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Putting on
the glitzNE

L I F EYTL
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Glorious Service & Fashionat the penthouse at the
Ritz-Carlton, kuala lumpur

B IS FORBESPOKEUNIQUE TAILOR-MADE
EXPERIENCES TO SUIT
EVERY OCCASIONENGLISH
LUXURYGENTRY DOES IT AT THE
ELEGANT BRAY HOUSE IN
BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND

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24Something toBray About

The new Bray House in thesouthern county of Berkshire
in England is a quintessential
English home-stay experiencebut with a small dash of history,
a good dose of high-design anda hefty helping of luxury throwninto the equation.

18-51

FEATURES
18

The Magnificenceof Seven

40

The Spa Village Tanjong Jara Resort’s
signature Malay-inspired, seven-day‘Syurga Tujuh’ treatment is something
everyone should experience at least
once in their lives.

32

High on Love
The hills of Cameron Highlands are alivewith the sounds, sights, smells, taste andthe touch of romance and one of the bestplaces to enjoy it is at the atmospheric,colonial-styled Cameron Highlands Resort.

002

Water, Water
Everywhere
At the luxury private island destinationof Pangkor Laut Resort, there is a hostof exclusive and wonderfully uniqueexperiences to be enjoyed in and around
its emerald green waters.

45

B is for Bespoke
Whether it is for a corporate, family oreven a special occasion, YTL Hotels’
exclusive range of resort and city hotels,
is in the business of providing uniquetailor-made experiences like no other.

cover

Photography Christopher A. @ Talent Cafe
Styling Aziz
Hair & Makeup Taisu
Shot on location at The Residences Penthouseat The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur
Model wears dress from Printed shift with
sleeves, Gucci

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

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behind the brand of the same nameand whose love for the art ofwatchmaking is reflected in thewatches he creates.

STYLE
50

At Your Service
Impeccable service meets glorious
fashion at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala
Lumpur The Residences penthouse.

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Rugged to Riches

Fashion Forward

76

Style File
Beautiful new things in the stores.

72

The Man Who Wears
Two Watches
YTL Life meets Franc Vila, the man

004

Flights of Fancy
For the jetsetter, one of the trickiest
things to pull off is to keep looking
fabulous at 30,000 feet. Here are a
few tips.

Take a peek at some of the hottest
fashion brand’s Cruise and Spring/
Summer 09 collections.

70

Rising from the
Red Ashes
The brand that rose from theruins of the post-communist era,contemporary Mühle-Glashütte ismaking its presence felt throughclear-cut watch designs to entice
new-age consumers.

The great American West offers a lookthat is heavy on comfort but by wayof Marlboro Classics, it’s also serious
on style.

66

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78

Resolution
Rejuvenation
After ushering the New Year withchampagne, countdowns and confetti,
the next thing to do is to listen to what
your body tells you.

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REGULARS
08
10
12
100
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Glory Box
Editor’s Note
The Buzz
YTL Hotels
Viva La Diva!

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LIFESTYLE
84

Technology
The concept of Web 2.0 hasn’t
just changed the way we ‘live’
online; it’s presence is being felt
in so many aspects of our ‘real’
everyday life; everything youneed for that complete homeentertainment system.

88

Motoring
The well-known 230 has added a
new and appealing dimension to
the Mercedes E-Class and feel like asuperstar in the Lexus LS460L

92

Design &Architecture
Poland aims to make its presence
felt at the World Expo 2010 byturning folk-art into breath-taking
architecture; plus an amour armoire,
how to eat on Dubai and floating
glass cubes. Also check out the
Armani Casa 2009 collection.

96



PAST
PRESENTYTL LIFE TAKESA STROLL DOWNMEMORY LANE
AS WE SPEAK TO
MADAM LEONG SIU
YING, DAUGHTER
OF THE FORMEROWNER OF WHATIS TODAY THE
MAJESTIC MALACCA,
AND DISCOVERSNEW STORIES ABOUT
OLD, OLD PLACES

Excuse our Error, Please
We would like to extend an apology to Madam
Leong Siu Ying, daughter of the ex-owner ofMajestic Malacca, and who was the subject of
the feature article ‘Past & Present’ in the the
3rd Issue of YTL Life. On page 56 of the article,
we had captioned the bottom left photograph“Madam Leong and her husband” when the manin the photo is actually Alex Leong, her halfbrother. Our mistake is inexcusable, but we hope
Madam Leong will accept our sincerest apologies
on the matter.

006

DiningMeet Chef Ito, the man
behind KL’s best Japanesecuisine at Gonbei, andcelebrate the Lunar New
Year at Li Yen withsome spectacular
Cantonese dishes.

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YTL
T

editorial director
YTL Hotels Marketing Communications

Management
Chief Executive Officer Datin Azliza Ahmad Tajuddin
General Manager Loo Kit Choong
Editorial & Art
Managing Editor Aster Lim
Editor Eugene Ng
Sub Editor Yung Ro Han	creative director eireen ooi
	art director
	graphic designer
chief photographer
senior photographer

ng geok mei
penny chewleon bin yee
alvin liew

Sales
Sales Manager Chee Eng Saan
Account Managers JoJo Wong, Joyce Lee
Production
	Production Manager airdyham mohd
traffic executive azahari hj. hussain
Contributors
Anis Ramli, Aziz Abdul Draim, Choen Lee, Choo Ai Ling, Chris A., Ellfian Abdul Rahim,
Eric Chow, Helen Oon, Kamal Bayramov, Lainie Yeoh, Lena Ng, Magdalene Tan,
Matt Armitage, Ping, Siew Cheng, Steven Sunny, Taksu, The Family Platt
PUBLISHED BY
YTL Hotels
11th Floor, Yeoh Tiong Lay Plaza, 55, Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
PRODUCED BY
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Tel: +603 7952 7000 Fax: +603 7960 0151
E-mail: ytllife@bluinc.com.my
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No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of YTL Corporation. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in YTL LIFE are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed
by YTL Corporation and/or Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd. They are not responsible or liable in any way for the content in any of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained inthis publication. Editorial enquiries and enquiries concerning advertising and circulation should be addressed to Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd. YTL Corporation and Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd accept no
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editor’s noteThis past year has
been a momentous
one, marked withhistoric events thatare set to positively
define and enlighten
our future.
Moving forward, we
find a world with abeating heart, poisedfor positive change
in so many aspects,
whether politically,
environmentally or
financially. We are
sitting up, slowing
down and taking
notice, focusing more on the things we do, thinkand say, on the effect they have externally and on
what we gain from each encounter. Within eachexperience we search for a human connection to besavoured, one that enriches our lives.
Asia is set to become a vibrant hotbed for setting
new luxury trends encompassing everythingfrom travel experiences and lifestyle events tothe acquisition of properties and even luxury
timepieces. A testament to this was the recent‘A Journey Through Time II’, a propitious
connoisseurs’ festival and one of Asia’s mostfabulous watch and jewellery showcases at theStarhill Gallery. This year’s programme included
the inaugural Forbes Asia Luxury Forum ‘The Artof Time’ with Christopher Forbes and a panel ofillustrious industry experts from all over the globe,
to generate thought-leadership on the businessof fine watchmaking and appreciation for theartistry of high-end watches and the art ofcollecting. The festival was a spectacular success,which also saw the opening of two world’s firstboutiques at Starhill Gallery - Maurice Lacroix
and Bedat & Co, a milestone in haute horology.
They join a stellar collection of other world’s firststandalone boutiques and flagship stores at theiconic retail landmark.
As travel patterns and needs evolve, people are
beginning to seek more than just an experience ofsheer opulence, they yearn for experiences that are
unique, personalised and emotionally fulfilling.
In this issue, we celebrate a year of YTL Life byrevealing a special feature on magnificent bespoke
travel experiences, each one crafted to suit each
guest’s personality and need, providing an insight
into the art of anticipation and elegant, intuitive
execution that are the pillars of Asian hospitality.
We rediscover romance in the majestic peaks of
the Cameron Highlands and indulge in adventure,sailing the high seas at the award-winning Pangkor
Laut Resort. We also share therapeutic remedies at
Spa Village, each designed to help one rejuvenate
after the year-end revelry.
I hope you will enjoy this issue of YTL Life as wedelve into outstanding luxury experiences thatenhance the spirit and touch the heart, experiencesthat we have enjoyed crafting, just for you.

Last year’s 2nd edition of
A Journey Through Time
has firmly established theevent as the premier luxury
watch and jewellery fair in
the region

010

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Good Reef! The luxury private island paradise of Pangkor LautResort has begun a new chapter in eco-conservation with a reef cleanup and reef ecosystem education programme. Joining forces with Reef
Check Malaysia, the inaugural event was held in October last year overthree days. Kicking off the event was a half-day programme introducing
25 school children from Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pangkor on Pangkor
island to the idea of the fragility of the coral reef ecosystem and a trip to
the popular snorkelling sites near Pulau Giam for a hands-on show on what
to do and what not to do while snorkelling. The evening session saw over
50 of the resort’s personnel from various departments attending a Reef
Check presentation on identifying other projects that will help conserve themarine ecosystem resources around the island. The actual reef clean-up
took place on the second day where both professional divers and selected
members of the public teamed up to remove trash and debris around Coral,
Royal and Emerald Bay. The event was a complete success and a timely one,with 2008 being International Year of the Reef.

The Great Malaysian
Sail Pangkor Laut Resort
announced its initial collaboration with
the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in the
19th Raja Muda Selangor International
Regatta. 2008 was the first year that
saw the Perpetual Challenge Trophy
presented to the winners of the Premier
Cruising Class Challenge by Resort
manager Jeff Mong at a gala dinnercelebrating the completion of the Port
Klang-Pangkor leg of the regatta. The
week-long race which continued from
Pangkor to Penang before culminatingin Langkawi is an annual sailing eventthat has been growing from year toyear and attracts intrepid mariners
from all over the world. The event isbilled as one of Asia’s most challenging
due to unpredictable weather conditions and sailors having to sail the seas
overnight. Last year’s event saw 400 participants from over 40 countries
sailing yachts of different sizes and categories. This is one of the main steps in
Pangkor Laut Resort establishing itself as a prime stopover for luxury seafaring
activities in Malaysia.
012

And the Winner is... Spa
Village Resort Tembok, Bali joined theranks of its other award-winning YTLHotels sister outlets when it recently
scooped AsiaSpa magazine’s ‘New Spa of
the Year’ award. Sponsored by and heldat the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in The
Salon, the fourth edition of the AsiaSpa
Awards was a glittering affair withchampagne and canapés, a glamorous
Baccarat fashion show and entertainment
by jazz trio Innovation. The awards
celebrate the best and most innovative
spa around the region in 26 categories
as voted by a panel of 29 independentjudges. Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali
is YTL Hotels’ first luxury spa resort. The
31-room spa resort celebrates the gentle
spirituality of Bali and its rich culture as it
unveils traditional healing lores as old as
the land itself. Spa Village Kuala Lumpur,
Spa Village Tanjong Jara and Spa Village
Pangkor Laut have all been recipients ofnumerous awards over the years on both
the regional and international front. Most
prestigious was Spa Village Pangkor Lauttaking Condé Nast’s Traveller UK Reader’sAwards Number One in the World award
and being named the Best Overseas
Destination Spa. Other Spa Village
destinations are at Cameron Highlands
Resort and The Majestic Malacca.

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

Opera Performance

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr.)
Yeoh Tiong Lay poseswith Chinese artists He
Jia Lin & Zhang Wei Ping

The entire month of October 2008 saw Starhill Gallery live
up to its reputation (and tagline) as “The Gallery of Rich
Experiences”. As one of the city’s premier luxury shopping
destinations, the shopping experience at Starhill Gallery
centres on the five pillars of high-fashion, horology, beauty,
food and, of course, art. And art was in all its glory during
the month-long ‘The Starhill Gallery Art Festival 2008’ which
presented a smorgasbord of art spread out across six of its
galleries. Themed ‘Urban ArtBeat’, the festival’s highlights
include the exquisite and unique collections of Chinese
artists Zhang Wei Ping and He Jia Lin, the former a professor
at the National Art Academy in China. On the homefront,
in collaboration with the National Art Gallery, works bypioneering local artists Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal, Dato’ Chuah
Thean Teng and Abdul Latiff Mohidin were on show, with
Limited Edition Golden Jubilee stamps featuring the trio being
sold. The centrepiece of the Festival was ‘The Big 6’, where six
local artists - Edi.A, Eston Tan, House of Suzie Wong, Li Mu,
Tew Nai Tong and Yusri Sulaiman - created six giant art pieces
in commemoration of the event. The paintings, entitled ‘Joy of
Living’, ‘Impression - Berita Kepada Kawan’, ‘City’s Rhapsody
I & II’, ‘Earth Foundation – Invisible, Who Cares?’, and ‘Tigers
Descending the Mountain’ respectively wowed those whoviewed them with their simple but amazing expressionism.

the buzz | events

thethe
buzz
buzz
| ytl
| events
news

Canvas Celebrations

Artist and curator
Yusof Ghani receivinga token of appreciation
Ruth Yeoh, Dato’
Yeoh Soo Min & Tan
Chien Wee

Constance Lau &Tim Haslett(L-R) Charles Chan,
Leong Lai Sim, Norin
Samad, Kenneth Quek

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the buzz | events

A Connoisseurs’ Festival

Thomas Prescher, JeanFranÇois Meyer, Russell
Watson and Svend Andersen(From left) Cynthia Lawrence, Sting, Russell Watson and Tan Sri Francis Yeoh

Datuk Siti Nurhaliza

Ex-Miss Malaysia Deborah
Henry (2nd L) and Harper’s
Bazaar editor Natasha Kraal
and two gentleman at the
Jaeger-LeCoultre Night

Signing Ceremony between YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Dato’ Othman Said &Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh

A model parades the nominatedwatches for the prestigous Starhill
Gallery Watch of the Year Awards

The La dotta mano revealed at A
Journey Through Time 2008
The Le Lierre jewellery set by
Jaeger-LeCoultre, the mostexpensive unveiled at thisyear’s festival

Jacob Yeoh, StephanieChai, Russell Watson
and Reena Tan

014

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TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr,)
Francis Yeoh and Mr.
Christopher Forbes

015

Ning Baizura belting a slow number

Model wearing Van Cleef & Arpels High Jewellery and timepieceWorld renowned flutist
Andrea Griminelli

Performance by Hands and Nyoba Kan on the
grand opening night - Tourism Night

Dewitt WX-1 Wins the Starhill Gallery Innovative
Design Watch Award

The Best of the Best at A
Journey Through Time II016

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The
Magnificenceof Seven
The Spa Village, Tanjong Jara's
signature Malay-inspired, sevenday 'Syurga Tujuh' treatment issomething everyone should
experience at least once intheir lives
by Anis Ramli

Years ago, when early civilisation in Terengganu
sprouted through clusters of fishing villages along
the coast and while the heartland remained coveredin thick forest, folks living along the coastal area of
Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast would travel fromone village to another by the only mode of transportavailable: the sampan (traditional boats). Many werefisherman who made their living from the sea’s
bounty. Yet there were others who travelled along
the coast from village to village in search of a place
to call home.
Whenever they reached a potential new village - or
kampung - two questions were asked: one, if there
was an imam (a religious leader) in the village and,two, a bomoh (a traditional healer). For the Malay
Muslim community, an imam was deemed importantto the village nucleus as the authority over religious
matters and as leader to the congregation. On theother hand, a bomoh would safeguard the villagers’
health, helping to heal the sick and act as midwife
during childbirth. The traveller would only settle in
the new village and make it his home when these two
criterion were met.
The synergistic relationship between the importanceof the spiritual health and mental well-being verymuch make up the essence of the Malay Muslim

community till today. It encompasses the fourdomains of life: self, community, environment andGod. In whatever they do, the actions of the Malay
Muslim are geared towards attaining this balancethat ultimately enhances quality of life.
It is this principle of well-being and all-over bodyequilibrium that lies at the heart of Spa Village, Tanjong
Jara. Overlooking a crescent beach and snuggled
between two traditional Malay fishing villages, the spa
embraces the long traditions and practices embodied
by this particular path of wellness and rejuvenation.
There’s a taste of Malay in all of its treatments, andthe spa personnel are more than obliging to help you
tailor one best suited to your needs. But if you’re
particularly interested to experience a programmethat can raise all of your consciousness levels,then perhaps the signature treatment - Syurga
Tujuh - or Seven Steps to Heaven, is one that you
should make sure to experience at least once inyour lifetime.
Unlike many retreats that often suggest the pursuitof well-being as one that is complicated, Syurga
Tujuh conceptualises a programme that underlines
how the basics can provide the ultimate balance weseek. Across seven glorious days, guests are treatedto a range of therapeutic massages and therapies

A general view of
the Tanjong Jara
Spa Village

designed to provide peace and balance inherent to
the resort’s Sucimurni concept – wholesome living
through purity of spirit, health and well-being.

other upside to the treatment is that your skin feels
wonderfully clean and deliciously scented from thefragrance of the floral oil.

