Ryan Reynolds is Yas Island Abu Dhabi’s new chief island officer.
11.04.2024 - 15:01 / forbes.com / Rafael Nadal
Looking to do something unique this summer? Skip crowded cities like Paris and Rome and consider a chic (and much less crowded) island getaway off the coast of Spain.
This summer, United Airlines is making it easier for Americans to explore Spain’s picturesque Balearic and Canary Islands with the return of its popular direct flights from Newark International Airport (EWR). From May 23 to September 24, United offers three times a week direct flights to Palma de Mallorca (PMI), and from June 1 to September 24, the airline operates direct flights three times a week to Tenerife South Airport (TFS).
There’s never been a better time to check out Spain’s idyllic islands. Best of all, there are lots of tempting hotel options to choose from. From the newly opened Zel brand, developed in partnership with tennis legend Rafael Nadal, to the energy-efficient, eco-luxe Villa le Blanc, located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Menorca, travelers have a variety of stellar properties to choose from. Here are 8 properties to consider for an island-hoping trip to Spain this summer.
Villa Le Blanc
Set in Spain’s breathtaking Balearic Islands in Menorca, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Villa Le Blanc by Gran Meliá opened in July 2022 and prides itself on being amount the company’s most environmentally responsible hotels. Each of the 159 guest rooms at this eco-luxe hotel comes with private balconies, some even have private pools and rooftops. The hotel, which looks out onto the stunning Mediterranean Sea, features a captivating mix of stone, wood, lightweight fabrics, linens, and goldwork, all made by local artisans. Communal areas are infused with energy through the use of bright hues and distinctive artworks, reflecting the creative vision of architect Álvaro Sans and his daughter Adriana Sans from ASAH studio, who favor a minimalist aesthetic with a focus on fine details.
ZEL Mallorca
The new lifestyle hotel brand developed by Meliá Hotels International and tennis legend Rafael Nadal opened its first location last summer in Mallorca, Spain. Located in the hometown of both Nadal and Meliá, ZEL Mallorca celebrates the beauty and energy of the Mediterranean lifestyle, with a focus on spacious indoor-outdoor social areas.
The patio, an essential element of Mediterranean architecture, is the heart of ZEL Mallorca and serves as the epicenter of the hotel’s energy. The patio functions as a lobby as it interconnects the different areas of the property, creating a sense of freedom through open-air living. Upon entering, the first thing you will notice is the absence of a traditional reception area as ZEL is inspired by a Mediterranean home. Instead, the patio offers a store where you can buy exclusive products from both
Ryan Reynolds is Yas Island Abu Dhabi’s new chief island officer.
Experience Turks and Caicos is thrilled to announce a significant surge in air arrivals from the United Kingdom to the Turks and Caicos Islands, marking a positive turn in our tourism landscape. While the United States remains our primary tourism source, the rise in visitors from the UK during the initial months of this year is truly encouraging. From January to March 2024, we welcomed 3,946 arrivals from the UK and Europe, representing a remarkable 105.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge can largely be attributed to the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s non-stop flight from Heathrow, London to Providenciales on November 4th, 2023.
While iconic Caribbean dishes span from ackee and saltfish to coucou and flying fish to mofongo, each island across the region is united by one common spirit: rum, to be precise. Derived from fermented and distilled molasses, this alcoholic beverage has played a major role in Caribbean culture for centuries, with the world’s oldest surviving rum distillery deed dating back to 1703 and hailing from Barbados. In the modern era, the spirit also serves as a major draw for tourism, with the Caribbean’s most opulent hotels and resorts offering carefully-curated rum experiences for visitors to enjoy. As you plan your next booze-focused foray into the region, don’t miss out on these world-class hotels.
Michelin announced its top picks for U.S. hotels Wednesday, using its new hotel “key” system. Only a small number of hotels across seven cities made the cut.
Just when folks may have been wondering if Hyatt and its popular World of Hyatt loyalty program were losing some luster, the hotel giant's Mr & Mrs Smith acquisition rollout shows this is no hotel loyalty underdog.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards , who blogs about her family's travels around the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Thousands of people protested in Tenerife on Saturday calling for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals.
The pitch is for tropical paradise: turquoise waters that lap a pristine shoreline fringed by lush, mist-streaked greenery. Philippine property giant Megaworld extolls on its Facebook page the virtues of Palawan island, the largest of a 1,780-island group by the same name that hangs to the left of the island nation in the Pacific. Here, Megaworld is pursuing its most complex project yet, a resort and residential estate that will be the island’s biggest real estate development to date.
Thousands took part in a Saturday protest against tourism growth in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.
These three islands off the coast of Lombok are the ultimate tropical escape, where you can fully disconnect amongst the palm trees and powdery beaches. Thanks to a ban on motor vehicles, the islands feel like a whole world away from Bali’s crowded streets, allowing you to soak up the peaceful atmosphere no matter when you visit.
Marriott and IHG each announced Monday their latest expansion plans in Europe. Marriott set its sights on adding nearly 100 hotels by 2026, while IHG signed a deal to add more than 100 in Germany.