Exclusive Feature: Asia is already the leader for international new business and the most dynamic market for luxury travel, products and services, so it's only fitting that a palace hotel be built here.

Dorchester Collection CEO Christopher Cowdray told AFP in a recent interview that said Asia is the next likely place to open up a palace hotel under the Dorchester Collection brand.

The Dorchester Collection, owned by the Brunei Investment agency, currently has nine hotels in its portfolio and is looking at Europe, the Far East and America to open up new properties. Cowdray said the goal is to have 15 hotels by 2015.
 
"To be precise, one in each of these cities, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney," he said. "We're also looking at the Middle East as well, Dubai, Doha and probably Abu Dhabi, but also in New York or Washington."

The expansion of the Dorchester Collection into Asia would be an additional boon in luxury hospitality market. While Hong Kong and China have seen their share of big name brand hotels opening up in the past few years, more boutique brands are opening up in China, adding a bit of bite to the competitive marketplace.

While Cowdray couldn't comment on precise locations, he did tell the AFP that Shanghai is a worthy first contender because "in Shanghai, it's going to be very difficult to find a hotel that fits our standards."

Having stayed at a few Dorchester Collection hotels throughout my travels, I can assure readers the quality of luxury and customer service is unsurpassed. Alongside legendary hotels like Plaza Athenee in Paris and the recent 45 Park Lane in London, a Dorchester Collection hotel in Asia would surely be a hot topic among luxury travelers.

Cowdray said that several hotel projects were under review in Asia and he hopes an announcement of the first Asia property happens by the end of this year.

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Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world.

Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com