Checking In: Hotel Openings, July 2017
by Jessica Montevago
United States
The InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is now open in the tallest building on the West Coast. Housed in the 73-story Wilshire Grand Center, the hotel has 889 guestrooms on Floors 31 to 68. The 69th floor features two restaurants: Sora, where guests are served sushi on a conveyor belt, and Dekkadence, a casual dining eatery; a French-inspired steakhouse is located on the 71st floor. The sky lobby on the 70th floor offers a mezzanine-level bar with views of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel also offers 95,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom for 1,800 guests.
Guestroom at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
Marriott International will debut the dual-branded Aloft and Element in Austin, TX, July 27. Despite sharing a space, the two hotels will offer distinct experiences. The 144-room Element Austin Downtown will be centered around eco-friendly designs, while the 278-room Aloft Austin Downtown is trendy and urban. Dining for both hotels includes an all-purpose eatery, Caroline, on the first floor, and a second-floor space dubbed Upstairs at Caroline, with an outdoor lounge and later hours.
Upstairs at Caroline offers an outdoor lounge. Photo: Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Mexico & the Caribbean
After completing extensive renovations, the Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa reopened in Los Cabos, Mexico, transforming its 243 guest rooms and suites into 147 villas, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom premium villas. Westin, a wellness-focused brand, offers an on-site fitness center and spa, featuring seven treatment rooms, a bathing suite and relaxation lounge. Additional amenities include multiple infinity-edge pools, tennis courts and beach volleyball.
Europe
Occupying 86 acres of natural parks and gardens, Le Domaine Misincu will open on the French island of Corsica. The five-star, eco-certified luxury boutique hotel will serve locally-sourced ingredients at its fine dining bistro and casual beach restaurant. Wellness amenities include a garden spa with indoor-outdoor therapies and pools, as well as outdoor yoga and Pilates classes.
Guest room at Le Domaine Misincu. Photo: SLH
Asia
In China’s Zhejiang province, the five-star Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu, opened as part of the Yiwu World Trade Centre. The 362-room hotel is geared toward business travelers, with over 41,000 square feet of event space. It boasts the city’s largest pillar-less grand ballroom and its first car elevator. The property’s three restaurants include a buffet option with multiple cooking stations, a bakery and café with an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining, and a lobby lounge serving cocktails and light snacks.
Accor Hotels will open the 223-room luxury Sofitel Singapore City Centre this month. It will include an outdoor pool, an executive lounge offering city views, a nearly 6,700-square-foot ballroom, eight meeting rooms, a gym, restaurants and bars.
