As the old saying goes, the thing you need most after a holiday is another holiday. Far from being a time for relaxation, the modern vacation too often works like this: Wake up earlier than normal; plough through a brutal sightseeing itinerary; allow your suppressed gluttony and alcoholism to run riot. Enough already—there are plenty of regional escapes that focus solely on your well-being. Whether you seek enlightenment, beauty treatments, or if you need to get back in shape, you can be certain you’ll return from these resorts reinvigorated.

Get Fit

Help is at hand in your battle against the bulge.

Sharing Bali at Ayung Sari Indah
Singaprang, Bali, +62 817-4705-579, www.sharingbali.com

Set amid lush hills, rainforest and sprawling farmland, and both laid back and affordable, everything about Ayung Sari Indah is distinctly Balinese, from the stone and timber bungalows with grass roofs to its statue-filled gardens. There is a calming, village feel to the place—there are no TVs and guests are encouraged to dine together. Both group and solo bookings are available.
Programs on offer:
Sharing Bali’s series of six-day “fit in Bali” programs are tailored to get your fitness back on track where 6am jogging alarms have failed. The flagship Boot Camp Bali Style conducted by personal trainers shapes both body and mind, promising to leave you energized and refreshed. Jungle treks, a volcano climb and backroad biking might sound intense, but all fitness levels are catered for. You can look forward to healthy local fare, massages, yoga and spa sessions that will ease those aching muscles.
You’ll remember it for:
The views of Bali from up in the mountains, and being able to wear the clothes you want to wear once again.
Prices start at:
AU$1,095 ($1,425), everything included.
You might also like:
Ayana Resort and Spa (Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali, +62 361-702-222. www.ayanaresort.com), the official sponsor of the 2011 Bali International Traithlon and home to an Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool.

Rawai Muay Thai Camp
43/42 M.7 Soi Sai Yuan Rd., Rawai, Phuket +66 814-769-377, www.rawaimuaythai.com

If that beach training scene in Rocky III still plays in your head, you can finally act it out, Muay Thai style. Run by brothers Tuk, Li, Fin and Hehm, Rawai is one of southern Thailand’s most popular Muay Thai gyms. Known for its family atmosphere and dedicated coaching staff, Rawai opened its doors to foreign students in 2003.
Programs on offer:
A day here begins with a 7:30am run followed by Muay Thai training (sparring, pad work and technique development). The morning training session ends with weights, stretching or yoga and afternoon training follows lunch. Rawai recommends stays of between one and three months to get the best results, but as we aren’t all blessed with that much free time, they also offer daily training rates. However long you stay, you’ll not only leave with better fitness and combat skills; Rawai’s programs also help you detox and break bad habits like smoking.
You’ll remember it for:
Your own Rocky beach scene to boast about of course. And if anyone ever tries to cross you, they’re going down.
Prices start at:
Accommodation starts at B500 ($20) per night and training starts at B500 ($20) per day.
You might also like:
Tiger Muay Thai (7/6 Moo 5 Soi Tad-ied, Ao Chalong, Muang, Phuket, +66 (0)76-367-071, www.tigermuaythai.com), one of the biggest names in the Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts arenas. You might remember some of their fighters kicking ass at last year’s Martial Combat.

The Fitness Holiday Bootcamp
The Spa Resort Chiang Mai, 165 Moo 4 Huaysai, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, www.fitnessholiday.net

The last time you were guaranteed eight to 16 pounds of weight-loss, it either involved pills, liposuction or compulsory military service. Founded by Louise and Richard Thomas, The Fitness Holiday promises to help you shed that weight amid the natural beauty and cultural wealth of northern Thailand.
Programs on offer:
The Fitness Holiday’s week-long Bootcamp is a morning-toevening holistic weight loss program. On top of the prerequisite physical activity (cardio, combat, cycling and Pilates), your journey will be aided by a delicious, low calorie menu, fat-burning sauna treatment, massage sessions and nutritional advice.
You’ll remember it for:
The sights, sounds and people of Chiang Mai (tours to the surrounding attractions are available), and the joy of not having to suck in your stomach anymore.
Prices start at:
B38,270 ($1,595), everything included.
You might also like:
Lamai Muay Thai Camp (82/2 Moo 3, Lamai Beach, Maret, Koh Samui, +66 (0)77-418-430, www.lamaimuaythaicamp.com), a dedicated Muay Thai gym with a just-opened cardio and weights facility.

Get Soul

Look after your mind and it'll look after you.

The Kandy Samadhi Centre
Kukul Oya Rd., Sri Lanka, +94 81-447-0925, www.thekandysamadhicentre.com

Samadhi—a Sanskrit term referring to a state of total meditation. A 50-minute drive from Kandy, this lush hideaway is nestled high up in the hills and offers almost total seclusion from the rest of the world; you won’t get a mobile signal up here. This isn’t a five-star retreat but a tranquil, templelike sanctuary with spacious verandahs, lotus ponds, herb gardens and artistic fixtures, with breathtaking views of the nearby hills and paddy fields.
Programs on offer:
The Centre specializes in ayurvedic treatment, particularly the Sherodhara Oil drip. Its ayurvedic consultant can also recommend the right diet and treatment for whatever ails you, be it an everyday condition, a disorder or a serious illness. Tours and nature walks to surrounding areas are available, as are barefoot shiatsu massage sessions. And we wager you’ll rethink your attitude towards vegetables after a meal here, as the ingredients for the exclusively vegetarian fare are picked fresh before each meal.
You’ll remember it for:
The morning mists, the tasty organic food, the stunning greenery and the feeling of absolute rejuvenation upon leaving the place.
Prices start at:
US$45 ($57) a night.
You might also like:
Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort (Samanthara Rd., Pothupitiya, +94 38 428-4996, www.ayurvedaresort.com)—yet another serene, lush niche on the south-western coast of this teardrop isle. The sparkling blue waters of the Indian Ocean are postcard perfect. Further afield and higher up in Bhutan, Uma Paro (Paro, +975 (8) 271-597, www.uma.paro.como.bz) is an incredible blend of luxury, nature and Himalayan Zen.

ONEWORLD retreats Kumara
Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, +62 361-972-685, www.oneworldretreats.com/ubud_resort.php

Perched high above slopes of beautiful paddy fields, Bali’s artistic and cultural nerve center is a refreshing antithesis to the backpacker-laden towns to the south. The Kumara, as it’s fondly known, has 10 sophisticated rooms, verdant gardens, two pools and lots of nature-based fixtures, from gorges to a small river.
Programs on offer:
You can opt for packages that include yoga lessons for beginners, spa treatments ranging from massages to facials, and meditation classes. Meals are clean, fresh, organic and utterly delicious. Regulars who flock here annually describe this place as heaven on earth.
You’ll remember it for:
The ultimate detox, de-stress and rehab holiday. We’re not for flippant marketing catchphrases, but you’ll definitely leave this place “a new you.”
Prices start at:
US$117.60 ($148) per night.
You might also like:
Zen Resort Bali (Ds. Ume Anyar Seririt, Singaraja, +62 3629-3578)— away from the crowded southern parts of the island, it’s situated on the laidback northern coast. Zen touts itself as Bali’s “first integrated ayurveda, yoga and nature resort.”

Get Better

The path to wellness involves lots of lying back, soaking, sinking into things and being kneaded.

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Ipoh, Perak, +60 (5) 210-7777, www.thebanjaran.com

This eco-friendly retreat spreads traditional Chinese, Malay and Indianesque treatments across its extensive menu. Just a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, within the Tambun mountain range, it’s surrounded by natural wonders. Banjaran’s villas offer three different bathing options—the rainforest shower, geothermal hot dipping pools and ice baths.
Programs on offer:
Programs last from three to 21 nights and include accommodation. Targeting those battling their biological clocks, the Longevity program features organic anti-ageing facials and body polishes, antioxidant restoration and a Pranayama Breathing session. The Rejuvenation program lets you enjoy organic rejuvenation facials, traditional Malay and Warm River Stone massages and a Reiki or Chakra Balancing treatment. For those who need inner and outer cleansing, the Detox program comes with organic detox facials, a nutrition consultation, a colonic hydrotherapy session and Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massages.
You’ll remember it for:
The KuuSh 24 Carat Gold Facial. Touted as the most powerful antiaging element, this ayurvedic treatment promises healthier, refreshed, more elastic skin through the removal of toxins. Gold diggers take note.
Prices start at:
RM1,800 ($750) a night.
You might also like:
The Datai, Langkawi (Jalan Teluk Datai, Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, +60 (4) 959-2500, www.ghmluxuryhotels.com) is another rainforest retreat specializing in massages, body polishes and bathing ceremonies with Balinese, Indian and Tibetan themes. Across in East Malaysia, Borneo Highlands Resort (Jalan Borneo Heights, Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak +60 (8) 257-7930, www.borneohighlands.com.my) is known for its treatments inspired by the native Bidayuh tribe.

