Latest news with #RoccoForte
Syyaha
2 days ago
- Syyaha
The Art of Doing Less: This Summer's Most Soulful Escapes
In a season often defined by overstimulation and itineraries packed to the brim, a new rhythm is emerging—one that favours presence over pace, rituals over rush, and deep restoration overindulgence. The Art of Doing Less captures this soulful shift in luxury travel, where the true richness of summer is found not in spectacle, but in stillness. From sound bath ceremonies in hidden grottos to constellation-inspired spa journeys and moonlit desert storytelling, these experiences invite travellers to slow down, tune in, and embrace a softer, more intentional way of exploring the world. Whether you're reconnecting with ancient landscapes in AlUla or crafting your own botanical perfume in the hills of Puglia, this is summer reimagined—not as a destination, but as a state of being. FORAGE FOR WILD BOTANICALS AND BLEND YOUR OWN PERFUME IN PUGLIA At Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Puglia, summer unfolds to the rhythm of olive groves and slow coastal breezes. Guests can forage for wild herbs with a master perfumer to create a personal scent memory, or drift into stillness with a marine sound bath performed live inside a secluded grotto. With a newly expanded 'Borgo degli Ulivi' set to open in July 2025—featuring eleven suites with private gardens and pools—this is restorative hospitality immersed in the natural and cultural heritage of southern Italy. For reservations and more information, please visit EXPERIENCE FULL MOON SOUND BOWL RITUALS IN CAPE TOWN At One&Only Cape Town, the reimagined One&Only Spa is a sanctuary inspired by the Southern Cross constellation. Designed by Muza Lab, the spa features celestial design details, constellation lighting, and private treatment suites on an island oasis. The Full Moon Menu, available once a month, includes sound bowl ceremonies, chakra balancing, and moonstone rituals—inviting guests on a sensory journey guided by the lunar cycle. For reservations and more information, please visit UNWIND IN ROME'S NEWLY REIMAGINED SECRET GARDEN SPA Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Hotel de Russie has unveiled its newly renovated De Russie Spa, a serene retreat in the heart of the Eternal City. Tied to its historic Secret Garden, the spa features five treatment rooms, couples' suites, a saltwater hydromassage pool, and the Forte Vita Bar for express beauty rituals. Treatments use high-performance skincare from Irene Forte, Swiss Perfection, and SkinCeuticals, blending holistic wellness with Roman elegance. For reservations and more information, please visit MEDITATE THROUGH MASTERPIECES AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON Offered as a new Peninsula Academy experience, The Peninsula London introduces a rare blend of culture and calm. Guests are chauffeured by Rolls-Royce to the National Gallery for a private, after-hours tour of sold-out exhibitions. Guided by a specialist curator, the journey incorporates mindfulness, breathwork, and visualisation techniques. The experience concludes with a Subtle Energies massage at The Peninsula Spa, offering complete emotional and physical restoration. For reservations and more information, please visit RECONNECT WITH SILENCE AND STARS IN ALULA'S DESERT STILLNESS Set against the monumental backdrop of Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Chedi Hegra offers a series of summer programs rooted in slow exploration. From Desert Dreaming and Summer Sanctuary to the Wellness Retreat, each itinerary weaves together yoga, stargazing, heritage dining, and guided desert walks. Guests are invited to restore energy, deepen connection to place, and experience the poetic stillness of AlUla in summer. For reservations and more information, please visit
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Gurney's Montauk Seawater Spa & Resort unveils luxe revamps, partnerships for 2025
There's summer in the Hamptons — and then there's summer at Gurney's Montauk Seawater Spa & Resort, where sun-drenched sophistication meets peak scene-stealing glam. Set on a dramatic bluff with panoramic Atlantic views, this East End icon doesn't just offer luxury, it guarantees a spot at the most coveted beach party around. And this year, the Hamptons property is seriously upping its game, courtesy of a splashy culinary revamp, a socialite's spa takeover, a designer beach pop-up and some very photogenic Cadillacs that provide the ultimate prop for an enviable Father's Day TikTok vid. 6 Gurney's Montauk is perched on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic. Courtesy Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa Advertisement Start by checking into one of the 158 coastal-chic guest rooms, all raw woods and earth tones, then make haste to Gurney's private beach club, which this summer is getting a total Dolce & Gabbana makeover. Picture a riot of iconic Majolica prints and bold Sicilian-styled hues enveloping loungers, cabanas and umbrellas, all complementing the whites, blues and creams of the crashing waves, the sand and the endless skies. Should you forget to pack your jet-setter's caftan or canvas tote, worry not: Gurney's is also welcoming a pop-up D&G boutique with all the summery essentials a Beach Bunny requires. 