Travel

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NEW PLACES TO RESTART & RECHARGE NOW

Courtesy of &Beyond Benguerra Island. Mozambique.

Start the New Year of by restarting yourself with a visit to one of the 10 most beautiful new resorts, curated by BeautifulNow. Make it a beautiful 2016!

1. &BEYOND -- BENGUERRA ISLAND, MOZAMBIQUE

After a major renovation, &Beyond at Benguerra Island is beyond beautiful. But as wonderful as the private beachfront casinhas are, the best reason to come here is the remarkably pristine island oasis, upon which it sits, in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Set on a deep lagoon unaffected by the tides, make it a snorkelling paradise. Enjoy some of the world’s best scuba diving, with a spectacular range of tropical fish and Africa’s only population of the rare dugong. Known for its game fish, the area also offers some of the best catch-release deep-water fishing you’ll find anywhere

On land, hang out on the miles of golden, sandy beaches, or navigate the islands lush forests, wetlands, freshwater lakes, and soaring sand dunes.

2. ANANTARA TANGALLE RESORT & SPA -- SRI LANKA

The brand new Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort sits tucked aways on 42 acres of a secluded coconut palm-fringed stretch of Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. Get a new perspective on the beauty of the Indian Ocean, as you watch the whales move on by.

Explore the island by tuk-tuk, practice yoga on the beach, or simply enjoy a sunrise in this tropical paradise.

Venture out to see the historic fortified city of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, tea plantations, and local cultural delights.

3. W HOTEL KANAI RETREAT -- RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO

Here’s a beautiful tease for you… The W Hotel Kanai Retreat, at Riviera Maya, nestled on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula beckons you, but you’ll have to wait until they are ready to rock and roll. The opening has been delayed a few times, while they polish and perfect.

Designed by Richard Meier, inspired by pre-Columbian historical monuments and art, this eco-luxury resort is surrounded by gorgeous lagoons and mangroves, flanked by championship golf courses, designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and Nick Faldo.

4. THE CHEDI CLUB JIMBARAN -- BALI, INDONESIA

Hidden in the hills astride the sandy beaches of Jimbaran, the newly opened Chedi Club Jimbaran occupies a private estate on 22,000 square meters of gorgeous land in the southern region of Bali. Choose from one of 34 butler-serviced pool villas, each with its own Balinese pavilion for alfresco meals.

Robert Nation, principal of Nation Architects, and Jaya Ibrahim, one of Indonesia’s foremost interior designers, led the design.

5. SIX SENSES QING CHENG MOUNTAIN -- CHINA

Standing at the gateway of China’s Qing Cheng mountains and the terminus of the fabled Silk Road, Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain recently opened its doors. Its was created to complement the UNESCO World Heritage & Natural Cultural site at nearby Dujiangyan.

A Tesla Model S will shuttle throughout this ecoluxe resort. Secluded villas beg you to chill out, while the world class spa ensures that you have no choice but to do so.

6. LOFOTEN OPERA HOTEL -- NORWAY

The Lofoten Opera Hotel’s breathtaking curves, reminiscent of the whorls of a nautilus shell, rest like a jewel in Norway’s rugged Lofoten Islands. Perched on a rocky point at the sea’s edge, the Opera’s civilized interiors, designed by the Snøhetta studio, contrast perfectly with the untamed landscape outside. It opens in early 2016.

7. KEEMALA PHUKET -- PHUKET, THAILAND

Enter the grounds of the newly opened Keemala Phuket, and you’ll feel as if you’ve discovered a lost civilization. Opt to stay in one of the luxurious villas, tents, tree houses, or clay cottages, all set among a dream landscape of waterfalls, jungle vines, and towering hardwood trees.

All are connected to dining, a spa, and common areas by a playful series of jungle walkways.

8. ROVING BUSHTOPS CAMP -- SERENGETI, TANZANIA

Located in the heart of Africa’s legendary Serengeti Plain, Roving Bushtops Camp combines the top-flight year-round wildlife viewing experiences and unexpected luxury.

The third Bushtops camp, it represents a generations-long commitment to create the ultimate safari destinations. And its respectful approach toward the region’s flora and fauna is helping to preserve the Serengeti for generations to come.

9. THE KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL -- NEW YORK, USA

More than a century after its debut, the newly remodeled Knickerbocker Hotel, an iconic Beaux-Arts landmark in New York City, has finally reopened its doors.

Originally created by John Jacob Astor IV in 1906, the Knickerbocker’s stunning redesign by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, produced an elegant urban sanctuary.

Sip a swanky cocktail at St. Clouds, the spectacular rooftop bar. Indulge in Charlie Palmer’s haute cuisine. And enjoy the sparkly view as you gaze out from the first luxury hotel in Times Square.

10. TOSCANA RESORT CASTELFALFI -- TUSCANY, ITALY

In the midst of an 800 year old Medieval village, on a 2,700 acre estate, a new 5-star hotel is getting ready to open its beautiful doors. The Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is being built to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Tuscan landscape. And it’s eco-friendly construction and systems make its carbon footprint small.

The hotel’s 11,000 square foot spa will include an indoor-outdoor pool, a bio-sauna, a hamman, a salt cave, and an ice cave. There’s 27 holes of golf for links lovers and truffle-hunting for the adventurous.

The green-certified structure features a biomass heating system and low-emission LED lighting.

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