**EUROPE**
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal – Reopened 1st June 2020
WHY? Six Senses Douro Valley has been awarded the ‘Clean and Safe’ seal by the Portuguese Tourism Board, which ensures that the resort has been compliant with strict guidelines recommended by the W.H.O. Located in the beautiful Portuguese UNESCO World Heritage area of the Douro Valley, the resort offers spectacular views of the Douro River and surrounding vineyards and endless space to spread out. In accordance with these guidelines, touchless hand sanitisers have been installed throughout the common areas of the hotel. When it comes to dining, guests are advised to book their meals in advance. All restaurants and bars are open and have been arranged to ensure social distancing is possible. Menus will be available through QR codes which will be sent to personal devices. To make the most of the warm weather, additional seating has been provided on the outdoor terraces and private picnics can also be arranged in the grounds of the beautiful gardens. In terms of R&R, guests are welcome to use the gym, indoor pool and sauna on a complimentary basis, however they will be available by reservation only so that the hotel is able to monitor how many people use the facilities at any one time.
HOW? Rates start from €325 (currently approx. £290) per night, B&B. www.sixsenses.com
Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey – Reopened 1st June 2020
WHY? Six Senses Kaplankaya has begun welcoming guests back to the resort’s Residential Villas, with a minimum two-week stay to apply to minimise the number of guests visiting at any one time. All hosts and residents will complete a health check including a three-day quarantine period and tests on entering the property, to keep the entire community a safe space. During this time, guests can still access a dedicated beach and outdoor activities as well as in-room dining services. The hotel rooms in the main building and Ridge Rooms meanwhile will remain closed. An abundance of outdoor activities will be available, from tennis and hiking to football, basketball, biking, hiking and watersports there will be plenty to do to keep the family entertained. The award-winning wellness facilities will also be free to use, with therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and experts on hand to offer pamper sessions, fitness programmes and more.
HOW? Rates to be confirmed based on a two-week minimum stay. www.sixsenses.com
**BRAND-NEW OPENING ALERT**
Château Troplong Mondot, Bordeaux, France – Opened 2nd June 2020
WHY? Château Troplong Mondot, the renowned Premier Grand Cru Classé wine estate in Bordeaux, has just opened its doors to the newly renovated The Keys of Troplong Mondot boutique hotel. The property is set on the Mondot hilltop overlooking the UNESCO world-heritage town of Saint-Emilion. Guests can also opt to stay in the rustic Vineyard House, a two-bedroom cottage hidden away in the middle of the vines, for total privacy and seclusion. As well as wine-tasting, visitors can enjoy a series of active, romantic and culinary-focused experiences including truffle hunting and outdoor yoga. The estate has implemented new social-distancing guidelines and safety measures to ensure guests have a private stay, with minimal contact with staff and outside world.
HOW? Rates start from €250 (currently approx. £223) per night, B&B. troplong-mondot.com
Brenners Park-hotel & Spa & Villa Stéphanie, Baden Baden, Germany – Reopening 10th June 2020
WHY? For nearly 150 years, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa – the flagship hotel in the prestigious Oetker Collection – has weathered changes in glorious, as well as challenging times. Known in the 19th century as the ‘summer capital of Europe’, Baden Baden all but invented the summer holiday and has much to offer, including an unusually long, warm summer thanks to its special microclimate. Surrounded by age-old grape vines and enchanting Black Forest woodlands, upon reopening Brenners will encourage guests to make the most of its unique location as a city oasis in the middle of a beautiful park surrounded by nature. Visitors can set off on a tour with a local driver in the hotel’s VW Samba ‘Oskar’, or self-drive in VW Beetle ‘Herbie’ through the charming driving routes, complete with a signature Brenners picnic basket. There are also 10,062 hectares of gently hilly Black Forest National Park to be explored, with a varied countryside landscape that is home to 10,000 animal species; 1,060 of hiking trails, including vineyards with their own wine trails; 630km of cycling tours; and 10 lakes. A very special new experience for this summer is to go fly fishing with Executive Chef Mario Corti, a passionate fly fisherman, to the idyllic, fish-rich private waters of the nearby Enzkreis region. Chef Mario will then gladly prepare their self-caught fish for their evening meal should they wish. Back at Brenners, there will be a new outdoor Minerva terrace to allow for social distancing during leisurely summer afternoon teas and aperitifs, overlooking the peaceful River Oos as it passes. Next door at Villa Stéphanie, one of Europe’s finest medi-spas, there are three new packages for guests wishing to strengthen their immune systems: the three-day Immune Booster, the four-day Beautiful Health and the seven-day Immune Care programmes. The packages combine numerous medical treatments with relaxing spa treatments, fusing together the expertise of world-renowned doctors and experienced spa professionals to provide the best means for laying out guests’ individual path to better health.
