Hotels Archives - Offshore

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

February 10, 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Debuts a Chic Collection Inspired by Its Famous Butler Service

February 10, 2026

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.

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.

Six Senses Krabey Island’s New Ayurveda Retreat Is a Complete Reset

February 10, 2026

Six Senses Krabey Island’s new five- to seven-day Ayurveda retreat is designed to restore rhythm, clarity and balance on a private island off Cambodia’s southern coast.

Launching in 2026 at Six Senses Krabey Island, Journey Into the Elements is the resort’s most immersive wellness experience to date. Set on a secluded 30-acre private island off the coast of Cambodia, the retreat blends Ayurveda, mindfulness and nature-led therapies into a carefully paced program focused on lasting restoration — not quick fixes.

Rather than filling each day with back-to-back treatments, the experience is intentionally spacious. Silent mornings, guided meditation and elemental practices establish a slower rhythm, encouraging guests to disconnect from constant stimulation and tune back into their physical and mental cues. The tone is immersive without being intense — structured, but unforced.

Ayurveda underpins the retreat, but it’s presented in a way that feels accessible rather than prescriptive. Each guest begins with a personalized consultation combining traditional Ayurvedic pulse reading with modern bio-assessment tools such as heart-rate variability and sleep mapping. The aim is insight, not diagnosis — a clearer understanding of how the body is functioning and where balance may be needed.

From there, the program adapts to individual priorities, whether that’s digestion, inflammation, joint mobility, sleep quality or mental clarity. The focus stays on sustainable habits and daily rhythm, making the experience feel relevant well beyond the retreat itself.

Programming is shaped around the five elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether — which inform yoga, breathwork, meditation and therapeutic bodywork. Movement practices are gentle and grounding, designed to build strength and mobility without strain. Sound healing and ocean-based meditation draw directly from the island’s natural setting, reinforcing the connection between place and practice.

Targeted inflammation-care therapies include warm oil massage, herbal poultice treatments and mobility-focused yoga designed to support digestion, reduce inflammation and promote long-term joint health. The approach is subtle but cumulative, favouring consistency over intensity.

A highlight of the retreat takes place at the Island Alchemy Bar, where guests craft balancing elixirs using local botanicals such as moringa, tulsi, turmeric and lemongrass. The workshop offers a tactile, grounded way to engage with Ayurvedic principles.

Nutrition follows the same mindset. Plant-forward menus are designed to support digestion and minimize toxins, paired with Ayurvedic cooking workshops that explain how ingredients work together. Meals feel nourishing and satisfying — intended as inspiration, not restriction.

What to Know Before You Go

Journey Into the Elements is offered as a five- or seven-day retreat, with programming tailored through personalized consultations, movement practices, meditation and nature-led therapies. Retreat elements include Ayurvedic pulse diagnostics, modern bio-assessments, inflammation-care treatments, elemental yoga and meditation sessions, botanical workshops and plant-forward meals.

Five-night retreat packages start at $1,100 per night, excluding accommodations. Pricing includes the full wellness program, therapies and workshops, with accommodations booked separately. The retreat launches in 2026, with limited availability to maintain its intimate scale. Bookings can be made by emailing [email protected].

The Road Less Travelled in Jordan

January 27, 2026

This candle-lit ecolodge on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve is designed with purpose.

By Ann Ruppenstein

There are two main ways to reach Feynan Ecolodge—the easy way and the challenging way—and, to borrow from Frost, I stood contemplating the road not taken. After traversing uneven terrain, scrambling over boulders, wading through a stream, and even using my guide’s foot as a stepping stone to navigate steep slopes, somewhere along the 17-km Wadi Ghuweir Trail I began to wonder what it might have been like to take one of the 4×4 shuttles to the off-the-grid lodge instead of relying on my own two feet.

But as the scenery shifted dramatically, from a narrow slot canyon framed by tall red-rock walls to an open oasis lush with greenery and palms, and finally to hillsides dotted with hundreds of grazing goats, I knew I wouldn’t trade these spectacular views for the easy way out. After a brief rest, my Bedouin guide Ameen Saraheen brewed fresh tea over a cliffside fire, and we refuelled with flatbread, tuna, and hummus before continuing on.

Unlike a typical hotel check-in, I felt a true sense of accomplishment when I finally reached the front desk at Feynan Ecolodge and was greeted with warm smiles and a tray of the most refreshing homemade lemonade. The journey had been longer, but far more rewarding.

