AMPR APRIL NEWSLETTER
April 1st, 2019
What’s New?
Belmond unveils a new summer house in Ravello, Belmond Villa Margherita. The 2,100 square foot villa comprises two fully equipped suites (Belvedere and Miramare) featuring custom hand-painted murals and antique terracotta. Ideal for families and larger groups of travelers, the villa offers all the services of a Belmond hotel while granting its residents complete privacy.
The Wauwinet on Nantucket and Serena & Lily have collaborated to present The Anchorage House by Serena & Lily opening on April 18, 2019. The three-bedroom beach cottage will feature the brand’s signature coastal furniture and design.
Shou Sugi Ban House is a new kind of wellness sanctuary offering three-, four-, and six-night retreats focusing on transformation, healing, and an exploration of one’s self, and it’s opening this May in Water Mill. Guests’ days comprise many forms of wellness ranging from beach hikes, reiki, spa treatments, sound healing, and meditation punctuated by gourmet cooking demonstrations (menus are curated by Mads Refslund, formerly of lauded Noma restaurant in Copenhagen).
When La Réserve Ramatuelle opens for the season in mid-April, the property will introduce a new beach club on the famous Pampelonne Beach. Designed by Philipe Starck (whose work includes Le Meurice and Faena in Buenos Aires), La Réserve à La Plage will include a 120-seat beachfront restaurant from the resort’s Michelin starred chef Eric Canino and 75 sunbeds.
The Christopher in St. Barth is broadening its horizons and introducing its very own yacht, Lady Beatrice, in the Mediterranean. Based in Cannes, the yacht can be booked for a private cruise just for the day and up to multiple weeks. The 98-foot boat can accommodate up to eight guests and comes with a five person crew.
Nayara Tented Camp will open in Fall 2019 in Costa Rica. Each tent – designed by veteran luxury safari tent company Luxury Frontiers – will have a private plunge pool filled with naturally warm water from the nearby Arenal volcano’s hot springs, with open views of that volcano and surrounded by a sloth sanctuary.
As part of 33 sailings to Latin America in 2019 and 2020, PONANT announced a new 10-night itinerary, ‘An Exploration in Nature in Costa Rica & the Panama Canal’ with stops at Corcovado National Park, UNESCO World Heritage site Darien Jungle, and the San Blas Islands to meet with the indigenous people. Guests will sail onboard PONANT’s newest vessel Le Dumont d’Urville, departing January 6, 2020.
Almanac Barcelona created a series of experiences to celebrate the Easter holiday, including a sharing menu at Línia, kids’ egg painting classes, and traditional La Mona de Pasquas – decadent Spanish cakes topped with chocolate eggs and figurines crafted using the property’s own chocolate tempering machine.
The Chatwal, New York launched a dedicated Theater Concierge, Juan Espinal, to share insider knowledge on the hottest shows and work with guests to craft an immersive Broadway experience including a behind-the-scenes look at some of Broadway’s biggest theaters, tickets to otherwise sold-out productions, and meet-and-greets with cast favorites.
Pet parents may pamper their furry friends with Hotel Yountville‘s new pet friendly offerings. Dogs will enjoy a special culinary menu, complete with gourmet treats for dessert; monogrammed bedding; dog bowls; and ropes and frisbees to ensure playful adventures and a restful sleep.
Today, Guinot launches Crème Pur Confort SPF 15, a daily cream for sensitive skin that protects against environmental and internal irritants – from water to wind to emotional stress – to soften and even out complexion.
Coinciding with the launch of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s latest exhibition, Christian Dior – Designer of Dreams (on display through September), The Kensington is offering a three-night suite package, including tickets to the exhibition and a custom cocktail, ‘The Corolle’ inspired by Dior’s first couture collection in 1947 ‘La Ligne Corolle’.
Pop-Up Chefs at Hotels
Belmond British Pullman
The Great British Bake Off’s Mary Berry will host two afternoon tea journeys aboard Belmond British Pullman on May 3 and 4, 2019. While dining on a selection of her favorite cakes and desserts, Mary will regale guests with stories from her award-winning career and share some baking tips. This marks the first in a series of pop-up gastronomy journeys in 2019 for the UK day train.
July 9, 2019 marks the date of Park Hyatt Tokyo’s 25th anniversary, and the hotel is celebrating with a host of guest chef collaborations, including celebrity Michelin-starred chef, Sergio Herman of The Netherlands, and Chef Gilles Vérot of Maison Vérot in Paris, who is known for introducing French charcuterie to the NYC dining scene.
