Elevated Boutique Hotel comes to Colorado Springs–Kinship Landing
Drawing inspiration from both international travel and the local community of Colorado Springs, Kinship Landing opens its doors to offer a unique travel experience centered around personal connection, community, and unparalleled adventure. Located in the burgeoning New South End of Downtown Colorado Springs (415 S Nevada Avenue), Kinship Landing brings an elevated boutique hotel experience to guests, featuring 40 total rooms made up of 34 Suites and Junior Suites and six stunning 8-bed bunkrooms.
“Kinship Landing is the result of three friends who traveled the globe and brought learnings and loves home with them. Colorado Springs truly has it all… world class outdoor recreation, great climate, fabulous local craft beer and food. One thing we add to the mix is making the best of our little slice of the west easy to access, even on a whim. A gathering place for organic exchanges to take place between locals and travelers, friendships to flourish, and courageous adventures to begin – that’s what we’re after.” — Founders & Creators: Bobby, Brooke & Nate
Focusing on relationships over transactions, guests and locals won’t be greeted by a traditional check-in desk. Instead, a stunning jade bar welcomes guests and draws their eye to hundreds of lush plants hanging from gabled ceilings. Just beyond the bar is Kinship Landing’s 1,000 square foot Greenhaus, a flexible event space that houses a light-filled urban jungle with heavy timber throughout. Additional first-floor features include community seating and gathering spaces, gear storage lockers for adventure enthusiasts, and the Homa Café and Bar (opening later in 2020). The property also features a massive outdoor patio beneath a vibrant mural from muralist, Zane Prater.
One-of-a-kind rooms are thoughtfully designed for everything you need and nothing you don’t, including comfortable Tuft and Needle mattresses on custom built beds, Brooklinen sheets, waterfall shower heads, local art, and custom millwork by Garrett Brown Designs. Lofted bunk rooms — perfect for solo travelers, families, or friends — feature twin bed “pods,” privacy screens, a relaxing noise machine, and secure storage for stashing and charging devices. Guests also have access to a second floor kitchen that is intentionally kept separate to mitigate a common shared-room disruption. Suites at Kinship Landing include King and Double Queen beds, stunning mountain and city views, in-room fireplaces, deep soaking tubs for relaxation, and overhead garage doors turning the room into an indoor / outdoor viewing deck for Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains during Colorado Springs’ 300 annual days of sunshine.
You won’t find goat yoga or workout classes inside the walls of Kinship Landing. The goal is to get guests outside and into the community to explore. Kinship Landing is here to be a personal ambassador to all. Whether guests are foodies, avid climbers, or a family looking for activities, guests can meet a concierge in the lobby to create a custom itinerary. The Kinship Landing team will give guests recommendations based on their unique insider experience to ensure guests are getting the most out of their trip to Colorado Springs. A concierge is also available by text 24/7 for assistance.
To make a reservation and learn more about Kinship Landing, visit the website at kinshiplanding.com or call 719-203-9309.
Marriott Intl. CEO Arne Sorenson passes away
By Rachel Galvin
Arne M. Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, passed away on February 15 due to Pancreatic Cancer. He had been battling with it for years. It was originally announced by the company back in May 2019 and on the 2nd of this month, they announced he was further reducing his schedule for more treatments.
He was the 3rd CEO of the company, a position he took on in 2012. He was the first without the Marriott surname. During his tenure, he acquired the $13 billion Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. “Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth. But the roles he relished the most were as husband, father, brother and friend. On behalf of the Board and Marriott’s hundreds of thousands of associates around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. We share your heartbreak, and we will miss Arne deeply.”
Since Sorenson stepped back earlier this month, the company had two of their executives step up and share in his responsibilities: Stephanie Linnartz, group president, Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses, and Tony Capuano, group president, Global Development, Design and Operations Services. The duo will continue taking on his responsibilities until they can find a replacement for Sorenson, which they expect to be in the next two weeks.
W Melbourne opens in Australia
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, has opened the doors to Melbourne’s first luxury lifestyle hotel – W Melbourne – at 408 Flinders Lane. In the heart of an eclectic dining and edgy fashion district, W Melbourne brings the community’s iconic laneway culture and emerging music scene to life. Inspired by the contrasts of the city, the hotel slowly reveals itself to visitors as guests peel back layers to unearth the unique personality of each space.
“Melbourne is the perfect locale for the playfully luxe spirit of the W brand and we could not be more excited to unveil this highly anticipated hotel to the world,” said Jennie Toh, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “From its unique, locally inspired design to its eclectic lineup of restaurants and bars, W Melbourne is destined to redefine the luxury hotel scene here and become a must-go destination for travelers and local scene-stealers alike.”
Igniting Endless Possibilities
Australian architecture and interior design firm Hachem brings innovation and brand storytelling to life through their evocative approach to W Melbourne. Drawing on the city’s diverse and contrasting character, W Melbourne’s design inspiration is translated into vignettes of Melbourne’s streetscapes, letting guests uncover the dynamic city’s past from behind the scenes.
