Besotted – Buy A Holiday Home in Niseko

Step aside, Bali. Despite Japan’s strong yen, Singaporeans are flocking off to the powdered slopes of Niseko every year end these days to ski and après ski in style. No need for Aspen, Chamonix or Whistler, Niseko, with its light, dry ‘champagne powder’ snow, is ranked No. 2 in the world and it’s just a seven-plus hour flight from our tropical doorstep!

Come the holiday peak season, this snow resort in buzzing with holidaymakers from Singapore and you’re bound to bump into people you know from home.

In fact, one of my girlfriends was just talking about wanting to buy a property there. Then voila! Look what news fell on my dainty lap!

Summit Properties (based in Hong Kong) has just launched the first phase of The Rocks Niseko Resort, a ‘condominium hotel’ development with townhouses and penthouses for sale. This initial phase, The Rocks Edge, in the centre of the alpine village of Hirafu, is due for completion by the end 2011. This sets it amid a lively vibe of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Pick from three-bedroom 169 sqm townhouses, and four-bedroom penthouses of 259 sqm and 286 sqm. Including roof terrace, the top floor penthouse spreads over 440 sqm.

Master planning, architecture and interior design is led by Riccardo Tossani Architecture, and Japan’s landscape architects ‘studio on site’, known for avant garde planning and design of luxury resorts, is part of its design team.

Expect units to offer floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Mount Yotei and adjacent ski fields; large rooms, open fireplaces, balconies, gardens, broad terraces and top-of-the-range fixtures and finishings.

Beyond divine good looks, the property is green and responsible too, with natural energy generation and thermal performance initiatives, like large solar panel ‘farms’ on the roofs of all buildings, generating electricity sold back to the local grid. Natural volcanic hot springs pumping into onsen baths and private rotenburos also contribute to geothermal power generation used for heating rooms, pathways and plazas and driveways.

Subsequent phases will incorporate a Kid’s Club, onsen, modern spa, gym, restaurants, bar, deli, café and ski concierge. Eventually, in the plans are full access to the on-the-snow facilities at the ski-in ski-out Upper Village development including onsen, ski concierge and storage, boot lockers and owner storage cupboards and parking.

Details: www.therocksniseko.com
- Ee Waun

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Besotted – Drop Dead Gorgeousness at Six Senses Con Dao Resort!

Oh, chihuahua!! What a drop-dead, over-the-moon, gorgeous beach! Don’t we just have to pack our bags and shuffle there as quickly as our flat feet can take us?!

Drink in the view, girls! This is the Six Senses Con Dao resort in Vietnam which was just opened just last month. Huh? Where? Con Dao is part of a cluster of 16 islands 100-odd miles off the south east coast of mainland Vietnam about an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the only five star resort in the archipelago so if you’re going out to embrace nature here, this is the only place to stay.

 

Check into one of their 50 villa, laze on the mile-long stretch of pristine beach, go to the spa, swim at the pool and eat at their three restaurants including one serving local Vietnamese food. The archipelago is 80% a national park which includes a marine reserve, so go explore Mother Nature and see hawksbill turtles, dugongs, black haired goats, wild pigs and macaques. For sea activities, ride on the Vietnamese, round ‘basket’ boats, snorkeling around the best coral reef in Vietnam, take boat rides to other islands Turtle, Bird and best of all, wait for cocktails served by waiters on beach bikes. Cool!

If you're planning to potter off for CNY, they are offering a promo package. Three nights start from US$1550 per villa, and five nights from US$2550 for Ocean Front Villa. This includes brekkie for two. Kids are 6 eat for free while those 12 and under are charged $15. This package is available from now til end February 2011.  

Tel : +84 64 3831 222

E-mail : reservations-condao@sixsenses.com
 
- Ee Waun

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Besotted – Fullerton Bay Hotel’s Room with a View

If you’re all for sophisticated accommodation in a picturesque location, check into the new Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore, one of the most beautiful hotels in Singapore and the latest addition to the historical Fullerton Heritage precinct. It’s right by the glitzy new Marina Bay waterfront and occupies the old Clifford Pier, Singapore’s landing point for early migrants over a century ago.

