Australia
In Western Australia, the much-anticipated Hilton Garden Inn has opened its doors in the seaside town of Busselton. Located just a short drive from the Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport, which hosts direct flights from Melbourne and soon Sydney, the 110-room establishment is perfectly positioned, overlooking the shores of Geographe Bay and the famous Busselton Jetty.
Half of the guest rooms at the hotel offer ocean views, most with private balconies. Dining options include a modern restaurant highlighting the region’s exceptional produce and a cozy wine bar with an al fresco area.
The hotel also has meeting spaces with sea views and abundant natural light, including a 2,400-square-foot ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony and private bar, and a boardroom-style space for meetings. Customizable catering is offered as well.
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Belize
Fort George Hotel & Spa, located in the Fort George neighborhood of Belize City, officially opened in February. The hotel brings a new, contemporary hospitality experience for travelers to Belize City, one that aims to revitalize the historic Fort George area, a hub for tourists, business travelers and cruise passengers.
As the only luxury hotel in Belize City, Fort George Hotel & Spa offers elevated culinary options, expansive accommodations, a destination restaurant, signature K’IN Spa, branded fitness center and plunge pool. The hotel features 34 new Courtyard Deluxe Rooms and Suites with a contemporary design concept utilizing natural woods and a light color palette throughout. Event spaces include a private dining room, main dining room and lounge for small groups.
The original Fort George Hotel & Spa has a long history dating back to 1953, when the Colonial-style hotel officially opened to the public. The debut marks the first step in the redevelopment of this historic hotel, with more enhancements to be unveiled later this year. The hotel experience will continue to expand following a complete refurbishment of the original hotel with the addition of 110 rooms, slated to open in phases through next winter.
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Qatar
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay in January. With an ideal location close to the city center and key attractions, the property offers elegant furnishings, a range of culinary options and wellness experiences.
The façade and main entrance are almost identical to the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, a nod to the brand’s heritage and legacy, bringing Manhattan flair to Qatar’s capital. The 44-story property features 283 rooms and suites, as well as 50 luxury apartments, all designed in Art Deco style. Each guest of the property will be assigned a personal concierge.
For meetings and events, there are two ballrooms which can each host up to 500 guests. The hotel offers two boardrooms and three meeting rooms with access to an outdoor patio. All the event spaces have natural daylight and a separate meeting entrance.
Other amenities include a variety of dining outlets as well as a four-story Waldorf Astoria Spa with views of Qatar’s skyline and a host of experiences like salt inhalation relaxation and hydrotherapy pools, thermal experiences including a sensory rain walk, a salon, relaxation zones with private Alpha sphere experiences, and treatment suites that embrace holistic wellness treatments.
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United Arab Emirates
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a largely anticipated new lifestyle destination set to open in late 2024 in Dubai. Nestled in a peninsula at the heart of the city’s most exclusive beach, the hotel features 387 rooms and suites, 82 luxury residences—all featuring unobstructed views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf—an 82-berth superyacht marina by D-marin, five pools and curated dining experiences across 10 restaurants and nine bars.
The hotel will also debut a three-story spa spanning over 37,000 square feet and The Pearl Suite, a private event space measuring 6,500 square feet with a stunning 5,000-square-foot terrace.
