PRESS CLIP BOOK JANUARY 2018 - MAY 2019
TOTAL CIRCULATION: 436,688,591 TOTAL ESTIMATED AD VALUE: $4,039,369.46
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Skift Take
Y
et another reason why it might pay to book direct?
— Deanna Ting
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon — a low-slung, 62-suite escape that lurks halfhidden in the rugged landscape just outside Reykjavik — has only been open for three months, and it’s already one of the buzziest luxury spots in Europe. Perched on the edge of the geothermally heated pool for which it’s named, it features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views across the lava rock, plus a spa that offers in-lagoon massages. Guests get one especially attractive perk: after-hours access to the spectacular natural site, whose waters are packed with crowds during peak times. But within the retreat lies one ultra-exclusive space that few visitors will ever know exists. Spread across two levels and 2,100 square feet, the Blue Lagoon suite is almost triple the size of any other. It has a private balcony overlooking
the lava landscape, a kitchen and dining room, and a king-size bedroom with
walk-in closet. Best of all, it has its own private spa, complete with a steam bath, sauna, fireplace, and a private bathing area within the lagoon. The catch? The lavish suite costs $10,500 per night, with a two-night minimum— and it’s not listed on the hotel’s website. No photographs, no description, nothing at all.
THE SECRET WORLD OF UNLISTED HOTEL SUITES The Blue Lagoon suite is like a cross between an unlisted phone number and a house seat at a theater: You can’t find it unless you already know it’s there, and booking is by invitation only. At high-end hotels around the world, these unlisted rooms are a subtle staple, with raisons d’etre as varied as the rooms themselves. According to Mar Masson, the hotel’s director of marketing, the Blue Lagoon suite is intended as the ultimate hideaway. For those who want to slip in unnoticed, a private entrance and nearby helipad allow discreet, private connections from Keflavik International Airport. “No one ever need to know you’re there,” he says. “It’s not visible to other guests, and there is nothing that indicates it is there.”
MINT CONDITIONS Privacy isn’t the only reason to keep a room unlisted, whether on a hotel’s own site or on partners such as Booking.com. Sometimes it’s about protecting your most valuable asset. “Let’s say you have a top suite that costs $2,000,” says hospitality vet Stephen Brandman, who runs management firm Journal Hotels. “You don’t want 10 people coming together and each throwing in $200 so they can have a big party. Think about it. A load of high school prom students rent a penthouse, and all of a sudden you’ve got a big problem.” New York University hospitality professor Bjorn Hanson agrees. “Rooms that have something fragile about them — the art, a Steinway grand piano — where there’s too much risk of wear and tear will be held back,” he says. “They won’t be available to the public but assigned to VIPs.” Often these types of rooms are referred to as “owner’s suites.” At the soon-to-
open Hotel Bennett in Charleston, S.C., for example, Michael Bennett’s onebedroom, 2,000-square-foot suite is only available by special request. Even then, guests are only confirmed after personal signoff from the developer himself. At other properties, they’re called “partnership rooms,” which means they’re only available through exclusive membership clubs that require six-figure buy-ins. At Paradise Beach on the Caribbean island of Nevis, two of the resort’s new beach houses—which sit on stilts at the water’s edge — can only be rented via Exclusive Resorts LLC, a vacation club whose initiation fee is $125,000.
BY INVITATION ONLY Economically speaking, it may seem counterintuitive to keep your most expensive product shielded from public view. But hotels prefer not to shoulder the risk of a last-minute, fee-free cancellation on a pricey suite, and splurging travelers are more prone to last-minute pangs of guilt than a wealthy regular. For this reason, the JW Marriott Essex House in New York and San Francisco’s St. Regis require their penthouse suites to be booked via email — it gives managers time to vet potential stays before confirming a reservation. Of course, there’s also the perennial question asked by rejected walk-ins at hospitals and restaurants: “What would you do if Beyoncé dropped in?” At many hotels, a few luxury rooms are always kept empty in case a valued VIP decides to stay on a whim. These aren’t always celebrities; they can simply be big spenders. At the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, for instance, the 21 Boulevard penthouses are entirely unlisted, unbookable, and reserved for those who spend a cool million in the high-roller lounge.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES Unlisted rooms aren’t always the biggest or the most glamorous. Sometimes, they’re botched or rejected prototypes for renovations that have hung around for financial reasons. And sometimes they’re just unusually small or oddly shaped. According to travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group, these broom-closet-size rooms are most common in older, Grand Hotel-era properties, which were “built to serve people who traveled with staff, like a personal butler, a valet or a maid.” Harteveldt says while many of those cramped quarters have been knocked
together or reconfigured, such renovations aren’t always possible, leading hoteliers to turn them into cheaper, secret rooms that are held in reserve. That’s how New York’s Moxy Hotel in Times Square — which was built in 1907 as the Mills Hotel — ended up with its 120-square-foot Crashpad rooms. They’re priced at just $99 per night and are truly off-menu: They’re only bookable off the drinks menu at the Magic Hour rooftop bar, for guests that have had one martini too many. In other words: Don’t assume that all of your options are listed on a hotel’s website. And know that like any good secret, unlisted suites are always at risk of going public. “Honestly, we might put it out there at some point,” says Masson of the Blue Lagoon suite, meaning listing it publicly, not talking to us for this article. “But for now, we want it to be like a hidden gem.”
©2018 Bloomberg L.P. This article was written by Mark Ellwood from Bloomberg and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.
Tags: luxury, luxury hotels, new luxury
Photo Credit: The secret suite at the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland offers exclusive bathing rights in this section of Iceland’s famed Blue Lagoon. Giorgio Possenti / Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
The Carolina Inn
8 hotels with heritage These venues’ histories span centuries, proving what’s old is new again. BY BECK Y MURR AY
The Carolina Inn
The Willcox
Hotel Bennett
211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill, NC; (919) 933-2001; CarolinaInn.com Open since 1924, this 24,000-square-foot hotel sits on the UNC Chapel Hill campus. Pick from two chandelier-studded ballrooms (holds up to 250) or the smaller art-deco-style parlor with a black-andwhite terrazzo floor. Outside, a large patio and two courtyards, one with a magnolia tree and the other framed by wrought iron gates, are also available. TIP Lock in this popular property (it holds 85 weddings each year) at least 18 months in advance of your preferred date.
100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken, SC; (803) 648-1898; TheWillcox.com With an exclusive package, you’ll have access to three distinct areas at this 19th-century establishment (accommodates 200). The Hunt Room features a doublesided, walk-around fireplace and rich wood-paneled walls. The library, with subtly striped green wallpaper and plaid silk curtains, brings on the feel of a British country house. Outdoors, a waterfall, luscious native plants and glistening lights create a serene setting for “I do.” Plus, there’s a full-service salon right on-site.
