Autumn may bring a chill to many corners of the globe, but sun-drenched destinations are still abundant this time of year. From culinary retreats in tropical locales to music festivals Down Under, these are some of the warmer climates we’re chasing this November.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been a riverside gem in Thailand’s capital for more than a century, but on November 11, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star staple proves it can still dazzle when it debuts the most extensive renovation in its 143-year history.
Following a $90 million redesign, the refreshed River Wing boasts enlarged accommodations (ranging from 409 to 678 square feet), newly adorned with local touches like hammered brass sculptures of Thailand’s traditional royal barges, river-inspired rugs, teak floors and rich Thai fabrics.
The culinary offerings also received an upgrade, with the addition of Kinu by Takagi, a Japanese kaiseki (seasonal, multi-course)-style restaurant from acclaimed Kyoto chef Takagi Kazuo. Plus, existing eateries Lord Jim’s, The Verandah and Riverside Terrace had face-lifts.
Experience it all with the hotel’s Be The First To Stay package and enjoy a renovated room (complete with butler service), daily buffet breakfast and up to THB4,000 (US$132) in credit to spend at the property’s newly updated restaurants or sumptuous Five-Star spa.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is rolling out the culinary red carpet this winter with an exciting lineup of renowned guest chefs. Through February, these talented toques will take over the tropical retreat’s kitchen each month, cooking up dishes that earned them international acclaim. Kicking off the series in November is Barcelona-based pastry chef David Gil Rovira, who will serve up his take on classic Catalonian cuisine.
Work off those bites with a visit to Vommuli House, where you can hang out during anti-gravity yoga or try a trampoline fitness class.
Soak up some sun and prioritize self-care during The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s inaugural Cayman Rejuvenate — A Mind & Body Wellness Festival in the Caribbean. From November 1 to 4, the Four-Star resort will host classes and workshops from wellness experts like celebrity trainer Simone De La Rue and renowned functional medicine doctor and author Dr. Will Cole.
Between dance workouts and keto seminars, stick with the wellness theme by hitting the greens on the Greg Norman-designed course, taking advantage of the custom Nick Bollettieri tennis program or indulging in a facial at Four-Star La Prairie Spa.
See stars in Japan’s capital during the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival. Though the red carpet was officially rolled out on October 27, screenings run through November 5, leaving you plenty of time to catch some of the 200 scheduled showings, ranging from classic cinema to Southeast Asian horror films to a retrospective on the evolution of Japanese animation.
Between flicks, rest your head at Four-Star The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection. With its Zen vibe (it’s tucked within a five-acre garden) and chic design, the sleek stay provides a respite roughly 10 minutes from much of the festival’s action in Roppongi Hills.
Sin City is legendary for its larger-than-life performances, and acts don’t get much bigger than rock band Fleetwood Mac. Catch the final concert of the troupe’s world tour on November 16 at T-Mobile Arena — splurge on a VIP Meet & Greet for a photo op with drummer Mick Fleetwood.
After the show, go your own way to the serenity of Five-Star ARIA Sky Suites. The all-suite hotel’s 1,000-square-foot accommodations offer plenty of room to relax, with all the action of Four-Star ARIA Resort & Casino’s 16 restaurants, Jewel Nightclub and sprawling gaming floor just steps away.
Grab a spot on the sidelines for the end of tennis season during the British capital’s Nitto ATP Finals (November 10 to 17). Book the ATP Final package from Four-Star COMO Metropolitan London for two tickets to watch heavy hitters like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic volley for top honors at O2 Arena and minimalist-chic digs at which to rest your head after the matches.
Round out your stay with flame-grilled fare at the hotel’s Gridiron by COMO restaurant — wood-roasted scallops and succulent steaks are comforting winners on the menu.
While winter winds creep into the Northern Hemisphere, things are heating up Down Under. Summer kicks off in Australia with the inaugural Festival X, a brand-new traveling music fest (other stops include Brisbane and Melbourne) that pops up on the Sydney Showgrounds for an all-day concert November 30.
After catching internationally renowned DJs like headliner Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and local favorite Alison Wonderland, head for Five-Star The Darling, a harborside retreat less than 20 minutes from the venue. Soak up some more sun by the pool or refresh dehydrated skin with a Moroccan Mud Body Wrap at the Four-Star spa.
Thanksgiving marks The Little Nell’s 30th anniversary, and the Five-Star hotel will celebrate from November 28 through April with a slew of specials and events.
On Thanksgiving, The Little Nell will roll back the nightly rate to $289 for a town-side standard room or 30 percent off all other accommodations.
Then November 29, the hotel will throw a Dinner Through the Decades at Five-Star Element 47. Executive chef Matt Zubrod will enlist George Mahaffey, a former executive chef in the 1990s who won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, for the five-course, prix fixe menu. Wines will be paired by hotel wine director Chris Dunaway and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. Stuckey was wine director at The Little Nell when it first won Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, which it has earned every year since.
Pop by on December 14 for Party Like It’s 1989, an après-ski extravaganza with a DJ, an ’80s band, cocoa cocktails and an outdoor screening of iconic ski flicks.
