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By Michael Verdon, Julie Boatman, and Jen Paolini



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Next-Gen Piloting Is Here</h2>



The fast-approaching era of electric aircraft will transform intracity and regional travel for passengers, but it will also fundamentally change the pilot experience. The new crop of electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) craft are smaller than most helicopters and conventional planes, but also potentially more complex, with multiple rotors that tilt for hovering and forward motion. That’s supplemented by the need to constantly assess flight conditions in what promise to be busy urban airways, all while managing prop and rotor pitch and adjusting ailerons, rudders, elevators, and landing gear.



How does one lessen the pilot’s burden without compromising safety? The answer, eVTOL leaders Archer and Joby agree, involves unified flight controls, adopted from military programmes such as the F-35B fighter jet. The fly-by-wire systems used by Dassault, Gulfstream, and Bombardier operate on the same principle, with a flight control computer (FCC) linked to a multi-servo digital autopilot. Unlike mechanical systems of older aircraft, where a pilot controls every aspect of flight, here the computer takes over once the pilot inputs commands.



The next generation of unified flight controls are significantly faster, smaller, and more sophisticated. BAE Systems has designed controls that relay pilot input every few milliseconds but are 40 per cent more compact than five years ago. This customised technology is designed to be intuitive for fixed-wing or rotorcraft pilots and far more simplified. 



Joby’s inceptor, or the stick that controls speed, for example, recentres after an input, maintaining the airspeed set by the pilot—similar to cruise control in a car. “If I want to go to 100 knots, I’ll kind of peg the stick,” says Joby’s Greg Bowles. “The number reaches 100, you let go, and it’s going to stay at 100. If you continue to accelerate, it’ll get to a maximum safe top speed and stop.”



“The pilot doesn’t control power,” adds Archer’s Brian Gump. “The pilot commands acceleration or deceleration, a climb or descent, or a heading change, and the FCCs allocate power as required to meet that command.” Archer’s controls include two sticks: the left regulates velocity while the right handles vertical speed and direction. 



These advances signal a new chapter for not only the eVTOL world, but also how pilots train. Flight is not so automated that the aviator is entirely removed from the equation—the pilot still dictates the direction and navigation of the aircraft’s path—but it is a fundamentally new way of flying. Not exactly a magic carpet, but closer than aviation has ever been before.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796192" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Speed</h3>



Gulfstream



G700



Breaking one record for rapid transit is remarkable enough, but what about two? Gulfstream’s ultra-large-cabin G700 did exactly that on recent trips from Savannah to Honolulu, covering the distance in eight hours and 52 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.9 using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel, and Los Angeles to Sydney in just 14 hours and 26 minutes—that’s two more performancebased honours to swell the G700’s growing tally of city-pair speed records.



Add to that the numerous features that make Gulfstream a commanding presence in its sector—whisper-quiet noise levels, the most spacious cabin in business aviation, 100 per cent freshair ventilation technology, natural-light design with panoramic windows, layout configuration flexibility, the lowest cabin altitude in the industry, and a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935—and the G700 stands for not only the fastest aircraft in the company’s fleet, but also the most comfortable, providing an unrivalled experience for passengers. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796193" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jet Card</h3>



Sentient



SJ25+



If there’s a gold standard for jet cards, Sentient, which launched the industry’s first in 1999, can claim the title. Despite the onslaught of competitors, its 25-hour card has remained at the top of the pack even as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The differentiators: Sentient’s new app allows clients to quote prices and book flights in under 60 seconds via text, its preferred aircraft fleet is top-tier, and the card is backed by a multi-tiered safety structure for its clients, including an independent safety advisory board. Or just consider the numbers over the past 25 years: more than one million passengers flown to over 2,500 destinations; 6,700 active card owners; and revenue growth of 549 per cent. Not to mention the company’s expanding partnerships with luxury hotels and events, which in 2024 offered perks valued at US$225,000 (HK$1.74 million), and its sustainability programme that offsets emissions 300 per cent from each flight with no cost to clients (to date, Sentient has offset 1.34 million metric tons of carbon). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796194" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Super-Midsize Jet</h3>



Textron Aviation



Citation CJ3 Gen2



While it was no surprise that Textron Aviation would sequence through one of its most successful models for next-gen treatment, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 update still rocks, making it our pick for the best of the super-midsize fleet. Inside, the revised CJ3 looks and feels like a bigger jet than its predecessor, with an interior that its engineers are justifiably proud of—from the articulating seats to the use of eco-friendly materials throughout. On the flight deck, the updated Garmin G3000, coupled with the new GDL 60 data link, transforms the pilot’s suite into a connected cockpit. The jet has a max cruise of 416 knots true airspeed, a max range of 2,040 nautical miles, and a landing distance of 2,770 feet. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796195" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exclusive Experiences</h3>



VistaJet



A global leader in private and business aviation, now with two decades under its belt, VistaJet knows better than most that getting travellers to and from their destination is only one part of the journey. As the demand for tailored experiences continues to rise, the company is reinforcing its commitment to its exclusive Private World programme, creating even more opportunities for VistaJet members to unlock a wealth of unparalleled adventures across the planet. 



From exploring the beautifully restored Bottega Veneta residence in Venice, witnessing spectacular wildlife on a luxury safari in the Serengeti National Park, and cruising through Costa Rica’s waters to discover humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles to highly coveted access to Formula 1 racetracks through Ferrari, VistaJet’s Private World collaborations with diverse partners are designed to offer members an everchanging calendar of activities that are personalised, unique, and exciting—not to mention completely unforgettable.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796196" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Large Cabin</h3>



Dassault



6X



Dassault recently delivered its first long-range 6X, completing a circle that began after the French aerospace firm cancelled its four-year-old 5X programme in 2017 without delivering any aircraft. It stretched the 5X’s fuselage by 20 feet to get the 6X, creating its debut wide-body configuration, which has a wider floor and taller cabin than its competitors. Despite the extra girth, the 6X’s stats are impressive: 5,500-nautical-mile range (delivering nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Geneva or S.o Paulo to London), 16-passenger capacity, and maximum speed of Mach 0.9. The customisable cabin, divided into three zones, has 30 extra-large windows, a full galley, and features such as a low-altitude pressurisation system and circadian-rhythm lights to mitigate jet lag. Fly-by-wire controls and an advanced situational awareness system called Falcon Eye are the cockpit differentiators. Plus, the 6X has paved the way for an even larger wide-body, the ultra-long-range 10X, scheduled for delivery in 2027. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796199" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Light Jet</h3>



Embraer



Phenom 100EX



Embraer leans into the big E with its evolution of the Phenom 100EX. Choose your word: Efficiency, environment, experience—they all play a part to make it the biggestfeeling light jet on the market, which is a particularly crowded segment. Up front, the optional Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) that enhances stabilised approaches adds an extra layer of protection during a critical phase of flight, while the Flight Stream 510 allows the pilot to connect portable electronic devices to the aircraft avionics, thus reducing workload. In the cabin, Embraer’s design team has revised every element—opening up the space, upgrading the seats, increasing workspace by 30 per cent by repositioning tables, and using new combinations of leather, Ultraleather, and veneer to dress up the interior. Stats remain best in class: a top speed of Mach 0.7, a 1,178-nautical-mile range, and a takeoff distance of 3,190 feet.

Best of the Best 2025

Dassault

Gulfstream

Private Jet

Sentient

Textron Aviation

VistaJet

The Best in Wings 2025, From Gulfstream’s G700 and Dassault’s 6X to Textron Aviation’s Citation CJ3 Gen2

Why settle for a seat when you can have a suite?&nbsp;



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London</a> Heathrow’s private terminal, the Windsor, once a well-kept secret among royals and celebrities, has undergone a major renovation unveiling eight lavish lounges and a host of exclusive amenities from British brands. The first phase of the terminal’s three-year refurbishment offers up suites by Oliver Burns Studio, in addition to door-to-plane chauffeur service, a special menu by celebrity chef Jason Atherton, and private security screenings. To get in, you’ll need to be departing or arriving either business or first class on any airline. You’ll also have to pay a one-way entry fee of £3,812 (about US$4,795/HK$37,290) for up to three guests or £7,624 (US$9,648/HK$59,290) if you want round-trip access.  



Unlike the typical airline or credit-card-affiliated lounges, Heathrow’s Windsor terminal is directly owned and operated by the airport itself. You’ll be escorted from their front door directly to the plane in an all-electric <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a> i7, with pickup available within a 25-mile radius. A personal porter will meet you at the entrance to take your checked luggage. If you’re travelling internationally, a dedicated Border Force will be present to manage private immigration services. Then, just hand over your passports and documents to your host, and the rest is taken care of. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795730" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of the Windsor get shuttled to and around the airport in a private BMW. Image courtesy of the Windsor by Heathrow</figcaption></figure>



Each suite is named after a prestigious London neighbourhood, such as <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/chelsea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea</a> and Kensington, and sport bespoke furnishings, soft-hued Axminster carpets, Commune toiletries, and August&amp;Piers fragrances. The private terminal doesn’t currently offer showers or beds; however, each suite comes with a private bathroom and there are plans to add showers in the future, Burns told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-20/inside-heathrow-s-private-terminal-for-vips-the-windsor?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>. The high-end art on display, which changes every two months, includes pieces from Banksy and Andy Warhol and are available for purchase via a QR code.  



When it comes to the food, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michelin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michelin</a>-starred chef Jason Atherton has crafted a selection of exclusive dishes for the Windsor, including English butter shortbread with praline cream, Earl Grey tea ice cream, custard sauce, and charred mandarin. There’s also a traditional tea trolley that rolls through carrying everything from Champagne to Victoria sponge cakes.  



“The Windsor by Heathrow is more than just a rebrand, it’s a testament to our heritage in pioneering luxury travel,” Charlotte Burns, VIP lead at Heathrow, said in a press statement. “From our carefully curated interiors to our exceptional service, we provide our guests with an unparalleled experience that reflects the finest of British hospitality.”&nbsp;



Sounds like quite the upgrade.

Heathrow

London

Private Terminal

The Windsor

Inside the Windsor, the Private Terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport

The new age of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/space-tourism/">space tourism</a>&nbsp;hasn’t arrived quite yet.



Richard Branson’s <a href="https://www.virgingalactic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgin Galactic</a> is delaying the launch of its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/virgin-galactic-delta-spacecraft-first-flight-planned-1236263298/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">much-anticipated Delta spacecraft</a>, a vessel for both tourists and research opportunities to reach suborbital flight. The craft was set to debut in summer 2026 but is now slated for the fall of that year, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a> reported.



The British American company has paused all commercial operations since June 2024 in anticipation of the Delta commercial flight’s launch next year, after which tourism trips will resume. The updated timeline follows quarterly financial results that fell short of analysts’ expectations.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/virgin-galactic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgin Galactic</a> reported about US$410,000 (approximately HK$3,192,690.50) in revenue for the second quarter, slightly below the US$420,000 (around HK$3,270,561) forecasted by analysts polled by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>. The company also reduced the size of its in-house engineering team and overall workforce by 7 percent as it fights to bring to market the upgraded Delta spaceplane.



While Virgin Galactic stock has been down roughly 35 percent for the year, shares rose 2.1 percent in US post market trading this week—a relief for investors who expected a greater loss per share of US$2.34 (HK$18.22) compared to the actual US$1.47 (HK$11.45) dip.



Prior to the halt in operations, Virgin Galactic had been selling seats on the Delta spacecraft for around US$600,000 (HK$4,672,230), and said it plans to raise prices when ticket sales resume at the start of 2026, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>.



The company’s current focus is on developing the upgraded spaceplane, which is being optimised for reusability and faster turnaround time between flights—perhaps an effort to compete with rival commercial space tech companies like Jeff Bezos’s <a href="https://www.blueorigin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Origin LLC</a> or Elon Musk’s <a href="https://www.spacex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX</a>. In all cases, flights are sold as short trips to space for sightseeing or research.



Virgin Galactic told Bloomberg that it burned through roughly US$55 million (approximately HK$428.29 million) in cash during the second quarter, down from around US$79 million (HK$615.18 million) during the same period last year. It had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of US$508 million (around HK$3.96 billion) as of the end of June.



Hopefully, Virgin Galactic can unveil a groundbreaking Delta spaceplane next fall in the wake of ongoing delays. While it’s unclear what the availability and pricing of the commercial flights will be, one thing is certain: We can’t hop on just yet.

aviation concept

concept

space

Spaceplane

Virgin

virgin galactic

Virgin Galactic Is Delaying the Launch of Its Delta Spaceplane

<a href="https://www.tcsworldtravel.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">TCS World Travel</a>&nbsp;is taking the air cruise to new heights.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/slideshow/take-these-private-jet-trips-lifetime/tcs-world-travels-around-the-world-culinary-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seattle-based travel company</a> just unveiled its “most ambitious itinerary to date,” which will allow travellers to visit all seven continents in a month.



