Ron Bernthal
- Contributor, Freelance
- Contributor, Global Traveler Magazine
- Writer and Producer, NPR
- Contributor, The Meeting Magazines
Parksville
Articles by Ron Bernthal
Hotel Riviera Menorca in Ciutadella, Spain, Brings 1970s Italian Seaside Glamour to the Island
New boutique Hotel Riviera Menorca, in Ciutadella, Menorca, opened for guests on one of the Balearic islands, not far from Ibiza and Formentera. Menorca’s increasingly sophisticated hotel scene has demonstrated how beautiful, historic fincas (historic stone houses and rural estates) can be reinvented through restrained contemporary design. Menorca is a quiet island without the club music atmosphere of its neighbor Ibiza.
3 Movie Theaters in Northern California Get a Grand Redesign
CAW Architects, a firm recognized for its sensitive stewardship of Northern California’s architectural heritage, announced the completion of three performance venues, bridging the gap between historic preservation and modern technical innovation.
Louisville, Kentucky, Prepares for Exciting New Project Along Ohio River
For more than 50 years, Louisville, Kentucky’s, Belvedere has been a gathering place for concerts, festivals and community events. Located on the riverfront between 4th and 6th streets in the heart of downtown Louisville, the 5.5-acre elevated civic space connects the city to the riverfront with sweeping views of the Ohio River. Conveniently situated atop downtown Louisville’s largest parking garage, it offers easy access to premier cultural and entertainment destinations.
Tivoli Gardens Unveils Japanese-Inspired Area in Copenhagen, Denmark
The radical transformation of Tivoli’s former Asian area in Copenhagen, Denmark, marks the iconic gardens’ most ambitious architectural and spatial investment in its nearly 200 years of existence; Tivoli Gardens, far more than an amusement park, was established in 1843. First and foremost, Tivoli Gardens is renowned for its concerts, ballet, restaurants and floral displays.
Palace Hotel Tokyo Unveils New Stay Experience Spotlighting Japanese Fashion
For the latest in its Best of Japan series, Palace Hotel Tokyo launches Couture Tokyo: The Art of Japanese Fashion, a stay experience created to elevate travelers’ understanding of Japanese culture and aesthetics through the lens of fashion and textile artistry.
Nobu Hotel Madrid Officially Opens
As Madrid continues to cement its position as one of Europe’s most exciting cultural and luxury destinations, Nobu Hospitality announced the recent opening of Nobu Hotel Madrid.
Archaeological Site of Troy Slated to See Surge in Visitors After Hit Film “The Odyssey”
The guardians of the ancient archeological site of Troy, in Türkiye, are expecting a surge in visitors with the recent release of Christopher Nolan’s movie, The Odyssey. The ancient city of Troy plays a central role in the story of The Odyssey, which dates back some 3,200 years. Located 200 miles from Istanbul in Türkiye’s North Aegean region, Troy is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its history continues to resonate across centuries and continents.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Opens in North Dakota
Opened July 4, 2026, on the 250th anniversary of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opened. The building was designed by Oslo-based Snøhetta as the most regenerative cultural building in the Americas and one of the most ambitious projects pursuing the full Living Building certification, the world’s most rigorous environmental standard.
Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Adds New Amenities, Programming
Opened in early 2026, Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove continues its momentous year with newly added amenities and programming. Located in one of California’s most charming and culturally rich coastal towns, the hotel brought a new luxury lifestyle offering and a fresh spirit to the Monterey Peninsula.
Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music Opens in Long Branch, New Jersey
Earlier this year, COOKFOX Architects announced the opening of Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Long Branch, New Jersey’s, Monmouth University. This new cultural landmark is dedicated to telling the story of music in this country while celebrating Bruce Springsteen’s work within that tradition.
Downtown Phoenix Welcomes First Upscale Urban Retreat
This month, in Phoenix, Arizona, Pacific Hospitality Group opens Denū Hotel & Spa, the newest hotel property in The Meritage Collection. Set to redefine the luxury hospitality landscape in the city’s downtown core, Denū is designed around ritual, renewal and social well-being, anchored by a co-ed, hammam-inspired spa experience.
