PROMOTION Hotel Confidential FULL OF CHARACTER AND CHARM, A TRIO OF EXQUISITE HILTON PROPERTIES TO EXPLORE NOW From a lavish hotel on the chic streets of Beverly Hills to a sumptuous resort in the Indian Ocean and everywhere in between, Hilton’s global portfolio of haute hotels comprises some of the most elegant accommodations on the planet. Platinum Card Members can enjoy exclusive benefits – including room upgrades at the time of check-in (subject to availability), complimentary breakfast and late check-outs – at a number of Hilton properties as part of the American Express ® FINE HOTELS & RESORTS programme 1 . Herewith, we present a few of the group’s most alluring properties – and why you should visit now. Waldorf Astoria BEIJING Artfully marrying Chinese heritage with contemporary chic design sensibilities, this opulent property at the heart of the Chinese capital’s bustling Wangfujing neighbourhood counts among the city’s most elegant. Beyond its dramatic bronze façade, guests will find 175 impeccably outfitted guest rooms with intricate artwork, plush beds and bathrooms with Ferragamo amenities, as well as a trio of gastro outlets; the latter includes the low-lit seen-andbe-seen Peacock Alley, Zijin Mansion featuring toothsome eastern cuisine and a 400-strong selection of wines from around the globe, as well as the French-inflected Brasserie 1893. Offerings at the Yabu Pushelberg-designed spa, meanwhile, are no less diverse, with treatments ranging from an essential-oil body scrub administered with bamboo stalks to a holistic pressure-point massage. The hotel’s crown jewel, however, may be its private 1,050sq m Hutong Courtyard Villa. Created to emulate the royal hutongs of the Ming dynasty, the interiors of the stone-coloured, ridge-roof-tiled structure are decorated with striking geometric and floral touches and bold colours, a theme visible throughout its two bedrooms, sprawling terrace, library and dining room. Waldorf Astoria BEVERLY HILLS This sophisticated 170-key property, set in the very heart of Beverly Hills just off Santa Monica Boulevard, ticks all the right boxes, starting with the visual wow factor: everything from the breathtaking, tripleheight and Art Deco-inspired lobby to the elegant guest rooms and suites, each boasting a private terrace, are the work of legendary interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Another world-renowned talent – the prolific Jean-Georges Vongerichten – has lent his talents to the hotel’s restaurant and The Rooftop by JG, an alfresco eyrie with unparalleled city vistas. Still, it’s the La Prairie Spa that may offer the most indulgent experience. Spanning 465 square metres, this is an urban oasis in the truest sense, offering an impressive range of facial treatments and therapeutic massages to lower the pulse and soothe the soul. In the ultimate display of the laidback California lifestyle, you can even enjoy your pampering as you take in vast skyline views from a VIP cabana at the rooftop pool. Conrad MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND Spread across two isles on the Maldives’ sunkissed South Ari Atoll, this gorgeous retreat has got it all. The islands’ natural good looks are an apt setting for a number of indulgent offerings that start in the guest lodgings, a clutch of exotic beach and over-water villas, some with glass-panel floors and outdoor whirlpools. There’s also the new MURAKA residence: the first of its kind, the two-level villa boasts a spectacular underwater bedroom and an integrated living space above. Wellness is writ large here in a comprehensive pampering programme that includes the 21-villa Spa Retreat, a “resort within a resort” set 50 metres off the tip of Rangalifinolhu Island, and the Over Water Spa, whose glass floors allow for stunning glimpses into the colourful coral reef below. Plus, there’s range of adventures to be had, from excursions to a local fishing village to snorkelling or a sunset cruise on a Turkish yacht. Among the resort 12 bars and eateries, it’s the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (right) – positioned some five metres below the water’s surface – that’s the most impressive. Affording unforgettable 180-degree views of vibrant coral gardens, there may be no better place on Earth to enjoy an immaculately executed multicourse menu. For more information or to make a booking, please call Platinum Travel Service. 1 Terms and conditions apply. For Fine Hotels & Resorts Terms and Conditions, visit fhrdigitaldirectory.com.au/fhr
Dining under the sea at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
