Business Traveller rounds up 100 hotels that have opened worldwide since the start of 2012.
To learn more about our methodology, click here. We also welcome your own nominations - please leave your comments below or visit our forum.
Europe
LONDON
1) Intercontinental Westminster
The capital’s second Intercontinental had its official launch at the end of February, having soft-opened last November. Housed in the 19th-century Queen Anne’s Chambers on Broadway, it has 256 rooms, a smokehouse restaurant, a lively bar and a great art collection inspired by the hotel’s Westminster location.
2) South Place
A rare new-build for the City, South Place opened in September and is the first hotel project for restaurant operator D&D London. Unsurprisingly, the 80-room design-led property has a strong focus on food, with a bistro, seafood eatery and two bars. It also has meeting space, spa facilities and a gym.
3) Citizen M Bankside
London’s first branch of the Dutch “affordable luxury” brand opened on Lavington Street in July. It has 192 compact yet well-equipped rooms along with a buzzing lobby-cum-lounge-cum-bar, a 24-hour food station, a work zone with Macs, meeting rooms and free wifi.
4) Me London
The trendy Foster and Partners-designed Me London soft-opened on the corner of the Strand and Aldwych in January, and had its official launch in March. The flagship property for Melia Hotels International’s Me brand, it has 157 rooms with mood lighting, a rooftop bar (pictured opposite), a steakhouse and an Italian eatery.
5) Café Royal
Following extensive renovations, the historic Café Royal on Regent Street opened as a 159-room five-star hotel in December. Many of its 1860s features have been restored, including the iconic Grill Room. A spa is due to open in early summer.
BIRMINGHAM
6) Hotel la Tour
This new-build four-star property opened last March. Its 174 rooms have free wifi and media hubs, and there’s a gym and meeting space. Chef Marcus Wareing helped to develop Aalto restaurant, which offers “a modern twist on English classics”.
EDINBURGH
7) Hotel Indigo
IHG’s boutique brand came to Edinburgh in March 2012. Housed in five townhouses on York Place, it has 60 stylish rooms, a restaurant, bar and gym. There are no dedicated business facilities, but guests can borrow laptops and use the free wifi.
DUBLIN
8) The Marker
Set to open on April 2 in a striking black-and-white geometric building on Grand Canal Dock, across the Liffey from the CCD convention centre, the Marker is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. It has 187 rooms, a cocktail bar, brasserie, rooftop garden, spa and meeting space.
PARIS
9) W Paris Opéra
Open since February 2012, the W is housed in an 1870s Haussman building opposite the Opéra Garnier. Its 91 rooms are well equipped and feature tongue-in-cheek, Paris-inspired design elements. Arola restaurant is led by Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola.
BRUSSELS
10) Thon Hotel EU
Well located for the European district, this modern four-star from Norway’s Thon Hotels opened in April 2012. Its 405 rooms have fridges and tea and coffee facilities, while Club rooms have Nespresso machines. Wifi is free if you book online. There are ten meeting rooms and a restaurant.
AMSTERDAM
11) Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
Hyatt’s trendy Andaz brand arrived in Amsterdam in October. The canalside five-star property features Dutch-inspired design by Marcel Wanders and 122 rooms offering free wifi, soft drinks and snacks. It has a spa and a restaurant with an “inventive western seaboard” menu.
BERLIN
12) Waldorf Astoria
Germany got its first Waldorf Astoria in January. The 232-room hotel is housed in the new Zoofenster skyscraper in Charlottenburg, opposite Berlin Zoo. It features art deco design, a fine-dining restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire and a Guerlain spa.
13) Das Stue
Also bordering Berlin Zoo, this Design Hotels member opened in December in a 1930s Danish embassy building. Its 80 rooms offer free wifi and HD Apple entertainment systems. It has a restaurant by Michelin-starred Paco Perez, a spa, pool and meeting rooms.
HAMBURG
14) Barcelo
This modern new-build four-star opened in March last year and is well located on Ferdinandstrasse, close to the central station. The 193 rooms come with 32-inch LCD TVs, iPod docks, free wifi and rainshowers, while other facilities include a restaurant and six meeting rooms.
