Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

Checking In: Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

On an island known for its quiet charm, this luxury resort in Anguilla proves that scale and serenity can coexist.

It’s admittedly a bit of a journey to get to Anguilla from Canada, but that’s part of the appeal. Most visitors arrive via neighbouring St. Martin, whose international airport serves as the main gateway, followed by a short ferry ride, rum punch in hand, across impossibly blue water. Pulling up to Anguilla’s modest port feels like arriving on a private island. There’s no mega cruise ship looming offshore, no all-inclusive wristband in sight. Anguilla has long embraced a simple-pleasures sensibility. After all, the island only received electricity in the mid-1970s.

While the vibe remains laid-back, the hospitality scene has evolved. Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club is one of the island’s crown jewels, and certainly one of its most expansive. With 178 suites, villas and guestrooms spread across 300 acres, the resort is home to Anguilla’s only golf course, water park and open-air amphitheatre. Its scale is evident from the moment we arrive beneath the palm-lined circular driveway and step toward the whitewashed façade. Inside, a live jazz band plays near the lobby bar as linen-clad guests drift past en route to dinner.

Tokyo Bay Restaurant Aurora Anguilla Resort
Tokyo Bay Restaurant Aurora Anguilla Resort

Our table is at Tokyo Bay, a lively Japanese restaurant that would feel equally at home in Manhattan or Las Vegas (and often draws the same A-list patrons). Executive Chef Joe Richardson sends out a steady parade of dishes: short rib gyoza, bluefin tuna ceviche, grilled king salmon, chicken yakitori, pork belly and soft-shell crab rolls. 

The following morning, we tour Aurora’s hydroponic farm, where rows of lettuce and herbs—some of which appeared on our plates the night before—are harvested daily for use across the resort’s kitchens and cocktail bars. From the upscale D. Richards steakhouse to the more casual Sole di Mare, the culinary program feels considered rather than excessive. There’s a welcome absence of sprawling all-day buffets. Instead, dining here leans toward quality over quantity, with polished plates served just steps from the sand.

The resort is divided into two distinct areas. Merrywing Bay, anchored by a contemporary tower next to the pickleball courts, water park and golf course, tends to attract families and more active travellers. Where I’m staying, along Rendezvous Bay, lower whitewashed buildings house spacious seafront suites in a quieter, more beach-centric setting. Though the property is sizable, it rarely feels crowded. I often have the shoreline nearly to myself, and there’s never a shortage of daybeds by the pool. A polite ask is all it takes to set sail on the resort’s catamaran for an hour-long loop of the bay, with the option to stop for snorkelling.

That sense of exclusivity extends beyond the resort. As Kohn Richardson of the Anguilla Tourist Board puts it, “There’s an understanding among us that we want to preserve the peace. We want to keep the romance of Anguilla being a small island. If there are more than 30 people on the beach, it’s too much.”

At Aurora, that philosophy translates into a blissful balance: the amenities of a large-scale resort paired with the small island feeling that defines the entire destination.

It’s in the Details
Aurora’s onsite Sorana Spa offers a full menu of treatments, from seaweed wraps to beach-stone massages, making it easy to shift into relaxation mode.

On the Menu
From passionfruit mousse to strawberry-pistachio financiers and Paris-Brest, the pastries at the two resort cafés rival those of a top-tier European patisserie.

Room to Book
An Oceanfront Deluxe Suite, complete with a living area and private balcony. Multi-room villas and estate homes are ideal for group getaways.

What to Do Nearby
Book a sunset paddle with Liquid Glow in a clear kayak to spot fish and sea turtles at Crocus Bay. Later, enjoy live music at Dune Preserve, the beach bar owned by Anguillan reggae star Bankie Banx, just steps from the Rendezvous Bay side of the resort.

Best luxury all-inclusive suites in Mexico

Four Luxury Suites to Book in Mexico

The evolution of luxury travel has ushered in a new era where discerning travellers seek more than just premium accommodations – they demand transformative experiences that seamlessly blend comfort and authenticity. Across Mexico's most coveted coastal destinations, a select collection of all-inclusive resorts has risen to meet these elevated expectations, offering suite experiences that redefine the very notion of luxury travel.

Secrets Huatulco Mexico Luxury All-inclusive
Secrets Huatulco Mexico Luxury All-inclusive

Secrets Huatulco: Oceanfront Living

The Preferred Club One-Bedroom Swim Out Suite at Secrets Huatulco represents the pinnacle of refined coastal living, where guests wake each morning to unobstructed Pacific Ocean vistas from their private furnished terrace. This adults-only sanctuary elevates the traditional all-inclusive experience through its exclusive Preferred Club privileges, granting access to a private beach area, dedicated concierge services, and premium top-shelf spirits. The resort’s commitment to luxury extends throughout its carefully curated amenities, from thoughtful spa treatments that incorporate ancient healing traditions to multiple gourmet dining venues helmed by celebrated chefs. Evening entertainment takes on an elevated sophistication, with live music performances and cultural showcases that celebrate Mexico’s rich artistic heritage.

Hotel Mousai Luxury Resort Los Cabos
Hotel Mousai Luxury Resort Los Cabos

Hotel Mousai: Contemporary Elegance

Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Mousai pushes the boundaries of modern luxury with its Corner Suite North, an architectural marvel that maximizes both space and stunning Banderas Bay panoramas from the resort’s North Tower. This adults-only retreat distinguishes itself through avant-garde design elements and cutting-edge amenities that appeal to style-conscious travellers. The property’s rooftop infinity pools create the illusion of swimming into the horizon, while its innovative dining concepts feature molecular gastronomy and artisanal cocktail programs. Guests enjoy personalized butler service and access to exclusive areas designed for ultimate privacy and relaxation.

La Casa de la Playa Cancun
La Casa de la Playa Cancun

La Casa de la Playa: Wellness-Centered Luxury

At La Casa de la Playa in Cancún, the Ocean View Wellness Suite represents a revolutionary approach to luxury hospitality, where opulent accommodations serve as the foundation for transformative wellness journeys. This sophisticated property seamlessly integrates mindful luxury with comprehensive wellness programming, offering guests access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, rejuvenating spa treatments, and nutrition-focused dining options. The resort’s commitment to holistic wellbeing extends to its thoughtfully designed spaces, where natural light and ocean breezes create an environment conducive to both relaxation and personal growth.

Paradisus luxury resort Los Cabos
Paradisus luxury resort Los Cabos

Paradisus Los Cabos: Swim Up Sophistication

The Reserve Ocean Front Swim Up Suite at Paradisus Los Cabos delivers the ultimate expression of effortless luxury, where guests can transition seamlessly from their elegantly appointed accommodations directly into their private pool area. This adults-only haven represents the evolution of the traditional suite experience, offering unprecedented privacy and convenience while maintaining the highest standards of sophistication. The resort’s comprehensive amenities include world-class golf course access, premium spa services, and exclusive dining venues that showcase both international cuisine and authentic Mexican flavours.

Transform your next vacation into an unforgettable journey of sophisticated indulgence across Mexico’s most prestigious destinations, and book your luxury escape with WestJet Vacations.

Kitirua Plains Lodge

A&K Sanctuary to Open Kitirua Plains Lodge in Kenya’s Amboseli

The stunning new architectural lodge is set to open June 1, 2026.

Kitirua Plains Lodge marks Abercrombie & Kent’s return to Amboseli, and a striking new vision for what safari can look like. This isn’t a standard tented camp, but a design-led retreat conceived to feel entirely shaped by its surroundings, as if it has emerged naturally from the landscape itself . Set on a private 128-acre concession bordering Amboseli National Park, the lodge will unfold across sweeping savannahs and acacia woodlands, where elephant herds roam freely and Mount Kilimanjaro anchors the horizon in the distance.

Just 13 suites — including two two-bedroom options — will be spaced across the landscape, each carefully positioned to capture uninterrupted views of Kilimanjaro. Elevated walkways will connect the main lodge to the suites, maintaining a sense of openness while offering privacy, while a viewing tower with a private dining space will take advantage of the site’s natural contours for panoramic outlooks over the plains.

Kitirua Plains Lodge
Kitirua Plains Lodge

The design story runs deeper than aesthetics. Materials have been sourced locally wherever possible, with most of the furniture made in Kenya using mango wood and African teak, alongside stone quarried nearby. The colour palette will reflect the land itself, from the soft dust tones of the plains to textures inspired by local wildlife, while subtle Maasai influences will appear in the architectural forms and handcrafted details throughout.

Sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the lodge rather than layered on afterward. The property will operate entirely on solar power, use passive cooling techniques to reduce the need for air-conditioning, and recycle water for irrigation. At the same time, local artisans and workers have played a key role in bringing the project to life, ensuring the lodge remains closely tied to the surrounding community.

Kitirua Plains Lodge

Kitirua Plains Lodge signals a shift in what luxury safari travel looks like today — less about excess, and more about thoughtful design, a lighter footprint and a deeper connection to place. For travellers seeking a more contemporary, design-forward way to experience East Africa, Amboseli is firmly back in focus.

Six Senses Ibiza Sleep

The Rise of Sleep Tourism: 6 Hotels Where Rest Is the Real Luxury

From circadian-rhythm suites to sleep-enhancing spa rituals, these hotels are turning a good night’s rest into the ultimate travel experience.

Sleep used to be an afterthought in travel – something squeezed in between early flights, packed itineraries and late-night dinners. But a growing number of travellers are now planning trips around one simple goal: getting a truly good night’s rest. Welcome to the era of sleep tourism.

Fuelled by rising burnout, digital overload and a broader focus on wellness, sleep-focused travel is quickly becoming one of hospitality’s most intriguing trends. Hotels are responding with programs designed to help guests fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and return home feeling genuinely restored.

Here are six standout hotels around the world where the art of sleep has become a signature experience.

Six Senses Ibiza – Spain

Few hotel brands have embraced the sleep revolution quite like Six Senses. At its cliffside Ibiza retreat overlooking the Mediterranean (pictured above), the brand’s signature sleep program turns bedtime into a personalized wellness journey.

Guests begin with a consultation that evaluates sleep habits and lifestyle factors before receiving a tailored plan for their stay. The program blends yoga nidra sessions, sleep-supporting nutrition, meditation and spa therapies designed to regulate the nervous system.

Rooms are also designed with rest in mind: organic mattresses, temperature-regulating bedding and blackout technology ensure optimal sleep conditions. The goal isn’t just a good night’s sleep while travelling – it’s teaching guests habits they can take home with them.

Park Hyatt New York – USA

In Manhattan, where city noise rarely sleeps, the Bryte Restorative Sleep Suite at Park Hyatt New York offers a high-tech sanctuary designed to deliver deep rest in the heart of the city.

The suite centres around a Bryte Balance smart bed that automatically adjusts to a sleeper’s movements throughout the night. Gentle vibration technology and relaxation audio tracks help guide guests into deeper sleep cycles, while circadian lighting and blackout curtains regulate light exposure.

The experience also includes a sleep-focused turndown ritual, meditation content and calming aromatherapy. It’s a futuristic approach to rest that feels perfectly suited to New York’s wellness-obsessed travellers.

Post Ranch Inn

Post Ranch Inn – Big Sur, California

Perched high above the Pacific along California’s dramatic Big Sur coastline, Post Ranch Inn may be one of the most naturally sleep-inducing places on Earth. The adults-only retreat takes the concept even further with a dedicated Post Ranch Sleep Program developed in partnership with renowned sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus.

The multi-day program blends science with sensory calm. Guests stay in minimalist rooms intentionally designed for deep rest – think organic mattresses, chemical-free bedding and an unusual absence of televisions and alarm clocks to eliminate sleep-disrupting stimuli.

The experience also includes a series of educational “Sleep Sessions” created by Breus that explain circadian rhythms and healthy sleep habits, along with spa treatments from a dedicated sleep menu. Even dinner supports the mission: the on-site restaurant serves a Sleep Serenity menu featuring ingredients chosen to promote relaxation.

Rosewood Hong Kong 

At Rosewood Hong Kong, the luxury hotel’s Asaya wellness concept integrates sleep therapies into its broader holistic programming.

Guests can book personalized sleep treatments that combine traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy and meditation to calm the body before bedtime. Spa rituals often include pressure-point massage designed to promote circulation and relaxation.

Guest rooms also feature high-quality linens, custom mattresses and carefully calibrated lighting designed to support natural circadian rhythms. The hotel’s tranquil harbour views and serene interiors further reinforce the sense of calm.

Cadogan hotel London sleep program

The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel – London, United Kingdom

Belmond has long focused on wellness experiences, and at The Cadogan in London, guests can participate in a curated Sleep Concierge program.

The service includes aromatherapy pillow menus, guided relaxation routines and evening wellness teas designed to encourage deep sleep. Guests can also access nearby private gardens for quiet reflection before bedtime – a rare luxury in central London.

Combined with Belmond’s famously plush beds and tranquil interiors, the program transforms an ordinary hotel stay into a restorative retreat.

The Betsy – South Beach – Florida, USA

Even in Miami – a city famous for nightlife – some hotels are encouraging guests to wind down. At The Betsy on Ocean Drive, restful sleep is supported through thoughtful in-room details designed to promote relaxation.

Each room includes bedside sound machines to create soothing white noise and a curated library of books selected by the hotel’s co-owner. Guests can settle in with a novel before drifting off under luxurious bedding – a quiet ritual that feels refreshingly analogue.

It’s a small but meaningful approach to sleep tourism: sometimes the best sleep solution is simply a calm room, a good book and the sound of the ocean nearby.

Four Seasons Tokyo at Maranouchi

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is Revamped and Reopening

After a major redesign by André Fu Studio, the boutique Four Seasons steps back onto Tokyo’s luxury scene this spring with just 57 rooms, refined Japanese design and one of the world’s top-ranked restaurants.

One of Tokyo’s most intimate luxury hotels is preparing for a stylish return.

The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, a boutique property steps from Tokyo Station, will reopen on April 29, 2026 following a comprehensive redesign that refreshes its rooms, suites and public spaces while preserving the residential feel that made the hotel a favourite among in-the-know travellers.

With just 57 rooms and suites, the hotel remains one of the smallest luxury properties in Tokyo — a rarity in a city known for towering hotels. The renovation, led by Hong Kong–based André Fu Studio, reimagines the space through a lens of relaxed luxury inspired by Japanese aesthetics and cosmopolitan design.

Guests will arrive into a lobby conceived as a modern Japanese tea lounge, where washi panelling, muted furnishings and views of a tranquil rock garden create an immediate sense of calm. Throughout the hotel, warm woods, mid-century silhouettes and subtle craftsmanship details give the interiors the feel of a contemporary city residence.

Guest rooms and suites have been redesigned as serene retreats above the energy of Tokyo, with thoughtful touches including cast bronze lighting and delicate sakura-inspired marquetry.

The SÉZANNE suite
SÉZANNE restaurant

Even as the hotel unveils its new look, one signature highlight remains firmly in place: SÉZANNE, the hotel’s acclaimed three-Michelin-starred French restaurant, consistently ranked among the best dining destinations in Asia and the world.

In a luxury hotel landscape increasingly defined by scale, Four Seasons Tokyo at Marunouchi continues to offer something different — a refined, boutique-style stay in the heart of the city, where personalised service and understated design take centre stage.

Reservations are now open for stays beginning April 29, 2026.

Orient Express La Minerva Spa

Orient Express La Minerva Unveiled a Stunning New Spa Inspired by Ancient Roman Baths

The new wellness sanctuary in Rome blends Ottoman hammam rituals, Sicilian skincare and dramatic design for an immersive escape.

Rome has always understood the art of slowing down. In ancient times, locals gathered at elaborate bathhouses to relax, socialize and restore body and mind. Now, one of the city’s newest luxury hotels is bringing that ritual back in style.

At Orient Express La Minerva, a newly opened spa draws inspiration from the bathing traditions of Roman thermae and the cleansing rituals of the Ottoman hammam. Located steps from the Pantheon, the space is designed as a journey — one that unfolds gradually through heat, steam and water.

Guests move through a sequence of thermal rooms inspired by classical bathing culture. The experience begins in a gently warmed space that allows the body to acclimatize before progressing to a steamy calidarium and ending with a refreshing cold plunge designed to awaken the senses.

Orient Express La Minerva Spa

The spa itself feels cinematic. Designed by artist-architect Hugo Toro, the interiors blend rich travertine and marble with stained oak and hand-blown Murano glass lighting that casts a warm, candle-like glow. A striking marble hammam anchors the space, surrounded by delicate fountains and intricately patterned screens that play with light and shadow.

Treatments lean into ancient purification rituals. Guests can indulge in elaborate hammam experiences that incorporate aromatic steam, exfoliating scrubs, clay wraps and foaming massages designed to leave skin radiant and muscles fully relaxed.

The spa partners with Sicilian luxury skincare brand Furtuna Skin, known for its botanical formulas crafted from ingredients grown on an organic estate in Sicily. Signature treatments combine natural actives with techniques like facial massage and Gua Sha to boost circulation and revive tired skin.

For travellers looking to keep their wellness routine intact, the spa also includes a Technogym-equipped fitness space and a dedicated Kinesis training room offering personalised workouts, yoga and Pilates sessions.

In a city that practically invented the spa day, Orient Express La Minerva has created a new sanctuary that feels both ancient and unmistakably modern — the kind of place where you might check in for an hour and emerge feeling like you’ve travelled through time.

Six Senses Whiteley Hotel UK

Six Senses Opens Its First UK Hotel Inside a Historic London Landmark

Set within a reinvented 19th-century department store, Six Senses London blends wellness, design and community in the heart of Bayswater.

London’s historic Whiteley building has seen many lives since opening as one of the city’s first department stores in the 19th century. Now, after years of redevelopment, the landmark address has entered a new chapter — this time as the home of Six Senses London, the brand’s first property in the UK.

Opened on March 1, 2026, the hotel marks a major step in Six Senses’ expanding portfolio of urban sanctuaries. Known for its remote resorts in destinations from Thailand to Portugal, the wellness-focused brand has been carefully bringing its philosophy to cities. London joins Rome and Kyoto as part of this growing urban collection.

And while the setting may be metropolitan, the ethos remains the same: spaces designed to help travellers slow down, reconnect and reset — even in the middle of a busy city.

A Historic Building Reimagined

Located on Queensway in West London, Six Senses London occupies a quarter of The Whiteley, a newly redeveloped mixed-use complex just steps from Hyde Park and a short walk from Notting Hill.

The original building dates back to 1863 and once housed London’s first department store. Today, the restored structure blends its Art Deco heritage with contemporary design.

Interior spaces were created by design studio AvroKO in collaboration with EPR Architects. The result is a hotel that balances heritage architecture with modern touches inspired by nature and wellness.

Inside, the property features 109 guest rooms and suites, many with private terraces overlooking the neighbourhood. The hotel also includes 14 branded residences, allowing longer-term guests to live within the Six Senses ecosystem.

Throughout the building, greenery plays a visible role. Green roofs and seasonal plantings are designed to attract pollinators while bringing a softer, natural element to the urban landscape.

Six Senses Whiteley Restaurant
Six Senses Whiteley pool

A Restaurant Designed for the Neighbourhood

Food plays an important role in the hotel’s community-focused approach.

Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café serves modern British cuisine with a relaxed, neighbourhood feel. Rather than positioning itself as a destination restaurant only for hotel guests, the space is intended to become a local gathering place for residents of Bayswater and nearby Notting Hill.

In a city where the best hotel restaurants often double as neighbourhood institutions, the approach feels particularly fitting.

A 2,300-Square-Metre Urban Wellness Hub

Wellness has always been central to the Six Senses brand, and the London property brings that focus indoors in a big way.

The hotel’s 2,300-square-metre spa is designed as a continuous flow of spaces that shift between movement and stillness. The facilities aim to help guests decompress from city life — or simply recharge between meetings and sightseeing.

Highlights include:

  • London’s first hotel magnesium pool

  • A 20-metre indoor swimming pool

  • Cryotherapy and flotation therapy

  • Dedicated recovery and relaxation spaces

  • A longevity clinic

  • A high-tech Biohack Recovery Lounge

  • A fully equipped fitness centre

The spa also features the brand’s signature Alchemy Bar, where guests can blend ingredients to create custom wellness products.

New: Six Senses Place

The London property also debuts a new concept for the brand: Six Senses Place.

Part private members’ club and part wellness hub, the space is designed to bring together a community interested in longevity, wellness and lifestyle programming. Members will have access to spa facilities, social spaces and events designed around connection and personal well-being.

In a city already known for its thriving private club scene, the concept positions Six Senses Place as something slightly different — a space where high-tech wellness and social connection intersect.

A New Era for the Six Senses Brand

Since being acquired by IHG Hotels & Resorts in 2019, Six Senses has been steadily expanding its global footprint. The brand now operates 27 properties across 20 countries, with additional openings planned in destinations including Portugal, Japan and Bangkok.

London’s debut represents a significant milestone — not only because it’s the brand’s first UK hotel, but because it signals how Six Senses is adapting its wellness-first philosophy for city life.

Ytri Norway hotel

New Hotels Worth Planning a Trip Around in 2026

If you’re mapping out this year’s journeys, consider this a short list of hotels worth building a trip around.

Each year brings a wave of new hotel openings, but not all of them shift the conversation. The most compelling new hotels of 2026 are less about spectacle and more about genuine sense of place. From a fjord-side retreat in Norway to a rewilding estate in the Scottish Highlands, these addresses are already shaping where discerning travellers will want to stay in 2026.

Ytri Norway

Ytri — Årdal, Norway

Opening Date: April 2026

On a quiet stretch of shoreline in western Norway, Ytri feels almost elemental. The small retreat in Årdal occupies a former farmstead overlooking the Sognefjord, where mountains drop straight into steel-blue water. The architecture is restrained — timber, glass and dark metal — designed not to compete with the landscape but to frame it.

What makes Ytri particularly compelling is its devotion to seasonality. In colder months, when daylight is fleeting and snow softens the hills, the experience turns inward: wood-fired saunas beside the fjord, bracing cold plunges, and long dinners shaped by what the region yields — lamb, preserved root vegetables, cured fish, wild herbs. The kitchen works closely with nearby producers, leaning into fermentation and preservation traditions that make sense in this climate. It feels less like a hotel imposed on nature and more like a considered extension of it.

Conrad Corfu Greece pool

Conrad Corfu — Corfu, Greece

Opening Date: June 2026

Corfu’s history is layered — Venetian fortresses, French arcades, British cricket pitches — and its food reflects that mix. The newly built Conrad Corfu, set along the Ionian coast, taps into that complexity rather than flattening it into generic Mediterranean gloss. Terraced toward the sea and framed by olive groves, the property feels contemporary but grounded in place.

Dining anchors the experience. Expect Corfiot staples such as slow-braised sofrito, citrus-forward seafood and island olive oils, alongside broader Mediterranean influences. Local wines, fresh catch and wild greens feature prominently. The design — pale stone, linen textures, wide-open terraces — keeps the focus on the light and the water. Visiting outside peak summer reveals a more contemplative island, and the hotel seems designed for that gentler rhythm.

OKU Bodrum Turkiye

OKU Bodrum — Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey

Opening Date: May 2026

The Bodrum Peninsula has matured into one of the Aegean’s most polished enclaves, and OKU Bodrum arrives with quiet confidence. Adults-only and carved into a hillside facing the sea, the hotel is all low lines, textured stone and open-air spaces that blur the boundary between indoors and out.

Food plays a central role. OKU’s signature approach — Aegean ingredients meeting Japanese technique — shows up in grilled seafood with bright herbs, sashimi alongside mezze, seasonal produce handled with restraint. It’s less about fusion than conversation between cuisines shaped by coastal living. Days unfold unhurriedly here: mornings in the water, afternoons shaded from the sun, evenings that stretch well past sunset. For travellers emerging from winter, Bodrum in late spring offers warmth without the height-of-summer frenzy.

NIHI Rote — Rote Island, Indonesia

Opening Date: May 2026

Rote Island lies at Indonesia’s southern edge, closer to Australia than Bali, and NIHI Rote builds on the philosophy established by its sister property in Sumba: low-impact design, strong ties to local communities and a deep respect for land and sea.

Villas open toward empty beaches and consistent surf breaks, with architecture that favours natural materials and cross-breezes over excess. The culinary programme centres on Indonesian flavours — grilled fish with sambal, fragrant rice dishes, tropical fruit — alongside produce grown on-site or sourced from nearby villages. The remoteness is deliberate. Getting to Rote requires effort, but the payoff is a coastline that still feels largely unclaimed and a pace that encourages genuine disconnection.

Hope Lodge Wildland Scotland
NIHI Rote Indonesia

Hope WildLand Lodge — Scottish Highlands

Opening Date: May 2026

In the far north of Scotland, Hope WildLand sits within a large-scale rewilding initiative aimed at restoring native woodland and biodiversity across a sweeping Highland estate. Accommodation is deliberately minimal — a lodge and cottages positioned to immerse guests in the surrounding terrain rather than distract from it.

The kitchen reflects that same ethos. Menus draw on Scottish seafood, venison, hardy vegetables suited to the climate and herbs gathered from the estate. Meals feel rooted rather than performative. Days might include guided walks through recovering forest, discussions about habitat restoration or simply watching weather roll across open moorland. The hotel’s ambition extends beyond comfort; it’s part of a longer environmental story unfolding across the Highlands.

Valentine's Day getaways luxury hotels

The Best Last-Minute Luxury Escapes for Valentine’s Day

Take it from us: a last-minute getaway is the most romantic Valentine's Day gift there is.

Valentine’s Day has a habit of defaulting to prix-fixe menus and predictable bouquets, but the most memorable celebrations as a couple come from experiencing something new together. From overwater villas to historic city hideaways, these romantic hotels around the world prove February 14 is far better when you travel for it.

Jumby Bay Island luxury private resort getaway
Paddleboarding at Jumby Bay Island Resort

Where competition keeps the spark alive

On a private island off the coast of Antigua, Jumby Bay Island reframes romance with a playful edge. This is a place where Caribbean languor meets friendly rivalry — sailing lessons at the on-site academy, paddleboarding, kayaking, tennis, and reef-hopping boat trips all add a sense of momentum to the stay. The balance comes later, with Champagne-fuelled picnics through botanical gardens and starlit dinners at an 18th-century sugar mill. It’s ideal for couples who bond as much over shared victories as shared sunsets.

Fireside romance, Manhattan-style

For those who believe intimacy thrives indoors, The Lowell offers a rare New York indulgence: real wood-burning fireplaces. Residential-style suites, designed by Michael S. Smith, feel like private apartments rather than hotel rooms, complete with a Fireplace Butler who customizes the scent and wood for your evening. Downstairs, Majorelle’s Valentine’s menu leans classic and indulgent, while Jacques Bar provides a suitably moody finale. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most romantic thing in the world is just having time for each other.

The Lanesborough London Restaurant
Courtesy of The Lanesborough
The Lanesborough London Suite
Courtesy of The Lanesborough

Old-world grandeur in London

Romance comes built into the walls at The Lanesborough, one of London’s most quietly theatrical addresses. The hotel’s Love Nook — tucked inside The Library Bar — sets the tone with silk florals, candlelight, and a sense of privacy that feels discovered rather than staged. While there’s a full Valentine’s programme on offer, including live jazz and spa rituals, the appeal here is the atmosphere itself, all year long: stately, warm, and effortlessly cinematic.

A Highland retreat with soul

High above the tidal waters of the Kyle of Tongue, Kyle House offers a very different take on romance. This one-bedroom cottage, part of the WildLand conservation project, is designed for couples who crave isolation and elemental beauty. Days unfold slowly — coastal walks, fireside reading, long lunches — while the surrounding landscape lends depth to the experience. It’s a winter retreat defined not by excess, but by stillness and a strong sense of place.

