Accor is opening more than 85 stunning hotels in 2024

December 18, 2023 No Comments

Accor is opening the doors to an impressive collection of exciting new hospitality options across its spectrum of 40+ hospitality brands around the world.

Travellers of all ambitions, aesthetics, and demographics are sure to find a fascinating new place to visit in 2024.

With its global network and ‘multi-local’ ethos, Accor’s newest destinations are expected to become as popular with locals as they are with international jetsetters. The following is a glimpse into what Accor has in store for 2024.

Luxury hotels opening in 2024

Orient Express Grand Hotel de la Minerve

A heritage site in the heart of Rome, the hotel resides in the former Palazzo Fonseca, a sumptuous 17th century palace with a huge and majestic façade. Opening late 2024.

Raffles Jaipur

With just 50 suites, all with private pools, the majestic hotel features a sense of old world charm with secluded residences and elegant courtyards, linking into the sprawling estate shared with Fairmont Jaipur. Opening mid 2024.

Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa

This property is an all-villa beachfront property on Sentosa Island, close to Singapore. Each of the 62 villas features a private pool with terrace, peace, and seclusion. Beyond the villas, guests will discover a bespoke bar, restaurants, spa and fitness centre, a multi-purpose celebration room, state-of-the-art meeting spaces, and a grand ballroom. Opening mid 2024.

Fairmont Golden Prague

Guests will love basking in the hotel’s modern spa with indoor and outdoor pools, noshing among its multiple restaurants and bars, and dancing the night away in the hotel’s grand ballroom. Opening late 2024.

Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach

A revival of one of California’s best-known and beloved luxury hotels, the historic property will reopen after a significant restoration, creating 185 boutique rooms and suites; a rooftop pool and terrace; an open-air rooftop lounge with 360-degree views of the Pacific; a blissful two-story spa and more. Re-opening mid 2024.

Sofitel Shanghai North Bund

A stunning 25-story landmark hotel, featuring 300 opulent guest rooms and suites with outstanding views of the famous Shanghai skyline, Club Millésime, a Sofitel Spa and an ultramodern Sofitel fitness gym. Opening mid 2024.

Gigiri Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi – MGallery

This flagship hotel in Kenya is a sophisticated and comfortable haven, a multifaceted jewel, worthy of welcoming international dignitaries and UN ambassadors. MGallery layers in a hospitality experience that blends style with the substance of arts, culture and history, food and drinks that enliven the senses, and services that invoke a sense of wellbeing. Opening early 2024.

Lifestyle hotels opening in 2024

The following hotels will open under Accor’s lifestyle hotel portfolio:

25hours Hotel The Oddbird, Jakarta

At a place where the city is overtaken by Indonesia’s jungle, its distinctive design is an urban sanctuary full of contrasts, collisions, and a total of 345 rooms, including hotel and serviced residences. Opening early 2024.

Hyde London City

Set in a Grade II listed heritage property, the design of the seven-story, 111-room hotel pays homage to the building’s storied past. Progressive cultural programming informed by collaborations with some of the city’s most exciting chefs, creatives, and musicians will ensure that Hyde London City brings an entirely new perspective to this historic corner of the capital. Opening early 2024.

Hyde Perth

The first Hyde hotel to open in Australia, the property will offer 120 bohemian chic rooms, innovative dining concepts that present a global table of flavours, and a playful beach club. Opening late 2024.

JO&JOE Budapest

JO&JOE will have 390 beds in a variety of dorm-style shared rooms and bathrooms and private rooms with ensuite, with a lively restaurant, bar, rooftop, courtyard garden, and meeting spaces. Central social areas will draw guests in for engaging and immersive experiences like rentable pop-ups, exhibitions, events and DJ nights. Opening late 2024.

Mama Shelter Dubai Business Bay

Mama Shelter Dubai will be a highly alluring gem in the desert. Mosaic steps, colourful walls and eccentric hanging decorations brighten up every corner of this hotel, with 197 rooms and 204 apartment residences. Opening late 2024.

SLS Barcelona

The first destination for the brand in Europe, and the only five-star hotel in the city to feature a terrace off every one of the 471 guestrooms. Opening mid 2024.

The Hoxton, Vienna

Located in a 1950’s building, the hotel has 196 bedrooms, a spacious lobby and coffee bar, a restaurant and terrace, rooftop bar and pool and a basement speakeasy. Opening early 2024.

Rixos Obhur Jeddah

The resort will feature a private beach and 247 guest units, including 174 rooms and 73 villas with private pools, a Club Privé lounge, a fine-dining restaurant, a lounge bar, and two speciality beach restaurants. Opening late 2024.

