Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage finally opens after 7 years of delays
The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, in southern California, US, opened on 15 May after seven years of delays.
Originally scheduled to open in December 2007, before the financial crisis, the 244-bedroom resort in Coachella Valley – on a 650-ft bluff overlooking Palm Springs and enveloped in the Santa Rosa Mountain range – has been renovated by Arcadia-based Kam Sang Co over the past 15 months. The resort has been converted from the Lodge at Rancho Mirage, since its rebrand in 2001, back into a Ritz-Carlton property.
While most of the resort has opened, the Edge steakhouse is expected to debut in Q4 of this year and the 24,000sq ft (2,229sq m) spa will launch in Q3. The 16-treatment room desert spa features a pre- and post-treatment relaxation area, using natural rock and a plunge pool set into the hillside.
A selection of treatments will be on offer including the signature Ritz-Carlton Tailored Facial and the Organic Bliss Scalp & Body Massage, as well as a number of other facials, massages, men’s exclusives, water therapies and body treatments. Treatments feature techniques and ingredients indigenous to the area, focused on hydration, rejuvenation and relaxation.
Other wellness facilities include a pool, fitness centre and yoga areas and there will also be 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) of meeting space.
Kam Sang will now benefit from a US$20m (€14.6m, £11.2m) incentive loan tax sharing agreement with the city and will soon move forward with plans to build up to 150 condominiums adjacent to the hotel.
The city council’s US$10m (€7.3m, £5.9m) incentive loan package for co-owners Gencom – approved in 2008 – was increased to US$20m (€14.6m, £11.8m) in 2009. In 2010 Gencom partnered with Argentinian-based Magna RE to purchase the resort at a trustee’s sale to clear it of liens. Kam Sang bought a majority stake in the Ritz-Carlton property from Magna RE in 2012 and construction was resumed.
Ritz-Carlton to operate hotel and apartments in Mumbai's Worli Development
Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage to end seven-year itch with May opening
Coachella Valley to gain La Prairie Spa
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres




















