Hong Kong also has lifted limits on group sizes in public, restaurant capacity constraints and social distancing requirements. 

International travelers no longer have to submit a PCR test on the second day of their visit. However, travelers still must produce a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of their flight or a negative PCR test within 48 hours of their flight.

Also, travelers will no longer need to quarantine in a residence or government-run facility should they come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid. 

Hong Kong visitors still must be fully vaccinated and they must wear a mask in public places, including the airport, hotels, restaurants, stores and markets.

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Visitors from overseas no longer have to quarantine for three days at a designated hotel, but their movement is limited for the first three days in Hong Kong. Visitors can take public transportation but they are banned from entering restaurants, bars and other businesses for the first three days. Visitors can order takeout or do in-room hotel dining.

Upon arrival in Hong Kong, visitors must take a PCR test and await the results after day 3. If the test is negative, there are no restrictions on entering public premises, including restaurants and bars.

Incoming travelers will no longer need a negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding a plane to Hong Kong. Instead, they will need to present a negative Covid-19 result from a rapid antigen test conducted within 24 hours before the flight.

Visitors must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 unless they have a valid medical certificate for exemption.

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The 204-room property, which will be Andaz’s first in Thailand, will blend traditional Thai architecture with contemporary design, creating a style that Carina Chorengel, senior vice president of commercial for Asia-Pacific at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, describes as uniquely “rich in culture.”

It’s an aesthetic made possible in part by the resort’s development site: a former private estate situated approximately a 10-minute drive from Pattaya’s more tourist-heavy hot spots. As part of the project, elements from three of the estate’s original structures have been preserved and will be incorporated into the hotel.

One of the buildings, a traditional Thai tea house, is undergoing restoration and will serve as a venue for private ceremonies, monk blessings and meditation sessions as well as host guests for afternoon tea.

The other two repurposed buildings will be integrated into expansive villa-style accommodations, including the six-bedroom Heritage House and the four-bedroom duplex Manor House. Heritage House and Manor House guests will be able to avail themselves of luxe amenities like personal butlers, private pools and outdoor decks.

The theme of preservation also extends to the resort’s natural surroundings. Many of the estate’s more mature trees, some of which date back 50 to 100 years, have been conserved during construction.

“Typically, when you have a new resort, it always takes a few years for the landscaping to kind of flourish,” said Chorengel. “But the wonderful thing about this resort is that it’s purposely being built around these trees, and we’ll have plaques to talk about each tree and its history. Each tree will tell a story.”

The Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, however, is far from the only Asian expansion for the Andaz brand, which already has quite a solid footprint in the region. (Around a third of Andaz’s existing 25 outposts are located throughout Asia.)

The flag opened its first Indonesian resort, the Andaz Bali, last year, and is preparing to open its fourth property in China, the Andaz Nanjing Hexi, sometime in the second quarter of next year. Also in the pipeline is a second hotel in Thailand, which is set to open as part of a mixed-use tower development in Bangkok’s central business district in 2023. 

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When it comes to staying in Bangkok, the luxury hotel scene is equally versatile in offering both traditional and modern luxury. As part of a recent visit, I was able to see two five-star resorts, both of which were equally A-list but reflected the two different sides of luxury available in Bangkok: the Capella Bangkok and the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Capella Bangkok

One of the latest in the Capella family of hotels, this sleek, chic and minimalist hotel is a luxury hideaway for the 21st century. Opened in October 2020 in the same complex as the Four Seasons Bangkok, the Capella Bangkok has only 101 rooms, all of them overlooking the beautiful Chao Phraya River.

The Capella Bangkok positions itself as the new face of luxury in Thailand. It’s sleek, chic, understated and elegant, providing next-level luxury for the new generations in travel.

The arrival experience sets the tone. A glass of bubbly and a signature box of bonbons is presented at check-in, enabling guests to instantly melt into the effortlessly elegant vibe. They’re then whisked up to their rooms, though in-room check-in is also an option.

Each room has either a private balcony or a veranda with a Jacuzzi plunge pool. The smallest room category here is Riverfront, which starts at a generous 656 square feet. The largest accommodation is the Presidential Villa at an expansive 6,400 square feet.

The sophisticated design is all about neutral colors, crisp white linens, marble bathrooms and natural accents in wood and stone. There are iPads in every room for guests to order room service or connect with the staff.

Outside of the guest suites, the hotel is an oasis of Zen, clad in marble with soaring ceilings and massive windows that flood the public spaces with light. One of the highlights of the Capella Bangkok is its Stella bar, an homage to art deco with black-and-white marble, plush purples and pops of gold.

At the center of the bar is an opulent stuffed white peacock that stands underneath a glittering chandelier. It’s a noticeable throwback to a golden age, while still retaining a modern edge. A perk for guests is a nightly Cin Cin hour, featuring a complimentary drink and canapes. 