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa
102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Rd., Na-Muang, Koh Samui, Suratthani, +66 (0)77-429-800, www.kamalaya.com

Away from the tourist bustle of Koh Samui and atop a secluded hill, accommodation options include rooms, suites and villas with private pools overlooking the open sea. The resort’s ethnic and rustic furnishings and statues of deities give it a real spiritual vibe.
Programs on offer:
Detox, yoga, stress and burnout management, fitness and weight control. The Kamalaya Personal Yoga Synergy program, a private session for both beginners and experts, is an obvious choice—it helps you master asana (physical posture), pranayama (breathing) and meditation. The three- to seven-night packages include accommodation, airport transfers, meals, usage of fitness facilities, a wellness consultation, Body Bio-Impedance Analysis, and Vital Essential Oil ayurvedic and Indian massages.
You’ll remember it for:
The Monks’ Cave. Contemplate on your boo-hoos and midlife crises in these silent chambers, where the monk Arjan Daeng, renowned for his ability to communicate with other life forms, once resided.
Prices start at:
B6,500 ($270) a night.
You might also like:
The Spa Resort Koh Samui (Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani, +66 (0)77-230-855, www.thesparesorts.net), a rustic beachfront retreat hosting themed yoga programs.

The Farm at San Benito
119 Barangay Tipakan, Lipa City, Batangas, +63 2884- 8074, www.thefarm.com.ph

If you’re after the charm of a kampong stay, The Farm at San Benito won’t disappoint. Set against misty mountains, its suites and villas resemble the traditional rice barns and thatched-roof houses of the Philippines with a muster of roaming peacocks sealing the deal.
Programs on offer:
The prevention program promises better health, vitality, energy and longevity for guests. This four-night stint offers nutritional microscopy, colon hydrotherapy sessions, wheatgrass infusion therapy and kidney cleansing, coupled with spa treatments such as Hampol, Hilot massage, skin kayud and kawalag body detox—all of which utilize local herbs and methods. The package includes return airport transfers, accommodation, meals, holistic health consultation and activities such as yoga, meditation and Mandala flower arranging. Their vegan restaurant Alive! prepares food using dehydrators which lock in nutrients and enzymes usually destroyed by cooking.
You’ll remember it for:
The Chlorophyll Body Wrap. That green pigment is a powerful antioxidant which cleanses your lymphatic system and alkalinizes your body. It’s also an excuse to look like The Hulk.
Prices start at:
PHP7,000 ($200) a night.
You might also like:
Mandala Spa and Villas (Boracay Island, Malay Aklan, +63 362-885-858, www.mandalaspa.com)—situated on a private beach on Boracay Island, they offer three- to 14-day detox programs.

Chiva-Som
73/4 Petchkasem Rd., Hua Hin, Prachuab Khirikhan, +66 (0) 3253- 6536, www.chivasom.com

This retreat bagged six major industry awards in 2010 alone. Located on the Thai royals’ favorite beach Hua Hin, accommodation options include ocean view rooms, traditional pavilions and suites. It brings in renowned practitioners to conduct wellness classes and programs. The usage of cameras and other electronic devices outside the rooms isn’t allowed, so don’t even think of “checking in” on Facebook.
Programs on offer:
Their three- to 28-night packages feature holistic therapies, beauty services from the Niranlada Cosmetic Beauty center and the usage of water therapy suites on top of an impressive list of massages, facials and manipedis. If you stay longer, you’ll benefit from their crystal therapy, incorporating ancient art and modern energy techniques to balance the body’s chakra system.
You’ll remember it for:
Its exclusive treatments for men, such as the Volcanic Pumice Polish that revitalizes and hydrates tired skin. We’re glad someone finally got round to addressing men’s spa needs.
Prices start at:
B44,550 ($1,850), everything included.
You might also like:
Six Senses Sanctuary (32 Moo 5, Tambol Paklok, Amphur Thalang, Phuket, +66 76-371-400, www.sixsenses.com), another beachfront retreat featuring oriental spa services such as Chinese acupuncture, Taoist Chi Nei Tsang detox, full-body Shiatsu and foot acupressure.

