1. One of the stars of ILTM was The Lutetia which re-opens its fabled doors this month (June). When the Taittinger family, of the famed Champagne brand, bought the Lutetia in the 1950s, it became a hangout for musicians and artists, including the French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and the sculptor César. So the hotel has a very special place in the hearts of Parisians, especially those who frequented the St. Germain-des-Pres area on the Left bank of Paris where the hotel is situated. When Georgi Akirov’s The Set hotel group took over, the notable French architect Jean-Michele Wilmotte, (himself a long-time patron of the Lutetia) was hired to transform the faded hotel without spoiling its history. So for example, the hotel’s cream facade, stained glass windows and the frescoed ceiling in Bar Josephine were all restored. Today the grand palace hotel has 184 beautifully designed bedrooms and suites, including seven signature suites, one wtih a large oak desk designed in honour of the St Germain writers, and another with a terrace with 360 degree views of Paris.The famous Brasserie reopens in September, with the three-Michelin-starred French chef Gerald Passedat, (of Le Petit Nice, Marseille) overseeing the cuisine. A new swimming pool and expansive spa complete the transformation. www.hotellutetia.com

 

2. The newly opened Six Senses Duxton was the hotel that luxury aficionados wanted to head to after hours.The Anouska Hempel-designed boutique hotel in historic China town is the hotel that Singapore needed, a welcome relief from skyscraper luxury. Already its restaurant and moody bar are attracting the Asian cool-crowd. TLTB can report the food is fabulous, the walls are sesame-black and Hempel’s own golden pots fill the lobby. Coming next to Singapore; Six Senses Maxwell opening in October 2018. www.sixsenses.com

  Six Senses Duxton

  The Muraka

5. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island's impressive The Muraka Villa opens in November 2018: ‘Muraka’ means coral in the native language of Dhivehi. The two-floor structure, is being billed as the first underwater villa because it has a submerged bedroom. On the upper floors there is a master and twin-bed sleeping areas, an open-plan living area and space for a butler’s room and security. There's also a private infinity pool, and wide, sunrise-facing deck. The villa is being created by New Zealander Mike Murphy of M.J. Murphy aquarium engineering. www.conradmaldives.com