Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: October 2022 luxury travel news
Every month, you can read my news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel. In this issue:
- Six Senses will open a lodge near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sets sail
- Milan, Italy is getting a Rosewood Hotel
- Bhutan opens its largest-ever overseas art exhibition
- Spectacular interiors of the rediscovered Orient Express are revealed
- Marriott will bring its W Hotels brand to the Dominican Republic
- Banyan Tree AlUla debuts in Saudi Arabia
- Cathay Pacific resumes First Class
- Qantas celebrates 25-year partnership with chef Neil Perry
1. Six Senses will open a lodge near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Six Senses enters into its first sub-Saharan African project, which will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for what’s most important, an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around. From the main welcome pavilion, guests will transfer to the lounge lobby, where amenities will include a raised restaurant and lounge, specialty dining and braai bar, and sunset look-out bar. The Six Senses Spa and wellness facilities will include four treatment rooms, a gym, a yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna, and an integrated retail and concept store. In addition to the 22 lodges with private terraces, there will be 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools. Some of these lodges can be inter-connected. Six Senses Victoria Falls is slated to open in 2025.
2. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sets sail
The Ritz-Carlton announced the debut of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, marking a significant moment for the hospitality brand as it makes its foray into the luxury yachting space. Envisioned to perfectly blend the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton resorts with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, Evrima, the first of three custom-built yachts from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, set sail on October 15, 2022, with a voyage from Barcelona, Spain, to Nice, France. The specially designed yacht can accommodate up to 298 passengers in 149 suites. All rooms feature a private terrace and floor to ceiling windows, resulting in some of the most airy and expansive guestrooms at sea. Travelers enjoy a relaxed sense of freedom aboard Evrima, with access to a range of amenities, including a spa, a sauna and steam room, watersports from the yacht’s marina while at anchor, an infinity pool, a fitness studio, and more. Guests can also select from a breadth of dining options including a specialty dining experience designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, and more.
3. Milan, Italy is getting a Rosewood Hotel
Rosewood Milan, which will open in 2025, will be well situated on the edge of the Quadrilatero della Moda, the city’s fashion district, and steps away from the famous shopping boulevard Via Montenapoleone, lined with iconic luxury boutiques, antique shops and bustling cafés. With 70 rooms, including approximately 20 suites, the property will encompass the historic and iconic Palazzo Branca and Palazzo della Banca Commerciale built in the 91th century and formerly home to the Italian Commercial Bank. Renowned Parisian firm Studio K.O. will oversee the design, creating a space that is eclectic, colorful and timeless all at once, melding classical details with modern touches that breathe new life and energy into the grand, historic building while respecting its cultural heritage. Rosewood Milan will be home to a bar and restaurant with a courtyard and garden, poised to become lively gathering spots that mirror the pulsating energy of the city. The property will also house the Asaya wellness facility with three treatment rooms, an indoor pool and fitness center.
4. Bhutan opens its largest-ever overseas art exhibition
Bhutan has inaugurated its largest-ever overseas art exhibition in Brussels, Belgium. The exhibition, organized VAST Bhutan (Voluntary Artists Studio of Thimphu) in partnership with the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels and the Belfius Bank, has the theme of “Healing With Happiness.” This is the largest overseas exhibition of Bhutanese artworks to date and has been put together by 68 Artists from Bhutan. The exhibition is open for public viewing at the Belfius Bank in Brussels until the end of March 2023. The exhibition follows the launch of Bhutan’s new national brand, which was unveiled to celebrate the reopening of the country to tourism on September 23, 2022. ‘Brand Bhutan’ aims to capture the optimism and renewed ambition of the kingdom as it opens its doors to guests once again, as well as communicating its promise and plans for its young citizens. Bhutan’s new tagline, Believe, reflects this determined focus on the future, as well as the transformative journeys experienced by its guests. More information can be found at the new website, www.Bhutan.travel.
5. Spectacular interiors of the rediscovered Orient Express are revealed
- The decor of the future Bar-Car is a sumptuous showcase inviting passengers under large domes of light inspired by the Second Empire style. The bar area features a glass counter and an ideal tribute to René Lalique. At each table, a clock rings for cocktail and dinner times. A call button is reserved for the champagne service. Another for the staff.
- Spectacular and unexpected, the Dining-Car revisits the codes of the Orient Express. Maxime d’Angeac reinterprets the “rail” motif created by Suzanne Lalique-Haviland in the 1930s, which has been reworked on the partitions using the stoneboard technique. Under a mirrored ceiling, crossed by a series of arches, tables and wrap-around armchairs line up, lit by lampshades revisiting the original models.
- The Suites invite you into absolute comfort and a functional spirit. Everywhere, the corners are rounded, the partitions are covered with precious wood and leather, the headboards embroidered with wood, mother of pearl and bronze. In a niche, the famous Lalique “Blackbirds & Grapes” panels, originating from the historic train, are displayed. At the time of the “Great Transformation”, the large sofas are revealed in the comfort of a large bed. A bathroom and dressing room complete the ingenious layout.
