Though lockdowns are beginning to ease in various countries, it isn’t the time to start planning your next getaway just yet. It’s more than likely that global travel as we know it will change irrevocably from the Covid-19 outbreak – airlines, hotels, and other hospitality establishments will have their hands full adapting to a post-coronavirus world. We’re particularly excited for what’s next in the luxury travel world – be it new luxury hotel openings, or arcane travel opportunities that are coming to the forefront.
Whether that comes in the form of off-the-beaten-track tours or retreats to remote corners of the world that’ve been on the rise even before the coronavirus outbreak, luxury travel might mean exclusivity and space for oneself now more than ever.
We wouldn’t write off conventional luxury though – new boutiques and resorts from the likes of Capella and Six Senses continue to prove that the appetite for bespoke travel experiences hasn’t waned.
Here’s our pick of some future travel plans that feature the best of exciting new luxury hotel openings as well as esoteric experiences for the well-worn traveller.
https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/gourmet-travel/luxury-hotel-openings-travel-planning/
Luxury hotel openings
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Patina Hotel & Resorts is the newest brand to join Capella Group’s portfolio, which seeks to combine the signature luxury you’ve come to expect from the group with a renewed focus on wellness and the environment around them. The first resort in Patina’s name is slated to open in the northern atoll of the Maldives on Fari Island. The resort boasts rooms designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, who was feted as one of the main references of Brazilian Contemporary Architecture with over four decades in the industry. Expect an exclusive getaway to an island paradise complete with private villas, vibrant beach clubs and ritzy culinary options spread across four islands.
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Earlier this year, Six Senses Bhutan revealed its fifth and final lodge in the area. Six Senses Bumthang completes the circuit across the western and central valleys of the Kingdom, and occupies a region covered in verdant forests and bucolic beauty. The accommodations were built around the local forest so as to preserve the pristine nature of the woodlands. Timber and ochre tones feature heavily in the interiors of the spacious villas so as to drive home the nature-focused theme of the lodges, while guests can expect wellness options including half or full-day pilgrimages to nearby holy sites, traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths or cultural immersion activities like archery and mushroom foraging.
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Aman’s new sister brand, Janu shares its commitment to guests, destination and exemplary service. However, its contemporary offerings include a tinge of whimsy and social spaces that is all about wellness and fine living at its core. Circa 2022, Janu Montenegro will be the first of three hotels by Janu that seek to celebrate the joie de vivre while ensuring that guests return from their trips not only relaxed, but more connected and self-efficacious than ever. Occupying a prime spot along the Adriatic coast surrounded by glorious natural beauty, Janu focuses on bringing genuine human interactions organically. A litany of social spaces including a spa, outdoor dining options and of course, the nearby sprawling coastal trails, makes the perfect place to connect with others. Thereafter, you can recharge in palatial rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows revealing stunning seaside views, intimate yet classy furnishings and artworks inspired by traditional Montenegrin craft.
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Opening in late 2020 along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok’s latest debut promises a romantic escape from the bustling Thai capital. Its 101 rooms are imbued with effortless chic and contemporary furnishings, while boasting impressive views of the river (including private plunge pools). Expect fine dining options, including culinary mavens Mauro Colagreco – whose three-Michelin starred restaurant Mirazur clinched the pole position in the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards – and Wichian Trirattanavatin who possesses exhaustive knowledge of local culinary secrets. And if you’re looking for the perfect place to tie the knot, Capella Bangkok boasts a selection of incomparable river-facing event venues – or river-top, if you’d rather have your special day take place while cruising down the majestic river.
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We’ve talked at length about luxury lodge operator Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge, located on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda that is home to a third of the world’s remaining gorillas. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, a trek through the forest will allow you a rare chance to witness the gorillas in their natural habitat. The lodge itself comes with all the expected creature comforts such as wellness and dining options, while remaining exceptionally sustainable. With only a certain amount of trekking permits issued annually, it might be difficult securing a spot to spy on these magnificent creatures outside of a zoo – so this might be the perfect time to book a viewing ahead.
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