While writing this week’s Hotel Wrap, we wracked our brains for the best excuse to escape for another holiday. We settled on caffeine-induced psychosis and a mad case of FOMO.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World unveils new hotel openings for 2020

From a boutique Miami hotel to a blissful resort nestled within The Himalayas, here is a sneak peek of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s most exciting hotels in 2020:

• The Celino South Beach, Miami, USA
• KASA Hotel Riviera Maya, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
• Torre Del Marques, Matarraña, Spain
• Panoptis Escape, Mykonos, Greece
• Can Ferrereta, Mallorca, Spain
• Les Sources de Cheverny, Loire Valley, France
• Castello Di Reschio, Umbria, Italy
• Living Berna by Stara, Mexico City, Mexico
• Lost Horizons Resort & Spa Begnas, Pokhara, Nepal.

World Resorts of Distinction expands into Northern Hemisphere

World Resorts of Distinction (WRD) has increased its footprint across three new destinations and ventures in the northern hemisphere for the first time, with the addition of ÀNI Private Resorts.

WRD CEO, Tess Willcox (a 2019 speaker at Travel Weekly’s Travel DAZE), said the partnership provides an exciting opportunity for her team to market new luxury options to savvy Australian travellers, adding to the company’s portfolio of luxury, conscious clients.

Catering for groups of eight to 30 people who want to experience a luxury resort setting in complete seclusion, ÀNI Private Resorts’ guests have access to amenities rarely found at villas.

These include waterslides, tennis courts, separate spas and fitness centres, multiple pools and dining areas, and private pavilions for anything from sunrise yoga to weddings.

AHA and TAA secure Fair Work Commission victory

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) have secured another important win in the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The win follows strong and longstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of Australia’s accommodation and hospitality businesses by both AHA and TAA.

Australia’s industrial relations tribunal has ruled that as part of its ‘Four Yearly Review of Modern Awards’, the senior managerial classification for hospitality workers will remain unchanged.

This will see the preservation of the existing managerial exemption salary in the hospitality award.

Marriott secures agreement for Millennial-focused Queenstown hotel

Marriott International has announced the signing of Moxy Queenstown with owner and developer, Queenstown Central Limited.

The 176-room, new build, standalone hotel is expected to open in 2022, and is slated to mark the debut of the millennial-focused Moxy Hotels brand in New Zealand.

Moxy Queenstown marks the third of the brand’s hotels signed in the region in the last 12 months, following the signings of Moxy Melbourne South Yarra in February, and Moxy Perth in July, last year.

Aman Niseko to become brand’s fourth Japan destination

Aman has announced its fourth resort in Japan with the launch of Aman Niseko.

An all-season retreat situated on the high slopes of Mt Moiwa on an untouched nature reserve in Hokkaido’s Niseko region, the property scheduled to open in 2023.

With 30 guest rooms, extensive wellness facilities and a number of restaurants on an expansive 187-hectare site, the resort will provide an all-season retreat. It is also expected to lay the foundations in Hokkaido, Japan’s untamed northern wilderness, for Aman for the first time.

More Anantara hotels could hit Europe after NH Hotel Group deal

Minor International PCL’s subsidiary NH Hotel Group has landed a deal to operate eight luxury properties across Europe, rebranded as Anantara and NH Collection hotels.

European real estate investor Covivio, through its subsidiary Covivio Hotels, is reportedly acquiring the hotels for US$754 million (£573 million). This includes capital expenditure from Varde Partners, a global alternative investment firm, as reported by Skift.

Metropole Hanoi celebrates Vietnamese New Year with old quarter-style market

The spirit of old Hanoi is set to sweep through the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi this month, as the hotel celebrates Tet (the Lunar New Year) with a traditional old quarter-style market from 17–19 January. The festivities continue with special culinary offerings beginning on 24 January.

At the Tet market, food vendors on the hotel’s patio will sell authentic Vietnamese favourites, while children will be given traditional edible toys known as ‘to he’, Market-goers can also learn the art of classic Vietnamese calligraphy.

Wine, craft beer and other refreshments will also be on offer, as will souvenirs that visitors can take home as memories of the Vietnamese lunar new year.

Traditional-style Vietnamese houses will also be erected in the hotel’s walkway outside La Boutique du Metropole.

New Embassy Suites by Hilton open

Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton, has announced the opening of a new hotel located in the Jonesboro area. Owned by Jonesboro Hotel Partners LLC and professionally managed by O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC, the hotel allows guests easy access to businesses, shopping and entertainment.

The brand has also announced the opening of another property in Oklahoma City, conveniently located in the NW Expressway Business District of the city.