Travel directory for summer 2017

Courtesy Design Hotels

Courtesy CampbellGray Hotels

Victor Besa for The National

Courtesy AVANI Hotels & Resorts

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Jumeirah Vittaveli, the Maldives

Families looking for added privacy and luxury can book a new five-bedroom villa compound at the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort on Bolifushi Island, South Malé Atoll. The Royal Residence can accommodate up to 14 people and has two private swimming pools, its own beach and a teppanyaki-style restaurant. The Sanctuary suite has a king-size bed and walk-in wardrobe with its own living room, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a Talise Spa massage room and a gym. On either side of it are two villas, one king-size and the other with twin beds, while connected to it is a two-storey, two-bedroom guest house. Private chefs as well as a personal photographer and astronomer are also available. Prices start from US$35,000 (Dh128,500) a night. For reservations, call 00960 664 2020 or email [e-mail]

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Ion City Hotel, Reykjavik

The first luxury design hotel in Iceland's capital city opened this month. The 18-room Ion City Hotel is a member of the Berlin-based Design Hotels group and is the sister property of the Ion Adventure Hotel in Nesjavellir, which opened in 2013. Located in the city centre, the hotel has sleek, modern interiors and a North African restaurant called Sumac. Rooms range from 215-square-foot classic rooms to the 810-square-foot Panorama Suite (all suites have saunas), and are decorated in wood, and gunmetal grey and white tones, to complement the surrounding landscape. Designer furniture and Icelandic art complete the stylish picture. Double rooms at the Ion City Hotel cost from €235 (Dh945) per night including taxes

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Luxury Malta landmark reopens after renovation

Travellers to Malta now have a better choice of luxury accommodation with the reopening of The Phoenicia Malta this month. A large-scale renovation and relaunch under the Campbell Gray Hotels portfolio, the hotel is located in Floriana, in the capital city of Valletta. All 136 guest rooms have been refurbished; other facilities include a new outdoor infinity pool, grand ballroom, cafe and an outdoor terrace. A new health club and spa with an indoor swimming pool and a gym is due to open later this year.

Double rooms at the Phoenicia Malta cost from Dh1,834 per night including taxes

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ILTM Arabia debuts in Dubai

International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), a portfolio of global, regional and specialist luxury travel events, reported a successful debut at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in March. Alison Gilmore, portfolio director for ILTM, said: “We were delighted with the inaugural ILTM Arabia, which saw a number of our key international partners as well as some exciting new brands taking part. The Middle East is a crucial source market for luxury travel, and ILTM Arabia has positioned itself as an event to help support that demand. We are looking forward to building on the successful launch.” Dubai-based travel consultant Michael Oracion, senior operations manager for Escapes, said: “Ninety per cent of the exhibitors were fit for the ultra-high-net-worth market that we serve. Meetings were very productive. New relationships were formed, familiar faces were met and new products to offer to our clients were sourced.”

ILTM Arabia will next take place in Dubai on April 22 and 23, 2018

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Europe’s first Avani in Lisbon

Fans of fashion can now check into the new Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel in Portugal. The hotel is the first European hotel under the Avani brand, which is part of the Bangkok-based Minor Hotel Group. The hotel, formerly the Tivoli Jardim, has undergone a €1.5 million (Dh6m) refurbishment and is 15 minutes from the airport. There are 119 guest rooms, a restaurant and outdoor terrace, as well as a state-of-the-art AvaniFit wellness centre.

Double rooms at the Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel cost from €169 (Dh680) per night, including all taxes except for city tax