The 10 best renovations, reinventions and new additions
Traveller Awards: Reinvention
From an iconic lodge’s stylish facelift to a centuries-old convent in Nice transformed into a serene escape, these award winners show how taking something inherently beautiful or unique and adding zeitgeisty features can double the joy. Read on for our Traveller Awards 2025 winners in the Reinvention category.
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
Anyone who wanted to visit Huka Lodge during its 100th year last year was doomed to disappointment. New Zealand’s most famous lodge (beloved of Queen Elizabeth II) marked its centenary by closing its doors for a multi-million-dollar facelift. When it reopened earlier this year, the wait proved worthwhile. Signature elements, such as the expansive suites and the private dining areas, thankfully remain the same, but there have been plenty of clever tweaks. Our favourites: replacing the old-school hunting-lodge vibe with a more contemporary feel, new indoor-outdoor areas that make the most of the stunning location, and a very cool rustic-chic spa. See hukalodge.com
The Boathouse, London
Once a neglected remnant of London’s 19th-century canal system, Paddington Basin has undergone an astonishing 20-year turnaround and is now a lively mix of apartments, restaurants and offices. Given its backstory, it’s appropriate that one of the area’s most interesting accommodation options is a canal boat, and a decidedly fancy one at that. Fitted out by UK homewares brand MADE, The Boathouse is an 18-metre-long wide-beam barge moored at Floating Pocket Park. Sleeping up to four people, the boat’s stylish Scandinavian-inspired decor includes wood-panelled walls, industrial light fittings and fake-fur throws. There’s also a well-equipped kitchen, a rooftop dining area and an ensuite bathroom with an indulgent clawfoot tub. See boathouselondon.co.uk
Thredbo Alpine Coaster
Adventure needn’t stop when the snow melts. At least that’s the idea behind the shiny new Thredbo Alpine Coaster, which launched in 2024 in a savvy move to future-proof the resort and add to its shoulder-season offerings in the face of warming global temperatures. The $9 million addition is part of stellar ongoing efforts to make summer in the Snowy Mountains a thing. A scenic 410-metre ascent provides a moment of calm, before a heart-pumping, 1.4-kilometre descent that weaves and circles through the alpine landscape at speeds of up to 40km/h, controlled by the rider. It’s an exhilarating on-mountain addition that caters to both thrill-seekers and families alike. See thredbo.com.au
The Surrey, New York
Once a residential hotel that hosted celebrities including President John F. Kennedy and golden years of Hollywood icon Bette Davis, this art deco landmark on New York’s Upper East Side re-opened in 2024 after an extensive two-year renovation. The makeover gives new life to an iconic building that will celebrate its centenary next year. From the bowler-hatted greeters to the marble-clad lobby, the overriding vibe is one of refined luxury. Public spaces feature tasteful works by New York-based artists, while the 100 rooms and suites continue the residential feel with bespoke cabinetry and beautiful Murano chandeliers. Best of all? Central Park is one block away. See corinthia.com
Dar Tantora, Saudi Arabia
Dar Tantora is easily the most atmospheric of the luxury resorts that have opened in AlUla, an ancient trading hub that is being re-envisioned as a high-end desert playground. It’s the first hotel in the old town, an evocative tangle of 900 mudbrick houses that was abandoned in the 1980s. The property has transformed 30 of the homes into hotel rooms with textured walls, handwoven rugs and original wooden doors. While it has all the trappings of a luxury hotel – outdoor pool, spa and sophisticated Spanish-influenced restaurant – one thing you won’t find is electricity. Each night, an army of staff light 1738 candles, transforming it into a flickering labyrinth reminiscent of an Arabian fairy tale. See dartantora.co
The Observatory Hotel, Christchurch