HOW? Rates at Brenners start from €340 (currently approx. £303) per night, room only. Rates at Villa Stéphanie start from €495 (currently approx. £441), room only. oetkercollection.com/hotels/brenners-park-hotel-spa
Deplar Farm, Iceland – Reopening 15th June 2020
WHY? With the world’s tourism hot spots gradually reopening after months in lockdown, Iceland has hit the headlines as a positive coronavirus case study, having kept its outbreak under control and is now set to offer the perfect getaway for travellers seeking the purest elements and space. Deplar Farm, one of Eleven Experience’s most unique properties, is located in the remote Fljót Valley of northern Iceland with just a handful of resident farmers, where sheep outnumber humans in Iceland by more than 2:1. The 13-bedroom property may be wonderfully remote, but offers a range of world-class facilities for guests looking to relax and unwind after an active day outdoors. Visitors can enjoy the lodge’s extensive wellness area which comprises a steam room, indoor/outdoor saunas, hot tubs, flotation tanks, three treatment rooms and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, heated to 38°C from thermal springs, with a built-in sound system and bar. Reflecting the requirements of a post-pandemic world. Deplar Farm, along with all Eleven Experience lodges, will employ physical distancing measures, hotel-wide staff training and temperature checks, masks and gloves upon request.
HOW? Rates during the summer and winter season (1 June – 31 October & 1 November – 14 March) start from £1,370 per person, per night. This includes customised adventure itineraries, all gear necessary for activities, pre-arrival planning with an Experience Manager, all in-house meals, house alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, daily housekeeping and airport transfers to/from Akureyri. www.elevenexperience.com
Chalet Hibou & Chalet Pelerin, Le Miroir, France – Reopening 15th June 2020
WHY? Tucked away in a hidden corner of the French Alps, Chalet Hibou and Chalet Pelerin are set within the ultimate alpine playground come summer. Set high up in the tiny historic mountain village of Le Miroir, away from main towns, the sister properties are dream bases for families looking to reconnect and friends wanting to get their adrenaline fix. Adventure specialists Eleven Experience tailor every trip to guests’ desires and abilities, and their expert guides will lead them in incredible activities – from mountain and road biking to trekking alpine forest trails that wind past centuries-old churches and sapphire blue lakes, as well as the opportunity for white water rafting and rock climbing. By night, guests can recharge in the chalets’ freshwater pools, sip wine on the patio overlooking panoramic views, and let their private chef introduce them to tempting regional specialities like tartiflette, paired with fine French wines. Chalet Hibou sleeps 16 while Chalet Pelerin sleeps 12; both chalets have an outdoor hot tub, Finnish sauna and steam room, and access to Eleven’s private outpost, L’Alpage, where dinners are cooked over an open fire.