6 The new Gigi's Montauk will serve culinary delights in a stunning dining room and patio. Thomas John Agoglia Then sign up for the resort's Signature Summer Fitness Series, which includes beachside workouts every Saturday and Sunday morning for guests and in-the-know locals. (Those abs aren't going to crunch themselves!) Treat yourself to a full post-sweat restoration at Seawater Spa, the recently renovated 30,000-square-foot wellness destination, featuring a hydrotherapy circuit, hot and cold water therapies and a seawater-fed indoor pool. This summer, Gurney's will tap Irene Forte Skincare for its facial treatments, an LVMH-backed organic line founded by the daughter of hotel mogul Sir Rocco Forte. Her customizable 90-minute facial incorporates Forte's science-forward skin care and includes a deep cleanse, a mask and a lymphatic massage. It's basically a vacation for your face. Advertisement 6 The resort boasts an indoor saltwater pool and freshly reimagined spa. Courtesy Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa Once you're toned and lifted, follow the beats of Sound Waves, Gurney's summer DJ series, to the deck and firepit. Sets by world-class talent start during sunbaked afternoons and stretch into beachy twilights, a barefoot celebration of seasonal feels. All that dancing have you feeling peckish? Sashay over to Gigi's Montauk, the culinary crown jewel opening to the public on June 16 — just in time for Father's Day. 6 There's an exclusive Cadillac Experience — chauffeuring guests in a luxe new Escalade (pictured) or Lyriq. Courtesy of Cadillac Advertisement The space is a stunner: A 4,000-square-foot dining room lined with blond wood, creamy stone and killer ocean views, plus a 2,500-square-foot patio where every table delivers a front-row seat to the sunset. And did we mention the food? Chef Justin Lee, a French Laundry alum, helms the kitchen along with Gurney's beloved Chef Mbaba 'Baba' Danso, whose grandmother hails from Gambia. Together they're whipping up elevated coastal American cuisine with serious global bona fides. Order the 1½ lb. Angry Lobster, a smoky-spicy showstopper with chili, cayenne and Aleppo pepper on grilled Tuscan bread, and the Giant Shrimp Scampi, baked and laced with lemongrass-infused mayo. Even the sushi is Instagram-worthy: The Gigi Roll layers spicy hamachi with tobiko and crispy shallots and makes all the influencers go 'Ahhhh.' 6 Gurney's is host to 158 chic and sunny guest rooms near the sea. Courtesy Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa Gurney's also makes it easy to celebrate the dads in our lives this summer with its exclusive Cadillac Experience. While you (or Pops) won't be putting the pedal to the metal yourself, the program invites guests to be chauffeured around town in a sleek new Lyriq or Escalade. Not quite ready to leave campus? Simply strike a pose next to the hot wheels and serve your public that 'Casually arriving at my Hamptons house in Daddy's Caddy' vibe. Advertisement 6 Dolce & Gabbana handled Gurney's private beach club makeover. Courtesy Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa Gurney's has never been one to rest on its laurels, even after a century as a bolt-hole for the guests of stylish Hamptons summer people. This season, whether you're a Montauk regular or splurging on a trip Out East to celebrate Father's Day, it's lining up as the destination of the season. Rooms from $1,045 at Gurneys Resorts
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Forbes
The Best Luxury Vacations For Scotch Lovers
A worker at Bruichladdich distillery in Islay takes a whisky sample from a cask in Bruichladdich, Islay Scotland. Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. You can spot a Scotch whisky lover by the way they write the word whisky. (There's no 'e' in 'Scotland,' but there is if it's made in 'Kentucky.') Connoisseurs are quick to recite knowledge of the spirit's geographic authenticity, strict production laws, traditional techniques, and historical depth. Its development is closely tied to Scottish identity, from its medieval monastic roots to its status today as one of Scotland's most prized cultural exports. The best luxury vacations for Scotch lovers, naturally, begin in Scotland. However, as bars and lounges billed around a specific spirit become more common, it's not impractical to hop the entire globe in pursuit of the best Scotch. Where to send Dad this Father's Day to scratch his itch for Scotch? Here are seven destinations worth flying to. A view of Princes Street from Calton Hill, with the Scott Monument in the background, in Edinburgh, Great Britain. Balmoral Hotel. Edinburgh city. Scotland, UK. Number One restaurant (in the basement) has held a Michelin star for more than 20 years, while the Scotch bar offers more than 400 selections of the namesake liquor. Originally built in 1902 for the North British Railway company, the storied Balmoral Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Edinburgh might double as the setting for the next Wes Anderson