KEMPINSKI BECOMES MUNICH'S ULTIMATE INSIDER
Europe's oldest luxury hospitality company "breaks the wall" of the hotel and offers guests the city itself.
In a world where everything is on display, true luxury is real access. With a radical concept, the E.R.A.s (Experience Real Access), and a Resident Curator who opens doors money alone cannot, Kempinski reclaims the role it defined a century ago: the Curator of the Good Life.
Kempinski is changing what a hotel stands for. From today, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich will be more than just a luxury stay. It becomes the gateway to the city: real access to Munich the way no hotel has offered before, the kind of access no amount of money alone can buy.
Kempinski Group does it by launching a new hospitality concept: the E.R.A.s - Experience Real Access.
The E.R.A.s are thematic narratives intrinsically linked to the soul of a city, brought to life by Local Insiders who provide exclusive access and relay the city’s untold stories, allowing guests to Experience Real Access to the destination. Kempinski asks the guiding question “What E.R.A are you in?” and invites guests to explore each destination through immersive, story-driven experiences delivered by the Munich Local Insiders who live them.
Following Kempinski Munich E.R.A.s, guests can join a private flight over Bavaria’s royal castles with the Wittelsbach dynasty’s historians, who will guide their private visits and host an exclusive dinner with private concert in the royal halls of the Nymphenburg Palace. They can savour all six Munich’s great beers with a certified beer sommelier at the Kempinski hotel, the only place in the city where this tasting exists or can join a football legend and World Cup champion in his morning run.
“For decades, luxury has meant the same room service in different postcodes,” says Barbara Muckermann, Group CEO, Kempinski. “We are expanding the role of the Hotel by turning it inside out: the Hotel is no longer a refuge from the city, but the gateway into it. We don't book our guests a tour. We hand them the keys to the city. The desk that once gave you a map now offers you the city itself.”
With the E.R.A.s - Experience Real Access, Kempinski reclaims its role as defined over a century ago: the Curator of The Good Life. Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company has been in the business of the Good Life since 1872, when Berthold and Helene Kempinski opened a small wine bar in Berlin, where they invented the ritual of the aperitif and later turned dining into entertainment.
Behind every E.R.A. stands the Resident Curator, whose personal connections to Local Insiders open doors that money alone cannot. In 1926, Kempinski appointed Leo Kronau as first Experience Designer, hired to curate every moment of a guest’s visit to Haus Vaterland, then the largest entertainment palace in the world. A century later, that role echoes under a new title, the Resident Curator.
Aurelia van Lynden, Vice President Experiences, Kempinski Group says,
“Kempinski’s Resident Curators are inherently local, spending their careers orchestrating the city's cultural life, they compose E.R.A.s around one thing: personal connections that open doors to the city itself. Each Resident Curator is able to provide deep, meaningful access to the destination, its culture and most importantly Local Insiders, selecting stories and experiences that the guest deems worth tasting, discovering, and learning.”
In Munich, the Resident Curator has designed three E.R.A.s, three distinct ways of living Munich rather than merely visiting it. Each one is built around real access to people, places and experiences that no guidebook can give you:
THE ROYALTY ERA
A helicopter ride over five royal castles with the private historians of the Wittelsbachs, the house that ruled Bavaria for 738 years.
- Hosted by Markus & Vanessa Richter / Historians of the Wittelsbach dynasty.
Most people who study Neuschwanstein do so from a distance. Markus lived within its walls for years as the castle's resident guardian; Vanessa has studied the Bavarian kings for her whole life. What they share with you is not researched. It is shared, remembered history.
Nymphenburg Palace by Royal Appointment.
- A royal banquet lunch in the Hubertus Hall or Orangerie of Nymphenburg Palace, inspired by the table of King Ludwig II and paired with fine Bavarian wines. Through the lunch, a string quartet performing Wagner, the composer that King Ludwig protected and adored, sets the mood.
- A dinner at the Nymphenburg Royal Residence, hosted by the Richters, with an intimate concert by Japanese pianist, sound performer, and composer Masaka Ohta.
THE CRAFTMANSHIP ERA
A painting masterclass among the artisans of Nymphenburg, handcrafting porcelain since 1747.
- Hosted by Anders Thomas, CEO, Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg. Create and paint your own unique art piece step by step, tutored by the masters.
A unique tasting of Munich's Big Six beers poured side by side.
- Guided by Dr Sauer, one of Munich's few certified elite beer sommeliers. Savour all six Munich’s great beers in the historic Jagdzimmer of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, the only place in the city where this tasting exists.