Premium and economy hotels opening in 2024

The following Premium hotels from Accor will debut in 2024:

  • Pullman Taizhou Xianju
  • Mövenpick Wroclaw, Poland
  • Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta City Centre
  • Swissôtel Marianske Lazne Resort & Spa, Czech Republic

The following Economy hotels will open from Accor in 2024:

  • Hotel & Spa Fort Saint Laurent Lyon, France – Handwritten Collection
  • Handwritten Collection (Paris, France, name TBD)
  • Novotel Nara, Japan
  • Novotel Valencia, Spain
  • Novotel Tbilisi Center, Georgia
  • Novotel & ibis Styles Hamburg HafenCity
  • Mercure Portile de Fier Riviera, Romania
  • TRIBE Düsseldorf, Germany
  • TRIBE Milano Malpensa
  • ibis Styles Resort Maragogi

Additional key hotel openings for 2024

LUXURY

  • Fairmont La Hacienda, Costa Del Sol, Spain
  • Sofitel Cotonou Benin Marina, Benin
  • Sofitel Riyadh
  • Baron Amédée Armand Hotel & Spa, Marseille –
    MGallery, France
  • Hotel Sosei Sapporo – MGallery, Japan
  • Sanssouci Karpacz Hotel & Spa – MGallery, Poland
  • Domaine du Liziec Vannes – MGallery, France
  • Hotel Szczecin – MGallery, Poland
  • Hotel Chengdu – MGallery, China
  • Hotel Shenzhen Dalang – MGallery, China
  • Hotel Nanjing Tian’an Changjiang 100 – MGallery, China
  • Hotel Wuxi Dangkou Ancient Town – MGallery, China

ENNISMORE – LIFESTYLE

  • 25hours Hotel Paper Island, Copenhagen
  • Hyde Bodrum, Turkey
  • JO&JOE Hangzhou Wulinmen, China
  • JO&JOE Shaoguan, China
  • JO&JOE Lanzhou, China
  • Mama Shelter Nice
  • The Hoxton, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Rixos Golden Horn Istanbul, Turkey

PREMIUM, MIDSCALE & ECONOMY

  • Pullman Kolašin Breza, Montenegro
  • Pullman Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Pullman Manila at Primex Towner, The Philippines
  • Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel, Vietnam
  • Pullman Guizhou Renhuai Chuangmeng, China
  • Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers, Doha, Qatar
  • Swissôtel Living & Residences Antalya, Turkey
  • Mövenpick Living İstanbul Saklıvadi, Turkey
  • Mövenpick Mondello Palace, Italy
  • Grand Mercure Wuxi Huishan, China
  • Grand Mercure Changzhou Luoxi, China
  • Peppers Gladstone, Australia
  • Square Lodge Hotel La Roche-sur-Yon – Handwritten Collection, France
  • Novotel Hamburg Central Station, Germany
  • Novotel Bomonti, Turkey
  • Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1, Cambodia
  • Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort, Cambodia
  • Novotel Goa Panjim, India
  • Novotel New Delhi City Centre, India
  • Novotel Riyadh Sahafa, Saudi Arabia
  • Novotel & Adagio Rouen, France
  • Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport, Australia
  • Novotel Recife Marina, Brazil
  • Novotel Living Chengdu Tianfu, China
  • Novotel Nanjing Airport, China
  • Mercure Bangkok Surawong, Thailand
  • Mercure Chandigarh, India
  • Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City, India
  • Adagio Chengdu Jiantou, China
  • Adagio Abidjan Marcory, Ivory Coast
  • TRIBE Clichy, France
  • TRIBE Pantin, France
  • TRIBE Riga, Latvia
  • TRIBE Auckland Fort Street, New Zealand
  • ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, The Philippines
  • ibis Styles Villejuif, France
  • ibis Styles Serpong BSD City, Indonesia

Textured cocktails and flavoured salts are next top culinary trends

December 15, 2023 No Comments

 Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, is returning with its annual Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast, highlighting predictions from its vast team of global culinary and beverage experts that will be featured on plates and bar menus in 2024.

From global salts and seacuterie, to textured cocktails and umami flavors, Kimpton is forecasting both new and evolving trends that will further enhance the dining experience.

Kicking off in December 2023 and continuing throughout 2024, guests will have the opportunity to experience many of these trends at Kimpton restaurants and bars across the globe.

2024 culinary trends

Salt with a story

While salt is one of the most common ingredients in cooking, expect to see a noticeable shift to unrefined salts (Black Hawaiian Salt, Kala Namak, Persian Blue Salt, Celtic Salt, Fleur de Sel) as consumers move away from table salt staples in search of something far more unique to add to their favorite dishes.

Sourcing will also be a priority for many chefs, working with global salt producers to identify salts from around the world and understand their history and use cases.

Tinned fish and “seacuterie”

In the last year, luxury tinned fish sales have soared as people embrace seafood’s diverse range of flavors and sustainable practices.

