The colours of the changing seasons in Japan have inspired architect Sun Tianwen to design an eye-catchingly luminous restaurant in the city of Changchun, China. The concept for the 1,300sq m (14,000sq ft) restaurant, called Setsugekka, derives from the ancient Japanese art and design tradition of the same name, which celebrates the motifs of snow, moon and flowers and the passage of time throughout the year. Sun’s restaurant, therefore, features

European real estate investment platform Henderson Park has acquired two Hilton-operated hotels in London and Birmingham – signalling the group’s entry to the rapidly-growing UK hotel market. The deal, believed to be worth around £500m (US$646m, €545m), will see Henderson Park take control of two of the UK’s largest hotels. The Hilton London Metropole is the capital’s second largest hotel by room count and one of Hilton’s flagship hotels, housing

The Pritzker winning architect Thom Mayne has criticised the majority of hotel designs as “generic and unmemorable” in an interview with CLADglobal. Mayne, the founder and creative director of US practice Morphosis, argued that architects and designers working in the hotel sector are too often failing to create a space that wows the guests who will occupy it. “I’m a person who lives in hotels and I have done for

Zanzibar’s accelerating development boom has taken yet another step forward, with the announcement of a new resort billed by its backers as “the largest premium hospitality investment and resort in East Africa” and featuring its own dedicated private airport. The Zanzibar Amber Resort has been conceived by real estate firm Pennyroyal Gibraltar Ltd. Development and South Africa’s Pam Golding Property group as a “luxury tropical community”, traversing 411 hectares developed

Japan-based Okura Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open its third spa hotel on the island of Taiwan. The company has signed a deal to operate the Okura Prestige Taichung, set to open in 2021, through its subsidiary Okura Nikko Hotel Management. Situated in the heart of Taichung, the 250-bedroom hotel will include a luxury spa, indoor swimming pool and health club – as well as a range of

Singapore-based Alila Hotels & Resorts will open its first North American resort property in California’s fabled Big Sur region in autumn 2017. Transformed from the Ventana Inn into 'Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort', the multi-million-dollar revitalisation is being led by San Francisco-based interiors firm BraytonHughes Design Studios and architecture firm Parks & Associates of Carmel, California. Included in the development will be 59 revamped guest rooms, suites and villas;

An exclusive hotel anchoring a new sports and leisure district in Green Bay, Wisconsin, opened on Wednesday (19 July). Lodge Kohler is one component of Titletown, the 34 acre district being developed by US National Football League (NFL) franchise the Green Bay Packers. Designed by developer Kohler Co’s in-house design team, the hotel has 134 bedrooms, 10 suites and views of the Packers' 81,400-capacity Lambeau Field. It is also the

Hospitality group Alila has opened a second location in China, converting a historic sugar mill into a 117-bedroom “modern retro” resort in Guilin, overlooking the Li River. Designed by Dong Gong of Vector Architects with interiors by Ju Bin of Horizontal Space Design, the vision of the Alila Yangshuo resort is to integrate the new with the old, and the designers have incorporated elements of the 1960s sugar mill architecture

Luxury hotel operator The Ritz-Carlton has opened a location in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Owned by Verny Capital Group, the 157-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Astana is located within the Talan Towers, designed by US architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as a natural extension of the square around the nearby Bayterek Tower – a monument and symbol of modern Astana. A wide range of wellness facilities, including a spa and 320sq

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has opened a spa, designed by French interior architect Joseph Dirand, at its historic South Florida retreat, The Surf Club. Located within the 77-bedroom resort, the 15,000 sq ft (1,400sq m) spa is Dirand's first in the United States. The spa houses eight treatment rooms – including two treatment cabanas – a steamroom, sauna and a mixed traditional hammam, as well as a relaxation room

The INSIDE World Festival of Interiors has announced a shortlist of 78 projects that are in the running to be named World Interior of the Year 2017. Projects from across the world have been submitted across nine categories, including civic spaces, bars and restaurants, shops, hotels and health and education. The winners in each category – chosen by international judging panels – and an ultimate overall winner, will be revealed

The historic Tower Wing of Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel has re-opened following a significant renovation, revealing a refreshed lobby, brand new rooms and suites, three restaurant concepts and a revitalised club lounge. In total, 503 guestrooms and suites have been completely refreshed by Japanese interior design firm Bond, who were tasked with retaining the “heartware” of the Shangri-La brand while bringing in modern conveniences, natural materials and a soothing colour palette

Dutch architects Mecanoo have completed an elegant pavilion for a hotel, restaurant and spa complex near Maastricht, the Netherlands. Château St. Gerlach is a historic estate situated close to the hills of the scenic Limburg countryside. It is formed of a number of old buildings and monuments, including the Château (1661), the St. Gerlachus Church (1727), the Farmstead (1759) and the Manor Farm (1668). Mecanoo were tasked with creating a

