Hotels + Resorts News | Hospitality Design

Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara Unveils $22 Million Reno

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:12:47 +0000

In California, Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara has emerged from a sweeping $22 million renovation with a refined new look rooted in its coastal surroundings.

The property, nestled in the coastal foothills of Carlsbad, blends residential comfort with resort-style amenities, including two swimming pools, the family-friendly Kids Club 760, Seasons Restaurant, and Driftwood Spa.

The transformation—spearheaded by Wimberly Interiors, the same design team behind the destination’s original 1998 opening—touches all 246 villas as well as key amenity spaces, like the clubhouse, pool deck, and fitness center.

A laidback look for Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara

Common room

Drawing from the breezy, laidback spirit of its Southern California location, the reimagined interiors favor a clean, contemporary palette of cream, silver, and earthy terracotta tones. Organic textures and coastal blues echo the Pacific just beyond the hills, while thoughtful upgrades—like new kitchen cabinetry, appliances, and bespoke furnishings—elevate the aesthetic. Spacious balconies encourage al fresco dining and indoor-outdoor living as well.

Accommodations range from studios to expansive two-bedroom residences that can host up to eight guests.

Elsewhere on property, the clubhouse has been refreshed with bold furnishings and finishes, and the upgraded fitness center now features state-of-the-art equipment and dry saunas. Poolside, a redesigned bar and expanded seating area enhance the resort’s casual, sun-soaked atmosphere.

Guestroom dining area

Seasons Restaurant

The post Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara Unveils $22 Million Reno appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Lark Hotels Welcomes the Painted Lady to Its Growing Portfolio

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:42:38 +0000

Lark Hotels has added the Painted Lady—a recently opened boutique hotel in Birmingham, Alabama—to its growing portfolio of independent properties under management.

Launch in March, the Painted Lady occupies the former Eyer-Raden Building, a restored 19th-century boarding house in the city’s Automotive Historic District that is rumored to have been operated by Louise C. Wooster, a legendary madam who earned local acclaim for her nursing work during the 1870s cholera epidemic.

“It’s an honor to have Lark selected as a partner in managing the Painted Lady,” says Lark CEO Peter Twachtman. “The property has so much soul, and a fascinating past; it’s the exact kind of singular boutique hotel experience that we are passionate about, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to manage it.”

Owned by Addicus Advisors, the 22-key hotel has been transformed into a vibrant destination that pays tribute to Birmingham’s layered history. Original architectural elements are paired with colorful interiors, modern amenities, and character-rich finishes.

“The Painted Lady is a unique concept with rich history, and we needed a partner who knew exactly how to bring that kind of property to life,” says Drew Adams, chief enterprise architect at Addicus. “Lark understands the character, creativity, and operational excellence it takes to create great visitor experiences—they were the clear choice.”

Founded in 2012 by Rob Blood, Lark manages boutique hotels across North America, including its own branded concepts such as Bluebird by Lark, Blind Tiger, AWOL, and Life House.

The post Lark Hotels Welcomes the Painted Lady to Its Growing Portfolio appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman to Debut This Fall

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:30:06 +0000

Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa is set to open its doors this fall, bringing 382 guestrooms and suites to the island’s famed Seven Mile Beach.

Designed to celebrate indoor-outdoor living, the oceanfront property offers direct access to swimmable beaches and a scuba diving site—the Wreck of the Gamma—located just offshore.

The resort will feature five distinct dining experiences, including Salt & Cinder, a globally inspired concept just 30 feet from the water; Lo Tide Pool Bar & Restaurant, serving casual Mexican bites and cocktails; and Hi Tide Rooftop Bar, which will offer a raw and cured menu. Brasa delivers refined island cuisine, while additional grab-and-go options round out the culinary lineup.

A premium wellness destination—complete with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a tranquility pool, an ice room, and a spa menu inspired by the natural elements of earth, water, fire, and air—will anchor the resort.

The property will also cater to events of all sizes with flexible indoor-outdoor meeting spaces, a sunset-facing ballroom, and an expansive oceanfront deck.

The post Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman to Debut This Fall appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Sir Hotels Enters UK Market with Sir Devonshire Square

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:02:39 +0000

Amsterdam-based boutique hotel brand Sir Hotels has opened its first UK location with the launch of Sir Devonshire Square in London’s Shoreditch neighborhood.

Located on the charming brick courtyard of Devonshire Square, the property originally operated as a warehouse for the East India Tea Company.

The hotel houses 81 rooms (including 11 suites), a gym, and yoga studio. It also features a sprawling public space, which includes a shop selling local products reflective of London’s diverse culture.

