Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Every last Friday of the month, you can read my news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel and aviation. In this issue:
Located at the base of the Dolomites in the town of San Cassiano, the famous Rosa Alpina Resort will reopen as an Aman Resort next month, with reservations now open (click here to check rates and make a booking). The hotel’s remodeling was spearheaded by Denniston Architects’ Jean-Michel Gathy, who most recently oversaw the design of the Aman New York. As part of the project, the property’s guestroom count will decrease from 52 to 50. Rosa Alpina’s top-tier accommodations will include two new 1,615-square-foot presidential suites, which will join the hotel’s existing 3,015-square-foot Chalet Zeno. Architectural enhancements to the exterior of the hotel and interior communal areas will allow for a more diverse culinary offering: the gastronomy will draw upon the hotel’s rich culinary heritage, providing a variety of options, from informal alfresco fondues to exquisite fine dining multi-course feasts. The wellness offering will be extended to almost double the original size and reconfigured to incorporate an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as a meticulously curated treatment menu to complement the new facilities.
Mandarin Oriental is set to elevate Venice’s luxury travel scene by taking over and rebranding the exquisite San Clemente Palace Hotel (currently a Kempinski Hotel). Nestled on its own five-hectare private island, this serene escape, just an eight-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, offers a unique blend of secluded tranquility and easy access to Venice’s vibrant heart. Following a multi-phase renovation starting in November 2025, the hotel will reopen as Mandarin Oriental, Venice in April 2026, promising 136 elegantly redesigned rooms and suites, four distinctive dining venues, a lavish spa, and a host of wellness and family-friendly amenities, all within a beautifully restored 900-year-old monastery setting. This highly anticipated opening is set to offer an unparalleled luxury experience, blending Venetian charm with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned hospitality, making it an unmissable destination for discerning travelers.
JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand’s first highly anticipated Mediterranean beach resort, sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on Crete, the largest Greek island. Nestled in Marathi, near the charming town of Chania, the resort spans over 100 acres of idyllic coastline, thoughtfully designed to harmonize with Crete’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Crafted by the acclaimed Athens-based studio Block722, JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa embodies contemporary elegance rooted in a deep respect for its natural surroundings. The property is harmoniously integrated into the landscape with planted roofs, olive and carob tree groves, and natural materials including marble and wood. The resort features 160 elegantly appointed guest rooms, suites, and villas, all offering sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, with the majority including private pools to enhance the sense of exclusivity and relaxation. The brand-new hotel features several dining outlets as well as wellness center, which combines traditional Cretan healing rituals with modern immersive therapies.
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-star airline for 12 consecutive years, unveiled “THE Room FX,” on Safran’s booth at the 55th International Paris Airshow, at Le Bourget (France). This next-generation Business Class seat with a privacy door for each seat will become the world’s largest seat in its class on a mid-sized aircraft. Building upon the development experience of “THE Room,” the private Business Class seat introduced on the Boeing 777-300ER in 2019, ANA and its partnert Acumen pioneered a new concept for mid-sized aircraft. The space has been reconfigured with a combination of design elements: thinner privacy door and walls, curved lines in the backrest area and an alternating front and rear facing seat arrangement. This design optimizes the Boeing 787’s cabin, creating a spatial experience comparable to a larger aircraft and achieving a world-class comfort level. Beginning in 2026, ANA will gradually introduce “THE Room FX” private seats on major long-haul international routes.
InterContinental Guayaquil, located in Guayaquil’s exclusive Samborondón district, will serve as a serene haven for both business and leisure travelers. With an aesthetic drawing inspiration from the area’s natural elements, the new hotel will be brought to life by SEMAICA, ODD Architects and Adriana Hoyos Design Studio and feature 101 sophisticated guestrooms, including 11 suites and one Presidential Suite. Guests seeking inspired epicurean experiences will enjoy the property’s specialty restaurant with a skyline view as well as a poolside lounge, while those prioritizing relaxation and well-being will appreciate its resort-style rooftop pool, spa and state-of-the-art fitness center. Set to open in 2027, the property will also feature approximately 610 square-meters of dedicated meeting and event space, including a 300-person ballroom ideal for corporate events or social celebrations, in addition to a signature Club InterContinental lounge.
Alaska Airlines is continuing the celebration of its new global gateway in Seattle by adding Rome, Italy, to its international destination lineup. This is the first time in history that the “Emerald City” will be connected to the “Eternal City” via a nonstop flight. With the expected single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this fall, the new route will be served on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which joined the fleet when Alaska Airlines merged with Hawaiian Airlines. Rome is the most popular European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle. This new nonstop option for Seattle guests will also provide improved one-stop connectivity for guests all along the West Coast and Hawaiʻi. Rome will become the third widebody, international route served out of Alaska’s global gateway in Seattle after Tokyo Narita, which launched on May 12, and Seoul Incheon, which begins service on Sept. 12. Alaska Airlines’ hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is already the largest airline hub on the West Coast, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, and now the world.
On June 12th, Virgin Australia marked a major milestone in its history, as the airline returned to long-haul international flying with the launch of its inaugural Sydney–Doha service. The new service connects Australian travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa via Qatar Airways’ global network. This launch represents a significant evolution of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ partnership, with Brisbane flights commencing 19 June, Perth on 26 June and Melbourne services to follow in December 2025. By December 2025, the alliance will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year, increasing competitiveness in the market and providing ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Passengers onboard the new Doha flights will travel on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring Qsuite Business Class; and complimentary high-speed Starlink wi-fi.
