While the year might be drawing to a close, hotels around the world continue to open at a pace, and the December VIP arrivals list includes more than its fair share of beautiful beaches along with some well-designed city breaks…
Taking us from the Caribbean to Copenhagen, this months openings covers some design heavyweights as well as a few new kids on the block. While it is always exciting to see new projects taking shape, it is equally exciting to see buildings being reimagined, with some brands building this sense of re-purpose into their design DNA. But despite the many differences on the surface of things, what these openings below do have in common, is a commitment to immerse us in a location and, through design, offer guests a unique experience that enhances and reflects the surroundings.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Image credit: Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Opening on schedule on the 1st of the month all 52 Villas at Cheval Blanc Seychelles offer mesmerising panoramas of the Indian Ocean, with 24 villas elegantly nestled along the immaculate beaches and 28 ensconced within the lush hills, all effortlessly harmonizing with Seychelles’ natural beauty. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, Cheval Blanc Seychelles blends tropical naturalism with modernist precision, all while staying true to Gathy’s design ethos as a narrative. Inspired by Creole living principles and local architecture, he has created an architectural dialogue that harmonises the luxurious interior spaces with the breathtaking Seychelles landscape.
SLS Hotels & Residences
Image credit: SLS Barcelona
Renowned for its stunning coastal setting, rich cultural landscape and exciting nightlife and restaurant scene, the Catalan city is the natural choice for SLS’s first step into Europe. Dramatically backlit by the Med’s dazzling winter sunshine, SLS Barcelona brings its distinctive brand of immersive extravagance to the waterside district of Port Fòrum. Never one to shy away from a grand entrance, the hotel will be set behind a striking, undulating façade that emulates the waves of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and beckons guests and locals alike into an indulgent wonderland informed by extraordinary experiences.
The property has been crafted with the luxury and excellence of a grand hotel yet layered with a playful ambience and subversive design touches to create an aesthetic that is both extravagant and unique. A creative collaboration between leading designers AIME Studios, AvroKO, and Rockwell Group has resulted in spaces that are brilliantly functional yet flamboyant, setting the stage for the extraordinary to unfold every day.
Mama Shelter Dubai
Image credit: Accor
Travelling to the Middle East for the first time, and preparing to open in the middle of the month, Mama Shelter Dubai will be a unique offering for visitors to Dubai. Home to 197 rooms and 204 apartments, a range of dining outlets, a terrace with four swimming pools, as well as an outdoor cinema, it will be a larger-than-life Mama that embodies the idea of a resort in the heart of the city.
ME Lisbon
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
ME Lisbon can be found on the corner of the downtown avenues of Antonio Augusto de Aguiar and Fontes Pereira de Melo, alongside the Eduardo VII Park and Marquês de Pombal Square, with its striking semi-transparent, glass-facade designed by local architect João Paciência.
The hotel design, sensitively conceived by Broadway Malyan, integrates some of the most efficient and sustainable technology to minimise its environmental footprint. The heat generated by the cooling systems in the hotel, for example, will be used as a source of energy for the hot water boilers. The design studio is said to have been inspired by the ‘unexpected’ nature of Lisbon, with the interiors featuring a fresh and disruptive style that is also influenced by some of the key attractions in the city itself, such as the arches or colour of the trees on the Avenida da Liberdade, helping create a greater bond between the hotel and its local environment and community.
Park Lane Copenhagen
Image credit: Park Lane Copenhagen
Park Lane Copenhagen has been reimagined from what was originally a cinema and more recently a local hotel. The building has an intriguing and rich story dating back to the 1920’s. This historic charm of the premises has been carefully preserved in the new transformation, where some original details have been thoughtfully retained.
Drawing inspiration from the Copenhagen surroundings of the hotel, the designer, Camilla van den Tempel, has crafted an atmosphere designed to promote relaxation, allowing guests to retreat and unwind. The design and colour scheme evoke a natural, serene ambiance, ranging from creamy tones to deep browns, accented by subtle hints of green. This palette complements the tranquil setting of the historical park, Øregårdsparken, situated opposite the hotel.
Peter Island Resort
Image credit: Peter Island Resort
A treasured Caribbean private island hideaway, the newly rebuilt and reimagined Peter Island Resort, part of the Preferred Hotels portfolio, is home to hundreds of lush, tropical acres, five pristine beaches, and 52 room, suite and villa accommodations just steps from the sea. An infinity pool overlooking Deadman’s Beach invites relaxation with breathtaking views, while the ultra-luxurious Falcon’s Nest villa on its mountain peak promises sweeping 360-degree vistas of the Virgin Islands.
The 10,000 square foot Peter Island Spa features seven treatment rooms, a fitness centre, saltwater pool, outdoor relaxation areas, and an alfresco hot tub overlooking Big Reef Bay. Along with two chic restaurants, this charmingly intimate hotel also offers a full-service marina at Peter Island Yacht Club, and an array of outdoor activities, from diving and snorkelling to hiking the scenic Sunset Loop.
Zel Punta Cana
Image credit: Zel
Zel Punta Cana is the third property from the Meliá Hotels lifestyle brand Zel, and its first to make a brand footprint in the Caribbean. Surrounded by lush natural landscapes and breathtaking beaches, Zel Punta Cana invites guests to experience a distinctive blend of the Mediterranean lifestyle and Caribbean Island charm, building on the success of Zel Mallorca and Zel Costa Brava. The all-inclusive resort boasts 190 nature-inspired guest rooms including Suites, Master Suites, and Swim-Up Suites with private gardens that offer direct pool access. The Casa Zel Swim-Up Suite offers an elevated retreat with two king-bed bedrooms, a separate living and dining area, a private terrace with a whirlpool for two, and a Balinese bed in the garden for ultimate relaxation. Inspired by a love for the outdoors and the philosophy of slow living, the rooms showcase Mediterranean-style design with natural colours, textures, and shapes.
Main image credit: SLS Barcelona
