Luxury lifestyle event in Thailand: Interview with Gulu Lalvani of the Royal Phuket Marina

From scenic island to growing hub for yachting, the Royal Phuket Marina is the set to have a wonderful 2018 with the upcoming luxury lifestyle event

from LUXUO

Why heritage is all in the details at Hotel Felicidad

Personal review from Vanessa Liwanag’s stay at Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

The Arrival – Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Philippines

The north of the Philippines is home to numerous historical destinations which includes the quaint and charming city of Vigan. Stepping on the sidewalks of this acclaimed UNESCO heritage site transports one back to the olden times where horse-drawn carriages were kings of the road and gas-lit lamps provided the warmth and security for the local townsfolk. Among the maze of the winding streets, we found a precious gem, the luxury boutique hotel called Hotel Felicidad, resplendent in all its glory along the street of kings called Calle De Los Reyes.

Entering the royal entrance of the hotel, we breezed through the lobby embraced in an atmosphere of warm smiles from the kind staff who offered us sweet ripe mango refreshments to quench our thirst after a long drive from Manila. A grand wooden staircase took us upstairs to the majestic room that was prepared for us, adorned in antique furniture made of solid kamagong and molave wood, carved in the style of legendary craftsman Ah-Tay. It felt like home as we slept through the night, in white luxurious sheets accentuated with soft pillows covered in hand-woven soft abel cloth that had us fall asleep easily and dream of being back in the 1800s, where all was still and silent in the province.

The Heritage – Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Philippines

Owned by Jose “Bonito” Singson, Hotel Felicidad is a blissful haven that is highly recommended to be visited by a majority of the Ilocanos, the people from Ilocos Region, who are proud of its history and presence. Bonito described the hotel as a place where “Ilocano heritage and hospitality is experienced at its best”. First built in 1918, the original structure was an ancestral house that was fully restored and converted into the luxury showcase that is appreciated today with 21 beautifully decorated suites and rooms fully equipped with modern amenities. Wandering through the grand historical hallways filled with artworks of Philippine master painter Jim Orencio had us feel that we were truly in the corners of true luxury. Everywhere we went, we had a private concierge assisting us and catering to our every whim and wants.

The Copious Brunch- Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Philippines

Brunch was served at the adjacent Casa Caridad, where their best guarded secret is a delightful family chef called Manang Cristeta Mendoza who has been living in Vigan for all her life and has delighted a lot of hotel guests with her magical creations. Manang Cristeta knew all the best suppliers of the freshest greens and top quality produce in the region and it was a genuine treat to sample all the wonderful dishes that she has concocted from old recipes passed on through generations. Together with her local culinary staff, she served us a sumptuous spread of aromatic garlic rice, fresh farm eggs cooked according to preference, an excellent local dish called Pinablad a Pusi which included tender portions of pork knuckles slowly cooked in a transparent broth filled with leaves from the drumstick tree locally called as malunggay, and the best longganisa sausages – a local delicacy famous in the Philippines which is yet to be discovered by culinary circles internationally. Bonito shared to us that they would be offering their old family recipes on fine plated dishes soon in a first-class restaurant called Casa Vicente which was being built on the same street of Hotel Felicidad. After a regal feast prepared especially for us by Manang Cristeta, we were already looking forward to visit this future gastronomic destination that will soon be open for all.

The Island Activities – Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Philippines

After a good fill, we were off to the charming streets of Vigan, where a ride on one of the horse-drawn carriages was waiting for us on the famous street of Calle Crisologo, situated one block near the hotel. A tour of the city had us traversing streets laid with century-old stone tiles centered among well-preserved colonial houses and restaurants with facades that reflect the best of Asian architecture.

The slow pace of our tour had us relish each moment that delivered us back to that old chapter of Spanish rule in the Philippines, documented in bronze plaques that can be seen on the walls of various historical monuments which includes the magnificent Vigan Cathedral, and the celebrated Plaza Salcedo with statues of revered heroes standing up high amidst the business of people and locals all around. Our last stop was an interesting visit in one of the oldest pottery barns in Vigan, where we marveled at the sight of pots and trays in clay being baked in a massive oven which resembled a tunnel made of rich hardened soil from the hills nearby.

