Hyatt is experiencing unprecedented growth across Asia Pacific, with 64% of its regional portfolio now positioned in the luxury and upper-upscale segments. The hotel giant operates 333 properties across 15 brands in the region, representing a significant slice of its global 1,460-hotel empire spanning 35 brands.
Since 2017, the company has doubled its luxury room count, tripled resort accommodation, and grown lifestyle rooms five-fold globally. "We really try and touch every single one" of the key travel trends, said Carina Chorengel, senior vice president, Commercial, Asia Pacific, during a recent presentation at ILTM 2025.
According to Carina Chorengel, senior vice president, commercial, Asia Pacific, Hyatt's Asia Pacific expansion leverages four key travel trends through 15 brands, emphasising food experiences, wellness, and cultural immersion to reach travellers' hearts. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia
"We have a lot of space to proliferate and plant our flags," Chorengel explained, noting that with only 15 brands operating in Asia Pacific compared to 35 globally, significant expansion opportunities remain untapped.
Brand new territory: Thompson makes its mark
Thompson Hotels' Asia Pacific debut in Shanghai's Expo district, blending the brand's Manhattan heritage with contemporary Chinese cosmopolitan energy.
The Thompson Hotels brand will debut in Asia Pacific with Thompson Shanghai Expo, scheduled to open in Q4 2025. The property will occupy space in Shanghai's Expo district, bringing the Manhattan-born brand's culture-focused approach to Chinese travellers.
Hyatt's lifestyle portfolio expansion doesn't stop there. The Standard brand continues its regional rollout with The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien opening in Q3 2025, featuring what the company describes as a "playful, 60s-inspired beach club aesthetic."
Peaks and valleys: Park Hyatt's Malaysian debut
Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur will mark the brand's Malaysian debut in August 2025, perched atop the Merdeka 118 tower – Asia Pacific's tallest skyscraper. The property will occupy the building's top 17 floors, with Hyatt officials noting it may claim the record for the world's highest hotel.
The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur occupies Asia Pacific's tallest skyscraper's top 17 floors, featuring the world's highest spa and gym facilities.
"The views from that tower is magnificent," Chorengel observed during her presentation. "They have been working with the Guinness Book of World Records, and they have the highest spa in the world, the highest gym in the world."
The iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo will also reopen in Q4 2025 following a comprehensive 17-month renovation. "It's just restored, so they've kept everything looking the same, and we have just added a few new things," Chorengel noted, explaining how the property preserves classics like the New York Grill & Bar whilst updating guest accommodations.
Andaz everywhere: Cultural immersion expands
The Andaz brand will establish new footholds with three significant openings: Andaz Shanghai ITC and Andaz One Bangkok (both Q4 2025), plus Andaz Gold Coast marking the brand's debut in Australia and the Pacific region (Q2 2026).
More than just the headliners
Beyond the marquee launches, Hyatt's 2025-2026 calendar includes several other notable properties. Park Hyatt Phu Quoc will debut as the brand's first resort in Vietnam (Q1 2026), spanning 160 acres with mile-long white sand beaches.
The Standard brand continues its regional expansion with The Standard Residences in both Hua Hin and Phuket Bang Tao (both Q4 2026), whilst other portfolio additions include Mumian Shanghai Expo (part of The Unbound Collection, Q3 2025), KYLN Hotel Suzhou (part of JdV by Hyatt, Q4 2025), and THE BARAI (part of The Unbound Collection, Q3 2026).
Alila Dong Island in Zhuhai, China has already opened, positioned just an hour from Zhuhai by ferry on rugged cliffs offering ocean and sunset views.
Pipeline pressure: 90 properties in five years
Andaz One Bangkok overlooks Lumphini Park
Hyatt's regional development pipeline includes close to 90 properties expected to open over the next five years, reflecting what the company identifies as surging demand in the Asia Pacific luxury travel market.
The expansion aligns with four key travel trends: mental restorative travel focused on wellbeing, demand for less saturated destinations, "JOMO" (joy of missing out) experiences, and food-centric travel planning.
"60% of Asia Pacific travellers prioritise food related attractions and plan trips around food and culinary experiences," Chorengel noted, emphasising how "we get to people's hearts and minds through their stomach."