Elite Traveler March-April 2015

55 elite traveler MAR/APR 2015 ISSUE 2

Stay at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives before the end of April and you can enlist the services of the world’s only "Healer in Residence". Think one-on-one energy readings, private spiritual assessments and personalized shamanic healing. Contact Hannah George, spa manager on +960 660 0304. soneva.com

Cuba, with its socialist ideals and crumbling architecture, may not seem an obvious destination for the affluent traveler. But the island is being tipped for big things. “We’re seeing a huge increase in bookings and the private jet airport is very busy,” says Johnny Considine, sale director for Esencia Experiences, which arranges exclusive vacations on the island. Although luxury accommodation is thin on the ground, forthcoming openings – from Aman, Chedi and Kempinski – will redress the balance. For now, Considine says, “We tend to book people into amazing private villas and penthouses,” such as the one pictured above, which is owned by a Swiss fashion designer. The time lapse between the lifting of sanctions and arrival of the five stars makes fertile ground for astute private developers. “It’s a really great destination for people interested in mixing a holiday with investment or philanthropy, but it’s still really hard to spend money. We can create the most wonderful experience for around $800 to $900 a night.” esenciaexperiences.com ON THE RADAR: CUBA

Watergate affair

The sensational history of the iconic Watergate Hotel, on the banks of the Potomac river in the US capital, will be a hot story for all the right reasons when the hotel reopens this summer following a $125m investment from Euro Capital Properties. The bold, curvy building, designed by Luigi Moretti in 1961, has been completely overhauled internally by modern-day auteur Ron Arad, who has bought his bold, industrial taste to play in the 348 rooms, most with river views. Price: Doubles from $450 a night. thewatergatehotel.com

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TAKE FIVE ///// SPAS You don’t have to forego exploration just because you prefer to relax. These new spas offer pampering and respite in some of the world’s emerging wellbeing destinations

KiChic NORTHERN PERU The charming, surfy beach spot of Máncora is just starting to gain recognition among the boho jet set. KiChic is a diminutive hotel that opened last year with a wellbeing outlook encompassing yoga on the roof, massages in a "Holy Moments" space and a host of organic products. kichic.com

Fairmont Baku AZERBAIJAN The controversial city is trying hard to shake off its business-only mantel. The Fairmont hotel’s two-floor spa by ESPA is set within the city’s unique "flame towers" building and is an indulgent, expensively-fitted space worthy of oligarchs and the most discerning spa goers. fairmont.com/baku/spa

Cape Weligama SRI LANKA At the forefront of Sri Lanka’s post-war hotel boom is Cape Weligama, the 40-villa escape on the south west coast. Spa treatments featuring local teas and spices take place in the villa, some of the largest on the island, and the infinity pool looks out across

Anantara Bazaruto MOZAMBIQUE The beautiful and little- known Bazaruto archipelago is now home to a couple of high-end escapes. The Anantara is the biggest with 44 rooms. The spa here is a romantic, open-air spot with Thai-inspired treatments and opportunities for whale watching while you’re being massaged. bazaruto.anantara.com/

Al Bustan Palace OMAN The new Six Senses spa at the indulgent Ritz-Carlton resort will combine a leave-no-trace ethos, with sybaritic treatments drawing on local Arabian influences when it opens next month. Guests can bathe in an outdoor mountainside bath or enjoy the country’s only private, women-only beach. ritzcarlton.com

the Laccadive Sea. capeweligama.com