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Arabian Palatial Elegance

Dec 3, 2014

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Located as the centrepiece of Old Town Dubai, The Palace sits on the edge of the Dancing Fountains within a ‘sand wedge’ of the stunning Burj Khalifa.

The hotel stands apart for its highly individualistic architecture; the five-level captivating symbol of Middle Eastern elegance and style simply greets guests without any pomp and ceremony. But when the doors open there’s a very warm welcome to a sophisticated boutique hotel.

The rooms are sumptuous and provide all the comforts of home. They are decorated in Middle Eastern themes, rich in colour and regional textures, and Arabian touches add authentic detail to each room’s design. Every room has a private balcony that overlooks The Dubai Fountain, The Old Town or Burj Lake, and a personal butler service is assigned to every suite.

The immediate impression is that this is a quality place to stay, and our first priority was to check out the spa for some relaxation therapy. The Palace Downtown’s spa and wellness centre is arguably one of Dubai’s most exotic spas. The amazing steam room was all tiled in jet black and was oozing with aromas of eucalyptus and lavender.

We booked into the spa’s private suite for an 80-minute deep tissue couples’ massage. Combined with body scrubs infused with uplifting coriander and refreshing Moroccan mint, our muscles, joints and skin tone were happily re-energized…heaven!

DINING

With the evening upon us, we escaped to a romantic table for two on the water’s edge, and front and centre to the spectacular water fountain show, surrounded by the fabulous ‘Festival of Lights’. Executive Chef Gabriel Fernando joined our table to delight us with his menu and signature dishes from the traditional Argentina Grill, Asado.

Renowned for cooking cuts of meat using the open grill in the centre of the restaurant, I had to have the marbled rib eye, but it was the incredible roasted baby lamb that ended up being the hit. Danielle enjoyed crispy skin sea bass with squid and pea risotto.

Our waiter, Arpu, knew every inch of the menu and insisted we order a trio of desserts, which met very little resistance from us. At 11:30 pm, as we polished off the last of our dinner from our perfect vantage spot, the fountains continued to dance in front of us, and the incredible light show began.

HIGHLIGHT

On our last night at the Palace, the General Manager, Michael Sorgenfrey, invited us to attend his weekly Fountain Cocktail function. This is an opportunity for the Emaar Executive Team to meet with the hotel’s VIP guests. We were greeted in the hotel lobby and escorted to a secluded terrace area reserved for only the most special of occasions.

The venue located directly across from the iconic Burj Khalifa overlooking the spectacular water fountains was simply breathtaking. Guests rejoiced at the extraordinary selection of regional Thai and Arabic cuisine with Executive Chef Gabriel Fernando at the helm, barbecuing, sautéing and flambéing the night away.

With fresh Cuban cigars being rolled out before our very eyes, the talk of the evening was who would have the front row seats for the opening of Andre Boccelli’s live performance at the new Opera House and Cultural Precinct. With 2020 around the corner, there definitely are exciting times ahead for Dubai and The Palace. A treasure not to be missed!

RECOMMENDATION

High Tea Arabic Style – Enjoy a delicious spread of Arabia-inspired sweet treats, date cake, velvet chocolate pancakes, rose petal cheesecake, camel-milk pistachio crème brulee, mammoul cookies and cardamom scones with clotted cream and date jam.

Upmarket Address Downtown

Dec 3, 2014

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We can talk about a hotel property having it all, but it’s often difficult to find one that offers the right package every time. Emaar’s iconic The Address Downtown property is as close as it gets.

This premium 63-storey landmark hotel is positioned in the heart of Downtown Dubai’s thriving metropolis. It is perfectly located, perched above the picturesque dancing fountains, overlooking the remarkable Burj Khalifa, and meters away from the world’s largest shopping destination, the Dubai Mall.

The Address Downtown Dubai is the epitome of luxurious style and dining excellence with its grand entrance crowned with design elements reminiscent of the art deco era. Its award-winning interior design is inspired by regional landscapes while reflecting a sense of grandeur.

The rooms are decorated with a rich tapestry of golden textures and feature spacious marbled bathrooms. A recent addition is the interactive ‘eLifestye’ room service and iPad installed to allow guests to research and organise their dining and leisure independently.

When there’s a celebration in town, hotel guests enjoy a privileged ‘birds-eye view’. The precinct often resembles a Hollywood set, with lasers and fireworks a regular feature, and even Tom Cruise has been seen abseiling down the face of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The Address Downtown has really grown into a world-class property. I have been fortunate to have stayed there several times and have no hesitation in highly recommending it. Dubai’s social scene thrives here, offering everything from an excellent cup of coffee to fabulous brunches, exquisite dinners and the best late night venues.

