If you love travelling (like us!), you’ll love looking at new hotels or destinations in between trips. Below are plenty of new resorts and hotel updates to check out for your next getaway. Our updates often include hotel deals here in Singapore, too, for your next staycation fix!
Way to Goa!
Renaissance Goa Hotel opened in India last month, a 133-room hotel in a location that places guests close to beaches such as Baga, Anjuna and Vagator while offering a calmer valley setting to return to. The property also reflects Goa through handcrafted details and locally inspired artwork and spaces. Guests can join guided neighbourhood experiences, dine across several relaxed venues and gather for evening rituals that reflect local social life.
French Flair, Seoul Style
Opened in 2018 in the South Korean capital, L’Escape, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Myeongdong recently became part of The Luxury Collection by the Marriott group. The hotel brings a French-inspired perspective to central Seoul, in a location close to historic sites, shopping streets and transport links. Created by French designer Jacques Garcia, the interiors draw on 19th-century Paris, with carefully arranged rooms, dining spaces and quiet corners. Magnifique!
Taking Off
“T5 In the Making” is a new free exhibition that opened in January, to explain what Changi Airport’s future Terminal 5 is, why it matters to Singapore, and how it’s being planned. Running at Changi’s T3 Arrival Hall until March, it’s organised by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group. Across five themed zones, visitors can learn how aviation shaped the nation, explore T5’s design and technologies, and reflect on future challenges such as climate change and ageing populations. Entry is by online booking or walk-in, subject to space.
changiairport.com/t5-in-the-making
New Chapter Down Under
Wild Bush Luxury, a collection of exclusive accommodation options and travel experiences in spectacular Australian locations, is changing hands this month, from Experience Co. to new owners Intrepid Travel. The sale covers Arkaba Homestead & Walk, Bamurru Plains and the Maria Island Walk, along with rights to develop future experiences in New South Wales and Tasmania. Intrepid Travel will take on the full Wild Bush Luxury team to ensure continuity for guests.
Hospitality with Heart
Grand Hyatt Singapore has introduced new Muslim-friendly experiences that combine faith and comfort, including halal certified dining, gender-segregated prayer rooms, and culturally sensitive design to welcome Muslim travellers from around the world. The well-known StraitsKitchen restaurant remains a highlight, serving Malay, Indian, Chinese and Peranakan dishes under MUIS halal certification.
Mekong Views
High above the misty hills where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort has unveiled its Mekong Explorer Pool Suites. The suites offer a serene escape with sweeping views of the jungle and the mighty Mekong River, and interiors that blend warm wood, elephant motifs and art that celebrates the river’s spirit. Guests can swim, dine or simply listen out for elephants calling nearby.
bit.ly/MekongPoolSuitesAnantara
Airline News
Eight Decades in the Sky
Cathay Pacific has celebrated 80 years since it began flying in 1946 by unveiling a specially painted A350 and launching a packed programme of events and activities under the banner “80 Years Together”. The celebration reflects the Hong Kong-based airline’s decades of connecting people, with cabin crew wearing historic uniforms and unique merchandise inspired by its past and present being offered throughout the year.
Flying Pets Home
If you’re flying with a fur-kid anytime soon, it’s worth bearing in mind that Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates, moves pets across the world every day. In 2025, it transported more than 14,600 animals, including cats and dogs, linking families across continents. The process follows international animal transport rules and includes careful handling, calm rest areas and temperature-controlled travel. Dedicated teams monitor each stage, from ground transfer to arrival, ensuring animals are checked, fed and rested along the way.
skycargo.com/products/live/pets
A First for Bangkok
The first Andaz hotel has opened in the Thai capital, right next to the city’s beautiful green space, Lumphini Park, on Wireless Road in the One Bangkok district. The property draws on the area’s history as well as modern city rhythms, with interiors shaped by local design ideas and artworks. There are 244 rooms with sweeping views, plus a range of dining spaces from Chinese cuisine to Mediterranean flavours, a rooftop venue, pool and fitness centre. Direct access to the MRT and nearby expressways helps guests move easily around Bangkok and beyond.
Gateway to Sabah
Planning a summit attempt on Mount Kinabalu soon? Or a visit to the islands off the north coast of Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo? Sheraton Kota Kinabalu is a new hotel in the centre of Sabah’s capital, a 307- room property close to the waterfront and city attractions. Key features include shared spaces, guest rooms with wide views of the sea and mountains, dining venues, event facilities and wellness areas.
Aussie Openings
Sydney’s Panther Precinct
Pullman Sydney Penrith has opened as Western Sydney’s first five-star hotel, marking a new era for this fast-growing region of Australia. Located beside the Western Sydney Convention Centre, in the heartland of popular National Rugby League team the Penrith Panthers, the development brings together business, entertainment and leisure. It’s located 20 minutes from the future Western Sydney International Airport and offers easy access to Sydney’s landmarks and the Blue Mountains.
Middle of Melbourne
The Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton is now taking bookings – the first Park Inn property in Australia – welcoming guests to the inner-city location, just minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The 89 modern rooms offer views of Princes Park, the traditional home ground of famous AFL club Carlton, with Lygon Street’s Italian eateries right nearby, along with attractions such as Melbourne Zoo. The hotel features an outdoor pool, a café and sustainable design powered mostly by solar energy.
bit.ly/RadissonMelbourneCarlton
Mekong Moments
The recent opening of Legacy Mekong, Can Tho, Autograph Collection, a resort set on a quiet islet in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, is a significant milestone for Marriott International – it’s the group’s 700th hotel in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding China. Guests can soak up river life through thoughtful design, local traditions and gentle cultural experiences, while exploring gardens, tasting regional dishes, and unwinding in bungalows with serene nature views.
New in Bangkok
Tribute Portfolio has introduced its first property in Thailand with the opening of Metropole, Bangkok. The hotel reimagines 1920s Shanghai through colonial details, Art Deco touches and gentle Eastern motifs. There are 116 rooms in the property, all with kitchenettes and modern conveniences, plus a fitness centre, outdoor pool, sauna and onsite parking. Set in the Thonglor district, there’s easy access to both the BTS and MRT transit systems and the rest of Bangkok beyond.
metropolebkktributeportfolio.com
Trio of Stays in Sri Lanka
The Aahaasa Collection has launched in Sri Lanka, bringing together three characterful boutique retreats that guide travellers through the country’s mountains, shoreline and tea highlands. Aarunya Nature Resort overlooks the Knuckles Mountain Range near Kandy, Aavya Cove Villas provides calm coastal living between Colombo and Galle, and Aadya Tea Bungalows in Hatton provides a reflective stay shaped by tea-country traditions. Each place tells its own story through architecture, wellbeing programmes and local flavours, creating a connected journey with an emphasis on sustainability and community.
High Altitude Haven
One&Only Moonlight Basin has opened its doors in Big Sky, Montana, inviting travellers to enjoy mountain living and epic landscapes. Located on protected land, the resort has rooms, suites, cabins and private homes shaped to reflect the surroundings. Seasonal activities range from skiing and snowshoeing, stargazing, hiking, biking and fly fishing, with Yellowstone National Park just an hour away. Food-wise, you can expect everything from American comfort dishes and seasonal plates to Japanese cuisine, while a spa offers relaxation and recovery.
oneandonlyresorts.com/moonlight-basin
A Cooler Cruise
Oceania Cruises has announced a fresh way to see the Mediterranean, with Oceania Allura set to sail a full winter season from 2027 to 2028. Over itineraries lasting nine to 26 days, travellers can explore calmer streets, cooler coastlines and winter traditions across ports stretching from Barcelona to Rome, and Dubrovnik to Istanbul – including festive markets, candlelit cafés and the special atmosphere that colder weather can bring. There’s plenty happening on board, too, from cooking classes to art workshops and more.
Alpine Adventures
Looking for something different for your next escape? Mackay Mountaineering offers snowshoe trekking expeditions in the Austrian Alps and Georgian Caucasus Mountains. Explore pristine forests, tranquil snowy valleys, breathtaking peaks and medieval villages as you trek from mountain hut to mountain hut. This season’s departures are in January, February and March – visit the website for dates and more info.
Lakefront Escape
The Lake Como EDITION is reshaping a historic hotel in the village of Cadenabbia into a modern retreat. Opening in March, it will bring renewed life to a 19thcentury building that looks across the water to the renowned enclave of Bellagio. The team has restored the original architecture while adding rooms, restaurants, a floating pool and a wellness spa focused on rejuvenation, plus social spaces designed for gatherings or for quiet moments by Italy’s iconic lake.
