Whether you stay at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotels Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Rosewood Beijing or Rosewood Sand Hill in Silicon Valley, you will notice that all embrace the brand’s sense of place ethos.
“We want our guests to feel truly immersed in their surroundings, and to do this we punctuate each of our properties with local touches — through everything from design, art and associate uniforms to amenities, activities and more,” said Radha Arora, president and co-chief development officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
Arora pointed to Rosewood São Paulo, which opened in January 2022 as the company’s first property in South America. The hotel houses 450 site-specific pieces of artwork, all of which were created in collaboration with local creatives and together illuminate the story behind Brazil’s dynamic culture and heritage.
Another recent opening that demonstrates a sense of place is Rosewood Vienna, which debuted in August. The hotel occupies the former headquarters of the Erste Bank Group AG, which was designed in 1835 and incorporates several historic buildings, including the apartment where Mozart once lived. “The transformation of the property into an ultra-luxury hotel was an incredibly meticulous process, as it was imperative that we retained as much of the original design elements as possible in order to give our guests the most authentic Viennese experience,” he said.
Soon, there will be even more destinations offering these localized experiences. We asked Arora to give us a sneak peek of Rosewood’s 2023 hotel openings and what will make them stand out among the rest:
What To Expect: Made in 1450 for Austrian royalty, the castle was converted to a hotel in 1954. Twenty minutes from Salzburg, the newly revamped property will feature 98 rooms, including 46 suites and six chalets; an Asaya spa with eight treatment rooms; and indoor and outdoor pools.
Why It’s Special: “On the heels of opening Rosewood Vienna this summer, we are thrilled to have plans to open another property in Austria in just a year’s time,” Arora says. “Idyllically situated on the banks of Lake Fuschl, this destination is also especially interesting to me. In terms of European destinations, it is a bit of a hidden gem, and we’re pleased to be able to offer many the chance to experience the magic of this place for the first time.”
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
What To Expect: Stretching across 81 palm-tree-dotted acres, the luxury hotel will offer 150 standalone, secluded guest hales, each with its own lanai and outdoor shower. It also will have various dining venues, including the original Kona Village Resort’s Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar; a Sense, A Rosewood Spa; along with multiple pools and tennis courts.
Why It’s Special: “I am personally very excited about the debut of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort,” Arora says. “I’ve previously worked in Hawaii, and my experience there was incredibly transformative and impactful, so I am thrilled to bring the Rosewood brand to this special place. Located on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, the iconic retreat will reopen under the Rosewood flag following a complete renovation. The restoration has been thoughtfully designed to honor the history and heritage of the original property and site, while also introducing modern amenities and services that speak to today’s luxury traveler.”
What To Expect: Beyond Rosewood Doha’s eye-catching white cutout façades, you will discover 185 guest rooms and suites, a cigar lounge, an Asaya wellbeing spa and a Manor Club executive lounge that will shower special services on guests staying in Club Rooms and Suites.
Why It’s Special: “This project is set to be especially striking, as it is comprised of two towers, each with unique architecture inspired by the coral reefs found in the seas surrounding Qatar,” he says. “The hotel is also poised to be one of the city’s most dynamic culinary destinations, introducing a collection of eight new innovative dining outlets.
What To Expect: Built in 1665, the Palace of Justice served as Amsterdam’s main courthouse for 175-plus years. Its hotel transformation will include 134 rooms and suites, most overlooking the canals; an Indian restaurant plus two other dining and drinking destinations; a Sense, A Rosewood Spa providing ayurvedic treatments; three landscaped courtyards; an indoor pool; and a lobby library with legal books that will serve as art pieces and a nod to the building’s past.
Why It’s Special: “Another exciting soon-to-launch property in Europe, Rosewood Amsterdam will be our first property in the Netherlands,” he says. “This hotel will sit in one of the city’s most exciting destinations, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amsterdam Canal District, which provides prime access to world-famous attractions, including the museum district, the high-end shopping district on P.C. Hooftstraatm and the hip De Pijp neighborhood.”
What To Expect: Rosewood Munich will showcase traditional German architecture alongside modern elements when it moves into two landmark buildings in the historic city center. Inside you will find 132 guest rooms and suites, a five-treatment-room spa, an indoor pool, two dining spots and a lobby lounge.
Why It’s Special: “The German-speaking market has recently emerged as a key focus area for the brand, and the opening of Rosewood Munich will mark our first property in Germany,” he says. “The hotel also continues our legacy of occupying landmark buildings, as Rosewood Munich will be situated within the former headquarters of the State Bank of Bavaria and the adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, a former grand aristocratic residence, both meticulously restored.”
