Hotel Openings

🥩 On October 4, Cote, a Michelin-starred Korean Steakhouse, opened at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, its first West Coast location, as part of a $1.5 billion renovation project. Founded by Simon Kim, Cote's Las Vegas outlet is the largest at 17,000 sq. ft., featuring a menu under executive chef David Shim. Known for smokeless grills and a $88.88 Butcher’s Feast, the restaurant offers a wine list of over 1,200 labels curated by Victoria James.

🏨 The Douglas, a 16-room boutique hotel in Savannah’s Historic District, inhabits an 1853 townhouse. Over 170 years, the building served various roles, including a banker’s home and WWII apartments. Local firms Reggie Gibson Architects and Glenn Keyes Architects led the restoration, preserving elements like Murano glass chandeliers. Designer Kirby Caldwell infused Vitruvian principles into the interiors, featuring antiques, custom pieces, and a refined color palette, blending modern design with historic charm.

🍴 Disneyland's Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, California, will welcome Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby, a '60s-themed gastropub inspired by Carnaby Street, London. The restaurant features iconic British dishes like Beef Wellington, with seating for 175 guests and two outdoor terraces. Although no opening date is set, the venue promises a late-night program with live music and themed performances. It will be located atop the Earl of Sandwich, joining eateries like Din Tai Fung and Centrico.

🍴 Motek, founded by Charlie and Tessa Levy, opened its first New York location in the Flatiron District. Established in 2020, this Miami-born Mediterranean restaurant is known for its kosher-style menu and vibrant design. The New York space was designed with Silvia Zofio of SZPROJECTS, combining Mediterranean warmth with New York's sophistication through vintage-inspired elements and natural materials. This flagship celebrates cultural connection and storytelling, aiming to recreate familial hospitality in an elegant setting.

🏨 Hotel renovations enhance existing elements to meet modern guest expectations. Key areas include guest rooms, bathrooms, public areas, infrastructure, and exteriors. Renovation differs from remodeling, focusing on improvement rather than structural changes. Factors prompting renovation include wear and tear, outdated design, guest feedback, safety issues, and brand alignment. Key renovation ideas include exterior updates, lobby redesigns, guest room enhancements, tech integration, and sustainability. Planning tips involve phased renovations, budgeting, hiring experienced contractors, and transparent guest communication.

🍴 Chicago, early September: Adalina Prime, a 10,500 square-foot steakhouse, opens in Fulton Market, created by chef Soo Ahn and his team. Featuring global influences, the menu includes Illinois-raised wagyu and dishes like tteokbokki mac & cheese. The restaurant, designed by Dunne Kozlowski, features an open kitchen and two-story wine cellar. Executive chef Nemanja Milunović and chef de cuisine Andy Lownes join Ahn. The bar, managed by Damian Keehn, serves until 1 a.m. on weekends.

🍴 Kwame Onwuachi joined Las’ Lap's team for their new Miami Beach location, opened on August 5 at the Daydrift Hotel. This is the brand's first expansion outside New York, serving Caribbean cuisine like jerk chicken and codfish fritters. The 3,000-square-foot space features an extensive rum selection and cocktails with island ingredients. The intimate design includes a rooftop bar and a lush patio. Onwuachi's Afro-Caribbean menu honors his Creole, Nigerian, Jamaican, and Trinidadian heritage.

🍴 Chef Janelle Romeo has opened Twin Isle, a fast-casual Caribbean-inspired restaurant in East Austin. Twin Isle occupies 800 sq. ft. with eight indoor seats and a patio, launching earlier this month. The menu features customizable bowls and family-style dishes, including Aloo Pie, Oxtail Fries, and Rip + Dip Roti. Roti wraps and sandwiches like the Oxtail Sandwich and Bake + Shark are offered. Seasonal specials include curry crab and dumplings and Trini barbecue.

🏨 Limelight Boulder, the first hotel in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, has opened. Located in Boulder, this 252-room hotel, designed by WATG and Meyer Davis, is the largest all-electric hotel in the U.S. and aims for LEED Gold certification. With art curated by Eaton Fine Art, the hotel features a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, a rooftop pool, and F&B options like Ajax Tavern and Crepe Therapy Café. Future openings are planned in Mammoth, CA, and Charleston, SC.

🏠 Kerzner International, Nolan Reynolds International, and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) are collaborating to open a One&Only resort in Hudson Valley, New York, by 2028. Set on a 21-acre site at CIA's Hyde Park campus, it will feature 61 accommodations, including cabins and suites, and a Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie. The One&Only Private Homes collection will offer exclusive residences with chef’s kitchens. This follows the November opening of One&Only Moonlight Basin in Montana.