VIENNA
15) Palais Hansen Kempinski
Set to open in an 1870s listed building on the Ring Boulevard last month, the Palais Hansen has 152 luxury rooms starting from 32 sqm. There are two restaurants – one an all-day diner, the other serving gourmet cuisine – two bars, a cigar lounge and a 280-capacity
16) Ritz-Carlton
The luxury hotel group expanded into Austria last August. Housed in four 19th-century palaces on the Ring Boulevard, the Ritz-Carlton has 202 rooms and suites, a restaurant serving “upscale Austrian cuisine”, a Guerlain spa, pool, conference space and rooftop bar.
ROME
17) Gran Melia
Gran Melia’s luxury resort opened in April 2012, a few minutes’ walk from the Vatican. Set in 7,000 sqm of gardens, it’s built on the site of Villa Agrippina, home of Emperor Nero’s mother, and artefacts found during the build are on show. It has 116 rooms across eight floors, with each level having its own theme, such as “sacred and profane love” and “great heroes”, as well as indoor and outdoor dining.
BARCELONA
18) Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya
IHG brought its Indigo brand to the Catalan capital in February. Centrally located on Gran Via de las Corts Catalanes, it has 77 rooms “inspired by Gaudi’s Modernisme movement”, with free wifi. There is also a gym, outdoor pool, one meeting room and a Spanish restaurant.
LISBON
19) Myriad by Sana Hotels
Incorporated into the 140-metre-tall riverside Vasco da Gama tower that stands next to the hotel, in Parque das Nacoes, this sleek property opened in September. Its 186 stylish rooms have free wifi. There is a restaurant, pool and spa, and the hotel is directly linked to the Myriad Crystal Centre for meetings and events.
ZURICH
20) 25 Hours Zurich West
“Budget deluxe” group 25 Hours, which has hotels in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Vienna, opened in Zurich West in November. Like its sister properties, it features imaginative design inspired by its location. The 126 rooms have bunk, queen- or king-size beds, free wifi and iHome sound systems, and there is also a restaurant and meeting space.
ISTANBUL
21) Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler
Turkey got its first Le Méridien in January last year. The classy 34-storey new-build is in the Etiler district on the European side of the city and has lovely Bosphorus views. The 259 rooms start from 38 sqm, and there is a spa, restaurant and a sleek bar.
22) Renaissance Istanbul Bosphorus
Open since August, this 20-storey new-build opened on the city’s European side in the downtown Besiktas district. Its 212 rooms offer river or city views. It has a rooftop bar, Mediterranean restaurant, pool and spa.
KIEV
23) Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
Fairmont opened its first Eastern European hotel in April last year. Located in the Podil district in old Kiev, opposite the Dnieper River, the new-build is traditional in design and has a Grand Cru champagne bar, cocktail bar, grill restaurant, spa and meeting space. Its 258 rooms start from 40 sqm and offer city, river or courtyard views.
BAKU
24) Four Seasons
Four Seasons made its Azerbaijan debut in September. The Beaux Arts-style new-build is located on the waterfront and has 171 rooms starting from 48 sqm, offering old city or Caspian Sea vistas. The rooftop Kaspia restaurant serves steak and seafood, and there is an Italian eatery and whisky bar.
25) JW Marriott Absheron
JW Marriott’s 243-room property opened last May. Built on the site of the former Absheron hotel on Azadliq Square, its guestrooms offer sea or city views. The spa and pool are located on the 21st and 22nd floors, and there are Oriental and Italian restaurants. It has 2,000 sqm of meeting space.
Middle East and Africa
ABU DHABI
26) Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
This 447-room property on Khor Al Maqta’, close to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, opened in March. It features ten “stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation” and architecture inspired by the Renaissance. It has a spa, nine restaurants and bars, and a ballroom for 1,500 guests.
27) St Regis
Opening this month on the Corniche, in Nation Towers, the St Regis Abu Dhabi has 228 rooms and 55 suites with free wifi. Along with 4,800 sqm of meeting space, there is an outdoor pool, six bars and restaurants, a Remede spa and views of the sea. A second 377-room St Regis opened on Saadiyat Island in December.
28) Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
The 44-floor, five-star Sofitel opened in March 2012 and has 282 rooms with contemporary interiors by Pierre Soulages. Suite guests also get butler service, Hermès toiletries and Nespresso machines. There are three restaurants, three bars, 2,600 sqm of event space, a gym, spa and outdoor pool.
29) Anantara Eastern Mangroves
The 222 rooms in this waterfront property, located on a 1.2km strip along the Eastern Mangroves district, start from 57 sqm. There are five restaurants and bars, including a rooftop lounge, as well as a spa, a palm-lined infinity pool, and a private marina. It opened last June.
DUBAI
30) Jumeirah Creekside
This five-star facing Dubai Creek opened in July 2012. Its 292 rooms are at least 42 sqm and come with free wifi and soft drinks in the minibars. As well as rooftop lounge Cu-ba, offering panoramic vistas, there are a further five restaurants and bars, 25 meeting rooms, a spa and a health club with a two-tier pool.
31) JW Marriott Marquis
Another addition to Sheikh Zayed Road, the JW Marriott is the world’s tallest hotel, with 72 floors, 684 rooms and 120 suites. The property has more than 7,500 sqm of event space, ten dining outlets, a pool and spa. It opened in November.
32) Fairmont the Palm
This 381-room hotel opened on the world’s largest manmade island in December. It has 3,000 sqm of meeting space, a private beach, four pools and five bars and eateries (Ba, serving Chinese food, was set to open this month).
33) Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana
Open since December, this five-star alcohol-free Deira property has 428 rooms. It has an executive lounge offering free breakfast, “mocktails” and internet, plus four eateries – one serving the “finest Iranian caviar” – a pool, tennis and squash courts and a spa. Rotana also opened a 414-room Centro property (its budget brand) in October.
DOHA
34) Intercontinental Doha the City
With sweeping views of West Bay, the 56-floor hotel launched in February 2012 and has 759 smart, stylish rooms, a 45th-floor Club lounge, an extensive health centre, and eight drinking and dining outlets.
35) St Regis
The 336-room St Regis opened in March 2012 and provides butler service for all guests, as well as access to a 250-metre-long beach on West Bay. It has ten restaurants and bars (two by Gordon Ramsay), a 1,500-capacity ballroom and an Olympic-size open-air pool.
36) Hilton
Towering over the Corniche and with its own beach, the 309-room Hilton opened last April and sports eight function spaces, a spa and pool, and six bars and restaurants. Suites and Executive rooms feature balconies and lounge access.
MANAMA
37) Majestic Arjaan by Rotana
Unveiled in March on the island of Muharraq, a few minutes from Bahrain’s capital, the hotel has 128 studios and apartments with free wifi. There is also an outdoor pool and three dining options.
BEIRUT
38) Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand
Open since April 2012, the 185-room hotel has some of the biggest meeting venues in the country, including a 3,000-capacity ballroom. It has a three-floor health club, a pool, a fine-dining French restaurant and jazz bar.
AMMAN
39) Millennium
Located in the Shmeisani commercial district, the modern tower block houses 178 rooms, a 21st-floor spa and pool. There are two restaurants – Fatoush for seasonal cuisine and Toshi for Asian – and Sky Lounge bar. It opened in November.
MUSCAT
40) Best Western Premier
This four-star opened in the Al Khuwair commercial district in November 2012 and has 203 rooms with free wifi. There is an executive lounge serving snacks and soft drinks (this is a “dry” hotel), two restaurants, a café, pool, gym and four function spaces.
JOHANNESBURG
41) The Maslow
Formerly the Southern Sun Grayston hotel, Sun International opened this property as the four-star Maslow in January following closure for an £18 million renovation. Located in Sandton, the city’s retail and business district, it has a gym, spa, pool, bistro and bar, and free wifi.
42) 54 on Bath
This 75-room boutique hotel opened in June 2012 after Tsogo Sun converted the former Grace hotel and office buildings in Rosebank. Each room has a 42-inch LED TV, safe, free wifi and minibar. There is a fitness club, outdoor pool, all-day restaurant and meeting space.
LUSAKA
43) Radisson Blu
Opened in September, the Radisson Blu is located in the Zambian capital’s commercial district. As with all Radisson Blus, the 142 rooms have free wifi. It also features the brand’s Italian Filini restaurant and bar, and has a gym, spa and outdoor pool.
