For all the talk of new openings, many of the most interesting hotels are not entirely all that “new.” More often, they open within buildings that already had a life before guests checked in: a department store in London, a historic building in Kyoto once used for performances, a lakeside palazzo in northern Italy.
Several of this month’s hotel openings are embracing the history of the place, all while adding some extraordinary amenities. Six Senses London reworks a part of the city that has largely sat outside the luxury hotel map, with a wellness program that’s closer to a private clinic than a hotel spa. In Kyoto, the Imperial Hotel moves into the former Yasaka Kaikan complex in Gion. And on Lake Como, the Edition moves into a 19th-century residence and introduces a more contemporary style of hotel to a stretch of the lake long defined by formal villas.
If you are planning a trip this summer, here are some of the most exciting new hotels worth bookmarking.
Location: Denver, Colorado
Why it’s notable: The All Inn Hotel brings a restored 1950s motor inn back into use on East Colfax. The 54-room property keeps much of the original structure — including its neon sign, vertical window patterns, and exposed rock wall — and builds around that with updated interiors and a series of shared spaces. The lobby is organized around a sunken seating area and an all-day bar, while Fino, the on-site restaurant, serves Mediterranean small plates and opens onto a large outdoor wine garden set to host live music and rotating art.
Type of traveler who will love this hotel: Anyone happy to skip the chain hotels for somewhere with character.
What’s nearby: The hotel sits on East Colfax Avenue, one of Denver’s main corridors for music venues, bars, and late-night restaurants. It’s close to the Bluebird Theater, Ogden Theatre, and a mix of local coffee shops, vintage stores, and dive bars, with downtown Denver a short drive or bus ride away.