Friday newsletters all the time function journey contests, suggestions, or information.
At this time: December 2025 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you’ll be able to learn my information round-up of what’s occurring on this planet of luxurious journey and aviation. On this difficulty:
- 4 Seasons declares a beachfront resort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 4 Seasons will handle a luxurious resort in Berlin, Germany
- The EDITION model declares a resort in Cape City, South Africa
- St. Regis Resorts & Resorts introduces “St. Regis Estates”
- Emirates elevates its First Class expertise
- Emirates launches Asia Pacific Flight Cross
- Rosewood unveils a brand new chapter and model id
- Qantas introduces an elevated First Class expertise
- Andaz One Bangkok opens its doorways in Thailand
- Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens following 19-month renovation
4 Seasons declares a resort in Rio de Janeiro
4 Seasons will make its return to Brazil with 4 Seasons Lodge Rio de Janeiro at Leblon, set to open in 2029 on town’s iconic Leblon Seaside. Occupying the tallest constructing within the neighborhood, the resort will function roughly 120 rooms and suites with sweeping Atlantic Ocean views and can emerge from an entire transformation of the previous Lodge Marina Palace into a brand new landmark of luxurious hospitality. Developed in partnership with Catuaí Asset, the undertaking displays 4 Seasons’ strategic enlargement in South America and a shared dedication to distinctive service, considerate design, and immersive visitor experiences. Positioned in considered one of Rio’s most vibrant coastal districts, the resort will supply company entry to a metropolis celebrated for its pure magnificence, cultural richness, and architectural legacy, together with recognition as UNESCO’s first World Capital of Structure and residential to the world-famous Christ the Redeemer. The resort will function a number of eating venues, together with a rooftop bar and pool overlooking the ocean, a signature restaurant highlighting native and worldwide delicacies, a luxurious spa, wellness amenities, and beachfront experiences, mixing preserved architectural character with up to date class to create a timeless vacation spot for world vacationers.
4 Seasons will handle a luxurious resort in Berlin
4 Seasons and Gruppo Statuto have introduced plans to rework Berlin’s historic Lodge de Rome into 4 Seasons Lodge Berlin, marking the model’s return to town after 20 years. Following a large-scale renovation, the resort – set to open in late 2027 – will protect its landmark late-Nineteenth-century façade—initially the Dresdner Financial institution headquarters—whereas reimagining roughly 140 visitor rooms and suites, eating places, and bars with a mix of timeless and up to date design reflecting Berlin’s artistic, culture-rich id. Positioned within the historic Mitte district on Bebelplatz, the property will place company steps from St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and the State Opera, and inside strolling distance of the Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenmarkt, and Museum Island. The resort will function three eating and bar ideas, together with a rooftop terrace with metropolis views, a spa and health middle set inside the former jewel vault, and greater than 1,000 sq. meters of refined occasion house. Working as Lodge de Rome by means of 2026, the property will reopen underneath 4 Seasons management led by Berlin native Christian Poda, bringing the model’s signature service and elevated luxurious again to the German capital.
The EDITION model declares a resort in Cape City
Marriott Worldwide, Inc. and V&A Waterfront Holdings have signed an settlement to open The Cape City EDITION on the iconic V&A Waterfront in 2026, marking the anticipated debut of EDITION Resorts in Africa. The undertaking represents a significant milestone in Marriott’s progress technique on the continent, aligning the EDITION model’s refined design, innovation, and repair ethos with Cape City’s artistic and cosmopolitan spirit. The resort is anticipated to function 142 elegantly designed rooms and suites, wonderful eating choices together with a signature rooftop bar, a spa, pool, assembly and occasion amenities, and curated social areas impressed by town’s heritage. Plans additionally embrace six unique personal residences underneath The Residences at The Cape City EDITION, setting a brand new benchmark for luxurious residing within the metropolis. Designed by Shanghai-based Neri & Hu in collaboration with native agency StudioMAS, the event will mix up to date luxurious with genuine native character. Positioned on the fringe of the Granger Bay improvement, the property will supply panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and landmarks equivalent to Desk Mountain, whereas offering company and residents with direct entry to world-class retail, eating, cultural sights, and waterfront experiences, additional reinforcing Cape City’s standing as a premier world tourism vacation spot.
