Asia's Most Notable Hotel Openings of 2018

Morpheus, Macau

The rule for hotels in Macau is bigger is better. And Morpheus is bigger than that, not only is it big, but it’s also as good as it gets. Located in the city of dreams on the Cotai Strip, this is one of the last design projects of architect Zaha Hadid – who passed away in 2016. Morpheus is a swirling skyline from another galaxy, with 700 rooms, a 40th-floor swimming pool, two sky bridges and a whole floor dedicated to the famous Alain Ducasse food store.

Amanyangyun, Shanghai, China

Not every hotel has the same provenance as Amanyangun, built on a forest of 10,000 camphor trees and an ancient village to preserve a piece of history. Aman’s latest property is located outside Shanghai, 15 years old. The hotel’s camphor forest and Ming and Qing dynasty architecture were relocated from Jiangxi, about 435 miles away.

Designed by architect Kerry Hill, the 26 cottages have been modernized to balance new and old, including ancient carvings, gardens, swimming pools and natural spring-fed pools.

Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

Resort designer Bill Bensley has teamed up with a long list of environmentally conscious partners to present his first resort camp in a nature and wildlife preserve.

Located in the Southern Cardamom National Park, between Kirirom, Bokor and Cardamom National Parks in Northern Cambodia, this property has just 15 tents with full facilities and interiors that evoke the feel of ancient hunters including hand-woven items, outdoor bathrooms and a terrace overlooking the rushing river.

Six Senses Bhutan

Six Senses Bhutan is more than just a hotel. It consists of five separate resorts built in the majestic Himalayan mountains. With a total of 83 rooms, suites and villas, Six Senses Bhutan is an essential experiential journey. Guests are encouraged to stay a few nights in each destination: Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro to take in all the local architecture and culture.

The Murray, Hong Kong

Opening in early 2018, the Murray was one of the most anticipated hotels of the year. Designed by Foster + Partners, the hotel is a reimagining of a colonial property in Hong Kong’s Central district. The 336 rooms have all the amenities of a hotel, including marble bathrooms, harbor views and chiseled wooden floors.

Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos

In early 2018, Rosewood Luang Prabang will open in the wilderness outside a UNESCO World Heritage site. It will feature 23 charming suites and villas.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

Southeast Asia's first Waldorf Astoria is about to open on Ratchadamri Road, Bangkok. Room 171 is the largest hotel room in the city at 540 square feet.

COMO Uma Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf but couldn’t quite nail the basics, COMO Uma Canggu is for you. Located northwest of Seminyak, it has a beautiful beach, a surf club and a beauty salon. The health conscious visitors will also appreciate the daily fitness classes, holistic treatments and juice bar.

SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

Opening in two phases, starting in January, SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort offers premium services on the long stretches of sand on Koh Samui's much-loved Chaweng Beach.

Instead of following the traditional Thai architectural style, the resort is designed in white tones and a modern contemporary style that glows in the sunlight.

The Heritage Hotel Kempinski Yangon, Myanmar

Set in the 1920s, the New Law Courts, a venue for many grand receptions, is undergoing a five-year restoration project and will reopen this spring on Strand Road – a major thoroughfare in Yangon.

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam

Set to open in mid-2018, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas straddles a tranquil stretch of beach in southern Vietnam, between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. The 25 villas have everything you need for a lazy getaway. Amenities include a gym, spa, swimming pool, and more. Quy Nhon's natural beauty includes mountains, lush green parks, and hidden waterfalls.

Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing

Scheduled to open in 2018 in Beijing, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen will lead across the famous cobblestone street near Tiananmen Square.

Six Senses Fiji

Just when you thought Fiji couldn't get any more alluring, along comes Six Senses Fiji, a 120-acre, elegant, luxurious, and eco-friendly resort that opened in March 2018.

Located on Malolo Island, west of the main island, Six Senses Fiji includes 90 villas with private beaches for water sports, sailing, surfing, fishing, diving and walking.

Oblu Select at Sangeli, Maldives

Watching the sunrise and sunset at Oblu Select, Sangeli will be a romantic experience for honeymooners. It will open in July this year.

Atlantis Sanya

Atlantis Sanya Resort is located on Hainan Island, off the southern coast of China. Guests can expect a large water park, a wave pool, a 13.5 million liter outdoor aquarium and a collection of underwater suites with a large glass wall overlooking the aquarium.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andaman Islands

Set on a small piece of land on Havelock Island, the Taj Exotica resort is a colorful blend of crescent-shaped white sand beaches, backed by lush green forests, coral reefs and mangroves.

Rosewood Hong Kong

Opening this year, Rosewood Hong Kong is expected to take on the city's Victoria Dockside project, blending K11 Atelier office space and green space.

Alila Koggala, Sri Lanka

Located on the shores of Koggala Lake in southern Sri Lanka, Alila Koggala Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Ahangama Beach.

Alila SCBD, Jakarta

Alila SCBD is located in the city center, is the business district, almost the stock exchange of Indonesia.

IRAPH SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Okinawa

Pristine beaches, fresh seafood, …there are many reasons to choose Okinawa as a vacation destination. Later in 2018, Iraph Sui will be added to the collection of luxury hotels here.

Floating in soft white and blue, the resort is built on high ground near the beach, along the beach of Irabu Island and is about a 50-minute flight from Naha Airport or 3 hours from Tokyo.

Capella Ubud, Bali

Capella Ubud will open this year, located next to Ubud's Wos. Surrounded by rainforest and rice paddies, the huts are reminiscent of the era of European exploration.

AVANI Sunset Coast Samui Resort & Villas, Thailand

In September, AVANI Sunset Coast Samui Resort & Villas will open on the southwest coast. The resort has 58 rooms, including 19 villas with private pools and soft white interiors.

Ngoc Anh (According to CNNTravel)

The Thanh