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| Suites at Amandayan in Lijiang, China, are grouped within a series of courtyards. |
From luxury high-rises in capital cities to rural and traditional accommodations, the region’s diverse hotel market continues to grow. We’ve rounded up some notable, recent additions to Asia’s growing hotel scene.
China
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel opened last month just outside of Beijing on Yanqi Lake. Its design — resembling the rising sun from the front view and a scallop from one side — is a symbol of harmony, unity and good fortune in the Chinese culture. Guest rooms offer views of Yanshan Mountain and the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most well-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. Six meeting venues include spaces for banquets, cocktail hours, boardroom and classroom meetings, and theater events.
Shangri-La Hotel, Nanchang also opened in February, sited on one of the most sought-after locations on the Ganjiang River. The high-rise offers views of the 1,300-year-old Tengwang Pavilion, and is a five-minute walk to Qiushui Square in the city’s central business district. Inside, guest rooms are decorated with traditional Chinese ink paintings, blue and white porcelain, and the lotus emblem to honor Zhu Da, a prominent calligrapher from the Ming Dynasty. A private space on the top level, floor 32, is available to Horizon Club members and offers a terrace and 180-degree views of the river.
Aman’s third property in China, Amandayan, has opened in Lijiang. Set on a hillside above the UNESCO-protected Old Town, the property has 35 suites grouped within a series of courtyards. Three restaurants serve Western, Yunnan and Cantonese cuisines and the Aman Spa draws on traditional Chinese medicine while offering the benefits of its own chemical-free skincare products.
Japan
Starwood Hotels and Resorts will debut its first Luxury Collection Hotel in Japan this month. Built within the grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple in the Arashiyama region of Kyoto, the Suiran will have just 39 rooms, designed in the traditional Japanese ryokan inn style. It will combine new accommodations with the restoration of two historic structures, Enmei-kaku and Hasshoken. Both are more than 100 years old, and will be repurposed as a café and restaurant. The Suiran overlooks the Hozugawa River and is located near popular tourist sites, including the Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryu-ji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
Indonesia
Also opening in March is Raffles Jakarta. The luxury hotel located in Indonesia’s bustling capital city is dedicated to art and culture like its sister hotel, Le Royal Monceau in Paris. Drawing entrepreneurs and artists from around the world, the hotel is directly linked to the new Ciputra Artpreneur Centre, an art gallery and theater complex in the central business district at Ciputra World Jakarta. Artwork created by well-known Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan is found throughout the halls and guest rooms at Raffles Jakarta and the hotel’s unique art concierge conducts walking tours of featured pieces. The hotel has a café and two bars, with three more set to open later in 2015.
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| One of the 108 Sky Suites at the new Fairmont Jakarta. |
The capital city also saw the opening of Fairmont Jakarta at the beginning of the year. In addition to guest bedrooms, the hotel also has 108 Sky Suites that combine luxury accommodations with the comforts of home, including a separate kitchen and dining area for travelers on extended stays. Fairmont Jakarta is just south of the city’s central business district, and has a private underground walkway directly connected with the Plaza Senayan complex.
Myanmar
Tucked away in rural Maing Thauk village, the Sanctum Inle Resort on Myanmar’s Inle Lake is nestled among stilted houses, large pagodas and more than 1,000 ruined stupas that date back to the 13th century. The hotel invites guests to “celebrate the virtues of monastic life,” combining modern designs with historic architecture. The Sanctum Inle focuses on themes of tranquility and self-reflection, but also caters to travelers who may not be able to completely “unplug,” providing amenities such as Wi-Fi. Guest room names, like the Cloister Classic and Sanctuary Suite, are references to the ancient religious life that surrounded Inle Lake, known for its floating gardens and one-legged rowing fisherman. Cigar shops, boatyards and handcrafted garments are all staples of local culture, and the resort encourages visitors to explore. Guests can choose from eight different full- and half-day tours, including the “Wheel and Wine” cycling trip that travels to Red Mountain Estate, ending with an afternoon of wine tasting. Others, such as the “Kakku Full-Day Tour,” guide visitors deep into the Shan hills to visit ancient temples dating back to the 11th century.
Philippines
City of Dreams Manila opened in early February. It is the first Hyatt-branded hotel to open in Asia. The hotel spreads across two towers in the heart of the capital city, a five-minute drive from the largest retail complex in the Philippines, and 10 minutes from the World Trade Center and Philippine International Convention Center. The destination aims to accommodate both business and leisure travelers, and has unique experiences for younger guests as well. Visitors can explore the city with local tour guides provided by the hotel, or visit the world’s first DreamWorks family entertainment center, DreamPlay. The center offers a blend of live and digital play spaces, featuring DreamWorks movie characters.
Vietnam
Four well-known Italian furniture designers helped create The Reverie Saigon, which opened last month. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Reverie is focused on luxury, location and fine dining. It occupies 27th through 39th floors of a high-rise in the heart of the city’s central business district. The Reverie has five restaurants and bars, including the Royal Pavilion, serving Cantonese dishes prepared by the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, and the Long at Times Square, where French- and Italian-inspired café items are on the menu.