Savour the rare experience of a gala dinner along the Great Wall of China
Enjoy encounters with gentle pandas at the Dujiangyan Panda Base
Link the remote corners of China by business class private jet. Just 28 guests will embrace its dynamic cities and cultural treasures. Everything has been considered and included.
10 Publisher’s Note
18 Where in the World Spotlight on an inspiring location
20 In the Know
Latest travel happenings from around the world
30 Luxury Travel Products
Beautiful items to take on your travels
36 Dispatches
A collection of authentic experiences, outstanding design and sustainable travel initiatives
48 Online Spotlight
What’s trending on luxurytravelmag.com.au
52 Redefining the orizon
Our cover story spotlights the cruise lines that are reimagining small-ship luxury with inventive amenities, curated on-board enrichment and journeys to rare destinations
62 Pause
A peaceful photo interlude
66 Pearl of the Kimberley
e newest ship in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Paspaley Pearl comes with a storied heritage
74 Subcontinental Drift
A journey through India with Uniworld unites the buzz of the Golden Triangle with the quiet of the Ganges
80 Mississippi Diva
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has reinvented itself in serious style
86 Whispers of the Moselle
Discovering the joys of river cruising on an AmaPrima voyage between Luxembourg and Nuremberg 92 Edge of the Earth
A new rail route aboard Canyon Spirit reveals the natural drama of America’s Southwest
98 City Guide: Seoul
From design and architecture to food and natural attractions, the South Korean capital never fails to excite
104 Photo Essay by Assouline
ABOVE, LEFT Europe’s ohso-scenic Moselle Valley
© Meinzhan
ABOVE, RIGHT Paspaley
Abu Dhabi unites tradition with breathtaking modernity, whether you’re in the desert or exploring cutting-edge cultural districts
Indulge in legendary Orient Express service, with luxury suites, refined gastronomy, and curated entertainment seamlessly included.
Sail through extraordinary journeys across Mediterranean and Caribbean icons and uncover a diversity of storied ports and hidden gems.
Discover unique ashore experiences: curated private events, cultural evenings, and iconic celebrations, all part of an unforgettable Voyage.
BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO DWELL FOR THE DESIGN DILETTANTE
114 Quiet Grandeur
With sleek lines, sculptural details and six restaurants, APT’s Ostara may be the ultimate way to explore Europe’s rivers
122 Monaco’s Moment
Monaco’s legendary Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo reclaims its place as the Riviera’s most dazzling address
128 Where Silence Glows
Banyan Tree’s newest resort o ers serenity and dramatic design in equal measure
138 Histor y in the Making
New Collegio alla Querce blends centuries of Florentine heritage with layered design
146 Suite Life
In Bangkok, Aman Nai Lert is resetting the ai capital’s hotel scene
150 Suite Life
Regent Santa Monica Beach turns up the coastal drama in this Californian city
154 Design Bite
Striking architecture unites with sea views along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
A MENU OF INDULGENT GOURMET & WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
158 The till Side
Queenstown’s newest retreat, ROKI Collection, doesn’t bring adrenaline – but instead, calm respite
164 Inner Frontier
Luxury hotels and resorts are leaving the standard spa menu behind, instead opting for intensive programs that promise renewal and the chance to turn back the clock
172 High Style on the High Seas
A voyage through the Med on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new Luminara
180 The lchemist of Bangkok
A meal at Potong channels decades of history through dishes that are at once whimsical and tasty
186 Rendez-vous
A beautiful place to gather and dine
188 Wander. Cook. Repeat.
A Q&A with Australian chef Steph de Sousa
ABOVE, TOP Aman Nai Lert in Bangkok, Thailand
ABOVE, MIDDLE Serene grounds of Florence’s Collegio alla Querce
ABOVE, BOTTOM
Chef Pam at work in her awarded Bangkok restaurant, Potong
“Luxury travel today is less about scale and spectacle, and more about intimacy, connection and meaning.”
Luxury travel has always been about more than beautiful destinations – it’s about the way experiences are shaped, and the meaning they hold long after the journey ends. Increasingly, travellers are seeking smaller, more considered ways to explore the world, whether through intimate cultural encounters, design-led stays or voyages at sea that prioritise discovery over scale.
at spirit is at the heart of this issue’s cover story on small-ship cruising, a sector that continues to evolve with remarkable creativity and vision. ese ships o er something rare in today’s world: the chance to slow down, immerse in the moment and step closer to the places and people that make travel so special.
