< Previous90 Condé Nast Traveller February 2020 HOW TO PACK 1 High-waisted jeans with pearl buttons, AED 895, Sandro 2 Double-breasted mac, AED 1,465, Ted Baker 3 Pelle black semi-patent leather bag, AED 2,666, By Far 4 Shirt, AED 2,382, Maison Alexandrine 5 Air Max Graviton trainers, AED 370, Nike at namshi.com 6 Icon stripe baseball cap, AED 991, Burberry at matchesfashion.com 7 Leather ankle boots, AED 3,895, Santoni 8 B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil, AED 100, Briogeo at sephora.ae 9 Dreamgasm eyeshadow palette, AED 225, Charlotte Tilbury 10 NSW Club leggings, AED 149, Nike at namshi.com 11 Bentota necklace, AED 65,300, Bentota earrings, AED 14,200; both Noora Shawqi 12 iPad Pro, AED 3,099, Apple at Sharaf DG MOROCCAN MISSION Jeweller NOORA SHAWQI packs to leave no stone unturned in this North African country STAY “I travelled to Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech while in Morocco – the last of which was really something else, I couldn’t get enough. I also loved that my hotel there, the Royal Mansour, was steeped in the Moroccan look, with each guest accommodation styled after a riad. Each is a luxurious home away from home spread over three floors with a private pool, and I felt like I was living the lifestyle of a local. Staying here was an experience on its own.” EAT “Most restaurants I ate at were French-Moroccan, like Palais De Fès Dar Tazi. On the top floor of a riad in Fes overlooking the medina, not only was the food exquisite but the owners were friendly, too, lending the place a wonderful homey feel. In Marrakech, La Maison Arabe is romantic and hidden away, perfect for a date night with Arab- Andalusian music and live performances. A set menu is served, so arrive hungry because the dishes are both delicious and huge.” SHOP “Most of my shopping took place in the souks, but there was a concept store in Marrakech that I loved called 33 Rue Majorelle, filled with high-quality, chic Moroccan outfits in a modern style. Nearby, the Jardin Majorelle boutique has authentic Moroccan outfits with lovely finishing.” DO “My favourite excursion was to Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains. A gorgeous hotel with breathtaking views, I stopped in for lunch and to relax in its cosy setting. Coastal Essaouira was also beautiful, filled with souks, horses, camels and restaurants. And Fes is old and filled with history and culture, not to mention a labyrinthine medina. Every corner of the country offers something unique but still has that distinctly Moroccan vibe – I loved it.” STYLED BY: CHLOE BOSHER; PHOTO: EFRAIM EVIDOR 1 2 9 10 11 12 8 4 3 7 6 5 HOT TIP “Fit more clothes in the suitcase by rolling, instead of folding, them – this also prevents creases”For more information, please call 00971-4-378 0000 or visit crowneplaza.com/dubaimarina BUSINESS CASUAL Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina is the newest property to combine business and leisure TRAVELLER PROMOTION A new destination where business meets leisure, the just-opened Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina is the brand’s new flagship property. Spanning 24 floors, the hotel offers direct access to and from the picturesque Dubai Marina waterfront promenade and its plentiful nightlife and restaurants, while the Expo 2020 site and business hubs including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Jumeirah Lakes Towers are just a short drive away. Designed with modern business travellers in mind, 273 rooms include 61 Club Rooms and 32 suites, each combining comfort, connectivity and flexibility with distinct zones that maximise space and lighting for work and relaxation. Deluxe, Superior and Club Rooms span 35sqm, providing comfort after a long day of work. The Sleep Advantage programme and wake-up service are other nods to the hotel’s emphasis on wellness, ensuring you’ll be rested and ready to take on a new day. Six dining venues suit the on-the-go traveller: Connexions has an array of grab-and-go food for when your schedule doesn’t permit a sit-down meal, or head to chic lobby-bar Hive to unwind and network over craft tipples. For prime Marina views, try signature restaurant Charm Thai or outdoor shisha lounge Nara with Arabian flair in a laid-back atmosphere. When getting down to business, the hotel’s meeting and event spaces facilitate all summits. State-of-the-art meeting rooms and conference amenities are set in daylight-flooded rooms, some able to accommodate up to 200 guests. And because it can’t always be all work and no play, a fully equipped fitness centre operates 24 hours a day, ensuring you can work up a sweat at any time – or work off the post-job stress by taking a plunge in the outdoor swimming pool. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina’s vibrant location and business facilities provide the best of both worlds. From top: A King Room overlooks the Marina; the hotel lobbyFebruary 2020 Condé Nast Traveller 93 TRAVEL ESSENTIAL EDITED BY: CHARLOTTE DAVEY; STYLED BY: PAULA ELLIS; PHOTO: NATO WELTON COMPARTMENTALISE IT Organised travellers rejoice – pockets are hip Call it the Marie Kondo effect but organisation is in. The tidying guru’s neatly stored socks launched a thousand Pinterest boards, and meticulously packed suitcases and cupboard-less kitchens followed. This is mindfulness externalised – and the fashion crowd took note. Wardrobes were streamlined, clothes mended and there was a spike in storage-box sales. It also chimed with the anti-fast-fashion movement, buying less and appreciating more. But in a more