Dining at the Capella Bangkok is equally representative of modern Thailand’s blend of cultures; the signature Phra Nakhon serves regional Thai cuisine in a restaurant perched on the Chao Phraya. Cote by Mauro Colagreco serves cuisine from the French and Italian Rivieras in a refined, dimly lit setting. The staff at Cote go above and beyond to ensure that each part of the meal is executed with precision. Tip: Book a window table for sunset for the best views in the city.

An oasis within the hotel is its Auriga Spa. The sprawling, 11,560-square-foot facility has seven treatment suites, including two couples suites. Large windows and floor-to-ceiling marble set a modern tone, while signature treatments like the Hom Mali body scrub and massage are a testament to Thailand’s ancient traditions.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

A bit farther up the river, and more than a century back in time, sits the world-renowned Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Once called the Oriental Hotel, it originally opened in 1876 as one of the only hotels in the Kingdom of Thailand. As such, it became a haven for traveling writers, thinkers, politicians and businesspeople who found themselves in the city.

In 2019, the hotel wrapped one of the most extensive renovations in its history, giving this grand dame a refreshed look. Most notable to the renovation was the reopening of the River Wing tower, which showed off new fabrics and freshly revamped rooms. But a highlight of the renovation was decreasing the number of rooms in order to enlarge the remaining ones. 

In total, the renovation included 331 rooms in the River Wing, including 10 themed suites. I checked into the Jim Thompson Suite, a corner unit overlooking the Chao Phraya. This palatial suite had a massive terrace, comfortable living room and sprawling master bedroom with a marble bathroom.

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok gives an exquisite sense of place. There is something about having a cup of tea or a glass of wine at the recently refurbished alfresco Verandah restaurant (boasting one of the best buffet breakfasts in town) and gazing out across the river as the long-tail boats and ferries hurry by.

One of the best dining experiences to be had at the hotel, and perhaps in all of Bangkok, is at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Normandie by Alain Roux. Diners are guided through sumptuous French experience with the assistance of the impeccable staff. When there, be sure to ask for Federico, the restaurant manager, whose passion and fervor only enhances the dining experience. Sommelier Antoine Simonnet is an encyclopedia of international wines who will craft the perfect pairing to go with an already indulgent experience. 

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is often regarded as one of the greatest hotels in the world, a reputation it has built over many decades. Its fresh face-lift and thorough sprucing up has ensured that it will glide seamlessly through the 21st century, while still retaining its reputation for Old World glamour that put it on the map in the first place. 

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The 175-room property is located in Bali’s Kuta district, on the southern end of the island. 

Accommodations feature platform beds, walk-in rainfall showerheads, private balconies and mobile key access.

In addition to a Re:mix lounge area adjacent to the lobby, the Aloft Bali Kuta offers several F&B options, including all-day dining restaurant Depot by Aloft, a W XYZ bar and a Re:fuel by Aloft 24/7 grab-and-go station.

Other amenities include a 24/7 fitness center and a pool.

The Aloft Bali Kuta marks Marriott International’s 25th property in Bali.

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The crisis in Europe also put a crimp in recovery plans for the Southeast Asian nation’s tourism industry, which has hosted more visitors from Russia than any of its neighbors before the pandemic hit.

There are about 6,500 Russian tourists stuck in Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi and Pattaya, four provinces that are popular seaside resort destinations, in addition to 1,000 Ukrainians, Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, told the Associated Press on Friday.

Some 17,599 Russians accounted for the largest bloc of arrivals in February, representing 8.6% of a total of 203,970, according to the Public Health Ministry. After the Feb. 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine, their numbers drastically declined.

Yuthasak said the Russians face two main problems: cancellations of their flights home by airlines that have stopped flying to Russia, and suspension of financial services, particularly by credit card companies that have joined sanctions against Moscow. There are also some who prefer to delay their return.

“There are some airlines that still fly to Russia, but travelers have to transit in another country. We are trying to coordinate and search the flights for them,” Yuthasak said.

• Related: Sanctions strand Russian travelers worldwide

While almost all direct flights from Russia have been suspended, connections are still available through major carriers based in the Middle East.

He said efforts are also being made to find alternative methods of payments for Russian tourists.

Siwaporn Boonruang, a volunteer translator for Russians stranded in Krabi, said some cannot pay their bills because they can no longer use Visa or Mastercard credit cards.

Many have cash and those with UnionPay credit cards, which are issued by a Chinese financial services company, can still use them, but payment by cryptocurrency is not allowed, she said.

Many hotels have helped by offering discounted rates, she added.

Thailand’s government has offered 30-day visa extensions without payment, and is trying to find low-cost alternative accommodation for people forced to stay for an extended period.

The problems associated with the war in Ukraine have compounded Thailand’s hopes for economic recovery. Officials hope to see the threat from the COVID-19 pandemic ebbing by July, even though daily cases are currently at record highs, driven by the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Thai authorities later this year expect to drop most quarantine and testing regulations that have been in place to fight the spread of the virus, which would make entry easier for foreign travelers.

