As the world emerges from lockdown and borders begin to reopen, hotel brands across the globe are preparing to welcome new additions to their portfolios before the year is out.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, a number of highly anticipated hotels have made their debut in 2021 so far, from NoMad London – which graces the cover of our latest issue, dedicated to the capital’s hospitality sector – to a playful bolthole in Miami dreamt up by American musician Pharrell Williams.
There’s plenty more to come too, with a healthy 7,383 projects currently in the pipeline globally according to data collected by Tophotelprojects, 21% of which are expected to open their doors in Q3 and Q4 this year.
With hundreds of properties to choose from, we’ve sifted through the data to bring you a round-up of the very best hotels slated to arrive in the coming six months, including an conservation-focused resort in southeastern Mexico, a tented camp in Saudi Arabia’s Ashar Valley, and an chic townhouse in Edinburgh.
Cheval Blanc, Paris
Set to open its doors this September, Cheval Blanc Paris has been remodelled by French architect Edouard François, while its décor has been reimagined by architect Peter Marino in the style of a typical Parisian residence. Overlooking the Seine, the property will comprise 72 accommodations – 26 guestrooms and 46 suites – as well as four restaurants and a spa featuring six treatment rooms, a swimming pool and a gym.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Grands Magasins de la Samaritaine • Operator: LVMH Hotel Management • Architecture: Maison Edouard François, Jean-Francois Lagneau • Interior Design: Peter Marino Architect
Habitas Bacalar, Mexico
Marking the experience-led hospitality brand's second location in Mexico following the opening of its flagship property in Tulum in 2017, Habitas Bacalar is an eco-sustainable resort focused on conservation. Arriving in late August, the property will comprise 35 cabanas with earthly interiors and lagoon-facing views, a
restaurant with an open-air kitchen, a spa and wellness area, and a communal gathering space.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer / Operator: Habitas • Architecture / Interior Design: Habitas (in-house)
The Dubai Edition, UAE
Making its debut in Q4 and featuring architecture and interiors by LW Design Group, The Dubai Edition will be brand’s first outpost in the City of Gold. Situated in the Downtown district opposite Dubai Mall, the property is set to comprise 275 guestrooms and suites; multiple food and beverage outlets; a pool, spa and fitness centre; and a series of events spaces including several meeting venues and a flexible ballroom.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: Jarvis Investment Management, Sol Properties • Operator: Marriott International • Architecture / Interior Design: LW • General Contractor: Bhatia General Contracting
Roku Kyoto, Japan
Envisioned by Blink Design Group, Roku Kyoto will become the first LXR resort under the Hilton brand in Asia Pacific when it lands in Fall 2021. Inspired by Japanese culture – its name derives from the traditional craftsmanship of handmade paper – the hotel will feature 114 guestrooms, several restaurants and a spa. The aesthetic also references an area of natural seclusion at the foot of the Takagamine mountains.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: Tokyu Land Corporation • Operator: Hilton Worldwide • Architecture: Tokyu Sekkei Architects and Engineers • Interior Design: Blink Design Group
One Hundred Shoreditch, London
Opening in Autumn as the second London property from Lore Group, One Hundred Shoreditch will take over the building once home to Ace Hotel London following a redesign by Creative Director Jacu Strauss and his team. The 258-key hotel will offer a diverse F&B line-up, including a seafood restaurant and wine bar, a destination cocktail bar and a rooftop terrace, as well as five flexible meeting and events spaces.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner / Operator: Lore Group • Architecture: Henley Halebrown • Interior Design: Jacu Strauss • General Contractor: Red Construction Group
Downtown LA Proper, Los Angeles
The latest outpost from Proper Hospitality will arrive this August in LA’s Downtown South Park District. Housed in a building from 1926, the Kelly Wearstler-designed property will feature 148 guestrooms and suites, two signature restaurants helmed by award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne – of The Larder at Maple Drive and Tavern fame – and a rooftop pool with a restaurant-bar-lounge.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: The Kor Group, Stork Development Group • Operator: Proper Hospitality • Architecture: Handel Architects, Omgivning • Interior Design: Kelly Wearstler
Banyan Tree AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Situated in Saudi Arabia’s Ashar Valley, Banyan Tree AlUla has been designed by French architecture studio AW2 and will comprise 47 luxury tented suites – the first cluster are slated to land in Q4, adding to 35 existing suites on a neighbouring site to bring the total number of units up to 82 – a spa and several gourmet restaurants, all of which will pay homage to the surroundings with a light-touch approach.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) • Operator: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts • Architecture / Interior Design: AW2
