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Nixon low appointed as Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Posted September 1, 2026 In his new capacity as Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Nixon will spearhead the hotel's culinary direction, overseeing its operations and development

Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam appoints Emmy Stoel as new General Manager. Posted On August 30, 2026 CPP-LUXURY Named Europe's best hotel general manager by the EHMA in 2023, Emmy Stoel is only the second Dutch national, and the second woman, to receive the title among the association's 24 recipients since its founding. Her career has been built across three Amsterdam addresses. She joined the Okura Amsterdam as banquets manager, working her way up through every level before taking over as general manager on January 1, 2013, then moved to the Sofitel Legend The Grand in June 2019, where she stayed until 2024. Most recently, Emmy Stoel was General Manager of InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest a position she took over in September 2025. Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam features 129 rooms and suites housed in a 19th-century former postal savings bank, later the Sweelinck Conservatory, then converted into a hotel by architect Piero Lissoni. Mandarin Oriental took over its operation under a management contract on January 14, as part of the agreement struck with the Akirov family, owner of the building, which also covered the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris. Renovations are continuing in phases, and the Netherlands' first Yotam Ottolenghi restaurant is set to open in the hotel's glass-roofed atrium.

Travel dupes: 10 European alternatives to long-haul destinations. Article by Christina Mendi Published 26th August 2026 From turquoise bays to spectacular mountain landscapes: these 10 far-flung dream destinations all have a European counterpart. For those on the continent, sometimes the most beautiful destination is closer than you think. Rising fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and safety concerns are currently reshaping the way people travel. According to the 2026 Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer, the desire to travel remains high - UK travellers topped the survey, with 84% still planning a holiday trip this year, against a European average of 77% - but safety and accessibility now play a bigger role in choosing a destination. That's why travel dupes are on trend. It's not about copying other destinations, but about rediscovering a similar mood, landscape or way of life - with a shorter journey, lower costs and a surprising amount of authenticity. Our experts. Caroline Bremner is an internationally recognised expert in the travel and tourism industry. The Scottish-born analyst combines rigorous market research with strategic foresight. Francesco Cefalu is chief development officer of the Mandarin Oriental hotel group, responsible for the brand's global expansion strategy and new properties in Mallorca, Zurich and Lake Como. 1. Travel dupe: southern France instead of South Africa. If you're after wine and fine dining, South Africa delivers with around 2,600 wineries. However, with over 30,000 wineries, southern France ranks among the most diverse wine regions in the world. Storied estates line up across Provence, Languedoc and the Rhône Valley. On the culinary front, the region already competes at the highest level: Michelin-starred restaurants and creative farm-to-table concepts make towns like Aix-en-Provence and Avignon foodie hotspots. 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the region's hotel scene: COMO Le Beauvallon in Grimaud brings fresh luxury to the Côte d'Azur, while Zannier Île de Bendor creates an exclusive island retreat. Both underline the region's rise as one of Europe's most sought-after luxury destinations. Around a two-hour flight from London to Nice or Marseille, instead of roughly 12 to Cape Town 2. Travel dupe: the Dolomites instead of the rocky mountains. Jagged peaks, dense forests, crystal-clear mountain lakes and spectacular scenic roads - "the Dolomites have elegance and authenticity," says Italian Cefalu. This dramatic mountain range easily rivals the Rockies: endless hiking trails, demanding climbing routes and ski circuits like the Sellaronda offer adventure year-round. Highlights such as the loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) or the Alta Via 1 long-distance trail make the region a paradise for active travellers. Luxury brands are investing too: Mandarin Oriental opens its first mountain resort in Cortina d'Ampezzo this winter. Reach Bolzano from London on a flight of roughly 2 hours 20 minutes, instead of 10 hours to the Rockies 3. Travel dupe: Georgia instead of Chile. Anyone dreaming of Chile's vastness and untouched landscapes will find a surprising alternative in Georgia, set between rugged mountain peaks and an up-and-coming cultural scene. The climate is similar too: warm, dry summers and cool nights. A popular excursion is the historic Tsinandali Estate winery - the country's most historically significant address, combining a park, museum and hotel. In summer 2025, the luxury hotel The Telegraph opened in the capital, and 2026 will see Marriott's Paragraph Freedom Square follow in Tbilisi. Tbilisi is around 5 hours direct from London, instead of a 14.5 hour flight to Santiago in Chile 4. Travel dupe: Carinthia, Austria instead of British Columbia. Lake Wörthersee shimmers an almost impossible turquoise, while Lake Weissensee charms with its stillness and unspoiled