Friday newsletters all the time characteristic journey contests, suggestions, or information.
In the present day: February 2025 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you may learn my information round-up of what’s occurring on the earth of luxurious journey and aviation. On this situation:
- Mandarin Oriental publicizes a brand new luxurious resort in Puerto Rico
- Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica is now open
- The Ritz-Carlton will open a luxurious safari camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara
- North Island Seychelles leaves Marriott’s Luxurious Assortment
- 4 Seasons publicizes a brand new resort within the United Arab Emirates
- Aman unveils its first branded residences in Africa
- Rosewood Miyakojima Japan is now open
- SAS unveils new crew uniforms impressed by Scandinavian heritage
- The Hyatt Resort Group opens its Andaz Doha property
- ITA Airways leaves SkyTeam and can be a part of Star Alliance in 2026
1. Mandarin Oriental publicizes a brand new luxurious resort in Puerto Rico
Mandarin Oriental is ready to handle a brand new luxurious resort and branded residences on Puerto Rico’s breathtaking southwestern coast at Boquerón Bay in Cabo Rojo. Anticipated to open in 2028, Mandarin Oriental Puerto Rico will characteristic 106 fantastically designed rooms and suites with a balcony, terrace or personal backyard. Choose suites will characteristic plunge swimming pools, while all villas will embody personal swimming pools. An unique assortment of 83 residential villas can be sprinkled throughout Esencia’s spectacular seashore, hillside and cliffs. As well as, a collection of six-story boutique buildings, nestled into the pure panorama, will home roughly 200 personal residences – conveniently situated close to the city heart. The lodge will provide quite a lot of distinctive facilities, together with 5 distinct eating locations that includes worldwide cuisines with regionally impressed culinary delights. A seashore membership, a poolside restaurant and bar and a complicated lounge bar will present an extra dynamic to the general expertise. One other key spotlight of the resort can be a Spa at Mandarin Oriental, an expansive wellness sanctuary providing a spread of signature wellness, magnificence and therapeutic massage remedies.
2. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica is now open
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has opened its doorways on Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. Named after the Chorotega phrase for “lush backyard,” Nekajui is the primary Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central America. (The Chorotegas are an indigenous people who reside in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras). The brand new resort options cean-facing rooms and suites, and three luxurious treetop tents with entry to breathtaking views, out of doors terraces, plunge swimming pools, and spa-like facilities. The property additionally has 36 personal residences with two to 5 bedrooms. For the final word exclusivity, Villa Guayacan is a 10-bedroom retreat. The resort says its structure “celebrates the tradition and nature of Guanacaste — mixing native supplies and sustainable design with up to date model and refinement.” Refined eating experiences, from artisanal espresso rituals to personal treetops and fashionable Peruvian delicacies, convey native substances to life. The propert’s Nimbu Spa & Wellness is ready in concord with the land’s pure rhythms, rooted in historical methods of residing resulting in renewed power.
3. Ritz-Carlton will open a luxurious safari camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara
Anticipated to open in August 2025, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp can be situated inside the coronary heart of the Masai Mara Nationwide Reserve, famend for its considerable wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and the Nice Migration, the place tens of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara every year. Elevated amongst the timber on a secluded island surrounded by the well-known Sand River close to the Tanzanian border, this treetop retreat is predicted to characteristic 20 elegantly appointed tented suites, together with a four-bedroom presidential suite, every with an infinity plunge pool. Plans embody refined eating experiences throughout a number of venues, together with a multi-cuisine restaurant with a curated wine cellar, a stargazing sky deck, and an genuine boma. Extra leisure services will embody a spa and wellness centre, out of doors health club, swimming pool, discovery hub, map room and a pictures studio. Visitors can anticipate completely curated sport drives in addition to different bespoke cultural experiences.
