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Welcome to the August 2007 issue of WOWConfidential, Kiwi Collection's exclusive insider's newsletter by Mary Gostelow, editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, our online luxury magazine for discerning global travellers.
Please enjoy this month's WOW.travel. We have Seven Sensational City Hotels for Runners. Our Insider is Sir Rocco Forte, who has just re-branded his hotel group as The Rocco Forte Collection - The Art of Simple Luxury. Our monthly concierge is Adam von Mentzer at The Grand Hotel, Stockholm. Stephen White, who set up the exciting gourmet food program on NetJets, shares his personal style. Away-night is the Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg, Germany. As always, there are hosts of exciting entries in both VIP and future events and happenings. Around The World includes a Black Sea tour of exciting cities in Ukraine, latest spa trends in Asia, and what top travelers actually want today.
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Come aboard and sail away with SilverSea cruises
I am writing this in - sorry on - the Black Sea. We have just sailed through the Bosphorus and we are heading for the first of our Ukrainian ports, Odessa (read more here). We are aboard Silver Whisper (the photo shows me up on the bridge with Captain Angelo Corsaro, my favorite Silversea captain). Silversea is enhancing its project the whole time. New since my last cruise are fabulous Sealy beds, and Frette linens. www.silversea.com
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The first House of Yue-Sai to open in Shanghai
Our dear friend Yue-Sai Kan - the Oprah Winfrey of China, a household name to over 300 million devoted viewers - is now setting up The House of Yue-Sai, a kind of Shanghai Tang for the beautiful home. Her first store, headed by CEO Ian Strickland, opens in October in Shanghai. Creative director is Rich Langone, who expects to create about 80% of what he will be selling in China, but he is also sourcing European bed linens and Thai silk. As Yue-Sai (photo) says, her brand is known by about 90% of the population and she will be sharing her signature look - modern Chinese with an international flair. She plans at least 100 stand-alone stores, as well as satellite store-in-store concepts and airport outposts. She is also about to publish the first book on interior design in China.
www.yuesaikan.com
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Catch all the action of a Red Sox game while staying at the Taj Boston this month
Taj Boston, led by GM David Gibbons, has masses of exciting things on offer this month. First, how about a Red Sox game at Fenway Park (my husband used to teach with one of this Major League Basketball team's owners, Larry Lucchino, so I have a personal interest)? The Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (the Halos) and the Baltimore Orioles this month. While in town, you also have Discovering Chimpanzees at the Museum of Science, Boston, and Jacqueline Kennedy Entertains at the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum. www.tajhotels.comTaj Boston, Boston, United States
See other hotels in Boston (12)
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Jetlag be gone! Flight Recovery contains essential minerals to relieve symptoms of jetlag
Flight Recovery might just help longhaul jetlag - it comes out of Australia, which of course means the potential market is huge. Flight Recovery is sachets of amino acids, carbs, electrolytes and trace elements which you pour into water, and drink. It has been devised by two frequent travellers, Pat Stone and Tom Smith, former MD and Director of Marketing of Carlton & United Breweries, and their holding company is The Recovery Company. www.flightrecovery.com.au
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Fly green with Silverjet - the first carbon neutral airline worldwide
Silverjet, the all-Business transatlantic airline, is Virtuoso's 34th airline partner. Silverjet's Boeing 767s are configured merely for one hundred passengers, who find 75-inch seats which convert into reclining beds with built-in reading lights, laptop power outlets and seat-back massage. There are noise-reduction headsets, a wide supply of entertainment offerings and there is a ladies-only washroom. Silverjet flies between Luton, north of London, and Newark, NJ. www.flysilverjet.com
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Paul White now taking charge of 49 Orient Express properties as President and CEO
I am personally thrilled that Orient-Express Hotels Ltd has chosen as its President and CEO an industry professional with real passion. Paul White (photo), who starts his new role on August 10th, has spent 16 of his 21 years in the luxury hotel industry with the company, where he has variously been General Manager and Regional Director, culminating in his last role as CFO. Paul White now takes charge of a total of 49 properties in 25 countries. www.orient-express.com
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Porsche is partnering with Fearless International Inc
Talking of London stores, Porsche has always been admired for its cars - now Porsche Design Studio is solving a lot of lifestyle challenges. I love my Porsche titanium wheelie-bag (I saw it in the window of the Porsche Design shop in London's Bond Street and bought it on the spot). Others understandably hanker after the 28-foot carbon-reinforced Fearless 28 (photo): with 625 horsepower it can reach 78 knots. Porsche is partnering with Fearless International Inc, led by CEO Jeffrey Binder.
