Hotel Designs is starting the New Year fresh by focusing the spotlight on significant hotel openings for 2019 that together are expected to transform the landscape of international hotel design. Here are our top picks of hotels that are launching in Q1 & Q2…
Looking ahead, and kickstarting our Spotlight On feature on Hotel Openings, here are the most anticipated ribbon cuts that are planning to make waves in Q1 and Q2 of this year.
Q1
Hotel Bennett, USA
Opening: January 2019
Hailed as the newest grand dame hotel to debut in the American South, Hotel Bennett is designed for travellers seeking an opulent and luxurious escape. Overlooking Charleston’s iconic Marion Square, the hotel will comprise of 179 luxurious guestrooms and suites, a signature restaurant, , a stylish bar and lounge that will utilise reclaimed pink marble. In addition to a spectacular rooftop bar which stretches out to overlook the city’s famed park, the hotel will also feature a new destination spa for guests and locals to enjoy.
Website: hotelbennett.com
YTL Hotels’ Monkey Island, UK
Opening: February 2019
Image credit: Monkey Island Estate
The much-anticipated luxury hotel, designed by the award-winning Alexandra Champalimaud, will open in the historic village of Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire. The island, which dates back 800 years, has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals.
The private countryside escape will consist of 27 guest rooms and three deluxe suites, plus a separate barn with 11 rooms for private hire. The estate will also feature the Floating Spa – a first-of-its-kind bespoke barge, which will offer an aray of luxury treatments.
Website: monkeyislandestate.co.uk
Santarena Hotel, Costa Rica
Opening: February 2019
Expected to be Costa Rica’s hottest new opening, Santarena Hotel will be a bohemian gem located in the town of Las Catalinas. The 45-guestroom hotel will include three suites, a rooftop lounge and swimming pool and elevated local cuisine that is focused on sustainability and farm-to-fork dishes.
Website: santarenahotel.com
The First Roma Dolce, Italy
Opening: February 2019
Image credit: The First Roma Dolce
Situated on Via del Corso, The First Roma Dolce, a new patisserie-themed boutique hotel, is set to open its doors in February 2019. The Dolce will be the newest addition to the ‘First Experience’, which joins three distinctly unique hotels together and emboldens guests to truly experience the city as locals.
The hotel will be housed within a classic 19th-Century building designed by the renowned Italian architect and urban planner Giuseppe Valadier, who is known and widely celebrated for creating the elliptical design of Piazza del Popolo.
The boutique hotel will shelter 23 refined suites and guestrooms, with views overlooking the bustling Via del Corso. With particular attention being paid to the contemporary design of the guestrooms and spacious suites, the hotel encourages guests to feel as though they ‘live’ in the city during their trip. State-of-the-art amenities include in-room fitness equipment, and ensure The Dolce will become guests’ ‘home-away-from-home’, offering an elegant yet comfortable and familiar atmosphere whilst visiting the Italian capital.
Website: thefirsthotel.com/dolce
Magashi Camp, Rwanda
Opening: March, 2019
Image credit: Magashi Safaris Camp, Rwanda
Following the success of the award-winning Bisate Lodge, Rwanda, Wilderness Safaris will continue to expand its luxury arm and ecotourism footprint by opening a new camp in Akagera National Park in March 2019. In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and conservation group African Parks, the six-tented camp called Magashi will be situated in the north-eastern part of Akagera overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga.
Website: wilderness-safaris.com
Hotel EQ, Kuala Lumpur
Opening: March 2019
Image credit: EQ Hotel
With a prime location in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, Hotel EQ will be an ideal base for bleisure breaks, a trend that is expected to reach new heights this year. Set in a multi-use 52-storey building occupying floors 29-52, the hotel will feature 440 guestrooms and suites, an authentic Pan-Asian restaurant and an impressive rooftop Sky Restaurant and Lounge.
Website: eqkualalumpur.com
Q2
Lelewatu Resort Sumba, Indonesia
Opening April 2019
Image credit: Preferred Hotels
Expected to turn heads with its remote pristine beaches, Sumba Island’s latest hotel will be set on a cliffside overlooking a private lagoon and the Indian Ocean.
Scattered over 10 acres of land, the resort’s 27 luxurious villas are designed with authentic Sumbanese wooden interiors, handwoven ikat fabrics, indoor marble baths, and private pools.
Website: lelewatu.com
Ikos Aria Kos, Greece
Opening: May 2019
Image credit: Ikos Aria Kos
Ikos Aria will bring an elevated and luxury dimension to all-inclusive offerings on the popular island of Kos. Situated on the southwest coast of Kos, the five-star resort will feature 373 elegantly appointed guest rooms with chic modern interiors, all with panoramic vistas across the Aegean Sea.
Website: ikosresorts.com/resorts/ikos-aria/
Hotel Samzeo, Georgia
Opening: May 2019
The remote village of Omalo, which is where Hotel Samzeo is situated, is positioned between two mountain ranges in Geogira’s historical Tusheti region. With just 43 guestrooms and suites, the boutique hotel is entirely powered by energy efficient systems and solar power.
Image credit: VFM Leonardo
Website: preferredhotels.com
The Kitano Hotel Tokyo
Opening: April 2019
The Kitano Hotel Tokyo nestled in Hirakawacho is currently being renovated and will open in April 2019 as a new luxury boutique hotel in Tokyo.
Website: kitanohotel.co.jp/tokyo
The Chedi Mumbai, India
Opening: June 2019
Image credit: GHM
Breathtaking views over serene Powai Lake to Mumbai’s dramatic cityscape elegantly finish the sophisticated and thoughtful offerings of this game-changing luxury hotel in India’s City of Dreams. The Chedi Mumbai will welcome business travellers with sophisticated meeting facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and communication technology.
Seven exceptional and innovative dining options, a holistic spa and wellness facilities plus stunning venues for private events of all sizes extend our heartfelt welcome to business and leisure travellers as well as to this city’s most discerning residents. Each of the 312 generously sized guestrooms and suites will capture stunning panoramas, while tasteful interiors will reflect GHM’s legendary motto: ‘style to remember.’
Website: ghmhotels.com/en/our-hotels/
Main image credit: Magashi Safaris Camp, Rwanda
