Tucked into a private stretch of Riviera Nayarit, Naviva®, A Four Seasons Resort, embraces its stunning natural environment surrounding a collection of just fifteen bungalows. With the smallest number of keys in the entire Four Seasons worldwide portfolio, every aspect of your stay at Naviva feels intimate. Notably, since opening in late 2022, the property also remains the only adults-only Four Seasons. And adding even further to the singularity of the experience, your stay includes not only the nightly room rate, but meals, beverages, activities, plus a spa treatment. This is not the “all inclusive” concept you know, but one that redefines the category entirely.

This is not the “all inclusive” concept you know, but one that redefines the category entirely.

The highly personalized Naviva guest experience begins well before your arrival. Due to its industry leading seven-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, the team can ensure there are no preset components of your stay. Instead, your pre-arrival experience starts with a conversation: you connect with a dedicated Guide who will act as your personal host to share your interests, travel style, and what you hope to experience while on property. From there, a tailored framework takes shape, but nothing remains fixed; it’s all flexible. As General Manager Eduardo Sampere explains, “With no more than thirty people on property at a time, Naviva was intentionally designed to create the space for enhanced connection—to oneself, others, and the world around them.”

Design Shaped by Nature

The carefully chosen location of Naviva was the inspiration behind its ethos. Just north of Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit region grants a nature-driven alternative to many of Mexico’s other resort-covered beach destinations. Naviva is nestled amongst nearly two hundred miles of Mexico’s Pacific coastline and defined by its lush jungle, the Sierra Madre Mountains, and wide stretches of golden sand. With a warm, subtropical climate, it’s an idyllic enclave made even more compelling by its architecture and meticulously chosen soft furnishings.

Every building, pathway, and gathering space draws inspiration from the surrounding forest and Pacific coastline.

The construction of this one-of-a-kind property was rooted in a clear design narrative. Upon arrival, you’ll cross a timber bridge suspended above a natural ravine before passing beneath a woven bamboo canopy inspired by the form of a cocoon, marking your transition from everyday life into the forest beyond. The aesthetic at Naviva isn’t something you look at—it’s something you move through.

Designed by the South African-based firm Luxury Frontiers, the resort embraces biophilic design, an architectural approach that strengthens the relationship between people and the natural world through the spaces they inhabit. Every building, pathway, and gathering space draws inspiration from the surrounding forest and Pacific coastline. As Resort Manager Eduardo Sampere explains, the goal is for visitors to feel “like guests of the land”—an approach reflected throughout the resort without ever feeling formulaic.

The resort footprint follows the peninsula’s natural contours. Structures were carefully positioned around existing trees, while stone, wood, copper, bamboo, and textiles were sourced from across Mexico. In each of the bungalows, there are hand-carved timber hooks fashioned from salvaged trees found on-site and side tables inspired by the molinillo, the wooden whisk traditionally used to prepare Mexican hot chocolate.

The accommodations continue this symbiotic relationship with nature, where canvas roll-up walls create an uninterrupted transition between indoor and outdoor living. There are ten Ocean-View Bungalows covering approximately 1,250 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Or, if you’d like even more space to spread out, the five Ocean-View Grand Bungalows offer 1,650 square feet, including a larger two-tier deck and fire pit. All fifteen bungalows include open-air showers, private plunge pools, and outdoor soaking tubs. And beyond the intimacy created by the limited number of guests, each bungalow is positioned to preserve privacy while maintaining uninterrupted views of the Pacific. Meaning, your days can be spent along expansive outdoor decks, where the only other life you’ll see is Beryline Hummingbirds or an Orange-Breasted Bunting flitting between the trees.

Sustainable at Every Level

Many of the design decisions that shape your stay also reflect how Naviva was built. Before construction began, the development team surveyed the peninsula to work around existing trees with the goal of preserving as much of the landscape as possible. Accommodations were thoughtfully placed within the forest, natural stone discovered on-site was repurposed, and trees that were removed were transformed into hand-carved details found throughout the resort. Notably, a reforestation program later restored native plant species across areas affected during construction.

The same sustainability-minded ethos continues behind the scenes. Roofing was engineered to collect rainwater and return it to the landscape, while permeable pathways preserve the peninsula’s natural drainage. Prevailing ocean breezes provide natural ventilation across much of the resort, limiting air conditioning to only the spaces where it’s needed most. Photovoltaic panels currently supply a portion of the resort’s energy, with plans to expand capacity over time. Even details such as low-wattage lighting and earth-toned pathways were selected to reduce disruption to native wildlife.

Accommodations were thoughtfully placed within the forest, natural stone discovered on-site was repurposed, and trees that were removed were transformed into hand-carved details found throughout the resort.

The nature-led design language continues throughout Naviva. Copal Cocina reinterprets the traditional Mexican palapa—an open-sided structure with woven bamboo ceilings—finished with copper detailing and an open layout centered around a communal kitchen. The spa takes inspiration from the ceiba tree, with treatment pods positioned to capture different times of day while preserving complete privacy. This cohesive vision has earned recognition across both the travel and design industries. Since opening, Naviva has been named to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best New Hotels, Architectural Digest’s Hotel Awards, and Veranda’s World’s Most Beautiful Hotels list. It has also received top honors from the AHEAD Americas Awards, Hospitality Design Awards, and the International Design Awards, reflecting a design ethos grounded in nature and craftsmanship.

Bungalow Living Built for Two

Spread across forty-eight acres of coastal forest, Naviva offers couples the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together in complete privacy. Because there are no more than thirty guests on-site when Naviva is at full capacity, it’s entirely possible to spend an afternoon without seeing another guest. The adults-only setting makes it a natural fit for honeymoons, anniversaries, babymoons, milestone celebrations, or simply carving out time away from everyday routines. There won’t be crowded bars or the hum of other people’s conversations while you enjoy your beachfront lounger. Instead, you’ll be to fully connect with your loved one, enjoying the feeling of being the only two people on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

…enjoying the feeling of being the only two people on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

The programming at Naviva is also inherently romantic: star bathing on the forest floor, Mexican wine tastings led by local experts, small beachfront concerts with a curated selection of visiting artists, and a guided hike overlooking the Bahía de Banderas are just a few of the activities available at Naviva. If you desire an entry back into a more populated resort environment, the property is conveniently neighboring the Four Seasons Punta Mita property as well—where you will have full access to all of the amenities, including an adults-only pool, more beach access, two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, and more dining options. As soon as you’re ready, getting back to the sanctuary of Naviva is only a two-minute car or golf cart ride away—your Guide can arrange your transport at any time.

Where Culture and Wellness Intertwine

The emphasis on privacy and highly intuitive service continues throughout the resort’s wellness programming. Every stay includes one spa treatment per guest to ensure you really get to sink in and leave feeling your best. Treatments take place in two pods tucked into a forested ravine, each featuring a dedicated room with a changing area and outdoor plunge pool. Signature massages incorporate regional ingredients like jojoba and damiana oils, while gemstone facials use jade, amethyst, and quartz.

Beyond the more familiar spa treatments, the signature temazcal ceremony is one tradition worth planning around—not only for its wellness benefits but for the cultural heritage it preserves. Offered three times each week, this Mesoamerican purification ritual traces its origins to Indigenous communities that practiced it for healing, cleansing, and spiritual renewal. Volcanic stones are heated over an open fire inside a clay dome before water infused with copal, mint, and palo santo is poured across them, filling the chamber with aromatic steam. Guided through four stages, participants emerge from the temazcal with salted lime water before heading to the Pacific for a restorative ocean dip.

Wellness stretches beyond the spa and the temazcal to the expansive estate Naviva sits on. Seaside sound healing sessions incorporate the rhythm of the waves, while yoga takes place on an outdoor platform overlooking the coast. If you’re seeking a personal training session, your Guide can arrange private strength training instruction in your bungalow. Without scheduled class times to dictate the day, it’s easy to decide what feels right in the moment.

Dining That Feels Personal

The intimate setting makes it possible to adapt every meal without sacrificing authenticity or quality.

Meals at Naviva follow the same flexibility as the rest of your stay. At Copal Cocina, the open-air kitchen feels more like the heart of a home than a formal restaurant, inviting conversation between the culinary team and everyone gathered around the table. There’s never a printed menu. Instead, the culinary team builds each meal around seasonal ingredients, the day’s catch from local fishermen, herbs from the Chef’s Garden, and preferences shared throughout the stay. The intimate setting makes it possible to adapt every meal without sacrificing authenticity or quality.

The possibilities change with the seasons. One evening may feature duck carnitas tacos, huitlacoche tamales, and whole snapper prepared a la talla with red adobo and salsa verde, while the next centers on freshly roasted meats, local vegetables, and handmade tortillas. Because of the intense level of personalization, dietary preferences aren’t treated as substitutions—they help shape each meal from the very beginning.

Beyond the Resort (If You Choose)

Tequila and raicilla tastings, cooking classes, snorkeling excursions, and trips to the Marietas Islands can all be arranged—at your pace.

While it’s tempting to spend an entire stay on-site, Riviera Nayarit offers plenty to explore beyond the Four Seasons if you wish. Tequila and raicilla tastings, cooking classes, snorkeling excursions, and trips to the Marietas Islands can all be arranged—at your pace. That flexibility now extends to a new series of Regenerative Weekends, designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of the surrounding environment. “At Naviva, nature is something you move with, learn from, and return to,” Sampere explains. “Regenerative Weekends were created as an invitation to slow down, to observe more closely, and to engage with the environment in a way that remains both personal and lasting. “Each gathering centers on a seasonal theme, pairing guided exploration with wellness, regional cuisine, and time outdoors. Be sure to connect with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to learn more about what Regenerative Weekends programming is available during your stay.

During winter months, the Ocean and Habitat Conservation weekend turns toward the Pacific with guided freediving or snorkeling, breathwork sessions, and ocean-to-table meals featuring sustainably sourced seafood from within a thirty-mile radius. Every activity is included as part of the stay, creating the freedom to participate as much—or as little—as you choose.

Planning Your Escape

Getting to this Riviera Nayarit haven is straightforward, particularly with the support of the SmartFlyer Air Team. You’ll fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), where Four Seasons can arrange a private transfer to Punta Mita in just under an hour. The best time to visit depends on the type of getaway you’re seeking. December through April brings dry weather and the opportunity to spot migrating humpback whales along the coast, while the summer rainy season offers greener landscapes, dramatic sunsets, and even greater privacy. Because of the limited number of accommodations, availability is limited throughout the year. Work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to find your best booking window.

Many resorts promise more—more restaurants, more activities, more ways to fill the day. Naviva takes a different view. By removing schedules, crowds, and constant decision-making, it creates space for something many travelers are searching for but rarely find: uninterrupted time together.

Across Asia, each Alila address is shaped by its setting, with architecture responding to topography and interiors drawing from regional materials, craftsmanship, and traditions. The brand’s roots in the continent spans five distinct landscapes: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives among the coral reefs of Raa Atoll, Alila Ubud above Bali’s rainforest, Alila Fort Bishangarh within a restored eighteenth-century fortress in Rajasthan, Alila Shanghai beside the historic Zhangyuan neighborhood, and Alila Villas Uluwatu along the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula. Together, the collection offers distinct ways to experience Asia in culmination with the places and people that define it.

Founded in Bali in 2001, Alila built its philosophy around three principles: design anchored in local culture, preservation of regional heritage, and environmental responsibility. Today, those steadfast commitments are reflected in practical operational systems across the portfolio, from climate-responsive architecture and habitat conservation to water stewardship and partnerships that support surrounding communities. But it’s the nature that surrounds them that makes it all possible—a notion evident when you examine details down to how the morning dew rises from the Ayung River Valley, granite fort walls stand above the Aravalli Hills, and restored shikumen lanes sit tucked into Shanghai’s Jing’an District.

At Alila Ubud and Alila Villas Uluwatu, which are thirty-five miles apart, closed-loop waste systems divert organic waste through composting while glass, plastic, and other materials are repurposed on site. Local and reclaimed materials appear throughout the architecture, alongside passive cooling strategies such as natural ventilation, energy-efficient windows, and green roofs where appropriate. Programs including the Giving Bag, which redistributes clothing and everyday essentials donated by guests through local charities, extend that philosophy beyond the buildings themselves.

At each property across the brand, treatments at Spa Alila and the culinary offerings draw from the traditions, ingredients, and knowledge of each property’s surroundings. Treatments incorporate regional healing practices, native botanicals, and locally inspired techniques, while dining reflects the landscapes beyond the table—whether through island-grown produce, traditional recipes, or partnerships with local farmers and producers. Together, these experiences offer another way to understand a destination, connecting wellness and cuisine to the history, culture, and resources of each locale.

…these experiences offer another way to understand a destination, connecting wellness and cuisine to the history, culture, and resources of each locale.

