Hot News from Some of The World’s Most Iconic Hotels
FROM THE HOTELIERS BEHIND EUROPEAN ICONS, HOTEL DU CAP-EDEN-ROC, LE BRISTOL PARIS, & HOTEL LA PALMA, OETKER COLLECTION IS DROPPING ANCHOR
STATESIDE WITH ITS FIRST U.S. OPENING - THE VINETA HOTEL, PALM BEACH, OPENING SPRING 2025
Uniting once again with owner-partners, Reuben Brothers – following the success of the opening of Hotel La Palma in Capri in summer 2023 – Oetker Collection is taking its European hospitality to the U.S. for the first time, to open The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, early next year. Paying homage to the hotel’s legacy, Oetker Collection is bringing back the Vineta name that it held for over 50 years, heralding a bold new chapter in the building’s nearly 100-year history.
The landmark building will be restored and reborn as The Vineta Hotel following a total renovation back to its original splendour, led by Paris-based interior designer, Tino Zervudachi. The Vineta Hotel’s dining and social spaces will offer an eclectic mix of four distinct environments. The former Leopard Lounge – in its heyday, a popular Palm Beach night spot for celebrities and locals alike – will undergo a total transformation. Meanwhile, against a lush backdrop of flowering vines and palms, the emblematic courtyard will become the ultimate al fresco dining destination. A highly exclusive play on the statement ‘American Bar’ is being conceived, with only a handful of seats, as well as a brand-new Mediterranean-inspired, indoor/outdoor poolside restaurant. oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-vineta-hotel
FROM THE DEVELOPERS BEHIND THE SURF CLUB MIAMI, AND MANY SENSATIONAL FOUR SEASONS HOTELS & RESIDENCES GLOBALLY, COMES NORMAN’S CAY, EXUMA, THE BAHAMAS – A CARIBBEAN ISLAND RETREAT
Norman's Cay, located in the Bahamas' Exuma archipelago, has come to life with Villas, Bungalows, Cottages and Cabanas, expansive Marina, Yacht Club and Beach Club bar and restaurants, along with the beloved MacDuff’s Bahamian outpost, and an international Airport by Miami-based developer Fort Partners. The development honors Norman’s Cay’s rich history, while redefining understated excellence and remaining committed to conserving the island’s natural landscape. The Island’s privately-owned Whale’s Tale and Marina Villas, comprised of a series of Bungalows, as well as the MacDuff’s Cottages are available for short- and longer-term bookings, while the Cabanas can be booked for day or overnight use.
Drawing from Fort Partners' success with The Surf Club, the master plan keeps the island’s pristine nature at its core while artfully incorporating local building materials that dissolve boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Dirand’s calm, minimal, modern and serene design aesthetic anchors the residences, and several Villas feature infinity pools that extend the living space and create the illusion of water meeting the horizon. The addition of customized spa treatments, surrounded by nature, indoor and outdoor fitness options, tennis and padel courts, and additional dining options are expected in late 2025. The new Yacht Club and open-air Beach Club bars and restaurants are a colorful departure from the neutral tones of the Villas and Bungalows, featuring vibrant interiors by Designer Cathy Vedovi.
THE NEWT IN SOMERSET UNVEILS ITS LATEST HOSPITALITY OFFERING OUTSIDE OF THE 2,000 ACRE ESTATE –
YARLINGTON LODGE, OPENING SUMMER
Summer 2025 sees the expansion of The Newt in Somerset’s hospitality offering outside of the estate, with the launch of Yarlington Lodge - a restored Grade II listed Georgian country house. Yarlington Lodge will be available for exclusive use and will offer accommodation for up to 16 guests. Set within landscaped gardens, Yarlington Lodge blends The Newt’s signature Hadspen House hospitality with the privacy and relaxation of a home, appointed with private spa facilities, outdoor swimming pool and tennis court. Guests will be able to call upon the estate’s team of chefs, horticulturists and farmers to create personalized menus sourced from The Newt’s bounty of fruit and vegetables, dairy, creamery and onsite butchery. Created as a retreat for multi-generation families or gatherings of friends, Yarlington Lodge is the ideal base from which to explore The Newt’s 2,000 acres of ancient woodlands, apple orchards, formal gardens and immersive experiences.
