Friday newsletters all the time function journey contests, suggestions, or information.
Right now: July 2023 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you’ll be able to learn my information round-up of what’s taking place on this planet of luxurious journey. On this challenge:
- The superjumbo returns: Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 returns to the sky
- Virgin Atlantic plans to function the primary transatlantic flight utilizing 100% SAF
- MGM Resorts will be a part of Marriott’s loyalty program
- The Ritz-Carlton debuts in Fukuoka, Japan
- COMO Lodges will open a property in Singapore subsequent month
- W Lodges debuts in Budapest, Hungary
- The Rome EDITION is now open
- Mandarin Oriental broadcasts a brand new resort in Miami, USA
- One&Solely One Za’abeel Dubai is now accepting reservations
- Air New Zealand is serving the flavors of Aotearoa in a brand new onboard menu
1. The superjumbo returns: Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 returns to the sky
Etihad Airways, the award-winning nationwide airline of the United Arab Emirates, celebrated the return to service of its Airbus A380 on its widespread route between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow. Etihad’s A380 Economic system cabin options 68 Economic system Area seats providing an extra 4 inches in leg room, and 337 Economic system Sensible seats that include Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest and huge pillows for added consolation. There are 70 Enterprise Studios out there on Etihad’s A380 higher deck, granting privateness to clients and making a serene environment. On the higher deck, visitors can even take pleasure in entry to The Foyer, a serviced lounge and bar space positioned between the First and Enterprise Class cabins. Company can select from 9 First Flats that includes a personal dwelling house with beautiful facilities and designer tableware, a large leather-based lounge chair and a separate ottoman which converts right into a lie-flat mattress. First Class visitors can clean up within the consolation of the Residence with private self-importance models, in addition to make the most of the First Class bathe room (learn my evaluate right here). The A380 can also be dwelling to the Residence, the world’s solely three-room suite within the sky with visitors capable of take pleasure in service and hospitality from a devoted group of Etihad cabin crew. Accessible to guide for as much as two visitors, The Residence contains a non-public front room, bed room and ensuite rest room the place visitors can refresh in a bathe at 40,000ft.
2. Virgin Atlantic plans to function the primary transatlantic flight utilizing 100% SAF
Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce carried out a profitable Sustainable Aviation Gas (SAF) mix floor check on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine. The check marks a key milestone within the undertaking which is able to see the world’s first 100% SAF flight journey throughout the Atlantic Ocean from London Heathrow to New York JFK on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, set to take off on 28 November 2023. SAF usually delivers CO2 lifecycle emissions financial savings of greater than 70% while performing like the normal jet gas it replaces. SAF has a basic position to play in aviation’s decarbonisation and pathway to Internet Zero 2050. Right now, SAF represents lower than 0.1% of jet gas volumes and gas requirements enable for only a 50% SAF mix in business jet engines. The one-off Virgin Atlantic flight in November will show the potential of SAF as a 100% drop-in substitute for fossil gas immediately. Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “The 100% Sustainable Aviation Gas transatlantic flight will probably be a historic second in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is essentially the most available approach for our business to decarbonise.”
3. MGM Resorts will be a part of Marriott’s loyalty program
Marriott and MGM Resorts introduced an unique long-term strategic licensing settlement and the creation of MGM Assortment with Marriott Bonvoy, which is able to launch in October 2023, and embody 17 of MGM’s resorts, representing greater than 40,000 rooms in Las Vegas and different cities throughout the USA. Of the 17 MGM resorts that can be a part of MGM Assortment with Marriott Bonvoy, 4 properties may also be affiliated with current Marriott assortment manufacturers: Bellagio Resort & On line casino will be a part of The Luxurious Assortment, ARIA Resort & On line casino will be a part of Autograph Assortment, Park MGM will turn out to be a part of Tribute Portfolio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will proceed its affiliation with Autograph Assortment. Eight MGM resorts in Las Vegas will be a part of MGM Assortment with Marriott Bonvoy: Vdara Resort & Spa, MGM Grand Resort & On line casino, NoMad Las Vegas, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort and On line casino, New York-New York Resort & On line casino, Luxor Resort and On line casino, and Excalibur Resort & On line casino. 5 MGM Resorts in different USA areas may also be a part of MGM Assortment with Marriott Bonvoy: Borgata (Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey), Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi), MGM Grand Detroit (Michigan), MGM Nationwide Harbor (Maryland), and MGM Springfield (Massachusetts).