The lobby bar serves as the hotel’s vibrant social anchor, transitioning from breakfast fare in the morning to light plates in the afternoon, and, finally, transforming into a bar at night with curated cocktails and cultural programming. The design is intended to foster connection between both guests and locals alike.

The main restaurant and the Cover, Sircle Collection’s private members club, are set to debut later this year.

Sir Hotels—part of Liran Wizman’s Sircle Collection—now operates five properties across five European cities: London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Berlin.

The post Sir Hotels Enters UK Market with Sir Devonshire Square appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Midnight Auteur Officially Opens Its First Boutique Hotel

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:39:11 +0000

Midnight Auteur—a hospitality company formed by the founders of cocktail bar Death & Co and the Ramble Hotel in Denver—has unveiled Municipal Grand, a luxury boutique hotel in Savannah, Georgia.

Located on a vibrant corner in a 1960s structure that most recently served as the Broughton Municipal Building, Municipal Grand features 44 guestrooms, a lobby bar and restaurant (Municipal Bar), rooftop pool and lounge (Sun Club), and subterranean bar (the Hot Eye).

A celebration of midcentury design

Envisioned by by AAmp Studio—in collaboration with Lynch Associates Architects and local preservation experts Ward Architecture + Preservation—Municipal Grand takes inspiration from the city’s lush gardens and the building’s midcentury design.

Paying homage to Savannah’s often-overlooked post-WWII modernist movement, the design retains original materials like gray granite walls, white concrete frames, blue mosaic tile, and structural columns, while infusing softened curves, layered textures, and lush, tropical modernist elements inspired by Brazilian and Finnish design traditions.

“Rather than replicate the past, we sought to honor it—celebrating the building’s original design while introducing new interventions that bring warmth, movement, and depth,” says Andrew Ashey, cofounder of AAmp Studio.

Guestrooms at Municipal Grand

This design narrative carries through into the guestrooms, which reflect the inviting nature of Savannah. Midcentury lines and rich materials are imbued with the comfort and warmth of a well-lived home.

Each room begins with a rich green vestibule and millwork threshold that leads to the main living area, where cozy banquettes and custom wood-and-velvet headboards add tactile layers. An arched millwork minibar, topped with marble and stocked with a curated selection of drinks, nods to the hotel’s cocktail-forward ethos. Bathrooms, meanwhile, are characterized by curved shower entries, handmade Moroccan tiles, and red marble vanities.

Select rooms also feature private terraces overlooking Broughton Street.

“Municipal Grand was created with a lively Southern parlor room in mind,” says Ryan Diggins, CEO and partner at Midnight Auteur. “We’ve always been captivated by the vibrancy of a great lobby bar—how it naturally fosters conversation and celebration. With Municipal Grand, we’ve built a hotel that is as much for the city as it is for travelers.”

Midnight Auteur—led by Alex Day, Ryan Diggins, and David Kaplan—manages the ownership, development, and operation of cocktail-anchored boutique hotels.

The post Midnight Auteur Officially Opens Its First Boutique Hotel appeared first on Hospitality Design.

1 Hotels to Debut Nature-Inspired Property in Copenhagen

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:15:19 +0000

1 Hotel Copenhagen, the newest addition to the mission-driven 1 Hotels portfolio, is slated to open this August in the city’s Latin Quarter.

Housed in the former Skt. Petri hotel, the 282-room property marks the brand’s first Nordic location, bringing its signature blend of sustainable luxury and biophilic design to Denmark’s capital.

A design that celebrates nature

A collaboration between architecture and design firms AvroKO, Norm Architects, Arkitema Architects, Synergy Architects, and the in-house 1 Hotels design team, the transformation celebrates Danish craftsmanship through a natural material palette of oak, linen, and limestone. Reclaimed wood, native greenery, and bespoke lighting punctuate the interiors, while handcrafted Danish furnishings nod to the building’s architectural heritage.

Anchored by an expansive atrium lounge filled with tall trees, a grand staircase, and an intimate fireplace, the lobby evokes a forest-like calm in the middle of the city. Lounge seating is nestled among lush plantings, with views of a courtyard garden planted with wildflowers and herbs that blur the boundaries between inside and out.

Across the 252 guestrooms and 30 suites, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding cityscape, while interiors are outfitted with calming, nature-inspired finishes. Bathrooms feature stone sinks, rainfall showers, and greenery accents meant to evoke the quiet of Denmark’s woodlands.