INTRODUCING CASINA CINQUEPOZZI
A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXCLUSIVE USE MANOR HOUSE - ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED PROPERTIES TO RENT IN PUGLIA, OPENING SPRING 2025
Casina Cinquepozzi is an exclusive-use 18th century Manor House set on an extensive 40-acre estate in the heart of Putignano, Puglia. Neapolitan and Nigerian owners, Thelma West - a renowned jewelry designer and Stefano Liotta discovered Casina Cinquepozzi and instantly fell head over heels in love and began their quest to bring this forgotten home back to life. Seduced by country life and a passion for sustainability, the two-year restoration project has been passionately led by the couple to restore the soulful and historic property with meticulous care, stone by stone. The ten-bedroom manor house is spread across three floors and features expansive living spaces to sleep up to 24 guests. With 55 rooms in total, Casina Cinquepozzi is highly unique among Puglia’s traditional Masserias, with each space designed to surprise, reflecting a rich sense of beauty and individuality. Inspired and deeply connected to Nigerian and Neapolitan culture, Stefano and Thelma are committed to celebrating art, culture and gastronomy and have created an Artist’s Residence dedicated to collaborative cultural projects for Chefs and Artisans to stay and create. The expansive estate will also feature an outdoor swimming pool, Pilates space and former pigsty that has been eccentrically restored into a wine cellar.
OKU HOTELS TO OPEN ITS FIRST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL WITH OKU ANDALUSIA, OPENING SUMMER 2025
OKU Andalusia, opening summer 2025, marks the launch of OKU Hotels’ family concept, the first in the family collection which is set to grow in the coming years, with its signature style translated for families in a new luxury resort. Offering 255 guest rooms and one private 4-bedroom villa, accommodation has been designed to showcase OKU’s signature beachside bohemian flair. The property will include a sprawling kids club complex inspired by a Spanish ranch farmhouse, catering for babies through to 12 years. Wellbeing is at the heart of OKU Andalusia, with the expansive 13,185 sq. ft OKU Spa a haven to relax and revive, with an indoor pool, relaxation area, sauna, steam room, fitness studio and soul soothing treatment rooms. When it comes to dining, OKU Andalusia’s four venues will include their signature OKU Restaurant, To Kima, The Terrace Bar and Restaurant. OKU’s beach club will be an adults-only hideaway, with poolside DJs, a beach bar, and an elegant produce-focused dining experience. www.okuhotels.com
OKU HOTELS ANNOUNCE ITS EXCITING ENTRY INTO THE MOST GLAMOROUS HANGOUT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN WITH OKU BODRUM, OPENING SUMMER 2025
Set spectacularly along Bodrum peninsula’s northern coast, OKU Bodrum, opening in summer 2025, will be an adult’s only (16+) retreat within one of Europe’s most sought after destinations. Framed by Bodrum’s mountains on one side, and the glittering turquoise Aegean on the other, OKU Bodrum makes the most of its seafront location with breathtaking views from the moment guests step into the hotel. The boutique hotel will offer just 58 rooms and suites, each one offering frontfacing sea views, terraces from which to enjoy the sunset, and many with a private pool. For dining, guests can enjoy a choice of three outlets, with a range of options including relaxed local fare and OKU’s much-loved fusion cuisine with OKU’s signature Japanese fusion restaurant, OKU Restaurant, poolside To Kima Restaurant, and a Sunset Bar perched on the jetty next to the glittering cove. The perfectly formed OKU Spa will be the ideal place to retreat for wellness rituals of differing practices, boasting a hammam, sauna, relaxation space, openair seafront treatment cabanas, and a clifftop yoga shala. A private jetty provides boat access for oceanfaring experiences to quiet lagoons, nearby islands, or the region’s famous vibrant marinas with globally renowned restaurants and beach clubs. www.okuhotels.com
J.K. PLACE ROMA MAISON, OPENING SPRING 2025
Discreet and exclusive, J.K. Place Rome is one of the most sought-after boutique hotels from the chic hotel group, J.K. Place. Housed in a noble 17th century Palazzo, J.K. Place Rome immerses guests in authentic Roman life, with its central location just a stone’s throw from some of the city’s most popular attractions: The Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. New for 2025, J.K. Place will launch J.K. Place Roma Maison, an exclusive club in Rome with 15 apartments in a beautiful 17th century building on Via dei Prefetti; a historic setting in the heart of the eternal city. The Maison will be complete with full butler and concierge services, in addition to multiple spaces of excellence, including a Restaurant, Private Lounge and fully-equipped Gym, available to both Club members and J.K. Place Rome guests, at just an easy five-minute walk from the hotel. www.jkplaces.com
