OPENINGS

The best new hotels including two, hot and frisky adult-only spots

Temptations
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NOBU HOTEL MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

 

 

A Rooftop Garden with a view, Nobu, Marrakech Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

If you are planning a trip to Marrakech, you might want to consider the new Nobu Hotel, the first hotel for Nobu in Africa, located in the heart of Marrakech’s “Golden Triangle” in the Hivernage district, steps from souks and the Medina and Djemaa el-Fna square. There are no guest rooms, just suites, 71 at 5 different levels of luxury, all with views of the Atlas Mountains or Koutoubia Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Marrakech. There are 4 dining options, but I think you’ll head straight for the Rooftop Garden, a 360-degree panoramic terrace bar and restaurant with spectacular views and a swimming pool. 

 

The interior design reflects the building’s Moroccan past with local artwork, handmade fixtures and intricate detailing by local craftsmen, infused with modern Japanese style. The Pearl Spa is worth a mention, 2,000 square meters for guests to relax, with a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzis, steam baths, saunas and hammams, a Beauty and Hair Salon. And yes, there is a gym! Relax, already.

 

https://marrakech.nobuhotels.com/

 

 

 

 

THE SOFITEL LEGEND CASCO VIEJO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

 

 

This is the one you want! Photo provided by Wonderlust

 

 

In the Casco Viejo district of Panama City, on a waterfront enclave overlooking the Pacific Ocean, you will find the Sofitel Legend. Upon entering the lobby you see a celebration of the country’s crowning architectural achievement, the Panama Canal. It’s everywhere. The design is nautical, with historic photos, maritime navigation instruments and custom-made sculptures and artwork. There are 159 guest rooms and suites, some with balconies with ocean views. You want those. Five wining and dining options include the Mayda Lobby Bar offering snacks and classic cocktails,  a Mediterranean brasserie, Caleta, and Ammi, a rooftop bar with ocean and city skyline views, Latin music and killer cocktails! The French heritage of the building is recognized throughout in the design with touches of local Panamanian artwork and colorful furnishings. 

 

The Spa offers treatments and therapies inspired by ancestral healing rituals, not something you can get anywhere! And the gym is oceanfront, so you can do the treadmill watching the waves.  

 

www.sofitel-legend-panama.com.

 

 

 

 

RECENTLY OPENED

 

 

MONDRIAN MEXICO CITY CONDESA MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

 

 

 

 

The Mondrian Mexico City is the first Mondrian hotel in Latin America, located in the Condesa neighborhood close to La Roma. With 183 rooms, including two Penthouse suites and 16 luxury suites all with a mural by multi-disciplinary artist Ara Starck, this exquisite luxury hotel is inspired by one of the remaining aqueducts in Mexico City. There are balconies with views of Mexico City’s skyline, which is not bad as city skylines go… The hotel features Cleo Mediterraneo, Skybar, The Flower Shop and La Terraza all serving a variety of culinary delights, exotic cocktails — or just a cup of coffee amid the flowers. With an extensive state-of-the-art (well it has to be doesn’t it!) events and meeting facilities and some impressive murals and sculptures, it’s well worth a visit. Oh, and sorry yes there is a spa and gym. I am sure they are state-of-the-art as well.

 

 https://www.sbe.com/hotels/mondrian/mexico-city-condesa

 

 

 

 

TEMPTATION RESORTS AND TEMPTATION GRAND MICHES, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 

 

 

 

Continuing our Latin America theme, at the beginning of December 2022, the Original Group opened its latest adult-only resort, their first outside of Mexico. Actually, they opened two, a grand affair attended by Luis Abinader, the President of the Dominican Republic and some other important people. I mean, we’re extrapolating here — maybe they weren’t important. Maybe Abinader likes to be the only important person when he goes somewhere… 

 

Both resorts are located in Miches in the El Seibo province. Both have 496 guestrooms and suites — there are 382 suites at Temptation Resort and 114 at Temptation Grand, the latter being exclusively for couples, with clothing-optional areas, a topless-optional pool and several other adult-only, presumably optional, amenities. Temptation Resort is targeting couples and “open-minded” groups of friends. Make of that what you will! The spots are surrounded by the vegetation, beaches and of course the crystal-clear water on the north-east coast. Hope you get out of the room and away from your open-minded friends long enough to see any of it!

 

https://temptationresorts.com/temptation-miches-resort\