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CONCIERGEWhat’s hot, and what’s not

SORRY SUPER SPAS!In our haste to announce the winners of the 2008 Readers’ Choice

 Awards, we regrettably missed out one of the most prestigious awards

in our announcement last issue, that of Best Urban Spa Thailand. In a

city with more spas per head that any other city on earth, it was one

of the most widely contested in the awards and meant that only the

very best were short-listed. The results were as follows:

THE ULTIMATE PIT STOPSingapore’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the only night race in the

world, was a huge success last year, and bets are on that this year’s

event between September 25-27 is going to prove even more successful,

making a booking for the event truly essential. Created by the organisers

to cater for the lucky few, the Paddock Club, located in the pit building

above the team garages offers unparalleled and unobstructed views

as some of the sport’s fastest stars zip around the Marina Bay track.

With three day packages ranging from approximately USD 2,350-4,860

(excluding GST), it’s not cheap. But if you are looking to impress, then

it’s worth every penny. For more information, call +65 (0) 6731 5900 or

email hospitality@singaporegp.sg

BEST URBAN SPA THAILAND

WINNER:

Devarana Spa

at the Dusit Thani Bangkok

www.devaranaspa.comRUNNERS UP:

i.sawan Residential Spa & Club

at the Grand Hyatt Bangkok

www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.com

Harnn Heritage Spa, Bangkok

www.harnn.com

 A huge apology to Harnn Heritage

Spa, i.sawan Residential Spa &

Club and, of course, the 2008

winner Devarana Spa at the Dusit

 Thani, we tip our champagne

glasses to you all.

HADID INDEEDWhen the world renowned, Pritzker Prize winner

starchitect like Zaha Hadid wins a chance to create

an 85,000 sqm plaza in the heart of South Korea’s

fashion district, it sure will boost local fashion and

design industries.

Yes, Dongdaemun is having a grand makeover

party. Situated in the east of Seoul, the area is

bustling with countless merchants selling mainly

cheap clothing – authentic and knock-offs alike.

It’s a prime money-making spot. But Seoul’s

Mayor wants something more for the district: the

Dongdaemun Design Park and Plaza. A combination

of a large-scale park and a design complex, the

new architecture will replace the old Dongdaemun

Stadium and its surrounding area.

Among eight designs submitted by world famous

architects, Hadid’s Metonymic Landscape is the

champ. Seamlessly fusing architecture and nature,

with a sleek silver structure blending in with grassy

landscape, Hadid’s work represents the historical,

cultural and economic meanings of Dongdaemun.Its fluid design will also urge visitors to think beyond

boundaries to create innovative design solutions.

Indeed, that’s Hadid’s goal: to bring inspiration to

the people of Seoul.

Inspiring, it is. The Plaza will be the ultimate

resource for designers, housing a design

museum, library, and educational facilities. The

Park provides a green oasis filled with elements of 

traditional Korean garden. It will turn Seoul into a

greener city while offering Seoul urbanites a place

of leisure and refuge.

 And since Hadid is the first female architect to

receive the Nobel Prize-equivalent for architecture,

spending USD 246 million to build a new landmark

is no big deal. – Monsicha Hoonsuwan

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