From helping the environment to luxuriating in two newly-refurbished hotels, your future holiday planning just got easier
Live in luxury
Is San Francisco on your list of holiday destinations? Stay in comfort at the Four Seasons Private Residences, in the City by the Bay area. The development comprises a new 45-storey tower alongside the renovated Aronson Building and has 146 spacious residences.
The residences are done in the pre-war style, covering up to 5,000 sq ft. There are only four residences per floor, and only three in the Aronson Building. The interior features a dramatic entryway; grand corner living rooms with at least two walls of floor-to-ceiling glass; defined dining areas; adjacent yet private informal family areas; large kitchens; master bedrooms with breathtaking views; large master baths; in-home offices and guest bedrooms.
Designed by Handel Architects, the project included the restoration, rehabilitation, and repurposing of the historic Aronson Building — dating back to 1903 — overseen by preservation architect Page & Turnbull working in conjunction with Handel Architects. Masterfully blending historic authenticity and modern innovation in two contrasting buildings, the Private Residences are luxurious homes inspired by a bygone area of grandeur.
Tree-planting initiatives
Based on its “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” ethos, Banyan Tree Group has implemented earth-friendly practices long before sustainability had caught the corporate world’s attention.
This year, Banyan Tree Global Foundation (BTGF), the group’s non-profit arm, has embraced the theme of “Restore Our Earth” in line with Earth Day 2021. This is done via The Canopy Project — an initiative that works with groups around the world to plant trees for a greener future.
An Earth Day Getaway offer will be available at 39 properties globally, offering up to 35% in savings. For each night’s purchase or stay from now to May 5, BTGF will donate US$2 ($2.70) to Earthday.org and its reforestation programme.
Tree-planting is not new to the group. Since 2007, the group has introduced the Greening Communities programme to raise awareness of climate change and planted over half a million trees in local communities where its hotels and re- sorts operate.
Although international travel has been suspended, the group’s guest engagement programme, typically available during one’s stay, will go online to continue raising awareness and engagement in sustainability-related activities. To do this, a weekly challenge will be announced on Banyan Tree Group’s Instagram channel (@banyantreehotels), inviting people to share creative efforts to be more environmentally friendly in line with the theme “Restore Our Earth”.
Breathing new life
Interior architect Laura Gonzalez has been tasked to oversee the renovation of the Parisian Saint James hotel, as well as the creation of new spaces and the development of hotel flats located opposite the establishment.
Saint James Paris is known for its unique style. With its re-opening at the end of May 2021, the hotel will begin a new chapter with 50 rooms and suites, a new restaurant concept, the iconic bar-library, a Guerlain spa and new areas dedicated to well-being.
Gonzalez chose to breathe new life into this five-star hotel by emphasising its neo-classical beauty and its many references to Greek antiquity and Art Deco. True to her daring mixes of styles, she has fused the romantic spirit of the hotel with the soul of a gentlemen’s club and breathed light and life into every space, from the spa to the garden.
Decorated around a palette of four colours from cream to celadon green, the rooms and bathrooms evoke the apartments of a collector who would live here, surrounded by his books and works of art.
