Eastin Hotel Kurseong

Location: Located on the foothills of the Himalayas in India’s Darjeeling tea-producing area, West Bengal state
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 35
Facilities: Five F&B outlets including a vegetarian restaurant and tea house, spa, gym, meditation and yoga area
Meeting space: Centre for conferences and events
They say: “The contemporary wooden interiors will provide guests a warm cosseting atmosphere reminding them of the colonial era. The trekking trail within the property amidst dense plantations leads to a viewpoint overlooking the gorgeous mountains and valleys”
We say: Thailand’s Absolute Hotel Services continues Indian expansion with a new upscale hotel in the hills of Darjeeling, providing an interesting new destination for nature-based breaks
Opening: Already open

Hyatt Regency Amsterdam

Location: In the centre of the Plantage Amsterdam area, 20 minutes from Schiphol Airport
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 211
Facilities: Indonesian-themed restaurant and bar, 24-hour cafe, 24-hour fitness centre and sauna
Meeting space: More than 500m² of space including a 191m² ballroom
They say: “At Hyatt Regency Amsterdam we set the stage for dynamic interactions – from a quick coffee meeting to shared culinary experiences, our guests can come together to socialise, collaborate or celebrate”
We say: Hyatt’s guest-friendly 24-hour amenities should be a good selling point, while the Indonesian-themed F&B area could prove attractive to locals as well as guests
Opening: Already open

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Location: Opposite the new International Convention Centre on Sydney’s Darling Harbour waterfront
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 590
Facilities: Multiple F&B outlets including Champagne bar, swimming pool, fitness centre, top floor club lounge
Meeting space: Nine meeting spaces including a 450-pax ballroom
They say: “While the architecture pays tribute to the maritime industries that formerly occupied the site, the hotel’s cutting-edge design places it squarely at the centre of Darling Harbour’s future”
We say: Major new-build hotel will provide some of the city’s best views, and will undoubtedly become a top choice for guests and meeting planners, especially with its extensive event space
Opening: November 2017

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island by Hurawalhi

Location: In the Maldives’ Lhaviyani Atoll, a five-minute speedboat ride from its sister resort, Hurawalhi
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 15 over-water villas
Facilities: Spa, watersports, PADI dive centre, pool, restaurants and in-villa dining
Meeting space: Conference room seating up to 30 guests
They say: “Kudadoo is a small, exclusive private island with 15 over-water villas. Designed by Yuji Yamasaki, world-renowned architect, it will be the most exciting new opening this year in the Maldives”
We say: Following the recent launch of Hurawalhi, with its underwater restaurant, Kudadoo will harness the same style of luxury but on a smaller scale, providing a more intimate guest experience
Opening: December 2017