Where to Stay: new hotels in Hua Hin, Manila, Mauritius and more

Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila

Location: In Ortigas Center, one of Metro Manila’s main financial districts
Grade: Upscale serviced residence
Keys: 293, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units
Facilities: Residents’ lounge, swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurants and a garden deck
Meeting space: One divisible meeting room that can hold up to 250 people
They say: “Bringing Citadines to the heart of Ortigas Center expands our reach to a ready catchment of expatriates and business travellers”
We say: A very strategic opening for Ascott. It fills a gap in its extensive Manila portfolio, catering for travellers to another key business district of this vast city
Opening: Already open

Hotel Indigo London – One Leicester Square

Location: Leicester Square, in the heart of London’s West End
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 95
Facilities: Rooftop bar and restaurant, gym
Meeting space: “Working spaces that can be used for meetings”
They say: “The design of the hotel will be influenced by the existing property’s art deco stylings combined with the theatrics of the surrounding Leicester Square areas”
We say: Perfect location and stylish decor should attract a lot of leisure travellers. Rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking London will also prove popular
Opening: Late 2017

Kimpton Toronto Bloor Yorkville

Location: In the high-end Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 189
Facilities: Fitness centre, free bicycle hire
Meeting space: Unspecified
They say: “We’re looking forward to entering the Canadian market and introducing our unique heartfelt service to Toronto”
We say: IHG will take over the existing current Holiday Inn hotel following what developers are calling a “full conversion” that will “revitalise and reconcept” the 13-storey property
Opening: Mid-2018

U Hua Hin

Location: A beachfront site between Sois 1-3 in central Hua Hin, on Thailand’s Gulf coast
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 132, including pool villas
Facilities: Beachfront pool bar and lounge, large swimming pool, restaurant, fitness centre and library
Meeting space: Meeting rooms available
They say: “We are very excited to work with the owner and project consultants to bring this project to life with the true spirit of U Hotels & Resorts”
We say: Guests will be attracted by the beachfront setting, but they are likely to return for U Hotels’ guest-friendly amenities such as breakfast “anytime, anywhere” and 24-hour room rental
Opening: Early 2020

Courtyard by Marriott Nha Trang Hon Tam Resort

Location: Beachfront setting on the Vietnamese resort island of Hon Tam, 20 minutes by boat from Nha Trang
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 373
Facilities: Restaurant. Others to be confirmed
Meeting space: Unspecified
They say: “Courtyard by Marriott Nha Trang responds to both domestic and foreign travellers’ needs by bringing quality, international hotel brand standards… to Nha Trang”
We say: Absolute beachfront location will be a great asset on this up-and-coming island. The midscale price point and high inventory will also make it accessible to a large number of visitors
Opening: 2020

Shangri-La Hotel Putian

Location: Overlooking the Yanshou River in Putian, an historic city in southeast China’s Fujian province
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 247
Facilities: Restaurants, lobby lounge, spa, fitness centre and swimming pool. The hotel will also be set within a 3,500m² “village-style plaza”
Meeting space: A 1,200m² ballroom
They say: “Uniquely positioned at the juncture of history and modernity, Shangri-La Hotel Putian will pay tribute to the river town’s ancient heritage”
We say: Shangri-La continues its strategy of expanding into mainland China’s second and third tier cities and popular tourist destinations
Opening: Q4 2020

Avani Bel-Ombre Mauritius Resort

Location: On the south coast of Mauritius’ main island
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 150, plus 12 residential villas
Facilities: Two restaurants, spa, kids’ club, two swimming pools and a beach activity centre
Meeting space: A “large multi-functional meeting space”
They say: “Mauritius is one of the most vibrant beach destinations in the world and Avani is the ideal brand to offer honeymooners, adventurers and incentive houses an alternative dynamic hospitality offering”
We say: Thailand’s Minor Hotels has shown how good its new-build Avani hotels can be with the recent launch of its flagship in Bangkok. This new resort should be similarly impressive
Opening: 2021