Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: March 2026 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:
- Capella Kyoto, Japan, is now open
- United Airlines unveils ‘Relax Row’: lie-flat comfort comes to Economy
- Six Senses London, United Kingdom is now open
- Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers
- St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announces debut in New Zealand
- St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will return to Hawaii with Kapalua Bay conversion
- Beond Airlines will fly from Paris and London to the Maldives
- Hilton enters Mongolia with the signing of Conrad Ulaanbaatar
- Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels unite under new luxury hotel brand ‘Beckons’
- 1 Hotel debuts in Japan with Tokyo opening
Capella Kyoto, Japan, is now open
Capella Kyoto has officially opened on 22 March 2026, coinciding with the peak of Kyoto’s cherry blossom season and marking Capella Hotels and Resorts’ debut in Japan. Situated in the historic Miyagawa-cho geisha district near Kenninji Temple and the Kamo River, the 89-room hotel blends traditional heritage with contemporary design. Created by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Brewin Design Office, the property reinterprets Kyoto’s machiya townhouses through layered spaces, narrow alleys, and hidden gardens. Built on the former Shinmichi Elementary School site, it forms part of a wider cultural development that includes the restored Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theatre and a new community centre, preserving the area’s artistic legacy. Guests can enjoy rare access to performances at the Kaburenjo, historically a training ground for geiko and maiko. Accommodation ranges from elegant city rooms to spacious suites with views of temples and the Higashiyama skyline, including private onsen options, offering an immersive stay rooted in Kyoto’s culture.
United Airlines unveils ‘Relax Row’: lie-flat comfort comes to Economy
United Airlines has announced the United Relax Row, a first-of-its-kind set of Economy Class seats in North America that transforms into a couch, offering extra comfort for long-haul travelers. Launching in 2027 and planned for over 200 Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft by 2030, each row will feature three seats with individually adjustable leg rests that fold to a 90-degree angle, creating space to sleep, stretch, or watch movies. Designed for families, couples, and solo travelers seeking enhanced comfort, passengers in this row will receive a custom-fitted mattress pad, plush blanket, two extra pillows, and for families, a plush toy and Children’s Travel Kit. Positioned between United Economy and United Premium Plus, the airline will offer up to 12 sections per plane. The initiative aligns with United’s family-focused offerings, including free child seating next to adults, pre-orderable kids’ meals, curated inflight entertainment for children, and the Sesame Street–collaborated Children’s Travel Kit. United positions the Relax Row as part of its premium, customer-centric approach to long-haul travel, emphasizing innovation, comfort, and loyalty-building.
Six Senses London is now open
Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, has opened its first UK property at the historic Whiteley’s building on Queensway, London, marking a major step in the brand’s urban expansion alongside locations in Rome and Kyoto. Six Senses London transforms a former department store into a vibrant urban sanctuary, blending the energy of the city with Six Senses’ signature focus on wellness, sustainability, and crafted experiences. The 109-bedroom and suite hotel, along with 14 branded residences, features Art Deco-inspired interiors by AvroKO and EPR Architects, modern British dining at Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café, and a spacious spa with London’s first hotel magnesium pool, longevity clinic, cryotherapy, and Biohack Recovery Lounge. Six Senses London also introduces Six Senses Place, a private members’ concept fostering community, wellness, and high-tech lifestyle. The opening reflects deep collaboration between IHG, CC Land Holdings, Valouran, and Gruppo Statuto, reinvigorating a landmark address near Hyde Park and Notting Hill while contributing to IHG’s global Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, which now spans 27 properties across 20 countries, with further urban and resort openings planned through 2025.
Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers
Brussels Airlines, the flag carrier of Belgium and part of the Lufthansa Group, is upgrading the passenger experience across all travel classes on both short- and long-haul flights, with the most significant enhancements coming to Premium Economy. Starting in spring 2026, long-haul Premium Economy will feature new premium tableware, three hot meal options, improved starters and pre-landing meals, paper menus, and upgraded headphones for inflight entertainment, with tableware debuting mid-March. Business Class departing Brussels now offers a Belgian culinary experience by double Michelin-starred chef Glen Verhasselt, while flights from African destinations feature African-inspired dishes on redesigned premium tableware. Other improvements across all classes include an extra food component on Economy main trays, reusable premium cups for beverages, fresh towels and water before take-off in short-haul Business Class, and a curtain divider between Business and Economy on short-haul flights. These upgrades complement Brussels Airlines’ broader initiatives, including renovated lounges, free Wi-Fi, and new long-haul cabins, reflecting the airline’s commitment to a consistently elevated passenger experience across its network.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announces debut in New Zealand
Marriott International has announced plans to introduce the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts brand to Queenstown, New Zealand, through a new agreement with PHC Queenstown Limited, with the luxury property expected to open in late 2027. Located on a prime central site overlooking The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu, the hotel will feature 145 guestrooms and suites, marking Marriott’s first property in Queenstown and the debut of the St. Regis brand in the country. Designed to elevate the destination’s luxury offering, the hotel will include signature brand elements such as The Drawing Room, St. Regis Bar, all-day dining, event spaces, and the renowned St. Regis Butler Service, providing highly personalized guest experiences. Wellness facilities will include a spa with hydrothermal zones, relaxation areas, an indoor heated pool, and fitness centre. The project reflects Marriott’s strategy to expand its luxury footprint in high-demand destinations and strengthens its partnership with PHC. Once completed, the St. Regis Queenstown is expected to set a new benchmark for upscale hospitality while contributing to the region’s tourism growth and global appeal.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will return to Hawaii
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners to bring The Resort at Kapalua Bay, a luxury oceanfront property on Maui’s northwest coast, into its portfolio, with plans to rebrand it under St. Regis Hotels & Resorts by 2027 following a renovation. Marriott has already taken over management as the transition begins. Set on 25 acres within the Kapalua Resort community, the property features 146 spacious multi-bedroom, ocean-view residences designed to combine residential comfort with high-end hospitality. Guests can enjoy extensive amenities, including large living spaces, championship golf and tennis facilities, a 40,000-square-foot spa with ocean views, indoor and outdoor event venues, direct beach access, and multiple pools, including a cascading lagoon-style pool. The move reflects Marriott’s strategy to strengthen its luxury presence in key leisure destinations while enhancing the resort’s service and overall experience. The project also highlights continued collaboration between Marriott and KWHP, with a shared goal of elevating the property’s positioning. This addition further expands Marriott’s footprint in Hawai‘i, where it already operates dozens of properties and continues to grow its pipeline.