As always, Luxury Travel is committed to re ecting these shifts – telling stories that matter, highlighting thoughtful
design and sustainability, and curating ideas that inspire. I invite you to explore more with us at luxurytravelmag. com.au, where you’ll fid digital-only stories on inviting destinations far from the madding crowds, gorgeous design-led hotel reviews penned by luxury hotel experts, and plenty of quick, inspirational reads for when you want a mental escape to a far corner of the world. e best way to see these stories fist is by signing up to our weekly newsletter. You’ll also fid us on Instagram (@luxurytravel_mag), Facebook (@luxurytravelmagazine), LinkedIn (/luxury-travel-magazine), and Pinterest (@luxurytravelau). ank you for being part of our community in 2025, and may this issue spark new journeys of your own in 2026 and beyond.
KAVITA LALA
PUBLISHER
“This special edition of Luxury Travel spotlights the new wave of luxury cruising, where smaller ships pair hotel-level design and facilities with world-class on-board enrichment and once-in-a-lifetime excursions.”
Cruising has long been a mode of travel that can polarise. Mention you’re going on one and you’ll likely get either a flury of excited questions about the ship, line and itinerary – or a puzzled look and a single word: Why? Often, it’s those who’ve never stepped aboard who balk at this ever popular style of travel. e truth is, the world of luxury cruising is about as far removed from the casinos and waterslides of stereotype as you can imagine – and so seamless and rewarding that it usually takes just one voyage to convert even the most skeptical.
Beginning with our cover story, this special edition of Luxury Travel spotlights the new wave of luxury cruising, where smaller ships pair hotellevel design and facilities with world-class on-board enrichment and once-in-a-lifetime excursions. Think celebrity speakers, zodiac rides to see emperor penguins, and submarine dives a thousand feet below the surface to explore shipwrecks steeped in history. From the growing eet of hotel-branded yachts to increasingly unique expedition and river
itineraries, cruise writer Roderick Eime concludes that luxury cruising is only going upstream. A further fie cruise features this issue span ocean and river voyages in India, Europe and Australia, and take us inside some of the most alluring new ships you can book, such as the intimate Paspaley Pearl, APT’s design-led Ostara and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s ultra-exclusive Luminara
Back on land, discover stories on glamorous new hotels Regent Santa Monica, Aman Nei Lert Bangkok and Queenstown’s ROKI Collection, along with some under-the-radar properties that wow, like Vietnam’s whimsical Garrya Mù Cang Chai and Florence’s historic Collegio alla Querce.
Finally, before we turn the page on 2025, this issue takes us on a journey from New Orleans to Seoul, Monaco to Abu Dhabi, each feature celebrating the diversity of places and perspectives that continue to inspire us. I hope you’ll join me as we look ahead to the adventures waiting in 2026.
MADELIN TOMELTY EDITOR
in partnership with
Zurich (2 nights)
Blending historic charm and cosmopolitan air, be sure to explore Niederdorf’s cobbled streets, artisanal chocolate shops, Luxemburgerli macarons, and visit the Cabaret Voltaire, birthplace of Dadaism.
Some travel to see. Others travel to understand. Switzerland rewards those who go deeper. With Ormina Tours, luxury lies not only in where you go but in how seamlessly you arrive. First-class rail. Handpicked experiences. Guided by our expertise in the art of European travel, every moment is though ully curated for authenticity and depth. is is not just a tour. It is an immersion into Switzerland’s timeless cities.
10-day Grand Swiss Cities Private Itinerary Starting from $5,990 AUD pp
Basel (2 nights)
A cultural hub on the Rhine, Basel comes alive with art; taste traditional Läckerli and stroll riverside paths, stopping at cafés and beer gardens favoured by locals.
Bern (2 nights)
Switzerland’s medieval capital enchants with sandstone streets and riverside views; discover hidden gems like the Rosengarten, underground wine cellars, and bustling markets for authentic local avours.
Geneva (3 nights)
A re ned lakeside city of luxury and history; wander Old Town Passage for boutique chocolatiers, antique shops, and wine bars, or relax at Bains des Pâquis with fondue.
