We tested more travel neck pillows. A newcomer wins.
While they can look goofy, they can also be a huge help for getting some sleep in transit — particularly in economy.
Fortunately, the internet is a bottomless pit of neck pillows. Unfortunately, most of them aren't worth your time, money or carry-on space. So we've been testing them for you for years to report back on the good ones. Because the travel pillow market seems to be ever-evolving, that work is never done.
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Skift
24 minutes ago
- Skift
Biggest Innovators in Travel and Hospitality: Summer 2025
The bar is higher than ever. Analog feelings, sensory experiences, and things that have stood the test of hundreds of years have become all the more appealing. We're back with another half-yearly check-in on the experiences, people, and standout moments powering travel and hospitality. I'm pleased to say the bar has been raised significantly, with entrepreneurial energy driving innovation while family-owned properties and experiences continue making their strong case for travelers' spending. Of note, I'm tracking a movement toward more sensory experiences for travelers: think of getting off the regimented route of the safari truck to instead track a rhino on foot, or integrating local herbal remedies into spas in lieu of big-ticket lotions and potions owned by conglomerates. As we're inundated with technology and AI slop, it turns out that analog feelings, experiences, and things that have stood the test of hundreds of years become all the more appealing. Another trend to note: zigging when everyone else is zagging. As the usual suspects like the South of France and Amalfi Coast become log-jammed with tourists, what are the interesting new breakout places that still have cultural panache and compelling elements, minus the bottle service hordes? Think the likes of Portonovo, further afield in Portugal, Menorca (while this lasts), Norway, and visiting a grand hotel in the Alps during summertime. Contrarian moves can be richly rewarding. See you in early 2026 for our next best-of. Openings of Note: Hotel Wren, Patina, Auberge Jessica Pell opened a jewelbox of a hotel in 29 Palms near Joshua Tree in California. The LA-based founder of Manola Studio transformed a run-down motor lodge into Hotel Wren, which opened in fall 2024. It's a beautifully crafted boutique in a place without many non-Airbnb options, and Pell's studio did an elegant job. It has a small footprint but feels native to the place in terms of vibe and color scheme, with the design serving as 'both a love letter to the desert and a quiet expression of the studio's values.' Capella's sister brand, Patina, had a standout opening in Osaka. Opening on May 1, 2025, Patina Osaka is the first urban hotel for the sub-brand, rising 20 stories with unobstructed views of Osaka Castle and featuring 221 rooms designed around the idea of kisetsukan (seasonal awareness). The brand has a strong cultural pulse, stemming from audiophile collaborations with OJAS through The Listening Room, as well as Japanese tastemaker Verdy, who serves as Creative Partner. Auberge's opening in Florence, Collegio alla Querce, has generated plenty of positive buzz. The brand transformed a Renaissance-era villa into an 83-room hotel. Auberge continues to execute with taste, nuance, and some of the sharpest design leadership in the business. It's strong competition in a very popular market for U.S. travelers and beyond. Audiophile Excellence: Il Sereno Lake Como's Darsena Listening Suite I've written about the missed opportunity for high-end audio in many hotels. I was happy to see Il Sereno hotel in Lake Como build a new suite for music lovers. The Darsena Listening Suite features a high-tech sound system comprising Klipsch La Scala II speakers, a McIntosh MC275 amplifier, McIntosh C22 pre-amplifier, Thorens 1601 turntable with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge, and a restored Revox deck that inspired the project. Created by owner-audiophile Luis Contreras in collaboration with designer Patricia Urquiola, the suite draws inspiration from Tokyo's jazz-kissa listening cafés. More hotels need to be doing things like this. Startups to Watch: Staays and Boutique Homes Staays is a highly curated booking engine that gives me some of the feeling I had when first perusing Tablet to find interesting, handpicked properties. It is still building, but both the art direction and the selection of properties are high taste. Marc Blazer was a founding investor in Noma, and co-founded the travel company Prior. He's now working on Boutique Homes, which is a very curated selection of design-centric homes and small hotels in interesting locations. As Airbnb feels much like a mass supermarket in many respects, consider this the Erewhon. I'm impressed with the execution so far. Aviation White Space I've long been a fan of JSX and their business model: flying in and out of private terminals. Aero is now also executing in this market, albeit focused more on leisure travel: think