Hotel Openings

💪 Meliá White House in London unveils a state-of-the-art gym in partnership with TechnoGym, as part of a £40 million renovation completed in 2023. Strategically located near Regent’s Park and Oxford Street, it features advanced fitness equipment, free weights, and yoga spaces. Jakob Gowin, General Manager, emphasizes the hotel's commitment to wellness and luxury. The new gym enhances the hotel’s premium offerings, catering to diverse fitness needs and preferences.

🏨 IKEA, through Sarton Canarias, has opened its first Spanish hotel, Las Dunas de Santa Catalina Boutique House, in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. This two-star hotel offers a neutral aesthetic, outdoor pool, terrace, garden, and Wi-Fi. Located near Las Alcaravaneras, it targets both leisure and business tourists. IKEA plans to open a second hotel, Las Vegas de Ciudad Jardín Suites, in the Canary Islands, reflecting its strategy to expand in urban and tourist-heavy areas.

🏕 Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes has introduced Castello di Procopio in Umbria, Italy, its first property in the region. The 12th-century estate, originally commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Frederico Barbarossa, features 8 en-suite bedrooms for up to 16 guests. Set on 11 acres, it offers modern amenities like a heated outdoor pool and a spa suite, while embracing its historical charm. This expansion reflects the brand's focus on luxury and heritage in key European locations.

🏨 Líbere Hospitality Group (LHG) will launch its first UK property, a 44-unit hotel on Edgware Road, London, in May 2025. LHG, founded in 2019, operates over 1,900 units across 50+ properties in Southern Europe, expanding to 1,200 units by 2025, a 135% increase from 2024. LHG's asset-light model focuses on tech-driven, design-led accommodations. The company targets strategic urban markets, expecting a 66% annual growth, aiming for a 3,000-unit pipeline.

🏖 Shinta Mani Mustang, located in Nepal’s Lower Mustang, opened in August 2023 with 29 suites designed by Bill Bensley. The architecture by Prabal Shumsher Thapa uses local stone, blending with the Himalayan landscape. Featuring Nepalese handcrafted interiors, the resort incorporates sustainable practices by upcycling materials. The design includes 2,000 apple and apricot trees, offering activities like trekking and yoga, while maintaining harmony with local culture and the environment.

🏨 InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, near Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, designed by BENSLEY, repurposes decommissioned train carriages for luxury accommodations and public spaces, reflecting King Rama V's railway era. Eco-friendly practices include upcycling, using local materials, and integrating natural surroundings. Features like a train-themed spa, vintage railway memorabilia, and collaborations with Thai artisans enhance the guest experience. This project exemplifies how luxury and sustainability can harmoniously coexist in hospitality design.

🏖️ Located on Nai Yang Beach, The Slate in Phuket, Thailand, designed by Bensley, reimagines the island's tin-mining past. The resort combines industrial aesthetics with lush landscapes, featuring materials like steel, concrete, and raw timber, creating a steampunk and tropical modernism fusion. Highlights include the Black Ginger restaurant accessible by raft, multiple pools, and the Coqoon Spa's tree-wrapped treatment rooms. Bensley's narrative-driven design tells Phuket's history through space, texture, and atmosphere.

🌴 Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos, designed by BENSLEY, features 23 accommodations, including waterfall pool villas and hilltop tents. It blends traditional Laotian architecture with sustainable luxury. Using local materials like teak and bamboo, the resort supports local artisans. Eco-friendly techniques, water conservation, and waste management minimize its environmental impact. Communal areas like the Great House restaurant offer panoramic views. The resort narrates French explorer history through eclectic design elements, offering an immersive guest experience.