We take a sneak peak at some of the top luxury hotel and resort openings around the world in 2019. Each one offers something a little different, so whether you fancy taking part in a gorilla trek, trying out helicopter fishing, or just relaxing on a pristine beach, there will be something for you!
1 – THE LEGIAN SIRE, LOMBOK, INDONESIA – OPENING SUMMER 2019
Newly formed luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand LHM (Legian Hotel Management) is set to build on the iconic reputation of its grande dame hotel The Legian Seminyak, Bali with ambitious expansion plans for wider Indonesia, Asia and beyond. The first step in the brand’s expansion will be the launch of The Legian Sire, Lombok in Summer 2019.
Located on one of Lombok’s finest beaches, the 3.8 kilometre Sire Beach, the all-suite and villa resort will have staggering views of the Gili islands and Lombok’s Mount Rinjani. The Legian Sire, Lombok will be boutique in size with 45 suites and 15 pool villas, all of which will overlook Lombok’s crystal-clear sea and be notably spacious (the smallest will measure over 110 square metres).
Set to make one of Lombok’s most impressive and most luxurious design statements, the architecture is by award-winning ESA International headed up by Indonesian talent Putu Edy Semara whose aim is to adopt ‘Taksu’ meaning ‘Indonesian architectural soul’, within his work. The interiors are by Agnes Affandy and Shaun Yeo, who are prodigies of Indonesian design legend Jaya Ibrahim, who designed the interiors of The Legian Seminyak, Bali.
Rates for a suite at The Legian Sire, Lombok start from $347++ USD (approx. £270) per night and $613++ USD (approx. £476) per night for the villas at The Club by The Legian Sire, Lombok.
For more information, visit lhm-hotels.com/en/.
2 – SINGITA KWITONDA LODGE, RWANDA – OPENING AUGUST 2019
Singita is extending its conservation footprint to Rwanda, where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of the Volcanoes National Park. Singita is honoured to be opening Singita Kwitonda Lodge in August 2019 on 178 acres on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
The opening will put gorilla trekking within easy reach and in combination with a classic safari at Singita’s private concessions on the Serengeti plains in Tanzania, the ultimate Singita East African safari experience is now possible.
Singita Kwitonda will be built to embody the spirit of Rwanda and offer a tribute to the hotel’s namesake – Kwitonda – a great silverback gorilla whose legend lives on in Rwanda and name translates to ‘humble.’ The presence of Singita Kwitonda Lodge on the park border will help to create a natural space between agricultural plots and the habitat of the estimated 320 mountain gorillas that find sanctuary here.
Besides gorillas, there is much to see and explore, from the Afro montane forests of Nyungwe National Park to the vibrant and sophisticated capital city, Kigali. The property will offer eight suites and a villa with magnificent views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes and sustainability is at the core of the construction project.
The architects and interior designers are selecting locally sourced and produced materials for walling, ceilings and surface finishing and the local community has been engaged in building traditional dry stone walling on site for specialist areas within the landscape.
Rates for suites at Singita Kwitonda Lodge start from US$1,500 – $1,750 per person per night on a fully inclusive basis, excluding gorilla trekking permits (US$1,500 per person for a one-day, one-hour permit). In green season (January 16 – May 31 and November 1 and 19 December), combine three nights at Singita KwitondaLodge followed by four nights at Singita Serengeti and receive 50% off one night at Singita Kwitonda and a complimentary night at Singita Serengeti, with 50% off the private vehicle. RwandAir now flies direct, twice weekly, between London Gatwick and Kigali.
For more information, visit singita.com.
3 – TAJ RISHIKESH RESORT & SPA, INDIA – OPENING OCTOBER 2019
New for October 2019 is Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa – a new resort located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The resort sits high up – 35 km above Rishikesh – allowing for incredible views of the surrounding mountains as well as access to a private white sand bank on the shore of the River Ganges.
Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, will be located 30 kms downstream from Devprayag – one of the most sacred confluences, where the two holy rivers, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi merge to form the Ganges. As the mighty river curves around the hotel, each of the 81 rooms, including 47 villas, and the public areas overlook the Ganges and the pristine forest beyond.
Utilising the rich expertise of the Yoga Masters of Rishikesh, this property will offer the very best of yoga and meditation in its 8,600 sq.ft. Jiva Spa. There is also a spectacular Yoga pavilion situated on the river bank and for those looking for something more high-octane the hotel is perfectly located white water rafting and mountain trekking.
For more information please, visit tajhotels.com.
4 – PEKOE HOUSE, SRI LANKA – OPENING OCTOBER 2019
Teardrop Hotels is transforming the traditional hill country scene in 2019 with the opening of three new tea bungalows – completing its contemporary hill-country circuit. Teardrop’s third tea bungalow, Pekoe House, will be located within the tropical surrounds of Kandy. Within reach (and view) of the Knuckles Mountain Range, Pekoe House will have six double bedrooms, pool, croquet lawn and living/dining space.
