Latest news with #AdrianZecha
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Rude Hotels by Vir Sanghvi: Room at the top
It is one of the most famous stories in luxury hoteliering. Adrian Zecha, a former publisher who had revolutionised deluxe hotels in Asia by founding the Regent chain, decided to build a home for himself in Phuket, Thailand, after selling his Regent stake. The Amanpuri's residences-plus-hotel model has been copied all over the world A few friends joined him and they found a location outside the city to build their villas. But, as construction commenced, they realised that the area lacked the basic infrastructure required to support luxury homes. So, Zecha decided he would build a small hotel next to their homes that would provide the generators, boilers, laundry, security, etc needed to provide support services to their homes. He called the hotel Amanpuri, and by the time it opened in late 1987, a business model had emerged. Zecha and his friends sold more land around the hotel to other millionaires who built their own luxury homes. Amanpuri managed the properties and, if the millionaires so chose, they could offer their homes up for rent when they were not using them for their own vacations. Adrian Zecha built Phuket's Amanpuri in 1987 to offer support services to his friends' luxury homes. The Amanpuri experience had two consequences. The residences-plus-hotel model began to be copied all over the world. It was good for guests because they got to spend holidays by renting the homes of millionaires. It was good for the millionaires because they earned money from their vacation homes when they were not using them. And it was good for hotel developers because they made an immediate return on their investment by selling luxury residences on the hotel site. But there was also a second consequence. Zecha priced the hotel rooms in Amanpuri at such high rates that most hoteliers thought he was crazy. The hoteliers were wrong. Amanpuri became a rage and guests flocked to Phuket. Zecha had found a new niche: Super-rich travellers who were willing to pay a fortune for small, luxury hotels. Zecha got back into hoteliering full-time and created the Aman chain of exclusive, expensive hotels. He started out with many Asian locations (he is Indonesian) but expanded to such unlikely destinations as Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I did a TV show on Aman hotels at the height of Zecha's success and stayed at many of the hotels. I was struck by several things. One: The hotels were all very different and were united only by Zecha's whims, quirks and fancies. Two: Though some of the hotels had great exteriors designed by such brilliant architects as Ed Tuttle, the interiors and rooms could be sparse, boring and impractical for guests. Once you checked in, you didn't always find super-luxury experiences. And three: The food was usually disappointing. Aman has developed the Japanese restaurant Nama, and the Italian Arva in-house. Though Aman became a hugely influential chain in concept terms, it struggled financially and many of the quirkier hotels lost money. At one stage, aggressive investors removed Zecha. He returned only to eventually sell the company to India's DLF (which retained his management) before finally losing control completely when DLF sold it to a group of investors led by Vladislav Doronin, a Swedish citizen of Russian extraction who had made a fortune in property and trading, and had dated such glamorous figures as Naomi Campbell. Though the transition to the new regime was rocky within the old Aman team, Doronin has proved to be good for Aman. He has moved from Zecha's quirkiness to providing a solid luxury experience, stabilised the company's finances, expanded to new locations, attracted corporate investors and turned Aman, which is the preserve of a small number of wealthy guests ('Amanjunkies') into the international hotel group of choice for the global super-rich. The food is finally worth the prices the hotels charge (Arva and Nama, new, high-quality Italian and Japanese restaurant brands have been developed in-house). The managers are trained professionals, which they weren't always in the Zecha era. The newer hotels offer a consistent luxury experience. Vladislav Doronin (who once dated Naomi Campbell) now owns the chain and is shaking things up. Most important, Aman has finally succeeded in moving beyond the resorts category. The old regime screwed up with its first city hotel (now The Lodhi in Delhi; DLF held on to it when it sold Aman) and its Tokyo property was stuck in limbo until it opened, post-takeover, to win fame as one of the world's best hotels. The Aman in New York is the city's most expensive and exclusive hotel. And the Aman Nai Lert, which opened in Bangkok earlier this year, is the