From dynamic Seoul, where trend-conscious but over 600 years of traditions coexist, to Jeju Island, a Unesco World Heritage Site, it’s obvious that there are many great accommodations to be found in South Korea.

Get set to enjoy a quiet time in a centuries-old hanok (a traditional Korean house) with a secret garden, embark on an artistic day in gallery-like spaces, and relish a luxurious getaway in a contemporary suite boasting fantastic ocean views.

To give you an idea of what to expect in terms of luxury hotels in the country, The Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel has been one of the country’s most notable properties since its opening in 1955; it was previously known as Geumsujang, the first private hotel in South Korea. This stately hotel is located in the heart of Seoul with easy access to major tourist attractions. After an extensive renovation in early 2022, this heritage hotel was reborn with a total of 264 modern Korean-style rooms and 40 residences inspired by Namsan’s four seasons.

These include Instagrammable rooms overlooking panoramic views of the iconic landmark of Seoul, Namsan N Tower. In the lobby that marks the beginning of a storied experience, famed media artist Lee Lee-nam’s The Light of Geumgang presents a welcoming sight; it is a digital version of a landscape painting by Jeong Seon, a notable painter of the Joseon Dynasty period. In fitting with the hotel’s long history, it also presents a great gastronomic experience for gourmets both locally and abroad. Other highlights include Urban Escape, a transformable indoor-outdoor pool with a movable roof, private cabanas and nest beds that undoubtedly contribute to creating the perfect venue for recharging.

Similarly, Parnas Hotel Jeju, a luxury 5-star resort hotel run by Parnas Hotel with 40 years of know-how, holds the longest infinity pool in South Korea. Named the Estuary Pool, the outdoor pool is one of the signature amenities of the hotel and boasts a length of 110m. Swim and enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves and gentle sea breeze as the property is in close proximity to Jungmun Saekdal Beach.

It is clear that the vibrant hospitality scene in South Korea leaves the ardent traveller spoilt for choice. From Josun Palace (the first-ever Luxury Collection Hotel launched by Marriott International in Korea) to the luxurious JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa, these new hotels in South Korea are worth exploring, for unforgettable autumn memories in Seoul and Jeju.

Now all you have to do is just select the hotel you want to enjoy both the fall foliage and beautiful interiors.

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French pastry chef Cédric Grolet has been an unstoppable force in the pastry world. Boasting over eight million followers on Instagram (where he gives us a peek into the making of his culinary masterpieces) and the title of the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2018, his standing in the dining industry has seen him work alongside celebrated chefs and open his eponymous outlets in Paris and London.

With his stellar reputation, it was no surprise that the Singapore gourmand scene was abuzz with excitement when Grolet announced the opening of his first pastry shop in Asia, at the new lifestyle destination Como Orchard. Grolet agreed that it had been a long time coming for him to open a pastry shop on the island. “I had been to Singapore four to five times for masterclasses, and it’s the place to be for its vibrant food culture,” he shared. Expanding his presence to Asia was more about “finding the right partners to work with”, which he found in Como Group.

When he opens new outlets in other countries, Grolet mentioned that his offerings are very much similar to what he offers at his Paris outlets. However, he was quick to point out that he also takes into consideration the “local culture” and includes one or two exclusives to his repertoire. At the Singapore outlet, on top of signatures like the pain au chocolat and Vanilla Bean (Tahitian vanilla, custard cream, vanilla ganache encased in a shell shaped like the bean), you can also look forward to Singapore-exclusive creations.

With four outlets in total (two in Paris and one in London and Singapore), Grolet foresees that he’ll be busier than ever. But he credits his amazing team as his “biggest strength” in bringing to life his vision and his beautiful desserts that look as good as they taste.

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The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 list was announced at a live awards ceremony held in London on September 19. The latest list by 50 Best was created by a voting panel of 580 international experts from the hotel and travel industries. 

Highlighting outstanding hotels from around the world, the inaugural list crowned family-owned lakeside boutique hotel Passalacqua as No.1, who out-performed its peers from 35 countries to earn the title of the World’s Best Hotel.

