Luxury travel news from around the world (February 2025)

Mar 1 2025

From opulent trains crossing golden deserts to ultra-exclusive island retreats, our latest round-up of luxury travel news includes pioneering brands that are pushing boundaries in the world of luxury travel.Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert marries Arabian heritage with contemporary elegance, while Bvlgari makes a dazzling Caribbean debut. Superyachts, bespoke supercars and legendary hotel brands are expanding into new frontiers, crafting immersive experiences like we have never seen before. Read on for some of the latest luxury travel news from around the world.

Blurring the lines between past and future, Arsenale Group and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) have unveiled the final designs for Dream of the Desert, a luxury train experience reimagining Arabian rail travel. Launching in 2026, this rolling masterpiece of 14 carriages and 34 opulent cabins will traverse the golden landscapes from Riyadh to Qurayyat, echoing the grandeur of Madain Saleh and Hail.

Mandarin Oriental is set to bring its signature sophistication to Suzhou with a stunning new property in the city’s Central Business District, overlooking the serene Jinji Lake. Featuring 146 elegantly designed rooms and suites, the hotel promises an indulgent retreat with three exceptional dining venues, a chic lounge, bar, and an artisanal cake shop. Guests can unwind in a world-class spa, fitness centre and indoor pool, while little travellers can explore the surrounding park through the Children’s Club. This new addition marks the brand’s expansion in the Yangtze River Delta — joining its Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing locations.

Nobu Hospitality is set for a landmark year in 2025, unveiling a series of luxury hotels that blend cultural heritage with Japanese minimalism. In Toronto, Nobu’s first Canadian hotel will rise above the historic Pilkington Glass Factory, offering 36 refined suites and a bi-level Nobu restaurant with breathtaking views of Lake Ontario. Meanwhile, in Rome, Nobu Hotel Roma will grace the iconic Via Veneto, merging 19th-century grandeur with sleek elegance, featuring a 500 sqm Nobu Suite, a rooftop terrace, and a curated music lounge. The expansion continues with Nobu Hotel Al Khobar on Saudi Arabia’s waterfront, delivering Arabian Gulf vistas, tranquil pools, and world-class dining. Across the Atlantic, Nobu Hotel Caesars New Orleans will bring understated luxury to the city’s reimagined Caesars Tower, offering 54 stylish rooms near the vibrant French Quarter.

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Anantara makes its grand India debut with Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, a lavish retreat in Rajasthan’s Pink City that blends regal heritage with contemporary indulgence. Inspired by classical Rajasthani palaces, the hotel’s 150 rooms and suites feature intricate hand-carved woodwork, golden leaf detailing, and sweeping bay windows that frame lush gardens. Culinary excellence shines at Sheesh Mahal, where Executive Chef Sunil Jajoria reinterprets Rajasthani flavours, while Amrit Mahal and Rajputana Chowk offer relaxed dining with cultural charm. Guests can immerse themselves in curated experiences, from heritage art walks and cooking classes to private safaris in Ranthambore.

Set to debut in December 2026, Windstar’s Star Seeker will redefine luxury cruising in Asia with exclusive, small-ship access and immersive inland experiences. Offering two core itineraries—one spanning Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand (10 days), and another covering Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia (11 days)—each voyage begins with land-based exploration in Hanoi, Bangkok, or Phuket, setting it apart from typical Singapore- or Hong Kong-centric routes. The ship’s intimate scale allows it to sail directly into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, dock at secluded gems like Ko Kood for Windstar’s Signature Beach Party, and reach rarely visited ports such as Krabi and Ko Yao Noi. Guests can extend their adventure with ‘Star Collector’ sailings, combining itineraries into epic journeys of up to 41 days. A limited-time early booking offer adds to the allure, including free Wi-Fi, gratuities, premium drinks and onboard credit.

JW Marriott is unveiling its second Maldivian masterpiece, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, a secluded paradise set in the largest lagoon of Kaafu Atoll, just 15 minutes from Velana International Airport. Designed by architect Cuneyt Bukulmez, the 80 private pool villas—including 47 overwater sanctuaries—combine Maldivian charm with modern luxury, offering panoramic ocean views and serene escapes.

The resort champions sustainability, collaborating with INVENA on an innovative underwater coastal structure to protect marine life and combat erosion. Culinary experiences range from refined Maldivian flavours at Riva to global delicacies at Veyo, while the overwater Spa by JW offers exclusive BABOR treatments. Families are welcomed with Family by JW programs, featuring kids’ activities and interactive experiences.