Expect to see more unique conservas on charcuterie boards as well as dedicated ‘seacuterie’ boards including samplings of luxury canned fish like Spanish sardines in olive oil, habanero smoked oysters, and Maine eel smoked in alderwood packed in California olive oil. 

Cabbage is king

Cabbage will take over plates as culinary professionals and consumers alike turn to the cruciferous vegetable for its versatility, taste and texture.

Both well-known varieties such as Napa, Savoy and Red Cabbage and the more coveted Caraflex or Conehead cabbage will be showcased in a multitude of ways on menus including charred, fermented, roasted, braised, and even caramelized.

Creative dry-aging 

The technique of dry aging has grown in popularity and is increasingly sought after by consumers. Leveraging the proper equipment, dry aging provides enhanced control of texture, adds depth of flavour and complexity to elevate any dish.

With dry aging, chefs are able to push beyond beef into more interesting dishes with duck, lamb and fin fish. Vegetables like beets and carrots are being dry aged with koji to create a charcuterie-like texture and flavor.

Even spirits like bourbon and gin are being treated with dry aging techniques to take cocktails to the next level. 

Pastry makes a comeback

Consumers are saving room for dessert as chefs roll out inventive confections.

Kimpton is particularly seeing a rise in Asian and French influences for the sweetest course.

Guests can expect to see a rise in sweet and savoury combinations, such as carrot mochi and chocolate smoked salt croissants with alternate sugars like date-based sugar, beet sugar and coconut sugar growing more prominent.

2024 cocktail trends

Along with food trends, Kimpton has released the following predictions for cocktail offerings in 2024:

Textured cocktails for the senses

Rose and pistachio dust, dragon fruit crisp and edible helium bubble clouds are some of the sensory ingredients diners will soon find on bar menus in 2024 to add texture and visual appeal to the liquid base. 

A new wave of umami 

Kimpton bar leaders predict more experimentation with different types of fat washing as a new way to create smooth, creamy and velvety undercurrents in spirits rather than more traditional sweet syrups. Expect to find creations like a salmon martini or beverages using unique washing ingredients such as duck confit and spam.

Pantry ingredients featured in cocktails

Bars will incorporate ingredients from the kitchen to up level cocktail and non-alcoholic beverages, including biquinho peppers, salsa macha, soy sauce, fish sauce, whole cacao, black tahini, lion’s mane and sweetened condensed milk as an alternative to more traditional cocktail infusions.

Over-the-top garnishes

From snap peas to using 3D printers, simple garnishes will evolve to elaborate final flourishes that completely transform a cocktail from salty and savory to citrusy and bright in an instant.

Cinnamon revisited 

Breaking out of its autumnal shell, the versatility of cinnamon will offer dynamic flavor pairings as a popular additive and bridge to trans-seasonal beverages and dishes, like cinnamon and smoked salt coffee and chica moradas. 

Unique Latin American spirits

While tequila, gin and bourbon continue to shine on menus, 2024 will see the rise of Latin American spirits and liquors such as Aguariente, Singani and Cocuy, served within craft cocktails or enjoyed on the rocks. 

Seven European Christmas market cruises to try

December 13, 2023 No Comments

With the holidays right around the corner, Viking is celebrating its Christmas market voyages for the 2023 river season.

Sailing Viking’s Longship fleet, guests can celebrate an Old World Christmas on special sailings through the season featuring illuminated Christmas markets, regional holiday specialties, and handmade gifts.

On board Viking’s Longships, guests can find musical performances, tree trimming, and cooking demonstrations as part of their daily programming. With departure dates running late November through December, the Christmas market itineraries explore cities and small towns across Austria, Germany, France, Hungary, and more.

 

Christmas market itineraries

  • NEW Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle – New this holiday season is the scenic 12-day cruise tour will have guests browse through stalls full of local delicacies and handicrafts at the charming Christmas markets of Trier, Koblenz and Mannheim and admire the festive seasonal displays in Paris.
  • NEW Christmas on the Main & Moselle – Also new is this river voyage that will immerse guests in French, German and Czech traditions. Explore Christmas markets in quaint German towns, like Heidelberg and Cochem, sample tasty yuletide dishes in chic Paris, and visit castles and cathedrals that are adorned with festive displays.
  • Christmas on the Rhine – This 8-day voyage is a joyful celebration of festive cheer. Guests will journey through storybook villages, while sampling tasty yuletide treats and browsing colorful stalls for handcrafted ornaments. They will admire the twinkling lights of Cologne and revel in the merry atmosphere of the Rhine Valley.
  • Christmas on the Seine –This 8-day voyage will explore Paris, France’s twinkling “City of Light”, sail through the snow-covered landscapes of Normandy’s, and admire the scenes of fairy-tale villages along the way. Onboard festivities include regional dining specialties, seasonal treats, and more to celebrate the holidays.
  • Christmas on the Danube – Guests will discover medieval towns and quaint villages along the “Blue Danube.” Guests will be able to stroll among the stalls at Budapest’s Christmas market, be immersed in the cheerful atmosphere of Vienna as they shop for handmade decorations and visit the fairy-tale village of Regensburg. 
  • Danube Christmas Delights – Passing through Europe’s most enchanting countries, guests will stop to explore cultural capitals and fairy-tale villages, savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine, admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty, and take part in European holiday traditions.
  • Christmas Along the Elbe – During this 10-day cruisetour, guests will take part in time-honored European holiday traditions. The itinerary will provide guests the opportunity to revel in Berlin’s festive atmosphere, shop for handmade porcelain in Meissen, and delve into Prague’s Jewish history while its famed Christmas market exudes an abundance of good cheer.

