Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: July 2024 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:
- Aman’s Janu brand is coming to Dubai
- Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria is now open
- Qatar Airways unveils highly anticipated ‘Qsuite Next Gen’
- Turkish Airlines reveals new Business Class suite
- Korean Air launches new Business Class cabin on its Boeing 787-10
- Mandarin Oriental announces a luxury resort in Bali
- Accor will brings its Raffles brand to Tokyo, Japan
- Raffles Hotels & Resorts debuts in Jaipur, India
- Hyatt announces plans for a new Park Hyatt Hotel in Xi’an, China
- Wilderness unveils its newest luxury camp (Mokete) in Botswana
1. Aman’s Janu brand is coming to Dubai
After the recent announcement of Aman Dubai, the Aman Group has announced a second destination to open in 2027, Janu Dubai. Following the successful launch of Janu Tokyo which made an indelible mark, Janu Dubai will capture the same vibrant energy. The 150-room hotel will be located in the business heart of Dubai, at the Dubai International Financial Center. Offering sweeping views across the Dubai skyline, the Herzog & de Meuron-designed property will be the first of its kind in the UAE, embracing a connection to nature through expansive outdoor terraces and balconies. Taking its cue from its Sanskrit meaning of soul, the Janu brand is designed for a new era of restorative travel. The Dubai outpost will also feature a limited number of branded residences, a member’s club and several dining and bar concepts alongside dedicated event spaces and an extensive wellness and fitness center.
2. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria is now open
Perched upon the breathtaking blue waters of Lake Fuschl and the base of the Austrian Alps, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl opened its doors as an enriched, elevated luxury resort that allows guests an intimate and rare experience of the Austrian landscape and its cultural heritage. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl both preserves and re-births Austrian traditions through its thoughtful restoration of the 15th-century castle and embracing of the natural surroundings through sustainable practices. The property features 98 furnished guestrooms, including 42 suites and six chalets, and sits as the gateway to Austria’s Salzkammergut region offering unparalleled access to its exquisite scenery. Guests can enjoy guided fishing excursions on the lake, forest foraging with an expert herbalist, and local-led cooking demonstrations in nearby alpine huts; complemented by a bespoke Asaya Spa rooted in Austrian wellness philosophies, and a leisure beach club, Schloss Fuschl See Club, with direct access to the water. This opening marks Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ second property in Austria following the opening of Rosewood Vienna in 2022.
3. Qatar Airways unveils highly anticipated ‘Qsuite Next Gen’
Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer unveiled the new, ultra-modern ‘Qsuite Next Gen’ on the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The redesigned Quad Suite is now equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens – a first for any airline in the world. The screens can be repositioned to the side to create the largest social and productivity space in the sky for up to four passengers in the Quad Suite, and up to two passengers in the Companion Suite. Rest and relaxation on-board the Quad Suite has also been enhanced with increased space for dining together – a hallmark of Qatari heritage, as well added privacy with taller, digitally controlled dividers. With larger lie-flat and double beds, the new Quad Suite will also offer the Qatar Airways turn-down service with a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ feature. The new Companion Suite has similar characteristics to the Quad Suite, now with the noteworthy revamp of offering the same shared space in window aisles. The Qsuite Next Gen will be featured on-board the Qatar Airways Boeing B777-9 aircraft by 2025.
4. Turkish Airlines reveals new Business Class suite
Turkish Airlines has revealed the details of its brand-new state-of-the-art Business Class suite at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 in Hampshire, UK. The new Crystal Business Class suite marks a new era for luxury air travel for business passengers and is the first from Turkish Airlines to feature an adjustable suite door and privacy panel for enhanced in-flight privacy. The new seats feature a generous 23-inch seat width boasting increased footwell space with direct aisle access for all guests with every window suite possessing full visibility. In line with company’s “Flow” brand identity, new suites feature lighter and warmer colors, marble-style table and rose gold finishes. The suite’s design includes adjustable ambient and reading lights, universal and Type C power outlets, wireless charger, noise cancelling audio jack, adjustable mirror, closed stowage ergonomic seat cushion and a 22-inch IFE screen. The new seats, set to be featured on the carrier’s transcontinental flights, will be gradually installed on airline’s Airbus A350s on order, as well as planned to be retrofitted on its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft.
5. Korean Air launches new Business Class cabin on its Boeing 787-10
Korean Air has received its first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, which also debuts the carrier’s new Prestige Class cabin interior. The newly introduced Prestige Class seats, “Prestige Suites 2.0,” are designed to offer passengers a luxurious experience. The design features traditional Korean patterns, including “Jogakbo” patchwork, to showcase Korea’s cultural beauty. The interior features a cream color inspired by Joseon Dynasty porcelain and a gold hue reminiscent of brassware, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere. Shades of charcoal and black with a blue tint add a sense of stability. One of the standout features of the Prestige Suites 2.0 is its innovative design, which prioritizes passenger privacy. Each seat functions as a virtually independent space, with an open top that enhances a sense of openness while maintaining a level of privacy. The seats fully recline to a flat 180 degrees, transforming into a bed. The seat length has been extended to 78 inches (about 198 cm), with a seat pitch of 46 inches (117 cm) and a seat width of 21 inches (53 cm), ensuring a generous amount of personal space.