The 29-day itinerary, aptly named Seven Continents by&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/private-jet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Private Jet</a>, includes stops in 12 iconic destinations, from Machu Picchu, Peru, to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Travellers will also embark on some truly incredible experiences, such as walking the otherworldly ice tunnels of Antarctica, trekking across Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, and exploring the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.



“Visiting all seven continents in a single journey has long been a dream for TCS World&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Travel</a>, and now it’s a reality,” TCS president Shelley Cline said in a statement.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801241" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The itinerary includes stops in Cairo and Luxor. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/air-cruise-1235786817/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air cruises</a> have taken off in the past few years, with several firms now offering incredible <a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/round-the-world-trip-plan-1235865827/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">private jet expeditions</a> that enable high-fliers to live out Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days at a far greater pace. TCS has carried out 300 jet expeditions to more than 200 destinations over the past 30 years, but has never before offered a seven-continents-in-one adventure.



“Seven Continents is the pinnacle of global adventure—a bucket list experience delivered with comfort, ease, enriching cultural encounters, and the exceptional service our guests know they can expect,” Cline adds.



TCS has also teamed up with White Desert—one of the few companies with commercial jet access to the Antarctic interior—to bring jet-setters even closer to icy tundra. Guests will depart from Cape Town and land on a striking blue-ice runway, before spending a full day immersed in Antarctica’s untouched beauty. Parkas and Baffin boots will, of course, be provided to keep you nice and cosy. As the jaunt will take place during the Antarctic summer, you’ll enjoy 24 hours of sunlight, too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801242" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Travellers will take a trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania, which was not a part of previous Around the World Trips. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



That isn’t the only new experience TCS has added, either. Travellers will also have the opportunity to visit the spice markets and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania, and take a deeper, end-to-end dive into Africa. Overnight stays will take place at luxury hotels and resorts by One&amp;Only, Belmond, Four Seasons, &amp;Beyond, Raffles, and other hospitality heavyweights.



As for the plane itself, TCS has created a custom Airbus A321 with a spacious cabin that offers leather flatbed seats for up to 52 guests, large lavatories, and full-length mirrors. The aircraft is manned by a crew of 18, including a dedicated chef and an onboard physician, meaning fliers will be taken care of from takeoff to landing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801243" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guests will be flown in a TCS-branded Airbus A321. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



The Seven Continents expedition costs US$205,000 (approximately HK$1.596 million) per person based on double occupancy. The itinerary is all-inclusive, with everything from private flights to ground transportation covered in the initial fee. Guests can also request optional suite upgrades.

TCS World Travel

This New Private Jet Expedition Lets You Explore All 7 Continents in 29 Days

It’s that splendid time of year again to embrace Mid-Autumn festivities in grand style. As the full moon ascends, casting a serene glow over the autumn night, the Mid-Autumn Festival invites families across Asia to gather in celebration, and this cherished occasion calls for indulgent feasts, heartfelt moments, and the warm embrace of tradition. In a remarkable fusion of culture and luxury, <a href="https://www.vistajet.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VistaJet</a> unveils an extraordinary mooncake and mixology experience designed to elevate this festive period to new heights—quite literally.



From 22 September to 7 October, VistaJet Members may savour an exclusive selection of artisanal mooncakes, crafted in collaboration with the renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for selected departures in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore City. Signature cocktails and mocktails that pay homage to the vibrant spirit of key Asian cities will be curated to pair with the range of delicacies. With each sip and bite, passengers embark on a sensory journey that transcends the ordinary, transforming their in-flight experience into an unforgettable celebration of heritage and craftsmanship.



“With sophisticated cocktails for toasting, playful mocktails for children’s enjoyment, and decadent mooncakes for all, we ensure every passenger partakes in the festive spirit,” says Crystal Wong,&nbsp;president,&nbsp;Asia-Pacific.&nbsp;



VistaJet’s emphasis on inclusivity fosters a sense of togetherness high above the clouds, and members departing from major hubs in Asia will enjoy an exquisite selection of mooncakes, each paired with a beverage that encapsulates the essence of its respective city. In Hong Kong, for instance, the Torii cocktail offers a distinctive twist on the classic Negroni, featuring sweet potato&nbsp;shochu&nbsp;and the delicate, fruity aromas of lychee to mirror the tranquil beauty of Hong Kong, where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously.



In Shanghai, the Memory cocktail pays tribute to the city’s rich heritage, blending osmanthus-infused gin with mellow yellow rice wine. Accented by vanilla syrup and a hint of lemon, this layered concoction evokes the elegant charm of autumn evenings along the Bund, transporting passengers to the heart of the vibrant culture of Shanghai.



In Beijing, the Palace Turret cocktail captures the golden silhouette of the Forbidden City’s iconic towers at dusk. A harmonious blend of jasmine, peach, gin, and Champagne allows passengers to savour a taste steeped in six centuries of history. For those preferring a non-alcoholic option, the Kirin mocktail reflects the sophistication of the auspicious Chinese beast, combining layers of pineapple, mango, coconut, and lemon for a refreshing delight.



In Singapore, the Reclaimed Sling reimagines the city’s iconic gin-based cocktail, incorporating pomegranate and herbal liqueur for a smooth, flavourful sip that showcases the region’s culinary prowess. The Gao Lak mocktail, named after beloved roasted chestnuts, pays homage to childhood nostalgia and Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture with its rich blend of black-bean vinegar, water chestnut syrup, and non-alcoholic malt.



Beyond the curated cocktails and mooncakes, VistaJet Members can explore a selection of fine wines through the exclusive Wine in the Sky programme, ensuring every sip complements the exquisite in-flight dining experience. With access to a global network of over 7,000 suppliers, private chefs, and Michelin-starred restaurants, VistaJet guarantees a meticulously crafted culinary journey from take-off to landing.



For those eager to deepen their appreciation of mixology, VistaJet offers an exclusive workshop at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and&nbsp;Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Guided by expert mixologists, families can engage in an interactive session to uncover closely guarded recipes and master the art of crafting signature cocktails and mocktails, creating lasting memories and instilling a sense of pride in the art of mixology as families unite in Mid-Autumn celebrations.



As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, VistaJet stands poised to deliver an unparalleled experience that transcends convention. With guaranteed access to a fleet of over 270 aircraft, VistaJet Members can embark on the ultimate journey to reunite with loved ones amid the luxurious amenities and services that define the brand. For those seeking the pinnacle of comfort, the Global 7500—with four distinct living spaces, including an entertainment room and a permanent stateroom—offers an extraordinary setting for a memorable celebration.&nbsp;



VistaJet not only elevates the experience of flying this Mid-Autumn Festival but redefines it, allowing passengers to savour the rich tapestry of Asian culture and tradition at 45,000 feet. As the moon illuminates the night sky, let VistaJet guide you on a luxurious adventure through the firmament, capturing the spirit of togetherness in every unforgettable moment.



All images courtesy of VistaJet.

Reach For the Skies This Mid-Autumn Festival With VistaJet’s Luxurious Mooncake & Mixology Adventure

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/archer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archer</a> Aviation’s flagship air taxi just passed another major milestone on the road to launch.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-midnight-evtol-first-2024-certification-1234769778/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Midnight eVTOL</a> has completed its first piloted test flight, according to a <a href="https://news.archer.com/archer-showcases-piloted-midnight-flight-as-it-advances-to-next-phase-of-flight-test-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> shared by the Silicon Valley firm on Monday. The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-aviations-midnight-evtol-successful-transition-flight-1235654497/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">five-person craft</a> notched more than<a href="https://news.archer.com/archer-surpasses-400-test-flights-this-year-achieving-company-milestone-four-months-ahead-of-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> 400 test flights</a> in 2024 alone, but this is the first time a pilot has been at the controls.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Midnight Piloted Flight with CTOL | Full Flight Video" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gmz5yjmeZQ8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



With Archer’s chief test pilot, Jeff Greenwood, at the helm, Midnight cruised at speeds up to 125 mph and reached a maximum altitude of over 1,500 feet. The craft also completed a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) rather than executing both vertically. Midnight already showcased a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in the latter half of 2023.



“Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator—everything responded exactly as we trained for, which is exactly what you hope for during a test flight,” Greenwood said in a statement.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800118" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg.webp 1200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Archer pilot Jeff Greenwood inside Midnight. Image courtesy of Archer Aviation</figcaption></figure>



Archer says government regulators and customers have stressed the importance of being able to take off and land both conventionally and vertically in Midnight. Having an aircraft that is capable of both results in greater operational flexibility and also increases safety, according to Archer.



“Midnight’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities are a strong differentiator for us as they are critical for delivering an aircraft that can integrate into a wide range of operational scenarios while also providing enhanced safety,” added Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein.



Equipped with 12 wing-mounted tilting propellers and six battery packs, Midnight will be able to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 150 mph. Weighing roughly 6,500 pounds, the aircraft will have a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds and can be charged in minutes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800116" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Midnight <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/evtol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eVTOL</a>. Image courtesy of Archer Aviation</figcaption></figure>



During the next phase of testing, Archer will focus on things like the control responsiveness and stability of Midnight. The firm is also working to get the aircraft certified and into commercial service in both the US and the UAE. The plan is to eventually launch an <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-first-electric-air-taxi-network-new-york-1236478225/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air-taxi network</a> in New York, providing fliers with the ability to zip from Manhattan to New York’s largest airports in five to 10 minutes for about US$200 (approximately HK$1,570). Rival eVTOL builder <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-toyota-investment1235893105-1235893105/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joby Aviation</a> is also hoping to get its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-demonstrates-its-quiet-electric-mini-chopper-for-the-first-time-1234599351/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S4 electric aircraft</a> flying around the Big Apple. The timing of Archer’s stateside rollout is still, well, up in the air, but the team expects to start a commercial service in Dubai by the end of this year. Stay tuned.

Air Taxi

Archer Aviation

Electric Air Taxi

eVTOL

Midnight eVTOL

test flights

This 5-Person Electric Air Taxi Just Completed Its First Piloted Flight

For those who know whisky, <a href="https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gordon &amp; MacPhail</a> needs little introduction. Based in Elgin, Speyside, a region in northeast Scotland known for producing more than half of all Scotch whisky, the bottler has long been revered, quietly shaping the landscape of single malt Scotch whisky since 1895, long before the category became collectable, covetable, or cool.



From its home in Elgin, the family-owned company has spent over 130 years doing what few others can: matching spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own hand-selected casks. Now, two new creations enter the portfolio, and together, they reflect the depth, detail, and drive that have defined Gordon &amp; MacPhail across four generations.



The first of the pair returns to where it all began. The Connoisseurs Choice Heritage 1968 was distilled at Longmorn on 10 December 1968. Matured over 56 years in a first-fill sherry butt, it was bottled on 3 November 2025. Launched by George Urquhart, the second generation of the family and a figure widely credited with pioneering single malt as we know it, the Connoisseurs Choice range was a radical idea in its day. At a time when blends dominated the shelves, Urquhart championed individuality.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803943" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM_Connoisseurs-Choice-Heritage_1968-Longmorn_2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Connoisseurs Choice Heritage 1968 from Longmorn Distillery.</figcaption></figure>



This 56-year-old Longmorn honours that vision. Only 200 bottles of the new expression exist, underscoring its rarity and collector appeal. The packaging, with a black label, strikes a deliberate chord with the first Connoisseurs Choice editions—elegant, understated, and in keeping with the range’s heritage. What’s inside is even more evocative. Deep in colour—described as the darkest shade of mahogany—it opens with aromas of beeswax polish, followed by sweet tangerine, dark cherries, and stewed raisins. Red apple, treacle, and aniseed notes are layered with warm spice. On the palate, it’s smooth, with a thread of dried tobacco sweetness giving way to orange marmalade, dark chocolate, and a hint of roasted coffee bean. Flavours of walnut and dried fig follow, unfolding into liquorice and a mature oak character. The finish is full and long, with a gentle echo of humidor and spice, citrus undertones, and a final flicker of pepper.



The second bottling offers a striking contrast. Distilled on 6 June 1966 at Glen Grant, one of Speyside’s most elegant and fragrant distilleries, this single malt was bottled on 22 October 2025. Inspired by the return of the Fire Horse—one of the rarest and most audacious signs in the Chinese zodiac—the offering marks a moment that comes just once every six decades, echoing the year the whisky was distilled. Confident and expressive, the 59-year-old single malt pays tribute to the fearless ambition and fierce independence associated with the Fire Horse. Arriving just in time for Lunar New Year, it is limited to 88 decanters worldwide, each presented in a distinctive red-and-black case that’s part sculpture, part statement.



The whisky, bottled at 51.1 percent ABV after maturing for nearly six decades in a second-fill sherry hogshead, pours a rich dark gold. The nose is layered yet precise—vanilla custard, toasted hazelnuts, and a lift of bright cinnamon spice. On the palate, it opens with cocoa powder and rich sultanas, deepening into vibrant autumnal spices. The finish is medium-bodied and long, with lingering notes of mixed nuts and citrus peel.



