SLS TO DEBUT IN EUROPE: SLS Hotels & Residences, part of Ennismore, is making its debut in Europe with the upcoming opening of SLS Barcelona. Located in the waterside district of Port Forum, the hotel features 471 rooms and suites, six restaurant and bar concepts, three pools, a gym, spa and event space (which includes an 800-square-meter ballroom and eight private spaces). The hotel is expected to open in December. The hotel has been designed by AIME Studios, AvroKO and Rockwell Group and features a façade that draws inspiration from the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
SIX SENSES EXPANDS AMERICAS PRESENCE: Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, will open a wellness-focused resort and branded residences in Western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny River Valley. Located on a wooded ridge at the confluence of the Allegheny and Clarion rivers, Six Senses RiverStone Estate will be situated outside the town of Foxburg, some 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh. The three-story, 13,000-square-foot stone mansion, which was restored by the estate’s former owner the late Dr. Art Steffee, will feature 77 new rooms and 40 branded residences. Originally built in the 1820s as a summer home, the mansion will be further enhanced to serve as a centerpiece for the property, including a Victorian carriage house designed by architect Frank Furness. The estate is spread over 50 miles of trails and has seven miles of riverfront. The property will have a 16,000-square-foot spa (which will be situated in the restored stone walls of the Fox Family’s English Garden), a 4,500-square-foot fitness center, a 25-meter pool, a specialty restaurant and an equestrian center. The property will also offer an art program, consisting of an art gallery and a collection of studios. Owned by Saji Daniel and Shannon McGauley Daniel, Six Senses RiverStone Estate is scheduled to open in 2028.
SUPER 8 LAUNCHES GUESTROOM DESIGN PACKAGE: Super 8 by Wyndham has unveiled its new guestroom design, which will be making its debut amid the brand’s 50th anniversary. The INNOV8TE 2.0 design package has been developed in collaboration with owners and design experts. The upgrade starts at $1,850 per key and features refreshed color schemes, upgrades to furniture and bedding as well as durable flooring options. The package also streamlines housekeeping for efficient maintenance, use of durable, long-lasting materials to curb replacement expenses and optimizes space to enhance room functionality. INNOV8TE 2.0 was first unveiled at Wyndham’s Global Conference in Anaheim, Calif. in September 2023 and is now available in the U.S. and Canada. The upgrade enables owners to opt for either a complete guestroom update or gradual improvements.
KIMPTON SIGNS IN SHANGHAI: IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Hang Lung Group to expand the footprint of its luxury and lifestyle brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Greater China. Slated to open by the end of 2026, the Kimpton Xujiahui Shanghai will be located at the Grand Gateway 66 in the Xujiahui commercial hub in Shanghai. The design of the hotel is inspired by Shanghai’s cultural heritage and architectural diversity, with a façade featuring interwoven curved rooflines and eaves. The hotel will offer 149 rooms, a rooftop garden, an outdoor terrace and a pool. Kimpton currently has 75 open hotels globally, with 57 more in the pipeline.
