This is our first #BoldHotels List 2021: 10 newcomers that are leading the charge and pushing the boundaries of what makes a great hotel. These aren’t just brilliant places to bed down. They’re also interesting creative hubs, eco-conscious camps, slick stays giving back to local communities and extraordinary hangouts that are drawing us off the beaten path.
The list that follows is our definitive guide to the hotels that aren’t just gateways to a place, but destinations in their own right.
1. KALESMA MYKONOS
Mykonos, Greece
You’re watching the sunset over the brilliant blue Aegean Sea from your hilltop whitewashed villa, the night-blooming jasmine perfuming the evening air. This is where the Greek god Apollo is said to have kept his horses — and at this moment you feel like you’re in the land of gods. Kalesma was inspired by the laid-back glamour of the Greek island of Mykonos, with a neutral, earthy colour palette, Cycladic whitewashed aesthetic and bougainvillea-filled archways.
Greek designers K-Studio and Studio Bonarchi used local materials such as wood, marble and stone to give a contemporary look to the traditional Cycladic style, with custom artwork by Serbian artist Aleksander Vak. The hotel’s 25 suites and two villas blur the line between indoors and out; all have a sprawling terrace and full-sized pool with unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea.
Venturing further up the hill, Pere Ubu serves up locally sourced Cycladic specialties such as cheese saganaki, spicy honey and toasted octopus with sun dried tomatoes and olives, with an emphasis on Greek wines (try Assyrtiko from Santorini).
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While Mykonos is known for its social life, beaches and artisan shops, the friendly proprietors can recommend hidden coves that are off the beaten tourist path or arrange a private yacht charter to nearby Delos.
2. VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, USA
Even ice cream is taken up a notch at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the city’s newest off-strip playground where you can cool off with a handmade ice cream creation at Afters (try the Rick & Morty experience) to the sounds of pumping EDM and hip-hop. Virgin made its Las Vegas debut this spring as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, a reimagined casino resort that mixes Virgin’s passion for food and beverage with music and culture. Its culinary portfolio includes 12 food and beverage venues such as Todd English’s Olives, Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market and the legendary Nobu, as well as The Shag Room — a hidden lounge accessed through a speakeasy photobooth, revealing plush banquettes and purple shag carpet.
It wouldn’t be Virgin without top-notch entertainment, and its Vegas property doesn’t disappoint: there’s The Theatre, with a star-studded lineup; Oxford Street, a more intimate venue featuring artists on the rise; and the 60,000-square-foot Mohegan Sun Casino. Money, Baby! brings nostalgic gaming back to Vegas with sports betting in funky mid-century style. And the new five-acre desert pool oasis combines a resort pool (complete with Mediterranean-style décor and VIP-style cabanas and daybeds) with the luxe two-story Mykonos-themed Élia Dayclub, featuring an open-air stage. There’s no better place to get your post-pandemic groove on.
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3. 1 HOTEL TORONTO
Toronto, Canada
Sip a craft cocktail on a cozy-chic rooftop oasis — poolside during the day, under the stars after dark — with unobstructed views of Toronto’s skyline. You’ll find this and more at the city’s newest urban retreat, 1 Hotel Toronto (formerly the Thompson Hotel), opened this August in Toronto’s trendy King West neighbourhood. It’s also the Canadian debut of the hospitality brand, known for its sustainable luxury, featuring architecture and design inspired by the city’s natural environment, the beauty of Lake Ontario and the contrasting colours of the passing seasons: think sliding barn wood doors, reclaimed timber, local limestone and native greenery. The brand is also working with Toronto-based artists, builders and chefs to support local and reduce its environmental footprint.
The hotel lobby, for example, will host a daily market stand selling farm-fresh produce, and 1 Kitchen Toronto (one of four new restaurants) will feature an all-day menu that relies on local, organic suppliers within a 50-kilometre radius. 1 Hotel Toronto is also home to Casa Madera, the first Canadian outpost by the experiential dining experts The Madera Group, which serves reimagined Mexican and coastal cuisine.
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A state-of-the-art fitness centre, redesigned rooftop pool and electric house car service round out this sustainable city retreat.
