Starwood’s Luxury Collection is making a strong expansion push in Asia Pacific, with 10 hotels slated to open in the region in a span of 12 months. The new properties include:
Surrounded by tropical gardens and forested hills on the South China Sea, the Royal Begonia, Sanya, China will debut in August 2012 on the beachfront of Hainan Island. All 142 guestrooms blend European elegance with local inspiration and open onto a large balcony, offering unobstructed views of the oceanfront or tropical gardens. Eighteen luxury villas each will feature a private pool, courtyard gardens, and high-tech amenities.
Opening in September 2012, Twelve at Hengshan Shanghai features opulent interiors by Yabu Pushelberg and architecture courtesy of Mario Botta.
The Hongta Hotel in Shanghai, a former St. Regis, will undergo a $20 million renovation in the next two years. Amenities include a spa and Danieli’s Restaurant.
Also in China, the Castle in Dalian and the 1958 in Suzhou will debut in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, India, opens in August and recalls the grandeur of a golden era in Indian history. The hotel consists of three separate wings that house one of the largest banquet and exhibition spaces in the country, a 27,000-square-foot luxury retail center, and the WelcomArt Gallery.
In Indonesia, Keraton at the Plaza, Jakarta opened in April as a modern interpretation of the country’s rich culture, while the Sarasvati in Bali debuts in January 2014 on a pristine beach overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The Luxury Collection will open its third property in Thailand with the debut of Vana Belle in Koh Samui later this year.
In addition, the brand made its entry into Australia with the signing of two resorts in the Blue Mountains. Lilianfels is the former residence of New South Wales’ Chief of Justice and now features 85 guestrooms and suites, two restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, and a spa. Meanwhile, the adjacent Echoes-a former retreat for a renowned Australian writer Thomas Keneally-offers 14 guestrooms that feature panoramic views of the National Park.