MAPUTO
44) Radisson Blu
The brand also landed in Mozambique’s capital, in February. Located on the waterfront Avenida Marginal road, about 15 minutes from the airport, it has 154 rooms, a restaurant with a terrace, an outdoor pool and a gym.
TUNIS
45) Novotel
The Novotel Tunis opened in November on Mohamed V in the Tunisian capital’s business district. Its 126 rooms have free wifi, while Executive rooms also come with a coffee machine and iPod dock. There is a restaurant and bar, 14 meeting rooms, a gym and outdoor pool.
Americas
NEW YORK
46) Conrad
Situated in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, the 463 all-suite property opened in March 2012. The lobby’s glass atrium features Loopy Doopy, a vibrant blue and purple Sol LeWitt painting spanning 13 floors. There is a rooftop bar offering Hudson River views and a Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant.
47) Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South
Hyatt was set to debut its limited-service brand in Midtown South last month. Located on West 36th Street, the new-build’s 185 rooms have free wifi. Made-to-order meals are available 24 hours, and there’s a Bakery Café serving Starbucks coffee, a “grab-and-go” snack station and a gym.
48) Hyatt Union Square
Hyatt is also opening a property under its mainline brand at the end of April. The 178-room hotel blends “high design with natural elements”. Guestrooms have an urban feel and “tech-wired writers tables” on request. It will have an American brasserie, and an open-kitchen and wine gallery.
49) Tryp by Wyndham Times Square South
Open since February 2012, the first of Wyndham’s Tryp properties in the US is located in the heart of Manhattan. Its 173 stylish rooms offer free wifi and iPod docks. Gastro bar at 35th Street serves tapas, and there are four meeting spaces, plus a rooftop balcony for events.
WASHINGTON DC
50) Capella Washington DC, Georgetown
Open since last month, the Capella’s 49 pewter- and gold-toned rooms feature touchscreen technology and free wifi. Guests are offered a 24-hour personal assistant, free pressing of five items, and flexible check-in and check-out. There is a spa, a rooftop lounge and an infinity pool.
capellahotels.com
CHICAGO
51) The Ivy
A 15-storey boutique hotel one block from Michigan Avenue, the Ivy opened last June. The 63 rooms have marble bathrooms and come with free wifi, 42-inch flatscreen TVs and at least 29 sqm of space. The top-floor ballroom has city views.
MIAMI
52) The James Royal Palm
This five-star South Beach hotel opened in October. The 393 rooms feature free wifi, and there are two pools, a business lounge with video-conferencing, a spa, and six bars and restaurants, including Catch Miami, an outpost of the New York seafood restaurant.
jameshotels.com
SAN FRANCISCO
53) Hotel Zetta
Boutique hotel group Viceroy opened this trendy luxury property in February, minutes from Union Square. Hotel Zetta’s 116 stylish rooms have free wifi, docking stations for wireless streaming and Illy espresso machines. There are Apple Macs in the lobby.
LOS ANGELES
54) Hotel Wilshire
Kimpton Hotels opened this 74-room property last April, minutes from Beverly Hills. With yellow and grey décor, rooms offer free wifi and personalised welcome amenities for In Touch members (free to join), and animal-print robes. The rooftop restaurant, bar and pool offer views of the Hollywood sign.
LAS VEGAS
55) Hotel Nobu
Open since February, Nobu’s latest hotel is part of the Caesars Palace complex. Designed by David Rockwell, the 181 rooms have Japanese-style bathrooms, and dishes from Nobu restaurant can be ordered via room service. Guests get free valet parking and access to the spa.
nobucaesarspalace.com
DALLAS
56) Le Méridien Dallas, the Stoneleigh
Open since January, this 170-room hotel is housed in a 1920s building near the arts district. Rooms have spa baths, T/X serves south-western cuisine, and there are six meeting spaces.
TORONTO
57) Shangri-La
The Shangri-La opened on University Avenue in October. Its 202 rooms start from 42 sqm and there is an all-day restaurant, a bar serving 1930s-style cocktails, a 20-metre pool and a Miraj Hammam spa by Caudalie Paris.
