Dubai man thought contest launched April Fools’ Day was joke
Brendan Lopes, third from left, is a Portuguese national of Indian origin who grew up in the United Arab Emirates. (Liv. Bank)
Brendan Lopes has never been to Nova Scotia — or to Canada, for that matter.
But he’s now the proud owner of a private island off the coast of the province’s Eastern Shore thanks to a few lucky dice rolls.
The 27-year-old Lopes, a Portuguese national of Indian origin who grew up in the cultural melting pot of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, holds down two jobs.
He makes video content for businesses by day. At night, he is a DJ at clubs and private parties.
He has friends who love to visit Canada and he knows basic geography. But he admits he isn’t quite sure what the country has in store for him.
“[Another thing] I hear about Canada is like all of you guys say sorry a lot,” he said. “But, obviously, other than the stereotypes, I have no idea in the world about what Canada is, man. I have no idea.”
The 2.4-hectare island Lopes now owns is about 200 kilometres east of Halifax, off the coast of Goldboro, in Guysborough County. It’s called Hollpoint Island or Hurricane Island, and other than trees, rocks and sand, there’s not much else there.
The 2.4-hectare island, known as Hurricane Island or Hollpoint Island, is about 200 kilometres east of Halifax, off the coast of Goldboro, in Guysborough County. (Google)
It all started on April Fools’ Day. Lopes’s bank, UAE-based Liv. Bank, announced a contest to win a private island in Canada.
He thought it was a joke, until a few weeks later when he was chosen as a contestant.
In the end, it came down to Lopes and 18 others who got up on stage Oct. 14 at Caesars Palace in Dubai and rolled a die — labelled with -2, -1, 0, 1 and 2 — trying to be the first to get to six.
“And I’m probably the only one over there who was the most underdressed of anyone.… It’s, like, literally me … not shaved, hair unkempt,” he said.
“And I just went down there like, you know, maybe the food is going to be decent,” said Lopes.
But his girlfriend and father believed he could win.
After some nail-biting rolls, Lopes was in a position to take the final prize. All he needed to do was roll a two to get to the winning number.
“And I could actually see this happening in slow motion. Like, you throw the die and it hits the edge and it slowly goes down and it goes like zero, minus two, plus two. And I’m like what just happened?”
Stunned after the win, Brendan was approached by the MC of the game.
“And he’s like, ‘Brendan, man, people like Richard Branson have islands, you know, like millionaires have islands, and now you’re one of them. What do you have to say?’
Lopes, wearing a prop life-jacket along with the rest of the contestants, said the only thing that came to mind: “I’m thinking about the way to get a boat to get to the island.”
Why Canada?
Jayesh Patel is head of Liv. Bank. Its target market is millennials.
He said the bank surveyed customers to find out what kind of prizes might interest them.
“Canada comes up always as the top three destinations for customers,” he said.
“And it’s a place that has islands which we could give away.”
Patel said Hurricane Island was particularly appealing because gold was discovered east of nearby Goldboro in the mid-1800s.
“We liked some of the facts associated with it because we also wanted it to be a story around the island itself.”
Last year, the bank gave away a Tesla.
In addition to the island, Lopes also gets a cash prize of 100,000 UAE diram, which is about $36,000 Cdn.
Lopes is waiting for the excitement to subside but said he’s considering using the prize money to start a shop in Dubai that serves biryani, an Indian mixed rice dish.
Lopes, wearing the orange life-jacket, holds down two jobs. He makes video content for businesses by day and is a DJ at clubs and private parties by night. (Liv. Bank)
He said there’s still a lot of paperwork to complete to take possession of an island in a country he’s never visited but he’s looking forward to making the 20-plus-hour flight in the near future.
“I mean, I have an island now, so I definitely want to see it,” he said.
Though, Lopes added, he’s not thrilled at the prospect of paying property taxes, which don’t really exist in UAE.
According to the real estate site viewpoint.ca, the 2019 tax assessment for the island is $21,200, and it’s taxed at an annual rate of $129.
Patel said Liv. Bank bought the island through a Germany-based private island real estate company for about $50,000 Cdn.
There’s little other than trees, rocks and sand on the 2.4-hectare island in Guysborough County. (Google)
Lopes said he’s been overwhelmed by the response from friends, the media and people he barely knows.
“But the headlines around Dubai are ‘Indian Portuguese DJ who still lives with parents doesn’t know what to do with island’. I’m like, you guys, you guys are really killing me over this,” said Lopes.
Around the world, “wellness” has become the buzzword of choice for hotels courting a global audience of yogis, fitness fanatics, and stressed-out workaholics in need of some serious R&R. From Arizona to the Alps, these 11 hotels and resorts are getting the well-being trend right, and prove that a good wellness retreat is more than just au courant—it’s downright transformative. Say “om,” and read on for the best wellness resorts to check out now.
Mii amo, Sedona, Arizona
Mii amo, Sedona, Arizona
In Arizona’s enticingly named Valley of the Sun, Sedona has a clutch of high-end destination spas that draw travelers from both coasts. Mii amo, an adobe and stone sanctuary within Enchantment Resort, is among the best, with customizable, expert-led wellness itineraries—or “journeys”—lasting three, four, or seven nights. Daily meals, emphasizing locally sourced grains, produce, and meats, are included and served al fresco with the famously red rocks of Sedona looming above. Come evening, guests (who have included the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow) can indulge in signature cocktails—something of a rarity for a wellness retreat. Be sure to check out Mii time, a series of themed presentations and retreats, like introductions to chakras, reiki, and sound healing.
BodyHoliday All-Inclusive, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
BodyHoliday All-Inclusive, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
Wellness and fitness meet pure relaxation under the Caribbean sun at the all-inclusive BodyHoliday, where guests can tailor activities to be as intensive (or not) as they want—from morning sweats in hard-core exercise classes to afternoons spent sipping fresh coconut water on a float in the sea (the staff will swim out to you with refills). For those who want something in between, Ashtanga yoga and chanting meditation sessions offer restorative balance while complimentary daily spa treatments like full-body massages and facials are not to be missed. The resort recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a multi-million-dollar renovation that revitalized the resort’s renowned Wellness Centre and added a new sushi counter and juice bar, where you can cheers to your health with a shot of turmeric or greens.
Six Senses Duxton, Singapore
Six Senses Duxton, Singapore
Six Senses has wellness resorts all over the world, set in famed relaxation havens like Fiji and Courchevel. The brand expanded its health-minded philosophy into cities for the first time with the debut of Six Senses Duxton in central Singapore’s historic Chinatown. The 49-room hotel comprises a collection of colonial-era trading houses, whose rich blend of Malay, Chinese, and European influences have been faithfully restored under the helm of designer Anouska Hempel. Guests have access to the hotel’s on-staff traditional Chinese doctor, who is available for health tips, readings, and dispensing medicinal herbs.
LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius
LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius
On its own peninsula along the northern coast of Mauritius, Lux* Grand Gaube reopened after a $32 million, tip-to-toe renovation from designer Kelly Hoppen. The locally owned resort—something of a rarity amongst five-star properties in Africa—features nearly 2.5 acres of land dedicated to wellness. That’s more than enough space for 11 calming treatment rooms, a massive fitness center, three pools, an aromatic steam room, sauna, hairdressing salon, and a nail station from Essie. Guests can wile away the hours undisturbed under the banyan trees at one of two beaches, or partake in fitness classes, ranging from yoga and meditation to high-energy cardio workouts.
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Miami Beach
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Miami Beach
Miami Beach may be more famous as a high-energy party hot spot than as a meditative mecca, but Carillon Hotel, in the relative seclusion of Miami’s North Beach, paints a different story. Fresh off a $10 million renovation, its ocean-view spa and wellness center comes in at a staggering 70,000 square-feet. (To put that into perspective, an American football field is just over 57,000 square-feet.) Inside the veritable temple to wellbeing, guests can expect more than 200 weekly classes, a two-story climbing wall, a fleet of cardio equipment, and several pools, all attended by a small army of staff, including nutritionists and acupuncturists.