DINING

One of the most difficult decisions you will encounter is where to dine, as there are seven award-winning dining experiences on offer including two outside overlooking the serene infinity lap pool – Calabar celebrating a Latino South American infusion whilst Zeta boasts a more tranquil traditional Asian Seafood Cuisine.

We also had a chance to sample the newly-opened ‘Cut by Wolfgang Puck’, a signature steak house. No expense has been spared in this establishment, with seating for 150-plus guests. The views are magnificent and the menu is as unique as its fit-out. A word of caution given the serving size, the chocolate soufflé is decadent and best enjoyed shared with others.

We chose to dine at Fazaris, offering modern Asian, Italian and European cuisine located on the ground floor. Chef De Cuisine Massimiliano Sperli spoilt us with two of his home grown favourites firstly the Vongoli made with fresh tagliatelle accompanied by a clam and white wine broth followed with a delicious spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli in a tomato and onion-based sauce.

The desserts were a marvel on their own, with a selection of tiramisu, chocolate gateau, carrot cake and fresh fruit…the result was exquisite. With a full belly, we visited the signature Cigar Bar before heading to the electric atmosphere of Neos, the star-studded nightclub located on the 60th floor. What a night!

HIGHLIGHT

No stay is complete at The Address Downtown without a day of pampering at the Spa and Wellness Centre. Danielle indulged in the Ultimate Diamond Experience, a three-hour extravaganza infused with sparkling gems for a touch of pure glamour! The treatment began with a full-body scrub featuring real crushed diamonds before special magnets remove minerals and unlock energies that revitalize the body.

Next, a relaxing massage to soothe the muscles and lastly a pampering facial to gently contour the skin….pure heaven! I, however, enjoyed a therapeutic full-body 90-minute deep tissue massage and steam to help revitalize the body. This spa treatment will have you feeling a million dollars…trust me!

MENTION

So what is the number one ingredient, outside of location, that is critical in the success or failure of a hotel? Well, to put it simply, it is the level of commitment to customer service and attention to detail. It is pleasing to see that The Address Downtown has raised the bar with its guaranteed impeccable service and dedication from all staff members. I attribute this kind of improvement to the Hotel Manager, Caroline Houston, as she has led by example.

With the quality reputation of the Downtown property as Dubai’s Business hub, it makes the choice of Emaar’s flagship property an easy one.

The Address Downtown Dubai

Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard
Downtown Dubai, UAE

T: +971 4 436 8888 www.theaddress.com

The Centre of Now: Downtown Dubai

Dec 3, 2014

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‘The Centre of Now’ in Downtown Dubai is the flagship mega-development by Emaar Properties, who are renowned for shaping the future through world-class real estate, mall and hospitality property.

A centre for tourism, Downtown Dubai has several platinum hotels including the world’s first Armani Hotel and Emaar’s Address, Vida and Manzil Hotels.

Downtown Dubai is a thriving city hub with a unique mix of residential towers and commercial precincts. Located at its centre is Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and The Dubai Fountain, add to the development’s list of must see attractions, while Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and dining out destination, further broadens its appeal to visitors.

The Opera District, highlighted by the majestic 2000-seat Dubai Opera venue and myriad of luxury hotels and residences, is a brand-new addition. Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, the vibrant thoroughfare dotted with cafes and retail outlets, also hosts colourful events that bring the community together.

A new announcement has also seen co-developers Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties launch their new big project on the horizon at Dubai Creek Harbour; a 1,482-acre site including a pair of towers that they hope will be the world’s tallest twinned skyscrapers.

The area planned for Dubai Creek Harbour is three times the size of Emaar’s current Downtown Dubai development, which is home to the company’s Burj Khalifa. Its location would be next to the ‘Ras Al Khor’ wetlands on the city’s waterfront at The Lagoons. With six other structures planned in addition to the twin skyscrapers, the project will also include retail, luxury hotels, and an estimated 39,000 residential units.

Emaar have taken grandeur and customer service to a whole new level, with guaranteed sustainability establishing a new benchmark within the global hospitality marketplace. With an impressive list of award-winning properties and developments, we look forward to seeing the Emaar brand becoming Dubai’s global giant.

Philippe Zuber
Chief Operating Officer
Emaar Hospitality Group

“Led by the concerted efforts of the Government, Dubai is today one of the world’s leading tourism and leisure destinations, on course to achieve its Tourism Vision 2020 to welcome over 20 million annual visitors by the turn of the decade.”

