Welcome back to The Check-In, your touchpoint for all things travel. Think of this as your check-in for the latest news, your check-in before takeoff and your check-in to the world’s most exclusive stays.
This week, we have some big news from the recently reopened The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, alongside some new international itineraries from luxury cruise giant Regent Seven Seas.
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The Surrey Unveils Four New Signature Suites
New York City, USAFollowing The Surrey’s total refurbishment and reopening in October 2024 as a Corinthia Hotel, the refreshed New York City establishment has unveiled four new signature suites.
Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the Pine Bank Bridge Suite, Bethesda Grandeur Suite, Greywacke Heritage Suite and The Surrey Suite offer guests a slice of residential-style suite living on the Upper East Side. Inside, interiors pay homage to the architectural beauty of Central Park’s most iconic bridges, incorporating intricate design details that echo each bridge’s individual ironwork and stone elements.
The Bethesda Granduer, Pine Bank Bridge and Greywacke Heritage suites are designed for guests seeking a little extra space, each measuring between 1,200-1,300 sq ft, with one king-size bedroom and elegant living areas. The Surrey Suite is the hotel’s top key, offering two bedrooms and spanning 2,130 sq ft.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Releases their 2027/28 Voyage Collection
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced 234 new sailings as part of their 2027-2028 voyage collection. The collection includes the first full season for Seven Seas Prestige, Regent’s first new ship class in 10 years.
The new season will travel to Africa & Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, the Caribbean & Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and the South Pacific. Among the standout features of the collection are 19 new ports of call, five Grand Voyages and the 133-night 2028 World Cruise which will sail aboard Seven Seas Splendor once more.
Reservations for the new season will officially open on July 23, with pre-registration open now.
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Il Sereno, Lake Como, Presents the Darsena Listening Suite
Lake Como, ItalyIl Sereno, the modernist retreat on Lake Como, has unveiled The Darsena Listening Suite, a dedicated hi-fi sanctuary set on the lakefront. Conceived by hotel owner and audiophile Luis Contreras in collaboration with renowned designer Patricia Urquiola, the suite takes inspiration from Tokyo’s jazz-kissa listening cafés, intimate venues where vinyl is revered and listening is an art form.
The suite is believed to be the first hotel guestroom in the world designed entirely around the act of listening. Inside, guests will find state-of-the-art equipment, including Klipsch La Scala loudspeakers, a McIntosh tube amplifier and a rare Revox reel-to-reel deck.
Price
From $6,300 per night
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The Dorchester Announces Restoration and Reopening of Historic Suite
London, UKThe Dorchester has announced it will be reopening the Oliver Messel Suite in September 2025 following a dramatic restoration. First revealed in 1953 and created by stage designer Oliver Messel, the Dorchester’s Special Projects team worked for years alongside historians, conservators and original records, to ensure that every detail is returned with accuracy and intention.
The restoration team has used original archives and photographs, most notably a 1953 shoot by Norman Parkinson, to guide the authentic revival of the suite’s chinoiserie details, silk wall coverings and custom-made textiles. During the restoration, the team discovered a previously hidden hand-painted ceiling mural by Messel, which has now been fully recovered and restored.
The reopening of the suite is part of The Dorchester’s wider transformation programme, following the reveal of its renovated guest rooms and suites, The Promenade and Vesper Bar in 2022. Renovation of the hotel’s Penthouse and Pavillion will follow in early 2026.
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The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, Prepares for its Maiden Voyage
UKThe Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, will make its maiden voyage on 21st July, 2025, venturing to Wales, followed by Cornwall, on 25th July.
Each of the train’s 18 cabins, comprising three Grand Suites and 15 Suites, have been carefully crafted in Britain and designed to make the journey just as extraordinary as the destination, whether guests choose to unwind in the privacy of their cabin, rejuvenate in the onboard spa, or savour exceptional fare in the restaurant cars.
The train’s interior design has been crafted by London-based studio Albion Nord, in collaboration with Luke Edward Hall, Mel Campion and Olly Fathers. Bold fabrics, layered textures, and hand-selected antiques come together to create a rich, characterful aesthetic that feels both timeless and modern.
Price
Accommodation onboard starts from £11,000 based on a double cabin, inclusive of a 3-night itinerary, excursions, meals and beverages on board.
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Castelfalfi Launches Exciting New Real Estate Project
Tuscany, ItalyCastelfalfi is writing a new chapter in its millennia-old history with the launch of a significant new real estate project on the estate. While details remain limited, the ambitious Tuscan development will include the restoration of historic farmhouses transformed into private residences, newly built villas and long-stay holiday accommodations. The project also promises to feature spaces dedicated to cultural, recreational, and sporting activities.
