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Protected: Ones to watch by Coralie de Fontenay

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 12:08:57 +0000

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Protected: Meet the next generation philanthropists

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 11:06:54 +0000

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Car reviews: Porsche 911 Dakar, BMW M4 Convertible, Mazda CX-60

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:14:39 +0000

Here at LUX magazine we like to have a car for every reason, and season. In one of northern Europe’s wetter winters of recent years, we dreamed of a car that could take us to Dakar – the now mythical Dakar of the crazy 1980s rallies – while also being enjoyable to drive between London and the Cotswolds, or Geneva and Verbier. Porsche kindly conjured up the 911 Dakar, one of the most extraordinary machines of recent times. Meanwhile, to shake off the cobwebs, we imagined a roofless car where you could drive, with a couple of friends, or all three of your blonde, Etro-clad boyfriends (sharing is caring), at high and enjoyable velocities; and BMW created the M4 Cabriolet and sent it to us. And then, when all’s said and done, we just wanted an excellent, understated, clean car with a beautifully designed interior, for those quick incognito visits to Loro Piana. Mazda’s CX-60 hove silently into view, like Jeeves

The Porsche 911 Dakar is a wild animal, part sports car, part rally car, and definitely not for the faint of heart. We take it out on a long lead and are smitten. The BMW M4 Competition, in our next story, meanwhile, is an old-school car for a rakish rogue to drive from Milan to Monte Carlo in, Havana in hand, his third mistress in the front seat, and a case of Richebourg in each of the back seats

Why is Porsche a car manufacturer that LUX has a particular soft spot for, like Rolex? Because they make engineered precision made products that very price from accessible luxury (918/Oyster), to among the most desirable and expensive products in the world. But they also make these products specialised to appeal to a variety of uses, and are the best in their individual class at those.

So while Rolex has a Sea Dweller and Submariner in case you want to explore deep reefs, Porsche has, within in its iconic 911 range, versions specialised for race tracks (GT3), for Monaco posing (Targa), for high-speed touring with a twist (Turbo), and for old-fashioned top down cruising (Cabriolet). There are numerous others.

To this, we can now add the Dakar. Car companies over the decades have not been short of marketing-led branded badges: you can buy variations of mass-produced cars called the Roland Garros (after the French Open tournament), the Vogue (a Range Rover), and the Picasso.

But none of those will make you any better at tennis, fashion or art; they are pure marketing. The Dakar is not one of those. It is named after the extraordinarily punishing and challenging Paris Dakar rally of the 1980s, which Porsche actually won, twice.

On the 40th anniversary of their first win, Porsche have created a 911 Dakar, but they didn’t do it simply by sticking a badge and some sand coloured leather inside.

Instead, they completely reengineered the car, effectively armour plating Its bottom half, raising it off the ground with an option to raise itself even further, even at high speeds (you have to go over big obstacles at high speeds on a rally), and re-engineered the driving programs to include modes called “off-road” and “rallye”, and tested them thoroughly in a real desert.

The Dakar comes as standard with massive balloon-like Scorpion off-road tyres more commonly found on vehicles taking you on safari, inside there are racing bucket seats (perhaps slightly less than useful for daily use) and a roll cage in the back in case you flip the car over while going up a crack in the Sahara desert at 90 mph.

The car’s engine is that of 911 GTS, one of the fast versions of an already rapid model.

But what’s it like to drive? If you, like us, thought that this high-performance dune buggy would feel a bit odd in normal city and country life, you would be as surprised as we are. It is, frankly, a hoot from the moment you turn the switch to start the engine, louder than normal 911s because the rear seat has been replaced by a metal roll cage. Put it into Sport, the standard mode for driving on road, tap the accelerator and go round a roundabout and the thing is an absolute blast. Where all other 911s, even the fastest ones, are so over engineered for the road they deal with more or less everything up to the legal spirit speed limit with a shrug of efficiency, this car lets you know that it’s made for the wild side of life.

The suspension is different to a standard 911, and you have those tyres, meaning you feel when you’re going round corners. Over high speed bumps it floats a little bit and squishes a little bit in a manner unthinkable within Teutonic brilliance of perfection of other 911s.

That’s not to say it’s better, necessarily, that depends a little bit on what you’re expecting from your car. It’s certainly laugh out loud fun in the way other 911s are not, but it’s also loud, and a little bit disruptive. It’s not a car that you can just fold yourself into at the end of a long day and ask to drive you home: it feels much more old school than that, and indeed if you are used to the old-fashioned air cooled 911s which were much more of a handful in some cases, this is true to DNA.

But it has something that none of them do, which is the ability to turn off a road, drive down a track or a muddy field and surge forward exactly where you aim it, taking obstacles in its wake. We drove through a muddy, grassy field in the Dakar and not only was it brilliant – it was enormous fun.

It’s also extremely fast – as fast point to point as the 911 GTS it is based on, perhaps more so in wet conditions when those tyres come into their own, but less so on an extremely twisty road where the increased body roll and general to-do make it more of a handful, but less brutally efficient.

We absolutely loved it, because we feel that many of the brilliant models in the standard 911 range are almost a bit too competent for their own good, like someone buttoned up that you know can be a party animal, but instead just chooses to do everything extremely precisely.

The 911 Dakar can do everything too, but does it with a big grin on its face. If they were ever making a remake of the classic road trip movie from the 80s the Cannonball Run, the Dakar would play the leading role.

porsche.com

BMW M4 Review

BMW is a brand that means different things to its different aficionados around the world. In China or the Gulf, it is a maker of big, shiny, powerful 4x4s.

To motor racing lovers of an older generation in Europe, it is the creator of the “M for Motorsport” cars, which are finely-honed and focused road racers.

For others, its heritage shines most brightly as a maker of coupés, two-door, four-seater cars that combine style and a rakish sportiness with the practicality of having back seats and a boot/trunk that is usable, and the knowhow of a manufacturer of luxury cars.

This particular heritage line probably started with the Bauhaus-style sleek coupés of the 1960s and 70s. It was amplified by its cultish 635 CSi model in the 1980s, the pinnacle of the Six series, which was the car of choice for someone not wanting to show off. Ferrari-style but wanting to look more stylish than the driver of yet another fast sedan car.

As with all cars, these heritage lines have become somewhat blurred by the proliferation of model lines and propulsion types over the years, and the profusion of huge SUVs. BMW no longer produces a Six series: customers are directed to the Eight series, which has a big, long coupe in its lineup, but more on the luxury than the sporting end of the spectrum and does not look as cool.

Climbing into the new M4 (we had the convertible version, but the review would be the same for the coupe, just with less La Roche Posay Factor 30) , it instantly struck us that this car is the progeny of two of those three illustrious heritage lines. It’s a long, rakish and stylish two door car with a four-seater interior, big enough for four adults but cool enough to look like a two-seater sports car unless you peer carefully inside. Its interior is particularly fun, at a time when many car interiors are starting to resemble the same virtual reality control pod. You get bucket seats with carbon fibre cut outs, plenty of carbon fibre elsewhere, and the feeling that you are piloting a sports machine, not a games console.

It’s also an “M Car” – M originally standing for the Motorsport division of the company where cars were individually conceived and built quite separately from the normal model lineup. That distinction has been diluted by the application of M badges to models in the rest of the range, but for enthusiasts, the M badge followed by a single number, like M4, still the denotes a BMW of supposedly pure racing heritage.

So much for the looks and the theory: what about the practice? This, after all, is a world where the average electric car will burn off most huffing and puffing petrol engine vehicles in a straight line race, and when many cars will cling to the road around bends, meaning there is no real world distinction between a sporting high-performance car and a standard electric car which just happens to go very fast.

Actually there is. You realise this as soon as you turn on the growly engine of the M4 and aim around your corner. This is a car that has proper steering feel and weight, enjoying itself as it zips into and out of corners, encourages you to drive faster and take the twisty route to wherever you are going rather than simply shuffle you along in an efficient haze of forgettable speed. The fact that it’s a convertible is, for us also a big bonus as when you put the roof down you have so much more sensation.

Passengers also feel they are in something sporting and special, rather than yet another generic, nicely built, swift piece of transportation. You would never use the M4 as an Uber, even though it’s plenty comfortable for four.

The original M cars had a reputation for being as fast as fun as pure sports cars like a Porsche 911. The BMW coupe from the 1970s and 80s were paragons of style. The M4 Competition cabriolet seeks to combine those qualities in an automotive climate that is completely different, dominated by safety and sustainability requirements which largely strip the soul and individuality and fun away from most machines. Remarkably, it succeeds: the only drawback is, it’s so good, and so well priced compared to other cars of its abilities which are in the category above, that it is bound to be a reasonably common sight on our roads. You can’t have everything. But you can have nearly everything.

bmw.com

Mazda CX-60 Review

Stealth wealth is a buzz phrase in increasing use at a time of continued political and economic uncertainty in the world.

What does that look like when applied to motoring? Perhaps swapping a highly ostentatious SUV for something that can do the same job while attracting far less attention, but with an interior appointed well enough to make you feel relaxed and content.

What does this have to do with the Mazda? Well, it’s a car that from the outside looks good enough, if a little plain: nicely proportioned, but with nothing that would make heads turn or anyone ask you what you are driving. For some people that is a bonus, and for many others it may simply be that it is less important then the inside of the car – where you spend all your time, compared to the seconds that you spent looking at the outside of your car.

The interior of the Mazda is lovely. And the light materials reminded us somehow of a beach club in the south of France, possibly not a look the designers were aiming for but very positive and stylish nonetheless. In a traffic jam or a slow highway, it’s a delightful place to be – more attractive than the interiors of many more expensive rivals which have followed each other down the rabbit hole of dark Bauhaus type black hole design for many years.

