If you love travelling (like we do), we’re sure you like looking at new hotels or destinations for your dream getaway. Read on for the latest hotel deals, resort openings and other travel titbits to check out for your next escape – it’s going to be the best one ever!
A Staycation for Creatives
If you’re interested in an eclectic, creative and design-forward hotel, you’ll love the Mondrian Hong Kong. Designed by Karin Krautgartner of KK Design and a selection of local and international artists, this hotel aims to be a new HK icon, inspired by lively fishing villages and the city’s renowned tailors. The triangular windows offer sweeping harbour and island skyline views, the bathroom tiles reflect our pebbled beaches, and you’ll find beautiful fabrics, glass chandeliers, underwater creatures engraved along corridors, a water goddess mural and more.
Hotel Heritage in Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the iconic luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, has opened a new chapter in its 123-year history, relaunching its historic Heritage Wing after an extensive refurb. The Luxury Rooms, Grand Luxury Rooms, Metropole Suites and Legendary Suites – the latter named after former famous guests of the hotel: Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham and Charlie Chaplin – feature Italian marble surfaces and floors, new bathtubs and showers, contemporary artwork, mood lighting, a preserved original staircase and other elements that capture the hotel’s history and essence.
sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com
Late Season Skiing
Hokkaido’s pristine Kiroro region is renowned for a record breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter, which means that even into early May it’s a wonderful alpine escape for any snowboarding or skiing enthusiast. If that sounds like you, there’s more good news: well-known all-inclusive holiday brand Club Med just opened a new property in the region: Club Med Kiroro Grand.
Get all the details at clubmed.com.sg/r/kiroro-grand/w.
Soothe Your Soul
If you’re looking to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, Teardrop Hotels in Sri Lanka has introduced four new wellness experiences. The Soulful Detox is a two-day package of massages, somatic breathwork and tea-infused body wraps. Teardrop Ayurveda Essentials taps into ancient Indian and Nepalese wisdom with yoga, meditation, nature walks and a specially curated natural menu. The energy-boosting Jet Lag has massages, foot soaking, yoga and personalised wellness check-ins. And the Rediscovering Inner Harmony experience helps you manage stress and rediscover your work-life balance.
Tastes of Thailand
Nimitr Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, on the 27th floor of the luxurious 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, showcases local herbs and spices from the owning family’s farm and the surrounding region along with flavours from different corners of Thailand. Choose from the à la carte or four-course set menu with specially curated wines from an award-winning Thai winery. Start with Miang Kham King scallops with lemongrass and coconut or grilled Thai wagyu beef served with a chakram leaves salad and duck egg, while for mains, there’s the likes of Gaeng Lueng Pla Salmon, a unique yellow curry, and Gai Yang with Ma Kham, chicken marinated with tamarind sauce.
137pillarshotels.com/en/bangkok/dining/nimitr
Discover the Art of Italy
Located in Florence, a city bursting with rich artistic heritage, Hotel Calimala has expanded by opening an adjacent property, Hotel Calimala The West. The new property spans five floors and offers 65 carefully redesigned rooms that maintain the iconic interior décor of the original hotel: distressed stone walls, high ceilings, velvet, brass and marble, geometric motifs and tri-coloured terrazzo flooring. There’s a sophisticated new restaurant on the ground floor too.
One for the Change Makers
Greek hotel brand Scorpios is expanding from Mykonos across the Aegean Sea to open a new property in Bodrum, Turkey. The company’s vision to create a gathering place for artists and change makers to connect is upheld at the new property, which offers cultural programmes and artist residencies. Set on a 75-thousand-square-metre peninsula, there are two restaurants, a club house, beach club, ritual space and 12 luxurious private suites. Activities include mindfulness practice, sound meditation, breathwork – even ice plunges!
Scorpios Bodrum opens in June; bookings are available now at scorpios.com/bodrum.
New Look in Bangkok
Located in the heart of the Thai capital’s business and shopping district, the Courtyard Marriott Bangkok has opened its doors after extensive renovations. All 314 rooms and suites have been refreshed under a “Touch of Nature” theme – expect bright, earthy tones, natural design elements such as trees, leaves and stones, and rain showers in the bathrooms. Also, the MoMo Cafe has had a menu makeover to suit a casual café-style experience, and event space Erawan Sky has opened a private bar and lounge area with 180-degree panoramic views.
