What’s Hot for Summer 2021? Places to Add to Your Travel List
With some countries slowly opening their doors, the hospitality sector is getting ready to greet eager travellers and tourists. In this article, we list some of the hottest trends and new hotel openings to keep your eye on.
Europe
KALESMA MYKONOS
With private experience managers on hand to uncover the authentic side of Europe’s most sought after summer destination.
Opening: May 2021
Set to elevate the desirable island of Mykonos to new heights, Kalesma is a brand new 25 suite and two villa luxury hotel, opening 20 May 2021. ‘Kalesma’, meaning ‘inviting’ in Greek, is perfectly suited to the ethos of this boutique, privately-owned property. The whitewashed, beautifully designed collection of houses have been created to resemble a charming Mykonian village, tumbling down a slope to Ornos Bay, just a short walk from the beach. Inspired by Cycladic architecture, combining tradition with contemporary elements, Kalesma is a design aficionados dream – offering sleek and minimalist interiors using locally-sourced materials, evident at every turn.
OKU IBIZA
Emerge into Ibiza’s hospitality scene and enjoy a laidback way to experience the famed party island in the Balearics
Opening: May 2021
Brand new lifestyle brand, OKU Hotels, launches its collection of soulful hideaways with the opening of OKU Ibiza on 28th May 2021. Located on the fringe of Cala Gració bay and nestled in lush hills, OKU Ibiza is home to the island’s largest pool. With a focus on slower living and enriching experiences for the curious traveller, the hotel comprises 184 boho-chic guest rooms and suites, a 140m2 OKU Signature Suite, a standalone four-bedroom villa with a private pool, ocean-view penthouses, two hotel pools (and a further semi-private pool serving the six swim-up rooms), two restaurants and an intimate spa. The look and feel of OKU Ibiza have been thoughtfully designed by OKU’s in-house design team, who has taken inspiration from the location to reflect the simplicity of beach life and invite barefoot living.
THE ROOSTER
An inspiring, authentic retreat that celebrates wellness & nature, on the unspoilt Greek island of Antiparos
Opening: June 2021
More than a resort, The Rooster is the vision become a reality of one woman driven to create a destination with depth, value and relevance to today’s traveller. It is a retreat for the discerning traveller on the under-the-radar Greek island of Antiparos – a place that embraces ‘slow living’ through sustainability, organic food, wellness, learning and fun. Tucked away between the unspoilt beaches of the Aegean coastline and the dramatic landscape of the Cyclades, The Rooster exists in complete harmony with nature. It is all about space and privacy: just 17 individual suites, villas and houses of differing size, each offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea and private gardens; and enchanting raw beauty with sustainability at its heart, all the while working in harmony with the local community with wellness at its core.
The Americas & Caribbean
JUMBY BAY ISLAND
A new Casamigos margarita beach shack pop-up lands on the powder-soft shores of Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
Set in one of the most beautiful untouched locations in the world, Jumby Bay Island is a private island of simple pleasures in the Caribbean nation of Antigua & Barbuda, just two miles off mainland Antigua. This season, ultra-premium tequila brand Casamigos has landed straight on the white sand shores of the iconic private island resort. The collaboration includes the launch of a limited-edition Casamigos Margarita Beach Shack pop-up with cocktails specially curated for the resort, as well as a Margarita Hotline for cocktails delivered to suites, villas and Private Residences by a Casamigos bar on wheels. Other classic Jumby Bay experiences have also been given the special Casamigos twist, like the Margarita Sunset Cruise, a sunset catamaran trip with speciality cocktails.
www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/jumby-bay-island
COBBLERS COVE
Swap the classroom for the Caribbean – Cobblers Cove partners with Oppidan Education to offer mentoring to younger guests
The family-owned Cobblers Cove, located on the west coast of Barbados, has partnered with Oppidan Education, the pioneering education mentoring agency. Their approach is to empower young people as they prepare for upcoming academic assignments and exams of all levels, as well as catering to the needs of younger children. Whilst holidays are all about R&R, this partnership is a win-win for all – parents can put their trust in the mentors to oversee their children’s revision and, in turn, the younger visitors can enjoy a relaxed and highly bespoke approach to learning, so it doesn’t take away from the holiday fun. Two mentors will be on site daily to offer support to those studying.
Africa
SINGITA SASAKWA LODGE
The Serengeti’s grand dame gets a modern refresh
Located in the iconic 350,000 acre Singita Grumeti Reserve, Singita Sasakwa Lodge has reopened following a design refresh. Built in the style of a stately Edwardian Manor House, this authentic East African experience has been given a lift with the addition of wraparound verandas and courtyards offering guests a front row seat to some of the country’s most coveted game sightings and star-lit al fresco dinners at night. Dotted around are touchpoints of a bygone era including coveted antiques and local tribal artefacts and soft furnishings paying homage to its history and creating a casual but old-world luxury feel. The property’s new look also features Singita’s signature interactive kitchen allowing guests to take in the action as they pull together contemporary interpretations of classic dishes. Made up of nine private cottages and one private villa, each with its own private infinity pool, Singita Sasakwa is perfect for families looking to reconnect following a long period of separation experiencing complete freedom and stillness together.
