Hotel Openings 2014: New Hotels and Resorts to Watch Out For this Year

Hello seasoned traveller, aspiring wanderer, and adventure seeker!

2014 is said to be the year of the Fire Horse, according to Feng Shui experts. What makes this tidbit significant is that the horse is one animal that symbolizes travel - you do go places when you're with a horse... and fast! This only means 2014 is one of the perfect years for traveling!

We've already talked about dream destinations for 2014. This time, we'll be talking about accommodations - particularly the most exciting ones opening this year. Here's a list of soon-to-open hotels and resorts as published by CNN.

Sea Sentosa Bali

This establishment is situated on Echo Beach, a surf hangout in Canggu in Bali, Indonesia. The suites in this hotel surrounds a "lagoon-style swimming pool" and is bordered by vertical gardens. On the topmost floor, there's a 3-bedroom penthouse furnished with Italian appointments and balconies that give you a sumptuous view of the Indian Ocean. There's also a plunge pool you can wallow in while gazing over the sea. Sea Sentosa Bali opens in the second quarter of this year.

Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa

What's special about this Qatari venue is that it's on a private island, 13 hectares large and accessible only by a speedboat. It also has only 141 rooms and a special offshore reef that will be "home to a conservation center." Now isn't that eco-friendly? The resort opens in April.

Shangri-La Lhasa

In Q2 this year, you can spend your Tibetan days and nights in 5-star comfort, thanks to Shangri-La Hotel group's efforts. This establishment is notable because it's just within walking distance from the famous Potala Palace, which also means it's set at a higher altitude (3,500 meters) than most of its international counterparts. Not to worry, the hotel comes with an oxygen lounge where the guests will find some relief adjusting to the altitude.

W Beijing

It's distinct feature is its location - it's just a couple of steps away from the Forbidden City. There's also the Wish Workshop that the Chang'An hotel offers, involving a variety of classes ranging from cooking to yoga. Opens on June 28, 2014.

Paper Factory Hotel

If you want to stay the night in a renovated paper factory where "art is the focus," make a booking at this NY hotel, which opens early this year according to NewYork.com.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

With only 93 rooms, you'll need to make your reservations to this accommodations really early, way before its March 2014 opening. It encloses six 17^th and 18^th century homes which are all on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Alila Jabal Akhdar

Oman will be welcoming one more hotel within its borders in March 2014, albeit "set 2,000 meters above sea level in the mountainous Jabal Akhdar region two hours from Muscat." It gives you fantastic views of the Hajar Mountains and has 86 rooms.