The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
Originally built as housing for Kohler factory workers in Wisconsin in 1918, the Tudor-style American Club became a resort in the 1980s and has been one of the Midwest’s leading wellness destinations ever since. The renowned hotel welcomes visitors to championship golf courses, fine dining, and sumptuously-appointed rooms—with fittingly luxe bathrooms. As for spa time, travelers can enjoy legendary water-inspired offerings, like the signature lavender rain therapy, which exfoliates, cleanses, and moisturizes the body.
Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort, Switzerland
Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort, Switzerland
In the Swiss Alps, Waldhaus Flims has been a luxurious spa retreat for European dignitaries since the mid-19th century. In 2016, the Belle Epoque resort shuttered its doors for a complete overhaul, to the tune of $40 million. Refurbished rooms honor the hotel’s heritage with natural woods, ornate furnishings, and original details. The 32,000-square-foot spa, on the other hand, is entirely modern. After a day hiking the numerous trails nearby, relax your muscles with a dip in one of the resort’s sleek pools—there’s one indoor, encased in glass, another outdoor, surrounded by stone walls—or indulge in a full body hammam treatment.
COMO Metropolitan, London, UK
COMO Metropolitan, London, UK
You don’t need to escape to the country or the seaside to enhance your well-being. At COMO Metropolitan London, situated in Mayfair between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, wellness takes center stage. Natural light floods the zen-like guest rooms, and the hotel’s Shambhala Urban Escape spa has resident experts in energy healing, chi balancing, reflexology, and even counseling. They can help guests see their lives through a new lens—all between a morning shopping excursion and an evening at the theater. Even business meetings at the hotel are health bent thanks to a program that incorporates the spa’s menu of restorative meals and juices into events on property.
Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa, India
Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa, India
In the Punjabi forests of northern India, outside of Chandigarh, Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa opened as the brand’s first wellness destination retreat in late 2016. Last winter, the resort unveiled its spa, with Mughal-inspired design elements like reflecting fountains and courtyards. Ayurvedic treatments dominate the menu of programs, which range from one day to three weeks in length. The physician-led retreats include daily consultations, mindfulness activities, herbal applications, and yoga, often on an idyllic east-facing platform overlooking the morning sun through the trees. Another popular treatment is the hydrotherapy circuit in the resort’s Roman-inspired bath complex. Come nighttime, guests make their way to their rooms, done in soothing tones. Many take the form of tented villas, with teak floors and private pool terraces, perfect for an evening swim.
Rosewood Phuket, Thailand
Rosewood Phuket, Thailand
On a hillside along the Andaman Sea’s Emerald Bay sits Rosewood Phuket‘s 71 airy villas and pavilions. Centuries-old banyan trees dot the property, which centers around nearly 2,000 feet of pristine beachfront. You’ll also find Asaya, Rosewood’s all-encompassing wellness program. In the spa, alternative therapies like reiki and sound therapy take center stage. Some treatments, including a salt scrub detox with volcanic clay wrap, last an indulgent four hours. For a truly transformative experience, guests can sign up for two-week programs, from high-intensity boot camps to inner peace workshops.
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
A favorite for Caribbean-bound nature lovers, Amanyara enjoys a prime spot on the undeveloped western shores of Providenciales island. It’s surrounded by parkland on all sides, including a marine park offshore. Surfing, snorkeling, and wildlife-focused eco-hikes are common activities—that is once you manage to leave your lounger along the half-mile of beach. The resort’s spa, set amidst mangroves and surrounding a tranquil pond, has an outdoor yoga deck and five open-air pavilions—one for lounging, four for treatments. Last year, the resort introduced wellness experiences designed specifically for families. Think mother/daughter facials and father/son shiatsu, plus a new line of spa treatments for younger guests.
A Cuban-inspired bar in New York City was just named the best new cocktail bar in America.
BlackTail, which is designed to mimic the decadent American bars in Cuba during Prohibition, was crowned “Best New American Cocktail Bar” at the Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans.
“We are proud and humbled to win the Best New American Cocktail Bar Spirited Award. We dedicate this win to the everyday people of Cuba who inspire us with their resilience, grace, and high spirits,” says Jack McGarry, managing partner at BlackTail.
The bar’s name comes from the lavish seaplanes (whose tail ends were painted black) that ferried “dry” (and thirsty) Americans down to the “wet” island during Prohibition for liquid libations in the sun. It opened at New York Harbor’s historic Pier A in 2016.
One of the drinks on its menu, dubbed the Rum & Cola, is definitely decadent. As Grub Street first pointed out, the typical frat house drink is elevated through the addition of champagne, Fernet Branca, and homemade bitters. In fact, it’s the champagne that gives this drink its carbonation, since it’s made with cola syrup instead of Coca-Cola.
Tokyo American Club has been an integral part of the international community in Tokyo since its founding in 1928.
With around 4,000 Members, drawn from 50-plus nations, the Club offers a diverse range of cultural, business and recreational activities and amenities in the heart of the Japanese capital.
Tokyo American Club’s Winter Garden
The present facility, which was designed by lauded American architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli and opened on January 18, 2011, is the sixth incarnation
of the Club.
The building was described by private club consultants the McMahon Group as “light years ahead of its U.S. counterparts” and “[as] quite possibly the finest private club facility in the world.”
Members enjoy access to world-class recreation facilities, including a roof-top pool, bowling alley, golf simulators, full-size gym, library, childcare center and spa, as well as a host of fitness, cultural and educational programs for all ages.
Tokyo American Club’s Sky Pool (Rooftop) Tokyo American Club’s Bowling CenterTokyo American Club’s Childcare Facility
Besides being home to five restaurants, a bar and a seasonal café, the eight-story facility features seven overnight Guest Studios and superlative meeting, party and conference facilities.
Entrance to the Tokyo American Club’s CHOP SteakhouseTokyo American Club’s CHOP SteakhouseTokyo American Club’s Modern Teppan diningTokyo American Club’s Guest Studio room
The Union Club is privileged to be lucky enough to have three of Cory Trépanier’s original oil paintings on display in the Lobby.
Through close affiliations with The Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature, where Cory Trépanier’s exhibit “Into the Arctic” will be on display until November 3, 2019, the Club was chosen to house these three works of art. When next in the Club, please stop by the Lobby to view the three pieces of art, along with a silent video display of Cory’s first two documentaries “Into the Arctic” and “Into the Arctic II”.
OVER A DECADE IN THE MAKING!
An Exhibition of Art and Film by Canadian Painter and Filmmaker Cory Trépanier.
Into the Arctic showcases over fifty original oil paintings by Canadian painter Cory Trépanier. Over a decade in the making, this traveling exhibition comprises of highlights from the most ambitious body of artwork ever dedicated to the Canadian Arctic. With a pack full of painting, filming and camping gear, Trépanier traversed over 40,000 kilometres, through six Arctic National Parks and 16 Arctic communities, exploring many more places in between, in a biosphere so remote and untouched, that most of its vast landscape has never been painted before.
‘Glacierside’ by Cory Trépanier
Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Living Explorers by Canadian Geographic Magazine, Trépanier carries on the tradition of painting first made famous by Canada’s Group of Seven, but with the environmental concern of a contemporary artist. Contextualizing the artist’s majestic paintings is a series of Arctic films, which cinematically convey the wonder of the North while documenting his expeditions.
These experiences have created a desire in me to connect others with this remote northern wilderness through my paintings and films, with are assembled for the first time in this exhibition… I hope my work might spark awareness and conservation about Canada’s Arctic, and instil a greater appreciation and concern for the future of its ever-changing landscape.” – Cory Trépanier
‘Mount Thor’ by Cory Trépanier
The Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature is open daily, 10am to 5pm, at 470 Belleville Street.