The robust growth of the economy and Dubai’s status as a business and leisure hub catalyse the growth of the city’s hospitality sector. The city’s remarkable airline connectivity and accessibility, and its world-class retail and tourism experiences means its hospitality sector is poised for even stronger growth in the coming years.

Emaar Hospitality Group has been at the forefront in driving the growth of the city’s hospitality sector by offering a strong roster of world-class properties.

A modern brand that focuses on a ‘one size fits one’ strategy, which sees guest benefits as the priority, The Address Hotels + Resorts is the flagship hotel brand of Emaar that offers the ultimate experience of hospitality luxury.

Positioning its messaging as ‘Where Life Happens’, The Address Hotels + Resorts offer a more personal and approachable experience to guests in a lifestyle environment, whether it be business, leisure or group travellers. The Address chooses central locations to offer its customers the best in entertainment, leisure and overall convenience.

Emaar Hospitality Group also owns and operates Vida Hotels and Resorts, a refreshingly different hotel concept for the new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Billed as ‘an urban hub where inspiring minds stay, play and connect’, Vida Hotels and Resorts bring inspiring simplicity, sophisticated energy and intuitive style.

Emaar Hospitality Group also owns and manages a diversified portfolio of assets including serviced residences, golf retreats, a polo and equestrian club, lifestyle dining outlets and the Dubai Marina Yacht Club.

The company envisages being the premium provider of extraordinary hospitality experiences for visitors across the spectrum by drawing on Dubai’s positive growth. The company is also expanding its reputation globally through management agreements by The Address Hotels + Resorts to operate world-class properties in Egypt and Turkey, among others.

Young and Successful

Dec 2, 2014

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For a 28-year-old woman who has built a career in a largely male dominated industry, Cristie Gillespie is remarkably unfazed.

This could be because, upon meeting Cristie, it’s immediately obvious she is a strong, practical and resilient person who has never let her gender be an issue.

“You just need to know your industry. That often negates the fact that I am female. Know what you are selling and know what you are doing.”

Cristie has built an international business manufacturing and sourcing commercial building products in China and supplying them to wholesalers and builders in Australia. It’s an industry overrun with men, purely because the centre point for business dealings usually starts at the building site. But the Gillespie development business organically gave Cristie the practical know-how and industry insight she needed to prepare her for her involvement in this line of work.

Now, factories are set up in China and her independent business is supplying products nationally. Admittedly a remarkable feat at such a young age – but it was not always so easy. To succeed in this competitive environment, not only do you need a good understanding of the industry, you must be business-savvy, know when to seize an opportunity and ultimately, work hard.

“I started to import about 9 years ago, more for fun and because it was part of the family business. I noticed there were restrictions with local supply. If you didn’t know how to outsource you were very capped on what you could do. I wanted to completely eliminate that and offer a mixed supply for construction”.

It was this idea that motivated Cristie to pack up and move to China on her own – a move that was initially fraught with difficulties.

“I had a lot of trouble to begin with. All the typical things such as quality control and consistency, so I decided I would open my own factories. I formed partnerships with locals. I had to go through hurdles, create systems and structures and take into consideration cultural work differences and establish how both parties could benefit with the factories, but I got there.”

It was not daunting for Cristie to travel alone in and around China – often to remote places – and scout out factories. Her confidence and her clarity in direction never allowed her to falter. She also recognised early on there was a need to adapt swiftly in order to succeed.

“When I am in Australia I do business like I am an Australian and when I am in China I have to operate like I am Chinese. And that is something only time and experience can teach you – appreciating work ethic and differences in both countries. It’s imperative that you understand that. Some people don’t, and that’s when you can fall into problems”.

As a young entrepreneur, Cristie regularly travels between the two countries enjoying the flexibility that her lifestyle now offers, balancing both families and friends in each location, but there is also very constant work. It’s a far cry from her original plan to pursue a career as an accountant, and make good on her degree.

“I love what I do. Accounting wasn’t for me. I didn’t like the monotony and routine. I have no desire to change what I am doing. My goal at this stage is to widen my procurement into India.” As for overcoming any potential gender discrimination, Cristie laughs it off.

“Being a female in this industry actually works to my advantage. There is an element of surprise when I show up to a site, and that reaction is always quite funny. Once they speak to me they realise there is no one else needed to bridge any gap. That is the advice I would give to other young females: It doesn’t matter what industry you are in or what you want to pursue, work hard to be an expert in your area and have confidence in yourself.”

Conducting business on an international level can be challenging. Developing relationships and securing support before negotiating is a must. A common problem is not having the local knowledge and contacts to enable you to succeed abroad.

Preston’s Global Supply has successfully navigated their way through China, India and Indonesia in pursuit of quality products ranging from construction to furniture.

