Friday newsletters all the time function journey contests, suggestions, or information.
At present: December 2024 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you’ll be able to learn my information round-up of what’s taking place on this planet of luxurious journey and aviation. On this difficulty:
- Mandarin Oriental provides two well-known European resorts to its portfolio
- Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law will open an Aman Resort in Albania
- 4 Seasons expands portfolio in Greece with luxurious resort in Port Heli
- St Regis Bahia Seaside in Puerto Rico might be rebranded as a 4 Seasons
- 4 Seasons proclaims plans for a luxurious resort at Deer Valley in Park Metropolis, Utah
- Six Senses will rework a famed Spanish fort right into a luxurious resort
- The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok debuts in Thailand
- Marriott will deliver The Ritz-Carlton to Serbia
- The primary resort below the famend Orient Categorical model is now bookable
- KLM completes largest product change in years on its Boeing longhaul fleet
1. Mandarin Oriental provides two well-known European resorts to its portfolio
The Mandarin Oriental Lodge Group has introduced the choice to signal two iconic additions to its portfolio of remarkable resorts from early 2025: Hôtel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Lodge in Amsterdam. The acceptance of the provide is topic to the completion of a session course of with the related Works Councils, which can start shortly. Following completion of the transaction, Hôtel Lutetia might be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, whereas the Conservatorium Lodge – which I reviewed right here – is about to be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam in January 2026, following a complete improve (the resort will keep open throughout that interval). Each properties are famend for his or her historic significance and architectural grandeur, and Mandarin Oriental is dedicated to making sure that every property’s distinctive character and native cultural essence is preserved, whereas seamlessly delivering the model’s distinctive strategy to luxurious hospitality, steeped within the model’s twin Asian roots.
Listed below are some particulars about each resorts:
- As the one luxurious Palace resort on Paris’s Left Financial institution, Hôtel Lutetia underwent a complete restoration led by famend architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and reopened in 2018. The renovation fastidiously preserved its storied heritage whereas introducing up to date luxuries to reinforce the visitor keep. The resort gives 184 spacious and fantastically appointed visitor rooms, together with 47 suites. Lots of the signature suites have been designed by inventive icons, together with the Saint Germain Penthouse by Francis Ford Coppola, Suite Parisienne by Isabelle, Huppert, who has been a Mandarin Oriental Superstar Fan for greater than ten years, and the Joséphine Baker Suite, which options non-public terraces with gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower.
- Situated in Amsterdam’s famend Museum Quarter, the Conservatorium Lodge is a placing fusion of historic grandeur and fashionable sophistication. Initially designed within the late nineteenth century by architect Daniel Knuttel, the constructing has a storied previous as a former financial institution and music conservatory. At present, it stands as an emblem of refined luxurious, reimagined by celebrated Italian architect Piero Lissoni. The resort options 129 spacious rooms and suites, the place fashionable magnificence and craftsmanship seamlessly mix with the constructing’s historic structure.
2. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner intention to open an Aman Resort in Albania
Ivanka Trump – daughter of USA President Elect Donald Trump – and her husband actual property developer Jared Kushner are constructing a luxurious resort in Albania that might be managed by Aman Resorts, owned by Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin. Trump unveiled the resort development information on a Lex Friedman podcast. Jared Kushner reaffirmed the information in an interview with Bloomberg, stating his plans to construct an Aman resort that includes luxurious villas on Sazan Island. Kushner revealed that his curiosity on this funding was sparked in 2021 throughout his first go to to Albania. Nonetheless, environmentalists have publicly voiced issues, arguing that such an funding might harm the distinctive pure surroundings of Sazan, Albania’s solely island. The buyers, in response, have assured that the supplies used for the undertaking might be environmentally pleasant. Sazan Island, in the course of the communist regime, was a navy zone off-limits to civilians. For the reason that regime’s fall, there have been no investments, leaving solely the ruins of navy buildings as remnants of the totalitarian system.
