Five International New-Builds to Know

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—From beachfront resorts to tropical residences to European restorations, several global new-builds are planned or now open. These properties pay tribute to local landscapes and culture:

Autograph Collection Hotels Expands

Autograph Collection Hotels, in partnership with owner and developer Andrew Ashcroft, will debut in Belize with the 2020 opening of Alaia—a boutique resort in the southern part of Ambergris Caye island. Alaia will join the 135 independent hotels in the brand’s collection.

Situated in the town of San Pedro, Alaia broke ground at the end of 2017 with a launch plan of five phases. The beachfront resort will have a conversion of 35 units, 56 two-bedroom condominiums with lock off option and eight oceanfront villas, totaling 155 keys. When completed, Alaia will have a beach club exclusive to guests and residents, a rooftop suspended pool and lounge with ocean views, full service spa, fitness center, kids club, dive shop and live art gallery.

I.E. Architecture and Debora Aguiar are designing the property. Residences blend indoor and outdoor space and offer 1,200 sq. ft. indoors and almost 900 sq. ft. in open air per unit.

Dream Hotel Group Continues Growth

Dream Hotel Group has plans to launch The Chatwal in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 2020. The latest hotel signing with Mexico-based Tamayo Desarrollos expands Dream Hotel Group, adding growth in the region. This signing comes on the heels of the group’s plans to develop three new hotels in Latin America: Unscripted Tulum, Unscripted Belize and Dream Belize.

Located at The Vines in San Miguel de Allende, The Chatwal San Miguel has 44 freestanding villas and 125 branded residences. Heading the design is CallisonRTKL. The development has vineyards, a polo club with spa and fitness facilities and a farm-to-table culinary program using locally sourced ingredients.

Dream Hotel Group plans to sign another 50 hotels and resorts worldwide across all its brands over the next five years.

IHG and Operadora MBA Sign First Avid Hotel in Mexico

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Mexico-based Operadora MBA signed the first Avid Hotels property in Mexico located in Fresnillo, Zacatecas.

The hotel will be located at the Paseo del Mineral Avenue at the city’s main entrance in an area known for its commercial and business activity. The hotel will be a four story, new-build with 95 guestrooms and is expected to open mid-2019.

Six Senses to Open Property in Brazil

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas has unveiled plans for their latest project and first South America property, Six Senses Formosa Bay in Brazil, to open in 2021. Located at Baia Formosa, the resort is set in the most eastern territory of Brazil and the country’s closest point to Europe.

Six Senses Formosa Bay has been designed with 73 one-, two- and three-bedroom pool villas to the north of the site with access to water sports; 54 two- and three-bedroom family villas to the center of the property with family and wellness orientation; and 58 three-, four- and five-bedroom Six Senses residences to the southern section, which will be made available for private ownership. The resort will also have an organic farm for kitchen produce, a spa, fitness options, dining options, bar and a swimming pool.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts Opens First Property in Poland

Raffles Europejski Warsaw has opened. This fully restored Polish property joins Paris and Istanbul as the third European Raffles destination. Accommodations include 106 rooms and suites.

Food & beverage options include Europejski Grill for modern Polish cuisine, The Long Bar, The Humidor lounge for cigars and cocktails and the Lourse Warszawa Patisserie for cakes and pastries. In addition, the hotel has a spa, gym and indoor swimming pool.

Raffles Europejski Warsaw joins 11 Raffles Hotels & Resorts around the world as well as hotels under development such as Raffles London, Raffles Boston Back Bay and Raffles The Palm Dubai.