Five incredible spots to charter your own yacht in 2024

December 11, 2023 No Comments

Yacht charters provide a unique form of escapism, offering a holiday experience like no other.

Each day brings a sense of freedom as you wake up aboard your vessel, eager to discover the next destination. With charter companies now offering flexible booking terms, you can plan your 2024 getaway with absolute peace of mind.

Discover the top destinations for yacht charters in 2024, allowing you to plan your next voyage in some of the most sought-after locations around the globe.

Norway

With its breathtaking fjords, abundant wildlife, and numerous islands, Norway is an incredible destination away from crowded tourist spots. For the longest days and ample sunlight, consider visiting from April to July. Explore Norway with the Lagoon 51 Nordvaer on a yacht charter.

Mauritius

Mauritius offers beautiful anchorages, crystal-clear snorkelling spots, unspoilt beaches, and exotic natural beauty. The Nautitech Catamaran is the ideal vessel for exploring the wonders of Mauritius, including safari experiences and spotting whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Indonesia

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia provides endless opportunities for exploration. From the Pink Beach in Flores to famous dive sites in Raja Ampat, Indonesia offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and incredible marine life. Sailing on a luxury traditional Indonesian Phinisi allows you to charter and witness the best of Indonesia.

British Virgin Islands

One of the world’s most popular charter bases, the BVI’s are home to sensational cruising grounds and infamous beach bars. With around 60 Caribbean islands, the BVI’s offer ultimate peace and tranquillity, with consistent warm trade winds and clear conditions for a smooth ride. November to March is an ideal time to visit, avoiding hurricane season in September.

Pula, Croatia

A favourite holiday spot for European royalty and aristocracy, Pula in Croatia is a must-see destination. The region of Istria, known for its wine, offers wine-tasting experiences and sensational seafood restaurants. Explore the Brijuni National Park and enjoy excellent sailing in this northern corner of the Dalmatian Coast.

Hyatt Hotels is adding 35 luxury hotels for 2025

December 8, 2023 No Comments

Hyatt Hotels has plans to open 35 luxury hotels and resorts globally through 2025 across the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brands, as well as Inclusive Collection brands Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and Dreams Resorts & Spas.

Hyatt has doubled the number of luxury rooms, tripled the number of resort rooms, and quadrupled the number of lifestyle rooms in only five years.

With 70 per cent of its rooms categorized as luxury and upper upscale, the Hyatt portfolio has grown to meet increased demands for luxury and resort accommodations while upholding consistent, top-tier quality, personalized experiences, and bespoke service.

Keeping up with tourist demand

Travel and tourism are expected to increase by approximately 12 per cent of global GDP by 2033 according to a recent World Travel & Tourism Council report.

In turn, Hyatt’s luxury portfolio is expanding to meet that demand in new international markets.

This includes the debut of Park Hyatt hotels in the U.K., Mexico, and Malaysia; the Thompson Hotel brand’s expansion in Europe with the first properties in Austria and Italy; the Andaz brand’s growth in the Americas with its first hotel in the Caribbean; The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand’s first properties in the Nordics and India; as well as Hyatt luxury growth in the trending destination of Portugal, with the planned openings of Andaz Lisbon and Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina.

