Hilton’s journey to space, Hyatt’s new Japanese hotel brand and other hotel news you may have missed
Every month when I sit down to write my monthly hotel news column I ask: How is it already (insert new month here)?
I know that time is a force that can't be stopped, but here I am again wondering how it's possible that October is already here.
It seems like just yesterday we were lounging by the pool in swimsuits, reaching for the sunscreen and watching the sun set late in the evenings. But now, I've pulled my sweaters out of storage and I'm reporting on the best hotels for seeing stunning fall foliage.
At the beginning of the month, I got to go on the best assignment of my life: TPG sent me to Tennessee to spend two nights sleeping on Dolly Parton's retired tour bus at her resort at Dollywood. So, really, I can't complain at all. I had the perfect summer.
In the hotel world, a lot happened in September, and while we do our best to cover it all, sometimes there are stories we save to share with you, such as Hyatt launching a new brand in Japan (which is finally expected to reopen to tourists in October) and Marriott's expansion in the Asia Pacific region.
Here's all the fun hotel news you may have missed in September.
Hyatt's new Japanese hotel brand
This month, Hyatt teamed up with Japanese brand Kiraku to launch a new series of "modern-style hot spring ryokans," which are essentially Japanese-style inns, called Atona. While specifics about the properties have yet to be announced, Hyatt says the ryokans will be scattered throughout various regions of Japan and centered around hot springs. Each will reflect "the unique charm of each region’s architecture, design, cuisine, activities and hospitality."
It's unclear at the moment if Atona (the name means "me and you" in Japanese) will participate in World of Hyatt. Our guess is that the brand will eventually join the program, considering Hyatt owns 50% of the venture.
Japan announced in September its plans to finally reopen to tourists beginning Oct. 11, and visitors coming from 68 countries — including the U.S., the U.K. and Canada — will be able to enter without a visa. We're still waiting for word on what COVID-19 requirements, if any, will be in place.
For now, it appears there will be some time before we get to check out Atona ourselves, but once we know more about the forthcoming brand, we'll share all the details.
Edition is heading to Lake Como
Edition is my favorite brand in the Marriott portfolio thanks to its effortlessly cool vibes, Le Labo scents and chic design that's modern but not at all fussy. Though I didn't have a chance to spend the night, the Madrid Edition is probably the most beautiful hotel lobby I got to see with my own two eyes this year.
Now, Marriott (alongside Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group) has announced the brand will set up shop in Lake Como, Italy. Set for 2025, the Lake Como Edition will feature 145 guest rooms and two penthouse suites as well as a lobby bar, multiple restaurants and a floating pool in a 19th-century building on the western side of the lake.
Earlier this year, Ian Schrager, the force behind Edition and the boutique hotel movement, signaled he'd be stepping away from the Edition brand. However, that hasn't stopped Edition from announcing forthcoming locations, such as the recently opened Tampa outpost and a healthy pipeline of projects around the world.
Marriott's rapid Asia Pacific expansion
Much of the Asia Pacific region remained closed to tourists until recently, so it's exciting that many destinations — including Australia, New Zealand and Japan — have reopened or are planning to reopen to tourists. Behind the scenes, major hotel companies have been expanding rapidly in the area. They're also fighting to win the high-spending travelers who frequent luxury hotels. Marriott is no exception.
In September, the company announced that, by the end of next year, it will open 14 new luxury properties in the Asia Pacific region, where it currently operates more than 150 hotels and resorts. Spread across 13 different countries, some of the upcoming openings include new properties from brands like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Edition, JW Marriott and Bulgari.
A few that I'm particularly excited about include the W Sydney in Darling Harbour, which is the third W Hotel in Australia; The Tokyo Edition, Ginza (yes, I really love this brand), which is the second outpost in Japan; and the sure-to-be sleek Bulgari Hotel Tokyo.
Hilton is going to ... space?
In one of the most exciting and unexpected announcements of the month, Hilton says it has become "the official hotel partner" of Starlab — a planned free-flying commercial space station set to replace the International Space Station. Operated by Voyager Space, a company that received $160 million in NASA funding last year, Starlab will be able to host four astronauts working and researching in space.
Hilton will work with Voyager "to develop Space Hospitality crew headquarters aboard Starlab, including communal areas, hospitality suites and sleeping arrangements for the astronauts," according to a statement from the company. The partners will also work together to find "longer-term efforts including the ground-to-space astronaut experience, global co-marketing and branding, and other tourism, educational and commercial efforts."
In other news
- Inside the secret world of luxury hotels-within-hotels
- All-inclusive resorts aren't just for the Caribbean — Hyatt's heading to Bulgaria
- Why luxury trains are the next stop for some luxury hotel brands
- The busiest US city for hotel development will surprise you
- Major hotel CEOs on why you shouldn't expect another mega-merger
- Luxury within reach: One of the world's best hotels gets an affordable sibling
- Mobile tipping comes to hotels: Will housekeepers really benefit?
- The future of luxury hotels: Pay more but expect less
- When is the best time to book a hotel? Experts weigh in — and debunk a few myths
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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.
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| 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. |
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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.