For many, the word Mazda is a byword for agility, as this is the company that created the brilliant two seater MX5 sports car which has kept singles and couples entertained with its joyously gazelle like handling for decades. You obviously don’t get the same kind of agility in a this, a mid-size five seater SUV, but this car still has a lightness of touch which is enjoyable; it never feels heavy, always precise.

Altogether, a most pleasing car to spend time in for driver and passengers. And one which, if it entered your daily life, would make you feel less conspicuous and quite possibly more at peace.

mazda.com

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Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil: A luxurious sanctuary of freedom in southwest France

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:43:11 +0000

Domaine de Lavy, in the Dordogne, a historic, green and hilly region in Southwest France

In the heart of the historic Dordogne region, Domaine de Vieux Mareuil stands as a sanctuary-like estate with a simple yet profound philosophy: providing guests with freedom while preserving the land that defines it

Spanning 200 acres of forests, fields, and exquisitely restored properties, Domaine de Vieux Mareuil reflects the spirit of its creator, Laëtitia Morlat.

Madame Morlat’s family history dates back to the early 1200’s in Dordogne. She lives in the home she was born in and enjoyed her childhood in the Perigord Vert region. “I love every property because each one contains a part of my soul and my spirit,” she says. Madame Morlat’s intimate connection with the area and her determination to protect its future is at the core of the estate.

Laëtitia Morlat, owner and designer of Domaine de Vieux Mareuil

There are no rigid schedules, prefixed packages, or brochures dictating your stay at the Domaine. As Madame Morlat explains, “We want to leave each person that comes with an experience.”

Read more: Kempinski Palace Engelberg Review

Whether it’s a private dinner under the stars or truffle hunting with dogs in the forests surrounding the estate, the experiences are made bespoke to each individual. The idea is for guests to embrace the land they inhabit. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword at the estate—it’s a way of life.

A modern style billiards room in the former Soldier’s House within Domaine de Lavy

From the moment you step onto the estate, it’s clear that the Domaine’s connection to the land is not performative but essential. A sprawling permaculture garden provides the chef with organic, seasonal produce, ensuring that meals are not just farm-to-table but deeply tied to the local soil.

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Partnerships with nearby producers keep the supply chain short, reducing the estate’s carbon footprint while supporting the regional economy. Even the furniture in the beautifully Provençal designed interiors is often sourced second-hand and restored—an approach that celebrates craftsmanship while embracing circular practices.

A sitting area in Domaine de Bagatelle with access to the garden and sweeping views across the valley

Madame Morlat’s experiences abroad, particularly in Japan, shaped her philosophy of finding beauty in simplicity. This is evident in the carefully curated art by local artists, and the hand-painted details on beams and fireplaces by her long-time friend and collaborator Christophe Boucher. These design choices mirror her commitment to preserving not only the spirit of the past but the environment’s future.

Each bedroom is meticulously personalised and named in Chateau de Chanet; the above is Chambre Josephine

The Domaine is a haven, not just for its guests but for the ecosystems it fosters. Solar panels power much of the estate, while beehives and insect houses support local biodiversity, and forest maintenance practices ensure the land remains healthy.

For Madame Morlat, sustainability isn’t separate from luxury; it’s integral to it. It’s about ensuring that the pristine landscapes that shaped her childhood, and now provide solace for her guests, will last for generations.

Villa de La Roussie

Madame Morlat’s approach to hospitality was shaped by a new era, a world redefined by the pandemic. Privacy is no longer just a luxury; it’s a necessity. At the Domaine, guests enjoy this freedom in every aspect, from how they spend their time to the exclusive use of spaces. “People come here for the freedom of privacy,” Madame Morlat emphasises.

Read more: Mandarin Oriental Lucerne Review

This ethos permeates the entire estate, offering guests the liberty to craft a stay that reflects their needs, desires, and imagination. The 44 staff aren’t just employees; they are collaborators who contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for each guest.

The swimming pool in Chateau de Chanet overlooks the gardens of the estate

Each of the four estates possess their own character, shaped by their unique locations, yet all share an attention to detail that show a commitment to quality and authenticity.

Château de Chanet, true to its name, exudes the stately charm of a castle while retaining an inviting warmth. Despite being the largest property within the estate, its wooden beams and thoughtfully designed interiors create an unmistakable sense of home. It is also where Madame Morlat and her husband spent their honeymoon!

The bright drawing room filled with natural light in Villa de La Roussie

In contrast, Bagatelle is for those who seek a more modern escape, reminiscent of a villa on the Côte d’Azur. Its sleek, minimalist design is complemented by breathtaking views, with a pool that stretches out toward the rolling hills of the Perigord countryside.

Domaine de Lavy is an entertainer’s dream. Nestled amidst lush green hills, this property comprises two separate houses, making it ideal for hosting large groups of friends or family.

Every nook is used to its full potential, even this chess corner at Chateau de Chanet

Finally, there is La Roussie, the smallest and most intimate of the estates. Set within a lovingly restored farmhouse, it’s ideal for creating cherished memories with loved ones; a place where the simplicity of rural life meets the refined comforts of the Domaine.