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts is set to make its Caribbean debut with Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Cave Cay, an ultra-luxurious escape opening in the Bahamas in 2029. Nestled on the pristine 220-acre Cave Cay in the Exumas, the resort will feature 64 opulent suites and villas, alongside 48 exclusive Bvlgari-branded private mansions for sale. Framed by white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, this private paradise will offer world-class amenities, including a spa, multi-sports enclave, and the renowned Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, delivering Michelin-starred dining. The signature beach club La Spiaggia promises unparalleled seaside relaxation, while a state-of-the-art marina will serve as both a luxury docking hub and a gateway to island-hopping adventures.

Celebrating 35 years of polar discovery, Quark Expeditions unveils its 2026-27 program with groundbreaking adventures and the debut of World Voyager—an all-suite, all-balcony expedition ship built for the extremes. Chartering from Atlas Ocean Voyages, the 168-guest vessel features a Science Hub and immersive citizen science programs, inviting travellers to engage in hands-on research from seabird surveys to water sampling. A standout addition is Quark’s exclusive partnership with the Friedlaender Lab at UC San Diego, offering guests a rare chance to observe world-leading marine mammal experts studying whales on the Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals expedition.

Oceanco and Vripack have unveiled Lily, a groundbreaking 331-foot superyacht concept that merges bold innovation with real-world feasibility. Inspired by the organic elegance of a water lily, Lily features an asymmetrical, split-level design that optimizes space, airflow, and breathtaking ocean views. Without traditional side walkways, its sculptural exterior appears seamless, while one-way glass ensures privacy without compromising panoramic vistas.

Inside, overlapping decks and expansive glass surfaces create a floating masterpiece of light and openness, with highlights including a soaring 13-foot leisure deck, a glass mezzanine, an open-air cinema, and a suspension bridge leading to a children’s play area. The owner’s 4,840-square-foot split-level suite is a private sanctuary, complete with an adjoining terrace and — naturally — a lily pond.

Fukushima-based tuner Value Progress has unleashed The Beast, a jaw-dropping one-off build based on the iconic Lamborghini Diablo. Unlike conventional supercar modifications, The Beast is a complete transformation, boasting an extreme Bōsōzoku-inspired design that obliterates any resemblance to the original Raging Bull. With aggressive flicks, exaggerated strakes, and an outlandish rear wing, the car’s sculpted body panels are entirely bespoke—only the windshield remains from the Diablo.

Radisson Collection is set for a major global expansion in 2025, following the debut of the Radisson Collection Resort, Galle in Sri Lanka earlier this year. The 105-key beachfront property marked the brand’s entry into Southeast Asia and the Pacific, kicking off a year of growth with six more high-profile openings across Europe and North Africa.

Among the upcoming destinations is Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel, a boutique property nestled within the medieval heart of Lyon, set to open in spring 2025. In March, Radisson Collection Hotel, Basilica Budapest will offer stunning views of St. Stephen’s Basilica, while the Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin will reopen in April, showcasing a striking 16-meter-high vertical garden. The second quarter will see the launch of Radisson Collection Hotel, The National Brussels, a luxury retreat complete with a golf course and leisure club. Later in the year, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Lake Como will open, offering breathtaking lakeside views, while the Lincoln Casablanca, A Radisson Collection Hotel—a historic Art Deco landmark—will debut after an extensive renovation to preserve its architectural beauty.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is set to make its debut in Ras Al Khaimah with an ultra-luxurious beachfront property at Mina, a 400-hectare, two-island development boasting 11 miles of waterfront and panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains.

Slated for construction in 2026, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Ras Al Khaimah at Mina will feature 150 elegantly designed rooms, suites, and signature villas, along with 130 private residences. Guests will have access to world-class wellness facilities, including a 10-room spa, a beauty salon, and a fully equipped fitness center. The resort will also offer multiple swimming pools, paddle, tennis, and basketball courts, and a dedicated Kids For All Seasons program with tailored spaces for young travelers.

Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has opened Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella, reviving one of Spain’s most distinguished hotels. Originally opened in 1962, Los Monteros set a benchmark in exceptional hospitality on Costa del Sol, becoming the first hotel in Spain to receive a Michelin Star. Now, following an extensive renovation, the luxury lifestyle brand has reimagined its legacy, blending historic grandeur with contemporary, laid-back luxury to offer guests unbeatable dining, wellness, and design experiences.

