VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in April 2023

In April, as we creep into the high season for summer destinations, there is always a flurry of hotels that open with the purpose to offer something new, exciting and different. More often than not, these narratives are driven by design. So, as we continue to cut through the noise on the hotel development scene on a global scale, here is our editor’s guide of the hottest design-led hotels that are opening in April 2023.

The Manchester, Lexington Kentucky

Image credit: The Manchester, Lexington Kentucky

Located in the heart of the historic Distillery District in Lexington, Kentucky, The Manchester is the first high-end hotel to open in the horse and bourbon capital of the world. Hoteliers Nik Feldman and Hank Morris, who have worked with numerous celebrated brands across hospitality and real estate, developed The Manchester on the former campus grounds of Central Kentucky’s first registered bourbon distillery. The hotel’s soulful interiors are rooted in Lexington’s historic rickhouses and the rich, earthy tones of the surrounding Bluegrass region’s landscape and rolling hills. The “Rickhouse Revival” facade features dramatic arches that run throughout the property.

The 125-key hotel, which is slightly delayed and will now open in June, boasts two unique dining experiences, sits at the nexus of Manchester Street’s Distillery District, a historic urban neighborhood and developing hub dotted with bourbon distilleries, breweries, bars, restaurants, and event spaces. Paying homage to the rich cultural history of Lexington, while forging its own unique identity, The Manchester seeks to take its place alongside the continually evolving hub of the historic Distillery District.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

Image credit: Ritz-Carlton

Preparing to open its doors, the 257-key Ritz-Carlton Melbourne has already made a lasting impression on the city skyline, soaring 80 storeys high. With its statement architectural design by Cottee Parker Architects, it is opening as one of the tallest hotels in Australia and certainly the tallest in Melbourne. Designed with materials inspired by the unique stories of the city, the hotel presents luxury accommodation, signature dining experiences across both restaurant and bar, holistic wellness spaces and an iconic infinity pool, as well as world-class meeting and event facilities and services.

COMO Le Montrachet, Burgundy, France

Image credit: COMO Hotels & Resorts

Marking COMO Hotel & Resorts’ long-awaited debut in France, COMO Le Montrachet is situated in the sought-after Côte-d’Or region of Burgandy. The hotel, which Hotel Designs exclusively shared images on back in 2021, has been designed by Paola Navone who has complement the historic 18th century property with her contemporary touches.

Arranged across four heritage buildings, 31 rooms and suites will be converted into chic sanctuaries starting with Villa Christine. The phased opening of the hotel will also see a COMO Shambhala Retreat, the first of its kind in France.

Bulgari Tokyo, Japan

Sheltered on the 40th to 45th floors inside Tokyo Midtown Yaesu ultra-skyscraper, Bulgari Tokyo has been designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel of ACPV ARCHITECTS. The 98-key hotel will be decorated with Italian luxury touches, such as furniture from the likes of  Maxalto, Flexform and B&B Italia. In addition, the hotel will also feature the ‘jewel in the crown’ Bulgari Suite and a 1,000 square-metre spa, complete with a 25-metre indoor pool.

 Nobu Seville

This spring (which we consider to mean ‘April’), Nobu Hotels will make its arrival in Seville, Spain. Situated in front of the City Hall at the vibrant Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the Andalusian capital, Nobu Hotel Sevilla features stylish guestrooms and suites over four floors. It will also feature a Nobu restaurant with views of the Roman wall complete with terrace seating, fitness centre and a rooftop with swimming pool and dining area that boasts spectacular views of the Cathedral and the Golden Tower.

Hoxton Brussels

Image credit: Ennismore

Hoxton, the lifestyle-luxury brand brought to you by Ennismore, is about to land in Brussels, which we have been updated will open on May 22. The new hotel will sit inside a brutalist-style tower building and the former European headquarters of IBM – ‘subtle’ is not in the brand’s vocabulary. Despite its bold entrance, the interior design scheme inside the 198-hotel is – in true Hoxton style – a home-from-home, complete with polished plaster walls, vintage and locally sourced furniture scattered around and bold geometric forms.

Not only does Hoxton Brussels feature all the cosy nods that have become signature from the brand, it will also be the home of Hoxton’s third co-working concept, Working From, which will occupy four floors of the building.

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Image credit: Ennismore

From one Ennismore gem to another, Mondrian Singapore Duxton has just arrived on the South Asian hospitality scene. Developed by Craig Road Property Holdings, with interiors by Studio Carter, the 302-room hotel that Hotel Designs first bookmarked back in 2021 takes its inspiration from traditional Singaporean architecture, elevated with a contemporary twist.

The debut of the Mondrian brand in Singapore reflects the strategic expansion of the brand’s international footprint, which will include soon-to-be announced Mondrian properties in the Dominican Republic, Germany, the Maldives, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU 

Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts

Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, the newest addition to the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio will feature 330 guestrooms, including 11 suites, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, retail, and around 3,300 square metres of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with expansive views of the ASU campus and the Arizona cityscape.

The hotel is a $125 million investment and part of a public-private partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the City of Tempe. Downtown Tempe is thriving with attractions, businesses, residents, and visitors, and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be the incredible completion of an important downtown intersection.

Six Senses Rome, Italy

And finally… no VIP arrivals story would be complete without a mention of what is becoming the most reputable wellness brand globally. Six Senses, which seems to be on an aggressive yet thoughtful expansion campaign, has just arrived in Rome, which is a significant moment for the brand that has made no vague nods to dipping its toe into urban hotspots.

Six Senses Rome translates its vision around wellness and local connections to offer both an escape and a sensory-rich journey. Layered on to this are little rituals contrasting with the grandiose beauty of the Eternal City. From BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, the spot where all our paths cross, to a unique Rome-at-your-feet feeling on NOTOS Rooftop, and its take on the ancient art of bathing – the hotel has levelled up to offer both a buzzing hub in the heart of the city and a tranquil escape.

Main image credit: Ennismore