World’s First ‘Zipline Dining’ Experience at Soneva Fushi
By Lifestyle+Travel
Soneva Fushi in the Maldives introduces a new and exciting dining experience on top of the lush jungle, overlooking the gleaming ocean, which is the world’s first fine dining zipline experience. Bucket-list-worthy ‘Flying Sauces’ merges top-notch haute cuisine with sheer excitement of ziplining.
To get to the one-off dining terrace, you will be soaring along a 200-metre zipline route, securely strapped in safety harness, and enjoy many delectable surprises along the way. At the elevated dining platform, you will be pampered with mouth-watering seasonal menu freshly cooked by Chef Rasal Jayawardene and his team in an open kitchen, paired with an extensive selection of thousands of fine wines from across the globe
You can opt for your own preferred experience, whether it’s breakfast, high tea, dinner, or just enjoy ziplining only, available for up to 12 guests. To ensure safety at all times, harnesses are compulsory along all sections of the zipline route and must be fitted and verified by a trained Soneva Host.
The ‘Flying Sauces’ delicious adventure is priced from USD 175++ per person with a meal, and priced at USD 100++ per person for zipline only. To find out more, visit www.soneva.com
By Lifestyle+Travel
3 Flavourful Facts about Chef Björn Frantzén
Discover the story behind the kitchen: how Swedish chef Björn Frantzén became the only chef in the world to simultaneously operate three Michelin three-star restaurants. 1. A Historic Milestone The culinary world was stunned at the Michelin Guide ceremony in Dubai, where FZN—operated under the vision of Chef Björn Frantzén—was awarded three Michelin stars, the highest honor in gastronomy. Remarkably, the restaurant had only opened in October 2024. With this accolade, FZN became the first-ever restaurant in the UAE to receive three Michelin stars, instantly joining the ranks of the world’s finest dining destinations. 2. The Man Behind the Magic At the heart of this achievement is Chef Björn Frantzén himself—the only chef in the world currently operating three Michelin three-star restaurants. “This recognition is an incredible honor, not just for me, but for my entire team,” said Frantzén. “Receiving three Michelin stars for FZN in Dubai is a proud moment that reflects the hard work and creativity of everyone involved.” 3. A Trio of Stars Across Continents Out of just 152 restaurants worldwide with three Michelin stars, three belong to the Frantzén Group—cementing its status at the pinnacle of global fine dining, with a presence across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Frantzén – Stockholm The flagship restaurant and the first in Sweden to receive three Michelin stars, a distinction it has held since 2018. Zén – Singapore Opened in 2018 and awarded its third Michelin star in 2021. FZN – Dubai Awarded three Michelin stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide, just months after its debut in October 2024. Experience the Frantzén touch in Bangkok. Explore the Frantzén Group’s culinary philosophy at Villa Frantzén Bangkok.
By Lifestyle+Travel
5 Inspiring Road Trips to Take Around Asia
Spectacular scenery, smooth stretches of blacktop, winding mountain roads, and dramatic coastal routes—what’s your dream road journey? Discover five unforgettable driving holidays across Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines—easier than ever to explore. Is there any travel style more empowering than a road trip? With your loved ones by your side and the open highway ahead, your adventure has no limits. Each bend reveals new discoveries, and every hilltop offers a fresh, breathtaking view. As the holidays approach, it's time to pack your bags, take the wheel, and hit the road on an unforgettable journey. Asia is home to some of the most scenic routes in the world—ribbons of pavement that wind through incredible landscapes and open up panoramic vistas. So, buckle up and get ready! Here’s BWH® Hotels’ guide to the best driving vacations across Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ 1. Drive Across the Sea in Okinawa, Japan Imagine cruising across a smooth, straight road surrounded by sparkling aquamarine waters. Kaichu Road is a stunning 5km-long bridge and causeway connecting Okinawa’s main island to Henza Island, leading onward to the secluded beaches and bays of Miyagi Island. Begin in Naha and enjoy a dreamy daytime drive with dazzling photo stops along the way. Where to Stay: BWH Hotels offers a selection of beachfront accommodations in Okinawa. Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach is set on a white-sand beach in Nago, with private balconies overlooking the ocean. Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach is a serene, low-rise resort just steps from the soft sand and shallow waters of the island’s sunset coast. ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ 2. From Beaches to Rice Fields in Bali, Indonesia Bali, the “Island of the Gods,” is perfect for a driving adventure. Leave the coastline behind and journey into the island’s green heart, where tropical jungles and cultural wonders await. After exploring Ubud’s heritage-rich streets, head deeper into the hills past emerald rice paddies, tranquil lakeside temples, and spectacular viewpoints. Where to Stay: Best Western Kamala Jimbaran is the ideal base to begin or end your journey, offering an outdoor pool, spa, and romantic restaurant near the beach. In Ubud, Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud immerses you in the island’s cultural capital, with two infinity pools, a standout restaurant, and lush natural surroundings. ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ 3. Head South Along Thailand’s Gulf Coast Road With turquoise seas on one side and jungle-clad hills on the other, Thailand’s Gulf Coast promises a scenic drive like no other. Begin in the royal beach resort town of Hua Hin, then follow the curving coastal road past national parks, hidden beaches, golden temples, and bustling markets. End your trip with a ferry to Koh Samui or continue south to the tropical paradise of Phuket. Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin offers a serene beachfront escape with flowing design and lagoon pools, while Best Western Chaweng Samui puts you in the vibrant heart of Koh Samui. In Phuket, choose from three BWH Hotels, including Best Western Patong Beach with its rooftop pool and prime location. ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ 4. Explore the Coastal Wonders of Vietnam With over 3,200 km of coastline,
By Lifestyle+Travel
“Showcasing Our Culinary Journey” at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a distinguished Luxury Collection Hotel nestled in the vibrant heart of Bangkok's Sukhumvit area, recently hosted a memorable "Showcasing Our Culinary Journey" event. This special gathering offered an immersive experience in world-class gastronomy, complemented by the hotel's renowned impeccable service. Benefiting from unparalleled accessibility via both the MRT and BTS systems, this five-star haven serves as an ideal base for discerning business and leisure travelers seeking to explore the captivating energy of the city. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit seamlessly blends its exceptional hospitality with the unique charm of Bangkok, a metropolis where rich cultural heritage gracefully intertwines with contemporary sophistication. Beyond its prime location, the hotel boasts an impressive collection of premium amenities. Guests can indulge in luxurious accommodations, unwind at the spa, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, and discover a range of exceptional dining venues: Royal Suite: Opulent suites where Thai elegance meets European design. Overlooking Benjakitti Park, these havens offer breathtaking, unobstructed lake views alongside expansive living areas, lavish marble bathrooms featuring Jacuzzis, and personalized butler service. Orchid Café: Celebrated for its extensive international buffet and enticing à la carte selections, the restaurant presents a diverse array of culinary delights, including authentic Thai dishes, all prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Rossini’s: An inviting eatery styled like a charming Tuscan villa, serving authentic Italian cuisine meticulously crafted with premium, high-quality ingredients. basil: A contemporary Thai restaurant that reimagines traditional recipes with a modern flair. The Sala: A tranquil urban retreat offering a serene garden and poolside ambiance. Here, guests can savor a delightful fusion of Asian and Western culinary creations in a relaxed setting. The Living Room: Bangkok's legendary live jazz venue, where top-tier artists grace the stage, welcoming guests into its elegant and timeless atmosphere. BARSU: A trendy and vibrant bar where live music sets the scene for socializing and unwinding. Guests can enjoy expertly crafted drinks and a menu of curated bar-style dishes. Dine in the Dark: A unique and impactful culinary adventure where guests savor a meal in complete darkness, guided by visually impaired staff. A portion of the proceeds from this extraordinary experience supports the Foundation for the Blind. Le Petit Chef: Offering a groundbreaking 3D dining experience, this innovative concept takes guests on an immersive journey through delectable flavors and captivating narratives brought to life through cutting-edge technology. “The Living Room”: A Celebration of Jazz Music The evening started with the evocative "Rosette Reverie" cocktail at The Living Room, a gin-based creation blending rose, mint, and lemon, mirroring the improvisational charm of jazz. Exquisite Indulgence at “Royal Suite” Guests were welcomed to the Royal Suite with Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne and a selection of refined canapés, including Gin and Cucumber Oysters, Jalapeño-Mint-Coriander Jelly Oysters, Oyster Espuma with Seaweed-Chilli Salsa, Royal Beluga Caviar Macaroons, Foie Gras Macarons, Hokkaido Scallops with Pea Purée and Yuzu Foam, and Wagyu Beef Bruschetta with Truffle Caviar. Allure of Thai Cuisine at “basil” The culinary journey continued at basil with the "Miang Kham Bua Luang," a delicate lotus petal wrap filled