Travel news: this month (December 2025) in luxury travel

Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: December 2025 luxury travel news

Every last Friday of the month, you can read my news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel and aviation. In this issue:

Four Seasons announces a beachfront hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Four Seasons will manage a luxury hotel in Berlin, Germany
The EDITION brand announces a hotel in Cape Town, South Africa
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts introduces “St. Regis Estates”
Emirates elevates its First Class experience
Emirates launches Asia Pacific Flight Pass
Rosewood unveils a new chapter and brand identity
Qantas introduces an elevated First Class experience
Andaz One Bangkok opens its doors in Thailand
Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens following 19-month renovation

Four Seasons announces a hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Four Seasons will make its return to Brazil with Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro at Leblon, set to open in 2029 on the city’s iconic Leblon Beach. Occupying the tallest building in the neighborhood, the hotel will feature approximately 120 rooms and suites with sweeping Atlantic Ocean views and will emerge from a complete transformation of the former Hotel Marina Palace into a new landmark of luxury hospitality. Developed in partnership with Catuaí Asset, the project reflects Four Seasons’ strategic expansion in South America and a shared commitment to exceptional service, thoughtful design, and immersive guest experiences. Located in one of Rio’s most vibrant coastal districts, the hotel will offer guests access to a city celebrated for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and architectural legacy, including recognition as UNESCO’s first World Capital of Architecture and home to the world-famous Christ the Redeemer. The hotel will feature multiple dining venues, including a rooftop bar and pool overlooking the ocean, a signature restaurant highlighting local and international cuisine, a luxury spa, wellness facilities, and beachfront experiences, blending preserved architectural character with contemporary elegance to create a timeless destination for global travelers.

Four Seasons will manage a luxury hotel in Berlin

Four Seasons and Gruppo Statuto have announced plans to transform Berlin’s historic Hotel de Rome into Four Seasons Hotel Berlin, marking the brand’s return to the city after 20 years. Following a large-scale renovation, the hotel – set to open in late 2027 – will preserve its landmark late-19th-century façade—originally the Dresdner Bank headquarters—while reimagining approximately 140 guest rooms and suites, restaurants, and bars with a blend of timeless and contemporary design reflecting Berlin’s creative, culture-rich identity. Located in the historic Mitte district on Bebelplatz, the property will place guests steps from St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and the State Opera, and within walking distance of the Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenmarkt, and Museum Island. The hotel will feature three dining and bar concepts, including a rooftop terrace with city views, a spa and fitness center set within the former jewel vault, and more than 1,000 square meters of refined event space. Operating as Hotel de Rome through 2026, the property will reopen under Four Seasons leadership led by Berlin native Christian Poda, bringing the brand’s signature service and elevated luxury back to the German capital.

The EDITION brand announces a hotel in Cape Town

Marriott International, Inc. and V&A Waterfront Holdings have signed an agreement to open The Cape Town EDITION at the iconic V&A Waterfront in 2026, marking the anticipated debut of EDITION Hotels in Africa. The project represents a major milestone in Marriott’s growth strategy on the continent, aligning the EDITION brand’s refined design, innovation, and service ethos with Cape Town’s creative and cosmopolitan spirit. The hotel is expected to feature 142 elegantly designed rooms and suites, excellent dining options including a signature rooftop bar, a spa, pool, meeting and event facilities, and curated social spaces inspired by the city’s heritage. Plans also include six exclusive private residences under The Residences at The Cape Town EDITION, setting a new benchmark for luxury living in the city. Designed by Shanghai-based Neri & Hu in collaboration with local firm StudioMAS, the development will blend contemporary luxury with authentic local character. Located at the edge of the Granger Bay development, the property will offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and landmarks such as Table Mountain, while providing guests and residents with direct access to world-class retail, dining, cultural attractions, and waterfront experiences, further reinforcing Cape Town’s status as a premier global tourism destination.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts introduces “St. Regis Estates”

St. Regis Hotels has unveiled St. Regis Estates, an ultra-exclusive brand expression dedicated to legacy-rich, leisure-led estates distinguished by historic significance, expansive landscapes, and extraordinary amenities. Inspired by the House of Astor’s tradition of grand estate living, the concept responds to modern travelers’ desire for privacy, authenticity, and a deeper emotional connection to place, emphasizing heritage, setting, and character over trend-driven spectacle. Each Estate is carefully selected for its historical resonance and natural beauty, then reinterpreted through the St. Regis lens to create an intimate residential atmosphere paired with architectural grandeur, locally rooted cultural and culinary experiences, estate-only moments designed for extended stays, and the brand’s hallmark balance of warmth, discretion, and refined service. The inaugural property, The Resort at Pelican Hill, A St. Regis Estate, will debut in 2027, transforming the iconic 500-acre Newport Coast retreat with elevated Tom Fazio–designed golf courses, redesigned Bungalows and Villas, a celebrated chef-led dining concept, enhanced wellness and pool experiences, and signature St. Regis rituals such as Butler Service, Afternoon Tea, and Sabrage.

Emirates elevates its First Class experience

Emirates is elevating its First Class experience with a suite of refined onboard enhancements designed to mirror the comfort and elegance of a five-star hotel in the sky. On select long-haul flights, customers are being introduced to new sustainable modal loungewear, slippers, and eye masks crafted from traceable botanical fibres for breathable, temperature-regulating comfort, complemented from 2026 by upgraded 300-thread-count cotton bed linen for deeper rest in fully enclosed private suites. The signature turndown service is enhanced with luxury chocolates from renowned chocolatiers and calming touches such as BYREDO Chamomile Pillow Mist. The iconic A380 shower spa has been refreshed with bespoke stone-finish displays and an expanded skincare offering from VOYA, introducing new Tranquillity and Revitalise fragrance collections. First Class dining is further refined with elegant crystal-cut glassware for cocktails and premium spirits, while early 2026 will see the debut of next-generation Bowers & Wilkins E2 headphones, custom-tuned for Emirates to deliver immersive sound, enhanced noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system.

