What’s New In Travel This Season

THE ITALIAN ESCAPE:

Villa Paola, Calabria

Calabria’s luxury hotel scene is having a moment, and Villa Paola is one of the most compelling reasons to visit. Above Tropea on Italy’s spectacular Coast of the Gods, this adults-only retreat has undergone a major transformation by Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati, reducing the historic property to 14 larger rooms and suites. Originally a 16th-century Franciscan convent, the hotel’s renovation balances its heritage with a more contemporary aesthetic. Natural materials, earthy tones and local craftsmanship feature throughout, while terraced gardens look out across the Tyrrhenian Sea. At De’ Minimi, the hotel’s restaurant, seasonal Calabrian cooking is built around produce from its own gardens and local suppliers. The property has also attracted a little celebrity attention – Dua Lipa reportedly chose Villa Paola as the first stop on her recent honeymoon. Beyond the hotel, Tropea offers white-sand beaches and clear waters, while Calabria’s villages, ancient ruins and distinctive cuisine make this an appealing alternative to Italy’s more established destinations.

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Torvioll Jashari

THE RESTAURANT:

Marküs, Zurich

On 8th September, acclaimed chef Markus Stöckle will open Marküs, an intimate restaurant in Zurich’s Altstadt. Housed in one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings, dating back to 1260, it’s set to be Stöckle’s most personal project yet, drawing on everything from his Bavarian roots and time spent in Japan to his experience in three-Michelin-star kitchens and the regional cooking of Spain. The result will be a hyper-seasonal tasting menu that combines meticulous technique with a playful, experimental spirit. The setting will be as distinctive as the food. Designed with Milan-based Studio Dragó, the ground floor features lacquered red walls and black detailing, while the historic Goethe Room upstairs retains its original 13th-century wood panelling.

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THE LISBON OPENING:

Villa Dorothéa, Lisbon

There’s a new reason to explore Lisbon’s elegant Lapa neighbourhood. Villa Dorothéa is a 20-room boutique hotel set across five interconnected 19th-century houses, creating the feel of a private micro-neighbourhood rather than a traditional hotel. Original cobbled pathways, secluded courtyards and terraces filled with jasmine and bougainvillea weave between the buildings, while interiors combine original architectural details with contemporary colours and textures. The intimate The Secret gastrobar is a highlight, serving Portuguese small plates, locally sourced ingredients and cocktails inspired by Luís de Camões’ Os Lusíadas, alongside rooftop views towards the Tagus. Elsewhere, there’s a library curated with Salted Books, an honesty cart and plans for communal suppers, wine tastings and rooftop DJ sessions. Add in in-room yoga equipment, Swedish massages and a pillow menu, and this feels like a particularly thoughtful base for a Lisbon city break.

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THE AWARD-WINNER:

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York

The Fifth Avenue Hotel has been named the ‘American Express Travel One To Watch’ ahead of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 award ceremony later this month. The accolade recognises properties considered rising stars with the potential to enter the prestigious 1-50 ranking in future. On the former estate of Mrs Charlotte Goodridge, a celebrated 19th-century New York hostess, the hotel brings together two very different architectural worlds. A restored Renaissance-style brick and limestone palazzo sits alongside a striking 24-storey glass tower, creating an impressive contrast between old and new. Inside, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has created an eclectic, richly layered interior that references the building’s history while feeling distinctly contemporary. Expect colourful rooms, statement furniture and plenty of old-world glamour, complemented by polished service.

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THE LATE-SUMMER ESCAPE:

Luura-Cliff, Greece

Design-led hotel Luura – Cliff has opened on the Greek island of Paros. Founded by art collector Elie Khouri and his daughter Sophie, Luura has been shaped by a lifelong passion for creativity, with art and craftsmanship at its core. From a collection of works by leading artists to bespoke ceramics, handcrafted pieces and collaborations with local makers, the seafront hotel celebrates the creativity and artistry that defines Paros. The adults-only (12+ years) property features 39 spacious suites with extensive outdoor space, including 19 with private pools, alongside a private chapel, two restaurants, and an extensive wellness area. It’s just the spot for some late-summer sunshine.

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THE DINING EXPERIENCE:

The Museum of Apoxyomenos, Croatia

For something rather more unusual than dinner with a view, guests staying with Lošinj Hotels & Villas can now book a private dining experience inside one of Croatia’s most distinctive museums. The Museum of Apoxyomenos in Mali Lošinj is dedicated to a single object: a remarkably well- preserved 192cm bronze statue of a young athlete dating from the 2nd or 1st century BC. Available from March to June and from September onwards, the new dining experience begins with up to three hours of exclusive after-hours access, accompanied by a professional guide who explains the statue’s discovery, restoration and journey home to the island of Lošinj. Afterwards, guests move to a private balcony overlooking Augusta Bay for a seasonal three-course dinner with local wines.

