Oaks Bodhgaya

Location: In the Indian town of Bodhgaya, a UNESCO site where Buddha is said to have found enlightenment
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 78
Facilities: Gymnasium, a rooftop meditation space, library, international restaurant
Meeting space: Banqueting hall
They say: “Minor Hotels has been looking for the right opportunity to expand its footprint into India… this new market has huge potential”
We say: The first Indian hotel for Thailand’s Minor Hotels will take advantage of the growing Buddhist pilgrimmage market
Opening: Already open

Golden Tulip Holland Resort Batu & Conference Center

Location: Kota Batu, a city in the mountains of East Java
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 260, including 22 “sky villas”
Facilities: Three restaurants (including Japanese and hotpot outlets), two-storey spa and fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, 20 KTV karaoke rooms
Meeting space: Five meeting rooms, outdoor conference area with glass canopy, garden wedding chapel
They say: “This new five-star facility is what the market has been asking for and has the real potential to become the new prominent MICE destination for all of Java”
We say: New facilities have the potential to bring major events in East Java away from Surabaya. The mountainous landscape will be a draw for event organisers looking for something different
Opening: Q1 2017

Gran Meliá Nacional Rio

Location: Former Hotel Nacional in Sao Conrado area, which reopens after 10 years
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 413
Facilities: Two restaurants and three bars, including rooftop outlet, terrace with swimming pools
Meeting space: Major new business facility to open by 2018, covering 12,000m² and housing 4,000 people
They say: “Following extensive renovations, the property has been restored to its former glory, maintaining the hotel’s original features”
We say: A former celebrity hotspot, Melia has relaunched a hotel that has the potential to become a key destination in the city
Opening: Already open

Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin

Location: Chifeng Road in downtown Tianjin
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 259
Facilities: Five F&B outlets including Cantonese, Japanese and Italian restaurants, large 24-hour fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, spa with 11 treatment rooms
Meeting space: 2,943m² of space with two ballrooms, eight function rooms, VIP room and bridal suite
They say: “Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin is the ideal choice for an urban staycation or quick getaway from Beijing”
We say: Tianjin is more business than leisure, but the new downtown hotel is likely to be major venue for events and high-end dining
Opening: Already open

Embassy Suites Atlanta

Location: Sugarloaf suburb of Georgia’s state capital
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 166 suites
Facilities: Restaurant, free drinks and snacks each night, 24-hour business centre
Meeting space: 466m² of floor space including a ballroom
They say: “Embassy Suites by Hilton’s variety of amenities puts any traveller at ease”
We say: The first Embassy Suites hotel in Atlanta, this should provide a base for extended stay business travellers in Georgia’s state capital
Opening: Already open

Hyatt Centric La Rosière

Location: In the centre of French-Italian ski resort of La Rosière
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 71
Facilities: Restaurants and bar overlooking ski slopes
Meeting space: Unspecified
They say: “[The hotel will provide] a cosmopolitan vibe inviting exploration and discovery for millennial-minded travellers who want to be in the middle of the action”
We say: The attributes of the Hyatt Centric brand should make this a popular resort for young winter sports enthusiasts
Opening: In time for the 2017-18 winter season

Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Location: Up-and-coming Warehouse District of New Orleans, close to downtown
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 225
Facilities: The Commons Club (social area, pictured), rooftop pool and lounge, gym
Meeting space: “Dedicated meeting and event spaces”
They say: “We’re excited to bring the Virgin experience to the Big Easy because it’s a perfect fit in terms of our values and our emphasis on creating unique and immersive experiences for our guests”
We say: Likely to be a stylish new option for travellers to one of the world’s coolest cities
Opening: Early 2019