This idea that whisky should be unveiled only when it’s ready has long defined Gordon &amp; MacPhail’s approach. The company coined the phrase “the wood makes the whisky” not as a slogan, but as a reminder: cask and time are equal collaborators in every drop, and every release reflects that philosophy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803944" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GM-Cask-Warehouse-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It’s a mindset that has guided the business through generations, most recently with the reveal of an 85-year-old produced at the Glenlivet distillery—a bottling that now holds the distinction of being the oldest whisky available to purchase. Distilled in 1940 during wartime barley shortages and matured in a Gordon &amp; MacPhail oak cask for over eight decades, the whisky was praised not just for its age, but for its composure. Only 125 bottles were available, with the first auctioned by Christie’s New York; proceeds were donated to the US non-profit American Forests to benefit forest restoration. Closer to home, Robb Report Hong Kong had the singular honour of unveiling the sought-after 85-year-old at an exclusive gathering of RR1 Hong Kong members, in partnership with Gordon &amp; MacPhail.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803945" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Archive-image-of-Gordon-MacPhail-shop-in-Elgin-founded-in-1895_CREDIT-GORDONG-MACPHAIL-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Back in Elgin, the company’s original, flagship South Street location is undergoing a transformation: the revamped space will offer unique tasting experiences, with the opportunity to sample the world’s rarest single malts. It’s a physical reflection of the company’s role not just as a bottler, but as a long-term custodian of Scottish whisky legacy. For Gordon &amp; MacPhail, the whiskies and the reimagined Elgin space represent more than just additions to a portfolio—they show how a 130-year-old company continues to move forward with quiet conviction. Across an industry where whisky is increasingly shaped by marketing cycles and social media hype, the house remains an outlier: family-owned, independent, and patient by design.



Learn more about the new releases at <a href="https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gordonandmacphail.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Gordon &amp; MacPhail.

Gordon & Macphail

Whisky

Year of the Fire Horse

How Gordon & MacPhail’s Latest Whisky Masterpieces Celebrate Time, Tradition—and the Fire Within

Over the past few weeks, whisky collectors, connoisseurs, and the curious have been part of a fine whisky experience, launched on a luxury yacht in Monaco, at an all-villa resort in Singapore, and at one of the swishest clubs in Hong Kong (where we at&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;were the only press invited to the event). How could we possibly say no?



Particularly to the familiar charms of James Mackay—no stranger to Hong Kong—who may have left our post-typhoon-Wipha-whipped shores years ago for the bucolic adventures of village life in Edinburgh, but the city’s gritty fibres remain in his arteries.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800422" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">James Mackay.</figcaption></figure>



Mackay, a rare whisky and fine spirits specialist with three decades of independent consultancy and positions with industry leaders, is an easily recognised and award-winning figure. He once had a popular drinks column in Hong Kong when he was a resident. His in-depth features read like a friend explaining the glories of vine, wine, wood, and cask as he took more than a passing interest in the exquisite drinks that arrived in the city. He left some time ago but stayed in the news: In 2022, he was made a Keeper of the Quaich, a lifetime honour recognising outstanding contributions to the Scotch whisky industry, and in 2023, he became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.



But Hong Kong is like a habit he can’t break, so he returns with a bag of tricks and trinkets—or rather, what looks like a trunk fully furnished with armour, but within its protective, sponge-cast interior lies the rarest liquids of amber and gold. He wheels into view and unloads three of the finest whiskies known to cask and country. We sampled Macallan 1993 Artisan Cask, Bowmore 2004 Artisan Cask, and “Ancient Alba” 1972 Artisan Cask while Mackay expounded the raison d’être of Artisan Casks and how it all came to be.



<a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/artisan-casks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artisan Casks</a> was launched by the <a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artisanal Spirits Company</a>, and it’s an exquisite new private cask programme that offers discerning individuals the opportunity to acquire a selection of exceptional, aged Scotch whisky casks, each with a story as rich as the liquid it holds. It is not about owning one bottle, but an entire fleet, and this initiative is not merely a purchasing opportunity—it is an invitation to immerse oneself in the intricate artistry and heritage of whisky, joining an elite club of like-minded individuals who prize exclusivity, experience, and erudition—well, not exactly in that order—and in having their name and indeed legacy imprinted for posterity, one bottle at a time. Apart from the art of procuring, there’s the F-word that doesn’t often percolate in the refined circles of connoisseurship: fun.



Owning these casks is, quite frankly, for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the one percent who are looking for something beyond a rare bottle at auction. Artisan Casks epitomises the artisanal spirit of whisky production, allowing connoisseurs to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship that defines this revered spirit. Each cask, aged a minimum of 20 years, is primed for immediate bottling but also offers the potential for further maturation, tailored to individual preferences in consultation with the company’s expert whisky-makers.



Each year, only a limited number of casks will be made available, with this inaugural selection featuring illustrious names such as Laphroaig, The Macallan, Mortlach, and Bowmore. Prices for these exquisite offerings range from £50,000 (approximately HK$530,615) to £600,000 (HK$6.36 million), reflecting the cask’s age, provenance, and size, ensuring that each acquisition is as unique as the whisky it contains.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" data-id="1234800424" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800424" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS.jpeg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" data-id="1234800425" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800425" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS.jpeg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" data-id="1234800426" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-682x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800426" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-682x1024.jpeg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-768x1153.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-1023x1536.jpeg 1023w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS.jpeg 1066w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>
</figure>



As mentioned, the programme was unveiled to a select audience at the Presidential Villa at Raffles on Sentosa in Singapore, marking the Asia launch after a spectacular debut aboard the 125-year-old classic sailing yacht,&nbsp;The Black Swan, in Monaco. For good measure, we had the exclusive first look under the aegis of Club Bâtard. Further events are slated for New York and Dubai, indicating global interest in this remarkable initiative.



At the helm of this innovative programme, Mackay, the newly appointed private client director for the Artisanal Spirits Company, brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as global private client director and head of rare &amp; exceptional spirits for Diageo. His expertise is instrumental in guiding clients through the unique journey of cask ownership without delving into the tedious notions of numbers, return-on-investment figures, pie charts, or graphs to indicate the fiscal state of the owner’s prized portfolio. What can be discussed is quality and rarity—value, not cost. “[Artisan Casks] unites the core elements that make single malt Scotch whisky extraordinary: authentic craftsmanship, technical artistry, and unwavering attention to detail,” he says, articulating the essence of Artisan Casks. “Owning a cask is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am eager to share with fellow enthusiasts.”



The Artisanal Spirits Company prides itself on the individuality of each cask, underscoring a commitment to superior cask management and an artisanal vision. Its dedication to nurturing each cask ensures that it reaches the zenith of its potential, with regular assessments and meticulous attention to the interplay between spirit and wood. Whisky-makers meticulously select and pair each spirit with the appropriate wood, regularly monitoring its maturation to maintain a harmonious balance, often sourcing casks from the finest cooperages and sherry bodegas, ensuring that no expense is spared in the pursuit of excellence.



Cask owners will be welcomed into an elite circle, sharing an appreciation for the finest craftsmanship and lavish experiences. Collaborations with the company’s esteemed partners will allow them privileged access to some of the most celebrated distilleries in Scotland, exclusive bottlings, and invitations to private events, all designed to deepen their connection to whisky culture. Over the past four decades, the Artisanal Spirits Company has sourced an exceptional assortment of casks from more than 100 renowned single malt Scotch whisky distilleries, curating and selling limited-edition whiskies that celebrate craftsmanship and heritage. Housed in a state-of-the-art facility in Scotland, each cask is matured with the singular aim of achieving peak quality at bottling and the bespoke approach to cask care necessitates an unparalleled level of craftsmanship and precision.



Among the Artisan Casks being showcased are: • The Macallan 1993 Artisan Cask No. #305118 • Bowmore 2004 Artisan Cask No. #161217 • Laphroaig 1998 Artisan Cask No. #151785 • Caol Ila 1992 Artisan Cask No. #180965 • Highland Park 2005 Artisan Cask No. #160821 • Mortlach 1991 Artisan Cask No. #304589 • Bunnahabhain 2004 Artisan Cask No. #903350 • Glen Grant 1994 Artisan Cask No. #305100



In addition to its cask programme, the Artisanal Spirits Company owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), further enhancing its capability to provide some of the world’s finest whisky experiences through its beautifully appointed clubhouses in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. Artisan Casks is an entry into the world of whisky craftsmanship, inviting aficionados to partake in an extraordinary journey of flavour, artistry, and heritage.



For more information, visit <a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/artisan-casks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artisanal-spirits.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Artisan Casks.

Artisan Casks

Artisan Casks Presents a Curated, Exclusive, and Exquisite New Era in Luxury Whisky Ownership

Richard Gere never planned to get involved in a luxury development, much less one with his name attached to it. “I have no interest in things like this whatsoever that are connected to some kind of commercial enterprise,” he says plainly. And yet he has become a vocal advocate and future resident of <a href="https://xala.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xala</a>, a 3,000-acre regenerative resort community on <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mexico/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mexico</a>’s Pacific Coast anchored by the country’s first Six Senses Hotel and Residences.



What persuaded the 76-year-old actor was not just the idea of a retreat in Mexico but the rare alignment of philosophy, place, and partner. At the heart of Xala is the Six Senses–branded collection of 36 one-story homes designed to disappear into the landscape rather than dominate it. They sit within one of the lowest-density luxury developments ever conceived in Mexico, and, for Gere, the residences represent something far more ambitious than ownership. They are a test case for how high-end hospitality and conservation might coexist without compromise.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSCF0791-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804016" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSCF0791-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSCF0791-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSCF0791-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSCF0791.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva walking along the unspoiled coastline in Xala. Xala Original Content/Bamba Estudio</figcaption></figure>



The idea did not originate in Mexico. Years earlier, Gere and his wife, Alejandra Silva, were staying on a remote beach in the Dominican Republic when a developer approached him, first for an autograph and then for his involvement in a project. Gere initially declined, but the question lingered. “He said, ‘If there was a situation you could imagine being involved in, what would it look like?’” Gere recalls.



The couple began sketching a hypothetical blueprint grounded in unspoiled land, deep integration with local communities, environmentally respectful architecture, and a model that could be replicated elsewhere. “You could imagine a utopian situation of a virgin beach, virgin land, and happy people,” Gere says. “A marriage of protecting the land and developing in such a way that the new owners would be benevolent and want to be part of the local community.” For two years, they researched everything from energy conservation to architectural models, speaking with experts around the world. Ultimately, that partnership did not align, and they walked away.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-FRONT-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804017" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-FRONT-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-FRONT-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-FRONT-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-FRONT.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A rendering of one of the Six Senses-branded oceanfront residences. Combeau-Murtagh Architects</figcaption></figure>



Chance intervened again, this time at 35,000 feet. Silva found herself seated beside old acquaintances from Madrid, Mexican developers whose children attended the same school as hers. They were working on a project in Mexico. As Silva listened, the parallels were uncanny. “It sounded like exactly what we had already worked on for two years,” Gere says. “It was like they read our mission statement.”



Silva travelled to see the land first. Gere resisted, at least at first. When she returned with videos, the terrain felt instantly familiar. “This is like Africa 200 years ago, untouched,” he remembers thinking. Then recognition set in. “I said, look, this looks familiar to me. Where is this? I was there like 30, 35 years ago.”



The land was Xala, a largely undeveloped stretch of Pacific coastline in Jalisco’s Costalegre region, with five miles of white-sand beach backed by UNESCO-protected estuaries serving as nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles. The couple later visited together and met Xala’s founders, including brothers Juan and Jerónimo Bremer and partner Ricardo Santa Cruz. Everything clicked.



“It seemed like genuinely, they were on the same wavelength,” Gere says. “The possibilities of really making something that was sustainable, respectful to the local people, respectful to nature. Preservation and integration and inclusion were part of their mission statement.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="404" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-PENINSULA-1024x404.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804018" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-PENINSULA-1024x404.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-PENINSULA-300x119.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-PENINSULA-768x303.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BRANDED-PENINSULA.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The residences will emphasise indoor–outdoor integration, natural materials, and ocean views. Combeau-Murtagh Architects</figcaption></figure>



Less than 20 percent of the 3,000-acre site will ever be developed, with the remainder preserved as protected natural land, reforestation zones, and agricultural space. The Six Senses homes are deliberately modest in scale and expression, built as single-story structures using natural materials and passive design strategies.



Gere describes the aesthetic as “agrarian international… as simple as it can possibly be, beautifully done, timeless, with space and nature and no concrete.” The goal is architecture that dissolves into the landscape rather than boldly announces itself, a philosophy that closely mirrors Six Senses’ broader approach to barefoot luxury and wellness-driven design.



