|Places| London Calling
|Places| London Calling As the British capital welcomes a handful of new standout hotels, Jemima Sissons finds out what makes each property so special I n an undisclosed location in Hong Kong in 2020, a room was constructed out of plywood. The prototype held a king-sized bed, lighting systems, handcrafted side tables, numerous electric sockets and curtains that whizzed silently with the press of a button. After much tweaking, a year later the room was remade in a nondescript hangar outside Heathrow. This underwent hundreds of iterations, including adjusting the height of loos, the layout of the room and grading of onyx in the bathrooms. The finished product is one of the regal new suites at The Peninsula London, which, when winter hits, might afford views of Buckingham Palace through threadbare trees. These rooms – decked in bespoke Tai Ping carpets and a valet cupboard for deliveries, so polished Lobbs and room-service wagyu burgers can be dispatched discreetly – recall the most perfectly thought-out hotels from Hong Kong (no surprise, given the brand is based here). Designed by Peter Marino, there is a nail-drying machine and printer in every PHOTO © RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO 42 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
Ishigaki Island EXPEDITION TO THE JAPANESE SUBTROPICAL ISLANDS Naha, Okinawa to Keelung, Taiwan* | 7 nights Departs 16 March, 6 & 13 April 2024* aboard Le Jacques-Cartier A voyage that takes you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan. On this 7-night itinerary aboard Le Jacques-Cartier from Naha to Keelung, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa and Yaeyama Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago alongside your team of expedition experts, in Ponant’s signature barefoot luxury. Tori Gate in Naha, Okinawa Zodiac & shore excursions included AWARD-WINNING ITINERARIES SUSTAINABLE SMALL SHIPS WORLD RENOWNED EXPERT GUIDES WORLD-CLASS DINING ALL-INCLUSIVE ONBOARD LUXURY* INCLUDED EXCURSIONS PLEASE CALL YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER OR CENTURION TRAVEL SERVICE ON 1800 231 889 *Embarkation and disembarkation ports vary for each date. Full terms and conditions apply, refer to au.ponant.com. ABN: 35 166 676 517. Photographs: © Studio PONANT - Nick Rains, Laure Patricot - Adobe Stock.
