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In need of some post-pandemic pampering? The founders of The Pelican Club shortlist the top hotels in the world to spoil yourself

With vaccination rates rising by the day and the gradual easing of border restrictions such as quarantine-free travel to Phuket, travelling is no longer a pipe dream for many of us in Asia. Travel experts have cited that we'll witness a lot of ‘rebound or revenge travel’, with people willing to splurge on longer, more luxurious leisure trips.

If you're lucky enough to travel this summer, the most important holiday essential turns out to be having a trusted travel agent on speed dial. With limited flight availability, hard-to-book accommodations and ever-changing rules, having the right intel and flexibility are what separates a good holiday from a great one. One option to check out is The Pelican Club, a members-only travel club that specialises in bespoke holidays based on everything and anything you desire.

See Also: Here’s Your Chance to Live Anywhere in the World For One Year

Tatler Asia
Above Jennica and Jamsheed Pocha, founders of The Pelican Club

Established in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Jamsheed and Jennica Pocha, Pelican’s approach is to serve as your well-connected friend. The former hoteliers opened their little black books to Tatler Asia, sharing five hotels that really know how to spoil guests—because yes, you deserve every bit of pampering after all that's happened the last 18 months. 

1. Clinique La Prairie, Montreux, Switzerland

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Above Expect to find high-tech health and wellness experiences at Clinique La Prairie

Having lived a just stone’s throw away when we were studying at École hôtelière de Lausanne, we know very well how soothing and healing the white-capped Alpine views over Lac Leman can be. The cutting-edge Clinique La Prairie takes Swiss hospitality and wellness to a whole other level.

Dedicated to help guests live longer and healthier lives, its signature weeklong Premium Revitalisation package costs US$44,000 and involves rigorous tests to create a DNA profile, highlight any red flags, and ultimately provide that secret formula to boost your immune system. Clinique La Prairie is like any immaculate spa-hotel, but with a fresh twist—think acid yellow sofas, fabulous food, and service with a smile.  

See Also: 6 Wellness Retreats and Self-Care Staycations in Singapore to Boost Your Mental Health

2. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia

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Above The stunning overwater villas at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Tatler Asia
Above Polynesian touches abound at this luxury property

You never forget your first true love and for us that will always be Four Seasons Bora Bora, which is where we spent our honeymoon. This idyllic private island is blessed with glistening turquoise waters gently lapping the white sand beaches, and features sprawling private villas and overwater bungalows.

Naturally, the service at the Four Seasons is exceptional with Polynesian touches reflected in every detail. If you can peel yourself from the beach lounger, bike over to the spa and enjoy unique treatments featuring Tahitian black pearl powder and detoxifying Pacific algae. And with their glass-bottomed treatment room, you won’t miss out on viewing the marine life in the vibrant lagoon.

3. Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambore, India

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Luxury tent bedroom
Above The calming interiors of the luxury tents of Aman-i-Khás
Tatler Asia
Luxury tent
Above Guests feel one with the outdoors at this property in India

Jamsheed was born in India and it is one of our favourite destinations. It’s also impossible to imagine a pampering escape without thinking of Aman, and this property is a true standout.

Located on the fringes of the Ranthambore National Park and the domain of the majestic Bengal tiger is Aman-i-Khás, an exclusive tented camp with only ten air-conditioned Moghul style tents that offer incomparable luxury and privacy. After your royal sleep, embark on an adventure into the wilderness: you can ride in an open-top vehicle to spot one of the 70 resident tigers and their cubs or tour the local Rajasthani villages and forts on horseback.

See Also: Aman Hotels Is Expanding Its Empire—Vladislav Doronin Shares Why and How

4. La Reserve Ramatuelle, France

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Above The sleek interiors put the focus on the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea
Tatler Asia
Above La Reserve Ramatuelle is a hidden gem nestled amidst Provençal pine trees

Located just a few minutes from central Saint-Tropez but far from the crowds is the exquisitely elegant La Reserve Ramatuelle. This utterly private retreat is nestled amidst Provençal pine trees, and you’re guaranteed relaxation the moment you enter its lavender fringed lobby.

Stay in one of the 12 terracotta-roofed houses that come with a butler to tend to your every desire. With obsessive dedication, the butler will organise everything, be it more pool toys for the kids, dry cleaning your favourite Missoni kaftan, or arranging the hotel boat to whisk you to that fully-booked seafood restaurant where the hotel just happened to get you a table.

 

5. Chablé Yucatan, Mexico

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Above Beautiful design and authentic Mayan fare await at Chablé Yucatan

Just before the pandemic, we visited the only spa in the world built beside a cenote, a naturally formed underground reservoir of crystalline water believed to be sacred to the Mayans. This forms the backdrop of Chablé Yucatan, a resort that is delicately built on top of the ruins of a 19th-century sisal plantation that had been consumed by the jungle.

The crumbling walls and cooling tree canopies somehow perfectly complement the clean lines and sleek interiors of the stunning casitas. Ixi’im, the Mayan-inspired restaurant helmed by acclaimed chef Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil, serves some of the best food we have ever tasted. The menu features fruits and vegetables harvested from the resort’s traditional Mayan Garden and boasts the world’s largest collection of tequila.

See Also: A Guide on Where to Get the Freshest Oysters in Singapore
 

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