Latest news with #NobuHotel
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Toronto rapper Top5 stabbed in London while supporting Drake, weeks after attempted hotel stunt targeting Kendrick Lamar
Toronto rapper Top5 was reportedly the target of a violent knife attack in London over the weekend, leaving fans in shock. According to reports, a masked man stabbed him in the neck while he was speaking with fans. The sudden ambush could have turned fatal, but thankfully, he survived and is said to be in stable condition. Top5 had travelled to London to support his long-time friend and OVO frontman Drake, who was headlining three nights at the Wireless Festival. Notably, the alleged murder attempt comes a month after Top 5 tried to enter Kendrick Lamar's hotel in Toronto. Top5 survives frightening neck attack According to Toronto-based outlet @keep6ixsolid and DJ Akademiks, the attack happened while Top5 was casually talking to fans in London. Out of nowhere, a masked man allegedly ran up and slashed his neck. Thankfully, he survived. Reports suggest he was rushed to a hospital and is now recovering, though he hasn't said anything publicly yet. The exact details—like when or why this happened—are still unclear. But the fact that it happened during what was supposed to be a celebratory trip to support Drake at Wireless has left fans rattled. Some have even pointed out that Top5 had recently called out certain UK rappers, calling them 'soft,' which may or may not have contributed to tensions while he was abroad. Sources close to him say he is currently in stable condition and surrounded by close friends while recovering. While he hasn't posted online since the incident, people close to the situation have confirmed he's expected to pull through. A video circulating on social media claims to show the alleged incident, with several men seen surrounding a car, vandalizing it, and appearing to assault someone inside. However, it's unclear whether the footage is directly linked to the stabbing, as the visuals have not been officially verified. Toronto rapper Rapper Top5 was allegedly stabbed in the neck while in Top5's viral Kendrick Lamar hotel stunt and online loyalty to Drake Top5 has been riding hard for Drake ever since the Kendrick Lamar beef exploded into one of the most talked-about rap rivalries in recent memory. Just a few weeks ago, he allegedly tried to enter the Toronto hotel Kendrick was rumoured to be staying at during his "Grand National" shows. Security reportedly stopped him at the door. He didn't get in, but he made sure to post about the attempt online, fuelling even more drama. More footage has surfaced of Kendrick Lamar's 25-car police escort from the Toronto Police Service to quickly get him out of the city. 🚔It's also been revealed Top5 tried to get into the Nobu Hotel where Kendrick was before his show, but it was locked down for safety reasons. TOP5's move now has people talking. Some saw it as loyalty, others thought it was just clout-chasing. With the London stabbing happening soon after, many are now wondering if he is putting himself at risk by getting too involved in rap drama.
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The 10 Best Hotels in Chicago of 2025
The reasons to visit Chicago are nearly endless. Home to world-class art—like the famous Anish Kapoor 'Cloud Gate' sculpture, otherwise known as 'The Bean'—fascinating historic and architectural sites, and an energetic atmosphere centered around professional sports teams, the Windy City is bursting with ways to fill a weekend itinerary. It also has an extensive list of hotels that nicely complement any trip. Here, see which properties Travel + Leisure readers chose as their favorites in the 2025 World's Best Awards. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. The lobby at the Park Hyatt Chicago. One thing is abundantly clear: Our readers prefer hotels in lively neighborhoods and within close proximity to Chicago's most popular attractions. Nobu Hotel Chicago (No. 8), for example, is located in the Fulton Market District, which one reader said makes it 'ideal for dining and shopping.' In the summer months, make your way up to its seventh-floor open-air rooftop, where you'll get to enjoy incredible views of downtown Chicago alongside your cocktails. Coming in at No. 3, up from No. 9 in 2024, 21c Museum Hotel Chicago sits slightly northeast of the Nobu property, steps from the Magnificent Mile. It was commended for its 'incredible value' and 'great amenities,' including an art gallery. Free and open to the public, the art museum features rotating exhibitions and permanent installations from some of the most celebrated contemporary artists. Read on for the full list—and to find out which property was deemed the official winner of the World's Best Awards for Chicago city hotels. Park Hyatt Chicago Panoramic views of Chicago from the rooftop terrace. This year, Park Hyatt Chicago climbed its way up from fifth place in 2023 and 2024 to take the very top spot. Described by one reader as 'the best luxury hotel in Chicago,' the 182-key property is the definition of sleek and stylish—and its overall opulent vibe aligns perfectly with the luxurious Gold Coast Historic District. Following the completion of a $60 million redesign in 2022, the hotel offers a bright, modern, residential-style oasis for travelers, one where a reader says you're 'always treated as a VIP, no matter what.' While another reader noted that the spa is on the smaller side, they said that the hotel's 'wonderful' service, 'great location,' and 'incredible guest rooms' more than make up for it. The latter are outfitted with curated local artwork, dual-vanity bathrooms, and stunning views of Chicago Avenue and Lake Michigan; some of the accommodations even come with their own private terraces. 