Zecha reimagines the ryokan: Aman founder Adrian Zecha, in partnership with Japanese hospitality group Naru Developments, is launching a new brand, Azumi. Named after the ancient seafaring tribe, the Azumi people, who settled in Japan, the brand will offer a “fresh take” on the Japanese ryokan, a type of inn. The first Azumi property is scheduled to open in the Setouchi region of Japan in spring 2021. A representative said more details would be available on the new brand near year-end but declined to offer further details on design specifics, whether there were any other signed deals or growth goals in terms of number of properties and whether the brand would be offered outside Japan.
Design Hotels partners with NeueHouse: New York-based NeueHouse, a workspace and hospitality hybrid, is partnering with Berlin-based Design Hotels. Under the partnership, NeueHouse will provide guests at Hollywood and Bradbury (Los Angeles) as well as Madison Square (New York) locations complimentary use of areas designed for work while giving them access to programming and amenities at 10 properties in both California and New York. Design Hotels will offer guests cultural and creative activities including sound healing, breath classes, interactive art and writing workshops, mindfulness meditation and artisanal craft courses. These Design programs, normally open only to private members and in-house guests, are now additionally accessible to the NeueHouse community.
Hyatt’s plans for Andaz Lisbon: A Hyatt affiliate signed a management agreement with Feuring Hotel Lissabon GmbH & Co. KG for the first Andaz hotel in Lisbon, expected to open in 2024. Andaz Lisbon is set to become the second Hyatt-branded hotel in Lisbon following the planned opening of Hyatt Regency Lisbon in 2022. The hotel will be composed of five buildings, including the former offices of a major bank, Banco Português de Investimento. This central building of the hotel will have 169 rooms, with the hotel’s surrounding four buildings offering guests various suites.