3. 4 Seasons expands portfolio in Greece with luxurious resort in Port Heli
4 Seasons, one of many world’s main luxurious resort manufacturers, has introduced plans for the redevelopment of a beachside property at Hinitsa Bay, Porto Heli, Greece right into a luxurious resort and personal residences. Set towards the scenic backdrop of southeastern Greece, 4 Seasons Resort and Residences Porto Heli will provide bay views of the Argolic Gulf and the close by island of Spetses. The growth and redevelopment will rework an present beachfront property, which presently spans 75 hectares (185 acres) and three.25 kilometres (3,250 metres) of shoreline, into a brand new 4 Seasons expertise with 80 visitor rooms and suites and 30 bungalows, in addition to 4 Seasons branded residential villas. Due to its perfect and prime location, friends and residents could have ease of entry to the seashore, close by city centre and intensive strolling trails, together with the providers and facilities of 4 Seasons. 4 Seasons Resort and Residences Porto Heli will add to 4 Seasons portfolio in Greece, together with the award-winning 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens (which I reveiwed right here), and 4 Seasons Resort Mykonos, which can open in 2025.
4. St Regis Bahia Seaside in Puerto Rico might be rebranded as a 4 Season
The rebranding of The St Regis Bahia Seaside will mark the entry of 4 Seasons to Puerto Rico and the continued growth of the famend luxurious model within the Caribbean. The native environment of the present St Regis property will proceed to be preserved, with interiors present process renovations earlier than unveiling as 4 Seasons Resort Puerto Rico in late 2025. Extra renovations will embody a showstopping arrival expertise, showcasing views of the ocean from the second friends step inside. The foyer might be reimagined creating house for leisure and connection, whereas swimming pools might be reconfigured to offer unobstructed views of the ocean, together with new cabanas. A steam room, sauna and new experiences might be added to the spa services. 4 Seasons Resort and Non-public Residences Puerto Rico will provide 139 reimagined rooms and suites and 85 Non-public Residences, with extra present items that may be part of the residential portfolio upon the property’s reopening as a 4 Seasons expertise. The property is ideally positioned a brief 30-minute drive from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín Worldwide Airport.
5. 4 Seasons proclaims plans for a luxurious resort at Deer Valley in Park Metropolis, Utah
4 Seasons has introduced plans for a resort and residential providing in Deer Valley East Village, North America’s first new luxurious alpine village to be developed in additional than forty years. 4 Seasons Resort and Non-public Residences Deer Valley will present friends and residents with a seamless mountain expertise paired with the legendary service for which the model is famend. With design led by ODA Structure, the brand new growth will provide 134 visitor rooms and suites, and 123 one to 6 bed room non-public residences with fully-serviced houses starting from 1,200 to 7,000 sq. toes (110-650 sq. metres). All with unparalleled ski-in/ski-out mountain entry, 55 residences might be located above the resort. An adjoining constructing will comprise 68 owner-exclusive items starting from one to 5 bedrooms, with extra resident-exclusive facilities. Deer Valley’s new East Village – positioned on the base of its 3,700-acre (1500-hectare) ski terrain growth – is not going to solely make the celebrated vacation spot one of many largest ski resorts in North America, however it’ll additionally introduce enhanced slopeside entry, a state-of-the-art skier providers facility, new retail choices, culinary experiences and a group of après venues.
6. Six Senses will rework a famed Spanish fort right into a luxurious resort
Quietly tucked away in Ávila, simply 50 minutes from Madrid, lies a Sixteenth-century palace with a narrative to inform. In-built 1563 by Juan de Herrera, El Quexigal was well-known for being probably the most stunning nation property in Spain. Acquired by King Felipe II for use for leisure pursuits for the Royal Home, the farm was run by Jerome monks, producing oil, wine, honey, and meals, together with wooden from the abundance of bushes together with the quejigos oak, which gave its title to the property. This month, Six Senses has signed a resort administration settlement to welcome friends just like the royalty of centuries previous throughout the 100-hectare (250 acre) nation property, which is anticipated to open on the finish of 2026. The 60 visitor lodging might be distributed inside the primary and auxiliary buildings and embody 13 suites and a presidential suite with non-public gardens. For household teams, and personal occasions, there may even be a completely serviced five-bedroom villa. Native, sustainable, and seasonal would be the strategy to meals and beverage, with farm-to-fork goodness grown contemporary within the surrounding fields and served within the signature restaurant and varied salons and personal eating areas all through the gardens.
