New and notable hotel openings
A roundup of new openings and hotel news from around the world.
With the opening of Riu Jambo, RIU has opened its second hotel in Zanzibar. Located in the north of Zanzibar’s largest island, Unguja, on Nungwi beach, the 4-star, 24-hour all-inclusive hotel has a total of 461 rooms. The main feature that sets it apart from other RIU hotels is the stilted over water structure with two restaurants (Italian and fusion) and a bar.
The new Riu Jambo is right next to the Riu Palace Zanzibar. Customers will find a total of five pools in the hotel’s outdoor areas, one of which is exclusively for children.
The main building houses the hotel’s reception and most of the rooms with a façade with murals inspired by African culture. Sustainability and energy efficiency also play an important role in this building. The lobby is completely open-plan with natural cross ventilation and plenty of natural light thanks to numerous openings, which also allow customers to see different areas of the hotel and the amazing views from the moment they arrive. Natural materials are used in the furniture, decoration, floors and coverings alike.
As for entertainment, there is a RiuLand children’s club, with RiuArt and RiuFit areas. Guests will be able to unwind in the spa area located next to the gym or try out water sports with Scuba Caribe.
Grand Hyatt Cancún Beach Resort
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced plans for a new-build resort in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Grand Hyatt Cancún Beach Resort is set top open in 2024.
Situated in the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula with expansive views overlooking the Caribbean Sea and nearby Isla Mujeres, Grand Hyatt Cancún Beach Resort will feature 500 guestrooms, of which 28 guestrooms will include their own plunge pool, and 46 are luxury suites, including one Presidential Suite; 11 dining concepts that will feature world-class chefs and iconic dishes reflective of the destination; six bars, including a lobby lounge bar, pool bar, and beach shack; an indoor and outdoor destination spa area and fitness center to connect guests with their physical and mental wellbeing; three swimming pools; and more than 16,000 square feet of dynamic, state-of-the-art gathering spaces designed to accommodate events of any size and kind. Additional offerings and amenities will include a kids club, activity center, business center and retail shops.
The resort will be located within Puerto Cancún, a master-planned residential resort community that includes a full-service marina, golf course, resorts, time-share, condominiums, single-family homes, state-of-the-art fitness and recreation centre, protected natural reserve, and a lifestyle shopping mall offering an open-air shopping experience with over 220 tenants including fine dining, art galleries and children’s entertainment activities.
Breakers Hotel
Long Beach, California’s iconic Breakers Hotel, which originally opened in the roaring twenties, is being transformed into Fairmont The Breakers. Debuting in 2023 as Long Beach’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Breakers was a sought-after destination for celebrities and dignitaries, including Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Babe Ruth and Clark Gable, among other Hollywood stars.
The reimagined hotel will feature high-end accommodations and amenities, including 185 boutique hotel rooms and suites; a rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the Terrace Theatre Plaza; an open-air rooftop lounge and bar with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles basin; a lavish two-story spa, wellness and fitness centre; a live jazz club and music lounge; and more than 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and function space. The hotel’s culinary program will include five innovative food & beverage venues, including the reopening of the famed Sky Room restaurant.
Hotel Indigo Vienna
Boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio, has opened its first property in Austria. With 158 guest rooms, Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt reflects the story of the district’s secret gardens and hidden treasures, through colourful tropical themed wallpaper and rich plant-inspired artwork that covers the walls.
Centrally located, Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt is a short walk from the city’s historic centre, the ‘Margareten’ district, a culturally diverse neighbourhood, including everything from 19th century architecture to relaxed eateries and secret gardens offering sanctuaries to both travellers and locals alike.
Continuing the secret garden theme, Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt has a rooftop garden resembling an urban jungle, with the hope of creating a new habitat for insects and birds, helping to contribute to biodiversity that surrounds the hotel.
Rooms at Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt are available to book from €145 per night, for standard double room. Guests should book direct through ihg.com and sign up (for free) to be an IHG One Rewards member – giving them more flexibility and control with the ability to choose to be rewarded in their own way by offering more choice, value, and relevant benefits than ever before.