Hotel Openings

🏠 Capella Hotels and Resorts, in partnership with Galaxy Entertainment Group, is set to open Capella at Galaxy Macau with 93 keys in Macau’s Greater Bay Area in 2024. The 17-story hotel features 36 Sky Villas with private balconies and infinity pools, and 57 suites with private plunge pools. The design by Moinard Bētaille highlights Macau's cultural heritage, while Michelin-starred chef Vicky Cheng helms the signature restaurant. Pony & Plume, a members-only lounge, adds exclusivity with an equestrian theme.

🏡 Shanan Anji Deep Stream, a boutique hotel, is located on Tianmu Mountain, Hangzhou, within a 230-square-mile Anji Bamboo Forest. Transformed from existing houses, the 17-key hotel showcases natural textures, geometric designs, and parabolic U-shaped walls. Designed by Fununit Design's Eason Zhu, rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. The property uses a neutral color palette with red travertine and copper accents, and includes light-filtering corridors. The article was published in HD's July 2024 issue.

🍪 Insomnia Cookies, founded in 2003, operates 285 US sites and branches in the UK and Canada. On July 22, Krispy Kreme sold its majority stake for $350m, doubling its 2018 valuation. New partners Verlinvest and Mistral aim to expand to over 1,800 bakeries globally. Krispy Kreme received $127.4m with $45m more expected after Insomnia Cookies' debt refinancing. Krispy Kreme will focus on its fresh doughnut business and retains a 34% stake in Insomnia Cookies.

🍜 Kanada-Ya, a Japanese ramen restaurant group founded in 2009 by Kanada Kazuhiro, is expanding with its sixth UK location at the former Balans site in Westfield, featuring 46 indoor and 40 outdoor seats. London's Covent Garden welcomed the first UK branch in 2014, followed by Piccadilly, Angel, Carnaby, and Ealing (opened September 2022). The menu includes tonkotsu ramen, chashu-men, cold yuzu ramen, truffle ramen, small plates, and drinks like sake and beer. Kanada-Ya also operates in Japan, Hong Kong, and Spain.

🍺 Bursa Bar, designed by Mirzoyan Studio, opened in 2023 in Kyiv's historic Podil neighborhood. The 55-square-metre space features plywood panelled walls, a green latticed ceiling to enhance acoustics, and a design inspired by musical instruments, targeting vinyl enthusiasts and live-set fans. The bar includes a DJ booth and an extensive vinyl record collection, with lighting and ventilation systems concealed within the intimate atmosphere. Despite the ongoing war, Kyiv has seen new projects like this bar and others.

🏡 Wilderness Mokete opens in Botswana's Mababe region, offering tented suites within a 50,000-hectare private concession near the Okavango Delta. Nine ensuite canvas suites feature air conditioning, WiFi, retractable roofs, and are connected by wooden walkways. The site operates off-grid using renewable PV energy. Minor Hotels will debut Tivoli and NH brands in Yining, China, with a dual-branded 400-room hotel, set to open in 2026. Virgin Limited Edition joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Legend Collection with properties across various countries. Red Roof launches HomeTowne Studios Greenville with 50 rooms in South Carolina, following a $1 million renovation.

🎨 SDCO and Basic Projects revamped Sullivan's Fish Camp, a family-owned diner since 1988 in Charleston, blending contemporary and retro designs to reflect its history. Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson of SDCO joined with Kate and Ben Towill of Basic Projects to create a visual identity encompassing bold typography, illustrations, and vintage art. The space features commissioned fish illustrations by Duane Raver and marine-grade finished furnishings to withstand beachgoer wear and tear. The design overhaul also extended to merchandise and tableware, with a product range including key chains, hats, and T-shirts. Sullivan's Fish Camp stands as a landmark among Charleston's growing creative scene, complete with a walk-up ice cream window and marine-themed memorabilia.

🍺 The Pig’s Ear, run by brothers Richard and Oliver Gladwin, launches in Chelsea, replacing The Chelsea Pig pub. Chef Chris Hermes leads a kitchen promoting sustainable British seasonal cuisine, with ingredients sourced from the Gladwin family farm. Menu highlights include Lindisfarne oysters, Atlantic prawns, Scottish langoustines, Sussex rose veal liver, and Cornish megrim sole. The compact drinks menu offers cocktails, West Sussex sparkling wines, and Harvey’s Sussex ales. Featuring an old-world ambience, the pub dates back to 1870. More offerings include a refined dining room opening in September and a "living room" for various activities. The pub also hosts a bi-monthly 5km running club, "The Flying Pigs".

🏡 Shinola to open its second hotel in a new $300 million multi-use development in downtown Indianapolis, featuring a 4,000-capacity music venue by Live Nation, retail space, and a skybridge. The 226,000 square foot, 13-story hotel will offer 170 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, terraces, event spaces, and a fitness center. Demolition starts Q4, completion expected in 2027. Public hearing on the proposal in August.

📱 The Publisher, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, opened in Fredericksburg, Va., joining Marriott Bonvoy. Owned by Vakos Companies, the hotel features 98 rooms, a bar, restaurant, and 2,000 sq ft of event space. Raines added Sea Palms Resort to its portfolio; the 121-room resort in St. Simons Island, Ga. includes an 18-hole golf course and various amenities, with Raines expanding by around 20 properties in six months. U.S. hotel industry saw declines: occupancy at 69.2% (-3.7%), ADR $158.21 (-1.5%), RevPAR $109.51 (-5.2%). RIU opened Riu Plaza Chicago with 390 rooms, planning a rooftop bar and further expansion in Toronto and New York. Marriott introduced Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, Calif., offering 376 rooms and 21,000 sq ft of meeting space.