Now that the pandemic is behind us (hopefully), we can explore all the places on our bucket lists. People are tired of being couped up. This last year I have planned trips to destinations I had never sent people to, like Uzbekistan, Israel, Columbia, and Turkey. Some of the most incredible resorts I have ever seen opened in 2022. You need to discover these gems before everyone else does! Here is part 3 of my sexiest new honeymoon hotels.
Daring is rarely used to define the hotels of the Maldives, which can feel cookie-cutter because they all share a similar design aesthetic. But the adjective fits the Ritz-Carlton Maldives. It takes inspiration from the swirls of wind and waves, the overwater villas that are elegant and circular yet feel entirely at home with the surroundings. Solar panels power the bungalow, each with a private swimming pool. The spa is a low-rise ring perched above the lagoon.
Is there a better location in Paris than La Samaritaine? The great Cheval Blanc brand is opening its first city resort in the City of Lights. Almost every grand suite overlooks the Seine; the Art Deco brasserie meets the cocktail bar is the place to be seen before fleeing to the underground spa helmed by Dior. With nearly 600 artisans involved in the rehabilitation, Cheval Blanc Paris feels like entering a museum where you can spend the night in luxury.
New luxury resorts have been popping up all over Israel, but this posh, secluded hotel deep in the Negev Desert is easily the best. Ostensibly sewn into a stark precipice, this luxury hotel combines artful pampering and gorgeous architecture with the most stunning vistas you'll ever see. Add in chic, meticulously conceived suites, an extensive spa, and a host of adventures--from hikes and camel rides to guided historical tours, and you have an escape of biblical proportions.
Located in Venice's artsy area, this elegant hotel breaks with the opulent Renaissance-inspired design favored by many Venice resorts. You can expect wood paneling, bespoke Murano lamps, and whimsical touches like the custom-made ceiling mural featuring flowers, vegetables, and fish in Vero's main restaurant. Relax in the peaceful courtyard and savor innovative cocktails in the secret Alchemia bar.
Reykjavík finally has an incredible, romantic five-star hotel with the sexy and sleep Edition. A massive black lava rock sprinkled with faux-fur blankets and pillows anchors the hotel's sprawling reception area on one end, with an immense undulating wall projection of the Aurora Borealis on the other. The restaurant, Tides, serves fresh seafood and high-quality meats while the spa rejuvenation to a whole new level.
Napa has no shortage of fabulous wineries and stunning hotels, but the Four Seasons is the first luxury resort that weds the two. Acres of vineyards surround the beautiful rooms and suites. The on-site winery and tasting room stand out. The bar and dining areas are stunning, with soaring ceilings, a glassed-in kitchen, and a wall of glass doors opening to a massive terrace with a cozy firepit.
Hobart, Tasmania, finally has a destination-worthy hotel. The Tasman bridges three downtown buildings:
A refurbished Georgian-era hospital
An Art Deco building
An ultramodern glass extension called the Pavilion
I adore the Aurora Suite because it juts out like a ship's prow toward the port. But each of its 152 rooms is unique, with no two being alike. The location ensures every city attraction is easy to reach. Are you looking for a base from which to explore the vineyards in the Coal River Valley and find the Tasmanian Devil? The Tasman is calling your name.
Fashion designer Anna Trzebinski converted her home in Nairobi into an art-filled boutique hotel. Eden is close enough to the city but still feels like a serene haven from the hustle and bustle. Couples can expect rustic-chic decor, colorful blown-glass installations, a trendy bar secreted behind a curtain of ostrich eggs, and works of art supplied by Trzebinski's children. The tranquil hideaway does feel like Eden, and A-Listers are already fans.
Prehistoric Patagonia can make a human feel insignificant between the enormous, rough mountains, the boundless blue ice field, and graceful condors swooping across the sky. Explora El Chalten gently transitions you back to society without the culture shock. Its whitewashed wood-and-stone rooms come with panoramic mountain vistas and outdoor kitchens. The hideaway is 10 miles outside the town of El Chalten in the epicenter of a private natural reserve. Guides will lead you through the breathtaking scenery via overland journeys, ice hikes, or rock climbing.
Suppose Italy's grand, truffle-rich Piedmont province is still an up-and-coming romantic hideaway. In that case, the secreted Dolcetto di Ovada wine country is a veritable dark horse in its southeastern corner. This boutique country hotel, housed in a pink villa from the 19th century, feels even more of a find. A tall wing building, which looks like a huge barn, harbors Nordelaia's funky bar, lounge, and restaurant. Sipping the amazing Dolcetto produced at the resort is a must-do, as is exploring the antique markets.
The Fairmont is one of the first luxury hideaways to debut in the windswept fishing town of Taghazout. This gorgeous beachfront property—studded with twisted olive trees and supported by the Atlas Mountains—deftly blends the Fairmont's impeccable service with a laid-back vibe. The rooms come with locally sourced textiles and daring accents of Moroccan blue. At the same time, floor-to-ceiling windows offer amazing views of the surfers (and periodically a sauntering camel) on the beach.
Nestled in the hills of Saint-Tropez, the 19th-century Chateau de la Messardirre—with its domes and turrets looming over Pampelonne Bay—is like a romantic fantasy spread across 25 acres. Aside from the fairytale setting, the Airelles offers 11 dining options. These include Auberge des Maures for Provencal dishes; the casual La Table d'Estoublon, set within a vegetable garden specializing in organic wine. You can hop on the complimentary shuttle to the beach club. You may prefer a dip in the lovely pool and heading to the spa for a dose of zen.
Inspired by Jack Kerouac's Japhy Ryder, this Charleston retreat is about shaking things up and relishing the journey. Little Palm, cocktail shakers, and Motown grooves at the poolside keep toes tapping—whether you're wearing shoes or not. If you don't get the relaxation vibe on arrival, there's a photo of a topless woman strumming a guitar to remind you it's time to unwind. It's live and let live at the Ryder.
Florence is home to Salvatore Ferragamo, Emilio Pucci, and a vibrant artisan culture, which ensures that it and Milan offer the best shopping in Italy. The distinction is that Florence is a lot easier on the eyes! Do you desire proof of that statement? Walk through the doors of Il Tornabuoni and head to the fourth floor. Here you will find the Butterfly Bar terrace. Enjoy the sublime Renaissance diorama below in ochre, terra-cotta, and marble from the balcony; it is breathtaking. You will discover suites covered with astonishingly well-preserved 18th-century frescoes--art and history blossom inside the former palazzo.
The Four Seasons' first resort on the island of Sicily is a former 14th-century palace with panoramas that capture the past and vibrancy of the island. The rooms come with 15-foot ceilings, massive marble bathrooms, and an enormous balcony that will become your favorite cocktail spot. You can gaze over Taormina Bay from the rooftop infinity pool. The location is stellar; the hotel is a short walk from the lively town center—filled with shops, restaurants, and historical sites—and a funicular that transports you to the sparkling beaches in less than five minutes.
2022 was a banner year for resort openings! In this blog and the two before it, I spotlighted my favorite new hotels that opened in 2022. There were so many incredible resorts that I could only include if I made this series five or six parts. Are there any fantastic romantic resorts that I missed?