KEMPINSKI Hotels has announced some impressive new properties, not least of which are two extraordinary and world-first hotel concepts in the new Universal Beijing Resort in China, and Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, which is scheduled to open this summer.

At a media breakfast in The Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Martin R Smura, chief executive officer and chairman of the management board of Kempinski Hotels, said: “I am very proud that in the future we will operate through our joint venture with the Beijing Tourism Group two extraordinary and world-first hotel concepts in the new Universal Beijing Resort: The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and the NUO Resort Hotel – Universal Beijing Resort. While the two hotels with 1,200 rooms mark the first phase of the cooperation, another 4,800 rooms will be added at a later stage. The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort - Universal Beijing Resort will position themselves as independent travel destinations and offer a special guest experience through the perfect blend of stylish design and historical cultural features of China. Guests of both hotels will have direct and exclusive access to the theme park.”

The next outstanding hotel opening for Kempinski Hotels is only a few weeks away: With the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok another flagship for the brand will open its doors in May 2020. This second property of Kempinski Hotels in the Thai capital is located in a prime area in the heart of the buzzling city, in the upscale Langsuan neighbourhood and just steps away from the verdant Lumphini Park, and surprises with room sizes starting at 66 sq m.

Ambitious and rapid international expansion plans with a very selective growth are part of the long-term strategy of the luxury hotel group, but not at the expense of quality.

Moving forward, the strategic orientation of the Kempinski Group's expansion in the future will not only be based on management contracts, but the acquisition of hotel properties is also planned. In particular, properties that may be extensively renovated and then repositioned under the group's own brands will be favoured.

“We are definitely interested to also own hotel real estate. Currently we are under negotiations to buy several hotels, three out of them in Germany,” said Martin R Smura.

 Starting from May 2020, 7Pines Kempinski Ibiza will open for the season. This will be the first-time guests will experience the luxury lifestyle concept following the announcement last autumn of the strategic partnership between 12.18. Investement Group and Kempinski. Through this strategic partnership around 20 more hotels will be developed and opened in the near future including a hotel in New York and a resort near Porto Cervo on the island of Sardinia.

Furthermore, the Schlosshotel Fleesensee in the heart of the German Mecklenburg Lake District with 179 rooms and suites and a first-class gastronomy concept as well as Schloss Roxburghe, a 19th century Scottish manor house, which will have 75 rooms after completion of a separate extension, will be added to the portfolio.

"Overall, we are fully on track with our hotel openings – in the next 18 months alone we will open 15 hotels with 3,888 rooms," says Smura.