Author name: Aleks Bond

Guatemala’s volcanic highlands, dense jungle, and serene lakes offer a quietly transformative approach to wellness. Mayan rituals, geothermal pools, and remote retreats sit alongside understated luxury, guiding visitors through surf, meditation, and forest treks. Each experience from sunrise atop a volcano to herbal preparation in village gardens or a tranquil lakefront evening feels rooted in culture, place, and natural beauty

In 2026, Dubai raises the bar for luxury travel with openings from Six Senses The Palm, Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai, Gran Meliá Dubai, Kimpton Dubai, InterContinental Resort Portofino, and Côte d’Azur Nice Hotel. Dining highlights include Nobu One Za’abeel, Barrafina DIFC, Osaka Nikkei, AVLU, The MAINE Palm, Canary Club, and Abra Restaurant at the Etihad Museum. Innovation arrives with Joby Aviation’s electric air taxis, demonstrating Dubai’s capacity to deliver on every level

After more than a decade as an exclusive private estate, the historic Le Beauvallon reopens as a hotel on 24 April 2026 under COMO Hotels and Resorts’ management. The 1914 Belle Époque property, which once hosted Winston Churchill and Audrey Hepburn, occupies a ten-acre hillside estate overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Chief Executive Olivier Jolivet describes it as a rare opportunity for the group. The bayside gardens feature the 2002 Serpentine Gallery Summer Pavilion by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Toyo Ito

Hotel Arts Barcelona, the landmark five-star hotel on Port Olímpic, has partnered with FC Barcelona to offer guests exclusive access to the Players’ Zone at Spotify Camp Nou. The experience includes a Panorama Sea View Room, hospitality lounge access, private stadium transfers, FC Barcelona merchandise, and optional museum visits, complemented by Michelin-starred dining at Enoteca led by chef Paco Pérez

From sunrise yoga at Nujuma to bioluminescent night snorkelling, curated culinary journeys at Nesma, Gishiki 45, and Tilina, and stargazing under desert skies, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, deliver immersive seasonal programming. Each experience from wellness, marine exploration, and fine dining is designed to connect guests to nature, culture, and refined luxury year-round

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has unveiled major upgrades at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, designed for multigenerational families. The new Four-Bedroom Landaa Estate and Three-Bedroom Kuda Estate, alongside refreshed Beach Villas, offer expanded indoor-outdoor living, private pools, and oceanfront views. Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin and Kuda Huraa General Manager Didier Jardin highlight how guest feedback shaped these luxurious, flexible spaces for connection, privacy, and effortless island living

Captain’s Choice’s 2026 programme of expert-led journeys combines comfort, insight, and carefully curated experiences. From retracing the historic Kangaroo Route between Sydney and London, to driving Italy’s most scenic roads, and exploring Southern Italy through its vineyards, cuisine, and historic towns, each itinerary pairs knowledgeable hosts with seamless logistics, offering travellers the chance to engage deeply with the destinations they visit

Preferred Hotels & Resorts unveils eight new 2026 openings across its Legend and L.V.X. collections, including The Newman London, Romègas Hotel Valletta, The Cooper Charleston, Gran Hotel Claridge Granada, Palais Jamaï Fès, Serras Sevilla, Pendry Mexico City and The Stelle Park City. Each property strengthens the brand’s focus on culturally rooted, design-led luxury

On Turkey’s Aegean coast, Lujo Hotel Bodrum introduces a private in-villa dining programme where haute cuisine meets nutritional science. Guests in the Sunset Presidential, Pina, and Citrus Villas enjoy bespoke menus crafted by private chefs, blending local seasonal produce with longevity-focused ingredients. With panoramic sea views, heated pools, and tailored wellness experiences, the resort redefines luxury for the health-conscious traveller

Discover Iceland’s winter like never before, from steaming lagoons carved into lava fields to highland lodges perched among volcanic peaks. Blue Lagoon Iceland and Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base blend geothermal indulgence, Nordic design, and folklore-driven experiences. Guests can soak, explore, dine, and stargaze, immersing themselves in a landscape where dramatic natural beauty meets refined comfort and cultural authenticity