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Noku Maldives, New Mandarin Oriental Opens in Dubai, and Other Hotel News This Week

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Victoria M. Walker
Updated: 
Edited by: Ryan Smith
Noku Maldives, New Mandarin Oriental Opens in Dubai, and Other Hotel News This Week
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The month of November got off to a strong start in the hotel world. Several ultra-luxury resorts have opened in destinations such as the Maldives, Morocco, and Thailand. Additionally, a handful of interesting projects are set to open soon in Chicago, Phuket, and other exciting locations.

To catch up on everything you’ve missed, read below for our roundup of the most exciting hotel news this week.

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Hotel Openings

Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, Maldives

There was some big news from IHG’s Vignette Collection brand this week. Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, has officially opened. The resort features just 50 guest rooms, comprising 20 beachside villas and 30 overwater villas.

Noku Maldives Overwater Villa
An overwater villa at Noku Maldives. Image Credit: IHG

The resort features several food and beverage outlets, offering a diverse menu of Maldivian, Indian, and Sri Lankan cuisine. Amenities include butler service, children’s programming, an outdoor pool, and a spa.

  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $476 per night
  • Typical points cost: From 85,000 IHG One Rewards points per night 

Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, Japan

Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma has officially opened in Kyoto. The hotel has 103 guest rooms and caters to solo travelers, featuring 95 single rooms. Amenities include a welcome beverage, a 24-hour market, and a grab-and-go breakfast.

Garner Kyoto Room
Garner has opened a new hotel in Kyoto. Image Credit: IHG
  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $50 per night
  • Typical points cost: From 10,000 IHG One Rewards points per night 

Radisson Residences Taghazout Bay, Morocco

Radisson Residences Taghazout Bay features 208 serviced apartments, ranging in size from 2 to 3 bedrooms. Each apartment includes a full kitchen, living areas, and a private terrace or balcony. 

Radisson Residences Taghazout Bay Pool
Radisson has opened a new resort along Morocco’s surf capital. Image Credit: Radisson

Outside of your apartment, you’ll be entertained with a padel court, 2 outdoor pools, and a kids’ area. The resort is located in Morocco’s surf capital and is 2 minutes by shuttle from the beach. 

  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $118 per night
  • Typical points cost: Radisson Rewards points award values shown at checkout; expect an average of 0.25 cents per point 

Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The high-end Mandarin Oriental brand has opened its second outpost in Dubai. Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, features 259 guest rooms and suites, as well as 224 private residences.

Mandarin Oriental Dubai Room
A guest room with city views at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai. Image Credit: Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental went all out for its newest Dubai hotel, offering amenities that include 10 dining options, a spa with 9 treatment rooms, a fitness center, and even a rooftop helipad.

  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $463 per night
  • Typical points cost: N/A

Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa, Thailand

Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa has opened in Thailand, featuring 289 guest rooms and suites. The family-friendly resort features 6 restaurants and bars, 3 outdoor swimming pools (including one for kids), a Kids Club, a spa, and a fitness center.

Pattaya Marriott M Suite
A suite at Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa. Image Credit: Marriott

Getting to the resort should be a breeze, no matter where in the world you’re arriving from. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is just a 90-minute drive away, Don Mueang (DMK) is a 2.5-hour drive, and U-Tapao Airport (UTP) is just 30 minutes from the resort.

  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $131 per night
  • Typical points cost: From 27,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Hot Tip:

Award rates are so low at Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa that you can apply a Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificate!

Radisson Blu Hotel, Florence, Italy

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Florence, has opened in the city’s historic center, offering views of the Tuscan hills. 

Radisson Blu Florence Suite
A suite at Radisson Blu Hotel, Florence. Image Credit: Radisson

The hotel features 304 guest rooms and suites, as well as several bars and restaurants, and various amenities, including a wellness and spa center, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center. The family-friendly hotel also features a playground, a kids’ pool, and specially designed spaces for children.

  • Opening date: Now open
  • Typical cash price: From $97 per night
  • Typical points cost: Radisson Rewards points award values shown at checkout; expect an average of 0.25 cents per point 

Upcoming Hotels

Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas, United Arab Emirates (December 2025)

Ennismore announced Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas will open in December, marking the nomadic-style brand’s debut in the United Arab Emirates.

Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas will comprise 50 luxury caravans. Amenities will include a full slate of outdoor activities, such as a barrel sauna, an outdoor cold plunge, a hot tub, sound healing sessions, yoga and meditation, kayaking, paddleboarding, and an observatory deck. The resort will also have food trucks and live barbecue stations.

DoubleTree by Hilton Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore (2026)

Hilton will open the 344-room DoubleTree by Hilton Singapore Robertson Quay in Singapore next year, which will mark the brand’s debut in Singapore. 

A rebrand of the current Hotel Miramar, the property will undergo renovations to its guest rooms, meeting spaces, all-day dining restaurant, and lobby lounge. Additionally, Hilton will update the hotel’s fitness center and pool deck, introducing new amenities such as a kids’ club and pickleball courts.

MontAzure Resort Phuket – MGallery Collection, Thailand (2026)

MontAzure Resort Phuket – MGallery Collection is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026. The resort will offer 3 restaurants and bars, a fitness center, a spa, and a swimming pool. Rates start at around $300 per night.

Hotel Indigo Bali Ubud, Indonesia (2027)

IHG announced this week that it had signed for the Hotel Indigo Bali Ubud, a 130-room resort scheduled to open in 2027. Not much is known about the resort, but it will be situated near the edge of the Blangsinga Waterfall and Village, which is home to a crafts market and a glass-bottom bridge.

Hotel Indigo already has a significant presence in Indonesia, with 3 hotels currently open, and plans for the Kimpton Bali Ubud.

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Hotel News

Hyatt Closes Jamaica Hotels Until 2026

Hyatt announced this week that it will temporarily close all of its hotels in Jamaica through January 31, 2026, due to Hurricane Melissa. This will allow Hyatt to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage to the resorts after the hurricane. 

Here’s a list of the affected resorts:

  • Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa
  • Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa
  • Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall
  • Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
  • Secrets St. James Montego Bay
  • Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay
  • Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa
  • Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica

Hyatt will waive cancellation fees through January 31, 2026. For guests with prepaid reservations, they will receive a full refund “within the next 10 business days.”

Final Thoughts

The first week of November was a busy one for the hotel industry. We got the scoop on several luxury hotel openings, such as a Vignette Collection resort in the Maldives and a high-rise Mandarin Oriental in Dubai.

We’ll be back here next week with more news from across the hotel industry.

Featured Image Credit: IHG
Victoria M. Walker's image

About Victoria M. Walker

Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Carrying On with Victoria M. Walker” newsletter.

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