TTG Asia's weekly roundup of new hotel openings and announcements
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Maldives
The 122 all-villa resort spans three interconnected islands, a 30-minute yacht ride away from Malé International Airport. Each beach, reef or overwater villa opens onto either a white sand beach or an expansive deck, and features a private infinity pool with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. There are also two Stella Maris Ocean Villas, accessible only by boat, as well as the 32,000m2 Ithaafushi Private Island. The private island features a four-bedroom residence, three-bedroom beach villa and a two-bedroom overwater villa, and its own amenities such as an overwater spa and gym, five swimming pools, and an entertainment centre.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi also boasts 11 dining venues, ranging from The Ledge barbecue restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred chef Dave Pynt, to Middle Eastern restaurant Yasmeen. Other amenities include the Waldorf Astoria Spa, a 40m-long pool, fitness centre, watersports and dive centre, as well as a kids’ club.
Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay, Japan
The first Hyatt Place hotel to open in Japan is located in Urayasu City in Chiba Prefecture, offering 363 rooms and suites, some of which overlook Tokyo Bay. Other facilities within the 10-storey Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay include an all-day dining facility, a 24-hour gym, and two function rooms. Dining venues include the 24/7 Gallery Kitchen (which also has two private rooms that can accommodate 14 to 60 people); Gallery Market with take-out options, while watering holes include the 9 Dot Bar and Rooftop Bar.
Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hospitality company, Next Story Group, has opened its fifth Kafnu-branded property in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. Spanning 2,440m2, the eight-storey Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City has eight ensuite hotel rooms and offers members round the clock access to a range of work spaces including hot desks and private offices, high-speed Internet, a soundproof phone booth, and five meeting rooms with video conferencing capabilities. In addition, there’s the Virtual Fitness Studio which offers over 1,500 classes, Habitat Cocktail Bar, and Soy Restaurant featuring modern Asian cuisine.
Novotel Chiang Mai Nimman Journeyhub, Thailand
Novotel has made its debut in Chiang Mai’s Nimman area with 202 rooms and suites, some of which feature private balconies and garden access. Guests will have access to a fitness centre, rooftop swimming pool, as well as three F&B options including the all-day dining restaurant Food Exchange. For corporate events, the hotel also has four meeting rooms and a pillarless ballroom that overlooks the garden atrium and can accommodate up to 240 guests.
