Overview

From the intimate urban interiors and distinct pools, to the desert-inspired spa and world-renowned dining, you’ll find it’s all in the details at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas hotel. Stay, explore, taste and experience this Las Vegas Strip hotel.

Accommodation

Experience residential-style living spaces and one-of-a-kind private terraces unlike any other Las Vegas resort. A spacious urban-inspired Las Vegas suite in the heart of the Strip. Relax on an oversized private terrace and enjoy amenities not found in your typical luxury Las Vegas hotel room. Take in the amazing view of the Las Vegas skyline and famous fountains from the oversized private terrace. Which room to book? Definitely the  Wrap- around Terrace one bedroom with Japanese deep soaking tubs that are nothing short of wonderful and the Premium View Rooms in the West Tower look straight onto the Bellagio Fountains next door which means front row seats to the water show a few times a day.  The Bungalows at the pool are fantastic if you find much of your time poolside at Marquee Day Club, an adults only lounge.

Spa

Inspired by the desert’s ever-expanding canopy of sky, mystifying sand sculptures, and enchanting, moonlit nights – Sahra is a Las Vegas hotel spa that changes perspective, opening the window to a world of unique experiences.

WHAT IS SAHRA

Enter and discover that this is no ordinary place. A true oasis, Sahra could rise only from the desert. Breath-taking natural walls mirror poetic slot canyons. Veins of silver thread throughout, while silver ceilings mirror nights lit by moon and stars

Long, dramatic hallways lead to experiences no less powerful: Sink into the Space Between, a serenity lounge where falling waters are heard and absolute calm settles in a dramatic, soul-soaring atmosphere. A monsoon cave rains serenity, drop by drop. The steam room at this Las Vegas Strip spa gets reimagined, unveiling a cool micromist in the city’s notorious heat. Bask on a giant stone slab, heated from within as if by an eternal sun. This motherstone is the center of our signature hammam room and treatments..

Explore this seemingly simple yet wonderfully complex luxury spa and wellness retreat for yourself.

Dining

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas restaurant collection is elevating the Las Vegas dining experience with world-class chefs and inspired menus. See our entire collection of dining experiences with STK,  Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, China Poblano, Milos, Scarpetta, Jaleo,  and many more.

Nightlife

The Chandelier

At the intersection of art and life at The Cosmopolitan, The Chandelier houses three unique Las Vegas bar experiences: high-energy hot spot, sophisticated cocktail haven and inviting lounge and is  made up of a curtain of 2 million crystals

Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub

With it’s Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve 2010, Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan has become the most spectacular new space in Las Vegas.

The venue is more than 62,000 square feet, with 50-foot-tall ceilings and an unparalleled multi-million-dollar sound stage designed to cater to any performer’s whim. Coliseum-style seating surrounds a focal dance floor, where one can marvel at the four-story LED screens and projection walls that will display customized light and image shows distinctly tailored for each performance.

In addition to the Nightclub, Marquee debuted its Dayclub this spring. Featuring Grand Cabanas with individual infinity pools, the Dayclub also boasts a multitude of three-story Bungalow Lofts, complete with a cabana, living quarters and a party deck on top.

Marquee has secured the top international house music DJs as residents, and the pairing of high-caliber DJs with the over-the-top extravagance of the club promises to impress even the most traveled tastemakers. If one’s taste is not in house music, the exquisite space offers a room called the “Boom Box” as a mixed-format area. With vast glass window-walls overlooking the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Boom Box offers a nightlife experience unlike any other venue.

Marquee Nightclub is open every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am.

Marquee Dayclub is open every day from 10am to 6pm (seasonal).

Overview

The iconic Park Hyatt Sydney will soon re-open after the largest and most comprehensive transformation in its 21 year history.

When Park Hyatt Sydney opens its doors it will feature three new exclusive rooftop suites built on a new fourth level. Every aspect of the hotel has been dramatically transformed, setting a new benchmark in contemporary luxury. Architecturally designed guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass that open onto private balconies, honouring Park Hyatt Sydney’s coveted harbourfront location. Renowned Australian artists including sculptors, painters and a photographer have been commissioned to create artwork especially for the new hotel.

The hotel’s restaurants and bar, private dining rooms, day spa and recreational facilities have also been enhanced to reinforce Park Hyatt Sydney’s position as one of Australia’s premier hotels.

Park Hyatt Sydney is due to re-open late 2011, and is now accepting reservations for arrivals from 01 March 2012. Dates for arrivals prior to 01 March 2012 will become available in the coming weeks.

Accommodations

Park Hyatt Sydney’s newly designed guest rooms are residential in style, offering contemporary luxury and harbourside living.

Starting at a spacious 40sqm, new interiors reflect a natural feel with rich layers of chocolate, cream and beige hues. Luxurious new furnishings & fittings, naturally-textured fabrics, subtle plush carpets, designer lighting and the latest technology feature throughout. Specially commissioned paintings and artwork by prominent Australian artists are on display, creating an art gallery of unique artifacts in all 155 guest rooms and suites.

