OLTRE - Volume 6: The Unplugged Issue by Oltre Luxury Travel Lifestyle Magazine

ÓL • TRE

The Art of Doing Nothing

Welcome to the newest volume of OLTRE, our exclusive quarterly magazine filled with inspiration and ideas for your next trip — and beyond.

This issue we perfect the art of doing nothing with an invitation to slow down, settle in – preferably on a comfy chaise longue – and take some time for yourself.

ON THE SHORES OF KAPALUA BAY, come savor the beauty of Maui’s enduring spirit.

FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR.

On Location at Montage Kapalua Bay

BIG SKY | DEER VALLEY | HEALDSBURG | KAPALUA BAY

LAGUNA BEACH | LOS CABOS | PALMETTO BLUFF

Whether you’re treating yourself to something special or just getting the gang together again, get ready for your most epic vacation yet onboard some of the world’s most incredible ships like Wonder ® , Icon of the Seas SM and more. Up the ante on downtime, from your own slice of pool paradise to taking a breezy stroll through Central Park ® . Plus catch jaw dropping entertainment like high diving feats at the AquaTheater or Broadway hit right on deck.

And in between, recharge in luxury that’s anything but boring — Royal Suite Class. Make yourself at home in some of the most expansive suites at sea with flawless attention to detail. Experience an intimate gourmet adventure at Coastal Kitchen. Elevate your vacation with Royal Genies who grant one-of-a-kind VIP experiences shipwide — from front-row seats to your favorite show to personalized in-suite events. And some ships feature an entire Suite Neighborhood, just steps away from your door where you can retreat to a private sun deck with a crystal-clear plunge pool. Come Seek the Royal Caribbean ® .

Contact your travel advisor to learn more about exclusive benefits.

Labadee, Haiti

Coastal Kitchen

Suite Sun Deck

AT A GLANCE

Summer 2024

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

An architect meticulously draws and paints his city to better understand how it all came together.

Istanbul, Turkey

Our sixth DJ-curated playlist channels the vibe of Istanbul’s Old Quarter from the serene rooftop of the Four Seasons at Sultanahmet.

Boston, Cap Juluca, London, São Paulo...

Atlantic Ocean

groundhog days of a transatlantic crossing provide the ultimate excuse to do nothing, over and over.

N OTHING COMES CLOSE

Y OU’LL NEVER WANT TO V A C A TION ANY OTHER W A Y

Va catio n s are always good. Sometimes, they’re even great. But we’re about to ruin all of that. B e cau se once you get away with us, you’ll never settle for anything less. And why should you?

Costa Mujeres, Mexico

One of Europe’s most exclusive wellness clinics has arrived in North America. Plus: Top immersive spas around the world.

Prague, Czech Republic

With the right amount of pampering, a six-day bike ride from Berlin to Prague begins to feel like meditation.

Chicago, Illinois

There’s

Tremezzina, Italy

After a recently unveiled makeover, no resort on Lake Como exudes a more cinematic splendor than the 84-room Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

MODERN. BRITISH. COOL.

Perfectly situated on the border of Belgravia and Knightsbridge, reimagined interiors by A-List designers, a rooftop pool with Hyde Park views, a state-of-the-art Spa and longevity concept, and on-point service that raises a smile. The Berkeley is a storied London hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

MAYBOURNE

Claridge’s | The Connaught | The Berkeley | The Emory The Maybourne Beverly Hills | The Maybourne Riviera

The Beauty of a Blank Agenda

Not long ago, if you’d asked whether I prefer to explore a new destination or return to one I’ve already visited, I would’ve immediately chosen the former. I love collecting places and passport stamps — and always will. However, I’ve recently begun to appreciate the rewards of returning to the familiar.

Like most travelers, I tend toward a FOMO planning approach for new destinations, asking my advisor to pack the itinerary with all the highlights in case I don’t have a chance to come again. Exciting and enlightening — but exhausting.

The pressure’s off for subsequent visits — the obligatory sights and sites have already been checked, so you can pick and choose what to do at whim. As a typically go-go-go kind of

gal, I must still remind myself of the joy of opting for nothing at all. It’s easier with beach vacations, where the only decisions might be shade or sun, nap or massage, mai tai or margarita.

But this issue makes the case for a blank agenda even with a city stay — and in our destination feature, London’s calling.

With so many buzzworthy hotel openings joining the city’s iconic classics, it’s an ideal market to test the theory of staying in. Your travel advisor has the hotel connections to offer special rates, perks and amenities, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. And if you do decide to venture out after all, your advisor can plan the perfect itinerary, whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit, in practically any destination you choose.

WHERE I'VE BEEN LATELY

Srnka

Senior Vice President, Content Elaine

Hotel art and architecture: Raffles London at the OWO, The Dupont Circle, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston and The Fifth Avenue Hotel.

SAIL UNIQUE

Designed to feel like your own private yacht, Explora Journeys opens up Ocean Suites, Penthouses and Residences for its guests. With nine unforgettable inclusive culinary experiences, and ocean-inspired wellness, guests will travel to enriching lesser-travelled destinations in e ortless European style as they discover the Ocean State of Mind.

Experience EXPLORA I or EXPLORA II on a collection of journeys, starting from 7 nights with the exibility to extend to 14 or 21-night explorations.

CONTACT A TRAVEL ADVISOR FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cruises

Destinations

Hotel Marketing

Hotel Programs

In-Country Partners

Partner Marketing

Advertising Sales

Pam Young

Brian Hegarty

Senior Vice President, Content

Vice President, Publishing

Editorial Director

Design Director

Copy Editor

Inter national Correspondents

Contributors

Elaine Srnka

Laura Sport

Brad A. Johnson

Devin Duckworth

Jennifer Weston

Carolyn O'Neil (Caribbean) Kathryn Romeyn (Bali), Chris Schalkx (Bangkok), Laura Schooling (London), Marina Spironetti (Milan)

Sunayah Arshad, Hannah Beck, Sumita Bhandari, Tanvi Chheda, Haleimah

Darwish, Mark Anthony Fox, Jack Hardy, Maria C. Hunt, Amber Jones, Kentaro Kondo, Mikayla Miller, Jen Murphy, Cameron Newbill, Don Nichols, Lewis Pallett, Carole Poirot, Lucy Proctor, Bailey Roberts, Cody Rogers, Alex Roman, Ramona Saviss, Rain Shuaiyu, Nancy Sumner, Sara Tagaloa, Kera Till, Simon Urwin, Jessica Van Der Steen

Advertising & Marketing

Account Management

Alexandra Rivera

Dennis Grunden

Haisley Smith

Stephen McGillivray

Lisa Calderone-Spierings

Laurelei Papajani

Madelyn Roberts

Chief Executive Officer

President, Global Travel Collection

President, Travel Leaders Group

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Information Officer

Marni Becker

Marshall Davenport

Melissa Dobmeier

Giselle Garvey

Catherine Johns

Ronald Laing

Pam Massey

Sinead O’Connell

Loyde Pires

Becky Serdar

Jeanne Watters

Danielle Whitmore

Direct advertising inquiries to advertising@oltremag.com

Internova Travel Group

J.D. O’Hara

Angie Licea

John Lovell

Robert Klug

Jeremy Van Kuyk

Internova Select and Curated Hotel & Resort Rate Key

$ = Under $500

$$ = $500 - $1,000

$$$ = $1,000 - $1,500

$$$$ = Over $1,500

Categories reflect average midseason rate for standard room. Your travel advisor can secure complimentary Internova Select or Curated perks such as perks such as hotel credits, breakfast for two, early check-in/late check-out (based on availability) and other extras.

ON THE FRONT COVER:

Shot on location at Hotel Café Royal, London, England.

Photography by Mark Anthony Fox. Gown by TOVE.

ON THE BACK COVER:

Shot on location at Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como.

Photography by Marina Spironetti.

Database Marketing

Executive Vice President, Partner Relations

Senior Vice President, Public Relations

Jocelyn Acosta

Elizabeth Broehl

Felipe Castro

Adam Kemerer

James Nathan

Daniel Tennant

Katarzyna Turska

Albert Herrera

Peter Vlitas

Elizabeth Gaerlan

OLTRE is published quarterly by Internova Travel Group, one of the largest travel services companies in the world. Internova brands represent more than 100,000 travel advisors in more than 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries. Publisher assumes no responsibility for representations or changes to travel information and pricing described herein, which are subject to change and availability, and restrictions may apply. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written consent of Publisher. Direct editorial and subscription inquiries to editors@oltremag.com and advertising requests to advertising@oltremag.com. Internova Travel Group is headquartered at 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; Internova.com. Copyright © 2024 Internova Travel Group.

ARTFULLY AUTHENTIC DISCOVERY

French Polynesia’s Destination Expert

As the sun shines across a turquoise lagoon, decisions must be made. Will you go ashore to hike vanilla-scented forests? Dive in to snorkel marine-rich waters? Perhaps you'll take in the tropical tranquility from your stateroom balcony, or relax on a pristine stretch of sand on our private beach. Aboard the casually elegant m/s Paul Gauguin, the choices are yours to do as much or as little as you please.

To book your all-inclusive luxury voyage, contact your preferred Travel Advisor.

TAHITI

BORA BORA FIJI

HUMANS OF VOLUME 6

Summer 2024

L -R: Brad A. Johnson , Editorial Director (Orange County, California) ; Devin Duckworth , Design Director (Los Angeles, California); Sunayah Arshad , Producer (London, England); Sumita Bhandari , Model (London, England); Tanvi Chheda , Writer (Los Angeles, California) ; Mark Anthony Fox , Photographer (London, England); Jack Hardy , Photographer (London, England) ; Maria C. Hunt , Writer (Oakland, California); Mikayla Miller , Photographer (Los Angeles, California) ; Jen Murphy , Writer (Maui, Hawaii); Don Nichols , Reporter (Dallas, Texas) ; Carolyn O'Neil, Correspondent (Atlanta, Georgia) , Carole Poirot , Photographer (Yorkshire, England); Bailey Roberts , Photographer (Los Angeles, California); Kathryn Romeyn , Correspondent (Bali, Indonesia); Ramona Saviss , Writer (Los Angeles, California); Chris Schalkx , Correspondent (Bangkok, Thailand) ; Laura Schooling , Correspondent (London, England) Marina Spironetti , Correspondent (Milan, Italy) ; Kera Till , Illustrator (Munich, Germany) ; Simon Urwin , Writer/Photographer (London, England).

SUMMER STARTS HERE

Incredible sights, authentic cuisines, cultural discoveries put yourself at the center of all that Europe has to offer this summer. Make each destination your own and create lasting memories along the way with a signature Four Seasons getaway.

CONTACT A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BENEFITS AVAILABLE WHEN BOOKING FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS

DRAWING POWER

FEW ARTISTS HAVE CHRONICLED LONDON’S MAYFAIR AND ST. JAMES AS PAINSTAKINGLY, OR AS WHIMSICALLY, AS ARCHITECT AND ILLUSTRATOR CHRISTIAN COOP.

London, England

Drawing is a vitally important talent for any architect, but few sketch as beautifully as Christian Coop, who has amassed an extraordinary portfolio of ink drawings and watercolors of London landmarks — including some of the city’s most storied hotels, fashion houses and pubs. Drawing existing architecture, he says, helps him better understand how the buildings were originally put together. Enjoying history helps, too. Before he draws anything, he first delves deeply into the address’ heritage. The architect and artist is currently working on an illustrated book, The Streets of Mayfair @freehandlines

SOUND/BAR

AT SÜREYYA TERAS, THE OPEN-AIR LOUNGE ATOP FOUR SEASONS SULTANAHMET, DJ HALIL AKBAŞ CHANNELS THE SMOOTH, MELLIFLUOUS SPIRIT OF ISTANBUL’ S HISTORIC CORE.

Istanbul, Turkey

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

The 65-room hotel in the heart of the Old City reopened in 2022 after a top-to-bottom refurbishment. Your travel advisor can secure Select perks, including a $100 resort credit and daily breakfast for two. $$$

“Tankwa Town” by Oliver Koletzki

“Yuddhapot” by Zuma Dionys

“Tarlabasi” by Oceanvs Orientalis (Be Svendsen Remix)

“Giuro” by MÖW

“Furyosa” by Zuma Dionys

“As Time Goes By” by Zuma Dionys

“Gazel” by Zuma Dionys

“Temple” by Zuma Dionys

“Hebele Hubulu” by Omerar Nanda (Zuma Dionys Remix)

“Suton” by Tebra

“1542” by Xique-Xique

“Maymantataq Kanki” by Marco Tegui and HMWL

“Belantash” by Zuma Dionys

“Los Jardines Colgantes” by Jose Solano

“Majara” by Homayoun Shajarian (Seventh Soul Remix)

“Amor Fati” by Zuma Dionys

“Chaldene” by Islandman

“Bahar” by Islandman

“Ikaro” by PAAX (Tulum Mix)

“Canto Al Sol” by Seba Campos

“Oasis of calm” might not be how most people would describe Istanbul’s ancient core, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Süreyya Teras, where the sprawling rooftop offers dazzling views of the nearly 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in the foreground and the always-bustling Bosporus in the distance. Resident DJ Akba ş sets the mood with a melodic swirl of remixed Turkish house music, which softens the city’s omnipresent azan and persistent chatter of seagulls. This is the quintessential sound of Istanbul.

