Whilst this year has thrown more than a few curveballs to those in the business world, there is one industry that is determined to keep pushing forwards. The hotel industry has never been one to rest on its laurels and 2020 has been no different. There have been dozens of huge resort openings across the globe this year, but these American offerings are the biggest and the best of them.
Circa Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
Circa has definitely not come sheepishly on to the Las Vegas scene. In their own words, ‘We go big. We go all night. And here, everyone is on the guest list. So get loose and get loud. This is Circa. The time of your life.’ If you’re competing with the biggest and the best then it pays to make some noise and tell everyone what you’re about. Vegas is a hyper-competitive casino resort scene and it looks like Circa won’t be going quietly.
The rooms are all styled to a slick Old School Vegas standard, but their most exclusive offer is our of this world. The Founders Suite features two large bedrooms which both look out over the Las Vegas strip. In the 1830 square foot space, guests will find a luxurious tub, two giant mattresses, a full size lounge-diner and even a fireplace. The suite feels luxurious from the moment you step inside, but the real selling point of Circa, isit’s extra activities.
Their state of the art casino offers not only all of the traditional table games that you’d expect, blackjack, craps, 3-card poker etc, but also offers electronic versions of them. The strategy involved in playing roulette is much the same in an electronic format, as in a ‘real wheel’, but there are games where online versions differ greatly. This combination of different formats will allow players to game where they feel the most comfortable.
Camp Sarika, Utah
Aman Resorts have had a busy year with not one, but two new openings. However, Camp Sarika is certainly the most picturesque of the two. Set in acres and acres of open desert, this tented resort is the perfect retreat from city life. Whilst many of us associate ‘tented resorts’ with camping, Camp Sarika could not be more different. Each of the tents comes with its own private, heated plunge pool and a gorgeous terrace set around a fire pit. Its everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel, set right in the middle of Amangiri.
There are five national parks and the Navajo Nation Reservation within just a few miles of the camp, so its the perfect place for nature lovers. The landscape here is breathtaking, mesas, canyons and craters of jaw-dropping proportions are all around you. You can’t help but feel connected to nature as you settle in to a guided meditation session, or a yoga practice amidst the wilderness.
As well as adventuring and soul searching, Camp Sarika also offers plenty of delicious evening activities. Their restaurant sits right in the main pavilion and offers a daily changing menu of locally sourced dishes. Whether you’d like fire-pit roasted meats, or a fresh vegan salad, there’s something rustic and life-affirming for every palate.
Riggs, Washington DC
If Camp Sarika is the wilderness lover’s dream retreat, then Riggs is the cosmopolitan equivalent. Set in the former Riggs National Bank Building, this imposing resort sits right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Washington DC. The property it sets in already has a rich history of its own and the resort owners have made subtle nods to this throughout the interior design. For example, each of the rooms features little touches as you would find in a safety deposit box, whilst the communal areas of the building feature images of the Golden Age of Banking.
The ground floor is taken up by the glamorous Cafe Riggs, which is open to guests and the public alike. It feels incredibly European inside the cafe, with large windows, white linens and a fresh, sophisticated menu. Vegetarian and vegan diners will be delighted at the heavily plant based selection of dishes, which merge seamlessly from breakfast through to dinner.
If you fancy food rather than drink then Riggs has got you covered. There are two bars with their own unique personalities. The first is on the lower ground floor in the heart of what was originally the main bank vault. If you’d prefer a little more natural light, then the top floor of the resort offers an incredible view of the surrounding city, as well as drinks and bar snacks. A Rosa Spritz, accompanied by a light plate of ricotta and peaches, whilst looking out over Penn, is a luxury experience that is hard to match.
