Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
Across the distinctive destinations of Capella Hotel Group, the Year of the Snake heralds a season of meaningful reunions and cultural discovery from 28 January to 12 February 2025.
Discover an auspicious stay at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, and all destinations across Capella Hotels and Resorts, twice-winner of “World’s Best Hotel Brand” by Travel + Leisure. From intimate family gatherings to immersive artistic pursuits, Capella Moments – specially curated experiences for the occasion that are complimentary for in-house guests – invite all to embrace the spirit of the occasion while creating lasting memories in settings of extraordinary beauty.
As custodians of timeless traditions and contemporary luxury, Capella Culturists and Patina Essentialists stand ready to orchestrate celebrations that transform cherished customs into moments of wonder for all guests.
Amidst the verdant tranquillity of Capella Singapore, listed in the World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024, guests are invited to celebrate with a lion and dragon dance performance on the first day of Lunar New Year on 29 January. The journey continues with a rich programme that embraces tradition and creativity – from crafting perfect pineapple tarts and mastering the meditative strokes of Chinese calligraphy, to revisiting treasured memories with local favourites such as haw flakes and candied plums. Cassia, the resort’s acclaimed modern Cantonese restaurant, will present special menus for families and friends to gather and toast to prosperity in its elegant surroundings.
In the heart of Australia’s harbour city, Capella Sydney welcomes guests into a world of cultural discovery. Experience the graceful art of Chinese calligraphy, traditional tea ceremonies, and a special Lunar New Year afternoon tea at Aperture, featuring Capella Kaluga Queen Caviar and Louis Roederer champagne. The celebrations commence on the morning of 28 January, with a lion dance performance to usher in the Year of the Snake. Through the Little Stars programme, children are invited to explore these ancient traditions and create lasting memories. A highlight of the programme will be a craft workshop led by artist Anney Bounpraseth, where children can design movable snake costumes, complete with watercolour eyes and metallic scales.
Along the serene banks of the Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok, recently crowned The World’s Best Hotel by World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024, orchestrates an enchanting celebration that bridges Thai and Chinese cultural heritage. The festivities commence with a dramatic lion dance performance weaving through the resort’s riverside sanctuary on 29 January. Guests are invited to partake in ang pao giving, where custom-designed red packets carry wishes of prosperity and joy.
Culinary journeys unfold across two distinctive venues: at Two-MICHELIN-Star Côte by Mauro Colagreco, featuring French and Italian Rivieras-inspired fare in an elegant tribute to the season, and at Phra Nakhon, where traditional Thai-Chinese delicacies tell stories of cultural confluence. At Capella’s signature Living Room, guests are welcomed with a “xin nian quan he” – an exquisite Chinese snack box presented in stunning red lacquer – transforming the moment of arrival into a celebration of heritage. Through the Little Stars programme, young guests may embark on their own cultural odyssey, crafting traditional Chinese fans and donning elegant changshan and qipao garments that connect them to centuries of ceremonial dress.
At Capella Shanghai, where heritage architecture meets modern sophistication, the Lunar New Year celebrations showcase the property’s dedication to reimagining local culture. Guests will discover the intricate art of woodblock painting, engage in the poetic tradition of lantern riddles, and experience the charm of Shikumen nongtang (lane) games—each activity thoughtfully designed to illuminate China’s rich cultural tapestry.
Capella Tufu Bay draws inspiration from the legendary Maritime Silk Road to create a celebration centred around the art of gathering, with an auspicious lion dance performance on 29 January. Little ones can embark on their own journey of discovery through tai chi for Little Stars, where gentle movements mirror the ocean’s rhythm. Chinese woodblock printing sessions – each stroke a bridge between past and present – bring out the artistic spirit in all ages. The joy of creativity reaches its peak as guests craft their own Lunar New Year blessing posters, infusing personal wishes into traditional artistry. At the Living Room, afternoon tea takes on a festive air with traditional New Year delicacies alongside creative cocktails and rice wines curated by artisanal producers.
Capella Hanoi celebrates Tet, the Lunar New Year, with experiences that honour Vietnam’s rich cultural connection to ancient traditions. Guests can experience the art of crafting banh chung, or chung cake, a traditional square-shaped Vietnamese dish made from glutinous rice, mung bean, and pork – hefty in both weight and cultural significance, and a cherished symbol of Tet’s spirit of abundance and family unity. Young guests may embark on their own cultural journey, crafting to he figurines from glutinous rice powder, or painting fans made from local dzo paper, and creating bamboo ornaments to celebrate the zodiac year. At the Michelin-selected Backstage restaurant, guests can savour the authentic flavours of Northern Vietnam with a special Lunar New Year holiday menu prepared exclusively for this festive season.
In the enchanting setting of Capella Ubud, guests can embark on a transcendent journey where centuries-old connections between Bali and China come alive through a Capella Curates experience, “Mystical Wonder of Kintamani”. Just a 45-min drive from the resort, Kintamani Village is where the echoes of a profound 12th-century love story between King Sri Jaya Pangus and Princess Kang Cing Wie of the Chung Dynasty still resonate. Within the serene surrounds of the resort, children may delight in lion dance performances and creative workshops while adults find balance in chi gong classes that channel ancient wisdom for well-being. The resort’s culinary artisans will infuse Chinese influences into afternoon tea, handcrafted cocktails, and other dining experiences, creating a harmonious blend of traditions where every moment at Capella becomes a bridge between eras that invites guests to become part of Kintamani’s continuing story of cultural harmony and spiritual awakening.
The festivities will be in full flourish at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, where modern flavours are complemented by the irresistible rhythms of live music with a reunion dinner at Portico. As dawn breaks on Lunar New Year morning on 29 January, the island awakens to the spirited performance of traditional lion dance, bestowing wishes of vitality and prosperity. At Footprints, the resort’s imaginative children’s sanctuary, young guests may discover the artistry of Chinese culture through hands-on experiences—crafting vibrant lanterns, mastering the art of dumpling-making, and engaging in playful rounds of Chinese zodiac bingo. As evening descends, families may retreat to their private villas for intimate hotpot gatherings, where tradition and luxury unite in perfect harmony with the ocean as backdrop.
To begin crafting a Lunar New Year journey at Capella’s havens of cultural discovery or Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, kindly visit https://capellahotels.com/en/lunar-new-year.