Each body treatment works in harmony to stimulate
the feeding and caring of muscles and minds.
Beginning with the warming and stimulating JariJemari (Hand and Foot Soak) that focuses on thehands and feet, the programme works its way up,
concentrating on major body parts such as thestomach, chest, shoulder and back, and the face
before finally nurturing the crown in Ikal-ikal (Hairand Scalp Treatment). In short, Syurga Tujuh leaves
no body part unattended to.

Perhaps the most relaxing of the therapies in theseven day protocol is the Asam Roselle (Roselle Body
Treatment) administered on the fifth day. While its
primary focus is on the shoulder and back, the 100minute therapy – a combination of whole body massage
and body scrub – works like a soothing sedative.

While the programme drawn up by the spa prettymuch details the purpose and focus of each treatment,
more often they go beyond the primary focus withtrickle-down benefits. For instance, the second day’s
body treatment involves a choice of either Rendamrendam (Sitz Bath) or a traditional Malay massage.
Both are designed to stimulate the stomach’s andlower body’s core area.
The sitz bath is a healing technique that incorporates
the curative properties of herbs to increase circulationin the pelvic and urethral area. Herbs known for
their natural antiseptic, astringent, emollient andhemostatic properties, such as in Rendam-rendam’s

The Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a robust, manybranched shrub-like annual that is an important cash
crop and grows widely in Terengganu. The locals
use the fleshy bright red calyx to make juices. Richin vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and B6– all of which are potent anti-ageing nutrients yourskin will lap up – this is the same calyx that is used in
the oil that envelops the body during the massage,
and which gives the accompanying scrub its
distinctive blush pink colour. My therapist Mira deftly
manipulated all my hunger-for-attention muscles,
paying extra attention to my shoulders and back,while intoxicating me with the exotic fragrance of theroselle oil mixed with ginger, nutmeg, galangal andkaroteno oil.

The Ikal-Ikal

Local spices
are used as
ingredients inthe therapies

True to the essence of Malay healing, the body is
exfoliated only after the rub down as was the practiceacross seven glorious days, guests aretreated to therapies designed aroundthe resort's sucimurni concept

The chest area is given focus on the fourth day.
Guests undergo the Ukup Wangi (Scented Body
Steaming) that begins with a pre-treatment of warm
oil being rubbed onto the body before you are zippedup (from the neck down) in a steaming bag for 50
minutes. The steam provides an excellent treatment
for the respiratory system, and works wonders if you
have chest congestion, laryngitis or sinusitis. The
020

The Jari-Jemariof past generations who believed that the scrub helps
slough off toxins that have been coaxed out and up
to the skin’s surface from the massage. Once you
wash off the scrub, you will marvel at how incrediblysmooth and silky your skin feels.
Resort activity is also an aspect of the programme.
Each day begins with a daily Malay-style exercise
called 'Indera Deria' designed to complement the
day’s body focus. From the deer pose that elevates
chronic lower back pain to the dragon pose that helps
build self confidence and strengthen the muscularsystem, these sessions play an integral part to nourish
the mind, body and spirit. While it is relatively easy
to make reference to the similarities between these
poses and that of yoga’s asanas, the Malay exercise
draws its inspiration from the elements of the Muslim
salat, the compulsory five times daily prayer with its
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z IN E

One of the spa
treatment rooms

all photos courtesy of ytl hotels

piper betel and black seed, are often used. Sleep
comes easily to me after the soak. Similarly, thetraditional Malay massage with its long, kneading
strokes that uses thumb and palm pressure will work
wonders on the joints. On a deeper level, the massage
also helps facilitate the flow of blood and lymphatic
fluids, encouraging the body to detox. The uniquepressure applied to the body’s various points help
alleviate localised congestion and inflammations.

A yoga session
with the in-houseyoga master

The programme
includes trips
to visit the local
boatmakers

Tanjong Jara
Resort rests in
idyllic Terengganu

prescribed movements, and the Malay martial artof silat.

Batik painting:
Another favourite
tourist attraction

All these techniques combined propelled me to havebetter clarity of mind while helping me build my body’s
endurance, strength and balance through holding
the various poses. It’s an excellent way to begin yourday and by the end of the week, I was bathed withrenewed energy, eager to tackle the challenges ofwork back home.

River boat excursion

The Asam Roselle
body treatment

I was also encouraged to get physical with theresort’s other activities on every day of the week.
More than just playing the typical tourist, I foundeach excursion or leisure pursuit only helped tostrengthen my sense of awareness and inspired
renewed energy. The outing to the Dungun nightmarket on my third day was especially eventful.
No stranger to night markets, this one in particularstood out among my many other excursions as I had
all my five senses engaged.
The steamed corn purchased from the vendor tasted
sweeter than usual; the luscious fragrance of the local
mangoes was a heady assault on my senses. Eventhe short sojourn to the legendary boat makers of
Pulau Duyung the following day proved memorable.
Instead of the dusty and arid workshop that would
have been my first impression, I instead remembered
it for the organic bouquet that permeated from the
fresh cengal wood and of the sweet taste of the salty
air that enveloped the area.

Tea drinking is part ofthe post-treatment

One of the most gracious aspects of the intense
programme is the turndown service. Every night,
following the day’s ritual, a spa personnel will
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ IN E

discreetly draw you a variant of luxurious baths.
Baths in the Malay culture are as intrinsic as its
healing therapies to address everything from tired
muscles to aching limbs and perfuming the body.
All of the bath menus explore the richness of Malay
herbs, spices and flowers. My personal favourite is
the Mandian Raut Pesona. Although designed forbeauty, this milk-enhanced bath is rich with othergoodies such as the anti-oxidant properties ofpromegranate, the nourishing elements of groundalmonds and the moisturising benefits of honey.
It’s further spiced with a heady mixture of clove,
cardamom and vetiver, making this exotic bath a real
warm treat for the senses.
Elsewhere, the Mandian Bening Kalbu prepared forme on the fifth day, is designed to hydrate and calm
the body. It uses yoghurt as a skin smoother, pegaga(gotu kola) to cool the skin and enhance cell repair
while the addition of salt helps relax the muscles.
This was great as quiet 'me time'.
There is something remarkably organic and sublime to
the Spa Village Tanjong Jara Syurga Tujuh experience.
Midway through the programme, I was convinced that
this is exactly how life should be lived no matter where
you are. If there’s one indelible lesson to be learnt fromthe experience, it is to remind myself of how doing thebasics can build up to better things.

Syurga Tujuh can be undertaken over three to sevendays. For shorter durations, synergistic combinations
will be designed to ensure guests continue to experience
the programme in its totality. Spa Village Tanjong Jara,+603-2783 1000 or email travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my;
www.tanjongjararesort.com
023

Something
to Bray About
The new Bray House in the southerncounty of Berkshire in Englandis a quintessential English homestay experience but with a small
dash of history, a good dose ofhigh-design and a hefty helping of
luxury thrown into the equation
story and photos by Helen Oon

T

he Royal County of Berkshirein the south of England is oneof the oldest counties in the
country. It is a beautiful partof England steeped in history
and natural beauty. It boasts
many heritage stately homes
and castles of which the mostrenowned is Windsor Castle,
the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Asidefrom these magnificent buildings, Berkshire is blessedwith stunning scenery of beautiful woodlands and apicturesque riverscape along the rivers Thames andKennet which flow through the county. The heart andsoul of old England still lingers on in quaint villages
harking back to days of yore, though there aren't somany horse carriages to be seen anymore.
Bray, near Windsor, is an idyllic old English village,
abundant in character and charm. A typical narrow
street runs through the village, flanked by twee
period houses, and old traditional pubs with beamed

A view of theback garden

A view of thedining areafrom theliving room

ceilings and fireplaces. A parish church - St. Michael which dates back to 1293 completes the picture. This
humble village is considered to be the culinary centreof the world with many famous restaurants, two of
which are the most internationally renowned, The
Fat Duck and the Waterside Inn, which boast three
Michelin stars each. What with its sheen of affluenceand list of high accolades, it is no wonder Bray ishome to ultra desirable residences of many famous
British celebrities.
Along the village main street stands Bray House, YTL’s
latest addition to their luxury heritage properties
portfolio, which includes Cameron Highlands Resort,
Majestic Malacca and Tanjong Jara Resort. Bray
House started life as a stable to a manor house
built in the late 17th century, akin to a garage in amodern house today. The old stable went throughmany incarnations throughout the centuries, first asa cobbler’s workshop, then an antique shop and later
was converted into a three-bedroom cottage. WhenYTL Hotels took over, it was in a pretty run-downstate but the character and history made it
an attractive challenge. A year on, the once
shabby cottage has been transformed into abeautiful home. Its eclectic mix of interiors
balance a period look with contemporary
touches and all the necessary mod-cons withelegance and quality resonating throughout.
The skill of local craftsmen was enlisted tocreate an upscale boutique look. Each roomis thematically designed starting from a
traditional look in the sitting room, travellingthrough time to the 1920s art deco period in
the lounge and emerging into the modern era
in the kitchen.

The master bathroom

The main part of the house is on an openplan mode, a spacious sitting room thatmerges into a formal dining room in a cosy
corner. The original timber beams, prevalent
in the architectural style of that period, arebeautifully restored throughout the house.
A large comfy fawn-coloured sofa dominates
the whole sitting room complemented by along timber coffee table to create a period
look. The room is punctuated by splashes ofcolours from the numerous cushions on thesofa and accentuated by a stylish red highback chair by the entrance.

The Redbedroombathroom

The fully functionalmodern kitchen

The dining room, painted in glorious cherry
red with matching red drapes, is madeglamorous by a set of eight chic dining chairs
upholstered in dark damask clustered rounda black glass dining table. A red chandelier
adds a final touch of sophistication to thedining area.
A surprise twist is that the lounge has been
decked out in an art deco style to give a dashof classicism to the house. An atmosphericroom with bottle-green carpeting andmatching silk wallpaper, it features a fireplace
and a bar, which once belonged to a ship. A
fancy art deco mirror hanging behind the bar,complemented by two stunning columns ofclassic floor lamps on either side of the bar,forms the focal point of the room. But thedark-green velvet Jaba couch with polishedaluminium claw feet designed by the famous
furniture designer, Mark Brazier-Jones, steals
the show and makes for a conversation piece,
adding a touch of mischief to the room.
Renowned as the purveyor of cutting-edge
designer collectors’ items that grace thehomes of many rock royalties, movie stars
A cosy corner inthe living room

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

The Red bedroom

The lounge at Bray Houseand the rich and famous, his creations are displayed
at the Louvre in Paris and at the Victoria and AlbertMuseum in London. The lounge leads to the über-coolkitchen-cum-informal-dining-room, graced by anotherart piece dining table by Brazier-Jones.
The beautifully designed commodious kitchen is achef’s dream with the trappings of a professional
kitchen. Indeed, it was designed by a professional
chef called Kevin Snook who used to serve up
culinary delights for celebrities and the well-heeledin the glamorous Caribbean island of Mustique, afavourite haunt of the rich and famous. Ingeniously
designed with the stove facing the dining area, achef can socialise with the guests while displaying
his culinary prowess. The delightful dining area
has a glass wall that overlooks the small courtyard
garden creating an illusion of ‘indoor-outdoor’
look, bringing the garden into the dining room. The
courtyard and water feature created from a natural
spring found in the garden is designed by Paul Dyer,an award-winning garden designer.
Each of the three bedrooms upstairs has a different
theme. The open-plan master bedroom featuring abathroom equipped with a free-standing bathtub
and a walk-through shower with large ceilingshowerhead, complete with heated floor, bears thehallmark of a contemporary design. The smaller
guest room by the landing is a symphony in whitewith soft white drapes hanging over a four-poster
bed frame, exuding a romantic and peaceful Zenlike ambience. The third guest room is a feast of
Tuscany red dominated by a huge black four-poster
bed – daring and passionate with a hint of gothic .
For a taste of the life of the English gentry, Bray
House beckons forth.

Ye Olde Fact File
The stunning red dining room

An Art Deco feature

One of the art
pieces that
decorate the wallsof Bray House

Bray House is essentially a private residence
offering a luxury escape with bespoke service
and accommodation comparable to an upscaleboutique hotel but with an intimate atmosphereof a home. Breakfast is included in the rate and abutler service and private chef can be requested at
extra cost. Concierge service includes restaurant
reservation and excursions to nearby Windsor,
including a private tour of the famous Eton
College at Henley-on-Thames. River cruises,
golf, horse-riding and other country pursuits canalso be arranged. For reservations and further detail,contact Denise Ellis at Bray Cottages, +44 1628
771171; or email info@braycottages.com

031

High
on love
The hills of Cameron Highlands are alive withthe sounds, sights, smells, taste and the touch ofromance and one of the best places to enjoy it is at
the atmospheric, colonial-styled Cameron Highlands
Resortphotography Eric Chow@Blink Studio styling STEVEN Sunny make up siew chenghair ping models renata & Weder, faces Models text EUGENE NG

On her: Dress Louis Vuitton,
charms bracelet Mont Blanc;
On him: Dark grey long sleeveshirt Zegna, New generation
jacket (Miller) and Alaska jeans
Hugo BossOn her: Yellow gold
neckless ‘claire delune’ Mont Blanc; On
him: Rubber ring PVD
Mont Blanc

Couple's Therapy Cameron Highlands Resort houses the world-renowned Spa Village. And at thisparticular Spa Village, you can enjoy therapies inspired and based on indigenous healing traditions of theregion and using local produce. There are therapies using roses, mint, tea and strawberries, all famous
produce of Cameron Highlands. But for a heightened state of romance, enjoy the His (Tok Batin MysticalTreatment) and Hers (The Jungle Secrets of Anti-Aging) treatments, inspired by the Semai, an indigenous
Pahang hill tribe whose knowledge of medicinal treatments have been acquired over millenia.

TH E YTL LU XURY M AGA Z IN E

035

Sweet Luxury

The strawberry is one of Camerons' claim to fame; not many would
have imagined that such a luscious cold-weather fruit would be able to grow in tropical
Malaysia. And for that, we owe a debt to our colonial past, as missing the comforts ofhome, the British thought it would be an excellent idea to grow strawberries and tea
in these highlands. You can visit the many different strawberry farms dotted aroundthe area, or you can simply enjoy them by feeding each other this most tantalising offruits at the Cameron Highlands Resort, where it is served with a choice of fresh cream,custard and chocolate dips.

On her: Bettina blouse
Hugo Boss, blue shorts,
white belt and red
platform shoes Fendi,
watch Louis Vuitton,
charms bracelet Mont
Blanc; On him: Navy blue
shirt Zegna, rubber set
necklace, bracelet andring Mont Blanc, watch
Louis Vuitton, Alaska
jeans Hugo Boss

On her: Chinese
printed cardigan
Shanghai Tang,watch Louis Vuitton,
charms bracelet Mont
Blanc; On him: Black
long sleeve t-shirt
and short sleeveshirt Zegna, watch
Louis Vuitton, rubber
bracelet Mont Blanc

Lazy Afternoons

One of Cameron Highlands Resort signature experiences is its traditional English
afternoon tea, with English scones, homemade strawberry preserve, a cup of premier BOH tea and a platterof finger sandwiches, pastries and cakes. This can be enjoyed at the Resort's Jim Thompson Tea Room,
named after the famous American responsible for the revival of the Thai silk industry and whose legend
lives on in this region after his mysterious disappearance in the misty hills of Camerons on Easter Sunday,
1967. If you prefer a more unique experience, the resort can also arrange for a private picnic to be enjoyed at
the stunning tea gardens at the nearby BOH Plantation.

036

THE YTL LU XURY M AGAZIN E

TH E YTL LU XURY M AGA Z IN E

037

The Heat of the Moment

One of the best ways to end a romantic day in the Highlands is to indulge
in yet another signature (and romantic) experience at the Cameron Highlands Resort. Every day, you canparticipate in its signature fireplace lighting tradition, and then snuggle up with your loved one as you enjoy
a cosy cuddle-up in the cool evening and reminisce on a day spent enjoying the charm and beauty that is
Cameron Highlands.
On him: Shortsleeve shirt
Zegna, rubber
ring and braceletMont Blanc

038

THE YTL LU XURY M AGAZIN E

TH E YTL LU XURY M AGA Z IN E

039

Water,Water
Everywhereat the luxury private island
destination of Pangkor LautResort, there is a host of
exclusive and wonderfully uniqueexperiences to be enjoyed in andaround its emerald green waters
by MAGDALENE TAN

Sailing aboard the
Impian is a genuinely
exhilirating experience

The hour long ferry journey through theStraits of Malacca to the private island of
Pangkor Laut will whet your appetite for all things
tropical, beachy, sun-kissed and holiday-dreamy. As
the unmistakable panorama of sea villas on stilts
come into view, you smile, knowing that you will soon
be arriving at one of the world’s most exclusive andluxurious resorts.
This ancient island spread over 300 acres consists ofwhite sand beaches, lush rainforest (said to be about
2 million years old) and an abundance of flora andfauna. For the rambler and nature lover in you, theJungle Walk will give you an opportunity to explore
the unspoilt forest under expert guidance from theresident naturalist. But if things are heating up onland, go cool yourself off with some oceanic activities:
there's plenty of those to do at this glorious island.
Manna from the Deep According to true
epicureans all over the world, there’s nothing like thesatisfaction of catching your own meal. And you canmarine environs so that the reefs may continue to beenjoyed by all its visitors.
Sailing the Seas, Scoffing its Bounty
As it is an island, there is obviously a wide range ofways that guests at Pangkor Laut Resort can get to
enjoy the water. For a memorable evening, anotherof the resort's signature experience is the sunset
cruise aboard its teakwood Oriental junk, an intimate
expedition ideally enjoyed with a loved one.
Throughout the hour you are served a free-flowing
selection of soft drinks, juices, wines and beer. And
as the cool evening breeze blows gently against you,the junk anchors at the resort's stunning Emerald
Bay which is located on the west side of the island.
Whilst you enjoy the romance of the junk and thesetting sun, you hear the sounds of the island's native
wildlife emanating from the dense vegetation. Over achat and some canapés, you look out westward to an
unobscured view of the sultry coloured sky where thesun is melting into the horizon. Very dreamy indeed.