Hyatt hotels coming 2025

The following luxury Hyatt properties will open through 2025:

Timeless Collection 

Timeless Collection hotels deliver the comforts of a home away from home with a consistently elevated experience, with exciting openings including:

  • Park Hyatt
    • Park Hyatt Marrakech (early 2024)
    • Park Hyatt London River Thames (mid 2024)
    • Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol (2024)
    • Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur (mid 2024)
    • Park Hyatt Changsha (2024)
    • Park Hyatt Johannesburg (2025)
    • Park Hyatt Cancun (2025)
    • Park Hyatt Phu Quoc (2025)
    • Park Hyatt Taipei (2025)
    • Grand Hyatt
    • Grand Hyatt Kunming (2024)
    • Grand Hyatt Mexico City Santa Fe (2025)
    • Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort (2025)
    • Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences (2025)
    • Grand Hyatt The Red Sea (2025)

Boundless Collection

Boundless Collection hotels that will make their debut and deliver best-in-class offerings and compelling experiences designed to excite and inspire, include:

  • Miraval
    • Miraval, The Red Sea (2025)
  • Alila
    • Alila Shanghai (late 2024)
    • Alila Dalit Bay (2025)
    • Alila Dongao Island (2025)
  • Andaz
    • Andaz Doha (mid 2024)
    • Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht (renovation unveiling mid 2024)
    • Andaz Miami Beach (late 2024)
    • Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay (2025)
    • Andaz Lisbon (2025)
    • Andaz Bangkok (2025)
  • Thompson Hotels
    • Thompson Houston (2024)
    • Thompson Palm Springs (2024)
    • Thompson South Beach (2024)
    • Thompson Vienna (early 2025)
    • Thompson Rome (early 2025)
    • Thompson Monterrey (2025)
    • Thompson Shanghai (2025)

Independent Collection

Independent Collection hotels are all unique – from storied properties and vibrant neighborhood locales to immersive retreats. New openings include:

  • The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
    • Hotel Toranomon Hills (2023)
    • Grand Hansa Hotel (2024)
    • Noor-Us-Sabah Palace (2025)

Inclusive Collection

Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, resorts deliver immersive, elevated experiences where everything is seamlessly included, with expected new resorts including:

  • Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts
    • Zoëtry Halkidiki (mid 2024)
  • Dreams Resorts & Spas
    • Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan (mid 2024)
    • Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina (mid 2024)

For information on Hyatt’s existing brand portfolio, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Experience a winter wonderland at these Fairmont properties

December 6, 2023 No Comments

With the seasons changing and temperatures dropping, it’s time for travellers to prepare their winter itineraries.

From soaking in hot springs in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, to snowshoeing along awe-inspiring frozen lakes in Mont Tremblant, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers a variety of winter activities for every vacationer to enjoy. 

Fairmont Le Château Montebello (Montebello)

Fairmont Le Château Montebello’s log cabin comes alive for the winter season, offering the best après-ski ambiance.

With 300 acres of surrounding woodland to discover, guests can enjoy the snowy great outdoors and unwind afterward with one of the property’s many spa offerings, including a lyophilized therapeutic sea water bath that is ideal for soothing muscle pain. 

Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (La Malbaie)

Discover the charm of Charlevoix with the resort’s Winter Fun package, offering a curated blend of luxury accommodation and thrilling adventures, from guided snowmobile and dog sledding excursions to a culinary tour of Charlevoix.

With 10 per cent off the daily room rate and $100 credit on unique activities, guests can create their own perfect winter vacation. Wind down or opt out of the winter activities with a Hot Pebble Massage or Valmont Facial Treatment offered at the property’s Moment Spa.

Fairmont Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant)

Fairmont Tremblant is the only hotel in the area offering a complete ski-in, ski-out experience, which guests can enjoy by booking one of the property’s ski packages.

This year, the revitalized outdoor pool terrace will emerge as a modern wellness oasis for hotel guests to enjoy, known for its enviable location adjacent to the slopes with a privileged view of the pedestrian village.

Set to open days before the start of the ski season, the new outdoor pool terrace will expand upon the hotel’s current wellness offerings.

Fairmont Château Whistler (Whistler)

For a true local’s perspective on Whistler’s most sought-after activities, Fairmont Château Whistler offers outings led by the resort’s Whistler Experience Guides.

Guests can enjoy an array of excursions this winter, including aquafit, pilates, two daily yoga classes (pre-ski energizer and après-ski recovery), workshops focused on mobility and ski-specific exercises, and guided outdoor experiences in nature.

Visitors can unwind in the eucalyptus steam rooms, outdoor barrel saunas, indoor dry sauna, outdoor pools and hot tubs.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Jasper)

Known for its spectacular views, crowd-free runs and laid-back atmosphere, Marmot Basin in Jasper National Parkboasts the highest base elevation of all Canadian ski areas.

Guests can explore the mountain with one of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s ski packages and decompress after a long day with one of the resort’s Après Ski Stretch Classes (included in the property’s daily activities) or the Skier Sole Renewal treatment ($199 CAD), a revitalizing experience for skiers who want to enjoy the active lifestyle all over again the next day.

Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff)

Guests at Fairmont Banff Springs can enjoy the abundance of pristine powder and diverse terrain suitable for skiers of all levels. With short lift lines and exceptional hospitality, the skiing experience in Banff is second to none.

