1. The Peninsula London
London, England
The highly anticipated The Peninsula London is now accepting reservations for stays from September onwards. The newly-built hotel, designed and appointed to embody the finest British craftsmanship, is situated at one of the city’s grandest junctures – where Hyde Park Corner meets Wellington Arch. With architecture conceived to harmonise with the heritage buildings of Belgravia, 190 guest rooms and suites feature bespoke furnishings, textiles, and artworks that evoke the feel of chic private residences. The light-filled Peter Marino designed interiors feature mahogany-panelled dressing rooms, bathrooms of honey onyx, and customised fittings crafted by British artisans.
World-class drinks and dinner can be enjoyed at The Peninsula London’s stylish restaurants, bars, and lounges. The hotel’s quintessentially British aesthetic is the result of exclusive collaborations with some of the country’s most acclaimed artists and creators, such as designer Jenny Packham, perfumier Timothy Han, and over 40 artists from The Royal Drawing School. The signature rooftop restaurant, Brooklands, offers Modern British cuisine from Michelin-starred Chef Claude Bosi, as well as top-flight libations, a tasting lounge and cigar storage in a collection of spaces inspired by classic British aviation and motorsport.
2. W Budapest
Budapest, Hungary
Showcasing its bold and intriguing design flair, the W Budapest has opened in the newly transformed Drechsler Palace. Bold design covers this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a second skin, blending history with modern luxury. The property has been carefully restored and transformed by interior designers Bowler James Brindley from London, and Bánáti + Hartvig from Hungary, who drew inspiration from the palace’s rich history and multiple identities as a café, social hub, and Hungarian State Ballet Academy. The French Renaissance architectural aesthetic has been playfully modernised featuring stained glass and a rich colour palette of green, coral and deep blues, along with a contemporary twist on Zsolnay tiles, jewellery-inspired light fittings and decorative motifs. Artwork throughout has been created by Adam Ellis Studio.
The hotel offers 151 stylish guestrooms and suites, including the exceptional Extreme WOW Presidential Suite. Suites and guestrooms embrace the hotel’s Budapest Gambit design with colourful abstract artwork celebrating the city’s national game of chess. The Houdini-inspired illusion comes to life at the spa, where mirrors and water features create a feeling of never-ending space and serenity. W Budapest will offer guests uniquely crafted experiences including a destination bar exclusive to the hotel, a reimagined W Lounge, innovative local programming and a new Asian-inspired restaurant called Nightingale, named after Igor Stravinsky’s Nightingale opera.
3. Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection Nepal
Jomsom, Nepal
The recently debuted Shinta Mani Mustang – a Bensley Collection Nepal – is the brand’s first internationally flagged property outside Cambodia. The luxury all-inclusive resort curates the guest’s journey to provide a truly luxe experience in the Himalayas. Located in Jomsom, at an elevation of 2,800 metres, the property offers dramatic mountain vistas from the bedrooms and public areas. Each of the 29 suites is designed in the style of a traditional local home with an open-plan bedroom, a living area and separate bathroom. The hotel structure was built by Nepalese architect Prabal Shumsher Thapa who incorporates sustainable design solutions in all of his projects. Interiors by designer Bill Bensley feature new furniture made from upcycled recycled materials.
A personalised, privately guided guest programme honours the traditions of local Sherpa hospitality by taking guests on a variety of day trips, hiking along secret trails and dining on Shinta Mani gourmet picnics. They can then unwind at the in-house wellness centre where the Tibetan wellness programme will be developed by a local Tibetan Amchi doctor, using traditional herbal medicine. The hotel’s Nilgiri Restaurant serves modern Nepalese and western cuisine, using locally sourced and foraged produce. The Aara Bar – named after an exotic local Tibetan/Sherpa liquor – is the ideal spot for enjoying the dramatic views.
4. Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort
Kotor, Montenegro
Located close to Our Lady of the Rocks and the old town of Perast, the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, an oasis of peace and wellbeing, is now in the first phase of its opening. The property is the first Hyatt hotel in Montenegro, inviting both domestic and international travellers to embark on an authentic immersion of the destination. Set against the backdrop of majestic cliffs and the Adriatic Sea, the contemporary property is ideally located on the outskirts of Kotor – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most charming cities celebrated for its preserved old town.
The property houses 205 guest rooms that embrace tastefully subdued blue design accents inspired by the allure of its coastal surroundings. The property also features two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and private waterfront access. The wellness offering encompasses a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a dedicated space for yoga and Pilates, and expansive spa facilities. Once ready, the resort will feature six dining venues offering everything from Balkan cuisine to an à la carte restaurant inspired by the Mediterranean coastal yachting lifestyle of the bay, featuring fresh ingredients from the area, combined with new world wine.
