How Park Hyatt and Alila have defined a new era of luxury travel

Art has always been central to Park Hyatt’s identity, shaped in part by the Pritzker family’s long-standing patronage of contemporary culture. Hotels in the collection are often as notable for their curated art collections as for their hospitality, with works by celebrated artists woven into public and private spaces.

At Park Hyatt Bangkok, art becomes the architecture itself. Monumental installations by Japanese sculptor Hirotoshi Sawada, colourful silk works by Thai artist Chatchai Puipia and a gleaming stainless-steel meteorite by Chinese sculptor Zhang Wang form a dialogue between cultures.

To sum it up, Park Hyatt’s approach to hospitality is one that is timeless, and the balance of intimacy and sophistication continues to shape the brand’s growth. The newly opened Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur brings understated elegance to new heights — quite literally, as it is housed in tallest building in Asia Pacific — and perhaps one of the most anticipated hotel (re)openings of the year, Park Hyatt Tokyo recently opened its doors once again after a stunning refinement. In Vietnam, the upcoming Park Hyatt Phu Quoc will offer a resort experience where contemporary design meets the island’s natural beauty. 

Alila

Slow living, full of wonder 

When was the last time a hotel truly surprised you? Alila means “surprise” in Sanskrit, and this remains the North Star and guiding principle for the brand — to delight in ways that are unexpected, and create unscripted moments that become lasting memories. 

The location of its properties are sometimes a surprise in itself. Like at Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai, a spectacular and serene retreat on the southern coast of China, or in the remote, majestic Al Hajar Mountains that surround Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman. 

At other times, Alila properties surprise guests by offering a fresh perspective on familiar destinations. Enter Alila Moments, an initiative that aims to facilitate immersive, inspiring, introspective moments through personalised guest experiences that foster meaningful connections with each destination, be it through culture and community, nature and environmental awareness, creativity, and wellness.

Alila Shanghai, for example, offers a programme called The Fragrant Path: Incense, Memory, and Meaning, where guests can step into the poetic world of Chinese incense and its role in healing, meditation, and artistry.

Beyond this, the hotel embodies the fascinating dualities that make Shanghai such a seductive destination. Whether that’s at the secret rooftop bar, where innovative cocktails meet views of historic Zhangyuan rooftops; or at Alila Spa, a wellness sanctuary that feels worlds away from the bustle of Shanghai’s Jing’an district just outside the hotel walls. 

Alila Villas Uluwau remains one of the most iconic properties in the world for its striking nest-inspired architecture, dramatic clifftop location and pioneering approach to wellness and sustainability. Take, for example, the innovative use of locally sourced lava rock on the roofs to absorb heat. Once again surprising guests, this time by proving that being sustainable doesn’t have to mean compromising luxury.  

Long before eco-friendly was a buzzword, Alila was quietly putting sustainability at the heart of its operations, embedding innovative processes to prove that being “green” doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or indulgence. Buildings blend into their landscapes, water use gets special attention and staff work closely with local communities to make sure everyone benefits, not just the guests. 

Today, guests from all over the world know they’re signing up for a different kind of luxury — a stay that’s elegant, eco-conscious and that always puts well-being at the centre.