Designed to celebrate Park Hyatt Sydney’s unique indoor-outdoor experience, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto private balconies that honour the hotel’s exclusive waterfront location. With seamless glass balustrades and natural timber flooring, balconies are furnished with custom designed outdoor furniture from which to enjoy the magnificent views.

Modern, spacious bathrooms are exquisitely designed to offer complete flexibility, with the choice of remaining private from the main bedroom, or transforming into an open plan design. Contemporary appointments include a dual vanity, wet area with rain shower, deep bath tub and a separate powder room featuring a heated ‘Toto’ toilet with built-in bidet.

Spa

Park Hyatt Sydney’s new spa, The Spa, offers the ultimate in beauty and body treatments, with a selection of spa rituals tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Using exclusive luxury Spanish beauty brand Natura Bisse, The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney is an urban sanctuary delivering a vivid sensory journey, through massage, facials, body treatments and indulgent escape packages.

The Spa’s five newly designed, intimate treatment rooms become a place of ultimate relaxation with various treatments centered around authentic Australian natural and cultural elements.

The Spa’s dedicated team is devoted to a total experience for the senses, invigorating touch, taste, sight, sound and scent.

A new relaxation room, two aromatherapy steam rooms for ladies and gentlemen, outdoor rooftop swimming pool, cabanas and spa complete the tranquil pampering experience.

Dining

Offering a quintessential Sydney dining experience, The Dining Room has a coveted harbor front location, with a design that is stylish and sophisticated. The Dining Room features intimate seating and a rich, warm decor overlooking glittering Sydney Harbour.

Exclusive dining areas, including two private dining rooms, provide the most spectacular views across to the world famous Sydney Opera House.

Discover executive chef Andrew McKee’s contemporary Australian-inspired menu featuring local produce and authentic flavours. Enjoy a range of Australian and international wines as selected by Park Hyatt Sydney’s sommelier.

Enjoy Four Seasons luxury with ski-in/ski-out resort lodging in Wyoming’s spectacular Teton Mountains. During warmer months, play golf, fish or hike in unspoiled natural wilderness. Breathe in the fresh alpine air. Marvel at a sky full of stars. And savour exquisite dining wrapped in panoramic mountain views.

Guest Rooms and Suites

Premium Room
Located on the fifth through eighth floors of the Hotel, Premium Rooms are ideal for Jackson Hole vacations and corporate travel, offering mountain views from a furnished terrace and a comfortable living area with gas fireplace.

Each room features a sitting area with gas fireplace, two oversized chairs and an ottoman, a built-in work area and an oversized closet.
Solid wood sliding louvred doors lead to a private terrace furnished with teak chairs and a table.
Additional amenities include an entertainment centre with a large TV and a DVD player, three direct dial dual-line telephones, high-speed Internet access, an in-room safe and a refrigerator with optional private bar menu.
The spacious marble and stone bathrooms feature a glass-enclosed shower, a separate soaking tub, a double vanity and a separate WC with telephone.

Dining

Dining at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole reflects the flavours and ingredients of the American West – with an emphasis on seasonal selections of grilled meat, game and fish. Cosy interiors of wood and stone feature numerous fireplaces and expansive mountain views. All venues open to year-round outdoor terraces warmed by heaters and fireplaces.

Spa

Inspired by the serenity of the tranquil streams and expansive valleys of the mountain wilderness, our full-service alpine Spa provides a comprehensive range of massages and day spa treatments to promote relaxation, invigoration and renewal. The luxurious 11,685-square-foot(1,085-square-metre) facility offers 16 treatment rooms, including two private spa suites – each with a Swiss shower, fireplace and deep soaking tub. The treatment area also features separate men’s and women’s tranquillity lounges with fireplaces. Energy bars, tea and a variety of other amenities are available at this lavish Jackson Hole spa.

Is the economy up or down or on the mend or what? That is the million, er, trillion dollar question. We’re not economic experts here but judging from our Master List of 2011 Openings, we’d have to say that the economy is definitely reviving.

What’s on tap for 2011? Lots of brand expansion, particularly from Starwood Hotels. We hope China likes Sheraton! Speaking of China, the hotel rush from last year continues well into this year with brands like Marriott and Hyatt opening like gangbusters all over.

Another country getting more love than in the past? India which will see lots of Starwood, Marriott and Hyatt properties in 2011. However, we’re more excited about the hotel revival that seems to be happening in several countries across Europe, but especially in London.

As always, this is just a starting point. We will keep adding and updating these hopeful hotels as we get the info. And instead of handing you some definitive list that cannot be updated or changed, we’re relying on you, and us, to keep the list ever-changing, expanding, shrinking or whatever the hospitality gods have in store for us.
Know of a hotel opening in 2011 that’s not on this list? Or know of a different opening date than the ones listed here? Put them in comments below.

*As you can see the opening dates change frequently. We are constantly updating this list but for the absolute latest info on the hotel, click the hotel’s name and you will be taken to a new page containing the newest stories about that hotel.

