Latest news with #CapellaHotelGroup
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
After leaving Six Senses, Neil Jacobs embarks on new hospitality venture
Neil Jacobs, who left Six Senses on July 1 after 13 years as CEO, has wasted no time in forming a new venture. His advisory, Wild Origins, aims to help hospitality brands "redefine sustainable and experiential travel." Jacobs, an ex-Four Seasons executive and former president of Starwood Capital Group during the period that Baccarat and 1 Hotel were formulated, has already signed clients, including Capella Hotel Group (as senior strategic advisor) and Desa Potato Head (as advisor), in addition to multiple projects in Saudi Arabia. A press release describes Wild Origins as "a purpose-driven advisory collective and creative studio … to awaken new ways of thinking across hospitality, wellness, sustainable development and lifestyle … guided by values and instinct over trends and industry norms." Although he left Six Senses on July 1, Jacobs had tendered his resignation in January, "so it's been a very long, drawn-out departure" that had "given me a bit of breathing room to think about what comes next," he said in an interview. In addition to helping Capella devise a strategic plan, Jacobs said he's involved in helping them find a new CEO. Desa Potato Head began as a beach club in Ibiza and now has two hotels in Bali. "It's been a huge success," he said. "What attracted me is their sustainability piece, which they do very, very well. Six Senses is all about sustainability, but these guys do it equally well, if not, sometimes, a bit better. "I'm going to help them expand into Europe, into Central America," he continued. "It's a perfect brand for, say, Tulum or somewhere like that. We're working on a couple of new projects to try and take the brand global." Jacobs said he's also involved in several projects in Saudi Arabia. "I'm sitting on the board of what will be an extraordinary learning institution: the Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality. It'll take 15,000-20,000 students. Probably half will be virtual. Saudi needs it to be sure there are enough Saudi nationals to do a big part of the work. It'll train people from entry level to MBA." Jacobs said he's on another Saudi board, Tourise, which he described as an event a bit like the International Luxury Travel Market. "Everyone here says, 'Yeah, who's going to go?' Well, it's going to take a while," he said.
Tokyo Weekender
27-06-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
Patina Osaka: Mindful Luxury With an Impeccable View
These days, a hotel stay is about much more than just comfort and convenience. When booking accommodation, an increasing number of people are looking for a more holistic and authentic personalized experience. There's also a growing demand for properties that prioritize sustainability. Patina Osaka ticks all those boxes and then some. The prestigious Capella Hotel Group chose Japan's second city for its luxury brand, which debuted in the Maldives four years ago. Opened in May of this year, the elegant hotel — Patina's first urban property — is set within a 20-story sanctuary that boasts unobstructed views of Osaka Castle. More than just a hotel, it's a place that aims to bring together a community of like-minded individuals through a shared appreciation for art, music, design, well-being and conscious living. List of Contents: Rooms With a View Art Inspired by the City and the Earth Wellness for the Body and Spirit Conscious Dining Related Posts Rooms With a View Patina Osaka houses 221 rooms and suites, each of them refined and minimalistic, with every detail carefully considered. They range from the 50-square-meter Deluxe Rooms — significantly more spacious than most of the standard rooms you'll find in Osaka — to the Patina Suite, a sophisticated, palatial 233-square-meter hideaway with a turntable and a state-of-the-art sound system. All rooms are exquisitely furnished and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Osaka Castle, Naniwanomiya Park or the city skyline. Design highlights include washi paper headboards inspired by the stone walls of Osaka Castle, tatami-lined benches, cast-iron teapots and deep soaking bathtubs. Art Inspired by the City and the Earth Designed by Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects with interiors by Strickland, the hotel celebrates the concept of kisetsukan — the Japanese art of seasonal awareness — through thoughtful details and artful design. Throughout the property, striking works of art honor the region's history, many crafted from reclaimed materials. At the entrance, for instance, is an immense flower vase made from part of a dismantled ship that was discovered on the northern coast of Japan. And in P72, the hotel's signature restaurant on the first floor, a spectacular 52-meter installation made of wood scraps from local factories is suspended from the ceiling. Throughout the hotel, references to Osaka's cultural heritage appear in subtle, creative ways. A roughly 10-meter gold-leaf mural in Barin, its high-end teppanyaki restaurant, traces the city's history from the seventh century to the present, and copper ceilings and floral