1. One&Only Kéa Island
Kéa, Greece
Just a short hop from Athens, Kéa Island is a favourite weekend getaway for Athenians, a teardrop-shaped jewel in the Cyclades. Perched above a protected cove on the rugged west coast, One&Only Kéa Island promises discretion, seclusion and authentic Aegean living in its purest form. The all-villa resort features 63 contemporary cliffside villas, artfully orientated for privacy and uninterrupted views. Each villa comes with a private pool, terrace, courtyard and fireplace. Expansive views of the sparkling sea and bay bring the spectacular Aegean scenery into every room.
On the opposite side of the bay is a limited collection of 40 One&Only Private Homes available to purchase. Inspired by modern Greek design, these exclusive freehold villas offer a choice of one to six bedrooms. Guests can delight in delicacies from land and sea, sourced from Kéa’s finest local artisans and producers, at the relaxed terrace restaurant Atria, vibrant Bond Beach Club, tempting wine bar Èpicora, and Kosmos, an atmospheric lobby bar, as well as Kaiki pool bar and Incognito speakeasy bar. The resort’s tailored adventures include hiking Kéa’s natural wonders, venturing below the sea for diving amid historic wrecks and visiting characterful local towns steeped in history.
www.oneandonlyresorts.com
2. Six Senses Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan
Opening its doors in the historic Higashiyama district, Six Senses Kyoto marks the brand’s debut in Japan. The hotel’s location offers guests the chance to combine an urban sanctuary with the many cultural delights of the city. Eighty-one guest rooms and suites are ingeniously arranged to offer views of the central courtyard, the gardens of the neighbouring Toyokuni Shrine, or the surrounding treetops, temples, tea shops and rooftops. Interiors by BLINK Design Group effortlessly merge authentic Japanese traditions with clean lines, with an earthy colour palette and meticulous attention to detail. Carefully curated menus bring the brand’s Eat With Six Senses ethos to Kyoto across the relaxed all-day dining restaurant and counter-style sushi restaurant.
Discovery is at the heart of the hotel, where guests can embark on immersive journeys with access to a multitude of hands-on experiences, including the captivating Earth Lab and an Alchemy Bar. At Six Senses Spa, traditional bath houses offer guests the delights of traditional Japanese bathing and extend to an indoor pool and Watsu. Yoga, meditation, aerial yoga, a state-of-the-art gym and Biohack Recovery Lounge are all on offer. Guests can also embark on tailored adventures through hidden alleys, age-old temples and the vibrant markets of Kyoto.
www.sixsenses.com
3. Janu Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
The much-anticipated debut from Aman Resorts' fledgling sibling, Janu Tokyo finds its home in Azabudai Hills, a city within a city, teeming with nature, culture and art. Thirty years in the making, this dynamic new neighbourhood thrives in perfect synergy with Janu’s values, seeking to bring people together and uplift the soul. The sister property to the Aman hotel brand is located in the Residence A Tower, designed by visionary architects Pelli Clarke & Partners. Spread across eight floors, 122 rooms and suites designed by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston redefine contemporary elegance with a strong focus on Japanese minimalism, bringing harmony amidst the energy of the city.
The rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and Asian-inspired interiors with a contemporary European inflection. Laying claim to one of the largest and most comprehensive wellness facilities in the city, the hotel thrives on the notion of the shared social experience encouraging moments of collective joy. Joy can also be experienced across the eight dining outlets informed by tradition and reimagined by culinary experts, from the lively Italian emporium of Janu Mercato to the refined Cantonese cuisine of Hu Jing. The hotel’s location makes it ideal for exploring the nearby districts of Roppongi and Toranomon.
www.janu.com
4. Soneva Secret
Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
The first resort in the Maldives’ remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll, ultra-bespoke Soneva Secret has been 30 years in the making. The hideaway houses just 14 beach and overwater villas including lagoon Crusoe Villas, accessible only by boat, and the Castaway, the Maldives' first floating villa. Each is designed in perfect harmony with the untouched natural setting, with direct access to the white sand beach or sparkling lagoon. As well as vast master suites, including a roof that slides to reveal star-strewn skies, every villa also features adjoining bedrooms, offering ample space for families or additional guests.
A dedicated Barefoot Guardian and Barefoot Assistant are assigned to every villa, curating an utterly personalised stay and one-of-a-kind, rare experiences for every guest. The resort’s 14 private chefs, one for each villa, craft bespoke menus and unique culinary journeys, whether savoured in the privacy and comfort of the villa or enjoyed in nature at the island’s most picturesque spots. Other dining experiences include Out of This World, a castaway dining tower in the lagoon, accessible by zipline; a toes-in-the-sand firepit dining experience at So Primitive; and The Living Room, the island’s casual dining venue.
www.soneva.com
