Luxury Hotels Roundup: Awards and Renovations

A travel roundup highlights recent hotel awards and renovations: INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit was named among Thailand’s top hotels in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, praised for its modern design, sustainability and the 33rd-floor LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers three distinct ambiances — Ambassador (family), Grand Class (adults-only) and Zen Grand (mangrove spa) — with suites that include private terraces, plunge pools and an award-winning SE Spa with a signature Water Ceremony. Hotel Fasano in Rio de Janeiro remains an architectural landmark, channeling Brazilian midcentury modernism through natural materials and iconic local furniture. Bali’s beach-club scene is shifting toward free-entry venues that let visitors enjoy beachfront luxury by meeting food-and-drink minimums. In Costa Rica, Hotel Riu Guanacaste has fully reopened after a complete renovation that added 300 rooms (bringing the total to 1,041), plus swim-up room options, a water park, six pools including swim-up bars and upgraded family facilities on Matapalo Beach. Earlier coverage that named Kyma Rooms & Suites in Kos as the Best Luxury Beachfront Hotel 2025 is not included in this updated roundup.