Nestled between nearly a thousand acres of Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea, the landscape here is defined by mangroves, verdant vegetation, and cenotes filled with azul waters. It’s a quieter side of this quintessential Mexico beach destination, which makes a stay at Palmaïa ideally positioned for a true retreat.

The landscape here is defined by mangroves, verdant vegetation, and cenotes filled with azul waters.

Meaningful wellness experiences are in increasing demand—a 2025 McKinsey study reported that eighty-four percent of Americans say that wellness is a top priority. Millennials and Gen Z Americans are even more wellness-minded—representing just a third of American adults, they account for more than forty percent of annual wellness spending. As these wellness seekers get older, their desires are maturing too—and we’re seeing it in how they travel. The previously packed itinerary has become a girls’ trip defined by more space to connect with both each other and the destination. The party weekend has become a couple’s escape that fosters real intimacy. And week-long solo city escapes have become meditation retreats, babymoons, or honeymoons where milestones can be celebrated and cherished.

Palmaïa answers the needs of travelers across so many of these life stages. Through the resort’s location, thoughtful programming, and commitment to service excellence, the property has earned distinctive accolades, including Two Michelin Keys, and has been named the world’s number one destination spa in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. In turn, it feels like a highly considered alternative to the conventional Mexico all-inclusive.

This resonance comes from Palmaïa’s consciously-created philosophy. Instead of separating indulgence from wellbeing, it weaves food, movement, nature, restoration, and human connection into one flexible experience under the umbrella of AïA\Wellness. This signature framework weaves together four distinct pathways: nourishment, practice, sound, and restoration. Throughout your stay, AïA\Wellness comes to life through plant-forward dining, weekly wellness experiences led by a global collective of practitioners, immersive Rituals of Sound gatherings, and the jungle-ensconced Atlantis Spa. Each element is designed to work in concert, creating a seamless relationship between how you eat, move, rest, connect, and spend your time in the Riviera Maya. This is where your mind, body, and soul can truly be restored.

A Resort That Pairs Consciousness with Exceptional Experience

The design of Palmaïa establishes it as an exceptional stay with a layout that feels distinctly private. The property has 234 oceanfront suites, including swim-out suites with direct pool access or direct ocean views—but as you move between spaces, the lush jungle landscaping and spacious layout give you a far more intimate impression.

Each suite at Palmaïa features one of its most distinguishing traits: its commitment to plant-based wellness.

Each suite at Palmaïa features one of its most distinguishing traits: its commitment to plant-based wellness. All accommodations are free of animal-derived materials, and the cruelty-free materials and products in each room reflect its broader philosophy of conscious living. But none of these standards means you’ll sacrifice comfort; your Nomadic Guide—Palmaïa’s version of a personal concierge—is available around the clock. The guide can coordinate every aspect of your stay, from wellness bookings to restaurant reservations, arrange your standard personal requests, and perfectly time turndown. Instead of navigating scheduling, you can focus on how you want the day to feel.

Palmaïa’s Gifting Lifestyle means your movement throughout the day isn’t hindered by transactional logistics. This refined all-inclusive model incorporates its extensive, plant-based food and beverage options (including health drinks, mocktails, and alcoholic beverages), as well as your participation in the resort’s weekly holistic programming. This structure gives you permission to explore different practices, foods, and daily rhythms without ever having to calculate the cost of any given choice. Spa treatments, private dinners, and one-on-one sessions sit outside the inclusive pricing, but you can arrange them with the help of your Nomadic Guide.

As you move from your suite to your wellness appointments, you’ll be surrounded by water.

As you move from your suite to your wellness appointments, you’ll be surrounded by water. Quiet beach coves dot more than half a mile of shoreline, offering intimate nooks where you can connect with nature. In addition to the Caribbean Sea, Palmaïa has four infinity pools, two jacuzzi-style pools, a hot plunge, and a cold plunge to use at your leisure. Around the pools, you will find Balinese beds where you can order food and drinks while still enjoying a design ethos that connects to the natural environment, rather than buffering you from it.

That same approach applies to the open-air jungle gym, accessible twenty-four hours a day. The natural setting keeps movement connected to the property’s broader environment, while still offering the state-of-the-art equipment you need to maintain fitness routines. Floor-to-ceiling windows complement Technogym machines, cardio equipment, and free weights—giving you the option to pair holistic programming with your usual routine.

For minimum ages, Palmaïa welcomes families with children ages ten and up. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can help you explore dedicated family suite accommodations, keeping in mind that the experience suits families with older children and teenagers who can engage with the resort’s wellness programming and quieter pace. The resort doesn’t offer highly structured children’s activities or constant youth entertainment. Those traveling without children can also choose adults-only accommodations and facilities, helping preserve the sense of calm that defines the property.

The Nourishing Biome: The Dining Pillar

One of Palmaïa’s standout offerings—both as a wellness destination and a Mexico all-inclusive—is its culinary program. Each menu emphasizes plant-forward dishes, minimally processed ingredients, fermented foods, natural sweeteners, and the elimination of refined sugars. The property also prioritizes regenerative agricultural sourcing, a philosophy that shapes everything from the ingredients on your plate to the way meals fit into the broader wellness experience.

For travelers interested in nourishment, digestive health, or simply feeling their best while away, dining becomes an extension of AïA\Wellness rather than a departure from it. Dining is vegan by default, though meat and seafood can be incorporated upon request. The goal is not restriction but flexibility, allowing you to enjoy food that feels both indulgent and intentional. Across six distinct venues and more than 300 dishes, the culinary program spans multiple traditions and dining styles.

For a healthy start to your day, Plantissa, the resort’s health-focused café, serves smoothies, fresh juices, coffee drinks, grain bowls, baked goods, sandwiches, and lighter fare in a bright, open setting that pairs naturally with a morning wellness session. Charly’s Vegan Tacos is an even more casual option, bringing a playful approach to Mexican street food, transforming ingredients such as jackfruit and mushrooms into inventive tacos served just off the beach.

At LEK, Mexican cuisine is rooted in regional ingredients and ancestral influences, with herbs, spices, and produce sourced locally, including ingredients harvested from the resort’s own garden. Dishes showcase the flavors of the Yucatán through a contemporary lens. Mediterranean flavors take center stage at Mar de Olivo, where handmade pastas, fresh vegetables, olive oils, and coastal influences draw inspiration from destinations stretching from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Bosphorus. For Asian cuisine, UME offers a Thai-fusion menu featuring ramen, sushi, aromatic broths, and bold, layered flavors.

Then, just steps from the beach, Su Casa provides a more relaxed oceanfront dining experience, serving comfort-driven dishes that can be tailored to vegan, vegetarian, seafood, or meat preferences. This health-forward culinary approach extends to bars throughout the property, which offer fresh juices, functional wellness drinks, creative mocktails, wine, cocktails, and premium spirits. Twenty-four-hour in-room dining allows you to enjoy the same culinary scope from the privacy of your suite, whether that’s an early breakfast before a sunrise meditation or a late-night meal after an evening Rituals of Sound gathering.

Wellness That Anchors Your Stay

Palmaïa’s setting and offerings act together to support your wellbeing, but the real depth comes from the AïA\Wellness program, a collective of approximately 35 practitioners known as the Architects of Life. Drawn from Mexico and beyond, these practitioners lead more than fifty weekly experiences, from movement and mindfulness to ceremonial traditions, creative exploration, and personalized guidance. Current Resident Architects include Iva, a painter from Croatia; René, a musician; and Angél, a body movement specialist, both from Mexico. Throughout the year, visiting practitioners like Dr. Siva Mohan, a functional medicine practitioner, expand the programming with specialized workshops, retreats, and immersive experiences.

Rather than focusing on a single approach to wellbeing, the Architects of Life represent a wide range of disciplines. On any given day, you might begin with breathwork overlooking the Caribbean Sea, join a meditation designed to cultivate focus and awareness, or attend a yoga class ranging from gentle restorative movement to more physically demanding practices. Other sessions explore somatic techniques that encourage greater awareness of the body’s responses to stress, while intuitive movement classes, like Boho Vibes, use music and guided exercises to support self-expression and creativity. This range allows your stay to evolve—a session chosen early in the trip may shape what you explore later.

Creative and reflective practices are an equally important part of your schedule. Workshops may incorporate wildlife painting classes, journaling sessions, gratitude exercises, or guided conversations intended to encourage exploration and perspective. Elsewhere, sound-based experiences like Cozy Sound Healing combine instruments, frequency, and music in sessions that range from deeply restorative sound journeys to the property’s Rituals of Sound gatherings, where wellness and music intersect in a more social setting.

Many of these experiences draw inspiration from traditions that have shaped the region for generations…

For travelers interested in spiritual exploration, programming extends to ancestral ceremonies, energy-focused practices, astrology sessions, and individual consultations with practitioners. Many of these experiences draw inspiration from traditions that have shaped the region for generations, like Temazcal ceremonies and Maya-influenced healing traditions, while others incorporate approaches rooted in contemporary wellness disciplines.

Many of the sessions with these Architects of Life take place in open-air spaces surrounded by jungle vegetation or overlooking the ocean, creating an environment that encourages attention and presence. The program is intentionally flexible. You can build a schedule around multiple classes each day or participate in only one or two experiences during your stay—it’s really a take what you need approach.

The Spa That Ties it All Together

With these multifaceted practitioners at your disposal and a Nomadic Guide to handle your daily schedule and the logistics of your stay, your primary focus is what you want for your Palmaïa reset. When it comes to dining, the healthy options are built in—but you can leave with more knowledge on how to continue this conscious style of cooking, with options to attend tutorials like the fermenting class.

After you consider the wellness programming, the next thing to consider is how you’ll take part in treatments at the award-winning Atlantis Spa. As you walk shaded pathways toward the spa, the design encourages you to slow down. This setting is the ideal precursor to the Atlantis’s signature treatment menu, which reflects the broader wellness philosophy found throughout Palmaïa. One of the spa’s signature experiences, AïA Essence, uses personalized massage techniques alongside heated granite stones, Reiki, and quartz crystals. Guests can select lavender, basil, or hemp aromas, each incorporated into a treatment designed to release physical tension while creating a deeper sense of relaxation and balance.

The Mexican Massage, inspired by the practices of curandero healers, incorporates indigenous healing elements including herbs, tinctures, mud, gourds, and rebozo-style shawls.

Several treatments draw directly from Mexican healing traditions. The Mexican Massage, inspired by the practices of curandero healers, incorporates indigenous healing elements including herbs, tinctures, mud, gourds, and rebozo-style shawls. The two-hour ritual includes abdominal massage techniques traditionally used to support digestive function and restore balance during periods of transition, recovery, or fatigue. The Preh-Hispanic Ritual begins with a ceremonial blessing using copal and medicinal herbs, then moves into an exfoliation with organic luffa and a massage incorporating handcrafted herbal compresses. Botanical aromas, sound, and touch are layered throughout the experience, creating a treatment that engages multiple senses rather than focusing solely on muscular relief.

