Philadelphia's Hotel Boom, One Of The Hottest Destinations In America Is Welcoming Visitors From Around The World.

Renovations are underway at the Hilton Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premiere waterfront hotel.

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There are currently more than 40 hotels in the Center City area with over 11,000 hotel rooms, from boutique B&Bs to major brands. And by 2018, total hotel inventory is expected to grow 20 percent. Check out the list below of what is newly opened, which hotels have been rebranded and what is coming soon, or click here to view all of Philadelphia’s hotels.

Newly Opened

• The Logan Hotel
• Sleep Inn Center City

Rebranded

• The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square (previously Radisson Blu Warwick)
• Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing (previously Hyatt Regency) (read more)
• The Franklin Hotel at Independence Park (previously Omni Hotel Independence Mall)

Coming Soon

Opening in 2016

• Best Western Center City
• AKA University City
• The Study at University City
• Fairfield Inn and Suites

Opening in 2017

• Aloft Hotel
• Centric Hotel by Hyatt
• SLS Hotel
• Cambria Hotel & Suites
• AC Hotel

Opening in 2018

• Four Seasons Hotel (to occupy top floors of the new 59-story Comcast Innovation and Technology Center)
• W+element Hotels

Robb Report Unveils Top 21 Luxury Travel Destinations For 2016

Robb Report, the international luxury lifestyle authority, has released its annual selection of the year’s hottest travel destinations.

In the January issue the magazine’s expert editorial team explores the places that should be at the top of any luxury traveler’s list, from must-see cities and emerging adventure locales to undiscovered islands and untapped wine countries. This special issue also covers Robb Report’s fourth annual Culinary Masters Competition and reveals which up-and-coming chef has earned the coveted title of New Culinary Master for 2016.

From Namibia to Bodrum (pictured) to Bogotá, the January issue of Robb Report takes readers on an epic insider’s tour of the places to be—before everyone else gets there. Not to be overlooked, luxury-destination stalwarts including Paris and Los Angeles have also returned to the list with fresh reasons for a return visit. According to the editors, Paris, the City of Light, is primed to renew its reputation as the city of the future. And with a spate of new gallery openings, Los Angeles has solidified its place as a world capital of contemporary art.

“We take pride at Robb Report in continuously uncovering the unique and inimitable in luxury travel for our readers,” said Bruce Wallin, editorial director. “With this year’s list of the top 21 destinations, we spotlight our experts’ picks for the world’s most exciting cities, countries, islands, and other international hot spots for 2016. This issue marks the first in Robb Report’s 12-month celebration of our brand’s momentous 40th anniversary, and we’re proud to start the year off with this thrilling array of luxury destinations.”

Packing for any of the travels profiled in this issue would prove daunting to most. Thankfully, Robb Report teamed up with industry icon Bruce Pask, fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman’s Men’s Store, for help building a stylish and sensible wardrobe filled with essentials to cover any turf, from the mountains to the shore and beyond.

The January issue also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Robb Report’s fourth annual Culinary Masters Competition. Six master chefs—John Besh, Curtis Duffy, Christopher Kostow, Barbara Lynch, Norman Van Aken, and Michael White—handpicked the United States’ most talented up-and-comers to face off in a clash of regional cuisines. In a show of sheer skill and creativity, Lee Wolen, chef and partner at Chicago’s Boka—nominated by chef Curtis Duffy of Grace—has been named the victor of this year’s competition. For a taste of Wolen’s winning dishes, visit RobbReport.com/culinarymasters.

An exclusive bonus feature in this month’s digital edition of Robb Report names the top 10 cars for long-distance drives, while RobbReport.com spotlights the top places to stay during the 32nd annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, taking place January 21–31. Plus, tune in to RobbReport.com/Detroit for Robb Report’s real-time coverage of the North American International Auto Show, which takes place January 11–24 in Detroit, where Robb Report’s automotive experts will report live from the trade-show floor.