4. North Island Seychelles leaves Marriott’s Luxurious Assortment
North Island Seychelles is the world’s most unique hideaway and probably the greatest accommodations I’ve ever stayed at. The insanely lovely personal island resort has solely 11 opulent hand-crafted villas overlooking essentially the most pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters within the Seychelles. The resort – which takes the highest spot in my checklist of the greatest luxurious resorts within the Seychelles – was the decor for honeymoon of Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011. In 2019, North Island left the portfolio of Wilderness and joined Marriott as a part of the Luxurious Assortment. IMHO, that was a very incorrect transfer to make and I’ve by no means understood very nicely why the world’s most unique resort handed its administration to a slightly mainstream lodge model. It now seems to be just like the partnership between North Island and Marriott is coming to an finish quickly as a word on the resort’s web site reads “As of 1 July 2025, North Island will not be affiliated with The Luxurious Assortment and can not be a part of the Marriott Bonvoy model portfolio.” Fingers crossed that North Island will be a part of the Wilderness portfolio once more (the one model that I really feel actually matches the popularity of the island).
5. 4 Seasons publicizes a brand new resort within the United Arab Emirates
4 Seasons Resort Ras Al Khaimah will provide a dynamic assortment of lodging and facilities designed to swimsuit the wants of each discerning traveller. Throughout every visitor room, suite, and villa, the 4 Seasons expertise can be delivered to life, providing a luxurious island respite only one hour from the Dubai Worldwide Airport and half-hour from the Ras Al Khaimah Worldwide Airport. The event will characteristic in depth wellness services with 10 remedy rooms and a magnificence salon; household and grownup swimming pools; paddle, tennis and basketball courts; and a completely geared up health centre. For youngsters and younger adults, devoted house to attach and discover can be out there via the complimentary Children For All Seasons program. Anchored by the Resort’s grand ballroom, beneficiant indoor and out of doors occasion areas have been expertly designed for celebrations and gatherings of all sizes. For seamless residing and unique entry, 4 Seasons friends and residents will get pleasure from secluded seashores and a devoted marina for personal boat arrivals and easy connectivity to close by islands.
6. Aman unveils its first branded residences in Africa
Set inside olive groves and palm timber, simply past Morocco’s fabled Pink Metropolis (Marrakech) and silhouetted by the Excessive Atlas Mountains, Aman introduces a brand new assortment of personal villas. Designed by SAOTA with interiors by ARRCC, Aman Residences, Amanjena, combine Moroccan craftsmanship with Aman’s refined design philosophy. An extension of Amanjena designed by Ed Tuttle in 2000, the villas embody their title—Amanjena, which means “peaceable paradise.” The structure and interiors embrace this sense of serenity, remaining deeply linked to the encompassing panorama. The gathering consists of three distinct villa designs, organized round backyard courtyards. Earth-toned partitions and reflective water components create a peaceful, immersive atmosphere. Terraces, shaded colonnades, and open-air residing areas present a pure circulate between indoors and out, reinforcing Aman’s relationship with nature and light-weight. Drawing from Morocco’s architectural heritage and designed for privateness whereas embracing the panorama, they provide uninterrupted views of the Atlas Mountains or the adjoining Amelkis Golf Course.
7. Rosewood Miyakojima Japan is now open
On a distant island paradise in Okinawa, Rosewood Miyakojima marks Rosewood Motels & Resorts’ first Japanese property, providing distinctive luxurious amidst untouched nature. Nestled amidst sugarcane fields within the north of the island and overlooking Oura Bay with direct entry to a pristine seashore, the resort has 55 visitor lodging, every with breathtaking views of Miyakojima’s well-known pristine waters. Embodied by Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy, the structure of the resort attracts from the historical past, panorama and tradition of the Ryukyu Islands, mixing indigenous Okinawan supplies equivalent to Ryukyu limestone with the Japanese spirit of wabi-sabi. Designed by acclaimed Dutch architect Studio Piet Boon, Rosewood Miyakojima is in-built sustainable concord with the pure atmosphere, making use of the unique terrain and partnering with the area people whereas bringing Rosewood’s unparalleled customary of luxurious hospitality to the island.The resort options 4 eating places and bars spanning Japanese and worldwide delicacies, an infinity pool by the seashore and an Asaya Spa, Rosewood’s pioneering wellbeing idea, full with six remedy rooms, a yoga studio and health heart.