Recently recognized as one of the 120 best restaurants in Mexico by la Guía México Gastronómico 2019, La Marea at Viceroy Riviera Maya will host a series of guest chefs who also received the coveted award. Chef Carlos Zamora will welcome Chef Francisco Ruano from Alcalde in Guadalajara on December 4, 2019.
Hotel Partnerships
The Lady Mansour at Royal Mansour
Royal Mansour and Christian Louboutin partnered to create exclusive babouche slippers, inspired by the hotel’s distinctive latticework and hard-carved ceilings and paired with Louboutin’s signature red sole. The collaboration is the designer’s only creative partnership within Morocco.
For the jetsetting mom, Belmond Hotel Cipriani has launched two exclusive bags in partnership with Venetian leather brand Dellaluna. Choose between a limited-edition tote bag inspired by Venice’s signature cocktail, the Bellini – invented by Guiseppe Cipriani, founder of Hotel Cipriani – and a weekender bag made of leather and canvas complete with Belmond’s signature luggage tags from the Southern Europe properties. Both pieces can be shipped worldwide, priced at $1,680 and $1,345, respectively.
In honor of the pending arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first baby, due in April, The Kensington has partnered with Sarajane Ambrose, Founder of the UK’s leading nanny and maternity nurse agencies, Imperial Nannies and Maternally Yours. New or expectant parents can now book a two-hour, one-on-one session with Sarajane to learn the dos and don’ts of parenthood over The Kensington’s new ‘London Landmarks’ Afternoon Tea.
andBeyond has partnered with Thule to bring stylish, versatile, and durable luggage to future guests (meeting the tight size regulations on bush planes in Africa). Once guests arrive at the lodge, they will now be able to use a pair of custom Swarovski Optik binoculars on game drives during their stay, and can even buy a pair of their own at the safari shop.
Thanks to Nantucket Island Resorts’ partnership with New York-based cycling startup, Priority Bicycles, guests can enjoy complimentary bike rentals to explore the island, including popular sites such as the oldest house on Nantucket, built in 1686; Sankaty Lighthouse, located a historic fishing village; and Cisco Brewery, known for their local beers and live music. Guests of White Elephant Loft at 32 Main Street and The Anchorage House receive the keys to a BMW hybrid-SUV for use throughout their stay.
Almanac Barcelona partnered with Master Perfumer Jimmy Boyd to create private label scents exclusively for the hotel – pear apple and bergamot. There is also an accompanying retail line conjuring aromas of the sea, botanicals, and the essence of citrus representing the city’s Mediterranean energy.
The Chatwal, New York launched an exclusive collaboration with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow’s yoga and spiritual guru, Eddie Stern. His “Pause & Take a Breath” app, featuring nine 12-minute yoga lessons are available on a complimentary basis through the in-room and in-suite iPads.
Guests of Belmond can join equestrian polo player and fashion model Jodie Kidd for the second annual six-night Horseback Safari through the wilderness of Botswana this September 13-19, 2019. Splitting time between Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge and Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, travelers will join Jodie for daily expeditions into the Okavango Delta, a traditional Boma dinner, and an evening sunset cruise along the delta.
UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa collaborated with local NGO Despartar to launch MAMA Trancoso, an education initiative to teach local students how to identify environmental threats and ways to combat these abuses. Over the past three years, the program has worked with 30 dedicated students (10 each year) hosting 10 exhibitions in local schools, participating in two civil actions to battle an environmental threat, and joining the United Nations Youth Assembly in 2018 and 2019.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Brant Point Grill
Instead of a box of chocolate, give a chocolate making experience at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. The class entails learning about how cocoa is grown and what cocoa varieties make the very best chocolate. Participants learn how to temper chocolate to make molded creations and rich, dark chocolate truffles. They also learn how to make traditional, St Lucian Cocoa Tea and best of all… they get to taste and take home the fruits of their labors.
Breakfast in bed is a nice gesture, but Mom will enjoy the “Best Brunch on the Island” even more! From the Benedict Burger to the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, a Sparkling Station for mimosas, and a brand-new tapas station, this brunch is complete with all of Mom’s favorites. Nantucket’s Brant Point Grill’s Mother’s Day Brunch is $85 for adults, $39 for kids. Combine your brunch with a stay at White Elephant and enjoy special Hot Dates Cool Rates, starting at $195 per night.
