This wrap is filled with the most luxurious, beautiful resorts and hotels around. The complete opposite of the hostels we stayed in backpacking through Europe.

Reservations are now open for Six Senses Fiji, Opening on April 14

Reservations are being accepted at Six Senses Fiji following confirmation that the property is on track for its scheduled opening. The hosts of Six Senses Fiji look forward to welcoming guests on April 14 as the brand marks its arrival in the South Pacific.

To celebrate the opening, Six Senses Fiji is offering the 5th night free for guests who visit between April 14 to May 31, 2018. And, when booking eight nights, guests who want to completely unwind will receive their 9th and 10th nights free. Whether it’s a mini break or a well-deserved, extended getaway, the team at Six Senses Fiji promises to reward all guests with an extra day or two to lounge by the pool and beach or explore the beautiful surrounds of Malolo island.

Known for its idyllic crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, thick tropical forests and excellent climate, Fiji is the ideal year-round destination. Located in a magnificent secluded bay on Malolo Island, Six Senses Fiji features a spectacular private golden sandy beach stretching 650 metres in length and offers all-tide swimming.

Sunset Coast Samui Resort & Villas offers the perfect island getaway

Starting 1st February 2018, Sunset Coast Samui will be managed by AVANI Hotels & Resorts. Set within Pang Kha Bay overlooking the sea and Five Islands, the tranquil location will appeal to holidaymakers in search of lesser known destinations. The resort is only a 40 minute drive from Samui International Airport, which is well connected with numerous daily flights from Bangkok and other Thai cities, along with direct flights from around Asia.

Every room and villa at Sunset Coast Samui is beautifully decorated and well-appointed with every amenity a guest would need for a comfortable stay, from spacious terraces and balconies, complimentary high speed internet to indulgent rain showers.

The secluded location will make the resort an attractive option for families and couples looking for meaningful and shared experiences with easy access to many coastal attractions, such as the nearby Five Islands, Ang Thong National Marine Park, the coral reefs of Koh Taen Island and the uncrowded pleasure of snorkelling in Koh Madsum.

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, launches Buds by Shangri-La, an interactive play space

Last week, Buds by Shangri-La officially opens at the first floor of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore’s newly rejuvenated Tower Wing. An interactive indoor and outdoor play space spanning 2,150 square metres in total, Buds by Shangri-La features specially curated installations to take younger guests on a journey of discovery through four key narratives: embracing nature, adventure, camaraderie and independence.

Themed activity spaces encourage more fun learning: Muddy, for budding artists who like to make a splash; Stage, a music studio for young performers; Bake, a fully equipped cooking classroom for children and parents; and an interactive Party Room for celebrations.

With the opening of Buds by Shangri-La, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore strengthens its luxury family experience – integrating accommodations, child-friendly services and an interactive play area for children who are both hotel and non-hotel guests, to learn through play in a creative, self-directed and experiential environment and bond with their parents.

Monaco’s Iconic Hotel de Paris unveils an extraordinary Suite entirely dedicated to Princess Grace

Monaco’s iconic Hotel de Paris has unveiled the most extraordinary suite on the French Riviera, a jaw-dropping two-floor penthouse suite, entirely dedicated to Princess Grace. Stretching across the two top-floors of the five-star property, the Princess Grace Suite is a showcase of the mark the Princess left on the history of the Principality with the suite’s interiors displaying her work and personal souvenirs, including her favourite poems and books.

Located in one of Monaco’s most exceptional settings, the two-storey two-bedroom suite boasts a refined, modern decor and offers a 180° view of the Mediterranean from three terraces and a patio. Other features and services include a private in-suite concierge, an infinity pool which opens onto an outdoor lounge area, a granite jacuzzi, a shower-hammam, a dedicated private room at the property’s renowned spa, the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, in winter, and a tent at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club in summer.

Guests booking the Princess Grace Suite receive a complimentary Meet & Greet service at the airport or heliport and transport in and out in a luxury car or helicopter. Services available to guests on request for a fee include an in-suite Rossano Ferretti hairstylist and an in-suite Alain Ducasse dinner.

The Byron at Byron Restaurant relaunches in 2018 with a new look and evolved menu

The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa has undergone a six week renovation transforming the Resort restaurant, bar and central facilities into a key destination for 2018.

Joining forces to transform the reimagined destination, The Byron at Byron appointed leading interior designers Luchetti Krelle and one of Australia’s most recognised chefs, Executive Chef Matthew Kemp to take the Resort to new heights.

Newly appointed Executive Chef, Matthew Kemp will serve up a crafted menu that will be continuously evolving at The Restaurant. The thoughtful menu will reflect the region, seasons and the climate of Byron Bay. Kemp fuses European Cuisine and Asian flavours in his own individual way.

Highlight features of the restaurant and central facilities include a new statement copper island bar gracing the restaurant whilst servicing the verandah and conference guests, a monumental sandstone reception desk that will greet guests upon entry and a stunningly appointed flagstone breezeway, perfect to while the afternoon away.

Kimpton’s La Peer Hotel Opens in WeHo

Jan 16th 2018, the indulgent digs at La Peer opened its’ doors so you can now walk about the neighborhood in the heart of West Hollywood’s lively Design District. La Peer signals “unbuttoned luxury” with its chic

European-styled rooms, complete with white oak herringbone floors, a calming color palette and deep soaking tubs. It’s an intimate place, with just 105 guestrooms and suites, and a pool that’s refreshingly casual – accented with Gaudi tiles, shady olive trees and a vertical garden wall.

Thoughtful amenities (such as Jade Yoga Mats in every room), services (like locally-renowned resident trainer Marco Reed overseeing on-site fitness classes and diet and meal planning as requested) and exclusive partnerships (with some of West Hollywood’s very best local businesses like Bikes & Hikes LA) are par for the course here. Guests can expect room service reimagined with custom picnic baskets, a complete bath menu with butler service, and In Room Bottle Service for craft cocktails.