film. The screenplay, like many of the hotel guests, could focus on food and drink alone. The restaurant (in the basement) has held a Michelin star for more than 20 years, while the Scotch bar — the appropriately named Scotch — offers more than 400 selections of the namesake liquor. Dad can consult one of the bar's Whiskey Ambassadors to help find the perfect tipple. The Balmoral is a Forbes Travel Guide five-star hotel. Ocean Club Suite Living Room onboard an Azamara Cruise, which offers a 12-night Scotland intensive cruise. What better place to sample scotch than at sea? Azamara Cruises offers a 12-night Scotland-intensive cruise departing June 19 from Southampton and arriving in Dublin on July 1. Along the way, visit the 200-year-old Glen Garrioch Distillery in Aberdeen for a close-up look at whisky-making traditions (tasting included) in the Scottish countryside. It's a rare opportunity for dad to visit some of Scotland's lesser-known ports and circumnavigate some of the UK's finest coastal cities. The Commons Club bar is inside the Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, with distilled elixirs on the menu. The Scotch Whisky Experience is a four-minute walk from the hotel. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, the Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is housed in five separate historic buildings. Book the Castle View King Suite, where dad can open his drapes to glimpse the historic Edinburgh Castle. To whet your whistle for scotch, visit the Commons Club bar and restaurant, where a locally distilled concoction is always on the menu. Better still, visit the Scotch Whisky Experience (a four-minute walk from the hotel) for an award-winning tour, tasting, history lesson, and/or bite to eat. For hardcore scotch connoisseurs, the 90-minute platinum tour includes a tutored nosing and tasting of four single malts and one blended malt Scotch whisky. Loch Lomond Manor is one of a curated selection of luxury villas and manor homes in Scotland for Scotch adventures. On the outskirts of Glasgow sits Loch Lomond, whose shiny waters reflect the rugged, lush hills of the surrounding national park. Book a stay at Loch Lomond Manor via Oliver's Travels, a historic estate that puts dad (and up to nine of his pals) in touch with pastoral luxury living. The home is filled with original artworks, tapestries, and period features that capture the spirit of the early 20th century. Stocking up on scotch? The manor is a short drive from several nearby distilleries and offers easy access to tastings, scenic walks, and Highlands day trips. Grand suite in the Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Glasgow after a £20 million renovation to the heritage 5-star hotel. Photo credit: Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort Set on 240 acres on the banks of the River Clyde, Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort re-opened in May following a thorough $27 million renovation. Upgrades touched every area of the property, including the three Grand Suites, which come with either a grand piano or pool table. Unwind on a cozy blue couch in Sláinte, Mar Hall's signature cocktail bar, with a selection of Scotch from the menu (such as the Clydebuilt Sailmaker Blended Malt, from the Ardgowan Distillery near Inverkip on the West Coast). The tastefully reimagined old-world estate will tempt dad to stay indoors, while the golf course abutting the river will satisfy any craving to hit the links in the ancestral birthplace of golf. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona desert is far from Scotland in climate and in spirit, making it an unlikely home to one of the finest combinations of scotch and golfing in the U.S. The Scotch Library, located at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, features more than 125 single malts and 25 blends imported from all six whisky regions in Scotland: Speyside, Highland, Islay, Islands, Lowland, and Campbeltown. In all, the collection represents nearly half of the Scotland distilleries, ranging in age from 10 to 40 years. Every Friday at 6 p.m., the Resort hosts 'An Evening of Scotches,' a tasting event featuring three selections of scotch. Adding to its unique charm, the resort features live bagpipe music at sunset every Friday and Saturday, a tribute to Scottish golf traditions and a memorable way to end the day. The beautiful Stanley Hotel is located 10.4 miles from the Rocky Mountain National Park. The grand, upscale hotel dates back to 1909. Although the Stanley Hotel is best known as the inspiration behind Stephen King's The Shining, it also has plenty to attract whiskey lovers. Its Whiskey Bar claims to have the largest selection of bourbon, scotch, and whisky-based spirits in the state. In addition to serving the spirits neat or in cocktails, the bar offers whiskey-tasting sessions for guests. Flanked by the jagged skyline of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Stanley has something for every traveler. Besides the historic hotel, accommodations include the boutique-style Lodge, modern apartment-style rooms (Aspire) and The Residences, fully equipped 1- to 3-bedroom condominium dwellings.
