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

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

Today: August 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:

Soneva Fushi organizes the Maldives’ first wellness festival
&Beyond launches a wildflife sightings YouTube channel
Mandarin Oriental will open a luxury resort in Sardinia, Italy
Emirates unveils new Bulgari Business & First Class amenity kits
Four Seasons will open a property in Florida’s Jacksonville, USA
Six Senses announces a resort in Porto Heli, Greece
Waldorf Astoria opens its first hotel in Africa
Iberostar cuts food waste with AI technology
Qantas orders more Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s for its international fleet
Silversea introduces its lates ultra-luxury cruise ship

1. Soneva Fushi launches the Maldives’ first wellness festival

A life-enriching festival with a purpose, SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi – one of the Maldives’ best luxury resorts – will offer a verdant space to move, eat, explore, and be creative while celebrating ancient healing traditions and modern innovations that benefit individuals, communities, and the planet. Over the course of ten days and two weekends (September 29-October 8), the intimate festival will invite guests from across the world to explore wellness in all its dimensions. Each weekend, the festival will include a diverse program of panel discussions with globally acclaimed health and wellness leaders, interspersed with group yoga and meditation classes, healing rituals, live music performances and barefoot gala celebrations on the sand. Weekdays will focus on a more immersive wellbeing journey for guests, with intimate, experiential workshops each day, and one-on-one consultations with world-renowned wellness specialists. You can find the full program here. Rates start at USD 6,156 (incl. taxes) for 3 nights for 2 adults in a one-bedroom villa instead of USD 7,600 which is the regular rate. For a 5-night stay, which is the recommended length, rates start at USD 9,477. On top of that, Soneva is offering guests other extra perks if they attend the SOUL Festival, including complimentary seaplane transfers, full board and more (contact me for more information).

2. &Beyond launches a wildflife sightings YouTube channel

Africa is my number one favorite travel destination on earth. The core experience of any safari – in addition to the soul-invigorating effect of scenic and spacious landscapes – is undoubtedly the continent’s fascinating wildlife. From the savannas, swamps and deserts of Southern Africa to the endless plains and equatorial forests of East Africa; from the idyllic seascapes of the Indian Ocean islands to the snow covered peaks in Marocco, a diversity of enigmatic animals exists. Traveling to new places and encountering species we’ve never seen before can inspire an affinity with that animal and awaken a deep hunger to learn more about them and how they fit into the ecosystems where they live. &Beyond, one of Africa’s top safari tour operators, has now launched a new web page as well as a YouTube channel (known as WILDwatch) where you can have a look at the latest wildlife sightings at their lodges (in preparation for your trip or just to dream away). It is a platform where you can learn all about a much-beloved species and where many of the incredible things &Beyond’s guides and guests have experienced on their wild journeys are showcased. It is the place where memories live on and a passion for wildlife and Africa is nurtured, and I highly recommend to have a look at it in case you love Africa as much as I do.

3. Mandarin Oriental will open a luxury resort in Sardinia, Italy

Mandarin Oriental will develop a new luxury resort in Sardinia, located in the north-east of the island in the heart of Costa Smeralda. Set to open its doors in mid-2026, the hotel will comprise 83 meticulously designed rooms and suites, offering guests comfort and breathtaking views. Five distinctive restaurants and bars will entice diners with a variety of culinary offerings, while the Spa at Mandarin Oriental will provide the brand’s awardwinning wellness experiences in a serene sanctuary. Those seeking relaxation will be able to indulge in the large indoor and outdoor pools nestled amidst lush gardens. Furthermore, the hotel will feature an exclusive beach club, on the beautiful Porto Paglia beach, allowing guests to relax and rejuvenate. Close to Porto Cervo with its luxury boutiques, galleries and restaurants and a 30-minute journey from Olbia airport, Mandarin Oriental, Porto Cervo will be located in one of the most sought-after parts of Costa Smeralda. Porto Cervo Marina, with its distinguished Yacht Club, renowned for hosting international regattas, along with a breathtaking string of coves, secluded beaches and crystalline waters make north-east Sardinia the perfect Italian escape.

