Sandra‘s Closet

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, announced that it has taken over the management of CastaDiva Resort & Spa, an existing resort on Lake Como, Italy. The property will be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como in spring 2019 following a refurbishment of facilities. This will be Mandarin Oriental’s first resort in Western Europe and will complement the Group’s Milan hotel.

Located on the shores of Lake Como, and surrounded by lush botanic parkland, the resort is a landmark of historic importance, comprising 76 spacious rooms and suites housed in nine villas, dating from the 19th Century. Two of the villas will be bookable in their entirety giving guests their own private retreat. Almost all accommodation has lake views that can be enjoyed from either a balcony or terrace. The resort features four restaurants and bars, including a lakeside terrace for al fresco dining, a large spa with an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor floating pool on the lake. There is also a variety of social and meeting facilities in the resort’s grounds.

Lake Como has been a popular travel destination for centuries, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful resort areas in northern Italy. The lake is surrounded by villas, gardens and villages and offers visitors a wealth of scenic views, hiking trails, boating and other water activities. It is easily accessed from Milan Malpensa airport.

CastaDiva Resort & Spa was acquired in 2017 by funds managed by Attestor Capital LLP, a value-oriented investment manager with a long-term investment horizon, based in London and primarily focused on investing in Europe.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental

Raised in Germany, England and France, Jasmin Khezri studied at the renowned Parsons School of Design in Paris and Los Angeles and went on to become one of the youngest award winning art directors in Europe. Besides a successful career in magazines and retail, she became famous for her unique illustration style and especially for IRMA, the famous character with big eyes and French-fries legs that you might know from mytheresa.com besides many other things. It took Jasmin more than 7 years to develop her look in a complete way. Today, she shares her insider scoop on Munich in Germany with us.

Your favourite city?
I enjoy living in MUNICH during the week and for the weekend I like to go to the countryside. That is the best part of the city…

Your favourite hotel?
I like the LOUIS HOTEL right at the Viktualien Markt and in the morning I either enjoy breakfast in their restaurant daydreaming while looking apon the merchants getting ready for the day or go around the food market which has all the delicacies you are dreaming off for breakfast.
Viktualienmarkt 6, 80331 Munich, Phone :+49 89 41119080

The MANDARIN ORIENTAL is great if you want to have dinner at their newly opened restaurant NOBU and drop right into bed afterwards.
Neuturmstrasse 1, 80331 Munich, Phone:+49 89 290980

Your favourite restaurant?
In Munich I dine at THERESA and like to go next door to THERESA BAR for an after dinner vodka. You will be surprised what you will find behind a very common house facade, a true jewel of  interior design.
Theresienstrasse 29, 80333 Munich, Phone: +49 89 28803301

On a rainy Saturday in winter I have lunch at LA OSTERIA ITALIANA and order a Bollito Misto, sitting in their Italian room.
Schellingstrasse 62, 80799 Munich, Phone :+49 89 2720717

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
For Techno/Deep House, ROTE SONNE and KONG, for Hip Hop Downtown Flash and for a chilled night with friends for drinks JAMES T. HUNT, KISMET, GOLDENE BAR (photo above) and BEVERLY KILLS.
Rote Sonne, Maximilianspl. 5, 80333 Munich, Phone:+49 89 55263330
Kong, Prielmayerstr. 6, 80335 Munich
James T. Hunt, Schellingstrasse 32, 80799 Munich, Phone:+49 89 27373038
Kismet, Löwengrube 10, 80333 Munich, Phone:+49 89 220352
Goldene Bar, Prinzregentenstrasse 1, 80538 Munich, Phone:+49 89 54804777
Beverly Kills, Müllerstrasse 43, 80469 Munich

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
HAUS DER KUNST (especially their guided tours made by IRMASWORLD.COM guest editor Marion von Schabrowsky) and ALTE PINAKOTHEK for the splendour and old masters.
Haus der Kunst, Prinzregentenstrasse 1, 80538 Munich, Phone: +49 89 21127113
Alte Pinakothek, Barer Str. 27, 80333 Munich, Phone: +49 89 23805216

KUNSTHALLE HYPO-VEREINSBANK for their very different exhibitions showing everything from Jean Paul Gaultier recently to JOAQUÍN SOROLLA now.
Fünf Höfe, Theatinerstrasse 8, 80333 Munich, Phone:+49 89 224412

Your favourite park?
The northern part of the ENGLISCHER GARTEN is almost deserted and you can almost go Military Horseback Riding without running into someone.

Your favourite shop?
In Munich I love to buy my food and beverages at DALLMAYR.
Dienerstrasse 14, 80331 Munich, Phone:+49 89 2135100

LODENFREY for special selected items, you can also buy small luxury presents designed by IRMA exclusively for Lodenfrey.
Maffeistrasse 7, 80333 Munich, Phone:+49 89 210390

I am very much into men’s shoes at the moment and I buy them at LUDWIG REITER.
Burgstrasse 8, 80331 Munich, Phone:+49 89 94301370

For coats and jackets (I have too many and still need more )I love the first floor of THERESA.
Maffeistrasse 3, 80333 Munich, Phone: +49 89 224845

Your must-have accessory?
My IRMA iPHONE COVER by Caseable, a very, very small handbag and an outstanding piece of ANTIQUE JEWELRY. You can wear everything separately but it can look very cool all mixed together.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
GIORGIO MORODER 1970 DISCO. Munich was one of the disco epicentres, just think of Donna Summer.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
Annette Kolb, DIE SCHAUKEL. Probably the best description of the bohemian art crowd in early 1900, the competing Prussian and French influence and the famous “Liberalitas Bavariae”.

Thank you, Jasmin, for sharing your insider scoop on Munich with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Ute Zscharnt, © Jasmin Khezri and via the different locations

The last stop of my trip through China was one of my favourite cities in the world: HONG KONG. This cultural melting pot offers a little of everything, from beaches to the best restaurants and nightlife, from culture to art and entertainment. As I know the metropole very well, I refrained from sightseeing and went on a shopping spree.

My look: Printed tee and sunglasses, both by Dolce & Gabbana, mid-rise cut-off denim shorts by Saint Laurent,coral Pashli medium leather bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim, criss-cross ankle strap sandals by Miu Miu and earrings by Gucci.

I stayed at the iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Built in 1963, as the famous chain’s first opening, this is one of the few hotels in this futuristic city with a history. Located in the heart of Central’s most fashionable shopping district, The Landmark, Harvey Nichols and many other luxury brands are just within walking distance. An absolute prime location with great service!

In the afternoon, I took the ferry to Kowloon, which is also quite the place for shopping lovers. Next to the Star Ferry pier is Harbour City, a gigantic mall in Tsim Sha Tsui. In the tiny side roads, you can also experience fascinating local shops and markets, such as the Ladies’ Market.

In the evening, I partied at the highest bar in the world – Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The stunning rooftop location provides a stylish venue for a glass of bubbly complimented by a picturesque bird’s eye view of Hong Kong. My absolute favourite spot!

My trip to China has come to an end. I arrived back in Zurich yesterday morning, filled with amazing memories. It was such a great experience but also quite exhausting. But I never stop… next week, I will be off to Iceland. Might not be the place to wear my shorts again though…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht