Hard Rock Hotel Malta (Rendering courtesy of Hard Rock International)
Hard Rock International has announced plans to open Hard Rock Hotel Malta in 2020. According to a Hard Rock press release, the resort will have 370 guest rooms, including 110 suites offering balcony views. The upcoming project will be part of a new mix-used development called db City Centre, which includes a shopping mall, luxury residences and modern office spaces, in St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s. Hard Rock Hotel Malta is being developed in collaboration with the Malta-based Seabank Group, a partner of Hard Rock for more than 15 years.
The press release also says that the Hard Rock Hotel Malta “will pay homage to the 19th century British military accommodation quarters building which will be a key feature of the project’s design and layout. Prior to opening, the historic site will be restored to its original glory.”
The hotel’s amenities will include:
Various high-end food and beverage establishments, including a multi-course signature restaurant and a rooftop lounge complete with Skybar.
Numerous pools
Rock Spa, a 16,000-square-foot full-service spa
Body Rock, a state-of-the-art fitness center
More than 37,000 square feet of planned function space, including the largest convention center on the island.
Hard Rock Malta is part of Hard Rock International’s ongoing expansion plans. In January 2017, the company launched Hard Rock Japan LLC and appointed Edward Tracy as CEO of the company’s new division, which aims major contender among the bidders for resort licenses in Japan, due to the recent passing of Japan’s Integrated Resorts Promotion Bill.
The following is an excerpt from Auberge Resorts Collection press release:
An ideal retreat for families, groups of friends and active couples, 60 guest rooms and 32 two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas are light and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow a seamless flow from each space, framing the panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. Expansive floor plans with a natural color palette are the backdrop for handcrafted contemporary furniture in linen, cotton and leather, comfortable for lounging, with pops of bright colors that add vibrancy and flair. Guest rooms feature private terraces with ocean, beach, pool or lush garden views, spacious light-filled bathrooms with deep freestanding soaking bathtubs and private outdoor showers. Villas are equipped with the comforts of home, including gourmet kitchens and living spaces that span indoor-outdoor, terraces with plunge pools and hot tubs and breathtaking ocean views. Signature in-room amenities include a welcome cocktail freshly prepared in-room upon arrival, artisanal bath products, complimentary refreshments and WiFi.
At the heart of Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is a spectacular 450-foot-long three-tiered infinity-edge swimming pool that cascades through the center of the property, featuring private poolside cabanas and offering guests a relaxed, interactive gathering place. The H20 Watersports Activity Cave offers snorkeling gear, glass-bottomed kayaks and other high-performance watersports equipment to enjoy in the calm waters of Chileno Bay that are known for the best snorkeling in Los Cabos. Another communal gathering place is the resort’s Activity Center that offers a comprehensive kids’ club; two movie theatres; a games lawn and the Fitness Center, featuring weights, aerobic equipment and group classes such as TRX, yoga, Pilates and spinning. Signature group fitness and wellness programming will be led by CrossFit Games champion Jason Khalipa.
Dynamic Culinary Experiences
Guests and locals will be delighted by the resort’s exciting dining experiences, which offer an eclectic interpretation of regional Mexican favorites and celebrate the the cuisine of Latin America. The resort’s signature restaurant, COMAL, a three-tiered open-air space designed byGulla Jonsdottir Architecture + Design, mirrors the contemporary design aesthetic of the resort and showcases spectacular ocean views. COMAL is helmed by locally loved and internationally known Chef Yvan Mucharraz, alum of The French Laundry and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurants in Yountville, California and Paris. He has earned a reputation for contemporary Mexican cuisine with an international character influenced by his travels through Brazil, Peru and elsewhere in Latin America. Dinner at COMAL will feature signature dishes such as Crispy Octopus with Hazelnut Mole; Steamed Sweet Potato-Wrapped Snapper with Clams; and Braised Short Rib with Cacao Broth, Chilhuacle, Roasted Corn and Chayote. A raw bar located at center of the restaurant offers an impressive array of local wild-caught seafood in a live-action setting that serves raw oysters, clams and served as ceviche and sashimi-style tiraditos.
Culinary offerings are matched by the resort’s outstanding selection of wine, local tequilas and artisanal Mexican spirits. Osvaldo Vasquez, one of Mexico’s most lauded mixologists and known for his hand-crafted bitters and inventive cocktails, oversees the beverage program at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. Vazquez has curated an extensive spirits selection including artisanal tequilas, mezcals and raicilla, a traditional spirit made of fermented agave. A comprehensive craft cocktail menu features classic and innovative signature libations that complement the regional cuisine.
On the sand guests will find the casual and lively beachfront tacos and tequila bar TnT offering a selection of Mexican street-style tacos, artisanal tequilas and freshly crafted cocktails – and even jars of traditionally prepared chapulines (grasshoppers) for the adventurous! In the evening, fire pits are lit, creating a romantic setting for guests to sip and enjoy the vast collection of spirits under the moonlight.
Destination Spa by the Sea
Rounding out Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is the world-class Auberge Spa at Chileno Bay. A haven for inspired simplicity dedicated to eliminating the distractions of modern life, the spa features 10 indoor and outdoor treatment facilities, a Purification Garden, reflexology pool, salt inhalation room, ice fountain, a hair and nail salon, and a sleek men’s grooming den. Signature spa journeys are inspired by the rich healing traditions of the Baja region, with a holistic and restorative approach to wellness and relaxation. The spa features a menu of skincare treatments created exclusively for Auberge by True Botanicals.
Meeting and Events Space with a View
An ideal venue for oceanfront weddings, retreats or group gatherings, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences features more than 13,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The Chileno Galleria offers private oceanfront dining and meeting space with an adjacent terrace overlooking the Sea of Cortez. El Limonero Event Lawn is a flexible setting for a variety of outdoor events that showcases the resort’s ability to create carefree gatherings that can also be enlivened with games such as a life-sized chess set, Jenga and croquet.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is set amidst Discovery Land Company’s prestigious 1,200-acre resort community ofChileno Bay, comprised of residences, a private beach club and a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course. The golf course is available to resort guests.
Opening Villa Offers Unveiled In celebration of the opening, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences gives guests the opportunity to experience the comforts of residential resort living with its Vacation Home Rental offers.
Available through December 20, 2017, for three-night-minimum villa stays, are two special offers:
The Family Connection offer, which includes complimentary daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, a movie night experience, one family dinner and the use of the Kids Club.
The Vacation Home Special Offer which gives a third night free and round-trip airport transfers. Additional terms, conditions and blackout dates may apply.
(Photos courtesy of JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort)
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club & Spa in Florida has re-opened under the name JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, following a $320 million renovation facilitated by ownership group Mass Mutual.
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort includes Spa by JW, the JW Marriott brand’s exclusive global spa concept, created to demystify and reimagine the spa experience with treatments based on four core benefit states: calm, indulge, renew and invigorate. Guests can customize their spa experience, choosing from a variety of menu options from full-service treatments to express spa services that start at a 12-minute entry point and are bookable without an appointment. Additional spa programming includes daily beach yoga and weekly spa events.
The South Florida hotel also has a 94-room, adult-exclusive tower (scheduled to open in the fall of 2017), offering a rooftop pool, restaurant and a 12,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center. Designed by Florida-based design and architecture firm Edge of Architecture Inc., the new tower will have views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Once completed, the resort will have a total of 100,000 square feet of event space—equipped with the latest technology—and 810 guest rooms and suites.
In 2015, the resort began phase one of a three-phase makeover and brand conversion project, including expanded pool decks, a refurbished lobby, a new porte-cochere and grand front entrance. The second phase, which concluded on December 31, 2016, welcomed a complete transformation of guest rooms and resort culinary offerings, including the addition of two new signature restaurants—Ario and Maia—as well as an all-new beachfront tiki bar called Kane.
The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, located on 16 oceanfront acres of North Kā’anapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii, will open on April 15, 2017, and is currently confirming reservations for stays that begin on May 1, 2017. The resort, whose name “nanea” means relaxation in Hawaiian, will reach this milestone two-and-a-half months ahead of schedule.
The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas have villas with one, two or three bedrooms. The master bedrooms will include king-size signature Westin Heavenly Beds and Westin Heavenly Baths with showers, bathtubs and vanities. The living areas will offer armoires, queen-size sofa sleepers and private furnished lanais. Villas will also come with fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers.
The Pu’uhonua o Nanea Cultural Center at the heart of the resort has educational cultural offerings that will honor local history, language, art, crafts, music and dance. The resort also has a lagoon-style swimming pool, children’s beach pool and play area, oceanfront cabanas and a WestinWorkout Fitness Studio.
Mauka Makai Restaurant (mauka: toward the mountains; makai: toward the ocean), the resort’s full-service restaurant, will pay tribute to the farming and fishing cultures of ancient Hawaii. With an emphasis on farm-to-table, Mauka Makai will utilize indigenous plants and vegetables grown on-site and from local farms to complement popular local dishes. It will also feature the Westin® brand’s signature SuperFoodsRX menu with nutrient-rich and delicious options to tempt every palate.
Additionally, the Inu (Drink) Pool Bar will provide a relaxing setting to enjoy oceanfront views, cocktails and lighter fare. Guests will also enjoy access to resort amenities at the Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas located next door, including Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin.
UPDATE: The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Kaanapali is now part of Marriott International. More information can be found at the resort’s current website.
(Photo courtesy of Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club)
Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club (formerly known as Cabo Villas Beach Resort and Spa) has opened at Callejon Del Pescador S/N, El Medano, 23450 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The opening represents the first phase of Cachet Corazon, CHG’s first dual-branded resort destination; the second phase, Cachet Deluxe Los Cabos, is set for completion in 2018.
Here are more details from a press release about the resort:
Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club has 77 re-imagined rooms; a Beach Club; Aleta Seafood Grill, Bar and Sun Deck; three chill wet areas and rejuvenating spa experiences at Spa Ritual.
In tandem with Rabago Artiquitectors & Consultores, Cachet Interior Design (CID) revamped the accommodations with decor that is an eclectic but harmonious interweaving of Mexican art, local patterns and vibrant hues. Cachet Beach’s amenities include in-room yoga mats, flip-flops, towels and beach bags are just some of the features that will help guests fully enjoy their time outdoors. Rooms will also include blue-tooth speakers; RoomNetTVs that allow guests to stream their own media; and ASSA ABLOY wristband door keys for people who don’t want to worry about losing their keycard.
The property is situated right on famed Medano Beach and near the Sea of Cortez and within walking distance to downtown restaurants, popular clubs, an upscale shopping mall, and a picturesque marina.
The resort’s signature restaurant Aleta includes a fresh seafood bar offering local catches, a taco station, and mixologist-crafted cocktails using locally-sourced ingredients. The hotel also retains the Baja Brewing Company, the first and only microbrewery in all of Baja. Perched atop an epic rooftop patio, BBC delivers panoramic views to accompany its wide array of craft beers and delicious selection of both sophisticated entrees and comforting pub favorites.
(Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Coconut Waterpark)
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida, has opened a $7.1 million waterpark. The new attraction has three waterslides that are each three stories tall, with two speed slides and one inner-tube slide in a 1,095-foot heated lazy river. The new waterpark adds one acre to the hotel’s previously existing two-acre pool area. The waterpark will serve as a multi-functional recreation area, while bringing new culinary offerings with both a food truck and the newly renovated Corkscrew Pool Bar.
B Ocean Resort at 1140 Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has unveiled extensive renovations. The property, which is six miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, has 484 guest rooms and suites. Each room has custom furnishings, a 55-inch HD LED interactive flat-screen television, reading nook, Aveda bath amenities, coffee maker, in-room safe and mini-fridge. As part of the multi-million dollar refurbishment, the resort is also introducing a two-story penthouse with private elevator, kitchenette, separate sitting area and a sleeping room with king-size bed, offering guests views of the ocean and bustling Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The resort has two outdoor infinity edge swimming pools, a 24-hour B Active Fitness Center, two B Indulged Spa Suites and more than 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space that has expanded onto the second floor with Point Room, which offers floor-to-ceiling windows and an attached spacious outdoor beachfront terrace and equipped with the latest technology, an ideal venue for high end corporate and social events.