Treat moms to a signature Hunan-Kab (Honey ceremony) at Viceroy Riviera Maya, incorporating honey harvested on-property. The property’s resident shaman oversees the Jardin Pak’al, the garden where he grows herbs used to treat guests at the Wayak Spa. One-on-one consultations with moms are conducted in the K’óben (Mayan herb kitchen), to determine individual preferences and needs before a personalized experience is created. The Melipona Bee Honey (Bee Cheii) is thought by the Mayans to be medicinal. The honey is applied using herb compresses soaked in a special tea before guests enjoy a massage in nature next to a waterfall.
The international chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat has an anthology of chocolates for mothers with a sweet tooth available online and in New York City boutiques. Choose the timeless Emeraude Hatbox ($210) or Grenat Hatbox ($360), and she won’t be disappointed.
Belmond Charleston Place Hotel’s Tata Harper Exclusive package is perfect for a moms-only weekend, including a Tata Harper Nothing But Nature facial at the on-site spa. Guests can also enjoy the Mother’s Day Brunch with garden seating at the Palmetto Café before spending an afternoon perusing The Shops on the ground floor of the hotel.
Perfect for your yogi parent, Nayara Springs’ Wellness Package invites travelers to disconnect from reality in the rainforest of Costa Rica – days are filled with yoga and meditation, daily spa treatments, healthy mixology classes, and walks through the on-site sloth sanctuary.
Cliff Lede Vineyards’ Mother’s Day Celebration offers complimentary light bites and tastings from the vineyard’s FEL wine portfolio, named in homage to Cliff’s own mother, Florence Elsie Lede, a home winemaker and early inspiration for his love of wine. Mothers will also receive a tulip, Florence’s favorite flower.
Guinot’s Huile Mirific is a multi-tasking dry oil. It nourishes skin, protects dry hair ends, and doubles as a floral perfume – the perfect way to pamper mom on her day.
Calendar
andBeyond Phinda Impact Journey
May
May 2019: Shou Sugi Ban House will open in Water Mill as a wellness haven offering multi-day programsMay 2019: Guinot launches a new Eye Lift Treatment designed to reduce signs of aging and fatigue through muscle stimulation and an eye mask
May 2019: Guinot launches Crème Lift Summum, a cream designed to minimize the appearance of wrinkles
May 3, 2019: First Sip of Summer cooking class with Chef Mackenzie Rupp showcasing her favorite warm-weather recipes at Vista Collina Resort in Napa Valley
May 5, 2019: Guests can celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Viceroy Riviera Maya with a Mayan Cuisine Class and learn to cook the indigenous fare of the Yucatan Peninsula
May 11, 2019: Stay with Belmond Hotel Cipriani as the 2019 Art Biennale kicks off in VeniceMay 11, 2019: andBeyond’s Bhutan Yoga Retreat departs through Asia’s spiritual heartland to achieve balance of mind, body, and soul with guided yoga and deep meditation
May 12, 2019: andBeyond’s Phinda Impact Journey explores South Africa through game drives, ranger training, sleeping under the stars, and visiting the local communities
May 14-22, 2019: PONANT’s Green and Gentle Lands: Exploring Gardens and Historic Sites sailing journeys from London to Bergen, Norway with a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
May 15-19, 2019: Winemakers, chefs, and sommeliers celebrate the Nantucket Wine Festival
May 21-25, 2019: The Chelsea Flower Show takes place in London; stay nearby at The Kensington to usher in the spring season
June
June 8, 2019: 3rd Annual Napa Valley RoséFest at Sterling Vineyards
June 14-16, 2019: The 8th annual Nantucket Book Festival showcases award-winning authors as well as local and regional talent
June 17, 2019: Brazil waives travel visas for American, Canadian, Japanese, and Australian passport holders
June 19-24, 2019: The 23rd annual Nantucket Film Festival spotlights screenwriters and preview screenings
July
July 4, 2019: The Independence Day Parade sets off down Main Street in Nantucket and builds to the water fight between fire departments, ending with fireworks over Jetties Beach
July 13, 2019: Bastille Day Dinner at Swanson Vineyards in Napa Valley
July 14, 2019: Celebrate Bastille Day at La Réserve Paris