Author Archives: Milly

Banyan Tree Lang Co, Central Vietnam

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Banyan Tree Lang Co is set amongst the leafy landscape of central Vietnam. The quiet fishing village of Lang Co provides the perfect place for tourists to enjoy a private and exclusive holiday. It is a remote and rugged location for a stunning secluded luxury escape.

The all-villa resort has different options for couples and families, but amazingly every villa includes its own private pool. The 49 villas vary in size and location – found either beachside, hillside or by the lagoon. We were very happy in a spacious and indulgent Lagoon Pool Villa. In front of the villa was a tempting turquoise pool with deck chairs and at the back a lush green garden.

The villas are inspired by the houses in the local neighbourhood, simple but sophisticated with high ceilings giving an airy and grand feel. A plush King-size bed takes centre stage in the bedroom, surrounded by striking art work and Vietnamese crafts. I immediately noticed a satisfying symmetry in the design of the room, which had a calming effect on me. After discovering our ‘his and hers’ wardrobes with matching robes, slippers and toiletry sets, I stood and marvelled at the stylish bathroom. The huge freestanding bathtub got plenty of use during our two-day stay and the powerful rainforest shower was refreshing and reinvigorating.

The award-winning spa, and 18-hole golf course by Nick Faldo are a real bonus, particularly wonderful for those guests spending longer at the resort. Hotel staff will pick you up and drop you off in the buggies, so it doesn’t take long to get around despite the size of the property and grounds.

There is never a bad time to visit Central Vietnam as this part of the country experiences warm weather most of the year. Unfortunately we witnessed an unusual downpour of rain during our stay, so the beautiful 3km beach was out of bounds, and poolside lounging wasn’t an option. This gave me a real opportunity to explore and experience the activities the hotel offers daily. Angsana Hotel is part of the same complex, and provides another space for guests to enjoy food and activities. We spent an afternoon here learning to make Vietnamese lanterns and tasting Vietnamese coffee, while it poured with rain outside.

I have always eaten exceptionally well in Banyan Tree resorts and Lang Co followed suit. The signature modern Thai restaurant, Saffron, offers flavoursome and authentic cuisine with gorgeous hilltop views. The atmosphere was relaxed, despite the high quality of service and fine food. I loved the live traditional music, which serenaded the guests during dinner. Particularly memorable were the creamy red roast duck curry with lychee and pineapple, and the succulent roasted peppered pork spare ribs with honey sauce. An array of rice varieties were served at the table to accompany the spicy meal.

Every morning breakfast is served at Azura restaurant, where an endless buffet grants your every wish. From flaky pastries, fresh exotic fruit and eggs made-to-order, to Vietnamese noodles and vegetable soups – the choice is excitingly overwhelming. I was equally impressed with the food at Angsana where we sampled a vibrant lunch of seasonal recipes.

Whilst staying at Banyan Tree I highly recommend you take advantage of the complimentary shuttle to nearby historic town Hoi An. This charming UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its lanterns and tailoring, and is a lovely place to wander around for a day. The imperial city of Hue and impressive ruins of My Son are also just a short car ride away. After a tiring day of sightseeing you will be relieved to return to the idyllic grounds of Lang Co, a relaxing and wonderful retreat.

Overnight stays at Banyan Tree Lang Co start from £280 on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit www.banyantree.com or call +84 54 3695 888.

The Farm, Jaipur

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Jaipur is the busiest city I visited in India, but The Farm was a perfectly calm accommodation option, just half an hour outside the city. Run by couple Surya and Ritu, this boutique property has just five rooms and two suites (with private dip pools), each is eclectically decorated with artisan trinkets and colourful artwork.

The rooms are located around a central pool, with plenty of outdoor space to soak up the sunshine with a book and enjoy the fresh air. I enjoyed my stay in room 1, a beautiful bedroom with a large comfortable bed, and spacious bathroom with shower and separate bath. Every room has an individual geyser attached to it to offer natural hot water. This eco feature does mean hot water is limited, and unfortunately there wasn’t enough to run a bath.

The food was the highlight of our stay at The Farm. The room tariff includes three meals a day, vibrant home-cooked Indian cuisine with a touch of global inspiration. Extremely fresh and varied dishes were served to us each day, a mix of flavoursome recipes, tailored to our requests and dietary requirements. The on-site organic vegetable garden provides the kitchen with plenty of seasonal produce, which is the focus of most dishes.

