Alila announces next three sites
by Kath Hudson | 25 Nov 2013
Asian boutique hotelier, Alila Hotels & Resorts, has announced three new properties to its lifestyle collection next year, marking the company’s entry into the Middle East.
Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman will provide access to one of Oman’s most spectacular and untapped areas, overlooking a dramatic gorge, with views of the Al Hajar mountains.
The 78-bed resort will provide nature lovers with an escape from the desert heat, with a cliff-side restaurant, pool, Spa Alila, and a fitness centre.
A second site, Alila Seminyak, opens on a beach in Bali late next year. Designed as a secret garden, it will feature 240 chic, contemporary rooms and suites.
A heritage fortress in India’s Jaipur district is being transformed into the Alila Fort Bishangarh. This is the group’s third Indian property and features stunning views over the Aravalli mountain range. The 59-suite property offers a Spa Alila, two restaurants, a pool and fitness centre.
Alila Hotels & Resorts has a strong pipeline of developments: 21 in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Indochina, with seven due in the next two years.
As a brand, Alila aims to create different experiences which are authentic and sympathetic to the destination. For example, the Oman resort will use locally sourced materials, and as the region is famous for pomegranates, these will feature in the spa signature treatments. All properties adhere to strict EarthCheck standards.
Asian boutique hotelier, Alila Hotels & Resorts, has announced three new properties to its lifestyle collection next year, marking the company’s entry into the Middle East. Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman will provide access to one of Oman’s most spectacular and untapped areas, overlooking a dramatic gorge, with views of the Al Hajar mountains. The 78-bed resort will provide nature lovers with an escape from the desert heat, with a
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OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
by Liz Terry |
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming. The latest addition, Oberon, extends the visitor experience beyond the gallery, reflecting a growing trend for museums to become all-day destinations.
The New Museum in New York has entered a new chapter with the completion of a major
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
by Liz Terry | 14 Jul 2026
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Montana Heritage Center by Cushing Terrell opens after US$107 million investment
by Liz Terry | 13 Jul 2026
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the state's history to life. Located in Helena, the 165,000sq ft (15,330sq m) complex brings together the restored Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building with the new 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) Betty Babcock Building. Operated by the Montana
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
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Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The resort is the company's first theme park designed specifically for families with young children and represents a move beyond Universal's traditional large-scale destination resort model. Developed on a 97-acre site north of Dallas, the resort combines a family-focused theme park with the 300-room Universal Kids Resort Hotel.
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by Helen Andrews | 09 Jul 2026
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats. This is the seventh annual report of its kind. RevPAR for properties
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
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Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation. The Australian government is funding the redevelopment, which will deliver a major upgrade of the aquarium – the official education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The project will include new visitor experiences, immersive exhibitions,
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has architecture by Leach Rhodes Walker and interiors by Bergman Design House.
by Helen Andrews | 10 Jul 2026
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) near Knutsford in the north-west of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept. The Select Group, a Dubai-headquartered real estate developer and hospitality investor, acquired the property for £35 million (US$45 million, €41 million) and a further £90 million (US$114 million, €105 million). The 157-acre estate has a rich history, having
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Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health. Marriott has become Fitwel’s first Enterprise Partner and the new healthy building solutions will be implemented across the operator’s global portfolio of branded residences. The pilot location for the global partnership is The Ritz-Carlton Residences Chicago, Magnificent Mile, US, which received a two-star Fitwel Certification in March. Learn more about Fitwel here.
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by Helen Andrews | 03 Jul 2026
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Places Leisure is working with Roberts Limbrick to build £60m wellness flagship in Basingstoke
by Kath Hudson | 10 Jul 2026
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and wellness destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. This will be the biggest investment in wellbeing the borough has seen for decades. The landmark facility will replace Basingstoke Aquadrome. Subject to planning permission, the complex will be built in a new location on the site, enabling the existing Aquadrome to remain open until the new
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
by Helen Andrews | 01 Jul 2026
Kai Kusatsu, an onsen ryokan property has launched in the famous Japanese hot spring destination, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Parent company Hoshino Resorts launched the resort to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Kai ryokan brand – which is set to grow to a portfolio of 30 properties across Japan by 2030. Read our interview in Spa Business with Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino Resorts, about his plans
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Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth. The company highlighted the investment programme as part of a wider campaign marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, while also drawing attention to the economic contribution of its domestic parks and experiences
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by Liz Terry | 23 Jun 2026
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London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
by Magali Robathan | 19 Jun 2026
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by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has unveiled its design for Eve Music Hall in Čepin, eastern Croatia, as construction progresses towards completion ahead of the opening, which is scheduled for March 2027. The 10,000sq m venue is being developed as a new cultural, entertainment and events destination for the Slavonia region and is BIG's first completed project in Croatia, as well as its first completed music performance venue. Designed to accommodate
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by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
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Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
by Helen Andrews | 22 Jun 2026
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families. Families with young children can visit the 650-hectare estate, located near Bologna, to experience a retreat designed by the resort’s scientific director, Dr Annamaria Acquaviva. A dietitian and expert in mindfulness and longevity science, Acquaviva has created the programme to help children and teenagers build healthy and lasting habits.
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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