58) Four Seasons
October also saw Four Seasons open a 55-storey, 259-room property in the Yorkville district, one block from the old Four Seasons, which closed in early 2012. Michelin-starred Daniel Boulud heads up Café Boulud, and there’s a 2,787 sqm spa.
fourseasons.com
MEXICO CITY
59) Intercontinental Presidente Santa Fe
The city’s second Intercontinental opened in June in the tallest building in the Santa Fe area. Its 111 rooms feature sleek décor, and Executive Club rooms come with butler service and free breakfast. The property has an art gallery, six restaurants, and a L’Occitane spa.
BUENOS AIRES
60) Buenos Aires Grand
Situated in Recoleta, this independent property opened last autumn. Its 88 rooms have free wifi and Nespresso machines, and there is a spa, pool and restaurant.
LIMA
61) Hilton Lima Miraflores
Hilton’s Peruvian debut opened in December in the centre of Lima. Its 207 rooms feature local design elements such as lattice woodwork, while its restaurant serves US-Peruvian food, and the bar has a street-level terrace. There is a rooftop pool and a 430-person capacity ballroom.
PANAMA CITY
62) Westin Playa Bonita Panama
A 20-minute drive from downtown, Westin’s beachside property opened in early 2012. Its 611 rooms have private terraces, and the property has eight restaurants and bars, 14 meeting spaces and an infinity pool.
BOGOTA
63) BOG Hotel
This Design Hotels member opened in spring 2012 near the financial district. The hotel has 55 rooms, two meeting spaces, a rooftop bar and pool, and a restaurant.
Asia-Pacific
SINGAPORE
64) Dorsett
Located above the Outram Park MRT interchange station, this property from the Asian group was set to open last month and has 285 rooms with free wifi, posturepedic mattresses, and iPhone/iPad docks. There’s a roof garden, gym and 30-metre outdoor pool and spa bath.
BANGKOK
65) W Bangkok
December saw the soft opening of the 407-room W (work will be complete this month), located on North Sathorn Road in the commercial district. The slick, minimalist décor is offset by splashes of neon pink, ultra-violet and Cristal yellow, and there are two restaurants, an outdoor pool and six meeting spaces.
66) Sofitel So
Open since February 2012 in the Lumpini Park district, the stylish 238-room Sofitel So is inspired by five natural elements – water, earth, wood, metal and fire. The rooms are designed around the first four – while fire is represented in the aptly named Red Oven restaurant. All rooms offer free wifi, and Apple Mac minis.
67) Mercure Bangkok Siam
In the heart of the Siam shopping district, this new Accor hotel opened in December. It has 189 rooms with free wifi, plus a restaurant and a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and meeting room.
68) Okura Prestige
Japan’s Okura opened this 240-room luxury property last May under its Prestige brand, which aims to be more modern and chic than older Okuras. The 34-floor tower is on the corner of Wireless and Ploenchit roads and offers impressive views. It has an open-air pool, spa and three restaurants.
HONG KONG
69) L’Hotel Elan
Located in Kowloon’s Kwun Tong neighbourhood, L’Hotel E’lan opened in September and is the fourth Hong Kong hotel in L’Hotel Group’s portfolio. The smart property has 254 rooms with iPads, free wifi and complimentary minibars, a 35th-floor al fresco rooftop pool, one eatery and two event spaces.
70) Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East
Opened in September, the towering five-star Crowne Plaza is on the easterly side of Kowloon Peninsula, in the emerging business district of Tseung Kwan O with an MTR station below. It has 359 rooms (Executive Club ones offer lounge access and free wifi) and four restaurants, including a rooftop Italian.
71) Rosedale Kowloon
Rosedale’s second Hong Kong hotel opened in July in Tai Kok Tsui on the west side of Kowloon Peninsula close to Olympic MTR station, two stops from Central. The 435 rooms feature free wifi and audio-video facilities, and there is a computer corner and gym.
MACAU
72) Sheraton
The world’s largest Sheraton has an astonishing 3,863 rooms within the Sands Cotai Central complex. It also has extensive meeting space – a total of 20,000 sqm, including a pillarless ballroom for 5,000 people theatre-style – as well as a spa with 15 treatment rooms, and three outdoor pools.
