This year will see a slew of new hotel openings at home and abroad. Here’s a small taste of what you can expect to see.
MGM Sails Into Maryland’s National Harbor
Late 2016 will see the opening of the MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The mixed-use development overlooking the Potomac River just outside Washington, D.C., features an MGM hotel, casino and upscale entertainment, and a dining and shopping complex with restaurants from star chefs including Marcus Samuelsson, Jose Andres and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Let’s take a look at the numbers. The new property has 24 stories, 125,000 sq. ft. of gaming, a 3,000-seat theater and 308 light-wood-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Architect Eddie Abeyta of HKS Hospitality Group drew inspiration from D.C.’s monuments for the property’s design, which features modern architecture and nods to architect and civil engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant and his city plan for Washington, D.C. For more information, visit mgmnationalharbor.com.
New-Nordic New York
On April 1, 11 Howard, a Design Hotels member, will open in New York’s fashionable SoHo neighborhood with its unique blend of cutting-edge Scandinavian design and social-conscious hospitality. The 221-guestroom property’s interior features Danish design studio Space Copenhagen’s signature new-Nordic minimalism design aesthetic, custom lighting and furnishings, a culinary concept from restaurateur Stephen Starr, as well as a co-working space, the 11H Collective. Each guestroom features high ceilings and windows and a material palette of wood, warm metals, velvet, and wool. In keeping with its vision of being a local hub while still positively impacting the global community, 11 Howard is collaborating with young, contemporary artists and partnering with local business and non-profit organizations, such as Global Poverty Project and Conscious Commerce. Rates start at $400 per night. For more information, visit 11howard.com.
Rockin’ and Rollin’ in China
Hard Rock Hotels unveiled its plans to open the brand’s third property in mainland China in 2018. Once complete, the new-build Hard Rock Hotel Dalian will feature 200 rooms and suites, an array of amenities, such as multiple dining establishments, including both a casual and fine dining signature restaurant, plus a stylish nightclub, allowing for hosted events, DJ sets and live music performances. In addition, the oceanfront property, nestled on Dalian’s Golden Beach in China’s northeastern Liaoning Province, will also include Hard Rock’s signature brand offerings, including a Hard Rock Roxity kids club and Body Rock fitness center.
In anticipation of the property’s opening, Hard Rock is collaborating with China-based Luneng Real Estate Group to create the Hard Rock Hotels Preview Center, featuring an experimental space located directly adjacent to the hotel’s building site. The space, set to open later this year, will allow locals and travelers alike to familiarize themselves with China’s upcoming Hard Rock Hotel by featuring a wide selection of music memorabilia, Fender guitar stations for guests to interact with The Sound of Your Stay music amenities program, and Rock Spa demonstrations. In addition, Hard Rock Hotels currently has projects underway in Shenzhen and Haikou, China. For more information, visit hardrockhotels.com.