A private ride through automotive history.
- Hosted by Helmut Käs, CEO of BMW Classic, the custodian of BMW's own history. He personally walks you through the workshops and the Classic showroom, on the site where the company was born in 1916.
THE REGENERATIVE ERA
A cold plunge into the Eisbach canal, guided by a Wim-Hof expert, and a morning run beside Lothar Matthäus, the man who led Germany to the football World Cup.
- Mario Ströhlein, a Wim Hof-certified guide, has spent years teaching cold exposure as a science, not a dare. He prepares your breath and your nerves in the calm of the hotel — then walks you to the Eisbach's edge and back to the hotel sauna for your reset to be complete.
- Lothar Matthäus, 1990 World Cup Winner and Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup captain, and still the only German ever named FIFA Player of the Year. In the mornings, he runs the English Garden. Some mornings, you run with him.
E.R.A.s and Resident Curators will expand across Kempinski’s portfolio, with Augustine Hotel Prague – the company’s first acquisition in more than fifty years – among the next to introduce its own E.R.A.s.
The E.R.As are open to hotel guests now at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich. To explore them, visit our website.
THE LUXURY COLLECTION UNVEILS EXPEDITIONS, A NEW CHAPTER IN CULTURAL DISCOVERY
From expert-guided journeys to bespoke multi-day itineraries, The Luxury Collection Expeditions offer immersive access to the craft, landscapes, and living heritage that define a destination.
The Luxury Collection today announces the launch of The Luxury Collection Expeditions, a collection of journeys extending the brand's long-held role as The Destination Authority beyond the hotel stay and into the culture and character of a destination. Whether tracing centuries-old culinary traditions in Kyoto, journeying across the islands of Greece by helicopter, creating bespoke wine blends in Spain's Rioja Alavesa, or exploring South Caicos alongside marine conservationists, Expeditions invite travelers to move beyond sightseeing and engage more deeply with the people, practices, and landscapes that give each destination its meaning.
The Luxury Collection has championed the art of exploration through a global portfolio of more than 130 hotels and resorts across over 40 countries and territories, each reflecting the heritage, character, and spirit of its destination. With Expeditions, the brand builds on this legacy by positioning each hotel as a gateway to deeper cultural discovery, with historians, artisans, chefs, winemakers, conservationists, and other local experts guiding guests into vineyards, workshops, kitchens, archaeological sites, and natural ecosystems. Each journey pairs this privileged access with thoughtfully curated experiences, exceptional accommodations, and seamless service, reflecting the refined hospitality that defines The Luxury Collection.
“At The Luxury Collection, we have long believed that a destination reveals itself through its people, rituals, and landscapes, and through the knowledge passed down over time,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “Expeditions are a natural expression of that belief, inviting our guests to venture beyond the walls of their hotel and into the living fabric of a place, where expert guidance and cultural context foster a deeper and more personal understanding of a destination.”
The Luxury Collection Expeditions are offered through three distinct expressions, each bringing a unique pathway to discovery while sharing a commitment to cultural authenticity, expertise, and elevated hospitality.
Private Tailored Journeys are bespoke, multi-day itineraries crafted around each guest’s interests, seamlessly connecting Luxury Collection hotels with private transportation, local expertise, and cultural access across multiple destinations. Each itinerary treats every stop not as a standalone visit, but as part of an interconnected regional narrative that deepens in meaning and perspective as the journey unfolds.
Japan: The Imperial Journey unfolds across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara over 10 days, using three Luxury Collection hotels as gateways into distinct expressions of Japanese culture, from Tokyo’s culinary precision to Kyoto’s spiritual heritage and Nara’s contemplative pace. Privately hosted experiences include entry into a samurai residence, sushi-making with a fourth-generation master, access to rarely opened temple spaces alongside a resident monk, and an intimate geiko dinner in Gion. Chauffeured transfers and Green Car rail travel connect each chapter of the journey, allowing guests to experience Japan with both extraordinary access and an unhurried sense of continuity.
Inspired by Italy’s legendary endurance road races, Italy: The Grand Italia Rally places guests behind the wheel of a classic Italian automobile on a six-night route from Milan to Venice and Florence before returning to Milan. Guided driving legs pass through Franciacorta, Lake Garda, the Apennines, Tuscany, and the Ligurian coast, offering unique rally-style navigation to some of the country’s most cinematic roads and landscapes. Each day concludes at a Luxury Collection hotel, with private boat arrivals, rooftop dining, and a finish-line celebration bringing the romance of Italian motoring into a distinctly refined journey.
