Elite Traveler Winter 2020

elite traveler WINTER 2020/21 15

Welcome

@ELITETRAVELER AROUND THEWORLD After being in-and-out of lockdown for most of the year, the Elite Traveler team is cautiously getting back out there to experience the new normal at hotels and spas, or reminiscing on previous travels and dreaming of future adventures. For daily updates, follow us on Twitter @elite_traveler and on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @elitetraveler

Well, what an annus horribilis that was. But, as we wind down ahead of the much- needed holiday season and look to the year ahead, I’m allowing optimism and hope to creep in. The New Year brings new perspectives, and I have (as I’m sure many of you have) begun to view life through a different lens, focusing on the really important things. For me, that is time and energy well spent. And that is the theme we had in mind when we created our series of new luxury databases: How to save you time and energy. You already rely on Elite Traveler to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information on the finer things in life, be they hotel suites,

yachts, jets or cars. But how we present this information has perhaps been slightly old-fashioned. So we have revamped how you access this information digitally. The first searchable database we are launching coincides with our featured ranking — the Top 100 Suites. Everyone has a different idea of the perfect stay; for me it’s a king-sized bed to myself with no baby in sight and lying in that bed past 7:01am. For you, it might be a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site, your own butler or far- reaching ocean views. So, in order to make life easier, our new database allows you to plug in your criteria and then out pop the results for all the relevant suites. Whether you’re planning a multigenerational family getaway to South Africa, or a romantic visit for two to Paris, we’ll help you find the top accommodations. Our efforts to save you time don’t stop there — later on in the issue we’re saving time with our top fast jets. These are the jets to jump on when you’re in a rush; they can transport you to your destination in a hair’s breadth of the speed of sound. And our Men’s Watches pages focus on world time watches. You can glance at your wrist and see exactly what time it is for a loved one in Florida when you’re in London for business. In a world that suddenly seems very large, very far away and very disconnected, these marvels bring us all a bit closer. We’re also focusing on craftsmanship and innovation. And that’s something that we can all appreciate — the wonderful uniqueness that human hands can create. Our Object of Desire is a sculpture adorning a bottle of champagne; our Design feature focuses on the gift of giving art; and our Motoring pages take you as far away as you can imagine from a factory assembly line, to the workshops of Ferrari and Bentley. They are ingrained in deep tradition and the magic of human touch — these are the finer details that go into elevating something from the mundane to the truly extraordinary. And that is what our Top 100 Suites do. They take a relatively simple concept of a place to rest your head, and elevate it to something truly exceptional. These suites aren’t just about a night in a hotel; they are an experience in themselves, designed to fulfill your every whim and fantasy. This edition’s Explore section starts with the top hotel buyouts — ideal for the post Covid-19 world, since you can hire these hotels out in their entirety for your friends, family or employees. Whether you’re experiencing a Caribbean island or a chalet in the French Alps, do so in style...and in total, splendid isolation. If the thought of boarding a plane still seems like a world away, jump in your car instead and explore the wilds of Utah with our road trip guide. Wind your way through national parks and desert wilderness, stopping to sample the delights of Sundance’s Park City along the way. Finally, we finish off sipping a glass of champagne in an infinity pool overlooking the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne... And breathe...

Samantha Coles marvels at the mystical views over Lake Lucerne from Bürgenstock Resort’s infinity pool in Switzerland.

Thea Halstead walks in the footsteps of King Henry VIII at one of London’s newest boutique hotels, The Mitre Hampton Court.

Kim Ayling experiences a bespoke 24-carat gold facial, designed by Italian skincare wizard Pietro Simone, in one of the Beauty Treatment Rooms at Harrods.

Alex Martin is one of the first guests to stay in the Mayfair Townhouse, a boutique luxury hotel situated in the heart of London’s most exclusive area.

Luke Abrahams soaks up the old-school charm of Grantley Hall. Struggling to find the perfect gift for a loved one? Their jewelry-making experience is truly one of a kind.

KimAyling visits Theo Fennell’s studio and workshop to learn about the skilled craftsmanship behind each bespoke piece of the designer’s jewelry and silverware.

Thea Halstead Head of Luxury, Editor thea.halstead@elitetraveler.com