From Brooklyn to Mexico City, an exciting collection of hotels and resorts are making news in the hospitality industry. Take a look:
The Arlo Williamsburg Opens in Brooklyn
Arlo Hotels, the independent lifestyle hotel brand with properties in New York, Chicago and Miami, has announced the official grand opening of Arlo Williamsburg, located in the 8-story brick tower formerly known as The Williamsburg Hotel in the heart of Brooklyn. Owned by the investment management and advisory group Quadrum Global, the property is Arlo Hotels’ fourth hotel in New York, joining Manhattan locations Arlo SoHo, Arlo NoMad and Arlo Midtown.
Arlo Williamsburg features 147 guest rooms, including eight suites, each richly tiled and textured with authentic reclaimed materials and floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline. Recently renovated, a 10,000-square-foot Rooftop Pool & Lounge offers unmatched 360-degree views with loungers and cabanas and a bespoke craft cocktail menu. The rooftop oasis, with its DJ music sets, alfresco drinks, dining and entertainment, has become a staple for guests and locals to gather during the outdoor season.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood’s industrial roots are featured architecturally throughout the property, including in the lobby bar, the elevators and in The Williamsburg Restaurant, featuring a show-stopping light fixture of individually hung pendant lights.
For more information, visit arlohotels.com.
Two Become One in Islamorada, Florida Keys
Two legendary Islamorada resorts—Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina and Pelican Cove Resort & Marina—are being reimagined as one resort destination, which is due to emerge from a multi-million-dollar renovation in summer 2024 as part of the Islamorada Resort Collection.
Retaining the relaxed, island vibe and spirit of the Florida Keys, the new property will offer island-chic guestrooms, distinct culinary experiences, a scenic beachfront and plenty of opportunities for total relaxation, island style.
Pelican Cove closed Sept. 11 to undergo renovations, while Postcard Inn will close for renovations on Oct. 28. Once complete, the new resort will feature 214 guestrooms, seven new culinary destinations, two new retail outlets and a full-service marina with fleets of fishing boats.
For more information, visit islamoradaresortcollection.com.
Pigeon Forge Goes Wayback
First of its kind in the destination, The Wayback, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, will debut this fall in Pigeon Forge, TN, bringing a chilled-out Palm Springs vibe to this lively corner of the Appalachians.
Set in the heart of the city, The Wayback recalls the roadside days of yore with a retro nostalgic look and feel, boasting a streamlined design—complete with a vintage Airstream poolside bar—and a beachy/mountain color palette. A Swim Club pool deck with private cabanas, and the new Paloma restaurant offering a South of the Border menu, create a homey escape amid the high energy of downtown Pigeon Forge.
For more information, visit waybackhotel.com.
1st NA Raffles Hotel & Residences Opens in Boston
Raffles Hotel & Residences has introduced its first mixed-use development in North America, a milestone for the 136-year-old brand, whose new Raffles Boston in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood offers 147 guestrooms along with a variety of distinct gathering spaces.
Housed in a 35-story sustainable newbuild hotel, the Raffles Boston hotel experience starts on the 17th floor, where a 3-story Sky Lobby awaits and a Grand Star spirals through an atrium housing three F&B venues, including a Speakeasy offering craft cocktails and small bites, along with a Writer’s Lounge, a signature Raffles space.
With a state-of-the-art gym on the 4th floor and incredible Back Bay views throughout the guestrooms and common areas, it’s tempting to stay indoors, but Raffles has a one-of-a-kind destination right outside the door and is adjacent to Boston’s Back Bay Station while being within a block of Copley Square and Trinity Church.
For more information, visit rafflesboston.com.
Aloha, Hawaii Hotel Developments
With the West Maui communities of Kaanapali, Napili, Honokowai, and Kapalua set to fully reopen on Oct. 8 (Lahaina remains closed), nearly all the Hawaiian islands have hotel news to report, starting with Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort (island of Hawaii) which opened on July 1, reemerging from a decade of closure after sustaining damages from a 2011 tsunami. rosewoodhotels.com/en/kona-village
Meanwhile, Wayfinder Waikiki (Oahu) opened over the summer, the second Wayfinder hotel under owner and creator Dovetail + Co. The hotel is “a uniquely hidden oasis with thoughtfully transformative design, public spaces, authentic food and beverage programming, guest experiences steeped in culture distinctive to Hawai‘i and the Waikīkī region and sustainable tourism.” Wayfinder Waikiki’s guest programming includes curated, local volunteer experiences for guests to explore Hawai‘i while also making a lasting impact on the planet. wayfinderhotels.com.
Fairmont Kea Lani’s (Maui) multiyear renovation project is set for a December completion, transforming the resort “in meaningful ways that evoke stories of the island’s rich cultural heritage and accentuate the natural beauty of Hawai‘i.” The 22-acre all-suite and -villa property will unveil a reimagined lobby, Hawaiian cultural center and oceanfront restaurant and lounge. All of this in addition to a redesign of the property’s 413 one-bedroom suites and 37 two-story villas. fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui.
Colima 71 is Mexico City’s Newest Boutique Hotel
Opened this spring in Mexico City’s bohemian-chic district of Colonia Roma Norte, the 16-room Colima 71 reflects the artistic spirit of the surrounding area, with art installations created by local artists, including an amazing photography collection from Inaki Bonilla and sculpture by Dario Escobar, created from bicycle tires, stainless steel and brass.
Sixteen studios offer either floor-to-ceiling windows or private balconies overlooking bustling Colima Street or the hotel’s serene courtyard. Neutral tones and organic lines are juxtaposed with striking Mexican materials like marble, terrazzo and wood, creating residentially-inspired spaces. Guests enjoy an exclusive “Morning Coffee” service, delivered by a Colima 71 barista who also brings pastries from a nearby panaderia.
In fact, coffee is a major theme here, with an all-day coffee bar featuring beans from La Concordia, Chiapas, which guests can sip while enjoying small bites in the courtyard, library, reading nooks and working booths. colima71.com
