The Luxe Lens

  Acclaimed Spanish chef Ángel León, who wants to change the way we feed the world, will soon visit Asia for the first time, showcasing his sustainable marine gastronomy at a remarkable event at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. “Stars of the Sea: A World Class Culinary Journey”, to be staged on December 29, 2025 from 6-9.30pm, will welcome Chef León, renowned as ‘El Chef del Mar’ (‘The Chef of the Sea’) and is open to the public but with limited seats available by confirmed registration only. Chef León’s revolutionising work at his restaurant Aponiente in Cádiz, Spain, has been awarded three Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star for championing alternative food sources that reduce reliance on conventional seafood and do not compromise fragile ecosystems. He has discovered new sea ingredients, cultivated marine plants and used previously overlooked marine products as part of his commitment to sustainability. The event at LUZ, organised by Meliá Hotels I...

  Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the iconic 124-year-old Grand Dame of Hanoi, is transforming into “A Luminescent Dreamscape” ahead of the holiday season, as a million lights and shimmering festive spirit blend seamlessly with the hotel’s timeless elegance. Festive scenes and breathtaking displays will pair with culinary offerings imbued with French sophistication and festive flair – experiences that lift the spirits and evoke warmth, nostalgia, wonder, togetherness and the enduring charm of the holiday season. Amid the season’s magical glow, families and friends are finding the perfect setting to create cherished memories together. For the first time ever, the Metropole Christmas Fair, held from Nov. 28-30, will offer a joyful celebration featuring Metropole-made specialties alongside local vendors presenting holiday handicrafts, gifts, decorations and more. Sweet delights, eggnog, mulled wine and gourmet bites from the grill and charcuterie stations add to the experience. The fa...

Emirates capped off a successful Dubai Airshow week, announcing major commitments to expand its fleet, unveiling plans for the latest cabin products and technologies, and forging strategic partnerships to bolster the UAE's capabilities as an emerging aerospace hub, demonstrating confidence in long-term growth. The airline's largest-ever display of Airbus A380, A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft attracted over 82,000 visitors throughout the week, with over 15,000 experiencing Emirates' Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi aboard the Emirates Boeing 777. The airline announced a series of strategic initiatives that support its ambitious plans and Dubai's D33 goals: • Fleet Growth: Ordered 65 additional Boeing aircraft 777-9 aircraft and 8 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft worth US$41.4 billion, bringing Emirates’ total wide-body orders to 375 aircraft with deliveries through 2038. • Making flying better and more connected: The airline debuted Starlink on one of its retrofitted Boeing...

 As 2025 draws to a close, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is embracing the festive spirit with delectable Spanish menus, buffet feasts and a sky-high countdown party, all set against panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline. The 208-room urban lifestyle hotel, which has been recognised by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 as among the Thai capital’s top four hotels, will present its “Feliz Festiva” program from Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2025.   The hotel, which debuted in 2023 in Bangkok’s vibrant On Nut neighbourhood, has quickly become known for its transparent infinity pool, authentic rooftop Spanish tapas bar, integrated co-working spaces and contemporary design referencing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar serves four weeks of festive Spanish dishes  Perched on the hotel’s uppermost floors – the 33rd and 34th floors – LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar will mark the season to be jolly with a rotating “Special Spanish ...

  Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has welcomed a new artist in residence ahead of the launch of a new exhibition of artworks, as the iconic 93-year-old luxury hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia continues to spotlight talented Khmer creatives. Teang Borin, popularly known as ‘DinArt’, is an audacious, self-taught artist whose work captures and exalts the essence of Cambodia’s rich religious and societal heritage. His latest exhibition, inspired by the majesty of Khmer royalty and the distinguished colour palette of the Raffles Royal Doorman, features vivid, brilliant hues often set against a stark backdrop. “The central concept revives the historical tradition of Khmer royalty, specifically focussing on the Royal Guards’ pantaloons. Historically, the colour of a king’s attire would change to correspond with the day of the week—a vibrant, visual reminder of the calendar and its spiritual significance,” said curator Nat Di Maggio of the local Tribe Art Gallery. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor wil...

