Six Senses set to launch in Bhutan
The Bangkok-based hotel operator Six Senses has built five new lodges in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Expected to open in the second half of this year, the high-spec lodges are located in Thimphu, Paro, Gangtey, Bumthang and Punakha. With a total of 82 suites and villas coming under the name Six Senses Bhutan, trips will be sold as a five-centre circular journey, like that currently offered by Amanresorts, or as individual stays at one or more properties. For more information, visit www.sixsenses.com.
Sir Adam arises in Amsterdam
The artsy boutique hotel chain Sir has opened its third European hotel, the Sir Adam, in Amsterdam. It takes up the first eight floors of the A'dam Toren tower, which overlooks the IJ waterfront in Overhoeks and is home to music companies Sony and Gibson. In keeping with the music theme, all rooms have Bluetooth-enabled record players, and guests can listen to vinyl in the lobby's Music Library or request in-room guitar lessons. Sir Albert, Sir's other beautifully designed Amsterdam offering, opened in De Pijp in 2013, followed by Sir Savigny in Berlin last year. Two other openings are due in Europe this year: Sir Nikolai in Hamburg this spring and Sir Joan in Ibiza this summer. Rooms cost from €156 (Dh612) per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.siradamhotel.com.
New bullet-train link starts in China
Travellers to China can now take advantage of a new high-speed rail link between Shanghai and Kunming, which crosses five provinces and covers 2,264 kilometres at a speed of 330kph, meaning that a trip that once took a total of 34 hours has been reduced to 11. Scenic highlights include the Yangtze River Delta and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and there are plans to extend the railway west, through Laos, Thailand and, eventually, Singapore. Tickets for a second-class seat cost 879 yuan (Dh469). In 2012, China started operating another high-speed route north to south, from Beijing to Guangzhou, covering 2,298km.
Grand Hyatt reopens in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Grand Hyatt hotel has opened after a four-year renovation. Located on Victoria Harbour, the hotel has 545 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and bars, a spa and 21 event venues. Rooms from 2,464 Hong Kong dollars (Dh1,167) per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.
rbehan@thenational.ae
