Welcome to The Check-In, your touchpoint for all things travel.
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Atlantis The Royal Heads to the Maldives
Atlantis The Royal will open in the South Malé Atoll in 2029, taking over two islands: one geared toward families, the other pitched at ultra high-end travelers. The project mirrors the scale of its Dubai original, with plans for 270 rooms, 223 villas and mansions, 20 dining spots, and two beach clubs.
The resort will be a short hop from Velana International Airport, ten minutes by seaplane or 25 by speedboat. Atlantis is also bringing its signature attractions with it: a vast Aquaventure waterpark, sports academies, entertainment zones and a Maldivian edition of the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
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First Homes Released at The Beach Club Barbuda
The Beach Club Barbuda – the long-awaited project from Robert De Niro, James Packer and Daniel Shamoon – has begun selling residential parcels. The 400-acre site on the island’s southwest coast includes the Nobu Beach Inn (set to finish in late 2026), a collection of beachfront villas and a series of larger estate plots.
The residential offering spans three tiers: Nobu Beach Inn Residences is comprised of 25 serviced homes on one-acre lots, with four- and five-bedroom layouts starting at $12m; The Beach Club Villas are 23 one-acre plots with 150 feet of beach frontage, starting at $7m, with scope for pools, guest cottages and flexible layouts; and The Beach Club Estates is made up of seven six-acre sites with up to 480 feet of shoreline, priced from $15m, intended for multi-residence compounds and full-scale retreats.
Buyers will have access to the amenities at Nobu Beach Inn, which will include 17 bungalows, a Nobu restaurant and sushi bar, an oceanfront pool, spa, tennis and padel courts, and a broad roster of water sports.
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Four Seasons Opens in Puerto Rico
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico opens on November 20 on the island’s northeast coast, in the Bahía Beach community. Once a coconut farm, the area is now a 483-acre protected reserve stretching along two miles of shoreline.
Guests can explore the neighbouring Reserva Natural Río Espíritu Santo, with canoe routes and forest trails that lead to waterfalls, pools and pockets of tropical wildlife. El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system) is about nine miles away and offers more hiking options, plus wild orchids, rare trees and around 50 bird species. The resort is also the only Caribbean property recognised by Audubon International for sustainable design and wildlife protection.
Puerto Rico’s hotel surge shows no sign of slowing: Mocayo Auberge Resorts Collection is planned for 2027, with a Mandarin Oriental to follow in 2028.
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andBeyond Adds Two Botswana Camps in 2026
andBeyond will expand its Botswana offering in March 2026 with two new Okavango Delta camps: Sandibe Under Canvas and Nxabega Under Canvas. Together with the refreshed Chobe Under Canvas, the trio forms a new seven-night circuit through two of the country’s most wildlife-rich regions.
Sandibe Under Canvas sits in an area known for reliable sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Days center around game drives, walks and community visits, with evenings spent under clear, star-filled skies.
Nxabega Under Canvas, further west, leans into the quieter side of the Delta – floodplains, mokoro excursions, seasonal fishing and slow, water-led exploration.
Each camp holds only three tents, accommodating up to six guests. Tents include super-king beds, double showers, running water throughout, Starlink Wi-Fi and solar-backed power. Interiors keep to muted, natural tones that echo the Delta’s landscape.
The new itinerary includes three nights at Chobe and four in the Delta, split between the two new camps, and rates start at $4,840 per person for seven nights.
