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Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Architectural Digest Middle East lists Lahore's Wusaaq hotel among world's best
ISLAMABAD: The Architectural Digest (Ad) Middle East magazine, part of the Condé Nast portfolio, has compiled a list of 31 best hotels in the world in 2025, naming Lahore's Wusaaq hotel among them. Launched in 2015, the bi-monthly magazine spotlights exceptional design by Middle Eastern and international talents, provides an exclusive view into the world's most beautiful spaces and inspires readers to refresh their lives. These 31 exotic hotels, located in 18 countries, brim with exceptional design ranging from a cinematic new Roman address to a Saudi resort that looks like tiny UFOs have landed on the Red Sea coast to exotic properties in Paris, Dubai, Doha, Mumbai, Luxor and London. Tucked behind bougainvillea-covered walls in Lahore's Gulberg neighborhood, Wusaaq is a mid-century residence-turned-soulful guest house that was restored by Faaria Rehman Salahuddin as a tribute to her late mother. 'Quietly luxurious and entirely personal, Wusaaq reflects a kind of hospitality that values presence over polish – a rare, radiant stay in the heart of a lively city,' reads the AD magazine article, published on June 26. The 1950s Pakistani home has been preserved with minimal intervention – original porcelain tiles, brass fittings, and retro light switches remain intact. Each of the five rooms is named after a flower, with pietra dura inlaid keys inscribed in Urdu and English, according to the publication. In the courtyard, fruit and a sprawling peepal tree offer shade where guests gather for breakfast served on heirloom crockery. Inside, window chiks, a traditional kitchen dolly, custom furniture, and contemporary Pakistani art blend memory with modern comfort. In a post on Instagram, Wusaaq said it celebrated the listing. 'We are overwhelmed and humbled by the love and appreciation sent to us by our patrons, guests, friends and family,' the hotel said. A post shared by WUSAAQ (@wusaaq) The list, according to the AD Middle East magazine, offers a space for all sorts of travelers from city break lovers to those who prefer nothing more than an escape into the wilderness.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Step inside the home of Padmaja Kumari Parmar, the Princess of Mewar
There's something endlessly fascinating about royalty. Maybe it's the tradition, the mystery, or just the sheer elegance that feels worlds away from our everyday lives. So when a royal couple decides to make their home in Boston—a city known more for its Ivy League roots than its regal ones—of course, you want to take a peek inside. Padmaja Kumari Parmar, a princess from the House of Mewar, which is one of the world's oldest dynasties, and her husband, Dr Kush Singh Parmar, whose grandmother was a princess of Jaisalmer and who himself grew up in Mexico, brought centuries of heritage with them. Their children speak both Mewari and Spanish fluently, and their home needed to echo all these beautiful, lived-in stories. A post shared by Padmaja Kumari Parmar (@padmajakumariparmar) They called upon Massachusetts-based designer Vani Sayeed to reimagine their 100-year-old Georgian-style home. The brief was clear—'The couple wanted to honour their ancestral heritage,' Vani told Architectural Digest. To bring that cultural fusion to life, Vani looked to a special Pichwai painting already hanging in the living room—a piece filled with rich tones, cow motifs, and the image of Shrinathji. It didn't just ground the room; it guided the entire journey of the home's design. 'Padmaja and Kush preferred rich tones and gold metallics throughout the space, so we fashioned a narrative that is just as decadent in style,' she explains. The painting even inspired a trip to Udaipur and helped Vani find parallels between Indian and Mexican aesthetics. 'This painting guided a trip to Udaipur. It also helped me draw a vibrant parallel between Indian and Mexican cultures that are inherently complex and flamboyant.' The dining area showcases handcrafted Talavera pottery from Mexico, a nod to Kush's roots, while the living space tells its story through furniture and fabric. 'The Canasta Game chairs by Kravet Furniture upholstered in Cowtan and Tout depict a fable of a princess playing in an arbour, which reminded Vani of Padmaja and her daughters.' It all comes together with thoughtful layering—a rug designed by Vani herself, a dreamy chandelier, and bold hot-pink chairs that bring both Indian and Mexican vibrancy into focus. In the dining room, Kush's creative direction pushed the design into bolder territory. He asked for a gold ceiling, which now gleams against moody blue-green walls and a deep maroon wallpaper speckled with elephants. His artistic instinct paid off. 'He requested the ceiling to echo royalty in gold,' Vani recalls. She carried that richness into the primary bedroom too, with emerald-green velvet and a rani-pink lounge setup that manages to be both luxe and cosy. And the kids? They get a playful orange wonderland with fabrics straight from French design house Manuel Canovas. For Padmaja and Kush, the home reflects who they are and where they come from. For Vani, it was a lesson in emotion-led design. 'I want to design comfortable spaces for people. It has to be inviting, easy, and natural. Good design is invisible. One should feel it when they walk into a room,' she says.