404 King St., Charleston, SC; (844) 835-2625; HotelBennett.com Located on the grounds of the former Charleston County Library and The Citadel military college—and opening summer 2018—this Holy City hot spot adds 179 rooms to famed King Street (fits 350). An intimate rooftop terrace overlooks Marion Square, while 30-foot ceilings and arched windows make way for natural light in the Grand Ballroom. TIP To commend wedding clients’ one-year anniversary, the site offers a complimentary stay on the property. >>
MELISSA M AUREEN PHOTOGR APHY
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INSIDE SCOOP
INSIDE SCOOP
The Beaufort Inn 809 Port Republic St., Beaufort, SC; (843) 379-3470; BeaufortInn.com Though it’s quaint like a bed-andbreakfast, this sizable property, opened in 1890, can entertain as many as 300 loved ones. Tabby Place is the newest indooroutdoor addition, but for a wedding under the stars, consider Tabby Garden, which is filled with jasmine and Spanish moss. TIP The inn’s wraparound porch leads to the paved garden courtyard that can be tented for weddings of up to 100 (café string lights included).
674 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC; (828) 252-1389; CedarCrestInn.com Exchange vows on the lawn (150 guests maximum) among English perennial flower gardens at this 19th-century mansion that sits just three blocks from the distinguished Biltmore Estate. For an intimate indoor affair, you can wed fireside in one of the formal rooms (up to 25). The main inn, plus the cottage and carriage houses, accommodate up to 36 in total.
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Cedar Crest Inn
120 S. Main St., Greenville, SC; (864) 421-9700; WestinPoinsettGreenville.com Opened in 1925, this sophisticated landmark has been updated with gilded ceilings, crystal chandeliers and lush drapery, though its humble start as a haunt for locals can still be felt today. The “Sweetgrass Brunch” package includes a menu featuring Lowcountry homecooking like shrimp and grits. The elegant Poinsett Ballroom offers Main Street views, while, true to its name, the Gold Ballroom is decked out in the shade. More than 300 guests can join you for a standing-style reception, perching on cozy seating areas throughout the hotel.
Green Park Inn
The Restoration
9239 Valley Blvd., Blowing Rock, NC; (828) 414-9230; GreenParkInn.com With an indoor booking at this Victorian 1890s manor, you’ll get complimentary access to the outdoor spaces too (holds up to 150 in total for a seated dinner and dancing). The Chestnut Grille includes a stage and wooden dance floor and serves comfort classics. Plus, it connects to the Garden Room and Patio (think: views of the Blue Ridge Mountains) typically used for cocktail hour. Though events must wrap by 10 p.m., you can move your party to the on-site Divide Tavern without an additional rental fee.
79 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC; (843) 518-5100; TheRestorationHotel.com Five structures, including the charming Pink Building, make up this venue dating back to 1940. After a rooftop ceremony, 400 invitees can partake in a reception that strolls through four terrace-connected suites. Details like exposed brick, Carrara marble and preserved wood add warmth to the sprawling space, as does the picnicbasket-packed breakfast waiting outside guest rooms each morning. TIP Find wedding discounts in January, February, July or August.
F I N D M O R E LO C A L S P OT S AT TheKnot.com/carolinas
VIRGIL BUNAO PHOTOGR APHY
The Beaufort Inn
The Westin Poinsett, Greenville
DATEBOOK Circle these dates and fill up your fall calendar with Domino-approved happenings. SEPTEMBER 7 1 3 –1 6 +
Housed in a must-visit Oscar Niemeyer–designed pavilion , the 33rd São Paulo Art Biennial (the oldest in the world after Venice) kicks o≠ today through December 9. A nightly dinner series featuring chefs from around the country , “drink tank” seminars, and hands-on classes make Bon Appétit’s Feast Portland in Oregon the ultimate foodie fest. Online retail empire MatchesFashion.com debuts a six-story townhouse in London’s well-heeled Mayfair neighborhood this month. Ready your fall style wish list.
OCTOBER 1
Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel hosts “Greetings From Nashville,” a pop-up selling goods by the Southern city’s top designers and artisans — plus food and music events happening through the end of the month.
5
Taking over the eclectic Texas capital for two consecutive weekends, Austin City Limits has a diverse lineup to match, from Paul McCartney to Childish Gambino. Your playlist inspiration is set.
5 –7 +
+
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Art Deco meets breezy glamour at Thomas Keller’s Surf Club
+
King of the colorful stripe Paul Smith launches his latest upholstery fabric line—a rich autumnal ombré —with longtime collaborator Maharam.
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Elevate your travel look with a limited-edition Bigger Carry-On
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Patricia Urquiola’s new desk-bookshelf for Cappellini in Venetian marble just might be the height of back-to-school chic .
Restaurant, located in a historic Miami oceanfront property complete with beaded ceiling and terrazzo floors.
from Away, which fits that extra pair of shoes you “needed” to buy.
Catch the new themed section Social Work at this year’s Frieze London, which shines a spotlight on female activist artists of the 1980s . Make room on your bookshelf : The World of Apartamento o≠ers
a decade-long survey of the irreverent interiors magazine, while Martin Margiela celebrates the Antwerp fashion designer’s pioneering exaggerated volumes and deconstructed cuts. Two Palisociety hotels open this month in L.A.’s Culver City and Westwood Village, where blonde wood cabinets and woven leather benches channel quintessential Cali cool .
NOVEMBER 2 12
Break out your best rock ’n’ roll catsuit in honor of Queen frontman and maximalist style icon Freddie Mercury, whose biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, hits theaters today.
The Whitney Museum of American Art’s “Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again” explores the Prince of Pop’s entire career as the first retrospective of its kind in the U.S. in almost 30 years.
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Get a start on your holiday gifting with Small Business Saturday, the indie shopping alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday that supports buying local.
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Charleston, South Carolina’s Hotel Bennett brings an opulent new property to the trending Southern city. (Think: powder pink cocktail lounge and sweeping rooftop views.)
Clockwise from top left: Blended Stripe Fabric by Paul Smith for Maharam maharam.com; Radical Fake Desk by Patricia Urquiola for Cappellini cappellini.it; Martin Margiela $55 amazon.com; Poster for the 33rd São Paulo Art Biennial; The Bigger Carry-On Limited-Edition Suitcase by Away $245 awaytravel.com; The World of Apartamento $60 abramsbooks.com.
FA L L 2 0 1 8
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HOTEL BENNETT ANNOUNCES HIRING EVENT ON NOVEMBER 19TH EVENTS NOVEMBER 1, 2018 BY HOLY CITY SINNER
As part of pre-opening preparations to hire 200-plus team members, Hotel Bennett, the grand new luxury hotel opening on Charleston’s historic Marion Square, announces its first hiring event, which will be held on Monday, November 19th at the Charleston Gaillard Center from 7:30 am - 8 pm.