Union Club members booking overnight accommodations at Jonathan Club will receive the Jonathan Club’s discounted member rates now through September 30, 2019.
Enjoy a spectacular summer in the
City of Angels while taking advantage of these exclusive Jonathan Club services
and amenities:
• Cosmopolitan rooftop dining at their
seasonal Chophouse
• Somadome meditation pod
experience in their Athletics & Wellness Department
• Access to their Jonathan Beach
Club fronting the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica
Jonathan Club is steps from
world-class entertainment, sports and culture including Walt Disney Concert
Hall, Staples Center, L.A. Live, Exposition Park, MOCA, Broad Museum, and
Grammy Museum.
Contact the Jonathan Club – front.desk@jc.org – today to plan your California dream summer escape.
A rendering of the House Brasserie, with views of Victoria Harbour from the 28th floor.
A decade in the making, Soho House Hong Kong is finally getting
ready to open its doors this September. Memorably featured in a 2003 episode of Sex
and the City and now something of a cultural phenomenon in
its own right, the private members’ club was established in 1995 and has gone
from one location in London to 24 clubs spanning the UK, North America, Europe
and Asia. (When it opens this fall, Soho House Hong Kong will be the 25th.) In
case you’re not familiar, the ethos of Soho House is simple: “to create a
comfortable home from home for a community of like-minded people, wherever they
are.”
Though one former
proposed location was Tai
Kwun, Soho House isn’t located in Hong Kong’s Soho neighbourhood but
rather in Sheung Wan, on an unglamorous stretch of Des Voeux Road West. However,
there are perks to this location: Occupying a 28-storey tower, Soho House
features views over Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour and Victoria Peak. The
interiors are being overseen by Soho House Design, an in-house team, with
inspiration taken from the city itself, including colour palettes and
references from Hong Kong films and the work of directors such as Wong Kar-wai.
Patterns and fabrics that feel uniquely Hong Kong will feature prominently,
while blending with the international design found throughout Soho Houses
around the world.
Art features prominently throughout the property, with a permanent
collection entirely focused on artists born or based in Hong Kong. Featuring
over 100 works of art from established names such as Lee Kit and Tsang Kin Wah,
emerging artists such as Firenze Lai and historic material from the likes of Ho
Fan, Yau Leung, Wong Wo Bik and Choi Yan Chi, the collection has been curated
by Kate Bryan, Head of Collections for Soho House.
What else is inside? Quite a lot, considering this is the biggest Soho House yet, spanning some 120,000 square feet. The gym, dubbed Soho Active, will span three floors linked by an internal staircase; reception and changing areas including sauna and steam rooms will be located on a separate floor. Elsewhere, a co-working space known as Soho Works will occupy nine floors of the building: Floors 17–23 will hold office space for Works members, while floors 2 and 3 will have a lounge and meeting spaces, where Works events will also be held.
A rendering of the Pool Room, located on the 30th floor. The main member’s bar and club space on the 29th floor.
On the first floor, a white-box space called the House Studio will host exhibitions, shows and other events. On the ground floor, club reception will sit alongside a new concept called The Store, where members will be able to shop for products from Soho Home and Cowshed as well as items created by fellow members.
Most notable are the club floors, occupying floors 25–30. Up top is the 1970s-inspired Pool Room, designed as a solarium with plants, rattan furniture and daybeds, not to mention a swim-up bar. One floor below is the main bar and club space, with lounge-style furniture, a dark colour palette and a stage that will be used for karaoke nights. The House Brasserie is found on the 28th floor, where a menu of Soho House classics (brick chicken, the Dirty Burger) will be served alongside locally inspired seafood dishes, siu mei, dim sum and Peking duck.
A rendering of The Drawing Room. A function room on the 26th floor. An events room on the 25th floor.
On the 27th floor, the Drawing Room is a light, bright space with contemporary design: think cork ceiling, jade greens and burnt orange. The menu includes a daily afternoon tea set, and there are two private dining areas, which can be fully closed off for events. Two events spaces — a private dining room and a function room — occupy the 26th floor, both equipped with marble-top bars; there’s also a stage which will be used for members’ events. Last but not least, the 25th floor houses a pre-events bar, a screening room and a large function space. Different floors will open in phases, with the club floors expected to be finished by mid-September, while other sections of the building will open in winter and spring.
One of the changing rooms at the gym. A rendering of the gym’s studio space. The gym’s reception area.
If you want to become a member, you can start the process here, but note that demand is high and membership is limited to those in the creative industries. There are, however, benefits to joining sooner than later: Existing Cities Without Houses members and founder members will have free access to Soho Works and Soho Active for a year, while those who join after September will have to pay additional fees for usage of those amenities.
To find out more about this highly anticipated new opening, we sat down with Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Soho House, to chat about Hong Kong’s creative scene, where he plans to open clubs next and more.
Nick Jones at Soho House Barcelona
Soho House is famous for having a rule against suits and ties, and not
really welcoming finance types. Is that still true to this day? Has it changed
over time?
Loads of bankers
going out for a big knees up on a Thursday night is not something we want
to become because it’s not very nice [to be around]. But, individually, we have
nothing against anyone. We don’t want Soho House to be a place full of
corporate entertaining; we want Soho House to be full of like-minded evenings
and fun moments. I think people in finance have changed, so we’re not saying no
to finance — the no suit and tie was just one way of [expressing our point of
view]. And of course, there are plenty of people with great suits and ties who
have nothing to do with finance.
There were reports that Soho House Hong Kong would open in March or
earlier. What caused the delays?
We never announced
exactly when we were opening. We were hoping to open before the summer, and if
we really pushed it, we probably could’ve opened by the end of June. But what we
decided to do is hold off and do it properly in September. So the answer is
yes, it has been a slight delay but no worse than what we usually have. To
achieve a 30-storey tower block and club within just over two years is a pretty
good achievement.
When do you plan to welcome members to Soho House Hong Kong?
Certainly all the
club floors will be finished by the end of September, but the four main club
floors will be open the week commencing September 8th for an open house. To
have one big party is, you know, you have to move all the furniture out, and
what we want to do is show the house off in its glory. So we’ll just invite our
founder membership over a period of four nights. We don’t want them all to come
up the same night because it needs to be controlled. They’ll come in to
experience the club, eat in the club, drink in the club, look at the
entertainment.
The three floors of
Soho Active will be ready from September the 8th. Soho Works will come online
in January and the completion of the ground floor store will be in January or
February. So by spring next year everything will be really up and running.
For someone who’s never heard of heard of Soho House, why should they
want to be a member?
Just because the club
originated from Britain, it doesn’t mean we’re an expat club. We are a club for
Hong Kong Chinese and we very much want them to feel that we’re offering
everything that they need. Hong Kong is a fantastic city with many incredible
places to go. What we want at Soho House Hong Kong is just to add something
additional to the city. I think what’s different is that we are under one roof,
we’re in a great location, and we’ve got plenty of space. We’re not going to be
here now and gone in three years’ time. We have a very substantial lease
through our partners, Nan Fung. We are investing a lot of money to make sure
that the members, every single member, is taken care of. I hope that the people
of Hong Kong will find that very appealing.
As you know, Hong Kong already has many private members’ clubs. How is
Soho House different?
Hong Kong has had
lots of members’ clubs, a bit like the way that Britain has had lots of
members’ clubs. I think what’s different about us is that we’re inclusive, not
exclusive. We are aiming at a younger, more creative demographic — and the fact
that we’re not about money.
I only want a
membership to Soho House to improve someone’s life. It’s not just physical
space I’m talking about, it’s not just a nice place to hang out and drink and
meet and whatever. We care deeply about making sure that people in our
community meet other people in our community who might be able to help them. I
think with members’ events and everything we’re doing, all we’re trying to do is
make our members’ lives better.
How will Soho House Hong Kong be different from the other 24 clubs?
