The bungalows at Capella Singapore just got a major upgrade.

The singular Capella Manor and the two Colonial Manors at the five-star resort have undergone a full refresh. Designed to mimic a private residence, all three accommodations contain three ensuite bedrooms; separate living, dining, and study rooms; and a private terrace and pool.

“This redesign showcases Capella’s commitment to creating spaces that not only celebrate our heritage but also provide a warm and welcoming environment where guests can seamlessly transition their lifestyle from home to the manors,” Yngvar Stray, the general manager of Capella Singapore, said in a statement. “By incorporating personal touches and timeless furnishings, we invite guests to immerse themselves in a tranquil retreat that feels uniquely theirs.”

The Capella Manor has been done up by the interior decorator Simone Haag, who aimed for a contemporary-chic design. Throughout the manor, you’ll encounter neutral tones, subtly patterned wallpapers and fabrics, and foliage that nods to the property’s 30 acres of greenery.

The living room features a lantern that casts leafy shadows and a custom rug with notes of olive, off-white, and brown. Haag has also sourced vintage touches like a pair of Swedish carved monk chairs from the 1930s and woven Peanut chairs.

“Over many years, we have established a growing network of artists, makers, antique specialists, vintage traders and designers that spans the globe,” Haag said in a statement. “Drawing from this treasure trove, we can curate projects unlike anything seen before. At Capella Singapore, an evolving design and procurement methodology has shaped a meticulously layered manor where vintage pieces have been woven with custom contemporary rugs, furniture and commissioned artworks. This invaluable network brings agility, allowing for some beautiful outcomes that contribute to the manor’s ambience and memorability.”

As for the Colonial Manors, Matthew Shang Design Office has taken the lead. Upstairs, the Nest serves as a cozy living area, with a hand-knotted Persian rug, curated artworks, and tropical printed cushions.

Downstairs, the cozy vibes continue in the Nook alcove, while an outdoor dining area includes a barbecue and a dining table for up to six.

In all three spaces, you have access to a personalized host who can help organize activities like poolside picnics, dim sum masterclasses, and spa services. Plus, the property offers bespoke turndown service, as well as in-manor breakfast and a fridge full of Champagne and premium wines.

Rates for Capella Manor start at around $35,000 per night; rates for Colonial Manor start at around $29,000. 

Capella Singapore

For a taste of pure luxury, caviar is an appetiser par excellence. And in Australia, our consumption of the sturgeon-procured delicacy has grown exponentially. Just ask Lisa Downs. At the dawn of the new millennia when the entrepreneur started her small-scale concern, she imported just 60 kilos of caviar a year. Now in 2024, demand is so buoyant, her business—which has since been acquired by Simon Johnson—brings in around three tons.

Consumption peaks in the early summer months and, according to Downs, continues through Chinese New Year and into the balmy nights of February. Often likened to the black pearl for its scarcity, and prized for its high oil, fat and salt content, the best quality caviar is almost always served before any other food has hit the tongue. Chefs will tell you the product pairs best with plain foods that allow caviar’s saltwater neutrality to breathe, but it can also enhance complex or crispy dishes with its creamy texture and subtle umami.

Following a worldwide ban in 2000 on fishing sturgeon for their roe, as the species neared extinction, the industry has adopted more ethical and sustainable practices to preserve fish stocks. These days, smaller but no less delicious quantities still originate from the prized waters of the Caspian and Black Sea, but high-calibre examples can also be found coming out of China, Spain, Italy, Iran, the UAE and even Australia (though locally, roe are collected from salmon or trout, as the sturgeon is considered a noxious species and production is prohibited.”

Caviar “bumps” are now offered at some of the country’s best seaside restaurants, including mimi’s in Coogee, Sydney, or Entrecôte in Prahran, Melbourne. A single hit of 10-20 grams is served from a tin resting on an iced bowl and the caviar is placed on the back of the hand using a spoon made of shell, horn or bone. The roe is supposed to rest between the index finger and the thumb, enabling it to warm to body temperature—and express its full flavour and quality—before it is consumed in a single kiss. True caviar devotees will then press the delicate eggs up into the roof of the mouth and inhale through their nostrils to capture the magical perfume. “One thing I love about caviar is that people don’t rush eating it,” says Downs. “With caviar people stop and enjoy the experience.”

At his modern Greek eateries in Sydney and Brisbane, executive chef Jonathan Barthelmess favours Yarra Valley caviar from Victoria served on top of a filo crisp with taramasalata. He opts for ethically farmed, sustainably produced pearls, which form the core of the lemony Greek dip which has become one of his signatures. By contrast, at home he serves malossol (low salt) Oscietra caviar in a simple fashion: “I like to keep it low key with sour cream and a packet of Pringles.”

