THE RITZ-CARLTON DEBUTS IN JORDAN BRINGING MODERN DESIGN AND UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCES TO AMMAN

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman Introduces the Brand’s Legendary Service in the Kingdom’s Capital, Welcoming Guests to Create Unforgettable Memories

The Ritz-Carlton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, ushering in a new standard of refined hospitality in the heart of Jordan’s vibrant capital. Rising elegantly above the West Amman skyline, and centrally situated on the prestigious Fifth Circle, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman welcomes guests to enjoy thoughtfully tailored experiences that capture the spirit of Jordan’s beauty and hospitality.

“We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Amman, embodying our commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences and creating meaningful memories in the world’s most exciting markets,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “From exquisite culinary craftsmanship to treasured family moments, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman will embrace guests with its legendary service, and offer a unique lens on this charming capital city.”

Soaring 20-stories high, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman features 228 guest rooms - the most spacious of any hotel accommodations in Jordan - including 34 opulent suites, spread across seven different categories. All guestrooms and suites have been intricately designed and elegantly furnished, with a sophisticated ambiance felt throughout the property.

Led by Wimberly Interiors London, the hotel’s design is inspired by the culture and history of Jordan, which is reflected in the hotel’s bold interior architecture, tailored lighting, Art Deco touches and contemporary artistry. Artistic elements within the hotel draw inspiration from the landscape of the Kingdom, from natural rifts of the sea and saturated colors of the earth to the deep crevices of caves and mountains.

The breathtaking structures of Petra are reflected in a series of vignettes, while Roman and Nabatean architectural features are given modern reinterpretations throughout the hotel. The floor finishes in the guest corridors pay homage to Jordan’s desert landscape, and the guestrooms take inspiration from the destination’s natural elements, sand and sea.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman offers an expansive array of distinctive dining options. Rising over the Amman skyline on the hotel’s 20th floor is the property’s signature restaurant, Roberto’s. Already a much-loved fixture on Dubai’s culinary scene, the arrival of Roberto’s will redefine the concept of authentic Italian fine dining in Jordan, with the venue set to become one of the capital’s most exciting new lifestyle hotspots for residents and visitors alike.

Along with the lively, elevated atmosphere at Roberto’s, guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman can indulge at Ambros, the property’s relaxed dining option in the lobby serving unique seasonal produce and reimagined classics. Located in the hotel lobby, Iris is a stylish tea lounge and pâtisserie featuring a selection of signature eclairs, and high tea experiences. At Sarab Garden, visitors can enjoy a sophisticated shisha lounge featuring upscale regional cuisine. For cigar connoisseurs, The Founders Room is a timeless cigar and whiskey lounge delivering a highly exclusive atmosphere and an elevated menu offering sophisticated bites. Opening this summer, Soleil will appeal to guests looking for healthy dining with its focus on vegetarian dishes and a distinctive coffee roastery. Legends, a distinctive sports lounge with American-style culinary fare, is set to open later this year.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman is home to a wide array of facilities for corporate and leisure guests, including a 1,050 square-meter Grand Ballroom, five meeting rooms, one boardroom, and a luxurious Club Lounge, all delivered with unparalleled service and genuine care. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a full-service spa and wellness center offering ESPA products, indoor and outdoor temperature-controlled pools, six treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge and the largest jacuzzi in Amman.

“The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman marks an incredible milestone for the entire Kingdom,” said Tareq Derbas, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman. “The property delivers an exceptional standard of luxury and refinement - one that redefines elegance and hospitality in Jordan and the wider region. We are thrilled to unveil this stunning property and look forward to welcoming guests with a level of care and passion that will be sure to delight and exceed expectations.”

Iconic South African resort reveals new design that honours the destination’s ocean, land and heritage in a celebration of modern Cape Town

One&Only Cape Town has unveiled an extensive reimagining, with a new design showcasing a refreshed take on ultra-luxury, modern accommodation. Situated in the heart of Cape Town, at the fashionable V&A Waterfront overlooking the marina and with panoramic views across to Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a tranquil enclave on the doorstep of the vibrant city. The refurbishment spans the full 133 rooms and suites of the resort, as well as the entrance lobby, Vista Bar & Lounge and landscaping, with new floor-ing, fittings and fixtures.

The reimagined resort takes inspiration from shapes, textures and colours found amidst one of the world’s richest destinations. Each element pulls from the city surrounds, richly layered in the ocean, land or heritage of the beautiful Cape Town region, from the topography of the majestic Table Mountain, to the city’s

mythology, and the thousands of indigenous plant species that occur nowhere else in the world.