HOW? Summer rates for exclusive use at Chalet Hibou start from £6,550 per night based on 14 guests. The price includes pre-arrival planning with an Eleven Experience Manager, customised guided activities, all gear necessary for activities, breakfast, après and dinner, house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The 2020 summer season will run from 15 June to 20 September 2020. www.elevenexperience.com
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, France – 18th June 2020
WHY? Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa’s large guestrooms and spacious terraces are being prepared with new safety measures in place, to ensure peace of mind for all guests and staff. Upon reopening, the hotel will offer a special “Live and Enjoy” three-night package, inviting visitors to ‘reclaim and reinvigorate the gift of the five senses.’ Valid now through August 2020, the package includes a welcome bottle of Champagne in their room offering awe-inspiring vineyard views; daily breakfast at Le Bellevue Restaurant; lunch or dinner on the terrace looking out onto the expanse of the vineyards; a two-hour massage; private cellar tour and tasting for two at a local Champagne house; and personally curated recommendations from the hotel’s signature Chef Concierge prior to guests’ arrival. The storied history of Champagne took on a new dimension with the launch of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in summer 2018, as it made its debut as the destination’s first contemporary luxury hotel, embracing the lush bounty of the wineries and the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site.
HOW? Rates start from €420 (currently approx. £374) per night, B&B. www.royalchampagne.com
Maisons Et Hôtels Sibuet, France:
Villa Marie, St Tropez – Reopening 25th June 2020
La Bastide De Marie, Provence, France – Reopening 26th June 2020
WHY? Villa Marie, St Tropez is a boutique hideaway located in the heart of a three-hectare pine forest, just outside the village of Ramatuelle, with breathtaking views over the Bay of Pampelonne. Totally secluded and resembling more of a private house than a hotel, the 45-room hotel reinvents the charm of the Riviera with laid-back Italian glamour, offering delicious Mediterranean cuisine, immaculate Italian-influenced interiors, a swimming pool carved from into the hillside and an indulgent Pure Altitude spa. Nestled among 57 acres of vineyards and gardens, in the heart of Luberon Natural Park, La Bastide de Marie is a fully restored 18th-century farmhouse estate with just 15 suites. The owner, Jocelyne Sibuet, has lovingly restored each room with its own style and sense of décor. In the vicinity of La Bastide de Marie, guests can discover the Domaine de Marie wine cellars and for fine wine lovers, the Domaine is the perfect stopover to discover the different grape varieties of the region. All staff at both hotels have been trained in the new health and safety standards for social distancing and hygiene practices. Optional remote check-in/out, protective glass shields in reception areas, single-use magnetic key cards, digitalised dining menus and hand sanitiser across the hotel, are among the numerous new norms.
HOW? Rates at Villa Marie, St Tropez start from €330 (currently approx. £294) per night and rates at La Bastide de Marie start from €330 (currently approx. £297) per night, B&B. en.maisonsethotels-sibuet.com
Hotel Du Cap-eden-roc, Cap D’antibes, France – Reopening 1st July 2020
WHY? This summer marks the 150th anniversary season of the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Hidden away on the southernmost tip of Cap d’Antibes, this legendary place has played host to some of the greatest names in art, cinema, literature and politics over the past 150 years, and remains beloved the world over by generation of families who return year on year. Following the guidance of the French Ministry of Health with regards to health, hygiene and social distancing protocols, upon reopening guests will have full access to the iconic saltwater swimming pool, water activities, tennis courts and fitness centre, as well as the option to enjoy spa treatments in outdoor cabanas or the gazebo. A private limousine transfer service is available, as is the ‘Meet & Greet’ service to expedite arrivals into Nice Côte d’Azur airport. The hotel’s private seaside cabanas – part of the mythical Riviera experience since the 1930s – can be booked for full days for visitors to experience private, peaceful al fresco lunches while enjoying uninterrupted views over the Mediterranean in an intimate setting. These secluded sanctuaries between pine groves and the sea were created for sunbathing while listening to the sound of the water lapping against the rocks, but are equally chic for private lunches or romantic dinners. In addition, the Eden-Roc Grill – the quintessential symbol of summer with the Mediterranean as its backdrop – will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To follow later in the month, visitors will discover brand-new additions in celebration of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc’s 150 years, including ‘new look’ social areas and restaurants.
