Capella Sydney is marking a spectacular close to 2024, securing a series of prestigious awards at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Awards for Excellence, the 2024 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence (HM), and the 2024 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards.
Photo credits: Capella Sydney
At the AHA Awards, held on November 25 in Brisbane before an audience of over 700 industry leaders, Capella Sydney was named the Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia, following its earlier success as Metropolitan Deluxe Hotel of the Year at the 2024 NSW Accommodation Awards for Excellence. Additionally, Jonathan Fambart, Capella Sydney's Chief Culturist, was awarded Front of House Employee of the Year (Accommodation Division), recognising his exceptional service and leadership in elevating the hotel's guest experience.
The hotel continued its award-winning momentum at the HM Awards on November 29, held at ICC Sydney in front of nearly 1,000 industry professionals. Capella Sydney was named best Luxury Hotel and Australian Hotel of the Year, sharing the latter accolade with The Calile Hotel in Brisbane. Further recognition was awarded to Capella Sydney's Executive Housekeeper, Christina Liew, who was Highly Commended in the Housekeeper category, and Jonathan Fambart, who received Highly Commended in the Concierge category.
The year culminated with Capella Sydney's recent victory at the 2024 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards on December 5, where the hotel was named best Luxury Hotel or Resort – Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific. This prestigious accolade underscores the hotel's reputation as a leader in luxury experiences, with a strong focus on sustainability and cultural immersion.
Photo credits: Capella Sydney
Marc von Arnim, General Manager of Capella Sydney, expressed immense pride in the hotel's achievements, “These awards are a true reflection of the unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work of our exceptional team. I couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished. To be recognised by the AHA, HM, and Luxury Travel is a great honour, and it only fuels our commitment to continue raising the bar in luxury hospitality. These accolades inspire us to create even more unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
Since opening its doors in March 2023, Capella Sydney has swiftly become one of Australia's most sought-after luxury hotels. Located in the iconic Sandstone Precinct near Circular Quay, within the beautifully restored Department of Education building, the hotel seamlessly blends architectural heritage with contemporary design. Its thoughtfully curated interiors, prime location, and bespoke guest experiences celebrate Australia's rich culture and landscape.
Capella Sydney's global recognition continues to soar, highlighted by its inclusion in Travel + Leisure's 2024 It List and its triumph as Best Hotel in Asia/Pacific at the ULTRAs (Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards) earlier this year. These prestigious accolades further cement the hotel's status as one of the world's most exceptional new properties.
To celebrate these achievements, Capella Sydney is offering a special Stay 3 and Receive package, which includes a bonus hotel credit of $200 AUD for bookings of three consecutive nights or more. The credit can be used across the hotel's food & beverage outlets and Auriga Spa. For more information and to make a booking, please click here.
For more information about Capella Sydney, please visit capellahotels.com/sydney.
All Seasons Buffet Danang has launched Vietnamese beach city Danang’s first-ever unlimited lobster buffet, brimming with fresh and locally-sourced lobster.
Photo credits: All Seasons Buffet Danang
The restaurant, which opened in May this year at 193 Nguyen Van Thoai under the umbrella of Viet Deli, offers four indulgent dining experiences underscored by local, sustainably produced seafood.
The restaurant’s crème de la crème dining option is the ‘Unlimited lobster and all-you-can eat seafood’ experience priced at 1.55 million VND (USD 61) per person. Replete with crab, shrimp, langoustine, oysters, red snapper, clam, mussels, squid, octopus and more, the seafood buffet is 1.05 million VND (USD 41) paired with a whole lobster and 850,000 VND (USD 33.50) with a half lobster per person. The all-you-can-eat seafood experience is 700,000 VND (USD 27.50).
The ‘Chilled All Seasons seafood tower’, ‘Lobster surf and turf’, ‘Grilled lobster with the finest Ly Son garlic and butter’, ‘Wok-fried lobster with Hoi An chili sauce’ and ‘Baked lobster with melted cheese and truffle oil’ are among the restaurant’s signature dishes.
“Every season is seafood season here at All Seasons Buffet Danang, where we are breaking new ground in Danang as the first and only restaurant to offer unlimited lobster; a foodie’s dream,” Viet Deli country general manager Nguyen Quoc Hoa said.
Photo credits: All Seasons Buffet Danang
Floor-to-roof glass panels usher in an abundance of natural light on each floor of the remarkable three-story restaurant, which clinched ‘Asia’s Best F&B Interior Design’ in the coveted 2024 Asia Architecture Design Awards. Defined by a neutral and earthy palette, the restaurant’s airy and spacious design is accented by exposed timber beams and brickwork and underscored by matte concrete floor. The elegant décor includes solid timber tables and mid-century chairs.
