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Stansted Escape Lounge to Close
The Escape Lounge at Stansted Airport will permanently close on 28th February 2026, and unfortunately, no replacement has yet been announced. This comes after the beginning of Stansted’s £600 million terminal expansion, which will mean more room in the departure lounge, more shops, bars and restaurants, a bigger security hall and more lanes with state-of-the-art scanners. Hopefully, a replacement will be announced in the near future, but nothing is guaranteed.
There aren’t many airlines currently operating Business Class flights from Stansted. It’s served predominantly by budget airlines. However, there are Emirates flights, and there’s the Emirates Lounge, after a £4+ million investment which opened in 2024 and is, of course, of a much higher standard, though this doesn’t help if you use lounge passes.
Turkish Airlines has also announced 14 weekly flights to Istanbul from March, and lounge access will be needed for eligible customers!
TAP Air Portugal’s New Year Sale – Long Haul and Short Haul
TAP Portugal has just launched a fantastic post-Christmas sale, with discounted fares across its entire network for travel well into 2026. There are plenty of great fares available. Bookings are open until 13th January 2026 for travel between 13th January and 31st May 2026. If you’re flexible on dates and planning a trip in the first half of 2026, the sale is well worth a look.
There are some great fares from Heathrow and a few from Gatwick and Manchester. The sale also covers TAP’s long-haul network via Portugal. Many of the best fares are for flights from January to March.
Top return fares include:
Heathrow
- Lisbon (LIS) – £399
- Faro (FAO) – £379
- Praia (RAI) – £1,500
- Dakar (DSS) – £1,575
- Banjul (BJL) – £1,793
- Accra (ACC) – £1,796
- Belo Horizonte (CNF) – £1,895
- Sao Paulo (GRU) – £1,899
- Miami (MIA) – £1,999
- Recife (REC) – £2,140
- Rio de Janeiro (GIG) – £2,712
Gatwick:
- Porto (OPO) – £329
- New York (EWR) – £1,478
Manchester:
- Banjul (BJL) – £1,797
This is a great chance to try out Business Class with TAP, especially if you’ve taken advantage of the recent TAP status match or you’ve moved over to Star Alliance.
Premium Marriott Openings to Look Forward to in 2026
Marriott has announced some fantastic openings across Europe and Türkiye for 2026, from Cappadocia to the Adriatic, Lisbon, and the Bay of Naples.
If you’re hoping to book any of these with points once the booking option is available, the best time is soon after bookings go live, when there’s still plenty of availability.
Fortuna of Cappadocia, Autograph Collection, Türkiye – February
This 153 Villa and Suite is one of the most interesting new luxury openings in Türkiye and yet another reason to add Cappadocia to your bucket list. You’ll also be close to Cappadocia’s main sights.
Design takes its cue from the Roman Goddess of Fortune, with local stone and contemporary interiors. There are valley views, courtyards, luxurious social spaces, and a focus on wellness and slow travel.
There’s villa-style accommodation. Many suites will have private terraces and fireplaces, with higher categories including plunge pools or swim-up access. That’s a very different proposition from the smaller, characterful but often compact cave rooms Cappadocia is best known for.
The hotel page is live, but bookings are not yet open. View on Marriott here.
Opatija Marriott Resort & Spa, Croatia – Q3
The Opatija Resort & Spa will be Croatia’s first Marriott-branded property, featuring 185 rooms and suites, six Serenity Villas with private pools, and a standalone Historic Villa.
Dining is one of the major draws here with three restaurants: Nikkei-meets-Mediterranean at Pavo Kitchen & Bar, seasonal Mediterranean cooking at Seafield, and modern Croatian cuisine at Publiq. Add five bars, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and large event spaces, and it’s a full-scale resort. You can also look forward to water sports, cycling, hiking, and yoga by the sea.
Miraparque Lisbon – Q3
This 98-room Tribute Portfolio property will be near Eduardo VII Park, with a rooftop terrace, pool bar, and wellness facilities. If you like Lisbon but want something a bit more boutique Marriott, this will be a great addition.
Lisbon’s many cultural influences inspire interior design, while you can expect a rooftop terrace with pool and bar, relaxed social spaces, and a focus on local flavours. Some fantastic wellness facilities are also planned.
Villa Monaco, Naples – Q4
Also, a Tribute Portfolio, Villa Monaco, is on Portici’s historic Miglio d’Oro (the Golden Mile). The property is a reimagined neoclassical villa, with 58 elegantly designed rooms, landscaped gardens, a dedicated spa, and a rooftop bar with awe-inspiring views across the Bay of Naples.
Interior design focuses on timeless architectural details, modern touches, and a slow yet refined approach to living. Think relaxed dining spaces, authentic Neapolitan flavours, quiet garden corners and sunset drinks. If you find Naples city hotels rather hectic, this is a great option for a quiet escape.
We will keep you updated throughout the year on the openings of these hotels and on any good redemption deals.
