Resort properties are emerging as “one of the most significant areas of growth” for Ascott, says its chief strategy officer and managing director of Southeast Asia, Wong Kar Ling. This comes as the wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI) accelerates its expansion across Southeast Asia to capture the rising leisure travel demand.
Ascott currently operates 200 properties, with another 150 under construction. Of these, 25 are slated to open within the next 12 months, according to its April 20 announcement.
The focus on resorts reflects a structural shift in global leisure travel. “Global leisure spend is projected to triple to US$15 trillion by 2040,” Ascott notes in an Aug 11, 2025 announcement.
Speaking at a media briefing in Hanoi, Wong says: “Over the last three to five years, we have expanded into different typologies, one of which is resort, and we are already operating at least 50 of them. This comes as we listen to what our guests want.”
She adds: “They say they want to stay in resorts, and therefore, we are bringing our brands to resorts.”
Ascott now has around 50 properties in resort destinations worldwide, in operation and under development, supported by 11 new signings over the past 10 months that were secured via management and franchise agreements, says Ascott.
See also: Vietnam a ‘dynamic growth market’ for Ascott
These represent about 5% of its global portfolio of over 1,000 properties and the momentum is driven by Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy, which adapts brands such as Ascott, Citadines, Lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection and The Unlimited Collection for resort settings.
“This approach enables efficient scaling in high-potential destinations while fulfilling lifestyle aspirations of its growing Ascott Star Rewards membership and delivering brand-led solutions that drive long-term value for property owners,” reads the Aug 11, 2025 announcement.
“Resorts are one of the fastest-growing [asset types], and much of our growth today reflects the confidence of our owners. It is also a testament to our global presence,” adds Wong.
See also: Ascott adds over 7,300 units across Southeast Asia in ‘strongest-ever’ year for signings
Upcoming resort openings across Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand will complement Ascott’s established urban portfolio and strengthen its balance across business and leisure travel segments.
Regional resorts pipeline
Scheduled to open in 2027 are Ascott Abov Patong Phuket Resort in Thailand, Lyf Resort Labuan Bajo and Oakwood Jimbaran Villas and Residences Bali in Indonesia, as well as Balai Dajao by Preference in Siargao, the Philippines.
Openings slated for 2028 include Ascott Batu Ferringhi Penang in Malaysia, Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort in the Philippines and Oakwood Premier Berawa Beach Bali in Indonesia.
Together, these projects reflect a growing “push into resort destinations beyond traditional gateway cities”, as Ascott seeks to capture demand in both established and emerging hotspots.
Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection
Among Ascott’s flagship developments is Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection, which is set to complete its full opening on April 24.
Located at the confluence of the Ma River and Sam Son Beach in Thanh Hoa Province, this will mark the debut of a landmark wellness resort on Vietnam’s northern coast. The property comprises 68 boutique hotel rooms and 20 private pool villas, all in operation since mid-2025, with the newly opened 190-room Sky Vista tower completing the full resort experience.
The resort features an authentic Korean jjimjilbang, four-season pool, plant-based dining and a full spa, drawing on Sam Son’s coastal heritage and Vietnamese-Korean wellness traditions to deliver a deeply local and distinctive stay.
Harris Resort Cam Ranh
Another major project is Harris Resort Cam Ranh, slated to open progressively from 4Q2026.
The 693-unit all-in-one resort is located along Long Beach in Cam Ranh, one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing leisure and aviation hubs and is designed for families and leisure travellers. It features speciality dining, a beach club, recreational facilities and dedicated meeting spaces.
Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son and Harris Resort Cam Ranh mark the beginning of Ascott’s significant resort push across Southeast Asia through 2028. In Vietnam, this will be followed by Citadines Selavia Phu Quoc in 2027 and Somerset Nha Trang in 2028.
Expanding across multiple lodging types
Beyond resorts, Ascott continues to expand across multiple lodging typologies. Its Southeast Asia pipeline spans serviced residences and extends across hotels, resorts, social living properties and branded residences.
In Singapore, upcoming openings include Lyf Chinatown Singapore, slated to open in July. The property “exemplifies the Lyf brand’s experience-led approach to social living [concept]” in one of Singapore’s “most historically significant precincts”.
Right in the “heart and vibrance of Singapore’s nightlife in Clarke Quay” is also Ascott’s Somerset Clarke Quay, which forms part of CanningHill Piers and is slated for “soft launch by the end of 2026”, says Serena Lim, Ascott’s chief growth officer. The 192-unit serviced residence sits at the intersection of the Singapore River and Fort Canning Hill and will have direct connectivity to Fort Canning MRT Station.
Elsewhere in the region, Ascott Ortigas Manila is setting the mark for the debut of the flagship Ascott brand in the Ortigas Central Business District in Metro Manila, the Philippines.
A conversion of the well-established Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, the 229-unit property closed in January for renovations. Located directly across from the Asian Development Bank headquarters, it is positioned to serve corporate, long-stay and leisure travellers and will offer dining, a spa, fitness centre and event spaces upon reopening.
“As we scale across cities and resort destinations, disciplined execution remains our focus – from efficient conversions to reliable delivery on the ground. The strength of our local teams has been instrumental in translating strategy into outcomes, turning pipeline into reality with the speed and precision our owners and guests expect,” says Wong. “We are particularly excited about our upcoming resort openings across the region, which will meaningfully expand our leisure offerings and open up new destinations for Ascott Star Rewards members to explore and enjoy their rewards.”
In addition to expanding its lodging typologies, Ascott’s development pipeline will also extend its footprint into around 20 new cities across Southeast Asia, taking the company beyond established gateway markets and deeper into emerging leisure and business destinations.
New cities entering the Ascott portfolio include Phu Quoc and Nha Trang in Vietnam; Phuket and Hat Yai in Thailand; Labuan Bajo and Medan in Indonesia; Davao and Biñan in the Philippines; and Johor Bahru and Langkawi in Malaysia.
“The upcoming wave of openings reinforces Southeast Asia’s role as both a core growth engine and a showcase for Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy,” adds Wong.
