Travel News: Openings, Renovations, and New Trips to Book This Week
The buzziest happenings in the world of travel.

Nantucket’s White Elephant Introduces the Lilly Pulitzer Cottage
Fans of fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer’s bright colors and floral prints can now stay in a room decorated in her signature style. Opening for the season April 12, the Lilly Pulitzer Cottage at White Elephant pairs Pulitzer’s Palm Beach aesthetic with a blue and white color scheme and decorative accents such as hand-shelled mirrors, woven baskets, and original framed artwork by a Lilly-approved print artist. Guests checking into the one-bedroom cottage receive their own Lilly Pulitzer beach tote in a limited edition Nantucket print. From $350; whiteelephanthotel.com.

The Mayfair Hotel Los Angeles Reopens
Downtown L.A.’s historic Mayfair Hotel reemerges mid-April from a top-to-bottom redesign. Lauded architect Gulla Jónsdóttir is responsible for the glamorous new look of the 295-room property. The hotel’s Roaring Twenties vintage comes through in the original flooring, brass fixtures, and fluted charcoal-colored column pillars. Artist-in-residence Kelly “Risk” Graval, a popular graffiti artist, has selected pieces that give the hotel a modern, edgy vibe. Locals and guests can mingle in unique public spaces including an al fresco cigar patio, custom podcast studio, communal writing room, and library bar. Chef Scott Commings, winner of Hell’s Kitchen, will helm the restaurant. From $175; mayfairla.com.

Massachusetts' Blantyre Re-Launches April 17
Blantyre, a historic retreat in Lenox, Massachusetts, joins prestigious New England hotels including the Ocean House, Weekapaug Inn, and Watch Hill Inn, as part of the Ocean House Management Collection. The property re-launches this month following a multimillion-dollar renovation. Nestled on 110 scenic acres the countryside estate is one of the twelve remaining gilded mansions in the Berkshires that opened at the turn of the century. Blantyre’s transformation honors the property’s rich heritage, marrying classic design with modern amenities. The aesthetics will reflect old-world glamour with chic and comfortable touches throughout the resort’s public spaces, eight Main House Suites, 11 Carriage House Suites, and four expansive Cottages. A highlight of the refresh is a new restaurant, Blantyre Bistro, which will showcase local ingredients in a French bistro setting. From $350; blantyre.com.

Auberge Resorts Collection Introduces Coast to Countryside Adventure
Auberge Resorts has created a new sea-to-mountain travel experience pairing its two luxury resorts in Central America. The six-night offering begins in southern Costa Rica at AltaGracia. The hacienda-style estate in the rugged mountains of Perez Zeledon is the perfect base for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. After three nights, guests will fly by private charter transfer to Mukul. The luxe resort on the Emerald Coast of Nicaragua fronts four miles of pristine beach and boasts world-class surfing, an 18-hole David McLay Kidd-designed golf course, and a world-class spa. Six nights from $6,310 based on two people; altagracia.aubergeresorts.com.

Borgo Egnazia Launches New Expanded Wellness Program
This Spring, Borgo Egnazia, a romantic retreat in Puglia, Italy, launches a new wellness program in conjunction with their award-winning Vair Spa. Guests can now choose from three retreats focusing on yoga, local dance, and outdoor activities. Fùre, meaning “outside” in local Apulian dialect, is a Bootcamp-style package that combines outdoor physical activity, such as olive tree-climbing and dry-stone wall jumping, as well as unique indoor activities including Pizzica (a popular Apulian folk dance), table tennis, and Iyengar Yoga. The women’s-only Tarrant retreat combines traditional dance with music therapy, yoga, and spa treatments. A third program combines Iyengar yoga with a Mediterranean diet. From $2,090 per person; borgoegnazia.com.

Book Now: Butterfield & Robinson Launches New Tanzania Walking Safari
Active travelers who get antsy sitting in a safari Jeep will love Butterfield & Robinson’s new Tanzania trip. The eight-day itinerary combines walking and traditional game drives. Guests will depart on a three-night trek from the Ngoro Ngoro Crater, the world’s largest, unbroken and un-flooded volcanic caldera, to Lake Natron. Stay at Lemala Ngoro Ngoro's tented camp and uber-luxe Singita Faru in the Grumeti Reserve to bookend the trip. $12,995 per person for double accommodation; butterfield.com.

Hotel Bellevue Introduces a Special Art Package
To celebrate World Art Day on April 15, Hotel Bellevue in Dubrovnik, Croatia is offering an Art Discovery Package that gives guests access to some of Eastern Europe’s most exceptional art and culture. Carved into a cliffside overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the 91-room hotel is just a ten-minute walk to the medieval city center. Guests who book the three-night package receive a Dubrovnik Card, which acts as a pass to museums including the Cultural and Historical Museum, Maritime Museum, Natural History Museum, Rupe Ethnographic Museum, and Art Gallery Dubrovnik, housed in a former presidential mansion. Package from $420; adriaticluxuryhotels.com.
Become a DEPARTURES VIP
Join our Weekly Newsletter