F&B and wellness at 1 Hotel Copenhagen

The hotel also introduces new culinary venues that highlight local ingredients. PÆRE, a contemporary bar inspired by the Danish word for pear, features a light-filled, convivial atmosphere. Farmstand, a market-style concept, showcases seasonal produce and regional artisanal goods.

Wellness offerings include the Field House Gym, which provides personal training and group fitness classes. Expected to debut early next year, the Bamford Wellness Spa will boast serene treatment spaces clad in oak and stone.

Built with purpose

With sustainability at its core, 1 Hotel Copenhagen is on track for LEED Gold and BREEAM Excellent certifications. The adaptive reuse of the original structure was accomplished with minimal demolition, while energy-efficient systems—including triple-glazed windows and smart occupancy sensors—are integrated throughout.

Additional environmentally conscious elements include a rooftop bee hotel, edible landscaping, and a 10-foot living green wall designed to enhance biodiversity and indoor air quality.

The post 1 Hotels to Debut Nature-Inspired Property in Copenhagen appeared first on Hospitality Design.

W Hotels Makes a Bold Entrance in Florence

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:17:15 +0000

W Hotels has arrived in Florence. Housed in the former Grand Hotel Majestic, W Florence breathes new life into a historic landmark built in the rationalist-modernist style, bringing a fresh energy the Tuscan capital.

Located on Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, the hotel features 119 guestrooms, including 16 suites and one expansive Penthouse, as well as integrated indoor and outdoor spaces anchored by a central, partially covered courtyard surrounded by dining venues.

The crown jewel of the hotel is the rooftop garden, which offers panoramic views over Florence’s iconic skyline—from the Duomo to the hills of Fiesole.

A bold yet timeless design

Supreme Suite

The structure—a 1968 building with a dramatic stone façade, slit windows, and bronze vertical elements designed by Florentine architect Lando Bartolithe—has been restored and reimagined by Genius Loci Architettura (GLA) to meet LEED Gold and WELL Silver sustainability standards.

Meanwhile, AvroKO, which led the interiors of W Prague and is working on the upcoming W Hoboken, crafted an aesthetic that draws from influential Italian fashion houses and Florence’s rich design heritage. The interiors are characterized by strong geometric forms, lacquered wood finishes, metallic accents, and a vibrant color palette carried through public spaces and guestrooms.

In the lobby, a mural by London-based Adam Ellis Studio depicts a fantastical Florentine Babylon Garden featuring the exotic creatures of the Medici menagerie and modern Italian cultural references. Additional works by the studio appear throughout the hotel, adding continuity to W’s artistic DNA.

Social spaces with personality

W Lounge courtyard

The W Lounge is the energetic core of the property, integrating live music, DJ sets, and a playful take on aperitivo culture. Throughout, guests will find playful, yet luxurious furnishings—from curved velvet seating and boucle-upholstered banquettes to mirror-paneled walls that reflect and amplify the vibrant surroundings. Design cues reference Italian industrialists like Joe Colombo, while simultaneously grounding the space in a uniquely Florentine context.

Anchored by a 360-degree blue lava stone bar, the lounge seamlessly connects to an all-day dining area and opens onto the courtyard. The partially covered central courtyard—once the mezzanine level of a historic bank—has been transformed into an internal piazza, complete with retro-inspired Italian furniture, green walls, and lush botanicals.

Guestrooms at W Florence

Suite

In the guestrooms and suites, marble accents, layered textures, and bold graphic patterns create a refined yet spirited environment. A color palette of lush greens, Medici red, and royal blue draws directly from the city’s art, architecture, and natural landscape.

Above each bed, custom light fixtures inspired by famous architectural arches—like Palazzo Pitti and the Vasari Corridor—serve as sculptural centerpieces. Many rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, or terraces that frame views of terracotta rooftops, lively piazzas, and surrounding hills.

The Penthouse, W’s take on the presidential suite, crowns the property with a 1,500-square-foot private terrace.

Dining and wellness

Tratto restaurant

W Florence is home to Tratto, an all-day restaurant with elevated Tuscan fare and bold interiors. Two additional venues—Zefiro Rooftop and Akira Back—are set to open later this summer as well.

The hotel also features the brand’s signature gym, along with flexible meeting spaces.

The post W Hotels Makes a Bold Entrance in Florence appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Sonesta Forms Strategic Alliance With AKEN Hotels & Resorts

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 16:26:53 +0000

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has signed a definitive agreement with AKEN Hotels & Resorts, marking a key step in its global expansion strategy.

The strategic alliance will bring an initial six AKEN properties under the Sonesta umbrella this fall, while additional hotels are expected to follow soon after.

