HVS Monday Musings: Hotels of the Future – Hotel Design Trends in the Post-COVID Era

By Mandeep S Lamba and Dipti Mohan
This article highlights some of the architectural and design changes that are expected in hotels in the post-COVID era.

To view and download the full article, please click here.  

Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge Sold to Distinction Hotel Group

New Zealand-based Distinction Hotel Group (“DHG”) has acquired the 77-key Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge from New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises Limited’s (“Skyline”) for an undisclosed sum. Located on Duke Street, the property is Dunedin’s only garden hotel that offers a range of rooms and event spaces. Based on Skyline ’s Chief Executive, Geoff McDonald, the hotel has been part of their portfolio for 35 to 40 years and contributed to almost 10% of the company’s overall revenue. He added that the performance of the hotel had been consistently strong, due to the increasing university guests and corporate travellers. The hotel is strategically located within walking distance of the multi-purpose Forsyth Barr Stadium, which has helped to contribute to its consistent performance. According to Mr McDonald, Dunedin’s strong reliance on the university sector near the hotel has allowed their business to be less impacted by the pandemic and has managed to recover well following the COVID-19 lockdown. The sale would allow Skyline to focus on its core gondola and luge park businesses in Queenstown and Rotorua. Currently, DHG’s portfolio of hotels spans across New Zealand, including the 121-key Distinction Dunedin Hotel on Liverpool Street, Dunedin.

Kalibo International Airport Inaugurated in Aklan Province, Philippines

On 4 June 2021, the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines inaugurated the newly restored Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo, Aklan Province. The development project incurred a total cost of PHP48.4 million, of which, PHP19.5 million is dedicated to the improvement of the international passenger terminal, which was completed in September 2020. The passenger terminal has been expanded from 1,584 to 2,633 square metres, with its capacity increasing from 344 to 406 passengers. In addition, the upgraded passenger terminal includes additional spaces for the operations of the Customs and Immigration Bureau and several areas that would support the flow of passengers. PHP9.9 million was assigned to the reblocking of the apron pavement, which has eliminated the potential hazard for aircraft and PHP18.9 million for the overall repair and restoration of the passenger terminal building, aircraft rescue, firefighting, shed, and the administration building. The Department of Transportation Secretary, Arthur Tugade, mentioned that the airport matches international standard, and would have an overall positive impact on Aklan’s economy. The inauguration follows the news of the launch of the National Capital Region Plus bubble, which grants residents of General Community Quarantine the ability to visit Boracay in the Aklan Province.

Nintendo Gallery Archive is Set to Open in Kyoto by 2024

Japan-based gaming company, Nintendo Company (“Nintendo”) is opening a Nintendo Gallery Archive in Kyoto Prefecture by 2024, after launching the Super Nintendo World with real-life Bowser’s Castle and Mario Cart at Universal Studios Japan in March this year. The gallery will be based in an old factory in the city of Uji, after taking into consideration of Uji’s redevelopment plan of the nearby Ogura Station area. The factory used to manufacture various Western and Japanese hanafuda playing card, the original business of Nintendo. The transformed factory will be used to exhibit Nintendo’s history and gaming products, and a full Nintendo experience with classic games such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong. Nintendo hopes that the gallery can share the company’s product development history and philosophy with the public.

Two Piers in Southern Thailand to Receive an Upgrade

Two piers in Southern Thailand will be receiving an upgrade through a THB200 million refurbishment plan. THB140 million has been allocated to refurbish Pak Meng Pier in Trang province and THB59.6 million to expand the Sala Dan Pier in Koh Lanta in Krabi. Situated in Hat Chao Mai National Park, the Pak Meng Pier is utilized by visitors to board ferries, high-speed boats, and long-tail boats for their visit to various islands in the Trang Province including Koh Ngai, Koh Muk and Koh Kradan. Slated to complete by the end of June, the 20-year-old pier will have a brand-new passenger terminal, two piers, and longer bridges to allow more vessels to dock. Meanwhile, the Sala Dan Pier on Koh Lanta will also have a new passenger terminal and ticket office to accommodate additional passengers. The covered walkway will be decorated with numerous art sculptures as a gesture to welcome guests. The new Sala Dan Pier is expected to facilitate tourists’ commute to the nearby Koh Phi Phi Island, further to Phuket or other islands in Trang and Satun.

Absolute Share Price Performance, as on 18 June 2021