The Danang Department of Tourism awarded All Seasons Buffet Danang “Certified Tourism Service Destination” status on December 12 as part of the “Danang Food Tour” campaign that includes a digital culinary map and a “culinary passport” that involves participants collecting up to 50 separate stamps from 50 culinary locations across the city.
With a Mediterranean-style design and expansive sea views, sister restaurant All Seasons Buffet Nha Trang offers an international buffet and unlimited local lobster. The restaurant is situated in Ambassador Club, Nha Trang’s largest dining and entertainment complex, amid Vietnam’s first international yacht club Ana Marina.
For more information or to make a reservation at All Seasons Buffet Danang, visit https://allseasonsbuffet.com/ call (+84) 0764 068 111 or email allseasons.danang@vietdeligroup.com
For more information or to make a booking at All Seasons Buffet Nha Trang, visit https://ambassadorclubvn.com/ call +84 82 271 7579 or email info@ambassadorclubvn.com.
The award-winning Mauritian-born global luxury hotel operator The Lux Collective has announced its expansion plans for 2025 and beyond, with new openings in the pipeline for China, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Group's brand of boutique and purpose-led properties SALT will debut outside of Mauritius with two openings in China, whilst The Lux Collective's flagship luxury brand LUX* will launch in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, as well as growing its presence in Africa with a futuristic, opulent safari-camp in Botswana. At the helm of this highly anticipated next chapter is The Lux Collective's new Chief Executive Officer Olivier Chavy, who is paving the Group's strategic presence in burg eoning travel destinations across the globe, and cementing its position as a trailblazing industry disruptor.
Photo credits: The Lux Collective
SALT brand expands outside of Mauritius for the first time
In Q2 2025, The Lux Collective will debut SALT of Anji in China, providing a gateway into the lush natural beauty of Anji County, a tranquil region known for its prized white tea and bamboo forests. Launched in 2018, SALT offers a humanistic approach to hospitality - connecting modern explorers to meaningful travel experiences, sustainability and local communities. As travellers increasingly seek emerging destinations to reconnect with nature and escape the crowds, Anji offers beautiful landscapes and preserved culture, just a 2.5-hour drive from Shanghai. Designed by renowned South African architect Peter Rich, SALT of Anji is inspired by Catalan architect Gaudí's imaginative use of natural stone and ele ments to create showstopping structures. The sustainability-focused resort features 108 guestrooms and villas, with contemporary interior design to complement the building's stone aesthetic. It has a scenic outdoor pool, themed restaurants and an elegant SALT Equilibrium spa centre.
Continuing SALT's journey in China, SALT of Mount Siguniang will launch in 2027, located in a Tibetan village in the Sichuan province on the doorstep of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, Mount Siguniang National Park. The first international property to open in this protected area of natural beauty, the resort will grant unparalleled access to magnificent peaks and emerald forests, being part of Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.
LUX* expands its presence with the first hotel management agreement in Southern Africa - LUX* Xinii Mababe, Botswana
Growing the LUX* footprints, the Group ventures further into new destinations in the Africa continent, following the successful opening of LUX* Marijani Zanzibar in Tanzania in July last year. The Lux Collective and Diamond Power Pty Ltd have officially inked a hotel management agreement to operate and manage a new project - LUX* Xinii Mababe in Botswana.
An exclusive destination into the untamed natural surroundings of Mababe, LUX* Xinii Mababe is home to diverse wildlife, including large herds of buffalo, zebras, elephants and giraffes, as well as lions and leopards. Inspired by Botswana's cultural heritage, the resort's minimalistic architecture will be sustainably designed. All 26 lodges each features a centrepiece emulating striking African trees, rooting each lodge to the land. The symbolic roof structures honour the Okavango Delta's indigenous Hambukushu tribes, also known as rainmakers of Okavango. Their distinctive funnel shape mirrors that of Hambukushu fishing baskets, while the conical design of each roof uses local materials and age-old conservation methods to harvest rainwater.
Lyndon Jones, Founder of Diamond Power Pty Ltd and Owner of Xinii River Camp project in Botswana, remarks, "Recognised for its excellence and innovation in the global hospitality industry, our like-minded collaboration with The Lux Collective aims to make LUX* Xinii Mababe an unrivalled destination for opulent safari and wellness experiences, with thoughtful architecture and design inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Botswana and the Okavango. Our shared goal is to create a truly immersive and luxury wildlife experience through unique accommodation, culinary and wellness offerings for future guests whilst respecting the surrounding natural environment.”
This successful collaboration has been facilitated by International Tourism Investment Corporation Ltd (ITIC), London-based global advisory boutique firm, which serves as the Transaction and Financial Advisor for this project.
Photo credits: The Lux Collective
LUX* debuts in the Middle East and grows presence in Asia
Flagship luxury brand LUX* will launch in the Middle East for the first time in Q4 2025 with LUX* Al Bridi and LUX* Al Jabal in Sharjah, UAE. Recognised as the 'Culture Capital of the Arab World' by UNESCO for its culture, art and history, Sharjah boasts an array of museums, mosques and cultural sites; including the Al Madam ghost town, enveloped by desert. A modern 45-key boutique-style resort overlooking the Gulf of Oman with jagged mountains, LUX* Al Jabal will offer exclusive access to a private beach, world-class dining options, a restorative LUX* ME Spa and opportunities for cultural immersion. Located in the wilderness, LUX* Al Bridi will open as a contemporary sanctuary of 35 luxurious safari-style tented retreats, created to resemble sand dunes, blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. On its doorstep is a wealth of experiences including dining in the wild, dune surfing, and four-wheel drive excursions to stargazing under the Arabian sky.
In Asia, LUX* brand will also debut in Vietnam with the country's and the region's first overwater resort - LUXNAM* Phu Quoc in Q2 2026, a private paradise in the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, tucked between dense jungle and idyllic beaches on the northern tip of Phu Quoc island. Inspired by the Maldives' iconic overwater resorts and overseeing panoramic seaviews, the 116 villa-only modernistic resort includes 99 overwater villas and 17 landed residences. The resort's design with its LUX* ME Spa and specialty restaurants will reflect the best of island living, highlighting locally-crafted and traditional materials with a minimalist touch.
In Q3 2026, luxury urban resort LUX* Guangzhou will launch in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, providing an oasis of calm in this fast-paced metropolis. Located in two skyscrapers comprising the luxurious resort and residences, LUX* Guangzhou boasts unobstructed views of the city, a variety of dining destinations and a sensory LUX* ME Spa.
“As the CEO of The Lux Collective, I am delighted to lead the Group on another exciting phase of global expansion and strategic growth. The Lux Collective is a dynamic and pioneering home-grown Mauritian brand which puts people, exceptional service and extraordinary experiences first. The latest projects for LUX* and SALT will provide gateways to fascinating and emerging travel destinations such as Anji, Mababe, Phu Quoc and Sharjah, enabling travellers to delve authentically into the unique identity of each region.
We are thrilled to announce LUX* brand's first opening in Botswana and look forward to putting LUX* Xinii Mababe on the map as an ultra-luxury safari and wellness destination. Designed with sustainability in mind and expected to open in Q1 2027, this futuristic project will draw in travellers from all over the world to this alluring location. We believe luxury and environmental stewardship must coexist for every resort we open and focus is on creating positive impact while delivering luxurious hospitality and meaningful experiences with a sense of place,” comments Olivier Chavy, Chief Executive Officer of The Lux Collective.
The Lux Collective's global openings in 2025 and beyond mark a new exciting chapter in the luxury hospitality space, building upon its renowned brands' goals to provide the modern travellers with authentic experiences in awe-inspiring destinations.
Alma Resort Cam Ranh has taken out first place in three global categories of this year’s UK-based Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Readers’ Travel Awards, named “Best Beach/Coastal Hotel”, “Best Hotel for Families” and “Best Hotel for Sustainability”.
In the readers’ choice contest, Alma Resort was also voted runner-up in the worldwide “Best Hotel for Food” award.
Photo credits: Alma Resort Cam Ranh
“Luxury hotels, destinations, cruise lines, airlines and travel companies across the world have been competing to be crowned the very best in the seventh annual LLM Readers’ Travel Awards,” said Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. “Our awards recognise and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the luxury travel and tourism industry, and we were pleased to be able to shine a light on those making waves in the UK and all across the globe. After months of deliberation and votes from our discerning readers – with a record number of voters this year at 32,405 – the votes have been counted and the results are in.”
The full list of 2024 LLM Readers’ Travel Awards winners can be accessed here: https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/travel/all-the-winners-of-the-llm-readers-travel-awards-2024-full-results-list/
Alma Resort’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said he and his team were “over the moon” to be named the top hotel worldwide by the magazine’s voters for its beach location, family facilities and services, and sustainability measures, as well the No. 2 hotel worldwide for its dining landscape.
Photo credits: Alma Resort Cam Ranh
“We feel so honoured on the global stage, topping off what has been a fantastic year for our resort on the awards front, following Alma Resort being named as the top resort in Southeast Asia, the No. 2 resort in Asia and No. 9 resort worldwide in the 2024 Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards,” he said.
Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated luxury resort Alma is making waves in Cam Ranh, a peninsula on Vietnam’s south-central coast that first found fame as Southeast Asia’s greatest deepwater harbor and is now rising as an upscale alternative to nearby Nha Trang.