Indeed, the partnership with the hospitality brand was essential. “Six Senses is a really good partner,” Gere says. “It was a very low-key, aesthetically beautiful, natural experience, and so far, Six Senses has proven their word in being committed to those things.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/YOGA-PAVILION-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804019" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/YOGA-PAVILION-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/YOGA-PAVILION-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/YOGA-PAVILION-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/YOGA-PAVILION.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An open-air yoga pavilion. Combeau-Murtagh Architects</figcaption></figure>



The development team behind Xala, Santa Cruz and the Bremer brothers, previously partnered on Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit, home to the One&amp;Only Mandarina, which was named the number one hotel in North America by The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023. That track record helped solidify confidence in Xala’s long-term vision, particularly its emphasis on stewardship over spectacle.



Construction on the Six Senses Hotel and Residences began this year, and early demand has been strong. Of the first 12 Six Senses homes released, priced between US$8 million and US$12 million (approximately HK$62.45 million and HK$93.68), 10 have already sold.



Beyond the 36 branded residences, Xala’s residential offering also includes 77 Rancho Estates, alongside a growing slate of shared amenities, from beach clubs and a surf club to an organic farm, equestrian facilities, and miles of trails woven through the landscape. Co-founder Ricardo Santa Cruz’s Casa Sereno, the first Rancho Estates home to be completed, has already become a gathering place. “Of course, everyone stays with him,” Gere says, laughing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="486" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CRUDO-PENINSULA-1024x486.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804020" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CRUDO-PENINSULA-1024x486.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CRUDO-PENINSULA-300x142.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CRUDO-PENINSULA-768x364.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CRUDO-PENINSULA.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The community will span 3,000 acres on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. NQS Creative</figcaption></figure>



Even so, Gere is clear that ownership is not the point. He and Silva plan to become residents themselves and they emphasise that Xala is not meant to function as an isolated enclave. The project’s conservation and community initiatives extend far beyond its borders. “We realised it couldn’t just be our island of 1,000 acres,” he says. “We’re going to try to protect 100 kilometres of this coast from the mountains all the way down to the ocean.”



Through the Xala Foundation and Gere’s leadership of Sierra a Mar, those efforts include fisheries protection, estuary restoration, reforestation, clean-water infrastructure for local farming communities, women’s economic programmes, micro-lending initiatives, and support for traditional salt producers. Building trust, Gere notes, requires time. “A lot of listening, a lot of patience and vigilance.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AMT00024-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804021" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AMT00024-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AMT00024-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AMT00024-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AMT00024.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gere spent time on the ground meeting local fishermen. Xala Original Content/Bamba Estudio</figcaption></figure>



For Six Senses, the partnership with Gere adds credibility and a certain level of notoriety to a project already positioned as one of the most ambitious experiments in regenerative luxury living on the Pacific coast. For Gere, the motivation is simpler and harder to replicate. “This is not a vocation,” he says. “It’s creating a model.”



Gere is confident in the earth-first ethos behind Xala, and he hopes the Six Senses-anchored community will demonstrate that luxury living and a rigorous, long-term stewardship of pristine lands do not have to exist in tension, especially along one the world’s last untouched coastal regions.

Richard Gere

Six Senses

Xala

Inside Richard Gere’s Luxe Regenerative Community on Mexico’s Pacific Coast

A ski home has been a favourite getaway for the ultra-rich ever since people started strapping sticks to their feet, but over the past two decades, they’ve become a lot more than just seasonal escapes—they’re serious lifestyle investments that increasingly offer year-round activities. According to the latest <a href="https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/382092-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savills Ski Report</a>, which marks 20 years of tracking the global ski <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">market</a>, prices for prime ski properties have jumped a whopping 150 percent since 2006.



Switzerland has stayed steady through it all. Ski homes in the Alpine country are up seven percent in the past year and 20 percent over the last five, and over 20 years they’ve nearly doubled in value. Resort towns long popular with aristocrats and jet-setters, such as Gstaad and St Moritz, still draw buyers looking for privacy and stability, with ultra-luxury chalets in Gstaad selling for around €51,500 per square metre—about US$55,000/HK$468,870 per square foot.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803309" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Prime ski property prices have surged 150 percent over the past 20 years. Image courtesy of Don &amp; Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



The US market is equally dramatic. Short-term numbers may look flat, but over 10 years, values have jumped 84 percent, and over 20 years, they’ve soared by 228 percent. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aspen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aspen</a> continues to lead the pack, with prime homes averaging roughly US$3,750 (approximately HK$29,170) per square foot and ultra-prime homes going for around US$7,400 (HK$57,565) per square foot. 



To put that into perspective, a contemporary log cabin on what’s known as Aspen’s Billionaire Mountain hit the market earlier this year <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/aspen-contemporary-home-red-mountain-1236320940/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for US$45 million</a> (approximately HK$350.06 million), while a 6,180-square-foot home sold last year for<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/07/04/this-66-million-aspen-ski-outpost-is-2024s-priciest-home-on-record-heres-the-full-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> a record US$66.5 </a>million (HK$517.31 million), or US$10,761 (HK$83,710) per square foot. As it turns out, the most expensive home currently on the US market is in Aspen: Stewart and Linda Resnick’s Little Lake Lodge, a 74-acre compound with a 19,000-square-foot mansion <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhochman/2025/08/28/most-expensive-home-in-america-hits-the-market-at-300-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listed for US$300 million</a> (HK$2.33 billion), an amount that breaks down to a staggering US$15,790 (HK$122,835) per square foot.



Even with a brutal 10 percent dip last year, France is also seeing strong growth. Five-year gains are still a solid 31 percent, and 10-year gains are 58 percent, while the 20-year growth figures skyrocketed by 197 percent. High-altitude resorts like Val d’Isère and Courchevel 1850 are especially popular, thanks to reliable snow and international prestige. 



Luxury listings in Courchevel 1850 illustrate the scale. They include a 3,123-square-foot chalet on the market for €8.4 million (about <a href="https://www.frenchestateagents.com/french-property-for-sale/view/A16255?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US$9.5 million</a>/HK$76.46 million), which translates to US$3,043 (HK$23,670) per square foot, and an enormous 10-bedroom spread listed for €36 million (<a href="https://www.jamesedition.com/real_estate/courchevel-france/exceptional-five-bedroom-chalet-with-swimming-pool-in-the-heart-of-courchevel-1850-14939324?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US$41.8 million</a>/HK$327.71 million), or US$6,934 (HK$53,940) per square foot.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803310" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aspen remains the global leader for ultra-prime ski homes, with average prices topping US$7,400 per square foot. Image courtesy of JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Even with some ups and downs, prime-property values are still 27 percent above pre-pandemic levels, and demand is surging as wealthy individuals look for lifestyle escapes that double as investments, remote work makes mountain living more practical, and high-altitude, snow-reliable resorts offer long-term resilience against climate volatility. 



“Despite continued economic uncertainty, prime ski property markets have proven resilient,” says Kelcie Sellers, associate director at Savills World Research. With more than 366 million skier visits worldwide in the 2024–25 season, owning a luxury ski home in Aspen, Val d’Isère, or Gstaad isn’t just about the perfect powder—it’s also about securing a prime piece of property in a market that just keeps climbing.

Aspen

Gstaad

Luxury Ski Homes

Savills

Savills Ski Report

Luxury Ski Home Prices Jumped 150% in 20 Years, a New Report Says

Vineyard living and modern luxuries go hand-in-hand at&nbsp;<a href="https://stanlyranchnapa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Napa’s Stanly Ranch</a>. Part of Auberge Collection, the 700-acre-plus property is home to a winery, resort, and spa, as well as 40 turnkey villas and 70 vineyard homes. We gave readers a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/new-construction/auberge-residences-napa-valley-1234642014/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first look at its residences</a>&nbsp;back in 2021, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/stanly-ranch-launches-villas-1234895838/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an exclusive peek into its villas</a>&nbsp;two years later. Now, we have yet another scoop.



The hospitality group recently announced it is teaming up with <a href="https://www.kendallwilkinson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kendall Wilkinson Design</a> (KWD) to help buyers further customise their vineyard homes. The San Francisco-based interior design firm, founded by Kendall Wilkinson in 1992, blends classic and modern styles to create spaces that are not only beautiful and comfortable but also evocative. That is no doubt why Auberge enlisted KWD for this particular endeavour. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-1024x684.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802942" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-1024x684.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-768x513.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The living room of the first vineyard home staged by KWD. Image courtesy of Paul Rollins</figcaption></figure>



Featuring simple but elegant exteriors by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foreststudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Studio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ebta.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EBTA Architects</a>, the vineyard homes range from 2,300 to 5,600 square feet and offer between three and six bedrooms. Wilkinson and her team can work on single rooms or completely reimagine the entire interior, originally designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.edmondslee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edmonds + Lee Architects</a>.



“For us, collaborating with Stanly Ranch Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a natural extension of the work we do with our clients who seek that same elevated, intimate lifestyle,” Wilkinson said in a statement.



With ties to galleries, artists, and international suppliers, as well as 30 years of industry experience, KWD is able to fully realise a buyer’s vision and inject their personality into a space. The studio is also hoping to capture “the spirit and understated luxury of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/napa-valley/">Napa Valley</a>’s Wine Country” within the respective four walls.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="606" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-1024x606.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802943" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-1024x606.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-300x178.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-768x454.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Out under the covered patio, where handcrafted outdoor furniture sits by the private pool. Image courtesy of Paul Rollins</figcaption></figure>



The first vineyard home staged by KWD (pictured) demonstrates the chic touch buyers can expect. Sitting beneath a soaring cathedral ceiling with exposed beams, the main living area is adorned with contemporary furnishings by <a href="https://www.ironies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ironies</a> via <a href="https://kneedlerfauchere.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kneedler Fauchère</a> and a rug from <a href="https://www.tonykitzgallery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tony Kitz Gallery</a>. The nearby dining table is anchored by a striking onyx vessel from San Francisco’s <a href="https://www.sloanm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sloan Miyasato</a>, and over in the kitchen, a <a href="https://www.desousahughes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Sousa Hughes</a> light fixture hangs above a wood-panelled island. Outside, handcrafted, aluminium outdoor furniture by <a href="https://www.mckinnonharris.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McKinnon &amp; Harris</a> sits by the pool.



Beyond the home itself, residents can access the resort’s award-winning spa, a trio of dining venues, and a range of other “immersive experiences.” Not to mention, there is the rest of Napa to explore.&nbsp;



Vineyard homes start at US$4.5 million (approximately HK$34.98 million). Owners will have to pay an additional fee to work with Wilkinson and her team, with KWD’s design services starting at US$250,000 (around HK$1.94 million). You can find out more on <a href="https://stanlyranchnapa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanly Ranch’s website</a>.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/gallery/stanly-ranch-napa-auberge-residence-photos-1237317126" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more images of the Napa Valley home.

Auberge

Investment

Napa's Stanly Ranch

property

Stanly Ranch

Vineyard Homes

Auberge’s Stanly Ranch Is Giving Its Vineyard Homes a High-Design Twist. Here’s a Look Inside.

As Hong Kong welcomes the Year of the Horse, one of the city’s most anticipated sporting and lifestyle events returns for its grand sophomore edition. Returning to the AsiaWorld-Expo for three exhilarating days, the <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show</a> (LHKIHS) sets the stage for a thrilling showcase of equestrian excellence, world-class competitions, and entertainment experiences.



A joint undertaking between Clarion Events Asia and HPower Group, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the strategic partner, LHKIHS 2026 aims to advance the equestrian community in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, foster competition and talent in the region, and nurture interest in the sport.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803692" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803692" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803688" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803688" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803690" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803690" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803691" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803691" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803689" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803689" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



From 30 January till 1 February, the 5-Star International Show Jumping marquee event in Hong Kong will present breathtaking athletic achievements from world-class steeds and their international riders across all three days. The highly popular Shetland Pony Grand National competition will be back this year—there’s nothing quite as gripping as this spectacle of speed and agility, where junior jockeys and their ponies race around the track and leap over obstacles for the honour of being crowned winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The show promises to be a full-scale cultural and lifestyle weekend, with its final evening featuring a live performance by Hong Kong pop icon Ian Chan of Mirror, followed by the weekend’s highest-priced show jumping class: the Longines Grand Prix.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803685" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



New to the 2026 edition is the Dog Agility programme, an initiative supported by The Royal Kennel Club. Be amazed by the control, dexterity, skill, and speed of expertly trained canines and their handlers as they race against the clock to complete jumping, tunnelling, and weaving exercises. Another addition is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Asian Youth Challenge, inviting emerging showjumping talents from around Asia to compete and showcase their equestrian abilities on a world stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But LHKIHS 2026 is about more than competition alone. Alongside the scheduled competitions and equestrian performances, the Lifestyle Shopping Village offers a wide range of retail, entertainment, leisure, and dining experiences—making it easy to enjoy a full day out. Shop from respected equestrian suppliers, curated fashion and accessories brands, and interior and design specialists; while enjoying wine, beverages, and food stations; and pick up something to bring home from the lifestyle stalls.



