No time for an entire world tour? Why not start with a half-world tour? Here are in 10 stops, from Paris to Tokyo via Hyderabad, the most beautiful hotels in the Orient.
1 • PARIS / HÔTEL DE CRILLON
Closed for four years for renovation, the legendary hotel on the Place de la Concorde reopened in July 2017 under the Rosewood imprint. Built in 1758 at the request of Louis XV to illustrate the power of France, the hotel has been restored to its former splendour, while taking a step into the 21st century.
2 • ROME / HOTEL EDEN
Located in the heart of the old town, the newly restored hotel is just a few steps from the legendary Piazza di Spagna and the picturesque Villa Borghese. This 1889 city oasis has hosted royalty, dignitaries and many celebrities.
3 • ISTANBUL / SOHO HOUSE ISTANBUL
Founded in London in 1995, Soho House was conceived for creative people on the move. Now present in Europe and North America, this unique club is open to non-members, provided they respect the house rules, which include a casual dress code – no business attire please!
4 • MASCATE / THE CHEDI MUSCAT
Nestled on the edge of the Gulf of Oman, The Chedi intrigues with its contemporary, oriental-influenced aesthetic. An ideal refuge just a few hours from Paris, we’re happy to spend a few days here enjoying the 1,500 square metres of Spa before our next adventure.
5 • HYDERABAD / TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE
Overlooking Hyderabad, the ‘city of glittering pearls’, this 1894 palace was once the Nizam’s, when he was considered one of the richest men in the world. It is a feast of opulence and excess, where Victorian ceiling frescoes mingle with Italian marble, without hurting the eyes, quite the contrary!
6 • SIEM REAP / PHUM BAITANG
This Cambodian village-like resort – Arnaud Zannier’s second hotel creation – spreads over eight hectares of rice fields, promising privacy and tranquillity to travellers. In a refined and sophisticated style, Zannier has seduced us with local materials and a warm feeling of disorientation. See you at the Cigar & Cocktail lounge at sunset.
7 • BANGKOK / THE SIAM
Imagine Bangkok meets Gatsby the Magnificent: you’re at the Siam, an art deco Asian gem that bills itself as the Kingdom’s first urban resort. With its feet in the water, these Small Luxury Hotels of the World are a tranquil escape, a breath of fresh air (not so far) away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
8 • HONG KONG / THE PENINSULA HONG KONG
In 1980, nine Silver Shadow IIs were painted metallic green, the same colour that Rolls Royce renamed “Peninsula Green” and which is now reserved for the limousines of Peninsula hotels. These green Rolls Royces and the white-clad Pen Boys are a testament to the elegance and delicacy of the legendary “Grande Dame of the Far East”.
9 • HANGZHOU / AMANFAYUN
This Aman, nestled in the West Lake Valley near Hangzhou, is an absolute favourite. The style is minimalist, combining dark wood and stone floors. Surrounded by tea and bamboo plantations, the Amanfayun transports us to a real traditional Chinese village, in a soothing and authentic atmosphere.
10 • TOKYO / AMAN TOKYO
A haven of peace in the heart of a bustling city, Aman Tokyo is the brand’s first resort in the city. The result is a Japanese-style Zen space, where rice paper canopies and Ofuro bathtubs are part of the décor, contrasting with the breathtaking view of the Japanese skyline and Mount Fuji in the distance.