Beyond Mexico, Atlantis Spa also incorporates global wellness traditions. The Samunprai Herbal Ritual draws from Thai healing practices, using heated herbal compresses infused with medicinal plants to soothe muscle tension, while treatments such as the Aroma Naab Ritual utilize aromatherapy and essential oils in a neurosedative massage designed to promote deep relaxation. What ties these experiences together is the setting in which they unfold. Whether you’re participating in a ceremonial ritual, receiving a therapeutic massage, or beginning your stay with the Release Healing Remedy—a restorative welcome treatment that uses herbal and essential oils to prepare body and mind for the days ahead—the surrounding jungle remains a constant presence. Water, vegetation, natural materials, and quiet spaces create a sense of separation from the main resort, making Atlantis Spa feel less like a standalone facility and more like a secluded sanctuary woven into the landscape itself.

Designing Your Reset

One of Palmaïa’s greatest strengths is that the experience can take shape in a customized program, depending on what brings you to the resort. Whether you’re exploring wellness for the first time, looking to deepen an existing practice, or planning a restorative getaway with someone else, the resort’s flexible structure allows you to design a stay that reflects your interests rather than follow a prescribed itinerary.

For the Wellness-Curious

If you’ve been interested in mindfulness but aren’t looking for an intensive retreat, Palmaïa offers a gentle introduction to many of its core practices. A typical day might include:

• Morning oceanfront yoga or a guided meditation session, followed by a smoothie or plant-forward breakfast at the health café.
• Several hours of unscheduled beach or pool time, with lunch from the beachfront food truck.
• An afternoon workshop focused on creativity, gratitude, or introductory sound healing, before a restorative massage at Atlantis Spa.
• Dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants, before an evening Rituals of Sound gathering during your stay.

For the Dedicated Practitioner

For travelers with an established yoga, meditation, breathwork, or spiritual practice, Palmaïa offers opportunities for deeper personalization. A stay may revolve around:

• Sunrise breathwork overlooking the Caribbean, before somatic or intuitive movement sessions led by the Architects of Life.
• One-on-one consultations with practitioners whose specialties align with your interests, before a plant-forward meal and dedicated time for journaling, reflection, or integration between sessions.
• A guided Temazcal ceremony or energy-focused spa ritual, paired with a cold-plunge or water-based recovery experience.
• Evening sound journeys and wellness gatherings to deepen your connection with your own practice.

For Couples and Shared Journeys

Palmaïa also works particularly well for couples, friends, or travel companions who want to spend meaningful time together without sharing the exact same schedule, while fostering intimacy and connection. A shared day may include:

• A morning yoga class together, followed by separate mid-morning experiences based on individual interests—maybe a creative workshop, astrology session, or meditation practice for one person, and a gym session or poolside afternoon for the other.
• Lunch and beach time together, before a shared Atlantis Spa ritual, such as the Atlachinolli Ritual for couples.
• An evening Rituals of Sound gathering with others, with time to reflect and relax before ending the evening with a robust plant-based meal.

Regardless of how you’re choosing to experience Palmaïa, to fully experience the breadth of the resort’s offerings, a stay of at least four nights is recommended. This gives you time to settle in, enjoy several wellness experiences, visit Atlantis Spa, attend a Rituals of Sound gathering, and still leave room for the unscheduled moments that often become the most memorable. Travelers interested in private sessions, ceremonial experiences, or more extensive wellness programming may find that five to seven nights provides additional flexibility. Before arriving, work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to review the weekly activity calendar and identify two or three priorities rather than trying to schedule the entirety of your stay in advance.

Getting to Palmaïa

Palmaïa is approximately forty-five minutes by car from Cancún International Airport (CUN) and about ninety-five minutes from Tulum International Airport (TQO). For international travelers, Cancún remains the most connected gateway to the Riviera Maya, with nonstop service to roughly 120 destinations across more than twenty-five countries and flights operated by more than forty airlines. Tulum International Airport offers a smaller but steadily growing alternative. Depending on the season, the airport currently serves approximately thirteen direct destinations across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with additional seasonal routes added during the winter.

Ready for your Riviera Retreat? Contact Your SmartFlyer Travel Advisor

For the style-minded, looking more closely at Paris’ people, maisons, and ateliers that define its symbiotic relationship with craftsmanship adds even more meaning to your stay. And when that stay is at Cheval Blanc Paris, your SmartFlyer travel advisor collaborates with the property’s stellar concierge to secure unparalleled access behind some of the fashion world’s most guarded doors. Join us as we delve into this face of Paris that thrums with ingenuity, history, and—without fail—beauty. You’ll notice it first at the hotel entrance. Jean-Michel Othoniel was given carte blanche for the hotel’s façade, creating Les Fleurs de la Passion, a fifty-five-foot bas-relief made from metal, glass, and gold. Othoniel describes Cheval Blanc Paris as “a Maison imbued with poetry, where art and life mingle,” adding that it is “a place that trusts artists and puts them forward, too.”

Few sartorial stages offer a more prominent display of style than Paris Fashion Week. Womenswear Spring/Summer Fashion Week runs each year from late September to early October, whereas the Menswear shows are in mid-January, followed by the Autumn/Winter Womenswear show in March. During these periods, France’s capital becomes a whirlwind of activity—The Devil Wears Prada almost undersells the flurry of flashing camera bulbs, VIP arrivals, and the way the streets turn into a living runway.

While the official runway shows may be invite-only, the high energy of Paris Fashion Week extends well beyond the presentations themselves, giving those visiting during this period the opportunity to feel the creative energy without even needing a seat on the front row. For the Womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 season, the showroom session will be held at the Palais de Tokyo, offering another glimpse into the fashion calendar while highlighting collections and designers before they enter the wider retail and editorial cycle.

With fashion forever being one of the defining characteristics of the city, there’s perhaps no better place to put yourself at the center of the action than with a stay at Cheval Blanc Paris. Since its highly anticipated opening in September 2021, its prime location in the First Arrondissement—combined with the building’s already rich history—has made this address one of the most well-positioned in Paris. Notably, the property is connected to La Samaritaine, a department store that had long been a part of Parisian life before reopening in June 2021 after a sixteen-year closure.

The long-beloved La Samaritaine began its legacy back in 1870 with a tiny boutique on Rue de Pont-Neuf, opened by Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ, which eventually expanded into the department store that became one of the city’s most prominent commercial landmarks. LVMH acquired La Samaritaine in 2001 and began its meticulous restoration a few years later. Following five years of revitalization and an alleged $750 million investment, the seven-floor landmark department store reopened in 2021, just months before the ten-story Cheval Blanc Paris.

Notably, the property is connected to La Samaritaine, a department store that had long been a part of Parisian life before reopening in June 2021 after a sixteen-year closure.

The LVMH connection between these two projects adds another dimension to the unparalleled access Cheval Blanc Paris offers its guests today. As one of only six hotels currently in the Cheval Blanc portfolio, guests can expect the same level of refinement as they’ve come to know across LVMH’s fashion brands, including maisons like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Celine, Fendi, Givenchy, Loewe, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, and Guerlain. This connection matters because it weaves your Paris Fashion Week stay into one elaborate tapestry: while each house retains its own identity, they sit within a larger fashion ecosystem that Cheval Blanc Paris will help you navigate as you explore the intrinsic connection between hospitality and fashion.

A Maison at the Door of Many Maisons

Your experience of staying at Cheval Blanc Paris begins with a sense of arrival anchored by its unparalleled views of Pont Neuf bridging the Seine. But even prior to setting foot on the property, the unparalleled access afforded as part of your stay will set the tone. Upon touchdown, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will ensure you receive a complimentary private airport transfer with dedicated meet-and-greet service at Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget—the private aviation terminal—about one hour from the hotel, and Orly only about forty-five minutes away.

Wilfried Morandini, General Manager of Cheval Blanc Paris, describes the Maison as a place where “the art of emotion engages all your senses,” creating “a private and intimate getaway.” In a building that began as a tiny boutique in 1870, became one of Paris’ most celebrated department stores, and was eventually restored under LVMH, that experience is now part of a much larger story about how the group brings its maisons together in the city, particularly when all of Paris has its eye on Fashion Week.

Once you’ve checked in, the scale of the Maison, while still managing to feel like a boutique hotel, cannot be overlooked. The hotel has seventy-two rooms and suites, each designed to feel like your private home and featuring a large bay window overlooking Paris. Your dedicated butler will be sure to show you around, making themselves available for the duration of your stay. Depending on your suite selection, you’ll have a view of Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Pont Neuf, or the Seine. Éric Fratty, Director of Design and Construction, described the property’s hospitality philosophy succinctly: “Cheval Blanc Paris is all about uncompromising excellence: all the rooms have spectacular views and the same attention to detail.”

L’Appartement Suite doesn’t just grant you access to some of fashion’s most rare experiences…it gives you more than 10,000 square feet across the eighth and ninth floors.

Beyond the property’s jaw-dropping views, the architecture stands out. The rooms start at around 500 square feet and only get more spacious. The largest residence option takes the private home concept even further. L’Appartement Suite doesn’t just grant you access to some of fashion’s most rare experiences outside of the hotel; it gives you more than 10,000 square feet across the eighth and ninth floors. The residence includes seven bedrooms, several lounges and dining rooms, a wellness area, a projection room, a panoramic terrace, and a private swimming pool. For those who require even further discretion, a separate entrance lets you use the residence as an entirely secure base in Paris while retaining Maison services.

Access Money Can’t Buy

You’ll get access to several fashion moments that you couldn’t access at any other stay.

When you stay at Cheval Blanc Paris, the LVMH connection is undeniable. When you book a stay in the Ravel or Quintessence Suites—which, when combined, create the expansive L’Appartement suite—you’ll also get access to several fashion moments that you couldn’t access at any other stay. They aren’t even for sale; instead, you can select one of the following as part of the included excursions for guests of the two top suite tiers.

Your first option is a tour of the Dior Heritage archives; a truly rare opportunity. Dior opens the archive doors to very few of its VICs, only two or three times a year, and has granted exclusive access to Cheval Blanc Paris as well. The experience begins in the private library with a collection of books, artworks, and references that inspired Christian Dior himself, alongside his original sketches. The visit continues into the historic ateliers, where haute couture creations from the 1950s are restored. The last stop on this tour is the archive’s climate-controlled vaults, where some of Dior’s most iconic gowns are carefully conserved and kept completely out of public view. End the day with a reservation at Café Dior.

Then, there’s the option to choose a private visit to the Louis Vuitton workshops in Asnières, one of the Maison’s most emblematic sites just a few miles outside of Paris. It was where Vuitton moved after outgrowing his Parisian headquarters in 1859. The tour of the Art Nouveau house, still home to Asnières artisans who create those iconic LV trunks, is paired with an intimate teatime.

For those who want to bring home a new item, you’ll also have the option of private after-hours shopping appointments at Louis Vuitton or Dior, when you can have the store completely to yourself. You can also book a private styling session at the Louis Vuitton Hôtel Particulier, which Vuitton has completely redesigned to give the maison’s most valued guests an intimate experience.

Horophiles (watch lovers) have their own opportunity for an ultra-rare private encounter with the savoir-faire of LVMH’s Watches & Jewelry Maisons. This includes a Hublot mechanical watchmaking masterclass or a hands-on TAG Heuer movement workshop led by a watchmaker traveling from Switzerland, the watchmaking capital of the world. Jewelry lovers can choose between a private visit to Chaumet’s historic salon and archive, or to the Maison FRED Héritage, where exceptional pieces and archival treasures tell the story of the Maisons. For champagne lovers, there’s the private visit to the ultra-exclusive invitation-only Moët Hennessy Private Apartment, featuring exceptional pieces and a tasting tailored to your preferences.

