LUXURY

Amari Raaya Maldives opens with island and overwater villas

Opening this summer is Amari Raaya Maldives, the second Maldives hotel opened by ONYX Hospitality Group. Situated on one of the largest natural islands in Raa Atoll, and located 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, the resort offers 187 villas on the island and overwater, seven dining options, a Maai Spa and facilities for young children and teenagers. Families and groups can opt for a Family Beach or Family Beach Pool Villa with two inter-connected villas and a shared private outdoor living space. Special opening rates start at US$594 per night, including breakfast for two in a Beach Villa.

amari.com

Opening in late 2023: Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos

Coming in late 2023 is Velas Resorts' Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos. The brand new, adultsonly boutique hotel will mark the brand’s third property in Los Cabos and will feature 79 spacious suites, all spanning 900 square feet with a private terrace, living area, Jacuzzi, daily stocked premium minibar and 24-hour personal concierge. Situated beachfront, the property will also offer casual and fine dining restaurants, tequila and mezcal tastings, a wellness centre, infinity pool and a private beach area. And as a special perk, guests will enjoy access to sister property Grand Velas Los Cabos’ five gourmet restaurants and four bars at no additional charge. loscabosboutique.grandvelas.com

Room rates start at US$408 per person, per night, double occupancy. Gourmet meals, premium branded beverages, 24-hour insuite services, nightly entertainment, taxes, gratuity and more are all included in the nightly rate.

Now open: JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

JW Marriott has officially entered the luxury safari segment with the opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. Situated within the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southwestern Kenya, the lodge features 20 private tents overlooking the River Talek, a water source and habitat for many wildlife. Perfect for honeymooners, the tented honeymoon suite even offers a private plunge pool, while two interconnecting king and twin suites provide families with children over the age of six (the minimum age of guests at the lodge) with ample space.

Other highlights include the cozy Adventure Lounge full of books, the Cultural Deck where guests can gather around the fire pit, the Spa by JW offering signature treatments, and the JW Garden where fresh herbs and ingredients are grown and picked for daily dishes. There’s also the Fig Tree lounge featuring panoramic views, Sarabi Restaurant with its indoor and alfresco areas, as well as live cooking, interactive cocktail mixology classes and chef-led talks that guests can participate in. marriott.com

Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos joins Virtuoso network

Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos has been accepted into Virtuoso’s portfolio of luxury travel partners. With three distinctive locations on Providenciales and villa accommodations ranging from two to seven bedrooms, Beach Enclave includes private, spacious villas for extended family getaways as well as intimate beach houses for couples and smaller families. Discreet, personalized service is a central part of the Beach Enclave experience, with each home attended to by a full-time butlers.

virtuoso.com

Nobu Hotels opens first property in Africa

Nobu Hotels has landed in Africa with the opening of Nobu Hotel Marrakech, its first venture in the continent. An all-suite property located in the heart of Marrakech’s ‘Golden Triangle,’ the hotel is home to 71 spacious suites, a Nobu Restaurant and Bar, and a panoramic rooftop with a pool, restaurant and sushi bar. Suites are split across three floors, each embodying the Japanese concept of ‘Kokoro,’ the spiritual connection with the destination. The Nobu Restaurant and Bar boasts its own private entrance, DJ deck and poolside terrace, and is where guests can enjoy signature dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, all created by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. And considered one of the most expansive spas in any Nobu Hotel, the Pearl Spa offers an impressive 2,000 square metres of space that include a heated indoor pool, hammams, Jacuzzis, steam baths, saunas, a gym and a VIP Spa Suite. marrakech.nobuhotels.com

The new Sandals Dunn’s River now open

Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica made its highly anticipated return to the Sandals portfolio on May 24, 2023 as a fully renovated resort. The all-new, 260-room property now boasts brand new Tufa SkyPool Butler Suites featuring glass panels that span the length of oceanfront balconies, and reimagined Coyaba Swim-Up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools, now featuring open-air rooftops with private soaking tubs.

Culinary offerings at the resort now include 12 Global Gourmet restaurants, with 10 concepts entirely new to Sandals. These include L’Amande, a fusion of French and Jamaican fare, Edessa, Sandals’ first Greek concept, and Banyu featuring an Asian-fusion menu. Guests can also enjoy nine bars, including Dunn’s Rum Club where guests can sample the island’s signature libation while playing a game of dominoes, and the rooftop bar Ocarina, a ‘Sandals

Raffles Hotels & Resorts launches new wellness concept

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of ‘Retreat by Raffles’ at select locations. The signature retreat program will debut at Raffles Singapore and Raffles Bali, which joined the portfolio in 2021. At Raffles Bali, chakra balancing, sound bowl therapy, meditation in a secret cave, yoga and reiki healing will all be offered by community experts. At Raffles Singapore, butlers can organize a sound healing experience with gongs and singing bowls at a private Peranakan home museum, and guided walks within the Singapore Botanical Gardens. Guests also enjoy unlimited access to the hydrothermal facilities at Raffles Spa. raffles.com sandals.com

First’ in Jamaica. Other highlights include water features sourced from Dunn’s River Falls, five swimming pools, and the Red Lane Spa.

New Four Seasons coming to Taipei

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Yuan Lih Construction Co., Ltd. have announced plans for a new luxury hotel in the heart of Taiwan’s capital. Located in the Xinyi District, directly opposite to Taipei 101 skyscraper, Four Seasons Hotel Taipei will offer 260 light-filled rooms across 31 stories, a high-end Chinese restaurant, destination bar, specialty restaurant, all-day restaurant, pool bar and lobby lounge. Surrounded by expansive glass panelling on both sides of the tower, the highest floors will offer wraparound views of the city and mountain ranges. Other highlights include an executive club lounge, fitness centre with an outdoor pool and spa, meeting and event spaces including a grand ballroom and junior ballroom, and ground level garden space. Four Seasons Hotel Taipei will be located approximately a one-hour drive from Taoyuan International Airport, and 20 minutes from Songshan Airport. An opening date has yet to be announced. fourseasons.com