Closer to home, Singapore’s historic Raffles Singapore placed No.17 on the list. Managing director of Raffles Singapore Christian Westbeld shares how the hotel continues to strive to be a leader within the luxury hospitality space, hoping that the list will inspire “travel lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip”.

Capella Singapore also made the list, coming in at No.28. Located in the heart of Sentosa Island, the hotel is known for its luxurious rooms, relaxing spa and indulgent dishes.

On top of Singapore hotels, 16 other Asian hotels also made the list, including Rosewood Hong Kong (#2), Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (#3) and Japan’s Aman Tokyo (#5). With the unveiling of the new World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 list, there is no doubt that 50 Best continues to inspire travellers to explore the best of what the world has to offer.

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Tatler Gen.T has once again partnered with ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore for Blue Water Heroes, the awards which recognises eco-champions dedicated to conserving our waters and the communities they support.  

Blue Water Heroes is part of the three-day non-profit marine conservation event Blue Water EduFest to be held from November 2 to 4. It includes a solutions-based conference, The Ocean Collective Summit and a beach cleanup. 

The awards ceremony of Blue Water Heroes will be held as a Gala Dinner event on November 3. The sustainable dining experience will include a showcase by the 10 finalists shortlisted from nominations received from around Southeast Asia. It will unveil how their innovative initiatives and projects are reshaping the world of marine conservation and driving positive impact. Three among the 10 finalists will be announced as winners of Blue Water Heroes awards. 

Young participants of the Antarctic Climate Expedition 2023 led by Dr Sylvia Earle will also share their experiences. A silent auction featuring exclusive memorabilia and other unique items will complete the evening.

Get your early bird discount

Tickets are now on sale for Blue Water Heroes Awards 2023. Purchase your tickets by 11.59pm on October 9 for a 10 per cent early bird discount using the promo code TATLER10. 

The promo code can also be applied to purchase a ticket bundle for two or more Blue Water EduFest events. This entitles you to a 10 per cent discount. 

To meet the men and women from around the region making a mark in the field of marine conservation, get your tickets here.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional celebration that falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar. Also known as Mooncake Festival, the occasion will take place on September 29 this year.

This yearly affair was first celebrated over 3,000 years ago and has gradually developed and evolved with time.

While it is believed that the festival first appeared during the Shang Dynasty, it only gained popularity during the early Tang Dynasty. As the festival falls in the middle of the Autumn harvest, it was a time when emperors and communities would worship the moon, praising it for providing them with bountiful harvests. Today, the annual festival sees loved ones gathering together to revel in festivities such as playing with lanterns, moon-gazing and indulging in mooncakes.

The central legend associated with the festival surrounds the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e and her husband Hou Yi. The tale is said to have originated from the Tang Dynasty, where Hou Yi is an archer who shot down nine out of 10 suns, saving the earth from scorching to death. As a reward, the gods gave him a gift of the elixir of immortality. Stealing the elixir from her husband, Chang’e drank the potion which led her to fly upwards to reside on the moon. In memory of her, Hou Yi would hold a feast when the moon was at its fullest, hoping to get a glimpse of her shadow.

The tradition of eating mooncakes began in the Yuan Dynasty, where secret messages were smuggled inside mooncakes as an act to rebel against the Mongols. Traditionally, mooncakes come steamed with no filling. Today, the delicacy comes stuffed with a range of fillings. These mooncakes are said to symbolise togetherness and harmony, and are typically cut into eight pieces before eating.

The Mooncake Festival is celebrated in various parts of the world, including Vietnam, Korea and Japan. In Vietnam,Tết Trung Thu is a festival filled with lantern making, mooncake eating, lion dance performances and more. Here in Singapore, there are a plethora of activities to do to celebrate the occasion. Walk along Chinatown and admire the display of lanterns and lighted sculptures or enjoy an outdoor live performance at Gardens by the Bay. You can also head to the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre for an evening filled with star-gazing sessions, lantern walks and food trucks. No matter how one celebrates the festival, the universal idea here is to spend time and gather with loved ones on this meaningful day.

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