For Classic Magazine, the success of many of our international ventures has been largely attributed to Cristie Gillespie, CEO of Preston’s Global Supply.

Cristie has brokered several of our most significant relationships and continued to manage these on our behalf. We have been associated with Cristie for several years – and it has been one of the most reassuring commercial decisions we have made.

Stephanie Rice

Dec 2, 2014

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Stephanie Rice is one of Australia’s most successful Olympians and one of the most recognised athletes in the country. Her success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – winning three gold medals and breaking three world records – launched her into the stratosphere of sporting celebrity, creating a level of interest rarely seen before from the media, sponsors and the public.

Stephanie Rice does not like vampires. Not the vampires that drain you of blood, but those that drain you of energy. It’s hard to believe Stephanie could ever be depleted of anything, let alone vitality, as this 25 year old multi gold medallist Olympian seems bubbling with enough energy to fuel every heated swimming pool in existence.

Whilst she’s deciding whether she will return to swimming full time next year, Stephanie is looking for her next passion. She said, “I want to find something I can dedicate myself to, something I absolutely love doing, once I finish swimming. Media is fantastic and I would love to host my own show one day. I really admire the multifaceted career Bethenny Frankel developed with her own TV show and her Skinnygirl Cocktail empire. She is someone I would like to emulate.”

Stephanie is on track to mirror Frankel’s career. Besides health reporting on the Today Show, representing a bevy of sponsors such as Spartan, and Russell Athletics and charities including the Cancer Council, Melanoma Institute and Jump Rope for Heart, Stephanie is set to launch her own swimwear range for 7 – 14 year olds.

“Making a decision to align my name and reputation to sporting brands became a more difficult task than I expected,” Stephanie laments. “Spartan Sports was an easy choice though, having seen the fantastic relationship they have forged with Michael Clarke, Chris Gayle and several other high profile athletes and the ease in which they worked together to build their brand and reputations.”

“Russell Athletic was a more strategic decision in that here was a huge US Athletic sporting brand that had years of pedigree and an incredible reputation. The most important thing to me was that I could do them justice and be relevant.

In saying that I needed to ensure that they also had a nice fit for me moving forward. These two decisions weren’t made lightly, but now I am so happy I have made them.”

Designing swimwear is nothing new for Stephanie. She’s been designing her own swimwear since her teens. “All the racing wear was drab, when I began competing. Everyone would be mainly in blacks so I started to design my swimwear in bright colours and have it made in the US by companies I found online,” she said. “Wearing this made me feel inspired and this is what I want my own range to do for children today. I loved swimming, loved training and loved wearing great gear. Gear that looks good makes you feel good and makes you want to go swimming.”

Stephanie loves kids, loves talking to them and loves mentoring them. Even when she’s accosted by a fan in the street, she loves it. “It takes real balls to come up to someone and say hello so of course I have a quick chat with fans whenever I can,” she laughs.

“I had a learning disability – a problem with auditory processing. It made me very shy when I was growing up.”

Her enthusiasm for whatever she does comes over in the contagious energy surrounding her. She is a life force brimming with confidence. But she admits she hasn’t always been like this. “I had a learning disability – a problem with auditory processing,” Stephanie confides. “It made me very shy when I was growing up.”

Stephanie started gaining confidence around the age of 13, when the swimming squad she was part of began training at a boys school, with boys. “Hanging out with all these boys taught me to toughen up. They treated me like a boy and so there was no room for excuses for not training,” Stephanie said. Stephanie did toughen up and continued to achieve PBs (Personal Bests) even when she had glandular fever for a year – an incredible achievement.

Her days of hanging out with males are continuing through her partnership with Spartan and its increasingly growing sporting empire. She is working with CEO Kunal Sharma and his team, taking her knowledge and dedication built up from swimming on her business career path.

Stephanie will be working with Spartan to launch her range of swimwear and hardware including goggles, caps, kickboards into China and India in the coming year. Whilst the Chinese are great swimmers, the Indians are not renowned for their prowess in the water but Stephanie is determined to change this. “Many people in India want to learn to swim and I am really excited to be involved in helping many to attain this goal,” she says excitedly.

She is currently developing some really funky swimmers for kids as well as taking her bright and confident personality and breathing it into the hardware designs for Spartan. Her road to international business success is being paved by a trip to New York to meet up with Anthony Robbins, followed by trips to China and India.

Whilst Stephanie hasn’t yet decided if she will continue with her swimming career, one thing is for sure: she certainly has the drive to make her media career and business career a success, even whilst she is churning through the water.

