Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences.
After a record-breaking year of signings and new development in 2021, the global leader in augmented hospitality is introducing two ultra-luxury brands into the North American market with the opening of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama and Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences.
TORONTO, CANADA – Accor announced a range of exciting openings, renovations and milestone celebrations at iconic properties across North & Central America. After a record-breaking year of signings and new development in 2021, the global leader in augmented hospitality is introducing two ultra-luxury brands into the North American market with the opening of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama and Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences; and ushering in renovations at some of its most iconic addresses including Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. This year will also see the celebrations of milestone anniversaries at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Copley Plaza, as well as an array of new culinary offerings, experiences, and entertainment.
Read on to explore 2022 news from Accor across North & Central America.
Noteworthy Hotel Openings
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama – Accor’s internationally renowned French luxury heritage brand is coming to North and Central America. Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama will make its grand debut this year on a distinctive waterfront enclave that was once the site of the former Union Club of Panama in the heart of the Casco Viejo district, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel will stand apart with its history, heritage, and celebration of Panamanian culture, and will bring undeniable French savoir-faire to one of the most sought-after destinations around the world. The stately address includes 159 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, the vast majority with enviable ocean views; five spectacular food and beverage venues, including a rooftop bar and lounge; a pool; Majordome butler service; as well as a full-service SoSPA and SoFit exercise studio overlooking the ocean.
Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences – Joining Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious collection of 16 unique and timeless properties, Raffles Hotel Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences will bring glamour and elegance to this iconic New England destination with 147 guestrooms and 146 branded residences in a striking new 35-story LEED Gold building. Opening in late 2022, the project will be the brand’s first mixed-use property in North America. Hotel highlights include a mix of signature hotel services such as the Raffles Butler, and elegant and lively public spaces including a two-story sky lobby perched high above Copley Square, five distinct food and beverage venues, a state-of-the-art Raffles Spa with a 20-meter indoor pool, a stunning rooftop garden terrace and lounge, and expansive meeting and pre-function space. Located at the corner of Stuart Street and Trinity Place, the project is destined to reinforce the Back Bay as a first-class international neighborhood.
New Beginnings
Here’s a look at the biggest and brightest renovation projects set to be unveiled in 2022.
Fairmont Banff Springs – Set in the heart of Banff National Park, among towering snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes, this luxury resort is embarking on an extensive $27.5 million renovation of its suites and guest rooms. The first phase, currently underway and scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2022, includes the Royal Suite, Fairmont Gold rooms, select one and two bedroom suites, and terrace suites while the main building, including the conference center and guest rooms, is slated for completion in spring 2023.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia, Fairmont Chateau Whistler is diving into a two-phase transformation by Hirsch Bedner Associates of its 366 guest rooms and eight suites starting this Spring, adopting modern alpine lodge décor emphasizing the destination’s exquisite natural setting. The refresh is scheduled for completion in December 2022.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – One of the world’s most photographed hotels is giving travelers another reason to snap away. Standing tall over the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has officially completed an eight year, multi-million dollar revitalization spanning all restaurants, meeting spaces, the grand lobby, rooms and more. A landmark ahead of its time, this château is the first historic hotel to become carbon neutral in Canada.
Fairmont Kea Lani – An oceanfront jewel on Polo Beach on the island of Maui in Hawaii, Fairmont Kea Lani is embracing 2022 with hoʻomaka hou (a new beginning) – a multimillion dollar transformation of all of its suites and villas, as well as its grand entrance and lobby. Each of the 413 one-bedroom suites and 37 two-story villas will be completely reimagined from top to bottom to create a luxurious space that evokes stories of the island’s rich cultural heritage. The renovation will also bring a new cultural center designed as an immersive space sharing the mo’olelo (story) of the ahupua’a, Wailea and Maui, Hawai’i, through activities, interactive displays, and more. The resort will welcome a meticulously designed fusion of culture meets culinary-hot-spot blending the natural elements of Maui with the five senses of each guest in a brand-new food & beverage venue, offering breathtaking sunset views at the open-air long bar. The transformation will be complete in the first half of 2023.
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel – An oasis of luxury on the pristine Isla Verde Beach in Puerto Rico, Fairmont El San Juan is renovating its 351-square-foot Banyan Villa Rooms. Named for the property’s iconic 300-year-old Banyan Tree, each of the one-story Banyan Villas embodies the rich culture and history of San Juan. Floral aromas waft over from the gardens, while guests can also contemplate the island nature from the comfort of their private terrace. Coming on March 1, 2022!
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Located on the shore of Lac Beauvert in Jasper National Park, this sprawling 700-acre luxury resort is continuing its ambitious multi-year upgrades with a $1.4 million landscaping project along the Bayview Cabins. Once complete in June 2022, this area will be rejuvenated and will completely transform guest’s lakefront experience with refreshed pathways, private patios, signage, and more.
Tasting and toasting in 2022
Come hungry and thirsty to these new food and beverage outlets
The George at Fairmont Olympic Seattle – The George restaurant makes its debut in April with a stunning new look by Spanish design studio Lázaro Rosa-Violán (LRV) that honors the dining room’s famed history and soaring classical framework guided by the vernacular of the building’s original architect, George B. Post, while incorporating fresh and timeless interior designs. As a showcase of the Pacific Northwest, The George will offer the freshest seafood straight from local waters and dry-aged meats sourced from farms across the state and region. Artisan cheeses will be provided by local dairies, as well as seasonal Pacific Northwest fruits and vegetables from local farmers and sustainable foragers. Signature dishes include a traditional French bouillabaisse, The George seafood tower featuring a selection of Dungeness and King crab, oysters, prawns, mussels, clams, geoduck and bay scallops, and Painted Hills bone-in short rib with heirloom carrots and natural jus.
