Photo credit: boohoo 'Tis the season to party, fa la la la la, la la la la. For partygoers and spirited extroverts, festive season equals party season – easiest math ever. And as you know, the best party always requires the best outfit to go with it. As fashion brands are promoting their winter collections
'Tis the season to feast and be jolly with your loved ones. As foodies, we know nothing says a great day/night like having a great meal to start off or end the day. So to cap off 2022 on a positive note, make it an NYE dinner to remember with special festive menus from some
If Covid 19 has taught us anything, it should be that the nature always wins. The more we fight and consume her, the harder she can hit back at us to the point of crippling nations. While sustainability and rising concern of man’s impact on the environment are not new concepts, fashion industry, which has
The hustle and bustle in Manhattan’s urban jungle will turn to an enjoyable peace once you enter the luxurious premises of Aman New York. Set to be open its doors in spring 2021, this brand new Aman property will hover above the dynamic Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan’s momentous Crown Building. Designed by project architect Jean-Michel
Chef de cuisine Francesco Gava brings his passion and expertise for Italian dishes to a refined dining setting at Luciolla Restaurant and Bar, the first restaurant to open at The Hari hotel in the heart of Wan Chai. La Burrata Pugliese At Luciolla Restaurant and Bar, diners can look forward to classic Italian dishes elevated
One of the most glamorous hotels on the Iberian Peninsula, Marbella Club has revealed the opening of its new social hub to be known as the “Clubhouse.” Set on a sprawling resort featuring immaculately-tended gardens and acres of flora that stretch down to the beach, the Clubhouse will feature El Patio Restaurant, Rudi’s Bar, La
A closer look at sustainability practices in the kitchens of the two 2021 Michelin Green Star awardees in Hong Kong and Macau. Some say the future of food is sustainability and, as one of the world’s key players on the FnB scene, the iconic Michelin Guide is paving the way to a more sustainable
Did you know that moringa (Moringa Oleifera) can do so many wonders to your skin? When applied topically, the oil of the vitamin-rich moringa can get rid of pesky breakouts, diminish the appearance of blemishes and dark spots, and reduce signs of aging! Recognizing the numerous benefits of moringa, sibling trio from Thailand Christensen, Marika,
On our Radar is Soneva Jani that has just expanded its luxury resort offering in the Noonu Atoll of Maldives by launching Chapter Two Villas. A total of 27 brand-new Water Reserves, ranging from one to four bedrooms, have been designed to maximize the sense of space and exclusivity. Chapter Two comes will all the hallmarks of a
In a bid to boost the tourism industry of Thailand, the country is offering tourists the option to spend their mandatory two-week quarantine on a yacht or small cruise liner instead of a hotel room. Only tourists with negative Covid-19 test results are allowed to avail of the digital yacht quarantine program. Those qualified will
Location: Santorini, Greece What Makes It Special? White-washed stone houses are part of the charm of Santorini, but the rooms and suites, even at luxury resorts, can sometimes feel a little on the smaller side. Privacy can also be a concern with the many public walkways that make up Santorini. What do you do when
Photo credit: Santa Marina Mykonos Exclusive anything has a special ring to those who hear it. But for foodies – like us – nothing screams exclusive in the best possible and most delicious way like private dining. A zone free of buzzkill crowds, of loud children and of neglected service problems often found in a
Location: Istanbul, Turkey What Makes It Special? To understand what makes this suite special is to understand the brief history of the palace; it was built at a time when the Ottoman Sultans built their own palaces from the ground up, rather than inheriting those built by their predecessors, and is the very last of
Photo credit: Yasuragi Beyond the shadow of a doubt, everyone has heard of Stockholm and its wonderful array of museums. But what may come as a surprise to many is that the capital of Sweden is built on 14 islands linked together by 57 bridges – all by the banks of the Stockholm archipelago of
Location: Lake Como, Italy A summer residence of the royals, the 16th-century Villa Sola Cabiati, still privately owned by the descendants of the Serbelloni family, stands out as one of the grandest mansions in a region full of them at Lake Como. Known for the expansive gardens, its gilded lake-side iron gate, redesigned neoclassical facade