“This is an incredibly exciting project for the One&Only Cape Town team and a testament to our confidence in the positive future direction of South African tourism,” says Anne Scott, General Manager, One&Only Cape Town. “We’ve proudly incorporated local suppliers and artisans to create something magical – paying homage to African culture while retaining the innate One&Only ultra-luxury ethos.”

Vista Bar & Lounge

The resort has weaved a distinct style of storytelling into its design narrative for the revamped Vista Bar & Lounge at the heart of the resort, highlighting the local legend fondly known as ‘The Watchers’, the story of the creation of Table Mountain. Cape Town-based Kenyan artist, Stanislav Trzebinski, was commissioned to create a centerpiece Watchers sculpture for the Vista Bar & Lounge, standing tall above the bar display and in perfect alignment with the view of Table Mountain. His use of the human form combines with natural components, depicting the relationship between humanity and nature – some more distorted and others in contrast with it. Intricate patterns adorn the new carpeting, replicating the topography of Table Mountain – an imaginative interpretation and execution of the city’s beauty within the interior décor space.

Guest Rooms and Suits

Guest room interiors have been crafted using thoughtful textures and organic materials, creating not just a space, but a whole experience and story. Entering the bedroom, warm lighting and an earthy colour scheme set the tone, the Kente cloth-adorned entrance, using fabric inspired by the traditional Northern African mud cloth, creates an authentically African welcome. The space is a perfect blend of metals and minerals, modernity and tradition. Every element is carefully considered, from the curved headboard of the bed which harmonises with the contrast of structural shapes and angles, to the handmade ceramics in organic shapes representing the textures and colours of Table Mountain: the golden yellow of the sun, the green of the plants and the blue of the sea, and the black texture of the Cape pine trees and silverleaf pine.

Considered the gemstone capital of the world, almost half of the world’s gemstones are found in Southern Africa. Sparkling accents are added throughout the

guest rooms, with details of Tiger’s Eye drawer pulls and facetted artworks adding an ornate touch to modern African luxury. Gemstone-shaped shields, made by artists that are community figures in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, adorn Marina Rise’s headboard walls and are symbolic of the Sun and Moon. The beaded pots in all the rooms were created by Zimbabwe-born Richard Madongwe and his team of bead artists. The jars are representative of the vessels carried on the heads of the people of Africa, transporting the lifeblood of earth – water – to their families.

The Cape Kelp Forest, one of the most intricate ecosystems in the world, found in the ocean waters off the coast of Cape Town, also influenced touches of the design in the guest rooms and suites with bespoke carpeting and scatter cushions reflecting the exquisite sea forestry. Frames have been handmade for the bedroom mirrors by Coote and Wench in Johannesburg, each unique and hand carved by Ben Tuge, a master wood sculptor, with a design based on the kelp forests.

The suites offer space, repose and a journey of discovery. An extension of the overarching design concept but dotted with touches of green, the suites are a playful alternation of texture, use of lighting and colour, layered with honest natural minerals and unexpected objects. Limestone and African Ash feature tiles in the lobby, as well as statement tables and structural seating, complement the arrival experience. Both the reception and lounge spaces showcase individual identity with a balance of shadow and light, a colour palette of calm neutrals deep browns and warm earth tones, as well as exquisite African patterns.

Works by local artists decorate the suites; Johanny Twala has contributed intricate structural ink line mountain contour drawings of Lions Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain to the dining areas of the Marina Rise suites, while Claude Chandler, utilising the longitude and latitude of Table Mountain, has created his artworks which proudly feature in the lounges.

Local Layers

The Cape Mountains are synonymous with the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the planet’s six plant kingdoms, yet the most diverse. One&Only Cape Town’s love of fynbos and protea varietals is reflected in the fresh flowers throughout the resort and in many of the décor touches dappled within the rooms and common areas. Cape flowers remain an ongoing inspiration for the team, building constantly on the small touches and novel ways in which to incorporate them on the resort.

By weaving the inspired design in collaboration with local artists and artisans, One&Only Cape Town has created a destination reflective of its setting – Africa in a fresh, nuanced way that is inclusive and expansive, and with an elevated residential feel that makes guests instantly feel at home. The resort retains its inimitable location and unique offering of inner-city yet resort-style accommodation – a sense of detachment from day-to-day life. This exceptional location, now coupled with the reimagining, speaks to the ultra-luxury and modern while retaining an authentic local feel.