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok debuts in Thailand
A part of the Luxurious Group portfolio by Marriott Worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok is about in an alluring skyscraper at One Bangkok, a world-class enterprise and life-style vacation spot within the coronary heart of Bangkok. The architects at Chicago-based SOM and Thailand’s A49 have designed a constructing facade that includes gracefully ascending open-air terraces that present sweeping views of Lumpini Park and town’s skyline. Inside, Thailand’s premier inside design studio, PIA, has created areas that evoke a way of timeless magnificence and fashionable sophistication. A seamless mix of basic Thai artistry and up to date design, the resort rooms and suites embody a spirit of cultural alternate. Ground-to-ceiling home windows body breathtaking views, whereas many guestrooms provide non-public loggias and terraces overlooking the luxurious expanse of Lumpini Park. Three new eating experiences transport friends via distinct culinary worlds, every providing its distinctive tackle taste and ambiance. Duet by David Toutain, led by the eponymous Michelin-starred chef and culinary prodigy Valentin Fouache, is the signature restaurant and serves fashionable French delicacies in a shocking glasshouse. Spa and wellness services embody two swimming swimming pools.
8. Marriott will deliver The Ritz-Carlton To Serbia
Anticipated to welcome friends in 2027, The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade will deliver the model’s legendary service and stylish design to Serbia’s capital metropolis. The property is anticipated to function 193 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites together with The Ritz-Carlton Membership expertise and two distinct eating venues. Plans for the property embody a spread of services reminiscent of an indoor swimming pool, health centre and spa, together with greater than 1,700 sq. meters of conferences and occasions house. The resort might be located on the Nikola Tesla Boulevard, proper on the Danube river entrance, in shut proximity to authorities establishments and the enterprise district. The situation may even present handy entry to Stark Enviornment, Sava congress centre and Belgrade’s previous city. The brand new construct property is deliberate to be part of the location revitalisation of the previous Lodge Jugoslavija, bringing this well-known location again to life. Serbia, with its strategic location on the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, gives a rising enterprise surroundings, aggressive prices, and a strong startup ecosystem. Its Capital, Belgrade, blends historic attraction with vibrant nightlife, cultural landmarks, and fashionable infrastructure.
9. The primary resort below the famend Orient Categorical model is now bookable
Located within the historic Piazza della Minerva, within the coronary heart of Rome and simply steps from the Pantheon, Orient Categorical La Minerva is about to open in Spring 2025 as the primary resort below the famend Orient Categorical model. The 93 key property, previously often called Palazzo Fonseca courting again to the seventeenth century, occupies a whole island web site and was acquired in 2021 by Arsenale SpA. Following a complete renovation, the constructing’s interiors and historic options have been meticulously designed and restored below creative route of Franco-Mexican architect and inside designer Hugo Toro. Initially in-built 1620 because the residence of the aristocratic Portuguese Fonseca household, the historic constructing was remodeled right into a resort for the primary time in 1811. It quickly it turned a favourite vacation spot for distinguished artists and intellectuals in the course of the Grand Tour, internet hosting figures reminiscent of Stendhal, Vittorio Alfieri, and Herman Melville; and hosted a go to from Pope Pius IX. The restoration work displays a undertaking rooted within the historical past of Rome, impressed by Roman domus and the riches of the Everlasting Metropolis, combining artwork Déco fashion with up to date magnificence, in good concord with the mysterious identification of the Orient Categorical journey.
10. KLM completes largest product change in years on its Boeing longhaul fleet
In two years, KLM Royal Dutch Airways has accomplished the introduction of a brand new class, Premium Consolation Class, on its Boeing 777 and 787 plane. The intermediate class gives extra space, luxurious and privateness than Financial system Class, at a extra reasonably priced fare than World Enterprise Class. It took 4 to sixteen days per plane to put in Premium Consolation Class. The KLM Royal Dutch Airways technicians concerned labored day and night time – actually – to make the refitting occur (a complete of 54 plane have been fitted with the brand new class). Relying on the plane sort, there are 21 to twenty-eight seats within the Premium Consolation part, which options wider seats with extra legroom, a bigger display screen and a footrest in comparison with Financial system Class. The seats in Premium Consolation will also be reclined again greater than the Financial system Class seats. Throughout the conversion of the Boeing 777 plane, KLM Royal Dutch Airways additionally changed the seats in Enterprise Class. These chairs function a sliding door for extra consolation and privateness. As well as, all passengers in Enterprise Class have direct aisle entry (learn right here my evaluation in KLM’s new Enterprise Class seat onboard the Boeing 777).
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