Forbes Travel Guide announces a new Star Rating

Celebrate Christmas in Style on Koh Samui A gourmet’s paradise of 5-star feasting is on the cards at Banyan Tree Samui this Christmas, with each of its three restaurants offering a colourful variety of dining options from Dec 24-26, inclusive. The resort’s beachfront restaurant, Sands, offers a 3-course set lunch and a 5-course set dinner (or 7-course vegetarian alternative) on each of those three days, while award-winning fine-dining venue Saffron hosts set evening dinners in a sophisticated and tranquil ambience. Meanwhile, The Edge restaurant will entice diners with an abundant buffet menu from Dec 24-26, offering both Western and Eastern cuisine and a host of Christmas surprises.For more information or reservations, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 77 915 333. Photo credits: Banyan Tree Twas the Night Before Xmas, and Krabi is Stirring Located on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, Banyan Tree Krabi is hosting a sumptuous Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at its popular restaurant The Naga Kitchen. Starting from 6:30pm, guests and diners will be paraded with an astounding variety of delectable international culinary choices, including salads and appetisers, cheese and cold cuts, an Indian Tandoori selection, freshly baked pizzas, a carving station, Japanese favourites, and delicious seafood options such as Spicy Tuna and Salmon Tartare with Local Fresh Herbs.For more information or reservations, contact krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 075 811 888. Photo credits: Banyan Tree Ring in 2025 with a Samui Beach Party Located in a private bay at the southeastern corner of the island, Banyan Tree Samui invites guests and revellers to experience their “A Night Under the Sea Party Night” from 10pm till 1am on New Year’s Eve. The night will begin with a fabulous feast - a 5-course gala dinner set menu from 7pm to 10pm - with everything from appetisers such as sushi and sashimi, French foie gras, oysters, tiger prawns and Russian caviar to main courses of prime rib of beef, lamb crown or Tasmanian grilled salmon, and a host of delectable desserts. At 10pm, the party moves to the beachside where a dance floor will burst into life. For more information or reservations, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 77 915 333. Photo credits: Banyan Tree Kick Off 2025 with Countdown in Krabi Banyan Tree Krabi bids farewell to 2024 with a Gala Dinner and Countdown Party with live entertainment, an extravagant buffet, and selected free-flow alcoholic beverages. Starting at 7pm on 31st Dec with a festive feast at The Naga Kitchen venue, diners can choose from an array of cheeses, cold cuts, a salad bar, homemade smoked salmon, truffle soup, iced seafood including fin de claire oysters, as well as a selection of Southern Thai and Japanese culinary delights. There’s also a supervised Kids’ Corner as the party moves to the beach when midnight approaches.For more information or reservations, contact krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 075 811 888.

The hotel will host a classical music concert in its elegant courtyard on Nov. 23

Portofino, the jewel of the Italian Riviera will enter a new era of splendour next June, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino reveals a new, major phase of its multi-year renovation, by internationally renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. An emblem of Portofino’s allure since the 1950s, the hotel will reveal an entirely renovated main building, capturing the spirit of Ligurian craftsmanship and design, including a redesigned cocktail bar and new Dior Spa. This third phase of Splendido’s renovation coincides with the launch of Villa Beatrice in Portofino – a first-of-its-kind, exclusive private villa for the Belmond portfolio, launching July 2025.  Photo credits: Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino A NEW ERA FOR PORTOFINO’S GRANDE DAME  The meticulous restoration of the former 16th-century Benedictine monastery, led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, honours the history of the building while delicately injecting contemporary relevance. Over the course of each summer reopening, the hotel has unveiled new spaces: 2024 welcomed new rooms and a lobby, whilst in 2023 the hotel revealed the transformation of the celebrated pool area, famously overlooking the sparkling Ligurian Bay, as well as the new Splendido Grill restaurant and the renovated Baronessa Suite, one of the hotel’s signature suites, inspired by the noble Palazzos of the region. For the 2025 season, Splendido, a legendary haven of glamour and natural beauty, will continue its evolution revealing a renovated main building, with a focus on new rooms and communal areas, including a restyled cocktail bar; coffee bar; lounge bar; breakfast area; retail space; champagne display and Dior Spa. This new wellness space includes four treatment cabins and a dedicated relaxation space on an exclusive roof terrace. The new rooms and suites are adorned with contemporary Italian artworks and local botanical prints, whilst the corridors feature exclusive sketches of Portofino and heritage photos of the iconic property and its guests, over the years. Nestled in the tranquil hillside above Portofino, Splendido has been the epitome of la Dolce Vita since the 1950s. Set in a terraced former 16th-century Benedictine monastery overlooking the bay, the hotel is both a timeless retreat and a glamorous destination, welcoming acclaimed guests from renowned actors to artists and film directors, and even royalty. Inspired by the natural beauty and legacy of the Ligurian Riviera, Splendido’s landscaping offers versatile spaces capable of hosting both grand events and smaller, more intimate gatherings. The planting scheme incorporates indigenous flora and minerals, reflecting the distinctive beauty of Portofino. The colour palette draws inspiration from the blues and turquoises of the Mediterranean Sea, while the unique “Puddinga” rock formations of Portofino’s cliffs and the fragrant subtropical and Ligurian herbs further enhance the botanical ambience. Photo credits: Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino THE REBIRTH OF VILLA BEATRICE, A MAJESTIC SUMMER RESIDENCE  Just a short walk down the tranquil hillside of the protected national park lies Villa Beatrice, launching in July 2025 as one of the most scenic, exclusive private villas on the Italian Riviera – and a first for the Belmond portfolio. Perched on a private spit above Punta Caiega, on the Gulf of Portofino, between the Ligurian coastal hamlets of Paraggi and Portofino, this masterfully restored family palazzo offers an outstanding panoramic viewpoint over the Riviera. Belmond’s new private villa offering brings guests seclusion and intimacy with private sea access, whilst benefitting from all of Splendido’s hotel services. Located within the gardens of a national park and set across three main floors, with an additional ‘Torretta’ (little tower) attic floor and rooftop terrace, the villa summer residence sleeps up to ten guests across five keys, including La Casetta – a secluded one-bedroom cottage amidst citrus groves. Originally known as Villa Odero and built by renowned Ligurian mogul Attilio Odero, Villa Beatrice was crafted by Tuscan architect Gino Coppedè, blending Gothic Revival with Art Nouveau innovation. Belmond acquired the villa in 2021 and has since overseen its meticulous restoration under Martin Brudnizki’s interior design vision and Marco Bay’s landscape architecture expertise. Design highlights include the renovation of original Coppedè external frescoes and internal ceilings, marble bathrooms and a collection of heritage antiques and contemporary artwork from the region. Guests will enjoy a subtropical secret sea garden, plunge pool with sun deck, butler service, a fully equipped kitchen with personal chef upon request, gym, summer pavilion for yoga or treatments and an expansive shaded terrace for al fresco dining and family gatherings. Every angle of Belmond’s lush lookout offers a private panorama of Portofino and beyond. Villa Beatrice enjoys a majestic position on the Gulf of Tigullio, with views over Paraggi and the Cinque Terre to the East, and Portofino to the West, and the lower terraces of the Villa offer a much closer view of Portofino Bay. “The guiding vision for Villa Beatrice was to create a space that seamlessly blends modern sophistication with the rich history of the Ligurian coast, where guests feel as though they’ve been welcomed into a cherished family villa; lovingly upheld and enriched by generations. The historic residence has been thoughtfully restored to reflect Portofino’s cultural heritage, with each design choice carefully researched to ensure authenticity and contextual relevance. Most of the furniture is vintage and has been sourced from local estate sales and auction houses, while the materiality is native to Italy – custom made by local artisans. We really wanted to cultivate a relaxed ambiance that embraces a distinctly local approach to luxury, resonating with the villa’s enduring spirit. Each element tells the story of Villa Beatrice, offering guests an authentic experience that highlights the charm and history of Portofino—this is the essence of true luxury” – Martin Brudnizki, Founder of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. “We are thrilled to unveil the next chapter of Splendido’s story. This meticulous undertaking elevates the guest experience to new heights, while preserving the hotel’s legendary allure and celebrating time-honoured Ligurian craftsmanship. As Splendido preserves its four-century heritage in Portofino, the addition of Villa Beatrice to the Belmond portfolio enhances our foothold in this captivating region, setting a new standard for luxury and privacy, and further solidifying Belmond’s legacy as proud custodians of storied properties and purveyor of incomparable experiences” – Alfonso Pacifico, Area Managing Director Portofino and General Manager of Splendido, A Belmond Hotel.