Emerging architecture practice Studio Saxe have completed a boutique hotel and yoga studio set into the tropical forest of Nosara, Costa Rica. Nomel and Mariya Libid, the owners of the Hotel Nalu-Nosara, wanted to create a resort for the visitors who travel to Nosara because of its reputation for health and wellness tourism and surfing. Studio Saxe were commissioned to design the hotel, which includes a yoga studio and multipurpose

Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels will undertake a US$35m (€31m, £27m) “re-imagination” of its Costa Rican resort and spa this year. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo will be redesigned in order to cater for a new target audience – identified by the resort operator as millennial-type “active families and couples, nature enthusiasts and bold adventure seekers”. Four Seasons operates the property on behalf of Miami-based Gencom,

The Cornell Institute for Health Futures (CIHF) – an academic centre within New York’s Cornell University – has received a grant to support the creation of an undergraduate minor in Health, Hospitality and Design. The programme is reported to be the first university programme in the US to combine those three disciplines. The minor is part of a larger suite of multidisciplinary educational programmes CIHF develops and supports for healthcare,

Architecture practice Snøhetta have partnered with acclaimed chef Thorsten Schmidt to create a new restaurant in the former home of the world-renowned Danish restaurant noma. Located in the protected North Atlantic House on Copenhagen’s waterfront, Barr opened its doors last week. Snøhetta have designed the interiors and new graphic identity for the restaurant, which is owned by the noma restaurant group, around the food and drink traditions found in the

Hotel giant Marriott International has opened its latest spa hotel in China’s financial and commercial capital, Shanghai. W Shanghai, The Bund is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Huangpu River, and features 374 bedrooms and an Away-branded luxury spa. Owned by Sinar Mas Group, the property will be operated under Marriott’s W Hotels Worldwide arm. Designed by UK-based G.A Design, the hotel has been created as a

The iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France has re-opened after undergoing a four-year, €176m (US$200m, £150m) restoration. Dating back to the 18th century, the historic property will be operated by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and now houses 78 rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites. Led by architect Richard Martinet, the redevelopment involved every aspect of the building – including the restoration of the landmark façade and grand reception

Twelve Architects’ proposals to redevelop Bodmin Jail into a new hotel, visitor attraction and teaching facility have been granted planning consent following a unanimous decision by Cornwall Council. The Grade II listed jail currently operates as an attraction and venue on Britain’s Cornish coast, but many of the buildings are in a ruinous state. Twelve Architects scheme will see the complete refurbishment of the two wings of derelict cell blocks

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced plans to open its first resort in Switzerland. Upon completion, the 47–bedroom Six Senses Crans-Montana will operate under a long-term management agreement with 1875 Finance. The resort located in the prominent ski areas of Valais, two hours from Geneva. Wellness offerings at the resort include a 22,000 square foot (2,000 square meter) spa specialising in alpine treatments, gym and fitness studio, pool and

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a management contract for a new signature hotel and branded residences being built in the mixed-use Melbourne tower designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Mandarin Oriental, Melbourne will feature 196 guestrooms and suites “designed to reflect local culture, together with features inspired by the company’s heritage.” The group will also manage 148 residences, located on the tower’s upper floors. Leisure amenities will include an

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has began work on a new spa resort at Sunset Bay on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia in the Lesser Antilles. The 120-bedroom Fairmont Saint Lucia – expected to open in late 2019 – will be spread across 25 acres and feature a 1,870ft private beach. As well as the 120 hotel rooms, there will be 40 private residential villas, all designed by architects WATG

The Westin Los Cabos Resort & Spa on the Baja California Sur peninsula in Mexico has reopened following a radical redevelopment which has seen all 243 guest rooms being converted into 147 beach-facing “villas.” Designed by architect Javier Sordo Madaleno, the resort will now offer accommodation across a selection of studio and two-bedroom spaces – described as villas. As a result, the resort has been repositioned to accommodate extended stays,

The landmark London building where British prime minister Winston Churchill worked during the Second World War is to be transformed into a luxury hotel and residence operated by Raffles; the group’s first property in the UK. The Grade II* listed Old War Office building in Whitehall is located close to 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It was designed by Scottish architect William Young before his

The hotly-anticipated new hotel by Ian Schrager has opened in New York’s Bowery neighbourhood, in a building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. According to the pioneering hotelier, the 367-room Public will be “the people’s hotel,” providing unique memories for guests looking for more than just a place to sleep. “I truly believe that everyone deserves a one-of-a-kind experience that lifts their spirits and makes their heart beat

Marriott International has revealed ambitious plans to grow the number of independently owned hotels in its portfolio by nearly 50 per cent by 2019. Making the announcement at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York, Marriott said it would actively look to add new hotels to its three collection brands – The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio. As part of the expansion plans, the