 

Lots of activities can be done in the region encompassing the city of Vigan and the staff of Hotel Felicidad recommended us to visit a preserved lighthouse, built in 1892 located at Cape Bojeador. It showcased a grand panorama of the northern seas of the Philippines at the best vantage point any one can ever have. After taking in some fresh air and breath-taking views, we headed off to the unique rock formations that were situated 2 hours away in Kapurpurawan Beach in the municipality of Burgos. Recently developed by the local tourism authorities, the rock formations are a sight to behold, amidst a lush valley filled with dragonflies and little flowers in a seemingly untouched environment. Hotel Felicidad is also offering exclusive tour packages for all their guests wanting to visit all the other beautiful sites of the Ilocos Region which includes the famed shores of Pagudpud Beach, the vast estate of Fort Ilocandia, the grand church of Paoay and the cockfight pits dotting every village along the way, serving as an authentic local experience of a festive crowd-gathering tradition that is still practiced until today.

The Love – Hotel Felicidad in Vigan, Philippines

Hotel Felicidad exceeded our expectations as one of the best accommodations in this part of the country that is starting to be discovered by intrepid travelers yearning for an authentic experience in other prime locations apart from obligatory visits to the beaches and islands that the Philippines is globally known for. It is truly a diamond in a treasure chest, well-guarded with pride in the heart of the city. A place that welcomes each and every one wanting to savor the luxury of time and local traditions found only in Vigan – a city that merits its position in the list of top heritage sites in the world.
LuxeInACity highly recommends a stay at Hotel Felicidad.

Visit www.hotelfelicidadvigan.com to plan your luxury stay.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Felicidad, Commons Wikimedia, Katrina Manahan and Vanessa Liwanag

 

The post Why heritage is all in the details at Hotel Felicidad appeared first on LuxeInACity.

from LuxeInACity

The Mind of a Chef Returns to Netflix

The Mind of a Chef, which gets inside the heads of some of the world's best chefs, is back streaming on Netflix.

from Fine Dining Lovers

Five Pasta Dishes to Get You Through the Week

As we’re about to kiss February good-bye, we’re long past new year’s resolutions, am I right? So give me all the carbs. While I was paleo for years before getting pregnant, I’m closing in on two years of what I’m calling my pasta renaissance. It’s basically all I want to eat, all the time.

Cacio e Pepe just might be the most comforting of all classic pasta recipes. Simple, timeless and so easy. I’ll never say no.

If you’re feeling spicy, this Chorizo Bolognese looks mighty tasty.

And if you want to get really fancy, this fresh take on lasagne – that’s rolled instead of stacked and filled with yummy mushrooms – looks rather fabulous.

Ok ok, I’ll eat some veggies with my noodles. Roasted cauliflower, dill and ricotta sounds fresh and a light.

And since we’re not quite into spring yet there’s still time to cram in some more pumpkin. The pumpkin sauce on this dish is seriously good (though I cut out the dairy and would actually add a bit of chili flake for a touch of heat).

I know carbs are the root of all nutritional evil, but if eating these dishes all week is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

 

For more of my favorite recipes, CLICK HERE

recipes via sunday suppers / donna hay / the modern proper / not without salt / a pinch of yum

The post Five Pasta Dishes to Get You Through the Week appeared first on Apartment34.

from Apartment34

New luxury car launch: Pagani Huayra Roadster makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2017

The Geneva Motor Show may not be until March 9 but with the latest creation from Pagani— the Huayra Roadster— we could already be looking at this year's star car.

from LUXUO

Heston Blumenthal Wins World's 50 Best 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

British chef Heston Blumenthal will receive the 2017 Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award at The World's 50 Best Restaurants in Melbourne on 5 April.

from Fine Dining Lovers

12 Discoveries Unearthed During My 38th Year

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” —Oprah Winfrey

Our lives can travel at impeccable speeds, as months and years can fly by without a realization of what has happened, but so too can our days be gradual, steady and something to savor so long as we live well, live in such a way to appreciate the life we’ve created for ourselves and have the opportunity to live.

With the arrival of my 38th birthday today, it is the first birthday that the last year has been spent entirely being a resident of Bend, Oregon. I know some readers tire of me speaking of my new hometown, but it is really less about where I live and more about the gift we can each give ourselves if we choose to recognize and then respond as we take risks that speak to us and refuse to leave our mind until we act.