As the cool evening breeze blows gently
and the sun sets, the junk anchorsat the resort's stunning emerald bay

As you bait your line with fresh squid and drop it
into the calm waters, you'll notice the quiet of yoursurroundings, the soft rocking of the boat, and you
will feel like you have truly gone back to basics. While
there is a wealth of fish (grouper and snapper inparticular) in these seas, fishing still remains a gameof patience. The resort will provide a beautiful prepacked lunch picnic basket full of goodies for you toenjoy on a soft, sandy beach… so don't worry, you will
get to eat even if you don’t snag that catch!
Then it's mask out, fins on and jump in! The bestthing about being out at sea is the chance to be in it.
Explore the underwater world to the sound of yourslow and steady breath; with a vast coral reef andplethora of marine life in all shapes, sizes and colours,
snorkelling around the islands is pure wonderment.
An important aside here: in a responsible bid toconserve the marine ecosystems around both the
Pangkor islands, Pangkor Laut has collaborated withReef Check Malaysia for reef clean-ups within their042

During the daytime, you can treat yourself tosomething extra special: sailing on the resort's
34-foot sailing yacht, ‘The Impian’, a genuinely
exhilarating and rather glamorous method of
seafaring. To set sail, the yacht's crew will cut theoutboard motor, start untying and adjusting the
rigging and with a sudden loud flap, you look up andthe towering front sail is spread out in all its glory. At
once you are transformed from passenger to sailor
when you realise nothing but the wind is carrying
you. The only sounds you hear are the yacht against
the ocean and the cool, strong wind in your hair as
you pick up speed and cut through the emerald green
waters. And when the wind finally drops (or even if it
doesn't), the yacht is anchored and you are able to doa spot of fishing and snorkelling.
One of the best parts of this already exciting
adventure has to be lunch, where the resort, in a bid
to live up to its reputation, truly pulls out all the stops
in elevating the idea of pampering its guests. First,
you hop onto a small motorised dinghy to be whisked
away from the yacht to a deserted beach. It’s all very
James Bond and all very brilliant! The reason for thisis that you are about to enjoy your very own private
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

wild life photo magdalene tan

put that theory to test at Pangkor Laut Resort if you
set out on a 12-foot motor boat and let yourself bewhisked away for a spot of good old fishing.

Pangkor LautResort is teemingwith wildlife

For a moreenergetic water
activity, kayaking
is a great way
to see the islandfrom the sea

Barbeque on a
private island is adining experience
like no other

B is forBespokebarbeque! As you alight from the dinghy, you will see
a table already set on the warm sands in front of anarrangement of thick towels, shaded by a large beachumbrella. And patiently awaiting your arrival are thechef and the butler.
Once you settle down with a chilled drink and a cool
towel, the feast begins. This is not just your averagebarbeque but a delicious gourmet meal set in equallydelectable surroundings and comprising of fresh, crisp
salad, succulent steak grilled to perfection, mouthwatering lamb chops, fragrant tandoori chicken on
sticks, juicy sausages, delicious king prawns andflavoursome grilled fish with sides of sweet corn andbaked potato. That was quite a mouthful on its own.

Whether it is for a
corporate, family oreven a special occasion,YTL Hotels’ exclusive
range of resort and city
hotels, is in the businessof providing uniquetailor-made experiences
like no other

Then, just when you think you can eat no more,
you are served a platter of seven kinds of fruit fordessert to help with your digestion. Even with amakeshift kitchen and dining area, there is absolutely
nothing makeshift about the service, the food or theexperience. Kudos to the resort for creating such anamazing experience.

And if you still haven't had enough of the deep blue,
then a dinner reservation at the resort's Fisherman’s
Cove is in order. The cosy fine dining restaurant
adjacent to the Spa Village is where you can savour
the delectable bounty of the sea in its freshest form.
The catch of the day is displayed on a bed of ice sothat you may pick the fish of your choice and have it
cooked to your liking.
Calm emerald green waters surround the islandof Pangkor Laut Resort and it is in these watersthat some fabulous experiences are simply waiting to bediscovered. Just remember to pack the sunscreen.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

Photo getty images

If you are lucky (and sharp) enough, you can even spot
Water Monitor Lizards basking on warm rocks and, as
you row further, you may spot Sea Eagles soaring highabove in hypnotic circles, or maybe even come acrossa family of crab-eating Macaque monkeys actuallyeating crabs. If you are the competitive type, you may
well choose to see how fast you can circumnavigate
the island! The choice is completely yours.

Photos magdalene tan

Table just for
two on an island
just for two

Aqua Adrenaline Even when you are being spoilt
senseless, something usually has to give, and if you
feel that you need to get into some more energetic
activities, there's plenty of that too. For the moderate'athlete', a good choice would be a leisurely paddle
on a kayak around the tranquil waters of the island.
As you do that, you can soak in the stunning land andseascapes that greet you at every turn.

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0045

Balinese
Wedding Bliss
The Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali is the perfectdestination for vacationing honeymooners
by LENA NG

photographs by MAGDALENE TAN

As with any newly-married couple, there isalways that one pertinent question that needs tobe answered after vows have been made, the bridekissed and the rice thrown. That question isn’t “So
who’s going to do the dishes and make the bed fromnow on?” or “Who will be wearing the pants in thisrelationship?” That pressing question is, “So whereare we going on our honeymoon, darling?”
After the stress of thewedding preparation,
any smart groom shouldbe able to intuitively
know that his new
bride will desire notjust a romantic holiday
destination, but alsoa vacation to recoverand rejuvenate fromall that pre-wedding
running around.
The Spa Village Resort
Tembok Bali, locateda t t h e fo ot h i l l s ofGunung Agung on
the north coast ofBali, is one settingthat is simply perfectfor such a getaway.
A t r u l y wo n d e r f u l
re s o r t d e s t i n a t i o nthat focuses on
Balinese-inspired spa
treatments, the Resort
i s p r i m e d to offe rvacationing honeymooners a memorable bespoke
experience like no other. For starters, couples canchoose to stay at one of its two beautiful private
villas, each complete with its own swimming pool andocean-facing front.
As a “spa resort”, the environment is one whichreflects the inner calm and serenity of Balinese culture.
On any given day, most guests relax and simply enjoy
the beautiful, meditative atmosphere after a relaxing
spa lounging around in the comfortable cotton shirtand ‘fisherman pants’ provided by the resort. Such islife at the Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali.
Your experience at the resort starts from themoment you arrive as guests are welcome withrefreshing juices and a foot-bath to ease any signs
of weariness from all that travelling. If you wish, you
and your new spouse can choose to engage in one
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

of the resort’s signature spa experiences. Called the‘Discovery Path’, there is a choice between ‘Balance’,‘Creativity’ or ‘Vigour’, with each following a unique
set of activities and spa treatments to achieve thedesired result.
But even if you don’t choose a Path, you can simply
choose to experience any one of the resort’s spa
therapies. The perfectchoice for any newcouple would be thePenganten Melukat,
which includes a bodyscrub, floral bath andthen a deeply relaxing
B a l i n e s e m a s s a g e.
In Balinese tradition,these treatments would
be performed on bothbride and groom while
they are houseboundfor three days before
the wedding. Other
unique treatments thatany bride would love
include the Papaya
Enzyme Wrap, using
the pulp of locallygrown fruit, or acoconut oil and hibiscus
hair treatment.
By itself, Bali is a truly
romantic place and it isin the evenings at theresort when this notion
comes alive. The resort can arrange for a couple tohave dinner at any location, from the luxurious guest
suites to the deck overlooking the ocean, or even on
the black volcanic sand beach, by the light of candles
and stars. Accompanying the fine-dining experience,
softly playing gamelan is enhanced by the sound of
the waves lapping against the shore.
After-dinner activities can include another romanticinterlude walking by the beach, or you can choose
to indulge in another of the Resort’s signatureexperiences, Star Gazing, which happens while you
float on a water bed in the swimming pool. Due tothe Resort’s location, there are always plenty of stars
out and it is truly a wonderful, lulling experience thatmakes for a perfect end to any day.
Restorative, romantic, refreshing: what better way tostart a new life together.
047

Home
Away
from
Home
With top-notch
service, the luxurious
boutique hotel
Majestic Malacca
is also ideal forfamilies... even with alittle baby in tow
by THE FAMILY PLATT

photographs by

CHOEN LEE

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

049

As far as entertaining that all importantbusiness client goes, there is no more important
KL address than a restaurant located in the heartof Bukit Bintang, the pulse of the city also known
as the Golden Triangle. KL abounds with numerous
award-winning fine dining restaurants such as
Shook! and Feast Village in Starhill Gallery or Li
Yen at the Ritz-Carlton, all known for their exquisite
setting and refined menus. But these days, thefine dining experience now goes beyond suchbasic requirements.
For the ultimate in luxury dining, any occasion isbest enjoyed in the presence of a select few. But thisdoesn’t mean that this has to be done in the comfort
of one’s own home; rather, think out of the box andyou will then be able to comprehend that a deluxe
suite in a 5-star hotel can be a unique setting for an
important evening of entertaining.
In fact, this is exactly what The Ritz-Carlton,
Kuala Lumpur, and its service apartment arm, The
Residences, are now offering to its select clientele.
The customisation of your occasion
begins with the menu selection froma range of cuisines, or indeed justabout anything the guest can desire.
Executive Chef Kevin Cape is on handto recommend a selection of the finest
dishes in order to best enhance andbalance the meal. And for those who
really want to be spoiled for choice, theentire Feast Village menu is available toselect from.

Businessand Pleasure

Private dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur,
and The Residences elevate the dining experience
CHOEN LEE
to a new level LENA NG
byphotographs byThis bespoke 5-star dining experience is therefore
totally unique and crafted personally by a team ofchefs. Chef Cape has even been known to personallyprepare the meal to a guest’s dietary or specificrequirements. With any luck, a guest might pick up a
few culinary pointers!
Groups of all sizes can be catered for: the guest suites
at the Residences can accommodate dining groupsof up to six people while the exclusive Penthouse canhost larger parties. The private dining experienceoffers a level of exclusive luxury far above the busy
streets of Kuala Lumpur, but that doesn’t mean
the party is removed from the excitement. Liveentertainment, from a soloist to a full instrumental
band, can be included as part of the evening.
The ultimate luxury in today’s hectic world perhaps is
not only time, but also exclusivity. As part of a refined
experience, private dining is more than just 5-starfood and service. The best luxury of all might be thatwhich you can share only with those you want to, andat The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, that’s assured.

No private dining event is complete
without a setting to match the food.
Special bouquets, custom table settingsand decorations are provided to enhance
the ambience of the suite. Other special
features at the table are the personalised
menus and monogrammed napkins
created for the event, to commemorate
your occasion.
Then there is the impeccable service, forwhich The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur andResidences are well known. Discrete but
attentive service is guaranteed throughout
the meal with a butler on hand to assist
with your selection of fine wines or any
other special request. In fact, dependingon the venue chosen for your event, you
can have the meal prepared right in frontof you by a team of professional chefs.
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

051

at your

Service

Impeccable service meets glorious
fashion at The penthouse at the
Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

photography Christopher A.
@ Talent Cafe
styling Aziz
hair & make-up Taisu
model Hannah Lo @ Talent Café
shot on location at

THE penthouse at
The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

Retro-print halter
dress, Maizen
Maison; Timepiece,
Louis Vuitton.

Black swimsuit with slender straps, sunglasses and printed scarf, Louis Vuitton; Croc print bangles, stylist's own.
Silk crepe halter-neckjumpsuit, strappy heels,
turquoise bracelet andsunglasses, Louis Vuitton;
Dior 61 Shopper in purple
python, Christian Dior;
Necklace, stylist's own.

Sheer kaftan, Melinda Looi; Sunglasses and wedges, Louis Vuitton; Rope belt with metal beads, Gucci.

Printed dress with
empire waist, Maizen
Maison; Necklace andbracelets, stylist's own.

Floral-print smock, Love on Earth; Dior 61 Shopper with metallic embelishment, Christian Dior; Sunglasses, Louis Vuitton.

Neon-orange neopreneoversized tote, satin
shoes with seethrough wedges, andsporty top, all fromLouis Vuitton.

Tunic dress withfloral applique,Melinda Looi.
Necklace, Loveon Earth.

Black long-sleeved front-tie
blouse, nautical-striped
pants, rope belt, wedges
and Hysteria clutch intortoise-shell patent
leather, all from Gucci.

Modern style is too often
dictated by the high fashion
flavours of internationalr u nways. G a r m e nts a reconstructed in innovative
cuts and fabrics, offering
newfangled silhouettes thatchallenge our conventional
exercise of putting on asimple shirt with the straight-forward pants or skirt. In theworld of high fashion, one season will choose to salute broader
shoulders, but the next will propagate wider hips. One year will
favour the ease of slouchy pants but the following year will putemphasis on slimmer legs.
Though it is all fine and dandy to push the envelope and becreative in the name of fashion, one cannot help but to wonder:
is it all practical?
Not every man can pull off skinny jeans or bejewelled sweaters,
and not every woman can do justice to tutu skirts or knee-highgladiator sandals. High fashion offerings may be wonderful
to marvel at and celebrate on catwalks and red
carpets, but in the harsh glare of reality - when one
is crunching numbers in the office, taking the dog out
for a walk, having a round of drinks with mates in theneighbourhood bar or roughing it out for the weekend
to be one with nature - we always go back to basics.
All it takes to get us through the day is a nice looking
shirt, a flattering pair of jeans and reliable shoes.

Ruggedto Riches

The great American West offers a lookthat is heavy on comfort but whichis also, by way of Marlboro Classics,
serious on styleby Abdul Aziz Draim images

courtesy of Miwaki Sdn Bhd

This is because fundamentally we want clothes tobe comfortable. Nevertheless, comfort shouldn’ttranslate to being frumpy. We still want to look good
- for ourselves as well as for other people. Image iseverything so the kind of clothes we want to wear on
a day-to-day basis has to feel good on our skin yet
remain stylish to discerning eyes.
Marlboro Classics is by no means a high fashion brandbut it is nonetheless a brand that makes great clothes.
Since it was established in the mid-80s, the Marlboro
Classics look has been defined by a distinctive markof comfort and style. Inspired by the ruggedness of
the legendary American West, Marlboro Classics offer
clothes conceived for men and women who enjoy acertain lifestyle with the freedom to create their own
look. It’s a look that expresses the brand’s core values:
Man and Nature, Authenticity and Uniqueness.
Lest you make the assumption that clothes inspiredby cowboys hardly make for wardrobe staples letalone stand up to comparison with other designer
threads, know for a fact that Marlboro Classics
clothes are not only distributed but are also producedby Italian textiles and fashion company, Valentino
Fashion Group S.P.A.

