Hasta La Ideas

Beauty and decadent service at Marrakech’s palatial property

Anyone who books a luxury hotel surely wants the service to adhere to the old adage about being treated like a king, but Marrakech’s decadent Royal Mansour palace—originally intended to serve actual nobility—truly delivers such an experience. Overlooking the historic medina, Marrakech’s chaotic main marketplace, the hotel was personally commissioned by King Mohamed VI of Morocco to allow state guests. Completed in 2010, the perfect symmetry throughout the property represents the very best of Moorish architecture of Northern Africa, and every single item in the interior part of the space was handmade by a collaboration of local artisans whose decorative arts skills were passed down to them through many generations. Around every corner is another breathtaking example of geometrically chiseled sculptural cedar, zellige ornamental ceramic tile and smooth, shiny moulded tadelakt lime plaster work.

The Royal Mansour grounds form a labyrinth of paved marble paths lined with olive trees that lead to 53 unique riads, each built in the traditional style of a Moroccan home. Fortunately room keys are housed in a wallet with an accompanying map so you won’t get lost. The ground floor of each riad has a courtyard with a fountain, as well as a drawing room with a seating area covered in bespoke furniture and an abundant pile of elegant silk pillows. The second floor comprises a bedroom, dressing room and study. The top floor of each riad also has a private terrace with a fireplace and a plunge pool, perfect for enjoying breakfast with a view of the sunrise over the Atlas mountains. We recommend traditional Moroccan pancakes, Beghrir and Msemen, lightly fried dough served with the Mansour’s homemade spreads: almond butter with honey, apricot preserves and chocolate cream.

The rich three-bedroom riads include a library, private hamman and professional kitchen, and the complex houses one four-bedroom riad for those seeking a truly palatial experience away from home. There are no buttons or switches inside the riads—everything is controlled by a master touchscreen control panel.

For dinner, two restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno represent the dichotomy of Morocco’s rich culinary traditions.
La Grande Table Marocaine offers outstanding versions of local specialties like sheep’s head, while La Grande Table Française serves traditional dishes like couscous and tagine for less daring diners. The restaurants have made the Mansour a top foodie destination in Africa, where innovative dishes like prawns and game meat with local seasoning are paired with an equally impressive wine list.

The highlight of the Mansour is an unparalleled spa, which envelops guests in a rare sense of calm as they enter through a giant white wrought iron atrium reminiscent of a majestic birdcage. The experience begins in the “wellness lounge” with fresh lemon and ginger juice or a raw appetizer, from which guests can then choose between a traditional hamman for a scrub with black soap or an argan oil massage tailored to an individual’s needs. Guests can also enjoy deep steam baths or the covered greenhouse pool overlooking the gardens designed in the style of those on the grounds of the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

The Royal Mansour complex becomes a different entity at night, scored by the sounds of running water throughout the numerous fountains lining the candlelit walkways. Although there are 500 staff members, about 10 for every riad, you’re not likely to see the majority of them. The compound operates through an underground city where 24-hour butlers have access to each riad. This level of attentiveness may take some getting used to, but if you’re seeking a getaway where anything you desire is reachable with the touch of a button, you’ll find comfort in the Royal Mansour’s legendary service.

Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti

40 000 Marrakech

Morocco

+212 5 29 80 80 80

The first comprehensive redesign of the entry-level Porsche since its introduction in 1996

With a welcome redesign, the 2013 Boxster is once again the sexy gateway model to the rush of owning a Porsche. The brand unveiled the car’s most comprehensive design overhaul since its introduction in 1996 this week at the NY International Auto Show, showing off a 2013 that builds on the iconic 550 Spyder to be lighter, lower, wider and more powerful than before.

The 2013 amplifies the thrill of driving a mid-engine car with a body made from a composite aluminum and steel that reduces weight without compromising strength. The rear wing deploys automatically as in previous iterations but is now flanked by LED taillights. Under the hood the new model’s flat-six engine is available in both a base and upgraded S. This divide reveals output differences of 265hp vs 315hp and a top speed of 164mph and 173mph in favor of the S.

