China Likely to Keep Zero-Covid Strategy in Place

STR reported China hotel data for the week ending 10/8. China hotel RevPAR was down -16.5% year over year (Golden Week). When compared with the same week in 2019, RevPAR was down -12.7%. Absolute occupancy for the week was 47.1%. That compares with absolute occupancy of 54.8% during the same week last year.

People’s Daily, considered the Communist Party’s way of getting the message out to the Chinese, said China should stick with its zero-Covid strategy. That deals a blow to everyone who was assuming China will go the way of the rest of the world and realize you can’t beat Covid so you need to learn to live with it after the twentieth party congress. That twice-a-decade national congress begins this Sunday.

Hyatt Place Huangshan Train Station, the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Huangshan, is officially open. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design and amenities. The hotel is located just a 25-minute drive from Huangshan Tunxi International Airport and The Tourism Transport Hub is located across the hotel. The hotel offers 180 guestrooms and offers 5,187 square feet of meeting and function space, and more.

Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar, the first Hyatt Place hotel in Rajasthan and seventh Hyatt Place hotel in India, is open. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design and amenities. The hotel was developed by Heritage Motels Private Limited. The hotel includes 116 guestrooms, Zing open-kitchen restaurant, the Market, an open-air bar with cabana seating. It will also offer 6,626 square feet of meeting, indoor and outdoor meeting function space and the fitness center, which includes a rooftop swimming pool.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts announced its latest address in Phan Thiet, a port city in Southeast Vietnam. The new hotel brings Swiss-inspired hospitality to the expansive entertainment complex by NovaWorld, which consists of a golf course and a collection of theme parks. The unique concept of Movenpick Resort Phan Thiet is inspired by Port Royal Castle, the former capital of the infamous Caribbean pirates and features Dutch colonial architectural elements. The resort is located in the capital of the Binh Thuan Province, on the southeast coast of Vietnam, a 4-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Movenpick Resort Phan Thiet features 248 guestrooms and suites, with premium facilities oriented towards families, couples and adventurers. The resort includes two swimming pools, a spa and fitness center along with five restaurants and bars. The rooms include Classic and Deluxe room categories along with family suites complete with bunk beds. Guests staying in the Executive room categories can enjoy ocean views and access to the Admiral Executive lounge. Executive Family suites measure 70 square meters and feature bunk beds and panoramic ocean views from the large balcony. The 69 square meter Admiral Suite offers ocean views with a large balcony and separate living room areas and access to the Admiral Executive Lounge. This is the first Movenpick property from Accor in the beach destination of Phan Thiet. The property features a Treasure Island lagoon pool and a custom pirate ship positioned in the middle of the pool. The resort offers the Oasis Wellness & Spa and other attractions and amenities.

Zekkei Properties announced it appointed Hoshino Resorts to manage its new luxury development in Niseko, located at the highest point of Hirafu Village. Hoshinoya Lodge Niseko will be the brand’s ninth location and first residence under its management. The 62-unit hotel and residences will provide ski-in, ski-out of the mountain. The development will feature a mixed-gender rooftop onsen overlooking the village toward Mount Yotei. Developed by Zekkei Properties, the luxury residences can be purchased by individual owners, who can participate in Hoshino Resorts’ rental program. Each unit will be fitted and serviced under the Hoshinoya hotel standard.

Developers Phillip Brunning & Associates applied for approval to the state’s planning panel, proposing the demolition of the old Backpack Oz Hostel in Adelaide, Australia in favor of the new 26-story hotel. The 86.5-meter high rise will feature a hotel lobby, bar and restaurant on level one, with administration and staff offices restricted to level two. Level three will include a gym and three tourism accommodation rooms, while levels 4-24 would each host 11 accommodation rooms. Level 25 is slated to feature a rooftop bar and outdoor and indoor areas. The proposed development is the former home of the Orient Hotel which was modified in 1996 to make way for the Backpack Oz hostel. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a management agreement with Al Ajlan Company for the InterContinental Hotel & Residences in the Riyadh North Area. Set to open in 2028, the prestigious 400-key hotel and serviced apartments will form part of a state of the art masterplan comprising of high end retail, offices and entertainment. The hotel will reflect the modern luxury philosophy and strengthen IHG’s offering in the segment. The hotel will feature distinctive dining options, multipurpose meetings and events rooms, a health club and a spa. Since it is located in close proximity to the airport, the hotel will be strategically positioned to cater to business and leisure demand. IHG currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia with 29 hotels in the development pipeline set to open in the next three to five years.

The Banyan Tree Resort will make its debut in Saudi Arabia by opening its first resort in the ancient city of Al Ula. The resort is not far from the Maraya entertainment complex which hosts international artists and not far from Hegra, a 52-hectare ancient city that was Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. The Banyan Tree Resort will have 82 villas, 47 of which are brand-new constructions with a mix of one, two and three bedroom layouts. The opulent tented homes will offer visitors a feeling of seclusion. There will be a spa with opulent wellness amenities such as a gym and several swimming pools. A wide selection of restaurants will provide visitors with a range of options.