Available positions include, but are not limited to, guest service agent, bellman, housekeeper, valet, laundry attendant, sous chef, line cook, bartender, server, steward, massage therapist, and spa attendant. Applicants will meet with personnel from respective departments and position offers have the opportunity to be immediately extended. The hotel strongly recommends all applicants visit www.hotelbennett.com/careers in advance to review available positions and complete the online application form, as it will be required on the day of the event. Hotel Bennett features 179 guestrooms and suites, a two-tiered restaurant with extensive outdoor terrace seating on the square, and two bars. The hotel also includes a rooftop pool and bar, a luxury spa, a patisserie, and over 12,000 square feet of event and meeting spaces. The property will announce an opening date in the coming weeks along with further details about its restaurant and bars. It is currently accepting group and leisure reservations starting on January 15th, 2019. The hotel is named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, and is owned by local hotelier Michael Bennett and his company Bennett Hospitality. The property is being managed in a collaborative partnership with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson and led by noted hospitality executive Prem Devadas, a former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information, visit www.hotelbennett.com or call 844-835-2625.
Charleston, SC Hotel Bennett Now Accepting Reservations HOTEL & RESORT NOVEMBER 14, 2018
WHY IT RATES: Travelers visiting Charleston in 2019 will have a new luxurious hotel option with a concierge club, luxury spa, stylish bar and rooftop pool.—Jessica Zickefoose, TravelPulse Associate Editor The soon-to-open luxurious Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina, is now accepting leisure reservations. Travel agents can book the hotel through the Global Distribution System (GDS) via Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Galileo and Pegasus. Availability begins on January 15, 2019, while an exact opening date will be announced in the near future.
Located on the corner of the city’s famed King Street and historic Marion Square, the 179-room property's design draws on the inspiration of grand European hotels, while the signature restaurant features two stories and sweeping outdoor dining terraces overlooking the square. Hotel Bennett also includes a concierge club, luxury spa, stylish bar and a patisserie, while rooftop includes a stunning pool and bar experience with panoramic views of Charleston. Hotel Bennett features over 12,000 square feet of grand event and meeting spaces, including the 6,600 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom for special event dining, featuring dramatic 30-foot ceiling and expansive arched windows. The hotel is named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, and is owned by local hotelier Michael Bennett and his company Bennett Hospitality. The property is being managed in a collaborative partnership with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson. For more information and to book a stay, please visit hotelbennett.com.
Charleston, SC Hotel Bennett Now Accepting Reservations WHY IT RATES: Travelers visiting Charleston in 2019 will have a new luxurious hotel option with a concierge club, luxury spa, stylish bar and rooftop pool.— Jessica Zickefoose, TravelPulse Associate Editor
The soon-to-open luxurious Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina, is now accepting leisure reservations. Travel agents can book the hotel through the Global Distribution System (GDS) via Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Galileo and Pegasus. Availability begins on January 15, 2019, while an exact opening date will be announced in the near future. NEW TRAVEL OFFERS •
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All Travel Offers Located on the corner of the city’s famed King Street and historic Marion Square, the 179-room property’s design draws on the inspiration of grand European hotels, while the signature restaurant features two stories and sweeping outdoor dining terraces overlooking the square. Hotel Bennett also includes a concierge club, luxury spa, stylish bar and a patisserie, while rooftop includes a stunning pool and bar experience with panoramic views of Charleston. Hotel Bennett features over 12,000 square feet of grand event and meeting spaces, including the 6,600 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom for special event dining, featuring dramatic 30-foot ceiling and expansive arched windows. The hotel is named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, and is owned by local hotelier Michael Bennett and his company Bennett Hospitality. The property is being managed in a collaborative partnership with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson. For more information and to book a stay, please visit hotelbennett.com.
Luxurious Hotel to Host Hiring Event Ahead of Grand Opening NOVEMBER 15, 2018, 5:59 PM EST | SHARE: CHARLESTON, SC (FOX 24 NEWS NOW) – If you’ve been downtown within the last few years, you’ve probably noticed a lot of construction going on next to Marion Square.
The $100 million plus project has risen from the site of the old county library to become Charleston’s newest luxury hotel. Hotel Bennett boasts 179 rooms, panoramic views of the Holy City, a rooftop pool, spa and so much more! But a hotel is not a hotel without a valuable staff of skilled people who understand what hospitality means. The newly raised hotel is looking for a lot of good men and women to join their growing family. Paul Cherrett, managing director, and Teresa Keller, director of Human Resources, joined us instudio to talk about the upcoming opening, including the two-tiered restaurant with extensive outdoor terrace seating on Marion Square, including two stylish bars. Hotel Bennett is hosting a hiring event on November 19th at the Charleston Gaillard Center from 7:30 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Positions up for hire include guest service agent, bellman, house keeper,
valet, laundry attendant, sous chef, line cook, bartender, server, steward, massage therapist and spa attendant. Applicants will meet with personnel from respective departments and positions. The hotel strongly recommends all applicants visit this page in advance to review available positions and complete the online application form required the day of the event. The property will announce an opening date in the coming weeks along with further details about its restaurant and bars. It is currently accepting group and leisure reservations starting on Jan. 15, 2019. Management efforts are led by veteran luxury hotelier Marty Wall, who is serving as Hotel Bennett’s asset manager.
Charleston’s Hotel Bennett Now Hiring
Charleston's Brand New Hotel Bennett
CHARLESTON, SC (October 29, 2018) – As part of pre-opening preparations to hire 200-plus team members, Hotel Bennett, the grand new luxury hotel opening on Charleston’s historic Marion Square, announces its first hiring event, which will be held on Monday, November 19 at the Charleston Gaillard Center from 7:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Available positions include, but are not limited to, guest service agent, bellman, housekeeper, valet, laundry attendant, sous chef, line cook, bartender, server, steward,
massage therapist, and spa attendant. Applicants will meet with personnel from respective departments and position offers have the opportunity to be immediately extended. In advance of the hiring event, Paul Cherrett joins the highly anticipated property as Managing Director after a distinguished career spent leading some of the finest hotels and resorts in the country. After 25 years of service at Four Season Hotels and Resorts, including as general manager for Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole in Wyoming, which he led through the opening to the attainment of Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings. “There is an incredible level of excitement surrounding Hotel Bennett throughout the hospitality industry, and it’s a privilege to lead it into opening and beyond,” said Cherrett. “We have an exceptional senior management team in place, and our goal is to deliver world-class service in this beautiful, civic monument for the Charleston community.” The hotel strongly recommends all applicants visit www.hotelbennett.com/careers in advance to review available positions and complete the online application form, as it will be required on the day of the event. Hotel Bennett features 179 elegant guestrooms and suites, a two-tiered restaurant with extensive outdoor terrace seating on the square, and two stylish bars. The hotel also includes a spectacular rooftop pool and bar, a luxury spa, a patisserie, and over 12,000 square feet of event and meeting spaces. The property will announce an opening date in the coming weeks along with further details about its restaurant and bars. It is currently accepting group and leisure reservations starting on January 15, 2019. The hotel is named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, and is owned by local hotelier Michael Bennett and his company Bennett Hospitality, management efforts for which are led by veteran luxury hotelier Marty Wall, who is serving as Hotel Bennett’s asset manager. The property is being managed in a collaborative partnership with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson and led by noted hospitality executive Prem Devadas, a former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information, visit www.hotelbennett.com or call 844-835-2625.
