Hotel Openings

🏡 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.

🍴 Duro Hospitality opened its first concept, The Charles, in 2018 and now includes Mister Charles and a European-inspired steakhouse named The Chumley House, which opened on November 25 in Fort Worth. Partners Benji Homsey and Chas Martin have personal connections to the city. The Chumley House, occupying 3,500 square feet with 90 indoor seats and 25 outdoor, is located on Camp Bowie Blvd near new hotels and the Culture District. The menu features European cuisine with global influences, including Indian dishes, and offers a variety of steaks and a cocktail menu with wines from Napa, Bordeaux, and Burgundy.

🏡 Trafalgar St. James, a 5* lifestyle hotel in central London, opened Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar and a redesigned lobby as part of a £6m renovation. The hotel will add six new suites in February 2025, expanding beyond the existing 131 bedrooms and three iconic suites. The renovation by Design LSM aims to elevate guests' experience with luxurious design and exclusive amenities. Rockwell offers all-day dining and a curated wine list, complementing the hotel's renowned The Rooftop bar.

🛀 Solent Hotel and Spa in Fareham, part of Daniel Thwaites, completed a six-figure renovation of its wellness space in three months. The refurbishment includes a new pool hall, salt sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and storm shower with a design inspired by the coastal location. New wellness facilities aim to improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and respiratory health. Memberships for 2025 start at £46 per month, with a 15% discount on food and drink at FYR Restaurant in January and February, excluding February 14th and 15th. Nathan Chart and Gemma Barratt emphasize the inclusive and high-quality environment created for relaxation and wellness.