ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI
What's it going to be like? After two delays – one of these due to the Iceland volcano – the Armani Hotel Dubai will finally open next week on April 27. It is housed in the spectacular Burj Khalifa, which now holds the record as the world's tallest building. At over 800m and boasting more than 160 storeys, Burj Khalifa is also the tallest free-standing structure in the world.
Floors occupied: The hotel features 160 rooms and suites occupying levels five through eight of Burj Khalifa, with suites on floors 38 and 39.
Facilities: It will be present eight unique dining experiences; the Armani/Privé, a hip and upscale lounge and the world’s first in-hotel Armani/Spa, which features thermal suites, a fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool; the Armani/Dolci chocolate store, the Armani/Fiori and the Armani/Galleria couture boutique.
Wow factor: As the first hotel developed by Armani Hotel and Resorts, expect the singular style of the "Maestro" to permeate every nook and cranny of this uber luxury property.
Website: www.armanihotels.com
CHINA WORLD SUMMIT WING BEIJING
What's it going to be like? This sumptuous aerie atop Beijing’s most eye-catching icon at the moment – the 330-metre China World Tower at China World Trade Center – will have just 278 rooms, measuring from 55sqm (Deluxe Room) to 296sqm (Presidential Suite).
Floors occupied: Guests enter the Summit Lobby on the street level before being whisked up by high-speed lift to the reception area on level 64. Guestrooms are found on levels 64 to 77.
Facilities: CHI Spa is on level 77 and health club on level 78. Its restaurants are found on level 4 for Fook Lam Moon and Nadaman; level 79 for Grill 79 and the Chairman’s Rooms; level 80 for Atmosphere bar and The Lounge; and level 81 for The Peak, a collection of private dining spaces.
Wow factor: The Summit Lobby features an interesting centrepiece, a translucent glass paneling, framed by real gold gilding resembling a “matrix” of gates, allowing natural light to reflect and when illuminated and glow from within.
Website: www.shangri-la.com
HYATT REGENCY HONG KONG, TSIM SHA TSUI
What's it like? Back in Hongkong after a three-year absence, Hyatt Regency Hongkong opened late last year on Hanoi Road, a few blocks from its original site on Nathan Road where it stood for 37 years until 2006.
Floors occupied: The newly opened hotel is now located at Hanoi Road, taking up levels three to 24 of the 61-storey K11 skyscraper. The multi-use building includes six floors of retail space.
Amenities: Four F&B outlets such as Cafe, Hugo's, The Chinese Restaurant and the Chin Chin Bar. A unique feature is the Sky Garden, an open-air courtyard, designed to create a relaxing sanctuary in the midst of the busting Tsim Sha Tsui business district. Other facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Wow factor: The hotel sits atop the first Art mall in the world, which features an exclusive retail experience that brings art, people and nature together.
Website: http://hongkong.tsimshatsui.hyatt.com
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MACAU
What's it going to be like? Opening in the middle of the year, the hotel will be part of the mixed-use One Central development, located on the waterfront within walking distance of the historic centre and with views of Taipa Island, West Nam Van Lake, Macau Tower and the hills of the south China coastline.
Floors occupied: The hotel will have 213 rooms and suites and will be occupying 19 levels from the fourth floor to the 23th floor. The One Central Service Apartment will occupy the upper levels from the 25th floor to the 41st floor.
Amenities: For business meetings and events, the hotel has a 320sqm ballroom, two meeting rooms and a boardroom. F&B outlets includes a signature all-day Villa Rica Restaurant and its adjacent concept bar, a lobby lounge and a Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Macau will cover 827sqm to house eight private treatment rooms . Other facilities for relaxation include a fully equipped fitness centre, an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, a sauna and steam room, and an indoor Jacuzzi. And as part of the mix-use complex, the hotel has over 37,000sqm of luxury retail step at its doorstep.
Wow factor: It the only non-gaming hotel that is near the city centre, making it an ideal base to explore the destination's Unesco heritage sites.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/macau/
RAFFLES HOTEL, TIANJIN
What's it going to be like? A 116-room property in the heart of Tianjin's business and retail district, it bills itself as the tallest "penthouse hotel" in the city.
Floors occupied: The hotel takes up levels 36 to 50 of the Tianjin Centre's West Tower. The east tower will house serviced apartments, while the west tower has the Raffles Tianjin and prime office space. A luxury shopping mall links both towers.
Amenities: Guests and visitors can enjoy dramatic panoramic views of the city from the rooftop bar and Japanese restaurant, CitySpace and SóU respectively.
Wow factor: Raffles Tianjin will be the only hotel in the city to offer a 24-hour business concierge and butler service.
Website: www.raffles.com/tianjin
THE RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG
What's it going to be like? At 490m high, this new 312-room property is part of a towering project, the International Commerce Centre (ICC), which dominates the skyline of West Kowloon. Ritz- Carlton is promising that it will be a "sanctuary of refined ambiance and elegance".
Floors occupied: The hotel is located on the 102nd to the 118th floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC). Companies, mostly in the financial sector, such as Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank, will occupy the other floors along with private residences and retailers on the lower floors.
Amenities: There will be six restaurants and an al fresco rooftop bar, likely to become one of the coolest watering holes in Asia.
Wow factor: All rooms will have unrivalled harbour and city views of one of the world's most visually stunning metropolises.
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com
Margie T Logarta, Kenny Coyle and Gigi Onag
