Opened in 2021, Th8 Palm slots into the city’s set of luxury, lifestyle properties in a joint venture between Accor and sbe in 2019 and rebranded to Morgan’s Originals once Ennismore merged with Accor.
It becomes IHG’s debut property for itscollection brand launched in August 2021.Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection remains under the same owners, Kuwaiti firm Aqarat, which also chose IHG as operator of the new Vignette Collection in Kuwait City.
Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, vice chairman and CEO of Aqarat said: “This collaboration aligns perfectly with the evolving preferences of today’s customers who seek unparalleled luxury experiences and a distinctive luxury and lifestyle brand, precisely what Vignette Collection delivers. Considering Dubai’s status as a renowned tourist destination and the continuous growth of Kuwait’s hospitality market, these two Vignette Collection hotels are poised to capture the attention and admiration of both local and international guests.”
Haitham Mattar, MD, India, Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are thrilled to announce the signing of two remarkable Vignette Collection hotels in Dubai and Kuwait as we continue to expand our luxury and lifestyle portfolio in the region. The partnership with Aqarat and the opening of these hotels marks an important milestone for IHG Hotels & Resorts, as we cater to the growing number of guests who seek luxury experiences that differ from conventional hotel and resort offerings.”
Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, is delighted to announce the soft opening of its first hotel in Malaysia, Dusit Princess Melaka, on 7 December 2024.
Strategically located in the heart of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City renowned for its vibrant culture and history, Dusit Princess Melaka marks a significant milestone for Dusit as it enters the Malaysian market.
Melaka's reputation as a global tourist destination continues to grow, thanks to its unique blend of heritage and health tourism. By September 2024, the state welcomed approximately 10 million visitors, surpassing its annual target of 8.7 million. With a significant number of travellers arriving from key markets such as China and Singapore, Dusit Princess Melaka is ideally positioned to meet the needs of this expanding international audience.
Blending Dusit's signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with a contemporary design tailored for both business and leisure travellers, Dusit Princess Melaka occupies the former Ramada Plaza Melaka building, which has undergone a refurbishment and complete rebranding to reflect the distinctive essence of the upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand.
From spacious and elegantly appointed Deluxe rooms with city views to the expansive Presidential Suite, every room in the 296-key property is thoughtfully designed with modern comforts and attentive details, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for families, solo travellers, and visiting executives alike.
For relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel features a fully equipped gym and a large swimming pool. Guests can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including Zest, an all-day dining destination offering sumptuous buffet spreads, and Long Feng, a beloved local favourite renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine and signature dim sum.
The hotel is also well-equipped for conferences and social gatherings, with state-of-the-art meeting facilities and a grand ballroom capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests, delivering a seamless and sophisticated setting for events of any scale.
For those seeking an immersive journey, the hotel's central location is a standout feature, offering unparalleled convenience for exploring Melaka's rich cultural heritage and historical attractions. The bustling business district and popular landmarks such as Dutch Square, St. Paul's Hill and Church, A'Famosa Fort, and Jonker Street Market are all within easy reach. Malacca International Airport is just a 17-minute drive away, while Kuala Lumpur International Airport can be reached in approximately one hour and 45 minutes by car.
Photo credits: Dusit Princess Melaka
“We are delighted and honoured to unveil Dusit Princess Melaka, bringing our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to Malaysia for the first time,” said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “This opening represents a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of Dusit Hotels and Resorts. With its distinctive blend of comfort, convenience, and heartfelt service, we are confident the hotel will not only become a preferred destination for travellers but also provide an enriching gateway for guests to connect deeply with Melaka's vibrant history and culture.”
To celebrate its soft opening, Dusit Princess Melaka is offering exclusive introductory packages for stays and dining experiences. For more information and reservations, please visit dusit.com/dusitprincess-melaka or follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram at @dusitprincessmelaka.
The Italian luxury hospitality group ROMEO Collection, known for its innovative vision and commitment to ethical and sustainable luxury, is proud to announce the opening of Hotel ROMEO Roma, its second design hotel in the heart of the Eternal City. Located just steps from Piazza del Popolo, inside a historic 16th-century palace, this exclusive 74- room boutique hotel sets a new standard for urban resorts, embodying the concept of conscious luxury by blending art, architecture, design, gastronomy, and well-being in a timeless setting.
