A sprinkling of “what’s new” in the water world of luxury hospitality:
- July 1 marks the opening of Waldorf Astoria’s first post in the Maldives, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.The property is a water-lover’s paradise, with 122 villas on the sea – 39 beach, 24 reef, and 56 overwater. In addition, there are two Stella Maris Ocean Villas, which are one-bedroom duplex accommodations that are accessible by a traditional boat called a dhoni. The most indulgent option is the Ithaafushi Private Island, which combines a two-bedroom overwater villa, a three-bedroom beach villa, two pools for adults and one for kids, an overwater spa and wellness center, an entertainment center with cinema, and a dedicated team of chefs.
- La Réserve Ramatuelleopened for the season on April 18 and introduced a new beach club on St. Tropez’s famous Pampelonne Beach. Designed by Philipe Starck, La Réserve à La Plage includes 75 sunbeds and a 120-seat beachfront restaurant overseen by the resort’s Michelin-starred chef.
- Nantucket’s Wauwinet and Serena & Lily have partnered to present The Anchorage Houseby Serena & Lily. Opened on June 1, the redesigned three-bedroom guest cottage is located on the northeast end of the island between two private beaches – one on the Atlantic Ocean and one on the Bay. Evoking the feeling of a private beach house, the cottage features a palette of navy and golden-sand hues, as well as woven basket textures that embrace the home’s coastal charm.
- Ponant’s newest vessel, Le Dumont-d’Urville, will make her debut on August 7 with an eight-night sailing called theHistoric Cities of the Baltic Sea. The fourth vessel in the Ponant Explorer series, the yacht-like ship will be outfitted with the Blue Eye Lounge – an underwater lounge with the feel of a submarine. The multi-sensory experience allows guests to see sea life through the whale-eye shaped portholes; while the seats and floor move in unison with the sounds of the water.
- Sea turtle nesting season runs from June through September, and guests ofBelmond Jimbaran Puri can provide hands-on help to ensure their safe journey into the ocean. Nature-lovers will adopt and name the turtles, visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre in Serangan to learn more about the protection of these endangered animals, and then give the newly hatched babies a helping hand into the sea.
- Wombat Charter Toursin Napa Valley now offers small-boat sunset tours and cruises of the lower Napa River and the surrounding southern wetlands of the Napa-Sonoma Marsh Wildlife Preserve, as well as guided fishing charter excursions complete with gear and expert guidance.
- When andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodgereopens in the Namib Desert in October 2019, its water recycling system will recycle more than 26,417 gallons of grey water a month. By bottling water on site and using recyclable glass bottles, the lodge saves a significant amount of CO² per month, absorbing the carbon footprint of the delivery truck used to bring in bottled water and eliminating more than 45,000 plastic water bottles. The brand aims to install a water bottling plant at 100% of their lodges by 2020.
- Nayara Tented Campwill open in December 2019 as one of the first luxury camps in Central America – complete with seven interconnecting, private hot springs dotted around two acres of rainforest at the peak of the mountain.