Some places remind you that perfection still exists. The Peninsula in Penang is one of them.

We found it by chance, walking along one of the main streets in Penang. We looked up, saw the lights, and decided to go in. It started with a dessert called Eton Mess that we commented on, and from that moment, it became a total love affair. We have never stopped going back.

The atmosphere is effortless. The architecture feels preserved, not polished. Every detail is thought through, from the linen napkins to the perfect water glass, from the quiet confidence of the staff to the way the light falls on the tables. Even the toilets are another level.

And the food is extraordinary. Inventive, precise, yet deeply comforting. I had a dessert made with mushroom purée, sweet marinated mushrooms, and flowers. It sounds impossible, but it was exquisite. Earthy, surprising, and completely right.

The team radiates joy. You can feel that they love what they do. The energy is warm, creative, and beautifully human. Maybe the entrance smoke is a bit much, but then again, it is Penang, and we all love a little drama for Instagram.

The Peninsula is the kind of place that feels like stepping into a page of Kinfolk, elegant, grounded, and full of soul. It is proof that when good taste meets good hearts, everything can go right.

The last time I set foot in Club Med Cherating was in 1986. I was 16 or 17, working as a GO at the Mini Club. Now it is 2025, I am 55, and returning felt like stepping into a time warp. It was as if nothing had changed. The only difference was the faces around me and, to put it politely, the GOs of today are a little different from the ones back then.

The beach, though, remains as breathtaking as ever. A stretch of sand that feels utterly untouched and unmatchable. Walking along the coast was like slipping into another world. Low season meant space to breathe, so I could walk alone, play tennis with a fantastic coach, or wander through nature in peace. It was the perfect refuge from my hectic life.

The food was still excellent, just as I remembered, and the rooms were simple yet reasonable. Renovations are coming in June next year and prices will surely rise, so if you want to experience Cherating in its current unpretentious, timeless state, now is the moment to go.

Not much has changed, except perhaps the crowd. Let’s just say Club Med Cherating attracts a very comfortable set these days. Not the sexiest of the lot, but somehow that makes it even funnier.

I spent four nights there, and it was worth every penny. The sea alone, vast and unforgettable, is reason enough to return.

While exploring Singapore, I wandered into a beautifully curated shop called Artifactt (yes, with two T’s), tucked away on the ground floor of Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road. It’s run by the elegant and warm Annie Li, and feels more like a design gallery than a store.

There, I stumbled upon something unexpected — a line of ceramics by Ann Demeulemeester, one of the iconic Antwerp Six. I had no idea she had her own tableware collection, created in collaboration with Belgian design house Serax. The pieces are sculptural, poetic, and that deep green glaze… absolutely hypnotic.

Having studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp while she was teaching there, this discovery felt incredibly personal. A full-circle moment.

I made myself a quiet promise: the day I have an apartment in Singapore, I’ll come back and buy the whole set. Plates, bowls, the works.

Artifactt may look a little intimidating from the outside, but go in. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, and everything inside is beautifully chosen. You’ll want to bring it all home.

Follow them on Instagram at @artifactt_official
or visit their website.

If there’s one woman who reminds me that dancing is vital for the soul, it’s Carmen Avilés.

She dances in a slip, in a dress, barefoot, on stage, off stage, everywhere. It’s raw. It’s instinctive. And it’s real. Dance isn’t a performance for her, it’s a pulse, a way of being. Flamenco runs through her veins, and you feel it in every movement, every flick of her hand, every stomp of her foot.

We don’t dance enough.
We scroll. We pose. We rehearse a TikTok move for likes.
But what happened to dancing just because the music was good?
After dinner. In the living room. At breakfast even.

Dance, like Carmen does, for yourself.

There’s something deeply moving about how she honours flamenco’s gypsy roots, not just in the dance, but in the clothing too. Long, sweeping skirts, earthy colours, bold confidence. It’s a world away from trends. It’s heritage in motion.

Carmen reminds me that being alive is not about how we look, but how we move.

Go follow her.
And more importantly: put on a song tonight and dance your heart out.

IG: @carmenaviles13

This month, we fell head over heels for RIKA STUDIOS in the 9 Straatjes. The shop itself is a masterclass in elegant restraint - fresh flowers, curated art, and garments that felt thoughtful and timeless.

Shoes, perfumes, a few pieces of clothing - not much, but everything spoke volumes. Proof that simplicity can still inspire you to want it all.

Nestled along the Prinsengracht canal, the Rosewood Amsterdam is a quiet triumph of elegance and design. Set within the former Palace of Justice, the building has been reimagined after a decade-long restoration, blending Dutch heritage with refined modernity.

Designed by Piet Boon, the interiors are minimalist but warm, with 134 serene rooms — many overlooking the city’s iconic canals. A curated collection of over 1,000 artworks replaces the usual hotel clichés, giving every corner a sense of purpose and calm.

For those in search of wellness or indulgence, the Asaya Spa and three dining venues (including the Advocatuur bar, a subtle nod to the building’s legal past) offer thoughtful luxury in every detail.

We were fortunate to visit with Anne-Marie Ruijs, a dear friend who used to work in this very building during her years as a public prosecutor. Seeing it through her eyes added a quiet gravity to its transformation.

Whether it’s for drinks, design inspiration, or a future stay , Rosewood Amsterdam is worth the detour.