Across nine days, Greece: The Aegean Odyssey connects Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini through private travel by helicopter and yacht, seamlessly pairing the beauty of the Cyclades with archaeology, cuisine, and island heritage. Guests explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos with a local archaeologist, sail to Antiparos and Despotiko, and trace Paros’ celebrated marble legacy through its quarries and villages. In Santorini, the journey uncovers the island's distinctive wine culture through tastings of indigenous grape varieties and intimate culinary experiences set within a historic canava that has shaped local life for centuries.
Day Discoveries Rooted in Place
Available at select hotels, Day Discoveries are focused, single-day experiences that highlight a specific craft, culinary tradition, cultural practice, or natural environment to reveal a deeper layer of the destination. The experiences demonstrate how a single day can offer meaningful cultural depth, inviting guests to move from observation to participation through enduring local traditions.
Offered through Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, Farm to Fermentation traces the city’s preservation culture through an intimate journey for up to four guests. The experience begins among seasonal vegetables at a local farm before continuing to a fermentation house, where guests learn the rice-bran preservation technique of nukazuke and explore how patience, climate, and seasonality shape Japanese flavor. A picnic in the agricultural landscape and a chef-crafted teppanyaki dinner complete the progression from field to fermentation house to table.
At The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, Desert Icons: A Private Journey Through Living Legacy explores the Sonoran Desert through conservation, architecture, and locally sourced cuisine. Guests enjoy privileged access to the Desert Botanical Garden, including a privately guided exploration of its signature trails and behind-the-scenes entry to its seed bank, herbarium, and greenhouse, where biodiversity preservation and climate-resilient research come to life. The journey continues at Taliesin West with a private tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic desert laboratory, before concluding at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale with a farm-to-table dinner inspired by the landscapes, ingredients, and traditions of the Sonoran Desert.
At Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah, Doors of Diriyah: A Najdi Palette & Palate reveals the region through the color, geometry, and craftsmanship of its historic doorways. Guests explore the UNESCO-listed A-Turaif district and enter a private Najdi palace before preparing Henini – a heritage dish of dates, ghee, and cardamom – with the hotel's expert chefs. The day concludes with an artisan-led painting workshop, where each guest creates a miniature Najdi door inspired by the pigments and motifs encountered throughout the journey.
Residencies & Collaborations Guided by Expertise
Residencies & Collaborations are limited-time programs that bring guests into direct exchange with leading winemakers, scientists, conservationists, and cultural voices through shared learning and hands-on participation. Spanning disciplines from winemaking to marine science, the programs place specialist knowledge at the center of the guest experience and create opportunities to contribute, create and learn alongside those shaping their fields.
At Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego, The Art of Winemaking: A Rioja Alavesa Masterclass immerses guests in the full evolution of a vintage over five days. Participants harvest grapes alongside the viticulture team, gain privileged access to the winery's gravity-fed cellar, and enter the laboratory for a private blending session to craft their own bespoke wine identity. Vineyard lunches, rare vintages, a 16-course gastronomic dinner, and a candlelit farewell feast in the historic cellars further illuminate the traditions of Rioja Alavesa. Following departure, guests' personalized wines continue aging in French oak barrels before 40 custom-labeled bottles are shipped to their homes.
At Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, South Caicos, three expert-led programs reveal the island through its coral reefs, remote flats, coastal cays, and dark skies. Reef Revival Expedition brings guests alongside marine scientists and School for Field Studies researchers to a coral nursery laboratory and guided snorkeling above the reef, with an optional coral-planting dive available to certified divers. On Angler’s Paradise Expedition, guests explore the island’s secluded flats with a bonefishing expert, tracking fish and casting across the remote waters before returning to the resort for a Caribbean-inspired meal centered on the day’s catch. From Tides to Stars Expedition moves from naturalist-guided kayaking through the Northern Cays to private stargazing beneath South Caicos’ dark skies. Together, the three programs position the resort as a gateway to the island’s living ecosystems, and the local stewards working to preserve them.
Together, the inaugural collection comprises 10 Expeditions across destinations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, revealing the cultural heritage, craftsmanship, cuisine, ecosystems, and wellness practices of destinations worldwide. The Luxury Collection will unveil additional Expeditions this fall, continuing to expand the platform across its global portfolio. To learn more about the complete portfolio of Expeditions and participating properties, please visit https://the-luxury-collection.marriott.com/expeditions/
FLOAT INSTALMENT PLATFORM CONFIRMS EARLY TRACTION FROM UK MERCHANTS
Float, the credit card-linked instalment platform, which launched in the UK just one month ago (July 2026), has already onboarded UK merchants and is reporting early positive results and feedback.
