Stephanie Chen

🍴 Chef Alex Chang and sommelier Lina Goujjane launched Noury, a Japanese izakaya and modern wine and sake bar, in New York’s Soho. The intimate venue accommodates 39 guests, with a central five-seat bar. Designed by Studio Tre, Noury blends cultural traditions with contrasting materials like limestone, oak, and quartzite. The dining area features vintage and modern lighting, highlighted by verdigris bronze pendants. A handwoven abaca tapestry from the Philippines adorns the dining room’s south wall.

🏨 Planters Inn in Charleston is undergoing a major renovation, first in decades, set to complete by January 2027. The redesign of this 182-year-old hotel by Dallas-based Studio 11 Design will revamp guestrooms, suites, public spaces, and the Peninsula Grill restaurant. The project aims to preserve Southern hospitality and charm while updating modern comforts. Renovations will occur in two phases, with the Peninsula Grill starting its refresh in late August, staying open initially.

🌳 Located in Laikipia’s Solio Game Reserve, JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp has opened with 19 tented suites on a 45,000-acre conservancy. Designed by LW Design, the camp features private decks, plunge pools, and local artisan decor. Dining includes garden-fresh menus and a dedicated wine room. Guests enjoy game drives, walking safaris, and educational experiences like visits to the Solio Rhino Orphanage. Other amenities include a spa, fitness center, and outdoor pool.

🏨 Fettle studio has revamped the Stoneleigh, Dallas, originally opened in 1923, impacting all 176 guestrooms and public spaces. The design retains Dorothy Draper's aesthetic, featuring custom wool carpets, geometric wallcoverings, and a curated art collection. The 11th floor now hosts meeting spaces and five signature suites. The refurbished pool area mirrors 1920s-30s Dallas glamour. Bar Leonessa and Lion's Den evoke the hotel's Prohibition-era charm, with curated art and period-inspired decor.

🏖 White Elephant Resorts opened White Elephant Aspen in Colorado's West End. The Boston-based firm EMBARC led the design, creating an alpine-chic aesthetic in the 54-room property, featuring porcelain tiles and rustic decor. Top-tier suites like the Ajax Penthouse span 1,560 sq ft. Guests can explore over 125 art pieces curated by Emily Santangelo. The hotel offers a self-guided art tour and collaborates with Anderson Ranch Arts Center. Onsite, Lola 41 restaurant serves seafood and sushi.

🏨 W Hotels opened its first Saudi Arabia property, W Riyadh – KAFD, in the King Abdullah Financial District. Designed by LW, the hotel features 210 rooms, including 17 suites. A 4,200 sq ft penthouse offers luxury amenities. Dining options include Sira with Latin American dishes and Beni for specialty coffee. The property also boasts a spa, fitness studio, 15 meeting rooms, and a ballroom, blending local cultural references with modern luxury.

🏨 The Warbler is set to open this fall at St. Charles Avenue and St. Andrew Street in New Orleans. This 58-room boutique hotel spans 42,000 square feet and revitalizes the former Trolley Stop Café site, closed in 2021. Developed by Verdad Real Estate, it's the firm's first hospitality project, featuring designs by EskewDumezRipple and Jamie Bush & Co. The hotel includes Mildred’s martini bar, a poolside lounge, and a food program with CureCo.

📱 Joyce Wang Studio revamped the Mandarin Oriental the Landmark in Hong Kong, a decade after their initial redesign. The project covers 109 rooms and suites, featuring a mansion-inspired design with green and orange tones. The redesign includes an undulating staircase, local artwork, and a reimagined bar, Communal, led by chef Richard Ekkebus. The spa will reopen later this year, inspired by calligraphy. The design incorporates Hong Kong’s skyline motifs and historic architectural details.

🏨 Aspen Hospitality will debut Nell Hotels, launching with Nell New York at Rockefeller Center in fall 2027, designed by Rockwell Group. As Manhattan’s sole Relais & Châteaux property, this 134-room hotel will include a fine dining restaurant with Midtown views. Concurrently, the Little Nell in Aspen will close in April 2027 for renovations, reopening for the 2027-2028 winter season. The Little Nell’s wedding services and Residences will remain operational during this period.

🏨 The Harilela Group plans to open the Hari Singapore in spring 2027, transforming the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre into a 326-key luxury hotel. This will be the brand’s third location, after London and Hong Kong. Renowned British designer Tara Bernerd will lead the project, infusing the design with Singapore’s cultural essence. Key amenities include a rooftop pool, executive lounges, wellness offerings, and a rotating artwork program, maintaining the brand’s signature style.