Read more: Prince de Galles, Paris Review

This is Madame Morlat’s legacy: not just a collection of properties, but a philosophy of love for a region, a history, and a future. At Domaine de Vieux Mareuil, luxury isn’t about excess – it’s about “intention”. That intention, like the estate itself, feels timeless.

Domaine de Bagatelle’s design blends the elegance of the French Riviera with the distinctive charm of the French countryside

Rates: €6,500 Euros per night at Chateau de Chanet/Bagatelle Estate/Lavy €3,000 Euros per night at La Roussie Villa.

Minimum 2 nights stay

domainedevieuxmareuil.com

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Kempinski Palace Engelberg Review

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:20:57 +0000

The winter mountain haven of Kempinsky Engelberg, in one of the snowiest parts of Switzerland

Perched beneath the panoramic Titlis peak, Kempinski Palace Engelberg blends Alpine charm with refined luxury. Equal parts indulgence and spectacle, it’s a winter escape for those who like their wilderness with room service

For a country that has many famous winter sports resorts, such as St Moritz, Zermatt, Verbier and Gstaad, Switzerland also has a large number of winter sports resorts that you may never have heard of. Including some rather old and established ones.

Engelberg has been a summer and winter mountain haven for more than 100 years, and travelling there you wonder why it is not more internationally known right now. Access is among the easiest of any ski resorts, a quick train ride up from the town of Lucerne, itself less than an hour from Zürich and it’s international connections.

An evening scene in the Kempinski Engelberg restaurant Cattani, where hearty but refreshing Italian cuisine is a feature

There was a car at the station waiting to take us to the luxury Kempinsky resort, but this was not exactly necessary as the grand hotel itself was clearly visible just a few metres away; instead the luggage went by car. The “sports” in “winter sports” surely starts with the walk from the station…

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The building itself, is one of those Art Nouveau palaces dotted throughout central and southern Europe, from a time when the most luxurious thing the super wealthy could do was travel to a grand hotel in a neighbouring country.

Sympathetically refurbished, the contemporary-feeling reception area is home to some beautiful local collaborations throughout the year: real rabbits at easter, a beautiful nativity at Christmas.

A luxury bedroom stay at the Kempinski Engelberg

Often in these legacy hotels, bedrooms are small and compromised, but not here, as the hotel, originally built in 1889, closed for four years for a massive refurbishment which seamlessly incorporated a new wing, reopening in 2021. The new wing is so well designed that you really have to pay attention to be aware of the join between the buildings along the broad corridors as you walk through. Our room was big, airy, modern, with a huge balcony covered to the elements to facilitate sitting outside at all times of year. It looked out over a winter garden, home to a skating rink in winter; the view continued up the valley to a dramatic snow covered rock face.

Read next: Mandarin Oriental Lucerne Review

At just over 1000m, Engelberg is not high by Alpine standards, but facts can sometimes be deceiving. Its position on the northern flank of the Alps means that it receives the best of all the northernly snow in the Alps – the coldest and best powder – and generally has a snow record to match resorts of far higher altitude.

Festive comfort and cheer at the Kempinski Engelberg

A shuttle bus takes you to a gondola which zooms up through a forest plateau into a big snow bowl high above the tree line, with a variety of runs, mainly suited to intermediates. In summer, it’s a walking paradise as all the mountain areas curve around the valley in a C-shape, giving a variety of options for both hiking and snow sports. It’s not as extensive as the biggest ski areas in the Alps, but there’s plenty to explore over a few days and dramatic views down to the Swiss plateau and lakes from the top.

Head back to the hotel, and the place you have to head to whether you have been skiing, hiking, or simply strolling around the pretty village centre, is the rooftop pool and spa, which is enclosed in glass, with dramatic views in every direction. It’s a big, long and generous pool with hydrotherapy jets at its sides, meaning you can enjoy it to lounge or to do some proper laps; or lie on a lounger with a view of the Alps, basking in sunshine while protected from the wind.

Balcony terraces on the new wing are huge and feature uninterrupted views of the northern peaks of the Alps

The hotel’s main restaurant, Cattani, is a carefully and sympathetically reimagined rework of the traditional grand hotel restaurant, with immensely high ceilings, windows and grandeur, offset by a casual chic: blonde woods, orange banquettes, no tablecloths, and light Swiss-Med cuisine. Altogether a brilliant reimagining of a mountain resort hotel.

kempinskiengelberg.com

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Prince de Galles, Paris Review

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:19:25 +0000

The entrance to Prince de Galles sits just steps away from the Champs-Élysées

Looking for chic, swankiness and glamour in the ultimate Parisian location? Check out the Prince de Galles, where even the breakfast makes you feel you are in a Brigitte Bardot movie

Despite, perhaps because of, the plethora of boutique hotels that have opened in the city over the years, glamour is still an essential element for us any stay in Paris.

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And for glamour, you really have to be in one address, the Avenue George V, surrounded by luxury brands and feeling that you are a resident in the most exclusive area of Paris, the cross-cross of luxury boulevards in the 8^th Arrondisement, in between the Champs-Elysees and the river.

