China Pipeline Strength Is at the Higher End

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended August 10. China hotel RevPAR was down -8.5% on a year-over-year basis. It was up against a +37% comp result in 2023. Occupancy was down -0.5% for the week, year over year, while ADR was down -8%.

Lodging Econometrics’ Q2 2024 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report for China, the country’s pipeline stands at 3,815 projects and 699,786 rooms. Here is the rest of the pipeline report:

China Hotel Construction Pipeline (Q2 2024)

China Hotel Construction Pipeline by Chain Scale (Q2 2024)

Top Cities in China Hotel Construction Pipeline (Q2 2024)

China Hotel Openings and Forecasts

North Korea is set to reopen the country to international tourism by the end of the year. This will be nearly five years since the borders were shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tour operators announced that tour groups will be able to visit Samjiyon, the birthplace of late North Korean leader Kim Jong II. The operators said so far that is all that has been confirmed but they believe Pyongyang and other places will open as well.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the introduction of its Trademark Collection brand to South Korea with the opening of La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham. This new hotel elevates Wyndham’s presence in South Korea to over 30 hotels and joins nearly 20 Trademark hotels across Asia Pacific. La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort offers a nine-hole golf course, fine dining, conference space, fitness center, saunas, swimming pools, all located just a 30-minute drive from Seoul.

KSL Capital Partners, LLC announced its affiliate will invest $21 million in the W Maldives to fully renovate the resort. They also plan to recommence capital spending at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa to continue investing in one of the most expansive luxury properties in the Maldives. The $21 million investment will support a comprehensive renovation of the W Maldives, designed to upgrade virtually all aspects of the resort. The renovation commenced earlier this year and the W Maldives will remain temporarily closed to the guests with the expectation being a reopening in late 2024. The W Maldives includes 77 overwater or beach bungalows with private pools and direct beach or sea access. The resort offers six restaurants and bars, spa, and snorkeling and diving at one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. KSL has suspended its capital spending plans at the Sheraton Maldives earlier this year and had been in discussions with the Government of Maldives about the future of the resort. KSL plans to recommence its phased capital improvement plan. The property is located on the private island of Furanafushi. The 176-room resort features overwater bungalows, ocean view villas, and cottages, many with private plunge pools. There are seven restaurants and bars, freshwater pools, a full-service spa, tennis facilities, and the Sheraton Kids’ Club. KLS acquired the W Maldives and Sheraton Maldives in June 2022. They have investments in six major hotels in the country, with the other four being Soneva Fushin, Soneva Jani, Soneva Secrets, and Outrigger Maafushivaru Resorts.

Cross Hotels & Resorts announced a Hotel Management Agreement with Yutthaporn Development. The two-hotel deal is for Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin and Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin. The former will have 221 rooms, outdoor pool, health club, spa, restaurant, and eight creative spaces and meeting rooms. Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin includes 64 suites ranging from 78 to 112 square meters. Guests can enjoy a modern fitness center, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, swimming pool, and a spa. Cross Hotels & Resorts operates 28 hotels under six brands across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan.

The new Anantara Ubud Bali Resort will open on October 1, 2024, nestled near the hillside village of Banjar Puhu in Payangan, just north of Ubud. This will be the second property of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas on the Indonesian island. The resort includes a collection of 85 contemporary suites and pool villas, along with 15 branded residences, dining options, bars, two swimming pools, yoga deck, gym, Kids’ Club, and an Anantara Spa. The resort is located a 2.5-hour drive from Bali’s international airport.

Robinsons Hotels and Resorts and Hira Holdings said they will open a luxury eco-friendly villa resort in Siargao in the Philippines, targeted to be ready by 2026. The villa resort will be located in Brgy. Malinao, General Luna, and will have a total land area of 2,856 square meters. Robinsons said they signed a 10-year management agreement with HHI to bring global hospitality standards with a unique Filipino heart of service to Siargao.

Royal Group International announced the signing of a landmark partnership with Marriott International to bring The Ritz-Carlton to the heart of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The dual-branded Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residence has already begun construction, situated on Phnom Penh’s most prestigious Norodom Boulevard, part of a broader two-tower, multi-facility property development with a hotel, residence, and office. The luxury property is expected to offer state-of-the-art culinary delights with five restaurants.

Wynn Macau Ltd. announced the opening of a new medical center within its Cotai property, Wynn Palace. Wynn Macau introduced the EliteKinesio Medical Centre (Wynn Palace) within the spa facilities of Wynn Palace. The center offers a variety of physical therapy treatments and personalized exercise programs, specialized therapies including visceral manipulation therapy and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation programs.