luxury...
this is the point when most of us wake up
and realise it’s time to go to work.
But stay with that dream, because we’ve found
its location. It begins on Pangkor Laut, an
island nestling off the west coast of Malaysia.
Tucked away in a small cove, and accessible
only by private vehicle, Pangkor Laut has
Estate Four Private Infinity Pool
borrowed a little space from the two million
year-old rainforest there to create eight very
special residences called ‘Estates’. Three
of them rest on the beautiful waterfront
of Marina Bay, allowing visitors another
fantasy: their own private beach, which
is manicured every day with the zeal of
a greenkeeper at Augusta. The remaining
Estates blend organically into the jungle of
the hillside, with commanding vistas of the
ocean. The inspiration for the Estates is
rooted in the centuries-old reverence for
escape and contemplation. Crafted to reflect
traditional south-east Asian architecture, each
comprises a series of pavilions: for sleeping,
dining, living and bathing.
An outside bath, cocooned in privacy, feels
The yearning to escape
to an island is a dream
that floats in the recesses
of most of our minds.
like your own personal spa. Your infinity pool
beckons as the sun works its magic. Polished
Estate Two Exterior
tropical hardwood floors are accented by
textured fabrics that add warmth to the elegant
Estate Two Private Infinity Pool
bedrooms with their podium beds. Bathrooms
The dream gets even better, too. Your Estate
and vanity areas are wonderfully spacious,
has a personal butler and cook to attend
and crafted with fine attention to detail. This
to your every desire. Meals, tea, snacks, off
time-honoured concept is then overlaid with
the wall whims - consider them taken care
the very best of 21st century technology and
of. Indeed, with almost psychic intuition,
comfort, artfully and seamlessly applied.
your staff seem to know that you’re about to
feel thirsty or peckish, as an ice-cold fruit
cocktail and chilled slices of watermelon
descend into your gaze on a tray. Your chef is
there to delight and inspire you, and indeed to
take orders for any preference - be it Asian, or
European/western. As the candlelight dances
in the glass walls of your dining pavilion,
and with the soundtrack of waves lapping
the sleepy shore, your wish really is their
command. And from caring for your wardrobe
to attending to myriad housekeeping details,
you’ll be waited on, quite literally, hand and
foot. A word of warning: you’ll get used to
Estate One Pavilion
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Estate Five Daybed
Outdoor Bath
Estate Master Bedroom
this with almost worrying speed. Roll with it.
Resistance is futile.
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Pangkor Laut Resort
Pangkor Laut Resort
Dining and Spa at
Pangkor Laut resort
A delicious dilemma
Stepping out into Pangkor Laut Resort, a
And for a place that will keep every
Designed to soothe and refresh the senses,
decision needs to be made. And it’s not
palate happy, The Feast Village features a
the various buildings face the sea, and are
an easy one: where to eat, amongst this
patisserie, café, Chef’s table and wine cellar
interspersed with open courtyards, lotus
celebration of the region’s culinary arts.
where guests can purchase wines of their
ponds, a herb garden and a reflexology path.
Belian Treatment Pavilion
choice. It’s open for breakfast and dinner.
The complex comprises eight treatment
Adjacent to the Spa Village, Fisherman’s
Cove will catch your eye and indeed your
Pure pampering: The Spa Village
pavilions, a deluxe Belian Treatment Pavilion,
nose. Complete with its open show-kitchen,
The Spa Village Pangkor Laut hosts a
Healing Huts which include Chinese Herbal,
it promises a memorable journey into the
convergence of ancient health treatments
Ayurvedic and Malay Huts, two Bath Houses,
exciting world of Asian fusion cuisine.
and rituals. Generations of secrets from
three Thai Pavilions, three Nap Gazebos,
Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai practices
a Herbal Garden, a 50-metre lap pool,
come together here.
Fisherman’s Cove restaurant, Jamu Bar,
Then there’s Uncle Lim’s Kitchen, specialising
in Nyonya and Hockchew Chinese-style
Library and Spa Boutique.
home cooking. The Royal Bay Beach Club
Situated to the north of the main resort, the
is a favourite for its fresh take on Asian and
Spa Village is spread over four acres on a
The Spa Village spa treatments are
Western favourites for lunch, and its chic
quiet bay between the sea and the rainforest.
available from 9am until 8 pm each day.
chill-out cocktail lounge in the evening.
If you like a beautiful beach, check out
Chapman’s Bar on breathtaking Emerald
Bay. Or there’s The Jamu Bar overlooking
the lapping Straits of Malacca with healthy
Japanese cuisine for lunch and intimate
private dinners.
Emerald Bay Private Dining
The Spa Village combines physical and spiritual
health and well-being, which are based on one of
four umbrella concepts: Rejuvenation and Longevity,
Relaxation and Stress Reduction, Detoxification,
and Romance.
Fisherman’s Cove Interior
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YTL Lady II Yacht
YTL Lady II Yacht
setting a course
for heaven
Leg Two: a luxurious ocean-going yacht,
from Pangkor Laut to Phuket.
Set sail
onboard a
Princess yacht
and embark on
a voyage of
boutique-luxury
from the private
island of
Pangkor Laut
Once you’ve found heaven on earth in Pangkor
Laut it is no easy task to leave it. But there
are more riches to explore, and as the sun
begins to set, the distant rumble of marine
engines beckons you down to the shoreline.
Awaiting you is your hotel’s own 85ft motor
yacht. This magnificent craft sleeps six guests
in complete luxury, with en suite bathrooms
accompanying each of the sumptuous
quarters. Indeed, this is a magnificent hotel
on water, with all the intuitive and gracious
service you enjoyed on land now on hand as
you are whisked out to sea.
Aboard your own craft you are treated to a
Ko Rok Nok: uninhabited, unrivalled
of marine life and coral below.