Photo credits: Hotel ROMEO Roma
“ROMEO Roma represents the expression of a new civilization of living and hospitality, combining beauty, functionality, and an innovative vision of hotellerie. Our mission is to add value to properties through a deep integration of design, art, and management know-how, capable of meeting the needs of an increasingly aware and demanding clientele.
With ROMEO Collection, we aim to create a small collection of hotels that carry authentic values, capable of interpreting change and redefining the experience of hospitality in terms of service, comfort, and connection with the territory, in short… in beauty,” comments Avvocato Alfredo Romeo.
A Masterpiece by Zaha Hadid: History, Avant-garde, and Sustainability
Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, Hotel ROMEO Roma is one of her last projects, seamlessly merging the centuries-old history of the building with contemporary, futuristic architectural elements. This balance of tradition and innovation is not only visual but also extends to sustainability, with the use of eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge techniques to minimize environmental impact.
Premium materials, such as Macassar ebony, Nero Marquina marble, and Carrara marble, create a dialogue between tradition and innovation, grounding the hotel in its Roman context while exploring new frontiers of sustainable design. Hadid’s signature dynamic, fluid lines harmoniously blend with historical elements like frescoed ceilings, creating an environment where past and present coexist in perfect harmony.
Photo credits: Hotel ROMEO Roma
Sustainability and respect for historical heritage are at the core of every design decision at ROMEO Roma, proving that conscious luxury can coexist with avant-garde architecture.
An Urban Resort: Well-being and Culture in the Heart of Rome
At the heart of the hotel lies a unique internal courtyard, designed as a contemporary urban square where design and conviviality meet. This space, the vibrant core of the hotel, invites guests to socialize and relax in an exclusive atmosphere. Surrounded by the historical facades of the palace, the courtyard houses some of the hotel’s most iconic experiences: IL BAR open all day, LA SPA Sisley Paris, and IL CORTILE, an all-day dining service, that creates a continuous dialogue between gastronomy, well-being, and architecture.
With designer furniture, artistic installations, and carefully selected greenery, the courtyard transforms into an urban oasis, where the hectic pace of Rome seems to dissolve. This “square within a palace” is much more than just a passageway; it reflects the very essence of ROMEO Roma – a meeting point for history, culture, and innovation, offering an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Eternal City.
Additionally, LA TERRAZZA in collaboration with Krug offers unique moments with an exclusive selection of Champagne and breathtaking views over Rome’s rooftops, perfect for special events or luxurious aperitifs.
Conscious Luxury: A Commitment to Sustainability
Like ROMEO Napoli, ROMEO Roma embodies the philosophy of conscious luxury—an approach to luxury that goes beyond opulence, embracing sustainability, ethics, and environmental responsibility. Every design decision, from material selection to resource management, is made with a focus on reducing environmental impact without compromising comfort or aesthetics. This ethical luxury is also reflected in the use of natural materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction, ensuring that guests enjoy a stay that respects both the planet and its people.
Photo credits: Hotel ROMEO Roma
Rooms and Suites: Personalized Luxury Between the Past and Innovation
The 74 rooms and suites at ROMEO Roma are the perfect synthesis of contemporary design and historical tradition. Each space is enhanced with high-quality materials such as Carrara marble, lava stone, glass, solid wood, and Krion, chosen not only for their refined aesthetic but also for their functionality in improving acoustics and naturally regulating room temperature.
Advanced technology integration allows for intuitive control of the environment, with customizable lighting, whirlpool tubs, hidden televisions, and integrated fireplaces in some suites, offering a tailored stay. Some rooms feature private terraces, providing spectacular panoramic views of Rome’s rooftops, creating unique and unforgettable relaxation spaces.
The noble floor, a focal point of the hotel, houses rooms adorned with original historical frescoes, including a highly valuable frescoed room with views over Via di Ripetta. Here, the dialogue between Renaissance architecture and contemporary details and innovative solutions comes to life, celebrating the beauty of tradition while embracing the comforts of modern design.
