Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: May 2025 luxury travel 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:
- Aman announces a new resort in the Bahamas
- Rosewood Amsterdam is now open
- Rosewood Mandarina welcomes its first guests in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit
- Riyadh Air unveils its Business Class cabin design
- Four Seasons announces a new hotel in the United Arab Emirates
- Marriott will bring the St Regis Hotels & Resorts Brand to Costa Rica
- LXR Hotels & Resorts Debuts in France with the opening of Sax Paris
- Delta unveils new Missoni bedding and amenity kits in Business Class
- Etihad is the first airline to introduce First Class to narrowbody aircraft
Riyadh Air unveils its Business Class cabin designAman announces a new resort in the Bahamas
Aman – the world’s most luxurious hotel brand – has announced “Amancaya,” a forthcoming property in Exuma, The Bahamas. Amancaya will be set across two of the Exumas’ most secluded private cays, known for their white-sand beaches and diving sites. Meaning “peaceful island” in Taíno, the property will comprise of a 36-pavilion Aman hotel and limited collection of fully-serviced Aman Residences. Envisioned as a low-density ultra-luxury property in partnership with Swiss investor, philanthropist and sportswoman Dona Bertarelli, Amancaya will bring a host of resort amenities, including a marina, Beach Club, Aman Spa and dining venues across the two islands.
“The introduction of Aman into The Bahamas is a significant milestone for our brand, which has already achieved much success in the Caribbean. As one of the most coveted locations in the destination, Aman guests have long requested our presence there. Through our collaboration with Dona Bertarelli, we have found an unrivalled setting for exclusivity and natural beauty, and I’m delighted to introduce the Aman lifestyle – from unparalleled service, privacy and transformative experiences – to The Bahamas,” said Vlad Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman Group, in a press release.
Rosewood Amsterdam is now open
The new Rosewood Amsterdam Hotel is housed in the former Palace of Justice, a building of great architectural, historical and social significance that overlooks the Prinsengracht (the Prince’s Canal), one of the city’s most beautiful waterways, in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Amsterdam Canal District. The hotel is ideally situated near many of Amsterdam’s finest attractions including the museum district, the high-end shopping district on P.C. Hoofstraat and the hip De Pijp neighborhood. Rosewood Amsterdam features 134 guestrooms and suites, with many boasting spectacular views across the two adjoining canals, quiet internal courtyards and iconic townhouse rooftops. Amenities include three restaurants (including an Indian restaurant) and bars; Sense, A Rosewood Spa offering ayurvedic treatments; a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center; and an indoor swimming pool.
Rosewood Mandarina welcomes its first guests in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit
Located on the country’s west coast, Rosewood Mandarina is situated in the breathtaking region of Riviera Nayarit. The ultra-luxury hotel offers 140 guestrooms, suites and villas with panoramic views across the mountains, beach and ocean. Guests can choose from three restaurants and bars including a specialty restaurant and sunset bar as well as more informal options such as a pool grill and beach bar. The resort offers event space, three pools, a fitness center, and an Asaya Spa with 10 treatment rooms. The design of the beachfront property draws inspiration from the local, pre-historic Huichole and Cora cultures, combining modern luxury and comfort with the riches of its extraordinary setting. With a focus on the element of “water,” the resort provides visitors with exclusive access to three diverse environments: the beach, The Flatlands, and the mountains, each offering unique activities.
Riyadh Air unveils its Business Class cabin design
Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s innovative new airline, set to take flight later in 2025, has unveiled the stunning cabin interiors of its Boeing 787 fleet. Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 have 4 seats in Business Elite and 24 seats in Business in a 1-2-1 fully flat-bed layout, with all seats featuring 52-inch-high walls and sliding privacy doors along with adjustable privacy dividers between center seats. Business Elite boasts a double bed in the center front seats while all seats in Business Elite and Business feature A/C power and two USB-C and one USB-A charging points. Riyadh Air uses the bespoke Safran Unity Business class seat with a length of 78 inches and a width of 22.5 inches. The cabin’s design philosophy blends intelligent design, ergonomic comfort, and thoughtful details. Carefully selected materials, curated lighting, and a cohesive color palette come together to create a cabin that feels naturally inviting and unmistakably luxurious.
