Inside Robert Redford's NZ Paradise While Filming Disney's Pete's Dragon

A short helicopter flight west from Tapanui is a place called Paradise, so it's no surprise that Mr. Redford elected to enjoy a luxury escape here with his family:

• The best way to reach a luxury resort in Paradise is by air, and Redford and family were transferred to Wyuna House by Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters who also filmed the aerial sequences for Disney's Pete's Dragon. Their scenic flight took in the wider Southern Lakes region across jagged peaks, mountain glaciers and Milford Sound's dramatic waterfalls;


• Immersed in a landscape that has captured the eye of many filmmakers, Wyuna Houseis a luxury villa set in a private natural reserve. Perched above the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, the schist and timber lodge has been designed to blend harmoniously into its beautiful alpine setting;


• Just across the road from Wyuna House, the Redford family dined at New Zealand's celebrated Blanket Bay Lodge. The 13-room lodge has panoramic lake views and an award-winning kitchen– both of which have helped gain many awards, including being named as the 'World's Ultimate Escape' by the UK Sunday Times Magazine;


• The region is one of New Zealand's most popular destinations for hikers and nature lovers, with more than 19 day walks to explore. The Redford family went on several local trails including the Diamond Creek walk.

Quintessentially Offers Members Unique Experience to Meet Pope Francis

In-line with the growing trend of experiential luxury among affluent consumers, the award winning concierge and lifestyle management service is going above and beyond, even offering its Members a chance to meet the Pope. 

On August 31st, 2016, a special meeting with Pope Francis himself has been arranged for Members, right before his address in St Peter's Square during the Killerspin World UnPlugNPlay Festival at the Vatican. Time with the world leader also includes a private tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel followed by cocktails and dinner at the Connect21 Ping Pong Diplomacy event. The unique program will be followed by a luxury stay at the world class, Forte Village Resort in Sardinia. 

“Experiential consumption is continuing to grow among the wealthy set and we are seeing more and more requests from our HNW Members that go beyond just owning a luxury product,” said Aaron Simpson, Co-Founder & Group Executive Chairman, Quintessentially Group. “This affluent group want to experience something different while still enjoying it in the utmost luxury way, so our unique connections and unrivalled insider knowledge put us in the best position to deliver this,” he continued. 

Additional examples of unique experiences that Quintessentially has arranged include exclusive access to the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show as well as one of the world's most prestigious super car events – the Run to Monaco 2016. A pop-up dining series with celebrity chefs in Hong Kong is also available as well as on-going adventure and once-in-a lifetime travel opportunities - including trips to Iceland to enjoy glacier hiking and volcano visits, scenic floatplane flights over icebergs in Alaska, and desert island hideaways in the Maldives to name a few. 

Giving Members both the gift of time and access, a Quintessentially Lifestyle Membership paves the way to privileges that money simply can't buy. No request is too big or too small for the company's team of lifestyle specialists enabling everything from everyday needs to life's defining moments.

Visit website: www.quintessentially.com

New York's Iconic Russian Tea Room Wows Guests

Each year more than 60 million travelers visit New York City to see such iconic landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park or hundreds of other attractions. Visitors should add the Russian Tea Room to this list.

For over 80 years the Russian Tea Room has been a favorite respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the world's most celebrated restaurants, the tea room is a fixture of celebrity and style, making it a unique New York event venue. Located at W. 57th Street near the southern tip of Central Park, the restaurant’s location serves as a magnet for scores of tourists and locals alike.

Known worldwide for its eye popping ambiance, its radiant décor is dominated by red leather banquets, a 24-carat gold ceiling, striking bronze samovars and priceless works of art that adorn the walls. The Russian Tea Room is more than a setting for tea. It is a New York City experience that never falls to amaze and impress from the moment you arrive until your last sip of tea.

Afternoon tea at the Russian Tea Room is an idyllic way to socialize – and perhaps spot a few celebrities -- before attending a Broadway play. Since being founded in 1927 by the Russian Imperial Ballet, the Russian Tea Room has been an exclusive enclave where actors, writers and politicians gather. Closed in 2002 for renovation and a makeover, it reopened in 2006 to much fanfare.

As you walk through the antique revolving doors, let your imagination wander and you can see Dustin Hoffman sitting in the booth where they filmed “Tootsie” or you can hear Madonna conserving with patrons from the coat room where she worked before finding fame. The cast of “Gossip Girl” filmed a scene sipping martinis and included several of the staff as extras.