Step out the front door for exclusive shopping of cutting-edge clothing, eclectic art and forward-thinking design. Set your alarm for the highly anticipated modern trattoria, Viale Dei Romani, a signature-dining concept created by Chef Casey Lane with a courtyard bar and an emphasis on wood fired seafood, vegetables and handmade pastas.

YTL Hotels’ The Academy announces April 2018 launch date

Situated in the heart of Bloomsbury in London’s West End, YTL Hotels’ The Academy comprises a collection of five Georgian townhouses combined into one charming hotel. YTL Hotels’ investment in the property includes a multi-million-pound interior refurbishment which will be completed in April 2018. The Academy will also become part of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.

Renowned New York-based designer Alexandra Champalimaud is overseeing the refurbishment of The Academy, creating an engaging blend of modern and vintage with a nod to the lives and loves of the Bloomsbury Set who lived and worked in the area in the early 20th Century.

As with their distinctive interiors at YTL’s first British property, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Champalimaud Design will juxtapose timeless glamour and traditional features with a modern, comfortable city style to create a contemporary take on townhouse living.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts celebrates 50 years of inspiring travel

Fifty years after 12 North American hoteliers established Preferred Hotels Association as a referral organization. This week, the Preferred brand celebrates its 50-year anniversary of curating exceptional independent hotels that deliver authentic, memorable, and inspiring travel experiences.

Over the past five decades – filled with expansion into every region of the world and the continued addition of experiential programs and technology – the company has evolved to become Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand with more than 650 one-of-a-kind member hotels, resorts, and residences across 85 countries.

To commemorate this major milestone, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched a year-long Golden Anniversary campaign that invites travelers to explore its vast portfolio of independent hotels through a series of consumer-driven initiatives. Among the celebratory activities launching today are an inspiring video series; a new social media campaign, #PreferredCelebrates50; a Golden Anniversary package; multiple booking incentives; and a dedicated Golden Anniversary microsite that will serve as the hub of all related activity throughout the year.

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts announces soft launch of Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger

With its 70th Anniversary in full stride, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts announces the newest addition to its brand portfolio with a soft opening of Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger Feb. 1, 2018. A traditional Hawaiian blessing will mark the transition of the former Holiday Inn resort to the Outrigger-branded property.

An extensive $25 million hotel renovation will follow – including all-new guest rooms and meeting spaces, revamped lobby and much more – presenting guests with a modern, urban oasis in the heart of Waikiki. Projected for completion in late summer (United States) 2018, the phased renovation schedule is designed specifically to minimize guest disruption.

Situated steps from Waikiki Beach and adjacent to the reimagined International Market Place, Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger is home to some of Hawaii’s dining hotspots including Maui Brewing Co. and Hawaiian Aroma Caffe, where visitors and locals alike enjoy poolside service in a family-friendly environment. Serving brews from morning to night, guests can savour artesian coffee and light bites in a chic poolside café or sample a flight of award-winning, Maui-brewed craft beer with fresh, island-inspired eats.

Mercure Albury joins AccorHotels regional NSW network

AccorHotels will welcome Mercure Albury to its network of Mercure hotels across the Pacific region.

The hotel features 60 guestrooms, dining and conferencing facilities and joins other regional New South Wales hotels including Mercure Orange, ibis Styles Orange, Mercure Tamworth and Mercure Mudgee.

Currently named Hotel on Olive, the property has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment which has seen impressive updates to landscaping, guestrooms and the hotel’s restaurant.

Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort launches rustic Garden-to-Table Dining Experience

The Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort Executive Chef Geert-Jan Vaartjes has revealed an innovative Saturday evening garden-to-table dining experience at the resort, located in the south of the island.

Guests arrive around 6pm at The Plantation Club colonial-style restaurant in the resort grounds. After they enjoy a welcome cocktail, the resort’s gardener shows them the vegetable garden while explaining the various herbs. Taking advice from the gardener, guests pick an assortment as ingredients for their dinner.

The guests then sit back on the simple wooden tables outdoors and enjoy impromptu Mauritian creole light bites, as chef goes to work using traditional utensils such as old-style cauldrons, pans (called tawa) and wooden ladles. The meal is prepared on a wood fire.

Intercontinental Fiji ‘China ready’ to welcome Chinese Lunar New Year 

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa is ‘China Ready’ in time to welcome the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Dog, to be celebrated on 16 February 2018.

In line with being recognized as one of IHG’s pilot resorts for being China Ready, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa has revamped and refined its services to add value to the overall experience of its Chinese guests.

As part of celebrations during Chinese Lunar New Year, guests can expect Chinese banquet meals and entertainment among other experiences. The iconic beach setting, award winning day spa and access to the Natadola Bay Championship Course are already key attractions to the Chinese market.

Love is in the Balinese Air

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, get into romance mode and book the ultimate romantic getaway to woo your significant other.

Create memories that last a lifetime, from candlelit al fresco dining beneath the stars at DAVA Steak & Seafood, to luxurious spa treatments for two, to custom pyrotechnic experiences…playing cupid is a piece of cake at AYANA Resort and Spa, BALI.

Food is at the heart of every perfect date and at AYANA you can never fall short of romantic dining experiences with over 19 unique restaurants to choose from.

Nothing compares to the breathtaking setting of AYANA’s private pier, where Pesta Lobster sits perched. The entry to this romantic location starts with a descent to sea level down the cliff face, and at the end of the pier, your table awaits. Soft music from bamboo xylophones and the sound of the ocean accompanies the four-course dinner that includes a selection of delectable lobster dishes and indulgent dessert.