Following the launch of Camellia Hills and Kumu Beach in Summer 2017, the portfolio has expanded with Goatfell and Nine Skies in late 2018, and now Pekoe House, three fully renovated vintage managers’ bungalows strategically located along the tea country route near Hatton, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
Each bungalow’s location is so distinct, guests can hop between them and immerse themselves in fascinating locale, whether trekking or arriving by the Yakada Yakada or the ‘Iron Devil’ train – both of which allows guests to observe a local way of life previously unattainable from the road.
The opening of these bungalows will see Teardrop Hotels transform the hill country’s boutique hotel scene, bringing a modern vibe to traditional tea plantations and offering a fresh take on the Sri Lankan high life with relaxed, contemporary aesthetics and a fusion of Asian-British dining.
Offering a more contemporary take on the Sri Lankan hill country hotel scene, these stylish properties aim to evoke more laid-back country house stay for the millennial generation. Activities include tea factory tours and scenic treks up Hunas mountain.
Rates start from US$495 / approx. £370 per room per night based on double occupancy and on an all-inclusive basis.
For more information, visit teardrop-hotels.com.
5 – SIX SENSES SHAHARUT, ISRAEL – Q4 2019
Six Senses Shaharut will open in Q4 2019 in the Israeli Negev Desert. Set within a dramatic cliff with panoramic views of the desert landscape, the resort will comprise 58 suites and villas including one three-bedroom retreat. The villas will be built from local rocks and pigments and the landscape will utilise regional cacti and indigenous desert blooms, while much of the resort’s furnishings will be sourced from local community artisans.
There will be one main restaurant, a poolside bar and grill, a juice bar, as well as an authentic tented Bedouin dining experience with a fire pit for late night feasting. The Spa will be home to a signature Alchemy Bar – Six Senses’ innovative, interactive wellness workshop where guests can work with a variety of local herbs, fruits and spices to skilfully blend sustainable, artisanal and entirely organic ingredients to create their own lotions and potions. Fresh ingredients will be harvested seasonally from the resort’s own gardens or from local farmers at the nearby kibbutzim.
Other Spa facilities will include an indoor pool, outdoor lap pool, fully-equipped gym, yoga studio with desert views and a nail bar. Six Senses Shaharut will also be home to a desert activity centre which will incorporate Six Senses’ brand-wide ‘Earth Lab’ scheme, and showcase its sustainability efforts to reduce consumption, produce locally and support communities and ecosystems.
There will be functioning camel stables with an arena and grooming area, 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.
Additional activities include a kid’s club, off-road driving, mountain climbing, mountain biking, camel safaris, craft workshops, bird watching and wine tours. For those who want a truly immersive experience, guests will be able to head off into the desert on camels and spend the night camping under the stars.
Rates to be confirmed ahead of opening. British Airways flies direct daily from London to Tel Aviv. Flights from Tel Aviv to the new international airport, Ramon, in Eilat (opening early 2019) will take 50 minutes. The drive from Ramon International Airport will take 45 minutes. Driving from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem will take around 3.5 hours, or three hours from Petra in neighbouring Jordan.
For more information, visit sixsenses.com.
6 – RIO PALENA LODGE, CHILE – OPENING DECEMBER 2019
Eleven Experience will open Rio Palena Lodge in Chilean Patagonia in December 2019. Located in a remote valley and nestled against a lush green hillside on the banks of the magnificent Rio Palena, the lodge will offer guests the ultimate fly-fishing adventure and a chance to truly switch off and disconnect from modern day life.
Sleeping up to 14 guests in seven bedrooms, Rio Palena allows guests to fish directly from the front door, in a region that is famous for large brown and rainbow wild trout. These special super-charged trout thrive in the glacial waters of the myriad lakes, rivers, and streams in this far-flung and remote part of Patagonia. Patagonia is a bucket list destination for anglers – a truly remote and pristine landscape with stunning wild scenery, Andean forests, snow-capped volcanoes and mountains – the region has a vast river system with plentiful strong and powerful fish.
Rio Palena Lodge will offer anglers everything from tranquil float and wade fishing to exhilarating helicopter fishing and Eleven’s highly qualified, professional and enthusiastic guides are experts on the regional waters. The Rio Palena Lodge’s private chef will prepare a delicious breakfast to set guests up for a day on the river, sending them off with a packed lunch, drinks, snacks and local wine to keep energy levels up throughout the day.
Evenings are spent relaxing in the wood-fired sauna and hot-tub or by the wood-burning stove or on the deck overlooking the river enjoying fine local wine. Gourmet dinners include local beef, homemade pasta, salmon and locally grown produce or a special Chilean asado – a BBQ accompanied by fresh salads and home baked bread. For non-fishing days Eleven’s experience managers can arrange horseback riding and hiking in the Andes, sightseeing picnics, cooking classes and more.
Rates start from $7,350 per person based on two people sharing one room for eight nights. The price includes one night in Puerto Varas, six days of guided fishing, one-day of heli-fishing, all fishing equipment and flies, fishing licenses, pre-arrival planning, breakfast, lunch, apres and dinner, house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, laundry service and round-trip transfers from PalenaAirfield.
For more information, visit elevenexperience.com.
