What’s new in New England?
Progressive hotel-chain Kimpton recently debuted the 87-room, six-suite Taconic in the verdant state of Vermont, named after the nearby Taconic Mountains. The hotel is inspired by New England’s grand inns of the late-19th and early-20th centuries, ideally suiting its location in Manchester Village, the state’s historic year-round honeypot destination. The property (below) does, however, cater for (as Kimpton puts it) savvy travellers who are always up for thoughtful perks.
A similarly vintage vibe affects Connecticut’s Spicer Mansion, a building that’s been a fixture of the historic and curiously named town of Mystic since 1853. The luxury boutique will open next month with just eight guest rooms, private dining areas and two grand salons for pre-dinner cocktails and afternoon tea. The property is owned by the Gates family of Stonington, Connecticut, but will be operated by Ocean House Management – the same team behind Rhode Island’s Ocean House, the only Forbes Triple Five-Star rated hotel on the eastern seaboard.
Fresh off the boat in the Big Apple
Meliá Hotels’ first foray into New York City arrived in the form of INNSIDE New York NoMad, the latest edition of the Spanish chain’s upscale urban-lifestyle brand. The 313-room property is just steps from the High Line, Times Square and Madison Square Garden, but you might be reluctant to venture far if you’re staying in any of the stunning terrace suites, looking across to the Empire State Building, bathed in natural light and equipped with those rain showers that make you punch the air when you realise you have one.
In the Lower East Side, Sago Hotel on Allen Street opened its doors shortly after the New Year break. The hotel’s own GM, Michael Melendez, describes its rooms as “Euro-minimalist style”, while the signature restaurant, The John Lamb opened more recently, offering locally grown foods to hotel guests and the public.
Away from Manhattan’s frenzy, there’s a different buzz in Brooklyn where the area’s first full-service independent hotel will launch early summer in the heart of North Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Hotel has 150 rooms and suites but the most notable quirk is The Water Tower, a cocktail bar in a retrofitted water tower, as well as a seasonal roof-deck bar and pool. The modern, elegant ballroom is pictured above. At the opposite end of the hotel, there’s also a subterranean nightclub so make sure you’re prepped to party.
Miami’s muy bonitas
The Florida coastline is now home to a new ME Miami, just a stroll from some of Miami’s best museums and parks, as well as the must-see Miami Design District and the art deco South Beach. The Downtown Miami location offers vibrant and fast-paced surroundings, but the property itself is an urban oasis – even for your four-legged friends. The ME Miami’s pet-friendly policy supplies your pooch with a doggy welcome kit on arrival containing doggy shampoo, perfume, a ball, mini towel and teeth-cleaning essentials. The lounge/bar area is pictured here.
A few blocks south, Langford Hotel opened just weeks ago, a 126-room boutique replete with artworks created by local artists and European Beaux Arts interiors that reflect the remodelled 1925 structure. The business-chic atmosphere of Downtown Miami culminates on the hotel’s rooftop, according to general manager Oscar Suarez. “The difference is in the details,” he says. “Every aspect of the hotel’s service is of our upmost concern. From guest services to food and beverage operations, the hotel’s proceedings will be conducted efficiently, gracefully, and with the touch of style that the Langford promises to deliver.”