Source: www.luxurytravelmagazine.com

Looking Ahead: A Dozen Awesome New Hotels Coming To Philadelphia In 2015 And Beyond

Philly’s hotel scene is about to get really hot with the addition of new properties including a W Hotel, a SLS LUX, a new Kimpton and a new Four Seasons atop the new Comcast tower. (Image courtesy Comcast)

Philadelphia’s hotel scene just keeps getting better. After a number of key openings and renovations in recent years – and after Philadelphia saw its highest occupancy rate ever in 2014, a number of high profile hotel projects are on the books to open in Philadelphia in the next few years.

And by “high profile,” we mean high profile. The projects include one of the first SLS LUX brand hotels to open in the U.S., a new W Hotel just off the Avenue of the Arts, a new Kimpton Hotelacross from Logan Circle, a highly anticipated boutique hotel on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown, and a new Four Seasons Hotel atop the under-construction Comcast Innovation and Technology Center.

With all of these developments, there’s never been a better time to check out the awesome hotel scene and stay over in Philadelphia.

Read on for news on a dozen new hotel projects that are coming to Philadelphia in the next few years. As with all large development projects, the timetables, name and other details of the below projects are subject to change.

• Roost Rittenhouse

Fall 2015, 1900 block of Chestnut Street. Travelers seeking to rest their heads in Philadelphia for more than a brief stay will soon have another a brand new option: Roost Apartment Hotel is opening its second Philadelphia location this summer or fall to follow-up the 2014 debut of its first hotel in the historic Packard Building. Designed with visitors staying for 30 days or longer in mind, the apartment-style hotels include all the services of a boutique hotel with the amenities of a luxury apartment.MORE INFO

Chic decor, factory-style windows, hardwood floors and modern electronics give each hotel room at Roost the feel of a luxury apartment. (Photo courtesy Roost Apartment Hotel)

• AKA University City in the FMC Tower

Spring 2016, FMC Tower at Cira Centre South, 30th and Walnut streets. The FMC Tower at Cira Centre South will rise 49 stories on the west bank of the Schuylkill River and the upper floors will hold the new luxury extended-stay AKA University City. Developed by AKA in partnership with Brandywine Liberty Trust, the second property for Korman Communities in Philadelphia will hold 268 residences, 103 for extended stays. In addition to spectacular views, guests will enjoy the building’s 21,000 square-feet of retail as well as “Cira Green,” a breathtaking new rooftop park. MORE INFO

The AKA University City will fill the top floors of the new FMC Tower at Cira South, currently under construction at 30th and Walnut. (Rendering by BLT Architects)

• SLS LUX Philadelphia Hotel & SLS International Residences

Coming in 2016/2017, Broad and Spruce streets. This is a big one. The SLS LUX Philadelphia Hotel & SLW International Residences is going to be the tallest residential building in Pennsylvania when completed. Located at the heart of the Avenue of the Arts at Broad and Spruce streets, the SLS will rise 47 stories, with 152 boutique hotel rooms and 90 luxury condominiums on the higher floors. The hotel will be designed by Philippe Stark and will be one of the first SLS LUX properties to open anywhere in the country. MORE INFO

The SLS LUX Philadelphia Hotel will be one of the first SLS LUX brand properties to open anywhere in the U.S. (Photo courtesy SLS)

For much more on the cool hotel projects coming to Philly, see below.

• The Study University City

Coming in 2017, 33rd and Chestnut streets. Study Hotels, a new brand from Hospitality 3, enters the University City market in 2017 with an urban-style hotel in partnership with Drexel University. The 145,000-square-foot hotel has plans to include 212 rooms, around 7,000 square feet of meeting space, a 105-seat restaurant and a fitness center. MORE INFO

Drexel’s campus will soon see the development of The Study, an urban hotel concept from Hospitality 3 management, at the corner of 33rd and Chestnut streets. (Rendering courtesy Hospitality 3)

• W and Element Hotels

Coming in 2017, 1441 Chestnut Street. Soaring above 15th and Chestnut streets, just behind the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia hotel, a new Starwood-run W Hotel and Element Hotel are planned to debut in 2017. Chestlen Development is spearheading the project, and the property will hold 295 rooms under the W Hotel brand and another 460 in the Element by Westin. Construction on the project is underway. MORE INFO