WRITING: BRAD A. JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY: ORHAN KARADENIZ

Süreyya Teras

Retreat

FROM THE ORDINARY WITH HOLLAND AMERICA

Recharge in peaceful seclusion with Holland America’s Retreat cabanas. Located in an exclusive outdoor area of the ship, these tranquil havens feature comfortable lounge chairs, complimentary sparkling wine, dedicated attendants, and more. Savor one of classic cruising’s timeless indulgences as you relax in your private sanctuary.

Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.

Contact Your Travel Advisor

WHAT’S ON

SAVE THE DATE: THESE ARE THE TOP EVENTS, EXHIBITS AND FESTIVITIES ON OUR AGENDA THIS SEASON.

Now – September 29

Los Angeles, California

August 24

Berlin, Germany

“Long Night of Museums” with 80 museums open overnight

Now – September 29

“The

August 9 – 18

Monterey, California

Monterey Car

and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

July 5 – February 23

London, England

“Barbie,

July 23 – 28

Jazzaldia, one of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe

July 5 – July 7

July 14 – 20

the Exhibition” at the Design Museum

San Sebastián, Spain

Mickalene Thomas, Denys Barabanov, Mattel, Katsura Komiyama, Rock Staar, Javiar

Larrea, Bentley Motors, DIJA.

Venice, Italy

Worlds of Marco Polo” at Doge’s Palace

Week

“Mickalene Thomas: All About Love” at The Broad Museum

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Reggae Sumfest music festival and street dance

Tokyo, Japan

Art Assembly Tokyo Gendai art fair at Pacifico Yokohama

JOIN US ON OUR REIMAGINED SHIPS FOR A VOYAGE OF A LIFETIME

BOOK ONE OF OUR EXCEPTIONAL ITINERARIES BY CONTACTING YOUR PREFERRED TRAVEL ADVISOR. PART OF ABERCROMBIE & KENT TRAVEL GROUP

WHERE TO GO

VACANCY ALERT! THE LATEST MUST-VISIT, JUST-OPENED HOTELS.

Paradise Valley, Arizona

The 141-room Global Ambassador oozes style. It's the vision of restaurateur-turned-hotelier Sam Fox. Sprawling suites feel gilded yet modern, tricked out with furnished balconies, fabric wallpaper, oak floors, soaking tubs and custom artworks by Arizona-based Michael Carson. Fittingly, Fox debuted five unique dining spaces, including a Parisianinspired steakhouse and a Mediterranean-inflected rooftop restaurant, théa (must order: the It Was All A Dream cocktail, made with gin, pomegranate, dragon fruit and lemon.) A 16,000-square-foot spa with sauna, steam and cold plunge — and a fabulous pool — round out the property, which is about halfway between Phoenix and Scottsdale in the shadow of Saddleback Mountain. $

Kyoto, Japan

With mindfulness and well-being embedded into its DNA, it was only a matter of time before the Six Senses group would open an outpost in the capital of Zen. The launch of the 81-room Six Senses Kyoto in the city's temple-dotted Higashiyama ward marks the brand's Japanese debut — and makes the most of Kyoto's soul-soothing riches. The sprawling spa melds ancient Japanese treatment methods with high-tech wellness tools, while local experiences extend to meditative temple-cleaning sessions with a Zen priest and workshops with one of Japan's oldest incense producers. $$$

One & Only Aesthesis

Six Senses Kyoto

TANVI CHHEDA AND CHRIS SCHALKX

The Global Ambassador

Discover Impression Isla Mujeres By Secrets

A Boutique Island Haven Awaits

Discover Isla Mujeres, Mexico, one of the most exclusive Caribbean destinations, when you stay at this distinctive boutique haven built along the stunning shore. From your luxury catamaran arrival to your romantic oceanfront terrace to exquisite cuisine crafted by our master chefs – every moment is designed to impress.

Bask in elevated luxury where privacy abounds, personal needs are anticipated and the highest levels of service are customary. Elevated Endless Privileges ® inclusions, lavish suites with awe-inspiring views, curated gastronomy and tailored experiences provide the ultimate escape for pure indulgence and inspired moments.

Contact your travel advisor for more information.

New York, New York

In New York’s TriBeCa neighborhood, the 69-room Warren Street Hotel is the latest addition to the Firmdale Hotels portfolio, founded by U.K.-based designer Kit Kemp. Not one to shy away from whimsy and color, Kemp has a love of textiles and crafts that is the guiding principle here, too. With upholstered headboards and full-length windows, rooms are bright and cheery; several suites also feature terraces and garden spaces. Lined with gorgeous artwork and sculptures from around the world, the on-site restaurant offers meals all day, but also afternoon tea and live jazz music on Thursdays. $$

Mexico City, Mexico

Not technically new, but now easier to book. For years, La Valise had only three rooms, but this spring, the 1920s townhouse in Roma opened five(!) additional suites — still keeping itself small enough to remain one of the city’s bestkept secrets. With a serious eye for design and a strong sense of place, the micro hotel expertly mixes traditional and modern with hand-painted Michoacán wooden furniture, leather rocking chairs, velvet sofas and Mexican ceramics. Several suites boast outdoor bathtubs — and beds — on sprawling, private balconies. Stroll the neighboring lanes, popping into art galleries, cafes, restaurants (Abarrotes Delirio is fantastic for coffee, small bites and provisions) and shops. $

Warren Street Hotel

La Valise

Meet Queen Anne® – Cunard’s newest ship

Inspired by the past and leading a new class of luxury, Cunard® welcomes her 249th ship to the ﬂeet. From stunning staterooms to exciting new venues, travelers will ﬁnd beloved favorites on board Queen Anne® and experience the world anew as they are dazzled by exquisite design and thoughtful craftsmanship.

Scan the QR code to view Queen Anne’s grand entrance as she is welcomed to the world of luxury sea travel.

Every Cunard ship has its own atmosphere, personality, and chic designs for guests to delight in. An oasis that draws in all the delights of the sea while exploring each corner of the globe. Contact your Travel Advisor

Mareel® Spa Queens Room Grills Lounge

HOT SHOTS

FLY, SHOP, EAT, SPA... NEWS FLASHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

LEATHER AND SPICE

Bangkok, Thailand – Louis Vuitton 's new flagship in the ritzy Ratchaprasong district isn't just a place to splurge on luxurious leather. The French fashion house lured renowned chef Gaggan Anand to spearhead the store's gold-and-marble-trimmed dining room, which serves 17-course menus that fuse Gaggan's Indiantinged quirks with additional global flavors. The result: yuzu-foie gras sandwiches, Damier-print dumplings, and sweet potato puree in the shape of LV's signature monogram, to be licked off the plate as a playful nosethumb to fine-dining pretense. Lunch from about $100, dinner $200. gaggan.com

SHORTCUT TO ALMAFI

Salerno, Italy – Getting to the Amafli Coast is about to get easier. Shuttered since 2016, the Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport reopens to commercial flights any day now (scheduled for July, fingers crossed). Initially, just two European airlines — easyJet and Volotea — will provide limited routs within Europe, but the list of carriers is expected to grow. Ongoing renovations include extending the runway (next year?) and building a new passenger terminal (let’s say 2026-ish).

Gaggan x Louis Vuitton

Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport

(Louis Vuitton)

London, England – Beautifully blended into Chelsea — always a bastion of unpretentious elegance — the long-awaited Joséphine is a Lyonnaise bouchon offering day-to-night deliciousness. One could just as easily pop in for a post-shopping lunch as for a special anniversary date night. The 76-seater is the latest from superstar chef Claude Bosi and wife Lucy. Borrowing from the Frenchman’s hometown traditions, the menu leans on rich, meaty fare like the must-try rabbit in mustard sauce or (much lighter) the perfectly dressed salad composée and pan-fried salmon with lentils. Three courses from about $40. josephinebouchon.com

MANGIA! MANGIA!

Milan, Italy – A beautiful new pescetarian restaurant just opened in what was originally a 19th-century kindergarten in the Porta Genova district. Sogni (Italian for “dreams") is dreamy indeed — from the plant-filled winter garden to the grand refettorio (former school canteen) featuring hand-painted tableware and a long social table. Start with an aperitivo at the zinc-topped bar, then savor chef Gianluca Clerici’s signature spaghetti with clams. Dinner from about $100. sogni.eu

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Maui, Hawaii – The Grand Wailea Waldorf Astoria ’s ambitious $350 million renovation couldn’t be more timely. The 50,000-square-foot open-air Kilolani Spa is now the largest spa across Hawaii. Along with 40 treatment rooms, the facility boasts two lounges, halotherapy-infused infrared sauna, a hammam and hydrothermal gardens with a saltwater pool. Drawing inspiration from Kilolani (Hawaiian stargazers), treatments follow the moon’s cycles and feature products made with native botanicals. Also on the menu: sound healing, incorporating Hawaiian chants, to clear negative energy.

Marina

Spironetti (Sogni), Michael Mundy

(Grand Wailea Waldorf Astoria)

Kilolani Spa

Joséphine

Sogni

The World’s Most Awarded Safari Company.

A safari is unlike any other experience and Micato Safaris is unlike any other company: For every safari sold, we send a child to school.

Contact your travel advisor for details.

TEN -TIME #1 WINNER: World’s Best Safari Outﬁtter, Travel+Leisure. Micato is the only tour company in the Travel+Leisure Hall of Fame

SWEET SPOT

Barcelona, Spain – The rooftop La Dolce Vitae terrace at the Majestic Hotel & Spa — always a sweet perch for viewing Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia — emerged recently from a beautiful nip/tuck. That’s cool, but even better? Rockstar pastry chef Marc Pérez just debuted Sweet Majestic - Pastry Corner, an all-day dessert lounge inside the hotel’s ground-floor lobby bar. Mmm, chocolate pastries, lemon cake, pistachio cookies, caramel fingers… The menu changes seasonally, always paired with coffee, cava or hot chocolate.

FOR VIP s ONLY

Oahu, Hawaii – Flyers using Via Premium Airport Service , a new program launched by Hawaiian Airlines in February, get the star treatment at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The service is available to all of the airline’s Honolulu passengers. Expect heavy pampering with attractive perks like curbside greeting, priority baggage handling, expedited queuing through TSA, private transport between terminals and access to Apt. 1929, a private indoor/outdoor lounge. From $500 for a party of two.

THE BIG DIG

Moltrasio, Italy – The newness hasn’t even worn off yet, but Passalacqua is already reinventing. The lakefront resort just unveiled a brand-new spa, carved into the villa's atmospheric 18th-century tunnels, as well as in its former stables. Among the amenities is an 18-meter indoor pool nestled within a charming greenhouse. Lined with an exquisite mosaic of Palladian marble, it overlooks the property’s peaceful Italian gardens. Updates from the restaurant, too: chef Viviana Varese is now running the show.

Via Premium Lounge

Sweet Majestic

Carlos Garralaga (Majestic), Ruben Ortiz (Passalacqua)

Embark on a journey through Europe, Asia, Africa or South America, curated by the river cruise line with the most included experiences – up to eight immersive excursions inspiring all generations offered with our compliments each day. Pedal and hike through magnificent cities and timeless villages off the beaten path, indulging in exquisite locally sourced food, fine wine and extraordinary service that is truly unrivaled on the rivers.

Contact your travel advisor to plan your next river cruise.

Let the most iconic island in the Caribbean ignite your senses: it’s the Blue Mountain coffee awakening your tastebuds and the smell of jerk chicken roasting with spices. It’s the image of the sun’s rays dancing on the waves, the feel of your toes in the sand and the sounds of reggae beats. Jamaica is calling.

THE LIFE AQUATIC

GO FIND YOUR DECK SHOES. THE YACHT SCENE IS HEATING UP.

