The Luxe Lens

 A new chef and specialist in Indian cuisine, Mr Chander Prakash, has joined the culinary team at Banyan Tree Krabi, and he fully intends to spice things up in the kitchen. Chef Chander’s appointment at the Two-Key MICHELIN-listed beachfront resort in Southern Thailand will add a new element of culinary expertise to the hotel’s dining outlet, The Naga Kitchen. “I have been working in top-class kitchens at hotels and restaurants across India and Thailand for more than 10 years, specialising in North Indian cuisine,” said Chef Chander. “For me, cooking is more than just preparing food — it is about creating memorable dining experiences. I always focus on fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and attention to detail in every dish. I am especially passionate about Indian curries, biryani, kebabs, tandoori specialties, and Arabic cuisine.” Chandler said that his culinary journey began with a passion for traditional spices and the art of tandoor cooking. He modestly claims that his specia...

 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been recognised with three honours in the prestigious Tatler Best of Vietnam 2026 awards, including Le Spa du Metropole being named Vietnam’s Best Hotel Spa. The Metropole was also named one of Vietnam’s Top 20 Hotels, while angelina, its bespoke cocktail bar, whisky lounge and restaurant, was recognised as one of the country’s Top 20 Bars. Tatler is one of the world’s leading fashion and luxury lifestyle publications, and its Vietnam edition is highly influential in the region. The accolade for Le Spa du Metropole comes as Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. To mark the milestone, the hotel has introduced Sensations Orientales, an exclusive 90-minute ritual inspired by ancestral Oriental rites and the hotel’s timeless elegance. This treatment blends acupressure and refined modelling movements drawn from Eastern and Western traditions, designed to promote deep relaxation and renewal within Le Spa’s tranquil ...

LARK Distilling Co. is strengthening its presence in travel retail with a new activation at Sydney Airport, inviting international travellers to explore its recently launched 700ml Single Malt Collection throughout May and June. The activation marks a significant moment for the Tasmanian whisky producer, not only as a showcase for its evolving portfolio, but also as a statement of intent within the premium travel retail space. Front and centre is a collection of three travel-exclusive Tasmanian single malt expressions — Cinder Forest No.168, Wild Haven No.172 and Ember Eclipse No.294 — presented alongside Devil’s Storm No.183 and Ruby Abyss No.285, which recently received World’s Best Design and Best Range Design at the World Whiskies Awards 2026 in London. For LARK, the airport activation represents more than a point-of-sale campaign. It is an opportunity to position the brand more firmly among both domestic and international whisky audiences, using one of Australia’s busiest tra...

 Samsung Electronics and Google today unveiled new intelligent eyewear  at Google I/O 2026 by giving a first look at two premium styles created with eyewear partners Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Designed to work as a companion device to a mobile phone, the new eyewear enables users to access help through voice interaction and connect seamlessly to their phones, all through a familiar form factor.   Co-created with the eyewear partners, the intelligent eyewear combines breakthrough AI capabilities with comfort and style, merging Samsung’s leadership in hardware engineering and Google’s AI technology with premium eyewear design. Each eyewear brand brings a distinct design approach to the device. Renowned for their legacies in fashion eyewear, Gentle Monster presents styles with disruptive yet refined aesthetics, while Warby Parker showcases refined and timeless designs. Built to understand the world alongside users in real time, the new intelligent eyewear provides ever...

  A cool beach club in Vietnam’s most-happening destination has introduced a menu brimming with upscale takes on classic staples ranging from pizza and pasta to steaks, tiger prawns and salmon. Aptly called the Beach Club, the venue is perched on The Anam Cam Ranh’s particular stretch of Long Beach, where traditional sampans and coracles still ply coastal waters and picturesque islands loom just offshore. The new menu reimagines familiar favourites with premium ingredients and inventive techniques. Starters such as crispy Hyogo oysters paired with angel hair pasta and salmon roe, and charcoal-grilled Hokkaido scallops layered with umami bacon, corn pico de gallo and gochujang butter set the tone. Locally sourced seafood also takes centre stage, including spicy tiger prawns served with Greek yogurt and chilli herb oil, and charcoal-grilled squid enhanced with peri-peri emulsion. The menu extends into generous, sharing-style offerings such as the Beach Club Seafood Bowl packed with p...

The Emirates Group today released its 2025-26 Annual Report, achieving new record profit, revenue, and cash balance levels, despite a disruptive and challenging 12th month in its financial year. Emirates is the world’s most profitable airline in the 2025-26 reporting period. For the financial year ended 31 March 2026, the Emirates Group reported: • record profit before tax (PBT) of AED 24.4 billion (US$ 6.6 billion), up 7% from last year, and a PBT margin of 16.2% • record revenue of AED 150.5 billion (US$ 41.0 billion), up 3% over last year’s results • record level of cash assets at AED 59.6 billion (US$ 16.2 billion), up 12% from last year • EBITDA of AED 41.1 billion (US$ 11.2 billion), reflecting its strong operating profitability. Emirates retains its place as the world’s most profitable airline, reporting: • record profit before tax (PBT) of AED 22.8 billion (US$ 6.2 billion), up 7% from last year, and a PBT margin of 17.4% • record revenue of AED 130.9 billion (US$ 3...

 Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has once again been named one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ by the influential U.S.-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure, earning the prestigious recognition for a fifth consecutive year. The 94-year-old hotel, located near Cambodia’s famed ancient Khmer archeological sites, received the honour in the magazine’s May edition. Travel + Leisure’s annual ‘500 Best Hotels’ is widely regarded as one of the most coveted distinctions in the global hospitality industry. “Being recognised by Travel + Leisure is a celebration not just of our hotel, but of the enduring spirit of Siem Reap. As custodians of this iconic landmark, we feel a deep responsibility to our community,” said Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor General Manager Joseph Colina. “Through initiatives like our ‘Grand Path of History’ and our newly launched book, A Tale of Two Hotels, we aim to bridge the gap between our guests and the true soul of Cambodia – ensuring that every visitor leaves with a ...