Hiroshima: From devastation to modern metropolis

Hiroshima may be a Japanese city with a tragic history, but it is also a vibrant modern destination. 

Mercure has unveiled the newest addition to its growing hotel portfolio in Japan with the opening of  Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima in the city known for being bombed by the US with nuclear weapons. 

Located in the vibrant Hatchobori district, the 182-key hotel represents Accor's first property in Hiroshima, the second dual-branded collaboration with Tokyu Stay, and the 20th Mercure hotel in the country.

It is within a two-minute walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway's Hatchobori Station and offers easy access to Hiroshima's shopping, dining and cultural attractions. 

Inspired by Hiroshima's identity as a “city of water,” the hotel's design concept, “Beauty of Water and Light,” reflects the city's rivers, waterways and cityscape. 

Facilities include Share Lounge, a co-working space and lifestyle lounge that is open to both hotel guests and local residents. 

Hotel guests can enjoy craft bread created in partnership with long-established local bakery Aloft, as well as coffee by Hiroshima-based roastery, Mount Coffee.

Garth Simmons, divisional COO for Accor in Asia, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima, an exciting collaboration that brings together the strengths of Tokyu Stay and Mercure to create a distinctive hospitality experience in Hiroshima. 

"As Accor's first hotel in the city and the 20th Mercure hotel in Japan, this opening marks an important milestone for our growing presence in the country. Hiroshima continues to attract increasing interest from international travellers, and we believe this hotel is ideally positioned to connect guests with the culture, creativity and warmth of the destination. 

"The double-brand concept also remains relatively unique in Japan and within Accor's global network, making this partnership with Tokyu Stay a meaningful example of how two brands can come together through a shared commitment to locally rooted hospitality.”

Meet Ninh Binh, Vietnam's up-and-coming tourism destination

Make a note of the name Ninh Binh, a region in northern Vietnam that is fast emerging as a tourism destination.

Known as "Ha Long Bay on Land," Ninh Binh is a UNESCO-protected province that offers dramatic limestone karsts, rice paddies, and winding rivers.

It is 100km from Hanoi and known for temples, paddleboat tours and climbing vacations.

You can get a bird's-eye view of Ninh Binh at Hang Mua, where 500 steps have been dramatically carved into the steep face of a mountain.

Pullman Hotels & Resorts, part of global hospitality giant Accor, has just announced the opening of Pullman Ninh Binh - the region's first internationally-branded hotel.

Ninh Binh sits approximately 1.5 hours' drive from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and Cuc Phuong National Park.

The city's tallest building, Pullman Ninh Binh boasts of offering uninterrupted views across the landscape. The hotel has 283 rooms and suites, each with a private balcony overlooking the city or surrounding mountains.

Suites include separate living areas and access to the Executive Lounge, while the Presidential Suite offers two balconies, a private kitchen, and a dedicated dining area.

FoodConneXion, located on the lobby floor, offers an all-day dining experience, while Lumi Lounge, is billed as a relaxed gathering space filled with natural light.

Bublx, meanwhile, is a rooftop Champagne bar, while Mad Cow Wine & Grill and Hoa Thuy Tien will be opened later this year.

Pullman Ninh Binh has three swimming pools - indoor, outdoor, and rooftop - a 24-hour gym equipped with smart technology, and full-size sports courts.

“We are pleased to expand our network into Ninh Binh, a destination that is rapidly emerging as one of Vietnam's most compelling places,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division for Accor in Asia.

“Introducing Pullman to Ninh Binh reinforces our confidence in the destination's long-term growth potential and our strategic focus on shaping new benchmarks for premium hospitality beyond Vietnam's traditional gateways."

To celebrate its opening, Pullman Ninh Binh is offering an opening offer, with room rates starting from VND 3,300,000++ ($175) per room per night for two guests, including daily breakfast, and VND 500,000 net in food and beverage credit per night.

I haven't visited yet, but have added it to my list for my next Vietnam visit. 

See www.pullmanninhbinh.com.

Brisbane's northern suburbs to welcome new hotel

The Olympics are coming and Brisbane is bustling ahead.

Brisbane’s northern suburb of Chermside is set to welcome its largest hotel in February, 2026, when the Adina Chermside Brisbane is scheduled to open.

The 148-room new-build property, operated by TFE Hotels and created by Limitless Developments, owned by local developer Nick Barr, has seen construction completed with the project now moving into the interior fit-out phase.

