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Four Seasons has completed its upgrade of its Tanzania property

Conrad by Hilton and Four Seasons debut in sub-Saharan Africa, as Aman launches in Greece, Shangri-La open on Hainan Island Ritz Carlton Reserve opens in Puerto Rico

Rapid expansion in the luxury hotel sector shows little sign of abating. A veritable onslaught of properties are set to open in 2013, not to mention the countless management and development deals that have been signed up until 2020.

Shangri La have announced plans to open properties in Mumbai, Bangalore, Istanbul, Qufu, London, West Shanghai, Doha, Lhasa and Ulaanbaatar in 2013 alone, with a Sri Lankan hotel expected to bow in 2014. Ritz-Carlton will open in Tianfu Square, Chengdu, located in the heart of the capital of Sichuan province.

Meanwhile Intercontinental Hotel Group has confirmed the redevelopment of the former Evason Phuket and Bon Island, in partnership with JTM (Thailand) Limited, which will launch as the InterContinental Phuket Rawai Beach Resort also in 2013.

Langham Hospitality Group announced the signing of an agreement with Huatang Grand Hotel Company Limited to manage a new, luxury hotel in Datong, Shanxi. The hotel will be branded Langham Place, Datong and is scheduled to open in 2014.

The Oetker Collection is gearing up to open L’Apogee Courchevel in Le Jardin Alpin in the French Alps in December 2013. As India’s premier snow and ski destination, Gulmarg, looks to the opening of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa by the close of 2012.

Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa, Knysna

Hilton Worldwide has debuted its first Conrad-branded luxury property in sub-Saharan Africa, the Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa in Knysna, on the Garden Route of Western Cape. The 86-room Resort & Spa is set amid almost 2500 acres of indigenous grounds and offers sweeping views of the city’s famous lagoon and beyond to the Indian Ocean.

The Resort’s seven-room private castle, which is built into the cliff face and overlooks the secluded Noetzie Beach, offers guests the exclusive luxury of a private butler and chef.

Website: conrad.hilton.com/PezulaResort
Source: Hotelier Middle East

Shangri-La Haikou, Hainan Island

The new Shangri-La Hotel, Haikou, on Hainan Island, is located adjacent to the Hainan International Exhibition Centre, with an internationally renowned golf course and scenic coastal park just steps away. Each of the 337 guestrooms and suites feature an ocean view with spacious balconies, alongside iPod Dock systems, a pillow menu, plush beds and deluxe bathrooms with luxury amenities.

Website shangri-la.com/haikou
Source: Drinks Media Wire

St. Regis, Mauritius

St. Regis has launched in Mauritius, situated on the southwestern tip of the island, with 172 guestrooms and suites, each with a large terrace and stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Designed by Stauch Vorster Architects with interiors by Trevor Julius, the resort’s aesthetic was inspired by a Victorian sugar-baron’s manor house set in a historical estate.

The pinnacle accommodation – the lavish beachfront St. Regis Villa – features a private entrance, four bedrooms with private pools and gardens, dining areas, an infinity pool, a bar and a private spa treatment room.

Website: stregismauritius.com
Source: Superyachts.com

Amanzoe, Peloponnese

Amanzoe is Amanresorts’ third Mediterranean retreat, a 38-suite resort, Aman Spa and in the near future a number of Aman Villas. Situated on a hilltop close to the quaint town of Porto Heli on the east coast of the Peloponnese, the resort offers almost 360 panoramic sea views as well as a private Beach Club in a picturesque bay.

38 guest pavilions are arranged on different levels to maximise privacy and the breath-taking views over the
Aegean, each accessed through a stonewall courtyard that leads to spacious, high-ceilinged living and sleeping areas.

Website & Source: amanresorts.com/amanzoe

Ritz Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico

Situated on 1,400 acres of the former Laurance Rockefeller estate, Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve features 100 spacious guestrooms and 14 one-bedroom suites that sit directly onto the beach. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors entirely disappear onto seamless ocean views, while outdoor shower gardens, indoor showers with deep soaking tubs, individual infinity-edge pools, rooftop pools, and cabanas create an incomparable luxury experience.

Website: ritzcarlton.com//DoradoBeach
Source: Hospitality Design

Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai

Starwood’s The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, has opened Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai, situated on the renowned tree-lined Hengshan Road. The residential-style urban retreat comprises 171 rooms, designed by New York-based hospitality design duo Yabu Pushelberg, featuring Chinese and contemporary furnishings, hand-painted Oriental screens, silk lanterns and Oriental latticework.

Website: starwoodhotels.com/luxury
Source: Fin Channel

Four Seasons, Tanzania

Following a rebrand and an extensive upgrade, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania has officially opened its doors. With a total of 77 guest rooms, including 12 suites with plunge pools and five freestanding villas with private swimming pools, the Lodge offers guests the ultimate in privacy. Each room has an elevated open-air sundeck, which provides views over the Serengeti and a truly intimate wildlife experience to its guests.

Website: fourseasons.com/serengeti
Source: Luxury Travel Magazine

La Corde des Alpes, Verbier

New to the Swiss resort of Verbier this December is Hotel Corde des Alpes – a luxurious hotel with innovative interiors mixing the best of old-school ski and the latest in Swiss chic. Comprising 34 suites and guest rooms and 14 exclusive residences for ownership, Corde des Alpes marks the latest offering from local hotel and restaurant entrepreneur Marcus Bratter.

Website & Source: cdaverbier.ch


For more in the series of The Latest Hotels, please see our most recent editions as follows:

The Latest Hotels: Westin, Banyan Tree & Shangri-La
The Latest Hotels: Delano, Four Seasons & Kempinski
The Latest Hotels: Jaipur, Casablanca & Vienna

Continue reading:  

The Latest Hotels: St. Regis, Ritz Carlton & Aman Resorts