A Living Art Museum: Art and History at Every Corner
ROMEO Roma is not just a hotel, but a true living art gallery. Every space is enriched with works by contemporary artists like Christian Leperino, Mario Schifano, Mimmo Paladino, and Francesco Clemente. Alongside these modern pieces, the hotel displays historical artifacts uncovered during restoration works, such as the white marble head of Livia Drusilla, wife of Emperor Augustus, offering guests a unique connection with the history of Rome.
Vittorio Sgarbi comments: “A museum that stops teaching and starts engaging, because it becomes an inevitable part of daily life. Just wandering from one side of a room to another, is enough to enjoy a detail, a painting, a sculpture that, in that moment, inhabits our very own space. Art is at home, no longer confined to the sterile towers of museums.”
A Historic Debut: Alain Ducasse opens his first restaurant in Rome
The opening of ROMEO Roma marks a milestone for Rome’s culinary scene: for the first time, the renowned chef Alain Ducasse, a global icon of haute cuisine, brings his culinary vision to Rome through an exclusive partnership with ROMEO Collection. Following the success of the restaurant at ROMEO Napoli, Ducasse now brings his innovative approach to Roman gastronomy, blending traditional flavours with cutting-edge techniques.
“Opening in Rome is a great joy. First of all, because I deeply and sincerely love Italy, and then because this new restaurant, in the heart of the capital, is a prestigious and very special place. I hope that Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Roma will provide epicureans with an unforgettable experience of contemporary French gastronomy.” Alain Ducasse
Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Roma located within ROMEO Roma, will be a temple of culinary excellence, where tradition and modernity merge, enhancing the finest Italian ingredients with cutting-edge techniques. Even breakfast, a key moment for the group’s hospitality, will be curated by the chef, offering an exclusive selection of options that combine quality, refinement, and the unmistakable Ducasse touch for a memorable start to the day.
Led by a team personally selected by Ducasse, the restaurant will offer a fine dining experience that promises to redefine the gastronomic standards of the Eternal City. This opening represents not only a groundbreaking novelty for Rome but also a testament to ROMEO Collection’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with prominent figures in global culture and culinary arts, creating unique and memorable experiences.
An Urban Oasis of Well-being
ROMEO Roma offers a sanctuary of tranquility in the heart of the city with a 1,200-square-meter wellness area, signed Sisley Paris. LA SPA Sisley Paris is a sanctuary for body and mind, offering treatments based on the Phyto-Aromatiques philosophy, which combines plant extracts and natural essences for a sensory relaxation experience.
The indoor/outdoor pool, with a transparent bottom revealing the archaeological remains beneath, creates a visual connection with the history of Rome, enriching the wellness experience. In addition to the treatments, LA SPA Sisley Paris includes a hammam, a gravitational tub, a salt wall, and a fitness center equipped with the latest Technogym technology, providing a comprehensive well-being and regeneration experience.
With its opening, ROMEO Roma joins ROMEO Napoli and will soon be followed by ROMEO Massa Lubrense in 2025, sharing the same dedication to conscious luxury and hospitality that leaves a lasting positive impact. Each stay at ROMEO Roma is an emotional, cultural, and ethical experience, destined to leave an unforgettable mark on the memories of its guests.
ROMEO Roma is the latest luxury boutique hotel from ROMEO Collection, located in the heart of Rome, steps from Piazza del Popolo. Born from the group’s innovative vision and designed by the iconic architect Zaha Hadid, ROMEO Roma is the perfect union of contemporary design, historical tradition, and conscious luxury. With 74 rooms and suites, an exclusive restaurant by Alain Ducasse, an avant-garde LA SPA Sisley Paris, and a unique focus on art and sustainability, ROMEO Roma redefines high-end hospitality, offering a unique stay where past and future coexist in harmony.
ROMEO Collection represents an innovative vision of luxury hospitality, where design, art, and culture merge to offer an unforgettable experience. With exclusive hotels like ROMEO Napoli, ROMEO Roma, and ROMEO Massa Lubrense (opening in 2025), the collection celebrates the dialogue between past and present, blending tradition and innovation. Each property is a unique sensory journey, where refined sustainable design and attention to artistic detail create lasting memories and a connection with the local culture and environment.
The philosophy of conscious luxury goes beyond material comfort, focusing on culture, sustainability, and personalized service. Every guest is welcomed into a space that celebrates the contrast between the ancient and the contemporary, East and West, nature and technology, where art and architecture intertwine to create indelible memories.
