lap of luxuRy
check-in compiled by Michaela Williams
ask the concierge Palais Namaskar Hotel & Spa
Lap of luxury
From Beverly Hills to Marrakech, Paris to Brisbane, luxury is the perfect bedfellow.
Postcard perfection designed to feng shui principles, from its Moorish marble archways to Balinese-inspired gardens. In-between hammam treatments, camel or helicopter rides, trekking in the nearby Atlas Mountains or simply marinating in your own fabulousness, be sure to use the hotel’s private jet from Casablanca and visit the city’s ancient medina. From €390 ($502). 88/69 Route de Bab Atlas, Marrakech, Morocco. +212 (5) 2429 9800. lhw.com/palaisnamaskar
where i stay Anne Mette mÜller-krogstrup Head of silverware, Georg Jensen
H Ô T EL R É CA M IE R , PA R IS “I adore the elegant, super-chic, luxury boutique Hotel Récamier. It made me fall in love – again – which is what Paris is all about. The Saint Germain area is life-affirming in every sense of the word and surrounds you with some of the best shopping streets in the world. The true feel of a bourgeois family home with an overflow of discreet luxury overwhelms you the moment you enter the lobby. The subtle decor and superb attention to detail epitomise the nature of the brilliant Parisian society lady [Juliette Récamier, 1777-1849] after whom the hotel is named. Original art work adorns the walls and the unique furniture is displayed in perfect synergy. The rooms enhance the feeling of luxury that makes you want to sink in and relax. Best of all, the service is amazing and outstandingly charming.” From €208 ($268). 3a Place Saint Sulpice, Saint Germain, Paris. +33 (0) 1 4326 0489. www.hotelrecamier.com 8 6 Q AN TAS j u ly 201 2
Matt Goldyn
Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh
Hilton Brisbane
After a $14m-plus refurbishment, Australia's only Harry Seidler-designed hotel has got its modernist mojo back with 114 upgraded executive category rooms, an 83m atrium capped by a glass dome and a high-tech business centre. In the heart of the CBD, the Hilton is near the riverside entertainment precinct and GoMA. The hotel's marvellously meaty Vintaged Bar & Grill, with its walk-in wine room, won a chef’s hat at the inaugural Queensland Good Food Guide Awards in May. From $314. 190 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Queensland. (07) 3234 2000. www.hilton.com The Peninsula Beverly Hills
It wouldn’t be LA without the occasional nip and tuck, right? Beverly Hills’ grand dame of hotels has renovated its 193 rooms. The four “specialty suites” each have an individual colour palette and one-off furnishings. Culinary stalwart The Belvedere does fine dining the Old Hollywood way, including the truffle macaroni and cheese. From $US525 ($538). 9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, USA. +1 (310) 551 2888. grandluxuryhotels.com/ hotel/the-peninsula-beverly-hills
✜ When friends are in town I take them for a drink… along George Street, which boasts some of Edinburgh’s trendiest bars and restaurants. Start at Oloroso’s rooftop terrace where there are amazing views over the city. ✜ The restaurant that best shows off Edinburgh is… the Michelin-starred Castle Terrace at the very foot of Edinburgh Castle. It’s a short taxi journey from the hotel. ✜ For designer fashion I steer guests towards... St Andrew Square, where all of Edinburgh’s top designers are in one location. ✜ For the perfect gift or memento I’d shop at… the Royal Mile, from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You can pick up everything from a great bottle of Scotch to a nice piece of authentic tartan. ✜ Couples wanting a romantic dinner for two should try… heading a little out of town to one of the many restaurants in Leith. I would recommend the seafood and atmosphere at Fishers, on the Shore. ✜ To see great art, visit…
the Scottish National Gallery, home to one of the world’s finest collections of fine art. The Edvard Munch exhibition runs until late September, presenting graphic works from the Gundersen Collection. ✜ The best markets are… along Princes Street, with the most famous being the German Market, which is held during the festive season in December. ✜ For vintage finds head to… the very cool Grassmarket area for a collection of chic vintage boutiques, as well as secondhand books and antiques. ✜ If it’s raining… take a guided tour up through the Highlands, stopping at some of Scotland’s many whisky distilleries. ✜ Edinburgh’s best-kept secret is… the Water of Leith, which is a really beautiful river walk. I love the stretch that runs between Dean Village and Stockbridge. ✜ If I were a visitor with a free day… I'd head for Holyrood Park where you can take a challenging hill walk up to Arthur’s Seat.
