Where to Stay: New hotels in KL, Shenzhen, Sydney and more…

Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade

Location: Pudu, on the fringe of KL’s Bukit Bintang retail and entertainment area
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 213
Facilities: Restaurant, lobby lounge, rooftop pool with bar, fitness centre
Meeting space: Three meeting rooms accommodating up to 60 guests
They say: “Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade blends local charms with modernity”
We say: AccorHotels’ latest brand entry into KL follows the recently launch of the city’s first Pullman hotel and the announcement of the inaugural Sofitel KL, further expanding the European hotelier’s range of options on the city
Opening: Already open

Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World

Location: Part of the Jeju Shinhwa World integrated resort on the popular Korean island
Grade: Upscale serviced residence
Keys: 344 apartments
Facilities: Restaurant, lobby lounge, gym, sauna, indoor and outdoor kids’ play areas. Broader integrated resort also includes theme park, water park, casino, shops and K-Pop town
Meeting space: Extensive MICE facilities in the integrated resort
They say: “Designed for leisure and business travellers and their families, Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World offers a home away from home”
We say: Serviced apartments traditional cater for long-stay guests, but this property would perfectly suit families seeking shorts break at Jeju Shinhwa World integrated resort.
Opening: Already open

Residence G Shenzhen

Location: In Shenzhen’s Nanshan district, one hour by ferry from Hong Kong Central
Grade: Upper-upscale “lifestyle” hotel and serviced residence
Keys: 48 hotel rooms and 130 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms
Facilities: Two-level “G Club” featuring a restaurant, bar, gym, yoga room, indoor pool, multi-purpose sports space, kids’ club, clubhouse for dining, TV watching and socialising
Meeting space: Two meeting rooms and outdoor terrace for events
They say: “Residence G Shenzhen will cater to the needs of business travellers as well as families looking for a modern hotel or fully-equipped serviced apartment with ideal location”
We say: The stylish Hotel G brand moves into mainland China, following openings in Hong Kong, Pattaya, Bangkok and Singapore. Guests can expect clean, bright spaces and modern design
Opening: Already open

Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport

Location: On Ross Smith Avenue, close to Sydney Airport’s T2 and T3 domestic terminals
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 136
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, bicycle hire, car park with electric car charging station
Meeting space: Unspecified
They say: “Once open, the hotel will address Sydney’s real need for greater, and more contemporary, on-airport hotel accommodation”
We say: A major Australian hotel group opening its flagship upscale brand at the country’s busiest airport should be a big event.
Opening: June 2017

Ritz-Carlton Reserve At Pearl Island, Panama

Location: On a private island in the Las Perlas archipelago, 72km south of Panama City
Grade: Ultra-luxury
Keys: 86
Facilities: Spa, private beach club, swimming pools, restaurants, access to a marina
Meeting space: 167m² event pavilion and boardroom with ocean views
They say: “As Pearl Island is renowned for its spectacular white sand deserted beaches, scuba diving, marine life and delicate ecosystems, the resort will offer a bespoke experience that is reflective of the destination”
We say: Accessible only by boat, helicopter or private plane, the resort will be deliberately exclusive. It will join a collection of just five Ritz-Carlton Reserves currently operating worldwide
Opening: Ground-breaking held, opening TBC