Hotel Designs

World-class luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, has announced during the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) its plans to open a new 380-room JW Marriott Hotel and Casino which will include 16 residential condos located on the island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The property will be operated by Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) under a long-term agreement with DesarrollosHotelco Turks and Caicos Ltd., a group made up of prominent regional investors.The nine-story hotel, scheduled to open in early 2016, will be built on a11-acre site and is located on the world-famous Grace Bay beach along the north coast of Providenciales, 15 minutes from the Providenciales International Airport.

“We are thrilled to bring the JW Marriott brand of luxury to Turks and Caicos,” said Walter Stipa, majority investor of Desarrollos Hotelco Turks and Caicos Ltd. “And with its prime location on stunning Grace Bay Beach, we know that it will be very successful.”

Mr. Walter Stipa is also the majority shareholder of the 269-room JW Marriott Hotel Caracas, the 207-room Venezuela Marriott Hotel Playa Grande and the 212-room Renaissance La Castellana Caracas. Additionally, Mr. Stipa owns the 320-room Ritz-Carlton Aruba, which is currently under construction and expected to open at the end of 2013.

In addition to 380 guest rooms and suites, the hotel will feature a gourmet specialty restaurant, a three-meal-a-day restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge and a pool bar & grill. It will have 1,300 square meters of meeting space, including a ballroom; as well as a 962 square meter spa and fitness center, a kids/teen club, three swimming pools and a 901 square meter casino.

“We are proud to announce our second world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel project in the Caribbean and our first in Turks and Caicos. This beautiful hotel will offer the highest levels of accommodations and service to our guests and will be a great addition to the brand’s growing global portfolio,” said Craig S. Smith, President of the Caribbean and Latin America.

“We are fortunate to have partners like Mr. Stipa and his team, who have an amazing eye for great sites and destinations with potential in the region” says Laurent de Kousemaeker, chief development officer for Marriott International, Inc. in the Caribbean & Latin America “Turks & Caicos is a fabulous luxury Caribbean destination that currently has no supply of internationally renowned luxury brand hotels that offer the range of resort amenities which leisure and incentive guests are looking for.”

The primary architect for the project is Robert M. Coleman & Partners, whose also designed the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, the Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club timeshare resort, the recently-opened Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino and the Ritz-Carlton Aruba, currently under construction.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio consists of 60 properties in 24 countries, offering a new standard of luxury to travelers around the world. By 2015, the brand plans to operate 80 hotels in 28 countries. In addition to JW Marriott in Turks and Caicos, the brand expects rapid growth in the Caribbean and Latin America region in the coming years. Properties in the pipeline include the 300-room JW Marriott Cabo San Lucas Resort, Mexico (2015), the 131-room JW Marriott Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2014), and the 225-room JW Marriott Hotel San Jose, Costa Rica (2015). Always reflecting their locale, JW Marriott hotels provide quietly luxurious, though purposeful and meaningful, services that help travelers achieve their personal goals and advance their ambitions without distraction or disruption, resulting in a rare harmony of beautifully delivered experiences where the primary purpose is the guests’ over-all well-being.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., the leader in luxury hospitality, has unveiled plans to open its first property in Rabat, the prestigious capital city of the Kingdom of Morocco, bringing the number of hotels currently under development in the brand’s growing North Africa portfolio to three.The owner of the urban resort is Sienna Investment Group, an investment vehicle established in Morocco. The architectural and design team of the luxury property consists of Scape Design Associates as the Landscape Designers, and Architects, WATG. Construction is underway, and The Ritz-Carlton expects the resort to open in December 2014.

The urban resort will be situated approximately 10 minutes’ drive from the city center, within the grounds of the most highly esteemed golf course in the Kingdom, The Royal Golf of Dar Es Salam, designed by Robert Trent Jones over 40 years ago. The golf estate which comprises three courses, frequented by Rabat and Morocco’s high society, is set within a stunning 440 hectare oak forest, surrounded by an array of flora and breathtaking lakes, and will provide the scenic backdrop to The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat, located near the 10th tee of the main course.

The resort will benefit from 120 guest rooms, 15 one-bedroom and five, two-bedroom villas, expected to appeal to dignitaries and government delegations from around the world.

Further properties currently under construction in North Africa include The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis, Carthage, a resort featuring 129-suites, situated close to the world heritage site of Carthage and Morocco a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Tamuda Bay, an exclusive upscale resort nestled along the unspoiled waters of the Mediterranean, approximately 60 kilometers east of the city of Tangiers, featuring a 98-luxury room hotel with 35 pool villa suites, a beach club and an 18-hole Nicklaus design golf course.

As if anyone needed another reason to visit the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc…

Champagne and the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc have been intimate friends throughout the hotel’s history. For years, the great and the good have plotted love lives and world politics as they have sipped a chilled glass of France’s finest sitting on the deck of the Eden-Roc overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the hotel’s iconic swimming pool.Following a €50 million restoration project completed in April 2011, the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc will now be introducing a glamorous new experience for it’s devoted clientele in 2013 – the ‘Eden-Roc Champagne Lounge’.

Set to become the iconic new place to take a drink on the Riviera, the ‘Eden-Roc Champagne Lounge’ will be located on the open-air upper panoramic terrace of the legendary Eden-Roc. With stunning views of the Mediterranean, the property’s pine forest and of course the hotel’s iconic swimming pool built into the rock, this will be the one of the most beautiful places to sit back and watch the world sail by. With a relaxed ambiance and design and lounge music, it will accommodate up to 40 guests.

The ‘Eden-Roc Champagne Lounge’ will exclusively offer Champagne cocktails from the finest champagne houses in France. It will be working exclusively with 13 different champagne houses selected for their different profiles by Head Sommelier Xavier Dinet. There will be six Cuvées de Champagne served by the glass including Blanc de Blancs, Blanc Millésimé, Rosé, Prestige Blanc and Prestige Rosé. There will also be exclusive vintages on offer such as Jéroboams of Louis Roederer “Cristal Or” 2002, of which only 200 were created worldwide. The unique bottle is covered with a gold coin hand-made by a goldsmith.

The ‘Eden-Roc Champagne Lounge’ is now open until the 1st September 2013 from 6pm to 12.30am.

April’s Highlights
• Abu Dhabi’s hotel market witness green shoots, while Dubai maintains continued growth over 2012
• Cairo hotels suffer as violence ensues, however performance surges in Sharm El Sheikh

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the Holiday Inn® Baltimore – BWI Airport Area, located just minutes from Baltimore Washington Thurgood International Airport (BWI). Close to major businesses and attractions, the 137-room hotel at 815 Elkridge Landing Road is completely renovated and offers a fresh and welcoming environment.“We are proud to welcome the Holiday Inn Baltimore – BWI Airport Area hotel to the Holiday Inn brand family,” said Heather Balsley, senior vice president, Americas Holiday Inn Brand Family IHG. “This hotel is among the over 1,200 properties worldwide which represent the new face of a brand that is redefining innovative guest comfort and convenience in cities across America. The Baltimore/Washington area is a key market where we believe this Holiday Inn hotel will thrive.”

“We are delighted to be joining the Holiday Inn brand family,” said Stacey Schuhardt, general manager, Holiday Inn Baltimore – BWI Airport. “We look forward to welcoming both business and leisure guests to all that the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas have to offer, and providing them with the best service in the area.“

Located just a short distance from Interstate 95, and the Baltimore Washington Parkway, the new Holiday Inn hotel is close to major business destinations, Fort Meade and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Nearby leisure attractions include Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Maryland Zoo and baseball’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The hotel also includes a new lobby and restaurant – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers the Holiday Inn Best-4-Breakfastâ menu, with signature items such as Rainforest Alliance™ Certified coffee, Cinnamon Supreme French Toast™ and Skillet Inspirations™.

The Holiday Inn Baltimore – BWI Airport hotel is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

In addition to Swissôtel’s recently announced hotel projects in a growing number of dynamic markets such as China, India and Russia, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is expanding the portfolio with its first hotel in Bangladesh. The Swissôtel Dhaka is located in the new Business District of Gulshan and is scheduled to open in 2018.The Swissôtel Dhaka ballroom, as well as a Pürovel spa with a swimming pool and other recreational amenities. The future hotel is easily of event space including a 500m, six restaurants and bars, 950mwill feature 375 guest rooms and suites with a minimum room size of 38m accessible for business travelers, 12km from the airport and across from the new financial leisure district of Motijheel which is a fresh water lake recently converted into a leisure and recreation area. Numerous multinational companies, office complexes, embassies and high-end residences are located near the Swissôtel Dhaka in the adjacent Gulshan business district. The proposed underground train connection, as well as an 8km stretch of elevated highway, which is presently undergoing construction will provide easy access to the various manufacturing and economic centers of Dhaka.

With its population of 20 million, Dhaka is one of the largest cities in South Asia and is both the capital city and major industrial center of Bangladesh strategically located between India and Myanmar. The close proximity to China and Thailand enhances the strategic importance of Bangladesh as a country with a rapidly growing economy supported primarily by manufacturing and textile production.

According to Meinhard Huck, President Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, “Dhaka is experiencing sustainable growth, particularly in the financial and textile manufacturing sectors, but also in telecommunications and service industries which has resulted in strong demand for high quality hotel accommodation.”

The Swissôtel Dhaka is developed by the Bengal Group, founded in 1969 by the Chairman Morshed Alam. The Bengal Group has diversified interests in many business sectors including plastic products, textiles, renewable energy, food, media, financial sector and real estate. Bengal Plastic is the world’s largest manufacturer of coat hangers, producing more than two million hangers daily, whilst its clothing division supplies mainly denim to major clients such as Walmart, Sainsbury, The Children Place, VP Corp and others.

Are you looking for a change or new idea?

Fabric walling gives spaces a unique focal point. It is an important decorative element and gives character to a space and elegance to the room. It is the most artistic way that you can use to decorate your space.Fabric walling is a traditional art form, an exquisite example of craftsmanship which exudes grace and class since ancient times. Initially fabric walling was used to adorn castles and churches as it kept moisture at bay, as well as provide aesthetic appeal, but it soon became a symbol of aristocracy and prestige. Today, fabric walling is also appreciated for its beauty and exclusivity.

Another advantage of fabric walling is it helps to insulate the room from noise. It is therefore excellent for use in offices, conference rooms, cinema rooms, TV rooms, etc.

Mille Couleurs Showroom is certainly worth a visit if you are looking for a something different.

Regent Studios, 1 Thane Villas
Studio 101, Islington
N7 7PH; UK
www.mc-london.com

Marriott International, Inc. has signed a management agreement with CJSC Globus to open its first property in Novosibirsk, Russia, the 175-room Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel. The Marriott Novosibirsk will be a new addition to the Marriott Hotels & Resorts flagship brand and is expected to open in 2014. Joining Marriott executives and VIPs for the official signing ceremony was the Mayor of Novosibirsk, Mr. Vladimir Gorodetsky. The announcement follows the recent signing of the Courtyard by Marriott Ulyanovsk and grows the current pipeline in Russia to nine new properties over the next 3 years. Other upcoming openings include the 234-room Moscow Marriott Novy Arbat in 2014, and the Courtyard by Marriott Sochi Plaza Hotel and Krasnaya Polyana Marriott Hotel in Sochi, host city of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“Last October we announced plans to grow our portfolio in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States by more than 50 percent by 2015 and signing the Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel is another important step in reaching that goal,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe. “We are excited about the growth in travel throughout the region and the expanding demand for our hotels and brands.”

Novosibirsk is the capital of the Siberian Federal District and Russia’s third largest city after Moscow and St Petersburg. A vibrant hub of commerce and culture, the city is an important centre for governmental affairs and industry but also boasts an extraordinary host of cultural institutions. Known as the cultural capital of Siberia, Novosibirsk’s State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Novosibirsk Philharmonic Hall and M.I. Glinka State Conservatory are internationally acclaimed. Visitors to the city can also explore its many cultural heritage sites and architectural and historical monuments as well as museums and theatres.

The Marriott Novosibirsk will be positioned in a prime location on Lenin Square opposite the city’s iconic Opera House. Featuring sophisticated guestrooms, a leisure club, indoor pool and 454 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is expected to be popular with both business and leisure travellers. Additional hotel facilities include a casual dining restaurant, a Lobby Lounge & Bar, and business centre.

April’s Highlights:
• Total Revenue and Profit Growth for everyone!
• The importance of looking beyond RevPAR: Frankfurt’s performance

Anglo Holt has announced the completion of a £7 million hotel and retail development in south London.

The new build development in Vauxhall, London, includes a 148-bedroom Travelodge hotel and Waitrose supermarket.Built on a reclaimed brownfield site, the seven-storey property comprises two storeys of steel frame construction topped with five storeys of timber frame and a brass effect mansard roof.
The turnkey scheme, which includes pre-finished bathroom pods, ceramic rainscreens and anti-terrorist glazing, is centrally located and provides easy access to the National Rail network, London Underground and Vauxhall’s main bus terminal.

The 52-week design and build project was awarded to Anglo Holt by developers Salmon Harvester Properties. Scottish Widows Investment Partnership provided forward funding for the project.

Andy Elwell, managing director at Anglo Holt Construction, said: “Once again we have demonstrated our expertise in the hotel sector by completing another fine Travelodge hotel. However, this project has also allowed us to extend our retail portfolio with a Waitrose supermarket.

“The development, which achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating, has good links to public transport and its central location will appeal to business personnel, tourists and the local community.”

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has recently celebrated the unveiling of its 200th hotel in Greater China with the opening of the InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin.This marks another milestone for IHG, which was the first international company to enter the Chinese hospitality industry almost 30 years ago, and reinforces our leadership in the world’s fastest growing market. The InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin, owned by Shanghai Donghu Group Corporation, has been a landmark in the city for almost 100 years. Such is the prestige of the hotel that IHG has labelled InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin the first of its heritage hotels in Asia, making it the sixth globally under the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand.

Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of IHG commented: “We were the first international company to enter the Chinese hotel market almost 30 years ago and it is now our second largest market in the world. The opening of our 200th hotel here is testament to how much our brands are loved by owners and guests alike. Our deep understanding of the underlying needs of local consumers is a strategy which is working and we are extremely positive of our future in China and excited about the opportunity ahead.”