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

This summer, Ponant debuts the Spirit of Ponant , a 79foot, six-cabin, all-inclusive catamaran for up to 12 guests (plus the captain, a steward and a chef). The ship will initially sail around Corsica, round trip from Bonifacio, before repositioning to Seychelles in winter, where it will explore the archipelago’s largest island, Mahé.

While Ponant plans to offer limited per-cabin bookings, the catamaran will be reserved primarily for charter, aimed (in part) at families traveling with children. The captain works closely with guests to personalize itineraries for the sevenand 14-night sailings, which will stop at secluded coves and other dreamy places inaccessible by larger vessels. On Corsica, for example, guests can catch a sunset at Scandola Nature Reserve, a dramatic west-coast setting where porphyry rocks jut out of the sea. Options in Seychelles will include hikes on Silhouette Island, known for its mountainous terrain, virgin forests and wild beaches. Rates from $8,000

ALSO FOR THE YACHT CURIOUS...

Come December, Emerald Cruises will mix an African safari with a dream cruise aboard the 100-guest Emerald Azzurra . On the 16-day adventure, be on the lookout for elephants, giraffes, black and white rhinos, lions and other exotic wildlife while staying at three top Kenya destinations: the Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Then board the Azzurra to explore Seychelles and Indian Ocean gems. Stops include Sainte Anne Island, where more than 150 species of fish inhabit a marine national park; and Praslin, an isle teeming with coral and marine life. Departures from December 2024 to February 2025. Rates from $19,655.

In the Galapagos, andBeyond has just launched the Galapagos Explorer, an intimate expedition yacht that caters to just 12 guests, with two itineraries. One route plies the eastern cluster of the main islands, with possible sightings of the critically endangered waved albatross off Española Island. The other sailing focuses on the western cluster, including possible sightings of the rare Santa Fe land iguana on Santa Fe Island. Onboard, enjoy breathtaking views from floor-to-ceiling windows in guest areas and chill on the yacht’s sundeck, enticing with a cozy lounge area and a hot tub. Rates from $10,950

Meanwhile, looking further ahead, Four Seasons Yachts has released the inaugural itinerary and renderings of its first ship. The superyacht aims to make its splashy debut in January 2026 with seven-day sailings in the Caribbean, then cross the Atlantic for spring and summer in the Mediterranean. The brand says its 95 suites will offer 50 percent more living space per guest than other similar ships, with the top accommodations ranging from 2,981 to 9,975 square feet. Modular walls in adjoining suites can open to create more than 100 configuration options. Bookings aren’t open yet, but a wait list already exists. Rates from about $3,000 per suite (not per person), plus à la carte pricing for lunch, dinner and alcohol.

WRITING: DON NICHOLS

Smooth Sailing: Ponant’s new catamaran.

Future Reference: Rendering of the Four Seasons yacht.

SUPER NOVAS

SILVERSEA HAS UPGRADED AND DOWNSIZED ITS NEW CLASS OF SHIPS.

I’m levitating over the Atlantic — in a glass elevator — cruising toward Cozumel. As the elevator rises, I find myself mesmerized by waves as their colors shift from pale turquoise to rich teal to deep navy. All elevators on the 728-passenger Silver Nova face the ocean. It might seem like a minor detail, but the impact is surprisingly powerful. Silversea has completely reframed my relationship with water.

For its new Nova-class ships, which are hybrid-powered by natural gas and batteries, Silversea traded traditional symmetrical design for an open, asymmetrical layout that showcases the ever-changing scenery. Whether relaxing in the Observation Lounge, gliding on an elliptical in the gym, or sipping a drink at the 270-degree Dusk Bar at sunset, the view is constant.

For these smaller ships, Silversea ripped out the rarely used helicopter pad to make room for its signature Otium suite, a 1,300-square-foot apartment that features a formal dining room for entertaining and an opulent terrace with chaise lounges and jetted tub. Pity I don’t have a key to that one — or an entourage. But I am perfectly content with my 357-square-foot Veranda suite. Balconies and butlers are standard for everyone, and the staff-to-guest ratio is nearly one to one.

Silver Nova boasts 10 bars and eight restaurants. And with James Beard award-winning chef Nina Compton as the ship’s godmother, I eat very well. I indulge in a French degustation paired with Champagne at La Dame. I slip into Silver Note for a supper club evening accented by live musicians performing sultry jazz standards. But my favorite destination on board

Insider Insight:

“While 95 percent of Silver Nova ’s public areas have amazing outdoor views, one hidden gem does not: the library off the Observation Lounge on Deck 10. This little oasis has a starlit ceiling and wide selection of books.”

—Teresa Tennant, travel advisor

might be the Chef's Table at Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.), for a meal that weaves together food and storytelling. Through Peruvian mushroom anticuchos, Brazilian feijoada and Oaxaca tetelas finished tableside, sous chef German Sanchez tells the story of Silver Nova’s journey from the Florida Keys past Cozumel toward South America, bite by bite.

Amid all that sensory overload, I still find time to do nothing. I steal away to the Otium Spa, where I lose track of time. I dive into a book under the shimmering constellation ceiling in the secret library. I ring the butler for caviar and Champagne in my suite — because sometimes a little solitude is the ultimate luxury.

WRITING: MARIA C. HUNT

Details:

Silver Nova will spend the summer sailing between Vancouver and Anchorage before heading west to Tokyo in September. Rates from about $4,450. Meanwhile, the newest Nova-class ship, the just-launched Silver Ray , sails the Mediterranean all summer and fall, repositioning to Florida in December. Rates from about $7,000. Your travel advisor can plan a detailed journey, including pre- and post-cruise hotels and experiences.

In with the Outdoors: The Marquee deck on Silver Nova.

SUMMER PAGETURNERS

WE ASKED A FEW GLOBE-TROTTING HOTELIERS, TRAVEL ADVISORS AND DESTINATION EXPERTS FOR THEIR READING LISTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Antonio Sersale, Owner, Le Sirenuse, Positano

On my list:

• Birds Without Wings , by Louis de Bernières

• The Romanovs , by Simon Sebag Montefiore

• Warlight , by Michael Ondaatje

Almafi Coast recommendations:

• The Talented Mr. Ripley , by Patricia Highsmith

• One Italian Summer , by Rebecca Serle

Gayle Burghardt, travel advisor

On my list:

• The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

• The Women, by Kristin Hannah

Destination read:

• The Last Kings of Shanghai, by Jonathan Kaufman

Danilo Cerqueira, owner, Tempo VIP, Portugal

On my list:

• The Alhambra Revealed: The Remarkable Story of the Kingdom of Granada , by Michael B. Barry

Beach reads:

• Casino Royale , by Ian Fleming

“The thrilling first James Bond book has a connection to the Estoril Casino near Lisbon.”

Ben Trodd, COO, Aman Resorts

On my list:

• Substance: Inside New Order , by Peter Hook

• The Promise of a Pencil , by Adam Braun

Favorite airplane read:

• Fight Club , by Chuck Palahniuk

Destination read:

• Don’t Stop the Carnival , by Herman Wouk

Roberta Kelleher, travel advisor

Beach read:

• The Seabreeze Inn series by Jan Moran

Favorite destination reads:

• The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur , both set in India, by Alka Joshi

• Anything by Fiona Davis.

“All of her books take place in New York City landmark buildings.”

Geoffrey Kent, founder, Abercrombie & Kent

On my list:

• Bringing Down the House, by Ben Mezrich

• Nuclear War, by Annie Jacobsen

Africa recommendation:

• West with the Night, by Beryl Markham

Joe Sandillo, founder, Exeter Latin America

On my list:

• The Power Broker, by Robert A. Caro

• Mona of the Manor, by Armistead Maupin

“The latest in the Tales of the City collection (about my hometown of San Francisco).”

Destination read:

• 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, by Charles Mann

Barbara Khan, travel advisor

On my list:

• The Blue Bar, by Damyanti Biswas

• A Shadow in Moscow, by Katherine Reay

Destination read:

• The First Emma, by Camille di Maio “Emma Koehler was one of the three wives of San Antonio beer magnate Otto Koehler. The Koelher family owned the Pearl Brewery, which is now the Hotel Emma.”

SAIL BEYOND ORDINARY IN

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Nothing says “unplugged and recharged” like a Windstar voyage in French Polynesia. Come aboard our awardwinning all-suite Star Breeze and get closer to one of the world’s most captivating destinations. Serving just 312 guests, our intimate yacht sails Tahiti’s waters year-round, with the most frequent 7-day departures of any cruise in the region. With over 36 years sailing in French Polynesia, our strong local connections allow us to show you a side of Tahiti most travelers never see — while keeping local island communities thriving. Join us in French Polynesia on a voyage that’s 180 degrees from ordinary!

The

SleepBig

FORGET THE ALL-NIGHT RAGERS. THE LATEST MUST-ACHIEVE VACATION EXPERIENCE IS TO MAKE LIKE RIP VAN WINKLE.

To sleep, perchance to dream... If only it were as easy as counting sheep. With sleeplessness on the rise, the “sleepcation" has become one of the hottest trends in travel, with a growing number of hotels worldwide now offering holistic overhauls of the nightly nap. Some have even gone so far as to employ sleep concierges and therapists. Case in point: At the Mandarin Oriental hotels in London, guests can now summon Malminder Gill — the popular hypnotherapist and self-help guru who regularly treats high-net-worth clients (both Hollywood and literal royalty) — for one-on-one, in-suite sleep coaching.

“I soothe guests to sleep, then tiptoe out of the room,” Gill says. She helps guests transform a troubled eight hours into a fabulous 40 winks ( from $685, plus accommodations ). While currently available only in Mayfair and Hyde Park, pop-up sessions across the brand’s other European hotels are next.

Meanwhile, Six Senses recently tapped Michael J. Breus, the famed, Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist and sleep expert, to create personalized programs for catching Zzz’s across 20 of the brand’s resorts. A sevenday program at Six Senses Douro Valley ( from $2,350, plus accommodations ), for example, includes daily yoga, massage, meditation and sleep tracking, with the goal of establishing a sustainable sleep routine. A similar seven-day session at Six Senses Ibiza ( from $3,400, plus accommodations ) includes cryotherapy and sound healing. And at the Miraval spa resorts in the U.S., a new slumberfocused well-being track includes mindfulness workshops, meditation and private coaching meant to increase sleep quality ( starting around $1,000 to $1,500 a night ).

WRITING: SIMON URWIN

Snooze Fest: The Belgravia Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London.

Now We’re Living Brilliantly

At Virgin Voyages, vacation isn’t just about the destination. Sure, we visit dozens of beautiful ports around the world, from Europe and the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and now new voyages in LA, New York, and Alaska. But we want the journey itself to be epic too. With 20+ onboard eateries, world-class entertainment, bookable karaoke lounges, free group fitness classes, and a rejuvenating spa, you might have trouble wanting to leave the ship.

It’s no surprise we’ve won several Cruise Critic awards, including Best Overall Cruise Line, Best New Ship (Resilient Lady), Best Dining, Best Cabins, and Best Service.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR TO LEARN MORE

Keep Calm & Carry On Keep Calm & Carry On

CHECKLIST:

Lonely Lingerie Luna Bandeau bra; Dieux forever reusable eye mask.

Mulberry croc embossed leather cosmetics pouch; Miu Miu seamless racerback top & boxer shorts.

Hermès Heure H watch; Joanna Czech facial massager; Byredo colour stick; Courrèges buckle strap cotton knit dress.

Gucci Luminous Matte Beauty Blush; Violette_Fr Bisou Balm; Caudalie Beauty Elixir.

(Opposite) Missoni Long sleeveless lurex dress ; Isabel Marant Skano hobo bag; Coach Bree sandals. (In suitcase, left to right) Globe-Trotter safari carry-on suitcase ; STAND Studio Polly faux fur slipper & travel pouch set; La Vie Style House floral lace cover-up mini caftan; Mansur Gavriel woven raffia clutch; Gucci Luminous Matte Beauty Blush; Miu Miu seamless bra & panties; Papinelle silk pajamas; Miu Miu seamless racerback top; Adidas Samba OG shoes; Liberty London classic floral silk satin pajamas; Slip pure silk contour sleep mask; Boy Smells mini candle; DedCool travel spray.

Face

PARIS-BASED GUERLAIN IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD, ONE HOTEL AT A TIME.