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Chic luxury emerges from a desert landscape at Desert Palm – opening this month
This month, Per Aquum Desert Palm opens on the outskirts of Dubai - just in time for the Dubai polo season, which runs September through to March. The 24-room resort, on the edge of four working polo fields and stabling for 300 horses, is owned by polo legend Ali Albwardy. Resort GMs are David and Jacquie O'Hara, and the favorite suite will undoubtedly be Villa Layali, which has its own 45-ft pool and flat roof, for great polo viewing. www.desertpalm.aeDesert Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
See other hotels in Dubai (19)
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Hook, line and sinker! Huka Lodge holds its annual Classic Anglers' Tournament next month
New Zealand's Huka Lodge holds its annual Classic Anglers' Tournament on September 4-5th. The lodge, on the banks of the Waikato River in the Wairakei National Park, was founded as a fishing hideaway, and was opened as a luxury resort by its owner, Alex van Heeren, in 1994. He has since added the marvellous four-bedroom cottage, with sensational views over Huka Falls. www.hukalodge.co.nzHuka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand
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The Chedi Chiang Mai launches golf promotion
Talking of sport, The Chedi Chiang Mai, one of the luxurious hotels managed by General Hotel Management GHM, has a golf package that allows you to select any three golf courses in that region of Thailand (you are ferried to and from your chosen courses in a Mercedes). The hotel, right on the banks of the Ping river, is a fascinating blend of the 1913 house built for the then-British Consul and architect Kerry Hill's 2005 minimalist four-floor buildings. Best views are from top floor Club rooms. www.ghmhotels.comThe Chedi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
See other hotels in Chiang Mai (5)
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Take the plunge and swim with the dolphins at Msambweni Beach House
There is swimming (including with dolphins) at Msambweni Beach House, set on 28 acres with 700 feet of private beach one hour's drive from Mombasa, Kenya. Other sports at the complex, run by GM Frederik Vanderhoeven, include biking, fishing (at this time of year, snapper, kingfish, tuna, crab and langoustine) and Shimba Hills wildlife. As well as the three-room Main House, there is a luxury tent, and also two villas with private infinity pools. www.msambweni-house.com
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Exciting upcoming news and events in Amsterdam
There is lots going on in Amsterdam right now - and an elegant place to stay is the iconic Amstel InterContinental. The city's new public library was opened on July 7th by HRH Princess Laurentien. Designed by architect Jo Coenen, the 300,000 sq ft building is on Oosterdokseiland, next to the main rail station, www.amsterdam.info/community/public_library. And the city's Grachten Canal Festival, with masses of free classical concerts on and around the canals, this year, this year runs from August 11 to 19th, www.grachtenfestival.nl.
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Cutting-edge and unique: Jade on 36 Restaurant captures the spirit of modern Shanghai
Jade on 36, atop the Grand Tower of Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai, is a theatrical experience. Chef Paul Pairet will probably start you off with a sardine mousse in a real sardine tin, and you might proceed to strong-smoked tiny eggplant fingers in a tahini soup, with oat crackle cake; truffle bread - long slice of wholemeal bread dipped in a truffle-egg mix and fried, served as a long finger with clear foam on top - and then perhaps frozen watermelon bites on a skewer, and perhaps an overnight-cooked short rib. Any ingredient is interesting, says the chef, whose set menus, Indigo, Jade, Mahogany and Rose are available in three sizes. Note, do not miss designer Adam Tihany's neon-lit washrooms. www.shangri-la.com
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Admire the treasured Donna Franca Florio portrait while dining on outstanding cuisine
Donna Franca Florio, shown in this 1924 portrait by Giovanni Boldini, was said to be the most beautiful woman in Italy at the time. Sadly her husband, Don Ignazio Florio, fell on hard times, and family treasures had to be sold (the portrait was sold at Christie's in 1995 to the Rome-based conglomerate Acqua Pia Antica Marcia). It now stands, in a heavy gold frame, in its own illuminated glass case in Donna Franca Florio restaurant in the historic Villa Igiea Hilton, Palermo. The food is outstanding, by the way - try the artichoke risotto! - and the restaurant is a magnet for top Sicilian politicians and businesspeople. www.hilton.com
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Coming next month
'Coming next month, Seven Sensational Four-Post beds, concierge thoughts on Athens, the style of Mark Henderson, CEO of Gieves & Hawkes - and Insider views on the industry from Marié-Béatrice Lallemand, COO of Barry Sternlicht's top hotels.
Have a great month!
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