Beond Airlines will fly from Paris and London to the Maldives
Boutique leisure airline Beond is set to expand its winter 2026 network by strengthening connections between Europe and the Maldives, adding both new routes and extra capacity. The airline plans to introduce direct services from Paris and London to Malé in mid-December 2026, pending government approval, with flights operated on its all-Business-Class Airbus A319 and A321 aircraft. Alongside these new routes, Beond will increase frequencies on existing services, including more weekly flights from Zurich and Munich, while maintaining its Milan connection. The expansion comes as the airline responds to shifting travel demand and disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, using its flexible operating model to adjust capacity where needed. These developments form part of Beond’s broader growth strategy, which aims to expand its network to more destinations across Europe and Asia and nearly double its reach. In parallel, the airline is planning a major operational base in Bahrain, where it intends to station up to 10 aircraft by 2030 and invest in aviation training and maintenance infrastructure to support long-term growth.
Hilton enters Mongolia with the signing of Conrad Ulaanbaatar
Hilton has announced the signing of Conrad Ulaanbaatar, marking its debut in Mongolia and bringing the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand to the country’s capital. Scheduled to open in 2028, the 227-room luxury hotel will be located within the Ulaanbaatar Eco Tower, a major mixed-use development in the city’s central business district that integrates commercial, entertainment, and lifestyle spaces. Positioned near key landmarks such as Sükhbaatar Square and major cultural institutions, the hotel aims to cater to both international visitors and local clientele as Ulaanbaatar grows in global appeal. The property will feature four dining venues, nearly 1,800 square meters of meeting and event space, and wellness facilities including a spa and indoor pool. Developed by Eco Construction LLC and managed by Hilton, the project reflects confidence in Mongolia’s tourism potential and aligns with Hilton’s strategy to expand into emerging destinations. Conrad Ulaanbaatar is expected to combine contemporary design with locally inspired experiences, contributing to the city’s evolution as a modern cultural and business hub.
Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels unite under new luxury hotel brand ‘Beckons’
Beckons has officially launched as a new experiential luxury hospitality brand, bringing together the Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels portfolios under one unified concept focused on immersive, meaningful travel. Debuting with nine intimate lodges across Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Canada, the brand emphasizes deep connections to nature, culture, and local communities, with each property averaging around 25 suites. Notable lodges include Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Longitude 131° near Uluru, Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest, alongside Huka Lodge in New Zealand, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in Canada, and Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia in Chile. Beckons aims to promote a regenerative approach to tourism that aims to positively impact destinations while delivering highly personalized guest experiences. Backed by around $100 million in recent investments and ongoing upgrades, the brand is positioned to grow its global footprint while maintaining a strong focus on authenticity, sustainability, and curated, experience-led luxury travel.
1 Hotel debuts in Japan with Tokyo opening
1 Hotels has officially opened its first property in Japan, 1 Hotel Tokyo, a luxury, sustainability-driven retreat located high within the Akasaka Trust Tower, offering sweeping views of the Imperial Palace gardens and city skyline. Developed in partnership with Mori Trust, the 211-room hotel blends nature-inspired design with Japanese craftsmanship, using reclaimed materials, greenery, and biophilic elements to create a शांत urban sanctuary. Interiors by CRÈME draw on traditional aesthetics such as wood textures and stonework, while rooms feature minimalist design, natural materials, and curated plant life. Dining is a key highlight, with venues like NiNi offering French-Japanese cuisine, Spotted Stone showcasing an extensive Japanese gin collection, and Neighbors Café focusing on community-driven, wholesome options. Wellness is central, with the Bamford Wellness Spa, fitness spaces, and a serene indoor pool supporting holistic wellbeing. The hotel also emphasizes sustainability, achieving Japan’s top environmental certification and integrating eco-conscious practices throughout. Positioned in a vibrant district near major attractions, the property reflects 1 Hotels’ mission to combine luxury with environmental responsibility.