region's hottest hotel, winning the loyalty of top-tier guests despite charging nearly double of what The Oriental, previously Bangkok's top hotel, charges. I stayed there shortly after it opened, and everyone I met in Bangkok (mostly from the hospitality business) asked: 'Wow! Tell us what it's really like!' When a hotel evokes that level of awe, it tells you something about the esteem with which Aman is regarded. What accounts for Aman's exalted position in the hotel world? It's a hard question to answer. In the Zecha era, Aman was tapping into a premium market that other hoteliers had not addressed. But now that there is no shortage of luxury hotels with huge villas and massive private pools, wealthy guests have many other options. Probably the best way to describe why Aman is still at the top nevertheless, is that its hotels manage to create an alternate reality that is peaceful, refined and exclusive. Of course the design is outstanding (the lobby in Bangkok designed by Jean Michel Gathy is breathtaking) and the rooms are super luxurious. But it's more than that: The hotels smell of restrained elegance and good taste. Aman is less in the business of selling hotel rooms and more in the business of creating a sophisticated environment, where every detail is perfect. The super-rich think that they are different from the rest of us. Aman reminds them that they are absolutely right to feel that way. In keeping with that philosophy, Aman now has several brand extensions. In 2018 a skincare line was successfully launched. In 2020 came Aman fragrances. In 2022 a clothes line became available. A few years ago, as prices of hotel rooms skyrocketed, Aman created a new hotel brand, Janu, at a lower price point, but with the same sensibility as the flagship. It's all a long way from the original conception of Amanpuri as a place for Zecha and his friends. The world has changed. But Aman has kept pace with the changes and to its credit, it is now better than it has ever been. From HT Brunch, Aug 16, 2025 Follow us on
West Australian
21-06-2025
- West Australian
World's Best Hotels Guide: Familiar faces and fresh suggestions
The World Tourism Awards 2024 gives a snapshot of the globe's best travel options. Our thoughts on familiar names corroborated and new places, suggestions and brands are thrown up. It isn't a surprise, in luxury and interesting accommodation, to see Raffles Singapore, Aman Resorts and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. But most of us won't be familiar with Amazing Evolution, named the world's leading boutique hotel operator for 2024. The 12-year-old company prides itself on offering 'a tailored approach to each project in light of its DNA'. It is no surprise to me that Serengeti Balloon Safaris in Africa was among the winners, along with the world's leading luxury train, the Maharajas Express in northern India. And there is Abercrombie & Kent as the world's best luxury safari company. But it may be a surprise that Parques de Sintra, Monte da Lua, Portugal, is the world's leading conservation company, and that Pikaia Lodge, Ecuador, is the world's leading adventure hotel. The parks, Moorish Castle and monuments of Sintra make the park at Monte de Lua one of the most historical and iconic places in Portugal. Pikaia Lodge, in the Galapagos Islands, was built using more sustainable methods and materials, and offers a high level of service. Arbatax Park Resort, Italy, was named best eco resort; Aristi Mountain Resort and Villas, Greece, as the top eco lodge; and the world's best green hotel award went to Gaia Hotel and Reserve, Costa Rica. Thanda Island, Tanzania, is the best exclusive private island. Just one kilometre long and 350 metres wide, there is just one private villa with five suites and two rustic Tanzanian bandas. It is in Tanzania's Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, surrounded by a coral reef. Another interesting name is Sixt. It won the luxury car rental category, and Sixt Ride was named the world's leading luxury chauffeur service. World's Leading Adult-Only Boutique Hotel Domes Noruz Mykonos, Greece Luxury adults-only lifestyle resort in the heart of the Island. World's Leading All-Suite Hotel THE VIEW Lugano, Switzerland On a hillside with panoramic views of Lake Lugano. World's Leading Adventure Hotel Pikaia Lodge, Ecuador Sustainable luxury eco lodge in the Galapagos Islands. World's Leading Boutique Beach Hotel The Postcard on the Arabian Sea, Maravanthe Beach, India On a secluded beachfront expect an entrancing atmosphere and its candlelit dinners. World's Leading Boutique Hotel Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa In the ritzy and relatively secure Sandhurst area of Johannesburg, a ritzy luxury hotel with landscape grounds to wander, and 33km from O.R. Tambo International