Say been there, done that before anyone else, at these newly-opened luxury hotels.
Even if spontaneity is the name of your travel game, it always pays to plan ahead especially as there's a spate of exciting new luxury hotels opening the second half of 2017.
(Related: Must-See: Amazing Presidential Suites Around The World)
From radical concepts to careful restorations, here’s a sneak peek of the openings to note. Let the #wanderlust begin.
The cutting edge yet comfortable lobby at Public, an Ian Schrager hotel
Public, New York
Trust veteran hotelier Ian Schrager to shake up the industry once again. Public in New York is Schrager’s newest project, which aims to redefine what luxury means. “Public is the people’s hotel. It’s about inclusivity, not exclusivity,” says Schrager. This “luxury for all” concept shines through in the welcoming interiors, which proffers a warm, domestic feel. We’re really excited about two concepts: Public Arts, a space for multimedia performances from open-mic nights to film screenings, and Trade, a curated retail area that assembles cool, eclectic selection of goods from various brands. Talk about an upgrade from the hotel shop.
The Parisian landmark debuts a refreshed interior that melds past and present
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
Closed for four years for extensive renovations, the iconic Hôtel de Crillon, finally reopens this July as part of the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts' portfolio. Built in 1758, the historic landmark has a prized location—overlooking the Place de la Concorde at the eastern end of Champs-Elysées —and a remarkable Neoclassical façade and interiors that have stood the test of time (259 years if you're counting). With a building that has lived through the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire, the elegant transformation led by architect Richard Martinet, artistic director Aline d’Amman and three Paris-based decorators, ensures that it retains its regal presence and yet feels fresh enough for the Macron era.
A five in one experience awaits you at the Six Senses Bhutan
Six Senses Bhutan
It’s a unique proposition: a hotel stay that requires one to hop from one destination to another. Envisioned as an extraordinary journey through the Kingdom, Six Senses Bhutan is composed of five individual resorts in different locations housed under a single umbrella. With only 82 suites across its lodges in Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro, intimacy and true discovery characterise this circuit stay. From a traditional farmhouse to a forest within a forest, the setting and architecture varies and so do the experiences. This being the Six Senses, one thing will remain the same—blissful spa treatments and wellness programmes every step of the way.
Lush foliage embraces the historic buildings transformed into Amanyangyun's luxurious villas
Amanyangyun, Shanghai
Hotels in China may be opening left and right, but nothing is as anticipated as Amanyangyun, Aman’s fourth property in the country opening this autumn. Yangyun means “the nurturing of clouds” and the hotel, set in a forest village just outside buzzing Shanghai, weaves nature, history, and wellness in a single place. The villas are a study in conservation—historic Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings were rebuilt brick by brick in a process that took 10 years. Ancient sacred camphor trees transferred from Jiangxi to Shanghai add to the mystical setting, and the launch of the Aman Spa ensures that you won’t ever have to leave the premises.
Designer Piero Lissoni was tapped to design the fourth hotel of The House Collective
The Middle House, Shanghai
Another Shanghai opening to look forward to is the newest addition to Swire’s House Collective: The Middle House. True to its name, the hotel is located in the centre of the city, specifically in the historic enclave of Dazhongli. Sharing the design ethos of its stylish sister hotels—The Upper House in Hong Kong by André Fu, the Opposite House in Beijing by Kengo Kuma, and the Temple House in Chengdu by Make Architects—the interiors of the 111 rooms and 102 serviced apartments of The Middle House are crafted by superstar designer Piero Lissoni. Design aside, it’s the only other hotel apart from The Upper House to have the awarded restaurant Cafe Grey Deluxe.
A preview of the impeccable interiors at The Murray, designed by Foster + Partners
The Murray, Hong Kong
In the crowded skyline of Hong Kong, it can be hard to stand out. But the building that houses The Murray, a Niccolo Hotel, has made its mark just by being one of the few to escape demolition. Opening in late 2017, the landmark structure is being given a new lease on life by acclaimed architecture and design studio Foster + Partners, responsible for transforming it into a luxury hotel. “With the Murray Building—an outstanding example of 1970s Hong Kong architecture—we have been able to reconnect an important civic landmark with the city,” says Luke Fox, senior executive partner and head of the studio, Foster + Partners.
A glimpse of the pool area and private beach at The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui
If there’s a hotel experience that never gets old, it’s the beach resort. The well-trodden shores of Koh Samui will surely attract more beachcombers with the arrival of the The Ritz-Carlton, recently voted the “Most Popular Luxury Hotel” at the International Luxury Travel Mart (ILTM). Located on the second largest island , The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui will make a grand splash when it opens late this year. While it’s a big development—it has 175 suites and villas, 6 restaurants, and 2 secluded beaches for starters—the resort is cocooned in a private bay making it ideal for both family holidays and stylish weddings.