1. CONRAD TULUM RIVIERA MAYA
Tulum, Mexico
The jungle covered landscapes of the Yucatan Peninsula inspire everything at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, from dining and design to wellness ritual and guest experiences. Situated a few miles outside Tulum on a sheltered bay fringed with forest, the resort marks the brand’s debut in the Mexican Caribbean, with 349 rooms and suites and a collection of dining destinations infused with local culture and tradition. On arrival, guests pass through an enormous set of ornate wooden doors made by local artisans into the main hotel lobby, where they’re greeted by sweeping ocean views and artworks that pay tribute to the indigenous architecture of the Yucatan Peninsula and the surrounding landscape, dotted with mysterious cenotes and the ruins of Mayan temples.
The ode to local culture continues at Conrad Spa Tulum, where treatments and body rituals are inspired by Mayan traditions, herbalism and the legends of ancient gods. Dining experiences are at the heart of the offering: five restaurants offer a variety of flavours and cuisines from around the world, from signature restaurant Autor, where chef Jersai Miranda creates a personalised culinary journey for diners, to six bars and lounges where you can wind down and enjoy those long Riviera Maya evenings.
2. THE OCEAN CLUB, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, COSTA NORTE
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Surrounded by palm-fringed beaches, colonial towns and jewel-toned landscapes, The Ocean Club, A Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte, is a paradisaical escape on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Designed by Toronto-based agency Chapi Chapo Design, the 64 luxurious suites were created by French interior designer Nathalie Pain, all bathed in natural light and overlooking the Atlantic. Five four-bedroom penthouses stand out as exceptional hideaways for families and groups, while the three-storey Presidential Penthouse claims to be the largest in the Caribbean, with five bedrooms, a private fitness centre and several terraces. L’OCCITANE Spa forms the heart of the resort, a tranquil haven where holistic and wellness therapies are inspired by local rituals. Private cabanas and beach loungers dot the golden sands in front of the resort, while two of the three swimming pools are reserved for adults-only. Three eclectic dining experiences await: Asian-Peruvian fusion at Aquazul, Caribbean cuisine at Baia and casual Mediterranean fare at Rock Bar & Grill, while speakeasy style bar The Cellar is the must-visit destination for nocturnal libations.
3. SHANGRI-LA JEDDAH
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Soaring above the Red Sea coast, Burj Jassila is a new architectural beacon on the Jeddah skyline: a 64-storey tower that claims the title as the tallest building in the city. Home to 116 luxurious Burj Assila Residences and the brand-new Shangri-La Jeddah, the project is set to become a hub for fine dining and wellness among locals and visitors alike. Guests have the choice of 148 guestrooms, 55 suites and 17 serviced apartments for longer stays, all finished in a bright colour palette with blue and beige accents reflecting the desert, sea and city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Shangri-La brings its Asian culinary heritage with it in the form of Shang Palace, the brand’s signature modern Chinese restaurant. Inspired by traditional courtyard siheyuan houses, the restaurant is imbued with traditional Chinese motifs and Arabesque patterns, while all-day dining outlet The Waterfront Kitchen sports a bright white and blue interior that pays homage to ocean travel. A 25-metre outdoor pool on the seventh floor provides front row views of the Red Sea, while The Spa at Shangri-La is the serene heart of the hotel: a peaceful haven featuring a menu of treatments by award-winning Natura Bissé.
4. THE MADRID EDITION
Madrid, Spain
A pair of signature restaurants helmed by two of Latin America’s most influential chefs is an indication of grand culinary aspirations at The Madrid EDITION, a brand-new design-driven urban escape in the heart of the Spanish capital from Ian Schrager. Situated in the Plaza de la Descalzas in a contemporary building designed by British architect and long-term Schrager collaborator John Pawson, the hotel forms a new dining and social hub in the energetic Sol neighbourhood.
At signature restaurant Jerónimo, named after Spanish painter and engraver Jerónimo Antonio Gil, Mexican master chef Enrique Olvera explores the boundaries between traditional Mexican and Spanish cuisines, while Peruvian maestro Diego Munoz, former executive chef at the outstanding Astrid Y Gaston in Lima, oversees the action at Oroya, where the kaleidoscopic flavours of Peru are brought into the spotlight.
Next to Oroya, the largest rooftop swimming pool in Madrid is surrounded by sleek cabanas and loungers where guests can sip on creative cocktails from the adjacent teak bar. Paris-based designer François Champsaur has laid out the interiors of the 200 guestrooms and suites, which include two of the largest penthouses in the capital. Crowning the collection, the Madrid Penthouse is a sprawling hideaway with a panoramic, greenery-filled terrace and private infinity pool, an eight-seat dining room and an elegant wood and leather daybed by Bassam Fellows. Bringing the entire EDITION offering together is the lively Lobby Bar, a social hub where custom made furnishings surround a spectacular scalloped copper bar and towering backlit bottle display.