Langkawi
private insider’s trip around the island, with an
Two hours under an azure sky, zipping
After lunch, you will be taken to the
Your first destination: the island of Langkawi
expert on board to unfold its ancient stories.
along the crystal waters. It’s a sure recipe for
beautiful Ko Phi Phi.
which lies off the coast of Malaysia. The
You can explore the mangroves, a bat cave, the
a tan, and for a liberated, exhilarated feeling
balmy night air rustles through your hair
local fishing villages and the majestic sight of
as your yacht points towards an out of the
Straight out of the movies:
as you sit back on the fly deck, champagne
eagles swooping down onto the water, talons at
way haven: an uninhabited island, indeed,
Ko Phi Phi
glass in hand. The night is illuminated by the
the ready. Then step ashore where you can plant
called Ko Rok Nok.
If after dinner you’d like a little preview
occasional lanterns that announce the local
a mangrove tree of your own and contribute
fishing boats. A restful note on which to retire.
to the island’s ecology. And then while away
Here, the residents are wildlife of all kinds,
into your cabin’s DVD. It was shot at Ko
an hour or two cycling around the villages;
thriving in this designated nature reserve.
Phi Phi, a group of six islands that are
As dawn breaks, and with the delicious
enjoying the covered terraces and bustling
As the anchor slashes down it’s the perfect
part of the Hadnopparattara-Ko Phi Phi
aroma of breakfast rising from the galley, your
hub of Eagle Square; and a beautiful lunch
opportunity for you too to take a dip in the
National Park.
destination heaves into view: the idyllic island
overlooking the ocean at Danna Hotel. All this
glacial waters. There is nothing quite like the
of Langkawi.
relaxing is exhausting, so after lunch it’s time
feeling of bobbing up and down as the waves lap
The yacht takes you to an abundance
to repair to the yacht for a glass, a good book
the side of your yacht, while your personal chef
of corals and marine life, as well as
and a snooze on the fly deck. As the sun goes
sets up lunch on the beach.
those perfect white beaches which
Ko Phi Phi island becomes your own
after 3pm when all the tourists boats
set off for Thailand
down, the tempo picks up in the harbour as bars
and restaurants come to life for the evening’s
hospitality. Meanwhile on board, there’s the
small matter of sublime dinner to attend to (well,
the enjoying part in your case), created by your
chef to your instructions and beautifully served
by the crew.
It has been an extraordinary day, and with your
head still dazed by sights, sounds, tastes and
fragrances, it’s time to slip anchor. You’re bound
for Thailand.
of your next destination, slot The Beach
only seem to exist in movies. But here,
Later, you might like to try a spot of sea
they’re real, as the sand in between your
fishing and bear your catch in triumph to the
toes will soon testify.
on-board barbecue. And then enjoy dinner as
the ‘real’ local fishing fleet puts to sea for their
And so on to the final port of call of this
nightly excursion.
extraordinary maritime adventure: Phuket.
Once more, it’s time for a fond farewell,
The breathtaking Ko Kai
not just to the grace and elegance of this
After a refreshing slumber amongst some of
most exquisite of yachts, but also to your
the world’s most exquisite islands, you are
crew, the captain and your personal chef.
greeted by the spectacular view of Ko Kai island
They have enriched your adventure beyond
where steep cliffs form one end of the island,
measure, serving every whim, inspiring your
while the other end offers beautiful beaches
taste buds and sharing their knowledge and
along a peninsula. You may enjoy a morning of
experiences. You will part firm friends.
snorkelling where you can marvel at the array
muse ~ 68
Recommendations
The Surin
Travel beyond
Muse top 5 private islands
luxury
01
Leg three: The Surin, and the pinnacle of
This ‘hotel’ is actually a collection of 108
makkar wood tones that create an airy and
Thai hospitality, décor and cuisine in Phuket.
cottages and suites, artfully created to meld
spacious feel. Each is also equipped with
and mingle into the tropical gardens, coconut
everything from complimentary Wi-Fi and
If a psychiatrist asked you to say the first
groves and the hillside woodland around it.
flat-screen TV to a well-stocked mini-bar
thing that came into your head when you
There is a strong Thai design ethos here: the
and precious local organic toiletries. The
heard the word “Phuket”, you’d probably
textured fabrics of green, saffron and gold used
Beach Suites also have Bose iPod docks.
respond “beaches”. The two go together like
in the cottages are inspired by the spiritual
peanut sauce and satay.
traditions of the Wat (temple) that sits at the
Should the mood take you, Surin life
heart of Thai culture and community.
includes snorkelling or scuba diving on a
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nearby reef, three restaurants, impromptu
So on this closing leg of your adventure,
quite
beautifully
with
this
beach
barbecues,
an
exquisite
spa,
picture yourself bathed in luxury on one
Co-existing
the island’s most beautiful expanses of fine
cultural past is a cleverly applied modernity:
watersports, floodlit tennis and gentle clack
white sand: Pansea beach. No Photoshop is
The Surin has recently undergone a major
of pétanque in the sand.
required here: nature has delivered the real
refurbishment. Each cottage has a dressing
thing, and it’s a spellbinding sight that greets
area and outdoor sun deck; frameless
So if your Straits to Luxury trip has to have
your dawn as you wake up at The Surin.
windows that allow natural light to flood
a final destination, let it be a magnificent
inside; and golden teak and natural gray
one, here at The Surin.
01
Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island located three
miles off the West Coast of Malaysia in the Straits of
Malacca. Although the island encompasses a total
of 300 acres, only a fraction has been developed
to house the internationally acclaimed Pangkor Laut
Resort. The rest is covered by lush and unspoiled two
million year old rainforest, with coves of beautiful
beaches surrounded by an emerald sea.
There are 140 Malaysian-style luxury villas, and
whether you choose to stay over the water, on the
beach, or the lush hillside, all villas are spacious,
elegant and absolutely relaxing, whilst blending in with
the surrounding natural environment. As the island is
only accessible to the guests of the resort, it makes the
perfect private holiday or honeymoon getaway.
The resort offers excellent and diverse dining
opportunities, a wide range of activities and
facilities, including the award-winning Spa Village,
and has been widely praised for its attentive and
gracious service. Emerald Bay, a beautiful natural
cove, has been voted one of the top ten best
beaches in the world. It’s heavenly.
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North Island, Seychelles
The very definition of barefoot luxury, North
Island is able to offer a year-round tropical
island experience with service from the heart.
This is a truly unspoilt retreat with a throng of
activities and just 11 handcrafted guest villas.
For the pinnacle of luxury, Villa North Island
is a champion of style with every conceivable
indulgence - and then some.