UNITED STATES
New York City
· The Nolitan: February 15 April 4 May 11 OPEN!
· Mondrian New York: February 22 OPEN!
· Four Points by Sheraton Long Island/Queensboro Bridge: March 3
· Aloft Brooklyn: March 31 April 21 June OPEN!
· Dream Downtown: May (possibly Memorial Day Weekend) OPEN!
· Sanctuary Hotel: Spring (Mostly) OPEN!
· Hotel Americano: Spring OPEN!
· Axel Hotel: Fall
· Graves Charney: Sometime in 2011
· Tryp by Wyndham: mid-2011
· NoMad Hotel: Sometime in 2011
· Flatiron Hotel: Sometime in 2011 Still TBA
· Hyatt Union Square (different name to come): Sometime in 2011
· Hyatt 48 Lex: Sometime in 2011 April August 29 OPEN!
· Hilton New York/JFK Airport, USA: Late 2011
· Conrad New York: Late 2011

Miami
· Hotel Breakwater: March 1 March 17 OPEN!
· Dream South Beach: Early 2011 OPEN!
· Element Miami: June 23 December 8

Fort Lauderdale
· B Ocean Hotel: January 24 OPEN!

Los Angeles
· The BLVD Hotel: February 4 OPEN!
· Viceroy Beverly Hills: Early 2011 Probably 2012
· Cipriani Mr. C Los Angeles: April OPEN!
· Hotel Bel-Air (reopening): July October 15
· Hotel Wilshire: Mid-2011. OPEN!

Chicago
· Public Chicago (reopening by Ian Schrager): September OPEN!
· Radisson Blu: Fall 2011

Texas
· Four Points By Sheraton Houston Hobby Airport: January 20
· Westin Houston Memorial City: April 6
· Hotel Indigo Waco Texas: September 16

Louisiana
· Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge: March 1
· Hotel Indigo New Orleans: Summer
· Hyatt Regency New Orleans: Late 2011

Other Cities
· Aloft Jacksonville: January 13
· Home2 Suites by Hilton, Fayetteville: February 3 or 25
· JW Marriott Indianapolis: February 4
· Ravella Lake Las Vegas: (formerly the Ritz-Carlton) February 11
· Four Points By Sheraton Memphis East: February 17
· Westin Phoenix: March 10
· Four Points By Sheraton Niagara Falls: March 17
· Home2 Suites by Hilton, Layton/Salt Lake City: April 1
· Four Points By Sheraton Louisville Airport: April 28
· Four Points Kennesaw, Georgia: June 30
· Sheraton Stamford: July 12
· Renaissance Colorado Springs North: July
· Four Points Nashville: August
· Four Points By Sheraton Kalamazoo: September 2
· Hotel Indigo Saddle Brook (NJ): November 1
· Four Points By Sheraton Jacksonville Beach: November 30
· Four Seasons Baltimore: Late 2011

CANADA
· Ritz-Carlton Toronto: February
· Hotel Indigo Vancouver: May 6
· Sheraton Red Deer, Alberta: May 26
· Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton West: December 1

CARIBBEAN
· Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia: February 28
· Trump Ocean Panama Club: Spring June
· Park Hyatt Bermuda: November
· Westin Playa Conchal: May 1
· Hilton Panama City, Panama: Late 2011

MEXICO
· Westin Guadalajara: June 1
· Westin Campeche Resort & Spa: June 1

SOUTH AMERICA
· Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, Chile: March 21
· Westin Lima: May 1
· Palacio del Inka: June 1
· Hilton Bogota: June
· Hilton Lima Miraflores, Peru: Fourth quarter, 2011

EUROPE

UNITED KINGDOM
London
· St. John Hotel: either late January or March April 2
· Four Seasons Park Lane (reopening): January 31
· W London: February 14
· London Syon Park, a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel: February 22 March 8
· Avo Hotel: February March
· Corinthia London: April 2
· Eccleston Square: May
· St Pancras Renaissance: May 5 March 14
· Zetter Townhouse: May
· Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5: Second quarter, 2011
· 45 Park Lane: Summer
· Belgraves, a Thompson Hotel: Summer
· Aloft London ExCeL: Late 2011
· Oxford Hotel King’s Cross: Late 2011
· Intercontinental London: Late 2011

Liverpool
· Hotel Indigo Liverpool: July 8

Scotland
· Hotel Indigo Glasgow: May 2 April 18

FRANCE
· Courtyard By Marriott Paris Acrueil: Early February
· Mandarin Oriental Paris: Summer
· W Paris: December 1
· Hotel O Paris: Summer

NETHERLANDS
· Mint Hotel: Summer May 1

PORTUGAL
· InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas: 2011

CROATIA
· Hilton Marjan Split, Croatia: Late 2011

TURKEY
· Edition Istanbul: Spring
· JW Marriott Ankara: May
· Hilton Bodrum Turkbuku Resort & Spa, Turkey: Second quarter, 2011
· Hilton Bursa Convention Center & Spa, Turkey: Third quarter, 2011
· Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler: October 1

