Ice Church '130 Arctic Sunsets' by Marinus Vroom, Marjoelin Vonk, Elin JulinPhoto: Christopher Hauser

BESPOKE TRAVEL

Rediscovered invites its members to fall in love with the

world all over again through its tailor-made experiences

and holidays, which fit like a glove.

THE ART OF

30 31

Southeast Asia Sailing Adventure32 33

Si Datu Bua Pink Beach

T here is no question that the way we travel is changing. Human beings are nomadic by nature and since as far back as history can take us, we have been searching for the next

adventure, for greener pastures, and the discovery of the undiscovered. Enter Rediscovered, a members-only bespoke premium luxury

hospitality and lifestyle travel company that operates a collection of meticulously curated residences and voyages in some of the world’s most coveted destinations – from a former palace in the heart of Florence to a restored colonial villa inside the historic walls of Galle Fort in Sri Lanka, an exquisite villa in the Maldives only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and beyond – Rediscovered offers its discerning clients truly unique tailor-made and unforgettable vacations and experiences.

Rediscovered’s ‘Signature Adventures’ programmes help members to access the world’s final frontiers with comfort and ease, from a five-day spiritual journey to Lhasa, one of the highest cities in the world at 3,200 metres above sea level to (for those willing to brave the snow), the Company’s ‘Winter at ICEHOTEL’ experience, which includes dogsledding, sleeping on reindeer skins and viewing the incredible Northern Lights. For the inner David Attenborough in anyone, Rediscovered also offers a Madagascar Discovery Adventure that allows members to explore all the weird and wonderful plant and animal species on the curious, isolated island.

But idyllic properties and wild adventures aside, it is the meticulous attention to detail and fully personal, customised service that places Rediscovered a cut above even the most luxurious five star hotels. “Even the tiniest details are taken care of,” says Eddy Liu, one of Rediscovered’s Member Experience Advisors based in Hong Kong. “For example, if one of our members is going to a ski resort, we will find out their sizes for shoes and clothes to arrange

all of their rental equipment beforehand. The idea is that they don’t have to lift a finger.”

Like a thoughtful friend, Rediscovered Member Experience Advisors go above and beyond to understand and get to know its members on a personal level. “We are not just sitting waiting for their call, we are actively engaged with our members on a regular basis. We are not travel agents; we consider ourselves more as travel designers. We assist our members based on our previous experiences with them and their travel history; we find out what they like and dislike and actively research who they are as unique individuals,” says Liu, adding that he works closely with a specialised Lifestyle Advisor.

Rediscovered members are also entitled to enjoy unprecedented access to and VIP treatment in their respective city’s most sought-after and exclusive events, whether it’s a red carpet extravaganza to VIP tickets to Formula 1 races, and even private tours of wineries and vineyards that do not normally allow commercial visitors. In a nutshell, there is always a way in for Rediscovered members.

“I had a guest who wanted to go to the famous Rock Bar in Bali, where there is always a huge line to get in, so I arranged VIP access for them and personally brought them there to make sure everything went smoothly and walked them to the best seat in the house,” says Veby Pattikawa, Destination Concierge for Rediscovered’s Bali operation. “Once they were happy and settled, I left them to enjoy the evening and arranged a car to pick them up whenever they were ready.” Pattikawa previously worked for The Four Seasons in both Ubud and Jimbaran and helped open the Ritz Carlton in Bahrain. “That’s where I learned a great deal about luxury hospitality,” she says of the latter. “The villas and hotel were owned by the Prime Minister, so we welcomed and looked after many royal guests.”

“We focus on the needs of our members and our service is extremely personalised. Before members arrive at a property, we go back and forth with them via email to understand their preferences, their likes and dislikes and design an itinerary – if they want one – and once they arrive, we sit down to confirm or make any necessary changes. They are on holiday so we don’t want them to have to think or worry about anything,” Pattikawa continues. “We are unobtrusive and have great respect for our guests’ privacy, but if they need us, we are there.”

Rediscovered’s Member Experience Advisors, like Liu, are constantly in contact with Concierges like Pattikawa, receiving detailed reports in order to fully understand each member’s individual needs and preferences whilst on holiday and to better tailor their future Rediscovered experiences. “We had a family with three young children come to stay with us and when they arrived, we learned that they were actually there for their son’s birthday. So on the morning of his birthday, we prepared a special surprise – the resident staff went to the market, where locals buy their daily offerings, at 5am to buy six kilos of f lower petals. They came back to the villa by 6am – the boy usually woke up around 7am to go swimming – and we used the petals to write ‘Happy Birthday Ethan’ on the lawn,” Pattikawa tells me with such excitement in her voice that you’d think it had only happened that morning. “His room was upstairs so when he opened the curtains, he saw the message straight away. He was so happy that he woke up the whole family and ran downstairs. He was a very quiet and shy boy, but he was so excited that he was almost in tears. Our property in Bali has about seven staff and we have become extremely close, like a family. When you have fun doing what you’re doing, that positive energy translates to your guests’ experience, and when they are happy, we are happy.”

PROPERTIES AND

WILD ADVENTURES ASIDE, IT IS THE

METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL

AND FULLY PERSONAL, CUSTOMISED

SERVICE THAT PLACES REDISCOVERED

A CUT ABOVE EVEN THE MOST

LUXURIOUS FIVE STAR HOTELS.

Idyllic

34 35