Previously home to the University of Canterbury, the Observatory Hotel is in the former physics, zoology and astronomy departments, directly beneath an observatory tower that was almost destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It is steps away from the Arts Centre, a handsome huddle of 19th-century Gothic stone buildings that now houses an eclectic collection of museums, restaurants and boutiques. After years of meticulous restoration, the hotel opened in 2022, skilfully blending the building’s heritage features with contemporary furnishings, colourful fabrics and modern artworks. Located a 10-minute stroll from Christchurch’s reinvigorated city centre, the property is ideally positioned for a saunter along the banks of the Avon River as it meanders through the beguiling Botanic Gardens. See observatoryhotel.co.nz
Lax Terminal 3, Los Angeles
Flying domestically within the US can be a soul-sapping experience – a weary trudge through tired terminals with lengthy security lines and lacklustre cuisine. All of which makes Delta’s new LAX Terminal 3 such a refreshing delight. Completed 18 months ahead of schedule, it boasts state of the art check-in kiosks, security checkpoints and a dedicated airside walkway to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Food-wise there’s everything from an upscale sushi restaurant to a Southern soul food joint, while retail outlets offer LA-branded gear and thoughtful products by local artisans. Throw in spacious seating, fast Wi-Fi and the fabulous Delta Sky Club lounge and suddenly flying out of LAX is no longer the patience-fraying experience it once was. See flylax.com
Tbilisi, Georgia
Set in a dramatic river gorge, Georgia’s 6000-year-old capital has been catapulted into the modern era since leaving the Soviet Union in 1991. Now one of Europe’s most vibrant emerging metropolises, it’s home to a striking architectural mish-mash of Orthodox churches, art nouveau buildings and imposing Soviet edifices. More recent additions include the distinctive steel and glass Bridge of Peace that crosses the Kura River, and colourful street art that’s breathed new life into brutalist concrete towers. Make sure you try a khachapuri, a traditional cheese-filled bread, with a glass of saperavi (Georgia is the world’s oldest wine culture), then head to one of the subterranean Persian bath houses for a kisa – an invigorating exfoliating scrub. See georgia.travel
Corinthia Brussels
Seventeen years after it shuttered, Brussels’ Grand Hotel Astoria re-opened in early 2025. Commissioned by King Leopold II, this legendary address has hosted the likes of Salvador Dali, Winston Churchill and the Shah of Iran. Malta’s Corinthia Hotels paid painstaking attention to this history and the recreation of the 11-metre-high stained-glass roof in the lobby from photographs is a standout feature. As is the culinary talents of David Martin and Christophe Hardiquest. Their menus make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about Belgian cuisine (for example, moules frites and waffles). A bit like the property itself, which should be the draw travellers need to visit this overlooked European capital. See corinthia.com/en-gb/brussels
Hotel du Couvent, France
When Parisian hotelier Valery Grego opened the doors to an abandoned 17th-century convent hidden among the buzz of Nice’s pastel-hued, pedestrianised old town, he knew he had to take care of it. After a decade — and $170 million — the Hotel du Couvent has emerged as the complete antithesis to the high opulence typical of the Cote d’Azur. A serene escape in the heart of one of France’s most exciting cities, guests in the 88-room property catch the sun (and vintage films) amid a hectare of terraced Provencal gardens, soak in Roman baths and dine on local cuisine imagined with a fresh twist in a shaded guinguette, the outdoor summer tavern tradition enjoying a renaissance in the country. See hotelducouvent.com
Traveller Awards contributors: Kate Allman, Kate Armstrong, Flip Byrnes, Justine Costigan, Jim Darby, Anthony Dennis, Ben Groundwater, Jenny Hewett, Belinda Jackson, Kerry van der Jagt, Julietta Jameson, Trudi Jenkins, Brian Johnston, Ute Junker, Katrina Lobley, Catherine Marshall, Chrissie McClatchie, Rob McFarland, Justin Meneguzzi, Julie Miller, Jane Reddy, Jane Richards, Katherine Scott, Craig Tansley, Lee Tulloch, Sue Williams, Riley Wilson.
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