Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: June 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 Rosa Alpina reservations are now open
- Mandarin Oriental will manage San Clemente Palace Hotel in Venice
- JW Marriott debuts in Greece
- All Nippon Airways unveils new 787 Business Class seat
- IHG will debut the InterContinental brand in Ecuador
- Alaska Airlines will launch flights to Rome
- Virgin Australia launches long-haul service to Doha
- Qatar Airways partners with chef Yannick Alléno for inflight menus
- Hotel del Coronado completes $550 USD million, multi‑year restoration
- Capella Hotels will make its European debut in the heart of Florence
Aman Rosa Alpina reservations are now open
Located at the base of the Dolomites in the town of San Cassiano, the famous Rosa Alpina Resort will reopen as an Aman Resort next month, with reservations now open (click here to check rates and make a booking). The hotel’s remodeling was spearheaded by Denniston Architects’ Jean-Michel Gathy, who most recently oversaw the design of the Aman New York. As part of the project, the property’s guestroom count will decrease from 52 to 50. Rosa Alpina’s top-tier accommodations will include two new 1,615-square-foot presidential suites, which will join the hotel’s existing 3,015-square-foot Chalet Zeno. Architectural enhancements to the exterior of the hotel and interior communal areas will allow for a more diverse culinary offering: the gastronomy will draw upon the hotel’s rich culinary heritage, providing a variety of options, from informal alfresco fondues to exquisite fine dining multi-course feasts. The wellness offering will be extended to almost double the original size and reconfigured to incorporate an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as a meticulously curated treatment menu to complement the new facilities.
Mandarin Oriental will manage San Clemente Palace Hotel in Venice
Mandarin Oriental is set to elevate Venice’s luxury travel scene by taking over and rebranding the exquisite San Clemente Palace Hotel (currently a Kempinski Hotel). Nestled on its own five-hectare private island, this serene escape, just an eight-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, offers a unique blend of secluded tranquility and easy access to Venice’s vibrant heart. Following a multi-phase renovation starting in November 2025, the hotel will reopen as Mandarin Oriental, Venice in April 2026, promising 136 elegantly redesigned rooms and suites, four distinctive dining venues, a lavish spa, and a host of wellness and family-friendly amenities, all within a beautifully restored 900-year-old monastery setting. This highly anticipated opening is set to offer an unparalleled luxury experience, blending Venetian charm with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned hospitality, making it an unmissable destination for discerning travelers.
JW Marriott debuts in Greece
JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa, the brand’s first highly anticipated Mediterranean beach resort, sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on Crete, the largest Greek island. Nestled in Marathi, near the charming town of Chania, the resort spans over 100 acres of idyllic coastline, thoughtfully designed to harmonize with Crete’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Crafted by the acclaimed Athens-based studio Block722, JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa embodies contemporary elegance rooted in a deep respect for its natural surroundings. The property is harmoniously integrated into the landscape with planted roofs, olive and carob tree groves, and natural materials including marble and wood. The resort features 160 elegantly appointed guest rooms, suites, and villas, all offering sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, with the majority including private pools to enhance the sense of exclusivity and relaxation. The brand-new hotel features several dining outlets as well as wellness center, which combines traditional Cretan healing rituals with modern immersive therapies.
All Nippon Airways unveils new 787 Business Class seat
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-star airline for 12 consecutive years, unveiled “THE Room FX,” on Safran’s booth at the 55th International Paris Airshow, at Le Bourget (France). This next-generation Business Class seat with a privacy door for each seat will become the world’s largest seat in its class on a mid-sized aircraft. Building upon the development experience of “THE Room,” the private Business Class seat introduced on the Boeing 777-300ER in 2019, ANA and its partnert Acumen pioneered a new concept for mid-sized aircraft. The space has been reconfigured with a combination of design elements: thinner privacy door and walls, curved lines in the backrest area and an alternating front and rear facing seat arrangement. This design optimizes the Boeing 787’s cabin, creating a spatial experience comparable to a larger aircraft and achieving a world-class comfort level. Beginning in 2026, ANA will gradually introduce “THE Room FX” private seats on major long-haul international routes.
IHG will debut the InterContinental brand in Ecuador
InterContinental Guayaquil, located in Guayaquil’s exclusive Samborondón district, will serve as a serene haven for both business and leisure travelers. With an aesthetic drawing inspiration from the area’s natural elements, the new hotel will be brought to life by SEMAICA, ODD Architects and Adriana Hoyos Design Studio and feature 101 sophisticated guestrooms, including 11 suites and one Presidential Suite. Guests seeking inspired epicurean experiences will enjoy the property’s specialty restaurant with a skyline view as well as a poolside lounge, while those prioritizing relaxation and well-being will appreciate its resort-style rooftop pool, spa and state-of-the-art fitness center. Set to open in 2027, the property will also feature approximately 610 square-meters of dedicated meeting and event space, including a 300-person ballroom ideal for corporate events or social celebrations, in addition to a signature Club InterContinental lounge.