Nowhere throughout a city that features renowned restaurants around every corner will you find such attentive, yet non-discreet service. Waiters dressed in double-breasted black coats with tails and gold buttons are at your beckon call should you desire another serving of piping hot tea or an extra buttery scone that was prepared in-house earlier in the day.

The Afternoon Tea menu features a brisk English breakfast, Indian black tea, a delicate Formosa Oolong, and Rooibos Chai, which is a South African Red Bush with Indian spices. Scrumptious sandwiches and Blinis are offered, such as caviar, Siberian Osetra, Russian Osetra, Hackleback and Paddlefish. Guests can choose from a variety of decadent desserts, including assorted seasonal scones, petits fours and a red velvet cupcake with luscious cream cheese icing that is so rich it deserves its own tax bracket.

Although widely recognized as one of the most exquisite tea rooms in the world, the Russian Tea Room also features extensive menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. Brunch patrons can indulge themselves on an assortment of pastries, a smoked salmon platter, a truffle quiche with bacon, leeks, black truffle and cheese and a caviar omelette. Lunch includes a traditional Tea Room Red Borscht with pickled red beets, seasonal vegetables and dill in a short rib and bacon broth, served with a braised beef pirozhok or boiled potato. Dinner is to be savored with such offerings as a delectable lobster salad appetizer with butter poached lobster with morel mushrooms, white and green asparagus, frisee and black truffle vinaigrette. Follow this with a Kulebiaka entrée of salmon with slow cooked onions, mushrooms and vegetables wrapped in pastry, served with Brussels sprouts, peas, fava beans and baby leeks. This being the Russian Tea Room, no visit would be complete without sampling one of the 40 varieties of vodka that are available.

New York City bursts at the seams with history and grandeur for tourists who crowd the city virtually every day of the year. The Russian Tea Room is an historical gem that provides a serene, genteel atmosphere for anyone desiring a slice of refinement.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Unveils Renovated Suites

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has completed its recent room renewal program with the revelation of its crowning jewels – The Suite Collection.

Together with the rest of the guest rooms and suites, the renovation began in early July 2018, led by the interior designers Hirsch Bedner Associates, who led the renovations of the Jiang-Nan Chun restaurant in 2016 and the opening of the Hotel in 1994.

Comprising four distinctive residences – the Royal Suite, Governor Suite, Ambassador Suite and the Presidential Suite – the suites artfully unfurl Singapore’s legacy through thoughtful use of key motifs, textures and color palettes to create intentional, ambient design that portrays and acknowledges Singapore as a dynamic, cosmopolitan nation with a storied history.

Royal Suite (1,615 sq. ft.)
Located on the 18th floor, the Royal Suite is inspired by the tropical splendor of nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens, a lush UNESCO World Heritage Site. The newly added chic open pantry and unique sofa seating unites living and dining space and is ideal for casual entertaining. Cloaked in neutrals, black and verdant green, and dressed in cane and linen textures, with local palm, fruit and animal motifs in artworks and accessories, the new décor reflects a relaxed and vibrant ambience.

Governor Suite (1,798 sq. ft.

In the surrounds of hand-picked, book lined walls of the privileged, agreements were oft sealed with a simple gentlemen’s handshake and a toast of brandy and a glass of whiskey. Ensconced in exclusivity on the top guest room floor of Four Seasons Hotel Singapore and generously sized, the Governor Suite features pear wood millwork offset with stylish contemporary furnishings in smoky light grey, dark wood detailing and amber tones for a smart, stately ambience with a panoramic boulevard view.

Ambassador Suite (1,798 sq. ft.)
As colorful and rich as the intricate designs of the kamchen pottery featured in-suite, the Peranakan culture is a unique heritage that blossomed since the 15th Century as a result of inter-marriages between the local Straits community with non-Straits descendants, when Singapore was a major trading port. This cultivated a beautiful cross-cultural appreciation in Singapore, evident through distinctive art styles, fashion, language and recipes. Accented with existing Straits Chinese elements through chic modern furniture in a turquoise, grey and dusty rose scheme, the suite is located on the 19th floor and exudes a unique grace and charm.

Presidential Suite (2,131 sq. ft.)
Evoking the journey of Singapore from colonial outpost to a modern nation, the largest suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore - the Presidential Suite - is eloquently showcased through contrasts of black and white, symbolic of old news footage and photos, with accents of gold, symbolic of its hopes and prosperity. Inspired by the grand colonial houses that are till today, still standing proud on the island, the suite located on the 19th floor offers a breath-taking view of the city skyline and is appointed with sleek contemporary furniture in a black, white and persimmon scheme that complements the existing pear wood millwork and black marble floor.

