Orient-Express Hotels named Ali Kasikci regional managing director for North America, Mexico and the Caribbean, effective January 30, 2012. One of his responsibilities will be the relaunch of El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA. Kasikci joins Orient-Express from the Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, where as CEO he oversaw a multimillion dollar renovation. Kasikci also served as VP of strategic planning and development for Montage Hotels & Resorts. From 1991 until September 2007, he helmed The Peninsula Beverly Hills.

Hotel Missoni Mauritius opens in 2014 overlooking the village of Baie du Cap with 80 Missoni-designed suites with full beach and oceanviews. Get this, the spa will be 103,000 square feet in size. Watch for future Missoni hotels in Brazil and Oman.

The Jumeirah Vittaveli Maldives debuted last month as the second Jumeirah property to open in the area in 2011. Twenty minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli has 91 villa-suites, all with their own private pool. Some villas are even overwater. Other highlights include a Talise Spa.