If you love travelling (like we do), we’re sure you like looking at new hotels or destinations for your dream getaway. Read on for the latest hotel deals, resort openings and other top travel destinations in Asia and beyond for your next escape – it’s going to be the best one ever!
What do you know about Wan Chai?
The Hari Hong Kong has launched an audio walking guide to Wan Chai, which scratches beneath the surface of this former fishing village. Features include an interactive map and narrations of seven of the district’s hidden gems. The guide is accessible through a user-friendly app called The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour, and is part of the hotel’s “Live Like a Local” staycation package, which includes a one-night stay priced from $1,800, with daily breakfast for two, a branded tote bag, Wan Chai postcards, bespoke gallery tour with PHD Group, and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Until 30 September 2025.
New Thailand Travel Forms
Thailand has announced that the TM6 immigration form will be made digital starting 1 May. This will replace the paper version for all foreign arrivals to Thailand to help streamline the entry process and address safety concerns. The digital TM6 form will be compulsory for all foreign arrivals by air, land and sea, and the government is also postponing the 300 baht tourism fee this year.
Heading Down Under?
Hong Kong Airlines has introduced a new direct service to Sydney! Set to commence on 20 June 2025 these daily scheduled flights will be operated by A330-300 aircraft, and feature both Business and Economy Class cabins.
Healthy in Hua Hin
Chiva-Som is celebrating 30 years of providing luxury holistic wellness retreats in Thailand. To celebrate, it’s offering a new selection of services at its Hua Hin property. First is a Weather-Responsive Wellness programme that includes sound baths, movement classes, skincare and dermatological analysis targeted to environmental shifts. Other programmes include Metabolic Reset, Building Longevity Lifestyle Habits, Emotional Growth, and Tailored Men’s and Women’s Wellness, with a range of gender-specific services from pre- and post-pregnancy yoga to supporting pelvic floor strength, post-pregnancy recovery and prostate health.
chivasom.com/en/chiva-som-hua-hin
Parisian Countryside Charm
La Ferme de Vallées is a boutique 38-room farm stay located within 185 acres of woodland just 45 minutes from Paris. This new fairytale hamlet is set on the historic estate of a transformed 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The four farm buildings also provide an option for renting a self-contained home. These properties overlook forests or a picturesque courtyard, and you can choose a cottage style with private garden or an opulent stay with bed canopies.
To create a traditional farm-stay experience, you’ll be invited to help care for the chickens, rabbits, goats and donkeys in the surrounding meadows and fields. There are also lakes, trails, art studios, a kids’ club, spa, bar and restaurant on the property to explore and enjoy.
Food-focused Cruise
Need another reason to go on a cruise? Oceania Cruises, which 15 years ago launched The Culinary Centre – the first-ever hands-on cooking school at sea – is celebrating the milestone with a range of new culinary classes for 2025, highlighting dishes from the Pacific Northwest, Polynesia and Australia. These food-focused experiences involve chef-led excursions in more than 40 destinations worldwide. You’ll shop for ingredients in local markets, then learn to cook destination-inspired dishes and connect with local experts and artisans.
Italian Escape
Coming to Italy’s renowned Lake Como in 2025 is a new hotel in a restored 19thcentury building, with 142 guest rooms and two penthouse suites. The Lake Como Edition is on track to open in spring, with a floating pool, lively lobby bar and several restaurants and bars overlooking the water and the mountains surrounding Bellagio – all just a short drive from Milan.
World Ski Awards
If this year is your chance to hit the slopes on holiday, here are two venues to note, as they both won at the World Ski Awards 2024. From Japan’s Best Ski Hotel category, The Vale Rusutsu is a ski-in ski-out resort hotel steps away from the Kotobuki Onsen and Rusutsu Resort. Tsubasa Chalet at Hanaridge in Niseko won Japan’s Best Ski Chalet category; it’s an architectural gem catering for large groups and families, with an indoor-outdoor private natural onsen, chauffeur and private car.
City to Sea
We’re always interested in travel that’s a one-of-a-kind adventure filled with wildlife, heritage and sustainability. Wayfairer Travel has created a 15-night Asian itinerary that’s packed to the brim with exactly that. You’ll start in Japan to experience the contrast between high-energy Tokyo and hot spring country, home to the famous snow monkeys. Then, you’ll leave for Indonesia for a nine-day ocean voyage on a traditional pinisi ship with SeaTrek, swim in a lake of stingless jellyfish, trek with birds of paradise, relax under waterfalls and snorkel over thriving coral reefs.