“The signing of Adina Chermside Brisbane is a significant milestone for TFE Hotels, providing an opportunity for us to expand our Adina Hotels’ footprint from two hotels to three in the powerhouse state of Queensland,” says TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer Chris Sedgwick.

“Adina Chermside brings our home-grown hotel brand to this important suburb, and our casual living philosophy - with kitchens and laundry and flexible spaces, fills a gap in the accommodation market for the north side of Brisbane and the Prince Charles Hospital.

"Adina Chermside brings a homegrown hotel brand to this important suburb, filling a gap in the accommodation market for the north side of Brisbane and the Prince Charles Hospital.

"Significantly it also represents an incredible opportunity to maximise on the incredible decade of transformation that lies ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Barr says: “We are a home-grown developer who understands Brisbane’s inner north intimately, and we’re confident that Adina Chermside will become the flagship hotel for this burgeoning part of the city.

“We are excited to partner with TFE Hotels - an Australian-born company and experienced hotel operator – to bring this future-thinking development to life.

“The Chermside area is transitioning, and we anticipate that the demand for quality corporate, travel and health-based accommodation needs in the area will only continue to increase in the next five to 10 years.”

New Sydney boutique hotel opens in surprising location

Times change.

A couple of decades ago the area bordering inner city Sydney suburbs of Redfern and Surry Hills was best avoided. 

There were only a few reasons to visit the badlands off Cleveland Street: to eat some great Lebanese food, buy an illicit wrap or two, find a lady of the night, or perhaps get into a fight.

But gentrification happened and now the area around Wunderlich Lane is home to restaurants, bars and, as of today, a new luxe hotel.

Independently owned by TOGA and operated by TFE Hotels, the EVE Hotel Sydney opened its doors today.

It is set among a labyrinth of lively laneways connecting Surry Hills and Redfern and boasts a 20-metre rooftop pool..

Designed by Surry Hills-based architects SJB (with styling collaboration from Bates Smart), the city's newest 102-room boutique hotel is part of Sydney's newest lifestyle precinct, Wunderlich Lane, set on the site of Sydney’s original Wunderlich Ltd factory, which made terracotta roof tiles.

 
The precinct’s inner-city laneways will feature boutique shopping, al fresco dining and design-led commercial and event spaces.

“We have a prominent address at the crossroads of Surry Hills and Redfern and a location full of rich history,” said TOGA Group managing director and TFE Hotels chairman Allan Vidor.

“And our team are looking forward to sharing our version of Sydney hospitality.”

"By design, The EVE’s pre-opening team has aimed to create spaces where guests and visitors can immerse themselves in the art, cultural, and culinary offerings from the local community,"

See https://theevehotel.com.au/.

New five-star Noosa resort gets the go ahead

The team behind Brisbane's award-winning The Calile Hotel has been given the go ahead for another property - this time at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

The Calile Noosa, a proposed five-star development, has been given final approval by Noosa Shire Council with work expected to begin on the 2.4-hectare site at Serenity Close, Noosa Heads, in early 2025.

Tourism Noosa CEO Sharon Raguse applauded the announcement, highlighting the significance of the development for Noosa's tourism industry.

“We are thrilled to see the approval of The Calile Noosa, as the importance of new and enhanced products, particularly accommodation, in our region is recognised and welcomed by us," she said.

"This is especially significant as it marks the first five-star hotel development in over three decades.
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“The demand for high-quality hotel offerings to attract high-yielding visitors is critical, and The Calile brand is set to become a key driver in bringing both international and interstate visitors to Noosa."

The Calile Noosa, designed by renowned architects Richards & Spence, will feature 153 rooms, 29 suites, and four villas.

The resort will offer guests spacious luxury, with facilities including a 50-metre main swimming pool, a second quiet pool set in a private garden, and a wellness centre. The project is also targeting carbon-neutral operations.

“We are especially excited that The Calile Noosa is being delivered by the Queensland-based Malouf Family, who have a strong passion for placemaking and a deep appreciation for the unique qualities of Noosa," Raguse added.

"Their understanding of what makes this region special shines through in their commitment to creating a development that not only enhances Noosa's offering but also aligns with its values of sustainability and community."

Discover Tokyo's new tourism hot spot

Tourists visiting Tokyo tend to hang in hip neighbourhoods like Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Toyosu is not yet on their radar, but locals are flocking there.