A True Warrior

Dec 2, 2014

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Natalie’s career has been nothing short of remarkable, becoming the first women to compete at five Olympic Games and the icing on the proverbial cake was a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Bondi Beach.

To even be considered for a national team is a feat on its own, never mind an Olympic team. I remember sitting back watching the 1998 Atlanta Games and seeing Natalie Cook picking up the bronze medal. What an achievement; to stand on the podium at the Olympic Games would be one of the highlights of not only your sporting career, but also your life.

Over the next 16 years we grew to expect the remarkable from our athletes and that is exactly what Natalie Cook has delivered. Natalie’s career has been nothing short of remarkable; becoming the first women to compete at five Olympic Games, with the icing on the proverbial cake her gold medal at the Sydney Olympics on Bondi Beach.

Staging a charity event (The 2000 Qantas Global Classic), I had the opportunity to meet Natalie for the first time. Under strange circumstances, I was onstage as MC, with Greg Norman as auctioneer. Natalie was bidding on a unique collection of sporting balls, all personally autographed. One of the balls happened to be hers, but what she wanted was The Shark’s signed golf ball. An introduction was quickly arranged, and that’s where our friendship began.

Competing at Athens, Beijing and London following Sydney, Natalie has amazingly remained at the top of her game for 20 years. Being a confidante to Natalie Cook, I had a front row seat at the ups and downs of her professional career. I witnessed this true warrior face injury after injury, surgery after surgery, and it was truly inspirational to watch Natalie stand tall in the face of adversity and simply drive straight through it.

Her most remarkable attribute for me is her will to compete and the will to succeed; not unlike the great Greg Norman, Natalie had the ability to commit to both her athletic and business obligations, and was as determined on court as she was in the board room. In addition to her daily workload with building an Olympic career and a life after the sand, Natalie has also been relentless in her support of several charities, giving her time for kids less fortunate than herself. It’s not until you have the chance to sit and chat with this remarkable Australian that you see why it is that we regard her as not only one of our greatest Olympic champions, but also one of our greatest Australians.

Natalie shares her amazing story with us now …

As the last whistle blew, the glass shattered and the water rushed in. 20 years as an Olympic beach volleyball player was over. It all started with a dream when I was eight years old, watching Lisa Curry win the 100 metre freestyle in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. I said, “I want to do that.” And so the journey began. I swam for many years before stumbling across a sign on the school notice board that said ‘Volleyball trip to Canada and America’. I raced upstairs to the PE department and asked, “What’s volleyball?” … And the rest, as they say, was history.

I had three amazing Olympic partners: Kerri Pottharst (1996, 2000), Nicole Sanderson (2004) and Tamsin Hinchley (2008, 2012). It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, success, challenges and hard work. Qualifying for the first four Olympics was relatively ‘easy’ (we were always focused on how to win gold and not just to make the team!) I think I took the process for granted, I just stuck my head down and played the game.

I got a rude shock on the road to London. It was the most gruelling Olympic campaign I had ever experienced. After Beijing my body needed a year off to recover from all the jumping, diving and discipline required to stay at the top. I had my fourth knee surgery and really needed to give my mind and spirit a break too. Then when Tamsin (after having a baby) and I returned, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The body took 12 months before it felt like an athlete again and during this time we were out there on the world stage competing and therefore getting beaten up a lot.

We really had to hold our nerve throughout this period. My life coach, Doug, kept reminding me to walk in a straight line. “Just keep moving forward,” he would say, because I really couldn’t see past my front foot. The clouds had blown in and I could not see the possibilities. I had to call on ALL my trainings over the years and coach Steve Anderson (who coached me at four Olympic Games) kept reminding me to have faith.

It all came together in China in June 2012 at the final event to qualify for the London Games. We were to play China, in China, in front of 3,000 Chinese fans! Winner would go to the Olympic Games, loser would go home! It was the most stressful event of my career for many reasons. Tamsin and I rose to the occasion and managed to secure tickets to my fifth, and Tamsin’s third, Olympic Games. The dream was still alive.

Then to march in the opening ceremony of my fifth Olympic Games, wearing the green and gold for my country again, and having the opportunity to play on the biggest sporting stage in the world – all the blood, sweat and tears had paid off.

So what next? I knew that it would all come to an end one day, although when it happens it is always more intense than one could imagine. However, I had done my preparation. I was ready for the next chapter of my amazing life. I had been fostering the future of the sport through my business, Sandstorm, a beach sports centre in Brisbane that caters for junior development, social competitions, corporate team building. However, the dream is to create a Sandstorm in many places (for more information on Sandstorm, please visit www.sandstorm.com.au).