HOW? Rates start from €1,150 (currently approx. £1,033) per night, B&B. Cabanas rates from €690 per day (currently approx. £620). oetkercollection.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc
Finca Cortesin, Andalusia, Spain – Reopening 1st July 2020
WHY? Located in one of the most sought-after enclaves of the Andalusian coast, the privately-owned Finca Cortesin is one of the finest luxury resorts in Europe, set on an extensive 532-acre estate. Its first striking feature is its impressive size. While it is extremely well connected and easily accessible from nearby international hubs, the resort is surrounded by undisturbed nature and flanked by the Casares Mountains with sweeping views of the Mediterranean coastline, and has over 23,000m2 of gardens. With boundless options and space to spread out, upon reopening Finca Cortesin will welcome its well-heeled guests to redesigned touchpoints including the arrival experience, with advance paperless and contact-free check-in, and 24-hour virtual FaceTime or WhatsApp Concierge. A minimum of two metres distancing between pool loungers at all pools and the Beach Club will also be introduced; socially distanced sittings in the restaurants; increased pop-up dining experiences elsewhere on the hotel grounds; enhanced villa rental offerings with private chefs to minimize traffic flow in restaurants; regularly taking the temperature of all staff; and enhancing the already strict cleanliness protocols, with daily certified ozone machine cleaning services, and using UV surface and room disinfection technologies.
HOW? Rates start from €620 (currently approx. £552) per night, B&B. www.fincacortesin.com
Les Fermes De Marie, Megève, France – Reopening 3rd July 2020
WHY? Les Fermes de Marie, situated in the charming French town of Megève, invites guests to enjoy authenticity, laid-back luxury, fabulous food and fun-filled alpine pursuits this summer. New this year, the Sibuet family has launched ‘Les Chalets des Fermes’ – an exceptional collection of 10 private chalets for families and groups seeking a stylish escape,away from the crowds. Les Fermes de Marie has handpicked some of the most beautiful chalets in Megève and its surrounding area to complete the alpine collection, affording guests the choice of individually designed hideaways, each with their own personality and story to tell – combining the five-star service of a boutique hotel with the charm and intimacy of a private chalet. A private butler and chef are offered, while holidaymakers preferring to DIY in the kitchen can order personalised deliveries of lake-fish soup, regional cheeses, truffle-spiked pasta and mountain honey from the hotel’s upmarket épicerie. Optional remote check-in/out, protective glass shields in reception areas, single-use magnetic key cards, digitalised dining menus and hand sanitiser across the hotel are among the numerous new norms.
HOW? Rates start from €300 (currently approx. £270) per night, B&B. www.fermesdemarie.com
Suvretta House, St. Moritz – Reopening 10th July 2020
WHY? The iconic Suvretta House, considered the ‘Grand Dame’ of the Swiss Alps located in Switzerland’s Upper Engadine Valley, has extended its 2020 summer season and will stay open from 10 July until 18 October. While Switzerland is traditionally considered a winter destination, not far from the buzz of St. Moritz, the Upper Engadine Valley totally transforms in the summer months into a playground for the elite seeking the perfect break away from the crowds. With breathtaking mountainous views, vast beautiful lakes, fresh alpine air and an array of activities including hiking, cycling and sailing, visitors to the region instantly switch off upon arrival. Of course, the health and safety of guests and staff is paramount, and so there will be changes to the hotel’s dining offering. The Grand Restaurant will be closed with all meals taking place at the Suvretta Stube, and buffets will also be replaced with an à la carte offering.
HOW? Summer rates start from CHF 410 (currently approx. £441) per night, B&B. suvrettahouse.ch/en
Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, Amalfi Coast – Reopening 10th July 2020
WHY? Monastero Santa Rosa is a former monastery which offers one of the most dramatic locations and views in the world. Today, it is home to a Michelin star restaurant, award-winning spa, outdoor gym, infinity pool, 12th Century chapel and stunning landscaped gardens. Each of the hotel’s 20 suites face the sea and are named after herbs grown in the hotel’s historic herb garden. Upon reopening, check-in will be streamlined with as much information taken before arrival as possible, involving minimum contact and conducted in private. Pool loungers and tables at the restaurant will also be spaced to create ample distance between guests.