B Ocean Resort has partnered with Yes Hospitality Group and chef and TV personality, Ralph Pagano to lead the hotel’s food and beverage concepts, including Naked Crab, Salty Siren, The Clipper grab-n-go, and Wreck Bar, which hosts the MeduSirena Mermaid Show, a live underwater aquatic performance every Friday and Saturday night.
Other amenities include free Wi-Fi; B Humane Program that supports the endangered Green Sea Turtle; and Monscierge, a digital touchscreen concierge and destination guide (also available via mobile app) offering guests instant access to information on everything from hotel amenities to weather forecasts, flight updates and local attractions.
(Photos courtesy of Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort)
Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort at 103800 Overseas Highway, MM 103.8 in Key Largo, Florida, has unveiled extensive renovations. The revamp includes a newly redesigned lobby, new locally inspired decor and a recently modernized hotel spa. The resort has 133 rooms, 20 suites, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and three different hotel restaurants/bars: Gus Grille (for a romantic dinner with a memorable view) and the more casual Breezer’s Tiki Bar and Flipper’s Pool Ba. The hotel also has eight event rooms totaling 10,932 square feet of space and a maximum capacity of 350 attendees in the largest space.
Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton and The Renwick Hotel New York City, Curio Collection by Hilton are now open, while The Darcy, Curio Collection by Hilton, is expected to open in mid-2017.
Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa (which opened 1960 as the Erawan Garden) is located at 45000 Indian Wells Lane in Indian Wells, California, at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The 11-acre property, which is undergoing renovations, has 215 guest rooms, villas and suites. The resort has 35,000 square feet of event and meeting space, as well as numerous outdoor garden that can accommodate as many as 500 guests. There is also a 12,000-square-foot Well Spa that has 13 treatment rooms, seasonal offerings and a courtyard with two private salt water pools. There are also staff-led yoga classes and wellness walks. The property is owned by Rockpoint Group and managed by Two Roads Hospitality.
Dining options at the resort include the Grove Artisan Kitchen (which specializes in fresh, seasonal California cuisine) and the Vineyard Lounge, which serves crafted cocktails and light meals. The resort has three pools, including the Miramonte Pool, (which has chaise lounges, umbrellas and food and beverages all day) and the Piedmont Pool that includes access to a heated whirlpool, sun decks and food and beverage service.
(Photo courtesy of The Renwick Hotel New York City, Curio Collection by Hilton)
The Renwick Hotel New York City, Curio Collection by Hilton is located at 118 East 40th Street in New York. The property is owned by a joint venture between Meadow Partners and hotel Asset Value Enhancement and managed by StepStone Hospitality. To celebrate The Renwick Hotel New York City’s addition to the Curio Collection, Hilton HHonors members can earn 1,000 points per night on eligible stays from January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017. Housed in an iconic 1920s brick building, The Renwick Hotel New York City has 173 guest rooms and suites. The hotel’s signature eatery is Bedford and Co., the first solo restaurant from award-winning Chef John DeLucie that serves contemporary American cuisine and a rotating menu of Prohibition era-style artisan cocktails.
Meanwhile, the 226-room Darcy hotel is located at 1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW, in Washington, D.C., just off Scott Circle. The hotel’s Siren restaurant will feature locally sourced ingredients paired with seafood from a menu created by chefs Robert Wiedmaier and Brian McBride. The Darcy will also have Lil’ B, an intimate New Orleans-style coffee shop and eatery, led by chef David Guas. Additional amenities will include a fitness center, business services, room service, valet parking, concierge services and programming with business and leisure travelers in mind. The Darcy has about 5,500 square feet of meeting and event space.
Longboat Key Club in Longboat Key, Florida (near Sarasota), has added 49,990 tons of white sand to expand its beachfront area near the Gulf of Mexico. The $1.8 million project includes the addition of new chaise lounges, private cabanas and sheltering umbrellas. Located at 220 Sands Point Road, the resort’s other amenities include 45 holes of championship golf, the Tennis Gardens, the Spa, a fitness center, the 291-slip Longboat Key Club Moorings and eight distinctive restaurants and lounges.
