New Luxury Hotels
Southeast Asia
There are many reasons to visit Southeast Asia – beautiful weather, fascinating cultures, fantastic food... The list goes on, but one of the most important reasons for us is that so many glamorous new hotels are popping up everywhere from Malaysia to Vietnam. Since it's simply not possible to visit all of them in one vacation, perhaps this could justify inspiring clients to take several trips. Here are the hotels that will have that certain wok hei!
New Luxury Hotels
Southeast Asia
There are many reasons to visit Southeast Asia – beautiful weather, fascinating cultures, fantastic food... The list goes on, but one of the most important reasons for us is that so many glamorous new hotels are popping up everywhere from Malaysia to Vietnam. Since it's simply not possible to visit all of them in one vacation, perhaps this could justify inspiring clients to take several trips. Here are the hotels that will have that certain wok hei!
Cap Karoso, Indonesia
Remote, a bit hush hush, but flying high under the radar. That's the exact profile of Sumba Island. If you've never heard of it that suits the new luxury hotel Cap Karoso just fine, because absolute relaxation is the order of the day there. At the western tip of this Indonesian island in the Lesser Sunda archipelago, the resort has the Karoso lagoon all for itself. Consequently, this provides all 47 rooms and 20 villas with private pools only the best views of the ocean. Seven of the rooms are beachfront suites, 24 have their own terrace. There are also four beachfront villas, each coming in at 270 square meters (2900sq. ft.). The feeling is that you're not just on the beach, it's that you own the beach. Ghann'nu, for example, can accommodate up to six people. The Maghailo villa type is duplex style and has two bedrooms, as do the Ndara villas. Guests have three bedrooms in the Wo'Yo category villas. But the true secret star of Cap Karoso, which has been open since the beginning of the year, is the hotel's own farm. On a proud three hectares (7.4 acres), fruits and vegetables are organically grown, and of course arrive on the plate freshly picked. Classes in horticulture are held on the farm for the locals. To indulge, head to the fine-dining restaurant Julang, where French guest chefs formulate the latest fusions. If your whim leads you poolside then try the tapas at Apicine. But if you prefer something more intimate and want to dine in your villa, you could have the chef, or just the ingredients. Bon appétit!
Trade Contact: Betty Meyda, Sales Manager
Else Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There's a unique sense of grandeur that comes to light when a city becomes a metropolis, especially one with such imposing skyscrapers. But even the most bustling cities need space to breathe, and so much the better if it's at an urban oasis like the Else Kuala Lumpur boutique hotel, where guests can be amongst the action, but also simply...inaccessible. It has been open since summer 2022 and offers visitors to the Malaysian capital a relaxing retreat. Although this member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World is located in the middle of Chinatown, it exudes tranquility within. Else Kuala Lumpur is housed in the historic Lee Rubber Building, where the 48 rooms and suites extend over seven floors. In terms of color, all of the rooms, which have euphonious names like Mantra or Sanctuary, are very subdued and feature earth and beige tones in various hues. The entry-level Mantra category measures 25 square meters (270sq. ft.), while the Else Suite is the largest at 84 square meters (900sq. ft.). The Else Retreat concept is aimed at modern travelers who appreciate both the hustle and bustle of the city and the quiet, mindful life. To unwind after an excursion through Kuala Lumpur, there's an infinity pool and a small gym where you can completely disconnect from the ambient noise in so-called Sensory Deprivation Pods. Fine dining is the name of the game at Yellow Fin Horse restaurant, while Raw Kitchen Hall serves an Asian-Latin fusion cuisine.
Trade Contact: Raja Badizza Badrulzaman, Director of Sales
Reverie Ahu Bay, Sri Lanka
Throw beach house vibes together with a personal concierge service and out comes Resplendent Ceylon's new Reverie boutique hotel brand. Ahu Bay is the newest of the Collection's two properties so far, but Kayaam House has also just recently started welcoming guests. The property sits on a cliff surrounded by nature and has spectacular views! The concept is designed to appeal to travelers who want to find themselves and also get in touch with the local culture in barefoot luxury style. This second property in the Reverie Collection is located a little less than two hours away from Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, in Ahungalla. The resort includes 16 rooms and suites and three spacious villas measuring 200 square meters (2150sq. ft.). Keep in mind though that children are welcome only over the age of twelve. In addition to a pool, the hotel also has a spa and a restaurant that emphasizes healthy dishes. One highlight for winter vacationers: between December and February the Olive Ridley turtles, which are found only on Sri Lanka, lay their eggs on the beaches in front of Reverie Ahu Bay!
Trade Contact: Chamindra Goonewardene, Vice President Sales & Marketing
Intercontinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping, Thailand
Northern Thailand is getting a new hotel gem this summer. The first phase of renovations at the Intercontinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is nearly complete, and 240 rooms and suites with views of Chiang Mai's Old Town or Mount Doi Suthep should soon be ready for opening. The entry-level room category measures at least 30 square meters (320sq. ft.), and the bathrooms here even have plunge tubs. In terms of design, the Intercontinental Hotel Group has incorporated elements from the former Lanna Kingdom such as patterns, special finishes, and craftsmanship. Lanna culture will also be incorporated into the Guest Experiences – for example, courses are planned for making traditional umbrellas and Lanna-style toys. Naturally, the five restaurants of the new upscale hotel offer culinary highlights – you can enjoy your drinks with an amazing view at the cool rooftop bar, experience authentic Chinese dishes with a modern twist and, of course, indulge in northern Thai specialties. Another restaurant is set up market-style and offers casual all-day dining.
Trade Contact: Nuengruethai Sa-Nguansakpakdee, Director of Sales & Marketing
Rosewood Seoul, South Korea
Granted, Rosewood's recently announced luxury hotel in South Korea's capital will not open until 2027. Nevertheless, the project shows that Seoul wants a seat at the table in the top of the luxury segment. Rosewood Hotels has chosen The Parkside Seoul complex as the site for its new hotel, which was where a United Nations commando unit used to be based. When it opens, 250 rooms and suites will be ready for its guests, and the hotel brand wants the suites in particular to be among the largest in the city. Space Copenhagen is taking care of the interior design, while Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is responsible for the architecture and for that special Rosewood sense of place. The hotel will have seven restaurants and bars, and offer a wide range of wellness services with its 4,500-square-foot Asaya Spa. That includes an indoor pool, as well as a pool for hydrotherapy. It's also worth packing your golf clubs, as the Rosewood Seoul will have an indoor golf course – what a fun feature in the middle of the city! Large parties and events can spread out across 1,800 square meters (19,400sq. ft.), and the Rosewood Explorers kids' program will also be available.
Trade Contact: Branislava Grbic, Global Sales Manager CIS
Vinpearl Landmark 81, Vietnam
You should definitely be giddy when you visit the first property in Vietnam from Marriott's Autograph Collection. Housed in the country's tallest building, the Landmark 81 Tower in Ho Chin Minh City in southern Vietnam, also makes the Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection the highest hotel in the country. It spans floors 47 to 71, ensuring that no one has room to complain about the hotel's panorama. Both private and public areas feature floor-to-ceiling windows, flaunting full-scale views of the Saigon River. The 223 rooms and suites are spread out from floor 49 with room sizes ranging from 36 square meters (388sq. ft.) in the entry-level category. The Landmark Panoramic Suite measures 72 square meters (775sq. ft.), but still falls far short of the miraculous Presidential Suite, which clocks in at a massive 488 square meters (5250sq. ft.) on the 68th floor. Being so high up the food and drink options are simply heavenly. The Oriental Pearl offers an all-day dining buffet, while The Clouds serves deli snacks and cocktails. Guests who want to be on cloud nine can visit the Akoya Spa in one of its ten treatment rooms.
Trade Contact: Mandy Tran, Director of Sales & Marketing
Let's ask the Industry: Why is now the perfect time to travel to Southeast Asia?
"The hotel rates in Italy and Greece are extremely high right now. That's why we are offering alternatives to our clients. Malaysia and Indonesia, for example, are quite reasonable for the summer months. We do this in order to maintain the desired hotel quality level, but still remain within the given price range, and we do it proactively. Bali is particularly popular with our clients in the summer because of its good price-performance ratio. My favorite combination there is the Capella Ubud and the Bulgari Resort Bali in Uluwatu. I also love selling Cambodia with the beautiful addresses of Zannier, Shinta Mani, and Song Saa. Nevertheless, I notice that our clients are currently not so fond of round trips and mostly prefer to change resorts only once. Therefore, destinations like the Seychelles and Maldives, which are not part of Southeast Asia, are also very well received."
Verena Weigelt, Fyne Travel by Schmidt & Partner LCC Bochum