Ski like a socialite, pay like a peasant

Welcome back to Happenings. From recs for those who find ski season’s usual suspects to be too posh to the Maldives becoming surprisingly affordable to an interview with the founder of a burgeoning, indie fashion brand currently collaborating with Rosewood Hotels, your cheeky take on the travel-sphere awaits, courtesy of our UK Editor, Luke Abrahams.

Artfarm, the folk behind Scotland’s BEST hotel (in my humble opinion), The Fife Arms, has just dropped a bomb: they are opening a new hotel in Switzerland. Say “allegra” to Chesa Marchetta, a 13-bedroom boutique gem opening this winter season in Sils Maria, the cultural centre of the Engadin valley. Designed by Luis Laplace, the cosy spot has been furnished with traditional Engadin furniture and artwork by local artists and artisans. Plus, there’s going to be a 46-cover restaurant open to both hotel guests and non-residents. Joy! Find out more here.

Ski season is frightfully posh. I mean, just look at yours truly, who learned how to tackle the slopes in St Moritz earlier this year. The gear is spenny; the food is spenny; the outfits are spenny... heck, the big mega resorts nowadays would even charge you to breathe if they could. Away from the A-list destinations—St Moritz, Megève, Courchevel, Val d’Isère—you’ll find plenty of resorts where prices are far less bank account-busting. From Italy to France and Bulgaria, here is some actually useful clickbait to save you a few cents this winter. You are welcome.

I know, I was just as shocked as you when I saw the headline as I was writing it. According to a recent deep dive article by our friends at BBC Travel, the ultra-luxe destination is now “embracing a more local, sustainable model of tourism that’s changing who gets to experience paradise.” In a nutshell, recent government reforms across the island nation have allowed Maldivians to open guesthouses on inhabited islands, once a no-no, as tourism in this part of the world was previously confined to unpopulated resort enclaves. The basic crux is that you can do the Maldives on the cheap if you are smart, savvy and plan well ahead.

In our latest drop of Meet The Tastemaker, we catch up with Vietnamese fashionista and entrepreneur Nga Nguyen, founder of indie boutique lifestyle brand Never Go Alone. From the fashion brand that excites her most to an exciting collaboration with Rosewood Hotels, here’s the world through the eyes of Nga. Follow her here (if she accepts).

Luke: Tell me about your hospitality style in a sentence.

Nga: I’d say my hospitality style is all about elegance with a twist—thoughtful surprises, personal touches, and just enough charm to make it unforgettable.

Luke: You are a small, independent brand. What have you found most challenging since you began this journey?

Nga: For Never Go Alone, the trick has been balancing our creative side with practicality—designing products that feel thoughtful and unique, but still make good business sense.

Luke: Name your favourite boutique hotel in the world. Why do you love it so much?

Nga: I adore Passalacqua in Como—it effortlessly blends modern style with classic charm, making you feel genuinely at home. The views are stunning, the service is impeccable, and the owner’s thoughtful check-ins make it easy to forget you’re even staying at a hotel.

Luke: What has been your proudest moment in the luxury hospitality space? Why has it stood out so much?

Nga: My proudest moment in the luxury hospitality space has been seeing our products come to life at the Chancery Rosewood—guests experience them firsthand, hearing their compliments on the scent, and seeing their appreciation for the design and packaging. It’s in those moments, when you see genuine delight and engagement with something you’ve created, that all the effort and attention to detail truly feel worthwhile.

Luke: Looking fabulous is important. Name three beauty products you will always find in NGA’s handbag.

Nga: I never go anywhere without a nourishing lip balm, sunscreen SPF 50, and the NGA hand cream.

Luke: We want to be nosy. Where do you love to shop? And sorry, you can only choose three.

Nga: I love Koibird for all my fun holiday looks. Harvey Nichols just opened a new concept section on the GF, which is so exciting and fab, and of course, Paris for all things trendy.

Luke: You are a fashion queen. What’s a small, indie label that excites you right now?

Nga: I love this brand called Standing Ground. It’s an excellent showcase of minimalism and architectural tailoring.

Luke: Vietnam is home. Where’s the one place we need to visit?

Nga: Ninh Binh captures its magic best—wild, cinematic, and impossibly beautiful.

Luke: There’s a lot of greenwashing around now. What are you doing to make a difference and how are you educating your consumers to do the same?

Nga: Sustainability has to be more than a buzzword—it’s about making conscious choices every day. For us, that starts with creating products that are refillable and designed to last, rather than to be replaced. Education comes naturally through storytelling—we’re transparent about our processes, materials, and why we make the choices we do. It’s about inviting people to be part of something that feels good and does good, without compromising on beauty or quality.

Luke: What has been your most exciting project so far and what can we expect next?

Nga: One of the most exciting milestones for us has been becoming the amenities brand for The Chancery, A Rosewood hotel in London. It’s a true honor to see our products featured in such a prestigious setting, and it feels like just the beginning of an incredible journey. Moving forward, you can expect us to continue expanding thoughtfully—bringing luxury, sustainability, and meaningful experiences to more exceptional spaces.

Luke: What’s the one NGA travel accessory you never leave the house without?

Nga: Definitely the 20ml sanitizing treatment mist.

Luke: Tell me your absolute wildest travel story.

Nga: My wildest travel story has to be the time I got to sit and cuddle with wild cheetahs in Namibia—yes, actual wild cheetahs! They were so curious that they started licking my leggings, which was equal parts thrilling and hilarious. Feeling their raw strength and power up close was humbling in a way that words barely capture. It’s a reminder that nature is fierce, beautiful, and full of surprises.

Luke: Name one place you visited that changed you. Why?

Nga: One place that truly changed me was Egypt, standing before the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its mysterious presence, vast in scale and rich in history, stirred something deep within me. I’ve always been fascinated by archaeology—the way fragments of the past whisper stories of human ingenuity—and seeing the pyramid in person was profoundly humbling

Fancy pancy historical jewel, Blenheim Palace, is set to open an exhibition dedicated to Britain’s Royal Family. Life Through a Royal Lens at Blenheim Palace runs from 10th July to 27th September and examines the Royal Family’s enduring relationship with the camera, from the reign of Queen Victoria right through to the present day. After all, they are one of the most photographed families in the world so the exhibition just makes sense, right? Book here.

Boutique hotel Jamaica Inn is now fully operational after the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa. To show solidarity with their community, the property has launched the Jamaica Inn Foundation relief effort to help support relief efforts on the island. The hotel has also offered a 70% discount to aid workers who need a base while supporting recovery efforts on the island. To support the Jamaica Inn Foundation, follow the link here.