beauty. Visually, these landscapes could easily be mistaken for the vast wilderness of British Columbia - but this is Austria. The southernmost state Carinthia shows its Canadian side in outdoor activities too: kayaking on Lake Faak, or hiking through Hohe Tauern National Park, with around 5,000 kilometres of trails and roughly 500 mountain lakes. Another highlight is the Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak - its spectacular High Alpine Road winds straight through a glacier and rocky landscape. A direct flight from London Stansted to Klagenfurt takes around 2 hours, instead of roughly 9.5 hours to British Columbia 5. Travel dupe: Germany's Uckermark instead of Bariloche, Patagonia. It might sound like a stretch, but the Uckermark's landscape and sense of seclusion recall Bariloche, on the Argentinian side of Patagonia. This large rural district is located in the northeastern corner of the state of Brandenburg in Germany, where visitors can canoe through winding waterways, take long hikes, and spot white-tailed eagles, cranes and beavers. With over 590 bodies of water, the Uckermark is one of Germany's most lake-rich regions. In 2025, German accommodation saw a record 414 million domestic overnight stays. About 2 hours direct to Berlin from London, plus a 1-hour drive, instead of roughly 17 hours to Bariloche from London via a 13.5-hour flight to Buenos Aires, with a further 2-3 hour domestic flight south 6. Travel dupe: Mallorca instead of Tulum in mexico. "Europe is a central part of our strategy," says Cefalù. Linen fluttering in the breeze, raffia bags in the sand, an ice-cold drink in hand - that laid-back boho vibe you'd normally associate with Tulum can be found among the palms, gentle beats and sea air of Mallorca too. On the island's southeast side, around Santanyí, there are secluded turquoise coves, pale sandy beaches and beach clubs that rival the hotspots of the Riviera Maya. The new Purobeach Resort Santa Ponsa is a good example, blending beach club and boutique hotel. With the newly renovated Four Seasons (completed 2025) and the Mandarin Oriental (opened June 2026), a fresh wave of luxury is sweeping into Mallorca. About 2.5 hours direct from London to Palma, instead of roughly 11 hours to Tulum 7. Travel dupe: Zurich instead of Dubai. A longing for glamour and striking architecture doesn't have to mean Dubai. While the glittering city stands for desert spectacle and superlatives - from the Burj Khalifa to the Museum of the Future - Zurich offers a calmer, closer alternative. The Swiss financial hub stages luxury at the very highest level, but more understated. Instead of skyscrapers, the cityscape is shaped by the historic Grossmünster, the Fraumünster with its Chagall windows, and modern architectural highlights like David Chipperfield's extension of the Kunsthaus and Le Corbusier's Pavillon. Zurich and its surrounding areas form one of Europe's densest gourmet regions - and Switzerland has more than 130 Michelin-starred restaurants, three of which (Schloss Schauenstein, Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville, and Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl) hold three stars. Even Dubai can't compete with that. About 1 hour 40 minutes direct from London, instead of roughly 7 hours to Dubai 8. Travel dupe: Tallinn instead of Seoul. Think of Seoul and a futuristic metropolis comes to mind - but Estonia's capital has a similar energy. Like the South Korean megacity, Tallinn blends centuries of history with cutting-edge technology. Medieval lanes meet one of Europe's most digitally advanced societies - from the thriving start-up scene and automated vehicles to the VR-led PROTO Invention Museum and the Tallinn TV Tower. Estonia is trialling an autonomous shuttle service called "Elmo," echoing the kind of high-tech innovation Seoul is known for. In the Telliskivi Creative City district, a young, creative energy pulses through design studios, galleries and food stalls. About 3 hours direct from London to Tallinn instead of roughly 11 hours to Seoul 9. Travel dupe: Norway instead of New Zealand. Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord instead of Milford Sound? The numbers speak for themselves: according to UN Tourism, Norway saw a strong rise in visitors in 2025, with visitor spend up 20% on 2024. "Global uncertainty is boosting demand, as many Europeans choose to holiday closer to home," says analyst Caroline Bremner. As in New Zealand, active travellers are spoiled for choice here - kayaking between steep rock walls, glacier hikes, or boat tours through narrow fjords to icons like the Trolltunga rock outcrop or the Preikestolen cliff plateau. About 2 hours direct from London to Stavanger (the gateway for Preikestolen) instead of roughly 24 hours to Auckland on a non-direct flight 10. Travel dupe: Sardinia instead of the Maldives. You don't have to fly to the Maldives for white-sand beaches and turquoise water - Sardinia is a much closer dream destination. Along the Costa Smeralda and the Gulf of Orosei, the island reveals its paradise side, with many boat-only coves offering excellent snorkelling - reminiscent of the Maldives' atolls. 2026 is bringing a boost to Sardinia's luxury hotel scene: the W Sardinia has already opened this spring, with Rocco Forte and Mandarin Oriental properties set to follow. "Luxury travellers are looking for real breaks - places that feel secluded and restorative, but are still easy to reach," says Cefalù. About 2.5-3 hours direct from London to Olbia or Cagliari instead of roughly 10 hours to the Maldives Translation and additional words by Antonia Wilson Christina Mendi Most recent. 26th August 2026