South Africa Seaside Stay
Birkenhead House is a coastal retreat in South Africa that has recently undergone a fresh coat of paint and added a selection of fab new décor elements. Set on a clifftop, the property’s iconic oceanside location is a gateway to experiencing the region’s natural beauty. Inside, the restyled interiors draw on the hotel’s incredible surroundings – and, we must say, Birkenhead House looks better than ever! The pièce de résistance of the update is the conservatory design, which is inspired by the surrounding mountain and seascape vistas. The space features bold green and white stripes and tall pots with feathery ferns that add a touch of playfulness and drama to the design. In all, it’s a bold and creative new look for this high-end establishment – and even more reason to add it to the bucket list!
theroyalportfolio.com/birkenhead-house
Magical Mountain Hot Springs
A new resort has just opened in OkuhidaOnsengo (Gifu Prefecture) near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go. KAI Okuhida is surrounded by famous peaks of the Northern Alps, a location that has one of the largest water volumes and number of hot springs in Japan. Still rather underrated, it’s a destination from where you can explore the country’s onsen culture and life in the mountains. Within the resort, each room features local craftsmanship, including wall art, traditionally hand-dyed cushions and a headboard made using wood-bending techniques. The kaiseki-style menu, meanwhile, uses local products including Hida beef.
hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaiokuhida
Bollywood & Bombay
Back in 1896, Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood cinema and fondly known as the “city of dreams”. The Moxy Mumbai Andheri West by Marriott draws on these golden days, with interiors bursting with magenta, electric blue and sunny yellow hues, and a curated collection of eclectic and nostalgic artworks and accessories. A highlight is the Moxy Sky rooftop bar, with panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline plus music and cocktails beside an infinity pool. For an additional taste of Bollywood, there are plenty of iconic cinemas in the neighbourhood to explore too. The hotel is 9km from Mumbai International Airport.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
The building housing the Ace Hotel Kyoto was a telephone office a century ago; today, it’s a gateway for exploring this fascinating city. Recently earning a spot on the prestigious Michelin Key list for the top hotels in Japan, the property hosts a range of interesting programmes, from one-off menus and exhibitions to a quarterly record fair featuring live performances, DJs and shops selling rare vinyl. There’s also direct entrance to Karasuma Oike Station for easy access to bustling Nishiki Market, the Museum of Kyoto and Kyoto Art Center.
Adelaide Marriott Hotel
Marriott International has opened its 600th property in Asia Pacific. The Adelaide Marriott Hotel is also the first for the brand in South Australia. Interestingly, the hotel has a 150-year old landmark, the Adelaide General Post Office (GPO) building, as its façade. The 14-storey tower includes 285 guestrooms and 12 suites with city skyline views.
Bonding with Horses
Sumba Indonesia is offering an experience for those looking to travel for healing and self-discovery. “Retreat and Conquer” is a five-day equine therapy course under the guidance of Professor Andreas Liefooghe, founder of Operation Centaur. The gentle and intuitive horses become your co-partners in a therapeutic process with activities to help participants gain profound insight into their emotions, communication styles and behavioural patterns through building trust, creating boundaries and embracing vulnerability. See the website for upcoming dates.
Retreat for Wellness & Workouts
The idea of yin and yang has long held court in leading a healthy lifestyle. This is also true for many who like to keep moving even while they’re relaxing on a holiday. With this in mind, TIA Wellness Resort located on Vietnam’s central coast has expanded its wellness offerings and also added a new studio.
During your stay, more than 80 wellness therapists, trainers and specialists can help you explore offerings beyond what you can usually expect from hotels and resorts. For starters, they now have a range of dynamic yoga styles to try from a 60-minute Gentle Hatha Class to vinyasa-style yoga classes that focus on holding postures, flexibility and breath control. There are also new HIIT Power Workouts built around short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief periods of rest. The 30-minute workout builds strength, cardiovascular health and metabolism.
Plus, two of TIA’s signature offerings now include a Breathwork Masterclass and a Creative Workshop, the latter involving different artistic techniques such as collage, drawing and painting, as a path to greater self-expression.
Bag Drop Via Smartphone
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has launched the world’s first Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service. Passengers can complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. At HKIA, they can proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and drop their bags by themselves with their smartphones in under a minute – faster than a smart check-in kiosk. This makes HKIA the only airport in the world where you can complete all departure procedures – from bag-drop to check-in to boarding – using just a smartphone and facial recognition technology. It’s available for travellers over age 11 through HK Express, Cathay Pacific Airline and Hong Kong Airlines.