62°NORD TO LAUNCH NEW SVALBARD SIGNATURE ADVENTURE IN EARLY 2025
In early 2025, Norwegian experts in experiential travel, 62°NORD will be launching a new Signature Adventure to Svalbard, a Norwegian Archipelago north of the Arctic Circle. One of the most remote options for private travelers in the world, travelers can embrace the Norwegian spirit of pioneering discovery, and immerse themselves in the hands of mother nature to become one with the elements. This 9 day journey from the dramatic Fjords of Norway to the great still wilderness of Svalbard is a tapestry of luxury and adventure stitched together with the spirit of exploration. Beginning at brand favorite, Storfjord Hotel, guests will enjoy two nights of exploring the fjords of the Sunmore Alps and preparing for the adventure ahead, before boarding a private jet from Ålesund to Longyearbyen in Svalbard. Travelers will journey with exhilaration through Svalbard’s mystical winter, where the Northern Lights perform a gentle dance across the dark Arctic sky, and navigate serene, snowblanketed landscapes by dog sled and snowmobile. Encounter the mesmerizing wildlife first hand, from Polar Bears traversing vast, snowy expanses, walruses clustering along icy shores, reindeers navigating through the silent tundra, and seabird colonies painting the cliffs with vibrant, lively displays. Guests will develop polar skills first hand and listen to the whisper of tales of adventurers past and present. www.62.no
This great European resort and iconic destination will reveal its complete transformation in Spring 2025, following an 18-month renovation. Glamour, experience, and indulgence will be at the heart of the revival, complementing the hotel’s legendary Villa Stéphanie - Health & Wellbeing, world-renowned for its medical expertise. Suites have been redesigned with impressive modern touches, extraordinary culinary and wellness experiences, plus epic adventures await in the Black Forest and beyond with the region’s elegant casino, spa houses, vineyards and racecourses. The new phase in the life of this great European resort will emerge – a destination like no other for the next century ahead. www.oetkercollection.com/brenners-park-hotel-spa
ULTIMA COLLECTION
INTRODUCES NEW LAKESIDE
PENTHOUSE
& RESIDENCES, BLENDING THE PERFECT
LOCATION ON QUAI WILSON WITH IMPECCABLE DESIGN AND LUXURY AMENITIES
New to the collection, this palatial lakeside property with breathtaking mountain views marries period features with the contemporary, with the ultimate luxury penthouse for the finest entertainment. Opening this November, with a prime central location overlooking Lake Geneva, Ultima Quai Wilson Geneva is an ultramodern collection of 5 private full-floor residences, surrounded by the city’s major landmarks. The top penthouse, Apartment 5, offers the ultimate in ultra-luxury with five ensuite bedrooms, double bedroom, living room, private gym and dramatic sweeping views of Mont Blanc from the vast rooftop terrace. Throughout this palatial, historic building, Ultima Collection has married period features with elegant contemporary design, benefiting from sprawling views of the tranquil waters of Lac Lerman. Subtle, sophisticated warm tones run throughout each residence with bespoke furniture from Italy paired with wooden flooring, rich textiles, and dramatic lighting. A welcoming city retreat in the heart of Geneva, each residence offers farreaching views of the surrounding Alps and Jura mountains, with ample space for casual dining in the chic dine-in kitchens and a more formal dining space to allow visitors to entertain in style. Guests can opt for a private chef to create menus to match their personal tastes, sourcing seasonal ingredients to create exquisite dishes. For deep relaxation, a private on-site spa offers a sauna, hammam, massage rooms and jacuzzi. https://www.ultimacollection.com/our-collection/ultima-quaiwilson-geneva
THE THINKING TRAVELLER LAUNCHES TUSCAN COAST COLLECTION
