Feeling like you’re missing something in your life? A weekly update on all new and interesting hotel news, perhaps? Lucky we’re here to save the day.

Hotel Jen unveils new experiential programs

Hotel Jen, part of Shangri-La International Hotel Management, continues to enhance its portfolio with the highly anticipated debut of a brand-new hotel in Beijing and the extensive renovation of Hotel Jen Penang this year. To address the rise in family travel in Asia Pacific, Hotel Jen has unveiled new Hello Kitty rooms in Johor and deluxe family rooms in Singapore.

Catering to guests who seek immersive destination experiences, Hotel Jen properties will roll out activities focused on artistic discovery following the recent launch of the brand’s first experiential programme, which is focused on after-dark exploration.

Hotel Jen Beijing (opening in June 2017)

The brand will make a stylish debut in the heart of Beijing’s central business district with the launch of the 450-room Hotel Jen Beijing.

The hotel’s unique facilities will include a vibrant co-working hub paired with creative meeting spaces, the only gastropub in the CBD, and a 3,500-square-metre world-class health club with extensive facilities to meet diverse fitness requirements.

Hotels undergoing revamps include: Hotel Jen Penang; Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore; Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Johor; Hotel Jen Shenyang.

Hilton Honors Unveils More of What Matters Most

Hilton has announced industry-first benefits for all 60 million members of its award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors, including greater flexibility through free Points Pooling for up to 11 members and Points & Money.

Guided by extensive consumer feedback, Hilton Honors now gives members the choice to let family and friends combine their Points at no charge, to flexibly combine Points and money for a hotel stay, and to extend Diamond status when life puts travel on pause. In a pioneering move in the hospitality industry, Hilton Honors also lets members use their Points at Amazon.com.

Hilton has also introduced a new corporate identity and logo for Hilton and Hilton Honors. This rebranding comes at a time when Hilton is more simplified and streamlined than ever, after the successful spin-offs of its real estate and timeshare businesses.

Second 25Hours Hotel opens in Switzerland

Following the successful opening of the first 25Hours Hotel in Zurich West in 2012, the second 25Hours Hotel (ninth in Europe) will open on 1 April 2017 in central Zurich.

Conveniently located just 700m from Zurich Central Station, 25Hours Hotel Langstrasse sees itself as a miniature cosmos, providing bright new services for a new breed of urban nomads.

The hotel features 170 rooms in five categories including M, L, XL, and two penthouses – the Plaza and Trainspotting Suites. All of the rooms have been designed and furnished with elements inspired by three different themes – the red light district (first three floors), Belle Époque (next two floors) and big city life (top two floors). Pets are allowed in all of the rooms for an additional cleaning fee per animal, per day.

The ground floor, comprising the lobby, kiosk, Neni restaurant and Chinchona Bar, is positioned to be the Langstrasse living room for casual gatherings, while events for up to 80 people can occupy the conference area on the first floor.

Extras include a fleet of MINI, available free of charge for trips and excursions. Those opting for two wheels will have access to Schindelhauer bicycles.

Targeted at trendy and creative urbanites, the 25Hours Hotel Langstrasse is currently offering introductory rates for the month of April from $280 per room, per night on weekdays and $207 for the weekends. MINI drivers receive a further 15 per cent off. Regular prices start from $350 per room, per night.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World new additions

This month, SLH is pleased to introduce hotels in destinations we’ve never featured before. With two new luxurious retreats in Iceland, a historic gem in Armenia, and the ultimate island hide-away in Nicaragua, independently-minded travellers will be spoilt for choice by these new SLH offerings.

Hotel Ranga: Sudurland, Iceland
Rooms from AUD $399.00 per night

SLH Insider Tip: The hotel is set-up for stargazing and you can opt for a wakeup call should the northern lights begin after you’ve gone to sleep. They’ll provide arctic winter suits and take you up to the observatory to watch the show

Tower Suites Reykjavik: Reykjavik, Iceland
Rooms from AUD $1086.00 per night

SLH Insider Tip: Forget the touristy blue lagoon and take a dip in the small geothermal pool in Seltjarnarnes, Islandia, on the northern coast of Reykjavik. The beautiful view over the Faxaflói fjord, the mountains and the lighthouse make for a stunning backdrop.

