Friday newsletters all the time function journey contests, suggestions, or information.
Right this moment: September 2025 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you possibly can learn my information round-up of what’s taking place on the planet of luxurious journey and aviation. On this difficulty:
- Mandarin Oriental Vienna opens subsequent month
- Mandarin Oriental proclaims a luxurious lodge in Seoul
- Rosewood will debut a luxurious ski resort within the French Alps this winter
- 4 Seasons proclaims new luxurious resort in Moganshan, China
- Marriott will convey its luxurious St Regis model to Bodrum, Türkiye
- American Airways introduces limited-edition amenity kits designed by Raven + Lily
- Thai Airways phases out First Class in favor of upgraded Enterprise Class
- Air France launches free Starlink Wi-Fi
- Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is now open
- One&Solely will open an ultra-luxury resort on Fiji’s Yasawa Islands
Mandarin Oriental Vienna opens subsequent month
Mandarin Oriental will open its first lodge in Austria, Mandarin Oriental Vienna, on 20 October 2025, within the historic First District on Riemergasse. Housed in a heritage-listed Artwork Nouveau courthouse initially designed by Alfred Keller in 1908, the property has been meticulously restored to mix Viennese grandeur with modern design. The lodge options 138 elegant rooms and suites, together with unique Mandarin Signature Suites and a Royal Suite, alongside seven multifunctional boardrooms and a grand ballroom. Company can take pleasure in 4 distinct culinary ideas led by Govt Chef Thomas Seifried, from the seafood-focused superb eating restaurant Le Sept to the colourful Atelier 7 brasserie, café, and bar. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental affords holistic therapies, a pool, and a health centre, creating an expensive retreat. With understated class, distinctive eating, and legendary service, Mandarin Oriental, Vienna goals to change into each a haven for worldwide travellers and a gathering place for locals.
Mandarin Oriental proclaims a luxurious lodge in Seoul
Mandarin Oriental has introduced its entry into South Korea with the opening of Mandarin Oriental, Seoul in 2030, a boutique-style luxurious lodge situated within the Central Enterprise District north of the Han River. Designed by André Fu, the 128 rooms and suites will supply an intimate, residential ambiance, complemented by world-class eating together with a panoramic Twenty first-floor vacation spot restaurant, refined Chinese language delicacies, an elevated worldwide idea, and a high-end Korean Chef’s Counter, alongside vibrant social venues like a bar, lounge and The Mandarin Cake Store. The property may also function elegant occasion areas, a grand ballroom, and in depth wellness services together with a four-floor spa impressed by Korean therapeutic traditions, a 25-metre pool, health centre, golf academy, youngsters’ membership and extra. Developed in partnership with Hanwha Group, the undertaking will kind a part of the Seoul Station redevelopment, aiming to create a brand new hub for enterprise and leisure whereas showcasing Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality and design excellence.
Rosewood will debut a ski resort within the French Alps
Rosewood Resorts & Resorts will debut its first property within the French Alps with Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin, opening in December 2025 within the prestigious Courchevel 1850. Providing ski-in ski-out entry, the posh retreat will function 51 rooms and suites, a spa, youngsters’ membership, bar lounge, cigar room, retail and ski rental areas, and an all-day eating idea with a terrace. Designed by famend French designer Tristan Auer, the resort will embody Rosewood’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, mixing modern alpine luxurious with the pure great thing about the mountains. With the very best suite stock in Courchevel’s unique Le Jardin Alpin, the property is about to redefine trendy alpine dwelling with unparalleled consolation and magnificence. Positioned as Rosewood’s second property in continental France, alongside Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, it represents a milestone within the model’s considerate European enlargement, setting a brand new benchmark for experiential, destination-led hospitality in one of many world’s most sought-after ski locations.
4 Seasons proclaims new luxurious resort in China
4 Seasons has introduced plans for 4 Seasons Resort Moganshan, a luxurious retreat opening in 2030 in one in every of China’s most celebrated summer season locations, surrounded by bamboo forests and tea plantations. Positioned in Yu Village with views of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls, the 90-room resort will function villas, suites, and guestrooms designed to mix seamlessly with the pure panorama. As Moganshan’s first worldwide luxurious resort with direct entry to pure sizzling springs, it can supply hydrotherapy, thermal experiences, meditation pavilions, and outside adventures from climbing to kayaking, making a year-round wellness haven. Company will take pleasure in 4 eating places and lounges, a full-service spa, indoor and outside swimming pools, and curated wellness experiences rooted in nature. Developed in partnership with Deqing Cultural & Tourism Group, the resort underscores 4 Seasons’ dedication to sustainability, cultural heritage, and luxurious hospitality, additional strengthening its presence in China’s Yangtze River Delta and complementing present 4 Seasons locations in Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Marriott will convey its luxurious St Regis model to Bodrum
Marriott has introduced plans to open The St. Regis Karya Cove Resort, Bodrum and its branded residences, marking the corporate’s a centesimal lodge in Türkiye. Anticipated to open in 2030 throughout the secluded Kazıklı Cove, the beachfront resort will function 138 luxurious guestrooms, a number of eating venues, swimming pools, a spa, health centre, youngsters membership, and occasion areas, whereas the residences will comprise 221 one-to-five-bedroom flats and villas with in depth facilities together with a lounge, library, co-working areas, and personal studios. Set throughout a 280,000 sqm web site, the undertaking combines the St. Regis model’s signature Butler service, timeless class, and storied heritage with Bodrum’s famend Aegean shoreline, pristine seashores, and wealthy cultural legacy, additional cementing the town’s popularity as a premier world luxurious vacation spot. This collaboration follows the profitable JW Marriott Resort Istanbul Marmara Sea, additional strengthening the partnership between Marriott Worldwide, Kuzu Group, and Servotel. With its prime location, the event will supply each friends and residents handy entry to Bodrum’s vibrant marina, historic previous city, and upscale eating scene.
