Banyan Tree Krabi, Thailand
The 72-key luxury resort nestled on a verdant hillside has opened at little-known Tubkaek Beach, a 45-minute drive from Krabi International Airport. Launched by Banyan Tree Group, the five-star hotel is owned by Thailand-based Asset World Corporation (AWC).
The new resort grants three beachfront pool villas, 10 beachfront pool villas, and 59 pool suites – each of which has its own private pool. Eight suite and villa types are on offer. The most modest accommodation type, coming in at 99m², is the Deluxe Pool Suite, which boasts a private terrace, plunge pool and jet pool surrounding the bedroom. The largest is the seven-bedroom Presidential Villa, spanning 1,335m², is ideal for multi-generational family vacations and intimate wedding celebrations.
All suites and villas have private saltwater pools and water features. Mod-cons include a lavish bathtub and jet pool, high-speed Internet, IPTV with multiple-device connectivity, a full range of multilingual channels on flat screen TVs, and a premium coffee machine.
Facilities include two restaurants and a beach bar, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, a meeting centre, and a rainforest-themed spa. For in-room dining, novelties include a floating breakfast, floating sunset tapas set or a sizzling poolside barbecue. The centerpiece of the resort is a circular water feature in the lobby that cascades into a cavernous meeting room area below.
ibis Styles Nagoya, Japan
ibis Styles, a design driven brand within the Accor group, has unveiled the 284-room ibis Styles Nagoya in the Chūbu region of Japan. Conveniently located within walking distance from Nagoya Station, the hotel offers the compact 18m² Double Room and 20m² Twin Room. All rooms feature 49-inch 4K televisions, air purifiers with plasma cluster function, night tables equipped with power outlets and USB connectors, and rain showers. Interconnecting rooms are available for families and groups. Market St., a café style restaurant offering freshly brewed coffee and all-day dining, features a multi-purpose area that can be used as a co-working and meeting space for up to 20 guests.
Hilton Goa Resort, India
Located atop the scenic, terraced slopes of Saipem Hills, overlooking the Nerul River, the opening of the full-service resort marks Hilton’s third property in Goa. The hilltop resort offers 104 guestrooms, four swimming pools, suites with private plunge pools and signature curated experiences. There are three F&B options: @Saipe, the all-day dining restaurant; Doce, the coffee lounge; and Coco, the bar and restaurant featuring a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Other facilities include four outdoor pools with a whirlpool, kids’ pool, an aqua-themed kids’ club, soon to open full-service spa and salon and 1,635m² of event space.
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Myeongdong, South Korea
Ideally located within walking distance to Myeongdong, Seoul’s largest shopping district, Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Myeongdong offers 375 guestrooms, each fitted with 55-inch TVs and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The hotel features two dining venues: Evolution, the all-day dining restaurant, as well as the Lounge & Bar serving cocktails and light bites. There is also a fitness centre equipped with advanced cardio and weight equipment. With 155m² of event space, the hotel features four multipurpose areas and facilities for seminars, meetings, discussions, corporate training and other events for up to 60 attendees. A 24-hour Business Center is located at the lobby offering convenient workstations.
Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport, Australia
Opened in partnership with Pro-invest Group, the new-build hotel is located on the doorstep of Sydney’s domestic airport terminal and minutes away from the international terminal. The 247-room, eight-storey hotel is inspired by the jet-setting ambiance of the local surrounds, featuring aeronautically-themed motifs throughout the hotel. The gym and meeting room walls are reminiscent of runways, while the business lounge is inspired by the classic airport concept. The hotel also features two meeting rooms, flexible workspaces, free business centre, self-service laundry and on-site carparking. Guests can also avail of Grab & Go breakfast options, snacks, and beverages, and barista-made coffee 24/7.
Preferred Hotel Group has launched a new sustainable tourism brand, Beyond Green, in line with the company’s vision to build a better and brighter future for travel while protecting the planet for future generations.
The brand launch comes after Preferred’s acquisition of Beyond Green Travel – which is founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ – in February 2020.
The hospitality brand debuts with a global portfolio of 24 founding member hotels, resorts, and lodges that exemplify sustainable tourism leadership.
To qualify for Beyond Green membership, a property must demonstrate leadership in the three key pillars of sustainable tourism: environmentally friendly practices that go beyond the basics, protection of natural and cultural heritage, and contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities. They must also show progress in meeting more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with global sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group, said: “Never before has there been a greater need to promote a kinder and gentler way to explore our beautiful, yet fragile planet. Driven by our brand promise, Believe in Travel, which guides every decision we make as a company, we believe that now is the time to go big and be bold as we look to the future of travel.”
Added Christ: “While there may be a tendency to think of sustainability as just the latest travel buzzword, its roots are long and deep. What we are witnessing is an evolution of travel, not a passing trend.
“Beyond Green is about reconnecting with our common humanity and understanding that the diversity of our cultures and different ways of life are what create the rich fabric that makes travel so enjoyable and fascinating. In that same context, nature brings inspiration and renewal to our lives. Sustainable tourism is not about giving something up, it is about gaining something more – a great vacation that is also a force for good.”
The Beyond Green platform will support the needs of its member properties by providing global connectivity, distribution technology, marketing, sales, quality assurance, branding, and sustainability solutions, as well as access to participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, Preferred’s loyalty programme.
Beyond Green will also enhance visibility for its global portfolio and champion sustainability storytelling through its brand website, StayBeyondGreen.com, which has soft launched ahead of the brand’s official consumer debut in 1Q2021. Beyond Green member properties will also be bookable on a common GDS chain code, to be announced in early 2021.