Besotted – Naked In The Mountains

 

Mind if I gripe? Lately, Madam has been toiling over the internet trying to arrange some suitably comfy accommodation for my upcoming travels…but what has hit me squarely on the head is the great divide between east and west when it comes to the definition ‘luxury accommodation’. Ever noticed the number of gobsmackingly divine hotels in Asia which are truly deeply madly luxe? Then do a keyword search on luxury accommodation in Europe, and see what cyberspace coughs up.

To be fair, there are some really luxurious hotels over yonder. However, there are an overwhelming number of other hotels which too liberally describe themselves as ‘luxury’, but actually fall into our idea of three or four star inns. Salmon pink chintz and maroon velvet cushions does not equal luxe! Definitely not when you have to carry your own luggage up to your room and there is no air conditioning. Worse yet, some hawk en suite bathrooms as a luxury amenity! Which century are they stuck in? The only thing of luxury standard in those hotels are their prices, and you can be sure they are higher than our luxury rates!

Having had my sensitivities thus outraged the last few evenings, I see a press kit which fell into my inbox recently announcing the launch of another superbly breathtaking resort here in Asia. And once again, it cements even further – not that I needed any – my conviction that the best hotels and resorts are decidedly here in Asia. See the divine pictures? Now that’s what we in Asia call luxury – and no chintz in sight.

This new resort, opening only in October, is the naked Stables Private Reserve (no twisted thoughts please!). While the name is a little unsettling, the resort is simply divine. Rest assured, it is not a nudist holiday resort!

Located in the bamboo forests of Moganshan, a mountain hamlet in Zhejiang Province two and a half hours from Shanghai and one hour from Hangzhou, it is situated on over 60 pristine acres in its own private valley surrounded by a reservoir, bamboo and tea plantations, and small farming villages. The 121 rooms and villas here are lovely – set into the bamboo forests and overlooking the mountain range. They are large too -  the free-standing Tree-Top Villas start from 188 sq m and the Earth Huts from 54 sq m.

One of its unique offerings is horseback riding, which explains the resort’s name. naked Stables Private Reserve is possibly the first resort in China with its own Equestrian Centre with stables for 20 horses, an Equestrian Field and mountain riding trails. You’re in heaven if you are one of those horsey types. But if animals are not your thing, you can occupy yourself in the resort’s three  outdoor swimming pools (two are heated for the winter months), go walking or biking through Moganshan Nature Reserve, golfing or take a day trip to West Lake in nearby Hangzhou.

For something more cerebral, head to the Tea Pavilion, Bamboo Museum, Project Museum and the Pottery Studio all built around a lake and try your hand at local handicrafts, sample the resort’s ‘White Tea’, turn a tea pot on the potter’s wheel and pick tea from the tea plantations. Space out at the naked Leaf Spa which boasts nine treatment rooms hidden amid bamboo groves and which open onto tranquil vistas.

You’d think this place is adults only….but you’re wrong. Happily, you can heave the kids here to luxe out, for the resort also offers The Clubhouse and a Children’s Play and Daycare Centre to keep the young’uns busy. For meals, there’s an eclectic Afro-Asian restaurant, Kikaboni (the owner is from South Africa – “Ah! So des ne!”), The Clubhouse Cafe, a Pool Bar and Bistro.

The resort is already taking in reservations for stays from October when they officially open. Earth huts starts from RMB2600 while the two-room tree top villas from RMB5800. Best thing is, these rates are ‘one night get one free’ for stays between October and November, which means approx S$260 and S$580 per night respectively. Not bad!

So finally, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Why naked?” Says the owner Grant Horsfield, “Naked means getting back to basics, living a simple life. I’d say it is about all round personal wellness, stripping away the stress of the city and most importantly reconnecting with ourselves through nature.”

Hmm – okay, so everyone has an angle…..but you can certainly do all your reconnecting and recharging there. Nice!

Good to know: The hotel can provide a car service to take you to and from Shanghai. Alternatively, the fast train from Shanghai to Hangzhou takes 45 minutes, then a car from Hangzhou to the resort takes another 45 minutes. Not too much of a hardship.

(Footnote: All pictures here are of the naked  Stables Private Reserve and its surrounds. Not of any of the ‘luxury’ European accommodation I was griping about!)