If they’re to stay at the top of their game, even the grandest hotels need a refresh from time to time. So here’s a list of the most important global renovations, so you’ll be ready whenever the coronavirus travel restrictions finally get lifted.
Four Seasons Doha
Ever since it opened in 2005, the 18-storey, 232-key, Four Seasons in Doha has managed to maintain its position as the most upmarket address in town. And while you could never fault their service or facilities, including two pools, a private beach and four restaurants – one of which is the largest Nobu in the world – the one thing that let the property down was its décor. Think dark green carpets, heavy wood panelling plus some seriously dated shiny gold throw-cushions and bed-valances. It honestly looked more like an old Four Seasons you’d find in Middle America than a new purpose built property in the Arabian Gulf. Luckily, that’s no longer the case following a multi-million dollar renovation led by Pierre-Yves Rochon. With a look that’s much more in keeping with its positioning, the hotel re-opened on March 1st.
Ritz Carlton South Beach
When the Ritz-Carlton announced it would open in 2003 in the Morris Lapidus-designed DiLido Hotel (the one between the Loews and the Delano) people got very curious. Doing over a 1953 MiMo Art Deco building wasn’t very Ritz Carlton but when it opened, they won over even the sceptics. By leaving details like the original black terrazo floors and adding features like an original Joan Miró etching in the lobby and a beach club where, every night of the week, you can find DJs spinning European lounge music to the accompaniment of a synchronised swimming show, it was super cool. But in late 2017, it suffered so much damage from Hurricane Irma that it had to be shuttered. But two years and 90 million USD later, this 375-room Ritz Carlton is back and it’s hotter than ever. (It reopened this January.)
Belmond Cadogan London
The Cadogan Hotel, which is set on London’s Sloane Street, has been around since 1887 and over the years it has hosted a cadre of notable figures including Oscar Wilde, who was actually even arrested while staying there. But in 2014, the owner of the property – Cadogan Estates – signed an agreement for Belmond (the group that was formerly known as Orient-Express Hotels and which was recently acquired by LVMH) to take over its operations once they complete a large-scale makeover. It ended up taking them four years and 48 million USD to finish but ultimately the hotel re-opened last February, with a new name – Belmond Cadogan, and a much more sophistcated look. Spread over five floors, it comprises just 54 rooms, of which 22 are suites.
Raffles Singapore
Oddly enough the all-suite Raffles Hotel in Singapore – deemed a National Monument just over three decades ago – actually opened in 1887, which is the exact same year as the Belmond Cadogan (left). And it too underwent its biggest ever renovation, completed last August, following two and a half years of work. But, given the property’s last facelift was in 1991, this was more of an overhaul, as the hotel was gutted and rebuilt. Everything from engineering systems and kitchens, to the F&B offerings were changed. Of course what guests care most about is the new look (by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud) of the lobby and suites (which number 115 now) but there are major technology upgrades too. Naturally, the Raffles’ colonnial charm was sympathetically preserved though.
Hotel Lutetia
Okay so the Hotel Lutetia, which is located right next to Le Bon Marché on Paris’ Rive Gauche might be the only hotel in this group to have completed its refurbishment in 2018 but it was such an immense job that we simply had to include it. You see, it took Set (the group behind the Hotel Café Royal in London and Conservatorium in Amsterdam) four years and 235 million USD to restore this grand dame but she now boasts 184 spacious rooms, 47 of which are suites. Some of the highlights include a Lutetia Brasserie, overseen by three-Michelin-star chef Gérald Passédat, and an acclaimed Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, which offers massages and treatments, as well as a sauna, stream room, 17-metre pool and an infinity edge hot tub.
Madarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
One of the most anticipated hotel openings this year is actually a re-opening. Situated directly across from the Prado in the Spanish capital, the Hotel Ritz Madrid is a Belle Époque palace that was previously owned by Belmond before it was acquired 50:50 in 2015 by the Mandarin Oriental and Saudi Arabia’s Olayan Group. Following a 100 million USD renovation – the biggest in the property’s history – it’s due to open this summer as the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. “We are proud and excited to be opening our second Mandarin Oriental in Spain this summer,” says James Riley, the hotel group’s CEO. “The meticulous restoration is designed to ensure that this legendary property is once again recognised as one of Europe’s greatest hotels.” Expect a new spa, five restaurants and 153 stylish guestrooms.
The Okura Tokyo
When it opened in 1962, in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the enormous Hotel Okura wasn’t just the most luxurious hotel in the country, it was also a symbol of modern Japan. Its design reflected this too. Led by a team of luminaries like Yoshiro Taniguchi and Hideo Kosaka, it was bold and very Western, but with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Fast forward decades later to 2015 and a regretful decision was taken to demolish the property and rebuild it. Yet, thanks to the guidance of architect Yoshio Taniguchi (Taniguchi’s son), they have done their best to replicate the spirit, heritage and many of the design details of the original. Now boasting 508 rooms (up from 408), the hotel – named The Okura Tokyo – ended up costing 1 billion USD. It opened last September, this time ready for the 2020 games.
