Novotel launches 'Longevity Everyday' strategy, embedding wellness habits across its ~630 hotels through four pillars: Sleep, Eat, Move, and Meet. The goal is to make wellness travel mainstream, not just for luxury retreats.
This week in hotel news: Hyatt House DFW Airport topped out, becoming the first extended-stay hotel on the airport campus, with completion expected by summer 2027 and 130 suites. Sheraton Tribeca in New York completed a multimillion-dollar renovation featuring next-generation design. IHG's InterContinental extended its partnership with jet lag app Timeshifter.
Hilton has launched Signia Restore, an immersive wellness concept debuting at Signia Hilton Indianapolis in January 2027. It combines fitness, recovery, and wellness experiences, including physical and mental recovery zones, advanced technologies like AI-powered massage system Aescape and the Ammortal Chamber. This aligns with travelers' growing focus on wellness and will expand to select Signia properties globally.
Signia Hilton announced a new integrated wellness concept, Signia Restore, debuting at Signia Hilton Indianapolis, which is accepting reservations for January 2027. The concept combines high-performance fitness, advanced recovery experiences, personalized wellness guidance, and curated retail. It features dedicated recovery zones with infrared saunas, cold therapy rooms, and more. It is expected to expand to select Signia properties globally.
Novotel will launch its inaugural 'Longevity Week' on September 7, 2026, offering free masterclasses and expert tips to promote daily wellness habits. Based on a survey of 13,000 consumers, which found 71% are more interested in their future wellbeing than five years ago, the initiative will be available across its 630+ hotels worldwide.
The US State Department maintains Mauritania at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) due to terrorism, crime, and limited health infrastructure. A 'health' risk indicator was added. Some areas have increased risk, including zones off-limits by the Mauritanian military, areas north of the Tropic of Cancer, and within 60 miles of Mali and Algeria borders.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has updated its travel advice for Morocco, covering passports, dating apps, outdoor activities and adventure tourism, e-scooters and bikes, quad biking, hot air balloons, beaches and wildfires, rabies, food hygiene and allergies, carrying money in/out, and illegal drugs and prison sentences. Travelers are advised to be aware of related safety and health risks.
Six Senses has launched a new women's wellness retreat, 'The Yin Way Retreat – The Way of a Woman,' designed to support women's wellbeing across all life stages. The first session will be held at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives in October 2026, followed by Six Senses Kyoto in Japan in December. The retreat blends modern science with traditional Chinese medicine, using Yin principles, hormonal health workshops, and more to help women restore balance.
The US Department of State issued a Level 4 travel advisory (Do Not Travel) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to health, crime, unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping. Due to the Ebola outbreak, the Department of Homeland Security implemented new restrictions preventing US citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within 21 days from boarding commercial flights to the US. All US citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC must remain outside for 21 days before boarding flights to the US. The US government has limited ability to provide consular services.
The U.S. issued a Level 2 advisory for Ghana due to crime, poor health infrastructure, violence against women and LGBTQ+ travelers. Reconsider travel to northern border areas.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Jamaica due to crime and health risks. Violent crime is widespread, with one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government employees are restricted from using public buses or driving at night, and travel to certain areas requires authorization. Medical care is limited, and private hospitals require upfront payment. Travelers are advised to avoid night travel and purchase travel insurance.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 advisory for Lesotho due to crime and health concerns. Crime, including armed robberies and carjackings, is common, and the health infrastructure is inadequate. Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, avoid walking or driving at night, purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation, and bring sufficient prescription medications.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for Lesotho, citing crime and health. Crime is common in Lesotho, with armed robberies and carjackings occurring from time to time, and local police may not have enough resources to respond quickly. Lesotho's health infrastructure is inadequate; health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care, and pharmacies are neither well-regulated nor well stocked, with locally available medications potentially unsafe. Travelers have the option to enter South Africa for health services.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Rwanda, recommending travelers reconsider travel due to crime, unrest, and health risks. Some areas have increased risk. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services in Rwanda due to the health situation. The CDC has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola in the DRC, and the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Petty crime like pickpocketing is a risk in urban areas, and more serious incidents such as burglary or targeted theft can occur. Armed groups and violence in neighboring countries may spill over into Rwanda; avoid travel within 10 kilomete…
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 1 travel advisory for Argentina due to health risks, recommending normal precautions. The CDC has issued a Level 1 health notice for Andes virus (Hantavirus), but risk to most travelers is extremely low. The city of Rosario is under a Level 2 advisory due to crime.
