Top 5: The best high-altitude ski resorts
12 December 2022
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18 January 2023New horizons
From the Mexican forests of the Riviera Nayarit to a historic renovation in Cartagena, to a dolce vita chalet in the glamorous ski resort of Cortina, there are plenty of new luxury hotel offerings. Here are the hottest new arrivals for 2023
Rosapetra Spa Resort, Cortina
While this article is about new hotel openings for 2023, the first property in our list is actually opening in December of 2022. And why wouldn't it open in the depths of winter, with the snow flying and the temperatures dropping when it's sited over 1,200m up in the Dolomites near the location of the 1956, and the upcoming 2026, Olympic Games?
This then is the Rosapetra Spa Resort, a five-star hotel among the most renowned in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which has folded itself into the new management of the Relegance Collection – a new Italian high-end hospitality brand.
A boutique hotel offering 27 rooms and seven suites, the property has a contemporary chalet aesthetic and overlooks the Tofane massif in the scenic Ampezzo valley. Guests can look forward to a new and dynamic style of hospitality thanks to Relegance. Somewhat disingenuously it is being dubbed the Unexpected Collection. What is there that might be unexpected? Well, you'll have to visit to find out!
You'll quickly settle yourself into the ambience, cosseted and cushioned by the chic design which uses materials such as fir, wood and stone that recall tradition and the territory. Leather and steelwork featuring throughout augment the local touches and create an intimate and seductive atmosphere.
The five new Dolomites suites, enriched with refined fabrics and furnishings, and each with a generous private terrace, provide
spectacular views of the Tofane slopes. You won't have to work hard to while away your woes and worries.
Finding tasty food offerings won't be a chore at Rosapetra Spa Resort either. The restaurant, overlooking the Tofane mountains, provides unique moments of shared degustation. Classic high altitude flavours such as black truffle and wild berries might be expected but the surprise will be the fish menu.
Terrazza26, named after the upcoming Milan-Campino Olympics, is the hotel's open air lounge and bar, serving up breathtaking views with contemporary and original gastronomy.
Once you've piled on the pounds upstairs you'll want to visit the spa. Named among the top 100 best in Europe, Rosapetra spa is an unforgettable experience. Fully kitted with Technogym machines, heated swimming pools with hydromassage and water jets for the neck you get the bonus of splendid views of the Dolomites while the knots and strains are easing.
Massage treatments, products and on-hand experts coexist in harmony while, for the brave, there's a black sauna outdoors to complement a Finnish sauna, a Mediterranean bath, a Turkish bath, an ice waterfall and relaxation areas with herbal teas and fresh fruits indoors.
When your time comes to leave Rosapetra Spa Resort, you'll know you'll be back sooner rather than later.
- Rosapetra Spa Resort, Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Tel: +39 0436 869 062
- Email Reservations
Naviva Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico
When the name Four Seasons is mentioned initial thoughts are, obviously, of luxury, elegance, comfort and professionalism. Also, under the surface, is the understanding that the hotels under the moniker will be somewhat sizeable. Well here's one to challenge convention.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and set within 48 acres of unspoiled nature lies the Four Seasons Naviva. Nestled under, among and amid the forestry of Punta Mita in Mexico are just 15 stand-alone, butterfly-inspired, luxury tents. Staying here blurs the lines of formality and amplifies community, creating an authentic environment that fosters personal growth and learning. Here, nature and life intersect.
Four Seasons Naviva is the smallest Four Seasons resort in the world and is adults only.The tents offer a deep immersion in nature as they are situated in the forest with sweeping views of the ocean. Despite this seeming remoteness they are accessible and easy to reach being under an hour's drive from Puerto Vallarta international airport.
The resort concept is one of naturaleza viva, or 'living naturally'. Inside and out blends seamlessly with open-air living rooms and a separate bedroom flowing to the expansive deck and private plunge pool.
Four Seasons Naviva is designed to be unscripted and exploratory. Daily life here offers the opportunity to explore the vast forest or simply to lounge all afternoon at the 'edge of the world' fire pit. It feels more like being a guest in a private home than at a resort. The all-encompassing approach of the resort to pricing covers all meals, snacks and drinks for the whole stay.
Ahead of a stay guests will be matched with a personal guide to create their own itinerary based needs and desires. From the moment of arrival guests are immersed in the natural design – meeting the dedicated guide on a cocoon-inspired bamboo bridge overlooking a 30-foot ravine cannot be anything but impressive.