  The Straits Wine Company (Straits Wine) is proud to announce the launch of its series of monthly ‘Art and Wine’ appreciation events across its outlets, designed to attract younger, novice wine drinkers by making both wine and art accessible, experiential, and fun. This move, alongside a range of other new initiatives to be launched, follows the acquisition of the 19-year-old wine retailer and distributor by Santero & Oliva Group Holdings, a vineyard owner with several lifestyle businesses across the globe. ‘Art and Wine’ was introduced on a trial basis in June, September, and October this year and was very well received by a younger audience, earning rave reviews. Its sold-out trials reinforced the company’s new and refreshed direction to make wine more accessible and engaging. According to the new owner’s analysis of shifting wine trends, evidenced by their vineyards’ performance and innovations in the winemaking industry, The Straits Wine Company was certain that a large gr...

In an era where the pursuit of wellness often feels commodified, Hearterra emerges as a refreshing reminder that self-care, at its truest form, is an act of the heart. Rooted in nature and guided by purpose, this Malaysian-born wellness brand transcends the typical apothecary model — blending artisanal craftsmanship, mindfulness, and philanthropy into a sensorial journey of holistic harmony. A Philosophy of Wholeness At Hearterra, wellness is not a fleeting indulgence, but a way of life — one that honours the balance between body, mind, and spirit. Founded on the belief that healing begins within, the brand curates essential oil blends and lifestyle rituals that nurture emotional and physical equilibrium. “Our approach has always been about creating harmony,” shares the team behind Hearterra. “We don’t just want our clients to feel good — we want them to feel connected: to themselves, to nature, and to the world around them.” Every product — from the delicate roll-ons to the sensorial ...

 Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, today announced orders for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft, powered by GE 9X engines, worth US$ 38 billion at list prices, on the opening day of Dubai Airshow 2025. This takes the airline’s total orderbook with Boeing to 315 widebody aircraft, comprising 270 Boeing 777Xs, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787s; and its orderbook with GE Aerospace for GE9X engines to a total of 540 units including the 130 additional units signed today. This is a massive long-term commitment to US aerospace manufacturing, generating support for hundreds of thousands of high value manufacturing jobs in the US over the life of the programmes. Emirates’ latest agreement with Boeing also provides strong backing for Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10, a larger variant of its 777X family, with the airline signing up for options to convert its latest 777-9 order into the 777-10 or the 777-8. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, C...

 Emirates will deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire in-service fleet, beginning with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and completing the rollout by mid-2027. The complimentary, ultra-fast service delivers ground-quality internet at cruising altitude, reinforcing the airline's long-standing commitment to industry-leading inflight connectivity. Starlink connectivity will enable Emirates customers to stream content, game, make calls, work, and browse social media throughout their journey on both seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. This seamless integration delivers connected experiences at scale across all cabin classes. Emirates plans to install Starlink on all its in-service fleet – comprising 232 aircraft in the next two years. The airline has already equipped its first aircraft with Starlink on A6-EPF, the Boeing 777-300ER currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, where visitors can experience high-speed connectivity firsthand while on the ground. The fir...

  The way we work has changed, and so must the tools that power it. In a world where offices can be coffee tables, airplanes, or shared studios, productivity is no longer about where you are, but how seamlessly you can move between tasks, and devices. The Galaxy Tab S11 Series, Samsung’s latest innovation built for the modern professional, creator, and multitasker. This new generation of Samsung tablets marks a pivotal leap forward in portable productivity, anchored by the upgraded Samsung DeX, now faster, more fluid, and smarter with One UI 8. What once required booting into a separate desktop mode now unfolds effortlessly. Users can now open apps in resizable windows, drag and drop content between screens, and switch between workspaces with a single swipe. It’s a more natural, desktop-like experience that flows with the rhythm of modern multitasking. The brilliance of this new DeX lies in its seamlessness. It eliminates friction, allowing users to move fluidly between creative an...

  Banyan Tree Samui, an all-pool-villa beachfront resort in Koh Samui and a recent recipient of major international awards, has unveiled a series of special gourmet feasts and dazzling celebrations to celebrate the upcoming festive season. Recently awarded Two Keys by MICHELIN and lauded as among the Top 10 resorts in Thailand by Conde Nast Traveler, the 5-star hotel will this year mark Christmas with a series of sumptuous dining experiences at each of its three restaurants on Dec. 24 and 25, culminating in a culinary extravaganza and a kaleidoscope of fireworks and fun on New Year’s Eve. The tropical island Christmas kicks off at The Edge, situated at a venue that commands spectacular vistas across the sapphire seas of the Gulf of Thailand. Its Christmas Eve Gala Dinner 2025 features a variety of international culinary delights — an oyster bar, seafood market, a carving station and salad bar — accompanied by live music from 7pm. Meanwhile, a culinary journey is underway at Saffron...