The brand’s signature Alila Moments follow the same approach, drawing on local practices—whether learning coconut leaf weaving from Maldivian artisans, following ancient irrigation channels with Balinese guides, or meeting craftspeople whose skills have been handed down through the generations. Those drawn to Alila aren’t usually looking to collect passport stamps for country count’s sake alone. They’re looking to understand them—through the rhythm of a reef, the history of a hillside village, or conversations with the people who’ve called these landscapes home for generations.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Arrival at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives begins with a seaplane flight from Malé, tracing the coral formations of Raa Atoll. From above, the archipelago resolves into reef rings enclosing shallow lagoons, shifting sandbanks, and densely vegetated islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Occupying a secluded island in the atoll, the property comprises eighty villas—forty-four on the beach and thirty-six over the water. The Sunrise and Sunset villas each offer their own private pools, steps directly into the lagoon, and outdoor decks for lazing on. The architecture follows the island’s natural contours, placing beach villas among native coastal vegetation and extending overwater villas across the lagoon. Pale timber, woven textures, and natural stone mirror the surrounding landscape, while every villa opens onto a private pool and ocean views.

Life here revolves around the reef. Paddleboards skim across morning water before snorkeling and diving on the house reef, where coral shelters hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, eagle rays, and schools of butterflyfish and fusiliers. Beyond the island, seasonal excursions allow guests to visit manta ray cleaning stations and deeper channels frequented by larger pelagic—or anything living in deep water—species.

The Maldives’ cultural traditions are equally present during your stay at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. Bodu Beru, the country’s centuries-old drumming and dance tradition, accompanies evenings on the island, while the “Art of Coconut” Alila Moment explores how one of the archipelago’s most abundant natural resources is transformed into baskets, ornaments, and everyday objects using techniques refined over generations. Another signature experience, “Living Like a Local,” includes spending a day on a neighboring inhabited island, introducing you to family homes, community life, and customs beyond the postcard image of the Maldives.

The architecture follows the island’s natural contours, placing beach villas among native coastal vegetation and extending overwater villas across the lagoon.

A short boat ride leads you to The Shack, a private sandbank surrounded by views of the Indian Ocean, where lunch is served near crystal-clear water. Back on the island, Spa Alila sits among the treetops; its treatment rooms are surrounded by tropical foliage for true nature-led restoration. As evening approaches, be sure to keep an eye out to the ocean to spot spinner and bottlenose dolphins who often appear offshore. Under the right conditions, nearby Vaadhoo Island glows with the celebrated Sea of Stars, as blooms of bioluminescent phytoplankton illuminate each incoming wave with electric-blue light—a phenomenon that’s impossible to schedule and unforgettable when witnessed.

Alila Ubud

From the coral reefs of the Maldives, we move to Bali’s volcanic interior. Set above the Ayung River, Alila Ubud comprises seventy-four rooms and villas surrounded by rainforests, rice terraces, and nearby villages where temple ceremonies and canang sari offerings remain part of everyday life. Your arrival will wind through bamboo groves, coconut palms, and roadside shrines before you reach the hillside retreat.

Designed as a contemporary interpretation of a Balinese village, the architecture follows the natural contours of the ridge through thatched pavilions, open-air walkways, locally quarried stone, and teak. Rooms and villas are oriented toward the valley, allowing jungle canopy, drifting dawn haze, and the river below to define the experience rather than overdone interiors. The largest suite, the 2,045-square-foot Two-Bedroom Villa, has its own water garden and infinity pool. Beyond the property, southern Bali offers a landscape shaped by both surf culture and Hindu tradition. Padang Padang Beach and Bingin Beach draw surfers to their reef breaks, while nearby Pura Uluwatu, an eleventh-century sea temple dedicated to Acintya, remains one of Bali’s most important spiritual sites. Each evening, the temple’s cliffside amphitheater hosts the Kecak fire dance, where performers create rhythmic chants and movement as the sun sets over the ocean.

The surrounding countryside is the heartbeat of why Ubud was solidified as Bali’s cultural center long before Eat Pray Love lore sparked droves of visitors to the region. Guided walks follow a subak irrigation system—a UNESCO-recognized network of cooperative waterways that’s sustained the island’s rice cultivation for more than a thousand years. Walking these pathways with a local guide organized by your SmartFlyer travel advisor reveals how water temples, farming practices, and community life remain interconnected across the valley. Nearby villages continue traditions in woodcarving, silverwork, weaving, and painting, while temple compounds remain active places of worship rather than historic monuments.

Alila Ubud’s infinity pool extends toward the forest canopy, creating one of Bali’s most recognizable views. Beyond the confines of the property, Alila Moments remain closely tied to the surrounding foothills. A hands-on Balinese cooking class begins with locally sourced ingredients before exploring recipes passed down generations, while the Rijsttafel dining experience showcases produce from Payangan’s farms through a traditional Indonesian feast served across multiple courses.

Depending on the season, your visit may coincide with Galungan, when elaborately decorated bamboo penjor line village roads as Balinese Hindu communities gather for prayers, offerings, and family celebrations. Throughout the valley, the sound of gamelan rehearsals drifts between villages, incense rises from temple courtyards, and artisans continue practices that have shaped central Bali for centuries. These time-honored traditions—not just the scenery—define what makes this part of Indonesia unlike anywhere else.

Alila Fort Bishangarh

Positioned between Delhi and Jaipur, Alila Fort Bishangarh makes a natural addition to India’s Golden Triangle route. Even so, its appeal resides beyond its location: the opportunity to stay inside a restored hilltop citadel where architecture, history, and the surrounding landscape remain closely connected. Set among the world’s oldest mountain ranges within the Aravalli Hills, Alila Fort Bishangarh occupies an eighteenth-century fort built for the Shekhawat clan, a Rajput dynasty that once controlled trade routes across northeastern Rajasthan. Its stone ramparts still overlook the villages and caravan roads they were built to protect. The drive climbs past millet and mustard fields, shepherds crossing rocky hillsides, and villages constructed from the same warm granite as the fortress itself. As the road ascends, watchtowers emerge above the ridgeline much as they would have more than two centuries ago.

Today, the property’s fifty-nine suites occupy the restored citadel.

Today, the property’s fifty-nine suites occupy the restored citadel, where barrel-vaulted ceilings, carved stone archways, narrow passageways, and interior courtyards remain intact. Heritage suites feature deeply recessed windows and carved jharokhas—the projecting stone balconies that developed into a defining element of Rajasthani architecture. Below the fort, private villas and luxury tents are built down the hillside while managing not to compete with the historic structure above. The region’s history continues beyond the storied walls. Guided walks explore former guard passages and defensive bastions before continuing into nearby villages, where families still practice hand block printing, stone carving, metalwork, and textile weaving techniques handed down from one generation to the next.

One of Alila Fort Bishangarh’s most exciting Alila Moments is “Daya ki Rasoi,” which involves travelers preparing and sharing a traditional Rajasthani meal with a local village host, offering an intimate introduction to regional hospitality and familial recipes. Evenings will find you lingering under the stars at Nazaara, where Shekhawati culinary traditions linked to vast warrior dinners involve food prepared over sandpits and open fire pits paired with views across the Aravalli Hills.

Alila Shanghai

From a hilltop fortress in Rajasthan, the journey continues to one of the world’s most sprawling and populated cities. In Shanghai’s Jing’an District, Alila Shanghai sits beside Zhangyuan, a restored neighborhood of shikumen lane houses—stone-gated residences that blend traditional Chinese layouts with Western architectural influences dating back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Designed by Ju Bin, the hotel draws from the surrounding architectural language through dark timber, textured stone, ceramics, and finely curated artwork. At its center sits Gathering, a sculptural installation by Shanghai-based visual artist Oscar Wang featuring a stainless-steel trunk and ceramic leaves that reinterpret nature among a dense urban environment. The hotel’s 186 rooms and suites carry on this dialogue between preserving the past and honoring the present. Salvaged blue bricks reclaimed from historic shikumen buildings, woven rattan, and muted finishes reference the neighborhood’s past, while floor-to-ceiling windows highlight the skyline of contemporary Shanghai. The standout stay is the 2,626-square-foot Penthouse Suite, located on the thirty-seventh floor, with views of Shanghai and a striking marble-lined bathroom with an elliptical bath.

Outside, Jing’an reveals the many layers of the city. Zhangyuan’s restored alleyways now house independent boutiques, galleries, cafés, and design studios within former residences, while nearby Nanjing West Road remains one of Shanghai’s most established shopping destinations. One of the property’s most distinctive Alila Moments is a guided architectural walk through Zhangyuan, exploring how historic homes have been adapted for contemporary life while preserving the neighborhood’s original layout, including its communal courtyards.

The hotel’s connection to local culture continues inside. Gong sound bath sessions are offered twice daily in the mornings and evenings, while an evening ritual introduces regional Shanghai delicacies served at the restaurant each night. Under Executive Chef Chuck Xing, the hotel’s four restaurants and bars embody a farm-to-table philosophy, highlighting seasonal ingredients from local producers—organic where possible—alongside menus inspired by regional culinary traditions and small batch wine selections. Environmental accountability is integrated into the property’s operations through EarthCheck’s Building Planning and Design Standard, alongside rainwater harvesting, sustainable construction materials, energy-conserving systems, and kitchen waste reduction practices. The result is a hotel that reflects Shanghai’s rich history while responding to the evolving demands of its vibrant future.

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Perched on the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, Alila Villas Uluwatu overlooks the Indian Ocean, with the surf breaks of Padang Padang and Bingin visible along the coastline below. Designed by WOHA, the Singapore-based architecture firm known for climate-responsive design, the property’s sixty-five villas are arranged to maximize natural ventilation, daylight, and ocean views. Open-air pavilions allow sea breezes to move through the spaces, while locally sourced Bali lava stone, bamboo ceilings, and native landscaping anchor the contemporary architecture to the island’s volcanic landscape.

…the property’s sixty-five villas are arranged to maximize natural ventilation, daylight, and ocean views.

Each villa includes a private pool and expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, with the Panoramic One-Bedroom Pool Villa offering one of the property’s most secluded settings above the cliffs. Sustainability is integrated into the original design through passive cooling strategies, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, energy-efficient systems, and landscaping that preserves native vegetation across the site.

One of the property’s signature Alila Moments introduces a more local perspective on the Bukit Peninsula through private experiences with community guides, including visits to family temples, traditional fishing villages, and coastal areas beyond Bali’s better-known landmarks. After sinking into these adventures, you’re sure to gain a deeper understanding of how dining can create that same connection to place. At CIRE, Mediterranean-inspired menus center on seasonal produce, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, and locally sourced seafood, including reef fish and line-caught tuna. The Warung offers traditional Balinese and Indonesian dishes in a more intimate setting, including Megibung, a communal feast that reflects the island’s culture of communal dining. Later in the evening, Batique Whiskey & Cigar provides a dramatic setting for rare spirits and conversation within its richly detailed interior. The result from these experiences is a holistic connection to Bali, from the smallest bite to every explored step.

Many Destinations, One Approach

Together, these five properties demonstrate the unique way in which Alila interprets the many singular destinations across Asia. One occupies a secluded coral island in the Maldives. Another rises above the rainforest of central Bali or along the cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula. A third preserves an eighteenth-century fort in Rajasthan, while another reinterprets heritage within Shanghai’s Zhangyuan neighborhood.

The common thread isn’t a standardized design language or overly prescribed itinerary. It’s a commitment to appreciating each destination through the people who know it best: a Maldivian artisan demonstrating coconut leaf weaving, a Balinese guide explaining the subak irrigation system, a Rajasthani craftsperson preserving hand block printing, or an architectural guide tracing the evolution of Shanghai’s shikumen neighborhoods. Long after the journey ends, those encounters go deeper than photographs. They present a more enriched understanding of the landscapes, histories, and communities that still shape some of Asia’s most compelling destinations.

For family-owned brand Rocco Forte Hotels, it’s a steadfast commitment to creating hotels that are natural extensions of the places they are rooted. This philosophy sits at the heart of the brand’s Every Suite Tells a Story initiative, bringing together a collection of signature suites conceived as individual expressions of the cities they inhabit. 

These are not simply places to stay, but entry points into local culture—where interiors, craftsmanship, art, and intuitive hospitality shape a more immersive way of traveling.

But what does it mean to actually embody the often-overused adage of “sense of place”? These are not simply places to stay, but entry points into local culture—where interiors, craftsmanship, art, and intuitive hospitality shape a more immersive way of traveling. Together, these components reveal the architecture, history, creativity, and daily life in equal measure, offering a distinct lens into a destination. 

 The foundation of this approach is deeply familial, and deliberately so. Since acquiring his first hotel project, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, Sir Rocco Forte has carried forward a legacy rooted in thoughtful hospitality. That sensibility is shaped in close collaboration with his sister, Lady Olga Polizzi, Deputy Chairman and Director of Design at Rocco Forte, whose role has been central in defining the group’s aesthetic language. Across the collection, the sibling duo has resisted uniformity in favor of character, ensuring each hotel speaks to its setting with specificity. 

Polizzi’s design practice is grounded in something instinctive. It’s about how space feels when you enter it—her design approach is guided by light, proportion, warmth, and ease. Soft lighting and thoughtful spatial balance sit alongside a careful interplay of antique and contemporary pieces, often sourced through auctions or antique fairs. Nothing is overly coordinated; instead, rooms are layered, as if assembled over time—following the most foundational of interior design principles.  

