Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has announced the appointment of Memo Hernandez as its new Executive Chef, bringing over two decades of global culinary experience to the historic luxury hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Chef Memo, originally from Costa Rica, joins the 94-year-old property after building an extensive career in luxury hospitality across different parts of the world. Most recently, he worked in the Bahamas, and his previous culinary journey has taken him to destinations including Kosovo, Vietnam, Tanzania, Maldives, Fiji, Dubai, and several other international locations.

In his new role, Chef Memo will oversee the hotel’s culinary programme and lead the teams across its key dining venues. These include Cafe d’Angkor, the signature all-day brasserie serving Asian and international dishes; 1932, the hotel’s Khmer fine-dining restaurant; The Conservatory, known for the classic Raffles Afternoon Tea experience; and the hotel’s banquet operations.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Memo Hernandez said,

“I am thrilled to be joining Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one of Asia’s most iconic luxury hotels, whose extraordinary range of culinary offerings includes the truly exclusive Bespoke Temple Dinner. I am both honoured and inspired to present my culinary creations in the sacred temples of Angkor Wat.”

One of the most distinctive dining experiences at the hotel is the Bespoke Temple Dinner, offered as part of the Raffles ‘Curated Journeys’ programme introduced in 2024. The experience takes place within the ancient temple complex of Angkor, where torch-lit surroundings create a memorable setting among the historic relics of the Khmer Empire.

The specially designed meal draws inspiration from the hotel’s original 1936 menu, which was once served in the same historic setting. Guests also enjoy an evening of traditional Cambodian Apsara dance, performed against the backdrop of the temple structures.

Chef Memo also expressed his enthusiasm for working closely with local producers in Cambodia.

“I’m also very excited to partner with local suppliers as we tap into the incredible fresh produce and resources of Cambodia,” he added.

A specialist in Nikkei cuisine, Chef Memo brings a unique culinary perspective shaped by his global journey. Nikkei cuisine is a century-old culinary tradition that originated from Japanese immigrants in Peru, blending influences in a way that reflects cultural identity rather than simply combining recipes.

Speaking about his culinary philosophy, Chef Memo said,

“My cuisine isn’t a ‘fusion’ of recipes. It’s a culinary autobiography. It’s the authentic food of a global citizen who has lived across borders and refused to leave any of those flavours behind.”

Welcoming the new Executive Chef, Joseph Colina, General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, said,

“We are delighted to welcome Chef Memo to Raffles, where he will play a critical role in continuing to elevate our culinary offerings and delivering unforgettable, authentic experiences that honour our rich heritage while embracing innovative global influences for our discerning guests.”

With this appointment, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor continues to strengthen its culinary direction while celebrating its long-standing heritage and unique dining experiences in the historic setting of Angkor.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has unveiled a sustainability-led refresh of its luxury suite accommodations and dining spaces, marking a new chapter for the iconic riverside retreat. The redesign celebrates Balinese culture and craftsmanship while introducing contemporary comforts and environmentally conscious features.

Renowned for its striking architecture, the resort’s suspended rice bowl-inspired design remains as groundbreaking today as when it first opened nearly three decades ago. Building on that legacy, the resort has collaborated with global hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to reimagine selected guest suites and public spaces through a design philosophy centred on harmony with nature, refined aesthetics, and modern functionality.

The refresh will debut in July 2026 and will include seven upgraded suites: five Premier Duplex Suites and two Family Premier Suites. The redesign also extends to the resort’s signature dining venues, Ayung Terrace and Jati Bar, which overlook the lush jungle valley and the Ayung River.

Inspired by Craftsmanship and Culture

The refreshed interiors combine the resort’s original architectural elements with Balinese textiles, locally crafted décor, and contemporary design accents. Earthy fabrics inspired by Ubud’s rice paddies are paired with dark stained wood and handcrafted materials, creating a warm yet modern atmosphere.

The new design honours the resort’s original concept while introducing updated features for today’s travellers. Smart technologies such as LUTRON lighting systems allow guests to easily control lighting and ambience within the suites, blending convenience with luxury.