1. Park Hyatt Chicago Reader Score: 95.25 2. The Peninsula Chicago WBA Super Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 94.29 3. 21c Museum Hotel Chicago Reader Score: 93.11 4. The Langham, Chicago WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.62 5. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Reader Score: 91.25 6. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago Reader Score: 90.75 7. Waldorf Astoria Chicago Reader Score: 90.67 8. Nobu Hotel Chicago Reader Score: 89.87 9. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Reader Score: 89.64 10. Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel Reader Score: 89.60
Times
04-07-2025
- Times
Nobu Barcelona hotel review: a trendy pad with a spa near Sants station
The neighbourhood around Sants station, a five-minute metro ride from Placa d'Espanya, may not be the most romantic in Barcelona, but the area has more to it than meets the eye. As train travel gains pace, this working-class residential district away from the tourist track has started attracting more international visitors — not least since it welcomed a stylish Nobu hotel in 2019. The hotel is a glamorously renovated 1970s skyscraper that is home not only to the highest rooftop bar in Barcelona but also a superb Nobu restaurant with panoramic views, a sensuous Nobu spa and some of the city's dreamiest rooms with views. Like the majority of the guests, staff are young and hip, as well as helpful, generally, though service can be a bit hit and miss. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 9/10Nobu Barcelona may not have the most handsome exterior, but once you get over the drab, 1970s office-block façade you're in for a treat. Rooms on the higher floors have been blessed with the best views in town, whether they face the city, the sea, Placa d'Espanya or Mount Tibidabo. If you don't want to choose, book a corner or Sake suite. These 65 sq m sanctuaries, located from the 15th floor up, are filled with Japanese-inspired design details, from silky kimono-style robes to brushwork art pieces. If you're fortunate enough to have windows facing northeast, you can watch the sunrise from your bed, before enjoying a leisurely soak in the gorgeous, cedar-wood, onsen-style bath tub with the Sagrada Familia in the background. All bathrooms are tastefully finished in marble, with walk-in rainfall showers and luxurious toiletries. On the lower floors, the 30 sq m Deluxe and Deluxe City options mostly overlook the greyness of Sants station and the surrounding streets but present more affordable accommodation for business travellers or families who plan to not spend much time in their room. Score 8/10For most people the word 'Nobu' conjures images of the Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa's lip-smacking concoctions. If the idea of his toro tuna belly tartare with caviar or legendary miso-glazed black cod makes you go all googly eyed, you'll be delighted to learn that the crowning glories of Nobu Barcelona are the Nobu Restaurant, which occupies the 23rd floor, with cityscapes to match, and the Nobu Bar, serving bites and cocktails on the same floor. The breakfast buffet — a more standard affair with fruit, pastries, local cheese and charcuteries — and food from an à la carte menu including eggs made to order are also available here. One floor up, a simpler menu of tasty bites — such as salt-and-pepper squid, wagyu beef sliders and a life-altering spin on Caesar salad with truffle wasabi aioli — are served at the city's highest rooftop bar, where the only thing more mouthwatering than the food and cocktails are the 360-degree views that extend from the Sagrada Familia to Montjuic and down to the sea. Sip a Yukata — a spicy and refreshing blend of tequila, shisho, lime and ginger ale — as you gawk. • Best luxury hotels in Barcelona• Great family hotels in Barcelona Score 8/10Nobu's sun-drenched rooftop, with its photogenic plunge pool and knockout views, is a great spot to while away an afternoon. If you're lucky enough to snag a lounger, even better (note: these are in short supply). The rooftop also hosts regular events and parties featuring DJs that are open to guests and the public. The sensuous subterranean Nobu Spa has three treatment rooms offering an impressive range of treatments, including a Japanese silk massage, which involves a rice scrub and a hot-stone massage, and the Natura Bissé 3D Collagen Shock facial, designed to leave you with a youthful glow. There's also a sauna, steam bath and well-equipped but windowless gym. Guests can join complimentary weekly Swasthya yoga classes or reclaim their Zen with the Be Well at Nobu package, which includes spa experiences and wellness classes. Score 7/10While Sants may be a neighbourhood on the