Four Seasons Private Island Voavah at Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll, Maldives
Opening just last month, Four Seasons’ secluded five-acre oasis is aiming to transcend the private island experience by being “entirely yours” from the moment you book any of the resort’s seven bedrooms, Beach House, Dive Centre, Ocean of Consciousness Spa or 62-foot (18.9-metre) yacht.
The property is within the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, allowing only 22 guests on an exclusive basis. Many experiences are focused on the area’s natural beauty, with almost guaranteed manta ray sightings and guided tours from conservationists. Four Seasons also teamed with local environmental consultancies to ensure proper maintenance of the balance between travel and nature, culture and conservation – though exclusive use of the island costs a pretty penny: around $46,000 a night.
W Goa
Vagator, Goa, India
Whether you’re a raver, yogi or just a beach bum, Goa has been the India’s foremost beach haven for decades – but it never had a W. The 160 colourfully decorated rooms, suites, chalets and villas are all spread out across the secluded coastal setting and filled with quirky customised furniture and unique art pieces.
All of the rooms also have a W MixBar as well as a host of techie features and in-room entertainment – but the most important thing to recharge is yourself. The signature W beds are sure to provide a comfortable stay especially if you’ve emerged from the rainforest shower. The locale is equally impressive, and guests are encouraged to explore the area’s eclectic history by hiking up Vagator’s trademark black rocks to Chapora Fort – a 500-year-old Portuguese structure with panoramic views of Goa and the sea.
Jumeirah Al Naseem
Dubai, UAE
Jumeirah’s new beachfront hotel has been fully sold out since opening, which should give an indication of just how special this debut is. Tucked between the likes of Burj Al Arab, Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr, Al Naseem has a contemporary twist when compared to its sister properties, with all 430 guestrooms inspired by the name – translating to “sea breeze”.
That means the entire interior aesthetic has been designed to evoke a sense of calm, and there’s also a healthy dose of conscience in the mix, with a purpose-built turtle lagoon for rehabilitating the critically endangered local turtle population. The resort is also a culinary hotspot, presenting 11 new restaurants –seven of which are linked around an Arabian Explorer theme.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver
Vancouver, Canada
If you can get past the name, Trump Hotels have been at the forefront of luxury since the remodelling of New York’s Grand Hyatt Hotel in 1978. Since then, the company has used the world map as a Monopoly game board, with projects from Manila to Miami.
Trump Vancouver will surely make its presence felt in Canada’s western metropolis, especially given the 69-storey mixed-use tower is now the city’s second tallest skyscraper, just behind the nearby Shangri-La. The hotel has now arrived after six years in the making, with all 147 guestrooms and suites offering panoramic views of the city, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows courtesy of famed architect, Arthur Erikson. The hotel will also be home to “The Spa by Ivanka Trump” as well as Chinese fine-dining restaurant, Mott 32.