While 2022 might be winding down, hotels across the globe are still breaking ground, laying foundations and flinging open their designer doors. Keeping our finger on the pulse of all these openings and reimagining, here are a few that have caught our attention for this month of November…
Having been working remotely from my Hotel Designs desk in Northern Morocco for the past few weeks, it feels only fitting to kick off the November VIP openings list with the widely anticipated opening of the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier. Tangier is becoming a bit of hotel hotspot as alongside The Tazi Palace, the first Waldorf Astoria for Africa is slated to be opening here in 2025.
Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancourt
Set on the hillside of old Tangier, originally built in the 1920s as a residence for the King’s advisor, the palace has been restored and expanded upon, and now shelters 133 luxurious rooms and suites, a Fairmont Spa, multiple restaurants and bars, as well as modern conference and banquet spaces. Curated and designed by OBMI & CCCRA Architects, the property’s historic features are meticulously restored to their original 1920s glory and are complimented by a collection of vibrant dining venues and a spectacular wellness centre. The palace will offer select guestrooms overlooking the forested hillside, with additional rooms providing unobstructed views of the Old City with mountains on the horizon, creating a picturesque atmosphere. Visiting guests will be immersed in an environment steeped in rich history while enjoying charismatic and engaging service. The luxurious place features sumptuous Arab-Andalusian architecture, combining ancient and modern design while staying true to Moroccan tradition.
Nova Maldives
Image credit: Nova Maldives
Nova is the latest addition to the Pulse Hotels and Resorts Group portfolio is a contemporary all-inclusive community concept with a laidback soul and island style aesthetic. Pulse Hotels and Resorts is an umbrella brand for a range of innovative and contemporary hotels and resorts that are being built upon their core philosophy of being smart, playful, rooted, and responsible. The newly opened Nova Maldives is based on a home-from-home concept, an all-natural island resort sheltering 76 sensitively designed villas, offering guests a laidback, soulful island destination.
The spacious beach and water villas have private terraces, pools, and endless Indian Ocean views. The interior design heroes the location with custom-made furniture, neutral whites, warm materials and natural light, in a pared-back and minimalist style with the focus on delivering a truly relaxing ambience for guests. With nature and wellness at its core, each room also offers state-of-the-art technology.
Hotel Per La
Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls
Having been revamped and reimagined by Sage Studio, Hotel Per La, located in the iconic former NoMad Hotel site in downtown LA, has opened its doors. Under new ownership and management, debuting rooms and a new rooftop concept, the 12 story Hotel Per La features 241 signature guestrooms, and a variety of public spaces.
Located in the Giannini Building, the former Bank of Italy home originally built in 1922, the reimagined property has retained the signature features of the previous hotel, while enhancing the guest experience. HN Capital Partners has collaborated with Sage Studio to revamp and expand the property’s guest offerings. They have introduced new food & beverage concepts that highlight community-driven dining experiences, and working closely with a number of local Los Angeles based creative partners to bring a new hospitality space to the Downtown neighbourhood.
The Quoin
Image credit: The Quoin / Matthew Williams
The Quoin is a new luxury boutique hotel developed and designed by Philadelphia-based hospitality company, Method Co. Housed in a four-story Victorian Romanesque brownstone dating back to 1885 that was designed by the renowned Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, The Quoin features 24 luxury guestrooms, a lobby café and bar with fireplace, a ground floor restaurant with courtyard dining, a lower-level cocktail lounge, the city’s first rooftop bar and event space, plus a gym, retail space, and bike share program featuring Solé bicycles, adding a new and lasting hospitality landmark to the fabric of downtown Wilmington.
The Quoin’s contemporary interior design was carefully considered by Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm, in partnership with Philadelphia-based Stokes Architecture + Design. Inspired by the aesthetic of the Brandywine Valley, Method Studios reimagined the building’s existing natural materials by layering in modern handmade décor, floral motifs in the fabrics and wallpapers, the clean lines of modern Shaker-influenced furniture, and an overall subdued, earthy colour palette influenced by original Victorian-era paints dating back to 1820.
Hôtel Dame des Arts
Image credit: Hôtel Dame des Arts
Located in the historic Latin Quarter, Hôtel Dame des Arts, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, has opened its doors as a contemporary retreat embodying the spirit of freedom, culture, and creativity of the city’s Left Bank. The hotel offers a choice of 109 guestrooms and suites, all with bespoke and unique art pieces and many featuring outdoor balconies with views of iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Towel and Notre Dame Cathedral. Additional highlights include a state-of-the-art fitness centre and wellness area with a sauna and treatment room, courtyard garden, rooftop bar, and a signature restaurant serving French cuisine, reimagined with the fresh spirit of the North Pacific.
Mills House, Curio Collection by Hilton
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
The iconic 218 guestroom Mills House, located in the heart of downtown Charleston’s historic French Quarter neighbourhood, officially relaunches following a complete renovation and conversion to a lifestyle hotel under the ownership of RLJ Lodging Trust. With the relaunch, Mills House transitions to Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton as the portfolio’s first property in South Carolina.
The transformation of this landmark hotel includes a complete reimagination of all original guest rooms and the addition of premium suites, while maintaining the old-world charm and warmth for which Charleston is known. Guests enter through a lush hidden garden, one of the hotel’s many new bespoke spaces, which also include a new rooftop bar and terrace. Mills House now offers multiple new food and beverage concepts, including The Black Door Café, aptly named for its panelled door on Queen Street that offers a quintessential Charleston moment for visitors to The Holy City. Tucked inside the hotel’s walled courtyard, and soon to be one of Charleston’s favourite hidden gem eateries, is Iron Rose, a new signature restaurant where guests can enjoy Southern coastal cuisine by an outdoor fireplace.
Waldorf Astoria Cancun
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
Having mentioned Waldorf Astoria in the introduction, it felt like an appropriate note on which to end – Waldorf Astoria Cancun, with architecture from SB Architects, interiors by HBA and planning from EDSA, is now flying its luxury flag on this shimmering coastline with 100 acres of private beach at its disposal. Combining Waldorf Astoria’s elegant hospitality and unforgettable experiences with a rich Mexican heritage, the hotel will offer stunning ocean views from its 150 suites. The 21 room Waldorf Astoria Spa integrates Mexican healing traditions, and five restaurants and bars provide local cuisine and flavours.
Main image credit: Nova Maldives