Laucala Island, Fiji, South Pacific
The South Pacific is a journey, but with the
richest reward at the end of it: the powdery white
beaches of Laucala Island. Its owner, the Red
Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz, has spared no
expense to create a spectacular hideaway offering
full-on luxury and total privacy. Choose from
25 individual villas, each with its own private pool
and vivacious décor.
Peter Island, British Virgin Islands
Peter Island is an 1800-acre fantasy island that
you can have all to yourself. Its white sand beaches
and pristine waters are perfect for snorkelling,
swimming, watersports or some serious laziness.
And for total relaxation there’s a magnificent spa,
the Yacht Club for offshore adventures and even
a hideaway beach which is available to book for
“just you two”.
Sindabezi, Livingstone, Zambia
Once discovered, Sindabezi Island is a secret you
may not wish to share. An idyllic, exclusive bush
camp on a private isle on the Zambezi River, it has
just 5 open-sided thatched cottages. It is the only
luxury bush camp from where Victoria Falls can be
comfortably - very comfortably - explored.
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Huntington House
Huntington House
Highlights from
huntington House
In this article we look at the sumptuous design of
Huntington House, Surrey. AT UBER WE LOVE WHAT WE
DO. AND IT SHOWS, IN BEAUTIFUL HOMES, APARTMENTS AND
even YACHTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
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The Design Practice at UBER is an intriguing
in Surrey. Here, a design-loving owner – and
Peter Weldon using centuries-old methods
mix of left-brain/right-brain qualities. They
a capacious 17,000 sq ft of living space –
of the traditional blacksmith. They were
are highly creative and deeply passionate
meant the UBER designers had a delicious
also galvanised and painted to acknowledge
about their work. They challenge boundaries,
challenge: to give full rein to their creativity
another age-old tradition: the British weather.
hate convention and never stop looking for
while maintaining an eagle eye for detail.
And the interiors of this magnificent mansion
newer, better concepts.
Wrought iron balustrading is a recurring
house offer equally intriguing features. In
Yet this creativity is supported by a solid
theme here, bringing a fine sense of
contrast to the understated elegance of the
base of organisation, efficiency and obsessive
understated elegance to this beautifully
upstairs main reception rooms (see open
attention to detail right down to the knobs,
proportioned country residence. It makes
plan kitchen and drawing room above) the
handles, catches and accessories. And the
a proud statement at the gates, and also
downstairs basement leisure rooms offer
larger the project the more difference they
imbues the ‘Juliet’ balconies with a touch
a complete change of tempo to appeal to a
make in creating a stunning, cohesive
of romance. Both sets of ironwork were
more international style of entertaining...
whole. One such case is Huntington House
traditionally forged by hand by artisan
muse ~ 73
Huntington House
Shaken and stirred.
What is a basement,
if not for a bar?
This is design at its most full-on; dazzling,
extravagant and with a real sense of
hedonism and fun.
The bar:
Curvaceous and dramatic, the structure
is shaped like a Viking ship’s hull, with
under-lighting and the nickel footrest also
accentuating this striking form.
The surface:
The highly polished feel of the granite
bar reflects everything around it, giving
an ‘infinity’ ambience – especially when
you look upwards to the backlit mirrored
canopy. There are champagne chillers
concealed
within
the
cosmic
black-
honed granite, and the bar is wrapped in
snakeskin leather-look which also clads the
wall panels.
The wine cellar:
A tortoise shell marble backlit fascia
extends the bar feel by echoing the design
of the bar canopy. The wine shelving to the
side and the wine cellar behind is scalloped
to accommodate each bottle neatly.
The spirit columns:
More visual drama, with the columns sitting
on a slowly rotating motorised platform.
Blue light reflects up and down directly
through the mesh shelving, refracting
colourful light as it illuminates the liquor
bottles and casting a tableau of shadows.
And there’s more:
Top up that fizz and wander through to
explore the rest of what the downstairs has
to offer including a bespoke pool & spa,
treatment rooms, dance floor and fully
equipped gym. But that will have to wait for
a future article!
To find out more about The Design Practice
at UBER go to www.uber-lifestyle.com
muse ~ 74
muse ~ 75
Savoir Beds
Savoir
The bed that dreams
are made of
When the legendary Savoy Hotel in London opened
its doors after a £220m refurbishment, the ultimate
name in luxurious beds took its place in the finest
suites, just as it has since 1905.
muse ~ 76
Liza Minnelli was so impressed
with the Savoir bed at the Savoy
she bought the mattress and
took it home with her
A word of gentle warning, should you be tempted to splash out
The ‘Savoy Bed’
on a stay at the fabulously re-created Savoy Hotel in London. The
Savoir’s success dates back to 1905 when the Savoy Hotel
expense may well carry on long after you’ve settled your account.
decided that no bed available delivered the luxurious night’s
Take a River View Suite and you will sleep on a Savoir Bed. Indeed
sleep their guests required.
in the Royal Suite, you’ll experience the Savoir No. 1 bed which
They commissioned their own (the ‘Savoy bed’) from the
features 1,600 individually pocketed springs, 16kg of teased natural
prestigious upholsterer James Edwards Ltd. It was an instant
hair, the equivalent of 20 horse tails, layers of cotton felt and
success, and over the years it would welcome the frames of
pure fleece wool padding – and 4kg of pure cashmere. In the
Sir Winston Churchill, Harry S. Truman, Noel Coward, Enrico
words of Savoir’s Alistair Hughes
Caruso, Maria Callas and countless others luminaries. Indeed
once you have experienced
the No. 1, it is nigh on impossible
to return to just another bed
History bears him out. The Savoir bed has a long history of
the bed – which is still made today as the Savoir No. 2 – was so
popular that the Savoy actually bought the upholstery company
to prevent it from supplying their competitors.