Charleston’s Hotel Bennett Now Accepting Reservations NOVEMBER 30, 2018
The soon-to-open Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina, has announced that he is now accepting leisure reservations. Travel agents can book the hotel through the Global Distribution System (GDS) via Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Galileo and Pegasus. Availability begins on January 15, 2019, while an exact opening date will be announced in the near future. Located on the corner of the city’s famed King Street and historic Marion Square, the 179-room property’s design draws on the inspiration of grand European hotels, while the signature restaurant features two stories and sweeping outdoor dining terraces overlooking the square. Hotel Bennett also includes a concierge club, luxury spa, stylish bar and a patisserie, while rooftop includes a pool and bar experience with panoramic views of Charleston. Hotel Bennett also features over 12,000 square feet of grand event and meeting spaces, including the 6,600 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom for special event dining, featuring dramatic 30-foot ceiling and expansive arched windows. The hotel is named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, and is owned by local hotelier Michael Bennett and his company Bennett Hospitality. The property is being managed in a collaborative partnership with Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson. Hotel Bennett, www.hotelbennett.com
Photo courtesy of Sarah Hawksley
An Aerial view of the Hotel Bennett
Blue Lagoon Photo courtesy of Blue Lagoon
The Secret Rooms Hotels Don’t Tell You About These unlisted rooms are a subtle staple, with raisons d’etre as varied as the rooms themselves. WORDS MARK ELLWOOD
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l HIGH LIFE
T
he Retreat at the Blue Lag o on — a l o wslung, 62-suite escape that lurks half-hidden in the rugged landscape just out side Reyk jav i k—ha s on ly been open for three months, and it’s already one of the buzziest luxury spots in Europe. Perched on the edge of the geothermally heated pool for which it’s named, it features f loorto-ceiling windows with spectacular views across the lava rock, plus a spa that offers in-lagoon massages. Guests get one especially attractive perk: after-hours access to the spectacular natural site, whose waters are packed with crowds during peak times. But w ithin the retreat lies one ultra-exclusive space that few visitors
will ever know exists. Spread across two levels and 2,100 square feet, the Blue Lagoon suite is almost triple the size of any other. It has a private balcony overlooking the lava landscape, a kitchen and dining room, and a kingsize bedroom with walk-in closet. Best of all, it has its own private spa, complete with a steam bath, sauna, fireplace, and a private bathing area within the lagoon. The catch? The lavish suite costs US$10,500 per night, with a two-night minimum—and it’s not listed on the hotel’s website. No photographs, no description, nothing at all. THE SECRET WORLD OF UNLISTED HOTEL SUITES The Blue Lagoon suite is like a cross between an unlisted phone number and a house seat at a theater: You can’t find it unless you already know
it’s there, and booking is by invitation only. At high-end hotels around the world, these unlisted rooms are a subtle staple, with raisons d’etre as varied as the rooms themselves. According to Ma r Ma sson, the director of marketing for the hotel’s parent company, the Blue Lagoon suite is intended as the ultimate hideaway. For those who want to slip in unnoticed, a private entrance and nearby helipad allow discreet, private connections from Keflavik International Airport. “No one ever need to know you’re there,” he says. “It ’s not visible to other guests, and there is nothing that indicates it is there.” MINT CONDITIONS Privacy isn’t the only reason to keep a room unlisted, whether on a hotel’s own site or on partners such as
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Crashpad Room at Moxy Hotel
Photo from www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Photo from moxy-hotels.marriott.com
Booking.com. Sometimes it’s about protecting your most valuable asset. “Let’s say you have a top suite that costs US$2,000,” says hospitality vet Stephen Brandman, who runs management firm Journal Hotels. “You don’t want 10 people coming together and each throwing in US$200 so they can have a big party. Think about it. A load of high school prom students rent a penthouse, and all of a sudden you’ve got a big problem.” New York Universit y hospita lity professor Bjorn Hanson agrees. “Rooms that have something fragile about t hem—t he a r t , a Stei nw ay g r a nd pi a no —w her e t her e ’s t o o much risk of wear and tear will be held back,” he says. “They won’t be available to the public but assigned to VIPs.” Often these ty pes of rooms are referred to as “owner’s suites.” At t he soon-to - open Hotel B en net t in Cha rleston, S.C., for exa mple, Michael Bennet t ’s one-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot suite is only available by special request. Even then, g uest s a re on ly con f i r med a f ter personal sign-off from the developer himself. At other properties, they’re called “partnership rooms,” which means they’re only available through exclusive membership clubs that require six-figure buy-ins. At Paradise Beach on the Caribbean island of Nevis, two of the resort’s new beach houses—which sit on stilts at the water’s edge—can only be rented via Exclusive Resorts LLC, a vacation club whose initiation fee is US$125,000.
BY INVITATION ONLY Economically speaking, it may seem counterintuitive to keep your most ex pensive product shielded f rom public view. But hotels prefer not to shoulder the risk of a last minute, feefree cancellation on a pricey suite, and splurging travelers are more prone to last-minute pangs of guilt than a wealthy regular. For this reason, the JW Marriott Essex House in New York and San Francisco’s St. Regis require their penthouse suites to be booked via e-mail—it gives managers time to vet potential stays before confirming a reservation. Of course, there’s also the perennial question asked by rejected walk-ins at hospitals and restaurants: “What would you do if Beyoncé dropped in?” At many hotels, a few luxury rooms are always kept empty in case a valued VIP decides to stay on a whim. These aren’t always celebrities; they can simply be big spenders. At the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, for instance, the 21 Boulevard penthouses are entirely unlisted, unbookable, and reserved for those who spend a cool million in the high roller lounge. EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES Unlisted rooms aren’t a lways the biggest or the most glamorous. Sometimes, they ’re botched or rejected prototypes for renovations that have hung around for financial reasons. And sometimes they’re just unusually small or oddly shaped. According to travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group, these broom-closet-size rooms are most common in older, Grand Hotel-era proper ties, which were “built to serve people who traveled with staff, like a personal butler, a valet or a maid.” Mr. Harteveldt says while many of those cramped quarters have been knocked together or reconfigured, such renovations aren’t always possible, leading hoteliers to turn them into cheaper, secret rooms that are held in reserve. That’s how New York’s Moxy Hotel at Times Square—which was built in 1907 as the Mills Hotel—ended up with its 120-square-foot Crashpad rooms. They’re priced at just US$99 per night and are truly off-menu: They’re only bookable off the drinks menu at the Magic Hour rooftop bar, for guests that have had one martini too many. In other words: Don’t assume that all of your options are listed on a hotel’s website. And know that like any good secret, unlisted suites are always at risk of going public. “Honestly, we might put it out there at some point,” says Mr. Masson of the Blue Lagoon suite, meaning listing it publicly, not talking to us for this article. “But for now, we want it to be like a hidden gem.” — Bloomberg
HIGH LIFE l
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From luxurious off-grid retreats set among Arizona’s healing thermal water springs, to vintage-style beachside hotels in Miami, the USA will see a huge range of new hotel openings in 2019. Whether you’re looking for a Western-style adventure in Utah, a hotel in the centre of NOLA’s pulsing nightlife or a relaxing beach break on the pristine shores of the Florida Keys, this is our run-down of the most exciting new openings in 2019.
