Top 3 luxury hotel re-openings of 2019
Earlier, we brought you the 10 hotel openings that excited us the most in 2019, but not every hotel opening we’re itching to try out is a brand new construction – sometimes, old is gold! 2019 will see key historic hotels reborn courtesy of heavy investment in order to revamp magnificent landmarks that have been neglected over time.
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The following are the three most anticipated luxury hotel repenings following recent closure:
One of Asia’s first hotel grand dames instantly became one of a small selection of addresses in Singapore to vie for the moniker ‘finest hotel east of the Suez canal’ as it attracted the elite when it opened in 1887 on the waterfront in Singapore. After closing in December 2017 for a much needed renovation, this legendary hotel will finally re-open after multiple delays.
The renovation will marry a cleaner, more contemporary look with a distinct historic overlay, unmistakably timeless yet featuring state-of-the-art technological improvements. Apart from bringing modern day technology requirements to the 115 suites, something that is going to catch the noteworthy attention of all the luxury travellers and the Raffles loyalists are new restaurant concepts by French chefs Alain Ducasse and Anne- Sophie Pic.
But the main question on everyone’s minds? Yes, The Long Bar, the home of the renowned cocktail, the Singapore Sling, will return to its original location.
Opening date: June 2019
Belmond Cadogan Hotel, London, United Kingdom
We could write an entire article focused solely on London’s re-openings for 2019, among them the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (that had delays due to a fire incident, just prior to its scheduled opening) and One Aldywch, but here we will go with a historic reboot, the Cadogan Hotel, which will be rebranded as a Belmond, now under LVMH, which opened earlier this month.
The hotel, which first opened in 1895, will reopen with 54 rooms, retains its Gregorian interior themes and sits on an enviable location with easy access to Knightsbridge and Chelsea.
Oscar Wilde’s former pied-a-terre, where he was once famously arrested, has been transformed into the Royal Suite, featuring a separate living room, dining spaces, balcony, park views and an expansive marble bathroom.
The property will feature 400 pieces of original art with guests having private access to Cadogan Place Gardens
Opening: March 2019
Read more about the Belmond Cadogan Hotel opening here
AndBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
Sonop, by Zannier Hotels, featured in our list of top 10 most exciting hotel openings of 2019 for bringing its brand of eco-rustic tented camp luxe to Namibia (adding a second property there). But before Zannier Hotels, there was AndBeyond. The AndBeyond Sossusvlei Lodge, which has been on site since the early 90s, will relaunch this year following a complete makeover including structural, architectural and design changes.
In stark contrast to the tented camps and rustic lodges that have enveloped the region, the lodge’s unique architecture will pay a homage to the harshness of the land in which it resides, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the desert landscape.
Opening: October 2019