A special Sri Lanka Itinerary
Cathay Pacific will resume its direct flight network to Colombo from 2 February 2024, opening exciting new travel opportunities in Sri Lanka. To complement this Teardrop Hotels are offering Hong Kong residents a special four day itinerary on Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. Star your getaways in Halle at Fort Bazaar, a merchants home turned boutique hotel. Over two nights you can immerse yourself in the heritage of Galle Fort through complimentary walking tours through cobbled streets of boutiques or with a culinary experience. Following this, stay in the world famous lake front estate, Lunuganga.Here you can enjoy morning and afternoon boat rides and visit a traditional mask museum. Contact enquiries@teardrop-island.com to find out more!
Fall in Love Again
Love is in the air at this resort nestled in the jungles of Bali. The Nirjhara is an idyllic honeymoon location overlooking rice fields and surrounded by a river and cascades. Here, couples can start their marriage in tropical bliss with the honeymoon package, a three-night package including sunset cocktails, a five-course dinner for two, daily breakfast, a couple’s spa treatment, private use of the cinema and complimentary activities.
Wildlife Wonders
Journey into the heart of Cambodia with a four day bird-watching package by The Aviary. Guided by local bird-watching experts, you’ll venture into nature for extraordinary encounters with some of Cambodia’s 600 unique and rare bird species. The experience is available from April 2024 and includes a stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of Siem Reap.
Spanish Luxury – for Adults Only
A new five-star Melia Hotel has opened on the island of Lanzarote in Spain. The Paradisus Salinas is characterised by a beach setting that flows into tropical gardens surrounding an expansive pool, with murals and paintings complementing the design. Spend your days by the beach, tour popular sites or go on an artistic excursion. And don’t miss the winery tour, where you can see vines growing from Lanzarote’s volcanic ash.
Star Wars in the Sahara
Surrounded by golden rolling dunes and swaying palms, The Residence Douz in southern Tunisia has all the high-end facilities you’d expect (gourmet restaurants, pool, spa and more), along with a fascinating day trip to Matmata village, famed for its troglodyte houses which were the setting of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in Star Wars. You can also enjoy a luxury camping experience in the middle of the desert, or go on adventures by jeep, camel or quadbike.
Best Tourism Villages 2023
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has added 20 locations to its list of Best Tourism Villages, bringing the total to 74 global communities that are highlighted for their landscapes and cultural diversity. They include the flower fields of Biei, Japan, the magical Mexican village of Jalpa de Cánovas, and Sigüenza, Spain, with its striking castles.
Find the list at unwto.org/tourism-villages/en.
Dreaming of a White (Sand) Christmas?
It’s hard to top the Maldives for a festive break, and among the resorts offering a host of holiday experiences is Kudadoo Private Island Maldives (kudadoo.com), where you can enjoy unlimited water sports, spa treatments, bespoke excursions and dining options in the jungle, by the pool, on the beach or in your residence. Meanwhile, adults-only Hurawalhi Island Resort (hurawalhi.com) is hosting an ocean Christmas treasure hunt and the chance to create a coral line dedicated to someone special, as well as dining in an all-glass underwater restaurant. And a third great option is Kagi (kagimaldives.com) with above- and under-water activities including a cocktail party on Christmas Eve with a live DJ and Christmas lights ceremony, meeting Santa Claus underwater, sunset dolphin cruises, a beach cinema and New Year’s Eve Gala buffet.
Sailing Away
Good news for cruise lovers: Asia’s most innovative cruise ship is making her return to Hong Kong in 2024! Through January 2025, Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas will offer seven HK homeport sailings. These include four-to-five-night Vietnam and Japan getaways and a nine-night Christmas Japan sail visiting Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Nagasaki and Fukuoka. Onboard there’s plenty to do, from adrenaline-pumping thrills, nightlife and performances to tranquil spa treatments and delicious dining options. For information and bookings, visit royalcaribbean.com.hk.
Hotel on the Harbour
The doors to the W Sydney’s ultra-modern and curvaceous-looking hotel will open on 12 October. A particular highlight is the double-level bar looking out onto the famous harbour and a 30-metre mosaic infinity pool; this is sure to become a sought-after venue in Australia’s biggest city for a cocktail or wine – or head to the upper levels for vintage champagnes by the glass! There are also tasty Basque tapas plates on offer. Find out more at wsydney.com.
