The Suite Life

Palazzo Avino renovated all 43 rooms and suites.
Palazzo Avino renovated all 43 rooms and suites.

Hotel updates and renovations mean more luxurious stays for your client, including suite upgrades at three properties in Italy, South Africa and the States—giving your clients the real suite life.

The Palazzo Avino, a historic, five-star hotel located along the hills of Ravello, Italy, has completed a renovation of all of its 43 rooms and suites while still keeping the classic style that pays homage to the property’s history.

The hotel gives guests the feeling of being in a private home , replete with gardens, curated art collections chosen by the Avino family, accommodations decorated with handmade Vietri tiles and Hermes and Designer Guild textiles; and furniture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The bathrooms are stocked with luxury amenites such as Frette towels and special edition amenities from Dr. Vranjes, a fragrance brand that created three special scents for Palazzo Avino guests that include pomegranate, lemon and mandarin, and grapefruit and cassis.

The renovation was headed by owner and managing director Mariella Avino, who says,“With the choice of the colors, my mother and I tried to bring the blue of the sky and the sea into the rooms along with the brightness that shines everywhere around the property, from the white Carrara marble to the handmade Vietri tiles.”

The hotel opened as Palazzo Sasso in 1997, in what was once a 12th century private villa for an Italian noble family. In 2013, the hotel’s name changed to Palazzo Avino to honor the Avino family. The hotel is open from April through October with rates starting at $312.54 dbl. For more information, visit palazzoavino.com.

Singita Boulders Lodge's suites get a high-end design upgrades.
Singita Boulders Lodge’s suites get a high-end design upgrades.

After being in operation for 17 years, Singita Boulders Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve has reinvented its design. Located on the banks of the Sand River in South Africa, the lodge’s new design incorporates the colors, textures and elements found in nature and the surrounding area.

“My role in redesigning and repositioning key aspects of the Boulders experience was to enable guests to engage with the lodge from the moment they arrive and throughout their stay,” says Boyd Ferguson of Cecile & Boyd.

The 12 private suites, two of which are family suites, blend African nature with high design. Guest areas are now closer to the river and the lodge provides continuous connection with the outdoors and wildlife via open areas. Communal spaces, like the new Copper Bar serving fresh juices, espressos, and cocktails, provide guests opportunities to connect with their surroundings and each other. The new outdoor dining pavilion gives guests a spectacular view of the Sand River, and new decks suspended above ground provide intimate spaces for private dining or relaxing by the pool. Rates start at $1,370 per adult per night and include all meals and beverages (including premium wines, spirits, and liquors); two daily open Land Rover safaris, walking safaris, or mountain biking safaris with experienced guides; return road transfers between Singita airstrip and the lodge; and laundry service. For more information, visit singita.com.

The Presidential Villa at Sunset Marquis Hotel is among the 100 renovated suites.
The Presidential Villa at Sunset Marquis Hotel is among the 100 renovated suites.

Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, California has completed the renovation of its 100 suites.

“We are excited to unveil this completed remodel of Sunset Marquis, which has undergone many changes since its inception in 1963. This new remodel will offer our guests an even more superior experience,” says Rod Gruendyke, general manager of Sunset Marquis.

The jr. and 1-bedroom suites offer oversized bathrooms, in-room dining and work area, and custom furniture in vibrant colors. Most of the suites, which average 529 sq. ft., have balconies or patios. The property’s restaurant, Cavatina, is located at the center of the hotel’s lush landscape, offering an upgraded cozy patio for outdoor dining, as well as new lounge areas for casual dining. The hotel also features two outdoor heated pools; BAR 1200; a full-service spa; Nightbird Recording Studios, home to many Grammy winning artists; and Morrison Hotel Gallery, a collection of some of the world’s most well-known celebrity photography.

Rates start at $325 and range to $425 for a suite. Villas start at $465 and range to $1,800. The Presidential Villa is $10,000 per night. For more information, visit sunsetmarquis.com.