The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts open the door to a world-spanning selection of new experiences to enjoy as we enter a new year and a new decade. Even in extremely popular destinations, there’s always something new to discover – some secret setting or unexplored nook which can offer a whole new perspective on a well-trodden path. The guest experience teams at each Pavilions Hotel or Resort uncover secret and hidden places to explore.
Not every new experience for the new decade has to be something that is completely new to travellers, either. Travel is more about expanding your own personal horizons than it is about being the first to set foot in some unexplored frontier, as they say “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”. What better time is there to do something you have never done before than now?
With the comfort and first-class service provided by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, these experiences need not involve sleeping rough and taking risks. Instead, you can enjoy them in safety and style. Check out what unique experiences await you around the world.
In’t aepjen
Amsterdam
Not many bars in the world can claim a history that goes back as far as 1519, and fewer still can claim to be the cause of a popular saying in the local language. In‘t Aepjen is both, and yet remains one of Amsterdam’s best-kept secrets. The name became synonymous with spending a night sleeping rough after sailors of the Dutch East India Company blew all of their money in the bar and ended up having to sleep with rather undesirable bedmates.
The name actually translates as “in the monkeys” and came from the fact that the sailors would bring pet monkeys back from far-off lands and, once they were out of money, would pay their tab with the simian. Inevitably, the bar ended up with a considerable collection and the penniless patrons end up sleeping off their excesses with the monkeys. When the number of fleas started making the bar uncomfortable, the monkeys were relocated to what is now Amsterdam Zoo. Instead of drunken sailors, the historic bar now has a more refined clientele and is considered one of the more romantic watering holes in the city. It’s only a 5-minute traditional Dutch bicycle ride from The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren and it’s well worth dropping in for an utterly unique nightlife experience.
Head Butler, Pak Mull’s, Local Village Experience
Bali, Indonesia
The stunning and varied landscape of Bali has been on many a bucket list for many a year. From the world-renown surf and beaches on the coast or the glorious waterfalls and rice terraces inland, there’s plenty to see throughout Indonesia’s most famous island. However, for a true experience of Bali, you need to visit one of the native villages with The Pavilions Bali’s head butler and see some of the traditional ways of life in his local village, The full-day Village Experience with head butler, Pak Mull, offers just that.
The tour starts with a visit to the Jatiluwih rice terraces. They were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site not only for their beauty, but also for the remarkable ingenuity evident in their creation, turning barren valley walls into verdant farmland using only ancient tools and techniques. From there, you visit the forest temple of Batu Karu before reaching the village of Pak Mull. Here, you will see how a traditional Balinese family compound is built in harmony with the laws of the cosmos and the Hindu religion. You can enjoy a tasty local lunch with a village family before seeing the typical labours of the day – some of them centuries-old. These include rice planting and palm sugar making. The Pavilions Bali is tucked away amid a magnificent tropical garden yet just a short walk from all that the charming seaside town of Sanur has to offer. It can be tempting to retreat into your own private villa hideout and stay there, but discovering Pak Mulls village gives guests a great excuse to head out and find adventure.
Nepal Hosts Amazing Events in 2020
Nepal
Events to look out for include the colourful Holi in March, with pomp and circumstance later in the month during Ghode Jatra, then Nepali New Year in April, the grand ceremonies for Buddha’s birthday in May and the week-long party that is Dashain in October. And that’s just the traditional events! Watch out the highest ever game of ice hockey in February, the tattoo festival in April, the Everest Marathon in May and many more special events and conferences throughout the year.
Nestled in the natural paradise of a lushly forested valley and set against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan mountain range, The Pavilions Himalayas is a truly eco-sensitive luxury resort that gives back to the local community. Breathe, hike, explore the beauty of Nepal beyond your expectations. Set on our organic farm, guests enjoy the natural beauty of Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna Himalayas. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, you’re sure to find something going on and you’re sure to find The Pavilions Himalayas ready to accommodate you.
Local Farming in Phuket
Phuket, Thailand
While Thailand is a country with a fascinating history and many long-held traditions, nowhere shows that better than Phuket. The country’s largest island has a beautiful historic Old Town and a remarkable number of museums, including some living ones. Phuket Local Farm is one such living museum, showcasing old-fashioned farming techniques like rice cultivation, rubber tapping and pineapple farming. They even still use trained monkeys to collect coconuts. Between relaxing visits to any of Phuket’s many beaches (about 40 in total), enjoy a peaceful ride around about 4 hectares of traditionally farmed land in the north of the island. You can ride a cart drawn by a buffalo as you see the traditional methods in action and enjoy tasty Thai cuisine crafted from the fruits of those labours. Julia, the Guest Experience Manager can personally escort you on this private tour from The Pavilions Phuket.
Corral de la Moreria Experience
Madrid, Spain
The Corral de la Moreria is one of the oldest tablaos in the Spanish capital, having opened in 1956. Almost immediately, its exuberant dinner show because of an internationally renowned attraction, drawing in celebrities of the day from across the globe. Those who have enjoyed the fine food and energetic flamenco dancing have included actors like Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth and Charlton Heston as well as political figures like John F. Kennedy and Carlos Menem. Even after more than 60 years in operation, the amazing nightly performances at Corral de la Moreria continue to draw infamous patrons. More recent names to grace the guest list have included Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Rob Schneider and plenty of others. The names of those up on stage is no less star-studded to those who know the world of flamenco, including the likes of Isabel Pantoja, La Chunga, Antonio Gades and more. Isn’t it about time you added your name to the list of those who have enjoyed this outstanding Madrid nightlife experience
The Corral de la Moreria is one of the oldest tablaos in the Spanish capital, having opened in 1956. Almost immediately, its exuberant dinner show because of an internationally renowned attraction, drawing in celebrities of the day from across the globe. Those who have enjoyed the fine food and energetic flamenco dancing have included actors like Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth and Charlton Heston as well as political figures like John F. Kennedy and Carlos Menem. Even after more than 60 years in operation, the amazing nightly performances at Corral de la Moreria continue to draw infamous patrons. More recent names to grace the guest list have included Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Rob Schneider and plenty of others. The names of those up on stage is no less star-studded to those who know the world of flamenco, including the likes of Isabel Pantoja, La Chunga, Antonio Gades and more. Isn’t it about time you added your name to the list of those who have enjoyed this outstanding Madrid nightlife experience
Villa Borghese
Rome, Italy
Villa Borghese is at once the green lung of Rome and one of the best art collections in the world. A popular park on Pincian Hill, not far from the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo, the Villa Borghese Gardens cover an area of 80 hectares and has a naturalistic English style that was designed in the 19th century. The Gardens were first created in 1606, when Cardinal Scipione Borghese converted an old vineyard into the most extensive gardens in Rome. To this day, 414 years later, they remain a place of peace and tranquillity in the heart of the Italian capital.
The cardinal also commissioned the construction of the Villa Borghese Pinciana. The extremely elegant building that now houses the Galleria Borghese, which contains hundreds of remarkable paintings and sculptures – a must-see for those with an interest in art and history. The First Roma Arte by The Pavilions is right next to the Villa Borghese, and the concierge knows a thing or two about art, just look around the hotel!