A two-for-one hotel will rise on Chestnut Street: Starwood brings both a W Hotel and Element Hotel by Westin to Philadelphia. (Rendering courtesy Brook Lenfest)

• AC Hotel by Marriott

Coming in 2017, 228‐238 N. 13th Street. AC Hotels, an urban-contemporary hotel brand founded in Spain by designer Antonio Catalán, has opened in cities like New Orleans, Chicago and Asheville. Now, the Marriott-operated brand has plans to launch in Philadelphia. Developed by Baywood Hotels and architects spg3, the planned property at 13th and Florist streets just north of the Convention Center will house 140 rooms in the former Warner Brothers building, a two-story, Art Deco-inspired structure that dates to 1947. MORE INFO

The historic Warner Brothers building is going to be transformed into a 140-room hotel by 2017. (Rendering courtesy spg3)

• Aloft Hotel at the Convention Center

Coming in 2017, 101 N. Broad Street. The historic 21-story Liberty Title and Trust building at Broad and Arch was preserved during the construction of the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center so it could be turned into a hotel. That conversion is scheduled to happen in the form of a 178-room Aloft Hotel by Starwood, slated to open in 2017. The new hotel will be situated right next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and will offer its guests direct access to the entrance lobby of the Convention Center right off the Avenue of the Arts. MORE INFO

The Liberty Title and Trust building, located just north of City Hall, will soon be converted into an Aloft Hotel with a direct connection to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. (Image courtesy Realen Properties)

• Kimpton Hotel on Logan Circle

Coming in 2017/2018, 18th and Vine streets. Kimpton will be adding a third property to their Philadelphia holdings in 2017 or 2018 when they open a $85-million, 199-room hotel in the former Family Court building on Vine Street at Logan Circle. This new Philadelphia property will be Kimpton’s third adaptation and renovation of a historic building in Philadelphia — Hotel Palomar and Square 1682 restaurant opened in the former Architects Building in Rittenhouse Square in 2009 and Hotel Monaco Philadelphia and Red Owl Tavern opened in the Lafayette Building overlooking Independence Mall in 2012. MORE INFO

The historic Family Court building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will soon transform into a gorgeous new Kimpton hotel. (Image courtesy Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants)

• Hudson Hotel

Coming in 2018, 17th and Chancellor streets. A new $125 million property — a Hudson hotel by Morgans Hotel Group, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal — will rise 12 stories and fill the small parcel of land on 17th Street between Chancellor and St. James streets, replacing the five-story, above-ground parking garage that currently sits there and houses Little Pete’s diner. According to plans from locally based DAS Architects, the new high-rise hotel will feature more than 300 rooms, 40 executive suites, high-end amenities and food and beverage options — including a proposed dining venue on the penthouse floor with panoramic city views. MORE INFO

There are plans for a new $125 million boutique hotel to be built on 17th Street in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. (Rendering courtesy DAS Architects, Inc.)

• Unnamed Boutique Hotel In Fishtown

Coming soon, Frankford Avenue north of Girard Avenue. Another super exciting project is on the books in Fishtown. Developer Roland Kassis is a neighborhood fixture, and soon his investment in Fishtown will reach new depths — or, actually, heights. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’sarchitecture critic Inga Saffron, Kassis has set his sights on developing a boutique hotel on Frankford Avenue in the style of Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel. The project – which would be the first hotel in Fishtown and is enthusiastically endorsed by the neighborhood – would include a restaurant, jazz club and rooftop pool as well. MORE INFO

The plans for a boutique hotel on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown include a restaurant, jazz club and a rooftop pool.
(Image courtesy Roland Cassis)

• Live! Casino and Hotel

Coming in 2018-2019, South Philly. After a hotly contested showdown for a Philadelphia casino license, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded the prize to the Live! Casino and Hotel project in South Philadelphia. Approximately 220 rooms are slated for the hotel, and many details are still yet to be firmed up. Stay tuned. MORE INFO