GERMANY
· Hilton Frankfurt Airport: March September
· Waldorf-Astoria Berlin: Late 2011

RUSSIA
· W St. Petersburg: March 1 April 20
· InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya: 2011

SWITZERLAND
· Reniassance Zurich Tower: August

UKRAINE
· Four Points by Sheraton Zaporozhye: September 1

SOUTH PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA
· Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel, Australia: Third quarter, 2011

NEW ZEALAND
· Hilton Queenstown, New Zealand: First quarter, 2011

INDIA
Bangalore
· JW Marriott Bangalore: February June
· Sheraton Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway: May 1
· Renaissance Bangalore: July
· Hilton Bangalore Residences, India: Late 2011

Chennai
· JW Marriott Chennai: April November 2012
· Hilton Chennai: April 1
· Park Hyatt Chennai: 2011

Coimbatore
· Aloft Coimbatore Singanallur: March 1
· Le Meridien Coimbatore: July 1

Chandigarh
· JW Marriott Chandigarh: March June
· Aloft Chandigarh: June 1

Jaipur
· Jaipur Marriott: March
· Fairmont Jaipur: Sometime in 2011

Other Cities
· Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road: January 30
· Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam: March 1
· Aloft Ahmedabad: August 1
· Park Hyatt Hyderabad: Late 2011
· Hilton Hyderabad Palace, India: Late 2011

MIDDLE EAST
· Ritz Carlton Dubai: January 12 OPEN!
· Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan: Early 2011
· Hotel Missoni Kuwait: Early 2011 March 1
· Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo, Egypt: First quarter, 2011
· JW Marriott Tripoli, Libya: April
· Marriott Executive Apartments Doha, City Center: April
· Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo: May 1
· Hilton Doha, Qatar: Second quarter, 2011
· Hilton Marsa Alam, Egypt: Second quarter, 2011
· Hilton Jumeirah Beach Residence, UAE: Third quarter, 2011
· St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi: October 30
· St. Regis Doha: November 11
· InterContinental Doha: 2011
· Hyatt Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi: Early 2011
· Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas: Mid 2011
· Hilton Baku, Azerbaijan: Late 2011
· Conrad Dubai: 2011

MOROCCO
· Four Seasons Marrakech: Summer
· Mandarin Oriental Marrakech: Summer
· W Marrakech: December 1

ASIA

CHINA

Beijing
· Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel : July 1

Chongqing
· Westin Chongqing Liberation Square : September 30
· Sheraton Chongqing: May 1

Guangzhou
· Sheraton Guangzhou: March 1
· Westin Pazhou, Guangzhou: March 28
· Hilton Guangzhou, Tianhe: April
· Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun: Third quarter, 2011
· Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe: May
· W Guangzhou: July

Hong Kong
· Ritz-Carlton: March

Macau
· Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Strip: November 11
· The Hotel Okura: early 2011

Ningbo
· Westin Ningbo: July 1
· Park Hyatt Ningbo: 2011

Qingdao
· Four Points By Sheraton Qingdao, Chengyang: March 1
· Hyatt Regency Qingdao: 2011

Shanghai
· Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel: January 15

Shenzhou
· Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort: April 1
· Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort: May 1

Xiamen
· Hotel Indigo Xiamen: July 1
· Westin Xiamen: September 30

Xian
· Sheraton Xian Da Ming Gong Hotel: May 1
· Hilton Xian: Third quarter, 2011
· Westin Xian: October 31

Other Cities
· Westin Nanjing: January 28
· Aloft Nanhai, Foshan: February 1
· Sheraton Yantai Golden Beach Resort: March 1
· Hilton Hangzhou Qiandao Lake Resort: Second quarter, 2011
· Sheraton Huadu: April 1
· Aloft Zhengzhou: April 30
· Aloft Haiyang: May 1
· Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort: May 31
· Sheraton Dalian Xinghai Hotel: July 31
· Hilton Taiyuan: Third quarter, 2011
· The St. Regis Tianjin: October 1
· The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort : November 1
· InterContinental Wuxi: 2011
· Hyatt Regency Guiyang: 2011
· Hyatt Regency Jinan: 2011
· Hilton Shenzhen Futian: Late 2011
· Hilton Shijiazhuang: Late 2011
· Hilton Jinan: Late 2011
· Hilton Shijiazhuang: Late 2011
· Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay: 2011

JAPAN
· Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel: March 28

SOUTH KOREA
· Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel: September 23

MALAYSIA
· Four Points by Sheraton Langkawi Resort: April 15
· Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan: October 15
· InterContinental Kuala Lumpur: 2011

INDONESIA
· W Bali: March 1

TAIWAN
· W Taipei: February 14
· Hotel Indigo Taipei: Late 2011

THAILAND
· Four Points by Sheraton Phuket, Panwa: March 1
· Aloft Bangkok: April 1 October
· St. Regis Bangkok: April 1
· Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sathorn: November 1
· Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa: 2011

VIETNAM
· Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Vietnam: Late 2011

AFRICA
· Le Meridien Oran, Algeria: April 1
· Hilton Windhoek Namibia: Early 2011
· Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Seychelles: First quarter, 2011
· Hilton Windhoek, Namibia: Second quarter, 2011
· Radisson Blu Nigeria: May 1
· St. Regis Mauritius: June 1

Juliana | Hotel Chatter

Like with any good meal, we saved the best for last. And we’re talking about the revamped legendaryPump Room restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten inside Ian Schrager’s new hotel, Public Chicago.

