A new collection of 33 inspiring boutique hideaways across Asia, named Secret Retreats, will be launched in Singapore on October 19, 2012.
This collection of independent luxury retreats extends from Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam in South-East Asia to India, China, South Korea and Japan. They all share a common philosophy “owned by passionate individuals, arts and antiques aficionados, and lovers of fine foods”“We spotted a gap in the market for distinctive independently owned luxury properties that reflect Asian hospitality as we know it and formed a collection of them,” said Secret Retreats Managing Director Stéphane Junca.The consortium is the brainchild of three European travel and hospitality specialists based in Malaysia and Bangkok.French Managing Director Stéphane Junca has been responsible for the development of various hospitality projects in China, was previously Director of Hotel Tugu Bali and was most recently Regional Director Asia Pacific for Relais & Châteaux.French Executive Director Bruno Ferret is a leading expert in tour operations in Asia and beyond. He founded Ateliers du Voyages, which he sold in 2009, and has since launched a new company Khowan, comprising Samar Villas in Siem Reap, Villa Mathis in Bali and Muang La in Laos.Italian Executive Director Federico Asarohas lived in Malaysia since the age of seven and is a hotelier/ restaurateur based in Kuala Lumpur. He owns five restaurants in Malaysia and recently opened two new dining establishments in Singapore. He is also the proprietor of Japamala Resort on Tioman Island and Villa Samadhi in Kuala Lumpur.Born in the USA but raised in Paris and London, Director / Secretary Elizabeth Soriano is a specialist in culinary arts and travel. Based in Singapore, she trained under three 3-star Michelin chefs Roger Vergé, Daniel Boulud and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and has edited travel guides for Relais & Châteaux.www.secret-retreats.com