Though much development is still to come, the Live! Hotel Casino could look something like this. (Rendering by BLT Architects)

• Four Seasons Hotel at Comcast Innovation & Technology Center

Coming in 2018, 1800 Arch Street. This has to be the pièce de résistance of the hotel projects in the pipeline. To be housed within the upper floors of the 1,121-foot Comcast Innovation & Technology Center that is currently under construction on the 1800 block of Arch Street, the new 220-room Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel is scheduled to open in 2018 when the new tower is completed. The new luxury hotel will include more than 200 rooms, a spa, fitness facilities, event and meeting space, as well as — get ready for it — a breathtaking new restaurant located on the top floor of the building, offering awesome, unparalleled 360-degree views of the city. We literally cannot wait. MORE INFO

The new Four Seasons Hotel in the new Comcast Tower will boast a breathtaking new restaurant located on the top floor of the building, offering awesome, unparalleled 360-degree views of the city. (Image via Comcast)

Posted by Kristina Jenkins, http://www.uwishunu.com/

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Travelore Tips: The Best Places To Travel in 2014

New hotels and tours, emerging food scenes, and special events make these places the hottest travel destinations in 2014.

                        Contributed by Travel + Leisure Staff

On Nicaragua’s Little Corn Island, the fresh lobster is cheap; the hammocks plentiful; and the pace slow. Factor in a new hotel and spa with 16 oceanfront cabanas, and vacationing here is more blissful than ever.

It’s just one of the places that will appeal to travelers seeking what’s new and notable in 2014. They remind us that there are still discoveries to be made, even in seemingly familiar destinations—and that with travel, too, timing is everything.

Consider Iceland, where NASA expects the northern lights to reach the vibrant peak of an 11-year solar cycle in December 2014. For prime views, book a stay at the Ion Hotel, where the bar has dimmable lights and wraparound windows, or a small-group tour with storm chaser George Kourounis that includes volcano hikes and glacier treks.

Culture seekers, meanwhile, will be drawn to Cape Town, which has more than 450 events in the works as part of its World Design Capital designation in 2014, along with hip boutiques and forward-thinking restaurants. StumbleUpon revealed that Cape Town is one of the top 10 destinations generating interest among its community of 30 million users.

Palermo, Sicily, is another destination capturing the collective imagination. TripAdvisor has noticed a recent uptick in searches and positive feedback—and we’ve noticed compelling reasons to visit, like a surprisingly sophisticated wine scene and affordable independent hotels.

Of course, you don’t need to cross international borders to find a worthy vacation spot for the New Year. Enterprising chefs have congregated right in Nashville, where you can hop from Germantown’s Rolf and Daughters to Josephine, a new farm-to-table spot in the emerging 12South neighborhood.

Dook

Cape Town, South Africa

There’s never been a better time to visit Cape Town thanks to a proliferation of edgy boutiques, independent galleries, and forward-thinking restaurants like Test Kitchen by Neighbourgoods Market, where biltong (cured meat) is topped with plum-cured foie gras. And the buzz is spreading: StumbleUpon noticed that Cape Town is one of the top 10 destinations generating interest among its community of 30 million users. The city has been designed the World Design Capital for 2014, with more than 450 events in the works. It’s also an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Nelson Mandela with a visit to Robben Island, where he spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

David Nicolas

Uruguay

New hotels beckon travelers to two up-and-coming destinations. The beach town of Jose Ignacio attracts a high-wattage crowd that has included Shakira and Jason Wu, yet “the vibe here is not so precious: everyone is so low-key and relaxed,” says insider Carrie Vik, who just opened her third hotel in the area: the 11-bungalow Bahia Vik, tucked among the dunes of Mansa Beach. “I love to horseback ride along the sand, or bicycle up to Laguna Garzon and watch the kite surfers, she adds.” Return in time to catch the 

spectacular sunset over caipiroskas at La Huella, Playa Brava’s iconic seaside restaurant. To the west, the boutique wineries and farm-to-table dining have made the Carmelo region a go-to weekend getaway for stylish Argentines. Casa Chic raises the cool quotient with its 20 rooms set on 250 acres of untouched forest and a showstopping pool overlooking the Río de la Plata. —Shane Mitchell, Paola Singer

Courtesy of Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Warsaw

Affordable, rich in culture and history, and filled with emerging creative energy. Stay at the refurbished Hotel Bristol. (Coming in 2016: a Raffles hotel.) Don’t miss the expanded contemporary art gallery at the National Museum and the new Museum of the History of the Polish Jews.

