1. The St. Regis Red Sea Resort
Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in Saudi Arabia is the first private island to open in The Red Sea. Situated on the pristine Ummahat, the resort is accessed by chartered boat or seaplane from the newly opened Red Sea International Airport. The property houses 90 beachfront and overwater villas, offering one-to-four-bedroom accommodation, each with a private pool, sundeck and outdoor shower. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma with interiors by Kristina Zanic Consultants, the resort’s design echoes the surrounding coral reefs, marine life and sand dunes with furnishings taking on organic forms and a desert inspired colour palette imbued with blue and green tones found in the local biodiversity.
Culinary journeys are presented through the resort’s five venues each offering alfresco beachside dining and serving local produce. Guests can unwind at the resort’s two outdoor pools and beach lined with cabanas or at the spa, across eight treatment rooms with gazebos and outdoor baths. Guests can snorkel amongst preserved coral reefs and embark on scuba diving expeditions to nearby wrecks and discovery sites, as well as partake in an array of water sports. Excursions to the mainland will offer guests the opportunity to explore dormant volcanoes, heritage sites and sweeping desert dunes.
2. Waldorf Astoria Seychelles
Platte Island
Seychelles, Platte Island
Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts has debuted in the Seychelles with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. Located on a secluded private island in an untouched atoll, fringed by palm forests, seabirds, and turtles protected by its own lagoon and coral reef. The resort boasts 50 seafront villas of up to five bedrooms for unique vacation experiences, equipped with private pools and personal concierge service. Sustainable garden-to-table dining is available at the six restaurants from Mediterranean at La Perle to tapas at Lalin, Creole-Latin at Maison Des Epices, soil-soul cuisine at Moulin, seafood at Torti and light meals at Peacock Alley.
Guests can lounge by the outdoor pool, play tennis or be pampered at the spa, beauty salon and hammam. The island is home to plenty of wildlife, like Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays, and whale sharks, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Guests can also embark on whale-watching tours to exhilarating catch-and-cook fishing trips, while kids and teens can enjoy guided adventures or the kids club. It’s an ideal getaway for guests seeking the ultimate barefoot luxury holiday.
3. One&Only One Za’abeel
Dubai, UAE
Kerzner International has officially unveiled its first urban vertical resort in Dubai, One&Only One Za’abeel. Located in the One Za’abeel development by architects Nikken Sekkei, it boasts dual skyscrapers intersected by the world’s longest cantilever, The Link – a futuristic boulevard floating 100 metres above the street. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the 229 rooms and suites capture Dubai’s skyline with floor-to-ceiling windows. Translating to ‘white sand’ in Arabic, Za’abeel’s soulful aura is woven into the resort’s DNA, with a neutral colour palette, subtle sand motifs and sculptural lighting.
Standout spaces include The Royal Suite, with three distinct living areas; a series of two-storey spaces, including Skyline Loft and Villa One which is a reimagination of the brands signature beach villas in contemporary form. Also nestled within the development are the exclusive One&Only One Za’abeel Private Homes. The Link will see globally renowned chefs come together across several outlets. Atop The Link is Tapasake, One&Only’s homegrown concept serving contemporary Nikkei cuisine with the backdrop of the resort’s infinity pool. Harnessing the transformative power of health science and holistic wellness, the hotel is home to the first Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie in the UAE with 29 treatment rooms across three floors, a Movement Studio, and a Longevity Bar.
4. The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai
Kanai, The Caribbean
The opening of The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai marks the company’s first EDITION resort in the Mexican Caribbean. Set within a 620-acre nature reserve with two miles of pristine beachfront, the property rises up from a forest of mangroves and tropical flora in Kanai a new luxury resort community in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Designed by Ian Schrager, Rockwell Group and Edmonds International to be in harmony with its surroundings with a minimal environmental footprint, the hotel makes an architectural statement.
The neutral interiors of the 182 guestrooms, including 30 suites – many of which feature plunge pools and terraces – are given a local twist by the addition of embroidery and patterning techniques from the region. Additionally, it offers a one-of-a-kind Sky Rooftop Villa – the largest hotel penthouse in North America. Other facilities include a lagoon-style pool and beach club. The signature restaurant KI’IS has a menu inspired by regional flavours; EDITION's beach club restaurant, SO’OL, focuses on seafood; Kitchen at EDITION, is an all-day dining restaurant. Adjacent to the beach club is a private pier with 10 lounge-style cabanas offering direct access to the ocean. The Spa offers a fitness area and six treatment rooms alongside other facilities like a Turkish hammam.