Production continued at the ‘Bedworks’ in London’s Drury Lane,
close to the hotel, and the beds remained exclusive to The Savoy
and its sister establishments of Claridge’s, The Connaught and
creating passionate converts who, once caressed by this ultimate
The Berkeley.
in bedding, will sleep on nothing else. Years ago the late King Hassan
When the Savoy closed for its major refurbishment in 2007, many
II of Morocco was staying at Claridge’s, and was even in the habit of
of the hotel’s historic contents were auctioned. This included
sending ahead his own personal mattress. However, on one stay it was
Savoir beds, and caused frenzied bidding not just to acquire the
damaged and he had to ‘settle’ for a Savoir No.2. In the morning, he
ultimate bed – but one previously occupied by Marilyn Monroe,
proclaimed “it was like sleeping on a cloud”, and promptly ordered
Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin or John Wayne.
24 for his palace.
muse ~ 77
Savoir Beds
A five-star
sleep at home
Savoir Beds once again took
their place in the Savoy Hotel
in 2010, continuing a 105
year-old tradition.
Happily, the experience – the bed
part, at least – is something you
can also enjoy at home. Savoir beds
is now an independent company,
offering the same uncompromised
standards
for
private
clients’
own commissions.
Every bed is unique and tailor-made
to your instructions. Every frame
is measured and cut to size, and
perhaps the most personal detail
– the firmness of the mattress - is
created to your own preferences.
(Strife between couples is neatly
avoided
with
the
option
of
different specifications for each
side...) Every detail is then handmade, taking Savoir’s craftsmen
more than 60 hours to make.
Your bed can also be upholstered
in any fabric and style you like;
a final touch that makes each
luxurious bed truly bespoke.
For more information please
visit savoirbeds.co.uk
www.uber-interiors.com
+44 (0)845 0773280
muse ~ 78
Malaysia Airlines
Design on a whole new plane
Malaysia Airlines now flies the A380 Airbus
To travel
hopefully
is a better
thing than
to arrive
Robert Louis Stevenson
There is now more reason than ever to jump
Of course, a fabulous plane (and this certainly
Business Class and First Class passengers
on a plane to Malaysia. Once aboard, there’s a
is) is one thing. How it is operated is another,
will also enjoy the pre-ordering ‘Chef-on-Call’
good chance you may not want to get off again.
and with Malaysia Airlines’ legendary on-
service, raising in-flight dining to new levels
board standards, something truly special
of excellence. And all passengers will have
awaits you in every class.
access to the latest generation of individual,
In July, Malaysia Airlines inaugurated its new
‘superjumbo’ Airbus A380 service between
on-demand entertainment.
London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur. With
Unique enhancements include, at 40 inches,
it has arrived new levels of comfort, service
the widest seats of any First Class cabin in
The good news is that a second A380 has
and the sheer joy of luxurious hospitality.
the sky. And with luxurious touches ranging
just joined their fleet, and a further four will
from your complimentary Bulgari kit to
be introduced across the network. So let the
100% cotton pyjamas, a quilted mattress and
only non-stop airline from the UK to Malaysia
a fitted down duvet, you’ll enjoy the height of
introduce you to the only way to fly.
comfort at 40,000 feet.
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muse ~ 81
LONDON 2012
London 2012
your guide
to london
LONDON 2012
St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel
The St Pancras Renaissance is a London icon and a model of modern hospitality. Behind the fairytale façade,
fashioned by Sir George Gilbert Scott for the Midland Grand Hotel, this 5-star hotel mingles Victorian
splendour with contemporary style and service. You are greeted by a spectacular glazed entrance hall where
Victorian high society once alighted from horse-drawn carriages. And a grand staircase sweeps you down to
the Gilbert Scott Restaurant, where the brilliant, fresh brasserie cuisine of Marcus Wareing awaits. This luxury
London hotel hosts 245 guest rooms, including 38 beautifully restored and updated suites.
When you’re ready to tear yourself away from your room, take a journey of the senses in the
St Pancras Spa, or treat yourself to the traditional barbering and latest grooming techniques of
Melogy, the male grooming salon.
LONDON 2012
45 Park Lane - Dorchester Collection
From its sleek, iconic architecture to its cosmopolitan interiors, 45 Park Lane is a distinctly modern hotel
with a genuine sense of vitality.
It celebrates the unique creative energy of London, with striking contemporary artworks displayed
throughout the hotel’s public areas and in every room and suite. The collection includes paintings and
unique prints by such luminaries as Sir Peter Blake, Christian Furr, Brendan Neiland, Bruce McClean,
and Damien Hirst.
The hotel features CUT, a contemporary American steak restaurant, whose walls are decorated with
limited edition diamond dust screenprints from Hirst’s Psalms series, with their kaleidoscopic, butterflyfestooned compositions providing a feast for the eye.
the olympic capital for 2012
LONDON 2012
The Goring near Buckingham Palace
Famously the hotel where Kate Middleton spent her last night as a single woman, the Goring has inspired
many column inches in praise of its traditions, standards and service.
best hotels
Esquire Magazine USA wrote: “The Goring... a hotel that makes you greedy for what’s inside - a luxurious
garden, a splendid lounge and terrace, an unbearably good restaurant and unswerving service. There is
a hum borne of elegance and assurance, one that comes from being four generations in the same family,
from being built without frequent-flier points or the throb of a second-rate health club. But you’ll have
to listen for it, because, like The Goring itself, this sound is as subtle and unerring as a heartbeat.”
The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
‘The Savoy’. They are two words that resonate around the world; simple shorthand for all that is beautiful and
immaculate in a fine hotel.
Since first opening its doors in 1889, The Savoy has gone on to welcome generations of royalty, world
leaders and legends of the stage and screen. Today, and resplendent after a complete refurbishment, the
hotel seamlessly blends its original Edwardian and Art Deco interiors with state of the art comfort, elegance
and glamour.
The 268 guestrooms and suites give breathtaking views of London and the River Thames. Nine ‘personality
suites’ have also been styled after some of the hotel’s most eminent guests, and a newly created two-bedroomed
Royal Suite is, as you would expect, fit for a King.
In the hotel kitchens once graced by Auguste Escoffier, Gordon Ramsay has returned to the Savoy Grill and the
beloved River Restaurant is open once again. And for an aperitif before dining, or just a quick drink in passing,
legendary bartender Harry Craddock’s classic cocktails are still served in the newly renovated American Bar.