That school of thought extends into the way each property is treated almost as a personality within the wider family of hotels across the U.K., Italy, Germany, and Belgium. A playful, distinctly human approach to design ensures no two addresses feel interchangeable across the brand’s growing portfolio of fourteen different hotels and resorts. Lady Polizzi’s exacting standards mean that the local craftsmen and artisans she partners with remain closely involved in the process. These partnerships result in the intentional incorporation of textiles, ceramics, and bespoke furnishings that serve as delightful anchors to place. The same sensitivity carries through Rocco Forte Hotels‘ collection of signature suites, where these design principles shine, and each accommodation offers its own interpretation of the destination. 

Five Suites, Five Stories, One Vision 

Hotel Savoy: The Artist Suite (Florence, Italy) 

At Hotel Savoy in Florence, the Artist Suite overlooks Piazza della Repubblica, placing you in the heartbeat of the city, undeniably shaped by its creative history. Few places wear their artistic legacy as effortlessly as Florence, where a stroll through medieval streets unfolds like a tour of an open-air museum. From the genius of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci to the poetry of Sandro Botticelli, it’s long been a place where art is woven into everyday life, making the Artist Suite a natural continuation of this ethos. Checking into the Artist Suite creates the sensation of entering a thoughtfully curated gallery, like the nearby Uffizi.  

It would be easy to simply replicate Firenze’s love for tradition, but by pairing the highlights of the Golden Age with the refreshing modern art, the Artist Suite delivers something more distinct.   

Fine parquet floors, Florentine artifacts, and furnishings created by local artisans establish an immediate connection to the cradle of the Renaissance. The walls, upholstery, and joinery are enveloped in calming shades of fresh sage, creating a calming backdrop for the rotation of contemporary works on display, which offers a refreshing contrast to the old-world charm of the cobblestone streets outside. It would be easy to simply replicate Firenze’s love for tradition, but by pairing the highlights of the Golden Age with the refreshing modern art, the Artist Suite delivers something more distinct.   

The singular composition of the space continues with rich textiles by celebrated Italian houses, including C&C Milano and Dedar, which soften the interiors and add even more visual interest. An in-room bar and an elegant private dining space encourage the slower rituals of Florentine life—you’ll find it hard to resist lingering over an aperitivo as afternoon light shifts across the piazza. Sculptural forms are in conversation with carefully selected art books, while generous windows frame the lively theatre of the piazza below and the magnificent dome of Santa Maria del Fiore beyond, constantly reminding you that some of the city’s most compelling masterpieces lie just outside. 

Monforte Royal Suite at The Charles Hotel (Munich, Germany) 

In Munich, the Monforte Royal Suite at The Charles Hotel is named after Monforte, the remote Italian mountain village overlooking the Valle di Comino and the ancestral home of the Forte family. Perched on the hotel’s top floor, the suite reflects this rich heritage. Beyond its private terrace, panoramic views stretch across Munich’s architectural landmarks and the remains of the Old Botanical Garden, a recently restored historic park that links the city’s past to the landscape that inspired the suite’s name. 

…the collection creates an interior connected to both place and family history.  

Inside, a sequence of beautifully proportioned rooms unfolds through oversized double doors, allowing each space to flow naturally into the next while creating an atmosphere of openness and gentle grandeur in a one-bedroom space, or a flexible three-bedroom space. Organic forms and warm ochre tones nod to the Art Deco era and the Italian architectural heritage found throughout Munich, while vibrant color accents, curated antiques, and a striking grand piano lend the interiors both personality and warmth. 

At the heart of the suite, the dining room anchors the experience around a remarkable 1950s dining table attributed to celebrated French metalworker Raymond Subes. Its elegantly curved wrought-iron base, crowned with thick glass, is paired with plush coral velvet dining chairs.  The suite’s carefully curated art collection provides another layer of storytelling, drawing together Munich’s artistic heritage and the legacy of the lost Glass Palace, built in 1854 and once renowned for its international art exhibitions before being destroyed by fire in 1931. Interwoven with references to the Forte family’s Italian and British roots, the collection creates an interior connected to both place and family history.  

The Clementi Suite, Brown’s Hotel  (London, England)

From Munich, the journey continues to London, where Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair has welcomed writers, artists, musicians, and statesmen since 1837, serving as London’s first luxury hotel. Following a recent renovation, its latest collection of signature suites builds on that cultural legacy through a thoughtful collaboration between Lady Olga Polizzi and the renowned London interiors studio Paolo Moschino, creating spaces rooted in both the building’s history and the neighborhood’s eclectic spirit.  

The Clementi Suite at Brown’s pays homage to Roman-born composer Muzio Clementi, who made Mayfair his home, translating his Anglo-Italian story into interiors that are equally elegant and theatrical. Serene, draped fabrics and a calming color palette anchored by cult-favorite Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green lend themselves to understated refinement. Antique furnishings sit comfortably alongside contemporary artworks, reinforcing the dialogue between heritage and modern living. A concealed door—an affectionate reference to the inventive Regency-era architecture of Sir John Soane—introduces an unexpected moment of discovery, rewarding curious guests with the same intrigue that defines the city’s historic townhouses.  

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite is an excellent landing spot for families, not only because of its space, but because Brown’s has created an excellent environment for young ones. With a curated selection of toys, teepees, and activities tailored for children, the Clementi Suite will not only ignite the curiosity and artistic appreciation of the grown-ups traveling. It’s part of a centuries-old practice at the hotel, and the thoughtful moments will extend to dining and spa experiences as well.  

The Nijinsky Suite, Hotel de Russie (Rome, Italy)

Rome offers an incredibly rich expression of Every Suite Tells a Story, where some of the Eternal City’s distinct moods are expertly captured by the Rocco Forte team. At Hotel de Russie, the Nijinsky Suite pays tribute to the graceful poise of celebrated ballet dancer and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky, a frequent former guest whose artistic legacy remains forever woven into the hotel’s history.   

Throughout, a carefully curated collection of nineteenth-century and Valadier-era objets d’art lends a heightened sense of historical sophistication. 

Conceived as a grand Roman residence, the suite balances indoor and outdoor living with the same elegance and symmetry that defined Nijinsky’s performances. Italian antiques sit effortlessly alongside contemporary artworks, while vibrant red walls and terracotta cabochon flooring evoke the warmth and vitality of Rome itself. Throughout, a carefully curated collection of nineteenth-century and Valadier-era objets d’art lends a heightened sense of historical sophistication. 

Designed as much for entertaining as it is the ideal retreat from the buzziness of Rome, the spacious living room is centered around a well-appointed bar and a dining table for ten, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a private Roman salon. Beyond, the bedroom flows into a beautifully appointed dressing area, while the expansive private terrace extends the residence into the city itself, framing sweeping views across Villa Borghese, the Pincio Terrace, the hotel’s celebrated Secret Garden, and the layered rooftops of Rome. Like its namesake, the suite possesses a graceful rhythm, inviting you to move seamlessly between history and the Eternal City’s timeless theater.  

De La Ville Penthouse, Hôtel de la Ville (Rome, Italy) 

Just a short walk away at the top of the Spanish Steps, Hotel de la Ville is a sister hotel to Hotel de Russie, offering an entirely different perspective on Rome. Throughout the property, jewel-toned interiors balance contemporary Italian design with classical Roman influences, where sumptuous velvet seating, period-inspired artworks, handmade wallcoverings by Rubelli and Dedar, and custom fabrics by Zardi & Zardi create an atmosphere that is at once timeless and modern. Discreet technology—including sensor-controlled lighting and cleverly concealed televisions—ensures that the guest experience remains effortless without disrupting the hotel’s historic character.  

The De La Ville Penthouse embodies this old-meet-new approach seamlessly. The extraordinary two-story residence comprises the Canova, Roma, and De La Ville Suites. The secluded penthouse emulates an exceptional Roman pied-à-terre. Interiors draw inspiration from the terracotta rooftops below, balanced with soft sage and dove-grey tones, while hand-carved moldings and subtle Pantheon-inspired motifs are revealed by the ever-changing Roman light. Reachable by private elevator, the expansive residence unfolds into elegant living spaces and panoramic terraces overlooking the Spanish Steps.  

A carefully curated art collection reinforces the feeling of a private Roman home, while the generous outdoor spaces invite long breakfasts, sunset aperitivo, and evenings spent entertaining above the city. Outside, panoramic terraces command a remarkable outlook, stretching from the domes of St. Peter’s Basilica and San Carlo al Corso to Il Vittoriano and the distant hills beyond—a view that can easily carry you from your morning espresso to your evening aperitivo. 

Donna Franca Suite, Villa Igiea (Palermo, Italy) 

Further south in Sicily’s vibrant city of Palermo, Rocco Forte introduces a story shaped by the glamour of the island’s Belle Époque. At Villa Igiea, the Donna Franca Suite pays tribute to Donna Franca Florio, the celebrated Sicilian aristocrat whose beauty, style, and cultural influence earned her the title “Queen of Palermo.” Together with her husband, Ignazio Florio Jr., she helped transform the city into a gathering place for European royalty, artists, and intellectuals, while the Florio family left an enduring mark on Sicily’s cultural and architectural identity. 

Like its namesake, the suite captures a rare combination of elegance, specificity, and cultural depth…

Today, the hotel’s most distinguished suite reflects that remarkable legacy through a contemporary lens. Paneled cream-and-blue walls echo the changing light across the Gulf of Palermo, while local artworks and carefully considered furnishings reference the elegance of the Belle Époque and the palette of artists like painter Giovanni Boldini. Boldini’s celebrated portrait of Donna Franca immortalized her enduring sophistication and continues to inspire conversation more than one hundred years after it was first painted.  

A generous living space flows naturally onto the Gulf of Palermo-facing terrace, where freshly cut roses and peonies perfume the air. It’s perfect for long, unhurried mornings. As you embody the grace of Donna Franca’s world, this space invites you to find a link in the quiet dialogue between the interior and landscape. Like its namesake, the suite captures a rare combination of elegance, specificity, and cultural depth, making it a fitting expression of Every Suite Tells a Story.  

A Story for Everyone 

In culmination, these suites articulate the essence of Every Suite Tells a Story. Each is shaped by its destination rather than a fixed design language, allowing architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural memory to guide the experience in a way that is both personal and distinctly grounded in place. Whether moving through the creative pulse of Florence, the composed elegance of Munich, the layered paces of London, or the contrasting perspectives of Rome and Palermo, each stay becomes part of a wider narrative of travel as lived experience.  

Across the family-owned Rocco Forte Hotels collection, a shared philosophy weaves together the properties: thoughtful design, intuitive modern comforts, and a strong sense of place. Beyond the suites themselves, curated experiences extend this narrative into the cities they inhabit, offering a more fluid way of engaging with place—less structured, more instinctive, and informed by a well of context and attention to detail. Every arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter, with each suite offering a distinct expression of the city beyond its windows—and an invitation to experience Europe through stories that unfold long after departure. 

For decades, people have come to southern Utah to experience the towering sandstone walls of Zion National Park. They arrived, hiked, admired the scenery, and continued on their way. Today, the region is evolving into a place you anchor your trip, not just pass through. The region stretches across one of the most geologically fascinating corners of the American Southwest, where the Colorado Plateau, the Mojave Desert, and the Great Basin converge, each layering onto the character of Zion.

The result is cinematic—a landscape so dramatically varied that every turn reveals something unexpected. That sense of discovery and possibility has become one of Greater Zion’s defining characteristics, with the region evolving to welcome those who no longer want their trips defined by adventure at the expense of comfort.

Zion’s emerging appeal lies in experiences that allow travelers to move, explore, recover, and reconnect—all within the same destination.

Instead, Zion’s emerging appeal lies in experiences that allow travelers to move, explore, recover, and reconnect—all within the same destination. Perhaps this evolution explains why Greater Zion has begun attracting a different kind of traveler, aided by the addition of Black Desert Resort. Golf lovers stay for bucket-list rounds unlike anywhere else in the world, with the option to add in top-tier wellness experiences and access to some of the country’s most exciting national park adventures.

The New Face of the American West

For those seeking dramatic natural beauty, meaningful outdoor adventure, and a destination that still feels refreshingly undiscovered, Greater Zion has become one of the American West’s most compelling destinations. With Black Desert Resort as your base, every day begins with the promise of discovery—and ends immersed in one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the country.

With 447 rooms and suites, seven restaurants and bars, and a 15,000-square-foot spa, it’s a world in and of itself.

The resort opened in 2024 in the town of Ivins, just outside St. George—less than 120 miles from Las Vegas and considered a top hub for exploring the American Southwest. Built across more than 600 acres of preserved volcanic terrain, Black Desert Resort rises from this corner of the desert. Every pathway, terrace, and panoramic window has been deliberately positioned to frame the ways in which Black Desert Resort has expertly married geology and design. This philosophy extends throughout the property—the largest resort in the state of Utah. With 447 rooms and suites, seven restaurants and bars, and a 15,000-square-foot spa, it’s a world in and of itself.

Interiors lean into warm desert tones, natural stone, and striking onyx accents. Spacious guest rooms, suites, and multi-bedroom residences open onto uninterrupted views of the championship golf course, the volcanic terrain, and sandstone cliffs in the distance. Broad windows dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors. The resort describes its philosophy simply: a place where laid-back comfort and limitless adventure coexist.