The Hoxton, Chicago, Illinois
The Run-Down: Guests will travel along a palm tree-lined driveway to reach the luxurious Castle Hot Springs, which is due to open in January 2019. Located in the southern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, approximately 50 miles north of Phoenix, the 32 cottages and cabins of the resort are set in a region that’s been a medicinal healing group for Yavapi and Tonto Apache Indians for centuries. Throughout the 1800s and 1900s Castle Hot Springs was a retreat for affluent families – even John F Kennedy spent three months there in 1945. While the reimagined resort isn’t an exact replica, it will be a classically luxurious retreat, with three swimming pools filled by the hot springs, and organic garden and a brewery housed i n a barn.
Hotel Bennett, Charleston, South Carolina
The Run-Down: Opening in January 2019 and just in time for British Airways’ new London to Charleston flight route is the glamorous Hotel Bennett. The elegant 179 guestroom hotel will overlook the city’s iconic Marion Square, while the restaurant will have views across the park. A heated pool will be located on the hotel’s rooftop, along with a peaceful bar that will become the best sundowner spot in town. Meanwhile the spa will offer treatments inspired by the hotel’s maritime surroundings, plus rooftop yoga.
Virgin Hotels Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee
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BY THE PUBLISHERS OF THE ATLANTAN AND JEZEBEL
OUTSIDE
EDGE
THE POSHEST PIECES FOR A SOUTHERN ALFRESCO LIFE
A CHANGE OF ART A LOOK AT SCAD ART SALES’ ATLANTA OFFICE
+
MOUNTAIN SKY WELLNESS CENTER DEBUTS; CATCHING UP WITH TOM DIXON; HABACHY DESIGNS’ NEW ATELIER & MORE
@ M L I N T E R I O R S AT L M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M
EXPLORE
PHOTO BY MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Camellias in Hotel Bennett was inspired by a pink Fabergé egg and is the perfect stop for Champagne and caviar.
SOUTH CAROLINA STUNNER Where part of The Citadel and the Charleston County Public Library once stood is a hotel almost a quarter of a century in the making. Hotel Bennett, the brainchild of Michael Bennett, is being touted as luxury unlike Charleston has ever seen, and it’s valid. Decidedly low country in its friendly, relaxed style yet reminiscent of grand European hotels—a rotunda decked in handpainted murals of Bennett’s home, Richmond Plantation, and Charleston Harbor; marble floors; and high-touch services bring in the effect quite nicely— the hotel looks like it’s been standing for 100 years, which was exactly Bennett’s intention. The property is also a member of the esteemed network of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, helping bring the esteem even higher. What’s most eye-catching, in a stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of way, is Camellias, a Champagne and caviar bar inspired by a pink Fabergé egg. It’s the perfect spot for drinking in the surrounding luxury—and the South’s famous hospitality. Rooms from $450 per night, hotelbennett.com –Lauren Finney
BY THE PUBLISHERS OF BOSTON COMMON
BOSTON
OUTSIDE EDGE THE POSHEST PIECES FOR AN ALFRESCO LIFE
+
A SPLENDID SIX-STORY BROWNSTONE IN THE SOUTH END, A WESTON RESIDENCE WITH SPRING FLAIR & A BEACON HILL PAD PRIMED FOR FUN @M LI NTE R I OR S B OSTON M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M
EXPLORE
PHOTO BY MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Camellias in Hotel Bennett was inspired by a pink Fabergé egg and is the perfect stop for Champagne and caviar.
SOUTH CAROLINA STUNNER Where part of The Citadel and the Charleston County Public Library once stood is a hotel almost a quarter of a century in the making. Hotel Bennett, the brainchild of Michael Bennett, is being touted as luxury unlike Charleston has ever seen, and it’s valid. Decidedly low country in its friendly, relaxed style yet reminiscent of grand European hotels—a rotunda decked in handpainted murals of Bennett’s home, Richmond Plantation, and Charleston Harbor; marble floors; and high-touch services bring in the effect quite nicely—the hotel looks like it’s been standing for 100 years, which was exactly Bennett’s intention. The property is also a member of the esteemed network of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, helping bring the esteem even higher. What’s most eye-catching, in a stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of way, is Camellias, a Champagne and caviar bar inspired by a pink Fabergé egg. It’s the perfect spot for drinking in the surrounding luxury—and the South’s famous hospitality. Rooms from $450, hotelbennett.com –Lauren Finney
NOW IN O.C.
Clockwise from top: .. If someone was seeking a mhc of city life and resort ÂĽ!bes, I'd send them to Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden in Mallorca, Spain," says Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Carolfne Klein, pictured here: for the uldmatc troplcal getaway replete with luxurious amenldes, Klein Is a fan of Indonesia"s exotic Ulcwa.tu Resort Sumba. Each indoor-outdoor \liUa features a private pool and bn:illthtakin1 \licws of the Indian Ocean or junclc.
TRENDING NOW
MORE to EXPLORE Caroline Klein, executive vice president of corporate communications and public relations at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, shares what's hot in hospitality ahead of the addition of 90 new hotels to the brand's global portfolio this year. ByAnn11D"11n
|travel
Comfortable Elegance CHARLESTON’S NEWEST LUXURY HOTEL WAS MORE THAN A DECADE IN THE MAKING — AND IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
W
hen you live in Charlotte, driving-distance destinations such as Asheville and Charleston, South Carolina, tend to be frequent getaways. So when a new hotel opens in the heart of historic Charleston, interest is piqued. And for good reason: Hotel Bennett, which opened in January, had been in the works for more than a decade. Michael Bennett of Charleston-based Bennett Hospitality, the property’s owner, put plans for the 179-room hotel 78
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in motion back in 2005. After legal and construction delays, work started in 2015 on the project on King Street overlooking the famed Marion Square. The previous structure that stood on the site was the original west wing of The Citadel military academy and, more recently, the Charleston County Public Library. The latter was razed, and erected in its place is a stunning, nine-story hotel that pays homage to Charleston’s rich culture and history through architectural
PHOTOGRAPHS BY HOTEL BENNETT AND MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY
BY BLAKE MILLER
southparkmagazine.com | 79
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY
details and interior aesthetics. The property is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hospitality company based in Middleburg, Va. Once approved, the project took nearly four years to complete. While Hotel Bennett feels elegant and grand, it’s also comfortable and welcoming. By day, guests sip coffee and tea on the patio just feet from Marion Square, a 10-acre park that hosts festivals, picnics, farmers markets and more, while couples stroll across the breathtaking two-story atrium you pass through as you enter the hotel. By night, the place buzzes with the chatter of patrons sipping on artisan cocktails in the lobby lounge. This casual, approachable ele
gance is exactly the feeling you get when visiting Charleston’s newest luxury hotel.