The Room Renewal Programme

With a total of 255 guest rooms inclusive of these four themed suites, the wide range of accommodation options are crafted to welcome the Hotel’s clientele. From families to business travelers, guests will be immersed in sophisticated comfort and plush interiors. All rooms and suites also boast large floor-to-ceiling windows providing sweeping views of the city and surrounding greenery, brightening up the rooms with plenty of natural light. Just steps from the city’s shopping and commercial heart, the Hotel provides convenient access to the Central Business District and main tourist attractions.

In addition to the Hotel’s exquisitely renovated rooms, guests can unwind with an ultimate in restorative experiences in the Four Seasons Spa, featuring treatments such as the Néroli & Orchidée, a rejuvenating scrub and massage performed by one of the Hotel’s skilled therapists. This treatment and range of lotions, massage oils and scrubs can only be found at our spa, in Singapore.

The dining options at the Hotel include the One Michelin-Starred Jiang-Nan Chun, renovated in 2016 and led by Chinese Executive Chef Tim Lam. An experience at this fine-dining restaurant indulges the senses in the beauty of Jiang Nan, the paradise-like region of southern China, through elegant interiors, evocative furnishings and authentic Cantonese cuisine. Using only the freshest ingredients with an emphasis on classic culinary techniques, signatures at the restaurant include Mesquite Wood-roasted Peking Duck served with Caviar, double-boiled soups and intricate, handcrafted dim sum.

Western and Asian cuisine, including popular Singaporean favorites take center stage at One-Ninety Restaurant in an open dining concept, complete with a theatre kitchen and chef’s table. Watch the chefs weave their culinary magic with à la minute preparations over apple wood fired grills, a brick pizza oven and tandoor oven.

Take a cocktail journey or indulge in artisanal spirits at the One-Ninety Bar within its stylish lounge interior or on the resort-style alfresco Terazza amidst lush foliage as head bartender, Joseph Haywood concocts fascinating cocktails and classics that impress.

The Hotel also boasts an array of leisure facilities for business travelers, families and couples alike. Guests are invited to lounge by the rooftop pool on the 20th floor offering panoramic views of the skyline, or hone their skills on one of the four indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a unique distinction of the hotel as well as a 24-hour fitness center.

For meetings and conferences, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has over 1,500sqm of thoughtfully designed meeting space, all of which recently underwent a refurbishment in 2016. The Ballroom features picturesque arched windows with plenty of natural light, and two penthouse function rooms on the 20th floor offer expansive views of the city, along with individual private patios – a spectacular setting for meetings and events.

To experience the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, visit the website to book online or call (65) 6734 1110.

For New Yorkers, the renovation is perfectly timed to Singapore Airlines’ recently launched non-stop service between Singapore and New York.

Seattle’s Most Iconic Hotel, The Edgewater Unveils Festive Fall Experiences

The Edgewater, the iconic Noble House Hotel located on the Seattle waterfront, is offering its new festive experiences, the Game On! package and the Free Falling package, in celebration of fall and this year’s football season.   In addition, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Six Seven will also be offering a decadent pre-fixe Thanksgiving Day dinner for those guests who want to spend the day out of the kitchen.  Just voted one of Seattle’s best hotels by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, The Edgewater offers the quintessential Seattle experience designed to embrace every season.

With football season in full swing, the hotel’s Game On! package invites guests to the spirited experience that includes upscale overnight accommodations in either a city-side or water-side room to cheer on their team in luxurious fashion, overnight valet parking for one vehicle, choice of two appetizers and two libations in Six Seven Lounge for guests’ tailgating needs, and a delicious breakfast or brunch for two in Six Seven Restaurant with unobstructed views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.  The Game On! package is valid through December 30, 2018.

The Free Falling package invites guests of The Edgewater to experience the wonder of autumn in Seattle.  After a day of exploring the city in the brisk fall weather, guests can retreat back to their rooms and cozy up by their own in-room fireplace.  In addition to luxurious overnight accommodations, the Free Falling package includes lodge breakfast for two in Six Seven, a waived amenity fee, and $25 hotel credit towards whatever is desired by the guest during the stay.  The Free Falling package is available and valid for travel through November 30, 2018.

Six Seven’s Thanksgiving Day pre-fixe menu will feature seasonal and traditional dishes such as Foraged Mushroom Risotto, Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque, Roasted Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, and much more. The complete menu can be found here, http://www.noblehousemenus.com/67_thanksgiving.pdf.  The festive dishes will be served exclusively on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for $80 per adult.

