Top luxury hotel brands have recently announced upcoming openings and extensive renovations at locations around the world, with high-end names like the Four Seasons and Six Senses leading the way.
Openings
The Holston House Nashville
One of the newest additions to the Unbound Collection by Hyatt opened its doors in January, occupying an 88-year-old Art Deco building near the Cumberland River in the heart of downtown Nashville. The 191-room hotel is the site of the old James Robertson Hotel, which was designed in 1929 and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.
Each room provides guests with complimentary Internet access, a 50-inch 4K Ultra HD interactive television, a Keurig coffeemaker with complimentary coffee and tea, and bathroom amenities from C.O. Bigelow. Guests can opt for a one-bedroom corner suite with a separate living room and powder room, or choose one of the two Penthouse Suites with terraces. Plus, the two Penthouse Suites can be combined, granting access to The Bungalow, a private room opening to the rooftop pool deck.
The Hotel Chais Monnet
Coming to the French commune of Cognac in summer 2018, this hotel will offer 92 rooms and suites, 14 apartments, and a slew of luxury amenities. Placed on a five-acre estate, the hotel will have a full spa, swimming pool, two restaurants, and two bars where guests will have the opportunity to taste rare, old cognacs. Other facilities will include a boutique, deli, children’s center, a large ballroom and meeting rooms for events. Hotel Chais Monnet is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
This spring, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, located on a private inlet of the UNESCO Global Geopark, will showcase a full spa, restaurant serving local cuisine, and the Retreat Lagoon. Each of the hotel’s 62 suites will sport a minimalist aesthetic, floor-to-ceiling windows, and “human-centric lighting set to mimic the phases of the sun.” The suites on the lower level have private terraces, with some offering guests direct access to the lagoon. The upper level suites will have private balconies overlooking the horizon.
Built into an 800-year-old lava flow on the south shore of the Blue Lagoon, the Retreat Spa will have a steam room built into the lava rock, a cold well, in-water massages, treatment rooms offering massages and beauty treatments, a spa restaurant and more. The Retreat Spa will also allow guests to access the Retreat Lagoon, a new Blue Lagoon experience where the mineral-rich water flows around The Retreat through a terraced concourse of lava.
At the Moss Restaurant, guests can sample Icelandic cuisine with dishes from the seas, mountains, rivers and farms. Moss Restaurant will also have a 10-seat Chef’s Table made of lava rock, and the Wine Cellar, which was built into a cavern of lava that erupted in 1226.
Six Senses Fiji
The luxury resort, which is scheduled for a spring 2018 opening, is accepting guest reservations starting April 14. This is the first South Pacific property for the Six Senses brand, which now operates 11 resorts and 30 spas in 20 countries.
Located on Malolo Island, Six Senses Fiji is surrounded white sand beaches, tropical forests, and lagoons. Guests will also have access to a 2,100-foot-long private beach. Additionally, the hotel can arrange excursions like snorkeling and surfing adventures to nearby reef breaks.
Six Senses Fiji will have 24 one- and two-bedroom pool villas complete with private decks and outdoor showers. In addition, there will be 10 private residences, with another 50 to be constructed during phase two of the resort’s development. Culinary options will include two restaurants, a café, an outdoor pizzeria and grill, and two bars. The spa will include a wet area with hot and cold whirlpool, a bar, and a yoga pavilion.
Renovations
The Academy
The Academy will relaunch in London in April after a complete redesign by Champalimaud Design. Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, The Academy is a collection of five Georgian townhouses combined into one hotel.
Upon its relaunch, the property will become part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.The hotel’s overhaul comes with a new look described as a mix between traditional townhouse style with a modern city aesthetic. The designers took inspiration from the famous artists, philosophers, and writers who live in the area in the early 20th century.
In addition to the 50 guestrooms, the public spaces have also been redesigned. The Alchemy Bar has been moved to the ground floor, adjacent to the garden. The Refectory will serve as the breakfast room and function space. Guests will be able to book a treatment at Mr. Ma’s Tea House Spa in the garden, offering traditional Asian therapies and treatments.
Four Seasons Resort Nevis
The luxury resort in the Caribbean announced it will begin a multimillion-dollar enhancement project this year. The multi-phase renovation to the 350-acre property will being in April with a redesign of all 196 guestrooms and suites, which is expected to be complete by November.
In the rooms, the new wall covers will showcase the 19th century British botanical patterns rendered in a contemporary pale sea foam green. The multi-colored geometric carpet that will be used is inspired by Caribbean stained-glass windows, and the desk chairs are inspired by the flora and fauna of Nevis, particularly the green vervet monkeys, with their images printed on the seat back cushions. Following the start of the room renovations, the resort will also begin a reimagining of its Great House and lobby areas, as well as its food and beverage outlets.
Blantyre
The historic estate in Lenox, Massachusetts, will relaunch in April 2018 with Ocean House Management Collection following a multi-million-dollar renovation. Blantyre will be the sister hotel to Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Blantyre is one of the last remaining Gilded Age mansions in the U.S., and it was the first U.S. property to become a member of the Relais & Châteaux.
All 23 accommodations units – eight guest rooms in the Main House, eleven suites in the Carriage House and four cottages – will show off a completely new look, combining “old world glamour” with contemporary accents with new fabrics, furnishings, and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy classic dishes with locally sourced ingredients at the French-style Blantyre Bistro. Guests can also opt for the fine dining experience at the Conservatory at Blantyre, equipped with an outdoor terrace overlooking the lawns.
Additionally, the renovation project includes the debut of a new spa, complete with four treatment rooms, sauna and Eucalyptus steam room, relaxation lounge with Vitality Bar, fitness center and meditation garden.
Hotel Barrière Le Gray d’Albion Cannes
Situated in the city center, between the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette and the Rue d’Antibes, the 4-star hotel will reopen on March 9, 2018 with a new look. The hotel closed on December 15, 2017, for the refurbishment, taking advantage of the seasonal winter closure to give the hotel a makeover.
Designer Alexandre Danan will redesign the first two floors, focusing on the bar, lobby, and nine meeting rooms. The Paris-based designer has completely revamped the spaces in a contemporary style using materials like wood and white marble. The idea was to bring down the walls and create an open, friendly vibe, also reflected by the hotel staff. The façade will also get a new look, now with American walnut wood embellishing it.
The redesign is part of Group Barrière’s portfolio-wide renovation investment that started in 2013; more than 210 million euros has been put towards renovating its French hotels.
The Oberoi, New Delhi
The Oberoi, New Delhi reopened in January after a multi-million-dollar renovation project that began in 2016. The hotel's 220 rooms—including 34 suites—were redesigned to be more spacious and luxurious with extra natural light. The hotel also received new air filters to provide clean, fresh air.
The Oberoi, New Delhi also partnered with two internationally known chefs. At Omya, the new Indian restaurant, diners can enjoy a menu created by chef Alfred Prasad, who has held a Michelin star for thirteen years. Chef Andrew Wong of the Michelin-starred A Wong restaurant has designed the menu and is the mentor chef of the rooftop Chinese restaurant, Baoshuan.
Wellness offerings include an spa menu with holistic massages and beauty treatments that include aromatherapy, Eastern and Western massages. There is also a sauna, indoor and outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pools, and a 24-hour fitness center.
The meetings and events venues has a new-look ballroom, meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center equipped with new technology.
Related Stories
New Luxury London Suites for a Honeymoon
The Best Hotels With Spas in Paris