Cheval Collection, the UK-based luxury hotel apartments and branded residences company with a growing portfolio of properties in the Middle East, has been crowned Best Cross-Brand Contribution at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance Awards. Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) – the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of the award-winning GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme – recognised Cheval Collection as the enrolling brand that inspired the most member stays across other GHA brands.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a first look at Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, set to debut later this year as the luxury lifestyle brand’s highly anticipated arrival in Indonesia. Designed as an extension of Bali’s creative energy, the hotel will embody Kimpton’s signature approach to human hospitality, intuitive service, and design-forward spaces that invite curiosity and connection. A spark in the heart of Ubud, Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud is located at Jalan Bisma and a short walk from Ubud’s iconic landmarks, including the Ubud Art Market and the historic Ubud Palace and Water Palace, which was designed by the Balinese Master Artist, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.

Banyan Group Residences has unveiled Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna, a collection of just eight beachfront townhomes within Laguna Phuket. Positioned directly on Bang Tao Beach, the development offers a rare opportunity to own a branded residence on one of Phuket’s most sought-after stretches of coastline. Inspired by a “Coastal Biophilia” design philosophy, the architecture connects each residence closely to its beachfront setting. Curved building lines echo wave motion, while slatted timber cladding and trellis screening reference sand and shifting coastal light. Floor-to-ceiling glazing along ocean-facing elevations frames sweeping Andaman Sea views, and each residence’s private rooftop infinity pool and terrace are […]

The delivery of EXPLORA III at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa today marks another significant milestone in the growth of Explora Journeys, the ultra-elegant ocean travel brand of the MSC Group. EXPLORA III also represents the next phase of MSC Group’s investment of more than €3.5 billion in its fleet, with all six ships designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy—a long-standing partnership that showcases the very best of Italian shipbuilding, craftsmanship and innovation.

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Winchester as resort manager, following his highly accomplished six-year tenure overseeing the award-winning resort’s acclaimed food and beverage program. Winchester assumes the role following a successful term as executive assistant manager of food & beverage, guiding one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic luxury hospitality portfolios. Since joining Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in 2020, he has managed a food and beverage collection encompassing six dining venues, retail concepts, private dining experiences, and in-villa culinary programming. His strategic vision and operational expertise helped drive the continued evolution of the resort’s culinary […]

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its 2026 festive programme, themed ‘12 Pearls of the Ocean’. Inspired by the beauty and rarity of the ocean’s treasures, the concept invites guests on a festive journey, with each pearl revealing a new chapter of surprise, celebration, and discovery. Taking place from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, the programme will feature an exceptional line-up of events, residencies, and special guest appearances.

For most Brits, a holiday isn’t complete without a shortlist of the best historic landmarks and the trendiest restaurants. But new research reveals photography is just as key to the itinerary, with one in 10 Brits taking more than 500 photos on a single trip. MPB, the world’s largest online platform for used photo and video equipment, surveyed 1,000 British holidaymakers to uncover their holiday habits. On average, Brits spend £136.21 on holiday extras purely for the sake of a photo opportunity, with over a quarter (27%) forking out £200–£500 on a room upgrade alone to make their accommodation more photogenic.

Brahman Hills has once again been honoured with the Renewable Efficiency & Green Initiatives Award at the KZN Top Business Awards, marking its second consecutive win in the category. The recognition reflects the work already taking place across the property, where Brahman Hills invests in renewable energy, manages water responsibly, reduces waste, protects biodiversity and continues to find better ways to care for the land it calls home.

As Jaya House River Park Siem Reap celebrates its 10th anniversary, the independently owned boutique hotel has reflected on a decade of guest booking habits, revealing how luxury travel planning is rapidly evolving. Potential guests now want far more than the traditional (chain) hotels can provide and thanks to the new world (AI) these options are at our individual fingertips. For the past decade, Jaya House River Park has built its reputation the traditional way – exceptional guest experiences, online reviews and word of mouth. As the award-winning boutique hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary, being different, sincere and having a proven track record is paying off in new ways. Guest data reveals that while travellers are increasingly […]

Virgin Voyages has launched 39 Mediterranean sailings for summer 2028, with Valiant Lady set to operate from Barcelona and Scarlet Lady sailing from Athens. On sale now, the itineraries will run from May to October, with voyages ranging from six to 14 nights. It builds on Virgin Voyages’ existing Mediterranean deployment, bringing back favourites across the Greek Isles, Adriatic and Western Mediterranean, including overnight stays in Mykonos, Ibiza, Istanbul and Alexandria (for Cairo).

