The Absolute Perfection of The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai:

Ah Taj... sigh. 

Luck and other people's great fortune (!) has afforded me multiple stays at this... something greater than "hotel"... 

How do I explain this phenomenon to the world outside who has never set foot at this pile of brick and mortar in Mumbai that is greater than the sum of its parts... 

There are almighty tomes written about the place, but here's my 2 Hong Kong cents; 

The Taj Mahal Palace stands as Mumbai’s undisputed icon of grandeur and timeless elegance. Opened in 1903 by visionary industrialist Jamsetji Tata, this heritage masterpiece in Colaba, overlooking the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India, was built in defiant Indo-Saracenic style, blending Moorish domes, Rajput flourishes, Florentine Renaissance, and Oriental details into pure architectural poetry. Its soaring central dome, built on Eiffel Tower scaffolding, has welcomed royalty, dignitaries, and dreamers for over 120 years.

What makes it the greatest hotel isn’t merely its opulent history or prime location - it’s the way it consistently takes your breath away. Every stay feels like stepping into a living masterpiece. Service reaches perfection: warm, intuitive, and never intrusive. Staff anticipate needs with quiet grace, turning ordinary moments into cherished memories. Whether it’s personalized butler service or seamless attention to detail, the hospitality feels genuinely heartfelt.

And then there’s the sheer photogenic beauty. Every nook and corner - marble corridors, jewel-toned lounges, sea-facing balconies, and lush courtyards - invites awe. Even a cup of tea (admittedly pricey) becomes an event in such surroundings. The Taj doesn’t just host you; it envelops you in legacy, luxury, and unmistakable magic. No wonder it remains a destination in itself. Pure, unforgettable splendour. Found these images in the ol' camera from my last trip there...

Upper House Redefines Luxury Hospitality with a Unified Rebrand, Steering Towards International Expansion

Hong Kong’s acclaimed hospitality brand embarks on a global venture, uniting its portfolio under a singular, elegant vision.

This October, The House Collective is reborn as Upper House, a bold global rebrand that unifies all existing and upcoming properties under the single brand while amplifying its resonance and remaining steadfast to its “Houses not Hotels” ethos.

Upper House has long epitomised luxury hospitality, its very name conjuring refined living spaces that feel intimate, like cherished homes rather than transient hotels. This philosophy has cemented its place in the rarefied world of high-end travel, where discerning guests seek sanctuaries woven with personal narratives. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Escape to the Regent Hong Kong This Summer, Where Your Urban Oasis Awaits

Relax at the ultimate summer retreat, where a luxurious stay meets a chilled cocktail, divine desserts, exquisite dining, and the city’s famed harbour views.

As the summer sun heats up the city, Regent Hong Kong is offering ideal stays, refreshing seasonal delights, and the rejuvenating getaway you have been dreaming of. Nestled on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, this famed and illustrious hotel offers not just a place to rest your head, but an immersive experience that perfectly blends opulence with the pulse of the city. Guests are invited to explore an array of enticing offerings this sizzling season, all of which promise to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Regent Hong Kong’s prime location grants breathtaking postcard views over the Hong Kong skyline, a visual delight that enhances every moment spent within its plush confines. Designed as a sanctuary amidst the bustling city, this is where the discerning traveller comes to unwind and rejuvenate, and Regent Hong Kong invites you to indulge in a variety of exclusive room packages, ensuring that your stay is as comfortable as it is memorable.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Island Shangri-La’s Yun Wellness Launches 4 New Treatments With Luxury Skincare Brand Margy’s Monte Carlo

Experience unparalleled skincare excellence with these luxurious facial procedures. 

With the number of luxury spas dotted around the city, one can be spoilt for choice—and navigating the best skincare regimes that the top spots have to offer poses an additional challenge. Yet again, Yun Wellness has thrown down the gauntlet with an exciting collaboration with renowned skincare brand Margy’s Monte Carlo, heralding the launch of four exclusive facial treatments tailored to rejuvenate and relax discerning clientele. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

 

BTS: Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Shoot

Knew a few things from the start; Karen Yiu (and her team) for hair and makeup, Dino Busch as photographer and Bhisan for Styling and getting all the looks together. I've worked with Taner S since 2009 (Model One agency FYI) so we didn't even need to cast him. The entire team had worked with him at some point or another, Hong Kong's resident super model. 

Shot entirely on location at the fab Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong. We've tried to present some of the best facets of this hotel... 

Magazine out in Spring/Summer; Robb Report Hong Kong, Best of the Best 2025

 

First Look: Island Shangri-La’s Newly Renovated Eponymous Suite Is an Oasis in the Sky

Even for the well-seasoned traveller, the Shangri-La Suite is a cut above the rest.

In the ever-evolving landscape of luxury accommodations, few properties manage to retain their allure while simultaneously embracing modernity. Hong Kong is crowned with incredible hotels famed the world over, and one of the jewels on the diadem indubitably is the Island Shangri-La, a storied establishment that has recently unveiled its magnificent Shangri-La Suite following an extensive renovation that redefines modern Asian opulence.

