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Openings: Raffles Maldives sells the marine life

Raffles opens its first in Maldives: Accor opened its fourth brand in the Maldives – this time it’s a Raffles property, owned by Singapore-based CDL Hospitality: The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, a 21-villa property, opened in May on Gaafu Alifu Atoll, near the southern end of the country. Later this year, a “royal residence” and overwater residential villas will open a short boat ride away.

Besides Raffles-level service that includes personalized butler service, General Manager Olivier Larcher says, “We offer our guests the possibility of enjoying an unforgettable snorkeling and diving experience discovering the rich and vibrant marine life of our house reefs” – including Apollo, one of a dozen or so hawksbill turtles living there. A resident marine biologist and team of “marine butlers” can personalize experiences. Other amenities: an over-water spa, F&B outlets including a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant that offers cooking classe, and what the company says are among the largest guest spaces in the Maldives. ADR for July starts at about US$1,000.

Raffles Maldives
Raffles Maldives

Hyatt House hits Chicago’s hip hood: Hyatt Hotels Corp. has opened in its home town’s trendiest neighborhood with the Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop-Fulton Market. The new hub for corporate campuses, including Google’s Midwest hub and McDonald’s new global headquarters, now includes Hyatt’s first Hyatt House inside Chicago’s city limits, rising 14 stories and including 200 rooms, 67 of which are suites.

The development team includes investment firm Wheelock Street Capital, manager McKibbon Hospitality, developer Sterling Bay, architects Eckenhoff Saunders, and construction firm Skender. Features include a top-floor indoor pool and Sky Deck; the H BAR lobby bar; 24/7 grand and go H Market; and a 24-hour fitness center.

Finnfulness for Helsinki: Scandic’s fifth signature hotel, Marski by Scandic, is now open in the heart of Helsinki. The refurbished hotel has 363 rooms as well as meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, bar and café and a wellness center. Originally opened in 1962, the classic hotel now offers a communal lobby experience complete with a DJ and art exhibitions.

The design and interiors are inspired by the outdoors: the dark green Finnish woods, the thousands of lakes and the warm reds of Finnish berries. The hotel’s light wooden floors are paired with grey stone reminiscent of the cliffs in the Finnish archipelago and the furniture is a blend of modern Finnish design and influences from abroad.

Marski by Scandic, Helsinki
Marski by Scandic, Helsinki
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