Well, this is the
biggest House, and it’s the first one where we’ve properly integrated the work
space, the gym space and the House space into one building. We feel it’s a
fabulous location. And of course, it’s our first entry into the Far East. That
makes me nervous but at the same time it makes me incredibly excited.
Why should that make you nervous?
Because if you’re not
nervous, you’re complacent. And I don’t think that’s a good thing.
Why open in Hong Kong before Beijing or Tokyo?
Beijing and Shanghai
and Tokyo and Bangkok are very much on our list. It just so happened that we
felt Hong Kong was going to be the first one to get into. And if Hong Kong works,
we will be having a very, very proactive expansion around the Far East.
Why is now the right time for Soho House to open in Hong Kong?
The timing is more
accidental than deliberate. We have been looking for a Soho House in Hong Kong
for nearly a decade now. As you know it’s really difficult to find good
properties with a decent lease in good areas in Hong Kong, so it’s taken us a
long time to find it. But saying that, I think Hong Kong has changed and the
creative industries are certainly popping up much more visibly than they were.
Fashion music, art — these are very big parts of everyday life here.
Hong Kong has changed
and will continue to change, and having something like Soho House here will
also help it change. There’s also an incredibly interesting community of
people who are in those businesses who would love a place where they could
gather under one roof and feel that they are part of the same community. The
people I’ve met in Hong Kong, they will be brilliant additions to our global
community.
Unlike other clubs, this Soho House has no hotel accommodations. Was
that a deliberate decision?
Well, it was not a
deliberate decision because we initially put in an application for 60 bedrooms.
Through some technical issues with the size of a building, at this stage it was
not possible. Now, we could have reapplied and probably got them, but we sort
of felt that actually, even though bedrooms are a nice amenity, it’s not an
amenity that local Hong Kong people necessarily want, because they live in Hong
Kong. We felt like giving more work space, more club space and more fitness
space was better, so that’s why we dropped the idea.
How has Soho House changed since its founding?
When we started
nearly 25 years ago, what we created there was a home from home for people who
were prominently in the creative industries, but had a like-mindedness about
them where they could meet, connect, work, watch movies, go to members’ events.
I suppose in a way, the principle of that is exactly the same now. Soho House
for 25 years has created a community for its membership, created content for
its membership, and created connectability within its membership. As the years
have progressed, we’ve really just added to what we had at the beginning,
albeit in a more global, diverse, interesting way.
After you open a new club, how do you judge its success?
Our success is judged
purely on member reaction. It’s not done on figures or P&L sheets. It’s
purely done on reaction, how often our members are using us and the feedback we
get.
What other Soho House locations are in the works?
We’ve got Rome
opening next year, and Milan currently under construction. We’ve got Lisbon
just about to go under construction, and Paris opening next year. We’ve got
Nashville opening, Austin opening, and we’re doing one in Philadelphia. There’s
many more houses to come. Our members love more houses: It makes our community
of members more interesting because you go into each city and get the cream of
that city and they join the global gang.
Will any parts of Soho House Hong Kong be open to the public?
Sure, we’ll have
exhibitions which will be open to the public, and times when The Store is open
to the public downstairs. But [generally], you have to have a membership to be
able to come in here.
Because you’re not really one of the “who’s who” in Hong Kong unless you’re a member of a private club. In no particular order, here are 10 clubs in the city where membership is the most coveted:
Photo: Courtesy of The American Club
1/10: The American Club
You don’t have to be American to join this club, but it sure does help. Think burgers and apple pie, Thanksgiving and sports bars–whatever it is you’re missing from the good ol’ US of A, you’ll find it at the club’s two locations.
The Town Club, right in the heart of Central, is the perfect place to indulge in some adult time with top-class restaurants and a fitness centre, while the country club in Tai Tam has something for everyone including a spa, swimming pool, basketball court, tennis and squash courts.
Wine and dine: The Town Club boasts five venues including elegant restaurant The Clipper, a steakhouse and a sports bar. Private dining rooms are also available on request. The Country Club offers relaxed venues including a café, wine bar, terrace dining and a poolside grill.
For the family: Make use of the sports bar with family zone and den at the Town Club or the “Eagle’s Nest” at the Country Club, a 10,000 square-foot play space. The Country Club is also home to Chill & Joe’s teen hangout with big screen TVs, game systems, pool tables and more. There are also plenty of family events including an Independence Day picnic, Superbowl breakfast and Halloween haunted house to name a few.
Joining & Membership Fee: The waiting list is around one and a half years and applicants must be proposed and seconded by two active voting members of 12 months standing. A number of different memberships are available. If you’re an American citizen, an American Individual Membership is HK$438,000, with monthly fees of HK$2,570.
A Transferable American Individual Membership is HK$250,000 with monthly fees of HK$1,950. Finally, there’s also a One-Year Temporary Membership at HK$45,600 with monthly fees of HK$1,950, and a Debenture Membership is also available via an agent.
No. of Members: Around 2,800
Photo: Courtesy of The Aberdeen Marina Club
2/10: The Aberdeen Marina Club
If you’re looking for that “wow” factor, you’ll find it here at one of Hong Kong’s most well-equipped clubs. AMC boasts seven restaurants, separate kids’ play zones, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a bowling alley, fitness centre, a hair and beauty salon and an ice rink, to name a few.
Managed by the Shangri-La group, you’ll find the same attention detail as you would in their hotels, keeping you in the lap of luxury throughout. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s also fully serviced marina to park your superyacht.
Wine and dine: Feast on signature dry-aged and wet-aged meat cuts at the Marina Grill before heading to the adjacent bar, where mixologist Matthew Lau will prepare a cocktail tailored to your tastes. There’s also The Deck with views over the marina, The Horizon Chinese restaurant, Caffe Luna Italian restaurant and LaCave wine bar.
For the family: Take the little ones up to “Kids on 8!” for an interactive area of mini-worlds, and keep the older ones busy in the two-level indoor playroom with climbing challenges and vertical drop slides. Teenagers have their own Chill Zone and a special graffiti-sprayed lounge area, The Yard.
Joining & Membership Fee: While there’s no waiting list and hopeful applicants can submit a letter of application, membership is strictly by invitation only. You’ll be paying upwards of HK$3,000,000 on the second-hand market.
No. of Members: Around 3,600
Photo: Courtesy of The Hong Kong Country Club
3/10: The Hong Kong Country Club
If you haven’t walked barefoot across the Country Club’s manicured lawn, you’re missing out on a quintessential Hong Kong experience. Founded in the 1960s, this club makes the most of its Southside location with stunning views over Deep Water Bay.
It has plenty of facilities to keep you and your little rascals busy, including tennis and squash courts, a bowling alley, health centre, swimming pool and some truly divine restaurants.
Fun fact: This is the club where former French consul general, Marc Fonbaustier, was expelled in 2010 for stealing two bottles of wine.
Wine and dine: The club has both a Chinese and French-inspired restaurant as well as outdoor Italian dining on the Foreshore Deck and the Garden Room, which serves international cuisine.
For the family: The club has an adventure playground with wooden climbing frames set right next to the lawn, where they can run to their heart’s desire. There’s also an indoor playroom with a full-time supervisor. The littlest members are catered for with events including “Funtastic Sunday,” featuring bouncy castles on the lawn.
Joining & Membership Fee: The waiting list is upwards of 10 years, and applications are assessed according to a strict nationality quota to ensure the organisation’s diversity. Expect an individual membership to set you back HK$460,000, while a corporate membership is HK$5,000,000. Monthly fees are HK$2,500.
No. of Members: 2,000
Photo: Courtesy of The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club Hong Kong
4/10: The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club
If you can bear to leave the city for a day, you won’t regret it once you see this charming and relaxed club set at the tip of the Clearwater Bay peninsula. If you want to get your golf on, head to the golf club’s spectacular 18-hole course.
Wine and dine: Work up an appetite with squash, tennis or a workout in the gym (followed by a steam, sauna and massage, of course). Then sip on champagne at the Oasis café as you look out over the enormous pool with uninterrupted views of picturesque coastlines.