The Thinking Traveller has expanded into Tuscany, bringing its globally loved portfolio of exclusive private homes to this much-loved region of Italy. The unique selection of six private Tuscan villas are located along the undiscovered Tuscan Coast - stretching over 300 miles from The Versialian Riviera to Monte Argentario, and within the Tuscan countryside in proximity to the cultural hubs of Florence, Siena, and Val d’Orcia. While Tuscany is often synonymous with rolling hills and historic cities, The Thinking Traveller reveals a lesser-known gem: the region’s beautiful coastline. The collection includes Villa Talamo - a sprawling 18th-century former monastery cocooned in a private 10-acre estate on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea with views of Giglio Island. On Argentario Island, Villa La Cacciarella is an interior masterpiece of Italian craftsmanship - designed by former Soho House lead designer, Vicky Charles of Charles & Co, and surrounded by tranquil, verdant hills, the five-bedroom Casetta Firenze epitomizes Florentine country chic and is just 6 miles from Florence. All exclusive to The Thinking Traveller; each are the crème de la crème of private homes that offer a seductive mix of attentive, discreet staff, sophisticated, elegant interiors, glorious grounds and gardens, enviable positions and an extensive range of top quality amenities. www.thethinkingtraveller.com/italy/tuscany
FROM THE FOUNDERS OF NIHI SUMBA, COMES NIHI ROTE – AN UNDISCOVERED ISLAND IN WEST TIMOR, INDONESIA, OPENING Q4 2025
NIHI Hotels, the brand behind NIHI Sumba, announces its first ever expansion with the much-anticipated Indonesian opening of NIHI Rote, to be fully completed by Q4 2025 Over a decade ago, the journey of NIHI Rote began for Michael Schwab, Greg Sarkissian, and their partners when they discovered a breathtaking stretch of beachfront land on Bo’a Beach, Rote Island. This was the first step in a vision that mirrored the organic growth of NIHI Sumba, created by renowned founding partners Chris Burch and James McBride. An end-of-the-earth destination nearly 500km northwest of Australia, to the southeast of Sumba and Flores, Rote Island is one of the southernmost in all of Asia, accessed by a two-hour flight from Bali or Jakarta. Situated on a secluded corner of Rote Island in West Timor with 22 thatched pool villas, NIHI Rote will be a stunning testament to the balance between luxury and nature offering island activities such as world-class surfing, signature Spa Safaris, family friendly ‘Edge of Wildness’ camps, padel, pickleball and much more. This new journey, deeply connected to Rote’s unique history and environment, is unfolding in a way that is organic, respectful, and true to the land. NIHI’s arrival on the island will first see the permanent launch of the NIHI Rote Hospitality Academy in summer 2025 and will operate as a training ground for local residents, helping them build skills that will ensure NIHI Rote not only thrives but also uplifts the island’s people. nihi.com
RAFFLES SENTOSA SINGAPORE TO BLEND HISTORY AND HERITAGE WITH TROPICAL SPLENDOR, OPENING Q1 2025
When the original Raffles Hotel in Singapore opened its doors in 1887, it represented the dawn of the Golden Age of travel and captured the world’s imagination. Now, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is set to expand on this illustrious legacy with a 62-villa resort overlooking Tanjong Beach on the southern tip of Sentosa Island, one of the most desirable resort destinations in Asia and only a stone’s throw away from the buzz of central Singapore. The property, expected to open in Q1 2025, is inspired by the brand’s history and heritage in the destination and will feature a world-class spa dedicated to regenerative wellness. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the resort will entice guests to explore more than 100,000 square meters of meticulously curated gardens, offering an ideal twin-center trip with Raffles Singapore and a new destination for weekend staycations for local Singapore guests. www.raffles.com
CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY AND STORIED PAST OF LE BRISTOL PARIS THE ORIGINAL PALACE HOTEL IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS - APRIL 2025