In celebration of the Year of the Horse, the Show will also feature an interactive digital horse installation, where you can share your New Year wishes or aspirations and see them come to life across a large-scale arena display. The Fashion Runway will present the latest designs from labels like Beijing’s BIFU and Isabelle C, while families can enjoy the return of the Hong Kong Kids Fashion Week. At the Kids Zone, children can take part in dynamic hobby horse competitions, face-painting, and balloon art activities designed to spark early interest in equestrianism.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803693" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Visit the Live Zone to join the Meet the Shetland Pony Jockeys sessions, hear from an expert dog trainer, admire the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong showcase featuring 22 vehicles, or unwind at the Champagne Taittinger Bar presented by Cathay Cargo.



With an expanded programme of competitions, performances and lifestyle experiences, LHKIHS 2026 promises to be a standout sporting and cultural highlight of the Year of the Horse.



Tickets are now available via Klook. Enjoy 10 percent off with promo code HSROBB10 and book <a href="https://s.klook.com/lhkihs2026">here</a>.



Learn more at <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/">hongkonghorseshow.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show.

LHKIHS

LHKIHS 2026

Year of the Horse

Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show Returns For an Auspicious Year of the Horse

Welsh <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/gin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gin</a> brand <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/cygnet-gin-sustainability-house-of-robb-1237394942/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cygnet</a> is a relative newcomer to the spirits world; it was founded in the UK in 2023 and just entered the US market last fall. But it’s already made a splash amongst drinkers with its high-end trio of gins housed in strikingly designed bottles, ones that really don’t look like anything else you’ll find on liquor store shelves or back bars. Today, Robb Report is announcing its strategic investment in the brand, part of a shared vision of bringing luxury products to consumers.



“Cygnet is an extraordinary brand that blends innovation, artistry, and sustainability, resulting in a timeless luxury spirit,” said Luke Bahrenburg, CEO of Robb Report, in a statement. “Robb Report and Cygnet’s shared vision and pursuit of excellence and innovation are truly unique. We are thrilled to introduce this exceptional gin to discerning consumers worldwide across our platforms.”



Classical singer Katherine Jenkins OBE and social impact artist and filmmaker Andrew Levitas are the founder of <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/cygnet-gin-us-debut-1237000626/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cygnet</a>; the pair set out to create an elevated gin brand based on core concepts of quality, sustainability, and innovation. The gin is produced at the Copperworks Distillery in Swansea, Wales, where Penderyn single malt whisky is made, and there are currently four expressions available. Cygnet Welsh Dry Gin, which anchors the portfolio, is made using a blend of 12 botanicals including juniper, chamomile, and pink grapefruit. Cygnet 22 expands the recipe to 22 botanicals, adding things like almond and Manuka honey, while Cygnet 77 is a version of that gin aged in used Welsh whisky barrels for a total of 55 weeks. Finally, Infinity joined the lineup this past December as the brand’s <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/cygnet-nonalcoholic-gin-1237510585/">non-alcoholic version</a> of its 22 gin, which is distilled to remove all alcohol in a nod to the growing number of consumers who are choosing to abstain but still want to enjoy a NA cocktail.



“Robb Report’s investment represents a groundbreaking partnership as its unmatched reach and influence provide a powerful platform to enhance consumer engagement and establish Cygnet as a leader in luxury spirits,” partner and chairman Matteo Fantacchiotti, the former Campari group CEO who joined the brand in November of 2024, said. “Additionally, in today’s spirits landscape I believe this investment marks not only a major milestone for us at Cygnet, but also a very positive event in the evolution of the luxury spirits industry as a whole.”



Cheers to that.

Cygnet

Robb Report Announces Investment in Luxury Gin Brand Cygnet

Tokaj’s singular journey, and the odyssey of the Szepsy family within it, begins with the land—a region forged by volcanic drama and renowned for wines of luminous minerality and persistent tension. The Szepsy family’s written legacy dates to 1631, when Szepsy Laczkó Máté, chaplain to the Rákóczi family, documented the winemaking process for Tokaji Aszú. His account preserved the method that defines the Tokaji style to this day. While the technique of using aszú (botrytised) grapes predates this written record, Szepsy Laczkó Máté’s legacy established the foundation for the region’s legendary sweet wine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Merchants, Globalisation, and the Golden Age</h2>



In the golden centuries of Tokaj’s ascent, its wines became currency among Europe’s diplomatic and royal courts. As early as the 1600s, Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia filled royal cellars and were exchanged as gifts between monarchs. Their value rivalled precious metals—famously said to be worth more than gold. Such was their allure that Catherine the Great stationed a Cossack regiment solely to escort annual shipments from Tokaj to St. Petersburg. Bottles of Imperial Tokaji were poured at coronations and banquets, symbols of prestige and indulgence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Foundations of Trade: Jewish Merchants and Tokaj’s Golden Era</h2>



Polish and German Jewish merchant dynasties forged vital wine routes, enabling Tokaji’s rise to global renown. The town of Mád, with its grand merchant houses and magnificently restored synagogue, preserves this legacy. High sugar ensured Tokaji survived arduous journeys, cementing its desirability from St. Petersburg to Spain.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010-1024x682.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803983" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/160917-FER-PHO-Szepsy-Urban-010.webp 1772w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The World’s First Classified Wine Region</h2>



As Tokaj’s reputation soared, it set a global benchmark for wine regions. In 1737, the Hungarian Parliament declared Tokaj a protected appellation, implementing the world’s first official vineyard classification system—dividing its crus into first, second, and third growths based on terroir, quality, and historic performance. This visionary act not only formalised Tokaj’s commitment to excellence but created the template upon which future regions, from Bordeaux to Burgundy, would later build their own hierarchies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Shadow of Communism and the Battle for Terroir</h2>



Communist collectivisation destroyed Tokaj’s intricate viticultural patchwork, replacing noble clones with anonymous, high-yielding vines. Like many families, the Szepsys were dispossessed. When communism fell in 1989, father and son began the painstaking journey to recover their true terroirs.Today, 83% of the family’s vineyards lie within Tokaj’s historic first-growth crus—a remarkable leap from the fragmented holdings of the past. Out of 418 classified vineyards across the region, only 52 were ever recognised as first growths, underscoring the exceptional heritage the Szepsys have reclaimed. Through mapping, field selection, and decades of replanting, they restored land and genetic biodiversity—redrawing Tokaj’s possibilities. “Unfortunately, most local winemakers still rely on communist-era clones, making it incredibly difficult to reach the quality standards demanded by fine wine connoisseurs,” asserts Szepsy Jr.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A&nbsp;Family Shaped by Change—Rewriting the Vineyard Map</h2>



Every decision at Szepsy marries intuition with cutting-edge precision agriculture, in partnership with the University of Debrecen. “We’ve mapped every plant since 2008. Parcels critical for wine quality are equally vital to the genetic selection programme,” explains István Szepsy Jr. Vineyard architecture varies by parcel—Guyot, low-head, terraced systems—all executed by hand. Yields are tightly controlled at 4.2 tonnes per hectare, prioritising old-vine Furmint and its crystalline reflection of Tokaj’s volcanic soils.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="553" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1-1024x553.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803982" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1-1024x553.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1-300x162.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1-768x414.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1-1536x829.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/220512-DF-Szepsy-9-2048x1105-1.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Family and Estate:&nbsp;Recent Transition</h2>



Recently, the Szepsy estate has quietly completed a profound generational transition. After suffering a stroke in March 2019, István Szepsy Sr entrusted daily management to his son, daughters, and son-in-law. With more time on his hands, he has also developed a devotion to Arsenal Football Club. Though no longer at the helm, Szepsy Sr remains a technical force, now driving research and innovation as “a research institute within the winery.” His health setback hastened the next generation’s integration and ensured the continuity of both expertise and ethos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Science and Art of Volcanic Terroir</h2>



Szepsy’s plots encompass some of the world’s most extraordinary soils, with volcanic diversity delivering electrifying minerality and rare aromatic depths. Uncompromising crop thinning, reduced yields, and parcel-by-parcel vinification articulate Tokaj’s untold nuances. This pursuit established the blueprint for modern Tokaj: single-vineyard, crystalline Furmint, and the iconic Aszú, emblematic of Hungarian ambition.​



Their top terroirs—Szent Tamás, Nyúlászó, Percze, Hasznos, Urbán—originate from varied geologies. Andesite bedrock produces taut, elegant Furmint with high acidity and stony precision. Pink rhyolite brings power, breadth, and saline lift. “Furmint excels in these meagre soils—low pH, scant water, abundant minerals, and little humus,” Szepsy Jr explains. The presence of zeolite and bentonite impacts vine stress, disease resilience, and wine longevity.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803981" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-72-2048x1366-1.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quiet Innovation—Precision in the Cellar</h2>



Technical acumen meets restraint in Szepsy’s cellar. “We never add anything to the grapes or juice after pressing—everything is one hundred percent natural. However, I use mother yeast to inoculate, prepared two weeks before harvest,” says István Szepsy Jr. “The world watches Tokaj more closely than ever. It’s our duty to show what’s possible if you trust the land.” Malolactic fermentation is allowed but never forced; however, Szepsy Jr occasionally introduces selected bacteria in new oak barrels to guide the process—though, as he notes, “only rarely”.



All top wines ferment and age in 300-litre barrels made from Hungarian Quercus petraea, sourced from volcanic-soil forests. This creates a tangible link between terroir and élevage. Eszencia, Szamorodni, and Aszú are crafted with utmost precision. Eszencia—free-run juice from aszú berries—often requires five to six years to finish fermentation, resulting in a wine of remarkable sweetness and rarity.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Dry Wine Revolution: Szepsy’s Vision</h2>



In 2000, Szepsy Sr produced Tokaj’s first commercially significant dry Furmint—a seismic break from tradition, establishing dry wine as Tokaj’s new vanguard. Before Szepsy, Tokaj was globally synonymous with sweet, botrytised wine. Although isolated dry wine experiments existed, Szepsy’s clarity of purpose, yield control, and terroir-focus set a new benchmark.​



“Dry Tokaj was a complete revolution,” declares Szepsy Jr, “and none had ever attempted it at this standard.” Today, dry and off-dry wines account for two-thirds of all Tokaj production—the region’s economic and qualitative salvation. Szepsy’s dry Furmint has become Hungary’s fine wine ambassador, likened to Premier Cru Burgundy for its power and minerality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defining Dry vs. Sweet: Style &amp; Impact</h2>



Clarity is essential: Tokaj’s dry wines (Furmint, alongside single-parcel expressions such as Szent Tamás, Hasznos, Urágya, Percze, Urbán) and sweet wines (Aszú, Eszencia, Szamorodni) are equally expressions of greatness.



“Both sweet and dry are essential signatures of Szepsy,” says Jr, “and both demonstrate Hungary’s true fine wine potential.” Sweet wines rely on botrytis, searing acidity, and sugar; dry whites highlight volcanic minerality, controlled yields, and fermentation technique. Szepsy’s innovation lies in mastering both categories, elevating Tokaj’s global reputation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quiet Innovation: Large Format Bottlings</h2>



István Szepsy Jr has achieved a regional milestone by securing, for the first time in Tokaj’s history, official permission to bottle wines in large formats—magnums and Jeroboams. This change, formalised with local authorities after a decade of advocacy, underscores Szepsy’s commitment to brand-building and global collector appeal. Bottles are sourced via Saverglass, using premium moulds, and add cachet, ageability, and luxury status to the Szepsy brand.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/250623-DF-Szepsy3098-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803979" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/250623-DF-Szepsy3098-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/250623-DF-Szepsy3098-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/250623-DF-Szepsy3098-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/250623-DF-Szepsy3098.webp 1417w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tasting Tokaj: The Szepsy Experience</h2>



Szent Tamás Furmint: Szepsy’s flagship single-vineyard dry Furmint, praised by Jancis Robinson as “the Montrachet of the East”. Burgundian winemakers have brought Szent Tamás to blind tastings, mistaking it for top Meursault. The 2017 vintage, “an epic vintage for Tokaj,” is laser-focused: white blossom, lime zest, gunflint, and pronounced mineral edge over orchard fruit, with an intense, stony finish. The spice-laden 2022 further exemplifies dry Furmint’s power and refinement, promising ageing potential.



Szamorodni: This historic Tokaj style, made from whole clusters, contrasts Szamorodni’s electric freshness with Aszú’s opulence. The 2017, a blend of Szent Tamás and Betsek, delivers vivid apricot and orange zest matched by piercing acidity and balanced sweetness. With time, Szamorodni develops complex layers of earth, mushroom, and dried citrus—a fresher, yet ageworthy, Tokaji.



Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos: An enduring symbol of sweet wine. Among several vintages, the 2017 stands out—apricot, honeycomb, and botrytis on the nose, with marmalade and dried fruit anchored by almond and citrus. Opulent sweetness and vibrant acidity combine for a mouthfeel that is rich, refreshing, and quintessentially elegant.



