As 2015 approached, our travel PR firm is taking a moment to reflect on the amazing hotels that opened around the globe in 2014. Just this week, CNN released its list of “23 Amazing Hotels that Opened in 2014.”
Tapping into our three decades of travel industry expertise, here are our top five choices of the most distinguished properties to open over the past year, including Abelow PR’s current client, Casas del XVI in the Dominican Republic.
“Casas del XVI (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
When Christopher Columbus made his first voyage in the 15th century, he washed up on a Caribbean island he would name La Hispaniola.
Half a millennium later, former residences in the oldest city in the new world have been restored into a hotel.
For now, there are seven rooms housed in two former homes — when complete, the hotel will include 20 of these splendid buildings.
All rooms come with a complimentary GPS-enabled iPhone to help navigate the surrounding UNESCO heritage-listed Ciudad Colonial (Colombus may be turning in his grave).
Casas del XVI, Calle Padre Billini No. 252, Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; +1 809 688 4061
Portrait Firenze (Florence, Italy)
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Tyrone Power and his wife once enjoyed strolls along the River Arno — just some of numerous photos proudly displayed in the Ferragamo’s second hotel.
In keeping with the family’s luxury heritage, the interiors of the 34-key all-suite hotel are inspired by 1950s Italian haute couture.
Guests enjoy free entry to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, as well as privileges at their boutiques, plus special tours of Vasari Corridor.
Portrait Firenze, Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 4, Florence, Italy; +39 055 2726 4000
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Joining the sustainable hospitality movement worldwide, the Spice Island’s latest beachfront resort is powered by solar and wind energy, and maintains an organic fruit and vegetable garden to supply the on-site restaurant.
There are 11 pool villas, including a massive five-bedroom residence.
The beach is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world — equipment and instructor are available for hire at the on-site kitesurfing and watersports center.
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa, Paje Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania; +255 776 263 451
One&Only Hayman Island (Whitsunday Islands, Australia)
When a private island resort is refurbed, rebranded and reopened as One&Only — the brand’s first in Asia-Pacific — it’s notable.
And much more so when the address says “Great Barrier Reef.”
The island has more than two kilometers of white sand to retire to when there’s no more exploring of the famed coral reef to be done (the resort is on the closest Whitsunday island to the outer reef).
The spa’s signature treatments include one administered out at sea and another under the rainforest canopy.
One&Only Hayman Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia; +61 7 4940 1234
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, French West Indies
When luxury powerhouse LVMH unveiled its third “maison” earlier this year, expectations were high to see if the resort would live up to its sister properties in the Maldives and Courcheval, despite ongoing upgrades scheduled into next year.
Short answer: yes.
A butler-escorted sail, a lobster lunch on a pristine island, and Guerlain spa treatments aboard the resort’s private yacht.
The stunning Baie des Flamands beach surroundings don’t hurt either.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, Baie des Flamands, Saint-Barthélemy, French West Indies; +590 590 27 61 81”
What hotels are you excited to visit in 2015?