Thailand may have to lower its targets for tourist arrivals and revenues this year because of the knock-on effects of rising oil prices and inflation on global travel, Yuthasak was quoted saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

“Tourism is still a key engine to revive our economy, even though revenue was stymied by negative factors,” he said.
According to the report, Thailand had projected gaining a total of 1.28 trillion baht ($38.4 billion) in revenue this year from foreign and domestic tourists.

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“I plan to look into easing the border controls,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Saturday.

Kishida did not provide a timeline or other details and said he will make a decision based on a scientific assessment of the omicron variant, infection levels in and outside Japan and quarantine measures in other countries.

Currently, most of Japan is under virus-related restrictions but infections have shown little signs of slowing. Nationwide, Japan reported nearly 100,000 new cases in the latest 24-hour period, including 18,660 in Tokyo.

The current border measures are scheduled to remain in place until the end of February.

Japan has become one of the world’s most difficult countries to enter and critics compare it to the locked country, or “sakoku,” policy of xenophobic warlords who ruled Japan in the 17th to 19th centuries.

The current border rules allow in only Japanese nationals and permanent foreign residents, and have raised the ire of foreign students and scholars who say the measures are unfair, unscientific and force talented visitors to go to other countries. Hundreds of thousands of them have been affected, and critics say the rules are also hurting Japan’s national interest.

Frustrated students have started gathering outside Japanese diplomatic compounds around the world to protest.

Japanese and foreign business groups have also protested the government, saying the prolonged border closure has affected investment, business deals, product development and deliveries. Experts also say the border policy is further delaying recovery in Japan’s pandemic-hit economy.

Kishida unveiled his plan to consider easing border controls Saturday after visiting Tokyo’s Haneda international airport, where he observed quarantine areas and a worksite vaccination rollout for airline workers.

Kishida’s government is scrambling to accelerate Covid-19 booster shots, after facing criticisms over a delayed decision to cut intervals between the first two shots and a third to six months from an initially planned eight. Only about 8% of Japan’s population have received their third jabs. Kishida has set a target to give 1 million doses a day by the end of February.

The government has also faced criticism over its failure to keep omicron out of U.S. military bases, where Japan has no jurisdiction. American troops fly directly into the country without observing Japanese quarantine requirements and they were not tested for weeks, until Tokyo asked them to.

Many of the Japanese public, however, are supportive of the tight border controls as they think troubles such as the pandemic come from outside their island nation. Kishida’s stringent border controls are widely seen as politically motivated to gain public support for his governing party in the upcoming July parliamentary elections.

Kishida has taken a lesson from his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, who stepped aside after only a year in office partly due to his administration’s perceived weak handling of the pandemic. 

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In other changes to its Covid-19 testing requirements, the country will accept a certificate proving full vaccination in place of a negative PCR test. Travelers must also submit a declaration on the authenticity of the vaccination status.

The moves replace the previously required seven-day home quarantine and instead a 14-day health self-monitoring period will be in place. India has also removed the need for a PCR test on the eighth day after arrival in India.

Full guidelines are available via India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Source: Business Travel News

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The beachfront resort features 171 guestrooms and suites, 28 pool villas, three restaurants and a spa. The largest accommodations, the Bayside Villas, are more than 1,600 square feet and include a king size bed, fully stocked wet bar, work desk, living area, bathroom with skylight and a double rain showerheads and a private deck with a plunge pool and lounge chairs. 

Lido Restaurant and Bar is an Italian-inspired eatery open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu centered around rotisserie grilled meats and local seafood in addition to pizzas and paninis. Praca serves traditional Thai family-style dishes in a beachfront location. The Juice Cafe offers a selection of coffees, fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, gelato and freshly baked treats. 

The spa menu includes a variety of treatments, many incorporating traditional Thai elements, in addition to a Mud Lounge where guests can rub healing clay into their skin. The hotel also offers private therapy sessions, meditation and breathwork. 

Located on the Gulf of Thailand coast, the resort offers a range of watersports including paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding and kiteboarding. 

The Standard brand of hotels launched in 1999 and includes seven hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and the Maldives. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is slated to open in May 2022.

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The eased restrictions are coming through Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) program, which will end the 14-day quarantine requirement for vaccinated passengers arriving on designated VTL flights. 

U.S. residents, however, still will have to get a Covid-19 PCR test within 48 hours of their flight’s departure and also upon arrival at Singapore’s Changi Airport. 

• Related: Singapore clears Boeing 737 Max for flying

Singapore Airlines has designated its daily services from New York JFK, Los Angeles and San Francisco as VTL flights, plus twice-weekly seasonal service from Seattle that stops in Vancouver (Dec. 3 though Feb. 22).

The airline actually will operate the Seattle-Vancouver-Singapore service four times per week but only flights departing on Tuesdays and Saturdays will be VTL flights. 

Singapore Airlines has not designated the one-stop services that resume next month to Singapore from JFK via Frankfurt and to Singapore from San Francisco via Hong Kong as VTL flights. 

Travelers can use any available flight out of Singapore. 

Singapore Airlines is the only carrier currently serving the U.S. from Singapore.

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