The reception to the luxury boutique hotel is an art deco design of white and black marble

And so it felt very appropriate checking in to the Prince des Galles, in the heart of the area, with lobby of art deco black and white marble, offset by taupe carpets, and sweeping staircase. Our room was that very rare thing, and utterly silent haven in the heart of Paris, looking out over the rooftops, with no traffic noise, yet somehow in the middle of all the action. It had everything you would expect: lavish sheets, bathroom swathed in marble, and something you didn’t, in its sense of peace and tranquility.

‘Glamour is still an essential element for us any stay in Paris’

One of the most delightful parts of our stay was our breakfast. This is Paris, after all, so to be ushered into the grand dining room and offered an à la carte breakfast was special enough: but to be surrounded by the decor of the 19.20 dining room was even more so. Deep leather chairs, dramatic and vivid artworks, and a superb Eggs Benedict set one up for the day in a slow food way.

All of this with the assured service of a top hotel from the Luxury Collection, at a price point reasonable for its level of luxury. Love it.

Prince de Galles Hotel

A luxury bedroom at Prince de Galles

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Ultima Collection Crans-Montana Review

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:58:17 +0000

The spa of the Ultima Crans-Montana covers 1,000m² of the property, and has an on-site lake surrounded by alpine woods

This private luxury chalet, previously owned by Bernard Arnault, from the Ultima Collection is located in Crans-Montana, a sunny gem on a high shelf in the Valais Alps of Switerzland. The 16-bedroom chalet offers guests the opportunity to take advantage of winter sports and other activities in this beautifully located village, as Fabienne Amez-Droz discovers

In the heart of the Valais Alps, Crans-Montana offers a slightly more understated charm compared to other Swiss ski resorts like Gstaad or St. Moritz, which are internationally more well-known. But it definitely has the same glitz – plus epic and scenic skiing.

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This sunny village, made up of the towns of Crans and Montana, attracts many golfers in the summer, with the Omega European Masters and welcomes ski enthusiasts and families in the winter, who come to explore the mountains air and enjoy ski touring.

The spa area features sauna, hammam, fitness gym, and heated outdoor pool

Just 2 hours and 20 minutes from Geneva Airport lies the former ski retreat of Roger Moore. Bridging the gap between the luxury hotel and luxury home genres, the Ultima Collection with its properties in places like Gstaad, Courchevel, Megève and many more, targets elite travellers with an eye for luxurious details and services.

Read more: Grace Hotel St. Moritz review

In 2018, the Ultima Collection acquired two luxury chalets in Crans-Montana, which were originally built by Bernard Arnault in the 1990s. The properties were renovated and the interiors completely redesigned – although there is a new owner since this year who wants to redecorate all the Ultima properties again with for example more classical art on the walls.

The two chalets offer 16-bedrooms in total and are connected underground

Today, affluent ski enthusiasts can rent the two private chalets, connected by an underground passage, featuring a total of 16 bedrooms, on a weekly price basis. The Ultima in Crans-Montana is particularly popular among Russian and Middle Eastern guests, in winter as well as in summer where people enjoy the fresh air and some hiking.

Football legend Lionel Messi and other celebs have visited the residence in recent years. Sven Flory, Chief Commercial Officer of the Ultima Collection, mentioned that these kind of guests really enjoy the privacy of the chalets and that there are no other guests around.

Situated in the heart of the Crans-Montana region, the two chalets are set in between natural lakes and woods

The chalet’s architecture combines traditional Swiss with contemporary elements, featuring natural materials like wood and stone paired with sleek modern furnishings.

The chalet’s wellness facilities offer non-skiers a good alternative programme. Guests can indulge in the spa that includes an outdoor pool, hammam, snow shower and treatment rooms, where you can book an appointment – from massages to facials, tailored to individual preferences.

The spa team can personalise detox and immune-boosting treatments to a persons exact needs

The wellness area also features a gym equipped with all necessary equipment. Yoga-lovers can book a private teaching session with their in-house yoga instructor. Especially after having done the first ski day of the season, muscles might be sore and a good stretch might help to prepare you for the rest of the week.

For the real skiers, the Ultima Crans-Montana provides experienced ski guides to assist guests in exploring the area’s slopes and off-piste trails. The chalet of course does have a ski room, equipped with heated lockers and all the necessary facilities to keep your Fusalp or Moncler ski gear safe and warm. I enjoyed rocketing down from the high lift station at Les Violettes, from where you can see a spectacular view of all the Valais Alps including the Matterhorn. The skiing is a mix of high mountain and forest trails, and suitable for all grades.

The two chalets can accommodate up to 38 guests. Both of the buildings have access to the retreat’s spa and outdoor pool area

From a cozy cheese fondue, beef wellington to a barbeque outside – a private chef will be available at all times to create menus tailored to guests’ tastes, using locally sourced ingredients. Pair the dishes with the local wines from the Valais, grown in the vineyards below the resort, like a floral Petite Arvine (white) or spicy Cornalin (red) – which seem to be quite unknown in the world of wines, as we Swiss like to keep the good things to ourselves.