All high ceiling, full-length glass windows, refined detailing and elegance, it’s a mini Raffles Hotel, and spanks of old world glamour with a stylish, contemporary flavour. If you’re checking in, just remember that the Bay View and Premier Bay View Rooms are the ones with views of the Marina Bay waterfront while the Premier Rooms have views of picturesque landmarks like

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Clifford Pier and the Merlion Park.If you’ve booked into a deluxe room though, be prepared to just have an eye full of Customs House – not a very pretty building, I’m afraid.

Booking early for the national day fireworks? The best views are from their suites. In the latter rooms, remember to check out the toilets – walk into the cubicle and don’t touch a thing. Just clap your hands and see the wondrous mysteries of toilet technology unfold! You don’t even have to handle your toilet seat ever again for a sound sensor lifts the cover and later, closes it again when you’re done and gone. Gorgeous rooms, this is a definite choice for a kinky weekend away.

For food, Clifford, the hotel’s modern brasserie – more like a fine dining restaurant – has become one of the prettiest restaurants in town. Sitting close to the water with full length glass and soaring ceilings above, you get a fine sense of occasion here. But happily, the service isn’t stuffy, and they’ve got baby chairs too for your gourmet tot. Friendly, huh? Food here is modern European and from sustainable, organic producers. We like the creamy porcini mushroom cappuccino, hearty duck confit served with delectable truffle mashed potatoes and a lemon tart with crème fraiche ice cream. And you don’t have to spend a bomb: the set lunch menu is an affordable $45 for three courses, and $36 for two. Considering the kind of surrounds you will be pampered in, this is incredibly good value. Having a power breakfast? How about scrambled eggs with shaved black truffles, and waffles with Champagne mango compote?

The Landing Point gives you the best view of the bay front in the day time and light bites all day. This gorgeous lounge with an al fresco terrace forks out afternoon tea ($38) all nicely infused in colonial nostalgia, and featuring such classic morsels as finger sandwiches, chocolate eclairs, caneles (excellent stuff), and scones with jam and clotted cream. Reserve a table by the window thought – it’s the best spot here and gets snapped up very quickly! Sniff hard here and you’ll notice a particular fragrance that will bliss out your olfactories. That would be the customized room fragrance, ‘The Scent of Fullerton’ – which is the latest practice among hotels these days in attempts to brand their ambience with a distinctive, unique smell. At this hotel, the fragrance is admittedly lovely – top notes of white jasmine, ylang ylang and lily, followed by a lovely floral rose and neroli middle note. Free smells!

Up to the rooftop, The Lantern – named after the red lanterns that used to light up the pier in days of old – is the latest bar to pack in the crowds with its 360 degree view of down town Singapore and downright breathtaking setting amid landscaped greenery and picturesque pool. Order signature cocktails, Red Lantern ($19), Merlion ($19) and Imperial Berry Mojito ($24) and nibble on bar snacks like wagyu Short Rib Mini Burger ($20), Pork Belly Sandwich with Apple-radish Slaw ($18) and Truffle Fries ($14). Definitely a must-go in Singapore, expect a full house every weekend so don’t forget to make your reservations!

What’s sad is that in the most historic part of the hotel – what was once the Clifford Pier building – is occupied by a Chinese restaurant, One on the Bund. It’s kinda crass and the staff downright unfriendly, and the food, to put it gently, ain’t that great. This is leased out and run by a third party. Hopefully the hotel will eventually put the space to better use.

80 Collyer Quay

Tel: 65-65975277

www.fullertonbayhotel.com

- Ee Waun

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Besotted – Dreamy Beach House in Seminyak, Bali

The year-end holidays are beckoning, and if you’ve got kids and travel with them like I do, this is the time to plan your great escapes. And as all fabulicious moms know, just because you want kid-friendly – or shall I say, parent friendly – doesn’t mean you have to go down market.

Lust after The Beach House at The Legian in Bali! Located in shop-til-you-drop Seminyak, The Beach House - a private holiday villa - sits on a stretch of Seminyak Beach where you can soak in Indian Ocean sunsets while you float about in the 16-metre infinity pool. Kick back with a good book in the outdoor balé pavilions and sip on cocktails served by 24 hour personal butlers. If you feel like heading out, just jump into your chauffeur-driven private car and trawl the wondrous shops along Seminyak for gorgeous household items and beaded evening dresses, then come back for a meal prepared by your personal chef! Three gorgeous bedrooms can accommodate a party of 6-8 holiday makers, and spread the price of US$2700 a night. (No one said it was cheap!)