New York City’s Penn Station to Undergo Massive Redevelopment
There are few commuters, residents and tourists who have visited New York City and never included Pennsylvania Station in their travel plans. The city’s Penn Station opened in 1910 as a Beaux-Arts masterpiece designed by McKim, Mead & White, modeled after the Roman Baths of Caracalla from the third century A.D. Of course, there was no resemblance.
Park Hotel Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel, Opens in 2027
The Park Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel is set to open in mid-2027 in time for the summer season. Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the hotel will offer unparalleled luxury services for which Four Seasons is internationally renowned while continuing to reflect the heritage and rich history of this iconic property.
ÀNI Private Resorts to Open Àni Shal Bay, Anguilla, in January 2027
ÀNI Private Resorts announced the January 2027 opening of ÀNI Shoal Bay, its new global flagship property on Anguilla’s celebrated northern coastline. The 15-suite estate joins ÀNI’s award-winning portfolio in the Dominican Republic, Thailand and Sri Lanka as part of the world’s first collection of luxury private resorts designed exclusively for one group at a time.
Jamaica, Panama Renew Tourism Alliance to Build More Connected Caribbean
Jamaica and Panama are taking decisive steps toward creating a more connected and resilient tourism landscape, reaffirming their commitment to revitalizing their Multi-Destination Tourism Agreement in a move that could reshape regional travel across the Caribbean and Central America.
Portland International Airport Reveals First-of-Its-Kind Airport Design, Main Terminal Expansion
Portland International Airport completed its $2.15 billion main terminal reconstruction in 2026, marking the end of an 11-year project Port of Portland officials say is the largest public infrastructure investment in Oregon history.
New York City’s Broome Hotel Reopens with New Additions, Upgrades
The Broome, a 14-room-and-suite boutique hotel in SoHo, Manhattan, has begun its next chapter with the opening of its new restaurant and bar this July, followed by its newly designed rooms and suites this month. Centered around one of Manhattan’s most remarkable inner courtyards, Broome has long offered a rare sense of calm in the heart of lower Manhattan.
DoubleTree by Hilton Wrocław at OVO Wrocław, Poland, Celebrates 10th Anniversary
This year, DoubleTree by Hilton Wrocław at OVO Wrocław, a defining symbol of the city’s contemporary identity, celebrates its 10th anniversary. In the heart of Wrocław, it is one of Central Europe’s most dynamic and culturally rich cities. DoubleTree by Hilton Wrocław is set within OVO Wrocław, a landmark, mixed-use development designed by Gottesman Architecture, offering travelers a central urban base in one of Poland’s most dynamic cities.
Spirit of Boston: New England’s Cultural, Political and Economic Hub Grows Ever Stronger
Boston was founded in 1630, and even then, government and city leaders were creating urban projects and hosting guests from the colonies. Boston’s early city projects focused primarily on establishing its colonial government, infrastructure and civic institutions rather than modern urban planning. In the decades to come, however, the “city on the hill” transformed from a small Puritan settlement into the political, cultural and economic hub of New England.
Hotel Spotlight: Dexamenes Seaside Hotel in Kourouta, Greece
The history of Dexamenes Seaside Hotel dates back to the Era of Currants. Since the liberation of Greece in 1830, the cultivation of currants took on impressive dimensions, and currants were the main export product of the Greek Kingdom. But when the Currants’ Crisis broke out in 1910 in Greece, the trade of currants collapsed and there was a need to convert the unsold stock of currants into alternative products, such as wine. This was when the first wineries and distilleries were created.
How Mondrian Gold Coast Resort Redefines the Social Rhythm of Burleigh Heads, Australia
This summer, Australia’s Mondrian Gold Coast resort unveiled an expanded calendar of weekly programming across Haven beach club and LiTO’s cuisine and music destination, creating a new rhythm of coastal dining, music, wellness and after-dark energy that moves effortlessly from sunrise to late evening, inviting locals and visitors alike to settle into a new way of experiencing Burleigh. Leading the new season is VELVET at LiTO, a sophisticated new jazz and dining experience.