With a storied legacy as the favored perfumer of French royalty, and now a full-fledged beauty brand, Guerlain is taking over the world, one spa at a time. Founded in 1828 by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, the skincare, fragrance and makeup house’s heritage is deeply rooted in French craftsmanship. The latest musthave: the brand's newly released Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile serum and cream ($740 each). Both are packaged with a Gua Sha tool and respectively comprise 95 and 94 percent naturally derived ingredients. The result? Youthful-looking skin, thanks to the research-

backed star ingredient: the golden Nobile Dendrobium orchid from the Himalayas, used to restore radiance and light. And with such in-demand products, Guerlain spas have sprouted at the world’s hottest hotels. In the past year alone, branches have opened at the Raffles London at The OWO, One&Only Aesthesis in Athens, Beau-Rivage Palace in Switzerland, Raffles Boston, Belmond Maroma in Riviera Maya, Cap Juluca in Anguilla and Rosewood São Paulo. Up next on the world-domination tour: Guerlain Spas at The Waldorf Astoria New York and Regent Santa Monica.

WRITING: RAMONA SAVISS; PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKAYALA MILLER; ART DIRECTION: DEVIN DUCKWORTH; MAKEUP: SARA TAGALOA @ HOME AGENCY; HAIR: ALEX ROMAN; SET & PROPS: CODY ROGERS; MODELING: JESSICA & CAMERON @ VISION, AMBER @ WILHELMINA; ASSISTANTS: HANNAH JACLYN AND NIKKI KAUTEN

Smooth Moves: Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile serum and cream.

EasyRider

WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PAMPERING, A SIX-DAY BIKE RIDE BEGINS TO FEEL LIKE MEDITATION.

Prague, Czech Republic

WRITING: DON NICHOLS ILLUSTRATION: KERA TILL

No matter that it’s 55 degrees and a light rain when we set out to ride. All bundled up, we hop on our bikes outside our Dresden, Germany hotel and start pedaling. I’m antsy about the conditions, but within 20 minutes, I don’t want to be anywhere else. The weather clearing, we turn onto a winding path in a lush forest, heading out of town and deep into the Elbe River Valley. Soon, Instagram-worthy villages fronting the Elbe dot a bucolic landscape with emerald meadows and tree-packed hills. As we near the Czech Republic, sandstone cliffs rise majestically above the river.

This is Day Five of a six-day cycling tour from Berlin to Prague, by Backroads. We’re seven riders being led by two company guides, called leaders. Traveling south toward the Czech capital, we’re cycling scenic rural routes in the former Communist East Germany, overnighting and feasting heartily in hotels such as the 58-room Bülow Palais, a serene Relais & Châteaux property in the heart of Dresden’s Innere Neustadt (the Baroque Quarter), and the 24-room Chateau Mcely, a Bohemian Czech estate completely surrounded by lush woodland.

We have specially programmed Wahoo GPS devices on our Backroads-supplied bikes and aren’t required to ride together since there’s no worry of getting lost. We’re pedaling at different paces in groups of two and three and meeting up at designated break points and lunch spots.

Our itinerary mostly keeps us on lightly traveled country roads and easy-to-navigate bike paths — the latter often in forests so pastoral that I sometimes slip into a contemplative state. Every day brings memorable views beyond the region’s rich-green linden trees and pines. Between Berlin and Potsdam, we pass eye-catching fields of red poppies and cornflowers before crossing the Bridge of Spies, used for high-profile prisoner exchanges during the Cold War. We snake along dreamy canals through the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve and past farms of large, whirling windmills. In vineyard country, grapevines in terraced hillside beds rise

above the Elbe — and a stop at Moritzburg Castle treats us to a tour of Saxony’s prettiest moated castle.

Most of us log 50- to 60-plus miles daily, while one couple skips the afternoon rides to relax (an option open to everyone). A leader shuttles them to the hotel for the night. Despite not being hard-core cyclists who regularly ride at home, none of us feels in over our heads. I’m sometimes tested but never pushed to my limit, and not just because it’s mostly flat terrain. I’m fit and riding an e-bike (though using little of its power assist), and we’re blessed with favorable weather. It has only rained in Dresden, and chilly mornings warm into beautiful afternoons. The scenery and charming, stuck-in-time German towns and villages help keep fatigue out of mind, too.

After passing those sandstone cliffs on Day Five and making a lunch stop, we cross the Czech border and steel ourselves for what’s ahead: our steepest series of hills. But uphill climbs mean thrilling downhills at breakneck speeds. What an adrenaline rush!

The final morning, on a country road outside Mcely, we’re again surrounded by tall trees and green fields on one last ride before we’re shuttled into nearby Prague. I’m breathing in the fresh air and wishing we could start all over again. Aside from the occasional passing car, the only sound I hear is the sweet chirping of birds.

“I call this meditative cycling,” one leader says, content of this morning ride.

She could have been talking about the entire six days.

Details:

Backroads’ six-day Berlin to Prague bike tour offers three departures in July and August; seven departures in September. Available year-round, but April to October affords the best weather. From about $5,300 per person.

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

HOTELS HAVE LONG BEEN REPOSITORIES FOR ART. BUT FOR SOME HOTELIERS, ART IS LIFE.

WRITING: KATHRYN ROMEYN

Anyone who has ever dreamed of “accidentally” getting locked overnight inside the Guggenheim in Bilbao or MoMA in Manhattan, listen up: Gaining unfettered access and intimate, quality time with some of the greatest contemporary masterpieces is easier than you think. These hotels house hundreds of exquisite artworks by the masters and emerging artists alike, some available for viewing 24/7 and, in many cases, with the curators as your guides. A stay at these gallery-centric rabbit holes is essentially a privileged pass to experience — up close and personal — canvases, sculptures, photography and more that are beyond museum-worthy.

INSTAGRAM FAMOUS

Louisville, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis…

It’s no exaggeration to say that art is as critical to 21c Museum Hotels as its mattresses — the entire brand exists to service creativity, culture and community. Contemporary art collectors and preservationists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson (who chronicles his art quests on Instagram to his quarter-million followers) founded the first 21c in Louisville in 2006 and have since followed up with seven additional hotels, complete with site-specific installations in Bentonville, Arkansas (home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art), Kansas City (near Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, an architectural marvel), Chicago (steps from River North’s famed gallery district) and, most recently, St. Louis. At the latter, the rotating exhibition “ Pop Stars! Popular Culture and Contemporary Art" is currently on view in the restored, 173-room, Renaissance Revival–styled former YMCA building, which boasts a total of 14,000 square feet of museum space open to the public 24 hours a day. The museum hotel also hosts exhibits dedicated to local and regional artists. Robust programming, including talks and events, ensures near-constant celebration of artistic discovery for all.

Spaghetti Midwestern: (From top) The 21c Museum Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri and the hotel’s “Fallen Fruit” installation by artists David Allen Burns and Austin Young.

OUT OF AFRICA Cape Town, South Africa

Proximity is everything at The Silo Hotel . Designed by Heatherwick Studio and Liz Biden, the flamboyant landmark occupies a former grain silo that sits directly above the waterfront Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Capetonian Michael Jacobs, the hotel’s art concierge, leads tours through both (as well as visits to emerging artists' studios and a delectable Bespoke Winelands and Art Tour), revealing powerful and moving masterpieces by an array of prominent and young African artists. Don’t miss South African Georgina Gratrix’s expressive oil painting, Kenyan Cyrus Kabiru’s mesmerizing photography, Zimbabwean Kudzanai Chiurai’s statement-making mixed media and Capetonian Jody Paulsen’s meme-like felt assemblages. Original works are sprinkled throughout the 28 dynamic rooms as well. Plus, there’s a small space dubbed The Vault where biannual exhibitions are dedicated to up-andcoming talents from the continent.

Meet The Locals: (Clockwise from top) On view at The Silo Hotel in Cape Town: Georgina Gratrix’s “Valley Road Flowers,” Musa N. Nxumalo’s “The Anthology of Youth,” Alexandra Karakashian’s “Sump” and Kate Gottgens’ “Bearings.”

CHAO VOYAGERS

Bangkok, Thailand

Along the fast-flowing Chao Phraya River, the side-byside Capella Bangkok and Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok are each masterful designs in their own rights. Capella was envisioned by Andy Miller and Richard Scott-Wilson (formerly of Foster + Partners) while Jean-Michel Gathy left his mark on the Four Seasons. Both hotels share an art-connoisseur owner (who prefers to keep a low profile) and integrate monumental artworks. At Capella, acclaimed Thai artists Ploenchan Vinyaratn and Pannaphan Yodmanee, among others, were commissioned to create rich and mesmerizing sculptures, murals, textiles and 3D wood engravings that pay tribute to the river and to the street in front of the hotel (the first paved road in Bangkok). At Four Seasons, the arrival is a transportive experience, thanks to flowing carved-stone walls, intricate pillars and a scintillating chandelier, all designed by Gathy but handcrafted by local artist Khun Dong. The hotel’s dedicated gallery, ART Space, is partnered with the Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok and holds quarterly exhibitions featuring strictly Thai artists, many of whom participate in complimentary monthly workshops, during which they create alongside guests.

Size Matters: (Clockwise from top) At Four Seasons Bangkok, the carved-stone exterior walls by Jean-Michel Gathy, custom artwork in Four Seasons’ Yu Ting Yuan restaurant and a three-dimensional mural painting by Pannaphan Yodmanee at Capella Bangkok.

COWTOWN GLAM Fort Worth, Texas

The opening of Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection has majorly upped the ante for artistic expression in Fort Worth — already home to two major starchitect-designed museums. The 106-room urban nirvana’s 400-ish pieces are the result of equestrian owner Jo Ellard’s nearly two decades of collecting feel-good works across a wide variety of media. She’s assembled rodeo references (Steve Wrubel) and plenty of horses, bold street art (Hijack) and luminous female forms (Thandiwe Muriu), indigenous icons (Frank Howell) and dazzling natural scenes (Topher Straus). Gallery director Emily Gregoire leads stimulating art walks through the hotel, as well as an experiential artist-talk series (with Champagne!) that highlights, for example, Max Zorn, known for his brown packing tape on glass. Through the hotel, insatiable art lovers can even book an exclusive, six-course tasting dinner at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, less than one mile away.

The Walls Have Eyes: (Clockwise from top left) At Bowie House, the Bar Gallery includes works by Houston artist Karen Navarro; portraits by Nairobi artist Thandiwe Muriu hang in the hotel’s Mulberry Room and Billet Room.

GILT TRIPPING

Nice, France

On the French Riviera’s famed La Pomme, the storied Le Negresco pairs Michelin-starred dining and a comprehensive spa with priceless antiques (think a Baccarat chandelier commissioned by Russia’s last czar). But add more than 6,000 artworks — the collection of the late owner, Jeanne Augier — and, voilà, it’s a world-class museum as much as a glamorous auberge. Walls of the 102 rooms and 26 decadent suites are just as beautifully hung as the common spaces, with works from artists as diverse as Niki de Saint Phalle, Fernand Léger, Jean Cocteau and Marc Chagall (to whom a nearby museum is dedicated). Every floor is a completely different gallery to be strolled, which former guests such as Emma Stone or Paul McCartney could surely attest.

Warm and Fuzzy: L’Apogée Courchevel

In Living Color: (Clockwise from top) The Salon Royal gallery at Le Negresco and the hotel’s art-filled Marie Leszczynska Suite.

ROGUES GALLERY

Pembroke, Bermuda

There’s only one place in the world where you can stroll past a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin en route to your suite after a nightcap next to Andy Warhol’s Mick Jagger portraits. The circa-1885 exterior of Bermuda’s iconic “pink palace,” the Fairmont-managed Hamilton Princess & Beach Club Hotel , belies not only its contemporary interior, but also the modern and pop art masters that hang and stand within the estate. You’ll see Pablo Picassoes and René Magrittes, David Hockneys and Henri Matisses, Bridget Rileys and Robert Rauschenbergs. Exhausted yet? Keep going, and discover Nelson Mandela’s lithographs or Damien Hirst’s etchings. Walk the grounds and come face-to-face with sculptures by KAWS, Jeff Koons, Ai Weiwei and Tom Sachs. The sheer concentration and diversity of the headliner names in this 300-piece-strong collection blows the mind. A local docent’s private tours make it possible to engage even deeper.

Details:

Your travel advisor can secure Internova Select or Curated perks, including a $100 resort credit and daily breakfast for two, at any of these hotels.

Cool Sculpting: (From top) The Hamilton Princess and the resort’s “Pumpkin,” a bronze sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.

MISSION SUBMISSION

ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST EXCLUSIVE WELLNESS CLINICS HAS ARRIVED IN NORTH AMERICA, BLISSFULLY BLURRING THE LINE BETWEEN REHAB AND SPA.

Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Cookies for breakfast? This must be a test of my willpower. It’s my first morning at the 101-room SHA Wellness Clinic in Mexico, on the coast just north of Cancún. Ahead of my visit, I’d been urged to wean myself off coffee ( gasp ), dairy, meat and alcohol, all of which are off-limits during my four-night stay. I glimpse suspiciously around the light-filled dining room of SHAmadi restaurant. Guests wrapped in white robes nibble the coconut-andchocolate treats without a trace of guilt on their faces. I take a slow, intentional bite and can’t help but feel like I’m cheating. Is this a trick?

For nearly two decades, loyal A-list guests have flocked to SHA’s flagship clinic in Alicante, Spain for health reboots. Founder Alfredo Bataller Parietti battled health issues for years and was inspired to open the retreat after a radical lifestyle reset restored his well-being. SHA’s integrative formula — largely based on his own healing journey — embraces nine core tenets, which involve an alkaline diet, preventative medicine and exercise. It’s so effective that more than half of guests return, and the January opening in the Mexican Caribbean now gives devotees and newcomers alike a fresh backdrop for their annual (or soon-to-be) detox, mental or otherwise.

Oh, Just Relax! Massage with intention and a view at SHA Wellness Clinic, just north of Cancún. (Opposite) The main outdoor pool.

Insider Insight:

“My favorite treatment was the cellular regeneration therapy, and SHA is the first to offer this technology. From the medical treatments to the staff of nutritionists, personal trainers and therapists, the food, the rooms the whole SHA experience and healthy way of life is just incredible.”

—Josh Alexander, travel advisor

Nestled on a sunny sliver of powdery sand overlooking the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere, the setting alone has healing powers. The lapping waves and ocean breeze lull me into a state of tranquility. But I am not here for a beach holiday. The curvy white resort (whose architecture replicates the shape of a DNA strand) looks more Miami-chic than clinical, but inside is an allstar team of nutritionists, healers, personal trainers and medical experts with an arsenal of cutting-edge diagnostic tools and high-tech therapies at their disposal.

Most programs, including one called Detox & Optimal Weight or another known as Well Aging & Prevention, require 7- to 21-day commitments. The Rebalance & Reenergize program is like an intro course, promising renewed vitality in just a long weekend. An initial diagnostics session confirms that this was the perfect fit for me. My cardiovascular health and body composition fall into the excellent range but, uh-oh , my stress levels are off the charts. My second appointment flags energetic imbalances using principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Miguel, the resident acupuncturist, attaches an electric wire and magnet to my wrist and interprets a chart of peaks and troughs that pops up on a screen. I learn that my kidneys are way out of whack, a sign that my adrenal glands are in overdrive.

The test results inform my itinerary: 10 to 12 daily therapy sessions, ranging from an immunomodulating IV drip of ozone to meditative Tibetan sound-bowl healing. I’m poked with acupuncture needles and strapped into a cap that emits LED light waves into my brain to stimulate mitochondrial function. I alternate yoga and one-on-one personal training in the pro-athlete-worthy rooftop gym with contrast bathing sessions in the hydrotherapy circuit that has views of the surrounding mangroves.

While my meal plan is far from abstemious, there are some rules. Guests here to detox must restrict to around 900 gluten-free calories a day, but I am allowed to indulge in a nutritious gastronomic diet designed around whole grains, local seafood and loads of fresh vegetables. Breakfast always begins with miso soup, a prized probiotic, I’m told, that will stimulate digestion. Lunch and dinner are three-course affairs that feature the likes of tuna toast and avocado mousse or vegetable-and-clam pad Thai with rice noodles and peanut “air.” Both meals conclude with desserts, such as a miso and macadamia cheesecake. Every dish proves to be a master class in flavor and texture, and cooking classes led by the resort’s executive chef, Lixi Lineas, teach me how to recreate my favorite recipes.

Fountain of Youth: (Above) The cold plunge at SHA Wellness Clinic in Mexico. (Opposite) A bedroom of one of the residences.

“I’m poked with acupuncture needles and strapped into a cap that emits LED light waves into my brain to stimulate mitochondrial function.”

On my final day, the mirror assures me that I look noticeably more rested and clear-eyed, and despite indulging in double desserts, I do feel a new lightness. The transfer back to the airport is just over 40 minutes, and when I arrive to learn that my flight is delayed for hours, I don’t unravel with anxiety. Instead, I use the breathing techniques I learned yesterday to maintain my newfound inner calm. In my mind, that is the measure of a successful retreat. It’s not about the pounds I shed or the glow of my skin. It’s about learning new and lasting habits that help me navigate the turmoil of reality long after I’ve left the sanctity of the spa. My weekend utopia at SHA? Resounding success.

Details:

Programs from four days, $2,600. Accommodations from $550. Your travel advisor can secure Internova Select perks, including a $100 wellness credit and daily breakfast for two.

More Immersive Wellness Retreats

The all-suite, beachfront Carillon Miami Wellness Resort has a partnership with the biostation, the area’s leading anti-aging center. Retreats include diagnostics for 100 biomarkers (thyroid levels, kidney function). Results dictate treatments like cryotherapy and lymphatic drainage.

The seven-night minimum prevention and aging program at Chenot Palace Weggis in Switzerland combines a vegan, 850-calorie-aday diet with hypoxic training and detoxifying phyto-mud treatments. An on-site molecular lab performs mRNA-based genetic tests to flag oncoming health issues.

Sensei Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage, California sends guests WHOOP fitness trackers ahead of their stay to gather insights into everything from sleep quality to heart-rate variability. Modern technologies like thermal body mapping takes the guesswork out of therapies.

For more than four decades, Canyon Ranch in Tucson has been helping guests reboot. New five-night Longevity Life programs aim to improve health span with some 16 services ranging from joint assessments and sleep screenings to nutrition counseling.

The signature “cure” at Lanserhof Sylt in Germany is based on a formula developed by Austrian physician Franz Xavier Mayr at the turn of the century that cleanses the gut of toxins and acidity with plant-based, alkalizing cuisine. A team of clinicians administers homeopathic injections and detox scrubs. lanserhof.com

During four-day retreats at Four Seasons West Lake Village just north of Los Angeles, guests have access to dieticians, physiologists and mindfulness coaches at the Center for Health & Wellbeing. A new partnership with Cure Medical offers biohacks (vitamin shots and IVs) to boost your metabolism and energy.

The new Soneva Soul health center at Soneva Jani in the Maldives combines Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda with cuttingedge therapies like platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections to speed healing.

Ask your travel advisor for details.

Peace Process: Lunch on the terrace at SHA.

when a wave from a local makes you feel all warm inside.

It’s the ultimate bonding experience. You’ll connect with new friends in an intimate, yacht-like atmosphere with intuitive, personalized service that feels like you’re among family. Sailing to the Arctic, Antarctica, the South Pacific and all seven continents, our new ultraluxury, purpose-built Expedition ships are designed for exceptional creature comfort while guiding guests to rare wildlife encounters and destinations few will ever see.

Contact a travel advisor for more information.

Visions of Grandeur

ON REGENT’S SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR, THE GROUNDHOG DAYS OF A TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE CHANCE TO DO NOTHING, OVER AND OVER.

Embarking on a two-week voyage across the ocean — New York to Barcelona , then back home to the U.K. — I’m ready to unplug. Or try Relaxation has proved elusive this year. But the moment I step aboard Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur, I can almost feel it happening. . It’s a beautiful ship, so elegant and understated.

Day 2

Waking up in the middle of the ocean to the soothing rhythm of the waves gently crashing against the ship is the meditation I so needed. I feel the outside world fading fast This calls for room service! .

Day 3

Ah, I’ve discovered the spa, and the lovely Sheila is pampering my toes, painting my nails blue to match the sea. I could get used to this.

Wow, Sunday Brunch extravaganza! Enormous shrimp, seared tuna, cut-to-order glazed ham, pâté en croûte, customized crêpes and the most magnificent dessert table. OK, it’s nap time.

Insider Insight:

“The spa’s rejuvenating antioxidant facial, with Elemis products, is amazing. The aesthetician even made wonderful recommendations for my skin-care routine when I return home. Also know: The Regent Suite is one of the most beautiful suites I have ever seen, on land or sea. Book soon! Many sailings are already wait-listed." —Sandra Ortiz, travel advisor

Day 9

It s 4 o’clock, time again for tea and finger sandwiches and scones with cream and strawberry jam.

Day 1 1 1 0

I’ve been to all six restaurants now. Not a dud among them, but my favorite: Sette Mari, outside at sunset. The service is impeccable.

We’ve arrived in Madeira, where I spent the morning onshore. My legs weren’t quite ready for that. This calls for a cocktail at the pool.

Oh, what a beautiful sunset! Sadly, it’s the last. We disembark in Barcelona first thing in the morning, and I’m not prepared to think about that. But all in all, mission accomplished.

Details:

Regent's 372-suite, all-inclusive Seven Seas Grandeur crosses the Atlantic again in August, a sold-out voyage from Barcelona to New York. The next available crossings will be in March, October and November 2025. Fares from about $7,400. Your travel advisor can plan a detailed journey, including pre- and postcruise experiences and hotels with VIP perks.

About Nothing? Much Ado

PHOTO: MARK ANTHONY FOX; ART DIRECTION: DEVIN DUCKWORTH; PRODUCTION: SUNAYAH ARSHAD; STYLING: HANNAH BECK; HAIR: LEWIS PALLETT @ EIGHTEEN MGMT; MAKEUP: NANCY SUMNER @ EIGHTEEN MGMT; MODELING: SUMITA BHANDARI @ PRM AGENCY; SET DRESSING: HALEIMAH DARWISH

LONDON EXCITES, BUT THE METROPOLIS CAN WAIT. THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO UNPLUG AND DO NOTHING — AND EVERYTHING — WITHOUT EVER LEAVING YOUR HOTEL.

London, England

Between the theaters and the restaurants, the shopping and the art scene, the parks and the palaces — London beckons. But with the spate of recently opened hotels (Raffles London at The OWO, The Emory, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and so many others) on top of what has always been an extraordinary hospitality scene, there has never been a greater time to check in and chill out. Have you seen the bathtubs at Hotel Café Royal? Or the new penthouse at Claridge's?

Before you drop your bags and rush out the door, consider that the best of what London has to offer might

be right below, or just above, your suite. If it’s dining that matters most, you’ll be spoiled for choices. You can count more Michelin stars in London hotels than you can stars in the city sky. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester? Hélène Darroze at The Connaught? And Michel Roux has just made a triumphant return at The Langham.

The ultimate British treat, though, is afternoon tea, and nobody does that better than a fabulous hotel. Traditional at The Ritz or 45 Park Lane? Or maybe you prefer a more over-the-top, Willy Wonka-inspired extravaganza, like the tea service at One Aldwych.

WRITING: LAURA SCHOOLING

Soak It All In: (Above and right) The Promenade at The Dorchester, and the hotel’s classic afternoon tea service. (Opposite) The ultimate bathtub inside Hotel Café Royal’s Dome Penthouse Suite.

Insider Insight: A Favorite Spa

“The Himalayan salt stone massage at The Lanesborough Club & Spa is relaxing and detoxifying. Indulge in the full -day experience — there's a butler button on every lounge chair. And bring your pup. They have a special menu for dogs.” —Shayna Mizrahi, travel advisor

“I absolutely love ESPA Life at Corinthia . The huge glass sauna is fantastic, and access is complimentary when booking a room.” —Alex Lavender, travel advisor

“The Peak Fitness Club and Spa at Jumeirah Carlton Tower

It’s a private club with many celebrity members, but hotel guests get full access. You’ll want to bring home a candle in the hotel’s signature scent.” —Ritam Bhalla, travel advisor

Granted, some people can’t relax unless they are busy doing something. The bowling alley at Ham Yard Hotel might come in handy. Or perhaps a historical tour inside the halls of The Savoy. Or a self-imposed boot camp at the super-trendy Third Space gym at The Marylebone. No? OK, how about that spy-themed speakeasy at Raffles?

For those who need help relaxing — well, that’s easy. The spa scene here is heavenly: skincare by Dr. Barbara Sturm at Corinthia Hotel London, the rooftop pools at The Berkeley or Mondrian Shoreditch, and the comprehensive wellness journeys at Bulgari Hotel London and Claridge’s. A stay at the Emory includes access to Surrenne, the city’s hottest members-only wellness club.

So rather than picking a neighborhood or nearby landmark, just decide on any one of these 75 hotels — the very best in London, where you’ll receive special perks when booked through your travel advisor.

Peep Hole: (From top) The Penthouse Grand Salon at Claridge’s and the gated entrance to Rosewood London in Holborn. (Opposite) At ESPA Life at Corinthia London, Rain wears a Bazaare Worldwide beaded dress, Sea Level bikini and Cult Gaia necklace.