Ok, now that we’ve got that loaded introduction (Pump Room! Vongerichten! Schrager!) out of the way, onto the good stuff. Oh but first, to be fair, while JGV designed the menu concept, the chef hard at work in the restaurant is chef Bradford Phillips, an Indiana native whose resume includes NoMI at The Park Hyatt Chicago. Now, onto the food!

So we actually took a seat in the hotel’s Library Bar on the other side of the lobby hoping to sip a drink and eat some food away from the Pump Room scene. (It was opening night so there was lots of backslapping going on and PYTs clogging up the bar.) But a hostess told us that while they would usually serve food in the bar area, that was not happening tonight. There were, however, some cancellations for dinner and she could seat us in the Pump Room instead.

Eeeee, we hesitated because we were dining by our lonesome. But faced with the possibility of not having tasted the Pump Room before checking out, we said, F it and followed the hostess to a table along the windows and overlooking the hubub in the middle of the restaurant.

First things first, we requested a cocktail menu. After inquiring about a “lightly alcoholic” drink and getting laughed at–”We don’t do that here in Chicago” the waitress said–we decided on the Chicago Cosmo ($12) made with Effen vodka, fresh lemon/lime juice, cointreau and cranberry. Even though we sipped it slowly and hardly finished it, we still needed a cappuccino at the end of the meal to recover.

But our terrible tolerance aside, once we started skimming the menu, we started to get a little anxious…in a good way. All dishes are made with seasonal ingredients and are locally sourced when possible in a “farm to table” experience that’s all the rage these days. We wondered if it were possible to sample a little bit of everything on the menu.

It was a tough, tough, tough decision but with the aide of our server we settled on the Roast Carrot and Avocado Salad ($11) with crunchy seeds (like pumpkin), sour cream and a citrus vinaigrette to start followed by Seared Scallops ($24) served with some chili foam and a side of Sauteed Corn ($6) with creamy pecorino, jalapenos and lime.

Scallops are always an iffy menu choice, in our opinion, because sometimes they come out too hard or too briny but the Pump Room scallops were cooked perfectly. Nice and soft but a little crisp on top and just the right balance of salt. The chili foam was interesting but tasty and helped spice up (heh) the scallops. It also complimented the side of corn which was heavenly as you can imagine anything sauteed and topped with melted pecorino cheese would be.

Given that we were half in the bin at a table by ourselves, we decided to finish off with dessert because…why not? We ordered the Creme Fraiche Cheesecake ($7) with market raspberries and a side of raspberry sorbet. Oh boy. Tasty gluttony. And that’s when we decided we needed a cappuccino to wake ourselves up. Otherwise, we would have face-planted (with a smile on our faces!) on the table.

So now that we’ve just made love to the food at The Pump Room and are lazily smoking a cigarette at our desks, let’s talk about the design of the new Pump Room. The place is virtually unrecognizable except for the bones of the room. Yabu Pushelberg, a very well-known interior design firm in the boutique hotel industry and the designers of the hotel formerly known as The Waikiki Edition, not only did the 285 guest rooms at the hotel (blending classic and modern design elements with very neutral colors), but they also helped Schrager’s in-house design team led by Anda Andrei along with Kirstin Bailey and Paul Haslhofer in achieving the new look of the Pump Room.

The initial vibe is that of a very well-lit cave as the wall behind the bar of the Pump Room looks exactly like that. But if you’re facing the bar and then turn around, the rest of the Pump Room is laid out and lit up in front of you. “Lit” being the key word here as the ceiling’s old fussy chandeliers have been taken down replaced by provocative light spheres that jut out from all angles. It’s futuristic but not scarily so.

The colors palette, much like the guestrooms, remain very neutral with beiges, grays and dull whites mixing in with the dark wooden tables and chairs. Some tables even have low sofas to sit on!

Clearly the place to be seen while you’re eating is on the main floor at a table but a banquette along the side harks back to the Pump Room’s glory days and the long communal table up front is great for big groups.

Speaking of the Pump Room’s glory days, for the folks who miss how it used to be, there are tons and tons of photos for you to look at. A good batch is clustered at the restaurant’s entrance but if you head downstairs (where the loos are) you’ll find an entire corridor of Pump Room photos as well as the restaurant’s old sign.

When we spotted it, it was lying on the floor between some leather benches. Hopefully, there’s a grander plan for the sign in store. If not, it might be ok. The Pump Room will be creating a new kind of fame now. Also, can you imagine if they named this place The Gold Coast Kitchen? Thank you, people of Chicago, for not letting that happen!

by Juliana | Hotel Chatter

It’s the question that plagues every New Yorker during the summer: to stay or not to stay? But thanks to a new partnership between The Greenwich Hotel and East Hampton Point Resort you don’t have to choose.