Lux* Grand Baie, Mauritius
Opening this November as the new flagship property for Lux* Resorts & Hotels, Lux* Grand Baie will feature architecture by Jean-Francois Koenig and interiors by British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE that combine a neutral palette, soft textures and wooden accents. The centrepiece of the 94-room resort will be its adults-only rooftop area, boasting a 30m infinity pool surrounded by cabanas and lush greenery.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Lux* Resorts & Hotels • Architecture: Jean-Francois Koenig Architect • Interior Design: Kelly Hoppen Interiors
Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh
Country estate Gleneagles is set to launch its first-ever city outpost in Q3. Located on St Andrews Square in a building originally home to the British Linen Company and later the Bank of Scotland, Gleneagles Townhouse will be envisioned by Ennismore Design Studio and comprise 33 individually designed guestrooms, an all-day restaurant and two bars, including a roof terrace; and a spa and wellness space.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Accor • Developer: Ennismore • Architecture: 3D Reid • Interior Design: Ennismore Design Studio
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, Mexico
Perched on a protected eco-reserve, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo will debut later this year with interiors by Taller Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo that blend with the natural surroundings by way of local materials and textures. Alongside its 155 rooms, the property will offer four F&B venues including some with ocean views, a full-service spa set amidst a tropical forest, and 4,000ft2 of meeting space.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: Paralelo 19, Acerta Geasa • Operator: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts • Architecture: Legorreta + Legorreta, Taller de Arquitectura MR + GC • Interior Design: B-Huber
Raffles the Palm, Dubai
Accor will continue its expansion across the Middle East with the opening of the region’s first Raffles resort in Q4. The 389-key property – spread across a 100,000m2 plot on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeriah – will comprise eight F&B venues, a beach club serving Mediterranean cuisine, and a 3,000m2 spa with 23 treatments rooms and two private suites, as well as the city’s largest indoor swimming pool.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Accor • Developer: Emerald Palace Group (EPG)
Soho House, Rome
Set in a 10-storey building in the San Lorenzo district, Soho House Rome will bring 49 rooms and 20 apartments to the Italian capital when it arrives this Autumn, not to mention a rooftop bar, terrace and pool. The ground floor will house a deli bar and lounge, while there will be gallery spaces on the first level and member areas upstairs including a gym, Soho Health Club studios and a 42-seat screening room.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Owner: Cain International, Gruppo Barletta • Developer: Gruppo Barletta • Operator: Soho House • Interior Design: Soho House (in-house design team)
Virgin Hotels, New York
Becoming the brand’s new flagship when it debuts in the NoMad neighbourhood this Autumn, Virgin Hotels New York will feature architecture and interior design by Mark Zeff. The building’s first and second floors are to house retail, while Virgin will populate the levels above with 463 Chambers plus multiple concept suites, a roofscape pool and several dining outlets, including Commons Club and a rooftop bar.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Developer: The Lam Group • Operator: Virgin Hotels • Architecture / Interior Design: Mark Zeff • General Contractor: Flintlock Construction Services
Siringit Migration Camp, Tanzania
Scheduled to launch in September, Siringit Migration Camp is built on raised platforms and comprises eight luxury guest tents – two of which can be interlinked – as well as separate dining and lounge tents. Every few months, the camp will move to follow the migration route of wildlife within the Serengeti National Park, providing guests with a front-row seat to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Siringit Collection by Mantis
Turing Locke, Cambridge
Forming part of the new Eddington development by the University of Cambridge when it opens in Q3, Turing Locke will comprise 180 apartments along with a rooftop terrace and leafy courtyard, cocktail bar, coffee shop, retail space, co-working area and workout studio. Taking its name from computer scientist Alan Turing, the property has been designed by architects dRMM and features interiors by AvroKO.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT: Operator: Locke Hotels • Architecture: dRMM • Interior Design: AvroKo