“For those who need help relaxing — well, that’s easy. The spa scene here is heavenly."

PHOTO: JACK HARDY; ART DIRECTION: DEVIN DUCKWORTH; PRODUCTION: SUNAYAH ARSHAD; STYLING: LUCY PROCTOR; BEAUTY: KENTARO KONDO @ EIGHTEEN MGMT; MODELING: RAIN SHUAIYU @ MODELS1; ASSISTANT: ALESSANDRO SCHNEIDER

DIRECTORY Hotel

1 HOTEL MAYFAIR

This wellness- and eco-minded retreat abutting Mayfair’s Green Park has 181 rooms with living moss walls, including the largest penthouse in Mayfair. Behind the stoves: the always-great Tom Sellers. $$

11 CADOGAN GARDENS HOTEL

AND THE CHELSEA TOWNHOUSE

Sloane Square’s sister properties offer charm galore, with a combined 62 rooms, including family-style apartments. Cadogan Gardens is the only Relais & Châteaux in London. $$

45 PARK LANE

Perched on Mayfair’s side of Hyde Park, with 46 lovely rooms. Rotating artwork by the finest British artists. Lavish spa and pool for guests only. $$$$

BAGLIONI HOTEL

Italian elegance throughout 67 rooms overlooking Hyde Park. Five minutes to Kensington Palace. $$

THE BEAUMONT

Pristine art deco style, with 72 rooms. Near Selfridges and Duke Street shopping. The fivebedroom Roosevelt Suite occupies the entire fifth floor. $$$

THE BERKELEY

Views over Hyde Park, 169 rooms. Rooftop pool. The fab Blue Bar and Cédric Grolet’s first pâtisserie outside Paris. Stone’s throw from Harvey Nichols. $$$$

THE BILTMORE MAYFAIR

Classic London palace in Grosvenor Square with 307 rooms. Butler service in the signature suites. Quintessential tea. Easy stroll to Oxford and New Bond streets. $$

THE BLOOMSBURY

Every inch is Instagrammable, with lush wallpapers and literati-inspired details in 153 rooms. Near the British Museum. $$

THE BOTREE

Light and modern newbie with 199 rooms, including the BoTree Suite with flowers woven into the ceiling. Perfect base for Liberty and adjacent Soho shops. $$

BROADWICK SOHO

Maximalist glam, 350 original artworks, 57 rooms. Sexy Italian cafe and rooftop bar. Vinyl listening lounge for guests only. $$

BROWN’S HOTEL

Rocco Forte’s London base is British opulence to the core, with 115 rooms, including the new Sir Paul Smith Suite. Storybook tea in The Drawing Room. The ultimate Sunday roast at Charlie’s. Walk to Mayfair’s finest boutiques and galleries. $$$$

BULGARI HOTEL LONDON

Modern Italian style in Knightsbridge, with 85 rooms designed by Antonio Citterio. Minimalist and reflective of Bulgari’s heritage. Exceptional spa and indoor pool. $$$$

THE CADOGAN

A storied hideaway, a Belmond Hotel, in the heart of Chelsea with a secret entrance for those laying low. The 54 rooms include a topfloor, seven-bedroom penthouse. $$$$

CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL

Kit Kemp’s playful style touches every surface of the 52 rooms. Nearly as colorful as Soho itself. Screening rooms for guests. It’s a Friday-night scene at Oscar Bar. $$

THE CHESTERFIELD MAYFAIR

A Red Carnation hotel in Mayfair with 108 rooms of Old World whimsy. Candy-storeinspired afternoon tea. Must-order at Butlers Restaurant: London’s best Dover sole. $$

CLARIDGE’S

Mayfair legend with 269 rooms and a stunning new penthouse. André Fu designed the underground pool and spa. Iconic restaurant with stained-glass ceiling. Martinis served straight out of the freezer. $$$$

COMO METROPOLITAN

Cool and contemporary in Mayfair with 144 rooms. You’ll never want to leave the Shambhala Urban Escape spa — except maybe to dine at Nobu. $$$

COMO THE HALKIN

A private escape in Belgravia with 41 wood-panelled rooms replete with marble bathrooms. Access to Shambhala spa at COMO Met. Bali-inspired afternoon tea. Moments from Buckingham Palace. $$

THE CONNAUGHT

Contemporary attitude meets Old World glamour, 122 rooms. Art collection includes Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, Louise Bourgeois... Phenomenal mixology. Cuisine by Hélène Darroze and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And an Aman Spa. $$$$

CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON

Beneath the 283 ultra-posh rooms and spectacular duplex penthouses lies one of the finest spas in Western Europe, featuring skincare celeb Dr. Barbara Sturm. The Royal Penthouse terrace views are seriously heartstopping. Dine at chef Tom Kerridge’s first London spot. Just off Trafalgar Square. $$$$

COVENT GARDEN HOTEL

Whimsical patterns adorn every surface in Kit Kemp’s 58-room theater district hideaway. Screening room. Brasserie Max morning ’til late. Cozy nooks to people watch. $$$

THE DORCHESTER

The OG crown jewel of Mayfair with 241 rooms and suites and some of London’s finest restaurants, including one by Alain Ducasse. Freshly redesigned by the dream team of Pierre-Yves Rochon and Martin Brudnizki. Quintessential afternoon tea. Spa with quartz treatment beds. $$$$

DORSET SQUARE

Thirty-eight rooms of toned-down quirk by Kit Kemp overlook the original site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground in Marylebone. Dine all day in the Potting Shed. $$

The Air Apparent: (From top) View from a Grand Premier Park Room at The Peninsula London and Crescent Pavilion Suite terrace at The Berkeley. (Opposite) In the sauna at ESPA Life at Corinthia, Rain wears a bikini top by Isa Boulder, a Bazaare Worldwide skirt, Dinosaur Designs belts and bangles, 886 by The Royal Mint earrings and Nada Ghazal rings.

Turbot Charged: Grilled French turbot at Claridge’s.

THE EGERTON HOUSE HOTEL

A 28-room Victorian townhouse in Knightsbridge, just down the way from Harrods. The bar (another of London’s martini havens) features Picasso and Renoir. $$

THE EMORY

From the Maybourne Group comes Belgravia’s first new-build hotel in decades. Seclusion and swagger, with floor-to-ceiling windows in 61 suites. Exclusive access to Surrenne, a private members’ club dedicated to longevity. Dine at Jean-Georges’ ABC Kitchen. $$$$

FLEMINGS MAYFAIR HOTEL & APARTMENTS

A row of Georgian townhouses converted into 129 rooms and residences, some with private entrances. Gym, spa, dine. Stay awhile. $$

FOUR SEASONS AT PARK LANE

An early-days Four Seasons in Mayfair with 196 flawless rooms and suites. Spa time with Himalayan salt-wall sauna and glass-panelled treatment rooms. Must dine at Pavyllon by Yannick Alléno. $$$$

FOUR SEASONS AT TEN TRINITY SQUARE

A modern addition to the heart of the city, with 134 rooms perched over Tower Bridge and Tower of London. Must dine at La Dame de Pic. The spa is exquisite, especially when followed with afternoon tea. $$$$

THE FRANKLIN HOTEL

Down the way from the V&A, these luxe 35 rooms by Anouska Hempel pack a punch. Feels like a private club. Intimate Italian restaurant by Alfredo Russo. Sip coupe cocktails at the ’20s-glam Franklin Bar. $$

THE GORING

The 69-room Goring is neighbors with Buckingham Palace and host to many royals. Family-run for more than 100 years. Be sure to spend time in the back garden. Stickler for hospitality. $$$

Insider Insight: Go-To Restaurant

“ Mei Ume at Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square Incredible food and service, laid-back, never stuck up. The Peking duck is famous. And the spicy tuna uramaki, just wow.” —Abby Lewis, travel advisor

“ Ting at Shangri-La at The Shard : Nowhere else in London offers such superb food and equally magnificent views. Request a table by the window, and order the fivespices beef or the Malaysian fried rice.”

—Alex Lavender, travel advisor

“ The iconic Grille Room at Hotel Café Royal . The tea sommeliers are some of the most knowledgeable in the world and will let you try endless varieties.”

—Ritam Bhalla, travel advisor

GREAT SCOTLAND YARD HOTEL

Unbound by Hyatt, just south of Trafalgar Square. Elegant simplicity across 151 rooms. Don’t miss the Nordic wood-fired fare by chef Niklas Ekstedt. $$

GROSVENOR HOUSE SUITES

Modern, home-like comfort in Mayfair. Prefer to cook? Every one of the 130 suites comes with a fully equipped kitchen. $$$

THE GUARDSMAN

Feels more Westminster pied-à-terre than trad hotel, with 59 rooms and residences. Farm-to-table British dining, exclusively for guests and their friends. Buckingham Palace is practically next door. $$

HAM

YARD HOTEL

More colorful flair by Kit Kemp in Soho with 115 rooms, studios and residences. Stay in and go bowling. Super-fun tea. Nice spa. $$$$

THE HARI

Quiet sophistication in Belgravia with a contemporary slant across 85 rooms. Lovely allweather terrace. Host of the Hari Art Prize! $$

HAYMARKET HOTEL

Next door to Haymarket Theatre Royal with 53 rooms done up in flamboyant Kit Kemp style. Dine at Brumus. Sip cocktails at the underground poolside bar. $$

HOTEL

CAFÉ ROYAL

Regent Street’s 159-room grande dame offers some of the sweetest suites in London, with indulgent bathtubs, wraparound terraces (the views!) and dedicated private chauffeurs. Dress up for date night at Alex Dilling. Savor cakes and bubbles by Spanish maestro Albert Adrià. Ask for Princess Di’s fave table at The Grill Room. Holistic treatments at Akasha spa. And don’t fret the baggage; the hotel has its own luggage-shipping service. $$$$

S erenity Now: (From top) The spa reception at the just-opened Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and a bedroom in the Portland Suite at The Langham London.

INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON PARK LANE

This site was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth II before it was destroyed in the Blitz. Now it’s a modern, convenient, 449-room hotel within walking distance to everything. $$$

JUMEIRAH

CARLTON TOWER

This modern 18-story, 186-room tower reopened three summers ago after a $130 million refurbishment. Skylit indoor pool. $$$$

THE KENSINGTON

A mix of contemporary and traditional across 146 rooms in a stunning Georgian building in South Kensington. Walk to Harrods and Harvey Nichols. $$

KIMPTON FITZROY

The 334-room Fitzroy on Russell Square recently emerged from a $100 million reno. Spin on Pelotons in the gym or a Raleigh bike on the streets. $$

KNIGHTSBRIDGE HOTEL

The Knightsbrige Suite overlooks Beaufort Gardens at Kit Kemp’s thoroughly English, bright and eclectic, 44-room townhouse. Daily tea. Walk to Harrods. $$

THE LANESBOROUGH

Oetker Collection opulence with 24/7 butler service for the 93 rooms and suites. Access to a private members’ fitness and health club with indoor pool. Dine at Shay Cooper’s Lanesborough Grill. $$$

THE LANGHAM

Legendary chef Michel Roux has returned to London with the just-opened Chez Roux at this 380-room stalwart in the West End. Glam tea in Palm Court. Enoy a pint and classic fishand-chips at The Wigmore. The spa features Chinese medicine and an indoor pool. $$$

THE LONDON EDITION

A Fitzrovia landmark with 173 rooms and a 2,100-square-foot penthouse with 360-degree views. Home to chef Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern — plus three noteworthy bars. $$$

THE LONDONER

The underground Retreat at this 350-room Leicester Square hotel has a destination spa, pool, beauty salon and 24-hour gym. Dine at Joshua’s Tavern or sip cocktails on the rooftop terrace. Room to book: the twostory penthouse. $$

L’OSCAR LONDON

Designer Jacques Garcia decadently reimagined a Grade II listed Baptist church into a 39-room hotel. Pure opulence. Best tea in Holborn. $$

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK

First things first: Book a table at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. OK, now consider the rooms: striking, 181 total, designed by Joyce Wang. Pay special attention to the signature park-facing suites. And yes, the spa deserves every accolade. $$$$

MANDARIN ORIENTAL MAYFAIR

Because one MO in London clearly wasn’t enough, enter the brand’s more exclusive, 50-room charmer in Mayfair. Check out the Japanese-Korean chef’s table by Akira Back. Sleek subterranean spa. $$$$

THE MANDRAKE

Nightlife is king at this 35-room, adultsonly boutique hotel in Fitzrovia. Oh-so-sexy bathtubs. Dine at YOPO mezcal and taco bar. DJs and an artist in residence. $$

Urban Sprawl: The living room of the Grand Heritage Suite at Four Seasons London at Ten Trinity Square.

