Hotels—both newly opened and freshly reimagined—are making their mark from coast to coast. This latest roundup highlights properties that deliver exquisite stays and fresh vibes for clients who truly appreciate the art of the hotel experience.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa Debuts in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz has welcomed a new hospitality landmark with the debut of La Bahia Hotel & Spa. Located on Main Beach along Monterey Bay, the 155-room property offers luxury accommodations, diverse culinary venues and a rooftop spa.
Along with standard guestrooms, the property features 29 suites, many with ocean views, marble-clad bathrooms, Frette bathrobes and Le Labo amenities. A highlight at the property is the restored Santa Cruz historic beachfront bell tower, a local landmark for nearly a century.
The resort offers four distinct dining concepts: High Tide, led by Executive Chef Fernando Reyes; Low Tide Bar & Grill, offering craft cocktails, live music and patio seating; Pearl, a champagne and wine bar; and Plunge, a poolside lounge with light bites and cocktails.
The Spa at La Bahia features four indoor and four outdoor treatment rooms, an ocean-view sauna, a rooftop zen deck and steam rooms. Wellness extends outdoors with beach butler service, private pool cabanas, e-bike rentals and curated walking and hiking routes
For more information, visit labahiahotel.com.
RIU Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Canada
RIU Hotels & Resorts has expanded with the opening of the Riu Plaza Toronto, the company’s first property in Canada. The newly built four-star hotel features 352 guestrooms and joins the brand’s growing urban line, bringing RIU’s hospitality brand to Toronto’s Entertainment District.
The project is part of a dual development project rising 49 floors. RIU occupies 23 floors, while the remainder is designated for residential use. The hotel includes a ground-floor lobby and lobby bar, plus a second-floor restaurant offering RIU Plaza’s signature buffet breakfast—complimentary for all guests. Guests will also have access to a 24-hour fitness center.
Located at 30 Widmer Street, the Riu Plaza Toronto places guests within walking distance of Toronto’s notable landmarks, including the Princess of Wales Theatre, David Pecaut Square, Rogers Centre Stadium and the CN Tower. The property also integrates eco-conscious measures such as cogeneration plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water-saving technologies and waste-reduction initiatives.
The Toronto opening marks RIU’s 12th urban property worldwide, joining hotels in New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Panama, Guadalajara, Madrid, Berlin, London and Dublin.
For more information, visit riu.com.
A Culinary Retreat in Sonoma
Appellation Healdsburg marks the flagship debut of a new culinary-focused hospitality brand co-founded by Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger.
The 108-room retreat is designed to immerse guests in Sonoma County’s food, wine and agricultural heritage, blending luxury with culinary-focused experiences. Guestrooms and suites feature balconies or patios with vineyard views, and locally sourced touches such as Wolf coffee, regional wines and artisanal teas.
Culinary programming is at the core of the property. Highlights include Folia Bar & Kitchen, where nearly every dish is prepared over live fire, and Andys Beeline Rooftop, an indoor-outdoor venue with vineyard views, handcrafted cocktails and shareable menus.
The property also hosts Crafted at Appellation, an interactive workshop series led by local makers, winemakers and farmers. The Terroir Spa offers treatments rooted in local botanicals and winemaking byproducts. Outdoor amenities include two pools: the cabana-lined Foss Pool, home to an Airstream culinary hub, and a more serene retreat-style pool.
For more information, visit appellationhotels.com.
Hotel Indigo Debuts in Downtown Gatlinburg
The newest addition to IHG’s boutique collection has officially arrived in the Smokies. Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown has opened its doors with 136 guestrooms. Guests can choose from standard king or queen rooms, balcony accommodations and four one-bedroom suites.
Amenities include a heated infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a fitness center with Peloton bikes and pet-friendly policies—dogs up to 100 lbs. are welcome in select guestrooms and suites. Guests may have up to two dogs in a guestroom.
On the culinary side, the Altitude Restaurant & Rooftop Bar serves locally sourced American dishes, craft cocktails and offers diners panoramic mountain views. A lobby-level Starbucks adds convenience for grab-and-go coffee and snacks.
Located just moments away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown serves as a home base for those seeking adventures beyond their stay.
The property is 40 miles away from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and within easy reach of Downtown Gatlinburg attractions, such as Anakeesta Outdoor Adventure Park and Ober Mountain Adventure Park, as well as a ski area.
For more information, visit ihg.com.
The Pagemore Hotel to Join Tribute Portfolio
In the rapidly growing Fenton district in North Carolina, The Pagemore Hotel at Fenton, a 186-room Tribute Portfolio property, is slated to open in fall 2027. The 7-story property will join Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, marking the brand’s debut at Fenton.
Highlights of the forthcoming property include:
- Barouk, a signature Eastern Mediterranean restaurant with terrace dining
- A lobby bar
- A culinary space designed for interactive food experiences
- Curated art, live music and immersive cultural programming
For more information, visit splashsites.my.canva.site.com.
The Joule Dallas’ Reimagined Guestrooms
Dallas’ The Joule has debuted the latest phase of its multi-million-dollar, property-wide renovation with the unveiling of newly reimagined guestrooms in its West Tower. The redesign brings a fresh, contemporary aesthetic to the West Tower’s 126 guestrooms across 14 floors.
Interiors feature soft neutral colors as well as navy and sage tones, custom European walnut paneling and a mix of textures including velvet, travertine and leather. Guestrooms now include new furniture pieces and curated artwork by Bram Tihany. The corridors have also been refreshed with coordinated wallcoverings, updated lighting and original photography highlighting Dallas architecture.
In addition to physical updates, The Joule has enhanced its amenities by adding Byredo bath products, in-room wellness offerings and curated programming. Guests can now participate in experiences like Yoga at The Eye, spa masterclasses and other wellness-focused events. This renovation marks the third collaboration between The Joule and Tihany Design, following earlier upgrades to the hotel’s ballroom level and its expanded spa.
For more information, thejouledallas.com.
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Debuts New Look
The Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has unveiled a redesign of its lobby lounge and bar. The transformation, led by production and set designer Charles Infante, introduces an aesthetic inspired by the French Riviera and Old Hollywood.
The refreshed lobby space features monochromatic white and gold accents, curved sofas, geometric chairs in textured fabrics, custom lighting and art deco-inspired details. Highlights include a dedicated “selfie alcove” with a plush swing and mirrored backdrop.
The hotel’s bar is updated with new design features from bamboo fixtures to a pink disco ball centerpiece. The venue continues to be a sought-after live music spot, with past performers including Stevie Wonder and Marc Anthony.
On the culinary front, executive chef Mimi Diaz oversees Estérel, the property’s flagship restaurant, offering a global menu that fuses French classics with Asian and Japanese influences. Guests can also enjoy La Haute Croissanterie, offering sweet and savory croissant creations.
For more information, sofitel.accor.com.