Grand Hotel Yerevan: Yerevan, Armenia
Rooms from AUD $228.00 per night

SLH Insider Tip: Armenian’s take their coffee seriously and Yerevan is known for its café culture. We recommend the very Instagram-worthy Malocco Café, just 15 minutes from the hotel.

Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa: Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
Rooms from AUD $392.00 per night

SLH Insider Tip: Yemaya recently launched a chocolate-making class where you can learn how to turn local organic raw cacao beans into delicious truffles. Available on request for 30 USD pp.

New Quest Hotel to be built

Today, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre announced plans of its major expansion, as building work commences for a brand new Costco and Quest Apartment Hotel, both set to open in early 2018.

Both organisations will help to service demand of the growing population of the outer Northern suburbs, as population projections are set to double that of Melbourne (3.9% vs. 1.8%) from 2014 -­‐ 2019.

Pacific Epping is the fourth Victorian site chosen by Costco (in nine years), with a 13,788 sqm store set to facilitate a catchment of 1m people. It will be the second Costco in Victoria with a fuel station and will create over 250 full-­‐time and part-­‐time jobs. The introduction of Costco to the Epping area will deliver employment, retail activity and convenience for existing Costco members.

The new Quest Apartment Hotel will comprise 96 apartments and be adjacent to a precinct featuring 1,300 sqm of new restaurants. The expansion of the restaurant precinct will build on the buzz of Pacific Epping’s busy Urban Diner.

The apartment hotel will float above the restaurants which will enjoy double height spaces. The striking façade design of the six level building will act as a readily identifiable landmark for the area.

The Strand Yangon Joins Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program

Myanmar’s luxury heritage hotel, The Strand Yangon, today announced that it has been selected to become a member of Virtuoso’s exclusive Hotels & Resorts program.

A committee of experts for Virtuoso, the international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, overwhelmingly approved the hotel’s membership into its exclusive portfolio of preferred suppliers.

Only the second hotel in Myanmar to be invited to join the Virtuoso program, the selection of The Strand Yangon comes at an important time in the history of the sophisticated city landmark, which completed a six-month refurbishment in November 2016, which saw the hotel ushered elegantly into the 21^st century.

Prominent Architect Launches Soori Bali Under New Lifestyle Brand

In the first bold move under his new lifestyle brand Soori, renowned architect Soo K. Chan has relaunched his beachfront resort, set between a volcanic sand beach and rice fields in Bali’s Tabanan Regency, as the ultimate wellbeing destination.

The relaunch of Soori Bali, which has just joined Leading Hotels of the World, marks the first in a series of major developments to be rolled out under the Soori brand. Soori High Line, a residence opening in New York City’s West Chelsea, and Soori Niseko, a forthcoming ski resort in Japan, will underscore Soori’s philosophy of “living exceptionally well through holistic design”.

Each of Soori Bali’s 48 private pool villas and residences are in the midst of refreshment. Soori Bali will soon introduce a new Indonesian restaurant, moored in a traditional wooden Balinese house amid the resort’s rice fields.

Late 2017, Soori Bali will expand its vast helipad lawn on the 10-bedroom Soori Estate totaling 5,250 square metres, culminating in the unveiling of a cantilevered platform jutting over the Indian Ocean.

Situated near Tanah Lot Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Bali’s most sacred places, the environmentally and culturally sustainable resort melds soothing natural surrounds with contemporary Balinese design elements, polished teak, and intricate terracotta tiles created by local artisans.

Soo Chan said Soori Bali’s award-winning architecture drew inspiration from nearby villages and a stunning natural landscape. A dormant volcano, Mount Batukaru, towers in the near distance. Volcanic stone abounds in the region, so much so that Soo quarried light grey stone from nearby sources as the foundation for the resort’s buildings.