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09/10/2025

Inside Carbone Dubai’s launch party at Atlantis The Royal

Star-studded glamour set the scene for the opening of Carbone Dubai at Atlantis The Royal in October 2025. This marks the 10th global outpost of the celebrated New York restaurant, bringing a slice of 1950s Manhattan to the emirate, complete with tuxedoed waiters, classic Italian-American dishes, tableside theatrics and cinematic style. Chef and Co-Founder Mario Carbone welcomed a glittering guest list including supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio and Romee Strijd, actress Kat Graham, musician Lennon Gallagher and former footballer Rio Ferdinand, alongside regional stars Mona Zaki, Ahmed Helmy and Mona Kattan, plus hospitality executives, including Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths and Kerzner CEO Philippe Zuber. Guests mingled over signature bites such as Spicy Rigatoni and Caviar Stracciatella Toast and original supermodel Naomi Campbell took to the decks. The three-day VIP celebrations also included a beachside pop-up party headlined by hip-hop heavyweight Rick Ross.

08/10/2025

First Look: Ciel Dubai Marina – Vignette Collection, Dubai, UAE

Rising in the heart of Dubai Marina, Ciel Dubai Marina – Vignette Collection opens 15 November 2025 as the world’s tallest hotel at 375 metres. Designed across 82 floors, it offers 1,004 accommodations including 147 suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. There are three pools, among them the world’s highest infinity pool on the 76th floor, alongside a luxury spa, gym, boutiques and Nest Executive Lounge. Dining spans eight venues, from award-winning Asian restaurant Tattu to Mediterranean-inspired West 13 and Asian flavours at West 14. Guests can also explore a 12-storey vertical sky garden and an open-air observation deck on the 81st floor offering panoramic city views.

02/10/2025

First Look: Le Méridien Casablanca, Morocco

Marking the brand’s debut in Morocco, Le Méridien Casablanca has opened in the city’s Ain Sebaa district, a 30-minute drive from the airport. The five-star property features 145 accommodations across seven categories, including a two-bedroom suite, all blending mid-century modern design with Moroccan accents and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining options range from all-day venue Le Marché to Mediterranean and Moroccan fare at Safran, while a rooftop lounge offers tapas, cocktails and Atlantic views, alongside a dessert corner with signature scoops. Facilities include a spa, fitness centre, 25-metre indoor pool and rooftop lounge, while meeting offerings extend to seven breakout rooms.

26/09/2025

First Look: Balfour Miami Beach Hotel, US

Reopened in September 2025, Miami landmark Balfour enters a new era as part of Ennismore’s Morgans Originals Collection, infusing fresh energy into its storied Art Deco roots just steps from the Miami Beach Boardwalk. The 82-room boutique property, originally built in 1940, has been reimagined by Bigtime Design Studios to preserve details such as terrazzo flooring and brass elevator doors while adding modern comforts. Accommodations span two buildings joined by a lush tropical courtyard and feature mid-century accents, marble bathrooms and in-room bar carts. Facilities include a plunge pool, rooftop deck and complimentary bicycles, with new dining venues ranging from Cleo’s Mediterranean menus to SoFi Coffee’s artisanal brews and pastries.

18/09/2025

First Look: Grand Hotel Centenari, Valencia, Autograph Collection, Spain

Set in the heart of Valencia’s old quarter, this Autograph Collection hotel is housed in a landmark building that dates to 1925 and overlooks Valencia’s historic Plaza Ayuntamiento. Interiors have been restored to reflect the building’s original character and the 53 elegant rooms and suites, all spacious and light-filled, pay homage to Art Deco through geometric motifs and rich textures. Dining is hosted at Soul of 1927, a European-style bistro offering local, seasonal flavours, while the stylish lobby bar serves 1920s-inspired cocktails and features a dedicated music area for live performances. There’s also a fitness centre and a rooftop pool.

10/09/2025

First Look: Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel, France

Reopened as a Radisson Collection hotel, this property occupies a restored 14th-century Renaissance building on a cobbled street in Lyon’s Unesco-listed old district. Original features including exposed beams, spiral staircases and stone fireplaces have been artfully preserved across 61 individually-styled accommodations, which feature plush beds, marble bathrooms and courtyard or city views. Les Loges serves fine French dining beneath a soaring glass atrium, Le Comptoir offers modern Lyonnais fare on a leafy terrace and La Petite Loge reopens as a venue for chef-led tastings. Facilities include two Florentine courtyards, and a spa beneath ancient stone vaults with a pool and hammam.

