From the catwalk to Hollywood Hills: the Mercedes-Benz 600 has been a symbol of glamour and luxury for the past six decades. This classic from the sixties, which continues to dominate with its charm, has been driven by some of the world’s biggest pop stars and design icons. mercedes-benz.com/grandmercedes GRAND PERSONALITY GRAND MERCEDESAhead of its time: the Grand Mercedes turned heads when it made its debut in 1963. The limousine is powered by the first V8 motor in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Technical innovations such as comfort hydraulics and an adjustable steering wheel have shaped much of what is taken for granted today. mercedes-benz.com/grandmercedes GRAND ENGINEERING GRAND MERCEDES6 LIFES TYLE+TRAVEL | IS SUE 104 | VOL UME 1 | J AN - MAR 20 2 4 13 CONCIERGE Keep yourself informed with the festival updates, regional announcements, on the ground and up on high. 20 THE BUZZ 22 GARUDA MUSEUM The Garuda, a half-human and half-eagle deity said to have been sent by mythical gods to protect the people of Thailand, is the national symbol of Thailand and well-embedded in the country's culture. 16 P. 36 P. 26 BHUTAN’S YEAR-ROUND FESTIVALS Bhutan, resplendent with culture as well as nature, has a calendar filled with festivals to enjoy the whole year round. 32 COME SPA WITH ME AT ANANTARA KOH YAO YAI RESORT & VILLAS 36 THE SPOTLIGHT: JOONG ARCHEN58 LIFESTYLE +TRAVEL AWARDS 2023 EVENT 89 THE FEAST 90 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON SEOUL PANGYO 92 PRU 94 JAMPA 96 CIELO AND SAT AT TRISARA 98 THE JOURNEY 100 FRESH FACE OF NEW ZEALAND A list of newly-opened and top-rated attractions in New Zealand to help you plan for extraordinary explorations in 2024. 106 FROM JAKARTA TO BALI: Embracing the Cultural Marvels of Indonesia. 110 COME SLEEP WITH ME 112 ANANTARA KOH YAO YAI RESORT & VILLAS: GRANDEUR ESCAPE 114 LE MÉRIDIEN PHUKET MAI KHAO BEACH RESORT: WHERE ELEGANCE HARMONISES WITH TRANQUIL SUNSETS 116 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON SEOUL PANGYO: SUPREME STAY IN SEOUL 118 BEST WESTERN PREMIER AGUNG RESORT UBUD: AN INVITATION TO SERENITY IN UBUD 120 CLUB MED KIRORO GRAND: WHIMSICAL WINTER 122 DEVASOM KHAO LAK RESORT: ESCAPE TO THE ABODE OF ANGELS 124 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL SUKHUMVIT BANGKOK: DOUBLE THE JOY 106 P. 126 WYNDHAM GRAND NAI HARN BEACH PHUKET: FROM BEAUTY TO SERENITY 128 BEST WESTERN SENAYAN: YOUR GATEWAY TO JAKARTA'S BEST EXPERIENCES 130 NEXT DESTINATION: KASHIMA OTARU, JAPAN 122 P. 8Next >