Van Nuys to Cabo, Salt Lake City, Napa, etc. They've also launched a transcontinental product between New York and Los Angeles. The brand operates in a sweet spot between commercial first class and full private jet travel, using converted Embraer ERJ135 aircraft reconfigured to accommodate just 16 guests in a spacious 1×1 layout. In the Middle East, Beond is flying jets with flat beds from Dubai's Al Maktoum to the Maldives, with rumored route expansions in the pipeline. The airline operates Airbus A319s with 44 lie-flat seats and A321s with 68 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration. Designed by Italian manufacturer Optimares, the seats share components with LaFerrari, the luxury sports car. Beond has bold ambitions to grow its fleet to 32 all-premium aircraft in the next five years, with plans to expand beyond the Maldives. Rumor has it some UAE backing is in the cards. Best Cohesive Guest Experience: Deer Valley and Raffles Singapore As I wrote about in a longer column, the end-to-end experience of Deer Valley is one of the most cohesive and consistent in the world, across nearly every touchpoint. The resort justifies its $329 lift tickets by delivering a meticulously crafted luxury skiing experience, focusing on personalized service and minimal lift lines. The resort employs a unique capacity management strategy, limiting daily skiers to maintain uncrowded slopes, which costs potential revenue but preserves its premium brand. Deer Valley is also intentional about keeping humans in the loop, especially at key touchpoints where there can be outsized utility or emotional impact. I notice staff with longtime tenure, and smart use of retirees, many of them octogenarians, who bring warmth and expertise to the entire offering. In terms of a more classic hospitality experience, I thought Raffles Singapore recently lived up to its billing: incredibly elegant doormen who remember every guest's name, subtle but anticipatory butler service, and it was also nice to see top-tier familiar talent from other hotels who recently transferred to the property. The brand is not resting on its history or laurels and is worth the price of admission, without question. Best African Opening: Few & Far Luvhondo Sarah and Jacob Dusek's post-Under Canvas venture launched in early 2025 in South Africa's Soutpansberg Mountains. Six cliffside suites surrounded by ancient baobab trees within the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. But here's what makes it special: it's carbon negative, sequestering over 100,000 tons annually through active regeneration efforts. They're not just preserving wilderness; they're actively restoring it. It's what safari should be in 2025. Best Hospitality Innovations Dishoom: The London-based Indian restaurant group launched overnight lodging above their Permit Room bar in Portobello. It's not a hotel play per se; it's a clever brand extension that lets guests live inside their theatrical universe. Smart. VIPP: The Danish design company turned hospitality on its head with their 'untraditional hotel concept.' Instead of many rooms in one location, they offer one room at different destinations. Their 55 m² steel Shelter is billed as a 'battery-charging station for humans,' a livable design object dropped into nature and kitted out entirely with VIPP products. It's hospitality as a product, not architecture. At €1,000 per night, it's for people who want to test-drive living with serious design in places like Australia and Todos Santos. The Malin: Finally, coworking spaces that understand the creative class deserve better than beanbags and kombucha with bad motivational posters. Their SoHo flagship and expanding network offer 'beautiful spaces that enable your best work' through thoughtful design, not distraction. No application process, no performative community nonsense, just elevated environments where ambitious people can focus. It's what coworking should have been from the start. I am bullish on this company. Best Brand Revamp: Cathay Pacific Cathay Pacific's Bridge lounge at HKG I'm happy to report that Cathay is back on the upswing. They have a few kinks to iron out, but as the new business class Aria Suite comes online, they've also set their attention to some of their lounge products, recently redoing their Bridge lounge at HKG. The Bridge now splits into distinct Asian and International wings — the Asian side features their iconic Noodle Bar plus The Nook, a custom dim sum cart serving regional Chinese small plates. It's smart to lean into their cultural positioning rather than chase generic luxury. I also liked their Mott 32 collaboration, a partnership with the world-renowned Chinese restaurant brand for seasonal tasting menus in The Pier, First Class lounge. It shows how airlines can elevate dining through strategic partnerships rather than trying to do everything in-house. It's access to a worldview, not just doing everything internally. The taste levels the brand has historically highlighted are back on display. Breakout Destination: Norway The Nordics