Hot coffee was brought to the room each morning, an invigorating wake up. Breakfast was a delight, a series of offerings from tropical fresh fruits, just-squeezed orange juice, Indian pancakes and masala omelettes. My favourite morning meal was an innovative creation of pumpkin rice with pomegranate, onions, peanuts, herbs and spices.

Thanks to the small size of The Farm the staff are able to really concentrate on the few guests who are staying. I found all the staff to be very kind and attentive, always on hand to offer tasty snacks or refreshing drinks and happy to help with any itinerary assistance you might need.

Removed from the hustle and bustle of the Pink City this contemplative retreat is a blissful place to enjoy India’s charm without the stress of the city. When you do wish to experience Jaipur’s old town, the hotel can arrange a taxi or private car tour at very reasonable rates.

More information and book a room at The Farm here.

The Peninsula Hong Kong

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Peninsula Hong Kong

The Peninsula Hong Kong, known as the “Grande Dame of the Far East”, is much more than just a luxury hotel. This iconic establishment is one of the city’s main landmarks, and even those who aren’t staying hope to visit for a photograph or to sample the famous afternoon tea. The hotel opened in 1928, as the Peninsula brand’s flagship property, and the majestic exterior and main lobby haven’t changed much since.

The hotel is located on the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the perfect place to watch the daily light show over the water and a prime position for city sightseeing. I was delighted to be staying in room 2412, a grand deluxe room with a spectacular view of the harbour. This category of room is spacious and indulgent, decorated in shades of cream and grey with plenty of natural light. The bedrooms feel particularly fresh and modern after the 2013 renovation, with hidden technological additions like touch screen tablets, free international calls and home theatres. Elegant and artistic oriental details are a quiet reminder of the hotel’s history and heritage.

The bed was one best of I have experienced, dressed in the finest Egyptian cotton from Italian brand Quagliotti. The subtle grey and white striped covers were stylish but simple, a nice change from the usual hotel bright white. The bathrooms are state of the art, clad in marble with grand his-and-hers sinks, a large bathtub and separate shower. Toiletries are provided by international designer Oscar de la Renta and special red soap boxes are a complimentary good luck gift for each guest.

The hotel’s seven restaurants are regarded as some of the top eateries in the city. Spring Moon is renowned for its authentic Cantonese cuisine, served in a 1920s traditional Shanghainese mansion on the first floor. I recommend visiting at lunch to sample the signature dim sum, when there is a sophisticated yet lively atmosphere.

For a glamorous night out head to Felix on the 28th floor. This avant-garde space was designed by Philippe Starck and serves Modern European cuisine. I loved the characterful touches in this restaurant such as the chair covers, which feature the faces of distinguished members of hotel staff. Felix opened in 1994 and has been used for many exclusive functions, including a Christian Dior catwalk show! The private rooms and dramatic toilets are also well worth seeing.

The French restaurant, Gaddi’s, is perhaps the most luxurious and romantic dining option at the hotel. The glorious dining room is famous for proposals – and even has a dedicated proposal table, which so far has a 100% success rate. Keen foodies will appreciate the intimate chef’s table in the kitchen that provides a bespoke dining experience.

The Peninsula Hong Kong is also very well known for its afternoon tea, which is served in the lobby. At weekends, visitors queue for hours to sample the beautiful tea, so I recommend visiting on a weekday for a more relaxed experience! I also felt very privileged to meet the hotel’s Maître Chocolatier, Marijn Coertjens in his delicious kitchen filled with immaculate sweet creations.

I enjoyed breakfast in the all-day Verandah restaurant where guests can feast on the elaborate buffet. Here, anything and everything is available, from Chinese delicacies to Italian cured meats and French cheeses. I was happy to enjoy a simpler selection of the flaky pastries, fresh juices and strong coffee.

Every luxury seems possible at The Peninsula Hong Kong. For an extra special occasion the hotel can arrange scenic helicopter flights from their China Clipper heliport on the 30th floor. A 15-minute flight costs $9,995 and offers unparalleled views of the famous cityscape. Alternatively you may wish to book in for a lavish treatment at the renowned spa, after which you can go for a refreshing swim in the impressively opulent indoor pool.

The Peninsula Hong Kong staff will ensure your stay in Hong Kong is unforgettable from the moment you step off the plane. The custom-made Rolls Royce Phantom’s in Peninsula green will transport you from door to door, complete with complimentary wifi and refreshments. The car journey to the airport was the perfect opportunity to upload all my favourite Peninsula moments onto social media, a photo album which would made even the most seasoned traveller jealous.

More information and book a stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong here.