Airport. World's Leading Boutique Hotel Brand Aman Resorts Swiss-based but founded by Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha in 1988, Aman has 35 luxurious properties in 20 countries. World's Leading Boutique Hotel Collection Small Luxury Hotels of the World This pulls together more than 600 beautiful and interesting hotels in over 90 countries. Let their experts do the filtering for you. World's Leading Boutique Hotel Operator Amazing Evolution What happens behind the scenes is just as important and Amazing Evolution specialises in top-quality hotel and resort management. World's Leading Boutique Resort Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas, Greece On a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea and a few minutes' stroll from the Windmill of Oia, think clean, eclectic design and private pools and hot tubs… with views. World's Leading Boutique Villa Resort Porto Zante Villas & Spa, Greece Luxurious villas with private heated pools and private gardens on the Ionian Sea beachfront on the island of Zakynthos. World's Leading Design Hotel Raffles Doha, Qatar On the Lusail Marina Promenade overlooking the Gulf, this is a lavish all-suite hotel in the crescent-shaped Katara Towers. It opened in 2022. World's Leading Dive Resort Amanpulo, Philippines On a private island in the Sulu Sea, this luxury beachfront resort accessible only by private plane. World's Leading Eco Resort Arbatax Park Resort, Sardinia, Italy This is a big resort on 60 landscaped hectares beside a nature reserve, bordered by the sea. The team says a respect for natural cycles, biodiversity and soil means that nothing is wasted. World's Leading Eco-Lodge Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas, Greece In the village of Aristi, this bespoke resort blends tradition with nature and has views over Vikos Gorge and the Towers of Papigo (and a good outdoor pool). World's Leading Emerging Boutique Hotel Brand Postcard Hotels & Resorts A collection of intimate luxury hotels hidden in holiday destinations across India and the rest of the world. A spokesperson says: 'Our hotels recall an era when holidays were sun-kissed and still, where the days were spent idling and flipping through old magazines against the backdrop of charming, quiet neighbourhoods.' World's Leading Green Hotel Gaia Hotel & Reserve, Costa Rica On a private nature reserve, this luxury hotel has rainforest views and is close to Manuel Antonio National Park (with its three-toed sloths, endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys and hundreds of bird species) and Biesanz Beach. World's Leading Green City Hotel PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore Between Clarke Quay and Chinatown and near Orchard Road and Gardens by the Bay, this splendid hotel fully embraces that energy-saving features and has stunning 'hotel-in-a-garden' design. Don't miss the pool area. World's Leading Green City Resort Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Italy This luxury hotel is on the Rome's highest hilltop, giving panoramic views over the city. Don't miss the art collection. World's Leading Glamping Operator Camp Kerala This company provides accommodation at events like the UK's Glastonbury Festival and Silverstone F1, putting up 'Shikar tents' in a way that they create a sense of community among guests. Each tent has sheepskin rugs, fresh flowers, a king-size bed, duck-down duvets, Egyptian cotton sheets and luxury bathroom products. World's Leading Golf & Villa Resort Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Portugal 132 quality apartments and eight villas on a beachfront location in the Algarve's Golden Triangle. World's Leading Heritage Hotel 2024 Çıragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey This is in the heart of Istanbul, in an ornate former Ottoman palace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. World's Leading Hotel 2024 Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai A luxury beachfront hotel in the Madinat Jumeirah Resort overlooking the Persian Gulf. It has a private beach and landscaped grounds. World's Leading Hotel Collection Leading Hotels of the World Established in 1928 by European hoteliers, and based in New York City, it represents more than 400 luxury hotels in over 80 countries. World's Leading Iconic Hotel Raffles Singapore Dating from around 1887, this elegant, colonial-style building is iconic, and the service legendary. World's Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Cullinan Belek, Turkey In Antalya, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, this is premium resort hotel which has ultra-inclusive prices. There's a premium food and beverage service 24 hours a day, and the resort team prides itself on the place's 'ecological architecture' being in harmony