PORTRAIT MILANO MILAN, ITALY
Portrait Milano is an award-winning property among the best hotels in Milan, offering quintessentially Italian hospitality, a personal touch toward each guest and meticulous attention to detail. Its 73 lavish suites, family suites and rooms will give guests the opportunity to experience Milan at its most authentic amidst the elegance of a five-star luxury hotel. Housed in one of the oldest seminaries in Europe, Portrait Milano provides an oasis of intimacy, tranquility and timeless elegance just steps away from the most prestigious shopping addresses in town.
Step through the ornate Baroque gateway at Corso Venezia 11 and prepare to be amazed: Portrait Milano hotel overlooks the city’s newest see-and- be-seen destination, the Piazza, which – at 32,000 square feet – is the largest public square in the fashion district.
Within its historic colonnades, exclusive boutiques and gourmet experiences await guests; under the ancient vaults of the former seminary, the wellness area beckons – with its spa, gym and swimming pool – along with additional spaces for private events. And through the new walkway that connects vibrant Corso Venezia with fashionable Via Sant’Andrea, guests will also find a beautifully landscaped urban oasis.
True classic Italian design, meticulous attention to detail, sumptuous materials and the perfect interplay between texture and color palette. This is what inspired architect Michele Bönan to create these 73 romantic suites, family suites and spacious guestrooms. Harking back to the stately mansions of Milan’s past, Portrait Milano ushers in a new era of luxury hospitality in the heart of the legendary Quadrilatero della Moda.
The former Archiepiscopal Seminary, a masterpiece of Lombard Baroque from 1565, is among the oldest seminaries in Europe and the world. But it was more than that, home also to a library, a printing shop and a school for children. In more recent years, from 1980 to 1990, it even served as the creative workshop of internationally renowned Architect Mario Bellini.
After a meticulous renovations, Portrait Milano has reopened the doors of the former seminary to the city of Milan. The project has revitalized this historic structure with a decidedly contemporary look and feel, transforming it into a hub of hospitality, entertainment and culture in the very heart of Milan’s fashion district.
Whether it is for a romantic dinner, a business lunch or soothing refreshments, Portrait Milano’s restaurants and bars offer immersive tasting experiences that combine the creativity of talented chefs in the unique setting of Piazza del Quadrilatero. Casual dining spot 10_11 (“Ten Eleven”) includes a bar, a restaurant, a splendid garden, and the colonnade facing the square. As the first Beefbar opening in Italy, Beefbar brings to Milano its famous modern luxury feel and complete dining experiences. Beefbar Milano enhances the world’s best meats through popular recipes and a cosmopolitan selection of street food, tiraditos, ceviche and tartare. “Rumore” is the perfect blend between an American Bar and exquisite Italian hospitality. Open from sunset, it is the place for an aperitif cocktail or a glass of champagne after dinner, accompanied by live music.
Portrait Milano is the first hotel in the world to host the spa of The Longevity Suite, the most advanced Biohacking & Antiage brand in Europe that accompanies guests toward the best version of themselves and to a perfect balance of health, conscious beauty and mental energy.
LE ROYAL MONCEAU – RAFFLES PARIS, PARIS, FRANCE
Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is a contemporary Palace infused with the French spirit. With its ideal location on the prestigious Avenue Hoche, just moments from the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the hotel is perfectly placed in the heart of Paris. Le Royal Monceau is 45 minutes from Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, 15 to 20 minutes from Gare du Nord, and 30 minutes from Gare de Lyon.
Le Royal Monceau first opened its doors on August 1, 1928. Created by Pierre Bermond and André Junot, it embodied the uniquely vibrant spirit of the 1930s in Paris. Writers, artists and intellectuals gathered here to enjoy fine meals, appreciate art and culture, and engage in wide ranging conversations. International guests including Josephine Baker, Walt Disney, the Maharajahs of Indore and Kashmir, King Farouk of Egypt and the Aga Khan returned time and again.
In 2008, the hotel closed its doors for a full renovation. To mark the beginning of this transformation, a playful demolition party was held where guests arrived in workmen’s overalls, helmets and were handed mallets. In 2010, after two years of intense work, the hotel reopened as Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris. The redesign by Philippe Starck gave the hotel a new life, full of poetry, boldness and culture. It became a new oasis of art in Paris, complete with an art gallery, an art bookstore, a private cinema, a collection of more than 300 works and the dedicated Art Concierge.
