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A look AheAd to exciting new hotel And resort openings

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the tourism sector is still expanding establishing new and exciting location to tempt us all once we are all finally allowed to travel safety again. With this is mind we take a look at the exciting new opening scheduled for the year ahead.

hABitAs creAtes lUxUrY 3d printed resort in the desert Located amongst dramatic sandstone cliffs and the archaeological remains of Hegra, lies Habitas AlUla, a new unique communityfocused eco-friendly resort.

Bathed in local rituals and traditions, Habitas AlUla promises to be an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the rugged desert

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2021, Habitas AlUla, is a 100room luxury eco-friendly resort commissioned by the Kingdom in the desert canyons of Ashar Valley with an aim to steer the country away from its dependency on oil and open up it’s tourism sector.

With a focus to blend seamlessly into the desert surroundings of AlUla a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the remains of the ancient Nabatean civilisation. Habitas AlUla promises to bring guests closer to the surrounding heritage and environment, taking an innovative modular approach utilizing 3D printed material to create all of its 100 capsule-style bedrooms and public spaces through the resort. The resort will also focus on light touch, sustainable tourism, hoping to emphasis experiential luxury through cultural exchange, this includes:

• Sourcing local handicrafts for an authentic guest experience.

To support this endeavour, Habitas will collaborate with the AlUla

Girls School, a former girls-only school that was transformed into a lively hub for AlUla nurturing local artists and artisans. This joint effort is enhanced by Turquoise Mountain and the Prince’s Foundation

School of Traditional Arts, both of which already operate in the

Kingdom to develop crafts markets and enable artisans from Saudi

Arabia.

• Training schools for local staff who will welcome guests to AlUla - their home - moving beyond the “us and them” nature of many tourist destinations to create an immersive cultural experience.

• Developing local artisanal crafts as hotel consumables, creating local jobs based around local artisans, skills, and products. Habitas has already made a tradition of welcome bracelets as gifts for its guests in its other resorts, but also sourcing uniforms, furniture, candles all made using local sustainable materials by local artisans.

• Showcasing local Saudi artists through collaborations and installations at the Habitas resort.

• Localising food supplies by sourcing from AlUla’s farmers and setting up cooking classes led by local chefs.

• Establishing community-tourist links through “meet and eat” experiences with residents and farmers, visits to schools, and local staff.

• Promoting local conservation efforts by building awareness among guests/tourists of local sustainability and environmental causes.

In the first phase, 50 rooms will be unveiled in early 2021 with further phases scheduled for completion later on in the year. According to Habitas CEO Oliver Ripley, “Its people, history and natural beauty are inspiring making it an ideal location for a Habitas property because the world, now more than ever, needs to create places to reconnect with one another and with nature”.

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pAtinA MAldiVes, FAri islAnds A revolutionary project centred in nature by Studio MK27

Capella Hotel Group introduces a new brand to its portfolio – Patina Hotels & Resorts. The sophisticated lifestyle brand created for progressive travellers of a new generation. Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the first launch, with properties in Ubud, Bali and Sanya, China, also in development. Patina is one of two unique brands under Capella Hotel Group, which boasts a common legacy of crafted design combined with intuitive service.

Scheduled to launch in Q2 2021, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is a radical new example of biophilic design from renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, founder of international award-winning Studio MK27. The resort will offer 90 beach and water villas, ranging from one to three bedrooms, all of which embody a harmony of sanctuary and stimulation. Accompanying the villas, the resort also offers 20 Fari Studios.

Located in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, guests are free to choose between privacy and seclusion, exploring a triptych of luxury resort islands, and embracing the vibrant social scene that emanates from the archipelago’s communal heart: the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club.

Delicate architectural lines remain respectfully low, never breaching the horizon, in deference to the exuberant, encompassing blues above and below. Verdant landscaping envelops each of Patina Maldives’ 90 contemporary one- to three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas, alongside 20 Fari Studios in private sanctuary, yet unfolds invitingly into the surrounding island life; a simultaneous experience of isolation and belonging.

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Kogan’s design vision is reflected throughout Patina Maldives’ accommodation, restaurants and social buildings. Public spaces are open, light and inviting and offer a communal beating heart with the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club. Here, guests will find alluring retail and enticing dining options as well as a large, commissioned James Turrell pavilion. The permeable design of the island’s buildings promotes a pleasing and inviting experimentation of each space; these are organised according to a hierarchy of textures and coverings that creates a gentle transition between open and closed spaces.

