A slew of new Asian hotels are opening their doors for travellers
Asian countries are fascinating travel destinations and continue to surprise travellers with new developments every now and then. If you're headed to Guangzhou, Kyoto, The Great Barrier Reef or Seoul within the next couple of months, do include these new hotels in your travel itinerary.
ALOFT, GUANGZHOU
Opened: January 2015
Centrally located in the middle of Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center (aka Guangzhou University City), Aloft Guangzhou University Park is located next to the famous Lingnan Impression Park and within easy reach of several city attractions such as the Whampoa Military Academy, Revolution Memorial Museum and Guangdong Science Center. Designed with tech-forward millennials in mind, Aloft Guangzhou University Park features 272 airy rooms with loft-inspired spaces with the brand's signature features and offerings. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and the hotel will also debut its signature pet-friendly program for dogs under 40 lbs, which features an Aloft-branded bed and bowl plus treats and toys – the first of its kind in Guangzhou.
SUIRAN, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, KYOTO
Opening: March 2015
Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2015, Suiran, a 'Luxury Collection Hotel' in Kyoto is being developed as a ryokan-style accommodation, or small Japanese inn. Located in the Arashiyama district in the western part of Kyoto, the hotel occupies part of the grounds of Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site and is located adjacent to the Hozugawa River and Kameyama Park. With only 39 rooms, the hotel will offer an intimate experience in Kyoto – a city steeped in tradition with numerous historic palaces, temples and shrines. Each guestroom will be designed in culturally significant hues and traditional motifs. Amenities will include a lobby lounge, signature restaurant, meeting room, fitness centre and spa.
LIZARD ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
Opening: April 2015
Closed since last year due to the damage sustained by Cyclone Ita, Lizard Island is gearing up to welcome guests with a highly-anticipated re-opening. Consistently ranked as one of the top hotels of the world for more than a decade, Lizard Island offers the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with 24 white sand beaches for utmost privacy. Tucked amid the largest reef system in the world, the resort offers a wide range of excursions such as snorkelling or diving and deep-sea game fishing for its guests. On site itself, guests can indulge in accommodation choices, which include private villas, suites or a pavilion, all of which come with elegant views of the Australian seascape.
FOUR POINTS, SEOUL
Opening: May 2015
Strategically located at 37-85 Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu, the new Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Namsan is part of a mixed-used development. The property is set to offer seamless access to the popular observation deck of N Seoul Tower, the central Seoul railway station and the popular Itaewon commercial district. The 342-room Four Points will occupy floors 19 to 30, sharing the tower with retail as well as office space whilst maintaining a separate entrance, lobby and elevators. Facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant and bar, complimentary high-speed Internet access in all public spaces and the hotel will also carry the Best Brews™ program highlighting the best local draft beers on its premises.
