- Mandarin Oriental is expanding its presence in Egypt
- One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia rebrands to a Mandarin Oriental Hotel
- Discover Airlines reveals its new Business Class cabin
- Lufthansa will introduce a new Business Class cabin on its A380 aircraft
- Regent Bali Canggu unveils world’s first Regent Spa & Wellness
- Air France raises the bar in Premium Economy with Michelin starred dining
- Air India debuts redesigned cabins on its new Boeing 787-9
- Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice, is now accepting reservations
- Emirates and Marriott will open the world’s First Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia
- Nobu will open a private island resort and restaurant in the Maldives
Air India debuts redesigned Business Class cabins on its new Boeing 787-91. Mandarin Oriental is expanding its presence in Egypt
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is expanding its presence in Egypt with a fully integrated luxury journey linking Cairo, Luxor and Aswan across land and river. Building on the reopening of Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo in 2027, the group will assume management of two historic Nile-side landmarks: the Old Cataract in Aswan, reopening as Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan, and the Winter Palace in Luxor, reopening as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, both after extensive renovations. Complementing these properties, Mandarin Oriental will launch its first luxury Nile river cruise, developed with Garranah Group, offering curated three-, four- and seven-night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan. Featuring spacious suites, multiple dining venues, wellness facilities and expert-led cultural programming, the cruise will deliver immersive heritage experiences. Developed in partnership with Talaat Moustafa Group, the expansion positions Egypt as a seamless, end-to-end Mandarin Oriental journey defined by cultural depth, craftsmanship and legendary service.
2. One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia rebrands to a Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast officially marked its new chapter with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 5 February 2026, attended by senior leaders from Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Destination Resorts and Hotels. Set on 128 acres of rainforest with a 1.5-km (1 mi) beachfront in Johor, the resort strengthens the brand’s Southeast Asia presence while positioning Desaru Coast as a premier nature-driven escape. The property features 44 expansive suites and a four-bedroom pool villa, each with private plunge pools and views of the sea or rainforest. Wellness is central, with signature rituals inspired by Malaysian traditions, science-led Augustinus Bader facials, yoga pavilions, and nature-based activities. Culinary offerings, led by Executive Chef Ahmad Fazli, highlight Malaysian ingredients across signature venues including Ambara and Ember Beach Club. Future enhancements will include updated public spaces and the launch of Mandarin Oriental Residences, introducing branded luxury homes and reinforcing Desaru Coast’s evolution as a refined coastal destination blending heritage, sustainability, and world-class hospitality.
3. Discover Airlines reveals its new Business Class cabin
Five years after its founding, Discover Airlines – the leisure airline of the Lufthansa Group – will make its largest investment yet by upgrading its long-haul fleet of 16 Airbus A330-300s with the new Ocean Blue cabin, enhancing the passenger experience across all three classes. The first aircraft will enter service in April 2027, with the entire fleet expected to be retrofitted by mid-2028. The 288-seat layout will include 227 Economy, 31 Premium Economy, and 30 Business Class seats. Ocean Blue will feature modern design inspired by the ocean, human-centric lighting, and high-quality materials. Economy Class passengers will benefit from more legroom, improved seat angles, adjustable headrests, and increased storage. Premium Economy will offer a hard-shell seat with privacy screens, large recline, integrated leg rest, and noise-canceling headphones. Business Class will feature a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access, enhanced flat-bed seats, more privacy, personal space, and storage, including two front-row Business Class Suite seats with sliding doors, 32-inch monitors, and expanded culinary options. All seats will have larger 4K touchscreens, USB-C ports, power outlets, wireless charging, and Starlink internet, setting new standards for long-haul leisure travel.
4. Lufthansa will introduce a new Business Class cabin on its A380 aircraft
Lufthansa is currently undertaking the largest fleet renewal in its history, modernizing cabin interiors across its long-haul aircraft, including the Boeing 747-8, Airbus A350-900, and particularly the Airbus A380-800. Starting February 2026 at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden, the A380 will receive 68 new Business Class seats from Thompson, offering direct aisle access, 58 cm seat width, flat beds over two meters long, Bluetooth connectivity, and flexible privacy partitions. Certification for the upgrade is already in place, allowing passengers to experience the new premium seating within weeks. Complementing the Business Class retrofit, the A380 will retain eight First Class seats, 52 Premium Economy seats, and 371 Economy seats, maintaining its status as Lufthansa’s largest long-haul aircraft. Routine maintenance will also be performed during retrofits. The first upgraded A380 will return to Munich in April 2026, entering regular service, and all eight aircraft are expected to be fully retrofitted by mid-2027, enhancing comfort, privacy, and the overall long-haul travel experience.