with nature. World's Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brand Ikos Resorts Complimentary airport transfers. First child stays free. Yes, we are talking both exclusive and inclusive. Ikos Resorts have hotels in Greece and Spain, including Ikos Dassia, Ikos Andalusia, Ikos Aria, Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania. World's Leading Luxury Beach Resort Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi On a 1.3km long private beach, the hotel has its many restaurants and bars, and a marina to stroll around. Expect spacious rooms and marble bathrooms. World's Leading Luxury Beach Resort & Spa The Chedi Muscat, Oman I like being in Muscat, and really like the Chedi. It'd be my choice there. There is a real sense of Arabic hospitality. It really feels like a tranquil retreat. Oh, and it is right on the beach. World's Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel The Reserve, Portugal A Savoy Signature hotel, this really is boutique in Funchal, the capital city of the Madeira archipelago. It is nicely placed for just walking around this interesting and pretty place — an autonomous region of Portugal, on the Atlantic Ocean. World's Leading Luxury Business Hotel InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong Sophistication meets heritage, overlooking Victoria Harbour. World's Leading Luxury City Hotel Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, UAE A modern hotel with a 74th floor observation deck and 12 award-winning restaurants and bars. World's Leading Luxury City Resort Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Italy Lets start with the fact that it has Rome's only three Michelin star restaurant. That sets the bar. The suites are described as 'aristocratic' and there's a private art collection. The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club really does look like a Roman bath. World's Leading Luxury Family Resort Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection, Greece This Marriott hotel on the island of Crete looks out at the castle on Spinalonga Isle and the Domes of Elounda. It has suites and villas and is right on the beach. There is scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing. World's Leading Luxury Green Resort Sani Resort, Greece We are about 70km from Thessaloniki airport, and this resort actually is comprised of five hotels, a short drive from Roman ruins in Megali Kypsa. Megali Kypsa is a remarkable archaeological site in the picturesque Kassandra region of Halkidiki. It is in 400ha grounds by the Aegean Sea. World's Leading Luxury Hotel Savoy Palace, Portugal In Funchal on Madeira island, there are beautiful rooms, stylish restaurants and bars and a spa with hydrotherapy facilities. It has a very special afternoon tea — a ritual accompanied by the melodies of piano or harp. World's Leading Luxury Hotel & Residences Address Downtown, Dubai I've stayed here and like it mainly for its position — I think Downtown is an interesting area to stay and stroll. Many of the spacious rooms have views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. (One word of warning — it's popular for big weddings.) World's Leading Luxury Hotel & Spa The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, Jordan With 193 rooms and 34 suites (all with luxurious amenities, of course), there are nice spaces for relaxing, people-watching and socialising. Many rooms have views over the city, and the hotel offers insight into local culture through cooking classes and off-site excursions. World's Leading Luxury Hotel Apartments Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, UAE On the eastern crescent of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, this Thai-themed hotel has villas set around lagoon-style swimming pools. World's Leading Luxury Hotel Brand Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts You simply can't go wrong with Canadian-based Four Seasons. The company opened its first hotel in 1961, and has continually innovated. The team prides itself on personalised, genuine care with an unwavering commitment to excellence. World's Leading Luxury Hotel Penthouse The Royal Mansion @ Atlantis The Royal, Dubai We're talking a 1128 square metre, split-level four-bedroom penthouse with a 476 square metre terrace. You need a very, very deep credit card — we're talking about US$100,000 a night. World's Leading Luxury Hotel Villa Fleming Villa @ GoldenEye, Jamaica Yes, in Jamaica, you can stay at the place where author Ian Fleming created Bond. James Bond. For, as Fleming strolled on his private beach at GoldenEye, in Oracabessa Bay, he dreamed up a sophisticated spy that would become an enduring character in literature and cinema. The villa has a private beach, pool and tropical gardens. World's Leading Luxury Island Resort