COMO Shambhala Estate
Banjar Begawan, Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali, +62 361- 978-888, www.cse.como.bz

Sitting on the pristine hills of Ubud, COMO Shambhala Estate impresses guests with its dramatic surrounds of rice fields and the Ayung River Gorge. Rooms and suites echo elements of Javanese and Balinese tradition, each with a distinct personality.
Programs on offer:
Customized packages running the gamut of therapies, fitness, retreats and wellness, as well as tai chi, trekking and yoga. The estate’s Cleansing program incorporates good nutrition and daily elimination to keep the liver, bowels, kidney and skin in top-notch condition. Its three to seven-night packages include accommodation, meals, return airport transfers, wellness consultation, massages and cleansing treatments. Another favorite is the Javanese Royal Lulur Bath, a beauty ritual from the Royal Palaces of central Java.
You’ll remember it for:
Guinot Hydradermie Facial. Promising cell-repair and a radiant glow, it penetrates the skin with an electric current. One can only hope that the people who operate this thing know what they’re doing.
Prices start at:
US$535 ($675) a night.
You might also like:
The Golden Rock Retreat (Dusun Aas, Desa Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem, Bali, +62 828-9700-8592, www. theretreatbali.com) sits on Bali’s east coast and offers cleansing programs like Bio-Magnetic Resonance which realigns the body’s energy field

Luxury living is the in thing these days, and it’s not just the nouveau rich who choose to live it up. With high fashion boutiques, exclusive residential addresses, facelifts and club memberships available to just about anyone who has cash to spare, anyone, it seems, can lead the high life. From prestigious travel destinations to stylish sports cars to the latest bling in town, here’s our guide to living it up, baby.

The New Address | Members Only | Dress to Impress
Luxury Getaways | Wine and Dine | Face Off | The Good Life

The New Address

Get yourself a new home at the Sentosa Cove (Call 6270-0200 to make an appointment), Singapore’s most expensive and exclusive residential site. Located on Sentosa, 90 percent of the plots of land has been sold, with prices up to $2m for seafront units. What sets this address apart is a mega-yacht marina complete with boating facilities, so that residents with a private yacht can berth them literally in their very own backyards. Not since Australia’s waterfront homes with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has another seafront residential area been so popular and coveted.

With a new home bought, those who want to indulge a little further should snag themselves an artwork from Opera Gallery (#02-12H, Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, 6735-2618). Home to some of the most expensive art pieces from all over the world, the outlet carries masterpieces by the likes of Warhol, Chagall and Picasso. But if you really want to live it up, the US$4.5m Modigliani piece Sapho is the one to get, as it is the most expensive painting selling in Singapore right now.

But what’s a real home without the right set of wheels in the driveway? The world’s fastest (and one of the most expensive) cars, the Koenigsegg, is available for sale here for almost $2.1m (call 9875-9875 for appointment and enquiries). The Swede import is not only speedy, but it’s super stylish to boot, boasting a two-seat mid-engine construction with a removable hardtop.

However, if motorbikes are more your thing, the striking and expensive Ducatti 999R (call Minerva Motors at 6298-4777 for appointment and enquiries) is the best out there—never mind that only one Ducatti has ever been sold in Singapore so far. Priced at over $70k, this superbike is a certified showstopper, and comes with a highly progressive design, including the striking black and red frames and wheels.

Top

Members Only

Snag yourself an exclusive club membership and mingle with the who’s who of high society. The Sentosa Golf Club (27 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, 6275-0022) counts Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra as members, and is the club to get yourself into. Membership is highly revered, and is mostly by invitation only. But the club intends to increase its cackle of elites to 2,500 members from their present 1,500, so just give them a buzz if you have $121k to spare, the price of a year’s membership.

