The Breakers Palm Beach
Photo Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach
As we inch closer to the New Year, many people will begin making preparations for new goals, personal promises and makeovers. Resolutions are a staple in our culture, but these acts aren’t only reserved for middle-aged dads or out-of-shape coworkers. Hotels are a part of a self-conscious bunch with aspirations, too. In fact, many have worked really hard on their appearance and are finally ready to debut renovations or open their doors for the very first time. From all-new properties and re-envisioned suites to restaurant upgrades, we’ve collected eight hotels with fabulously fresh fall looks they vow to maintain well into 2016 and beyond.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
This Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel, set in the heart of Uptown Dallas, is known as an elegant property sitting steps away from sporting events, arts, entertainment and eateries in the area. Debuting a $9-million renovation, done in collaboration with Patty Xenos Design, this property holds nothing back with upgrades to guest rooms and corridors receiving new wall coverings, fabric enhancements, blue carpeting and much more. Still, the new aspects of the hotel that will garner the biggest gasps surround the Club Lounge and the lobby. The former has been re-created to include induction surfaces, providing heating and cooling surfaces for food and beverage selections, while the latter now features The Tequila Library, your best spot for all things cocktails and spirits.
Faena’s Oceanfront Suite, Photo Courtesy of Faena Group
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
With views of Miami Beach’s picturesque beachfront, this 169-room hotel is slated to open softly this month and we couldn’t be more excited. The property, part of the city’s $1 billion Faena District development project, will feature the 22,000-square-foot Tierra Santa Spa and a new restaurant, Los Fuegos, both inspired by South American customs. What really sets this place apart, however, is the impeccable, Art Deco-influenced design courtesy of famed film director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin. Consider this swanky spot for a stay when you make your way down to rub elbows with creative types at early December’s Art Basel or January’s Art Deco Weekend.
Bacara Resort & Spa
For the past three years, this Four-Star Santa Barbara retreat has been improving what was already considered paradise for those who enjoy glamorous amenities and breathtaking views of the Pacific. Millions of dollars later, the 78-acre property now boasts an extensive guestroom renovation with all 358 rooms, suites and retreats receiving enhancements. Designed by Kay Lang + Associates, the upgrades include four-poster platform beds, luxury bedding by Frette, iPad minis with hotel app features, 48-inch LED TVs and locally inspired artwork. After a day out on the coast, venture back to your room and run a bath in the new deep soaking tubs, surrounded by marble floors and warm walnut bathroom vanities.
Hotel Emma
While November 26 was the date most people had circled on last month’s calendar, we had our eyes on November 9, the day when this San Antonio boutique hotel officially entered the city’s high-end hospitality scene. Taking over the 121-year-old building that was once The Pearl brewery, the 146-room property features spaces laced with chic, South Texan décor and an array of culinary options like John-Brand’s restaurant Supper and Sternewirth, the hotel’s bar and club room. Bibliophiles will be pleased to know that this property also has an in-house library that contains over 3,700 volumes from the personal collection of Sherry Kafka Wagner, a well-known San Antonio-based novelist and historian.
Nobu Hotel at Eden Roc Miami Beach
Aside from the amazing weather outlook, so many great things happen in South Florida during the fall season that highlighting another Miami hotspot is only right, especially when it includes the launch of Nobu Hotel at Eden Roc Miami Beach. A new hotel-within-a-hotel concept, the 210-room hotel features a fresh culinary adventure (the world’s largest Nobu Restaurant), access to the 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness facilities, and panoramic views of the city from the luxurious Penthouse suite. Designer David Rockwell insures that the Neo-Baroque hotel style that makes Eden Roc Miami Beach so beloved is preserved, even though this new effort has a more Japanese-inspired aesthetic.
Studio City Macau, Photo Courtesy of Melco Crown Entertainment
Studio City Macau
For movie-star glamour oceans away from Hollywood, this $3.2-billion resort offers all the action you could ever dream. Studio City Macau, the latest project from the prolific Melco Crown Entertainment group, encompasses cinematic magic, dining options and world-class performances for the ultimate vacationing experience. The grand opening alone was a marquee event, with a performance by Mariah Carey, acrobats and a screening of the Martin Scorsese-produced film, The Audition, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro. When you make the trip, prepare to have your mind blown even more by riding the 427-feet-tall Ferris wheel and the Batman-inspired simulation ride.
The Breakers Palm Beach
Tucked away in this Palm Beach Four-Star resort is the reimagined Flagler Club. The quaint, mini hotel will feature a private, 25-unit capsule collection of über sleek rooms and suites. After a $5-million renovation, you are now afforded stylish, contemporary accommodations that include 55-inch curved televisions, king beds with PranaSleep adjustable functions and spa-like marble bathrooms. Additionally, club guests are specially treated with access to the exclusive Adam D. Tihany-designed lounge and private terrace, complimentary chauffeured airport transfers, four daily culinary offerings and more.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
Just to prove that the Five-Star treasure never rests on its luxurious laurels, this Vancouver property recently revealed the lavish Royal Suite. Be warned: this new feature is only for the most sophisticated of traveler. Starting at $10,000 a night, you can enjoy a modern, four-bedroom suite on the 45th floor of The Private Residences at Rosewood Hotel Georgia. At over 3,700 glorious square feet, the space consists of four bedrooms with en-suite baths, a den, media room and a standalone balcony providing 180-degree city views. Guests will also receive a personal wardrobe consultant, daily spa services and the option to have an in-suite private chef. Sign us up!
