The €200m (US$221.3 million, £169.7 million) Pical Resort, Valamar Collection has opened in Croatia with the country’s first ESPA spa. Valamar Riviera, a Croatian tourism company and hotel operator has revealed the 514-key property in Poreč, Istria. The development of the Pical Resort represents Valamar’s largest investment to date. The accommodation is split into the following options: the Pical Hotel, the luxury all-inclusive Pical Family Hotel, the exclusive Pical Suites

Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.

Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, who are known for establishing ultra-luxury sustainable hospitality brands Soneva and Six Senses, are launching a new luxury hotel brand called Sosei, which means “rebirth” in Japanese. Earlier this year KSL Capital Partners increased its stake in Soneva to become the majority owner of the brand, following an initial investment in the brand in 2019 that amounted to a stake that was reportedly worth 35-40 per

Montcalm Mayfair, an Autograph Collection hotel, has opened its doors in London after a two-year renovation of the Grade II-listed Georgian building, offering guests a new genre of hospitality it calls ‘sensitive luxury’. The concept is demonstrated by the brand’s aim of providing welcoming, intuitive service as well as the hotel's softer, yet classical design. Each Montcalm hotel in the collection has a ‘Mark’ – a central theme running through

The multi-million revamp of McFit continues, with the completion of its first new-look studio in Munich Laim, which will soon be followed by three more in the city. “The modernisation offensive in Munich is an important step for the McFit brand and a strong signal for the future,” says Stephan Pallmann, director brand and customer management RSG Group. “We are certain that the fresh look and new ideas will offer

Janu – Aman’s highly-anticipated sister brand – has opened its inaugural hotel in Tokyo, marking the first in its pipeline of 13 properties across city, country and coastal destinations. Meaning ‘soul’ in Sanskrit, Janu was first announced in 2020 and is a hotel, residence and lifestyle brand based on social connection, equilibrium and human interaction. With 122 rooms and suites, Janu Tokyo and has opened among a landmark building designed

Aman’s sister brand Janu will launch its flagship property in Tokyo in March 2024, representing the first in a 12-strong global pipeline of projects across city, country and coastal destinations. Meaning ‘soul’ in Sanskrit, Janu is a hotel, residence and lifestyle brand based on social connection, equilibrium and human interaction. With reservations now open for bookings in March, the first Janu will feature 122 rooms and suites, eight dining venues,

Private investment firm Starwood Capital Group and real estate and hospitality company, Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners (AJ Capital), have unveiled a new outdoor-focused hotel group called Field & Stream Lodge Company. Field & Stream is an existing American brand established in 1871. Starwood and AJ Capital want to initially create approximately 20 to 25 hotels, first targeting US markets in close proximity to authentic natural experiences, including national parks, beaches,

Ennismore, the hotel company behind brands such as ​​The Hoxton, Delano and Mondrian has announced plans to roll out its Tribe lifestyle hotel brand across Southeast Asia, targeting countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Launched in 2019, Tribe is marketed as an "alternative lifestyle brand" and features properties which have been designed to focus on common areas to create multifunctional spaces that encourage connection between guests.

Kerzner International, the owner of One&Only Resorts and Atlantis Resort & Residences, has developed a new immersive lifestyle hospitality concept inspired by fitness and wellbeing. SIRO (pronounced Sigh-Row) represents the pillars of Strength, Inclusive, Reflection and Original and invites guests to aspire to live at their fullest potential through a specialised blend of hospitality, fitness and wellness. A place of connection, the immersive lifestyle destinations will create a welcoming social

Longwood Gardens, a botanical visitor attraction near Philadelphia, US, has revealed plans for a US$250m redevelopment project. The historic site – one of the largest horticultural gardens in the US – will transform its visitor experience through the revitalisation of 17 acres of its core conservatory area. The 'Longwood Reimagined' project – set to be completed by late 2024 – will expand the public spaces of the central grounds and

Anantara will expand into the Seychelles in Q4 2020, following a rebrand of the iconic Maia Luxury Resort & Spa by architects Bill Bensley and Lek Bunnag. Located on Mahé, the largest of the Seychelles islands, Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas will consist of a 30-villa resort complemented with a luxury spa, set amongst 30 acres of forest garden. Located in the resort’s fragranced gardens, the Anantara Spa will be home

LA-based experience design studio, BRC Imagination Arts, is the creative force behind the new Glenkinchie Distillery attraction, which has opened today (29 October 2020) near Edinburgh, Scotland. The single malt distillery is located in East Lothian, a region known for its produce and has undergone a major transformation of its visitor attraction as part of a wider £185m investment by owner, Diageo. Glenkinchie will be known as the ‘Lowland Home