You can also try your luck at The Tower Club (9 Raffles Place Penthouse, Republic Plaza Tower 1, 6737-3388), as a five-year term membership is relatively affordable at just $10k. The highly esteemed board of governors includes President S. R. Nathan and Ambassador-at-Large Prof. Tommy Koh. This clandestine business club extends itself by recommendation and invitation only, so members are privileged with the power to preordain their social sets. Find out if your boss is a member, and get chummy with him or her—now.

Top

Dress to Impress

Hardcore fashionistas who have always dreamed of looking like a tai-tai, look no further. First stop: Luxury fashion store Hermes (#01-02A Liat Towers, 541 Orchard Rd., 6738-9807), where you can splurge on a much-coveted Birkin bag. This baby is individually handmade with over 2,600 hand stitches, and takes at least 23 hours to produce. First created for legendary French actress Jane Birkin in 1984 (hence its name), this is still the bag to be seen with. The starting price is $8.8k, and it goes up to nearly $20k. Waiting time: two years.

If you can’t wait that long, the gorgeous Fendi (#01-32 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6887-5981) bags are the next best thing. This season, the B Fendi bags, which come with a multitude of breathtaking covers such as butter-soft calfskin and gleaming patent leather, are simply a must-have for aspiring tai-tais, and they’re gorgeous to boot. The damage: Over $33k for selected models.

Shoe sluts must get their feet into the $1.5k Alaia shoes from On Pedder (#02-12 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, 6835-1307). These are the season’s most luxurious and trendiest heels, and are available for the first time in Singapore. Proclaimed by fashion high priestess Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune as fashion’s latest must-have, Alaia shoes come with delicate intertwining straps and killer vertical heels. Trendsetter Sarah Jessica Parker (TV’s Sex and the City) has been spotted with many pairs, and they are set to replace Manolo Blahnik as the shoe that befits any fashion queen.

Further bling out your inner Paris Hilton and 50 Cent with Cartier’s (#01-33 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6734-2427) range of yellow gold plated panther necklaces and pendants. The range, which boasts 18-carat gold, beautiful black lacquer markings and onyx muzzles, is a must have for any self-respecting golddigger, considering that most of the pieces cost over $50k.

Those who want to take it a little further can invest in a customized watch from Audemars Piguet (#17-00 Liat Towers, 541 Orchard Rd., 6238-6678), which can fetch as much as $3m. Each timepiece can be made according to the customer’s needs—from the dials to the movements to the crown—and attracts business types as avid fans.

Complete your luxe ensemble with the highly refined and sought after Vertu (#01-36 The Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6723-2288) handphones. The sleek Signature phone, which comes with 69.25 carats of pure scratch resistant sapphire crystal, starts at a cool $7.9k. Local celebrities such as actress Kym Ng have been spotted with one, and it’s about time you are too, if you want to make it to the high life.

Top

Luxury Getaways

Quite naturally, all that shopping would require you to take a much deserved luxury holiday. Landlubbers with queasy bellies can still enjoy a cruise with Crystal Cruises (jeffhang@usa.net, www.crystalcruises.com), especially since it’s a six-star cruise line which offers pure luxury on the high seas. These cruises take you to ports around the world, though predominately to those in Europe. What’s US$8-10k for a two-week cruise (excluding airfare to/from the port destinations), when you can have 24-hour butler service, champagne and fine wines in all the suites and the chance to hobnob with the rich and famous from the world over?

If cruising with hundreds is just not your style, how about hiring a private yacht for your exclusive use? A 3D/4N long weekend sail to Pulau Tioman on board Rising Tide, an 85-foot rigged schooner, will set you back $11k for eight persons. Dive, snorkel, wakeboard or just laze about in the sun. You’ll enjoy three meals cooked right on board, and comfy air-conditioned cabins and bathrooms.

Or fly to Bangkok or London on a private jet. Pacific Flight Services Ltd. (ST Aerospace Engineering Building, Seletar West Camp, Seletar Airport, 6481-3756) can fly you to over 200 destinations, and charges $3.6-3.8k for every hour you’re on-board the plane.

Perhaps a secluded private island is more your thing. At Pulau Pangkil (enquiry2006@pangkil.com, www.pangkil.com), you can rent the whole island for a mere $11.8k for a 3D/2N weekend for 30 people. You don’t have to play Robinson Crusoe on this island located just off the coast of Pulau Bintan. This is executive camping at its best, with butlers and maids at your beck and call yet not losing that rustic outback feel. There are nine elegant driftwood bungalows, all just a few paces from the beach. Don’t expect air-conditioned rooms here though. The natural sea breeze and the hypnotic sounds of the waves nearby are enough to lull you to sleep on the four-poster beds.

