Stay up to date with KBC’s client news round-Up: New Hotel Openings, Dark Sky Designation, Film Tourism & Iconic Experiences Across North America & Canada.
NEWS
New Boutique Hotel New Paltz Way Opens in New York State’s Hudson Valley
New Paltz Way, a new boutique hotel and wellness retreat in New York State’s Hudson Valley, has welcomed its first guests, bringing contemporary accommodation and nature inspired experiences to one of the region’s most sought-after destinations.
New Paltz Way has officially opened in the vibrant town of New Paltz in New York State’s Hudson Valley. Developed by Way Hospitality, the team behind Woodstock Way and Kingston Carriage House, the 28-room property has transformed a former industrial site into a contemporary retreat featuring forest-facing terraces, locally sourced artwork and a self-guided wellness spa complete with a sauna, steam room, frost cabin and relaxation pool.
Located alongside the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and within easy reach of the Shawangunk Mountains, the hotel provides a stylish base for exploring one of the Northeast’s leading destinations for outdoor adventure, food, wellness and culture. Just 90 minutes from New York City, New Paltz Way also encourages guests to discover the region’s independent restaurants, wineries, shops and experiences, helping visitors connect with the authentic character of the Hudson Valley. The hotel’s opening comes as interest in New York State’s lesser-known destinations continues to grow. www.newpaltzway.com
For more Information, please visit www.iloveny.com
Stay at the NEW Indigenous Wahous Wilderness Lodge along British Columbia’s rugged west coast
Opening this summer, Wahous Wilderness Lodge brings a new Indigenous-owned luxury retreat to Clayoquot Sound, combining cultural experiences, wilderness adventure and sustainable accommodation on British Columbia’s rugged west coast.
Wahous Wilderness Lodge is a new Indigenous-owned floating retreat that opened in summer 2026 in the wild beauty of Quait Bay, Clayoquot Sound on British Columbia’s west coast. Nestled among ancient forests and pristine waters, the lodge blends luxury with cultural immersion. Its 16 private rooms, four secluded cabins, shoreline spa and striking cedar longhouse offer comfort and connection in a stunning, sustainably powered setting. Guests can paddle glassy inlets, hike old-growth trails, relax in cedar hot tubs and savour West Coast cuisine, all while learning about the land and traditions of the สahฬฃuusสathฬฃ (Ahousaht) people who have stewarded this territory for generations. More than a getaway, Wahous offers a meaningful wilderness experience that honours culture, conservation and a deep connection with nature. Average room rates start from ยฃ1,008 per night, based on two people sharing.
British Columbia: www.supernaturalbc.com
Badlands National Park Earns International Dark Sky Park Designation
Badlands National Park has become the first and only International Dark Sky Park in South Dakota, earning one of the world’s most prestigious accolades for night sky conservation and visitor experiences while strengthening the state’s position as a premier stargazing destination.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota has been designated an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, becoming the first site in the state to receive the accolade and one of only two in the National Park Service’s Midwest Region. The internationally recognised designation places the park among an elite group of just 40 National Park Service units nationwide celebrated for protecting some of the world’s darkest and most pristine night skies. Known for its dramatic buttes, pinnacles and wide-open landscapes, the park offers exceptional opportunities to view the Milky Way, meteor showers, constellations and planets with remarkable clarity.
The recognition comes as astrotourism continues to grow in popularity. As James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, noted, experiences such as standing beneath an unspoiled sky and viewing the Milky Way, planets and constellations are becoming increasingly rare and are sought out by travellers from around the world. The designation further elevates South Dakota’s appeal for visitors seeking unique outdoor adventures and unforgettable after-dark experiences. American Holiday (www.americanholidays.com 02038687654) offer a 14-day Motorhome adventure in the Great American west from ยฃ1699 per person, including international flights and 12 nights RV hire. Campsite gees payable locally.
For More Information please visit: www.travelsouthdakota.com
Why Alberta Should Be on Every Skier’s Radar This Winter
Expanded terrain, upgraded mountain infrastructure, new accommodation and exciting off-slope experiences are giving UK travellers more reasons than ever to swap the Alps for Alberta‘s Canadian Rockies this winter.
Alberta is entering the 2026/27 ski season with a host of new developments across Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore. Home to the SkiBig3 resorts, the region offers more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain across Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay, alongside reliable snowfall, uncrowded slopes and one of North America’s longest ski seasons.
