HEAVENLY NEW ESCAPES

It’s a new year and it’s time for some new escape plans! Whether you’re trying to get away from nasty politics or bad news or you’ve had enough of winter’s assaults… whether you’re bored and need some fresh ideas or you’re simply ready for some new dreams, we’ve got some beautiful new places to inspire your wanderlust.

There are some exciting new hotels, resorts, and attractions that have recently opened or are about to open in early 2018 that we are happy to share with you.

From a literal love-nest in the middle of an Arctic lake, to a stairway to nowhere right in the middle of New York City,

You can have the added thrill of being one of the first people to experience these beautiful newbies!

New buildings and tourist attractions in 2018: A year of emerging wonders

ARCTIC BATH -- SWEDISH LAPLAND

Rock star designers Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi had a dream -- a tiny hotel that free-floats in the middle of an Arctic lake in summer and freezes in place in winter to watch the Northern Lights roll by. Arctic Bath is the realization of that vision. It sits on Luleriver at Harads, in Swedish Lapland, looking like a North Pole love nest.

This Nordic fantasy features a huge floating open-air cold bath, saunas, and sumptuous spa treatments. There are six minimalist guest cabins from which you can gaze up at the fanciful colorful skies.

See more of their vision here.

VESSEL --  NEW YORK, NY

Is it a building? Is it a staircase? Is it a stairway to nowhere? Yes!

Vessel, created by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio, is a first in class new landmark that is the centerpiece of New York City’s new development known as Hudson Yards.

Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs—almost 2,500 individual steps— and 80 landings, Vessel will offer a mile’s worth of pathway rising up above Hudson Yards’ public square, the Gardens.

Influenced by Indian stepwells, made from hundreds of flights of stairs going down into the ground, it is constructed of a structural painted steel frame, with bottom surfaces covered by a polished copper-colored steel skin.

This monumental structure is New York City’s newest beautiful public landmark.

CLYMB -- ABU DHABI

Climb to new heights at CLYMB, the world's tallest indoor climbing wall (43 metres high). This new attraction on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island also offers an incredibly wide indoor skydiving chamber (9.75 metres wide).

CLYMB will also include shops, restaurants and a function space and will be be linked to other attractions on Yas Island, which include a new Warner Brothers World. See more info here.

COMO UMA CANGGU --  BALI

COMO Uma Canggu is the newest resort in Bali, situated on the south coast. A design mecca, with jaw-dropping suites and a few 3-bedroom duplex penthouses, each with its own rooftop pool, offers panoramic views of the soft volcanic sand beaches.

Super-luxe, with a laid-back beach scene and a chill vibe, we’re ready to go, and only afraid that we might never be ready to leave...

BORNEO EAGLE RESORT -- SABAH, MALAYSIA

Borneo Eagle Resort, on the island of Pulau Tiga off the west coast of Sabah, Malaysia, is home to only 15 one-bedroom oceanfront villas. They’re so spacious, you can stretch out and enjoy your own private landscape with incredible views of the South China Sea.

Go jungle trekking and snorkelling to your heart’s content. It’s a pocket of paradise, set in the middle of clear azure waters surrounded by white sand beach and magnificent coral reefs in the marine reserve.

Soak in natural volcanic mud pools within the majestic rainforest

Book with Design Reisen for an exceptional bespoke experience.

BAGLIONI RESORT -- MALDIVES

Baglioni Resort Maldives is a brand new luxury Italian located on the island of Maagu in the Dhaalu Atoll, in the Maldives. Set to open next March, Baglioni Resort Maldives offers villas set in the jungle, on the beach or over-the-water.

It’s paradise with Italian grace in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

BULGARI RESORT JUMEIRAH BAY ISLAND -- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Dubai's most expensive resort, the newly opened Bulgari Resort Jumeirah Bay Island, is a stunner. It features 20 Bulgari villas, each with its own pool, garden and sea outlook. You can also stay in the elegant main hotel rooms. The complex, which also houses luxury private residences, has the first ever Bulgari Yacht Club.

Read more about Beautiful Firsts all this week on BeautifulNow.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Arctic Bath Hotellrum. Courtesy of Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi.
2. Image: Arctic Bath Hotellrum. Courtesy of Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi.
3. Image: by Forbes Massie. The Vessel. Courtesy of Hudson Yards.
4. Image: by Forbes Massie. The Vessel. Courtesy of Hudson Yards.
5. Image: by Forbes Massie. The Vessel. Courtesy of Hudson Yards.
6. Image: CLYMB. Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Miral.
7. Image: COMO Uma Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. Courtesy of COMO Resorts.
8. Image: Borneo Eagle Resort. Pulau Tiga, Sabah, Malaysia. Courtesy of Design Reisen.
9. Image: Baglioni Resort Maldives. Maagu, Maldives. Courtesy of Baglioni.
10. Image: Bulgari Resort Jumeirah Bay Island. United Arab Emirates. Courtesy of Bulgari Resorts.
11. Image: Bulgari Resort Jumeirah Bay Island. United Arab Emirates. Courtesy of Bulgari Resorts.
12. Image: Bulgari Resort Jumeirah Bay Island. United Arab Emirates. Courtesy of Bulgari Resorts.
13. Image: by Forbes Massie. The Vessel. Courtesy of Hudson Yards.
14. Image: COMO Uma Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. Courtesy of COMO Resorts.