Located on the southwestern edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve, the 26-room lodge was designed by architect Ammar Khammash and developed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

“The idea was to build something modern in sustainability—having the least possible impact on the environment—while benefiting one of the poorest communities in Jordan,” explains Nabil Tarazi, founder and CEO of EcoHotels, which manages the property. “It became one of the first sites in Jordan to implement solar power. Instead of electric lighting throughout, candles are used in most areas—and those candles are produced onsite by local Bedouin women.”

Beyond generating most of its energy from the sun, the ecolodge was founded on supporting the Bedouin families in the surrounding area. For example, all of the bread served at the lodge is made by a local woman, Um Khalid, providing her family’s main source of income.

“She makes our bread three times a day, and we actually pay almost double what you’d pay for a loaf in Amman,” says Tarazi. “The idea is to help her run her own business.”

Meaningful connections with nearby families are a big part of staying here. The lodge links guests with Bedouin guides for treks of varying lengths, from sunrise and sunset hikes to full-day adventures like mine. Even non-guests can arrange excursions, as the Wadi Ghuweir Trail is one of the most scenic stretches of the Jordan Trail, a 675-km route from Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south that takes roughly 40 days to complete—a Middle Eastern rival to the Camino de Santiago. For me, one day was enough to capture its essence.

“It’s a whole experience, not just a place to stay,” notes Abeer Tannous, marketing and business development executive for EcoHotels.

After watching the sunset from a nearby hilltop, I returned to find Feynan transformed by the glow of 200 candles. With no light pollution, the night sky was ablaze with stars. On the rooftop, strewn with comfortable mattresses, I was shown the constellations and learned how Bedouins once relied on the stars to navigate the desert and track the seasons. Through the telescope, Saturn’s rings were crystal clear.

“There’s zero light pollution anywhere on the horizon, which is why the sky comes alive,” says Tarazi. “If you come in August, you can see about 60 meteors an hour during the Perseid shower. We blend technology, like the telescope, with traditional storytelling from the community, whose ancestors lived by the stars. These experiences aren’t scripted; they come from people who know this land best.”

That night, I fell asleep to the soft flicker of candlelight and woke refreshed, ready to explore the lodge’s community experiences. While most excursions are included, certain activities come with a small fee that goes directly to local families.

A short walk brought me to the tented home of Suleiman Hasaseen, made from woven goat hair. There, he taught our small group about the Bedouin tradition of serving Arabic coffee. Joined by his mother, we made Arbood bread—simply flour, salt, and water—baked in hot ashes and served warm with olive oil. Despite its humble preparation, the bread emerged clean and delicious.

When it was time to leave, I opted for a local transfer rather than another long hike. The 8-km unpaved road from the reception centre to the lodge requires a high-clearance vehicle, and Feynan relies on community members to provide transport in their own cars.

“We consciously chose not to pave the road so that locals could continue offering the transfers,” says Tarazi. “Guests are warned they’ll ride in beat-up vehicles, but every dinar goes directly to the driver. Around 45 families benefit from this system—it’s a significant source of income.”

Depending on the season, the lodge supports between 80 and 100 families in the region.

“Aside from having a fabulous, unique experience, we hope guests leave inspired to seek out other places like Feynan—properties that take community and environment seriously, minimize their impact, and give back,” Tarazi says.

Travel for Good

Feynan Ecolodge is featured on the Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan, an initiative by the Jordan Tourism Board North America and the non-profit Tourism Cares. The map highlights sustainable social enterprises and cultural experiences that help travellers support local communities, preserve heritage, and promote environmental conservation.

Tourism is vital to Jordan’s economy, yet the current Gaza conflict has sharply reduced visitor numbers. Petra, for instance, has dropped from 5,000 daily visitors to just a few hundred.

“The impact has been tremendous, not only from a business standpoint but on the community,” says Tarazi. “Many livelihoods depend on tourism. And Jordan remains extremely safe. Now is actually one of the best times to visit since there aren’t too many tourists.”

The Shangri-La Toronto has the Perfect Valentine’s Day Package

January 27, 2026

It's been a long winter. Here's your sign to treat yourself (and a loved one) to a candlelit Italian dinner and an indulgent overnight stay at Shangri-La Toronto.

This year, Shangri-La Toronto is offering a polished but unfussy way to celebrate Valentine’s Day right in the city. The hotel’s curated experiences are designed to feel intimate and unrushed — ideal for couples who want something memorable without overdoing it.