As I watched the live telecast of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on television, I popped open a bottle of Gusbourne’s Brut Reserve 2015. With grapes located in Kent and West Sussex, the estate grows the traditional Champagne grape varietals of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Proudly produced in Britain it seemed
House of Rituals, the flagship store of the Dutch brand, Rituals, is a nice surprise you come across when walking into Voetboogstraat in Spui. Opened in 2020 on the brand's 20th anniversary, House of Rituals is nestled in downtown Amsterdam. You may mistake it for a high tea restaurant when you first reach the building
Old world charm meets modern day chic at the recently restored Raffles Hotel. With interiors designed by famed interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud. the neo-renaissance hotel, built in 1887 by Swan & MacLaren, has survived the modernisation of Singapore and reinvented itself for the next generation of travellers. The grande dame is currently offering staycations to avail
Nestled in a private bay, surrounded by inspiring blue ocean, swaying coconut trees and stunning limestone cliffs, The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui delivers more than just a pretty picture, their legendary hospitality truly captures the heart. This is where you can experience exceptionality and get your unexpressed wishes answered. Just 20-minute away from Koh Samui airport,
Speaking of my favorite hotels in Hong Kong, The Murray is one of them. Why? I have already fallen in love with this building even before stepping in. A classic match of gold and white, with the iconic arched colonnade, welcomes you in the building that is full of history. You will find a Pink
Photo credit: Instagram/harrystyles, anthonypham Let's "creep" it real; Halloween is the best excuse to live your fantasy and get dressed up however you please – some show up in traditional spooky costumes and some in sexy attires – it's a clothing choice at your pleasure, really. And although Covid-19 is still haunting us daily, the
Photo credit: myGemma Nothing gets us more thrilled about the coming of November than the release of an anticipated thriller of 2021, House of Gucci, which will be aired on 24 November. Although the romance-turned-crime film documenting the true story of Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci (grandson of Guccio Gucci and a former head of
MANILA, Philippines – While the current state of the world is as chaotic as it is stress-inducing, something to look forward to are vacation trips to the beach when this is all over. And when it comes to beaches, it is nearly impossible not to mention Boracay in the Philippines. A perennial favorite among travelers,
For aquaholics, the pool is like a playground with endless fun, minus the sweat. With hotels around the world offering pool experiences to please all swimmers and vivify their senses, there are some that are truly stand out, whether it’s location, pool design or both. These unique hotel pools will help you to rediscover the
There is something about the light in this magical place, not too warm, not too bright, romantic in a sense, just right to fall in love at first sight. Visby in Gotland has been on our radar for the past three years even before got here. Every local we meet would recommend us to experience
Don’t ask Celine and Amit, founders of Conspiracy Chocolate, why did they choose this name for their made in Hong Kong beans-to-bar chocolate brand. They will tell you it’s a conspiracy they can’t tell you about. What I can tell you is that their handcrafted chocolate bars have nothing to do with what you will
Photo credit: Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle (From Airelles) It began life as a modest hunting lodge built by Louis XIII in 1623, but under the ownership of Louis XIV, Versailles became a magnificent palace renowned throughout the world. Over the course of more than 100 years, and during numerous successions to the
Photo credit: Jonathan Borba via Unsplash If one of your New Year's resolutions is to spend less time on screen and more on books, this list is for you. 2022 has granted us 365 days of new possibilities and hope for brighter, coronavirus-free days, soulful reading tops our list of 2022 resolutions. And to keep
Bistro: in its original Parisian incarnation, a bistro is a small restaurant serving French home-style cooking and wine at a moderate price and in a modest yet welcoming setting. In the past few weeks, Hong Kong Island has seen no less than three French bistro opening their doors, all three of them being fully booked
Ingiliz Limani (English Harbour) Situated at 36°55’06” N - 28°10’09” E, it got its name from the rumor that the British navy ships and submarines took shelter here during World War II. After battling the German ships in the Aegean Sea, they retreated to hide in this bay; even sometimes using trees as camouflage coverage.