St. Regis Resorts & Resorts introduces “St. Regis Estates”
St. Regis Resorts has unveiled St. Regis Estates, an ultra-exclusive model expression devoted to legacy-rich, leisure-led estates distinguished by historic significance, expansive landscapes, and extraordinary facilities. Impressed by the Home of Astor’s custom of grand property residing, the idea responds to fashionable vacationers’ need for privateness, authenticity, and a deeper emotional connection to position, emphasizing heritage, setting, and character over trend-driven spectacle. Every Property is rigorously chosen for its historic resonance and pure magnificence, then reinterpreted by means of the St. Regis lens to create an intimate residential environment paired with architectural grandeur, domestically rooted cultural and culinary experiences, estate-only moments designed for prolonged stays, and the model’s hallmark steadiness of heat, discretion, and refined service. The inaugural property, The Resort at Pelican Hill, A St. Regis Property, will debut in 2027, reworking the long-lasting 500-acre Newport Coast retreat with elevated Tom Fazio–designed golf programs, redesigned Bungalows and Villas, a celebrated chef-led eating idea, enhanced wellness and pool experiences, and signature St. Regis rituals equivalent to Butler Service, Afternoon Tea, and Sabrage.
Emirates elevates its First Class expertise
Emirates is elevating its First Class expertise with a collection of refined onboard enhancements designed to reflect the consolation and class of a five-star resort within the sky. On choose long-haul flights, clients are being launched to new sustainable modal loungewear, slippers, and eye masks crafted from traceable botanical fibres for breathable, temperature-regulating consolation, complemented from 2026 by upgraded 300-thread-count cotton mattress linen for deeper relaxation in totally enclosed personal suites. The signature turndown service is enhanced with luxurious candies from famend chocolatiers and calming touches equivalent to BYREDO Chamomile Pillow Mist. The long-lasting A380 bathe spa has been refreshed with bespoke stone-finish shows and an expanded skincare providing from VOYA, introducing new Tranquillity and Revitalise perfume collections. First Class eating is additional refined with elegant crystal-cut glassware for cocktails and premium spirits, whereas early 2026 will see the debut of next-generation Bowers & Wilkins E2 headphones, custom-tuned for Emirates to ship immersive sound, enhanced noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the airline’s award-winning inflight leisure system.
Emirates launches Asia Pacific Flight Cross
Emirates has launched the Emirates Asia Cross, a brand new journey resolution designed to make exploring Southeast Asia less complicated, extra versatile, and extra rewarding by means of a single reserving. Tailor-made for vacationers searching for cultural discovery and multi-city journeys, the cross permits clients to customise itineraries throughout Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Laos underneath one ticket. Vacationers can select between one and ten regional flights, mix locations freely, and even revisit the identical metropolis, creating bespoke journeys that swimsuit their schedule and journey fashion. Accessible to passengers arriving on a world Emirates flight into the area, the cross eliminates the complexity of buying a number of tickets on completely different airways, enabling all flights to be managed on one platform. Well-liked hubs equivalent to Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur function splendid gateways, with onward connections supported by companions Bangkok Airways and Batik Air Malaysia, alongside Emirates-operated regional providers. The Emirates Asia Cross might be bought by way of Emirates’ web site, contact facilities, retail places of work, or journey brokers, with added flexibility permitting itinerary adjustments for a nominal USD 15 charge per flight.
Rosewood unveils a brand new chapter and model id
Rosewood Resorts & Resorts is getting into a brand new period outlined by purpose-driven luxurious, immersive discovery, and a refreshed world id that builds on its long-standing “sense of place” philosophy. Evolving past conventional hospitality into a life-style discussion board, Rosewood is putting deeper cultural connection, personalization, and digital innovation on the coronary heart of the visitor journey, supported by a daring new visible language impressed by style, artwork, and nature, together with its signature “Discovery Inexperienced” colorway and new monogram. The transformation is straight away mirrored in a redesigned, discovery-led digital platform that blends editorial storytelling with seamless reserving, permitting company to curate stays, eating, wellness, and bespoke experiences whereas participating with the tales and communities behind every vacation spot. Anchored in heritage but forward-looking, Rosewood continues to curate experiences that remember native tradition, sustainability, and creativity—from art-focused packages in Amsterdam and marine conservation in Miyakojima to nature-led wellness and cultural immersion in Mandarina—whereas increasing thoughtfully throughout landmark locations worldwide. With a rising portfolio and pipeline, Rosewood’s subsequent chapter positions hospitality as a bridge to curiosity, connection, and significant exploration of place.
