With the gradual lifting of travel restrictions and global vaccine rollouts gathering pace, it’s been a busy year on the hotel front with a number of new developments finally opening their doors, and there’s still plenty more to come.
Earlier this year, we reported on an increasingly positive outlook for the global hotel market heading into 2021 and data by collected by our partners Tophotelprojects stated that 7,420 projects were in the pipeline globally, 41% of which were slated to open in 2021; that’s over 600,000 new rooms. And with that, a whole host of new and exciting F&B concepts.
Since then, there’s been a flurry of the new openings and a number of firsts for the world’s biggest and most exciting hotel brands, including Sydell Group’s NoMad brand making its London debut, Marriott’s playful and stylish Moxy brand’s first resort location in Miami and One&Only’s first European hotel – One&Only Portonovi, featuring Italian restaurant Sabia helmed by acclaimed chef Giorgio Locatelli – welcoming guests.
And there’s plenty of activity on the boards for the rest of 2021, which is why we’ve been keeping a close eye on the latest drinking and drinking venues expected to launch over the next six months, bringing you a round-up of the very best restaurants and bars from across the sector, including the Maybourne Hotel Groups’ cuisine-focused outpost on the Côte d’Azur, The Londoner – the world’s first super boutique hotel – and Raffles the Palm Dubai, Accor’s first Raffles Resort in the Middle East.
Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh
Country estate Gleneagles will open its first-ever city outpost this Autumn. Gleneagles Townhouse will boast striking architectural features and elegant interiors by Ennismore Design Studio and will comprise 33 individually designed bedrooms with quirky yet contemporary interiors; a vibrant all-day restaurant and two bars, including a roof terrace with panoramic views; and a spa and holistic wellness space.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Accor • Developer: Ennismore • Architecture: 3D Reid • Interior Design: Ennismore Design Studio
The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
The historic hotel in Downtown Nashville recently announced its new partnership with Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who will oversee all of its F&B outlets. The centrepiece of the endeavour will be a new destination restaurant and café, opening this Autumn. In addition to his signature seasonal, plant-based dishes and oven-fired pizzas, the menu will be inspired by culinary traditions of the South.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Historic Hotels of Nashville • Interior Design: Thomas Juul-Hansen • Chef: Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Maldives
Set in a picturesque corner of Lhaviyani Atoll on Thilamaafushi Island, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa will be inspired by the formation of the Atolls, fringing reefs and marine life. Spanning nine hectares, the island destination will feature six restaurants and bars including an interactive marketplace dining concept, a Japanese restaurant and a café using wholesome ingredients to create nourishing dishes.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Marriott International
Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid
Rosewood Villa Magna will welcome guests in Q3, marking the arrival of Rosewood in Spain. Spanish chef Jesús Sánchez, recognised with three Michelin stars for El Cenador de Amós, will lead an F&B offering based on the essentials of the Cantabric cuisine, while a design – overseen by Alejandra Pombo – will take inspiration from a traditional taberna madrileña, a style of restaurant particular to Madrid's old town.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: RLH Properties • Operator: Rosewood Hotel Group • Architecture: Ramón de Arana, Gregorio Marañón • Interior Design: Bar Studio, Alejandra Pombo • Chef: Jesús Sánchez
The Londoner, London
Billed as the world’s first ‘super boutique hotel’, the 350-key property will feature an assortment of F&B concepts created by Amir Jati, Creative Director of Food & Beverage Service Excellence at Edwardian Hotels London. The Yabu Pushelberg-designed hotel will feature Whitcomb’s, a morning-to-night destination; The Stage, centred around luxury and glamour; Joshua’s Tavern, a neighbourhood watering hole; 8 at The Londoner, an Izakaya Lounge; and The Residence, which features a dedicated whisky bar.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Edwardian Hotels London • Operator: Preferred Hotels & Resorts • Architecture: Woods Bagot • Interior Design: Yabu Pushelberg • Creative Director of F&B: Amir Jati
The Maybourne Riviera, Cote d’Azur
The Maybourne Riviera is set to become a gastronomic destination on the Cote d’Azur with a host of restaurants helmed by two of the world’s most acclaimed chefs. Mauro Colagreco will bring his vision of the region with his top-floor restaurant, while Jean-Georges Vongerichten is set to launch his first outpost in the South of France, with cuisine inspired by the hotel’s location on the French-Italian border.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Maybourne Hotel Group • Architecture: Jean-Michel Wilmotte • Interior Design: Andre Fu, Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, Marcelo Joulia, Pierre Yovanovitch, Pascal Goujon, Rigby & Rigby, Maybourne in-house design team (led by Michelle Wu) • Other Notable Chefs: Hiro Sato (sushi)
W Rome, Italy
W Hotels will make its Italian debut later this year with the opening of W Rome. Located on Via Liguria, the palazzo-turned-lifestyle-hotel will see Sicilian chef Ciccio Sultano inject his southern passion as the Culinary Lead, tasked with overseeing the hotel’s signature venue, Giano Restaurant. The F&B offering will also encompass W Lounge and Otto Rooftop Bar, where guests can enjoy cocktails, crudo and pizza.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Pantheon Ventures • Developer: Omnam Group • Operator: Marriott International • Architecture: Eclettico • Interior Design: Meyer Davis Studio • Chef: Ciccio Sultano
Roku Kyoto, Japan
When it opens in Q3, Roku Kyoto will be the first property in Asia under Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts. Situated in the foothills of the Takagamine Sanzan, the resort will be home to the Pavillion, which features shrine-inspired architecture and seating that allows guests to take in a visual display of dishes by the head chef at a live kitchen counter. The bar and café area meanwhile will boast blue rusted copper wine shelves, while guests can also unwind at an outdoor terrace perched alongside the Tenjin River.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: Tokyu Land Corporation • Operator: Hilton Worldwide • Interior Design: Blink Design Group
Thompson Hollywood, Los Angeles
Located on Wilcox Avenue near Hollywood and Vine and boasting interior design by Tara Bernerd & Partners, Thompson Hollywood will be flanked by musical landmarks, boutiques, and a vibrant bar and dining scene. The hotel will also reflect the musical roots and vibrancy of its historic locale through a world-class culinary offering in the form of two immersive restaurants and a rooftop pool deck lounge.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Hollywood IRC • Developer: Relevant Group • Operator: Hyatt Hotels • Architecture: Rockwell Group, Steinberg Hart Architects • Interior Design: Tara Bernerd & Partners
Raffles The Palm Dubai
Accor is set to continue its expansion across the Middle East with the opening of the region’s first Raffles resort – a 389-key property on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeriah. The luxurious guestrooms will be complemented by eight F&B venues that reflect key elements of the Raffles brand including Raffles Patisserie, Writer’s Lounge and Library and a new concept beach club offering Mediterranean cuisine.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Accor • Developer: Emerald Palace Group (EPG)
The Randolph by Graduate Hotels, Oxford
Following a major refurbishment, the Grade II-listed hotel will reopen this Summer as The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels. F&B outlets includes the Alice, a collaboration with White Rabbit Projects helmed by Executive Chef Chris Emery, who brings a wealth of experience. The hotel also comprises the Snug, the Morse bar, and informal lounge and dining spaces the Drawing Room and the Lancaster Room.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: AJ Capital Partners • Operator: Graduate Hotels, White Rabbit Projects • Chef: Chris Emery