THE MARYLEBONE

Several suites at this 248-room hotel from The Doyle Collection offer private terraces with outdoor living rooms, complete with fireplaces. Access to super-trendy Third Space gym and pool. Steps from Oxford and Bond streets. $$

THE MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE

The “dandy” isn’t just in this 172-room, Green Park-adjacent hotel’s signature style — cheeky, indulgent. It’s also the apt namesake of the bar. $$

MIDDLE EIGHT COVENT GARDEN

Date night! This 180-room ode to modernism is home to QT lounge and music venue. Stone’s throw to some of London’s best theaters, too. $$

MILESTONE HOTEL & RESIDENCES

Of the 63 room keys at this Red Carnation mansion adjacent to Kensington Gardens, only six will open doors to lavish two- or threebedroom serviced apartments, perfect for staying put for awhile. $$$

MONDRIAN SHOREDITCH

Emblematic of the youthful East End, with 120 loft-style, brick-walled accommodations. Spanish tapas at Dani García’s BiBo. Rooftop bar and pool by Blue Marlin Ibiza London. The gym never closes. $$

THE NED

Bask in Gatsby glamour in a former bank turned 250-room, antiques-filled hotel and members’ club, with claw-foot tubs, 10(!) restaurants and bars (including one inside the original vault), rooftop and indoor pools, plus fitness and wellness galore. $

NOBU HOTEL PORTMAN SQUARE

Marylebone contemporary with 249 rooms, including the Saijoukai Suite with a private balcony and sweeping city views. Array of Nobu eateries. Notable spa and wellness facilities, including custom Pilates reformers. $$

NOMAD LONDON

NYC swagger in a former magistrates’ court turned 91-room hotel in Covent Garden. Glass-panelled atrium restaurant. Nooks aplenty in the library. Room to book: Royal Opera Suite. $$$

THE ULTIMATE SUNDAY ROAST

The Sunday roast is a long-standing British tradition for which family and friends gather around the table to indulge in a meaty feast before snoozing on the couch (a weekly mini-Thanksgiving, if you like). But as the U.K.’s culinary scene continues to evolve, locals have taken to outsourcing their weekly banquet. Reservations are often required, even in casual neighborhood pubs — like Fulham’s Harwood Arms, which boasts a Michelin star. If you wish to participate in this sacred local tradition in the most elevated way possible, reserve at Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair. With two- and three-course set menus or sumptuous offerings à la carte, one can enjoy the best kind of Sunday: decadent, relaxed and full. The silver trolley is rolled around tableside with sirloin of beef carved to your liking — though you may also opt for lamb, local scallops or even a veg platter (if desired). The floral banquettes are ideal for taking in the classic wood panelling, whimsical wallpaper and iconic black-and-white photographs by John Swannell (unofficial royal photographer). All of the service with none of the stuffiness; you’re as likely to rub elbows with people (of titles) in formal attire as dressed-down families with tykes ordering off the children’s menu. Sundays, 12:30 to 3:15 pm

A Bathtime Story : (Above) The Granville Suite bathroom at Raffles London at The OWO. (Right) The Sunday roast at Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel.

Insider Insight: Must-Visit Bar

“The American Bar at The Savoy Order a Jabberwock Sour. Watching the bartenders, the way they curate everything, is fascinating.”

—Abby Lewis, travel advisor

“Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London for its live jazz and unique cocktails. It’s a sophisticated setting while still being playful and energetic. Hotel guests get preferential access.”

—Ritam Bhalla, travel advisor

“The subterranean Spy Bar at Raffles London at the OWO

It’s a hidden gem in the basement, in rooms once used by MI5. Order the Vesper.” —Alex Lavender, travel advisor

NUMBER SIXTEEN HOTEL

Kit Kemp’s charming, 41-room Victorian in the middle of South Kensington has a secret (well, private, at least) garden. Beautiful drawing room, library and light-filled orangery. $$

ONE ALDWYCH

Covent Garden’s Art Nouveau stalwart, with 100 recently revamped rooms, including four signature suites with jaw-dropping views of the Thames. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea. Pool, spa and in-house movie theater. $$$

PAN PACIFIC

Modern, East-meets-West hotel in the city’s financial center, with 237 rooms. The Pan Pacific Suite looks straight toward The Gherkin building. The infinity pool overlooks Bishopsgate Plaza. $$$

THE PENINSULA LONDON

Beautiful, 190-room newcomer in idyllic Belgravia designed by Peter Marino. Dine at Brooklands by Claude Bosi. Soon-to-befamous spa and 25-meter indoor pool. Always flexible check-in/out. $$$

THE PRINCE AKATOKI LONDON

Soothing, minimalist, 82-room sanctuary near Marble Arch. Japanese hospitality to the core, including traditional tea ceremony and sushi master class experiences. $$

RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO

Heard of it? Well, of course. It’s been the talk of London for the past year: Whitehall’s Original War Office is now a 120-room hotel. Dramatic suites include a replica of Churchill’s office. Restaurants by super-chef Mauro Colagreco. Guerlain spa (and shop) and irresistible pool. Bond-themed (guest-only) speakeasy. $$$$

THE RITZ LONDON

The go-to address for caviar and Champagne. A bastion of luxury since 1906, with 65 rooms, including princess-worthy suites. Recall The Trafalgar Suite from the movie Notting Hill? Quintessential tea. $$$$

ROSEWOOD LONDON

Gated flawlessness in Holborn, with 308 contemporary rooms, some with glorious carpets and exquisite closets. See and be seen at Scarfes Bar. Face Place + Sense Spa = wellness heaven. $$$

THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE

Wave to royals from this 161-room Red Carnation hotel, where the Master Suite overlooks the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. The English Grill and The Curry Room offer the two staples of London fare. $

THE SAVOY

Legendary hospitality off the Thames Embankment. Gordon Ramsey oversees the restaurants. Jazz in the American bar. Swimming pool in a light-filled atrium. Many of the 267 rooms offer river views. The Royal Suite is aptly named. $$$$

Escape Room : A hidden wine bar, the Red Room, at The Connaught.

2025-2026 COLLECTION

Caribbean, Panama Canal & Mexico

South America

Asia & Africa

South Pacific

Australia & New Zealand

Grand Voyages

TROPICS & EXOTICS

With more than 130 itineraries, our 2025-2026 Tropics & Exotics Collection provides your clients with personal discovery and connection, combined with the ultimate comfort of Oceania Cruises.

Total Itineraries: 135 | Grand Voyages: 40 | Total Ports: 329

Voyages Featuring Overnights: 90+ | Total Overnights: 200+

RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN

CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR TODAY

THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA® CURATED TRAVEL EXPERIENCES SMALL SHIP LUXURY

“The completely revamped Rooftop Pool at The Berkeley , with outdoor swimming and views over Hyde Park. They make a mean whiskey sour.” —Alex Lavender, travel advisor

“ The Roof Terrace at Ham Yard Hotel . It’s for guests only and is such a fun jungle oasis in the heart of Central London.” —Shayna Mizrahi, travel advisor

SEA CONTAINERS LONDON

Brutalism meets modernism with swoonworthy South Bank views from most of the 359 rooms. The Ship Shape Suite has its own private gym. Waterside dining. Kate Kerr facials. Curzon cinema. $

SHANGRI-LA THE SHARD

Occupying 18 floors of The Shard, every one of the 202 rooms offers a prime view. Home to Western Europe’s highest hotel infinity pool. Hot-spot GŎNG bar designed by André Fu. $$$$

SOFITEL LONDON ST JAMES

French je ne sais quoi across 183 rooms in St. James. Dine at Wild Honey. Skincare by Su-Man. Quick walk to The National Gallery. $$$

SOHO HOTEL

Kit Kemp’s high-kitsch style spans 96 individually designed rooms, including deliciously spacious suites with floor-toceiling windows. Private screening room and gym in-house. Smack in Soho. $$$

GALLERY HOP

If you really must leave your hotel, consider a gallery. It’s the perfect unplugged pursuit. And London is, after all, one of the art capitals of the world. In the mile-long strip between Marylebone and Mayfair, you’ll find top-chip showrooms filled with some of the biggest names — past and present:

Brown Collection

The collection and archive of artist Glenn Brown, as well as other notables.

Pace Gallery

Founded in the U.S. in the 1960s, Pace showcases top artists in galleries around the world: Jeff Koons, Richard Tuttle, Barbara Hepworth and more.

Hauser & Wirth

International leader representing the likes of Pipilotti Rist, Cindy Sherman and Gary Simmons.

David Zwirner

Born in NYC in 1993 and now in five cities, featuring the works of Gerhard Richter, Alice Neel and Felix Gonzalez-Torres.

Lévy Gorvy Dayan

Estate and living artists include Jenna Gribbon, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Robert Motherwell.

Gagosian

A name synonymous with successful artists like Cy Twombly, Rachel Feinstein and Richard Prince.

White Cube Mason’s Yard Contemporary powerhouse from '90s London, now with locations worldwide, representing Gilbert & George, Tracey Emin and Park Seo-Bo.

THE STAFFORD LONDON

The adjoining buildings in St. James that comprise the 106-room Stafford are steeped in fascinating lore. (Ask about the nanny to Queen Victoria’s children.) The 8,000-bottle wine cellar was used as an air-raid shelter in WWII. Sunday roast. Afternoon tea. Proprietary gin. $$

ST MARTINS LANE

A surrealist, 206-room wonderland in the heart of Covent Garden with airy, space-age accommodations by Tim Andreas of Banjo. Views from every window. Speakeasy Blind Spot designed by Philippe Starck. $$

TOWN HALL HOTEL

A lovingly restored Edwardian mansion in Bethnal Green (East End) with 97 rooms, mixing old and new like nobody’s business. This place is seriously cool. Tasting menus at Da Terra. Indoor pool and gym. $

W LONDON

Quintessential W with 192 rooms in Leicester Square. Home to Europe’s largest disco ball at The Perception. Mixology master classes. Spa, gym and screening room. $$

Pajamas Forever: Room service in the river-view Somerset Suite at One Aldwych.

America’s Next Great Restaurant

WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY: BRAD A. JOHNSON

Italian Renaissance: Tre Dita in Chicago. (Opposite) A bartender in his element and dry-aged steaks in the display case.

DID YOU FEEL IT? THAT ROLLING SHAKE WAS A SEISMIC SHIFT FOR ITALIAN FOOD — AND STEAK — IN THE WINDY CITY.

Chicago, Illinois

The server places an etched-crystal glass on the table and pours me a drink. I see her lips moving, so I nod in agreement, but her words drift over my head, unheard. Something about Piedmont? More pressing details vie for my attention. It’s the blue hour in Chicago, and the riverfront at dusk looks magical through Tre Dita’s 40-foot-high windows, rendering me mute. My nose twitches, seduced by the musky, dirty scent of charred beef. I turn toward the kitchen to witness a swarm of fireflies dancing above a 12-foot-long wood-burning grill.

The handsome dining room, designed by David Collins Studio, slowly comes into focus: jade-green banquettes, blue leather armchairs, crisp white linens with nary a wrinkle, checkerboard floorboards, walnut paneling and nearly 50-foot ceilings, dimly lit by the amber glow of chandeliers the size of cable cars.

It’s a good thing I dressed up. Everyone around me looks like a movie star, including the staff. Especially the staff — a parade of leggy hostesses, gregarious bartenders sporting boutonnieres, suave sommeliers and

maître d’s flitting about, an army of suit-clad servers in perpetual motion, even the chefs in their blur of whites — all so perfectly coiffed and manicured, each owning their personal flair. I start to think Tre Dita might have a stylist and tailor on the payroll. This new Italian steakhouse on the second floor of the 101-story St. Regis (Chicago’s third-tallest skyscraper and the highest in the world built by a woman, Jeanne Gang; her second such record) makes me feel instantly happy, the way a grand restaurant is meant to make one feel. This is indeed a grand affair, with 130 seats in the dining room and just as many more in the adjacent bar. It's a scene.

I glance up to discover the server is still patiently poised at my side, an interesting bottle clasped in her hand.

“Sorry, what?” I ask.

She repeats: “Antica Torino, a bianco vermouth from Piemonte, to stimulate the palate. Please, take your time with the menus. And, welcome.”