My most recent vision casts a net over all Australian beaches. In conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia and Volleyball Australia, I am trialling beach volleyball within the Nippers programs. This will allow the kids to be exposed to this magical sport from the age of five! Go to www.surfvolley.com.au to find your participating surf club.

I love sharing my secrets to sustainable motivation, inspiration and success, and as such, have been involved in corporate speaking for a while now. The number one question I get asked is, “how did you stay so motivated for all that time”? Because of that I sat down and extracted skills, tools, strategies and tips for doing so. I reverse engineered sustainable self-motivation. I developed a 30-day video series called – MOTIV8 me. The program consists of two-minute a day video, with accompanying worksheets to help you design your own awesomeness. Visit www.nataliecook.com/product/motiv8-me see more.

I also have a huge passion for keeping kids active and healthy (and away from obesity) through sport, attitude and good nutrition. I use ISAGENIX nutritional system (www.natcook.isagenix.com) and yoga three times a week to keep me in shape since retiring.

As you can see, I have a lot of fingers in many pies. As a sport that was not at the forefront of television or sponsorship, it was always a struggle to fund the dream. However, if the dream is big enough and means enough to you, you will find a way. That much I know for certain!

I will always be connected to beach volleyball and the Olympic movement. They are in my blood.

I have learned one thing is for sure, and that is success is a journey, not a destination … and so, for me, the journey continues. Please stay connected with me at www.nataliecook.com.

Join the Fight

Dec 2, 2014

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Danielle Harte

Squash Champion, Spartan Fitness Ambassador

More than 14 million Australians are overweight or obese. It’s a damning and alarming statistic. Whilst countries such as Australia, the USA and the UK struggle to fund the public health consequences of obesity, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that nearly 870 million people, or one in eight people in the world, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012.

Shamefully, with our education, vast open spaces and wonderful climate, Australian obesity mocks the starving people of the world – so what’s it going to take to change things around?

With more than half of Australia’s population being overweight or obese, unhealthy body weight is becoming the norm, and health messages are falling on deaf ears. If weight gain continues at current levels, by 2025, close to 80% of all Australian adults and a third of all children will be overweight or obese.

Let’s pause for a minute to consider the consequences – and they are severe in terms of personal health and the economy.

Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia.

On the basis of present trends, researchers at Monash University have predicted that by the time Australian children reach the age of 20 they will have a shorter life expectancy than earlier generations simply because of obesity.

Obesity and being overweight pose a major risk for chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke and certain forms of cancer.

Beyond the personal health and societal risks of obesity, there are economic considerations. Obesity costs Australia more than $56 billion per year, and this figure is only going to increase.

The first step is taking a long hard look at yourself and your children. Be honest. Are you obese or overweight? You are statistically overweight if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is ≥25, and you are obese if your BMI is ≥30. You can work out your BMI by calculating your weight (in kilograms) divided by the sum of your height squared (in metres) – for example, a person who weighs 55 kilograms and is 1.67 metres tall would have a BMI of 20 (55 divided by [1.67×1.67] 2.79 = 19.7).

There is some controversy over the BMI index in that it doesn’t account for muscle weight, and there is a push to make the ‘overweight’ BMI ≥28. In any respect, if you are being honest with yourself, you will know whether your weight is from muscle or from fat.

A study in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children whose parents are overweight or obese are at higher risk for becoming obese themselves. The study revealed five independent risk factors for childhood overweight with the main risk factor being parental weight.

Further, nearly 80% of obese 10-14 year olds with an obese parent will be obese as adults. Whilst genes play a role in the increased risk for obesity, lifestyle factors also have an influence. Poor eating habits are often established during childhood. The power to stop the downward spiral of lifetime obesity is in the hands of parents, and they must step up and take responsibility for the health of their children.

It’s not rocket science – say no to fatty and sugary foods

Here is a simple truth: a healthy, balanced diet and plenty of physical activity will lead to a healthy weight for your child. Look at what your children are putting in their mouths. If your family eats snacks and meals that are high in fat or sugar, such as chocolate, biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks, aim to replace these with healthier alternatives such as fruit.

Get in the kitchen and encourage your children to join you – cooking food yourself rather than relying on ready-made meals or fast food will help to lower the fat and sugar content in your meals.

Making changes to your family’s lifestyle can make a real difference to you and your child’s weight. These changes work best and are easiest, when the whole family joins in.

Get moving

Physical activity is a good habit to encourage and good for the whole family. Try to reduce the amount of sedentary time your child spends in activities such as watching TV or sitting in front of the computer. The NSW State government has an excellent website with tips for lunch box fillers and lots of easy recipes that children will love as well as ideas for keeping children active at www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au. However, the responsibility for change and the responsibility for ensuring children grow into healthy adults is not with the government, it rests squarely with parents and starts and finishes in the home.

