Marvellous Escapes

By Eve Tedja

Bookmark these new hotels in Hanoi, Bali and the Maldives for future stays.

CAPELLA HANOI

As the sixth addition to Capella Hotels & Resorts collection, Capella Hanoi embodies the brand’s focus on creating distinctive cultural experience, thoughtful design and personalised service. Situated in the French-influenced Old Quarter with Hanoi Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake as neighbours, it seeks to evoke the glamorous bygone era when opera singers, composers and artists come together for a late-night rendezvous at the hotel.

Designed by Bill Bensley, each individually-styled 47 rooms and suites offers bespoke amenities, decorated with historical opera memorabilia and original portraiture artworks by Kate Spencer. Four Opera Suites, located on the highest floor of the building, is the hotel’s crown jewels with its spacious living areas and terraces. A Capella Culturist will point the guest into the right direction and create a tailored experience in Hanoi’s cultural heritage.

The Living Room, exclusively reserved for the guests of the hotel, is a social heart of the hotel where literary titles, light refreshments and unique Capella Moments can be found. Every day of the week, find expert-led classes such as Vietnamese coffee cupping or bamboo paper fan making. Three outlets – Backstage, Diva’s Lounge and Teppanyaki Private Counter – are serving decadent cocktails and culinary delights. Weary travellers are invited to relax at La Grotta indoor pool and the imperially-inspired Auriga Spa with its treatment’s suites, saunas, and steam baths.



CHRISTOPH STRAHM GENERAL MANAGER

“A celebration of opera, Capella Hanoi is conceptualised to be a ‘petite auberge’, a coveted palace of revelry and rendezvous spot for opera’s greatest artists, singers, composers, stage and costume designers after the final curtain call. Here, you can experience sights, sounds and gastronomic flavour of the 1920s that will make your heart sing. Inspired by quintessential Northern Vietnamese cuisine, Backstage elevates the region’s authentic flavour into a new height with modern touches. For libations, Diva’s Lounge serves bohemian cocktails and Vietnamese-inspired tapas in celebration of famous female artists who revolutionised their craft.”



AVANI SEMINYAK BALI RESORT

With 16 spacious private pool villas and 21 residential suites, long-staying travellers will find the boutique resort suitable for their needs. As the first Avani property in Indonesia, the Seminyak-based resort provides what the brand is known for: style, value and comfort. Located five-minutes away from the beach, the neighbourhood is known for its food scene, coffee stops, retail therapy and youthful energy. 


The suites and villas are designed with comfort in mind. Each comes with a private kitchen and dining area, suitable for entertaining. Tastefully decorated in a laid-back coastal aesthetic, the suites boast open-air terraces and larger multi-bedroom units with pool access. With private plunge pool and outdoor garden, the 150-square metre One-Bedroom Pool Villa offers a hideaway to work, play and enjoy life. Meanwhile, families will find the Two-Bedroom Pool Villa suitable for their needs. Indulge on Indonesian and international dishes at Groove restaurant or ask the chef to set up an in-villa or private dining at your accommodation.



I MADE SUBRATA GENERAL MANAGER

“Our resort is located conveniently in the heart of Seminyak and a hop away from he cafes, shops and restaurants as well as beach clubs that Seminyak is wellknown for. Our rooms and suites are suitable for those who wish to stay in Bali a bit longer, be it solo traveller, couples or families. Apart from dining at Groove, I recommend our in-villa or in-suite dining options such as the Jimbaranstyle seafood barbecue or romantic candlelight dinner by the pool.”


PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS

Nestled in the North Malé Atoll and a 50-minute luxury boat transfer away from Malé International Airport, the first flagship property from Patina Hotels & Resorts celebrates crafts, nature and connection. Fari Islands offers “a simultaneous experience of isolation and belonging” in the form of Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club where people can meet and interact, then rest in the private sanctuary of their accommodation at the resort.

Designed by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, the resort is made up of 90- oneto three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas as well as 20 Fari Studios. The low-lying architecture allows uninterrupted gaze of the ocean and the sky. Its interiors are made of earthy colour palettes, subtle textures and matte surfaces in harmony with the surrounding nature. The floor-to-ceiling panorama sliding window systems in the villas blur the lines between indoor and outdoor while top range designers furniture imbues the spaces with luxury, from Vitra to Paola Lenti.

There are 12 dining concepts with emphasis on fresh ingredients and exciting perspectives, from plant-based restaurant to hearty Aegean kitchen. Well-being is also an inseparable part of the experience, as can be seen in the myriad of programme to encourage sleep, mindfulness, nutrition, fun and fitness.



MARCO DEN OUDEN GENERAL MANAGER

“Patina is a luxury brand that pushes boundary of what is usually expected from a more traditional hotel. It aims to cater for a new generation of progressive travellers, who have a deep appreciation for wellbeing, conscious living, and non-conventionalexperiences whileneverwantingtosacrifice the level of service found at ultra-luxury hotels. We are the first resort in the Maldives to have a 100 percent solarpowered kids’ club, recreation and dive centres. In addition, we have zero-waste kitchens, recycling drives, and all kinds of other energy-positive operations. Food-wise, noseto- tail and root-to leaf dining is the aim here. No effort has been spared in ensuring that Patina Maldives provides guests with sustainable yet nutritious cuisine”.

Gourmet Traveller