Stephanie Chen

🏠 Houston's Montrose neighborhood now boasts Eleven Eleven, a cocktail lounge by Nina Magon Studio. Inspired by Mexico City, it features a menu by Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Chavez and drinks from Handshake Speakeasy mixologists. A sculptural dome reminiscent of Mexico's cenotes defines the space, enhanced by Venetian plaster and earthy textures. The design integrates art and architecture, offering guests an immersive experience with bespoke furniture and artisanal lighting, capturing Mexico's essence through a contemporary lens.

🏨 Mandarin Oriental Makati, Manila is reopening in late 2026, reviving the brand’s presence in the Philippines after closing in 2014. Located above Ayala Triangle Gardens, the hotel features 275 rooms, starting at 538 sq ft, with Filipino-inspired design. Amenities include five dining venues, an 8,611 sq ft wellness floor with an 82-foot pool, and a Grand Hall for up to 1,000 guests. The spa offers therapies based on indigenous Filipino practices.

🌍 In a 128-acre private concession near Kenya's Amboseli National Park, Kitirua Plains Lodge offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. This eco-friendly lodge features 11 guest suites, a family unit, and an exclusive-use suite, all designed by Luxury Frontiers to blend with the natural landscape. The lodge includes a wellness area, Explorers Lounge, and utilizes solar power and rainwater harvesting. Inspired by Maasai principles, the design employs local materials like Mazeras stone and Kenyan mango wood.

🏖 The Villas at Canyon Suites, designed by Cooper Carry at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, feature eight single-story casitas within a 200-acre property. Offering 20 luxury accommodations, each villa includes two to four suites with kitchens and private terraces. Designed with desert adaptation in mind, they incorporate stone, stucco, and heat-resistant materials. Guests enjoy exclusive amenities such as a serene pool and spa, while patios capture scenic sunset views over a golf course.

🏨 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.