The brand even has a store that takes pride of place atthe prestigious Parisian address, that is the Avenue desChamps-Elysées.
In 2007 alone, Marlboro Classics reported an annual turnoverof approximately 173 million Euros, reflecting a continued
success for over two decades. One can say that the brandowes its success to its unique outlook. From the outset, thebrand has assured customers that their clothes will always
stay true to the soul of Marlboro Classics, a soul characterised
by ruggedness, natural independence and authenticity.
Strengthened by the brand’s signature assurance of quality,
Marlboro Classics makes use of its know-how, tradition andcutting-edge technology to allow for the materialisation of thebrand’s core values in a vast collection that, through carefully
selected materials and impeccable attention to detail, create
unique garments for every occasion.
Like all great brands, Marlboro Classics clothes have a lookand feel that are all their own: rugged yet contemporary,casual yet classic. Furthermore, unlike most runway
offerings, Marlboro Classics clothing is designed to only getbetter with age - the more you wear it, the betterit looks.
When the Marlboro Classics men’s clothing line took
off to resounding success in the 80s, the following
decade saw the brand expanding its portfolio
to include a range of footwear, introducing aline that included uniquely crafted designs forWestern boots as well as sturdy outdoor models
and more urban lace-up shoes. Eventually,
handcrafted belts, small leather goods and bags
were added to the range.
With its continued growth and popularity, it was
only natural for the brand to later introduce awomen’s line in 2001. The same concern for quality
and authentic styling went into the developmentof this line. A constantly evolving collection thatinterprets trends the Marlboro Classics way, thisversatile line includes coats, jackets, dresses, shirts,
t-shirts and pullovers that are simple, elegant, andeasy to wear both for formal or casual occasions.
Maturing with the times, the Marlboro Classics
collections are renewed with each passing season,
perfectly adapting to the evolution and way of lifeof modern men and women. For the Fall/Winter2008-09 collection for men, Marlboro Classics
plays with contrasts. This season sees a renewed
sense of elegance, marked by refined and natural
fabrics, thin knits with a mix of silk and cashmere or
alpaca, complemented by a more stylish straightcut to the pants. Shirts are fashioned in decidedly
minimalist cuts and finishings, overlooking checks
for stripes in darker hues.
The rustic-chic style of the collection continues
in leather blousons and thick parkas along withpullovers that showcase the natural aspect of heavy
wool-knit stitches. The thickness of such skins aresoftened with the lightness of down jackets and stateof-the-art natural fabrics the likes of cotton and nylon
mix. Colours run the gamut from warm orange, red, andsaffron to cool turquoise, petrol blue and chocolate.
Then there are the can’t-go-wrong “Authentic Denim”
jeans and work jackets, a Marlboro
Classics staple produced in the best
100% US cotton and showcasing themost up-to-date design. The collection- with its contrasting elements allows for the reconciliation between
aesthetics and functionality, as well
as authenticity and modernity. The
man that wears them refuses to be a
prisoner to fashion, preferring to affirm
his style with clothes that makes064

him feel at ease and which are in keeping with his moodand occupations.
While the Marlboro Classics man finds appreciation in the
thickness of rugged and natural leather, the woman leans
towards a finer and more supple skin this season, finding beauty
in more tapered shapes and an aged but sophisticated aspectacquired with a shiny surface treatment.
Thus, the Women’s Fall/Winter 2008-09 collection featuresauthentic country looks with widespread use of checked motifs
on heavy mountain shirts crafted in modern shapes with joyful,natural colours that feature delicate cotton poplins and wool
canvas. A touch of the romantic is expressed through printed
floral motifs in warm hues of pink, fuchsia and eggplant violet,
as well as through ruffled dresses and velvet skirts, patchwork
t-shirts and long jackets in hand-knitted style cable stitch wool.
For the trip back to the city, silhouettes comprise of peacoat
jackets in matte, flannel or tweed pants with a variety of denims,
including the streamlined yet comfortable bi-stretch version.

Riding pants are reinterpreted in various models and materials.
Feminity is also explored through straight pants in indigo
black or chargoal grey denim cottons along with ruffled shirts
or jackets.
Today, the Marlboro Classics clothing line is present in 43
markets worldwide, amounting to 2,400 points of sales
that include 390-shops-within shops and over 190 exclusive
boutiques. Each outlet is designed in keeping with the spirit of
the brand, incorporating raw materials the likes of wood, iron,leather and canvas, to produce interiors that are built to last.
And as it sets up house among some of the glossiest fashion
brands in the world, Marlboro Classics doesn’t pretend to bewhat it’s not. The brand oversteps the trappings of high fashion
by holding on to its very own confident and sophisticated brandvalues. Because in the end, it’s simply all about comfortable
clothes that look good on anyone.

Marlboro Classics opened at F16, Explore Floor, Starhill
Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in December 2007.

style | runway

FashionForwardTake a peek At some of the hottest fashion brand’s Cruise andSpring/Summer 09 collections Choo Ai Ling
by

Womanly
Wiles
Continuing her tenure at thehouse which Valentino
built, Alessandra Facchinetti
ably perpetuated the maestro’s
decidedly feminine style
except imagined in a fantasy
of ice cream shades. These
gentle hues of pearl gray, icy
white, and blush pink wereinterspersed with lashes of icelolly shades of lime and cherry.
Suits were a refined take on
the military dress uniform withpeplumed backs and rows oftiny covered buttons. Tailoredsmartness gave way to ruffles
which fluttered throughout thecollection but which were mostspectacularly used in etherealorganza gowns that embraced
the bodice before wafting to
the floor.

066

Oh Dior!

Credit crunch be damned. John Galliano delivered
Dior’s vision of the good life with an effervescent,optimistic palette of corals, fuchsias, and limes.
Topping off this vivid palette were liberal lashings ofembellishment as almost every look was exquisitely
adorned with beaded embroidery right down to theswimwear and shoes. Familiar swinging 60s-era
silhouettes like printed tunics, capri pants, trapeze
shapes, cropped peplum jackets, haute bohemiancaftans and peasant blouses dominated the moodand recalled the grand ladies of leisure like Barbara
Hutton, Millicent Rogers, and Nan Kempner.

Excess Fluid

The Wild Ones

One wonders what the rigorously exacting Tomas Maier would wear on holiday.

Frida Giannini’s Gucci goddess emerged from the frozen steppes
and tribal trappings of last season and transformed into a disco diva
reminiscent of Michelle Pfieffer in ‘Scarface’ for Spring/Summer. Named
Gucci Exotica, this collection boasted vibrant girly pieces which flirted with
sexy tomboy ensembles. Beach-babe bikinis, tropical prints, and filmy disco
dresses made up the former while the latter included the sharp boyish suit
which opened the show and Gucci’s signature neat deluxe leather jacket
which reappeared this season as python bikers and vests. Completing theheady jungle vibe were safari suits and gold-zippered military-cum-cargo
looks which would no doubt pass muster in any real forest.

Bottega Veneta’s Cruise collection gave an inkling of what he would pack:clothes which were almost trend-proof, elegant and effortless. The lighthearted paletteof soft ash, marble, white, and black animated with vivid azure, cobalt, crimson, burnt
orange, and apple green found elegant expression in easy and supple fabrics in natural
fibres. Pleats acted as organising principle, structural element, and decorative motif:
they were the only surface detail on clothes that were otherwise unembellished. No
dream of warm weather would be complete without soft, pretty dresses, easy to pull on,
easier to wear, and perhaps the single most contemporary way to dress.

Smooth Sailing
Marc Jacobs kept Louis Vuitton’sResort true to the spirit of the range withsimple pared-down shapes and nauticallooks. Adding a graceful individuality
were the trim, belted coat-dresses, andsharp skirts cut from a brushstroke
print fabric commissioned from Londonbased illustrator Tanya Ling. Marc kept
things interesting by revisiting the classic
Jackie O suit in white leather with blacksatin bows styled with sky-high wedges.
Rounding off the collection were sexyembellished bathing suits and colourful
Grecian draped jersey looks for evening
which would look très fabulous poolside.

Tropical Cocktail
Heavily influenced by the music she listens to, Frida Giannini discarded Gogol
Bordello gypsy excess and embraced the florid devil-may-care style of Brooklyn
duo MGMT (who also soundtracked the show). In a collection which celebrated thewild abandon of youth, lean tailoring and the neat leathers were engulfed by acreeping jungle of tropical flora and fauna, embroidered, appliquéd, or airbrushed to
extravagant effect. Colours and prints were suitably bold: jeans in dégradé shades ofsunset or printed with palm fronds, and shirts decorated with toucans and parrots.
For eveningwear, Frida toned it down somewhat with black-and-white jacquard tuxes
with tone-on-tone embroidery although the huge amethyst-and-malachite belt
buckles they were paired with were an unmistakable nod to MGMT.

style | retail

Style
File

Beautiful new
things in the storescompiled by Choo Ai-Ling

Musical Notes The passion anddrama of opera inspired Montegrappa toconceptualize the Emozioni in Musica collection.
Every year a different masterpiece will becelebrated and the first to have that honour
is the most performed opera in the world, La
Traviata. Resplendent with sterling, lowrelief engraving, and celluloid, the design
was inspired by the tragic heroine, Violetta
Valery. The top cap is engraved with thecamellia on Violetta’s bodice while thebarrel bears her cameo portrait, eventhe piston filler fountain pen features
an 18k gold nib decorated with theinitials ‘V.V.’ These superbly craftedwriting instruments come in a limited
edition of 1,912 pens in solid silver.
Montegrappa, Cortina Watch Espace
Boutique, Adorn Floor, Starhill
Gallery; +603-2142 1171 / 1161

Bling it On For an extra sparkle, indulge that very special lady
in your life with the stunning Roger Dubuis Excalibur in white goldand silver calfskin strap. Complete with a flying tourbillon and set
with baguette-cut rubies and diamonds, this exquisite watch alluringly
combines classic aesthetics with understated elegance. To add thecherry on top of the sundae, combine the gift with the BeHeart ring
whose lyrical lines reinterpret the universal symbol of love in whitegold or rose gold with diamond variations. Roger Dubuis, Adorn Floor,

Starhill Gallery; +603-2143 1322
070

A Calculated Wrist For

Victory
Lap Forthe second
year running,
Audemars Piguet
took home twoawards at Geneva’s
Watchmaking Grand
Prix. Althoughchiefly known for its
sports chronographs,
Audemars Piguet won
over the jury this year in the
Jewellery Watch category for
the Millenary Pianoforte. With
its white-gold case featuring
311 brilliant-cut diamonds
and diamond-pavé dial, thisoutstanding watch with its
exclusive AP 3120 calibre selfwinding movement was initiallydesigned in honour of Quincy
Jones. To celebrate the win,
Georges-Henri Meylan, CEO of
Audemars Piguet announced thatthe watch manufacturer would
be donating several Millenary
Pianoforte watches for auction,with the proceeds going to the
Quincy Jones Foundation. The
other award went to the Jules
Audemars Equation of Timeskeleton watch in the Complete
Calendar category for an
outstanding fully engraved, selfwinding skeleton timepiece that
perfectly captures the sun andmoon’s celestial choreography.

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AG A Z IN E

Holding it In Give only the best to the man you adore, and thebest can only be Bottega Veneta. The Intrecciato Nappa Crocodile Duffel
with its buttery soft woven leather accented with precious crocodile
details is a marvelously smart way for him to carry his belongings on
short trips. Alternatively, indulge him with a soft crocodile briefcase
in dove gray whose classic clean lines are discreet enough to show off
the exquisite crocodile skin to best effect. Bottega Veneta, Indulge Floor,

Starhill Gallery; +603-2143 7880

those who lead a charmed life, Van
Cleef & Arpels Charms Timepieces
will fit the bill. Despite being encasedin 18K gold and a majestic bezel
set with several lines of diamonds,
this delicate ladies’ watch wears its
adornment gracefully. The watch’s
peculiarity is a delightful charm
shaped as a diamond-set Alhambra
motif dangling from the bezel.
The Alhambra motif is a renowned
quatrefoil Van Cleef & Arpels design
made popular in the 1970s that is
supposed to offer the wearer luckand happiness. It is also available withinterchangeable coloured straps, inleather or black satin equipped withan 18K gold buckle for versatility.

Van Cleef and Arpels, Indulge Floor,
Starhill Gallery; +603 2142 8669

Acting the Part Montblanc continues theirtradition of honouring the life of great writers this year withdramatist and Nobel Prize winner for Literature, George
Bernard Shaw. Shaw is the only Nobel Prize winner to win
an Oscar for the film-script adaptation of his best known
play “Pygmalion“ – better known as “My Fair Lady“. Aptly
enough, the limited writing instrument collection featuresa dark-green marbled body with gleaming platinised rings
reflecting the transformation of Shaw’s heroine, Eliza
Doolittle from flower girl into a lady. For the first time,Montblanc will accompany this with a collection of notetaking and writing accessories handcrafted from calf
leather embossed with the great Irish writer’s handwritten
quotations. Montblanc, Cortina Watch Espace Boutique,

Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2142 1171 / 1161
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style | watches

The ManWho Wears
Two Watches

true, favourite passion. The day came when I couldn’t find theperfect watch for me, and I knew I had to create my own, so I
forgot about the other businesses.
How does one even begin to create a watch?
I started to study, read hundreds of books, magazines– everything about watches. When I arrived in Geneva,
I surrounded myself with a team of professionals. I started
with the concept of the watch, and needed people who could
do precisely what I wanted. There are always limits, but I am
constantly trying to cross them. I always want to do things noone has before. They think I want the impossible, but I say ‘Iwant it like this’, and we work together towards a solution.

YTL Life meets Franc Vila, the man behind the brand of the same
name and whose love for the art of watchmaking is reflectedin the watches he creates LAINIE YEOH

What attracts you to doing things that havenot been done before? It was always this way, since I
was a child. I cannot follow others, I have to be my own leader,do the things I want to do. When I love something, I feel thenecessity to go beyond the set limits. It’s my personality, I
cannot do anything against that.

by– a stylish watch case that is contemporary, yetretains the classic spirit of watch design.
Franc Vila made its debut in 2005 with the minuterepeating wristwatch which featured perpetualcalendar, moon-phases and a world premiere ofa slide mechanism designed inside the case. The
watch showcased innovation, and it was also
clear that the brains behind it was someone keen
- almost to the point of obsession - at pushing
beyond boundaries. Since then Franc Vila hasdeveloped a reputation for the development ofquite a few ‘grandes complications’, an industry
terminology for complicated watch movements
designed by reputable watchmakers.

072

Would you recommend others to do the same?
With my watches, they can (laughs).
You’re into philosophy, fine arts and sports
cars. you even have shares in a film company.
Why choose watches as your career? I do manythings, but have collected watches since I was a child. It’s my
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

There are only around 250 watches for yourbrand. why the restraint? I love exclusivity. I’m
prepared to make two or three versions of a watch rather

Franc Vila watches can be found exclusively at the Khronosboutique in Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL;+603-2141 9021/ 102; www.luxuryconcepts.com.my
Blue Lightnium

Superligero

FVa Nº 6 Tourbillon Planétaire Skeleton SuperLigero Concept
Photos courtesy of LuxuryConcepts

The most striking thing about Franc Vila, the man
behind the eponymous high-end watch brand, is his passion
and love for the art and craft of watchmaking. For example: herefers to Geneva - the world’s headquarters of horology - as
his “paradise”. And then there are his creations, emblematicof the man’s charisma: bold and powerful looking mechanicalwonders, each with Franc’s signature “Esprit Unique” design

Can you pick a favourite watch from yourcollection? It’s very difficult! The Tourbillion! It is the mostaesthetic of all the complications in the watch. You can see theheartbeat inside the watch, enjoy it, feel an intense emotion. I
also love my chronographs, it conceptually connects us to theromantic notion of men with active lives.

What changes have your design stylegone through from the first timepiece,
to the most recent? It’s an evolution.
The first Franc Vila watch was only made for me- wasn’t even under the brand. When you comparethat design with The SuperLigero, it’s more or lessthe same. Of course, it was not so well-finished, and thelast watch was bigger, but the essence and shape remain.
One constant is that nothing is decorative in my watches. I
believe everything in the watch is either functional, or a tributeto something from traditional watchmaking. You know, I was
the first to design the strap to specifically match the watch. I
always say luxury is not a detail, it’s in the details.

You wear two watches. Why? Yes, always.
And because I only have two hands. If not, I would
wear more.

Franc Vila

What kind of people wear your watches? There areno ‘types’, only people who appreciate real luxury. They discern
between democratic luxury, and high-end luxury. They havea taste for real exclusivity, creativity, and innovation. And ingeneral, they have good taste (laughs).

How Do you know when a timepiece is ready? That’s
difficult. I don’t have much time now, but when I paint, themost difficult thing is deciding when it’s finished. When
you apply the last brush stroke, something magic tells
you it’s done. It’s a feeling, an instinct.

Before we settle down to chat, Mr. Franc Vilachecks the time on the two watches he wears
and points out that watches are the only status
symbols one can take around everywhere. “Afterall, when we enter a party, our sports car stays
outside,” he laughs.

You could wear a few on each wrist.
Two for each isn’t comfortable. One each is perfect.
My watches show Malaysian time, and Geneva
time. I could have several times in one GMT watch,but I prefer to match two. I always say a pair ofblack and white, or red gold and white gold.

than hundreds. My watches have to be excellent in these four
factors: creativity, luxury, innovation and very importantly,
exclusivity. Everyone may want it, but not everyone can have it.
This is not my fault, quality is always expensive.

First introduced in Baselworld 2008,
its movement features a debut of“Lightnium”, an extremely light alloy ofhigh tensile strength, formerly reserved
for aeronautical engineering. Combinedwith its strong architectural design, thistourbillon is the strongest and sportiest
skeleton watch in its category.
The back of the movement and the

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

impressive cage of the tourbillon isconstructed in coloured Lightnium.
This skeleton watch maintains thecharacteristic “Esprit Unique” shapewhich gives all Franc Vila watches theirunmistakable identity.
Technically, the movement has five daysof reserve power. Earlier referred to by

Franc as the heartbeat of his creation,
the flying tourbillon regulates thewatch, and is equipped with ‘Inertial
Moment Control’. This control
constantly and precisely regulates the
tourbillon. A differential system ofplanetary gears also effectively reducesby two-thirds the number of turns
needed to wind the watch.

073

style | watches

Rising fromthe Red Ashes

RasmusMühle-Glashütte, a brand that rose from the ruins of
the communist era, is making its presence felt throughdistincitve, clear-cut watch designs that enticecontemporary consumers KAMAL BAYRAMOV
by

Thilo Mühle (R)with his father,
Hans Jürgen

Two of the latest offerings by Mühle-Glashütte.

Photos courtesy of LuxuryConcepts

Terranaut I
Chronograph,
Terranaut II
Navigator watch,
Terranaut III
Aviator watch

Terranaut074

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

The attractive design of the
new Terranaut watches isreminiscent of an aircraft
cockpit instruments. The
clear-cut watch face reflects
this look and makes thesetimepieces unmistakable.
Every Terranaut dial isavailable in black or olive.

