5 of Asia’s best new luxury hotels: from the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo to the Rosewood Doha and Park Hyatt Jakarta – top city break destinations now that Hong Kong has ended quarantine
With the long-awaited news of quarantine-free travel when returning to Hong Kong, many people in the city are in search of travel inspiration – and fast. Here are five hotel openings offering travellers a luxurious city break within a few hours’ flight from “Asia’s world city”.
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1. Park Hyatt Jakarta
Park Hyatt Jakarta opened its doors in July of this year, marking the brand’s debut in Indonesia. The hotel occupies 17 floors of prime real estate in the heart of the city’s finance centre, with views out to the National Monument Park. The property boasts 220 rooms and 36 suites, ranging from 624 to 2,454 square feet in area, while the luxurious Presidential Suite comes with its own exclusive VIP entrance. Dining options include Kita, a contemporary Japanese bar and restaurant offering striking sunset views, while The Bar and its outdoor terrace offer a pleasant place to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
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2. Aki Hong Kong
Granted, quarantine-free travel from Hong Kong is the headline, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t local openings worth a quick staycay. Opened in August this year, Aki – Japanese for clear and bright, a nod to the building’s sleek glass structure – is the latest MGallery by Accor property in Hong Kong.
Culture vultures will delight in the proximity to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Arts Centre and Wan Chai Heritage Trail, as well as the wealth of restaurants in the district’s dynamic dining scene. A total of 173 rooms – including a suite of traditional tatami rooms – offer comfort and tranquillity in the city centre, while food and beverage options on-site include Tangram, a “Japas” themed restaurant occupying a whole floor of the hotel; and the top floor whisky bar, Uncle Ming. There’s even a co-working space in the hotel, too, for those looking to essentially turn their stay into WFH.
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3. Fusion Original Saigon Centre
Fusion Original Saigon Centre welcomed its first guests in July of this year. The Ho Chi Minh City property occupies the top 10 floors of the mixed-use building that houses Takashimaya Shopping Mall, making it a well-situated spot for shoppers to rest their heads. The 99-room hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool and sprawling views over District 1, while the property itself is filled with nods to Vietnam’s culture and heritage – floor-to-ceiling murals depict women in traditional ao dai dress, while restaurant Miss Thu pays tribute to local culture through both its interiors and its menu.
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4. Bulgari Hotel Tokyo
Opening in early 2023, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is slated to occupy the top floors of a mixed-use property in the Tokyo Station area, within walking distance of Ginza, famed for its shopping. The property features 98 guest rooms and suites, plus the luxurious Bulgari Suite. Food and beverage outlets include Il Bar, Il Ristorante and The Fireplace Lounge, which all boast spacious outdoor terraces, while those in search of a moment of relaxation will find themselves drawn to the 1,500-square-metre Bulgari Spa and the 25-metre indoor swimming pool.
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5. Rosewood Doha
Expected to open in early 2023 – inconveniently, just after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – the Rosewood Doha is set to be an architectural feat. The twin-tower complex is sheathed in a design inspired by the coral reefs surrounding Qatar. The 185 guest rooms and eight planned dining outlets are split across the two towers, while the Cigar Lounge, Asaya Wellness Spa and the VIP Manor Club offer ample options for rest and relaxation. Those looking to extend their holiday may be drawn to the 173 serviced apartments on offer to long-staying guests, or one of the 300 Rosewood residences.
- Aki Hong Kong brings a Japanese vibe with its tatami rooms while Fusion Original Saigon Centre sits atop Ho Chi Minh’s Takashimaya Shopping Mall
- Bulgari’s latest hotel will open in early 2023 within walking distance of Ginza in the Tokyo Station area, around the same time Doha gets its coral reef-inspired Rosewood