Art Gray

Iceland

The proximity of the Ion Hotel, designed by California-based studio Minarc, to Thingvellir National Park means you can fish on Iceland’s largest natural lake—then let the hotel’s chef cook your catch. The bar has dimmable lights and wraparound windows for aurora borealis viewing—and 2014 promises to be spectacular. According to NASA, the Northern Lights will reach the peak of an 11-year solar cycle in December 2014. Storm chaser George Kourounis will lead travelers on an eight-day Kensington Tours itinerary that includes volcano hikes, glacier treks, and zodiac safaris. —Lindsey Olander

Francisco Guerrero

Pangulasian Island, Philippines

In the Palawan archipelago, an hour’s flight from Manila, the tiny private island of Pangulasian is home to the newest and most luxurious entry in the respected El Nido Resorts collection. Forty-two airy, thatched-roof villas are just steps from a ribbon of soft white sand. Behind you lies a thrumming canopy of green. And before you is limpid blue Bacuit Bay, where outriggers ply the glasslike waters. The bay is part of aUNESCO biosphere reserve; swim just 20 yards out and you’ll be floating with turtles and parrot fish above a pristine coral reef. Or kayak to one of several nearby islands and claim your own sun-drenched empty shore. Back at the resort, fresh coconuts await (watch staffers climb 30-foot trees to retrieve them) along with traditional hilot massages at the spa, for all of $35 an hour. Pangulasian was spared by recent Typhoon Haiyan, and the country could use your tourist dollars more than ever. —Peter Jon Lindberg

David Nicolas

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

All eyes are on the host of this year’s World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, where a citywide rejuvenation effort has infused Rio’s neighborhoods with newfound energy. Once-derelict Lapa, for instance, now reverberates far into the night with samba’s percussive beat at venues like Carioca da Gema. And the artsy district of Botafogo—with views of Sugarloaf Mountain—has also become a gastronomic hub. “My go-to place for modern Brazilian cuisine is Iraja Gastro, run by chef Pedro de Artagao; get the pirarucu fish with sautéed banana,” says furniture designer Sergio Rodrigues, whose studio is found in Botafogo. —Colin Barraclough

Jason Chinn/Courtesy of Yemaya

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

The fresh lobster is cheap; the hammocks, plentiful; the pace, blissfully slow. This snack-bite-size island (it’s just over one square mile) located 56 miles off Nicaragua’s coast is easily walkable or bikeable by trail, making it a breeze to get to snorkeling beaches such as Cocal. The new Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa offers 16 ocean-facing cabanas sandwiched between two stretches of sand, and a.m. yoga sessions...if you’re up. —Jason Harper

Courtesy of The Lotus Kerala

Kerala, India

According to Jonny Bealby of tour operator Wild Frontiers, the new houseboat Lotus brings an added level of comfort to the backwaters of Malabar in northern Kerala—and not just because of the air-conditioning. The two guest rooms have handmade teak furniture and private verandas for your journey. If you prefer to explore by car, head five hours south from Kochi to Kovalem, a fisherman’s beach fringed with coconut groves. Or, head east to the mountainous area of Munnar, studded with tea plantations, including Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, one of the world’s highest. Wherever you roam, you can stretch your dollars farther as the rupee has fallen in value.

