INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry is taking the Asia-Pacific by storm. With brand debuts, private island resorts and city center properties, here’s a peek at the recent openings and developments in the region:
Pacifica Capital to Open Kyoto’s First Moxy
Nijo Hospitality Limited Liability Company, an affiliate of Tokyo-based developer Pacifica Capital K.K., has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International to open the first Moxy lifestyle hotel in Kyoto, Japan. Construction of the 158-room Moxy Kyoto Nijo starts in July and the hotel is expected to open in spring 2021. The hotel is close to Nijo Station with access to Kyoto Station by JR Line as well as links to major tourist sites throughout the city. The property will have Moxy’s bar and lounge serving food and drinks 24 hours a day, a meeting room and a gym. Moxy Kyoto Nijo is Pacifica’s second franchised hotel under contract following Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba, which is scheduled to open in summer 2020. During development, Pacifica will supervise design and construction, while Nijo Hospitality will hire employees and manage the hotel.
Element by Westin Debuts in Australia
Element by Westin will open Element Melbourne Richmond. Owned and developed by TRC (Aust), the hotel marks the debut of the Element brand in Australia. Element Melbourne Richmond is situated in the new Botanicca Corporate Park on the banks of the Yarra River close to Melbourne’s city center. Designed by Melbourne architects, Rothelowman, the hotel has eco-conscious touches such as energy-saving LED lighting, CO2 sensors monitoring air quality and water-saving taps and fixtures. In addition, the property will have 163 guestrooms, food and beverage outlets, a fitness center and meeting space.
Private Island Resort Opens in Australia
Hayman Island by InterContinental, located at the northern most point in the Whitsunday Islands, welcomes its first guests onto Australia’s private island resort. Managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hayman Island has undergone a $135-million refurbishment. Envisioned by DBI Designs, DAARC and KY Design, the private resort has 166 rooms, a spa, food and beverage options and meeting and event spaces.
IHG to Open Holiday Inn in Sepang, Malaysia
IHG has signed a management agreement with Warisan City Development Sdn Bhd—part of the Kienta Group of Companies—for a new-build Holiday Inn within the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) vicinity. Holiday Inn Sepang will be located in Kota Warisan and will open in 2021 with 250 rooms. The hotel will have food and beverage options, a gym, business corner and event spaces. Besides the airport, the Sepang area is also growing from strength to strength as a key commercial hub of Greater Kuala Lumpur. In addition, the hotel is located near to Xiamen University Malaysia and the Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA mall.
Accor Adds Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore and Raffles Bali
Accor has added two new landmark projects to the pipeline with Raffles Bali set to open in 2020 and Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore planned for 2022. With at least four hotels in the development pipeline, the group will grow the brand by at least 50% in Asia.
Located in Jimbaran Bay, Raffles Bali will comprise 32 private villas, each with its own private pool. Owned by PT Jimbaran Greenhill, the resort will have food and beverage offerings and a spa. Over 135 years after the original Raffles opened its doors, the second Raffles in Singapore will be an all-villa hotel set with views over the South China Sea, all with their own private pool and terrace area. Facilities will include a bar, restaurants, a fitness center, a celebrations room and two meeting rooms.
Tang’s Living Group Adds Minimal Hotel Avenue to Portfolio
Tang’s Living Group, a Hong Kong-based hospitality group, has opened Minimal Hotel Avenue, the 15th member hotel in Tang’s Living Group and the fourth under the Minimal Hotels brand, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Formerly known as Sunny Day Hotel, the hotel takes on a new identity as Minimal Hotel Avenue under the Minimal Hotels brand. Minimal Hotel Avenue is the first hotel in Tang’s Living Group and in Hong Kong to partner with Butler, a hospitality and real estate service from Singapore. The hotel has 51 guestrooms and is located between Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Ormond Group’s The Chow Kit to Launch in Kuala Lumpur in October
Opening in the heart of old Kuala Lumpur, The Chow Kit-an Ormond Hotel, will have 113 rooms and suites in the Chow Kit neighborhood. Known for its market and local businesses, Chow Kit will now be home to the first property from Ormond Hotels. The property will have food and beverage outlets along with rooftop yoga.
Jaya House Angkor Park to Open in Cambodia
Jaya House Angkor Park is slated to open in November in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The property will have 31 rooms, swimming pools, a spa, all-day dining room and lounge. The hotel will also include local art and sustainability efforts including recycled plastic bags and an organic skincare collection. The property will also participate in Refill The World to provide guests with aluminum bottles that they can refill at stations located throughout the country.
