New Travel Opportunities for 2022 & beyond…
16.02.22 | OliverSo many special occasions were lost over the past two years. In this special report we make our expert suggestions where to visit to celebrate in style and enjoy special moments linked to some of the world’s most exciting new hotels!
All of the below hotels and holidays can be booked with us, so if something catches your eye please do get in touch.
The City of Love, Paris is top choice for many romantic escapes. Cheval Blanc’s collection of ‘intimate Maisons’ has now added Paris to its existing portfolio of hotels which includes St-Tropez, St Barthe, the Maldives and Courchevel.
Located within the famous La Samaritagne building and overlooking the Seine, this 72 room hotel is part of a 15 year project spearheaded by the LVMH group. The hotel taps into the fashion houses links with a Dior Spa and you will easily spot the groups luxury brands around the hotel. Three Michelin star chef Arnaud Donockele runs the gastronomic venue, and we will no doubt see this as THE luxury hot spot in Paris for a while to come yet!
Sticking with the fashion theme, Bulgari Hotel Paris opens in the city’s ‘Golden Triangle’ on Avenue George V following the opening of the brands flagship store in the city. Over three-quarters of the hotel’s rooms have been designed a private apartment as they take luxury to another level.
Our top tip for Paris is to wonder the narrow streets of the Marais, slightly off the beaten track from the main tourist spots. Enjoy dinner at Les Pinces where their philosophy is that good quality lobster can still be enjoyed at reasonable prices! For a more decadent experience enjoy the gourmet menu at Gaspard de la Nuit.
Over in Italy, romance seekers have some exciting new options this year. For a taste of golden-age Italian glamour, the talk of the town on the Neopolitan Riviera is the re-opening of the Hotel La Palma on the island of Capri. Built in 1882 as Capri’s first hotel, this 50-room hotel is steps from the famous Piazzetta. This re-imaged incarnation of Capri’s hot spot once hosted notable writers, musicians, artists and poets from around the glove. It will no doubt once again be the epicentre of Capri’s social scene.
Capri is located off the Italian coast in the Bay of Naples. you access the island by water from Naples or Sorrento. You can also visit the neighbouring island of Ischia which is Capri’s lesser known and more traditional island. You can also twin Capri with a stay on the Amalfi Coast or Sorrento, it is most definitely worth a visit!
Staying in Italy, Venice is firmly on most traveller’s bucket-list and the new famous Baglioni Luna re-opens this year after a major refurbishment. One of Venice’s oldest hotels, you can now also enjoy a brand-new Venetian-style spa at this iconic hotel. Venice has suffered from over-tourism pre-pandemic and so our tip would be to visit off season when visitor numbers can be much lower and the experiencing more enjoyable. Don’t forget to stop by Harry’s Bar for a Bellini!
Often overlooked, Ibiza Town’s traditional cobbled streets and historic castle are a far cry from many people’s vision of the White Isle. It is a favourite place for us to escape to and more luxury hoteliers are investing in the island with the opening of Gran Hotel Montesol Ibiza.
Developed by the well-known Experimental Group, who also operate the popular sunset beach club of the same name, their latest project is the reinvention of this historic 1930s building in the narrow streets of Ibiza Town with a rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar, Sabbaba Montesol. Also new in Ibiza Town is the Standard who are known for their hip hotels in hotspots such as LA, New York, Miami, Bangkok, London and the Maldives.
If you are after a little more adventure but still want some comfort, Iceland FINALLY opened a new luxury hotel from the Edition chain. Ian Shrager, from New York’s Studio 54 fame, is behind this collection of design led hotels which you can also find in Barcelona, London , Bodrum, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Tokyo. It is great to see Reykjavik join this impressive list of popular destinations and we are sure it will open the city up to a new, emerging clientele.
Iceland is a great place for itchy feet short breakers, or those in need of a change of scenery. You can jam pack an itinerary to include the Golden Circle, Super Jeep and Northern Lights, or if you prefer to relax at the Blue Lagoon and go Whale Watching! When we visited, we enjoyed a little bit of everything, and it was perfect. A popular option with our clients is to self-drive, we arranged one such trip last September and the feedback was excellent.
If your idea of a special trip includes a beach and you need to travel in our cooler months, then we have just the tonic.
We have noticed clients are seeking to minimise their flying time and keep changes to a minimum which makes the Middle East a popular choice for winter and Spring getaways. Temperatures remain warm and with flying time of only 6-7 hours destinations such as Oman, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi are proving popular in addition to the top seller which is of course Dubai.
Jumeirah’s Muscat Bay in Oman has been in development for a number of years, and we are finally set to see it open in 2022. I first caught eye of it during my own trip to Oman in 2019 and we have been following its progress ever since. Oman is a firm favourite for those who are looking for an alternative to Dubai for some winter sun and top-class luxury accommodations. Oman is more scenic, less built up and has a deeper, richer cultural heritage to enjoy too.
Set in the secluded cove of Bandar Jissah between the Al Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, the luxurious Jumeirah Muscat Bay is just 15 minutes south of Muscat city centre. Jumeirah is known for its high-quality resorts, and this will no doubt be very popular. As soon as have a confirmed opening date we will let you know.
Our top tip for any visit to Oman includes a visit to the ‘Green Mountains’ mountains where you can stay at the dramatic mountain top Anantara Al Jabal Resort. The scenery is eye-dropping, and it really adds another aspect to an already wonderful destination, as I found out during my visit.
If wine tasting is your thing, Four Seasons opened their new Napa Valley resort last year and is one of the most exciting new properties on their roster. We visited Napa ourselves a few years ago and it really does live to its reputation as being one of the most beautiful spots in Northern California to visit. If time permits, we suggest a few nights in San Francisco followed by a self-drive exploration of the valley. There are some nice independent wineries we toured which are great and dinner at FARM at Carneros is a must!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJhN75GVOw
Staying in the USA, Virgin Atlantic recently announced a new flight to Austin, their first new USA route since 2015. The city’s slogan is Keep Austin Weird and is famous for its live music scene and its independent shops and restaurants. Austin hosts the South by Southwest music festival and has a huge student population making it a real creative hub. The new flight will operate 4 times per week and starts in May 2022 and will compete with British Airways on the route.
One of the top new luxury hotels is the Thomson Austin located just off the East Sixth Street nightlife and entertainment strip. Austin is a great starting point to explore Texas and the South and we look forward to the new opportunities opening to clients to the region
Looking further ahead to 2023 for those who want to plan special occasions early (highly recommended for these new opportunities) …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKfGY-DKXLE
Italy welcomes a new Orient-Express train! The pandemic has certainly shaken up the travel industry in all areas! Rail travel was already an increasingly popular method of transport and now EU states are investing heavily improving connectivity and offering more affordable solutions. Luxury rail travel is also getting an upgrade with a brand-new train, Orient-Express Dolce Vita!
The Orient Express La Dolce Vita routes will welcome passengers starting in 2023 with 6 trains and several iconic itineraries. Guests will travel in luxury through a leisurely-paced tour from Northern to Southern Italy, across 14 regions, and beyond including 3 international destinations from Rome to Paris, Istanbul and Split. A magical stopover in Rome will feature the very first Orient Express Hotel, Minerva scheduled to open in 2024.
Hotel group Accor is behind this new project, not to be confused with Belmond’s Venice-Simplon Orient-Express which will continue to operate, we expect with raised eyebrows.
Over in the America’s the famous Rocky Mountaineer Railroad is now offering itineraries south into the USA on their ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks’ trips. Journey through two days of extraordinary landscapes between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. Vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural archways and enchanting hoodoos are just a start. Available in SilverLeaf Service, this Rocky Mountaineer rail route is filled with highlights best seen by train, including Ruby Canyon, Mount Garfield and crossing the Continental Divide. This will no doubt appeal to those who have experienced the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada before and want to travel by train to another part of the America’s.
As you can see there are lots of exciting travel opportunities on the horizon for our clients in the future.
If you would like to discuss your special trip call us on 01543 258631.
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