A Golf Experience Unlike Anywhere Else on Earth

For many, golf is the leading reason to book Black Desert Resort. Designed by legendary architect Tom Weiskopf as the seventy-third and final course of his celebrated career before his death in 2022, the championship layout represents the culmination of decades spent crafting some of the world’s most respected golf courses. Long anticipated by the golf community, the course is unlike anything else in Weiskopf’s portfolio. Rather than reshaping the landscape, Weiskopf embraced it, routing fairways directly through 600 acres of ancient basalt lava flows at the edge of Snow Canyon.

Every hole reveals a different expression of Southern Utah’s remarkable geology. Jet-black volcanic rock frames ribbons of emerald fairways, while towering vermilion cliffs and distant sandstone mesas create a backdrop that changes with the shifting light throughout the day. The opening holes ease players into the terrain before the routing climbs and falls across hardened lava fields, where natural rock outcroppings become strategic hazards as much as visual landmarks. Sweeping 360-degree views accompany nearly every shot across the 7,500-yard, par-seventy-two layout.

Like Weiskopf’s most celebrated designs, the course rewards thoughtful decision-making over brute force. Strategic drivable par fours tempt longer hitters to be aggressive, while generous landing areas and multiple tee boxes keep the layout approachable for golfers of varying abilities. Risk-and-reward opportunities appear throughout the round, with wide fairways often narrowing around native lava formations and well-positioned bunkers demanding careful club selection. The immaculate bent grass greens provide a striking contrast against the surrounding desert. The experience extends well beyond the scorecard. State-of-the-art GPS-equipped carts provide detailed course information while expansive practice facilities—including a driving range, short-game area, and putting greens—allow players to settle into the unique conditions before teeing off. Non-golfers often choose to ride along simply to experience the landscape from within the course itself.

The professional golf world has taken notice. Black Desert Resort now hosts both PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour events, returning top-level professional golf to Utah for the first time in six decades. Watching the game’s best navigate fairways carved through ancient lava fields only reinforces what players discover the moment they step onto the first tee: there is simply nowhere else in golf that looks—or plays—quite like Black Desert.

Getting Active Off the Green

Although golf may introduce many to Black Desert Resort, the property has more to offer after an excellent day on the green. The championship pickleball complex has positioned Black Desert Resort among the country’s premier destinations for one of America’s fastest-growing sports, welcoming everyone from first-time players to seasoned competitors. Golfers with families will soon have even more to look forward to with the debut of Black Desert Rapids, a five-acre water park designed for all ages. Water slides, lazy rivers, splash zones, and resort pools will complement the property’s growing collection of outdoor experiences.

Wellness Rooted in Movement

Just as golf anchors the resort’s active pursuits, wellness shapes the experience for those seeking to rest. Those looking to deepen their longevity practice are invited to sink into its expansive offerings rather than confine “wellness” to a single spa appointment. Black Desert Resort has crafted an environment where recovery naturally follows exploration.

At the heart of the property sits Plume Spa & Wellness, the 15,000-square-foot sanctuary dedicated to restoration, recovery, and longevity. The spa was conceived for those returning from hikes, rounds of golf, cycling excursions, or days spent exploring southern Utah’s remarkable terrain. Signature treatments combine restorative touch with advanced biohacking technologies, including infrared therapy, hyperbaric oxygen sessions, sensory-deprivation float experiences, and bespoke recovery rituals inspired by the desert. We love the Desert Bloom Revitalizing Ritual, a two-hour facial, massage, and leg treatment designed to restore circulation and reduce fatigue.

Black Desert Resort has crafted an environment where recovery naturally follows exploration.

The spa experience extends beyond the treatment rooms, with the facility extending into an expansive fitness center and heated pools. Outdoors, there are more than six miles of on-property trails, creating an easy rhythm between movement and recovery woven through your days. For an even deeper experience, you can stay in one of the resort’s eight Plume Wellness Collection rooms on the property. Each is stocked with a full collection of extras: CBD-infused pillows, infrared therapy blankets, and aromatherapy sourced from locally harvested botanicals.

Beyond the Resort

One of Black Desert Resort’s greatest strengths is all that lies just beyond the property. Positioned in the heart of Greater Zion, the resort sits at the doorstep of one of the largest concentrations of protected lands in the United States.

• Snow Canyon State Park: Just a five-minute drive from the resort, Snow Canyon State Park is one of Southern Utah’s under-the-radar gems. With dramatic desert scenery, accessible hiking and cycling trails, and far fewer crowds than the nearby national parks, it’s an easy half-day adventure for families, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
• Zion National Park: Less than an hour drive from the resort, Zion National Park remains one of America’s defining natural wonders. Whether securing a permit for Angels Landing, wading through The Narrows, or simply taking in the soaring sandstone cliffs along the scenic drive, every visit offers a different perspective. Arrive early during peak season to avoid the biggest crowds.
• Kanarra Falls: A roughly fifty-minute drive from the resort, Kanarra Falls is one of Southern Utah’s most rewarding hikes—and it presents a real challenge. The four-mile round-trip trail winds through a narrow slot canyon, following a creek past cascading waterfalls and iconic wooden ladders, which you’ll need to scale in order to complete the journey. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can secure the required reservations; just come prepared to get your feet wet.
• Bryce Canyon National Park: A two-and-a-half-hour drive from the resort, Bryce Canyon National Park makes for one of the American West’s most spectacular day trips. Its iconic hoodoos and vast amphitheaters are especially striking at sunrise and sunset, when the landscape glows in brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and rose.

Notably, both Zion and Snow Canyon are certified Dark Sky destinations—a designation from the nonprofit DarkSky, which works to conserve natural environments by limiting light pollution. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can book a private guided tour of one of these Dark Sky experiences under some of the least light-polluted skies in the United States with an astronomer.

Refined Taste Against Rugged Beauty.

Back on property, the culinary program at Black Desert Resort reflects the same sense of place that defines the surrounding landscape. Each restaurant and café feels intentionally tied to the rhythm of the destination, whether you’re fueling up before a sunrise tee time, lingering over lunch between adventures, or settling in for a memorable dinner after a day spent exploring Greater Zion.

Early risers will gravitate towards Lava Love ready with expertly brewed coffee, house-made pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and grab-and-go treats, making it an effortless stop before heading out for golf, hiking, or a day exploring Southern Utah. Latitude, an open-air rooftop venue overlooking Snow Canyon, is a favorite from morning to evening. Begin the day with breakfast and fresh mountain air, then return for casual bites and cocktails as the sun dips behind the surrounding red rock cliffs. Nearby, Oasis brings vibrant Southwestern flavors to the table with a Mexican taqueria-inspired menu featuring tacos, fresh chips and salsa, and refreshing cocktails, all served in another open-air setting. For guests craving classic comfort food, Club 73 delivers a welcoming backyard barbecue atmosphere complete with smoked brisket, live music, and laid-back outdoor seating.

Each restaurant and café feels intentionally tied to the rhythm of the destination, whether you’re fueling up before a sunrise tee time or settling in for a memorable dinner after a day spent exploring Greater Zion.

For a casual atmosphere, 20th Hole captures the energy of a lively sports lounge across 14,000 square feet. Oversized televisions, immersive VR golf simulators, handcrafted cocktails, local beers, nitro lemonade, and indulgent milkshakes accompany an elevated menu of all-American pub favorites—from hot wings to burgers—making it the ideal place to celebrate a memorable round, gather with family, or catch the day’s biggest game. At the heart of the resort is Basalt, the signature steakhouse, where regionally sourced prime-aged beef, sustainably sourced seafood, and Utah-made cheeses headline a menu rooted in quality ingredients. Seasonal produce, craft cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine list elevate the experience, while warm stone finishes, contemporary interiors, and sweeping desert views create an elegant backdrop.

Collectively, the collection of on-property restaurants creates a dining program that feels as thoughtfully curated as the resort itself—celebrating regional ingredients, spectacular scenery, and the easygoing spirit that defines Black Desert Resort.

When to Visit Greater Zion

Southern Utah benefits from incredibly varied seasons, which offers a different perspective on the region. Spring and autumn remain the most sought-after months, when mild daytime temperatures create ideal conditions for hiking, cycling, climbing, and golf. Wildflowers add unexpected color to the desert, while cool mornings give way to warm, comfortable afternoons, perfect for exploring the nearby parks.

Summer moves at a slower pace, a necessity during warmer days. Early mornings belong to the trails before the desert heat settles in, while afternoons naturally shift toward shaded terraces, the pools, or the spa. As temperatures cool each evening, outdoor dining becomes one of the day’s highlights, accompanied by fiery sunsets that illuminate the surrounding sandstone cliffs.

Winter offers cooler temperatures that make hiking exceptionally comfortable; trails become noticeably quieter, and occasional snowfall dusting the red cliffs creates one of the Southwest’s most striking seasonal settings. Golf remains playable throughout much of the season, making southern Utah an appealing escape when many other destinations are blanketed in snow.

Getting There

Despite its dramatic setting, Greater Zion is remarkably easy to reach. St. George Regional Airport is just twenty minutes from Black Desert Resort, with convenient daily connections to Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, and Dallas. You can also choose to fly into Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, then enjoy one of the Southwest’s most scenic two-hour drives through the Mojave Desert before arriving in southern Utah.

Ready to discover southern Utah’s wonder? Contact your SmartFlyer Travel Advisor today.

For East Coasters, options abound when it comes to a road trip. But for ultimate Americana nostalgia, few routes compare to winding from coastal Rhode Island to Maine. From Ocean House‘s expansive private, white-sand beach to a freshly caught seafood feast at Chatham Bars Inn, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite New England getaways, each easily combinable on a road trip.

Ocean House

Watch Hill, Rhode Island

With sweeping ocean views and a timeless elegance that evokes the ambiance of idyllic summers, the Ocean House in Rhode Island makes for a dreamy start to your New England road trip getaway. This boutique, luxury hotel with resort-like amenities is situated right on the beach and offers the highest level of service throughout the property and its forty-nine newly remodeled rooms and 18 suites. These spacious accommodations are each richly appointed to reflect the feel of a sprawling seaside estate, offering an unrivaled residential experience.

In the summertime, make sure you arrive early on Fridays so as not to miss the good, old-fashioned New England lobster boil on the beach, complete with a live band. We also love starting the evening with a glass of Veuve at the property’s Secret Garden champagne bar endorsed by Town & Country, Perks & Corks as well as Malted Barley. Other spots not to miss for a bite include Olympia Tea Room—recognized by Vanity Fair as being “famous not fancy“—as well as Ellas and Cooked Goose.

Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection

Newport, Rhode Island

Originally built by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, a scion of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, this property dates back to 1909 as a vintage Newport mansion that has been restored to its former glory. In fact, it’s one of the few private homes of the era to open its doors to welcome guests. Located right on the waterfront, The Vanderbilt is easily one of Newport’s best-kept secrets. Plus, with only thirty-three rooms and luxury suites, it’s perfectly private.

Should you want to get your legs moving, Vanderbilt is ideally situated to get out and explore – the 3.5-mile walk along the Newport Cliffs allows for the opportunity to see the town’s famous mansions. For some shopping, we recommend checking out Shore Soap Company and Thames Glass. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, a bite at The Mooring is hit the spot. Or, there’s the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Vanderbilt Grill, a sumptuous restaurant where the best local ingredients are on offer in imaginative menus which change throughout the year. For cocktails, check out Fluke and finish up at Dockside for some nightlife.

Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham, Massachusetts

Cape Cod has long been one of New England’s most honored and historic getaways, encompassing 17th-century towns and the spectacular Cape Cod National Seashore. Chatham Bars Inn is our favorite property in the region as it occupies twenty-five acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and sandy ocean beaches, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. Decades back, guests splashed in the surf, played golf in the tangy sea air, took afternoon tea on the wide veranda overlooking panoramic ocean vistas, and dined on the best New England cuisine, featuring fresh-from-the-ocean seafood. Today, you can enjoy the resort lifestyle as so many did, so long ago, at Chatham Bars Inn, lovingly restored to its original grandeur, yet completely updated with the latest amenities.

When you’re ready for an adventure, there are options abound. The property has a fleet of boats for sportfishing, sailing, and day trips to Nantucket Island. No matter if you choose to relax or take up one of the activities, you’ll be sure to feel the quintessential New England vibe. If you’d like to get off property, we adore Chatham Wine Bar and The Squire for cocktails before heading to dinner at Bluefin Sushi & Sake Bar.

Cliff House Maine

Cape Neddick, Maine

Conveniently located in Southern Maine between Ogunquit and York, your New England road trip will take you an hour’s drive north of Boston and a forty-minute drive from Portland. Cliff House is one of the most captivating oceanfront destinations of its kind after a landmark transformation. The property is set on the edge of the Atlantic on the rocky coast of Southern Maine with year-round activities. Cliff House offers panoramic ocean and coastal views from over 130 stylish rooms and suites. The hotel is also just a short distance from Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country’s largest.

Guests will have no trouble staying entertained and active at Cliff House Maine. In addition to having countless wonderful spots to simply relax and enjoy the remarkable ocean views, they also have many options for those who crave a more engaging experience. Amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a beautiful luxury spa, and access to the challenging course at the adjacent Cape Neddick Golf Club. Be sure to stop at Walkers, the ultimate stop for a bite, or The Front Porch for cocktails.

