The best places to visit in 2024

Looking for the best places to visit in 2024? At #legend, we are too. Luckily, there are several incredible hotels and resorts set to make their debut this year. As Stephenie Gee discovers, the best really is yet to come

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, Thailand

This summer, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will transform the lush tropical gardens of Nai Lert Park in the city’s heart. The renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston has designed the property, blending Aman’s signature serene aesthetic with traditional Thai influences that pay homage to the local heritage and history. It comprises 39 Aman-branded residences, occupying floors 11 to 36, offering an elevated living experience synonymous with the Aman lifestyle; and a 52-key all-suite Aman Hotel. Each suite offers views of the park and the skyline, with access to extraordinary facilities, including three culinary concepts (the signature Italian and two Japanese), a jazz bar and, of course, a spa. We’re living in a time when personal well-being is more important than ever, and the property’s expansive Aman Wellness, spanning 1,500 sqm, will offer a much-needed respite.

Capella Taipei, Taiwan

Opening in the pulsating Songshan district in the winter of 2024, Capella Taipei is an 86-key urban sanctuary offering a unique blend of culture and relaxation. Conceived by André Fu Studio, this “modern mansion” – a concept born out of Fu’s own personal reflection of the city – whispers tales of luxury and intimacy. As ever with Capella, you can expect exceptional dining and drinking. The Grill will serve up farm-to-table produce via a French-inspired seasonal menu, while the Patisserie will sling artisanal breads and house-roasted coffee. You’ll also find authentic Cantonese cuisine with Taiwanese influences, and a Japanese omakase restaurant. Additionally, a two-storey mixology-focused bar on the ground floor will whip up a melange of sophisticated tipples. When it’s time to unwind, the second floor is equipped with a host of wellness facilities including four treatment rooms, a fitness studio and an outdoor heated pool. The treatments, meanwhile, are inspired by traditional practices and provide the hotel brand’s signature offerings based on the phases of the moon. Just mere minutes from the 101 area, the signature “Capella Culturists,” aka concierges, will also be on hand to help curate local trips and experiences.

Cheval Blanc Seychelles

Luxury hospitality brand Cheval Blanc is set to unveil its sixth Cheval Blanc Maison in Seychelles this fall. Nestled along Mahé island’s Anse Intendance beach, the new location, designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, pays homage to Creole traditions as well as its natural surroundings. The modern retreat will house 52 villas, each complete with a private swimming pool and sweeping views of the beachfront, hillside or tropical jungle. Artistry will be celebrated across the property, with custom-made pieces showcased throughout. At arrival, Centauresse, a sculpture by French artist Prune Nourry, rises from a pond amidst banyan trees, while the walls of each villa are marked by artwork by Malagasy artist Joël Andrianomearisoa. In one of the hotel’s restaurants, a glazed ceramic fresco by ceramist Maximilien Pellet recalls a convivial Etruscan banquet. The culinary experience at Cheval Blanc Seychelles will include Mizumi, a lakeside Asian restaurant; Vivamento, a vibrant pool-facing Italian eatery; and Sula, a Mediterranean beach club; as well as signature concepts including French restaurant Le 1947 and Le White. The forthcoming Seychelles Maison will also offer a collection of Guerlain well-being rituals at the Spa Cheval Blanc, along with a pool, fitness room, surf simulator, tennis courts and padel courts.

Also see: Allan Zeman on his luxury resorts

Soneva Secret, Maldives

Located in the remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Soneva Secret is the Maldives’ most exclusive new escape. Some 30 years in the making, Soneva Secret epitomises the pinnacle of hospitality, sticking to what it does best – sustainability, bespoke service and nature- inspired design – just ramped up a notch. Take the accommodation – there are 14 beach and over-water villas, including the lagoon Crusoe Villas, accessible only by boat; and the Maldives’ first floating villa, appropriately named the Castaway. Alongside clever design touches such as sliding roofs in the master suites to reveal starry night skies, nature will play a key role at Soneva Secret, with the Maldives’ signature mosaic of blue water
and flour-soft white sand a barefoot step away. All about curating “rare experiences”, Soneva Secret houses 14 private chefs – one per villa – who will grant your every gastronomic wish in the comfort of your villa. Should you wish to venture out, there is Out of This World, a dining tower, observatory and wine cellar in the lagoon, reachable by zipline; a toes-in-the-sand firepit dining experience at So Primitive; and The Living Room, the island hub and casual dining and lounge venue, which is also home to a library, boutique and Soneva’s renowned ice cream, chocolate, and cheese and charcuterie rooms.

Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Boasting over 34,000 sqm, this 70-key property is set to bring new life to the pristine coastline of Labuan Bajo. Slated to open later this month, every aspect of Ta’aktana – by Marriott – pays homage to the traditions and culture of the extraordinary island of Flores, once a sleepy fishing village, as part
of its commitment to holistic sustainability. The resort layout, for example, is designed like lingko, the spider web-shaped rice paddy fields unique to Flores. Or, the contemporary interiors, conceived by Bali- and Singapore- based studio A&Partners, enriched with motifs that honour Labuan Bajo’s heritage, like tenun (a customary technique of creating fabric by hand-weaving colourful threads) tapestries. When it comes to recharging between jaunts, the hotel offers several spots to unwind beyond your personal quarters. Whether you prefer lounging by the Olympic-sized swimming pool, indulging at one of the five dining venues, or revelling in breathtaking sunsets from the overwater bar, there’s something for everyone.

The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Dubai

The Lana in downtown Dubai is the first Dorchester Collection hotel in the Middle East. The 225 ultra-luxurious guest rooms and suites ooze contemporary chic, with luxe interiors (think stone parquet flooring, dark marble, rounded furniture and triple- height ceilings overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa) designed by famed Parisian duo, Gilles & Boissier. Aside from the impressive 30-storey architecture, courtesy of Foster + Partners, the hotel’s facilities include the UAE’s first Dior Spa, an infinity rooftop pool with unmatched vistas of the city and desert beyond, and eight new restaurants – four of which are in collaboration with Michelin-lauded chefs. That includes Martín Berasategui’s debut Middle Eastern restaurant, Jara; acclaimed French chef Jean Imbert’s two new concepts, Riviera and High Society; and the award-winning pastry chef Angelo Musa’s Parisian-style pâtisserie, Bonbon Café. The rooftop pool on the 30th floor will feature cabana service during the day and, come nightfall, the space will transform into a lounge and Dubai’s hottest nightlife destination for revelry under the stars.

Also see: Aman sibling Janu unveils its inaugural hotel in Tokyo