The move, which adds a collection of lifestyle- and wellness-focused properties to Sonesta’s expanding portfolio, represents the hotel company’s targeted push into the high-growth Latin American region.

Headquartered in Miami, AKEN Hotels & Resorts is known for its conscious luxury philosophy that places a strong emphasis on wellness and meaningful travel experiences. The brand operates boutique hotels in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

For guests, the alliance also brings enhanced benefits through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Members will be able to earn and redeem points at participating AKEN properties, enjoy exclusive rates, and accelerate their membership status through stays at new regional destinations.

Bio Habitat Hotel, AKEN Soul Collection, in Costa Rica

The post Sonesta Forms Strategic Alliance With AKEN Hotels & Resorts appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Four Seasons to Introduce Naples Beach Club This Fall

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:00:31 +0000

Four Seasons will make its debut on Florida’s Gulf Coast this October with the opening of Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort.

Situated on 1,000 feet of white-sand beachfront in the heart of Old Naples, the property reimagines the storied Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, now part of a 125-acre resort and residential destination.

A celebration of the coast

Crafted by Champalimaud Design, the 220-room resort—including 57 suites and 153 luxury residences—melds laid-back elegance with a refined coastal palette.

The interiors celebrate the surrounding landscape, with high ceilings, carved teak accents, sea glass chandeliers, and carved stone elements that bring nature indoors. Plus, expansive terraces with plush daybeds and alfresco dining areas extend the guest experience outdoors, capturing the region’s renowned sunset views.

A vibrant mix of textures and colors animates the rooms, including statement minibar cabinetry in flamingo pink or periwinkle blue lacquer, custom glass and metal shelving, and bespoke upholstery. Spacious walk-in closets with integrated lighting, banquette dining nooks, and luxurious finishes further echo a residential sensibility.

Amenities at Naples Beach Club

Anchored by five diverse culinary offerings, including the oceanfront Merchant Room from acclaimed chef Gavin Kaysen, the resort also features HB’s, the Sunset Bar, and Golden Hour.

Meanwhile, the 30,000-square-foot Sanctuary Spa introduces a two-level wellness concept complete with a thermal circuit, rooftop lap pool, and a fitness center curated by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak.

At the heart of the community is Market Square, a dynamic hub with a curated retail experience, cinema, bowling alley, game room, and grab-and-go offerings at Naples Trading Company.

Future amenities include the Wager gastropub and an 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course, which are both set to debut next year.

The post Four Seasons to Introduce Naples Beach Club This Fall appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Bulgari to Launch Luxe Resort and Residences in Abu Dhabi

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:06:14 +0000

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has signed a long-term agreement with developer Eagle Hills to launch Bulgari Resort & Mansions Abu Dhabi.

Slated to open in 2030, the ultra-luxury destination will be located on a horseshoe-shaped private island with views of the open sea, the Qasr Al Watan palace, and the city skyline.

A design grounded in heritage and nature

Designed by Milan-based ACPV Architects, the project will reflect a dialogue between Italian sophistication and Arabian heritage, evoking a vision of glass and gold emerging from the sand.

Landscape firm LAND will oversee the nature-driven grounds, blending sculptural elements with lush gardens and coastal dunes to create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

Accommodations and dining

The resort will feature 60 rooms and suites—plus 30 private villas, each with its own pool—culminating in the 12,916-square-foot, five-bedroom Bulgari Villa, which will boast a a private beach and 65-foot pool.

Additional amenities will include a Bulgari Spa, fitness center, and a 82-foot lap pool. The resort will also have a concept store with handpicked items from local and international designers.

Dining options will range from the brand’s signature Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Hōseki to a Turkish restaurant, beachside eatery La Spiaggia, and the Bulgari Bar.

A Yacht Club with a private beach, 40-berth marina, and exclusive membership program will also be part of the development.

Residences at Bvlgari Abu Dhabi

The residential component will introduce 90 mansions, including eight beachfront estates. Select homes will feature private yacht docks, while others will offer serene views of the island’s interior coves.

“The project captures the best aspects of its location—secluded and immersed in nature and the sea—while remaining within easy reach of central Abu Dhabi,” says Patricia Viel, CEO of ACPV Architects. “Life on the island is enriched by a diverse landscape, carefully designed environments, and sweeping views of both the sea and the city. The Bulgari Resort & Mansions offers a thoughtfully curated setting that fosters a strong sense of place. The interplay of architecture, natural surroundings, and exceptional amenities creates a distinctive and refined living environment.”

The post Bulgari to Launch Luxe Resort and Residences in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Hospitality Design.