The end of January is a weird time, right? The holiday blur is long gone, but the shock of the cold certainly isn’t. I can’t complain, though: I embarked on a TPG trip just after the New Year, finally getting the chance to stay at the Madrid Edition Hotel (with one of the most elegant lobbies in the world), explore some of Morocco’s beautiful riads, and then spend 24 hours at La Mamounia in Marrakech.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
But no matter where I go in the world, or what time zone I’m in, there’s a constant flow of hotel industry news – and January is no exception. On the Marriott front, a safari camp in Tanzania can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points, Six Senses announced it’s coming to southern Utah, Hilton launched a new condo-focused brand, and more.
As the warmer months draw closer, here are some other hotel news worth knowing.
An “art-forward, wine-led” hotel in Dallas joins Marriott Bonvoy
In my home state of Texas (shout out to my Panhandle people!), the popular Hall Arts Hotel in Dallas, located in the city’s Arts District, announced it is joining the Marriott Bonvoy and independent, design-forward Autograph Collection brands.
Open since 2019, the hotel, known for its rich art collection, is undergoing a transformation that includes a refreshed lobby and guest rooms. Guests can also enjoy new hotel experiences, such as a welcome glass of the owner’s namesake wine and thoughtfully designed postcards in their rooms to help explore the hotel’s art collection.
Room rates at the Hall Arts Hotel Autograph Collection in Dallas start at $283 per night, or 37,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Airbnb will offer food ordering services from celebrity chefs
In partnership with CookUnity, a “chef-led food delivery service”, Airbnb guests can now order prepared meals directly from Airbnb, crafted by celebrity chefs including Esther Choi, Cat Cora, Ludo Lefebvre, Jose Garces, Einat Admony, Aarthi Sampath, Dustin Taylor and John DeLucie. The items can be ordered in packages of three to six meals, starting at $15 each, and range from Choi’s Korean beef quesadillas to DeLucie’s pappardelle with pork sauce.
To order, visit the Services section of Airbnb and look for “Prepared Meals.” Service is currently available only in the following states: California, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Ohio and Kentucky, and Washington, DC
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Waldorf Astoria hotel to open in East Village, Deer Valley, Utah
In 2028, a ski-in/ski-out Waldorf Astoria hotel will open at Deer Valley East Village Ski Resort, 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The 132-room resort with 105 branded residences will feature ski valet service, an array of bars and restaurants (including the brand’s signature Peacock Alley), a 15,000-square-foot spa and, most exciting to me, “a one-of-a-kind outdoor pool and cantilevered hot tub located below the ski slopes,” according to a statement from Hilton.
The hotel will join other points hotels in the complex, including Canopy by Hilton, Grand Hyatt and the upcoming Four Seasons.
A popular Seattle points hotel swaps Hilton for Hyatt
“One Mile at a Time” pointed out that Seattle’s Hotel 1000 is bidding farewell to Hilton’s high-end LXR Hotels & Resorts brand and switching to Hyatt’s independent Unbound Collection hotels.
Although the hotel is not yet open for reservations in the World of Hyatt system, the lifestyle and luxury hotel will join the extensive Hyatt portfolio, which includes Thompson Hotels and Grand Hyatt Hotels. By contrast, the move leaves Hilton without a real luxury offering in town.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to open first Ruby Hotel in Chicago
Last year, we shared the news that IHG was expanding its lifestyle portfolio with the acquisition of Ruby, an urban hotel brand that claims to offer “stylish and effortless glamor” and “lean luxury.” While the brand already has locations in major European cities, we now know it will launch in the U.S. with the revamp of The Inn of Chicago, a 1920s landmark building near the Magnificent Mile.
Once it opens in 2027, the Ruby Hotel will have 412 rooms in a 22-story building, as well as a lobby with bar and rooftop terrace.
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa launches new beach villas
Of course, overwater bungalows are Bora Bora’s signature accommodation, but sometimes, building on land makes more sense—especially for families. Now, the Westin Bora Bora has undergone extensive renovations and will reopen in September 2024, offering new beach villas with an indoor-outdoor concept. Villas feature private decks with views of Bora Bora’s famous lagoon, freestanding soaking tubs, Polynesian-inspired design and, of course, the brand’s signature Westin Heavenly Bed.
Cash prices for villas start at $1,000 per night. Rewards start at 77,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
New Kimpton hotel welcomes guests to Arizona
Nestled between Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain in Scottsdale, Kimpton Miralina Paradise Valley Villas Resort opens on 40 acres near Old Town Scottsdale. The hotel currently has 224 rooms and 36 cabanas (more rooms will open later), 6 swimming pools, an all-day dining restaurant led by chef Wes Avila, a bar and a spa.
Room rates start as low as $194 or 32,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Six Senses London finally opens in March
The long-awaited Six Senses London hotel is set to open in March after years of delays. (It originally appeared on our list of most anticipated hotel openings in 2024.)
The stylish 109-room wellness hotel will be located in Bayswater, west London, close to Kensington Palace and Notting Hill. We will try to review it as soon as possible after opening, but until then, you can book an opening membership at membership rates starting at $841 per night.