4. VALA HUA HIN
Petchaburi, Thailand
Wake up to the sound of the sea, and start the day with an invigorating vinyasa flow or beachfront paddle. Then kick back under a grass parasol on a stretch of white sand dotted with palm trees, backed by endless greenery. What could be a better antidote after a year in lockdown? Beachside bliss is exactly what you’ll find at VALA Hua Hin, a new luxury hideaway in central Thailand.
The resort has been designed from the ground up to help guests escape into nature (with, of course, all the contemporary comforts one could want), offering uninterrupted views over the Gulf of Thailand and truly unforgettable sunsets.
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VALA Hua Hin’s rooms, suites and villas include special touches such as secluded outdoor bathtubs, private al fresco terraces or private plunge pools surrounded by tropical gardens. Wander along tranquil walkways to the main infinity pool, complete with swim-up bar, then enjoy a signature treatment in the massage pavilion. The nearby town of Hua Hin is worth a visit — don’t miss the lantern-lit Cicada Night Market for tasty Thai street food and local art. The region is also home to eerily beautiful underground caves and the otherworldly landscape of Khao Sam Roi National Park.
5. NOBU HOTEL LONDON PORTMAN SQUARE
London, England
London has long had a love affair with the Nobu brand, and the opening of the city’s second Nobu hotel brings Far East flair to the Marylebone neighbourhood, close to cafés, bakeries and independent boutiques. Stepping into the double-height lobby of the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, it’s open and airy, filled with natural light, while the rooms and suites (designed by Make Architects) feature natural woods and Japanese accents such as lanterns, bonsai trees, stoneware tea sets, kimono-style robes and deep soaking tubs. A contemporary approach to both aesthetics and hospitality is employed throughout, taking inspiration from Japanese architectural disciplines and minimalist design, influenced by heritage Japanese colour combinations.
The opening sees the iconic Nobu Berkeley Street restaurant move to its new home, though it still features Nobu favourites like the melt-in-your-mouth miso black cod.
But don’t miss the year-round outdoor terrace and Roku Gin Bar, a Japanese-style gin garden surrounded by lush greenery and pink lanterns reminiscent of Sakura flowers, for an authentic taste of Haru (Japanese spring) — from the sweet, floral aroma of cherry blossoms in the Roku Gin cocktails to the spring-like ambience found on the ornately designed terrace. The property also features Nobu’s first-ever Pilates studio.
6. LYLE WASHINGTON DC
Washington, USA
You’ll notice deep-purple spikes of lavender growing in front of the Lyle Washington DC. And inside the Art Deco property, lavender — known for its calming properties — is thoughtfully used in everything from cocktails to home-baked pet treats (yes, it’s a dog-friendly hotel). That’s the vibe Lore Group creative director Jacu Strauss was aiming for in the Lyle, which opened this spring in the U.S. capital’s Dupont Circle historic district. The design-driven hotel invokes a sense of calm and comfort in understated style, with hints of luxury in details that celebrate the building’s original Art Deco features: Burl wood headboards, rattan seating and Berber carpets.
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Each room feels intentionally high-end residential, harkening back to the 1940s when the Lyle was an Art Deco apartment building. This aesthetic is carried through to the hotel’s restaurant and bar, Lyle’s, with bespoke furniture, cork-covered walls and custom Herman Miller pendant cluster, flanked by an open kitchen — but you can still get a cheeseburger here. Perhaps most notable is the striking white couch that runs through the centre of the restaurant — with, of course, a stain-resistant fabric, necessary for a restaurant that serves 20 reds by the bottle.
7. HUMANITI HOTEL MONTREAL
Montreal, Canada
You’re lying on an oversized sun bed, next to the pool, soaking up the sun and enjoying a bottle of chilled rosé. And yet, you’re a stone’s throw to all the charms of historic Montreal and the Quartier des Spectacles. Billed as an antidote to social isolation, the newly opened Humaniti Hotel Montreal is heavily influenced by what we’ve all been missing for the past year-and-a-half: socialization. Case in point, the ultra-urban h3 lounge and terrasse are perfect for sparking conversation while sipping an aperitif and sampling oysters with maple miso sauce.
