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Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) just snagged the Leading Cabin Crew in Asia title at the World Travel Awards 2020! Congratulations, RB!

We can’t be more proud than this airline that has been a favourite with Halaluxe. If that’s not enough to have them on your next must-fly airline, here are seven more:

1. They won an award!

Their cabin crew were named the “Leading Cabin Crew in Asia” at the World Travel Awards 2020. (We’re repeating ourselves, we know – but this is just too good!)

2. Observing the Sunnah

We love that each flight begins with the Traveller’s Supplication as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him). There’s a deep sense of tranquility when you start your journey connected to your Creator.

3. Shariah-compliant (great all around!)

RB remains one of the few airlines in the world that keeps alcohol off its service. In our books, that’s a BIG plus.

4. The food’s so good – we kid you not!

Suffice to say the meals served are halal and tayyib! Even those in Economy Class are delish (props to Royal Brunei Catering!).

5. Salah-made-easy

It’s easy to perform your salah on-board. The crew are accommodating and most times (depending on passenger capacity), there will be a prayer space made available to you. No questions asked.

6. Boutique service we love

RB is a boutique airline. This simply means intimate service where the crew remains oh, so ever attentive to you! They are truly a hospitable bunch.

7. Unique Bruneian hospitality

Theirs may be one of the smallest network carriers, but the Bruneian hospitality is big on RB. It is the little touches in the service that make you remember your flight. And that was perhaps why the airline’s crew were given such high recognition.

Find out more at: flyroyalbrunei.com

Main picture credit: Royal Brunei Airlines

It’s not easy to get a beach to yourself.

But the sheer remoteness of Bawah Reserve makes it possible for you (and we mean you, Sista!) to experience the true freedom of letting your hair down, literally.

Bawah’s allure is in its sheltered seclusion in the Anambas Archipelago.
The nearest habitable island is a two-hour boat ride away. This glorious remoteness means when you’re on your private beach – and there are several to choose from – you are completely alone. Well, you and the picnic basket your hosts will pack for you, that is.

With no one around for miles, we can think up of so many ways to enjoy this privacy which truly is a rare luxury.

Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Food is integral to the traveller experience.

There’s no better or more delightful way to discover the local culture and its people by eating your way into the experience!

As with anyone travelling with a dietary restriction, early planning ensures your vacation plans remain stress-free. And, with today’s hospitality skills include being mindful of guests’ dietary needs, it’s even easier to communicate your request on halal food to your hosts if you give it a little bit of thought.

Don’t delay that communiqué

To manage expectations on both sides – yours and the host’s – early communications is key. Enquire during the booking process if the hotel can cater to your halal requirements.

Are there any Muslim kitchen staff on-board?

Having a fellow Muslim in the kitchen certainly helps! Because he/she would be able to advise you on matters concerning storage of halal meats/ingredients, separate kitchen work areas and any risks of cross-contamination.

Speak to the man on top aka The Head Ched

Many hotels and resorts are happy to arrange halal-certified meats for the duration of your stay. To ensure there is no risk of cross-contamination, enquire if:

a) the halal meats are stored separately from the rest of the kitchen items

b) seafood can be stored separately from the rest of the kitchen items

c) it is possible, throughout the duration of your stay, to have the halal meats/seafood stored independently from the rest of the kitchen items

d) the kitchen can prepare your meals with separate utensils (knives, cutting board, pans, grills, pots).

You’d be surprised at just how accommodating the industry can be. That only leaves you to enjoy the scenery and all else in between.

Main picture credit: Bawah Reserve

Halaluxe is a BIG fan of Spa Village. Being in their spa is a journey to experiencing the healing traditions and ancient wellness rituals of the place they operate. Combining age-old traditional remedies sourced from indigenous ingredients used to curate signature therapies in every spa, each treatment is unique and a delightful sensorial experience.

Now you can retreat to and experience all their spas with an amazing offer. For a limited time, purchase the Spa Village 11.11 One-for-One offer for 11 spa treatments at MYR3,000 and enjoy another 11 spa treatments, complimentary. That is a bargain offer of MYR136 per visit!

All vouchers are valid for two years and transferable across all Spa Village properties in Malaysia. These are: Spa Village Pangkor Laut, Spa Village Tanjong Jara, Spa Village Cameron Highlands, Spa Village Malacca, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, The Majestic Spa Village and Spa Village Gaya Island.

To purchase, visit bit.ly/3eJ1EC1. For more information, WhatsApp +60 18 340 9034 or email spavillagekl@ytlhotels.com.my. Offer ends 12 November, 2020.

Disclaimer: Halaluxe makes no money from this promotion.

Main picture credit: Spa Village Pangkor Laut

How simple is “halal”? We break it down for you here: 

What is “Halal”?

Making food halal (permissible) simply means ensuring that meats are slaughtered the Islamic way, or that they are procured from a Muslim slaughterhouse.