These early adopter UK merchants come from Float’s higher-value verticals in consumer electronics, furniture and home and sports and leisure. Float also confirms it is in advanced conversations with more brands in those sectors as well as in the automotive, beauty, luxury fashion and jewellery sectors.
“The merchant response in the UK has been overwhelmingly positive as they see the almost immediate benefit Float delivers” says Alex Forsyth-Thompson, Float’s Founder and CEO. “Merchants tell us they view Float as a financially responsible option for their many customers who simply don’t want to take out new loans to make much needed purchases. They are enthusiastic that there's no new credit facility being issued, with bank-approved limits which are generally much larger than other checkout financing options. In general, they find Float new and genuinely quite different from other instalment offerings.”
Key early statistics reveal:
- The speed of adoption from UK customers on merchants’ sites has been impressively swift. 75% of UK merchants are processing transactions on the same day they go live with Float. The remaining 25% within 10 days.
- The UK average order value (AOV) is currently £676 and increasing
- Float works well alongside other checkout financing options, typically 2–3
- Purchases made through Float’s platform see an average order value uplift of 133%. UK stats are a smaller sample of this number but are trending towards the same global average.
“We are delighted with these initial results” confirms Forsyth-Thompson. “What it proves is the power of leveraging existing credit card facilities – customers are already familiar with their credit card and obviously feel comfortable using it from the get-go. At the same time, UK merchants are familiar with the power of instalment offerings at checkout. Together this has led to early adoption on both sides.”
A major furniture and home merchant which was one of the first to sign up to Float said:
"Since introducing Float, we've seen strong customer adoption thanks to its simple, intuitive checkout experience. Being able to offer instalment payments using customers' existing credit cards provides a genuine alternative to traditional finance options. The Float team has been responsive, professional and easy to work with, and the platform has become an important part of our payment offering. We would confidently recommend Float to retailers looking to improve customer choice and support higher-value purchases."
Float is compatible with 55+ million UK credit cards and lets merchants offer their shoppers up to 12 interest- and fee-free1 monthly instalments using the credit card they already have on their existing credit card – with no new credit facility issued and no additional sign-up process. Float’s technology powers card-linked instalment payments: entirely within the shopper's existing credit limit.
1 Standard credit card terms and conditions will still apply.
THE HARI HOTELS JOIN IHG’S VIGNETTE COLLECTION
The Hari London, The Hari Hong Kong and the forthcoming The Hari Singapore are partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection, a distinguished collection of independent luxury properties.
The repositioning, which is to take effect later this year, builds on a strategic relationship between the Harilela Group and IHG that spans more than five decades and extends their partnership to six hotels across Asia and Europe.
The Vignette Collection allows independent luxury and boutique properties to retain their brand identity while tapping into IHG’s global scale and loyalty program. To be considered, hotels must meet specific criteria focused on design, guest experience and community impact. When The Hari Singapore opens in the spring of next year, it’ll be the Vignette Collection’s first property in that market.
As the Harilela Group’s crown jewels, the two existing properties in London and Hong Kong and the emergent Hari Singapore are committed to providing one-of-a-kind guest experiences and positive contributions to their locales. Likewise, the Vignette Collection is renowned for its celebration of ‘Memorable Rituals’ and ‘A Means For Good’.
“The Hari expresses these ideals through genuine, heartfelt hospitality and impeccable service steeped in my family's decades-long hospitality legacy,” said Dr Aron Harilela, Chairman and CEO of Harilela Group and founder of The Hari brand. “Our design-led hotels serve as gateways to the art, culture and communities that define their destinations.”
Imagined by acclaimed British interior designer Tara Bernerd, each of The Hari hotels features elegant, layered interiors and rotating art collections showcasing established and emerging local artists. Whether through insider guides to London’s Belgravia or Hong Kong’s Wan Chai, experiences such as ‘The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour’ and ‘Wan Chai By Night’ allow guests to scratch well beneath the destination’s surface, revealing hidden gems, colourful characters and fascinating traditions.
Initiatives such as the annual The Hari Art Prize, supported by generous donations from the Harilela family, championing emerging artistic talent, together with EarthCheck certifications and ongoing charity partnerships, The Hari makes positive contributions to local communities.
"After decades of owning and developing hotels, we distilled the Harilela Group’s collective experience into a brand that reflects the qualities we always sought in a great hotel," said Dr Harilela. "The Hari embodies relaxed elegance punctuated by eccentricity, wit, culture and intuitive, heartfelt hospitality. Joining the Vignette Collection preserves The Hari’s character while connecting our brand to a global community of travellers who value individuality and authenticity.”
“With more than 80 open and pipeline hotels, Vignette Collection is tracking ahead of its ambition to reach more than 100 hotels within its first decade,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Welcoming The Hari’s portfolio marks Vignette Collection’s debut in Singapore and strengthens our presence in London and Hong Kong.”
For more information or to make a booking, visit thehari.com, email askme@thehari.com or reservations@thehari.com, or call +852 2129 0388 or +44 20 7858 0100.
BLESS BARCELONA DEBUTS IN THE CITY, REDEFINING MEDITERRANEAN LUXURY
Palladium Hotel group strengthens its position in the luxury segment with the opening of BLESS Barcelona
In the coming years, BLESS Collection Hotels will take a key step in its international expansion, with the opening of an exclusive resort in Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam) in 2027, a hotel in Hanoi (Vietnam) in 2028, and the brand's debut in Milan in 2029.
This August, Palladium Hotel Group returns to Barcelona with the opening of BLESS Barcelona, a new five-star address bringing the BLESS Collection Hotels experience to the heart of the Catalan capital. The hotel blends Mediterranean spirit with contemporary luxury, exceptional gastronomy and a deep connection to the city, marking a new chapter for the brand in one of Europe’s most iconic destinations.
Set on Plaça Catalunya, just moments from Passeig de Gràcia, BLESS Barcelona places guests at the heart of the city, surrounded by Gaudí’s modernist architecture, luxury boutiques and some of Barcelona’s most sought after restaurants. The 119-room hotel brings the distinctive BLESS style to the Catalan capital, with interiors designed to balance contemporary elegance with the character of the city. Gastronomy is central to the experience, with a collaboration with Hofmann bringing its renowned culinary expertise to the hotel from the moment guests arrive in the lobby.
The rooftop La Pajarera offers another perspective on Barcelona. Inspired by the historic Gran Café Colón, one of the city’s most celebrated meeting places in the late 19th century, the space has been reimagined as a sophisticated destination for cocktails and dining. Leading the drinks programme is Adriana Chía, whose contemporary approach adds a distinctive edge to the hotel’s culinary offering.
More than a place to stay, BLESS Barcelona has been created as a way to experience the city. From its design and gastronomy to its service and carefully curated experiences, the hotel draws on Barcelona’s culture, creativity and Mediterranean spirit to offer a fresh take on contemporary luxury.
Room rates at BLESS Barcelona start from €350 in low season and £450 in high season. For more information, please visit https://www.blesscollectionhotels.com/en/bless-barcelona/
MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF TYLER KING APPOINTED HEAD CHEF AT KNOCKINAAM LODGE
Michelin-starred chef Tyler King has been appointed Head Chef at Knockinaam Lodge in Dumfries & Galloway bringing experience from some of Scotland's leading kitchens to the five-star coastal hotel.
Tyler joins Knockinaam Lodge from Edinburgh restaurant Condita, where he was Head Chef and retained the restaurant's Michelin star during his tenure. At Knockinaam, he will lead the hotel's three AA Rosette restaurant, bringing his experience and passion for seasonal Scottish produce to the kitchen, with a focus on ingredients from the surrounding land and coastline.
The appointment marks a new chapter for Knockinaam Lodge's kitchen, with Tyler set to develop a dining experience that reflects the character and location of the hotel while retaining the style and sense of place that guests have come to expect. Under King's direction, the restaurant's seven-course tasting menu will change often allowing the kitchen to make the most of the best seasonal produce available from local producers and suppliers. Priced at £135 per person, the tasting menu will be available with optional wine pairings selected to complement each course, drawing from Knockinaam's extensive wine list.
King will introduce a new three-course lunch menu, priced at £40 per person, with optional additional courses and a cheese course. Afternoon Tea will be available at £40 per person, or £60 for Champagne Afternoon Tea, while a new Lounge Menu will be served from 12-4pm, with dishes changing regularly according to the seasons and availability of local produce.
A focus on local and seasonal produce has been a consistent thread throughout Tyler’s career, and that same commitment will continue at Knockinaam. Working closely with local producers and suppliers, examples including BoTree, Vanilla Labs, Shh’annu Lamb, Kirkwood Farm, Loch Ryan Wild Venison, and local creel fishermen, Tyler will shape the menus around the exceptional produce of the Rhins of Galloway, the Solway Firth and the wider south-west of Scotland.
