In Bangkok, Puerto Rico, and New York, icons of hospitality rise anew, with a reawakened sense of place that honours the past while shaping the future.
In hospitality, innovation evolves alongside changing traveller needs, shaped by technology, shifting tastes, and the pace of modern life. Amid of the changes, it is creativity that truly propels the industry forward, breathing new life into familiar spaces and opening fresh chapters for long-standing addresses. This spirit is reflected in a new hotel and notable reopenings across Bangkok, Puerto Rico, and New York, where heritage is carefully reworked through contemporary design and experiences, proving that progress in hospitality is as much about reimagining the past as it is about embracing what comes next.
COMO METROPOLITAN BANGKOK
A new chapter unfolds in Bangkok’s vibrant Central Business District as COMO Metropolitan Bangkok reveals its refreshed identity after 22 proud years. An urban sanctuary offering glimpses of the city’s dynamism and moments of inner calm, the hotel now leans more distinctly into new design to reflect Bangkok’s storied traditions.
Italian designer Paola Navone leads the transformation with vision: modernity anchored in place without resorting to cultural pastiche. Subtle details define the 137 rooms and suites, showcasing locally sourced materials in playful forms and colours. Oversized woven seat-backs and touches of Buddhist orange introduce character, while layers of texture and lighting add depth. Cultural nods remain intelligent and understated, from the hotel lobby’s new stone counter inspired by Thai masonry and temple reliefs to patterned bamboo overhead panels that softly echo traditional screens.
Guests can enjoy the 25-metre outdoor pool and the COMO Shambhala wellness centre featuring 10 treatment rooms, a yoga studio, gym, and hydro pool. For those wishing to explore, the Iconic Experiences programme offers guided immersion into the city, from shopping excursions to Monsoon Valley Siam Winery visits.
Dining includes one-Michelin-starred nahm, by Chef Pim Techamuanvivit, celebrating regional Thai cuisine, alongside COMO Cuisine’s all-day comfort dishes and the health-focused COMO Shambhala Kitchen.
comohotels.com/como-metropolitan-bangkok
FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES PUERTO RICO
Rising with intention between two protected natural sanctuaries, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico marks a graceful new chapter for the brand in the Caribbean this November. Set on the island’s north-eastern shore, a mere 30 minutes from San Juan, it promises a beachside escape where the rhythm of the ocean meets the ease of familiar luxury. Encompassing 195 hectares of private reserve within the exclusive Bahía Beach enclave, it stands proudly as the region’s only Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.
In partnership with Paulson Puerto Rico, the resort unveils 139 newly reimagined accommodations where timeless elegance is intertwined with thoughtful, eco-minded design. Experiences flow with the spirit of place: guided adventures across land and sea invite discovery at every turn. Guests may follow rainforest paths, kayak through mangrove-lined lagoons under moonlight, canoe the tranquil Reserva Natural Río Espíritu Santo, or uncover history at Old San Juan’s ancient port. Golf, tennis, and pickleball at the Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course and Racket Centre provide play in the sun-drenched hours.
Within the resort, stillness awaits at two sparkling pools and the holistic spa and wellness centre. Culinary pleasures span 10 venues, from locally inspired sips in the Lobby Bar & Lounge to fresh Japanese indulgence at Sushi Bar and beachside grill at Sand Dollar.
WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK
A cultural beacon of Manhattan for over a century begins anew, its storied walls breathing with the same glamour that once defined an era. Rising above Park Avenue, the landmark hotel reawakens as a new stage for the city’s finest gatherings, its reimagined Grand Ballroom and event spaces rekindling the spirit of the first Tony Awards and the earliest Met Galas.
Architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) guide this revival with reverence, restoring the hotel’s Art Deco heart while introducing quiet modernity. Within the hotel, 375 guest rooms and 372 private residences offer a sense of place that feels timeless and new. The expansive rooms draw from the city’s creative pulse: the Manhattan Suite echoes New York’s Art Deco, the Empire Suite bridges American and English grace, while the Waldorf Astoria Suite evokes a touch of Parisian romance. Residences by Jean-Louis Deniot extend this narrative of homecoming, from airy studios to grand penthouses, each with its own sense of calm away from the city’s hum.
The Grand Ballroom crowns the transformation, its three levels restored to grandeur, now aglow with soft cove lighting and modern technology. Guerlain Wellness Spa by Trilogy Spa Holdings continues the legacy of care, blending beauty with wellbeing. Dining completes the experience: classic cocktails at Peacock Alley, Chef Michael Anthony’s expressive seasonal dishes at Lex Yard, and Chef Ry Nitzkowski’s kaiseki-inspired creations at Yoshoku.