This Tokyo Bay suburb is the location of the wholesale Toyosu Market, which took on the role of the old Tsukiji fish market.

Opened earlier this year, new hotel Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club and the adjacent Senkyaku Banrai culinary precinct are pulling in curious locals.

Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club is a hot spring/hotel property that offers day visits or overnight stays. It has an imposing waterfront location and is just a 17-minute train ride from Ginza's secondary Itchome station.

The new Senkyaku Banrai complex next to the giant markets is designed to look like an old Edo town marketplace.

The name is an approximation of "thousands of people coming and going".

It is home to 65 restaurants and casual eateries overlooking Tokyo Bay.

Built on an island of reclaimed land, Toyosu was once purely an industrial area but is now busy and buzzy.

Many of the restaurants offer food direct from the neighbouring market (closed on Sundays). 

It's fun strolling around the outlets trying to work out what speciality is on offer. There is minimal English signage. 

Eel, sushi, and many other seafood dishes are on offer, but prices are pretty steep.

The Senkyaku Banrai foot bath garden on the eighth floor offers panoramic views of Toyosu, and is open to all visitors free of charge.

See https://www.toyosu-senkyakubanrai.jp/  

For more information about Tokyo visit the official Tokyo travel guide: www.gotokyo.org/en

Sheraton marks a century of properties in China

It was just a few of decades ago that the Sheraton brand was seen as being very US focused.

In the new travel landscape, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, now part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, has just opened its 100th property in China.

The opening of Sheraton Lanzhou Anning in Lanzhou in Gansu province marked a century of properties in China, where the brand made its debut 50 years ago.

Located in the heart of Lanzhou's Anning District, the new hotel draws on the brand's roots as a gathering place for both locals and guests.

Left to right: Hotel exterior, lobby and deluxe room

"We are delighted to welcome the 100th hotel for Sheraton brand China in Lanzhou of Gansu province," said Betty Tian, vice president for Marketing, Communications, Premium & Select Brands, Greater China, 

"Throughout the 87-year brand development globally, Sheraton has been committed to innovation, establishing the industry's first computerised central reservation system in 1958. 

"With the opening of the Sheraton Sanya Resort in 2003, the concept of leisure destination resorts was introduced to China. 

"Over the past 50 years of development with China's tourism industry, Sheraton has become a symbol of premium hotel brands in the country."

The new hotel is set on the banks of the Yellow River near Lanzhou's industrial and educational centre, the Anning District. 

The Sheraton Lanzhou Anning features 354 guest rooms and suites. 

"We are very proud of this milestone opening and feel that Sheraton Lanzhou Anning is perfectly primed to represent Sheraton Hotels' existing legacy and bright future as the 100th property in Greater China." said Peng Sun, the hotel general manager. 

For more information see www.marriott.com/LHWAS

Mama Shelter gambles on a bizarre Paris location

I am a huge fan of the Mama Shelter hotel brand that burst onto the scene with its quirky and innovative first hotel in Paris in 2008. 

I've stayed in that property a couple of times since, as well as Mama Shelters in Bordeaux, London and Los Angeles.

I enjoy both the youthful vibe, ultra comfortable beds and bargain basement prices if you book earlier enough. Great work by the founding Trigano family, of Club Med fame. 

Mama Shelter will be launching its third Parisian property in a few weeks time - and it will not be one to seduce me. 

The new hotel will be in the La Défense neighbourhood, in the heart of the city’s soulless high-rise financial district. 

It will take up 14 floors in the former Litwin Tower office building with 211 rooms. 

Highlights will include two all-day restaurants, a sports bar, coffee shop and a games arcade, while the trademark rooftop will have views across the French capital. 

Which is all very well, but no one in their right mind would opt to stay in La Défense rather than in the city itself, perhaps with views of the Seine? 

La Défense is derided by many Parisians as gauche and unworthy, other than providing easy office access to 180,000 workers each day in its 72 glass and steel high-rise buildings.

There is little, if any, evening activity and you're not within walking distance of any tourist attractions.

Such a bizarre choice for a group that has made an art form of choosing offbeat locations and making them hip.  

Not for me thanks - but I'm happy to return/to Mama Shelter Paris East, happy to try Mama Shelter Paris East and certainly tempted by the new Mama Shelter Lisbon. 

mamashelter.com