Ben Miller

Miami, Florida

Miami feels more and more like a world-class city, thanks to a revitalized urban core, neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and a new clutch of innovative restaurants and hotels. The Metropolitan by Como debuts in January 2014, but for now, resident restaurateur Jose Mendin, founder of the city’s PubBelly group of eateries, is loyal to the SLS and The Standard. “A lot of locals have memberships at The Standard,” he says. “We use the spa and hang out at the pool.” After hours, you’re likely to find him atRadio. “It started as a popup, and now it’s becoming one of the city’s hottest bars,” he says. For a late-night snack, Mendin heads to La Sandwicherie. “They’re famous for the Italian dressing that they give you with your sandwich—chefs come here to scarf down baguettes at 2am.” For more insider tips, read T+L’s Miami Decoder. —Heidi Mitchell

Andrea Behrends

Nashville

Enterprising chefs are the new country-music stars, bringing refined yet unfussy restaurants to emerging neighborhoods. Try Germantown’s Rolf & Daughters; Josephine, a new farm-to-table-style spot in the 12South area; and Pinewood Social, with a menu by local star Josh Habiger.

Cookie Kinkead

Meads Bay, Anguilla

Facing west, 1 1/2-mile-long Meads Bay is ringed by some of the island’s best casual restaurants. Simply brush the sand from your bare feet before entering Straw Hat to order the grilled local crawfish with sweet plantains. On a panoramic bluff above the bay, Malliouhana is getting a glamorous top-to-bottom makeover from Auberge Resorts, with a new sunset bar, tiered pool, and intimate spa; the 55-room classic reopens this spring. We’ll see if it lures stars away from the nearby Viceroy, a high-profile hit with its Kelly Wearstler–designed rooms. —Shane Mitchell

Anita Back

Sochi, Russia

Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Sochi 
Excursion: Long before this city was chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, the region was a favorite retreat of Joseph Stalin. Tour the dictator’s austere 1937 dacha, still filled with his personal possessions. The day ends in the 30-acre subtropical Dendrary Botanical Garden (mind the roaming ostriches!). 
Voyage: Celebrity Constellation, to and from Istanbul.October 14; 11 nights from $2,499. —Jane Wooldridge

Trujillo-Paumier Photography

Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido,Mexico

Pro riders arrive in this town along the Oaxacan coast and make a beeline for Playa Zicatela, a.k.a. the Mexican Pipeline. But Playa Carrizalillo, a quiet cove accessible via a 150-step stairway, has waters gentle enough for the rest of us; take a dip, snorkel, then down oysters from one of the handful of beach shacks. In recent years, Puerto (as the locals call it) has been upping its hip factor: case in point, the just-openedHotel Escondido, a 16-room, oceanfront oasis from the cult-favorite Grupo Habita brand. —Jeff Spurrier

Sally Gall/Gallery Stock

Burma

Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Rangoon, Burma
Excursion: This two-day Temples of Burma jaunt is worth the quick flight to Pagan: you’ll see a few of the 2,000 pagodas and temples from a traditional horse cart, with stops at a lacquerware workshop. Includes an overnight stay in a local hotel. 
Voyage: Seabourn Odyssey, to and from Singapore. November 9; 14 nights from $6,999. —Jane Wooldridge

Dagmar Schwelle - Laif - Redux

Palermo, Italy

While Sicily’s allure is undeniable, its capital is less universally loved. But TripAdvisor—noticing an uptick in searches and positive feedback—has recognized Palermo as a European destination on the rise in 2014. Here are five compelling reasons to visit. 1) Wine tasting is surprisingly sophisticated. Try Vinoveritas (39-091/609-0653) for some 3,000 Italian and international pours and a tasty aperitivo spread. 2) You’ll find some of Italy’s best street food at joyfully chaotic markets Ballarò, Il Capo, and the legendary Vucciria. 3) Its western suburb of Mondello is one of Sicily’s most idyllic seaside villages and the location of Alle Terrazze, perhaps the area’s best seafood restaurant. 4) Low-key, independent hotels are the rule, not the exception. Our favorite, BB22, makes a fine art of understated intimacy, with its glassed-in terrace and seven high-ceilinged rooms. 5) There’s art worth seeing that’s not 500-plus years old. At GAM, 19th- and 20th-century Italian masters are mixed with high-profile living artists. And dealer Francesco Pantaleone—formerly of Gagosian in New York—is bringing international bona fides to the local scene. —Maria Shollenbarger

Courtesy of Victoria Falls Hotel

Zimbabwe

An expanded international airport across the border in Livingston, Zambia, is making the Victoria Falls region more accessible. Experience it by staying at the freshly renovated Victoria Falls Hotel. Visit Hwange National Park and Mana Pools with Wilderness Safarisor African Bush Camps.

