JANUARY ‘24

A. Happy 2024 to you all! We wish you a joyous and travel-filled year ahead. And to make sure you travel right, we are offering a special for all new clients who sign up for ESCAPADES’ services in January.  $500 worth of complimentary travel planning sound enticing enough? Email hi@escapades.life to inquire about our special offer. Now off to travel news and updates…

B. Oetker’s much awaited Hotel La Palma, on the Italian island of Capri, finally opened to guests in 2023 after a number of delays. Located right in the middle of Capri town amidst the glittering shops and jetset passerbys, La Palma sits as a beacon of luxury, changing the game for Capri’s chicest visitors. The “Hotel du Cap of Italy”, as some have called it, features only 50-rooms, including one of the largest suites on Capri, the La Palma suite. La Palma’s perfectly situated main terrace offers the ideal vantage point for people watching, as the glitzy world-travelers parade by.

C. There have been several noteworthy new openings in Paris in the past few years but Le Grand Mazarin is sure to be a standout for its quirky, cool design and superb location in Paris’ Marais district. The interiors are by Martin Brudnizki, who is responsible for the magnificent designs of Annabel’s, The Beekman, Scott’s Restaurant, and two other new hotel openings mentioned below. (He is having quite the year.) The hotel features 50 rooms, 11 suites, a dedicated cabaret, and an indoor pool (a rarity in Paris). The spa also includes a hammam and a treatment room, all at the helm of Parisian favorite Anne Cali. The restaurant pays homage to the Marais’ Jewish history, with an Israeli eatery called Boubalé, ran by star chef Assaf Granit of Shabour.

D. Belmond Maroma reopened its doors in August, having shuttered in 2021 for an extensive renovation. Belmond has kept the hotel’s heritage in tact, restoring the white stucco structures that are stunningly dispersed through the property’s lush vegetation. The hotel now features 72 rooms adorned with crafts by local artisans, including 10 new one- and two- bedroom beachfront suites.  With a pristine white-sand beach and a Guralain spa at your fingertips, this retreat will surely transport you into pure relaxation.

E. British designer Jasper Conran spent 4 years reimagining Yves Saint Laurent’s former home in Tangier and finally opened it up to the public. The majestical 12-suite inn, Villa Mabrouka, is enclosed within an awe-inspiring banana and palm covered garden, whose jasmine and orange blossom's scents waft throughout the magnificent grounds. Guests will step inside to be delighted by Conran’s fresh take, a perfectly designed oasis with a mid-century modern flair.

F. The English countryside has some new competition popping up, and this one is really giving all others a run for their money. The new Estelle Manor has opened its doors, welcoming guests to indulge in the 3,000 acres of untouched land on which the property sits.  With 108-rooms, multiple restaurants, a wellness space and more, this hotel’s establishment was no small feat and is already attracting London’s poshest.

G. British-born photographer Kate Bellm and her partner multidisciplinary artist Edgar Lopez, have transformed a historic 16th-century finca set between Mallorca’s Deià and Sóller into the 15-room artistically-designed retreat, Hotel Corazón. Each room features French balconies that let out to mountain, garden or courtyard views. The hotel also features an artist residency program, whose participants work is exhibited at the end of their tenure in the hotel’s gallery.

H. Soho House has finally opened its first doors in Latin America, with the opening of Soho House Mexico City. Located in Colonia Juárez, the members-only club is housed in an opulent 25,000 square foot baroque building. Though the structure is of European origin, the interiors are infused with furnishings of Mexican designers, including over 150 Mexican artworks on display. With three bars and lounges, including a tequila bar and an underground vinyl listening room, an outside courtyard, a 62-foot pool and pool house, and four hotel rooms, this hotel has already become the place to be in CDMX.

I. In November, One&Only Aesthesis debuted in the vibrant suburb of Glyfada, located along the Athenian Riviera. The 124-room resort is set within a 52-acre beach and forest reserve overlooking the Aegean Sea.  The most impressive accommodation, Villa One, spans more than 15,000 square feet, with over 9,920 square feet of outdoor space, including an 80-foot pool, jacuzzi, decking extending to the water’s edge, and a sunken lounge area with a fire pit.

J. Taking over a 19th century brick mansion, At Sloane is already winning hearts of the chic and fabulous in London’s Chelsea neighborhood. With 30 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, this happening establishment has been the talk of the town. The hotel’s creation is a collaboration between the world-renowned hotelier Costes, French designer Francois-Joseph Graf, and the Cadogan Estate.

K. More in the UK… Interior designer Martin Brudnizki has created another masterpiece in Broadwick Soho. The decor combines Jazz Age opulence, Italian flair, and English eccentricity. The boutique 57-room hotel features multiple dining outlets, including a flagship Italian eatery, a rooftop dining bar and terrace, and a vinyl lounge open exclusively to hotel guests.

L. And more from the fabulous Brudnizki… The Fifth Avenue Hotel is now welcoming guests after a seven year restoration project.  The 153-room hotel is located in the Nomad district, occupying both a landmark bank building and a new 24-story glass tower. Designed with eclectic romanticism, the decor features rainbow-hued crystal chandeliers, tiger-striped rugs, pink corridors and silk-wrapped elevators. James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini heads up the hotel’s flagship restaurant Café Carmellini.

M. Como Alpina Dolomites debuted in December, just in time for ski season. Situated between the the Southern Tyrol’s towering peaks, sprawling valleys and alpine meadows, the hotel offers 60 rooms which can be booked in all seasons. There are several restaurants to enjoy on-property, including Mountain Restaurant which is dedicated to the art of healthful dining by the COMO Shambhala brand. The hotel also features a wellness program which includes an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, fitness center, and beauty center. Post-piste, guests can enjoy some R&R with heat and ice treatments, followed by a South Tyrol-inspired hay bath. We’re in!