Visit www.orminatours.com or start planning your next Switzerland escape with Ormina Tours, the experts in the art of European travel. Enquire now at info@orminatours.com
Luxury Travel Team
Publisher Kavita Lala kavita@luxurytravelmag.com.au
Editor
Madelin Tomelty madelin@luxurytravelmag.com.au
Creative Director
Sylvia Weimer sylvia@spacelabdesign.com
Brand + Partnerships Manager Dan Kinsela dan@luxurytravelmag.com.au
General Enquiries media@luxurytravelmag.com.au
Head of Production Anna Carmody anna@indesign.com.au
Production Coordinator Charlotte Yap production@luxurytravelmag.com.au
Assistant Editor + Sub Editor Natasha Dragun
Contributors
Natasha Bazika, Claire Boobbyer, Matt Brace, Roderick Eime, Bella Falk, Susan Gough Henly, Ulrike LemminWoolfrey, Sally Macmillian, Jocelyn Pride, Susan Skelly, Barry Stone, Sue Wallace
Events Coordinator Roisin Fagan roisin@indesign.com.au
Accounts
Vivia Felice vivia@indesign.com.au
Indesign Media Executive Team
CEO Raj Nandan raj@indesign.com.au
Group Operations Manager Sheree Bryant sheree@indesign.com.au
Online Manager Radu Enache radu@indesign.com.au
Head O ce 98 Holdsworth Street, Woollahra NSW 2025 luxur ytravelmag.com.au
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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work and recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their Elders past, present and emerging.
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Cover image
Watching a Windstar yacht glide by from a blissful beach in Mykonos, Greece
For nearly a century, APT Luxury Travel has redefined the art of exploration, setting the standard for curated cruising and touring worldwide. Our newest river ships – APT Solara and APT Ostara – represent a new generation of luxury river cruising.
With seven world-class onboard culinary experiences – including Grüner Bar & Dining, a world-first concept that elevates dining to new heights – these vessels offer the most dining options among European river ships.
Enjoy exceptional service with a high crew-to-guest ratio, and luxuriously appointed suites and interiors designed by the award-winning Australian team at Hecker Guthrie. Step aboard to experience European river cruising like never before, where elegance meets modern sophistication.
BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM
Incredible Experiences
• Visit Vienna’s City Palace for a cocktail party and private classical concert.
• Enjoy lunch and a show featuring songs from The Sound of Music in Salzburg.
Inclusions
• 14 nights aboard APT’s brand-new river ships, APT Solara or APT Ostara.
• All meals, premium beverages, excursions, transfers, port charges, porterage and gratuities.
• Unrivalled dining choices with seven world-class culinary experiences on board, including in-suite dining service in all suites.
Some of the talented writers whose inspiring stories feature in this issue
e sea has been in Rod’s DNA since he took his fist cruise at the age of 10. Now, half a century later, he has amassed more than 100 cruises on oceans, seas and rivers aboard vessels of all sizes. His specialisation and expertise in small and expedition ships has won him accolades the world over, and he loves nothing more than to set sail to some uncharted land on a ship of just a few score passengers. Read his cover story on the rise of smallship luxury cruising (p52).
Susan Gough Henly divides her time between an old stone farmhouse in Bordeaux and a treehouse on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Fluent in the language and culture of France, she has a deep knowledge of food and wine, and loves exploring the French countryside with the promise of a fie hotel at the end of the day. Sue checked in to Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Florence’s new Collegio alla Querce for this issue (p122, 138).
Sydney-based journalist and award-winning magazine editor Susan Skelly specialises in arts, science and travel. Her website, Excess All Areas, is a celebration of all that’s fabulous e former editor of the Qantas in-flght magazine, Susan is never happier than when plotting her next story and reporting on new trends that inspire the way we travel and where we go. This isue she shares how New Orleans’ luxury scene has evolved, 20 years after Katrina (p80).
Claire Boobbyer is an awardwinning travel writer and photographer who divides her time between her home in rural Su olk in the UK, Cuba (her second home), and Vietnam and Laos. She’s as happy in a luxury hotel as she is in a local B&B, and loves getting off te beaten track to explore places, people, culture and cocktails. In this edition, Claire introduces us to Banyan Tree’s breathtaking retreat Garrya Mù Cang Chai, tucked into the hills of northern Vietnam (p128).
