VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in September 2024
With a new season comes a wave of hotel openings, and an air of sophisticated chic within the walls of some very exciting new properties…
I think it’s fair to say we’re well and truly out of the summer season and looking ahead to one of the busiest periods in the design calendar: autumn. Show season is bound to keep us all on our toes, but if that wasn’t enough for you, we’ve seen a plethora of hotel openings in September that we think you should make time to go and check out.
Hyde London City is a bohemian hideaway in the heart of the UK’s capital located within a historic building just moments from St Pauls Cathedral. Set across seven storeys, the hotel has 111 guestrooms, a modern Turkish restaurant serving up generous lokanta-style hospitality, and an intimate underground cocktail bar dedicated to a love of music that harks back to Hyde origins on the LA club scene.
The hotel breathes life into the 19th-century, Grade II-listed Spiers & Pond building in Farringdon, while bringing Hyde’s electrifying energy to one of London’s most storied neighbourhoods.
Designed by Studio Moren, the hotel is rich with references to Darwin’s seminal works and the kaleidoscope’s discovery, infusing a sense of energy and fascination into the space.
Image credit: Ennismore
The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam
Nestled within 440 hectares of forest and lush gardens, just steps away from the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, this opulent palace promises an unparalleled experience in the heart of Morocco’s capital.
The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat Dar Es Salam offers 100 guestrooms and 17 suites all with a private terrace facing the pool and the gardens, including a 180 square-metre Royal Suite. Embodying a marriage between Baroque opulence and Moroccan touches, all guestrooms and suites feature grand headboards adorned with gebs, large mirrors, Baroque-styled furniture, and sumptuous marble in the bathrooms. The gilded frescoes and opulent fabrics infuse a sense of timeless elegance, while the vibrant colour palette introduces sophisticated freshness. The breathtaking views of the surrounding greenery from all the rooms allow guests to recharge in a peaceful natural setting.
The interiors have been meticulously curated to represent Arab-Andalusian history and culture, while subtly integrating modern touches through elegant furnishings. Each thoughtfully placed wall painting illustrates emblematic moments of Andalusian culture and tells a unique story, capturing landscapes, scenes of daily life, or historical events of the Moorish past.
Image credit: Marriott International
Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa
IHG Hotels & Resorts has debuted its first Hotel Indigo resort in the Middle East with the opening of Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa. Jabal Akhdar, meaning ‘Green Mountain’ in Arabic, is a majestic range in Oman known for its stunning landscapes and cooler climate. Famed for terraced gardens, ancient villages, and dramatic canyons, the new Hotel Indigo resort is nestled 2,000 metres above sea level, featuring 173 beautifully designed rooms, suites, and chalets, each offering majestic views of the neighbouring mountains.
The resort’s design echoes the colours and textures of the mountains, creating a space that is both strikingly beautiful and deeply rooted in Omani heritage. Thoughtful touches and curated experiences bring to life the stories of the resilient communities that have thrived here for centuries. While the mountain’s rugged terrain once made it difficult to access, today it welcomes travellers seeking outdoor adventure, connection with nature, and a taste of authentic Omani life.
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
The third Hyatt property in the city, Brunfels Hotel is an ideal haven for curious travellers with a love of culture and history. The hotel is a stone’s throw from world-renowned attractions including the Romanesque Mainz Cathedral, the ancient Gutenberg Museum and the vibrant Marktplatz square. Situated on Schillerplatz, the hotel is enviably located for those looking to wander through the winding streets of a city where music, art and design converge, and ancient tradition meets contemporary lifestyle.
With interior design inspired by botanist Otto Brunfels, the new hotel is the result of an extensive renovation of the former 127-room, five-storey Hilton Mainz City, which closed in early 2023, and has been rebranded an now reopened as a charming city property.
“Brunfels Hotel is a terrific addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, combining the magnificent heritage of Mainz with a twist of modern glamour,” said Holger Hanselmann, General Manager of Brunfels Hotel. “The property has views of the cathedral yet remains tucked away from the main streets of the Old Town, making it the ideal stay for travellers looking to soak up the local atmosphere from a revitalizing retreat.”
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Offering a laid back and inviting oasis for all types of travellers, the opening of voco Stocklholm – Kista marks IHG’s re-entry into the Swedish market.
Each element of the hotel has been thoughtfully curated to deliver a unique experience. Located in the heart of Stockholm’s Silicon Valley, the brand new, full-service hotel, with uninterrupted views of northern Stockholm, is an exciting addition to the city scape welcoming business and leisure guests from around the world to enjoy its premium spa, wellness facilities and gourmet dining. With 201 rooms, a spacious restaurant, café, five meeting spaces, a fitness suite and underground parking, voco Stockholm – Kista is within walking distance of corporate headquarters and tech parks and is only a short drive from Stockholm city centre.
The hotel rooms are designed to suit any traveller’s needs with a mix of various room sizes, including family rooms, accessible rooms and connecting rooms. The top floor of the property plays host to an outdoor terrace and café serving light meals ultimately providing guests with a sky-high sanctuary complete with the only spa and pool in Kista.
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre
Alongside busy shops and trendy restaurants on the edge of the city’s leafy green Wulin Square rises a gleaming new tower crowned by the now open Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre.
The Hotel’s 188 guest rooms and 26 suites, beautifully designed by Avalon Collective, all offer elevated views from the 19th to 29th floors, sweeping across the city, the Grand Canal and out over West Lake, where a second Four Seasons in the city is located. Featuring a modern interpretation of classic Chinese design motifs, room are light and airy, with at-one’s-fingertips technology and numerous thoughtful details designed to envelop guests in luxurious comfort and sophisticated style.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Main image credit: Hyde London City, courtesy of Ennismore