Eszencia: Produced only in rare vintages, Eszencia is legendary at 2.5% ABV and 570g/litre sugar. Tasted in situ from a still-fermenting 2024 barrel: silken texture, sultana, saffron, tea, dried mango, and wild honey—sugar and acidity perfectly balanced, with a lingering echo of spice and ancient earth.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638-1024x682.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803978" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/240319-DF-Szepsy-638.webp 1772w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ákos Forczek and the Modern Ascent</h2>



Ákos Forczek, founder of wine merchant Top Selection, played a decisive role in raising Szepsy to global fine wine status. Importing the 1997 Aszú—just 750 litres—he connected Szepsy’s wines to leading UK sommeliers and opinion leaders. He introduced dry Furmint and Aszú by the glass in Britain’s top establishments, championing cru-level recognition for Szent Tamás. Soon echoed by critics like Jancis Robinson, Forczek’s advocacy positioned Szepsy as the contemporary face of Tokaj for discerning palates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Crus to Icons — The Wines</h2>



The Szepsy portfolio now features seven rigorously terroir-specific dry wines, the classic Szamorodni, signature Aszú, and—at its apex—Eszencia. Each bottle is an ode to patience and devotion. “Single-vineyard wines are the top ones… the blend must always be complex, but single-vineyard wines are more artisanal and expressive of cru character,” the family asserts. Production remains microscopic: for instance, Szent Tamás Furmint (2,500 bottles), Szamorodni (10,000 bottles), Aszú (up to 8,000 bottles in selected vintages), and Eszencia (sometimes less than 200 litres)—distributed to collectors and elite restaurants in over 20 countries.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="648" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1-1024x648.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803977" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1-1024x648.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1-300x190.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1-768x486.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1-1536x972.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DJI_0919-2048x1296-1.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Redefinition, Prestige, and the Future</h2>



While much of Tokaj still pursues volume, Szepsy’s mission is relentless terroir definition and sustainable excellence. The family was instrumental in founding the Mád Circle—a society for cru-level producers—and continues to pioneer research for modern regional wine classification. “Winning the 2022 Golden Vines® Best Producer in Europe and Hall of Fame awards was a giant leap in prestige—if a normal step is one brick, Golden Vines was several,” reflects István Szepsy Jr. For Szepsy, true success is measured not in trophies or scores, but by global collectors and sommeliers who seek Tokaj’s authentic voice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building Legacy in Every Glass</h2>



The Szepsy name now stands as Tokaj’s beacon—transforming adversity into opportunity, innovation into enduring legacy. Their guiding ambition: to refine clones, deepen their terroir understanding, and ensure that each bottle poured is a testament to centuries of resilience and renewal. “Quality,” insists Szepsy Jr, “depends on recognising high-quality plots, grapes, and timing in the vineyard and cellar. Tokaj can now prove itself anywhere in the world given the chance.” For collectors, sommeliers, and wine lovers, Szepsy offers not merely prestige—but the living, evolving legacy of one of Europe’s greatest regions, reborn with every glass.



Lewis Chester DipWSET is a London-based wine and rare spirit collector and writer, member of the Académie du Champagne and Chevaliers du Tastevin, co-founder of Liquid Icons and the founder of the Golden Vines® Awards. He is also Honorary President and Head of Fundraising at the Gérard Basset Foundation, which funds diversity &amp; inclusivity education programmes globally in the wine, spirits &amp; hospitality sectors. The Golden Vines® 2026 will take place in London, UK between 6-8 November 2026, recognising the world’s best fine wine estates as voted by hundreds of fine wine professionals. Please register your interest for tickets on the website:&nbsp;<a href="https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards</a>.

Szepsy

Tokaj

István Szepsy and the Renaissance of Hungarian Fine Wine

As Hong Kong welcomes the Year of the Horse, one of the city’s most anticipated sporting and lifestyle events returns for its grand sophomore edition. Returning to the AsiaWorld-Expo for three exhilarating days, the <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show</a> (LHKIHS) sets the stage for a thrilling showcase of equestrian excellence, world-class competitions, and entertainment experiences.



A joint undertaking between Clarion Events Asia and HPower Group, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the strategic partner, LHKIHS 2026 aims to advance the equestrian community in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, foster competition and talent in the region, and nurture interest in the sport.



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From 30 January till 1 February, the 5-Star International Show Jumping marquee event in Hong Kong will present breathtaking athletic achievements from world-class steeds and their international riders across all three days. The highly popular Shetland Pony Grand National competition will be back this year—there’s nothing quite as gripping as this spectacle of speed and agility, where junior jockeys and their ponies race around the track and leap over obstacles for the honour of being crowned winner.



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The show promises to be a full-scale cultural and lifestyle weekend, with its final evening featuring a live performance by Hong Kong pop icon Ian Chan of Mirror, followed by the weekend’s highest-priced show jumping class: the Longines Grand Prix.



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New to the 2026 edition is the Dog Agility programme, an initiative supported by The Royal Kennel Club. Be amazed by the control, dexterity, skill, and speed of expertly trained canines and their handlers as they race against the clock to complete jumping, tunnelling, and weaving exercises. Another addition is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Asian Youth Challenge, inviting emerging showjumping talents from around Asia to compete and showcase their equestrian abilities on a world stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But LHKIHS 2026 is about more than competition alone. Alongside the scheduled competitions and equestrian performances, the Lifestyle Shopping Village offers a wide range of retail, entertainment, leisure, and dining experiences—making it easy to enjoy a full day out. Shop from respected equestrian suppliers, curated fashion and accessories brands, and interior and design specialists; while enjoying wine, beverages, and food stations; and pick up something to bring home from the lifestyle stalls.



In celebration of the Year of the Horse, the Show will also feature an interactive digital horse installation, where you can share your New Year wishes or aspirations and see them come to life across a large-scale arena display. The Fashion Runway will present the latest designs from labels like Beijing’s BIFU and Isabelle C, while families can enjoy the return of the Hong Kong Kids Fashion Week. At the Kids Zone, children can take part in dynamic hobby horse competitions, face-painting, and balloon art activities designed to spark early interest in equestrianism.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803693" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Visit the Live Zone to join the Meet the Shetland Pony Jockeys sessions, hear from an expert dog trainer, admire the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong showcase featuring 22 vehicles, or unwind at the Champagne Taittinger Bar presented by Cathay Cargo.



With an expanded programme of competitions, performances and lifestyle experiences, LHKIHS 2026 promises to be a standout sporting and cultural highlight of the Year of the Horse.



Tickets are now available via Klook. Enjoy 10 percent off with promo code HSROBB10 and book <a href="https://s.klook.com/lhkihs2026">here</a>.



Learn more at <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/">hongkonghorseshow.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show.

Aston Martin

Bentley

Hypercar

Lamborghini

luxury car

motors

Rolls-Royce

The Best in Wheels 2025, From the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and Aston Martin Vantage to Porsche 911 S/T

It has taken its time, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-reveals-production-valhalla-supercar-1234624583/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin Valhalla</a>&nbsp;has finally made it to the finished line.



The British marque just unveiled the production version of its eagerly anticipated&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/plug-in-hybrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;supercar. The futuristic speed machine will launch as part of the automaker’s 2026 model class and is somehow more impressive than what was originally promised.



The Valhalla made its debut way back in 2019 in the guise of the AM-RB 03 concept. Five years is a significant chunk of time and it should come as no surprise that the supercar has evolved in that time, even since the production version was first teased in 2021. Sure, the finished version of the car may look about the same, but thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martins-formula-1-team-helped-develop-valhalla-supercar-1235041677/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help of the automaker’s Formula 1 team</a>&nbsp;the hardware is different—and more powerful.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794261" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a> Valhalla. Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The big story with any supercar is bound to be the powertrain, and the Valhalla is no different. At the centre of the plug-in hybrid setup is a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8. It’s similar to the mill found in the DBX707 but has a flat-plane crank, dry-sump lubrication system, reworked pistons, and bespoke ignition system. Thanks to these changes the engine, which is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, makes 817 hp, which is 77 hp more than the brand said it was targeting in 2021.



That figure alone would make the Valhalla potent, but its powertrain also includes three electric motors, one more than was supposed to be present in 2021. Two of the motors are positioned on the front axle (which gives the car all-wheel drive) and the other is integrated into the transmission and acts as a starter generator. The trio gets its juice from a 6.0-kWh battery pack that can be recharged while decelerating. Thanks to the motors the vehicle can also operate in EV mode, in which it can cover 8.6 miles at speeds of up to 80 mph.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794262" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



When the engine and all three motors are working together output comes to a combined 1,064 hp and 811 ft lbs of torque. The first figure is 127 hp more than the number quoted in 2021 (937 hp), meaning the powertrain is nearly 14 per cent more powerful than expected. Performance numbers remain the same, but it’s hard to imagine anyone complaining. Aston Martin says the Valhalla can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph.



That last number is helped by the Valhalla’s rather aggressive aero kit. The vehicle, as is increasingly common in its class, looks like a LMDh prototype racer with slightly cleaner, more attractive lines. It sits low to the ground, has a wide-mouth grille, sculpted curves, and an active rear wing that can elevate up to 10 inches up into the air. These elements combine to produce 1,323 pounds of downforce once you reach 149 mph, helping keep the car glued to the road. It’s also equipped with a set of forward-hinted dihedral doors that open up to reveal a surprisingly minimalist interior. The cabin lacks the flare of the exterior, but the flat-bottomed steering wheel and simplified digital screen setup are nice touches.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794263" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The Valhalla is a 2026 model and because of that it won’t go into production until the latter half of next year. The marque plans to build just 999 examples of its electrified supercar, which will likely sell quick. No final price has been announced, but it’s previously been speculated that it would cost between US$800,000 (approximately HK$6.21 million) and US$1 million (approximately HK$7.77 million).



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-production-ready-2026-aston-martin-valhalla-1236116968" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla.

hybrid

Supercar

Aston Martin Just Unveiled Its First Plug-In Hybrid Supercar

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/jaguar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaguar</a> is now well and truly ready for its next era.



The British automaker just built the final F-Pace at its factory in the English town of Solihull, <a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/final-f-pace-has-been-built-marking-end-jaguars-ice-era" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Autocar</a>. With production complete, the marque can now focus exclusively on building EVs going forward.



This day has been coming for a while. In 2021, Jaguar <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/jaguar-land-rover-electrification-plans-1234596908/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced its intention to go fully electric</a> by 2025. It then began <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/jaguar-unveils-final-best-selling-f-pace-suv-models-1235625072/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phasing out the F-Pace</a>, its final combustion model, last year. The company stopped selling the vehicle in the UK that November, though it has remained available in other markets around the world, including Australia, China, and the US. The model, introduced in 2016, is the brand’s best-selling model of all time, with 300,000 examples sold worldwide since its release. The end of its production means that, for the time being, Jaguar is building no vehicle for sale anywhere in the world (it <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/jaguar-discontinuing-gas-powered-cars-ev-revamp-1235532657/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stopped building coupés and saloons</a> in early 2024).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/opener-1-w-Design-Vision_FRONT_3.4_16x9-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804008" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/opener-1-w-Design-Vision_FRONT_3.4_16x9-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/opener-1-w-Design-Vision_FRONT_3.4_16x9-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/opener-1-w-Design-Vision_FRONT_3.4_16x9-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/opener-1-w-Design-Vision_FRONT_3.4_16x9.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Jaguar 00 concept is meant to preview the brand’s next generation of EVs. Jaguar Land Rover</figcaption></figure>



The storied automaker hopes that won’t be the case for much longer, though. Although it will not meet its goal of going all-electric by 2025, the company plans to unveil the production version of its first next-generation EV next year. That vehicle will be based on the controversial Type 00 concept that the marque <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/jaguar-all-electric-concept-revealed-1236088147/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unveiled at last year’s Art Basel Miami</a>.



The grand tourer was supposed to debut at some point this year, but, in October, managing director Rawdon Glover <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/polarizing-perfection-jaguar-chief-defends-controversial-designs/story?id=126715669" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told ABC News</a> that its unveiling <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/jaguar-next-generation-ev-delayed-1237334069/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was being pushed back</a> until next spring. Although the EV has been touted as the “most powerful Jaguar ever,” next to no technical details are known as of now. Glover said that the company would begin taking orders for the US$130,000 (approximately HK$1.01 million) grand tourer around the time of its debut, with deliveries expected to happen soon after.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jaguar-type00-2-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234804007" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jaguar-type00-2-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jaguar-type00-2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jaguar-type00-2-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jaguar-type00-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The production version of the Type 00 is expected to debut next year. Jaguar</figcaption></figure>



In that same interview, Glover also said that the concept’s “polarising” look was meant to be divisive. Although the executive spoke out in support of the design, it is unclear if everyone at Jaguar feels the same. Earlier this month, Gerry McGovern, the company’s chief design officer and the person most responsible for the look of the Type 00, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/03/gerry-mcgovern-design-boss-behind-new-jaguar-leaves-jlr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">left the company after 20 years</a>, in a move that <a href="https://www.thedrive.com/news/what-the-heck-is-going-on-between-jlr-and-gerry-mcgovern" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">came as a shock to many industry observers</a>.

jaguar

Jaguar Just Built Its Final Gas-Powered Vehicle

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/porsche/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a> just unveiled its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-cayenne-ev-wireless-charging-1237014828/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-awaited new all-electric Cayenne</a>, and the surprise isn’t faster charging or a bigger range, but enormous speed. The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-confirms-electric-cayenne-model-fouth-generation-1235787148/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cayenne Electric</a> makes 1,139 horsepower, the marque says says, and can go from zero to 60 in 2.4 seconds, which is faster than a Bugatti Veyron. That means the new model can haul groceries and also outdrag almost any other car on the road.



