The UAE hotel group Rotana opened its second property in Erbil, Iraq, this week. The Erbil Arjaan by Rotana is an alcohol-free property situated on the northern edge of the city. The Erbil Rotana, which opened six years ago, is on the western side of the city, and both are a 10-minute drive from the airport. The new hotel has 168 hotel apartments, two restaurants, extensive office facilities and a Bodylines fitness and wellness club. Rooms cost from US$164 (Dh602) per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.rotana.com
Millennium Plaza Doha opens in Qatar
Millennium & Copthorne has opened its fourth hotel in Qatar, on the western side of the capital’s business district. The Millennium Plaza Doha has 232 rooms, a spa, conference centre and several restaurants. Rooms cost from Dh282 per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.millenniumhotels.com
Check in to new onsen in Japan
Travellers to Japan can now check into a designer modern ryokan-style hotel in Hakone, two hours south of Tokyo. Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu is an onsen (Japanese hot spring) resort surrounded by forest, close to Mount Hakone. It has 150 rooms and a large outdoor hot-spring infinity pool. Rooms cost from 60,600 yen (Dh1,952) per night, including taxes, half-board. For more information, visit www.hakone-tenyu.com.
All aboard for latest luxury train
Also in Japan, a new luxury train is now travelling on one-, two- and three-day itineraries north-east from Tokyo, from $3,000 (Dh11,019) per person, per night. The Train Suite Shiki-Shima carries 34 passengers in 17 suites, and travels at the modest speed of 110kph. It has glass observatory carriages at either end, while the top suites feature Japanese cypress-wood baths, fresh flower arrangements and Swarovski binoculars. Trips are already sold out until 2018; booking applications can still be made at www.jreast.co.jp/shiki-shima