New York Post
23-06-2025
- New York Post
Jamaica's Bluefields Bay villas may be the Caribbean's best kept secret
Bluefields Bay might just be the best kept secret in all of Jamaica. For more than forty years, those in-the-know have snuck off to a series of hidden villas overlooking mesmerizing emerald waters where an old-world form of hospitality still exists. The experience is so utterly enchanting that most guests leave feeling sworn to secrecy, fearing that once word gets out, this rare paradise will be lost forever. This fear is not exactly unfounded. Back in 1997, a short piece in the Washington Post cut readers in on the Bluefields secret — shooting up like a flare in the night — and the villas were booked solid for two straight years thereafter. While throngs of tourists at Montego Bay Airport board heavily branded buses bound for the nearest cookie-cutter all-inclusive resort, a gleaming white passenger van driven by a man named Percy pulls up. A tall, distinguished Jamaican, Percy has been with Bluefields from the very beginning, going back to the early 1980s. As he navigates the van due south off the beaten path, he regales passengers with the history of the villas, how an eccentric accountant from D.C. named Braxton Moncure and his architect wife Deborah literally carved this luxurious retreat out of the rocky coast back when there were no phone lines and all communication happened over CB radio. 6 The Bluefields Bay Villas offer intimate and stunning luxury on the coast of Jamaica. Brian Nejedly Since buying the first villa, the Moncures have not only expanded Bluefields to include five other villas and a series of jaw-dropping suites, but they've done so while contributing meaningfully to the surrounding community, paving roads to rural schools, providing computers to classrooms, and paying monthly stipends to local teachers. A certain percentage of each of their bookings goes to furthering this philanthropy under the direction of their own foundation. Ninety minutes from the airport, Percy pulls into Bluefield's Hermitage, a staggering four-bed, three-bath villa perched over the island's South Coast. There's a lot to take in all at once. The octagonal open-air dining room and adjoining living room with soaring vaulted ceilings give way to an expansive stone patio and glittering pool that appears to extend right into the ocean beyond. The architecture, which Deborah Moncure singlehandedly designed in a two-week fever dream, is the stuff of Architectural Digest. 6 Accomodations at Bluefields Bay feature lush views. Brian Nejedly Inside, details abound. The freshly cut flowers. The regal table setting complete with silver candelabra. The library lined with sun-bleached hardcovers. The tortoise shell hung on the wall. The ornate wooden chairs, desks and dressers — all Jamaican-made — some complete with claw feet. Every book, every stick of furniture, every silver spoon was hand-selected by Braxton Moncure, giving the Hermitage the dignified yet welcoming feel of an ambassador's residence. 6 Ocean vistas and luxurious privacy? Experience this perfect pairing for ultimate relaxation. Brian Nejedly And then there's the staff, lined up smiling and reporting to duty. The tip of the spear is Dwayne, the 30-year-old head butler who has been with Bluefields since he was 16. Braxton personally taught Dwayne a level of service that might best be described as royal. With a smile worthy of a toothpaste endorsement deal, Dwayne quarterbacks a ten-person team dedicated exclusively to the guests of the Hermitage that includes nannies, housekeepers, gardeners, night watchmen and two private chefs. In their midst, 'pampering' takes on a whole new meaning. 6 Bluefields staff ferry guests to a local reef for waterborne adventures. Courtesy of Bluefields Bay Strolling down around the pool and past one of the three private terraces jutting out from the Hermitage's footprint, cement stairs lead to a path running just above the water's edge to a private white-sand beach. A classic Jamaican cabana equipped with frozen drinks and a local IPA on a makeshift tap is manned by Imani and Rudo, the latter of whom doubles as the captain of Bluefields' outboard that ferries guests out to the nearby reef to snorkel, scuba dive or just take in the sunset. The day culminates at the long dining room table where Dwayne, now donning a black bowtie, and his team glide effortlessly about with silver platters of appetizers. Taking a seat, the dazzling table setting alone would make Martha Stewart gawk. Freshly cut blossoms are scattered about the three-foot-high candelabra. Napkins are folded with origami-like precision. Polished antique silverware frame fine china. By the time Dwayne returns with the first course, diners have already been transported back to a time of yore when dining was also intended as a feast for the eyes. 6 