Singapore, Hong Kong Hotel Markets Competition Intensifies

The latest report from Global Asset Solutions said the hotel markets of Singapore and Hong Kong are in fierce competition, both working to recover and grow post-pandemic. We see two different markets as Hong Kong has been focusing more on budget-conscious visitors while Singapore still attracts more high-end travelers. The report says Singapore had occupancy rates surpassing 83% in early 2024, with an ADR rising to US$314 and some of the luxury hotels achieving record RevPAR. Hong Kong has seen its luxury hotel sector fail to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, forcing it to focus more on mid-range and budget-conscious travelers. Hong Kong's average occupancy sits around 73%. Hong Kong is pinning some of its hopes on the new 50,000-seat stadium that will open next year.

Hilton announced the openings of new Hilton Garden Inn properties in Thailand. The 241-room Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside is situated atop the ICS, a mixed-use lifestyle complex along the Chao Phraya River, adjacent to the TRUE ICON Hall Convention Center. The hotel's guestrooms begin at 24 square meters. The hotel offers an all-day dining outlet and grab and go meals, a fitness center, outdoor pool and flexible meeting spaces including venues up to 258 square meters. The Hilton Garden Inn Rayong opened in late August and marks the brand's debut in the city center of Rayong, adjacent to Central Rayong shopping malls. The hotel offers over 200 rooms, rooftop restaurant and bar, all-day dining restaurant and a fitness center.

Liber Hotel Osaka is joining the new MUJI room project launched by Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. The hotel is located in Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan, operated by Musashion Co., Ltd. They are refurbishing 12 guest rooms to create MUJI rooms. The rooms range from 49 square meters to 66 square meters and are described as creating a space where guests can comfortably stay for mid and long-time visits in a home-like travel hotel stay experience.

Aligned Corporate Residences has listed the freehold interest in its Mackay property. CBRE Hotels has been exclusively appointed to sell the freehold interest in the serviced apartment Aligned Corporate Residences Mackay in Queensland. The anchor lease extends until 2029 with options through to 2054. The asset incorporates a leased restaurant and two commercial suites, providing income diversification. The Mackay CBD property features 97 modern rooms in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom configurations. It occupies a 3,054 square meter land parcel surrounded by a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment options. On-site amenities include a reception area, meeting and conference rooms, a swimming pool, rooftop BBQ area and 79 undercover parking spaces. The asset is being offered for sale by way of an Expressions of Interest campaign.

Radisson Blu Guwahati is adding 85 new rooms and another 10,000 square feet area. The Indian hotel currently has 196 rooms and recently announced the launch of Meetha by Radisson Hotels, a dessert destination. The company expects to have the Meetha brand in the hotel in Kolkata which is supposed to start functioning next year. The Radisson Blu Guwahati is owned by DS Group.

ITC's Fortune Hotels unit announced the signing of a new hotel in the town of Bhimtal, Uttrakhand. This is the hotel chain's sixth alliance in the state after Mussoorie, Haridwar, Haldwani, Dehradun and Rishikesh. The hotel is expected to open next year and will feature rooms and suites offering views of the Bhimtal lake and golden sunrise. The hotel will include a pool, spa and modern fitness center along with lavish banquet spaces. There will be a specialty rooftop restaurant overlooking the hills and the lake, trendy bar and an all-day diner. Fortune Park Hotels Ltd is considered one of India's leading chains of business and leisure hotels with 70 signed alliances and over 5,200 rooms across 60 cities.

Sarovar Hotels announced the grand opening of three new properties, marking a significant expansion in its international and domestic portfolio. The new properties include Sarovar Portico in Birgunj (Nepal), ABN Sarovar Portico in Jim Corbett and MJ Sarovar Portico in Haridwar. The Nepal property has 60 rooms and suites, offering modern luxury in the city of Birgunj. The Jim Corbett property is described as offering a serene retreat nestled within the landscapes of India's oldest national park. The property is located 4 Kms from the Dhikala Zone and features 65 rooms and cottages. Finally the Haridwar hotel is situated 5 Kms from Har Ki Pauri and offers 75 rooms and suites. Sarovar Hotels is a unit of Louvre Hotels India. They have 125 hotels across 80 destinations.

Lemon Tree Hotels announced its latest signing – Keys Lite by Lemon Tree Hotels, Metropolitan, Vijayawada. The property shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a unit of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, an is expected to open in FY2026. The hotel will feature 44 rooms, a restaurant, meeting room and banquet facilities, located 15 Kms from the Vijayawada International Airport.

Oraval Stays, the parent company of OYO, has launched its premium hotel brand SUNDAY in Dubai with the opening of SUNDAY Holiday International Hotel Dubai. Spread over 44,000 square feet, the hotel is at Bur Dubai next to Burjuman Mall and Metro Station on the western side of Dubai creek. The hotel has over 200 rooms in different categories, multiple food and beverage outlets and more.

Personnel Moves

BWH Hotels announced Harry Dong was named as the new President and CEO of BWH Hotels China (Hong Kong Macau, Taiwan), Mongolia and Nepal. Dong has been with BWH for over 16 years. The region he will be in charge of currently has 10 hotels from BWH and a growing pipeline of properties.