April ‘21
A. After a delayed opening due to the pandemic, the much anticipated March restaurant in Houston Texas has finally welcomed its first guests on March 31st. With a chef who has staged at Osteria Francescana, Azurmendi, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, March’s menu of highly-elevated Mediterranean cuisine is sure to not disappoint. The 26-seat space will book reservations through advance tickets only, with an option to choose between a 6 and 9 course tasting menu.
B. New York City’s Dia Chelsea finally reopened to the public on April 16th following a 2-year $20 million renovation and expansion project in which three neighboring buildings were connected into one 32,500 square feet space. The gallery will open with an exhibition of newly commissioned works, two kinetic light structures and a film, by New York based artist Lucy Raven.
C. High Hampton, the mountain resort located in Cashier’s North Carolina, has just completed a full renovation project led by the team from our favorite Tennessee retreat, Blackberry Farm. The hotel will feature revamped rooms and two new restaurants, The Dining Room and The Tavern, which will be led by Blackberry Farm alums. At High Hampton you can expect to spend your days kayaking on Hampton Lake, lounging at the lakeside pool, golfing on the property’s newly redesigned 18-hole golf course and cozying up with an evening cocktail by an open fire. The property is now available to book online for its grand reopening on April 22nd.
D. On May 12th, Salt Hotel’s Hutton Brickyards will welcome its first guests onto the Hudson Valley’s historic Kingston waterfront. The property features 31 guest rooms and suites that highlight the plot’s spectacular panoramic water views, as well as an archery range, croquet lawn, firepits, and covered pavilions for entertaining. Guided hiking, kayaking, bee-keeping, and snow shoeing will all be on the menu of daily activities for guests to choose from. A stone’s throw away from Rhinecliff Amtrak station, Hutton Brickyards makes for an accessible weekend respite for New Yorkers looking for an easy getaway.
E. Capella Hotel Group’s new brand Patina will launch this coming May 25th with the inaugural opening of Patina Maldives, located on the Fari Islands. Located just 50 minutes by boat from the main airport of the Maldives, Patina offers 90 one, two and three bedroom beach and water villas, as well as 20 Fari studios, all designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan of MK27. The wellness center will offer specialized services and amenities such as a watsu pool, highly trained consultants such as sleep and posture experts, and a variety of preventative treatment options. When guests aren’t relaxing in the sun or enjoying the multitude of water sports available, they can head to Fari Marina Village which boasts a beach club, boutiques, galleries, food trucks, and an art installation by renowned American artist James Turell.
F. Frank Gehry’s long awaited Luma Arles arts tower in Arles, France is finally nearing completion, set to open in June. Commissioned by Luma Foundation’s creator Maja Hoffman, the building was designed to evoke the feeling of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, which was painted at the nearby Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. The 150,000+ sqft structure will house exhibition spaces, an auditorium, a cafe, as well as seminar and research rooms.
G. After being closed for 6 years, the historic Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe will finally reemerge July 1 as an Auberge Resorts Collection hotel. The transformed property, which sits on 317 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, will maintain its New Mexican ranch-like decor and offer an abundance of outdoor adventures as well as an array of ancient healing arts to partake in. Outdoor activities include sunset horseback rides through Santa Fe National Park, fly-fishing for native trout on the resort’s private stream, and guided pueblo tours. Guests will also have ample opportunity to unwind through rejuvenating sound baths, ceramics classes and meditation.
H. Fancy a trip to LA sometime soon? Get a 3rd night free at the Beverly Wilshire (though June 30), the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (through Sept 30), or the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles (through Dec 31). New York more your speed? Get a 3rd night free at The Peninsula (June 1 through Sep 6) or a 4th night free at The Mark (through Mar 31, 2022). For a little wine adventure, head to Napa’s Carneros Resort and get a 4th night free (through October 27). For some Mexican getaway, book One&Only Palmilla (through Dec 18) and get a 4th night free, or 6th and 7th night free. Off to Greece this summer? If you book before April 30th you’ll get 15% at Parilio in Paros (for stays June 1 through Oct 16) and 15% off Mystique in Santorini (for stays May 10 through Nov 6). Finally, if you’re headed on safari this year, book Singita Lebombo Lodge or Singita Sweni Lodge for your 4th night free (through Dec 14).