In April 2025, Le Bristol Paris – the Grande Dame of Paris’s hotel scene and part of the prestigious Oetker Collection – will celebrate its 100-year anniversary with the unveiling of refurbished signature suites, a brand new menu at the internationally renowned Epicure, and more triumphal activities that are yet to be announced. The most storied hotel in Paris, Le Bristol opened at the height of the Roaring Twenties. Positioned on the fashionable Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, it became the place to see and be seen for the glamorous 1920s Paris culture set, attracting names such as Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Elsa Schiaparelli. Just 15 years later, with the onset of the Second World War, Le Bristol was repurposed as the US embassy, housing American nationals living in Paris. Visitors today observe the redesign by Jewish architect Leo Lerman, who was smuggled in by Founder Hippolyte Jammet during the Holocaust and provided refuge from 1942 to 1945. His influence is felt throughout, in the grand staircase and the lift’s finely wrought iron grille, which he designed for the hotel in appreciation. Following the war, Le Bristol returned to its former glory, hosting the great and the good from art, music, politics and film, and in 2010 The French Ministry of Tourism inaugurated the distinctive Palace-level ranking, with Le Bristol being the first to receive the pinnacle status. Today the property is an icon of French art de vivre, gastronomic excellence and Parisian hospitality. www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris/
SWISS-BASED MEDICAL WELLNESS BRAND CHENOT LAUNCHES NEW SLEEP CYCLES PROGRAM
The pioneering Swiss-based medical brand Chenot has launched its new Sleep Cycle Module this autumn at the group’s flagship property, Chenot Palace Weggis on Lake Lucerne. Recognizing that optimal health requires optimal sleep to develop better habits, the module is an additional component of the Recover & Energize program and features clinically proven and patented technologies and treatments, aligning with guests’ chronotype and circadian rhythm to fine-tune sleep architecture. Guests will stay in one of four new Sleep Rooms with access to DeepSleep technology, using soundscape to guide brain waves into the delta range, which speeds up the onset and promotes deeper sleep. The Module includes Cryotherapy and Hypoxy-hyperoxy treatments, Neuroacoustic Deep Relaxation to synchronize brainwave frequencies using sound, electromagnetic frequencies and light, and Whole Body Photobiomodulation to improve energy production by mitochondria. Other high-tech treatments meanwhile will improve mitochondrial functioning, heart rate variability and functional adaptability, resulting in the body restoring its natural rhythms and achieving optimal sleep. www.chenot.com
CANAVES COLLECTION CELEBRATES ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY IN SANTORINI AND UNVEILS PLANS TO CONTINUE ITS LEGACY IN PAROS AND NAXOS
With a long-held mission to protect and safeguard the island of Santorini, the Chaidemenos family not only transformed the hospitality scene in Oia with the original opening of Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel in 1985 (transformed this year to Canaves Ena) but also worked to preserve the soul of the island. The family has since extended Canaves Collection with the creation of four additional properties: Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Epitome, Canaves Sunday, and Canaves Elefas Villas, each bearing its own unique style and personality. Heralding the latest chapter in the brand’s history on the island, 2025 will mark 40 years of the Chaidemenos family’s dedication to creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that resonate in the hearts of their guests long after they depart the hotels. This Autumn, Canaves Collection has revealed plans to expand the collection to the islands of Paros and Naxos with brand-new developments that will continue the family’s legacy across Greece. www.canaves.com
THE REBIRTH OF ONE OF LONDON’S MOST ICONIC HOTEL LANDMARKS, THE BEAUMONT MAYFAIR
Positioned in the heart of Mayfair overlooking Brown Hart Gardens, London’s iconic hotel landmark, The Beaumont Mayfair, sees a grand reopening following a multimillion-pound renovation during its 10th anniversary. Now under the leadership of CEO Stuart Procter, this exciting new chapter will soon unveil further major investments in early 2025. Embodying the spirit of the scene-setting grand hotels of the 1920s – with interiors designed by the late French architect Thierry Despont –The Beaumont Mayfair is renowned for its glamorous art deco design, exceptional dining, and impeccable service. Featuring 101 rooms and suites – including Anthony Gormley’s famous ROOM and the presidential Roosevelt Suite – the hotel houses an exquisite collection of more than 600 artworks, as well as chic F&B spaces. Under its new guise, Q1 2025 will see the launch of a new flagship restaurant, Rosi, as well as the bold transformation of Brown Hart Gardens. On the doorstep of the city's finest cultural, culinary, and historical landmarks, The Beaumont Mayfair has long been a beacon of old-school hospitality and discreet luxury since its original opening in 2014. www.thebeaumont.com
