The Banyan Tree Kerala, Banyan Tree's first foray into India, is slated to open in the first quarter of 2013. The property will be located on the private island of Nediyathuruthu in the Alleppey district of Kerala and will be an all-pool villa retreat. Located an hour south of Kochi International Airport and a 10-minute boat ride from the resort's private jetty in Vaduthala, the resort will feature 59 villas, each featuring a private pool and views of the surrounding waterscapes. Banyan Tree Kerala will offer the group's first Ayurvedic Center in addition to other unique facilities such as Activity Island, evening rides on Kettuvallam, a traditional houseboat, and a dine-in area on a traditional local palak boat which is typically used by royalty.

Aston International, an Indonesian-based hotel management company, has launched a new select service brand, Hotel NEO by Aston. The brand has been designed to echo elements of cutting-edge fashion labels and is intended to appeal to a younger generation of travellers. In addition to the in-room facilities of a four star hotel, the NEO brand will offer superior service in comparison to other select service brands in Indonesia. The launch of Hotel Neo is in line with the expansion of Aston's existing select service brand, favehotel, in order to capitalise on growing demand for accommodation from Indonesia's fast-expanding middle class. The first Hotel NEO will open in November 2012 in Legian, Bali. The company has planned 20 Hotel NEOs to be opened, of which six will be located in Jakarta and will open in 2013.