Looking for the latest in hotel buzz? We've got the scoop from Puerto Rico to the Maldives.
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island has debuted Sorcé, a new dining outpost serving up dishes influenced by Puerto Rican heritage. We hear the restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco dining with views of the Caribbean Sea. Tip: Try the Puerto Rican mofongo, stuffed Caribbean lobster, whole coli rubia or churrasco with garlic, burro oregano her. A full wine list is available, along with a selection of signature cocktails and specialty rum flights.
And over in the Windy City, this summer the Park Hyatt Chicago revealed some hot new digs. The luxe hotel—situated on Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent Mile” overlooking the lake—teamed up with Italian designer Bottega Veneta, renowned for their leather goods, on a new suite. Situated on the 17th floor, the Lake Suite by Bottega Veneta reflects the brand’s style in a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, its palette making use of Bottega Veneta neutrals like pergamena, and noce with ebony accents. Of course the suite is decorated with furniture from the Bottega Veneta Home Collection: chairs, a sofa bed and bed, folding “camp” stools, end tables, chests of drawers, and a brisée from the META line, produced in collaboration with Poltrona Frau. For those guests smitten with the designs, they can head downstairs to the brand’s boutique on the ground level of the hotel to pick up some furnishings for their own home. Encompassing 1,400 square feet, the suite is comprised of a bedroom, open living room, kitchenette, and two bathrooms.
Down in Miami, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami is scheduled to celebrate its 10th anniversary this October. To celebrate this milestone, events have been scheduled and promotions have been planned, including a 10-year commemorative event, and $10 specialty priced meals, cocktails and spa treatments. Inspired by the Coconut Grove landscape and bay front surroundings, hues of blue, violet and green are featured throughout the renovated lobby lounge that now showcase couches and low lying end tables, overlooking the fountain that boasts a prism of iridescent colors, designed by Coral Gables hospitality design company, Gettys. Featured at the Lazuli Lounge is a cocktail seating, framing the living room setting and dining tables by the grand fireplace adorned with Coconut Grove-inspired artwork. At night, the fountain terrace is transformed into a lounge with oversized couches, fire pits and cafe-style dining. After 10 years, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami remains one of only two boutique Ritz-Carlton hotels, offering views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay with balconies off every guestroom, a 6,000 square foot boutique spa and fitness center, and indoor and outdoor dining venues. As part of the property’s 10-year celebration, promotions include: the placement of 14K white gold, ¼ carat diamond pendant necklace under the pillow of 10 overnight guests staying during the month of October; spa treatments at The Boutique Spa, Coconut Grove for $10 per treatment; $10 three-course menu at Bizcaya; and the 10/10 Celebration Soiree, which will see the unveiling of the renovated lobby lounge and fountain terrace on October 10.
And abroad, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has reopened after a full renovation that included the installation of private pools and jet pools set within the villas’ private garden area, in addition to an assortment of spa offerings and aquatic activities. With the changes, the property has been reclassified as an “all-pool villa resort”. A key amenity of the property is the Banyan Tree Spa Vabbinfaru, which promotes itself as a “sanctuary where guests can relax and rejuvenate against the expansive backdrop of the Indian Ocean”, featured five outdoor spa pavilions, two massage beds and open-air showers. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is also home to a marine biology lab, the first of its kind to be funded and built by a private resort. Guests may join the marine lab team to participate in activities such as reef species inventory checks and reef clean ups. The laboratory is equipped with instruments for research into coral spawning, settlement and transplantation as well as green sea turtle and reef shark conservation. The house reef offers snorkeling straight off the beach, and daily feeding of rays and fish off the pier.