continue their hospitality ascendancy, and Norway is having a particular moment. In Svalbard, yes, Svalbard: Huset Restaurant ranks as one of Norway's best, serving local ingredients from Arctic fishermen, trappers, and hunters with a wine cellar that rivals anything in Scandinavia (1,000+ titles, 6,000 bottles). The fact that world-class hospitality exists at the edge of civilization says everything about Norwegian standards. Back in Oslo, there's Hobo Hotel, which takes a nod from the Ace and also Hoshino's OMO brand. It is 181 rooms designed as an urban hub where locals and visitors actually want to mix. On the luxury end, 62 Nord continues to set the standard for high-end expeditionary luxury in the country. Welcome Trend: More Sensory-led Luxury in South America Recently acquired by new ownership, Awasi's collection of small luxury lodges offers private all-inclusive programs in South America's most iconic destinations: taking a similar approach to an African safari, but with different, interesting landscapes. Meanwhile, Andean Collection continues expanding throughout Peru. Both brands show how South America is finally getting the luxury hospitality infrastructure its landscapes deserve. Smart operators are recognizing that South America's combination of dramatic geography and rising interest from both South American and global affluent travelers makes it a big opportunity. Waterborn Innovation: Navier N30 Four Seasons launched an electric boat on Lake Austin, the Navier N30. The company says the vessels are environmentally friendly with zero emissions and no seasickness. The approach, where the vessel lifts out of the water at a certain speed, preserves the serenity and beauty of the lake while making passengers more comfortable. It is a smart move by Four Seasons, applying serious innovation to the water experience rather than just slapping 'sustainable' labels on traditional boats. Most Inspirational Urban Innovation: New Bahru I recently toured Lo and Behold Group's transformation of former Nan Chiau High School into New Bahru and think it represents Singapore's most ambitious creative clustering project. Set across 20,000 square meters in River Valley, it houses over 40 local businesses from cafés and restaurants to retail and wellness. I've written about the rise of more creativity in Singapore, and this is an incredibly vivid example of it happening. Watch for more out of Lo and Behold. Best Team: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal I came in expecting a scenic property that has a history. I was blown away by the nuance, anticipation, and pride of a team that has been working at this property for years. The end-to-end experience, from arrival to morning coffee, to the housekeeping and spa, was in the top 1 percent of execution. Remarkably good. Standout Hotelier: Jeff Klein Jeff Klein has impeccable taste, as seen in his Sunset Tower property. But I've noticed he's managed to scale the San Vicente Bungalows Members Club quite nicely, first with Santa Monica, and now with New York in the former Jane Hotel. The design is spot-on, and it has a magnetic cultural appeal. Membership clubs are getting saturated (and service is often lacking), but I'm betting that Klein has the secret sauce to make these experiences have more staying power and cache. Best New NYC Hotels Fouquet's New York: I loved my stay at the Tribeca outpost of Barrière's Fouquet's. Though the room decor is a bit Ladurée pastel for my taste, the service and vibe were impeccable, down to the ambient music at 5 a.m., while I was partaking in a perfectly stocked coffee bar. The Barrière Group's first US outpost brings that unmistakable French touch, complete with the famous red awnings and elegant service standards delivered by palace trained French staff. The Fifth Avenue Hotel: NoMad is quickly becoming a must-stay neighborhood, and the newest entry occupies a restored 1909 building with 180 rooms and serious design credentials. They managed to do some great world-building without it feeling contrived, and I found the room to be thoughtful and generous, and staff to be polished. I will return. The Surrey: After a comprehensive renovation, this Upper East Side institution reopened with 190 rooms and a refreshed vision under the leadership of one of my favorite GMs, Pradeep Raman. The property strikes the right balance between residential elegance and hotel sophistication, making it feel like a New York insider secret uptown. Best City Hotel: Casa Polanco Mexico City's Casa Polanco ticks many boxes for me. It's in a wonderful location, it's family-run, and it espouses the idea of irrational generosity that you don't find at larger, corporate-run properties. There's an elegant library/bar room where everything on the bar cart is yours for the taking. The property has wonderful design touches, notably the Bang & Olufsen sound in the common spaces and, indulgently, in the rooms. I really enjoyed the staff, the privacy, and the entire experience. Best New Hospitality Voice: Nadine at The Stanza Nadine Choe founded The Stanza in July 2023 after nearly a decade in real estate private equity and development, including work on Cain International's One Beverly Hills project. Her excellent Substack newsletter discusses hospitality and fashion from an investor's perspective. 