As a gourmand adventurer, I was delighted to receive an invitation for breakfast on behalf of Travelife Magazine by leading global hospitality company Hilton at Conrad Centennial Singapore Hotel.
The breakfast session was part of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM Asia-Pacific) series of media events to showcase how leading hospitality brands are propelling ahead in their regional expansion plans.
Stepping into the venue, we were greeted by a jaw-dropping grazing table that included Michelin-starred Burnt Ends’ divine stuffed doughnuts! Although I confess – I was halfway through my Vanilla Cream flavoured doughnut when I remembered that I had forgotten to take a photo of it – hence why no close-up picture!
Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president of Luxury brands at Hilton, Asia Pacific introduced new initiatives for the company’s luxury brands which include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
Breakfast was a 2-part rendition, and in addition to the showstopping spread, Burnt Ends Chef-Owner Dave Pynt was on-site to prepare his famous lobster rolls. These delectable rolls were paired with smashed avocado toast on sourdough bread from Burnt Ends, and are definitely in a league of their own!
Chef Dave Pynt’s collaboration with Hilton extends to his restaurant The Ledge, where he brings Burnt Ends’ style of modern BBQ to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Described as a tropical playground featuring views of endless oceanic horizons and white beaches beyond lush greenery, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives has 122 thatch-style reef and overwater villas, and 11 uniquely positioned restaurants including Terra, a romantic treetop venue for intimate dining where guests are seated in handcrafted bamboo pods, and Shimizu, a modern Japanese restaurant led by Chef Andrei Palm, formerly of Nobu in South Africa.
Set to open in 2024, Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur and Waldorf Astoria Jakarta (which will be the city’s tallest building) will introduce the distinctive brand to Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.
With a roadmap to double in presence in Asia Pacific over the next five year, Japan will welcome the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Osaka (Waldorf Astoria Osaka) in 2025, and in the following year. will also open a new with Waldorf Astoria Sydney at the iconic Circular Quay.
Under the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand, the newly opened Roku Kyoto showcased their house tea blends that were uniquely crafted to present flavours of the region to guests. My favorite was the Genmaicha blend, which featured a roasted mix of sencha and brown rice.
The hotel is nestled within the 28.6-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto, a luxury enclave where one would enjoy Kyoto’s most notable and idyllic Japanese gardens, historic architecture and authentic tea houses.
Roku Kyoto is a 114-room resort at the foothills of the Takagamine Mountains in Kyoto.
Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president, Luxury, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said:
The strength and recognition of our luxury brands are key drivers of growth for our luxury portfolio in Asia Pacific. With more destinations in Asia Pacific becoming increasingly attractive to luxury travellers today, we are seeing a growing demand for our brands which are known globally for providing unforgettable stays, delivered with unrivalled hospitality and intuitive, personalized service. The future of luxury travel in this region is brighter than ever, as our portfolio of luxury brands continue to enter exciting new markets andelevate the benchmark of luxury hospitality to new heights.”
Hilton will open its first LXR-branded resort in South East Asia in 2023 in Bali, Indonesia. The 72 all-villa resort will join a collection of unique, independent luxury properties around the world, where each hotel in the LXR collection is characterful and is steeped in the originality of its locale and provides a luxurious base of exploration for the intrigued, yet discerning adventurer
Conrad Hotels and Resorts currently commands the largest share in Hilton’s APAC luxury portfolio and continues to expand its footprint globally with almost 60% of the global Conrad estate in Asia.
The brand will debut in Malaysia in 2023 with Conrad Kuala Lumpur, within the prime Golden Triangle and in 2026, Conrad will open a hotel in Nagoya, the manufacturing and craftsmanship capital of Japan.
Photo credit: Hilton