In a similar vein, Mr. Wong chef Dan Hong also keeps things humble. “I like to have my caviar with either potato gems or hash browns, and a Japanese-style tartare sauce,” he says. “The difference being Japanese tartare has roughly chopped hard-boiled egg.”

At the other end of the gastronomic scale, chef Peter Gilmore of Quay and Bennelong fame doesn’t shy from the sultry indulgence of caviar. At the former, his house-made crumpets and caviar are lionised by patrons. Gilmore says the best way to enjoy the sea’s black gold is “with a glass of Champagne in one hand, and a caviar bump on the other.”

Whether you’re an inquisitive newbie or experienced buff, consider the words of Lisa Downs, who implores that everyone follows the golden rule of caviar connoisseurship. “Never order less than 30 grams for four people,” she says, “and remember to buy it, and consume the tin in one opening. Think of it like a bottle of Dom Pérignon. You don’t open a fine Champagne and then put the cork back in. The idea is that you open it, you celebrate it, and you drink the whole thing at once.” Welcome to your new obsession.

Shop Caviar for the holidays at Simon Johnson.

It doesn’t matter what you are doing or where you are going, a luxury timepiece will always up your style game as this week’s celebrities prove so elegantly. Let’s start with boxing and Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano, who popped their watches on—Jacob & Co’s Billionaire Ashoka and Rolex’s Day-Date 36 respectively—for the famous pre-fight weigh-in.

Elsewhere across the country, Snoop Dog, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jeff Goldblum were rocking timepieces from Cartier; John Legend was spotted on the piano wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph and Pharrell Williams was on TV flashing his Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari.

Let’s take a closer look.

Pharrell Williams: Richard Mille

First we have Pharrell Williams who was seen this week wearing Richard Mille’s RM UP-01 Ferrari on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. The musician and record producer has been wearing this watch a lot recently. It is the world’s thinnest mechanical wristwatch measuring just 1.75 mm thick, surpassing the previous record holder Bvlgari, and its Octo Finissimo Ultra (1.80 mm) by five tenths of a millimeter. No doubt a watchmaker somewhere is secretly plotting to break the record once more, but for now, Williams has the thinnest watch in the world! The RM UP 01 Ferrari will set you back $3,035,369.

Snoop Dog: Santos de Cartier

Cartier was also the choice for Snoop Dog this week who went to the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in Los Angeles with his wife Shante Broadus. On his wrist, there was no mistaking the Santos de Cartier in stainless steel. This large model is powered by the automatic Caliber 1847 and comes with the Maison’s signature white dial, Roman numerals, blue hands, and seven-sided crown with a faceted synthetic spinel. The watch also comes with a “SmartLink” adjustment system and can be easily changed for a calfskin strap. This timepiece costs around $13,344.

John Legend: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

Singing a brand-new song on Instagram this week, we couldn’t help but notice the rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph peeking out from under his peach-colored suit. Known for his impeccable sense of style, he is frequently seen wearing this timepiece with everything from jeans to a black tie. This model is powered by Audemars Piguet’s Caliber 2385 and comes with an integrated yellow gold bracelet, white Tapisserie dial, and that famous octagonal bezel. You can expect to pay $225,080 for this model.

Jake Paul: Jacob & Co. Billionaire Ashoka

Famous YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul was seen before his big Netflix fight against Mike Tyson last weekend wearing Jacob & Co.’s Billionaire Ashoka timepiece. This one-of-a-kind piece combines 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds with a manual-winding mechanical skeletonized tourbillon movement. If you can look past the diamonds, you will notice that the finishing on the movement is particularly impressive with a mirror-polished upper cage and hand-beveled and hand-polished components. Other owners of similar Billionaire timepieces include Floyd Mayweather, Rick Ross, and DJ Khaled. Paul’s Billionaire Ashoka is valued at around $11 million.

Amanda Serrano: Rolex Day-Date 36

Professional boxer Amanda Serrano was also seen at the weigh-in for her fight with Katie Taylor last weekend wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36. Serrano’s Rolex features the famous Rolex fluted bezel and President bracelet that make spotting this watch from a distance a cinch! Here’s a fun fact: The fluted bezel originally had a functional purpose as it was screwed onto the case to ensure the water resistance of the watch. The case back was also fluted for the same reason. Nowadays, it is purely an aesthetic feature and has become a signature element of the Day-Date. This timepiece can be purchased for around $70,000.

Giancarlo Esposito: Cartier Ballon Bleu

Actor Giancarlo Esposito was spotted this week at the 2024 Governors Awards in Hollywood wearing a stainless steel Cartier Ballon Bleu. Best known for playing Gus Fring in the drama series Breaking Bad, Esposito had paired the model with black tie attire for his night out at the awards. The Ballon Bleu comes in a variety of sizes and looking at Esposito’s photo, we are guessing that this is a 42 mm model. The Ballon Bleu is easily recognizable thanks to its signature blue sapphire cabochon crown within a protective metal arch and those famous Cartier Roman numerals. It is powered by an automatic movement and comes with a price tag of around $12,000.