8. SAS unveils new crew uniforms impressed by Scandinavian heritage
SAS is launching new crew uniforms for its 9,000 representatives, combining Scandinavian custom with a recent, forward-looking design. For practically 80 years, SAS uniforms have mirrored the airline’s identification as a trusted Scandinavian service. With a rising and numerous crew and buyer base, the brand new uniforms embrace performance and innovation whereas honoring the airline’s wealthy heritage, symbolizing its transformation and dedication to the long run. “Updating the uniform coverage was a big step ahead in refreshing who we’re as an airline. These modifications mirror a extra fashionable expression whereas sustaining our dedication to professionalism, security, and care,” says Pernille Ormholt Vang, Chief Individuals Officer at SAS. “The uniform is greater than only a recognizable characteristic — it’s an important work device for our colleagues and an expression of our sturdy heritage and identification,” says Kristine Mayer, SAS Design Director. “Uniform developments usually mirror the period by which they’re worn, serving as a core expression of an airline’s identification. As SAS has launched into a brand new and thrilling chapter, it’s solely becoming that we replace our look. I imagine this uniform will turn out to be iconic, representing fashionable Scandinavia on the worldwide stage, as we all the time have.”
9. The Hyatt Resort Group opens its Andaz Doha property
Situated within the prestigious West Bay, lower than a 20-minute drive from Hamad Worldwide Airport, Andaz Doha presents a window to discover the town’s wonders and cultural points of interest. Designed by Brime Robbins, Andaz Doha presents awe-inspiring ‘Airlock’ entrance; an immersive house that includes a sea of kaleidoscopic lights referencing the multi-faceted panorama of Doha. The cover takes heart stage within the lodge’s elegant foyer, alluding to Qatar’s conventional craft of Sadu weaving design. Ornate wood doorways with customized handles formed like Arab strolling sticks are a nod to the area’s Bedouin previous, whereas customized water-inspired carpets weaving via the corridors are impressed by Doha’s gorgeous shoreline. Unfold acros 26 flooring, the lodge’s 312 rooms, suites and residences have been designed with fashionable interpretations of Qatari traditions and heritage. The property may have three distinctive eating ideas – The Salt Highway Doha, which is now formally open, in addition to Mr. & Mrs. Hawker and Mumble Jungle, that are set to open within the coming months. The lodge’s Alara Spa options six remedy rooms with separate female and male areas, a natural sauna, steam rooms and multi-sensory showers.
10. ITA Airways leaves SkyTeam and can be a part of Star Alliance in 2026
The Lufthansa Group has now closed the transaction to accumulate a 41% stake in Italy’s flag service ITA Airways, with the power to buy additional stake over time. With this transfer, Lufthansa now owns Swiss Air, Austrian Airways, Brussels Airways, ITA Airways and Eurowings. From using frequent flyer applications, transferring of flight operations at airport terminals, lounge entry, code sharing, coordinated European flight schedule – passengers will already be capable of see the advantages of the combination of ITA Airways within the Lufthansa Group. For instance, with instant impact, 36 million Miles & Extra members can earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights. On the similar time, the two.7 million members of the ITA Airways frequent flyer program Volare can earn and redeem their factors on all flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airways and Brussels Airways. One other consequence of ITA Airways’s being purchased out is that’s has already initiated the withdrawal from the SkyTeam alliance. The exit course of can be accomplished by April 30, 2025, and after that date, it’s going to not be attainable to earn or redeem miles with most SkyTeam carriers for journey on ITA Airways. ITA Airways’ official accession to the Star Alliance is deliberate for the primary half of 2026.
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