Travel

Whether navigating the fjords of Chile, anchoring off secluded Caribbean isles, or charting a course through polar waters, there are few vantage points more evocative than a luxury cruise designed to heighten the experience at every turn. These voyages offer a seamless blend of exploration and indulgence—bringing the comfort of a five-star hotel to the open seas.

Prolific interior designer Bill Bensley has worked his aesthetic magic on more than 200 hotels, but just a small number of private homes. Why does the Bangkok-based American, known for his environmentally sensitive approach, prefer collaborating with hoteliers rather than home-owners? Primarily, it’s because the former can be relied upon to maintain the integrity of his design.

Since 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has redefined luxury cruising, introducing its signature style of hospitality at sea with the launch of its inaugural yacht, Evrima. Measuring 624 feet and featuring 149 spacious suites, Evrima accommodates almost 300 guests, allowing for a quieter, more spacious onboard experience.

As an Italian heritage brand, Molteni&C's pursuit of exceptional design has led to some key collaborations with titans like Angelo Mangiarotti, Tito Agnoli and Luca Meda. The Italian furniture maker, after all, has always sought out creative partnerships that exercise its artisanal vision and legacy of craftsmanship.

A first look at the flagship branded residences by Dusit International, which will redefine the hotel group’s landmark site in the heart of Bangkok.

When Capella opened its doors in Sydney’s heritage sandstone precinct, it was never going to be just about the city-resort hotel. F&B play a leading role in the luxury group’s establishments, as witnessed by the launch, earlier this year, of McRae Bar and Brasserie 1930.

The parallels could not be more perfect. Just like its stunning sister in Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney was once a grand General Post Office and remains a beloved local icon, with layers of history to unfold. Launched in 1874, the GPO Building has long been a landmark and meeting spot; its clock tower was once the tallest building in the city – and while Sydney’s skyline has since surpassed it, the allure of this place endures.

Cruising is synonymous with fun in the sun, lazy days drifting around tropical isles. Yet the more adventurous cruise aficionado will probably have advanced beyond such quotidian travels. Instead, they’ll seek journeys offering truly extraordinary experiences. Trips that are not simply vacations – they’re full-blown expeditions. For those intrepid voyagers looking to go somewhere awe-inspiring, but unwilling to sacrifice creature comforts along the way, Silversea has long been the go-to cruise line. Specialising in ultra-luxury aquatic journeys to remarkable locations, the company recently launched its most sumptuously appointed expedition ship yet, the Silver Endeavour.

The past few years have been difficult for the hospitality industry, to say the least. But for the proprietors of Nihi, an ultra-luxury surf resort on the Indonesian island of Sumba, one hour’s flight east of Bali, there’s been a silver lining to the restrictions on international travel. 

Esin Güral Argat is the vice-president of the board at the Gürok Group, the Turkish conglomerate founded in 1948 and run by her family ever since. The company has interests in packaging, real estate, mining, roof tiles and construction, among other concerns. Entering the family business in the 1990s, Güral Argat quickly seized the initiative to build a start-up of her own within the company, LAV. Today, it’s the world’s fifth-largest glassware manufacturer, producing some two million drinking receptacles per day, while employing more than 2,000 people at its offices and factories.

As the holiday season commences around the world, there’s no better place to escape the daily rush than Australia’s breathtaking Great Barrier Reef during the pristine summer season.