Luxury travel news from around the world (June 2025)

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:25:19 +0000

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Welcome to your essential round-up of the latest in luxury travel! This month’s edition brings a wave of innovation and indulgence, from groundbreaking partnerships in private aviation and yachting to the highly anticipated debuts of ultra-luxury cruise ships and hotels.

Prepare for a paradigm shift in cruise travel as Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils its new flagship, Seven Seas Prestige, which promises a maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami, on to sun-drenched Caribbean escapades and then an epic Panama Canal transit. This kaleidoscope of meticulously curated itineraries will include up to 95 included shore excursions per journey, transforming each port into a portal of discovery. And for the ultimate floating palace, opt for the colossal 8,800-square-foot Skyview Regent Suite.

Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, and luxury yacht leader Ferretti Group, have unveiled their highly anticipated, design collaboration Riva Volare – a unique cabin design for Flexjet’s aircraft interiors, inspired by the iconic Riva motoryachts. This bespoke design project is a lavish realisation of the official partnership formed in May 2024 between the two luxury leaders, which each share a passion for high performance, exceptional craftsmanship and sleek, bold design.

Part of Flexjet’s range of customised and boutique-style LXi Cabin Collection interiors, Riva Volare is fitted aboard one of the private aviation leader’s Gulfstream G650 ultra-long-range jets, seating up to 12-15 passengers and capable of flying for up to 14-16 hours, connecting New York and Tokyo, London, Singapore or Milan. The interior is also presented in two of Flexjet’s Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, one in Florida and the other featuring in a new helicopter operation based in Milan, serving Italy and the French Riviera.

Mandarin Oriental is taking over management of the stunning Desaru Coast beachfront resort in Johor, Malaysia, a property set within 128 acres of lush rainforest and boasting 17 kilometres of pristine coastline. Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast offers 44 luxurious suites and villas, many featuring private gardens and plunge pools with breathtaking sea or rainforest views, and will soon expand to include 40 new branded residences. Guests can indulge in five distinct dining experiences, including a vibrant beach club and a sophisticated coastal lounge bar.

Mandarin Oriental also plans to introduce a new spa with a range of wellness treatments, a beauty salon, a yoga pavilion, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and both tennis and padel courts. For golf enthusiasts, the resort provides convenient access to the nearby Els Club Desaru Coast, featuring both 18- and 27-hole courses.

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As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, The Four Seasons Hotel Boston has refurbished its lobby, front drive and new lobby restaurant. After years of ideation, Four Seasons Hotel Boston partnered with
architectural designer Ken Fulk to reimagine the space. The design is fresh, striking and timeless, with elements that reflect the palette of the beautiful Public Garden complemented by the European influence seen in Beacon Hill’s brownstones.

Rosewood London’s grand British brasserie, Holborn Dining Room, has introduced a new Seafood Counter in exclusive collaboration with Ollie Bass, Executive Chef of the sustainability-focused restaurant Faber. This seasonal summer offering celebrates the very best of locally sourced British coastal ingredients, delivered direct from day boats and trusted producers across the UK’s shores.

The partnership is a natural extension of Holborn Dining Room Head Chef Ilona Perczyk’s culinary philosophy, which puts seasonality, British produce, and simplicity at the forefront of every dish. Together with Bass, whose work at Faber has earned acclaim for working directly with local fishermen and coastal producers, the new counter showcases the authentic taste of Britain’s coastline in the heart of London.

Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia has been welcomed into the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) collection, which features over 400 independent luxury properties globally, with only a dozen located in the Caribbean. This 65-acre hillside resort offers a variety of accommodations from one to four-bedroom suites and villas, complemented by beachfront dining, seven restaurants and bars, a spa, and a kids’ club, all embodying LHW’s criteria of exceptional quality and dedication to hospitality.

Founded by long-time friends and experiential travel experts, Geraint Hamer and Lucy Greenhill, Nautica Collective is redefining yachting, providing a new category of travel between ultra-luxury charters and party cruises, offering boutique yacht experiences around the world for millennial travellers with a taste for the finer things in life.

