This Summer’s Most Exciting Luxury Hotel Openings
by Jessica Montevago /
Over the course of the summer, new luxury hotels are popping up across the globe, from historic elegant estates to trendy sleek boutiques. Here’s a look at the properties to watch.
Costa Blu Beach Resort (Belize)
Set on the scenic Ambergris Caye, the exclusive, 38-suite, adults-only, beach-front resort is just offshore of the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Resort amenities include: an on-site restaurant, seaside beach bar, outdoor pool, spa services, and complimentary paddleboards and kayaks for a quick ride to explore the natural wonder of Ambergris Caye.
The Standard, London (London)
Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex in London’s thriving King’s Cross neighborhood, the 1974 Brutalist building has been restored and sets the perfect stage for The Standard’s first hotel outside America. The Standard, London has 266 rooms, some with terraced suites with outdoor bathtubs overlooking St Pancras station. Executive Chef Adam Rawson’s street-facing bar, Double Standard, offers lunch, happy-hour and casual drinking and dining; while his garden restaurant, Isla, features a seasonally driven, coastal-inspired menu. On the 10th floor, Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ forthcoming restaurant will showcase his live fire cooking and the building’s 360-degree views of London.
Lefay Resort and SPA Dolomiti (Italy)
Cradled in the mountains of The Dolomites, an UNESCO World Heritage site, Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti will be a new kind of mountain lodge when it opens on Aug. 1. With modern architecture – think triangles and zig-zag lines – and chalet-chic interior design influenced by the Italian setting, with oak wood and precious fabrics, beckon one to relax in after a day out. Guests take in the exhilarating landscape from soaring pyramid windows, with statement fire pits burning in the background.
Kachi Lodge (Bolivia)
These geodesic domes make up the space station-esque Kachi Lodge on Bolivia’s remote Salar de Uyuni. The new lodge, which opened in May 2019, has a minimalist design to highlight the beauty of the stark surrounding landscape and the wide-open skies that offer views of the stars unsullied by light pollution. For an authentic Bolivian culinary experience, guests come together in a central dome to dine on cuisine from the award-winning Gustu Restaurant and school in La Paz.
The Hoxton, Chicago (Chicago)
The Hoxton, Chicago opened in the heart of Fulton Market District. The property is the seventh hotel in the series and the third in North America, following The Hoxton, Williamsburg and The Hoxton, Portland. The Hoxton, Chicago boasts 182 rooms, three distinct dining and drinking destinations, lively public spaces; and The Apartment, a unique meeting and events space. There are three distinct food and beverage opportunities, created with partners Boka Restaurant Group: Cabra Cevicheria featuring James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephanie Izard, Cira curated by Chef Chris Pandel, and an intimate cocktail bar called Lazy Bird. Other highlights include the brand’s first rooftop pool and a wellness studio.
The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Buckinghamshire)
Filled with rich history and heritage, The Langley is housed in a restored estate set against the green hills of Buckinghamshire in South East England. The Langley offers 41 guestrooms throughout two buildings — the grand and historic former hunting lodge of the third Duke of Marlborough and the adjacent Grade II-listed 18th-century Brew House. The Winter Garden, added to the main house in 1894, has been restored to offer a unique space for weddings and events, with a private terrace area and breathtaking views of the estate and lake beyond. A 17,000-square-foot spa (in partnership with Sisley), and three restaurants and bars, round out the amenities.
NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market (Amsterdam)
Located between canals and plazas, right next to the Flower Market, the NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market brings the brand’s signature elegance with a contemporary touch to the Dutch capital. With 233 rooms, the new four-star hotel is situated in an historic building dating back to the Olympic Games in 1928. After closing for six months to undergo a complete renovation, the former NH Carlton Amsterdam has now become part of the company’s premium NH Collection brand. The hotel’s design is inspired by the industrial and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city, its famous Bloemenmarkt flower market and the region’s colorful flower fields.