The tourism industry has seen its fare share of highs and lows in the past few years and luckily for those in the business, the near future seems to be one that bodes well for them. Evidence of this is the slew of luxury hotels that will be opening their gates this year. Here is a list of 10 hotel openings to take note of if you are planning to go on a luxury vacation in the near future.
1. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Located at Bal Harbour, outside Miami, this 27 storey property of the luxury hotel chain will start business from January 19. All the 243 guestrooms in its three glass towers will offer scenic ocean view. The glamorous Art-Deco influence in the design and interiors are a sight to behold, especially the graffiti-style mural at the bar and the huge crystal chandelier in the hotel’s Grand Hall. The private oceanfront cabanas and the outdoor pool let you soak up the sun and the sand, while the Jean-Georges Vongerichten-created J&G Grill will be a delight for your stomach and Remède Spa for your senses.
2. Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto
This hotel will stand tall, literally, in the Toronto skyline by virtue of being the tallest residential building in Canada. But that is not the only thing this property will boast of. Its 261 rooms with its “champagne and caviar†colour scheme scream out luxe living when you look at the gorgeous gray walls, crystal wall sconces and the aubergine silk drapes. The rooms will have great view of Lake Ontario and the city. Its 18,000-square-foot spa comes as a godsend for those looking out to rejuvenate as this place offers personalized treatments that will be just right for your sore muscles. Opens January 31st.
3. Conrad, Â New York
This hotel with 463 rooms will open in the Battery Park neighbourhood of Manhattan. With the intent of making the most of its address in the Financial District, the place will have around 32,000 square feet of event space. The most eye-catching part of this hotel will be the 15-story atrium and a green rooftop, that will house a bar and a herb garden.
4. Park Hyatt Sydney
Come this February 1st, and the luxury hotel will be back to business after extensive renovations that includes a new fourth floor with three rooftop suites, an enlarged spa, plus new furnishing, lighting and the likes.
5. W Paris – Opéra
W opens its first property in France on Valentine’s Day, right across the street from Paris’ famous Opéra Garnier opera house. The public areas maintain a traditional look with stained glass windows and mosaic flooring, but the 91 rooms have a very modern feel with backlit digital wall having different patterns that can change colour, sculptural faucets and unique light fixtures that have been created by local artists.
6. The St. Regis Mauritius Resort
Opening on May 15, this property will definitely be one of the best on the beautiful island nation. Each of the 173 rooms will have view of the ocean and the mountains. They also will have spa suites and villas built in colonial style. With six restaurants, they will offer you quite a number of choices for your taste buds.
7. Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg
This hotel will be housed in a restored 19th-century royal palace in Russia. And they will provide amenities befitting any palace, along with two signature restaurants, a spa and much more.
8. Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Slated to open in mid 2012, this hotel’s location in the Financial District will attract a lot of business related crowd. But its six restaurants, bar and spa will make sure that you don’t feel anything missing in case you are there for pleasure.
9. ME London
Spanish brand Meliá’s hotel in London is right on time before the London Olympics. Though it is located historic Marconi House in the Aldwych area, the hotel itself will be in tune with the modern look of the other hotels in this chain. It has 157 rooms, penthouse suites and its attractions include a 3-D-equipped screening room and a 180-degree rooftop terrace complete with a bar and scenic views of the Thames.
10. The James Royal Palm
This is a revitalized version of Miami’s historic Royal Palm hotel. The place will retain the rolling lawn, outdoor fountain and the palm trees but will add a topiary living room at the front lawn and new and improved rooms. Other notable addictions include two swimming pools, a spa, and an Ocean Drive.
All these hotels seem to have the right ingredients to be a success. But it will be some time before one can say whether they actually lived up to the expectation.