Hands down, without a question in my mind, the decision I made in the spring of 2015 was the most monumental decision of my life thus far. To some, this decision is laughable as I merely hopped four hours to another town in Oregon, and to others it was a ginormous life change. It is not for anyone’s approval I made the decision, but soley my own. And that should be the case for you as well as you look at your life and you ponder a change, a leap, a shift. It should be for you, and in doing so, you will begin to come into your best self, or at least be given the opportunity to do so.

As I have done many years in the past on my birthday (see the end of the post for archived posts), birthdays are a special event. Regardless of whom I spend it with or with anyone at all, it is an intimate celebration of living a life that makes me smile, laugh, and appreciate all that I have had the opportunity to experience, even the struggles, even the tears and especially the moments of pure delight and disbelief as life surpasses expectations.

Below are twelve discoveries I came across these past twelve months that I still cannot quite believe I had the fortune to experience:

1. Being extremely busy for a short duration is just fine if you are doing something  you love.

From January to June I took two quarters of French at the local community college, and while it made my weekly routine extremely busy, and reduced my ability to work on the blog as much I needed, I was reminded why I loved the French language and am thankful I enrolled. Discover all that I learned here.

2. Don’t be afraid to look a fool; often it is only you who feels as though you are.

I attended my first French conversation group in March. Knew very little French, but willed myself to attend. And in so doing met beautiful individuals who no more thought I was a fool than I thought I was speaking fluent French. Ah! The angst we put ourselves through for no reason!

3. Tending to the yard and garden, no matter how small is powerful, therapeutic and rewarding.

My garden is smaller, but my yard is larger, and so I decided to invest in a landscaper to bring my yard back to its original glory, and then I would take over from there. The previous tenant took care of it adequately, but as someone who appreciates looking out the office window and seeing a plush yard, as well as a back yard to relax in and enjoy the birds, a playful ball-chasing romp with the boys, or laying on the hammock with a book, I wanted a yard I loved to be in. And with that a garden was planted, the grass came back, hydrangeas, hosts and lavender were planted and many moments were spent outside with the birds, the boys and a book without a clock to look at.

4. Say yes, even if it scares you after you get over your exhilaration upon receiving the invitation.

5. Host a dinner party, turn on the music, dress up, serve courses or don’t, but make your guests feel special.

6. Invest in your dreams

The blog redesign was a significant undertaking that involved me asking myself what I saw for the future of TSLL brand. Needless to say, I saw a simply luxurious home for readers to continue to visit, to explore, to learn, to be inspired and enjoy themselves all the while reach a fullest potential that is uniquely their own, and so the decision was made.

7. Do something new that you love even if you don’t know how it will work out. 

In August the first TSLL French Week took place to a great reception. Not only was it fun to put together, but it was fun to hear from readers and discover what they enjoyed. Needless to say, TSLL French Week will return this coming summer.

8. Invest in experiences over things.

In September I invested in a trip that I will be taking far down the road. And while I have many months to wait, I have many months to look forward to what I will get to see, do, learn and explore, and so the planning has already begun and my excitement is continuing to build.

9. Doing something you’ve never done often reveals skills you didn’t realized you’ve been honing for just such occasion. 

In October the first of two guest appearances on Portland’s KATU-TV (ABC) Afternoon Live! took place. Admittedly, I was nervous, but with the help of a seasoned and welcoming host, I am thankful that they both went well.

10. Remember that life will never stop amazing you if you hold onto your plans loosely.

Sometimes surprises from out of the blue really do happen so long as you don’t slam the door simply because it doesn’t fit into your definition of what your life “should” look like. Be open, be willing to explore and you might just be pleasantly surprised.

11. Ask for your wildest dreams. Every once in awhile, the universe has exactly what you’re looking for. 

12. Stand strong in who you know yourself to be, hold on to hope and let go of expectation. 

And with that another year begins. Another year of being alive, healthy, happy and open to more lessons and moments to celebrate. My gratitude knows no bounds. I do hope your birthday year is going well no matter when it began, and that you too are pinching yourself for getting the opportunity to live a “brand new day with no mistakes in it” one more time each and every day you open your eyes after a deep night’s sleep.

~BIRTHDAY POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~10 Birthday Revelations After 37 Years

~Birthday #35: Appreciative and Exhilarated

~Birthday #34: A Work in Progress

~33 Lessons Learned

~Birthday #31: A Simply Luxurious Year

from The Simply Luxurious Life®