Recent Articles
Bizarre tiny island with swimming horses, natural pools and the ‘best hotel in the world’
The Sun – February 11 2024
Visitors from across the globe flock to Bali for sun-drenched beaches and jungles that are wilder than the island’s notorious party scene. But a new secret spot with miles of untouched sands, a herd of swimming horses and a mystical culture that still practices ritual sacrifice is fast becoming the new go-to destination for those in the know.How to make the most of a luxury hotel stay
Condé Nast Traveller ME – February 6 2024
According to travel experts, booking somewhere more expensive and luxurious for a shorter stay, rather than a longer trip at a cheaper price, is the travel option du jour for regional travellers looking to experience bucket-list properties without blowing the budget. And there are plenty of ways to maximise the time – even if there is only a 24-hour gap between stepping through the grand lobby doors and having to bid a fond farewell.Luxury estate Gleneagles sees Gulf clients explore the great Scottish outdoors
Arab News – January 30 2024
This being Scotland, activities at Gleneagles happen under a healthy drizzle of rain — not that guests from the Middle East find it to be a problem. After an arduous climb through lashing rain with an Arab family that had insisted on continuing despite the grim forecast, the clouds dramatically broke at the summit’s peak. The sodden glens were suddenly “dappled in a beautiful, soft, golden light” and the group celebrated the moment by performing their first ever Highland Fling – a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance.Beyond Bali, Indonesia's cultural diversity is undeniable
The National – January 30 2024
Bali’s allure is undeniable – it brims with world-class venues, vibrant clubs and opulent hotels, not to mention the spiritual and cultural lifestyle it offers. But limiting your Indonesia trip solely to here barely scratches the surface of the archipelago’s diversity. The spiritual serenity of ancient temples in Java. The raw, prehistoric beauty of the Komodo dragons. The lush, untamed jungles of Sumatra. The urban chaos of Jakarta’s concrete jungle. Indonesia is a country that offers visitors the world.Gleneagles’ Century Bar muddles criminally understated drinks with a dash of eccentricity
Middle East Traveller – January 25 2024
At Gleneagles’ Century Bar, the beautiful gold and green-clad menu – dubbed The Great Adventure Book – might just awaken your inner kleptomaniac. It’s the sort of thick, enticing tome – with fold-out quick-pick matrices, Inverted Jenny-style Scottish stamps, and Bruegelesque sketches of adventurers rambling under cerulean skies – that could beckon the most morally upright of citizens to size up their satchel and consider committing petty theft.Edinburgh’s alcohol-free Shish brings creative cocktails and Turkish culinary flair to a city known for its love of the bottle
Middle East Traveller – January 14 2024
In Edinburgh, a city where the echoes of clinking glasses resonate through cobbled streets and the 14th century Sheep Heid Inn – older than some countries – still serves ales once supped on by kings and commoners, there lies a curious anomaly. Shish, an audacious upstart, dares to defy centuries of fermented wisdom in the Scottish capital. This is no ordinary Turkish restaurant – it’s an alcohol-free enclave in a city synonymous with the water of life.Ultra luxury Aman hotel group expands into Saudi Arabia with a promise to celebrate the Kingdom’s diversity
Arab News – January 11 2024
Adding to its portfolio of 15th century forts, frescoed Venetian palazzos, jungle hideaways, unspoilt islands and clifftop resorts, the brand is launching in Saudi Arabia – marking a major moment in the transformation of the Kingdom’s luxury hospitality landscape. For CEO Vladislav Doronin, it marks a return to a land that deeply moved him – a journey back to a country that captured his heart with its rich heritage, vibrant culture and legendary diyafa, or hospitality.Little-known ‘theme park for influencers’ – with £2.50 entry, photoshoot dresses for hire and flower swings
The Sun – December 26 2024
Social media wannabes pose in flowing dresses on swings and ziplines soaring over the fields, or on the picturesque paths cutting through the fields. But it’s not just a stunning backdrop - it's also a vital part of Balinese culture, highlighting centuries of agricultural tradition and the island's deep spiritual connection to the land.Gdas Bali offers vegan wellness with a hint of hip-hop in Ubud
The National – December 22 2023
Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort, in the cultural and spiritual enclave of Ubud – a verdant oasis contrasting with the buzzy beachfront bars of tourist hotspot Seminyak – is making waves in the retreat scene.Amanjiwo’s jemparingan lessons demonstrate an ancient Indonesian art of patience and precision
Middle East Traveller – November 4 2023Halfway through a jemperingan lesson in the grounds of Central Java’s Amanjiwo, a peculiar thought crosses my mind: is my instructor actually any good? Every arrow I release veers off course, missing the target – an alarmingly thin slice of faraway wood suspended from a rope – and, curiously enough, my teacher Kris’s arrows follow suit.