In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: Odin Hills in Niseko epitomises a Japanese alpine haven, Aman pioneers a new direction with luxury hospitality with Janu Tokyo in Autumn 2023, and ‘Soar Beyond the Expected’ with Martell x Eddie Peng.
Soar Beyond the Expected with Martell x Eddie Peng
Since it was launched in the 1980s, the Martell Noblige has been one of its star products and a celebration of more than three centuries of savoir-faire and innovation by Maison Martell, the oldest of the great Cognac houses. It is composed of a minimum of 100 eaux-de-vie from four main terroirs in the Cognac region and boasts a delicate taste that showcases Maison’s focus on exceptional quality. A new spokesperson has now been appointed for the launch of this iconic cognac with a refreshed look—celebrated Chinese actor and silver screen heartthrob Eddie Peng. His insatiable appetite for self-improvement aligns perfectly with the spirit of the brand, which now bears the slogan ‘Soar Beyond the Expected’––a nod to its historic emblem, the swift.
Janu Tokyo to Open its Doors This Autumn
The Aman Group, which is favoured by the world’s elite such as Bill Gates, is pioneering a new direction in luxury hospitality with its sister brand Janu, featuring restorative experiences to rekindle the soul. Janu Tokyo will feature 122 spacious guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, most of them boasting private balconies with views of the iconic Tokyo Tower or the surrounding flora. The hotel is set in Azabudai Hills, a ‘Modern Urban Village’ filled with lush greenery encompassing 8.1 hectares at the heart of the bustling metropolis with offices, retail shops, and more. It also houses the Janu Wellness Centre, one of the largest wellness facilities of any luxury hotel in the city. A range of facilities will also be available, including five movement studios offering classes such as Pilates and simulated golf training, as well as an extensive hydrotherapy and thermal area centred around a 25-metre heated lap pool.
Odin Hills Redefines Natural Luxury in Niseko
The master-planned luxury residential community Odin Hills, located in the heart of Niseko, Japan, offers the ultimate expression of natural luxury and bespoke design. Pritzker-prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban––known for his innovative and sustainable approach and who has designed numerous projects around the world such as the Aspen Art Museum––collaborated with the luxury property brand to design a collection of exquisite villas. Available in four contemporary designs, each villa overlooks the breathtaking views of Mount Yotei and forms part of a Japanese alpine haven. The private villas feature all ensuite bedrooms, a fully equipped designer kitchen, a wine cellar, a fireplace, a ski room, a dry room, owner storage, and an onsen-style family bath.
The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka to Launch in June
The 167-room luxury hotel will open on 21 June, welcoming guests to the prefectural capital of Fukuoka in southern Japan, boasting the hospitality that The Ritz-Carlton is known for. Layan Architects + Designers of Melbourne are overseeing the interior design of most of the hotel’s calm, modernist spaces that will incorporate local art traditions such as Hakata-ori weaving and woven bamboo. The hotel can be conveniently accessed by air, land or sea, and will have multiple dining and relaxation venues such as a Japanese restaurant serving teppanyaki, sushi and kaiseki multicourse menus. A club lounge, spa, gym, and pool are planned for the 24th floor, along with a bar overlooking the ships and sparkling lights of Hakata Bay.
Bang & Olufsen Introduces Beosound Emerge
Slim yet powerful, the Beosound Emerge enhances a space and delivers rich sound experiences (RM5,060). Bang & Olufsen collaborated with London-based design agency Layer for its exemplary design. Available in a Gold tone, the appearance of the speaker is a sculptural structure that is designed to resemble a book with an oak wood cover and a woven Kvadrat textile on its spine that can either be tucked away discreetly or prominently displayed. It comes with full-range, ultra-wide 180-degree sound, touch controls on top, and supports AirPlay 2, Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in.
The Hour Glass Malaysia Unveils its First Store in Penang
This is a store to watch out for––dwellers of the Pearl of the Orient can now conveniently hunt for a superlative timepiece at Gurney Plaza. The official retailer brings a curated selection of specialty maisons and artisanal watchmakers to Penang, including Hublot, Tudor, Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin, Grand Seiko, TAG Heuer, Breitling, NOMOS, Glashütte and Sinn-Spezialuhren. Hublot has also debuted its first shop-in-shop concept in Asia, which was first introduced in Mykonos. The new boutique has been executed in natural stone, timber with luxurious leather, and fluid wave-like hues that echo the shimmer of seashells that were inspired by its coastal location. VIP clients will have the luxury of browsing at their own leisure at a separate wing known as The Apartment.
