Read on for our latest round-up of luxury travel travel news where we bring you some of the most exciting and exclusive travel updates from around the world. From innovative tech tools enhancing real-life connections to stunning new properties opening in idyllic destinations, there’s so much happening in the world of luxury travel. Discover Marriott’s luxurious debut in Lombok, the serene ‘Sauna by the Sea’ experience on the Antrim Coast, and plenty of enticing new escapes from Africa to Alaska.
UBQT is an innovative and new social wellbeing app that makes reconnecting with your people in real life easy. The app was officially launched in January 2024 and is now available for download at https://joinubqt.com/
UBQT is not just another app. It’s an efficient digital tool that applies digital minimalism (no likes, no followers, no feed, no chat) and focuses exclusively on enhancing human connection through reconnection in person.
Situated in North Lombok, Indonesia between the awe-inspiring Mount Rinjani volcano and the idyllic Gili Islands, The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok is slated to debut fall 2024 as Marriott International’s first luxury property on the island.
Overlooking the white-sand Sira Beach and a crystal-clear turquoise sea, The Sira will introduce travellers to tropical elegance and enriching experiences. The 60-key resort will feature luxurious suites – all with ocean views – and expansive beachfront and private garden-view villas with their own private pool and terrace. For the ultimate splendour, guests can opt for the Presidential Suite or the Beach House, which provide panoramic ocean views and access to a personal butler to provide a seamless visit.
Hastings Hotels’ Ballygally Castle, uniquely positioned on the waters of the Antrim Coast, is thrilled to introduce its latest aquatic experience, designed to encourage guests to embrace the chill of the Irish shore: ‘Sauna by the Sea’. This newly launched overnight package, ideal for autumn and winter stays, enables guests to refresh and revive the mind, body and soul with an icy dip right outside the charming four-star hotel – immediately followed by a warming sauna experience on the beachfront, courtesy of local company, Scenic Sauna.
This new package follows the success of the hotel’s ‘Sea Dips & Hot Sips’ experience which launched last year. Alongside the icy cold dip in the bracing Irish waters, guests are treated to a shoreside pop-up sauna session to unwind in and showcase the beauty of being right by the coast. As part of this invigorating experience, hotel guests are provided with dry robes, slippers and thermos flask filled with a comforting warm beverage – which can be taken fireside when returning to the hotel. Guests will also have access to the all ESPA products to enjoy in a steaming hot shower as well as a wholesome full Irish breakfast for those who brave the elements first thing in the morning.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2024
Ker & Downey® Africa is introducing a new, Ultimate Sensory Experience. It offers bespoke itineraries from coast to coast in Africa that engage all five senses through exclusive, personalized adventures.
Guests can indulge in luxurious accommodations and private transfers and enjoy tailored experiences to their preferences, from art tours to gourmet dining and safari explorations. This 12-14-day itinerary blends the African bush and beach, promising an unparalleled sensory journey. Bookings are now available through Ker & Downey® Africa.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand to return to Serbia after 20 years
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, proudly announces the return of its InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand to Serbia after 20 years, in partnership with Delta Holding.
Expected to open by the end of 2026, InterContinental Belgrade will feature 203 rooms, including 28 Premium Rooms, 15 Junior Suites, 2 Superior Suites, 2 Executive Suites and a Presidential Suite with panoramic views of the city, providing luxury stays designed for both leisure and business guests.
Continuing its pursuit of experiences that bring enhanced depth and intention to guests’ lives, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands has announced the latest chapter of its perpetual signature events programme, Pathways.
Harnessing the power of nature, wellness, exploration and creativity, Pathways seeks to encourage growth, rest and connection. From September 2024 to January 2025, guests at Patina Maldives will be indulged, inspired and invigorated by a Michelin-starred visiting chef; prestigious wines; residencies by a master healer, a pro tennis player and an award-winning sound healer; a trio of exclusive performances by a renowned musical duo; and an Italian food popup.
Anantara Ubud Bali Resort has confirmed it will welcome its first guests from 1st October 2024. Located in the traditional hillside village of Payangan, a 1.5-hour drive from Bali’s international airport and 35 minutes from the centre of Ubud by car, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort brings Anantara’s unique brand of luxury to the island’s lush jungle centre.
Guests can choose from 85 beautifully appointed guest rooms and one and two-bedroom pool villas, each a calming haven of serenity inspired by the culture and traditions of the locale. Those who would like to stay longer have the opportunity to own their own slice of paradise with a choice of 15 Anantara residences, all offering the comfort and quality Anantara is renowned for
Singita has added an elegant new five-bedroom residence to its celebrated collection of exclusive-use villas. Singita Milele’s elevated location on Sasakwa Hill, in the thriving Western Corridor of the Serengeti, offers panoramic views and invites families and groups of friends to experience the true essence of luxury – space to unwind, connect and celebrate – in one of the most iconic wilderness settings in Africa.
This extraordinary new villa offers uninterrupted views from its hilltop position – and its spacious configuration invites families or groups of friends to make the most of a fully immersive wilderness stay while in Tanzania.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park has been officially designated as a Natural World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This prestigious title elevates the park’s status on the global stage, underscoring its environmental significance and the imperative for its conservation.
The UNESCO committee announced the designation, placing Lençóis Maranhenses alongside seven other recognized sites in Brazil. The park’s exceptional beauty and its unique natural phenomena were key factors in achieving this honor. Marcelo Freixo, president of the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur), emphasized Maranhão’s prominent position among top international tourist destinations in Brazil, particularly for nature and adventure tourism in Lençóis Maranhenses.
Sofitel, the international French luxury hotel brand which is part of Accor, has revealed the first glimpse of the $60 million AUD transformation of landmark Australian hotel, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The hotel is currently going through a lavish refurbishment, which includes upgrading its 436 guest rooms and suites and creating a new dining precinct featuring two restaurants and two bars.
Globally renowned, the hotel has hosted an illustrious array of international names including the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana, Bill Gates, numerous film and sports stars, and American Apollo astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Following a ten-month redesign, the hotel is set to reopen in October 2024.
A new luxury hide, one designed specifically to conceal wildlife photographers from their subjects, is set to open in October at Mashatu, located within Botswana‘s Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
The Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide (Lala means sleep), described as a “one-of-a kind” sleep-out safari suite, is a joint project between Mashatu and C4 Photo Safaris. Built into the ground at a waterhole formerly known as Pete’s Pond, the hide offers ground-level views of animals coming for a drink, often just a few feet away.
AMANO Covent Garden is thrilled to announce that Penelope’s, its renowned in-house restaurant, has been named Best Luxury Restaurant at the prestigious 6th Annual British Restaurant Awards. The event, held on Wednesday 28th August 2024, at The Crown London Hotel, celebrated the finest in UK dining, with Penelope’s standing out as a premier luxury destination in the heart of London.
Located in the vibrant Hotel AMANO Covent Garden – the first UK property from Berlin’s renowned AMANO Group – Penelope’s offers a unique culinary experience that brings together bold Spanish and Middle Eastern flavours. Led by Executive Chef Fez Ozalgan, the menu is inspired by the Co-Founder’s upbringing between southern Spain and Tel Aviv, resulting in dishes packed with creativity and heart. Whether tucked into a cosy booth for an intimate dinner or sharing lively moments with friends, Penelope’s creates a warm, welcoming vibe.
The new Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp is open! The reimagined camp continues to embrace its spectacular Damaraland surrounds, while celebrating its remarkable conservation achievements in helping to safeguard one of the world’s last free-roaming populations of Critically Endangered black rhinos.
Offering an exclusive desert sanctuary, the camp also provides guests with unique opportunities to track rhinos on foot and by vehicle with SRT guides. This immersive experience enables nature-lovers to actively support the conservation of Namibia’s black rhinos while experiencing the region’s diverse biodiversity, including robust populations of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, southern giraffe, gemsbok (oryx), springbok, kudu and black-backed jackal. Occasionally, elusive predators such as cheetah and leopard are spotted, as well as an array of fascinating reptile and bird species.
Minor Hotels, a leading hospitality group with more than 550 hotels in 56 countries, has announced the arrival of the first NH Hotels & Resorts branded property in the Indian Ocean, with NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort set to open its doors on 01 September 2024.
Located in South Ari Atoll, approximately 25 minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé, NH Maldives Kuda Rah will offer marine enthusiasts unparalleled access to some of the world’s most spectacular diving and snorkelling sites. Right in their backyard holidaymakers will find the legendary Kuda Rah Thila, an underwater pinnacle teeming with vibrantly coloured soft corals and frequented by majestic marine life like blue striped snappers, turtles, napoleons and even the occasional white tip or grey reef shark.
Viking® has announced six new itineraries in Asia that will expand exclusive access for guests to Japan and China, with Tibet (Xizang) in 2025. The new voyages range from 15 to 22 days and explore iconic destinations in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Lhasa in Tibet (Xizang), as well as Osaka, Japan.
The itineraries will continue to highlight rarely-seen destinations and ports in China to which only Viking has access. Each voyage will offer guests immersive destination-focused experiences, insightful lectures and regionally inspired cuisine. Now open for booking, the new itineraries will operate from September 2025 to November 2025 on the Viking Yi Dun—formerly the Viking Sun—a sister ship featuring the same award-winning design and service as all other ocean ships in Viking’s fleet.
Pakistan introduces free visas for 126 countries
Pakistan has introduced free visas for 126 nationalities, in major changes to the nation’s application process. Previously it cost around $60 and the system regularly encountered delays and tourists faced unpredictable waiting times.
This should now change, with the Pakistani authorities also promising to deal with and respond to applications within 24 hours. The overhaul comes as tourism is on the rise in country and government figures show there was a 115% increase in international visitors in 2023, compared to the previous year.
The highly anticipated Aurora season has begun in Fairbanks, once again offering visitors and locals alike the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring northern lights. Spanning August 21 to April 21, this eight-month viewing period allows countless opportunities to experience the aurora borealis in all its glory.
Aurora season in Fairbanks is consistent each year due to the area’s prime location under the Auroral Oval, where aurora activity is concentrated. This advantageous position ensures that Fairbanks remains one of the best places on Earth to view the Northern Lights, regardless of the solar cycle.
Holland America Line is opening bookings for its 2026 Alaska cruise season. With six ships in the region, the cruise line is filling each voyage with experiences designed around vacationers’ top reasons to visit Alaska: an abundance of glacier viewings, a variety of wildlife sightings, captivating cultural programming and destination-centric dining.
From April through September 2026, Holland America Line will give guests the option to sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; or between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska. Itineraries range from seven to 28 days and include the popular monthlong “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” sailing and a new 14-day option roundtrip from Seattle.
IHG Hotels & Resorts announces a partnership with Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd – a real estate and hospitality leader in Asia Pacific – to introduce its Vignette Collection brand to the Maldives.
The conversion deal will see Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, a 50-key private villa resort on the idyllic island of Kudafunafaru, join IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, in December 2024 after refurbishment under the Vignette Collection brand – a family of one-of-a-kind properties unique in their identities, yet united by the vision to offer a more authentic way to travel and backed by the reassurance of IHG’s trusted reputation and leading loyalty offer.
Two South African sites, each comprising of multiple locations, have been named as UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in New Delhi, India from 21-31 July 2024. This recognition affirms that these locations in South Africa hold “cultural and national heritage of outstanding value to humanity,” as stated by UNESCO.
An outstanding achievement that highlights the incredibly rich historical and cultural background of South Africa, the sites join a list of only 10 other sites across the country including Robben Island, Maloti-Drakensberg Park and the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas.
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Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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