The two chalets feature a cinema room, cigar lounge, an office space and a Billiard room

The Ultima Crans-Montana is more than just a place to stay; it is a destination in itself. For those seeking the ultimate alpine luxury, plus seclusion and being away from the crowds of people you know in Courchevel or St Moritz, the Ultima Crans-Montana is a compelling choice.

Find out more: www.ultimacollection.com

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Locke am Platz hotel, Zurich review

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 16:19:24 +0000

Locke am Platz combines Riviera style with modernism

LUX visits a surprising and refreshing new addition to the Zurich hotel and dining scene

We have always found Zürich one of the more positively surprising cities in Europe to visit. It has a reputation as a serious, bank-ish type of place, but it is also an ancient middle European city with a quite gorgeous old town, situated on a huge lake surrounded by forests and mountains.

The hotel is minutes from the city centre, with the boutiques of the Bahnhofstrasse and the lake in easy reach

Attractive enough, but even more interesting is, if not quite a subculture, then a contemporary art and design culture that counteracts the old-fashioned chic image that the city has.

And so it was very refreshing to check into the Locke, which is situated on a pretty square just outside the town centre, a 10 minute walk to the banks and shops of the Bahnhofstrasse. No formal suited doorman glaring it to you as you come in here in your jeans and T-shirt (if that is how you choose to dress). Instead, a jeans and T-shirt wearing receptionist with a friendly smile against a soundtrack of (when I arrived) The Clash. Refreshing.

The restaurant Choupette, downstairs in the hotel, is shaped and inspired by traditional brasserie cuisine, head chef Jaco Redelinghuys creates modern dishes with a twist. to a cool soundtrack

The check process was both efficiently Swiss and jolly in a contemporary way and soon we were in our top floor suite, all 20th century modern in design with a little kitchenette and a balcony terrace with tables and chairs looking out over the rest of this residential area – perfect for making you feel like a local, rather than someone on a business trip.

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The Locke has made waves with its restaurant/bar Choupette on the ground floor, so we soon descended and were whisked to a into a vibey space which was pleasingly contemporary in its simplicity.

Just as impressive as the well sourced and well executed food was the wine list, which has been imaginatively and intelligently curated away from the good but repetitive classics you can expect in a solid European four star hotel, and over instead to something little more fun.

Time travellers from the 1970s and 80s would feel right at home with the decor

We particularly enjoyed a refreshing and bright alternative to rosé champagne from the deep Rhine Valley in eastern Switzerland which produces some excellent hard to get wines.

Read more: Hotel review Grace Hotel St. Moritz

Bravo for this curation, and also the curation of music, as the positive creativity found at Reception continued in the restaurant with tunes from the likes of Joy Division, Aztec Camera and others keeping us company during dinner.

Our room was quiet and went well insulated from light, and altogether it’s a place we would return to business trip – and, if we came on a Friday night, for an impromptu party at Choupette.

Find out more: www.lockeliving.com

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Interview with Claire Ferrini of Astrea London

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:54:58 +0000

Astrea London’s founders Claire Ferrini and Nathalie Morrison

Astrea London, founded by Claire Ferrini and Nathalie Morrison, aims to epitomise feminine elegance through visually stunning and unique pieces of jewellery, without harming our planet. Opting for lab-grown diamonds rather than mined gems, Astrea aims to “reshape the landscape of high-end luxury jewellery” with its blend of glamorous design and ethical business practice. Talking to LUX, Ferrini discusses the influence and heritage of grandmother Margaret Coglin, “the Grace Kelly of Kenya”, the importance of sustainability in jewellery and the delicate designs that Astrea London creates.

LUX: What inspired you to create the brand?

Claire Ferrini: The inspiration to start Astrea came from my grandmother, who gifted me a beautiful Trilogy diamond necklace 30 years ago. The diamonds were in fact lab grown diamonds and it was my grandmother’s belief that we should not be mining diamonds but protecting our planet and embracing lab grown diamonds instead. She believed it would be the future of the diamond industry. 30 years on, I decided to look into that concept and together with my business partner Nathalie, we started Astrea.

LUX: Have your personal backgrounds influenced its conception?

CF: We both come from financial backgrounds so the jewellery industry was new to us. But setting up businesses is Nathalie’s forte and with my engineering background and interest in lab grown diamonds, the business came together easily. As well as this, we each have four children who are all very much aware of how we should be protecting our planet and adopting sustainable practices in our every day lives. Being able to start a business that’s very existence will eliminate practices that desecrate our planet is hugely exciting and has inspired our children to look at ways in which we can further help protect our planet. As well as that, our motto is to “always give back” and it is our aim to always give back to those less fortunate than ourselves and to support charities close to our hearts. We both have ties to Africa and the charities we support look to educate and empower children in Africa.

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LUX: Did you experience any challenges in creating a brand around lab grown diamonds?