This Portuguese Hotel Shares History with Nearby 1773 Sanctuary of a Saint
Erected in 1773 on the foundations of a chapel dedicated to Saint Gregory the Great, the Sanctuary of Senhor do Socorro remains one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Portugal’s Alto Minho region. Sharing the grounds of the sanctuary, Cerdeiras House Hotel is a unique restoration project by Tiago Do Vale Architects, situated on the slopes of the Labruja Mountain Range, neighboring the Portuguese Way of Saint James and commanding wide views over the Labruja River valley.
Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Opens Highly Anticipated Expansion
Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, in Bentonville, marked a major milestone this spring with the unveiling of its highly anticipated, 114,000-square-foot expansion designed by Safdie Architects. The expansion transformed the museum experience, expanding access to five centuries of American art and enhancing the ways visitors interact with every part of the building.
Raffles Hotel in Cambodia Unveils Immersive History Tour, Book
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the luxury heritage hotel on the doorstep of ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia, has unveiled an immersive new Path of History tour featuring rare photographs, video footage, architectural drawings and other vintage artifacts, all highlighting a golden age of travel in Southeast Asia. The permanent exhibition at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap is complemented by a new history book by authors Andreas and Carola Augustin.
Gaylord Hotels Expands to West Coast
Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center redefines West Coast hospitality as the newest member of the Gaylord Hotels brand, part of Marriott Bonvoy. Nestled along stunning San Diego Bay and Chula Vista Marina, the resort showcases 1,600 elegant guestrooms (including 89 suites); 477,000 square feet of event space; and 12 dining venues celebrating the region’s coastal flavors.
New Bridge Across Detroit River to Connect Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan … But There’s a Few Hiccups
New Gordie Howe International Bridge is a major, six-lane, cable-stayed bridge spanning the Detroit River, connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, designed to enhance trade, travel and border efficiency. Linking Interstate 75 in Michigan with Highway 401 in Ontario via Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway extension, the bridge is designed to provide uninterrupted traffic flow, unlike nearby Ambassador Bridge, constructed in 1929, which connects to city streets on the Canadian side.
The Landmark Nicosia, Autograph Collection, Opens in Cyprus
A new landmark is landing in the heart of Nicosia, Cyprus as The Landmark Nicosia, Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, opens. The MHV Mediterranean Hospitality Venture announced the opening of its most prestigious and aspiring new project, marking the brand debut for Autograph Collection in Cyprus, hosted in a revitalized historical building.
Los Angeles’ Getty Center Plans for New, Modernized Look
The much-visited Getty Center in Los Angeles is improving the arrival journey to its iconic Getty Center campus, including upgrades to the arrival/parking area (Lower Tram), replacement of the tram itself and renovation of the Welcome Hall at the top of the hill, all integrated seamlessly into the existing design by Richard Meier and Partners.
Paris, France’s, Third-Tallest Skyscraper to Have Radisson Blu Hotel, Observation Deck and More
The Belgian multidisciplinary group called BESIX has reached a major milestone in the construction of the Tour Triangle skyscraper in Paris, France. The company finished the last concrete pour on the 420th floor, marking the end of the 3.5-year project. The project has transformed a narrow site into a new high-rise that will stand 590 feet.
Helsinki, Finland, Opens Its Longest Bridge for All … Except Cars
New Kruunuvuorensilta Bridge, connecting Korkeasaari and Kruunuvuorenranta, is the longest and tallest bridge in Finland. It is also exceptional on a global scale, as bridges of this size are rarely built exclusively for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. In addition to its scale, the bridge stands out as an attraction due to advanced traffic planning embedded in its design, while its high-quality architectural expression establishes a distinctive new identity for Helsinki’s skyline.
Adults-Only Marina Vallarta Hotel Launches Hidden Puerto Vallarta Photography Tour
Casa Velas, an adults-only boutique hotel on Marina Vallarta Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta, launched a distinctive new offering that reframes the traditional vacation photoshoot. Rather than limiting photography experiences to resort grounds, Casa Velas’s Hidden Puerto Vallarta Photography Tour escorts guests directly into the vibrant heart of the city alongside a professional local photographer.