Finally, for those who want to pair the runway with, well, running, your suite stay can secure you an exclusive matchday experience in a Hublot VIP box at Parc des Princes stadium, home to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Your ideal gameday seats will be preceded by a visit to the Hublot Vendôme boutique for the chance to outfit yourself with a watch before the match.

A Signature Design for the Design-Oriented

Part of the power of a Fashion Week stay at Cheval Blanc Paris is knowing the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into runway designs is rivaled by the property itself. Architecture fans will swoon over the details shaped by architects Peter Marino and Édouard François, who created the hotel. Marino approached his first hotel project as though he were designing a private residence, selecting individual works of art, furniture, materials, and craftsmanship to give the Maison its own character.

Interiors bring together more than twenty types of marble, alongside leather, parchment, hand-painted patinas, straw marquetry, woven metal, sculptural furniture, and bespoke lighting.

“At Cheval Blanc Paris, you’ll feel the energy and dynamism of the present,” Marino said. “Living in the moment, intensely.” His interiors bring together more than twenty types of marble, alongside leather, parchment, hand-painted patinas, straw marquetry, woven metal, sculptural furniture, and bespoke lighting.

The art collection further complements the architecture. Sonia Delaunay’s lithographs hang against lemon wood, while a vast blue canvas by Georges Mathieu commands the lobby. The staircase railing in L’Appartement was commissioned by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, while works by Vik Muniz, Philippe Anthonioz, and Laurence Montano appear throughout the Maison.

The art and architecture provide yet another link between the stay and the sartorial world. That is perhaps the most distinctive feature of staying here: the LVMH connection is not an abstract corporate relationship sitting behind the hotel.

For High Fashion and Every Moment in Between

The seventh floor of Cheval Blanc Paris provides another vantage point to savor the property and its ample amenities. A suspended garden extends around the Michelin-starred Le Tout-Paris, where the restaurant and bar open toward the Seine and a 360-degree horizon. It’s an optimal setting for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon drink, or even a nightcap. But it’s far from the only culinary destination on property. Chef Arnaud Donckele has created a three Michelin-starred restaurant centered on his distinctive approach to sauces, with his “Absolutes” evolving with the seasons, at Cheval Blanc Paris’s signature restaurant, Plénitude. Called “the pinnacle of fine dining” by the Michelin Guide, Donckele blends multiple European cuisines to deliver something entirely creative.

The exceptional fine dining doesn’t stop with Plénitude. Hakuba, awarded two Michelin stars, brings Japanese cuisine to the ground floor. Here, Chef Takuya Watanabe delivers perfected sushi, along with more inventive creations like shellfish dashi. Rounding out the culinary options is Langosteria, which introduces Italian seafood to the mix. Also located on the seventh floor of Cheval Blanc Paris, this brasserie is as tasty as it is trendy, with rooftop views of the Seine, a cool crowd, and a nice list of Italian-inspired cocktails.

The wellness facilities offer a way to find reprieve from the non-stop pace of Paris, particularly during Fashion Week. In keeping with its keen attention to detail, the property’s swimming pool is lined with handcrafted mosaics and accompanied by a fitness area, sauna, hammam, and Rossano Ferretti Salon. The Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris offers technology-powered treatments, including sapphire crystal micro-abrasion, bringing Dior’s beauty expertise to the Maison.

For those craving the energy found at the center of Fashion Week who still need to keep younger travelers’ schedules in mind, Cheval Blanc Paris has created a space for kids not yet runway ready. Families with littles have their own destination at Le Carrousel, where children up to twelve can take part in treasure hunts and activities beneath an interactive weather-themed ceiling. Connecting rooms and suites let several generations stay together, while opting to book L’Appartement affords even more space for large family celebrations and milestone occasions.

The LVMH connection remains present even when you return to your suite. François Demachy artfully crafted the property’s signature fragrance, which emanates throughout public spaces and accommodations alike. As a former in-house perfumer for Dior, he approached the project by asking, “How to interpret Paris through a perfume?” Demachy’s answer was to create two compositions for the property, because, as he explained, “the city is so multifaceted.”

A Department Store that Elevates the Stay

La Samaritaine itself is an essential part of the experience. As a guest of Cheval Blanc Paris, you’ll have access to an exclusive private entrance to the shopping complex. When you pass from the hotel to the store, you’ll be met with a stunning glass ceiling that showcases the shifting moods of Parisian weather—though, notably, without subjecting you to it. The wraparound peacock frescoes by Francis Jourdain hark back to the building’s history including Francis’ father, Frantz Jourdain, who designed the building.

But the secret star is L’Appartement Salon. In collaboration with the Cheval Blanc Paris concierge, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange a private styling and shopping appointment in L’Appartement (same name, but different from the 10,000-square-foot suite back at the hotel). Rather than doing your own perusing through the seven-level department store, this service allows you to save time by having a stylist who pulls options based on your wardrobe needs, your taste, and the season’s latest looks. Plus, fragrance provides another route into the city’s craftsmanship. At Guerlain in La Samaritaine, a bespoke consultation arranged by the Cheval Blanc Paris concierge and your advisor can take you through individual notes and compositions with specialists from one of France’s historic perfume houses.

These experiences, especially when paired with the exclusive moments offered when you book the Ravel or Quintessence Suite, are a particularly direct expression of what access can mean when a hotel, department store, and collection of luxury maisons all belong to the same group. The result is a Paris stay built around the city’s creative infrastructure during some of its most vibrant weeks of the year. Cheval Blanc Paris provides the address from which you can follow the threads—of garments and everything else. With the concierge coordinating the details, it is that the Maison gives guests a knowledgeable point of entry.

For decades, the hotel industry has organized the guest experience around a fairly rigid 24-hour clock: departures happen around midday, rooms are cleaned in the morning, fresh ones are made available in the late afternoon, and turndown happens during that sweet spot while you’re out to dinner. Any exceptions for early check-in or late check-out depend on occupancy and housekeeping schedules and are prioritized based on the channel through which you booked. For instance, when booked with a top partner like SmartFlyer, the hotel will put your early check-in or late check-out request at the top of their queue. But then there’s Peninsula Hotels, which decidedly took a different approach and turned the model on its head with the introduction of “Pen Time” in January 2021.

Nearly two decades ago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills began seeing a familiar pattern: international guests arriving in Los Angeles in the early morning after overnight flights, well before the conventional check-in hour. They wanted to shower, change, sleep, take a call, have breakfast, and start their day without spending the first several hours of their trip waiting for a room. Pen Time was their solution.

Available across The Peninsula Hotels’ collection of twelve properties around the globe, Pen Time is available with every booking made through your SmartFlyer travel advisor—any Peninsula property just needs seventy-two hours’ notice to prepare the rooms. Arrive as early as 6:00 am on the day of check-in and depart as late as 10:00 pm on the day of check-out. Rather than simply adding a few hours to the margins of a stay, the program effectively removes the conventional hotel clock from the equation, creating up to nineteen hours of additional room access around the standard check-in and check-out framework.

Arrive as early as 6:00 am on the day of check-in and depart as late as 10:00 pm on the day of check-out.

Those bonus hours matter. A 6:00 am arrival in Hong Kong can mean a proper shower and breakfast before jumping into one of the flagship property’s Rolls-Royce Platinum Extended house cars to your first meeting of the day. A 10:00 pm departure from Paris can turn a broken-up afternoon into what feels like a full day with a visit to the nearby La Dior Galerie rather than a prolonged wait between checking out and heading to Charles de Gaulle. In London, it might mean touching down from an early morning flight to Heathrow, settling into your suite, taking a swim in its expansive pool, and enjoying breakfast in the property’s airy lobby all before noon, as opposed to going having to deposit your luggage with the bellman and wait around. In Beverly Hills, an evening departure can leave enough time for dinner at Matsuhisa, a swim, and an outfit change before heading to LAX. Ultimately, Pen Time opens up an entirely different way to plan your next city stay with Peninsula.

Inspired by that flexibility, we’ve crafted six ways at six stays to take even more advantage of Pen Time.

• Hong Kong
• London
• Paris
• Chicago
• Istanbul
• Beverly Hills

Hong Kong: Begin Before the City Does

Skip that jet-lag-induced nap after an early morning arrival and instead dive straight into a spate of unique-to-Hong Kong delights.

The Peninsula Hong Kong has occupied its place on Salisbury Road since December 1928, earning its long-standing reputation as the “Grande Dame of the Far East.” Its character comes from the meeting of eras: traditional European hospitality, Chinese craftsmanship, harbor-facing grandeur and a distinctly modern Hong Kong that moves at an entirely different pace outside its doors. The Marco Polo Suite at this original Peninsula property exemplifies what makes it special. Each bedroom has its own en-suite marble bathtub, and each space is resplendent with hand-loomed rugs, silks, and antique décor, creating a thoughtful mix of tradition and timeless elegance. With so much heritage to appreciate, Pen Time is particularly useful here for travelers arriving on overnight flights. Skip that jet-lag-induced nap after an early morning arrival and instead dive straight into a spate of unique-to-Hong Kong delights.

6:00 am: Arrive and Reset

After an overnight flight, use your suite for what it was designed to provide: a proper reset. Shower, change, and have breakfast before the city reaches its morning crescendo. You can choose between having room service or dining at The Verandah, which opens at 7:00 am and is one of nine dining options on property. If you’re staying in the Marco Polo Suite, prepare to depart in a Phantom Rolls-Royce with your personal chauffeur—all included in your stay.

9:00 am: Bespoke Tailoring with Ascot Chang

Rather than spending the first morning moving between shopping districts, arrange a private appointment with Ascot Chang, the Hong Kong tailoring house known for its hand-finished shirts and bespoke work. Just a ten-minute drive from The Peninsula Hong Kong, this is your first immersion into the city’s thriving energy. Measurements, fabric selection and fitting can turn what might otherwise be a morning of shopping into a highly personal introduction to the city’s tailoring tradition. The appeal is as much practical as experiential: Hong Kong has long been a place where craftsmanship and commerce coexist up close, and a fitting gives you something bespoke to take home with you and remember Hong Kong long after you’ve left the city.

1:00 pm: Stop for Cantonese Lunch

Less than a ten-minute drive from Ascot Chang’s is The Chairman, a popular Michelin-starred restaurant serving Cantonese fare. One of their specialties is their in-house cured meat. Try their signature flower crab.

3:00 pm: Tea in Hong Kong Park

Move toward Hong Kong Park for a private tasting at Lock Cha Tea House, with an emphasis on vintage Pu-erh and the deeper vocabulary of Chinese tea. Give the tasting time to unfold, rather than treating it as another stop between attractions. The teahouse also offers calligraphy classes—an exceptional opportunity for anyone appreciative of the art form.

5:00 pm: Return to The Peninsula

Back at the hotel, the harbor becomes the backdrop for your final stretch of the day. When you’re on Pen Time, here’s still time for a spa appointment, a change for dinner, or simply an hour in the room before the evening begins. While traditional check-in hours would have meant that late afternoon was when your arrival day truly began, instead, you’ve already had time to familiarize yourself with three different facets of Hong Kong’s cultural scene.