You can pick up everything from a bottle of Scotch to a piece of authentic tartan j u ly 201 2 Q AN TAS 8 7
ask the concierge Palais Namaskar Hotel & Spa
Lap of luxury
From Beverly Hills to Marrakech, Paris to Brisbane, luxury is the perfect bedfellow.
Postcard perfection designed to feng shui principles, from its Moorish marble archways to Balinese-inspired gardens. In-between hammam treatments, camel or helicopter rides, trekking in the nearby Atlas Mountains or simply marinating in your own fabulousness, be sure to use the hotel’s private jet from Casablanca and visit the city’s ancient medina. From €390 ($502). 88/69 Route de Bab Atlas, Marrakech, Morocco. +212 (5) 2429 9800. lhw.com/palaisnamaskar
where i stay Anne Mette mÜller-krogstrup Head of silverware, Georg Jensen
H Ô T EL R É CA M IE R , PA R IS “I adore the elegant, super-chic, luxury boutique Hotel Récamier. It made me fall in love – again – which is what Paris is all about. The Saint Germain area is life-affirming in every sense of the word and surrounds you with some of the best shopping streets in the world. The true feel of a bourgeois family home with an overflow of discreet luxury overwhelms you the moment you enter the lobby. The subtle decor and superb attention to detail epitomise the nature of the brilliant Parisian society lady [Juliette Récamier, 1777-1849] after whom the hotel is named. Original art work adorns the walls and the unique furniture is displayed in perfect synergy. The rooms enhance the feeling of luxury that makes you want to sink in and relax. Best of all, the service is amazing and outstandingly charming.” From €208 ($268). 3a Place Saint Sulpice, Saint Germain, Paris. +33 (0) 1 4326 0489. www.hotelrecamier.com 8 6 Q AN TAS j u ly 201 2
Matt Goldyn
Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh
Hilton Brisbane
After a $14m-plus refurbishment, Australia's only Harry Seidler-designed hotel has got its modernist mojo back with 114 upgraded executive category rooms, an 83m atrium capped by a glass dome and a high-tech business centre. In the heart of the CBD, the Hilton is near the riverside entertainment precinct and GoMA. The hotel's marvellously meaty Vintaged Bar & Grill, with its walk-in wine room, won a chef’s hat at the inaugural Queensland Good Food Guide Awards in May. From $314. 190 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Queensland. (07) 3234 2000. www.hilton.com The Peninsula Beverly Hills
It wouldn’t be LA without the occasional nip and tuck, right? Beverly Hills’ grand dame of hotels has renovated its 193 rooms. The four “specialty suites” each have an individual colour palette and one-off furnishings. Culinary stalwart The Belvedere does fine dining the Old Hollywood way, including the truffle macaroni and cheese. From $US525 ($538). 9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, USA. +1 (310) 551 2888. grandluxuryhotels.com/ hotel/the-peninsula-beverly-hills
✜ When friends are in town I take them for a drink… along George Street, which boasts some of Edinburgh’s trendiest bars and restaurants. Start at Oloroso’s rooftop terrace where there are amazing views over the city. ✜ The restaurant that best shows off Edinburgh is… the Michelin-starred Castle Terrace at the very foot of Edinburgh Castle. It’s a short taxi journey from the hotel. ✜ For designer fashion I steer guests towards... St Andrew Square, where all of Edinburgh’s top designers are in one location. ✜ For the perfect gift or memento I’d shop at… the Royal Mile, from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You can pick up everything from a great bottle of Scotch to a nice piece of authentic tartan. ✜ Couples wanting a romantic dinner for two should try… heading a little out of town to one of the many restaurants in Leith. I would recommend the seafood and atmosphere at Fishers, on the Shore. ✜ To see great art, visit…
the Scottish National Gallery, home to one of the world’s finest collections of fine art. The Edvard Munch exhibition runs until late September, presenting graphic works from the Gundersen Collection. ✜ The best markets are… along Princes Street, with the most famous being the German Market, which is held during the festive season in December. ✜ For vintage finds head to… the very cool Grassmarket area for a collection of chic vintage boutiques, as well as secondhand books and antiques. ✜ If it’s raining… take a guided tour up through the Highlands, stopping at some of Scotland’s many whisky distilleries. ✜ Edinburgh’s best-kept secret is… the Water of Leith, which is a really beautiful river walk. I love the stretch that runs between Dean Village and Stockbridge. ✜ If I were a visitor with a free day… I'd head for Holyrood Park where you can take a challenging hill walk up to Arthur’s Seat.
You can pick up everything from a bottle of Scotch to a piece of authentic tartan j u ly 201 2 Q AN TAS 8 7