The new Beaufort Bar also offers one of the finest selections of Champagne in London.
muse ~ 82
The actor Christopher Plummer concurs: “From the moment I checked in at The Goring I knew I was
going to be pampered. Radiating charm and tranquillity, it resembles a country hotel in the midst of a
bustling city. The food is scrumptious, the service caring and impeccable and humour toujours à la carte!
To stay anywhere else in London is inconceivable too - it would be like snubbing a favourite nanny.”
W London - Leicester Square
There couldn’t be a more vibrant location for W London than Leicester Square: home of London’s movie
premieres, and right on the doorstep Soho, Chinatown, Piccadilly and Regent Street.
Inside, true luxury meets innovative design in the 192 rooms and suites, from a Spa Suite to the
penthouse ‘E WOW’ Suite (see details below). You can also expect the unexpected in Wyld, their
signature bar, re-energize at AWAY Spa, and treat yourself to Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine at
Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market.
EXTREME WOW SUITE
Encounter modern sophistication redefined in the Extreme Wow Suite. Home to the most captivating
views in the entire hotel—facing Leicester Square, with sparkling vistas of the West End—it invites you to
experience the city from sunup to sundown. Host an extravagant affair or prepare for whatever comes next
thanks to the Jacuzzi, four-person shower, dazzling mirrorball sculpture, walk-in dressing room and more.
muse ~ 83
LONDON 2012
London 2012
LONDON 2012
best restaurants
the ledbury
A beautiful, theatrical room with great curtain swags and widely spaced tables makes the perfect backdrop
for the cooking of Australian double-Michelin-starred chef Brett Graham. His food is big and rich and utterly
luxurious. Everything is like a picture on the plate and served on beautiful china by staff trained to within an
inch of their lives. Not that there’s any sense of stiffness – with Graham being Australian, how could there
be? It’s just that everything is right.
Seasons are watched to the minute so that only the babiest, the tenderest and the sweetest make it onto your
plate. The wine list is packed with brilliant bins, all of them crying out to be tried.
Apsleys
Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s
Apsleys, in London’s iconic hotel The Lanesborough, is the first restaurant
outside Italy created by internationally renowned chef Heinz Beck. Holder
of three Michelin stars at La Pergola in Rome, Beck earned the restaurant
its own Michelin Star in February 2010 - the fastest London establishment
to be bestowed with the award. The Executive Chef, Heros De Agostinis,
who started his culinary career with an internship at Beck’s La Pergola in
1995, has spent the last three years as Beck’s culinary right hand man.
Contemporary European cuisine is yours to enjoy at Gordon Ramsay at
Claridge’s - an elegant restaurant in the heart of Mayfair from one of
the world’s most famous celebrity chefs. This smart Mayfair restaurant
is within walking distance of the stylish shopping districts of Oxford
Street and Piccadilly. The intimate and peaceful art deco dining room
is a wonderful setting for a romantic dinner, or indeed for entertaining
a valued client.
The creativity and luxury of the menu combines perfectly with the
grandeur of The Lanesborough, which has long enjoyed its status as
one of the world’s most luxurious and lauded hotels.
The seasonal Gordon Ramsay menu showcases a refined selection
of modern dishes from across Europe. It includes fillets of John Dory,
poached breast and confit leg of Creedy Carver duck, and Scottish
lemon sole with crushed Jersey royals, lobster and braised radishes.
Hibiscus
Helene Darroze at The Connaught
Hunky Frenchman Claude Bosi made the successful move from Ludlow
to London more than three years ago and has not looked back. The food
is neither flouncy nor pretentious, but brilliantly conceived and delivered
with élan. We love the Devon crab with pressed leek and liquorice, and
the roast Shropshire partridge with caper and raisin sauce.
The French chattering classes discuss Hélène Darroze more than they
do politics or the economy. The single mum from south-west France is
a phenomenon, who Eurostars between Paris and London, watching her
pots boil in both cities and her Michelin star count rise – she currently has
two at the Connaught. Everything is utterly refined and assured: Hélène
brings a French sensibility to a very English dining room and it works.
Earlier this year, Bosi opened the Fox & Grapes pub in Wimbledon,
where he is winning plaudits.
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You should not visit without trying the signature dish of Gillardeau oyster
tartare or saddle of Pyrenean lamb ‘en rognonnade’ (with its kidneys).
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LONDON 2012
London 2012
LONDON 2012
where to go & what to see
harrods, knightsbridge
Harrods continues to astonish and intrigue customers from around the world with first-class service, retail
theatre and product quality, not to mention an unmatched international brand selection. From its humble
beginnings as a grocer and tea merchant in 1834, to the Terracotta Palace filled with luxury merchandise,
Harrods continues to inspire, guided by its philosophy ‘Anything is possible’.
From haute couture to pet accessories, the finest luxury merchandise is showcased in the lavish setting of
the Knightsbridge store across seven floors and 330 departments. There are over 27 eateries to satisfy
every taste, and a selection of premier services ranging from By Appointment Personal Shopping to
Harrods Bank and Gold Bullion.
The Brompton Road store truly has it all.
Buckingham Palace: A Jubilee Celebration
Saturday, 30 June 2012 to Sunday, 07 October 2012 Buckingham Palace
This spectacular exhibition shows the many ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs
over the last 200 years. It includes a number of The Queen’s personal jewels - those inherited by Her
Majesty or acquired during her reign. The exhibition reveals how many of these extraordinary stones have
undergone a number of transformations, having been re-cut or incorporated into new settings during their
fascinating history.
Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration forms part of a visit to the Summer Opening of the Buckingham Palace
State Rooms in 2012.
The London Eye
The London Eye is simply the most popular paid-for attraction in the UK, amazing more than 3.5 million
people a year. This 135 metre-high structure is also the world’s tallest observation wheel. Its 32 capsules
carry around 10,000 visitors every day.
While travelling in complete safety you can see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament right up close,
as well as London landmarks up to 40 km away in all directions from your capsule.
Our recommendation is to go at dusk or at night. Madame Tussauds
In this Diamond Jubilee year, Madame Tussauds has unveiled a stunningly lifelike new figure of Her
Majesty the Queen. The figure, positioned centre stage in the Royal Area, is the 23rd to be created of the
Queen.