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

In addition, the Terranautchronograph comes in grey.
The Super-LumiNova
coated dials make for easy
recognition in the dark. The
satin stainless steel casing
comes with a scratch-proof,
non-reflecting sapphire
crystal. Each Terranautwatch is equipped witha unique woodpecker
regulation and rotating
element developed andpatented by Mühle.
Germanika series

Mühle-Glashütte unveiled
its innovative, successful
design line in 2006 with the
new Germanika series. This
series marries a modern lookwith traditional watchmaking craftsmanship,
giving it a unique appearance
and feel. The series includes
the chronograph Germanika
I, the Germanika II witha second time-zone display
and the two classics of the
1930s style, Germanika III
and Germanika IV in big
and medium.

Germanika

075

beautystyle& grooming
watches

Flightsof Fancy

Bespoke CoverImagine a mask that is lightas air and able to address all
your skin concerns. At MTM,
the Custom-blended Hydrating
Miracle Mask scores big with
its hydrating formulationof cucumber extract,
carrageenan and sodium
hyaluronate that encourages
skin cells to regenerate. Yet, it
can also be designed to tackle
other woes. Whether to soothe
sun effects or target radiance,
there are over 300 different
custom blend formulations
available at your service.

For the jetsetter, one of the trickiest
things to pull off is to keep looking fabulous
at 30,000 feet. Here Are a few tips
by Anis Ramli

Flying long haul doesn’t mean you have to arrive at yourdestination with crackled skin, puffy eyes and cracked lips. You
just have to have a few tricks up your sleeve. For example, go
for a time-release moisturiser before you fly. Clinique recently
reformulated its Moisture Surge moisturiser that retains
moisture for a good 12 hours. This gel also doubles up as aquick 5-minute mask or, as a layer on top of your moisturiser tocreate an effortless fresh faced look while holidaying.
A good eye cream applied before you board the plane is aprecursor to arriving at your destination looking fresh andready. StriVectin-SD Eye Cream contains all the original
formula of its breakthrough cream minus the aromatic agents.
A small drop is all you need to feel the cream deliver moistureand hydration to the eyes’ delicate areas. It also reduces eye
bags and puffiness from lack of sleep.
076

When it comes to keeping the body moisturised, pre-flightapplication also works wonders. Your body will benefit
from Sundari’s Gotu Kola and Lotus Body Oil, a lightweightconcoction of fast absorbing and deeply hydrating coconut oil.
Ayurvedic Damascus rose essence and lotus oil scents work
together to calm both the mind and skin.
The low humidity of the cabin air can also cause mild
dehydration as well as dry and irritated nostrils. What you can
do is also swab a little of the Gotu Kola and Lotus Body Oilaround your nostrils to keep nasal membranes moist and help
clear nasal passages. This same dry, cabin air is also the culprit
behind frizzy hair. Using a leave-in conditioner, such as Korres
Almond Proteins Leave-On Conditioner, helps keep flyaway hairin check, thanks to almond and wheat proteins. It can also be
used as a pre-styling product, so that’s one more unneccesary
item off your luggage list.
Finally, don’t forget the towelettes. They are great to refresh
yourself prior to landing without having to wait in queue forthe lavatory. With their mantra of being kind and gentle to yourskin, Simple Cleansing Wipes are great to have when travelling,
as it removes not only makeup and grime, but tones andmoisturises the skin as well.
Once you’ve got your own personal flying pampering remedies
down pat, perhaps flying coach may seem like first class.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z IN E

MTM Custom-blended
Skincare Centre, S3 Pamper
Floor, Starhill Gallery, KL;+603 2144 8861

Take 5 Beaubelle’s New Beginnings
renews skin using natural fruit extracts
in an intensive programme perfect for
all skin types. By combining the use of
its skin refining packs, face masks and
AutoThermic decollete and face massage
minerals, this is a great alternative to theconventional abrasive forms of skin renewal
regimes. A promotional first trial for its
Week 1 Treatment is priced at RM280, valid
until Jan 31, 2009. Beaubelle Skin and Body
Care Day Spa, S15, Pamper Floor, Starhill
Gallery, KL; +603 2148 4898

Deep Blue Discover a true marine experience with

Photo getty images

Rumour has it that celebrities like, say, Kate Hudson,
apply Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream before they board
the plane. This skincare classic truly lives up to its name while
also being a great multi-tasker: it is suitable as hand cream,
lip balm and for soothing chapped skin and elbows. After all,recycled dry cabin air is the skin’s number one enemy. And inan age where check-in baggage is limited and onboard liquidallowance has been drastically restricted, anything that allows
you to leave behind three other beauty unnecessaries mustsurely be heaven sent, or at least a fantastic beauty secret.

Phytomer’s Champagne of the Sea. Phytomer, the pioneer inmarine skincare cosmetics, lets you experience the soothing
effects of its Self Heating Marine Mud in this treatment thatworks like a thermal blanket to ease muscle tension andpromote deep cellular detoxification. Sandwiched between arelaxing dry scrub and a moisturising massage, this two-hour
pampering treatment is priced at RM528. For first-timers, takeadvantage of this special promotion where you can enjoy two treatments for the price of one. Escentials Urban Retreat, S32-37,

Pamper Floor, Starhill Gallery, KL; +603-2148 3288
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beauty & grooming

Resolution
Rejuvenation
After ushering in
the New Year withchampagne,
countdowns andconfetti, the next
thing to do is tolisten to what yourbody tells you
by ANIS RAMLIThe Christmas and New Year celebrations are goodfor a few things. The first, and the main one, that most people
look forward to, is an excuse to eat, drink and be merry. But once
the festivities are over, the thing to do is then stop, take stock
and perhaps kick start some health-inducing habits. If for the
past 364 days we take no notice of our bad eating, working andlifestyle habits, the start of the new year should be the ideal time
for us to begin considering cleansing the body’s clutter.
Only a few years ago, the word ‘detox’ meant recovering froma Saturday night, or a stint at a rehab centre. Today though itmeans taking stock of the abuses we’ve imposed upon our bodies– clearing the mess amassed from unhealthy eating habits thathave been left unchecked for too long. Our liver, kidney, intestines,
lymphatics, blood and lungs are the major systems that allow ourbodies to detox. A healthy body detoxifies naturally through thesebuilt-in mechanisms when we perform our daily bathroom rituals.
Interestingly, the skin too, plays a major role in ridding our bodies
of metabolic wastes, for instance, when we perspire. The skin,in fact, can reflect the state of a functioning or malfunctioning
organ. A liver that is not functioning properly is mirrored bya jaundiced skin, accentuated by discolouration, itching andrashes. Impaired kidney function shows up through skin that isboth pale and yellow, suggesting anaemia. Imbalanced hormones
can affect the skin’s moisture, collagen production and elasticity– the fundamentals of premature ageing.
More recently, detox has taken a new, wider meaning. It
encompasses cleaning up not just the insides of our body, but
our mind and spirit as well. Just as a gradual cleansing of the
body can help purify it and allow the body to resume healthystimulate skin that has
been under attack fromenvironmental pollution
while rejuvenating skincells’ vitality.

bodily functions, a detox programme can also help
improve the mental, emotional and spiritual levelsof our existence. Such a holistic approach to detox
can only enhance the effectiveness of us functioning
optimally as an individual, allowing us to get throughour daily lives with the best mental attitude andpositive outlook.

While massages are
generally relaxing, theyalso offer other benefits
such as increased blood
circulation, lubrication of
the joints and eliminationof impurities from thebody. Herbal oils thatare applied to the bodywith a particular typeof massage, specificallyin Ayurvedic practices,f u r t h e r h e l p tox i n sm ove towa rd s t h egastro-intestinal tract.
The Ayurvedic healing
programmes at Spa
Village Pangkor LautResor t usually run
between seven or 14
days for its full benefits
to be experienced. The
programme begins witha consultation with the resident Indian doctor before
a bespoke routine that combines detoxification(Dinacharya) and destressing (Shirodhara) is
recommended. Day One starts with cleansing of
the five senses (Dinacharya): the eyes, ears, nose,
tongue, and skin. Ayurveda practice believes this tobe an important aspect of self care as keeping thesenses functioning properly gives greater perceptionof one’s reality.

your every need. The trick to stay still, listen to what
your body needs and then pamper yourself with asuitable therapy based on those needs.
In Spa ViIlage Majestic Malacca, cooling treatments
and a diet based on the healing practices of the
Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture support

More recently, detox has come toencompass cleaning up not just ourbodies but our minds and spirits too
Detoxification programmes are meant to give
support to these natural mechanisms that might
not be functioning optimally. For example, if one isconstipated, a mild laxative is introduced. If one is
not sweating, a few minutes at the sauna can help.
Fasting, light and/or vegetarian meals, coolingfoods, extra fruits and vegetables will support the
detoxification process.
The award-winning Spa Village has an entire rangeof bespoke detoxification programmes that will suit

The rest of the series is made up of daily treatmentsof Abhyanga and Shiro Dhara. Abhyanga, a herbal
oil massage, provides the means for trans-dermal
absorption of the healing qualities of the ingredientsused in the oil while helping the skin to perform its
diverse functions efficiently, whether to dispel toxinsfrom the body or to nourish tissue functions. Shiro
Dhara, which means 'to pour oil on the head', involves
flowing a prescribed herbal oil continuously over theforehead, or the ‘third eye’. This calms the central
nervous system and restores balance.

detoxification. The Egg Rolling Therapy, combinedwith Yoghurt/Guava Leaves Body Scrub andCucumber/Aloe Wrap are designed to target the
body’s manifestation of excess heat (fire) as a resultof too much toxins that can give rise to feverish
sensations, swellings, pains and redness. These are
all signs of inflammation within and outside the body.
The cooling treatments have the ability to reduceheat sensations, redness and pain and inflammations.
Likewise, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur’s Pearl and Rice
Facial and the Egg Undulation Face Treatment can help

Similar principles are also applied at Spa Village
Cameron Highlands Resort, where the three-day
detox programmes includes one inspired by the Semai(an indigenous tribe) that delivers a complete detox
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beauty & grooming

and activities designed
to heal, calm and revive
the spirit, and a mixtureof massages that relaxes
and energises.

ayurveda practice believes that keeping
the senses functioning well gives
greater perception of one's reality
experience. The Semai treatment combinesa herbal bath, a massage, a sitz bath and a
scrub that uses unique ingredients sourced
from the highlands’ forests that have long
benefited the tribe. Indigenous roots, herbs
and flowers of the area, that have forgenerations been used as healing remedies
for the Semai, are incorporated into thedetox ritual. The sitz bath, for instance,
creates an internal thermal reaction toeliminate toxins and excess fat. It alsobanishes bloating and encourages a
restorative and peaceful slumber after. The
following two days in the detox schedule
involve a programme that combines
treatments with avocado, chrysanthemum
and a Malay heated stone therapy called
Tungku Batu that alleviates water retention
and relieves joint and muscle pains.
For guests retreating to the Spa Village
Tembok Bali Resort, the three-day detox
programme takes advantage of the island’s
serene surroundings that culminates in athree-day lifestyle change. The spa provides
a tailored menu for a detox diet thatincorporates fresh juice blends, excursions

A typical day would see guests
partake in an activity, such asyoga, pencak silat (local formof martial art) or a bicycle
tour, which helps one to be
attuned to one’s senses whileproviding an avenue to destress the mind. A massage
performed later in the day
creates the platform to rid
the body of toxins from the
day before and, combinedwith a colon cleansing menu
designed during the stay,
the whole experience allows
guests to purify not just thebody, but the mind and sprit
as well.
Similarly, the Sucimurni
c on c e p t t h a t i s t h eembodiment of Spa Village
Tanjong Jara is a lifestyleconcept created to promotewholesome living byemphasising the purity ofspirit, health and well-being. Sucimurni is a perfect
blend of dynamism between self and nature, asattested to by the detox programme.
Here at the spa, the generations-old practices ofthe Malay community in bringing balance back tothe body, mind and soul are revived in a three-day
programme designed to meet the challenges oftoday’s modern living. The body is prepped for theensuing detox treatments by first digesting the Akarakar (Roots) drink. Containing ginger, betel leaves,gotu kola leaves and many other herbs and spices
known in Malay folk medicine, they work as digestive
aids or a detox tea to help protect the liver, alleviate
urinary and digestive problems.
The cleansing-detox protocols that follow include
Tuam Pasir (a Malay heated sand therapy) on thefirst day and a combination of a body scrub and Ukup
Wangi (scented body steaming) on the second day oftreatment. The Ukup Wangi works on the principle ofrefreshing the core area of the body (groin) that inturn helps to boost blood circulation, elimination and
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

digestion. It directly stimulates the root chakra, whichgoverns sexual energy and reproductive organs. For
women, this is especially beneficial in regulating themenstrual cycle and menopausal symptoms.
The final day of the detox programme ends with the
Ikal-ikal (a hair and scalp treatment). The Malays
believe that headaches and migraines are caused byexcessive heat in the body. The herbs used here help
draw away heat and stabilise body temperature. In
between treatments, guests enjoy a healthy menu
that includes kampung-reared chicken to enhance theprogramme, as well as activities designed to nurture
the mind and bring the body back to balance.
Detoxing is a multi-layered health approach that lets
us manage our body and our environment positively.
No doubt our body does much of the detoxification
process by itself, but as our bodies age and ourimmune systems weaken, giving our system aconscious detox will go a long way in bringing backthe body and mind to optimum health. Now isn’t thata good thought to start the new year.
083technology

And the film companies are also, slowly, coming round to
the idea. Earlier this year Joss Whedon, the writer-producer
behind TV hits including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel,premiered his latest creation, Dr Horrible, online. With an allstar cast, the low-budget 12-minute episodes were specificallydesigned to be viewed online and on mobile players, allowing
fans to purchase and download the series through retailers likethe Net-based iTunes Store.
While Whedon put his energies into Dr Horrible largely as a
response to the Writers Guild strike that paralysed much of US
TV during the first half of this year, its foundations are built on
cult shows like ‘lonelygirl15’ which first appeared as a seeming
videoblog until it was later revealed to be the work of a groupof underground New York film-makers.
That show has already spawned a more commercial spin-off
in the form of KateModern which was aired on social
networking site Bebo. Then there’s the animatedAfterworld, the 90-second episodes of whichwere specifically designed to be downloaded andviewed on the current generation of media-richcell-phones and mobile devices.

FutureNetworks

084

those sites now look outdated as more of us enjoy high-speed
broadband services at home that include video-on-demand,
network gaming and three dimensional ‘virtual’ worlds like
Second Life.
But as much as the technology has supposedly freed us, it’s
the changes in our behaviour it has provoked that are more
far reaching. In the US this year dozens of newspapers havedownsized, shedding staff and shifting their emphasis towards
their online operations. Hardest hit have been the small-town
papers with low circulations that are unable to compete with
the immediacy of information, especially via audio and video
reporting, on the Web.

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joss whedon corbis

Industry rumours suggest that many major international
newspapers are planning to shelve their print editions within thenext five years to rebrand themselves as online media organisations
offering interactive content. Indeed, many TV companies, mostnotably the UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) now
make much of its current and archived content available for freestreaming from its website (through a special media player).

Not that there’s anything inherently wrong
with firing a few ads at users once in a while:
they provide a zero-cost service so effectively
that ad exposure is the ‘fee’ its consumer
base pays. But more importantly the social
networks and other online developments
mark a shift away from the open-accessphilosophy that founded the World Widephoto corbis

So huge was the explosion of popularity around sites likeYouTube, MySpace, eBay and Blogger.com that Time Magazine
was prompted to make all of us - as the new content creators- its ‘Person of the Year’ in 2006. Yet, two years later, even

Joss Whedon

But it’s from within these social networks thatthe biggest changes are being forged. Look at
Facebook. What was started by student Mark
Zuckerberg as a network for fellow students at
US college Harvard now has more than 120 million
users worldwide, a figure that represents around
1% of the world’s total population. Imagine a TV
channel that could boast so many viewers andimagine the potential advertising revenues it
could generate.

by

Yet we’re constantly being assured that these online tools,
marketed under the catchall term of Web 2.0, are the future ofcommunications, commerce and connectivity. Without getting
too technical, the journey from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 can beloosely described as a transition from read only content to aread-write framework. This includes sites like YouTube whereusers are able to upload their own videos through a simple
online interface and share them with the world.

And, privacy issues and technology gap aside, that’s perhaps
the biggest transformation: where once we had to be tempted
to visit the online presence of stores and retailers, now they
can come to us, pre-armed with the kind of information theyknow we’ll appreciate. As for those RSS feeds, well you’ll justhave to Wiki it, won’t you?

And for those terminally addicted to blogging
they can now ‘twitter’ from their mobiles, posting
their tweets online and receiving tweets fromfeeds they subscribe to. If the last sentence had
you reaching for the geek dictionary, don’t worry:it’s literally so complicated to explain that you
may be better off not knowing.