MATETSI VICTORIA FALLS
‘The sky’s the limit’ helicopter packages take guests to new heights with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and waterfall journeys
Family-owned and independently run, Matetsi Victoria Falls, is a beautifully designed luxury safari lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, within its own 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve. New for 2021, the lodge unveils three new helicopter packages, taking off from its brand-new airstrip in the Matetsi Private Game Reserve. Highlights include a ‘doors-off’ aerial wildlife photography trip for thrill seekers, a conservation focused journey to the Painted Dog Conservation & Research Centre, and a Victoria Falls experience which features a ‘Flight of the Angels’ over the Falls and private island picnic.
MIAVANA, MADAGASCAR
The ultimate private island takeover for a tropical ‘bubble’ escape
Miavana is a private island hotel located on Nosy Ankao, off the north-east of Madagascar. With wild beaches, incredible diving, fishing, helicopter adventures and spa treatments, it brings a new level of luxury adventure to the Indian Ocean. This is not simply an exquisite beach lodge on an untouched island, it offers all the adventures you’d expect on a safari, with wildlife, activities and adventures including forest walks and lemur treks. In true castaway style, guests will be delighted by the hotel’s exciting “chamber of curiosities” filled with weird and wonderful items found on the island, from cannonballs to lemur skeletons. Book with destination experts Mavros Safaris for insider tips and little-black-book experiences along the way.
Asia & the Middle East
SIX SENSES SHAHARUT
Israel is set to open its first luxury property in the Negev desert with the opening of Six Senses Shaharut
Opening: August 2021
The hotly anticipated opening of Six Senses Shaharut will be nestled within a dramatic cliff with panoramic views of the Negev desert, and will comprise 60 suites and villas, built from local rocks and with furnishings sourced from local artisans. There will be one main restaurant, a poolside bar and grill and a signature Six Senses Spa. It will also be home to a desert activity centre, which will incorporate Six Senses’ brand-wide ‘Earth Lab’ scheme. There will be functioning camel stables, as well as an open-air amphitheatre created from the natural terrain contours and transformed into a Six Senses signature ‘Cinema Paradiso’ beneath the stars
BAWAH RESERVE
Bawah Reserve opens adults only private island at Elang in Indonesia’s remote Anambas Islands
Opening Summer 2021
Bawah Reserve, a six-island archipelago in the Anambas Islands. Indonesia will unveil brand-new lodges on the previously untouched island, Elang upon reopening in 2021. Elang Private Residence will take the reserve’s private island experience to the next level. Guests over 18 can exclusively hire the island which is home to six sustainably minded cliffside lodges created by Singaporean designer Sim Boon Yang, made from recycled natural materials. Each lodge will have private butler service, a balcony with sparkling ocean views and private paths leading into rocky coves and directly to the sea. The island will be complete with a private clubhouse, inspired by local tribal communal houses as well as its own restaurant, spa and saltwater pool built out of a natural rock hollow with a water slide.
NIHI SUMBA
Nihi Sumba launches an exclusive, seven-night superyacht partnership with aqua expeditions, unlocking Indonesia’s best-kept secrets
Iconic hospitality brands Aqua Expeditions and NIHI Sumba have teamed up to create a new adventure exploring the remote and breathtaking islands and seas of East Indonesia. Departing from Bali aboard Aqua Expeditions’ super yacht Aqua Blu, this singular experience combines a four-night private charter navigating the famed Komodo National Park, culminating in three nights at NIHI Sumba, a remote hideaway offering a socially distant, wildly connected experience like never before. At Nihi, guests can go totally off the beaten track and immerse themselves in nature by hiking through dramatic waterfalls, ancient villages and butterfly trails, as well as stand-up paddling down the Wanukaka River to the unique ‘Spa Safari’ by the sea for ultimate relaxation.
Global
SCOTT DUNN PRIVATE
Unveiling the Scott Dunn Private Limitless Collection – a curated selection of the world’s most incredible properties and travel experiences, soon to include exclusive-use villas
Having launched in response to a pent up desire from their ultra-high net worth guests to travel in the utmost style, global tour operator, Scott Dunn has launched Scott Dunn Private, and with it a curated selection of the team’s personal favourites – the Limitless Collection. This comprises the world’s most incredible properties and experiences spanning private islands, yachts, chalets, villas and safari retreats. Soon to be added to the Limitless Collection are a select few exclusive-use villas, located in Tuscany, the Cote d’Azur, Santorini and Crete. Members of Scott Dunn Private have access to a dedicated team of expert Personal Travel Advisors and their world class book of contacts, with tailored service and discretion guaranteed.
www.scottdunn.com/scott-dunn-private
*All images from respective sites.
