Grand Canyon gets a Holiday Inn, Rosewood Amsterdam is taking reservations and other hotel news you missed last month
January was a difficult month for many people across the United States. The country experienced extreme weather, a devastating bout of fires and, most recently, the largest tragedy in U.S. aviation since 2001.
While I think we are all thankful to turn the page on a painful month, there were some interesting developments in the hotel space throughout January worth looking back on, including a serious Marriott Bonvoy devaluation, an Andaz in Mexico reflagging as an Alila and the opening of a Ritz-Carlton in Thailand's bustling capital of Bangkok.
Here are a few other lighthearted pieces of news to check out this weekend:
A chic new hotel opens in Houston under Hyatt's lifestyle umbrella
When Hyatt acquired the lifestyle hotel brand Standard International, it added a small but beloved group of properties called Bunkhouse Hotels to the mix. In January, Bunkhouse's latest boutique hotel, Hotel Saint Augustine, opened in Houston's Montrose Museum District, adding 71 bold rooms and suites to the city's hotel inventory, plus a Gulf Coast-style bistro from chef Aaron Bludorn, a stunning lobby bar, a listening room and an overarching sense of cool that few brands can deliver as effortlessly as Bunkhouse does.
For now, Bunkhouse properties have yet to be added to the World of Hyatt ecosystem, but that should change soon so you'll be able to earn and burn Hyatt points here.
Staying near Universal Studios Hollywood is going to be better than ever
There are only a handful of hotels within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is TPG’s favorite. This full-service hotel has a walking path to Universal Studios, and select rooms have views of the movie-themed park.
Recently, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a proposal by Sun Hill Properties to expand the hotel. The plans call for a new 18-story tower with 395 guest rooms, bringing the property’s total room count to 890. The concept art of the diamond-shaped building depicts a midcentury modern-inspired design and a rooftop pool. When completed, the expansion will provide a new option for theme park visitors and a much-needed boost in guest room availability for the upcoming L.A. Olympic Games in 2028. — Tarah Chieffi
The Rosewood Amsterdam is finally taking reservations
To say we're excited about the Rosewood Amsterdam is an understatement. In fact, the whole TPG team is clamoring to claim a spot to visit it once it finally opens this summer. If you feel the same about the hotel, which is set in a historic building built in 1665 and once the Palace of Justice, the hotel is now taking reservations for stays starting June 1.
When it opens, this Rosewood property will feature 134 rooms and suites overlooking a UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal, three undisclosed restaurants and bars, and the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive activities like cruising the canals on a private boat decorated by Studio Piet Boon, the design team behind the hotel.
Golf, food and music combine at a lifestyle festival near Dallas
The Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa in Texas is cooking up something fun: Savor, the golf resort's first festival celebrating the best in food, music and golf. Taking place May 1 through 4, the immersive festival will include more than a dozen celebrity chefs you might recognize from the Food Network, a celebrity golf invitational where you could play next to stars like Michael Strahan and Anthony Anderson, live music from acts like Midland, and events like the Margaritas & Mariachis Celebrity Brunch and other dining experiences.
Tickets can be purchased online and vary in price depending on the event.
IHG loyalists have a new reason to go to the Grand Canyon
Hospitality company Delaware North recently announced that it has reflagged the Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon (near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona) as a Holiday Inn Resort.
It's now called The Squire at Grand Canyon, a Holiday Inn Resort and IHG One Rewards members will be able to earn and burn points while on vacation at one of the country's most incredible natural wonders.
In other news
- You can now book The Venetian Resort Las Vegas through Hyatt
- A chic new residential-style Autograph Collection hotel is opening in Spokane
- Why Paris' favorite fashion week hotel is always on our radar
- A beloved hotel brand is making a comeback: Starwood is being revived
- Hyatt’s lifestyle-focused all-inclusive brand is heading to the Dominican Republic
Reviews you need to read
- Beach vibes and luxury digs at the Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
- Approachable elegance in the Mile High City: My stay at the Thompson Denver
- A 500,000-gallon snorkeling lagoon and Champagne at the press of a button: A review of the new St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
- First look: Universal Orlando's new Stella Nova Resort is 'out of this world
- The Fairmont Breakers Long Beach reopens
- What it's really like staying at Conrad Bora Bora Nui
- The Raffles London at The OWO has a James Bond-inspired speakeasy and the city's only Guerlain Spa
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. (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.
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.