4. Emirates unveils new Bulgari Business & First Class amenity kits

In keeping with Emirates commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience onboard, the First and Business Class kit bags feature new trending pantones and designs, along with Bulgari fragrances encapsulated in bottles designed exclusively for Emirates. The new range presents eight different collectible bags across First and Business Class, in a classic tan and black fabric, contemporary silver with lilac, or understated black with lilac highlights.

The new Business Class amenity kits offers two bag shapes, a pouch and classic toiletry bag silhouette, both made from vegan leather in a standout metallic silver shade with lilac accents. Contents of the female kit include a BVLGARI OMNIA Amethyste Eau de Toilette, Omnia Amethyste face and body emulsions, a lip balm, dental kit, deodorant, tissues, foldaway hairbrush and a double mirror made from a sustainable wheat straw material. Meanwhile the male kits comes in black fabric and features a BVLGARI POUR HOMME Eau de Toilette, a Bulgari after shave balm and body emulsion, a Gillette razor, shaving foam, dental kit, deodorant, tissues and foldaway hairbrush.
In First Class, the luxurious range features 4 individual collectible bags, two in black vegan leather with lilac accents, and two in a high-quality black fabric, some with tan vegan leather accents – both containing an array of personalised luxury products. The first class collection features two female kits in black and lilac (pictured above), offering an engraved gold Bulgari mirror, a 30ml bottle of BVLGARI LE GEMME Desiria Eau de Parfum, face and body emulsions, a dental kit, refreshing cleansing towel, deodorant, tissues and foldaway hairbrush. The black and tan male first class kits feature a 30ml bottle of BVLGARI LE GEMME Gyan Eau de Parfum, a hydrating Bulgari Le Gemme Gyan after shave balm and matching body emulsion, a cleansing towel, Gillette razor, shaving foam, dental kit, deodorant, tissues and foldaway hairbrush.

5. Four Seasons will open a property in Florida’s Jacksonville, USA

Anticipated to open in 2026, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will play an integral role in the development of the Jacksonville Shipyards while ushering in a thrilling and historic next chapter for Downtown Jacksonville. The property will offer 170 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, 26 private residences, and four dining and lounge outlets including a signature rooftop restaurant and bar, all-day restaurant, pool bar and grill, and lobby bar. Serviced by the renowned quality and genuine care for which Four Seasons is known, the hotel will also feature a world-class spa, multiple outdoor pools with cabana service, a well-appointed gym, expansive meeting & event space, and the widely celebrated Kids For All Seasons Program with activities dedicated to younger guests. Guests, residents and locals will also have access to a redeveloped marina offering unique experiences along the St. Johns River. HKS is the resort’s lead design architect, partnering with ODA for interior design and EDSA for landscape design, creating a modern yet timeless atmosphere. HKS has worked on Four Seasons projects in The Bahamas, Hawaii, Orlando, Denver and more.

6. Six Senses announces a resort in Porto Heli, Greece

Set to open in 2026, the LEED-certified Six Senses Porto Heli will bring the brand’s trademark wellness and sustainability ethos to the elegant Ermioni in the beautiful Greek Peloponnese, with the famous islands of Spetses and Hydra within view. Historically, the Peloponnese has been the main field of action for Greece since prehistoric times, hosting important archaeological sites, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Located 200 km (120 mi) from Athens, Porto Heli has evolved from a sleepy fishing village into a destination for glamor and outdoor adventure. The hotel will offer around 60 rooms and suites, most with private plunge pools and private terraces or gardens, along with a three-bedroom retreat villa. In addition, there will be 10 branded residential villas for sale, offering five to eight bedrooms. Along with eight treatment rooms, thermal wet areas and heat experiences, and an indoor swimming pool with ocean views, the Six Senses Spa will house a Biohacking Lounge, boutique and concept store, outdoor fitness and wellness circuit, and spa herbal gardens. Other facilities will include an Alchemy Bar, Earth Lab, outdoor pool and sports facilities, sound healing dome, and restaurants. Down by the beach, there will be a boat jetty and beach club hosting a range of water sports, beach dining, and juice and coffee bars.