Porsche’s electric ambitions have run <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-quarter-three-2025-loss-ev-delays-1237318687/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">into some speed bumps lately</a>, as have the EV goals of every other automaker, but, as <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/review-2025-porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-1235583052/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with the Taycan</a>, the German automaker seems determined to pursue a slow-and-steady strategy. Porsche will continue to make, market, and design new EVs, and when the dust settles, it might just have some of the very best on the market, like the Taycan.



The new Porsche Cayenne Electric certainly feeds into that ambition. There are the speed and raw power numbers, which are impressive, but so are the charging times: The Cayenne Electric is capable of getting to 80 percent in less than 16 minutes. The new car can also charge wirelessly, the first Porsche to do so—charging floor plate not included. Porsche’s latest model will be one of three flavors of Cayenne offered, including internal combustion and hybrid models, meaning that the company is hedging its bets for now, though the Cayenne Electric seems like a pretty good one.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="577" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803221" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683-768x433.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Porsche Cayenne Electric in profile, climbing a hill. Image courtesy of Porsche</figcaption></figure>



The 1,139 HP version is the Cayenne Electric Turbo, while the base model makes 435 horsepower. Even the comparatively underpowered base model will get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which, a generation ago, was almost unthinkably fast. Porsche did not say what the all-electric range of either car would be, but our guess is that it won’t small enough to be a dealbreaker.



On the inside, there are multiple screens, including a 14.25-inch OLED screen for the driver, and an optional 14.9-inch screen for the passenger, in addition to an 87-inch “display” that, visually, appears several feet in front of the car.



The Cayenne Electric will start at US$109,000 (approximately HK$848,410), while the Cayenne Electric Turbo will start at US$163,000 (approximately HK$1.26 million), not including shipping charges. The car will start to reach customers next summer as a 2026 model. The Cayenne Electric is also the fourth-generation Cayenne, beginning with a lineage that started in 2002. The ICE and hybrid versions Porsche plans to sell in parallel will remain the third-generation car, meaning that if you want the latest and greatest, the Cayenne Electric will have to do.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/porsche-cayenne-electric-photos-1237368382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Porsche Cayenne Electric.

Porsche

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche’s New 1,139 HP SUV Is Its Most Powerful Production Car Ever

There may still be three races left on the 2025 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/formula-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Formula 1</a> calendar, but <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi</a> is ready for the 2026 season to get underway.



The German marque unveiled an unusual concept called R26 on Wednesday. No, the low-slung, stretched out vehicle doesn’t offer up a glimpse of a future road car. Instead, it previews the automaker’s first F1 car, which is set to start competing in the championship next year.



Audi has plenty of experience in motorsports, but 2026 will mark the first year it’s competed in F1. The competition’s cars don’t change much season to season, and because of this the R26 <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/first-look-every-formula-1-car-racing-in-1236260321/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doesn’t look radically different</a> from those that will be competing for the checkered flag in Las Vegas on Saturday, 22 November. It features a louvred front wing, extended nose box, curvaceous body, a halo device protecting the open-air cockpit, and an adjustable rear wing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803006" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audi R26 concept. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



The vehicle’s general shape and profile may not hold any surprises, but its livery does. Audi makes clear that R26 previews its new “Formula 1 identity.” The design, which is defined by precise geometric cuts, consists of three colours: Titanium up front, Audi Red on the side pods, and Carbon Black in the rear. The brand’s iconic logo can also be seen in Audi Red on the tip of the nose, on the sides of the engine intake, and on top of the rear wing. The finished car, which will be officially unveiled in January, will also be littered with sponsor decals, but this is more or less what to expect from the brand’s first F1 car.



“We are implementing a unifying design language that draws together every aspect of our organisation,” the company’s chief creative officer, Massimo Frascella, said in a statement. “This makes the Formula 1 project a pioneer for the new brand identity, which will be rolled out in the future both for the F1 team and Audi as a whole.”

audi

Formula 1

Audi Just Revealed Its First Formula 1 Concept Car

<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/fascinating-facts-mclaren-1235611308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> has been mulling whether to join <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/porsche-cayennes-ranked-1235657089/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-purosangue-four-door-revealed-1234747591/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/lamborghini-suv-history-lm002-urus-1236734349/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamborghini</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-dbx-highest-selling-marque-vehicle-1234645743/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a>, and basically every other automaker in the world in making an <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/suv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUV</a>, and now we have a date, according to a new report. The marque’s SUV will launch in 2028, part of a few new cars planned for the British brand that built its reputation on racing.



The SUV was partially unveiled at a dealer meeting in the United Kingdom this week, and by that we mean in clay model form, according to <a href="https://www.autonews.com/mclaren/an-mclaren-first-4-door-model-1112/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automotive News</a>. The new SUV is codenamed P47 and will not only be the first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mclaren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> SUV but also the first McLaren to have four doors and five seats.



The powertrain is said to include a V-8 engine in a hybrid setup and be all-wheel-drive. The SUV has 24-inch wheels, and those in attendance told Automotive <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">News</a> that it had a similar profile to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802998" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Image courtesy of Porsche</figcaption></figure>



The McLaren SUV will not be a plug-in hybrid, but a milder hybrid, with the electric power meant to complement the gas engine. The car will have a rear spoiler and aerodynamics that look “sculpted and muscular,” which is surely what McLaren is going for.



The SUV will not be a surprise, unless you’ve been living under a rock for a couple of decades. SUVs have come to dominate nearly every aspect of the automotive industry in North America, home to the second-biggest car market in the world, a.k.a. the US. For McLaren, the question has not been if it would build an SUV, but when.



The supercar maker is also under new ownership since April, when Abu Dhabi-based investors acquired it. McLaren has new leadership, too, with <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/mclaren-luxury-brand-electric-suv-1237000673/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEO Nick Collins taking over then</a>. There had been some reports that the marque was developing an all-electric SUV, to the horror of some purists, but a hybrid SUV seems like a decent compromise, since supercar makers are now relying on SUVs to keep themselves afloat and keep the supercars coming.



Purists were also aghast when Ferrari started <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-purosangue-suv-official-image-1234670519/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selling the Purosangue SUV</a>, though after that happened the world did not end. McLaren also has some more fun cars coming in addition to the SUV, including the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mclaren-w1-hypercar-revealed-1235895890/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">W1 hypercar</a> next year, a coupé in 2027, a replacement for the 750S, and a replacement for the GTS. McLaren’s kitchen is cooking.

McLaren

McLaren’s First SUV Is Coming in 2028: Report

Few properties in Hong Kong capture the city’s duality of old-world grandeur and modern sophistication quite like <a href="https://www.niccolohotels.com/en/the-murray-hong-kong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel</a>. Step through the brass-handled doors, and a quiet calm lands, from the stillness of corridors and the hush of a suite high above the city to the way sunlight lands on a marble surface.



The Murray, Hong Kong is, of course, no stranger to those who know the city. A familiar silhouette perched on leafy Cotton Tree Drive, the property was awarded one Michelin Key in 2025 and enjoys the unique distinction as the city’s sole member of the Leading Hotels of the World. An architectural marvel, the former government building was long admired for its distinctive arches and forward-thinking design. In a city where heritage buildings are rarely given second lives, its transformation was nothing short of remarkable.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803956" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Lobby-Day-HiRes-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Built in 1969, the building was reimagined by acclaimed architectural firm Foster + Partners, and today, the hotel remains a benchmark in thoughtful restoration. Its iconic white façade and three-storey arches were preserved, and the original recessed windows, now enlarged, frame views of the skyline and verdant Hong Kong Park, allowing natural light to flood the interiors while minimising solar heat gain. A new design language, one that speaks to discreet luxury, was introduced. Polished stone, stainless steel finishes in a signature “bronze,” and floor-to-ceiling windows reflect a refined design ethos. Its lobby’s soaring volumes, accented by curated art, offer a quiet contrast to Hong Kong’s relentless energy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803958" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Signature-Suite-Living-Day-City-View-HiRes-Copy-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



With 336 guestrooms and suites across 25 floors, The Murray, Hong Kong has some of the city’s most generously sized accommodations. Its light-filled Superior, Deluxe, Grand, and Grand Deluxe Rooms—ranging from 38 to 50 square metres—are each designed in calming earth tones and complete with smart tech and marble bathrooms. The Explorer and Signature Suites, both 75 square metres, feature living areas and views of the city or the park, while the Cotton Tree and Park Suites on the 23rd floor each measure 100 square metres, with sightlines over the lush greenery of the Botanical Gardens and Hong Kong Park.



The Penthouse Suite, at 125 square metres, makes for a high-altitude hideaway, but it’s the 225-square-metre Murray Suite that stands at the top of the collection, with a private fitness zone, an oversized bathroom, his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes, and panoramic vistas—an ideal sanctuary for those who expect only the exceptional.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803954" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Popinjays-Bar-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Popinjays.</figcaption></figure>



Restaurants here strike a rare balance between style and substance. Popinjays, the Italian rooftop restaurant and bar, features a wraparound terrace, with the kind of skyline-meets-Peak panorama you won’t find anywhere else. At midday, the room hums with deal-making over lunch, while weekends draw a Champagne-sipping crowd. At sunset, the vibe shifts again: Cocktails in hand, a stylish set gathers to watch the city light up.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803953" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-The-Tai-Pan-Hires-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Tai Pan.</figcaption></figure>



The Tai Pan brings a convivial energy to bistro dining, its open kitchen crackling with activity. Chefs carve and plate with flair, while the terrace sets the scene for sun-dappled lunches and easy-going dinners. Garden Lounge slows the pace, with windows facing the spire of St John’s Cathedral. It’s the go-to for afternoon tea, daytime bites, and Cantonese dinners. When the sun dips low, the rhythm shifts again—Murray Lane is an after-dark hideaway, where highballs are poured with precision and the whisky list runs deep.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803955" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Garden-Lounge-HiRes-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Garden Lounge.</figcaption></figure>



The Murray, Hong Kong trades cookie-cutter fitness centres for something far more considered. The 17-metre pool feels like a hidden lane—perfect for morning laps or late-afternoon floats. In the gym, Technogym equipment is just the beginning; personalised training can be arranged for those who want more than a quick workout, while an in-room guide points guests toward nearby running trails and nourishing menus.



The spa, overlooking the park, brings everything gently into balance. With just four suites—two designed for couples and outfitted with their own steam room or sauna—treatments here are bespoke, down to the custom-blended oils and fine-tuned techniques. It’s a city escape made for slowing down, stretching out and staying just a little longer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803965" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THE-MURRAY-Murray-Lane-Bar-HiRes-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Murray Lane.</figcaption></figure>



Events at The Murray, Hong Kong are as meticulous as every other detail. The Niccolo Room sets the bar for gatherings in the city—an expansive space where wall panels slide back to reveal LED display walls and 65-inch screens. Designed for flexibility, the room can be opened up for glittering galas and weddings or discreetly divided into up to eight spaces for events such as launches and panels. The Cassia Rooms, each seating up to 20, are sophisticated settings for boardroom meetings. Softened by natural light, these rooms bring a rare sense of calm above the city, where the focus stays exactly where it should: in the room.



The Murray, Hong Kong doesn’t just bridge past and present—it makes both feel new. Spaces flow, light lingers, and the city slips into the background. What’s left is something rare: a hotel that moves to its own rhythm and invites you to do the same.



Learn more about The Murray, Hong Kong at <a href="https://www.niccolohotels.com/en/the-murray-hong-kong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">niccolohotels.com/en/the-murray-hong-kong</a>.

