CABANA NEWS DECEMBER 2025

Top 5 Resorts Renowned for Luxury

1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Overwater Bungalow Cabanas: Iconic thatched-roof villas on stilts with private decks, immediate lagoon access, and often a plunge pool, offering ultimate privacy.

2. One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives

Beach & Water Cabanas: Features spectacular beachside and overwater villas (often called "cabanas" in that region) with expansive private decks, dedicated service, and often infinity pools.

3. The Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles, USA

Iconic Poolside Cabanas: Known for its legendary pink and white striped poolside cabanas, offering a classic Hollywood A-list experience with personalized service.

4. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort Los Cabos, Mexico

Luxury Beachside Cabanas: Offers luxurious beach and pool cabanas that include a dedicated attendant, refreshments, and a high level of personalized, five-star service.

5. Six Senses Laamu Maldives

Eco-Luxury Overwater Villas: Renowned for its stunning, sustainable overwater bungalows (cabanas) with glass-bottomed viewing areas, private decks, and incredible ocean views, perfect for a remote getaway.

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Summary of Initial Feedback “For New Resorts List” (Where Available)

Since these properties are all newly opened or opening very soon (2025/2026), traditional customer ratings (like 4.8/5 on Google or TripAdvisor) are not yet fully established. However, the search results indicate:

• Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Highlighting its exclusive villas and treetop tents, unique dining concepts (Peruvian-Costa Rican fusion at Puna), and a strong focus on Reserve level wellness and nature experiences.

• Rosewood Mandarina: Promoting its Opening Celebration offers, equestrian activities (Polo and horseback riding), and a holistic wellness program at the Asaya Spa, set between the ocean and jungle.

• Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree: Emphasizing its Biophilic design, unique Mandai Sanctuary Treehouse accommodations, and direct proximity and guided access to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks (Bird Paradise, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo).

• One&Only Moonlight Basin: Highlighting its status as the brand's first US and cold-weather destination, and its focus on "Modern Mountain Living" and year-round alpine adventures.

• Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch: Focus is heavily on the historic landmark status and its unrivalled views of Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and The Mall.

Early Traveler Feedback & Soft Opening Insights

1. 🌴 Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Costa Rica)

• Overall Sentiment: Highly praised for its stunning, authentic design, deep nature immersion, and excellent, personalized service from butlers. It is considered one of the most unique Reserve properties.

• Highlights:

  • Immersive Design: Blends modern luxury with a jungle setting, offering panoramic ocean views from nearly all of the spacious rooms/suites.

  • The Spa: Frequently cited as a major highlight, with one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in Central America.

  • Activities: Wide array of complimentary daily activities (yoga, cooking classes, nature walks where monkeys are common).

  • Unique Feature Check: The Ámbar Tree House Bar is a huge hit, offering dramatic sunset views.

• Quirks/Cons (Typical of new openings):

  • Food Inconsistency: Several reviews mention that while some meals are excellent, others are forgettable, and the price point is very high.

  • Beach Access: The beach is small, requires a funicular/stairs to reach, and is not as private as some expect.

  • Terrain: The steep, spread-out nature of the property requires constant reliance on golf carts (tuk-tuks).

2. 🇲🇽 Rosewood Mandarina (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico)

• Overall Sentiment: Praised for its best-in-class, genuine service and being the clearer family-friendly luxury choice in the Mandarina development (compared to its neighbor, One&Only). The experience is described as warm, tranquil, and deeply attentive.

• Highlights:

  • Service Culture: The staff and butler team are repeatedly described as intuitive, personalized, and proactive, with many guests receiving above-and-beyond personalized gestures.

  • Beach: Has a swimmable, soft-sand, and relatively private beach, which is a significant advantage on the Pacific coast.

  • Accommodations: Rooms are beautifully appointed with modern wood finishes, great amenities (private plunge pools, high-end bath products), and excellent noise isolation.

  • Unique Feature Check: The resort's equestrian activities (Polo Club) and strong focus on the surrounding jungle and ocean environments set it apart.

• Quirks/Cons:

  • Architecture: Some guests find the exterior architecture of the beachfront buildings a bit "boxy" or less architecturally striking than they expected for a flagship Rosewood.

  • Landscaping/Privacy: Some beachfront units are experiencing temporary lack of privacy while new vegetation matures.

3. 🇸🇬 Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree (Singapore)

• Overall Sentiment: Considered a one-of-a-kind, impressive stay in Singapore that fully delivers on the promise of an "eco-luxury retreat." It’s highly recommended for those who want a nature-centric getaway and access to the wildlife parks.

• Highlights:

  • Biophilic Design: The resort fully integrates nature, featuring open-air, naturally ventilated corridors and lobbies that are breezy and tranquil.

  • Views: Stunning, serene views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir from most rooms and the Rooftop Pool, which is a huge highlight.

  • Unique Feature Check: The Mandai Sanctuary Treehouse Villas (with exclusive pool access) and the resort's commitment as Singapore’s first Green Mark Energy Super Low Energy hotel are key differentiators.

  • Park Access: Direct, easy access to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks (Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari) is seamless.

• Quirks/Cons:

  • Isolation: The main activities are centered around the wildlife parks; travelers wanting city access or a vibrant nightlife will find the location too remote.

  • Macaques: Being deep in nature, guests, especially those near the elevated treehouses, are advised on how to interact with the resident macaques.

4. 🏔️ One&Only Moonlight Basin (Big Sky, Montana, USA)

• Overall Sentiment: The resort is currently partially open (primarily the Ski Lodge and The Landingrestaurant/bar) with the full hotel and cabins opening in May/June 2026. Initial visitors highly praise the striking, modern architecture and the exceptional food/beverage offerings.

• Highlights:

  • Architecture & Setting: Described as a spectacular example of contemporary design that blends with the mountain landscape, featuring warm interiors and dramatic windows.

  • Dining: The current restaurant (The Landing) receives rave reviews for its creative menu, mixologist-created cocktails, and friendly staff.

  • Vibe: Positioning itself as a romantic luxury resort for couples and sophisticated travelers, contrasting with its more family-centric local competitor.

  • Unique Feature Check: The property is designed for ultimate seclusion and will offer seamless, direct ski access (ski-in/ski-out) in the winter months.

• Quirks/Cons:

  • Availability: The core resort (rooms, full spa, and remaining restaurants) is not yet open; the current experience is limited to the public-facing ski lodge.

  • Location: The location is quite remote, requiring a 20–25 minute drive from the main town of Big Sky.

The other resort, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch (opening Spring 2026), does not yet have any traveler or press reviews available, as construction is still underway on the historic landmark.