Island Shangri-La first opened in March 1991, the sophisticated cousin of the Kowloon Shangri-La. A makeover in phases, from rooftop to basement, has been quietly in the works over the past few years, and after a soft launch of the Shangri-la Suite in June, Robb Report Hong Kong was invited to test the premises with a stay in its colourful, maximalist, expansive, expensive, multi-functional, multi-roomed, and panoramic-view-filled mega-suite. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Grand Hyatt Singapore Reopens After a Major Revamp, Revealing a New Chapter

It’s a return to nature in the heart of a bustling metropolis, where fine dining, impeccable service, and a luxurious stay beckon as a continuation of the property’s storied history.

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the vibrant Orchard Road, the Grand Hyatt Singapore has reemerged from a period of significant transformation, unveiling a reimagined elegance that harmoniously blends modern luxury with a commitment to sustainability.

Officially, the hotel reopened earlier this year on 10 July 2024. While there’s more to be unveiled in the coming year—more on that later—we at Robb Report Hong Kong were invited for a first look and stay. The most glorious things about the hotel—of which there are many—are the wide-open spaces, lush greenery, well-thought-out design, excellent curation, verdant views, and, of course, incredible dining. An inside look reveals that there is so much more to the heart of the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Inside Regent Hong Kong’s New Signature Suites, a Trio of Luxury Residential Retreats

 

In a city teeming with fabulous hotels and extraordinary facilities, the doors to the newest set of jaw-dropping suites are officially open.

While our earlier fashion spread provided a first look at the many rooms, hot spots, and glamorous locations dotted around Regent Hong Kong, earlier this month, yet another chapter of the hotel was unveiled. We take a close look at the most glamorous square feet of real estate within Regent Hong Kong, namely the CEO, Terrace, and Presidential suites.

The size and scale is formidable in each, but it’s the little details and big ideas that make them so impressive. Novel rooms (a Chinese tea room!) and amenities (a mahjong corner), multi-layered facilities, grand vistas, private hot tubs, and infinity pools add to the thinking outside of the box while fulfilling the parameters of what’s expected in the grandest rooms of a luxurious hotel. The thoughtful vision of Chi Wing-lo, legendary local architect and designer, comes to life and spreads out as each room is more expansive (and expensive) than the other.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Armani to build a hotel in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

 

Giorgio Armani to develop a third property in the Middle East.

Adding to the exquisite portfolio of Armani Hotels & Resorts, in concert with Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), the group announced plans for a signature Armani Hotel to be built in the city of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Island Shangri-La Opens Yun Wellness, Where You Can Recover and Rejuvenate in Elegance

 Eschewing the cosmetic and getting to the root of the problem, the “urban oasis” is no mirage.

Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong parted the sealed lift doors on the eight floor of its storeyed building to launch Yun Wellness, a spa, gym, and poolside venue that’s been one of the most anticipated openings and new ventures in the city since we last wrote about it. 

Post-pandemic and a stellar renovation later, we’ve heard the phrase “urban oasis” so many times over the past few days as writers and purveyors of the spa and wellness industry, curious to see what the long-awaited project would look like, turned up in full unmasked force to bear witness to the launch—and to hear the notable and erudite team behind the comprehensive programme and menu talk passionately about wellness. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Four Plates at the Regent Hong Kong: Inside The Steak House, Harbourside, The Lobby Lounge, and Lai Ching Heen

A dining destination in a city studded with options, the chefs at The Regent Hong Kong are in fine form across four incredible locations.

Following the most extensive transformation in its history, the restaurants and eateries at the Regent Hong Kong are poised to make a magnificent return to Hong Kong’s dining scene.

Over the course of as many weeks, we had the onus to sample four of its iconic restaurants on location: The Steak House, Harbourside, The Lobby Lounge, and the legendary (and, as we go to publish, Michelin-star-studded) Lai Ching Heen. 

It’s a difficult job, but someone had to buckle up and eat the veritable smorgasbord of dining options. Since we launched Robb Report Hong Kong in the grand ballroom of the Regent, so much has happened so quickly at the iconic venue, it’s a race to the finish trying to keep up. But first, we feast. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

The 7 Most Luxurious Presidential Suites in Hong Kong

 

Regent Hong Kong

Among 300-plus hotels in the city, these properties show us what suite dreams are made of.

As of 2023, the total number of hotels in Hong Kong hovers around the 300 mark. In a classic Darwinian case of only the fittest survive, all the bold-type hotels recognised globally are studded in Hong Kong: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula, Rosewood, Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, and so on all have footholds in the city, some within sight of each other, and others so close that they share the same address. From landmarks brimming with historical legacy to new and refurbished hotels that speak to modern sensibilities, there is no lack of options to choose from, but for absolute luxury, impeccable service, stellar wining and dining, and security, secrecy, and privacy fit for heads of state, royalty, and VVIPs, only the best presidential suites in Hong Kong will do. Here are some of my favourites, only at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Celebrate an Auspicious Year of the Dragon at The Peninsula Hong Kong

 

Greeting guests with sumptuous feasts and traditional treats, the “Grande Dame of the Far East” is inviting all to experience the Lunar New Year in style.

The Lunar New Year stands as the most significant celebration in Chinese culture. It symbolises renewal and the opportunity to seek blessing, luck, and prosperity at the start of the coming year, and a new annual cycle according to Chinese astrology. This Lunar New Year falls on 10 February 2024, where we welcome the Year of the Dragon.

Read the entire feature at here at Robb Report Hong Kong.