13/02/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | FEB 13, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

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HAWT HOTELS

NH Hua Hin by Minor Hotels Country: Thailand

Situated 200km at the southern end of Bangkok, NH Hua Hin is located at the prime location of Hua Hin, offering guests convenient access to Hua Hin Beach (400m away), local night markets (Cicada Night Market and Hua Hin Night Market) and shopping experiences (Bluport Hua Hin and Market Village Hua Hin). In Thailand’s renowned royal seaside retreat, it features over 152 modern rooms and suites, including deluxe rooms, bunk-bed family rooms and one bedroom suites. This destination not only serves as a comfortable stay but also as a gateway to the surrounding province attractions. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s three food and beverage outlets – an all-day dining restaurant serving international and local favourites, a lobby cafe offering light bites and drinks throughout the day, and a rooftop bar by the infinity pool with sunset views. Other recreational facilities include the rooftop pool, a Kids’ Club with indoor and outdoor spaces for entertainment, and a fitness centre.

Hilton Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa by Hilton Country: Thailand Located 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport and marking the debut of Hilton’s first golf resort in Southeast Asia, this 223 key resort offers a vibrant social space, unique dining offerings, a Kids’ Club and flexible space for celebrations and events (more than 1,200 sq m) that includes ballrooms measuring 330 sq m and 260 sq m. Offering a compelling new option for international transit travellers, business guests and leisure visitors, the property is located near lifestyle and retail destinations, bringing together a balance of globally familiar comforts and unexpected local delights. Here, guests can indulge in the hotel’s Italian restaurant Tetto that provides time-honoured Italian recipes, interpreted through a modern lens in a contemporary setting that encourages unhurried dining. Besides this, the resort’s all day dining venue Kitchen Crafts offers an interactive approach with Lobby Lounge, to provide a comfortable space for quiet times while enjoying personalised meals, balancing craftsmanship with ease.

Frasers House by The Luxury Collection Country: Singapore

Located within the Bugis Junction and set in one of Singapore’s most storied neighbourhoods, Frasers House will be the first property within the brand’s portfolio in the island state’s city centre. It offers not only convenient access to the Bugis MRT Station but also seamless access to the essence of the locale, making historic conclaves, creative communities and the city’s vibrant pulse just within reach. Offering over 400 elegantly styled guest rooms and suites, the hotel’s interior draws inspiration from the locale’s layered heritage. Within 1,000 sq m of space, it dons a versatile event space, including a grand ballroom and its distinctive library, making it ideal for elegant weddings, business meetings and intimate social occasions. Guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and a suite of wellness offerings to provide a serene urban sanctuary amid the vibrant Bugis district.

The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection by Hilton Country: Japan Located at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri within the Niseko Village Ski Resort in Hokkaido, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Tapestry Collection will be opening this year as a winter-only destination, welcoming guests for access to world-class powder snow and alpine atmosphere. Bringing Hilton’s signature focus on individuality, design-forward stays and locally inspired storytelling to one of Japan’s most sought-after winter destinations, the hotel draws inspiration from Niseko’s mountain landscape to blend lodge-style comfort with contemporary artistry, offering a warm and restorative retreat after a day in the snow. Featuring over 200 works of art by renowned artists and a 200-bedroom property, the renewed interiors offer guests a balance of nature, craftsmanship and comfort.

Fairmont Hanoi by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Country: Vietnam

Rising in the vibrant heart of the Old Quarter this month, steps from the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts presents its first property to open in Vietnam in a blend of local heritage, modern design and curated art. With 241 guest rooms, 38 Fairmont Gold rooms, 12 spacious suites, eight bars and restaurants, an exquisite wellness facility and Hanoi’s largest pillarless ballroom, this premise is poised to usher guests into a new chapter of Vietnamese luxury hospitality. The Cirua Spa, Fitness & Wellness Club within spans 38,000 sq ft and features a signature bathhouse with a range of hydrotherapy and thermal facilities, plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms and 10 private treatment rooms. A fitness studio is set to complement the layout of extensive facilities available, along with the Old Quarter’s most expansive ballroom – a 12,000 sq ft column-free venue with smaller ballrooms and meeting rooms.

NH Maldives Reethi Resort by NH Collections Country: Maldives

Transforming Baa Atoll’s long-standing retreat into a fresh expression of Maldivian hospitality, NH Maldives Reethi Resort features 105 transformed villas, refined restaurants and bars, family spaces, kids’ facilities and a serene spa, all within the natural landscape of Fonimagoodhoo. Positioned to frame the ocean and face the sunset, the villas come in an array of configurations with a two-bedroom family option with a private plunge pool and sundecks available, along with the Reethi Suite (150 sq m) that overlooks a long private pool and the open ocean, set in its own remote stretch of the beach. Meanwhile, 30 overwater villas are aligned to form a crescent at the northen tip of the beach, gazing at the open ocean for a deep sense of tranquility.

Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival cancelled due to overtourism A cherry blossom festival boasting a highly Instagrammable view of Japan’s Mount Fuji has been cancelled after residents complained of overtourism fuelled by the weak yen. called off this year because “the quiet lives of local residents are threatened”. have grown in hotspots such as Kyoto, where disrespectful tourists have been accused of harassing kimono-clad geisha performers in their frenzy for photos. reported by its citizens, the city said. “Behind Mount Fuji‘s beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened. We have a strong sense of crisis.

curtain down on the 10-year-old festival,” Fujiyoshida mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said in a statement. The city, however, admitted that even if the festival itself is cancelled, its venue – a park overlooking Mount Fuji, cherry blossom trees and a five-story pagoda – may still see a spike in visitors as spring nears. – AFP

About 42.7 million tourists flocked to Japan in 2025, an all time high, topping 2024’s record of nearly 37 million as the weak yen boosted the appeal of the “bucket list” destination. But complaints of overcrowding

In Fujiyoshida, the influx of foreign tourists has seen traffic chronically jammed and cigarette butts tossed, with trespassing and even defecation in private gardens

The city of Fujiyoshida, in central Japan’s Yamanashi region, said the weeks-long event attracting around 200,000 people will be

“To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the