Brave New World: 8 Forward-Thinking Destinations That Need To Be On Your Travel Bucket List
Time travel without leaving this orbit thanks to these fantastical, forward thinking destinations
Be it through design, the use of technology or the adherence to a particular ethos, hospitality has always been a hotbed of innovation. The post-pandemic return to travel saw a seismic shift in guest expectations with the need for less contact leading to increased touchless and automated features.
Soon, however, instead of creating your desired ambience at the touch of a button, your room will be able to read your mind and do it for you, and instead of heading to the concierge desk, a virtual assistant will send you personalised recommendations based on your digital profile. Energy-saving features will also be able to recognise whether or not the room is occupied. Unsettling? Maybe. Convenient? Definitely. Here are eight forward looking properties to inspire your next getaway…
Ummhat Alshaikh Island- Saudi Arabia
Opened in May 2024, Nujuma marks the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand’s debut in the Middle East. Tucked into the untouched Red Sea coastline, its private villas and overwater bungalows each come with their own plunge pool and sweeping ocean views.
Here, luxury feels deeply intimate: stargazing with Bedouin guides, diving pristine reefs, or enjoying spa rituals inspired by local traditions. It’s an ultra-exclusive escape where desert, sea, and sky converge.
For more information visit https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ejhrz-nujuma-a-ritz-carlton-reserve/overview/
Raffles Sentosa- Singapore
The iconic Raffles brand reimagines itself in tropical mode with the opening of its first all-villa resort in 2025. Located on Sentosa Island, each villa is designed as a private sanctuary with lush gardens, infinity pools, and bespoke butler service. The resort balances cutting-edge design with Singapore’s trademark hospitality, offering travellers a rare mix of seclusion and access to one of Asia’s most dynamic and forward cities.
Overlooking the South China Sea, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is a contemporary sanctuary designed by renowned studio Yabu Pushelberg. Thoughtfully harmonising Singapore’s storied heritage with its cosmopolitan present, the resort offers a fluid, modern experience immersed in nature. Every detail is designed to feel both elevated and deeply personal — like an escape that brings you closer to home.
For more information visit https://www.raffles.com/sentosa/
One Za’abeel- UAE
One Za’abeel has cemented itself as one of Dubai’s most forward-thinking lifestyle destinations. Following the glittering debut of Atlantis The Royal, Kerzner International’s next chapter delivers not only architectural marvels — including The Link, the world’s longest occupied skybridge — but also a culinary playground elevated high above the city. Home to 11 globally celebrated chefs, including Anne-Sophie Pic and Paco Morales, The Link blurs the lines between dining and experience. Expect signature restaurants, chef residencies, and immersive concepts that redefine luxury hospitality. Beyond the gastronomic offerings, the vertical urban resort sets a new benchmark for modern living — with ultra-luxurious accommodations, a wellness sanctuary, and views that stretch endlessly over Dubai’s ever-evolving skyline.
For more information visit oneandonlyresorts.com/one-zaabeel/dining
Viceroy Los Cabos- Mexico
Adopting a modern and minimal approach to environmental consciousness is a property that embodies its brand’s reputation for provocative design. Viceroy Los Cabos’ stark white aesthetic acts as a blank canvas, allowing the natural and man-made bodies of water that surround it to pull focus. Conceived by renowned Mexican architect Miguel Ángel Aragonés, the understated resort pays homage to its stunning Baja California Sur location and serves as a commentary on the importance of water as our most precious resource.
Elsewhere, natural elements and nature-inspired structures are used to create impact, as is the case with the intricate and eye-catching building at the centre of the resort that houses Nido (the Spanish word for nest), its signature restaurant.
For more information visit viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Shebara Resort- Saudi Arabia
A centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Red Sea Project, Shebara Resort looks like something out of a science-fiction film. Its futuristic overwater villas, designed as gleaming mirrored orbs, float above turquoise waters and coral reefs. Entirely solar powered and sustainability-driven, this resort is as much about environmental consciousness as it is about indulgence.
Expect world-class dining, cutting-edge amenities, and an immersive approach to sustainability — all coming together to create a next-generation escape where innovation, wellness, and seclusion exist in perfect harmony. Arrive by seaplane or speedboat and discover what the future of luxury eco-tourism looks like.
For more information visit https://shebara.sa/
Six Senses Svart- Norway
Set to open in 2026, Six Senses Svart is a pioneering blueprint for the future of regenerative travel. Suspended above the crystalline waters of Norway’s Holandsfjorden and designed in a striking circular form, the resort is as visually bold as it is environmentally radical. It’s on track to become the world’s first energy-positive hotel — producing more energy than it consumes — and aims for full carbon neutrality across construction and operations.
Built primarily from recyclable and locally sourced materials, the 94-room property incorporates solar panels, geothermal wells, and its own off-grid systems, including an in-house greenhouse and electric boat transfers. This is sustainability without compromise — where advanced technology, wellness, and natural immersion intersect to shape a new standard in hospitality.
For more information visit sixsenses.com
Henn Na Hotel- Japan
Commonly known as ‘The Robot Hotel’, Henn Na Hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district has become somewhat of a landmark when it comes to high-tech hotels. The brand’s “commitment to evolution” concept becomes immediately apparent in the form of robots that greet guests at the front desk. The hotel claims to be the first in the world to be staffed by these polyglot humanoids that communicate in English, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin. Once they have been greeted, guests can use a kiosk to pay for their rooms and receive their keys. The tech continues in the rooms with features including an LG Styler, which steam washes and dries clothes at the touch of a button; a Google chromecast device for an in-room cinematic experience and a VR machine for a full-on tech immersion.
For more information visit tokyo-ginza.hennnahotel.com
Raffles Doha- Qatar
Opulence and innovation don’t often go hand-in-hand, but Raffles Doha deftly straddles both worlds. Housed in the 211-metre high Katara Towers, the already iconic U-shaped structure is inspired by the curved scimitar swords on the Qatari seal. Comprising just 132 rooms, the all-suite property’s first point of innovation is to do away with the check-in desk altogether. No waiting in line, instead guests are whisked away to their rooms by a dedicated butler. Once comfortably installed, the property’s guests are among the first in the world to experience the pioneering Compoz scent library which allows them to create their desired room infusion depending on the time of day and whether they want to feel energised or relaxed.
Other cutting-edge room features include spa bathrooms with experiential touch-screen showers and a personal crystalclad maxi bar with a carefully curated selection of complimentary gourmet drinks and snacks.
For more information visit raffles.com/doha
Images Supplied
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia: The Future