Replicating the official Jubilee portrait photograph released earlier this year, the figure is dressed in a
recreation of the white and silver lace dress covered in 53,000 Swarovski elements with a blue silk sash
adorned with the Queen’s Garter Badge, topped off by a replica of the diamond and pearl George IV
State Diadem.
The Queen’s figure took four months to create at a cost of £150,000 and will remain in the Royal area
alongside recently launched figures of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Edinburgh,
the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
LONDON’S FIRST TEA SOMMELIER - afternoon tea at the Lanesborough
Tea has been a precious commodity since ancient times. At Apsleys at The Lanesborough, they are
celebrating this simple gift of nature with London’s first tea sommelier service, confirming their reputation
as the best place to take tea in the capital.
As you enjoy the award-winning afternoon tea you meet the tea sommelier, Karl Kessab, and discuss the
numerous varieties on offer. These include Darjeeling, known as the ‘champagne’ of tea; the very rare
White Tea; or indeed the signature Lanesborough Afternoon Tea Blend (a Darjeeling blended with Assam
and a slight hint of Rose Congou).
Guests enjoy the ritual of taking tea in the beautiful Venetian-style surroundings of Apsleys restaurant.
With its glass roof and plush upholstery, this handsome, restrained art deco interior features
breathtaking chandeliers. Indeed it is one of London’s most beautiful dining spaces, providing an
elegant setting for any special occasion.
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muse ~ 87
Diving
One of the best-kept
diving secrets in Malaysia
is Pulau Tenggol on
the East Coast of the
peninsula. Simon and
Sofie Pridmore take their
first dives there and
discover the perfect
diving base: Tanjong
Jara Resort.
We have been around the scuba world a
been allowed to thrive undisturbed since
long time, and when we heard consistent
1994. One name kept surfacing in our
recommendations about the East Coast
research: Tenggol, the southernmost major
of Peninsular Malaysia from high-calibre
island. And when we heard it was also home
divers we respect, we knew we needed to do
to an excellent hotel and spa, the decision
a little research.
made itself. We would set up our diving base
Location and luxury
at the Tanjong Jara Resort.
Initial indications were positive. This part of
It was the perfect choice. As you laze on the
the world borders the South China Sea and
resort’s fabulous sandy beach, luxurious spa
lies at the edge of the famed Coral Triangle. So
treatments compete for your attention with
we knew we could expect plenty of colour and
Tenggol, which is right on your doorstep. And
variety in the marine life. We also saw that a
the Tanjong Jara team make it easy to get very
If you really want to know about a place,
major current flows along the coast and there
best diving each day. The resort’s van and then
watch the locals. Each year, towards the end
are a limited number of offshore islands along
speedboat whisk you to the island in under
of March, city folk in Kuala Lumpur dust off
its route - a recipe for large pelagic animals,
an hour.
their scuba gear and start planning. But many
resting and feeding.
A day on Tenggol
The Terengganu National Marine Park seemed
Tenggol may be rocky and rugged, but a large,
ideal. The protected waters of the park have
sheltered white sand bay, scooped out of the
avoid the famous dive destinations in favour
of less well known sites just up the road.
western side, offers calm and crystal clear
water and a thriving coral reef for snorkelers
and new divers. Here, the resort also has
a perfectly-placed open-air lodge with
bathroom and dining facilities.
The action for more experienced divers lies
Beach: Tanjong Jara Resort
on the other side of the island. The water
movement, healthy corals and a vibrant reef
community create a perfect environment
to sustain large schools of fish and bring
big animals in from the deep. Eagle rays,
trevally, barracuda and black tip reef sharks
Under the
surface of
paradise
are common sights. Manta rays and whale
sharks are also regular visitors, usually at the
beginning or end of the diving season.
We also experienced what a fabulous place this
is for snorkelers. Over lunch we overheard a
first-time snorkeller describing her morning
as “life-changing…couldn’t believe it was
real… it was like a 3D movie!”
Villa: Tanjong Jara Resort
muse ~ 88
Typical bedroom: Tanjong Jara Resort
muse ~ 89
Recommendations
Diving
One route on the north side of
the bay takes snorkelers over a
lush, multi-coloured field of staghorn coral, filled with a million
cardinal fish of different kinds
that sparkle in the sunlight of
the shallows.
Muse top 5 Diving destinations
01
01
Not Only for the Experts
Arriving back in the resort we met Jim and
Anna, on holiday from Hanoi, for Happy Hour
around the pool. They were new divers and
said they had chosen this as the destination
for their first post-certification dives. Next day,
we joined them and it reminded us that great
dives aren’t just about fast drifts and big fish.
It can be just as fun pausing and listening to
parrot fish crunching down on hard corals, or
watch octopus moving over the sea bed, their
skin changing colour and texture to match
their surroundings.
Now’s the time
Tenggol cannot be a secret for ever. The diving
is too good, the access from Kuala Lumpur
too simple and the proximity of a high-class
spa resort is too enticing a cocktail. We will
be back…
muse ~ 90
Egypt
The Red Sea is considered to be one of the 7
Wonders of the underwater world, harbouring
more than 1,000 species of invertebrates and
over 200 species of soft and hard coral. There are
more than 1,100 species of fish, and one-fifth of
them can only be found here. Diving in the Red
Sea means unobstructed opportunities to spot
tropical marine life in warm, crystal clear waters,
ranging from sharks and dolphins to gorgonian
fans and feather-stars. For sheer variety, too, the
Red Sea scores highly; it includes shallow patch
reefs, drift dives and walls and some of the most
fascinating wrecks on any seabed, anywhere. In
other places vibrant reefs stretch far into the sea
and form intricate labyrinths of plateaus, lagoons,
caves and gardens. Amongst the diving fraternity,
there are various schools of thought over the very
best place in the Red Sea to dive. However, many
agree that Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula
has the best that Egypt has to offer.
02
03
04
05
02
04
03
05
Mozambique
The offshore reefs in Mozambique are some
of the most pristine on the coast of East Africa,
with a plethora of marine life and breathtaking
coral gardens. Benguerra is a paradise for both
experienced and novice snorkellers and scuba divers.
Many exotic reef fish abound such as schooling
banner fish, moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped
snappers, barred sweetlips, goldies and trigger fish.