New at HKIA
Plaza Premium Group has upgraded its services at Hong Kong International Airport, reopening it Infinity Room next to Gate 1. This “Lounge within a Lounge” located in Plaza Premium First offers a luxurious enclave for VIP passengers, with exceptional personalised service in elegant surroundings, plus all-day dining and a host of add-ons. It’s open to first class passengers from partner airlines and paying guests.
Meanwhile, passenger services arm Allways has also done some upgrades, arranging end-to-end experiences including a limo pick-up from home and a curbside meet-and-assist at the airport through to the departure gate. Wheelchair, buggy and porter services for luggage collection on arrival are particularly useful for elderly passengers.
plazapremiumfirst.com | allwaysvip.com
Pack Your Bags for Penang
HK Express Airways is now operating a new route between Hong Kong and Malaysia’s Penang International Airport (PEN). In just three hours, you can touch down on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in one of the country’s top tourist destinations, renowned for a rich history of trade, colonial architecture, the colourful UNESCO World Heritage city of George Town and delicious specialty snacks and meals that stop foodies on every corner.
Capybara Cuteness
We’ve found a resort where you can get as close to experiencing a Capybara sleepover as possible. At the Izu Resort Villa, three hours from Tokyo, you’ll have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on a garden full of these cute creatures. Better yet, you can just step outside your living room and interact with them throughout the day. The villa is spread over two spacious levels, has garden views and can accommodate two to six people. Aside from capybaras, the property also offers guests access to a tennis court, library and sauna.
Kid-free Fun!
The new Meliá Ibiza in Santa Eulalia is Melia’s first adults-only (16+) hotel on the island and also the first hotel with an outdoor water circuit in the area. The property has 285 rooms, four restaurants, a rooftop with unique views of the Mediterranean, an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gym and a spa and wellness area with Thai-inspired treatments, and more facilities and experiences. During its first season, the resort has also partnered with social impact company Gravity Wave to remove three tonnes of plastic from the Mediterranean Sea and its harbours. The waste will be repurposed to create new objects for the hotel’s use, giving it a new life.
melia.com/en/hotels/spain/ibiza/melia-ibiza
Wake Up in Bejing or Shanghai
Have a weekend in mainland China without losing any daylight hours to travel! Two new overnight high-speed sleep train routes have opened in Hong Kong, departing in the evening and arriving at around 7am in the morning (11 hours to Shanghai; 12.5 to Beijing). The 16-carriage trains depart every Friday to Monday evening, with standard sleeper class cabins featuring two bunk beds, and the deluxe version (currently only on the Shanghai route) including a bunk bed, wardrobe and sofa.
Go-an Relax!
The Courtyard by Marriott Goa Colva has opened in an area of Southern Goa known for its white sand beaches, laidback “susegad” lifestyle and IndoPortuguese architecture. Explore a variety of beaches including the bioluminescent Betalbatim Beach, visit local restaurants, find waterfalls, wander through local markets and learn about the region’s history. The hotel also has multiple dining options, a poolside bar, kids’ club and spa.
Enchanting Château
Planning a trip to France? Don’t miss a night or two in a château in the countryside! The Château de Vault-deLugny is a fab option just a train ride from Paris. Escape into an enchanting wooded retreat that includes a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Valucien, run by Franco Bowanee. There’s also an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi set in the property’s stone cellar and plenty to explore in surrounding Burgundy.
Sustainable Safaris
Cottar’s 1920s Camp recently won the Ecologically Responsible Property category at The Safari Awards. This is on top of being recertified by Preferred by Nature to continue membership with the Long Run Global Ecosphere Retreat. Both these accolades reflect the work of Cottar’s Safaris in leading sustainable tourism and preserving Africa’s biodiversity.
Vietnam by Train
Riding the slow travel trend, Anantara has introduced a new railway journey offering, The Vietage. Book a comfortable, stylish private booth to enjoy Vietnam’s lush countryside and iconic water buffalo from your window. This new route takes you from Nha Trang to Quy Nhon, through lotus ponds, rice paddies and mountainous country. During the ride, visit the trendy sit-up bar for rail-inspired cocktails, book a massage, or enjoy an afternoon tea experience. You can also add an accommodation experience with Anantara Quy Nhon Villas for a luxury beachside retreat, or head further down the line to Da Nang to visit charming Hoi An and stay at Anantara Hoi An Resort.
