North America

5 Hotel Openings You’ve Been Waiting For

September 25, 2023

From luxe to laid-back, 5 new hotels promise to be game-changers on the meetings and incentives scene in the coming months. Take a look at this group.

The Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The grande dame of Miami Beach will debut on the Strip this December, as the highly anticipated Fontainebleau Las Vegas—the first western expansion for the iconic brand—ushers in a new era of luxury hospitality in Las Vegas while fulfilling the long-held vision of its owners.

“For almost 70 years, the Fontainebleau brand has challenged boundaries and expectations,” said Jeffrey Soffer, Fontainebleau development chairman and CEO in a media announcement. “With Fontainebleau Las Vegas, we have set the stage for hospitality defined by innovation, sophistication, and opulence.”

Slated for a Dec. 13 opening, the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas—tallest occupiable building in Nevada—was designed to reflect the grandeur of its heritage, with 3,644 rooms and suites recalling the elegance of its namesake in Miami Beach, down to the brass bowtie-shaped drawer pulls.

However, floor-to-ceiling windows reveal the excitement of the Strip, as do the property’s indulgent amenities—the 55,000-sf Lapis Spa, with a purifying salt cave a co-ed sensory room with communal healing waters; 36 first-to-market restaurants including concepts from award-winning chefs and restaurateurs; a 96,500-square-foot luxury boutique retail district; a six-acre pool district; 150,000 sf of gaming space; and 550,000 sf of customizable, indoor-outdoor meeting space.

Evermore Orlando

Called the next generation vacation rental resort, Evermore Orlando Resort will start living up to that name when it opens Feb. 5, 2024. Reservations are being accepted now on the site formerly housing the Villas of Grand Cypress.

Designed with groups in mind, the 10,000-bedroom complex just three miles from Disney will offer an array of stay accommodations options, from single homes to villas and flats, with number of bedrooms ranging from two to 11. Meanwhile, events are accommodated by meeting rooms, an outdoor deck, and a stand-alone venue overlooking Evermore Bay.

In addition, the onsite Conrad Orlando offers 433 rooms, including 51 regular suites and 10 spacious family suites. Other features of the waterfront property include 65,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space, a tranquil spa, various water amenities, numerous dining options and a signature rooftop experience.

While 20 acres of beaches surrounding an 8-acre lagoon, multiple dining choices and 36 holes of championship golf provide ample entertainment, groups also can book experiences such as mastering the perfect margarita with a resident mixologist; yoga and Pilates with “mimosa yogalates”; and a variety of group party and celebration options.

Raffles, Boston

Raffles Hotel & Residences has introduced its first mixed-use development in North America, a milestone for the 136-year-old brand, whose new Raffles Boston in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood offers 147 guestrooms within walking distance of the Prudential Center, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine arts and dozens of restaurants.

Housed in a 35-story sustainable newbuild hotel, the Raffles Boston features a 3-story Sky Lobby on the 17th floor with an atrium housing F&B venues, including a Speakeasy offering craft cocktails and small bites, along with a Writer’s Lounge. Six meeting rooms can host up to 250.

With a state-of-the-art gym on the 4th floor and incredible Back Bay views throughout the guestrooms and common areas, it’s tempting to stay indoors, but Raffles has a one-of-a-kind destination right outside the door and is adjacent to Boston’s Back Bay Station while being within a block of Copley Square.

Riu Plaza Chicago

Slated for a 2024 opening, the Riu Plaza Chicago will rise 28 stories into the Windy City wind, offering 390 rooms and a dream location in the buzzing Streeterville neighborhood near the Magnificent Mile shopping district and the Navy Pier entertainment destination, home of the Centennial Wheel.

One of the new property’s most eye-catching features will be the Sky Bar on floor 26, offering panoramic views of the city. The terrace has a head-spinning focal point: a glass balcony extension suspended 290 feet above the ground. Don’t look down? The bravest visitors will, as they view the Windy City laid out at their feet. The Sky Bar in Chicago was inspired by the famed terrace of the Riu Plaza España Hotel in Madrid.

5 New Hotels in L.A. include the Jordan San Gabriel

It’s 11 minutes from downtown Los Angeles but creates its own laidback retreat—the 212-room Jordan San Gabriel, a former Hyatt property being redeveloped and rebranded under Hilton’s Curio Collection and set to open in July, 2024.

A third-floor oasis created by lush landscaping, heated pool, hot tub and fitness center is complemented by an onsite spa, expansive ballroom and a rooftop banquet room overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains. F&B includes a breakfast buffet, light bites and second-floor show kitchen available for private functions.

Los Angeles is going through its own hotel boomlet, with the following properties on deck:

The 125-room North Hollywood Hotel, coming in 2025.
The Bulgari Resort Los Angeles with spa and private cinema and the Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills near Rodeo Drive, both due for 2026
And in 2027, the Aman Beverly Hills, which will be part of the 17.5-acre One Beverly Hills project.