Even if you’re not traveling right now, you can still look forward to days ahead when travel is one again at the forefront of our minds. Stay up-to-date on the latest highly anticipated openings around the world with this roundup. From a former whaling merchant’s home in Nantucket to a brand-new Mykonian resort, these are the openings and renovations to know about for 2020 and 2021.
—
White Elephant Palm Beach
Florida
Nantucket’s iconic White Elephant Resort opened a sister property in Palm Beach on September 23, 2020. The new hotel, completely reimagined by Boston-based architecture firm, Elkus Manfredi, represents the total renovation of the Bradley Park Hotel, which dates back to the 1920’s and was one of the first hotels in the area. Located on Sunset Avenue, the 32-room and suite White Elephant Palm Beach maintains the welcoming feel of a private residence, with each accommodation offering a private outdoor space.
In contrast to the bright pinks and greens that are synonymous with Palm Beach, the property has a neutral color palate. Of particular note is the original fireplace in the lobby, which has been restored to the grandeur of the Golden Age. Outside, the Mizner-style facade was painted a light, creamy-white color with classic black-and-white striped awnings, charcoal-grey roof tiles and black trim to bring a fresh, sophisticated look to the classic structure.
The art collection exceeds 100 works that have been personally curated by the owners. Among the amenities, guests will have complimentary use of Priority Bicycles and BMW vehicles, as well as exclusive access to Barton & Gray yachts.
—
Jared Coffin House
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket’s Jared Coffin House, a former whaling merchant’s home located in the heart of town, expanded August 15 with the addition of five new accommodations. While retaining the historic architecture of the 19th century building, portions of the ground floor were reborn into four guest-rooms and one suite. Inspired by the colors of the sea and sand, the interiors offer a color palette of foggy grays, robin’s egg blue, and soft neutrals. The individually-designed guestrooms feature custom furniture, including four-poster king beds, tulip-style coffee tables and walnut brown desks with lacquered inlay. The original wood floors from the 1840s were refurbished.
—
The Dupont Circle
Washington DC
Bernie Gallagher, Chairman of the Doyle Collection, spearheaded the top-to-bottom renovation of the Dupont Circle, which opened on September 9, 2020. The restaurant focuses on bold colors and varying textures, and the penthouse suite and new lobby incorporate holistic touches like live-edge wood and handwoven rugs. Following suit, all of the guestrooms have undergone makeovers—think pops of color, geometric headboards, and plush, new robes hanging in the bathrooms—and several have been reconfigured, doubling the number of suites in the hotel.
—
La Réserve Eden au Lac
Zurich, Switzerland
Joining the brand’s properties in Paris, Geneva, and Ramatuelle, La Réserve Eden au Lac opened in Zurich on January 8, 2020 following a two-year restoration by Philippe Starck. The majority of the 40 rooms and suites in the French Empire-style building, which is the only luxury hotel on Lac Zurich, have views of the lake. Quirky nautical touches include wooden oars, paintings of sailboats, and room numbers printed as if they were on a racing sail. The sixth-floor rooftop restaurant, La Muña, has a Peruvian-Japanese menu in an eclectic space that resembles the interior of the hull of a ship. Guests can dine and have drinks on the rooftop terrace, which offers 360-degree views of the city and the Alps in the distance.
—
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Europe
Belmond debuted three new Grand Suites on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with the start of the 2020 season on August 5, 2020. The new suites—Vienna, Prague, and Budapest—each feature private bathrooms with showers, double beds, and a living area with underfloor heating, offering the ultimate in style and comfort. Named after the cities to which the train travels, Wimberly Interiors, who oversaw the initial three Grand Suites, created each cabin to reflect the spirit of each city whilst staying true to the original 1920s Art Deco design. Additional amenities include a personal 24-hour cabin steward, free-flowing champagne, in-suite dining and private transfers to and from the train.
—
Kalesma
Mykonos, Greece
Once home to Greek gods and a favorite destination of Jackie Kennedy as well as artists, poets, designers, and actors, Mykonos has long been in the spotlight. But the whole story of the island is rarely told. Enter Kalesma, opening in Spring 2021. Set on a hilltop above Ornos Bay and just under two miles from Mykonos town, Kalesma’s 25 accommodations will be spread across five acres and set against a lush hillside blanketed with 20,000 plants. All suites will offer unobstructed lookouts from the private patio, as well as a full-sized personal heated pool. Kalesma’s design is inspired by Mykonian tradition, local history and the “aloni” – an existing threshing floor on the property that became the source of inspiration for the style and character of the project. Local materials and artisans have played an essential role in the identity of the resort, with wood, marble, stone and osier giving a contemporary look to traditional Cycladic style.
—
Almanac Vienna
Austria
Almanac Vienna, opening in early 2021, is located on the famous Ringstraße Boulevard, home to some of the city’s top monuments including the Vienna State Opera House, Parliament, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Across the street from the hotel is Stadtpark, one of the city’s most beautiful parks and a popular hangout for locals. The historic 19th century building is being carefully restored and combined with contemporary interior design by Barcelona-based Jaime Beriestain. Original hardwood floors and ornate crown molding will be contrasted with lots of marble and bronze accents. In the 111 rooms (the majority of which are suites), guests will find velvet upholstered furniture in neutral tones juxtaposed with pops of color. In addition to an onsite bar, restaurant, and spa, there will also be a coffee shop, concept store, and members club.
—
andBeyond Punakha River Lodge
Bhutan
Tucked deep in the lush green Punakha Valley and draped on the banks of the Mo Chhu River, andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, andBeyond’s first lodge in Asia, will open in September 2021. With only six intimate luxury tents and two larger, multi-room villas, the lodge was created in the traditional Bhutanese architectural style. From the lodge, guests can participate in myriad outdoor adventures such as rafting, kayaking, fishing, biking, and a variety of hikes and longer treks through the striking surrounds. In between days of exploring, travelers can balance their chakras back at the spa with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath or gentle yoga flow, set alongside the streaming river. Following a sundowner cocktail on the Chain Bridge colored by rows of prayer flags, guests of the lodge can dine on a fusion of Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese-influenced cuisine.