BY DAY
You could easily spend the entire day without ever leaving Hotel Bennett and be perfectly satisfied. On the rooftop deck overlooking the park, private cabanas with luxe daybeds encourage poolside lounging. The Fiat Lux rooftop restaurant and bar offers updated, classic Southern cocktails such as a Southern June Bug — a concoction of Wheatly vodka, Midori, Giffar banana liqueur, Cruzan coconut rum and fresh lemon-lime and pineapple juices — and small plates including spicy tuna poke or snapper ceviche. An in-house spa offers
various facial and body treatments. If you do leave the property, channel your inner child and rent bikes from the city’s bike-share program, Holy Spokes — there’s a drop-off area right by the hotel. Tour the city by bike cruiser, and explore the tiny side streets too narrow for horse-drawn carriages. You can wind your way through the charming College of Charleston campus before heading down to the Battery and back again along the waterfront. Head to Leyla on King Street for lunch, where you’re likely to find a crowd waiting for its falafel, kabobs and other authentic Lebanese dishes. If you don’t want to wait for a table, grab a seat at the bar and watch the passersby on King Street. southparkmagazine.com | 81
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Shine on. There’s nothing more beautiful than confidence. Don’t let varicose and spider veins dull your shine. A simple, non-surgical procedure could correct the underlying problem, which can cause symptoms like throbbing, burning and heaviness. And it’s usually covered by insurance. Schedule a consultation with Charlotte Radiology’s vein experts today by calling 704-367-7877.
Love your legs.
Say goodbye to varicose and spider veins.
PHOTOGRAPH FROM HOLY SPOKES
BY NIGHT
Kick off the evening with a cocktail at Camellias, Hotel Bennett’s chic champagne bar. Swathed in pink from floor to ceiling, the lounge serves afternoon tea with petit fours and tea sandwiches. At night, it’s champagne and caviar. For a fine-dining experience, plan on dinner at Hotel Bennett’s own Gabrielle. A more casual option is 5Church, a quick Uber ride from the hotel and located near the Historic Charleston City Market. Like its Charlotte sibling, the restaurant inhabits a former church and sports a modern, eclectic interior. The menu is similar to 5Church in Charlotte, with subtle distinctions. Finish the evening with a nightcap at Bourbon n’ Bubbles on Upper King Street, a short walk from the hotel. Handcrafted cocktails such as the Hemingway — Bacardi rum, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, grapefruit and lime — are delicious but not overly sweet. The bourbon selection is impressive, as well. If you’re not too stuffed from dinner, order a handful of small plates such as the tuna tartare, classic deviled eggs or King Street crab dip.
GETTING THERE
A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Charlotte down Interstate 77 South to Interstate 26 takes you right into the heart of Charleston. Rates start at $450. hotelbennett.com SP
Take a closer look at CRveins.com
southparkmagazine.com | 83 SouthPark_ShineOn_3.65x9.875_04.indd 1
3/26/19 11:54 AM
SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON
History on the Run Get to know Charleston while burning calories By Sarah Sekula
I
T’S 9:30 A.M. WHEN
I spot Shaun Garrison in the lobby of the French Quarter Inn (fqicharleston. com), a popular hotel in the cultural heart of downtown Charleston, S.C. He’s sporting a bright yellow T-shirt and running shorts, so he stands out among dapper guests sipping peach iced teas and noshing on gourmet pastries. We’re about to embark on a whirlwind tour of the city, but at a faster pace than usual. Garrison, a lifelong soccer player who studied history at Clemson University, combined his interests in athleticism and the past to launch Charleston Steeplechase (charlestonsteeplechase.com), a sight-running tour — part guided excursion, part exercise. Without wasting any time, we make our way down the hotel’s hardwood staircase and jog along Church Street. As I suspected, it’s mere minutes before we encounter a piece of history. To our left is St. Philip’s Church, founded in 1680. With a neoclassical interior and an iconic steeple, it’s quite the sight. As church bells sound, our jog picks back up.
St. Philip’s Church
CONTINUED KIM GRAHAM
SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON
Circular Congregational Church and Parish House EXPLORE CHARLESTON
Nathaniel Russell House museum RICK RHODES
“The biggest thing I love about the city is the people.” South Carolina Historical Society Museum EXPLORE CHARLESTON
We head south on Meeting Street, and I’m wowed again. The Circular Congregational Church and Parish House, a National Historic Landmark built in a Romanesque style, is a stunner with an arched entrance and ribbons of windows.
GO BACK IN TIME
And as I glance at the South Carolina Historical Society Museum (once known as the Fireproof Building), I imagine its
cupola and cantilevered stone staircase being constructed. This building, which is also a National Historic Landmark, was created by the same architect who designed the Washington Monument. It’s easy to see why locals hold this city dear to their hearts. The appeal, though, goes beyond its secret gardens, craft eateries and cobblestoned alleyways. “The biggest thing I love about the city is the people,” says Charleston native
— MARVIN COAXUM, concierge supervisor, French Quarter Inn
Nathaniel Russell House staircase RICK MCKEE
Marvin Coaxum, concierge supervisor at the French Quarter Inn. “While the city has evolved over the years, it hasn’t lost its charm, and in my opinion that is because of the friendly people.” Next up: the Nathaniel Russell House museum. As we take a breather, Garrison chats about his favorite feature, a free-flying, three-story spiral staircase; I make a mental note to return. Minutes later, we jog to the Calhoun
Mansion (calhounmansion.net), which Nicholas Sparks fans might recognize from the 2004 romantic drama The Notebook. Scenes from the movie were filmed there. We jog to White Point Garden (charlestonparksconservancy.org) next and trot up the stairs to the seawall for a view of James Island, the former site of Fort Johnson, where the first shots of the CON T I N UED
SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON
WHEN YOU’RE NOT RUNNING Take a breather at these relaxing locations
BOLT TREE HOUSE
Rainbow Row GETTY IMAGES
D I S TA N
C
T
E
O
UR
FORGET SELFIES Hire a Flytographer to snap photos of you by the Pineapple Fountain, on Folly Beach or in front of Dock Street Theatre. Five days later, the photos arrive in your inbox. ▶ flytographer.com
3-4 MILES
GETTY IMAGES
Calhoun Mansion EXPLORE CHARLESTON
White Point Garden GETTY IMAGES
TREE TIME Bolt Farm Treehouse, with locations in Charleston and Walhalla, is the ultimate way to act like a kid. Located on a 30-acre farm, the luxe treehouses are perfect for wildlife spotting, and you can roast marshmallows by the fire pit or listen to records. ▶ boltfarmtreehouse.com
Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter. “Charleston’s impact on our nation’s history, for better or worse, it’s extraordinary,” Garrison says. Last, but not least, we pass 13 Colonialera buildings known as Rainbow Row on East Bay Street. Then, it’s back to where we started: the French Quarter Inn. After a quick outfit change, I bike to the Charleston City Market where specialty bowties and stoneground grits abound. The hotel provides complimentary bikes complete with a basket in front, perfect for shopping. A few blocks over is King Street where I order an acai bowl at Beech, a trendy eatery among the string of high-end shops. Then, it hits me: I’ve managed to squeeze a whole lot into the day, and it’s only early afternoon. From here on out, I vow to move as slow as molasses.