Photo credit: Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach For those who despise the cold but live in snow-covered winter lands, consider doing yourself a little favour and escape the wintertide to sun-drenched countries during the holiday season. After two winters into the pandemic, some countries in Asia are starting to open up for tourists, easing their Covid-19
Are you constantly feeling tired and low on energy? Are you dreading work and deadlines? A cold shower might be the answer you are looking for to uplift your mood, elevate depression, and energizes you throughout the day, lovingly perfect for your work from home routine. For the longest time, I never knew that the
Photo credit: Paperless Post On some occasions, written words convey more meaning than spoken ones. That's when cards come into play. In a pandemic era where social distancing has become the norm and technology is the main means of communication, the "E-card" has become the modern way to show your love, especially to those who
Sindhorn Kempinksi Hotel has been on our radar for quite a while now, and we're thrilled to share with you a 60-seconds exclusive tour of its Lobby Lounge before the official launch. Set to open its doors in the Fall of 2020, a new landmark in Bangkok is setting the standard of what a luxurious
Photo credit: Unsplash/Virginia Simionato When it comes to Thanksgiving, the number one thing that usually gets people stressed out the most is the pressure for cooking up a picture-perfect, golden-standard feast for friends and family. However, setting up a wow-worthy table is one of the easiest ways to make sure you half-way win the hearts
As the holiday season quickly approaches, many are left wondering if they will be able to go international for their holidays. For most of us, leaving is just not an option right now. A reality that may seem to come with a missed holiday season. Yet, finding family-friendly options at home has never been easier,
When it comes to wedding planning, one of the most important things on the list is the floral arrangement. Flower in its own right is a language; your choice of flower arrangement says something about your personality – in this case, your relationship. It’s also a crucial element that could even make or break your
Photo credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini Nothing says self-love like a nice spa package for yourself. And if you happen to be in Santorini, Greece, one of the things you should take delight in, apart from their dazzling white-azure architecture, top-notch restaurants and bars and picture-postcard caldera view, is their repertoire of stunning
Are you missing Bali vibes and in need of some retreat right now? Me too which is why I absolutely love to recharge my energy at BeatRoot, this hidden retreat and wellness spa offer nurturing massages, hair salon, soulful juices and a green terrace, ideal for daytime chill-out and play with your friends and even
Photo credit: Aspinal of London Sometimes the most simple thing like finding the perfect gift for your other half can really give you a headache. And especially for ladies who are looking for thoughtful gifts to wow their husbands, boyfriends or even dads and grandpas, the pressure of getting the right gifts can easily be
Photo credit: Minnie Zhou via Unsplash Nothing could get your kids up and energetic in early Christmas morning like presents could. Naughty or nice, all parents would ever want to make their kids happy during Christmas. And if you're one who is currently frantically surfing the internet looking for the perfect gifts for your lovely
Haven’t you heard? Dinner is back in Hong Kong! With restaurants now able to seat four people per table, until 10 pm, since February 18, now is a great time to show support to the FnB industry while enjoying a long-awaited night out at one of the following restaurants, be it a soon-to-be hot spot
HK restrictions have eased: get pampered from head to toes at one of these amazing spas With spring upon us, now is the perfect time to get pampered from head to toes and start the new season feeling fresh. Great news is, spas and salons have reopened their doors and now is a great time
Pride month is here, and although gender equality should be celebrated every day of the year, June is a great reminder of the ongoing battle and the great bygone era of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, that sought justice and equality for the LGBTQ community. This month, we see lovely rainbows everywhere, but we need more
After a three-year hiatus, social life has lit up again in Hong Kong and the 2023 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong brings Champagne-fueled parties, art-inspired diners, lavish VIP experiences and world-class exhibitions to the city. Here is our list of things to do, see and eat to live the collector life. Set sail to
Having a well-tended, beautiful garden is like transporting the Gardens of Versailles to your back or frontyard. It brings a sense of zen and serenity to your abode. Unlike luxury furniture or decor, the green grass, the trees budding with lush leaves and the kaleidoscopic array of flower blooms always emanate effortless elegance and charm
