STAMFORD, CONN.—RMS Companies recently unveiled The Lloyd, a premier boutique hotel located at the former Hotel Zero Degrees in the center of downtown Stamford. From the moment of arrival, a sense of style and warmth unfolds. “My goal to reinvigorate this somewhat tired building and space was to stimulate the guest upon first impression,” said Bruce Beinfield, Principal of Beinfield Architecture. “By gradually introducing a layer of warm natural elements and striking geometric shapes consecutively throughout the guests’ journey, we provide an engaging experience.” A warm brown wall cladding system was added to the exterior of the building with an...

FORT McDOWELL, ARIZ.—On October 29, the new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort opened its doors, unveiling a contemporary ambiance and visitor-centric experience that raise the bar for Valley casinos. All gaming areas, hotel rooms and public spaces, dining outlets and entertainment venues are 100 percent smoke-free, with four comfortable outdoor areas designated for smokers. In addition, full compliance with all mandated COVID-19 precautions includes taking patrons’ temperatures (only granting entry to those with 100-degree temperatures or less), requiring masks, providing ample sanitation stations, encouraging social distancing, and limiting elevator and outlet occupancy. In addition to offering a full complement of slot machines, tables, bingo and gaming...

MIAMI—When Global Wellness Summit (GWS) delegates meet at The Breakers Palm Beach from November 8 to 11, they will experience a number of new technologies and creative moves that are “meeting firsts” and all designed to keep them as safe as possible. The GWS has been working overtime to invent new standards for a hygienic and healthy conference, and while it includes the “givens,” such as a smaller gathering (150 in-person attendees according to Beth McGroarty, V.P. of Research for the Global Wellness Summit), physical distancing, masks and temperature checks, the organization has gone much further: deploying cutting-edge air...

HONOLULU—Outrigger Hospitality Group earned the prestigious 2020 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in the Climate Change category for its OZONE platform—a global conservation initiative supporting coral health and resiliency, with special focus on the waters that surround the iconic beach destinations of Outrigger Resorts around the world. The winners were announced on September 24, 2020 during the virtual PATA Gold Awards presentation. With more than 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs under immediate threat due to climate change, land pollution and unsustainable fishing, OZONE invites Outrigger guests to be part of the solution. “Outrigger’s link to the ocean...

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—JO&JOE, a hybrid hospitality brand part of the worldwide Accor Group, announced its arrival in Colombia for the first time with the construction of a new Open House concept in the city of Medellín. JO&JOE is a shared accommodation experience belonging to Accor’s portfolio of economy and lifestyle brands and is aimed at a broad international community of global explorers with a special focus on engaging millennials and the millennial minded. Offering more of a lifestyle experience than a standard hostel, while remaining uniquely different than traditional hotels, JO&JOE is perfect for groups of friends, solo travelers or...

NORTH QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA—Accor will bring the Fairmont brand to Australia for the first time, with the announcement that the Fairmont Port Douglas is set to open in Far North Queensland in 2023. Set on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest—the hotel has been sustainably designed to give back to the environment. “We are excited to bring the extraordinary Fairmont brand to Australia and are confident that Fairmont Port Douglas will deliver a new level of luxury and sophistication to one of the country’s most glamourous resort towns,” said Simon McGrath, Chief...

NAYARIT, MEXICO—Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit welcomes a bright new era in hospitality with the official opening of Conrad Punta de Mita—Hilton’s first-ever Conrad brand resort in Mexico, and the second Conrad brand property in the country. Situated beside the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific on a two-mile-long beach, the highly anticipated opening of the 324-room property invites travelers to discover contemporary luxury. “The opening of Conrad Punta de Mita marks an important milestone for Hilton, as we bring Conrad-level style, service and experiences to the shores of Riviera Nayarit,” said Jorge Giannattasio, Hilton’s Senior Vice President and Head of Operations,...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, announces the opening of its newest hotel, Hyatt Place National Harbor. Located within the 350-acre shopping, dining and entertainment destination of National Harbor, Maryland, this seven-story, 156-room all-suite hotel has picturesque views of a lively waterfront, on-site dining, fitness center and 1,900 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The Hyatt Place National Harbor is on track to achieve LEED certification. The on-site restaurant, Bar Harbor, offers a casual dining experience featuring artisan pizzas and exceptional tacos paired with local microbrews. With spectacular views of the Potomac River, the spacious outdoor...

EL PASO, TEXAS—In El Paso, Texas, a historic hotel built in 1912, Hotel Paso del Norte (Marriott Autograph Collection), has been undergoing a multi-million-dollar, multi-year renovation to bring it to the grandeur of yesteryear with a wide array of modern amenities. As part of the final touches before re-opening later this year, the hotel will be among the world’s first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels to install a state-of-the-art air filtration system throughout the hotel’s entire HVAC system. The Plasma Air system has been shown to remove 99 percent of bacteriophage in the air after 10 minutes of use. Common...

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY—Deutsche Hospitality’s young Danish economy brand Zleep Hotels is to launch in Switzerland. Construction work on the new build Zleep Hotel Zurich Kloten is scheduled for completion in 2023. The hotel will be located in a new quarter near to Zurich Airport, which will also be home to a restaurant, retail outlets and privately owned apartments. There will be 90 rooms, a generously proportioned lobby complete with a breakfast area and a bar. The Zleep Hotel Zurich Kloten will also introduce the “Hygge Standard” to the Swiss hotel sector for the first time. Transport links will...