TOP PICK OF THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

1.      MOUNT NELSON, CAPE TOWN TO WELCOME ‘EDGE’ RESTAURANT RESIDENCY BY CHEF VUSI NDLOVU

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel , Cape Town, will host restaurant EDGE for an exclusive pop-up residency to kick off the Southern summer season. EDGE will take over the 60-seat Oasis Bistro, led by Head Chef Vusi Ndlovu and General Manager Absie Pantshwa, inviting guests to explore Africa on a plate. The chef’s origin inspires the ever-changing menu, which focuses on vibrant regional cuisine and lesser-known African produce. From December 2022 to April 2023, the restaurant will be open for dinner from Wednesday through Sunday.

2.      100 YEARS OF COPACABANA PALACE, RIO DE JANEIRO

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, will celebrate its centenary year in 2023. The 100 do Copa celebrations will kick off with a traditional ‘White & Gold’ New Year’s Eve party, followed by an iconic, star-studded Copa Ball to mark Rio Carnival in February 2023. A year- long series of events and cultural programming will bring together arts, music and gastronomy – carefully curated to pay homage to the hotel’s history and its timeless traditions.

3.      MITICO GOES GLOBAL – BELMOND’S ARTISTIC SERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GALLERIA CONTINUA, LAUNCHES IN THE U.K., SPAIN AND BRAZIL, AND MAKES ITS RETURN TO ITALY

Belmond will deepen its connection with the arts community in 2023 with the expansion of MITICO – an artistic series in partnership with Galleria Continua, across the globe. Following the success of the 2022 first edition in Italy, new installations will debut at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire; La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca; Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro – and return to Belmond properties in Tuscany and Sicily.

4.     MAROMA, RIVIERA MAYA, TO REOPEN IN MAY 2023: A LEGEND REIMAGINED WITH MAYAN CULTURE, DESIGN AND NATURE AT ITS CORE

In May 2023, Mexico will welcome the much-anticipated return of Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, the storied hideaway in the beating heart of the Riviera Maya. Nestled between 200 acres of lush tropical jungle and the secluded white sands of the Caribbean coast, the legendary property has been completely reimagined with Mayan culture at its core. This new chapter of Maroma will reveal 10 new waterfront suites, a nature-focussed wellness experience in partnership with Guerlain, ground-breaking sustainability initiatives and a new gastronomic era under Mexican-born Executive Chef Daniel Camacho.

5.      SPLENDIDO, PORTOFINO ENTERS A NEW CHAPTER:EMBARKING ON A MULTI-PHASE RENOVATION, WITH THE FIRSTREVEAL IN JUNE 2023

The iconic Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino will begin a multi-phase renovation, as it embarks on its next chapter. Taking place over several years, the team will undertake a meticulous restoration of the former 16th-century Benedictine monastery, honouring the history of the building, while sensitively injecting contemporary relevance. Over the course of each summer reopening, the hotel will unveil brand new spaces, with the first phase completed and revealed in June 2023.

6.      THE VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS WILL UNVEIL AGLAMOROUS NEW SUITE CATEGORY FROM JUNE 2023

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe will unveil a new ‘Suites’ cabin category from June 2023 – bringing a luxurious vision of art-deco indulgence to the legend of the rails. Eight new Suites will join the two pre-existing cabin categories, adding a new expression of opulence to the train, steeped in history and cared for with the utmost respect to the craftsmanship of the 1920s and 30s. Inspired by the dramatic landscape unfolding through the train’s picture-windows – the Suites will feature a private marble ensuite bathroom and a lounging area by day, converted to either double or twin beds, by night.

7.      COQUELICOT, A BELMOND BOAT, CHAMPAGNE TO LAUNCH IN MAY 2023

Coquelicot, a Belmond Boat, Champagne will take to the canals in May 2023. Designed by Humbert & Poyet – the new luxury barge will feature three glamorous cabins with ensuite facilities, an indoor salon with an exceptional champagne bar, and an extensive outdoor deck. An exclusive partnership with Maison Ruinart will include private champagne pairing lunches by Maison Ruinart’s Chef In Residence Valérie Radou and Coquelicot Head Chef. For the very first time, Maison Ruinart’s Chef will be cooking a private ‘four hands’ lunch outside of Maison Ruinart. Guests will also have guided tours of the historic Taissy vineyard.