Towering above Bali’s Ayung River, wrapped in mist and banyan branches, Wanakasa (pictured here) is COMO Shambhala Estate’s new crown jewel – a sculptural treehouse of connecting suites made from teak, tiger bamboo and bengkirai-wood columns and suspended in the treetops of Ubud. In design, it’s a magical abode that appears to have been dreamt up by a Balinese forest spirit with an architecture degree. Anchored by a semi-circular infinity pool that curves to the river’s flow 100 metres below, it’s the kind of place where deep exhalations happen on instinct. To celebrate its 20th birthday, the Indonesian island’s original wellness retreat has had a temple-worthy revamp – and Wanakasa is just the beginning. COMO Shambhala Estate has re-emerged with upgraded villas, a dazzling redesign by Atelier Ikebuchi, and a rebooted wellness heart: Ojas, the jungle-cloaked hub of hydrotherapy, cold plunges, infrared saunas and sacred spring-fed soaking pools. Here, ancient energy lines cross beneath your feet while molecular oxygen flows through your AirPod chamber. Of course. Short on time? One- and two-day wellness programs promise impact without the week-long detox dread. Want a full rebirth? Six-night ‘Signature Retreats’ blend breathwork, diagnostics and Ayurvedic rituals with nutrition plans from the COMO Shambhala Kitchen and a calendar of expert-led workshops. Even beyond Wanakasa, revamped residences like Bayugita (‘windsong’) lean into breezy colonial charm with Venetian baths and views across the rice paddies. But it’s that sense of being held – in nature, in stillness, in something deeply sacred – that lingers most.
comohotels.com
If you’re going to open a luxury hotel in London’s Mayfair, it had better make a statement. Enter e Chancery Rosewood. Housed inside the former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, this modernist icon (designed by Eero Saarinen) has been sensitively reimagined by Sir David Chipper eld, with interiors by Joseph Dirand that pair moody stone, smoked oak and sculptural restraint e 146 rooms and suites are residential in feel, with many overlooking Hyde Park; the Houses and Penthouse residences take things up a notch with bespoke libraries, private kitchens and panoramic views. At the heart of the hotel is Asaya Spa, featuring a 25-metre pool, the Taktouk Clinic and treatments designed by Yabu Pushelberg. And then there’s the dining: New York’s cult trattoria Carbone makes its European debut, while Tobi Masa, SERRA and Eagle Bar cement this as the new social anchor of Mayfair.
rosewoodhotels.com
Queenstown doesn’t shy away from bold hotel openings, but ROKI does things di erently. This esign-led bolthole dials down the drama and turns up the detail, with architecture and interiors that embrace raw textures, soft neutrals and local timber. Each of the rooms frames e Remarkables in cinematic widescreen, while the show-stopping ROKI Suite comes with a rooftop plunge pool, private sauna and direct lift access. Downstairs, dining is driven by award-winning chef Paul Froggatt (ex-Huka Lodge), with menus inspired by the seasons. Wellness comes courtesy of ROKI Pure – a private thermal zone, indoor pool and spa menu tailored to altitude recovery. Read what a stay looks like on page 158.
roki-collection.com
© Julia Roittner
Acity of contrasts deserves a hotel that understands nuance, and Fairmont Tokyo brings just that. Set between the buzzy Shibaura waterfront and tranquil Shiba Park, this newly opened tower is all about balance e architecture is sleek, but it’s the interiors by BAR Studio that impress: pale woods, linen textures and shoji-inspired screens soften the lines of this vertical sanctuary. e rooms start from level 36, and each one gazes across the bay or skyline. Dining options span seven distinct venues, from sushi and charcoal yakitori to French bistro fare and a moody speakeasy, O Record. Wellness soars with a 20-metre infinty pool and saunas perched high above the city. And service? oughtful but never fussy. This is airmont’s fist foray into Japan, and a clear signal that it knows how to read the room.
fairmont.com
The city of Mozart and Klimt now has a hotel with just as much composition and craft. Mandarin Oriental’s Austrian debut lands in an art nouveau former court building in the heart of the First District, steps from Stephansdom and the Ringstrasse. Inside, the tone is a clever duet of old and new: 138 rooms and suites play with sculptural lighting, Viennese detailing and quietly extravagant finises, while a rooftop spa and heated pool elevate downtime with skyline views. Culinary director omas Seifried oversees four dining concepts under the Atelier 7 banner, blending brasserie elegance with izakaya air. e whole experience feels tailored and intentional – like a perfectly played sonata.
mandarinoriental.com
This property doesn’t tiptoe in. It dances. Sydney’s new 25hours hotel has landed in the heritage-listed West Olympia eatre in the city’s inner-east, and the result is wildly cinematic. Rooms fall into two categories – Dreamers and Renegades – each peppered with film eferences, layered Australiana and maximalist colour. Interiors are by A Work of Substance, who also designed the standout F&B venues. On street level, Jacob the Angel o ers cafe staples and pantry vibes; up top, Monica does rooftop cocktails and snacks; in between, e Palomar channels retro Mediterranean chic with a touch of culinary swagger. It’s loud, layered and unapologetically fun – a rare Sydney newcomer with a personality as strong as its postcode.
