Where to go in spring
From city breaks to rural staycations, these are the best new hotel openings to book for spring, says KATIE BERRINGTON
Bumthang Valley, Bhutan
Bhutan is busy in spring, and for good reason: the weather is dry and warm – optimum conditions for hiking and trekking – and the verdant landscape blossoms. Plus, many of the country’s cultural festivities take place between March and May. Already a jewel in the crown of the hotel scene in this South Asian country, Six Senses has now added a sixth spectacular lodge to its Bhutan offerings (all of which are rooted in sustainable practices and vary in style across the different valleys). The most recently unveiled is in the Bumthang Valley and is a “forest within a forest”, featuring eight spacious suites nestled in the district’s dense blue pines.
Mallorca, Spain
Just outside peak summer season is a spectacular time to visit the largest of the Balearic Islands: temperatures are warm but not too hot, the streets are lively but not crowded, and the landscape is coming into colorful bloom. Opening in the southeasterly “gold-stone village” of Santanyí this spring, Can Ferrereta is a curated townhouse restored from a magnificent 17th-century home and set amidst lush grounds. With beautifully designed rooms and suites, Can Ferrereta also boasts a Mediterranean restaurant serving delicious, seasonal, locally sourced dishes, as well as a serene spa featuring indoor and outdoor pools and a hammam.
New York, USA
New York changes its persona by season, and when the snow melts and spring is in the air, the city wakes up with a sense of rejuvenation. Destined to be a new “urban sanctuary” in the city, the Aman New York opening will bring the brand’s signature tranquillity to midpoint Manhattan this year. Housed in the Crown Building, the former Museum of Modern Art has been returned to its Gilded Age grandeur. With a jazz bar and garden terrace overlooking Central Park, as well as three storeys dedicated to the Aman Spa (including a swimming pool surrounded by fire pits), this is a stunning restoration.
Kalahari Basin, Namibia
The climate in Namibia is split into two seasons, and the period between March and May falls towards the end of Namibia’s wet summer period and into the dry winter months. This means rainfall has decreased and daytime temperatures are still warm to mild, which makes it the ideal time to visit this part of Africa. Habitas Namibia has launched a majestic 50,000-hectare nature reserve this year, where traditional safari experiences will be offered alongside live local music, wellbeing sessions and cooking workshops. As well as a program of conservation efforts, Habitas Namibia is committed to eco-conscious practices in the design of its nature-immersed lodges.
Copenhagen, Denmark
For those looking to avoid peak crowds and temperatures, spring is the best season to visit Copenhagen. And if you’re going to this cosmopolitan city, there is no better place to stay than Villa Copenhagen. Once the headquarters of the Danish post office, the historic location exudes stately appeal with a social atmosphere. Ideally situated next to Tivoli Gardens (where rides reopen in late March), in the heart of the city, Villa Copenhagen’s ethos is dedicated to sustainable luxury – for example, its rooftop swimming pool is heated by the building’s excess heat.