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Pillow Talk: The hottest openings, news and experiences in the world of hotels

If wellness is one of your New Year's resolutions, take a look at Azura Retreats' new Sounds of Africa package

Tom Mulvihill

14 January 2019 • 4:15 PM

From the most exciting upcoming openings to the latest news, the hottest trends, the most exciting events and the must-have accessories, keep up to date with our regularly updated guide to all that is hot in the world of hotels. Peruse our insider coverage and discover the most elegant suites, the most fashionable restaurants, the most seductive spas, and the most dynamic bars opening in hotels right now, including drum therapy in Mozambique, a new 'boatel' in Edinburgh, and the return of one of the Caribbean's coolest places to stay.

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From the most exciting upcoming openings to the latest news, the hottest trends, the most exciting events and the must-have accessories, keep up to date with our regularly updated guide to all that is hot in the world of hotels. Peruse our insider coverage and discover the most elegant suites, the most fashionable restaurants, the most seductive spas, and the most dynamic bars opening in hotels right now, including drum therapy in Mozambique, a new 'boatel' in Edinburgh, and the return of one of the Caribbean's coolest places to stay.

Hot Hotel

Hôtel Grand Powers has been a fixture of the Triangle d’Or in Paris since 1920 and, with its centenary approaching, has undergone a major spruce-up. When it reopens later this month, interiors will hark back to the hotel’s Twenties origins with a deco look complemented by Italian design features and touches of “Anglo-Saxon” cosiness in its 50 guest rooms, café-bar, and well-equipped spa.

Hôtel Grand Powers in Paris has unveiled a striking new interior, citing a blend of influences ranging from Italian design to "Anglo Saxon cosiness"

Beat the Queues

New York is abuzz in anticipation of Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, the largest exhibition of the Mexican artist’s works to be held in the US in over a decade, which opens at the Brooklyn Museum on Feb 8. As one of the sponsors, the budget-boutique NU Hotel in Brooklyn is offering a package that includes two priority tickets to see the show (and skip the queues) as well as one night’s B&B.

NU Hotel in New York has partnered with the new Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum to offer guests special access
Credit: MAIRO CINQUETTI

New Year, New Chef

Following the arrival of Tom Kerridge last autumn, another talented chef, André Garrett, is joining the Corinthia Hotel in London. His brief includes The Northall restaurant, which will shift its focus from British to Mediterranean food, as well as afternoon tea in the Crystal Moon Lounge.

Chef André Garrett has left the kitchens of Cliveden to head up culinary operations at the Corinthia Hotel London

Bless You

The designer behind some of Barcelona’s best design hotels makes his mark on the capital this month with the opening of Bless Hotel Madrid – a stylish boutique in the glamorous Salamanca neighbourhood. Lázaro Rosa-Violán has drawn from Madrileño culture and heritage in crafting the 111 individually decorated rooms above a restaurant by Michelin-starred Basque chef Martín Berasategui, a bowling alley, and a spa with its own “bathologist”.

Bless Hotel comes to Madrid in January, bringing with it a fine dining restaurant, a bowling alley, and a spa with its own 'bathologist'

Sound Plan

Those seeking to achieve “hyper-consciousness” this year might consider booking into the Azura Benguerra or Azura Quilalea retreats in Mozambique for the Sounds of Africa wellness programme. Activities on offer include drumming sessions and mindful walking meditations on the beach, promoted as a way to reduce anxiety and generally improve mind, body and soul.

Two Azura resorts in Mozambique are running a sound-based wellness programme this year

Cookery Class

The Grand in York is gearing up for the launch of its new cookery school this March. Budding cooks will be able to choose from a variety of courses run under the watchful eye of the hotel’s head chef, Andrew Dixon, from mastering Middle Eastern cuisine to learning how to prepare cocktails and canapés.

A new cookery school at The Grand Hotel in York will soon be hosting guests for culinary classes

Glam Prix

Motor racing fans heading to Silverstone for the Grand Prix next summer (July 12-14) can stay the weekend at the Silverstone Boutique Glamping Hotel: a pop-up “village” of 150 large bell tents close to the circuit. Features extend to a restaurant, cocktail bar, nightclub, a barber shop and a prosecco delivery bike. Book now.

A pop-up hotel will cater to motor racing fans heading to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix this summer
Credit: ANDREW YATES

Hotel Ahoy

The new year brings exciting hotel launches, including the eagerly anticipated Fingal, the floating luxury hotel due to open on Edinburgh’s waterfront in January. The former lighthouse tender, moored in Leith, will offer 23 cabins, a restaurant/bar and a ballroom, all fitted out in art deco style.

Fingal, a former lighthouse tender turned floating hotel, opens on the Edinburgh waterfront in January

Remembering Rembrandt

Amsterdam marks the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death in 2019 with a host of offerings, from an exhibition at the Rijksmuseum to “art trails” through the city. The Dylan, right, a boutique hotel on the Keizers-gracht canal, is getting in on the action with a special package. It includes a three-night stay, two tickets to the Rijksmuseum and two for the Rembrandt House Museum, plus suggestions on which lesser-known galleries and antique shops to visit.

The Dylan celebrates the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt's death this year with a special cultural package
Credit: ROEL RUIJS

Taking Off

Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will head up the main restaurant at the soon-to-open TWA Hotel, set to arrive in the Jet-Age flight terminal at New York’s JFK Airport next spring. The Paris Café – named after the original venue that graced the concourse during the building’s Sixties heyday – will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and cocktails.

The TWA Hotel – a Futurist former flight terminal at New York's JFK Airport – has announced that Jean-Georges Vongerichten will head up its main restaurant
Credit: 2018 Ryan Dorsett

Caribbean Cool

Ultra-cool Cheval Blanc St-Barth resort is now welcoming guests back to its little corner of the “St-Tropez of the Caribbean” after a top-to-toe refresh. Designer Jacques Grange has brought Californian verve and French polish to the rooms, dining spaces and gardens overlooking Flamand Beach.

Cheval Blanc St-Barth is back in action with a sleek new design by Jacques Grange
Credit: V.MATI

Alpine Chic

The Schweizerhof hotel has reopened in Zermatt with a fresh new look and bags of innovations for the ski season. The designers have matched wooden interiors with ample soft fabrics to create a warm, Alpine feel in the rooms and restaurants. The Cheese Factory serves local raclette and fondue to a soundtrack of Swiss folk music, and guests can book everything from revitalising spa treatments to heli-skiing or paragliding.