The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by  CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has more than tripled its portfolio under The Unlimited Collection to 11 properties across Asia, Europe and the Middle East over the past year.

As travellers seek meaningful  engagement with a destination’s culture, people, food and environment, Ascott is launching a brand refresh of The Unlimited Collection to accentuate its focus on cultural charms. This will reinforce the global  positioning of The Unlimited Collection as a curated selection of independent upscale hotels in vibrant  neighbourhoods that feature exquisite designs and fulfil travellers’ aspirations for authentic and immersive  local cultural experiences.

The Unlimited Collection debuted in 2020 with three properties in Singapore – Ann Siang House by The  Unlimited Collection, KēSa House by The Unlimited Collection and Wanderlust by The Unlimited  Collection – all of which are located within conserved buildings in cultural districts but each with its own  design and character.

With unique experiences delivered in the most charming of locations, KēSa House and Wanderlust by The Unlimited Collection were recently ranked as the Best Boutique Hotel and Best  Hotel for Couples in Singapore respectively by Forbes. Tapping the popularity of experiential travel, Ascott  added eight new properties to The Unlimited Collection in the past year. The Unlimited Collection now  comprises more than 900 units, both operating and in the pipeline, spanning eight cities globally.

Ms Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, Ascott, said: “Our collection brands form a key pillar of Ascott’s  growth plans as they enable us to partner with independent owners who wish to preserve the unique  identities of their properties while leveraging Ascott’s expertise in hospitality management, supported by  our global distribution system and loyalty network. In recent years, we have witnessed increasing interest in Ascott’s collection brands as they offer owners flexibility, ease of conversion and quick time-to-market while preserving the distinctive nature of each property.

As a result, we have made good headway with the heritage-focused The Crest Collection brand in the luxury hotel segment, amassing 13 properties in Europe  and Asia with over 1,600 units to date. The Unlimited Collection, that focuses on accentuating the unique cultural charms of each property, is our next global collection brand success with eight properties added in  the past year. We see potential in further scaling The Unlimited Collection through offering customised  support to owners who seek to capitalise on growing guest demand for authentic local experiences.”

Ascott’s strategic acquisition of Oakwood Worldwide in 2H 2022 comprised properties branded under Oakwood, three properties under The Unlimited Collection, as well as unbranded properties; referred collectively as the  “Oakwood portfolio”.

Ms Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer, Ascott, said: “Travellers nowadays are willing to invest more  in experiences that are true to local culture. For Ascott, it means building up a brand rooted in the power of  discovery and the magic of authentic experiences. As more travellers aspire to embrace the local way of  life, The Unlimited Collection rises to the occasion with curated experiential stays that appeal to this emerging breed of travellers who seeks an immersive sense of place.

Designed to offer an authentic experience from each destination, every property in The Unlimited Collection is a local landmark featuring  exquisite designs that leads guests to intriguing personal discoveries and engaging cultural appreciation.  With its refreshed brand focus on the charm of culture, we are confident The Unlimited Collection will  foster a deeper connection between our guests and the destinations they visit, making every stay memorable  and unique.”

Additions to The Unlimited Collection

Asia

Following the launch of The Unlimited Collection in Singapore, the brand took root in Vietnam in  December 2023 with the opening of the 100-unit Anmira Resort & Spa Hoi An by The Unlimited Collection,  located between the vibrant Hoi An Old Town and the pristine shores of Cua Dai and An Bang Beach. The  opening marked the first resort under The Unlimited Collection. 

Poised for further expansion into Malaysia and Indonesia, the brand will also see the addition of more than  200 units across three properties by end 2025. These properties are Macalister Hotel Penang by The  Unlimited Collection, Amatonn Hotel & Residence by The Unlimited Collection and Costaluna Batam by  The Unlimited Collection.

Europe

Expanding into Europe, The Unlimited Collection will welcome its first two properties in the United Kingdom, namely Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection before the end of 2024 and  The Grand Hotel Leicester by The Unlimited Collection by 2Q 2025. These two conversion properties are  signed in partnership with S Hotels and Resorts PCL (SET: SHR), the hospitality arm of leading  international development company Singha Estate PCL (SET: S). In addition, Temple Bar Hotel Dublin, a  136-room hotel in Ireland owned by CapitaLand Ascott Trust, will be rebranded under The Unlimited  Collection by end 2024. These three properties in Europe comprise more than 400 units. 

Middle East

Over in the Middle East, the 90-unit The Unlimited Collection Hotel Marrakech paves the way for Ascott’s entry into the enthralling city of Marrakech in Morocco come 2026. 

Please refer to Annex for more information on these eight properties that have been added to The Unlimited  Collection since 2023.