Next is to ensure that all ingredients used in the kitchen are also halal. For instance, halal food should not come in contact with non-halal ingredients, such as alcohol, pork or by-products of animals that have not been slaughtered in the Islamic way. Examples of this are using halal-certified bouillon or halal Mirin.

How do you make a kitchen halal?

A halal kitchen or work area can be easily achieved if one can follow these SOPs:

• have a clear, designated and defined working area that separates halal cooking from the non-halal kitchen area,
• separate refrigeration area and separate storage for halal meats/seafood and halal ingredients,
• while a separate set of cooking utensils and equipment can be fitted for the purpose of this dedicated halal kitchen/work area, anyone desiring to cook halal may use any existing equipment if these are thoroughly cleaned,
• ensure everyone understands halal, and adheres strictly to halal SOPs when preparing halal meals.

What other tips do you have?

Halal products and ingredients are widely available these days. At the end of the day, having the right attitude towards halal integrity and respecting the needs of the Muslim will have far reaching effects in ensuring halal compliance in the kitchen within the perimeters set above. Ultimately, it boils down to respecting the requirements of other religions and accommodating the dietary needs of Muslim customers.

Have a question? Please submit to anis@halaluxe.com

Irresistible deals from hotels and resorts you don’t want to miss!

So, okay. We’re all waiting for several borders to open. In the meantime, some leading resorts and properties are enticing us to plan and dream by offering gift cards and certificates with added value. From flexible cancellation policies to no blackout dates and a validity of three years, we‘re highlighting some of the best options.

Six Senses

The “Plan Now, Play Later Certificate” are available to purchase until December 20, 2020 and are valid for a period of three years from the date of issue. It offers an additional 20 percent bonus that may be used towards a room upgrade or any purchases on property including dining, spa treatments and activities.

https://www.sixsenses.com/en/offers/plan-now-play-later

Anantara

Choose from 1 to 4 nights Reserve Certificate that offers up to 40% savings and exclusive benefits. Offer ends 22 July, 2020 but you can redeem your holiday when you are ready to travel. Each property details its blackout dates and cancellation policies.

https://egiftcard.anantara.com/

Avani

For a limited time, Avani is giving travellers who purchase its eGift Certificate before 22 July, 2020 a bonus credit of 45% of its original value. This can be redeemed for stays until 31 July, 2021 at any of Avani’s 32 properties across the globe. Use it for overnight stays, tours and other excursions offered by Avani insiders, or indulge in their spa treatments or dining experiences.

https://egiftcard.avanihotels.com/en/certificates#cert_count

Aman

For stays at Aman, you can purchase your gift cards from now until 31 July, 2020. These gift cards offer an additional 20% bonus value that may be redeemed at select Aman destinations (Terms & Conditions apply) in exchange for accommodation, dining experiences, spa therapies, retail and an array of adventures and activities. Gift cards are valid for three years from the date of issue while the 20% bonus expires 12 months form the date of issue. 

https://www.aman.com/gift-cards

Main picture credit: Avani Quy Nhon, Vietnam

The world was on pause because of Covid-19. But here’s how the world is preparing to reopen for tourism.

Airlines: Various airlines are banking on June to resume its flights and recover from the coronavirus outbreak in anticipation of more relaxed COVID-19 travel restrictions. Among them include Korean Air, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. Korean Air, for instance, will fly to Vancouver, Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, Beijing and Taipei with improved safety measures that include temperature checks on all passengers and disinfecting of aircraft weekly (daily for all flights to North America, China and Italy). And if you’re in Australia, where Qantas hopes to resume flights in July, you could snag a AUD$19 bargain flight when the domestic routes reopen.

Destinations: Denmark showed some love by allowing travellers from Germany and neighbouring Scandinavian countries to reunite with their spouse or partner end of May. A love letter presented at the border suffices. If you don’t have a love interest in Denmark, consider Italy where the popular island of Sicily announced it will pay for half your flights and a third of your hotel costs if you visit later this year. Elsewhere, the governments of Turkey, Thailand and Australia’s New South Wales will reset the travel button by kickstarting the domestic market in June.

Hotels: Aman Junkies would be happy to know that some of their favourite Aman resorts are already open, including Amanoi (Vietnam) and Aman Kyoyo (Japan). More resorts will reopen this June, including Amangiri (US), Amansara (Cambodia) and Aman Sveti Stefan (Montenegro), with flagship property Amanpuri (Thailand) to welcome guests back on July 1. Belmond is also staggering its property openings, beginning June 19 with Italy, the UK and the US. Hoteliers are rolling out special packages to attract guests, too. Anticipating the return of guests to Maldives in autumn 2020, Anantara Kihavah Villas is offering a six-night package that includes three bespoke adventures: snorkelling with manta rays (subject to season – you might be lucky enough to even catch the migration), stargazing at the only over-water observatory in the Maldives and dinner among the coral at underwater fine-dining restaurant, SEA. Unsure when you can travel? The packages are valid until October 31, 2021. 

Main picture credit: Cefalu, Sicily