North Korea Just Opened a Beach Resort—and the Internet Can’t Believe It

The Italian villa of your dreams, the best indie shops in Paris, and one editor’s unfiltered airport rant you’ll love.

Jul 03, 2025

In Today’s Happenings—North Korea surprises us all with its very first beach resort—proof that even the most unlikely places can become escapes worth talking about. Meanwhile, in Italy, a dream villa beckons, complete with alfresco dinners and Aperol spritzes aplenty. Our Brick & Mortar series takes us to Paris this time, showcasing the city’s coolest indie shops. Plus, we chat with the GM of one of Mexico’s most design-savvy boutique hotels, and editor Luke Abrahams candidly rants about airport staff (you won’t want to miss it). Oh, and happy almost Fourth of July. 🔽

Travel & Hotel Buzz for Your Group Chat 🐝

North Korea opened its first beach resort

Well, here's a first. North Korea has opened a massive resort area on its east coast, state media said last Wednesday. It's basically the tourism pet project of leader Kim Jong Un and is reportedly set to welcome Russian guests to the country this month. Dubbed "North Korea's Waikiki" by South Korean media, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area can welcome nearly 20,000 people, according to Pyongyang, which previously described it as "a world-class cultural resort.” Think beaches, colorful houses and all the usual modcons by the seaside. All we need now are pics of Kim in his trunks. Find out more about the resort here. -LA

BIG NEWS: Your hand baggage is now FREE in Europe.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that airlines take the piss when it comes to excess hand baggage fees. Stroll through TikTok and you will see hundreds of videos of people simply screaming at check-in staff because they were charged 50 bucks to bring their little 10kg number onto the plane. Some blessed news is that it's all about to change in Europe. EU lawmakers have recently voted to ban airlines from charging passengers additional fees for bringing carry-on bags on flights, including budget airlines such as Ryanair. Why? To make "air travel more transparent" and to "avoid unjustified extra costs." Ryan Air CEO, Michael O'Leary, must be SEETHING. Find out more about the ban here. -LA

A new grand villa just opened in Portofino

I love a villa, don't you? And this one is something well worth screaming about. Once the hub of lavish parties, Villa Beatrice has hosted everyone from royals to celebrities since it first emerged on the Portofino bay back in the early 1900s. Now the whole thing has a new lease of life thanks to the interior designer of the moment, Martin Brudnizki. Think four lavish suites, a separate standalone love shack, private pool, spaces awash with antique curios, and some seriously knockout views of the Ligurian coastline. She's serving, and in the most luxuriously restrained way possible. Excess is a thing of the past, and this new grand dame is ushering in a new kind of luxury... one that is simple and slow. Price on application, darlings. See the villa exclusively here. -LA

Brick and Mortar: Round II 🏬

Oh, hello, new section round two. If you missed the last one, this slot is all dedicated to our fav indie shops in the world. In this slot, we hit the streets of Paris. 🇫🇷

Les Merveilles de Babellou: Think vintage handbag and frock galore. Find it at the Saint-Ouen flea market, just north of Paris' 18th arrondissement.

The Red Wheelbarrow: Two indie bookshops stocked with English and French classics. Find it by Jardin du Luxembourg.

À la Mère de Famille: It is, perhaps, the absolute best chocolate shop in Paris, if not the whole entire stretch of French land. Find its most historic shop in Montmartre.

Officine Universelle Buly 1803: When it comes to old-school bathroom amenities, look no further than here. Go to the one in La Marais for the massage parlour.

L'Étiquette: I love wine, do you? Like, wine is life, right? Organic, natural, and biodynamic bottles are this shop's specialty. Find it on the Île Saint-Louis.

Meet The Hotelier: Manuel Otazo of Casa Yuma 💬

In the latest edition of Meet The Hotelier, we catch up with Casa Yuma General Manager, Manuel Otazo. Think sexy boutique hotel with stellar sands, gorgeous rooms, and some rather dishy plates. It's all too fabulous.

Luke: Sum up your hospitality style in a sentence.

Manuel: Warm, intuitive hospitality that blends laid-back luxury with thoughtful, detail-driven service.

Luke: You work for one of the best boutique hotels in Mexico! What makes it so special to you?

Manuel: Casa Yuma’s magic lies in its soulful connection to its surroundings and guests. It's not just a place to stay, but a place where guests feel the rhythm and warmth of Puerto Escondido. The team’s passion, authentic design, and our deep intention in creating a community make it truly special.

Luke: Who or what is your hospitality muse? Why has this inspired you so much?

Manuel: Growing up with seven siblings, I watched my mother welcome everyone with warmth and ease. Our home overflowed with laughter, food, and connection. Her generous spirit and effortless hospitality shaped me deeply—and it's that same sense of care and comfort I now strive to offer others in my own way.

Luke: Name one hotel you walked into recently and thought, "Wow, they do this better than us." What made it a standout?

Manuel: Trunk Hotel in Tokyo. I won't say better, but different. I was struck by their service and storytelling in every corner, from the architecture to the guest experiences. It’s a reminder that hospitality is about creating a narrative guests want to step into.

Luke: When a guest checks in, what do you want them to feel and how does your own personal brand philosophy hope to capture and encapsulate this?

Manuel: I want guests to feel like they’ve arrived home, but at the same time, like they’re about to discover something extraordinary. My philosophy is about balancing comfort with curiosity—creating an experience that’s both grounding and inspiring.

Luke: Name one Mexican stereotype you are sick of?

Manuel: That Mexico is just beaches and tequila. Our country is incredibly rich in culture, art, gastronomy, and innovation—there’s so much more beneath the surface.

Luke: Name five people, dead or alive, who you want checking into Casa Yuma.

Manuel: Will Guidara, Anthony Bourdain, Gael García Bernal, Jane Goodall, and Drew Deckman. All visionaries who I think would connect with the spirit of Casa Yuma.

Luke: Tell us your favourite boutique hotel in Mexico (other than Casa Yuma)! Why do you love it?

Manuel: Brick Hotel will always have a place in my heart. Its minimalist design, deep respect for service, and tranquil atmosphere capture what I believe hospitality should be.

Luke: If you could do one thing differently throughout your hotel journey, what would it have been and why?

Manuel: I would have embraced mentorship earlier, both finding mentors and becoming one. The exchange of ideas and guidance is invaluable in shaping better leaders and better hotels.

Luke: Tell us your wildest travel story.

Manuel: In France, near Roquefort Les Pins, a wrong turn led me to a small olive farm. The family welcomed me warmly, shared their process with me, and invited me to stay. An unexpected detour turned into an unforgettable afternoon—a reminder of the kindness of strangers and the unexpected magic travel brings.

Below Par: Airport Staff 👎

Is it me, or are airport staff getting worse with every visit? Let's rewind back to a nightmare situation at Heathrow two weekends ago. I arrived at a chaotic airport in which none of the baggage belt systems worked, and everyone remained clueless as to why. Passengers were stressed and delays were inevitable. All the ground staff seemed to have checked out of their jobs and good service on all levels is a thing of the past—unless you are travelling first or business, of course. Nowadays, you are lucky if you even get a “hello” or a smile when you board the plane. All I want to know is what the hell happened? Discuss.

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