Tyler King, Head Chef at Knockinaam Lodge, said:
"I am really excited to be joining Knockinaam Lodge and to have the opportunity to work with the incredible produce and producers here in Galloway. The setting is a huge part of what makes this place special, and I want the menu to reflect that. I'm looking forward to creating menus that change often and make the most of what is available each day to give guests a real sense of where they are"
Callum McCann, General Manager at Knockinaam Lodge, said:
“It is great to have Tyler join the team at Knockinaam. He has such a strong background in Scottish cooking and a real understanding of the produce we have around us, so he is the perfect fit for the hotel. Knockinaam has always had a real focus on food and has a long history of being recognised for what we do in the kitchen, including holding a Michelin star for more than two decades. Having Tyler join us is a really exciting moment for us and we are looking forward to seeing where he takes the kitchen and welcoming guests to experience his cooking.”
Fife born Tyler began his career in 2014 at Malmaison Dundee before going to work at Rockcliffe Hall, Castle Terrace in Edinburgh and Number One at the Balmoral. In 2020, he moved to Germany to work as Senior Sous Chef at Michelin-starred Prism under Gal Ben Moshe, where he developed a particular interest in preservation and fermentation. Returning to Scotland in 2021, Tyler helped launch Bridge 15 before joining Condita as Head Chef, where he retained the restaurant's Michelin star throughout his two and a half year tenure.
REYKJABÖÐ HOT SPRINGS - A THERMAL JOURNEY SHAPED BY ICELANDIC CONTRAST OPENING AUGUST 2026
At Reykjaböð Hot Springs in Iceland, snow becomes part of a carefully composed bathing journey — not as a visual effect, but as a sensory expression of the country’s natural contrasts.
Some wellness concepts begin with architecture. Others begin with a list of facilities. Reykjaböð Hot Springs began with a place.
Set in Iceland, the project draws from one of the country’s most powerful qualities: contrast. Geothermal warmth, cold air, open land, water, stone, mist and snow all shape the atmosphere of the destination. Rather than softening these elements, the concept uses them as the foundation for a carefully sequenced experience.
For spa consultant Katherine Connolly, the aim was clear from the beginning: Reykjaböð should not feel like a spa placed in a beautiful landscape, but like an experience shaped by that landscape.
“From the outset, I wanted Reykjaböð to feel like a sanctuary, but one that could only have been created in Iceland,” she explains. “Not a spa that happens to sit within a beautiful landscape, but an experience that feels shaped by that landscape from the moment you arrive.”
Designing with natural contrast
The bathhouse was designed as a journey through temperature, atmosphere and ritual. The lagoon opens the experience towards the surrounding nature, while the indoor spaces create a more intimate rhythm of warmth, coolness, steam, scent, sound, snow and rest.
“Iceland has one of the clearest expressions of natural contrast I have ever experienced,” Connolly says. “Heat rising from the ground, cold air on the skin, open expanses of land, water, stone, mist, snow — there is a constant dialogue between softness and strength. That became the emotional and sensory logic of the project.”
Why snow became part of the journey
Within this logic, snow was integrated early in the concept. It was not added as a visual attraction, but as a natural part of the thermal narrative: a way to represent cold in a form that feels authentic to the place.
To bring this element into the bathhouse, the project integrated the SNOWROOM by TechnoAlpin Indoor: a controlled indoor snow environment designed to make natural cold accessible within a thermal wellness journey.
“The Snowroom was not brought in as a novelty; it completed the thermal narrative,” Connolly says. “After warmth, steam or the herbal pool, entering a crisp, snow-filled space creates a complete change in mood. The body notices it immediately, but so does the imagination.”
For Connolly, snow offers a different kind of cooling experience. Unlike an icy plunge, it allows guests to approach cold more gradually and on their own terms.
“Snow is a slower, more tactile expression of cold. That is what makes it so special.”
A more accessible form of cold
This makes snow an important part of the guest journey. It creates contrast without becoming confrontational. Guests can engage with cold in a way that feels immersive, memorable and accessible — a quality that reflects how modern wellness hospitality is evolving.
“Beautiful design is now expected at the top end,” Connolly says. “What distinguishes a destination is whether the experience feels rooted, coherent and worth remembering.”
From feature to feeling
Reykjaböð responds to this shift with a concept that is both atmospheric and carefully considered. The experience does not rely on individual highlights, but on the way each moment leads into the next. Heat, cold, stillness, scent, snow and rest all contribute to a journey that feels connected to its setting.
At Reykjaböð, contrast is not used for effect alone. It becomes a way to slow down, sharpen attention and connect guests more deeply with the place around them.
