With the spring weather providing ideal conditions for outdoor exploration, this year’s Eid Al Fitr roadmap is defined by a desire for regenerative travel and community connection. Whether it’s a high-tech wellness retreat in Macau or an ultra-all-inclusive coastal escape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the following selection of new openings and rebranded sanctuaries represents the new frontier of luxury for the modern GCC traveller
Mapito Safari Camp opens in the Serengeti
Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection has opened near the Fort Ikoma gate of Serengeti National Park, marking the brand’s first safari camp. The property features 15 tented suites and one two-bedroom villa, each with private decks overlooking the Serengeti plains. Suites include retractable canvas roofs for stargazing and in-room telescopes, while the villa offers expansive indoor-outdoor living, a private pool, and dedicated dining space.
Designed by Arusha-based Dunia Designs, the camp showcases Tanzanian craftsmanship through collaborations with local, female-led artisan cooperatives, incorporating handmade textiles, beadwork, glassware, and recycled sculptural elements.
Guests can enjoy sunrise hot-air balloon rides, guided game drives to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and giraffes, and carefully managed night safaris. Cultural experiences in nearby Robanda Village offer hands-on workshops with Ikoma artisans.
Dining at Njia Restaurant highlights seasonal produce from the camp’s garden, complemented by lounge, bar and traditional Boma experiences. Wellness facilities include a spa inspired by African healing traditions, a gym, yoga sessions and a rim-flow pool.
Committed to responsible tourism, the camp supports local healthcare initiatives and employs 90 per cent Tanzanian staff. It is accessible via Fort Ikoma Airstrip, a short flight from Kilimanjaro.
Capella elevates luxury
at Galaxy Macau
Capella at Galaxy Macau has officially opened, introducing an ultra-luxury retreat within the Galaxy Macau integrated resort in Macau SAR. The property marks a significant milestone for both Galaxy Entertainment Group and Capella Hotel Group, offering an intimate residential-style sanctuary designed for discerning premium guests. Comprising just 95 suites and penthouses, Capella at Galaxy Macau maintains a low key-count to ensure privacy, exclusivity and highly personalised service.
Designed by Paris-based studio Moinard Bétaille, the hotel features a distinctive gilded jungle concept inspired by Macau’s tropical landscape, blending soft architectural curves, handcrafted details and immersive art installations. Suites start at 128 square metres, while expansive two- and four-bedroom penthouses – among the largest in Southern China – offer private terraces, pools and bespoke amenities.
Guests benefit from 24-hour butler service, in-suite check-in, curated cultural experiences led by Capella Culturists, and seamless access to Galaxy Macau’s extensive amenities and entertainment offerings. Dining concepts include Botanica, led by Executive Chef Stephen Hsu, and whisky bar Pony & Plume, with an additional fine-dining restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Vicky Cheng set to open in 2026. The opening reinforces Galaxy Macau’s positioning as a premier luxury destination in Asia and globally.
Fairmont debuts in
Vietnam
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of Accor, has opened Fairmont Hanoi, marking the brand’s debut in Vietnam. Located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, steps from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the hotel features 241 guest rooms, including 38 Fairmont Gold rooms and 12 suites, blending Vietnamese heritage with contemporary design by Perkins Eastman and Aston Design.
Positioned as a new social and lifestyle hub for the capital, the property offers eight restaurants and bars, including concepts led by Celebrity Chef Luke Nguyen and Michelin-starred Chef Nicolas Isnard. Wellness facilities include the 38,000 sq.ft Cirua Spa, Fitness & Wellness Club, featuring hydrotherapy, thermal facilities, treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art gym, creating a comprehensive urban sanctuary.
The Sirēya Desaru Coast rebrands as Mandarin Oriental
The Sirēya Desaru Coast, the 128-acre beachfront and rainforest retreat in Johor, Malaysia, has been rebranded as Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast under Mandarin Oriental’s management, marking the group’s expansion across Southeast Asia.
Located along a 1.5-kilometre coastline and surrounded by rainforest, the resort features 44 spacious suites and one Four-Bedroom Pool Villa. Each suite, starting from 105 square metres, includes a private plunge pool, courtyard and veranda overlooking the sea or rainforest. Designed to reflect Malaysian culture and craftsmanship, the property integrates nature into its architecture, dining, recreation and wellness experiences while delivering Mandarin Oriental’s signature service.
Wellness is anchored by two signature rituals inspired by local traditions, alongside Augustinus Bader facials, a 24-hour fitness centre, yoga facilities and multiple pools, including a 56-metre infinity pool. Family facilities include a Kids Club, Creative Studio and immersive nature-based programmes.
Culinary offerings are led by Executive Chef Ahmad Fazli Abdulrahman, with Ambara highlighting seasonal Malaysian ingredients and Ember Beach Club offering Asian-style barbecue.
Printemps targets Middle East luxury travellers
Printemps Haussmann is positioning itself as a landmark luxury shopping destination in Paris for Middle East travellers, offering more than traditional retail. Located in the heart of the French capital, the iconic department store blends heritage, curated experiences and highly personalised service tailored to international clientele.
The experience is built around seamless, premium services designed specifically for travellers from the region. These include dedicated personal shopping, Arabic-speaking advisors, access to the private VIP lounge Le Salon, simplified on-site VAT refunds with instant credit, and hotel delivery of purchases within Paris. For ultra-high-net-worth clients, Suite Augustine offers an invitation-only private shopping space, delivering exclusivity comparable to Parisian palace hospitality.
Two year-round Always-On shopping experiences have been created specifically for Middle East customers. Both include a 5 per cent discount (excluding select brands) and a 12 per cent VAT refund processed on-site, allowing clients to benefit immediately. Guests also receive a complimentary gourmet break in one of Printemps’ 18 restaurants. The premium version further enhances the journey with a dedicated Arabic-speaking personal shopper, VIP lounge access, and full VAT refund handling.
Rixos Murjana debuts in Saudi Arabia
Rixos Murjana opened in February 2026 in King Abdullah Economic City, establishing itself as Saudi Arabia’s largest ultra-all-inclusive resort and a landmark addition to the Red Sea coast. Supported by the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), the project underscores the Kingdom’s drive to diversify tourism and elevate hospitality standards under Vision 2030.
The resort features 488 rooms and suites, many with sea views, alongside 33 villas, including the ultra-exclusive Club Privé by Rixos with private butler service, a dedicated Club House and Beach Club. Inspired by Hijazi coastal architecture, the design blends local heritage with contemporary elements.
Rixos Murjana brings together extensive leisure, wellness and entertainment facilities within one destination. Highlights include Murjana Waterpark - Saudi Arabia’s first fully integrated hotel waterpark - with 11 attractions, as well as the longest swimming pools in the Middle East. The award-winning Anjana Spa offers 12 treatment rooms, steam rooms, saunas and couple’s suites.
Dining spans multiple international concepts, while family and adult-focused facilities position the resort as a new benchmark for ultra-all-inclusive luxury in the region, offering a fully integrated coastal escape that combines entertainment, relaxation and elevated hospitality experiences for international and domestic travellers alike.