WOLFI pictures suite de l'europe Amsterdam
The Wolfi Pictures Suite at Hotel De L'Europe Amsterdam

A cinematic stay in Amsterdam

Film lovers will find their perfect setting at Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam, where the Wolfi Pictures Suite plays like a private screening room overlooking the canals. Plush seating, a popcorn machine, and a curated bar encourage couples to settle in for the night, while the moody views feel straight out of a Hitchcock frame. Part of the hotel’s cultural ’t Huys wing, the suite is designed for immersion — in story, in design, and in each other. When you’re ready for a change of scenery, take a bike ride together and spend the day exploring the city’s noteworthy museums and shops.

A city adventure in the heart of Hong Kong

At The Hari Hong Kong, romance takes on a contemporary, city-forward feel. Set in Wan Chai, the design-driven hotel balances intimate rooms with lively social spaces, inviting couples to drift between candlelit dinners, late-night cocktails, and quiet moments overlooking the skyline. Thoughtful, understated, and refreshingly unshowy, The Hari proves that Valentine’s Day in a fast-paced city can still feel personal.

Couples massage therapy and wellness at Bawah Reserve luxury private island resort
Duo Massages at Bawah Reserve
Overwater bungalows at Bawah Reserve luxury private island resort
Bawah Reserve Overwater Bungalows

Spa and seclusion in Indonesia

Accessible only by seaplane, Bawah Reserve is ideal for couples looking to reconnect in paradise. With daily spa treatments included, couples can ease into island time — herbal compress massages, secluded beach picnics, and sunset boat rides through protected waters. Luxury overwater bungalows are the ultimate antidote to a long Canadian winter, after all.

Sun-soaked serenity, Marrakech style

It’s hard not to fall in love at The Oberoi, Marrakech, where citrus orchards, reflective pools, and Atlas Mountain views create a sense of calm just beyond the city. Inspired by traditional Moroccan design, the resort’s low-slung architecture and garden-wrapped suites encourage unhurried days, whether that means lingering breakfasts, shared hammam rituals, or sunset dinners.

Raffles Hotels The Butler Did it Collection Printemps Collaboration

Raffles Debuts a Chic Collection Inspired by Its Famous Butler Service

The luxury hotel brand debuts a playful fashion and home edit at Printemps, inspired by the rituals and details that define a stay at Raffles.

If you’ve ever stayed at a Raffles hotel, you know the magic isn’t just in the architecture or the destination. It’s in the details. The perfectly timed cup of tea. The pressed pajamas waiting at night. The quiet sense that someone, somewhere, has already thought of what you’ll need next. Now, that experience is stepping outside the hotel.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has launched The Butler Did It Collection, a limited-edition fashion and home assortment available exclusively at Printemps in Paris and New York through March 10, 2026, with select pieces also available online. The collection takes its cue from Raffles’ legendary Butler Service, translating the brand’s polished, slightly whimsical spirit into clothing and everyday objects.

Raffles the Butler Did it Velvet Slippers Printemps
Raffles The Butler Did it PJ set

Rather than feeling like hotel merch, the pieces lean into lifestyle. The ready-to-wear offering includes pajamas, T-shirts, polos, cashmere jumpers, velvet smoking jackets, and accessories like bucket hats and cashmere baseball caps, all designed in a restrained, easy-to-wear palette. Subtle details — including Raffles’ signature palm motif — quietly reference the brand’s heritage without shouting about it.

The collection also extends into home and travel, where some of the most charming pieces appear. Globe-Trotter collaborated on a deep green suitcase lined with Raffles’ palm print, while Frette introduces plush velvet slippers embroidered with the phrase “The Butler Did It.” Rounding things out, Christofle reimagines its iconic coffee cup with the collection’s playful namesake — a small but clever reminder of how luxury often lives in the everyday.

Printemps makes a fitting partner for the debut. With its long history of blending heritage and modernity, the department store offers the right setting for a collection that’s rooted in tradition but feels current. Presented in both Paris and New York, the launch also reflects Raffles’ global outlook and growing interest in lifestyle beyond the hotel stay.

The Butler Did It is more than a one-off capsule. It serves as a preview of a broader ready-to-wear and home offering Raffles plans to roll out in fall 2026, alongside the launch of its own e-commerce platform. For now, though, it’s a charming invitation to take a small piece of the Raffles experience home.