BEIJING
73) East
Swire Hotels’ second East (the other is in Hong Kong) opened in September in the Chaoyang district, 15 minutes from the airport. All 369 rooms have free wifi and there are club rooms with lounge access on the 24th and 25th floors. Beast (Body by East) features a gym, indoor swimming pool and outdoor splash pool, while Feast (Food by East) is an all-day international restaurant.
74) Four Seasons
Four Seasons made its Beijing debut in November, in the CBD’s Yansha district. The 313 rooms (starting from 46 sqm) are built around a light-filled atrium, and there is 3,250 sqm of meeting space, a spa, indoor pool with city vistas, an executive lounge, two restaurants and a trio of bars.
75) Conrad
Open since February, the Conrad is within walking distance of the CBD. Its 289 rooms feature a palette of cream and gold, and have 46-inch LED TVs, and Chinese tea sets.There is an Executive lounge, three dining outlets, two bars and a spa. conradhotels.com
SHANGHAI
76) Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong
Located in the gleaming 21st-Century Tower in the middle of the financial district of Pudong, the brand’s second Shanghai property opened in November. It has 187 rooms, 15 suites and two restaurants, as well as a 35th-floor executive lounge and a spa with an indoor infinity pool.
77) Twelve at Hengshan
This Starwood Luxury Collection member opened in an art deco-style building on Hengshan Road in the Xuhui district in December. It features 171 rooms with free wifi, a 13-room spa, two restaurants and a fitness centre overlooking the indoor pool and hot tubs.
78) Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund
The Banyan Tree’s 130 rooms have views of the Huangpu River and marble bathrooms with rainshowers, mirror TVs and round soaking baths. As an “urban resort”, it also has a three-floor spa and a health centre with a yoga studio, as well as a rooftop bar and two high-end eateries. It opened in October.
GUANGZHOU
79) Four Seasons
Unveiled in July, the Four Seasons’ 302 rooms and 42 suites take up the 74th to 98th floors of the 103-storey IFC Guangzhou building, in Pearl River New City. The lobby is located on the glass-ceilinged 70th floor, while a horizon-edge indoor pool is on the 69th. There are five dining outlets (one on the 100th level) and two bars.
80) Mandarin Oriental
Connected to the Taikoo Hui shopping and office centre in the Tianhe CBD, the 263-room property opened in January. Starting from 60 sqm, rooms combine “British colonial and traditional Chinese design”. For food, there is Jiang by Chef Fei (Cantonese) and Ebony (grilled fare), along with a cake shop, cocktail bar and tea lounge. A spa and ballroom complete the offering.
81) Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe
Located in the heart of Tianhe, the Marriott opened last June and has 319 rooms, a 24-hour health centre, a spa, pool, a quartet of eateries (international and Chinese) and nine event venues.
CHENGDU
82) Dorsett Grand
This 556-roomer opened in the Luomashi area in the CBD in September. All rooms have iPod docks and free wifi. There are nine meeting rooms, along with a multi-function hall, a tea lounge, chess house, karaoke facilities, a gym and spa.
CHONGQING
83) Hyatt Regency
Located in the Jiangbei district, the 321-room Hyatt Regency opened in a new mixed-use development in August last year. It has a ballroom, spa, 25-metre pool, gym, two eateries, pastry boutique, tea lounge and bar.
SHENZHEN
84) St Regis
The St Regis is in the Luohu district, within 6km of three exhibition centres, and opened in January. In addition to the 24-hour butler service for its 290 rooms, it has five dining and drinking venues, a pool and 11 meeting spaces.
SHENYANG
85) Doubletree by Hilton
This 389-room new-build opened in July and includes 25 suites, two restaurants, a 24-metre pool and spa. The rooms start from 36 sqm and have separate baths and showers, and Crabtree and Evelyn amenities.
TIANJIN
86) Indigo
Launched in September, IHG’s Indigo Tianjin Haihe is located on Germanic Street in the Hexi district, close to the Hai River. Its 96 cosy rooms feature quirky murals, paintings and photos. Facilities include Blauer Engel beer house, a café, pool and meeting space.
