An urban setting is no deterrent for hotels when it comes to embracing nature and featuring a more biophilic design.
The recently launched Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit is an excellent example. As the brand’s first hotel in Thailand, it draws on the country’s rich botanical heritage to inspire its floral themes.
The hotel welcomes guests with a striking lobby chandelier that features a design inspired by Thailand’s national flower, the golden ratchaphruek blossom.
As a major central district in Bangkok, Sukhumvit is a prime location for luxury properties. Hilton opened Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit last month, marking the brand’s first hotel in South-East Asia.
By the year’s end, Hilton will have two more new properties in Thailand: Andamanda Voyage, Curio Collection in Phuket, and the first Tapestry Collection in Chiang Mai’s Old Town.
Phuket will be welcoming Chatrium Phuket Rawai later in the year. The coastal retreat by the local company, Chatrium Hospitality, honours the maritime heritage of Rawai’s Chao Lay community.
Also opening this fourth quarter on the island is the Navera Phuket – MGallery Collection, a brand by Accor. One of the experiences the property offers is a traditional long-tail boat ride along the coast.
In May, MGallery made its debut in the Maldives with V Villas Maldives at Mirihi, set on the private island of Mirihi in the South Ari Atoll.
The brand also opened the Bel Hotel Oleron Thalasso & Spa in d’Oleron, one of the most picturesque Atlantic islands in France. Meanwhile, on the Greek islands Ornos and Samos, it launched Kove Hotel & Spa Mykonos and Nirema Hotel & Spa Samos, respectively.
Travellers looking for highland escapes instead of seaside getaways may be interested in the Gamra Mountain Resort, a newly opened high-altitude escape by Accor’s Mantis Collection.
It is perched 2,260m above sea level on Khairah Mountain in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia. The area has terraced farmlands and apricot and pomegranate orchards waiting to be explored.
For something a little more rugged yet luxurious, check out the andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge in South Africa. Reopened in July following an extensive refurbishment, this safari lodge now features expanded living spaces, private pools and outdoor salas.
Its location on the Phinda Private Game Reserve allows guests to encounter unexpected sightings around the lodge, go on game drives and join guided nature walks across the reserve.
Meanwhile, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has welcomed Kenya’s Ilora Retreats to its “Lifestyle” collection. This luxury safari camp is situated across 12ha of protected wilderness in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Activities here include cultural exchanges with the local Maasai community.
The safari camp is one of the 10 properties that joined the brand’s global portfolio between April 1 and June 30. Other properties include Portugal’s Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel and Italy’s San Clemente Palace Venice.
As for Anantara Hotels & Resorts by Minor Hotels, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, puts the focus on nature with outdoor activities unique to each of its location.
Among these is the private guided safari at the newly opened Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River in Zambia’s Kafue National Park.
Then there’s the Lawana Reef Legacy, an exploration of Ko Mat Lang’s reef and mangrove ecosystems at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort. Bookings will contribute to the coastal conservation work by the Laem Son Community Fishermen’s Group.
If you’re headed to Bangkok anytime soon, you can check out the newly refurbished Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, where one of its new additions is the Jim Thompson Explorer Suite, which honours the eponymous “silk king” of Thailand.
Over in Vietnam, the newly-opened NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An is the country’s first Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The nature-inspired resort is set along the tranquil Co Co River in Cam Thanh village, which is near popular attractions like Hoi An Ancient Town, Cua Dai Beach and Cam Thanh Nipa Forest.
Vietnam will also see more properties by Ascott, as the country is now the brand’s third-largest market by pipeline in Asia. In the first half of 2026, the brand signed management agreements for nine new properties in the country, set to open progressively from 2028.
These developments have grown the brand’s portfolio by over 30%, with around 12,000 units across 42 operational and pipeline properties in 14 cities.
In June next year, andBeyond will launch a private safari home called andBeyond Suyian Homestead in Kenya’s Suyian Conservancy.
Also in June 2027, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will make its Maldives debut with Coco de Mer Maldives.