The six night package splits your time evenly between both properties, giving you three days in the City and three out east. It begins at The Greenwich Hotel, Robert De Niro‘s 88-room luxury property in Manhattan’s tony Tribeca neighborhood. There you’ll receive a superior room, breakfast for two (daily), Champagne and fruit upon arrival, two “Shibui Toner” spa treatments, and dinner for two in the private, outdoor garden of the critically acclaimed Locanda Verde. Then it’s off to the beach via a Hampton Luxury Liner, where you’ll be put up in one of East Hampton Point’s luxe bungalows. Breakfast comes delivered each morning, courtesy of Mary’s Marvelous in Amagansett, and dinner for two awaits at the resort’s restaurant. To get you through the middle of the day a picnic lunch at Georgica Beach, East Hampton’s prime summer locale, has been arranged (car service to the beach, or passes for those with their own vehicles is also provided). The resort can also schedule tee times, book a private shopper or place a preferred dinner reservation. Now when you’re asked if you’re staying in the City or going to the Hamptons the correct response is, “yes.”

by Michael B. Dougherty Luxist

Aer made a splash when it opened last December on the top of the Four Seasons Mumbai.* The highest bar in the city, the lounge sprawls across the entire rooftop of the hotel, offering incredible panoramas of the city’s bustling Worli district and the Arabian Sea. Needless to say, Aer recently scored a spot on ABC News Travel’s list of the “World’s Best Rooftop Bars.” The views may be sensational, but the “dining is equally as inspiring,” claims the hotel’s official website, “with the emphasis on shared plates featuring an innovative selection of hot and cold Lebanese and Middle Eastern dips, Mediterranean tapas and other international favorites.” Order up a personalized cocktail- perhaps a blend of fresh fruit and Champagne- while sampling some midnight mezzes. A live DJ plays nightly sets in this open-air bar. Evening happy hour (running from 5:30 pm- 8 pm every evening) means half-price Champagne cocktails and Champagne.

by Mary Winston Nicklin

The Informed Traveler Cal Simmons’ Guide to Luxury Travel

It’s April Fools Day…but these hotels are no joke. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite unique places to check out. We promise, they are the real deal!

CAPSULE INN-  Tokyo, Japan

Akihabara is the digital mecca of Japan, lights everywhere, mile-high electronics palaces, and the center of the Earth for diehard Anime fans. It is also home to the Capsule Inn. This place is NOT for the claustrophobic. While you’ll surprisingly find a TV, blinds, a bed, radio, alarm clock and adjustable lighting schemes in this 1m x 1m x 2m box and even separate areas for men and women with separate restrooms too along with a complete list of instructions on how to make the most of your stay, what you will not find is space. It’s worth a try just for the experience, but maybe on the hourly room rate plan. www.capsuleinn.com

EUROMAST TV TOWER- Rotterdam, Netherlands

That’s right, it’s several suites set in a futuristic bubble-like dome high atop a TV tower. While the suites are beautifully outfitted and naturally provide some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine, they’re by far not the main attraction here. Their famous extreme sports adventures are what it’s all about, and just about anyone at any experience level can join in. Abseiling Descending down 100 meters without a wall to position yourself upon is pretty unbelievable in itself, but if that’s not enough- try their famous Pluck- a 100 meter glide down at a speed of 100 km/hr. 15 Seconds from top to bottom…shivers! www.euromast.nl

EXPLORANTER- Brazil

The “unexpected Brazil” is exactly what you should expect when embarking on one of these amazing adventure tours that personally introduces you to the soul of Brazil that very few travelers ever get to meet. Board a 25-ton truck and trailer, outfitted with a kitchen, 28 beds, and fueled with adrenaline. You travel along amazing routes in this motel on wheels- all the while being regaled with wild tales of interesting journeys by your effervescent, fearless native tourguide and diving into experiences you would have never imagined. www.exploranter.com

PLANE MOTEL- Waitomo, New Zealand

As if flying to New Zealand from most parts of the world didn’t have you airborne enough, here’s an opportunity to stay in an actual plane, on the ground. The Plane Motel in Waitomo, NZ was actually one of the last allied planes to leave Vietnam, and now sits open waiting to welcome guests who wish to pitch up in one of their two suites. The Cockpit Unit fits up to 4, word of caution- the ceilings are LOW so best for kids. Or, opt for the Tail Unit, complete with a double bed and bunks. www.woodlynpark.co.nz/planemotel.html

SALA SILVERMINE- Vastmanland, Sweden

It’s the world’s deepest bedroom- 155 meters underground in a preserved silver mine complete with winding passageways, deep cavernous spaces and mystical lakes that seem to appear out of nowhere. Word to the wise, it’s cold, damp and dank so bring proper attire, but this spelunking experience is well worth donning some layers for. www.salasilvergruva.se

Master List of 2010 Openings.

