By Amira Hashish
With breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible desert landscapes, not to mention a thriving wellness and nightlife scene, it is little wonder that the Mexican municipality of Los Cabos draws a very glamorous crowd. Its close proximity to southern California makes this glittering destination the go-to getaway for the Hollywood set. It is not super seasonal either thanks to a tropical climate and year round sunshine. Ready to pack your bags? The resorts here are fit for their famous regulars. Find your perfect match according to the celebrity you can relate to most…
Big Bieber Energy: Las Ventanas al Paraíso
Celebrity spots: Justin and Hailey Bieber, Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, the Kardashians and Jessica Alba.
What to expect: This Rosewood Resort is the epitome of sun-soaked contemporary luxury. Brimming with standout architecture and art, it is a firm favourite amongst the showbiz crowd. Owned by Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner, it has seven pools, a world-class tennis academy, outdoor cinema and putting range. Some suites and villas have their own pools and bars. For ultimate privacy, there is the art-filled Ty Warner Mansion on the water’s edge with panoramic views over the Sea of Cortez. There are copious dining spots and you can even make your own tacos or sip on a Margarita made by a tequila master.
Book: rosewoodhotels.com
Gwynnie Glam: One & Only Palmilla
Celebrity spots: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Miles Teller.
What to expect: The site that is home to One & Only Palmilla is steeped in A-list history. In fact, it was on this very plot of 400 acres of near virgin wonderland, accessible only by yacht or helicopter, that Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the Mexican president, and his wife, Hollywood star Lucille Bremmer, built the first resort in Los Cabos.
Their 15-room luxury hideaway was visited by the likes of John Wayne, Lucille Ball, and the former United States President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Glamour still oozes from the beachside escape on the edge of the Baja Peninsula. It now houses rooms, suites, casita suites or luxury villas alongside four restaurants, a spa and plenty of water-based experiences.
Book: oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla
De Niro Design: Nobu Los Cabos
Celebrity Spots: Eva Longoria, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro of course.
What to expect: Robert De Niro and Chef Nobu chose the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula as the location for their first hotel in Mexico. With endless views of sparkling sapphire waters and the signature Nobu style, it is the perfect blend of tranquil and vibey.
There are ample guest rooms and suites alongside a luxurious spa, shops, infinity pools, private cabanas and a variety of bars and dining spots. The Nobu restaurant on the beach is quite the setting for sushi.
Book: loscabos.nobuhotels.com
Fresh Prince Vibes: Esperanza Auberge
Celebrity spots: Will Smith, Courtney Cox, Sheryl Crow, Chelsea Handler and Fergie (the singer).
What to expect: The only private beach resort in Los Cabos, Esperanza Auberge has long attracted the great and good of Hollywood. In fact, back in the day, this is where Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow chose to honeymoon.
In addition to the coveted beach, there are five swimming pools as well as a generously-sized spa, gym, Pilates studio and tennis courts. The food game is strong too. The newly reimagined Cocina del Mar, set on a rocky promontory surrounded by crashing waves, is the stuff of long lunch dreams.
Book: aubergeresorts.com
Netflix Royalty: Waldorf Astoria Pedregal
Celebrity spots: Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse, stars of hit Netflix series Riverdale.
What to expect: The heritage of Mexican culture and cuisine is championed at this resort. Nestled between the cliffside and the Pacific Ocean, you arrive through Mexico’s only private tunnel to be greeted by a breathtaking landscape.
Rooms, suites and villas are designed to be calming and many offer endless sea views. The culinary experiences are helmed by Executive Chef Gustavo Pinet, who sources the freshest ingredients from Baja California to the Yucatan. Head to El Farallon for a meal next to the ocean or to Don Manuel’s for a Mexican feast.
Book: waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com
Clooney’s Crowd: El Dorado Golf & Beach Club
Celebrity spots: George Clooney and Tiger Woods.
What to expect: This ultra exclusive members-only community prides itself on privacy with villa owners including Clooney himself. Perched on the Golden Corridor that connects San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, it marries traditional Spanish architecture with modern design.
Play a round of golf on the championship course or simply relax as the lifestyle concierge book in dining and wellness experiences for you.