Recent investments include ongoing terrain and lift enhancements at Lake Louise Ski Resort, while Mt Norquay continues to improve the guest experience through a new surface lift, expanded learning area and upgrades to snowmaking and mountain infrastructure. The resort is also progressing plans to replace its historic North American Chair with a new gondola, helping to modernise one of Banff’s most iconic ski areas.
Away from the slopes, visitors can discover a growing range of accommodation, wellness and dining experiences. Highlights include the reopening of Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection following a major renovation, the boutique Kenrick Hotel, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s BASIN Glacial Waters thermal bathing experience and Everwild, Canmore’s first Nordic spa. New restaurants and aprรจs-ski venues are also adding to the region’s appeal, while sustainability initiatives, including Mt Norquay’s use of 100% renewable energy, continue to position Alberta as a leader in responsible mountain tourism.
Whether carving fresh tracks, unwinding in natural hot springs or exploring the food scene in Banff and Canmore, Alberta offers visitors far more than just world-class skiing.
Ski Independence (www.ski-i.com 0131 243 8097) offer 100% tailor-made holidays to Alberta to suit your skill and budget. Book by end September 2026 for early booking offers.
For more Information please visit: www.travelalberta.com
Kansas City, Missouri in the spotlight as Ted Lasso returns to screens
Visitors to Kansas City can follow in the footsteps of fictional football coach Ted Lasso after the long-awaited season 4 of the Apple TV+ comedy began with a full episode set in the Midwestern US city.
The episode sees Ted showing his former Richmond AFC colleagues around his hometown. Recreate the experience by visiting the picturesque Country Club Plaza for high-end shopping, taking in a womenโs soccer game at the CPKC Stadium, discovering sporting history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and enjoying legendary Kansas City cuisine at Gates Bar-B-Q. Purely America (www.purelytravel.co.uk, 0844 80 444 80) offers a 7-day โSt Louis & Kansas Cityโ self-drive from ยฃ1,249 per person, featuring three nights at the AC Museum Hotel Kansas City and including flights with British Airways and American Airlines, all accommodation and rental car.
For More Information please visit: www.visitmo.com
Go beyond the iconic parks with farm experiences across Utah, USA
Visitors to Utah can pair the region’s iconic national parks with hands-on farm experiences, offering a chance to connect with local communities, learn about sustainable agriculture and discover a different side of Utah.
Home to spectacular red-rock landscapes, alpine scenery and welcoming communities, Utah is best known for its outdoor adventures, from national parks and dark skies to world-class ski resorts. Beyond the national parks and ski slopes, however, visitors can experience a different side of the Beehive State through its rural communities and agritourism experiences.
Utah encourages visitors to slow down and connect with local communities while experiencing the state’s rich agricultural heritage through a growing range of agritourism experiences. In Moab, visitors can swap the hiking trails for a day at Easy Bee Farm, a working farm offering farm-to-table events and hands-on workshops focused on sustainable farming, pollinator conservation and local food production. Having supplied fresh produce to the local community for nearly two decades, the farm offers an authentic glimpse into rural life and a chance to experience Utah beyond its iconic parks.
Cox & Kings (www.coxandkingstravel.com, ย 020 3936 4708) offers its 12-day Utah’s Mighty Five itinerary from ยฃ3,575 per person, based on two sharing. The trip combines Southern Utah’s dramatic red-rock landscapes with Northern Utah’s alpine scenery, while also allowing travellers to discover lesser-known experiences along the way.
Utah: www.visitutah.com
Recharge in Vancouver, British Columbia, with Talaysay Tours’ Pacific Spirit Park Forest Therapy Tour
This autumn, visitors to Vancouver can experience Indigenous-led forest therapy in Pacific spirit Park with Talasay Tours, combining mindfulness, nature connection and seasonal colour for a restorative city escape.
Visitors looking to recharge in Vancouver this autumn can combine colourful fall hikes with an immersive forest therapy experience. Talaysay Tours‘ Forest Therapy (Bathing) in Pacific Spirit Park offers a slow-paced land immersion using guided sensory invitations, mindfulness and connection practices designed to support wellbeing. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, the experience encourages participants to slow down, engage their senses and deepen their connection to the land before concluding with locally sourced tea and light refreshments in the forest. Pair the experience with a hike through the golden maples and tidal wetlands of Maplewood Flats or the vibrant alpine scenery of the Goldie Lake Loop in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, where brilliant reds, oranges and yellows frame peaceful lakes and mountain views. Talaysay Tours (www.talaysay.com) offers the Forest Therapy (Bathing) in Pacific Spirit Park experience from ยฃ47 per person.
Vancouver: www.destinationvancouver.com
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