Alma is home to an awe-inspiring host of world-class facilities, such as an eclectic range of restaurants helmed by leading chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, a classical bar, pool bar and beach bar, and mini supermarket. Other drawing cards include a science museum, waterpark with a lazy river, wave pool slides and kids pool, 13-treatment room spa, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre, kid’s club, gymnasium and yoga room, an 18-hole putting green, onsite gourmet organic farm and more.
Alma is embarking upon what is believed to be Vietnam’s most ambitious solar power project yet.
For further information or to make a booking, visit www.alma-resort.com or contact Alma on +84 258 399 1666, or email info@alma-resort.com.
The global brand strengthens its position in the luxury segment with 15 openings in 2025. Key growth areas include Vietnam, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Middle East
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy, – marking the brand’s debut in Türkiye. The converted property, owned by Cortex Turizm, will become the 16th IHG hotel in the city once it opens in the second half of 2025.
Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy represents a continuation of IHG’s growth momentum across Türkiye, taking the total of opened and signed properties in Türkiye to 45 hotels. The latest signing also joins a growing portfolio of Vignette Collection properties around the world, which is set to reach 100 hotels in 10 years, bolstering IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, with nearly 900 open and signed hotels globally.
Vignette Collection is IHG’s luxury conversion brand and allows owners to retain the independent identity and character of their hotels, whilst providing guests with a one-of-a-kind stay in destinations to remember. Staying true to the brand’s ethos, Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy will be underpinned by its own “A Means for Good” initiative, highlighting the hotel’s partnerships with local non-profit organisations to spearhead positive contributions to the communities in which it operates.
Situated in the historic Tütün Han building, the hotel will feature 51 unique, stylish guest rooms and an all-day artisan bakery and specialty food restaurant, as well as premium wellness facilities including a spa.
(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “It is great to see the momentum Vignette Collection, IHG’s very first collection brand, is having across Europe since its launch in 2021. Today, across the region, we have more than 14 open and signed Vignette Collection properties all in some of the most sought-after destinations. This is a testament to the trust new and existing owners have in IHG, our brands and global enterprise – including our leading loyalty offer and powerful technology and revenue systems - to deliver for them.I’m incredibly proud of the growth we have seen across Türkiye in recent years, which is due to the dedication and drive from our in-market team, who have established strong relationships with our partners. We look forward to working alongside Cortex Turizm to bring the hotel to life and welcome guests to Türkiye’s first Vignette Collection property in 2025.”
Cortex Team said: “It is incredibly exciting that our first property with IHG Hotels & Resorts also marks the debut of the Vignette Collection brand in Türkiye. We are confident IHG’s trusted reputation and leading loyalty offer will make the hotel the leading choice for domestic and international travellers alike who are looking for a unique and immersive experience.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts has 32 hotels currently in operation across the Türkiye and an additional 13 in development spanning right across its brand portfolio. Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy joins other notable signings from this year, including the first Garner hotel in the country which will be located close to the new International Istanbul Airport, and InterContinental Ankara which is set to open in 2025.
Set amidst the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Angsana Velavaru invites travellers to rediscover the magic of overwater living with the refreshed design of its iconic InOcean Villas. Recognised among the Top 20 Resorts in the Indian Ocean by the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, the resort reimagines these sought-after retreats to blend contemporary elegance with the soothing simplicity of island life.
Photo credits: Angsana Velavaru
Perched on stilts above a vibrant coral reef, the InOcean Villas have long defined the essence of Maldivian escapism. The latest enhancements introduce lighter, modern furnishings that complement the panoramic views, creating an ambiance of understated refinement. These enhancements amplify the villas’ enduring charm, ensuring a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking quietude and escape.
Each villa is designed to complement the natural beauty of the island, from the infinity pools that stretch over the reef to the rooftop pavilions perfect for unwinding with spa treatments under the vast island sky. Guests staying in the newly refreshed InOcean Pool Villas will find serene spaces where king-sized bedrooms open to sweeping terraces, complete with sunbeds and overwater catamaran hammock. For couples and families seeking more space to reconnect, the Deluxe InOcean Pool Villas and Deluxe InOcean Two-Bedroom Pool Villas offer spacious layouts that seamlessly blend privacy with stunning ocean views.
This latest transformation at Angsana Velavaru coincides with the resort's growing international acclaim, further establishing its reputation as a distinguished destination. The recognition in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards reflects the resort’s enduring appeal, where world-class facilities and heartfelt service combine to create memorable stays.
To celebrate the unveiling of the newly refreshed InOcean Villas, Angsana Velavaru introduces the Come Closer offer. This exclusive package is crafted to experience the best of the Maldives, with up to 25% savings on your stay and 20% savings on return seaplane transfers, daily breakfast and dinner, a private beach or rooftop dinner, a sunset cruise, and a couple’s spa treatment.