artwork draw inspiration from Osaka Castle's architecture and surrounding gardens. The hotel also features work by contemporary Japanese artists and designers. On the first floor, filmmaker Takashi Makino's immersive video wall captures the mood of Osaka's shifting seasons. In the 20th-floor Sonata Bar & Lounge, Wataru Hatano's painting 'Mud' incorporates soil unearthed during construction. Other highlights include the indigo-dyed spiral staircase in the Nijiri tea lounge and a vintage speaker wall in Sonata Bar & Lounge. Those wanting to learn more about these artworks and installations can join a special design immersion tour led by general manager Ellen Franke. Wellness for the Body and Spirit Beyond sustainability and design, the Patina brand places a strong focus on wellness and cultural immersion. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy a range of complimentary experiences — from morning soundscape sessions in the vintage speaker room to guided jogs through the nearby castle park, aqua walking, breathwork classes, fermentation workshops and more. Patina also features a 1,400-square-meter wellness area offering a variety of modern, tech-forward treatments that go beyond the typical hotel spa experience. Visitors can partake in cutting-edge therapies such as three-minute cryotherapy sessions, hyperbaric oxygen and hydrogen therapy, a far infrared sauna and LED full-body treatment, which is said to improve skin appearance. There's also a state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment and a 20-meter indoor heated pool — complete with a spectacular view of Osaka Castle. Conscious Dining Guests can also enjoy breathtaking views of the castle from the terrace of the Sonata Bar & Lounge. It's the perfect destination for a sunset cocktail before going for something to eat at one of the hotel's world-class restaurants. Two of those restaurants — Iñaki and Barin — can be found on the 19th floor. The former, defined by its open kitchen and wood-fired oven, serves Basque cuisine with a Japanese twist, while the latter is an intimate teppanyaki eatery that combines culinary prowess with theatrical flair. On the same floor is the serene Japanese tea lounge, Nijiri. Heading back down to the first floor: P72 specializes in plant-based cuisine inspired by Japan's 72 micro-seasons, each one lasting about five days. The name reflects its philosophy: a mindful appreciation of nature's subtle shifts, which can be tasted in the seasonal vegetables and herbs used in its dishes. An on-site garden supplies not just this restaurant but the whole property. For those curious to learn more about conscious dining, P72 also hosts various workshops. With its thoughtful integration of art, wellness, sustainability and community, Patina Osaka offers far more than just a luxurious place to stay — it's a gateway to deeper, more meaningful travel. It invites guests to slow down, connect and experience Osaka from a new perspective. Related Posts Osaka's Best Restaurant and Bar Openings: Spring 2025 24 Hours in Osaka The New York Times Names Toyama and Osaka as Top Places To Visit in 2025
TTG
16-06-2025
- Business
- TTG
Capella Hotels and Resorts to make European debut
Capella Hotels and Resorts will make its much-anticipated first foray into Europe with the opening of Capella Florence in 2027. Occupying a privileged position in the historic and cultural heart of Florence, moments from the Piazza della Libertà and the Duomo, this respectful reinvention of a venerable complex of former convents continues to build on the bespoke luxury brand's thoughtful expansion into global destinations. A masterful reimagining of the historic Via San Gallo by acclaimed Italian architectural firms RPA and De Vita & Schulze with refined interiors by French design house Liaigre, Capella Florence will breathe new life into one of the city's most culturally important and storied properties. Dating back to the 12th century, the site has been home to the convents of Sant'Agata, San Clemente and Santa Lucia di Camporeggi; hosted talented artists like Arcangela Paladini; and served as a military hospital. "Capella Florence represents a natural evolution of our vision, bringing the Capella experience to a city where culture, history, and artistry are deeply ingrained in everyday life," says Cristiano Rinaldi, President, Capella Hotel Group. Augmenting sensitively restored heritage buildings with visionary architecture, the 89-key property will converge eight centuries of artistic and cultural excellence with bespoke luxury and timeless elegance. Two refined restaurants, showcasing local Tuscan cuisine and Japanese sushi omakase respectively, will be complemented by a rooftop bar, subterranean speakeasy wine vault and Capella's signature Living Room. A separate Clubhouse will be home to a 600sqm Capella Spa with hydro pool, fitness centre and café, while an indoor amphitheatre will pay homage to the site's 800-year tradition of creativity and cultural exchange, elevated through the lens of Capella's visionary curation and crafted hospitality. In addition to 33 suites and 56 guestrooms, Capella Florence will also feature 10 exclusive classical and modern residences with a dedicated entrance.