There are two dining options available at the country club—Ocean View for Chinese cuisine and dim sum, and Oasis Café for international fare. Horizons at the golf club serves breakfast, lunch and snacks.
For the family: The country club has a great indoor playroom and two outdoor playgrounds. There are also various family activities arranged throughout the year, including a camping trip on the property and a pool party every summer.
Joining & Membership Fee: Members must be recommended by a proposer and a seconder, attend an interview and be approved by the committee. The waiting list is around two years.
Individual fees for the Country Club are HK$880,000 while corporate fees are HK$1,320,000, each with monthly fees of HK$1,600. Individual fees for the Golf and Country Club are HK$4,200,000, while corporate fees are HK$6,300,000 and monthly fees are HK$2,600.
No. of Members: Over 3,000
Photo: Courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
5/10: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Forget watching the races from the public stands. Once you’re a member here, you’ll have access to plenty of exclusive venues from which to bet, including restaurants, bars and even a rocking lounge with its own private terrace.
Take advantage of the three fully-equipped clubhouses with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sports complexes, children’s play areas and more.
Wine and dine: Between the three clubhouses and the two racecourses, you won’t run out of dining options. There are 10 restaurants serving an array of cuisines, plus bars, buffet dining halls and outdoor dining venues. If you’ve still got the energy, head over to Adrenaline bar and lounge in Happy Valley, which is open until midnight.
For the family: All three clubhouses boast fantastic amenities including swimming pools, outdoor areas and playrooms. There are also plenty of horsey activities including riding lessons and the opportunity to adopt and care for the ponies as part of the newly introduced “Fun with Ponies” programme.
Joining & Membership Fee: Anyone can apply to be a member, but corporate membership is by invitation only. Racing members must be voted in and seconded by a resident honorary steward, honorary voting member or voting member of the club. A second resident of the same plus three other members must support your application.
Racing members pay HK$125,000 with monthly fees of HK$650, while full memberships are $HK500,000. Corporate memberships range from HK$2,200,000 to HK$4,400,000 with monthly fees of HK$2,200.
No. of Members: 13,300
Photo: Courtesy of The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
6/10: The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Slip on your Sperry’s and sling your jacket over your shoulder—this is the place to be for yachties and rowers alike. At each of the club’s three waterfront locations, you can enhance your skills with a variety of courses or rent the club’s dinghies at your leisure.
Once you are back on dry land, schmooze with like-minded individuals as you sip on specially curated and subsidised wines. There are plenty of other facilities for landlubbers too, including restaurants, a bowling alley, gym, pool and squash courts.
Wine and dine: There are an array of dining establishments, including fine dining at the Compass Room, casual coffee shop fare, a bar and deck, and BBQ and a-la-carte dining at Middle Island and Shelter Cove.
For the family: This is a great place to encourage your mini-me’s love of the water with fantastic courses starting from the age of 6. Little non-sailors have been kept in mind throughout each location too, with playrooms, playgrounds, pool parties, board games and other fun things for them to do.
Joining and Membership Fee: For the cheapest fees, you’ll need to prove your experience in sailing or rowing and show your willingness to participate in activities with the club. For ordinary membership, you’ll need a proposer from the club. Expect to wait between two to six weeks.
Anordinary single membership is HK$91,800 while an ordinary married couple membership is HK$137,700. There’s also an individual debenture membership at HK$1,875,000 and corporate nominee membership at HK2,250,000. Monthly fees range from HK$2,000 to HK $4,260.
No. of Members: 13,300 (5,800 active members, 7,500 absent members worldwide)
Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Football Club
7/10: Hong Kong Football Club
If you’re not at home in sports gear, this probably isn’t the club for you. Most members are here to take advantage of the fantastic collection of indoor and outdoor facilities first and socialize later.
Set in the heart of Happy Valley, this club has Hong Kong’s largest collection of pitches and grounds including football, rugby, netball and hockey, as well as a swimming pool, bowling alley, snooker room, golf simulator and fitness centre.
Wine and dine: With sport being at the forefront here, there are adult and family bars showing a range of games on television. The Sportsman’s bar is the place for beer drinkers with 12 taps of draught and pub-style meals served inside or on the terrace, while the Chairman’s bar provides a more formal setting.
There’s also a coffee shop for casual meals and a fine dining restaurant with a weekly set menu and a comprehensive wine list.
For the family: There’s a lot going on here for even the littlest sportsman, with classes and teams running for all ages, as well as a ten-pin bowling complex and two children’s playrooms. The Christmas fete has seasonal arts and crafts and games for the kids, with music and entertainment and a bar for parents.
Joining & Membership Fee: Sports members are popular here. If you can pass trials and prove your commitment you could be in within a few weeks. Membership is open to all Hong Kong residents.
Non-sports preferred members can expect to pay HK$400,000, while sports preferred members pay HK$25,000. Corporate fees are HK$2,400,000, while monthly fees are HK$1,525.
No. of Members: 3,300
Photo: Courtesy of The China Club, Hong Kong
8/10: The China Club, Hong Kong
If it’s classic elegance you’re after, look no further than The China Club. Opened in 1991 by the inimitable late David Tang, the décor is pure 1930s Shanghai, filled with art and antiquities from the era.
The attention to detail here is striking—from the art-deco sweeping staircase to the Bosendorfer grand piano in the corner of the dining room, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re in the middle of one of the world’s most bustling cities.
Culture club: The club boasts a mahjong room and a library with an extensive collection of books on China and the Chinese people, not to mention striking views over our great city.
Wine and dine: The main dining room on the 13th floor prides itself on its authentic Chinese cuisine, or you can simply while away your evening drinking at the ultra-luxe Long Bar. There are also plenty of rooms dedicated to private dining with banqueting menus available to suit every taste.
While little ones are welcome at this club, we suggest you leave them at home to avoid any unwanted accidents with the expensive artworks.
Joining & Membership Fee: To join, simply fill in the entry form from the club and you’re good to go. Membership fees range from HK$120,000-$150,000.
No. of Members: Around 3,000
Photo: Courtesy of The Hong Kong Golf Club
9/10: The Hong Kong Golf Club
This is a must for any golfer worth his salt in Hong Kong. Set on the south side of the island across from Deep Water Bay, the stunning nine-hole par 56 course takes up a large piece of prime real estate and has the price tag to match. The club prides itself on nurturing local talent, and has many high-profile members including the up-and-coming Tuen-Mun born Tiffany Chan.
If you fancy a bit of a time out, get hit the gym for a Body Torque Asia personal training session or relax in the secluded walled-in swimming pool. Be sure to head to the sauna to ease those muscles afterwards. The club’s other site in Fanling boasts three additional 18-hole courses.
Wine and dine: Enjoy Cantonese BBQ and dim sum at The Pavilion, or sample international delights at The Fairway Grill. For more laidback dining head to the verandah and bar or, at the other end of the scale, hold a banquet for up to 115 guests at The Orchid Room overlooking the golf course.
For the family: Promotions for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are popular, as is the Family BBQ by the pool, which includes inflatables for the little ones.
Joining & Membership Fee: There’s been no opportunity to join this club for a while now. Don’t give up though, as they do occasionally issue a limited number of new memberships. A second-hand membership will set you back around HK$17 million.
No. of Members: Around 2,500
Photo: Courtesy of The Hong Kong Club
10/10: The Hong Kong Club
You’ll know you’ve made it if you get to call this your home away from home. Founded in 1846 and full of old world charm and elegant colonial décor, it harks back to an era when only men would meet to quaff whiskey and discuss business. Thankfully, it has moved on from the days when women weren’t allowed, but exclusivity is still key.
Known simply as “The Club” to its members, its current Central location houses 25 floors of incredible leisure and fitness facilities including restaurants, squash courts, a bowling alley, a billiards room, a fantastic library and even its own barber.