Emirates launches Asia Pacific Flight Pass

Emirates has launched the Emirates Asia Pass, a new travel solution designed to make exploring Southeast Asia simpler, more flexible, and more rewarding through a single booking. Tailored for travelers seeking cultural discovery and multi-city journeys, the pass allows customers to customize itineraries across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Laos under one ticket. Travelers can choose between one and ten regional flights, combine destinations freely, and even revisit the same city, creating bespoke journeys that suit their schedule and travel style. Available to passengers arriving on an international Emirates flight into the region, the pass eliminates the complexity of purchasing multiple tickets on different airlines, enabling all flights to be managed on one platform. Popular hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur serve as ideal gateways, with onward connections supported by partners Bangkok Airways and Batik Air Malaysia, alongside Emirates-operated regional services. The Emirates Asia Pass can be purchased via Emirates’ website, contact centers, retail offices, or travel agents, with added flexibility allowing itinerary changes for a nominal USD 15 fee per flight.

Rosewood unveils a new chapter and brand identity

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is entering a new era defined by purpose-driven luxury, immersive discovery, and a refreshed global identity that builds on its long-standing “sense of place” philosophy. Evolving beyond traditional hospitality into a lifestyle forum, Rosewood is placing deeper cultural connection, personalization, and digital innovation at the heart of the guest journey, supported by a bold new visual language inspired by fashion, art, and nature, including its signature “Discovery Green” colorway and new monogram. The transformation is immediately reflected in a redesigned, discovery-led digital platform that blends editorial storytelling with seamless booking, allowing guests to curate stays, dining, wellness, and bespoke experiences while engaging with the stories and communities behind each destination. Anchored in heritage yet forward-looking, Rosewood continues to curate experiences that celebrate local culture, sustainability, and creativity—from art-focused programs in Amsterdam and marine conservation in Miyakojima to nature-led wellness and cultural immersion in Mandarina—while expanding thoughtfully across landmark destinations worldwide. With a growing portfolio and pipeline, Rosewood’s next chapter positions hospitality as a bridge to curiosity, connection, and meaningful exploration of place.

Qantas introduces an elevated First Class experience

Qantas is enhancing its A380 First Class experience with a suite of premium upgrades spanning dining, amenities, and onboard comfort, progressively rolling out across its international network from this month and fully in place by mid-2026. Shaped by customer insights and inflight trials, the refreshed offering includes an elevated dining concept curated by acclaimed chef Neil Perry, featuring signature dishes from his award-winning Margaret restaurant alongside menus showcasing Australian producers, paired with top-tier local wines, expanded cocktail selections, and premium champagnes including Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 and Pommery Cuvée Louise 2006. First Class customers will also receive exclusive new amenity kits designed with Aesop in three collectible styles, complemented by redesigned navy pyjamas and loafer-style slippers for enhanced comfort. As part of Qantas’ focus on wellness and jetlag mitigation ahead of its future ultra long-haul flights, First passengers can now dine on demand to maximize rest. Available on A380 services to destinations such as London, Singapore, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Johannesburg, the enhancements reflect Qantas’ continued investment in delivering a refined, detail-driven First Class experience.

Andaz One Bangkok opens its doors in Thailand

Hyatt announced the opening of Andaz One Bangkok on December 19, 2025, introducing a new lifestyle hotel designed for curious urban travelers within the landmark One Bangkok district, the city’s largest integrated development combining business, retail, culture, residences, green spaces, and entertainment. Located on historic Wireless Road beside Lumphini Park, the hotel blends Bangkok’s heritage with contemporary energy, offering sweeping park views, direct access to MRT Lumphini Station, and convenient connections to both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. As the second Andaz property in Thailand, the 244-room hotel is conceived as a “Vertical Neighborhood,” with interiors by Thai design firm PIA inspired by local streets, sois, and mid-century Thai architecture, complemented by bespoke art and photography. Guests can enjoy refined rooms with premium amenities, a 24-hour Andaz Lounge, an infinity pool and fitness center, and a diverse dining portfolio ranging from authentic Chinese cuisine at Jǐng and al fresco Asian-inspired offerings at Andaz Terrace to Mediterranean rooftop dining and nightlife at Piscari, all reflecting the Andaz brand’s philosophy of individuality, creativity, and deep connection to place.

Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens following renovation

Hyatt announced the reopening of Park Hyatt Tokyo following a 19-month restoration, the most extensive renewal in the hotel’s 30-year history since its 1994 debut as Asia’s first Park Hyatt. Designed by Studio Jouin Manku with deep respect for its cultural and architectural legacy atop Kenzo Tange’s Shinjuku Park Tower, the renewal preserves the hotel’s iconic serenity and cinematic identity while refining it for a new generation of travelers. The project enhances the sense of calm through warmer materials, softer forms, expanded sightlines, and thoughtfully updated dining, wellness, and social spaces, while maintaining signature elements such as soaring atriums, panoramic city and Mt. Fuji views, and a residential aesthetic inspired by John Morford’s original interiors. All 171 guestrooms and suites have been reimagined with fluid layouts, contemporary Japanese art, and tactile finishes, complemented by revitalized culinary destinations including Girandole by Alain Ducasse, the restored New York Grill & Bar, Kozue, and The Peak Lounge & Bar. Together, the transformation honors Park Hyatt Tokyo’s storied past while reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most enduring symbols of understated luxury and refined urban hospitality.