Trade Arabia
05-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Interview: Hospitality's rising star
Capella Hotel Group is on track to bring its unique interpretation of luxury hospitality to the Middle East, with the grand debut of Capella Diriyah, Riyadh next year. Opening further down the line and announced just last summer, is another Capella in Saudi Arabia, a wellness offering on the Gulf of Aqaba coast in Magna, NEOM. Next in line for the group could be a Capella in the UAE and another property on a natural, private island in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea – details of which are yet to confirmed. Based in Singapore, Capella Hotel Group has two brands under its portfolio. The award-winning Capella Hotels and Resorts, renowned for its service excellence, crafted luxury design and immersive experiences celebrating the locale, and Patina Hotels & Resorts, the group's sophisticated lifestyle brand, designed for progressive travellers with a creative mindset and penchant for sustainability. 'After a very successful and rewarding 2024, we are entering into 2025 with news of further expansion – with openings planned under our Capella banner in Taipei (next month), Macau (Q2) and Kyoto (Q4), and under our Patina banner in Osaka (April),' Christiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group, tells TTN in an interview. This growth in the Far East, which sees the portfolio expanding from 8 hotels to 12, is underscored by a distinct design-led approach, as the four new properties boasts collaborations with world-renowned architects and designers who share the group's vision of bridging heritage with contemporary luxury. If you compete on hardware, there will always be someone who can do better than you – Christiano Rinaldi Despite the obvious focus on design and architecture in all Capella properties, there is an ongoing emphasis on experience over product. 'If you compete on hardware (the physical manifestations of luxury), there will always be someone who can do better than you.' Rinaldi says: 'I think the way forward for luxury brands will be to build ecosystems. If you follow the example of luxury fashion brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton, who are now opening restaurants and making streetwear in partnership with American popstar Pharrell Williams – it is clear they want to surround you in a 360-degree ecosystem – you're with them whether you're eating risotto or wearing jeans. They're trying to build an emotional connection with you. 'With Capella, however, it will always be about experiences. For us, it's about having someone like yourself come to Hanoi and leave Vietnam just a little bit more enriched about the culture, the history, feeling more connected to Hanoi, having met someone that did a Vietnamese coffee for you, that introduced you to the specific dish, and the memory of that is worth more than any truffle risotto,' says Rinaldi. CAPELLA DIRIYAH 'We are very excited about Saudi Arabia,' said Rinaldi. 'Nestled within the Diriyah project, a vast cultural and heritage development north of Riyadh, Capella Diriyah is set to become a landmark of luxury hospitality.' The hotel occupies a prime location overlooking Wadi Hanifah, a vital conservation area, and sits adjacent to the historical wall of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed to reflect the region's rich cultural heritage, Capella Diriyah seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with traditional Najdi architecture. The hotel will feature 100 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each telling the story of Saudi Arabia's past. The opulent Royal Suite, boasting a star-gazing sky window, will be a highlight. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop swimming pool with relaxation pavilions offering breathtaking views of At-Turaif. Beyond luxurious accommodation, Capella Diriyah will offer a range of exceptional experiences. A dedicated wellness centre will feature a hammam and a flotation room, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the meditative flow of Arabian wellness traditions. The hotel will also boast a diverse culinary scene, with restaurants serving Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine alongside a charming patisserie. CAPELLA ELANAN Capella Hotel Group also announced its first coastal destination in Saudi Arabia, set within NEOM at Elanan, one of Magna's destinations along the Gulf of Aqaba coast. The resort will open an exclusive wellness retreat as part of the sustainable development unfolding in northwest Saudi Arabia. Nestled amidst a lush oasis, the resort will feature 80 bespoke rooms and suites, offering guests a tranquil escape where contemporary design meets the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding desert mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba coastline. Capella's renowned commitment to wellness will be a cornerstone of the resort experience. Guests can expect an extensive menu of treatments inspired by authentic Arabian wellness practices, with each experience tailored to individual needs. The resort's design, featuring interlocking geometric shapes, reflects the surrounding landscape and evokes a sense of harmony with nature. Guests will be invited to explore expansive plazas, unwind in sun-kissed gardens, and marvel at the breathtaking views from the observation tower. 'Combining Saudi Arabia's breathtaking natural landscapes with NEOM's innovative technology, we are poised to provide guests with an unparalleled wellness experience that promises delight and discovery. This sanctuary will elevate Capella Hotels and Resorts' esteemed wellness offering, featuring a curated series of exciting programmes,' Rinaldi said.