This winter, the Banff Ski & Stay Offer lets travellers stay five nights or more and save 30% on accommodation plus daily breakfast included.

Fairmont Château Lake Louise (Lake Louise)

With 20 per cent savings on accommodation, complimentary breakfast, and discounts on ski equipment rentals, the Ski More, Save More Package makes Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise the ultimate winter getaway destination. Available to book now for stays through April 30, 2024.

Eight new spas to visit for a truly relaxing vacation

December 4, 2023 No Comments

From the shores of Mexico and Puerto Rico to urban oases in London, New York City and Texas, here are eight new spas to visit in 2024.

The Spa & Wellness Centre at The Peninsula London

Belgravia, London

Opens Dec. 1, 2023

A serene oasis encompassing the spacious, quiet lower floor of the hotel, The Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre will offer an array of therapies – both ancient and modern – that address busy lifestyles in a luxurious and elegant environment.

The facility includes seven private rooms where guests can receive massages, face and body treatments, and balancing rituals incorporating Ayurvedic aromatherapy. The program focuses on driving results, as resident practitioners zone in on specific needs and health challenges with the high-performance beauty brand Margy’s and Ayurveda aromatherapy specialist Subtle Energies.

With seven treatment rooms, four thermal suites, an 82-foot indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness studio and opportunities for outdoor activity in the adjacent Royal Parks, this sanctuary of wellbeing exists to enhance mind, body and spirit, supporting The Peninsula Hotels’ philosophy of a Life Lived Best.

ONDA, An Auberge Spa at Susurros del Corazón

Punta de Mita, Mexico

Opened November 2023

The largest and most innovative resort spa on the Bahía de Banderas (which includes Punta de Mita and Puerto Vallarta) has just opened. Drawing on the Mexican phrase, “que onda?,” which asks “what’s your vibe?,”

ONDA answers with joyfulness, playfulness and lightness. Eleven spacious treatment rooms are the setting for transformative body, skin, hair and scalp therapies that utilize the power of natural stones such as turquoise and jasper and ingredients including cupuaçu and Chilean rosehip seed oil, from the Latina-owned, plant-based skincare brand Sanara. Las Ondas, a signature experience, is a rhythmic massage designed to help the body let go of its old patterns, release deep-seated tension and bring a renewed sense of vitality.

As “onda” can also be translated to “waves,” this treatment mimics the flow and fluidity of the waves and the renewing energy of the Pacific Ocean, located just steps away. Another signature treatment, El Cuerpo Ritual, begins with a yerba maté foot soak that leads into a deep, full-body exfoliation using natural bamboo fibers and mango seed to nod to the wellness rituals of Latin America’s past. The whole body will drink up skin-nourishing vitamins and warming oils for a transformation inside and out.

SHA Mexico

Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Opening January 2024

SHA Wellness is a clinical luxury wellness resort on the Mediterranean Sea in Spain, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. A brand-new location will open in Costa Mujeres, Mexico in January 2024 – bringing its world-renowned method to the Americas. With 100 suites and 35 residences, SHA Mexico will be a health-centered resort and a wellness paradise in a setting of pristine nature and cultural heritage. 

SHA offers personalized health programs curated to meet each guest’s needs and wellness goals to find the optimal state of complete physical, mental and spiritual wellness. The SHA Method, which has been developed and overseen by world-renowned experts, brings together the latest advances in scientific medicine and the most effective natural therapies with a focus on preventive, genetic and anti-aging medicine.

The 4, 17, 14 and 21-day programs include; optimal weight, healthy aging, advanced detox, rebalance, leader’s performance, and intensive (optimal weight + advanced detox). SHA also recently launched a sexual health unit dedicated to studying sexual function and wellness, inclusive of hormone consultation and therapy. In addition to health and wellness offerings, on-site amenities will include two restaurants, SHAmadi and Earthy, a Hydrotherapy Circuit, spa, meditation rooms, direct beach access and a natural cenote.

The Spa at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

Los Cabos, Mexico

Opening December 2023

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Los Cabos’ most iconic luxury resort, will debut its revamped spa and fitness center before the end of the year. Drawing inspiration from the philosophy and practice of the medicine wheel, utilized by many indigenous tribes in Mexico, the spa experience will be elevated to the next level to promote holistic restoration.

This healing framework incorporates four quadrants, the four elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, into treatments, enabling spa guests to reach their peak physical, mental, spiritual and emotional state. Guests are welcomed to intentionally restore their spirit with new transformative half- and full- day wellness journeys, derived from Los Cabos’ natural environment and using generational energy as a catalyst for renewal. The new wellness space will boast innovative enhancements for the modern traveler while maintaining the soul of Esperanza and introducing ancestral healing philosophies.

