March has come and gone, and personally, I’m not sad to see it go. If you’re a fan of winter (and perhaps a snowy winter vacation), you might be on the other side of the table, but I long all winter for the flowers of spring and the heat of summer.
But March wasn’t all bad: I got to spend a beautiful night with my pup and fiance at the glitzy Baccarat Hotel New York on a staycation, while my colleagues were stretched across every corner of the planet, from Singapore to Montana, researching and writing to help you plan your next big trip.
In March, there was plenty of hotel news we reported on. There’s the official end date of Hyatt’s much-loved partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (which is heading over to Hilton), the exciting announcement that Accor’s Orient Express train is finally opening up for bookings, the end of Choice Hotels’ hostile bid to take over Wyndham and Hilton’s acquisition of the trendy, college town-themed Graduate Hotels.
But also throughout March, smaller announcements were made we think you, our smart and savvy TPG audience, should know about.
Here is all the hotel news you missed in March.
The W New Orleans — French Quarter got a fresh coat of paint
There’s nowhere like New Orleans, a vibrant city with an equally vibrant hotel scene offering the perfect accommodation for any type of traveler. Now, the W New Orleans — French Quarter is raising the stakes by unveiling a multimillion-dollar renovation across its 97 rooms and carriage houses. The new design, crafted by Canadian firm Chapi Chapo Design, includes touches of nature, like Spanish moss-inspired sconces, and tributes to New Orleans, like pops of Sazerac orange and minibars inspired by treasure chests in a playful note to the French pirate Jean Lafitte.
Rates at W New Orleans — French Quarter are as low as $156 (if you book fast!) or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Just a note: Rates in New Orleans can fluctuate dramatically between seasons and even over a single week, so use the flexible booking calendar to help save.
We have our first look at the upcoming Andaz Miami Beach
If you, like me, were bummed to hear that The Confidante Miami Beach was officially closed as of March 25, our first look at its transformation into an Andaz might cheer you up a bit. This new Andaz features a stylish toned-down interior with chic white and natural tones and plenty of lush plants, two totally reimagined pools (but we have to admit the striped cabanas at The Confidante were iconic) and all-new food and beverage outlets by the famed José Andrés Group. Though we’ll have to wait until late 2024 to see it in real life, Hyatt loyalists should be excited about the hotel’s reinvention, where World of Hyatt members can still earn or burn points in the South Florida sunshine.
Related: The best resorts in Florida for a relaxing vacation in the Sunshine State
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Graduate Hotels is taking reservations in Auburn and Princeton
I’ve long been a fan of Graduate Hotels’ quirky, often over-the-top collegiate and locally inspired design (just check out my review of the Graduate Nashville and its Dolly Parton-themed rooms) — and I like it even more now that it’ll soon be part of the Hilton Honors family. And two exciting new properties are accepting reservations: Auburn, Alabama, with stays starting in September, and Princeton, New Jersey, a property that made our list of the most exciting hotels opening in 2024, set to open in June.
At the Auburn location, expect high design (from the team behind Soho House) featuring orange and navy blue furniture in honor of the school’s colors, as well as a wooden statue of Auburn alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. And in Princeton, be on the lookout for lamps inspired by Revolutionary War-era cannons and the university’s signature senior jackets in a building that was formerly a dorm.
Rates in Auburn start around $183 per night, while Princeton starts around $359 per night. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about Graduate’s integration into Hilton Honors.
We got an inside look at The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, set to open later this year
Developed by Five Star Development, The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, The Palmeraie is the crown jewel within the $2 billion community of The Palmeraie that spans more than 120 acres in the most affluent and coveted area in Arizona and includes a mixed-use retail and restaurant district.
The resort itself is spread over approximately 18 acres and comprises 215 guest rooms, including 137 casita suites connected by shaded walkways and lush courtyard gardens. Additionally, there are 80 privately owned villas and 32 estate homes that are Ritz-Carlton branded, serviced and managed, plus a spa and a nearly 400-foot pool, one of the longest resort pools in North America.
But the latest news is the resort’s signature dining experience, Mott 32, making it the first location of the popular Chinese restaurant brand in Arizona, which is slated to open alongside the resort later this year.
Aman’s new sister brand is finally open in Tokyo
Luxury knows no bounds at Aman, a collection of chic resorts around the world and even right here in the U.S., with outposts in New York City, Wyoming and Utah. But now Janu, Aman’s exciting new darling of a sister brand, welcomes guests to its 122 minimalist rooms in Tokyo.
Found in Azabudai Hills, essentially a new neighborhood full of surprises, Janu, according to a statement from Aman, “radiates an uplifting spirit and playful design narrative, in contrast to the serene tranquility and calming zen for which Aman is renowned.” The hotel features a spa and wellness center that measures more than a whopping 40,000 square feet, eight different bars and restaurants, and, for guests staying there, the social collateral that comes with being one of the first into one of the most exciting hotel projects in years.
Rates at Janu Tokyo start at around $944 per night.