The hotel offers a collection of inspired services that elevate the guest experience. The Art Concierge, led by cultural mediator Julie Eugène, designs cultural excursions and keeps guests up to date with the most exciting artistic events in Paris. The Art Gallery is a creative space and artistic platform for artists, collectors, patrons and art professionals. Librairie des Arts is a concept store focused on art. It offers books, including limited editions, and artist-made objects that reflect the hotel’s deep connection to creativity and contemporary culture.
Katara Cinema is the hotel’s 99 seat private theatre. It is managed by a team of screening and audio professionals and is available to hotel guests, film lovers and for private events. This cinema is one of the most exclusive in Paris, offering a unique setting for film screenings, premieres or corporate presentations. It represents a commitment to entertainment that matches the hotel’s overall artistic philosophy.
The Raffles Spa and Wellness is described as a temple of tailor-made luxury, featuring bespoke treatments and world class facilities. It includes treatment rooms, a hammam, a laconium and a sauna. The hotel’s Spa Coaches, professionals in beauty, pool and body work, are available to support guests in reaching their personal wellness goals. This comprehensive wellness experience is tailored for relaxation, fitness and balance.
Event spaces at Le Royal Monceau are bright, modular and flexible. They are ideal for hosting large events, corporate functions, intimate meetings or private gatherings, offering the same level of excellence found throughout the hotel. Whether for a business occasion or a celebration, the service and surroundings leave a lasting impression.
Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris has earned many international accolades, including the Gold List by Condé Nast Traveler, 2nd Best Italian Restaurant in the World by 50 Top Italy, and France’s Leading Luxury City Hotel by the World Travel Awards.
HAWAR RESORT BY MANTIS HAWAR ISLAND, BAHRAIN
Hawar Resort by Mantis welcomes guests to an extraordinary island escape set on Bahrain’s Hawar Islands. Located just 20 kilometers from Bahrain’s mainland, the resort is designed as a haven for eco-conscious travelers, blending luxury with sustainability that offers an unforgettable stay surrounded by pristine natural beauty and rich biodiversity.
Guests begin their journey at the Durrat Al Bahrain Pavilion, the resort’s dedicated arrival hub where they are welcomed with warm hospitality and a seamless check-in experience. This inviting space allows guests to relax and enjoy the anticipation of their journey while awaiting the boat that will transport them to Hawar Island. This thoughtfully designed pavilion sets the tone for the luxurious and tranquil retreat that awaits on the island.
Featuring 104 stylish accommodations, including rooms, beach villas, and overwater villas – many with private pools and direct access to the beach – and two tented suites, the resort caters to a wide range of guest preferences, from families and couples to solo adventurers.
Guests can immerse themselves in a variety of land-based activities, such as camel and horseback riding, and watching the graceful Socotra cormorant birds in their natural habitat. For those with an interest in local culture, the resort also offers captivating falcon shows. Water sports enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, paddle surfboarding, jet skiing, house reef snorkeling, and at a later stage scuba diving in the clear turquoise waters surrounding the island.
A highlight of the resort is the Bear Grylls Adventure Zone by Bear Grylls Survival Academy, offering survival courses and outdoor challenges designed by Bear Grylls and his team. Opening shortly after the resort’s launch, it promises unforgettable experiences for families and seasoned adventurers alike.
For a more relaxing experience, guests can unwind at the resort’s luxurious spa, offering an array of soothing therapies, or bask in the sunshine by the seafront pool. A state-of-the-art gym is available for those looking to maintain their fitness routines, while younger guests can enjoy the dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs.
Dining at Hawar Resort by Mantis is a feast for the senses, with five distinctive outlets offering a wide range of flavors. Guests can savor culinary highlights of the region and freshly caught fish from the Gulf at the all-day dining restaurant Bahri, or enjoy refreshing cocktails at the Beach Lounge. The resort’s signature restaurant, C-Salt, showcases an innovative dining concept that promises seasonal pop-ups and celebrity chef appearances, ensuring that every visit offers something new and exciting.
