INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Around the world, hotels are updating their properties with new amenities and design. From Costa Rica to the U.S., these renovations are taking influence from local art, food and vendors.
Curio Collection by Hilton Comes to Costa Rica
In San José, Costa Rica, the Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton has opened after a renovation. Originally opened in 1930 and declared a historic architectural monument in 2005, the 79-room hotel now has modern design and amenities.
Each guestroom has organic and natural bathroom amenities, complimentary WiFi, 49-in. TVs, ergonomic workspaces and walk-in showers. Guests staying in suites have 24-hour butler service and access to the hotel’s executive lounge with complimentary nightly hors d’oeuvres and spirits.
There’s also Costa Rican cuisine and views of San José at on-site Cultura 5 restaurant. In addition, the hotel has a 24-hour business center, gym and access to the 890-sq.-ft. event space.
First Hyatt Centric in India Nods to Local Vendors and Nature
Studio HBA, a division of hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), has helped the Hyatt Centric brand make its first mark in India by designing the country’s first Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore.
Located in the city of Bengaluru, the property has 143 boutique style guestrooms with local artistry. The lobby also took inspiration from local elements, including a green tile mural inspired by the botanical city that was once Bangalore. The “Tea Khade” created for the lobby is a typical city chai point. The lighting detail over the reception was inspired by the street lighting in the Cantonment area, while the styling was all curated from local designers, handicraft vendors or items from the Shivajinagar markets.
Boutique Hawaii Hotel Has New Art, Guest Programs
Shoreline Hotel Waikiki, a boutique hotel located in Waikiki, HI, received a new design led by BHDM Design. The renovation of the 135-room hotel includes a 26-ft.-high white jungle wall art piece in the lobby, custom furnishings, an updated rooftop pool deck with commissioned mural artwork and new hotel programming for guests and locals.
The new hotel programming includes live music, a shave ice cart, pau hana “relax & refresh” hour, local activities, maker markets with local artisans and the Heavenly Island Lifestyle Restaurant serving a locally sourced menu daily.
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Renovates Rooms, Plans for More
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has renovated its guestrooms. The hotel also has plans to renovate four themed suites, including the presidential suite, scheduled for completion in September.
Influenced by the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rooms have a mural wall composition of traditional Peranakan tiles. For meetings and conferences, the hotel has 16,000 sq. ft. (1,500 sq. m.) of meeting space, all of which recently underwent a refurbishment in 2016.
