INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotel and resort brands are plotting openings abroad for 2018 and beyond. Here’s a look at three of them:
Luxury Collection Lands in Okinawa, Japan
The Luxury Collection has signed Iraph Sui, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Okinawa, Japan. Owned by The Mori Trust Group and slated to open in late 2018, the new island resort will be will be located in the city of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture and will be the third Luxury Collection hotel in Japan.
The new Luxury Collection resort will be located on an elevated headland on the southwestern coastline of Irabu, a small island in the Miyako Island group, where its 57 guestrooms will have sea views. In addition to nine suites with private plunge pools, the resort will also offer 10 junior suites and one executive suite. Amenities will include a 72-ft. outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and spa. There will also be an all-day restaurant, a pool bar and beach club.
“Together with the Mori Trust Group, we look forward to bringing another prestigious Luxury Collection hotel to Japan,” said Raj Menon, COO, Marriott International Asia-Pacific, excluding Greater China. “With over 100 hotels in 32 countries, each Marriott International Luxury Collection hotel celebrates the distinctive character of its locale with beautiful settings, exquisite decor and the impeccable service of The Luxury Collection Concierge, giving our guests a truly unforgettable travel experience.”
Canada to Get Club Med Experience
All-inclusive brand Club Med is set to open its first-ever resort in Canada, expanding its global presence in ski resorts to North America. The new ski resort is planned to open in Quebec’s Le Massif de Charlevoix ski region in 2020. The reveal took place at Groupe Le Massif’s headquarters in Quebec City during a press conference held by Xavier Mufraggi, president and CEO of Club Med North America, and Daniel Gauthier, chairman of the board of directors of Groupe Le Massif.
According to the company, the project serves as a strategic symbol of rapid growth around the world for Club Med, which currently has plans to open 15 new resorts through 2019—a couple of which will be ski/mountain resorts. There are plans to upgrade or expand nine of its existing resorts.
“Club Med is the world leader in all-inclusive mountain resorts. With 24 sites established in France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and China, we’re excited to add Canada to our list. Each season will reveal the wonders of this natural site, offering our international clientele a place to discover year-round beauty,” said Mufraggi.
Hotel Amapa Set to Open in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Opening in the historic old town of Puerto Vallarta in early February 2018, Hotel Amapa fuses the traditional Mexican aesthetic with a contemporary design.
With over 35 years of hospitality experience, developer David Harries led a team including Antoine Ratigan of Circleminds, Nicole Haime of NMH Creative, and GM Adalberto Reiter to conceptualize Hotel Amapa, which will offer 55 rooms one block from Playa Los Muertos.
“We are introducing a new vibe for hospitality in Puerto Vallarta with the opening of Hotel Amapa,” said Harries. “Having traveled to Puerto Vallarta for the last 25 years, it is important that we put our guests in the Mexican state of mind, protecting Puerto Vallarta’s heritage while celebrating the future with genuine and original design, service, and food and beverage offerings. With Hotel Amapa, we want to create a place where guests visit and live like a local and leave having had an authentic and inspiring experience.”