WASHINGTON, D.C.—Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, unveils its latest offering in Washington, DC—Westin Washington, DC Downtown. After a nearly $80 million investment by ownership group, Sunstone Hotel Investors, the 807-room hotel will offer a sophisticated and contemporary blend of well-being experiences, designed for guests to feel inspired, to rejuvenate, and to maintain their wellness routines while on the road. “From the moment they arrive at Westin Washington, DC Downtown, guests will have endless opportunities to recharge and recover,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive...

bläanks Machine Washable & Zero Waste Pillows + Throws bläanks is a women-owned business that specializes in machine washable contract grade textured throws and pillows for the Hospitality and A+D communities. Sustainably knitted in the USA with zero waste, bläanks’s signature recycled cotton blend is fade-resistant for indoor and outdoor spaces. Their durable pillows and throws pass NFPA 260 and Wyzenbeek 50,000 double rubs testing. In addition, bläanks has also earned the Leader ranking for Mindclick's MSAP. Recent clients include Kimpton Hotels, Hyatt, and SH Resorts. bläanks takes great pride in their commitment to participating in a more sustainable industry with mindful manufacturing. Learn...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has achieved the highest score recorded to date in the prestigious Platinum LEED v4.1 Cities: Plan and Design accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which serves as a testament to RSG’s steadfast dedication to sustainability and marks a major milestone in the development of regenerative tourism destinations. With an outstanding score of 96 out of 110 points for The Red Sea destination’s phase one masterplan, RSG has solidified its position as a global frontrunner in developing...

SAN FRANCISCO—RESET, a new hotel brand, has broken ground on its first property on 180 acres of private desert next to Joshua Tree National Park. This 65-room property will serve as the flagship for the RESET brand co-founded by Ben Uyeda. Sightline Hospitality has signed on as the operator. This project combines state-of-the-art steel frame modular construction, a modern and minimalist approach to design, and an investor group with over 40 million social media followers to create a new brand that brings curated hospitality to the very edge of one of California’s most iconic natural landscapes. RESET Hotel, Joshua Tree, features 65 rooms...

NEW YORK—Lauren Rottet, FAIA, FIIDA, internationally celebrated architect, designer and founding principal/president and owner of Rottet Studio and Rottet Collection has collaborated with Swedish bed manufacturer DUXIANA. The luxury mattress brand and the DUX Bed—known for its ergonomically sophisticated and comfortable design with customizable components—fit perfectly with Rottet Collection’s new stylish bed frames. “United by our mutual dedication to excellence, we are thrilled to join forces with Rottet to elevate the bedroom experience. This partnership signifies a fresh chapter in bedroom decor, enriching the space with exceptional craftsmanship and groundbreaking design,” said DUX CEO Henrik Ljung. The three bed frames—Aspen, Baldwin, and Essex—expand upon Rottet Collection’s portfolio of luxurious...

ATLANTA—Coverings (www.coverings.com), the premier international ceramic tile and natural stone exhibition and conference in North America, has launched the official openings for event registration, discounted hotel booking options and award program submissions for Coverings 2024, which will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, April 22 to 25. Tile, stone, and design professionals across all segments of the industry can now register at no cost to attend Coverings 2024 by visiting Coverings.com. Registering online currently offers several benefits, including advanced access to event updates, special program notifications, exclusive promotions, introduction to new product trends and innovations,...

DALLAS—Paceline Equity Partners last month announced that portfolio company AHF Products, a leading manufacturer of hard surface flooring in North America, has acquired Crossville, Inc., a premier manufacturer of porcelain tile and accessories for both residential and commercial applications in interior and exterior floors, walls, and countertops. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Tennessee, Crossville has been at the forefront of innovation in the tile industry since its founding as America’s first porcelain tile manufacturer. Today, Crossville produces aesthetic, sustainable porcelain materials that advance the frontiers of tile design and performance. The company also introduced the nation’s first large-format porcelain...

MONTEGROTTO TERME, ITALY—An eco-friendly approach to hospitality, in full respect of the region and its preexisting elements: the new Green Lodges of the Terme Preistoriche Resort & Spa in Montegrotto Terme, designed by Studio Apostoli, is meant to be a manifesto of zero-emission wellness hospitality. Seven suites are incorporated into four wooden stilted structures and interconnected through a raised system of ramps, walkways, and accessible terraces. They also include a historically preserved villa, the eighth and most extensive offering within this entrepreneurial endeavor. A total of 160 micro piles support the new constructions and outdoor spaces, preserving the roots...

NEW YORK—Havwoods—a leading global specialist in wood flooring and surface solutions—introduces its Elegante Veneers collection, bringing a literal new dimension to its wall surface and veneer solutions. With versatility, flexibility, and sustainability at the top of mind, Havwoods is enhancing its product portfolio to offer even more design elements—perfect for both residential and commercial customers—going beyond the floor. The three-dimensional Elegante Veneers are made from reconstituted Italian ALPI veneer from Ayous trees. A tropical tree native to West and Central Africa, the Ayous tree is fast-growing and sustainably produced, offering grain-neutral timber that can be easily colored and processed to...

I attended Boutique Design New York (BDNY) this past week. As usual, the folks behind the trade show and conference—Emerald Expositions—did a great job putting together the event. The trade show floor included about 650 exhibitors and that was the highlight for me—speaking with the exhibitors, learning about their cool products, and hearing the stories behind the products. Numerous exhibitors said the quality of the traffic to their booths was strong—a reflection of the post-pandemic strength of our industry. The number of green or “greener” products has increased significantly in recent years and that was reflected on the show floor....