Hotel Openings

🍝 The Lao Food Movement, started by Chef Seng Luangrath in 2013, catalyzed the rise of Lao cuisine's popularity in the U.S. Chef Jeff Chanchaleune, a two-time James Beard finalist, opened Ma Der Lao Kitchen in 2021 and Bar Sen on February 4 in Oklahoma City. Lao'd Bar in Austin was a James Beard Award semifinalist for best new restaurant. These establishments join others in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Nashville, and more, serving both traditional and fusion dishes. Ma Der and Bar Sen, both seating 48, offer Lao specialties in Oklahoma City's Plaza District. Ma Der made The New York Times’ 50 best restaurants list in 2022 and was recognized by Bon Appetit.

🦒 Chester Zoo's new luxury lodge, The Reserve, opens August 2025, welcoming guests starting mid-August with bookings from 29 January. The UK destination features safari-style accommodation, exclusive animal encounters, and supports conservation efforts for endangered species. The Reserve offers 51 sustainable lodges, variously accommodating 2-6 people, with lakeside and savannah views, and includes a restaurant, bar, and private zoo access. TROO Hospitality manages the guest experience. Contact [email protected] for booking.

🏡 Mason & Fifth will start bookings on January 28th for its Westbourne Park location, set to open in June 2025 in London. This largest location offers 332 studios, including kitchenette-equipped and 'Out & About' options. Design collaborations include Jan Hendzel chopping boards and Jay Achillies furniture. Nicholas Daley is styling the House Team. Amenities include The Grounding wellness facility with a pool, sauna/steam rooms, and gym, complemented by a cultural programme and partnership with Dazed Club for artist residencies. Meadow, a workspace for 120 creatives, opens in June with affordable memberships for local groups. Canal restaurant & bar will feature seasonal, sustainable dishes. Additional local partnerships aim to foster a community ecosystem. An all-new guesthouse will also launch in Belsize Park.

🏡 Dunluce Lodge, Northern Ireland's latest five-star hotel, is set to open in February after its handover this week. The hotel, located on the Causeway Coast near Portrush, was constructed by Ballymena's Martin & Hamilton Construction starting November 2022. It features 35 luxury suites, a restaurant, wine vault, private dining, and a spa. Overlooking Royal Portrush Golf Club, it will be near the 153rd Open Championship venue in July. Dunluce Lodge will employ 80 staff and has partnered with local suppliers such as Lamont Stone, Ulster Carpets, and Abbey Upholstery.

🍸 The Mirror Bar at the Landmark London partners with Courvoisier for a winter hideaway offering a limited-edition cocktail menu featuring Courvoisier's VSOP cognac. Cocktails, like L'Hiver en Rose and French 125, start from £20. The menu also includes upscale small plates and British cheeses. The heated outdoor terrace adds comfort with city views and cigars. This indulgent experience is available until 6th April.

😋 Richard Blais, a "Top Chef" alum, launched Tiki Taka on January 7 at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale. Blending Japanese and Spanish flavors, the restaurant features 30 indoor and 108 outdoor seats, and offers a menu with cold plates, hot dishes, pintxos, yakitori, sushi, and desserts. Emphasizing a fusion of sushi and tapas bars, Tiki Taka's drinks menu combines Spanish and Japanese beverages, including wine, sake, and original cocktails like the Osaka Sour.

🏡 Paris-based Atelier du Pont and Menorca-based Aru Arquitectura transformed two old farm buildings into a four-bedroom summer house in Menorca, named Estancia San José, spread over 76 hectares. The renovation preserved traditional elements while adding contemporary features like pivoting glass doors and an acid-yellow kitchen. The home includes a hammam and outdoor pool, with materials and colors reflecting the owners' global influences from places like Africa and Patagonia. The property will be available for holiday rentals.

🍳 Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair, London, reopened after significant refurbishment, with a new menu by Executive Chef Sameer Taneja launching on 10 February. Interior designer Dale Atkinson conducted the makeover. The restaurant, established in 2003, combines British ingredients with Indian flavors. The tasting menu starts at £135; a la carte and set lunch menus are available too. The refurbishment aims to reflect Benares' essence—sophistication, vibrancy, and a welcoming atmosphere.

📍 Western Addition Restaurant Group is expanding its Il Bracco Italian concept to Scottsdale, Arizona, marking its first venture outside Texas. The new location at Scottsdale Road and Rose Lane will feature a 5,000-square-foot indoor space and a 950-square-foot patio. With seating for 161 guests, including 10 patio tables and a 25-seat bar, the restaurant is set to open later this year. Construction begins this week, led by a design team that includes Kelly Wallace and Mary Lucille Quick. Il Bracco first opened in Dallas in 2019 and is led by Hillstone Restaurant Group alumni Robert Quick and Matt Gottlieb. The concept is known for housemade pastas, prime steaks, seafood, and a curated wine list.

🍔 Not a Damn Chance Burger (NADC), co-founded by professional skateboarder Williams and chef/restaurateur Frankland Lee in 2022, offers a menu with a $16 wagyu beef burger, $5 fries, and $8 "beast mode" fries. The chain aims for consistent quality across its seven locations in Austin (4), Houston, Chicago, and Denver—the latter opened in December 2024. The Denver spot was chosen due to Williams' affinity for the area and the availability of space in Larimer Square. Their concept emphasizes speed, targeting a 20-minute dining experience. Williams and Lee met through social media and bonded over food and skateboarding, which led to their business partnership.