7. Waldorf Astoria opens its first hotel in Africa

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, one of Hilton’s luxury hotel brands, announced its expansion into Egypt and the African continent with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis. The elegant hotel brings a welcoming atmosphere, bespoke experiences, and seamless, personalized service to the Egyptian capital, providing a tranquil oasis, complete with beautiful botanical gardens, for guests to unwind away from the bustling streets of the city. Perfectly located in the ancient city of Heliopolis, Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis is close to Egypt’s main presidential palace, with must-see spots like Downtown Cairo, Khan El Khalili Bazaar and the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum all easily accessible from the hotel. The up-and-coming New Administrative Capital, a new urban community home to government, residential, business and cultural districts, is also within convenient reach from the hotel. A blend of modern elegance and local authenticity, the hotel features 252 luxurious and contemporary deluxe rooms and suites. Four exquisite restaurants and bars invite guests on a journey of discovery, whilst best-in-class facilities include a Waldorf Astoria Spa and stunning event spaces.

8. Iberostar cuts food waste with AI technology

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts and Winnow are celebrating a successful partnership in the first half of 2023 by reducing food waste and achieving significant progress in their journey towards a waste-free future by 2025. With Winnow AI technology now installed in 48 of the 100+ Iberostar hotels globally, this progress includes:

Cutting food waste by 28% in hotels with AI technology installed and onboarded
Globally hotels using AI technology are saving 1.5 million meals per year which is well on our way to reaching our target of 5.3 million meals.
Globally and from January – June 2023:
- 735K total meals saved
- 11 % reduction in waste weight
- 1,264 tons of CO2 saved

From a climate perspective, this translates to 2,500 tons of CO2e reduced per year – the equivalent of 6.4m miles driven by a passenger car. As part of its ambitious and pioneering sustainability movement called Wave of Change, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts partnered with Winnow in September 2022, with the aim of saving 1,600 tons of food waste per year, equivalent to 5.3 million meals.

9. Qantas orders more Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s for its international fleet

Qantas has announced the final piece of its jet fleet renewal program with a firm order for 24 aircraft to progressively replace its existing A330s. The multi-billion dollar order is split between 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s arriving from 2027 into the next decade. Qantas has also negotiated additional purchase right options, split evenly between both manufacturers, to give flexibility for future growth and ultimately replace its 10 A380s with A350s from around 2032 onwards. Qantas’ A330 aircraft mostly operate on international flights to Asia and the United States as well as some domestic flights. The longer range delivered by the 787 and A350 aircraft on order means they will be able to operate all the routes on the airline’s current international network, as well as open up new ones. The average age of Qantas’ A330 fleet will be 21 years at the time the replacement program starts in 2027, which is in line with Qantas’ typical replacement profile. Aircraft scheduled to leave the Qantas fleet towards the end of the replacement program will undergo a cabin refurbishment from 2025, including next-generation seats in the Economy cabin.

10. Silversea introduces its lates ultra-luxury cruise ship

Silver Nova – the latest ship from Silversea, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line – embarked on her maiden voyage through the Adriatic Sea. One of the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury cruise ships ever built, Silver Nova is Silversea’s 12th ship. Her innovative design, which prizes openness over symmetry and incorporates an unprecedented use of glass, immerses guests into the destination from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn. Her reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — best exemplify her unique openness to the destination. One of the most spacious cruise ships ever built, Silver Nova has a space-to-guest ratio of 75 GRT-per-guest — the highest in Silversea’s fleet. The ship hosts up to 728 guests in 13 different suite categories, which rank among the most spacious accommodations of any cruise ship. Further enriching the on-board experience are the largest selection of bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; Otium, the cruise line’s Roman-inspired wellness program; and its innovative culinary program, Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.), which comprises an on-board ecosystem of culinary discovery, immersive excursions ashore, food lectures, hands-on culinary experiences, and more.