Wine and dine: Two restaurants and three bars serving everything from light lunch and snacks to Chinese and Western fine dining. There’s also a selection of private function rooms and a garden lounge. You wouldn’t want to look out of place here, so make sure you check the website for the club’s extensive dress codes.
No photos: Memories of your days here are for your eyes only, as no photography is allowed anywhere in the club.
If exquisite artistry gives you goosebumps, these ventures may prove irresistible.
The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore
The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore
Before opening as a boutique 37-room bolthole early this
year, The Warehouse Hotel enjoyed a storied – albeit muddled – past as part of
the Straits of Malacca trade route. Originally built as a spice ‘godown’
(warehouse) in 1895, the building was at the epicentre of underground activity
and illegal distilleries – and was even a popular disco in the 1980s. The task
of giving this heritage building a much needed new lease of life fell to
acclaimed Singaporean hospitality company The Lo & Behold Group, who
enlisted the expertise of local architects Zarch Collaboratives and design
studio Asylum. The team pledged to keep the entire scheme local, and a focus on
homegrown talent is seen throughout – right down to the in-room cups and
saucers made by a local ceramic studio. The hotel has character in spades, with
a unique design that offers a ‘fresh perspective on the term
“industrial”‘, according to Asylum. Large vault ceilings, exposed
brickwork and earthy tones nod to its industrial past, as does the statement
custom-made lighting fixture made up of wheels and pulleys in the main foyer.
Bisate Lodge, Rwanda
Bisate Lodge, Rwanda
The beautiful Bisate Lodge sets a new standard in luxury
accommodation in northern Rwanda, and it’s not just the hotel’s design and
multiple five-star amenities that are impressive. The eight-bedroom rooftop
resort is a nature lover’s paradise, with the hotel itself nestled within a
natural amphitheatre formed by a long-extinct volcanic cone. The Volcanoes
National Park is just a stone’s throw away, and each room looks out across the
majestic Virunga Mountains, home to the iconic mountain gorilla. A guided tour
to explore the area and catch a glimpse of these magnificent,
critically-endangered primates in their natural habitat is a must and can be
organised through the hotel. Bisate Lodge has sustainability at its heart, with
plans to introduce indigenous plants to the immediate surrounding area among
other initiatives. Inside, the lodge’s thatched pods take inspiration from
traditional Rwandan design, with domed roofs and natural materials such as wood
and volcanic stone balanced by thoroughly modern touches and bright colours.
Park Hyatt, Bangkok
Park Hyatt, Bangkok
Originally scheduled to open back in 2014, the striking new
Park Hyatt Bangkok is finally open for business. The five-star hotel is Park
Hyatt’s first venture in Thailand, and no expense was spared to create a truly
original feat of contemporary architecture. The hotel occupies the top floors
of the luxury new Central Embassy shopping mall, and its facade is clad in
extruded aluminum tiles to create a shimmering pattern that draws on
traditional Thai architecture. Inside, the ambience is a lot more restrained,
with an elegant, neutral palette of creams and silver providing a calming
contrast to the bustling city outside. Because of the building’s distinctive
curved shape, nearly all of the 222 rooms and suites have different layouts,
and all are fitted with luxurious rain showers and deep soak baths that look
out across Bangkok’s beautiful skyline.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Opened in 2004, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is an elegant
hotel with a pool area designed by none other than Chanel’s Karl
Lagerfeld. The “haute couture” pool setting, known as Odyssey,
features a fresco-style installation made up of 15 glass panels portraying
Ulysses’ journey. The hotel also boasts Michelin starred dining by chef Joel
Robuchon, as well as beautifully curated gardens. “Behind the
monumental Belle Epoque facade, the place has both pin-sharp classical elegance
– and melodious modern rhythm,” says the Daily
Telegraph. Designer Jacques Garcia is the person you bring in “when
you want to achieve this mix of the gracefully traditional and the
contemporary.”
Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The newly opened Alila Fort is a hotel that’s truly fit for
royalty. The 230-year old warrior fortress, located in the picturesque village
of Bishangarh, is steeped in character and history and is a prime example of
Jaipur Gharana architecture. Following a seven-year restoration project, the
fort has reopened as a grand resort, the latest opening from luxury hotel group
Alila. The imposing fortress structure has been left intact with its towering
turrets, arched windows, even a granite dungeon, now a luxury spa. It’s a
spectacular sight to behold and full to the brim with five-star amenities
including a library, pool veranda and terrace, cigar lounge and regal banquet
hall. The surrounding views of the Aravalli Mountain range only add to its
majesty and mystique.
Four Seasons Miami, The Surf Club
Four Seasons Miami, The Surf Club
When American businessman Harvey Firestone founded his
private members’ club on a stretch of pristine Miami beach, it became one of
the city’s most prestigious addresses, attracting everyone from Elizabeth
Taylor to Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and even Winston Churchill. Following its
eventual demise in 2013, the iconic club was purchased by local developer,
Nadim Ashi, who teamed up with hotel group Four Seasons to transform it into a
luxury 77-bed bolthole. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier was
tasked with reimagining the club while maintaining its original charm, with
French designer Joseph Dirand masterminding the chic, minimalist interiors. The
hotel now features a beachfront spa with traditional hammam, three pools,
champagne bar and – launched in early 2018 – a concept restaurant from
Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller.
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, Dubai
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, Dubai
Just half an hour’s drive from Dubai International
Airport, the Al Zorah Nature Reserve in northern Ajman is a verdant paradise
replete with lush mangroves, crystal-clear lagoons and white-sand beaches.
Located just across from a new 18-hole golf course in the heart of the reserve
is the latest opening from the award-winning Oberoi Hotels & Resorts group.
The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah is a luxury, eco-friendly wellness resort with
a striking, minimalist design made up of interconnecting buildings surrounded
by shallow water pools with panoramic sea views from every angle. Light-filled
suites and villas – some with temperature-controlled plunge pools – exude the
kind of natural, pared-back luxury that runs throughout the entire resort,
which also includes two restaurants, a poolside health bar with lounge and a spa
with Turkish baths.
Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
The Artist Residence hotel group, which operates boutique
boltholes in Brighton, Pimlico and Penzance, has added a fourth property to its
portfolio in the Oxfordshire countryside. Artist Residence, Oxfordshire, a
converted thatched farmhouse in South Leigh, reopened in May as a cosy pub and
restaurant with five rooms. A further seven rooms in the adjoining cottage and
stables will open later in the year. Original features, such as dark-oak
panelling, exposed beams and brickwork, are teamed with William Morris
wallpaper and a pop of signature contemporary colour, courtesy of trendy artist
duo, the Connor Brothers.
Le Nolinski, Paris
Le Nolinski, Paris
Luxury French hospitality group Evok have pulled out all the
stops for their first hotel launch in the capital. Le Nolinski is a triumph of
Art-Deco glamour with contemporary flourishes, located on the prestigious
Avenue de l’Opera in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. Housed in former office spaces
in a historic Haussmannian building, Le Nolinski’s renovation was masterminded
by local architect and interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot, who was briefed to
design the scheme as if designing the home of a wealthy fictional traveller.
The result is rather special. Undeniable luxurious with a touch of Belle Epoque
glamour in the magnificent Carrara marble reception and spacious suites named
after the likes of Josephine Baker and Ernest Hemingway, the design also has a
sense of playfulness in unexpected bursts of colour and quirky accessories such
as vintage radios, cosy fabrics, statement sculptures and light fixtures. The
candlelit subterranean spa by La Colline is arguably the highlight of the
hotel, featuring a 16-metre pool with mirrored ceilings and stonewalls in a
masterstroke of striking, minimalist design.