Conrad Piepenburg California Wine Country

Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: San Francisco  
Excursion: Take a three-hour ride through Napa Valley on a restored 1915 train—passing wineries such as Far Niente (established in 1885), Robert Mondavi, and Opus One. Bonus: thanks to a conductor turned designated driver, feel free to enjoy the tasting bar, replete with some 50 local bottles at any given time. 
Voyage: Azamara Quest, from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. February 10; eight nights from $1,499. —Jane Wooldridge

Courtesy of The Brando

Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Just 30 miles northeast of Tahiti, the atoll of Tetiaroa has 12 motus (islets) so gorgeous they were once a retreat for Polynesian royalty. And then came Hollywood: Marlon Brando filmed Mutiny on the Bounty there in the 1960’s, fell in love, and bought every last bit of sand. Privacy is still the priority on 193-acre Onetahi, one of those pristine motus, which is now the setting for the Brandoresort (all-inclusive; three-night minimum), slated to open July 1. In keeping with the actor’s wishes, the 35-villa property will also focus on conservation, with an EcoStation, sustainable energy systems, and an organic orchard. Charter a sailboat to explore the three-mile-wide lagoon—then strand yourselves for a few hours on one of the 11 

Mike Theiss/National Geographic Society/Corbis

Santa Marta, Colombia

Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Santa Marta, Colombia
Excursion: In Colombia’s oldest city, you’ll see artifacts of the Kogi and Arhuaco peoples in the Gold Museum—and tour the final home of 19th-century liberator Simón Bolívar. 
Voyage: Oceania’s Regatta, from Miami to Los Angeles. December 5; 15 nights from $3,499. —Jane Wooldridge

imagebroker / Alamy

Lombok, Indonesia

Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Lombok, Indonesia
Excursion: Visit villages on this artsy island to see locals dye fabrics using ikat techniques and mold decorative pots, then stop at the Sayang Sayang art market to shop for intricate rattan baskets and wooden boxes inlaid with pearl and filigree panels. 
Voyage: Crystal Symphony, from Sydney to Bali. February 16; 12 nights from $4,055. —Jane Wooldridge

Susan Seubert

Mokapu Beach, Maui, Hawaii

The property off Mokapu’s dazzling, 4 1/2-mile stretch of golden sand lay shuttered for years: enter the Andaz Maui at Wailea, which has revitalized this 15-acre spot. From the sand garden in the open-air lobby to the whitewashed guest rooms, the design sensibility is modern-luxe Hawaiian beach house. What to do? Along with stand-up paddleboarding, there’s lounging by the four-tiered pool and sharing sushi at the on-site Morimoto Maui. Hanging loose never felt so chic. —Gail Simmons

Simon Watson

Dominica, Caribbean

Long a secret Caribbean refuge for sunseekers and soul-searchers, Dominica has an astonishing purity and variety of landscapes: volcanoes, deep gorges, rivers and waterfalls, and the world’s second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. Nearly half of Dominica is rain forest, and about a third is national parkland. For the adventure-inclined, there’s just so much here. Yet for the average Caribbean tourist, remarkably little: no all-inclusives, no Margaritavilles, not even a gift shop at the airport. Small hotels and guesthouses haven’t kept up with nearby St. Lucia and Barbados. Factor in the difficulty of getting here (the island’s airstrip accommodates mostly prop planes, with no nonstop flights from the U.S.), and you see why Dominica has been an outlier, until recently. The island finally has a world-class resort to match its natural assets: Secret Bay, on a promontory between two beaches with cliff-top villas. It’s one of our favorite secret Caribbean hotels. —Peter Jon Lindberg

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