CF: Lab diamond sales in the US are 75% of all diamond sales today. However, the UK is way behind that and our first challenge, going into the lab grown diamond industry, was to raise awareness and educate the customer about lab diamonds and the fact that they are REAL diamonds. The lab diamond industry has definitely created issues for the mined diamond industry, but it will take time for customers and businesses to accept and embrace the idea.

LUX: What has been the response to your use of lab grown diamonds?

CF: We have been overwhelmed with the positivity and the take up of lab diamond jewellery since we started the business. When clients have that ‘lightbulb moment’ and realise that not only are lab diamonds 100% identical to their mined counterparts, so a gemologist with decades of experience cannot tell the difference, but also that they are in fact better in quality and sparkle as well as ethically produced – that is a win for us. We believe that the customer has a right to understand what they are buying and does not need to be paying inflated prices (up to 80% more) for mined diamonds that are in fact worse quality. We have also noticed a positive trend with influencers and celebrities keen to wear our stones as they are more sustainable and ethically produced and we were thrilled to appear a few times on the Cannes film festival red carpet this year, with the likes of supermodel Coco Rocha wearing our pieces.

Supermodel Coco Rocha wearing Astrea London pieces on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival

LUX: What characterises the jewellery design of Astrea?

CF: We began our journey into lab diamond jewellery with the aim to come up with classic, every day, simple jewellery that was a staple in one’s jewellery box. That included eternity rings, studs, simple pendants and tennis bracelets. Our aim was to produce the best quality diamond jewellery that was both classic and timeless – we only use certified top quality diamonds with D/E/F colours and VS1+ clarity, which sits in the top 1% of quality diamonds worldwide. Once we had achieved best quality, we moved onto designing bespoke pieces that showcased versatility and manufacturing complexity that would not be possible in mined diamonds – for example our “Eternal Eight necklace” that can be worn in eight different ways, from choker necklace to earrings, lariat necklace and more. With over 105 colourless diamonds (graded D/E/F and comparable to only the top 1% of quality diamonds globally), it was a showstopper of beautiful diamonds combined with state of the art innovation.

LUX: Have your sustainability principles shaped the brand’s aesthetic?

CF: To date, we have focused on creating pieces that are timeless rather than trendy so that it remains relevant and will always be a part of one’s staple jewellery collection. We now also create beautiful pieces with lab grown coloured diamonds always ensuring best quality stones and jewellery manufacture, using only sustainable lab diamond stones.

Astrea London’s Baguette Bracelet

LUX: Why is an ‘ethical future’ so important to Astrea?

CF: An ethical future is crucial to Astrea and the lab diamond industry for several reasons. Today’s consumers are increasingly aware of the ethical implications of their purchases and therefore a commitment by suppliers to have ethical practices, helps meet this demand and attracts customers who truly prioritise sustainability and social responsibility. As well as this, lab diamonds have a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to mined diamonds and this is the backbone of our business. It is Astrea’s aim to promote lab diamonds, commit to strict ethical standards and promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

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LUX: While lab-grown diamonds are far more ethical and environmentally-friendly than diamond mining, there is still a positive carbon footprint from the heat and pressure required to grown them. Does Astrea have any plans for achieving carbon neutrality?

CF: Yes absolutely. Whilst lab grown diamonds are proven to be significantly more sustainable with fully recycled water usage and only 17kw per rough carat produced versus 106-150kw for well-known mined companies, we are actively pursuing strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce our overall environmental impact. With a combination of solar power, recycled water, research and development of new technologies that require less energy, and signed codes of conduct to ensure continued work towards a zero-carbon footprint, it is our aim to ultimately achieve net-zero diamonds. We are constantly and actively looking into offsetting our carbon footprint and are members of Responsible jewellery councils in order to keep abreast of the industry standards.

This image and next: Astrea London uses only lab-grown diamonds, presenting no ethical issues about mining or treatment of workers

LUX: What do you think is the future of lab-grown diamonds?

CF: At Astrea, we believe that within the next 5-10 years, there will no longer be the need for mined diamond jewellery and lab diamond jewellery will fully take over the diamond industry. The next generation has little to no interest in carving up the Earth to mine diamonds and for that reason, we believe lab diamonds will ultimately be the only diamonds on the market. Currently lab diamonds make up 50% of the engagement ring industry in the US – whilst the UK is behind on numbers, that trend is certainly picking up here too. According to the Economist, “75% of diamonds globally will be lab grown by 2050”. We anticipate that this will materialise by 2035.

LUX: Do you think that lab-gown diamonds will one day replace diamond mining completely?

CF: Absolutely – lab grown diamonds are the future of the diamond industry. The diamond industry is undergoing significant changes spurred by increasing awareness and evolving consumer preferences. Laboratory grown diamonds are gaining a lot of traction, providing customers with the same stunning beauty and elegance of natural diamonds but with transparency, sustainability and ethical practices that align with their values.

LUX: We’d love to know more about your design process – your collections have different inspirations but for example, please tell us more about the inception of the Grace Eternal collection?