L’Hotel Marrakech by Jasper Conran
L’Hotel Marrakech by Jasper Conran
Speaking of interior maestros, few designers carry quite
such industry prestige as the Conran clan. Jasper, who made his first creative
forays in fashion, has recently branched into hospitality with the launch of a
luxury hotel, an ambition he’s harboured since the age of eight. L’Hotel
Marrakech is a converted 19th-century palace with just five spacious suites
(each with a private balcony) surrounding a large courtyard complete with tiled
fountain and swimming pool. Conran’s evident good taste underlies everything,
(the designer had a hands-on role in all aspects of the renovation and design).
Traditional local crafts sit alongside antique furniture, original artwork and
paintings from Conran’s personal collection, giving the riad a relaxed yet
authentic aesthetic with a touch of 1930s elegance. Up on the terracotta roof
terrace, the stunning views across the Atlas Mountains are the only visual
stimulation necessary.
The Silo, Cape Town
The Silo, Cape Town
The latest opening from The Royal Portfolio group is so much
more than just a new hotel. The Silo is an ambitious five-star retreat set to
transform Cape Town’s cultural scene, with hopes it will become as synonymous
with the city skyline as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The Grain Silo building
opened back in 1924 and was, at the time, the tallest building in sub-Saharan
Africa. When The Royal Portfolio owner Liz Biden secured it for her next
venture, maintaining the building’s history and industrial roots was integral
to its renovation. Thomas Heatherwick was brought in for his architectural
expertise, and his 18ft ‘pillowed’ windows in a unique inflated dome shape are
nothing short of works of art. At night, the effect is of a lantern protruding
from the V&A waterfront. Biden has decorated each of the 28 suites
(including a penthouse) individually with curated artwork and pared-back luxury
finishes in keeping with the original design. The lower half of the Silo
building is now home to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), a
new cultural institution, which is aiming to rival the likes of London’s Tate
Modern and NYC’s MoMA.
Soho House, Barcelona
Soho House, Barcelona
Trust the effortlessly cool Soho House group to make its
mark on Spain’s coolest city. The 18th branch of the ever-expanding Soho House
portfolio is housed in a grand 19th century apartment block on the edge of
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Spread across six floors, the new hotel (which is
open to non-members) employs the tried-and-tested Soho House interior design
formula of earthy colours and country-house chic mixed with local finds; think
Mediterranean tiles, patterned rugs, textiles and exposed red brick. There’s
also the ubiquitous rooftop pool, flanked on one side by striped daybeds
overlooking the picturesque Port Vell marina, and features Soho House’s only
indoor pool inside the vast Cowshed Spa.
Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm
Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm
Sweden is one of the world’s undisputed design capitals,
famous for its minimalist architecture and style. Minimalism, however, is the
last word that comes to mind when stepping into the new Haymarket by Scandic
hotel. This imposing 405-bedroom bolthole is located within the former Paul
Urbanus Bergström (PUB) department store, where Greta Garbo worked in the
millinery department in the 1920s. A decadent Art Deco theme runs throughout
the interior scheme, which was masterminded by local design studio Koncept.
Geometric shapes, brass finishes, rich jewel tones and heavy furniture fitted
with Hollywood-style spotlight bulbs creates a bold aesthetic with a hint of
Miami glamour, while still managing to feel like a boutique hotel in spite of
its impressive size.
The Whitby, New York
The Whitby, New York
The Whitby is the second New York opening from the
award-winning Firmdale Hotels group, and the 10th worldwide. Located just two
blocks from Central Park, The Whitby is spread across 16 floors with
floor-to-ceiling windows on every level. The task of designing the 87
guestrooms naturally fell to Kit Kemp, Firmdale co-founder and Design Director.
Renowned for her use of bold colour, pattern and textiles, as well as having a
keen eye for contemporary art, Kemp’s signature style permeates every room and
space. Her influence can also be seen in the book-lined drawing room, private
outdoor terrace, orangery and 130-seat cinema room.
San Luis, South Tyrol
San Luis, South Tyrol
This modern fairy-tale retreat in Italy’s rugged South Tyrol
region is a bastion of peace and luxury, comprising beautiful treehouses and
gorgeous lakeside chalets built from local wood.
All chalets come with their own hot tubs and saunas and are
full of exquisite homemade furniture that combine the historical and
contemporary. The treehouses are set up high in the forest, while a remarkable
communal spa features floor-to-ceiling windows, open fireplaces, an
inside-outside pool and hot tubs in the middle of the lake.
As the hotel’s website says, this amazing little retreat is
truly the realisation of the original South Tyrolean “summer freshness”.
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
This unique and stunning hotel, created in the mould of a
traditional Puglian village, was designed by local architect Pino Brescia under
the vision of the Melpignano family.
Just a stone’s throw from the Adriatic Coast, Borgo Egnazia
is a spacious yet private compilation of 63 luxurious suites, 92 mini houses
and 29 villas, perfect for families.
Another world-class spa takes the edge off a tough day of
sunbathing and wine tasting, complete with an Aroma Lab, private infrared
sauna, a cryotherapy cabin and a meditation room.
Pilgrimage to Southern Hebrides island captures spirit of single-malt whisky
Tour guide Moray Walker takes a breather outside the Caol Ila distillery, which sits on the edge of Islay Sound across from the mountains of Jura. Photograph By ANGELA MANGIACASALE
The following article originally appeared in the April 27th edition of the Times Colonist.
My husband loves his whisky. The 16 bottles in his current stock bear the names of such distilleries as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Bruichladdich — all from the Scottish Isle of Islay (pronounced EYE-la), renowned for its strong, peaty, single-malt whisky.
He opens a bottle, takes a whiff and pronounces it “nectar of the Gods.” To me, it smells more like a medicinal solution best left to the operating room. I’ve seen the flavour described as a “campfire in your mouth” and “rubber, wood, fire, dirt and leather — but in a great way.” Praise like that might explain why Islay whisky is known as the Marmite of Scotch.
“You either love it or you hate it,” said Graeme Littlejohn, deputy director at the Scotch Whisky Association of Scotland. “There are Scotches that are produced on the island which have a very highly peated quality, very smoky whiskies. There are some whiskies on the island — like Laphroaig, like Lagavulin — that people will try for the first time and they will never drink anything else, that will be their drink for life because they love the peated quality of it.”
So for love of the guy who loves his Islay whiskies, a late summer visit to Scotland would require a visit to the southernmost island of the Inner Southern Hebrides.
Opened in 1815, Ardbeg distillery sits at the eastern end of a 5.5-kilometre path — wide enough for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs — that connects it to the Langavulin and Laphroaig distilleries and the ferry port town of Port Ellen. Photograph By ANGELA MANGIACASALE
Nine distilleries make their spirits on this island that stretches just 40 kilometres long and 24 km wide, just a bit smaller in size than Greater Victoria’s 13 municipalities. But, with only 3,228 residents, it’s home to less than 1/100th of our region’s population. Driving around Islay, you see a lot of wide open fields dotted with cows and sheep. And a lot of peat bogs — a spongy wetland with few trees and shifting ground that makes for some bumpy roads.
It’s the peat, lashed by sea spray during frequent Atlantic storms, that gives Islay whiskies their distinctive taste and aroma. That and the sea water, which is why the distilleries are sited along the shoreline.
By British law, whisky cannot be sold until it has been aged for three years. The basic process for making single-malt Scotch follows five steps: malting barley by steeping it in water and then drying the malt in a kiln (which, on Islay, usually means burning peat), mashing the grist and mixing it with hot water to create a sugary liquid known as wort (with the remaining solids used for cattle feed), fermenting the wort in large vats to create “wash” (which tastes like beer), distilling it in pot and spirit stills, then maturing it in oak casks. However, no two distilleries do this exactly same way. That’s what each company likes to show off during its distillery tours.
Pilgrimages to Scotland’s 128 whisky distilleries set a record in 2017: 1.9 million visits by tourists from all over the world. The eight distilleries on Islay that year — one more has opened since — saw 150,000 visits.
“This is an industry that is 500 years old and it began exporting from Scotland to countries around the world in the mid-19th century,” Littlejohn said.
“It has really developed since then from a primarily domestic spirit to one that is exported to 180 countries.”