White Barn Inn, Auberge Collection

Kennebunkport, Maine

Located in the beautiful coastal town of Kennebunkport, your New England road trip culminates in a stay at White Barn Inn. This staple has been a beloved local landmark for over 150 years, synonymous with warm New England hospitality, rustic charm, and uncompromising attention to detail. Just a ninety-minute drive north of Boston, this inviting property is renowned as one of the country’s most distinctive getaways. The twenty-six-room inn is super cozy, offering guests supreme levels of quality, luxury, and service. Beyond our favorite waterfront cottages, there is a swimming pool and convenient access to fine shopping and art galleries in the charming coastal town of Kennebunkport.

Ocean and Earth at Hidden Pond are your go-tos for a bite off of the property, while we love Old Vines Wine Bar or 50 Local for a drink. But, for the best-kept secret, be sure to check out Little Barn for farm-to-table delights. For a fine dining experience, The White Barn Restaurant has both a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star endorsement to satisfy the ultimate foodie. Try the 9-course chef’s tasting menu for a true culinary experience!

The archipelago, scattered across the Indian Ocean more than 1,000 miles off Kenya’s coast, has long attracted honeymooners. But today, its demographics are evolving, increasingly drawing safari-goers and those seeking a destination that awaits discovery rather than feeling overly advertised. For years, the Maldives was the go-to for overwater villas and its signature turquoise water. Meanwhile, the Seychelles stayed under the radar—less talked about, less developed, and for many, a bit of a mystery. Now, the allure of the Seychelles continues to quietly grow.

The allure of the Seychelles continues to quietly grow.

Part of the Seychelles’ increasing appeal is how naturally it pairs with an African safari, and few travel experiences rival the contrast. One week might be spent tracking lions across Kenya’s Maasai Mara, watching elephants traverse Botswana’s Okavango Delta, or witnessing the Great Migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti. The next is spent swimming in warm Indian Ocean waters and waking to the rush of waves outside a beachfront villa.

The pairing works particularly well because the seasons complement one another. Travelers visiting East Africa during peak wildlife-viewing months can easily continue on to the Seychelles, where the weather is best during the spring and fall. After early mornings, game drives, and the pace of safari, the islands provide a different rhythm. Days slow down, meals go longer, schedules fall away. It is this contrast—adventure followed by restoration—that has made the Seychelles one of the most coveted beach extensions for seasoned safari travelers. As always, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can craft the ideal itinerary to combine bush and beach.

Today, this multicultural history can be felt as the islanders’ Creole culture blends African, European, and Asian traditions, expressed through music, architecture, and the destination’s cuisine.

Granite peaks rise from turquoise water. Tropical forests that tumble down to beaches which still appear untouched. Across its 115 islands that make up the archipelago, curiosity is rewarded. The inner islands of the Seychelles are among the oldest granite islands on earth, creating dramatic mountain landscapes that seem to emerge directly from the sea. Notably, the islands’ history adds even more nuance and intrigue. Officially uninhabited until the 18th century, the Seychelles were under French and British flags before gaining independence in 1976. Today, this multicultural history is evident in the islanders’ Creole culture, which blends African, European, and Asian traditions and is expressed through music, architecture, and the destination’s cuisine. Visitors will feel this sensibility in grilled seafood, coconut curries, breadfruit, and locally grown vanilla, which reflect the archipelago’s multicultural roots and close relationship with the sea.

For many visitors, the surprise isn’t how beautiful the Seychelles is—it’s how much there is to do once they arrive, and, increasingly, the sophisticated jet set are taking notice. The island blends classic experiences like sailing between islands, diving among coral reefs, with destination-only opportunities like kayaking through marine parks, fishing in some of the Indian Ocean’s richest waters and visiting UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai on Praslin—home to the rare coco de mer palm. Giant Aldabra tortoises roam several islands, while birdwatchers and conservation enthusiasts are drawn to the country’s biodiversity. Spend the morning trekking through the verdant hills of Morne Seychellois National Park, the afternoon snorkeling among vibrant reefs, and the evening dining barefoot on the sand, the landscape serving as an incredible restoration.

The Sixth Maison 

The arrival of Cheval Blanc Seychelles is the clearest sign yet that the destination has entered a new era. When Cheval Blanc opens a hotel, the industry pays attention. Under the legendary LVMH umbrella, since opening its first property in 2006, this boutique hospitality brand has never pursued growth for growth’s sake. The portfolio remains intentionally small, with maisons in Courchevel, St. Tropez, Paris, St. Barth, and the Maldives, with Cheval Blanc Seychelles joining the collection in December 2024. 

A singular focus on quality is central to every Cheval Blanc stay. Each property is intended to reflect the character of its destination while drawing upon the extended LVMH ecosystem—from commissioned art to culinary partnerships, craftsmanship, and service standards that mirror the group’s approach across its fashion, jewelry, wine, and beauty houses. The Seychelles property brings many of these hallmark elements to its guests in the first Maison in Africa. For instance, a dedicated Guerlain Spa offers treatments developed specifically for the destination, in addition to a curated collection of commissioned contemporary art, and dining concepts that place gastronomy at the center of your stay. 

Seychelles opens the door to a destination rather than a self-contained resort setting.

For LVMH, the decision to open Seychelles was not about adding another beach resort to its portfolio—it did not need another. Instead, expansion into the Seychelles embodies a strategic evolution for the brand. While Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives perfected the private-island fantasy, Seychelles opens the door to a destination rather than a self-contained resort setting. It is part of a broader transition toward prioritizing meaningful experiences and a strong sense of place alongside privacy, comfort, and world-class taste. 

Where in the Seychelles is Cheval Blanc? 

Set on Mahé’s southern coast overlooking Anse Intendance—one of the island’s most spectacular beaches—Cheval Blanc Seychelles is defined by its dramatic vistas. The resort’s fifty-two villas are spread across the landscape, some along the beach and others perched on the lush hillsides. Every villa features a private pool, generous indoor-outdoor living spaces, and uninterrupted views. The villas range from one-bedroom retreats to grand multi-bedroom residences for extended-family stays, while amenities including tennis, padel courts, dedicated children’s spaces, five restaurants, and three bars create a sense of a fully realized resort destination.  

Designed by acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy, the property draws inspiration from the island itself, incorporating natural materials, open-air architecture, and sweeping sightlines that frame the ocean and surrounding tropical landscape. Original works by artists including Joël Andrianomearisoa, Maximilien Pellet, and Prune Nourry were commissioned specifically for the maison. Le 1947, Cheval Blanc’s signature restaurant concept ties the property back to the heritage of Château Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux. These layers of art, wellness, gastronomy, and craftsmanship define a stay rooted in something feels signature to the Seychelles. 

Art and Design at Cheval Blanc Seychelles 

For over two decades, Cheval Blanc’s properties have woven the local culture into their approach to hospitality, and Seychelles is no exception. The property’s design draws on Seychellois nature and Creole traditions, with open spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Architect Jean-Michel Gathy created a place that is both thoughtful and relaxed, melding with the island’s landscape. Gathy, principal designer at Denniston since 1983 and a Platinum Circle inductee, has brought destinations to life through striking details and is sought after at top properties.  

Having previously worked on the stand-out award-winning Cheval Blanc Randheli and a selection of other “who’s who” in the design world, bringing Cheval Blanc Seychelles to life proved a natural evolution of design storytelling for Gathy. Beyond his work with Cheval Blanc, Gathy has also worked on the iconic Aman New York and One&Only Reethi Rah. Committing to building on the concept of what an elevated hotel stay should feel like, Gathy has long leaned on a design philosophy grounded in precision and simplicity. “Elegance doesn’t come from wearing high heels; on vacation, it’s about being sophisticated yet relaxed,” Gathy told Luxury Guide. “It is this type of casual-chic atmosphere that I have tried to translate at Cheval Blanc Seychelles.” 

The casual-chic style defines the villas and property: natural light, airy spaces with sculpted lines, unobstructed views, and modernist design. Fiberglass, raw stone, and wood balance purity with sophistication. Villas dot the property, some along the sand, others on the hillside. Each is a private sanctuary offering open-air living, infinity pools, and terraces made for lingering. Whether you come as a couple or with family, the result is a calm connection to the landscape that’s hard to replicate.  

Set against Gathy’s award-winning designs, Malagasy artist Joël Andrianomearisoa created a single piece of bespoke textile work that runs throughout the resort’s villas, drawing inspiration from the colors and rhythms of the islands. Shades of wild green, soft ochre, and ocean blue appear throughout the collection. The pieces “describe the start and unfolding of an adventure, of different textures,” according to Andrianomearisoa. His work stretches into Le White, where the primary restaurant doubles as a gallery space and deepens the connection between art, design, and destination. 

…shades of wild green celebrate the destination’s vitality, creativity, and biodiversity.

Throughout the property, Parisian artist Maximilien Pellet’s large-scale frescoes bring energy and movement to Vivamento, the resort’s Italian restaurant. Pellet’s work references Etruscan banquets, and his fresco hangs above the bar, functioning as a visual anchor in the room, which also features a stunning spiral staircase. Pellet’s ceramic piece, The Grand Banquet, features simplified animal and human forms in only three colors: green, blue, and white. The result is a dynamic celebration as a backdrop to artful food, honoring la dolce vita. 

French sculptor Prune Nourry’s Le Centauresse welcomes guests at the entrance, creating a dramatic first impression that appears both contemporary and deeply connected to the natural environment. Throughout the property, shades of wild green celebrate the destination’s vitality, creativity, and biodiversity. In classic Cheval Blanc fashion, the role of scent also plays a powerful part in the guest experience. The fragrance “Jungle Chic” from Master perfumer Thierry Wasser brings another layer to the stay—woody, musky, and distinctly tied to the landscape. The cumulative impact of this careful curation threads together to imprint itself in the memory of your stay. 

For Couples and Families Alike 

A natural setting and built environment that is intuitive to intimacy…

Activities abound for everyone, with the chance to organize private boat excursions along untouched coastlines, take guided nature walks through Mahé’s rainforest trails, tennis and padel with private coaches, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking in sheltered bays where conditions are calm and supervised, and even spending evening stargazing on the beach or villa terrace, with dessert service, or private movie screenings under the open sky.  

Cheval Blanc Seychelles is undeniably romantic. Private villas open onto secluded terraces. Sunset cocktails overlook Anse Intendance. The Guerlain Spa offers treatments inspired by the island’s natural elements, while evenings often unfold over long dinners at Le 1947. For honeymooners, anniversary celebrants, or travelers seeking privacy, the resort is a natural fit. 

A natural setting and built environment that is intuitive to intimacy, couples can take private sunset walks along Anse Intendance, indulge in sunrise breakfast picnics, a Wonders of Earth treatment at the Spa by Guerlain, an in-villa wine-tasting from the LVMH collection, and private yacht charters to the nearby Île Cocos for moments shared on uninhabited beaches.  

But the property doesn’t cater to couples alone. Multi-bedroom villas allow families and multigenerational groups to spend quality time together while having plenty of room to spread out. Dedicated Ambassadeurs and Majordomes tailor experiences, making family travel effortless. And for those with littles, you can still enjoy days spent lounging at the pool thanks to the resort’s expansive kids’ club for children between the ages of three and twelve, which goes far beyond the traditional offering.  

Set within a landscaped, light-filled pavilion of more than 1,500 square meters, Le Carrousel is divided into zones that mirror the island itself.

Set within a landscaped, light-filled pavilion of more than 1,500 square meters, Le Carrousel is divided into zones that mirror the island itself—creative ateliers, nature-inspired discovery areas, and outdoor spaces that encourage movement and exploration. Programming is shaped around Seychellois culture and ecology, with activities ranging from coconut painting and Creole storytelling to guided nature walks, beach games, and marine-themed workshops, designed for different age groups, including toddlers and pre-teens. Ambassadeurs adapt daily schedules to each child’s interests.  

The Best Time to Visit Seychelles 

Unlike many tropical destinations, Seychelles does not have a single “best” season. Its location near the equator means warm temperatures year-round, making it one of the most versatile destinations in the Indian Ocean. April through May and October through November are often considered the sweet spots. During these months, calmer seas create ideal conditions for snorkeling, diving, and boating, while temperatures remain comfortably warm. June through September brings slightly cooler weather and trade winds that appeal to sailors and surfers. December through March can be warmer and more humid, though still highly appealing for beach-focused travelers. For safari combinations, the flexibility of seasonality makes Seychelles especially enticing. Whether planning around migration season in East Africa or wildlife viewing in Botswana, Seychelles fits comfortably into almost any itinerary. 

Getting There  

For years, the Seychelles was one of travel’s best-kept secrets. Cheval Blanc’s arrival suggests that the secret may not remain one for much longer. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about Seychelles is that it is difficult to reach. While the destination is remote, your SmartFlyer travel advisor is armed with the best routes to ensure your journey is smooth. Many travelers connect through Dubai (DXB), Doha (DIA), or Abu Dhabi (AUH), with regular flights from all three Gulf hubs into Mahé International Airport. For those combining the trip with an African safari, there are direct flights from Johannesburg (JNB), Nairobi (NBO), Addis Ababa (ADD), and Mauritius (MRU), with travel times averaging three to five hours. From the United States, the journey proves no more complicated than reaching many destinations in Southeast Asia. Cheval Blanc Seychelles sits approximately thirty minutes from the airport on Mahé’s southern coast. The drive winds through thriving tropical landscapes before arriving at Anse Intendance, where the resort emerges between jungle and sea. 

