serene lim
Lifestyle Hotels Gain a Foothold in Asia Pacific
Real Views | August 14, 2018
By Serene Lim Lifestyle hotels are carving out a niche in Asia Pacific, boosted by youthful guests looking for authenticity, community and local experiences coupled with features like innovative design, good connectivity and convenient locations. Once lumped together with independently run boutique hotels like those pioneered by hoteliers such as Ian Schrager with The Morgan in New York in the 80s, lifestyle hotels combine the intimacy and designer touches of boutique hotels while also offering the perks of a chain such as a consistent experience and economies of scale. Starwood's W brand is widely acknowledged to be the first mainstrea...
Why Asia Leads the Race in Smart Hotel Technology
Real Views | August 7, 2018
By Serene Lim Robots butlers, keyless entry and virtual reality-enhanced room bookings: Hotel guests are increasingly being greeted by these once futuristic tech features around the world. But hotels in Asia have been upping the ante, with a younger hospitality industry – and many guests in their 20s and 30s – quickly taking to new innovations. In Japan, for instance, self-parking slippers and furniture are able to return to their designated spots after use. A blockchain reward system introduced by Malaysian hospitality firm Hatten Group allows members to collect tokens in exchange for hotel packages and stays. Meanwhile, An...
Style in Small Spaces: Japan’s Next Generation of Capsule Hotels
JLL Real Views | May 7, 2018
By Serene Lim Capsule hotels in Japan were once the domain of salarymen looking for a cheap, fuss-free spot to crash after a late night. But a new crop of guests has helped spur their resurgence, with growing numbers of novel and upmarket versions opening in the last year. The capsule hotel – also known as a pod hotel – provides simple little rooms with single size mattresses measuring around 1.2 meters wide, two meters long and one-meter high. They first became popular during the 1980s and 90s with local businessmen. The new versions have broken the mold – think communal lounges with complimentary drinks and massage c...
Will Other Asian Retailers Follow Muji’s Move Into Hospitality?
JLL Real Views | February 22, 2018
By Serene Lim American furniture retailer West Elm has done it, as have luxury brands such as Armani and Bulgari. Now Japanese lifestyle giant Muji, which is known for its minimalist aesthetics, is taking a step into the hospitality business. The first Muji hotel opened in Shenzhen last month, and it has two other properties lined up for launch in Beijing and Tokyo later this year and next. Rooms will feature Muji homeware products, allowing guests to lounge on the furniture and try out homewares in private. Stores within the hotels then allow them to purchase their favourite items. "Muji is one of the retailers that successfully starte...
Can Japan’s Hotels Keep Up With Soaring Demand?
Jll Real Views | October 26, 2017
By Serene Lim Tourism is booming like never before in the Land of the Rising Sun as visitors flock from across Asia and further afield. While rising numbers are in line with government plans to welcome 60 million tourists by 2030 to help offset struggling areas of the Japanese economy, the hotel industry faces in own challenges in keeping up with growing demand for rooms. Last year, hotel construction starts doubled to 1.96 million square metres, reaching an 18 year high. Major hotel operators are rushing to open before the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 – Marriott leads the pack with five properties as it rebrands existing hotels. Meanwh...
Why Affordable Luxury Hotel Brands are Heading to Asia
JLL Real Views | August 14, 2017
By Serene Lim Yotel and CitizenM might be better known in Europe and the United States but it won't be long before they become familiar brands in Asia. These affordable luxury hotel brands are making headway in the region as they embark on a spate of new launches across many of its most popular destinations. CitizenM, which blazed a trail in European cities for its trendy vibe at pocket-friendly room rates has welcomed its first guests in Taipei this month and is already expanding its footprint with outposts in Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai next year. Meanwhile Yotel, which defines modern luxury as having everything guests need at their fin...
Why Hotels and Home Rentals are Moving Forward Together
JLL Real Views | April 4, 2017
by Serene Lim When the likes of Airbnb and HomeAway first made inroads into the travel industry they created two distinct clubs; established hotels on one side and home rentals on the other. Now, the lines between the two are blurring as the wider travel industry evolves to cater for the move towards local experiences and unique stays. AccorHotels is looking to add Travel Keys, a travel broker for high-end villas into its portfolio after last year snapping up London-based Onefinestay to expand its reach into the luxury serviced homes market. The hotel giant has also bought a 30 percent stake in Oasis Collection– which bills itself...