Khaleej Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Food, luxury, or customer welfare: What truly defines great hospitality?
HOSPITALITY is in my blood. It has been in my family for generations now, starting with my grandfather who left his little village in the Italian hills for Scotland in 1911 and ended up with several establishments selling ice cream and tobacco. My father branched out into milk bars, the first one on London's Regent Street called Forte's. He bought the Waldorf, the first hotel he ever ran, in 1955, and ended up with Trusthouse Forte, one of the biggest hotel and catering companies in the world. My father was always keen that I had experience of his businesses. I did so throughout my school and university holidays, after which I joined the business full-time. My first job was at the Café Royal at 14 years old. I was in the cellars shifting crates of house wine which we bottled ourselves. Later I worked on the Waldorf reception, where I did wages and put cash into envelopes for staff, and also at Heathrow where we had a restaurant in one of the old terminals. As a result I was able to start my own business when Trusthouse Forte was sold in a hostile takeover. I now work in my business, Rocco Forte Hotels, with my three children and my sister, Olga Polizzi. We now have a Saudi partner in PIF. While we have a strong executive team, the involvement of the family members makes a big difference. The family aspect is the most important thing about our culture and philosophy, and the luxury service we aim to deliver. It's our name above the door and we really care about it. We have a passion for it and a belief in it and we care about everything that goes on in our hotels. I believe the people working with us in the business feel this directly – feel this passion and commitment. This is very important, because they're transmitting our philosophy direct to the customer. In family, you also look at things long term: you want to make the business stronger and more powerful for future generations. Our partner PIF also takes a long-term view. We teach our staff about the family history, the company history, the hotel history and about the city in which the hotel finds itself, which they can communicate back to the customer – and also have a greater sense of belonging to the organisation as a result. Each of my hotels has its own character but if you go to any one of my hotels you will find that same culture. I think that the Rocco Forte philosophy – that attention to detail and dedication to services – comes across everywhere. When it comes to luxury, the Hotel de Russie in Rome is not just iconic, it's the hotel in Rome. It opened in 2000 and is one I am particularly proud of. I also spend a lot of time at the Verdura in southern Sicily, where there had previously been no real tourism of this kind. I took on 500 acres with two kilometres of coastline and we have created something of outstanding beauty and quality. Our next opening will be The Carlton in Milan, that's due to open in November. It's in a great location, on Via della Spiga at the centre of the most fashionable district of Milan and the hotel will reflect the energy of what's a new buzzing European capital. Across our group, we pride ourselves on knowing our locations very well and we can provide unique experiences that most people can't. We see a great demand for extraordinary experiences and for years now we have been working on unique opportunities in partnership with the communities surrounding our hotels. We offer anything from trips up the Etna volcano in Sicily to private visits to the castles of Bavaria. We pride ourselves on being the leading hospitality experts in Europe and can tailor the most interesting visits off the beaten tracks. Food is also very important to what we offer. I don't like three-star Michelin restaurants in hotels. It's pompous and out of date. The food becomes more important than the customer. Our executive chef Fulvio Pierangelini, who was in fact a two-star Michelin chef, oversees all our Italian kitchens. His approach to food is different, using the highest quality, locally sourced produce. His pasta pomodoro basilico, for example, is incredibly simple but Romans come from all over to eat it because it's so special. Ultimately, we believe that delivering a luxury service means being true to our hotels, to our family heritage and to the cities where we operate. We're determined to be seen to be offering only the very best.
