Luxury travel news from around the world (October 2024)

The world of luxury travel is buzzing with exciting developments at the moment, promising a future filled with extraordinary experiences. In our latest roundup, we bring you some of the most intriguing updates from across the globe — from captivating new destinations and luxurious hotel openings to some of the latest news from the cruise industry and much more!

&Beyond Mnemba Island, an island paradise situated off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar, has recently reopened following a comprehensive refurbishment. Renowned for its natural sense of exclusivity, Mnemba’s trademark brand of barefoot luxury has been fully reimagined, retaining its intimate and relaxed island charm but giving it a refreshed look. Undertaken by long-time &Beyond collaborators Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects, the refurbishment preserves the understated sophistication of the previous offering.

The overall layout of the lodge remains largely unchanged, with all bandas along the beachfront and the shared guest area in the middle. The bandas have all been completely rebuilt and enlarged, with all interiors replaced. Every banda now features a redesigned private Beach Lounge, ideal for spending all day by the ocean, and one of the bandas has been converted into a two-bedroom family unit. Drawing inspiration from nature, the design of the bandas reflects the form of the nautilus shell, while the interiors maintain the lodge’s current natural colour palette, punctuated by vibrant coral accents. The lodge structure still incorporates coral stone, with the addition of traditional Lamu plaster. Each banda now boasts two entrances for added privacy, one directly from the beach and the other from the island’s interior forest. Floor-to-ceiling louvred blinds provide the options for bedrooms to either be closed off or remain open to the cooling sea breezes.

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for that special partner, friend, or family member who has everything, why not give the gift of experience? Girls’ Guide to the World, a premier women-only travel company, specializing in intimate, upscale journeys that foster deep connections through authentic cultural immersion, safety, and camaraderie, offers bespoke travel vouchers, making it the ideal luxury gift for mother-daughter duos or besties. Whether they dream of exploring vibrant destinations or finding personal renewal, these vouchers provide a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate the women in your life.

Girls’ Guide journeys go beyond sightseeing; they create extraordinary, all-inclusive retreats designed exclusively for women, prioritizing connection, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences while providing a safe, supportive space for women to explore and grow. These trips are designed to help women return home with a renewed sense of purpose and a better understanding of their place in the world.

Tasmanian Walking Company is introducing a brand-new experience; a five-day fully guided walk journeying deep into the desert, staying exclusively inside the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tju?a National Park each night.

Walking for 54 kilometres, the multi-day experience starts in the shadows of Kata Tjuta’s giant dome formations and arcs east traversing an extraordinary landscape along remote desert trails, cresting red dunes, and through Mulga woodlands, before reaching the final destination of Uluru. The walk has been developed in partnership with the Anangu community.

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In a city whose present day energy is intertwined with both its rich history and its bright future, a new beacon of luxury hospitality opens today: welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr. Located in the capital city’s historic Quartier l’Océan on the shores of the Atlantic, the hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the city’s fascinating mix of cultures, architecture, cuisine and the arts. Much of the modern capital and historic city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, thanks in part to its “fertile exchange between the Arabo-Muslim past and Western modernism,” with its notable green spaces part of one of the continent’s most successful urban development plans.

From the 12th century Kasbah des Oudaias with its boutiques and bistros to the colourful shops that line the medina’s alleyways nearby, the magnificent Andalusian Gardens, and the ultra-modern Grand Theatre of Rabat designed by Zaha Hadid, the Hotel’s concierge team can plan an itinerary to suit every interest.

Corporate travelers expect more out of their business travel: more comfort, more legroom, more flexibility, and more support. That’s why today, Uber for Business is introducing Uber Business Black, a new ride type designed to meet this growing demand for premium travel experiences.

Uber Business Black reimagines the traditional black car experience, combining the luxury of premium car services with the flexibility, familiarity, and ease of Uber. Now, corporate travelers and their executive assistants can use Uber Reserve to schedule Uber Business Black rides in advance—setting the entire travel itinerary at once—or use the Uber app to request a black car on-demand if their schedule is uncertain or a last-minute change pops up.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, world-renowned wellness retreat Ananda in the Himalayas has unveiled the latest additions to its luxury accommodations along with a series of stylish renovations to several of the property’s premier suites.

Deepa Sama, a Delhi-based designer, led the six-month project focusing on elevating the guest experience by bringing nature and the natural surroundings to the forefront for added peace and harmony. With the completion of their latest additions and renovations, the wellness retreat located on 100 acres of grounds and gardens in the Himalayan foothills now offers 64 rooms, 3 villas and 8 suites.

New French expedition cruise company Selar is set to transform Arctic exploration by 2027. Their polar expedition ship, Captain Arctic, is engineered to leave almost no trace — a bold and ambitious vision.

Exploring the Arctic brings unparalleled experiences, but preserving this region requires a shift from conventional cruising methods. From this idea, Selar was born—a new kind of maritime company that offers polar expeditions aboard a near-zero-emission vessel. To bring this vision to life, the visionary Sophie Galvagnon has teamed up with two experienced entrepreneurs, Julia Bijaoui and Quentin Vacher, founders of Frichti, a startup that redefined meal delivery in France.

Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard’s Branson’s Moroccan retreat in the High Atlas Mountains has officially reopened, following a year-long restoration. The hotel that forms part of the exclusive collection of luxury properties from Virgin Limited Edition has been partially closed for the past year, while it was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake that occurred in the region.

Famed for its incredible Berber hospitality, with 100% of its staff Moroccan, the hotel re-opens with the main building fully restored, a brand-new second restaurant named Asayss and six brand-new unique and stunning Riads. Each built on a beautiful new landscaped open space with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains – increasing the size of the original property from 28 to 42 rooms.

Sindalah, the luxury island destination and first physical showcase of NEOM, has been unveiled by the NEOM Board of Directors. First announced by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Board of Directors in December 2022, Sindalah’s opening marks an exciting milestone in NEOM’s progress.

Located in the glistening azure waters of the Red Sea, five kilometres off the NEOM coastline in northwest Saudi Arabia, Sindalah is a distinctive, luxury resort destination spread over 840,000 square meters. Ideally positioned 17 hours by sea from key Mediterranean destinations, Sindalah will serve as NEOM’s gateway to the Red Sea, providing easy access for European, Saudi and GCC yacht owners.

In another step forward for luxury hospitality in Seoul, Capella Hotel Group is delighted to announce its partnership with Heonin Town Development Ltd. This partnership will bring to life Capella Residences Seoul in 2027 — a visionary project that marks Capella Hotels and Resorts’ entry into the vibrant capital city of South Korea.

Cathay Pacific is once again raising the bar for customer experience with the official unveiling of its all-new Business class, Aria Suite, together with its new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. ?

?The airline’s retrofitted 777-300ER debuted on its Hong Kong-Beijing route this month before progressively being deployed on other regional and long-haul routes. In the highly anticipated Aria Suite, Cathay Pacific has placed customer experience at the heart of the design and conception of its new Business class. Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every detail to create a holistic and immersive experience where comfort, privacy and a sense of personal space are completely reimagined for customers. The result is an inflight journey that is intuitive and effortless.

Marriott is bringing us The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, Punta Nizuc, slated to include a 131-key luxury hotel and 126 branded residences in a LEED certified building, developed by Beyond Ventures, setting a new standard of design and sophistication in the region.

Set to welcome guests and residents in 2027, The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, Punta Nizuc will offer all the pleasures of one of the world’s most coveted beach destinations, set on an exclusive peninsula that boasts over a private shoreline. Guests will enjoy unparalleled ocean views and access to world-class amenities, such as a sprawling oceanfront pool complex, a destination spa, six gourmet restaurants, and exclusive residential amenities, all serviced by The Ritz-Carlton.

British Airways touched down in Bangkok this week after more than four years since flying to Thailand. The airline announced its return to Bangkok earlier this year having last flown in 2020. Flights will operate three times per week initially, increasing up to five times per week in January and February 2025, and four times per week in March 2025. Customers have a choice of three cabins – World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class) – with return fares from £718.