XIAMEN
87) Kempinski
Opened last April, the Kempinski overlooks Yundang Lake and is the tallest building in Fujian Province. It has 460 rooms (Executive rooms and suites have lounge access), plus Yue Fu Cantonese restaurant, Kempi Deli, Paulaner Brauhaus for Bavarian fare, and an all-day diner. There is a large spa and 2,600 sqm of meeting space.
TAIPEI
88) Okura Prestige
Opened in August, the Okura is located in the central Zhongshan district. Its 208 rooms have outsize bathrooms with rainshowers, large tubs and TVs, and there is a health club, rooftop pool and sun terrace, and Chinese and Japanese restaurants.
JAKARTA
89) Keraton at the Plaza
This 140-room Starwood Luxury Collection hotel opened in May 2012 in the commercial Thamrin district. The décor features Batik floral prints and intricate art pieces, and wifi is free. There are two eateries, a spa and pool.
luxurycollection.com
KUALA LUMPUR
90) Grand Hyatt
One of the first top-end hotels to open in Malaysia’s capital in a decade, the Grand Hyatt was unveiled last August, a short distance from the Petronas Towers. Its 412 rooms offer sweeping city views, as does the 25-metre rooftop pool. There are three restaurants, a spa, an executive lounge and 3,300 sqm of event space.
MANILA
91) Fairmont Makati
Makati City is the fastest-growing cosmopolitan centre in Metro Manila, and December saw the opening of a 280-room Fairmont in a 30-storey tower. It has a pool, spa and gym, along with a ballroom, Café Macaron and Fairmont lounge. A 32-suite Raffles property is co-located in the tower and shares some facilities.
fairmont.com
SEOUL
92) Conrad
The 434-room hotel opened in November in Yeouido district, which is dubbed Seoul’s Wall Street. It’s one of four towers in the Seoul IFC building, to be completed in 2014. Rooms have Apple Mac mini-computers.
BUSAN
93) Park Hyatt
Nestling in Marine City adjacent to Haeundae beach, the 269-room Park Hyatt opened in February in a 33-floor Daniel Libeskind-designed building featuring interiors by Japan’s Super Potato design company. There are two restaurants, a spa and a heated rooftop pool.
busan.park.hyatt.com
MUMBAI
94) Sofitel Mumbai BKC
This lavishly decorated luxury property soft-opened in February 2012 and had its official launch in August. Located in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai’s new business district, it has 300 rooms with free wifi, four restaurants and a spa.
95) Shangri-La
Shangri-La’s second hotel in India (after Delhi) opened in December in the retail and office development of High Street Phoenix, in Lower Parel. The 390 rooms offer free wifi, and Horizon Club guests can enjoy free breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails. There are four bars and three restaurants.
CHENNAI
96) ITC Grand Chola
A Starwood Luxury Collection hotel, the Grand Chola opened in September in the business district of Guindy, and has 522 rooms, plus 78 serviced residences. Rooms come with iPads to control the lighting, air conditioning and security cameras. There are ten drinking and dining options, three pools, a spa and three gyms.
97) The Leela Palace
Open since January, the opulent Leela is set on a two-hectare site facing the Bay of Bengal. The hotel has 326 rooms and suites, four restaurants, an ESPA spa, a 25-metre pool and 24-hour butler service in the exclusive Royal Club rooms.
98) Westin Chennai Velachery
The 215-room Westin opened in February. It has a pool, a spa, a cricket-themed lounge bar, all-day, Pan-Asian and poolside grill restaurants, and 1,170 sqm of function space.
99) Park Hyatt
Situated next to the governor’s residence, alongside the Guindy Forest Reserve, this 201-room hotel opened in October. A lily pond within a courtyard sits at the heart of the property, which also has a spa with a rooftop infinity pool and two restaurants. Rooms start from 43 sqm.
DELHI
100) Vivanta by Taj Gurgaon
Gurgaon is the booming industrial and financial centre 30km south of New Delhi, and the new Vivanta is firmly aimed at business travellers. A 25-minute drive from New Delhi Indira Gandhi International airport, it has 208 rooms, an executive lounge, 960 sqm of function space, a round-the-clock international restaurant and a Thai eatery. It opened in January.