Airline News
Cathay Pacific: The next time you fly with Cathay Pacific, you may get to choose from its new plant-based menu made in collaboration with VEDA by Ovolo. The variety of tasty plant-forward options will be available to passengers travelling in Premium
Economy and Economy class on selected long-haul flights. bit.ly/cathaypacificveda
HK Express: Trips from Hong Kong to the Philippines are now more affordable, convenient and accessible thanks to HK Express! The Hong Kong-based low-cost carrier is launching daily flights to Manila from 13 October. hkexpress.com
United Airlines: From 29 October, UA will fly daily non-stop from Hong Kong to Los Angeles (LAX), adding to its twice-daily flights to San Francisco. The new B787-9 Dreamliner route will open up more flight options, with smoother connections to over 70 locations in the US, Canada, and Latin America. united.com
Bangkok Air Takes Off Again!
After a three-year hiatus, Thai boutique airline Bangkok Airways has resumed direct flights to Koh Samui from 1 July. The service will initially offer three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. bangkokair.com
Samui Sanctuary
To celebrate the return of Bangkok Air’s direct flights between Hong Kong and Koh Samui, six bedroom private villa Suralai is offering a special deal to HK residents. Rates start from just US$1,000 per night for exclusive use of all six rooms and one complimentary half-day sailing on the villa’s new 44-foot sailing catamaran Odyssey, for stays of five nights or more. The villa is staffed with a private chef and boasts views across to Koh Phangan (Full Moon Island) in the near distance. For bookings, visit elite-havens.com or www.suralai.com
New In-flight Mag for Cathay
Cathay Pacific has added a new magazine to its onboard experience. Titled Cathay, the refreshed publication provides inspirational content on travel, culture, food and shopping, plus what’s new in Hong Kong and beyond. It’s printed using eco-friendly vegetable oil ink and ethically produced paper which is recycled. cathay.com
The Regent Returns
After almost three years of restoration work, harbourfront icon Regent Hong Kong has unveiled an initial preview of its new look with a glimpse at its Classic Harbourview Room (pictured). Led by HK-born design visionary Chi Wing Lo, the transformation takes on a serene aesthetic featuring neutral tones and subtle details evoking harmony, warmth and tranquillity. The rooms feature stunning views of Victoria Harbour (some from the bathtub!) and a spacious open-plan design. Bookings are now open with a further unveiling of more guestrooms and suites.
Cruises are Back!
In exciting news for cruise fans, Resorts World Cruises has restarted trips from Hong Kong. Offering two- and three-night high-sea cruises, as well as a new four-day/three-night cruise to Taiwan, Resorts World One (formerly Explorer Dream) has a choice of accommodation to suit all budgets across more than 900 rooms. Expect all the hallmarks synonymous with the brand, including the signature luxury “ship within a ship”, The Palace, with its own 24-hour European style butler service. The two- and three-night cruises depart Hong Kong every Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. The Taiwan cruise (fares from HK$1,699) departs Sunday, arriving in Kaohsiung on Monday and calling in at Penghu on Tuesday before returning to HK on Wednesday.
For details, visit rwcruises.com.
More Great Cruise Options
Bookings are now open for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ “2024 World Cruise”, an incredible 132-night voyage that spans 34,500 nautical miles, and 66 ports of call across 31 countries and four continents, including 61 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nearly-five-month trip offers – wait for it – 442 different free shore excursions. That should get the travel juices flowing again!
Orient Express Heads Out to Sea
Known for its luxury trains, Orient Express is now launching the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas, which will set sail in 2026. Inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, this extraordinary 220-metre-long ocean treasure will feature 54 suites – one of them a monumental 1,415-square-metre Presidential suite – along with two swimming pools including a lap pool. There’ll even be an amphitheatre and a private recording studio for those in a musical mood!
Deep Diving
While Dubai is hardly a destination that comes to mind for diving, the city’s newest attraction will allow you to plunge into the depths of a mysterious sunken city. Deep Dive Dubai’s 60-metre pool is the world’s deepest underwater attraction, with experiences for divers of all ages and skill levels. Its discovery packages for snorkelling, free-diving and scuba diving are excellent for first-timers who want to learn in a warm, controlled environment. More advanced divers, meanwhile, can explore the deepest reaches of the submerged city.
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