The company is launching with a set of standout itineraries across Europe and the Caribbean, designed to show guests the world from a different perspective – by sea. Each trip strikes the perfect balance between land and water, mixing laid-back sailing with real time to explore on shore. From eight days island-hopping through the British Virgin Islands, to four days discovering hidden coves off Mallorca’s coast, and a Norway sail-to-ski adventure on the horizon for 2026, the itineraries promise a truly unique experience for all types of traveller.

Set within an 18,000-acre nature reserve on the pristine northwest coast of Providenciales, bordering the stunning white-sand beaches and rocky coves of Northwest Point Marine National Park, Janu Turks and Caicos will introduce the first Janu property to the Americas. This tropical beachfront enclave will offer a unique blend of hotel accommodations and a limited collection of Janu branded and fully serviced residences, all designed to provide a deeply immersive experience for a new era of restorative travel.

W Hotels is set to open the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu this Summer on the northeast coast of the island, nestled between Porto Cervo and Baia Sardinia and offering views of the La Maddalena archipelago. The new luxury property will feature 154 rooms and suites, alongside a diverse selection of food and beverage options, including the seafood restaurant Tanit, a vibrant beach club, and the signature W lounge. Guests will also be able to enjoy a poolside wet deck, the brand’s Away spa, and a fitness centre. The hotel’s design is described as a “bold twist” on the island’s rich history, incorporating pastel natural colours and handcrafted wood and stone elements.

Specialist operator White Desert has announced significant upgrades to its flagship Whichaway camp in Antarctica for the upcoming season. Each of the six polar pods at the camp, located in the Schirmarcher Oasis, has been enhanced with the addition of an en suite shower and a glass-fronted conservatory, providing guests with an improved viewing experience. The exclusive camp, which accommodates 12 guests, also boasts a wellness dome featuring a Finnish sauna and offers the services of a private chef, alongside guided Antarctic experiences such as glacier hikes and ice climbing.

Launching this Summer, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane will debut its newly renovated collection of suites – 18 elegantly reimagined accommodations that signal a refined evolution for this discreet Mayfair address. Designed in collaboration with London-based studio Interiors with Art (IWA),the new suites reflect the hotel’s signature blend of understated luxury, pioneering ambition, global sophistication, and authentic moments of care, offering a deeply personal and elevated guest experience.

Drawing inspiration from Hyde Park’s changing seasons and London’s cultural rhythm, the design features sycamore wood panelling, brushed metal finishes, Murano glass lighting, and bespoke furnishings to create a serene, residential feel. A warm palette of soft greens, autumnal hues, and gold tones blends seamlessly with views of the city skyline and the nearby greenery of Hyde Park. Each suite tells its own story, with thoughtfully crafted spaces tailored to different types of guests.

Nestled within the very heart of Kenya’s fabled Maasai Mara, Mahali Mzuri—Sir Richard Branson’s jewel in the Virgin Limited Edition crown—has re-emerged from a dazzling interior metamorphosis, just in time to greet the thundering drama of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Since its 2013 inception, a sentinel guarding this epic natural phenomenon, the camp has been a beacon of conservation and luxury. Now, its twelve tented suites are transformed into crystalline cocoons, their new floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering an unblemished cinematic canvas of the sprawling, verdant valley and its wild inhabitants. Each haven, from king-sized comfort to the family suite’s dual-bathroom design, boasts lavish amenities, while the refreshed restaurant, bar, and communal firepit invite guests to linger under the African sky.

Hilton‘s luxury and lifestyle empire has unfurled its thousandth banner, a testament to a relentless march across continents, from the romantic boulevards of Paris to the sun-drenched shores of Cape Town. This monumental milestone, born from a period of unprecedented expansion and astute acquisitions, includes the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria New York. And with more than 150 new openings in 2025, its strategic alliances, like the recent embrace of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, are paving the way for yet more growth, redefining global luxury one exquisite stay at a time.

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, has opened JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand’s first highly anticipated Mediterranean beach resort, setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on the island. The resort features 160 elegantly appointed guest rooms, suites, and villas, all offering sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, with the majority including private pools to enhance the sense of exclusivity and relaxation. Nestled in Marathi, near the charming town of Chania, the resort spans over 100 acres of idyllic coastline, thoughtfully designed to harmonise with Crete’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has unveiled its Winter 2026–2027 itineraries, introducing an expanded portfolio of luxury yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific aboard Evrima and Luminara. Sailing from October 2026 through April 2027, the season will feature 32 new voyages, reflecting the luxury brand’s continued global momentum and ongoing commitment to providing access to the world’s most sought-after regions.

Marking a milestone for the brand, Evrima will make its debut in the South Pacific with a series of immersive sailings through the remote islands of French Polynesia, visiting breathtaking destinations such as Bora Bora, Mo’orea, and Huahine. Voyages will also explore the Hawaiian Islands, with calls in Honolulu, Maui (Kahului), Hilo, and Kona, offering guests access to the region’s lush volcanic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Featuring ten new ports in Asia, Luminara will encounter the incredible biodiversity and unrivalled artisan traditions of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and beyond throughout Asia-Pacific.

Axonall, a pioneering platform born from the mind of Mel Suntal with more than 10 years’ experience in the luxury travel industry, is using the power of advanced AI and emotional intelligence, to curate itineraries to resonate with travellers’ deepest desires. Forget the mass-market; Axonall’s discerning eye sifts through millions of properties, handpicking fewer than ten thousand hidden gems and exquisite havens that embody regenerative value and cultural authenticity. At its core are the Journey Artisans, who unlock rare, Google-elusive experiences to transform your future travels.

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement for a new Bvlgari Resort & Mansions in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2030. Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Abu Dhabi will be nestled on a private island, characterized by its horseshoe-shape, and offering breathtaking views of the open sea, a sunset view on one side, and the majestic Qasr Al Watan, and city skyline on the other.

The project will include a resort featuring 60 elegantly designed rooms and suites, along with 30 villas, each offering spectacular views of the sea, city, or tranquil coves, as well as 90 exceptional mansions of different sizes and with unique characteristics, paired with meticulously curated landscaping that offer an unparalleled blend of Italian elegance and Arabian heritage.

COMO Hotels & Resorts has acquired Le Beauvallon, a Belle Époque palace on the French Riviera, with plans for a phased reopening. This historic property, which first welcomed guests in 1914 and once hosted luminaries like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Audrey Hepburn, has spent the last nine years as an exclusive events venue.

Set in ten acres of lush gardens with a private pontoon, and boasting 25 suites and a Mediterranean beach club, Le Beauvallon will initially open for individual stays this summer, featuring an Asian-Mediterranean fusion menu. A full relaunch as COMO Le Beauvallon is slated for 2026, promising new culinary concepts from renowned chef Yannick Alléno.

Grupo Vidanta and Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group are proud to announce the premiere of LUDŌ, a breathtaking show that heralds a new era of immersive entertainment and solidifies VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta as a global benchmark in luxury tourism. This groundbreaking production redefines the boundaries of live entertainment by merging water, storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and culinary art into a singular, multisensory format.

LUDŌ will bring this vision to life on December 12, 2025, as Cirque du Soleil’s first major immersive water show since “O” in Las Vegas. The show will debut at VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta, inside the pioneering BON Luxury Theme Park, the first luxury theme park in Latin America.

The Hilton Manchester Deansgate is being rebranded as the InterContinental Manchester – Deansgate, marking the first InterContinental hotel in Manchester. IHG Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of InterContinental, made the announcement, stating that the 264-room hotel will be fully rebranded by 2027. The hotel will remain open during the transition, which will involve significant investment to enhance the guest experience and elevate the hotel’s luxury status.

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Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.

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Luxury travel news from around the world (June 2025)

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