“Summer Time Afternoon Tea” at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
By Lifestyle+Travel
At the beautiful lobby lounge of Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, the hotel’s talented Pastry Chef Franck Istel presents a tempting interpretation of this popular tradition, with an afternoon tea that features a classic combination of homemade savouries and sweets, paired with a choice of Lavazza coffee or Ronnefeldt tea.
The tea ceremony begins with mouth-watering bites, including egg and caviar tartlet; Norwegian salmon mini bun, and lemon and dill fragrant cream cheese; smoked eggplant shell, chives and ruby pomegranate; and the most delicate finger sandwich filled with indulgent stuffings.
The delicious selections of sweets features a trio of choux: caramelised apple choux, Chantilly jasmine cream chocolate choux and passion fruit strawberry choux, as well as Earl Grey diamond with lemon jam; hazelnut tea cake; milk chocolate ganache; mini orange tart; and traditional home-baked plain and raisin scones served with clotted cream, passion fruit cured and raspberry jam.
The Traditional Afternoon Tea is presented every weekend from 14:00 to 17:00 and is priced at THB 750++ per person.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact lobby lounge at +66 (0) 2 162 9000, email: hanumanbar.siambangkok@kempinski.com or click here.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Khao Chae Round-Up 2026: Where to beat the heat this summer
When the hot season in Thailand ceases to be a mere conversation starter and becomes a daily survival challenge, the people’s collective palate shifts toward its most sophisticated, traditional cooling mechanism: Khao Chae. Originally a humble New Year’s tradition brought to Thailand by the Mon people, the dish was famously adopted and “upscaled” by the royal palace during the reign of King Rama V, transforming it into an elaborate display of culinary masterpieces. This summertime treat manages to be both incredibly light and remarkably complex. Every grain of rice is parboiled, polished by hand, and soaked in the floral-infused water, and every classic condiment is a balance of salt, sugar, and smoke, meticulously prepared with time-honoured techniques. How to Eat Khao Chae To truly appreciate Khao Chae, there is a specific, almost meditative etiquette to the meal that ensures the delicate floral water stays pristine. Start by taking a small bite-sized piece of a side dish, follow it with a spoonful of the chilled rice and a sip of the scented water, and then finish with a piece of fresh vegetable, such as a slice of fingerroot, cucumber, or green mango. This ritual ensures that each flavour remains distinct and the fragrant rice water is untainted by grease. With the ritual mastered, explore our curated selection of this year’s finest offerings, where Bangkok and Chiang Mai’s top chefs prove that while the weather may be relentless, the tradition of keeping cool is an art form in itself. Khum Hom, Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok Experience Chef Ian Kittichai’s interpretation of the quintessential Thai summer delicacy that has graced family tables for generations. The Khao Chae experience Khum Hom is a masterclass in culinary precision and diligence—premium jasmine rice is parboiled, polished, and bathed in chilled, candle-scented water, served with 10 savoury-sweet, meticulously hand-crafted side dishes, including Look Kapi(Deep-fried caramelised shrimp paste), Prik Yuak Yud Sai (green peppers filled with minced pork and shrimp), Pla Yee-Son Wan (sweetened shredder sun-dried ray fish), and Khai Deng Kem Tod (fried salted egg yolk). The meal concludes on a bright final note: seasonal fruits and kaffir lime suspended in a light, scented syrup—a refreshing palate cleanser that acts as an immediate sensory pick-me-up against the midday heat. Pricing and Packages: Dine-in: 990++ baht per person (All Accor+ Explorer enjoying 10% off) Takeaway Set: 1,790++ baht per 2 persons and served in a woven basket with a 10% discount for online orders and self-pickup Period: 15 March – 30 April (Lunchtime only) T: +66 (0) 2 666 3311 | W:www.khumhomrestaurant.com Bodhi Terrace, Anantara Chiangmai Resort As the northern heat settles over the Mae Ping River, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort unveils its seasonal remedy: a curated collection of summer treats that celebrate the intersection of royal tradition and seasonal contemporary flair—the cooling ritual of Khao Chae and the fleeting, sweet-and-tart vibrancy of the Mayongchid (Marian Plum). What sets the Anantara rendition apart is the precision of its accompaniments. Each bite offers a calibrated balance of textures and flavours, while the Mayongchid is undoubtedly the golden star. The
By Lifestyle+Travel
Glion: The New Code of Luxury Education
In a world where luxury is increasingly defined not by what one owns but by what one feels, a quiet revolution is reshaping education at the highest level. For Thailand's globally minded personas, institutions such as Glion Institute of Higher Education are emerging as gateways into a new kind of influence—one built on experience, intuition and cultural fluency. Where Experience Becomes the Ultimate Currency The shift is unmistakable. Today's luxury consumer is no longer won over by perfection alone—what matters is individuality: how a moment is crafted, and how deeply it resonates long after it has passed. Set high above Lake Geneva with uninterrupted views of the Swiss Alps, Glion offers something far more immersive than a conventional education. It is, in many ways, a finishing school for the modern global tastemaker—an institution that understands that the most enduring luxury is not a product but a feeling. As Managing Director Philippe Vignon explains, “What is going to make the difference for the sophisticated consumer is the ability to deliver a meaningful experience… there is no such thing as a standardised