Stephanie Chen

🏨 Hotel Corduroy, a new boutique hotel by Blue Flag Capital, opened in Montauk, New York. Originally built in 1983, the 29-room hotel underwent adaptive reuse by Workshop/APD, maintaining its original structure. Interiors by Ward + Gray reflect Montauk's coastal culture. The hotel offers outdoor seating, a lawn gathering space, and access to a private beach. This is Blue Flag's first New York venture, with more East End projects planned for summer.

🏘️ Namelaka café's second location in Kyiv, designed by Dubai-based NEMOV Studio, showcases a 3,230 sq ft space inspired by Haussmann-era Paris. Key features include five varieties of natural pink marble, a pink terrazzo floor, and a library with Ukrainian fairytales. The café blends French high culture with Ukrainian craftsmanship, highlighted by art from Nataliia Brichuk and distinctive Gucci wallpapers in the bathrooms.

🍴 Quality Branded expands to California with the highly anticipated opening of Bad Roman in Beverly Hills, occupying the former Palm Steakhouse at North Canon Drive. Originally from New York's Columbus Circle since 2022, the 3,570-square-foot space features design from GRT Architects, with golden travertine and green tile. The interior boasts textured glass, a boar sculpture, brass awnings, and bold colors, creating a luxurious dining experience enhanced by custom neon and brass lighting.

🏨 After a seven-year restoration, Casa Bonavita opened in Attard, Malta, envisioned by the Rug Company's Christopher and Suzanne Sharp. The 17-room retreat blends historical charm with modern design, showcasing Sicilian marbles and Murano glass. The hotel features lush gardens cultivated over 15 years, two pools, a hammam, and dining by chef Dex Oseman. A highlight is the Folly Suite, a private villa-style sanctuary with a rooftop terrace and pool.

🏗️ Designed by NOA, Berdenesh Hills in southern Albania spans nearly 280,000 square feet, featuring around 250 apartments and a hotel. Inspired by the coastal landscape and Tirana's rural transition, it mimics a citadel with a central piazza. The architecture integrates with the surroundings using raw plaster in earthy tones. Rooflines mirror the terrain across five terraced levels, offering sea views. Preliminary design approval is secured, and construction is set to start this year.

🏨 Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue officially opened on Manhattan's Park Avenue, revitalizing a historic building from 1928. The hotel features 205 guestrooms, including 14 connecting rooms, designed by Busta Studio. It combines modern luxury with classic charm, offering interconnected residential-style spaces. The living room serves as a central gathering area, and the Park & Bel café adds vibrancy. The hotel also showcases a curated art program from Soho Art Gallery.

🏨 New Waterloo will open Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel in July 2023, revitalizing the 13-story Gwynne Building, originally built in 1913. The hotel includes 165 accommodations, 17 suites, and a 2,575-square-foot Vanderbilt Ballroom. The design blends French Beaux-Arts with local identity, offering 7,770 square feet of event space, a fitness center, and three dining options: Gwynne restaurant, a lobby bar, and Cora’s All Day Café. This follows their 2025 Ohio hotel opening in Cleveland.

🏨 Hôtel Crillon le Brave, suspended above French Provençal vineyards, reopened with a new season. The estate expanded to 12 buildings, integrating three restored historic houses and offering nine new rooms. The interiors, guided by architect Charles Zana, use local stone and antique terracotta tiles. New shared spaces include Maison Tilleul, seating 14, designed by Margaux Perrin. The Spa des Écuries, in 18th-century stables, features a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, and cold baths.