V O G U E | Diaspora: Travel

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Babylonstoren, an eco-chic getaway in South Africa

If you plan to spend the holidays somewhere and are still hesitating on where to go, you may want to check out Babylonstoren, an exceptional place located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, and an hour drive from Cape Town. In her inspired restoration of one of the Winelands oldest estates, the former editor of Elle Deco and owner of the estate, Karen Roos and her team have created a unique country getaway, a luxury hotel and working guest farm.

As a working farm, Babylonstoren's acreage is divided between orchards and vineyards. Its centerpiece is a magnificent eight-acre fruit and vegetable garden, modeled on the fabled gardens of Babylon, and inspired by Patrice Tarravella's creation of the medieval monastery garden at Prieure d'Orsan in France.

The historic werf, with its handsome buildings and pleasing spatial geometry is among the best preserved in the Cape. Among the old oaks and olive trees, a series of 18th century-style cottages have been built to accommodate guests. Skillful preservation and restoration of the original feel, combined with an infusion of 21st century life, the interiors are simple, yet utterly luxurious, a mix of modern and antique pieces and stylish touches such as a Magis Puppy Dog, a canvas wardrobe, a Xavier Lust hatstand.

The old cowshed has been converted into a cool milk-restaurant, Babel, where award winning stylist and food consultant Maranda Engelbrecht has come up with a unique new style of menu, which focuses on fresh produce from the garden and the region.

Babylonstoren

Farm entrance ©Babylonstoren

Farm activities @Babylonstoren

©Babylonstoren

Historical fowl house ©Babylonstoren

Historical Cape Dutch gable house ©Babylonstoren

Garden pond ©Babylonstoren

©Babylonstoren

Cottages ©Babylonstoren

Suites ©Babylonstoren

©Babylonstoren

Babel restaurant, a farm-to-fork experience ©Babylonstoren

©Babylonstoren

Bamboo spa reception ©Babylonstoren

Overview with the Simonsberg mountains, the finest terroir in the Cape ©Babylonstoren

Swimming in the pond ©Babylonstoren

Courtesy Babylonstoren, Drakenstein Valley, Franschhoek, South Africa

Assistir Filme »

Taj Omayma, an exclusive place

Discover Taj Omayma, a luxury boutique hotel located 15 minutes from Marrakech, in a beautiful area facing the Atlas mountains. This contemporary moroccan style hotel features in & out rooms and small lodges where you can choose between sleeping inside the room or on the upper deck, in a moon bed with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Each of the 180sf lodges has its own private garden with an outside bath. With its intimate and exclusive atmosphere, Taj Omayma is an ideal place for weddings, honeymoon, seminars, and weekend getaway.

Room in&out

In&out room with moon bed and tub

Breathtaking view of the Atlas mountains

Small lodge

Small lodge private garden

Exterior lodge

Courtesy Taj Omayma

Assistir Filme »

A literary affair at Le Pavillon des Lettres, Paris

Moliere, Proust and iPads, you will find them all at Le Pavillon des Lettres..... The classic Hausmann townhouse, located in the posh neighborhood of the Elysee and Place Beauvau, in the 8th arrondissement, has been transformed into a luxury boutique-hotel. As its name implies, Le Pavillon de Lettres is a homage to literature, with 26 rooms, one for each letter of the alphabet.
Its interiors designed by Didier Benderli, whose recent work includes Petrossian in Monaco and Kitsch in New York, are subtle, chic and peaceful. Lines from a poem, play or text are an integral part of the design in every room, where a Beaudelaire text is transcribed onto a hanging canvas above the bed.
There are no room numbers here, just a letter on the door, dedicated to a different writer: from A for Andersen Hans Christian to Zola Emile. The literary theme doesn't stop there. Every iPads in each room are loaded with books, playlists and daily newspapers.

Le Pavillon des Lettres - a chic retreat for anyone who loves art and literature - is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Courtesy Le Pavillon des Lettres, Paris

Assistir Filme »

Asia meets Paris elegance at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris

If you plan to spend the holidays in a big city, you might consider the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. Set to open on December 17, the five-star hotel is part of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group, one of the world's most respected hotel companies based in Hong Kong.
Built in 1896 as the private home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's grand-nephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte, Shangri-La Paris dedicated four years to meticulously restore Bonaparte's Palais Iena to its original splendour. Today, the palace at 10 avenue d'Iena has once again become an address for Paris' chic and culture set, just as it was more than a century ago. Nestled in the refined , residential 16th arrondissement between the Place des Etats-Unis, Place d'Iena and the iconic Trocadero high on Chaillot Hill, the hotel is located across the Seine river and steps away from several museums. The restored landmark retains its residential heritage and offers 81 rooms including 27 suites, making it the most intimate of all Shangri-La Hotels worldwide. Imperial insignias and ornate monograms of Prince Roland Bonaparte, subtly integrated into the architecture, are complemented by Asian influence in the decor and ambience of the hotel.