For those seeking something special, Seychelles is striking a chord right now. It has all the beauty and privacy you would hope for in an Indian Ocean getaway, with a strong sense of place coupled with an endless well of possibility. For years, the Seychelles was one of travel’s best-kept secrets. Cheval Blanc’s arrival suggests that the secret may not remain one for much longer. 

Today, with 400 vineyards, 250 days of sunshine a year, 150 restaurants—including fifteen Michelin stars—and ninety tasting rooms, the destination is ripe with choice. Rich history and breathtaking landscapes round Napa Valley’s offerings, making it an unparalleled destination defined by its signature laid-back sophistication.

It’s the kind of place where you settle in without trying, surrounded by the valley’s quiet magic.

Just thirty-five miles long and five miles wide, Napa Valley is compact, but wineries wind into the mountain ranges up each side of the valley. Here, you’ll find highly coveted wine tastings, hot air balloon rides over vine-covered hills, and a respite from a more hurried pace in nearby cities like San Francisco. In St. Helena, one of the region’s five distinct towns, sits Meadowood Napa Valley.

Days at this iconic property move with the seasons, with the estate managing to feel both untamed and polished. Accommodations are generous in size, and the culinary offering is thoughtful. For active travelers, there’s always something to do—whether that’s a match on the tennis courts or an afternoon spent delving into one of the robust tasting courses with the team of on-site wine experts. Tucked among the Vaca mountain range, Meadowood sits as a private valley unto itself—rolling from mountain ridges down through meadows and vineyards, all the way to the nearby river. Mornings here start with birdsong, while evenings are best anchored by winding down with a glass of something local as the sun slips behind the hills. It’s the kind of place where you settle in without trying, surrounded by the valley’s quiet magic.

About Meadowood Napa Valley

Founded in 1961 and acquired by H. William Harlan in 1979, Meadowood Napa Valley has dedicated itself to delivering exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for its guests for more than half a century. This commitment to exemplary hospitality has made Meadowood a touchstone for travelers seeking a stay in California wine country, as well as a gathering place for the local community’s social, cultural, and viticultural life.

But the region is no stranger to environmental strife. Much like the broader Napa Valley, the estate—rooted in a unique heritage—has grown and evolved. What started as a modest country club expanded under Harlan’s vision into a sprawling resort that would eventually encompass freestanding cottage accommodations, three swimming pools, an award-winning spa, and an acclaimed three-Michelin-Star culinary fixture, The Restaurant at Meadowood. Lost in the Glass Fire of 2020, The Restaurant at Meadowood, along with the northern section of the property, remains closed while ownership commits itself to a redevelopment project currently underway. In the meantime, Meadowood is operating at a more intimate scale, with thirty-six lodge-style retreats and the central, daily Forum restaurant. 

What continues to set it apart is Meadowood’s exceptional service. Their hyper-personalized approach remains a throughline in their work with all guests, offering a welcoming immersion into Napa Valley’s joyful, imaginative approach to both recreation and relaxation.  A longtime recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards for both hotel and spa, Meadowood earned Three Keys from the Michelin Guide in 2024, when the first-ever global Key selection debuted—an honor it holds to today. A gathering place, private club, and intimate country hotel for generations, the 250-acre wine-country estate invites guests into the family and community life of Napa.

One day, you might be learning the story of wine through a handful of glasses; another day, you’re blind tasting like a sommelier…

The Wine Center at Meadowood lets you fully immerse yourself in the culture of wine. When booking a class here, the center’s renowned educators offer tailored courses and experiences. One day, you might be learning the story of wine through a handful of glasses; another day, you’re blind tasting like a sommelier, with The Wine Center’s wide range of programming that explores wine fundamentals, history, and culture through curated, approachable tastings over the course of an hour to an hour-and-a-half. Classes include “The History of Wine in Five Glasses,” “Secrets of the Sommelier: Blind Tasting,” and “Wine Tasting 101.” “Borders, Bottles and Battlefields” examines wine in international history, while “Extreme Winemaking” delves into vineyard farming. Some classes feature bottles from producers without tasting rooms, granting rare industry access.

Guided winery tours are tailored to your interests—meaning those with a deeper knowledge can go granular, while those just entering the world of wine can learn the basics.  Kelli A. White, Director of Education for The Wine Center at Meadowood, brings a decade of experience as a sommelier in New York City and Napa Valley, and is the author of the acclaimed books Napa Valley, Then & Now and Wine Confident. We sat down with Kelli to dig deep into wine education, get tips on traveling with the curiosity of a sommelier, and to learn how to transform your next Napa Valley trip into a truly spectacular experience—whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth.

Check out our interview with Meadowood Napa Valley’s Wine Center Director, Kelli A. White, below. 

SmartFlyer: Can you define wine education and tell us a bit about the wine education available at Meadowood?

“We have an extensive note-taking system where we record every wine served in each class, who attended, and sometimes even any strong preferences noted, so we can track someone’s development.”

Kelli A. White: That very ubiquitous wine education of: “What do you smell in this glass?”—we can do that. We do some of that, but for me it’s less universally interesting, and we often find that it’s just the way of things: when you have a group, or even when you have one couple, one person can be more wine-engaged than the other. If you get too kind of granular and gritty in the “What do you smell?” in a class, you might be leaving somebody behind. It’s not that you can’t talk about that, but by broadening the subject of wine to include things like history, fine art, politics, and the sciences, we have found that it’s a really great way to get everybody involved, because even if they aren’t the biggest wine geek, they probably care about these larger, more human subjects. It makes it less niche, and I think it’s also what makes it more enriching, so it’s a double positive for how we approach the curriculum we create at Meadowood.

I have basically two fundamental principles: we want to create things that could only happen at Meadowood, and we always operate under the assumption that we’ll see that person again. We have an extensive note-taking system where we record every wine served in each class, who attended, and sometimes even any strong preferences noted, so we can track someone’s development. Next time they come back, we can look at what they’ve done. The wine selections change all the time, and anything is customizable. It’s really about meeting people where they’re at and just helping turn up the volume on their passion and interest in creating experiences you can only have at Meadowood.

SF: What are some of the wine education experiences unique to Meadowood?

KAW: We leverage Meadowood’s special position at the center of the wine-growing community here. It’s a private operation, owned by prominent vintners, and has a long history in the valley as a gathering place. We lean on that by gaining access to people who don’t speak to the public often. We just had Heidi Barrett [A California winemaker known as the “Queen of Cult Cabernet”] give a vintner chat, and she doesn’t do much public speaking. Meadowood’s reputation attracts people and makes them feel it’s a place where they’ll be honored and appreciated.

“There’s no substitute for meeting the proprietor or the winemaker or the vineyard manager or the cellar master, somebody that’s hands-on in the creation of that wine.”

Another unique facet of our programming is that I like to pair people up. This is something we’ve done both in our vintner chats and in our wine dinners. If a winemaker travels to do winemaker dinners and speaking engagements, they end up telling the same stories over and over again. We found that when two people who know each other have a moderated conversation, there is more intimacy, a much more interesting, usually entertaining, and informative understanding of them as a person and as a representative of the wine industry.

SF: What are your tips for having an exceptional visit to Napa Valley?

KAW: If it’s your first time in Napa Valley, you have a selection of favorite wines, and you want to visit those wineries to deepen that connection, I think that’s great. That’s probably what most people do, but I would say that a more successful and exciting trip would balance that against the unknown, because especially in a place like Napa—and this is true in a lot of wine regions—some of the more exciting operations tend to be smaller in scale, and so therefore might not be distributed to your market, and you may not be aware of them.

“Mix up the known with the unknown, mix up the classics with the more far-flung places.”

Being here is a good place to try new things and form relationships. That’s where local experts come in handy. I suggest people really mix it up and get off the main drag. There are some big-name wineries that are fun, buzzy, and great to experience, but I also like to send people off into the far-flung corners of Napa Valley. There’s this whole other life up in the mountains in these places where it’s a little bit of a drive, but you are rewarded with these spectacular views. It gives you a better appreciation for the richness and variety of the valley’s wine landscape. Mix up the known with the unknown, mix up the classics with the more far-flung places. Oftentimes, with the smaller places, you have a greater likelihood of meeting a principal of the winery. There’s no substitute for meeting the proprietor or the winemaker or the vineyard manager or the cellar master—somebody who’s hands-on in the creation of that wine—and I think that makes for a more enriching experience.

SF: Can you share a bit more about the programming offered by The Wine Center at Meadowood?

KAW: We put a lot of thought and effort into the list of classes, and we update it on a regular basis, so there’s always something different when guests return. I think that keeps us on our toes, keeps us engaged, and makes it good for repeat guests. I would say one of my favorite programs that we do is our Vintner Chat series. We try to do three or four per year. We invite a local member of the wine community. It doesn’t need to be a winemaker or proprietor. We’ve had vineyard managers, writers, and prominent sommeliers, and we invite them to nominate someone for a conversation. And then we have a moderated conversation. You get to try their wines and listen to a charming conversation—they’re just fabulous. It gives this very cool behind-the-scenes look at the industry here in Napa Valley.

The other thing that is fun and rewarding is a program we call Guided Excursions. It’s a package The Wine Center offers: you get a car and driver, and you can choose a full or half-day. We then have a conversation with you beforehand to understand your palate and the type of winery experience you’re looking for. Some people want something with a lot of energy and lots of people around. Some people want something completely private. Some people want magisterial architecture. People have all sorts of guiding principles for creating an ideal day of wine tasting, so we’ll take that information, synthesize it into a list, put together a handcrafted itinerary, and then join them for the day.

SF: What is a great question to ask on a wine tour?

KAW: The longer I’ve been in the wine industry, the less I’m interested in the “How?” type of questions. I’m way more interested in the “Why?” Especially if you’re talking to a principal, the why of it is interesting. What is the motivation? What are your goals? What’s your intention with this? What drives you? Why are you doing this? Why are you in wine and not software? I think those are some of the more interesting questions, the ones people don’t usually get, and they can often be a fast track to some interesting and intimate exchanges. I think it’s good to ask how something is made if you’re really, truly technically invested, but if not, then ask something that is meaningful to you. Wine, if you make it bigger, tells many human stories; it tells stories that are bigger than just notes of cassis and cinnamon.

The Spa

Meadowood Spa is a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Spa, all about retreating to quiet and calm. Two garden lounges, for men and women, offer a private sanctuary to pause and breathe, with separate steam rooms, saunas, and plunge pools. The treatment menu draws inspiration from the valley itself, with products that incorporate native ingredients. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange an aromatherapy steam bath ahead of your treatment—an add-on worth opting for. We recommend the From the Fields treatment, which includes exfoliation, a wrap, a massage, relaxation time, and a culinary treat. 

Dining at Meadowood

Meadowood’s central dining venue, Forum, is local in its appeal and approach. Open to the public, this seasonally inspired restaurant and bar offers dining in a spacious indoor-outdoor setting and serves three meals a day, along with handcrafted cocktails and coveted wines. Another option on the property, the al-fresco Terrace Café, is reserved for members and overnight guests and offers lunch, shareable dishes, cocktails, and wine until 5:30 p.m. daily. 

Getting active at Meadowood

With Meadowood’s private valley setting, there are a multitude of activities to choose from—even if your only aim is to find solitude in nature. Five outdoor tennis courts framed by forested hillsides offer an idyllic setting for guests of all ages and levels, with dedicated pros on call for private and group instruction, friendly competition, or simply a spirited volley.

Approximately three miles of mulched hiking pathways wind through the estate’s hillsides, offering unmatched views of the vineyards blanketing the valley floor and the mountain ranges that envelop Napa Valley. Nestled away on the southern portion of the property is a Meadowood Labyrinth, designed by acclaimed Master Labyrinth designer Lars Howlett. The three-pool complex—including the Fitness Pool for lap swimming and aquatic classes, the Family Activities Pool, and the adults-only Cabana Pool—encompasses distinct, inviting environments that welcome everyone to while away an hour or an entire afternoon.

Getting to Meadowood Napa Valley

The location of Meadowood is one of the greatest draws of the property—it is ideally and centrally positioned to all you’d want to experience in the Napa Valley. Meadowood Napa Valley is situated in its own private valley off the Silverado Trail, in the town of St. Helena, placing it ten miles from Calistoga, ten miles from Yountville, and sixteen miles from downtown Napa. The shops, galleries, and restaurants of St. Helena are just a five-minute drive away.

You can reach Meadowood from several airports: San Francisco International (SFO) is approximately seventy miles to the southwest, Oakland International (OAK) is roughly sixty-five miles to the southeast, Sacramento International (SMF) is about sixty miles to the east, and Napa County Airport (APC) is just twenty-four miles to the south. Sonoma County Airport (STS) is approximately thirty-five miles to the west. As always, the SmartFlyer Air Team can help you find the most efficient route based on your departure city.

Since 1993, Kerzner has proudly embraced its identity as a hospitality industry disruptor, forging unique brand identities that spark the imagination.