The Unlimited Collection Brand Refresh

The Unlimited Collection brand refresh is a continuation of Ascott’s Brand360 strategy, a groupwide initiative to strengthen its brand portfolio through sharpened brand stories and the introduction of signature experiences and programmes unique to each brand. According to the 2023 Global Travel Trends Report by  American Express, 85% of respondents expressed an interest in discovering hidden gems and are keen to  visit a place where they can truly experience the local culture. The refreshed brand’s focus on cultural  charms distinguishes The Unlimited Collection as a portfolio of storied hotels featuring exquisite designs in exciting locations.

Focused on delivering unscripted, unchartered, unconventional and unforgettable experiences, The  Unlimited Collection accentuates the bohemian charm of cultural enclaves, bringing guests on an adventure  in lively neighbourhoods filled with colourful sights, sounds, tastes and personalities. Guests will be treated  to a kaleidoscope of festivals, art, music, craft, food and language steeped in local culture that fascinates  even the most discerning of wanderlusts. 

Embodying the brand essence, Ann Siang House by The Unlimited Collection in Singapore is a restored heritage building nestled on the outskirts of the historic Telok Ayer sub-district of Chinatown, where a  multitude of world-class bars and trendy eateries sit at its doorstep. Whether it is the bustle of the city or  the stories of the old streets in the culturally rich precinct, guests of Ann Siang House can indulge in a  genuine experience that encompasses the exquisite cultural essence of Singapore.

In another example, Temple Bar Hotel Dublin by The Unlimited Collection will enhance its reputation as a  cultural icon celebrating the best of local Irish music after completing its rebranding exercise. Located along  Fleet Street, a vibrant neighbourhood steeped in music, art, culture and history, the hotel is home to Buskers  Bar, a lively contemporary bar and renowned landmark, and Buskers on the Ball, an award-winning sports  bar. Hotel guests can stroll along the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar district to explore various markets,  galleries and boutiques during the day, and immerse in the buzzy atmosphere filled with live music gigs  from popular Irish pubs when night falls. 

Presenting The Unlimited Collection’s Brand Signatures

With a strong design intent inspired by each neighbourhood’s culture, The Unlimited Collection elevates  the authentic to the extraordinary with its approach on Unique Design. Melding tradition with modernity,  KēSa House by The Unlimited Collection for example is a standout flexible stay property located across 10  contiguous shophouses along Keong Saik Road in Singapore’s Chinatown. In the hipster enclave of Jalan  Besar located close by, Wanderlust by The Unlimited Collection is housed in a heritage 1920s Art Deco style building, with interiors that merge old world charm with modern day comforts. Over in Vietnam,  Anmira Resort & Spa Hoi An by The Unlimited Collection melds Hoi An’s historic tradition into alluring  designs, with each room featuring a distinctive Indochina architectural style.

Slated to open by the end of 2024, Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection reimagines  the heritage of the hotel for wanderlusts and connoisseurs, featuring a ‘Library Lobby’ decked out in books  and framed artefacts waxing lyrical about the best small batch scotch whisky and iconic works from  generations of Scottish writers. The Grand Hotel Leicester by The Unlimited Collection welcomes guests  to experience the opulence of the Grade II listed Victorian building that has played host to several historic  events.

Another brand signature is The U Shop, a retail concept unique to The Unlimited Collection properties,  offering an array of property merchandise created in collaboration with local artists and crafters.  Showcasing one-of-a-kind local trinkets and charms, The U Shop ensures that guests can take home a  cherished local memento that authentically embodies each destination’s cultural tapestry.

The Unlimited Collection is a realm for adventure-seekers looking to freely embrace their true self. Fusing  rich character, extraordinary designs and new perspectives of experiencing each destination, guests can dot  their travel journeys with unique stories. A melting pot of intriguing spirits and stories, The U Bar at The  Unlimited Collection properties invite guests to experience a fusion of classic and creativity, while sharing  passions with fellow wanderlusts.

Associates of The Unlimited Collection, known affectionately as Gen-U, live the bohemian charm of the  locale and help guests create their own distinctive experiences that are anything but ordinary. Embodying  the core of creativity and authenticity, Gen-Us are trendsetters who are always in the know of the latest  happenings in town. They are unconventional and always there to delight guests with thoughtfully unique  surprises, and are culturists who are passionate about bringing remarkable and undiscovered experiences to  everyone.

A brand film titled ‘Be a Gen-U: A Generation for Unlimited Experiences’, will roll out on various digital  and social channels as part of the brand refresh of The Unlimited Collection. The film illustrates how a  Gen-U embarks on an unscripted adventure, exploring charming destinations and immersing herself in  cultural experiences to discover what propels her to travel. It highlights The Unlimited Collection’s  refreshed brand story and signatures through a kaleidoscope of festivals, art, music, craft, food and  languages steeped in local culture. A global marketing campaign will kick off on 12 August 2024.

Browse the full portfolio of The Unlimited Collection online at discoverasr.com.