Nordic Stillness in Finland
Opened in December, Skýra Retreat sits on the quiet shores of Lake Norvajärvi near Rovaniemi, offering guests a chance to experience Finnish heritage and a gentle rhythm shaped by the Arctic landscape. The design honours an original 1950s schoolhouse that stood here, while introducing contemporary log suites, a spa inspired by Finnish thermal traditions, and seasonal dining rooted in local ingredients. Guests can explore forest paths, enjoy saunas, take cold-water dips, or simply slow down in warm, light-filled spaces that reflect Lapland’s character.
skyraretreat.com/en/signature-retreats
A New Type of Travel
Travellers are rethinking their journeys, choosing nature, mindfulness and authenticity over nightlife and screen time. The recent Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals that people are increasingly seeking real-world experiences that restore and inspire them. Women and international travellers especially value natural beauty, history and local culture, while hiking, wellness and meaningful exploration came on top of the list of travel motivations; nightlife came last! With the shift comes a preference for quieter, history-rich destinations where travellers find connection, balance and perspective.
Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Newly opened Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay is a tranquil retreat in the coastal city of Zhuhai, Guangdong, where guests can unwind in rooms with ocean or mountain views, relax in private onsens, and enjoy soothing treatments at the Banyan Tree Spa. The resort also serves Fujian and Guangdong cuisine across five dining venues.
In other news for the hotel group, Banyan Tree Krabi is the only resort in Thailand to earn a spot on the annual list of Fodor’s Finest Hotels, which celebrates 100 outstanding hotels worldwide. Judges commended its sustainability, comfort, partnerships with local artisans, and support of eco-friendly practices.
bit.ly/BanyanTreeZhuhaiPhoenixBay
Hound-friendly Hotel
Pets are part of the adventure at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, whose FurKid Retreat allows your four-legged companions to enjoy tailored treats, outdoor dining spaces and even professional photoshoots. It’s a doggo’s dream staycation!
Get Your Glow On
Sofitel’s Candle Experience is available at select properties globally this festive season, transforming hotel rooms into calm sanctuaries glowing with hundreds of LED candles, softly scented air and soothing music. The offering honours Sofitel’s Parisian heritage, reimagining the “City of Lights” in a modern, intimate way, so you can relax and reconnect through moments of peace and reflection. It’s available at Sofitel Singapore, Seoul, Hanoi and Bali.
sofitel.accor.com/en/festive-season.html
A Safari of Imagination
The new Ritz Kids Experience at The RitzCarlton, Bangkok turns family travel into an exciting journey of learning and play. In the hotel’s Lumpini district location, the galaxy-themed Kids Club sparks curiosity with art, cooking and cultural workshops, while the Ritz Kids Safari transforms rooms into cosy safari camps.
Fossil Hunting
In a recent issue of EL, we reviewed the one-of-a-kind safari camp, Samara Karoo Reserve, located in South Africa’s semi-desert Karoo region. Now, you can combine a stay at Samara with a visit to the new Karoo Origins Fossil Centre. Located in the historic town of GraaffReinet, it’s home to the world’s largest public collection of fossils from the Karoo, including over 850 specimens, many unique to the region and found nowhere else on Earth. (Some of them a quarter of a billion years old!) There are also immersive exhibits, life-size recreations and stories of pioneering fossil hunters. The new sixnight offer, “Explore the Greater Karoo”, includes four nights at Samara and two nights in the historic Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet.
Lakeside Luxury
Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, the iconic sister hotels on the shorefront of Lake Como, have closed for their winter break after a memorable season capped by Passalacqua claiming an amazing fourth spot in The World’s 50 Best Hotels. Both properties will reopen in March, ready to welcome guests once again to experience Como’s charm and grandeur.
grandhoteltremezzo.com | passalacqua.it
Rediscover Tokyo in Style
Park Hyatt Tokyo, the first Park Hyatt in Asia (and well known as the setting for the film Lost in Translation) is reopening after a full property refinement that began in 2024. Set across the 39th to 52nd floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, the hotel offers views of central Tokyo and Mt Fuji. Guests will discover redesigned guest rooms and suites, refreshed dining venues such as Girandole by Alain Ducasse, and iconic spaces including New York Grill & Bar, Kozue and The Library.
City Staycays
Looking for a great escape in the heart of Singapore? Grand Park City Hall, a five-star hotel in the Civic District (a short walk from City Hall MRT), is currently offering curated experiences for both couples and families keen for relaxation and adventure.