HOW? Rates start from €400 (approx. £350) per night, B&B. www.monasterosantarosa.com
SHA Wellness Clinic, Valencia, Spain – Reopening 22nd July 2020
WHY? Located between Spain’s Sierra Helada Natural Park and the Bay of Altea in Valencia, SHA Wellness Clinic is a global pioneer of integrated medical and holistic wellness and one of Europe’s leading medical resorts. Upon reopening, SHA will continue to showcase its global leadership by launching a dedicated immunology ‘booster’. Through a joint study of medical treatments and natural therapies, SHA has strategically developed this booster to restore and stimulate the body’s natural immunity, and it is intended to be added onto SHA’s award-winning seven-night Rebalance Programme. SHA has also developed and launched a new digital portal which unlocks its award-winning expertise and philosophy virtually to its previous clients across the world. This is in addition to the property’s innovative post-Covid measures, with highlights including thermographic cameras for temperature checks, UV and ozone disinfection, elimination of all paper elements and mandatory pre-arrival Covid tests for guests and employees. The five award-winning health programmes will continue to be available, targeting some of the world’s most prevalent lifestyle illnesses from detoxification and sleep recovery to stress management and weight loss, offering guests access to over 30 full-time specialists and cutting-edge treatments co-developed by NASA and Harvard Medical School.
HOW? SHA Wellness Clinic’s immune booster can be added onto its Rebalance programme. Rates for the seven-day programme start from €4,000 (currently approx. £3,549) per person. www.shawellnessclinic.com
**BRAND-NEW OPENING ALERT**
Nobu Hotel Warsaw, Poland – Opening In August 2020
WHY? Nobu Hotel Warsaw will open its doors in August as the group’s first hotel in Poland. Located in the lively Wilcza neighbourhood, the cultural heart of the Polish capital just a walk away from the Old Town, the 117-room hotel is set to transform the destination. The signature Nobu Restaurant will be Warsaw’s first global chef-led restaurant, and a cross-continental design collaboration by Medusa Group and Studio PCH will make it the city’s first true design hotel. An existing Art Deco property has been transformed and merged with an ultra-modern new build, juxtaposing contemporary style with traditional architecture, offering sleek and spacious rooms with Japanese-inspired design. Guests will also find a Nobu Café, state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces and a fitness centre. This opening marks the start of an exciting future for Warsaw, also known as the Phoenix City, with the ever-increasing rise of independent restaurants, shops, art galleries and bars popping up. Guest health and safety is at the forefront of Nobu Hotel Warsaw’s values, with new measures in place including mobile check-in, in-room dining, UV light sanitizer cleaning and private lift access.
HOW? Rates will start from €225 (currently approx. £196) per night, B&B. www.nobuhotels.com/warsaw
**THE AMERICAS**
Silversands Grenada, Caribbean – Reopening Summer 2020
WHY? Silversands Grenada, located on the shores of Grand Anse Beach, offers a completely new way for discerning travellers to experience the unspoiled island of Grenada. Home to 43-suites and nine contemporary Hillside and Beachfront Villas, it provides the perfect base to reconnect with family and friends after months apart. Upon arrival at the airport, guests will have their temperature taken using a touchless forehead monitor before being whisked off in a private car to the hotel. Here, guests will be greeted with personal care packages for use throughout their stay. These will include personalised hand sanitiser, mask and gloves. All staff will have their temperature taken daily on arrival at work as well as once throughout the day. While in-room menus have been adapted and guests will have the option to dine from the sanctuary of their suites or villa at no extra cost, the two restaurants will also be open, with newly adjusted seating to ensure social distancing is possible as well as menus being sent directly to a guests personal device via QR code to prevent the handling of menus. Guests will have access to the beach and pool – the longest in the Caribbean – with all sunbeds having been arranged at least two metres apart.