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Designed by Andres Escobar, Humaniti features innovative architecture, modern design and plenty of natural light. While the rooftop pool might be the showstopper in this “live well” hotel, so too are the fresh, local flavours and territorial cuisine featured in its three drinking and dining establishments that celebrate Quebecois culture (and to work it off, there’s the two-storey Hyper gym). The tranquil Spa Humaniti offers a series of signature facials conceived by Montreal’s skincare guru to the stars, Jennifer Brodeur, who counts Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama among fans. Stay in one of the light-filled Hibiscus rooms, which feature two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows with postcard views of the St. Lawrence River.
8. VANDERMARCK BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Collingwood, Canada
When it comes to luxury lodgings in the four-season resort town of Collingwood, The Vandermarck is making a mark, giving a historic home a boutique hotel feel. Built in 1912 for the town doctor by renowned Toronto architect Eden Smith (the first in Canada to work with the arts and crafts style), this heritage property was once known as the Beild House. Now it’s been reimagined as a contemporary oasis for guests, near Collingwood’s historic downtown, scenic waterfront and extensive trail network. Everything has been selected with care, from the luxury linens and handcrafted bath products to touches like local tea packets from Blue Mountain Tea Co. Even the photography on the walls features local photographers and local attractions. Setting it apart, though, is the statement Herman Miller furniture and pieces such as the Noguchi accent tables or Eames Hang-It-All.
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There’s also a dreamy outdoor sitting area with water features and plenty of cushy seating, perfect for resting after a day at Blue Mountain, Wasaga Beach or the Bruce Trail. Nine suites — many with gas fireplaces and private balconies — are located on three floors, accessible by the original staircase. There’s no front desk; everything can be done from the convenience of your smartphone, ensuring maximum privacy.
9. FAIRMONT CENTURY PLAZA
Los Angeles, USA
Built on the former backlot of 20th Century Fox Studios, the Century Plaza Hotel opened its doors in 1966, quickly becoming an L.A. hot spot that hosted generations of Hollywood celebrities, foreign dignitaries and U.S. presidents. Over time, however, it lost some of its lustre — until now. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has reopened the iconic crescent-shaped property after a meticulous restoration (to the tune of US$2.5 billion), now called the Fairmont Century Plaza.
Originally designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the mid-century modern L.A. landmark has been transformed by acclaimed Canadian design group Yabu Pushelberg to include 351 guest rooms and 49 suites, retaining its glamorous lobby and legendary ballroom (which has hosted every sitting president since Lyndon B. Johnson). The lobby is connected to a series of public plazas and fountains that lead into a central two-acre garden, surrounded by exclusive boutiques and restaurants such as Lumière, helmed by award-winning executive chef Jason Franey.
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The real showstopper, though, is the Fairmont Spa Century Plaza — a 14,000-square-foot showpiece, with experiential showers, sanarium, Himalayan salt room, aromatherapy steam room and hammam. Plus, there’s a rooftop pool with unparalleled views of the L.A. cityscape. It all pays homage to the hotel’s storied past, but is now a place to see and be seen.
10. H20 LIFE.STYLE RESORT
Turks and Caicos
Not every vacationer wants to lounge poolside with a cocktail in hand, whiling away the hours. For those who prefer to maintain their active lifestyle while on vacation, H2O Life.Style Resort just might be the perfect getaway. Start the day with a yoga session on the beach and a healthy smoothie at HangTime Bar, then head out for an afternoon of kiteboarding on the turquoise waters of Long Bay Beach (one of the most sought-after beaches for water sports enthusiasts from around the world).
The brainchild of two Canadians living in Turks and Caicos, Rob Ayer and Nicolas Boucher, this oceanfront wellness resort was specifically designed for active travellers who appreciate sustainable design. While it’s close to all the action, the secluded enclave is tucked away in a lush four acres of protected green space, while the shallow Caicos Banks offers ideal conditions for kiteboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing-foiling and Hobie sailboats (a kiteboarding school is conveniently located within the resort).
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The extensive health and wellness program includes weekly rooftop yoga, tennis courts and a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness centre. Ultra-modern suites, with furnishings by Restoration Hardware, come in a range of layouts for groups of all sizes, all with large picture windows and walkout terraces that look out onto the turquoise waters. Relax, recharge — and burn off a few calories, too.
