Top 5 family resorts and hotels in the Northeast
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Top 5 family resorts and hotels in the Northeast, updated for 2025
Every year, FamilyVacationist ranks the top hotels and resorts in the United States based on a variety of factors important to traveling families. In the Northeast, you can have your pick of scenic settings such as mountains, beaches, and picturesque lakes. These are our top hotel and resort choices for a family getaway filled with fun activities and memorable views in this region of the country. You can also discover our picks for the South, Midwest, Southwest, Mountain West, and West Coast in our full report on the best family resorts and hotels across the country for a vacation to remember.
1. Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Set on a stretch of sandy beach and just seven miles from Portland, pet-friendly Inn by the Sea helps families slow down and relax with activities like yoga, beach ecology walks, stargazing, and s'mores. A private boardwalk leads to the beach, and the on-site restaurant serves dishes made with locally caught seafood and ingredients from nearby farms.
There's also a heated pool, bikes to borrow, and a full-service spa offering coastal-inspired treatments like the Sea Waves Massage. One- and two-bedroom suites done up in modern cottage style are ideal for families and include features like balconies and gas fireplaces.
2. Topnotch Resort
Stowe, Vermont
Just minutes from Stowe Mountain, Topnotch Resort offers year-round fun for the whole family. Snowy pursuits might be the focus during a wintertime stay, but at other times of the year you can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding through the on-site Equestrian Center, and a spa offering kid-friendly treatments.
There are seasonal organized activities for kids and teens, lawn games, and outdoor firepits for family s'mores nights. In addition to standard hotel guest rooms, the resort also has one- to three-bedroom resort homes with full kitchens, fireplaces, and washers and dryers, with all the necessary gear for babies and kids readily available.
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3. Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
No matter the season, it's never a bad time to whisk the family away to Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Wintertime means activities like sleigh rides and cross-country and downhill skiing, while hiking, biking, horseback riding, and scenic gondola rides can be enjoyed during other seasons.
The historic resort (three U.S. presidents have stayed there) offers amenities like indoor and outdoor heated pools, 27 holes of golf, a spa, multiple dining options, and supervised kids programs. And it sits within easy driving distance of a slew of family-friendly attractions, like Story Land and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
4. Weekapaug Inn
Westerly, Rhode Island
Not far from the Atlantic Ocean on the southwestern shores of Rhode Island, Weekapaug Inn gives families a luxurious way to enjoy the outdoors. Complimentary daily activities at the Relais & Chateaux property range from naturalist-led beach walks and birdwatching sessions to s'mores around the firepit.
Kids can head to the Boathouse, where staff lead supervised activities, games, and crafts, and the whole family can gather for pool and beach time, bike rides, kayaking, lawn games, and boat tours of the nearby salt pond. The family pooch also gets pampered here, with welcome treats, a designer dog bed in your guest room, and the option to join the family on a private walk with the on-site naturalist.
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5. The Sagamore Resort
Bolton Landing, New York
Set on a private island on Lake George and dating from 1883, The Sagamore Resort makes for a modern family getaway brimming with historic charm. Families will find multiple dining venues as well as fun amenities like The Rec, a sprawling indoor entertainment zone with a nine-hole mini golf course, climbing wall, basketball courts, and table and video games.
The all-seasons lakefront resort is home to indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a dock where families can go fishing, and a spa featuring the new Salt & Sound Lounge. Rides aboard The Morgan, the resort's replica 19th-century touring vessel, are included in the resort fee and provide stellar views of the lake and the Adirondacks.