Hong Kong

hotel

The Murray

Inside The Murray, Hong Kong, a Landmark Reimagined in the Heart of Central

South Korea

The Hanok Heritage

Experience the Art of Rest and the Grace of Korean Hospitality at The Hanok Heritage

Chris Godfrey has an approach to design that transcends the superficial allure of glittering extravagance, focusing instead on the intrinsic connection between a property and its locale. In an exclusive conversation with Robb Report Hong Kong during his sojourn in Hong Kong for the <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/leaders-of-luxury-summit-2025-speakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders of Luxury Summit 2025</a>, the co-CEO of HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associates) sheds light on his philosophy, revealing how he and his team create spaces that resonate deeply with their surroundings whilst seamlessly forging emotional bonds with guests.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
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Godfrey’s journey into the realm of luxury design is marked by an unwavering commitment to understanding the cultural nuances of each project. “For me, any project needs to be of its place,” he says, emphasising the importance of being deeply rooted in the specific characteristics of a location. A commitment such as this is particularly vital in a global firm like HBA, which operates across 50 countries, each with its own unique identity. By thoroughly analysing the physical and cultural context of a site, Godfrey and his team ensure that each design is a reflection of the local environment, traditions, and narratives.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803935" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-The-Delmore-Residences-Miami-USA-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Delmore.</figcaption></figure>



Dialogues about emotional connection is central to Godfrey’s design ethos. He believes that the luxury experience is profoundly enriched when hospitality environments celebrate and frame their context. In a resort setting, for instance, the focus shifts towards enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape, as “the experience is derived from what is already there,” he explains, advocating for a design philosophy that respects and amplifies existing elements rather than imposing an alien aesthetic. Even in urban settings, where the unique characteristics of a neighbourhood can inspire a bespoke hospitality offering that resonates with both locals and visitors, the same principles apply.



As Godfrey reflects on his early projects, he notes that a successful design emerges from a complex creative process that ultimately yields a seemingly simple outcome. He likens this to cooking, where raw ingredients undergo a transformative journey to create a harmonious dish—this analogy resonates with his belief that a successful design must undergo an in-depth exploration of context before arriving at an authentic expression. “If the outcome is evident and born out of that authenticity, it will be irrefutably correct,” he asserts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803936" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Tulum-Riviera-Maya-Mexico-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya.</figcaption></figure>



Sustainability, too, plays a crucial role in Godfrey’s design philosophy. Whilst the term has become a buzzword in recent years, he has long championed an ecological approach to design. His commitment to integrating nature and using sustainable materials is not a recent trend but part of a 20-year journey. Godfrey’s experience with the largest solid timber structure in the world exemplifies this approach, showcasing how the materiality of a project can contribute to its sustainability without compromising design integrity. “It was an entire approach to sustainability,” he recalls, highlighting the importance of considering a building’s lifecycle from inception to execution. While the business and industry lean heavily towards what the client wants—sometimes with often differing priorities—Godfrey navigates the challenges of advocating for sustainable practices with conviction. He understands that while some clients may initially resist, demonstrating the long-term benefits of eco-friendly materials often shifts perspectives. “If you can demonstrate that the green aspects positively impact efficiency and cost, clients are more inclined to embrace those ideas,” he says, as conviction can overcome any obstacles in the path. Strategic alignment with client interests not only fosters a collaborative atmosphere but also aligns with the broader ambition of creating spaces that embody a commitment to environmental responsibility.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803937" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Conrad-Jiuzhaigou-China-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Conrad Jiuzhaigou.</figcaption></figure>



As cups of coffee are brought in, the conversation shifts towards the future of HBA as the firm adapts its design philosophy to meet the demands of emerging markets. Godfrey acknowledges that each geography presents unique challenges and opportunities, particularly in regions such as the Middle East, where HBA has successfully reframed its approach to luxury design. “In Saudi Arabia, for example, we’ve evolved into master planners and landscape designers first, then architects and interior designers,” he explains, allowing HBA to engage more deeply with projects from the outset to ensure that the design process is both comprehensive and contextually relevant. Yet, amidst the challenges of navigating diverse markets, Godfrey remains steadfast in his belief that luxury is fundamentally about creating an emotional connection with guests. He defines luxury not as mere extravagance but as a feeling of peace and comfort. “When we close our eyes and think about that moment in luxury, it’s often about feeling at one with our surroundings,” he muses.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803911" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/leaders-of-luxury-chris-godfrey-hba-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In Godfrey’s eyes, legacy not as a finite concept but as a dynamic process of evolution. “We’re always looking for what we will do next,” he affirms, embracing a perpetual motion that defines HBA’s ethos. As the firm continues to expand into new territories and embrace fresh challenges, Godfrey’s commitment to authenticity, emotional connection, and sustainability remains unwavering especially since the industry is often dominated by fleeting trends, superficial glamour, ersatz extravagance. Godfrey’s vision for luxury hospitality resonates with depth and sincerity, as no two projects resemble a cookie-cutter version of another. By championing a design philosophy rooted in cultural context and emotional connection, he is not only redefining what it means to create luxury spaces but also paving the way for a more conscientious approach to hospitality design.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803934" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBA-Chedi-Xinchang-China-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Chedi Xinchang.</figcaption></figure>



Well, what is luxury to him, then? “Where does the light come from? How does it fall on this table? How does it make you feel good?” Godfrey questions. “These are the tenets of luxury—the quintessential, the essential. Whatever one does, if you get the skeleton correct—straight, true, symmetrical—the skin will always be beautiful. Whatever you add is merely embellishment. Luxury lies in those additional layers, the garnishes, but the inherent quality must remain. If the skeleton is created, you can paint it white and it will still be beautiful.”

Chris Godfrey

Hirsch Bedner Associates

HBA’s Chris Godfrey on Crafting Luxury and His Vision For Authenticity in Design

It’s been all eyes on Aman since the initial announcement of its first “hotel on water” a little more than four years ago—then labelled <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/first-look-project-sama-amans-new-superyacht-concept-is-a-hotel-on-water" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Project Sama</a>—but now, <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/aman-amangati-superyacht-launch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amangati</a> is inching ever closer to its maiden voyage with the unveiling of its inaugural Mediterranean itineraries.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803897" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.amanatsea.com/amangati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aman at Sea</a> is now accepting reservations for the debut season of Amangati, taking ocean exploration to the next level with curated yachting <a href="https://www.amanatsea.com/voyages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journeys</a> ranging from five to eight nights. Amangati will traverse the Mediterranean, sailing along the French Riviera, the Balearic, the Adriatic, the Ionian, and the Aegean to reach such destinations as Portofino, Livorno, Naples, Genoa, La Spezia, Salerno, Capri, Valletta, Dubrovnik, Šibenik, Corfu, Kalamata, Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Bodrum, and Istanbul, and even lesser-accessed ports like Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Ashore, guests will be whisked off on bespoke, concierge-led itineraries designed around cultural, artistic, and historical attractions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803896" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Selora-Marina-Aerial-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Certain expeditions will also be tied to major entertainment and sporting events in the global calendar, like the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in June—just imagine pulling up to these happenings in an Aman yacht. Remarkably, Amangati has also been granted rare access to cross Venice’s famous canals on its way to open water, allowing for an exclusive experience within the historic Italian lagoons.



7 May 2027 is the big day: Amangati will depart on its first voyage, sailing for six nights from Palma de Mallorca to Nice, with stops in Mahón, Barcelona, Palamós, Marseille, and Saint-Tropez along the way, revealing the wonders of Moorish and Catalonian cultures.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803893" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Aman-at-Sea-Interior-Credit-SINOT-Yacht-Architecture-Design-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Aboard Amangati, it’s not just about where you’ll go, but how you’ll get there. Aman’s ultra-luxurious guest experience extends to the seas with this 180-metre, nine-deck, 47-suite yacht—and it’s sure to be a stunner when it hits the water next year. Sinot Yacht Architecture &amp; Design skilfully translates Aman’s distinctive brand principles of exclusivity, tranquillity, authenticity, and privacy to achieve a timeless, maritime expression of the signature Aman lifestyle. More superyacht than cruise ship, Amangati is rooted in minimalism and takes its architectural cues from traditional ryokan inns, linking its aesthetics to Aman’s three properties in Japan to channel a similar zen atmosphere.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803891" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803891" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Suite-1-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803892" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803892" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Accommodation-Grand-Suite-05-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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You will be one among just 94 guests, in accommodations that range from an intimate 68 square metres to a palatial 354 square metres, all with individual terraces for those slow moments of appreciating the views on the horizon. In terms of the crème de la crème, the Aman Suite is second to none. A private lift will transport you to this floating residence on the stern of the vessel, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, generous living and dining spaces, an expansive bedroom, a bathroom dressed in marble, a personal bar, a spawling outdoor deck with sun loungers and a whirlpool, a treatment room, and a sauna. Dedicated suite hosts support guests throughout the trip, delivering seamless, intuitive service.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803885" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803885" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Spa-Wellness-Room-04-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aman Spa.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803894" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803894" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-Pool-01-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pool.</figcaption></figure>
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With all of this within reach, one could happily pass the hours without ever leaving the Aman Suite, but there are numerous good reasons to. As anticipated, the experience aboard Amangati is designed to feel like that of an Aman hotel or resort. Naturally, wellness is an integral component, even at sea. At the 1,190-square-metre Aman Spa, expert practitioners and therapists will do their best work across eight ocean-facing treatment rooms with private terraces, showers, and open-air whirlpool baths. On top of that, the Aman Spa also includes a Medi Spa, a Beauty Lounge, a banya, a hammam, a fitness studio, and a yoga and meditation deck with two shallow pools. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803886" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803886" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Akari-Hiori-02-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Akari and Hiori.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803887" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803887" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Alira-03-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alira.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803888" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803888" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Exterior-06-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Jazz Bar.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234803889" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803889" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Amangati-Aman-at-Sea-FB-Jazz-Bar-Interior-01-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Jazz Bar.</figcaption></figure>
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Dining aboard Amangati reflects the season and destination. Alira evokes sun-drenched flavours from coastal cuisines all around the Mediterranean; Aman Grill celebrates the art of open-flame cooking through an alluring white-tablecloth experience. Honouring the design theme, teppanyaki and washoku dishes are served at Hiori and Akari. Postprandial unwinding takes place at The Jazz Club, The Bar at Aman Grill, the Sake Bar, or the Pool Bar. In-suite dining is available around the clock as well, if that floats your boat.



Learn more about Amangati and reserve your next maritime adventure <a href="https://www.amanatsea.com/amangati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



All images courtesy of Aman/Sinot Yacht Architecture &amp; Design.

Aman

Aman at Sea

Amangati

mediterranean

Hong Kong Exclusive: Aman Unveils Its Inaugural Mediterranean Itineraries For Amangati

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/orient-express/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orient Express</a> hasn’t even set sail yet, but that hasn’t stopped it from rolling out ambitious plans for the future.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/orient-express-cruise-ship-launch-1234794550/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Accor brand</a> has just announced a new collection of itineraries for 2027, with yachts <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/orient-express-corinthian-largest-sailing-yacht-debut-1236844086/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corinthian</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/orient-express-sailing-yacht-olympian-2027-launch-1237369808/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olympian</a> set to cover new territory in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.



The 722-foot Corinthian, a.k.a. the world’s largest <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sailing-yacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sailing yacht</a>, will take to the seas in June 2026 for an <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/maiden-voyage-orient-express-corinthian-set-for-june-1236326614/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">initial season</a> of cruising through the Med and the Caribbean, including routes of the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera, and the Adriatic. It will be joined by its 721-foot sistership, Olympian, in 2027, with both vessels taking guests on new voyages through Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-paros-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803999" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-paros-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-paros-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-paros-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-paros.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One itinerary includes a stop at the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. Orient Express</figcaption></figure>



One Med adventure runs from Piraeus, Greece, across the Aegean and the Sporades to Istanbul, Turkey; another kicks off in Valletta, Malta, winds through the Ionian Sea before finishing up in Piraeus. As for the UK, the first trip begins on the Thames in London, then follows the south coast of England to Torquay and Cowes, before heading to Saint-Malo and Honfleur in France. The second starts in London, then traces Britain’s eastern coastline to Edinburgh, Scotland, before heading further north to Norway and Denmark. The third actually begins in Copenhagen, Denmark, follows the Norwegian Coast to the North Sea, then continues to Scotland and London.



As with previous journeys, each new route will capitalise on favourable winds to reduce environmental impact. Both ships are equipped with a SolidSail propulsion system that includes three masts with a total sail surface area of nearly 50,000 square feet. Designed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the innovative setup enables the masts to be tilted and rotated to maximise the wind, thereby reducing fuel consumption, lowering operating costs, cutting emissions, and increasing efficiency.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-istanbul-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803998" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-istanbul-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-istanbul-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-istanbul-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/orient-express-sailing-yacht-istanbul.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Another adventure includes a stop in Istanbul, Turkey. Orient Express</figcaption></figure>



Guests will travel in the lap of luxury, too: Designed by Orient Express artistic director Maxime d’Angeac, the interiors of Corinthian and Olympian reflect the golden age of rail travel and ocean cruising in chic, contemporary decor. Each yacht offers up only 54 suites with private terraces and/or panoramic windows. The vessels also feature restaurants by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno and spas by Guerlain, meaning guests can relax and recharge after their curated cultural encounters.



You can reserve your journey today via the <a href="https://www.orient-express.com/en/sailing-yachts/itineraries" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orient Express website</a>.

Corinthian

Olympian

Orient Express

Orient Express Corinthian

Orient Express Olympian

Orient Express’s Massive Sailing Yachts Will Head to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in 2027