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THE POP-UP:

Le Club Riviera at Dolder Grand, Zurich

Until the end of October, Le Club Riviera is bringing a distinctly Mediterranean mood to Zurich’s The Dolder Grand. The hotel’s latest pop-up combines the relaxed atmosphere of a French Riviera restaurant with a lively bar culture, serving southern French dishes alongside fresh seafood, Mediterranean specialities, French wines, champagne and classic Provençal aperitifs. The interiors follow the same Riviera-inspired direction, with crisp white linen, natural materials, warm lighting and red-and-white accents creating an effortlessly late-summer feel. It joins the Dolder Grand’s already impressive culinary line-up, which includes Michelin-starred fine dining from Heiko Nieder, seasonal outdoor restaurant Blooms and Japanese restaurant Mikuriya.

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THE RIAD:

Riad Beij, Marrakech

Open from 1st September, Riad Beij is an intimate six-bedroom property in Marrakech’s sought-after Mouassine district. The latest addition to hotelier Anthony Besquent’s collection of boutique guesthouses and wellness spaces, the riad has been meticulously restored over eight months by local artisans, with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship at the core of the design. Besquent’s signature pared-back aesthetic combines warm beige tones with dusty pink and salmon hues inspired by Marrakech’s famous walls, while natural materials including plaster, wood, stone and marble create a calm, contemporary feel. Each individually designed bedroom features tadelakt finishes, zellige-tiled rainfall showers and atmospheric lanterns, while larger rooms have their own seating areas. Outside, a sun-drenched courtyard centres around a plunge pool, while the rooftop has a second pool, pergola dining and panoramic views towards the Koutoubia and Atlas Mountains. Guests can also access spa treatments at Maison du Tui Na, Besquent’s wellness centre in the Kasbah, with tuk-tuk transfers included.

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THE MADRID OPENING:

Nobu Hotel, Madrid

Madrid has welcomed its first Nobu Hotel, bringing the brand’s familiar combination of Japanese-inspired dining, contemporary design and polished service to the city’s Las Cortes district. Between Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta del Sol, the 50-room property is centred around a three-level dining destination. The headline act is Madrid’s first Nobu restaurant, where signature dishes such as black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño sit alongside creations using Spanish ingredients. There’s also an intimate cocktail bar inspired by the building’s former life as a bank, with original vault features and a vinyl DJ system, plus The Rooftop, serving sunset drinks and a shareable menu overlooking the city. Design studio Gronda has given the hotel a warm, contemporary look, combining bronze ceilings, dark stone and timber with large windows overlooking Madrid’s streets.

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THE ASIAN OFFSHOOT:

The Langham, Bangkok

Reservations are now open for The Langham in Bangkok, which will welcome its first guests on 20th December. On the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this highly anticipated 75-room hotel will centre around Bangkok’s historic Custom House, an 1888 landmark being carefully restored as part of the development. The 60 rooms and 15 suites will sit within a new contemporary building designed byThai architect Smith Obayawat, with its curving form inspired by the movement of the river. Interiors combine residential-style comfort with natural textures, soft lighting and subtle references to Siamese design, while views stretch across courtyards, the Bangkok skyline and the river. The hotel will also feature the brand’s Chuan Spa and a range of bespoke river experiences.

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THE REFURBISHMENT:

Cape Sounio, Greece

One of Greece’s most spectacular resort settings has had a major makeover. Cape Sounio, Grecotel’s Riviera retreat overlooking the Temple of Poseidon, has completed a €37 million restoration, reimagining all 139 rooms, bungalows, suites and villas alongside its restaurants, public spaces and spa. Originally opened in 1968, the resort sits within a protected landscape surrounded by pine forest. The renovation has been guided by the idea that the land comes first, with natural stone, indigenous planting and non-reflective glass helping the buildings blend into their surroundings. Interiors combine contemporary design with an impressive collection of pieces by designers including Gabriella Crespi and Roger Capron. There’s also a new signature restaurant with panoramic views of the temple, plus an Aegean Grill focused on seasonal Greek cooking. The restored 1960s spa has been transformed with a marble therapy pool, yoga and Pilates decks and an open-air gym. For a particularly special stay, the Poseidon Villa has its own infinity pool, dining pavilion and treatment area.

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THE SOUTH AMERICAN LAUNCH:

Casas Elilula, Brazil

Casas Elilula sits directly on Préa Beach, a laidback fishing village around 12km south of Jericoacoara. The property comprises three houses originally built by a family for their own use, with a focus on open-air living and a close connection to the surrounding landscape. Expect wraparound wooden terraces, sliding panels that open bedrooms onto the outdoors, outdoor showers and a 25m pool overlooking the beach. There’s deliberately no air conditioning: the houses have been designed to make the most of the cooling sea breeze. It’s the setting, though, that makes this more than just another beautiful beach stay. Guests can take forró dance classes, head out to sea with local fishermen or walk inland to freshwater lagoons, while Jericoacoara’s atmospheric dunes and nightlife are close enough for a change of pace.

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