Upon arrival at W Melbourne, guests are introduced to the neighborhood’s iconic laneways, famous for their graffiti street art and offbeat, eclectic characters. Victorian bluestone tiles connect the Living Room to the laneway, blurring the line between the exterior and interior, where the Welcome Desk stands ready to greet guests. A vast lenticular art installation by local painter and digital artist Rus Kitchin immerses viewers into a canopy of Australian flora and fauna growing above the famed Hosier Lane. The illuminated glass and wood of the Flinders Lane entrance is juxtaposed against the shadows of the hotel’s foyer.
W Melbourne has 294 luxuriously stylish guest rooms and 29 suites, with design details curated to reflect Melbourne’s fascinating history and culture. The hotel’s Wonderful, Fabulous and Mega category rooms are inspired by the neighboring street-level newspaper kiosks that back to the 1960s. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning skyline views. The Marvelous rooms feature a vibrant wall graphic of a fairy wren, a bird native to Australia, pulling back a layer of fabric to reveal a colorful Melbourne scene. The graphic pays homage to the city’s roots as a fashion hub, with Flinders Lane at the center of its textile trade. The 175-square-meter Extreme Wow Suite (W Hotels’ modern interpretation of the traditional presidential suite), is on the hotel’s highest floor at Level 15, and features a large balcony with expansive views of the Yarra River and an interactive music station – a fresh take on an old-school jukebox.
New/Next in Melbourne Dining
W Melbourne’s distinctive restaurants and bars are all set to amplify Melbourne’s dining landscape with innovative, original takes on the city’s multicultural cuisines. All-day dining restaurant Lollo, under the culinary creative direction of celebrated chef Adam D’Sylva, offers a menu that’s designed to be shared and celebrates the chef’s mixed heritage. At the centre of the action and pulse of the hotel is cocktail bar Curious, with its design as impressive as the evocative cocktail list. The bar welcomes guests into a cocoon-inspired space formed by its overhead timber beams in a parametric sequence with low lighting and muted color palettes. Signature Japanese restaurant WARABI focuses on the freshest seasonal produce with seating for only 30 diners and a private dining room for ten. Culprit channels Melbourne’s café culture into an original bar concept that adds a new twist to the dining experience with a sophisticated floor-to-ceiling charcuterie display and a Vermouth tasting tray.
Electric Events
Mixing work with play, guests will be captivated by 830 square meters of ultra-modern conference, meeting and event space at W Melbourne, setting the stage for spectacular events with fully adaptable conference equipment, world-class audio-visual facilities and contemporary cuisine from the expert in-house catering team. The jewel in the crown, the GREAT ROOM, is a 426 square meter pillarless ballroom with an abundance of natural light and 4×5-meter LED wall. To celebrate the region’s diverse seasons and autumn as a popular time to visit, Melbourne-born visual artist, Ash Keating utilized soft pinks and violets to light up the GREAT ROOM ceiling for an enchanting experience for guests.
FIT and WET on Level 14 will inspire the W ‘Detox.Retox.Repeat’ brand signature wellness philosophy, offering spectacular views alongside an ultramodern fitness facility, gold-roofed indoor pool, poolside bar and DJ booth.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit wmelbourne.com or get social with W Melbourne on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WMelbourneAUS/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wmelbourne/?hl=en
Bvlgari Hotel & Resort to open in Miami Beach
By Rachel Galvin
Known as being a jeweler that caters to the stars, the Bvlgari brand signifies sophistication and glamour. They have taken that sense of style into their hotels and resorts. They already have locations in several hotspots, including Milan, London, Dubai, Bali and Shanghai. Now, they are expanding their reach into other places, including Miami Beach. They plan on opening there in 2024. It will be the 11th property in the collection. The hotel & resort will be located at 100 21st Street and will be their first spot in the U.S.
The Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel will do the restoration of the 1950s Modernist locale. It will include 100 rooms, most of them suites. It will also have an outdoor pool, spa, fitness facilities, as well as a restaurant and bar from Chef Niko Romito.
Of the new opening, Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin has this to say “We are particularly proud to have secured such an extraordinary location for the new Bvlgari Hotel in Miami. This will be our first property in the United States which is a key market for our Brand and we are delighted to add the vibrant and glamorous Miami Beach to our Collection. We are convinced that the Bvlgari Hotel Miami, to be opened in 2024, will represent an irresistible Roman Jeweler Hospitality, a unique ultra luxury experience in the American upscale hotel market.”
Bvlgari has a long history, beginning near the end of the 19th century when Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari opened his first workshop in Rome. Opting for something unique, he was inspired by the beauty around him and chose bold designs and unusual color combinations, employing exquisite craftsmanship in his creations.
His handiwork drew the eye of the elite through the years. Stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn were among the brand’s sycophants on-screen and off. Today, socialites and fashionistas flock to the brand when seeking a sense of elegance and quality.
To find out more about the Bvlgari brand and their hotels, visit https://www.bulgarihotels.com.