HOW? Rates start from $800 (currently approx. £679) per night, B&B. www.silversandsgrenada.com
Hotel Esencia, Riviera Maya, Mexico – Reopening 10th June 2020
WHY? Set on the ivory sands of the Riviera Maya, Hotel Esencia was originally built as the private holiday home of an Italian duchess. The design-minded boutique hotel is both right on the powder-soft sands of paradisiac Xpu-Ha beach and enveloped by beautiful verdant Mexican jungle on a self-contained estate, with boundless space to spread out. Upon reopening, the hotel will be going totally paperless. Instead, guests will come across different QR codes in various different parts of the hotel to scan with their smartphones. Any information they need – menus, guides and the like – will pop up on their own device totally personalised. Check-ins will also be paperless, with guests signing any ‘paperwork’ on their own phone with their finger, so there is no need to touch one of Hotel Esencia’s pens or iPad. The hotel will also unveil its most private suite, taking exclusivity to the next level: The Presidential Bungalow, a Caribbean-style beachfront suite set on its own 30,000ft2 independent property. With the highest ceilings in all the hotel, it sits under a traditional palapa roof and inside, there is a spacious central living area that opens up onto a private beach. It also includes 120 feet of private beachfront, with sunbeds and a separate beach palapa ideal for socially distant lounging or beachfront private dining, as well as butler service.
HOW? Rates in Hotel Esencia’s new Presidential Suite will start from $2,599++ (currently approx. £2,109) per night, room only, subject to 19% tax and 10% service. www.hotelesencia.com
Eleven Experience Lodges, Colorado:
Scarp Ridge Lodge – Reopened 4th June 2020
Taylor River Lodge – Reopening 15th June 2020
WHY? Adventure travel specialists, Eleven Experience’s collection of global properties are the ideal post-Covid sanctuaries, offering guests the option to enjoy full lodge takeovers in the most remote destinations, with an emphasis on challenging outdoor pursuits. The group’s chic flagship property, Scarp Ridge Lodge reopened on 4 June, offering thrill-seeking travellers the chance to combine an authentic and stylish stay in a mountain town setting with some of the world’s most exclusive adventurous activities led by expert guides. Located in the heart of Crested Butte, dubbed Colorado’s last great ski town for its historic charm and soulful spirit, Scarp Ridge Lodge feels like a European ski chalet with Rocky Mountain style. With a distinctly small-town feel, Crested Butte feels like a world away as the town lies under the radar to most tourists. Nestled in the wild Colorado Rocky Mountains meanwhile, sister property Taylor River Lodge is the ultimate destination for a wholesome outdoor multi-generational escape to suit all ages, reopening 15 June. A stay at Taylor River Lodge is like enjoying your very own private summer camp with all the family in tow. Just a 30-minute drive from the picturesque old coal-mining town of Crested Butte, the lodge is made up of a series of luxurious log cabins tucked away in a scenic canyon and perched right above the Taylor River – giving guests access to some of the best fishing in Colorado. Couples can stay in the riverfront cabins, while there are family cabins burrowed under the pines. For larger groups, the lodge can be taken over privately sleeping 24 guests.
HOW? Rates at Scarp Ridge Lodge start from £413 per night, room only. Rates at Taylor River Lodge start from £1,178 per night for a cabin, based on double occupancy and including full guide service, all activities, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, gourmet mini bar and return local airport transfers. www.elevenexperience.com
White Elephant Resorts, Nantucket:
Jared Coffin House – 15th June 2020
The Wauwinet – 16th June 2020
White Elephant Hotel – 18th June 2020
WHY? The ‘faraway island’ of Nantucket, located off America’s East Coast and just a short flight from New York and Boston, offers 14 miles of unspoilt beaches, gourmet hot spots, a rich history and an abundance of culture – creating the perfect island haven for all ages to enjoy. With its glorious scenery and never-ending experiences on offer, the all-American island is the perfect environment for every type of traveller to explore. Carefully considering all aspects of guests’ journey to the White Elephant Resort destinations, the group has opted to stagger its hotel reopening dates for the summer season, to ensure the team is abundantly prepared within this new landscape. Visitors can immerse themselves in the island’s history at Jared Coffin House from 15 June; a charming, three-storey red brick landmark inn right in the heart of Nantucket’s captivating historic district, where over 800 buildings are still standing from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Wauwinet, a beautiful seaside refuge situated on the northeast shores of Nantucket overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, will follow on 16 June, as will the White Elephant Hotel on 18 June – a waterfront island landmark steeped in New England charm, surrounded by the natural beauty of Nantucket’s timeless. At all hotels, the teams will be practicing social distancing and limiting face-to-face interactions as much as possible in line with guest preferences. There will also be QR-coded room service.