'I realized there's a gap in the market for content that talks about lifestyle brands from an institutional perspective,' Choe says. Finally, someone writing about hospitality who actually understands deal structures, capital flows, and what makes projects work financially. Her breakdown of members' club economics alone is worth the subscription. Most Anticipated Reopening: Park Hyatt Tokyo I have many memories tied to my 40+ stays at this property. Design studio Jouin Manku is handling the refresh, promising to honor John Morford's original vision while making it relevant for another 30 years. I'm eager to see how this emerges into the world. A scan of the designs tells me they are preserving a lot of what initially made this property great. Best First Class Innovation: Etihad A321LR Travelers flying on Etihad's A321LR Etihad is the first airline to offer fully enclosed first class suites on a single-aisle aircraft. Their new Airbus A321LR features two private first class suites with sliding doors and flat beds, a luxury typically reserved for much larger widebody aircraft. The aircraft represents the first of 30 A321LR planes scheduled to join Etihad's fleet, each designed to deliver what the airline calls 'widebody luxury on a single-aisle aircraft.' It's a smart strategic play: offering premium connectivity to thinner markets that don't have demand for widebody service, while maintaining the elevated experience Etihad is known for. The brand is reclaiming their previous reputation. New Ground Product: Emirates First Check-In Emirates launched a private and dedicated first class check-in facility at Dubai Airport, creating a completely separate arrival and departure experience for their highest-spending premium customers. It's a far departure from their old First Check-in, and makes the elevated product stand out even more. Expect this high-end competition to continue among some of the world's best airlines. Hope you found these to be inspiring. See you in 2026 with more of my observations.
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Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm an American in Italy, and These Italian-inspired Summer Wedding Guest Dresses Are Effortlessly Elegant
I've been regularly traveling to Italy for almost two decades and living here for nearly six years, so I've been to a few Italian weddings, plus American destination weddings in Italy. I love Italian weddings, from the beautiful backdrops to the long Catholic masses and delicious food. And as a travel writer, I explore them as cultural exchanges and a fun excuse to dress up. Sometimes, for a guest, the most daunting part of a wedding invitation can be the 'dress code.' At European weddings, it's generally best to choose formal or semi-formal attire and lean into the dressier side of the occasion, but this is a solid tip for any wedding celebration. Keep reading for 46 Italian-inspired wedding guest dresses that will have you stylishly covered, whether the event is on a vineyard in Tuscany, the famed Villa Borromeo outside of Milan, or overlooking Venice's Grand Canal at the Ginori Terrace. Shop gorgeous styles for every dress code, from beach to black tie, with prices starting at just $46 from Amazon, Nordstrom, and more. As a petite woman, I've embraced midi dresses for an elevated day-to-day look as well as more formal occasions. Depending on your choice of shoes and accessories, a midi dress can be dressed up or down, making it incredibly versatile. I've worn the La Ligne Greer Dress with a strappy sandal and clutch to a wedding at the famed Villa Borromeo. I've also worn it on a day trip on Lake Como with a crossbody bag. I also love this sleeveless Madewell midi dress that could be paired with bold silver cuffs for a coastal summer wedding. I attended a late spring wedding in the Italian Alps last year. While dinner was a stunning castello indoors, the cocktail portion on the outside terrace called for a dress with sleeves to stay comfortable and warm. I wore this La DoubleJ Bellini Dress, which has since become a favorite of mine. I've worn it to my daughter's christening in NYC and a cocktail party at the St. Regis in Venice. Though it's a maxi dress, the crochet style gives it a more relaxed effect, and it is sturdy enough to resist wrinkles, making it extremely packable. Below, find seven more long-sleeve dress styles I'm loving right now. Writer Nneya Richards in the La DoubleJ Bellini Dress. From formal to black tie, black can seem like a safe dress hue, especially when you're packing for a destination wedding and unsure how to navigate the dress code. Wearing black is generally acceptable at modern weddings; however, black is often associated with mourning in Italian culture, so a colorful wedding guest dress is actually a better