08/09/2025

First Look: Kimpton Atlântico Algarve, Portugal

This five-star resort commands a prime clifftop perch above São Rafael Beach, just outside Albufeira, offering sweeping Atlantic views and direct beach access. The 149 airy rooms and suites combine contemporary design, coastal accents and spa-inspired bathrooms, with many offering ocean-facing balconies. Wellness takes centre stage, with four indoor and outdoor pools, a well-equipped gym and a spa with hydrotherapy circuit, sauna, steam and hot tub. Dining spans Mediterranean fare at Terra, plant-forward plates at Greenleaf and sunset cocktails at the panoramic rooftop bar. Guests can unwind in lush gardens, enjoy sunrise yoga sessions or explore nearby Algarve attractions.

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05/09/2025

First Look: The Edinburgh Grand, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Edinburgh

Following a refurbishment, The Edinburgh Grand has reopened as a Luxury Collection Hotel with an enhanced focus on upscale extended stays. Housed in the former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters, a 1942 neoclassical landmark in the Unesco‑listed New Town, the property now features 50 residences, including studios and suites, each equipped with a full kitchen and living area, and a penthouse with views of Edinburgh Castle from the terrace. Dining options include Hawksmoor steakhouse, serving sustainably sourced Scottish beef and coastal seafood, the multi-level cocktail bar Lady Libertine and The Register Club, a social space for fine dining. Amenities include a 24‑hour fitness centre, meeting spaces and concierge services.

03/09/2025

First Look: The Marcus Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Northern Ireland

Opened in July 2025 as the only internationally branded hotel in seaside town Portrush, this Hilton property brings fresh energy to a landmark Victorian building on Ireland’s dramatic North Atlantic coast. The 80-room hotel celebrates Portrush’s seafaring heritage through design and storytelling, inspired by comic-book adventurer Marcus, whose illustrated exploits and collected treasures adorn the interiors. Thoughtful restoration preserves original mosaics and historic features, while contemporary touches nod to the coastal landscape. Culinary highlights include an Asian fusion restaurant and a bar serving artisan cocktails in a snug, harbour-inspired setting. Ideally located for exploring the Giant’s Causeway and Royal Portrush Golf Club.

02/09/2025

First Look: Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Reopened in July 2025 following a renovation, Niyama in the Dhaalu atoll reveals refurbished villas and facilities across twin islands Play and Chill. Villa interiors have been refreshed to bring the outdoors in, with shades of turquoise and sunset and floor-to-ceiling windows that open directly onto the beach or sundeck. High-tech amenities include espresso, popcorn and entertainment at the touch of a button. Treetop restaurant Nest has been redesigned to fully immerse guests in the wild, lush jungle, and the kids’ club includes a splash park and climbing wall set within the jungle. There’s also a new marine centre offering hands-on conservation activities and an underwater restaurant.

22/08/2025

First Look: Wyndham Alanya, Antalya, Türkiye

Set along Türkiye’s scenic Antalya coast, this family-friendly beachfront resort is surrounded by orange groves and historic landmarks, just 20 km from Alanya’s centre. Its 188 accommodations, many with balconies overlooking the sea and gardens, provide a relaxing retreat. A private beach features 200 loungers, while multiple pools include two children’s pools with slides and an aquapark, plus an indoor lap pool. Four dining venues range from a rooftop lounge with Mediterranean flavours and sea views to a casual poolside café, complemented by four bars. Wellness amenities include a fitness centre, tennis and basketball courts, and a spa with salt rooms and Turkish baths

19/08/2025

First Look: Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, Italy

Following a multi-year renovation by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the Grand Dame of the Italian Riviera reopens for summer 2025 with 52 reimagined rooms and suites, each showcasing Ligurian craftsmanship and antique furniture restored in the Genoese style. The Baronessa Suite features a private-entrance garden, direct pool access and a vast terrace. The saltwater pool is now complemented by lush gardens, while brand-new bar Baratta Sedici channels Riviera glamour with botanical murals and cocktails featuring local flavours. Crowning the transformation, Italy’s first-ever Dior Spa brings indoor-outdoor wellness to the 15th-century monastery-turned-sanctuary, with nature-inspired treatments and a rooftop relaxation terrace offering bay views.

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