What recession? That has to be what so many hoteliers and real estate developers are forcing themselves to say these days because there is an awful of hotels expected to come “online” in 2010. And we’re keeping tabs on all of them here with our Master List of 2010 Openings.

As always, this is just a starting point. We will keep adding and updating these hopeful hotels as we get the info. And instead of handing you some definitive list that cannot be updated or changed, we’re relying on you, and us, to keep the list ever-changing, expanding, shrinking or whatever the hospitality gods have in store for us.

Some trends we’ve noticed with this preliminary list? New York has a lot of new hotels opening in 2010. Will this mean more closures of the city’s older hotels? Also, China is hot. Most of the hotels on this list are in China, with Shanghai getting seven major new hotels. And we could hardly keep up with Westin’sand Sheraton’s plans for China. We bet they are banking on tons of new SPG members too!

Stateside, the Aloft Hotels franchise machine keeps on trucking with two opening in New York and three in India(!). But we’re more excited for the new U.S. hotels coming from Hotel Indigo, starting with theHotel Indigo Miami Beach next month.

Will all these hotels (and their developers) be happy ever after in the marketplace? Only time will tell.

Know of a different opening date than the ones listed here? Put them in comments below.

UNITED STATES
New York
· Trump Soho: March 1 April 9
· Sheraton Brooklyn: March 15
· Fashion 26: April 15
· Cassa Hotel: April
· The Chatwal: Spring
· W New York Downtown: May 4
· Hotel Eventi: May 15
· The Nolitan: May
· Sheraton Tribeca: June 17
· Gansevoort Park Avenue South: June
· James New York: Summer
· Intercontinental Times Square: July 1
· Aloft New York Brooklyn: July 1
· Aloft Harlem: July 1
· Element New York Times Square West: September 16
· Mondrian Soho: Fall
· Andaz Fifth Avenue: Fall
· The Sanctuary (now open as The Portland Square): Fall

Los Angeles
· Ritz-Carlton LA: March 15

Miami
· Hotel Indigo South Beach: March 18
· Tempo Miami, A RockResort: May
· JW Marriott Marquis Hotel: July
· Hotel Beaux Arts: July
· Cipriani: Summer

Chicago
· Hotel Palomar: April 8 (possibly, probably, earlier.)
· JW Marriott Chicago: September

Texas
· Westin Austin at The Domain: March 11
· Hotel Indigo San Antonio at The Alamo: April 16
· W Austin: December 9

Colorado
· Four Seasons Vail: Summer
· Four Seasons Denver: Fall

Puerto Rico
· W Puerto Rico: March or May
· St. Regis Bahia Bahia, Puerto Rico: October 1

Other Cities
· Fairmont Pittsburgh: March 29
· Hotel Indigo Nashville: April 3
· The Baronette Renaissance Detroit: April
· Aloft Chapel Hill: May 16
· Aloft Winchester (VA): June 3
· Le Meridien Philadelphia: June 30
· Aloft Tulsa: July 1
· Hotel Indigo Downtown Atlanta: July 18
· Hotel Indigo Pensacola Beach: August 1
· Element Omaha: November 4
· Harmon Hotel and Spa, Las Vegas: Late 2010

CANADA
· Thompson Toronto: April/May
· Ritz-Carlton Toronto: Summer
· Hotel Indigo Vancouver: August 13

CARIBBEAN

· Hyatt Regency Curacao: April 20
· Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower Panama: Fall
· Conrad Bimini Bay: Sometime in 2010

MEXICO
· The Westin Campeche Resort & Spa, Campeche: April 1
· The Westin Santa Fe: June 1

EUROPE
· Sheraton Bratislava, Slovakia: February 24
· Hotel Le Seven, Paris: March 5
· Sanctum on the Green (Berkshire): April 1
· Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Republic of Georgia: April 1
· Hilton The Hague: Spring
· Sheraton Rhodes Resort, Greece: May 1
· The Romanos, Costa Navarino, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Greece: May 20
· The Fairmont Savoy, London (a re-opening): Spring/Summer
· Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Centre: July 1
· W London: Summer
· Aloft Brussells: September 1
· Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf: End of 2010
· Conrad Algarve Palacio Da Quinta (Portugal): Sometime in 2010

SOUTH AMERICA
· Algodon Mansion: March
· Tambo del Inka Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel: March 31
· JW Marriott Bogota: June
· Intercontinental Mendoza: Sometime in 2010
· Intercontinental Maracaibo: Sometime in 2010
· Westin Libertador, Lima: October 1

CHINA
Beijing
· Fairmont Beijing: Soft-opened with spa, gym, pool and Fairmont Gold coming soon
· Sheraton Beijing : December 1

Foshan
· Intercontinental Foshan: Sometime in 2010

Fuzhou
· The Westin Fuzhou Minjiang: December 23

Guangdong Province
· Sheraton Guangzhou: July 15
· Sheraton Huadu Resort: September 22
· W Guangzhou: December 1