To improve handling the new Boxster is now equipped with Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), a helpful bit of technology that redistributes torque by internally controlling braking on rear wheels, making the Boxster even more of a roadster than ever. The 2013 Porsche Boxster will be available Summer 2012 with a base sticker price of $49,500.

Four standouts by Ferrari, Bentley, Subaru and Toyota

Each year Geneva plays host to the International Motor Show, drawing in every relevant brand in the auto industry to show their latest, greatest and most innovative cars. While navigating the labyrinth of new releases and concept cars at the 2012 show we took note of four standouts across all categories of design, function and luxury.

The star of the show: Ferarri F12berlinetta

While Geneva was packed with new model launches from almost every major manufacturer, the most consistently crowded floor belonged to Ferrari and its stunning new F12berlinetta. Even Internet leaks couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the model that Ferrari is calling the harbinger of a new V12 era. This is the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari ever, with aluminum construction using some alloys never before seen in a car. Aerodynamics play a critical role in the overall style of the F12, which Ferrari also claims to be the slipperiest they’ve ever made. While we were lukewarm on the overall styling in photos, in person it’s a horse of a different color (satin aluminum, to be precise). We look forward to getting behind the wheel soon.

The head turner/head scratcher: Bentley EXP 9 F

Bentley also drew crowds, but for a very different reason: the already infamous SUV Concept EXP 9 F. Perhaps the most controversial SUV since the original Porsche Cayenne, the EXP was met with both derision and curiosity. Online opinion also appears to be mixed, with some claiming Bentley is diluting its rich heritage by building a truck while others are embracing the possibility of a high-performance British luxury SUV in the tradition of the estate car and shooting brake, albeit one that would make even the top Range Rover look pedestrian by comparison (and small—the EXP is enormous).

One thing is clear: the EXP represents a large chunk of potential profit that Bentley could claim, especially in areas where both a commanding ride height and luxurious interior are in high demand (China and the Middle East, for example). While our opinion on the concept is mixed, we did get to sit down inside with its interior designer Robin Page to learn about the thinking behind the SUV.

Elements like a dual-use cabin interior that’s both luxurious and rugged, a traditional British hunting sport aesthetic and some advanced tech features combine to give the impression of a very thought-out and pure concept, especially impressive considering the time from sketch to show was less than nine months. There is no question that the EXP’s very existence is a controversial move for Bentley, and we were assured by more than one person within the company that this remains a concept built for feedback and to gauge interest. That said, we fully expect to be seeing a production version in some form within the next few years; we can only hope that some of the smarter elements of the interior make the cut.

The Crowd Pleaser: Toyota GT86/ Subaru BRZ

Not every car can be a ultra-luxury SUV or a temperamental supercar. Sometimes simplicity is best, especially when trying to reach a new generation of driving fans. While not new to Geneva, this was our fist chance to get some one-on-one time with the Toyota GT86. Jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru (and almost identical—Subaru’s version will be sold as the BRZ, while the Toyota version will be sold by Scion in the U.S.), the GT86 represents a laser focus on pure driving joy at minimal cost.

No magnetorheological dampening or push-to-start here—the purely functional GT86 uses springs and a key. The interior is spartan as well, but the short-throw gear changer feels solid in the hand and the seats are supportive buckets. Overall, it was refreshing to find a sporty rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe with a manual transmission and a penchant for drifting for under $25,000.

Local artists inspire guests with interactive works

It’s hard to turn down an invitation to experience a few days in Beijing while staying at one of its hippest hotels, so when the Opposite House extended an invitation to visit we jumped at the opportunity. The hotel, along with its sister hotel Upper House in Hong Kong, strives to present a uniquely local experience wrapped in service with style, and perfectly suited to hyper-travelers like us. While certainly impressed by little details like in-room check-in and free mini-bars, the biggest surprise came in the form of the hotels’ art programs, particularly the constantly rotating artist program at Opposite House.

Hotel art is notoriously subpar, typically taking the form of cheap prints hung without much thought. Not so at the Opposite House, where the offerings significantly transcend what we’ve typically seen. While the space is filled with excellent art from a range of Chinese artists, the hotel takes it a step further by hosting artists for three-month installation periods, customized by each artist, in the hotel’s massive central forecourt. The hotel is tapped into China’s contemporary artistic core, acting as a host to both established and up-and-coming artists of the city’s prolific talent pool.