4. The Ritz-Carlton debuts in Fukuoka, Japan
The Ritz-Carlton, a part of Marriott’s portfolio of 31 resort manufacturers, introduced the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu in Southern Japan. Rising above Fukuoka, the luxurious resort is located inside the 364 ft (111 m) principal tower of Fukuoka Daimyo Backyard Metropolis, the tallest city life-style advanced within the metropolis’s core business district. Overseen by Melbourne-based Layan Architects + Designers, the resort’s inside design and artwork take inspiration from Fukuoka’s conventional yarn-dyed silk and kimono weaving craft, referred to as “Hakata-ori”. The resort options 167 generously sized guestrooms (together with 20 suites), 4 eating places, two bars, and a spa with indoor pool. The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka brings the model’s well-known service and modern aesthetic to one in every of Japan’s quickest rising cities well-known for its thriving start-up scene in addition to for its enduring historical past, traditions, and excellent culinary tradition. Fukuoka was as soon as a key waypoint of Silk Street commerce routes, and immediately the town stays a significant gateway between Japan and the remainder of Asia. The vacation spot is legendary for its annual festivals, such because the 800-year outdated Hakata Gion Yamakasa summer time competition, designated by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
5. COMO Lodges will open a property in Singapore subsequent month
COMO Orchard on Bideford Street will turn out to be the most recent vacation spot idea by COMO Group, the Singapore-based, family-owned portfolio of luxurious life-style corporations created by founder-owner Christina Ong. Opening in successive phases, beginning in September, the 156- room COMO Metropolitan Singapore would be the Group’s first resort in its dwelling nation. The property will function a good looking rooftop pool and bar. The remainder of the 19-floor constructing will embody two flooring of trend retail curated by Club21 for seasonal collections and pop-up partnerships. The resort’s spa – COMO Shambhala – goals a considerate, diagnostic method to holistic wellbeing, and can supply quite a few lessons, workshops and multi-day wellness paths. The brand new COMO Delicacies restaurant will broaden the model’s dedication to creating a number of the greatest meals in Singapore, celebrating the debuts in Asia for internationally-acclaimed French pastry chef Cédric Grolet and restaurateur Simon Kim of COTE Korean Steakhouse, the beloved Michelin-starred restaurant in New York and Miami. Identified to by no means repeat herself together with her artistic collaborations, proprietor Christina Ong has additionally engaged the award-winning skills of Italian architect Paola Navone (Otto Studio), Japanese inside design-consultant Koichiro Ikebuchi (Atelier Ikebuchi), and Norwegian digital artist Thomas Hilland within the improvement of COMO Metropolitan Singapore.
6. W Lodges debuts in Budapest, Hungary
W Lodges, a part of Marriott, introduced the extremely anticipated debut of W Budapest, marking the model’s first opening in Hungary. Housed within the historic Drechsler Palace, W Budapest is about to turn out to be an evolutionary heartbeat of the town with visionary design, eclectic gastronomy and a socially pushed spirit drawn from the cosmopolitan capital. Positioned on Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and the town’s most luxurious purchasing avenue, W Budapest options 151 trendy guestrooms and suites in addition to three progressive eating ideas, all influenced by Budapest’s wealthy historical past, creativity and variety. Inside designers Bowler James Brindley (London) and Bánáti + Hartvig (Hungary) have fastidiously restored and reimagined Drechsler Palace, drawing inspiration from its wealthy cultural historical past and a number of identities as a café, social hub and Hungarian State Ballet Academy, to create fascinating design narratives. From delicate layering to the usage of metallic meshing to create perspective and intrigue all through the resort’s public areas and guestrooms, the design idea has created areas that reveal new depths every time they’re skilled. Additional inspiration has been sourced from the grand French Renaissance architectural aesthetic all through the town, resulting in a spirited modernization with shade palettes of inexperienced, coral and deep blues and paired with modern Zsolnay encourage tiles, stained glass options and jewelry-inspired mild fittings.
7. The Rome EDITION is now open
Conceived, concepted, and programmed by the visionary entrepreneur, Ian Schrager, executed and interpreted by the resort house owners, Statuto Group, the intimate Rome EDITION units a brand new commonplace within the Everlasting Metropolis. Its sophistication, consideration to element, refinement, and excessive design aesthetic make it set to turn out to be a gathering place for Romans and vacationers alike. Positioned in some of the enviable areas of Rome, the resort is only some brief steps from By way of Veneto, essentially the most sought-after avenue in all of Italy. It was immortalized in La Dolce Vita and embodies Italian flare in all its glory. Not solely that – all the main points of interest are inside simple attain, together with the Piazza Barberini, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the ever-beautiful Borghese Gardens. The resort has three distinctive bars, a rooftop lounge, bar and pool, a show-kitchen restaurant, a well-appointed city wellness house with gymnasium and therapy rooms, and a courtyard backyard the place visitors can whereas away the time sipping their favourite drink or sampling the peerless meals menu from adored Roman Chef Paola Colucci, the resort’s chef associate. The 91 rooms, together with 17 suites, have all of the design components the model is famend for: the muted tones, the accents of walnut wooden and beautiful customized furnishings.