up, it's still not the most convenient base for exploring the beach, the old town or Gaudí's architecture. That said, this side of town has plenty of worthwhile attractions, ranging from the National Museum of Catalan Art and the Magic Fountain water and light shows at Placa d'Espanya to the Nou Camp football stadium, home of Barcelona FC (when it reopens in 2026 after renovation). There's a growing collection of trendy local restaurants around Placa del Centre and off Avenida de Madrid, including La Mundana, a popular contemporary tapas bar. Also worth a visit is the underrated Parc de l'Espanya Industrial, with its urban, post-industrial lake and sculptures. Price room-only doubles from £205Restaurant mains from £24Family-friendly YAccessible N Isabelle Kliger was a guest of Nobu Barcelona ( • Best restaurants in Barcelona• More great hotels in Barcelona
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Sin City To Serenity: How Caesars Is Redefining The Las Vegas Girls Trip
Sin City has undergone a transformation in recent years, as more visitors to the Nevada hotspot seek ... More wellness and relaxation. getty Perhaps no place in the world has been more synonymous with bad behavior, lust, and let's face it, fun than Las Vegas, Nevada. From bachelorette parties and milestone birthdays to spontaneous getaways with friends, there's a reason the phrase 'girls trip' often conjures images of cocktails by the pool and glittery nights out on the Strip. But while the city's lights still beckon late into the night, there's a new glow-up underway—one that trades excess for intention and puts wellness squarely at the center of the Vegas experience—and Caesars Entertainment is helping lead the charge. 'There is no city like Las Vegas,' says Alyssa Mendes, General Manager of Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace and Vice President of Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace. 'And it is our job to cater to the interests of each demographic.' That includes the female travelers who have long been the backbone of Vegas tourism, those coming to Sin City in search of connection, celebration, and increasingly, restoration. 'Guests from around the world visit our Las Vegas resorts for many different occasions—from birthdays and bachelorette parties to girls getaways,' Mendes says. 'We provide visitors with so many options for experiences across eight resorts to cater to their trips. For me, nothing says a girls trip like a trip to the spa!' Wellness travel, once considered niche, is now a full-fledged movement. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism market grew to $651 billion in 2022 and continues to outpace general tourism growth globally. In Las Vegas, that trend is taking shape in uniquely Vegas ways—where rejuvenation meets luxury and world-class amenities are seamlessly woven into the itinerary alongside residencies, roulette, and rooftop dining. 'The itinerary for girls trips in Las Vegas continues to evolve, just like the city,' Mendes explains. 'Some of our guests enjoy going out to dayclubs, nightclubs, bars and lounges. Others are looking for a more laidback trip that focuses on rest and relaxation, especially as wellness travel continues to trend upward.' Recognizing this shift, Caesars has placed renewed emphasis on its spa and wellness offerings. Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace has long been a standout, but new programming is making it even more appealing to friend groups looking to unwind together. The company recently introduced its Spa Squad program, a group-friendly experience designed for wellness-minded travelers who want their spa day to feel like an elevated social event. 'Each of Caesars Entertainment's six spas offers different experiences for groups to unwind,' says Mendes. 'At Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace, groups of eight or more people can book this program for a VIP relaxation experience featuring a massage or facial, assorted refreshments, a special gift, and three hours of spa facility access that includes the Roman Baths, steam room, sauna and Arctic Ice Room.' Caesars is adapting to increased interest in wellness travel with new offerings, like its ... More recently-launched Spa Squad program at Qua Baths & Spas. Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment Unlike many health and wellbeing-focused destinations these days, though, at Caesars, wellness doesn't mean deprivation. It's less about kale smoothies and more about cultivating joy in every form, including by way of some of Vegas's more classic offerings. That ethos is reflected in the brand's carefully curated lineup of food and beverage offerings, which blend culinary excellence with a dash of girl-power glamour. 'At Caesars Entertainment, we are grateful to work with many incredible culinary partners, including three amazing women—Giada De Laurentiis, Lisa Vanderpump and Martha Stewart,' says Mendes. 'Their restaurants and lounges are perfect for brunch, dinner, or drinks with the girls.' Whether it's Giada's California-Italian coastal cuisine, Vanderpump's Parisian garden-party aesthetic, or Stewart's elevated Americana, each space is designed for meaningful moments (and photo-worthy backdrops). Caesars knows that in the era of wellness tourism, ambiance matters just as much as the menu. And of course, no trip to Las Vegas would be complete without a little entertainment. Fortunately, Caesars has that covered too. 