With the easing of restrictions and digital health passports being rolled out, it seems like leisure travel will slowly and surely restart. However some predict a full recovery will not happen before 2022, which means we all have at least a year more to go.
In the meantime, we can dream, and we can plan. Use this time to save for that dream holiday and plan big, so when you do get to travel, it’ll be totally worth the wait.
Recent talk about travel bubbles has gotten people excited about travelling again, and if it has piqued your interest, here are some newly opened and soon-to-be-opened hotels to consider for your future getaway.
Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao, Thailand
Scheduled to open in Aug 2021, this hotel located in the Thalang District promises an affordable and hassle-free stay for all. The 177-room hotel offers tropical beach bliss with Patong only a short drive away. Look forward to sunny days relaxing in local restaurants, bars and beach clubs.
Alternatively, spend the day enjoying the spacious rooms with views overlooking the scenic Laguna Phuket or lush mountain views, or just relax in the hotel’s two outdoor pools.
Melia Koh Samui, Thailand
Melia Koh Samui has launched a “resort within a resort” called The Level comprising 55 luxurious rooms and suites, a private lounge and a raft of bespoke privileges.
There are 24 “The Level Pool Access Rooms” which have private terraces that segue to a 700m-long lagoon pool meandering through the resort’s lush grounds like a river, and 30 two-storey “The Level Boat Suites” made from refurbished merchant vessels that are more than 100 years old.
Expect a superior level of personalised service here, including private check-in and check-out, and access to an executive lounge shaped like a boat’s hull with all-day snacks and beverages. But guests can also enjoy all of the hotels’ facilities, including two restaurants, a swim-up bar, fitness centre, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park.
Quincy Hotel Melbourne, Australia
Located on famed Flinders Lane in Melbourne’s central business district, the Quincy Hotel Melbourne marks the brand’s first foray abroad under Far East Hospitality. It just opened its doors in March and like its sister here, the 241-room hotel offers colourful and playful interiors that fit into the city’s upbeat city lifestyle.
Social urbanites will appreciate Southeast Asian cuisine at its signature restaurant, access to its club levels and lounge, and a rooftop pool with views of the city and the nearby lifestyle precinct.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The Maldives 
White sandy beaches, azure skies and luxurious surrounds—if that sounds like your kind of holiday, then The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is your new retreat. Set to open in June this year, the three-island resort comprises 100 beachfront and overwater villas that embody the spirit of the Maldives.
Minimalist, circular architecture and a philosophy of wholeness permeate the property, including a turquoise lagoon, an overwater spa, and seven restaurants and bars showcasing global cuisines using simple ingredients.
As part of the integrated Fari Islands development, the resort offers access to experiences both on- and off-property. Go kayaking, snorkeling or visit the nearby Fari Marina for workshops on local crafts, arts and culture. Young guests have a space of their own at the Ritz Kids Club, where playtime can mean video games or a dip in the pool.
W Melbourne, Australia
Also at Flinders Lane is W Melbourne which opened in February. The second W Hotel in Australia, it accentuates the “playfully luxe spirit” of the brand with unique, locally inspired design, state-of-the-art facilities and an eclectic lineup of restaurants and bars.
Guests are introduced to the neighborhood’s iconic laneways, famous for their graffiti street art and offbeat characters throughout the hotel. The lobby features a vast lenticular art installation by local painter and digital artist Rus Kitchin, while the 294 rooms and 29 suites takes design cues from the city, such vibrant wall graphics, to reflect its fascinating history and culture
Work out at the ultra-modern FIT gym, take a dip in the pool, then dine at its three restaurants and two bars. Do head out into the dynamic city and explore the surrounding famed laneways, exciting dining options and edgy fashion districts.