Chen Geng Rong, President, Shanghai Donghu Group Corporation commented: “We are very proud of this historical property and pleased to put it in the hands of IHG, one of the earliest partners in China’s hospitality industry. With IHG’s international hotel management expertise and our local knowledge and resources, I have no doubt of the success of this partnership and that of InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin.”

According to the forecasts by the World Tourism Organization, the Chinese hotel room market will overtake that of the US, which is currently the largest in the world, by 2025. By 2039 China’s will be twice the size of the US’s. In light of the rapidly growing market, IHG will continue its commitment to China. Over the next 20 years, IHG plans to increase by almost eightfold the number of hotel rooms it has in Greater China, which equates to about 360,000 rooms and an additional 300,000 new jobs.

Renaissance Hotels has recently celebrated the opening of its newest gem in Malaysia with the inauguration of the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, officiated by the Tunku Temenggong Johor, Y.A.M Tunku Idris Iskandar Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.Renaissance Hotels help inspire authentic travel experiences through innovative guest programs including NAVIGATOR, the brand’s signature concierge service, and RLife LIVE, an industry-leading entertainment platform showcasing music, arts and more at Renaissance Hotels around the world. Last year, Renaissance Hotels launched its first ever global advertising campaign, Live Life to Discover, inspiring guests to discover something distinctly new whenever they travel for business or leisure.

Commenting on the opening of the hotel, Marc Cosyns, General Manager, said: “We are delighted to be officially opening the hotel today. As you can see this a great hotel and really helps to put Johor Bahru on the map. The 345-room hotel offers a variety of room categories, all equipped with the latest in modern amenities including 42-inch flat screen televisions with satellite channel access and much more, and my team and I are looking forward to welcoming our guests to the property.”

The hotel’s four restaurants and bars include Café BLD for all-day dining; Wan Li Restaurant for contemporary Cantonese cuisine; The Chocolate Cake Company featuring the hotel’s own freshly baked cakes, breads and pastries; and the R-Bar, a sophisticated lobby bar offering exclusive RLife LIVE entertainment.

For leisure and relaxation, the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center, while for those visiting for meetings, the hotel boasts seven flexible rooms packed full of state-of-the-art technology and plentiful natural daylight.

The Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is located in the township of Permas Jaya, close to the city centre of Johor Bahru and a short drive from the Eastern Dispersal Link leading directly to the CIQ to Singapore, and North South Highway, leading to the rest of Malaysia. The hotel is also perfectly situated close to the port and industrial area of Pasir Gudang.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has recently announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Huayuan Property Co., Ltd for a Grand Hyatt hotel in Changsha, Hunan Province in central China.“Changsha has established itself as a major hub for global business and entertainment, and we are honoured to have the opportunity to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to such a great city,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation at the agreement signing in Changsha earlier today. “Throughout our 40 years in China, we have showed thousands of guests how our associates can meet and exceed their needs, and we look forward to bringing Hyatt’s signature authentic hospitality to such a dynamic and historic city.”

Grand Hyatt Changsha will be centrally located in the most prestigious commercial and business areas along the Xiangjiang River in downtown Changsha. The hotel will be part of “The Central,” a mega mixed use complex that will incorporate high-end residential buildings, office spaces, and luxury shopping facilities. Situated on the upper floors of an iconic 268-meter-high skyscraper, Grand Hyatt Changsha will enjoy unobstructed views over the city and the river, and is expected to become the new landmark of Changsha. The 324-room hotel will feature an array of restaurants and bars, multi-purpose meeting and banquet facilities, a fitness centre, a pool and a spa, and is expected to create over 500 new jobs.

“We are very pleased to work with Hyatt on such an exciting and significant project. We look forward to our collaboration with Hyatt in further developing the high-end hotel market in Changsha,” said Ren Zhiqiang, Chairman of Huayuan Property Co., Ltd.

April’s Highlights

• London sees its first month of profit increase in 2013
• Spring fever in the provinces

Regency Management Company, LLC would like to announce that the hotel that was once the Harley Hotel has undergone the largest renovation in the hotel’s 36-year history. The $10 million transformation to the new Holiday Inn Airport West in Earth City by the new ownership group was necessary to meet the demands of business meetings and travelers in the St. Louis airport market. “We are excited that this renovation is now complete and we look forward to impressing our guests with an enhanced overall experience,” said Mark Stevens, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Airport West. “This transformation has created excellent meeting and convention space in St. Louis and a relaxing place for our loyal business travelers to rest and relax. In addition, our on-site dining meets the needs of our guests and is a center point for members of the Earth City business park to network.”

The completely new canopy provides a warm entrance with plenty of room for guests to drop luggage before parking vehicles in the expansive parking lot. The hotel features 155 newly renovated guestrooms. Each and every guestroom was redone with a new bathroom and new case goods, including new carpet, new top of the line Simmons mattresses, and new 37” Philips flat screen televisions. During the renovation, the hotel also added five one-bedroom Suites. The eighth floor is designated as an executive floor and has its own private club lounge. All the guestrooms on the eighth floor are executive king rooms. The lobby also underwent significant changes for an impressive new look. Changes include a new front desk and concierge desk. The feature artwork across the front desk is an 8 foot x 8 foot abstract rendering of the St. Louis skyline. Along with the front desk, the lobby features a new look to the elevator corridor, new furniture, and all new flooring. Plush seating in the lobby allows for guests to network or relax. Another key feature to the lobby renovation is a new business center adjacent to the lobby. The new fitness center features state of the art equipment and flat screen televisions. The large indoor swimming pool was completely renovated with new tile work, a new roof and a non-slip grip deck.

“Since we were closed throughout the renovation, we look forward to welcoming back former guests and inviting new customers to experience the brand new Holiday Inn Airport West,” said Morey Weiss, Director of Sales. “Our guests expect first class service and with these exciting renovations, we will strive to meet and exceed theirexpectations.”

On-Site Dining: Malone’s Grill & Pub

The lively restaurant allows guests to experience a wide array of food and beverage options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “The Malone’s franchise is an institution in St. Louis and the Holiday Inn Airport West is proud to offer it as a
convenient choice for our guests and members of the Earth City business community,” said Bakir Avdagic, Food and Beverage Director of the Holiday Inn Airport West. The Holiday Inn Airport West also offers banquet and catering facilities.

The design of AMPHORA furniture has been created for the most demanding consumers. The sculptural shape of the furniture set emphasises the graceful lines, unique shape and seams. This range has emotional appeal and personality, an exceptional and unique look which reflects the true value of the products. The back of the furniture has a new design version of the typical flat back so that the furniture looks very elegant in an open space.

Company UAB Resmita, who manufactures the furniture, uses unique technology to design the shape of the convex, concave or wavy line furniture for the exquisite interiors of homes, restaurants, cafes, hotels, bars, etc.

The production of their furniture uses a lot of manual labour so each piece of furniture is unique and every piece becomes art. The furniture is manufactured in Lithuania by a team of skilled labourers over many hours so ordering ahead of schedule is recommended to fulfil your requirements.

When purchasing the AMPHORA range, we are sure you will enhance any interior.

Hilton Worldwide has announced that it will introduce its fastest growing full-service brand, DoubleTree by Hilton, to Australia when it rebrands four Northern Territory hotels on 1 May 2013. The country’s first three DoubleTree by Hilton hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs will open alongside Hilton Darwin in the Territory.“We are delighted to be able to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Australian market and to add another Hilton Hotel & Resort in the region’s most significant areas of growth,” said Ashley Spencer, vice president, operations, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide. “We have been looking to enter into the Northern Territory for some time and are committed to making these properties the leading full-service hotels in the market.”

The Northern Territory hotels are each located on the doorstep of some of the most incredible tourism experiences Australia has to offer, as well as being in prime locations for business travellers in the mining and resources sectors.

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to legendary outback destinations such as the Kakadu National Park and the Katharine Gorge. With a multicultural population of just 129,000, Darwin is famed for its laid-back lifestyle, markets and festivals, Asian cuisine and massive natural harbour, which is bigger than Sydney’s.

Alice Springs is located in the ‘red centre’ of the vast Australian continent and is the departure town for visiting Australia’s famous red rock Uluru, a five-hour drive from the city centre.

“The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton in Australia – our 30th country and sixth continent – marks the beginning of a very exciting expansion for our brand,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are thrilled to open not one, but three hotels in Australia’s extraordinary Northern Territory and look forward to introducing Australian travellers to the superior level of caring service synonymous with DoubleTree by Hilton – epitomised by our warm chocolate chip cookie welcome for every guest at check-in.”

DoubleTree by Hilton knows that little things can mean everything when it comes to a rewarding travel experience, and strives to bring each guest the special comforts and acts of kindness that are unique to the brand – starting with the warm chocolate chip cookie welcome and spreading through every stage of the hotel stay. The amenities that guests will enjoy include the invigorating array of CITRON body care products by Crabtree & Evelyn, 24-hour business and fitness centres, outdoor swimming pools, a range of food and drink offerings to meet every guest’s need, complimentary high-speed internet access in public areas, and an industry-recognised service culture which is built around the idea of CARE (Create a Rewarding Experience for guests, team members and the community).

As participants in the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, all four hotels will offer guests the ability to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points. Gold and Diamond HHonors members will also receive complimentary breakfast.

The 235-room Hilton Darwin, overlooking Darwin Harbour is just a few minutes’ walk from downtown in the vibrant Darwin Harbour area, and steps from fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment. Guests can choose to relax at the outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre, sample some of the finest cuisines in central Darwin or sip a cocktail at the lounge. Six meeting rooms, including a Grand Ballroom with a 14-metre ceiling height are designed to accommodate a range of conferences and events.

Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Matt Conlan, said, “We’re delighted to have Hilton Worldwide, an industry leader, establish its brand in the Territory. The Hilton Darwin and three DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, will enhance the range of accommodation choices available to visitors in locations that are ideal for holiday and business travellers alike.”

Hilton Worlwide’s area general manager for the Northern Territory, Martin Kendall will have overall responsibility for all four hotels, supported by Carey Osborne, hotel manager for the two DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Darwin, and Clinton Farley, general manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs. Selected renovations are planned to begin in late 2013.

Hotel Indigo®, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] upscale boutique brand, is continuing its expansion in major U.S. cities with plans for its third hotel in the Chicago market. The hotel, which will be located in the historic downtown area’s Atlantic Bank Building, is expected to open in spring 2014.The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millenium Park hotel, located at 168 N. Michigan Ave., will undergo an estimated $20 million renovation by the ownership and will occupy a 101-year-old building that first opened in 1912 as the Federal Life Building. The 156-room hotel will feature design elements that reflect its local neighbourhood just north of Millennium Park within Chicago’s central business district.

As part of the extensive renovations, the hotel will add four floors to the building — bringing the total to 16 stories – housing a rooftop bar, and a restaurant managed by celebrity chef David Burke. The hotel will maintain many of its historic features, including the original white enamel terracotta exterior, while including the benefits and amenities guests expect from staying with a brand from one of the world’s largest global hotel companies.

“The Hotel Indigo brand is uniquely designed to reflect the culture, character and history of the neighbourhoods where our hotels are located,” said Mary Winslow, director, Brand Management, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. “This hotel will occupy a local landmark on famed Michigan Avenue, one of the most storied neighbourhoods in Chicago. The growth of the Hotel Indigo brand in top-tier markets like Chicago, New York and New Orleans proves that guests value the boutique, local neighbourhood experience that our hotels provide.”

Set in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant business district, and within walking distance to many of Chicago’s best restaurants, shopping and theatre districts, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millenium Park hotel will be conveniently located just steps from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millenium Park. The hotel will also be in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and numerous corporate offices. Within a mile of Interstates 90, 94 and 290, as well as U.S. Highway 41, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millenium Park hotel will be served by several bus and train stops and will be close to the Chicago Cultural Centre, one of the city’s most popular sites for fundraisers, concerts and other special events.

“We are excited to be involved with bringing the Hotel Indigo brand to downtown Chicago,” said Musa P. Tadros, president, Crown Series 168 North Michigan Avenue LLC, a Frankfort, Ill. based company. “Chicago is a thriving business and travel destination that offers unique local flavours not found anywhere else in the U.S. We look forward to welcoming both business and leisure guests and sharing our neighbourhood story with them.”

The Hotel Indigo brand, the world’s first global branded boutique hotel brand, has grown rapidly since launching in 2004. The Hotel Indigo brand continues to be a strong growth vehicle for IHG with its strategy focused on growing in top-tier priority markets and gateway cities. With a quality global pipeline of nearly 50 hotels, the Hotel Indigo estate is expected to double in size to 100 properties within the next three to five years.

The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millenium Park hotel, owned by Crown Series 168 North Michigan LLC and managed by First Hospitality Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the new Holiday Inn Express® Manhattan West Side, conveniently located near the Broadway Theater District, Times Square and a short walk from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.The new 177-room hotel in the midtown west Manhattan area, at 538 West 48th St., is the closest hotel to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. It is also near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex, featuring the space shuttle Enterprise, and the New York offices of several major corporations. The hotel offers guests a complimentary area shuttle service, and complimentary bottled water in each room.

The new opening comes on the heels of the opening of the Holiday Inn Express – NYC Herald Square 36th Street earlier this year. With over 340 of the pipeline hotels in the Americas region alone, the Holiday Inn Express brand continues to innovate and grow, remaining a key focus for IHG.

The new hotel offers guests a comfortable, yet affordable stay with innovative, preferred-guest upgrades to ensure a pleasurable experience with amenities that include a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a business center with both Macintosh and PC computers.

The Holiday Inn Express – New York Manhattan West Side, owned by GLSC 48 Special LLC, and managed by the Gemini Hospitality Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Travelodge officially opened its seventh hotel in Liverpool city centre on Friday 10th May. The 125-room property which is located at the junction of Tithebarn Street and Exchange Street, represents an £8 million investment and has created 30 new jobs within the community.Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge has been built in the former offices of Sun Alliance insurance. It is the Company’s 16th grade II listed hotel within the estate and offers rooms from £21.

Travelodge’s 524th hotel was officially opened by Liverpool Assistant Mayor Councillor Roz Gladden and Travelodge’s Operations Director for the North, Tyrone Pope. To mark this special opening Travelodge commissioned world renowned Liverpool’ artist, Keith Smith to create a bespoke piece of art titled “Liverpool Rising’ to celebrate the city growth during one of the hardest recession’s the UK has experienced since the Second World War.