6. Mandarin Oriental announces a luxury resort in Bali
Mandarin Oriental has announced that it will manage a luxurious hideaway resort with private residences located on Bali’s southern coast on the picturesque Bukit peninsula. Perched on a cliffside plateau of elevated terraces, the resort will provide dramatic panoramic views of the Indian Ocean’s azure waters, with direct access to a secluded beach. Comprising 110 generously appointed suites and villas, each designed to harmonise with the natural surroundings, the property will offer private terraces or gardens, with most featuring private pools. Unique dining experiences will include a cliff-edge restaurant and bar, a speciality Chinese restaurant, a speakeasy bar, and a beach club, providing a culinary journey that highlights the best of Indonesian and international cuisine. Crafted by Design Lab architects and renowned interior designer Jeffrey Wilkes, alongside the world-renowned landscaping expertise of Bill Bensley, the contemporary resort aims to masterfully embraces its stunning vistas. Mandarin Oriental, Bali is set to open in 2027.
7. Accor will brings its Raffles brand to Tokyo, Japan
Raffles Hotels & Resorts, a leading luxury hotel brand of Accor, announced plans to debut in Tokyo. Slated to occupy the top 46 floors of the WTC building, a landmark in Tokyo since its completion in 1970, Raffles Tokyo will be ideally located for business and leisure travelers, offering close proximity to some of city’s most notable landmarks including Tokyo Tower, the Roppongi Museum, and Rainbow Bridge, in addition to direct access to Hamamatsuchō station. Designed by Layan and with sweeping panoramic city views taking center stage, the hotel is expected to feature 130 guestrooms, including 27 suites. Set to become its own distinct destination within the vibrant metropolis, Raffles Tokyo will feature six food and beverage outlets, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness studio, swimming pool, and spa and bathhouse. From celebratory gatherings to intimate meetings, the hotel will also offer more than 1,156 sqm of multi-functional meeting spaces and facilities. Raffles Tokyo is set to open in 2028.
8. Raffles Hotels & Resorts debuts in Jaipur, India
Located a short drive away from the main attractions of the fabled ‘Pink City’, the new Raffles Jaipur is a modern-day re-creation of a palace, paying homage to the regal art of living. Each element within the reimagined palace retreat has been exquisitely handcrafted by skilled artisans, blending the age-old traditions and techniques of Mughal and Rajputana architecture. Creating a highly intimate experience, the hotel features 50 guestrooms and suites, each unique in layout and décor, and all appointed with an expansive balcony offering an outdoor soaking tub or plunge pool. Intricate details grace every corner of the hotel’s accommodations, including painted corniced ceilings, golden murals, furniture featuring camel bone inlay, locally sourced artifacts, and carpets woven in Jaipur. Raffles Jaipur is also set to become a culinary destination, with four dining experiences that offer a modern interpretation of local gastronomy. Guests can also enjoy a serene spa featuring indulgent treatment rooms and mineral pools, in addition to a state-of-the-art fitness studio.
9. Hyatt announces plans for a new Park Hyatt Hotel in Xi’an, China
Park Hyatt Xi’an will aim to provide travelers a sophisticated home-away-from-home in the ancient capital of China, famous for its Terracotta Army. The hotel will offer 192 rooms and suites, world-class culinary and wellness experiences, and inspiring spaces for meetings and events. The hotel will seamlessly blend modern amenities and personalized service with Xi’an’s cultural heritage, creating an elevated luxury experience for guests and locals alike. Well-situated in the city’s CCBD project of the Qujiang District, Park Hyatt Xi’an will be nearly four miles away from the old city center’s landmark Bell Tower. Thoughtfully designed by the renowned Thomas Heatherwick, CCBD has been designated as a key project contributing to the development of the city’s technology and cultural industries. Park Hyatt Xi’an’s prime location will also offer convenient access to the city’s commercial hub, vibrant cultural scenes, and upscale shopping including The Xi’an Mixc, a premium lifestyle and shopping center.
10. Wilderness unveils its newest luxury camp – Mokete – in Botswana
Wilderness – Africa’s 40-year-old leader in luxury safaris – has opened its Mokete luxury tented camp in the famed Mababe wilderness area on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, offering an unparalleled safari experience in Botswana. Spanning over 50,000 hectares of private concession land, the Wilderness area in Mababe teems with game, and is a haven for serious safari enthusiasts seeking once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Africa’s wild. Wilderness Mokete follows a design narrative which intricately blends traditional textiles and a neutral colour palette, paying homage to the surrounding bush, using contemporary forms and contrasting use of materials to create a harmonious cultural tapestry. It features nine en-suite canvas tents and a communal tented lounge area, linked by wooden walkways at ground level. Luxurious interiors and modern amenities, including inverter air conditioning systems and Wi-Fi in all bedrooms, complete the experience and ensure guests want for nothing during their stay. One of the standout features of Mokete’s tented suites is the retractable roof in the bedrooms, allowing guests to stargaze at night.
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