9 Hotels To Visit This Winter

This winter, travelers have the world at their fingertips as airlines and hotels reopen to the world with great fanfare. Many offered money-saving deals for hotel stays or cruise vacations while others are getting more creative with how they appeal to travelers. Hotel news from around the world this winter includes properties partnering with fashion designers, switching to more eco-friendly alternatives and even launching do-it-yourself design platforms. Here are nine places worth exploring this winter to discover a new type of hotel stay.

Four Seasons Bangkok adds solar power water shuttle

In a first for a Bangkok hotel, the new Four Seasons Bangkok will add a solar-powered river shuttle to its schedule. Many hotels offer complimentary river transfers, but this eco-friendly option is new for the city. The art and design-focused property is taking the step as part of its larger efforts to be more sustainable while inviting guests to discover more of the area’s art and design through a partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok. Guests can explore free exhibits during their stay or peruse the regional design pieces in hallways, public areas and guest rooms elsewhere. The new solar-powered shuttle will be in operation in the coming year.

Hyatt acquires Dream Hotel Group

In another luxury-focused acquisition, Hyatt continues to beef up its portfolio of luxury hotels with the newest addition of Dream Hotel Group. With properties like The Chatwal New York and Dream Bangkok, the move is part of the hospitality brand’s effort to strengthen its lifestyle division as well as grow in key markets like Las Vegas and the Caribbean. All of Dream Hotel Group’s properties will join the World of Hyatt portfolio allowing guests to earn and redeem points during their stays.

Recreate Marriott’s design-themed hotels at home

In a partnership with Samsung and its ad-free Samsung TV Plus streaming service, Marriott is launching Travel by Design, an integrated content platform sharing the never-before-told design stories of some of its most popular hotels. Viewers can learn how architects, designers and other visionaries found their inspiration and what they did to create the final look. From palaces-turned-hotels to overwater villas, many may find ideas on how to recreate some of these same looks in their own home or office. Travel by Design includes articles, films, podcasts and photography across digital, editorial and social platforms. In addition to Samsung, the content will be available on Roku as well as YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Teen trainee marine biologist program at Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Young travelers to the Maldives have something new to experience the next time they visit Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. The teen trainee marine biologist program gives teenagers between the age of 15 and 19 the opportunity to see what this career is like. Six, day-long experiences give them the chance to work with marine biologists as they explore the ecosystem that surrounds the resort. The private sessions last one day and can be booked at the resort. Teens can choose to work directly with a coral biologist, dolphin biologist, turtle biologist, aquarist, plankton biologist or manta biologist.

Kulm Hotel St. Moritz reveals renovated Corvatsch Suite

The grandest suite of the famous Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is fresh from a contemporary makeover in time for the winter ski and holiday season. The Corvatsch Suite swapped its traditional trappings for a more modern look. Overseen by local architect Rolf Som and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the nearly 2,000 sq ft suite enjoys outdoor views of St. Moritz from its top-floor terrace. Sheepskin armchairs, new art and photography pieces, and Swiss stone pine complete the new, Alpine-chic ambiance.

Delta Hotels by Marriott opens 100th hotel

Dubai is the home of the 100th hotel for the Delta Hotels by Marriott brand. Within the gated investment park, the new Delta Hotels by Marriott, Dubai Investment Park will have an outdoor pool, spa and grab & go dining option. It will also have a brand hallmark, the all-hours Delta Pantry, which is meant to feel like a residential kitchen and available at all hours to Marriott Bonvoy elite status members and premium room guests.

Super 8 brand adds new candle collection

One of the world’s largest economy hotel brands, Super 8 by Wyndham is adding a new candle collection for the holidays, dubbed “Scents of the Open Road!” This limited edition collection of candles retails for $19.74, which pays homage to the company’s founding year (1974). It’s not just the fragrance that may lure buyers since a select number of candle sets will include a voucher valid for 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points, which is enough for as many as four free nights at a Super 8 by Wyndham. Among the scents are candles named “Snack Time” (with the aroma of a favorite road trip snack, smoky and savory beef jerky) and the coffee-scented “Morning Jolt.” When the candles first launched, they initially sold out, but the brand is relaunching them later this month.

Four Seasons Madrid wraps up Jimmy Choo desserts

According to the hotel, these popular desserts may make a comeback. The Jimmy Choo partnership involved the luxury property’s pastry chef developing these beautiful purse and design product-inspired desserts inspired by the fashion house’s latest collection. Pretty enough not to eat, the sweet handbags and pastries were a hit with locals. The hotel is taking a pause for the holidays, but may bring it back in the future. On the menu were a pavlova, eclair and sphere dessert emphasizing the hero “candy pink and Gold” color of the collection.

Renovation and celebration at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Fresh from $80 worth of renovations, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has debuted its new lobby, a new signature restaurant and completely refreshed guest rooms. To celebrate, it’s offering an over-the-top 20th Anniversary Package for $20,000. The hefty price tag includes four nights in the Presidential Suite, a sunrise hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, access for two to the Griffin Club lounge, a private cooking class and dinner with “Top Chef” alum and executive chef Angelo Sosa, two spa treatments per person and a day trip to the Grand Canyon.