Luxury Travel Alert: Are these newly renovated hotels really worth the hype? These four iconic hotels are betting big on glamour with major renovations. But are they genuinely improved, or are they just trading on their names? Let's dive in and see if these revamped destinations live up to the buzz. Get ready to explore four city hotels that are pulling out all the stops to redefine luxury.
First Stop: Amsterdam, where history meets modern design.
The Dylan, Amsterdam: A Dutch Masterpiece Reimagined
Price: From €595
Website: dylanamsterdam.com
The Dylan, nestled in a grand 18th-century building on the Keizersgracht (once the site of Amsterdam's famous Schouwburg theatre), has a rich history. Originally redesigned by Anouska Hempel (the creative force behind Blakes Amsterdam) in the 1990s, it became the benchmark for boutique hotels in Europe. Hempel's vision perfectly complemented the building's stunning architecture. But here's where it gets controversial... After being sold and renamed The Dylan in 2004, some felt it lost its original spark.
Enter Paul Linse of Studio Linse (the firm behind redesigns of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and Concertgebouw, as well as London’s Royal Opera House). Linse was brought in to recapture the magic. The result? A departure from Hempel's orientalist touches and subsequent renovations, favoring sleeker lighting and a more contemporary feel. And this is the part most people miss... Linse somehow managed to retain the hotel's original spirit. The 41 rooms and suites feature bespoke furniture in subdued yet rich tones, with an emphasis on spare proportions that complement the black lacquer and raw oak beams. Vinkeles, the fine-dining restaurant, remains one of the most atmospheric dining experiences in the city.
Next Up: Milan, where chic reigns supreme.
The Carlton, Milan: A Family Affair with Flair
Price: From €1,400
Website: roccofortehotels.com
Rocco Forte Hotels has always been a family affair, and The Carlton, their new 71-room Milanese hotel on the prestigious Via della Spiga, is no exception. Daughters Lydia and Irene Forte are showcasing the expertise they've honed across the brand's 15 European hotels. Consulting chef Fulvio Pierangelini collaborates with Lydia on menus that expertly balance indulgent Italian cuisine with the lighter, health-conscious fare Rocco Forte restaurants are known for.
Irene, meanwhile, introduces her award-winning skincare brand (one of the few with BCorp certification) to the spa. A partnership with Lyma, a popular anti-ageing skin laser, integrates LED therapies into all facial treatments. Designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen (who revitalized Palermo's Villa Igiea in 2022) sprinkle their magic throughout, from the lush Carlton Bar to the suites, which boast parquet floors, expansive windows, and original art and photography.
Destination Three: Singapore, where bling meets botanical beauty.
Mett Singapore, Fort Canning: Colonial Charm with a Modern Twist
Price: From SG$560 (approximately £328)
Website: metthotelsandresorts.com
For years, Singapore's Hotel Fort Canning, a 100-year-old former British officers' headquarters nestled on a jungled hillside in Fort Canning Park, existed in relative obscurity. While its colonial exterior was stunning, its service was considered lackluster. Nevertheless, many believed that its enviable location gave it the potential to rival even Raffles. After a year-long renovation, it relaunched as Mett Singapore in late October, becoming part of a micro-collection with grand ambitions across the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond the 84 reimagined rooms and suites (characterized by light marble, pale timber, and white linen), the hotel now boasts four restaurants and bars, including a southern Italian seafood bistro and a Korean grill. Guests also gain access to a private members' club. For the active traveler, there are padel and pickleball courts, a Technogym fitness center, and an outpost of The Longevity Suite (Asia's first), offering cryotherapy chambers, laser treatments, and a range of non-invasive tweaks alongside traditional massages and facials.
Final Stop: Tokyo, where cinematic history gets a fresh look.
Park Hyatt Tokyo: Lost in Translation, Found in Renovation
Price: From ¥130,000 (approximately £637)
Website: parkhyatt.com
Calling all Lost in Translation fans! The hotel immortalized by Sofia Coppola will reopen next week after its first comprehensive renovation in 31 years. But since no one wants to erase cinematic history, Hyatt brought in Paris-based Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku (masters of subtle visual rebranding) to revitalize the space without losing the nostalgic elements created by John Morford.
The iconic New York Grill & Bar and the Library, among other beloved spaces, have been polished but otherwise remain true to their original designs, including the murals and accent lamps. Jouin and Manku have elevated the rooms and suites, rethinking everything from spatial layouts to bathrooms (which now combine hinoki-wood tubs and steam showers in sleek wet rooms).
So, what do you think? Do these renovations enhance the original charm of these hotels, or do they lose something in the process? Is it possible to modernize a classic without sacrificing its soul? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Which of these hotels would you most like to visit, and why? Are there other hotels you think are doing a better job of balancing tradition and modernity?
