Looking out onto Lausanne’s imposing Gothic cathedral, the Swiss Wine Hotel & Bar provides a perfect base for a wine tour, showcasing the white wines of Lavaux. The region boasts some of the most beautiful and tranquil scenery in Switzerland. Studio MHNA’s ambitious project fuses contemporary and homely elements, with guest rooms combine raw and contemporary materials: wood, stone and cork juxtaposed with coloured glass, porcelain tiles and Jean-Paul Gaultier fabric.
LAUSANNE
Bottoms Up
Looking out onto Lausanne’s imposing Gothic cathedral, the Swiss Wine Hotel & Bar provides a perfect base for a wine tour, showcasing the white wines of Lavaux. The region boasts some of the most beautiful and tranquil scenery in Switzerland. Studio MHNA’s ambitious project fuses contemporary and homely elements, with guest rooms combine raw and contemporary materials: wood, stone and cork juxtaposed with coloured glass, porcelain tiles and Jean-Paul Gaultier fabric. www.byfassbind.com
LECCE
Rustic Elegance
Puglia’s most anticipated new boutique gem Masseria Trapanà offers a luxury escape just outside of Lecce. The 16th century property has been renovated into a luxury bolthole built in local Tufo and Piertra Leccese stone. Each of the nine light-filled suites features authentic fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, frescoes and original cattle feeding troughs from Bali, many with their own outdoor bathtub, private courtyard and external showers. All soft furnishings have been meticulously handpicked from around the world, from vibrant Moroccan cushions that adorn the sunken seating area in the garden to the custom, handmade iron beds. www.trapana.com
KOH SAMUI
New Look
Following a 12-month refurbishment, Amari Koh Samui reopens with revamped guest rooms, public and outdoor areas, spa and restaurants. The resort introduces a new dining option, the first Amaya Food Gallery in Thailand, an Amari brand concept inspired by the street markets, an all-day dining venue presenting Asian food interactive open kitchens. Also new is the Voyager Lounge, which offers a cool escape from the sun and space to catch up on reading or a board game. Meanwhile, Prego, the island’s favourite Italian restaurant, reopens with a fresh new look. www.amari.com
MOSCOW
Heritage Luxury
Located on Nikolskaya Street, which connects Lubyanka Square and Red Square, The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya occupies one of the most prestigious buildings in the capital. Originally constructed in the 1870s as the residence of Count Orlov-Davydov, it offers 210 spacious guest rooms and suites with belle époque interiors. The luxurious rooms offer postcard-perfect views of the city’s historical downtown. www.stregismoscow.com
HONG KONG
Urban Sophistication
Boasting 32 guest rooms and suites, The Olympian comprises some of the largest in the city, from an intimate 43sqm Deluxe Olympian Room to a lavish 75sqm Olympian Suite. All feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a 3.3m ceiling overlooking the Victoria Harbour. Shining hardwood floors, plush velvet furnishings, select decorative accessories and floral display create the feel of a prestigious residence. www.theolympianhotel.com
NEW YORK
Nordic Slant
Located in New York’s fashionable SoHo district, 11 Howard brings a unique blend of game-changing Scandinavian design to the table. More than just an ideal vantage point for downtown exploration, this Design Hotels member is an art spectacle in itself. A creative collaboration between Anda Andrei Design and Danish studio Space Copenhagen ensures the 211-room hotel’s impeccable design credentials, which embody form and function and conscious hospitality. www.designhotels.com
OMAN
Shore Thing
Revealed as the collection’s second resort in the Sultanate of Oman, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara will soon open its doors in the lush seaside jewel of Oman’s southern shores. The new resort will comprise 136 rooms and villas, offering indulgent luxury with handcrafted furnishings and rich textures throughout to enhance the contemporary Middle Eastern ambience. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, lagoon or picturesque gardens, each guest room will be equipped with contemporary comforts including interactive LED TVs, luxurious bath products, mini bar and spacious walk-in dressing rooms. www.salalah.anantara.com
HANGZHOU
Old and New
The second of the group’s hotels to open in the city, Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou is a 417-room property located in the vibrant Kerry Central Complex, a fiveminute walk to the historical West Lake and acclaimed UNESCO site. Its contemporary and elegantly furnished guest rooms range from 43 to 86sqm with views of the city and the iconic lake, and feature delicate pieces of Hangzhou’s famous ice crack Ge Kiln porcelain, as well as lotus flower emblems that bloom in summer, in addition to spacious marble bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and large work spaces. www.shangri-la.com
LANAI
Fun in the Sun
A resort with its own island to explore, Four Seasons Resort Lanai features 213 guest rooms and suites; dining experiences such as the signature One Forty – an AAA Four Diamond Restaurant, Nobu Lanai and Malibu Farm, a yoga and wellness programme. In addition to its luxury retail boutiques, spa and 18-hole ocean-view Jack Nicklaus Signature Manele Golf Course, unique experiences include upcountry adventures on horses or Polaris UTVs, curated helicopter tours, snorkelling, scuba diving, exploring heritage sites and simply relaxing on secluded beaches. www.fourseasons.com
MALLORCA
Taste for Adventure
To showcase Mallorca’s distinctive culture, cuisine, scenery, wildlife and local produce, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa reopens to unveil a series of ‘Unique Experiences’. Thrill seekers can experience the Balearic Island’s unparalleled beauty on a trip through the Tramuntana Mountains on a Harley Davidson. For those in search of adventure, the once-in-a-lifetime heli-hiking experience involves a 20-minute helicopter ride, followed by a hike along one of Mallorca’s most beautiful coastal trails. Finally, foodies can visit the nearby orange cooperative to try their hand at marmalademaking or hike to the picturesque town of Banyalbufar which includes wine tasting. www.jumeirah.com
MIAMI
Stars and Stripes
Swire Hotels opens its first US property, EAST, Miami at Brickell City Centre in the financial district. Designed by Miami-based architects Arquitectonica and interiors by New York-based Clodagh Design, the hotel features 263 rooms and 89 serviced apartments. Created for travellers looking for a relaxed, convenient and contemporary environment, highlights include a paperless checkin and check-out and a one-stop front-desk Guest Experience team. The hotel will have two restaurants, a rooftop bar, as well as meeting rooms, a pool, fitness centre and treatment rooms. www.east-miami.com
