Here’s a look at some hotels that have opened during the past five weeks, or are about to open just in time for the festive season:
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
Where: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Opening date: November 1
About the property: The first Jumeirah property in Abu Dhabi is all about design and innovation. The luxury hotel has five towers – three residential towers, which have 199 full-serviced residences, an office tower, and the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel, that comprises 382 guest rooms and suites. For dining, there is an array of 12 food and beverage outlets.
What makes it special: Guest rooms are furnished with Italian marble, and contain photographic artworks from the exclusive collection of Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. The art pieces are depictions of life in Abu Dhabi dating back to the 1960s.
For more information, click here.
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
Where: Aswan, Egypt
Opening date: November 19
About the property: This property is built across the Elephantine Island, and has 138 rooms, including 82 suites. French interior designer, Sybille de Margerie re-designed the hotel after a three-year closure, with a French touch, while retaining the hotel’s Victorian splendour. (See story here)
What makes it special: The hotel is part of the Sofitel Legend collection, which features a series of properties with rich historic significance. The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan was named for its iconic location at the spot where the river meets a granite barrier to create the first cataract of the River Nile.
Conrad Koh Samui
Where: Koh Samui, Thailand
Opening date: November 20
About the property: The luxury resort offers 80 freestanding villas, comprising of a Royal Villa, 65 one-bedroom villas and 14 two-bedroom villas. Each Thai-styled villa is furnished with tropical hardwood floors, Thai silk and unique artwork, and overlooks the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. In addition, the resort has its own luxury spa and an on-site diving and sailing centre.
What makes it special: Each villa boasts private plunge pools and sundecks. The one-bedroom villa has a private 10-metre infinity plunge pool, while the two-bedroom villas each have a private 12-metre infinity plunge pool.
http://conradhotels1.hilton.com
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa
Where: Danang, Vietnam
Opening date: November 23
About the property: Bask in the picturesque view of the Marble Mountains and the East Sea. Hyatt’s second property in Vietnam has 200 guestrooms, 174 condominiums and 27 luxury three-bedroom villas. It is situated near local attractions such as the Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue City, and Cham Museum.
What makes it special: For added luxury book one of the 27 Ocean Villas, each has a private pool.
Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
Opening date: December 1
About the property: W Hotels’ hip brand has made its way to Thailand in its more affordable avatar. All rooms in the 296-room property feature nine-foot-high ceilings, the chain’s signature platform beds, iPod docking stations and a plug-and-play connectivity hub. The property plays up young vibes with a w xyz bar, where guests can mingle with friends over cocktails and get down on the dance floor during music-theme nights, and a re:mix lounge, where guests can play a game of pool or have drinks.
What makes it special: The hotel is Starwood’s first “second generation” Aloft hotel, therefore embodying more DNA of the group's W Hotls line. (see story here).
www.alofthotels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11
The Westin Xian
Where: Shaanxi, China
Opening date: December 15
About the property: This Westin property is located in Shaanxi, home of the renowned terracotta soldiers. It features 329 rooms and 32 one- to two-bedroom apartments. The also hotel owns a museum with over 2000 artefacts, and includes over 80 Chinese mural paintings, a suit of armour crafted entirely from gold, and a stone Buddha head that is approximately one meter high.
What makes it special: It will be the first property in the Westin brand to have its own museum.
For more information, click here. Other recent Starwood openings in China include the St Regis Tianjin and Sanya (see story here).
Tiffany Sandrasageran