New York Post
31-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Seawater-based thalassotherapy is the hottest new spa treatment
On a brisk autumn afternoon, immersed in a 100-degree pool at Italy's Verdura Resort, I admired the lush Sicilian landscape as seawater-filled jets eased my muscles, tightened from long days of travel. I felt I could easily get used to it, and experts on thalassotherapy, a broad category of treatments using seawater, say we all should. 'Seawater is incredibly effective for muscle-skeletal issues. It's anti-inflammatory and also really helpful for skin conditions like eczema. Inhaling aerosols of mineral-rich water in ionized form helps with respiratory issues,' says Dr. Marie Perez Siscar, president of France's national thalassotherapy association, and owner and medical director of the Côté Thalasso spa hotel in Banyuls Sur Mer, France. 4 The mineral-rich seawater at Côté Thalasso in Banyuls Sur Mer, France, promises anti-inflammatory healing. Cote Thalasso Advertisement Dr. Perez Siscar, a former emergency room physician, says that while lake bathing can be pleasant and beneficial, seawater's particular combination of living plankton and trace minerals provides superior results. Rich in calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, the water in Verdura's four outdoor thalassotherapy pools comes from the surrounding sea. It's combined with a slightly oily, mineral-rich water containing mud and salt from the salt marshes in Trapani, on Sicily's northwest coast. 4 Pools at Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy, are quipped with seawater-filled jets. Hotel Photography srl Advertisement 'The therapy works by osmosis, meaning that the skin absorbs all the elements,' explains Luciano Porcu, spa director at Rocco Forte's Sicilian properties, which include Verdura, the Villa Igiea in Palermo and Palazzo Castelluccio in Noto, set to open next year. 'Osmosis of marine salts into the skin and warm water dilates blood stream, helping to detox and reduce water retention.' Verdura's 43,000-square-foot Irene Forte Spa features a large gym, saunas and steam rooms, but its thalassotherapy pools are the main draw. Visitors follow a 90-minute sequence, spending about 15 minutes in each of four pools before repeating the circuit. The first stop is the 100-degree pool, where the salt density is 24%, encouraging muscle relaxation and detoxification, and dilating blood vessels. The second pool, heated to 98 degrees and with a 17% salt density, features waterfall jets targeting areas around the neck and back. The third pool, at 82 degrees, has 10% salinity. The last pool, just 77 degrees with 5% salinity, encourages vascular constriction. 4 The thalassotherapy pools at Italy's Valle dell'Erica in Sardinia boast spectacular views of Corsica. Valle dell'Erica In addition to the pool circuit, Porcu says, the spa's Trapani sea salt body scrubs and algae and mud body wraps help remove impurities and intensify the marine water benefits. Advertisement In Sardinia, the Delphina group runs four other thalassotherapy-centered seaside hotel spas along the island's north coast. At its Valle dell'Erica spa, thalassotherapy pools offer sweeping views of Corsica. High-pressure jets massage everywhere from the bottom of visitors' feet to their shoulders. For the most energetic guests: An ersatz pool-based gym has water-based treadmills, bikes, trampolines and foam weights. 4 New York's own Aire Ancient Baths also offer saline serenity. 'The pressure exerted by the water on the body, combined with movement, creates a massage effect that promotes lymphatic drainage,' says Andrea Brucciani, who directs the spas, explaining that working out in water reduces impact on joints, creating safer conditions for jumping and running. As for New Yorkers hoping to approximate thalassotherapy, the subterranean and candlelit Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca offers an impressively saline option. Among the six pools — ranging from 50 to 102 degrees — Aire's Epsom salt-filled 'flotarium' measures about 35% salinity. The buoyancy, meant to mimic the Dead Sea, provided a restful soak on a recent visit. It was a long way from the vistas of Sicily, but it would do.
