Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1546381
G U T T E R C R E D I T T E E K AY Yes, we know everyone's traveling a little lighter these days, literally. If you're one of the many slimmed-down jetsetters whose luggage now comes with a jab or two that needs refrigerating, don't worry: The world's best hotels are already anticipating how to handle VIP GLP-1 by reviving the minibar in a distinctly contemporary way. The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, the five-star spot from Champagne Hospitality partner Denise Dupré in the winemaking heartland, has added Beautigloo cosmetic fridges in its three top suites, stocked with a selection of myBlend skincare, but with room enough to store a needle or two, of course. The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills features Pixi Beauty fridges in its dozen premium suites, also packed with an assortment of skincare freebies to use while you're in residence. Arguably nowhere has embraced this opportunity with greater panache and gusto than the Paolo Ferrari–designed minibars at Saudi Arabia's Shebara resort. The sculptural forms are finished in polished mirror steel and are cantilevered from the wall, its butterfly-style doors popping open at the touch of a button to reveal plush crimson leather interiors. —M.E. WELLNESS CHECK The Return of the Minibar THE GREAT HOTEL SWITCHEROO When a luxury hotel jumps from one hospitality giant to another, the ripple effects are felt far beyond the front desk. BY MARK ELLWOOD t was a moment of astonishment when Hilton triumphantly announced this summer that it had snatched one of the crown jewels of the Marriott portfolio to operate under its auspices. The buzzy, high-profile W South Beach will soon begin a gut renovation that will see it reborn as the Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach in Winter 2027, rebooting everything from the rooms to the food-and- beverage options. All barely six years after the 17-year-old hotel underwent a full Marriott- powered makeover. It's rare for this to happen with a successful hotel, so what other properties have seen similar jaw-dropping changeovers? WHAT IT WAS WHAT IT BECAME WHY THE SWITCHEROO InterContinental Hong Kong St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club The Chatwal, New York Regent Hong Kong Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club The Wolseley Hotel New York More a return than a reflag; the property returned to the Regent family when parent company IHG decided its makeover should make a statement with this new flagship. It took barely a year for the owners to pull this property (and two other sites) out from Marriott's portfolio to manage it independently, in order to better cater to its target audience. The Hyatt-operated Midtown spot struggled to achieve five-star cachet for almost 20 years; it will re-emerge steered by Minor Hotels as the first of a soon-to-be-global chainlet. Not for the martinis, for the medication. C O U R T E S Y O F WA L D O R F A S TO R I A M I A M I B E AC H ; LO N D O N W E S T H O L LY W O O D AT B E V E R LY H I L L S I Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach In-room beauty fridge at The London West Hollywood 154 154 BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M