At the centre of the celebration is Valentine’s Rendezvous at bosk, the hotel’s Northern Italian restaurant. Offered on February 14 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the four-course dinner is meant to unfold at an easy pace, with live violin music setting the tone, a Valentine’s cocktail to start the evening, and hand-dipped chocolate strawberries to finish.

The menu highlights seasonal Canadian ingredients with Italian flair. Courses include red wine–marinated venison carpaccio with Koziak’s Triple Crunch mustard, beet root spaghetti with goat’s milk fonduta and B.C. spot prawns, and dry-aged striploin served with celeriac purée. Desserts lean elegant rather than heavy, with options like dark chocolate merveilleux with hazelnut praline or a raspberry-and-rose creation finished with rosewater ganache.

Make it a Staycation

For couples who want to turn dinner into a true escape, Shangri-La Toronto’s A Suite Valentine’s Day experience removes the need to head home at all. Guests are welcomed with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and a decadent cake, followed by an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s suites.

A CAD $250 dining credit per night encourages lingering meals or room service, while breakfast for two the following morning keeps things feeling relaxed. Small details make a difference here: fresh florals on arrival, an evening turndown featuring the hotel’s signature tea set and Bathorium bath salts, and flexible check-in and check-out times (subject to availability).

Parking is included as well — a small but appreciated touch for anyone who’s ever hesitated over a downtown stay.

Whether you opt for the dinner, the overnight stay, or both, this is Valentine’s Day done with just enough luxury to make it feel like a real occasion.

Haute Couture Hotels

January 13, 2026

From Christian Louboutin’s red-soled retreat in Portugal to Missoni’s rooftop pool takeover in Texas, fashion’s biggest names are bringing their aesthetic to the world of hospitality.

By Erica Commisso

Fashion’s most recognizable houses are stepping beyond boutiques and ateliers, carving out a stylish new niche in hospitality. Whether through sun-splashed rooftop pop-ups, bespoke restaurants, or full-fledged hotels, these brands are crafting experiences as exclusive as their runway designs.

Armani may have been among the first to blur the line between haute couture and high hospitality—opening its namesake hotels in Dubai in 2010 and Milan a year later—but a new wave of labels is following suit, each putting its own spin on the idea of living the brand.

Take Christian Louboutin, whose first hotel, Vermelho (featured above), debuted in the quiet Portuguese village of Melides, just south of Lisbon. The 13-room property is an exuberant reflection of the designer’s signature flair: the iconic red heel reimagined through tiles, beams, and upholstery. Yet, for all its glamour, the space remains grounded in local culture, blending artisanal Portuguese craftsmanship with Louboutin’s playful sensibility—a European counterpart to Yves Saint Laurent’s legendary Marrakech oasis.

Meanwhile, Ferrari is channeling its racing-red prestige into fine dining. At Cavallino restaurant in Maranello, steps from the factory and Gestione Sportiva racing department, acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura’s Italian classics are served up with the precision of a Formula 1 pit crew. The tasting menu celebrates regional icons like Parmigiano Reggiano and Emilia Romagna wines, a far cry from the humble company canteen Enzo Ferrari opened in 1950. Since its 2021 redesign, Cavallino has become a destination in its own right for culinary-minded car enthusiasts.

This past year also brought a flurry of beach clubs and poolside collaborations. Longchamp landed in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, with a seaside outpost that captures the breezy elegance of the French Riviera. In Dallas, Missoni partnered with Hôtel Swexan to create a rooftop escape awash in the brand’s iconic zigzag prints. Guests sip Malfy Gin Spritzes poolside, enjoy curated in-suite gifts, and bask in the kind of effortless glamour usually reserved for the Mediterranean. “This partnership is the perfect fit since both Missoni and Hôtel Swexan are family-owned, devoted to craftsmanship and timeless sophistication,” says Hôtel Swexan general manager Julian Payne.

Elsewhere, designers made their mark from the Hamptons to Ibiza. Michael Kors and Chanel hosted posh summer activations in New York’s chicest coastal enclave. Dolce & Gabbana’s DG Resort returned to Taormina and Saint-Tropez, Jacquemus took over Monte-Carlo Beach, and Louis Vuitton debuted a Saint-Tropez culinary pop-up with Michelin-starred chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric. Lacoste also entered the scene, opening a café in Monte Carlo that brings its preppy-sporty heritage to life, right down to the crocodile-green details.