Qantas introduces an elevated First Class expertise
Qantas is enhancing its A380 First Class expertise with a collection of premium upgrades spanning eating, facilities, and onboard consolation, progressively rolling out throughout its worldwide community from this month and totally in place by mid-2026. Formed by buyer insights and inflight trials, the refreshed providing contains an elevated eating idea curated by acclaimed chef Neil Perry, that includes signature dishes from his award-winning Margaret restaurant alongside menus showcasing Australian producers, paired with top-tier native wines, expanded cocktail alternatives, and premium champagnes together with Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 and Pommery Cuvée Louise 2006. First Class clients will even obtain unique new amenity kits designed with Aesop in three collectible kinds, complemented by redesigned navy pyjamas and loafer-style slippers for enhanced consolation. As a part of Qantas’ give attention to wellness and jetlag mitigation forward of its future extremely long-haul flights, First passengers can now dine on demand to maximise relaxation. Accessible on A380 providers to locations equivalent to London, Singapore, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Johannesburg, the enhancements replicate Qantas’ continued funding in delivering a refined, detail-driven First Class expertise.
Andaz One Bangkok opens its doorways in Thailand
Hyatt introduced the opening of Andaz One Bangkok on December 19, 2025, introducing a brand new life-style resort designed for curious city vacationers inside the landmark One Bangkok district, town’s largest built-in improvement combining enterprise, retail, tradition, residences, inexperienced areas, and leisure. Positioned on historic Wi-fi Street beside Lumphini Park, the resort blends Bangkok’s heritage with up to date vitality, providing sweeping park views, direct entry to MRT Lumphini Station, and handy connections to each Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Because the second Andaz property in Thailand, the 244-room resort is conceived as a “Vertical Neighborhood,” with interiors by Thai design agency PIA impressed by native streets, sois, and mid-century Thai structure, complemented by bespoke artwork and pictures. Friends can take pleasure in refined rooms with premium facilities, a 24-hour Andaz Lounge, an infinity pool and health middle, and a various eating portfolio starting from genuine Chinese language delicacies at Jǐng and al fresco Asian-inspired choices at Andaz Terrace to Mediterranean rooftop eating and nightlife at Piscari, all reflecting the Andaz model’s philosophy of individuality, creativity, and deep connection to position.
Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens following renovation
Hyatt introduced the reopening of Park Hyatt Tokyo following a 19-month restoration, essentially the most intensive renewal within the resort’s 30-year historical past since its 1994 debut as Asia’s first Park Hyatt. Designed by Studio Jouin Manku with deep respect for its cultural and architectural legacy atop Kenzo Tange’s Shinjuku Park Tower, the renewal preserves the resort’s iconic serenity and cinematic id whereas refining it for a brand new technology of vacationers. The undertaking enhances the sense of calm by means of hotter supplies, softer varieties, expanded sightlines, and thoughtfully up to date eating, wellness, and social areas, whereas sustaining signature components equivalent to hovering atriums, panoramic metropolis and Mt. Fuji views, and a residential aesthetic impressed by John Morford’s authentic interiors. All 171 guestrooms and suites have been reimagined with fluid layouts, up to date Japanese artwork, and tactile finishes, complemented by revitalized culinary locations together with Girandole by Alain Ducasse, the restored New York Grill & Bar, Kozue, and The Peak Lounge & Bar. Collectively, the transformation honors Park Hyatt Tokyo’s storied previous whereas reaffirming its place as one of many world’s most enduring symbols of understated luxurious and refined city hospitality.
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