Here at Classic Lifestyle magazine, we have been raising awareness of the obesity epidemic over the past five years. We are seeing many Australians who are just ticking (fat) time bombs who are sadly taking their children’s life off-course with them. It is desperate times for our children.

So do we give up or do we do the right thing and sit our children down and make them part of the solution? It is deceiving to believe it is easier to look the other way and do nothing different – to not challenge poor diets and inactivity, but beware the consequences. Our children still have a chance but they need you to make the first step.

Inner Melbourne Bliss

Dec 2, 2014

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Westin Hotels & Resorts have had a long-standing reputation for providing a sense of ambience to guests who stay in their resorts across the world.

Food and wine writer for Classic Lifestyle Magazine, Max Alfieri, recently experienced how relaxing it could be when he stayed at The Westin in the heart of Melbourne city.

“To be honest, we had stayed at other hotels in Melbourne – as I tend to have a lot of business there. But we decided to stay at The Westin this time around, purely based on our experience at The Westin in Sydney. I was just overwhelmed at how great it was,” said Max.

The Westin is part of hotel giant Starwood, known for their level of consistency across all their hotels and resorts, with more than 185 hotels and resorts worldwide defined by modern design, instinctive service and a rejuvenating atmosphere.

“I long considered The Westin to be more corporate, but in fact it has a boutique quality about it. We were greeted so warmly; there was a very quick response to our requests. On both mornings of our stay I received my shaving kit in less than one minute. And the most memorable aspect? I believe I met the best concierge in Melbourne!”

With a coveted Collins Street address in Melbourne’s Central Business District, the hotel is amongst designer boutiques, renowned restaurants, and the Regent Theatre, and moments from Federation Square, the Arts Centre, MCG, and the Tennis Centre.

“Every evening I would ask the concierge to recommend a restaurant for us – and each dining experience was amazing. From Italian, to a steakhouse of Modern Australian restaurant, the knowledge and experience of the staff at the hotel pointed us in the right direction.”

Each hotel, while consistent in quality of service and offerings, maintains a unique look and feel that resonates with the city surrounds. The Westin Melbourne for instance, is a stylish centrepiece of Melbourne. Indoors, you will find a contemporary, chic and elegant hotel that has some of the city’s largest guest rooms, a stunning lobby overlooking Swanston Street and superior facilities. A contemporary art collection features throughout the hotel. The Serene Wellness Centre with lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and WestinWORKOUT® Gym are additional features for those who like a little extra indulgence.

“Our stay at The Westin really made us want to go back to Melbourne to experience it again from the comfort of the hotel – and that’s really saying something about a hotel.”

Bula

Dec 2, 2014

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The Heavenly Spa by Westin is beautifully designed to blend with nature. As the most sophisticated spa in Fiji, this purpose-built facility features a beautiful authentic design, lush and peaceful environment, luxurious spa amenities and renewing body treatments.

I have been in and out of Denarau for the past 20 years and each and every time it’s as if I never left. The Fijian way of life is remarkably laid back and easy going; it can be misconstrued as a little lazy, but that is not the case. Fiji time is just that; don’t worry, it will happen, and when it does it’s with a smile and infectious sincerity. When you next think about a family getaway this is the place, I promise you.

The resort’s 273 guestrooms and suites are superbly placed in the South Pacific setting. Each room features the signature ten-layer Westin Heavenly Bed®, 32” LCD TV, refreshment centre, tea and coffee making facilities, high-speed internet and Heavenly Shower. Westin guests are further pampered with integrated five-star resort facilities including five swimming pools, a choice of restaurants and bars, 10 tennis courts and an 18-hole championship golf course within the Westin and Sheraton resorts complex.

The Heavenly Spa by Westin is beautifully designed to blend with nature. As the most sophisticated spa in Fiji, this purpose-built facility features a beautiful authentic design, lush and peaceful environment, luxurious spa amenities and renewing body treatments. Peacefully nestled amidst 1,350m^{2 of} lush vegetation, the spa’s tranquil surroundings set the scene for spiritual healing and sensory pleasure at the highest level.

10 beautifully appointed open air therapy rooms and two suites are designed to replicate the traditional Fijian traditional bure – a blissfully serene creation of wood, thatches and river stones. Each of the spa treatment bures has beautiful landscaping and features a private treatment room with hydraulic treatment bed and open-air shower. The spa suite offers total luxury and privacy for couples including a private changing room, air-conditioned lounge, outdoor shower and outdoor bath. State-of-the-art modern spa facilities are also introduced in the Heavenly Spa including a high-designed steam room, Jacuzzi, Vichy shower, custom made hydrotherapy Tub and Jet Showers.