As the lines between fashion, travel, and lifestyle continue to blur, one thing is clear: luxury today is about more than what you wear. It’s about where you stay, what you taste, and how you can live inside the brand’s world—even just for a night.

Checking In: Hotel Playa Luxury Cayo Guillermo, Cuba

January 13, 2026

From overwater bungalows to beachside lobster lunches, this is Cuba done differently.

By Mitch McClung

Arriving in the dark might not seem ideal, but it’s actually the best way to experience Hotel Playa Luxury Cayo Guillermo. When you wake up, sunlight streams through the windows and the ocean shimmers just outside your door. The resort is only a short drive from the airport, yet it feels tucked away from the rest of Cuba—quieter, calmer, and intentionally different. Instead of the usual resort soundtrack of mariachis and cocktails by the dozen, guests are greeted by the sound of a grand piano in the lobby.

Playa Luxury aims to redefine what a high-end Cuban stay can be. Its six over-water bungalows are among the only ones in the country, surrounded by nothing but sea and sky. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with light while keeping it private from the curious boardwalk passersby. Inside, the design is simple and soothing: natural wood tones, linen bedding, and a spa-like bathroom with a soaking tub overlooking the ocean. Sunset baths quickly become part of the routine.

Each bungalow opens onto a private deck with an infinity pool, lounge chairs and a shaded cabana. It’s easy to spend the day there, swimming, reading, or just watching the waves. But it’s worth following the winding wooden walkway to Playa Pica Beach, a stretch of white sand framed by volcanic rock and gentle surf. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and proof that Cuba still has plenty of surprises.

Dining is another highlight. Lunch might be lobster grilled over coals and served with fresh fruit, or a casual burger and fries with a beach view. The four restaurants focus on fresh ingredients and flavourful simplicity, showcasing Cuba’s produce in a modern way.

Guests can (and should) explore beyond the resort. Take a jeep ride through the jungle, sail along the coast to snorkel with tropical fish, or stop at a sandbar for drinks in the shallow water. If you’d rather stay dry, the ocean is clear enough to watch from the deck.

On departure day, sip a final coffee on your terrace while your luggage makes its way to the lobby. Playa Luxury’s private airport transfer arrives right on time, but the feeling of serenity lasts long after you leave.

It’s in the Details: Bath salts, bamboo robes and refillable carafes of coconut water make each bungalow feel like a private spa suite.

On the Menu: Don’t miss the lobster grilled over coals and served with tropical fruit salsa and a cold mojito by the beach.

Room to Book: One of the six over-water bungalows with a soaking tub, private infinity pool and panoramic ocean views.

What to Do Nearby: Book a catamaran trip to snorkel the reef and stop at a sandbar for a drink in the shallow water.

The Art of the Stay

January 13, 2026

Canadian interior designer Lesley Wong on trends, travel, and crafting memorable hotel spaces.

By Erica Commisso

Since launching her eponymous studio in 2014, Lesley Wong has evolved from a one-woman operation into a full-fledged hospitality design team. With projects spanning both Canada and the United States, she’s shaped inviting spaces at properties like the Sparrowhawk Canmore and Hilton Whistler Resort.

Here, Wong shares what inspires her, the textures she’s loving now, and the magic behind creating hotels that feel both personal and transportive.

Q: Where do you find inspiration?

A: I draw inspiration directly from the character of the surrounding area, whether that’s the landscape, the local community, or the regional architecture. By weaving these elements into our designs, we create hotels that feel deeply connected to their setting. This not only allows guests to feel fully immersed in the spirit of the destination but also ensures that each property is truly one of a kind, reflecting the distinct identity of its area.

Q: How is designing a hotel different from designing any other space?

A: Designing a hotel is uniquely complex because it must function on many levels at once. Unlike a home, which is tailored to a single lifestyle, or a store, which is focused on a specific transaction, a hotel must serve as both a personal retreat and a communal space. Guests come from all over the world with different expectations, so the design must be welcoming, intuitive, and adaptable. At the same time, it needs to express the spirit of its location and provide a sense of discovery. It’s this balance between comfort and experience, function and storytelling that makes hotel design so distinctive and rewarding.

Q: How do you hope people feel when interacting with your designs?