The concept of Web 2.0 hasn’t just changed the way
we ‘live’ online; it’s presence is being felt in so many
aspects of our ‘real’ everyday life Matt Armitage
Despite the ubiquity of the World Wide Web, many of
its users are still a little bit fuzzy about the exact meaning ofsome of its latest developments. For an example, What is an
RSS feed and why should you need it? Similarly, despite theInterweb being full to the brim with spurious and specious
blogs, how many people out of a world population of 6 billion
know how to blog, let alone why?

Web to closed, commercial systems that potentially own theinformation, photos and videos that users post on them.But
closed or not, sites like Facebook have really delivered theonline democracy that Web 2.0 pointed to. It has become away of making new friends, re-discovering old friends andfinding fellow twitchers and tweeters. More than that, it has
become a grassroots platform that enables anything fromorganising a back garden barbecue to more politically andsocially motivated activities. It has even become a way forneighbourhood businesses to talk directly and cheaply to its
customer base.

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085

Centres of
the Universe
Home entertainment used to mean nights crowded
around the candle, squinting at a scrap of paper as you
took it in turns to play noughts and crosses on yesterday’s
newspaper. Thankfully, that’s one good old day that’s been truly
consigned to the past. In the past few years we’ve seen homeentertainment up sticks and become truly portable with flat
screens, wireless streaming and discreet flat-panel speakers
systems. Now that Blu-Ray has emerged victorious from theformat wars, manufacturers have gotten down to the hard
graft of moving the technology onwards and giving us, theirloyal consumers, what we always wanted - which is pretty much
everything, on demand.
You can now wire your whole house so that the music follows
as you move from room to room. And more cleverly, you canprogramme the same box to play different music or video or
online content in each of those rooms. If only those darned‘Star Trek’ holo-decks were available it would be perfect.
But while we wait for the next jump forward, here are somecomponents you can use to put together your ultimate system.

X Marks the
Box Sure, it plays

Pass the Tissues When we talk about streaming we don’t
generally mean a cold. And there’s certainly nothing unhealthy
about the Sonos Bundle 150. Just connect one of the two included
ZonePlayers (the ZP90) to your home entertainment set up andit communicates wirelessly to as many ZP120 players with built
in amplifiers as you’ve got rooms to put them in. The full colour
wireless Controller, whose buttons and colours seem to owe
something of a stylistic debt to those reductionists at Apple, gives
you access to all your music. Plus, if you’re connected to the Net
via Wi-Fi it’ll even stream any of the thousands of radio stations
that exist out there in cyber space. If that wasn’t enough, you caneven have the players booming out different tunes in each room.
Not bad for a tissue box.

games. But, so, it seems, do
refrigerators and washingmachines these days.
What you can do is safely
assure any questioning
family member that thisis the most cost-effective
way to get yourself
an integrated
Blu-Ray discplayer andhard-drive
recorder. With
High Def reproduction at a cinematic
16:9 ratio and 120GB of storage space
the games bit is, well, irrelevant. Who intheir right mind would want to pit theirwits against thousands of other players
through Microsoft’s Xbox Live network? Or
strap on an axe and grind out those riffs
on the latest edition of Guitar Hero? No
missus, nor I. www.xbox.com

Base Colours DVDs and CDs are so passé these days, don’t you think? Much better to store your movies, music andpictures on a computer and stream to wherever you need it in the house. That used to mean making some seriously ugly beige
boxes the focus of your home entertainment needs. But worry no more, because Dell’s latest range of Studio laptops andStudio Hybrid desktops come in a variety of eye-watering candy colours sure to brighten your day. And the desktop range hasabandoned the old square corners for a compact and sleek oval style more suited to minimalist world of interior design. And toensure they have the performance to match the looks, all the machines are based around Intel’s spiffingly speedy Core 2 Duoarchitecture, with optional Blu-Ray drives for the very latest in high-definition reproduction. www.dell.com

Tip top TV Of course, if you’re spending all

Solo Performance
If you’re treating yourself to somekind of monstrous floor-to-ceilingviewing screen then you’re going toneed a player and audio machinethat really complements thescale. Eschewing the usual dozen plastic box approach of many manufacturers, Arcam’s Solo 5.1 takes things back to basics,
housing an HD ready DVD and CD playing unit alongside an amplifier and all that Dolby 5.1 circuitry, not to mention adding auniversal remote that will happily take over the tasks all those other slave units currently labour with. Oh, and it integrates
seamlessly with iPods, and comes in a neat svelte black package that will happily merge with the rest of your set-up.
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High Five The Archos 5 makes it in here because of its
wireless networking features. It has a 4.5-inch screen, 120GB
storage, 4-hour battery life and supports loads of different audio
and visual formats, plus it can record direct from your TV with
an optional docking station. What makes it home entertainment
friendly is its Wi-Fi capability. It can log onto your home networkand stream content wirelessly, making it the perfect screen to
take with you into the garden. Or even the bath. www.archos.com
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

this money to reinvigorate your home cinema andaudio experience, you might want to experimentby changing the way you receive that content in
the first place. Apple TV’s nondescript box is far
more than a minimal designed doodad. Sync-ing
wirelessly to your computer and other streaming
media it allows you to view photos, videos andcontrol audio playback through your TV. So far,so similar? Well, it also connects you to Apple’s
iTunes store, allowing you to rent or buy High Def
content that can be downloaded to a hard drive or
streamed direct to your screen from the Internet.
Not bad for a box with no buttons. http://www.

apple.com/pr/products/appletv/appletv.html
087

motoringof the offside verge than the previous low-beamheadlamps, in this case, by 10m.
The motorway mode, activated automatically at
speeds above 90kmh, produces an even projection
to a range of up to 120m. Enhancements tohandling come in the form of Direct Control, sports
coil-springs and up-rated gas-pressure shock
absorbers, as well as newly developed spring link
bearings and rebound buffer springs, which help
limit body roll when cornering. Safety equipment
includes items like Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro sensorcontrolled head restraints and Adaptive Brake.
Plenty on offer as far as equipment levels areconcerned, and happily all this translates into a carthat is every bit as effective as the intent promises.
Much of it is what you’d expect from the well proven
W211 – all the trademarks and characteristics of thetype are here; it’s comfortable (well, maybe less soat the back, where the rear seats feel a little bit too
angled, possibly due to the fold down design), andit hauls the miles in exemplary fashion. In short,it’s strong, it’s solid, it’s a Mercedes-Benz.

The Joys of the
Middle Class
The well-known 230 has added a new and appealing
dimension to the Mercedes E-Class Ellfian Abdul RahimbyAnyone looking back will easily remember riding
in one, be it on the way to the airport, on a long haul ‘balik
kampung’ jaunt in one hired as a cab, or even admiring a wellto-do neighbour’s brand spanking new company car. Yet, it’s
taken up to nearly the end of the current W211’s life cycle for
Malaysia to welcome the E230 onto her roads. With reports ofa new generation E-Class set to debut at the end of the year,
this comes late, but it is still very much a noteworthy addition
to Mercedes’ best-selling line.
The E-Class is easily Merc’s best-selling model with the W211
making up almost half of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s total sales.
So the question might be: is it really necessary to expand themodel lineup any way? How many more E-Classes can you sell?
Well, apparently, there’s a little segment that’s been unfulfilledby the choice between an E200K and an E280. The E280
obviously provides a more luxurious and powerful option but
you’d need an extra RM70,000, or 20% over the E200K’s retailprice for that privilege. Given that the E200K’s supercharged
engine provides enough pull for everyday use, not many werewilling to shell out just for that extra little bit of exclusivity.
088

The E230 ostensibly brings this privilege to a more affordable
price point, albeit, still 45 grand over the base model’s
price tag. With the more recognisable 230 badge, it offers asense of discernment yet avoids the over-indulgence (inmost cases, anyway) of buying something so high up thefood chain.
And so there has definitely been a need for an option in the
middle. Now, the E200K may more than satisfy the entrylevel requirement bill into the segment, but some may findthat a four-pot, souped-up as it is, isn’t quite the way to go.
There’s the 3.0l E280, of course, which shifted the presentation
upwards from the 2.6l-equipped E 240, and which presents
all that you’d expect of a high-spec E-Class. But of course, thecurrent fuel crisis would strongly suggest a smaller capacity
being the smarter way to go.
The refinement from the bigger six-cylinder job alsocomes at a price. Which is where the E230 comes in, as
it slots in between the two and looks to have the rightbag of tricks in its arsenal to appeal to those who think
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA ZI NE

the entry-level a little too basic and the top-of-the-line a little tooout of reach.
New to this E is of course the engine type, which is the same
block to be seen on the new W204 C230. The normallyaspirated 2.5l V6 - featuring variable camshaft adjustment offers 204bhp and 245Nm of torque, available across a broad
2,900–5,500rpm range, and this power is transferred via a
7-GTRONIC gearbox. The Avantgarde specification brings along
17-inch twin five-spoke wheels, twin exhaust tips and black
bird-eye maple interior detail trim. The vehicle also gets a
panoramic glass roof, bi-xenon lights, different interior ambient
lighting and rear fold-down seats.
Standard fittings include a Comand APS map-based DVD
navigation system with a 6.5-inch colour display, Thermotronic
automatic climate control, anti-theft alarm with interiormotion sensor, Parktronic, Linguatronic as well as anIntelligent Light System. The last works around the bi-xenon
system and includes five different lighting functions – a new“country” mode provides brighter, more extensive illumination
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

From a driving perspective, the 2.5l V6 does very
well at sustaining interest levels. It is probably
missing a little in low end energy and response,
but the linearity and pull further up the range iscertainly appealing. And it is fast enough. While
outright running speeds didn’t quite match thatwhich was quoted, the top end of 240km/h is easily
reached without a strain, and nought to 100km/h
performance is a very respectable 9.1 seconds.
Handling is keen, and the car does track quite
well even into high-ish speeds, provided you don’t
present it with too much of a challenge. The rear is arguably
still a little too soft, the steering still too vague in feel, andthere’s that ever familiar under-steer, but on the whole, as firstseen in the face-lifted E280, the W211 has come a long way inpresented dynamics.
So, first impressions of the variant are highly positive, andthis should be reflected in its take up – Mercedes-Benz
Malaysia expects the RM398,888 vehicle to account for
about 20% of monthly sales and the E280 for about 5%,though the lion’s share will continue to rest with the E200K.
It definitely has a place in the world. The E230 Avantgarde
looks the perfect proposition for the Merc E-Class punter
who thinks that the E200K isn’t quite the cutting edge, andthat the E280 is a tad too overboard.
For once, it does pay dividends to settle for a very capable
mid-table runner, so that with this compromise, you still
get to enjoy a fulfilling taste of the finer things in life, while
not having to pay a very hefty price for the privilege of
doing so.
089

motoring

The Star 				Performer

the Lexus LS460L is an immaculate drive on the inside and out;
You’ll feel like a superstar in it by Ellfian Abdul Rahim

090

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA ZI NE

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

091

design & architecture

Do buy Dubai With all the fanfare over man-made islands in the
shape of palm trees and the world’s first rotating skyscraper, everybody is
clamouring for a piece of what Dubai has to offer. Now, for just US$50,
you can own a section of this city. Well, sort of. California-based
product design company notNeutral has taken Dubai’s city map andprinted it onto black porcelain plates. Measuring 12”, key buildings– including the Burj Dubai – are painted red while rivers and public
spaces are represented in blue and green. Other major city plates
are also available. www.notneutral.com

Pole Position

Poland aims to make its presence felt at the World Expo 2010
by turning folk-art into breathtaking architecture Aziz Abdul Draim
by

The World Expo is to economy, science and technology as
the Olympics is to sports. A global event since 1851, the World
Expo is a large-scale, non-commercial exposition that aims
to promote the exchange of ideas and improve international
relationships between participating countries.
Of its many highlights, the national pavilions created byparticipating countries are its main attractions. And for theWorld Expo 2010 to be held in China, the Polish Pavilion
promises to astound.

092

The result is a kaleidoscopic play of light and shadows.
The pavilion’s temporary nature dictated the choice of materials
and the character of construction. Once the Expo comes to anend, it would be possible to reclaim and recycle the pavilion
structure or its parts and to reconstruct it again in one of thePolish cities.

Naturally, a national pavilion has to denote the uniqueaesthetics of its country of origin but at the same time create
an evocative and memorable cultural ideogram. For Poland,
designers Wojciech Kakowski, Marcin Mostafa and Natalia
Paszkowska found inspiration in the form of a folk-art paper
cutout motif. Their polygonal pavilion is thus wrapped in an
eye-catching skin that reinterprets their traditional inspiration
into contemporary structural planes.

Visitors are encouraged to follow a route into the pavilion as
imposed by interiors that follow the logic of the building. The
entranceway opens onto the hall housing the information
centre, restaurant and shop. From here, one proceeds to themain full-height exhibition area. Inner solid walls double-up as
screens on which the scenes of Polish city life are projected.
Consequently, the interior of the building depicts a typical
Polish market place, creating a background for scheduled
performances and presentations. The concert hall locatedabove the entranceway roof can also be accessed fromthis area.

With its many slanting surfaces, the edifice suggests afolded sheet of paper. Wood was the obvious choice forboth basic constructional and finishing material. The outerlayer of the elevation is made of impregnated laser-cut
plywood mounted on glued wood construction modules
with flitch plates. When set against the panorama of other
Expo facilities, the Polish Pavilion comes alive courtesyof natural sunlight - sunrays penetrating through the
cutouts would chisel and shape the space under the vault.

Next is the exhibition area devoted to the future of the cities.
The wooden floor gradually rises into terraced stairs, forming
an auditorium for performances taking place below. Thesestairs stretch to the exhibition ramp, suspended in the pavilion
space and leading to the mezzanine where the exhibition ofPolish design and an additional bar are located. The last stretchof the ramp leads onto the roof-level viewing spot, where one
can then take in the multi-cultural beauty of the entire World
www.polishpavilion.pl
Expo before them.
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The Best of Time When Room Interior Design was asked to outfit
the new Khronos gallery earlier this year, their modus operandi was guided
by one mission statement: to go against the grain. By rejecting traditional
concepts of what a watch outlet should look like, the design firm emptied
the storefront and moved display cases inside to form a row of ‘floating’glass cubes. Copper-hued graphic prints illustrating the gears and Roman
numerals associated with horology add to the gallery’s uniqueness.
This was but one reason why the Khronos – Unique Horlogerie Boutiquegarnered the Silver Award (Retail Category) at the Malaysian Interior
Design Awards 2008. The Khronos – Unique Horlogerie Boutique is locatedon the Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery.

Shining Armoire Love is avery beautiful thing. Just ask London
artist Anna James. In her hands, a fully
restored 1930s Venetian armoire becomesless of a piece of furniture and more of astunning piece of art as she finishes its
fine surfaces with declarations of lovefashioned in graffiti. These are the very
graffiti found on the walls to the entranceof “Juliet’s House” in Verona, where
Shakespeare is said to have lived when
he wrote the tale of his two ‘star-cross’dlovers.’ Talk about putting the amour inarmoire. www.loveannajames.com

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093

Balboa

To B or Not To B

The new Armani/Casa 2008-2009 Collection is a study of how
many famous ‘B’ names you can think of and continues the
tradition of modernist, minimalist and sophisticated homefurniture and furnishings Eugene Ng
by

Bon TonBalzacBlushBrahmsBean

BachBeethoven

Bach. Beethoven. Boticelli. Bergerac. Basquiat. All surnamesof famous people throughout the ages but in 2009, these arealso the names given to some of the bold and beautiful pieces
of furniture in the new Armani/Casa collection.
As always Armani/Casa presents a range produced withsome of the most unique and exotic of materials: glossy
Macassar ebony (Blush screen), lobster-pink techno fabric
for the interior lining of the Bach bar cabinet and a semitransparent metacrilate with open-weave straw canvas for theBramante screen.
094

The collection also features the Brahms television table inpleated-effect glossy black lacquered wood (also in brownoak), specially designed to host the new Armani Samsung
television that was launched during last year’s Salon delMobile 2008.

Basquiat

Even Boticelli would have been proud.

To view more of the 2009 collection, visit the Armani/Casaboutique at F1-F3, Explore Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit
Bintang, KL; +603-2710 3803
T H E Y T L LU XURY M AGA ZI NE

Botticelli
TH E Y TL LU XURY M AG AZI NE

095

diningtaste and quality, but for the unique concept it boasts. In
essence, Gonbei isn’t one restaurant, but four: Teppanyaki,
Sushi, Tempura and Robatayaki. Think Shook! but Japaneseand you’ll have hit the bull’s eye. There is also a sake counter
which stocks Malaysia’s largest collection of sake and shochu
from around Japan, including some ultra premium labels likethe exclusive Kame no kou 17 from Nada Kobe, which only
produces 400 bottles a year, cost around RM2,500 a bottle
and can only be found in one other restaurant in Las Vegas
outside of Japan. And of course, Gonbei in Kuala Lumpur.
But back to the food and all four of these famous Japanesecooking styles are featured in individual counters, eachmanned by a Master Chef. The prime seats in the house areat the counter, where the diner can then watch his food being
sliced, deep fried or grilled before he eats it. With ample seats
for each counter, this Japanese custom is kept alive in Gonbei.

