NATIONAL REPORT—The Westin St. Francis and The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort are among the properties that have undergone major renovations. Here’s a look:
Westin St. Francis
The Westin St. Francis has completed a $45-million renovation of the Landmark Building. Composed of 618 guestrooms and four specialty suites on 12 floors, this is the largest renovation ever untaken of this historic 1904 building, according to the brand. The landmark building consists of four brick wings constructed over the course of nine years.
The design, created by Dallas-based ForrestPerkins, was inspired by San Francisco’s moniker as “The Paris of the West,” bestowed when the St. Francis opened. The new look of the guestrooms and corridors is reminiscent of a spring day in Paris with a color scheme of Parisian blue, goldenrod yellow and peony pink that complements the original crown molding, crystal chandeliers and high ceilings.
Guest bathrooms are outfitted with Carrara marble, white quartz countertop vanities, period-style polished chrome fittings and large frameless lighted mirrors. In the junior suites, the bathrooms were enlarged to incorporate walk-in showers.
Expansive hallways, originally designed to accommodate the large hoop skirts women wore in the early 1900s, are adorned with blue-gray tones and bespoke carpet in shades of bright blue and pale gray in an asymmetrical floral motif. The area was brightened with Art Deco chandeliers, complementing the new lights at each guestroom doorway.
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico is slated to open on October 29, following an extensive $60-million renovation.
The renovation is inclusive of every guestroom and suite, the Plantation House, the heart of the resort where guests will enjoy The St. Regis Bar and the property’s signature restaurant, the seaside pool and esplanade, the spa, and the oceanfront golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Additionally, the resort will have a new $85-million beachfront, ultra-luxury residential development, Ocean Drive, as well as The Atlantic Drive Estates and plans for a resort expansion.
Designed by Puerto Rican designer Nono Maldonado together with Hirsch Bedner Associates of San Francisco, and inspired by the surrounding sea, sand and foliage, the 139 refurbished rooms and suites at The St. Regis will have a light, modern and organic aesthetic in a contemporary and residential setting.
The resort also has plans for a $30-million expansion. Occupying land adjacent to the current guestroom accommodations, the expansion will add 60 oceanfront rooms to the hotel’s inventory and introduce a more contemporary style with family-friendly and flexible rooms to the destination.
W Chicago – City Center
W Chicago – City Center has unveiled phase one of its transformation. The hotel introduced a new lobby and restaurant, Midland Social Club, named after the building’s original use as The Midland Club (a private gentleman’s club).
The design highlights historic touchpoints to illustrate the hotel’s early Chicago ties, while speaking to the many diverse cultural neighborhoods of the Windy City.
The entry into the hotel pays homage to The Great Chicago Fire with charred wood walls, glowing sconces, and a suspended gold bucket, a nod to Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow. As guests continue into the lobby, they are led by an up-lit infinity ceiling, inspired by the rapid growth of Chicago. To the left of the entrance stands the check-in area, with redesigned front desks inspired by the sculptural public art of the Loop and the Millennium Park Pedestrian Bridge.
Adjacent to check-in, a two-story back bar alludes to the hotel’s history with gangster Al Capone. This entry into the new Midland Social Club features a lit suspended display of Templeton Rye (Capone’s favorite), taking shape in the form of a reimagined version of Chicago’s iconic Municipal Device.
The dining area of the Midland Social Club captures the high energy, whimsical character and ebullience of the Chicago streets. Graffiti art, commissioned by local Chicago street artists, greets guests as they are seated.
Wine Country Inn & Cottages
Wine Country Inn & Cottages’ has completed the second phase of renovations. Situated between the Napa Valley towns of St. Helena and Calistoga, CA, the property joined hotel management company Kokua Hospitality’s West Coast portfolio in early 2017 and has since undergone two phases of property enhancements. In conjunction with the unveiling of the recent redesign, Kokua Hospitality shares the details of the boutique’s holistic rebranding.
Originally opened in 1975, the property is a 29-room Napa retreat surrounded by acres of vineyards and wineries. Accommodations range from 20 guestrooms, four suites and five separate cottages, 80% of which offer views of the vineyards, lawns and botanical varietals that surround.
“We’re excited to reintroduce this hidden gem to Napa Valley and its visitors,” said Kirk Pederson, president of Kokua Hospitality. “With the completion of the physical upgrades and renovations, the property also brings an elevated repositioning and rebranding. Its new sophisticated attitude is intently focused on immersing guests into the intimate, rich culture of Napa that one would expect to uncover at an idealistic retreat tucked into the vineyards.”
Jill Cole, managing principal of local interior design firm, Cole Martinez Curtis & Associates (CMCA), was tapped to lead phases one and two of the refurbishments. Phase one concluded in 2017 and consisted of a full renovation of the Winery House building’s guestrooms and common areas, including the guest reception zone and living room, a social space. Phase two brought the refresh of 10 additional guestrooms and suites, cosmetic upgrades to the building’s exterior, and high-speed fiber optic WiFi and 44-in. flat-screen HD televisions to all rooms on property.