St. Barth’s Hotel Manapany Opens Selva Studio Wellness Residence
At the heart of St. Barth’s Hotel Manapany, well-being enters a new dimension with the launch of Selva Studio, an innovative wellness residence dedicated to holistic vitality, mindful living and a connection with nature. Conceived as a living ecosystem for sustainable well-being, Selva Studio is the natural evolution of the long-standing relationship between Hotel Manapany and Diana Bourel, a pioneer of the wellness movement on St. Barth.
World’s Most Luxurious Surf Contest at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda is Back
The Indian Ocean does not need much convincing to put on a show. But for one week each September, it outdoes itself. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the Surfing Champions Trophy is confirmed to return to the legendary Sultans break Sept. 4–11, and with it comes the promise of world-class surfing, sun-bleached evenings and the kind of access that rarely exists anywhere else on earth.
Capella Kyoto Hotel Debuts in Japan
Capella Kyoto Hotel opened this past March, just as Kyoto’s legendary cherry blossoms reached peak. Set in the historic Miyagawa-cho kagai (geisha district), Capella Hotels and Resorts’ inaugural property in Japan is located steps from Kenninji temple and Kamo river. The property presents a modern-day machiya, reflecting the city’s architectural sensibilities through a sequence of considered spaces, expressed alongside a quiet composition of light, texture and refined detailing.
New Tennessee Performing Arts Center Coming in 2030
Denmark-based architecture studio BIG released designs for new, riverside Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tennessee, which will be covered with a swooping curtain of metal pipes. Near Nashville’s Cumberland Park and Nissan Stadium, the new home of TPAC extends the vibrancy of downtown Nashville across the Cumberland River, and will emerge as a cultural anchor for the city’s reenergized East Bank.
Toronto’s SAMMARCO Restaurant Awarded Best Restaurant Design, Among Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants 2026
SAMMARCO, one of Toronto’s newest additions to the hospitality scene, opened in 2025, was not only recognized this year by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, but was also awarded No. 1 for Best Restaurant Design , No. 7 on the Best New Restaurants list, and No. 37 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants overall. SAMMARCO is recognized for its exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, from terrazzo floors and sculpted ceiling to bespoke lighting elements.
Accor Hotels Celebrates Art of Mixology with Special Bar Series Across Properties
Each year, starting with World Cocktail Month in May and stretching into summer, a select group of Accor Hotels MGallery Collection properties celebrate the art of mixology across many of its properties worldwide, turning bars into a stage for creativity and connection. This year, 16 MGallery Collection hotels invite guests to experience the bar as a destination in its own right.
Historic Multiuse Park in Pittsburgh Opens After 10-Year Revitalization
The 4-acre, $31 million multiuse cultural park on 8th Street Block of Downtown Pittsburgh will serve as a new recreation and event space for the neighborhood. Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro secured $50 million in the 2025/2026 budget to ensure Pennsylvania is ready to welcome millions of visitors for major events. In April, Governor Shapiro participated in the opening of the new 4-acre Arts Landing.
5 Must-See Outdoor Sculptures in Norway
While often thought of in the context of museums, art is not confined to any single building or gallery. Especially in Norway, known for its picturesque fjords and towering peaks, art becomes an extension of the landscape itself. Several sculptors have embraced this extraordinary setting, placing their works amid windswept coastlines, quiet forests and rugged mountain terrain. Up Norway compiled a selection of Norway’s top five outdoor sculptures.
Seattle’s Globally Recognized Icon Has a New Way to Move Visitors
Seattle has many iconic structures to enjoy, but, as of this past May, visitors to famous Seattle Space Needle can now soar above the city in a floor-to-ceiling glass, double-decker elevator, completely transforming the trip to the top. The new Skyliner elevator is the first of its kind in North America and a major milestone in its multiyear elevator modernization project.
