CitizenM Taipei North Gate

Location: Overlooking the Tamsui River, within walking distance of Taipei Main Station
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 267
Facilities: 24-hour F&B outlet, bar and social lobby area. Focus on art, design and technology rather than extensive facilities
Meeting space: Unspecified
They say: “Taipei is a very exciting city for us to launch the first CitizenM in Asia. North Gate is a central and vibrant location full of good food, retail and culture, a perfect playground for the modern traveller”
We say: Design-led Dutch brand makes its debut in Asia. Now owned by Hong Kong conglomerate Shun Tak Holdings, this is likely to be the first of many CitizenM hotels in the region
Opening: Already open

Courtyard by Marriott Changsha South

Location: Part of Zhongjian Plaza, 6km from Changsha’s high-speed railway station and 22km from the airport
Grade: Midscale
Keys: 260
Facilities: Executive lounge, restaurant with private dining rooms, lobby lounge and 24-hour fitness centre
Meeting space: A banquet hall and three function rooms totalling 1,000m² of floorspace
They say: “Courtyard by Marriott provides guests with experiences that propel them forward, whether it’s through dynamic spaces to work betCourtyard by Marriott Changsha Southter and foster connections, or refreshing experiences that help them discover something new”
We say: The capital of Hunan province, Changsha is a prime example of China’s thriving second tier cities – perfect for the international, midscale hotel concept offered by Courtyard
Opening: Already open

Pullman Zhouzhuang

Location: In the centre of an ancient water town in eastern China’s Jiangsu province
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 174
Facilities: Chinese and international restaurants, private dining rooms, western-style pub, lobby lounge, and a 2,000m² wellness centre with an indoor pool, gym and yoga studio
Meeting space: Seven function rooms and an 820m² ballroom
They say: “The hotel’s design is inspired by the architectural elements surrounding the canals, making it ideal for business and leisure travellers from nearby cities like Shanghai”
We say: As the first internationally-branded upscale hotel in this classical canal town, the Pullman should attract significant interest, especially among the wedding sector. Its lakefront setting will help
Opening: Already open

Hyatt Place Foshan Lishui

Location: Close to the Guang-Fo Highway in southern China’s Guangdong province
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 152, all with sofa beds for a third guest
Facilities: 24-hour “grab and go” F&B area, bar, 24-hour fitness centre
Meeting space: 237m² of meeting space
They say: “With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms, featuring separate work and sleep areas, our multi-tasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road”
We say: Hyatt Place is expanding fast in China and this hotel marks the brand’s entry into Guangdong, one of the country’s most populous provinces. Should be a popular option with business travellers
Opening: Already open

Sunway Velocity Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Location: Park of the Sunway Velocity Mall, 3.8km from downtown KL
Grade: Midscale
Keys: 351
Facilities: Café, 24-hour fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool. Adjoining mall features offers 500 retail stores and 150 F&B outlets
Meeting space: Boardroom available
They say: “Sunway Velocity Hotel brings new vibrancy, energy and excitement to the integrated mixed-use development of Sunway Velocity Kuala Lumpur”
We say: The close proximity of the MRT network makes its outlying location less of an issue. In-room amenities like Smart TVs and free Wi-Fi are good considering its mid-market status
Opening: 20 September

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Jakarta

Location: Floors 47-58 of a new tower on Jalan Thamrin, downtown Jakarta
Grade: Upscale serviced residence
Keys: 161 apartments
Facilities: To be confirmed
Meeting space: To be confirmed
They say: “As one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, Indonesia presents vast business development opportunities and growth potential for the Pan Pacific brand”
We say: Excellent location will attract long-stay business travellers to Jakarta. Pan Pacific’s strong brand presence in Asia and Australia should make it especially popular among the intra-regional market
Opening: 2020