Must-visit new openings for 2015
Holidays in 2015 are set to get bigger and better with the opening of futuristic theme parks, beautiful hotels and exciting new cultural zones hitting the UK and abroad. It's the year to try something different and add an unforgettable experience to your 2015 bucket list. From a surfing park in Snowdonia, to Europe's largest ice cave in Iceland, these are the best new places to visit this year.
Generator Paris, France
'Poshtels' are hotter than ever as travellers search for good value without compromising on style and luxury. After the success of its hostels in Venice, Berlin and Barcelona, Generator opened its doors in Paris this February in the cool Canal St-Martin neighbourhood, offering 900 beds including 54 private en-suite double, eight of which are deluxe with their own terraces. Generator Paris, housed in a derelict office building, boasts a welcoming lobby, a vibrant bar and a restaurant with a garden-facing veranda, as well as a rooftop terrace with sunset views of Montmartre and Sacré Coeur.
Surf Snowdonia, Wales
Surf Snowdonia is a revolutionary outdoor adventure destination opening later this year. The first ever publicly accessible Wavegarden surfing lagoon will use unique wave-generating engineering and technology to produce powerful and consistent surfing waves of varying heights up to two metres in the 300m-long lagoon. It has been constructed on a derelict former industrial site, with much of the material reused or recycled, including 25,000 cubic metres of concrete and 400 tonnes of metal.
The Goods Line, Australia
New urban hub The Goods Line will bring an exciting pedestrian and cycle network to Sydney when it opens later this year. The project, which has been compared to New York's High Line, stretches over 250 metres of disused rail track from Railway Square through Ultimo to Darling Harbour. It will feature a series of elevated spaces for pop-up events and entertainment.
No Man's Fort, England
Opening in spring, No Man's Fort is a man-made island in the middle of the Solent, which was built between 1867 and 1880 to protect Portsmouth from Napoleon III. It is larger than its sister Spitbank Fort and invites guests for lunch experiences, incorporating delicacies like mackerel caught right off the side of the fort. Those wanting to extend their stay can spend the night, indulging in one of the 22 luxury bedrooms, relaxing in the hot tub and enjoying fun RIB rides.
Virgin Hotels Chicago, USA
The world's first Virgin Hotel opened this January in Chicago, bringing excitement and innovation to America's Windy City. Virgin Hotels Chicago is located in the heart of the Loop district in a 26-storey Art Deco building, offering hi-tech features, dynamic dining and creative guest rooms divided into two spaces. A 23-hour diner and rooftop bar and lounge are just two of its amazing dining options.
Dreamland, England
One of Britain's most iconic seaside institutions will be brought back to life this summer after an 11-year campaign to reopen Dreamland. Margate's vintage-inspired amusement park will house three listed structures, including the restored Scenic Railway, Britain's oldest roller coaster, along with 15 rides dating back to the 1920s - many of which are the last remaining examples of their kind, such as Hurricane Jets and Dreamland Gallopers. Classic side shows, destination dining and evocative spaces will also entertain visitors.
Tri, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's first contemporary design hotel, Tri, will open on the banks of Lake Koggala this summer. The resort was designed to mirror nature's golden ratio, spiralling ten unique suites around an island hill. Tri will boast living walls, green roofs and entirely local materials to unify the accommodation and landscape. A central water tower will capture spectacular 360-degree views and creative experiences will stimulate the body, mind and soul.
CAHOOTS, England
A new bar in London is making a splash thanks to its quirky, 1940s theme. CAHOOTS, which opened in early March, takes on the form of a post-war London Underground station, still bearing the knick-knacks of its previous use as an air raid shelter, with staff in character and authentic vintage Tube seat fabric. The Carnaby Street venue hosts swing bands and DJs as guests relax on the station 'platform' or inside a train while sipping cocktails made from 'foraged' ingredients and those available in 1946, including carrots, Oxo cubes and beetroot.
IceCave, Iceland
This summer will see the opening of the IceCave, Europe's largest ice cave, as a huge tourist attraction in Iceland. From June to October, visitors can experience the 500-metre colossal channel, located on Langjökull glacier. Accessible from the surface of the glacier 1,200 metres above sea level, visitors will travel underground to see the various shades of ancient ice. The glacier will feature exhibitions and a dining experience, too.
BH Mallorca, Spain
Party travellers to the Balearic Islands can hit the world's only over-18s water park at the new BH Mallorca this summer. The hotel in Magaluf is home to The STAGE, Mallorca's only open-air festival venue hosting world-renowned DJs including David Guetta and Steve Angello, as well as an Ibiza-style beach club for daytime partying. The waterpark has a collection of hi-adrenaline slides, including a 360-degree human rollercoaster which reaches speeds of up to 60kmh.
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