VIP arrivals: Hottest hotel openings in May 2021

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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VIP arrivals: Hottest hotel openings in May 2021

From brand debuts to a boutique bombshells and local gems, here’s your ultimate guide on the hottest hotel openings to expect in May 2021. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…

While unrestricted travel the way we knew it may be somewhat of a hazy dream at the moment, it has not stopped brands and hotels from around the world bookmarking the summer of 2021 as their cue to re-emerge onto the international hospitality stage.

As we prepared to write the fifth article in our year-long editorial series, VIP arrivals, we are reminded of what makes a hotel incredible. And as such, in this chapter of our series, we searched for hotels that are opening that ooze personality, style, character and that will shelter unconventional yet extremely meaningful ways to connect locals and travellers alike with local culture.

Opening with the fierce aim to tease travellers to explore once more, here are some of the most interesting hotel openings that the editorial team at Hotel Designs have identified are set to take place this month.

Villa Igiea in Palermo, Sicily

Hotel openings: The Villia Igia's guestrooms

Image credit: Rocco Forte

If this hotel isn’t already on your radar, it should be! The 72-key boutique gem is situated in stunning Sicily – and is sheltered under the Rocco Forte umbrella. Villa Igiea was acquired by the brand back in 2019, a beginning of a new era for this opulent coastal resort. Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi has collaborated Paolo Moschino of Nicholas Haslam Studios to carefully restore this Grade I-listed landmark, preserving its unique heritage features whilst reimagining and updating neglected areas. Polizzi and Moschino have sought to blend period features with a contemporary flair to exquisite effect. Furnished with classic antiques and sumptuous fabrics in serene shades, each of the 72 rooms and 28 suites is fresh, light, and inherently Sicilian. Locally crafted elements pay homage to the villa’s extraordinary setting and the walls are covered with artwork evoking Sicily’s beauty and heritage.

Villa Dagmar, Stockholm

Carefully renovated and rebuilt under the direction of the Tengbom architectural firm, the 70-key Villa Dagmar is located in a well-preserved Art Nouveau property, next to the newly renovated Östermalmshallen (Food Market). The property has been transformed into a beautiful boutique hotel with the modern feeling of an international villa – a city home for personal meetings, with excellent service, exceptional food and drink experiences, and relaxation. The hotel’s interior, which was inspired by European travels, was designed by Anna Cappelen, design architect Per Öberg and interior designer Helena Belfrage. Villa Dagmar is an eclectic home filled with carefully selected details, Scandinavian design elements, international furniture classics as well as exclusively designed furniture by Per Öberg. The interior provides an inspiring experience and conveys the feeling of visiting someone’s unique city villa and a place one longs to return to.

INNSiDE Newcastle

INNSiDE Newcastle

Image credit: INNSiDE/Melia Hotels

Designed by Faulknerbrowns Architects, INNSiDE Newcastle will take architectural inspiration from iconic local landmarks such as the Tyne’s bridges, whilst the hotel’s interior will showcase a light, minimal and versatile space, featuring modern and comfortable furnishings. The 161-room hotel will be located in the heart of the city on the historical Quayside, offering breath-taking views across the River Tyne and an eclectic home-from-home feel for guests to explore Newcastle’s city centre.

Each stay will be enriched with music, art and literature curated by the hotel’s local experts. The Open Living Lounge will act as the beating heart of the hotel, with the open plan lobby offering the ideal transitional space to allow guests skip seamlessly from work to play. The Open Living Lounge will serve food throughout the day with local DJs providing the perfect soundtrack for guests and visitors to relax and unwind over a post-work cocktail.

The Grove, Hertfordshire

A loud lounge with biophilic walls

Image credit: The Gove, Hertfordshire

In just a few days time, on May 17, The Grove, which is a quintessentially British countryside retreat in Hertfordshire, will reopen its doors with a perfectly timed unveil of its most recent renovation to transform what was a tired interior design scheme into a light, bright and playful modern hotel experience. The complete redesign, which was masterminded by interior design studio Martin Hulbert Design, incorporates all three dining spaces – The Glasshouse, The Stables and The Lounges – as well as the lobby area and all 189 West Wing guestrooms.

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, Romania

Europe, Romania, Bucharest, The Marmorosch

Image credit: Marriott International

Located in the Romanian capital of Bucharest the hotel is set on the site of a former palace and bank built at the end of La Belle Époque, reflecting the era’s dynamic, optimistic and creative edge. This energy and rich heritage is pulled through in its 217 rooms and suites, which will begin welcoming guests in early summer 2021. 

The Apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens, London

Located just a stone’s throw away from the hotel, the six one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that are sheltered under the iconic 11 Cadogan Gardens brand have been designed by luxury residential and hospitality design studio, Atellior to become sanctuaries for guests to make their home in this most quintessentially English neighbourhood of central London.

Main image credit: Rocco Forte

Hamish Kilburn / 06.05.2021

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