The U.S. Department of State updated its advisory for Namibia, maintaining Level 2 due to crime and health. Petty crime is common, violent crime possible; medical care limited in remote areas. Safety measures advised.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 advisory for Namibia due to crime and health risks. Petty crime is common, violent crime possible; medical facilities are limited in remote areas.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice for Argentina with new information about Hantavirus. Travelers are advised to obtain appropriate travel insurance and read the full guidance for safety.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Côte d'Ivoire due to crime, terrorism, unrest, health, and piracy. U.S. government employees are restricted from driving outside major cities at night and require two-car convoys. Crime includes carjacking, robbery, and home invasion; terrorism risk exists; medical facilities are limited.
The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for Côte d'Ivoire due to crime, terrorism, unrest, health, and piracy. The northern border region is Level 4: Do Not Travel. U.S. government employees are restricted from driving outside major cities at night and require two-car convoys. Crime includes carjacking, robbery, and home invasion; terrorism risk exists; medical facilities are limited.
The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Guinea-Bissau, maintaining Level 3: Reconsider Travel, but removing the 'Crime' indicator and adding the 'Other' indicator. The advisory summary was updated. Risks include unrest, inadequate health infrastructure, and landmines. There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Guinea-Bissau; consular services are provided by the U.S. embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The country has experienced decades of political instability, including political unrest in November 2025. Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout the country, with the greatest risk in Bafata, Oio, Biombo, Quinara, and Tombali.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Guinea-Bissau, maintaining Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to unrest, inadequate health infrastructure, and landmines. There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Guinea-Bissau, and the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services; consular services are provided by the U.S. embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The country has experienced decades of political instability, including political unrest in November 2025. Health infrastructure is inadequate, and landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout the country, with the greatest risk in Bafata, Oio, Biombo, Quinara, and Tombali.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Liberia, maintaining Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime, unrest, and health risks. Violent crime such as armed robbery is common in urban areas, crowded markets, and public beaches, and local police lack resources to respond effectively. Demonstrations occur regularly and may result in violence or tear gas, disrupting transportation and essential services. Liberia's health infrastructure is inadequate, with limited medical services. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark, except for travel to and from Roberts International Airport.
The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Liberia, maintaining Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, but adding a 'health' risk indicator. The advisory summary was updated. Risks include crime, unrest, and health. Violent crime such as armed robbery is common in urban areas, crowded markets, and public beaches, and local police lack resources to respond effectively. Demonstrations occur regularly and may result in violence or tear gas. Liberia's health infrastructure is inadequate, with limited medical services. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark, except for travel to and from Roberts International…
The U.S. Department of State maintained its Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for South Sudan, adding 'health' and 'unrest' risk indicators and updating the summary. The advisory cites risks of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines and health threats, and notes the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services. Government personnel operate under a strict curfew, use armored vehicles and face limited official travel outside Juba.
The U.S. Department of State maintained its Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for the Central African Republic, adding a 'Health' risk indicator and updating the summary. The advisory cites risks of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health and terrorism. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services, and government employees must get special authorization to travel outside Bangui, use armored vehicles in Bangui, are subject to a curfew, and cannot bring family members.
The U.S. Department of State updated its Equatorial Guinea travel advisory on October 7, 2025, keeping it at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). The update added an "Other" risk indicator and revised the advisory summary, citing crime, health, and arbitrary enforcement of laws. Petty crime is common and local police may lack resources to respond to serious crime; medical services are limited with no adequate trauma or ambulance services, and even minor issues may require medical evacuation at the traveler's expense. Some travelers have been arbitrarily detained for weeks or more, and the Embassy cannot guarantee release.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Angola: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime, health, unrest and landmines. It notes that violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking and homicide is common, and local police lack resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Health facilities are under-resourced and may lack basic vaccines or medications, especially outside large cities. Recommendations include always traveling with required medicines and written prescriptions, not physically resisting robbery, using caution when walking or driving at night, keeping a low profile, and enrolling in STEP.
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Zambia at Level 1, recommending normal precautions. The advisory was reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Recommendations include enrolling in STEP, following the Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Zambia on social media, reviewing the Country Security Report, preparing a contingency plan, and checking CDC travel health information.
The UK Foreign Office updated travel advice for Uganda, noting that the World Health Organisation declared the Ebola outbreak over on 27 August 2026. It advises travelers to research destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance, but no specific restrictions are mentioned.
The UK FCDO updated Mauritius travel advice with information on Ebola and travelling from Reunion Island, and road travel. Travelers are advised to read the full guide and ensure insurance coverage.
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Cape Verde, with the latest update providing information about travelling with medication. Travelers are advised to research destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance, and it notes that Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde.
The UK FCDO updated travel advice for Taiwan with new health risk information and a typhoon season warning. Typhoons can affect travel from July to September, causing delays or cancellations of flights, trains, and buses. Travelers are advised to monitor official weather forecasts, be flexible, and follow local authorities' guidance.