Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
HOTEL OPENINGS
THE BEST IS ABOUT TO COME
RICHARD Branson comes to San Francisco, Rosewood raises the luxury stakes in Hong Kong, Nobu makes its long-awaited debut in Cabo San Lucas and the Shinola empire continues its brand extension in Detroit. These are among the more intriguing hotel openings scheduled for the end of 2018 and the first half of 2019.
Virgin Hotels, San Francisco:
The second location of Branson’s Virgin Hotels (the first is in Chicago), this 196-room property, opening in December, is near Yerba Buena Gardens and the new Central Subway station, scheduled to open in 2019. It will have multiple dining and drinking outlets – including the brand’s flagship space, Commons Club, which hosts events such as fashion shows and lectures – and one of the few rooftop bars in the city. Nightly rates from $215 (R3 180).
Rosewood, Hong Kong:
Hong Kong has no short supply of luxury hotels, but this 413-room property, scheduled to open in March, is one of the few in the heart of Victoria Dockside, a blossoming food, art and design district on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Nightly rates from $540.
The Fife Arms, Scotland:
This hotel, set in the village of Braemar, a few kilometres from Balmoral Castle, and scheduled to open in December, was once a 19th century hunting lodge for the Duke of Fife. Recently restored by the Swiss art power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the Fife Arms has 46 rooms, Victorian interiors designed by Russell Sage and a collection of world-class art. Nightly rates from $325, including breakfast.
Belmond Cadogan, London:
Situated in the neighbourhood of Chelsea and once a stopping point for famed actress Lillie Langtry and playwright Oscar Wilde, this 1887 property is scheduled to open in December after a three-year,
$48 million restoration. The 54-room hotel is made up of five town houses with many of the original design details (working fireplaces, mosaic floors and panelling) intact. Nightly rates from £470 (R8 771).
NoMad Las Vegas:
A hotel within a hotel, the NoMad Las Vegas, which is scheduled to open on November 14 in the recently opened Park
MGM and has art deco-inspired interiors designed by Jacques Garcia. The 293 rooms have oak hardwood floors, beds with leather headboards, original vintage artwork and minibars constructed from steamer trunks. Nightly rates from $199.
Six Senses Bhutan:
(pictured on the front page) Comes to the kingdom with five lodges set in the western and central valleys. Thimphu, Paro and Punakha will open in November, while Bumthang and Gangtey will open in March 2019. In total, there will be 82 rooms and each lodge offers its own activities. Nightly rates from $1 500, all inclusive.
The Hoxton, Chicago:
Scheduled for a spring opening and is being constructed in Fulton Market on a site formerly home to a carmaker and meatpacker. It’s the brand’s third US outpost with branches in Paris and Amsterdam. The 175-room property will home a restaurant and bar, a rooftop pool that’s open to the public and lively public spaces. Nightly rates still being determined and will include breakfast.
Nobu Los Cabos:
Robert De Niro’s and chef Nobu Matsuhi’s fast-growing hotel collection is expected to make its Mexico debut in summer 2019. The Japanese-beach-house-style property will have 200 rooms, all with ocean views and an aesthetic that’s a combination of contemporary Japanese minimalism and touches from Mexico (think wood-soaking tubs, shoji-inspired closet doors and Japanese lanterns). On site will be a branch of Nobu restaurant and a farm-to-table restaurant called Malibu Farm, as well as an Asian-influenced spa. Nightly rates being determined.
Shinola Hotel:
The revitalisation of downtown Detroit continues with a partnership between luxury watchmaker Shinola and real estate firm Bedrock, two local brands that have invested deeply in the city in the past few years. They are teaming up for the first Shinola Hotel, in the downtown shopping district, scheduled to open in December. It will have 129 rooms, a food and drinks programme from New York City chef Andrew Carmellini and an outdoor beer hall. Library Street Collective is curating the art and plans to showcase a combination of international and local artists. Nightly rates from $195.
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” – MARY LOUISE ALCOTT