immediate sense, compartmentalisation meant one thing to the style set: pockets. They were on boots at Prada, belts at Fendi and there were even pockets on pockets at JW Anderson. They became a political battlefield when it was revealed that those on some womenswear are up to 48 per cent smaller than on men’s. The trend continues next season: Tod’s has a bracelet with pouches trailing off like a multi-faceted keyring, while Dolce & Gabbana presents micro-handbags for EarPods. If KonMari made us experts in organising, the catwalks turned it into an art form. For the best of both, look to Chanel. Its latest it-pouch is like an inside-out travel wallet, with a Tetris grid of colour-popping pockets to keep all your in-flight kit. Now that’s how you spark joy. CNT CLASSIC CD Leather bag, price on request, Chanel94 Condé Nast Traveller February 2020 BEAUTY WORDS: ELIZABETH WHISTON-DEW; PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK; ONLINE PRICES MAY VARY THE LIP CURE Dry lips are banished with one slick of this all-natural, hand-blended vegan beauty oil. Infused with green mandarin and African watermelon to boost hydration, passionflower to soothe and sweet almond oils to nourish, lips are left plump and gleaming without any sticky residue. Votary Natural Lip Oil, AED 147 THE BODY OIL After a long soak, pour this body oil over jet-lagged limbs and massage using long upward strokes. An indulgent night-time ritual, the organic jojoba, safflower and rosehip oils soothe and nourish dry skin while the lavender will help you drift off to a sound sleep. Bamford Botanic Body Oil, AED 180 THE OIL A perfume oil that nods to alchemy, this is a subtle and transformative way to wear a scent, whether worn solo on pulse points or layered with a favourite perfume. With four oils to choose from, the oud offering, A Nocturnal Whisper, is dark and heady. Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden – A Nocturnal Whisper Perfumed Oil, AED 1,620 THE SERUM Glowing, reenergised looks are as easy as two pumps massaged into the skin and neck post-cleanse and pre-moisturiser. A lightweight formula with powerful anti-ageing properties, this serum is enriched with the famed sea kelp-infused Miracle Broth, the skin-transforming secret at the heart of La Mer’s DNA. La Mer The Revitalising Hydrating Serum, AED 809 THE MASK After a day spent at the markets, restore yourself with a cooling and purifying face mask. Painted liberally on to dry skin, this white clay mask draws out impurities and absorbs excess oil, leaving skin matte and pores refined. While soaking in a bath, the fruity green notes of fig and ylang-ylang enrich your spa-time ritual. NUXE Insta-Masque Clay Face Mask, AED 120 THE SCENT For him, this cool, crisp fragrance is a solid scent companion for exploring vibrant cityscapes. Top notes of bergamot, orange and mint give way to sweet neroli and almond at the heart, and are anchored at the base with a hit of vibrant vetiver and balancing patchouli. Guerlain L’Homme Idéal Cool EDT, AED 507 THE TOOL Harnessing the power of Chinese medicine, the Jade Facial Roller is a post-flight skin treat. After a thorough cleanse, smooth a couple of drops of facial oil or serum on to your skin then roll the jade stones firmly to boost circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage and luminosity. Herbivore Jade Facial Roller, AED 127 THE DETOX SHAMPOO A deep-cleansing treat for locks ravaged by the elements, this shampoo helps to restore balance to give your hair back its healthy shine. While sage extract works to eliminate any hint of grease, a cocktail of lime, mint and eucalyptus cleanses and refreshes the scalp. Kevin Murphy MAXI.WASH, AED 250 YOUR TRAVEL BEAUTY KIT Beauty goes green with botanical skincare and herb-infused scentsYOU COULD WIN ONE OF TWO LUXURY STAYS To enter visit cntravellerme.com/awards *Terms & conditions apply Above: LUX* Grand Gaube entrance. Right: aerial view of LUX* South Ari Atoll LUX* GRAND GAUBE, MAURITIUS A 3-night stay for two guests on a complimentary bed & breakfast basis, and one 30-minute spa treatment for two in the LUX* Me Spa LUX* SOUTH ARI ATOLL, MALDIVES A 3-night stay for two guests on a complimentary bed & breakfast basis, and one 30-minute massage for two at the LUX* Me Spa @cntravellerme VOTE NOWFebruary 2020 Condé Nast Traveller 97 TASTEMAKER How does your heritage influence your jewellery design? My designs will always be influenced by my background. I find so much inspiration from Egyptian culture – the bold colours, hammered gold accents, amulets and goddess imagery. All of these motifs carry an undeniable power that you can feel as soon as they touch the skin. My Native American heritage pulls me toward turquoise, precious gemstones and fossils. There is such a strong reverence for the spirit of Mother Nature… I love infusing that energy into my jewellery. How did you get your start in the jewellery business? As a little girl growing up in the Hollywood Hills, I was always attracted to gemstones and minerals. I would collect rocks and make them into jewellery pieces for my family. The love grew from there. Later, when I was working in a boutique, it was so hard to find jewellery that spoke to me. I wanted to create designs that make women feel INTERVIEW: LAUREL MUNSHOWER feminine, playful and strong. I started making pieces and selling them anonymously. When I saw the way women responded when they put them on, I knew this is what I was meant to do. How does travel inspire your creativity? I love finding little inspirations from around the world. It can be anything