Experiences on offer include one-on-ones with the resort's chef, outdoor fitness training, exploring Mexico's wine and spirits and the chance to sample small-batch Mexican coffee or merely to stargaze in a location where there is simply no light pollution. The earlier-mentioned pricing structure also includes a complimentary spa treatment during your say so prepare to kick back and be treated royally.
- Naviva Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico
- Tel (Reservations): +52 329 291 6100
The Mora, Zanzibar
This isn't the first time Halcyon Lifestyle has had the pleasure of talking about the Indian Ocean destination of Zanzibar. In 2018, we were lucky enough to visit Baraza Resort and Spa, part of the family-owned Zanzibar Collection on the east coast of the island.
This time, further up the same coast towards the northern tip of Zanzibar and overlooking the picturesque Muyuni beach in Matemwe, we find The Mora, an all-suite resort perched between the pristine white sands facing Mnemba Island and acres of jungle.
The resort is located on 10 hectares of land that slopes down towards the coast and is surrounded by an oval reef. This has been declared a marine conservation area and provides guests with many adventurous possiblities, from kayaking to windsurfing and from scuba diving under the water to paragliding way above it.
The Mora is another family-run hospitality brand. This hotel is their first offering on the African continent (despite Zanzibar being in the Indian Ocean) and it complements their other two hotels in the Maldives – the websites for which you can access here and here.
The Mora's unique offering is the self-titled 'Deluxe All-Inclusive Formula' which ensures a huge variety of experiences to guests as well as access to world-class à la carte dining no matter the grade of suite booked. There are four restaurants catering to a wide variety of tastes as well as the Gelateria which will cool you down as the temperature climbs. Of course there are three bars too so you never need visit the same watering hole twice in a row.
As mentioned before this is an all-suite offering. There are seven different grades on offer from the Garden Junior (59sqm) up to the Presidential Occean Suite (401sqm) with two bedrooms and an 8m x 3m private pool.
Zanzibar is an amazing destination all year round. However, if you want the insider tip on the best times to visit then our suggestion is to go in late September. The average temperatures aren't too fierce, the rainfall won't drown you and, best of all, the kids will be in school so the resort will be nice and quiet.
- The Mora, Zanzibar
- Muyuni, Matemwe, Tanzania
Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar
Qatar is the hot new place at the moment isn't it? Those who have been before won't be surprised by it's emergence into the world but the 2022 Fifa World Cup really announced its arrival to the wider public.
Many Qatari Rials have been spent modernising this quiet corner of the Arab peninsular (not least on the new airport that is verily a temple to Mammon – the old airport was functional but plain; its replacement is a joy if you happen to be transitioning between flights in Doha).
In the Pearl-Qatar development is a new beachfront property which will complement the existing Four Seasons Hotel in Doha. This new venue provides residential-style experiences for guests who may be seeking longer or more home-like stays. Rather than rooms and suites, here there will be expansive apartments designed to feel like private residences.
Home to a private beach, a spa, Michelin-star dining as well as local experiences (including pearl diving and sailing), the Four Seasons Resort and Residences have 84 private dwellings available for purchase for those frequent travellers to Doha who fancy that something a little different and personal. World-beating.
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar
- Tel: +1 800 819 5053
- Email Reservations
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, Cartagena
Finally in this article, comes another new Four Seasons offering for 2023. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened their first hotel in 1961 and, since then, have been dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality.
Cartagena is a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The walled Old Town was founded in the 16th century and is delightfully filled with squares, cobblestoned streets and colourful colonial buildings. With a tropical climate the city is also a popular beach destination. It's here that Four Seasons will be opening a Hotel and Private Residences for the discerning traveller.
On the doorstep of the historic walled city (a UNESCO World Heritage site) the property will revitalise and restore several culturally significant buildings, some of which date all the way back to the founding of the city in the 16th century. These buildings include the Cloister of Saint Francis, the Club Cartageno (a 1920s Beaux Arts masterpiece) and four theatres.
When the property opens in spring 2023 it will surely prove to be the perfect base from which to explore the Caribbean coast and island beaches, including the famed Colombian archipelago – Islas Corales del Rosario.
The interiors of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences will be designed by François Catroux and Wimberly Interiors and will feature 131 rooms and 16 private residences. There will also be six unique AvroKO-designed food and beverage concepts.
A rooftop pool will truly be the icing on the cake, offering unparalleled views of Cartagena Bay and the neighbouring ancient walled city.