PHOTO: They said it wasn't possible: Gstaad’s latest luxury resort has gotten even more luxurious lately. 

The Alpina Gstaad, the newest luxury hotel to open in the Swiss resort of Gstaad in 100 years has opened a new 9,150-square-foot suite, the Alpina Suite.

The five-bedroom, six-bath suite opened on Dec. 15 and is situated on the year old hotel’s ground floor with two expansive terraces and views of the surrounding Alps.

It has its own private gardens with whirlpools and features direct access to the hotel and to a Six Senses Spa. A large foyer opens on to a 65-foot long gallery that leads to a very spacious living room with a bar and lounge.

Some 14 arched floor-to-ceiling windows in the rotunda-like living room give direct access to the west-facing terrace. Other features include a library with fireplace and a kitchen with dining area.

The Master Suite and the other four bedrooms all feature dressing rooms and walk-in closets. Two double rooms connect to the master suite, making them convenient for guests with children. The rate for the Alpina Suite starts at CHF 20,000, varying with the seasons

Last month, the hotel was awarded its first Michelin star and voted "European Design Hotel of the Year" at the European Hotel Design Awards.

Hilton to Manage Paris’ Opéra Hotel as Hilton Paris Opéra

Paris’ stately 124 year old hotel landmark, the Concorde Opéra Hotel, will be given a complete multi-million dollar refurbishment and will reopen after rebranding as the Hilton Paris Opéra. Recently acquired by Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe IV ("Blackstone"), Hilton will manage the 266-room property.

Located in the Eighth Arrondissement, which is undergoing many refurbishments, the hotel sits across from the Gare Saint Lazare and is near such attractions as the Opéra, The Louvre, the Sacré Cœur and the Arc de Triomphe.

"More than 70 million people travel to Paris each year, placing it in the top five most popular cities to visit globally,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide.”

Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm will be Brand’s Fourth German Hotel

Beginning in February, Sofitel will manage the 311-room Hotel Concorde Berlin under its new name, the Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm.

Combined with Sofitel Berlin Gendarmenmarkt, Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall and Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, the brand already manages four properties in Germany - due to be joined by the Sofitel Frankfurt am Alte Oper, as of 2015.

Between February and the third quarter of 2014, hotel architect Jan Kleihues will renovate the public areas, the restaurants and the bar of the Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm.   

In Amsterdam, the former office building of the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, currently housing workspaces for creative businesses, artists and a rooftop bar, is being transformed into a 172-room hotel. The Volkshotel is scheduled to open in April.

The property will remain a meeting place, as areas of the building will continue to serve as office space for creative professionals. The building is set to contain a grand café, novelty shop, a recording studio and a nightclub with rooftop terrace.