New properties have a way of breathing new life into a destination, and with Kerzner International’s established legacy as the brand behind some of our favorite resorts, hotels, and private homes, each opening within its portfolio signals thoughtful growth. Since 1993, Kerzner has proudly embraced its identity as a hospitality industry disruptor, forging unique brand identities that spark the imagination. With twenty-three exceptional properties spanning Atlantis, One&Only, SIRO, and rare finds, Kerzner is entering an expansion phase—one that prioritizes meaningful, extraordinary experiences over an increased footprint for sheer numbers’ sake. 

As much as Kerzner leans into industry innovation, its properties are also regularly the recipients of leading industry distinctions. Two properties, One&Only Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, and Atlantis, The Royal in Dubai, have been recognized by the World’s 50 Best Hotels list. Atlantis, The Royal was awarded three Michelin Keys in 2026, following fifteen Kerzner properties that were awarded the Michelin Key distinction in 2024 and 2025. SIRO and rare finds are the newest brand additions to the Kerzner, launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively. rare finds opened its first property in February 2023 when Bab Al Shams Desert Resort debuted in Dubai. SIRO followed shortly thereafter with SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai in February 2024. 

To dig deeper into the growth and uniqueness of these brands, we sat down with Mattheos Georgiou, Head of Global Operations for One&Only, SIRO, and rare finds. Georgiou brings three decades of hospitality experience to the table, previously holding leadership positions at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Park Hyatt Tokyo. He shared insights into why the expansion of these newer brands matters, what sets each apart, and what travelers and advisors can expect next from Kerzner International. 

Read on for highlights from our discussion with Mattheos Georgiou, exploring the future of Rare Find and SIRO, each brand’s direction, and the defining characteristics of these Kerzner properties. 

SmartFlyer (SF): Each Kerzner brand is distinct. Can you share what defines SIRO as a brand and how the concept came about?

It is not a hotel with nice wellness features; it is a hotel concept built around five pillars: sleep, fitness, recovery, nutrition, and mindfulness.

Mattheos Georgiou (MG): At Kerzner, we have always been in the business of creating amazing experiences and everlasting memories. This is something represented across all our brands. With SIRO, we saw an opportunity to respond to a shift in how people travel and live. Guests increasingly want to invest in themselves and look after themselves more. They want to move, perform, and better themselves.

When you travel for business, you need to be sharp for meetings, switched on for your interactions with people, and be the best version of yourself. However, this is also when you need to compromise most on your performance. This is a time when you haven’t slept well, have been traveling by aircraft in a different time zone, haven’t followed your diet, and haven’t slept in your own bed, yet the expectation is for you to perform and be the best version of yourself. This led to the creation of SIRO. It is not a hotel with nice wellness features; it is a hotel concept built around five pillars: sleep, fitness, recovery, nutrition, and mindfulness.

It is the first time a hospitality company has created a brand that brings all five pillars together under one roof. The difference between Kerzner and others offering similar concepts is that our DNA is hospitality. We did not come from the fitness and recovery world and then start building hotels; it was the other way around. We understand hospitality first, and combining that expertise with fitness, recovery, performance, and wellbeing was a natural evolution for us.

SIRO Boka Place suite

SF: Looking ahead, what is your vision for SIRO over the next three years, the next ten years?

MG: Our focus is on establishing SIRO in key global gateway cities where performance-driven travelers spend their time–Tokyo, Miami, and then London, Paris, and New York City. These are destinations where people, especially C-suite, are constantly balancing demanding schedules, travel, and personal well-being.

Long-term, we want SIRO to become the world’s leading lifestyle and hospitality brand for people who aspire to be the best versions of themselves. You do not need to be an elite athlete to stay at SIRO. The brand is for anyone looking to improve how they sleep, move, eat, recover, and live. Ultimately, we want SIRO to be the place you go to be the best version of yourself.

SF: Beyond CEOs, who else have you been surprised to see as SIRO guests?

…sense of community has become one of the brand’s greatest strengths.

MG:  What surprised us most was how strongly the brand aligned and resonated with senior business leaders and entrepreneurs. To begin with, we expected SIRO to appeal to a younger audience, but we have also seen major demand from high-performing professionals who value health, performance, and recovery.

We have also seen SIRO evolve into much more than a hotel. Through our fitness and recovery labs, memberships, events and partnerships, we have built a genuine local community. In destinations such as Dubai and Montenegro, members spend time at SIRO not only to train and recover, but to connect, work, and socialize through co-working spaces, events, run clubs, paddle, and so much more. That sense of community has become one of the brand’s greatest strengths.

SF: What is SIRO’s overarching strategy moving forward?

MG:  Our goal is to establish SIRO as the leading hospitality brand for performance and well-being. While fitness and recovery remain at the core of the proposition, the brand is ultimately about helping people live better. As we expand into destinations such as Miami, Tokyo and beyond, SIRO will continue to evolve alongside its community. The performance foundation will always remain, but the lifestyle aspects of the brand will naturally grow as new guests, new markets, and new partnerships shape its future, which is very exciting for all of us involved in the brand.

SF: Switching gears to rare finds, how does a property become a Kerzner Rare Find?

Many of these assets are deeply loved by their owners but have not yet reached their full global potential.

MG:  rare finds is a collection of amazing properties that possess something genuinely unique; whether that is their location, history, culture or the experiences they can offer. Many of these assets are deeply loved by their owners but have not yet reached their full global potential. Through rare finds, we provide the brand, distribution, marketing expertise, and operational support to help unlock that potential. Most importantly, every rare finds property must offer an experience to guests that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere. That could be a remarkable setting, a cultural connection, or an unforgettable experience. Our focus is on creating meaningful moments that stay with guests long after they leave.

SF: How do you envision rare finds growing, and if there are any exciting benchmarks you have for the brand?

Growth must be intentional, and scarcity is part of what makes the brand special.

MG: One&Only will always remain our flagship ultra-luxury brand, and maintaining its exclusivity is essential. Growth must be intentional, and scarcity is part of what makes the brand special. rare finds and SIRO give us a different growth vehicle. rare finds allows us to expand our footprint by bringing distinctive independent properties into the Kerzner ecosystem while preserving their individuality. For SIRO, there is no limit. Big cities can absorb three, four, or five SIROs, depending on the neighborhoods. These two brands will play an important role in the next chapter of Kerzner’s growth, enabling us to enter new destinations and connect with new audiences around the world.

SF: What was the process of identifying Shamwari as one of the properties that would be a rare finds?

MG: Every rare finds property starts with a unique story. Sometimes that story is rooted in the destination, sometimes in the culture, and sometimes in the property itself. Shamwari is a perfect example. Its location within a private game reserve offers an experience that is both immersive and transformational. Guests have the opportunity to disconnect from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with nature in a meaningful way. When we evaluate potential rare finds properties, we look for that sense of authenticity and uniqueness. It is difficult to define on paper, but when you experience it, you know it immediately.

SF: What is the brand strategy for rare finds?

MG: Our ambition is to build a collection of exceptional properties that appeal to modern experience collectors. We want guests who have stayed at one rare finds property to immediately ask, “Where is the next one?” Every destination should feel completely different, but all should share the same commitment to authenticity, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. The goal is to create a portfolio of places that earn a permanent place on travelers’ bucket lists.

With a spate of openings lined up across the world, every year will mark growth for Kerzner’s rare finds and SIRO. For SIRO, there are two properties currently welcoming guests—SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai and SIRO Boka Place in Montenegro. In the next few years, the opportunities for a SIRO stay will expand even further around the globe. SIRO Palmilla, in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, will open in 2027. It will be part of the Palmilla Reserve, less than a mile away from One&Only Palmilla. In 2028, SIRO Olaya Riyadh will open in the heart of the city’s diplomatic quarter in Saudi Arabia. The following year, SIRO Roppongi will open in Tokyo. Then, in 2030, SIRO Brickell is slated to open in Miami, marking the brand’s first US property.

Currently, there are three rare finds properties that you can book: The Meydan Hotel and Bab Al Shams Resort in Dubai, and Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa. While the next gems to be transformed into rare finds properties are under wraps, there’s no doubt they will live up to the ethos of something exceptional.

…quieter corners of the country where lingering lunches, sun-drenched landscapes, and a softer pace of life still prevail.

Increasingly, clients are looking to their SmartFlyer travel advisor to ask not just where to go in Italy, but how to engage with the country in a way that feels more intentional, immersive, and away from the crowds. While we’ll forever be fans of Italy’s perennial favorites, the reality is that peak summer season in the country’s most popular destinations equates to visitor numbers surging into the hundreds of thousands. And it’s in these moments where we look to lesser-considered spots—toward alpine wellness sanctuaries in the Dolomites, volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily, slower rail journeys through the Tuscan countryside—where lingering lunches, sun-drenched landscapes, and a softer pace of life still prevail.

Coastal Bliss, Minus the Crowds 

The Tyrrhenian Coast is Calling

Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,” some would argue that Maratea feels like Amalfi before the crowds arrived. At Santavenere, classic Italian glamour unfolds across lush gardens, private beaches, and sprawling sea-view terraces filled with antique charm. Days are spent boating past hidden caves and rocky inlets along Basilicata’s rugged coastline before returning for sunset aperitivo overlooking the Mediterranean. It’s all the romance of an Italian seaside escape—without the frenzy that now defines much of peak-summer Amalfi.

The Aeolian Island for Slow Summer Days

Scattered off the northern coast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago where black sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and sleepy fishing villages replace the polished energy of Italy’s more scene-driven summer destinations. Among them, the island of Salina remains blissfully low-key. At Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia, mornings begin with swims in volcanic coves while evenings revolve around aperitivo overlooking the island’s rolling Malvasia vineyards. It’s the kind of place where travelers come to disappear for a few days and inevitably leave plotting their return. 

Italy’s Softer Alternative to Capri

Long beloved by Italians themselves, Ischia offers a softer, slower alternative to Capri. At Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa, volcanic thermal waters, pine forests, and dramatic cliffside views replace buzzy beach clubs and packed marinas. The rhythm here feels wonderfully old-school Italian summer. For something slightly more relaxed and quietly romantic, San Montano offers sweeping views across the Bay of Naples alongside natural thermal pools carved into the hillside. Here, days unfold between boat rides, leisurely spa afternoons, and long lunches overlooking the sea—proof that some of Italy’s best coastal escapes are still the ones operating at their own pace.

For the Design Enthusiast 

Intimate Retreats Worth Obsessing Over

Some of Italy’s most memorable stays aren’t the largest or most lavish, but the ones that feel deeply personal from the moment you arrive. Deep in the countryside outside Bologna, Elizabeth Country House offers just eleven rooms blending contemporary interiors with the slower rhythms of rural Italy. Days here are spent exploring nearby villages, indulging in Emilia-Romagna’s legendary culinary scene, and retreating back to a property that feels equal parts chic retreat and beautifully lived-in home. Meanwhile, on the shores of Lake Garda, Villa Feltrinelli has just twenty rooms, set amid cypress trees and richly layered old-world interiors. Though entirely different in aesthetic, both satisfy the boutique hotel lovers’ appetite for a sense of place.

The Umbrian Estate Everyone Wishes They Knew About Sooner

Often overshadowed by Tuscany, Umbria is quietly emerging as a design-forward destination where restored castles, centuries-old palazzos, and deeply considered interiors feel woven into the landscape. The intimate Palazzo Petrvs brings a contemporary perspective to the region through its moody, artfully restored interiors amidst the medieval streets of Orvieto. A stay at Reschio Estate—a restored 1,500-year-old estate—feels like stepping into an impossibly chic Italian fantasy. With candlelit wine cellars, horseback rides through the Umbrian countryside, saltwater pools, and lingering dinners that stretch late into the evening, here, it’s all about sinking into an Umbrian State of Mind.

To Get in Touch with Nature 

A Classic Alpine Escape in the Dolomites

For travelers craving a more traditional mountain retreat, Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa offers old-school Dolomites charm in the storybook village of Ortisei. Summer days are spent hiking dramatic alpine trails while winter revolves around the famed Dolomiti Superski circuit. Back at the hotel, Michelin-starred dining, cozy wood-paneled interiors, and an expansive spa create the environment that encourages travelers to fully settle into mountain living.

Tuscany Without the Tour Buses

Tucked within the Tuscan countryside, Castello di Vicarello offers a version of the region far removed from crowded wine tours and tourist-packed hill towns. A stay at this family-owned gem means days anchored by horseback riding, cooking classes, truffle hunting, and poolside afternoons overlooking vineyards and olive groves that glow golden by sunset. For a truly memorable experience, work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to arrange a day exploring the stunning Argentario coastline of Tuscany with a boat tour and lunch on Giglio Island.

For the One seeking Wellness (Reimagined)

Italy’s Most Transformative Wellness Retreat

Set just outside Rome, Palazzo Fiuggi has quickly become one of Europe’s most sought-after wellness destinations thanks to its combination of cutting-edge medical programming and grand-hotel elegance. Guests come for longevity treatments, therapeutic mineral waters, and highly personalized wellness journeys—but leave equally enamored by the property’s sweeping countryside views, frescoed interiors, and a deeply restorative pace of life. 