The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort On a private natural island with spacious villas, private pools, sandy beaches and sunset views. World's Leading Luxury Landmark Hotel Armani Hotel Dubai, UAE The vision of fashion icon Giorgio Armani, the hotel occupies 11 floors of Dubai's iconic, pointed skyscraper Burj Khalifa, but has a private entrance. There are signature dining and spa treatments designed by Giorgio himself. World's Leading Luxury Lodge Malewane Lodge at Royal Malewane, South Africa All-inclusive safari lodge is located in Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western border of Greater Kruger National Park. World's Leading Luxury Private Island Resort North Island, Seychelles This small, granite island is secluded and exclusive. It offers barefoot luxury in 11 private villas. They are built from materials harvested on the island during the its reclamation process. World's Leading Luxury Private Villa Villa iZulu @ Thanda Safari, South Africa There are just five suites, to accommodate only up to 10 adults. Lush lawns are all that stand between the camp and the surrounding expanses of African bush. World's Leading Luxury Resort Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, UAE Beachside resort with views of the Arabian Gulf from its balconies on one side, and Dubai's cityscape on the other. World's Leading Luxury Resort & Villas Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE Opened in 2018 with 285 rooms and suites. World's Leading Luxury Resort Brand Jumeirah Chief operating officer Thomas Meier knows what he's doing. The icon is Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, but the Jumeirah Icons Collection offers quality through and through. World's Leading Luxury Suites Hotel Tower Club at lebua, Thailand On floors 53 to 59 of the State Tower, the Tower Club's suites are spacious and the views are big. World's Leading Luxury Villa Beach Resort Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius On the palm tree-lined edge of the Indian Ocean, this retreat has customised treatments guided by an Ayurvedic doctor. World's Leading Luxury Villa Resort Sailrock Resort, Turks & Caicos Thirty-five private rooms with top-quality amenities, secluded beaches, infinity pools and prime dining. World's Leading New Boutique Hotel Casa Palacio Don Ramón, Spain In the Old Town district of Seville, Andalucia, the team at this super boutique hotel prides itself on personalisation and exclusivity. It's in an interesting colonial building, but with geothermal energy and energy efficiency, soundproofing and thermal insulation. World's Leading New Hotel Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, Qatar In the Diplomatic Area, think elegance and service. There are 283 Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites, and 50 apartments, and it also was recognised as 'Outstanding New Accommodation' by Qatar Tourism 2024. World's Leading Retreat Saccharum, Portugal In Calheta, on Madeira Island, Saccharum is both elegant and contemporary. On the North Atlantic Ocean coast, it is a short stroll to Calheta Beach. World's Leading Airline, Business Class Qatar Airways World's Leading Airline, First Class Emirates World's Leading Airline, Premium Economy Class Qantas Airways World's Leading Airline Lounge, Business Class Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge @ Hamad International Airport World's Leading Airline Lounge, First Class Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa @ Zayed International Airport World's Leading Boutique Airport Hotel JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La World's Leading Luxury Car Rental Company Sixt World's Leading Luxury Chauffeur Service Sixt Ride World's Leading Balloon Ride Operator Serengeti Balloon Safaris World's Leading Conservation Company Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua, Portugal World's Leading Cultural Destination Peru World's Leading Dive Destination Philippines World's Leading Exclusive Private Island Thanda Island, Tanzania World's Leading Green Destination Maldives World's Leading Heritage City Destination Lisbon, Portugal World's Leading Heritage Destination Vietnam World's Leading Luxury Island Destination Boracay, Philippines World's Leading Luxury Safari Company Abercrombie & Kent World's Leading Luxury Tour Operator Ciconia Exclusive Journeys World's Leading Luxury Train Maharajas' Express World's Leading Mountain Resort Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, USA World's Leading Nature Retreat The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, India World's Leading Private Game Reserve &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa World's Leading Tourism Winery Chateau La Coste, France World's Responsible Tourism Award Dark Sky Alqueva, Portugal
