2025 may already feel like an exhilarating adventure, but in terms of travel, there’s a lot more to come! We explore the hottest new travel destinations, game-changing hotel openings, and emerging trends that cater to every type of traveller. Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly escape, a romantic retreat, an adventurous solo getaway, or a fun-filled trip with friends, 2025 promises something for everyone – the world is evolving, and so are our ways of exploring it. Read on!
Your wild SG staycay
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree at Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve is now open for roving escapades! The whopping 338 rooms nestled within lush rainforest provide epic views of Singapore’s Upper Seletar Reservoir and have a focus on sustainability and a connection to nature. Offering wildlife walks, curated wellness retreats, forest activities, and more, it’s your 2025 stress-free staycay with a biophilic spin.
banyantree.com
(Re)treat yourself
Looking for a life-changing escape? Forte San Giorgio in the Tuscan Archipelago of Italy is hosting two seven-day courses in May 2025. The retreats include daily movement sessions such as lifting, yoga, hiking and breath work, plus organic meals, educational workshops, posture and movement assessment, and complimentary massages.
fsgcapraia.com
Tall order In KL
A sky-high celebration of Malaysia’s heritage is now in Kuala Lumpur thanks to the country’s first Park Hyatt hotel. Occupying the top 17 floors of the Merdeka 118 Tower, guests receive 5 star lux and vistas to match. It’s not only the tallest building in Southeast Asia, but the second tallest building in the world!
hyatt.com
Go glamping in Oman
Opening later this year, The Malkai arrives in the Sultanate of Oman. Three sites will give jet-setters a base from which to explore the country’s heritage, culture and landscapes: the coastal plains of Barka near Muscat, the high Al Hajar Mountains and the sweeping Sharqiya Sands. Each site will have 15 luxurious tented pavilions along with dining rooms, spas and infinity pools.
themalkai.com
Sporty stuff
- Ski Season Already
If your mind’s on an end-of-year ski trip, steel your salopettes for action. Scandinavian-inspired Cassia Hirafu Niseko resort is set to open in Q4 and offers more than 120 accommodations, ranging from one-bedroom suites to uber-indulgent penthouses, ski-in/ski-out convenience, curated dining options, and the beauty of nearby hot springs and the Hirafu slopes.
cassiahirafu.com - Padel in paradise?
Our ANZA Padel members enjoy regular knock-abouts at MBPS Sports @ Marina Tennis Centre, but we bet they wouldn’t mind a few matches at the new court at Vakkaru Maldives!
vakkarumaldives.com
Choo-choo!
Debuting in July 2025, the historic Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train (United Kingdom) offers a three-night journey through England and Wales, showcasing the splendour of the countryside. Serene and elegant rooms and food by Michelin-starred Chef Simon Rogan will add a touch of high-glamour should there be any chance of grey weather outside.
belmond.com
Flights of fancy
Buckle up for these new travel routes
- From March 2025, direct flights from Singapore to Siem Reap will be available with Air Asia Cambodia. At around a quarter of the price of SQ flights, you can spend a weekend exploring the temples of Angkor Wat and potentially splash out at Shinta Mani Angkor, a chic property designed by Bill Bensley.
shintamani.com - The new Lhasa – Chongqing – Singapore international route by West Air gives travellers the opportunity to discover Lhasa’s rich religious culture and historical sites, the magnificent Potala Palace, the lofty Tanggula Mountains, and the crystal-blue Namtso Lake that make up the incredible Tibetan Plateau.
westair.cn
Return to Oz
If you’re heading to Australia this year, consider these new super-stays. First, Andaz Gold Coast has opened as part of The Star Gold Coast. Overlooking Broadbeach, the stylish outdoor pool deck is set to become a hotspot, complete with a cocktail bar, beach club with private cabanas, and alfresco dining. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney provides a stay deeply rooted in the local community.
hyatt.com
Make a date with Mexico
New to the exquisite Aman portfolio is Amanvari, set along the tranquil shores of the Sea of Cortés on Baja’s East Cape. Its pavilions and private residences feature open-plan layouts with expansive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, private courtyards and serene views. Wellness, locally sourced cuisine and solitude will be the name of the game here. And perhaps a tequila or two.
aman.com
Souk’s you!
For those dreaming of souks, snake charmers and Mediterranean sunshine, The Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, Morocco is ideal for families, friends and couples. It features 55 opulent suites, a Medi-Spa, fine dining restaurants, and endless activities along a 700-metre stretch of white sand. In addition, the kids’ club is an absolute winner.
royalmansour.com
French fancy
If you love France but have visited all the obvious landmarks, make the lesser-known Occitania region of southern France your next go-to. The elegant Chateau de Fiac reopened in February – offering cycling to spa treatments, shopping to golf, this 19th-century pile has everything for a charming European break with a difference.
chateaudefiac.com
See you in the Seychelles
The sixth Maison Cheval Blanc, curled around the Anse Intendance beach on Mahé Island in the Seychelles, is now open. Villas offer uninterrupted panoramas of the Indian Ocean, five restaurants – including Creole-inspired Le White and French gastronomy at Le 1947 – and the iconic Spa Cheval Blanc, crafted by Guerlain, which offers treatments inspired by the island’s customary calm and tranquil aura.
chevalblanc.com
THE BUZZWORDS
- Travel JOMO
The antidote to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), Joy Of Missing Out includes travelling off-grid, forgetting self-conscious selfies, forgoing social media posting, and just enjoying your holiday. Radical! - Longevity Packages
Our quest to live longer is showing no signs of waning. As research reveals that social connection can increase our odds of survival by 50%, Revivo Wellness Resort Bali is just one of the brands fostering longevity through daily classes, resistance training, and spa therapies.
revivoresorts.com - Menopause Retreats
Resorts such as Preidlhof Spa Hotel in South Tyrol, Italy, (preidlhof.com) Six Senses Vana, India (sixsenses.com), and Amilla Maldives (amilla.com) are offering perimenopause and menopause retreats, featuring treatments ranging from acupuncture to bioidentical hormone replacement. - Pub & Scrub
All the rage in the UK, book a high-end pub stay complete with beauty treatment. At the Bath Arms in Longleat, you can hit the beer, hit your bed, then sort your hangover with a facial or massage at their treatment cabin in the garden.
batharmsinn.com