A: I hope people feel a sense of ease and discovery when they interact with our designs. A hotel should flow intuitively, so that guests never have to think too hard about how to move through a space. It should just feel natural. At the same time, I want them to feel a spark of inspiration, whether it’s through a surprising detail, a thoughtful material choice, or the way a space encourages connection with others. For me, it’s about creating an atmosphere that both calms and excites, leaving guests with an impression that lingers long after their stay.

Q: How did you decide you wanted to be a designer? Why for hotels specifically?

A: Design has always been a passion of mine, even from a young age. As a child, I would spend hours decorating my dollhouses, rearranging tiny rooms until they felt just right. Later, while many of my friends were going out and socializing, I found just as much joy in staying home to experiment with fabrics and create things for my own space. That love of shaping environments never really left me. When I began my career, I worked at a hotel brand, and that experience completely opened my eyes to the world of hospitality design. I was drawn to the complexity and creativity it demands. Hotels aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re about how people feel, move, and connect within a space. From that point on, I knew this was the path for me.

Q: What are some textures and design elements you’re loving right now?

A: Lately, I’ve been inspired by biophilic design, bringing natural elements like greenery, wood, and stone into interiors to create spaces that feel calming and restorative. I love how integrating nature not only adds beauty and texture, but also enhances the overall well-being of guests, making the environment feel alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Q: What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about your work?

A: I love what I do so much I actually dream of hotel design—when I eventually fall asleep. Quirky, yes, but I still love it. I absorb ideas from all around me, so I think it’s my brain’s way of processing all the information and creativity.

Found: The Perfect Gift for Travellers

December 1, 2025

A new flexible hotel voucher is making the case for giving experiences over things.

If you’ve ever tried to buy a gift for someone who already owns everything they want — or insists they don’t want anything at all — you know the struggle. This year, one idea is quietly gaining traction among frequent travellers and minimalists alike: a single hotel gift card that can be redeemed at a huge range of luxury properties around the world.

Unlike traditional “one brand only” gift certificates, the new Hotel & Spa Resorts voucher works across thousands of hotels, from big-city towers to remote spa resorts. The appeal is obvious. Instead of guessing where someone might want to go, you give them the freedom to decide — whether that’s a quick weekend escape or a long-dreamed-of trip they finally have a reason to book.

It also taps into a broader shift toward gifting experiences instead of physical items. In an era where people are trying to declutter, travel feels like a splurge that doesn’t add more stuff to their lives. And for last-minute gifters (we see you), this kind of present is instant, elegant, and doesn’t require knowing someone’s clothing size or décor preferences.

Most importantly, it’s the rare gift that becomes a memory: a sunrise somewhere new, a pool they didn’t want to leave, a hotel bathrobe they definitely considered taking home. And on that note, if you’re set on wrapping something, we love the idea of tucking the gift voucher into a plush new robe. Happy gifting!

This Iconic Okavango Lodge Just Reopened its Doors

December 1, 2025

Baines’ Lodge has reopened after a complete rebuild, with just six suites and front-row access to Botswana’s most spectacular wetland.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta has no shortage of remarkable safari stays, but one of its most intimate lodges has just re-entered the scene with a striking new identity. Baines’ Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary property, has reopened following a complete rebuild, taking inspiration from 19th-century explorer and artist Thomas Baines, whose watercolours first introduced the region’s landscapes to the world.

Perched on the floodplains of the Boro River at the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, the redesigned lodge feels like an open-air gallery. Soft greens and papyrus tones echo the reeds outside; sand-washed neutrals mirror the Delta’s islands; and rich timbers ground each space in its setting. Instead of walls, columns frame the views, so the watery landscape becomes the artwork.

With only six suites and a maximum of four guests per vehicle, the emphasis is on slow, deeply personal safari experiences. The private concession allows activities you won’t find in the main park — walking safaris, night drives, and, when water levels permit, mokoro canoe excursions through the channels. Seasonal floods transform the area from May to September, drawing elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and extraordinary birdlife into the surrounding mosaic of waterways.

Thoughtful touches nod to both exploration and craftsmanship: the Explorer’s Lounge comes kitted with microscopes and maps, woven ceilings created by South African artisans mimic the patterns of termite mounds, and reclaimed timber from the original lodge has been reimagined throughout the property. Private decks feature “star baths” — open-air tubs positioned for long soaks under the night sky — making the lodge especially appealing for honeymooners and romantics.

For travellers drawn to the Delta’s quieter corners, this rebuilt retreat offers something increasingly rare: a place where the landscapes take centre stage and the days unfold at nature’s pace.