Throughout the interiors, earthy colour palettes, subtle textures and matte surfaces are complemented by arcadian materials to create a dialogue with nature. Wood, linen, rattan, paper cord, stone and natural fibres extend out from the interiors, blurring boundaries, drawing the outside world in whilst enticing inhabitants out. Uniquely for the Maldives, floor-to-ceiling Panoramah! Sliding window systems allow the villas to be opened to the elements on all three sides – while custom-made blackout blinds offer cocoon-like cosiness at the touch of a button.

Millwork furniture customised by Studio MK27 exclusively for Patina Maldives incorporates subtle practical and aesthetic design features that elevate the in-room experience and cater to the needs of the connected contemporary traveller, from bed frames with integrated control panels to concealed device charging compartments. Carefully selected pieces from the world’s leading furniture designers imbue the spaces with individuality and luxury: from Bassam Fellows,Lin Brasil,Gervasoni and Vitra indoors; to Dedon,Carlos Motta,and Paola Lenti outdoors. Further drama is added by unique features including monolithic standalone twin vanities made from Nero Marquina marble and basins hewn from a single block of stone, offset by bespoke Italian porcelain tiles and al fresco free-standing double bathtubs.

For more information visit: www.patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands

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ritZ cArlton to open First ski resort in eUrope Marriott International have signed an agreement with Mario Julen to bring The RitzCarlton brand to Zermatt, debuting the first Ritz-Carlton ski resort in Europe.

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A Ritz-Carlton will be opening in Zermatt, Switzerland, with all expectations that it will probably be the most luxurious ski resort in Europe. Scheduled to open in 2026, the 69-guest room property will bring the brand’s legendary service and elegant design to the world-famous Swiss resort destination. Once open, the property will serve as the second Ritz-Carlton hotel in Switzerland, joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva.

The Ritz-Carlton, Zermatt will be designed by award-winning Paris-based firm AW² led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, with the architectural and interior design expected to offer a refined take on the classic mountain chalet.

The design will play with natural materials and light filtered to create a sense of retreat and respite. Inspired by the nomadic origins of the region’s Walser community, the hotel’s design aims to connect people with nature and celebrate the mountain location. The building façades will be finished with locally-sourced natural materials, such as wood and stone to reflect the rustic and authentic lifestyle of the Walser people.

The hotel ground floor is expected to include lounge areas, meeting and multi-function rooms, a lounge bar, a main restaurant and a large fireplace which are all positioned to frame the view of the mountains. Plans for the hotel include an indoor and heated outdoor pool which are connected through a window bringing filtered natural light into the indoor pool. The design utilizes large openings and windows to remove the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces and uses stone interiors to merge with the natural environment outside. An array of recreational activities such as ‘skiin ski-out’ access to the slopes, a tranquil spa with a gym and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools are part of the vision for guests to enjoy. The resort is also expected to offer meeting and event facilities.

Zermatt affords unrivalled skiing for all levels, climbing across the Matterhorn peak as well as easy access to Cervinia in Italy for off-piste, heli-skiing and glacier skiing in the summer months. The town is well renowned for its après-ski activities offering outstanding restaurants and luxurious retail. Visitors can travel to Zermatt from Geneva and Zurich international airports in under four hours by train through enchanting Alpine scenery, or via private helicopter.

For more information visit: www.ritzcarlton.com

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dreAM oF pArAdise FoUnd At six senses lA sAgesse, grenAdA

Marking the brand’s debut resort in the Caribbean, Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada is set on a headland on the southern part of the island known for its spice and relaxed lifestyle.

Set to open in late 2022, the resort and residences are spread over 38 acres (15 hectares) and laid out using the natural topography of the land, with great effort given to ensuring space, privacy and uninterrupted views over the turquoise sea. The resort will offer 56 guestrooms, seven one-bedroom villas and five two-bedroom villas, with no building higher than a palm tree. Influenced by the region’s traditional architecture, the design language mimics a Caribbean village bursting with variety along the lakefront promenade and beach. The walkways through the gardens are made of repurposed nutmeg shells and cocoa skins, maintaining the connection to Grenada’s “Spice Island” heritage.