The heritage-listed Department of Lands building in Sydney, Australia, has relaunched as a major cultural and events destination, as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of two iconic buildings known collectively as the Sandstone Precinct. Singapore-based Pontiac Land Group owns the property, as well as the building next door that was the former Department of Education building.  The two-phase restoration project has seen Pontiac turn the Department of Education building into

World of Frozen has opened at Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris with new offerings across the entire park. The expansion almost doubles the size of Disneyland Paris, immersing guests in a life-size recreation of the Kingdom of Arendel. The World of Frozen features a Tangled -inspired attraction, 14 new dining locations and a large lake debuting a new night-time spectacular. It also features a daytime celebration, themed shopping, and

International wellness brand The Well and Miami-based real estate developer Terra have secured a US$238 million (€218.4 million, £183.5 million) refinancing loan to complete the new mixed-use luxury wellness development The Well Bay Harbor Islands in Miami, US. The loan provides the project with a long-term financing solution. The funds come from Eldridge Real Estate Credit, the real estate investing strategy division of Eldridge Capital Management, and global investment management

Laugarás Lagoon, a new two-storey geothermal day spa destination, has opened on Iceland’s Golden Circle – a popular tourist route. Located on the banks of the Hvitá River in the village of Laugarás, the facility honours traditional Icelandic turf houses – grass-roofed earth shelters that blend into the landscape. Drawing on Roman and Japanese design principles, visitors can descend from an upper pool to a lower pool through a passage

The opening date for Disneyland Paris’ new World of Frozen land has been announced, along with more details about the Frozen-themed land. The new land will be part of Disneyland Paris’ Walt Disney Studios Park, which is undergoing a major redevelopment to become Disney Adventure World. It is set to open in spring 2026, and will feature the Frozen Ever After boat ride, Immersive dining and shopping experiences, and views of Arendelle

Perth and Kinross Council has officially opened the £36 million Blairgowrie Recreation Centre – Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure development. Designed by architects Holmes Miller, which specialises in carbon neutral development, the leisure centre sets a new benchmark for sustainable sports and leisure buildings in Scotland. The UK currently has only one other leisure centre built to Passivhaus standards: St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter, Devon. Blairgowrie replaces an outdated 1980s facility,

UAE-based developer Aldar has unveiled a masterplan to turn Fahid Island into the world’s first Fitwel-certified wellness island at a development cost of AED40 billion (US$10.8 billion, €9.5 billion, £8 billion). Aldar is planning to make Fahid Island the place where entertainment and culture meet wellness. It is located between lifestyle destination Yas Island, with its theme parks and attractions and cultural centre, Saadiyat Island. The a 2.7sq mile island

Therme Group is forging ahead with its ambitious global expansion plans and has unveiled plans for a futuristic new AED2 billion (US$545 million, €526 million, £438 million) flagship in the Middle East, called Therme Dubai – Islands in the Sky. The destination is set to open in the UAE in 2028. Designed by renowned architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Therme Dubai will be located in Zabeel Park, beside the Royal

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Miami-based private investment company Yntegra Group to realise a brand new private island resort on Exuma, an archipelago of 365 islands in the Bahamas. Launching in 2028, Rosewood Exuma will be situated on a 124-acre private island referred to as East Sampson Cay. The tropical retreat will feature 33 beachfront suites and a signature Rosewood Asaya spa designed to immerse guests in Bahamian

Corinthia Hotels has announced the opening of its newest urban property, Corinthia Brussels, in the historic centre of the Belgian capital. Housed in a meticulously restored 100-year-old Belle Époque landmark, the hotel is now preparing to unveil its 1,200sq m subterranean spa on 16 December. The Sisley-branded urban wellness facility will be home to seven private treatment rooms and be defined by elegant yet understated marble interiors complemented with gold

Dubai-based luxury hotel operator Jumeirah has announced a new partnership with Thanda Group, marking its first venture into Africa. Thanda Group, renowned for its high-end, privately owned hospitality experiences in Africa, has partnered with Jumeirah to rebrand two of its existing properties as Jumeirah Thanda Island and Jumeirah Thanda Safari. Situated in the protected Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve in Tanzania, Jumeirah Thanda Island comprises an immersive, exclusive-use villa, while Jumeirah

Luxury fragrance, beauty and spa brand Guerlain is gearing up to open its first spa in the Seychelles at Cheval Blanc’s new 52-key beachfront retreat, launching 1 December. This will mark Guerlain’s 29th spa worldwide and continue its partnership with Cheval Blanc, luxury goods conglomerate LVMH’s ultra-premium hotel brand managed by LVMH Hotel Management. Guerlain already powers wellness offerings in Cheval Blanc’s locations in Saint Tropez, St. Barts, the Maldives

Plans have been announced to introduce the first five-star private members wellness club in Northern England, located on a historic 1,000-acre estate in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. The proposed project, based in an area of outstanding natural beauty 45 minutes north of Manchester, is being spearheaded by entrepreneurs and estate owners Amber and Guy Hindley. The duo are on a personal venture to transform part of their privately-owned 400-year-old Gisburne