The Epicurean Retreat Package is ideal for couples, combining gourmet dining with cultural exploration. Enjoy a three-course dinner at the acclaimed Tablescape Restaurant, complemented by tickets to the nearby Asian Civilisations Museum, so you can take in some of the region’s artistic heritage before retreating to your elegantly appointed room.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s local retro themed Family Suites offer lots of space plus playful and engaging décor, with two interconnecting rooms for a fun and comfy stay for kids and parents alike. Each stay includes tickets to the Peranakan Museum, providing a hands-on, educational experience that will delight little ones. It’s a great way to combine comfort, culture and family bonding in one stay.
If that’s not enough to have you locking in your next staycation, you can also get up to 38 percent off the best flexible rates at Grand Park City Hall by using the discount code “GOVACAY”: just head to bit.ly/46JWe6G to book!
parkhotelgroup.com/grand-park-city-hall
Timeless Traditions
For centuries, the Mosuo people of Lugu Lake, China, Traditions have lived by matrilineal traditions that shape every part of daily life. Today, a newly opened luxury hotel called The ArcadiaPlace brings those stories to life through thoughtful design, custom-made furnishings, and a setting surrounded by sacred mountains and jade-green waters. Discover the “walking marriage” customs of the region, and admire the artistry of its women at China’s first Museum of Women’s Art. You can also dine on reimagined local recipes and learn crafts with villagers.
Sky-High Angkor View
As the dry season in Cambodia sets in, visitors have the chance to see Angkor Wat from the sky with a hot air balloon adventure. The experience is organised by Cambodia Balloon Adventures in collaboration with Anantara Angkor Resort. From above, travellers can take in the vast temple complex and its surrounding landscape in a way that is both peaceful and striking. The flights are best enjoyed during the cool, clear mornings or evenings.
Osaka Stay
Japan’s third-largest city is still buzzing after hosting World Expo this year; to see the place for yourself, take advantage of a special offer at Zentis Osaka, timed to coincide with the hotel’s fifth anniversary. The “Go Osaka” package gives guests two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, a signature cocktail, a dinner menu, and a commemorative tote bag. It also highlights sustainability with inventive drinks and locally sourced dishes, while also encouraging visitors to explore Osaka’s waterways and cultural districts. Available until 31 March 2026.
Upcoming For Fiji
Kerzner International Holdings, together with BSP Life, has announced that the first One&Only resort and community of private residences will open in Fiji in 2029 – and homes are on sale from this month. The project will rise on Nacula Island in the Yasawa archipelago, with the aim of highlighting Fiji as a hub for tourism and investment while respecting the land’s heritage. Designed with ecological care and inspired by Fijian culture, the 127-acre beachfront site will feature villas, culinary spaces, wellness facilities and 20 private residences.
New in Seoul
The Westin Seoul Parnas officially opened its doors in the Gangnam district in September. The property follows the success of The Westin Josun Seoul and Busan, expanding the group’s presence in Korea. Designed with wellness in mind, the hotel offers 564 rooms, diverse dining experiences, a panoramic top-floor lounge, a large scale fitness club, and a ballroom for major events.
Seaside Sanctuary in Cam Ranh
Newly opened in Vietnam’s scenic central coast is the JW Marriott Cam Ranh Bay Resort & Spa. Set on Bai Dai Beach, the resort’s 203 rooms – many with private pools – blend modern elegance with cultural influences of the region. You can enjoy direct access to the beach, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s best, thanks to its soft sand and turquoise waters. There’s also the chance to discover pottery traditions, enjoy diverse dining, explore gardens or relax at the spa.
Wellness In The Wilderness
The family-owned Samara Karoo Reserve in South Africa’s Great Karoo semi-desert region is opening a bush spa. Part of the lodge facilities, the spa is tucked along a footpath that winds through indigenous vegetation, with a treatment room featuring African-chic décor that can be fully opened to the outdoors. A shaded deck overlooks a waterhole and the magnificent Milk River Valley, where spa-goers can spot wildlife while enjoying an African foot reflexology massage. The spa menu will include a range of treatments – from massages, aromatherapy and body exfoliations to nourishing wraps and beauty therapies – all using Healing Earth products, a South African brand renowned for its sustainable, nature-based approach.
Liked this? See our Travel section for stories on destinations in the region and beyond.
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