Wellness Above the Clouds

Italy’s next wave of luxury wellness isn’t unfolding on crowded coastlines, but high in the mountains. Perched above the clouds in South Tyrol, FORESTIS was designed entirely around its surrounding landscape: fresh mountain air, sunshine, spring water, and uninterrupted views of the Dolomites. Guests come here to fully slow down, whether through forest walks, spa rituals, or simply watching the light shift across the peaks. Don’t miss the Tree Circle Ceremony for ultimate rejuvenation, followed by an afternoon cycling through the ample saunas and cold plunges—our favorite is the one outside.

For the Slow Traveler: Italy by Rail and Sea

The Return of Golden-Age Rail Travel

La Dolce Vita Orient Express is reviving the glamour of train travel through its immersive regional routes, vintage-inspired interiors, and itineraries designed to encourage travelers to linger a little longer. Rather than rushing between cities, the experience reimagines Italy as it was meant to be enjoyed: slowly, beautifully, and preferably with a spritz in hand. In tandem with Belmond’s celebrated rail journeys through the Italian countryside, these itineraries invite travelers to embrace a slower rhythm of travel—one where long lunches, cinematic landscapes, and aperitivo hour are just as important as the destinations themselves.

Mediterranean Cruising, Reimagined

Set to debut in June 2026 as the world’s largest sailing yacht, the Orient Express Corinthian promises a far more intimate take on Mediterranean cruising. Guests will move between quieter Italian ports, hidden coves, and seaside villages while life onboard revolves around long lunches, sunset aperitivo, and nowhere to be in a hurry. In place of the scale and pace associated with larger ships, being aboard the Corinthian is about stopping in quieter ports, hidden coves, and seaside villages. Work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor for enhanced amenities onboard sailings through the Italian Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Sardinia.

The Yacht for The Curious

For travelers drawn to the romance of the Mediterranean but not the traditional cruise experience, House of Nine offers a more private, design-forward way to experience Italy by sea. Its carefully curated yacht itineraries prioritize understated luxury and immersive coastal exploration, allowing guests to hop between volcanic islands, sleepy harbors, and hidden beaches at a wonderfully unhurried pace. 

Aman’s Most Anticipated Arrival Yet

Looking ahead, few openings are generating more anticipation than Amangati, Aman’s forthcoming yacht set to sail through the Italian Riviera beginning in 2027. Known for redefining quiet luxury on land, Aman’s expansion into yachting signals a continued shift toward highly personalized, experience-driven travel—this time unfolding entirely at sea along one of Europe’s most cinematic coastlines.

Long-Term Stays, Italian Style

Source A Villa and Sink In

Rather than racing through multi-stop itineraries, many travelers are increasingly opting to settle into Italy for weeks—or even months—at a time. The appeal is obvious: slower mornings, neighborhood espresso bars, local markets, and the chance to experience Italy more like a resident than a visitor. In our opinion, the best way to do this is with a villa rental. The secret? Some of the best will never be listed online. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor is armed with partners across Italy who have relationships spanning the most desirable villas.

Living Like a Florentine

Set along the Arno River in the heart of Florence, Lungarno Apartments offer all the ease of a private residence paired with the polish of a luxury hotel stay. Travelers can settle into daily routines—morning cappuccinos, afternoons wandering artisan workshops, evenings spent cooking with market finds—while still feeling immersed in one of Italy’s most culturally rich cities.

Roman and Milanese Holidays, But Make Them Residential

For travelers splitting their time between Italy’s cultural and fashion capitals, Rocco Forte Houses in Rome and Milan deliver an elevated residential experience that feels worlds away from a traditional hotel stay. Stylish, spacious, and deeply connected to their surrounding neighborhoods, these apartment-style accommodations are ideal for travelers looking to fully settle into city life rather than simply scratch the surface. Similarly, the recently opened Casa J.K. Place, Roma acts as your exclusive Roman home with just twelve apartments offering complete privacy.

For the Traveler Who Still Believes in Shoulder Season

Italy’s Most Glamorous Ski Town Beckons for Summer

Long synonymous with alpine glamour, Cortina d’Ampezzo continues to evolve well beyond ski season alone. The forthcoming Le Graal Cortina, alongside the arrival of Ancora Cortina, signals a new era for the Dolomites as travelers increasingly embrace the region year-round—for summer hiking, wellness escapes, crisp mountain air, and slower moments far removed from the intensity of Italy’s coastal hotspots.

Justice for Venice in Off-Season

As Italy’s popularity continues to surge, seasoned travelers are increasingly rethinking not only where they travel—but when. Rather than centering trips exclusively around July and August, many are discovering the beauty of Italy during quieter moments throughout the year. In Venice, winter brings cinematic fog rolling through empty canals. Across southern Italy, spring and early autumn offer warm temperatures without the intensity of peak-season crowds. We love a stay at Il Palazzo Experimental, or the newly opened Airelles Palladio, Venice is sure to make for a soft landing, no matter the time of year.

Ready to plan your next trip to Italy? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor.

The Ritz-Carlton was one of the first major hotel brands to successfully translate its experience from land to water…

Long considered a benchmark for refined service and timeless hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton was one of the first major hotel brands to successfully translate its experience from land to water—without compromising what made it iconic in the first place. Rather than adapting classic cruise conventions or chasing scale, the brand approached yachting as an extension of its hotel philosophy: intimate, design-forward, and deeply attuned to how modern luxury travelers want to move through the world.

The result is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, a fleet of three superyachts—Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara—that collectively helped redefine what travel at sea can look like for a new generation of travelers. Not cruises in the traditional sense, but floating boutique hotels designed for guests who value space, service, and a slower, more intentional way of seeing the world.

A Disruptor That Changed the Conversation

When The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection launched in October 2022, the idea of a hotel brand operating at sea was still novel. Cruising, for many well-traveled clients, still carried outdated perceptions: crowds, rigid schedules, and experiences designed for mass appeal. The Ritz-Carlton didn’t attempt to modernize that model—it bypassed it entirely.

…it proved the concept could work for travelers who never thought cruising was for them.

Instead, the brand exported what it knew best, designing suites that feel more like hotel rooms rather than cabins, matched by service that is intuitive rather than performative. Plus, dining that stands on its own merit, paired with itineraries designed to linger, not rush. That early clarity of vision matters. As more luxury hotel brands now enter the maritime space, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection stands apart not just because it was one of the first to bring a hotel brand to sea—but because it proved the concept could work for travelers who never thought cruising was for them.

One Philosophy, Three Distinct Yachts

There are no casinos. No water slides. No crowded decks competing for attention.

While each yacht in the collection has its own personality, all three share a common DNA. Across the fleet, the experience is unmistakably Ritz-Carlton: polished without being too formal, elevated without excess, and designed around the idea that true luxury is felt, not announced. There are no casinos. No water slides. No crowded decks competing for attention. Instead, the focus is on proportion, flow, and ease—spaces that invite guests to settle in, rather than move from port to port at a rushed pace.

Evrima: The Proof of Concept

As the inaugural yacht in the collection, Evrima laid the foundation for everything that followed for The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. With the smallest guest count in the fleet at 149 suites and a passenger capacity of up to 298 guests, she delivers the most intimate onboard experience—one that feels closer to private yachting than cruising.

Evrima appeals particularly to travelers who value subtlety over spectacle.

The atmosphere aboard Evrima is calm and residential. Public spaces are designed for lingering, whether that means working quietly between ports, reading on deck, or enjoying a drink without distraction. The scale allows for a deeper connection between guests and crew, and service quickly becomes intuitive rather than transactional. Evrima appeals particularly to travelers who value subtlety over spectacle. For villa loyalists and boutique hotel devotees, the experience feels familiar in the best way: refined, personal, and unhurried.

Where Evrima Sails

Evrima’s itineraries are built around access and atmosphere—destinations where her size is an advantage rather than a limitation. In the Mediterranean, Evrima visits both iconic coastal stops and smaller ports that larger ships can’t reach, often anchoring offshore and tendering guests ashore in a way that feels more like arriving by private boat than disembarking from a ship.

In the Caribbean, itineraries emphasize rhythm over rigidity, with marina days that allow guests to swim, paddleboard, and relax directly off the yacht, alongside easy island-hopping. Evrima also sails French Polynesia, where her scale allows for anchoring in crystalline lagoons and lingering in destinations that reward slowness. Here, the line between yacht and destination blurs entirely—days are dictated by light, water, and inclination rather than a rigid schedule.

Ilma: Refined Scale and Elevated Wellness

If Evrima was the proof of concept, Ilma represents the refinement phase. Larger and more expansive at 226 suites and up to 448 guest capacity, Ilma offers increased deck space, enhanced wellness facilities, and a brighter, more contemporary design sensibility than her predecessor. Interiors lean European in feel and airy, with an emphasis on openness and flow throughout the yacht.

The onboard spa, fitness spaces, and dedicated wellness programming feel integrated into daily life…

Wellness plays a more prominent role aboard Ilma, making her particularly appealing to travelers who prioritize movement, balance, and restoration while traveling. The onboard spa, fitness spaces, and dedicated wellness programming feel integrated into daily life rather than positioned as optional extras. Despite her increased size, Ilma retains the uncrowded, residential feel that defines the collection. The experience remains relaxed and personal—just with more room to breathe.

Where Ilma Sails

Ilma focuses on destinations that benefit from longer stays and scenic arrivals. Her Mediterranean itineraries span Italy, France, Spain, and the Adriatic, with schedules designed to keep guests in port well into the evening. Late departures allow for lingering lunches, spontaneous exploration, and early dinners ashore—luxuries often unavailable on larger ships.

In the Caribbean, Ilma’s sailings prioritize ease and flow, appealing to travelers looking for warmth, water, and effortless days at sea without sacrificing comfort or service. Ilma is particularly well-suited to repeat guests—those who loved their first experience with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and are ready to expand it will find themselves right at home.

Luminara: The Fully Realized Expression

The newest and most expansive yacht in the fleet, Luminara is the culmination of everything The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has learned so far at sea. Size-wise, she measures almost exactly in line with Ilma at 228 suites and a capacity of up to 452 guests. With expanded dining venues, a significantly enhanced wellness footprint, and thoughtfully designed social spaces, Luminara feels confident and fully realized. Interiors lean richer and more atmospheric, while still maintaining the clean lines and quiet luxury the brand is known for.

Despite her larger size, Luminara retains the hallmark uncrowded feel of the fleet. Guest flow is intentional, service remains attentive without being intrusive, and spaces are designed to accommodate both social moments and solitude. Luminara is the yacht for travelers ready to think globally—to use the sea not just as a setting, but as a seamless way to connect multiple destinations.

Where Luminara Sails

Luminara’s itineraries are the most globally ambitious in the collection. She sails the Mediterranean, covering classics like Italy, Spain, and the French Riviera, while maintaining the brand’s signature pacing—think: long days ashore and unhurried evenings back on board.

For travelers who want to explore complex regions without the friction of constant packing, transfers, and hotel changes, this approach offers a compelling alternative.

Beginning in mid-2026, Luminara’s itineraries expand into Asia, with sailings that include ports of call in Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. For travelers who want to explore complex regions without the friction of constant packing, transfers, and hotel changes, this approach offers a compelling alternative. Asia by yacht allows guests to move fluidly between cultures while returning each night to a familiar, beautifully designed environment—an especially appealing proposition for well-traveled clients seeking depth without the challenges that come with constant packing and unpacking.

Cruising Designed for the Anti-Cruiser

Perhaps the most telling success of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is the audience it attracts. Many guests step aboard having never cruised before—and never planning to prior to booking their maiden voyage. They are design-conscious, service-oriented travelers accustomed to luxury hotels, private villas, and thoughtfully curated itineraries. What draws them in is not the idea of cruising, but the promise of waking up somewhere new each day without sacrificing comfort, autonomy, or style.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is one of the few luxury cruise experiences that meaningfully integrates with a major hotel loyalty program, allowing guests to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on their sailing.

The experience rewards those who value time as much as destination. There is no pressure to follow a rigid schedule, no rush to secure space, and no spectacle competing for attention. Instead, days unfold at a human pace—dictated by curiosity, appetite, and mood rather than announcements or programming. For Marriott loyalists, there is also a rare layer of familiarity at sea. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is one of the few luxury cruise experiences that meaningfully integrates with a major hotel loyalty program, allowing guests to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on their sailing. For points-savvy travelers, this quietly enhances the value proposition, turning a journey at sea into future stays across the Marriott portfolio—without ever feeling like a loyalty play.

It’s this combination—hotel-caliber service, design-forward spaces, intentional pacing, and the subtle reassurance of a trusted brand—that continues to convert even the most self-proclaimed non-cruisers. For many guests, the decision isn’t about trying cruising at all. It’s about choosing a new way to travel that still feels unmistakably like home.

Your Next Sailing Awaits

The fleet is not a novelty, but a long-term extension of the brand—one that continues to evolve with each new vessel and itinerary.

As luxury hospitality continues to expand offshore, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection remains the reference point. Not because it was loud or disruptive—but because it was intentional. By leading with service, design, and a deep understanding of its audience, The Ritz-Carlton didn’t just enter the space; it legitimized it. The fleet is not a novelty, but a long-term extension of the brand—one that continues to evolve with each new vessel and itinerary.

With three yachts now sailing across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, French Polynesia, and Asia, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection stands as both a pioneer and a benchmark. A reminder that when hospitality is done right, even the open ocean can feel like home.

Ready to set sail? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor to chat  itineraries.