Jeff Goldblum: Cartier Tank

Actor and producer Jeff Goldblum was at NBC this week wearing one of his favorite watches, the Cartier Tank. Best known for his roles in Jurassic Park, La Mouche, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, he is also known for his adventurous dress sense. The Cartier Tank, or Tank de Cartier to be precise, is quite a classic choice for the actor but it makes a statement. This model is the larger model in the line and is powered by a quartz movement. The timepiece is housed in a yellow gold case and comes with a white dial with black Roman numerals. You can expect to pay around $19,000 for this wristwatch.

For all its natural splendour and sweeping mountain vistas, Verbier has never really been a place one goes in search of solitude. It is to mountain exploration what the Côte d’Azur is to actual sailing—a place to get in touch with the outdoors and the off-piste, but with its selection of high-end eateries and luxe lodges, also one where you can keep the natural extremes of the Swiss Alps safely at arm’s length.

Come December, however, one pioneering chalet is set to provide a new outlet for the discerning and intrepid when it opens 3,000 m above the iconic resort village. Named Cabane Tortin after the glacier it overlooks, the chalet offers an experience that’s becoming increasingly rare in this part of the world: one of comfort through seclusion—with no luxury spared, of course.

“The altitude is unique by itself, but this was also the most inhospitable scenery I had ever visited,” says Snorre Stinessen, the architect tasked with bringing Cabane Tortin back to life. The site itself—a rocky, secluded outcrop perched dramatically just below the summit of Mont Fort—has been occupied since 1981, when members of a local ski club built a small lodge to provide basic shelter for climbers and skiers seeking the area’s off-piste delights. Snorre says it’s still the only part of the mountainside both protected and forgiving enough to inhabit year-round.

Building any structure, let alone a luxury eco-lodge, in such a setting required near-heroic feats of engineering and execution. The building, made entirely of locally sourced stone and timber, used the foundations of the former hut for convenience and sustainability. Power comes via in-built solar and a sustainable pellet burner, while water flows directly into the property from a nearby mountain spring.

Naturally, its dramatic locale already draws comparisons to a Bond villain’s lair, but the fireplaces and lashings of warm wood inside quickly betray a space designed to be far cosier.

Even for Stinessen, having honed his craft building in the frozen extremes of his native Norway, Cabane Tortin presented more than its fair share of challenges. Once completed, the chalet would have to withstand regular gales equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane and more than a ton of snow load per square metre of space it occupied. “It’s hard to put into words how it came to life, other than from trying to find my own approach through a combination of patience, instinct and respect,” he says.

The final result appears to hover on the very precipice of the valley below—a huge cantilever facade providing the focal point both inside and out as its vista sweeps over the Tortin Glacier. A bench runs the length of the window in the main living area, sitting on which makes one feel as if they’re defying gravity as the terrain drops away underneath them. “Sit and look out; it feels as if the landscape is all yours,” says Stinessen.

The rear windows of the building, purposely slanted upwards rather than out, guide the view of those inside up the jagged outcrops of Mont Fort’s mountainside. “The idea was to invite the skies above in, to emphasise the feeling of floating between earth and sky,” adds Stinessen,

The chalet’s visual impact is matched only by the level of hospitality to be found inside. Manager Matthew Burnford and his team have curated an experience combining the personalised service of a five-star retreat with a sense of elevated hygge befitting the chalet’s Scandi design language and frozen outlook. The main guest area of the chalet, taking up the entirety of its two levels, comfortably sleeps eight.

Another eight can be accommodated downstairs in the adjoining Bivouac des Gentianes—a boujee ski lodge that, due to local laws, has to be made publicly available when the main property isn’t occupied. Also designed by Storre and offered with the option of a chef, there are far worse places to wait out a storm.

Visitors, naturally, are encouraged to explore the surrounds, with ski-in, ski-out access to the glacier’s ungroomed trails and powder fields during the winter, and a healthy bevy of equipment available at one’s leisure. Cable cars provide access to and from the neighbouring villages of Verbier and Nendaz, while a private chef and two live-in staff ensure that ski expeditions, lazy days indoors and all adventures in between are appropriately catered for. The cabin’s ease-of access also means that in-chalet spa treatments can be booked as requested.

Clearly, then, Cabane Tortin is designed, more than any of other Verbier’s luxury lodges, to feel like a true home away from home. All the mod cons, however, melt away when you stand at the edge of its sweeping facade and experience the chalet’s crown jewel: a view that feels, if only for a fleeting moment, as if this small corner of the mountains entirely belongs to you.

Stays from around $105,000 for three nights, full board; cabanetortin.com