Find out more: eldoradobeachclub.com
Auckland’s Most Delicious Restaurants
By Amira Hashish
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland has garnered a reputation for delicious food that champions the country’s fresh produce. From a Lebanese tasting menu to yummy yakitori and European inspired dishes, the multi-cultural cuisine is a feast in every sense. Here we choose some of our favourite spots for unearthing the best of Auckland’s restaurant scene…
Ada
Under the arches of a nunnery turned hotel (aptly named The Convent), Ada is the kind of buzzy, light-filled restaurant you dream of when planning a long, leisurely lunch. Beautifully designed to make the most of the high ceilings and architectural details, this is a hearty slice of Spanish-Mission in Auckland’s quiet Grey Lynn neighbourhood. The focus is on Italian food with pasta hand-rolled on the dining tables during service. For a taste of some of the most delicious offerings book in for Sunday lunch. Kick off proceedings with a glass of Prosecco before enjoying a five-course shared feast. If you fancy making a night of it, check into one of the thoughtfully styled boutique rooms in what could easily scoop the title of chicest small hotel in Auckland.
Book: adarestaurant.co.nz, theconventhotel.co.nz
Gemmayze Street
In the centre of Auckland’s hip K’ Road lies the Twenties built St Kevin’s Arcade. The original Art Deco facades are now home to shops, restaurants and bars which make for a thriving gathering spot in the evenings. The must-visit is Gemmayze Street, the Lebanese-inspired restaurant owned and operated by chef Samir Allen whose family have lived in New Zealand for over 130 years. Despite living across the other side of the world they have kept their Middle Eastern culture alive through this vibrant eatery with the most delectable menu of food, wine and cocktails. We would recommend sampling a bit of everything with the $90 per person Jeeb (Arabic for “to bring”) menu. From the signature hummus to the falafel and Arnabeet roasted cauliflower, you will not go home hungry.
Book: gemmayzestreet.co.nz
kingi
In the mood for seafood? Make a beeline for kingi which celebrates sustainably caught seafood fresh from New Zealand’s oceans, dunes, river mouths and reefs. On the ground floor of the heritage Masonic House, underneath the strikingly designed Hotel Britomart, the restaurant is open all day but we would recommend dinner for wood fired dishes and a well curated wine menu. The most popular dish comes in the form of Buttermilk Blue Cod Wings, with blue cod caught by a third-generation family of fishers in the Chatham Island.
Book: kingibritomart.com
Amano
Part of a collection of acclaimed restaurants under New Zealand’s Savor group, Amano is a big, bustling and warmly designed ode to Italian cuisine. Produce is seasonal, sustainable and local from the country’s growers and farmers. Opposite Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and spanning Britomart’s historic Altrans and Quay buildings, the bakery and restaurant is a staple for anyone seeking wholesome food and a great vibe. Be sure to book in advance as tables get snapped up quickly.
Book: savor.co.nz/amano
Daphnes
We have a soft spot for the Ponsonby district when it comes to dining, drinking or shopping. Awash with independently owned spots, it is a fabulous place to meander the day away. Despite being spoiled for choice with great restaurants in the area, we were especially taken by Daphnes. Run by husband and wife team Clare and Joost van den Berg, this place was inspired by their travels to Greece and Europe in 2018. The modern taverna captures the Mediterranean spirit with an impressive interior designed by Clare. Dim lighting and dark rich tones of wooden furniture alongside rich burgundy and navy upholstery make for quite the setting. The small but perfectly formed menu lives up to the surroundings with highlights including sourdough flatbreads, brussel sprouts and Agria potatoes.
Book: daphnes.co.nz
Barulho
What started as a humble tapas bar has evolved into a solid Spanish restaurant in the Parnell area. Signature dishes such as paella, empanadas and patatas bravas are accompanied by some more experimental options. The cocktail list is strong too with the Caipirinha proving to be a hit. It is also worth popping into the neighbouring Faradays concept store for a truly luxurious fashion and interiors experience.
Book: barulhoparnell.com
Omni
Centering on yakitori cooked over binchotan (low-smoke white charcoal), Omni is a small and considered offering in Mount Eden. For the best value, we recommend the “feed me” option, which is priced at $65 and lets you try over half the menu. Just make sure the crunchy prawn toast wings its way to you. Low-intervention wines from small scale producers make excellent pairings.
