Funfetti cinnamon rolls and Rome debuts: hotel news you might have missed
In the hotel world, there's a lot of news. Like, a lot.
This week, a new report showed that as of the third quarter of 2021, there are more than 590,000 hotels rooms in the pipeline in the U.S. alone — and then there's the rest of the world.
I truly wish we could write about every single hotel opening, new breakfast item and holiday-themed pop-up suite. But these stories in between the major headlines also matter, especially to me.
That's why I'm here to fill you in on all the hotel news I've found particularly interesting over the last few weeks that will help you maximize your travels, whether you're sticking close to home, heading out far in the world or gearing up for the crazy holiday season right around the corner.
From swanky new hotels to funfetti cinnamon rolls, here's what's on my mind.
Aloft's new breakfast
Breakfast is a serious part of many people's morning routine — especially at hotels where breakfast is either a rewards perk or included in the price of your room. Marriott's Aloft brand recently announced it's shaking things up with a new breakfast menu at over 150 locations in North America.
They're calling it Re:fuel, the brand's "24/7 one-stop-shop for snacks and bites." The new menu include plant-based options like a breakfast sandwich with Beyond Meat sausage and a Just brand egg patty, as well as fun new sweets like funfetti or maple syrup and candied walnut cinnamon rolls.
Related: Your complete guide to Marriott hotel brands
Round it out with a hot sauce bar featuring one of my favorite brands, Yellowbird, and oat milk cold brew from Oatly, and it's safe to say Aloft, along with other Marriott breakfast initiatives, are helping lead the charge of how hotels will handle the day's first meal as we move away from pandemic-era changes.
IHG is rolling out exciting new luxury properties
On the IHG front, I'm excited to see a handful of luxurious new properties slated to open in the near future in some amazing European destinations many of us are itching to get back to.
In Rome, the company is set to open the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and the Six Senses Rome at Piazza di San Marcello. And just opened, the 273-room InterContinental Barcelona is giving IHG Rewards members a swanky new spot to earn and redeem points in the Catalonia capital.
I'm also curious about Voco, IHG's fastest-growing brand that's spreading its wings around the country. With more than 50 locations already open or planned, new properties are popping up everywhere from New Orleans to Washington state, as well as Milan and Venice, Italy, and Gangham in South Korea.
Four Seasons is heading to Florida's Gulf Coast
Four Seasons is having a stellar year, including this month's opening of the Four Seasons Napa Valley, the first of the brand's portfolio to be smack in the middle of a working winery.
The brand also announced in October it's setting up shop in Naples, Florida, as part of the transformation of the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club into the Naples Beach Club. For its part, Four Seasons will open a 216-room, beachfront resort with dining options, shopping, pools and access to a golf course. This will be the luxury brand's first foray into Florida's Gulf Coast.
Thompson is taking over my favorite places
I'm generally a big fan of Hyatt's Thompson hotel brand, so it's great to see that some of its highly-anticipated properties are finally opening.
Since I'm based in Brooklyn, the Thompson Central Park, a World of Hyatt Category 5 hotel, is giving me plenty of reason to hop on the train and book a staycation, including its moody design and prime location.
And as a native Texan, I'm hoping that the early January 2022 opening of the Thompson Austin gives me an excuse to get back home. If the hotel alone isn't, its restaurant, Diner Bar (helmed by chef Mashama Bailey along with business partner Johno Morisano of Savannah's The Grey), certainly will be.
Even better, Bailey designed the room service menu. The hotel's sister property, Tommie Austin, will give travelers a Category 3 option, where cozy rooms meet West Texas design.
An East Coast favorite is heading west
Gurney's Resorts, with popular beach resorts in Montauk, New York and Newport, Rhode Island, announced it has acquired Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
The resort will remain open while it gets a "comprehensive renovation" and is transformed into Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney's Resort and Spa next summer.
Personally, I'm excited to see the beach-chic resort's take on a desert paradise. While I'm always down for New York's beaches in the summer, a winter escape to Arizona always feels like a good idea.
What else you should know
- MGM is saying goodbye to the Mirage, the iconic resort that changed Las Vegas
- Marriott's Swan Reserve is finally open at Walt Disney World
- Daily housekeeping is still not back at Disney Resort Hotels
- Marriott Bonvoy is moving to dynamic pricing
- Hotels and airlines offering elite status extensions
- The Standard's new CEO explains why it doesn't have a loyalty program — yet
Lastly, as we move into the homestretch of 2021, I'll leave you with 10 incredible hotels that have either opened or will (hopefully) open before we put the year to rest.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.