The Spa at Thompson Houston

Houston, Texas

Opening January 2024

Houston’s newest and most stylish hotel, overlooking the verdant Buffalo Bayou Park, offers a coveted oasis and a new wellness destination within the city. One of the property’s most illustrious features is its stunning sanctuary-inspired spa and wellness floor devoted to full body restoration.

Highlights of the brand-new spa include multiple treatment rooms with spa treatments on par with those of a destination spa resort, indoor & outdoor relaxation areas, a full-service hair and nail salon, and a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. The spa’s curved architecture, textured walls, and soft lighting envelop guests as they enter and coax complete rejuvenation and serenity.

Further, the fresh modern hotel encompasses 172 originally designed guest rooms, including 34 suites, all of which boast floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views from the city skyline to Buffalo Bayou Park, paying homage to the hotel’s natural surroundings with earthy colors, organic materials, and genuine hardwood floors.

Intuisse Spa at Maison Hudson

West Village, New York City

Opening January 2024

Introducing a revolutionary phase of well-being and longevity in NYC’s West Village for locals and discerning travelers in the know, Intuisse Spa at the new Maison Hudson luxury residences offers transformational wellness experiences from the Swiss science-led skin-health company, Intuisse, at its first U.S. location.

Signature facials incorporate the rejuvenating power of Intuisse’s patent-pending Active NAD+ liposomal formulations, stimulating cellular renewal and unlocking the skin’s natural luminosity. Expert therapists can help personalize even further, with an oxygenation treatment or facial massage add-on. After a long day exploring the West Village, bodywork treatments can be personalized to best support the needs of travelers – from pain to stress reduction and relaxation.

As part of Intuisse’s offerings at Maison Hudson, they have partnered with NADclinic, one of the world’s best-known and leading brands within the longevity and human performance space. Using NAD+ as a holistic, preventative and hyper-personalized therapy, guests of the Intuisse spa can experience IV drips aimed at beating fatigue, combatting jet lag, encouraging fat loss or finding optimal performance for executives.

Dedicated to providing an exquisite escape away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, spa facilities also include a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and Tisanerie, an herbal tea sanctuary designed to nurture the body and soul before and after treatments.­

Ash, An Auberge Spa at Bowie House

Fort Worth, Texas

Opens December 1, 2023

A haven for self-care and rejuvenation, Ash is the new hotel’s serene spa, offering a luxurious and cutting-edge wellness experience that has never existed in the destination. Inspired by the outdoors and all things wild and free, this new wellness destination offers sanctuary and transformation in a space exuding all the comfort and steadiness of the barns so ubiquitous across Texas.

Enjoying private access to the pool deck, it encompasses 5 treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room, a fitness center, nail studio, boutique and relaxation lounge. Thoughtful experiences include water dancing, synergistic skin treatments, infrared therapy, non-sleep deep rest massage and made-to-measure apothecary, while daily fitness classes and a program of visiting wellness specialists ensure guests and locals alike have every opportunity to optimize their wellbeing.

The Spa at La Concha Resort

San Juan, PR

Opens January 2024

Debuting in January 2024, San Juan’s premier beachfront resort, La Concha Resort, will debut a highly anticipated new spa, a welcomed wellness feature as part of a resort-wide renovation.

Bringing a new sense of opulence to the waterfront property, La Concha’s expansive new spa will offer a haven for tranquility and rejuvenation. Each treatment room will feature an elevated esthetic with soft ambient lighting, white furnishings, curved walls, soothing ocean views, and unique touches such as smooth river stones lining the floors of each treatment room. Treatments will honor the mind, body and soul with a treatment menu available soon.

There’s a Margaritaville opening in Honduras

December 1, 2023 No Comments

 Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts have plans to open Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras.

The newest all-inclusive resort under the Island Reserve Inclusive Collection will complement Karisma and Margaritaville’s footprint in Mexico, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, joining Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Cap Cana, Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Riviera Cancun, Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Riviera Maya, and Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris Caye, Belize. 

About the collection

The Margaritaville Island Reserve Inclusive Collection by Karisma debuted as Margaritaville’s first collection of all-inclusive luxury properties.

These five-star resorts combine Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ renowned service and incredible food and beverage with Margaritaville’s authentic sense of fun and escapism, signature food and beverage concepts, and iconic design elements.

Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts will partner with development group Island Shipping, S. de R.L. to bring this all-inclusive resort to life. The new build, slated for completion in 2025, will include 164 rooms, live outdoor music venues, a world-class spa, and branded dining concepts, including LandShark Brewery, JWB Steakhouse, The Beach House, and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar.

About the destination

Nestled in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, Roatan, a gem among Honduras’ Bay Islands, is rapidly gaining recognition as an enchanting and relatively undiscovered destination.

Renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, Roatan’s underwater wonders attract divers and snorkelers seeking a pristine marine paradise. The island’s lush landscapes and untapped beaches further enhance its appeal, providing a serene backdrop for those seeking relaxation.

With a tropical climate and a growing reputation for diverse flora and fauna, Roatan invites travellers to embark on an off-the-beaten-path adventure, promising a perfect blend of excitement and tranquility in this emerging Caribbean paradise.

Two thirds of Canadians are going off the beaten path for 2024

November 29, 2023 No Comments

A new survey by British Airways reveals that one in five Canadians are planning to travel more than ever before in 2024. 

Notably the pandemic has made more than half of all Canadians want to travel more (58%). 

A third (33%) of Canadians plan to explore new destinations and tick places of their ‘must visit’ list in the new year. While less frequent travel with longer holiday duration both domestically (23%) and internationally (23%) seems to be important going into 2024.

Going off the grid

Immersing in new cultures (29%) and trying new experiences for the first time (18%) are important criteria for Canadians planning their next adventure.

Almost two thirds (64%) plan to go off the beaten track to less touristy destinations when they plan their news years travel, with 1 in 10 planning to attend a major entertainment or sporting event.

The regions that Canadians plan to visit the most next year are Europe (42%), North and South America (28%) and Africa (13%).

Exploration and adventure are the top priorities when planning trips in 2024 (43%). More than 1 in 10 Canadians (12%) wanted to ditch their tech altogether and opt for a digital detox.

Social media influence

Social media remains a key influence for Canadian travel (28%), whereas film and TV locations proved to be the biggest influence for Americans planning their travel (22%).

However, of those Canadians planning travel to the UK, 52% say they have been influenced by actor Ryan Reynolds, and his ownership of Wrexham AFC.

For the winter 2023/2024 season, British Airways operates twice daily flights between Toronto and London, with daily flights from Montreal and Vancouver to London. Customers can connect to over 65 countries from British Airways’ home at London Heathrow.

Hiking Italy’s most heavenly route

November 27, 2023 No Comments

I’m sitting along a wooden table overlooking the dramatic cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, feasting on freshly-made goat cheese, deep-fried fritters, roasted tomatoes and eggplants, while sipping on homemade red wine with a group of fellow travellers from around the world, when an impromptu concert breaks out.

Nino Aversa, one of the guides leading my small hiking trip, has joined goatherd Antonio Milo, the owner of the charming stone-built farmhouse who prepared our meal, and the pair start singing and playing instruments, tapping their feet along to the rhythm.

Although Milo, who takes care of some 100 goats on site, only purchased the farmhouse several years ago, he comes from a long line of goatherds. Travelling daily to milk the goats and oversee the property, he was inspired to expand the venture to provide a true farm-to-table experience for guests. There’s no fixed price menu for hikers who stumble upon him, and he works with local hiking outfitters to feed their group tour bookings as a side business.

Although I don’t understand the words, as they’re serenading us to the tune of O Sarracino, an old Neapolitan folk song, I can’t help but think: I’m so glad I wound up here.

A mere few days earlier I was destined to be doing a day trip to the island of Capri instead, but due to rough waters, the journey was cancelled.

With a gap to fill in my agenda, I serendipitously found a guided tour with Sorrento Hiking to the famed Path of the Gods hiking route online and immediately locked it in. After a last minute pit-stop to a nearby mall to procure some appropriate hiking attire, I was on my way. 

The Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods as it’s known in English, is a stunning trekking route along the Amalfi Coast that provides an amazing vantage point over the picturesque towns of Praiano and Positano.

Long before it became a popular hiking route, the trail was developed centuries ago as a mule-track to link the dairy farms with the towns along the coast. While there are several different options to hike along the Path of the Gods, their recommended route goes from Bomerano to Nocelle, which Aversa describes as “walking between heaven and earth.”

There are no guardrails along the route, just steep drops that almost induce vertigo if you stand too close to the edge.

In the car transfer over to the beginning of the trail from Sorrento that morning, my other passionate guide, Giovanni Gargiulo, inquired about what I’d heard about the difficulty of the path. Much to my dismay, when I shared that I’ve read it’s an easy-to-moderate hike, the German tourists in the backseat chimed in that everything they’ve read contradicted that. 

“It’s definitely more of a challenging route,” Gargiulo confirmed, but then quickly reassured me that we could take it at our own pace. 

For seven kilometres, the hike seemingly did a never-ending loop, complete with steep hills and descents. Gruelling at times, the frequent stops to admire the views from the top reminded me why I set out on this path in the first place.

By the time we reached the farmhouse, I was eager to enjoy a home-cooked spread and taste some well-deserved vino. 

Driving back in the car Gargiulo asks how I enjoyed the hike. It wasn’t the path I’d originally set out on, but it’s one I’m glad I took.

This story first appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the digital issue, click here.