8. Mandarin Oriental broadcasts a brand new resort in Miami, USA
Mandarin Oriental has introduced an settlement to handle a brand new Mandarin Oriental resort and branded residences in Brickell Key, one in every of Miami’s most prestigious neighborhoods. The undertaking is being developed by Swire Properties, Mandarin Oriental’s joint-venture associate on the current Mandarin Oriental, Miami, and can type a part of the One Island Drive improvement, consisting of two towers linked by an amenity podium. The brand new-build resort will function 151 guestrooms together with 60 suites, in addition to 61 non-public Residences and 28 resort Residences, all having fun with spectacular ocean and metropolis views. Kohn Pederson Fox will design the outside structure and Parisian designer Laura Gonzales will create the resort interiors. Thai agency Shma will lead the luxurious panorama structure all through the property. Quite a lot of dynamic eating places and bars, versatile assembly and occasion house in addition to an expansive Spa at Mandarin Oriental will supply visitors and native residents a compelling life-style alternative. Adjoining to the resort, a stand-alone tower will home 220 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, comprising 2-4 bed room residences and two unique penthouses. The Residences will probably be designed by Parisian designer Tristan Auer and all residences will probably be managed by Mandarin Oriental offering a novel life-style with one of the best of each worlds: the comforts of a personal dwelling mixed with the unsurpassed facilities and legendary service for which the model is famend. The brand new Mandarin Oriental, Miami is about to open in 2030.
9. One&Solely One Za’abeel Dubai is now accepting reservations
Positioned within the beating coronary heart of one of many world’s most dynamic cities, the first-ever vertical city resort from ultra-luxury hospitality model One&Solely is about to welcome visitors from 1 December 2023. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, One&Solely One Za’abeel‘s interiors will take their cue from the Za’abeel location. Which means ‘white sand’ within the native Emirati dialect, Za’abeel’s soulful narrative is intuitively woven into the material of the resort, with a soothing impartial color palette and refined sand motifs within the textiles, artworks, and sculptural lighting. For instance, the Sanctuary Suites will embody a therapeutic massage desk, meditation and stretching zone, train gear and in-room spa therapies, whereas the Artistic Suites will function acoustic panelling and the most recent AV know-how. The property will function a floating boulevard with culinary ideas from Michelin-lauded cooks together with Anne-Sophie Pic, Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones, Mehmet Gürs, Paco Morales and Tetsuya Wakuda. The resort may also function a rejuvenating Spa Clinic, state-of-the-art health hub, an inspiring KidsOnly Membership, luxurious retail boutiques, with a handpicked assortment of trend, fragrances, and equipment. One&Solely One Za’abeel may also function two gala ballrooms, six assembly rooms, a personal membership on the 53rd flooring, and an occasions garden overlooking the town.
10. Air New Zealand is serving the flavors of Aotearoa in a brand new onboard menu
Air New Zealand has unveiled its newest culinary and beverage menu that showcases the biggest vary of New Zealand suppliers and native elements than ever earlier than. A Style of Aotearoa is the subsequent evolution of Air New Zealand’s widespread Aotearoa on a Plate eating idea. Impressed by the wealthy heritage and numerous bounty of New Zealand, the brand new menu brings collectively indigenous flavors and modern delicacies. The brand new menu is onboard Enterprise Premier cabins now, and is out there on all lengthy haul flights out of New Zealand. Air New Zealand Chief Buyer and Gross sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says the brand new onboard meals and beverage providing was impressed by manaakitanga – the Māori custom of hospitality – and is a real celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unbelievable culinary heritage.”There’s one thing actually magical concerning the native flavours of New Zealand – from the peppery spiciness of horopito to the earthy goodness of kawakawa. By infusing our dishes with native elements, we pay homage to the normal makes use of of those elements whereas creating a contemporary and memorable eating expertise for our clients.” A number of the scrumptious A Style of Aotearoa delicacies discovered on choose premium menus departing from New Zealand embody:
- Superfood Salad with horopito dusted New Zealand salmon
- Creamy kawakawa mushrooms on rye toast, sautéed spinach and grilled tomatoes
- Ahia smoked moki on kawakawa blini
- Grass fed New Zealand lamb rump with horopito rub
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