Ready or not, November is here. And while there are plenty of reasons this particular November might not be everyone’s favorite, there are still a lot of good things in store, like booking a trip to one of the incredible new hotels now open (detailed below) or snagging tickets to see the “Wicked” movie, which comes out later this month.
Halloween may be behind us, but it’s worth looking back, too, on some of the jump-scare moments from October: The Four Seasons Hotel New York, owned by Beanie Baby creator Ty Warner, is finally reopening next month after a yearslong closure caused by the pandemic; Ritz-Carlton announced plans for a shiny new property in Cancun; and Hilton Honors signed up its 200 millionth member.
A bunch of exciting hotels opened in October, like the highly anticipated Regent Santa Monica Beach and the Thompson Palm Springs. In Las Vegas, a big shake-up on the Strip has Accor’s Delano property reflagging as the W Las Vegas, further strengthening MGM’s partnership with Marriott.
Here’s what else you need to know:
A ‘Wicked’-themed suite arrives (probably by bubble) in Times Square
“Wicked” fans have more than one reason to rejoicify in November: The highly anticipated film hits theaters Nov. 22, and the New York Hilton Midtown is celebrating by inviting fans to check into a swankified suite honoring Elphaba and Glinda. Available for stays between Nov. 21, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, the suite, which can accommodate up to four guests, includes morning pastries delivered by hot air balloon, a hidden bar, magical elixirs (well, themed cocktails) and so much more. To book, visit the official “Wicked, for the Stay” page on the Hilton website.
A Pendry-branded estate is welcoming guests to New Jersey
Folks looking to fulfill some sort of aristocratic fantasy — or those who just need to escape to a beautiful place with plenty of space to spread out — should consider booking a trip to the now-open Pendry Natirar in New Jersey’s Somerset County. A sprawling, 33,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion from 1912 is the centerpiece of the resort, which is set on 400 acres of protected land. There, guests can expect 66 rooms and suites, delicious food sourced from the on-property farm at Ninety Acres, revitalizing treatments at Spa Pendry, and all the other trappings of estate life: swimming pools, tennis courts, outdoor activities like hiking and horseback riding, and even a kids club.
Related: The most anticipated hotel openings of 2024
Marriott’s luxury brands have the coolest partnerships of the season
Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton and W brands want guests to take a piece of the hotel experience with them — and they’re encouraging this through smart partnerships, unique designs and cool styles.
Ritz-Carlton teamed up with hotel-inspired clothing brand Late Checkout to release a series of wearables that you can purchase with cash or with Marriott Bonvoy points, like an iconic blue zipper jacket with the hotel logo ($680 or 151,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) and a Ritz-Carlton-branded baseball hat ($85 or 21,000 points).
Meanwhile, W Hotels teamed up with French artist Thomas Lélu to create a series of cheeky and playful canvas tote bags and notecards that offer travel-forward takes on his signature quotes and scribbles. Personal faves include totes that say, “Sometimes all you need is a one-way flight” and “Wake me up when there’s no wifi” (both $35 or 10,000 points), and a pack of notecards with multiple phrases ($25 or 7,000 points).
A legendary sushi spot is coming to the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
To me, sushi is almost always a good idea — especially when you’re in a seaside destination where you can count on extremely fresh fish. Hawaii, for example, is a great place for sushi — and soon, Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria resort on the island of Maui, will be home to an outpost of Nobu. Scheduled to open next summer, Nobu at Grand Wailea will offer 13,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor dining space and serve up Nobu’s world-famous Japanese menu, including the celebrity-adored rock shrimp tempura, black cod with miso, and yellowtail jalapeno.
St. Regis celebrates its 60th opening
St. Regis, one of the premier luxury brands in Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, welcomes a new member to the family in October: The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai. Across the property, offering views of Pudong’s iconic skyline, guests will find 192 rooms and suites, a St. Regis Spa, the St. Regis Bar and its property-specific bloody mary, as well as both Western and international restaurants, a Chinese restaurant, and a soon-to-open spot for afternoon tea and Champagne.
A beloved Japanese brand is opening a resort in the US
Japanese hospitality is legendary, especially at Hoshino properties and its onsen ryokans, or resorts centered around Japanese hot springs. Now, for the first time, Hoshino plans to bring that onsen experience to the U.S. with the 2028 opening of a property in Sharon Springs, New York. Sharon Springs, like many of the places where you’ll find Hoshino properties in Japan, is known for its mineral waters and their rejuvenating properties. Details are light at the moment, but we do know the property will feature 40 ryokan-style accommodations and surely a slew of ways to enjoy Sharon Springs’ most precious natural resource: water.
Six Senses doubles down on Italy
Following the success of Six Senses Rome, a wellness-focused city hotel that TPG called the “textbook definition of sanctuary in the city,” IHG is adding two new Six Senses properties to the Italian landscape: Six Senses Milan and Six Senses Lake Como. Six Senses Milan, scheduled for 2025, will have 68 rooms and 15 suites in Milan’s artists quarter, as well as a rooftop bar and pool and state-of-the-art spa. Opening in 2028, Six Senses Lake Como will see the former Grand Hotel Cadenabbia undergo a full restoration before opening with 102 rooms, a floating pool on the lake, a specialty restaurant, and a terrace bar and restaurant.
In other news:
- World of Hyatt members can now earn points using Peloton at hotels around the world
- IHG to cut ties with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas at the end of the year
- Hyatt’s all-inclusive resort offering to grow significantly with new Bahia Principe partnership
- That’s hot: Hampton by Hilton is now serving glittery pink waffles by Paris Hilton
- One of Miami’s hottest hotels is opening in NYC next year — and it’s good news for Accor fans
Reviews to inspire you:
- Where traditional Japanese ryokan culture meets unbeatable luxury: A review of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka
- 16 things to know about Beaches Turks & Caicos before you book
- Numu Boutique Hotel San Miguel de Allende: Excellent value with cash or Hyatt points
- Luxury in Los Cabos: Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort review