Hotel News We Noted: January 11, 2013

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Hotel News We Noted,” where we round up the week’s best, most interesting and just downright odd news of note in the hospitality world. Have a tip? Send us a note or leave a comment below.

This week’s hotel news focuses heavily on the new – perhaps appropriate as we ring in a new year. We can’t help but get a bit of wanderlust as we explore these new properties, ranging from boho chic in Jamaica to marvelously modern in Oslo, plus a bit of news for your perusal.

Hotel (Re)Opening of Note: Miami’s Sense Beach House
There’s no doubt, Miami is hot in the hotel world for 2013, and when another new property opens, we’re always eager to bring you news. We “sense” this property will be more our speed than many other South Beach picks. The three-story, 18-room hotel is decorated and designed to mimic a luxe vacation home, complete with “Front Porch” bar, a dining room restaurant with farm-to-table fare, a game room with foosball and ping pong, and a rooftop pool and lounge. The rustic yet chic decor (seen above), with its reclaimed woods and warm colors, mimics a cozy hideaway more than South Beach glam, but that’s just fine with us. At $300 a night, it’s not overly pricey either.

Design Star: The Thief Strikes Oslo
Oslo’s first waterfront hotel has “stolen” the show since its Jan. 9 opening. The Thief Hotel, part of Design Hotels Group, is named after a tiny islet, Tjuvholmen, in Olso where criminals were brought to trial, nicknamed Thief Island. Today, the up-and-coming neighborhood, just a short boat ride away from the city proper, features many businesses and cultural activities. The hotel itself is a tribute to this neighborhood’s rising popularity (the hotel is next to the brand new Museum of Modern Art), with original artwork from an in-house curator, mod furnishings, and an exterior design by architect Renzo Piano. Rates begin from about $375.

Get Glam In Jamaica: The Geejam Collection’s Castle Is Coming
Jamaica has long been a favorite of jetsetters and budget beach seekers alike. Now Port Antonio has another reason to visit with the debut of the Geejam Collection. The first two projects to debut are the oceanfront 13-villa Trident Hotel and the landmark Trident Castle that has been converted into a luxury eight-room hotel, (opening March 15, 2013). The third is the Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Villas, set to open later in the year. Expect Apple TVs, villas with steam rooms and wet bars, a screening room and art gallery, yoga deck, a supper club with red 1917 Steinway piano, and rare cognacs and Cuban rums at the bar. Spring break for adults, anyone? Studio villas start from $750 in high season, castle rates from a reasonable $275.

Haute Hotel Of the Week (Celeb Spotting, Anyone?): The Beverly Hills Hilton
Anyone watching the Golden Globes this weekend? We sure are. Hollywood’s elite will descend on this ultra-famous Hilton for one of the biggest awards events of the season. The Los Angeles Times has a great roundup on the party scene – perfect for anyone wanting to camp out in a hotel lobby for some celeb spotting.

Psst – we’ll dedicate some of next week’s column to hotels where you can celeb spot for the other coast’s big weekend, the 57th presidential inauguration.