The 25 best U.S. family resorts and hotels for a vacation to remember originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
You Can Glamp in a ‘Bee Pod' In Ireland—and It Has DIY Pizza, Seaweed Baths, and Easy Access to a Stunning Beach
The pods have an unbeatable location overlooking a beach that's within easy walking distance. The cozy spa has hot seaweed baths, considered to be one of Ireland's only Indigenous wellness therapies. The hosts serve rotating homemade breakfast boxes and evening dessert or cheeseboards every day. There are only five pods, all of which are adults-only, which makes for a very exclusive and relaxing experience. I've just finished hiking western Ireland's Sliabh Liag (pronounced as Slieve League), a nearly seven-mile coastal path that hugs the tips of sea cliffs that soar 1,972 feet in the air. It's chilly, the wind feels like it's trying to punish my very existence, and my knees are aching after a three-hour climb. But as I approach the seaside village of Rossnowlagh, located 50 minutes south in County Donegal, I can feel myself beginning to relax. Its crescent-shaped beach (a popular surfing location with Blue Flag status, a certification that means the water is clean and healthy) stretches for over two miles and is powdered with sand so fine it feels like touching silk. Undulating mountains and cliffs, including those that form the Sliabh Liag, hug the horizon so that it feels like you're standing on the inside of a massive bowl. And, camouflaged among the hills that gently roll down towards the shore, are the Bee Pods, a group of five luxury, adults-only glamping pods and my home for the next two nights. Founded in 2019 by Siobhan and William McGuckin, who also live on the property, the pods are completely ensconced in 3.5 acres of dense growth. The vegetation is not only very minimally landscaped but also actively planted in efforts to maintain and promote relaxation within the Irish wilderness—during my stay, William was in the process of planting 200 Golden Willows. The Bee Pods operate with sustainable principles in mind—the McGuckins shy away from weedkillers, continuously plant trees, plants, and bushes, and make their own fertilizers from plants such as seaweed, nettle, and comfrey. '[We were] inspired by a need to recreate that deep connection to the natural world and share it with others,' Siobhan McGuckin told Travel + Leisure . She and her husband have been living in the area for some 30 years. 'Sustainability is at the core of everything we do here.' Here, guests will find a pizza pod, spa, a family of pygmy goats, and several beehives from which more than 400 pounds of honey are harvested each year. The pods are also in a prime location. The Sliab Liag is roughly 50 minutes north, while the medieval town of Donegal is only a 15-minute drive away. During my time at the Bee Pods, I visited a craft village to purchase a souvenir from a local artisan, explored the 551-year-old Donegal Castle, and munched on fish tacos at local haunt Blas. Above all, I took time to decompress in my pod after more than a week of some pretty taxing sea cliff hiking, enjoying the views of Rossnowlagh Beach from my king-sized bed and luxuriating in a hot seaweed bath, one of Ireland's only Indigenous wellness therapies, that left my skin feeling baby-soft. The Bee Pods is a luxurious retreat to relax and recharge in the peacefulness of the outdoors, and the experience is only enhanced by the property's hosts, who exude a warm, classic Irish charm. Here's what it's like to stay at the Bee Pods in Donegal, Ireland. With only five pods, staying at the Bee Pods is a quiet, intimate experience. All pods are designed to blend into the hillside and come equipped with a kitchenette (peppered with small luxe touches like Nespresso machines and Smeg kettles), waffle bathrobes, and an outdoor seating area. I stayed in The Hive, the largest and most private of the five. The room came outfitted with a king-sized bed, a dining room area with sea views, and a bathroom that had a rainfall shower, Voya organic products, and underfloor heating. The Hive also had an expensive patio with a fire pit, a Big Green Egg barbecue put, and a clawfoot tub tucked beneath a heated overhang. There were also tables and chairs with stunning views of Rossnowlagh Beach—the perfect spot to listen to the waves and watch the sunset with a crisp Irish craft cider. Each pod also has at least one piece of upcycled furniture. The couch in The Hive, for example, belonged to Siobhan's great-grandmother, while a wooden side table in the spa area was William's grandmother's, and a beautifully-wrought wooden chessboard in The Queen B pod has been owned by the McGurkins for over 30 years. Make your own pizza at The Pizza Pod. Donegal Wedding Photographer/Ghorm Studio/The Bee Pods Every pod receives a welcome basket upon arrival. In mine, I found a small glass jug of milk, two eggs snuggled in knitted beanies, homemade marshmallows for roasting over the fire pit, homemade granola, and a small jar of honey from the property's very own bees. Every morning, the hosts stop by with a wooden box holding some breakfast treats that Siobhan herself prepares. Offerings rotate every day, but guests can expect food and drink like freshly-squeezed orange juice, overnight oats topped with berries, and parfaits, as well as croissants, ham and cheese toasties, or eggs. In