6 minute read
News
California Welcomes New Experiences, Attractions
Several hotels and resorts as well as countless attractions are coming to California throughout 2022. After more than 30 hotels and resorts opened in the state in 2021, California’s newest hotel openings slated for 2022 include 1 Hotel San Francisco; Conrad Los Angeles; The LINE SF; and Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection in Napa Valley. Sensei Porcupine Creek, a wellness retreat, is also expected to open in 2022.
Advertisement
In addition to these highly anticipated hotel openings, California will soon be home to more attractions than ever. Presidio Tunnel Tops, set to open in May, will provide visitors with more than 14 acres of new national park land including scenic overlooks and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Scheduled to open this spring, The Monterey Bay Aquarium will boast its newest display, called Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean.
Cultural additions and renovations are also underway. Upon undergoing a complete infrastructure project, Crenshaw Boulevard, one of the foundational locations of the Los Angeles Black community, will feature more than a mile of the neighborhood, highlighting Black art and culture while also boosting the local community through environmental healing, job creation and economic development. In downtown Palm Springs, the new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza will feature Agua Caliente Cultural Museum to honor the culture and celebrate the history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
visitcalifornia.com
Japan’s Hottest Hotels in 2022
From Hokkaido to Kagawa, Japan’s three newest hotels are set to make waves. Opened Jan. 14, Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto in Hokkaido is the latest installment of Hoshino’s KAI line. Situated near the Hokkaido forests and coast of Lake Poroto, the hotel features 42 rooms inspired by the architecture and art of the native Ainu people. With an onsen on the property, guests can experience the plantbased, mineral-rich hot spring and reconnect with nature.
The Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI is slated to open this spring in Mie Prefecture. Surrounded by trees and waterfalls, the luxury campground will feature three main areas: a “learning field” for excursions and workshops centered around nature and the environment, a rest area with reservable circular cabins and glamping tents, and a section for guests to put up their own tents. Designed by the Danish architecture team Third Nature in a partnership with Japanese engineers, the luxury campground focuses on regenerative tourism.
Opening April in Kagawa Prefecture is Roka, a full-scale ryokan with private open-air baths in each of its 11 suites. With contemporary art pieces adorning the property, Roka will feature a Japanesestyle lounge and restaurant for guests to enjoy. From fresh seafood from the Setouchi region to fresh produce, the restaurant will enhance the guest experience.
www.japan.travel
Soulful Traveling Unveils Unique Adventures
Travel company Soulful Traveling recently launched four new destinations as part of its program to welcome travelers back to international destinations. The four new itineraries include Brazil: Off the Beaten Path; Ghana: Exploring the Gold Coast; Cuba: Then and Now; and Mexico: Mysteries of the Jungle. Each tour will be guided and customizable.
The guided trips range from four to 14 days and can focus on a variety of topics to cater to each traveler’s interests. Current and past adventures carried out by Soulful Traveling include women’s farming cooperatives, local art and cultural immersion as well as wildlife conservation.
soulfultraveling.com
Dorchester Collection’s Newest Hotel Coming Late 2022
Dorchester Collection will open The Lana in Dubai in the last quarter of 2022 with general manager Caroline-Jane Houston at the helm. Located in the Burj Khalifa District, The Lana will mark the Dorchester Collection’s first property in the Middle East.
With 225 guestrooms designed by Paris-based Gilles & Bossier, The Lana will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, dark marble, rounded furniture and deep soaking tubs. Calming colors of gold, olive and beige will be integrated into every detail, using inspiration from Dubai’s vibrant city life. The Lana will include 21 signature suites for guests, ranging from the Presidential Suite to the Royal Suite.
The Lana’s 30 floors, designed by acclaimed architects Foster + Partners, ensure guests always get a full view of the city and nearby amenities from above. At a location next to Dubai Creek and Marasi Marina, guests can enjoy all the features of the city and the elegant amenities of the new hotel. The Lana will include a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant on its fourth floor for diners to fully enjoy the welcoming hospitality of the new hotel.
dorchestercollection.com
Regent Phu Quoc Marked as Vietnam’s Newest Hotel
The ultra-luxury all suites and villas resort, Regent Phu Quoc, is Vietnam’s newest hotel and the first hotel to open since IHG’s acquisition of the brand in 2018. Located on the private beachfront of Long Beach on Phu Quoc Island, Regent Phu Quoc includes 176 suites and 126 villas. Each suite and villa features designs aimed at creating a sanctuarylike space for guests with relaxing interiors and scenic views of the ocean.
The hotel offers six dining venues including Oku, a Franco-Japanese Salon de Beouf; Rice Market for traditional Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine; Bar Jade, an innovative cocktail bar; and Ocean Club, a casual beachside eatery. Regent Phu Quoc also offers guests the chance to relax at its spa featuring treatment rooms, outdoor yoga pavilions and multiple swimming pools.
Almost half of Phu Quoc Island lies in a national park recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The prime location of Regent Phu Quoc means guests can explore the natural beauty of the island just steps from their room.
phuquoc.regenthotels.com
Scenic 2023/2024 Fly-Cruise Early Booking
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours unveiled its new 2023/2024 Antarctica Program with new fly-cruise itineraries along with a special offer. Guests can save up to 20 percent off fares: 10 percent for early booking and another 10 percent for paying for their cruise in full 12 months before departure.
This offer can apply to Scenic Cruises’ new nine-day Antarctica Insights: Fly & Cruise itinerary where guests will travel over the Drake Passage one way by air and return by yacht to Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Guests can also save on the new 16-day Beyond the Antarctic Circle voyage where guests will explore the Antarctic Circle in depth. To learn more about the itineraries and savings or to book a voyage for 2023/2024, call 844 788 7985 or visit the website.
scenicusa.com
TAP Air Portugal Launches Non-Stop Punta Cana–Lisbon
As of December 2021, TAP Air Portugal has operated nonstop flights between Lisbon (LIS) and the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana (PUJ) three times a week. The flights run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Flights departing Punta Cana on Fridays leave at 10:50 p.m. and arrive in Lisbon at 10:20 a.m. the next morning. Returning flights leaving Lisbon at 4:45 p.m. arrive in Punta Cana at 9:05 p.m. the same day. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, flights depart Punta Cana at 11:05 p.m. and land in Lisbon at 10:35 a.m. the next morning. Returning flights leaving Lisbon at 5 p.m. arrive in Punta Cana at 9:20 p.m.
For just $281 one way, TAP Air Portugal operates this route using TAP’s Airbus A330-900neo aircraft featuring the new Airspace by Airbus cabin.
flytap.com
Ambassador Chicago Unveils 2022 Offers
A JDV by Hyatt Hotel, Ambassador Chicago announced two new offerings for 2022. Guests looking for a relaxing experience in Chicago can book the Unwind in the Windy City offer and stay in one of the hotel’s spacious celebrity suites with an in-room relaxation welcome amenity. This offer also includes the option of a 60-minute in-room massage by Windy City Massage and complimentary valet.
For guests wanting a relaxing but enjoyable shopping experience in the city, the hotel also offers the Lux Shopping Experience. This offer includes a Terrace Suite along with a gift bag from Breitling with gifts like a gift certificate to the Michigan Avenue store. Guests of this offer will enjoy private shopping experiences at local retailers, in-room shopping experiences from local retailers, and brunch with bottomless mimosas.
ambassadorchicago.com
Want more news on the go? Sign up for GT’s eFlyer USA newsletter.
Global Traveler’s weekly newsletter keeps you up to date, bringing news, deals and reviews right to your inbox every Wednesday.