I lift the beautiful glass. Its contents smell sweetly of marshmallows and gardenias but evolve into waves

of oregano and tarragon in the mouth. It’s a lovely vermouth, and so unexpected. In addition to the aperitif, she’s given me a week’s worth of reading materials. The first book lists the cocktails. I’m drawn instantly to a refreshing spritz made with Mazzura Cappelletti and Donna Rosa Rabarbaro. It's like an aperol spritz, but more elegant. The next book inventories all the steaks, a range of cuts, weights, ages and provenances. Many of these you will have noticed in a glass cabinet in the foyer, displayed like Birkins at Hermès, the biggest prize being the 60-day, dry-aged 42-ounce porterhouse, a classic bistecca Fiorentina. I close my eyes and remember when I dragged my now-husband to Florence, for one night, just to eat steak. (“Tre dita" is Italian for three fingers, the precise thickness of a proper bistecca Fiorentina. And the bigger the fingers, the better.)

A third book reveals the core menu, a lengthy roster inspired entirely by Tuscany, including ten pastas: pici, tortelli, tagliatelle, linguine, rigatoni, pappardelle… all handcrafted in the restaurant’s pasta lab. The last of my reading is a compendium of more than 700 wines, strictly Italian and mostly from small, family-owned wineries.

The marquee chef is Evan Funke, from Los Angeles, a brawny, imposing character with an impressive Garibaldi

“The moment I stuff a wedge of cloudlike focaccia into my mouth is when I realize Italian food in Chicago — which has always been great — will never be the same."

beard, which I’ve come to learn hides a very gentle smile. He’s one of America’s preeminent chefs of Italian cuisine, and when I’m told he’s not in the kitchen tonight, my mood wobbles. I worry, “Will it be as good without him?”

But while his name might be the star draw for many, this is not exactly a solo endeavor. Funke has partnered with chef Jean Joho (the most celebrated and admired French chef in Chicago, whose beloved Everest closed during the pandemic) and the city’s most prolific restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You, whose founder and chairman, Rich Melman, I later learn, has been a longtime mentor to Funke.

The moment I stuff a wedge of cloudlike focaccia into my mouth is when I realize Italian food in Chicago — which has always been great — will never be the same. It’s not just the bread. Every dish that follows brings yet another rung of joy: messy, head-on prawns in a bright salsa verde, fried squash blossoms that taste of country sunshine, meatballs that are almost too pretty to be real, a tangle of gossamer-thin tagliatelle with veal ragu and — here comes the crescendo — a 32-ounce A5 Kagoshima Kuroushi rib eye. A more succulent steak surely does not exist.

My first exposure to Funke's cooking came nearly 15 years ago at the now-defunct Bucato in L.A.

Cloud Pleaser: Pillowy-soft focaccia.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: (Clockwise from top left) Braised short-rib meatballs, blue prawns in salsa verde, a server prepping for the dinner rush and handmade tagliatelle with Tuscan ragu and pecorino.

It was lunchtime, and I whipped out my phone to snap a photo of a gorgeous pasta dish. Cacio e pepe, if I remember correctly. But before I could press the button, a server rushed to block my shot with his hand. “We don’t allow photos here,” he scolded. He threatened to confiscate my phone if I didn't obey.

No such ridiculousness occurs here. I’m about to take a picture of a pencil-thin slice of torta della nonna, when a gray-haired figure dressed in a suit appears over my shoulder. His hand reaches toward the dessert, and my mind flashes back to Bucato. I turn to face my attacker. It’s chef Joho, smiling, looking curious. He adjusts the dish 90 degrees, then turns it slightly more. “Perhaps this angle might be better?” he suggests.

Everything about Tre Dita is meticulous, but nothing is ever too precious. Or pretentious. This is easily one of the best new restaurants in America.

Hot Takes from chef Evan Funke:

The perfect meal in Tuscany?

“A slab of crusty bread, grilled over fire, slathered with lardo di colonnata. Prosciutto from the mountains. Wild bitter greens, fennel and herbs dressed with lemon from a backyard tree. And a big f-ing steak, four inches thick, charred rare over wood and finished with an overly generous splash of grassy olive oil."

A Favorite Chicago restaurant?

“I love the older joints, like The Village , whose traditions weave a rich and spectacular story into the overall fabric of Italian food in America ."

Favorite hotel/resort:

“ L’Andana in Castiglione della Pescaia, 20 minutes from the coast of Grosseto. It's gorgeous and quiet." (Your travel advisor can secure complimentary massages and daily breakfast. $$$$ )

Details:

Dinner nightly from around $100. Must order: focaccia, pasta, steak. Reserve weeks in advance. treditarestaurant.com

Stay:

The 191-room St. Regis Chicago occupies the first 10 floors of a 101-story tower overlooking the river and the downtown lakefront. The spa is spectacular. Your travel advisor can secure exclusive perks, including a $100 hotel credit and daily breakfast for two.

Tower Record: The St. Regis Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang.

CRUSH Orange

THE GRAND DAME OF LAKE COMO IS NOT READY TO CEDE THE SPOTLIGHT TO HER LITTLE SISTER. QUITE THE CONTRARY.

Tremezzina, Italy

Some advice when staying at Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como: Wake up early. In the twilight, just before the sun emerges from behind the snow-dusted Alps, everything is tinged with the same sapphire blue as the lake itself. It’s a stunning sight to behold from my Juliet balcony.

Every morning brings a different story. When the air is particularly crisp, the windswept horizon gives the illusion that I can almost reach out and touch the opposite shore. And when the morning is more temperate, a mist rises gently from the water, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere. In front of me, perched on the headland where the great lake forks, Bellagio still sleeps — but not for long. Just below my window, an immaculately dressed attendant readies the orange and white umbrellas that surround the floating pool and “beachfront.”

And I see that the hotel’s private boats are ready.

Morning Glory: (From top) The lake at sunrise, and one of the hotel’s boats ready for an adventure to Bellagio. (Opposite) The Flowers Pool, one of three pools at Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

“The hotel's outdoor pizza restaurant is great. They make a fabulous bellini! I also highly recommend visiting Villa Carlotta next door. And you absolutely must take the boat to Bellagio.” —Robert Goldstein, travel advisor

Few places exude more cinematic grandeur than the 84-room Grand Hotel Tremezzo — from its honey-hued, Liberty-style façade (fit for a Wes Anderson movie) to an interior extravaganza of period furniture, red carpets and freshly cut roses reflected in gilt-framed mirrors. Such opulence has changed very little since the hotel's opening in the summer of 1910, when a 500-guest inauguration party set the standard right from day one. Over decades, guests have ranged from French aristocrats to American celebrities (did anyone say George?). The iconic Greta Garbo, a regular in Hollywood’s Golden Age, referred to it as “that happy, sunny place” in the aptly named film Grand Hotel . Suite 113, the room she loved, bears her name today.

More than a century later, guests still walk on the original wooden flooring — shining in all its glory after a loving restoration. The former ballroom now functions as a stunning breakfast room in the morning and, in the evening, transforms into La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi — the only restaurant in

the world to serve the signature dishes of the acclaimed Maestro. Marchesi is regarded as the founder of modern Italian cuisine. There’s something distinctively feminine at the Grand — a warm hospitality, an attention to details (such as love stories left on your pillow at night) and, not least, the impeccable style of third-generation owner Valentina De Santis. Being raised in those storied halls has ingrained in her a natural respect for the past and a deep love for beauty. A truly enlightened hotelier, she is also behind the success of Hotel Passalacqua, opened in 2022 and named the World’s Best Hotel the following year.

The greatest of care hides behind the sourcing of every single object – from the photo trouvée collection that graces the walls of L’Escale Restaurant to the bespoke items in the Sense of Lake shop (newly online), personally selected by Valentina and her mother, Antonella. Think locally crafted silk caftans and scarves, limited-edition crystal-strewn seagrass bags and velvet slippers in the hue of Grand Hotel Tremezzo orange.

Velvet Goldmine: (From left) The Fish Dripping, a signature dish at La Terrazza, and Belle Époque details in the lounge. (Opposite) Sala Contessa, the entryway to La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi.

For Valentina, tradition rhymes with renovation. Each year brings new additions to ensure repeat visitors have a fresh and unique experience. Take, for example, the recently opened wine cellar next door. Nestled under the vaults of an 18th-century room, guests can taste Italy’s finest wines with the assistance of sommelier Mirko Razzini. Upstairs,12 garden-view rooms have undergone an extensive makeover, each now graced with a bow window. And for those seeking extra privacy, nearby is the hotel’s Villa Sola Cabiati, a magnificent property boasting frescoes by the school of Tiepolo and handcrafted Murano chandeliers. Starting this winter, the formerly seasonal villa will be accepting bookings year-round.

“The ultimate goal is our guests’ happiness,” says Valentina. And, yes, more than a century later, the Grand is still “that happy place” where lifelong memories are created.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Your travel advisor can secure Select perks, including a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for two and bottle of prosecco upon arrival. $$$$

Green Acres: Opulent silk drapes frame a view onto the hotel’s gardens, and hotelier Valentina De Santis.

Discover the essence of relaxation at Tierra Luna Spa, a recent addition to the iconic Arizona Biltmore. Recently awarded the prestigious Forbes 4-Star rating, Tierra Luna offers an oasis of tranquility where you can truly unplug and rejuvenate. Immerse yourself in our transformative treatments, inspired by the natural beauty and allure of the Sonoran Desert.

THE OLTRE Q&A

PAUL THEROUX

WRITING: TANVI CHHEDA

PHOTOGRAPHY: BAILEY ROBERTS

Novelist Paul Theroux may well be the OG solitary traveler. He recounts paddling his kayak in the ’90s among 53 islands of the South Pacific as one of the happiest times in his life, a period that inspired The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific . “I was self-sufficient, with food and a tent, always headed to a sunny destination on my own, always an adventure in store.”

Theroux fell hard for travel — and books — early on. “I was about eight when my parents put me on a train from Boston to Connecticut. I had a window seat and a book. I sat there, entranced, for hours. It was such a happy experience.”

He has since penned more than 60 books, including bestsellers such as The Great Railway Bazaar, The Mosquito Coast and his latest, Burma Sahib , a fictionalized account of George Orwell’s time in Myanmar as a young, colonial police officer.

While he’s been just about everywhere, he emphasizes that the greatest travel is really the inner journey. And one needn’t go too far for discovery. “I felt strongly that I was an alien, and learning a great deal, when traveling in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas,” he says.

Theroux suggests that Robert Louis Stevenson might have said it best, as he hurried through the U.S. in Across the Plains : “‘This is one of the lessons of travel — that some of the strangest races dwell next door to you at home.’”

Which stamp on your passport is the most gratifying?

One I acquired at a border post on a jungle riverbank while paddling down the Shire River in Malawi to the Zambezi in Mozambique. The immigration officer was sitting in a chair under a tree, and because his ink pad was dry, he had to breathe on his stamp to fortify it.

A favorite hotel?

The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — great comfort, great service, great food, an oasis on the river.

What trait do you admire most in a travel companion?

When traveling to write, I seldom have a companion. But on other trips, “uncomplaining" and “unflappable."

Best souvenir from a hotel room?

From the Sakura Hotel in Kunming, a tent-shaped cardboard that read: “Dear Guest, In compliance with the No. 121 preventive measures for Aids initiated by the Yunnan Provincial Government..." In each of two slots in the cardboard was a condom. Price: 5 Yuan. I paid.

Your last road trip?

Through Mexico, in my own car. I had complete freedom with a thousand possible destinations. And I only got hassled three or four times, always by the police.

The country you've traveled to most?

India. I first visited in 1968 and kept returning. The country has hardly changed, except in terms of population. It is essentially an antique land.

Worst misfortune?

Riding in a truck in the Northern Kenya desert, I was shot at — or rather the truck was — by shifta bandits. But the worst was probably being robbed of everything I owned in South Africa, my bags stolen from the hotel, and the police laughing when I reported it. I had my passport and wallet, so I managed.

Your greatest extravagance?

Flying first class, when I can.

What can you not tolerate in a hotel?

The necessity to tip everyone in sight.

Paul Revered: The novelist and adventurer at the Honolulu Museum of Art in his hometown.

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SUMMER 2024: THE ART OF DOING NOTHING ISSUE

THE GUIDE: HOW TO PROPERLY UNPLUG IN LONDON

DO NOT DISTURB: RESORTS THAT FORCE US TO RELAX

CRUISING: THE LAZY DAYS OF A TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING

BEAUTY: THE SPA THAT’S TAKING OVER THE WORLD

FASHION: WHAT TO PACK FOR SUMMER

DINING: AMERICA’S NEXT GREAT RESTAURANT

DJ PLAYLIST: ISTANBUL AFTER DARK

PLUS: AWESOME ART, BIG YACHTS, SUMMER READS AND MORE