The 12ft long artwork is Keith Smith’s biggest commission to date and the city’s most up to date skyline portrait. It showcases the historic ‘Three Graces’ alongside the new architecture that has been erected in Liverpool’s skyline during the recession. The painting will be on permanent display in Liverpool Central Exchange Street Hotel for all guests to enjoy.

Keith Smith recently sold his painting of Liverpool Institute to Mike McCartney who purchased the artwork for his famous brother Paul McCartney. Today this painting hangs in Paul McCartney’s private art gallery alongside a Magritte.

Tyrone Pope, Travelodge Regional Director for the North said: “We are delighted to be opening our seventh hotel in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Today’s opening underpins our commitment to strengthen our presence in the UK’s top tourism city. During one of the hardest recession’s our country has faced, we have opened five hotels in Liverpool and tripled our room stock from 136 to 522 rooms. In total this represents an investment of £23 million and a creation of 100 new jobs.

“This investment supports the city’s great achievement of being the UK’s top destination for achieving the highest level of tourism growth during the recession. As key findings in our recent tourism study revealed Liverpool enjoyed a 23% rise in domestic visitors during the recession. In comparison, London only achieved a 4% growth increase. Therefore to celebrate this accolade alongside our seventh hotel opening in Liverpool, we thought it was quite fitting to commission Keith Smith, a world famous Liverpool artist to create a bespoke piece of artwork which highlights Liverpool’s rise during the recession.

“It looks like this growth is set to continue as our Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge hotel has got off to a flying start, we are enjoying high occupancy levels and business on the books is looking great for the forth coming Bank Holiday and summer period.”

Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge is being managed by Annie Macintyre who has been working with Travelodge for six years. Annie started her career as a receptionist at Chester Northrop Hall and was instantly recognised as rising star and was placed on the company’s Management Development Programme. Over the past six years, Annie has worked in a number of Travelodge hotels across Merseyside.

Annie had over 500 people apply for a position to join her new team at Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge. The team of 30 staff members were all recruited via the Job Centre Plus Scheme – which helps the long term unemployed back into work. As part of their induction training staff members undertook a comprehensive four week training programme at a nearby Travelodge hotel. They also attended a sleep seminar to ensure they are fully equipped to ensure their customers get a good night’s sleep.

Louvre Hotels Group will rebrand on May 30th the Golden Tulip Yerevan to Royal Tulip Grand Hotel Yerevan after extensive renovations and product upgrades. This luxury hotel is in the centre of Yerevan (Armenia) located only a few steps from the Republic Square, the Opera and the National Art Gallery, all of them local attractions.Until now the Royal Tulip Grand Hotel Yerevan belonged to the Golden Tulip brand, one of the group’s brands, but with these update “intends to reach new customers and reposition the establishment within the market”, said Chiara Figini, the hotel manager. Figini explained that in order to make the brand change, the establishment has renewed its furniture and decoration, as well as updating some facilities, including the bathrooms.

Designed by renowned Armenian architect N. Bunatian in 1926 and renovated by Renco in 1999, the hotel offers 104 refined and elegant guestrooms. Guests can also enjoy a fitness room, an open air pool and the newly opened Yerevan SPA Centre. In addition, the hotel offers a cellar with more than 80 different types of wine.

The hotel also stands out for its award-winning restaurant that offers sophisticated Italian and Armenian dishes. In addition, the establishment has a café, a tearoom and a 600 m2 garden open 24 hours a day that offers an ideal location to hold banquets and business meetings. Created in 2006, Royal Tulip has ultramodern, elegant and luxury five-star positioning hotels located in the heart of major cities or in business areas. These hotels offer a very personal service and a high level of comfort.

Following this new opening, Louvre Hotels Group will have 12 Royal Tulip hotels around the world (2 in Brazil, 3 in China, 1 in India, 1 in Kazakhstan, 3 in Morocco and 1 in the Netherlands).

Ahn Luh expanded its presence in China today with the signing of hotel management contracts with the Qinsen Group. The agreements cover two upscale hotels: Ahn Luh Lanting, scheduled to open in fall 2014, and Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao, opening in spring 2015.

“Shaoxing and Zhujiajiao are both ancient river towns with arched stone bridges, a warren of canals… Ahn Luh Lanting in Shaoxing will feature historic Hui-style homes that date back as far as the 1600s while the Zhujiajiao project aims to reflect the rich cultural traditions of this ancient water town,” said Akira Moreno, Ahn Luh’s CEO. “In line with the company’s vision and brand philosophy, the environment and setting will strongly influence the design of each hotel.”

Ahn Luh Lanting will be a 99-key development incorporated into 35 heritage houses in Shaoxing, 30 minutes from Hangzhou in the province of Zhejiang. The hotel’s dining concepts will incorporate authentic Chinese elements, as will the library, meeting area, medical hall, spa and wellness centre and tai chi facility.

Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao, named after — and located in — a historic area in Shanghai’s suburbs, will consist of 35 villas built in traditional Chinese style. The property will also include a museum, restaurants, a library, meeting space, and spa and tai chi centre.

Qinsen’s chairman, Qin Tongqian, has been collecting artwork and purchasing heritage homes from the Qing and Ming dynasties over the last two decades. Parts of his extensive collection of antique furniture, ornate wooden beams, stone carvings and Chinese artwork will be showcased in both Ahn Luh developments.

“Through the plans and designs for Ahn Luh Lanting, we see the soul of what we had envisioned for the Ahn Luh brand,” said Adrian Zecha, a co-founder of hotel management group GHM, which, alongside Beijing Tourism Group and China-based Great Ocean Group, launched the Ahn Luh brand in May 2012. “This is definitely what everyone is eagerly awaiting to see as well.”

Celebrating its 300th milestone and entry into Manhattan, SpringHill Suites by Marriott opened has the doors of its stylish new 173-suite Midtown Manhattan hotel, located at 25 West 37th Street. Boasting impressive and unobstructed views of the Empire State Building and lower Manhattan, SpringHill Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Fifth Avenue is owned by Hidrock Realty and Robert Finvarb Companies and managed by Marriott International, Inc. Convenient access to Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, Herald Square and Bryant Park make this addition a prime hub for both business and leisure travellers.Featuring suites that are larger than typical hotel rooms, SpringHill Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Fifth Avenue is ideal for business and leisure travellers looking for style and inspiration in their stay. Every aspect, from furniture and lighting to colours and fabrics, has been carefully selected to offer calm and refreshing spaces. Separate living, working and sleeping spaces also provide guests with flexibility and functionality. The perfect place to sink into a good night’s sleep, the hotel offers luxurious linens and plush pillows, while a comfortable pull-out sofa bed and lounge chair offer additional space for relaxation or extra family members. The hotel’s tasteful bathroom includes modern touches, a marble-top vanity, iridescent tile walls and creative lighting features, which help travellers revive and refresh.

Business travellers can take advantage of a large, well-lit desk with ergonomic chair. Complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel’s lobby and high-speed Internet access in every suite allow guests to remain connected at all times.

Featuring a brand new design that adds depth and sophistication to the décor, the lobby is a great venue for conducting casual meetings or simply to socialize. Using warm colours, accent fabrics and walnut-stained wood, the lobby’s earth tones inspire guests to sit, relax and enjoy their stay. The hotel also offers a complimentary hot breakfast, business services, same-day dry cleaning, guest laundry facilities and a fitness centre. In the lobby, the Market offers convenient 24/7 access to food and beverages.

Redefine Hotels and BDL Management have announced a merger between the two companies to create Redefine BDL Hotels. The merger will create the largest independent hotel management company in the UK with 60 hotels under management, representing 6,700 rooms. The merging of the two companies will reinforce the capabilities offered by both businesses, combining the financial strength and operational experience of Redefine Hotels with the hotel management and development expertise of BDL. Clients, which range from individual investors to banks, will be delivered with the very best in terms of financial and operational management of their assets, supporting their future value.

Redefine BDL Hotels will offer hotel owners stronger procurement capability and negotiating power, financial strength, continuity of service, and access to unparalleled international hotel brand relationships including IHG, Wyndham, Hilton, Starwood, and Best Western.

Retaining offices in both London and Glasgow, Redefine BDL Hotels will manage a combined portfolio of 60 hotels, delivering a turnover of over £200m. The current portfolio under management comprises:
• 60 hotels
• 6,700 rooms
• 3,000 employees
• Franchises from five of the largest international hotel brands (IHG, Wyndham, Hilton, Starwood, and Best Western)
• Hotel distribution across UK and in Africa (one hotel in Liberia and one hotel in Cape Town)

Speaking of the merger, Redefine BDL Hotels Chairman, Helder Pereira, says, “We view this merger as an extremely positive transaction for both companies; a strategic move which will enable us to be one step ahead of the trend for consolidation in Europe, mirroring what we are witnessing over in North America. We see significant opportunities to grow our business, both through acquiring new management contracts, and by partnering with owners and developers to deliver optimum performance from their assets, helping them to realise their full potential.”

Stewart Campbell, Managing Director of Redefine BDL Hotels, adds, “This merger provides a new and stronger financial and operational platform from which we can grow our business. We are firmly placed at the forefront of developments within the industry and are excited by the prospect of offering new and enhanced services to hotel owners and partners through our specialist knowledge and depth of resource to deliver best in class hotel management services.”

Stuart McCaffer, the current Chairman of BDL Management, and who has been instrumental in the success of BDL, will leave the board after 15 years’ service, to concentrate on his own hotel ownership interests. His hotel interests will continue to be managed by the merged company. Stuart McCaffer said, “It has been a real privilege to work with such a dedicated team at BDL and build a successful business. The merger is an ideal fit for both companies in so many ways, and will enable the business to accelerate its growth plans. This is a new and exciting chapter in the BDL story.”

Best of contemporary boutique British with an individual touch to each room – this is what Suna Interior Design has created at Flemings Mayfair, the four star, boutique hotel in Half Moon Street, London. Design on Flemings Mayfair started in the summer of 2012 with the ‘Books Room’ – an alluring and quirky design that centred around wallpaper by Young & Battaglia. The brief was to be strong with colour and to keep the feel very British, to maintain the essentially British personality of the hotel while creating a contemporary atmosphere.

The interior designers worked closely with the client in order to create the finished product that reflects the desires of the client. It is a collaborative process that ensures that the end result is both of a high standard and is exactly what the client wants. In the case of Flemings Mayfair, the client decided to let the creativity flow and dared to embrace design features such as the Dog Artwork and the Antler Chandelier in the Luggage Room – contemporising by using a modern take on British quirkiness.

The designers recognised that the Flemings Mayfair brand is subtle but strong and always of the highest quality, and has echoed this throughout the designs employing a consistent use of individual design. Flemings Mayfair is embracing their brand, with items designed specifically for the project, such as unique labelled cushions and bespoke wallpaper.

These intriguing and captivating cushions portray the frontage of the hotel using artwork commissioned by the designers from Adam Regester, bringing the colour palette in each room together. The wallpapers give each design and room its unique individuality, such as the full-wall photographic image of the tree in the Tree Room which seemingly expands the room, while punches of colour add opulence.

Continued on page two…

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening this week of the Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites Indianapolis North – Carmel. Located at 9797 N. Michigan Rd., Carmel, just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, and close to four major interstate highways, the 66-room hotel features a variety of amenities and offers an enhanced guest experience at a great value.The hotel features the facilities and room layout, compliant with the Holiday Inn Express brand standard.

Close to I-65, I-69 and I-70, the hotel is 30 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. The property is also in close proximity to several corporations as well as Butler University. Nearby attractions include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Zoo.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Indianapolis North – Carmel, owned by HC Carmel LLC and managed by Hotel Capital Management LLC, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Planning and urban design consultancy Turley Associates, acting on behalf of the Dulwich Estate, has secured planning permission and listed building consent for a 20 bedroom boutique hotel as part of a refurbished and extended Crown and Greyhound public house in Dulwich Village.The 1,816 sqm scheme restores the famous pub interior creating an improved dining room, kitchen facilities and garden area whilst restoring the exterior and outbuildings.

Will Lingard, Director at Turley Associates, said: “At a time when many pubs are struggling the Dulwich Estate has recognised the importance of this community resource and focal point of Dulwich Village. The permission ensures its long term future.”

Members of Southwark Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the scheme following the officers’ recommendation for approval.

The Dulwich Estate said: “The scheme, for which an operator has yet to be confirmed, protects and improves the core use of the building as a public house. The hotel will bring the remaining redundant and underused parts of the building back into a viable and complimentary use, thereby ensuring the long term protection and maintenance of this listed building and key local landmark within Dulwich Village. The scheme also retains the existing first floor function room, which will be restored and upgraded to a high standard.

“There are several local drivers behind hotel demand locally, particularly the Dulwich Picture Gallery, small businesses, the four local schools (including Dulwich College) and demand from families and friends of local residents.”

Turley Associates worked closely with EPR architects, project managers Daniel Watney and Southwark Council officers to develop a scheme that would be appropriate to the historic context of the site and addressed local concerns regarding parking and residential amenity. EPR architects design of the extension adopts a modern interpretation of the Arts and Crafts style blending traditional materials and architectural features with more contemporary cladding, glazing and render.

Alliance Hospitality, Inc.(AHI) based in Lewis Center, Ohio, announced that the Microtel Inn & Suites, Canton Ohio has completed an extensive $2.5 million dollar renovation following a fire last May, that closed the property for almost a year.AHI, the hotel’s ownership company, is proud to announce the following renovations and transformations to the 3-story property:

• A new larger open lobby with an enlarged breakfast area offering additional guest seating and space for increasing the complimentary breakfast selections.
• 24 hour Coffee-Bar with complimentary coffee for all guests
• All guest corridors feature new carpet, new wall vinyl, and updated lighting package
• Guest rooms offer all new décor, new carpet, lighting, furniture and DreamWell bedding package.
• Each guest room has a 37” flat screen TV and all suites feature a 42” flat screen TV. Additionally all guest rooms and suites feature a microwave oven and mini-refrigerator.
• The hotel has enlarged its fitness center, moved it to the first floor, adjacent to the lobby and features state-of-the-art cardio equipment
• Also featured is a new Business Center, renovated indoor swimming pool, and expanded guest laundry.

Ohm Patel, Managing Director for Alliance Hospitality, Inc. states, “The fire we experienced last year was devastating; however, we decided that instead of a quick fix and reopening, we would take our time and make the changes truly breathtaking. The scope of this renovation was immense. We have all new electrical, plumbing, windows, fixtures, everything. It’s a brand new property and we have far exceeded all Microtel brand standards in every aspect with this renovation. We have always enjoyed a strong partnership in the Canton community and we look forward to renewing that relationship with this beautiful new hotel.”

The Microtel Inn & Suites, North Canton is located at 7046 Sunset Strip Ave NW, Canton, OH 44720 and is just 4 miles from the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. The hotel offers such business conveniences as Guest Business Center, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire building, complimentary deluxe breakfast, and includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, and contemporary designs and furnishings.

The Microtel Inn & Suites, North Canton opened for business on May 10, 2013.

SEGRO is pleased to announce that it has agreed a 44,100 sq ft pre-let development with Premier Inn to construct a five storey, 96 bedroom hotel and restaurant at Advent Way, Enfield, North London. In addition, SEGRO will undertake the speculative development of 84,150 sq ft of space adjacent to the hotel to create a high quality business park suitable for businesses involved with urban distribution, trade counters, light industrial and storage facilities.Advent Way covers 5.2 acres and runs parallel to the North Circular Road. A disused factory used to stand at this site, which SEGRO demolished to make way for this modern development scheme.

This is the first development SEGRO has secured with Premier Inn, part of Whitbread PLC. The hotel will include a ground floor bar/restaurant, business meeting room facilities, a new access road and 96 customer car parking spaces. The hotel will provide important support services and amenities to the companies located at the business park, as well as contributing to a high quality environment that will be attractive to occupiers.

The speculative development comprises 15 units ranging in size from 2,300 sq ft to 13,000 sq ft. The buildings will be suitable for a range of purposes and are specifically targeted at businesses undertaking ‘last mile’ urban distribution activities. This development represents an important investment by SEGRO in the London Borough of Enfield. It is a good example of how SEGRO is making use of its well-located land bank to attract new customers, such as Premier Inn, and to take advantage of the shortage of availability of modern distribution buildings in major conurbations, such as London.

Construction is due to commence in July 2013, with the completion of the speculative development in March 2014. The hotel is scheduled to open in May 2014.

Alan Holland, SEGRO’s Business Unit Director for Greater London, comments: “We are delighted to have secured this pre-let with Premier Inn and we believe this development marks the start of an important relationship with Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants.

We are also pleased to be commencing speculative development in Enfield, which is a first for SEGRO in North London. Advent Way is an excellent location, situated adjacent to the North Circular Road, and it will appeal to businesses that serve this immediate area as well as those that require easy and direct access into Central London.”

Owen Ellender, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: “Premier Inn is popular as we give our customers what they want – affordable, high quality hotels in great locations across the country. We currently have more than 7,000 Premier Inn bedrooms in London and within the M25 and we are on track to double that number by 2016 and hit our growth targets. This latest deal in Enfield delivers another quality site for our customers, creates new jobs, and supports the revitalisation of an important London trading estate. These are real benefits for the local area and I look forward to getting the hotel built and open and supporting the established businesses in and around Enfield.”

The hotel phase of the development is expected to create around 32 new full time jobs, part of the 10,000 new roles that Whitbread is creating over the next three years as it expands the Premier Inn and Costa brands. The business has the target of allocating 50 per cent of the jobs at new hotel and restaurant sites to local unemployed people. The total development could help to deliver over 200 jobs.

SEGRO is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ for the two phases of the development.

Centara Sappaya Design Resort Rayong is to temporarily close from 6 May 2013 to allow full renovations and the construction of an eight-storey building that will add 30 rooms distinctively designed room to the resort along with a new Spa Cenvaree, a fitness centre, another restaurant outlet, and a remodelled lobby.The projected date for reopening is November 2014.

The resort is the smallest of the Centara Hotels & Resorts properties, having at present only 13 guestrooms, and built to a designer style for the independently minded traveller.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and its destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, announces the signing of Aloft Liverpool. Created to shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector, Aloft is redefining the category by delivering urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and a social guest experience at an affordable price point. Located on the famous North John Street in the city’s heritage centre, Aloft Liverpool will mark the entrance of Starwood into the city when it opens in 2014. “Together with North John Street Op Co. and Ashall Property we are delighted to debut our first Starwood hotel in Liverpool,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “We see great opportunities to grow our Aloft portfolio in markets such as the UK where there is a strong demand for affordable yet stylish, cutting-edge hotel brands.”

“Ashall Property is both excited and proud to have the opportunity to regenerate and preserve the great heritage of this Grade II* listed building and provide Liverpool with a vibrant, design-led hotel complete with restaurant and meeting space,” said Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Property. “This signing is the culmination of two years of dedication and we remain indebted to Liverpool City Council for assisting with this project from the outset and to English Heritage for their continuing support.”

“The signing of Aloft Liverpool emphasises Starwood’s commitment to expanding our European portfolio of mid-market brands through franchising and management contracts as well as adaptive re-use which represents an exciting new growth channel for the brand in Europe,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Following the signings of new Aloft hotels in St. Petersburg, Munich, Stuttgart and now Liverpool, Aloft continues to emerge as a popular choice for owners and developers in primary and secondary markets throughout Europe.”

The 116-room Aloft Liverpool will be in the renovated Royal Insurance Building, a historic Grade II* listed landmark with outstanding architectural value, which is located in the city’s central business district. Guests of the hotel will have easy access to nearby Liverpool ONE, one of UK’s largest shopping centres and a great number of offices, retail shops, bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity.

Guestrooms will feature the brand’s signature high ceilings, oversized windows and an ultra-comfortable platform bed as well as large walk-in showers with complimentary Bliss Spa® products. The hotel will also boast the re:mixSM lounge and w xyzSM bar. The re:chargeSM fitness centre offers an opportunity to re-energise and the unique re:fuelSM by Aloft introduces a convenient deli option for guests on the go, with an array of food and drinks available 24 hours a day. For meetings and presentations, the hotel will offer five creative spaces equipped with the latest audio-visual hardware.

Aloft Liverpool will be operated by BDL Management.

Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, announces its performance in the first quarter of 2013 and its mid-term growth strategy.Operational Performance
During the first quarter of 2013, average occupancy in Jumeirah’s portfolio of hotels has increased by 9% globally, compared to the same period in 2012. In the same period the average daily rate rose by 9% and the revenue per available room, an industry standard for measuring performance, rose by 22%. The performance data is based on hotels that had more than 18 months of operations.

Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai, Gerald Lawless, President and CEO of the Jumeirah Group, said: “The full year of 2012 and the first four months of 2013 have been a tremendous success for Jumeirah. The Dubai hotels have truly benefitted from the continuing attraction of Dubai as a prime holiday and business destination. Our hotel in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, has established itself as one of the top must-visit locations in the capital. Our two properties in the Maldives are building a strong reputation in that market; and our network of European properties, including London, Frankfurt, Mallorca, Rome and Istanbul are performing well. Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai has developed a loyal customer base and is going from strength to strength.”

The top five source markets for Jumeirah’s properties in the UAE continue to be Russia (19.0%), the United Kingdom (16.2%), the GCC (14.1%), Germany (7.4%) and the United States (3.5%). For Jumeirah’s six properties in Europe, including London, Frankfurt, Mallorca and Rome, the top five markets were the UK (15%), UAE (11%), USA (9.4%), Germany (8.5%) and Saudi Arabia (6.4%); while the Asian hotels in China and the Maldives enjoyed strong flows of business from China, Russia, the UAE, USA and UK.

The Dubai properties have benefited from a significant increase in business (115.2%) from Australia, and we look forward to welcoming more guests from that region as the new partnership between Emirates Airlines and Qantas develops. There has also been strong growth in business from the company’s traditional markets for Dubai, namely the UK and Russia, with room-nights up 28.4% and 8.6% respectively in the first four months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

New Madinat Jumeirah Hotel Starts over the Summer
In November 2012, approval was given for the construction of a fourth hotel within the Madinat Jumeirah resort in Dubai, complementing the existing properties – Mina A’ Salam, Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf. It has now been confirmed that preparatory works on the site of the new 430-room hotel, which sits between Mina A’ Salam and the Wild Wadi Waterpark, will start during the summer of 2013 and that construction is expected to complete by the end of 2015. This development brings Jumeirah’s total number of hotels in the United Arab Emirates to 10, introducing further choice to its guests, employment opportunities to hospitality professionals and pride to the people of the UAE.

Opening in Kuwait on 07 May 2013
Jumeirah has also confirmed that its new hotel in Kuwait, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, had its soft opening on 07 May 2013. The hotel is located 10 minutes from Kuwait International Airport and close to Kuwait City’s business centre and major shopping malls. The secluded beachfront resort features 316 rooms and suites, 80 residential suites and 12 villas, six restaurants along with cafés and lounges, a 3,500 m2 Talise Spa, a 200-metre private beach, two swimming pools and a children’s play area. Additionally, extensive conference and banqueting facilities are available, including a showpiece 1,950 m2 ballroom. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is the company’s first hotel in the Gulf region outside the UAE.

Recruitment
There are now over 14,000 people employed at Jumeirah managed properties around the world, 60% of whom work in hotels owned by Jumeirah and 40% in hotels operated under management agreement. Within the workforce there are 140 different nationalities and with 2013 designated as the Year of Emiratisation, Jumeirah is introducing additional programmes to attract, train and retain the best Emirati talent.

Gerald Lawless continued: “Travel and tourism is a major driver of economic development and we are proud to be contributing to it. The whole sector represents 9% of global GDP and employs over 255 million people globally or 8.7% of all people of working age and it one of the few sectors that is growing year on year. As a leading luxury hotel company, our focus for the immediate future will be on continuing to grow our brand presence in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific – and on bringing social and material benefits to the countries in which we operate. We are also working towards the Vision 2020. Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the emirate has successfully built a world class tourism infrastructure that will allow us to double the number of visitors by 2020. We also hope that Dubai will be selected as the host city of the World Expo 2020.”

Images taken from the hotel website at www.jumeirah.com/hotels-resorts/kuwait/jumeirah-messilah-beach-hotel-and-spa

Travelodge has announced that it is seeking to double its presence in Hertfordshire by boosting its portfolio with a further ten new hotels across the county.This investment will create 150 new jobs within the region and boost the local economy annually by £11million.

Travelodge is looking for new sites in the following locations:

• Berkhamsted
• Harpenden
• Hertford
• Hoddesdon
• London Colney
• Potters Bar
• Radlett
• Rickmansworth
• St Albans
• Welwyn Garden City

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge, UK Development Director said: “Hertfordshire is one of our top performing counties within the UK, with demand growing at great pace for good quality branded budget hotel rooms from business and leisure travellers.

“In response to this growing need, we have extended our target list for the region and we are going to start looking for new sites in ten locations across the county. We are excited about the growth opportunities in Hertfordshire and hope to be able to announce more details soon about specific sites.”

The locations include those with close proximity to the M25 & London such as Potters Bar and London Colney. But they also include towns and cities that have a lack of affordable hotel rooms, such as St Albans and Welwyn Garden City.

Travelodge currently has nine hotels in the Hertfordshire area and employs over 100 staff members. The hotels are located in the following locations: Baldock Hinxworth, Borehamwood, Borehamwood Studio Way, Cheshunt, Hatfield Central, Hemel Hempstead (2) and Watford Central.

The team at Watford Central are celebrating being one of the first of 500 hotels from the Travelodge estate to benefit from a major refurbishment, which includes a new room design and a luxury bed called the Travelodge Dreamer – which is deemed in the industry as the Rolls Royce of beds.

The 93-room hotel which was opened in 2006 on Market Street has been refurbished in just one week without any disturbance to the day-to-day operation of the hotel. The extensive work was carried out by the local ‘MIB’ (Men in Black) team, Travelodge’s in-house maintenance team.

The work at Watford Central Travelodge is part of a company wide brand investment of £223 million* this year, to help further grow the business, strengthen the brand offering and make Travelodge the best value hotel chain in the UK.

Tony O’Brien continued: “This capital expenditure will help us grow our business, strengthen our product offering and make Travelodge the best value hotel chain in the UK.”

W New York – Union Square has recently unveiled the completion of a multi-layered renovation project that merges traditional and contemporary styles to offer a fashionable escape in the heart of Manhattan’s liveliest neighborhoods. The transformation is part of the W brand’s ongoing, $100 million commitment to the renovation of more than 11 of its properties across North America, and includes a full re-design of the hotel’s 270 guestrooms and top suites, W Living Room, Todd English’s iconic Olives New York, and destination bar Lilium by Gerber Group (previously Underbar). Inspired by the neighborhood’s junction of uptown and downtown New York City, the renovation also preserves original design details of the landmark 1911 Beaux Arts building, including its turn-of-the century Great Room with 23-foot high gilded ceilings and grand windows which was restored late last year. Mix & Mingle…The W Living Room
The new design of the W Union Square Living Room, by New York based design firm Krause + Sawyer, creates an atmosphere that is ideal for conducting business by day and enjoying Union Square’s thriving social scene by night. The W Living Room’s expanded seating area uses contrasting patterns and textures including: custom window seating in metallic leather, green tiger leather-backed houndstooth chairs, a u-shaped chesterfield sofa in embossed black paisley leather, and a tufted sofa in electric blue crocodile. A dramatic, beaded chain ceiling installation brings a feeling of downtown grit, while a black steel communal table, equipped with inlay plugs for chargers, encourages guests to mix and mingle while staying connected. Traditional lanterns and urns have been artfully tagged by local Bronx graffiti collective, TatsCru, a select few of which are available for purchase for a limited time through the hotel’s Whatever/Whenever® service.

Uptown Meets Downtown Upstairs…The Guest Rooms + Suites
In collaboration with renowned design firms d-ash design and Wilson Associates, each of the hotel’s 270 remodeled guest rooms and suites are anchored by a sculptural headboard representing an abstract view of Union Square and embody a purposeful collision of unlikely materials and playfulness of scale throughout. A nod to the fashions of the neighborhood, silver window coverings are brightly stitched together with silk fabric mimicking a man’s tie, while wall coverings in a soft, sophisticated “Park Avenue” white are contrasted with a bohemian metallic blue. Designed to be transformed from a stylish hotel suite into a fashionable event venue, the Extreme WOW® Suite (the W brand’s take on the Presidential Suite) is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities including wall units that can easily interchange from dining room table to space for a DJ booth.

Indulge… Lilium and Olives New York
The hotel’s milestone renovation also includes the re-design of its destination bar Lilium, as well as a complete renovation of Todd English’s iconic Olives New York restaurant. Lilium, the hotel’s subterranean nightspot, sits seductively beneath the hotel’s façade. Re-designed by Gulla Jonsdottir of G+Design and inspired by the intricate look of a cave of wild lilies, key features of the 1,600 sq. ft. interior include a twisted metal ceiling that cascades down the walls and complements the sculptural black steel lilies, created by acclaimed metal artist Scot Brown. Contoured wood and gold-tone accents enrich the raw elements to evoke a dark, feminine energy and brooding intimacy. The new design of Olives New York, by Jeffrey Beers International, uses sophisticated combinations of textures and materials–including dark woods and blackened steel that embraces a warm, rich aesthetic. The expanded bar, now located in the center of the space, creates a vibrant hub in the heart of the restaurant while new seating choices from u-shaped banquettes, an elevated chef’s table, to a nine-seat raw bar along the signature open kitchen, offer guests a multilayered dining experience.

Centara Hotels & Resorts will be opening a new five-star Grand branded hotel in Pattaya in the third quarter of this year, and promises to unveil a design that in creativity and innovation is unlike anything else in the ocean resort.Centara Grand Phratamnak Resort Pattaya will be the third Centara Grand in Pattaya, with a fourth under construction, and all are startlingly different from each other.

Set amongst the high-end residential addresses of Pattaya’s Phratamnak Hill, with the beach only a few steps away, the hotel is designed to complement this exclusive neighbourhood.

Marble and granite clad the public areas, the lobby furniture is all Fendi, and fabrics and furnishings used in the guestrooms are of the highest quality.

Centara, along with the Tulip Group who own the hotel, and designers Model 1to1 Co and Gooodlux Design Consultants have created a ground floor that is dominated by an underwater world, with a giant aquarium in which live diverse forms of exotic and colourful marine life, and flowing naturally from this ocean kingdom is a shimmering world of translucent light.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today celebrates the grand opening of The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice. The renowned hotel recently re-opened its legendary doors following a meticulous 35 million Euros restoration, bringing the historic building back to its original grandeur. The 15-month restoration of The Gritti Palace is part of a larger strategy to invest over 150 million Euros in the restoration of Starwood’s most celebrated Luxury Collection hotels in Europe, including Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville and Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian which re-opened last year, as well as Prince de Galles in Paris which will re-open later this month. “There is a mystique about The Gritti Palace that has enchanted its guests for generations, so it was essential that we involved local artisans, architects, craftsmen and cultural institutions to preserve its authentic elegance and distinct personality, while bringing the landmark hotel into the 21st century,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide. “The renaissance of this Venetian icon marks a momentous occasion for The Luxury Collection as the birthplace of the brand, now 85 hotels around the world, which has come full circle to restore its roots on the Grand Canal.”

“As part of Starwood’s strategy to further strengthen The Luxury Collection brand portfolio, we have made major investments to restore some of our most iconic hotels,” comments Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The restoration of the majestic Gritti Palace reinforces our commitment to providing global explorers the chance to discover this incredible destination with the exceptional service and style they have come to expect from The Luxury Collection.”

Facing the majestic Santa Maria della Salute and steps from Piazza San Marco and La Fenice Theatre, The Gritti Palace was transformed into its current Gothic shape by the Pisani family in 1475 and became the private residence of the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti, in 1525. In the centuries that followed, it was home to other noble families and illustrious visitors before being converted into a luxury hotel in 1895. In 1947, The Gritti Palace was bought by CIGA (Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi), to which The Luxury Collection brand traces its roots.

Continued on page two…

Louvre Hotels Group is opening its first two hotels in Algeria, in the city of Annaba. This announcement is part of the Group’s strategy to double its number of hotels in Africa by 2017, by proposing hotels that operate under its brand name in all of the region’s main cities.Present in Africa since 1991 (with Golden Tulip Accra in Ghana), Louvre Hotels Group is pursuing its development along two vectors: accelerating its development in countries where it is already present, and opening hotels in new countries.

Louvre Hotels Group opens its first two hotels in Algeria

Louvre Hotels Group has just inaugurated its first two hotels in Algeria, in the city of Annaba: the Golden Tulip Hotel Sabri and Tulip Inn Hotel Rym El Djamil. The Golden Tulip Sabri is a 4-star hotel with 224 apartment rooms, located in the tourist district of Annaba with a view on the Mediterranean sea.

The Tulip Inn Rym El Djamil is a 3-star hotel with 76 rooms and suites, overlooking the Annaba bay.
By the end of 2013, the Group also plans to open two new hotels, (one in Oran and one in Skidda) as well as a hotel in Algers in 2014.

The Group accelerates its development in countries where it is already present

To date, Louvre Hotels Group is active in six African countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.

Since the acquisition of Golden Tulip in 2009, Louvre Hotels Group has become a major player in the hotel industry in Africa, with 33 hotels.

Last February, Louvre Hotels Group announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Moroccan group Ynna Holding. The renewable 8-year contract covers the management, operation and marketing of the Ryad Mogador Hotels chain, Ynna Holding’s tourism and hotel services division. Thanks to this partnership, the Ryad Mogador chain’s twelve hotels (3,000 rooms) will become “Mogador Hotels by” Tulip Inn, Golden Tulip, or Royal Tulip, depending on each individual establishment.

All of the hotels developed by the Group in Africa were opened under management contracts with local investors, which have proved to be a key advantage for the success of these projects.

As part of these agreements, Louvre Hotels Group provides its partners with its expertise, local staff training, its management experience and its distribution force. It thus contributes to the enrichment of the local economy in the countries where it operates.

Opening hotels in new countries

Over the next five years, Louvre Hotels Group wants to expand through new projects currently in the development phase, which will enable it to double its presence in Africa.

The Group is keen to be present in new countries on the African continent, and plans to open hotels in French-speaking Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Gabon, and Guinea-Conarky), as well as in eastern and sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia).

Projects in new countries have been secured and work is currently underway –as in Senegal, where Louvre Hotels Group is supervising the renovation and expansion of the historic “Croix du Sud” hotel, with approximately 90 rooms, which will open in late 2013.

By the end of 2013, a dozen new hotels will be inaugurated in the region.

Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, Chairman and CEO of Louvre Hotels Group, comments: “We are delighted to announce such promising prospects for the different regions of Africa. This success is a perfect illustration of our strategy’s suitability for the needs of a fast-growing market, where we have developed a strong brand image around Golden Tulip. We would now like to come to the forefront as a comprehensive hotel operator by diversifying our offer.”

Great Hotels of the World is pleased to announce the opening of a brand new hotel in London. Hotel Xenia opened on the 9th May following a two-year development and a cost of approximately £9 million. Hotel Xenia is the latest addition to Great Hotels of the World’s Premium Collection. The hotel is located on Cromwell Road in South Kensington, just minutes by foot from the city’s most famous museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. The beautiful Victorian building has been lovingly restored, and boasts 99 contemporary guestrooms, including one suite – the first in London to have a Turkish bath. Unique personal touches are prevalent throughout the property, including the addition of a tablet computer in each of the bedrooms.

The hotel is showcasing an exciting new dining concept. Its restaurant, Evoluzione, has been inspired by renowned nutritionist Chiara Manzi, and serves delicious Italian food with a healthy twist. A destination in its own right, Evoluzione will provide healthy, low-calorie Italian cuisine in stylish surroundings, located in the property’s bright and elegant conservatory, with daily demonstrations at a dedicated show cooking station. Hotel Xenia promises, among other delights, a delicious three-course meal for under 800 calories – so you can enjoy guilt-free gourmet dining. Headed up by renowned Italian chef Pasquale D’Ambrosio, the restaurant also has an al fresco dining area.

Hotel Xenia can also cater for events in its private dining room, accommodating up to 14 guests. A multipurpose function room is also available, with capacity for up to 80 guests, ideal for board meetings, cocktail parties and screenings. Two stylish bars, one with a separate entrance and outdoor space, will serve an exciting menu of cocktails. A pretty herb garden where guests can enjoy the finest cigars from the bar’s well-stocked humidor complete the onsite facilities.

Mario Ovsenjak, General Manager at Hotel Xenia comments: “We are very excited about this new property. It is an exclusive offering which we hope will be a contemporary yet comfortable home from home for our discerning guests. Innovation is throughout – from our unique dining concept to tablet computers in each room – which I believe will bring something special to London.”

The hotel is currently running an opening offer, giving guests 35% off. To book, please visit Hotel Xenia Special Offer.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that it will debut the W brand in Israel in 2015 with the opening of W Tel Aviv – Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa. Owned by Manhattan-based RFR Holding, the hotel will be set inside a historic 19th century heritage building in the revitalised ancient port neighbourhood of Jaffa. W Tel Aviv – Jaffa is being designed by acclaimed British architect John Pawson along with Ramy Gill Architects and Urban Designers, who has also designed the new Jaffa port. “We are delighted to expand our relationship with RFR Holding, who also owns W South Beach Hotels & Residences, as we open the first W Hotel in Israel,” commented Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Tel Aviv is one of the most stylish and cosmopolitan cities on the Mediterranean and we are excited to expand our footprint into Israel.”

“We are proud and excited to be working with Starwood on this expansion in Tel Aviv with this prestigious project,” added Aby Rosen, Co-Founder and Principal of RFR Holding. “We believe that the W brand, with its exceptional reputation, will further cement Jaffa’s reputation as a unique world-class destination.”

W Tel Aviv – Jaffa will provide a cutting-edge lifestyle experience, featuring 125 stylish guest rooms and suites, including one Extreme WOW Suite (W’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite), as well as panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast.

The hotel will offer a signature restaurant, a destination bar and W Living Room (W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby). Other luxury leisure facilities include an Away Spa, SWEAT® state-of-the-art fitness, and a glamorous outdoor WET pool deck. Guests can also expect the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want, whenever they want it. The hotel will also offer a full-service, 24-hour WIRED business centre.

This project will also feature 38 W-branded Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa, which will come with a private entrance. Featuring luxurious apartments ranging from 70 to 400 square metres, the six-storey Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa will be built alongside the heritage building in which the hotel is housed. Residents will enjoy access to the facilities at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa, including signature W offerings and services.

With more than 4,000 years of history, Jaffa is south of the main city centre of Tel Aviv and is undergoing a meticulous revitalisation project, including multi-million dollar investments in infrastructure and an extended sea promenade. W Tel Aviv – Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv – Jaffa will serve as the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the ancient port city. Spanning over 20,000 square metres, this landmark project is located within close proximity to the newly renovated Jaffa port, the pristine beach, as well as fashionable boutiques, charming sidewalk cafes and stylish nightlife destinations.

Pedrali presents new editions to its Scandinavian style Malmö collection.A lounge version of its award winning armchair offers an ideal solution for hotel bedrooms, reception and lobby areas.

With curved wooden armrests, veneered plywood shell and elegant tapered legs, the chair is comfortable and extremely beautiful.

Other new additions include a range of attractive looking side tables and barstools, all made in a solid ash frame with tapered legs.

In addition to an ash veneered plywood shell, the seats can be upholstered in fabric or genuine leather. Coffee table tops can be ash veneered, solid laminate or lacquered mdf.

The tapered legs are specified as either bleached or stained black ash wood.

For more information and to request a quote just visit the new products section of RHA Furniture’s online product directory.

Marriott International has announced plans to open the first Courtyard by Marriott brand hotel in Bogota, Colombia’s largest financial, political, and cultural centre, also known as one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in South America. The deal was signed with close affiliates of Inrama S.A., a prominent construction company in Colombia with over 37 years of experience and a portfolio that includes the largest shopping centre in Bogota and some of the most sought after office space and residential units. The hotel, opening in April 2014, will be the 146-room Courtyard hotel on the prestigious Avenida El Dorado, making it the closest hotel to the recently inaugurated new terminal at El Dorado International Airport, and will also be part of a mixed-use complex which will include prime office and retail space.

“The Courtyard by Marriott brand was a perfect fit for this hotel and, combined with Marriott’s backbone and sales engine, we are confident that the hotel will be highly successful and play a large role in the continued emergence of Colombia,” said Jorge Rincón, General Manager of Optimus S.A..

“The new Courtyard by Marriott in Bogota will be a significant milestone in our rapid expansion across Latin America,” said Craig S. Smith, President of the Caribbean & Latin America at Marriott International. “The hotel will feature a modern, functional design while embracing Colombia’s vibrant culture and the amenities travellers trust from our globally renowned Marriott International brands.”

“With the success of the brand across Latin America, the Courtyard by Marriott brand has become a favourite amongst regional travellers”, says Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer for Marriott International, Inc. in the Caribbean & Latin America. “The El Dorado airport recently underwent a multimillion dollar renovation and is considered among the key hubs in Latin America, making the hotel at Avenida El Dorado an excellent option for the modern regional business traveller.”

The hotel will feature the brand’s refreshing business lobby, lobby bar, a casual dining restaurant, flexible meeting space and recreational facilities including a swimming pool and sauna. Additionally, it will include the brand’s new modern guestroom design.

From wherever you view it, Thoresby Hall is an architectural delight; a sumptuous riot of bays and balconies, gables and galleries and as sublime a slice of Grade I-listed Revival exuberance as you’ll find in the whole of Britain, let alone at the edge of the glorious and ancient Sherwood Forest.The Contract Chair Company were delighted to be appointed the main furniture supplier for the major refurbishment of the three restaurants within the main house.

Working closely with the designers to get the right product within the budget and not compromising the overall look and feel of the restaurant.

A mixture of fabrics were used to give a soft light feel to the area and to complement the bespoke carpet. The chairs were a mixture of the Kim chairs and Round back chairs from the extensive range of dining chairs from the Contract Chair Company, all in solid beech finished to a light stain with extra padding on the seat for extra comfort. The tables were all manufactured in a beech veneer with a chamfered edge detail on a simple black pedestal base with bespoke waiter stations finished to match.

Please contact Sales@thecontractchair.co.uk or call to discuss your requirements.

Following a £100,000 investment, The Park Royal Warrington, one of QHotels’ award-winning collection of 21 four star hotels, has unveiled its newly refurbished Conference Café and refreshed spa and leisure facilities.Located in The Garden Suite, The Park Royal’s new Conference Café, designed to provide a breakout space for delegates, has been completely refurbished, giving it a fresh look and modern feel with new tables and chairs, as well as top quality new equipment such as a bean-to-cup coffee machine.

In addition, the hotel has also spruced up its spa and leisure facilities, redecorating throughout and replacing soft furnishings, such as cushions and curtains, to ensure guests have a comfortable and relaxing experience. The Park Royal’s tranquil spa includes seven beauty treatment rooms, two duo treatment rooms – all with a range of Elemis products and treatments – and a relaxation room. Guests can also make use of an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, as well as a superb gym with a range of cardio and resistance machinery.

Finally, The Park Royal has invested in mobile phone signal boosters to ensure guests and delegates are better able to keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues while at the hotel.

Speaking about the benefits to hotel guests and delegates, Paul Gallon, General Manager at The Park Royal, said “This investment is simply our response to feedback and part of our commitment to total guest satisfaction. We’ve already had some great comments from guests and employees alike, which makes a significant investment like this so worthwhile.”

The Park Royal is perfectly situated with excellent links to the cities of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester, but on the doorstep is the scenic Cheshire countryside teeming with beautiful villages and buzzing suburbs. With over 146 luxurious bedrooms and 15 conference and meeting rooms for up to 400 delegates, it’s the perfect venue for business or pleasure.

March’s Highlights
• School holidays and events boost hotel performance in Abu Dhabi and Dubai;
• Cairo hotels suffer as protesters return, however performance surge in Sharm El Sheikh.

On May 7, 2013, Langham Place, Fifth Avenue officially joined the New York City luxury hotel landscape when Langham Hospitality, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Group together with its fellow subsidiary, took over the management of The Setai Fifth Avenue, located at 400 Fifth Avenue.This transition introduces the Langham Place brand, a five-star luxury hotel experience that blends modern British allure with the elegant service with which Langham has become synonymous, as one of the world’s most important leisure and business travel destinations. The Langham Place brand is a natural extension of the heritage and tradition that began with the opening of The Langham, London hotel in 1865; the landmark hotel set the standard in global hospitality in the 19th century and was the foundation for luxury, innovation and grandeur thereafter.

“We are excited that the launch of the Langham Place brand in North America is in New York City, the crossroads of the world’s business, culture and fashion industries,” says Brett Butcher, chief executive officer of Langham Hospitality Group. “Langham Place, Fifth Avenue is a milestone in our global expansion in the world’s most important destinations and it will be a welcome addition to the group’s North American portfolio, which includes The Langham hotels in Pasadena (Los Angeles) and Boston, as well as Chicago and Toronto, which are both joining the Group in July 2013.”

Also opened on May 7 at the new Langham Place, Fifth Avenue, Measure is a stylish and comfortable lounge featuring a menu of American and British comfort food re-imagined with a modern twist by Chef Jeffrey Seizer, formerly of Maialino and Union Square Café; a seasonal drink menu deeply rooted in classic cocktail culture; an extensive selection of both Old and New World wines and a craft beer menu. Food and drinks will be served throughout the day at Measure, starting with a Continental breakfast in the morning and continuing through the evening, when it will be accompanied by live jazz performances starting every evening at 8 p.m.

On the horizon for Langham Place, Fifth Avenue are additional aesthetic changes that will re-invigorate the overall hotel experience, including updated furnishings and a new selection of art in the public spaces. In keeping with the Modern British luxury that Langham Place represents, select partnerships with UK-based artists, fashion designers and film partners will also be announced in 2013. In 2014, Langham Place, Fifth Avenue will also introduce Chuan Spa, the internationally celebrated spa concept created by Langham Hospitality Group that focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques for the ultimate in relaxation and holistic wellness, which will be developed within the hotel’s existing spa footprint.

Langham Place, Fifth Avenue will boast 214 guestrooms and suites that are among the largest in the city; a selection of well-planned spaces for executive meetings and social events, and attentive, around-the-clock services. The pièce de résistance is the unrivaled gourmet experience found at Langham Place, Fifth Avenue’s signature, Michelin-starred restaurant Ai Fiori by the Altamarea Group. An elegant fine dining restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Ai Fiori – which means “among the flowers” in Italian – features a menu that celebrates the French and Italian Riviera, courtesy of the world-renowned Altamarea Group and Chef Michael White.

The cloud-capped and iconic Shard today raised the curtain on a spectacular trio of restaurants that will await visitors to London’s international landmark building, set at the heart of the fast-regenerating London Bridge Quarter.No less than eight different bar and restaurant formats are coming on stream across three entirely new restaurant concepts for the UK, creating 550 new covers in what will become at a stroke the greatest concentration of fine dining anywhere in the Capital.

The opening of the first of three restaurants, announced today, cements The Shard as the centre piece of London newest mixed-use destination, London Bridge Quarter, which has benefited from £2bn of investment.

The first restaurant to open will be “Oblix”, the first new concept restaurant from acclaimed chef Rainer Becker, since the award-winning Zuma and Roka. Becker and business partner Arjun Waney have developed Oblix as an 100 cover New York style contemporary rotisserie and grill. It will feature London’s first interactive ‘sommelier station’ and also offer a 100 cover lounge and bar serving all day deli-style food and which transforms into live music bar by night.

For the interiors, Rainer Becker has teamed up with architect Claudio Silvestrin, the talent behind the Armani Store in Sloane Street and the Princi café in Soho. The north end of the restaurant is designed to look like ‘library’ walls – displaying a vast array of wines rather than books. The uniforms of the Front of House team have been designed in collaboration with British fashion house Ted Baker. Oblix is on level 32 at The Shard.

Oblix opening, will be closely followed in June by a new brand to Europe “Hutong” by David Yeo, founder of Hong Kong’s Aqua Restaurant Group. Hutong is an acclaimed brand in Aqua Group’s home land of Hong Kong, and this will be the first European branch of the famous restaurant. Hutong will be a 130-cover restaurant serving the relatively unknown but fascinating and diverse cuisine of Northern China. The Group’s head chef for Chinese cuisine, Yuan Shihai, has developed an innovative menu inspired by the culinary styles of Peking, Shadong and Sichuan provinces. Hutong is on level 33 at The Shard.

Meanwhile, 220 covers at another new concept restaurant “aqua shard” will bring inventive contemporary cuisine to The Shard, using ingredients sourced from around the British Isles, including nearby renowned Borough Market. David Yeo and executive chef Anthony Garlando, a protege of master chef Pierre Gagnaire, have worked together to create a menu, which combines classic British ingredients from selected local producers with Anthony Garlando’s innovative cooking techniques. aqua shard is on level 31.

The UK’s first Shangri La Hotel, opening late summer, will offer further culinary delights, with a destination restaurant and a lounge on level 35, a signature bar on level 52, and an artisan deli and cake shop on level 1.

Commenting on the 2013 restaurant openings, Irvine Sellar, on behalf of LBQ Ltd said:

“The breadth and quality of the restaurants at The Shard will be matched by their exquisite design and dramatic setting.
“Together, they will create the greatest concentration of fine dining anywhere in the Capital and make The Shard and London Bridge Quarter the aspirational destination for food and wine lovers the world over.

‘World renowned chefs innovative menus, expert sommeliers and mixologists will combine in a range of environments that will be accessible to guests from breakfast through to late night drinks.”

He added:

“2013 will see The Shard really come to life. Over 300,000 people have already visited The View from The Shard since it opened in February, now the restaurants are coming on stream, the Shangri- La opens late summer, construction on our sister building The Place will complete this summer, and office tenants at The Shard will begin moving in later this year.

“Londoners and international visitors will want to experience our vision for a new aspirational district for London, open to all, coming to life, in a way that will put the focus firmly on the fast-regenerating south bank.”

Sleeperz Hotels, the innovative UK budget hotel operator, has launched Cityroomz – a rooms-based sister brand offering convenience and comfort at great value prices – with an opening in Edinburgh today.Sleeperz Hotels specialises in building design-led premium budget hotels in city centres close to mainline rail stations. It currently operates successful hotels in Cardiff and Newcastle. It launches sister brand Cityroomz in the Scottish Capital as the latest phase in aggressive expansion plans.

David Myers, chief executive of Sleeperz Hotels, said: “The launch of a new rooms-based sister brand is a bold and exciting move for a young business. The fact that it is one of the best locations in Edinburgh, at the end of Princes Street, is a tremendous opportunity”.

“Edinburgh is one of the world’s truly great cities. It’s Scotland’s cultural capital, sustaining a thriving and resilient tourism industry, and is the beating heart of business and politics north of the border.”

Sleeperz is closing in on further sites for Sleeperz hotels in central Glasgow and London, with a 121 room agreement to lease secured for a hotel in Glasgow city centre and a London property at planning stage.

The Cityroomz hotel opens on the site of a former Travelodge in Edinburgh’s Shandwick Place, equal distance between Waverley and Haymarket rail stations.

The Sleeperz team has refurbished the property, renovating and reinventing the hotel to reflect Sleeperz Hotels’ passion for modern contemporary design, style and comfort.

Creating and saving jobs
The Cityroomz hotel has created 10 new jobs in the Edinburgh economy and save six existing roles among former Travelodge employees.

Steve Allen, operations director, Sleeperz Hotels, said: “Our philosophy at Sleeperz Hotels is to exceed guest expectations, not only in terms of customer service and welcome but most importantly in terms of the quality of rooms, furnishings and conveniences people expect when they stay at a budget hotel. Cityroomz will be no different.”

Features of Cityroomz Edinburgh
• Freeview flat screen TV’s
• Free and fast Wi-Fi access
• Tea/coffee making facilities in the room
• Comfortable beds with high quality duvets
• Custom made bespoke mattress, microfibre filled pillows
• Bright, cheerful décor
• Laptop safe
• Modern bath/shower rooms
• Blackout curtains/blinds
• Storage/hanging space

The expansion of Sleeperz Hotels has been driven by investment in the business by backers including Andre Hoffmann, Connection Capital and Costain.

Sleeperz were ably supported in the Shandwick place transaction by Anderson Strathern LLP.

Marriott International, Inc. has continued the expansion of its joint venture with AC Hotels with the opening of two new properties – the AC Hotel Nice on the French Riviera and the AC Hotel Sant Cugat in Catalonia, Barcelona. The two new hotels will be welcome additions to the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, which launched in 2011 and now offers over 80 hotels across Europe.After an extensive renovation, the AC Hotel Nice opened on 1 April 2013. The 143-room downtown hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea just steps from Promenade des Anglais. Stand out hotel features include a panoramic terrace with heated swimming pool and a relaxing hotel Zen garden.

In addition to 22 suites, the hotel has three conference and banqueting rooms, accommodating up to 100 guests. The Acropolis Congress Centre is only a short distance away making it ideally appointed accommodation for business as well as leisure travellers.

The AC Hotel Nice is the second AC Hotel by Marriott hotel to open in France joining the AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes-Juan Les Pins, which opened last summer. Another French property, AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot, was announced in September 2012 and is set to open in early 2014.

The newly opened AC Hotel Sant Cugat is conveniently located in the business area of Sant Joan. The hotel has 152-rooms and several function rooms for meetings and events. The hotel’s AC Lounge is an attractive, multi-purpose space open 24 hours where guests can relax with free wi-fi.

The affluent suburb of Sant Cugat del Valles is abundant with beauty and heritage and has convenient connections to central Barcelona. Local attractions include the Benedictine monastery of Sant Cugat and the medieval castle Castell de Canals.

“We are delighted to be developing the presence of AC Hotels by Marriott in France and across Europe with these two exciting new openings in such current locations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “Nice and Sant Cugat del Valles are popular destinations for both business and leisure travellers and fit perfectly with the brand’s associated modern comfort and urban style.”

The new hotels join over 80 existing AC Hotels by Marriott throughout France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Marriott Rewards, one of the world’s largest hospitality loyalty programmes with over 37 million members.

March’s Highlights
• Bleak picture as most cities experience first quarter profit decline
• St Petersburg on a steady upward trend

GHM expanded its hospitality interests on the Arabian Peninsula March 11 when the luxury hotel group signed a contract to manage the Al Bait Sharjah hotel, scheduled to open in early 2015 in the U.A.E.GHM currently manages The Chedi Muscat in Oman and is planning to open The Chedi Khorfakkan in 2015.

In Sharjah, the hotel project will unveil 54 hotel rooms across four categories of accommodation, as well as a spa and dining facilities that include a traditional Arabic tea and coffee house. Wall-mounted lanterns, arched porticos, rooftop terraces, and a warren of pedestrian arteries coursing through the compound will inform the hotel’s Arabic ambiance. Many of the rooms at the Al Bait will open onto intimate, interior courtyards.

Five of the buildings within the nascent hotel compound are decades-old heritage buildings, once owned by prominent residents and today retained with due respect for their original layout and function. Seasoned walls of coral support one of the aged homes. Another will continue to function as a library and museum.

The Souq Al Arsa, a traditional open-air marketplace, will wind through the core of the hotel property, forming a pedestrian thoroughfare that promises a lively, interactive guest experience.

“We’re blurring the lines between the destination and the accommodation in a manner that enhances a guest’s stay,” said GHM President Hans R. Jenni. “The Al Bait’s integration with its environs conveys the destination’s charm and character, ensuring a very immediate and enriching experience of life in the exquisite heart of Sharjah.”

Indeed, the 10,000 square-metre (2.5 acres) hotel development is a major pillar of an overarching heritage initiative, the Heart of Sharjah, launched by the emirate’s leadership. When completed in 2025, the project will have safeguarded a number of historic landmarks and preserved the essence of Sharjah as it was decades ago.

GHM signed its management deal with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). GHM and Shurooq previously signed a similar deal on The Chedi Khorfakkan.

“Shurooq’s message is not a commercial one, but a cultural one that will enhance the position and the value of the emirate,” said Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq.

The project’s architect is GAJ, a U.K.-based firm that’s developed a number of projects in the U.A.E.

On the 9th May, The Grosvenor held a special preview of the nursery suite which will be open to the public from June. The suite is very luxurious. It’s the largest suite at The Grosvenor and has the option of interconnecting rooms for families with a large entourage or older children. It consists of a large guestroom with crib and chaise lounge, ensuite bathroom, an incredible baby changing area and large family room with children’s play area.

I was trying to put my finger on what it reminded me of and all I could think about was the nursery in Peter Pan; that Victorian, quintessentially English style of décor. It is beautiful. There’s even a Silver Cross pram available for guests to use – the iconic Balmoral carriage –oozing that English charm which is so appealing to visitors from around the World.

Whilst there are a few gadgets such as a video monitor, bottle warmer and steriliser, it is a relatively simple environment. Hand painted furniture, neutral colours and natural light flooding into the room transports you out of the city and into a fairytale.

The nursery is an elegant addition to the offering at The Grosvenor and one which will be enjoyed by the luckiest babies from around the World.

Meliá Hotels & Resorts has opened its first resort in the Andalusian province of Huelva (Atlantic coast), in Spain. The Meliá Atlantico – Isla Canela is a large holiday resort located on the beachfront in Isla Canela, one of the most privileged tourist destinations and residential areas in Andalusia, a new destination for Meliá Hotels International which will also strengthen its brand portfolio in Spain.Built in 2000 and renovated in 2013, the hotel is built in traditional Andalusian architectural style combined with elegant and welcoming interiors, all set in 10,000 m2 of gardens that make it an extraordinary resort to enjoy the unique experience of Meliá Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel provides 358 spacious rooms with a private balcony or terrace, most with views of the sea or the mouth of River Carreras. They include superior rooms with a lounge, family rooms for people travelling with children, and five elegant and bright suites.

The Meliá Atlantico – Isla Canela offers extensive facilities and entertainment options to complete the first class experience provided by the brand. The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools (one measuring 615m2) and one indoor pool, a sun terrace, spa and wellness centre, tennis and paddle tennis courts, gym and children’s playground. The hotel also offers a daytime entertainment program for all ages, plus evening entertainment.

The hotel also provides a buffet restaurant with show cooking and twice weekly themed dinners based on regional cuisine from around the world. The hotel also has three bars, including a snack bar for light meals and healthy eating.

March’s Highlights
• Tough first quarter as London hotel market registers profit decline;
• Revenue Growth wiped out by rising costs in the Provinces as hotels feel the chill.

It’s happening! Nikki Beach Worldwide, the global luxury lifestyle & hospitality brand, is thrilled to announce the summer 2013 Grand Opening of its newest location: Nikki Beach Ibiza. Located on the East coast of the island in the Santa Eulalia area and on a magnificent beachfront property overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Nikki Beach Ibiza will consist of the brand’s signature beach club, restaurant and lifestyle boutique. The brand’s other Spain locations include Nikki Beach Marbella, which is celebrating its 10th season this summer and Nikki Beach Mallorca, which made its debut during the 2012 season.Modelled after the same stylish and contemporary look and feel as Nikki Beach locations around the world, Nikki Beach Ibiza will be adorned in plush, all-white sun beds, chic drapery and the brand’s trademark signature teepees. Guests will be able to spend their days and nights indulging in refreshing cocktails and endless champagne while enjoying the music played by both the resident and guest DJ’s. The extensive menu will be comprised of delectable dishes featuring signature tastes and spices representative of all the countries Nikki Beach is located including delicious salads, creative sushi rolls, original seafood entrees and slow-roasted free-range rotisserie chicken.

“Ever since we opened our very first Nikki Beach in 1998, one of the most frequently asked questions has been: “When are you going to open a Nikki Beach in Ibiza?” said Jack Penrod, Founder & Owner of Nikki Beach Worldwide. “Today, I finally have an answer to everyone’s question: “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our loyal customers (from all around the world) as well as locals & visitors of the beautiful Spanish island to Nikki Beach Ibiza in Summer 2013!”

The Nikki Beach brand is known for introducing the world to the ultimate beach club concept that combines the elements of entertainment, dining, music, fashion, film and art into one – a combination that is experienced through the innovative events that take place at each location. The events at Nikki Beach Ibiza will include top-class entertainment and signature Nikki Beach themed parties including the popular Grand Opening White Party to mark Nikki Beach Ibiza’s debut, The Champagne World Tour, the Miami Vibes party, Brazilian Party and Welcome to St. Tropez party, among many others. The attentive and friendly service, lavish themed-events and exceptional dining, music, entertainment and all-around ambiance, make Nikki Beach Ibiza the most luxurious haven of choice for the world’s jet-set, VIP and celebrity clientele.

A Birmingham silverware manufacturer identified for its outstanding business potential has graduated from the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme.Heritage Silverware, founded in Small Heath more than 35 years ago, was one of only 25 Midlands companies chosen from a shortlist of more than 40 applications to take part in the four month business growth programme delivered by Aston Business School (in Birmingham).

Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship combining traditional skills with modern technology, the family run business was originally set up by entrepreneur Martin McDonagh who continues to run the firm with his son Anthony.

Anthony said “We have been in business for 35 years so it is a real privilege to have been selected to take part in this initiative. The support the programme offers will be a huge boost to the future success of the company and its employees.”

Professor Mark Hart, Programme Director said: “We were very impressed with Heritage Silverware’s ambitious business growth plans and we are delighted to have worked with such a dynamic and entrepreneurial small family business here in the Midlands.”

10,000 Small Businesses UK is an initiative to unlock the growth and job creation potential of small businesses and is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation.

Earlier this year Heritage Silverware was commissioned to produce more than 100 bespoke items for a prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary competition in Lyon, France and counts London’s exclusive Ritz and Dorchester Hotels as well as the Orient Express amongst its clients for products ranging from cutlery to carving trolleys and cake stands.

Travelodge has today strengthened its presence in Spain by opening its biggest hotel in the country’s second largest city, Barcelona. The new purpose built 250-room hotel which is situated in the heart of the most innovative district in Barcelona “22@” – also known as the city’s ‘Silicon Valley’ represents an investment of €30 million.

Barcelona Poblenou Travelodge is the Company’s fifth hotel in Spain and is also the first of two new Spanish hotel openings for the budget hotelier this year.

The second hotel will be located in the famous Julian Camarilo commercial district in Madrid and is scheduled to open this summer.

These two new properties double Travelodge’s room stock in Spain to 700 and boost the number of hotels to six which comprises of three properties in Madrid, two in Barcelona and one in Valencia.

Paul Harvey, Travelodge Managing Director, commented: “We now have a strong presence in Spain’s top three largest cities and we are delighted today to open our largest Spanish hotel in the heart of Barcelona’s up and coming business district 22@.

“The demand for branded budget accommodation is rapidly growing across Spain. Like the UK market the recession has forced many Spanish businesses and financial institutions to make cutbacks. As a result, we have seen a significant rise in corporate business come through our doors. In addition over the last 12 months, 65% of Spaniards have taken a Staycation break. Just like Britons, price is a key deciding factor for the Spanish domestic market, when booking a hotel room. Therefore by offering rooms from 20 Euros we have been able to capitalise upon this growing market and achieve high occupancy across our Spanish hotels.

“The opportunity to grow in Spain is still huge as the branded budget hotel sector represents just two per cent of total hotel stock. This is substantially lower than other European countries such as France which is 24% and the UK which currently stands under 20%. Going forward we want to focus on growing our existing portfolio and are looking for suitable sites across Spain’s top ten largest cities such as Granada and Seville.”

With over seven million visitors annually visiting Barcelona, the new Travelodge hotel has got off to a flying start with a high level of bookings. Room rates start from 20 Euros. Each room has en-suite facilities, a luxury king Size bed, air conditioning / heating, a flat screen TV and Internet connection. The hotel also has a Bar Café which offers a 24-hour food and drink service and has two meeting rooms and underground car-parking.

HVS Moscow is pleased to announce its role as the hospitality advisor to the Regional Hotel Chain in their plans to develop Holiday Inn Express hotels across Russia. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a franchise multiple development agreement (MDA) with Regional Hotel Chain, a portfolio company of VIY Management (VIYM) to develop 15 new hotels in Russia by 2019. The locations for the first two of these hotels are Chelyabinsk and Voronezh. Holiday Inn Express Voronezh – Kirova is due to open in the second half of 2014, and Holiday Inn Express Chelyabinsk is scheduled to open in summer 2015. HVS Moscow worked on the feasibility studies for these projects, prior to RHC & IHG announcing their development deal. HVS Moscow has also completed feasibility studies on additional markets, which will be announced shortly.

“HVS played an important role in our plans to develop Holiday Inn Express hotels across Russia,” explains Vladislav Smirnov, CEO, Regional Hotel Chain. “Their knowledge of hotel dynamics in the Russian market as well as global perspective helped us to better understand the potential of this venture. We look forward to future projects with HVS.”

The luxury “Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof“, one of the leading hotels in Frankfurt, has been undergoing an intensive refurbishment of 28 million Euros. 71 rooms and 4 suites have been completely refurbished while another 170 rooms were part of a soft refurbishment. The highlight of the hotel is now the new Spa and Wellness area with more than 1.000m².The interior designer Cornelia Markus-Diedenhofen created a design of timeless elegance based on cream/white and blue colours, with a playful use of different surfaces. This design concept has also been used for the luminaries from Baulmann Leuchten: matt leather on the reading lights, shades made of cream-coloured chintz, sparkling crystals for the ceiling lamps and massive glass-cubes on the table lamps.

The Design Guild Mark, now in its sixth year, has become recognised as a major mark for excellence in British Design. The Design Guild Mark, rewards excellence in the design of furniture in volume production. By the award of this Guild Mark for designs which meet The Furniture Makers Company’s criteria, the designers will receive due recognition and the industry will be made more aware of the importance of investment in design. The Design Guild Mark rewards the work of the finest furniture designers working in volume production and the best of British furniture designers working abroad.The judging panel (listed below) had the difficult task of assessing which entries had achieved the now established standard of excellence required from the diverse range of items set out for their inspection.

The judges were:

Malaika Byng – Wallpaper
Jonathan Hindle – KI
Enrico Caruso – Gensler
Kate Mason – Cushman & Wakefield
Barbara Chandler – The Evening Standard
Olga Polizzi – Rocco Forte Design
Lee Cheong – University of Portsmouth
Pernille Stafford – TP Bennett
Sebastian Conran – Sebastian Conran Associates
Jason Wilary-Attew – John Lewis
Nick Hill – Marks & Spencer

All judges with an interest in an entry stood aside when that entry was being discussed.

Graham Jones, the present chairman, commented:
“This year’s judging day was its usual mix of celebration and contention. Every year we find something simple and something delightful that unites the judges in their commendation and helps to explain why the Design Guild Mark is so important.”

Jonathan Hindle, Founding Chairman of the Design Guild Mark added:
“I am delighted this prestigious award is going from strength to strength. I am told by many of the leading design studios that they now consider the Design Guild Mark to be the highest accolade for the design of furniture in volume production. This year’s judging was as vigorous as ever with much debate amongst us on each product. The short presentations from each designer in person or via Skype was also very informative. Just over half the entrants were judged as achieving a standard worthy of a Guild Mark.
I am especially pleased to see many of the designers and manufacturers using the Design Guild Mark Coat of Arms and logo in the promotion of those products.”

Barbara Chandler, Photographer, design writer for the London Evening Standard, Design Columnist for Homes & Garden and judge commented:
“This year was a marathon session, with 11 very stalwart judges looking at 41 entries non-stop. It is thrilling for British design that so many designers and companies aspire to hold the Design Guild Mark. Designers gave up their time to offer fascinating expositions of their work. And the gems that won our label made the whole process so worth while.”

Designers whose entries were awarded Design Guild Marks this year were:
• Ian Archer – ‘Raffa Chairs’ for Couch Design (DGM 75)
• Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby – ‘The Sofa Collection’ for
Knoll International (DGM 76)
• Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby – ‘Tip Ton’ for Vitra (DGM 77)
• Samuel Chan – ‘Finnieston Bookcase’ for Channels (DGM 78)
• Samuel Chan – ‘Finnieston Console Table’ for Channels (DGM 79)
• Martin Dodge – ‘Radial Table Mechanism’ for Martin Dodge Furniture (DGM 80)
• Ali Edwards – ‘Navajo’ for John Lewis (DGM 81)
• Mark Gabbertas – ‘Diabolo’ for Chorus Furniture (DGM 82)
• Mark Gabbertas – ‘Metro’ for Lyndon Design (DGM 83)
• Mark Gabbertas – ‘Mir’ for Chorus Furniture (DGM 84)
• Mark Gabbertas – ‘MirA’ for Chorus Furniture (DGM 85)
• Dave Green – ‘Rockingham Rocker’ made by Sitting Firm Chairmakers (DGM 86)
• Terry Hunt – ‘UniteSE SpaceStation’ for KI (DGM 87)
• James Irvine – ‘Juno’ for Arper (DGM 88)
• Je-Uk Kim – ‘Credenza O’ for JiB design studio (DGM 89)
• Roger Webb Associates – ‘WHY Chairs’ for Connection (DGM 90)
• Steuart Padwick – ‘The Horseshoe Chair’ manufactured by Sitting Firm Distributed by Steuart Padwick (DGM 91)
• Simon Pengelly – ‘Jonty’ for Chorus Furniture Ltd (DGM 92)
• Russell Pinch – ‘Holland Park’ Chairs manufactured by Ercol (DGM 93)
• Wales & Wales – ‘Marylebone Chairs’ for Benchmark (DGM 94)
• Wills Watson & Associates – ‘Corsair Range’ for WJ White (DGM 95)

Sebastian Conran, Director of Sebastian Conran Associates
“The Design Guild Mark is one of the few competitions that I know where the designers of the pieces have the opportunity to explain their designs in person to the judges. Apart from making the judging process all the more interesting it gives the judges a valuable insight into all aspects of the entries, and ensures that the judging process is particularly thorough and fair.”

Lee Cheong, Lecturer in the School of Architecture, University of Portsmouth commented:
“A great diversity of entrants shows the recognition the Design Guild Mark has now achieved. Designs showing a good use of materials, obtained from sustainable sources and from a wide set of market applications were all represented. The Design Guild Mark is recognised and seen as promoting excellence.”

Jason Wilary-Attew, Head of Furniture buying for John Lewis added:
“I really enjoyed the judging this year, and thought, as ever, there were some really interesting and innovative products submitted. The standard continues to be high, and after some lively debate I believe we have a great selection of product this year. It was good to see a mix across domestic and commercial product too.”

Kate Mason, Associate Head of Interior Design, Project Management & Consultancy for Cushman & Wakefield commented:
“The Design Guild Mark is a prestigious platform for designers of all reaches to showcase their talents and earn recognition in their field. The standard this year was supremely high and the products quite mixed. Overall it was an exciting look into the rising trends and future direction in which our designers are heading.”

Nick Hill, Head of Innovation and Quality at Marks and Spencer:
“The Design Guild Mark allows designers to get acknowledgement and recognition from a broad cross section of the UK furniture industry. A great opportunity to showcase the best of furniture designs created in Britain.”

Enrico Caruso, Principal at Gensler:
“It was a privilege to have been asked for the second time to join the judging panel for this year’s Design Guild Mark Awards for the Furniture Makers’ Company. The program provides a wide playing field in which independent designer-makers and established commercial manufacturers alike may put their best products forward for equal consideration in the competition. This year was no exception. The one common element in each product reviewed was quality with a focus on great design.”

Pernille Stafford, Director at TP Bennett:
“This year’s Design Guild Mark was truly exceptional, with a number of both progressive and inventive pieces. The standard was again very high, a selection of pieces representing cutting edge technology and design. Aesthetically a broad church of submissions which makes the Design Guild Mark such a privilege to be involved in.”

Olga Polizzi, Deputy Chairman & Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels:
“We deliberate very carefully before deciding to give the Design Guild Mark to an item of furniture; it is not an easy accolade to win.”

Malaika Byng, Editor of Wallpaper.com:
“The latest troop of Design Guild Mark winners paint a very positive portrait of British design – one in which skilled craftsmanship, innovative thinking and problem solving are pushed to the fore.”

The Furniture Makers Company is very grateful to John Lewis, for sponsoring the development of the Design Guild Mark and to Marks & Spencer for its support of the Design Guild Mark by making both its facilities and its staff available for the judging process.

The Design Guild Mark are having an exclusive feature stand showing awarded products at 100% Design, 18th – 21st September at Earls Court. For further information visit: www.100percentdesign.co.uk

The White Hart, a Grade II listed coaching inn near Chippenham has recently re-opened following a major makeover, transforming it into a haven for locals and visitors to enjoy total peace and relaxation. Perfectly positioned overlooking a picturesque babbling trout stream, the traditional 16th century stone-clad pub now offers stylish and luxuriously appointed rooms alongside a welcoming pub with bags of quintessential English character.The Location
Nestled in a beautiful valley on an old coach way, once weary wayfarers called in at this historical bolt-hole to refuel and recuperate. A stone’s throw from the beautiful Cotswolds and just 10 miles from Bath, it is now the perfect weekend retreat, whether you’re into country pursuits, stately homes or designer boutiques.

The Bedrooms
Exquisitely designed, the White Hart’s 11 bedrooms offer understated individuality and charm, where the attention to detail really shines through. Traditional check-patterned fabrics, chunky wooden furniture and a soft colour palette all work together to create a simple, rustic and chic refuge.

Providing all the creature comforts expected from a boutique hotel, the rooms boast luxury bed linen, blissfully comfortable mattresses, flat screen TVs, spacious bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and a homemade welcome hamper packed with coffee, tea, bottled water and sweet treats.

The Pub
Wonky oak beams, original exposed stone, a roaring log fire and cosy tables in every nook and cranny tempt guests to linger in the inviting pub, which has retained much of its old-world charm. A stylish mismatch of furniture, some vintage and some bespoke add to The White Hart’s character.

A large courtyard, which wraps around the entire inn, provides a tranquil spot for alfresco drinking and dining. Sip on a glass of chilled wine or the pub’s very own ‘White Hart Best’ ale whilst enjoying glorious views of the gentle rolling countryside and cascading stream.

Surrounded by green and pleasant land and packed with historical character, The White Hart is a stylish retreat for modern-day weary travellers.

Book now at www.whitehart-ford.com call 01249 782213 and quote OPENING25 to enjoy a special introductory offer of £25 off any room, valid until the end of May 2013.

UK hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes urged to “do their bit for nature”

Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors has grown used to nature around them. Joyous birdsong, rustling hedgerows and butterflies in parks and gardens are all very much part of the enjoyment of sitting outside in the UK’s many great pubs, restaurants, hotels and cafes. However, growing evidence suggests that nature is in trouble – and as Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity, the RSPB is working hard to help halt the decline in numerous species of garden wildlife, most notably hedgehogs, bees, butterflies and birds.

The RSPB is urging UK hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes to help offer natural garden habitat to UK wildlife – however small and seemingly insignificant. A potted patio tub, a hanging basket, a small garden, a balcony planter – every contribution plays a vital part in giving nature a home. Bug boxes, hedgehog homes and nest boxes – shop bought or homemade – all play a crucial role in ensuring our countryside thrives and will encourage a greater number of flapping, fluttering, buzzing and snuffling creatures and birds to take up residence.

Together we can make a HUGE difference whether it is digging a pond, planting wild flowers, creating a bug hotel or adding a window box or tub.

One company doing just that is Scotscape Ltd; discover how they can help with your project by visiting their page in the Directory.

Following the completion of a comprehensive refurbishment project, DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre announced its opening. The public areas and each of the hotel’s 201 guestrooms have been transformed, bringing them up to DoubleTree by Hilton’s upscale standards with a new design concept that pays tribute to the city’s proud industrial and seafaring heritage.Relics from Bristol’s heyday as a maritime trading centre adorn the hotel, whilst the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the engineer behind the Great Western Railway, is also keenly felt. Nowhere are guests more steeped in the city’s rich history than in the hotel’s centrepiece, the Kiln Restaurant; a listed 17th century kiln which originally forged glassware, is now home to culinary craftsmanship of similar pedigree, offering a unique atmosphere in which to enjoy a range of contemporary dishes.

Simon Vincent, president, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Hilton Worldwide has a strong presence in Bristol, operating hotels under three different brands. With the city having recently been shortlisted to be European Green Capital 2015, it is an exciting time to be further expanding our portfolio here.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre is owned by Focus Hotels Management Ltd, and operated under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide. The hotel enjoys an enviable location 400m from Bristol Temple Meads rail station. It is situated on Redcliffe Way, a main road which leads directly to the historic docks, now a popular tourist attraction, housing Brunel’s majestic steamship ss Great Britain.

Conferences and events are well served with nine meeting rooms on site, with capacity for up to 300 delegates. All guests can enjoy access to the hotel’s connectivity zone enabling them to keep up to date on the move whilst the fitness centre remains open round the clock. The Temple Bar and Lounge provides a more relaxing option for those seeking to unwind after a long day, with a range of drinks and snacks available including traditional dishes from the West Country.

John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton is a brand that cherishes individuality and a real sense of place within our hotels. We’re delighted with the work that has been done to restore these qualities to our new Bristol property, which is the first of seven new UK hotels being added to our rapidly expanding portfolio this year.”

Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre will also be treated to signature brand features including the welcome of a warm chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; the invigorating array of CITRON body care products by Crabtree & Evelyn in the rooms; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

“Peter Cashman, CEO of Focus Hotels Management Ltd, said, “I am delighted to announce the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre. Our team is excited to have a second hotel under the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, following the unveiling of our DoubleTree by Hilton London – Heathrow Airport last July.”

On Tuesday 30th April 2013, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts celebrated the grand opening of JW Marriott Essex House New York. In partnership with Christie’s, JW Marriott unveiled four specially commissioned works by emerging artists including Mat Larkin, Jack Shannon, Julian Wellisz, and Lindsay Keys, each inspired by the unmistakable Essex House sign illuminating the New York City skyline since the 1930’s. The exhibition of these original works will be on display in the lobby through October. The installation will be the first in a series of art exhibitions at JW Marriott Essex House celebrating the work of emerging artists. As part of its global partnership with Christie’s, JW Marriott properties worldwide host public exhibitions and previews of major Christie’s auctions featuring original, rare, archived or indigenous art.

A theatrical floral arrangement depicting the iconic Essex House sign as imagined by Jane Packer, one of the world’s foremost artistic floral company’s with outposts in New York, London and Tokyo, anchored the heart of the bustling lobby. JW Marriott Essex House and Jane Packer will now offer a ‘Botanical Beauty School’ experience, an extraordinary getaway combining luxurious overnight accommodations, a customized course at Jane Packer Flower School, and Art of Aroma cocktails featuring seasonal, edible blooms.

With a coveted address on Central Park South and an inimitable Art Deco sign atop the 40-story hotel, the 509-room JW Marriott Essex House first opened in 1931 and has hosted a wide range of dignitaries and celebrities alike over the years. Today, the hotel features world-class amenities including a full-service spa and fitness center, a fine-dining restaurant and well-appointed meeting and event spaces. The 509 guestrooms offer stylish furnishings that celebrate the property’s rich history while offering guests all the comforts of a high-end hotel.

Offering commanding views of Central Park, the Essex House recently underwent a comprehensive $90 million renovation in 2007 and is among the most luxurious and recognized hotels in Manhattan.

Grace Hotels, the award-winning boutique hotel group, is proud to announce its entry into the North African region with the acquisition of the acclaimed Les Terres M’Barka, a luxury boutique hotel located near the village of Tamesloht, just 22 kilometres south west of Marrakech. The hotel will become known as Grace Marrakech.Breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains surround this tranquil hideaway which rests on 15 hectares of Moroccan countryside and features its own farmstead with olive trees, vegetable gardens and horse stables. Comprising 18 suites and lofts (some with two or three bedrooms), a restaurant, bar, library, outdoor heated pool, traditional farm kitchen and fully serviced spa with traditional hammam and whirlpool, it provides the perfect escape for both couples and families or those seeking an exclusive corporate retreat. Les Terres M’Barka will close in June and after full refurbishment, it will re-launch as Grace Marrakech in Q4 2013.

Philippe M. E. Requin, CEO of Grace Hotels, commented: “We are very excited to announce the latest addition to the Grace portfolio. The blend of traditional design with contemporary touches which dominates Les Terres M’Barka perfectly complements our existing portfolio of boutique hotels. We look forward to bringing the Grace philosophy of elegance and simplicity to this beautiful property in one of the most sought after destinations in North Africa.”

The creation of Grace Marrakech coincides with the group’s further expansion into the Americas. Grace Cafayate, situated on a residential and sporting estate with vineyards in northwest Argentina and Grace Panama, a contemporary boutique hotel within the dramatic ‘Twist Tower’ in Panama City, are due to open later this year. They will join the existing award-winning properties Grace Santorini and Grace Mykonos in Greece, Grace Beijing and Vanderbilt Grace in Newport, Rhode Island.

MGallery, Accor’s collection of high-end hotels, now counts three exceptional establishments in Milan: Grand Visconti Palace Hotel, Uptown Palace Hotel and the Grand Hotel Villa Torretta. Located in the very heart of Europe’s design and fashion capital, these two new properties, reflect the brand’s dynamic expansion via franchises and in Italy, MGallery’s second largest network.

Two other hotels recently joined the brand’s Italian network: Villa Olmi Hotel in Florence and La Griffe Hotel in Rome. LaGare Hotel Venezia will open next May under MGallery brand, bringing the network to a total of 12 prestigious hotels in Italy.Grand Visconti Palace Hotel: a haven of tranquillity that evokes Milan’s past but also its present

Classical and refined, the Grand Visconti Palace represents the perfect match between the traditional charm of a historic building and the comfort of modern facilities.

In the 1920s, the hotel’s 2,500 sq.m. courtyard housed a flour mill, the Mulino Verga. Now transformed into a magnificent Italian-style garden, it is the centrepiece of the hotel, visible from most of the 172 rooms and suites, the pool, the restaurant and the meeting rooms.

The Tower Suite perfectly encapsulates the spirit of a new type of luxury, rich in emotions and discoveries, brought to life by MGallery and the Grand Visconti Palace: 120 square meters on three levels connected by a staircase and a private elevator, with extraordinary views over the city’s rooftops.

The restaurant “al V piano” on the fifth floor offers an “eno-gastronomic” journey through the traditional tastes and flavours of Italy and the best in international cuisine.

To refresh body and mind after a busy day, guests can enjoy the Grand Visconti Palace well-being centre with its sauna, Turkish baths, Jacuzzi, fitness centre and 120 sqm indoor swimming pool overlooking the park.

The hotel also boasts a meetings and events area that can cater for up to 300 people, with 14 meeting rooms ranging from 55 to 249 sqm

Uptown Palace Hotel: an “urban-chic” skyscraper with a 360° view of Milan

The Uptown Palace embodies the essence of Italian elegance. Strategically located just a few minutes from the city’s world- famous fashion district, this “urban-chic” hotel has adopted a palette of warm beige and brown colours that infuse charm and elegance.

The 158 rooms and suites with their clean-lined, sophisticated design offer the highest standards of comfort. The stylish furniture and materials are all made in Italy.

The suites have a vast, bright living area with great views and a Jacuzzi, while the top- floor Presidential Suite boasts an amazing panoramic view of the cathedral and the rooftops of Milan.

“Uptown”, the hotel’s restaurant, will delight the most demanding palates with a selection of traditional Lombardy dishes and international specialities produced by its daring and creative young chef, Carlon Ontano.

Grand Hotel Villa Torretta: a jewel in a casket of greenery

Grand Hotel Villa Torretta is a luxurious 17th century manor house, a historic and prestigious building decorated with frescoes, Venetian stucco and crystal chandeliers. An ideal venue for private and professional events, the hotel is adjacent to Milan’s regional park, the Parco Nord. The 78 rooms and suites feature individually chosen furniture and fabric colours that give each its own special personality.

The hotel restaurant, “Vico della Toretta”, is worth a visit in its own right. Located inside the villa, it is open to all and offers tasty Milanese and Lombardy delicacies served in a sumptuous setting. The hotel also boasts nine meeting rooms bathed in light and a splendid auditorium designed by famous architect Renzo Piano, offering a total capacity of 258 people.

The role of our hoteliers is crucial and a key to our customers’ experience. MGallery hotel teams stage the story of their establishment with talent by sharing anecdotes and secrets about its history, the city, culture and stories.