Despite a slowdown in recent inquiries and indeed a few client cancellations due to the Delta variant hitting domestically hard, the team at J5 has been on the road in the last few weeks (Vegas and Chicago) and has a fairly intense travel schedule through to December. I remain optimistic that our travels will be safe and I'm basing that on the steep drop in cases in the UK in the last few weeks after they too had shot up due to Delta.

So for much of the remainder of the year, the blog will drop back in to "Trip Report" mode, and you'll receive lots of boots on the ground detail on what it's really like out there.

In as brief an outline as possible...

• Kendall heads to Playa del Carmen this coming weekend for the prestigious Future Leaders in Travel Retreat.
• I head next week to London for almost 3 weeks in England. This will end with a spectacular Virtuoso 4-day event and I am sworn to secrecy on the details still!
• Shanna heads to Tulum, Mexico in late September to visit Unico and Hard Rock Resorts.
• In October, 3 of the team are heading to Phuket, Thailand which is the only SE Asian destination currently open without having to quarantine for a long period of time. We'll report back on how the "Phuket Sandbox" protocols are doing and will be chilling and working in equal measure.
• Finally, in November I will be ticking off a true bucket list item for myself as I head to Namibia for 10 days.

To say the team here is excited for these upcoming adventures is a rather large understatement. Given the unpredictability of the last 18 months, we may have to be flexible, reschedule or even cancel, but we'll continue to report on it all with integrity.

While we wait for our international travel to begin, here's a TOP 5 of new luxury hotels due to open their doors for the very first time in the coming months.

Top 5 - Preview Properties

Our exclusive Virtuoso amenities will apply at all these featured properties

1. Montage Big Sky (above and below)

Opening mid-December 2021.

Epitomizing the peaceful yet adventurous spirit of the Mountain West, Montage Big Sky invites guests to experience the rugged beauty of Montana’s Big Sky Country. Framed by the Spanish Peaks mountain range and located just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, the region’s pre-eminent luxury resort is home to 150 artfully designed guestrooms and suites, 39 finely appointed residences and an unparalleled array of experiences for every season.

And the best news for our clients? Brea, the new sales manager is amazing and is a good friend of ours from her days at Hotel Bennett in Charleston, SC.

2. The Fifth Avenue Hotel (above and below)

Opening February 2022.

This will be a spectacular new boutique property with a realm of imagination created to surprise the senses. The dazzling mirror-clad lobby welcomes you into the enchanting world of The Fifth. Whether it’s the visionary design by Martin Brudinski or the evocative art installations; a nightcap in The Portrait Bar or dancing in The Ballroom; every guest will come away with memories to cherish.

3. Joali Being, Maldives (above and below)

Opening December 2021.

This will possibly be the ultimate wellbeing retreat in the world.

Journey along the path to self-discovery and transformation at JOALI Being, a luxe nature-immersive wellness retreat on the tropical island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll. Here you’ll find 68 private villas, each with their own pool and jadugar (butler), a curated selection of healthy-yet-indulgent sustainably sourced cuisine, and an entire team of naturopaths, nutritionists, therapists, and movement specialists ready to help you return home feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and with a renewed sense of peace.

4. Villa Igiea, Sicily (above and below)

Opened in June this year, but no-one knows about it yet!

Located at the foot of Mount Pellegrino, Villa Igiea is a Mediterranean beachside paradise. Originally opened in 1899, this fabled palazzo – a favorite of royalty and Hollywood luminaries – underwent a very extensive multi-year refurbishment that brings a contemporary flair to the airy rooms and suites while preserving the exquisite art nouveau features. Roam the tiered gardens, lounge by the pool or on the private beach, and dine on the finest Sicilian fare while overlooking the azure waters. Be sure to try the local seafood pasta dishes at Villa Igiea, featuring sumptuous wine pairings and extraordinary beach views.

5. Cheval Blanc Paris, France (above and below)

Opens in 2 weeks!

Bringing a contemporary edge to a historic art deco building, Cheval Blanc Paris will be an exciting new address in the heart of Paris. Sitting at the edge of the Seine, near the Louvre and Notre-Dame, the Maison captures the spirit of the borough – and shows off the Seine through panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests will be met with gracious service and thoughtful amenities. Each of the Maison’s 72 rooms and suites will welcome guests with a residential atmosphere and exceptional views of the city. Four restaurants will include a fine-dining eatery and French brasserie, as well as an all-day dining venue in the lobby. The hotel will also feature the city’s biggest indoor hotel pool and one of Paris's largest spas.

Ready to get traveling and see one of these amazing properties? Let us know by clicking the buttton below. 

I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to be building a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.

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