'Outside of our food and beverage offerings, Shania Twain's recent residency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood was a huge attraction for girls trips,' Mendes notes. 'Who doesn't want to sing 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' with their girl gang?' It's a sentiment that captures the heart of what the modern girls trip has become—less about escape and more about coming home to yourself, with your closest friends by your side. The new Las Vegas itinerary is part spa, part singalong, and all about connection. A wellness-focused girls trip to Vegas is not without some of the city's best known indulgences, ... More including delicious meals at restaurants like The Bedford by Martha Stewart. Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment This new chapter for Caesars comes amid a broader rebranding effort across the city. Long associated with the tagline 'What Happens Here, Stays Here,' Vegas has recently introduced a new slogan—'Vegas: You Just Have to Be Here'—reflecting a more expansive, experience-driven vision of the city. 'Las Vegas is the city of endless possibility, and that starts at our resorts,' Mendes says. 'Caesars Entertainment has a rich history of firsts on the Las Vegas Strip. From introducing celebrity chef-driven restaurants to building the stage for residencies starring world-class performers, we have been instrumental in shaping what the destination is today.' And as that destination continues to evolve, so too does the meaning of luxury. For many travelers, especially women seeking intentional time with friends, luxury now looks like slowing down, sleeping in, and soaking in a Roman bath. It's the freedom to be both playful and peaceful, to raise a toast over brunch and then unwind with a deep tissue massage—and sure, maybe finish the day with a round of cocktails and Black Jack. It's not about leaving the party behind; it's about expanding what the party can look like. As Caesars continues to expand and refine its wellness offerings, it's clear the brand sees this shift not as a trend but as a cultural sea change. The future of the girls trip is bright, intentional, and very well rested—and Las Vegas is ready for it. 'There's a reason we've remained at the heart of the Strip for so long,' Mendes says. 'We evolve with our guests. Right now, they're asking for more ways to reconnect, recharge, and celebrate themselves. And what better place to do all three than in the desert, surrounded by friends, good food, world-class music—and a fluffy robe?'
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Maura Higgins replaced on Love Island USA as new presenter unveiled
Former Love Island star Maura Higgins previously hosted the USA's version of Aftersun but she won't be back for another year Maura Higgins has been replaced on Love Island USA as a new presenter has been unveiled. The Irish star who found fame on the show herself, was previously working as the host of the US Aftersun but it has now been reported that she won't be returning to the role. Maura was also the social media host of the show as well but it's been said that she won't be back as a result of conflicting schedules. She will be relaced by Sophie Monk who is already familiar with how Love Island works due to being the host of the Australian version. It's though that Maura hasn't been axed but is instead focusing on other projects instead. Some fans think that she could come back for to host Aftersun for the second season of Love Island Games which films in Fiji later this year. The Sun reported that a source said: "She wasn't able to commit to hosting Aftersun this season due to other work commitments, but she will be back on screen in some capacity later in the run." The news was shared via the Love Island Instagram account. Alongside a photo, the caption said: "Welcome Sophie Monk to the Aftersun family!" Main host Ariana Madix commented: "You guys have no idea how much i'm dying over this." However, fans of the show were quick to notice that Maura wouldn't be back. One viewer commented: "Oh no! What happened?!" But another then said she is taking part in the next series of The Traitors instead, writing: "She's going to be on traitors. She's back for love island games." This comes after Maura came under fire for sharing a kiss with McFly star Danny Jones at the BRIT Awards. The duo were filmed kissing at an after party before heading onto the five-star Nobu Hotel in London for more drinks. Danny went on to address the situation in a grovelling apology shared on social media when his wife temporarily moved out of the family home to spend time with her friends and "get away". In a statement, the singer said: "Hello everyone, sorry it's taken me a while to post this but I've taken some time out to be with those closest to me. "I want to deeply apologise to my wife and family for putting them in this situation. I love them so much and we'll continue to deal with this privately. I love you guys, thank you for your patience, understanding, and support. See you all soon, Danny." The Mirror have contacted Maura's reps for comment.