London: Turn the Departure into a Full Day

Your final day can still include shopping, a dose of culture, and dinner, all while your suite is still available to you.

The Peninsula London occupies the corner of Grosvenor Place and Hyde Park Corner, beside Wellington Arch and within easy reach of Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair. It was designed to sit naturally among the surrounding heritage architecture and opened in September 2023 to great anticipation. Even with its traditional façade, it offers a distinctly contemporary interpretation of British craftsmanship, mixed with its Hong Kong roots, as shown by the hand-carved Chinese stone lions flanking its entrance. The Belgravia Suite is a sublime example of this mélange of influences—set on the hotel’s top floor, it offers a private terrace with incredible views of London and carefully curated furnishings. In addition to the ample space, there’s a dedicated entrance and elevator—ensuring maximum privacy. In London, Pen Time can make departure day feel less like a departure day and more like a true day of your trip. Your final day can still include shopping, a dose of culture, and dinner, all while your suite is still available to you.

11:00 am: Harrods by appointment

When you’d typically be finishing your check-out, Pen Time means you’ll instead be taking the short five-minute drive over for the personal shopping suite that your SmartFlyer travel advisor arranged at Harrods. There you’ll work with a personal shopper who can help you focus on the categories of your wardrobe calling to you most.

2:00 pm: Lunch and a pause

Take the short trip back to the hotel for lunch on property at Little Blue Noodle Bar, which honors The Peninsula’s Hong Kong origins and serves up noodles, dim sum, and Gweilo Beer. Take a beat after lunch to rest in your room—something to savor on departure day.

4:00 pm: The Tower after the crowds

Arrange a private tour at the Tower of London, with access to the Crown Jewels and a Yeoman Warder, the ceremonial guards of the Tower. The historic complex deserves more than a quick photograph; the extra hours allow the visit to sit comfortably within the day. As a more classic London experience, it’s also a fitting farewell to the city, and an experience you might not have fit in otherwise.

6:00 pm: Return, refresh, repack

This is where the late departure earns its keep. Return to the hotel, shower, repack, and change so you can depart feeling fresh.

7:30 pm: A Final Dinner

Have a final dinner at Pavyllon London, just four minutes from the hotel. The Michelin-starred restaurant serves modern and internationally influenced dishes—with British ingredients and French technique—from an open kitchen. The vibrant energy comes from its commitment to being a neighborhood restaurant, even as Executive Chef Yannick Alléno’s empire expands. It’s an excellent way to depart, knowing you’ll be back to London soon.

10:00 pm: A True Late Check-Out

Instead of spending your last hours in London at an airport lounge, you had the opportunity to fill your final day with tastes of London you might not have experienced otherwise. The benefit of Pen Time is the extra windows of time in cities that have endless ways to explore.

Paris: Make Your Arrival Morning An Anchor to Your Trip

Here, the value of an early arrival is less about racing through a list of sights and more about creating the kind of Parisian day best served with extra hours.

The Peninsula Paris occupies a restored heritage building on Avenue Kléber, within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and several of the city’s most important cultural and shopping addresses. Before becoming The Peninsula Paris in 2014, the building debuted as the Hotel Majestic in 1908 and eventually became the UNESCO offices before turning its keys over to Peninsula Hotels. Today, the Katara Suite makes for a pristine example of what The Peninsula Paris has to offer. The suite occupies much of the hotel’s sixth floor, pairing refined Art Deco interiors with a private rooftop garden and expansive terrace framing views toward the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Parisian rooftops. Here, the value of an early arrival is less about racing through a list of sights and more about creating the kind of Parisian day best served with extra hours.

6:00 am: Arrive in Paris

After your overnight flight, enjoy the efficiency of your VIP greeter, who will take you swiftly through customs and directly to The Peninsula Paris. If you’re staying in the Katara Suite, take time to settle in and enjoy the early morning from your terrace. Have breakfast at Le Lobby, which opens at 7:00 am.

9:00 am: A Quiet Stroll Through Paris

Begin with a walk through the neighborhood. The practice of being a flâneur is all about taking a leisurely stroll across the City of Lights, knowing that wandering aimlessly is how you truly sink into the city’s rhythm. From the hotel, the morning can bend toward the Trocadéro and the Seine before the day’s crowds fully gather. The point is not to maximize the number of landmarks, but to experience the city while it is still relatively unhurried. If you want to learn about the architecture and history while you amble, a private local guide can accompany you, sharing the secrets of Paris’s streets.

12:30 pm: A Long Lunch, Waterfront

Just like a slow meandering stroll, un long déjeuner is an essential part of the Parisian experience. Your walk will conclude at the Seine. From there, a private driver will take you on the fifteen-minute drive to Les Philosophes, where we suggest ordering the onion soup and taking the long lunch to people-watch as they pass by in the busy Le Marais neighborhood. After lunch, browse the abundant number of shops nearby before meeting your private driver, who will transport you the twenty minutes across town to your next stop.

3:30 pm: Private wine experience

Spend your afternoon indulging in the fine particulars of French wine, with a private tasting with a master sommelier at Le Taillevent. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on older vintages and grands crus, further expanding your palate and your knowledge. The collection includes more than 2,000 wines and spirits, so your SmartFlyer travel advisor will match you with a tasting experience that best suits your interests.

6:00 pm: Back to the hotel

Return to Avenue Kléber, passing the Arc de Triomphe on the short drive from Le Taillevent. With an entire extra day under your belt, you’re ready to continue the rest of your trip adapted to the local pace of the city.

Chicago: Give the Departure Day a Second Act

You don’t have to choose between one last museum visit and a comfortable pre-flight departure.

The Peninsula Chicago sits on East Superior Street at Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. The hotel combines the Peninsula’s signature Asian-influenced service culture with a distinctly Chicago setting and has maintained a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating since opening in 2001. In 2026, the property notably marks its 25th anniversary. The Lake Suite is a standout example of The Peninsula Chicago’s legacy; with sweeping views of the Windy City and ample space for the whole family, it’s a spacious home base. With cultural happenings within a manageable distance of the hotel, a late departure empowered by Pen Time becomes especially attractive. Chicago’s museums, restaurants and architecture lend themselves to a full final day. Keeping the room means you don’t have to choose between one last museum visit and a comfortable pre-flight departure.

10:00 am: Private Art Institute access

Instead of preparing to check out of the hotel, start your final day in Chicago by partnering with a private, docent-led tour of the Art Institute of Chicago before the museum opens to non-members. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange the experience, which is typically only open to members.

1:30 pm: An Exemplary Lunch with a Story

Chicago is a city where every meal comes with an origin story. Tzuco is a perfect example. Chef Carlos Gaytán was the first Mexican-born chef to win a Michelin star for his restaurant Mexique. Tzuco continues that excellence, where you can order dishes like his signature steak with chipotle goat cheese fondue. Less than a ten-minute walk or drive from the hotel, it’s an ideal spot to dig into more of Chicago’s rich culinary scene.

3:00 pm: Back to The Peninsula for the Spa

Take advantage of your room’s availability for a bit of a wind-down after lunch before heading to the spa for a treatment. For something particularly distinctive to The Peninsula, get the ninety-minute Blissful Marma Massage, a U.S. signature treatment from Subtle Energies available at The Peninsula Spas in Chicago, New York, and Beverly Hills. It combines massage, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic techniques, Marma point therapy, lymphatic drainage, and kasa bowl work.

7:00 pm: A Final Chicago Tasting

For an evening departure, arrange a special tasting at Alinea, where Chef Grant Achatz’s multi-course approach to modern gastronomy turns dinner into a carefully choreographed experience. Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the two-Michelin-starred experience ties together art and food in an unforgettable way, ending your extra Pen Time in Chicago on a theatrical note.

10:00 pm: A Seamless Departure

Depart knowing you’ve maximized your final day in Chicago and taken a deeper dive into a city with an ever-evolving, exciting cultural scene.

Istanbul: Follow the Water, Not the Clock

Pen Time here is best used to avoid the two things Istanbul can make particularly difficult: wasted transit time and rushed shopping.

The Peninsula Istanbul sits along the Bosphorus in Karaköy, within Galataport, occupying four buildings—including three historic landmark buildings dating back to the early 1900s that were restored as part of the waterfront development. Opened in February 2023, the hotel is centrally located near Galata Tower, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, and the Blue Mosque. The Art Suite at The Peninsula Istanbul showcases just how connected you can feel to the city, while not sacrificing any comforts—it feels like a private residence and intimate gallery in one, with original paintings, drawings, photography, and sculpture by Turkish artists woven throughout its living spaces, alongside bespoke furnishings, traditional rugs, and richly textured fabrics. The setting makes the hotel unusually well positioned for a stay built around the relationship between the city, its splendid waterfront, and its transcultural history. Pen Time here is best used to avoid the two things Istanbul can make particularly difficult: wasted transit time and rushed shopping.

6:00 am: Arrive by Air, Land or Sea

After arriving early after an overnight journey, use the morning to settle into the hotel before traffic begins to build. Those arriving by cruise or private yacht can structure the day around the waterfront. Have breakfast delivered to your room or take your coffee in The Lobby, where you can take in the early morning bustle on the Bosphorus.

9:30 am: Private Artisan Appointment

Skip the busiest public corridors of the Grand Bazaar, just a ten-minute drive from the hotel, and arrange a private viewing with a specialist in fine jewelry. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can set up the appointment in an atelier or private showroom, depending on your preference, with a focus on provenance, craftsmanship, and the story behind individual pieces. For collectors, this is where additional time becomes particularly useful. There is room to inspect, ask questions, and learn the history behind special items.

12:30 pm: Lunch Along the Water

Return to Karaköy for lunch. You’ll cross the river again via private driver and be less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel when you sit down at Abdi Bey Lokantası, a modern Turkish dining experience in a historic setting near the Galata Tower. It’s a particularly apt choice for lunch, when the popular establishment is known for its calmer vibe.

3:00 pm: Private Bosphorus Transit

Rather than spending an afternoon navigating Istanbul’s roads, you’ll spend the afternoon on a private mahogany motor yacht and take to the Bosphorus. The route will pass the waterfront palaces and historic yalı residences while the city unfolds from the water.

5:00 pm: An Evening That’s a Beginning

After a day by and on the water, you’ve been able to soak in the rhythms of the city that quite literally bridges East and West. Now, you can step into the rest of your itinerary with a taste, a sight, and a feel for Istanbul.

Beverly Hills: Stay Until the Light Changes

With its jet-set and Hollywood clientele, The Peninsula Beverly Hills serves as the property where the idea behind Pen Time first took shape…

Open since August 1991, The Peninsula Beverly Hills has a different relationship with time altogether. Naturally, with its jet-set and Hollywood clientele, The Peninsula Beverly Hills serves as the property where the idea behind Pen Time first took shape—after all, Los Angeles is a city where the time between destinations can consume the day. Set among landscaped gardens, the hotel feels removed from the intensity of Los Angeles while remaining close to Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood, and the city’s cultural institutions. Its approach to service has always emphasized familiarity, with guest preferences remembered and stays shaped around individual routines. Timeless Hollywood glamor blends with the ever-evolving pace of Los Angeles. The property serves as a haven from the bustle of the world beyond. The pinnacle is the Executive Villa Suite, with a private terrace facing the Century City skyline and features like a crystal chandelier, two fireplaces, and a separate study.

