Just a few months prior to opening its first hotel-and-spa in Prague this summer, international restaurant-club empire Buddha-Bar has announced its second luxury resort, in Panama City, later this year. Best known for its dramatically designed “east-meets-west” lounges in Europe and the Middle East — including another opening in London next month — the Buddha-Bar will be making its first foray into the Americas. Contrary to popular belief, the original Buddha-Bar in Paris and its global sisters claim no affiliation with popular Buddha-Bar NYC.

– Doug Black