from an ocean view that draws me toward aquamarine, to a beautiful vintage find that inspires a new collection. There’s so much beauty in Mother Nature, so much out there to explore and be influenced by. You believe in the energy of minerals – what stones would you recommend that globetrotters include in their jewellery? Use amethyst as an amulet of positive vibrations to protect yourself from all forms of negativity – it’s an excellent shield for the wild wanderer. Moonstone is a powerful and sacred crystal to point you toward your dreams, acting as your personal crystal compass. You’ll also want to have opal close to keep your passions burning and your dreams alive; it’s perfect for the lover who has a heart for adventure. What do you always pack in your carry-on? My bag of essentials is my jet-lag kit. It always has my chargers, candles, Advil, lotion, and a pillow and blanket. And I never travel without my La Mer masks. They keep my skin moisturised and glowing. How do you stay fit when travelling? I’ve never been one to limit what I can enjoy when I travel. I love experiencing every city I’m in – exploring the streets, taking in the beauty and culture. I can always count on my gypsy spirit to keep me active. What’s your airport style? Comfort is essential when it comes to travelling. I love being cosy in my JA sweatpants and sweatshirt. They’re so soft, and there’s nothing better. Which hotel has the best energy? It’s so hard to choose. I love The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Amangiri in Utah… then there’s Malibu Beach Inn in California. The energy I feel when I get there really stands out to me. As soon as I walk in, the vibe is pure bliss. Where in the world do you go to relax? Bora Bora is the ultimate destination. The ambience, the food, the views. I love all of it. Looking out to the ocean is the most magical experience, the blues of the water look just like the colours of amazonite. And it gives me the same feelings as the stone: relaxation, harmony and happiness. Favourite spa experience in the world? Esalen Institute in Big Sur. The spiritual energy is so powerful and relaxing. I always leave with more than I expect. Whether I’m there for a yoga retreat, to soak in the healing waters of the hot springs, or simply walking through the garden to connect with Mother Earth, this place is magic in the mountains. GYPSY SPIRIT Egyptian and Native American jeweller JACQUIE AICHE on hotels with blissed-out energy and the best gemstones for travellers “Wild wanderers should use amethyst as an amulet of positive vibrations to protect from negativity” Onyx inlay edge teardrop ruby necklace, AED 18,000, Jacquie AicheGreen is the new gold. There, we’ve said it. For years we at Condé Nast Traveller have annually rounded up some of our favourite hotels and resorts from around the globe and conferred on them our golden stamp of approval – that they are the best of the best , consistently excellent and standing out from the crowd. This year, our stamp has a greener tone. Rather than simply picking reliably wonderful properties, we’ve chosen to highlight hotels that are not just superlative in their own right but have green credentials. The truth is, our industry could be a leader in sustainability and eco-consciousness – and indeed we have seen a heartening trend toward that. Some places have just got there faster and more effectively, never losing their luxury sheen while balancing what’s good for the Earth – and us. On the following pages, we highlight some of our favourite hotels on the planet that also have our planet in mind. Welcome to this year’s green gold list.February 2020 Condé Nast Traveller 99 Dress, boots, bracelet, ring; all Givenchy ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT NIZWA, OMAN The beauty of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort up in the mountains of Oman is just how seamlessly it blends with its natural environment, allowing the spectacular canyon’s edge location to take centre stage while quietly providing all the luxury and comforts of a modern five-star resort. The cliff-side villa pools are heated, for instance, and the restaurants turn out first- class fare while using ingredients sourced as locally as possible – fish and meat from nearby Nizwa Souq, herbs from the resort’s nursery and organic garden, where the cultivation methods mirror those of local farmers. There are nods to Oman’s heritage throughout, from the fort-like structure housing Middle Eastern restaurant Al Qalaa to the central water feature inspired by the falaj irrigation system (the traditional system is used more practically in the upkeep of the gardens, which boast many regionally indigenous plants including olive trees and damask rose bushes). While Omani heritage peppers the resort experience – an impressive percentage of the staff hail from the country, too – Anantara is known for its localised excursions. Here, guests can visit villages with an Omani mountain guide to learn about the culture, or explore hiking and biking trails, or embrace the rugged environment even further with some rock climbing. It’s the kind of place that celebrates the majesty of nature, which makes the OMR 1 per night per guest that the resort donates to the Environment Society of Oman for the protection of endangered species like the Egyptian vulture and the Arabian leopard even more meaningful. – Rhea Saran Doubles from AED 1,100; 00968-2521 8000, anantara.com PHOTO: ADEL RASHID; STYLED BY: RHEA SARAN; MODEL: KATHERINE S AT WILHELMINA DUBAI; HAIR & MAKE-UP: EIRINI HANNAH Next >