12:00 pm: Lunch at The Roof Garden

Instead of checking out and existing in limbo, you’ll spend your lunch at The Peninsula at The Roof Garden, where the open-air setting and seasonal California cooking lend themselves naturally to a midday pause. Sitting under those iconic yellow umbrellas, you’ll enjoy the fresh, produce-driven menu while taking in the sunny ambiance—and maybe a cocktail to set the breezy tone for your last day.

2:00 pm: Languid Hours Spent by the Pool

Your afternoon can remain entirely within the confines of the hotel. Transition from sipping on cocktails to time lounging at the rooftop pool. This is especially valuable with Pen Time because you can head back to your room to shower afterward—and depending on your stay, time by the pool might be a bonus you wouldn’t have had time for otherwise.

6:30 pm: Dinner at a Beverly Hills Institution

Your final Beverly Hills meal should nod to the area’s rich history. Mr. Chow is a Beverly Hills institution and has served stars high-end Chinese food for more than fifty years. Just a five-minute drive down the road, you don’t have to go far for the iconic black-and-white dining room and the glitzy lore that accompanies it.

9:30 pm: The Final Freshening Up

Again, there might be no more valuable time in your hotel than the extra hours you get to spend making sure you’re totally ready for the next phase of your journey. Now’s your time to pack, rest, and change into your travel outfit.

No Matter Where, Pen Time Gives You the Power of More

The beauty of Pen Time is how it transforms arrival and departure days into opportunities for complete immersion in your destination. As our peek into what is available at each of the six properties showcases, there are a million ways to leverage this extra time. There’s no wrong way to do it—only your way. Work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to find the way to make Pen Time work best for you.

For us, the honor of being considered a classic destination comes from a heady combination of art, culture, food, and natural beauty. The appeal of a repeat visit to these places derives from pairing familiarity with the promise of discovering something new—be that a restaurant, a charming street, or an experience that strengthens your connection to the place.

This is where Park Hyatt hotels come in: a brand that approaches hospitality through this lens, welcoming those who return by empowering them to embrace both familiarity and exploration. Across its global portfolio, the brand combines refined design, intuitive service, curated art collections, and culinary programs shaped by each locale across its twenty-seven-country footprint. Every Park Hyatt hotel is tied together by a throughline that promises you will experience something exceptional at each place.

Rather than applying a single visual identity across every address, Park Hyatt hotels creates stays that respond to their surroundings.

Rather than applying a single visual identity across every address, Park Hyatt hotels create stays that respond to their surroundings—something that permeates through all five senses. This philosophy has been a central tenet of the brand since its first opening, Park Hyatt Chicago, back in 1980. Now with fifty-one properties currently open or in the pipeline across six continents, that place-led specificity can take shape as you sip a cocktail at Writer’s Room Bar at Park Hyatt Toronto or stay on the ninety-third floor in one of the world’s tallest buildings at Park Hyatt Shanghai.

The brand’s belief that “Luxury is Personal” centers on its commitment to understanding how each traveler wants to spend their time. For a couple celebrating an anniversary, that may mean a thoughtfully arranged dinner, a private moment overlooking a city skyline, or a seamless itinerary built around shared interests. For families traveling across generations, it may mean connecting accommodations, flexible spaces, and recommendations that cater to everyone from the grandparents to the youngest littles in tow. For executives extending business travel into leisure, it may mean efficient service, exceptional dining, wellness facilities, and a smooth transition between work and personal time. Park Hyatt hotels’ power is that it meets all those very different needs—and then delivers that little something extra through its emphasis on exploration, too.

Across cities and resort destinations, a consistent standard of excellence runs through the portfolio, while each property bears its own distinct identity. The result is a portfolio designed for travelers who value familiarity, discretion, and quality while still seeking meaningful ways to discover the world. In keeping with this philosophy, we’re recapping our view on how six Park Hyatt hotels across six exceptional destinations are bringing this ethos to life.

Park Hyatt New York: A Different Side of Midtown

Located on 57th Street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue, a stay at Park Hyatt New York places you in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly across from Carnegie Hall and just two blocks from Central Park. Occupying the first twenty-five floors of the ninety-story One57 skyscraper, the hotel provides a central base for exploring some of the city’s most prolific spaces while ensconcing you in a quiet haven above the hum of activity on the streets below. With an exterior by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, the property is a standout on the already impressive Billionaire’s Row.

Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the interiors draw inspiration from the proportions and comfort of a private Manhattan residence. Throughout the hotel, architectural screens, hand-woven custom carpeting, and layered textures deliver a sense of craftsmanship. Shared spaces are designed around a residential atmosphere, with The Study offering a quiet setting for reading or hushed conversation, while The Living Room provides a more relaxed gathering space with plush seating, fresh flowers, and city views.

Guestrooms and suites further build upon the Park Hyatt’s residential design approach with generous layouts, refined finishes, and artistic touches. Across accommodations and common spaces, you’ll find a collection of approximately 350 commissioned works created in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art, featuring artists such as Marc Swanson and Sigmar Polke. The artistic focus curated by Erica Samuels of Samuels Creative extends into smaller details, from artwork displayed on room key cards to Japanese artist Tetsuro Sawada’s plexiglass installation above the bar, composed of nearly 1,000 individual glass pieces.

The property’s eye-catching art is paired with an essential for any New York stay: a photo-worthy view. Many accommodations overlook Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The zenith of this creative effort is the Manhattan Suite. Located in a private twenty-fifth-floor wing, it features sweeping city views, two balconies, and 3,500 square feet. The space was brought to life by New York–based design studio Sawyer & Company—we especially love the blush-hued living room.

Here’s how we’d pair this stay with New York experiences you might have missed the first time around:

• Start (Early) with Central Park: Take an early morning walk through the park before the paths become crowded, then return to the hotel before heading out for the day. These quieter hours are when the park feels truly magical—and your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a private tour of the park’s most iconic sights, giving you the lesser-known facts on one of the world’s greatest urban parks. Less than a five-minute walk from the entrance of Central Park, the park couldn’t be more at your fingertips.
• Explore Museum Mile: Arrange a privately guided after-hours visit to one of the iconic institutions along Museum Mile. With this exclusive and intimate access, you’ll be able to enjoy The Temple of Dendur at the Met, or Édouard Manet’s Before the Mirror at the Guggenheim without crowds. A private driver will take you door-to-door—or you can take the scenic route, walking through the park.
• See Carnegie Hall: Broadway is always a classic—but Park Hyatt’s location makes expanding your artistic intake particularly appealing. Build an evening around a performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall directly across the street from the hotel. Box seats in the first tier ensure you’ll have the best view of the performances that grace the stage.

Park Hyatt Tokyo: Explore the Neighborhoods Beyond Shinjuku

High above Shinjuku, Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the upper floors of Shinjuku Park Tower, Kenzo Tange’s landmark complex in one of Tokyo’s most dynamic districts. Since opening in 1994 as Asia’s first Park Hyatt, the hotel has been recognized for its elevated views, art-filled interiors, and sense of calm within one of the world’s busiest cities. And for film buffs, it’s worth noting the property is forever immortalized as the setting of many scenes in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 Oscar-winning film Lost in Translation.

Since opening in 1994 as Asia’s first Park Hyatt, the hotel has been recognized for its elevated views, art-filled interiors, and sense of calm within one of the world’s busiest cities.

Following a comprehensive restoration by Paris-based Studio Jouin Manku in 2025, the hotel reopened after a nineteen-month closure to a fresh chapter while preserving the qualities that have long shaped its storied reputation. The renovation introduced warmer materials, softer forms, and updated spaces while maintaining the intimate atmosphere and architectural character that have defined the property for decades. The hotel’s 171 guestrooms and suites occupy floors thirty-nine through fifty-two of Shinjuku Park Tower, offering views across Tokyo and, on clear days, toward Mount Fuji.

Designed with the proportions of private residences, each room features bespoke furnishings, contemporary Japanese artwork, and deep soaking tubs. Larger suites expand the offering with separate living and dining areas, private kitchens, libraries, grand pianos, and steam saunas. All suites feature Yoshitaka Echizenya’s artwork—dreamlike contemporary pieces that speak to the married energy and tranquility of Park Hyatt Tokyo. The standout suite, The Tokyo Suite, offers more than 2,300 square feet of space, plus a grand piano, a dining room for eight, and a steam sauna. Restored to its original 1994 design, the space is a testament that preserving a space with a story will always carry meaning.

Here are a few ways we’d dig deeper into a stay in Tokyo:

• Spend a morning in Kichijōji: Considered one of Tokyo’s most desirable neighborhoods, here you can delight in browsing independent bookstores, cafés, and small shops for a view of everyday of the city away from its major attractions. A private guide can help you maneuver the streets and bring you to the best spots the neighborhood has to offer just a twenty-minute drive from the hotel.
• Explore Jimbocho: A private driver can take you to Jimbocho in less than fifteen minutes so you can immerse yourself in the world’s largest used-book district. Your guide will help you navigate the charming shops away from the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, in what Time Out considers “the coolest neighborhood in the world.” Here, it’s not just vintage and rare books: you’ll find antique shops, vinyl record cafes, and the magic of being a place dedicated to just one thing—that’s the real rare commodity.
• Go small after dark: Visit the tiny izakayas of Omoide Yokocho, a nostalgic ode to the open-air markets from previous eras of Tokyo. With more than sixty bars and restaurants, each serving only a few customers at a time, exploration is the name of the game. Order Kirin and embrace the frenetic energy. The best part? This excursion is only about a five-minute drive or short walk from the hotel.

Park Hyatt Vienna: Spend More Time in the First District

With a noteworthy location in the former headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Bank on Am Hof, Park Hyatt Vienna occupies one of Vienna’s oldest squares in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying here places you within the First District, where you can easily walk to city staples like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, the Albertina Museum, and the Spanish Riding School, while also giving you direct access to the quieter streets, courtyards, and historic passages that many visitors overlook when checking off the city’s major landmarks.

The building itself offers a unique experience baked into your stay, as long as you take the time to observe the architecture surrounding you. Original marble, grand columns, vaulted ceilings, and historic banking spaces have been preserved throughout the property, allowing you to spend time inside one of Vienna’s landmark buildings long after most historic sites have closed for the day. The interiors were appointed by Amsterdam-based design firm FG Stijl, and blend the building’s original character with a balance of warmth and stateliness.

Original marble, grand columns, vaulted ceilings, and historic banking spaces have been preserved throughout the property.

Signature features of the original bank building have been preserved or meaningfully reimagined. For instance, the vault has been transformed into a spa featuring a 50-foot swimming pool, while the hotel’s 146 guestrooms and suites rank among the largest in Vienna. High ceilings, generous living areas, and residential design create accommodations that work particularly well if you’re spending several days in the city. The space is paired with hallmark symbols of grandeur: Italian marble columns, mother-of-pearl finishes, and shimmering chandeliers. The two-bedroom Royal Penthouse Suite is the pinnacle of comfort: split across two levels, it has four terraces offering panoramic views of Vienna’s old town.

To complement the singular stay that lets you behind the curtain of one of the world’s most storied squares, here are a few ways we’d suggest finding a more intimate version of Vienna.

• Watch the Spanish Riding School rehearse: Seek out a morning rehearsal with the Lipizzaners for a less formal, incredibly intimate view of one of Vienna’s most recognizable institutions. Park Hyatt Vienna is just a few minutes’ walk away, and a private guide will take you through the famed institution’s secret door. After an aperitif, you’ll meet members of the team and get an up-close look at the stables.
• Delight in the Craft of Vienna’s Vineyards: The city’s vineyards are just a twenty-minute drive outside of the city, but you’ll feel transported to an entirely new environment. You’ll be matched with a local epicurean for private introductions to the families who own the wineries, then enjoy tastings and pairings that are not only a sensory delight but also offer a rich understanding of this region’s viticulture.
• Bring Home Something Made for Royalty: As a longtime seat for European monarchs, there is no shortage of ways you can connect with royal history while in Vienna. And there’s one way you can bring a bit of that home with you: Jarosinski & Vaugoin. This store in the Neubau district has been silversmithing since 1847 with its silverware placed on royal tables around the world. Notably, it’s one of the last silversmiths in the world to still produce their items entirely by hand. Not only can you walk away with your own set of cutlery, but your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a private behind-the-scenes tour to get a peek into how the brand preserves its craftsmanship nearly two hundred years into its legacy.

Park Hyatt Marrakech: Slow Down the Red City

Located about fifteen minutes from the Moroccan city’s famed Medina, Park Hyatt Marrakech occupies a nineteen-acre estate in Al Maaden, surrounded by gardens, olive trees, and views toward the Atlas Mountains. The setting provides a quieter alternative to staying in the buzzing center while keeping Marrakech’s historic neighborhoods within easy reach. The resort’s sixteen ochre-toned pavilions house 130 guestrooms and suites, all arranged around courtyards, gardens, and calming water features.

A quieter alternative to staying in the buzzing center while keeping Marrakech’s historic neighborhoods within easy reach.

Continuing the brand’s dedication to making each property feel true to its surroundings, Marrakech-based designer Imaad Rahmouni created interiors for this new build—opened in July 2024—that reinterpret Moroccan architecture and materials in a contemporary way. More than 700 works of art from artists in Morocco, Senegal, Benin, Spain, France, Italy and Japan are displayed throughout the property, including a large-scale ceramic installation by Moroccan artist Mounat Charrat in the lobby. Every accommodation also features traditionally woven Berber carpets in pure wool and headboards representing the Tataoui motif—the pairing of the contemporary finishes, global art, and traditional craftsmanship is a fitting way to honor Morocco’s long history and ever-evolving future.

The lushest way to experience this desert oasis is through its one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. Each is equipped with its own private pool, en-suite hammam, and a soaking tub. Plus, all face the stunning view of the Atlas Mountains, framed by the outlines of palm, olive, and jacaranda trees.

To deepen your connection with Marrakech beyond the highlights, here are a few ways we’d recommend spending your time in and around the Moroccan city:

• Return to the Medina at a Quieter Hour: Explore the souks and historic streets early in the morning, when there’s more time to appreciate the architecture and craftsmanship. With a private guide, you will learn how the medina operates, explore its expansive history, and meet local characters who give the streets so much life. The thirty-minute drive to this thriving center will feel tranquil in the early morning hours as the bustling city slowly rises.
• Visit Berber Artists: Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange private visits with Marrakech Berber rug weavers to learn the techniques behind the infamous Moroccan rugs. Beyond a private shopping experience, this meeting with craftspeople will provide a hands-on learning opportunity that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the vast influences in Moroccan culture.
• See the Atlas Mountains from the Best Vantage Point: Explore traditional villages and mountain landscapes with an early-morning hot air balloon ride at sunrise, which provides stunning views of villages nestled in the valleys. Nothing quite compares to watching the sun slowly illuminate this storied landscape as a gentle breeze blows past. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange seamless door-to-door transport.

Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol: Follow the Landscape from Sea to Desert

The resort uses natural materials, handcrafted details, and open-air spaces to connect the property to Baja California Sur.

As the first Park Hyatt property in Mexico, the Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol had a heavy mantle to carry for the brand when it opened in December 2025. It bears the responsibility well, starting with its enviable location, sitting along the Golden Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, within the Cabo del Sol community on the Sea of Cortez. Designed by Mexican architecture firm Sordo Madaleno, interiors were thoughtfully done by Mexican designer Paulina Morán and George Wong Design. The resort uses natural materials, handcrafted details, and open-air spaces to connect the property to Baja California Sur.

Many guestrooms, suites, villas, and residences offer views of the Sea of Cortez, with the design intentionally oriented towards the stunning coastline it rests on. Throughout the property, you’ll find inspiration drawn from historic elements of Mexican architecture, sun-washed color palettes intended to deepen your sense of relaxation, and biophilic design honors and preserves the surrounding environment. The word that came during our recent stay scouting the property was “sanctuary.”

That connection to nature extends to the two- and three-bedroom ocean view villas. Here, a sense of serenity is extended to private lap pools, and the 1,995-square-foot living space is rivaled by the 1,575-square-foot private patio. The contrast between desert and ocean is best highlighted in this space, where you feel a kind of quiet reprieve.

While you could certainly spend your entire stay just pinging between the pool, spa, and your suite, here are a few ways to break up your time lying by the sea.

• Visit San José del Cabo’s Art District: Spend an afternoon visiting local galleries and join the weekly gallery walk every Thursday evening for a different perspective on the region’s creative scene. It’s a social way to connect with Cabo, and so popular that the government shuts down the streets to car traffic for it each week. Want the privatized version? Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a more intimate exploration of this blossoming art scene.
• Get Onto the Sea of Cortez: A private boat will take you offshore to snorkel and explore the marine environment, which offers a whole new perspective on the natural wonder of Los Cabos. Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium,” because of the endless abundance of wildlife in the turquoise waters. Spend the day diving beneath the surface and stopping at some of the 240 islands and islets.
• Explore the Baja Desert, Sport-Mode: To maximize the unique contrast of this environment, pair your aquatic exploration with an arid adventure—4×4 style. A local guide will take you into the desert, where you can find desert waterfalls and spot iconic birds like the Roadrunner as you race off-road across the dry, hilly terrain on ATVs. All the while, you’ll have those stunning ocean views to remind you a cool, refreshing dip is never too far away.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour: Explore Beyond the Southern Coast

In 2017, Park Hyatt made its Caribbean debut on the southern tip of St. Kitts. Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour occupies a secluded stretch of coastline overlooking Banana Bay and Nevis. The unobstructed views are just the start of this special stay; the 126-room property features Kittitian-inspired décor and respects the island’s natural environment. With a Green Key Certification, the property’s sustainability practices on the property exemplify Park Hyatt’s commitment to place—it was the first property on St. Kitts and Nevis to receive the distinction.

Stone, timber, and locally inspired materials tie the buildings to the island…

Designed by Range Developments, which specializes in Caribbean resorts, it blends contemporary architecture with its more traditional design. The property emphasizes outdoor living, with guestrooms, suites, and villas opening onto private terraces facing the Caribbean or Nevis. Stone, timber, and locally inspired materials tie the buildings to the island, while the adults-only pool frames a view of Nevis through a distinctive stone arch.

Park Hyatt St Kitts’ three-bedroom Presidential Villa maximizes the property’s compelling design with a private infinity pool and numerous spacious terraces to take in the views. Even inside, you won’t miss out; as floor-to-ceiling windows accentuate every room, including the tranquil space where the soaking tub faces the water. Other fun touches, like a pool table and a private workout space, mean you barely leave the villa to make your way down to the crystalline waters.

But we’d advise you to take time to connect with the rich cultural and natural tapestry St. Kitts has to offer—the island’s history and volcanic landscape reward travelers who venture farther.

• Visit Basseterre and Brimstone Hill Fortress: Head to this historic UNESCO fortress and national park, built on a volcanic hill and offering expansive views over the island. A private guide and driver will make the journey seamless as you make your way to see the well-preserved example of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century architecture. Learn the history of the island and step through time with the unique historical vantage point.
• Take a Private Charter to Nevis: Depart from Fisherman’s Village for an afternoon on the neighboring island, just a ten-minute ride away. Explore the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton and Nevis’s cultural history with a local expert leading the way.
• Embark on a Rain Forest Excursion: Take a private, open-aired ride through the island’s lush brush, making stops at botanic gardens, former sugar plantations, and if you’re up for it, do a short hike through the verdant jungle. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange door-to-door transit to the Central Forest National Reserve, just a forty-minute drive from the property, making it a perfect launch point for your adventure.

Rediscovering Familiar Destinations Through Park Hyatt

Across urban centers and resort landscapes, Park Hyatt hotels approach familiar destinations by focusing on the details that shape how travelers spend their time. In cities like New York, Vienna, and Tokyo, the brand places you near cultural landmarks while offering carefully designed spaces for privacy and comfort. In resort destinations including Cabo del Sol, Marrakech, and St. Kitts, the surrounding landscape informs the architecture, cuisine, wellness offerings, and activities available throughout the stay.

Each property presents a unique way to experience its location. Through design, cuisine, art, and service, each property offers travelers a way to return to familiar places while discovering something new.

Commissioned by King Louis XIV at the close of the seventeenth century, the perfectly proportioned octagonal square of Place Vendôme was crafted as a commanding public space that would rival the grandeur of Place des Vosges—the oldest planned public square in Paris. More than three centuries later, its unified limestone façades remain remarkably intact, providing an extraordinary sense of continuity from the architectural language established at the Palace of Versailles in a city marked by its reverence for the past.

At its center stands the Vendôme Column, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810 following his victory at Austerlitz. Since then, the square has evolved from a symbol of royal and imperial ambition into the global epicenter of haute joaillerie, where many of the world’s most celebrated jewelry houses continue to uphold centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship. Today, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Piaget, Bulgari, Chanel, Rolex, and Dior occupy addresses surrounding Place Vendôme and neighboring Rue de la Paix, creating one of the most concentrated collections of exceptional artisanship anywhere in the world.

For generations, the street has been synonymous with haute couture, fine jewelry, and finest craftsmanship…

Just beyond Place Vendôme, Rue de la Paix extends this legacy. For generations, the street has been synonymous with haute couture, fine jewelry, and finest craftsmanship, drawing designers, jewelers, and tastemakers from across the globe. Now, Park Hyatt Place Vendôme provides intimate access to that lush history and influence while delivering a palatial stay to punctuate your time in Paname—a local term for the beloved city that you can add to your vocab before your arrival to sound like a real insider.

An Unparalleled Address

…you’re just steps from the flagship boutiques of the world’s leading jewelry and fashion maisons.

For Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, its location is far more than an enviable address; it defines the character of the property. “Rue de la Paix has long been associated with haute couture, fine jewelry, and craftsmanship,” says Isadora Piccoli from the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme team, when chatting with the SmartFlyer team. “Created under Louis XIV and later becoming the epicenter of French haute joaillerie and haute couture, Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix have long been synonymous with timeless elegance. Today, you’re just steps from the flagship boutiques of the world’s leading jewelry and fashion maisons, making the hotel an ideal base for experiencing the heritage and artistry that define Parisian style.”

The significance of No. 5 Rue de la Paix extends well beyond its enviable address. Long before Park Hyatt enlisted legendary architect Ed Tuttle to transform the hotel, the building housed Maison Paquin, one of France’s defining couture houses. Jeanne Paquin welcomed royalty, artists, and cultural figures through the doors while helping shape modern Parisian fashion at the turn of the twentieth century, and the property’s Café Jeanne now pays tribute to her legacy. According to the hotel’s archives, another chapter of design history unfolded in the same courtyard, where Rose Repetto developed the ballet slipper that would become an enduring icon of French style in 1947—the very same look that’s now adorning the feet of the fashion set today in major cities all over the world.

Together, these stories explain why Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme shares an intrinsic link with its surroundings. It occupies an address where architecture, fashion, craftsmanship, and cultural history have intersected for generations, allowing every stay to be rooted in a deeper understanding of one of Paris’ most influential neighborhoods.

A Parisian Residence Shaped by Design

Glancing at its façade, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme blends seamlessly into the historic rhythm of Rue de la Paix. But it’s only upon entering that you come to understand how the property remains one of the most remarkable architectural transformations in contemporary Paris hospitality. The hotel’s philosophy of wanting guests to feel like they’re at their own Parisian residence becomes apparent from the moment of arrival. Visitors enter through a traditional carriage entrance before being welcomed by the concierge while reception sits farther within the building, creating a measured arrival sequence that feels carefully composed rather than transactional.

…the property remains one of the most remarkable architectural transformations in contemporary Paris hospitality.

“The hotel was intentionally designed to feel more like a Parisian residence than a hotel,” says Piccoli. That philosophy extends beyond architecture into every interaction. Service is polished and deeply attentive without unnecessary ceremony, allowing the atmosphere to feel welcoming while maintaining the refinement expected from one of Paris’ most celebrated addresses. When acclaimed architect and interior designer Ed Tuttle was commissioned to create the hotel, he inherited five separate Haussmann-era buildings, each constructed independently during the nineteenth century.

Although these façades appeared unified from the street, their floor heights, structural layouts, and proportions differed significantly. Transforming them into a single, cohesive property required an extraordinary feat of engineering. “It was one of the most impressive aspects of the project,” Piccoli said. “Ed Tuttle didn’t design a new building. To make everything align, one of the buildings actually had to be raised by more than a meter so the floors and façades would connect properly.”

The technical complexity of the renovation remains entirely invisible today, allowing the property and its 155 rooms and suites to feel as though it has always existed as a single Parisian residence. That restraint guided every subsequent design decision. Rather than relying on decorative opulence, Tuttle created interiors defined by proportion, natural light, and enduring materials. Paris stone, dark mahogany, hand-finished bronze, and green onyx establish a warm, understated palette that feels deeply woven into the texture of the city beyond its walls.

Nearly every piece of furniture was designed specifically for the hotel, giving each room a cohesive identity while reinforcing the notion that you couldn’t be anywhere else but here. “Tuttle focused on proportion, natural light, and materials,” Piccoli explained to SmartFlyer. “Clean lines replaced decorative excess. The architectural details throughout the property make subtle references to Place Vendôme and the city of Paris.” Those references reward close attention.

…extensive use of Paris stone replicates the creamy limestone that defines the city’s Haussmannian architecture.

Café Jeanne’s striking glass roof recalls the facets of a cut diamond, an homage to the generations of master jewelers surrounding Place Vendôme. Structural columns echo the iconic Vendôme Column only steps away, while carpets draw inspiration from the saturated colors of precious gemstones. Throughout the property, the extensive use of Paris stone replicates the creamy limestone that defines the city’s Haussmannian architecture, dissolving the boundary between the neighborhood outside and the spaces within.

Art further reinforces the hotel’s identity. More than 5,000 custom bronze works by renowned sculptor Roseline Granet are integrated throughout the building, transforming door handles, sconces, furnishings, and monumental sculptures into part of the property’s permanent collection. Paintings and installations by internationally recognized artists including Sam Gilliam, Ed Paschke, Llyn Foulkes, Christiane Durand, and Irmgard Sigg appear throughout the public spaces, allowing every corridor to function as an extension of a contemporary gallery. Ultimately, every decision, carefully selected material, and artistic commission reflects the same guiding principle: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme was conceived not as a standalone destination, but as a natural extension of one of Paris’ most storied neighborhoods.

The same thoughtful design language continues at the subterranean Le Spa by La Mer, where more Paris stone, mahogany, onyx, Zimbabwe granite, and shimmering gold mosaics create an atmosphere of understated sophistication. Signature treatments incorporate exclusive verbena and lemongrass oils developed for the hotel by French perfumer Blaise Mautin, extending the property’s commitment to craftsmanship throughout its wellness experiences.

Experiencing Place Vendôme with Incomparable Access

The true appeal of Place Vendôme is not only found in its celebrated names, but in the craftsmanship and creativity that continue behind its historic façades. For centuries, this neighborhood has attracted artisans, designers, jewelers, and cultural figures who have shaped Parisian style. Today, that legacy remains visible in the ateliers, maisons, galleries, and private residences that surround the square. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme provides a natural base for digging into this heritage. The hotel places visitors within walking distance of some of Paris’ most iconic cultural landmarks, including the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, the Opéra Garnier, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

…you’ll have access to the concierge team who can make private appointments with historic maisons…and personalized, intimate tours of cultural institutions.

Notably, Park Hyatt Place-Vendôme’s Les Clefs d’Or concierge team is led by Dominique Guidetti, President of Les Clefs d’Or France, a professional organization for the world’s most sought-after hotel concierges. This differentiation point helps bring the neighborhood to life through the team’s personal connections and local expertise in collaboration with your SmartFlyer travel advisor. Rather than offering a standard list of recommendations, you’ll have access to the concierge team who can make private appointments with historic maisons, introductions to emerging designers, behind-the-scenes access to artisan workshops, and personalized, intimate tours of cultural institutions.

Discover, for instance, the Hôtel de la Païva, a magnificent 19th-century hôtel particulier on the Champs-Élysées. Originally built for the famous courtesan Esther Lachmann, known as La Païva, and where Parisian high society once gathered for lavish soirées. Or explore the backstage areas of the Palais Garnier, including the legendary underground water reservoir beneath the stage. The mysterious atmosphere inspired countless myths and legends surrounding the opera house—most famously, the 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera.

For art lovers, you’ll have exclusive early-morning or after-hours access, accompanied by a private art curator, before your chosen museum opens or long after its doors have closed to the public. Gaze on the Venus de Milo at the Louvre without the tangle of crowds; Linger at Manet’s Olympia at the Musée d’Orsay without feeling rushed.

Staying at Fashion’s Front Door

Place Vendôme’s surrounding streets provide an opportunity to experience Parisian craftsmanship right from the source. Long-established houses continue traditions passed through generations to a French fashion legacy that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world. Boucheron first opened its doors in 1893; Cartier in 1898; Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906; and Chaumet in 1907. Beyond jewelry, you can find Schiaparelli, the storefront where Elsa Schiaparelli first launched her designs; plus, historic storefronts for Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.

Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will work with the concierge team to secure privileged access and private appointments to the city’s most prestigious luxury maisons, including Chanel at 18 Place Vendôme, Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme, Goyard, and L’Étrange. These bespoke experiences extend to those jewelry houses, like Cartier, Mellerio, Korloff, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co on Place Vendôme, too. Through your stay with Park Hyatt, you will have exclusive access to their iconic archives and private salons.

Depending on how you wish to weave through the fashion world’s gravitational center, your stay at Park Hyatt Place Vendôme should follow the sartorial calendar. During Paris Fashion Week—which takes place at the end of September into the first week of October—editors, stylists, designers, and collectors fill Place Vendôme as they move between runway shows, showroom appointments, and the neighborhood’s historic maisons. The buzzy energy supports the district’s position at the center of the fashion industry—and gives anyone who stays a front row seat to one of the most exciting weeks in the sartorial world. This happens again for Haute Couture and Menswear in the last week of January, and again in the first week of March, for the Fall/Winter collection.

Place Vendôme’s significance does not come only from its history, but from the artists, designers, and artisans who continue to shape its future.

Throughout the rest of the year, the pace softens, allowing the architecture, ateliers, and perpetual spirit of French savoir-faire to take center stage. If you want your Devil Wears Prada moment, plan to visit during PFW. If you’re looking for the romance of Funny Face, much of the rest of the year will better suit your needs, with spring and fall being favorites for the City of Light.

Regardless of when you visit, across every aspect of the experience, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme reflects the character of its address. The hotel’s architecture, art collection, cuisine, and service are all connected by the same philosophy: honoring Parisian craftsmanship while creating an expression of the city that’s meant to be fully explored. Place Vendôme’s significance does not come only from its history, but from the artists, designers, and artisans who continue to shape its future. You aren’t simply near one of Paris’ most iconic neighborhoods—you become part of the ongoing story that has defined it for more than three centuries.

As longevity has become one of the defining multi-billion-dollar conversations in the modern wellness space, travel advisors are acting as resources to help their clients live not just longer, but better. Few places embody this philosophy as naturally as The Maybourne Riviera. Suspended more than 1,000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the hotel occupies one of the French Riviera’s most enviable addresses. Positioned between France, Monaco, and Italy, the property offers access to three distinct cultures while remaining surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Côte d’Azur.

The Maybourne Riviera’s approach to longevity starts with an inherent connection to its surroundings. The Mediterranean has long been associated with healthy aging, attributed to its fresh seasonal cuisine, sunlight, and la douceur de vivre. It’s a place that naturally encourages many of the habits associated with longevity: spending time outdoors, moving through nature, breathing fresh sea air, and creating space for quiet reflection. Coastal walks, open-air dining, and the ever-changing Mediterranean light become effortless access points to achieve your health goals. The hotel builds upon these traditions through its Surrenne Riviera facility, a pioneering wellbeing and longevity concept that combines advanced science with the restorative qualities of nature. Surrenne approaches wellbeing as an ongoing practice designed to support long-term vitality, pairing the destination’s naturally restorative atmosphere with science-driven care for maximum benefits.

The Maybourne Riviera’s approach to longevity starts with an inherent connection to its surroundings.

The Maybourne Riviera was the fourth hotel added under the revered Maybourne Hotel Group umbrella, following in the footsteps of Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Berkeley in London and The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. A fifth property in London, The Emory, opened in 2024. The group’s expansion into the French Riviera in 2021 was driven by the pristine environment that has long been a destination for some of the world’s most notable artists, designers, and writers. Roquebrune-Cap-Martin has been a favored destination for WB Yeats, Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Jean Cocteau. Co-owner Paddy McKillen has said that for him too, it is one of his favorite places in the world, a “truly untouched French gem” that begs to be explored.

This symbiotic relationship between the environment and restoration is evident throughout your stay.  The Maybourne Riviera embraces its surroundings through the guiding philosophy, “Luxury is Light,” which reflects this connection between architecture and nature, creating interiors inspired by the sky, sea, and landscape beyond. Here, the design has been carefully crafted so that space is designed as a private sanctuary above the sea.