6. Marriott will bring its W Hotels brand to the Dominican Republic
Marriott announced the signing of a management agreement with Grupo Puntacana and MAC Hotels to begin construction on the W All-Inclusive Punta Cana in Uvero Alto, an adults-only, all-inclusive luxury property in the Dominican Republic. . W All-Inclusive Punta Cana Uvero Alto is anticipated to feature 349 guest rooms with balconies and plunge pools, as well as several suites. With immersive and dynamic adult-focused programming, plans for the resort include a spa with 11 treatment rooms, a retail area, three pools with pool bars and eleven food and beverage destinations. “Punta Cana is the perfect destination for both the W Hotels brand and an all-inclusive luxury resort,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International. “We look forward to bringing the vision for this fun adult playground to life with Grupo Puntacana and MAC Hotels.” The project is expected to break ground in the coming months with an anticipated opening date in 2025.
7. Banyan Tree AlUla debuts in Saudi Arabia
Banyan Tree launched its first property in historical AlUla in Saudi Arabia, ushering in the group’s debut in the Kingdom. AlUla is attracting the attention of the world’s affluent travellers with its mesmerising mix of history, culture, and entertainment, all set against a breathtaking desert backdrop dating back millions of years. Inspired by the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture, the all-villa, tented resort epitomises Banyan Tree’s commitment to local influence. The resort features two dining venues, including Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature Thai restaurant, offering contemporary Thai cuisine. The renowned Banyan Tree Spa welcomes guests with carefully curated wellness experiences that combine Asian traditions and local elements. The fundamental principles of the resort are designed around three concepts that allow guests to immerse themselves in the resort and the destination:
- ‘In-villa’ provides guests with made-to-measure offerings brought to life by the talented cast of Banyan Tree hosts.
- ‘In-valley’ takes guests into the essence of AlUla through exclusive outdoor treatments, nomadic chef’s tables, active adventures, and private events staged in spectacular settings.
- ‘En-voyage’ brings guests through privileged immersions crafted with local talents, continuously unlocking new facets of AlUla’s rich legacy. Bespoke wellbeing and adventure excursions show a glimpse of the ancient landscapes of AlUla and the lives of the people who call it home.
8. Cathay Pacific resumes First Class
According to Business Traveler USA, Cathay Pacific’s First Class service is set to resume in December as Hong Kong gradually reopens to foreign visitors after the pandemic. From December 5, passengers flying between Hong Kong and London Heathrow can book First Class tickets for the first time since early 2020. The Hong Kong flag carrier halted offering First Class service to its passengers after the COVID pandemic began in 2020. Since then, the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet was grounded, removing the airline’s premium cabin from active service. But after Hong Kong lifted quarantine requirements for inbound travelers last month, Cathay Pacific has confirmed that the Boeing 777-300ER – which includes six First Class suites – will return for the 14-hour London-Hong Kong route. Daily flights between both cities will depart Hong Kong at 10:20 PM and depart London Heathrow at 11:15 AM. Passengers flying First Class with Cathay Pacific can expect an enhanced service from the cabin crew and a top-quality dining and drinking experience, according to the carrier. The airline’s First Class suites were first introduced in 2007 and have been upgraded twice in 2013 and 2017. Watch my YouTube video of Cathay Pacific’s First Class below or read my review here.
9. Qantas celebrates 25-year partnership with chef Neil Perry
Qantas will reintroduce a selection of the most popular inflight and lounge menu items from the past 25 years in celebration of its silver anniversary partnership with Australian chef Neil Perry. Perry first signed on as Director of Food, Beverage and Service with Qantas Airways in 1997, a year when John Howard was Prime Minister, Pat Rafter won the US open and Michael Caton uttered the famous line “tell him he’s dreaming” in The Castle. Twenty-five years later, the anniversary marks the longest partnership of its kind in aviation between a chef and an airline. For the month of November, across the Qantas First lounges in Australia, Qantas will serve a selection of the most popular retro classics to give Qantas customers a sensory stroll down memory lane, including:
- Crab and sweet pork salad with green mango and nam jim dressing
- Duck ragú with pappardelle
- Torta di Verona
In honour of the milestone, the First Lounges will also offer a Negroni Sbagliato cocktail for the month of November which was featured at the opening of the London Lounge in 2017. A range of Neil’s favourite dishes will also be available for a limited time across the airline’s Australian domestic and international Business lounges including meatball sandwich, kung pao chicken bao and BBQ prawns.
10. The Langham hotel brand is coming to Seattle, USA
The Langham Hospitality Group announced that it will own and manage a new luxury hotel and branded residences in downtown Seattle, USA, slated to open in 2026. The Langham, Seattle and The Langham Residences will be housed in a new 42-story building rising up from the iconic façade of the Terminal Sales Annex Building built in 1916 which is a designated Seattle landmark. Once the construction is complete, The Langham, Seattle will offer a world of sophisticated luxury with 187 spacious guestrooms and suites featuring elegant interiors designed by Rottet Studio, whose past works include curating the art collection at the award-winning The Langham, Chicago. The tasteful interiors will evoke a luxurious sense of place as they celebrate the natural beauty of the Pacific North West. The wellness center will feature Chuan Spa, The Langham’s proprietary spa concept, which embraces the centuries-old healing philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine to create a personalised experience for every guest, integrated into a comprehensive menu of innovative facial and body treatments. Guests can also take a dip in the tranquil pool before breakfast or take their fitness programmes to the next level with a Pilates or HIIT class in the state-of-the-art gym.