Book: atomni.co.nz
Protecting Family Heirlooms for Future Generations
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
In a world subject to such constant change, family heirlooms can be seen as symbols of heritage, culture, tradition and memory. They are cherished artefacts that hold genuine meaning for families across the world. No matter if the object in question is of astronomical or negligible financial value, these tokens, be they Old Master paintings or gems inherited over generations, heirlooms not only give us a sense of history but also a feeling of deep connection to our lineage. This month, I spoke to three experts in the business of caring for inherited heirlooms to get a sense of what goes into protecting and preserving paintings, antiques, jewellery and more.
Gander & White: Custodians of The Irreplaceable
Gander & White, renowned for its expertise in fine art transportation and logistics, holds a Royal Warrant and has transported stored collections from some of the most notable galleries and families globally. When it comes to private families and family offices in particular, Alexander Bradford, the company’s Business Development Manager, believes that it’s all about offering clients a bespoke service that caters to each distinct requirement.
When working with Gander & White to transport heirlooms to another property, for example, or put them into storage during a renovation, the process often begins with a consultation. This involves a dedicated project manager assigned to each client. Gander & White also conducts site visits to ensure accurate estimates and the identification of potential challenges. For international moves where a piece of art must be shipped from one residence to another, Gander & White draws on its extensive global knowledge of export regulations and customs formalities. Boasting an unrivalled white glove service, Gander & White ensures the safe passage of these cherished items, often collaborating with partner ICEFAT agents when needed. All members of ICEFAT, an organisation representing over 70 of the finest independent art transportation firms from 34 countries including Gander & White, are subject to rigorous auditing against a series of Standards laid out by EY, meaning clients can rest assured that their heirlooms will be cared for during complex international journeys.
Bradford and his international team at Gander & White understand the emotional weight his clients attach to family heirlooms and resonate with the idea that they act as bridges between generations. “By working with us and our team of fine art technicians,” he says, “clients are ensuring that their precious objects and collections are treated with the utmost care and attention to ensure that they are preserved in pristine quality for generations to come.”
Doerr Dallas: Preparation Is Key
Doerr Dallas, an independent valuations firm, recognises the importance of understanding the true value of family heirlooms. Rachel Doerr, the company’s founder, has valuable insights into the circumstances that prompt families to seek her expertise. Valuations serve not only as a means to assess financial worth but also as a way to ensure a smooth transition of assets across generations. “Generally, it’s much better for the current owners of the family heirlooms to decide who gets what when the time comes,” she says. “It’s a much cleaner way of working than suggesting that the family or beneficiaries of the will decide between themselves. We very much try to encourage clients to think about what would happen in the worst-case scenario.”
Doerr advocates for informed decisions through valuations. An up-to-date valuation is indispensable, offering reassurance and the ability to make accurate insurance claims in the face of unforeseen events. “Very little will be worth the same amount five years from now – all general items appreciate,” she says. “In the event of a fire, for example, you need to be able to claim back the current value of any objects that were damaged,” she explains, adding that, “without an up-to-date valuation, this won’t be possible.”
Aston Lark: Reassurance Above All
Aston Lark, an insurance company, understands that protecting family heirlooms goes beyond securing financial assets – it’s also about managing the personal connections people have to their belongings. Joshua Meadowcroft, the firm’s Business Development Manager, understands the emotion attached to these treasures where his private clients are concerned. “The key to working with our private clients is primarily about understanding their needs to make sure that we source the correct cover,” says Meadowcroft. “Then we can build trust by offering the best advice to protect their prized assets,” he continues. For Meadowcroft, this differs to commercial insurance as there is a lot more of an emotive side to private clients’ decision-making.
Meadowcroft also makes a point of advising his private clients to give them the same level of reassurance that Aston Clark’s institutional or commercial clients enjoy. “Where a business may have different employees providing different advice on aspects of the company, private clients they may not have this breadth of expertise available to them,” he says. “We feel an obligation to provide this level of guidance, which can include conducting surveys, obtaining values and recommending security companies.”
From fine art to cherished possessions like jewellery or furniture, heirlooms carry stories, values beyond the financial, and memories that transcend time and generations. By taking meticulous care of these relics from our familial pasts, we honour our lineage and leave behind a legacy for future generations.