The Philippines
Perhaps the ultimate in island life, there are 7,107
beautiful islands with lush rainforests, caves and
waterfalls; stunning beaches, pristine reefs and a
diverse marine eco system teeming with life and full
of adventure. Dive with the dugongs at Dimakya
Island, thresher sharks at Malapascua or snorkel
with whale sharks in Donsol. For wreck enthusiasts,
do not miss the Japanese WW ll vessels in Sangat.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Amongst aficionados, the Great Barrier Reef
is rated as one of the world’s ultimate scuba
destinations. Stretching over 2,000 km from
Lizard Island in the north down to Great Palm
Island in the south, no diver’s experience is truly
complete without a trip down there. It offers the
world’s largest coral reef system and is the only
such structure, made up of living organisms, that
is actually visible from space.
Tenggol Island
One of the best-kept diving secrets in Malaysia is
Pulau Tenggol on the east coast of the peninsula. An
excellent hotel and spa on the mainland, Tanjong Jara
Resort, provides the perfect diving base. As you laze
on the resort’s fabulous sandy beach, luxurious spa
treatments compete for your attention with Tenggol,
which is right on your doorstep. And the Tanjong Jara
team make it easy to get the very best diving each day.
The resort whisks you to the island by speedboat in
under an hour.
muse ~ 91
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic
If some day your great-great-grand
children come across this article in
a dusty loft, it will probably make
hilarious reading.
Come their time, space travel for
ordinary mortals could be as routine
as jumping on a plane. But it will be
thanks to the pioneering work taking
place on the ground today.
Technology is snowballing. Space,
which has so far been the preserve
of highly-trained astronauts - and the
occasional adventurer with $20m
to spare - is opening up to the public.
Virgin Galactic is now taking reservations
for flights into space.
Only 500 people have travelled into
space in the last 50 years. Now, the
notion of 500 every year is already
looking realistic.
It seems that reaching for the stars is
no longer quite the stretch it was.
“Would passengers for outer
space please proceed to Gate...”
THE FINAL FRONTIER,
BOARDING SOON
It is no longer science fiction:
soon, everyday mortals will have the
chance to travel to outer space.
muse ~ 92
Once it was Cape Canaveral. Soon,
south west New Mexico will become the
new hub for space travel, the location
of Virgin Galactic’s ‘Gateway to Space’
at Spaceport America. For the first
time, ordinary citizens will be able
to travel faster than a speeding bullet
through the edge of the atmosphere.
They will break through the bonds of
gravity in a spaceship at around Mach
3.3 and experience the extraordinary
sensation of weightlessness. All the
while, they will be gazing down on
Earth – a sight that only fully-trained
astronauts have seen before.
The journey so far
Realising this extraordinary vision has
taken someone of the drive and the
resources of Sir Richard Branson.
He had long nurtured a dream of
making space travel accessible. Then,
Dr Peter Diamandis, Founder and
Chairman of the X Prize Foundation,
offered a $10 million prize for privatesector manned spaceflight. It was all
the encouragement Branson needed.
He teamed up with famed aviation
designer Burt Rutan and the team at
Scaled Composites based in Mojave.
They set out to win the prize with Rutan’s
brilliantly designed WhiteKnightOne
(WK1) carrier aircraft and SpaceShipOne
(SS1), the world’s first fully reusable
sub-orbital spacecraft.
After 18 months of test flights, test
pilot Brian Binnie flew SpaceShipOne
on her third successful sub-orbital test
flight to an altitude of 112km to win the
X-Prize on 4 October 2004. The prize
required the team to complete the two
flights within 14 days; they actually
achieved it in less than a week.
Within a matter of months, Virgin had
placed an order for five spaceships and
two carrier ships. They announced the
creation of Virgin Galactic in September
2004, and started taking deposits for
spaceflight reservations less than a
year later.
In January 2008, the team unveiled
the final designs for Virgin Galactic’s
space launch system: WhiteKnightTwo
(WK2) and SpaceShipTwo (SS2).
Since then, the two have successfully
completed 93 and 22 test flights
respectively. Space tourism is now
just around the corner...
What will it be like?
Try to imagine the scene. You report for
take-off at Virgin Galactic’s worldwide
headquarters, Spaceport America
in New Mexico. You take your place
on SpaceShipTwo, which at this
point is attached to the carrier ship
WhiteKnightTwo. You take off as you
would in a normal plane - but there the
similarity ends. You embark on a 5060 minute climb, ascending to 50,000
feet. Then comes the point of release,
as SS2 separates from WK2: after a few
seconds, SS2’s onboard rocket fires
into life. This mighty thrust shoots you
vertically, and in less than 10 seconds
you’re travelling supersonic. And in
less than one minute, you’re leaving the
atmosphere at just under Mach 4. You
then blast through the Karman Line,
the official boundary of the Earth’s
atmosphere - and into space itself.
After a burn lasting up to 90 seconds,
the rocket motor is shut down. Now
comes the unforgettable experience
of being able to leave your seat and
discover weightlessness. In Zero G, you
simply float around the cabin. And, all
the while, absorb astonishing views of
up to 750 miles in any direction.
The spaceflight itself will reach a
peak altitude of around 68 miles,
before the pilots ‘feather’ the wings in
preparation for re-entry. Re-entry will
last approximately 90 seconds, using
the same principles as a shuttlecock
to slow and control the spaceship
as it comes back into the Earth’s
atmosphere. This not only makes reentry relatively heat-free but means
that no piloting is required at this point
– the laws of physics do all the work.
Then at around 70,000 ft the pilots will
‘de-feather’ the wings in preparation
for landing. SS2 now takes a 20 minute
glide back to the same runway from
where you departed two hours before.
But now, you’re no longer a passenger.
Officially, you’re an astronaut.
Booking now
It seems surreal to say it, but you
can now book your place in space.
Although there is perhaps one
consideration: the small matter of
$200,000 for your ticket. For those
lucky enough to afford it, the ticket
will include an in-depth pre-flight
training programme. The idea, very
sensibly, is that you’ll be so familiar
and comfortable with the spaceflight
environment, you’ll then be fully
ready to savour every second of this
truly extraordinary journey.
Start saving...
muse ~ 93
Raw Sienna
Raw Sienna
?