Need to be wired? There’s a personal laptop and wireless broadband, plus the usual high end techno-expectations like HD LCD TV, DVD player and audio system with an iPod dock and portable Sony PlayStation. You can also make use of all facilities at The Legian resort too, including The Spa at The Legian. Now that’s what I call a dreamy holiday!

http://www.ghmhotels.com/

- Ee Waun

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Besotted - Ubud Hanging Gardens

If you're planning where to go for the next hols, work on your abs, cut out your carbs, pack your slinkiest swimmy and march with purpose to Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali. This Orient Express resort oozes extreme gorgeousness with its infinity pools balanced on a hair's breath that plunge steeply into the rainforest below. SimplyFab ladies just want to be there! 

Commune with nature in comfort where nature is kept at a cosy distance from your suite and champagne breakfast. Go for the rooms with the panoramic pool views, pick up cooking classes, veg out at the Ayung Spa, then sip the day away at the bar, or go shopping in nearby Ubud. If you must commune with nature, do so briefly and with style - get the resort to prepare you a gourmet picnic basket and head to their bamboo deck by the Ayung River. Nice and near enough to Gaia, but there's no need to hug the trees nor let the creepy crawlies into your flute of bubbly. 

Check out their Eat, Pray, Love Package’ (US$425 per night) which includes a VIP airport welcome, with a Balinese dinner at a Hindu temple followed by a blessing ceremony at the Holy Water Temple, daily brekkie for two,  complimentary mountain bikes and shuttle service to Ubud. Their Family Package is worth an eyeball, and the Ubud Escapade package which includes a cooking class, and lunch in the village, etc.

Happily for parents in our midst, this luxe life is available to kids too, so you can enjoy and drag your sweeties along! Just book up the family suite. Such advanced indulgence is simply hard to resist!

Check out for more deals www.ubudhanginggardens.com

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Besotted – Don’t You Want To Go To The Maldives?

I spy with my rose tinted eyes images of excessive gorgeousness whichi I want to immerse myself in…Now! Nevermind the fact that I have loads of deadlines hanging over my head like a 300-pound gorilla. See the pictures? Can one humanly resist?

Well, if I were aflush with vast gobs of moolah and time, I’ll waft my way to the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives. Particularly between 27 March and 11 April when the hotel offers one free night for each night paid for stays in Water Villas and Tree House Villas. In other words 50% discount. They'll toss in guaranteed upgrade from Pool Villa to Water Villa and from Deluxe Pool Villa to Tree House Villa. If you have kids below 12 in tow, they’ll throw in up to two complimentary extra beds for the chickadees.

Celebrating their first Easter, the hotel will also hold special activities and dining options: like an Easter egg hunt in the resort’s jungle for the kids, as well as feeding the rabbits and chicks of the Easter farm and chocolate-inspired breakfast and a lamb barbecue on the beach for grown up foodies. Then there’s also the CHI spa at the resort, and getting close to nature like cycling on that beautiful white beach or head out dolphin watching. And if you still can’t find time to go, just scroll up and down this post and soak in the scenery. No, sweeties, they didn’t give us the price, but I’m told we gotta be ready to fork it out for this luxurious piece of heaven.

E-mail reservations.slmd@shangri-la.com

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Besotted - Cruising On The Rolls Royce of the Seas

How about a mental escapade? We get sent lots of gorgeous destination pictures and we're starting a new tag called 'Besotted' - photo-led postcard-type posts which makes us which were were there!!

Starting off our first Besotted post, here are some gorgeous pictures from Silver Seas, the seriously high end cruise which people say is the 'Rolls Royce of the Seas'. We are KIV-ing this for when (more like 'if) we are rolling in the moolah, or when we finally retire. 

I wanna sail into Venice that way too.

Lazy lunch by the Amalfi Coast, anyone?

Isn't this so Audrey Hepburn? Quick, put on your shades and black little outfits and pretend hubs is Cary Grant. So old world glamour! We like.

Check me in for a cruise to Alaska please!

What's accommodation like?....

Something simple and cosy would do.....on the Silver Whisper.

Silverseas is mainly for the silver-haired, I'm told, but who's to stop anyone having a great time on board. You get free flowing champers from the time you board to the time you totter off, plus gourmet food and seriously swanky tours when you stop off at your ports of call. All very glamorous and romantic. I'd rather pay for that, than fork out $25K for 7 hours on board some cramped airline first class suite.

- Ee Waun

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