Hangzhou
· Intercontinental Hangzhou: First Quarter
· Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake: Mid 2010
· Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort: December 1

Hainan Province
· Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort, Wanning City: December 31

Heife
· The Westin Hefei Baohe: December 18

Hong Kong
· Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: Sometime in 2010

Inner Mongolia
· Sheraton Hohhot Hotel: April 20

Jiansu Province
· Sheraton Jiangyin Hotel: May 1
· Sheraton Wuxi Binhu Hotel: August 27

Macau
· Mandarin Oriental Macau: Summer

Sanya
· Intercontinental Sanya Resort: May 1
Shanghai
· The Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund, Shanghai: Spring
· Intercontinental Shanghai Expo: Spring
· Shanghai Renaissance Putuo: May
· Sheraton Shanghai Hong Kou: August 1
· Waldorf Astoria Shanghai: Sometime in 2010
· Conrad Shanghai: Sometime in 2010
· Ritz-Carlton Shanghai: Sometime in 2010

Tianjin
· The Astor Hotel Tianjin, A Luxury Collection Hotel: Mid 2010
· Sheraton Tianjin Binhai: July 1

Zhejiang Province
· Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort.: March 18
· Sheraton Wenzhou Hotel : May 1
· Westin Ningbo: August 15
· Westin Nine Dragon Resort: December 1
· Sheraton Qingdao: December 1

SINGAPORE
· Fullerton Bay Resort: Spring

BALI
· W Retreat and Spa Bali: September 1 November 1

THAILAND
· The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa (Phuket): June 1
· W Hotel Amphur Koh Samui: June 1
· Aloft Bangkok: August 11
· Park Hyatt Koh Samui: Sometime in 2010
· Conrad Koh Samui: Sometime in 2010

THE MALDIVES
· The Beach House, A Waldorf-Astoria Resort, The Maldives: Sometime in 2010

JAPAN
· St. Regis Osaka: October 1
· The Westin Sendai (Japan): August 1

TAIWAN
· Sheraton Hsinchu Hotel: April 4
· Le Meridien Taipei: December 1
· Sheraton Yilan Resort: December 1

VIETNAM
· Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa: May 15

INDIA
· Aloft Bengaluru: June 1
· Aloft Chennai: June 1
· Westin New Delhi: July 1
· Aloft Coimbatore Singanallur: December 1
· Renaissance Banglalore: December
· Sheraton Bangalore at Brigade Getaway: December 1
· Hyatt Regency Chennai: Sometime in 2010

MIDDLE EAST
Dubai
· Armani Hotel Dubai: March 18
· Conrad Dubai: Sometime in 2010
· Ritz-Carlton Dubai: Sometime in 2010

Kuwait
· Hotel Missoni Kuwait: Spring
· Intercontinental Kuwait City: Sometime in 2010

Doha City
· Renaissance Doha City: June

Saudi Arabia
· Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel in Saudi Arabia: Summer

AUSTRALIA
· The Cullen Hotels, Melbourne: The Olsen on March 16 and The Blackman in April
· Quay West Resort and Spa Noosa: March 18

AFRICA
· Fairmont Zimbali Resort in Africa: Spring
· Le Meridien Oran (Algeria): October 1
· Mandarin Oriental Marrakech: Sometime in 2010.
· Intercontinental Lagos (Nigeria): Late 2010

RUSSIA
· W St. Petersburg: September 1

by Juliana |Hotel Chatter

Inside the EPIC Hotel (Home of that Rooftop Pool)

Yes, indeedy, those pools from yesterday’s Guess The Hotel game are on the 16th-floor terrace of the EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami.

Last week, we had the chance to see if all those good reviews for the EPIC were warranted and we have to say, the EPIC hotel does indeed have a lot of amenities that will make hotel guests very happy.

Also delighting our inner geek? The in-room computer. We know that hotels have finally gotten hip to offering WiFi in-rooms (some free, most not) but having in-room computers means we don’t have to lug our laptops around. Memo to all hotels: Copy Kimpton, do this now.

The bathroom was also a good-size, with both a rain shower and soaking tub.

Then there are the bath products. Acqua di Parma! In generous sizes! An awesome surprise, and one that made us seriously contemplate swiping more samples off the maid’s cart. (We refrained.)

Up on the 29th floor is the Club Lounge where staffers let us goof around with the touch-screen “Surface Station” map—basically a giant smartphone-like device in the shape of an old Pac-Man arcade table. You can use it to check the weather, surf the net, listen to music, play the piano, and read the news (although the headlines wouldn’t load for us).

The business center and hotel gym are clean and welcoming—and, excellently, open 24 hours. (But, despite best intentions to do so, we failed to get up at 5 a.m. to work out or send a fax.)

The Area 31 restaurant was bustling on our weekday lunch visit (probably because of the Miami Spicepromotion), making the service, uh, leisurely but attentive.

Staying in downtown Miami is a little odd (it feels like being in a deserted video-game version of a city), but if you want more space and more bang for your buck than you’d get down on South Beach, the EPIC is definitely worth checking out.

-Hotel Chatter

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