Whether old or new, these hotels bring something fresh to the table

The Star

7 hours ago

Set in the heart of the Unesco World Heritage City of Melaka is Malaysia's first ever Dusit International hotel.
Dusit Princess Melaka, a 5-star property, opened on May 29. It boasts of the state's deepest swimming pool, and has a few dining venues such as Long Feng Chinese Restaurant and Zest Restaurant.
Offering Thai-inspired ­hospitality in an upscale setting that blends modern elegance with historical charm, the hotel is well-positioned to welcome the influx of travellers expected in the state throughout 2025-2026.
Melaka will not only be hosting World Tourism Day 2025 on Sept 27, but it has also extended its Visit Melaka Year campaign through 2026. And of course, Melaka is gearing up to welcome more visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's first Park Hyatt property is set to open its doors in August. The hotel will occupy the top floors of the iconic Merdeka 118, the second-tallest skyscraper in the world.
The hotel is already taking advance bookings on its official website.
In the future
Malaysia will be home to a lot more high-end accommodations within the next couple of years.
RJJ Hotels has recently partnered with Jin Jiang Hotels China Region, which is part of the second largest hotel group in the world, Jin Jiang International Group.
The partnership, marking Jin Jiang Hotels' first large-scale international expansion, grants RJJ Hotels licensing rights to manage five of Jin Jiang Hotels' brands across South-East Asia.
The first of these brands to enter the region will be Metropolo Jinjiang Hotels. Properties under the brand comprise upscale 4- and 5-star city hotels.
Luang Prabang in Laos will be the location of the region's first Metropolo hotel, as per the recently signed Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Sanher Investment & Development, who will be developing the hotel.
Aside from Metropolo, the four other brands that will be introduced in South-East Asia are luxury 5-star resort Ginco Hotel; upscale 5-star resort Renjoy Hotel; midscale business hotel Lavande; and premium economy hotel Jinjiang Inn.
Within the next five years, RJJ aims to sign around 200 HMAs and operate over 100 hotels across Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos.
Over in China, Jin Jiang International Group, together with French hospitality company Accor, will be transforming Shanghai's renowned Fairmont Peace Hotel into Raffles Peace Hotel Shanghai.
The hotel will remain open throughout the transformation, and will be making its debut as a Raffles property in 2027.
Melia Chiang Mai's executive chef Suksant (Billy) Chutinthratip ensures the hotel's restaurants operate on a green concept. — Handout
In other news, Hilton recently signed two landmark properties at GMR Aerocity, India's first global business district located in New Delhi. In partnership with the GMR Group-led Delhi International Airport Limited (Dial), this expansion includes the debut of both Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Hotels & Resorts in the Indian capital.
Both hotels will anchor GMR Aerocity; the Waldorf Astoria will feature 150 rooms and suites, while the bigger Hilton will have 350 room.
India's first Waldorf Astoria will actually be in Jaipur, and is set to open sometime in 2027.
Culture and nature
Thailand currently holds the largest Hilton portfolio in South-East Asia, as it has 30 properties by the global hospitality company, with 11 more in development.
One of the company's upcoming brands in Thailand is its award-winning Hampton By Hilton, set to begin operations in 2026.
Aside from being the brand's introduction to the region, it also marks Hilton's ninth brand operating in South-East Asia.
Hampton By Hilton is opening a new location in Thailand next year. — Hilton website
Hampton By Hilton Phuket Town, as its name indicates, will be set in the capital of the Phuket province. This strategic location will allow patrons to easily explore and discover the town's many charms, such as its Sino-Portuguese architecture, Peranakan culture, and Phuket's largest temple, Wat Chalong.
Meanwhile, Krabi, another famous coastal destination in Thailand, is beckoning visitors to step into a dinosaur-themed world.
Thanks to its lush jungle, ­rugged limestone cliffs and ­emerald waters, Krabi was ­chosen as a primary filming ­location for the upcoming Hollywood movie Jurassic World: Rebirth. In ­conjunction with the movie's release on July 2, Avani is offering a four-night 'Stay in Jurassic Paradise' package at both its Krabi locations. For details on this, check out the official Avani website.
Melia Chiang Mai, a 5-star hotel in another Thai province, recently received recognition for its sustainability efforts.
Two of the hotel's restaurants, Laan Na Kitchen and Mai Restaurant and Bar, were each presented with the Golden Star Award. This was due to the respective restaurants earning the Chiang Mai Green Kitchen Award for three successive years.
Green Kitchen, launched in 2019, is a sustainability project supported by Tourism Authority Of Thailand and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. This year, 44 restaurants and hotels in Chiang Mai participated in the project to promote organic and sustainable food concepts.
Melia Chiang Mai emphasises sustainability through its '360° Cuisine' programme. Introduced in 2022, the programme includes efforts like sourcing farm-to-table produce from local farmers and returning plate-to-farm waste to the farms to be used as fertilisers.
Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley in the US is full of whimsy. — ERIN KUNKEL
On the other side of the world, the opening of Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley last month in Sunnyvale, California gives travellers space to be one with nature – in a carefree way.
The first Treehouse Hotels property in the United States is set on a former orchard now dotted with newly planted native trees and preserved oaks. It brings with it the signature whimsy that the playful lifestyle brand is known for, inviting patrons to take a different approach to things.