American Airways introduces new amenity kits
American Airways has partnered with ethically sourced leather-based model Raven + Lily to launch limited-edition, reusable amenity kits for premium cabin passengers on choose worldwide and transcontinental flights. Every cabin contains a distinct, artisan-inspired design—from a navy crossbody in Flagship® First to a powder blue and navy wristlet in Enterprise and a magnetic leather-based sunglass pouch in Premium Financial system—crafted for each model and practicality. The kits embody upgraded consolation objects comparable to enhanced eye masks, socks, and towelettes, together with plant-based skincare merchandise by superstar facialist Joanna Vargas, now obtainable throughout all premium cabins. Further considerate touches embody microfiber cleansing cloths in Premium Financial system and oshibori towels in Flagship® First, guaranteeing each consolation and comfort. Emphasizing sustainability, performance, and considerate luxurious, the collaboration displays American Airways’ dedication to elevating the journey expertise with purpose-driven design that passengers can take pleasure in lengthy after their flight.
Thai Airways phases out First Class
Thai Airways plans to section out its First Class cabins over the subsequent two to a few years, changing them with an upgraded Enterprise Class as a part of a broader fleet modernization technique. As soon as a logo of luxurious within the skies, First Class is now restricted to only three Boeing 777s serving Bangkok–London and Bangkok–Tokyo routes, making the high-cost, low-utilization service more and more impractical. The airline’s incoming Boeing 787-9s, starting deliveries in 2028, will function enhanced Royal Silk Enterprise Class suites with lie-flat beds, privateness doorways, and superior leisure, providing a first-class–like expertise at a lower cost. Present 777s can be retrofitted with the brand new Enterprise Class cabins, and all flights will undertake a standardized three-class structure of enterprise, premium financial system, and financial system. The brand new Enterprise Class design may also prolong to the 17 Airbus A321neos becoming a member of the fleet, strengthening Thai Airways’ competitiveness on regional routes whereas sustaining constant, high-quality service throughout its long-haul and short-haul operations.
Air France launches free Starlink Wi-Fi
Air France has launched its pioneering high-speed in-flight wifi, changing into the primary main European airline to supply a free, quick, steady, and safe web connection throughout its fleet. Initially obtainable on two Embraer 190s, two Airbus A220s, and this week on an Airbus A350 for long-haul flights, the service permits passengers to stream content material, play video games, and keep linked on a number of gadgets through their Flying Blue account, or create one on board without spending a dime. Air France plans to equip 30% of its fleet by the tip of 2025 and all plane by 2026, whereas sustaining a free messaging possibility on planes not but upgraded. The service is powered by Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite tv for pc community, guaranteeing dependable, high-speed connectivity. This rollout contains regional plane for the primary time, and the wifi is accessible throughout all journey cabins, reflecting Air France’s dedication to enhancing passenger consolation and preserving vacationers linked all through their journey.
9. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is now open
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is located alongside the tranquil shores of Playa Penca on Punta Cacique. The 188-room resort offers a refined haven with gorgeous views of Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Coast. Company can bask in six regionally-inspired eating experiences, world-class facilities together with a multi-level pool, devoted youngsters and youths golf equipment, a 17,000 sq. foot state-of-the-art spa and health heart, and 10,000 sq. toes of versatile assembly house. The beautiful resort artfully merges sincerely elegant service with curated native programming, inviting vacationers to immerse themselves within the essence of Costa Rica and embrace the attract of the “Pura Vida” way of life. Perched above the Pacific Ocean in one in every of Central America’s most breathtaking coastal landscapes, Waldorf Astoria Residences Costa Rica, Punta Cacique affords a restricted assortment of absolutely furnished four- and five-bedroom Property Properties. Designed in concord with the land by a world-class staff, every house is delivered turnkey with curated interiors, customized concierge companies, and privileged entry to the total suite of resort facilities.
10. One&Solely will open an ultra-luxury resort in Fiji
Kerzner Worldwide Holdings has introduced the event of its first One&Solely resort and Personal Properties group in Fiji, situated on Nacula Island within the Yasawa archipelago, with the resort opening in 2029 and houses happening sale this November. In partnership with BSP Life, a number one Fijian institutional investor, the undertaking combines Kerzner’s world hospitality experience with BSP’s dedication to financial progress within the South Pacific. The 127-acre resort will function 40 visitor rooms, suites, and villas, six eating experiences, a Membership One wellness heart, and 20 personal residences, all designed to mix conventional Fijian craftsmanship with modern luxurious whereas minimizing environmental impression. Positioned half-hour from the worldwide airport by seaplane, the event goals to showcase Fiji’s pure magnificence and tradition, elevate the nation’s attraction to high-value vacationers, and generate financial advantages together with job creation and expertise growth, reinforcing Fiji as a premier funding and tourism vacation spot.
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