Step Back into The ’60s
If you’re a museum buff, Amsterdam is a great travel choice. The Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam is a new canal-side property with interiors that are a throwback to the Sixties – expect retro warm hues and geometric patterns. You’ll still have all the mod-cons, too, plus 24/7 gym access. Grab a map from the concierge to discover the city’s street art, where to go for a silent-disco and, in summer, how to paddle the canals for beer and pizza.
bit.ly/avanimuseumquarteramsterdam
Play & Stay at Cordis
Cordis Hong Kong has created the Family Kid Room, a space designed for two adults and two children under seven. Along with a king Signature Dream Bed for adults and a bunk bed for the little guests, the room is playfully inspired by Cody and Coco, two endangered red panda hotel ambassadors. It has a kitchenette, and comes with healthy snacks, slippers, and essential items like toothbrushes and bathrobes. Kids receive a welcome card and backpack filled with a variety of Cody-themed goodies. The Travel with Kids Package is $3,100 for a family of four and includes daily breakfast, 15-minute hand or foot massages for kids, a 15 percent discount on food and beverages, and complimentary access to the health club, swimming pool and a range of experiences from tai chi to wine tastings.
3552 3552 | cdhkg.resv@cordishotels.com
Dreamy Japan
The new Nozo Hotel is officially fully open in Hokkaido’s powder-snow paradise of Furano. Offering Japanese hot baths and saunas, it’s just a three-minute walk from the famous skiing and snowboarding slopes in colder months, and picturesque biking, hiking and water-rafting spots for summer. There are bright, minimalist Superior and Deluxe rooms for two, and larger Family rooms and Junior suites, and you can enjoy Western, Japanese and local cuisines, a bakery, a bar and a social space with a large fireplace.
Anchors Away!
Guests of AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach can now enjoy a two-day sailing adventure aboard a 54-metre yacht, Lako Di’a, taking in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park. The vessel is a modern phinisi, a wooden sailing ship used by the seafaring people of South Sulawesi. It has nine airconditioned cabins with ensuites and balconies, and a master suite with an ocean view bathtub. There’s also a library, lounge, bar, indoor dining area and daybeds on the main deck. The experience mixes marine and land excursions, including thriving coral reefs, pink beaches and, of course, the famed Komodo dragons in the wild.
Hotel with a Love Story
Hilton has opened a new property on Phu Quoc in Vietnam, inspired by the romantic encounter of a young artistic couple who met on the island and then travelled to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. La Festa Phu Quoc has 197 rooms and suites, with plenty of Italian touches in the décor and dining options. These include elevated Italian cuisine at Mare, espressos and pastries in the palazzo-style lobby bar II Salone, all-day dining at The Merchant and the relaxing La Capri Beach Club. There’s also a spa and a kids’ club for families on vacation.
hilton.com/en/hotels/pqcpqqq-la-festa-phu-quoc
New in Melaka
For something a little closer to home, the Parkroyal brand by Pan Pacific Hotels has opened a new resort in Melaka, Malaysia. This UNESCO World Heritage city has vibrant street art and a harmonious blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European heritage. Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort is inspired by this rich culture and is set within tropical gardens a short drive out of the centre, close to theme parks and a 27-hole golf course. Once you’ve done some exploring, you can unwind at the Suasana Spa, eat at Spice Brasserie or Ya Yuen Chinese restaurant, or grab something light at The Pool Lounge. There’s a dedicated kids’ pool and playroom for families, too.
panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-afamosa-melaka-resort.html
Discover the Beauty of Bologna
Getting hitched? Or looking to throw a big bash somewhere fancy in Europe? Palazzo di Varignana, a luxury Italian resort based in the Bolognese hills, won the “Best for Weddings, Parties, and Celebrations” category at the renowned Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024. The 150-room property has six opulent villas, a spa and lots of opportunities to explore the region – everything from vintage car tours and supercar drives, to horse riding, truffle hunting and hot-air ballooning. The resort also offers a slew of high-end dining options, wellness and sport facilities, nutritionist plans by the inhouse doctor, indoor pools, jacuzzi, saunas and more.
A Staycation for Creatives
If you’re interested in an eclectic, creative and design-forward hotel, you’ll love the Mondrian Hong Kong. Designed by Karin Krautgartner of KK Design and a selection of local and international artists, this hotel aims to be a new HK icon, inspired by lively fishing villages and the city’s renowned tailors. The triangular windows offer sweeping harbour and island skyline views, the bathroom tiles reflect our pebbled beaches, and you’ll find beautiful fabrics, glass chandeliers, underwater creatures engraved along corridors, a water goddess mural and more.