Nicki Kurran, working alongside Barr + Wray, Pave Always and HB Architects, has created a new £10m ($13m, €12m) spa at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire, UK. Kurran told CLAD sister title Spa Business : "It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the spa team at Carden Park over the past two years, we’ve created a truly exclusive experience for our guests with some magnificent show-stopping touchpoints." Covering 4,500sq m

The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah Ubud resort, Bali, is undergoing a change of management and a rebrand, with the handover scheduled for 1 January 2020. Owned by Singapore-based General Hotel Management (GHM), the 20-villa-property will be taken over by hotel management group, Hadiprana, and rebranded as Tanah Gajah, a resort by Hadiprana. The group is named after the late Hendra Hadiprana, the acclaimed Indonesian architect, art-collector and designer, who designed

Architects Hesselbrand have designed the 120-room Acquarossa Spa & Hotel in the Swiss Alps with elements for sustainability and fostering a sense of community among both guests and residents of the local area. The Acquarossa is aimed at bringing people together in a social and relaxed atmosphere based on their mutual interest in wellbeing and experience-based tourism. Located in the village of Acquarossa in Ticino, Switzerland, it provides views of

Fitness wear and apparel supplier Gymshark has opened its first Gymshark Lifting Club (GSLC), combining a studio and fitness centre with an innovation hub, focusing on employee wellbeing and brand innovation. Working in partnership with design and build company Oktra, the company has transformed a 55,000sq ft former warehouse facility into a complex featuring a large, 20,000sq ft health club and studio space – designed to be "the best in

Car manufacturer Toyota has opened its first visitor attraction in North America – the 44,000sq ft (13,400sq m) Toyota Experience Center (TEC) at its headquarters in Plano, Texas. The company says the centre, which was planned, designed and project managed by experience designers JRA, is intended to educate visitors about Toyota's past, present and future as a mobility company. The centre features a variety of interactive exhibits and displays, all

Hyatt Hotels will bring the Alila brand to Europe for the first time by putting its name to the Golf Resort La Gruyère to create the Alila La Gruyère resort, which is set to open in Switzerland in 2023. Overlooking a picturesque lake, Alila La Gruyère will offer an 85-bed hotel and wellness retreat as well as a golf course by Robert Trent Jones Jr and a range of residences.

Marriott International’s current portfolio of 130 luxury hotels across ten countries and territories in Asia Pacific is poised to grow in 2019 with 13 new openings from JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and The Luxury Collection. "Asia Pacific's luxury travel industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by markets like China and India," said Marriott International's Peggy Fang Roe. "Global luxury travellers today are seeking more

Lux Resorts is launching a new brand, Salt, and the first property is set to open in November on the east coast of Mauritius. The 59-bedroom Salt of Palmar is designed to add a humanistic approach to hospitality for the “culturally curious traveller”, and to connect guests to locals and their way of life. Salt guests will be immersed into Mauritian life, with the opportunity to connect directly with locals

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to expand its luxury estate in the UK after securing a deal to rebrand and operate 13 upscale hotels. IHG will operate the properties on behalf of French real estate group Foncière des Régions (FdR), which acquired the hotels from an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group for a reported US$1.1bn (£830m) earlier this month. The deal will see IHG introducing its boutique brand, Kimpton Hotels

English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has revealed new images of its forthcoming home at White Hart Lane, which it has billed as “the most unique sports and entertainment destination in Europe”. In a move to promote its launch of season ticket sales, of which 42,000 are available, the club has today (12 March) released visualisations of the stadium’s seating bowl, walkways and hospitality facilities. The renderings give a glimpse

Asian hospitality operator Avani has today (1 March) expanded its new brand, Avani+, by launching its first hotel in Luang Prabang – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Laos. Founded in 2011, the company is one of the fastest-growing brands to come out of Asia, having launched 23 properties in 15 countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mozambique, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal. In a statement, the firm

The creative director of Gucci has opened a restaurant, museum and gift shop dedicated to the luxury fashion house – in a 14th-century Florentine palace. Alessandro Michele decided to open the attraction, called Gucci Garden, as a fun and accessible introduction to the brand and “a hypnotic territory that alters the state of consciousness and perception". The attraction spans three floors within the Palazzo della Mercanzia, which previously housed a

Rosewood Hotel Group has launched a new hotel brand, Khos, with a focus on the modern business traveller and inspired by “the energy, art, innovation, creativity, style and dynamism of modern-day Asia”. Derived from the Mongolian word meaning 'pair', Khos will be a global brand, with locations in capital cities, urban portals, business centres and resort destinations. The first Khos hotels will be announced in 2018 and opened later in

Hong Kong-based luxury operator Langham Hospitality Group will operate a hotel and spa in Bangkok from 2021 – its first site in the Thai capital city. The company has signed a management deal to operate the 250-key property with Canapaya Development Co, which is building the hotel on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Facilities at the hotel will include a Chuan Spa, featuring extensive indoor and outdoor wet