Once again I have to admit I am a very lucky person: I was invited again to attend the coolest event about luxury travel, Further Eastin one of my favorite destinations: Bali. The perfect occasion for blazer and meet old and new friends and of course, to get the latest updates on luxury travel in the APAC Region.
A short explanation about what is Further East in this link. With this you will fully understand the concept.
It takes place in Seminyak, in 4 different hotels along the beach. More information link here.
A different way of doing business-
I slept in Alila Seminyaklove this hotel so much, and it offers stunning views and delicious food:
Further East starts always on Monday with a panel of very interesting conferences in a relaxed environment:
And followed with the fabulous party in the Potato Head Beach Clubalways the best sunset in Seminyak:
And fun non stop with the fellow media colleagues:
Tuesday morning started the non stop one-to-one meetings, they all last 15 minutes and it’s a great way to know new properties, new providers and fabulous proposals to write about and to inspire the jetsetters.
Among the many meetings I held during Further EastI discovered some properties and unique experiences I want to share:
– The Anam Cam Rahn and The Anam Muiné: two properties in the southern coast of Vietnam which no doubt I added in my bucketlist. Cam Rahm blends classical French architecture with traditional Vietnamese design. It features 77 villas and 136 rooms, each offering spacious outdoor balconies or terraces with views of sandy beaches or bougainvillea-filled gardens.
The Anam Muiné opened in January 2023 and the décor is beautifully judged, build-quality is excellent, food is good, the 127 rooms are large, light and well-appointed, staff are wonderful, and facilities – including two photogenic, grey-stone infinity pools – are fantastic.
I visited Muiné in 2004, surely it is time to go back!
– Uga Ecoescapes: located in Sri Lanka, these seven hotels represent the ultra luxury resorts and some to open in the coming years. The story of Uga begins with its flagship property Uga Ulagalla where the word Uga has its roots from. Uga Ulagalla Walawwa as it was known in its heyday was a chieftans home deep in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. This property was then painstakingly restored with special attention given to preserving its heritage while also ensuring that the environment it existed was intact. 5 star rated properties located in remote but accessible and beautiful locations provides a serene and tranquil vacation experience.
– K-Club Ubud: another stunning property in Ubudwith villas and glamping proposals. Their spa looks as well unique. Features 30 fully serviced villas with breathtaking views of lush jungle, paddy fields, and manicured gardens. Offering 2 to 5-bedroom villas, K-Club ensures a personalized and indulgent experience for every guest. Committed to excellence, K-Club provides a range of amenities.
No doubt I need to spend more time in Bali in order to experience these fabulous property.
– Tulah Clinical Wellness: opening in March 2025 this resort in Kerala. Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for balance, serves as a haven where nature, tradition, heritage, and innovation converge to realign the mind, body, and soul. True healing, viewed as an art, unfolds as a journey of resilience, self-love, and self-discovery — a process demanding time, patience, and courage.
Only 35 keys spread over 30 hectars. We will hear a lot about this opening for sure.
– Tokyo Station Hotel: no doubt it is the best located hotel in the Japanese capital. The hotel is part of the Marunouchi Station Building and it’s hosted in its extended wing. Built by Tatsuno Kingo, it was founded in 1915.
The Tokyo Station Hotel has always remained open, even during the Second World War, with only a long break for its upgrade, from 2006 to 2012, run by the English company Richmond.
There are 150 rooms and suites, elegant classical and not what you expect in Japan, they remind me what you find in Paris or London but with the perfect Japanese service.
They have 10 restaurants!
Can’t wait to be back in Tokyo.
– Not at all: this resort of only 16 villas is located in the Philippino island of Negros. To arrive there takes its time but once there you arrive to the paradise: the beautiful destination of Sipalay is a hidden treasure that exudes beauty undisturbed. Rich in history coming from an undated time, Sipalay is a quaint town preserved with its idyllic characteristics.
Nestled on the hillside are the 16 stunning villas cut from the same cloth, sprawled out to confer lavish spaces for ultimate privacy at the center of the nature reserve. Each of these accommodations features impressive views, whether the sea or the landscapes, and unparalleled amenities such as day beds for that extra comfort.
Linong Spa is the place where I will spend more time, it creates an extraordinary wellness experience with native cocoons atop the hill for single and couple wellness huts.
Added to my bucketlist!
– Jetwing: 16 destinations and 30 properties, hotels all around Sri Lanka to build the perfect and customised trip. The family owned business, organises all you need to enjoy the wonderful country.
They focus on the details, sustainability and spas: inspired by the ancient practice of Ayurveda, their world-class experiences draw from centuries of tradition to indulge guests in sublime pampering amidst some of the most beautiful settings in Sri Lanka.
I need to go back to Sri Lanka!
– Intercontinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping: this hotel in the heart of Chiang Mai has been totally refurnished and reopened in November 2023. The property’s sophisticated design unlocks a window into the past, showcasing the architectural and artistic heritage of the historic Lanna Kingdom.
The hotel invites guests to experience various aspects of the rich culture as they move between the zones. Inspired by the monumental Lanna Government Quarters (the former Chiang Mai British consulate), the lobby, the Lobby Lounge, and the Club Lounge form the core of the hotel. Greeting guests at the hotel’s main entrance is a rammed-earth wall that evokes the clay wall of Lanna. Earthy tones with hints of deep red and burnt orange hues reference the Vieng Gate, the first wall built to fortify the city. All the artwork and sculptures in the hotel are not just decorative but are products of local craftmanship.
We find 250 rooms with a modern design and great MICE spaces.
The spa looks stunning too. So another Intercontinental property in my bucketlist.
– InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort: featuring 81 villas -including 6 residences with 2 or 3 bedrooms with kitchen, dining and spacious in and outdoor living spac-, 6 restaurants – do not miss The Lighthouse- and bars.
I want to highlight its marine conservation and its leading partnership with the Manta Trust and Ocean Conservation Trust, which aim to protect the resort’s surrounding habitats as well as educate guests about the island through workshops and excursions with its onsite marine biologists. Sitting on the idyllic southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the hotel is surrounded by the manta rays’ natural breeding grounds. Each year, it hosts a Manta Retreat, which sees guests participating in research trips and educational workshops with marine biologists from the Trust. No doubt I would love to experience it and write about it.
– Bhishma Eight is an unexpected designed property in the heart of the city of Ubud. Opened in 2014 offers 38 rooms and 12 villas with roots in artisan heritage and modern luxury craft. The rooms highlight the vibrant, lush greenery of their immediate surroundings. An artisan-appointed room, featuring warm wood tones, rich textiles, and bespoke furnishings, transitions with seamless harmony into the vivid natural world around you. The villas are just a stroll of 500 meters.
– Bellustar: this tower in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyoopened in May 2023 and features 97 enormous rooms (taking into account that the Japanese capital has small rooms). The tower itself has a second hotel belonging to the same property with 538 rooms, Hotel Groove.
The differential point is that below both hotels there are no officies, but theaters, spas, cinemas, karaokes, etc.
Can’t wait to be back in Tokyo.
And yes, some meetings do take place outdoors with these unbeatable views:
More about Further East in this link
Find here my favorite exhibitors in Further East 2022
Link here for my favorite exhibitors in Further East 2023
Read my interview with Serge Divethe founder of This is Beyond
Read here my favorite hotels in different areas in Bali
In this link you can read about my top hotels in Ubud.
Here you can see my favorite restaurants in Ubud
If you want to learn about the traditional Balinese kites, the Layangs, read my article here
Check #GraupixBali in all my social media platforms to read more comments and see more pìctures about Bali
