Asia
New York Times "37 Asian Odysseys". More...
China
29 March 2011: After a three-year absence, Ritz-Carlton is now back in operation in Hong Kong, occupying floors 102 to 118 at the International Commerce Centre (ICC). More...
10 March 2011: Banyan Tree Macau will open on 15 May 2011 at Macau's newest landmark, the US$1.9 billion integrated resort Galaxy Macau. The resort will be the first in Macau to feature private indoor relaxation pools in all its 246 opulent suites, overlooking the city and offering a Sanctuary for the Senses for guests.
25 Feb 2011: Shanghai's first capsule hotel Xitai Hotel (希泰胶囊旅馆) at Zhongshan North Road closed down due to fire safety issues. More...
18 Feb 2011: Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain Resort & Spa, a Botanic Sanctuary Property, will open in 2013. Qing Cheng Mountain in Sichuan is a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and an area of great historical importance in Taoist history.
22 Jan 2011: The 109th session of the China Import and Export Fair (aka Canton Fair) starts on April 15 - 19 (Phase One); April 23 - 27 (Phase Two) and May 1 - 5 (Phase Three) in Guangzhou. Unless you are there for business, it's best to avoid visiting the city during this period as hotel rates will be doubled. More...
7 Jan 2011: Guangzhou-Zhuhai intercity mass rapid transit (MRT) starts trial operation with fares ranging from ¥36 to ¥44. More...
26 Jan 2010: InterContinental Hotel Group will open its first Hotel Indigo in Asia Pacific in May 2010 at Shiliupu Dock at the Southern end of The Bund in Shanghai. More...
25 Jan 2010: Regal Master Hotel soft-launches its first property in Chengdu. More...
12 Jan 2010: Marriott opens new hotel in Suzhou. More...
Indonesia
18 March 2011: Aston International has opened the Royal Kamuela villa resort in Ubud, Bali. The new upper 5-star property, the Royal Kamuela at Monkey Forest - Ubud, features 12 luxury pool villas in an integrated resort setting with a range of facilities and services such as a full service spa, private butlers for each villa and an eclectic café-restaurant that overlooks a creek running through the resorts tropical gardens. More...
Malaysia
6 Feb 2011: Transtar bus plying the KL-Singapore route bursts into flames along highway. More...
1 Feb 2011: Hotel Nikko KL re-named InterContinental KL. More...
31 Jan 2011: Best Western has signed up with Superboom Projects for its Haven Lakeside Residences project in Tambun, Ipoh. It is not clear if BW will be offering hotel rooms or service suites, at this stage. More....
28 Jan 2011: Visitors to Langkawi can now view the island at night from the top of Mt Mat Chinchang following the extension of the cable car service until 10pm. Operating hours will be: 10am-6pm (Mon, Tue, Thu); 9.30am-10pm (Fri-Sun & holidays); 12pm-6pm (Wed).
1 Jan 2011: The new RM570 mil (US$190 mil) bus terminal called Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) opens in Bandar Tasik Selatan, about 20 mins outside Kuala Lumpur. Fortunately, the bus terminal is linked by trains from the city. Travellers in Kuala Lumpur heading south to cities like Melaka, Johor Bahru and Singapore will have to board the buses from this terminal. More...
23 Dec 2010: Zenith Hotel opens in Kuantan, the east coast town of Malaysia with 519 rooms and a 6,000-seat capacity MICE facility. Promotion rates for rooms start from RM225++. More...
19 Jan 2010: GHM to cease management of The Saujana and The Club at The Saujana, KL. More...
Singapore
6 April 2011: Accor opens its second Ibis Hotel in Singapore, located at Balestier Road, about 10-15 mins from Novena MRT. Introductory rate till Dec 30: S$128++
Thailand
2 April 2011: Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa opens in Phuket. More...
3 March 2011: Coqoon Spa opens at Indigo Pearl Phuket. The highlight of the spa is The Nest, which is a spa suite suspended midair and accessed by a flying bridge, allowing guests to get up close and personal to nature. More...
15 Feb 2011: Banyan Tree to launch flagship Angsana Resort in Phuket: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts will take over the operations of the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket from Starwood Hotels & Resorts when the current management contract expires on 30 June 2011. The hotel will be closed from 1 July 2011 for extensive renovation and refurbishment works to the sum of US$30 million. When completed, the hotel will be re-branded under Banyan Tree’s sister brand, Angsana Hotels & Resorts, as Angsana Laguna Phuket. More...
26 Jan 2010: The W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia will open this spring. An all-villa beachfront resort set on the north shore of Thailand’s famed Samui island, the W Retreat Koh Samui will be adjacent to The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui. More...
Vietnam
17 Feb 2011: Tour boat sinks in Halong Bay killing 12 tourists. More...
9 Feb 2011: Vietnam will use the slogan "Vietnam, A Different Orient" in its global tourism promotion to woo visitors until 2015. More...
21 Jan 2010: New luxury resort Golden Coast Resort & Spa in Phan Thiet launches honeymoon packages. More...
