[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What’s better than an island escape? One that no-one else has yet heard of. We round up eight of the best new openings on different islands around the world for you to explore – before anyone else does.
Calilo, Ios, Greece
When it comes to picture-perfect Grecian islands, the isle of Ios immediately comes to mind – but with its rolling hills, iconic whitewashed buildings with their vibrant blue tops and ancient amphitheatres, Ios delivers typical Greek charm in droves.
Calilo is the newest resort to open on the island, promising a remote pocket of paradise that’s tucked away from the rest of the island and hosts its own private beach. This sprawling, 1000 acre complex seems like a private oasis in itself, with miles of uninterrupted coastline guaranteeing privacy.
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Soak in the gorgeous Papas Bay in one of the comfy deck chairs
The Seafront Suite boasts a multi-level pond and waterfall, perfect for a leisurely float
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Guests can fill their baskets at the resort’s sprawling organic garden – which is home to 500 olive trees and a wealth of different fruits, vegetables and herbs – and choose a selection of ripe produce to be used in their meals.
Lelewatu Resort Sumba, Indonesia
Escape the crowds and discover Indonesia’s lesser-known treasure of Sumba Island, where you’ll find the Lelewatu, an upcoming resort tucked away in a secluded cliff-side that overlooks the Indian Ocean.
The 27 sophisticated Sumbanese-style villas are part of the Lifestyle Collection from Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and draw inspiration from traditional Indonesian culture, with colourful batik prints and rich hardwood details melding seamlessly with modern luxuries.
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Lelewatu is set on the secluded Sumba region
The Pool Villa comes with uninterrupted views of the sea
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Nine powdery beaches ring the resort and offer a wealth of activities, including great surf, but there are no shortage of incredible discoveries further inland as well. Take a walk around the near-untouched Sumba Island – you’re bound to discover one of the island’s sacred lakes, picturesque waterfalls or traditional villages.
Sunset Luxury Villas, Nukutepipi
Set in a dream-like atoll in French Polynesia, Nukutepipi is a tiny island that looks like a gentle paint stroke from the air. It’s the perfect setting for luxury and nature to coincide, culminating this year in the new Sunset Luxury Villas, the private collection of destination retreats curated by the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté.
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An aerial view of the lush Nukutepipi
The Junior villa is a vision of understated luxury
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Guests are guaranteed that each of the 16 villas and bungalows on the island will be lavish in their luxury, but understated in their elegant, Zen-like design.
Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia
Perched on a forested hillside that overlooks the sprawling Gulf of Thailand, the new Six Senses Krabey Island is the brand’s latest eco-conscious private resort.
Forty free-standing pool villas make up the property, which also boasts an oceanfront boardwalk that stretches on infinitely, a sky observatory, and the stunning Sunset Bar, which also doubles as an observatory deck.
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Krabey Island hides the eco-conscious private resort of Six Senses
The Ocean Pool Villa suite is nestled amongst the forest
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Head above the bar to discover a sprawling deck and powerful telescope for you to stargaze to your heart’s content. The decor at the Six Senses Krabey Island is understated and pared back, a mood befitting this supremely intimate resort set just minutes off the idyllic Cambodian coast.
Daydream Island, Australia
Often described as the jewel of Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, Daydream Island most certainly lives up to its lofty name. Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Daydream Island’s sole resort has just completed a massive refurbishment, unveiling luscious rooms done in cream and calming blues, and a bigger pool that allows guests to soak in unblocked views of the ocean.
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Colourful parrots and sunbirds inhabit the island’s mini jungles
Daydream Island is often described as an Australian jewel
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Aside from its three gorgeous beaches – each of which are home to teeming wildlife and make for great snorkelling trips – Daydream Island is also home to a mini jungle that’s inhabited by colourful parrots and adorable sunbirds.
Nobu Hotel, Los Cabos, Mexico
Nobu brings its notable Japanese elegance to the laid-back beaches of Los Cabos in Mexico this spring. Expect to see contemporary Japanese minimalism mixed in with colourful Mexican style at the brand’s latest outpost: wood-soaking tubs, clean teak-and-stone accents and Japanese-inspired lanterns reflect the hotel’s heritage.
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Japanese minimalism meets Latin warmth at the new Nobu Los Cabos
Nobu Los Cabos boasts a stunning setting that overlooks the Pacific Ocean
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No visit to a Nobu Hotel is complete without a meal in its eponymous restaurant, and in Nobu Los Cabos, with a stunning beachfront setting that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Feast on Nobu’s signature dishes that have been lauded the world over, such as the rock shrimp tempura or yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño peppers. Alternatively, sample dishes unique to Nobu Los Cabos with a wide range of locally inspired dishes and exclusive sakes.
Casa Cook Chania, Crete, Greece
Family-oriented hotels don’t have to be kitschy. The third and latest Casa Cook opening on the storied island of Crete, Greece, is a hip boutique hotel with a focus on modern, discerning family travellers. Cocooned by a hillside and set against the enchanting Mediterranean ocean, every inch of Casa Cook is crafted to melt away the stresses of the city.
Specially crafted kids programmes aim to let a wide range of ages experience the island’s rich history while remaining fun – they can look forward to Mediterranean cooking classes and painting lessons by the sea, giving adults some quiet time to roam Crete’s sandy beaches.
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Family vacays take on a swanky new form at the Casa Cook Chania
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Rooms are soothingly designed, replete with warm earthen tones and rich wooden elements, and have dedicated bedding for children of various ages. Opening this summer, Casa Cook Chania is the perfect location for a stylish, stress-free family getaway.
Rosewood Baha Mar, Nassau
When it comes to carefree seaside living, there’s no place more idyll than the Bahamas’ exclusive resort enclave, Baha Mar. Its newest – and most pricey – entrant, the Rosewood Baha Mar, is a posh beachfront resort that commands an endless stretch of white sand along the ever-famous Cable Beach, favoured by celebs and royalty alike.
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Rosewood Baha Mar is a elegant, luxurious haven
The library is a quiet haven to unwind in
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Hushed marble in elegant tones of white-and-grey provide a cooling respite from the sun, and plush beds welcome weary adventurers home from their day out exploring the Bahamas’ numerous uninhabited islands. For a quiet way to unwind, head to the Rosewood’s immaculate library for a soothing pot of tea and a read in one of the library’s velutinous armchairs. ◼
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© This article was first published online in Feb 2019 – World Travel Magazine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
