Pillow Talk: The hottest openings, news and experiences in the world of hotels
From the most exciting upcoming openings to the latest news, trends and events, keep up to date with our regularly updated guide to all that is hot in the world of hotels.
? This month's best new hotel openings
Swiss Role
Early December will see Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St Moritz welcome multi-Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, who is opening a restaurant at the hotel’s renowned King’s Club. The menu will feature global haute cuisine with a British twist (roasted lobster served with triple-cooked duck-fat chips), the bar will stock champagne and cocktails in abundance, and a revolving list of celebrated DJs will provide the soundtrack.
? Rooms ￡460 (0041 81 837 10 00; badruttspalace.com)
Lakeside Luxe
The Lodore Falls Hotel in the Lake District has a new spa with one of the country’s largest infinity pools (featuring neck jets and underwater loungers). The treatment menu is headlined by La Sultane De Saba Akwaterra Massage, using ceramic tools filled with hot water.
? Spa days from ￡130pp; rooms ￡230 (0800 840 1246; lakedistricthotels.net)
Himalaya Hopping
Six Senses will soon launch a collection of lodges in Bhutan, the idea being that guests can journey across the Himalayan kingdom by “hopping” from one property to the next. The first lodge, in the capital city Thimphu, will open on Jan 1, followed by a second in the rice fields around Punakha and a third on the lip of the Paro Valley (both opening on Feb 1). The final two lodges will follow in May.
? From ￡1,171 (0808 234 7200; sixsenses.com)
New Year Bash
One of the world’s largest hotels, the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, is already gearing up for one of the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties. The resort will be ushering in 2019 with an elaborate celebration, headlined by a live performance from singer Fergie, plus a colourful Junkanoo parade through the centre of Nassau the following day.
? Rooms ￡510 (001 242 363 3000; atlantisbahamas.com)
Cocktail Hour
Actor, musician, DJ, producer… you’d think Idris Elba was busy enough without the added pressures of opening a hotel bar. That is exactly what he has done, however, with the launch of The Parrot, a tropical-themed cocktail bar at The Waldorf Hilton in London. As well as a long list of bespoke beverages, it promises secret concert performances from A-list guests and the chance to take a ride in its own chauffeur-driven Aston Martin.
? Further details at theparrotldn.co.uk
HK Sunset
The Peninsula Hong Kong is taking to the sea with the unveiling of its new yacht. The Kowloon hotel is offering guests the opportunity to join sunset cruises on the Sunseeker Manhattan 60 through Victoria Harbour (with views of the Symphony of Lights), or to charter the sleek vessel for private occasions.
? Cruises ￡138pp; rooms ￡450 (00852 2920 2888; peninsula.com)
Hot Hotel
Jumby Bay Island, a reef-enclosed private island retreat off the coast of Antigua, has reopened for the winter season after a year of top-down refurbishment. Interior designer Patricia Anastassiadis has reworked the hotel’s elegant, plantation-house style to embrace the lush Caribbean setting, while new to the set-up is an Italian restaurant, a beachfront infinity pool and a designer boutique.
? Rooms from ￡1,094 (001 268 484 6072; jumbybayisland.com)
From the Ashes
The restaurants, bars and spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park will reopen on Dec 4, the first stage of the hotel’s return after a fire in June this year. Bookings can now be made for the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Bar Boulud, and the Rosebery, as well as for the redesigned and enlarged wellness centre.
? To book: 020 7235 2000; mandarinoriental.com/london/hyde-park)
Food Fest
On Jan 18, Michelin-starred chefs will travel to Northcote hotel in rural Lancashire for the annual Obsession festival. Nigel Haworth, the hotel’s chef ambassador, will be joined by Norbert Niederkofler, pictured, of three-starred Restaurant St Hubertus in the Italian Alps; Marc Fosh from the restaurant in Mallorca that bears his respective name; and other culinary lights from Jan 18 to Feb 3.
? Tickets ￡140; rooms ￡305 (0333 999 7762; northcote.com/obsession)
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