Whilst we may not yet be able to travel far and wide, that doesn’t stop us from daydreaming and planning our first super-holiday once it’s safe to do so.
To give you a little travel inspiration for some serious wanderlust, we’ve put together our picks of the best new hotels in the world.
The Newt, Somerset, England
We love nothing more than a rural, English countryside retreat to act as a stark contrast vacation from the sands of the UAE and the team behind South Africa’s Babylonstoren have lovingly restored this regal English estate. It sits in the most serene of locations and its fairytale-like gardens have been reimagined to be postcard-perfect. With seasonable produce served and a herd of buffalo that supply milk and butter to the team of chefs, this beautiful property is all sash windows and parkland views. This Georgian beauty is idyllic England at its best.
Cheval Blanc St Tropez
We may only be dreaming of the turquoise waters, glitz and glamour of the Cote d’azur right now, but as soon as we can fly we are heading straight to the new Cheval Blanc in jet-setters paradise, St. Tropez. La Résidence de la Pinède has been transformed into the jewel of the French Riviera’s crown – Cheval Blanc St-Tropez. It’s an elegant seaside mansion with interiors by Jean-Michael Wilmotte and lashings of Provençal art. It’s a charming 21st-century legend that is sure to play host to legends of film, screen and music for years to come.
https://www.chevalblanc.com/en/maison/st-tropez/
Rosewood Hong Kong
With views out towards Victoria Harbour, lavish interiors and some of the best restaurants in Hong Kong, Rosewood is making quite a stir in the Chinese metropolis. With gleaming mirrors, plush checked-carpets, Damien Hirst artworks and wool-covered walls, it’s more of a destination than a hotel. It’s become a haunt for the monied, and with good reason. Each of the eight restaurants boasts an al fresco terrace, with the best being at the Manor Club on the dizzying 40th floor, offering sweeping views of the harbour lit up under the moonshine.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hong-kong
Sonop by Zannier Hotels
Namib is earth’s most ancient desert – 55 million years old. It’s vast, dry, barren.. well almost. Sonop is an astonishing camp from Zannier hotels and offers an experience that’s almost other-worldly in its seclusion. The main lodge is accompanied by 10 guest tents – all entirely solar powered – are set amid an enormous boulder barrier and are connected via a series of boardwalks and stir. Gaze out onto the desert plains below, catching a glimpse of a majestic oryx stalking the sands. But don’t expect to slum it here. This is wilderness at its most luxurious: four-poster beds, oversized clawfoot bathtubs and activities galore – hot-air-balloon ride at sunrise anyone? If this year has all been too much for, escape back to nature, to it’s mesmerising simplicity and be welcomed by the vastness of the Namib.
https://www.zannierhotels.com/sonop/en/
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda
Get back to nature, surrounded by swaying eucalyptus trees and majestic mountain gorillas at the aptly named One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list adventure from the glamorous hotel group. Get up close and person with mountain gorillas before relaxing in the luxury of your wooden lodge tucked high in the forest. It’s a tucked away hideaway that’s big on impact and big on activity; this is not the place for those looking to kick-back with a good book. Rather this luxury hotel provokes the spirit of adventure, of getting back to nature and being at one in the treetops. Honeymooners forget your white sand beaches, for memories that will never leave you, there’s only one place to go.
https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/gorillas-nest
Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Los Cabos
Los Cabos is not short of luxury hotels, but there is something a little different about the latest Mexican offering from Ritz-Carlton. On a prime stretch of coastline, built partially on the sand dunes, Zadún is something quite special. Featuring the hotel group’s signature textiles alongside objets d’art from local artisans, it’s an understated, elegant property. Although we wouldn’t expect anything less than perfect from Ritz-Carlton. Enjoy a margarita by the enormous pool or take in those breathtaking Cabo views, it’s the home-away-from home we didn’t know we needed.
The Insider UAE 