Lifestyle and Adventure

Review of Luxury Hotel Stays in Barcelona: Hotel Arts Barcelona

Tipping is always tricky. Discretionary is hard too. No one wants to tip too much or too little.  What do you leave for the charming waitress at a two-star Michelin restaurant, or the devoted bodyguard that helps keep pigeons from stealing your food? Harry is the hotel’s hawk-in-residence. Working as a security guard, he is (of course) employed by one of the most luxurious hotels in the world to guard its guests against the local pigeon community. His job (albeit an extremely important one) is to protect you, and your food, from the locals stealing the blinis off your plate, dipping their beaks into your quince jam, pecking at your Iberian loin, mobbing your matured manchego and making off with your croissant, raisin roll or other bollería pastries. Breakfast is also served inside at the safer although a little vertiginous Club Lounge forty floors above. Exclusive access is reserved to high fliers, enjoying the good life in the $2000-a-night penthouse suites and superior deluxe rooms with a, “tailored menu of exclusive benefits”. On the rooftop is a spa with a sauna/steam room boasting arguably one of the best views in the world.

Featuring Our Luxury Lifestyle Expert reviews Hilton Lake Como

Lake Como has always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to visit. For centuries it’s been famed for its dramatic setting, fairy-tale villages and international high-profile visitors, with many movies, including ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones’, and ‘A Month by the Lake’ filmed there. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity to enjoy the city for a few days, I jumped at the chance, inviting a close friend to share the experience.

Wellness Destinations for the Elite Traveller’s Radar

No matter your personal style of self-care or level of yogic knowledge, there’s a wellness destination to suit you. Explore further to see which unexpected but life-changing wellness destinations make the Sybarite edit.

Featuring Grand Hotel Kronenhof: Winter Luxury Staycation

Except you are not in Budapest, but in the scenic, tranquil alpine escape that is Pontresina. Think neighbouring St Moritz but without the Prada shop pretensions. This is a mountain village lined with iconic Belle Epoque hotels and authentic Engadine stone houses with ornate facades. This grande dame of Engadine hotels is the heart and soul of the village and has been welcoming guests since 1848. The personalised service means they've been getting repeat guests for decades; some came as children and then returned with their children. They've had an extensive renovation in 2021 with the award-winning French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The reception, lobby lounge, bar and reading room have all been rejuvenated to tranquil shades of blue that reflect the Engadine sky during various times of the day. You have to applaud their attention to every minutia as even the coffee table books are in hues of blue. The focal point here isn't the regal chandelier or the antique furniture, it's the lush majestic mountains of the Engadine Alps that take centre stage through the almost floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Featuring The Galaxy Yacht for Monaco Yacht Show 2022

Since 1991, the Monaco Yacht Show has been committed to promoting creative excellence in the world of superyachting, granting few the privilege of visiting a spectacular exhibition of the world's most luxurious (and expensive) superyachts. Held in Port Hercules, Monaco Yacht Show is Europe's biggest in-water display of large yachts; a sumptuous display of wealth, craftsmanship & expertise. The Galaxy superyacht is the epitome of what the Monaco Yacht Show represents: stylish, luxurious and chic. After undergoing a severe transformation, Galaxy is no longer just another white Superyacht gracing the ocean along the french riviera. Described by Njord by Bergman as, "a destination, a marvel that touches all your body's senses and excites and embraces you with its energy each step you take onboard", this beautiful superyacht is certainly a sight for sore eyes.

Q&A with The Fullertons Mr. Gino Tan

The Sybarite had the pleasure of conducting a Q&A with The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts Country General Manager Mr Gino Tan to discuss this beautiful landmark setting in Singapore.

The Fullerton Singapore

Once housing the General Post Office as well as offices for the governor of Singapore and the High Commissioner for the Federation of Malay States in addition to many other government offices, this colonial monument has seen Singapore’s modern history unfold. Its location sits nostalgically along the city’s waterfront and owes to the stunning panoramic views that the city has to offer.

In Defence of Private Jets: The Truth About Luxury Charters

In Defence of Private Jets: The Truth About Luxury Charters

On the evening of Saturday 10th September, embassies worldwide received a private document advising leaders, where possible, to board commercial flights to the UK for the Queen’s State Funeral. Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said he would be attending the service in his official jet. This follows months of increasing outcry on social media over the use of private jets by A-list celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift, who’ve allegedly racked up 68 and 170 trips this year, respectively. However, the fact of the matter is, private jet charters have experienced an unprecedented growth which the industry expects to continue, and not just thanks to celebrities and world leaders. Here, Andy Christie, Director of Private Jets at Air Charter Service, shares the industry growth they’ve experienced from momentum gained at the start of the global pandemic.

Review of Through The Lens: When Anouska met Monsieur George

Designed by the legendary Anouska Hempel, the Monsieur George is an emerald-tinged jewel in the eight arrondissement. The hotel was named after George Washington, America’s first-president and the namesake of one of Paris’ most iconic Haussmann-designed streets, and appropriately so.

Women Who Launch: Li Boatwright & Storrington PR

“Absolutely Fabulous first aired in 1992. I was 13 and didn’t have a television in my bedroom so I had to beg my mother to let me stay up and watch it. After the first few episodes, I knew I wanted to work in PR!” exclaims Li Boatwright, Founder of UK-based luxury agency Storrington PR. Fast forward and that 13-year-old girl now has an impressive list of clients under her belt such as iconic Mayfair restaurants Wiltons and Franco’s, the Croatian Relais & Châteaux property Maslina Resort, and the five-star Cora Cora Maldives among others. Boatwright says it was during a backpacking trip around Thailand at age 19 when her interest to work in the travel industry was ignited. Whilst staying at the Jolly Frog Inn in Kanchanaburi, she was told by the housekeeper to keep the door between the bathroom and bedroom closed at all times or else she risked rats entering her room.

The Ultimate Family-cation at Shangri-la Singapore

Having tried and tested various hotels around the world (with our children) it is very rare that a hotel will offer such thoughtful consideration when it comes to catering for both parents and children equally. For those of you planning a trip to Singapore with your kids in tow, we can't recommend this hotel highly enough.