the evenings, Siobhan will leave cheese or dessert platters to snack on. The Bee Pods also have their own dedicated pizza pod with an Ooni pizza oven. For a small fee, you can request prerolled dough and pizza sauce, which Siobhan purchases in person from an Italian restaurant in Dublin, to make your own pies—all you need is to bring the toppings of your choice. For those who may not want pizza or to drive to Donegal for dinner, the pods come equipped with kitchenettes, and the grounds feature a greenhouse with vegetables and herbs that guests can freely pick for their meals. The seaweed baths treatment. Asia Palomba/Travel + Leisure The spa area is small but cozy, and has two clawfoot tubs that overlook an enclosed sandy garden area with lounge chairs. For roughly $40, guests can book a hot seaweed bath. You will need to fill out a quick health consent form beforehand, and bookings can be made in advance or once you arrive at the property. When I took mine, the spa was lit with sweet-smelling candles, and Siobhan left out some water and fruit snacks for me to munch on. The bath may smell a bit briny at first, but the seaweed releases many minerals, like magnesium and zinc, into the water that are great for moisturizing the skin and hair. Don't be shy about rubbing the seaweed all over your body and face, and it's recommended not to shower for a few hours after your bath so that your skin can really absorb the seaweed's oils. I left my first Irish spa experience feeling rejuvenated and with incredibly soft skin. For guests who stay in The Hive pod, seaweed baths can also be arranged for the outdoor clawfoot tub. The Bee Pods is an adults-only property, so this hotel isn't the best choice for a getaway with the kiddos. Beach views can be seen from the patio. Donegal Wedding Photographer/Ghorm Studio/The Bee Pods The Bee Pods do not have any rooms that are specifically designed to accommodate guests with mobility issues. Additionally, wheelchair users may find parts of the property difficult to navigate. Sustainability is top of mind at the Bee Pods. For example, seaweed is only used once per guest. Once a bath is finished, Siobhan collects the seaweed, dries it, and then uses it as fertilizer, alongside nettle and comfrey, around the grounds. The property uses timber from their own trees for firewood, and plants at least 200 trees, plants, hedgerows, and wildflowers every year. 'This is for the bees, birds, and wildlife, [to provide] shelter for our pygmy goats, wild foxes, and other animals,' says Siobhan. There are also plans to install solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and electric charging facilities in the coming months. Scenic views of Rossnowlagh Beach from the Bee Pods. Asia Palomba/Travel + Leisure The Bee Pods are located in southern County Donegal and are within an hour's drive from many popular locations, both in County Donegal and in County Sligo. The nearest major airport, Donegal Airport (CFN), is about 55 miles away, or an hour and a half drive. The property is five minutes away on foot from Rossnowlagh Beach, a popular surfing location and one of Ireland's Blue Flag beaches. There's a surf school nearby for those who are interested in learning how to ride the waves. Roughly an hour north lies the Sliabh Liag and the fishing village of Killybegs, while the town of Donegal, Ireland, and its many restaurants and shops can be reached within 15 minutes. For those who are interested in venturing further, Northern Ireland is only an hour away, while attractions like Irish poet W.B Yates' grave, the six-mile Gleniff Horseshoe loop, and the surfing beach of Strandhill can all be reached in nearby County Sligo. Since the Bee Pods are independently owned, they're not a part of any hotel loyalty programs. They don't participate in any travel credit card programs, either. Guests should also keep in mind that the Bee Pods require a two-night minimum. It's recommended to book directly with the property for the best rates. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Skift
a day ago
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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.
Condé Nast Traveler
2 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
11 Best Spas in Paris, From Dior to La Mer
The only thing better than a trip to the City of Light? A visit to one of the best spas in Paris while you're there. The capital of culture, fashion, and fine dining also stands out as a destination for wellness—no matter the type of treatment you're looking for, you'll find it. Home to renowned beauty experts like acupuncturist and facial rejuvenation specialist Elaine Huntzinger, facialist Jeanne Casimir, energy balancing massage therapist Agnieszka Szablonska, and Mélanie Huynh, the founder of the holistic French beauty brand Holidermie, Paris more than delivers when it comes to massages, facials, body scrubs, and overall zen. Whether you're after a petite pause with some pampering in between long walks along the Champs-Élysées or just want to kill a few hours at a luxe hotel spa, there are plenty of wonderful spots to choose from in this European wellness mecca. For a full mind and body reset within the most spectacular settings—using the crème de la crème of French products—these are the addresses to book. Read on for the best spas in Paris. Read our full Paris Travel Guide here, which includes:
