HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
THE MOST EXCITING NEW HOTEL OPENINGS AROUND
1 FUFU NARA, JAPAN
WHAT’S THE DEAL? Fufu Nara is a minimalist retreat that takes inspiration from its surroundings. It’s located within the grounds of Nara Park, one of the nation’s oldest – and home to its most famed inhabitants, some 1,200 sika deer.
WHY STAY? The 30 suites are each equipped with open-air, natural hot spring baths that take forest bathing to a new level.
DON’T MISS The attention is in the details; suites and public spaces are furnished with handmade, locally sourced materials, from Nara clay vases to the lobby centrepiece crafted from a vast tree that once stood on the land.
fufunara.jp
2 RAFFLES BALI, INDONESIA
WHAT’S THE DEAL? Raffles Bali carves out an intimate oasis along the beach in Jimbaran Bay, less than 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport by private limo transfer. Thirty-two pool villas dot the resort, each offering uninterrupted ocean views.
WHY STAY? The opportunities for romance are seemingly endless. Couples in search of a quiet moment will find it over a candlelit dinner at The Secret Cave, a natural grotto discovered during construction.
DON’T MISS The opening of the Raffles Bali also marks the launch of the hotel group’s Emotional Wellbeing programme, with wellbeing butlers on hand to share cultural insights and arrange immersive experiences such as temple ceremonies and traditional cooking classes.
raffles.com/bali
3 AMAN NEW YORK, US
WHAT’S THE DEAL The Aman name brings to mind spectacularly remote locations – but just like its Tokyo locale, the group is just as adept at conjuring up urban resorts. The Aman New York rises high above Midtown Manhattan, in view of Central Park. The location has a storied pedigree: 83 rooms, 22 private residences and a membersonly club occupy the 1920s-era Crown Building, the original home of the Met Museum.
WHY STAY? For a sanctuary in the city. The spa spans three storeys and 25,000 square feet, complete
with an indoor swimming pool surrounded by fire pits and daybeds.
DON’T MISS While the brand has built a reputation for wellness, it’s not all health-focused all the time. Come evening, pay a visit to the subterranean jazz club or the cigar bar.
aman.com/resorts/aman-new-york
4 LUX STONE TOWN, CHINA
WHAT’S THE DEAL? As part of the LUX* Resorts & Hotels’ expansion along the Silk Road, the sixbedroom Stone Town hotel opens in December 2020 on a cliffside in a traditional Naxi village, deep within Yunnan province.
WHY STAY? The accommodation has been designed to make guests feel like they’re floating above the canyon, with windows providing a snapshot of the surrounding mountains and village homes, and the Jinsha River which snakes through the valley below.
DON’T MISS: Lux Stone Town curates a range of experiences that showcase the natural beauty of its location, from outdoor yoga to sunset cocktails to cinema nights under the stars.
luxresorts.com/en
5 CAPELLA BANGKOK, THAILAND
WHAT’S THE DEAL? Capella Bangkok’s 101 suites and villas are strung along the east bank of the Chao Phraya river. The aesthetic is contemporary luxury by way of the French Riviera – reflected not only in the design, but also in the Capella Bangkok’s approach to French and Italian cuisine, including a collab with chef Mauro Colagreco of France’s three-Michelin-starred Mirazur.
WHY STAY? Capella Bangkok is the city’s only hotel that can boast of every room featuring floor-to-ceiling views of the Chao Phraya River. Balconies or private plunge pools give guests still more opportunities to soak up the constant buzz of the waterway.
DON’T MISS Swing by Auriga Wellness for traditional spa therapies and put your sightseeing in the hands of Capella Culturists, resident experts available to create customisable itineraries, ensuring you make the most of your time in Bangkok.
capellahotels.com/en/capella-bangkok
6 CHEVAL BLANC PARIS, FRANCE
WHAT’S THE DEAL? The former home of the Art Nouveau department store La Samaritaine has had quite the makeover. This year, Cheval Blanc will unveil 72 rooms and suites in the heart of Paris, three minutes’ walk from the Pont Neuf, the oldest existing bridge across the Seine.
WHY STAY? Interior designer Peter Marino channels the city’s opulent side. Live out your Paris daydreams among gilded furniture and handcrafted interiors, and on the meticulously landscaped rooftop garden.
DON’T MISS The hotel’s culinary offerings, which will be overseen by chef Arnaud Donckele, of three-Michelinstarred La Vague d’Or. We sense another star or three in the making.
chevalblanc.com/en/maison/paris
7 THE HARI HONG KONG, HONG KONG SAR
WHAT’S THE DEAL? Hong Kong’s very own Harilela family brings its luxury hotel concept home (after The Hari London in Belgravia). The Hari Hong Kong counts 210 guest rooms and three rooftop suites, towering over the Wan Chai and Causeway Bay districts.
WHY STAY? Rooms are impeccably coordinated in muted hues thanks to interior designer Tara Bernerd, and the all-marble bathrooms are elegant luxe in a nutshell. Business travellers will appreciate the proximity to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, while the lobby lounge offers a community-oriented experience within the hotel.
DON’T MISS Rooftop suites each boast a long openair balcony – a rarity for hotels in Hong Kong, let alone those in the city centre.
thehari.com/hong-kong