Gonbei with the Wind

An air of serenity and a waft of some of the best Japanese cuisine
in town awaits you at Gonbei, one of KL’s finest. Head Chef Ito
Masami leads the way EUGENE NG
Choen Leemomoko fukuharabyportrait bytranslation by

There is a sense of occasion when you enter
Gonbei. Two rows of thick bamboo sticks formed into an
inverted ‘V’ shaped frame the entrance and lends a cavelike impression as you’re walking through it. The otherway to look at it is that you’ve entered a secret tunnel thatwill lead to culinary delights untold. And if it’s Japanesecuisine that you have in mind, then you’ve come to theright place.
Gonbei is one of the finest if not the finest Japanese restaurant
in KL city. Located in Starhill Gallery, its hallmark is that it
promises diners the most authentic Japanese cuisine. Every
aspect of the restaurant, from the food to the design, is basedon time-honoured Japanese traditions. Even the word ‘Gonbei’is the name of a typical farmer from ancient Japan, and thebamboo structure at the entrance is based on a traditional
farmhouse and which symbolises vitality.
The interior of Gonbei is stunning. Old iron pots adorn the insideof the entrance; Japanese cloth handkerchiefs (or Tenugui)
adorn a wall in a semi-private room, colourful rice paper thatslides to reveal Kamon (Japanese family crests) on another.
Everywhere you look, there is something for the eye to behold visual, vivid, intricately detailed - the feast for the sense begins
even before you sit down.
The food at Gonbei has earned itself a sterling reputation
amongst discerning Japanese diners in KL not just for its
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T H E Y T L LU XU RY MAGA Z I NE

This four-in-one concept in Japanese cuisine is rarely seenoutside of Japan, but it was done through consultation with
Masao Kobori, a highly-regarded chef who runs a small but
popular among celebrities and politicians restaurant in the
Akasaka district in Tokyo. Kobori created the menu and had a
hand in selecting the chefs for each counter.
At the helm of the daily running of Gonbei is the 48-yearold Head Chef Ito Masami. A native of Chiba, Japan, he was
handpicked by Kobori for this challenging task since its opening
in June 2005. “I have been training as a chef since I started
working in a sushi restaurant at age 19,” says Chef Ito throughthe help of a translator. I had to learn how to do everything:grill, simmer, tempura, sashimi, sushi and only when you havemastered all those skills, then you can even consider yourself aproper Chef or become a Head Chef.”

Which seems to be the most popular counteramongst diners? For some reason, it seems to be thegrilled food. It’s the Teppanyaki and Robatayaki.
Is there a signature dish at gonbei? We always
encourage our guests to try something from each of the four
kitchens; this is what makes up the essence of Gonbei. But if it’s
one particular dish... the King Crab (from Hokkaido) tempura; I
believe Gonbei is the only place in KL which serves this.
A lot of people think of Japanese food as abeautiful art form. What are your thoughtson that? When you think of Japanese cuisine, it isn’t justabout the cooking itself. It’s not just the food considered but
the knife we cut our food with to the shape, size and patternof the plate or bowl that we eat from. So that it becomes acomplete picture. So it’s not only about the skill of the chef
but the craftsmanship of the knife, the artistry of the crockery;they all form elements that relate to the cuisine.
Is this element present in the cuisine Gonbei
serves? To a certain extent. But we practice this idea more interms of using different granishes to represent the idea of thefour seasons in Japanese cuisines, for example, to represent thenotion of winter, we sprinkle corn flour on a dish, or for autumn,
we use a sort of pine tree needle to decorate the plates.
Can you tell us something about Masao Kobori,
the Master Chef with whom YTL consulted with
about the restaurant? He is a famous chef in Tokyo. He
has very strict ideas about his cuisine. He has his own methodsof getting seasonal ingredients all over Japan. In fact, this is his
special skill.

Chef Ito has worked in in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore,but he has found his spiritual culinary home in Gonbei.
And with Zen-like calm, he has this pearl of wisdom tooffer as a secret to Japanese cooking. “It’s the slow
braised dishes. To master the skill to get exactly theright flavour is one of the most important techniques
to learn.”

Gonbei has one of the best stocks of sake andshochu in Malaysia. How does one enjoy sakeand shochu best the ‘Japanese’ way? For sake, again
it depends a lot on the season. In winter, we drink it warm andin summer cold. The Japanese usually only consume sakewith grilled fish or vegetable. This is the best way to enjoy theflavour of the drink. It is not customary to drink sake with riceor noodle dishes.

What is unique about Gonbei? I believe that we aredifferent from all the other many Japanese restaurants aroundKL in one main aspect: we keep only to traditional Japanesecooking style. There is no ‘fusion’ here. Gonbei is the place forauthentic Japanese food.

Tell us more about the Kame no kou sake.
What’s special about it? It’s because it uses the highest
quality Japanese rice. The rice is then thoroughly cleaned
which is time consuming. This really purifies the flavour ofthe sake.

How do you ensure this level of authenticity?
What I teach my chefs is what I have learnt throughout mycareer. The way I see it, I’m not actually ‘creating’ dishes here;
I’m simply preserving age-old cooking skills and techniquesthat I have learnt all my life. In terms of ingredients, I have afriend in Japan who helps me source for seasonal Japanesefood for the restaurant besides the fact we also import our fishfrom Japan.

Being a chef and a Japanese, are you very proudof your culture’s cuisine? Its important to keep one’s
traditions alive and to share it with others to. As a Japanesechef in Malaysia, I think it is very important to let other people
experience my culture and my cuisine in its purest form.

TH E Y TL LU XU RY MAG A Z I NE

Gonbei Restaurant, Relish Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jln Bukit
Bintang, KL; +603-2782 3801.
097

dining

Feast in the
Beautiful Garden

The Lunar New Year sees Li Yen restaurant at The RitzCarlton, Kuala Lumpur, serve up some truly spectacular
Cantonese cuisine EUGENE NG
byVery much like Christmas and the New Year, the mostimportant festival on the Chinese Lunar Calendar - Chinese
New Year - is also a time for indulgence. The Lunar New Yearsignifies the time of the year where it is of essence that every
Chinese person on the planet should make the utmost effort
to go home for the traditional reunion dinner. And the reunion
dinner is where families gather with loved ones after a yearof absence perhaps, and then proceed to feast on familial
specialty CNY dishes the cook of the family has whipped up.
Times, though, have changed, and as more and more families spend
the festive season in the city, and with less and less contemporary
cooks in many families, there has been an established trend forfamilies to celebrate the reunion at restaurants.
To usher in the Year of the Ox, the award-winning fine Cantoneserestaurant Li Yen - in The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur - hascome up with an elaborate CNY menu. Since its opening, Li Yen
098(meaning ‘Beautiful Garden’) has been regarded as one of thebest Cantonese restaurants in the city, most notably winning
the Five Star Diamond Award by The American Academy of
Hospitality Sciences for seven consecutive years. It has an
elegant Oriental setting with three private rooms, all in warm
colours, dark wood, black polished marble floors and classicaland modern Chinese artistic touches. Guests also enjoy live
Yangqing music in the evenings.
Keeping up with its reputation for serving delicious dim sum
and Cantonese cuisine the master chefs at Li Yen have comeup with special dim sum, a la carte, yee sang and set menus
for CNY. The yee sang is served either with abalone (if you arefeeling extra indulgent), salmon, Chinese carp, jelly fish, sea
cucumber and there is even a vegetarian option.
For the a la carte menu, look out for the ‘steamed goose webs
stuffed with prawn paste and topped with crab roe’, ‘deepT H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

fried butter prawns’ and ‘braised dried oysters with sea moss’
among others. Over at the dim sum menu, ‘steamed shark’s fin
dumplings’, ‘deep-fried bean curds stuffed with prawn paste,
lotus root and egg yolk served with mango sauce’ and ‘panfried Lunar cakes’ are definitely worth a gander.
You’ll definitely be spoilt for choice and in so many other ways
at Li Yen this Lunar New Year, but if all that choice gets toomuch for you, there’s always the simple set menus to go for.
All regular Li Yen menu items are still available during the
CNY period.
For Cantonese cuisine, there is no better indulgence for families
than Li Yen.

Li Yen, 2nd Floor, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Imbi, KL;+603-2142 8000; the CNY menus are available from January 20 February 9, 2009. Chinese New Year falls on January 26, 2009.
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

099

ytl Hotels | The Estates at Pangkor
Lautytl Hotels | Pangkor Laut Resort

Voted the world’s best resort, multiple
award-winning Pangkor Laut Resort
promises the privileged visitor
an experience of exclusivity andelegance. Its home is the private
island of Pangkor Laut, blessedwith pristine beaches bathed in thewaters of the Straits of Malacca.
The accommodation is luxuriously
appointed and the resort boasts
unparalleled hospitality and attention
to detail. On the gastronomic front,
guests can enjoy a wide range of
cuisine, whether dining at the new
Feast Village at Fisherman’s Coveor by the sea. Add the tropicalsun, luxurious surroundings andthe services of the Resort’s worldrenowned Spa Village – which
combines the healing arts of India,
China and Malaysia – and it is
no wonder that this is the choice
holiday destination for internationalcelebrities and the most discerningof holidaymakers. Tel: +603-2783
1000; www.pangkorlautresort.com

Intimate Experiences
Enjoy leisurely sunset excursions thatprovide the perfect setting for a romantic
evening. Cruise around the island on
board the Resort’s large traditional‘tongkang’-style teakwood boat which
will anchor at Emerald Bay where you
will witness one of the world’s mostbeautiful sunsets. From there the Captainwill sail off to a quiet cove where you’ll
be served a delicious four-course dinner
at a table set only for you.

In a small secluded cove near
Pangkor Laut Resort rest the eight
wonders that make up The Estates.
Each of these individually crafted
enclaves is reminiscent of the
traditional South-East Asian way ofliving of days gone by, when an‘estate’ was made up of a number of
special purpose buildings scatteredamidst gardens of astounding beauty.
Comprising either two, three orfour bedrooms, each Estate offersa private infinity-edge pool, as well
as discreet living, dining, bathing
and sleeping pavilions in various
adaptations of Malay architectural
traditions. There is also a private
vehicle and driver assigned to each
Estate should guests decide to leave
the seclusion of their villa to dine in
one of the Resort’s restaurants or togo for a treatment at the Spa Village.
The Estates is truly the perfect luxury
hideaway. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.pangkorlautresort.com/estates/

Emerald Bay
A centrepiece of the Resort is themagnificent Emerald Bay, consideredby many independent international
travel consultants as one of the mostbeautiful beaches in the world. Herethe beach is kept as pristine andnatural as possible. This intimate
bay remains as it has been foreons, providing the perfect place
for swimming, sunbathing or simply
spending time together.

Rainforest Revelations
There are three jungle treks through therainforest that are accompanied by ourexperienced resident naturalist. The
walks are free of charge and offer afascinating insight into the spectacularvirgin rainforest that is estimated to beover 2 million years old. Some of theinteresting wildlife you may spot on theisland includes crab-eating macaquemonkeys, tropical monitor lizards andyellow pied hornbills.

Privileged Tranquillity
Reflecting a South-East Asian aesthetic,
each villa at the Estates offers complete
privacy to its privileged guests and iscrafted to provide refined eleganceand luxurious comfort. Polished tropical
hardwood floors are accented by
textured fabrics that add warmth to theelegant bedrooms with their podium
beds; bathrooms and vanity areas are
wonderfully spacious, and crafted withfine attention to detail.

Integrated into the Environment
Each and every individual Estate is aunique experience - tailored to blend
comfortably and stylishly into its naturalenvironment. In fact, the entire Resort
was built with integration in mind,
so that it not only blends in with theenvironment, but actually becomespart of it. A variety of wildlife roam
the area so don’t be surprised to findyourself dining with a peacock or
waking up to the call of monkeys.

Sterling Service
Every Estate is assigned an EstateManager, at least two dedicatedattendants and a Chef, all of whom
will aid in unobtrusively addressing
and coordinating every aspect of each
guest’s tenancy. During meal times,
guests can give specific instructions, orbe as adventurous as they want, as all
our chefs’ culinary skills span a wide
range of both local Asian specialties
and Western cuisine.

ytl Hotels | Tanjong Jara Resort

ytl Hotels | Cameron
Highlands Resort

An evocation of the elegance andgrandeur of 17th century Malay
palaces, Tanjong Jara Resort is the
only luxury resort that sits along
Malaysia’s beautiful East Coast
beaches. Built on a 17-hectaresite that blends in with its natural
surroundings, the 99-room Resort isan embodiment of the gentle Malay
arts of service and hospitality. Witha philosophy based on the conceptof ‘Sucimurni’ (which emphasises
purity of spirit, health and wellbeing), Tanjong Jara is the perfectplace to escape and rejuvenate. The
Resort offers four different luxurious
accommodation options, eachcommanding stunning views of theSouth China Sea and appointed
in a fashion fit for a Malay king.
Tanjong Jara is surrounded bysleepy fishing villages, shadedby coconut palms, alongside ameandering river teeming withwildlife – providing guests with anauthentic taste of the region’s spirit
and culture. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.tanjongjararesort.com

The World’s Most Innovative Spa
The Spa Village Tanjong Jara wasrecently awarded ‘The World’s Most
Innovative Spa’ by UK’s Tatler Spa
Awards, a testament to the uniquenature of the Malay healing culture
found only on the east coast of
Malaysia. Ancient Malay healing
traditions are honoured through thesignature Asam Roselle, ‘Panglima –Warrior Massage’ and ‘Syurga Tujuh– Seven Steps to Heaven’ treatments.

Set amidst tea plantations and rolling
hills, this tranquil boutique hideaway
promises visitors all the splendour,romance and nostalgia of Cameron
Highlands’ grand colonial heritage.
Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s
largest hill resort and is the only placein this tropical country where you canfind tea plantations and strawberries,
while enjoying a temperate climate.
Largely unchanged since its colonial
heyday, this ‘little corner of Englandin Asia’ is still dotted with Tudorstyle cottages and is a place wherescones and afternoon tea will notseem out of place. The Resort itself
is representative of all this: withtall French doors, timber-beamed
ceilings, plantation shutters and evena fireplace adding old-world charmto the surroundings. It also houses
a Spa Village as well as an 18hole golf course and 56 luxuriously
appointed rooms and suites which
weave in the wondrous colours andtextures of Jim Thompson’s famed
Asian silks. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.cameronhighlandsresort.com

Diving off a secluded Island
Just off the Resort, approximately
45 minutes by speedboat is Tenggol
Island which is part of the fabulous
Terengganu Marine Park. Famed for
its untouched coral gardens and rare
species of marine life, it has over 20
dive spots for both the beginner andexperienced diver. The Resort alsooffers its guests the chance to gain their
PADI Open Water Diver licence whileon holiday.

The Heart of Malay Culture
Culture is an integral part of the
Tanjong Jara Resort experience, andthis manifests itself in a myriad of ways.
Guests can enjoy cooking lessons
which will introduce them to the various
culinary arts of Malaysia. Or indulge inactivities like playing ‘congkak’, learning
the Malay martial arts ‘silat’ or go on
handicraft tours to witness traditional‘kris’ blacksmiths, batik painters, songket
weavers and shipmakers at work.

The Spa Village
Today, Cameron Highlands is stillhome to many tea plantations, being
Malaysia’s largest tea-producing
region. The treatments at the Cameron
Highlands Spa Village feature healing
therapies based on produce from thesurrounding jungles and ancient tea
rituals. This authentic blending of culture
and product, along with the tranquil
ambience of the lush highlands, makes it
a unique and therapeutic healing retreat.

High on Golf
The Resort sits alongside the only
18-hole golf course in the area. The
well-manicured course comprises
luxuriant green fairways with welldeveloped trees, fine sand bunkers,
tricky greens and forgiving rough. At
5,000 feet above sea level, it has been
carved with precision out of the foliage
and forests of the area. Tree-covered
mountains also provide a spectacular
backdrop to this stunning course.

Taking Tea
The Resort takes its tea-time very
seriously and the Jim Thompson Tea
Room is a cosy retreat and the perfect
spot for this time-honoured English
tradition. Savour finger sandwiches,
light-as-air pastries and home baked
scones as well as fresh Cameronstrawberries. For a local twist, try thescones with exotic local fruit like banana
or mango. Complementing this spread isa wide selection of quality Cameron teas.

ytl Hotels |ytl Hotels |The Majestic Malacca

The key to every YTL Luxury Spa
Resort is the marriage of luxurious
accommodation and sterling service
with beauty, tranquility and a senseof sanctuary. The Spa Village
Resort Tembok Bali is all that andmore. Inspired by the Spa Village
Pangkor Laut, this latest jewel in
YTL Hotel’s crown embraces thesame healing ethos of celebrating
local culture, honouring the ancienthealing traditions of the region andinfusing each visit with the essenceof the surrounding location. Set in alandscape of great natural beauty,
this 31-room luxury spa resort offers
guests the best of Balinese massage,
wellness and spirituality therapies
which seek to restore not just the
body and mind, but also to replenish
the spirit through a range of carefullydesigned programmes. The seclusionof the resort also offers guests theopportunity to get away from thestresses of the world and rejuvenate
within a place tailor-made for thatvery purpose. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.tembokbali.com

Following the Path
Each guest is invited to select a Discovery
Path based on an analysis of their needs– choosing from Balance, Creativity or
Vigour – with each offering a combined
range of tailored treatments and activities
designed to restore equilibrium to bodies
and spirits. Those who wish to improvetheir personal skills in the art of Balinese
massage can join the Spa Village
Academy and undergo private training
with a group of skilled therapists.