Approaching the emerald glass exterior of the Opposite House, the modernist styling blends seamlessly with surrounding bamboo gardens. A large atrium fills the interior while the front faces a traditional courtyard-style home, giving the hotel its witty name. The hotel spares no expense for luxury, and offers a number of bars (Punk and Mesh) and restaurants (the casual Village Cafe, the upscale Asian Bei, and my favorite, Sureño, with its Mediterranean menu).

Opposite House works with the local Red Gate Gallery to create its shows, selecting mainly Beijing-based artists. The hotel keeps the content of these exhibitions as diverse as the interests of the artists themselves. During my visit, I was fortunate enough to witness “Through My Eyes” from Mo Yi and got a preview of “I-Ching,” an installation of sculptures by Huang Rui inspired by the the eponymous book, known in English as “The Book of Changes.”

“Through My Eyes,” is an ever-expanding collection of photographed eyes that blurs the line between artist and audience. Participants pose for a photograph taken by the artist. Two prints are made: one the participant keeps and the second becomes part of the evolving installation, with inscriptions written in the borders by the subjects. While exploring the collection, I opted to be photographed and join the ranks of Mo’s subjects.

“I-Ching” features 64 phrases from the book of changes, inscribed on black and white umbrellas for an installation with both active and passive elements. When the artist is not present, viewers enjoy sculptural groupings of the umbrellas. When the artist is in the hotel, people are invited to stand with the umbrellas and the artist in a circle decorated with the yin yang symbol and to have a one-on-one exchange with the artist, which may be spoken or silent depending on the artist’s desire. While superstitious westerners may be quick to forewarn the dangers of umbrellas indoors, Huang’s show was a hit amongst participating guests.

I-Ching is currently on display, and is open to the public through March 2012. Previous artist exhibitions have included Chen Wenling’s sculptural series “Red Memory,” Li Xiaoling’s clothing-inspired “Enhance the Beauty” and a bespoke postcard collection from various students at Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Opposite House

11号 Sanlitun Road

Chaoyang, Beijing, China, 100027

Photos by Opposite House and Evan Orensten

Yabu Pushelberg’s latest hotel project resets the notion of modern luxury

Set to open 19 January 2012, the St. Regis Bal Habour Resort brings the supremely luxurious service and accommodations the brand is known for to the worldwide destination of South Florida. Designed by Seiger Suarez Architectual Partnership with interiors by renowned studio Yabu Pushelberg, the property sets a new standard for the St. Regis brand. Previewing the property last month I found a brilliant combination of materials and patterns; the aesthetic continuity is maintained from restaurants and reception to guest rooms and spa, yet the spaces are also clearly differentiated. My test for evaluating the effectiveness of a hotel brand’s design language is to imagine waking up in any of the spaces—a guest room, a chair by the pool, the spa or even a restaurant booth or the lobby floor—if there’s no doubt where you are, the design is well executed. In this case, I’d wake up feeling right at home and never wanting to leave.

Boasting 27 stories, housing 243 guest rooms and suites and 307 residences, the resort, built from the ground up on the site of the old Sheraton Bal Harbour, features extravagant detailing throughout. Just a few steps into the main hall Yabu Pushelberg’s consuming style transports you to a world of Deco-inspired modern luxury. Highlighting the extravagance are floors of Chinese God’s Flower marble sourced from a private quarry opened exclusively for the project, mirror-laden walls and chandeliers made of hand-hung crystals.

To further set the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort apart from the other destination resorts in the Miami area, the hotel is defined by its extensive collection of contemporary art from both local and internationally known artists—including works by Japanese artists Hirotoshi Sawada, Kohel Nawa, Miami-based graffiti artist Santiago Rubino and French photographer Jean Francois Rauzier.

To pay homage to legendary architect Morris Lapidus—creator of the iconic neo-baroque modern hotel style synonymous with Miami—guestrooms echo a contemporary Art Deco aesthetic. With warm yellow and whites and mirrored surfaces, the interior design nod can be seen in the subtle details throughout the hotel.

For more information on availability head to St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort online.