The airline also recently announced its expanded codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, giving customers the opportunity to seamlessly connect onto five holiday destinations from Bangkok. Customers can travel to the turquoise waters of Koh Samui or Phuket, or fly north to Chiang Mai to enjoy picturesque mountain views and visit historical temples. Those looking to travel to Cambodia can fly to its bustling capital, Phnom Penh or the northwestern resort town of Siem Reap.

Galaxy Macau™ has announced the completion of Raffles at Galaxy Macau, officially opening the doors to the preeminent luxury hospitality experience of Raffles. A true standard-bearer of refinement, Raffles at Galaxy Macau is an all-suites property complemented by unparalleled guest services, a stellar line-up of world class dining establishments including Sushi Kissho; the first international restaurant of three-Michelin starred Japanese sushi master, Masaaki Miyakawa; Japanese teppanyaki Omakase specialist, Teppanyaki Shou; and the world’s first speakeasy rendition of the Raffles Long Bar.

The completion of this latest property, home to approximately 450 timelessly elegant suites, significantly enhances Galaxy Macau’s award-winning and luxury positioning; bringing the resort’s total number of hotels to eight, with over 5,000 hotel rooms and suites.

JetBlue has announced plans for its first ever airport lounges, opening at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 5 in late 2025 and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Terminal C soon after. The introduction of lounges is a step in the airline’s ‘ JetForward ’ strategy, which seeks to meet the growing demand for premium offerings. The new lounges will allow JetBlue to offer a valuable new Signature Perk to its top level TrueBlue Mosaic ^® members and a benefit to the new premium credit card soon to be announced.

Six Senses Milan and Six Senses Lake Como will follow the debut opening of Six Senses Rome in 2023 in the restored Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini and the announcement of the upcoming Six Senses Antognolla in Umbria.

Six Senses Milan enjoys a prime address at Via Brera 19 in the heart of the artistic Brera quarter, emblematic of authentic Milanese heritage and culture. Six Senses Lake Como will continue the legacy of the first hospitality destination opened on the shores of Lake Como in 1820 in Cadenabbia di Griante, an area rich in history, art, and nature, which over the years has drawn illustrious emperors, monarchs, writers and celebrities to its sparkling shores.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), renowned for its characterful portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, has announced a revamped, newly-named loyalty programme, SLH Club, and an eagerly anticipated mobile app featuring new customer magazine, Swoon by SLH. The new offerings are designed to provide loyal fans with an upscaled experience and showcase SLH’s commitment to personalised luxury.

Azamara Cruises – the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days – is returning to the breathtaking landscapes and rugged wilderness of Alaska in the summer of 2026. After a seven-year hiatus, Azamara Cruises will once again offer its signature, intimate voyages to one of the world’s most unspoiled destinations with reputable onshore excursions and experiences that bring guests closer to the heart of Alaska’s awe-inspiring natural beauty, unparalleled wildlife, and authentic rich culture.

A new pinnacle of remote lodging for lovers of back-country, freeride skiing has arrived in the Swiss Alps. Cabane Tortin, perched atop the millenia-old Tortin Glacier at an altitude of 9,500 feet in the canton Valais, will open in December 2024.

An exclusive-use, three-bedroom cabane chalet high above the ski resort town of Verbier in Les 4 Vallées ski area, Cabane Tortin immerses guests in the natural beauty of the snow-capped mountains with the minimal footprint of an eco-sensitive lodge built on the pre-existing site of a mountain hut. Ski-in ski-out access at the edge of the glacier puts guests in the midst of untracked powder and freeride skiing across expansive, ungroomed terrain and steep, mogul-studded slopes with long, vertical descents.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has opened The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai. Unveiled as the brand’s 60th property globally and the second in Shanghai, the hotel marks a significant milestone that underscores the distinct legacy of one of the world’s most storied luxury brands. Owned by Pacific Eagle Real Estate, the hotel offers guests a fresh perspective on signature rituals, St. Regis Butler Service, and refined dining in one of Shanghai’s most historic areas.

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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.