OPENINGS
Suite dreams are made of this
THE ORIENT EXPRESS LA MINERVA ROME, ITALY
The Orient Express, for the last 140 years has conjured up images of luxury trains in Europe and, for me, Hercule Poirot! The Orient Express, now part of the Accor hospitality group, opened their first hotel in Rome. No joke! The Orient Express is not a train for a change!
The property is located in the Piazza della Minerva and was built in 1620 as the palatial residence for the Portuguese Fonseca family. Almost two hundred years later, in 1811, it was bought and transformed into a hotel known as Palazzo Fonesca. And now, after a complete renovation, restoring its historical features and art deco interiors, it is the Orient Express La Minerva hotel, with 93 guestrooms which includes 36 suites, some with views of the Pantheon. Every room is different in layout and size, and all pay tribute to the golden age of train travel. Because, obviously, they couldn’t help themselves. Wining and dining is at La Minerva Bay in the lobby and the Voliera, a rooftop bar and restaurant. Yes, there is a spa, inspired by traditional Roman baths, so maybe worth a visit for that alone.
https://laminerva.orient-express.com/en/hotel/europe/italy/rome/la-minerva
WALDORF ASTORIA PUNTA CACIQUE, COSTA RICA
Located on the peninsula of Cacique en Guanacaste’s secluded Playa Penca you will find the new Waldorf Astoria, which opened April 22nd. The design merges modern architecture and state of the art amenities, which Waldorf Astoria likes to preen that it is renowned for. With the stunning views of the stunning surroundings, guests get ocean and tropical forest views from every location. The resort has 148 guestrooms plus 40 suites, you get the views from all of them too. There are six wining and dining options, with their signature restaurant, LaFinca, offering dishes inspired by flavors of the Pacific. At the spa you can get volcanic clay treatments and cacao ceremonies; these are traditional healing practices of the Chorotega culture, not some nonsense dreamed up on Goop.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lirguwa-waldorf-astoria-costa-rica-punta-cacique/
RECENTLY OPENED
THE CORINTHIA GRAND HOTEL DU BOULEVARD BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Going to Romania (you should, you know)? In March the Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard opened in Bucharest, on the corner of Calea Vicoriei and Elisabeta Boulevard. The building is historic, a national monument, built in 1873 and recognized by the Romanian Ministry of Culture. It was the first property in the city to have electric lighting and an elevator. Now it’s an all-suite luxury hotel, 30 suites, all sumptuously furnished with expansive windows.
The Heritage Bar serves cocktails, apparently inspired by the city’s history, which, let’s face it, is both a rather nebulous sounding and unnecessary inspiration source. Boulevard 73 serves a blend of French and Romanian dishes, and SASS Restaurant and Lounge serves Mediterranean and international food, in case, you know, you’re scared of Romanian food. Which you shouldn’t be. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention there’s a spa. So, we’ll mention it.
https://www.corinthia.com/en-gb/bucharest/
OKANA RESORT & INDOOR WATERPARK OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A.
In February Oklahoma City’s newest attraction, Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark opened, located in the heart of the city. The resort is the property of the Native American Chickasaw Nation, and “Okana” is a mashup of two words from their language, meaning “water friend.” Which is, let’s be honest, a very nice notion.
There are 404 rooms, all with views of the Oklahoma River, adventure lagoon or the city skyline. A 100,000 square foot huge indoor waterpark is open all year, with activities for all ages, and includes 15 water slides, wave pool, adult only pool, and kiddie pool, apparently all set to a comfortable 82 degrees. And there’s a 4 and a half acre outdoor adventure lagoon, which will open just in time for summer.
OKANARAMA is a family entertainment center, with interactive arcade games, a two-story laser tag space and more! Whew! I’m exhausted already… Where can I get a drink? There are 13 options for that, in keeping with the theme of abundance.
REOPENINGS
HOTEL VALLEY HO SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A.
In February, Hotel Valley Ho reopened after an $18 million guestroom transformation. Designed by Mendil + Meyer Design Studio, they have blended old charm with modern design, while remaining faithful to the history of the hotel, which originally opened in 1956. The transformation introduces ground-level Cabana King Rooms, which are pool-facing with extended patios and sun loungers. The Terrace Suites have separate sleeping and living areas and private patios. Later in the year, the hotel will unveil their new redesigned and Executive Suites.
COMING SOON
NORDELAIA BEAULIEU CÔTE D’AZUR, FRANCE
A new independent boutique hotel in the coastal town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera is scheduled to open this summer. Nordelaia Beaulieu will have 33 guestrooms and suites, 2 restaurants, one on a rooftop terrace, the only one in Beaulieu with great views over the Mediterranean, and an outdoor pool and a gym. All in 1960s, seafront building, in a nature reserve area of the South of France. God, that sounds good…
https://nordelaia.com/en/beaulieu/
