Hotel Openings

🏕 Nardo and Luis, highline enthusiasts, launched OVO Patagonia after a three-year effort involving architects, engineers, and mountain experts. Four 200-square-foot pods, constructed in Buenos Aires, were transported 1,400 miles to their cliffside location. The installation included a three-stage elevator system for transferring the pods, capable of operating in 10ºF temperatures and 70 mph winds. The pods' safety system boasts two tensile structures with 9 anchor points each, tested to 35 tons, ensuring a 126× safety margin.

🏡 Vision Hospitality Group unveiled The Inn at Celebration, part of Autograph Collection Hotels, after a multimillion-dollar renovation, with a grand opening on February 6th at 4:30 pm. The boutique hotel in Celebration, near Orlando, features 115 rooms, 23 suites, and 65 rooms with lake views. The renovation includes a redesigned lobby, the Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, an expanded outdoor lounge, and enhanced event spaces totaling 7,500 square feet. The property, formerly known as Celebration Hotel, was renamed in November 2024 and is committed to community and sustainability initiatives. Guests can use Marriott Bonvoy® benefits when staying at the hotel.

🔄 Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) reopened The View, a revolving restaurant located on the 47th and 48th floors of the New York City Marriott Marquis, on a Wednesday. The restaurant, which originally opened in 1985 and closed five years ago, offers live music, skyline views, and has been renovated by Rockwell Group. Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley and Beverage Director Ricky Dolinsky updated the culinary and beverage programs. The bar completes a 360-degree rotation every 45 minutes, while the dining room spins once per hour. Located at 1535 Broadway, The View features a menu with classics like tuna carpaccio and seared duck breast, as well as exclusive cocktails in collaboration with Katz’s Delicatessen and Magnolia Bakery.

🍴 Joomak Banjum opened in 2021 in NYC’s Koreatown, gained acclaim and a Michelin star in 2022, but closed in spring 2024 due to high rent. Chef Jiho Kim reopened Joomak on January 29 at Maison Hudson in the West Village, featuring a 27-seat space designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen. The restaurant offers a $280 eight-course tasting menu and a $250 vegetarian option, with dishes like osetra caviar and Peking-style duck breast. An à la carte menu is planned.

🏡 The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels, originally built in 1910, reopened after a refurbishment by GA Group. Located in the Freedom Quarter, the hotel is celebrated for its Louis XVI facade and grand interiors. The Palm Court features a stained-glass roof and belle époque details, while the Palais Royal by David Martin restaurant reflects its royal heritage with gold leaf lettering and a grand marble fireplace. The cocktail bar Under The Stairs draws on art nouveau influences and has 32 covers, connecting to a courtyard with 50 more covers. The Corinthia Spa by Sisley offers a nine-meter lap pool among other wellness facilities. The hotel showcases local Belgian art in guestrooms and suites reflecting the city's heritage, including the Grand Deluxe Suites, the Royal Heritage Suite, and the Grand Masters Penthouse with a private terrace. The project is a blend of historical restoration and modern luxury.

🍕 Santa Maria Pizzeria celebrates its 15th anniversary by opening its sixth location in Paddington, London on 24th February 2025. Founders Angelo Ambrosio and Pasquale Chionchio, who met in Napoli in the 1990s, opened their first site in Ealing in 2010. The new Paddington site is located within the historic Frontline Club. Known for traditional Neapolitan pizza, the brand first gained recognition when named London’s Best Pizza by Time Out shortly after the Ealing opening. Expansions include Fulham, Fitzrovia, Islington, and Kew Gardens. Santa Maria Paddington will be at 13 Norfolk Place, W2 1QJ.

🍷 TAMISé, a 64-cover wine library and tea lounge, launches at Park Hyatt River Thames in London, designed by Studio Moren. The space draws from London's heritage and the River Thames, featuring a 300-label wine collection and seating for wine sampling from 2,000 bottles across 24 countries. Art by Edward David Eason and George Blacklock adorns the establishment. Park Hyatt’s GM, Rike Erdbrink, highlights TAMISé as a new chapter in London’s wine culture, with the opening coinciding with Valentine’s Day.

🎨 Glastonbury Festival is set for 25th to 29th June 2025 with luxury glamping at The Pop-Up Hotel. New wellness experts Richie Norton, Rob & Josie Da Bank offer programs extending to spa services, therapies, and more. Body Brilliant provides IV infusions and Pressotherapy for guests. Free People curates festival fashion with a pop-up store and exclusive event. Devonia Water introduces a sustainable practice, saving 94% energy and reducing 3 tonnes of glass waste. Vino Zero caters to non-alcoholic preferences with a premium selection. Rooms range from £2,999 to £27,999 for the Tipi Tenthouse Suite.

🍝 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 reservations@thereservechesterzoo.com for booking.