Travel news: this month (November 2023) in luxury travel

Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: November 2023 luxury travel news

Every last Friday of the month, you can read my news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel. In this issue:

One&Only Aesthesis in Athens, Greece is now open
Rosewood Hotels announces Rosewood Blue Palace in Crete, Greece
Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar is now open
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea officially opens in Saudi Arabia
St Regis Hotels makes its debut in Saudi Arabia with the opening of The St Regis Riyadh
The St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay in Marocco is now open
Marriott opens The EDITION Singapore Hotel
Marriott announces a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Vietnam
Hyatt brings its Thompson brand to Seville, Spain
Qantas unveils its Airbus A220 Aboriginal paint scheme

1. One&Only Aesthesis in Athens, Greece is now open

Heralding a return to the golden days of the Athenian Riviera, One&Only Aesthesis welcomed its first guests on 11 November, 2023. One&Only’s highly anticipated debut resort in Greece is situated in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Glyfada, ensconced within a serene 21-hectare beach and forest reserve. Overlooking the sapphire waters of the Aegean Sea, One&Only Aesthesis evokes the essence of a private island, just 30 minutes from the ancient marvels of Athens. One&Only Aesthesis boasts a collection of rooms, bungalows, suites, residences and villas that redefine the concept of al fresco living. Expansive outdoor living spaces offer unparalleled peace and seclusion, featuring private pools, fragrant gardens, and atmospheric showers and fireplaces. Bathed in sunlight, the architecture pays homage to mid-century design with local marble, native timbers, woven leather details and muted tones. The resort blends historic treasures, world-class culinary experiences, and transformative wellness in an elegant beachfront setting. The glittering coastal hideaway recalls the 60’s vibrant Hollywood Grecian era, that Glyfada is most known for.

2. Rosewood Hotels announces Rosewood Blue Palace in Crete, Greece

A reincarnation of a beloved resort, Crete’s distinguished Blue Palace Resort will reopen as part of the Rosewood portfolio in 2025 following a reimagination of the celebrated property. The new resort will be meticulously designed to reflect Rosewood’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, with the entire resort experience inspired by the elegance of the Greek Islands. Nestled between the small fishing village of Plaka and the elegant port of Elounda, Rosewood Blue Palace will be seamlessly integrated into its surroundings, offering an oasis that connects guests to Crete’s culture and history. A seaside sanctuary with a private beach, the resort will feature 154 rooms and suites, 85 of which will be accentuated with private pools for those seeking elevated seclusion. Rosewood Blue Palace’s comprehensive renovation will feature interiors designed by the acclaimed Grecian firm, K-Studio, with a vision informed by Cretan tradition and identity. To help bring the resort’s culinary program to new heights, the property has tapped renowned Greek-born, London-based interior designer Afroditi Krassa, to create the spaces that house the resort’s six restaurants and bars.

3. Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar is now open

With an enviable beachfront location at the end of a residential street, the all-new Four Seasons is located within The Pearl-Qatar with its dynamic shopping, dining, entertainment and residential neighborhoods. Accommodations include 161 beautiful one, two or three bedroom apartments ranging from 105 to 280 square metres (1,130 to more than 3,000 square feet). Each offers expansive living areas complete with fully equipped kitchens with Miele appliances and ensuite laundry, along with furnished outdoor terraces, all tastefully finished by Wimberly Interiors with bespoke details throughout. Throughout the property, a fantastic contemporary art collection features local Qatari artists including Hanadi Al-Darwish and Shouq Al-Mana, as well as works by international artists, including a striking wall sculpture by Turkish artist Gülay Semercioğlu and four large-scale paintings by Parisian artist Maude Maris in the Resort lobby. Led by the Resort’s Executive Chef Luigi Ferraro, the resort’s signature restaurant Spuntino offers traditional specialties from across Italy. The Four Seasons’ Loulou Spa also offers salon services, a well-equipped gym and a 25 meter (82 foot) indoor lap pool overlooking the sea.

4. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea officially opens in Saudi Arabia

Enveloped by the majestic Arabian desert, The Red Sea Destination blends visionary tourism with sustainability and heritage. This is where Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea has found its home, inviting guests on an out-of-the-ordinary journey of discovery and enrichment. Inspired by the pillars of innovation, adventure, and heritage, the resort embodies the brand’s trademark wellness formula and respect for centuries past. The 36 guest rooms and 40 pool villas are dotted in strategic locations to maximize the expansive views of the dunes and wadi. Constructed using locally sourced materials, they were designed by British architectural firm Foster + Partners, renowned for its eco credentials. As beautiful on the inside as the outside, the soft furnishings draw from the rich colors and patterns of traditional Bedouin dress. As with all Six Senses properties, sustainability is also at the forefront of the resort’s operations. Aiming to be the first LEED Platinum resort in Saudi Arabia, its electricity is powered entirely by its own solar farm. Facilities include a world-class spa, whose honeycomb walls mirror the familiar undulating patterns of the dunes, an Alchemy Bar (to handmake clean skincare products) and several restaurants.

5. St Regis Hotels makes its debut in Saudi Arabia with the opening of the St Regis Riyadh

The St Regis Riyadh is the only hotel in the heart of the recently launched premier destination, Via Riyadh, home to designer boutiques, Michelin-star restaurants and a luxury cinema. Situated at the entrance of the Diplomatic Quarter, the hotel is close to embassies and the central business district. Cast from ancient Tuwaiq mountain stone found in the south of the country, the hotel embodies Salmani architecture, exuding modernity while celebrating local design. Guests are greeted in the lobby by a curved sculptural grand staircase and a crystal chandelier depicting pages of a history book, an interpretation of the country’s storied past and the new being written. The first boutique style luxury hotel in the capital features 83 luxurious guestrooms including 21 exquisite suites and an expansive two-bedroom Royal Suite with separate living and dining areas, a pantry and library. The legendary St Regis Butler Service, a personalized hallmark of the brand for more than a century, ensures that each guest’s individual preferences are anticipated at every turn. Facilities include elegant dining venues, a rooftop pool with bar, and an expansive spa featuring domed ceilings reminiscent of Italian architectural structures.

6. The St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay in Marocco is now open

Built as a private riad with intimate courtyards and lush gardens, the Mediterranean coast resort exudes Moroccan charm and pays tribute to the Andalucian cultural legacy of the area. The design echoes archetypal local white architecture and coastal scenes, translated into a palette of whites, neutrals and blues with bronze accents. Local craftsmanship is celebrated with intricate metalwork, mosaic zellige tiles and tadelakt-style textures. The St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay offers 83 guestrooms and 17 suites, all with a private balcony facing the Mediterranean Sea, including an 1,800 square-feet Presidential Suite. Elegantly designed and thoughtfully curated, the guestrooms offer a place to unwind in residential style and comfort typical of the St. Regis brand. The luxury resort’s culinary offerings include Baie Blanche Brasserie, a contemporary French brasserie with Moroccan influences, and the Bahia Vista Beach Bar & Grill, an elegant beachside grill, offers fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen. In addition to the fully equipped Exercise Room, The St. Regis Spa offers a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation to indulge mind, body and spirit.

7. Marriott opens the Singapore EDITION Hotel

Firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined, timeless design and style, The Singapore EDITION – the first Southeast Asia outpost in the stable – seamlessly blends the dynamism energy of a major metropolitan city with a warm-weather resort sensibility. Masterminded and conceived by Ian Schrager, in collaboration with interior design firm Cap Atelier, the 204-room hotel is located just off the west end of Singapore’s iconic upper Orchard Road. At the core of the architecture and interior design of hotel is seamless access to nature with sweeping vistas and greenery integrated throughout, including a skypark and lushly planted, sunken garden that offers a tranquil escape from Singapore’s bustling Orchard Road shopping district. From the lobby, a sculpted, white Venetian plaster staircase spirals elegantly down to the garden courtyard level to a dramatic bar lounge, ideal for a pre-dinner aperitif or a late evening cocktail. Facilities of the hotel include a second-floor spa with seven treatment rooms, a gym furnished with high-performance weights and exercise equipment, and a stunning rooftop swimming pool.

8. Marriott announces a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Vietnam

Anticipated to open in 2028 and slated to be designed by Bill Bensley, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve is set to offer a complete escape and immerse visitors in a private world of luxury and natural beauty. Located on an intimate estate close to the south tip of Hon Thom Island in Vietnam, with stunning sea views of Phu Quoc’s southern archipelago, the resort expects to offer a curated collection of 40 pool villas. Plans also include two resort pools, a spa, salon, fitness center, three restaurants, three bars and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment educational program for kids, which will feature a two-story activity center and garden. The resort is also slated to feature a 300-square meter event space suitable for beach front weddings. Hon Thom – which will be the site of the new Rizt-Carlton Reserve – is home to a wealth of natural wonders, set in turquoise seas just off the south coast of Phu Quoc, and is connected to the main island by a breath-taking cable car.

9. Hyatt brings its Thompson brand to Seville, Spain

Home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and bursting with flamenco music, Andalusian gastronomy and antique charm, Seville will be a perfect base for the new Thompson Hotel. The property’s 101 guestrooms and suites will be carefully designed and styled to make guests discover a new sense of modern luxury in a city that combines an extraordinary artistic and architectural legacy with an unrivalled cultural scene. Thompson Seville will also boast a restaurant, a stunning rooftop bar with a pool, dedicated meeting rooms, coworking space, and a gym, among other amenities. Anticipated to open in 2026, the 101-room luxury lifestyle property will be the fourth Thompson Hotels property in Europe, joining Thompson Madrid, which opened in 2022, and the previously announced Thompson Rome, expected to open mid-2024, and Thompson Vienna, which is slated to join the Hyatt portfolio in 2025. The Thompson Hotels brand is renowned for channelling a destination’s local creative energy, combining distinctive design and culinary sophistication.

10. Qantas unveils its Airbus A220 Aboriginal paint scheme

Qantas’ first brand new Airbus A220 aircraft has rolled out of the paintshop at Airbus’ facility in Mirabel, Canada, marking a significant milestone in the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program. The aircraft spent two weeks in the paintshop where a striking Aboriginal paint scheme was applied, making this aircraft the sixth to join the national carrier’s longstanding Flying Art Series. The livery features the artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker and tells the Dreaming story of two sisters who traverse remote Australia together, covering vast distances to find their way home. The aircraft is named after the artwork Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa – The Two Sisters Creation Story. Around 100 painters were involved in completing the livery, with the Airbus teams working with 130 stencils to replicate the detailed designs. It features over 20,000 dots and is the most complex livery Airbus has ever completed for this aircraft type. The aircraft, which is set to arrive in Australia before the end of the year, is the first of 29 A220s that will be delivered to the Group as part of its domestic fleet renewal program to replace and grow its narrowbody fleet.