Hotel Heritage in Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the iconic luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, has opened a new chapter in its 123-year history, relaunching its historic Heritage Wing after an extensive refurb. The Luxury Rooms, Grand Luxury Rooms, Metropole Suites and Legendary Suites – the latter named after former famous guests of the hotel: Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham and Charlie Chaplin – feature Italian marble surfaces and floors, new bathtubs and showers, contemporary artwork, mood lighting, a preserved original staircase and other elements that capture the hotel’s history and essence.
sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com
Late Season Skiing
Hokkaido’s pristine Kiroro region is renowned for a record breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter, which means that even into early May it’s a wonderful alpine escape for any snowboarding or skiing enthusiast. If that sounds like you, there’s more good news: well-known all-inclusive holiday brand Club Med just opened a new property in the region: Club Med Kiroro Grand.
clubmed.com.sg/r/kiroro-grand/w
Soothe Your Soul
If you’re looking to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, Teardrop Hotels in Sri Lanka has introduced four new wellness experiences. The Soulful Detox is a two-day package of massages, somatic breathwork and tea-infused body wraps. Teardrop Ayurveda Essentials taps into ancient Indian and Nepalese wisdom with yoga, meditation, nature walks and a specially curated natural menu. The energy-boosting Jet Lag has massages, foot soaking, yoga and personalised wellness check-ins. And the Rediscovering Inner Harmony experience helps you manage stress and rediscover your work-life balance.
Tastes of Thailand
Nimitr Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, on the 27th floor of the luxurious 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, showcases local herbs and spices from the owning family’s farm and the surrounding region along with flavours from different corners of Thailand. Choose from the à la carte or four-course set menu with specially curated wines from an award-winning Thai winery. Start with Miang Kham King scallops with lemongrass and coconut or grilled Thai wagyu beef served with a chakram leaves salad and duck egg, while for mains, there’s the likes of Gaeng Lueng Pla Salmon, a unique yellow curry, and Gai Yang with Ma Kham, chicken marinated with tamarind sauce.
137pillarshotels.com/en/bangkok/dining/nimitr
Discover the Art of Italy
Located in Florence, a city bursting with rich artistic heritage, Hotel Calimala has expanded by opening an adjacent property, Hotel Calimala The West. The new property spans five floors and offers 65 carefully redesigned rooms that maintain the iconic interior décor of the original hotel: distressed stone walls, high ceilings, velvet, brass and marble, geometric motifs and tri-coloured terrazzo flooring. There’s a sophisticated new restaurant on the ground floor too.
One for the Change Makers
Greek hotel brand Scorpios has expanded from Mykonos across the Aegean Sea, opening a new property in Bodrum, Turkey. The company’s vision to create a gathering place for artists and change makers to connect is upheld at the new property, which offers cultural programmes and artist residencies. Set on a 75-thousand-square-metre peninsula, there are two restaurants, a club house, beach club, ritual space and 12 luxurious private suites. Activities include mindfulness practice, sound meditation, breathwork – even ice plunges!
Fall in Love Again
Love is in the air at this resort nestled in the jungles of Bali. The Nirjhara is an idyllic honeymoon location overlooking rice fields and surrounded by a river and cascades. Here, couples can start their marriage in tropical bliss with the honeymoon package, a three-night package including sunset cocktails, a five-course dinner for two, daily breakfast, a couple’s spa treatment, private use of the cinema and complimentary activities.
Wildlife Wonders
Journey into the heart of Cambodia with a four day bird-watching package by The Aviary. Guided by local bird-watching experts, you’ll venture into nature for extraordinary encounters with some of Cambodia’s 600 unique and rare bird species. The experience includes a stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of Siem Reap.
Spanish Luxury – for Adults Only
A new five-star Melia Hotel opened recently on the island of Lanzarote in Spain. The Paradisus Salinas is characterised by a beach setting that flows into tropical gardens surrounding an expansive pool, with murals and paintings complementing the design. Spend your days by the beach, tour popular sites or go on an artistic excursion. And don’t miss the winery tour, where you can see vines growing from Lanzarote’s volcanic ash.
Star Wars in the Sahara
Surrounded by golden rolling dunes and swaying palms, The Residence Douz in southern Tunisia has all the high-end facilities you’d expect (gourmet restaurants, pool, spa and more), along with a fascinating day trip to Matmata village, famed for its troglodyte houses which were the setting of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in Star Wars. You can also enjoy a luxury camping experience in the middle of the desert, or go on adventures by jeep, camel or quadbike.
Like this? See more travel news and hotel deals in our Travel section!