Lots of distilleries are investing in tourism, adding welcome centres and cafés, offering a variety of tours and tastings, even producing less time-consuming spirits — anything that promotes whisky and helps distilleries fill the financial gap while whisky is maturing for as long as 20 years or more, Littlejohn said.
For tourists who arrive by car — like the German fellow we met at one distillery who was making his annual Scotch restocking tour of Islay — distilleries provide tiny glass jars (known as “driving drams”) so you can take away your whisky tastings to enjoy later.
At the top of Main Street in Bowmore sits Kilarrow Church or, as it’s more commonly known, the Round Church, where, according to legend, the circular design was intended to ensure the devil would find no corners to hide in. Photograph By ANGELA MANGIACASALE
You can walk to some of the distilleries. In fact, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig are close enough together that they’ve built a 5.5-km path, accessible for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs, between Port Ellen and the distilleries.
That means you can set your own schedule and drink all you want before stumbling back to your starting point. You can also hire a taxi to get around.
We booked from Canada one of many tours that prearranges transportation, tours and accommodation. We joined 12 other pilgrims — two Canadians, two Americans, four New Zealanders and four Icelanders — on a comfy, 16-passenger mini-bus.
Our bus driver, Moray Walker, looked like he’d been sent by central casting — tall, bald, built like a rugby player, clad in a vest and kilt, sporting tattoos that included the thistle emblem of Scotland, a Celtic sword, skulls and roses.
His accent was as thick and deep as a full-bodied whisky. He likes to say that he took up guiding tours after getting out of jail. He was a prison guard for 25 years.
On Islay, we stayed at Bowmore House, a five-bedroom bed and breakfast, named after the small town’s capital.
When it’s overbooked, as it was when we were there, some guests stay next door in an Air Bnb-style apartment with three bedrooms, a living room and kitchen.
Andrew Jackson, who has owned and operated the BnB with his wife Alison for about eight years, used to work as a criminal lawyer in England’s Lake District. He came to Islay to visit his favourite distillery — Laphroaig — and fell in love with the place.
As well as supporting some of the world’s best distilleries, the island is beautiful, he said. “The beaches, the nature — nothing compared to Canada in the sense of size — but you’ve got a bit of everything here, the mountains, the rivers, the lakes, the beaches. Everything is on your doorstep.”
The hearty breakfast at Bowmore House, like most in Scotland, includes haggis and blood pudding, but Jackson also offers up a dram from his selection of Islay whiskies.
My husband estimates that, given the number of tastings at each distillery, we were offered close to 600 ml of Scotch over two days. That doesn’t include the whisky available at breakfast in our guest house and on the menu almost everywhere at lunch and dinner. And it doesn’t count the several drams of gin we drank at Bruichladdich, where locally foraged botanicals are added to berries, barks, seeds and peels, distilled in spirit and Islay spring water, and then bottled under the Botanist label. Since it takes barely weeks to make gin, selling it helps top up the coffers while waiting years for the whisky to mature, the distillery guide noted.
For aficionados, whisky tours offer a peek into the magic process that creates the spirit they love. Islay is especially appealing because of the unique history and tastings at the distilleries, said Páll Svavar Pálsson, an engineer, who joined our tour with three friends from his whisky club in Iceland.
While tasting the range of whiskies is fun, it is a special thrill to fill your own bottle from a cask, as Pálsson did at Bunnahabhain.
At each of the seven distilleries we visited, knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides made the tours engaging, especially at Lagavulin. That visit isn’t so much a tour as an audience with the legendary Iain McArthur. He has worked in the distillery for 48 years, most of that time in a warehouse full of casks like the one we were ushered into. His grandfather and uncle also worked there while other family members worked at other island distilleries — the “family business” for his and many others on Islay where the whisky industry is the main employer. McArthur talked about the history of the distillery — founded in 1816, though distilling on the site is said to date back to the mid-1700s — and the process of making whisky.
He asked if we’ve heard of the “angel share.” In the process of making whisky, two per cent of the volume is lost to evaporation every year for up to about 10 years, though every cask is different. The excitement began when McArthur dipped a large metal cylinder into a cask that held the last measure of whisky from this year’s limited-edition release for the Islay Jazz Festival, held every September. More tastings followed from casks of six-, 16-, 20-, 21- and a 25-year-old vintages.
At Lagavulin — as well as Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Kilchoman — we got to keep the small tasting glasses etched with the distillery’s name. Laphroaig’s glasses hang from a lanyard, presumably to keep your hands free to check out the merchandise in its well-stocked shop. The other distilleries packed the glass souvenirs in small boxes. All the distilleries have shops that sell more than just bottles of whisky.
While the Scots might not be known for their cuisine, we’d heard about the great food in the Ardbeg distillery’s café. A giant copper still, sitting on a raised platform, greets visitors to Ardbeg. Founded in 1815, it was once the largest whisky producer on Islay, but closed and changed hands numerous times. It was pulled out of mothballs in 1997, opened a visitor centre and café and was voted distillery of the year in 1998. The Old Kiln Café — in the original 1815 kiln room — serves tasty sandwiches, paninis and toasties, all with crisp, fresh salad, for between £4.50 to £5.95. Hearty meals — fish pie, steak pie, cheesy macaroni or haggis, neeps and tatties — are priced from £9.95 to £11.95.
There’s also a lovely café in the Kilchoman distillery, where you can get a very fine bowl of Cullen skink, a thick Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions for £6.50. Known as Islay’s farm distillery, Kilchoman opened in 2005, but recently lost its title as the island’s newest distillery after Ardnahoe opened in late 2018. Currently the smallest Islay distillery, Kilchoman is building a new stillhouse, mash house and tun room, which will double its production to 460,000 litres per year. It’s the only distillery that does everything — from growing its barley to bottling the whisky — on Islay.
Kilchoman, Bowmore and Laphroaig are among the few whisky distilleries that still use malting floors instead of germination boxes or drums. Once grain has been steeped, it is spread evenly by hand into a thick layer on a stone floor where it is turned at least twice a day, every day, to keep it oxygenated and to dissipate heat.
My favourite stop — and the only place I managed to down all three drams of whisky offered — featured the most dramatic setting, looking across the Sound of Islay to the mountains on the Isle of Jura. And it almost didn’t happen. Our driver offered the special tasting at the Caol Ila (pronounced cull-eela) distillery as an option, but it’s hosted outdoors on a picnic table, so depended on good weather. The skies seemed threatening in the morning, but cleared just in time for our visit.
The melt-in-your-mouth handmade chocolate paired incredibly well with the whisky. Mind you, Caol Ila produces one of the Island’s lighter whiskies, often used in blended varieties. In the sunshine, sipping whisky, savouring fine chocolate and soaking in the setting, it seemed that a whisky tour was a fine way to enjoy the spirit of Scotland.
The MV Hebridean Isles, a 507-passenger, 68-car ferry, arrives at Kennacraig, Scotland, to pick up passengers going to the Island of Islay. Photograph By ANGELA MANGIACASALE
IF YOU GO:
Getting there:
You can fly directly to the island’s airport from Glasgow or take the ferry from Kennacraig, about 2 1/2 hours from Glasgow. The ferry crosses to Islay in two hours, if you’re going to Port Askaig in the north, or two hours and 20 minutes going to Port Ellen in the south. The 507-passenger, 68-car MV Hebridean Isles will feel familiar to anyone who has travelled to or from Vancouver Island by ferry. To get around to the distilleries, you can drive across on the ferry or bring your bike, because the island is mostly flat.
Whisky tours: We travelled with Scottish Routes (scottishroutes.com). A four-day bus tour to Islay, starting from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, is £650 or about $1,110, including transportation, bed and breakfast, and tours with tastings at up to seven distilleries. Lots of other tours are available. Check that they include fees for entry and tasting at distilleries. You can also plan your own itinerary by booking with individual distilleries and hiring taxis to get around.
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