Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.
Today: September 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:
- Mandarin Oriental Vienna opens next month
- Mandarin Oriental announces a luxury hotel in Seoul
- Rosewood will debut a luxury ski resort in the French Alps this winter
- Four Seasons announces new luxury resort in Moganshan, China
- Marriott will bring its luxury St Regis brand to Bodrum, Türkiye
- American Airlines introduces limited-edition amenity kits designed by Raven + Lily
- Thai Airways phases out First Class in favor of upgraded Business Class
- Air France launches free Starlink Wi-Fi
- Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is now open
- One&Only will open an ultra-luxury resort on Fiji’s Yasawa Islands
Mandarin Oriental Vienna opens next month
Mandarin Oriental will open its first hotel in Austria, Mandarin Oriental Vienna, on 20 October 2025, in the historic First District on Riemergasse. Housed in a heritage-listed Art Nouveau courthouse originally designed by Alfred Keller in 1908, the property has been meticulously restored to blend Viennese grandeur with contemporary design. The hotel features 138 elegant rooms and suites, including exclusive Mandarin Signature Suites and a Royal Suite, alongside seven multifunctional boardrooms and a grand ballroom. Guests can enjoy four distinct culinary concepts led by Executive Chef Thomas Seifried, from the seafood-focused fine dining restaurant Le Sept to the vibrant Atelier 7 brasserie, café, and bar. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers holistic treatments, a pool, and a fitness centre, creating a luxurious retreat. With understated elegance, exceptional dining, and legendary service, Mandarin Oriental, Vienna aims to become both a haven for international travellers and a gathering place for locals.
Mandarin Oriental announces a luxury hotel in Seoul
Mandarin Oriental has announced its entry into South Korea with the opening of Mandarin Oriental, Seoul in 2030, a boutique-style luxury hotel located in the Central Business District north of the Han River. Designed by André Fu, the 128 rooms and suites will offer an intimate, residential atmosphere, complemented by world-class dining including a panoramic 21st-floor destination restaurant, refined Chinese cuisine, an elevated international concept, and a high-end Korean Chef’s Counter, alongside vibrant social venues like a bar, lounge and The Mandarin Cake Shop. The property will also feature elegant event spaces, a grand ballroom, and extensive wellness facilities including a four-floor spa inspired by Korean healing traditions, a 25-metre pool, fitness centre, golf academy, kids’ club and more. Developed in partnership with Hanwha Group, the project will form part of the Seoul Station redevelopment, aiming to create a new hub for business and leisure while showcasing Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality and design excellence.
Rosewood will debut a ski resort in the French Alps
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will debut its first property in the French Alps with Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin, opening in December 2025 in the prestigious Courchevel 1850. Offering ski-in ski-out access, the luxury retreat will feature 51 rooms and suites, a spa, kids’ club, bar lounge, cigar room, retail and ski rental spaces, and an all-day dining concept with a terrace. Designed by renowned French designer Tristan Auer, the resort will embody Rosewood’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, blending contemporary alpine luxury with the natural beauty of the mountains. With the highest suite inventory in Courchevel’s exclusive Le Jardin Alpin, the property is set to redefine modern alpine living with unparalleled comfort and style. Positioned as Rosewood’s second property in continental France, alongside Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, it represents a milestone in the brand’s thoughtful European expansion, setting a new benchmark for experiential, destination-led hospitality in one of the world’s most sought-after ski destinations.
Four Seasons announces new luxury resort in China
Four Seasons has announced plans for Four Seasons Resort Moganshan, a luxury retreat opening in 2030 in one of China’s most celebrated summer destinations, surrounded by bamboo forests and tea plantations. Located in Yu Village with views of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls, the 90-room resort will feature villas, suites, and guestrooms designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. As Moganshan’s first international luxury resort with direct access to natural hot springs, it will offer hydrotherapy, thermal experiences, meditation pavilions, and outdoor adventures from hiking to kayaking, creating a year-round wellness haven. Guests will enjoy four restaurants and lounges, a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and curated wellness experiences rooted in nature. Developed in partnership with Deqing Cultural & Tourism Group, the resort underscores Four Seasons’ commitment to sustainability, cultural heritage, and luxury hospitality, further strengthening its presence in China’s Yangtze River Delta and complementing existing Four Seasons destinations in Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Marriott will bring its luxury St Regis brand to Bodrum
Marriott has announced plans to open The St. Regis Karya Cove Resort, Bodrum and its branded residences, marking the company’s 100th hotel in Türkiye. Expected to open in 2030 within the secluded Kazıklı Cove, the beachfront resort will feature 138 luxury guestrooms, multiple dining venues, pools, a spa, fitness centre, kids club, and event spaces, while the residences will comprise 221 one-to-five-bedroom apartments and villas with extensive amenities including a lounge, library, co-working areas, and private studios. Set across a 280,000 sqm site, the project combines the St. Regis brand’s signature Butler service, timeless elegance, and storied heritage with Bodrum’s renowned Aegean coastline, pristine beaches, and rich cultural legacy, further cementing the city’s reputation as a premier global luxury destination. This collaboration follows the successful JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea, further strengthening the partnership between Marriott International, Kuzu Group, and Servotel. With its prime location, the development will offer both guests and residents convenient access to Bodrum’s vibrant marina, historic old town, and upscale dining scene.