Amanpulo of the ultra über Aman Resorts (6887-3337, reservations@amanresorts.com, www.amanresorts.com), has just the thing for couples looking for a romantic holiday, no holds barred. At US$5,595+++, expect to be indulged for five nights on private Pamalican island, an hour’s flight from Manila. Staying in the Beach Casita, you’ll be indulged with a welcome champagne, three meals a day, a sunset cruise with cocktails and canapés, and a beach BBQ with a massage thrown in. The highlight of this lovers’ trip is the “blessing” on the beach at sunset.

Not ritzy enough for delicate sun-sensitive tai-tais? At Banyan Tree Seychelles (6849-5800, www.banyantree.com), the two-bedroom Presidential Villa, which goes for $7-7.4k per night, offers “the ultimate in luxury, exclusivity and privacy.” The price includes your very own private cove, a free-form infinity pool carved into granite boulders, an outdoor jet pool and shower, a large sun deck, and living pavilion with a kitchen and guest bathroom.

Bhutan is a unique holiday destination to name-drop at your next high society do, especially if you stayed at the Uma Paro (+975-232-6254, infor.paro@uma.como.bz, www.uma.como.bz). At US$13,716 for a Himalayan Explorer seven-night package, you’d have much to brag about. The package includes accommodation with full board, custom designed activities, a COMO Shambhala massage and other administrative costs. Uma Paro is set in the forested hilltop with only 20 rooms and nine villas on the 38-acre estate. And in keeping with the meditative, wellness focus of the property, dishes served are wholesome and nourishing, relying on organic produce grown in the surrounding valleys.

But if don’t plan to travel far, check in at the Presidential Suite at The Fullerton Hotel (1 Fullerton Square, 6877-8077). Priced at $5,880+++ per night, the space comprises a living room, dining room, entertainment area with a Baby Grand piano, kitchen, a magnificent glass enclosed air-conditioned verandah, and round-the-clock butler service.

Top

Wining and Dining

Every suave dinner party must have wine. But pull out all stops, or in this case corks, and bring out the jaw-dropping $8,000 bottle of Domaine de la Romanee Conti from Burgundy. You can lay your hands on this rare and much sought-after wine at Bacchus Boathouse ( #03-01 The Boathouse, 3 Fullerton Rd., 6538-9038).

Living the high life must include knowing (or at least appreciating) your food and wine. What better way than to join a group of connoisseurs from the Slow Food Convivium Society (www.slowfood.org.sg)? Their monthly gourmet five-hour lunches are a steal at only $120 per person, considering this includes free flow of wine and champagne.

Planning a private party? Let the experts glam it up for you. Sit back and look pretty as Wendy and Adeline from LE (6736-1782, Lelife@le.com.sg, www.le.com.sg) conceptualize and execute the itsy bitsy details that go into making your party the talk of the town.

Top

Face Off

What better way to indulge yourself than a little nip-tuck and a facelift whenever necessary? Famous plastic surgeons Dr. Woffles Wu and Dr. Marco Faria-Correa spill some of their most popular services.

What are the most expensive operations you perform?
$25k for a full face and neck lift, and a facelift for $15k.

What are the most popular procedures?
Double eyelids and eyebag surgery, which cost about $3.5-5k. Botox and fillers are also popular among tai-tais and socialites. I also do about two major liposuctions a week.

Who are your clients?
Celebrities, tai-tais, entrepreneurs, corporate bigwigs and prime ministers.

How often do your regulars see you in a year?
About four to five times.

Why is plastic surgery so important today?
Because it is human nature to want to look good. It’s an age-old desire.

What is your price range like?
The cheapest is $500 for a botox injection, mole removal or scar removal. A nose job costs around $5-6k, and a nose implant about $8k. Extreme makeovers can cost as much as $18-20k.

Who are some of your main clients?
Most of them are quite high status people: Professionals, entrepreneurs, celebrities and rich tai-tais. I not only see locals but also many visitors. They recommend me to their friends by word of mouth.