Looking for a winter getaway the whole family will love?

For some, the mere thought of chasing away winter blues by spending a week sailing on a private yacht is a mini-vacation in itself. But for a family, the idea of bringing children on a yacht sometimes gives parents pause. What if they get bored and pace the decks? What if they need to be constantly supervised?

Oceanscape Yachts tackles the question: Is a trip on a luxury yacht really a family holiday for all ages?

Well, that really depends on whether you can see your children enjoying swimming with dolphins or snorkeling over colorful reefs teeming with life.

It depends  if your kids might like wakeboarding, racing about on jet skis or being pulled behind the yacht’s tender in an inflatable banana, screaming their heads off.

It depends on whether they might have fun following a treasure hunt set up on the yacht, quad biking on a Greek island, or jumping off the yacht into the sparkling sea.

It depends if you think your children might like catching fish from the swim platform at night, dangling their feet in the water and seeing the fish swim about in the yacht’s glowing underwater lights.

If they’d enjoy midnight swims and picnics on the beach, or chatting to the captain on the bridge as he drives the yacht through the darkness to the next exciting destination.

Or maybe you can see your kids spending lazy evenings in front of the yacht’s giant televisions in the sky lounge, eating popcorn and watching movies; the whole family enjoying their time together.

It depends on whether you think they’d like seeing new places- kayaking through icebergs in Alaska, scuba diving in Australia, watching celebrities on the red carpet in France. Exploring shipwrecks in Malta and underwater caves in Italy, or watching whales in New Zealand and  giant turtles in the Galapagos.

Not all kids are active, and that’s fine too- the yacht’s cabins are spacious and the yacht has every entertainment system and comforts there ready for them. (We all know that sometimes no amount of cajoling can get the kids away from the TV or Playstation, no matter what manner of adventure awaits outside.)

Babies and toddlers are in an extremely safe environment too- safety is the prime concern on all yachts, at all times, with all guests. The high crew to guest ratio on luxury yachts ensures that someone will always be watching any kids on deck or in the water. Yachting is a very safe pastime for children of all ages.

So is a yacht charter really a holiday for families of all ages? The answer is yes, absolutely. A luxury yacht charter affords kids a mix of adventure, excitement, relaxation and new experiences—all in a very safe and tremendously comfortable environment.

If you can imagine your family enjoying a vacation like that, then OceanScape Yachts would like to give you $500 toward your first trip. Just sign up for a free membership and you’ll receive a voucher for $500 worth of the food and drinks your family loves.

Of course, there are a few things that are helpful to know about taking your children on a yacht in order to prepare them (and you) for the holiday of a lifetime.

For your first yachting holiday, try to decide on an itinerary where there are not long passages between destinations. Some active kids may get bored if they can’t swim and run about for long periods, so pick a destination where there are lots of islands or destinations in short cruises from each other. OceanScape Yachts can advise of some great child-friendly itineraries.

Luxury yachts have sophisticated entertainment systems. Find out which movies and games are on board- the yacht will have a list they can send through. You can generally make requests for the yacht to purchase certain materials (at a cost to you), or bring your own. Yachts all have wifi now, but do be aware that it is generally slower than on land, and can be very slow in remote cruising regions. If your family does a lot of streaming and has high internet usage, then make sure to enquire about download speeds before chartering to avoid sullen teenagers!

Be aware that crew are there to supervise your children and entertain them to some extent, but are not employed as babysitters. If you have young children, some yacht charter contracts will insist you bring a nanny or carer with you to ensure that the crew are not pulled away from their busy schedule. It is reasonable to expect that the deck crew will spend all available hours with your children doing watersports, as that is part of the service, while normally a treasure hunt and a few activities are factored into the stewardess’ schedule. However, it’s not normally acceptable to go out to dinner ashore each evening, leaving your children in the crew’s care. Find out from your Member Ambassador  and captain what is considered acceptable when it comes to childcare responsibilities.

They will also be able to suggest great activities for your kids in the local area—use them to tailor the best possible experiences for your children.

The most wonderful thing about a family yacht charter on a luxury superyacht is the memories you’ll create together. The yacht, captain and crew are all there to provide your family with the most extraordinary experience of your life, no matter your age.

OceanScape Yachts is the world’s first vacation club dedicated to bringing the unparalleled experience of yachting to families just like yours. If you’re looking for a vacation your whole family will love this winter, stop by and claim your $500 voucher.