Design as Wellness

The Maybourne Riviera has been conceived as a contemporary retreat that draws from the artistic and cultural heritage of the Côte d’Azur. Before the property opened in 2022, the locale played host to the Vista Palace Hotel dating back to 1986. And for a hundred years before that, it was an informal tearoom called Vistaero, serving hikers in the region since 1870. Now, this storied location carries on its tradition of fostering an intimate relationship between the hotel and coastline. Today, the resort offers uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean and, under the right conditions, even Corsica on the distant horizon. Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte created a design that flawlessly blends the property’s sixty-five rooms, six bars and restaurants, and an infinity pool into the Riviera’s rocky cliffs. As Maybourne Riviera puts it, this isn’t simply a place to stay—it’s one to inhabit.

Beyond Wilmotte’s modernist feat, the design details continue to bring together the brand’s track record of discerning taste with its focus on wellbeing. Under the guidance of Maybourne’s lead designer, Michelle Wu, a mix of interior design studios—Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, André Fu, Rigby & Rigby, Marcelo Julia—ensured each of the twenty-nine suites pairs spectacular views with natural textures, local art, custom-made furniture, and clean sloping lines. The mix of designers also ensures a bespoke feel throughout the property, adding to the unshakeable atmosphere of peace that radiates from every corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, spacious layouts, and furnished terraces create a direct connection to the landscape, reinforcing one of the central principles behind travel that supports your wellbeing: restoration requires time, space, and the ability to slow down.

At the center of The Maybourne Riviera’s longevity philosophy is Surrenne Riviera, a three-floor wellbeing sanctuary. Surrenne Riviera echoes its sister property within the brand footprint, having been built with the same level of intentionality found at Surrenne Belgravia in The Emory in London. In the French Riviera, the space is defined by a palette of blues and natural textures that reflect the hotel’s clifftop setting. Treatment rooms are filled with soft light and finished in shades and textures inspired by mist, water, and air—paired with bespoke wall coverings that evoke flowing water and weathered stone. Warm woods and natural materials, including Travertine and Moleanos stone, add texture and warmth.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, spacious layouts, and furnished terraces create a direct connection to the landscape…

If you’re seeking the most immersive expression of Surrenne’s philosophy, the Surrenne Suite offers a private sanctuary overlooking the Mediterranean. As one of the twenty-nine suites, it can be booked like a traditional stay at the property, but the room will be crafted to further accentuate the wellness experience. Designed to fully integrate wellbeing into daily life, the Surrenne Suite embodies holistic wellness and recovery, with hydrotherapy, dedicated fitness equipment, LED masks, an infrared mat, and prime access to Surrenne’s signature longevity rituals. It lets the wellness philosophy extend well beyond scheduled treatments, creating a fully personalized environment centered on restoration.

Surrenne Riviera: A New Approach to Longevity

Surrenne Riviera’s standout offering—beyond its stunning and singular design—is a comprehensive approach to longevity. To deliver an exemplary longevity-boosting experience, Surrenne offers comprehensive spa treatments, plus a sauna, cold plunge, state-of-the-art gym, and three studios for yoga, Lagree, TRX, meditation, and personal training. Together, you’ll have the tools to be leaner, stronger, and healthier.

You won’t be navigating all of these resources on your own. Instead, a team of experts will guide you through the facilities, treatments, and protocols. Surrenne Riviera is directed by Surrenne’s Scientific Advisory Board, a multidisciplinary group of internationally recognized specialists whose expertise informs every aspect of the experience. Surrenne partners with SOLICE Health; leading the medical team are two of the most respected figures in private medicine: Dr. Liza Osagie-Clouard and Dr. Tim Evans. Their combined approach defines the Surrenne standard of healthcare. Working alongside nutritionist and qualified functional medicine practitioner, Rose Ferguson.

Experts create customized protocols for your optimization goals based on diagnostic assessments and your input.

In keeping with the Maybourne brand’s signature sensibility, these experts create customized protocols for your optimization goals based on diagnostic assessments and your input. You can pair facials, lymphatic drainage, and a sleep routine with a nutrition plan and personal training to reduce the appearance of inflammation. Or, if you’re looking to reduce stress, you can create a contrast therapy regimen and pair it with guided meditation facing the sea in one of the studios.

For those seeking even more structured programming, throughout the year, The Maybourne Riviera hosts immersive Surrenne retreats designed to help participants reset their routines and nurture healthier habits. These two- and three-day programs incorporate movement, recovery, nutrition, and mindfulness while introducing guests to evidence-based longevity practices through personal guidance. These are ideal for people who are looking to make their longevity goals the focal point of their stay, rather than supplemental. In the coming years, Surrenne Riviera will also introduce dedicated longevity retreats led by internationally recognized guest practitioners, while pioneering medical longevity protocols are planned as the next evolution of the wellness offering.

Surrenne’s Specialized Treatments

The spa’s treatment program is where its individualized approach shines. Five treatment sanctuaries offer tailor-made rituals designed around your unique needs. Treatments draw on global healing traditions that the Surrenne masseuses are trained in, including trigger-point therapy, deep tissue, Thai, Ayurveda, and Shiatsu massage. These techniques are then paired with the most advanced therapeutic technologies to deliver maximum results.

Two examples of this approach are sophisticated treatments built around your input. The first is the highly customizable “I Need It All” treatment, a fully personalized body ritual that begins with an in-depth consultation. A multidisciplinary practitioner then creates a bespoke session combining massage techniques from multiple traditions, adapting pressure and movement. The result is both deep physical restoration and relaxation, available in sixty- or ninety-minute treatments. The Ultimate Slimming and Draining Ritual takes a targeted approach to body recovery and circulation. The treatment begins with massage techniques designed to stimulate lymphatic flow plus reduce water retention before progressing into a remodeling massage and maderotherapy, a traditional technique using sculpted wooden tools to encourage microcirculation and improve skin tone. The ritual lasts for seventy-five or ninety-minute sessions.

For facial care, Surrenne Riviera partners with Biologique Recherche to offer protocols grounded in a clinical strategy to skincare. Every facial begins with an in-depth skin analysis by a beauty specialist before combining concentrated formulations, expert manual techniques, LED therapy, and EMS technology —a machine that stimulates the muscles rapidly—to support hydration, skin and muscle firmness, cellular regeneration, and long-term skin health. The Biosculpt Face Ritual illustrates this fusion of science and skincare. Beginning with Biologique Recherche’s diagnostic methodology, the treatment combines targeted products with precision technology to stimulate microcirculation, optimize ingredient absorption, and support the skin’s natural renewal processes while delivering visible, lasting results.

Surrenne’s Scientific Fitness Approach

Movement plays an equally important role. Four dedicated studio spaces support both physical performance and mental wellbeing. The Surrenne Gym features the latest Technogym equipment, including weight machines and stationary cycles. The Performance Studio provides a private environment for one-to-one training. The Waves Studio and Riviera Reflections studios provide an uplifting setting for movement with views of the sea. Here you can take private yoga, spinning, TRX, Pilates, and Lagree Method classes. All are available to fit your schedule and can be incorporated into itineraries wherever your focus may lie.

After you strengthen your muscles, improve your mobility, and up your cardio stamina, the Surrenne philosophy ensures that recovery is given equal focus, not only to improve the impact of the work you put in, but to make sure the restorative aspect of the approach extends to how you feel. The dedicated spaces introduce guests to research-backed practices designed to boost stamina and accelerate restoration through temperature- and light-based therapies, even after exercise ends. The hammam offers a traditional heat experience that promotes deep relaxation, while the sauna supports muscular recovery and mental clarity. The cold plunge provides an invigorating contrast that stimulates circulation and enhances recovery, complemented by infrared and red-light therapies designed to encourage healing and cell regeneration.

Dining at The Maybourne Riviera

Another key element of the Maybourne Riviera’s longevity offerings comes from the table. The property boasts five dining options—La Môme Riviera, Le 300, La Piscine, Riviera Restaurant, and abc kitchens—each with its own unique setting and interpretation of Mediterranean excellence. At La Môme, this looks like waterfront dining, sunset DJ sets, and a menu inspired by Italian flavors. At Le 300, you can find all-day casual bites in the lobby, while La Piscine offers fresh juices and pizza poolside. At Riviera, panoramic views are paired with carpaccio and quail eggs.

It’s at The Maybourne Riviera’s signature dining offering where the culinary program delves deepest into Surrenne’s longevity philosophy by utilizing seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean cooking traditions. At abc kitchens riviera, three-starred Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten uses local produce to complement Surrenne’s approach to nourishment. The restaurant is inspired by Vongerichten’s concepts in New York, and the menu prioritizes Mediterranean, Latin, and vegetarian flavors with light broths, vegetable juices, and roasted vegetables. The kale salad with serrano pepper tastes incredible—and the sensory experience is only augmented by the location. On the very top floor of the property, these refreshing and enriching dishes come with unmatched views of the Riviera.

A True Retreat and a Launch Point

The Maybourne Riviera is just a thirty-minute drive from the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), which offers direct flights between Atlanta, Washington D.C., and New York City on a seasonal basis. Its ease of reach makes this Maybourne property an ideal option as a base camp while exploring the region. The nearby French resort town of Menton’s colorful architecture and renowned gardens are a fifteen-minute drive away, perfect for discovering colorful streets, historic gardens, and a singular blend of French and Italian influences. Monaco’s cultural calendar and culinary scene are a twenty-minute drive away, including the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show. Proximity makes The Maybourne the best of both worlds.

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 Suites & Beyond 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 fifteen 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. 

Six Suites, Six Stories, One Vision 

The Carlton: The Manzoni Suite (Milan, Italy)

The Carlton is Rocco Forte’s newest property, set in Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district. Opened in November 2025, the property features seventy-one rooms and suites, and the Manzoni Suite is one of the signature Forte Suites. The suite is named in honor of Alessandro Manzoni, a 19th-century Italian poet, philosopher, playwright, and novelist who is one of Italy’s most celebrated literary figures. Best known for his novel The Betrothed, which is considered to have profoundly influenced Italy’s culture and national identity, the suite honors Manzoni’s cultural impact and his birthplace, Milan.

The suite is also a testament to the design history that has shaped this northern Italian city…

The suite is also a testament to the design history that has shaped this northern Italian city—evident in the hand-thrown ceramics that decorate the living room, paired with city-inspired photography and abstract art prints throughout the space. The suite features a calm green color palette throughout, making it a serene urban escape punctuated by mid-century modern accents, including numerous pieces inspired by Mid-Century Italian architect Paolo Buffa.

The attention to detail extends to the private terrace, which features a view of Via Della Spiga. The famous pedestrian-only street is one of the premier shopping capitals–not just in Italy or Milan, but in the entire world. Take some time people watching from your terrace before you indulge in a bath in the marble soaking tub. Afterward, dry off with a fluffy towel from the family-owned Milanese linen brand Pedersoli—it’s another specific touch that demonstrates Rocco Forte’s commitment to working with local artisans and craftsmen.

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 Suites & Beyond, 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 Suites & Beyond.

A Story for Everyone 

In culmination, these suites articulate the essence of Suites & Beyond. 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.