Alaska Airlines will launch flights to Rome
Alaska Airlines is continuing the celebration of its new global gateway in Seattle by adding Rome, Italy, to its international destination lineup. This is the first time in history that the “Emerald City” will be connected to the “Eternal City” via a nonstop flight. With the expected single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this fall, the new route will be served on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which joined the fleet when Alaska Airlines merged with Hawaiian Airlines. Rome is the most popular European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle. This new nonstop option for Seattle guests will also provide improved one-stop connectivity for guests all along the West Coast and Hawaiʻi. Rome will become the third widebody, international route served out of Alaska’s global gateway in Seattle after Tokyo Narita, which launched on May 12, and Seoul Incheon, which begins service on Sept. 12. Alaska Airlines’ hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is already the largest airline hub on the West Coast, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, and now the world.
Virgin Australia launches long-haul service to Doha
On June 12th, Virgin Australia marked a major milestone in its history, as the airline returned to long-haul international flying with the launch of its inaugural Sydney–Doha service. The new service connects Australian travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa via Qatar Airways’ global network. This launch represents a significant evolution of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ partnership, with Brisbane flights commencing 19 June, Perth on 26 June and Melbourne services to follow in December 2025. By December 2025, the alliance will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year, increasing competitiveness in the market and providing ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Passengers onboard the new Doha flights will travel on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring Qsuite Business Class; and complimentary high-speed Starlink wi-fi.
Qatar Airways partners with chef Yannick Alléno for inflight menus
Qatar Airways has announced an exciting new partnership with world-renowned French chef Yannick Alléno, who holds an impressive 17 Michelin stars across 19 restaurants globally. This collaboration brings Chef Alléno’s visionary approach to modern French cuisine to the airline’s award-winning First and Business Class experiences, as well as select premium lounges. Passengers can look forward to bespoke menus that blend French elegance with global influences, crafted to reflect both Qatar Airways’ and Alléno’s commitment to innovation, sophistication, and the art of hospitality. Highlights include the opening of a Pavyllon restaurant in the First Class Lounge at Hamad International Airport, new culinary offerings at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport lounges, and specially designed in-flight menus on select Paris-Doha routes. Each dish tells a story, rooted in ingredient-driven cooking, fermentation, and refined technique—hallmarks of Alléno’s culinary identity. With this partnership, Qatar Airways continues to redefine luxury travel, transforming inflight dining into a rich cultural and gastronomic experience.
Hotel del Coronado completes $550 USD million, multi‑year restoration
The legendary Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, USA, announced the completion of the revitalization of its iconic Victorian building, the final milestone in Blackstone Real Estate’s more than $550 million USD restoration plan to enhance and reinforce Hotel del Coronado’s legacy for generations to come. “From its earliest days, Hotel del Coronado has been a pioneer, continuously redefining the resort experience,” said JP Oliver, managing director, Hotel del Coronado. “After this transformative journey, we are proud to set a new benchmark for resort excellence and continue exceeding expectations for a new era of guests and visitors.” The completion of the Victorian Neighborhood encompassed a total restoration of its front porch and lobby, main entry, and drive experience, as well as updates and enhancements to all Victorian guestrooms, the Victorian garden courtyard, event spaces (including the iconic Crown Room), and the addition of two new dining destinations: the acclaimed Nobu Del Coronado and Veranda, an al fresco dining experience with breathtaking ocean views.
Capella Hotels will make its European debut in the heart of Florence
Capella Hotels and Resorts is set to debut in Europe in 2027 with Capella Florence, a luxury hotel transforming a 12th-century former convent complex in the heart of Florence, near the Duomo. This 89-key property, which will include 33 suites, 56 guestrooms, and 10 exclusive residences, will blend sensitively restored heritage architecture with visionary new design, converging eight centuries of artistic excellence with bespoke luxury. Guests will enjoy two refined restaurants offering Tuscan and Japanese cuisine, a rooftop bar, a subterranean speakeasy wine vault, and Capella’s signature Living Room, alongside a dedicated Clubhouse featuring a 600-square-meter spa, fitness center, and café, plus an indoor amphitheater paying homage to the site’s rich cultural history. Building on its success in Asia and the Pacific, this European expansion underscores Capella’s commitment to thoughtful growth in culturally significant destinations.
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