What are the most popular procedures?
It depends on the age. For instance, liposuction is most frequently requested by men and women from all age groups, while older women prefer breast lifts and implants. The men prefer to work on double eyelids, eye bags and nose jobs because they want to look young. This is especially so with politicians, artistes and celebrities.

Why is plastic surgery so important today?
It makes you feel good. It is a very personal thing: Go for it if you are unhappy. Beauty is a very strong concept here. Tai-tais need to please their husbands. It is also a sign of power.

Top

The Good Life

High flyers in the industry show us how to live it up.

Michelle Nicholas, Director of beauty and spa boudoir Adriana

“My idea of living it up is to have a massage at least three times a week and a weekly indulgent facial to stay youthful; taking short holidays to nearby destinations at least once in three to four months to unwind; indulging in vintage wines at private tastings and chilling out in a good ambience with music; shopping in Hong Kong, China, Europe, Australia, the US and never getting bored looking for flattering and everlasting fashion cuts and statement pieces from local designers and brands such as Chanel; enjoying the finer gourmet dining in some of my favorite haunts including Sebastiens, The Canteen, Les Amis, Au Jardin, Shiro, Garibaldi’s and Morton’s; and driving in a BMW Z4 3-liter with a six speed manual gearbox, although that hasn’t really happened yet. (Laughs). But my real ticket to indulgence is to fly to Paris, Monte Carlo, Milan, Zermatt—been there, done that, but I will do it over and over again!”

Henne Mercer, managing director of TONI&Guy

“Travel is my ultimate indulgence, and I always have a long list of must-see places that I am planning to try and fit in trips to. However, apart from chilling out with my family on holidays, we treat ourselves to crazy “girls’ weekends” for shopping and pampering in places like Bangkok and Bali. I love discovering local designers in these places and buying fantastic clothes, accessories and jewelry. One of my favorite getaways is Bali, a place and people that is always inspirational, serene and truly beautiful. My recent trip with my husband, David, my daughter, India, and my parents was indulgent in every sense. We stayed in a huge villa set in gardens with a pool in the heart of trendy Seminyak. We ate at amazing restaurants, had divine massages, sunbathed by the pool and explored unknown parts of the Bali countryside.”

Madeleine Ho, marketing director of Hermes

“My greatest indulgence is really clothes and food. I’m into functional art, and what’s more functional than clothes and food, two things that we all need daily. I have given up collecting paintings, sculptures and books as they have become nothing more than clutter to me. I usually do most of my shopping when I’m in Paris for work, twice a year. This is usually at the very tail end of the seasonal markdowns, which also coincides with the beginning of each season, so I get the best of both worlds. As I only have one afternoon to shop, I usually land up at places like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Favorite buys this year from Singapore and Paris: White Ann Demuelemeester skirt from Printemps, hairy Martin Margiela vest from Club 21, Tina Borg ruched shirt dress from Felt, Victorian lace top from Kenzo and the most gorgeous lambskin laced up platform heels from Hermes. Apart from fashion, I also stock up on beauty products, lingerie and food.”

Melvyn Goh, managing director of Eurosports Auto and Lamborghini car enthusiast

“I love Lamborghini for its extremism and exclusivity. As Lamborghini keeps pushing the boundaries of performance, it is a symbol of ‘nothing is impossible.’ It is also an appropriate symbol of success for its owners. I drive a Model Year 2005 Gallardo Coupe, which features 500 horsepower from a V10 engine. Shortly, I will be upgrading to the Model Year 2006, which has an additional 20 horsepower and even more extreme performance. The model year 2006 Gallardo Coupe is currently available at $798k, excluding COE. In terms of modifications, Lamborghini is a car that you customize in the factory with a wide range of options. Each Lamborghini is custom tailored to the owners’ specifications, down to the color of the stitching in the leather seats. Lamborghini also offers a wide range of accessories, clothing and leatherware for its owners. This ranges from pencils to wallets, document folders, attache cases and luggage sets. Certainly, a Lamborghini is an indulgence. It is also a lifestyle, as it is about declaring who you are and reveling in the extreme nature of a Lamborghini. Lamborghinis are specifically designed as extreme sports cars that one can use daily. To own one is to declare to the world that ‘I have truly arrived.’”

Top