Hotel wrap: Global brands strengthen presence in key Asian markets

IHG furthers Indonesia footprint with Hotel Indigo in Jakarta

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed their first Hotel Indigo in Jakarta, furthering the brands plans to focus on Indonesia as a key market. Situated in northern Jakarta’s exclusive development on Golf Island PIK – also known as Kawasan Pantai Maju – Hotel Indigo Jakarta Pantai Indah Kapuk is set to open in 2022, offering world-class amenities within a dynamic, local neighbourhood scene.

Offering 200 rooms, the hotel is capable of hosting events at its 1,076sqm function room which takes up to 375 guests, where guests are additionally granted unlimited access to the neighbouring Day Club, where they can socialise and utilise the club’s numerous facilities.

A convenient 15-minute drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and 40-minute drive from Jakarta city centre, the PIK remixed development also houses luxury homes, offices, education institutes and world-class leisure facilities, including a golf and country club, waterpark, luxury mall and hotels.

Hotel Nikko Chengdu Yixin Lake ready for Chengdu in 2022

Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd. will open a new property in October 2022 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province - the rising southwestern Chinese city also receiving its first-tier city status recently.

Located in the Tianfu Yixin Lake development area in the Shuangliu district, Hotel Nikko Chengdu Yixin Lake will offer 303 rooms offering views of surrounding greenery and lakes, plus two banquet halls and six conference rooms to support business groups.

The property will be part of a larger 8.4sqm urban development project divided into four key areas: residential, educational, medical, commercial, sports and office.

Also in the works are five subway lines serving the area, improving access to the city and airport. Currently, the hotel is located in the business zone, about 20km from Chengdu city centre, and 10 km from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve ready for 2020 winter at Niseko, Hokkaido

The luxury brand, set apart for its remote locations paired with lush, unspoilt landscapes, will make its debut in Japan’s Niseko Village, Hokkaido when it opens Dec 15 later this year.

The 50-room Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, sits at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, where snow lovers will find it a most convenient base to Niseko’s mountains offering 2,191 acres of powder for extensive backcountry skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Two nearby 18-hole golf courses surrounded by majestic mountains will especially entice for incentives trips in spring. Should guests prefer to stay in, the upscale alpine resort offers two restaurants, fitness centre, a spa and onsen powered by Niseko’s natural hot springs to relax the day away.

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, and Soneva Fushi expands luxury stay options

Following the reopening of Maldivian borders to international visitors on July 15, and the announcement to reopen 94% of resorts by October 2020, more hotel brands are upping the luxury factor to lure incentive groups back.

Planners can consider booking Soneva Fushi's new Water Retreats: spacious 1-or-2 bedroom overwater villas ranging from 584sqm up to 857sqm, with attached private pool, a slide straight into the waters below, signature outdoor bathroom with access to the sea, and retractable roof over the master bed for stargazing from the comfort of the king-sized bed.

For buy-out options, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo’ Royal Residence is a great fit — an expansive 1,700sqm six-bedroom villa accommodating up to 15 guests. In the privacy and safety of this luxurious cocoon, guests can enjoy the villa’s 40m pool, have the Royal Residence butlers plan a pool party or go out on boat trips, before returning to their private spot at the beach for spectacular sunsets on the resort’s location at Gaafu Alifu atoll.