ME-WOW Score cat cuddles at Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar, then belly up to the bar for a glass of vino. ▶ pouncecatcafe.com SERIOUS R&R Enjoy a salt-therapy session at Salt Oasis Spa and Wellness Center, where guests are surrounded by Himalayan salt crystals. Or opt for hypnosis, the infrared sauna or a salt-room yoga session. ▶ saltoasischarleston.com MUSCLE THERAPY Charleston’s newest hotel, Hotel Bennett, is a great place to recover after your sight-running tour. Consider tea time at Camellias Champagne Bar, a cocktail at the rooftop bar or a muscle relief massage at the spa to loosen up your calves, feet and hips. ▶ hotelbennett.com
F O O D + D R I N K Âť R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W S
May 01, 2019
Elegant execution despite some shortcomings at Gabrielle Time to Check In By Vanessa Wolf
Ruta Smith
Chef Michael Sichel’s Escargot Bruschetta features six snails atop chewy bread with herb-infused cream sauce and tomatoes
Once upon a time, three months ago, I purchased a single glass of orange juice and four slices of bacon for my hangry four-year-old. The price tag: $21 plus tax and tip. The explanation: fancy hotel restaurant. SHARE
TWEET
Accordingly, let's talk about Gabrielle, a lovely eatery tucked in the back right corner of the elegant new Hotel Bennett. Boasting a French patisserie, spa, and rooftop pool, the luxury hotel is undeniably posh. The Gabrielle menu is equally upscale, merging French and Southern sensibilities. The escargot bruschetta ($19) is a beautiful mess. While the construction choice — arguably more "fancy toast" than anything — is inscrutable, the flavors are rich, yet balanced. Note the single slice of chewy bread — topped with chopped tomatoes, herb-infused cream sauce, and six round, rolling-all-over-everywhere-snails — is hard to pick up, let alone share. Applying a knife and fork, and treating it like an open-face sandwich seems to be the best approach. Regardless of manageability, each tarragon-scented, shaved fennel-enhanced bite is a celebration. Meanwhile, the lamb tartare ($17) is delightfully fresh, and the chopped meat surprisingly delicate. However, it lacks flavor, the only real discernable notes being that of paprika oil. The dot of deviled egg yolk on top imparts a notable horseradish punch, and there's ample salt in the accompanying eight hand-cut potato gaufrettes, but run out of those and you run out of seasoning. The restaurant itself is formal and refined, with white tablecloths, upholstered chairs, and Swarovski-laden netting draped from the ceiling. There are also a small cluster of tables outside offering superlative views of Marion Square, but note that sitting out there is the equivalent of wearing a cloak of invisibility. Service is where Gabrielle struggles, and the struggle is real. Despite offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, the hostess stand goes largely unmanned. Even once eventually seated, service itself grinds to a reluctant, confused start. Apparently staffing is based on confirmed reservations — suffice it to say, the waiter was very chatty — and more than one person mentioned their rookie status. Nonetheless, what the staff may be lacking in tenure and expertise, they make up for in sweet-natured, earnest effort. At the same time, when shelling out $9 for a side of mashed potatoes, good intentions may not be enough.
R ut a Smi t h
Sip on a variety of creative and classic cocktails at Gabrielle’s bar
R ut a Smi t h
The Tumeric Cauliflower seared with almonds, raisins, and capers
As for the food, and owing to the waiter's unfamiliarity with the menu, the flounder ($33), ordered sauteed and accompanied by foie gras butter sauce, was a gamble. However, what arrived was impeccably prepared, with a crisply seared exterior, yet moist and flaky inside. While the portion — two small filets — is modest, it's sufficient. The fish comes a la carte, so if you want to be full, you'll need to order some sides. The Brabant potatoes ($9), also known as Louisiana fries, are typically peeled, cubed, and blanched, then deep fried and tossed in a rich butter-garlic sauce, much like their
easygoing second-cousin, ballpark garlic fries. However, perhaps because of the plating (a bouillon bowl, the bottom of which all the good stuff has navigated), the fries stand out as a preferable delivery system. Nonetheless, and regardless of nuances, you can't go too wrong with fried potatoes tossed with freshly chopped garlic and parsley. In contrast, the roasted turmeric cauliflower ($11) made me stroke my imaginary beard. At first glance, it's gorgeously seared to a rich brown on one side and adorned with almonds, raisins and capers. Upon further investigation, it's tragically overcooked to a state of mush and lacks seasoning. All sizzle and no steak, even the crisp-looking sear lacks fortitude, a feat of its own.
R ut a Smi t h
The tender Duck a l’ Orange
Three cheers for the duck a l'orange ($35), a testimony to the heights of which the kitchen is capable. Beautifully presented, the delectable, crisp skin on the bird is perfection. Same goes for the tender meat. Plated with orange sections and three tourneed, roasted turnips, this was the unexpected highlight of the meal. My dining companion may have summed it up best, "They must have beat that bird before they killed it, because that is some tender flesh." With French-influenced, New Orleans-honed sensibilities and locally sourced ingredients, Gabrielle's elegant, polished cuisine will likely place her firmly in the "It Girl" running. Yes, prices are high, and service can feel like amateur hour, but if you (or they) can get past these things, there is plenty to love here.
Tags: Gabrielle
S O U T H E AST
$ 9.95
A SANDOW PUBLICATION LUXE SOURCE®
MAY/JUNE 2019 DISPLAY UNTIL 07/01/19
RADAR / SCENE
SKYLAR MORGAN
ATLANTA DESIGN FESTIVAL
Organized by MA! Design is Human and now in its 13th year, the Atlanta Design Festival will examine design’s impact on economic growth in Atlanta and beyond. The festival’s most-anticipated annual event takes attendees inside five homes in satellite city Asheville on June 1, and more the following weekend in Atlanta, exploring residences from Buckhead to Little Five Points, surveying the latest innovations in sustainable materials, architectural systems and design. Nine days of programs include an expo of new products at Midtown’s CODA Tech Square showcasing international brands and not-to-miss events at prominent Atlanta showrooms, among them a product launch with Peg Risom, daughter of midcentury maestro Jens Risom, at Design Within Reach. atlantadesignfestival.net
Atlanta furniture designer Skylar Morgan is a hometown hero known for earthy and moody, warm-modern pieces that channel Italian minimalism. Off to ICFF in New York on May 19, he’ll unveil numerous tweaks to his most popular pieces—like the Twirl side table now in blackened brushed brass, the crowd-favorite Arciform credenza updated in oiled walnut with parchment, and the Arc chair (above) augmented with arms and a textural Maharam wool seat. Also on tap are five new intros, from the intentionally diminutive Cache nightstand to an Escher-esque stepped side table offered in hollow cedar or solid reclaimed white oak. But the pièce de résistance is perhaps Morgan’s Hillock console (below)—a spinoff of his larger armoire by the same name—available in blackened ash with soapstone or white oak with travertine. “You rarely see this material on top of a piece of furniture,” says Morgan. “Usually it’s on walls or flooring. I knew I wanted something porous, like limestone. It has seashells and creatures fossilized along the top.” skylarmorganfurniture.com
CHECK IN HOTEL BENNETT
It took more than 20 years for Charleston developer Michael Bennett to realize the vision for his namesake Hotel Bennett, a classical Italian palazzo-inspired edifice in the heart of downtown. For the property, which soars to nine stories on the site of the former Charleston County Library, Atlanta’s Design Continuum crystalized Bennett’s concepts for 179 guest rooms and public spaces that marry Colonial Charleston hallmarks with contemporary flourishes, from reproduction case goods and antiqued mirror to sculptural lighting and clean-lined upholstery. Hotel Bennett also boasts a glamorous two-story restaurant, Gabrielle, and a Dorothy Draperthemed elliptical Champagne bar featuring sunburst onyx floors and a fetching shade of pink. High above the King Street hullabaloo, the rooftop’s posh bar, Fiat Lux, is one of the city’s highest perches for imbibing. hotelbennett.com 094 / LUXESOURCE.COM
LAUNCH PHOTOS: ANDREW THOMAS LEE. SAVE THE DATE PHOTO: HAUS GABLES BY MALL ARCHITECTS, COPYRIGHT NAARO. CHECK IN PHOTO: MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY.
