Champagne sabering, Aesop soap and a Miraval spa in California: Hotel news you missed in August
As Taylor Swift so perfectly put it, "August slipped away like a bottle of wine."
Yes Taylor, it sure did. (More specifically, like my favorite rosé, Summer in a Bottle from Long Island's Wolffer Estate, or Gulp Hablo, a Spanish orange that's perfect to beat the heat here in New York City.)
But while we can't bottle up August, we can take a look back at some of the hotel news that might have gone unnoticed while we all tried to hang on tight to the last few weeks of summer, before turning our attention to the best hotels for leaf peeping.
One of the most exciting parts of August, personally, was keeping tabs on the now-open and long-awaited Aman New York. The hotel opened its doors to a very exclusive clientele of people who can drop well over $3,000 a night for a room — or an eye-watering $200,000 a year for a membership. Near the end of the month, I actually got to take a (quick) tour of the hotel to see if it lived up to the hype. (Answer: It's a mixed bag.)
My colleague, Cameron Sperance, spent the month on earnings calls, looking to find out if Meghan Markle's beloved Soho House — sorry, I just finished "The Palace Papers" — will finally be profitable. Hyatt's luxury hotels, on the other hand, are giving the Chicago-based company the boost it needs to simply return to profitability.
Though I'm always sad to see summer go, I'm also looking forward to the rapid approach of a few personal fall trips I've been planning for a long time. In October, I'll close my laptop and head to Hawaii for the first time for a whirlwind trip with many stops, including The Royal Hawaiian hotel, "the pinkest place on Earth."
Whether you're ready for the summer sun to set for the year or already planning some warm weather escapes as a respite from the winter, here's the hotel news you need to know to help with all your travels.
Hyatt's Bonus Journeys promotion is back
If you're trying to solidify your World of Hyatt status before the clock runs out, it's time to register for Hyatt's Bonus Journeys promotion. With the latest iteration of the journey, members who register (seriously, don't forget to register) can earn points or qualifying nights in two different ways:
- Earn double points on qualifying stays of two or more nights at participating Hyatt hotels globally. This promotion is valid for stays between Sept. 15 and Dec. 20.
- Earn double elite qualifying nights on tier-qualifying nights completed at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection properties worldwide. This promotion is valid for stays between Sept. 15 and Dec. 20.
Members must register by Nov. 15 and complete qualifying stays between Sept. 15 and Dec. 20 of this year. Of course, we've simplified all the fine print for you to understand Hyatt's Bonus Journeys promotion here.
Waldorf Astoria goes all-in on Aesop
I've never gone out of my way to book a specific hotel because of its in-room toiletries. But let me tell you I do keep tabs on which brands offer what, and which are my favorites. Ask the larger TPG team and you'll hear all about their love of Le Labo, Davines Momo, Byredo and so on.
But one brand we know we can always count on is Aesop — and you can now also count on Waldorf Astoria to have its products waiting for you in your room (which, hopefully, also has a great bathtub to soak in). Soon, Waldorf Astoria properties around the world will have Aesop shampoo and conditioner, Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, geranium leaf body wash and rind concentrate body balm.
But in an effort to improve its sustainability efforts, Hilton will swap out individual, single-use amenities with 500 mL bottles made from 97% post-consumer recycled plastic. Yes, I'll miss taking those little bottles home for my own bathtub, but I'm glad to see more brands stepping up to eliminate unnecessary plastics and waste.
It's time to yield Champagne and a sword
Generally speaking, I probably shouldn't be trusted to handle a saber, a sword or even my niece's Nerf Gun — especially if there's alcohol involved. But I think I might just make an exception (sorry, Mom) on my next trip to a St. Regis hotel or resort in North America.
At those properties, hotel guests and locals can now book private Champagne sabering masterclasses taught by an expert St. Regis butler. St. Regis hotels have sabered bottles at hotels around the world since 1904, when John Jacob Astor IV, the brand's founder, started it as a nightly tradition to "celebrate the transition from day to night."
The experience is currently available for groups of up to four people. The 30-minute class includes a bottle of Champagne (obviously) and canapés plus other add-ons, depending on the property. To book, reach out directly to any of the Waldorf Astoria locations including Atlanta, Aspen, Bal Harbour, Deer Valley, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington, D.C.
Related: Did the classic stay timeless? (Re)living the dream at The St. Regis New York
A Miraval Spa is heading to a Park Hyatt
Here at TPG, we love the Miraval brand. I mean, we really love it. And while there are only three locations (Arizona, Austin and the Berkshires), we're excited to hear the brand's Miraval Life in Balance Spa, a key component to any Miraval resort stay, is heading for the first time to a destination outside its own brand ecosystem: The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
The new Miraval spa, set to open next spring, will take over and redesign the resort's current 15,000-square-foot space. It will feature 20 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a spa pool, a special space for hanging yoga silks, a fitness center and more. Visitors to the spa can expect Miraval's innovative treatments and experiences, including the Ayurveda program.
While this is the only announced Miraval spa outside of a Miraval property, it'll be interesting to see if this is the way Hyatt moves forward with spas across Park Hyatt or its other luxury brands.
I haven't been to a Miraval resort yet, but based on the way the team here talks about them, it's an experience like no other — and I can only imagine that will carry over to this new stand-alone spa (and potential future locations), too.
In other news
- A European hotel brand you may not know is taking over the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
- Hyatt just opened a tranquil lava-themed resort on Santorini you can book with points
- Four Seasons wants to take you on the ultimate private plane trip — starting at $130,000
- IHG revamped its loyalty program and travelers noticed; 11 million new members signed up
- Cosmopolitan, Aria, Bellagio guests now have reciprocal room-charging privileges
The latest hotel reviews
- Why I love the new Conrad Los Angeles, a luxury hotel that wins with small details
- A perfect piece of paradise: 2 nights at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- Upscale stay, but missing amenities: My time at The Foundry Hotel in Asheville
- A nearly perfect desert oasis: The Six Senses Shaharut in Israel
And, lastly, I want to leave you with one of my favorite articles we published here at TPG last month. Despite coming from hotel reporter Cameron Sperance, it has nothing to do with hotels: ’Til death — or a first-class upgrade — do us part: Testing wedding vows at 35,000 feet.
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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. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 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.
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- 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. (Partner offer)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.