25hours-hotels.com
From the team behind e Bower comes ESTE, a boutique newcomer perched above Byron Bay’s Wategos Beach, o ering refied, highly exclusive luxury in one of Australia’s most coveted coastal pockets. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Fallingwater’ and designed by architect Sean Lockyer, the retreat is sensitively built into the forested hillside, with a palette of local materials that nod to the natural surrounds ere are just two expansive, three-level residences, expertly crafted by DB Build with bespoke spotted gum finises throughout. Plus e Estate, a freestanding private sanctuary that sleeps up to 16. Interiors across the properties blend concrete, timber and stone with layered soft furnishings, creating a soothing contrast to the drama outside. A glass-bottomed pool is suspended above the landscape, drawing in sky and sea, while in-house massages and curated treatments complete the experience.
estebyron.com.au
The ultimate in unobstructed safari luxury? Thi. Slated to open in 2026, Kitirua Plains Lodge is a new A&K Sanctuary perched on a private conservancy bordering Kenya’s Amboseli National Park e views of Kilimanjaro are uninterrupted, and the experience is deliberately intimate – just 13 organic, thatch-roofed suites crafted by Luxury Frontiers, all blending into the landscape. Inside, the design is earthy and tactile, using timber, clay and soft textiles. ere’s a boma for fieside storytelling, a small pool for cooling o post-safari, and a strong focus on community-led conservation partnerships e lodge brings A&K back to its Kenyan roots, opening some 60 years after Geoffey Kent pioneered luxe safaris in this wildlife-rich African nation.
abercrombiekent.com
Desert dunes. Calm seas. Absolute serenity. Amanvari will open on Baja California’s East Cape as the brand’s fist coastal outpost in Mexico – a sleek collection of stilted villas designed by Heah & Co and realised by Elastic Architects. e design is deliberately understated: think low-slung silhouettes, thatched roofs, slatted timber and soft stone, all suspended above the terrain. Each villa o ers private pools and uninterrupted views of the Sea of Cortez. Dining is divided between Japanese, Italian and locally inspired menus, while the Aman Spa is anchored by a temazcalstyle structure. For travellers chasing seclusion, this is where serenity goes next-level.
aman.com
Estonia’s wild island of Hiiumaa – part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – is about to go next level. Set to open in 2026, EHA is a Nordic-style, nature-forward wellness retreat built for silence, ritual and restoration. Timber cabins and suites sit deep in pine forest, where guests are invited to unplug completely e spa is geothermal-powered, with fie saunas, plunge pools and elemental therapies, but the focus goes beyond facilities – it’s about rewilding the self. Estonian wellness director Kai Laus has designed retreat programs around the island’s traditional fie-season cycle: spring, summer, autumn, winter and ‘springrise’, the liminal fith season between thaw and bloom. Practices combine evidence-based science with local wisdom – thermal rituals, breath-led movement, foraging walks and quiet re ection in nature. Dining is overseen by Green Michelin Star chef Peeter Pihel, with menus built around produce from the on-site organic kitchen garden, local farmers and foragers, and line-caught fish. eals are designed to balance nourishment and simplicity –fresh, earthy, and deeply attuned to place.
ehaestonia.com
Ritz-Carlton is making its debut in Fiji – and it’s doing so in spectacular style. Set across 28 hectares at Namuka Bay on the Coral Coast, the new resort will o er a rare mix of accessibility and seclusion. Opening in 2030, the property will feature 249 rooms, suites and villas – many with private plunge pools and expansive decks – including a show-stopping, 480-square-metre Presidential Villa with its own yoga lounge and oceanfacing pool. Guests can look forward to seven restaurants and bars, a agship spa with eight treatment rooms, two large pools, tennis courts and yoga pavilions, alongside a robust kids’ program and dedicated children’s centre. Wellness o erings will blend global techniques with traditional Fijian healing practices, while the design takes cues from the surrounding rainforest and coastal beauty.
ritzcarlton.com