CF: The Grace Eternal collection was inspired by my grandmother, Margaret Coglin, who was always known as the “Grace Kelly of Kenya” where she lived. The eternal collection consists of classic staple pieces, including tennis bracelets, pendants and eternity rings, that will never go out of fashion and are easy to wear, timelessly beautiful and are simple staple classics. Bought as a collection, these have been incredibly popular. We have since evolved into our L’amour collection which is a stunning collection of heart shaped jewellery including our hearts entwined ring which has been hugely popular, our heart trilogy necklaces, drop earrings and heart pendants – perfect for Valentines and that special occasion. Our bespoke part of the business has been hugely successful whereby we design and create bespoke pieces for our clients. We have 3 designers who come with a wealth of experience from the top jewellery brand houses and who are instrumental in ensuring all our designs are unique – we look forward to introducing these designs and creations imminently with different shape diamonds, set into intricate pieces.

LUX: Do you have plans for a London boutique?

CF: We have just opened our first UK store at the Fairmont Windsor Park, having opened at the Villa la Coste in France, this Summer. It has been a huge success for Astrea and gives customers the opportunity to see our pieces in person and to judge for themselves the quality of our jewellery. We do have plans for a London boutique as well as other cities in Europe.

Pieces from Astrea London’s L’Amour Collection

LUX: Do you have a favourite piece and why?

CF: I personally love our tennis bracelets – because they can be worn day and night, from weddings to evenings out. They are classic yet timeless and elegant and when made with different shaped stones, for example our oval tennis bracelet, they are strikingly beautiful. No matter how big or small you go, they carry such a huge impact.

astrealondon.com

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Mandarin Oriental Lucerne Review

Fabienne Amez-Droz — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:16:50 +0000

In the heart of the heartbreakingly pretty town of Lucerne, by the lake of the same name, sits Mandarin Oriental Lucerne, Switzerland. Does it live up to its promise? LUX takes a plane, a train and a stroll along the lakefront to visit the palace hotel and find out

Is Lucerne one of the most underrated towns in Europe? A gem of an ancient town, small enough to feel like a big village and with barely any evidence of industry, spread along the edge of a lake with a massive view of the central Swiss Alps and a bridge in the centre of town straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Its only sin is to be in the middle of a country with so many views that visitors perhaps feel spoiled for choice. Until now, there has not quite been a world-class place to stay in the town, to match its world-class location, views and tourist sites. That all changed when the Mandarin Oriental opened, after a five year refurbishment of what used to be The Palace.

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Mandarin, a Hong Kong based luxury hospitality group, does not do anything except excellent hotels, and does them with a panache that belies the terms “contemporary“ or “traditional“ – somehow its hotels are superior to both, whilst also encapsulating them.

How would this play in this grand old building in a traditional city?

The pedestrianised pathway just outside the hotel allows for a safe and easy stroll after your meal

The first, decidedly positive, impression on walking from the station (you really must walk around towns in Switzerland if you can, the views are all around and the air is fresh), is joy that the lakeside road along the front of the hotel, lined with trees, has been entirely given over to pedestrians and bicycles. This means the only traffic in front of the hotel’s grand facade is a morning and evening passegiata on holidays and weekends, and the swish of cyclists going to work on weekdays.

Due to the way the hotel has been remodelled, the entrance is at one end of a long building, you walk into a corridor and turn right into a palatial but contemporary reception area from from which you are whisked up, in LUX’s case, to a big suite with a small balcony (these were built in the era before global warming, when balconies in central Europe were for occasional use only) and just gorgeous decor.

Chilling on the first evening involved looking over the tops of the trees and across the lake, to a line of wavy white Alps as they turned rose and then slate coloured in the sunset. A couple of glasses of champagne later, LUX could have stayed on the balcony all night, but a chilly breeze was descending from the glaciers and we also had a dinner awaiting us, a few floors directly below, on the buzzing front terrace adjoining the lakeside promenade.

This has been elegantly done, with just a low set of metal railings separating it from the promenade so you do not feel like you are caged in. It is a mystery to us why Italian Alpine lakes are so celebrated while those in Switzerland, which are geographically identical, are less so. This was possibly due to the cooler climate on the northern side of the Alps in Switzerland in years past, but these days, Switzerland has long months of sunshine from spring until autumn, with mirror image views compared to those of the Italian lakes, and, in this particular case, a refinement and lack of overcrowding that is hard to find sometimes in Italy.

LUX’s preferred breakfast location was the little balcony in our room, no reflection or the beautiful breakfast room downstairs space but simply an indication of how good the view was from the balcony – also showing that you don’t need a giant terrace to enjoy outdoor living.

Mandarin Oriental had a big challenge with this property, due to its size, scale, history and also its layout. We have never seen them fail yet, and we are delighted to see that the result is not just good, but world leading. It’s a destination hotel, in a destination town, with an exhilaration of view that is unmatched. Just make sure you get a room with a balcony.

https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/luzern/palace

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