With plenty of new launches and openings, February is shaping up to be quite the happening month on the lifestyle front. Making a buzz as of late is the opening of the Louis Vuitton artisanal chocolate store, Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric, at Marina Bay Sands—the first in Asia. It’s an exciting time for travel too, with the official opening of the new Conrad Singapore Orchard, and the Belmond Train arriving on our shores again after four years. Meanwhile, for motoring enthusiasts, the new Range Rover Velar has also been unveiled to showcase a seamless blend of sleek design and advanced technology.
Louis Vuitton opens an artisanal chocolate shop in Marina Bay Sands
Since 2022, renowned pastry chef Maxime Frédéric’s partnership with the fashion house has seen Louis Vuitton cafés and chocolate shops popping up in Paris and Courchevel. Now, Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric has arrived in Asia for the first time, bringing with it an assortment of chocolates inspired by the codes of Louis Vuitton and packaged in the maison’s emblematic boxes. Situated in Marina Bay Sands, within the Louis Vuitton store, the new shop is an opulent enclave featuring elegant undulating counters and warm wood interiors. The maison’s signature trunks and motifs line every corner, but taking centre stage is a varied range of handcrafted chocolates made with an incredible level of expert savoir-faire—reflecting Louis Vuitton’s own craftsmanship process.
The Normandy-native Frédéric meticulously handpicks each and every raw ingredient that goes into these treats, sourcing from a collection of small, eco-conscious farms that prioritise process over production. These include brightly coloured eggs and a unique breed of hazelnut (smaller, but more intense in flavour) from his own farm, milk from a close friend’s dairy farm in Normandy, and cocoa from small-scale farmers in Vietnam, Peru, Madagascar, Dominican Republic and São Tome (chosen for their specific aroma by master French chocolatier Nicolas Berger). The results speak for themselves—in one genuinely awe-inspiring work of edible art, Vivienne pirouettes atop a trunk with the twist of a chocolate key, aided by intricate gear mechanisms crafted entirely out of chocolate. Amongst the more everyday items is a standout, irresistibly crunchy non-conched dark chocolate Damier tablet, or the unexpected favourite: a particularly luscious jarred concoction of chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla spread. Whether for a special gift or as a treat for yourself—we can’t think of anything more indulgent.
Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric, Louis Vuitton Island Maison, 2 Bayfront Avenue B1, Shop 36, Singapore 018972
The new Conrad Singapore Orchard opens its doors
Amid the bustle of our city, the new Conrad Orchard Singapore is a welcome respite. Taking over the former Regent Singapore, the new addition to the Conrad brand breathes fresh life into the property, transforming rooms and facilities with a modern touch. The suites take their design cues from nature, with subtle botanical motifs and calming hues of sand, cream and green infusing the space with an air of welcoming tranquillity. But what makes for a truly luxurious stay are the subtle but thoughtful details in the room: Byredo bath products, a Dyson hairdryer in a sleek leather case and a dedicated filtered water tap at the minibar.
New facilities and experiences put rejuvenation front and centre. Daily morning intention sessions by the pool feature a range of fitness and wellness classes to start the day on the right note, while an edible garden walk invites guests to rediscover Singapore’s nature-rich landscape in a new light. There are plenty of incredible dining options for guests to indulge in throughout the day—from barrel-aged cocktails at Manhattan to an Italian buffet with an impressive cheese room at Basilico. And when the day’s done, a sleep-to-wake ritual guarantees a night of utter relaxation—with a pre-sleep tea crafted from local botanicals, an in-room guided sound bath and an extensive pillow menu to ensure that rest is as comfortable as it can possibly be.
Conrad Singapore Orchard, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715
Belmond embarks on a journey through Southeast Asia after four years
A palace on wheels awaits—and it’s closer than you think. The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, is back on track in Southeast Asia after a palpable four-year hiatus. Epitomising slow travel, the luxurious sleeper train outfitted in rich cherry wood and plush bedding will take its passengers on a spellbinding journey through the region, from the verdant green of Wild Malaysia to the glittering coastal waters of Langkawi. Look forward to lounging in the open-air Observation Car, which is poised to be the best spot for enjoying the breeze and taking in the scenic landscape before you.Expect to be treated to gastronomic excellence, as Michelin-starred chef André Chiang has been appointed culinary curator and will be bringing his extensive expertise on board. Think modern reinterpretations of authentic Southeast Asian dishes, like a Laksa Bouillabaisse or a Jungle Spices Cacao Ganache. The beverage menu will be no less impressive—featuring champagnes from Veuve Clicquot and an array of designer cocktails inspired by the botanicals of the region.
Book a journey here.
The Range Rover Velar is a seamless blend of sleek design and advanced technology
The first thing that struck us about the Range Rover Velar was the ease of getting around with it. This mid-size luxury SUV navigates tight turns like a pro and its excellent Park Assist system ensures you are in any parking lot within seconds. For those who enjoy the deafening silence of a cruise on expressways, the cosseting cabin of the Range Rover Velar thoughtfully minimises road noise with its Active Road Noise Cancellation technology. This makes it the quietest vehicle in its class for road noise—it senses external frequencies and processes an anti-noise through the vehicle’s audio system.
On the exterior, the Range Rover Velar is a head-turner on the roads. The new grille and characteristic floating roof are lustrous on all fronts, while the super-slim Pixel LED headlights lend an updated look and optimised visibility. Inside, its infotainment system in the form of a large, shiny glass panel does your bidding, whether it’s changing up your music playlist or adjusting the air-conditioning temperature. You also have the option of 30 interior colours to illuminate different parts of the cabin, and a Cabin Air Purification Plus system for superior air quality on your drives. For those who prefer to stray away from leather, Range Rover Velar’s leather-free option is commendable, as it fuses wool from Danish textile experts Kyadrat with Ultrafabrics polyurethane textile inserts, which are sublime in finish and 58 percent lighter than leather.
Find out more about the Range Rover Velar here.
