There’s always a new way to experience an old favorite. New York City and Beverly Hills might be luxury institutions, but one of the reasons they stay on the cutting edge is because the cities are always improving, remodeling, and bringing in new designers, curators, and of course, chefs. Our five favorite luxury cities have a pulse—they’re alive with art, music, and culinary innovation. From new boutique hotels to recently opened restaurants by renowned chefs, here are the spots worth visiting in five of our favorite U.S. cities.
Las Vegas
While Vegas might not be known as the art capital, there are stunning galleries in the middle of the Nevada desert. The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is hosting two concurrent Yayoi Kusama exhibits, starting in November 2018 and running through April 2019. The first exhibit, Infinity Mirrored Room—Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, allows guests to step into an “enclosed room to become immersed, as an array of lights ignite a delicate mirage mirrored on every surface representing the eternal cycle of life.” The second exhibit, Narcissus Garden, is more than 50 years old and includes 750 stainless steel globes.
On the food front, Eataly is opening in Las Vegas in the Park MGM development on December 27. The Park MGM was formerly The Monte Carlo until it reopened this year after a $450 million renovation. Famed Los Angeles chef Roy Choi is also opening a restaurant at the Park MGM in December. Choi’s Vegas restaurant, Best Friend, will bring “Koreatown in a capsule” to Las Vegas, says Chef Choi. And don’t miss the NoMad Las Vegas, which opened softly as a luxe-European boutique hotel within the Park MGM in October. Finally, for those looking for an unconventional way to see the Las Vegas strip, ziplining has officially come to Vegas this year at The Linq Hotel & Casino.
NYC
The Cipriani family’s famed Mr. C Hotel , which already has a name in Beverly Hills, opened their first New York property this summer in the Seaport district. On South Street Seaport, Mr. C brings a touch of relaxed, European elegance to the break-neck Manhattan pace. For those venturing to Brooklyn for business or pleasure, The Hoxton, Williamsburg opened this fall. It’s the boutique hotel chain’s first property outside Europe, and every nook and cranny of this hotel is tastefully curated with local flair.
In terms of fine art, a new Andy Warhol exhibit just debuted at the Whitney Museum and runs through March 2019. And for a brand-new culinary experience, Leonti is worth a trip to the Upper West Side. The high-end Italian restaurant is a reboot of the Michelin-starred restaurant, Dovetail.
Hawaii
If you’re spending time in the Honolulu and Waikiki Beach area, the Ritz Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach debuted their Diamond Head Tower in mid-October. They are also home to Sushi Sho, which is run one of the biggest culinary names in Japan. The Ritz Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach also opened a second infinity pool, which means they are now home to the two highest infinity pools in Waikiki. While on Oahu, you can seek out the public art installation "Hina,” which went up in 2017. It’s a 165-foot tall acrylic mural of the Hawaiian moon goddess, Hina.
For those trekking to Kauai for an off-the-beaten-path Hawaiian adventure, The Lodge at Kukui’ula is offering new intensive series for luxe travelers starting in 2019. Each day is spent honing your surfing, sailing, or paddle boarding skills—depending on your concentration—and then winds down with a signature Wet Ritual at the Hi’ilani Spa.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills has seen a renaissance of modern luxury in the last few years, and while the go-to Rodeo Drive shops are always reliable, the new boutique restaurants are equally enticing. The AC Hotel Beverly Hills opened in September and is just two miles from the Golden Triangle. SLS Beverly Hills just finished a $22 million redesign; The boutique hotel has beautifully curated interiors done by Philippe Starck. Inside SLS, you'll find one of LA's hottest restaurants: The Bazaar by José Andrés, who was named an “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation (2011).
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is still fairly new, but the luxury standard is everything you’d expect, from their caviar facials to the Lalique crystal chandeliers. And if you’re looking for the best new restaurants in Beverly Hills, The Double Barrel offers a tasteful and expansive whiskey selection. And AVRA (a chic New York favorite, specializing in modern Greek fare) just debuted in Beverly Hills, nestled in the Golden Triangle.
Miami
Paligroup, a luxe boutique hotel chain best known for their California properties, is opening a Miami Beach hotel in spring 2019. Palihouse Miami Beach will be in the Faena District in a restored art deco building. Nobu Hotel Miami Beach is still relatively new on the Miami hotel scene—it opened in 2016. And finally, on the hotel front, the Betsy Hotel South Beach completed their two-year renovation this year, which included a merge with the Carlton Hotel. Expansions to the hotel include a rooftop pool area, a new “Art Deco” wing, a Panther’s Coffee Shop, and two restaurants by Chef Laurent Tourondel. If the “Art Deco” wing at the Betsy isn’t enough of an Instagram heaven, Dasher & Crank, a gorgeous new high-end ice cream shop, just opened in April.
For more outstanding eats, James Beard award-winning chef Daniel Boulud recently opened Boulud Sud, which specializes in coastal Mediterranean cuisine. And finally, the new and noteworthy highlights of Miami wouldn’t be complete without a look at the arts: Art Basel is going on in full force from December 3 to 9, welcoming 268 galleries. In addition to Art Basel, Miami Art Week also includes the launch of Faena Art Fest this year, which will be free and open to the public.
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