American Airlines introduces new amenity kits
American Airlines has partnered with ethically sourced leather brand Raven + Lily to launch limited-edition, reusable amenity kits for premium cabin passengers on select international and transcontinental flights. Each cabin features a distinct, artisan-inspired design—from a navy crossbody in Flagship® First to a powder blue and navy wristlet in Business and a magnetic leather sunglass pouch in Premium Economy—crafted for both style and practicality. The kits include upgraded comfort items such as enhanced eye masks, socks, and towelettes, along with plant-based skincare products by celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas, now available across all premium cabins. Additional thoughtful touches include microfiber cleaning cloths in Premium Economy and oshibori towels in Flagship® First, ensuring both comfort and convenience. Emphasizing sustainability, functionality, and thoughtful luxury, the collaboration reflects American Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience with purpose-driven design that passengers can enjoy long after their flight.
Thai Airways phases out First Class
Thai Airways plans to phase out its First Class cabins over the next two to three years, replacing them with an upgraded Business Class as part of a broader fleet modernization strategy. Once a symbol of luxury in the skies, First Class is now limited to just three Boeing 777s serving Bangkok–London and Bangkok–Tokyo routes, making the high-cost, low-utilization service increasingly impractical. The airline’s incoming Boeing 787-9s, beginning deliveries in 2028, will feature enhanced Royal Silk Business Class suites with lie-flat beds, privacy doors, and advanced entertainment, offering a first-class–like experience at a lower price. Existing 777s will be retrofitted with the new Business Class cabins, and all flights will adopt a standardized three-class layout of business, premium economy, and economy. The new Business Class design will also extend to the 17 Airbus A321neos joining the fleet, strengthening Thai Airways’ competitiveness on regional routes while maintaining consistent, high-quality service across its long-haul and short-haul operations.
Air France launches free Starlink Wi-Fi
Air France has launched its pioneering high-speed in-flight wifi, becoming the first major European airline to offer a free, fast, stable, and secure internet connection across its fleet. Initially available on two Embraer 190s, two Airbus A220s, and this week on an Airbus A350 for long-haul flights, the service allows passengers to stream content, play games, and stay connected on multiple devices via their Flying Blue account, or create one on board for free. Air France plans to equip 30% of its fleet by the end of 2025 and all aircraft by 2026, while maintaining a free messaging option on planes not yet upgraded. The service is powered by Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite network, ensuring reliable, high-speed connectivity. This rollout includes regional aircraft for the first time, and the wifi is accessible across all travel cabins, reflecting Air France’s commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and keeping travelers connected throughout their journey.
9. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is now open
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is situated along the tranquil shores of Playa Penca on Punta Cacique. The 188-room resort provides a refined haven with stunning views of Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Coast. Guests can indulge in six regionally-inspired dining experiences, world-class amenities including a multi-level pool, dedicated kids and teens clubs, a 17,000 square foot state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, and 10,000 square feet of versatile meeting space. The exquisite resort artfully merges sincerely elegant service with curated local programming, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the essence of Costa Rica and embrace the allure of the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Perched above the Pacific Ocean in one of Central America’s most breathtaking coastal landscapes, Waldorf Astoria Residences Costa Rica, Punta Cacique offers a limited collection of fully furnished four- and five-bedroom Estate Homes. Designed in harmony with the land by a world-class team, each home is delivered turnkey with curated interiors, personalized concierge services, and privileged access to the full suite of resort amenities.
10. One&Only will open an ultra-luxury resort in Fiji
Kerzner International Holdings has announced the development of its first One&Only resort and Private Homes community in Fiji, located on Nacula Island in the Yasawa archipelago, with the resort opening in 2029 and homes going on sale this November. In partnership with BSP Life, a leading Fijian institutional investor, the project combines Kerzner’s global hospitality expertise with BSP’s commitment to economic growth in the South Pacific. The 127-acre resort will feature 40 guest rooms, suites, and villas, six dining experiences, a Club One wellness center, and 20 private residences, all designed to blend traditional Fijian craftsmanship with contemporary luxury while minimizing environmental impact. Positioned 30 minutes from the international airport by seaplane, the development aims to showcase Fiji’s natural beauty and culture, elevate the country’s appeal to high-value travelers, and generate economic benefits including job creation and skills development, reinforcing Fiji as a premier investment and tourism destination.
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