Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region: Perennial appoints Kempinski to operate Capitol Singapore, Alila Hotels & Resorts debuts in KL, Air China to launches new routes and more...

Air China to Launch New Route between Beijing and Hanoi

China-based Air China Limited (“Air China”) will launch a new service between Beijing and Hanoi on 1 June 2018. Adding on to its existing services between Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City, Hangzhou and Nha Trang, and Chongqing and Nha Trang, the four-hour non-stop route will operate four times weekly. China is Vietnam’s largest trade partner with a bilateral trade volume of over US$100 billion and according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (“VNAT”), Vietnam welcomed over 4 million tourists from China in 2017, an increase of 48.6% over the previous year. The new addition is expected to strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and cultural ties between China and Vietnam. In recent years, Air China has expanded its global network with new routes to Southeast Asia and already operates flights to nearly 20 destinations in the region.

Alila Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Singapore-based Alila Hotels and Resorts (“Alila”) has debuted in Malaysia with the opening of Alila Bangsar. The new hotel is strategically located at the top levels of a mixed-use development known as The Establishment, with its lobby situated on level 41. Alila Bangsar offers 143 guestrooms and suites, with sizes ranging from 38 square metres to 252 square metres and has a dedicated butler service available on every level. It also offers five dining options consisting of a French fine dining restaurant, an all-day dining outlet and three bars. Other facilities in the hotel include a swimming pool, a fitness centre and 325 square metres of meeting space. Before the end of 2018, Alila is set to open another four properties in Asia which include 227-key Alila SCBD in Indonesia, 125-key Alila Wuzhen in China, 40-key Alila Koggala in Sri Lanka and 63-key Alila Villas Koh Russey in Cambodia.

Perennial Appoints Kempinski to Operate Capitol Singapore Hotel

Switzerland-based Kempinski Hotels S.A. (“Kempinski”) has been appointed by Perennial Real Estate Holdings (“Perennial”) to operate the hotel component at Capitol Singapore. Positioned as a luxury lifestyle destination, the Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore will become the first Kempinski hotel in the country. Located in Singapore’s downtown Civic District, the hotel will be housed in Capitol Singapore, a heritage integrated development comprising Capitol Piazza, Capitol Theatre and Eden Residences Capitol luxury apartments. It will feature 157 guest rooms and suites as well as a leading international restaurant under the helm of a Michelin-starred chef. According to Perennial, the hotel will start operations in September 2018 while the full range of services will be made available in phases by the end of this year. Founded in 1897, Kempinski manages 75 five-star hotels and residences in 33 countries and has a long tradition of operating grand hotels and heritage destinations.

InterContinental Hotel Group Partners with Soraya Development for Koh Yao Yai Resort

UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group (“IHG”) will be partnering with Soraya Development Company Limited (“Soraya”) to open the InterContinental Yao Yai Resort on Koh Yao Yai. Koh Yao Yai is the largest island in Phang Nga Bay, situated between Krabi mainland and Phuket Island. The 170-key InterContinental Yao Yai Resort is scheduled to open in early 2020. Facilities include three food and beverage outlets, a fitness centre, pool, spa, resort centre, water sports centre as well as meeting and wedding spaces. The hotel will feature four room categories consisting of: 72 sqm ocean view rooms, family-friendly suites, tropical villas and beachfront pool villas. This marks Soraya’s third property with IHG, adding to the current portfolio which includes the Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach and Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang. IHG currently has 24 hotels in Thailand across five brands – InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

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