Bustling cities and remote regions alike have welcomed new additions
Words by: Katie Kervin + Alissa Ponchione
The Asia-Pacific region, specifically China, had another stellar year with 1,204 hotels and 160,710 rooms openings, according to CoStar, which provides online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
Of those, Australia and Oceania accounted for 69 hotels with 6,250 rooms. Additionally, through the first seven months of the year, Sydney’s occupancy was 68.2 percent, up 9.8 percent from last year, representing a normalization as leisure demand peaked and business travel strengthened.
Further, the China markets of Jiangsu (56 hotels with 7,723 rooms), Shadong (52 hotels with 6,295 rooms), Beijing (34 hotels with 3,316 rooms), Guangdong (33 hotels with 5,287 rooms), and Zhejiang (32 hotels with 6,202) led the region in hotel openings.
Bustling cities and remote regions alike have welcomed new additions
The Asia-Pacific region, specifically China, had another stellar year with 1,204 hotels and 160,710 rooms openings, according to CoStar, which provides online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
Of those, Australia and Oceania accounted for 69 hotels with 6,250 rooms. Additionally, through the first seven months of the year, Sydney’s occupancy was 68.2 percent, up 9.8 percent from last year, representing a normalization as leisure demand peaked and business travel strengthened.
Further, the China markets of Jiangsu (56 hotels with 7,723 rooms), Shadong (52 hotels with 6,295 rooms), Beijing (34 hotels with 3,316 rooms), Guangdong (33 hotels with 5,287 rooms), and Zhejiang (32 hotels with 6,202) led the region in hotel openings.
See Hospitality Design’s full Best Of 2023 list here.
Inspired by ancient Chinese walled cities, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office crafted the Tribute Portfolio Resort as two distinct pieces: a wooden dwelling housing 343 guestrooms is perched atop a masonry base that contains the public areas. Two L-shaped buildings come together to form a central water courtyard, off of which sits the lobby evoking a tranquil garden. Handmade clay bricks celebrate local craftsmanship, while fabrics and rugs are inspired by the textile arts of the Li minority tribe.
Architecture Firms: Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, Shanghai, and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Co. Ltd. | Design Firm: Neri&Hu Design and Research Office | Owner: Taikang Insurance Group | Operator: Marriott International
Photo by Chen Hao
Marriott’s Luxury Collection has opened Shisui in Nara, one of Japan’s most historic and scenic destinations. Nestled in the classical Yoshikien Garden on the edge of Nara Park, the Kengo Kuma and Associates-designed property celebrates Japanese architecture. The lobby, restaurant, and lounge are housed within a low wooden structure initially constructed in 1922 as the residence of Nara’s governor, while the 43 guestrooms and suites—some with in-room hot springs or open-air baths—are flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Architecture Firm: Taisei Corporation, Tokyo | Design Firm: Kengo Kuma and Associates, Tokyo | Owner: Mori Trust Co., Ltd | Operator: Marriott International
Photo courtesy of the Luxury Collection
More off the radar than Bali, Indonesian hideaway Sumba is gaining exposure, thanks in part to the 67-room Cap Karoso. The centerpiece of the eco-conscious property, surrounded by turquoise lagoons and traditional villages, is the biological farm. Covering three hectares of rehabilitated land, it produces nearly all the fruits and vegetables used in the onsite F&B venues. The beachfront studios, suites, and villas, meanwhile, are adorned with ceramics and geometric patterns that honor the local Marapu religion.
Architecture Firm: GFAB Architects, Bali | Design Firm: Bitte Design Studio, Jakarta | Owners + Operators: Fabrice and Evguenia Ivara
Photo courtesy of Design Hotels
The 257-key Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne occupies the top 17 floors, plus the three lower levels, of the 80-story West Side Place development. Anchored by bronze door handles cast from a traditional welcome necklace by First Nations artist Maree Clarke, guests are greeted by a double-height lobby that is framed in dark timber and enlivened by vibrant artworks by celebrated Indigenous artists, a marble mosaic floor, and intimate seating nooks.
Architecture Firm: Cottee Parker, Melbourne | Design Firms: BAR Studio, Melbourne, and Layan (Atria restaurant), Cremorne, Australia | Owner: Far East Consortium | Operator: Marriott International
Photo by Christopher Cypert
Only accessible via bridge, the Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou is set on a private island on Jinji Lake. Lush gardens, where guests can take part in private dining experiences, wrap the low-rise hotel’s buildings. Nature makes its way indoors thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows in the public spaces and guest quarters, comprising 199 rooms and 11 standalone villas, while an infinity pool seemingly spills into the lake.
Owner: Sun Hung Kai Properties | Operator: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons
The 192-room Capella Sydney commences with the original, circa-1912 Department of Agriculture building entry from Farrer Place. Celebrating the historic façade, the bronze doors, heritage marble entry stair, and marble-lined walls are incorporated into the new design, while original brass-framed directory boards now house commissioned artworks by First Nations artist Judy Watson, speaking to the heritage and history of the land on which the building stands.
Architecture Firms: Make Architects (design architect) and Webber Architects (executive architect), Sydney | Design Firm: BAR Studio, Melbourne | Owner: Pontiac Land Group | Operator: Capella Hotels & Resorts
Photo by Timothy Kaye
With a broad view of the Indian Ocean from its location in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, the resort is designed to draw from the natural beauty of its surroundings. The 42 rooms, suites, and villas reveal safari-inspired accents and local art pieces set against neutral tones. Dedicated to protecting the area’s environment and biodiversity, Hilton is working with local partners to preserve and protect the natural habitat, including an onsite animal research program.
Architecture + Design Firm: SODA (Thailand), Bangkok | Owner: Melwa Hotels & Resorts | Operator: Hilton
Photo courtesy of Hilton
Following openings in China, Thailand, and Japan in 2022, Banyan Tree Group’s new Garrya brand launched a lushly landscaped, minimalist outpost in Java. The serene spaces, including 26 villas, are inspired by local culture and Yogyakarta’s temples. Pyramid-like structures line the inner courtyard, complementing the recycled wood-clad lobby constructed in the style of the joglo, or traditional Javanese home.
Architecture + Design Firm: Arte Architect and Associates, Bali | Owner: PT. Dion Putra Bintang | Operator: Banyan Tree Group
Photo courtesy of Banyan Tree Group
Located on the banks of the Mo Chu River in the Punakha Valley, the lodge—andBeyond’s first in Asia—offers spectacular views of the Himalayas. Six tented suites, which join two villas, are suspended from a traditional Bhutanese timber structure. The blue poppy, the country’s national flower, appears as a motif throughout, while upholstery, linen detailing, and blankets are made from handwoven Bhutanese wool, bringing another touch of color and bolstering the property’s genuine sense of place.
Architecture Firm: Jack Alexander Architecture Studio, Cape Town | Design Firm: Fox Browne Creative, Johannesburg | Owner + Operator: andBeyond
Photo courtesy of andBeyond