The resort report: what's new in the hotel world
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
A look at the latest hotel and resort news from highly anticipated new openings to fresh renovations.
Clients headed to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya can now check into JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. Marking the brand’s debut in the luxury safari segment, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge features 20 luxurious and expansive en-suite tents in an area renowned for its wildlife. During game drives, guests have the opportunity to observe the Big Five including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants. Between June and September, the reserve is host to the annual great wildebeest migration, which sees more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is a 30-minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip and a 25-minute drive from Sekenani Main Gate.
The luxury 5-star Toscana Resort Castelfalfi has reopened following a multi-million dollar renovation. The 146-room and villa destination located in Tuscany features scenic views of the surrounding hills and vineyards, as well as access to the region’s largest championship golf course, a spa, and more. The renovation includes new public spaces, enhanced guest rooms and suites, and a new restaurant, Olivina, with Chef Davide De Simone at the helm. Located in the Tuscan hills between Florence and Pisa, the property is set amidst a rolling landscape made up of vineyards and olive groves, famous cypresses and giant pine trees.
Travellers looking for a new option in Ireland can opt to experience Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel. The contemporary property is located in the heart of the Docklands, a stylish and innovative part of the city that is home to some of the world’s most famous names in tech. Previously known as the award-winning The Marker, a significant renovation has been completed with a multi-million investment at the iconic Dublin hotel, which is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. All 187 bedrooms have now been refurbished, while the lobby and bar have been refreshed with the addition of new soft furnishings, bespoke cabinetry, and custom furniture.
It’s time to say aloha to the all-new PACIFIC 19 Kona, designed to be a completely renovated and re-envisioned island-urban hotel for independent travellers seeking design-forward accommodations and authentic experiences. Managed by Springboard Hospitality, the 122-room hotel is located on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). The large open-air lobby features a giant monkeypod tree and lush flora. The hotel is home to Café P19, which serves coffee, artisanal teas, and lite bites and a lobby retail shop featuring island essentials such as snorkels, fins, adventure beach wear, and more. Guests expect programming centred around art, music, culture, and wellness, including daily yoga classes, live music and food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays.