As Connolly puts it, “That is when a feature becomes meaningful — when it is not just noticed, but felt.”
“The Snowroom was not brought in as a novelty; it completed the thermal narrative” - Katherine Connolly
In the full interview, Katherine Connolly shares more about the concept behind Reykjaböð Hot Springs, the role of Iceland’s natural contrasts and why snow became part of the bathing journey.
Continue to the full interview here.
MIIRO TEMPLETON GARDEN JOINS THE DESIGN HOTELS™ COLLECTION
Miiro Templeton Garden, the London property from lifestyle hospitality group Miiro, has officially joined Design Hotels™, a globally recognised collection of independent, design-led properties.
Selected through a rigorous curation process, the affiliation expands Miiro Templeton Garden’s international reach through Design Hotels’ international sales, marketing and travel trade channels, while also enabling Marriott Bonvoy® members to earn and redeem points on their stays.
The affiliation further strengthens Miiro Templeton Garden's position within the international luxury travel market while preserving the independence and neighbourhood character that define the guest experience.
Neena Gupta, CEO of Miiro Hotels and Executive Director of Group Strategy and International Hospitality at InterGlobe Enterprises, comments:
“Joining Design Hotels™ is a significant milestone for us and a wonderful opportunity to introduce the hotel to a wider audience. From the beginning, our goal was to create a space rooted in Earl’s Court, combining considered design with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. We are proud to join this exceptional collection of independent hotels and look forward to continuing to welcome design-conscious guests from around the world.”
Opened in spring 2025, Miiro Templeton Garden is a 156-room hotel centred around a beautifully landscaped private garden in Earl’s Court. Designed as a peaceful sanctuary, the hotel offers a welcome sense of calm in the heart of London, bringing together contemporary British interiors with a strong sense of place.
The hotel’s design vision was led by acclaimed interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth of Thurstan, alongside British creative partners including Holland & Harvey, Cox London, Tess Newall, and Art Story. The team embraced the building’s historic architecture, balancing original details with a refined contemporary aesthetic inspired by its setting and creative heritage.
Miiro Templeton Garden forms part of Miiro’s growing collection of neighbourhood hotels across Europe, including Miiro Le Grand Hôtel Cayré in Paris, Miiro Borneta in Barcelona, Miiro The Mansard in Gstaad, as well as Miiro Palais Rudolf and Miiro Spittelberg in Vienna.
WI-Q LAUNCHES MOBILE ORDERING SOLUTION TO TRANSFORM GROUP MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND EVENTS FOR HOTELS
Contactless ordering technology cuts event staffing costs by up to 40% and boosts average order value by up to 30%, freeing hotel teams to focus on flawless event delivery
wi-Q, the hospitality solutions provider, has officially launched its Group Meetings, Conferences and Events (GM&E) solution, designed to help hotels streamline food and beverage service at large-scale events while cutting staffing costs and boosting revenue.
Hotels hosting conferences and events have traditionally relied on large teams of temporary staff to take food and drink orders throughout the day, often interrupting delegates mid-session to ask if they need anything. wi-Q's GM&E solution removes that friction entirely, allowing guests to order via their own smartphones while staff focus solely on delivery.
Preordering for Seamless Event Planning
The platform allows event organisers to invite attendees to preorder food and drink weeks in advance. Events teams distribute unique wi-Q URLs with an event-specific code, giving attendees access to menus ahead of time. Orders are tracked through the wi-Q back office and posted to the hotel's POS on the day of the event, ensuring accurate reporting throughout.
Event teams can filter preorders by event code or fulfillment date, export data, and generate picking lists for full transparency. Menus can also be updated quickly within the back office to accommodate themed events or special requirements.
On-Site Ordering via QR Code
During the event, guests scan a QR code — placed on tables or a central screen — to access food and beverage menus in their preferred language, complete with dietary and preference filters. Because wi-Q integrates directly with the hotel POS, guests can order by entering their table or seat number, add notes, leave a gratuity, and pay using their preferred method, all without flagging down staff.
The solution also extends beyond catering: delegates can request items such as pens and notebooks to be delivered directly to their meeting room using the same mobile ordering journey.
Measurable Impact on Revenue and Costs
wi-Q's data shows that mobile ordering increases average order value by up to 30% through targeted upsell prompts placed throughout the customer journey. At the same time, hotel clients report savings of up to 40% in staff costs, as the reduction in manual order-taking and processing lets teams operate with smaller, more efficient staffing models.
Availability
wi-Q's GM&E solution is available now to hotels of all sizes, with onboarding typically completed within eight weeks.