LAUNCH
SAVE the DATE
___
Travel guide to Charleston, South Carolina, USA BA has launched the first non-stop service from London to the charming city of Charleston in USA's South Carolina. It's time to put this Southern Belle on your bucket list. By Susie Boulton - May 8, 2019
The small city of Charleston in South Carolina oozes old-world charm, is rich in history and renowned for its ravishing mansions, culinary delights and southern hospitality. You’ll soon see why it’s called “the best mannered city in America”. In Charleston Spring is the season for romance: magnolias and azaleas are blooming and late spring evenings can be balmy enough for candlelit dinners al fresco. Autumn is a good time too. In the sultry summer you’ll want to escape to the beaches south of the city. In winter daytime temperatures hover at around 60F (though it can be chilly), the crowds subside and hotel prices fall. At any time of year the classic way of seeing the city is to hop on board a horse-drawn carriage and clip-clop your way along cobblestoned streets. It’s fun with entertaining commentary from your guide (more likely on infamous Charlestonians than historical data), but you will see far more on foot. Carriage Tour in Charleston
Wherever you go, whether it’s merchants’ mansions, fortifications, museums or gardens, there are constant reminders of the city’s past. Founded by English colonists in 1670 as Charles Towne, named after King Charles II, the city has a long and complex history. It was a key player in the country’s history from colonial times to the Civil War and by the mid-18th century had become hugely wealthy from the cultivation of rice and cotton. Around 40 per cent of the city was built on slave labour and South Carolina was a hotbed of secession. On 12 April 1861 Confederate soldiers fired on Union-occupied Fort Sumter, signalling the start of the Civil War.
Charleston is a city for strolling Historic Charleston’s leafy streets are lined by immaculately-restored houses, in Georgian, Italianate, Colonial and Victorian styles. The eight-acre Charleston Waterfront Park is a lovely spot where you can watch sailboats and schooners in the harbour or dip your toes in the cool waters of the iconic Pineapple Fountain. Incidentally, pineapples are a symbol of hospitality and you will see the carved motifs in art and architecture all over the city. Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park
The quarter known as South of Broad (ie Broad Street), stretching to the southern tip of the peninsula, boasts palatial antebellum homes, some open to the public. Rainbow Row is named after the colourful and highly instagrammable row of Georgian houses on 83-107 East Bay Street. Stroll to the southern tip to admire the views from the Battery and peaceful White Point Gardens and visit the beautifully-preserved Edmondston-Alston House.
The plantations No trip to Charleston is complete without a visit to at least one of the plantations around Charleston. Middleton Place is a grand 18th-century rice Plantation, with gorgeous gardens spilling down to the Ashley River and huge oak trees hung with beard-like masses of Spanish moss. Explore Charleston Middleton Place House
The restored house is full of family portraits, silver and furniture, while the Stableyards demonstrate skills of enslaved artisans. Eliza’s House, where slaves lived, shows a list of 2800 enslaved people who worked on Middleton plantations. The less showy McLeod Plantation, two miles from downtown Charleston, offers the unvarnished truth of the lives of enslaved Africans who worked here. In the old French Quarter the Old Slave Mart, where the enslaved were auctioned, has further harrowing tales to tell.
Eating out Charleston has seen an explosion of restaurants, and foodies are flocking here in droves. Lowcountry cuisine owes a debt to West African and French culinary traditions and is based on rice and abundant seafood. International fare is increasingly available but it would be a shame not to indulge in southern signature dishes such as Shrimp and Grits and She-Crab Soup (a rich, creamy crab soup with a dash of dry sherry). Grits, made from corn that is ground and boiled, are a big deal in the south – and even appear at breakfast. Start the day at Millers for all-day breakfast, a former pharmacy offering waffles drizzled with sorghum syrup, a daily grits bowl or steak and eggs. For fancy seafood head for The Ordinary, an oyster and seafood hall within a former bank. Carnivores will love the hog plates at Rodney Scott’s BBQ; (8-10 pigs are smoked per night) or the best cuts in Charleston at Halls Chophouse. For romance and old-world charm opt for Circa 1886 serving Lowcountry cuisine in the lovely setting of the former carriage house in Wentworth Mansion. End the day with cocktails and live music at Prohibition jazz-age gastro pub. Or dance the shag (yes really, it’s the official state dance of South Carolina!), traditionally danced on the beach under the stars.
Go shopping in the City Market
The bustling and atmospheric City Market is home to 150 vendors and artisans selling everything from stone-ground grits and feather bow ties to fashions, toys and joggling boards. It’s well-known for weavers of sweetgrass-baskets, originally made to winnow rice on local plantations. The craft originated in West Africa and dates back 300 years. Fashionable King Street is the main shopping thoroughfare: Lower King Street for antiques, Middle King for Fashion, Upper King for Design – with abundant eating and drinking opportunities all the way.
Getting around BIKE: The city is easily covered on foot. Alternatively pick up a bike from one of the 25 locations of Holy Spokes. For plantations or beaches beyond the city use Ubers. WALK: Walking tours, with history, Gullah culture, ghosts or food themes, book with Bulldog. RIDE: Catch a carriage rides with Palmetto Carriage Works. BOAT: Historic Fort Sumter, in the middle of the harbour, is reached by boat.Watch out for pelicans and dolphins as you go. You can also soak up the city skyline from schooner cruises.
Fact :le STAY: For plush rooms and a prime location book at the brand-new Hotel Bennett You can read our review of Bennett Hotel For comfortable boutique rooms at cheaper prices try The Vendue (www.thevendue.com), well placed with a harbour-view rooftop bar, extensive art collection, free bikes, breakfast included and Champagne on arrival. FLY: BA flies direct from London Heathrow to Charleston Airport twice weekly. MORE INFO: Charleston Tourism
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