A beautiful investment
He sold his first work for £27 at the age
of 12. He has exhibited at some of the top
galleries in the world but now artist Stuart
McAlpine Miller has been catapulted into
the big league.
Finally realizing the true extent of his creative
endeavours, the Scottish artist has recently
achieved huge success with his illusion-based
figurative works.
Chosen last year from more than 1,000
applicants, Miller has taken up the prestigious
position as artist-in-residence at The Savoy.
The artist will produce eight artworks
inspired by celebrities who have stayed at
the famous London hotel. Marilyn Monroe,
Laurence Olivier, Noel Coward and Elizabeth
Taylor were among countless legendary
guests who stayed in its sumptuous suites.
Selecting an artist to follow in these footsteps and to create new
artworks was no easy task. We look forward to seeing McAlpine
Miller’s take on The Savoy and unveiling a new collection of works
which we believe will delight guests and enhance the beautifully
restored interiors of this iconic hotel
Kiaran MacDonald, Managing Director of The Savoy
His striking works, which layer images of
supermodel-esque women over brightly coloured
cartoons, is a commentary on the superficiality of
fame. They’re winning him a following in Britain
and Hong Kong and a clutch of celebrity admirers
including Sir Paul McCartney.
The images appear to be photographs but closer
inspection reveals them to be painted in oils.
According to Miller’s dealer, prices for the works
have tripled over the past year.
The Savoy has seen its fair share of famous
artists. Monet painted the view of Waterloo and
Westminster bridges from his room at the hotel,
and Whistler etched its scaffolding.
The portraits are set to take pride of place
in the property’s central atrium at the end
of September 2012 - and prices for Miller’s
work are expected to rocket.
From that first £27 sale his work is now
priced at upwards of £30,000 and is
poised to increase.
Estelle Lovatt, art critic for BBC Radio 2’s
Art Show, said:
Of the most outstanding beauty
in the art world today, his is the new
art to be collected for investment and
aesthetics for tomorrow.
No-one else paints like him.
muse ~ 94
If you are an art lover and looking for a savvy investment
a limited number of paintings are available for purchase.
Please call Christine on 01565 650689
or email [email protected]
muse ~ 95
10 of the best
10 of the best
10
01
02
most expensive board game in the world
Outrage Deluxe is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most
expensive board game in the world. Manufactured by Jade Games,
the aim is to steal the crown jewels, which in this deluxe version are 18
carat gold, studded with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds.
The game is in a mahogany box and will set you back £11,735.
of the best
02
Silolona - Super yacht adventures
Private Label Worldwide specialises in concierge travel services to
distinctly unique destinations. One of their most exciting discoveries
is the “Phinisi” luxury yacht Silolona – a 50 metre vessel inspired by
the Indonesian spice trade sailing ships. Offering journeys of discovery
throughout the incredible archipelagos of Indonesia, this is a must for
all adventurers with a taste for luxury. www.pivatelabelww.com
03
The Pagani Huayra
The force of a plane, tamed for the road. Pagani has created a
car that’s even more spacious than its predecessor, the Zonda,
with a silhouette that is “soft, easy to read and which forms
from lean and sleek lines that have a clear beginning and end”.
The Huayra comes with a price tag in the region of £850,000.
www.pagani.com/huayra
04
03
Infinity Champagne Bowl
What better home for your chilled Champagne than this exquisite Infinity
Bowl? The spiral design is created in mother of pearl, obtained from the
inside of a mollusc shell. A master artisan painstakingly applies layers of
plaster and lacquer until a smooth surface is obtained. A polished glaze of
lacquer then finishes this wholly original piece. www.uber-interiors.com
05
04
muse ~ 96
01
05
Bang & Olufsen - Plasma TV
The BeoVision 7 Series combine leading edge, perfectly synchronised
components with B&O signature sound and vision technologies to
provide a viewing experience that will engage, entertain and inspire you
like never before – all on your own terms. An experience that begins
the instant you settle into your favourite chair and pick up your Beo6
remote, which enables you to control everything with ease.
www.bang-olufsen.com
muse ~ 97
10 of the best
06
06
ESCAPE TO THE TREES: BLUE FOREST
For every child who dreams of a tree house, a grown-up isn’t far
behind. In the hands of Blue Forest, a tree house can be anything
you want it to be. An escapist adventure room. A luxurious outdoor
hideaway. An office. Or a group of separate ideas, brought together in
their own elevated community. www.blueforest.com
07
09
08
9300 www.davidharber.com
by
07
A Revolutionary Gift: the Che Humidor
For the man who has everything comes something he doesn’t: the Elie Bleu
Che 110 Cigar Humidor. This homage to the revolutionary Che Guevara
draws on the woodworking traditions of the 18th century. It is lined with
a cedar interior and finished with a lacquered sycamore that requires
eight separate processes. These miniature treasure chests can maintain
the aroma of up to 110 cigars. The humidor offers two humidification
systems and a hygrometer to maintain a constant tropical humidity.
www.uber-interiors.com
08
DAVID HARBER DESIGN SCULPTURES
A work of art doesn’t have to hang on a wall. Or even be inside. David
Harber uses contemporary three-dimensional design to celebrate
unpredictability, illusion and passing time. Every work is an original
piece of art, commissioned and personalised - be it a sundial, a water
feature or a piece of sculpture. www.davidharber.co.uk
09
Chalet Zermatt Peak – Zermatt, Switzerland
Like something from a Bond movie, Chalet Zermatt Peak combines
location (dramatically perched on the edge of a cliff), fantasy (you
have the whole of Zermatt, and the Matterhorn, laid before you) and
breathtaking contemporary interior design and technology. Prepare to
be shaken and indeed stirred. www.oxfordski.com
10
10
muse ~ 98
Heaven Scent - Clive Christian
When Clive Christian created the new perfume ‘No1’ his brief was
to spare no expense in an effort to come up with the ultimate luxury
fragrance. The result is the world’s most expensive perfume, priced at
£2,700 for a 30ml bottle. No1 is available to both men and women
and all bottles come with a diamond solitaire on the collar.
www.clive.com
®
NEW LONDON SHOWROOM
by appointment 0207 118 1780
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