6 New and Renovated

Design-Forward

Hotels to Visit Now  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encinitas, CA

Channel those southern California vibes with a stay at this new resort, which opened in March. Set on a bluff overlooking the water in Encinitas—about a half-hour from San Diego—the resort, designed by San Diego-based Joseph Wong Design Associates with interior design by Mark Zeff Associates—partners seamlessly with its coastal location. The warm wood elements are carried over into the 130 rooms, studios, and suites, which also feature large black-framed windows and accents. Most of the rooms have private balconies or patios, with some overlooking the water and others featuring private fire pits—the largest of which are the two 1,000-square-foot presidential suites, each with stunning water views. Plus, local artist Aaron Chang serves as the property’s artist-in-residence. Insider tip: Sign up for private surf lessons. (When in California, right?) 

Toronto, Canada

Set to open at the end of June, this new addition to the 1 Hotel portfolio is located in Toronto’s King West Village neighborhood and takes its mission of sustainability to heart: Existing structural material has been reused, as have reclaimed materials—like timber, driftwood, and local limestone—from the surrounding community. Designed by the Rockwell Group and with inspiration from nature and nearby Lake Ontario, the rooms offer wood accents, greenery, and natural elements, while the outdoor areas—including a pool with skyline views—offer more wood details and stone outcroppings. If you’re heading out, continue the sustainable experience by using one of the hotel’s electric cars. Insider tip: Check out the property’s Urban Garden, which supplies herbs, cucumbers, and other veggies to the hotel’s four restaurants and bars, as well as serving as an event spot.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

This Virgin Gorda resort, a BVI mainstay since 1964, offers a jaw-dropping outdoor-meets-indoor experience. Reopened last year after a multi-million dollar, four-year renovation, one of the property’s defining features is the half-mile of gorgeous white sand beach it sits on. And the eco-minded resort itself, described as “almost like walking on the set of a 1960s James Bond movie,” pairs stone and natural elements with its signature triangular-shaped roofs and feeling of being at one with the surrounding landscape. Plus, the accommodations—all with water views—provide space to spread out, including villas with up to four bedrooms and large suites that boast outdoor patios and terraces. And good news if you’re fully vaccinated: Starting in mid-May, you only have to quarantine until your arrival Covid tests results come in—usually no more than two days. Insider tip: Ask beverage manager Jay Ramluggun to make you a barrel-aged Negroni or a Painkiller, a must-try Caribbean cocktail.

Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Opened on May 1, this new One&Only property overlooks the Bay of Kotor and offers stunning water views. And the surroundings are just as beautiful: The region, a UNESCO world heritage site, features distinct Venetian architecture, and the resort’s design honors that tradition, with details like arched windows and red terracotta roofs. Outdoors, you’ll find lush courtyards and gardens, along with a private beach, six pools, and a private jetty. Inside, the rooms, suites, and villas are stylish and sophisticated, some of which also include uniquely positioned fireplaces—a nod to Montenegrin culture, where fireplaces were once at the center of the home. Insider tip: Keep up the appreciation of local architecture with the “Wonders of the Sea” diving tour, which explores the tunnel structures of old Yugoslav submarine caves.