The Premier Duplex Suite, a two-level retreat designed for couples, features a spacious dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river and a sun terrace that immerses guests in the surrounding natural landscape. Meanwhile, the Family Premier Suite offers a comfortable one-bedroom layout with a specially designed children’s room, spacious living areas, and serene river valley views, making it ideal for families seeking a tranquil getaway.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability plays a central role in the redesign. Energy-efficient LED lighting has been installed throughout the upgraded suites, along with new air-conditioning systems that use environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Where possible, the renovation prioritises reusing and refurbishing existing structures and materials, reducing the need for new construction resources. Any newly introduced materials have been carefully selected for durability and, wherever feasible, sourced locally.

Revitalised Dining Experiences

The redesign also enhances the resort’s dining spaces. Perched above the lush jungle valley, Ayung Terrace now features plush grey sofas, elegant wooden chairs, and marble-topped tables that complement the surrounding scenery while adding a contemporary touch.

At Jati Bar, redesigned seating in natural green and grey tones creates a relaxed yet sophisticated setting for guests to enjoy creative cocktails, light bites, and panoramic river views.

Commenting on the transformation, Tim Churchmack, Resort Manager, said the refreshed spaces celebrate both the resort’s architectural legacy and its extraordinary natural environment.

He noted that the redesign pays homage to the property’s heritage while introducing intuitive modern features that enhance comfort and guest experience, marking an exciting new phase for the resort.

The update follows several recent accolades for the riverside property, including receiving an inaugural Michelin Key in 2025 for exceptional guest experiences. In the same year, the resort’s Sacred River Spa earned a Four-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, while Ayung Terrace secured the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024 for its distinctive wine programme.

With this sustainability-driven redesign, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Bali’s most innovative luxury destinations while remaining deeply connected to the island’s culture, environment, and craftsmanship.

Air India has announced the launch of two new international routes as it continues to strengthen its presence across Asia. The airline will introduce non-stop flights between Delhi and Hanoi from 01 May 2026 and start direct services between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda) from 15 June 2026.

With the addition of Hanoi, Air India expands its footprint in Vietnam, making it the airline’s second destination in the country after Ho Chi Minh City. The Delhi - Hanoi route will operate five times a week and will complement the existing daily services to Ho Chi Minh City. This will give travellers greater flexibility, especially those planning open jaw itineraries, where they can enter Vietnam through Hanoi and depart from Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way around.

Air India will deploy its A320neo aircraft on the Delhi - Hanoi route. The aircraft offers cabin options across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The new route is expected to add around 7,028 seats every month between India and Vietnam. Passengers travelling on these flights will also benefit from convenient onward connections across Air India’s domestic network as well as international routes, including destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Strengthening connectivity with Japan, the airline will also launch non-stop flights between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda). The service will operate four times a week using Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The new Mumbai route will complement the airline’s existing Delhi - Tokyo (Haneda) flights.

Recently, Air India increased the frequency on the Delhi - Tokyo route from four weekly flights to daily services. From 14 February 2026, the airline also upgraded the route with its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, introducing Premium Economy for the first time along with enhanced cabin interiors and onboard experience.

Passengers travelling to Japan can now enjoy upgraded inflight entertainment systems, WiFi connectivity, and refreshed meal and beverage selections. Air India also maintains a codeshare partnership with fellow Star Alliance member airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), offering onward connections from Tokyo Haneda to cities such as Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo.

Speaking about the expansion, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Since Air India’s privatisation, we have significantly grown our network across Southeast Asia and the Far East, having added several new routes, optimised flight schedules to enable convenient cross-continent connections, forged new partnerships with other carriers, and deploying upgraded cabin products progressively.”

He added: “Japan and Vietnam have both emerged as fast-growing destinations for Indian travellers, while India’s economic and commercial ties with both nations continue to deepen and present more opportunities for business and trade on both sides. The launch of these new routes supports this growth and strengthens our presence in the region.”

According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, more than 3,15,000 Indian travellers visited Japan in 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to 2024 and nearly 80% growth from pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam is also gaining popularity among leisure travellers and corporate groups, particularly for tourism and MICE activities, with the country welcoming over 20 million visitors in 2025.

The Delhi - Hanoi flights will begin from 01 May 2026 and the Mumbai - Tokyo (Haneda) services will start from 15 June 2026. Bookings will gradually open across all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, and travel agents.