Photo credit: Grand Paradiso Ibiza The statement "Life is better on the island" is proven to be true to those who have already traversed over the glory of Ibiza. Before the Spanish island was known as one of the world's best nightlife destinations, Ibiza (aka White Island or Isla Blanca) was known first for its
Location: Paris, France Overlooking the Seine, in the heart of the capital, Cheval Blanc Paris is opening the doors of its urban haven. Contemporary, it embodies the French art de vivre: epicurean pleasures, hospitality for family and friends. Bathed in light, from intimate hideaways to big city wonders: 72 accommodations — 26 rooms, 46 suites
With more people stuck at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, food takeout and delivery services have become so common. While the current outbreak might have been the toughest challenge the food industry have ever had to face, it does illustrate the amazing resilience and out of bounds creativity of the restaurants. To meet the
Location: Udaipur, India Photo credit: Raffles Udaipur Photo credit: Raffles Udaipur Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the expansive property is reminiscent of a magnificent country estate, with beautifully manicured, ornamental gardens and panoramic views of the surrounding hills, tranquil lake and a 400-year-old temple. Arrival is via a scenic 20-minute drive from
Aside from the imposing karst limestone formations that tower around the famous Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon, Coron in the province of Palawan prides itself on having endless stretch of vibrant ocean teeming with historical wrecks and diverse marine creatures. I visited Coron few years ago and I was astounded by its unparalleled beauty few meters
Photo credit: Grouphug There's no better time to start living more responsibly and sustainably than the holiday season. Here's a moment of reflection and a time where New Year's resolutions and next year's goals and dreams are being set out. And as the world is moving forward to a (hopefully) greater year of 2022, many
Looking at Rachel Carrasco and Nicola Lee’s long list of accolades, it is easy to conclude why the pair ended up as self-described ‘best food buddies’. Rachel is a luxury branding expert and the founder of experiential marketing agency RACHE, known for managing top wines and spirits brands, while Nicola is a distinguished member of
The latest addition to Hong Kong’s beautiful line-up of heritage hotel brands, The Hari has been on our radar for quite a while now. Named after the late Hari Harilela, father of Dr. Aron Harilela, the CEO and Chairman of the Harilela Group, the hotel comes strongly anchored family values but with a smell of
A pair of good sunglasses are staple accessories for those who enjoy basking in the sun. Sunglasses play two roles: They complement your look and, more importantly, protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. There are countless terrific sunglasses labels out there to choose from and the brands that we have decided to zoom in
With international travel still a remote prospect, the perspective of a travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore comes as a breather for those of us suffering from cabin fever and dying to hop on a plane. Planning to visit Hong Kong when the bubble allows it? Make it an indulgent trip and treat yourself
There is a spoiling plethora of great hotels to pick from when it comes to finding the perfect stay for a New Year vacation. However, if what you are after is not “the perfect,” but more of a “unique” destination, then this list is curated especially just for you. These are some of the hotels
It was the beginning of 2020 when my business partner and I launched a new collection at @fakura clothing line. As we were thrilled to execute other lined-up projects simultaneously, the entire world suddenly shut down due to the unexpected arrival of a global pandemic. I somehow felt shattered, knowing that a lot of planned
Featured: First Two Episodes: Some time ago, I was lucky to be featured as a Global Filipino entrepreneur abroad by Lifestyle Network TV 24x 24, a part of the TFC channel. There are 8 episodes that aired weekly that have some of the noteworthy Fakuras favorites that should be on your Radar when visiting Stockholm.
Four Highly Anticipated Hotel Openings in Bangkok City Thailand, the country that is currently revered for handling the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic well, #staycation and #eatcation has been trending for the locals and foreign travelers stuck in town. Hotels that are leading the pace are the ones who are quick to adapt by offering
Photo credit: Maria Brauer via Unsplash Nothing says Christmas like Christmas trees, golden-brown roast turkey and cities blanketed in lights and Christmassy decorations. Now Japan takes the latter to new heights with their annual Winter Illuminations, enchanting lighting events that roll out in big cities throughout Japan in November and December, with some even stretching
It’s day 75 of quarantine which means I have been with my husband and daughter 24/7 at home that long. Today, Alessa, my two-year-old toddler, woke up earlier than I did. It was 6:30 in the morning and she asked for milk. Half-asleep, half-awake — I happily obliged. I am a career momma from Manila.
