Argentina
Hilton Buenos Aires unveiled its new lobby featuring artwork by renowned artist Edgardo Madanes, including five wooden-wicker art pieces suspended from the ceiling, inspired by the history of its location, the Puerto Madero district. The space also includes a new front desk with individual counters and six wooden and leather gazebos for guests to gather within the lobby. The newly introduced Alberto’s Lobby Bar boasts a sleek bar while Croûtons Grab ‘n Go offers quick take-out options. Updates have also been made to El Faro Restaurant. The 417-room property has a 72,290-square-foot convention center that includes 22,000 square feet of exhibit space and a capacity for 2,700.
China
Grand Hyatt Changsha, the first Grand Hyatt hotel in China’s Hunan Province, opened with 354 guest rooms. The 61-story tower boasts views of Xiang River and the city skyline. The hotel’s five restaurants and bars offers both local and international cuisine, including Peking duck at Chinese restaurant Xiangjiang 36 and prime cut meats grilled on guests’ tables at BBQ. The property features more than 37,000 square feet of event space, including a 12,500-square-foot ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Rosewood Sanya opened its doors on the island of Sanya in late August. The hotel is set within a resort on 40 acres of gardens surrounding the Sanya Forum, the largest convention center in Haitang Bay. The hotel’s 36,900 square feet of meeting space includes a 15,150-square-foot grand ballroom and six function spaces. It also offers The Pavilion, a residential-style venue with an outdoor terrace offering sea views. The property has 246 guest rooms, five restaurants and lounges, Sense, A Rosewood Spa and an infinity edge pool overlooking the South China Sea. A curated art collection, including pieces from Chinese artists, is displayed throughout the hotel.
Israel
Isrotel hotel chain welcomed the Orient Jerusalem to its Exclusive Collection. The hotel is located in Western Jerusalem’s German Colony, a vibrant and upscale neighborhood 20 minutes from the heart of the Old City. The property blends old and new with 243 guest rooms in its newly constructed central building as well as a selection of opulent accommodations inside two preserved Templar Buildings from the 1800s. As a tribute to the Templars, the hotel features a small interactive museum that showcases a selection of authentic artifacts. The hotel offers a lobby restaurant and a variety of multipurpose venues and meeting rooms, including a large conference and banquet hall that accommodates up to 900 people.
Singapore
Sofitel Singapore City Centre is set to debut in October. The AccorHotels property will feature 223 guest rooms and a collection of custom-made furniture and artwork, including a nearly 30-foot chandelier made with 700 hand-blown glass crystals hanging in the lobby. The hotel will also be home to Sophie The Robot, serving as the in-house butler. The 20,000 square feet of meeting space across 10 venues includes the 6,500-square-foot Wallich Ballroom, named after Nathaniel Wallich, the founding father of the Singapore Botanical Gardens. The property will offer several dining outlets, such as Racines, helmed by award-winning Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois, and will serve French and Chinese cuisines prepared across four open kitchens for an interactive culinary experience.
Switzerland
Hard Rock International announced plans to open the Hard Rock Hotel Davos in December. The 130-year-old building, which houses the recently renovated Spenglers Hotel Davos, will be transformed while still paying tribute to the property’s history. The hotel will feature 111 redesigned guest rooms, including 31 one- to three-bedroom apartments. In addition to three conference rooms, an on-site, historic chapel will also be available for booking. Other amenities will include a ski room for gear storage, a three-meal restaurant, a lobby bar alongside a private bar for dining and tastings, as well as a rooftop bar. www.hardrockhotels.com
Turkey
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Topkapi, a 216-room hotel, opened. The property’s guest rooms overlook the Marmara Sea and the Princess Islands, and the hotel boasts 26,900 square feet of meeting space, including the largest conference space and ballroom in the area, available for up to 700 guests. The Topkapi Terrace, an open air function space with views of Istanbul, can also be used for private events. The on-site Turquaz Restaurant serves international and local fare while the more casual Lounge Cafe & Bar offers quick bites.
Uruguay
Hilton’s Hampton by Hilton brand debuted its first property in Uruguay. The 117-room, new-build Hampton by Hilton Montevideo Carrasco is lakefront with views of the Calcagno Lagoon and offers easy access to the Carrasco neighborhood and Parque Roosevelt. The hotel features guest rooms decorated with local art and 2,150 square feet of meeting space. There is also a 5,920-square-foot outdoor lakeview deck. Additional amenities include a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and solarium deck facing the lagoon.