Especially astonishing is the cuisine at Bluefields Bay, courtesy of Chef Shellyann Clarke. Courtesy of Bluefields Bay Chef Shellyann Clarke emerges from the kitchen to formally present the courses. Johnson and Wales-trained, she communicates directly with the guests throughout their stay, curating her menu to meet dietary restrictions while also suggesting authentic Jamaican dishes that augment the experience. There have been no exaggerations to the descriptions above, but when it comes to the cuisine it bears emphasizing: Chef Clarke's cuisine would stand up to the very finest fine dining restaurants in the world. Period. End of sentence. Busy is not a word that seems to exist in Bluefields. There is absolutely no sense of urgency to any moment of the day. At first, this lack of action and constant attending to by the staff feels almost unnerving. Can I possibly relax like this for a week? But like any good seductress, Bluefields casts its spell imperceptibly until the thought of living any other way seems unthinkable. 6 The Moncure family are the gracious hosts behind this luxury experience, and they intend to continue their lineage into the next generation. Brian Nejedly For those who worry whether this rare experience is fleeting, fear not: The Moncure's eldest son, Houston — who was born and raised in Montego Bay — has been gradually picking up the mantle from his parents alongside his welcoming wife Kate. Like all secret family recipes, new ingredients are being added, but the Bluefields' special sauce is here to stay. Whether or not all the villas will be booked up by the time you read this — well now that's another question. The Hermitage at Bluefields Bay starts at $1,351 per night plus a 15% service fee for two people; four-night minimum required.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jaaved Jaaferi's 7000 sqft home: a look into the 'Bandra boy's' Mediterranean haven - details inside!
's Mediterranean-inspired home is nothing short of a vacationer's dream. The star's home has been a haven for the 'Bandra boy' and is one of his most prized possessions. The 7,000 square feet home has a direct view over the Arabian Sea, making it seem nothing short of paradise. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sea-facing heaven inspired by Mediterranean dreams The beautiful home is a direct nod to the actor's past in Bandra and is nothing short of an artwork that manages to balance minimalism and character. In a past interview with Architectural Digest, the actor decoded his home's ambience along with renowned designer and architect Kush Bhayani. As per Jaferi's words, his home is 'Warm, natural, eclectic,' with its micro-concrete textured walls by FlexStone and old rustic wooden furniture. The home is accented throughout with sleek and fashionable stone surfaces, adding a brutalistic touch to the overall theme of minimalism. Inspired by Mediterranean grace, the home is head-to-toe filled with earthy, almost soothing tones throughout, creating a mesmerising environment. With personal input in almost every step, the actor's touch can be seen throughout the design of the home. The textured walls, along with the sage-toned sofas and rugs, give the home a warm vibe for all those who enter. Kitchen space is the star of the show The star of the show, however, is the dynamic yet functional dining table situated in Jaferi's home. The long and sleek dining table features a stylish onyx slab that is heavily supported by raw wooden logs to create a rustic and natural look. Daughter Meezaan even commented during the interview how 'It's taken away the habit of eating alone in our rooms.' The actor has also managed to fit in his love for travel and movies by creating a cosy and comforting reading nook in his home. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The shelves have been lined up with travel artefacts, DVDs and more, creating a beautiful space for all. The beautiful sea-facing terrace The terrace of Jaaved's home is the place where the entire family gathers for stories, chats, or just a moment of relaxation. Why did Jaaferi buy and make this home? The 'Boogie Woogie' host emphasised on how he has always been a 'Bandra boy' and how it was love at first sight with this home. He shared in the same interview that 'Earlier my problem with Bandra was that, with the amount of construction everywhere, buildings are situated amusingly close together where you can open the door and ask for a cup of sugar. But when I saw this place I just fell in love''.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Siegfried and Roy at Home: 15 Photos of the Magicians in Their 'Jungle Palace' Pad
The famed duo's desert residence, which a handful of big cats also called home, was decked out with over-the-top glitzy details befitting Las Vegas's top act Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