5. Regent Bali Canggu unveils world’s first Regent Spa & Wellness
Regent Bali Canggu has unveiled Regent Spa & Wellness, the first global expression of IHG’s new Regent Spa concept, marking a major milestone in the evolution of the Regent brand. Developed with wellness experts Raison d’Etre, the spa blends Indonesian healing traditions with modern restorative science to create a deeply immersive, sensorial journey. Set between the Indian Ocean and Bali’s rice fields, the sanctuary introduces “The Reset,” a signature pre-treatment ritual featuring meditation and sound therapy in garden cabanas, designed to prepare guests for transformative therapies. Treatments incorporate gemstone energy, quartz sand beds by Gharieni, LED and EMS facial technology, botanical actives from Kerstin Florian, breathwork, and aromatics, addressing both physical and emotional wellbeing. The design departs from traditional neutral spa aesthetics, embracing bold colors, symbolic architecture, and energy-focused spaces inspired by rebirth and flow. Movement programs balance yin and yang elements, while private “Personal Havens” extend wellness across the resort.
6. Air France serves Michelin starred dining in Premium Econmy
Air France is expanding its Premium Economy cabin dining by offering signature dishes from Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Simonin on all flights departing the United States and Canada, reinforcing its upmarket positioning and commitment to fine cuisine. A Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Simonin has created Premium menus since 2023, with two regularly updated hot dishes, including a vegetarian option, developed in partnership with Servair using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Previously available on select routes from Paris and overseas territories, the dishes—such as scallops with tapioca pearl sauce, asparagus pasta, and trofie pasta with porcini and hazelnuts—will now reach more North American travelers. Premium passengers enjoy champagne after takeoff, a full French-style meal with cheese and dessert, eco-friendly serviceware, artisanal ice cream on long daytime flights from Paris, and curated wines chosen by head sommelier Xavier Thuizat, ensuring an elevated onboard culinary experience.
7. Air India debuts redesigned cabins on its new Boeing 787-9
Air India marked two major milestones in expanding its international network and enhancing passenger experience. The airline resumed non-stop Delhi-Shanghai services (AI352) after nearly six years, operating four times weekly with a Boeing 787-8 to reconnect India’s capital with a key business and cultural hub. Simultaneously, the first made-for-Air India Boeing 787-9 (VT-AWA) with fully redesigned cabin interiors debuted on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route (AI2027), setting a new standard for comfort ahead of a fleet-wide rollout. The 787-9 features 30 Business Class suites in a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access, fully flat 79-inch beds, 42-inch pitch, wireless charging, 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens, and ample storage. Premium Economy offers 28 wide seats in a 2-3-2 layout with 38-inch pitch, adjustable leg rests, enhanced recline, and 13.3-inch screens. Economy Class provides 238 ergonomic seats with 11.6-inch touchscreens. All cabins include Thales AVANT Up entertainment, mood lighting inspired by Indian wellness traditions, Bluetooth connectivity, and Type A and C charging ports, delivering a premium long-haul experience.
8. Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice, is now accepting reservations
Reservations are now open for Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice, as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks prepares to reopen following an extensive restoration. Set on the Riva degli Schiavoni near Piazza San Marco, the hotel unites three historic palaces, including the 15th-century Palazzo Dandolo, thoughtfully reimagined by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Blending Venetian heritage with contemporary luxury, the property will feature 120 rooms and suites—many with lagoon views—along with elegant connecting options for families and groups. Interiors showcase Murano glass, Rubelli fabrics, terrazzo, and Italian marble in a palette inspired by the city’s art and architecture. Led by General Manager Christian Zandonella, the hotel will offer immersive local experiences, from Voga Veneta rowing to hidden garden tours. Dining highlights include Restaurant Terrazza Danieli with panoramic lagoon views and Bar Dandolo for refined cocktails. With versatile event spaces and intuitive Four Seasons service, the reimagined Danieli will introduce a new era of luxury hospitality in Venice.
9. Emirates and Marriott will open the world’s First Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia
Emirates and Marriott International have partnered to launch Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 40-key all-inclusive luxury retreat set within a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Slated to open in mid-2026, it will become the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge and a significant boost for regional New South Wales tourism. The project builds on Emirates’ AU$150 million investment in the property since 2006, when it was managed by One&Only, along with an additional AU$50 million renovation to reposition the resort under The Ritz-Carlton brand. Occupying less than two percent of the protected wilderness, the lodge will combine refined luxury with conservation. Guests will arrive by four-wheel drive or helicopter and stay in private pool villas, enjoying immersive nature experiences, wildlife encounters, and a signature sleep-out beneath pristine night skies. Amenities will include elevated dining, a spa, equestrian facilities, and a dedicated naturalist hub, supporting sustainable tourism and local economic growth.
10. Nobu will open a private island resort and restaurant in the Maldives
Nobu Hospitality will debut Nobu Hotel, Residences, and Restaurant Maldives in Laamu Atoll on the private island of Munyafushi, marking the brand’s first entry into the Maldives in partnership with Sarat International. The resort will feature 26 beach villas and 30 overwater villas, each designed in Nobu’s signature Japanese-inspired style. A standout element will be just 10 ultra-exclusive Nobu Island Estate Residences, each set on its own private island with beachfront access, expansive living spaces, and a private yacht, offering owners seamless boat access to the main resort. At the heart of the destination, a Nobu restaurant on its own island will showcase Chef Nobu’s iconic Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Additional amenities will include a spa, fitness center, diving center, tennis courts, event spaces, and a main pool. Blending striking architecture with lush landscapes and ocean views, the project aims to redefine rarefied island luxury in the Maldives.
*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