HOW? For individual hotel rates, visit www.whiteelephantresorts.com
Ocean House & Weekapaug Inn, Rhode Island – Reopening 16th June 2020
WHY? New England-based Ocean House Management (OHM) will reopen the doors of Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn just in time for the height of summer. Their ‘little sister’, the 21-all-suite beach house-style Watch Hill Inn on Little Narragansett Bay, reopened on 1st June. In order to continue providing the five-star service and experience for which the hotels have become loved, the group has been consulting with leading authorities in health and epidemiology, including Dr. David Lucas, Director of Research Administration in the Department of Immunology at Harvard Medical School, resulting in implementing a comprehensive OH Well Property Programme. Upon reopening, guests will discover extended dining and activity options peppered around the extensive grounds, to allow for natural social distancing. This will include the country’s first Ferrari red BarMobile craft cocktail cart, that will go from room to room at Ocean House during cocktail hour offering complimentary canapés; new family-style platter menus that can be delivered anywhere on the Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn grounds; and a fast-casual light dining concept with scenic ocean views at Seaside Terrace. Ocean House will also unveil a new highly Instagrammable Taco Shack, a fun pop-up eatery right on the beach serving grab-and-go tacos cooked to order alongside the hotel’s new fleet of branded Blender Bikes, so visitors can ‘pedal their way’ to a delicious frozen cocktail. Just seven miles up the coast, Weekapaug Inn will see the return of the PondHouse, a private, interactive waterfront dining concept, with the new addition of brunch as well as dinner. Inspired by Louis Roederer Champagne, the exclusive ‘pond-to-plate’ culinary experience will offer up to six diners a fresh twist on farm-to-table dining.
HOW? Rates start from $450 at Weekapaug Inn (currently approx. £365) and from $575 at Ocean House (currently approx. £467), room only. ohmcollection.com
**BRAND-NEW OPENING ALERT**
White Elephant Palm Beach, Florida – Opening September 2020
WHY? From an icon of Nantucket hospitality, will come a fully renovated destination resort in Palm Beach. The new White Elephant Palm Beach hotel, opening in September, is being completely reimagined by Boston-based New England Development, and represents the total renovation of the Bradley Park Hotel which dates back to the 1920s and was one of the first hotels in the area. Located on Sunset Avenue, White Elephant Palm Beach will be home to 13 rooms and 19 suites spread across four storeys. The hotel will maintain the welcoming feel of a private residence, with each accommodation offering a private outdoor space draped in a neutral colour palate and bringing timeless seaside New England charm to South Florida. Contrary to the bright pinks and greens that dominate the Palm Beach aesthetic, the new White Elephant Palm Beach will showcase the subtlety of Nantucket Island’s luxury and elegance to the South Florida social scene, with a brand-new Palm Beach sensibility. This contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean-revival architecture reflects the pulse and excitement of Palm Beach, while capturing the spirit of a grand stately home, while maintaining the ambiance of a landmarked boutique hotel.
