Outside the Ol Seki Hemingways Mara luxury safari camp, I felt as if I had stepped into another world. Perched on the edge of a Kenyan nature reserve, the camp offers front-row views of the great wildebeest migration. My day began with a melodic Maasai greeting, a cup of Kenyan tea and sweet cookies, then an early-morning hot-air balloon ride followed by a Champagne bush breakfast.
The camp’s new 10-tent compound holds a silver eco-rating from the Eco-Tourism Society of Kenya and places a strong emphasis on personalized service. “Luxury vacationers today don’t want a schedule,” said Melinda Rees, camp manager, from the camp’s tented dining room furnished in natural woods and white canvas. While guests commonly arrive with phones—the camp provides Wi-Fi—many quickly unplug once the sweeping plains of the Maasai Mara come into view.
New remote luxury properties in Kenya are tapping into a growing trend of working with local communities. Ol Seki, which means “sandpaper tree,” sits on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in the Naboisho Conservancy, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife areas.
Welcome to a new era of luxury hotels. Beyond fine linens and impeccable service, modern luxury properties increasingly offer immersive, experience-driven programming. Travel experts note continued interest in luxury openings worldwide, fueled by newly built hotels and renovated classics enhancing their guest offerings.
“Overall we’re seeing a heightened interest in luxury hotels both in the U.S. and among American and international travelers alike,” said Taylor Cole of Hotels.com, pointing to a wave of new developments and upgraded amenities that attract discerning travelers.
Renowned designer Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston International Architects, who helped launch multiple hotels this year, emphasized that design must prioritize guest satisfaction. “Most guests are used to having everything, so when they arrive they expect even more. Today’s guests want spas, outstanding food and beverage, and meaningful activities,” he said.
Gathy’s recent work includes the 45-villa Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives, a Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy property that opened in 2013 and quickly became a top Indian Ocean retreat. The resort blends traditional and contemporary styles, offers a team of “alchemists” to design bespoke experiences, and features an exclusive Guerlain spa on its own island.
Luxury brands continue expanding across Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, while established names such as The Peninsula and The Ritz-Carlton introduce tailored guest programs to elevate stays with curated local experiences.
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage cliff-side fire pit © The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
At home, Greater Palm Springs is experiencing a hotel renaissance. The region has welcomed a string of luxury openings, including The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage—its first U.S. opening in four years—as well as the Triad Palm Springs from Marriott’s Autograph Collection and the boutique ARRIVE Palm Springs from Ezra Callahan, slated to open in the Uptown Design District.
“The appeal is we have everything to offer,” said Joyce Kiehl of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, noting a new generation of visitors arriving for festivals such as Coachella and Modernism Week. “Greater Palm Springs is on the move. There’s a fresh energy in the air.”
Set in the Coachella Valley, the 244-room Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage embraces the desert lifestyle with panoramic views, water features and fire elements. The hotel also plans to link guests to the community through its Give Back Getaways program. “Volunteering is at the heart of our award-winning Community Footprints programs,” said Sue Stephenson, vice president of Community Footprints at The Ritz-Carlton, adding that details for the Rancho Mirage volunteer opportunities were being finalized.
New York City also has a busy pipeline, with dozens of hotels coming online and notable openings such as the Park Hyatt New York in Midtown, a mixed-use high-rise designed by Christian de Portzamparc that offers generously sized rooms and a prime location near Carnegie Hall and Central Park.
Brand messaging increasingly centers on personalization. Jamie Rothfeld of Hyatt explained that campaigns like the “Luxury List” encourage guests to share personal images and stories, reinforcing the idea that true luxury is tailor-made for each traveler.
Classic destinations are also being reimagined. On Cape Cod, Plymouth now hosts the Mirbeau Inn & Spa at The Pinehills, a 50-room property that channels a romantic French country aesthetic with a Monet-themed garden and antiques from the South of France. Guests show growing interest in culinary experiences, spending time with chefs to learn new techniques and flavors, according to general manager Natalie Ward.
In Paris, The Peninsula transformed a 19th-century Neoclassical building near the Arc de Triomphe into a 200-room urban retreat, blending restored historic details with modern technology. The hotel’s Peninsula Academy offers immersive local experiences in art, cuisine, fashion and culture for travelers who seek a deeper connection to the city.
The Peninsula Paris exterior © Peninsula Paris
In the United Kingdom, the City of Bath—celebrated as Britain’s original spa destination—added The Gainsborough Bath Spa to its luxury offerings. The property plans to feature private spa sessions, wine tasting, cookery classes, guided walks and performances at the Theatre Royal, creating a well-rounded program for visitors.
Butler service remains a hallmark of high-end hospitality. “You cannot have a luxury vacation without butler service,” said Robert Watson of the Guild of Professional English Butlers. A dedicated butler smooths the details, tending to guests’ needs so they can truly relax and enjoy their stay.
Back in Kenya under a canopy of stars, I thought of Karen Blixen and the Ngong Hills. My night in Nairobi at Hemingways Nairobi—located in the affluent Karen neighborhood near Blixen’s former home—offered boutique elegance and understated sophistication. The next morning my butler, Enock, arrived with coffee and sightseeing suggestions, while I lingered over a well-worn copy of Out of Africa, entranced by the same hills that inspired the writer.