Adjacent to the spa is the WestinWORKOUT* featuring state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight training equipment and fitness programs to enhance exercise and expand your fitness horizon. Adjoining the fitness center is a beautifully designed, 25-metre, wet-edge lap pool and a Jacuzzi providing a perfect aqua element to nourish, refresh and highlight your experience.

Peacefully nestled amidst 1,350m² of lush vegetation, the spa’s tranquil surroundings set the scene for spiritual healing and sensory pleasure at the highest level.

The Westin continues to build on its reputation as a home of exquisite dining in the Fiji islands. Restaurant offerings are truly unique to themselves and include the Steakhouse by Peter Kuruvita, Ocean Terrace, Zing and The Bakery.

The Westin: A Sydney City Retreat

Dec 2, 2014

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Surrounded by Sydney’s most enticing fashion retailers and restaurants, minutes from the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour, The Westin Sydney offers an exceptional accommodation experience, with personal touches and thoughtful services that leave guests feeling better than when they first arrived.

It’s Westin’s way of ensuring that, even in the hustle and bustle of the city centre, and regardless of what has brought you to Sydney, your place of accommodation is a retreat rather than just a hotel. As long time guests of The Westin Sydney, we take a look at what makes this hotel so special.

The Heritage

Before the opening of The Westin Sydney on 1st September 1999, No.1 Martin Place had long established its footprints, dating back to the early 19th century when Australia Post opened its doors in the exact same location as one of Australia’s first corporations. From then on, all points in Sydney were measured in reference to this same building. To some, No.1 Martin Place is in fact No.1 Sydney. The structure went on to operate as Sydney’s General Post Office from 1874 until 1983. After that time, it sat empty until heritage architects were commissioned to carefully restore its splendour. The Grand Staircase, the Heritage Long Suite, and the Heritage Boardroom all carry many of the features that accompanied their original design 170 years ago. The unique combination of cultural heritage and the modern design of the Tower Rooms and Suites make The Westin Sydney the perfect base for experiencing the enchanting past and vibrant present of Sydney.

The Rooms

Depending on what kind of experience you are after, the rooms and suites are divided into two areas – the General Post Office building houses beautiful Heritage Rooms, while the Tower Rooms offer chic, contemporary design. Whichever you choose, you will experience the same signature qualities of a Westin stay.

The Tower comprises 31 levels of beautiful and contemporary guest rooms, with a soothing décor style and deluxe amenities. Steeped in history, all of the 50 rooms in the Heritage Wing are slightly unique in design, carved from the original three floors of the heritage listed GPO building.

Westin Heavenly Bed^®

The Westin is famous for its award-winning beds. Since its introduction in 1999, the Heavenly Bed has lulled millions of guests into deep, restful sleep while winning accolades as an industry-leading innovation. Westin has designed every detail of the Heavenly Bed to promote superior slumber – from the crisp, white, 250–thread count sheets to the down duvets, plush pillows and custom pillow-top mattresses. Enjoy a sleep experience like no other on these custom-made linens, exclusive to Westin. The Heavenly^® linen, doonas, pillows and even the beds are available for purchase. A quick word on the Heavenly Bath^®& Heavenly Shower^® – think oversized luxurious bathrooms with indulgent overhead drenching showers.

Sensory Welcome

The Westin actually has a signature smell, designed to refresh and de-stress. When you walk through the doors you will experience music, custom lighting that transitions throughout the day, a refreshing signature White Tea scent developed exclusively for Westin and unique botanical designs that use indigenous flowers and plants.

Beyond the customary Westin comforts, you can also enjoy in-room spa treatments (yes, from the comfort of your own room!) access to Good Life Health Club, an exclusive Westin Executive Club Lounge and for those on business, a Business Centre with a range of services.

The Westin Sydney offers a central place for business, shopping, and delicious dining. Attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour are minutes away. Synonymous with sophistication and elegance, the Art Gallery of NSW is adjacent to the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens and only 15 minutes walking distance from the hotel. It features a stunning collection of Australian, Aboriginal, European, and contemporary art. With Wynyard Station just one block from the hotel, the entire city is easily accessible, including the iconic Bondi Beach. As a hotel, The Westin Sydney is outstanding. But it is more than a hotel – it is a haven that provides comfort, relaxation and tranquillity to each and every one of its guests. It’s definitely worth the stay next time you are in Sydney.

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