Summer often inspires thoughts of travelling further afield. Yet some of the UAE’s most memorable experiences lie much closer to home. This season, Sharjah Collection invites residents and visitors to discover a different way to embrace summer through slower mornings, heritage-rich experiences, refreshing escapes and destination dining, all set within the extraordinary landscapes of the Emirate of Sharjah.

Niyama Private Islands is proud to announce the highly anticipated reveal of its final chapter in its year-long evolution, its reimagined beach and overwater pavilions – playgrounds beyond compare for multigenerational getaways and celebrations of the surreal. Nature’s Playground emerges from its metamorphosis reborn and more tantalising than ever. Its refurbished pavilions – sprawling from 350 to 770 sqm, and with one, two or three bedrooms – are light, bright and breezy, the epitome of Maldives living, with every luxury imaginable.

From practising tai chi in Bangkok, to dance therapy in Colombo, to yoga and wine tasting in Santorini, Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading destination- and culinary-focused luxury cruise line, invites discerning travellers to embrace a new era of exploration through its acclaimed Wellness Discovery Tours. Responding to a growing interest in wellness experiences, Oceania Cruises offers more than 50 Wellness Discovery Tours in destinations throughout Asia, Europe and South America, as luxury travellers are increasingly seeking journeys that allow them to learn new skills and explore the world differently. This signature collection of tours offers opportunities to engage with centuries-old healing traditions, mindfulness practices and […]

Avani Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to celebrate International Dog Day, which takes place on 26 August, with a getaway designed for the whole household. From beach breaks and heritage escapes to culture-filled city stays, Avani is inviting guests to bring their four-legged companions along for the journey.

Hyatt Regency Lisbon is pleased to announce a new partnership with Blue Aviation, introducing a premium airport concierge service designed to provide guests with a seamless and stress-free travel experience from the moment they arrive at or depart from Lisbon.

This holiday season, ice!™ the signature frozen Christmas attraction created by Gaylord Hotels, expands to eight destination resorts across the U.S., debuting at Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, Calif. and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., while returning to JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas and Gaylord Hotels nationwide. The signature resort experience will also introduce three brand-new themes; Harry Potter™, Home Alone™ and Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas™. Beginning today, guests can book special early bird packages or purchase tickets by visiting SoMuchChristmas.com.

Once considered a niche area of wellness, gut health has become one of the defining conversations in modern healthcare. Increasingly linked to immunity, metabolism, hormonal balance, inflammation and mental wellbeing, the gut microbiome has transformed the way people think about preventative health, bringing renewed attention to one of the world’s oldest healing systems: Ayurveda. At tulåh Clinical Wellness, this ancient science is not viewed as an alternative to modern medicine, but as a complementary approach that, when paired with advanced diagnostics and personalised clinical care, offers a more comprehensive understanding of health.

A new travel podcast featuring three leading travel experts has officially launched. The ‘Let’s Talk Travel Podcast’ is available on YouTube and other streaming services. Every episode, approximately 20 minutes in length, is led by Andy Headington, Adido CEO; Will Plummer, Repayd CEO; and James Clarke, General Manager Travelzoo UK.

Malewane Lodge, the original that marked the beginning of Royal Malewane in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, has undergone an extensive reimagination, welcoming guests back to a lodge steeped in history and reverence. Long before The Royal Portfolio became a celebrated collection of properties, there was a deeply personal vision by the founders, Liz and Phil Biden: to create a safari lodge that felt timeless, gracious and welcoming. In 1999, that vision became Malewane Lodge, and with it, the beginning of Royal Malewane and The Royal Portfolio.

Eighty years ago this month British Overseas Airways Corporations’ (BOAC) first commercial landplane service arrived in New York’s LaGuardia from London Airport. The flight took nearly 20 hours via Shannon and Gander and was operated by a Lockheed Constellation 049.