Luxury boutique hospitality brand Aman has unveiled plans to open its first resort and wellness sanctuary in the Maldives, expanding its global portfolio of 35 resorts and residences. Set on a private island in the Vaavu Atoll, Aman Maldives will feature 52 luxury pool villas and 16 branded residences. True to the brand's dedication to wellness, the resort’s 2,638sq m spa will be located on its own private island. “Aman

Third Space is gearing up to open its 12th site – the third this year – in Clapham Junction, London. With investment from US-based KSL Capital Partners, there are plans to double the Third Space portfolio in the next three years. The most recent launch was in July at the historic Battersea Power Station development, while Wood Wharf opened earlier this summer. The Clapham Junction club will be housed in

Marriott is set to bolster its exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio with a brand new property in South America in Costa do Sol, Rio de Janeiro. The eco-luxury resort will open as part of the ambitious Maraey project, an 844-hectare sustainably-minded urban development designed to harmonise with the local ecosystem and champion economic development. By integrating environmental conservation with economic growth, the vision behind the tourist and residential project is to

Developer Rockwell Island Development Group (RIDGE) has appointed five-star, global hospitality brand Banyan Tree to manage its new luxury island retreat in Bimini in the Bahamas. Immersed in nature and surrounded by pristine beaches, Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences will be situated on a 750-acre property on the secluded Rockwell Island. RIDGE is planning to deliver 54 waterfront residences, a 50-key five-star hotel and Bonito Beach Club, all with

A new urban wellness retreat has opened in downtown Portland, Oregon, at the recently opened luxury hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Portland with architecture and design by GBD Architects and HKS Interior Design and identity and wayfinding by Knot. Situated on the 19th floor of the 35-storey, 251-room hotel, Cloudbreak on Nineteen has been conceived with the help of ROAM Interior Design as a restorative health and wellness haven complete with a

The healing power of water has inspired the concept behind a large new spa in Florida at the recently-opened Conrad Orlando hotel. The 433-key Hilton hotel was developed by Dart Interests and forms part of the developer and owner’s billion-dollar 1,100-acre mega-resort called Evermore Orlando*, located next to Florida's iconic Disneyland resort. Dart appointed spa and wellness consultancy Under A Tree (UAT) to develop a wellness concept for the two-floor

Timbaland, Platinum Grammy Award-winning producer, who's worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Madonna, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Drake and Björk, has announced a partnership with health and wellbeing music provider, Myndstream. The new partners will collaborate to produce an album of wellness music to help improve the health and wellbeing of listeners, whether that be to destress, relax, unwind or focus. They will be available for use by

Morgan’s Wonderland – a Texas-based theme park which caters specifically to people with disabilities – has revealed plans to add attractions worth US$6 million in 2024. The major additions will include a 4D cinema giving, a passenger boat ride across the park’s eight-acre fishing lake, a zipline soaring above the lake and a wheelchair-accessible "bike ride". The 4D theatre, located at the park's Sensory Village, gives guests the sensation of

Work is underway to realise a new Rixos resort in Dubai following a partnership between UAE-based real estate developer Nakheel and Excelsior Real Estate. Set back in a secluded cove with direct access to a 700-metre beach, Rixos Dubai Islands, Hotel & Residences will be home to a range of beachfront accommodation and residences as well as a signature Rixos spa and fitness centre, infinity pools and communal residential lounges.

Calilo, a luxury boutique resort on the Greek island of Ios, has a new spa and fitness centre. The hotel has a philosophy based on sustainability, art and intentional design. Inspired by the naturally calming energy of water, the spa includes six new treatment rooms that feature waterfalls and treatment beds suspended above pools of water to deliver a calming experience for guests. The ceilings are partially perforated to allow

A new landmark maritime centre has opened to the public in Esbjerg, Denmark. Created by WERK Arkitekter and Snøhetta, the centre has been designed as a shared space for watersport clubs and visitors along the port, providing the town with a social maritime hub and architectural landmark. Dubbed "The Lantern", WERK Arkitekter and Snøhetta were chosen for the project following a design competition in 2019. Designed as a "community first"

A planning application has been submitted for the creation of The Seahive, a surf wellness resort on the site of a former colliery spoil tip in Betteshanger Country Park, UK. Designed by architecture firm Hollaway Studio, the £40m (US$48.1m, €45.4m) flagship project near Deal in Kent would be integral to the wider country park. The overall masterplan for the 15-acre site features a Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon at its centre,

One of the world’s tallest hotels made almost exclusively from wood, has officially opened at the birthplace of cross-country skiing, Skellefteå in Swedish Lapland, with the property's rooftop Vana Spa giving spectacular views over the city. Designed by White Arkitekter and standing at 20 storeys, the Wood Hotel, which soft opened in 2021, is 75 metres high and made almost entirely from spruce and pine sourced from nearby forests. First

A huge "film city" and visitor attraction project in Nigeria has reached a major milestone, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between marketing and development agency Del York International Group and The Lagos State Government. The two partners signed what they described as a "monumental agreement to transform the face of the creative industry on the continent of Africa". The deal will see the state government officially