Four Seasons announces a new hotel in the United Arab Emirates
Four Seasons and Al Zorah Development Company, a joint venture between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International, announced plans for the leading luxury hospitality company to assume management of a luxury beachfront resort in Al Zorah, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Scheduled to open in 2026,Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah will open its doors following enhancements to the existing property’s amenities, accommodations, and wellness facilities. Featuring 23 villas and 74 guest rooms and suites – each with private terraces and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf – the resort, conveniently located just a 35-minute drive from the Dubai International airport, will offer a seamless blend of urban accessibility and natural tranquillity. Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah is being designed as an exclusive retreat, featuring contemporary architecture, vast lush gardens, and an array of world-class amenities tailored to guests of all ages.
Marriott will bring the St Regis Hotels & Resorts Brand to Costa Rica
Marriott announced to debut its iconic St.Regis Hotels & Resorts brand in Costa Rica. The development of this visionary project, which will span 20 hectares on the Gulf of Papagayo in the Guanacaste region, is expected to begin in July of this year, with a planned opening in early 2027. Inspired by the local culture and its ocean surroundings, the new-build St. Regis Papagayo is slated to feature 120 hotel rooms and 143 residential units, offering unequaled luxury experiences for guests and residents alike. The hotel expects to offer six distinct culinary venues, including Casa Club for casual gourmet dining; The Cliff, inspired by Japanese and Costa Rican influences; a Beach Club & Grill; and the signature St. Regis Bar & Speakeasy. Other planned amenities include the St. Regis Library, multiple swimming pools, a spa, an exclusive beach club, an space for meetings and banquets space for celebrations and exquisite gatherings.
LXR Hotels & Resorts Debuts in France with the opening of Sax Paris
Located in Paris’s elegant 7th arrondissement, the 118-room Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts is housed in a historic neo-Gothic building. Sax Paris transforms a landmark 1899 building, formerly home to the Ségur telephone exchange, into a refined gathering place where travelers and Parisians come together to connect, converse, and experience the authentic lifestyle of the renowned Rive Gauche (Left Bank). Designed in the spirit of the 7th arrondissement – where art, culture, and sophistication converge – Sax Paris offers contemporary rooms and suites, two distinctive restaurants, a stylish cocktail bar, and versatile event spaces. Guests can relax in the outdoor pool and garden, and the fitness and spa club provide a luxurious retreat. From this stylish base, guests can easily explore nearby treasures such as the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, and Jardin du Luxembourg. Marking the debut of the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand in France, Sax Paris joins a global collection of luxury hotels in sought-after destinations that invite guests on a journey of discovery and adventure.
Delta unveils new Missoni bedding and amenity kits in Business Class
Delta and Missoni, the renowned Italian fashion brand, are expanding their partnership as the brands elevate passenger’s time in the air with comfort, sophistication and style. This year, the partnership will launch a luxurious Delta One collection, which includes a Missoni bedding set designed for Delta, along with a suite of amenities that include a refreshed Delta One amenity kit, custom socks, slippers and an eye mask. The new Delta One bedding set will include the Missoni duvet and white sleeping pillow, which feature a subtle and elegant Missoni zigzag design and navy accents. Delta is also expanding its popular mattress pad that doubles as a lumbar pillow to all Delta One flights and is introducing an additional memory foam cuddle pillow for long haul flights. The new Delta One bedding set will launch on international Delta One flights this summer and will be rolled out across all Delta One flights by the end of the year.
Etihad is the first airline to introduce First Class to narrowbody aircraft
Etihad Airways is setting a new standard for single-aisle flying with the debut of its all-new Airbus A321LR, delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes. Etihad’s A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad’s signature luxury and a true First class experience to narrowbody flying. With only two exclusive First suites on board, guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes. The innovative and spacious First Suite offers additional space for a companion to sit as well as a large 20” 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging – ensuring comfort and connection at every touchpoint.
Westin Hotels partners with Gywneth Paltrow’s goop for sleep series
Westin Hotels & Resorts – a hotel brand managed by Marriott – has teamed up with Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, goop, to debut Sleep Training for Grown-Ups – a three-part video series designed to help travelers enhance their sleep experience both at home and on the road. From combating the ‘First Night Effect,’ when traveling with suggested ideal room temperatures for sleep, to debunking myths around sleep debt and strategic napping, each episode of the series explores how daily routines impact sleep quality and overall wellbeing. The series shares science-backed insights on how to establish better sleep, dietary, and exercise habits, which are essential for those balancing the demands of a busy lifestyle. The videos provides tips from the industry’s top wellness experts, Gwyneth Paltrow alongside esteemed sleep physician and research scientist Dr. Cheri D. Mah, MD, MS, addressing topics on how daily routines can significantly affect sleep patterns and health. Sleep Training for Grown-Ups is now live on goop’s Sleep Training Hub as well as Westin YouTube’s channel.
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