service delivery.” This philosophy is woven into every dimension of Glion's approach. Students are not simply schooled in the mechanics of hotel or brand management; they are trained to interpret human emotion, to anticipate desire, and to compose seamless, deeply personalised journeys. Increasingly, this includes understanding how artificial intelligence can enhance—rather than eclipse—the irreplaceable human touch. For Thailand, long celebrated for its innate and gracious hospitality, this evolution feels particularly resonant. The next chapter is not about learning service from scratch, but about refining it into something globally distinctive. Life at Altitude To study at Glion is to inhabit a world where lifestyle and learning are inseparable. The Swiss campuses, suspended above Lake Geneva with the Alps as a permanent backdrop, are designed to reflect the standards of a boutique luxury property—elegant, precise and quietly intimate. Students wake to crisp mountain air and panoramic views before moving through days that weave together lectures, fitness and hands-on training. By evening, they may find themselves observing—or actively participating in—fine dining service at Maison Décotterd, the Michelin-starred restaurant located on campus. Beyond Switzerland, the school's geography opens doors to Europe's cultural capitals. Milan, Paris and the French Riviera become natural extensions of the classroom, reinforcing a sensibility that is as global in its reach as it is refined in its tastes. A Boutique Philosophy Unlike the vast anonymity of larger institutions, Glion maintains a deliberately intimate scale. Classrooms rarely exceed 25 students of multi nationalities, fostering a quality of personal attention that is increasingly rare—and increasingly valued. "We remain very much a family-size boutique institution," Vignon notes, emphasising the importance of nurturing each individual. This extends well beyond academic results to encompass emotional wellbeing and personal development—dimensions so often overlooked by more traditional systems. The result is a close-knit international community in which students live and learn together, forming bonds that frequently endure a lifetime. It is here that the idea of luxury acquires a deeper dimension: not exclusivity for its own sake, but access to
By Lifestyle+Travel
Where to Celebrate Easter 2026 Festivities Across Asia
Easter has evolved into a showcase of artisanal pastry, jazz-soaked brunches, and high-design family escapes across Asia’s most iconic cities. Whether you are looking for a weekend staycation or a world-class pastry collaboration, these properties are setting the standard for spring celebrations. Sky-High Easter Breakfast at INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit The Kites Eatery is elevating the breakfast experience—quite literally. On Easter Sunday, the usual spread makes way for a dedicated Easter corner. Expect a whimsical array of chocolate eggs, themed desserts, and the scent of freshly-baked Danishes and croissants wafting through the floor-to-ceiling windows backdropped by sweeping panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline. T: + 66 (0) 2 340 5499 E: innside.sukhumvit@melia.com The Jazzy Brunch at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok The Living Room at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit hosts a soulful, jazz-infused afternoon where a sensory-heavy affair with premium seafood and seasonal small plates meet the polished rhythms of the Jazziam Band. Bathed in natural light and sophisticated energy, it’s the ideal choice for those who want their festive Easter brunch to feel more like a private lounge performance than a standard holiday meal. T: + 66 (0) 2 649 8888 E: BKKLC-Dining@marriott.com W: sheratongrandesukhumvit.info/SundayJazzyBrunch Heritage and Hand-Painted Traditions at The Anam Mui Ne Steeped in Indochine charm, The Anam Mui Ne is reviving the simple joys of the season. On April 5, the breakfast buffet at The Indochine Restaurant transforms into a nostalgic workshop where guests can dye hard-boiled eggs and enjoy "Grandma’s Hot Chocolate" from a live station. The property’s sister site, The Anam Cam Ranh, will also be getting into the spirit with a curated selection of Easter-shaped pastries and interactive children's programming. T: + 84 252 6284 868 E: info.mn@theanam.com W: theanam.com Elegant Champagne Brunch Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor In Siem Reap, the legendary Raffles has teamed up with Siso, a local boutique bakery renowned for its Japanese-French fusion. This partnership brings a refined edge to the Easter Sunday Champagne brunch at Cafe d’Angkor. Expect a parade of high-concept desserts, including lemon yuzu eclairs and spiced carrot-pineapple tarts. For USD60++ (plus an optional USD35++ for unlimited champagne), it’s a masterclass in artisanal baking within a historic colonial setting. T: + 855 63 963 888 E: bookus.siemreap@raffles.com W: raffles.com/siem-reap Designer Delicacies at Regent Hong Kong From 18 April to 21 April 2025, discover the ultimate destination for gastronomic pleasures with special menus at Lai Ching Heen, Harbourside, Nobu Hong Kong and The Steak House. The talk of the town is also Executive Pastry Chef Andy Yeung’s "EGGSTER" cake. This architectural dessert blends Hokkaido Fromage Blanc with the sharp sweetness of rhubarb and pink guava. For those looking to impress at home, these bespoke cakes and artisanal Easter treats can be secured via the hotel’s eShop. T: + 852 2313 2313. E: dining.regenthk@ihg.com W: hongkong.regenthotels.com Italian and Japanese Easter Feast at The Hari Hong Kong In Wan Chai, The Hari is offering a sophisticated dual-concept celebration from April 3–6. At Lucciola, the focus remains on Italian heritage with handmade pastas and succulent roast baby goat, while Zoku offers a modern Japanese perspective on the holiday. Beyond the free-flow brunch, the