For more information visit https://www.wi-q.com/
A NEW CHAPTER FOR MATFEN HALL AS IT COMPLETES TOTAL TRANSFORMATION
Matfen Hall announces the completion of a six-year transformation, revealing an entirely reimagined hotel following a £50m investment. The opening of The Retreat this September marks the final phase of the project, preserving one of Northumberland’s finest Grade II listed country houses and transforming it into the county’s only five-star hotel.
Dating back to 1836, the Jacobethan mansion has been meticulously restored to balance its historic character with modern luxury. Working with specialist local architects, tradesmen and builders, the extensive restoration spans the hotel, leisure and golf facilities.
The Gothic Great Hall has been returned to its former glory and original role as the impressive principal entrance, complete with historic stonework, carved timber panelling, decorative ceilings and a vast stained glass window taking centre-stage. Ten new guest rooms and suites were created, bringing the total to 63, all of which have been fitted with new furnishings and expansive marble bathrooms complete with freestanding baths. Meanwhile, original features such as fireplaces, mouldings and timber detailing were carefully preserved.
The Retreat
Matfen Hall’s new spa, The Retreat, will open on 15th September within an expansive new wing of the hotel, doubling the footprint of the former spa. At its heart is a serene 18-metre indoor pool set beneath a vaulted beamed ceiling. An extensive range of thermal and wellness facilities include an 18-metre Pool and Jacuzzi Pool, Himalayan Salt Sauna and Traditional Sauna, Aromatherapy Steam Room, Steam Showers, Experience Showers, Sunlight Therapy Room and Red Light Therapy Room and Brass Monkey Ice Baths, Cryotherapy Chamber and a Hyperbaric Chamber. These sit alongside six treatment rooms, dedicated relaxation spaces, including a Relaxation Room, Sun Room and private lounge areas, as well as a TechnoGym-equipped gym with a Pilates and yoga studio.
Dining
Adjacent to the Great Hall is Emerald, the hotel’s fine dining venue and Northumberland’s only AA 3-Rosette restaurant. Formerly the property’s library, its elegance has been retained with oak paneling, book-lined walls, a cracking fireplace and large windows overlooking the gardens and golf course beyond.
Cloisters, a striking new seafood, grill and champagne bar was created by Northumberland-based Doonan Architects. Formerly an open courtyard used for service access, the space has been reimagined as the beating heart of Matfen Hall, enclosed beneath a dramatic glass roof supported by sweeping curved timber structures and finished with brass detailing that plays off the building's historic fabric. A slatted brass spiral staircase leads guests to a glass-floored mezzanine, offering views down the length of the courtyard and up towards the Great Hall's magnificent stained-glass window.
New bars and lounges have also been introduced. 1832 Bar lies at the heart of the hotel, and provides an atmospheric setting from which to enjoy a signature cocktail, or Matfen Hall’s very own special-edition 1832 gin. Cosy in size, yet magnificent in design, the bar itself is fashioned from rich oak and the ceiling bedecked in ornamental plasterwork. The Drawing Room serves the quintessentially British ritual of afternoon tea, featuring a fireplace originally commissioned for Buckingham Palace.
Golf
New for 2026 is The Douglas, Matfen Hall's newly christened 18-hole championship course. Designed to challenge, inspire and reward golfers of every skill level, it combines nine newly-designed greens and green complexes with the classic character of the existing Standing Stone nine holes, featuring dry-stone walls, natural water hazards and the meandering River Pont. Complimentary tee times are included in all hotel stays.
Additional new facilities for the summer include The Academy at the driving range, with a new simulator and teaching bay, a new driving range with 15 Toptracer bays, a short game practice area, an all-weather 18-hole putting course, the Himalayas-style oversized putting green adjacent to the Hall, and a new irrigation system. At the heart of the development is The Keepers, a stylish golf lodge overlooking the 18th green. Home to The Golf Lab, Pro Shop, restaurant and bar, it combines relaxed dining with high-spec performance technology, including the North East's first Foresight Hawk Golf Simulator, championship virtual courses, custom fitting services and PGA professional one-to-one coaching.
Commenting on the completion of the ambitious project, James O’Donnell, Head of Commercial Development of Matfen Hall said:
“Six years ago, we set out to transform Matfen Hall into one of the UK’s leading country house hotels whilst retaining its elegance and history. We have taken an architecturally beautiful building and breathed new life into it, creating excellent facilities and an enhanced guest experience. We are incredibly proud of the new offering, and look forward to welcoming guests to experience the estate in its new chapter this autumn”.