HOW? Rates to be confirmed. For more information, visit www.whiteelephantpalmbeach.com
**ASIA**
Teardrop Hotels, Sri Lanka – Reopened 1st June 2020
WHY? Teardrop Hotels’ collection of nine small, stylish, service-driven boutique hotels champion Sri Lanka’s rich history, diversity and open-hearted people, while the collection’s fusion menus celebrate the country’s variety of fresh local produce. Acclaimed for contemporising centuries-old heritage buildings and vintage tea bungalows-with-views in distinct regions across the island, Teardrop Hotels’ luxury hotels in Sri Lanka are defined by each destination and encourage guests to explore, experience and shape their own Sri Lanka story. Each of the tea bungalows are former houses under 10 rooms each, and offer the ultimate secluded escape, accessible via car, train or private seaplane. For the 2020 season, guests can retreat within nature to the peaceful Lunuganga Estate, which is new to the Teardrop Hotels portfolio, and enjoy tropical cocktails at Fort Bazaar’s restaurant in Galle, which has just been awarded its liquor licence. At all of the hotels, each guest will have their temperature checked on arrival, social distancing protocols will be enforced, and all contact surfaces will be sanitised with high touch points removed. There will be a local doctor on call and frequent deep cleaning of all rooms and swimming pools.
HOW? For individual hotel rates, visit www.teardrop-hotels.com
The Legian Seminyak, Bali – Reopening 20th June 2020
WHY? The Legian Seminyak, Bali is one of island’s most iconic and best loved hotels. Thanks to its unparalleled elevated location on one of Bali’s best beaches, the hotel offers uninterrupted views across Seminyak beach and of Bali’s renowned sunsets. Its 14 private pool villas and 67 sea-facing suites offer guests the chance to enjoy these spectacular views from the privacy of their own rooms, as well as from the hotel’s three-tiered beach-facing infinity pool leading down onto its private section of beach. Upon reopening, all guests, employees and vendors will have their temperature checked when entering the property. Anyone who records a higher-than-normal temperature will not be permitted to enter, and will be checked by a medical professional. In addition to thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols in place throughout, the hotel is also home to an in-house clinic open daily from 8am to 8pm.
HOW: Rates start from $498 (currently approx. £405) per night, B&B, excluding taxes. www.lhm-hotels.com
Milaidhoo Island Maldives – Reopening 1st August 2020
WHY? Milaidhoo Island Maldives is set over 13 acres atop the Baa Atoll’s beautiful UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. All villas are just a short barefoot stroll away from incredible watersports, fitness, spa, yoga, world-class diving and three restaurants, one of which – Ba’theli – is the only Maldivian restaurant in the country. Maldivian-owned, Milaidhoo aims to introduce guests to local island traditions by curating a bespoke selection of experiences and its stand-out, Maldivian designed accommodation. Thorough cleaning protocols have been implemented ahead of the reopening, including Milaidhoo staff handling seaplane check-in and sanitizing luggage trolleys for guests at the airport. Guests’ luggage (handles and zippers) will also be sanitized on arrival.
HOW? Milaidhoo can be easily reached via a 30-minute seaplane from the international airport in Male or a 15-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo domestic airport in Baa Atoll, followed by a 15-minute speedboat to Milaidhoo Island. Rates start from $1,625 (currently approx. £1,289) per night in a Water Pool Villa on a half board basis. www.milaidhoo.com
Baros Maldives – Reopening 1st August 2020
WHY? Formally a coconut plantation, Baros Maldives was one of the first Maldives resorts to open in 1973 and remains one of the very best for couples, having taken home the award for “Most Romantic Resort 2019” at the World Travel Awards for the seventh time. Surrounded by tropical greenery and an exquisite house reef just 15 metres from the shore, Baros is the ultimate choice for a secluded island escape. The short speedboat ride from the airport reduces travel time and Baros can arrange for transfers to be private should guests wish. Guests will also be offered hand sanitizers on arrival to any public area at the hotel, and fixtures and furniture in the villas will be disinfected daily.
HOW? Baros Maldives is situated in the central southern part of North Male’ Atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Maldives International Airport. Rates start from $675 (currently approx. £464) per night in a Deluxe Villa, B&B, excluding taxes. www.baros.com
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