The Capra, the newly expanded, 5-star luxury wellness hotel announces its Valais Ski Safari experience, which offers a new way for visitors to experience one of Switzerland’s most renowned ski regions from its home base in the traditional alpine village of Saas-Fee. Guests can ski along two glaciers and at several bucket list ski areas, including Saas-Fee, Zermatt, Crans Montana and Verbier, via car or helicopter, with professional ski guides, gear and details taken care of by The Capra team.

In 2025 The Capra reopened for the winter season as a newly expanded 38-room boutique luxury hotel. The hotel was first introduced in 2015 and has undergone extensive renovation and expansion over the last decade, including adding two additional buildings to the original hotel structure, all interconnected underground. The most recent addition added 14 rooms (six double rooms, seven junior suites and one penthouse suite) and a major expansion to its world-class spa, including a new relaxation area, a state-of-the art fitness room and a yoga/Pilates studio. The hotel’s setting in the heart of the car-free village of Saas-Fee allows for year-round activities accessible within walking distance, including hiking or skiing the Saas Glacier, and climbing through the Fee Gorge on the town’s via ferrata. Plus, the world’s tallest rotating restaurant can be reached via cable car, along with other active experiences in the dramatic nature of the Valais around Saas-Fee, which includes 18 peaks over 13,000 feet.

Throughout April, Chiva-Som, the acclaimed wellness brand that has led the field in holistic wellness since opening in Thailand in 1995, is marking its 30th anniversary with a curated array of wellbeing immersions and celebrations. Blending the practices found at its flagship in Hua Hin Thailand and its latest destination, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, activities will immerse guests in the warm hospitality and leading wellness offerings Chiva-Som has been renowned for over the past three decades.

As part of the year-long anniversary celebrations, April’s complimentary programme for guests will see a special dinner combining the approaches of Chiva-Som Hua Hin and Zulal Wellness Resort, multi-sensory classes with artist Notep, and an array of visiting consultants and cultural connections.

The St. Regis Downtown Dubai has launched the Ginori Terrace, an elegant new dining destination overlooking the Dubai Canal. This refined space is part of a global partnership between St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Ginori 1735, the esteemed Italian porcelain brand, celebrating the essence of “la dolce vita”. The terrace showcases exquisite elements from Ginori 1735’s Domus collection, including Orient Italiano wallpaper and embroidered furnishings, creating an atmosphere that immerses guests in Italian elegance.

Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s prestigious portfolio, has unveiled its latest addition — Veranda Resort Phuket, Autograph Collection. As the brand’s first property in Phuket, this highly anticipated resort blends local heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and cutting-edge design, embodying the collection’s philosophy of being “Exactly Like Nothing Else.”

Nestled on the serene Cape Panwa peninsula, the resort offers unparalleled views of the Andaman Sea and vibrant sunsets, creating a tranquil retreat just 12 km from Phuket Old Town and 24 km from Patong Beach. With Phuket International Airport a convenient 45 km away, guests have easy access to the island’s top attractions.

Designed from the ground up with cutting-edge technology, Hill Helicopters‘ sleek five-seat chopper features a high-inertia three-bladed rotor system capable of cruising at 160 mph with an 800-mile range. Despite its advanced avionics, luxury styling, and spacious cabin, the HX50’s most striking feature may be its price—at approximately $798,000, it undercuts comparable helicopters by nearly a third.

Aman’s much-anticipated Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is set to open on 2 April 2025, introducing the brand’s signature serenity to the city’s vibrant heart. Nestled within the lush seclusion of Nai Lert Park, this 52-suite ultra-luxury retreat blends historic charm with modern elegance, offering exclusive Aman Club privileges, a 1,500-square-metre wellness sanctuary, and refined dining spaces. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the hotel pays homage to its century-old setting with local artisan craftsmanship, antiques, and a striking architectural centrepiece—a 100-year-old Sompong tree at its core. Beyond its tranquil walls, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok serves as both a cultural gateway to the city’s hidden gems and a strategic link to Aman’s 24 properties across Asia.

Belmond’s Britannic Explorer is redefining luxury train travel with the launch of an exclusive Wellness Suite, a first of its kind in England and Wales. In collaboration with Wildsmith, the suite offers nature-inspired treatments designed to reawaken the senses and restore balance. Drawing from radical botany and biodynamic principles, the experience blends calendula, chamomile, rose, and lavender—harvested from Wildsmith’s farm at Heckfield Place—into rituals that mirror the circadian rhythms of both trees and travellers.

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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.