Peru Hotel Commemorates 70 Years of Ernest Hemingway in Cabo Blanco
Seventy years after Ernest Hemingway arrived on the northern shores of Peru, Inkaterra, ecotourism brand and winner of five Michelin keys, announced a landmark celebration honoring the legendary author’s stay in Cabo Blanco, Peru, while ushering in a new era. Seven decades later, Cabo Blanco stands at the threshold of a profound renaissance.
Hotel Sacher Vienna Celebrates 150th Anniversary with Unique Outdoor Sculptures
Hotel Sacher Vienna, which opened its doors in 1876, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. The anniversary year began with the presentation of the sculptures Step Big and Dancer by renowned artist Erwin Wurm in front of the hotel entrance. The sculptures were ceremoniously unveiled earlier this year in the presence of the artist, Vienna’s Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig and the hotel’s co-owners. The sculptures will remain on display throughout this anniversary year.
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese Shares New Settimo Recipes Inspired by TV’s “Emily in Paris”
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese unveiled a new beverage program at its rooftop restaurant and bar Settimo. With panoramic views over Villa Borghese gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica, Settimo was featured on the latest season of the standout series Emily in Paris. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese’s new beverage program features Italian classics with reimagined aperitivo staples, and signature drinks exclusive to Settimo, one inspired by the hotel’s presence in the TV show.
San Sebastián, Spain’s, San Martin Food Market is More Than What Meets the Eye
Located in the heart of San Sebastián’s Romantic Area, San Martin Market forms part of the city’s everyday identity. More than a place of just excellent food products, this market is a setting where local identity is expressed not only through its products, but also through the relationships built around them. San Martín Market, in Donostia/San Sebastián, is a historic indoor market dating back to 1884.
Hard Rock Hotel Malta Opens Reservations Ahead of Summer 2026 Debut
Hard Rock International announced reservations are now open to hotel bookings for July 2026 and onward at highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel Malta, a bold new Mediterranean destination. In the vibrant heart of St. George’s Bay, the hotel will redefine Malta’s luxury lifestyle scene with Hard Rock’s unmistakable energy, elevated design and next-generation hospitality.
2 Tastes of Mykonos: Grace Mykonos and Omeon Mykonos
Reopening for the 2026 season, Grace Mykonos, a serene, design-led sanctuary overlooking Agios Stefanos, invites travelers to experience a quieter, more refined side of the island. As the Cyclades prepare for another sun-drenched Mediterranean season, Grace Mykonos, one of the island’s most iconic and long-established boutique hotels, welcomes guests back to a property that has become synonymous with refined island hospitality.
Turin, Italy, Gets Brand-New Metro Line
Recreating an urban transportation infrastructure as a recognizable urban landmark for a city is already difficult, and when the urban project is within the historic city of Turin, Italy, with its rich history and contemporary vibrancy, it is extra difficult. With UNStudio’s proposal, however, they converted the city’s history by translating city places into a contemporary and welcoming transit system.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Iconic Fallingwater Reopens After 3-Year Closure
Frank Lloyd Wright’s spectacular Fallingwater reopened to the public for its 63rd tour season and 90th anniversary, featuring popular and immersive tour experiences and special events commemorating the iconic house’s landmark year. Fallingwater’s reopening also coincides with the completion of World Heritage Preserved, a three-year comprehensive preservation project. The beginning of the tour season began with private celebrations honoring the successful conclusion of the three-year project.
Kraków, Poland’s, History and Culture Converge at 14th-Century Monastery Turned Hotel
Stradom House, Autograph Collection by Marriott is reintroduced this season as one of Europe’s most innovative urban spa resorts, marking a new chapter defined by a series of prestigious international accolades.
Oberstdorf Thermal Baths in Germany’s Allgäu Region Creates All-Season Wellness and Health Center
Oberstdorf Thermal Baths in the Allgäu region of Germany, near the Austrian border, has recreated a four-season wellness and health center with alpine views, alpine architecture and alpine cuisine. Designed by Munich-based Auer Weber Architects and completed in early 2026, the new building blends sensitively into the mountain landscape with its structured forms, pitched roofs and a vertically structured timber façade.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ron
Contact Ron, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack