The opening of Ramallah’s first five-star hotel will mark another small step in the West Bank town’s steady march towards something resembling normal life.

But its sixth-floor executive lounge looks out on a panorama of unresolved issues that cloud the economic outlook — a built-up Israeli settlement on a nearby hilltop, a Palestinian refugee camp down below and the hazy skyline of distant Jerusalem beyond a grim separation wall.

The Movenpick Hotel Ramallah, a locally owned franchise of the Swiss-based chain, is aimed primarily at corporate clients and has been billed as yet another indication that the occupied West Bank is open for business.

Global hotel chain Hilton has announced that it is to follow competitor Sheraton in revamping its global spas.

The brand, which operates 123 spas around the world and has another 80 under construction, says that its new “eforea” spas will “bring balance and wellness to the body and take guests on a transformative journey of the senses.”

In an attempt to broaden the appeal of the spas, Hilton has opted to add a “Men’s Journey,” which comprises “goal driven treatments” such as body repair and a heated bamboo massage, as one of three signature offerings.

Major hotel brands have been unveiling expansion plans in China at a key conference over the past week.

Many chains are planning to considerably beef up their presence in the country, with a series of deals unveiled this week at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific.

Hyatt announced a total of 11 new properties, confirming that four new hotels would be opened next year in Ningbo, Jinan, Guiyang and Qingdao, a mix of areas designed to target both business and leisure travelers.

Hyatt is to offer guests hypoallergenic rooms in all of its North American properties, it confirmed October 12.

The group, which operates Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Andaz properties, is to roll out approximately 2,000 hypoallergenic rooms in its hotels across the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Branded Respire by Hyatt, the rooms use a system designed to eliminate more than 98% of airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as pollen and other irritants.

Hotel chain Sheraton has announced a major revamp of its fitness offerings around the world in partnership with fitness and lifestyle brand Core Performance.

As part of the brand’s $6 billion global revitalization, Sheraton’s new Fitness Centers will feature “themed” workouts, designed to appeal to time-pressed travelers staying in the brand’s hotels.

Guests will also be able to access Sheraton Fitness online at Sheratonfitness.com, enabling them to continue their workout both at home and in hotels.

Luxury hotel chain The Luxury Collection has launched its own series of travel guides, becoming the latest brand to launch a guide for well-heeled travelers.

The Luxury Collection will publish six travel guides to cover Italy, Argentina, India, Spain, Greece and the United States in association with publisher Assouline.

The guides feature personal commentary from star chefs in each region (including Mario Batali for Italy, Francis Mallman for Argentina, José Andrés for Spain, and Charlie Palmer for the USA).

The luxury guides will also include photography from Andrea Fazzari, who has contributed to Vanity Fair and GQ magazines.