choice. Plus, vibrant dresses are celebratory, festive, and look stunning in photos. For Italian beach weddings, I gravitate towards formal yet breathable fabrics, like sheer organza and lightweight silks. One of the things I love about these particular fabrics for destination weddings is that, although you definitely need to steam them when you arrive, they're so comfy and easy to pack if you're traveling overseas. Our wedding was at a farm in Cremona dating back to the 1600s. The manor house, with beautiful neo-Gothic architecture, was in a state of repair, reminding me of the classic shabby-chic look. With beautiful wildflowers and everything outdoors, our dress code was 'garden party chic.' I was excited to see my guests in colors, patterns, and florals, and they certainly didn't disappoint. These stunning dresses from Astr the Label, Doen, and more are perfect inspiration for the occasion. When I hear cocktail attire in Italy, I think aperitivo . What would I want to wear if pictured living out my true dolce vita while sipping a spritz? Is it a glamorous Sofia Loren-inspired fit and flare dress paired with cat-eyed sunglasses? Aperitivo chic calls for so many great options, like these stunning dresses from Bardot, and more. I've seen a lot of beautiful Italian courthouse weddings where friends and family gather and go out for lunch afterwards in stunning semi-formal attire that still looks elegant and occasion-appropriate. My favorite Italian designer for a semi-formal look is Stella Jean, whose pieces are worn by the most stylish women you know—including Rihanna and Beyonce. This Stella Jean Striped Floral Midi Dress is the perfect semi-formal wedding guest look—it's festive enough to be celebratory while still being casual and comfortable. In a world of minimalism on trend, there's something to be said about the fabulousness of Milanese maximalism. No brand captures this more than Milanese lifestyle wunderkind, La DoubleJ. I recently wore the now-sold-out La DoubleJ Roy Dress to a formal event in Milan and received countless compliments. I've found some similar options that are still available, such as the Petal & Pup Nadia One-shoulder Satin Maxi Dress. The one-shoulder design gives it a Grecian elegance that simultaneously reads regal yet effortless—the epitome of the Italian sprezzatura . Not as strict as black tie, you can definitely wear a cocktail-length dress to a formal wedding, but make sure it has pizzazz. Writer Nneya Richards in a circa 2009 Zac Posen runway dress. My purple strapless maxi dress (above) is a Zac Posen runway piece from 15+ years ago, but I found a stunning lookalike at Lulus for under $100. It features a similar flowy, floor-length style that'll be comfy and breezy at warm-weather gatherings. For a black tie wedding, opt for a floor-length gown in rich fabrics like silk, wool, or chiffon, paired with statement jewelry for added glamour. Fit is essential, so tailor your dress to your heel height to ensure a polished look. Dark or jewel-toned colors work beautifully, and structured styles can provide both warmth and elegance in cooler seasons. In summer, lighter fabrics like chiffon in bold hues are ideal, though they may require steaming. Choose a dress that makes you feel confident and sophisticated—it's a special occasion, so lean into the formality and have fun with it. Writer Nneya Richards in a sleek, black bow-back dress. When planning my wedding and choosing bridesmaids' dresses, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding an Italian designer who was size-inclusive. I knew I wanted the dresses to reflect Italian style, but many of my favorite Italian designers didn't offer a full range of sizes. My core group includes fashionistas of all sizes, and I struggled to find options that would suit everyone. In contrast, in the U.S., I've found that many of my favorite styles are available in a wide range of sizes, from Amazon to the runway. $130 $104 at Standing at 5 feet 1, I usually have my clothes tailored for the perfect fit. While I appreciate brands that offer petite ranges, I tend to shop from labels whose cuts naturally work for my frame. I don't get caught up in fashion 'rules' like avoiding maxi dresses as a petite woman—in fact, I love wearing a maxi to a wedding. Playing with proportions and experimenting with tiered silhouettes is one of my favorite ways to style an outfit. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Back-to-School Gear Guide From a Design-Loving Parent
Hi, everyone! Kat Odell here, dropping you a late-summer line from the Algarve in Portugal. I'm one of Pursuits' freelance writers, typically covering what to eat, what to drink and where to travel. In fact, I am writing to you from the utterly stunning Vila Joya boutique hotel. (There's a two-year waitlist to get in here!) You can find me (and more on this incredible property) on Instagram @kat_odell. Speaking of late summer, I just received a welcome email from my nearly 3-year-old daughter's Brooklyn preschool, giving me the rundown on what to expect from her first year.