The Majestic Malacca is the first
luxury hotel and spa in the historic cityof Malacca. Faithfully restored andlovingly refurbished by YTL Hotels, the54-room Majestic Malacca resonateswith historical significance even while
it has been thoroughly updated tocater to the needs of today’s upmarket
traveller. Architecture, décor anddining all reflect the legacy of thisancient city’s history, and take guests
on a luxurious journey into the past.
The Majestic Malacca also houses
the newest Spa Village which offers
luxury-spa seekers such delights as thewarm-energy treatment of Malaccan
palm sugar and honey scrub and a hotnutmeg and rice rolling body massage.
An icon of Malacca’s past has now
become something to be desired in thepresent. Tel: +603-2142 8000; www.
majesticmalacca.com

Meditate upon the Stars
Unique to Tembok Bali is the Starlight
Gazing experience, where youcan enjoy the hypnotic pleasureof stargazing while floating on
the Resort’s infinity pool. You do
this listening to Ultra Meditation
music, designed to induce the brain
into a synchronized theta stateof consciousness, found to aid in
expanding and enhancing memory
and learning capabilities.

Cuisine Designed to Rejuvenate
Seafood is drawn daily from thelocal ocean, fruit purchased fromlocal farmers, and only the freshestof ingredients are used in every dish.
With captivating views of the Bali Sea,
set just above the slate-hued beach,the open air Wantilan restaurant offers
ever-changing flavourful regional andinternational cuisine. And organic
products, as available, are the first
choice ingredients.

The Peranakan Spa
The award-winning Spa Village opens
its sixth wellness centre in The Majestic
Malacca. Adhering to the brand’s
philosophy of honouring the healing
traditions of the local region, the Spa
Village Malacca is the world’s only
spa to base its therapies on the healing
heritage of the Baba-Nyonya culture
and offers treatments which uses a local
specialty gula melaka, also known aspalm sugar.

Dining Sensations
Malaysia is a country that is world
renowned for the diversity and depthof its culinary options. And nowherein the country is this more evident thanthe multicultural mix that is Malacca –the unique merging of cultures in thishistoric city has resulted in a novel
marriage of cuisines, both Chineseand Malay, known as Nyonya food
– which is truly a feast for both thesenses and the palette.

A Haven of History
In this small town that was once
occupied by the world’s major colonial
powers of the Portuguese, Dutchand English, The Majestic Hotel rests
peacefully on the banks of the Malacca
River. Reflections of this historic trading
port resonate within the intimacy andluxury of this beautiful hotel, designed toprovide experiences that are anchoredin the past, but woven together withevery modern convenience.

ytl Hotels | Spa Village

ytl Hotels | Eastern & Oriental
Express

YTL’s multiple award-winning Spa
Village brand has developed aninternational reputation within
the luxury spa market and grownfrom strength to strength over theyears. Besides the original Spa
Village Pangkor Laut, there are
now five other Spa Villages – Spa
Village Kuala Lumpur, Spa Village
Tanjong Jara, Spa Village Cameron
Highlands and Spa Village Resort
Tembok Bali and the Spa Village
Malacca. What’s unique about all
the Spa Villages is that each draws
inspiration from the healing culturesof its particular region and blends
traditional therapeutic remedies witha modern methodology. Whether in
Pangkor Laut, Kuala Lumpur or Bali,
the Spa Village is a sophisticatedand rejuvenating experience, notjust because of the quality of its
services but simply because the Spa
Village is more than just a place: it’sa philosophy. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.spavillage.com

Spa Village
Pangkor LautPaying homage to thethree major culturesof Malaysia, ancient
Chinese, Malay andIndian treatments
drawing from thecountry’s abundance of
natural resources havegenerated international
acclaim and accolades.

Spa Village
CameronHighlands
A unique haven forrelaxation wheretea is the foundationof the experience.
Located in the cool
upper reaches of the
Malaysian Highlands
amidst dense jungles
and rolling tea hills.

The Eastern and Oriental Express isn’t
just a train service. It’s an expressionof the heart. A confirmation of
the indomitable spirit of humanendeavour. A priceless pilgrimage –into the heart and soul of Southeast
Asia. Where nostalgia reigns andtimelessness begins. On what isregarded perhaps as the most exotic
train journey in the world, the routeand its stops have been designed togive passengers maximum comfort
and convenience, with the entire
journey crafted to provide theluxurious experience of a lifetime.
At its maximum length, The Eastern& Oriental Express is a quarter ofa mile long and has 22 carriages.
Inside it is a haven of comfort, styleand luxury. Tel: +65-6392 3500;
www.orient-express.com

Spa Village
Tanjong Jara
The new Spa Village
Tanjong Jara is a
sanctuary of wellbeing anchored in
the ancient Malay
way of life. It featuresunique restorative
treatments handed
down by authentic
Malay healers.

Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur
With treatments
anchored in thecultural diversity andrich healing heritageof the region, KL’s
most stylish urban
retreat combines
ancient practices witha host of the mostblissful spa therapies.

The newest addition to
the Spa Village family,
it is also the only spa
in the world to baseits treatments on the
Peranakan culture,
which is native to
Malacca and is a crossbetween Malay andChinese traditions.

The Perfect Vantage Point
The air-conditioned carriages are perfectvantage points from which to tour theregion. The Restaurant Cars, Saloon Car
and Bar Car are located in the centreof the train while the Observation Car
with its open deck area is located at thevery end. It is an ideal spot for watching
South-East Asia go by as you trundle
along the train’s magnificent route,passing through several Malaysian statesand South Thailand.

The interior walls of the compartments
are panelled with cherry wood andelm burr, with decorative marquetry
friezes and intricate design inlays.
The delicate embroidery work on
the pelmets was done in Malaysia,
and the bespoke carpets hand-tuftedin Thailand. While guests dine atnight, the steward transforms thecompartment from a living room to a
magical bedroom.

The Finest Cuisine
Chefs on board the E&O Express areinternationally renowned for their ability
to create a tantalising variety of Easternand European dishes, using the finest
fresh seasonal ingredients. The service
is also top of the line and equals theworld’s finest restaurants. Each morning,a breakfast of freshly baked croissants,
coffee or tea, juice and fruit is delivered
to your compartment to be enjoyed inluxurious privacy.

ytl Hotels | JW Marriott Hotelat Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur

ytl Hotels | The Ritz-Carlton
Hotel at Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur

The JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
was designed with the businesstraveller in mind. Located in thecity’s business district, this five-stardeluxe hotel is the ultimate venue
for meetings and functions. Facilities
include 47 flexible meeting room
options (including a grand ballroom)
within the property, the adjoining
Starhill Conference Centre and the
newly built Carlton ConferenceCentre at The Residences at The
Ritz-Carlton, KL, all of which areconnected via link-bridge. There isalso a Business Centre providing
a full range of business services.
Rooms feature ample workspace,a plush high-back executive chair,broadband connection and otherstandard communication services(two-line speaker phone, fax modem,
voicemail). Tel: +603-2715 9000;
www.marriott.com

Starhill Gallery
Today’s truly outstanding cities blend architecture and design,
art and fashion, music and culture with a state of mind. And
Starhill Gallery, integrated with the hotel, is an effortlessly
elegant and cosmopolitan environment that reflects theessence and spirit of Kuala Lumpur and its people. Delivering“A Gallery of Rich Experiences”, seven luxurious floors offer
quality and exclusivity crafted for those who seek experiencesout of the ordinary. Here, the world’s premier retailers present
a palette of unique personalised shopping experiences, making
it easy to combine business and pleasure at the JW Marriott.

Based on the philosophy that
great service should never merely
be reactive and compliant but
anticipatory and spontaneous,
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur is
Malaysia’s only 5-star luxury boutique
hotel offering a full personal butler
service. Its location in the heart ofthe city’s prestigious Golden Triangle
district makes for easy access to thetrendy Bukit Bintang area: Starhill
Gallery, one of the city’s premier
shopping centres, is linked to thehotel via an enclosed sky bridge.
With 365 elegantly appointed
guestrooms (including 110 suites and1 penthouse), 24 meeting rooms,
three exceptional restaurants and anaward-winning ‘tropical’ Spa Village,
The Ritz-Carlton is regarded as one of
the city’s finest business hotels wherecombining business and pleasure is
as effortless as the masterly service
it provides. Tel: +603-2142 8000;
www.ritzcarlton.com

On the lowest level of Starhill Gallery, guests can enjoy aunique dining experience at the Feast Village, where 13
restaurants are brought together to create a multi-ethnic
culinary experience like no other in the world. Design draws
from nature here; walls are asymmetrical and serve not toseparate, but rather provide peaceful enclaves where people
feel at rest. Rice paper from Japan combines with slate andikat from Indonesia, granite from China, silk from Thailand,
and timber from Myanmar to create an essence of Asia. The
Feast Village is truly one-of-a-kind.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences
An entire all-suite wing makes up the second tower of the
Ritz-Carlton complex. Sumptuous two and three bedroom suites
designed and decorated to the finest international standards
offer guests a unique standard of accommodation. Each suite
includes a dining room and lounge area as well as a gourmetstyle kitchen where guests can self-cater or use the private
catering services provided by Starhill Gallery’s Feast Village.
Guests may choose to have the Complex’s Executive Chef
prepare a private dining experience – and every suite comeswith its own private butler. It’s a home away from home.

A 30,000 square foot, 25 meeting room, three-level facility
connected to the hotel at levels 1 and 2. This classicallydesigned, yet state-of-the-art facility allows The Ritz-Carlton, KL,to host events from 10 to 400 guests. The Conference Center
also connects via enclosed sky bridge to the upscale Starhill
Gallery, a KL city landmark featuring some of the world’s most
exclusive brands and dining experiences. Guests can alsochoose to hold functions in the Meeting Suite, the Member’sLounge or at the adjacent Pool Deck, which is perfect for
unwinding after an intense day’s meeting.

ytl Hotels | Villa Tassana

ytl Hotels | Bray House

Set amidst a tropical forest on
a craggy cliff overlooking thebeautiful emerald green of theAndaman Sea is this lesser known
gem on the YTL Hotels portfolio of
luxury holiday destinations. Locatedjust 15 minutes away from Phuket
International Airport on the island’squiet, undeveloped north western
coastline, Villa Tassana offers theprivileged visitor a vacation ofmodern sophiscation married witha hearty dose of Thai hospitality.
Spread out over a generous 2,800
square metres, the Villa features
3 large bedrooms with ensuitebath and dressing areas, a 15m
swimming pool, separate living
and dining pavilions, a kitchenand even a maid’s room. For thoselooking to ‘get away from it all’,Villa Tassana is ideal for a spot of
splendid isolation, or for spending
quality time with family and friends,
all while enjoying nature in all its
glory, and warm, homely 5-star
service. Tel: +603-2783 1000

Thai-Style
The Villa is staffed by one
dedicated attendant and a chef who
between them will address all yourhousekeeping needs, unobtrusively
coordinate all aspects of yourtenancy and best of all, prepare
fantastic homestyle Thai dishes for all
your meals and even upon special
requests. The food is top-notch
homecooking so be prepared to fallin love with Thai cuisine.

The latest jewel in YTL Hotels’ stellar
collection of properties began life
as a manor house stable in the late
17th century. Today, it has been
lovingly restored and transformed
into an elegant, high-design boutiquehomestay. Featuring an eclectic mix ofinteriors spanning the Art Deco periodof the early 1900s in the lounge rightup to its sophisticated contemporary
kitchen, Bray House is an experience of
the English gentry lifestyle with bespoke
service and an intimate atmosphere.
Designer furniture, vintage accessories
and vivid splashes of colour create
an atmosphere that marries themodern and the classic. Each of the 3
bedrooms has its own theme: a lullaby
of white, for example, or a symphonyof Tuscany red in another. The Housealso has a courtyard and water feature
created from a natural spring found in
the garden. Tel: +44 1628 771171;
email: info@braycottages.com

The most precious aspect of the Villa
Tassana experience is the intimate
privacy it affords. Perched above
a secluded cove, enveloped by thesight and sounds of nature, awayfrom the madding crowd and with
only your own party for company, it
truly encompasses the contemporary
essence behind the romantic notionof ‘splendid isolation’. A rare luxury
indeed, if not the rarest.

Naithon Beach, Andaman White
Beach and Hin Kaw Beach are a mere
5 minutes drive away. Guests can also
enjoy the first-class spa and sports
facilities located at the neighbouring
Trisara Hotel. There are 3 fantastic
golf courses nearby, including theexclusive Blue Canyon, and also a
range of luxury motor yachts available
to explore Phuket’s many bays, islands
and dive locations.

Ye Olde England
Located in the idyllic village of Bray,near Windsor, experience the heartand soul of old England with its
twee period houses, traditional pubs
complete with beamed ceilings andfireplaces and a parish church that
dates back to 1293. The county ofBerkshire, one of the oldest in England,is also blessed with magnificent
buildings and picturesque woodlands
scenery and riverscapes.

Culinary Excellence
Humble Bray is considered one of theculinary centres of the world housing
many famous restaurants. The mostinternationally renowned are The Fat
Duck owned by Heston Blumenthaland Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn,
which each boasts three Michelin
stars. No wonder then that Bray isalso home to numerous ultra-desirable
residences of many well-known
British celebrities.

Sterling Service
All housekeeping needs will be
addressed during your stay but theservices of a butler and private chef
can be accommodated upon request.
The House’s Concierge service include
aiding with restaurant reservations andarranging excursions to nearby Windsor
for a private tour of the famous Eton
College, Henley-on-Thames, river cruises,
golf, horse-riding and other English
country pursuits.

viva la diva

Rost inTlansration
Our dearest Lady does hong kongby Lady Cristal Champers

The winter gloom has set in. The Ladies of the Manor
are fretting over their fading tans and the botox is wearing
off. It’s time to head for the sun. The hedge fund wives are
cutting back as their husbands struggle against the tsunamitide of credit crunch, but for aristocrats like us who are not so
common as to have to work for a living, credit crunch is not in
our vocabulary, darling. “Credit crunch? What’s that? Is it a new
brand of slimming breakfast cereal?!”, exclaimed my partner incrime, Estelle, the deliciously vacuous Arab billionaire’s wife.
Her goldmine, or rather, oil field of a husband is so rich that hewent to his bank to seal a loan deal: only it was they who wanted
to borrow money from him to bail them out. Oil runs in his veinand his teeth are studded with diamonds. His race horses havetheir own spa and personal trainers as does his wife who istreated as his prized mare. Estelle is want for nothing. She flew
us, the ‘If-You-Have-To-Ask-The Price-You-Can’t-Afford-It’ clubon her private jet to Hong Kong for some serious retail therapy
and Eastern delights. Barbados is so last year, darling.

that she was a very spiritual person, except the gypsy failed to
distinguish the kind of spirit she was into.
Poor Estelle is an alcoholic and was in rehab for a while
before she met her Prince Charming but now stays firmly on
the wagon. Through an interpreter, the temple fortune-teller
gushed that Estelle is blessed with good fortune and longevity.
Well, her face is her fortune and she will definitely have a longlife – preserved in alcohol and plastic surgery. With native
cunning, the old fortune-teller advised us to donate money tothe temple to get the blessing of the Goddess and the monks
would chant prayers for wealth and prosperity to be bestowed
upon us. Never one to miss a divine intervention, we donatedgenerously to the temple and insisted the monks added ‘eternal
youth’ in their chants for us. Yes, yes, I know all the money in theworld cannot buy us the elixir of youth but it sure can get you
great plastic surgeons. And indeed when we returned home,
Bubbles, our American heiress friend, introduced us to the bestplastic surgeon that money can buy. Looks like the monks havebeen chanting hard for us. The Goddess is merciful.

In Hong Kong, we were transported in style in a Rolls Royce tothe fabulous Peninsula Hotel and ensconced in splendid suites
commanding a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. Elegant,sophisticated and ageless (but enough about us), this iconic
hotel exudes style and graciousness and bears all the hallmarksof old world grandeur. I had a personal butler called ‘Wingo’ andwhen I commented on his unusual name, he elucidated, “ Myfather is a great fan of Wingo Starr, the Beatle, and he named
me after him.” Then later, we were told our ‘Wolls Woyce’ waswaiting to take us out shopping. But the Chinese had thelast laugh when we ordered an exotic sounding soup at a
local restaurant which turned out to be a steaming bowl ofoffal – slices of intestines, tripe, lungs and some unidentified
parts of an animal staring at us. Apparently, offal soup is oneof the nation’s favourite dishes. It is said that the Chinese eat
everything that has legs and wings except tables, chairs andaeroplanes. Then again, Estelle drinks anything that has spirit
in it except maybe paint stripper.

112

Illustration EDWARD MAK

We had an epiphanic moment when we went to a Chinese
temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy for some cosmic
therapy. The temple is famed for its fortune-telling bylittle old ladies who claim not to speak English but
were quite fluent when it came to asking for “ Fifty
dollaah”. Estelle was keen to have her fortune
read as a gypsy once predicted quite accurately
THE YT L LU XU RY MAGA Z I NE