This festive season, Alila Seminyak captures the spirit of celebration by the sea, blending tropical warmth with the resort’s signature coastal elegance. Framed by the golden sands and rhythmic waves of Seminyak Beach, the resort invites guests to indulge in a series of alluring culinary and lifestyle experiences designed to awaken the senses and rekindle togetherness. The festive journey begins at Seasalt Seminyak, Bali’s most iconic coastal restaurant renowned for its sustainable, seafood-forward menu with a Japanese touch and global creativity. From December 1 to 23, guests are invited to host their year-end celebrations with the Seasalt Festive Group Party Dinner, available from 5 pm to 10 pm. Priced from IDR 450,000++ per person for a minimum of four guests, this gathering-style festive menu is designed to bring colleagues, friends, and loved ones together in a relaxed, oceanfront setting. On Christmas Eve, the pioneering restaurant presents the Seasalt Coastal Brunch, a vibrant c...

   To mark the festive season, The Hari Hong Kong is rolling out new festive menus, hosting a tree lighting ceremony and Christmas market for charity, launching digital gift cards, and offering a special holiday package with all the trimmings for guest stays from December 22 through January 2. Celebrating the holidays this year with a new ‘Festive Elegance at The Hari’ staycation package, kicking off this month. The indulgent one-night stay not only celebrates the holidays but also marks the hotel’s 5th anniversary, which also takes place this December. “As we mark our fifth anniversary, “Festive Elegance” is more than just a celebration, it’s a heartfelt thank you to our guests and community,” said Mr. Edward E. Snoeks, General Manager. “From our charity partnership with Hong Chi Association to the exquisite menus crafted by our culinary team, we’ve designed every detail to create truly memorable moments of connection and joy this holiday season.” Package highlights include: ...

  Dusit Thani Bangkok, the reimagined flagship of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, has earned global recognition once again – this time ranking #60 on the inaugural extended list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025, a prestigious index celebrating the finest hospitality experiences worldwide. Each guest room at the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok offers refined comfort and panoramic views of Lumpini Park and the city skyline. The extended list showcases 50 additional properties that exemplify innovation, service excellence, and guest satisfaction across six continents. Each hotel was selected by a panel of more than 800 independent travel experts, including hoteliers, journalists, and seasoned luxury travellers. Originally opened in 1970 as one of Thailand's first luxury hotels, Dusit Thani Bangkok became a symbol of modern Thai hospitality and a beloved landmark in the heart of...

 The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is about to experience a decidedly Spanish flavour this winter with the announcement that one of the city’s leading hotels, Meliá Chiang Mai, is to play host to a rotating succession of top chefs from Spain over the coming three months. The four chefs – who bring a galaxy of MICHELIN stars with their culinary resumés  – will take turns at exhibiting their cooking skills at Meliá Chiang Mai’s 360-degree rooftop bar, the highest rooftop venue in the city, which offers spectacular views of the Ping River to the city’s east and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west.  This remarkable venue also features a spectacular glass bridge.  Titled the “Spanish Gastronomy Series”, the hispanic food fiesta begins on 17 November 2025 with a five-night special set menu courtesy of Chef Sergio, and continues with similar culinary events in December and January, culminating on February 6, 2026 in the adept hands of Chef Manuel. Afic...

 Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was recognized for a second-straight year with an industry-leading Green Globe Certification highlighting the 93-year-old luxury hotel’s commitment to sustainability. The hotel on the doorstep of ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia was awarded the designation based on its efficient resource management, along with its innovative and engaging community programmes, unique environmental initiatives and other best practices. “Our sustainable future is a vision of luxury that is authentic and responsible, defined not by opulence and excess but by refinement, respect and mindfulness. We are delighted to be recognised for our efforts by one of the world’s leading authorities on sustainable travel,” said Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor General Manager Joseph Colina. Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor last year introduced a new fleet of electric tuk-tuks, providing an innovative and eco-friendly transportation opti...