HIX-Lounge and Bar at Fairmont Mayakoba – An airy, newly renovated lobby with a vast terrace gives patrons at HIX a bird’s-eye view of the dense mangrove forest, water canals, and wildlife of Mayakoba. The name HIX is a nod to the Mayan word for jaguar, and sculptures of these majestic and protective creatures feature dominantly in the center of the space, complete with hand-painted Huichol motifs in black and white.
Tauro Steakhouse at Fairmont Mayakoba – Drawing inspiration from the strength and mythology of the animal behind the name, the recently opened Tauro elegantly combines Mexican ingredients with classic steakhouse techniques and recipes. Rooted in excellence and authenticity, Tauro sources the best cuts of meat and freshest vegetables, elevating them with well-seasoned and deeply flavored sauces. The steakhouse features an in-house dry-aging program, raw bar, prime cuts, as well as a 2-course all-inclusive menu option, handcrafted top-shelf cocktails, and a Martini Bar inspired by famous tastemakers.
Fairmont Orchid – The signature fine-dining restaurant, Brown’s Beach House, has added a new vegan menu that incorporates locally sourced plants and herbs to create a sustainable, elevated, dining experience. Some of the mouth-watering plant-based dishes include compressed watermelon salad with li hing mui and spiced pistachio; tempura tofu with shimeji mushrooms; and congee with kabocha pumpkin and rainbow swiss chard.
Fairmont Le Château Montebello – A cozy new bonfire area and cabin bar invites guests on corporate retreats to sip on warm libations on starry winter nights, while a fireside “Clicquot in the Snow” lounge welcomes all those looking for après-ski vibes accompanied by Veuve Clicquot Champagne on winter weekends.
Before & After Dark
Exciting entertainment experiences make grand debut
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth – Introducing Celeste, a new immersive cabaret show (audiences 12+) conceived and produced by Cirque Éloize, which has been showing exclusively at the hotel since February 17th. Here, audiences are transported into a dreamlike, nocturnal world that is equal parts mystery and glamour, and where acrobats, illusionists and live musicians perform a one-of-a-kind show before their eyes.
Foxwoods El San Juan Casino at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel – With Foxwoods’ 30-year legacy in resort and destination gaming, Foxwoods El San Juan Casino is an exciting and innovative addition to the captivating city of San Juan and to Puerto Rico’s most legendary address. Located in the beachfront Fairmont El San Juan Hotel along the famed Isla Verde Beach, the approximately 15,000-square-foot casino features well-appointed table games and slot machines with first-class service, complementing the resort’s well-appointed luxury accommodations and vibrant amenities.
The Plaza – A Fairmont Managed Hotel – With the highly anticipated fourth season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel set to premiere this month, fans now have the opportunity to experience the glamour of New York City’s “Golden Age of Entertainment”. The Plaza, a New York icon, has partnered with the show and Amazon Prime Video to offer guests an opportunity to travel back in time with a Maisel-inspired afternoon tea menu and an immersive suite modeled after Midge’s ornate 1950’s Upper East Side apartment.
Celebrating milestones
Some big birthdays are worth celebrating
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – In June 2022, this classic Canadian lodge in Alberta’s Jasper National Park will be celebrating its 100th anniversary since the Canadian National Railway opened its official hotel doors to the public. As a transient railway hotel for travelers heading through the Canadian Rockies, summertime was once the only operative season for the hotel. Nowadays, summer remains Jasper Park Lodge’s most popular season as guests explore the endless breathtaking trails and wildlife inhabitants of Jasper National Park and delight in the world’s second largest Dark Sky Preserve.
Fairmont Copley Plaza – The iconic Boston hotel will celebrate a historic 110th anniversary in August 2022. Built on the original site of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, it took 16 months and a then- extravagant $5.5 million to build The Copley Plaza. Affectionately known as the “Grand Dame of Boston,” Fairmont Copley Plaza has stood as a symbol of Boston’s rich tradition, culture and hospitality since its opening in 1912.
The future of wellness
Activities to improve holistic health
Fairmont Century Plaza – Fairmont Spa Century Plaza, located at the recently opened and completely reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza, recently announced the debut of its new biohacking program. The program was co-designed by Dr. Oz Garcia, a biohacker and leading authority on age reversal and healthy aging, and Magdaleena Nikolov, General Manager of Spa, Wellness and Retail for Fairmont Century Plaza. This first-of-its-kind treatment protocol features three state-of-the-art treatments that promote wellbeing at a cellular level and aim to reduce stress, improve sleep and enhance the recipient’s overall quality of life. Each biohacking session includes the Oakworks Curva Lounger Anti-gravity Chair featuring a NASA-inspired curve and tilt that promotes relaxation in a meditative state; NuCalm®, a clinically-proven and patented neuroacoustic headset to calm the mind and nervous system; an Infrared PEMF Mat that relaxes the nervous system by regulating energy stored in the body; Normatec by HyperIce compression boots, which increase circulation and reduce inflammation; and LED Face Visors which use a combination of red, blue and amber light to increase blood circulation, generate collagen and improve cellular turnover.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
