With the great reopening of the world, 2023 is set to be a year of travel, and the revival is just unstoppable. From glitzy Dubai and mystical Nepal to urban jungle Hong Kong and volcanic Jeju Island, we’ve got our eyes on seven new hotels and resorts set to open this year that are worth adding to your list, whether you are looking for an escape to nature or a deep dive into authentic local culture.
Regent Hong Kong
Following an extensive three-year renovation, this much-loved landmark perched on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront is finally welcoming guests again. Formerly InterContinental Hong Kong for nearly two decades, this luxury hotel has rebranded itself back as Regent—the name under which it first opened in 1980.
Guests were able to experience a sneak preview of the premises at the end of 2022 when its dining outlets soft-opened prior to the grand unveiling of Regent later this year. Not only will the legendary hotel reopen under its original name, but the two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Yan Toh Heen will also revert to Lai Ching Heen. Enjoy surf and turf plates at the Steak House, a hearty buffet at Harbourside, or unwind at the Lobby Lounge with the stunning view of Victoria Harbour framed in floor-to-ceiling windows. Regent Hong Kong is poised to impress once again.
Image courtesy of Regent Hong Kong.
Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Ritz-Carlton hotels need no introduction, but its sister brand Ritz-Carlton Reserve takes luxury to the next level. With only five resorts around the world, this exclusive brand sets itself apart with its unusual and secluded locations, intimate settings, immersive adventures, and heartfelt services delivered by its Personal Hosts.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve will make its debut in China with the opening of Rissai Valley, an 87-villa resort just 15 minutes away from the famed Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve in southwestern Sichuan. Jewel-toned lakes, cascading waterfalls, and snow-covered peaks are the trademarks of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Rissai Valley’s name is derived from the Tibetan word for “village” and echoes the original meaning of Jiuzhaigou—“the ravine of nine (ancient Tibetan and Qiang) villages.” In addition to an extensive 2,500-square-metre spa, Rissai Valley will be home to four restaurants, a lounge, and a 215-square-metre ballroom, all featuring outdoor terraces to bring the resort’s surrounding landscapes closer.
Image courtesy of Marriott International.
Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection
Nestled deep in the Himalayas, the landlocked country of Nepal is celebrated for its dramatic topography, snow-capped peaks, and rich Buddhist culture. Architect and interior designer Bill Bensley is going to bring his Shinta Mani hotel collection to this mystical land with a 29-suite luxury lodge set to open in the summer.
Located in Jomsom in the Lower Mustang area at an altitude of 2,800 metres above sea level, the all-new Shinta Mani Mustang is blessed with untouched landscapes. Blessed by the signature Bensley touch, all suites are crafted to resemble a traditional Tibetan home. Fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows to invite the scenery inside, each suite comes with an open-plan bedroom, a living area, and an ensuite bathroom. Here, you will get to experience the Himalayas in an authentic way with a wide array of unique excursions ranging from trekking, horse riding, rock climbing to archery and helicopter tours, curated and led by the in-house Bensley Adventure Guides. And each season has its appeals, too, so repeat visits are a must.
Image courtesy of Shinta Mani Mustang.
JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa
Unique natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, and authentic black pig and seafood cuisines are what make South Korea’s Jeju Island enticing to travellers. Fitting then, that JW Marriott should reveal a resort that sits dramatically on a cliff on the southern edge of the island. Also designed by Bill Bensley, the interiors are rich with touches of Jeju basalt, which recalls the locale’s natural identity as a volcanic land.
Most of the resort’s 91 rooms and 14 suites come with a private balcony affording sweeping oceanic landscapes. The Flying Hog pampers your palate with woodfire-grilled dishes and rotisserie delicacies featuring local ingredients. Rooftop bar Silvergrass, another great spot to admire the ocean beauty, doles out signature tipples and coffee. Meanwhile, the on-site Spa by JW is where you will be able to unwind with a plethora of treatments, including hot stone, deep tissue, and Swedish massages in ocean-facing rooms.
Image courtesy of Marriott International.
Janu Tokyo
Cosmopolitan Tokyo is not short on luxury lodges, and 2023 will see Aman debuting its sister brand Janu in the Japanese capital. Janu, which means “soul” in Sanskrit, is built on wellness and relaxation, while also encouraging meaningful connections with the likeminded and the community to achieve an equilibrium of body and mind.
“Genuine human interaction, playful expression, and social wellness” are three pillars of its core philosophy. As the Aman’s inaugural city hotel, Janu Tokyo will boast 120 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, as well as a 3,500-square-metre Janu Spa. Slated for completion in Q4 this year, the new hotel will be located in the 8.1-hectare Toranomon-Azabudai development, which is also home to Aman’s first residence-only project—Aman Residences, Tokyo.
Image courtesy of Aman.
NH Collection Chiang Mai Ping River
Chiang Mai is favoured by many for its laid-back vibes, cultural relics, ancient temples, and vibrant art scene, and this year will have the northern Thai city welcoming a new NH Collection hotel—the brand’s first foray into Asia.
79 rooms and suites are nestled in two low-rise buildings situated on the bank of the iconic Mae Ping River. A multipurpose space is home to a bar inspired by the golden age of travel back in the 19th century, a modern minimalist café, a restaurant, as well as an art gallery where contemporary art will be displayed on rotation.
While some of the rooms and suites already come with their own private pools, the hotel also has a large pool and deck for general use. A breezy riverfront campsite scattered with folding campaign chairs round out the offerings.
Image courtesy of Minor Hotels.
Atlantis The Royal Dubai
Dubai is already synonymous with extravagance, so any new opening has got to be beyond luxurious. Its emblematic landmark, Palm Jumeirah, will see the city’s second Atlantis resort ready to welcome its first guests this month. Adopting the shape of a series of stacked blocks, Atlantis The Royal was born to catch eyeballs.
Here, the luxury stay experience is redefined by the six signature penthouses, each with a private infinity pool and an expansive terrace promising unhindered views of the Arabian Sea. Check into the uber-luxurious Royal Mansion, which spans an expansive 1,128 square metres across two storeys with its own private lift.
Perks of staying at the integrated resort include complimentary access to its privately-owned beach that stretches over 2 kilometres, the Aquaventure Waterpark claiming to be the largest of its kind in the world, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium housing 65,000 marine animals. Naturally, this one-stop destination is also home to 17 dining outlets, eight of which are headed up by celebrity chefs, as well as the 5,045-square-metre Awaken Wellness, offering unique treatments such as moon manifestations, charcoal sauna, halotherapy, and hypno-healing.
Image courtesy of Atlantis The Royal.
